Shotlist

Shows how communities can prevent the spread of disease by providing safe water and milk supplies, sewage disposal facilities and anti-fly measures. Shows how individuals can protect themselves by keeping away from sick people, vaccinating whenever possible, securing medical care promptly when ill, and by building up body resistance through good nutrition, exercise and sufficient rest.
Ken Smith remarks: "Every step taken to prevent the spread of disease means increased happiness and greater living efficiency for all of us." This strange little film first introduces us to "poor Barbara," a bedridden little girl who is "miserable with suffering and pain." Suddenly, the screen is filled with Dutch angle shots of marching troops. "Her body is just like a little country that has been invaded by an enemy army!" the narrator cries. "Except its soldiers are the germs of communicable disease!"
Poor Barbara is forgotten by the makers of this film at this point, and we are treated to a series of shots of frozen-faced people who are obviously very uncomfortable in front of a camera. One little girl and boy stand with the words "sick" and "well" pinned to their clothes. A woman with too much eye makeup sneezes and then a hand-held pointer edges tentatively into the frame, indicating where her spray traveled. Totally unrelated waltz music plays on the soundtrack. We are told to use screens, cleanliness and paper cups as two children run away from a door posted with a sign that reads "Scarlet Fever."
Not a very coherent film, but certainly fun to watch.

WWII WORLD WAR II MENTALITY WEIRDNESS SURREALISM DISEASE SICKNESS ARMY MARCHING TROOPS Danger Lurks Safety
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