Physicians of the Bear-Flag Republic.

In the mid-nineteenth century, three events coincided to make California the 31st state of the USA: The Mexican-American war of 1846-1848, The Bear Flag Revolt of 1846 and the discovery of gold in 1848. Within a few years a population explosion had occurred and with it came the need for organization of the practice of medicine. This paper outlines the biographies of some physicians who were instrumental in the early years of the Golden State.