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.

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(link is external).

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.

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.

Native Food (US Navy, 1945)

Humorous animated film warning soldiers (marines) against eating native food while in the field. 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/9301319A(link is external) Learn more about the National Library of Medicine's historical audiovisuals program at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collections/films(link is external)

Man Alive! (United Productions of America, 1952)

In animated cartoons, an analogy is made between a man with a badly functioning car and a man with physical symptoms which could indicate the presence of a neoplasm. The various stages of denial are illustrated. Unprofessional advice is heard, and quick fix remedies are tried. The car owner finally goes to a good garage and pays heavily to have his car repaired, a bill which would have been small if he had taken his car in at the first sign of trouble. The man decides not to make the same mistake with his body that he made with his car.

Nurse-Patient Interaction (Los Angeles : The University, 1976)

This training video employs a particular method to encourage nurse trainees to reflect on their responses to how patients and co-workers present themselves, verbally, physically, and emotionally. Based on psychologist Norman Kagan’s affect-stimulus technique, the camera takes the perspective of a trainee nurse who is presented with a series of different people who speak directly to the camera. The viewer is put into the situation of the trainee nurse, and is invited to respond to and reflect upon the different, sometimes difficult, interpersonal situations he or she encounters.

Leprosy in India [Silent] (Albert Victoria Hospital, Calcutta, c1930)

Manifestations of leprosy from beginning to end stages are shown in this silent film. Images are interspersed with title slides in German, informing the viewer that he/she is seeing cases of nerve damage, skin damage, loss of extremities, and other effects of the disease. People are shown receiving injections, washing, and exercising as part of their treatment. Produced by the Albert Victoria Hospital.

Know for Sure (Research Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for USPHS, 1941)

This educational film uses dramatizations of three cases to teach about the dangers, prevention, and cure of syphilis. In the first segment, an Italian shopkeeper named Tony is thrilled about the birth of his first child, but when the boy is born dead and the doctor inquires about Tony’s sexual health, Tony realizes he’s infected with syphilis that has been passed on to his wife and child. He and his wife get treatment and plan to have more children. In the two other segments, young men have unprotected sex, one with a woman he "picks up" and one with a prostitute.

Let My People Live (National Tuberculosis Association, 1938)

This film dramatizes the dangers of neglecting the treatment of tuberculosis through the story of a African-American family where the superstitious mother, who depends on cures rather than the doctor, succumbs to the disease. When her two children also develop the disease they are saved by modern medical care. Musical background to the story consists of Negro spirituals sung by the Tuskegee Choir. Produced by the National Tuberculosis Association.

LSD: Insight or Insanity (Max Miller, 1968)

The life of the typical teen in the late 1960s is presented, with rebellion and experimentation in clothes, hair, and extracurricular activities discussed, along with peer pressure and the effect it can have on teens. The dangers of drugs, and LSD in particular, are described, with doctors, scientists, and geneticists discussing the possible effects of LSD on the body, including chromosomal damage that can affect future generations. The impact on fetal development in animals given LSD is shown.

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.