Starved to death? Exploring the care of ´untidy uneducable feebleminded´ patients at Vipeholm asylum

In 1941-1943 200 patients died in a sudden rise of mortality at the Vipeholm asylum in Sweden for intellectually disabled, classified as ´untidy uneducable feebleminded´. The deaths have been interpreted in media as intentional starvation to death and are referred to as euthanasia. This, however, has not been proven in research.

The project studies the development of the care of the most vulnerable citizens within asylum care at the historical point when euthanasia may have been an option, it reflects existing governance an practices – locally as well as nationally. The medical superintendent, Hugo Fröderberg is analysed a key figure during the studied period: 1935-1963.

The project runs over four years and is organised in four interrelated studies: one deals with the part played by physicians like Fröderberg and particularly his responsibility 1941-1943; one with transformations over time with particular attention to everyday practice among staff and patients at Vipeholm 1935-1963, one on the knowledge regime regarding intellectually disabled and euthanasia in the networks surrounding Vipeholm and Fröderberg and one establishing the cause of death for the 200 patients 1941-1943.

The analytical tools combine a biopolitical perspective on power and a phenomenologically inspired account of everyday life at the hospital to map, understand and explain what happened. The outcomes are directed both intramularlly and publicly, in articles, a book, a web page and open seminars.