The American tropics; . en laid off for[125] The American Tropics two or three weeks during the past two yearsfrom malarial poisoning. At Culebra a fair idea can he obtained ofthe actual work now in progress as well asthat done by the former constructors. Theold and the new stand side by side, unkemptshacks which hardly deserve the name ofhouses are huddled closely together and con-trast strongly with neat cottages paintedbrown or green with white trimmings whichare scattered over the neighboring slopes,presenting a pleasing picture. The modernhouses for the unmarried men have one largesleepin
The American tropics; . en laid off for[125] The American Tropics two or three weeks during the past two yearsfrom malarial poisoning. At Culebra a fair idea can he obtained ofthe actual work now in progress as well asthat done by the former constructors. Theold and the new stand side by side, unkemptshacks which hardly deserve the name ofhouses are huddled closely together and con-trast strongly with neat cottages paintedbrown or green with white trimmings whichare scattered over the neighboring slopes,presenting a pleasing picture. The modernhouses for the unmarried men have one largesleeping room, with a dining and cookingbuilding close by. For families either sep-arate cottages or buildings divided intoapartments are provided. Open porches andverandas screened to shut out the pestiferousmosquito are seen on all buildings con-structed by the United States. Even on hillswhere these dwellings are located they arebuilt on piles three or four feet high to allowfree ventilation and to prevent the accumu- [126]. A Midwinter Cruise lation of moisture. Such a procedure isnecessary in a climate where the air is soheavily charged with humidity. The heatwhile not excessive is continuous, and thoseunacclimated who are accustomed to shortseasons, varied by heat and cold, must regu-late their mode of living to suit the changedconditions. Breaking up the soil in a virgincountry is always fraught with danger, andthose who still recall the pestilential feversattendant on the construction of canals evenin the, at present, salubrious States of NorthAmerica, can form some idea of the dangersencountered in the Isthmus of Panama. Atthe same time one must bear in mind thatconditions in relation to the prevention ofdisease have changed, and most of the dis-eases most dreaded are now under military or despotic supervision,however, can the measures of prevention becarried out in the heterogeneous gatheringof almost all races and conditions of men nowcongregated in the Can
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookidamericantrop, bookyear1908
