Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-12-03
Memory of DR.. Carlos J. Finlay|
Will Be Paid High Honor Here
Tooth Anniversary Rites
to Draw Notables OF
Many Lands.
Event Viii Be Held Today
at ban Embassy;
Proved FeUer Theory.

~EREMONIES concentrating the
birth 100 years ago today OF
DIR. Carlos j. Finlay, noted
~ Cuban, who first advanced the
theory that mosquitoes were
carriers of yellow fever, will be held
here today at the Cuban embassy.
Purging the world of the dread dis
ease, known as "vomito negro" to the
West Indian colonies of his birth. was
the task which DR.. Finlay laboriously
studied throughout his life. His mos
quito theory was confirmed by DR.. Wal
ter Reed of the United States Army
Medical Corps.
The Washington Chapter of the Pan
American Medical Association will hold
centennial exercises at the embassy.
The program will include addresses by
Dr. Manuel Marquee Sterling. Ambassa-
dor from Cuba; Senior Don Luis M. de
Iruju, charge d'affaires of Spain; Col.
Roger Brooke of the Army Medical De-
partment; DR.. L. o. Howard, Brig. Gen.
J. r. Kean and DR.. Victor Alfaro.
Son May Attend Rites.
DR.. c. E. Finlay, a son of the famous
iso,ationist and at present a member OF
the Cuban cabinet, may attend. PreSl-
dent of WaShington's chapter Surg.
Gen. H. S. Cummings. is expected back
from Europe in time to be present.
DR.. Finlay (Barras) was born OF
Scotch and French stock in the old
Puerto Principe. now called Camaguey,
in Cuba. Frightful scourges rocked the
civilized world during the days lmme-
diately after his birth. Asiatic cholera
had made its appearance in America.
An epidemic of influenza struck an
other year. Yellow fever continued to
stalk with a wide death-dealing sWath
through the, Indian Islands. A Negro
servant introduced smallpox into Amer
lean settlements. Its dread reactions
were soon manifest.
During DR.. Finlay's early childhood
an aunt came from Edinburgh, Scot
land to teach him the rudiments OF
learning and when II he was sent 70
Harye in the British Isles. In 1886 he
was returned to his home in the islands
after being afflicted with a nervous
trouble, which left an ineradicable,
though slight. impeachment in his speech.
III 1848 Dr. Finlay returned to Europe
where he visited England and Germany.
remaining in Rouen where he studied
until 1851. Typhoid fever struck at
the youth in that year, and he was
forced to return to America.
Settled in Havana.
In 1855 he was graduated from the
Jefferson Medical College in Philadei-
pbia. After two Journeys to Lima, the
newly fledged practitioner at last set
tied in Havana to practice. He re-
NAMED in Cuba as practiclng physl-
clan. while his leanings definitely we're
toward a study of ophthalmology:
In 1898, during the last of the Span
ish-American War, DR.. Finlay was ap-
pointed as a medical officer in the
American Army and served until eXpira-
ton of the fighting.
When IS years of age DR.. Finlay be-
gan preparations for his life work. He
Started studying the climatic conditions
prevalent in Cuba. gave himself as a
subject for experimenting with possible
carriers of yellow fever, and in 1881
before the American discussion on the
subject in Washington he advanced the
approach to definite analysis OF the
now-proved theory of yellow fever pre-
vention in three stages: First. the pres
ence of a previous case within reason
able time limits; second. presence OF
possible patient: and third. the pres.
ence of a carrier Independent potn OF
the disease and the patient.
Gave Theory In 1882.
In 1882 DR.. Finlay presented to the
Havana Academy of Medical, Physical
and Natural Sciences a specific 1ndlct-
ment of the mosquito as the transmit
ting agent of yellow fever. During the
20 years until the theory was confirmed
b. an American commission in l900,
Dr.. Finlay often was subject to ridicule