Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-02
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

| quito as q carrier of the germs Even
the Cuban government had to be con-
verted so as to get Its support.
| X r \
The result of the Gorgas efforts Is told
best by DR.. Franklin Martin:
| But his enthusiasm, his staunch be-
| lief In the proposed methods, his i'm
mediate initiative and his great industry
| overcame all obstacles, and between the
time of the announcement of the plan,
on February /, 1901, and September IS,
| 1901, a period Of less than eight months,
he eradicated yellow fever from Havana,
| where it had existed continuously for
over $50 years."
Following this success. strict measures
| were adopted to prevent the reproduc-
ton OF the mosquito, and, since 1t breeds
only In clean water, q sanitary regula-
ton required all domestic water vessels
to be kept screened, and q film of oil
covering all water in pools, which film
smothered the larvae and prevented its
living.
| AS DR.. Martin records:
"Ten years preceding the time of the
| Spanish American War, there had been
an average of 500 deaths per year from
yellow fever, and according to statistics
the disease had been continuous since
1862. In 1900, there were $40 deaths
from yellow fever. In February, the
measures described were begun, and
yellow fever rapidly disappeared. In
September, 1901, the last case Of yellow
fever occurred, and, except in very rare
instances. there have been no cases
since that date"
BY the same methods, the anopheline
mosquito, which carries malaria germs,
was also eradicated, and malaria, which
had been averaging 800 deaths per
year--in 1908 as many as 1,900-has
been completely driven out Of Cuba. In
1912, there were only four cases, and
these were traced to sources outside Of
Cuba.
~ n n
This success in Cuba led to the
transferring of DR.. Gorgas to Panama,
when the United States took over the
canal project from the French. But at
first the American Commission having
the canal in charge opposed Gorgas'
extensive sanitary plans as being quite
contrary to medical lore, and an effort
was made to have him recalled. This
was not supported by President Roose-
welt. and GorgaS' authority was in
creased, instead Of diminished. The
result was that, in the language of DR..
Gorgas himself, During the Fall Of
1905 yellow fever decreased and by
November the last case of this disease
had occurred in Panama. BY
the Fall of 1907, about all OF our sarli-
tary work had been completed. Our
fight against disease in Panama had
been won, and, from that time on, our
attention was given to holding what had
been accomplished. One more case OF
yellow fever occurred in Colon, during
May, 1906, but since May, 1906, now
more than eight years, not case Of
yellow fever originated on the Isthmus."
y X X X
Gen. Gorgas was surgeon general OF
the Army during the World War, and
head Of o medical commission ap-
pointed by President Wilson. One year
Army medical officers; by Armistice
day, there were $4,000 medical officers
In active service, and $4,000 civilian
doctors in the Reserve Corps, together
with 100000 enlisted men and $4,000
nurses.
Now that DR.. Gorgas' great work is
finished and he has passed on" it Is
proposed to erect in Panama City q
Gorgas Memorial Laboratory for the
scientific study of all tropical diseases
and also certain diseases which prevail
outside the tropics, such as influenza
and "colds." The idea was advanced
by former President Porras Of the Re-
public Of Panama, and that country
agreed to contribute a 100000 site and
building. The United States Congress
has authorized support Of the institute
ton with $4,000 year; other countries
Of North, Central and South America
will contribute, In proportion to pop
ulation.
Panama had already erected q fine
building for proposed national med
ical school, but that project has been
abandoned, and so its building Is set
aside for the use of the Gorgas me-
mortal for the next five years, with the
expectation that by that time q special
building win be provided. Rear
Admiral Cary T. Grayson IS president
of the association behind the memorial,
and President Hoover Is honorary presi-
dent.