Original subtitles

Good morning, Lauren.

Oh, Dr. Mike.

Good morning to you.

And to you, little sweetie.

I got a new brand of infant food. Just come in.

Yum, yum.

Well, we're going to have to hold off on that for a few months, Lauren, until

Katie's ready.

Emma?

I'd like to hire you to do some more work for me.

These pregnancy dresses?

I need them to be taken in.

A lot.

Sure. Well, that should keep you busy for a while.

Hey, Katie, look.

Oh, the new couple from Denver, the lawyer and his wife, they just pulled up

front of the clinic. Their baby's sick.

I checked inside. Andrew wasn't there. Oh, he rolled out to check in on Mrs.

Borman. Oh. I thought you were getting the doctor.

I am Dr.

Quinn. He has diarrhea. It's getting worse.

What's his name? Michael.

Well, he doesn't appear to have a fever.

Let's take him inside, Mrs.

Norris. Oh.

I'll look after Katie.

Thank you, Dorothy.

You said there was a real doctor in town.

Please bring him inside.

It's just why I didn't want to move here from Denver. There's no hospital.

There's not even a doctor that we know.

How long has Michael had the diarrhea?

A few days.

Have you been nursing him?

No, we've been weaning him for about a month. We've been feeding him milk from

our cow.

What's wrong with him?

It's most likely gastroenteritis.

It often happens in babies, especially during weaning.

I don't think it's anything you should be too worried about.

I'd like you to withhold the cow's milk for the next day or so.

We'll give him some water and some weak tea.

There's some Cheyenne herbs. They're particularly effective Cheyenne. You

mean Indian.

Oh, I use them on my own baby Actually, the herbs are gentler on the stomach

than most medicine You're the doctor

Michael's

sleeping comfortably. I think he's got the worst of it.

I'd like to keep him here overnight and observe him just to make sure

Stay with him if you like.

What's wrong with him?

You've been feeding him? He was hungry.

If he had to, he wouldn't take any more of that Indian tea. I didn't know what

else to do.

You have to get his fever down.

He's not crying so much anymore.

Is it getting better?

Why don't you go lay down and get some sleep?

In a minute.

Perhaps it was cholera and phantom.

Cholera?

No, it's not actually related to Asiatic cholera. It's a severe inflammatory

diarrhea occurring mainly in infants.

Strikes suddenly, oftentimes fatal.

Doesn't he have the first time lost a baby?

It's the first time since we got our own.

Kayla, you did everything you could.

I just can't imagine what those parents must be feeling.

It appeared to be a simple gastrointestinal catarrh.

But then the baby developed a sudden fever.

The pulse was quick and weak and respiration shallow.

Cholera and phantom? I believe so.

But the frightening thing is that he appeared to be recovering.

But after I administered the tea, he was able to sleep comfortably. Tea?

It's a Cheyenne drink.

It's made from the root of a wild terranium plant.

Another Indian remedy?

It's a very effective astringent.

Wild geranium.

Interesting.

Chlorine phantom.

It's usually brought on by eating improper food.

Or poor living condition.

The parents seem to be well off.

It's more likely the food.

They were in the midst of weaning the child. In fact, the mother had just fed

milk to the child before the final attack.

Maybe the milk was bad.

I'll drop Katie off at Becky's house and I'll drag out to Norris' home today. I

could go if you like.

No, I should go.

I haven't spoken to him since.

I'll tell you how sorry I am.

I feel... We need to find out what happened to Michael.

We know what happened.

We need to discover the cause.

The milk that you've been feeding him. Had it been drawn from only one cow?

I think you'd better go home. I will. It's just... I just need to have a small

sample of the milk to see if there are any impurities.

And if I could see the room that Michael slept in. Are you implying we didn't

take care of our son? No, of course not.

It's just we need to find out what caused Michael's illness.

Did you feed him anything besides milk?

No.

Excuse me.

The only thing we fed him was your damn Indian plant.

Well, they couldn't have hurt him. In fact, that's all he ate before he got

worse.

Well, actually, Mr. Norris, your wife also fed him some milk, which is why I

need... What you need is to leave.

Mr. Norris, all I want to do is... You've done enough.

My son's dead because of your incompetence.

Well, I've finished two of them.

Still got three more to take.

All for moi.

She was pregnant a long time, remember?

You enjoying working at the store, Emma?

It's all right.

Just a business pickup.

