THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION          lCl?mTIFlC DIRECTORS

                                                    CHARLZLl H. BEBT, M.D.

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION

EI(NEST w. COODPABTURE, M.D.
KENNETH F. MAXCY. M.D.

49 WEST 49th STREET, NEW YORK
  CILBLE ADDREBS: RmxPDLIND, NEW YORK

December 8, 1942        W,LB"P A. SAWYER, M.D.

Dear Dr. Soper:

       This is to give you definite instructions re-

garding your new assignment.

       Your next assignment is to a project in typhus

control.  Tne exact location of your activities can probably
not be determined until you have slade inquiries OKI the ground
but we have in mind that you will work in Iran, if the opijor-

tuni.ties are favorable.   It is also understood that you have

been invited to accompany the United States of America Typhus

Commission and will travel with that Commission to the point

of your activities under the International Health Division

typhus project.  Xhile it is probable that the military mis-

sion will take care of your long-dista!:ce travel witn the Com-

mission, it is understood that travel expenses not provided in

this way will be borne by the International Health Division.

         If conditions are satisfactory and promising

you are authorized to remain in Iran and set up a study in ty-

phus control with emphasis on the systematic elimination of lice

fro,;! a civilian co;!iiriunity. We have in ,:lind, as we have stated

in conversation, developing methods for organizing and carrying

on such .iork and later utilizing the knowledge and the experience

in Europe and elsewhere.


                     -2-

     It is planned to send Xr. Jheeler with you to assist

in the entomological side of this undertaking.  You will be

director of the project and &. Ssheeler will be assigned to you.

     An initial appropriation of $30,000 has been made for
typhus work from the funds of the Rocke'eller Foundation Health

Com:iission, and I am enclosing a copy of the action. Before you

leave New York we shall expect you to consult Mr. Beal as to

methods of accounting to this office for expenditures, and also

as to the ways in which ifunds may be transmitted to you.

      In this project, in which you will be unable to take

your wife with you, you will be given full living expenses abroad
and also after you have reached your post the 10% commutation.

In addition, we are hoping that it will not be necessary for you

to remain in a foreign field for a full tour of three years under

these circumstances.  In fact, we have in mind a tour of around

a year and a half,  but circumstances will have to be taken into


account.

     I feel that this assignment is a very important one

and have the utmost confidence in your ability to develop it.

I need not emphasize to you the part that typhus fever is likely

to ?lay in the near future in many parts of Europe.  I wish you

the best of success in this new and difficult undertaking.

               Sincerely yours,

Dr. F. i. Soper
New York Office

WAS :R