When the cavity of the chest was opened the pericardium was filled tightly (heart tamponade). Upon opening of the pericardium 80 cc. of clear yellowish liquid gushed forth. The moment the tamponade had stopped, the right auricle began to beat heavily, at first at the rate of 60 actions per minute, then progressively slower. Twenty minutes after the pericardium had been opened, the right auricle was opened by puncturing it. For about 15 minutes, a thin stream of blood spurted forth. Thereafter clogging of the puncture wound in the auricle by coagulation of the blood and renewed acceleration of the action of the right auricle occurred. One hour after breathing had stopped, the spinal marrow was completely severed and the brain removed. Thereupon the action of the auricle stopped for 40 seconds. It then renewed its action, coming to a complete standstill 8 minutes later. A heavy subarchnoid oedema was found in the brain. In the veins and arteries of the brain a considerable quantity of air was discovered. Furthermore, the blood vessels in the heart and liver were enormously obstructed by embolism. The anatomical preparations will be preserved and so I shall be able to evaluate them later. The last-mentioned case is to my knowledge the first one of this type ever observed on man. The above-described heart actions will gain particular scientific interest, since they were written down with an electrocardiogram to the very end. The experiments will be continued and extended. Another interim report will follow after new results have been obtained. [Signed] DR. RASCHER TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1971-C-PS PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 50 LETTER FROM RUDOLF BRANDT TO RASCHER, 13 APRIL 1942, REGARDING HIS SUCCESS WITH HIGH-ALTITUDE EXPERIMENTS 1174/42 BRa/V Fuehrer Headquarters, 13 April 1942 Top Secret SS Untersturmfuehrer Rascher, M. D. Munich, Trogerstrasse 56 Dear Comrade Dr. Rascher, Your report of 5.4.1942 has been seen by the Reich Leader SS today. The tests on which SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Sievers gave a brief report interested him very much. For the further tests I wish you a continuation of the success you have had so far. Best regards also to your wife. Heil Hitler! Yours, [Signed] B. [R.] BRANDT SS Sturmbannfuehrer TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1971-B-PS PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 51