[The report on Ludwig II by Gudden and his colleagues in relation to the state of knowledge at that time]

Bernhard von Gudden and his prominent co-experts Grashey, Hagen and Hubrich wrote an expert opinion on Ludwig II that was based on statements of sworn witnesses of the 41-year-old monarch's pathological behavior. With the contemporary material available today it can be understood why Gudden reached the diagnosis of "paranoia (madness)", which was in accordance with the state of psychiatric knowledge at that time. Even the official investigations initiated after the deaths of Ludwig II and Gudden did not come to a different conclusion. Gudden was a highly respected physician, researcher and clinical teacher; however, in the treatment of Ludwig he misjudged the consequences of his diagnosis and they both paid for his miscalculation with their lives. The Bavarian royal tragedy has many roots but a negligent or even deliberate misdiagnosis is not one of them.