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3c19456d-c2d7-4497-b270-37fd18adf793

Science goes to sea

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On this fourth anniversary program, Lynn Poole reads a few congratulatory telegrams from stations around the country and from Colorado Senator Edward C. Johnson. This program also celebrates the 157th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Supply Corps and reviews their recent research and development in clothing and food. Navy Lt. Philip Crosby shows photos of old uniforms and then explains the new fabrics and design features of improved cold weather gear, such as the Navy's A-2 ensemble, which is modelled. He also compares various vintages of rubber boots, including the new insulated, waterproof ones used in Korea to eliminate frostbite. A waterproof submarine suit is also modelled. Lt. Commander J. A. Corrick, Jr. shows the list of foods on a 1794 Naval ration card and explains the space problem of carrying large quantities of food, such as potatoes, for the crew. Lt. Charles Shulman describes the cooperative project between the Navy and private industry to manufacture a "radar range," which cooks a frozen turkey in eighteen minutes.

A hospital never sleeps

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This program is a behind-the-scenes film featuring the people and activities at Johns Hopkins Hospital between 9:00 PM and 9:00 AM. Lad Grapski, assistant director of administrative services at the hospital, discusses the various roles of the hospital staff: guards, accountants, switchboard operators, cleaning crew, and maintenance men. Electrician Vincent Tomasetti demonstrates his procedure in making an electrical repair in the operating room of the Halsted Clinic. Pediatrician Dr. Thomas Reichelderzfer represents the professionals at the Harriet Lane Home children's hospital. Members of the emergency accident room staff include the registrar, x-ray technician, operating room nurses, and surgeons. In the obstetrics ward of the Women's Clinic, nurses tend to newborn babies. Cook Waverly Jennings notes that the hospital's food staff prepares 4,200 meals a day for patients and employees. Dr. Harry L. Chant, assistant director for professional services, comments on other continuous hospital functions, such as preparing for skin grafts or other surgeries.

Highlights in review

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Host Lynn Poole reviews highlights of programs from the past year: "Freezing the Atom" (10/10/50) shows how atoms are slowed down and the development of the bolometer; "Electronics at Work in a Vacuum"(10/25/50) describes the development of the vacuum tube and the principles behind it, using puffed wheat in a jar as an example; "Your Questions About Science" (12/26/50) explains and demonstrates atomic chain reaction or nuclear fission using mouse traps and sugar cubes; "The Unbreakable Laws of the Universe" (1/2/51) explains the physical laws governing all things: inertia, action and equal reaction, conservation of motion, gravity, and atmospheric pressure; "Fight Against Polio" (1/16/51) filmed at the Children's Hospital in Baltimore, MD, shows how polio victims are being strengthened and restored to a normal life; "Don't Take Your Heart for Granted" (2/13/51) describes what the heart is, what can happen to it, and how to take care of it; "Archaeology: Key to the Past" (3/13/51) looks at the work of archaeologists and their study of the lost civilization of the Etruscans; "Cancer Will Be Conquered" (4/10/51) features Dr. Gey describing the differences between normal and cancerous cells and showing a magnified, live view of the separation of normal and abnormal human cells; "Is There Science in Art?" (2/27/51) reveals the science of cleaning varnish and dirt from old paintings at the Walters Art Gallery and the art of using x-rays and ultraviolet light to restore old paintings to their original intent. Poole also thanks the studio staff and mentions other favorite programs: "Fear" (103/50), "X-Ray, the Super Sleuth" (12/5/50), "Stream Pollution" (5/1/51), "Don't Drink That Water" (3/20/51), "Schistosomiasis" (11/21/50), and "Magnificent Microscope" (5/15/51).

Highlights in review

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Host Lynn Poole reviews highlights of programs from the past year: "A Hospital Never Sleeps" (1/21/52) takes viewers behind the scenes at Johns Hopkins Hospital at night; "Artist and the Doctor" (12/17/51) reveals medical artists' work, including photographic art and "moulage" at the Department of Art as Applied to Medicine founded by Max Brodel in 1885 at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; "The World From 78 Miles Up" (9/11/51) shows film clips, diagrams, and explanation of the operation of the Navy's Aerobee rocket as it gathers atmospheric data; "Solar Power for Food and Fuel" (2/11/51) describes solar energy research and offers an explanation and microscopic view of plant cells engaged in photosynthesis; "Is It True?" (10/22/51) differentiates between the myths and facts about hypnosis; "It's a Fact" (12/3/51) demonstrates the facts of radiant heat using a Crooke's radiometer and explains Bernoulli's Principle; "Krilium for Tomorrow" (2/4/52) introduces Monsanto's soil conditioner for creating porous soil for better plant growth and uses time lapse photography to show plants' growth rate in the product.

