A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History : Yellow Fever and the Reed Commission, 1898-1901 University of Virginia Heath Sciences Library: Historical Collections and Services This resource is a complete digital exhibit on the successes of yellow fever research conducted during the American occupation of Cuba in the late 19th century Spanish-American conflict. The digital exhibit text is linked to images and other materials that provide a very good background to United States international expansion at the end of the nineteenth century. In addition, it gives students the opportunity to explore the intersection between political affairs and scientific advances, as it discusses the great challenges faced by the United States army in maintaining the health of their soldiers in a pest-ridden environment. The Introduction of "'This Most Dreadful Pest'" begins, "It is a sad yet fortunate truth that many great medical discoveries originated in the pain, suffering, and disease of war." Students could respond to this prompt in their journals, explaining what they feel this statement means, and attempting to provide examples to support or refute the statement. Students could then share their responses with the class. Students could then begin exploring the content of the site. Students could read the paragraph about Ms. Clara Louise Maass's volunteering to be infected with yellow fever, and her resulting death, appearing on Page X, entitled "Informed Consent," located at on the website. Students could respond in their journals to the pros and cons of using people in medical experiments intended to combat deadly diseases. Students could write a short piece of historical fiction, retelling the story of the discovery of the cause of yellow fever, and its eradication as a health threat in the Americas. Students should set the story in Cuba and include relevant details concerning the Spanish American War and its role in leading to the research concerning yellow fever. Students could share their stories with the class. Students could write an editorial from a viewpoint of their choosing- from the perspective of a native of Cuba, for example- commenting on the American military's presence in Cuba during and after the Spanish American War, and the relationship of this presence and the fight against yellow fever. Students might consider the level of concern someone writing from their perspective might have had- especially since few Cubans were susceptible to the disease.

(a) explaining the changing policies of the United States toward Latin America and Asia and the growing influence of the United States in foreign markets;

Yellow Fever and the Reed Commission, 1898-1901
University of Virginia Heath Sciences Library: Historical Collections and Services

Description: This resource is a complete digital exhibit on the successes of yellow fever research conducted during the American occupation of Cuba in the late 19th century Spanish-American conflict. The digital exhibit text is linked to images and other materials that provide a very good background to United States international expansion at the end of the nineteenth century. In addition, it gives students the opportunity to explore the intersection between political affairs and scientific advances, as it discusses the great challenges faced by the United States army in maintaining the health of their soldiers in a pest-ridden environment.

Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestion

The Introduction of "'This Most Dreadful Pest'" begins, "It is a sad yet fortunate truth that many great medical discoveries originated in the pain, suffering, and disease of war." Students could respond to this prompt in their journals, explaining what they feel this statement means, and attempting to provide examples to support or refute the statement. Students could then share their responses with the class. Students could then begin exploring the content of the site. Students could read the paragraph about Ms. Clara Louise Maass's volunteering to be infected with yellow fever, and her resulting death, appearing on Page X, entitled "Informed Consent," located at on the website. Students could respond in their journals to the pros and cons of using people in medical experiments intended to combat deadly diseases.

Suggestion for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson

Students could write a short piece of historical fiction, retelling the story of the discovery of the cause of yellow fever, and its eradication as a health threat in the Americas. Students should set the story in Cuba and include relevant details concerning the Spanish American War and its role in leading to the research concerning yellow fever. Students could share their stories with the class. Students could write an editorial from a viewpoint of their choosing- from the perspective of a native of Cuba, for example- commenting on the American military's presence in Cuba during and after the Spanish American War, and the relationship of this presence and the fight against yellow fever. Students might consider the level of concern someone writing from their perspective might have had- especially since few Cubans were susceptible to the disease.