Infectious Disease by The National Library of Medicine

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.

Portrays the daily life and activities among the lepers at the Chandkhuri mission in India. Shots include: street scene in Calcutta, India with lepers begging; Chandkhuri village (mission) for lepers, including fellowship, giving tests for leprosy diagnosis, medical treatment of injections of chaulmoogra oil, nursing, lepers working at typical household tasks, outdoors at a stone quarry, building, road repair, well-digging, farming, and making clothing, including dyeing, weaving, sewing. Shots also include: the ceremony of eating new rice, church attendance, and graduation from the colony.

This film depicts a representative community campaign to control Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in order to prevent dengue and yellow fever. Shots include: breeding pond for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, other breeding places (water-holding containers), Aedes aegypti on a man's hand, Aedes aegypti larvae in water, emptying water from containers, fish in aquarium eating larvae, and publicity media encouraging mosquito eradication and control.

This program illustrates by means of animation and live action the airborne transmission pattern of tubercle bacilli and the study used to verify this pattern. Measures effective for the control of TB infection are also presented. The mechanics involved in the airborne transmission of the tubercle bacilli are traced from the expiration of the bacilli by the tuberculosis patient, through the transmission of these bacilli in drops of mucus, and on to the subsequent inspiration of the nuclei, which are smaller than five microns in diameter, by a susceptible person.

This film tells the story of a group of doctors who went to the South Pacific islands of Tonga to immunize people against smallpox, using an experimental vaccination device. The narrator, one of the doctors, gives a brief history of Tonga, explaining that the small population is peaceful, isolated, and has no history of smallpox. He then explains the new jet injection gun, operated by foot pedal, which is much cheaper and more efficient than standard vaccination methods.

This film illustrates the isolation, creation, and early distribution of the measles vaccine, including the historical background of virology. Included are death rates due to measles; laboratories, scientists, and physicians responsible for the vaccine's creation; testing and distribution; and details on how the virus was isolated, weakened, and tested on monkeys and 15,000 people in the U.S. It was then administered to 70,000 citizens of Upper Volta by medical staff from the U.S. Public Health Service, the World Health Organization, and U.S.

This film shows ways of contracting tuberculosis and proper sanatorium care which leads to a cure and a return to productive life. Shots include a microscopic view of the tuberculosis organisms and the activities of bed-ridden, semi-ambulant, and ambulant patients. Produced by the United States Veterans Administration.

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.

Jack Burns is diagnosed with tuberculosis and must leave his family to spend months in the hospital. Jack worries how his wife will manage financially, and how the children will handle the reality that their father is ill and not present for a long period. He also wonders how his transition back to regular life will play out. The film shows that Jack's time convalescing was well worth it. His health is restored, and he learns new skills so that he can take a less physically demanding job when he returns to work. His wife handles the family budget well, and the family keeps its home.

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