Original subtitles

Scenario: Walter Wassermann and Diller

Scientific Participation: Dr. Hellmuth Unger

Camera: Fritz Arno Wagner

Production-Direction: K.J. Fritzsche All Settings: Emil Hasler

Music: Wolfgang Zeller

Direction: Hans Steinhoff

Cry if you want to, Mrs. Goehrke, if it's easier for you that way.

It's no use getting a minister from Wollstein now,

because little Martha's end is coming rapidly and painlessly.

I'd like a minister just the same.

You could have told us sooner, Doctor,

we'd have liked to prepare the child for her eternal life.

Don't worry about that, Goehrke, our heavenly father

will accept little Martha in heaven without the minister's blessings.

If I was ever sure of something, it is that.

Yes, now you can cry,

but when I told you to get someone to pray for little Martha's health

you didn't listen.

And I know little Martha was bewitched by evil,

that's why no doctor could help,

yes, you and your poisons and confounded pills.

Heavenly father, what are you saying?

Let him be, Mrs. Goehrke.

I too would be angry with God and confound the world

if my child were dying.

Didn't I tell you from the beginning that the child had to die?

There is nothing anyone can do against this "evil ghost" as you call it.

We doctors call it tuberculosis

and there is no plant which could fight it.

I would have been glad if your prayer for health

could have helped little Martha, but it couldn't.

And you certainly couldn't either.

Not yet... you understand, Goehrke, not yet.

Hundreds of thousands of human beings die of consumption every year

and every fourth in the country dies because of it.

But you may rest assured that I will not rest

until I find physical traces of this murderous illness.

Why are you so unpleasant if you know very well

he's doing it all for nothing and paying for the medicine too?

He knows why he is doing it for nothing.

He is in league with Satan himself.

Now it is getting easier, isn't it, little Martha?

Now you needn't be frightened anymore,

and you haven't any more pain either, have you?

Do you see the angel over there, the one in white and silver?

Yes, it is your angel, little Martha.

Our heavenly father sent it to you.

Yes, little Martha, it will remain with you always now.

Confound it all, having to wait until she dies slowly.

Come here, that's the doctor's carriage.

Oh fine, he is going to take us to school.

Come quick, the white horse is there!

Now we don't have to walk! The doctor's white horse!

Good morning, Mrs. Goehrke.

How is little Martha?

- See that you get out of here. - No, no, let the boy alone.

She fell asleep.

- Good morning, children. - Good morning, doctor.

Yes, little Martha has fallen asleep... for good.

That's not true. I don't believe it.

She's not dead, my little Martha is not dead.

Little Martha, little Martha!

Now, now, Mrs. Goehrke, you must not scream.

You promised me you wouldn't.

You must be gentle with the dead, they want their peace.

You go to her now.

Why didn't you let us go to her during her last moments?

Because I wanted to save you that much.

Go inside to her, Goehrke, she's lying there like an angel.

Well, and you?

I suppose you want me to drive you to school again?

Yes, please, please.

Yes, but I don't know if I can.

My horse told me he doesn't want you along any more.

Oh, that isn't true. A horse can't talk.

Yes, he is very angry with you

because you don't do what I tell you.

What did I tell you? Well?

Light, air and sunshine... let it come into the room.

Very good, and why are you to open the windows

and let the sun shine into the rooms?

Because then we will...

we will chase away the bad witch that made little Martha ill too.

Yes, and that is why we have...

And that is why we promised you, Doctor,

to always sleep with the windows open in summer and winter

and also to cover ourselves well.

Very good, and what else?

And also we want to ask our teacher

to open the windows quite often during school hours.

That was very good, very brave.

Now go outside and sit in my carriage, I'll drive you all to school.

Thank you, thanks!

It's as though she was only asleep. I can't really believe it.

- Listen to me, Goehrke. - Yes?

- I'll be back tonight. - Yes?

I want to examine little Martha once more.

- Perhaps I'll find a trace. - What kind of a trace?

Well, stay overnight with your in-laws in the village

and leave me alone with the child for a few hours.

- Yes, yes, but I... - You needn't be afraid.

But don't tell anyone, otherwise the whole thing is useless.

We should leave him alone? What's he want with little Martha?

Who knows what kind of spooky business he's up to.

He is such a good man.

Good or bad, I know where I'm going tonight.

Light and air and sunshine, let it come into the room!

Open the windows, open the windows!

Light and air and sunshine, let it come into the room!

Open the windows, open the windows!

Confounded rascals! Will you close the windows?

One can catch one's death!

Who gave you permission to open the windows?

Well, will you answer now? Answer!

Teacher, Dr. Koch said we should open the windows during the pauses

so we get fresh air and stay healthy, that's what the country doctor said.

Who is the boss here? Me or the country doctor?

If I ever find an open window again, I'll give you all such a hiding

that you'll remember a long time!

I have no intention of getting consumption.

I'm going to tell this country doctor something too, who is the boss here!

- Will the doctor be gone long? - He should be back any minute.

Oh, Kruhlke, do come inside.

Won't you make a place?

There, move a little closer together.

Don't push like that.

One always has to wait here such a long time,

and I still have to go to the tax office.

To the tax office? You know, I'd prefer to have a tooth pulled.

Excuse me, I wanted to see Dr. Koch.

The doctor is not here yet. Will you please sit down in the hall.

Yes, the doctor does not prefer any patient, one after the other.

I know, I know. I know Dr. Koch very well.

- I've known him longer than you. - Really?

And besides, I'm not a patient.

I just wanted to say hello. I'm the son of Judge Hartwig.

- Oh, so you're Fritz? - You know me?

I should say I know you. Dr. Koch is always talking about you.

- His future colleague. - Not future, if you please.

- Does that mean...? - Yes, it means...

You passed your doctor's examination?

Even summa cum laude.

Please forgive me, I couldn't make it before.

- Doctor. - What is it, Kruhlke?

A toothache again? I told you, the beast has to come out.

Hello, Netschmann, how are you?

Just a moment, I only want to have a cup of coffee.

- Papa! - Well, at last.

Good morning, little Trudy, my little girl.

