Table of Contents: Tuberculosis (1955)11 minutes – This is a fun little film that shows a general history and overview of the effects of tuberculosis on our society. / On the Firing Line (1936) 20 minutes – A fantastic film that has great timeless statistics as well as footage and information about the fight against tuberculosis by the National Tuberculosis Association. / You are the Switchman (1951) 12 minutes running time – A film about noticing the warning signs of cancer and taking appropriate preventative action. You Are the Switchman was a groundbreaking video because it was released two years before the link between smoking cigarettes and cancer was officially out in the open. / City of Hope (1930s) 16 minutes – The Los Angeles Tuberculosis Sanatorium produced this film in the 1930s to help engender greater monetary contributions by the viewers of the film. / Peter Borik (1942) 21 minutes – In this movie, a farmer with tuberculosis fails to get medical treatment in a prompt manner and suffers the consequences.
Included Films:
You are the Switchman
You are the Switchman
Produced: 1951
Length: 12 Minutes
You are the Switchman educates people on the warning signs of cancer and urges them to consult a medical professional at any sign of danger. Two parallel stories unfold, all about a man who finds a sore on his lip that wont seem to heal. In one story, he refuses to go to the doctor until it is too late. In the other, the victim consults a physician early on, which allows him to happily smoke a pipe with his wife and son, cured of his cancer. Various treatments for cancer are discussed, including x-rays, radium, and surgery, but the film makes the point that early detection is the best way to survive cancer. The film gives the survival rates for certain types of cancer, including breast, skin, and uterine cancer. The title of the film reveals its overall message: like a railroad worker who switches train tracks, individuals must decide whether theyre going to take the track towards early prevention and health, or inaction and death. A wonderful vintage film on the powerful threat that is cancer, this videos message remains important today.
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City of Hope
City of Hope
Produced: 1930s
Length: 16 Minutes
The City of Hope portrays the importance of sanitariums. With the rapid spread of tuberculosis in America during the early 1900s, funds were essential in building facilities that would aid in treating the sick and stopping the spread of the horrible ‘white plague.’ To this day, TB has infected one third of the current world’s population. This inspiring film shows what can happen when people give what they can for the common good of humanity. With the LA sanitarium fully funded and built, The City of Hope is an inspirational movie shedding light on the incredible progress made on the disease.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Produced: 1955
Length: 11 Minutes
Of all the infectious diseases, tuberculosis was the greatest killer of Americans. Released to drive home the fact that in spite of progress in preventive medicine and public programs in the community, state, and federal levels, tuberculosis was still attacking many Americans. The cause? Ignorance and negligence. Like beating bed clothes outside of the window where the particles can spread to others and sweeping the streets around an infected person. While the film discusses the treatment and diagnoses of Tuberculosis, the information onas to how it spreads is outdated, reflecting the knowledge of the time. A wonderful piece of medical history this film reflects a time when tuberculosis was more menace than annoyance.
On the Firing Line
On the Firing Line
Produced: 1936
Length: 20 Minutes
Able warriors, armed with modern weapons, are on the firing line. Armed against with weapons, such as knowledge and modern vaccinations, the narrator purports that the death rates of tuberculosis have fallen significantly over the past twenty five years. He credits the many people who work tirelessly in science, administration, and health care with being the cause of such results. On the Firing Line, serves as a glowing account of how government has helped stop the spread of tuberculosis while urging us to help fund the fight.
Peter Borik
Peter Borik
Produced: 1942
Length: 21 Minutes
The story of Agnes and Peter Borik and their family could happen in your town right next door to you. It could happen to the rich man and the poor man, the office worker or the farmer. It could happen to the young or it could happen to aged. It could happen to anyone. Tuberculosis was a source of much controversy when it attacked the United States. Many sought medical treatment in sanitariums but others, like the fictional character of Peter Borik, refused stubbornly to accept the truth and infected those who were closest to them, like his daughter. Peter Borik is a fictional account of a very real medical scare in American history.