What are you talking about?

I got five dresses to work on.

From one customer.

It's Dr. Mike.

I'm glad I'm not working for Hank anymore, but... I better get going.

Big time. Folks, come on.

I hope.

You got a day pass, huh?

I follow the rules of a new agent.

I've earned his trust.

Making you live in those wood houses?

I'm no longer allowed to speak my language or use my medicine.

I won't stop until I make you change your whole way of life.

But you cannot change who I am.

I will be the same man I have always been.

So will you.

The cut should heal in a few days. Oh, thank you, Dr. Mack.

Next time, try sneezing after you finish washing the knives.

I'll do that.

Oh, hello, darling.

I think she's getting hungry if I help talk.

You have the most voracious appetite.

Dr. Quinn.

What's the noise?

What's this?

It's a restraining order issued by Circuit Court Judge Frederick Webster in

Denver. Restraining order? It's a legal document prohibiting you from practicing

medicine until he hears this case.

What case?

I'm suing you for malpractice in the treatment of my son, and I'm seeking

restitution for his death.

Malpractice? This woman killed my son with her Indian medicine.

She tried to save him. Of course she did.

Mr. Norris, I understand how upset you are. Understand this. That is a legal

document. If you practice medicine, you'll be thrown in jail.

But my patient Sittstown needs her.

We needed her, too.

She told me my son was going to be fine.

We listened to her.

Did what she told us, and within hours, he was dead.

Lenore, please believe me. I did everything I could. You did everything

And I'm going to make sure you never do it again.

Can he really stop you from practicing medicine like that? Oh, the man's a

lawyer. They're always fouling everything up. Kayla did her best. It

fault. I can't believe he's doing this.

He's very upset. He lost his child.

Still don't give him a right to keep you from doctoring. What are you going to

do, McKay?

It'll be all right. Andrew will watch the clinic.

Until he gets sued like you.

You're not going to stop being a doctor, are you?

I can't break the law.

Just for a few days, until this hearing's over, and the judge will come

see this for what it is.

A man upset over losing his son.

Mr. Norris, I'm sorry about your son.

Please, I know you're only here on your wife's behalf, so you might as well save

your breath.

I know how you feel. No, don't you dare condescend to me. You can't possibly

know what it's like to lose a child.

I was angry at everything for a very long time, after my daughter Hannah

She passed away in childbirth, along with my wife.

It ain't the same, I know that.

Everybody hurts in different ways.

But being angry didn't change anything.

It didn't bring them back.

This isn't about Michael or me.

It's about protecting the good people of this town from a doctor's incompetence.

He set the table for just three people.

I know.

He's only been gone a week, and I miss her already.

Perhaps if Beth was not here, this malpractice case would have been very

upsetting to her.

What does it mean when somebody sues you for malpractice?

Well, Mr. and Mrs. Norris feel that I didn't do my job properly.

That the cyan tea I gave their son wasn't the correct treatment.

But you'd never do anything to hurt somebody.

The judge is going to come out and decide for himself, Brian.

And until then, you can't be a doctor?

That's not fair.

It's a precautionary measure, Brian.

When a doctor's perceived to have made an error, the safest course is to

them from practicing medicine until their case is settled.

Doctors ain't like the rest of us, Brian.

You're not allowed to make them today.

Sometimes it's necessary to weed out the bad.

There was a doctor in Boston.

He was an excellent surgeon, but he was frequently intoxicated.

And he was found guilty of malpractice.

And they were right to do it because he shouldn't have been practicing.

That ain't the same.

It is to Mr.

Norris.

Ever since medicine's become more scientific, people expect scientific

What if the judge finds you guilty?

He won't.

Well, if he does, he'll take away my license and I won't be allowed to

medicine anymore.

It looked wonderful, Emma.

I can have the rest done by Friday. Is that all right?

Oh, Friday will be fine.

I know things have been difficult for you.

Yeah.

I've been wanting to be a dressmaker all my life.

It hurts when people won't let you do what you love.

I know exactly how you feel, Emma.

I'm sure everything will work out for the best.

For both of us.

I still can't believe they're doing this to you. Don't worry.

We're all behind you, Dr. Michael. That's right. We'll tell that judge what

of good doctor you are.

Here they come.

Dr. Quinn? Yes.

That's Frederick Webster.

I also understand you know Dr. Cassidy.

Yes, I do.