Well, where is the fire? Good morning, Mama.

Come quick, Papa.

Where have you been all this time, Robert?

The patients are standing on the street already,

and you don't come, and don't come.

Just a moment, Mama, you know, an urgent case.

And you didn't even have breakfast yet.

Come have a cup of coffee at least.

Now don't worry, we'll cure her all right.

Papa will take care of it. There.

Now come drink your coffee.

Baker Jeschke and cattleman Kowalski are waiting ever so long outside.

The few patients that pay should be treated with more consideration.

The others receive treatment for free, and don't even pay the pharmacy.

Heavens, Mama, the people are so poor, you have no idea.

You're always thinking only of others.

- That's why I'm a doctor. - And you never think of us.

Yes, Mama, I do think of you, with every sick child,

every mother whose dearest possession is dying,

and I stand next to her unable to help, I think of you.

Only I can't make so many words, I can only prove it.

- That is a wonderful instrument. - Who is that?

A fantastic thing.

You, what are you doing at my microscope?

Fritz, boy! This is a surprise.

Let me look at you. How do you look?

Fairly well, a little exhausted. I suppose you studied too much.

But it was worthwhile.

- Passed the examination? - Yes, even with Virchow.

Gosh darn it, with the pope of medicine himself?

Congratulations, colleague. Virchow would have flunked me.

No, no, Virchow does not like me.

In his eyes I am a funny figure. A microbe-hunter.

Let me tell you, my boy,

this thing opens up a completely new world to you.

Look into the mirror here.

See how it is built?

First they didn't want to do it in Jena.

The old Abbe at Zeiss probably called me a goat.

Such an idiot country doctor, show me how to build a microscope?

And gradually he did build it.

Exactly according to my sketches, too, with the light reflector.

I need as much light as possible, to find what I'm looking for.

God, my boy, if I succeed...

then you'll see things which no one before us has ever seen.

Doctor, please, accept me as your assistant.

What do you mean?

You know, Doctor, that I only have one wish...

to work together with you.

I only studied medicine to become your assistant.

Yes, my dear boy, that would be splendid,

I couldn't think of anything nicer.

But what will your father say to it?

I didn't speak to my father, I came directly from the station.

What? You didn't say hello to your father yet?

Well imagine, see that you get home quickly, it's incredible.

- But I may come back today? - Well certainly, that is...

Wait a minute. I have something special for you tonight.

- Have you got time? - Certainly.

I have a surgery case there, heaviest case of tuberculosis.

We'll talk more about it.

Schnaps, this early in the morning.

Dear God, don't pull my head off.

- Doctor, I was here... - Who was here first?

- I was here at seven! - That's some nerve! I was here first!

- Please, Doctor, take care of me first. - Come inside.

This Dr. Koch upsets all the children. Is he a doctor at all?

Why did he study if he wants to cure everything with fresh air?

Such a man does not belong here in Wollstein.

You are absolutely right, the man does not belong here.

Bravo, Judge. I knew you would give me full understanding.

And you'll see he leaves here, won't you?

You can rest assured, what I can do will be done.

This Dr. Koch belongs at a university,

at a great university where he can lecture,

and at last find men who understand his great work,

and not be bothered with narrowminded people like you.

Yes, do you realize what this man means to the scientific world?

No, you don't know, no idea.

A man whose experiments all the scientific world listens to.

I did hear of his experiments with cows and sheep, Judge,

even though I am narrowminded.

But my school children are not cows and sheep.

The case is dismissed, please, no more discussion.

I listened to your complaint and that is all.

- But, but... - So long.

Not every day ends like this.

Can't you go somewhere where the air is better?

Don't you have any relatives in the mountains?

No, Doctor, I only have a sister in Breslau, she is poor too.

I couldn't impose on her, besides, I don't have the fare.

Well, I'll have a talk about you with the county judge.

And don't worry about the fare, I'll take care of that.

You mean so well, Doctor, but...

- What is it? - I don't know.

- What is it? - It would be so nice, Doctor.

It will be nice, we'll see to that, Netschmann.

Goodbye, Doctor, thank you very much.

It's hopeless. The worst is that one can't help oneself.

God, why isn't one a millionaire?

But sister, don't tell my wife about the fare. Who's next?

Mrs. Paul, Doctor.

But she is rather queer today, as if she is drunk.

I think she drinks the spirits you gave her for rubbing.

Have her come in.

Mrs. Paul?

Good morning, Doctor.

Mrs. Paul, you're dragging your leg, pains again?

Yes, Doctor, the spirits are gone again.

You use it up quickly.

Yes, much too quickly, Doctor.

Did you rub so much of it into your skin?

Of course, Doctor, of course.

Yes, one smells it.

Well, I guess we should give you a new prescription then.

Yes, Doctor. And not too little.

Just because... it's only missing, just like last time...

What is missing?

Well yes, the invalid pension isn't enough for anything...

And the druggist doesn't loan anything.

What did the bottle cost last time?

82 cents, Doctor.

I don't have much time, Mrs. Doctor.

And if your husband doesn't receive me right away...

Please, Baroness, won't you sit down for a moment?

It's a strong prescription this time. I guess you can take it, Mrs. Paul.

Yes, thank you very much, Doctor, you're such a good man.

I wouldn't know what to do if it weren't for you, Doctor.

You are my only consolation.

- Yes, me, and the spirits. - Yes, Doctor.

- I cured her. - How?

I prescribed a laxative with the spirits.

I wish I could see her expression when it starts to take effect.

- Robert. - What is it?

Listen, Baroness Kossin came, and she says she has no time.

But you know it's first come, first serve.

Please be sensible, Robert.

She at least is a patient we can send a bill to, and who pays.

We could really use it, Robert.

All right, Mama, let her come in.

My husband will see you now, Baroness.

Dear Doctor... I'm suffering the inferno.

Isn't that a bit premature, Madam?

You can't have committed that many sins already.

- Please. - Thank you.

It's my nerves, Doctor, my nerves...

Is that so? Have you got pains?

I don't know, I'm always so restless and I can't sleep.

