Social Hygiene Materials (1919-1935)
Dublin Core
Title
Social Hygiene Materials (1919-1935)
Description
These materials cover the years after WWI and before Parran's campaign. Of particular note are the poster series "Keeping Fit" and "Youth and Life," which were collaborations between the YMCA and the PHS. The former was created for young male audiences, the latter to reach young women.
Collection Items
"That The Children of Tomorrow May Inherit Health"
This poster promotes social hygiene among parents and children.
"Now he is building a strong, beautiful body and steady nerves : Soon he will be building ideas and laying foundations for social life : Promote through study groups a better…
"Now he is building a strong, beautiful body and steady nerves : Soon he will be building ideas and laying foundations for social life : Promote through study groups a better…
Keeping Fit Promotion Brochure (African American)
The brochure shows the different posters included in a version of the "Keeping Fit" health exhibit created for African American men.
"The Venereal Menace: An Exhibit for Adults"
This brochure shows the PHS version of the "Keeping Fit" poster exhibit for young men.
"Beware of Chance Acquaintances"
This poster warns women not to associate with men they don't know. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life.""'Pick-up' acquaintances often take girls autoriding, to cafés, and to theatres with the intention of leading them into…
"A Syphilitic Baby"
This poster warns women about congenital syphilis. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life."
"Every child has a right to be well-born : If the father or the mother has syphilis, the child may be born or defective"
"Every child has a right to be well-born : If the father or the mother has syphilis, the child may be born or defective"
"Blinded by Gonorrhea"
This poster explains how men may transmit gonorrhea to their family and that children can be blinded by the illness. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life."
"If the mother has gonorrhea, her child may be blinded at birth :…
"If the mother has gonorrhea, her child may be blinded at birth :…
"Conventions Which Bring Freedom"
This poster encourages young women to socialize with young men around their family and friends. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life."
"Decent good times lead to more good times because they promote permanent friendships :…
"Decent good times lead to more good times because they promote permanent friendships :…
"Conventions Which Protect"
This poster advises women where to seek out information when arriving in a new city. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life.""In A Strange City : For a suitable place to stay and for other information ask the "Traveler's Aid"…
"Danger In Familiarities"
This poster warns about being to familiar with the opposite sex. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life.""The Correct Dancing Position : Conventions are the fences society has built to protect you and the race : Familiarities…
"Fitness of Body and Mind"
This poster associates positive attributes with mental and physical fitness. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life.""Fitness of body and mind increases: Beauty Grace Friendships Self-respect Self-reliance Initiative Leadership…
"For A Happy Married Life"
The poster promotes abstinence and medical exams before marriage. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life."
"Love is essential, and mutual respect, common interests, and unselfish consideration are the foundations of love :…
"Love is essential, and mutual respect, common interests, and unselfish consideration are the foundations of love :…
Germs
This poster advises that a man who wants to engage in premarital sex may have venereal disease. It describes how gonococcal and syphilitic germs may be transmitted. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life."
"A man who would…
"A man who would…
Secretions
This poster discusses hormones. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life."
"The secretion of the ovaries makes the girl grow into a woman : The secretion in the testes makes the boy grow into a man : The ovaries and testes also…
"The secretion of the ovaries makes the girl grow into a woman : The secretion in the testes makes the boy grow into a man : The ovaries and testes also…
"The Happiness of Children"
This poster associates healthy children with parents who have avoided VD. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life."
"A healthy, happy child is the greatest joy-bringer in the world : Healthy, happy children are born of fathers…
"A healthy, happy child is the greatest joy-bringer in the world : Healthy, happy children are born of fathers…
"Thoughts Affect The Body"
This poster advises young women to have positive thoughts. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life."
"The sight or thought of food often causes a flow of gastric juices in the stomach : Anger of joy may mar or make the beauty…
"The sight or thought of food often causes a flow of gastric juices in the stomach : Anger of joy may mar or make the beauty…
True Friends
This poster advises young women that friends always adhere to respectful social boundaries.
"A true friend stimulates you to be your best self. He never asks you to grant liberties : true courtesy is born of respect for yourself and others : A…
"A true friend stimulates you to be your best self. He never asks you to grant liberties : true courtesy is born of respect for yourself and others : A…
VD Treatment
This poster describes the importance of treatment. It is part of a larger poster series called "Youth and Life."
"Gonorrhea and syphilis usually can be cured if treatment is given early enough by a reputable physician or at a clinic :…
"Gonorrhea and syphilis usually can be cured if treatment is given early enough by a reputable physician or at a clinic :…
"Cleaning the Windows Through Which Children View the World---"
This image juxtaposes two windows that represent society before and after life the promotion of social hygiene ideas. The "before" window reads "vulgar distortion of sex facts," "unsupervised amusements," "unsympathetic attitude of elders," and "low…
"Case Finding in Familial Syphilis and Prevention of Congenital Syphilis"
This chart diagrams the process of finding cases of syphilis within families and how to prevent congenital syphilis.
"Hare and Tortoise--Three Essentials of Syphilis Prevention"
This poster describes long- and short-term social hygiene programs.
