The black and white images, taken by James Rosenthal, of the central hall and stairs in the Contagious Disease Hospital Measles Ward provide insight into the conditions that immigrants suspected of having a communicable disease and their quarantined family members lived in. The unfinished walls and the mismatch tiling on the floors of the hallway make for a far from a positive healing environment. The stairs are in disarray. The building is in need of work to make it safe, clean, and more hospitable. The patients of the hospital were isolated and stuck inside. The immigrants were uncertain if the U.S. Immigrant Inspector would allow for them to remain in the country.