Does your husband annoy you?

No, to the contrary, my husband sleeps very soundly.

He doesn't even hear when I toss back and forth.

Yes, and then, Doctor, when I find a few minutes of peace,

I have dreamlike hallucinations.

- Middle of the night? - Yes, middle of the night.

I become so frightened,

and I imagine everything can be over for me just like that.

That's a lot of nonsense, you look like blooming life in person.

That's just it, Doctor.

No one wants to believe how miserable I am.

- Then you must be helped, Baroness. - Yes, Doctor.

Go in there, please, and get undressed.

- Get undressed? - Yes.

- Why? - Everything.

- Everything? - Yes, everything.

And please don't touch anything in there.

What is it?

- Mice! There are mice here! - Well, they won't bite you.

Who is this ugly man hanging here, Doctor?

He is the Frenchman Louis Pasteur, a genial scientist.

A great example for us physicians.

Is that so?

Do you think I should go to Paris and see him about my ailment?

Pasteur is a chemist, not a physician, Madam.

But he found out many illnesses could be based on so-called germs,

only he didn't see them yet.

My God, perhaps I have germs too, Doctor.

Doctor?

Are you ready now, Mrs. von Kossin?

Yes, but it's very cold, Doctor.

You'll be warm in a minute, Madam.

Heavens, Doctor, you're not going to cut me?

Nonsense. Stand here in the middle of the room.

Yes, that's right. Just turn your back to me, yes?

There, Mrs. von Kossin, rub yourself with this,

and do that every day, morning, afternoon and night.

Incredible impertinence! Such a fresh treatment!

Pouring cold water over a naked body, it's insulting!

I am not insane!

But my husband will settle you, you will suffer for this.

Robert, Robert, a terrible affair.

- Yes, what is it? - But I told you so right away.

- Now he is here. - Who?

Mr. von Kossin has just arrived.

You got us into a nice mess. Oh God, there he is now.

I beg you, do be calm.

Robert, please, don't forget yourself.

The man is a representative of the Reichstag.

In that case, he is used to quite a bit.

I must see the Doctor!

- Mr. von Kossin, just a moment. - Where is the Doctor?

- Where is the Doctor? - Please.

Doctor, what have you done to my wife?

Apparently you know it already.

Well, I should say I do, well, you know.

Where is the historic place

where you poured cold water down my wife's back?

Simply magnificent, I could kiss the earth.

Apparently your wife is feeling better already.

Yes, better doesn't even come close.

You simply accomplished a miracle, honored Doctor.

Ever since I married her

she cries and complains about something all day long.

Since today she is completely changed.

She is really a woman now.

You shall have to see to it that it remains that way, Baron.

What do you mean?

You shall have to keep your wife's temperament somewhat alive.

I will, I will, honorable Doctor. It shall be done. It's wonderful.

You mean I can treat her somewhat rough?

I never had the nerve, I was always very gentle with her.

I thought she was too fragile.

Alright then, you are my man, Doctor.

Ewald, Ewald!

I took the liberty, Madam, to bring you a few things.

Rabbits, sausages, etc. Ewald, everything in the kitchen.

I hope you'll pardon me.

But everything's being done out of sheer joy.

It is somewhat odd, Mr. von Kossin.

Yes it is, it is, yes.

But what your husband has done for my wife,

that is indeed also a bit odd.

You'll pardon me, I'm in a hurry. To Berlin, Reichstag session.

My dear, honorable Madam.

You don't know what a wonderful husband you have.

And such a man lives in this small place.

My dear friend, your place is in Berlin.

Berlin, Berlin. For years I've been writing to Virchow,

this almighty pope of science.

He doesn't even bother to answer me.

Virchow, but what does Virchow have to do with it?

Isn't he the man who always opposes Bismarck in the Reichstag?

Well, listen here. That Democrat. We'll show that gentleman.

No, no, no, a man like you.

I shall have a talk with the Reich Chancellor about you.

There is a future in the way you cure people.

Cold water cure, that's the right thing for Berlin.

No, you misunderstand me, Baron.

I'm not looking for a practice, but a place for my research.

For research. Yes, research, research as much as you like.

But first, the cold water.

I mean, you're successful with that.

You'll make as much money as you want with that.

It's a date, you'll hear from me. Good-bye.

Fool.

You, Robert... One can never know.

Perhaps... it would be nice.

Yes, too nice.

Too wonderful to think of. Me, in Berlin.

What all I could do there.

Yes, I would show this Virchow.

Yes, I would have everything at my disposal.

But I don't believe it. No, no.

It won't happen. Berlin. I don't believe it.

But it could happen. He is a member of the Reichstag.

Yes, a member of the Reichstag.

Perhaps he read my article about the spleen stimulant.

But what is the spleen stimulant.

Now I'm on the trail of quite another stimulant

and I won't stop until I've found it.

I'm already near a solution.

Do you hear, wife, near a solution.

Goodness, I beg you, what will it do for you?

Nobody cares about what you do here.

Can you perhaps save people with your microscope?

That is the hope of my life.

Can't you understand that at all, wife?

Why do I sit night after night over the microscope?

Because I want to find out what it is - tuberculosis.

Young and healthy people are being stricken,

suffer, become weak, die. Why?

Where is the enemy hiding? What does he look like?

With which weapons can he be fought?

That I must know. That I shall have to find out.

For that I shall sacrifice my time, my strength, my nerves...

And me.

Yes, and you, Mama.

I know I'm not making life easy for you.

But not for myself either, believe me.

And if someone wants to make it easier, you should like it.

Like now, Mr. von Kossin.

He wants to make good connections for you, and you...

Connections, connections. What shall I do with connections?

Shall I perhaps open a cold water sanitarium in Berlin?

Has a bacillus any respect for connections?

Who knows if there are really bacilli after all?

Yes, the scientists are fighting about that.

Have you any idea who is to be treated tonight?

The child of the forester Goehrke.

So, for I am to assist.

Yes, I know. It's wonderful to be able to work with him.

I should have liked to go along too.

But now he has you.

He has both of us.

Nice of you to say so.

- It is true. - Yes.

