Abortion was a booming business in San Francisco in the 19th and early 20th centuries. As in many parts of the country, women here sought ways to manage their lives and families, and doctors practiced often dubious procedures in an ever-changing legal landscape. In this episode, we start off with a fatal case in which a doctor went on trial for murder, and we look at the history of abortion practice and law, locally and across the U.S.

Sources:

"Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of Women Healers," Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English, 1973

"Abortion in America : the origins and evolution of national policy, 1800-1900," James C. Mohr, 1978

San Francisco Call, Volume 108, Number 121, 29 September 1910: https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19100929.2.11.1

For information on abortion providers, services, and laws in the US: I Need An A

Acid Attacks: Pakistan's Worst Social Epidemic

Evie Magazine, Ballerina Farms, and the Yassification of Christian Nationalism

Peter Thiel's Investment Firm is Backing a Menstrual Cycle-Focused "Femtech" Company

What is the Comstock Act? Center for Reproductive Rights

This Podcast Will Kill You: Pregnancy

The Comparative Safety of Legal Induced Abortion and Childbirth in the US

The True Story Behind the Welfare Queen Stereotype

Buck v. Bell + The Right to Self Determination: Freedom from Involuntary Sterilization Abortion Everyday: Tradwife Classes for High Schoolers?

Production Note

We recorded this episode in two sessions so you may come across some differences in audio, or you may not notice at all. Fingers crossed for the latter. - CK

Abortion in San Francisco 1: A black market