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Know For Sure
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…
Personal Hygiene for Young Women
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.)
"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…
"Is Your Family Safe?"
"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.
This poster advises audiences to get a blood test. It features an image of an African American mother and her baby.
"My Boy Was Wounded"
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."
"Welcome Home, For the Welcome Home on that Furlough, You'll Want a Clean Past...!"
This poster wards servicemen to "avoid VD" so they can go home "clean" to their families.
"Expectant Mothers!"
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."
"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."
"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…
"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…
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."
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?"
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…
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,…
Public Health Exhibit Exhibit
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.
Shadow on the Land (Syphilis) Exhibit
This photograph shows an exhibit about syphilis titled, "The Shadow on the Land" that appeared at the 1939 World's Fair. It features a large microscope, photographs of family and children, and a map of the United States. Fair visitors are shown…
"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…
"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…
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…
"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 :…
"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"
"The Venereal Menace: An Exhibit for Adults"
This brochure shows the PHS version of the "Keeping Fit" poster exhibit for young men.
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.
"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…
"What Kind of Parents Will YOUR Children Have?"
This poster invokes the family to promote continence among servicemen.
"Go Back to Them Physically Fit and Morally Clean"
This is a WWI social hygiene poster directed to servicemen. It invokes the family who awaits them at home to emphasize continence.
Herald of Social Hygiene (Cover)
This is the cover page of a broadside created and distributed for National Social Hygiene Day. It's headline addresses the year's theme--quackery.
"Expectation of Life at Birth" (Survey Graphic Reprint)
This infographic compares the life expectancy of white and black men. It also shows changes over time in the average life expectancy for each group.
"A Community Program for Tuberculosis and Syphilis Control" (Survey Graphic Reprint)
This graphic highlights the important steps in controlling TB and syphilis. It is from a reprint of Parran's article in Survey Graphic on syphilis, TB, and African Americans.
"The Infected Person May Choose"
This pictorial statistic contrasts the progression of syphilis in a person who seeks medical care and one who does not. It is a graphic print for an image that appeared in Parran's 1937 book, Shadow on the Land.
"Outcome of Latent Untreated Syphilis During Pregnancy"
This pictorial statistic conveys that only a small percentage of children born to syphilitic mothers will be healthy if the mother does receive treatment during the pregnancy. It uses images of babies to represent the statistics. It is a graphic…
"Cases of Syphilis Traced to One Person in One Year"
This pictorial statistic shows how syphilis spreads between different people. It uses the spirochete symbol to indicate individuals' status. It is modeled after an epidemiological image from the early 1930s. Here, the image is presented without many…
"I Let 'Em All Down, What a Sucker I've Been!"
The poster shows a man in the VD ward. He comments that he has let down his fellow soldiers, his family, and his country by contracting disease.
"Fell'as You Bet I'm Going to Think--"
"Every man dreams of a healthy family! Don't Let Syphilis or Clap Kill that Dream"
This poster appeals to servicemen's concerns about family, warning that VD could threaten their future plans. It features an image of a young woman and a baby.
This poster appeals to servicemen's concerns about family, warning that VD could threaten their future plans. It features an image of a young woman and a baby.
"Our Family Are Having Their Blood Tests Like Thousands of Others"
This is the cover to a syphilis pamphlet created for African American audiences. It shows a mother getting her blood drawn for a blood test while her husband and daughter look on.
"Syphilis: A Message to the Negroes of Mississippi"
This is the cover for a pamphlet created for African American audiences. It features a photograph of a black woman getting blood drawn.
"Parents Are the Child's First and Best Social Hygiene Teachers!"
This poster urges parents to deal frankly with their children's questions about sex, connecting social hygiene education to their future success.
"If your child asks a question regarding sex, answer it simply, naturally, and in your own…
"If your child asks a question regarding sex, answer it simply, naturally, and in your own…
"How Syphilis Spreads Through Prostitution"
"Outbreak of syphilis infections in a rural county : Monroe County, Tennessee"
This is an epidemiological chart that shows how one syphilis epidemic spread. This image was created earlier in the 1930s. Here it appears with a new heading.
This is an epidemiological chart that shows how one syphilis epidemic spread. This image was created earlier in the 1930s. Here it appears with a new heading.
"Health Helps: Jane Has a Healthy Baby"
This comic strip shows Jane consulting her doctor and getting a prenatal syphilis test. She has a healthy baby. There is also text accompanying the strip that gives more information.
"Health Helps: Frank and Ann Guard Against Syphilis"
This comic strip shows a couple, Frank and Ann, who consult their physician and get premarital syphilis exams. There is also text accompanying the strip that gives more information.
"Syphilis could have ruined my home, but..."
"the Doctor found my infection and REGULAR TREATMENTS saved me and my children"
This poster promotes adequate treatment by a physician and reminds viewers that syphilis can affect the family.
This poster promotes adequate treatment by a physician and reminds viewers that syphilis can affect the family.
"Safeguard Our Stronghold...the Family"
This poster promotes National Social Hygiene Day as a way to protect the family.
"Live up to it soldier--"
"'I bet you're stronger 'n' braver than anybody!' : Guard Against Syphilis and Gonorrhea : If you have sex relations.. 1. Use a rubber; Urinate afterwards and wash your privates with plenty of soap and water at once. 2. Go to a Prophylaxis Station…
"For Home and Country."
"Avoid Venereal Disease."
Three figures, a soldier, a sailor, and a pilot, salute a woman and child sitting outside a suburban home. A US flag flies in front of the house. The text advises servicemen to avoid venereal disease with their family and…
Three figures, a soldier, a sailor, and a pilot, salute a woman and child sitting outside a suburban home. A US flag flies in front of the house. The text advises servicemen to avoid venereal disease with their family and…
"Outbreak of Gonorrhea among Pupils of a Public Elementary School"
This chart shows how gonorrhea was spread among children who attended the same school. It highlights "perversion contact," school contact, and family contact.
"Outbreak of Syphilis in a Rural County, Monroe County, Tennessee"
This chart shows the spread of syphilis in a rural southern community.
"Primary Syphilis in Baby from Contact with Infected Mother"
This graphic shows how VD is transmitted, eventually resulting in congenital syphilis.
"The A-B-C of Syphilis"
"What the average person should know about a very dangerous and prevalent disease"
This pamphlet includes short entires about syphilis in alphabetical order. It was included in National Social Hygiene Day Program Kits.
This pamphlet includes short entires about syphilis in alphabetical order. It was included in National Social Hygiene Day Program Kits.
"Wassermann in Newborn Babies in Relation to Treatment of Mother during Pregnancy"
This infographic breaks down the syphilis status of babies based on the among of treatment their mothers received during pregnancy.
"Syphilis and the Unborn"
"Five out of six babies of untreated syphilitic mothers are born dead or diseased."
"How Syphilis Spreads" (Survey Graphic Reprint)
"In Prostitution : In Marriage"
This infographic shows how syphilis is spread in prostitution and marriage. These graphics are based on case records from the NY State Department of Health. The image is from a reprint of the July 1936 article…
This infographic shows how syphilis is spread in prostitution and marriage. These graphics are based on case records from the NY State Department of Health. The image is from a reprint of the July 1936 article…