Twin Experiments In The Holocaust

More than 200 people died from experimentation in the Holocaust. There were many experiments but, twin experiments were most common. These experiments took the lives of many in addition to the pain the victims were put through including, physical, mental, and emotional. Many of these tests were just out of curiosity. The experiments by Josef Mengele were very brutal and gruesome and often lead to horrible outcomes. The experiments started in May 1943.(Walker) Auschwitz was then chosen as the location for the experiments because of a large number of twins accessible. (Rosenberg) They were sorted into two groups, the weak and the strong. The strong were put to work while the weak were immediately gassed. They were focused on finding twins …show more content…
As a twin, the staff would first take their measurements. If the staff forget to write down any detail at all they would be punished severely. (“Medical Experiments”..) Then after they took the twins measurements most of them got an injection to the heart. This injection was made of either chloroform or phenol which would kill them instantly. If they didn’t get this shot in their heart they were put in the cabins with the other twins and given a tattoo with a special number code. This was how they identified them. (Rosenberg) A regular day in the life of a twin went like this. The twins were woken up at six o'clock sharp. Every part of the twins bodies was then thoroughly and carefully measured. After that long process, they had their blood drawn, this happened daily. Besides, that compared to the others twins were spoiled. If the twins got in trouble they would be spared from any and all punishment. They also got to keep their hair most of the time as for the other people did not. …show more content…
(“Medical Experiments”..) He would also put his victims in ice water for 3 hours or they would be stripped naked and thrown outside in below freezing conditions for many more hours. Victims were also starved for numerous days than that they were given chemically processed salt water which would result in death. They also tested the effectiveness of sulfanilamide by creating wounds on the victims and producing an infection by rubbing broken shards of glass as well as wood shavings. (“Graphic Photos”)This would result in many amputations and even death. In many of their surgeries, they didn’t use anesthesia when performing them. These experiments then ended in January