USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Ellis Island doctors were particularly watching for signs of contagious diseases like trachoma, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and other states of health such as poor physique, pregnancy and mental disability.

Detailed explanation-2: -However, the circled X has also darker meanings. For instance, the symbol was marked on Ellis Island immigrants to denote insanity. Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain, used the symbol (the escutcheon in his diction) in his notes to represent a skull and crossbones.

Detailed explanation-3: -1900s. Immigrants arriving in the US on Ellis Island were checked for trachoma using a buttonhook to examine their eyelids – they often warned each other to ‘beware the buttonhook men’. Anyone found to have the disease was sent home or treated before being allowed into the country.

Detailed explanation-4: -Detained for Medical or Legal Reasons About one percent were detained if suspected of a “loath-some or a dangerous contagious disease.” Immigrants with curable diseases were sent to medical facilities on Ellis Island. In other cases, hospitals in Manhattan received immigrants who were ill.

Detailed explanation-5: -Immigrants in the early 1900s were examined for physical and mental illness, questioned about their ability to support themselves financially, and challenged on whether they held radical views.