Browse Items (27 total)

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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…

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…

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…

Beware of Chance Acquaintances 1922.jpg
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…

Venereal Menace Posters 1920.jpg
This brochure shows the PHS version of the "Keeping Fit" poster exhibit for young men.

1942-44 Smart Soldiers.jpg
This poster warns soldiers to avoid pick-ups. It shows a man with a sore on his lip.

1942-44 Optimistic Oliver.jpg
"Avoid VD"

This poster warns servicemen not to make assumptions about pick-ups and assume they don't have VD.

1942-44 Medals to Pickups.jpg
"Over 40% of the Pickups are Diseased"

This poster features a woman soliciting a soldier on the street. Hitler and Tojo look on, commenting that diseased pick-ups help the Axis.

1942-44 Loaded? 2.jpg
"VD is not Victory : Loose Women may also be LOADED with Disease"

This poster advises audiences to avoid pick-ups because they may be diseased.

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1942-44 Easy Pick-ups!.jpg
"'NO'S, the best tactic...the next, PROPHYLACTIC!"

1942-44 Axis Agents A Toast.jpg
"A Toast to Hitler and Hirohito"

A prostitute in heavy makeup toasts a glass of champagne labeled "venereal diseases." The poster also equates pick-ups, street walkers, and prostitutes with the Axis.

1942-44 2 Point Technique 2.jpg
"1 Careless with a Pick-Up 2 Carless with a Prophylactic"

In this poster, Uncle Same warns servicemen about pick-ups and using prophylaxis.

1944 No Place Like Home.jpg
This comic features two sailors. One picks up women all around the world and ends up sick. The other ignores other women and returns home to his sweetheart.

1944 Nice Going Men.jpg
In this comic a sailor contracts VD from a pick-up, uses quack medicine to try and cure the illness, and then is sick in the midst of battle. Later his fellow sailors chastise him and tell him to see the medical officer.

1944 Let There Be Light.jpg
In this comic strip, sailors are eager to make it to land so they can meet some women. One sailor picks up a woman in the park at night but flees later when he sees her in the light and she is unattractive. As the sailor runs away, another quips that…

1944 AAFTC Slap Japs.jpg
"Don't Take Chances Without a 'Pro'"

This poster warns servicemen to always use prophylaxis so they don't miss out on fighting the Japanese.

1943 Your Face Looks So Familiar.jpg
In this comic strip one sailor is interested in picking up a woman at a cafe. His friends warn him that you can catch venereal disease from pick-ups. One of the sailors ends up in the VD ward after leaving with the woman.

1943 Them Days Is Gone.jpg
In this comic strip two marines discuss how another contracted VD from a pick-up.

1943 fight syphilis and gonorrhea.jpg
"Avoid exposure : Avoid pickups and prostitutes : If exposed, use prophylaxis : If infected, see a medical officer"

1940* In the Air Teamwork Counts.jpg
This poster warns servicemen not to let down the "team" by contracting VD from a pick-up.

1940* If You Want to Drop Bombs.jpg
"Remember -- 80% of venereal infections were acquired from pickups!"

This poster warns servicemen that contracting VD from pick-ups is common and may prevent them from contributing to the war effort.

1940 she may look clean.jpg
"Pick-ups : 'Good Time' Girls : Prostitutes : Spread Syphilis and Gonorrhea : You can't beat the Axis if you get VD."

1940 self control is self-preservation.jpg
"pick-ups spread Syphilis and Gonorrhea"

This poster warns servicemen to avoid pick-ups, sources of VD.

1940 Private Caution Wake Up.jpg
"Pick-ups Spread 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 immediately if possible."

This is one poster in…

1940 Private Caution Dont Take Chances.jpg
"Pick-ups Spread 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 immediately if possible."

This is one poster in…

1940 Dont Be A Dope.jpg
"Pick-ups spread Syphilis and Gonorrhea : Guard against infection : 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 immediately if possible.…

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This film portrays syphilis as a threat to the war effort and urges citizens to help fight against it. It presents public health control methods and "social protection" concerns. Click on the link below to download from OPA.
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