In a recent article on "Immigration's Menace to the National Health," Mr. T. V. Powderly,1 Commissioner General of Immigration, called attention to the efforts of the United States authorities to exclude from the country, especially in recent years, such affections as favus and trachoma. There is no doubt that as a consequence of the extensive immigration, particularly from certain parts of Europe, these diseases have become much more frequent in this country than they used to be. Favus is a loathsome, uncleanly affection, eminently undesirable, though not apt to inflict serious harm on the affected individual beyond the temporary unsightliness that it occasions. Trachoma is, however, not only very contagious, but may produce serious changes in the structures of the eye that lessen acuity of vision and may, if neglected, even lead to complete blindness.
Mr. Powderly calls attention to the fact that sometimes political influence is appealed to