Good to see you again, Dr. Quinn.

You'll be offering medical testimony.

Dr. Quinn, understand that only the Medical Review Board can revoke your

license. The purpose of this hearing is to evaluate whether you are allowed to

keep practicing prior to their determination of your competence.

I understand, Your Honor. And who are all these people?

Why, we're her parents. Patience. We want to speak on her behalf.

Well, fine.

Then, shall we?

Go on inside. We'll be home shortly.

What are you going to do?

They get their expert witness, and you get ours.

As far as I can go.

I'll go right on to the reservation to get cloud insulin.

I'll wait here.

Dr. Cassidy, would you ever use Indian potions to treat diarrhea?

Absolutely not.

There are many scientifically proven modern medications available.

Would you ever use Indian potions to treat any malady? No.

Well, how would you have treated this patient?

Well, it's a...

Not having examined the child, it's difficult to say definitely, but there

any number of scientific remedies for gastrointestinal catarrh. There's

arsenicum, cacara, mercury. Is it not possible that here in this rural

a doctor might not be familiar with this information? It's every doctor's

responsibility to stay current through medical journals and periodicals.

Were you aware of these medications, Dr. Quinn? Yes, but in this instance... And

did you have them available in your clinic?

Yes, but I used a treatment with which I've had successful personal experience

many times.

Then why was it not successful this time?

It was successful.

The baby's condition was improving.

It wasn't until the child was fed milk, which I now believe to be impure... You

now believe?

Now that our son is dead?

Mr. Norris... This is how you cover your mistakes, by shifting the blame to us.

Mr. Norris! It's the Norris. She fed our son poison, Judge. A lethal Indian

drink that killed him.

It ain't poison.

Who is this?

He's a respected healer. He knows the treatment she used.

You ought to be allowed to speak.

This is nonsense.

No, it ain't.

Cloud dancing has helped a lot of people with his medicine.

Judge, I must strongly object to this.

Overruled.

I'll allow him to speak.

And just how do you know this tea is safe?

Wild geranium has been used by our people for many years.

It has never harmed anyone.

Well, obviously something went wrong this time.

The Great Spirit sometimes will take the child back.

Then there is nothing we can do.

We do not have such a cavalier attitude toward medicine as you do.

We keep on trying. We do not accept defeat.

Then your patients always live.

I'm not on trial here, and I will not be lectured to regarding professional

conduct by an Indian.

The very fact that Dr. Quinn took medical lessons from him in itself

incompetence. Your Honor, may I ask Dr. Kennedy a question?

If, in fact, the milk that was fed to the baby was impure, could that lead to

cholera and phantom?

If you believe the milk was impure, why didn't you test it when the baby was

first brought to you?

I wasn't aware of the severity. I'll tell you why.

Negligence. There was nothing wrong with that milk. If Dr. Quinn would have just

followed the methods Dr. Cassidy spoke of, Michael would still be alive.

Your Honor, it's understandable that Mr. Norris would want to strike out at me.

His loss was tragic and incomprehensible.

But we can't be sure that even if I had used Dr. Cassidy's methods, that Michael

would have lived.

Perhaps we should get another doctor's opinion.

Dr. Cook?

You've only worked with Dr. Quinn for a short time.

Yeah, that's correct.

But in that time, I've found Dr. Quinn to be exceedingly professional and

diligent.

I have the utmost respect for her. Have you ever found yourself questioning her

judgment?

Yes, once.

But I was proven wrong.

I've learned a great deal from her.

What about in this instance?

Would you have given my child an Indian tea?

Well, I'm not yet familiar with the various herbs. Give him the choice.

Between the scientifically proven medicines Dr. Quinn has available in her

clinic and an ancient Indian potion, which would you prescribe?

Again, that would be very difficult to answer. Just answer the question, son.

I would prescribe the medicine Dr.

Cassidy spoke of.

All right, let's have it quiet in here.

Dr. Quinn, you're obviously a well -meaning woman.

Yet the evidence demands that I suspend your license pending the determination

of the Medical Review Board until that time you are forbidden to practice

medicine under penalty of law.

Furthermore, I find that the ordinary care...

expertise and diligence required of doctors in such cases were not exercised

a proper manner.

That's causing irreparable loss.

I therefore find for the plaintiffs and order you, Dr. Michaela Quinn, to pay

damages to Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Norris in the sum of $2 ,000.

