“Psychiatry in Action” is a lengthy circa 1943 black-and-white film opening with a slow crawl explaining how in September 1939, Great Britain’s Ministry of Health organized its medical services to combat the threat of injury and death to its citizens at the start of World War II. From the smallest village to the largest towns, the narrator explains how medical professionals are geared to assist Brits with any healthcare issues including psychiatric. Anyone suffering from neurosis, we are told, must be integrated into society as quickly as possible. Beginning at mark 03:10 we’re told how neurotic or mildly psychotic patients — particularly those who suffer a breakdown as the result of combat — can easily be cured. Specialized treatments include modified insulin, narco analysis, group therapy or electric shock therapy (mark 05:30). in addition to general treatments.
The film discusses the admission process, including investigation of a patient’s symptoms and developing a plan of treatment, as well as psychometric testing (discussed starting at mark 17:17) or physical treatments (mark 23:10). Some patients, we’re told beginning at mark 35:15, benefit from group therapy when patients have the same symptoms (such as “effort syndrome”). Doctors and nurses regularly meet to discuss patients progress, as is illustrated beginning at mark 39:25, and men confined to a hospital also are prescribed some physical activity (mark 41:25) included marching as they’re prepared for active duty. Educational lectures also are part of the healing process (mark 47:42) as is scheduled free time, as men are shown playing cards at mark 48:24. Beginning at mark 52:42, a physician explain how discharged patients are either returned to their unit for active duty, reassigned, or if there are no alternatives, discharged from the service and returned to civilian life where officials try to find them employment.
We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 — President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.”
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
