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In re Record of Roger Post Ames. He infected Pvt Daniel P Driscoll Co F 26 Inf at
Fort McIntosh Texas who was admitted to Hosp Nov. 9, 1903
to duty Nov. 30, 1903 but did not recover his health &
was disch. S. C. D. Sept 26, 1904 for chronic Gastritis following y.f.
This wanton and unauthorized jeopardy of human life should weigh
heavily against any reward to him or his heirs. 17 December, 1931. MEMORANDUM for General Patterson: In re: Record Roger Post Ames, M.D. in Yellow Fever
Experimentation at Camp Lazear, Cuba, 1900-1901, with supporting
evidence. This brief is very cleverly prepared but on considering the
bases of it, they seem to be founded on assumptions rather than on
facts. The following are the statements on which the arguments are
based: II. A. He was directly in charge of the Experimental
Camp Lazear. This is true but his duties there were purely administrative
and could have been performed by any good sergeant of five years service. B. This command was special and not regular duty. This seems to be a distinction without a difference. Dr. Ames' [s]
duty at Camp Columbia at this time [,] as well as before and after [,] was to
look after yellow fever cases. He had very little to do at this particular
time, and the work at Camp Lazear came naturally and simply into the field
of his assignments. C. Assisted in securing volunteers for the experimentations. Doubtless he did. A number of persons not included in the
yellow fever Roll of Honor did the same. D. Rendered scientific services of great value upon the
success of which depended the success of the entire
experiment. This claim is, in my opinion, absolutely without any basis in
fact. The experiments would have gone on just the same if Dr. Ames
had never come to Cuba. III. A. Major Reed depended upon Dr. Ames' scientific knowledge
of diagnosis and treatment of Yellow Fever. Dr. Ames was undoubtedly called in for the diagnosis and treat-
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ment of all the cases of experimental yellow fever in the Camp
Lazear series. The diagnosis, however, was confirmed officially in
each case by the Yellow Fever Board from Havana, headed by Dr. Carlos
Finlay. [and Col W. C. Gorgas.] As to the care and treatment of yellow fever cases, it was
testified by The Surgeon General in explaining to the Military Committee
the necessary limitations of the list of those who should appear on the
Yellow Fever Roll; that services in connection with the professional care,
diagnosis, and treatment could not be considered, as a large number of
doctors, military and civil, had taken part in the care and treatment of
yellow fever patients during the epidemic in Quemadas and other epidemics
in Cuba. These persons included Medical officers, nurses, non-commissioned
officers, and privates of the Hospital Corps, and other persons who came
in contact with yellow fever patients, and the clothing, stools, etc. used
by them, all of which were believed to be infectious. Unless such a
limitation were maintained, the number of applications would be so great
that the honor of being on the Roll would be diluted to the disappearing
point. IV. A. A non-immune, Dr. Ames exposed himself and contracted
the fever in carrying out special duties in the advance-
of science. The statement that Dr. Ames contracted yellow fever in February,
1901 (which is supported by the Hospital records) has always been a complete
mystery to me. Dr. Ames always claimed to be an immune, and was selected
to take charge of the yellow fever cases at Camp Columbia, and to be in
charge of the little experimental camp because he was immune. This is
definitely stated by Dr. Reed. It is my belief that he did have yellow
fever in New Orleans at the time stated by him. If the sickness which
he had in February, 1901 was in fact yellow fever, it was undoubtedly one
of the very rare instances of a second attack. In any event, the illness
was a very mild one and he was detained in hospital, I believe, only five
days. The experiments at Camp Lazear were at this time completed, and the
nature of this illness has no bearing on the question of the conquest of
yellow fever. See also on this subject letter of Surgeon General Ireland to
General William R. Smith, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., dated
12 December, 1930, on file in S.G.O. See also unfavorable report of
the Secretary of War on Senate Bill 2817 introduced February, 1928 by
Senator Sheppard of Texas, and introduced into the House by Representative
Buchanan of Brenham, Texas. |
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The writer of this memorandum acquired yellow fever in
contact with the sick in the performance of his duty. He was also
officially connected with the Yellow Fever Board in an administra-
tive way, and initiated the first proceedings for the warfare
against mosquitoes in Cuba. He was also mentioned by the Secretary
of War, Mr. Elihu Root, in his report for 1902 for his services in
connection with yellow fever. Yet it has never occurred to him,
and would never be claimed by him, that he is entitled to membership
on the Yellow Fever Roll of Honor. J.R.K. |
