The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-28

(Exclusive Service The Survey Press
 Bureau.)
 Over 100000 immigrants arrived at the port of New York last year, a total about equal to the population of Boston and Washington combined.
 Take any week in the year and imagine that, during this week, all the people who were sick and needed treatment in these two cities were to be sent to one hospital and you will have a pretty fair idea of the total amount of work performed by the hospitals at Ellis Island last year.
 Of these 100000 immigrants about one out of ever 100 was sent to the hospital In actual figures, 10.17g were treated in the institution which has been aptly called "a general hospital for all nations"
 Hundred Cases a Day
 In these days of huge vessels, modern steamship often brings over on one trip more than 3O0o steerage passengers. It is by no means unusual to receive 100 cases or more at the hospital in one day. The task of admitting. examining, treating and housing this number of new patients fin five or six hours, would tax the ca- pacity of the largest hospitals in the country.
 A few hours before the time of depart ure Of vessels from the other side the ship surgeons take their place at the head of the gangway and carefully scrutinize each immigrant as he comes on board. This inspection Is made under difficulty; but as a general rule it prevents anyone who is actually sick at the time from gaining admission to the steamer. Hence the greater number of immigrants who are i'll when they arrive have become so since they left home
 The medical inspection of those arriving is made chiefly for two purposes-first, to see that they are strong, well and bright enough to be able to earn a living and get along in this country; and second, to ascertain that they do not have cer tain diseases which they might transmit to their new neighbors in America.
 The immigrant hospitals are modern in every respect and well equipped. The wards are light, airy and comfortable. and there are a few private rooms for cases which especially need them. The food Is abundant and of the best quality. The attending physicians are commits sioned officers of the United States pub lie health service. All the nurses are graduates of approved institutions. Ex- cellent facilities for the scientific treat ment of patients are available, including an X-ray plant. four operating rooms and a complete laboratory where all the com plex and difficult examinations required by modern medicine are daily made.
 Physicians' Problems
 There are no interpreters employed es- pecially for the hospital. Some of the physicians and employees can speak one or more foreign languages, and all on the staff have picked up few useful words ir several tongues. When 1t becomes ab- solutely necessary. an interpreter is bor- rowed from the regular corps employed by the immigration service.
 Alter surgeon has been on duty at the island for sometime l1A acquires the ability to make diagnoses without hold ing much communication with the patient. Outside physicians have to do the same thing when treating very young children: 50 1t is not SO much out of the ordinary. after all.
 \ far moro difficult problem than diar