Progress
The medical examination was one of the most important parts of the immigration process. The goal was to make sure that only people who were healthy and able to work were permitted to live in America. The medical exam began unknown to immigrants while in the luggage room. Doctors observed the people to check for physical or mental health problems. If anything was noticed, the doctor would write down that person's number and they would be examined extra-carefully during the actual examination. The first exam was called the "Six Second Physical". The doctor inspected the hair, face, neck and hands of the immigrant. If the doctor noticed anything abnormal, he would write a letter in chalk on that person's clothing. 2 out of 10 immigrants had a chalk letter and had to be checked more closely. Different letters in different places on the body meant different things. For example, a 'B' indicated back problems, a 'H' indicated heart problems and an 'X' high on the front of the right shoulder meant the person has mental problems. If a woman was pregnant, she was marked with a 'Pg' and was usually sent home because there was not guarantee that the baby would be healthy. (See photo below for more symbols.) Next was the eye exam. Doctors checked for trachoma and other eye diseases by hooking the eyelid and rolling it over a pencil. The hook used was not sterilized so it passed on diseases. If trachoma or another disease was found, the immigrant was sent home. Sick children 12 years and older were sent home by themselves while younger children were forced back home with one parent. Finally, if an immigrant was diagnosed with a curable disease, they were quarantined until they were healthy.
Source:
http://www.ellisisland.se/english/ellisisland_immigration3.asp
http://libertyellisfoundation.org/immigration-timeline
http://www.bringinghistoryhome.org/assets/bringinghistoryhome/2nd-grade/unit-2/EllisIsland_14.htm
Source:
http://www.ellisisland.se/english/ellisisland_immigration3.asp
http://libertyellisfoundation.org/immigration-timeline
http://www.bringinghistoryhome.org/assets/bringinghistoryhome/2nd-grade/unit-2/EllisIsland_14.htm
Reflection | |
I understand the reason behind the medical examination and that technology was limited, but I was still very shocked to learn about the methods of examination. Some parts, like watching from above to ensure immigrants were not hiding any problems and the "Six Second Physical", were reasonable and even necessary. However, one element I found very surprising was that pregnant women, more often than not, would be sent home. Immigration officers were very concerned with admitting people who would be productive members of society, so they usually sent these women home because they could not be sure that no problems would arise. Additionally, the eye exam was very hard for me to read about. The limited technology available made it hard for doctors to easily examine eyes, leading them to use unsanitary and gruesome methods. I cannot imagine having to go through that. I find it sad that parents with sick younger children had to choose which parent to leave behind America and go home. While the medical exam proved to be the most nerve-wracking for immigrants, it was necessary to ensure safety and health of those within America. |