53 years, graduate of Chicago Medical School 1920, practiced 10 years Portland, Oregon, returned to Japan 1930, practiced as surgeon in Fukuoka, owns Tanamachi Surgical Hospital there, built in 1932. Dr. Komori came to Tanamachi's hospital after Fukuoka air raid (June or July 1945), received temporary treatment for a leg injury-- a compound fracture, no burns. Tanamachi thought that there should be an amputation immediately, but so many patients that AM he could not be given immediate attention, and electricity was off, so no means of sterilizing-- only lysol and hot water. Tanamachi called up KIU Hospital, after an army medical Officer had tried to call -- brought back Ishiyama, who took Komori with him next day after he spent night at this hospital. Tanamachi gave him tatanus anti-toxin immediately after coming in, applied splint, gave sedative and morphine, trombogen to stop hemorrhage, etc. Two weeks later wife of Komori came to hospital, brought Tanamachi 1/2 gallon of saki as a present, said Komori had returned home. Tanamachi had previously heard that his leg had been amputated. About a week later a special nurse asked for anti-toxin for Komori. After Komori's death-- about a month afterwards, but before the end of the war, Ishiyama came to see Tanamachi, said that Komori had one of his assistants inject some anti-toxin in his neck artery which was not normal medical practice then died of tetanus, further said it was foolish to use anti-toxin the way that he had used it. Tanamachi believes that Komori's assistant was a 1st Lt. named Kubo, not a major. Tanamachi heard that Komori died at the University Hospital. Tanamachi had met Komori 3-4 times, was not a friend, was a likeable fellow-- he had heard that he was a skillful surgeon. Kamori was 45, grey hair. A Col. Machida or WAH lived at place on Daimiyo-machi, Fukuoka, where American Officers Club now is-- was connected with radio broadcasting-- was a very good friend of Col. Sato, who went there frequently. Tanamachi doesn't like Sato, who came to his hospital with a broken rib, Tanamachi out as well as assistant, Sato, mad, tried to procure hospital for army, but without formal order, so Tanamachi didn't give it up, Sato apologizing after war. Tanamachi heard rumors that Ishiyama had treated captured Americans very badly who had been brought to the University Hospital.
|