Beriberi

Heroes Remember

Beriberi

Transcript

There was a lot of beriberi and pellagra. It affected the extremities - the hands and the feet and very, very painful. You could compare it to if you've had your feet and toes frozen and when the frost is coming out, how painful they are. I know I've seen big strong fellas just holding on to their feet with tears running down their cheeks. The next stage, of course, was numbness and then the pain left but so did the use of the feet. They would drag their feet would drag when they were walking.

Description

Dr. Cunningham describes the pain of beriberi being similar to frost coming out of frozen toes. As the condition progressed, sufferers lost the sensation in their lower legs and feet.

Dr. Winston Ross Cunningham

Dr. Winston Cunningham was born in Elgin, Manitoba on January 4, 1911. He was the third of five children. His father was a storekeeper and moved the family to a permanent home in Souris, Manitoba. Mr. Cunningham decided to pursue a career in dentistry, studying in Toronto. After graduating in 1934, he returned to his home in Souris to take over a vacant dental practice. In 1939, he volunteered for military service, assuming the rank of Captain. Doctor Cunningham was sent to the Hong Kong garrison, which quickly fell to the Japanese. He spent almost four years in Sham Shui Po POW camp, where he provided dental care to the internees. After the war, Doctor Cunningham remained in the military, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1963.

Meta Data

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Recorded:: July 16, 1998
Duration:: 1:10
Person Interviewed:: Dr. Winston Ross Cunningham
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Location/Theatre:: Hong Kong
Battle/Campaign:: Hong Kong
Branch:: Army
Units/Ship:: Royal Rifles of Canada
Rank:: Captain
Occupation:: Doctor

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Dr. Cunningham describes the steady advance of the Japanese which eventually resulted in his field hospital retreating to Bowen Road Hospital.

The Tomato Garden

Dr. Cunningham discusses the prison camp diet in general, and then describes the prisoners' tomato garden.

Sham Shui Po Dental Clinic

Dr. Cunningham describes setting up his dental clinic at Sham Shui Po Camp with equipment brought from North Point POW camp. He indicates that dental health was good due to the lack of sugar in their diet.

Staying Informed

Dr. Cunningham describes using a hidden radio and smuggled Chinese newspapers to keep informed about the war's progress.

The War is Over

Dr. Cunningham discusses hearing that the war had ended as a result of the H-bombings in Japan, and describes his elation at the time.

“Fortunes of war”

Dr. Cunningham acknowledges that as an officer he had a much easier time in captivity than did the combat soldiers.

Date modified:: 2019-06-20