Summary: Film describes symptoms of gonorrhoea and syphilis and urges those with venereal diseases to seek treatment.
Description: Removal of curtain of secrecy surrounding venereal disease means that "everyone should know about gonorrhoea and syphilis". Both conditions "are spread by contact, usually sexual, sometimes by kissing". Symptoms and developments of these infections are then described and illustrated separately. Syphilis spirochete is observed under a microscope, then signs of primary infection described (chancre, rash, headaches, fever). Heart and blood vessels are destroyed during subsequent latent period. Film stresses grave consequences of non-treatment: paralysis, insanity, transmission of infection to offspring causing congenital blindness. Cure nowadays is easy and not painful, following diagnosis by blood test and treatment by arsphenamine injections. Gonococcus which spreads gonorrhoea and attacks kidneys, heart, eyes and joints is observed under a microscope. Failure to treat infection can cause sterility in women and blindness in babies. Cure is easy. Film ends with warning against quack remedies, and urges those infected to "report to clinics and so make life healthier and happier for everyone".
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:RMY 228
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:NON-IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1941
Production Country: United States of America
Production Details: American Social Hygiene Association (Production sponsor)
Clarke, Walter (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords: medical, United States civilian - preventative: venereal disease (object name)
propaganda, United States - practical: venereal disease (object name)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 16mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 336 ft; Running time: 9 mins
