386 



THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



Landing from Barge at Ellis Island. 



and cases of acute sickness among aliens already landed who for some 

 reason have been brought to the island for deportation. 



The boarding division of the medical insjDection on Ellis Island has 

 for its particular function the inspection of aliens in the first and second 

 cabins on board the incoming vessels. Those who require more detailed 

 examination are sent to Ellis Island. 



The routine inspection on the line is that part which the visitor sees, 

 and is the most important feature of the medical sieve spread to sift out 

 the physically and mentally defective. The incoming immigrants pass 

 in single file down two lines. Each of these lines makes a right-angled 

 turn midway in its course. At this turn stands a medical officer. He 

 sees each person directly from the front as he approaches, and his glance 

 travels rapidly from feet to head. In this rapid glance he notes the gait, 

 attitude, presence of flat feet, lameness, stiffness at ankle, knee, or hip, 

 malformations of the body, observes the neck for goitre, muscular devel- 

 opment, scars, enlarged glands, texture of skin, and finally as the immi- 

 grant comes up face to face, the examiner notes abnormalities of the 

 features, eruptions, scars, paralysis, expression, etc. As the immigrant 

 turns, in following the line, the examiner lias a side view, noting the 

 ears, scalp, side of neck, examining the hands for deformity or paralysis, 

 and if anything about the individual seems suspicious, he is asked sev- 

 eral questions. It is surprising how often a mental aberration will show 

 itself in the reaction of the person to an unexpected question. As the 

 immigrant passes on, the examiner has a rear view which may reveal 

 spinal deformity or lameness. In case any positive or suspicious evi- 



