Quints SOF + Sil.

Transcript (Download)

Gibbs, did you know that Mrs.

I'll start this over so I get the name right.

When did you find us out? On Saturday last.

Were you able to make any preparations for this unusual birth? Yes, we did.

Holcomb prepared the nursery for the ...

in the knowledge that we would deliver quintuplets, and we made our preparations in the delivery room in Labor America.

What sort of preparation could you make for a birth like this, since they are rather unusual? It was primarily personnel.

We got plenty of people around.

We discussed the means of anesthesia and what method we would use for anesthesia.

We had the laboratory, necessary laboratory material ready for blood tests and things like this.

Holcomb had the necessary incubators for the ...

for use after the babies came.

There's considerable preparation that should be done.

Well, what sort of preparation to do yourself, Dr.? Well, there isn't a whole lot of reading you can do.

I thought a good deal.

There isn't a lot of experience in the scientific literature available, and I consulted with some consultants in the field and asked their opinions as to various technical matters concerning the management of her pregnancy and labor.

Hanson know that she was having these babies? Yes, she did.

How did she take it at the time? Well, she knew that the more babies that she was carrying, the less likely that she would continue on with the pregnancy.

Let's put it this way, that the more she had, the more likely that she would deliver prematurely, and consequently this concerned her.

Well, was she aware of the poor chances for their survival? To a degree, yes.

How about the babies? Did they have a good birth? They did.

Good healthy ones, or? Well, as healthy as you'd expect a child of a half baby to cry.

Show me with your hands right up in front of your face, Dr., just how long these babies were when you delivered them.

Monroe on the left, pediatrician at Lackland Air Force Base Hospital, and Dr.

Fulcom, chief pediatrician at Lackland Hospital.

Can you give us a brief history of what happened after the babies were born, Dr.

Fulcom? Well, of course we were prepared for the delivery of these babies.

We had a team of five doctors that were on hand both in the delivery room and in the nursery.

Two of the doctors worked as a team in the delivery room, giving initial care to the infants for the first few minutes after birth.

The babies were alert, vigorous, pink right from the time of birth.

We then carried them to the premature nursery, and each was placed in her own individual isolette.

What was your part in this, Dr.

Monroe? I was one of the doctors who would alternate the care of the babies.

Specifically, I was on duty last night when the last baby survived through the night.

The range of weights was between 1 .5 and 3 .4, 1 pound 5 and 3 .4 ounces, and 1 pound 13 and a half ounces.

None of them weighed as much as 2 pounds? None weighed as much as 2 pounds.

All babies that weigh under 2 pounds seldom survive, is that right? What is your name? Right, Information Officer.

This is Captain Kent, Information Officer.

I'm just giving this on the film.

No, wait, wait, just now.

I'm just giving that for information on the film.

Captain Kent, can you tell us what Lieutenant Hammon has had to say on this matter this morning since the babies have all died? Aye.

Identifier

F.2012-03-1100

Date Of Production

1959

Abstract

Black and white outtakes of interviews with the doctors who helped give birth to the Hannan quintuplets at Lackland Air Force Base Hospital in San Antonio, TX, on October 20, 1959. The five baby girls were born prematurely and none of them survived. The doctors talk about how they prepared for the birth.

Run Time

0:06:52

Format

16mm

Extent

245 feet

Extent

Color

B&W

Sound

Optical

Reel/Tape Number

1/1

Has Been Digitized?

Yes

Language Of Materials

English

Element

Negatives

Form

Outtakes
Newsreels

Subject

Families
Medicine

Related Collections

SUBSERIES VII: Science, Technology & Health

Related Places

North America ➜ United States ➜ Texas ➜ San Antonio

Main Credits

Koza, Frank (is filmmaker)

Do you know more about this item?

If you have more information about this item please contact us at info@chicagofilmarchives.com.