Original subtitles

Cut.

You have to lean on the patient, Dr. Rogerski. You'd better go home.

Get your sleep.

Sorry, sir.

I'm nearly finished.

You may break scrub.

How's the patient?

Blood pressure dropping a little.

Cut. No, wait.

I'd like to retire this one.

Pulse.

Occasional drop feet.

Shall I let him up, doctor?

Four more sutures.

Start letting him out slowly.

Almost through.

What are you doing here?

Toss me out.

He's an hour over.

You know, I had a delay, preoperative sedation.

The mill for the gods grinds slow.

Three more surgeries for this room.

We'll be stacked up all day.

Tired.

Smoke, gentlemen?

Dr. Galvin.

Relax, Doctor.

Surgery's over. We're all poops.

You blind?

You just don't care.

I know it's on your mind, but you don't know what you're getting yourself into.

Now take my advice.

Forget it.

Another 20 minutes and it's puttering around. Take a cold shower, Kildare.

grab a cup of coffee.

And forget it.

Come in.

Ever see one of these?

I bought it for my grandson.

Wonderful educational toys they have nowadays, aren't they?

I guess so.

I was checking how accurate it is. Not bad.

Something on your mind?

Yes.

A question of medical ethics.

I assume you haven't forgotten your oath already.

It concerns another doctor.

Dr. Kildare, after a single week, I'm certain that the dullest -witted intern

aware that a hospital like the Army or any other complex organization has well

-established channels of communication.

Before you continue, I suggest you re -examine the possibilities of exploiting

them. I have. I know this matter should have been taken first to the resident in

charge and then to... Let's hear it.

In my judgment, a surgeon at this hospital has become so slow from...

Age or whatever cause that he's jeopardizing the lives of his patients.

Don't play cat and mouse with me.

What surgeon?

Dr. Dubrow.

I assisted him in a lung resection this morning. He took four and a half hours

instead of three.

Surgery is not a horse race, doctor. It involves human beings.

I'm not saying he was laudably cautious.

His work was agonizingly slow.

A boy scout could have tied his knots faster.

Another... 20 minutes and it would have been terminal surgery.

How old are you, doctor?

26.

You've had seven years of medical training and a few months of internship.

Are you quite certain there was no medical reason for this agonizing

Unequivocally certain.

Why are you making this complaint?

In the interest of good medicine.

Generally, and his patients in particular.

But why to me instead of the chief of surgical services?

Dr. Hackett came to Blair only two weeks ago.

And I know you're a good friend of Dr. Dubrow.

A very good friend.

He recommended me for my residency at Blair.

I'm his daughter's godfather.

Last summer we spent our vacation together fishing up at his cabin.

I say he's my oldest and closest friend.

Now exactly how does that involve the interest of good medicine, doctor?

I'm questioning his physical.

Not not as medical competence He's getting too old and I thought that was a

matter for personal as well as medical consideration

You've

impressed upon me your diligence and your dedication

You have also made a very serious charge.

Rest assured, I will explore it fully with the Chief of Physical Services.

Yes, Dr. Gillespie?

Get me Dr. Hackett.

Yes, sir.

No, no. I'll go over there myself.

You know what the secret is?

Thank you.

Not to take yourself so seriously. Teach yourself not to take yourself

seriously. Then you won't have any worries.

Take me.

I've made a habit, a career, out of being thrown out of places.

Three elementary schools, two high schools, and Miss Bentley's school of

Preteens.

Plus one operating room.

I have a wealth of training.

No tension, no worries, and no ulcers. What would you prescribe, doctor?

Permanent sedation of the conscience?

Who would you complain to?

Gillespie.

You'll be a lousy patient.

Complaints to the great white father are not part of my recommended therapy to

ulcers.

Now that's therapeutic.

a few more cigarettes, I forgot mine again.

Take the whole pack.

You're kidding.

No, I'd rather mooch from you for the sheer novelty.

You boxy twins ready to work or still reconstructing this morning's surgery?

Read any good books lately, Doctor?

Mr. Lorenzo Lawson, Jr.

Ever hear the name?

Nope. You will.

Mr. Lawson, Sr. is the chairman of our permanent fundraising committee.

That Mr. Lawson.

His son is my personal cross. I treated him gently once. Ever since he camps on

my doorstep like an orphan.

Is he a difficult diagnosis?

Simple. He likes hospitals.

And sympathy.

Three admittances in the past ten months.

Never found a thing.

Why doesn't he try Paris or Rome?

Tahiti?

Vacation? No.

He suffers.

Inventive, too, is Mr. Lawson.

Doesn't take him long to come up with a whole new set of symptoms.

