Born in Sherbrooke, Quebec in 1912, Jean Pigeon completed his education at Le Petit Seminaire in Quebec before going on to Lavalle University where he received his medical degree at the young 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 for postgraduate surgery in New York before returning to Blind River to resume his practice. In his profession, Dr. Peristeri became known for developing a cure for burns. His research was conducted at St. John’s General Hospital. Joseph in Blind River. In his research paper on this topic, he explained that there was a need to treat burns because of the possibility of nuclear war. His research involved the use of amniotic membranes (after birth) and its application to areas of second degree burns and this was found to be an effective treatment. His research was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Dr. Pigeon spent a lot of time trying to improve medical practices and procedures and due to a lack of money to fund research, he emphasized the importance of financial assistance from governments for new research. He was also an advocate for regulations on gas appliances used by the general public to prevent unnecessary deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning. As a medical examiner and doctor, he often had to treat people, especially campers who had 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 removed directly 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 outspoken against pollution, particularly the effects of the Elliot Lake uranium mining process. He stated that mining poses a risk to both human life and wildlife. In addition to the Society of London recognition, Dr. Peristeri 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 medicinal benefits of cannabis when the authorities wanted to crack down on the substance. “Doctors, nurses and parents, as well as other leaders of society, need to seek the truth instead of excluding the dangers to younger generations and trying to suppress them,” he said. He explained that decisions must be based on scientific evidence when dealing with health policies. Perhaps one of the most interesting anecdotes about the life of Dr. Pigeon was out of the medical field. He submitted a design for the Canadian flag. The design he proposed for the flag was described as having a blue border, as Canada was almost surrounded by water. He incorporated red to represent the courage of Canadians who defended their freedoms and white to represent Canadians’ love of peace. In the center of the white background was a green maple leaf since it was a symbol of Canada. Dr. Peristeri explained that credit for the completion of the flag should go to the Sisters at St Joseph’s General Hospital who allowed their seamstress, Mrs. J. Anson, to make the flag. In 1971 Dr. Jean Pigeon 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 well-liked man, but he also helped advance medical science in Canada.
