Yours very sincerely,
W. C. Gorgas,
Major & Surgeon, U. S. A.,
Chief Sanitary Officer.
Major Walter C. Reed,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Washington, D. C.
This case which I report on September 26, 1901, was really the last which occurred in Havana. Of course we did not know it at the time, but this case marked the first conquest of yellow fever in an endemic center; the first application of the mosquito theory to practical sanitary work in any disease.
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War Department, Surgeon General’s Office,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington, Oct. 17, 1901.
My dear Gorgas:
I have yours of the 8th inst., and appreciate very much your kind words about my paper and my selection for First Vice-President of the Association. The latter was a very great surprise, as I didn’t dream that I would be considered as a candidate for any office.
I am indeed delighted to hear that you only had two deaths in September. What could be more satisfactory? Certainly five deaths in seven months is a good record for the city of Havana, in this year of our Lord 1901! I hope that you no longer destroy fomites but are careful to protect your cases until fever subsides or death ensues. Good luck to you and your work! I really don’t blame you for being a little nervous about your health when you come to the United States, for you are certainly making Havana one of the healthiest cities in the world. I think that I will take your advice, come down and build me a house; that is, after I retire! Remember me very kindly to Mrs. Gorgas and your daughter.... I will be glad to get your monthly report for September.
With best wishes,