Burma Surgeon Returns

THIS is an enheartening book. The Burma Surgeon again emerges from his narrative as a man of impressive stature. He is indomitable in purpose, durable under physical stress, resourceful with his hands and head, and loyal to his teammates. What he returns to in Burma, is such an indisputably admirable task that the effort of the Seagrave Hospital Unit has a worth-whileness all its own. He and his corps of nurses return to rebuild a “hospital above denomination,”to continue to provide better surgical and medical care for the Burmese. This is his contribution to what he believes is true government of a less fortunate people: “teaching them to want better things, and preparing those things for them in advance.”

The Seagrave Unit plunged down the trail, back into Burma, to furnish hospitalization for the first Chinese troops to return from India. There are vivid descriptions of footslogging over muddy, precipitous mountain paths. Excellent maps and illustrations permit the reader to follow the restless author and to visualize the formidable terrain. Dr. Seagrave had some trying days of “helpless uselessness" during “sudden and prolonged sits.” He had, however, unstinted pride in his organization, and the courage of his nurses must have been evident in their gracious bearing under difficulties.

He kept his outfit ready for anything — “When are we going and when do we start?” His reward and vote of confidence came when the Unit was flown into Myitkyina and started immediately to care for casualties, under Japanese sniper and howitzer fire. The chapter “Surgery at the Airstrip" is the real thing. The Unit did prove to be a powerhouse.

I here is a good deal of thoughtful comment about the place of the missionary in Burma, the difficulties of racial intermarriage, the future of Burma. The relations between the Burma Surgeon and the U.S. Army varied from warm to steaming. He and his unorthodox unit were secure because they were useful, and those in high command recognized it. As the first American convoy departed down the reopened Burma Road to China, the Burma Surgeon gravely look the salutes and broad grins of generals and buck privates. It is easy to imagine the admiring, even affectionate, and somewhat unprintable comments of some of these grinning soldiers for a man that they knew had labored hard to back them up in combat and to regain his opportunity to extend practical help to a less fortunate people.

MYLES BAKER, M.D.