Sex Hygiene

"Sex Hygiene" is a 1941 educational film directed by John Ford and Otto Brower, targeting military personnel to raise awareness about venereal diseases. The narrative begins with a group of servicemen enjoying a casual game of pool, setting a relaxed scene. However, one soldier departs to visit a prostitute, a decision that leads to him contracting a venereal disease. The film then shifts into a graphic and straightforward presentation, detailing the symptoms, consequences, and treatments of diseases like syphilis and gonorrhea. Using clinical footage and explicit explanations, it emphasizes the importance of prevention—through abstinence or prophylactics—and the necessity of prompt medical attention. Produced during World War II, "Sex Hygiene" reflects the era's urgent public health campaigns to safeguard troop health and morale, delivering its message with unflinching clarity to underscore the risks of unprotected sexual encounters.