Here's a breakdown of his achievements:
* Led the Yellow Fever Commission: In 1900, Reed was appointed to lead the Yellow Fever Commission, a team tasked with investigating the cause and spread of yellow fever, a deadly disease that had plagued the Americas for centuries.
* Disproved the "Miasma Theory": The prevailing theory at the time attributed yellow fever to "miasma," or bad air. Reed's team, through rigorous experiments, conclusively demonstrated that yellow fever was transmitted by mosquitoes, specifically the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
* Developed the "Reed Protocol": He developed the "Reed Protocol" which included measures like mosquito netting and screens, the elimination of mosquito breeding grounds, and fumigation, which were highly effective in controlling the spread of yellow fever.
* Saved countless lives: Reed's research not only proved the true cause of yellow fever but also paved the way for effective prevention and treatment, ultimately saving countless lives.
His work was crucial in the construction of the Panama Canal, as yellow fever had been a major obstacle to its completion.
Walter Reed's legacy continues to this day, as his contributions to the understanding and control of infectious diseases are still relevant in public health today.