Open AccessHistory of the discovery of the mode of transmission of yellow fever virus
Author(s) -
Clements Alan N.,
Harbach Ralph E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of vector ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.688
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1948-7134
pISSN - 1081-1710
DOI - 10.1111/jvec.12261
Subject(s) - scrutiny , biology , transmission (telecommunications) , mode (computer interface) , yellow fever , period (music) , virology , genealogy , virus , history , law , telecommunications , political science , computer science , philosophy , aesthetics , operating system
ABSTRACT This essay documents and examines the historical circumstances and events surrounding the discovery of the mode of transmission of yellow fever virus in Cuba. Close scrutiny of the articles published by Walter Reed and his colleagues in 1900, 1901 and 1902 reveals their limitations as historic documents. Fortunately, other sources of information from that period survive in letters and documents written by individuals involved in the quest for the mode of transmission. Examination and comparison of those sources of information unveiled a fascinating story which reveals that misunderstandings engendered by published articles accorded merit where it was not fully due.