Why did you lose yourself in these unfortunate ideas?

We could have such a nice life, Robert.

You have a wonderful position as county doctor.

Six hundred dollars a year plus a flourishing practice.

You could, goodness knows, be satisfied.

If you only knew how little satisfied I am with myself.

I don't understand you.

No, you don't understand me because you don't believe in me.

Or do you believe in me?

Well, good night, Mama.

You're going out again? But where to?

To Goehrke's. I have to operate on the child.

And the parents have consented to that?

Consented, if I wanted to wait for that?

You know how people are in their idiotic superstition.

The Lord, our God

is looking down with displeasure upon the churches

which call themselves Christian yet preach nothing but heathenism.

We alone, dear brothers and sisters,

preach in the right way,

and even if they call us dismally Christian Scientists,

nevertheless we know that we alone preach the right gospel

and that the Lord looks with kindness upon us.

There are today two members present

who are mourning for their child whom God has taken from them.

They did not follow the will of God.

They consulted a human doctor.

A human doctor,

who misrepresents his sinful wisdom as that of a science.

You should have come to us.

Our prayer, our belief and confidence

would have helped you.

It is a deadly sin

to substitute a doctor for the belief in God.

- Our sin is much larger. - Talk, woman.

Confess before our congregation.

Confess your sins.

We've permitted the doctor to be alone with Martha.

He said he would try to trail the wicked ghost.

You have let the living Satan into your house.

He must be driven out with fire and sulphur.

I'll run home. I'll run home.

I'll run home! I'll throw the devil out of the house!

Brother! We won't let you go alone, brother!

We shall help you against this Satan!

Lower the lamp.

Scissors.

Pincers.

Lower the light.

Glass tube.

Thread.

- Where is the piece? - Already in my pocket.

Good.

- People are coming. - Here?

It seems so.

- Are the doors locked? - Yes.

Good.

Lysol.

I'd like to know who sent the pray-brothers on our neck?

He's locked himself in. Open up!

Open up.

Those fellows should be hung.

They frighten the people to death with their nonsense.

Goehrke, but what are you doing?

We have come to chase the devil out.

The only devil that should be driven out of here

is your idiotic stupidity.

You are sinning against the chosen people of the Lord.

Chosen people of the Lord?

You're a cancerous growth that should be burnt out.

God will reckon with you, you Satan.

Doctor, what have you done with my little Martha?

I must see her.

Go in to her, Goehrke.

And you, have reverence before death. Come, Fritz.

That is Satan.

Lord, destroy this Satan.

He should be reported. Reported!

He should be sent to prison. To prison!

A tiny piece of lung destroyed by tuberculosis.

Here is the problem I would like to solve.

If this affliction has a virus,

then this virus must be alive, but so small

that it cannot even be discerned under a microscope.

Look here.

You won't see anything but this small broken down matter.

I don't see anything either, but I know

that the virus is there, as sure as the world exists.

The bottle there.

What is that?

Methylene blue.

If only I can color the virus in the tissue,

then it will become visible to the eye.

The discoloration, Fritz, that is all now.

The last and most difficult.

- What will you take now? - Eosin red. Write it down.

What does it say here, the 160th test?

The 161st test with blue, my lad,

only with methylene blue.

The other color tests go into the thousands.

What an abundance of work.

Yes, you will get much farther ahead in life,

when you work much more than other people.

You always talk about work, never your great knowledge.

Well, who is talking about me anyway?

Write down:

161st test.

Methylene blue, three and a half parts.

Eosin red, two parts.

Time of coloration, 80 seconds.

No, not yet.

A measuring glass.

You are trembling.

If you succeed now...

Fritz, for years I've waited for this moment.

Why should it happen today?

It may be tomorrow, or in a year. Who knows?

This moment must be awaited with quiet anticipation.

And another thing, Fritz.

- Something else belongs to it. - Inhuman ambition.

No, a belief that cannot be shaken,

even if the disbelieving souls around us

cannot understand us.

That's certainly revolting.

One doesn't know what to say about all this.

But what has he really done?

Come on, Goehrke, tell us what he's done.

Tell us what he's done to poor little dead Martha with his knife.

- Well yes, I can't talk about it. - You must talk.

Report this heathen who sins against the creatures of God.

Yes, he cut into there.

Oh, he cut the heart out of the body.

Terrible, terrible. But good, very good.

To doctor on dead people, I'll take him to court for that.

Don't forget the animals, animals too are creatures of God.

Don't fear, don't fear. I won't forget anything.

With what I have written down here,

I'll spoil the practice for this shyster.

Write down:

185th test with methylene blue.

Mixed for the first time with brown vesuvin.

Four parts methylene blue,

two parts brown, coloration time 90 seconds.

That is it. That is the right color.

Do you see it?

I see nothing.

But don't you see these peculiar lines?

They're like tiny lines.

Yes, now I can see them very plain.

I've never seen them before.

For years I've worked on tuberculosis tissue like this,

but that there, these lines, I've never seen them before.

Nobody has seen them before.

Is that the virus of tuberculosis?

- It could be it. - Doctor, is it true?

You have found it?

I believe that I have found it.

Goodness, that I could witness that.

How happy I am.

Don't get excited, Fritz. This is just the beginning.

Now I shall have to prove that it really is the virus.

- But you've proven it. - No.

- But it is there. - No, nothing has been proven.

Nothing at all. The most difficult work is just beginning.

Now I shall have to breed the virus artificially

and innoculate it into healthy animals.

If these animals are stricken by tuberculosis,

and if this virus is without doubt found in them,

then the circle is closed

and that will be proof enough for me and science.

And I shall bring that proof.

For I know now that the virus of this sickness are bacilli.

They get into the body from the outside,

where they wreck their work of destruction.

This case again proves my theory.

Sickness, gentlemen,

is nothing else but symptoms of tissue destruction.

The sickness does not enter from without into the body,

but is formed through an organic change in the body itself.

I'm coming to the end, gentlemen.

Since the appearance of Mr. Pasteur in Paris,

I receive an average of ten to twenty letters per week

from professional colleagues in the provinces,

in which they write that the illness is not caused,

as I said before, by a destruction of the tissue,

but due to the work of small insects.

