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.

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.

Tropical Disease Investigations in Africa (USPHS, 1957)

Etiology and treatment of four major tropical diseases (malaria, onchocerciasis, trypanosomiasis, and schistosomiasis) in Africa are shown. Shots include natives in villages working and being treated. Produced by Burch, Thomas A., 1918- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) and National Institutes of Health (U.S.). Scientific Reports Branch.

Target TB (National Tuberculosis Association, 1950)

This film was produced to encourage Americans to get chest x-rays. The narrator first introduces a TB germ, which is personified as a weapon-wielding cartoon attacking people ages 15-45. The narrator then explains that TB kills one American every 9 minutes, which is more lives lost than soldiers at war. He then says that the disease is preventable, and a series of concerned citizens ask why it is not cured.

Medicine in the Tropics (Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., 1948)

The medical problems and medical care of the workers on the Firestone Rubber Company plantations in Liberia are presented and discussed, with accompanying footage. The most common diseases in the region are schistosomiasis, malaria, yaws, goiter, intestinal worms, the dysenteries, the filariases, traumatic injuries, and pulmonary, bone, and skin diseases. Smallpox is the most common of the infectious diseases. Spraying, ditching, and cutting back vegetation are done in an attempt to limit the habitat of the pathogens and vectors. Latrines are inspected.

Unsuspected (National Tuberculosis Association/Trident Films, c1951)

After almost hitting Johnny Walsh with her automobile, public health nurse Linda Thorpe is introduced to the child by a local storekeeper. Linda recognizes Johnny as a newcomer to the area and, after hearing that his mother is pregnant, takes the opportunity to meet the family. During the visit, Linda persuades Johnny's mother, Mary, to see a physician for a prenatal check-up, during which a chest x-ray reveals she has an "unsuspected" case of tuberculosis.

Penicillin and Venereal Disease (USPHS, 1947)

This film shows several cases of venereal disease, discusses symptoms, and explains how penicillin is effective in curing the disease. Scenes include: patients with lesions on tongue, back, lip, and penis; patients with loss of hair; ocular atrophy; paralysis; Charcot joint and x-ray of same; spinal fluid test; graphic test readings; shots of penis lesions before and after penicillin treatment; and gonococcus organisms before and after treatment with penicillin. Produced by the United States Public Health Service.

Asian Influenza Vaccination (USPHS, 1957)

These television spots were designed to encourage individual and family vaccination against the Asian flu pandemic of 1957, an outbreak of influenza that was first identified in February 1957 in East Asia and subsequently spread worldwide. Produced by the Communicable Disease Center of the United States Public Health Service. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/8800001A.

Reconnaissance for Yellow Fever in the Nuba Mtns, Southern Sudan 1954 (Telford Work, 2006)

An Epidemiological Expedition into the Interior of Africa In the early 1950s Dr. Telford H. Work and Dr. Richard Moreland Taylor traveled to the Sudan to study an outbreak of yellow fever. Flying to Khartoum, they took their equipment by train to El Obeid, and by jeep to the Nuba Mountains (spanning the southern part of the present-day post-partition Sudan and the northern part of South Sudan). Accompanied by Dr.

The Mississippi Valley Disease (University of Kansas, 1956)

In this film, a host and two doctors examine histoplasmosis, also called the Mississippi Valley disease. The host first shows a little girl who has been hospitalized for months and has an enlarged spleen and liver due to histoplasmosis, and explains that she is in the company of 30 million others suffering from the disease. He then introduces a doctor who is a leading authority on histoplasmosis, who explains that around 80 percent of all people living in the Mississippi Valley area have had the disease at some point in their lives.

Multiple Screening (Communication Materials Center, 1950)

This film promotes the concept of multiple screening. The narrator first explains that Americans in the 1800s had many health concerns, but modern medicine has alleviated many problems and life expectancy has risen. Still, blood pressure, obesity, heart and kidney problems, tuberculosis, and syphilis are persistent problems. Early detection can fix them. The narrator introduces the concept of multiple screening, in which blood and urine samples, x-rays, and other testing methods can be used to screen for several different diseases rather than just one.

A Fair Chance (National Tuberculosis Association, 1954)

This film tells the story of a man who has recovered from tuberculosis, and the prejudice and hardship he faces after he comes home. He expects to return to his regular employer, but is told there's no job for him. Old friends don't wish to socialize, and his daughter's acquaintances are reluctant to come to the house. The film makes the point that these attitudes are rooted in a misunderstanding of tuberculosis, its treatment, and a person's health status after being released from a sanitorium or hospital.

Behind the Shadows (National Tuberculosis Association, 1937)

The doctor in this film tells a story to a group of young people about the cause, spread, and treatment of tuberculosis. Shots include tubercle bacilli. Produced by the National Tuberculosis Association. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/870076A. Learn more about the National Library of Medicine's historical audiovisuals program at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collections/films