I see you coming, Doc.

That's what I call service.

For you only.

How's the watch job?

Looks antiseptic.

You're a good man. Very good to me, Doc. Oh, saves me the trouble of bringing

the car to a wash rack.

Besides, you do a better job, Tico.

Nah, it's just some of your bedside manners.

Oh, I'm all through for the day.

Getting in nine holes for Dr. Gillespie.

No wind.

You can take a chance on some of those dog legs today.

Say, that reminds me.

You know, last week, on the 14th, you know that five -par, started twice.

Couldn't get off the tee except in the circle. Will you watch my swing?

I fixed that for you when you first started, remember?

Well... I tell you what you tell me all the time.

Take it easy, easy.

Think you're Mickey Mantle?

Is that all it is?

Well, you could put your right hand over a little until you stop the slides.

I wish I could show you.

You still miss it.

Ah, better a live parking attendant than a dead golf pro, huh? Every time.

Any pain?

I take the pills like you said.

You know when you run out.

Okay.

Thanks for the lesson.

Tell Dr. Gillespie I'll be in the driving range.

What do you think of the resident's reports on Dubrow?

His surgeries are taking longer.

Gradual slowing down.

Perhaps more pronounced in the past two or three weeks.

No evidence of jeopardy to a patient, however.

In two other surgeries, doctors made note of the extra time consumed, but

declined comment.

We all slow down.

Natural erosion of age.

I know Charlie Dubrow. I know him very well.

You think he should be asked to resign?

Just for some delays in the surgical histories and one or two minor

I don't know.

I've been here two weeks and I hardly know my own duties, much less the work

my staff.

I know Dubrow, read his papers in the journals.

Envy is wisdom.

He might continue indefinitely, saving lives with 35 years of that wisdom

you envy.

He might.

What's your opinion?

If you were in my shoes.

There's only one choice.

Will you check Dr. Dubrow's elective operating schedule for the next couple

weeks?

Any vascular?

Nothing else?

Thank you.

Just a few sympathectomines.

Nothing complicated for Dubrow.

This is going to hurt Charlie Dubrow.

There's no rush.

I'll show him the histories.

Be as gentle as I can.

There's no need to convene a board.

I'd like to tell him myself, as a friend instead of officially.

He'd certainly appreciate that.

There's an anniversary party for him on Thursday night. 35 years.

Surprise from the staff.

I have the invitation.

Thank you, Norman.

I'll tell him as soon as possible.

Thank you, Leonard.

I'm sorry, Doctor. I thought you left.

Go ahead, go ahead.

You didn't forget your afternoon off, did you?

Of course not.

We're counting on you to worm it out of him what he'd really like. I know, I

know the gift. I'm not a two -year -old.

Well, you asked to be reminded, Doctor.

I'm sorry.

Short day, short of temper.

Well, I have thick skin.

Enjoy your game, Doctor.

That's three up on you. You should get out more often.

Miss Praxis, I know that there's that recipient potch of a certain lack of

breath on the hill.

Not to mention a swing like a garden gate.

I warned you in advance I was rusty. You don't have to rub it in.

Catch your breath.

I can't hit off yet anyway.

Been a long time, hasn't it?

Since we played.

Since we both came to Blair.

You're as subtle as a stomach pump. Subtle? About what?

After 30 years, Leonard, I can read you like the proverbial book.

Tomindex. I was wondering how long before you brought it up.

Brought what up?

You may be the high mucky muck of medical services.

But old Dr. Brough has his spies.

I mean that anniversary party that you're going to surprise me with. Party?

Do you think anybody around Blair would give a party for an old grouch like you?

I happened to overhear this morning about your secret mission. A couple of

old hens in the lounge.

Well, if that's the case, perhaps I'd better tell them that you'd like nothing

better than another big fancy scroll to add to your collection.

Truth.

You just tell them how much I could use in this set of balanced woods.

I promise you to put on the greatest surprise act since they found that

asleep on the cadaver's perception table.

When I get to be an old geezer, I'll have pleasant memories with me every

play.

Not just hanging by themselves on my wall.

Of course, Charlie.

Now you can thank me for making it easy for you by reading your mind.

Am I that transparent?

Only to me, old boy.

You can still play the see -all, know -all inscrutable for the interns.

Thank you.

But while we're talking, I think I... Shh.

Charlie, shh.

Well...

How are you feeling this morning, Mr. Lawson?

How are you feeling this morning?

Not too bad, thanks.

I have very good news.

All the lab tests were negative.

That means you can get out of here as soon as you like.

Just because you don't know what's wrong with me doesn't mean I stopped feeling

any pain.

What about my symptoms?

