Defense Department

In The Navy Of The 1970s, Syphilis Was A Cartoon Vampire (VIDEO)

Rachel Slajda | December 14, 2010, 12:06PM

Sometimes a cartoon vampire named Count Spirochete* is the only way to get sailors to use protection.

In 1973, the Navy made a 20-minute animated movie warning sailors -- in graphic detail -- about the dangers of venereal disease. The plot: The annual Communicable Disease of the Year Awards sees a huge upset when Venereal Disease, represented by the syphilis-carrying Count Spirochete, wins the coveted Fourth Horseman award over diphtheria and smallpox.

Read more »