Box 61

Wood is sending Hench the last third of her manuscript and asks for his comments. She questions why Reed would have needed information about the insect host theory from both Carter and Lazear. She comments on meeting Blossom Reed.

Hench comments on details in Wood's manuscript of her book on Reed. He reflects on the difficulties in planning his own book.

Wood thanks Hench for comments on her manuscript - responding to some of them - and discusses her work. She used Ashburn's history of the Army Medical Corps for some statistics. Wood insists that Hench write his book on Reed because she feels it will be definitive.

Hench is glad to have Wood's reference to the Ashburn history of the Army Medical Corps. He comments on an illustration that has been prepared for her book.

Wood returns material, which Hench had loaned to her, and discusses her manuscript. The publication delay permits her to do more research on Lazear. Wood comments on a Reed family legend that is almost certainly apocryphal.

Wood has received oral permission from Blossom Reed to examine copies of Walter Reed's letters, which are in Hench's possession.

Wood is pleased that Hench has found the Lazear materials. She agrees that she should obtain Blossom Reed's written permission in order to examine copies of Walter Reed's letters.

Hench is forwarding Blossom Reed's manuscript, which includes some Walter Reed letters. He comments that Walter Reed would be dismayed if he knew that Blossom was attempting to sell his personal letters.

Wood comments on Walter Reed's letters and on Blossom Reed's attempts to sell them. She will send Hench a completed manuscript of her book to examine if he has time.

Hench comments on Wood's manuscript. He hopes that she will acknowledge the Reeds in her foreword.

Wood discusses the upcoming publication of her book. Truby visited recently and gave her more information on the yellow fever experiments. She inquires if Hench knows who first volunteered for the experiments.

Hench discusses the controversy between Kissinger and Moran, which centers on who first volunteered for the yellow fever experiments. He feels the truth will never be known, and advises Wood not to reopen the matter.

This typescript deals with Hench's discussion of the recently discovered notebook containing the lab notes of Lazear and Reed. Hench credited Laura Wood with the discovery. The speech was given before the American Association of Obstetricians, Gynecologists and Abdominal Surgeons.