Symptoms in Schizophrenia [Silent] (Pennsylvania State College, 1938)

This film describes and demonstrates four types of schizophrenia. Filmed at various New York institutions, it shows patients singly and grouped in large, outside recreational areas. Some patients are blindfolded. Symptoms shown include: social apathy, delusions, hallucinations, hebephrenic reactions, cerea flexibilitas, rigidity, motor stereotypes, posturing, and echopraxia. Produced by Pennsylvania State College.

Sources of Air Pollution (USPHS, 1962)

Shows the principal sources of air pollution--factories belching smoke, industrial waste dumped in rivers, and auto emissions. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101640831 Learn more about the National Library of Medicine's historical audiovisuals program at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collections/films

Alerte: Science Contre Cancer ( l'Office national canadien du film, 1950)

This is the film Challenge: Science Against Cancer accompanied by a French soundtrack. It illustrates the importance of continued research in laboratories around the world in order to solve the problem of cancer, and aims to explain the current difficulties in identifying causes and cures. It begins with an overview of the birth of man from one cell and explores the complexity of the human body. It shows the isolation and testing of cancer cells and explains the effects of heredity and environment on normal cells.

Le Cancer (l'Office national du film du Canada, 1950)

This film is excerpted from the full-length Challenge: Science Against Cancer. Portions are presented in French and portions in English. A patient, Mr. Davis, enters the medical office. He is shown to have a treatable cancerous lesion on his face. Several doctors discuss the case and the recommended treatment. The film shows cells and cell division, laboratories, the use of microscopes, and experiments with mice. The treatment for Mr. Davis begins immediately and uses radium.

NLM's History of Medicine Section

NLM's History of Medicine Division collects, preserves, makes available, and interprets for diverse audiences one of the world's richest collections of historical material related to human health and disease. Take time to view HMD's fascinating playlists on the NLM YouTube channel. Please note that some digitized films made available by the NLM may contain material that some viewers may find to be challenging, disturbing or offensive. Viewer discretion is advised.

The Reward of Courage [Silent] (American Society for the Control of Cancer, 1921)

A Rediscovered Cancer Film of the Silent Era In 1921 the American Society for the Control of Cancer released The Reward of Courage. The film, a silent melodrama, was designed to persuade viewers to visit a physician for regular checkups and at the first sign of the disease.

The Run Around (National Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association, 1969)

This film opens with a cartoon segment. The main character, a coughing, sputtering man named Mr. Hack, is enraged by the amount of air pollution in his town. He decides to find the cause of the problem, first making his way to a nearby factory to complain to the owner. The factory owner denies responsibility for the problem and feigns concern about protecting the environment. The owner tells Mr. Hack that the electric power company is the one responsible for the problem, so Mr. Hack goes there next.

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.

To the People of the United States (USPHS, 1944)

This film illustrates the serious problem of syphilis, particularly as it affects American armed forces during World War II. It presents numbers of cases nationwide and in New York State in particular, comparing the figures to Scandinavian countries where the disease does not carry the same stigma and more people are routinely tested. Shown are the importance and relative ease of detection and cure, and a comparison to Denmark’s syphilis program specifically.

They Do Come Back (National Tuberculosis Association, 1940)

Young man of "Everytown" has an oral hemorrhage which subsequent examination and tests show was caused by tuberculosis. He goes to sanitarium for treatment and extensive bed rest. Epidemiological investigation reveals source of infection was lip contact with his fiancée. The importance of occupational therapy and aptitude tests is demonstrated during the patient's recovery and rehabilitation. Scenes include: sputum and blood samples, enlarged tubercle bacilli, tuberculin test, X-ray, pneumothorax surgery, and patient drafting in occupational therapy.

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.

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.

Challenge: Science Against Cancer (Canada Dept. of Health & Welfare, US Nat'l Cancer Inst., 1950)

This film attempts to explain why researchers are having a difficult time discovering the causes and cures for cancer. It begins with an overview of the birth of man from one cell and generally explores the complexity of the human body. It shows the isolation and testing of cancer cells and explains the effects of heredity and environment on normal cells. It explains the difficulties of tracing several generations for heredity research and the multitude of chemicals, etc. which affect cells and turn them cancerous.

Plastic Reconstruction of Face [Silent] (Producer unknown, 1918)

This film includes scenes in which a man and woman are carving different facial molds; a woman carves an ear; a man puts on a fake chin; a woman puts touch up paint on the man's fake chin, and finally, a fake nose and eye piece are put on a man who is disfigured.

Public Enemy (USPHS,and Westinghouse, 1960)

Dr. Leroy Burney, Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service, and other authorities discuss the hazards of air pollution, its major causes and what is being done to control it. The film shows air sampling apparatus and an exhibit and scenes from the Community Air Pollution Conference in Washington, D.C.