WARNING: THIS FILM CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT OF VENEREAL DISEASE
The film was authored by the Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation and published by MCA DiscoVision, in collaboration with Doctor Walter Smartt, M.D., the Los Angeles County Public Health Department, and James N. Miller, Ph.D.
This 1978 film is a clinical analysis of the two major venereal diseases–gonorrhea and syphilis. The film illustrates prevention and what to do if a V.D.is contracted.
The film commences by providing a brief historical overview of venereal diseases (0:51), with the narrator specifically delving into the history of syphilis (1:20). A painting depicting Christopher Columbus, afflicted with syphilis (2:18) The narrator proceeds to describe the outdated treatments for syphilis, accompanied by cartoon-like illustrations (3:06). An advertisement for Dr. Hirst, a Victorian consultant, is displayed, demonstrating how people avoided mentioning the terms syphilis or gonorrhea (4:38).
The focus then shifts to the physician Alexander Fleming’s creation of Penicillin (5:51). A graph is presented, comparing the mortality rates of various diseases with those of venereal diseases (7:30). The film pauses to allow the audience to discuss their thoughts on the subject (7:43). The symptoms of syphilis and gonorrhea are depicted in graphic detail (8:29). This is followed by a brief interview with a high school boy who refers to his syphilis as a “shanker” (8:52). A doctor appears on screen to explain that the disappearance of sores does not signify the eradication of the disease, illustrating this point using a rabbit (9:55).
Proceeding to the impact of syphilis on a woman’s body, nudity is displayed (10:49), along with graphic images showcasing the effects of syphilis on a woman’s body (11:07-11:35).
The film transitions to its segment on gonorrhea (12:54). A doctor is depicted squeezing the head of a penis to determine if there is a discharge, graphically illustrating the presence of gonorrhea (13:50-14:03). The film proceeds to illustrate the internal effects of gonorrhea on both male and female bodies (14:50-15:21). A graphic scene of a baby exiting the birth canal (15:39-15:50), and once again, the film pauses for audience reflection and discussion (16:38).
At 19:03, a doctor is seen prescribing the treatment for syphilis, while doctors provide their patients with condoms for protection (20:08). The film ends (22:44).
