The War on Rats
Clip: Season 34 Episode 4 | 1m 41s
The war against rats helped end the bubonic plague outbreak in San Francisco.
In 1900, the first case of bubonic plague to ever be confirmed in North America was diagnosed in San Francisco. Scientists did not understand how the disease was transmitted but had long theorized that rats played a role.
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Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
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The War on Rats
Clip: Season 34 Episode 4 | 1m 41s
In 1900, the first case of bubonic plague to ever be confirmed in North America was diagnosed in San Francisco. Scientists did not understand how the disease was transmitted but had long theorized that rats played a role.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Chapter 1 | Plague at the Golden Gate
Video has Closed Captions
Watch a preview of Plague at the Golden Gate. (8m 50s)
On May 28, 1900, San Francisco policemen formed a perimeter around Chinatown. (5m 36s)
Dr. Joseph Kinyoun was a leader in the diagnosis and prevention of infectious diseases. (44s)
Ng Poon Chew was a writer, a publisher and an advocate for Chinese American civil rights. (44s)
In 1901, Rupert Blue launched a health campaign that ended a deadly bubonic plague. (44s)
San Francisco’s Bubonic Plague Cover-up
Word spreads of a bubonic plague outbreak in San Francisco’s Chinatown. (3m 58s)
Trailer | Plague at the Golden Gate
How the bubonic plague in 1900 set off fear and anti-Asian sentiment in San Francisco. (1m 46s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.