262 The Control of Mosquitoes 



concluded that, in so far as yellow fever was con- 

 cerned, the cities of Panama and Colon were the 

 danger points for the Panama Canal. Both of 

 these cities; Panama, with a population in 1904 

 of about 25,000, and Colon, of about 4000, are 

 seaports situated within a few days' travel from 

 ports where yellow fever is endemic. 



Panama and Colon were infested with Aedes calo- 

 pus, the conditions for the propagation of this 

 species of mosquito being exceedingly favorable, 

 as the climatic conditions permit mosquito breed- 

 ing throughout the year. The people of Panama 

 and Colon depended principally on rain water for 

 their water supply. This was peddled by water- 

 men, and kept in numerous vessels by house- 

 holders. 



WeUs, cisterns, barrels, and many other varie- 

 ties of water containers, were not protected in any 

 way from the female Aedes calopus seeking a 

 favorable place for ovipositing. In addition 

 to the various wells and water vessels, a large 

 number of the houses had eave-troughs, to catch 

 the rain water, and conduct it to various storage 

 devices. These troughs, or gutters, many of 

 them sagging, and holding water, were also favor- 

 ite ovipositories of this mosquito. 



There was no systematized garbage collection. 