I can't find any physical cause to give you concern.

Perhaps you just don't know how to look.

Why don't you call in some other doctor? I've already confirmed my diagnosis

with Dr.

Gillespie. Oh?

Yes.

Well, even his diagnosis can only be as valid as the care taken in examining me

in the first place.

That's correct.

I examined you myself and supervised the tests.

Well?

If you want another doctor to examine you, Mr. Lawson, that's your privilege.

But I'll advise you now that it's only a waste of time.

Yours and the doctor's.

I believe I'm entitled to that privilege.

All right.

All right.

Conan, why'd we take up medicine?

Because the working hours are so good?

Very comforting.

All right. Which shoulder you want to cry on now?

No. Just want your medical assistance.

Which of our sterling young interns is the more brilliant diagnostician?

Is that a riddle?

I can see I get no help. Or sympathy.

I'll have to be truly scientific.

Science is wonderful.

You up next, Kildare?

Yeah. Good.

709, Mr. Lawson, possible exploratory. See what you can find.

Okay.

Oh, and get a good new history on him, Doctor. The old chart seems kind of

sketchy. All right, Doctor.

You know, I feel better already.

Hey, Doc, you're late.

Didn't sleep well last night. You catch 40 wings in the office, huh?

Take it easy.

I'm dying.

No, you're not dying.

You'll be all right.

Don't talk.

Now, under the tongue.

Get a stretcher. Hurry up.

Now, you relax. You're being wired for broadcast.

I know.

Thanks, Doc. I'll be back up after all your tests are completed.

I'm sure sorry about the car.

Oh, I'm insured.

You do what they tell you.

I'm more interested in taking care of your heart than in pressing a beat out

a fender.

Say, I always want to ask, what's that stuff for?

Makes better contact.

Feels good, doesn't it?

It's cold.

Gives me goose pimples.

You want to take a good picture, don't you?

Hold it.

Morning, sir. Morning.

At

least

you didn't tell your limb from limb.

The vow of your gizzard.

You made your complaint. That's all you can do.

It isn't over yet.

Remember my prescription?

No, sure, sure. Don't worry.

You can rest assured, Doctor, that we will take care of all the details so

you and your friends can relax and enjoy the party along with your honored

guests.

We've been in the catering business for over 20 years. Seems a trifle expensive.

Well, not for what you're getting.

I'm sure for this occasion you'll want the finest.

It's only a small party.

Well, after all, Doctor, how many times does a man celebrate 35 years of

distinguished service culminating a dedicated career?

Once. And only if he's fortunate enough to have friends such as yourselves to

appreciate him. We can appreciate him just as much with a fruit cup as a

cocktail. As you wish, Doctor. Oh, as is fine.

You intend to hold the banquet in the cafeteria of the hospital.

But may I suggest a list of small, private banquet rooms that would be more

fitting to the occasion?

Dr. Dubrow would think nothing more fitting than the cafeteria.

Yes, well, that leaves just the seating arrangement. Well, Miss Day will give

you all the details. Thank you for coming over.

Thank you, Doctor.

It's been a pleasure serving you.

Who's that?

Lawson, 709.

Good. What'd you get on him?

Well, I'm thinking of sending him home.

Are you kidding?

No.

Well, did you get a CBC?

Chest X -ray? EKG?

What for?

There's nothing wrong with him. No evidence. I'd suggest you get them,

nevertheless.

I know, I know. Routine.

I'm disappointed.

I hope you've considered getting a regitine test.

No.

I didn't find anything.

Why?

Suspicious lab test on the old chart.

Some indications.

Okay.

Okay.

You passing your rich off and on to another doorstep?

Don't know yet.

My friend Mr.

Lawson is crafty, sly, determined.

Think our impetuous Dr.

Kildare can handle it?

Once more.

How is it, Doc?

Okay now?

The attack was angina, Pico.

But the x -rays showed you have an aneurysm.

That's a swelling in an artery. It has to be excised, cut out and replaced.

That mean I'm going to make it?

It's a delicate job. I think we can take care of you in surgery tomorrow

morning. The sooner the better.

You mean I've got to be cut open?

It's not an uncommon operation. I'm afraid we have no choice.

It has to be done.

No, please, no.

I take my chances.

The better I see it coming in a bed than asleep, all cut open without knowing.

You trust us. Believe what I tell you. We won't let you down.

I can't help it.

There's no reason. I just got this feeling.

I've never been operated before.

Try to relax.

I'll be up and see you again in the morning.

You'll make it, Pico.

You break out in sweats, too?

Oh, yes.

Sometimes.

Feel nervous, tense?

Very. Then what happens?

Well, I try to get rid of it, control it.

