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Ögonlocket krossade drömmen om Amerika

Bro, Tomas LU (2021) In Lakartidningen 118.
Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate Swedish immigrants to the United States debarred for medical reasons, with particular focus on trachoma. METHOD: Annual official reports of debarred immigrants have been compiled to compare reasons for debarment among Scandinavian immigrants vs. immigrants from all countries. Individual cases of trachoma among Swedish immigrants have been searched for in contemporary newspaper articles and combined with personal sources such as passenger lists and church records. RESULT: Between 1900-1925 about 1% of 850 000 Scandinavian immigrants to the United States were debarred, compared to 2,3% for migrants from all nations. The most common reason for Scandinavians to be debarred was likelihood to become a public charge,... (More)

PURPOSE: To investigate Swedish immigrants to the United States debarred for medical reasons, with particular focus on trachoma. METHOD: Annual official reports of debarred immigrants have been compiled to compare reasons for debarment among Scandinavian immigrants vs. immigrants from all countries. Individual cases of trachoma among Swedish immigrants have been searched for in contemporary newspaper articles and combined with personal sources such as passenger lists and church records. RESULT: Between 1900-1925 about 1% of 850 000 Scandinavian immigrants to the United States were debarred, compared to 2,3% for migrants from all nations. The most common reason for Scandinavians to be debarred was likelihood to become a public charge, which included both poverty and several chronic diseases (46%). The share of individuals with contagious diseases among the debarred was 8%. Mental defects accounted for 3 %, the same number as trachoma during the time this was reported 1908-1925. Three cases of Swedes debarred from emigration due to trachoma are presented.  Conclusion: Scandinavian immigrants could be debarred due to trachoma but were less affected than other nationalities by the restrictions launched in the late 19th century.  Keywords: Emigration, trachoma, Ellis Island, debarment.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
alternative title
Hampered by an eyelid - Swedish immigrants to the United States debarred for trachoma in the early 20th century
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Lakartidningen
volume
118
publisher
Swedish Medical Association
external identifiers
  • pmid:34806761
  • scopus:85122052222
ISSN
0023-7205
language
Swedish
LU publication?
yes
id
73a43691-73ca-4bf9-8fa8-b23e2172351c
alternative location
https://lakartidningen.se/klinik-och-vetenskap-1/artiklar-1/2021/10/ogonlocket-krossade-drommen-om-amerika/
date added to LUP
2022-02-24 12:21:48
date last changed
2024-03-23 12:28:33
@article{73a43691-73ca-4bf9-8fa8-b23e2172351c,
  abstract     = {{<p>PURPOSE: To investigate Swedish immigrants to the United States debarred for medical reasons, with particular focus on trachoma. METHOD: Annual official reports of debarred immigrants have been compiled to compare reasons for debarment among Scandinavian immigrants vs. immigrants from all countries. Individual cases of trachoma among Swedish immigrants have been searched for in contemporary newspaper articles and combined with personal sources such as passenger lists and church records. RESULT: Between 1900-1925 about 1% of 850 000 Scandinavian immigrants to the United States were debarred, compared to 2,3% for migrants from all nations. The most common reason for Scandinavians to be debarred was likelihood to become a public charge, which included both poverty and several chronic diseases (46%). The share of individuals with contagious diseases among the debarred was 8%. Mental defects accounted for 3 %, the same number as trachoma during the time this was reported 1908-1925. Three cases of Swedes debarred from emigration due to trachoma are presented.  Conclusion: Scandinavian immigrants could be debarred due to trachoma but were less affected than other nationalities by the restrictions launched in the late 19th century.  Keywords: Emigration, trachoma, Ellis Island, debarment.</p>}},
  author       = {{Bro, Tomas}},
  issn         = {{0023-7205}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  month        = {{10}},
  publisher    = {{Swedish Medical Association}},
  series       = {{Lakartidningen}},
  title        = {{Ögonlocket krossade drömmen om Amerika}},
  url          = {{https://lakartidningen.se/klinik-och-vetenskap-1/artiklar-1/2021/10/ogonlocket-krossade-drommen-om-amerika/}},
  volume       = {{118}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}