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George James: A memoir
PREVENTIVE
MEDICINE
(1972)
1,468-469
As well as being an ardent advocate of preventive medicine himself, Dr. James was also an activist in establishing this branch of medicine as a specialty with its own College of Preventive Medicine.
George
James: A Memoir
KATHAFUNEBOUCOT STURGIS~ George James -energetic but a dreamer with visions of distant goals; pragmatist who knew how to make dreams come true; sweet human being who nevertheless was uncompromising when it came to his basic ideals- has suddenly disappeared from the vortex of our current hectic medical scene. George’s smile, wit, great strength, the encouragement which was his special gift to those with whom he worked, have slipped away and, in loyalty to this remarkable man, we must rally from the stunning blow and continue the efforts which were so important to him. Of sound academic training with his M.D. from Yale and his M.P.H. from Hopkins, and with his naturally sunny disposition, George James would have made a great clinician. Perhaps his maturity made him realize early that the only answer to the steady stream of disease was prevention. A charter member of the American College of Preventive Medicine, George’s interest in the College never lagged. He was always available for consultation; his voice was heard frequently. In an article in the November 2,197O issue of Modern Medicine, the author wrote: . . . to offset a proved threat of smallpox without alarming the New York megalopolis, the health department (under Dr. James) inoculated only those suspected of having contact with the infected individual. The plan worked and the city continued as usual. Another time, when there were deaths due to botulism, Dr. James was threatened by a tuna fish packing firm with a court suit that might have harmed his career. A shipment of 250,000 tuna tins ready to be delivered for Passover was under slight suspicion. . . . The evidence was meager. Despite the threat, Dr. James condemned the lot. Thirty of the cans were found to contain botulism organisms. These examples reflect George James’ superb self-confidence, excellent judgment, and complete fearlessness. George’s unusual combination of scholarliness and practicality resulted in his moving from the post of Commissioner of Health of New York City to the deanship of the new Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Very quickly he assembled a splendid faculty of dynamic men and women. He loved action and 1 Dr. Sturgis is a past president
of the American
Copyright @ 1972 by Academic Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
468
College
of Preventive
Medicine.
GEORGE
JAMES:
A MEMOIR
469
rose eagerly to every challenge. How sad that he disregarded his own cardiac handicap and drove himself relentlessly! But he was that kind of human being. He would have chosen to remain to the last in the midst of activity. It is altogether fitting that this great man should have gone down like a giant tree in a forest. He saw over all the smaller trees; he reached beyond most of them. His short life of 56 years encompassed more than most who live beyond the biblical three score and ten. Without George, a certain colorful zest has gone out of Preventive Medicine. He will not soon be forgotten nor cease to be missed.
MEDICINE
(1972)
1,468-469
As well as being an ardent advocate of preventive medicine himself, Dr. James was also an activist in establishing this branch of medicine as a specialty with its own College of Preventive Medicine.
George
James: A Memoir
KATHAFUNEBOUCOT STURGIS~ George James -energetic but a dreamer with visions of distant goals; pragmatist who knew how to make dreams come true; sweet human being who nevertheless was uncompromising when it came to his basic ideals- has suddenly disappeared from the vortex of our current hectic medical scene. George’s smile, wit, great strength, the encouragement which was his special gift to those with whom he worked, have slipped away and, in loyalty to this remarkable man, we must rally from the stunning blow and continue the efforts which were so important to him. Of sound academic training with his M.D. from Yale and his M.P.H. from Hopkins, and with his naturally sunny disposition, George James would have made a great clinician. Perhaps his maturity made him realize early that the only answer to the steady stream of disease was prevention. A charter member of the American College of Preventive Medicine, George’s interest in the College never lagged. He was always available for consultation; his voice was heard frequently. In an article in the November 2,197O issue of Modern Medicine, the author wrote: . . . to offset a proved threat of smallpox without alarming the New York megalopolis, the health department (under Dr. James) inoculated only those suspected of having contact with the infected individual. The plan worked and the city continued as usual. Another time, when there were deaths due to botulism, Dr. James was threatened by a tuna fish packing firm with a court suit that might have harmed his career. A shipment of 250,000 tuna tins ready to be delivered for Passover was under slight suspicion. . . . The evidence was meager. Despite the threat, Dr. James condemned the lot. Thirty of the cans were found to contain botulism organisms. These examples reflect George James’ superb self-confidence, excellent judgment, and complete fearlessness. George’s unusual combination of scholarliness and practicality resulted in his moving from the post of Commissioner of Health of New York City to the deanship of the new Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Very quickly he assembled a splendid faculty of dynamic men and women. He loved action and 1 Dr. Sturgis is a past president
of the American
Copyright @ 1972 by Academic Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
468
College
of Preventive
Medicine.
GEORGE
JAMES:
A MEMOIR
469
rose eagerly to every challenge. How sad that he disregarded his own cardiac handicap and drove himself relentlessly! But he was that kind of human being. He would have chosen to remain to the last in the midst of activity. It is altogether fitting that this great man should have gone down like a giant tree in a forest. He saw over all the smaller trees; he reached beyond most of them. His short life of 56 years encompassed more than most who live beyond the biblical three score and ten. Without George, a certain colorful zest has gone out of Preventive Medicine. He will not soon be forgotten nor cease to be missed.