Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to Medical Sciences Film Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0222
Creators:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Medical Sciences
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Medical Sciences
Dates:
1938-1974
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
36 Cubic feet
81 Films
16mm
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Films vary in subject, production source, and intended audience. Includes both silent and sound black-and-white, and color films with sound.

Arrangement

Arrangement
Divided into 5 series.
Series 1: Technical Medical films
Series 2: Dental Films
Series 3: Public Health and Nursing Films
Series 4: Pharmaceutical Films
Series 5: Advertisements

Administration

Author
Elizabeth R. Hollands
Processing Information
Collection processed by Elizabeth Hollands, 1991.
In general, the film descriptions in this guide record only the data presented in the films themselves. And in most cases this is quite sketchy. Additional research has been conducted on only a few items.
Except for two items with non-accession numbers, no acquisition records came with the films. A number of the prints appear to have come from the Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Health Departments; others probably from a variety of individuals and companies.
A "Film Directory, Medical Sciences Division, NMAH" lists some of these titles with some additional information, which is too sketchy and unexplained to use here. This directory/inventory also includes additional material (in other media) not transferred to the Archives Center and Adventures in Science. which is a separate collection in the Archives Center.
The Collection also includes many titles not on the inventory, many of which appear on Carol Dreyfus's "Medical Sciences Film Catalogue." A CD memo (7/86) in the Control File refers to her handwritten list of additional films brought down. These may be the basis of her "Catalogue."
The series organization probably was made in the Archives Center, and that organization has been retained in the guide for its informational value. However, the 16mm reels (cans, really; a few cans contain more than one roll) have been assigned item numbers, which result in a different organization on the shelves. Each title entry includes its item number. A card file (Films/Shelf Locations) lists all titles, with item numbers, in one alphabetical sequence. The card file also has a Shelflist with all items in numerical order.
Except for material described under Genetic Studies of Infant Behavior. all films have been numbered with a reference print designation. All appear to be release prints, and many are worn. However, no research has been done on the rarity of these prints, so all should be used with caution. Some, no doubt, should be duplicated and retired from use. Any film found worthy of preservation or special protection should be moved to the OF designation.
Custodial History
Collection transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Medical Sciences (now Division of Medicine and Science), June 1986.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
Medical Sciences Film Collection, circa 1930s-1960s, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Dentistry Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Medical sciences Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Public health Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Child care Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Motion pictures (visual works) Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Childbirth -- 1930-1960 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pharmacology Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Medical education Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Surgery Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Medical Equipment Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu