This film, “Smoking and Lung Cancer” dates to 1960 and was an early attempt to show the deleterious effects of cigarettes. The film depicts an actual patient at the Royal Edward Chest Hospital in Montreal, Canada. The doctors perform diagnostic tests, assessment, and surgical preparation for the removal of a lung from a patient with a long history of cigarette smoking. The close link between smoking and lung cancer, as well as other diseases, is discussed as well but — because of the era the film was made, a definitive link is not made.

Opening of film: Patient William Ayres speaks with surgeon D. D. Monroe. They’re discussing his possible carcinoma / lung cancer from cigarette smoking :48. This film is about the dangers of smoking and particularly about Mr. William Ayres who is about to have his lung removed. The movie was filmed in Montreal, Canada. “For smoothness and flavour”, reads the cigarette advertisement billboard 1:08. Man walking down the street smoking a cigarette 1:20. Various people smoking cigarettes 1:30. Charles Lamb wrote, “For thy sake tobacco, I would do anything but die.” 1:46. More cigarette billboards are shown 1:50. The Chest Clinic, Clinique Thoracique 2:00. Doctors assemble to give their opinions on Mr. Ayres medical situation 2:25. One doctor leads the group. Mr. Ayres talks to the camera about his smoking 4:20. The doctor talks with Mr. Ayres about his symptoms 5:00. The doctor shows Mr. Ayres his x-rays. The doctors explain on a chart the bronchoscopy procedure that is going to be executed 6:43. They are going to remove Mr. Ayres left lung. The instruments that will be used in the procedure are shown 7:25. They freeze Mr. Ayres throat for the procedure 8:20. They cover his eyes 8:39. They put a tube down Mr. Ayres windpipe 9:10. Cameras are inserted into the tube in Mr. Ayres windpipe 9:40. The doctor looks through a periscope type instrument so that the doctor can look at right angles 10:11. Mr. Ayres walks down the hospital hallway 11:22. Another patient is smoking cigarettes in the hospital and choking 11:44. Mr. Ayres looks on. A nurse gives Mr. Ayres a breath test to see how much pressure he can handle 12:10. The capacity of each lung is tracked on a spirometer 12:23. The doctors reassemble and talk about Mr. Ayres case 13:00. The doctors review his x-rays 13:34. The nurse works with Dr. Ayres to test his lung capacity 15:30. Mr. Ayres looks out the window and a nurse approaches 16:00. The two talk by the window 17:00. Mr. Ayres is in surgery 18:30. He is administered anesthesia 18:45. The doctors hold oxygen on Mr. Ayres during surgery 19:15. Mr. Ayres is positioned for the surgery 19:30. They need to remove one of Mr. Ayres’ ribs to get to the tumor riddled lung 20:30. The surgery is fully underway 21:30. We can see Mr. Ayres lungs as the doctors have opened up his chest 22:42. The doctor uses a soft clamp as he prepares to sever part of the lung 23:02. The doctor severs the connection and the lung is removed with the tumor 23:23. The lung is examined by the doctor 24:00. The doctor shows a medium-sized tumor that has completely blocked Mr. Ayres left lung 24:40. Mr. Ayres is in bed recovering and speaking with a nurse 24:55. The nurse asks him to practice breathing 25:10. The nurse asks him to smile 25:17. People in the street are seen smoking cigarettes 25:32. Young kids smoke on the street 26:00. Thanks are due to the patient who shared his experience for the benefit of others and to the staff of the Royal Edward Chest Hospital, Montréal. Written and directed by Robert Anderson. Camera Jack Long. Sound Richard France. Editing Donald Evraire. Smoking and Lung Cancer. The End. Produced by Robert Anderson Associates LTD. Canada.

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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