Syndrome K, or simply K disease, was a fictional disease invented during World War II by Italian doctors to save Jewish people from the Nazis.
The Invention of Syndrome K
During the Nazi occupation of Italy, a group of physicians at the Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Rome devised a clever scheme to protect Jewish refugees. They fabricated a highly contagious and deadly disease, "Syndrome K," to deter the Nazis from entering certain wards of the hospital.
- The Ruse: The doctors claimed Syndrome K was a horrific illness with devastating effects.
- The Patients: Jewish people seeking refuge were admitted and diagnosed with this nonexistent disease.
- The Result: Nazi soldiers, fearing contagion, avoided the wards, effectively shielding the "patients" from detection and deportation. As stated in the provided reference, the "patients" were Jews who were saved from the Germans for a few days until they could be placed in convents and other locations where they were relatively safe.
This act of bravery saved numerous lives, providing a safe haven until the refugees could be moved to more secure locations.
Summary Table
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Syndrome K (or K Disease) |
| Type | Fictional disease |
| Purpose | To protect Jewish refugees from the Nazis |
| Location | Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Rome |
| Creators | Italian Physicians |
