The innocent party
- Contributor(s):
- Martin, G. (Geoffrey), 1917- Centron Corporation. Kansas State Board of Health. United States. Public Health Service.
- Publication:
- [Topeka, KS] : Kansas State Board of Health : U.S. Public Health Service, [1959]
- Language(s):
- English
- Format:
- Moving image
- Subject(s):
- Adolescent Syphilis
- Genre(s):
- Instructional Films and Videos Popular Works
- Abstract:
- This film addresses the problem of syphilis in teenagers. The opening scene depicts a couple of teenage boys meeting girls at a club in a city. It is implied that they have sex. One of the boys, Don, is later seen leaving a dance with his girlfriend, Betty. On their way home, he convinces her to have sex with him. She is visibly upset afterwards, and he appears to feel guilty. He soon notices a sore, and mentions it to the friend who went to the city with him. The friend advises him to just ignore it and let it go away on its own, but Don decides to see a doctor anyway. The doctor diagnoses Don with syphilis, much to his surprise. He then shows Don pictures of chancres and explains the symptoms that could develop if syphilis goes untreated. Then, he asks Don about his contacts, and Don tells him about the girl in the city, although he doesn't know her contact information. The doctor asks Don if she was the only girl, and Don defensively says there was no one else. It is evident that the doctor does not believe Don. He explains to Don what could happen to a girl if she isn't notified immediately, especially since symptoms are less apparent in women. Don says that his girlfriend is a good, wholesome girl who should not have to go through with the tests, but the doctor explains that it's the right thing to do. After much internal debate, Don tells Betty, and they return to the doctor together to get treated. Although she is devastated, the doctor explains to her that she should be grateful to Don for telling her and that they should not have taken a risk with something that society condemns.
- Copyright:
- The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
- Extent:
- 017 min.
- Color:
- Color
- Sound:
- Sound
- Credits:
- Technical advisors, Al F. Schaplowsky, William F. Schwartz, Lee E. Van Winkle, Virginia Pence, Lawrence A. Brennan, G. Martin.
- Provenance:
- Received: July 7, 1995 as a donation from Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Univ. of Pittsburgh.
- Technique:
- Live action
- NLM Unique ID:
- 9615652 (See catalog record)
- Permanent Link:
- http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9615652