Did you wash your hands before dinner? Marvelous collection of post WWII disease and infections films developed for teenagers and young adults. The common theme is BEWARE of everything and some of the guidelines proposed to prevent catching a disease are outrageous. Never share your food and always spitting into a toilet when a family member gets sick. You have to see it for yourself to believe it!
Included Films:
Unconditional Surrender
Unconditional Surrender
Produced: 1956
Length: 14 Minutes
This video catalogs the history of the vaccine for polio (poliomyelitis), a debilitating disease universally feared in the early twentieth century. The polio vaccine was developed in 1954 by Jonas Salk, following rounds of extensive testing. In April of 1955, after testing its effectiveness, Eli Lilly began production of the vaccine, strictly following safety protocols. Even today, a polio vaccination is a necessary precaution that effectively ensures the health of all children.
Preventing The Spread Of Disease
Preventing The Spread Of Disease
Produced: 1940
Length: 10 Minutes
This 1940 film discusses how to avoid the spread of disease and ill-health by taking better care of the body, keeping water supplies clean, exercising, and eating a healthy diet. This film does use typical scare tactics to get people to think about their personal care habits. It also mentions sewage disposal, vaccines, and staying away from people who are sick as ways to promote health.
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To the People of the United States
To the People of the United States
Produced: 1944
Length: 21 Minutes
This is a fascinating film about syphilis made in the thick of World War II. Its unusual in its level handedness: the film is full of reasonable discussion and openness. This era in American history was infamous for its sweeping under the rug of any unpleasantness in society. Uncharacteristically, the leading man who contracts syphilis is an honorable fighter pilot and is urged to not be ashamed of having acquired a dangerous disease that needs to be treated, not ignored. To the People of the United States is commendable for its strong attempt to inform the young men, especially servicemen, about the facts, dangers, and treatments of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Joan Avoids A Cold
Joan Avoids A Cold
Produced: 1947
Length: 10 Minutes
Joan Avoids a Cold offers dated and sometimes hilarious advice about how to protect yourself from others germs. Joan and her brother go through a typical day, where Joan does everything right and her brother constantly screws up. On their walk to school, Joan avoids the puddles, but her brother jumps in them like a normal kid. He also shares food with someone at school, which Joan frowns upon. Now, swimming with other peoples germs, and sitting in sopping wet socks, Joans brother begins to show signs of a cold. The teacher sends him to the nurse, whose office sports a sign that reads Bodies, like buildings, should keep erect. After noticing the wet feet and taking his temperature, the nurse declares him sick and calls his mother. Mom takes the added precautions of boiling his dishes after hes eaten and making him spit into the toilet instead of the bathroom sink when hes brushing his teeth, so that no one else will catch his cold. Other scenes include kids being dosed with cod liver oil, and children dressed in traditional Dutch costumes doing folk dances. This is a bizarre and fun vintage film.
Sniffles & Sneezes
Sniffles & Sneezes
Produced: 1955
Length: 10 Minutes
Using a sinister-looking animated black smudge as a stand-in for germs, Sniffles and Sneezes shows how easy it is for children to pass sickness to each other. There are many shots of kids sneezing and coughing, then touching doorknobs, shaking hands, and standing close during conversations. According to this paranoid film, colds can turn into all kinds of frightening diseases like scarlet fever, diphtheria, and infantile paralysis. It also offers advice on how to avoid getting colds.
Ulcer At Work
Ulcer At Work
Produced: 1959
Length: 28 Minutes
Ulcer at Work is an artistically made educational video with superb Film Noir style moviemaking. Steve Hall, an ambitious executive, notices a pain in his side, but doesnt let it deter him from showing up his coworkers and stressing out over problems at home. In the end, an animated scene reveals that Steve has developed a duodenal ulcer. After Steve passes out from the pain, his is forced to see the doctor, who diagnoses the ulcer. He warns Steve that ulcers come from the wrong kind of feelings. When Steve is with his family, it is easy to see where some of these feelings come from. Steves family doesnt exactly hate him, but they are only interested in the fact that he brings home a paycheck and presents. His kids are greedy little brats and his wife is a nagging compulsive shopper. After Steve has another episode at home, the doctor pays a house call. He blames Steves wife for her role in his ulcer and warns her that if Steve were dead or unable to work, her status as a poor widow would not be very pleasant. This film effectively teaches about Ulcers and stress, as well as providing wonderfully visually engaging entertainment.
