IMMIGRATION AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH 317 



The medical inspection of immigrants is the first, most comprehen- 

 sive and most effectual line of defense against the introduction of dis- 

 ease or taint from "without. It is properly a feature of quarantine, and 

 the two systems, immigrant inspection and national quarantine, might 

 well be combined and condensed to their mutual advantage. Especially 

 is this true since both systems have the same object, require a somewhat 

 similar plant, and are both operated by the federal Public Health 

 Service. 



The influence of immigration on the public health thus constitutes 

 perhaps the most serious feature of this vexing and much-discussed 

 problem. Disease or defectiveness of mind or body in the immigrant 

 must be considered from two standpoints. First is the immediate result 

 on those with whom the immigrant comes in contact. Second -is the 

 effect on the descendants of the immigrant, and indirectly on the general 

 public : in short, the eugenic aspect. 



II. Direct Belatioxs of Immigration to the Public Health 



Certain diseases have been considered so dangerous to the individual 

 or to the public as to be included in a list of conditions which are abso- 

 lutely excluded by the immigration law. Among these are venereal and 

 other dangerous or loathsome contagious diseases, including tuberculosis, 

 trachoma, filariasis, and hookworm infection. Insanity, epilepsy and 

 mental defectiveness are likewise excluded. 



There is a growing recognition of the wide prevalence of venereal 

 disease in this country, and of the insidious danger from it. But no 



Medical Officers at Ellis Island. 



