Science

Mental Growth of a Mongol (Dr. Arnold Gesell, 1945)

This film shows a series of tests which were run on a white male baby at the ages of one, two, three, and six years of age to test the boy's mental, cognitive, and motor skills. When the child was one-year old, blocks were placed in front of him. He pushed and pounded them on the table. He was also given a cup, rattle, and bell which he pushed and pounded on the table. The last test showed the nurse trying unsuccessfully to get the child to stand upright on his own. When the child was two-years-old, blocks were placed in front of him and he threw them into a bowl.

Approach to Objects by Psychotic Children (University of London, 1957)

This silent film was shot in Maudsley Hospital, London, and shows children handling various types of objects, placing them in their mouths, and looking around for the objects when they are removed. Apparently in contrast to non-psychotic children, these subjects search for a missing object only in the place where it was located immediately prior to removal--in the child's left hand, for example. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9616519.

Recent Modifications of Convulsive Shock Therapy (Univ of Nebraska-Omaha, 1941)

Convulsive shock's usefulness in treating affective disorders is discussed. Metrazol convulsions have been the most popular method, but spinal and extremity fractures made it hazardous until preliminary curare therapy markedly softened the convulsions. A case of manic excitement is shown to illustrate the curare-metrazol therapy. Good results are usually seen after six to eight treatments. A second treatment using quinine methochloride instead of curare is shown. Methoquinine and metrazol may be administered simultaneously. Post-treatment apnea is more prolonged with curare.

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.

Reproductive System and Human Development (Jacob Sarnoff and Bray Productions, 1925)

The film begins with a statement that the abandonment of prudery in recent years has made possible the teaching of human reproduction to "the adolescent and mature." The position and function of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries is presented. With drawings, legends, and post-mortem specimens, the film traces human reproduction from ovulation through fertilization, segmentation, implantation, growth and maturity of the fetus, and enlargement of the uterus. The function of the umbilical cord is explained.

The Mechanism of Wounding (Edmund Newton Harvey, Princeton University, 1945)

These reels show experiments in wound ballistics, with missiles fired into water, gelatin, mammals, frogs, and fish. Dr. Edmund Newton Harvey was best known for his research on bioluminescence, but he also conducted applied research in areas such as wound ballistics and aviation physiology. In these experiments, Harvey is investigating the large cone-shaped temporary cavity that results after a projectile passes through tissue or other substances. The temporary cavity is many times larger than the permanent cavity observed after the completed passage of the projectile.

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.