The 'Ohio Boys' - Kissinger and Moran: Two Young Heroes in the Conquest of Yellow Fever - Cuba,1900

In 1881, Dr. Carlos Finlay of Havana, Cuba enthusiastically presented his paper "The Mosquito Hypothetically Considered as the Agent of Yellow Fever" to his medical colleagues.  Havana at that time was one of the world's most notorious ports for yellow fever, indeed the source of several devastating yellow fever epidemics that killed tens of thousands of people in the Southern United States during the 1800s.  Unfortunately, Dr. Finlay was up against a very popular competing hypothesis in the medical community of filth and 'fomites' and despite many attempts to provide proof of mosquito transmission of yellow fever, Finlay couldn't.  His paper and ideas were quickly and sternly ignored... for nineteen years. 

Sent to Cuba in 1900 as the head of the U.S. Army Yellow Fever Commission to identify the organism that causes yellow fever, Major Dr. Walter Reed had been fast coming to the conclusion that the commission he was leading might, like many before it, fail in its task to identify the yellow fever organism.  Reed was becoming more convinced during their investigations that the organism that caused yellow fever was indeed as his boss, U.S. Army Surgeon General Dr. Sternberg had suggested a decade before, 'ultra-microscopic.'  That would make it un-viewable with the microscopes of the day.  Reed turned then to consider a different course of action: identify how yellow fever was spread - the means of transmission.   With Dr. Finlay a regular medical contact among their Cuban colleagues, Dr. Reed was thoroughly briefed on Finlay's ideas - including the specific mosquito species Finlay asserted was the sole culprit. 

Reed had to prove Finlay's rejected mosquito hypothesis and disprove the popular filth and 'fomites' hypothesis.  Reed designed an experimental area that allowed him to control the necessary elements without outside contamination.  

Yellow fever was not known in animals so the members of Reed's Commission were forced to consider the need for human volunteers to be able to test the mosquito versus filth and 'fomites.'   With good medical care, most people survived a bout of yellow fever; with poor medical care, many died.   No one could predict whether a person would come down with a mild case, a moderate case or a fatal case.  It was plenty risky for a volunteer.

But most new arrivals to Cuba were almost guaranteed to fall sick with yellow fever - why not be well-cared for and well-paid for the ordeal?  Reed's Commission offered $250 to anyone willing to be part of the experiments, excellent medical care, plus a validated yellow fever certificate, useful to get work and wage bonuses throughout all of Central and South America, including the Panama Canal project.

Two young American men presented themselves to volunteer, one a civilian and one a U.S. Army private, both from the state of Ohio, John Kissinger and John Moran.  To Reed's and the Yellow Fever Commission's surprise, both young men refused the $250 payment, insisting to participate without compensation.  Major Dr. Reed's profound respect for their determination and selflessness was stated with few words, yet great honor:
"I salute you."

More about this amazing victory for the advancement of knowledge to benefit humanity at the Conquest of Yellow Fever
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