Box 65

Truby congratulates Hench for his work in “that most terrible of all crippling diseases,” and asks him to help block the effort of Senator Lucas to have Gustaf E. Lambert admitted to the Yellow Fever Roll of Honor. He also states that Jernegan was the bravest volunteer.

Hench explains to Kean and Truby that he has been so occupied with cortisone research that he has had no time for his Reed project. He has accepted the position of chairman of a research committee on rheumatic diseases.

Tate informs [Hench] that he was the medical records clerk at Columbia Barracks during the yellow fever experiments. He claims that Ames was the real hero and yet became the forgotten man because he was simply a contract doctor.

Tate writes that he was under Truby's command in Cuba and has read all the books about the yellow fever experiments. He maintains that Truby's is the only real, factual account and requests a copy of the book.

Hench appreciates the letters from Sternberg and Finlay. He hopes to see the Wood papers the next time he is in Washington, D.C.

Tate, having learned of Hench's work with arthritis, requests Hench's help with his own arthritic condition. He begs forgiveness for his doubts of Hench's ability to write the story of the yellow fever experiments.

Kean informs Hench that Laura Wood was at the Library of Congress looking through her father's papers and was surprised to learn that there were no diaries for 1900 and 1901. Kean has told her that Hench is trying to determine whether her father or Gorgas initiated the war against the mosquitoes.

Truby commends Hench on his work with cortisone in treating rheumatic fever, and encloses two communications he has received from men who were at Columbia Barracks during the yellow fever experiments.

Tate identifies himself to Truby and asks if it would be possible for Truby to send him a signed copy of his book about the yellow fever experiments.

Special Orders #83 relieves Forbes of his assignment, assigns Morris and Kissinger to temporary duty at the experimental sanitary camp at Columbia Barracks, and orders Ames to report to Reed for temporary duty.

Tate believes that neither Lambert nor Ames belongs on the Yellow Fever Honor Roll. However, Tate believes that Lambert was courageous and Ames was a good doctor.

Kean corrects a case of mistaken identity in a photograph Hench had sent to him, and provides details about his assignments in Cuba.

Kean comments on a book by Powell that cites Reed's work and that of other physicians.

Truby provides Tate with information about Captain Alexander N. Stark.

Tate provides an autobiographical sketch and ponders why yellow fever seemed to spread to other parts of America from South America, but not from Africa to northern Africa or southern Europe.

Truby explains to Lambert the conditions for being placed on the Roll of Honor. Truby says that Ames does not meet these conditions, although he did take good care of the yellow fever volunteers.

Truby sends Hench a letter from Lambert, and Truby's reply to Lambert. He says that Lambert is evidently beginning another drive to get on the Roll of Honor.

Lambert promotes the work that Ames did in caring for yellow fever patients during the experiments. He thinks Ames did not get the recognition due him. He also points out that he, Lambert, was the only one who volunteered to care for patients.

Kean refers Hench to some letters from Sternberg to Reed and to Chaille, and comments on developments resulting from the yellow fever experiments.

Hench believes that Lambert wants Ames to be honored because it might help Lambert's own campaign to have his name included as well.