Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 83.djvu/299

Rh of intelligent sanitarians who have proven themselves master pioneers in the prevention of tropical diseases, and it stands out as a startling lesson that none should fail to learn. Nor has this great work been very expensive, as some newspaper writers assume without warrant. Taking the number of men employed and the amount spent for the prevention of disease it is found that about one cent per day per man has been expended. In comparison with similar expenditures in American cities it should not be forgotten that practically nine tenths of the cost of sanitation in the Zone is in mosquito fighting and quarantine. In order to appreciate what has been accomplished it is necessary to understand the condition of the country at the beginning of the occupancy.

The Canal Zone, ten miles wide and forty-five miles long, is composed of mountains of moderate height, marshy swamps, numerous small lakes, jungles, almost impenetrable in some places, and streams, the most important of the latter being the Chagres River, celebrated for malignant malarial disease. The temperature ranges from 65° to 100°, March being the hottest month. The average annual rainfall varies strangely in different localities from 75 to 125 inches. The fog, clouds and hot sun follow each other in quick succession. The heavy rainfall insures permanent stagnant water where the larva? of the yellow fever and malarial mosquitos thrive in countless millions; the perpetual moisture, warmth and rich soil lead to extravagant growth of hundreds of varieties of tropical grasses, plants, flowers, vines and trees, furnishing favorable harbor for the insects; and there is an almost constant stream of decaying vegetable and animal matter pouring into lakes and marshes that are never drained. Decaying animal matter leads to the generation of innumerable flies, ever ready to convey disease, and the water supply is polluted, and pregnant with disease germs.

This is the condition of things now in the surrounding country, and was the condition of the Canal Zone when the United States took charge. It was bad enough in the wilds of nature, but worse in the habitation of man. Colon had no sewer system, and human excrement was disregarded; there was no proper water supply; the cisterns, puddles and lakes furnished convenient breeding places for mosquitos; the streets and sidewalks were in horrible condition, and sanitary ordinances were lamely drawn and poorly executed. There were no screens, and flies literally swarmed over the food.

The conditions were little better in Panama City and in the intermediate towns. Yellow fever had been endemic for hundreds of years, and epidemic when new material was available. Malaria was ever present, consuming the life blood and limiting the capacity of generation after generation of the native population, and attacking the unacclimated with vigor and fatality. Typhoid fever was very common, and the ravages of dysentery were sorely distressing. The history of