New-York tribune., 1901-08-26
GOOD WORK, SAYS DOTY.
TRACTED YELLOW FEVER FROM
MOSQUITOES.

DR.. AIvah H. Doty talked to Tribune report
er Staten Island yesterday regarding the
recent deaths at Havana OF persons who had
allowed themselves, in the interest OF science. to
be bitten by mosquitoes which injected
with yellow fever. Miss Clara Mas. the nurse
who wished to become immune. and who
died on Friday evening, the third OF these
martyrs. DR.. Doty said that in his opinion the
result achieved fully warranted the dangerous
experiments. These experiments, he added, were
conducted conservatively and scientifically at
Havana by Dr. Reed and his colleagues. TheY
were not performed to carry out whim. but TO
prove or disprove clear proposition. The sub
tects Of the experiments risked their lives will
ingly and advsedly many had done before.
in order TO save the lives of others.
I'VE must not look simply at the deaths OF
these three persons" said DR.. Doty. but we must
consider also the incaculable number of lives
that will be saved by this absolute proof that
mosquitoes carry yellow fever. This was the
only way to find 1t out. We know beyond
question that people must protect themselves by
netting, especially at night. from mosquitoes in
districts infected with yellow fever, and that
they must get rid by drainage and other means
Of the unsantary conditions that favor the
propagation OF mosquitoes. That such precau-
tions against infection by mosquitoes produce
the results intended is shown by the fact that
this year. for the first time in the medical his
tory OF Cuba. there has been natural case
of yellow fever in Havana. and only six seven
in the suburbs. Within six years there have
been as many as five hundred cases in Havana
al one time. with a consequent mortality OF from
II to 80 per cent and even three four years
ago there were three hundred at time.
Since the sanitary conditions have been made so
very much better. however. and netting has
been used much more, this great advance in
the health of the city has come. These precau-
tions against the fever stimulated of
course by the belief that the mosquitoes
ried the disease, but this belief is changed
to certain knowledge"
DR. Doty said that though three persons who
had submitted themselves to mosquito infection
had died number OF other non-immunes who
were bitten had not died. Although up to this
time the experiments had been absolutely proper
in every way. he thought that the result
sought had been achieved, IL was hardly neces-
sary to continue the experiments indefinitely.
Such a statement. he said represented his per-
sonal view and did not imply the least unfavor-
able criticism Of the scientists in charge OF the
work
When asked about Or. Reeds opinion that yell
low fever was not transmitted by the clothing
and bedding Of patients. Dr. Doty said: DR..
Reed has been announcing this opinion for the
last two years. and last spring his experiments
had gone far enough for him 10 report. at a
meeting Of medical men in Havana. that he
thought his opinion proved. Personally I am
quite sure that the clothing OF persons who have
been in yellow fever districts but have not con-
traCted the fever, does not carry the disease.
and therefore when our soldiers came back from
Cuba at the close OF the Spanish war did not
subject 10 disnfecton the clothing and blankets
OF those who had been exposed 10 the dis
ease, but hsd not contracted II. hope that
Dr. Reeds opinion is correct also. but am dis
nosed TO sus pend Judgment unit! Il is more con-
clusIvely proved I do not think we should yet
give up the burning dlsinfection OF the cloth
ing and bedding Of yellow fever patients"