Science

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.

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.

John B. Calhoun Film 7.1 [edited], (NIMH, 1970-1972)

This film is a trimmed version of a longer set of stitched-together reels that contain remarks by and interviews with National Institute of Mental Health scientist John B. Calhoun, as well as extensive footage of the thousands of mice Calhoun studied over many years. In Mouse City, Calhoun provided his research subjects food, water, bedding, protection from predators--all that they needed except adequate space. The results were destructive and dramatic.

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.

Herr Professor Doktor Jakob Erdheim [Silent] (Producer unknown, 1933)

Shots include: the exterior of Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien (Vienna) ; people on the pavement and automobiles on the street in front of the hospital; group of white-gowned men around an autopsy table; gowned, gloved man at a side table cutting up a specimen; Y-shaped incision is made on the cadaver and two sets of gloved hands begin to dissect the chest; the ribs are cut and the ribs and sterum removed; the thoracic contents are cut free and removed from the cavity; the prosector, wearing an apron and gloves, examines the lungs; the flayed scalp is minutely examined; the prosector taps on the

Herr Professor Doktor Jakob Erdheim (1933)

Shots include: the exterior of Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien (Vienna) ; people on the pavement and automobiles on the street in front of the hospital; group of white-gowned men around an autopsy table; gowned, gloved man at a side table cutting up a specimen; Y-shaped incision is made on the cadaver and two sets of gloved hands begin to dissect the chest; the ribs are cut and the ribs and sterum removed; the thoracic contents are cut free and removed from the cavity; the prosector, wearing an apron and gloves, examines the lungs; the flayed scalp is minutely examined; the prosector taps on the

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.

Filariasis in British Guiana (US Agency for International Development, 1963)

Modernizing the Tropics, Making a New Nation, with Public Health Filariasis, a parasitic disease, is caused by microscopic (roundworms. Spread from person to person by mosquito bite, the worms can cause elephantiasis and other serious conditions. Filariasis in British Guiana was part of a broad campaign to prevent and treat the disease. It was released in 1963, a time when the United States and Soviet Union were competing for the allegiance of "the Third World." British Guiana was heading toward independence, and the U.S.

Evening Care (US Navy/US Army, 1943)

Part of the U.S. military's "Care of the Sick and Injured" series, this film offers instructions for Navy medical corpsmen on how to provide evening care to their fellow sailors recovering in the sick bay of a ship. Narration takes place over footage of corpsmen doing the following: washing patients, giving a back rub, checking for pressure sores, tidying beds, giving individual care, and completing records.