The nation's surgeons were told today they must adopt a plan of action to cope with the victims of a potential atomic disaster.
"It may mean the survival of this country," said Col. Joseph R. Shaeffer, chief of the Army's Depart-
ment of Atomic Casualties' Studies at Walter Reed Medical Center, Washington, D. C.
He spoke to a sectional meeting, of the American College of Surgeons at the Roosevelt hotel.
The four-day series of sessions, which started today, is expected to attract 2500 doctors
and nurses. Speakers are from 27 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Cam Happen Here
"The feeling that it can never happen here isn't realistic," Col. Shaeffer said in outlining the priorities for surgical treatment in a mass disaster.
"War can start tomorrow and the weapons will be direct-;
ed against entire cities," he warned the surgeons.
The. casualties expert said many cases normally treated in hospitals will have to be bypassed in order to take care of victims with such disabilities as extensive bleeding.
He reported that 40 per cent of the potential victims must be left to fend for themselves dr will be treated by persons with first-aid training.
...Nurses Meeting
While the surgeons are convening at the Roosevelt, nurses are meeting at the Jung hotel. In dferge of arrangements is Sister Henrietta, nursing director of the Louisiana State university school of medicine.
Dr. Howard Mahorner, LSU clinical professor who is directing the arrangements for the surgeons, said registrations are "heavy."
The New Orleans sectional meeting is one of six to be held in 1957 by the ACS. One was held last month in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and others are slated later this year in Seattle, Washington, D. C, St. Paul and Toronto. An ACS spokesman said the New Orleans meeting is Expected to be the largest sectional gathering. It is the only four-day session scheduled in 1957.
Dr. H. Prather Saunders, ASC associate director in Chicago, is in charge of the sectional meetings.
