Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to B Neuzner.
In 1914, Robert Gaupp published his monographic study on "Wagner, Schoolteacher from Degerloch", constituting his theory on the characterogenic development of paranoia which he believed was induced in Wagner's case by the patient's sexual-ethical conflict regarding his (questionable) sodomistic behaviour. The following paper examines Gaupp's approach and methods during the process leading to his final diagnosis.
The mass murderer and arsonist Ernst August Wagner, born in 1874 in Württemberg and Robert Eugen Gaupp, director of the Universitätsnervenklinik Tübingen from 1906 to 1936, had a close personal, forensic, and scientific relationship for 25 years. After Wagner had committed murder 14 times and arson several times in September 1913, Gaupp provided an extensive psychiatric report on Wagner and his offences. Wagner was sent to a psychiatric hospital (Heil- und Pflegeanstalt), where remained from 1914 until his death in 1938. During that period Gaupp published almost a dozen articles on what was to become his most significant patient. His theory of paranola was based decisively on the Wagner case. The effects of this long-standing relationship between the doctor and the patient are shown--as far as the influence on Gaupp's scientific statements and insight is concerned, as well as, vice versa, the influence of Gaupp's scientific viewpoints on the relationship.