CHAPTER XIV 



ATTACK ON PROPAGATION AREAS BY REMOVAL OF 

 JUNGLE 



)\/lANY square miles of jungle in the Canal 

 Zone have been removed since the American 

 occupation, including all camp and town sites 

 with their surrounding cleared areas, and charged 

 against sanitation. In 1904 some of the houses 

 could not be reached without cutting a way through 

 the intervening jungle. This first clearing was 

 made by using the "machete," and the native 

 laborer is at his best in using this instrtiment. 

 Until this clearing was made, it was impossible 

 to locate the breeding places near settlements, or 

 to follow up streams or small natural watercourses. 

 The seepage areas, pools, and water-holding depres- 

 sions were frequently covered and hidden. 



Clearing uncovers many propagation areas, 

 and when the sun and wind act on the cleared 

 spaces, evaporation is greatly increased, and 

 numerous small ones become dry before a brood of 



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