How?

Get something to eat, a drink, anything to relax.

But nothing works?

Only until the next attack.

I see.

Do you ever pass out, Mr. Lawson?

No.

I mean, not quite.

Faint and dizzy, but not exactly passing out.

Any pain in the back?

Yes.

In the chest, too.

Got you coming and going, huh, Mr. Lawson?

Yes.

Headaches, too.

Headaches?

Headaches, too?

indicate something.

Is it serious?

Don't worry, Mr. Lawson.

I'm going to begin a series of tests on you.

What kind?

What for?

Well, it may not be too much fun, but I'm sure you want us to find out what's

wrong.

Doctor, don't you want to see if you can feel my spleen?

Doctor!

Hi, Doc.

I came as soon as I got here. Thank you.

You're a very good friend.

So are you.

It's going to be fine.

Dr. Gillespie, he says I've got to be cut.

That's right.

I can't.

Doctor, what is this aneurysm anyway?

It's not so bad.

It's like an inner tube.

Gets old and then thin and bucks.

Here's your heart.

Here you have a large artery. The aorta.

That sends blood all over your body. These are your kidneys.

And right here you have a weak spot.

Which has started to push out like a bubble.

Called an aneurysm.

And we've got to snip out that bit of aorta with the aneurysm.

And substitute a graft.

And a lot of stitches.

And a water chewing gum.

And that's it.

I'm scared.

You trust me?

Sure. Well, this is right up my alley.

You do this yourself?

We've known each other a long time, right?

Nobody like you, Doc.

Nobody.

You take care of me when I get sick.

You get me this job, and I had to leave the club.

Nobody like you, Doc.

We're friends.

Am I going to be all right?

I'm not going to tell you it couldn't happen.

On the operating table.

But it isn't likely.

And without it, it's just a question of time.

Like that, huh?

Yeah.

I trust you, Doc. I'm scared, but I trust you.

A lot of practice.

See you in the morning.

There you are.

No, it's so dark in here now I can't even read, even if you didn't take

everything away. No external stimuli, no music, no TV. You wouldn't want the

test to be inaccurate, would you? No, but what am I supposed to do?

More tests.

I hope somebody can find out what's wrong.

I'll try everything I know that works.

But now, Chinese water torture.

What is that thing? It's a stomach tube. Swallow it right now. Swallow that

thing? It's a little uncomfortable, but not painful. The nurse will explain. But

there's nothing wrong with my stomach.

We don't want to leave any stone unturned, now do we?

Now you just turn your head to the side and relax.

Oh, and don't worry about those specimens.

The night nurse will wake you every two hours. Bye.

How are you doing with Lawson, Doctor?

Conan tells me you ordered gastric lavage. Yeah.

It was, uh, puzzling for a while.

Now you're sure?

What's the diagnosis?

Mr. Lawson suffers from acute boredom with a history of malingering

by congenital wealth.

Very thorough.

Perceptive.

Excuse me.

Forgot to give you this, Kildare.

Sorry.

Thatcher said we didn't have much on him, Doctor.

Well, he changes his symptoms with the season.

This wouldn't be much good this time of year.

Come on, I'll buy you a cup of coffee.

Getting rusty?

That why you invited me to your club and filled me with dinner?

To show me up after what I did to you on the golf course?

No.

I want to talk over something.

Yes, I know. You have two days.

It isn't easy, Charlie.

Leonard.

For a long time, we've both been saying things to people that weren't easy to

say or to hear.

Come on, let's have it.

I think you should retire.

Retire?

Are you worried about me?

About you and your patients.

You're chief of medical services, Leonard.

I'm also chief of staff.

And this is from Dr. Hackett.

An official suggestion?

I'm speaking as an old friend.

And how does an old friend feel?

Offering an end to my life's work.

I faced a lot of patients and the relatives of patients.

None of them were as tough as an old friend.

Sorry.

You're slowing down. There have been some complaints.

A check on the surgical histories.

A couple of young bloods want me to hurry things up. Is that it?

Charles, change to consulting work.

Let somebody else's hands be the extension of your brain.

35 years.

One drink at parties.

Keep these hands steady.

Discipline. Sleep.

My mind yelled, stay awake and cope with my own private worries.

Sleep. So there mustn't be a blur in my eye to let a knife or a needle slip.

So many things can go wrong.

Let a human life pop away on a table.

Leonard.

Aren't you proud of what you are?

I am.

And that's what you want me to give up? No one can take chances with human life,

even the smallest chances.

You're almost 70 years old, Charles.

I see.

Ordeal by calendar.

