An Outbreak of Staphylococcus Intoxication (USPHS, 1954)

This film explores the causes and symptoms of a staphylococcus outbreak. The film first shows a number of people becoming ill, and the narrator explains that these people, who had previously attended a dinner hosted by their employer, were now experiencing nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. The patients all see a doctor, who attempts to find the source of the infection. After ruling out all other foods at the dinner party, the investigator is left with chocolate éclairs, which had been ordered from a bakery across town. Lab results proved that the pastries were the culprit. The film then reviews the preparation of the food. Although everything had been done correctly, the baker had a small infection on his finger, which was the original source of the germs. Then, after the pastries left the bakery, the delivery car broke down, meaning that refrigeration of the pastries was postponed while the car was fixed, which allowed the germs to spread, which was illustrated by a simplified animation. The narrator explains that while no one was at fault, the pastries should not have been exposed to staphylococcus germs in the first place, and they should have been refrigerated immediately.

Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9609325

Learn more about the National Library of Medicine's historical audiovisuals program at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collectio...
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