Guarding the Golden Gate : A History of the U.s. Quarantine Station in San Francisco Bay

Frierson, J. Gordon, M.d.

ISBN 10: 1647790468 / ISBN 13: 9781647790462

Published by University of Nevada Press, 2022

Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 44100750

Synopsis:

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.

About the Author: After his retirement from a decades-long career in the medical field, J. Gordon Frierson, MD, has continued his longstanding interest in the history of medicine, which prompted his investigation into the defunct Quarantine Station on Angel Island near his home in Palo Alto, California. The story, buried in archives, was remarkable and led to the publication of Guarding the Golden Gate: A History of the Quarantine Station on Angel Island, San Francisco Bay. Frierson is a member of the Bay Area History of Medicine Society, the American Osler Society, and the American Association for the History of Medicine.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Guarding the Golden Gate : A History of the ...
Publisher: University of Nevada Press
Publication Date: 2022
Binding: Soft cover
Condition: As New