Yellow fever

Kean states Carter was not in Cuba during the yellow fever experiments. He believes Truby's second manuscript is vastly improved.

Kean enjoyed the “Hygeia” article and the reproduction of Cornwell's painting, of which he requests copies. He discusses some of the men on leave during the Yellow Fever Board experiments.

Kean details his involvement in the National Memorial to Thomas Jefferson. Kean also discusses the publication of Truby's manuscript, his meeting with Carlos E. Finlay, and his understanding that Reed visited Carlos J. Finlay before any efforts were made to infect mosquitoes.

Kean thinks that Gorgas did not begin organizing “mosquito brigades” on Feb 4, 1901, the date of Reed's lecture on yellow fever in Havana. He believes that Reed abandoned the B. Icteroides theory, in July of 1900, and was ready to investigate the mosquito theory by August 1.

Kean is excited about the discovery of the notebook at the New York Academy of Medicine. He was immune to yellow fever - after having it in June of 1900 - so was not bitten as part of Lazear's experiments. He is pleased with the memoir of Andrus, and lauds him for submitting to inoculation as Reed had determined to inoculate himself if Andrus had not volunteered.

Kean makes comments on the contents of the notebook found at the New York Academy of Medicine. He had recommended Carroll for volunteer commission of major, but it didn't happen. He discusses very positively the career of Russell. He thinks Andrus could sell his memoir for a good price. He includes a memorandum listing papers he read about the life and work of Carroll in 1907, shortly after his death.

Kean questions whether Ames' self-diagnosis of yellow fever was correct, because earlier he had claimed to be immune.

Kean informs Hench that he has discussed Lazear's lab book with Truby and notes areas where they differed and their final agreements. Kean and Truby agree that Ames' alleged case of yellow fever was an error in diagnosis.

Kean believes that the fever charts mentioned by Hench were probably copies of the originals. He doesn't remember much about his own illness with yellow fever except the headache and backache.

Kean is concerned that he has wrongly portrayed Gorgas as slow in supporting Reed's findings.

Kean comments on Wood's manuscript. He believes that Reed or Lazear would have volunteered to be inoculated before Carroll. Kean suggests that Lazear believed in the mosquito theory and was the first to try it on himself.

Kean reports the death of a former participant in the yellow fever experiments. He is delighted with Truby's book and approves of Laura Wood's book on Reed. He offers his opinion on world politics and war shortages.

Kean encloses a copy of a positive review of Truby's book and makes comments.

Kean appreciates the copy of Reed's letter and photograph, although he is unable to identify anyone in the picture. He mentions a planned mural at a Cuban Military Hospital celebrating the conquest of yellow fever. After his death, his books will be donated to the University of Virginia.

Kean criticizes an article that claims Gorgas was ahead of his time when, in fact, he was slow to react to Reed's conclusions.

Kean discusses Finlay's mosquito theory and Reed's experimentation. He comments on a planned mural depicting the story of yellow fever in Cuba.

Kean relates a humorous anecdote about Wood. Kean goes on to discuss the problems of finding the exact moment when Guiteras was converted to the mosquito theory. He also discusses Pinto's role in the Yellow Fever Commission.

Kean declines to write a chapter for Hench's book. He comments on the book's preparation.

Kean relates the history of the Kissinger family in their desire to obtain money and how Peabody organized the Kissinger Relief Fund. Kean goes on to say that there was an error in a pamphlet published by Peabody in the amount of pension money to be given to the Kissinger family.

Kean recalls that Howard's play, “Yellow Jack,” incorrectly shows Lazear infecting XY without his consent.