Lynn Poole invites members of the Federal Communications Committee, meeting in Washington, DC for hearings on the use of television as an educational medium, to watch this program as a practical example of how educational institutions can bring educational programs to the American people. This is the first public showing and demonstration of a combination of x-ray photography and fluoroscopy picked up by a television receiving tube, affording both dynamic and clear internal views of patients. The equipment was constructed at The Johns Hopkins University with funds from the U.S. Public Health Service and developed by Dr. Russell H. Morgan. Dr. Morgan shows and explains the dim images of a standard fluoroscope and the static x-rays of a chest, colon, and kidney produced on a radiographic table to compare the strengths and weaknesses of each procedure. With physicist Ralph Sterm at the controls and assisted by Vernon Bowers, Ed Custer, and Roy Collier, Dr. Morgan then demonstrates his new invention, which amplifies images 300-3,000 times, and x-rays the movement of the chest and hand of Joan Hunter for viewers to see. Finally, in the first live television, inter-city diagnosis, Dr. Paul C. Hodges, at the University of Chicago, and Dr. Waldron Sennott, at the U.S. Marine Hospital in New York, observe the x-ray/fluoroscopy images broadcast on their televisions and consult with Dr. David Gould, at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, and together diagnose and prescribe treatment for a patient, machine operator James Carter, who has metal particles clearly lodged in his chest and possibly his lungs.

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).

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.

Dr. Andrews compares the irregular molecules of water to the regular ones of ice and explains that ice floats because it is less dense than water. He then shows a diphenyl oxide molecule model and explains that it freezes at room temperature and sinks and is therefore used to remove impurities from a liquid. He demonstrates how skating on ice creates pressure causing ice to melt enough to allow gliding on water, which couldn't be done if the water froze at a lower temperature. Dr. Andrews points out that the molecules of iron in a drill and sodium chloride in salt are arranged in a regular pattern and are therefore "frozen." He then adds liquid nitrogen to water, alcohol, glycerin, and molasses to compare the differing results. Ways of measuring temperatures include household thermometers, Beckmann thermometers (accurate to 1000th degree), and electrical thermometers such as platinum resistance, thermocouple, and bolometer (measuring to the millionth of a degree).

Orthopedic surgeon Robinson describes three types of bones that break: ribs or skull, with which the underlying organs must be protected; facial bones, which require accurate, fine correction; and large, long bones, which must be held in place promptly and securely. Dr. Robinson shows x-rays of broken femurs and a diagram of how bone heals, explaining that the deformity must be corrected first and then held in place until a bridge of new bone is formed. A patient demonstrates the range of motion in his formerly fractured elbow that was held together with a metal plate and screws. Other x-rays display the intramedulary, a diamond-shaped stainless steel nail used to hold a femur fracture in place and allow weight bearing. A model of the hip joint and femur with surrounding muscles proves that without such a supportive rod, the muscles would override the bones and cause deformity or shorten the length of the leg. Dr. Southwick introduces former patient William Brown and explains how a metal rod was inserted.

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.

Lynn Poole discusses some of the reasons for underwater research: studying alewife fish in Lake Hopatcong, NJ; researching predator fishes; harvesting agar from seaweed for iodine, ice cream gelling agents, and other uses; and obtaining magnesium from the sea. Cartoons illustrate historical diving gear and models show current masks, snorkels, and fins. Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan developed the regulator and diving suit, which became synonymous with SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus). Divers from Johns Hopkins's Chesapeake Bay Institute model both warm and cold weather diving gear, and Dr. Carritt, researcher at the institute, explains how an oceanographer uses SCUBA to investigate such underwater activities as the health of oyster beds. In a film clip, scientist-divers explore the Gulf of Mexico's bright oily crescent for Saucony-Vacuum and Magnolia Oil Companies. A diagram shows the anticline, fault, and stratigraphic oil traps of this region.

In this second program in a three-part series on peacetime uses of atomic energy, Lynn Poole demonstrates how radioactive iodine has been collected in a woman's thyroid for diagnosing goiter. An animated film shows the differences in size, shape, and stability of various atoms, the unstable ones being labelled radioactive isotopes. Dr. Bugher, of the Atomic Energy Commission, claims that the use of nuclear energy has advanced medicine by 25 years. For example, radioactive isotopes can be used to study the actual functioning and behavior of plants and animals, to trace and diagnose diseases such as thyroid problems, and to treat and cure diseases such as polycythemia, a form of cancer. He also demonstrates a thulium x-ray unit and narrates a short film showing cobalt-60 radiation of a patient with cancer. Gamma radiation is compact, reliable, and intense. Dr. Bugher notes that cesium, separated from the waste of atomic reactors, is a useful source of radiation. 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.

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.

Dr. Phelps explains that cerebral palsy is an injury to the portion of the brain dealing with the control of muscles for the arms, legs, and speech and generally does not affect one's intelligence. Because the parts of the brain affected (cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia) do not regenerate, surrounding brain cells must be trained to carry out the missing functions. This is done through physical therapy. Dr. Phelps describes the activities of therapists at the Children's Rehabilitation Institute working with children on reciprocal exercise patterns and training them on the stabilizer, crutches, and parallel bars. Mr. Schwartz works with children on blowing exercises, speech and auditory therapy, and speech training using a mirror. Children demonstrate other exercises including grasping and releasing blocks, placing pegs in holes as part of a game, practicing dressing skills on a doll, and typing on an electric typewriter. Dr. Phelps offers hope to the afflicted, giving the example of Betty Lou Driver who learned how to walk at the Institute and now as an adult works there, helping other children.