After the First World War, people in Eastern Europe were routinely deloused
to prevent the spread of typhus. Displaced people expected to be subjected to
this at borders. So when typhus later became stigmatised as a Jewish disease,
the Nazis already had a tool for persecution in the form of sanitary policing.
In Epidemics and Genocide in Eastern Europe, 1890-1945, Paul Weindling
suggests that it was just the excuse they needed to lure their victims into the
gas chambers. Published by Oxford University Press, £55, ISBN 0198206917.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Test moderators use AI-generated writing to judge literacy standards
News
Mind
THC in cannabis may reduce nightmares in people with PTSD
News
Environment
Fishers detonate a bomb every hour on one Indonesian coral reef
News
Environment
How bad is the UK drought and how long will it continue?
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles