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These figures may be taken as representative, although unfortunately similar figures are not available for Ellis Island. No more is needed to show that relatively the cabin examination is at least as important if not in fact more important than the steerage examination.

Dr. Safford very aptly points out that "long-established custom dictates that the medical inspection of cabin passengers must be made somehow on shipboard whenever they may arrive, day or night, and that they can not be removed to a suitable place ashore for the purpose." This custom is pernicious when made ironclad. In some cases the examination can be conducted satisfactorily on shipboard. An exception should be made by the immigration inspectors in favor of these cases only, and the rule should be that all aliens should be examined in a satisfactory station on shore. The law designates the regular immigration station as the place of examination of all aliens, unless the commissioner of immigration expressly appoints some other.