In 1943, the Nazi’s had taken brutal control of Rome, Italy – as a result of the fall of Mussolini earlier in the summer. And the Nazi’s were systematically emptying the Jewish ghetto’s, and shipping the former residents in railroad box cars to concentration camps and their deaths.
Somehow, a few slipped away, and took refuge in Fatebenefratelli Hospital, on a tiny island in the middle of Romes Tiber river – situated just across from one of the Jewish Ghettos. And at the hospital, these refugees were fortunate to find a few allies. Allies with courage – advocates that at the risk of their own lives, and the lives of their own families - were willing to help.
But, how could all these people, moving through the hospital over about a year, be kept from the prying eyes, and probing questions of the Nazi’s?
Well, an ingeniously whacky plan was quickly hatched. The physicians uncovered– or invented - a rare, malignant, contagious, disfiguring, painful, and torturous malady. A new one. One that wasn’t yet in the medical books. It was called Syndrome K.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/to-save-jews-and-keep-nazis-away-these-doctors-invented-a-fake-infectious-disease/
https://qz.com/724169/an-italian-doctor-explains-syndrome-k-the-fake-disease-he-invented-to-save-jews-from-the-nazis
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You are listening to An Ounce, Season 6, episode 8, Syndrome K: The Rare Malady That Prevented Death
In 1943, the Nazi’s had taken brutal control of Rome, Italy – as a result of the fall of Mussolini earlier in the summer. And the Nazi’s were systematically emptying the Jewish ghetto’s, and shipping the former residents in railroad box cars to concentration camps and their deaths.
Somehow, a few slipped away, and took refuge in Fatebenefratelli (Fa-tay-ben-eh-fra-telli ) Hospital, on a tiny island in the middle of Romes Tiber river – situated just across from one of the Jewish Ghettos. And at the hospital, these refugees were fortunate to find a few allies. Allies with courage – advocates that at the risk of their own lives, and the lives of their own families - were willing to help.
3 Physicians
3 Physicians – Giovani Borromeo (Bow-Row-Mayo), Andriano Ossicini (Os -ah-Chee-Knee) who were sympathetic Catholics - and Vittorio Sacerdoti (sacch-ee-air-doti)– who was, like the refugees they took in, Jewish. But Vittorio Scerdoti (sacch-ee-air-doti )was for now hiding in plain sight behind an assumed name.
When these bedraggled Jewish refugees were found by the Doctors, they were quickly taken in and placed in isolation - to help keep them out of the view of the German soldiers who were often present for their own treatment – and also showed up looking for hiding Jews.
The actual number of Italian Jews that were saved is guessed to be between dozens and hundreds of people - Men, Women, and children – who were taking refuge in the hospital, and planning for the next phase of their escape.
But, how could all these people, moving through the hospital over about a year, be kept from the prying eyes, and probing questions of the Nazi’s? Well, an ingeniously whacky plan was quickly hatched.
A Duplicitous Dance with Nazis
The Nazi’s demanded meticulous record keeping from Fatebenefratelli (Fa-tay-ben-eh-fra-telli ) Hospital on who each patient was, and why they were there. So, any individuals who were deemed enemies of the Reich, or any loathsome Jews, would not be able to feign illness or injury and hide in the hospital. They would be quickly identified and removed.
These three doctors came up with an interesting form of – well – let just call it Nazi Repellant. What was it? The physicians uncovered– or invented - a rare, malignant, contagious, disfiguring, painful, and torturous malady. A new one. One that wasn’t yet in the medical books. It was called Syndrome K.
Poor pity on the unfortunate soul who was diagnosed with Syndrome K. Once identified these were quickly moved into an isolation ward with other patients in the same condition – for there was nothing else to be done – their fate was certain - they were not going to remain for very long. And clearly noted on the records of every one - was the dreadful diagnosis – Syndrome K.
Doctor’s and Con Artist’s
Well, of course the Germans were curious, they wanted to see and question these patients – But upon learning of this dangerously infections, disfiguring, painful, and deadly disease – oh and did I mention it was like super contagious – they German inspectors decided they really did not want to risk contact with the lethal Syndrome K. Those patients were not going to be there for long anyway.
Even the Jewish children were taught to hack and cough to make it more believable. Vittorio Sacerdoti (sacch-ee-air-doti) stated in an interview in 2004 that, the description of the disease was so terrifying that “The Nazis thought it was cancer or tuberculosis, and they fled like rabbits…” not wanting to take any chances that they might become infected too.
What was Syndrome K? It was a moniker, and code word, derived from the first letter of the last names of the 2 Nazis in charge of Rome – Albert Kesserling (the military commander) and Herbert Kappler (the newly appointed police chief). But what it was, in reality - was an identifier on a chart that told the staff to quickly move these patients to the isolation ward - where only those 3 doctors were to risk contact. And, from there – these patients remained until each and every one had moved on to a better life – or you could say, more accurately, until they ‘escaped’ the clutches of the Fascists.
The efforts at Fatebenefratelli (Fa-tay-ben-eh-fra-telli ) Hospital to save Italian Jews successfully continued from mid-1943 into 1944 - when the threat was over.
So, here’s the Ounce.
Syndrome K and it’s cheeky and courageous creators, is just one of many stories of regular people, who took huge risks, to do the right thing during World War II. And, there are honorable people silently taking the same kinds of risks in war torn and violent places today.
If called upon - Could you be one of them?
One of the Hero physicians Andriano Ossicini (Os -ah-Chee-Knee) said, “The lesson of my experience was that we have to act not for the sake of self-interest, but for principles. Anything else is a shame”.
And, that’s it. An Ounce submitted for your consideration.