Insects.

You know, gentlemen, there is always a new word:

microbes, bacilli.

Since Pasteur,

the hunting for these small insects has become a fad.

But I won't have a hand in this nonsense.

You can't expect me to say any more about it.

If any of you should be of a different opinion,

I suggest that you buy a microscope,

go back to your rooms,

and look at the human body merely as a zoological garden.

Good day, gentlemen.

What else is there today?

Twelve o'clock, conference with Professor Schliemann

about the Trojan casket exploration.

Three o'clock, session at City Hall.

Decision about the Berlin canalization and street cleaning.

Five o'clock, session at the German Nature Explorer Club.

Six-thirty, session at City Hall.

Yes, the session at City Hall, that is important.

And Schliemann.

See to it my auto is on time.

What is this?

From the Minister of Education, a new application.

But I've read that before.

May I humbly call the gentleman's attention to this matter.

It is an application by the Dr. Koch, whose tests

regarding the treatment of the spleen and infections

have caused considerable interest.

Yes, yes, I know, I know.

I've noted it. It'll be taken care of.

Koch... Koch... K.

Always getting larger.

What does he want with his applications?

It causes me nothing but work.

There are people who can't get any rest.

Unbelievable conditions in our field of medicine.

A case which happened during the past few days

forces us to alarm the entire public.

A Doctor K.,

who due to his position is responsible to our City,

has dared, without knowledge of the parents,

to perform an autopsy on their child.

But this charlatan not only makes his test on patients,

even innocent animals are not safe before him.

It's high time the authorities get after this dangerous work

and free us of this charlatan. One who means well.

Such insolent people.

That's the thanks you get for all you've done for them.

If I could only find out who this dog is. Coward.

I don't understand how you can still laugh, Robert.

Have you no feeling for the shame you've caused

for yourself and your family?

It's in all the newspapers.

I don't dare go out on the street.

All over town they whisper behind our backs.

Yes, that's how people are. Don't worry about it.

"Don't worry about it." Easily said.

At the market, the judge's wife didn't greet me at all.

Yes, the judge's wife,

the councilman's wife,

the teacher.

The whole hypocritical so-called good society.

But it's not the people's fault.

They think the newspaper tells the truth.

The citizen is always right, he only errs in his assumptions.

The people don't know

why I cut into corpses and work on animals.

But I know well what I'm doing and what I must do.

Yes, you. You, you, always you.

What you will do, what you must do.

You don't think of your family at all anymore.

No, I can't stand it any longer.

I'll take my child and go to my parents.

Please, do as you think best.

Good evening, nurse, is Dr. Koch at home?

- Yes, Judge. - Then announce me please.

- Papa. - So you are here.

I suppose that will stop too.

The Judge, Doctor.

Goodness sake, they've reported you to the police.

I'll be right there.

For goodness sake, Robert.

Judge, have you brought the police along?

Yes, Doctor, I'm sorry to be the one to bring you bad news,

but you understand that you've lost your position as county doctor.

You see, Robert.

The gentlemen seem to be in a hurry.

But it isn't as simple as the Minister seems to think.

I shall protest against it, Judge.

I'll make note of your protest, Councillor.

- Councillor? - Yes, Councillor.

The Minister has, due to your excellent work, appointed you

to the Board of Health in Berlin and also appointed you Councillor.

Or will you protest against that too?

Judge... Mama...

- Is it really true? - Robert. Councillor!

Yes, Mama. Are you still thinking of going home?

I can't fathom it, Robert, it's too wonderful.

And it'll be much more wonderful, madam.

Now your husband will have the proper surroundings,

and my boy will go along as your assistant.

I know what confidence you honor me with, Judge,

and you shall never regret it.

Koch, I shall miss you here in this awful town.

But they certainly owed you this satisfaction.

Oh, satisfaction...

But to be able to work, with all facilities, near von Virchow.

Now he can't keep me quiet, he'll have to listen to me.

Goodness, Robert, I'm scared.

The whole town and the moving.

What'll we do with all our furniture?

We don't want to bother with the old stuff, Mama.

We'll sell everything and buy new furniture.

Goodness, Mama. Dear Judge.

Fritz, Fritz, my good lad. Elsa too.

Now you'll see what real work is.

I have so much to do.

My life is really just beginning.

Yes, you'll see, how the whole town will pull us up on top.

Berlin, Berlin!

Doctor, the fruitful basis has disappeared.

The cultures must be started anew.

I've ordered Michalke to get fresh beef blood.

The duster, Fritz.

No, Mr. Michalke.

Ten horses couldn't bring me in to Dr. Koch.

I'm a courageous woman and used to working with men,

but if anyone starts in with bacilli with me, that's it.

And I'm not allowed to touch anything, he gets excited.

It has to be dusted around.

You better not touch anything, Mrs. Marotzke.

If a bacillus balloon bursts, half of Berlin will be poisoned.

You're alright, you don't have to. But I must go in.

Close the door!

What's the matter with you, coming in without knocking?

Stand still! Don't move from the spot.

So, dear Loeffler, please close the windows,

we can't have any draft during this experiment,

or we'll get tuberculosis instead of the guinea pigs.

You really believe, Doctor,

that just through breathing the bacilli

a man can be stricken with tuberculosis?

Of course. We're doing this experiment to prove it.

If the guinea pigs are stricken with tuberculosis in the next few days,

we'll have proof that tuberculosis comes through breathing.

Fritz, put the mouth-protector on.

How often have I told you?

Goodness, you must be careful, very careful.

Attention. Don't breathe now.

Not on the animals, higher.

Good, alright.

Michalke, why are you standing around?

Give me the beef blood.

I couldn't get any, Councillor.

Why not?

The Accountant hasn't given his approval.

Why not?

He claims the order was not received in time.

So, not received in time?

And yesterday the gelatin,

and day before yesterday the aniline colors.

I want to tell you something.

If it happens again, I'll file a complaint against you.

I'm tired of this neglect.

I had to get my test animals myself. Here.

