Public Health and USPHS by The National Library of Medicine

The Story of Wendy Hill (USPHS, 1949)

The symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes are outlined in the story of a young, small-town wife, her family, her physician, and some of the townspeople. Myths about diabetes are debunked. Guidelines for living a normal life while coping with diabetes are given. Insulin therapy is promoted when appropriate.

A Drop in the Bucket (USPHS, 1952)

This film tells the story of how one community brought the benefits of fluoridated water to its children, how the dentists, the health officers, the mayor, the waterworks engineer, and citizens got together and fought for fluoridation before it was the widely recognized public health measure it is today. Based in part on the story of how the people of Newark, Delaware added fluoride to their water supply, the film vividly portrays the down-to-earth situations that exist in every community, the typical conflicts, the doubts about fluoridation, and the evidence for it.

Peter Borik: The Story of the Tragedy he Brought his Family (Michigan Tuberculosis Assn, 1944)

Historical Audiovisuals from the National Library of Medicine Tuberculosis (TB), while rare in the United States today, remains a potent killer in developing nations. In the U.S. in the mid-20th century, the impact of TB was real and devastating. In this 1944 film, farmer Peter Borik has tuberculosis but refuses to be treated in a sanatorium. He remains bedridden at home, where no precautions are taken against the spread of infection. Both his daughters contract TB, and one dies.

Dance, Little Children (Kansas State Board of Health, 1965)

Chronicles an outbreak of syphilis among teens in the fictional town of Oakdale. A girl, Lynn, has a few dates with a wealthy boy, Hal, then goes to see her family doctor when she develops a rash. Though the doctor considers syphilis, he doesn't test Lynn initially, thinking it can't be true. The role of the state and local public health departments in tracking down contacts of infected people and testing them is shown. The primary state health investigator is shown confidentially interviewing the teens.

The Public Health Nurse and the Retarded Child (Oklahoma State Dept. of Health, 1960)

This film discusses the role of the public health nurse in relation to the retarded child and his family. This objective is achieved with the aid of clinical subjects, personnel from a clinic for retarded individuals, and public health nurses. Miss Roberts, a public health nurse, becomes aware of a retarded child, Mark, during a routine home visit for an eye check on Mark's older brother. Mark's mother describes him as "slow," and the program discusses simple methods to use in assessing a child's abilities at an early age.

Far View Health Camp [Silent] (Producer unknown, 1936)

This film shows children at the Far View Health Camp in Cortland County, N.Y. It provides an overview of who can attend and why the camp should be supported. The film begins when the campers arrive at the start of camp and then takes the viewer through a typical day. It includes footage of children at meals, sleeping, at flag-raising, cleaning, playing, at story hour and doing arts and crafts. African American children are shown in this film. Publisher unknown.

Examination of the Mouth (CDC, 1967)

This film stresses the importance of routine oral examination to detect infections or early diagnosis of oral cancer. Dr. Robert Johnson demonstrates a routine oral exam while explaining the procedure. The film also shows oral cancers in their early stages of development. The film concludes with an appeal by the Chief of the U.S. Public Health Service's Cancer Control Program, Dr. William L. Ross. He urges dentists to examine and test for oral cancer, arguing that the patient's overall health, not just their teeth, is the dental practioner's responsibility.

Challenge for Habilitation: The Child with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (Texas Children's Hosp, 1977)

This film documents the rubella study group and nursery in the child development clinic at Texas Children's Hospital. The study group worked to rehabilitate 150 children with congenital rubella syndrome, a maternal viral infection that can cause hearing impairment, visual impairment, or motor handicaps. During the 1964-1965 epidemic, an estimated 20,000-30,000 children were born with congenital rubella syndrome.

Save a Day (USPHS, 1941)

This film shows some industrial health hazards, along with research and solutions regarding each. Produced by United States Public Health Service Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/8700217A Learn more about the National Library of Medicine's historical audiovisuals program at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collections/films

V.D.? See Your Doctor (Canada Dept. of National Health and Welfare, 1968)

Over footage of young people in school, in social situations, in a physician's office, and in a public health department office, the symptoms, mode of transmission, and dangers of gonorrhea and syphilis are presented. The necessity of contacting sexual partners is stressed, and the emotional distress this can cause is illustrated. The folly of ignoring symptoms and of using patent medicines is explained. The viewer is urged to eschew promiscuous sexual activity.