Revier
Encyclopedia
A revier in the language of Nazi camps
was a barrack for sick concentration camp inmates. Most of the medical personnel were inmates themselves. The conditions in reviers varied drastically depending on the type of the camp.
The German word Revier literally translates as a defined area or territory. In the everyday language it does not have any relation with concentration camps, but it is used to define animal territory
or a working area. The Ruhr Area
is often nicknamed Revier as well.
s, where extermination through labor was practiced) the idea of revier was immediately associated with death in many respects. Death was to be expected immediately upon entrance to a revier: An "insufficiently" sick person could be classified as malingerer
, who is avoiding labor. The penalty was death. Even being admitted into the revier gave little hope: while the medical personnel could have highly qualified doctors (inmates), they could not offer any help beyond very basic first aid
: The supply of medicine
was very limited. In addition, rations for sick were lower than for the inmates who could work and no hygiene
was maintained. Finally, at any moment the residents of a revier were subject to extermination for various reasons (e.g. a threat of an epidemy, due to overcrowding or deemed incurably sick).
Language of Nazi concentration camps
Language of Nazi concentration camps refers to a common stratum created in various languages of inmates of Nazi concentration camps that described the notions unique to life in the camps and served as lingua franca....
was a barrack for sick concentration camp inmates. Most of the medical personnel were inmates themselves. The conditions in reviers varied drastically depending on the type of the camp.
The German word Revier literally translates as a defined area or territory. In the everyday language it does not have any relation with concentration camps, but it is used to define animal territory
Territory (animal)
In ethology the term territory refers to any sociographical area that an animal of a particular species consistently defends against conspecifics...
or a working area. The Ruhr Area
Ruhr Area
The Ruhr, by German-speaking geographers and historians more accurately called Ruhr district or Ruhr region , is an urban area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With 4435 km² and a population of some 5.2 million , it is the largest urban agglomeration in Germany...
is often nicknamed Revier as well.
Extermination camps
In extermination camps (as well as in many labor campLabor camp
A labor camp is a simplified detention facility where inmates are forced to engage in penal labor. Labor camps have many common aspects with slavery and with prisons...
s, where extermination through labor was practiced) the idea of revier was immediately associated with death in many respects. Death was to be expected immediately upon entrance to a revier: An "insufficiently" sick person could be classified as malingerer
Malingering
Malingering is a medical term that refers to fabricating or exaggerating the symptoms of mental or physical disorders for a variety of "secondary gain" motives, which may include financial compensation ; avoiding school, work or military service; obtaining drugs; getting lighter criminal sentences;...
, who is avoiding labor. The penalty was death. Even being admitted into the revier gave little hope: while the medical personnel could have highly qualified doctors (inmates), they could not offer any help beyond very basic first aid
First aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
: The supply of medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
was very limited. In addition, rations for sick were lower than for the inmates who could work and no hygiene
Hygiene
Hygiene refers to the set of practices perceived by a community to be associated with the preservation of health and healthy living. While in modern medical sciences there is a set of standards of hygiene recommended for different situations, what is considered hygienic or not can vary between...
was maintained. Finally, at any moment the residents of a revier were subject to extermination for various reasons (e.g. a threat of an epidemy, due to overcrowding or deemed incurably sick).