11 Italian Jewish Doctors Cleared of Violating Race Laws for Treating “aryan” Patients

Eleven prominent Jewish physicians have been acquitted, in a brief, dramatic trial in which they were defended by noted “Aryan” attorneys, of charges of violating the Italian racial laws by treating “Ary an” patients. Four other defendants were fined a total of 2,200 lire (about $110).

Charges against the Jewish doctors, nine of whom are Italian citizens and six “stateless,” were preferred by the Provincial Syndicate of Medical Men.

The indictment was based on the law of March 1, 1940, curtailing the activities of Jews–those certified by the Government as having rendered “meritorious” services during one of Italy’s wers–are permitted to practice their professions freely among Jews and “Aryans.” Exceptions are permitted only in emergency cases, as might apply in the medical profession.

In practice, the law was found effective as applied to the legal and other professions, but not in the medical, where considerable ambiguity arosed in defining “emergency cases.” As a result, a number of non-exempt Jews continued accepting “Aryan” patients who sought their professional services.

After six months of postponements, the defendants were finally brought to trial before a crowded courtroom in Rome. They were represented by a group of “Aryan” lawyers who included some of Italy’s most prominent legal authorities, who, it is understood, volunteered their services.

The brief trial was climaxed by the testimony of an “Aryan” woman whose young son one of the defendants was charged with having treated in violation of the racial laws. From the witness chair, with her son in her lap, she harangued the prosecution for several minutes, tearfully shouting that her son would not now be alive but for the treatment administered by the defendant.

Six of the defendants were acquitted on the ground they did not commit the acts charged. Five were acquitted on the ground their acts did not constitute an offense. The remaining four received nominal fines.

Particular interest centered about the case of Dr. Irving Stukgold, one of the acquitted “stateless” Jews. Until Hitler’s rise to power, Stukgold was a prominent physician and surgeon in Berlin who enjoyed a flourishing practice. Among his more enthusiastic patients was the Italian Ambassador in Berlin as well as a number of prominent Italians in the Berlin Italian colony. They induced him to transfer his practice to Rome late in 1933. In Rome he soon gained a respectable practice which rapidly grew in volume and importance. Among his patients were members of the royal family and he soon became known in court circles as the “miracle doctor” because of the cures he effected in cases pronounced by leading Italian physicians as “hopeless.” He is credited with having twice saved the life of the King’s daughter, Princess Mafalda.

Although Dr. Stukgold’s fame as a “miracle doctor” is still widespread, his practice has been depleted considerably by fear of exciting official displeasure.