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Was Sigmund Freud's death hastened?

Alastair D Sandy Macleod1

  • 1Older Persons Mental Health, Burwood Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Internal Medicine Journal
|August 8, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Sigmund Freud

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Ethics
  • Pharmacology
  • Medical History

Background:

  • Sigmund Freud's terminal illness has been debated as physician-enacted euthanasia.
  • Previous literature suggests Freud received substantial morphine doses for pain relief.

Discussion:

  • This review re-examines literature from Freud's physicians and biographers.
  • Pharmacological analysis questions the likelihood of euthanasia via morphine overdose.
  • The timing of death is inconsistent with a fatal opioid dose.

Key Insights:

  • Evidence suggests Freud's death was not physician-enacted euthanasia.
  • Morphine administration was for palliative care, not to hasten death.
  • Freud experienced a natural death.

Outlook:

  • Further historical and pharmacological analysis can clarify complex end-of-life cases.
  • Understanding historical medical practices informs contemporary ethical debates.
  • Distinguishing between palliative care and euthanasia is crucial.
Keywords:
FreudSchurdeatheuthanasiamorphinepalliative medicine

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