Social history

Kean writes about his rationale for remaining as Post Surgeon at Columbia Barracks instead of taking position at Fort McHenry, Baltimore. He comments on the lasting value of Reed's work.

Kean writes about studying for his upcoming promotion examination. He notes that the scientists are seeing important results from the mosquito experiments. A dinner will be held in honor of Finlay.

Kean describes the round of New Year's parties, his children, and studying for his promotional exam. Kean also details the success of the mosquito experiments and the army's efforts to eliminate mosquitoes.

Kean discusses the health of friends back in the United States. He includes a satirical paragraph on the health of acquaintances.

Kean writes about his return to Cuba after a trip to the United States. Louise Kean has been active in charitable work around the Camp.

Kean discusses his case of yellow fever. He maintains that there is no proof Ames ever contracted yellow fever. He writes that Lazear conducted secret experiments, and discusses Moran's draft of his memoirs.

Kean feels Moran is too contentious about the Cuban medical profession taking all the credit for the yellow fever discovery. Kean tells Hench the advice he gave Moran about how to approach his autobiography, or memoirs, without angering the Cubans.

Kean discusses the honorary degree given to Reed by Harvard University. Reed considered this one of the greatest honors in his lifetime. There is also a discussion of the proper quotation for the honorary tablet outside of the room where Reed died.

Kean discusses the career of McCoy. He answers Hench's questions from a previous letter. According to Kean, Gorgas initially rejected Reed's mosquito theory.

Kean discusses a future meeting with Hench, his relationship with Reed, and his experiences with the yellow fever experiments.

Kean is upset over efforts to get Poucher's name added to the Yellow Fever Roll of Honor.

Kean comments on Truby's paper about his service in Cuba. He feels that Truby's narration is of immense value and fears that most of Reed's papers are lost. He mentions that the University of Virginia is honoring Moran with a dinner.

Kean responds in detail to Hench's letter concerning the yellow fever experiments. He sends his diary from late 1900 and a copy of a speech at the dedication of Walter Reed's birthplace.

Kean compares the two methods of testing for yellow fever: mosquito bites and sleeping in the infected bedding. He claims that at the time of the experiments, the latter was considered more dangerous.

Kean reports that Reed requested $10,000 to conduct the yellow fever experiments. However, he is uncertain about where the financial records for the yellow fever study are being kept. He discusses an article written by Truby and encourages Hench to contact Thomas M. England, a former yellow fever volunteer.

Kean discusses his health and the dinner at the University of Virginia honoring Moran. He speaks about Finlay's mental condition during his later years. He also describes the dinner given in Havana celebrating the confirmation by the Yellow Fever Board of the Finlay theory.

Kean comments on the controversy over Agramonte's role in the mosquito work. He answers, in detail, questions based on Hench's reading of Kean's diary. He emphasizes that Reed never told him Lazear's infection was experimental. He believes Lazear's careful records enabled Reed to understand the yellow fever incubation period.

Kean laments that the Ames family is trying to get Roger Post Ames included in the Yellow Fever Roll of Honor. He also discusses Camp Lazear.

Kean points out misinformation written in an article about Kissinger.

Kean discusses withholding some confidential material from Laura Wood Roper and recommends Kissinger enter a Veteran's Bureau Hospital.