82 SUMMARY OF THE ANTIMALARIAL CAMPAIGNS 



they set to work in grim earnest. A chief sanitary- 

 officer was appointed, with a splendid staff of 2,000 men 

 under him. 



The following figures show the great decrease in the 

 malarial death rate since 190G : 



Year Deaths 



1906 .... 821 



1907 . . . . 424 



1908 .... 282 



or 1*34 per thousand 



That is, the death rate from malaria in the Canal Zone, 

 in spite of the enormous increase in the labourers, is 

 only one-third of the death rate three years ago. 



This great antimalarial work has been accomplished 

 chiefly by drainage and trimming the margins of all 

 lakes and swamps of all weeds amongst which the larvae 

 shelter. Superficial ditches are concreted, deep ones 

 are kept free of weeds. No animals are allowed near 

 the margins of the ditches or marshes, so as to avoid 

 making the small foot puddles wliich cattle invariably 

 make. Where possible sulphate of copper, crude 

 petroleum, and other culicides are also employed. 

 Bush-cutting is regarded as second only in importance 

 to drainage, and with this 1 thoroughly agree. To 

 enforce and carry out these antimalarial measures in 

 the forty-five miles' strip along the line of tlie canal, 

 the strip has been divided into seven districts. Each 

 district is in charge of an inspector, whilst a chief 

 inspector is over all. The chief has on his staff a man 

 acquainted with the life-history of the mosquito, another 

 who is an expert in tilling and drainage, also a general 



