Medical Service of the Finnish Armed Forces in the Winter: Paper in the Care of Casualties (1948)

his film is an English language version of a captured German film that describes the uses of paper products by the Finnish armed forces in protecting their wounded from freezing during initial treatment and evacuation. Paper proved to be good protection against wind and cold, it was inexpensive, fairly strong, and it could be used repeatedly. The film consists of footage of troops dressed in white cold-weather gear fighting in snow-covered terrain and of corpsmen caring for the wounded and demonstrating the uses of paper products.

DDT in Control of Household Insects (U.S. War Department, 1947)

This film outlines the control of household insects in military establishments. Flies, roaches, and bedbugs can be controlled by good sanitation and the use of DDT. The equipment and techniques to be used are shown. Identification of presence of pests is discussed. Treatment of barracks, kitchens, and mess halls is shown. NLM Unique ID: 9432127 Learn more about the National Library of Medicine's historical audiovisuals program at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collections/films

Survival Stresses (US Air Force, 1961)

Presented as a film within a film, an Air Force officer gives a lecture to a class of fliers about survival skills, using a combination live action-animated film to illustrate the workings of the body and its reactions to difficult situations. Discusses major physiological and psychological stresses that may be encountered in a survival situation in the Arctic, in the desert, in the tropics, and on water. Describes methods of detecting, understanding, and combating such stresses as hunger, thirst, cold, fatigue, and fear. Shows how to recognize and avoid dehydration.

First Aid for Non-Battle Injuries (US Army, 1943)

In this film, the elementary principles of first aid for soldiers in the field are presented. The emphasis is on what the soldier should do before medical help arrives. He is shown how to put everyday objects and personal items to good use in emergency situations. The film is narrated over footage of soldiers in the field.

Drinking Water (US Navy, 1945)

A United States Navy training film In humorous animated cartoon format, the soldier is instructed to drink only water from safe supplies. The consequences of not rationing one's individual water supply when away from camp are shown. The dangers of drinking from untreated water supplies are shown. The locale is the Asian jungle; the enemy is Japan. Film aimed at marines engaged in jungle warfare.

Easy to Get (US Army Service Forces, 1947)

In story format, over footage of soldiers picking up girls in a drug store and in a night club, the dangers of sexual intercourse with pick-ups and prostitutes are emphasized. The results of untreated gonorrhea and/or syphilis are shown ina man with swollen knees, a man having a heart attack, an infected penis, a bed-ridden older man, and a man whose speech and memory have become defective. Over and over, the narrator urges the viewer to use condoms, visit the pro station, and report to his medical officer immediately if he suspects that he has contracted a venereal disease.

Use Your Head (US Navy, 1945)

In animated humorous cartoon, the enlisted man is instructed to use only designated areas for urination and defecation. The dangers of dysentery and fly-borne disease are outlined. The locale is the Asian jungle; the enemy is Japan. Film is aimed at marines in jungle camps. Produced by Hugh Harman Productions for the United States Navy. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9419629.

The Army Nurse (United States War Office, 1945)

Released in the closing months of the Second World War, this film explores the work of the army nurse in part from the perspective of a wounded soldier. Intended to be shown to a variety of audiences including servicemen, nurses, and potential recruits to nursing, it has a reassuring message about the skill and effectiveness of the army nursing service. It also comforts its audiences with a story about the therapeutic uses of femininity. The film opens with a soldier wounded in action. Coming out of delirium, the first person he sees is a female army nurse, who smiles and winks at him.

DDT, Weapon Against Disease (US Army, 1945)

The discovery of D.D.T. during World War II, its effectiveness against lice, mosquitoes, and flies; tests made on its effectiveness; and examples of the good results it has shown in controlling military and civilian epidemics are presented. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9502511.

For Which We Stand (United States Navy, 1950)

In this film, servicemen are strongly urged to forgo illicit and casual sex because it is degrading and contrary to divine will. The joys of marriage and family are stressed. Long-term happiness should be the goal, not immediate gratification. A medical officer discusses sexual abstinence, saying that it will not adversely affect a man's virility. A commanding officer points out that sexual promiscuity among troops is not just the concern of the medical officer and the chaplain. He says that self-control should be practiced by everyone.

Practical Rat Control: Ratproofing (U.S. Army and CDC, 1950)

This film presents in detail the aspects of design, fabrication, and installation of building materials so that rats are denied access to structures whether through doors, windows, basements, or roof areas. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9423676. Learn more about the National Library of Medicine's historical audiovisuals program at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collections/films

How COVID-19 Immunity Holds Up Over Time

More than 215 million people in the United States are now fully vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19 [1]. More than 40 percent—more than 94 million people—also have rolled up their sleeves for an additional, booster dose. Now, an NIH-funded study exploring how mRNA vaccines are performing over time comes as a reminder of just how important it will be to keep those COVID-19 vaccines up to date as coronavirus variants continue to circulate.

Girls in White (RKO-Pathe, 1948)

Produced as part of RKO's This is America series (1942-1951), this film uses dramatic reenactment in telling the story of a young woman who becomes a nurse. The film opens with an account of the post-Second World War shortage of nursing staff. This is a preamble to a story of nurse training, exemplified by Betty Burns, one of the 43,000 women who enter nursing school that year. The film follows Betty from her first day at nursing school through her training in chemistry, anatomy, microbiology, nutrition, diet therapy, and pharmacy.

Laboratory Design for Microbiological Safety (USPHS, 1966)

This program describes some of the principal building characteristics and devices used in the design, construction and operation of laboratories studying infectious diseases. Descriptions, illustrations, and examples of how labs have used these concepts are presented. Emphasis is placed on the safety of lab workers and the health of the surrounding community. Using a standardized floor plan, the laboratory is classified into five areas: clean, lab research, animal research, laboratory support, and engineering.