Armstrong – Table of Contents

As you know the final step of the reorganization of the National Institutes of Health has
been completed with the establishment of the [National] Microbiological Institute. I have
selected Dr. Victor Haas to be the Director of this new Institute. [EAB – Dr. Haas had
been a junior associate of Dr. Armstrong at the time that Dr. Armstrong was adapting the
Lansing strain of poliomyelitis to rodents].
“The establishment of the Microbiological Institute seems an appropriate time to free you
of the onerous administrative duties that you have done so faithfully since the beginning
of the war. I realize that you accepted these additional responsibilities through a deep
sense of patriotism for our country and loyalty to the U. S. Public Health Service. I can
assure you that your service has been keenly appreciated by both Dr. [Thomas] Parran
and myself.
“We of the service know, as I have heard you express, that the future of the Institutes
depends upon a sound research program. You, perhaps as our outstanding scientist,
should be free to apply your full energies to research. Knowing of your long interest in
poliomyelitis and of your many fine contributions, it is our hope that it again will have
your complete attention.
“Once again on behalf of the Service I wish to thank you for a job well done as Chief of
the Division of Infectious Diseases under trying war conditions, and add the hope of even
greater accomplishments in your own research program.
“Sincerely yours, Leonard A. Scheele, Surgeon General.”
The transition as Chief from Armstrong to Dr. Karl Habel went almost un-
noticed. It was not until many months later that the author was even aware of the change.
During this time period Armstrong’s intellectual vigor and physical stamina were