MEDICAL FILMS

Abstract

Cystic Fibrosis: 16 mm., color, sound, showing time 28 minutes. Prepared in 1959 by Henry B. Bruyn, M.D., Jackson T. Crane, M.D., and Howard L. Steinbach, M.D., San Francisco. Procurable on loan (service change $4) from Motion Picture Library, American Medical Association, 535 N. Dearborn St., Chicago 10. In this film there is a clear presentation of cystic fibrosis beginning with the discovery of it in 1938 and going through the history of the disease. The familial and recessive hereditary characteristics are discussed. There is also an excellent discussion of symptoms, the incidence of occurrence, and the various forms in which the disease might present itself. A brief case summary is given indicating the multiple diagnoses which may be made before the correct one is given. It is an excellent review of the physicopathology of the disease and the various tests that can be done to prove the presence of cystic fibrosis. A short resume of therapy such as diet, medication, immunization, and emotional problems is given. The photography and sound production are extremely good, and the film is highly recommended for pediatricians, general practitioners, house officers, and medical students. It's Wonderful Being A Girl: 16 mm., color, sound, showing time 19 minutes. Produced in 1959 by Audio Productions Inc., for Personal Products Corporation, Milltown, N.J. Procurable on loan or purchase ($77) from Audio Productions, Inc., 630 9th Ave., New York. The purpose of this film is to encourage a healthful knowledge of the menstrual process and positive attitudes for girls who are just beginning to menstruate. On her 14th birthday, Linda Brown decides that it's wonderful to be a girl growing up, It's wonderful to have parties and dates, make new friendships, learn new skills, and develop your talents. It's wonderful to know about yourself, recognize your bodily changes, and understand what menstruation is and how to live with it happily. This film story covers a year of Linda's life and shows how she arrives at these happy conclusions. She learns from her mother what to expect when menstruation occurs. She begins to scorn the old wives' tales she has heard and the superstitious attitudes she has seen. When she begins to menstruate, she finds that it need not hamper her in successfully meeting the challenges of everyday life. At school a teacher's thorough explanation, brought to life in colored, animated drawings, provides Linda with the important facts about how she became the girl she is: the origin of life in a single cell, the changing physical characteristics of a girl in her early teens, and the purpose and psychological processes of menstruation. Discussions in the class reveal that a girl's menstrual periods need not limit her activities. Through her own social experiences with girls and boys in her hobby club, at the school picnic, at parties and in other activities, Linda discovers that regular meals, sleep, and exercise help her to take menstruation in stride with the other normal problems and pleasures of growing up. This film is to be commended for its emphasis on the fact that menstruation is a perfectly normal process in the life of girls. It helps to create proper attitudes for girls who may have some problems in adjusting to menstruation, particularly in the beginning. The story is well developed and the film is effective because it closely approximates life situations for girls in this age group. Good mother-daughter and teacher-student relationships are demonstrated. It is unfortunate that the sponsor included a brief scene about their product. This may restrict use of the film in some schools. This picture is recommended for the audiences for which it was intended, namely, girls in elementary and junior high school. It would also be of interest to parents, teachers, and those in teacher training.