These letters speak for themselves. They document the discovery and the origins and pursuance of the first year of study of kuru in great detail and should serve to dispel any misconceptions about who did what and answer many hows, whens, and whys about the early field work and laboratory investigations on kuru.<br><br>Sufficient time has elapsed since Dr. Vincent Zigas and I published our first account of kuru to transcribe this correspondence without any deletions. Only minor errors of spelling, grammar and punctuation have been corrected. Errors in observation, interpretation, and judgement stand as they were committed in writing. I trust that the edification they may achieve will pardon any lack of discretion in presenting them.