District doctor/investigator/researcher, Jean Pidgeon, researched and campaigned for health and safety in the early 1960s – and designed a flag for Canada
Born in Sherbrooke, Quebec in 1912, Jean Pidgeon completed his education at Le Petit Seminaire in Quebec before going to Laval University, where he received his medical degree at the age of 24.
He was awarded the Governor General’s Award for the highest overall marks achieved by a Canadian medical student. In 1938 he traveled to Blind River and began working as an associate with Dr. Langlois. Pigeon left for six months of postgraduate surgical training in New York before returning to Blind River to resume his practice.
In his profession, Dr. Pidgeon became known for developing treatments for burns. His research was conducted at St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Blind River.
In his research paper on this topic, he explained that there is a need to treat burns because of the possibility of nuclear war. His research involved using amniotic membranes (after birth) and applying them to areas of second degree burns and this was determined to be an effective treatment. His research was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Dr. Pidgeon spent a lot of time trying to improve medical practices and procedures, and because of the lack of money to fund research, he emphasized the importance of financial support from governments for new research.
He was also an advocate for regulations on gas appliances used by the general public to avoid unnecessary deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning.
As an investigator and physician, he often had to treat people, especially campers, who suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning while in their trailers or tiny homes.
“It is, in my opinion, dangerous in such dwellings to use them unless the products of combustion are directly removed by some duct to the outside,” he said in a 1960 Sault Star article.
His interest in public health was recognized by the Society of London in 1964. He was adamant against pollution, particularly the impact of the Elliot Lake uranium mining process.
He stated that mining poses a danger to both human life and wildlife. In addition to the London Society recognition, Dr. Pigeon was recognized by the Royal Society of Health and received the Order of Merit in Ottawa.
In 1966 he was appointed Medical Officer of Health for Blind River. In 1970, he gave a lecture on the pharmaceutical benefits of cannabis when the authorities wanted to crack down on the substance.
“Doctors, nurses and parents, as well as other leaders of society, have a responsibility to seek the truth, rather than exclude considerations of looming dangers for younger generations and try to suppress them,” he said.
He explained that decisions should be based on scientific evidence when dealing with health policies.
Perhaps one of the most interesting anecdotal stories about Dr. Pidgeon’s life was outside of the medical field.
He submitted a design for the Canadian flag. His proposed design for the flag was described as having a blue border because Canada was practically surrounded by water.
It included red to symbolize the courage of Canadians who defended their freedoms and white to symbolize Canadians’ love of peace. In the center of the white background was a green maple leaf, as it was a symbol of Canada.
Dr. Pidgeon explained that credit for the completion of the flag must go to the Sisters of St. Mary’s General Hospital. Joseph’, who allowed their seamstress, Mrs. J. Anson, to make the flag.
In 1971, Dr. Jean Pidgeon died at the Ottawa General Hospital at the age of 58, leaving behind his wife Marguerite and seven children. He was remembered by his community as a man who was liked by all, but who also helped advance medical science in Canada.
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