But I don't have $2 ,000.

Then you must get it.

Come on. Stop with me.

What is that?

Petition, Lauren.

Telling the medical review board that we know from personal experience that

Michaela's an excellent doctor.

I still can't believe that judge didn't even give us a chance to speak.

Well, now you can let your voice be heard by signing the petition.

Lauren?

Well, I suppose I will. Not that it's going to do any good.

I'll sign it, too.

I'd like to sign it as well.

Course, Andrew.

Ada's asleep.

What are you doing?

I'm figuring out how much I can sell my medical equipment for.

It's not nearly enough to pay the restitution, but I... Ain't you gonna

this? Well, what can I do?

The judge says I have to pay.

And I don't ask my mother for any more money.

I may have to take Colleen out of college.

Take her to a higher court.

They're going to have to listen to you, especially if you win at the medical

review board.

If I win?

What do you mean?

You said yourself the milk was probably impure.

Unfortunately, we never know for sure.

Sully, I have to prepare myself for all possibilities, including

not being able to practice medicine anymore.

All right.

Well, what if that happens? What are you going to do?

Being a doctor.

It isn't just what I do. It's who I am.

You'll still be the same person you've always been.

Somebody who cares about people and wants to help them.

I can't take that away from you.

Morning, Lauren.

Not one.

What were you doing in the Gazette?

Oh, I was just talking to Dorothy about placing an advertisement in next week's

paper. Thought maybe it might help get things started for me. Yeah, let's hope

so.

Lauren, I've been thinking about the agreement we made, the 50 % split.

But with the work I've been doing for Dr. Mike... Look, I ain't giving you any

more if that's where you're heading.

No, no, I was thinking about giving you 60%, like you wanted.

Seeing as how your business has been slowing down on the count of me.

You sure?

I want to do what's fair.

Wait a minute.

It ain't your fault people don't want to buy from you.

I've seen your work, it's good.

We'll leave the agreement just the way it was, 50 -50.

Go on, get out of here. Deal's a deal.

Milk from the Norse cow.

Now you can be sure.

That's wonderful.

It appears normal.

What are you looking for?

Pure cow's milk. It's perfectly white.

There's no deposits or discernible odor.

If the milk is bad... Dr. Quinn.

I, uh... I thought you weren't going to be working.

Sully was able to obtain a sample of milk from Mr. Norris' cow.

That's good.

I can't believe he gave you permission.

He didn't.

How does it look?

The globules are fairly uniform and moving freely.

What does that mean?

The milk is pure.

Sorry. Perhaps I did overlook something.

Perhaps the tea wasn't the problem. No.

You didn't do anything wrong.

Tell me that.

I don't like it.

I told you the gun missed, but I thought he was cleaning it.

The man's right in the towel before he passed out.

There's no exit wound.

Bullets on his side.

He appears to be bleeding internally.

What should I do?

I've never operated to remove a bullet before.

But you have.

I want to place an ad in the Gazette. I'm selling my house.

Oh.

Well, perhaps that's for the best.

I'm sure it has unhappy memories for you.

What was he doing at the clinic?

What are you doing? The man has been shot. I need to remove the bullet.

not doing anything.

He's bleeding internally. It can't wait any longer.

If you touch that man, I'll have you thrown in jail. He'll die if I don't

operate. He'll die if you do.

You're a doctor. You remove the bullet.

I've never actually performed this kind of procedure.

But you are familiar with it. Yes, I am, but I really think... Then you'd better

go to work.

I know that.

All the evidence?

Not from her.

I'll get you.

I need to locate the bleeders and tie them off.

And I'll look for the bullet.

Dr. Quinn?

Mr. Norris, if anything goes wrong here, this time we'll know whose fault it is.

Then I'll be sure to offer testimony.

I really think alone may be your best way to deal with this unfortunate and,

I say, totally unfounded judgment.

And that's why I'm prepared to offer you a preferential rate.

This ain't a good idea.

I don't know that we really have a choice.

Precisely. So why not borrow it discreetly from someone who knows you

you? What do we need to do?

Well, you'll need to arrange some collateral.

Now, what could you offer?

Well, there's my clinic and medical equipment.

I'm afraid that wouldn't suffice. I thought you said you trusted us. Of

do, Sully. It's just that my investors have strict requirements.

I can't think of anything.

Except the homestead.

The homestead?

No.

I'm not talking about giving up anything, Sully.