I've spent 18 marks for rats and guinea pigs.

See that I get it back.

I shall try my utmost, Councillor.

Slimy man. Quail.

Guinea pigs, rats, mice, rabbits, monkeys.

Every day, Mr. Koch wants different ones, Accountant.

Go on, what else?

Our entire house rules are thrown off balance.

He works the way he wants to, sometimes all night through.

And Mr. Koch has little regard for your rules, Accountant.

- How so? - Well, here.

I've asked him to fill out the necessary forms.

Instead he gives me this slip of paper

and demands 18 marks for rats and guinea pigs

which he has bought himself.

Well, that is simply... that certainly beats everything.

No, no, my dear, that won't do,

everyone going and buying what he feels like.

Dear Loeffler, I imagined Berlin to be quite different.

In Wollstein it was easier.

I believe that, Doctor.

Here the holy office-people govern everything.

Come in.

Mr. Michalke, what are you bringing us... money?

Unfortunately not, Doctor.

The Accountant regrets he cannot honor private expenditures.

So. We shall see about that.

Now he is going to the Accountant.

He'll be surprised.

Better people than him have been shown their place.

I'm only too glad, Councillor, to assist you in every way.

Our authorities are very liberal.

But too slow, much too slow.

I can't make an application, fill out forms.

For me the day has 24 working hours.

I'm no office-worker.

Yes, Councillor, you are. We're all office-workers.

And even the hours have been arranged by the authorities.

That doesn't interest me. My bacilli don't wait for office hours

and I will tell you something, Accountant,

I'm tired of being hindered by you.

But permit me, Councillor...

No, I won't allow anything.

What you're doing here with me is open passive resistance.

But I will go to Dr. Virchow.

That of course is up to you.

But we're not responsible to Dr. Virchow.

And besides, he is not a friend of yours.

Friend or not, he is a physician and researcher like me.

He will help me.

Dr. Wetzel.

The manuscript for my Reichstag speeches.

And write to the Association for Grave Science

that I've accepted the honorary membership.

Doctor.

The Councillor, Dr. Koch is outside again.

What is it, Stuebecke?

Mr. Privy Councillor, I hear Dr. Koch is outside again.

What does he want from me, this country doctor?

I have nothing to say to him.

Mr. Privy Councillor, he has an appointment.

He's already come three times.

I mean, we should receive him.

Councillor, can't you write it down?

I mean, the reason for your visit?

Dear man, I didn't come here to write.

I want to see Dr. Virchow.

Please go in and tell him that.

Dr. Koch, I'm very sorry to see you wait,

but the Doctor is too busy today.

But he knew that this morning. Why didn't he tell me then?

You're wasting my time. Is that why I came to Berlin?

Calm down, I'm anxious that you speak with Virchow.

It is necessary for scientific reasons.

He can't pass your results by anymore.

Be patient for just another few minutes.

I'll talk to the Doctor again.

Thank you, colleague.

I know you like to play the protector, Dr. Gaffky,

but I really haven't the time now

to look at Dr. Koch's microbe circus.

Mr. Privy Councillor, Dr. Koch has new, important results

concerning tuberculosis for you...

My position towards tuberculosis is known.

If you want to join the microbe hunt, dear colleague, go on.

I must go now to the Reichstag.

Perhaps Dr. Koch wants to listen to the Reichstag meeting.

Great debate on foreign policy.

Surely very interesting to a man from the country.

Oh yes, out there this fellow is waiting.

One is really being forced to use the back door.

Dear doctor, sorry, but it's really impossible today.

The Privy Councillor begs your indulgence,

but he can't miss the Reichstag meeting.

Great debate on foreign policy. Bismarck is speaking.

- Bismarck? - Yes.

Maybe you'd like to hear it?

I'm driving to the Reichstag with the Privy Councillor.

I can reserve a ticket for you in the caucus room.

I'd be very pleased to see you after the meeting.

So long, dear doctor.

Dear doctor, that's marvellous.

Come, I'll introduce you to Privy Councillor Virchow.

Privy Councillor, may I introduce Councillor Koch.

Koch? Koch?

From Wollstein, Privy Councillor.

That's right, yes.

You came to see me today, what was it?

Privy Councillor, I wanted...

Dr. Koch, I'll tell you something.

Don't make any speeches, I don't want to hear it.

I know your petition, I've read all your stuff.

Well, then?

Privy Councillor, as the first one,

I succeeded in cultivating microbes in test tubes.

Doesn't that sound like "A Thousand and One Nights"?

How do you know? It sounds impossible to me.

In years of experimenting, I've found a correct method.

Methods are not results of experiments.

But this method enables me to prove

the existence of tuberculosis bacillus beyond any doubt.

Tuberculosis bacillus? You don't say.

Do you realize what you're claiming?

Only what I've seen with my own eyes in the microscope.

I realize I thus reverse medical laws that counted up to now.

Now I know you, you are a revolutionary.

The medical world is facing a revolution,

I only carry out its will.

Then you must be kind enough to prove it to us.

I shall prove it.

I believe in you, and your work.

Do you realize what this means?

Yes, I would like to work with you.

Come then, I can use all hands now.

Thank you.

If I only knew why people make it so hard for you.

Why?

Great things, as a rule, are not understood by the world,

they are fought, until at last they are a matter of course.

Anything else?

Councillor Koch from the Health Department

asks for a ward with 90 beds in the Charité

for his experiments in tuberculosis.

Yes, and?

Professors Schwenningen, Leyden and Bardeleben

refuse to transfer patients from their wards to Dr. Koch.

So, so...

But they will base their final decision on your attitude.

If Dr. Koch needs those patients for his tests,

I consider it necessary to supply all the material desired.

Will you please tell this to the colleagues?

Did you finally speak to the boss?

No, not yet. He locked himself in again.

He hasn't touched his dinner either.

That's gone on for weeks, day and night.

Well, I must talk to him now, I'm going in.

Would you like a pail full of bacillus thrown at your head?

He doesn't want to be disturbed.

- Dr. Loeffler... - What is it?

