Silent by The National Library of Medicine

Observations Concerning the Phenomenology of Early Oral Behavior (Menninger Foundation, 1951)

This film provides descriptive documentation of variations in oral behavior in infants under 24 weeks of age. Infants are shown at different stages, moving their arms and legs, placing fingers, toes, and other objects in their mouths, licking items, grabbing a ring suspended above them, and biting a sterling silver cup. Behavior prior to feeding and after feeding is shown, with variations in infant response.

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.

Narcosynthesis (Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital, 1944)

Under light narcosis produced by ultra-short-acting barbiturates, patients re-experience emotions associated with psychic trauma and become more amenable to suggestion. The four examples are: 1) the effect of simple suggestion in choreic movements; 2) the effect of reassurance and suggestion in hysteria with hemiporesis; 3) the production of emotional responsiveness in a schizophrenic-like state; and 4) a severe case of major hysteria in an 11-year-old girl.

Care of Teeth [Silent] (Eastman Teaching Films, Inc., 1930)

Good dental care for children is presented in this film. Teeth are made from the food we eat. A smiling girl sits at a table eating a meal. A diagram shows the parts of a tooth as a pointer indicates the parts. The right foods are necessary for good teeth. Vigorous chewing helps to make strong teeth. Stain and deposits lead to decay. A mouthful of decayed teeth is shown. The dental hygienist helps to keep the mouth healthy. A woman dental hygienist is shown in a dental clinic greeting a boy patient. The child gets into the dentist's chair and has a towel put over his chest.

Ask Your Dentist [Silent] (Producer unknown, 1928)

The dangers of dental caries and how to prevent them are emphasized in this film. A class of grade-school children learn about the teeth. Written on the board are questions and answers: Why you need teeth--to cut and grind food--a model set of teeth is used to demonstrate chewing; to give form to the face--this is shown on models of heads and teeth of people with malocclusions; to aid personal appearance--shown in footage of a boy before and after repair of his teeth. The causes of caries in teeth are presented using a large model tooth. Immediate repair is advocated.

Massage (American Physiotherapy Association and Council on Physical Therapy of the AMA, 1938)

This film demonstrates the technique of massage. It shows deep and superficial stroking, kneading, and friction, and describes areas of the body and circumstances where each type is needed. It demonstrates all techniques on the patient's arm, hand, and shoulder.

The Forgotten Frontier [Silent] (Frontier Nursing Service, Inc., 1931)

This is an unique and historically valuable film depicting the important medical aid that the Frontier Nursing Service provided in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. The Service provided child hygiene, midwifery, sick nursing, medical care, dentistry, public health, and emergency surgery for poor, mountain people. Film shows patients' and nurses' cabins, children, town, and gives flavor of their lives, language, and problems.

The Road to Health and Happiness [Silent] (R. David Bennett Hill, 1937)

This silent film advocates leading a healthy, productive life and recommends particular rules to make this so. These include: good mental habits, a contented mind, proper reading and entertainment, Sunday school, and church. Bodily cleanliness, fresh air, sleep, and exercise are advised. Girls are seen playing tennis, roller skating, and swimming. Good posture is advised and demonstrated by girls in bathing suits. The need for sunlight is stressed. Children are advised to cross streets carefully and respect policemen. The duties of the local health department are outlined as well.

Pathological Findings in the Stomach: Fluoroscopic Observations (N. Schenker and R. Janker, 1953)

Cinefluorography shows chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, and carcinoma at the lesser curvature and advanced carcinoma in the upper part of the stomach. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/8701015A Learn more about the National Library of Medicine's historical audiovisuals program at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collections/films

The Reward of Courage [Silent] (American Society for the Control of Cancer, 1921 (sdtrk 2011)

A Rediscovered Cancer Film of the Silent Era This version has been modified with the addition of a sound track, titles, and credits. 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.