134 THOMSON— mOGRESS OF THE ISTHMIAN CANAL. [April ig, 



zone, and which permits excellent sanitation and protection from 

 mosquito infection. 



These buildings are of wood, well painted, supported on posts 

 or on pillars of concrete so as to be clear of the ground. They are 

 of one, two or three stories in height with wide piazzas on each 

 floor, sometimes all round, securing coolness and shade. The pi- 

 azzas are screened with brass wire netting and in the sleeping apart- 

 ments the usual mosquito netting is a supplemental protection. The 

 habitations are situated on high ground, as on hills or hillsides, 

 which can readily be kept cleared and free from pools of water. 

 Underground drainage is provided where it is conducive to the 

 general result. 



' Too much praise cannot be given to the work which has already 

 been accomplished. The present remarkable healthfulness, the fruit 

 of this intelligent system, is seen in the low mortality disclosed by 

 the recent records of the zone. After all, there is no more important 

 influence to be reckoned with in the success of the construction 

 work, than the health and vigor of the men engaged in it. Add to 

 the measures of sanitation, the provision of proper food and good 

 water, together with prevention of abuse of alcoholic drinks, and 

 it would seem that the problem of labor, even white labor, on the 

 isthmus is solved. 



It is curious to note the opinion of the men in charge as to the 

 value of the different classes of labor of which use has been, or 

 is now made. Negro labor, largely from Jamaica and other West 

 India islands is rated much below white labor and the pay accorded 

 is accordingly less. White labor from northern provinces of Spain 

 is reported as most satisfactory and Italian labor is also looked upon 

 with favor. It was found necessary not to entrust the negro with 

 the choice of his own diet, as this resulted in his using only watery 

 tropical fruits, or innutritions yams, etc., rendering it impossible 

 for him to sustain effort, owing to actual lack of nourishment. As 

 a result, three meals are furnished at thirty cents a day and these 

 contain a proper balance of nitrogenous and carbohydrate constitu- 

 ents. He is compelled in this way to receive due nourishment and 