Mrs. Privy Councillor Koch is here...

but I won't announce her.

- Neither will I. - Yes, but...

No, no, you talk to her.

Good evening, madam. Is it very urgent?

I mean, it's only, just now...

No, doctor, I won't be refused any longer.

I must speak to my husband under any circumstance.

Please tell him that.

Madam, I will gladly try, but...

he won't let anyone come near, not even us.

I don't care. I haven't got the nerves anymore.

Tell him if I must leave again without talking to him...

Please call him here.

You want that pail of bacilli thrown at your head?

What can I do? I can't send her away again.

Yes, what is it?

Doctor, I only wanted to ask you...

Gaffky, don't forget your word. Come here.

I am finished. The proof is here.

The chain is closed, without any gap.

It can't go awry, Doctor.

You've mused over and proved everything.

Tomorrow you'll show these big shots.

What eyes they'll make.

I'm curious to see what Virchow will say.

He must say yes. There will be nothing else to do.

Children, it was rather much these last few weeks,

but we have succeeded.

May I make a suggestion?

Go home now. No, don't speak.

Go home, and go to sleep.

Yes, Gaffky, you're right.

My wife doesn't know what I look like anymore.

But no, it's impossible. I must control the temperature.

Doctor, twenty nights I've sat here

so that you might have enough confidence

that this one night I might...

Alright, Fritz. I can depend on you.

You know what is involved tomorrow.

The boy has really sacrificed himself.

He looks miserable too.

One more night, then a new life begins.

Tomorrow is the court ball. I'll be at the castle.

When does the lecture start?

8 o'clock, Privy Councillor, at the Physiological Institute.

Did you hear about what Koch claims to have discovered?

Privy Councillor, I don't really understand these things.

But these men's secretive behavior,

I can't imagine anything serious behind it.

We shall see.

You had a long wait,

but I couldn't get away from the Charité.

No matter, Elsa, I was still busy.

Then come and eat.

I brought you some strong coffee.

- Do you still have a cold? - No, no.

- But your hands are so hot. - I just came from the ovens.

You're thinking only of tomorrow?

I can't tell you how I'm waiting for it.

- How beautiful it is. - What is it, Fritz?

I don't know how to tell you this,

how you take care of me.

Oh Fritz,

it will be so much more beautiful when we are married.

Elsa...

Why don't you kiss me?

No, please don't.

I love you so much.

Fritz, what's wrong? What's ailing you?

Are you in pain?

- No. - Can I help you?

Yes, you can help me, if you listen to me quietly.

Yes, Fritz?

I shall never marry you.

- But why? - I am very sick.

You... infected yourself.

Dr. Koch... must know right away.

Under no condition.

If you really love me, Elsa, not a word to Dr. Koch.

Tomorrow he fights the fight of his life

and I too want to experience his victory.

You must understand.

Promise me, not to say anything before tomorrow night.

I promise you that.

Never mind, Mama, today is another hard day.

But tomorrow, the world will look altogether different.

And you know what?

Then we go someplace. Anywhere you like.

Robert, if I could only believe it.

But Mama, tomorrow the whole world will believe in me,

and you alone are doubtful.

- Doctor... - Elsa, where is Fritz?

Please, couldn't you look after him?

What's the matter with him? What's wrong?

Goodness, Fritz, what's the matter? Young man!

How is this possible? Fritz, you didn't...

No, it's a bad catarrh, nothing else.

Tell the truth, Fritz. You infected yourself.

- Yes. - How long have you known?

For weeks...

It's high time. The lecture begins at 8.

There are only a few minutes left.

Robert, Dr. Gaffky is here.

Fritz, young man, why didn't you say anything?

- Doctor, doctor. - Yes, I am coming.

Why did you do this to me?

I wanted to keep it a secret from you.

But why?

I wanted to experience your victory with you today.

Doctor, you are late.

Yes, Gaffky, yes.

Get Fritz in my ward at the Charité.

Elsa, get a cab. Come on, Gaffky.

Good evening, Professor, we haven't met in ages.

Michalke, what shall we have to listen to today?

- Well, Professor... - Well, we shall see.

I'm curious to know what Virchow will say.

- I am not. - Why not?

He can't but refuse.

It's ridiculous to make us come for this.

Listen, colleague, Koch must have something up his sleeve,

or all the big shots wouldn't be here.

There is Bergmann.

He is very much for Koch?

It's impossible that Virchow comes.

He is invited today by His Majesty to a great reception.

Now I understand,

that's why the lecture has been specially arranged for tonight.

It would be too bad if Virchow didn't come.

After all, we're anxious to know

how the medical pope will decide - blessing or anathema?

I hope this affair won't last too long.

I must be at Dressel's at 9.

Why don't they start anyway?

Virchow isn't here yet.

The gentleman from Wollstein.

Too bad that Virchow is ducking.

There goes our beautiful duel.

Gentlemen.

The character of tuberculosis

has been sought time and again,

but so far without any success.

Has the performance already begun?

Yes, a few minutes ago.

But I think, Privy Councillor, you needn't hurry.

The Privy Councillor won't miss much.

So, then I could have remained at Siechem's.

So far we believed

that tuberculosis was caused by a nutrition disturbance

or the disintegration of cells.

I shall prove to you

that tuberculosis is a parasitic sickness.

The bacillus I discovered, which I call tuberculosis bacillus,

is the cause of tuberculosis.

Colleague, please make out the record card.

Dr. Fritz von Hartwig,

brought in March 24,

26 years old.

- And the cause? - Tuberculosis. No doubt.

In future battles with this terrible plague of humanity,

the opponent won't be just an uncertain something,

but a tangible parasite whose living conditions are known.

If I now may be convinced

that the doctors have come to the realization

that tuberculosis is a contagious disease,

then I must call in this hour to a most noble contest

dedicated to the fight against this murderous disease.

May I now ask you, gentlemen,

to look over the results of my work.

Privy Councillor Virchow.

You see the microscopic picture of a lung's tissue,

destroyed by tuberculosis.

The bacillus is not visible.

By coloring with methylene blue and brown vesuvin,

I succeeded in making the bacillus visible.

