Final answer:
Fear associated with train travel was linked to the physical and psychological trauma of survivors from wrecks and mass tragedies. Immigrants faced medical scrutiny upon arrival at Ellis Island, with the risk of deportation if found ill. Long-term mental health consequences often resulted from transportation disasters or poor travel conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout history, there has been a notable fear associated with train travel, mainly due to the dangers that come with it, like train wrecks. The medical conditions of train wreck survivors can vary widely, but they often include both physical and psychological trauma. During times of large-scale tragedies, such as the horrors of concentration camps revealed through the discovery of train cars filled with corpses, or in case of accidents that affected individuals directly, both immediate and long-term medical attention is necessary for survivors. When experiencing mass migration and travel, people often faced numerous hazards. For instance, immigrants coming to America through Ellis Island underwent medical examinations to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. If they arrived sick or were diagnosed with conditions like trachoma during these exams, they faced the possibility of being sent back to their country of origin. Exposure to disaster and mass transportation often results in wide-ranging consequences for mental health, exemplified by individuals who may feel betrayal or trauma after having survived a calamity such as a train wreck. Similarly, traumatic experiences in overcrowded situations, like those faced by steerage passengers, can lead to long-term psychological consequences.