CHAPTER IV 



THE FIRST SANITARY WORK DONE AT PANAMA — ITS 

 PURPOSE 



1 N Jtily of 1904, when Colonel Gorgas and his 

 * assistants tindertook the sanitation of the 

 Isthmus, it was not definitely known that yeUow 

 fever was present. The authorities were not aware 

 of any cases. At least none had been reported in 

 the months of February, March, or April, 1904, 

 and there was reasonable doubt regarding the 

 diagnosis of the two cases reported in May and 

 June. The number of non-immunes was relatively 

 small in proportion to the native population. It 

 was understood, of course, that as soon as the 

 percentage of non-immunes to total population 

 increased, if yellow fever were present, a number 

 of cases would develop, vmless the chief sanitary 

 officer had the necessary organization, police 

 power, supplies, appropriations, and power to 

 enforce the sanitary regulations; in brief, that 

 unless the proper means were used to combat 



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