Guarding the Golden Gate
A History of the U.S. Quarantine Station in San Francisco Bay
Published on 24. May 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
213 pages
978-1-64779-046-2 (ISBN)
Description
As a major seaport, San Francisco struggled to control infectious diseases carried by passengers on ships entering the Bay. In 1882, a steamer from Hong Kong arrived carrying over 800 Chinese passengers, including one who had smallpox. The steamer was held in quarantine for weeks, during which time more passengers contracted the disease. This episode convinced port authorities better means of quarantining infected ships were necessary.
J. Gordon Frierson's book covers the creation and operation of the quarantine station, which is integral to San Francisco's history, and reveals the steps taken to prevent the spread of diseases; the political struggles over the establishment of a national quarantine station; and the day-to-day life of the immigrants and staff inhabiting the island. With the advancement of the understanding of infectious diseases and the development of treatments, the facility shuttered its doors in 1949.
Guarding the Golden Gate offers rich insights into efforts to maintain the public's safety during a health crisis.
J. Gordon Frierson's book covers the creation and operation of the quarantine station, which is integral to San Francisco's history, and reveals the steps taken to prevent the spread of diseases; the political struggles over the establishment of a national quarantine station; and the day-to-day life of the immigrants and staff inhabiting the island. With the advancement of the understanding of infectious diseases and the development of treatments, the facility shuttered its doors in 1949.
Guarding the Golden Gate offers rich insights into efforts to maintain the public's safety during a health crisis.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Reno
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
10 illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 226 mm
Width: 150 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
277 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-64779-046-2 (9781647790462)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
J. Gordon Frierson, MD, is clinical professor emeritus in the Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco. After a decades-long career in the medical field, Frierson continues his longstanding interest in the history of medicine with the publication of Guarding the Golden Gate. He is a member of the Bay Area History of Medicine Society, the American Osler Society, and the American Association for the History of Medicine.
Content
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1. Death in the Hold
Chapter 2. The Origins of Quarantine in America
Chapter 3. Choosing a Site
Chapter 4. Growing Pains
Chapter 5. Two Competing Services
Illustrations
Chapter 6. Plague in the City
Chapter 7. The Station in Middle Age
Chapter 8. Plague Returns
Chapter 9. Full Maturity and Immigration
Chapter 10. The Cyanide Era
Chapter 11. Final Years
Epilogue
Acknowledgment
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
Introduction
Chapter 1. Death in the Hold
Chapter 2. The Origins of Quarantine in America
Chapter 3. Choosing a Site
Chapter 4. Growing Pains
Chapter 5. Two Competing Services
Illustrations
Chapter 6. Plague in the City
Chapter 7. The Station in Middle Age
Chapter 8. Plague Returns
Chapter 9. Full Maturity and Immigration
Chapter 10. The Cyanide Era
Chapter 11. Final Years
Epilogue
Acknowledgment
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the Author