CANAL ZONE SANITATION 295 



of intelligent sanitarians who have proven themselves master pioneers 

 in the prevention of tropical diseases, and it stands out as a startling 

 lesson that none should fail to learn. Nor has this great work been very- 

 expensive, as some newspaper writers assume without warrant. Taking 

 the number of men employed and the amount spent for the prevention 

 of disease it is found that about one cent per day per man has been ex- 

 pended. In comparison with similar expenditures in American cities 

 it should not be forgotten that practically nine tenths of the cost of 

 sanitation in the Zone is in mosquito fighting and quarantine. In order 

 to appreciate what has been accomplished it is necessary to understand 

 the condition of the country at the beginning of the occupancy. 



The Canal Zone, ten miles wide and forty-five miles long, is com- 

 posed of mountains of moderate height, marshy swamps, numerous 

 small lakes, jungles, almost impenetrable in some places, and streams, 

 the most important of the latter being the Chagres Eiver, celebrated for 

 malignant malarial disease. The temperature ranges from 65° to 100°, 

 March being the hottest month. The average annual rainfall varies 

 strangely in different localities from 75 to 125 inches. The fog, clouds 

 and hot sun follow each other in quick succession. The heavy rainfall 

 insures permanent stagnant water where the larvae of the yellow fever 

 and malarial mosquitos thrive in countless millions ; the perpetual mois- 

 ture, warmth and rich soil lead to extravagant growth of hundreds of 

 varieties of tropical grasses, plants, flowers, vines and trees, furnishing 

 favorable harbor for the insects ; and there is an almost constant stream 

 of decaying vegetable and animal matter pouring into lakes and marshes 

 that are never drained. Decaying animal matter leads to the genera- 

 tion of innumerable flies, ever ready to convey disease, and the water 

 supply is polluted, and pregnant with disease germs. 



This is the condition of things now in the surrounding country, and 

 was the condition of the Canal Zone when the United States took 

 charge. It was bad enough in the wilds of nature, but worse in the 

 habitation of man. Colon had no sewer system, and human excrement 

 was disregarded; there was no proper water supply; the cisterns, 

 puddles and lakes furnished convenient breeding places for mosquitos; 

 the streets and sidewalks were in horrible condition, and sanitary ordi- 

 nances were lamely drawn and poorly executed. There were no screens, 

 and flies literally swarmed over the food. 



The conditions were little better in Panama City and in the inter- 

 mediate towns. Yellow fever had been endemic for hundreds of years, 

 and epidemic when new material was available. Malaria was ever 

 present, consuming the life blood and limiting the capacity of genera- 

 tion after generation of the native population, and attacking the unac- 

 climated with vigor and fatality. Typhoid fever was very common, 

 and the ravages of dysentery were sorely distressing. The history of 



