Sarah Elnewishy
HONS 2011J
Hunter College-CUNY
Professor Hernández-Ojeda
Sidney Vogel
Personal Statement
In my search for a volunteer to focus my research on, I came across hundreds of individuals with varying occupations and participation in the Spanish Civil War. What drew me to Dr. Sidney Vogel was his passion and dedication to caring for the lives of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade soldiers. In my class on the occurrences of the Civil War, I learned about the disturbing conditions of the International Brigades and their dedication for the cause they were fighting for. I often found myself thinking of the medical professionals that had the job of treating the gruesome injuries and fatalities on the war-front. This led me to focus my research on medical professionals that were a part of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade (ALB). I knew that several of my classmates were writing about nurses, so I chose to uncover the life of a doctor. This doctor is Dr. Sidney Leon Vogel.
Before I had initially selected him, I read through his piece entitled “War Medicine.” I can only describe the way in which this piece is written as uniquely frantic. The article goes into detail on specific topics such as compound fractures, blood transfusions and war surgery, but what is particularly important about this essay is its invaluable first-hand experience. There are not extensive accounts of the medical experiences during the war, so the rarity of Vogel’s text should be shared and made easily accessible. Through my research at the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives, located in the NYU Tamiment Library, I found minimal information about Vogel’s life and the reason why he went to Spain. Thanks to Lise Vogel’s article about her father, I researched his life and found a clearer picture of who he was and the impact he had. I hope that my essay serves as one more source to describe the importance of Dr. Vogel’s life and career.
Introduction
During the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939, the Republican fighters had extremely scarce resources due to the lack of support from other nations. The circumstances that medical professionals had to deal with were arduous to handle, at the very least. The experience of an American medical professional who went to Spain during the Civil War is detailed in an unpublished piece entitled “War Medicine” by Dr. Sidney Leon Vogel of New York. Dr. Vogel describes the innate differences between medical practice in what he calls “civil life” and the hardships of treating soldiers on the war front in an incredibly unique and colorful way. The descriptions put vivid imagery that engages the minds of those who read it. There is uniqueness to war injuries that “the layman,” as he calls it, could not understand without experiencing these medical situations, especially in the time of war. He describes the scene of war as, “Fields of dry stubble. Plumes of smoke in the distance and the sporadic clatter of rifle fire” (Vogel 1).
Due to the general lack of information I could find about Vogel, I am unable to give an illustrative analysis of his life experiences. Vogel was born to a German immigrant father in New York City on April 28th, 1904. He studied medicine at The University of Michigan. According to an article written by Vogel’s daughter, Lise, “Like many of his friends and family, he took progressive positions on the issues of the day and like other idealistic physicians, he became caught up in the campaign led by the Medical Bureau of the Friends of Spanish Democracy to provide medical support to the republican forces” (Vogel). It was obvious to me that he was a man of conviction and stuck to his ideals through thick and thin.
Spain
Vogel arrived in Spain on May 29th, 1937. There he was positioned as the director of Casa Roja hospital in Murcia, which held 300 hospital beds. As stated in his piece, “War Medicine,” supplies were scarce and surgery was extremely difficult and high stress, so Vogel’s job was no simple task. There are various documents hidden within the archives containing letters from Vogel, asking for supplies, as well as the removal of certain American personnel that he found difficult to work with at the hospital. In one letter he goes into detail about individuals that were sent by Commandant Busch, not being serious enough to carry on the work at his hospital. In this respectful letter, he declines taking in any more medical personnel without being consulted with (ALBA 97). The way in which this letter was written leads me to believe that Dr. Vogel only intended for the best possible care at his facility. He took quality over quantity when it came to medical individuals, and was outspoken about just as much.
Many letters Vogel wrote were addressed to Commandant Busch, in fact. In one letter, I learned that, as Vogel referred to him, Comrade Busch was in charge of the “Medical Bureau staff in Spain.” Some letters sent by Vogel in Murcia asked Busch in Villa Paz, Saelices, to immediately come meet with him about important matters. Another letter from October 16th, 1937, discusses pamphlets that will be created for distribution in the United States consisting of the work done by the Medical Bureau in Spain (ALBA 97). It seems that Vogel was the main representative of Casa Roja hospital, as well as someone close to the main chain of command in Spain. It was also very important to him that those in the United States were aware of the conditions in the Spanish hospitals as well as in the war. The proof of his dedication is also evident in a document written by “Dr. Malbin” quoting Dr. Vogel saying that “…he would remain in Spain ‘…until I break on account of seeing work to be done and being unable to do it’” (ALBA 001). The incredible devotion he had for carrying on his work in Spain until he was unable to do so spoke volumes to me.
War Medicine
As stated before, “War Medicine” is an incredibly valuable document when discussing the hardships encountered by medical personnel in Spain during the war. The popularly written, descriptive language gives the reader an immediate sense of dread and empathy towards those on the war front. Initially, Vogel describes “the system” with which they operated in order to effectively save every wounded soldier they could. “Stretcher Bearers” operated in relay, going out into the battlefield during or after a battle ends. The first group would carry the wounded, from the battlefield to one point, then the second group would carry them from that point to a further point, until they all reach the “classification point.” There it was decided whether or not someone could last through transportation to a “rear hospital” or would have to be treated at the “front hospital.” The piece continues to discuss the urgency with which operations were done at the front hospital. There would be operations for hemorrhaging, or abdominal surgery. Due to the shortage of supplies and resources, doctors had to make the call whether one person’s condition was more severe than another’s. They also had to take into account how many were entering the front hospital and cut the length of time each patient would be able to stay accordingly (Vogel). They were all incredibly difficult decisions, which included disturbingly vivid descriptions in his piece. After going into more detail about the tumultuous journey of transporting patients, Vogel discusses the complicated ways in which medical staff during time of war must deal with various executive and administrative problems. He writes, “The doctor’s work is oriented to saving as many lives as possible” (Vogel). This really puts the whole piece in perspective because it shows how incredibly frantic their jobs were. It is difficult to imagine being forced to choose one patient over another, depending on the severity of their injuries. I have incredibly high respect for the individuals who carried out these positions.
