VIH 



for the life and development of the immigrant population 

 which flocks to our shores. 



W ithout detracting in the least from the merits of Lazear, 

 Reed, Carroll, Agramonte, (¡oigas and the others who 

 contributed in the practice of exterminating the mosambo ™ 

 , measure of sanitation, it is possible to declare timt without 

 the Kinlav theory, the gigantic work of the Panama Canal 

 which will revolutionize geograpMc conditions in i the world, 

 ¡odd never have been accomplished. The loss of thousands 

 of lives impeded the great work's progress; at present 

 sanitary conditions prevail at the Isthmus and the great 

 work is not hindered from that source. The same -sanitary 

 plan which was carried out in Cuba was enforced at the Canal 

 Zone, thus confirming the ideas of Dr. Finlay. 



This book, therefore, is an exposition of those ideas It 

 was not possible that so valued a treasure should be lost or 

 dispersed. It contains his notable paper presented before 

 tlie Academy of Sciences of Havana, August 14, 1881 in which 

 he for the first time expounded his genial discovery which to 

 day bears the mark of «mortality. A few months be- 

 fore, at the Washington Conference, he had given an outline 

 of the ideas which he sustained with regard to the trasmis- 

 sion of Yellow Fever, which clearly shows the conception 

 which was working in the mind of the investigator. 1 here 

 will also be found in this book other papers winch reveal the 

 originality of his genius, his marvellous activity and won- 

 derful tenacity. The people of Cuba may well enjoy a proud 

 satisfaction in thus offering to the world this selection from 

 the publications of one of her most worthy sons. 



The Biographical Notes which are published herein, give 

 a most exact and detailed idea of the life of the man, his 

 merits and virtues as well as the honors and recompenses 

 which have been bestowed on him. 



Before finishing these lines, however it is proper and 

 fittino- to express the testimony of gratitude due to the ( om- 

 S charged with the publication of tins book Doctors 

 Juan (¡uiteras, Enrhme 15. Barnet, dose Antonio Lopez del 

 Valle and Jorge Le Roy y Cassá have done a work of merit 

 compiling, investigating, comparing notes, translating and 

 selecting from documents, reviews, magazines, Pampldets 

 and manuscripts and supervising the final work of topo- 

 grapher. It is therefore gratifiymg to make Ins acknow- 

 ledgemenl public, as well as the fact that as sole recompen- 



