Reply #27: Film

[Behind the Aegis]

THE RINGWORM CHILDREN
TITLE: THE RINGWORM CHILDREN
YEAR: 2003
DIR/PROD: David Belhassen & Asher Hemias
COUNTRY: Israel
LANGUAGE: Hebrew w/ English ST
TIME: 46 minute
SOURCE: IsraelFilmFestival.com
TEXT: Documentary. In the early years following Independence, approximately 100,000 immigrant children, primarily from North Africa, received X-ray radiation treatment for ringworm. At that time, the medical world perceived ringworm as a degenerative illness and a danger to humanity. It was discovered that these treatments caused high rates of infertility, cancer and mortality. This tragic affair was hidden from the public eye for decades... until now. Through exhaustive research and testimonies of survivors, this emotional documentary unearths a possible conspiracy between American and Israeli health officials. Best Documentary Haifa International Film Festival from link

On edit: "Embryos received x-ray doses already in the womb during abdominal exams. Newborns were routinely treated by x-rays to prevent diseases. Pediatricians used to fluoroscope babies and young children every month and during annual checkups. Many children were given massive radiation treatment for an invented disorder - enlargement of the thymus gland in the upper chest. The scalps of 10,000 New York children were irradiated to make their hair fall out as a treatment for ringworm. Depression in women was cured by irradiating the ovaries and excessive bleeding of girls during menstruation by x-rays to the uterus. Primitive mammography caused the breast cancer epidemic decades later. NYC ringworm treatment in the 1950's

On second edit: First, this was a prescribed treatment for ringworm of the head. It was just in the stages that it was thought it was a useless treatment, therein lies the conspiracy. Second, it wasn't Ethiopian children, but mainly Moroccan and some Yemeni (although the only places I found this reference were right-wing hate sites). Third, this was happening WORLDWIDE. Could there be more to this story? I am sure there is, but much of it may be obscured by anti-Semitic rhetoric.