Language:
English
Year of publication:
2001
Titel der Quelle:
Leo Baeck Institute Year Book
Angaben zur Quelle:
46 (2001) 243-276
Keywords:
Jews, East European
;
Jews
;
Europe, Eastern Emigration and immigration
;
Poland Emigration and immigration
;
Ellis Island (N.J. and N.Y.)
Abstract:
The germ theory of disease accepted in medicine in the late 19th century coexisted in the public health arena with old-time convictions and practices. Many immigrants to the U.S., among them Jews from East Central Europe, were regarded as bearers of diseases inherent to them. The image of the Jewish immigrant as a biological threat to the American nation influenced the behavior of public health officials and was reinforced by their practices. Examines the quarantine policy applied to immigrants entering the U.S., which in the absence of effective medical tests and drugs was the main tool for preventing epidemics. Compares quarantines imposed on American soldiers returning from Cuba in 1898 with those imposed on Jewish immigrants. Unlike the soldiers, Jews were held responsible for any contagious illness discovered; all sorts of anti-Jewish expressions made their way into official reports. Examines, also, quarantines imposed by the U.S. in Danzig for prospective immigrants after World War I. In the reports of the American officials, Jews were the only group identified with contagious diseases and described as bearing threatening social, political, and economic characteristics.
DOI:
10.1093/leobaeck/46.1.243
URL:
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