A 50-50 chance
- Contributor(s):
- National Communicable Disease Center (U.S.) United States. Public Health Service. Audiovisual Facility.
- Publication:
- [Atlanta] : The Center : [for loan by National Medical Audiovisual Center ; Washington : for sale by National Audiovisual Center], 1967
- Language(s):
- English
- Format:
- Moving image
- Subject(s):
- Acute Disease Family Immunization Prognosis Stress, Psychological Tetanus -- mortality Tracheotomy
- Abstract:
- The purpose of this presentation is to illustrate the problems and emotional crises faced by a family when the young mother contracts tetanus. This is achieved in a dramatized portrayal of her life and activities using a flashback technique. The program stresses the importance of immunization, which is virtually 100% effective. In this presentation the mother is shown critically ill in the acute stage of tetanus following a superficial skin scratch while gardening. Her symptoms are demonstrated and described, and the physician briefly discusses the occurrence, pathology, physiopathology, and prevention of the disease with the patient's husband. The doctor describes her chance for survival as 50-50 and stresses that approximately 50% of the affected patients die in spite of round-the-clock treatment; with no treatment, death is virtually certain. The husband is shown as he thinks about his home and children, and tries to imagine life without his wife. He is called to the hospital during the late evening following the development of laryngeal spasms and the performance of a tracheostomy on his wife. In the morning the doctor informs him that his wife will survive.
- Copyright:
- The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
- Extent:
- 028 min.
- Color:
- Color
- Sound:
- Sound
- Technique:
- Live action
- NLM Unique ID:
- 7600619A (See catalog record)
- Permanent Link:
- http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/7600619A