Vogel continues with his text, discussing the high volume of patients with compound fractures during the war, in which bone has been broken and creates “a pathway through the skin and flesh”. He describes it as “the most frequent of all serious war injuries” (Vogel). These injuries cause immediate infection and bacteria infestation. Infection is one of the largest concerns of war wounds, so the commonality of this type of illness and its need for surgery creates a time issue. Vogel goes on to pay homage to other medical staff, such as the stretcher bearers and the first aid people. This section shows his gratitude and respect for all of the individuals that carried out their jobs alongside of him. Small things did not get passed him, and he was gracious when the time was right. He also discusses the morality associated with war medicine. For instance, those soldiers in need of an operation who die because doctors need to make a priority with other patients. This cold, hard fact is presented as such in Vogel’s piece in order to show the brutality of war medicine. He emphasizes the fact that with war injuries and surgeries, the possibility of survival is a lot more limited and the goal of the doctor is to save lives in order for them to return to war. The incredibly difficult jobs of medical personnel in Spain are highlighted beautifully by Dr. Vogel, and for that these individuals have been immortalized.
Psychiatry
Vogel’s psychiatric background was also incredibly valuable. Later on in his life, Vogel wrote a medical piece entitled, “An Interpretation of Medical and Psychiatric Approaches in the Treatment of Alcohol.” This fascinating document, reprinted in December 1953, details the various stages of alcohol recovery and the way in which a therapist needs to go about guiding an alcoholic to sobriety. He discusses the way in which dependency develops when one uses alcohol in order to satisfy an insatiable need for alcohol. Physical pain and discomfort also drives individuals’ addiction. The piece is broken down into several sections, “Motivation”, “Defense Mechanisms”, “Therapy”, and “Conclusion.” “Motivation” is the drive with which someone would like to heal. He asks whether it is the therapist’s job to “help reintegrate his life without alcohol.” “Defense Mechanisms,” is the way in which the individual “counteracts discomfort or psychic pain.” Vogel states that he believes alcoholics in “special frequencies” use “special forms” of these defenses. There many things about addiction that are unfounded as of the time the piece was written, but Vogel emphasizes that one should take into account every case individually while also being aware of the “characteristic denominators of most alcoholics.” The defense mechanisms that he focuses on are projection and denial, (projection being blaming one’s issues on anything or anyone other than themselves, and denial being the act of not seeing reality for what it is) (Vogel).
The analysis follows a discussion of therapy, and the four categories he sets up. These categories consist of: the patient and his illness, the role of the therapist, the type of therapy, and the setting of therapy. Each section elaborates on fact-based analysis with which Vogel discusses and advises therapy to be carried out in the treatment of a recovering alcoholic. Vogel concludes stating that although alcoholism is not easily treated with a simple solution, it is important to address it as a “disease of protean etiology and manifestation, and direct our research and therapy accordingly…” (Vogel). Although this text was quite sophisticated for a non-expert in the field, it was accesible, and quite informative. I truly appreciated the fact that I could find this text in the archives.
Conclusion
Dr. Sid Vogel was an exceptional man. His relevance in the Spanish Civil War effort, is unquestionable, and his written texts are significant contributions to the medical field. As a historical document, “War Medicine” can bring contemporary readers people into the shoes of the medical personnel during the Spanish Civil War. Reading this publication had a great impact on me. It allowed me to realize how incredibly difficult this war was for everyone involved. When discussing war, one does not immediately think of the doctors, nurses, or ambulance drivers that were involved. Vogel’s piece puts into perspective how much we should appreciate their roles in war. He describes aspects of routine, injury, and surgery in a way that is both captivating and educational. Later on in his life, he presents his research and analysis concerning the common addiction to alcohol in order to bring us closer to a cure. His psychiatric and medical contributions are fascinating to read. Vogel’s time in Spain definitely did not go unnoticed, for he was one of very few doctors a part of the international brigade, as well as a large proponent of spreading the word on the war back home in the U.S. He was someone with high standards of morality, and conviction for the truths that he believed in. From what we know of him, Sid Vogel did not take the easy way out. It would have been easy for him to stay in New York and continue his successful practice, but the opportunity to make a difference in Spain presented itself to him and he was not able to reject it. I respect Sidney Vogel immensely, and hope he will continue to gain recognition for the incredible work he did.
Works Cited
ALBA 001 Box 13, Folder 22, Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives, Tamiment, NYU Libraries, New York, NY, March 9th, 2017
ALBA 008 Box 11, Folder 33, Steve Nelson Papers, Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives, Tamiment, NYU Libraries, New York, NY, March 9th, 2017
ALBA 097 Box 1, Folder 15, Mildred Rackley Simon Papers, Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives, Tamiment, NYU Libraries, New York, NY, March 9th, 2017
ALBA VF 002 Box 8, Folder 116, Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives, Tamiment, NYU Libraries, New York, NY, March 9th, 2017
Vogel, Sidney, and Lise Vogel. “War Medicine: Spain, 1936–1939.” American Journal of Public Health. American Public Health Association, Dec. 2008. Web. 1 May 2017.