Mission, Measles: The Story of a Vaccine (Merck Sharpe and Dohme and USPHS, 1964)

This film illustrates the isolation, creation, and early distribution of the measles vaccine, including the historical background of virology. Included are death rates due to measles; laboratories, scientists, and physicians responsible for the vaccine's creation; testing and distribution; and details on how the virus was isolated, weakened, and tested on monkeys and 15,000 people in the U.S. It was then administered to 70,000 citizens of Upper Volta by medical staff from the U.S. Public Health Service, the World Health Organization, and U.S.

Erradicacion (World Health Organization, 1985)

This Spanish-language video describes the history and impact of polio in the Western Hemisphere and attempts to treat and prevent it. The work of scientists Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin is discussed, as well as the Pan American Health Organization’s efforts to eradicate the virus entirely in the Americas.

Individualization of Primary Surgical Therapy for Breast Cancer (USPHS, 1969)

Jerome A. Urban, M.D. lectures, using diagrams, graphs, and photographs. Three surgical approaches to breast neoplasms are discussed: modified radical mastectomy, radical mastectomy, and extensive radical mastectomy. Modified radical is indicated when: tumor is in situ and confined to the breast, tumor is low-grade, non-aggressive. Photographs shown of Paget's disease, nipple lesions, eczema of nipple with crusting. Radiation therapy should follow surgery. Modified radicallooks better and allows better function than the radical or extensive radical.

Miracle in Tonga (USPHS, 1965)

This film tells the story of a group of doctors who went to the South Pacific islands of Tonga to immunize people against smallpox, using an experimental vaccination device. The narrator, one of the doctors, gives a brief history of Tonga, explaining that the small population is peaceful, isolated, and has no history of smallpox. He then explains the new jet injection gun, operated by foot pedal, which is much cheaper and more efficient than standard vaccination methods.

Dental Care for the Chronically Ill and Aged (USPHS, 1965)

This film details how dentists can serve people who are elderly, ill, and/or homebound. A dentist and his assistant are shown making home visits and providing care using portable equipment to people who appear to be confined to bed. Dental staff demonstrate how to adapt an office setting and procedures to meet the needs of a person in a wheelchair or who otherwise may need special attention, such as someone with diabetes. The process of making dentures for a homebound person is shown, with every step carried out at the patient's bedside.

Airborne Transmission of Tubercle Bacilli (USPHS, 1966)

This program illustrates by means of animation and live action the airborne transmission pattern of tubercle bacilli and the study used to verify this pattern. Measures effective for the control of TB infection are also presented. The mechanics involved in the airborne transmission of the tubercle bacilli are traced from the expiration of the bacilli by the tuberculosis patient, through the transmission of these bacilli in drops of mucus, and on to the subsequent inspiration of the nuclei, which are smaller than five microns in diameter, by a susceptible person.

Don't Leave it All to the Experts (USPHS, 1969)

This U.S. Public Health Service film is aimed at the general public and discusses the need for citizen involvement in implementation of the Federal Clean Air Act of 1967. The message is narrated over shots of such major air pollution problem areas as traffic-clogged cities and smoke-stack industrial centers, as well a community meeting of citizens and "government experts." Citizens are urged to take an active part in the setting and carrying out of the standards for reduction of air pollution. There are also shots of patients hospitalized with respiratory problems.

Diet and Atherosclerotic Disease (US Public Health Service, 1969)

Dr. David Miller, Heart Disease & Stroke Control Program, Atlanta, Georgia moderates this debate where Dr. Jeremiah Stamler, Chicago Health Research Foundation, presents statistical data to implicate the relevance of diet in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic disease, and argues that alteration of the American dietary pattern is essential if we are to reverse our atherosclerotic epidemic. On the other side of the debate, Dr. Mark D.

Striking Back Against Rabies (Communicable Disease Center, 1950)

This film shows how a typical county rabies epidemic is checked by joint emergency control measures of the county health department, a state public health veterinarian, and a federal rabies control expert. Shots include: rabid dog; brain exam; news media campaign against rabies via loudspeaker on truck; posters, literature and signs; and dog being inoculated.

Community Health and You (McGraw-Hill Text-Films, 1954)

Teenagers learn how the average health department--working with community hospitals, family physicians, and private agencies--helps to maintain high standards of health. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9616517 Learn more about the National Library of Medicine's historical audiovisuals program at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collections/films

A 50-50 Chance (USPHS, 1967)

The purpose of this presentation is to illustrate the problems and emotional crises faced by a family when the young mother contracts tetanus. This is achieved in a dramatized portrayal of her life and activities using a flashback technique. The program stresses the importance of immunization, which is virtually 100% effective. In this presentation the mother is shown critically ill in the acute stage of tetanus following a superficial skin scratch while gardening.

It Takes Your Breath Away (British Medical Association, 1964)

The effect on the lungs of living in a polluted atmosphere is briefly shown on pathological specimens. Two patients are seen, one of whom had to change his job on account of reduced respiratory capacity due to bronchitis. This film uses very evocative footage of polluted city centres and inner city housing ; showing widespread burning of fossil fuels in industry and the home, as well as a hospital. The results are smutty deposits over everything.

Target, Tooth Decay (Oklahoma Dept. of Public Health, 1951)

Through the use of a compact series of explanatory examples, this film points out the value of modern dental care with emphasis on the use of fluorides, focusing especially on school-age children and how dental care and education can be delivered in that environment The film describes how a rural community organizes a topical fluoride program and how an urban community institutes fluoridation of the public water supply. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9605135.

Three Counties Against Syphilis (USPHS, 1938)

This film shows the work of the mobile syphilis detection and treatment unit of McIntosh, Glynn, and Camden counties in rural southeastern Georgia. The inside of the mobile clinic is shown. The films shows the route taken and the unit going into canneries, wood pulp factories, logging camps, country dance halls, elementary schools, and churches to treat patients with bismuth and arsphenamine injections. It shows both the Kahn and Wasserman blood tests and explains how to read the results.

Story of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (USPHS, 1968)

This presentation describes significant developments in the fight against Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The program begins with a description of efforts to determine the cause of the disease. Then studies on the biology and control of the tick are described. Efforts to destroy the tick on a limited scale by livestock dipping are detailed. The identification of the infectious agent in the body of the tick which led to the intensification of research and the development by Drs. Spensor and Parker of the spotted fever vaccine is discussed.