It's just pro forma.

Meeting's over.

Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.

How did it go?

I removed the bullet.

It missed his major organs, but lacerated a branch of his hepatic

I applied a ligature and stopped the bleeding.

Good. How's the patient?

He's... he's fine.

Were there complications?

No. No, his color's returning, pulse steady.

It's just during the operation I could barely move my hands.

I was constantly second -guessing myself.

I was terrified of making a mistake.

But you didn't.

Not this time.

I better go check on him.

He's been in the saloon all afternoon.

He told me to keep an eye on him.

Getting angry here with each drink.

Staying angry keeps him from feeling the hurt.

Please,

Dr. Mike.

You gotta help us.

She's got diarrhea real bad.

She doesn't appear to have a fever.

Think it's the same thing the other baby had? Perhaps.

Trisha, my license has been suspended, but Dr. Cook's in the clinic. No, he

rode out of town to take his patient back home.

Please, Dr. Mike, you've got to help her.

Let's take her to the clinic.

Stop!

Sheriff, arrest her.

Lord, take it easy. She's breaking the law. I demand you arrest her. I'm not

going to arrest her. The baby needs help. I won't let her kill my child the

she did mine.

I'm wiring the marshal. All three of you are going to jail!

Her pain appears to be easing.

How long has she had the diarrhea?

A few days, off and on. But it's been getting worse.

Have you been nursing her?

No. She just started taking milk from a bottle.

Patricia, I must warn you that Emily's condition is very similar to the baby

died.

I'd like to keep her here at the clinic to observe her.

What's wrong with her?

We can't be certain yet.

But it's vital you don't give her any milk for the next day or so, just water.

And I'd like to take a sample of the milk to examine it.

Oh, I have her bottle right here.

She was feeding from it when she got the attack.

But the milk's fresh.

What about it?

Where did she get it?

Mr. Bray just started carrying them in his door.

Please bring me the microscope.

This bottle is exactly the same as the one Mrs. Lawrence used to use.

The problem was with the milk.

It must be the bottle.

I'm sorry to call you out here on such short notice, but the marshal couldn't

come, and this woman is a real minute. I can't believe she's practicing medicine

in violation of my order. On babies, no less.

We won't wait for the medical review board to meet formally. The three of us

form a quorum, and we can revoke her license on the spot. Where is she, at

clinic? No, in there.

Dr. Quinn?

Judge Webster, thank goodness you're here.

Anything yet?

Doc Cassidy's still looking in the microscope.

The design of the bottle means it's impossible to keep the tube clean.

And when the babies drank, they injected the bad milk residue along with the

fresh milk and...

That caused the infection.

She's right.

So it was our fault.

You can't blame yourself.

It was a bottle. You couldn't possibly have known it was dangerous.

I'll make certain that the manufacturer is notified.

And I'm sure that we agree that Dr.

Quinn's medical license should be reinstated.

And the malpractice judgment dismissed, Judge.

Any argument, Mr. Norris?

In that case, all charges are dropped.

Congratulations, Dr. Quigg. We never lost faith in you. Thank you.

Good job.

It feels like an enormous weight has been lifted for me.

For a moment there, Michaela, I was beginning to wonder whether it was all

it. I was beginning to question my own decision for becoming a doctor.

Seeing you fight to do what you love.

It inspired me.

That's why I'll be going back to Boston.

I'm going to tell my uncle I will not be joining his practice.

I found a new home.

Thank

you,

Emma.

You've done a wonderful job with these.

My pleasure.

This town's very fortunate to have a seamstress with her talents working

Look at that.

Dark.

Words can spread.

What if it don't?

Been doing some thinking.

I figure I've waited long enough for folks in this town to come around.

It ain't been good for me.

Or Lauren.

So I'm going to give it another two weeks.

And if things don't change for me, I'll go someplace I can start fresh.

People don't know me.

Dr. Quinn?

We only have a moment.

Our train will be leaving soon.

But I feel I owe you an apology.

No, you don't.

You've suffered a terrible loss.

I only wanted to prevent it from happening again to someone else.

I understand.

That's why I'm going to find the manufacturer of that bottle and make him

for his mistake.

The doctor ain't so simple anymore, is it?

Not just about medicine.

It doesn't mean we stopped trying.

The earliest malpractice appellate decision in the United States was

1794. By the year 1870, the number of suits had climbed by 950%.