American Scandal The Plague of San Francisco | The Wolf Doctor | 2
13 snips
Sep 23, 2025 In the heart of San Francisco, a plague emerges, prompting Dr. Joseph Kinyoun to spearhead an inoculation plan met with fierce backlash. Distrust brews in Chinatown, where locals reject the Haffkin serum amid political turmoil. Federal quarantine orders clash with business interests, escalating tensions in the city. Meanwhile, celebrity doctor Dr. George F. Schrader's sudden reversal undermines public confidence. As Kinyoun battles courtroom setbacks and scathing media, the chilling reality of the plague is confirmed through autopsy results, calling for urgent intervention.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Attack In Chinatown
- Dr. Joseph Kinyoun walks through San Francisco's Chinatown amid hostility while trying to inoculate residents with the Haffkin serum.
- Rocks and mobs force him to flee the Chinese consulate after being labeled the “wolf doctor.”
Federal Stakes Raised
- Federal leaders saw containing San Francisco's outbreak as essential to preventing a national crisis.
- Surgeon General Wyman authorized extreme measures like travel restrictions tied to vaccinations to stop the spread.
Policy Became A De Facto Ban
- Wyman's order required health certificates for travel and linked them to Kinyoun's inoculations, effectively blocking many Chinese residents.
- The measure provoked legal challenges that framed racial targeting as unconstitutional.
