Traumatic Surgeon and Relief Worker
JIM TAYLOR '23 PRACTICES MEDICINE IN THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD ANDINDUSTRIAL AREA; A TRIBUTE TO THE RED CROSS
THROUGH VARIOUS channels information has come in regarding the major part taken by James T. Taylor '23 of Johnstown, Pa., in relief work during the flood of last spring. During the several days of emergency in that stricken area, all physicians worked day and night. Dr. Taylor refers modestly to his own activities although it is known that he carried a terrific schedule of day and night work. Those who recall the Jim Taylor of college days will understand well enough the great physical strength and the deep and sympathetic understanding that he would throw into his professional work.
Taylor enlisted in the U. S. Infantry in May 1917 and was promoted successively to sergeant, second lieutenant, and first lieutenant. He served with the A. E. F. and the Army of Occupation and was gassed two months before the war ended. Upon his return to civilian clothes he entered Dartmouth, some years older than his classmates. He subsequently received a medical degree. Jim was attracted by the Medical Corps of the U. S. Navy and reports that it was an interesting experience. "The cases treated" he writes, "varied as greatly as one would find in any large city hospital" and "the Senior officers were thorough, well-trained, fair, and much interested in their work." In reviewing his service in the Medical Corps he gives his recommendation of it for advanced medical training for any young doctor who is interested in a good training, who is single, and who would enjoy duty in different parts of the world.
After this period of training in the medical forces of the Navy, Dr. Taylor moved to Johnstown, and opened his first office. The peculiar nature of medical work in that city is revealed by his description:
PROBLEMS OF COMPENSATION
"Due to the nature of Johnstown's industries there is an especially large amount of Traumatic Surgery which gives one a very interesting field for practice. These patients are, on the whole, very appreciative and willing to cooperate which makes this field of surgery a pleasant practice. Much work is done in rehabilitating these workers and in the Old Bethlehem Steel Company Hospital, which I believe was the first industrial Hospital in the United States, a large department was devoted to this work. Of course with all the labor unrest there are many problems arising in this field which will require much time to correct. For example, as more compensation is demanded or given, the insurance rates rise and as these rates increase the employer is demanding more rigid physical examinations for employees with the result that many men still in their active working span of years are deprived of gainful occupation. Naturally such problems are of interest to the men in traumatic surgery for upon them falls the decisions in these cases."
The editors of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE are interested in calling attention to Jim Taylor's career as one that is unusual in the preparation he had for the practice of medicine and also because of the yeoman service he gave to the people of his community during the bad floods last spring. At the time when the American Red Cross is conducting its annual Roll Call in an effort to secure nation-wide contributions to its work, it is gratifying to pass on Dr. Taylor's actual experience with the emergency work of the Red Cross. He states:
"I cannot mention medicine in Johnstown without a mention of the experience in the Flood of March 17, 1936. This was my first opportunity to see the American Red Cross in peacetime action and it was a true revelation. Hardly had the waters subsided before the Red Cross entered the city. They at once established food centers and refugee centers where all were cared for regardless of color or creed. These food depots issued plentiful rations for all the people so that none went hungry. The Red Cross Nurses went into action at the refugee center and aided greatly in caring for the people who were herded into schools and large buildings after their homes had been so flooded that they had to be abandoned. The medical director of the Red Cross then met with members of the Cambria County Medical Society and a plan was worked out to provide medical care for all refugee centers as well as for those sections of the city, which had not been flooded but which were unable to locate a physician.
JOIN THE RED CROSS!
"After all of the immediate needs of the people had been cared for the Red Cross set up registration posts where people who registered were then interviewed and their properties examined to determine their loss and their ability to rehabilitate themselves. The first thought in the minds of the Red Cross workers was to place people in a position to return to their usual occupation. In some cases this meant the purchase of tools, while in other cases the home had to be repaired and in others new furniture provided.
"From my observations these Red Cross workers went about their difficult tasks with understanding hearts, a sympathetic attitude, and an earnest desire to be helpful. The old Red Cross poster Nurse with outstretched arms is no longer an appeal for funds to Johnstown people, but represents the outstretched arms of assistance of that organization."
