THECUBAREVIEW 23 



SANITATION WORK AT CUBAN IRON MINES 



By Charles F. Rand 



In the conduct of mining operations in Cuba careful attention to the health conditions of 

 employees is necessary at all times. As is well kno-mi, the elimination of mosquitoes and flies 

 is of first importance in the prevention of tropical diseases. When the Spanish-American 

 Iron Co. began its operations in Cuba mosquitoes were a source of great annoyance, and the 

 examining engineer who first visited Daiquiri reported that the sound of the mosquitoes in his 

 room at night was not unlike the noise made by a swarm of bees. Similarly, at Mayari our 

 consulting engineer was driven out by mosquitoes from what is now the site of the town of 

 Felton, and included in his report a recommendation that ])rovision be made for quartering the 

 men on houseboats during the construction period, fearing that thi'ough the resulting loss of 

 sleep and sickness the efficiency of the laborers would otherwise be very low. This was not 

 found necessary, however, as the low spots were filled while dredging the harbor, the mangroves 

 were cut away all around the island, and the necessary preventive precautions taken throughout 

 the vicinity. The resultant effect is shown by the fact that for years mosquito nets over beds 

 have been vmnecessary both at Daiquiri and Felton. 



During 1908 there was yellow fever in Daiquni. It was brought there by a man not in the 

 emplo3^ of the company. In combatting this, the government sanitary department, under the 

 direction of the medical corps of the U. S. Army of Occupation, thoroughly disinfected and 

 cleaned all of the mining camps. The reduction of malaria at Daiquiri due to the absence of 

 the mosquito is shown by a table which shows that in 1907 out of a working force of 1,315, 

 689 or 52% had malaria, while in 1913 out of 1,301 men but 68 or 5% affected. In the first 

 three months of 1914 the record still improves there being but three cases out of 923 men on 

 the pay roll. 



In addition to the elimination of mosquitoes and flies, every attention is given by the 

 foremen and by the sanitary force to maintaining cleanliness and order among the employees 

 as well as around the dwelling houses and in other parts of the towns. Even the most modest 

 dwelling is supplied with a shower bath. A lavatory building with ample shower bath facili- 

 ties is provided for single men living in the barracons. The machine shop has a modem lava- 

 tory, also individual metal lockers for clothing form a part of the barracon equipment. Each 

 barraco7i, and lavatory, is in charge of an attendant who is held responsible for its sanitary con- 

 dition. 



The siphon condenser at the electric power plant at Felton draws its injection water from 

 the bay and discharges into a 36-inch pipe which forms the main artery of the sewer system. 

 This provides constant and abundant flushing of the sewers and prevents any possibility of 

 stagnation. The outlet of the sewers is carried out to deep water in the estero at the rear of the 

 island where there is a strong tidal flow. Regular inspections are made of the dwelling houses 

 and hotels, and daily inspection of laborei-s' quarters, hospital, lavatories, butcher shop, and 

 bakery. A daily report is made by the sanitary inspector. Any defects in the sewer system 

 or unsanitary conditions are reported by the inspector and means taken immediately to remedy 

 the trouble. Monthly medical reports are also made. When a laborer's house is vacated it is 

 thoroughly fumigated and cleaned by the sanitary gang. 



Some time ago it was discovered that the milk supply of one of our villages was being 

 adulterated by pasta de boniato, a paste made by grinding up dried sweet potatoes, and of corn 

 starch. This discovery was made after a number of cases of fever among children were re- 

 ported. To avoid this and insure suitable milk supply, the milk is tested each morning before 

 being distributed. Both Daiquiri and Felton have efficient ice plants. Ice is sold to all fami- 

 lies who wish it, at a low price. Also each labor gang is furnished free each day with a sufficient 

 supply of ice for cooling the driiiking water supply. 



An abundant supplj' of good water is provided for all dwellings. The Daiquiri water sup- 

 ply comes from a point high up on an adjoining mountain above all dwellings. The Woodfred 

 supply is taken from a small stream originating in the ore where there is absolutely no possibil- 

 ity of pollution. This supply is really remarkable for its purity. Felton water is piped twelve 

 miles from the Mayari river, at a point above which there is only a scattered population. No 

 sickness has ever been traced to the water supply. 



Perhaps the most significant fact in showing the satisfactory sanitary conditions of Felton 

 is the size of the present hospital and the number of patients treated as compared with the pro- 

 visions made originally for taking care of sickness. Based on the experience of other corpora- 

 tions operating in that neighborhood, a large and well appointed hospital was built at Woodfred 

 with the idea that the high elevation and the naturally healthy site would be advantageous in 

 properly taking care of fever cases, the number of which it was expected would be large. After 

 starting, however, these cases proved to be so few that the number of attendants was, as a rule, 

 greater than the number of patients; and a short time ago this large hospital was closed and the 

 small emergenc}' hospital at Felton was made the main headquarters of the medical depart- 

 ment. 



