The battle to breathe
- Contributor(s):
- Brown, Richard V., film producer, film producer Swenson, E. W. (Edward W.), 1926- , on-screen presenter Project Four (Production company) Independent Life & Accident Insurance Company, issuing body. WJXT-TV (Television station : Jacksonville, Fla.). News and Public Affairs. National Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association, film distributor.
- Publication:
- [United States] : [publisher not identified], [1968?] and Distributed: [Chicago, Ill.?] : Distributed by the National Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association through the cooperation of the Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association of N.E. Florida and the Florida Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association
- Language(s):
- English
- Format:
- Moving image
- Subject(s):
- Pulmonary Emphysema -- psychology Pulmonary Emphysema -- physiopathology Activities of Daily Living Spouses -- psychology Interpersonal Relations
- Genre(s):
- Documentaries and Factual Films Interview
- Abstract:
- This film features three elderly men, Bill, a former soldier, Frank, a former construction worker, and Harry, a former farmer, all of whom now have emphysema. An interviewer visits each man to ask about his experiences with and thoughts about the disease, starting with Bill. Bill's wife laments that he has grown very weak and can now do nothing recreational except read and weave. He is a schoolteacher, but he spends almost all of his free time in bed. Bill admits that he feels judged by people in public and is embarrassed about his condition. He is dependent on oxygen tanks and has several, taking them everywhere he goes. Bill suspects that smoking is the cause, and expresses his disappointment that his son smokes. His son, also in the interview, claims that he has tried to quit smoking, but it is too difficult. Next, Harry is interviewed, who is in a much worse condition than Bill. He recently had surgery to alleviate some symptoms because he could not even bathe himself. Harry's wife had to take over the family business, who explains that their life is much different now that they cannot socialize. Harry tells the interviewer that while he still has close acquaintances, he has lost most of his friends because of the emphysema. He also believes that smoking contributed to his condition. Lastly, the interviewer speaks to Frank, who cannot do basic tasks like shave, get dressed, or drive. His wife expresses disappointment that they cannot travel or go to church together anymore, and she is upset that he can no longer provide for her. While Frank concedes that cigarettes likely caused the emphysema, he would not have stopped smoking. After the interviews, a doctor explains that there is no cure, but the best thing people can do is explain the adverse health effects of smoking to children.
- Copyright:
- This item may be under copyright protection. Please ask copyright owner for permission before publishing.
- Copyright Holder:
- American Lung Association; Source: Item; Research date: 12/20/2013
- Extent:
- 026 min.
- Color:
- Color
- Sound:
- Sound
- Cast:
- Dr. E.W. Swenson, chest physician.
- Credits:
- Produced and directed by Richard V. Brown ; technical consultant, Dr. E.W. Swenson, Christmas Seal Professor, University of Florida and the Florida Tuberculosis and Respiratory Association.
- Provenance:
- Unknown, in NLM collection before 2000.
- Technique:
- Live action
- NLM Unique ID:
- 101622431 (See catalog record)
- Permanent Link:
- http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101622431