Dying for the Truth?

Dr Vladimir Bekhterev was unquestionably one of the eariy pioneers in Russian medicine. Born in 1857, he was a prominent neurophysiologist and psychiatrist who founded the Psychoneurological Institute, did important work in adapting Pavlov's research to human patients (he was later viewed as a founder of psycho-reflexology), and gave his name to Bekhterev's disease (now more commonly known as ankylosing spondylitis) as well as numerous other diseases and anatomical structures.

Given his stature as a researcher and physician, it was little wonder that Joseph Stalin summoned him in 1927 in order to treat his symptoms of depression (Dr. Bekhterev had also treated Lenin). What happened as a result of the examination is cause for speculation. Some sources suggest that the psychiatrist diagnosed Stalin as suffering from severe paranoia and advised him to resign (he had a reputation for being outspoken). What is not in dispute is that Stalin disagreed rather strenuously with the diagnosis. While there is no direct evidence that he had ordered Dr. Bekhterev's death, it occurred that same day and no postmortem was held. The body was cremated, presumably in accordance with Dr. Bekhterev's wishes.

Regardless of the actual diagnosis, there is little question now that Stalin was driven by paranoia. The purges that continued until his death in 1953 claimed countless lives (including Dr. Bekhterev's son, Pyotr). Did he order Dr. Bekhterev's death? It was certainly in character for him although the physician's eminence might have prevented him from acting openly. Was it foolish for Dr. Bekhterev to be so candid given that he was dealing with a monster? Perhaps, but he has my deepest respect for doing so.

P.S., Natalya Bekhtereva, granddaughter of Vladimir, is continuing the family tradition as an eminent neuroscientist. By all accounts,she is maintaining the family tradition for feistiness as well.

Romeo Vitelli received his doctorate in Psychology from York University in Toronto, Ontario in 1987, He spent fifteen years as a staff psychologist in Millbrook Correctional Centre, a maximum-security prison run by the Ontario government. In 2003, he successfully escaped prison and went into full-time private practice. He maintains offices in Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario dealing with forensic and neuropsychology cases.