Is our weather changing?

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Dr. Kimble, geographer and author of Our American Weather, displays a map of the United States, from U.S. News and World Report, that indicates winter temperatures during the past 30-40 years have become milder by 5-8 degrees on the eastern seaboard but gradually decrease going westward, revealing 3-5 degrees colder temperatures in the Pacific northwest. As examples that the weather may be getting warmer, Dr. Kimble shows diagrams of a Canadian glacier's retreat in 1869, 1900, 1933, and 1946. He also cites New York Historical Society photos of the frozen Hudson River, the shifting of traditional boundaries of the corn and wheat belts, the southern birds and animals frequenting northern states in the winter, and the opening of Spitzbergen's arctic port an additional three months of the year. Dr. Kimble says he doesn't know the answer for the change in the weather and suggests sunspot cycles, volcanic dust, ozone content change, but mostly man-generated pollution from factories and motor vehicles.

The peaceful atom: part 1

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Part title from label. This program is the first in a three-part series on peacetime uses of atomic energy. A brief animated film reviews such concepts as neutrons and protons in a nucleus surrounded by electrons. There are 92 kinds of naturally occurring atoms, and changes can only be made to an atom by altering its nucleus. When the nucleus is split, it gives off energy. Mr. Strauss, the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), cites President Eisenhower's 1953 "Atoms for Peace" speech to the United Nations in which he suggests a world pool of atomic materials for peaceful uses, such as commercial electrical power. Dr. Hafstad, Director of the Reactor Development Division of AEC, discusses the costs and problems of harnessing atomic power. He points out that although our coal and oil supplies are dwindling and uranium supplies are vast, the cost of generating power from the atom is currently prohibitive. However, he predicts that, within the next five to fifteen years, as nuclear power is developed, its costs will fall.

Girl with the lamp

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Lynn Poole displays a nurse's cap designed by Florence Nightingale as a prelude to the premier of a film on nursing education and training produced by the Maryland Society for Medical Research. Non-speaking guests invited to the studio for the film's showing include Dr. D. C. Smith, of the Maryland Society for Medical Research; Mrs. George H. Yeager, Mrs. Edwin Stewart, and Mrs. Thomas Webster, of the Women's Auxiliary to the Baltimore City Medical Society; Ruth Mowbry, of the Maryland State Nursing Association; Dr. Walter Graham, of the Medical Research Organization, and nurses from numerous local hospitals. Before the film is run, nurse Elizabeth Singleton briefly discusses different nursing programs that are available. The film, available for loan or purchase, shows what to expect and what is studied, both theory and practice, in nursing school: uses of equipment, functions of drugs, importance of sterile technique, care of newborn infants, proper nutrition, x-ray technology, and emergency measures.

The first day of life

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Lynn Poole points out that 1953 was the seventh consecutive record birth year in the United States. A film then follows Deborah Lynn Coleman through the first 24 hours after her birth. The nurse clears Deborah's air passages, supplies oxygen, puts penicillin ointment in her eyes, and attaches an anklet with her mother's name. The obstetrician then examines her, removes the umbilical cord, and checks her body size and weight. A pediatrician examines her, and she is given her first feeding of sugar water and is burped. Interspersed with Deborah's debut are filmed asides on planning for increased housing, schools, transportation, and food production to support this baby boom and improve their standard of living. At the conclusion of the program, Lynn Poole introduces now two-month old Deborah, and interviews her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Coleman, and her sister Trudy.

Premature babies

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Dr. Schwentker says that prematurity is generally defined as a birth weight of less than 5.5 pounds; however, immaturity of a baby's organs is more significant than prematurity. A film documents the public procedures in place for rescuing a baby born prematurely at home. Dr. Gordon shows what staff do when a baby is admitted to the premature nursery: suction airways, supply oxygen, transfer to incubators with lesser oxygen concentration, administer moist heat, and monitor for infections. Nurse Abernathy discusses maintaining a constant temperature for the infant and feeding premature babies by polyethylene tube, gavage, or medicine dropper until bottle feeding is possible. A film shows the progress of a premature infant over a few weeks. Dr. Gordon raises the question of the cost justifying the results of caring for premature babies and concludes that both long-term development research and actual evidence, such as his teenage son and other thriving children born as small as two pounds, prove the worth.

Man, marvel of design

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A brief film shows the function of the human hand, wrist, and critical apposable thumb. An abstract film suggests that the reason for the shape of the human body and the economical structure of the bones is to provide the greatest results with the least energy. Dr. Borden discusses the complicated structure and rotation of the human wrists, forearms, and shoulders. A concluding film presents a child's development of hand skills.