Vladimir Bekhterev was a Russian neurologist who described 19 new diseases, including Bekhterev’s disease (ankylosing spondylitis), and 15 new reflexes. Bekhterev also revealed the role of the hippocampus in memory. His research laid the foundation to advance our knowledge in the fields of psychology and behaviourism.
His contribution to neuroscience was so significant that the German Professor of Anatomy, Friedrich Kopsch, remarked, “There are only two persons who know the anatomy of the brain perfectly—God and Bekhterev.”
Bekhterev died unexpectedly on December 24, 1927. Circumstances leading up to–and following– his death have been the subject of much speculation, shrouding it in mystery.
The day before his death, Bekhterev went to the Kremlin to examine Russian dictator Joseph Stalin. After consulting with Stalin, he returned to a medical congress and told colleagues: “I have just examined a paranoiac with a short, dry hand.” He was referring to Stalin’s disabled left arm.
The next day, Bekhterev was dead. Following his death, Stalin removed Bekhterev’s name from Soviet textbooks.
Did Joseph Stalin take offence to the doctor’s dismissive diagnosis and offhanded, unflattering description?
Stalin was known to doctor photos of himself to hide his physical imperfections. For example, in the famous photographic pose alongside Vladimir Lenin, photo technicians lengthened Stalin’s left arm and smoothed his skin blemishes caused by smallpox.
We will probably never know whether Vladimir Bekhterev’s insensitive communication caused his death the following day.
Head Over Heals 