The easily recognizable little marks

are tuberculosis germs which cause the malady.

I think Koch is right.

Don't decide before Virchow has spoken.

- Is he going to... - He'll at least say yes or no.

Councillor,

I thank you for your interesting lecture.

Gentlemen.

- But that's impossible. - But he can't just run away.

That's great.

This would mean revolutionizing the whole medical profession.

Yes, that's right, colleague.

Take this right away to the Minister of Public Information.

Yes, Privy Councillor.

How long has he slept?

For an hour.

He knows his condition.

But he only talks about you.

- What have you diagnosed? - Tuberculosis.

Dear Loeffler, please telegraph his father right away,

Judge von Hartwig, Wollstein.

What's the matter with 29?

That was the most interesting case of miliar tuberculosis.

You wanted to perform the autopsy yourself.

The body has been released.

It's already in the anatomy room.

That's right.

Let's go over there.

Privy Councillor, I'm glad to see you here with me.

His Majesty's most devoted opposition.

Since when do they invite Democrats here?

Dear Count, the order of the Red Eagle

covers up all traces of a bourgeois birth.

I don't know anyone who is more worthy

of a great medal, dear Privy Councillor.

What you have done for science...

you're a king in your realm.

Your Majesty is very gracious,

but... I too can make mistakes.

Dear Privy Councillor,

I've grown old

and I've made many mistakes in my long life.

To err is human.

In my position, Majesty, it's fatal to err.

May I see it?

A newly dissected lung tissue.

Interesting.

At the edge of the tubercular center

the cells disintegrate

and the tuberculosis germs become more rare

and finally disappear altogether.

A telling example.

Telling example? Why?

Very telling, colleague.

The tuberculosis bacillus spreads quickest

in newly infected tissue.

The bacillus isn't interested anymore in dead cells.

They too are dead according to my theory.

What's the meaning is this?

That the parasitic nature of your tuberculosis bacillus

also seems proven from this angle.

Did you come here to tell me this?

I have convinced myself of that too.

- It took a little long. - You think so?

I'll tell you what I think,

that I consider it an unparalleled malice, if one...

Convinces himself the opponent is right?

No, if one lacks the courage to go before the public

and admit he is licked, the opponent is right.

I did not say you were wrong.

I wish you had said it. I could prove you wrong.

But you did much worse, you kept quiet.

That's the most contemptible thing you can do.

Do you think it's easy

to refute a theory overnight,

that one has worked on for 40 years?

Not theories are involved here, but life itself.

Our fight against death, for life's sake.

That ranks high above all personal vanity

and demands courage and self-denial.

But you were too cowardly to admit your greatest defeat

before that forum of science with a single word.

Now comes this word, like the shadow of a bad conscience

crawling after me in the night.

And here, where no one can hear, this word is spoken:

you did right.

It wasn't for nothing what you did in these years,

in all these countless days and nights.

You discovered the tuberculosis bacillus.

You've accomplished something which will last for all time.

You did all that. I admit it.

Yes... now.

What does that mean?

If you only knew what you've done to me.

I don't understand you.

You've accomplished something great.

Tomorrow the world will admire your name.

What do you care about me?

Once you were like a god to me.

I know very well what you've done for science.

I'm neither so dumb nor so bad,

to forget it or pass over it in silence.

You should have talked. Nobody but you.

Everybody expected it. Everybody.

And what should I have said, if you please?

Maybe this:

Dr. Koch, you've discovered the tuberculosis bacillus.

This discovery is an hour of destiny in mankind's history.

Very well. And then?

You discovered the germ. What of it?

What it means?

I know the enemy now,

now I can forge the weapon that will beat him.

If I fall, I'll put it in the hands of those who come after.

The battle begins, and won't end

until the enemy is vanquished.

- You hope so. - I believe so.

I hoped to have you, or at least your word, at my side.

Pardon me, but I can't keep back this good news.

The Privy Councillor knows already.

A sensational report about you in the paper.

Privy Councillor Virchow reported the greatness of your discovery

to the Minister of Public Information.

He calls your lecture "mankind's hour of destiny"

in the fight against tuberculosis.

Please read for yourself.

You still make it very hard for me.

I did you wrong.

Wrong? I didn't feel anything like it.

Let's forget that in this struggle we are men.

It's greater than us.

You see, I've learned much from you.

How did it happen so suddenly?

He slept very quietly.

When he awoke, his first question was for Koch.

And then... then came the hemorrhage.

Was word sent to Dr. Koch?

He's already with him.

What did Virchow say?

What he had to.

And he told it to the whole world.

That is victory.

Do you remember, in Wollstein, when I discovered it?

Yes, I remember.

Two and a half parts methylene blue,

two parts eosin red.

The two of us, you and me, were the first to see it.

Life has been worth living.

It was, Fritz.

You will do great things yet,

discover much and help mankind.

I promise you.

So this hasn't been for nothing.

Now I am indescribably happy.

This is the victory of an unshakable belief in a mission once acknowleded.

Incredible diligence

and the intuition of a genius

are the prerequisites of the achievement Robert Koch created as an example for all of us.

This man has been chosen by destiny to continue his work for the benefit of mankind,

because his previous works establish a precious and unmistakable certainty.

I don't find it easy

to speak to you at this moment.

I am a man ashamed.

My work here has been called meritorious.

I only did my duty

and in return received a happiness greater than I've ever known.

Let me speak to you of this happiness of labour and of the belief

in the meaning of all renewals of our knowledge

through the eternally searching human spirit.

We all are mortal

and can go wrong.

But nothing must keep us from

following the path of our duty till the end,

dedicated solely to the benefit of suffering humanity.

Being a doctor and a helper of mankind,

this deed has nothing to do with noisy fame.

It is done in silence and doesn't have a name,

like the sacrifices made on its behalf.

You young people,

you'll understand me when I say:

that there can be no life and no reaching forward to great goals

without sacrifice.

I know everything great and good shall live on in you all,

in your spirits, in your young hearts.

And if ever the torch light drops from our hands,

you all shall lift it up

and carry it into a newer, brighter day.