, 1921-08-18

approached on the subject i'll every part of the
world, and especially by the presidents and repre-
sentatives of the Central and South American re-
publics, to whom the project has been made known
largely through the efforts of DR. Franklin Martin.
who has just returned from a tour of these coun-
tries, which he visits from time to time In the in
terests of the American College of Surgeons.
In this connection l would state that the sub
1ect of tropical medicine has been one of deep
interest to all medical minds in every part Of the
world. While much has been done in our largest
and best educational institutions to endeavor to
carry on research work and to acquire knowledge
of tropical diseases, and a great deal accomplished
by many special institutions and departments,
such as the London and Liverpool schools OF
tropical medicine, and the work OF institutions
such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins, the University
of California, and many other organizations OF
this kind, nevertheless, all this work has been
limited and hampered by the dearth of material
for such study and research, and on account of the
distance Of these institutions from the tropical
centers.
Panama offers the ideal situation in almost ev-
cry respect for the successful Investigation Of these
diseases, which have in the past proven to be an
lnsuperable obstacle to the development of some
of the most splendid sections OF the earth. What
has been done in Panama proves that hitherto
uninhabitable and undeveloped countries of the
greatest possibilities for successful human habi-
iation, with attendant prosperity and wel-being,
in the most attractive and desirable parts Of the
earth, are easily within our reach II we can apply
in their development the knowledge that win come
from this great institution.
Another splendid feature OF this endesvor is Its
international character. bringing about a com
munity of interest and kindly intercourse among
the humanitarian leaders of all countries, making
for a better and kinder feeling than has been pos
sible where the association has been one merely of
polItical and diplomat relations. As a single
example Of this. IL is my belief that nothing will
tend to cement the friendship OF the American re
publics more than the common interest and inter
course brought about by the work OF this institu-
ton for the welfare of their individual countries.
The proposed memorial will consist Of a digni-
fed and classic building, housing the laboratories
for the work and providing every facility for the
teaching Of students from the various countries
who may be privileged TO undertake work at this
institution. and who will carry to their homes the
knowledge that when applied viii, II is hoped, pro
duce results as splendid as have been produced
in Panama itself.
Until the completion OF the Gorgas memorial
building proper the laboratories and equipment OF
The new santo Tomas hospital have been offered
for use, so that 1t Is hoped that active research
work may begin by January l. 1922. This work
IL actually in progress now. The study Of the
plans for the memorial building proper is well
under way. and construction viii be begun as soon
ms these are completed.
The Tropics. which are so prolific in vegetation
of every kind. seem equally fertile In the devel-
opment OF all types and kinds of dread diseases.
which tend to make them unsuited and impossible
of hnbItation until careful sanitation makes them
safe. when they become the most desirable, the
most attractive. and most prosperous Of abiding
places.
II would not he feasible In this short article 9,
direct attention TO all the known diseases that Il
would he possible to study In this institution. but
among them would be found such as malarln, vel
low fever, plague. dengue, human trypanosominsis.
beriberi. pellagra. leprosy. the various helmlnthic
infections, cholera. the various mycoses, the my
Eases. etc. Added to these are many unknown and
undiscovered banes of existence. which remain TO
be found out and to be made innocuous. We are