Incredible Photos Of Immigrants Arriving At Ellis Island

Six-Second Medical Exams

Uniformed military surgeons would inspect immigrants as they were in line. The inspection took them a mere six seconds. The surgeons were known for inspecting the immigrants in unusual ways, such as using a button hook to determine if an individual had an eye disease such as trachoma.

Those who were sick or who had medical issues were labeled with a chalk mark code on their clothing as they climbed the stairs from the baggage area to the Great Hall. Surgeons would watch to see if they had problems climbing the stairs. Some immigrants reportedly wiped off the chalk marks or turned their clothing inside out in order to enter the country.