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[The National Tuberculosis Association presents "This is TB." Copyright MCMXLVI - All Rights Reserved. Emerson Yorke Studio, New York City.]
[Produced in cooperation with the U. S. Public Health Service, Federal Security Agency, Washington, D. C.]
[Narrator... Jackson Beck, Technical Supervision... Charles E. Lyght, M. D., Cinematography... Edward Horton, Editor... F. Howard O'Neill, Original Music... Solita Palmer]
[Written and Directed by Emerson Yorke]
[Chapter 1: What is TB?]
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[Doctor:] Why pick on this machinist?
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Why pick on this sales girl?
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Why pick on this housewife?
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Why pick on this student?
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Well, we didn't. But TB did. TB? What is TB? TB is tuberculosis. It's catching. It respects no age, sex, class or race.
TB breeds in neglect. Overcrowding. Bad housing conditions. But TB can be anywhere. In the slums or on the avenue.
It thrives on ignorance of the facts. It is insidious. Tireless. It can exist unknown among you because it shows no outward signs.
Of course you're healthy. You think it can't happen to you. But TB might happen to you. Without warning! Once it catches up with you, TB can slow you down to a standstill.
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[Chapter II: What causes TB?]
You can't see the TB germ with the naked eye. But here behind the scenes these people know what it looks like.
On the slide under the microscope, are some germs coughed up by a TB patient. How about it doctor, may we have a look?
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Here it is. The tubercle bacillus. The germ that causes tuberculosis. Medical scientists study the effect of the tubercle bacillus.
The TB germ that destroys vital tissues of the human body. Always seeking weapons to combat the invader. Here's the kind of damage it does.
And it is only when TB is well along that it shows itself in unexplained tiredness, loss of weight, coughing. And importantly, spitting up blood.
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[Chapter III: How you get TB]
This hand belongs to a person who has TB. You may think he looks like this.
But the hand belongs to him. Surprised you. So does TB.
But you see in the early stages, TB masquerades. You can't tell it and neither can the other fellow.
This man doesn't deliberately mean to endanger the lives of those with whom he works, but spray containing TB germs scatter several feet away. Reaches the nose and mouth of a healthy person. That's you!
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The home, with its close family contacts is the ideal ground for spreading TB germs. But remember, you're not born with TB. You get it from someone who has it.
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Everything this parent uses and touches in the home may spread deadly TB germs. Yet all the while, he is completely unaware that he is exposing his family to infection.
Dancing, music, romance, all will soon be forgotten if this girl has picked up TB from her father. For sooner or later she will spread the disease to others.
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[Chapter IV: How TB can be found -- and cured!]
This is the way she sees him. But behind the familiar face, in that healthy body, what's the inside story?
Only the doctor can tell if you have TB. And there's a chance, remember, that you do have it. He'll give you a complete physical examination.
A tuberculin test, if indicated, and most important of all, a chest x-ray. Without x-ray, many people today would still be in the dark.
Become sick before they knew they had TB. Only the x-ray can look behind that picture of health you present and see what's underneath.
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What's that doctor? A shadow that shouldn't be there? Lucky you found it before it got any worse.
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When you had that picture taken, you did yourself a favor. And by going to the sanatorium, you'll do your family a favor.
Where there's TB discovered in the early stages, a patient can walk into the sanatorium under his own power, and be pretty certain of walking out again alive and well.
True, he is isolated in the sanatorium nearest to his home. But it's a friendly isolation. He's with fellow patients whose problems and objectives are the same as his own.
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His family and friends are free to visit him. And he is taught that the treatment for TB is rest in bed. Plus, good food; fresh air.
In the sanatorium, the TB patient learns how to live. Food is selected to meet the requirements of the individual patient.
He is given periodic examinations. His physical condition is constantly studied by his doctor.
He gets the best medical and nursing care. Surgery if he needs it.
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And the thing vital to his peace of mind. He doesn't spread TB to those he loves.
If the old job is too strenuous, the patient is in the right spot to train for a new job.
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Occupational therapy? Yes. The practical kind that prepares the patient for work that he enjoys. Worthwhile work that he can handle without endangering his future health.
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Time. Rest. And relaxation can work wonders. By following his doctor's orders, this man got well.
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Nice going there! And now to keep well.
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You can do it! But remember, you must check with your doctor regularly.
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[Chapter V: How you can avoid TB]
From coast-to-coast. From border-to-border and over the border in cities, towns, on farms. TB is present.
Right now at least half a million Americans have TB. The death toll is well over 50,000 lives each year.
If you want to avoid TB, find out where you can get a chest x-ray. Get one now. Urge everyone you know to have one.
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Make a chest x-ray a part of your thorough physical checkup. Have that checkup at least once a year. You'll live longer.
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Who is the next patient doctor? He isn't always the person in the waiting room.
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The next patient might be that man crossing the street.
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Maybe he should be heading this way. To make sure he hasn't got TB.
That's it. You'll never regret your action mister. You're on the beam. And you're travelling in the right direction.
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[The End, a presentation of the National Tuberculosis Association, produced by Emerson Yorke Studio, New York]