Mosquitoes

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 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 discusses a book he is reading about Finlay. He agrees to write a letter to Ramos.

Kean asserts that Finlay was the discoverer of the transmission of yellow fever by mosquito and that Reed's demonstration of the theory led to its acceptance by the scientific world. He expresses a dislike for the grouping of men in the yellow fever painting.

Kean informs Hench that Reed read his paper on the etiology of yellow fever at the Pan American Medical Congress in Havana, Feb 4-7, 1901. While Wood was convinced of the need to destroy mosquitoes, Gorgas was not and only began mosquito eradication at Wood's command.

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

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 has been notified that he is to receive the Gorgas Medal for several accomplishments early in his career, including starting warfare on the mosquito in Cuba, initiating the legislation that created the Medical Reserve Corps, and for organizing the Base Hospitals in parent institutions.

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 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 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 discusses Lazear's discovery of intrinsic and extrinsic incubation in mosquitoes.

Moran wants Kean to explain to Nogueira that there shouldn't be any hostility between Cuba and the U.S. caused by distinguishing between Finlay “discovering” the mosquito theory and Reed “demonstrating” the theory. Kean also mentions his letter to Moran about Guiteras' speech given in Havana in 1900, which gives a proper analogy for the Finlay--Reed discovery.

Kean shares family news. He is glad to receive copies of Walter Reed's diplomas and describes Truby's visit. He is relieved to hear that Building No. 1, at Camp Lazear, will be preserved.

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 remembers a conversation with Gorgas, who believed that Reed had found a way of producing mild, non-fatal yellow fever. As such, Gorgas planned to start inducing experimental cases. Kean comments on the planned commemoration of Reed by the Fourth International Congress of Tropical Medicine and Malaria. He hopes that they will include a Cuban speaker for the event.