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French engineer Ferdinand De Lessups breaks ground on the Panama Canal
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Dr. Carlos Finlay identifies mosquito as carrier of yellow fever.
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William C Gorgas, already chosen to head up sanitation for Panama Canal Commission, takes a trip to Egypt to see the Suez Canal. Notes that the difference in climate and vegetation makes the two projects very different, but he does note that the workers near the still water of Ismalia are all sick with malaria.
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The US Isthmian Canal Commission arrives in Panama to oversee the beginning of Construction. William C Gorgas is named Sanitation Office for the team. John Wallace is the chief engineer. Wallace does not believe in the mosquito theory of disease transmission.
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Gorgas signs health ordinance in Panama demanding “all cisterns, water barrels, and deposits of fresh water must be made mosquito-proof and all occupants of premises must see that other depostis of water are so arranged that mosquitoes cannot breed in them. Violation of this ordinance will make offender liable for a fine of five dollars gold.” For the most part, locals ignore the ordinance. (Gorgas, 157)
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The workforce in the canal zone reaches 3500
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First US worker encounters Yellow Fever, followed by a dozen more in quick succession. Panic sets in.
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New engineer John Stevens arrives, stressing the importance of sanitation. He temporarily stops all operations and uses all personnel to help Gorgas with his sanitation campaign.
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The last death from yellow fever is reported in Panama City.
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While yellow fever is under control, workers are still getting sick from malaria. Gorgas and Le Prince step up efforts to eradicate anopheles mosquito with brush cutting and ditch filling. Prophylactic quinine is also dispensed by medical personnel.
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Chief Engineer Stevens resigns.
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Leutenant Colonel George Goethals becomes third engineer. He will remain to the end of the project. Though not happy with the cost of Gorgas Sanitation efforts, Gorgas pushes on and keeps the canal workers yellow fever free with malaria under control for the remainder of the work.
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The Panama Canal officially opens.
