Browse Items (384 total)

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This poster urges all types of people to have a blood test for syphilis.

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This map shows the distribution of state laws requiring premarital syphilis tests in 1944.

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This film presents a newly developed Rapid Treatment Center, one of a large system of centers created during the war. It shows the treatment program female patients undergo as well as the "rehabilitative" programs conducted.
(Click on the link below…

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This film puts the syphilis problem in the context of the war. It presents the effects of the illness, statistics about how it affects the war effort, and control principles.
(Click on the link below to download the film from the OPA.)

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This film was created to educate physicians about venereal disease. It explains symptoms and how to diagnose syphilis, general control principles, treatment, congenital syphilis, and other topics.
(Click on the link below to access the film at the…

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This film begins with the story of a young Italian-American couple whose baby is stillborn due to syphilis. It also tells the story of a young man who contracts the illness from a brothel. The film explains the effects of syphilis, emphasizes the…

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This silent film demonstrates the steps for chemical prophylaxis that men can use to prevent VD after having sex.

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This sexual education silent film addresses exercise and physical health, hygiene, hormones, anatomy, procreation, menstruation, and venereal disease. (Click on the link below to download from OPA.)

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This is a sexual education film. It address hormones, anatomy, physical health, masterbation, venereal disease, and abstinence. (Click on the link below to download from OPA.)

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"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…

1944 VDEI Posters - Version 2.jpg
"Guard them against syphilis, Get a blood test today"

This poster advises audiences to get a blood test. It features an image of an African American mother and her baby.

1943 I Know All About Women.jpg
This comic poster shows servicemen talking about women. One brags he can tell from looking at a woman if she has syphilis. They seek out the medical officer to settle the debate. He explains that only a blood test can confirm if someone has syphilis…

1943 Them Days Is Gone Forever.jpg
This comic poster shows two servicemen discussing the fate of their friend who contracted VD from a pick-up.

"I haven't seen Bill jive around--where is he, anyway? Oh, Bill? He got acquainted with some gal the other day--Well Bill is Kinda…

1941 Know for Sure .jpg
This poster featuring a happy newlywed couple advises people to be tested for syphilis before marriage.

1942-44 For Prevention of Venereal Diseases.jpg
This poster details how to use mechanical and chemical prophylaxis.

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The caption in this poster is in Italian. Lamenting that contracting VD is a sad end to a furlough, it also warns viewers to use prophylaxis.

1942-44 Batchelor My Boy 2.jpg
Two older men sit having a drink. One says, "My boy was wounded in the African landing." The other man, looking disappointed, replies, "Mine was wounded in this country by a street walker."

1943 Your Face if So Familiar.jpg
This comic poster shows a number of servicemen at a diner. One talks to a woman sitting alone but another soldier picks her up and leaves with her. While the original man is upset that the other stole his pick-up, the other men explain that he was…

1943 Sneaky Professor.jpg
This comic poster warns audiences about the dangers of quack doctors offering fake cures for VD.

1944 Most Promiscuous Women .jpg
This poster warns men to avoid promiscuous women. It also includes a map of prophylaxis station locations.

"Don't take a chance, Take a Pro"

1943 They Dont Mix Comic.jpg
This comic poster emphasizes that servicemen, especially when intoxicated, should use prophylaxis.

1942-44 Welcome Home.jpg
This poster wards servicemen to "avoid VD" so they can go home "clean" to their families.

1942-44 Stupid Cupid 7.jpg
This comic poster shows a serviceman who picks up a woman at a dance hall and fails to use prophylaxis. He ends up in the VD ward.

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This poster shows the various locations where servicemen at the Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base can get prophylaxis.

1942-44 Your Country Needs You.jpg
This poster warns that VD is a threat to the war effort.

1943 Them Days Is Gone Forever.jpg
This comic poster shows two servicemen considering a visit to a brothel. One advises the other against it, explaining how he earlier contracted VD.

"I hear they have some gals up there--Let's give the joint a play-- : No, thanks--that's how I got…

1943 Axis Partners .jpg
This comic poster shows a serviceman leaving a brothel and then being stalked by anthropomorphized syphilis and gonorrhea germs. The germs are presented as German and Japanese stereotypes. They try to prevent the young man from going to the…

1939 JSH Worlds Fair Photo.jpg
This photograph shows a group of people listening to a woman discuss social hygiene at the ASHA's exhibit on the subject at the 1939 World's Fair.

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The billboard in this photograph emphasizes that men should stay healthy to help contribute to the war effort.

"V.D. (Venereal Diseases) Can Be Cured : Go to Your Doctor or Clinic Today"

1944 Photos Window Billboard - Version 2.jpg
This photograph shows a display in a pharmacy window. It includes posters, infographics, and objects related to syphilis control.

1942 juke joint sniper.jpg
This poster features an image of a woman smoking outside of a "juke joint" and warns audiences that she is a source of VD.

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These photographs show visitors to the World's Fair taking a quiz about syphilis and gonorrhea conducted by the ASHA.

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These stamps were created to promote blood tests in NYC.

"Be Fit: Bureau of Social Hygiene, New York City: See Your Doctor : Be Examined : Have a Blood Test"

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These stamps were created to promote blood tests in NYC.

"See Your Doctor : Be Examined : Have a Blood Test : Bureau of Social Hygiene : N.Y.C. Health Dept. Cooperating with N.Y. State Health Dept. & U.S. Public Health Service"

1938 Expectant Mothers! 2.jpg
This poster advises mothers to be tested for syphilis as soon as they know they are pregnant.

"You Can Have A Healthy Baby : Ask your Doctor to give you a Careful Physical Examination including Blood Test as soon as you know a Baby is Coming."

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This poster warns audiences that women may spread syphilis and gonorrhea.

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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…

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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…

germs of gonorrhea 1919.jpg
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,…

do not believe him 1919.jpg
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…

blind boys 1919.jpg
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…

treat every girl 1919.jpg
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."

pure girl waiting 1919.jpg
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?"

this girl 1919.jpg
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…

purity 1919.jpg
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…

Germs of Syphilis 1919.jpg
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…

self control and vd 1919.jpg
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…

syphilitic baby 1919.jpg
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,…

1939 Worlds Fair Polio.jpg
This photograph shows an exhibit on public health at the 1939 New York World's Fair. It features displays on infantile paralysis (polio), tuberculosis, rickets, and other issues. There is also an iron lung displayed.

1939 Worlds Fair PH Bldg.jpg
This photograph shows a mural on the medicine and public health building at the 1939 World's Fair. It shows a scientist doing lab work.
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