[Hampered by an eyelid - Swedish immigrants to the United States debarred for trachoma in the early 20th century].

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.