About this episode

This episode explores the evolution of Jewish medicine in the 19th century, focusing on key figures like Mordecai Wolff Haffkine and Dr. Samuel Solomon.

The 1800s was an era when medicine sat at the crossroads of science, ruses and discoveries. New vaccines and medical impostors competed for public trust. People broke with tradition and created a new landscape. Mordecai Wolff Haffkine Haffkine stood out as an almost legendary figure. A Jewish bacteriologist, he developed and tested vaccines against cholera and bubonic plague, putting his life repeatedly at risk and fighting to save the lives of millions of people. Whereas Dr. Samuel Solomon showed how skilful wording and suggestion could build a reputation and a fortune. Although his contribution to public service is rather unknown, Liverpool remembers him to this day - on par with some of their other legends. We also look at what happens when medicine and surgery produce unexpected outcomes. What are the halachic ramifications? And how did the BBC cover a re-election campaign in Kentucky? Timestamps: - 0:00:00–0:00:31 — Opening advertisement read (Dr. Solomon). - 0:00:31–0:03:47 — Hosts intro: series overview and upcoming guests. - 0:03:47–0:08:36 — Start of Mordechai Wolf Hafkin biography (education, expulsion, Pasteur Institute). - 0:08:36–0:12:33 — Hafkin self‑inoculates and…

Topics covered

• Jewish medicine
• 19th century
• vaccines
• public health
• bacteriology
• halachic ramifications

Keywords

• Jewish medicine
• Mordecai Wolff Haffkine
• vaccines
• cholera
• bubonic plague
• 19th century
• public health
• halacha

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pasteur Institute

Places: India, Liverpool

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