"The Hare-Emergency Program: Treatment of every carrier of syphilis infection. The Tortoise-Long-Range Educational Program: Building in children and youth habits of self-control…
"The Hare-Emergency Program: Treatment of every carrier of syphilis infection. The Tortoise-Long-Range Educational Program: Building in children and youth habits of self-control…
"How Syphilis Spreads"
This chart shows the results of an epidemiological investigation of cases of syphilis.
"A physician in a middlewestern city asked the State Health Department to trace the source of infection in 3 cases of newly acquired infectious syphilis in his…
"A physician in a middlewestern city asked the State Health Department to trace the source of infection in 3 cases of newly acquired infectious syphilis in his…
"Government and State Clinics"
"Clinics give free : Blood Tests : Medicine : Advice : Pamphlets : These are given confidentially : Any one who has been exposed should go at once to a good doctor or a good clinic : By certain tests : The presence of syphilis or gonorrhea germs can…
Defective Baby
This poster warns viewers that a man may transmit venereal disease to his wife and children. It is part of the "Keeping Fit" poster series.
"The man who has contracted gonorrhea or syphilis may bring suffering upon the innocent. When he marries,…
"The man who has contracted gonorrhea or syphilis may bring suffering upon the innocent. When he marries,…
Self-Control & Sex Temptation
This poster warns audiences that engaging in premarital sex results in venereal disease. It is part of the "Keeping Fit" poster series.
"Men who fail to develop self-control sometimes yield to sex temptation to indulge in sexual intercourse with…
"Men who fail to develop self-control sometimes yield to sex temptation to indulge in sexual intercourse with…
Germs of Syphilis
This poster shows an image of a scientist in a lab and a microscopic view of syphilis microbes. It also explains the long-term effects of the illness and the effectiveness of early treatment.
"Syphilis may affect any part of the body, including…
"Syphilis may affect any part of the body, including…
Honor and Purity
This poster urges young men to remain abstinent until marriage, keeping in mind that they expect the same from their future wife. It is part of the "Keeping Fit" poster series.
"Have you a right to go to the marriage altar demanding honor and…
"Have you a right to go to the marriage altar demanding honor and…
Invalid Girl
This poster describes the effects of gonorrhea.
"This girl may become an invalid for life if she marries a man who has had gonorrhea not entirely cured. Gonorrhea causes: 1. Many surgical operations upon women; 2. Much invalidism among innocent…
"This girl may become an invalid for life if she marries a man who has had gonorrhea not entirely cured. Gonorrhea causes: 1. Many surgical operations upon women; 2. Much invalidism among innocent…
Equally Clean?
This poster urges men to stay abstinent until marriage, keeping in mind their future wife. It is part of the "Keeping Fit" poster series.
"Somewhere the girl who may become your wife is keeping pure. Will you take to her a life equally clean?"
"Somewhere the girl who may become your wife is keeping pure. Will you take to her a life equally clean?"
Treat Every Girl
This poster advises young men to treat young women well. It is part of the "Keeping Fit" poster series.
"Treat every girl as you would like to have another man or boy treat your sister, girl friend, or sweetheart."
"Treat every girl as you would like to have another man or boy treat your sister, girl friend, or sweetheart."
"Blind Boys"
This poster features a photograph of young boys and explains that they have been blinded due to gonorrhea.
"These boys are blind because their mothers had gonorrhea, in most cases contracted from the father. Most of the blindness in children is…
"These boys are blind because their mothers had gonorrhea, in most cases contracted from the father. Most of the blindness in children is…
"Do Not Believe Him"
This poster warns young men not to have causal sex because it is likely they will contract VD.
"If some 'wise guy' tells you that sexual intercourse is not dangerous, the facts are: A girl who would yield to one man has probably had relations…
"If some 'wise guy' tells you that sexual intercourse is not dangerous, the facts are: A girl who would yield to one man has probably had relations…
Germs of Gonorrhea
This poster features an image of gonococci under a microscope. The text explains the effects of gonorrhea and emphasizes a cure is possible but difficult. The poster is part of the "Keeping Fit" poster series.
"Gonorrhea may cause stricture,…
"Gonorrhea may cause stricture,…
"Ignore Fake Advertisements"
This poster warns audiences about quack doctors, treatments, and advertisements. It is part of the "Keeping Fit" poster series.
"'Ads' in newspapers, booklets and tin signs are put out by 'quacks' to get money from ignorant boys and men. Patent…
"'Ads' in newspapers, booklets and tin signs are put out by 'quacks' to get money from ignorant boys and men. Patent…
"Inherited Syphilis"
This poster uses a graphic picture of a child with congenital syphilis to warn that men's decisions to have premarital sex can have drastic effects for their future children.
"A man may transmit syphilis to his children. His children's children…
"A man may transmit syphilis to his children. His children's children…
"The Things That Count"
"Children! They are the only real wealth that the nation possesses. Will any one contend that every child's heritage should not be a healthy mind and body? Yet hundreds of thousands of them are denied this heritage, just as hundreds of thousands of…