And you think I'm so senile, so callous, that I'd risk a human life because of

rusted skills and eroded bodies? In surgery, there's a delicate balance

knowledge and the ability to use it. And you want me to take your word for it?

Trade in an operating table for this.

Golf clubs for scalpels.

It's difficult to see the erosion of age in ourselves. Even harder to admit it.

I'm the best judge of that.

I've had so many years of experience.

Charlie. I need a good night's sleep.

I have surgery in the morning.

A board can't meet by then.

Turn Pico over to your assistant.

My patient has confidence in me.

I have confidence, too.

Good night, Leonard.

Oh, well, good morning, Mr. Larson. How's the patient feeling?

Exhausted.

Starved and disgusted.

What's the trouble?

I ordered breakfast from the menu.

Fresh strawberries, little thin pancakes with syrup, crisp bacon and eggs, and a

pot of coffee.

You see, I couldn't eat anything after that stomach tube yesterday.

Oh, it affects some people that way.

Look at this.

Two prunes.

Farina. And warm water with lemon juice. Not even coffee.

Irascibility. Welcome sign the patient's feeling better.

What did the test show?

Not a thing. I must admit, I'm stumped. Then I am going home.

Well, we could try another... Oh, no, doctor. No more. No more. I feel fine

doctor. Just fine.

In that case, there's no reason to keep you here.

I hope you have no more symptoms.

Goodbye, Mr. Loss. Goodbye, Doctor. Goodbye.

Stomach tubes.

It's going to make you a little drowsy.

Just relax your arm now.

Oh, hi there.

Thought maybe you couldn't make it. Not a chance.

I'll give them the pre -operative, Naz. Yes, Doctor.

I hope they got those things nice and sharp.

I got a pretty hard belly still.

We sent them out to one of those fellas at the portable grindstone.

That's pretty good work.

That's good. That's good.

How about you? You're in pretty good shape, too.

Well, fair.

Went out on the town last night.

Only till one or two this morning.

I'm swell.

Say, you better get the doctor chair.

I want him to get a little rest.

I don't want him to fall asleep upstairs.

How about a nice rocking chair, doctor?

No, thanks.

Say, you didn't try to get up early and get in nine holes, did you?

I went out, but I quit after two holes.

The greens were still wet with you.

Everything okay now, Doc?

Just relax.

That'll begin to help in a few minutes.

Hey, Doc.

Don't let me die.

Please.

You get to be my age, life suddenly becomes very, very precious.

I've gotten to be a miser about it.

Other people's lives as well as my own.

Take you up in a few minutes.

I'll be with you when you come out of it.

Good.

Doc, good man.

Were you able to calm him down at all? I gave him preoperative sedation.

You're still going to do it? I am.

Prognosis?

Weak, very tense.

No, the vicious spiral, the toxic complications.

And you?

I've been a surgeon a long time, Doctor.

Whatever I may or may not lack, I have the habit of self -intro.

Patient is ready, Doctor.

Blood pressure down a bit?

Medicine balls?

Not those! You know I want the longer ones.

Grafton, now, please.

We're coming.

Hearts are regular.

Didn't report every two minutes.

How much longer will I have to keep him weighed down like this?

I've just finished the pay sutures.

Pressure's beginning to fluctuate.

Too many stitches.

You can put in two to my one.

You'll have to suit the craft.

A run of extra systoles.

Did you discontinue anesthetic? Yes.

Down to 80.

Is his airway open?

Yes.

But I can't get any blood pressure.

Have any adrenaline?

Move.

Cardiac arrest.

This is.

Rib retractor. Not yet.

Emergency pack.

Adrenaline.

Nothing calcium chloride

Prognosis, Charlie?

It's up to him now.

I think he'll make it.

Buy you a cup of coffee.

Thanks, Leonard.

But I think I'd rather be by myself, if you don't mind.

touch and go for a moment.

You were right about Dr. Dubrow.

I saw him take a human life in his hands and hang on to it like nobody else

could.

It took courage to recognize his own shortcoming.

A lot more than it takes to complain about somebody else's.

Both good medicine. That's what I expect from good doctors.

which nobody can deny, for he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good

fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow, which nobody can deny.

With all the bright young interns and residents that

Blair is blessed with, it isn't very often that I get a chance to present.

However... this isn't a medical history. It's something I enjoy a great deal

more.

To Dr. Dubrow, with the affection of all of us and the gratitude of all his

patients, Charlie.

Well,

I... I just don't know what to say.

Thank you, all of you.

I'm particularly pleased, not only by this party, by this gift, but by the

opportunity it gives me to make a difficult announcement more easily.

To make it to the point, I've decided that 35 years entitles me to really make

use of these clubs by retiring from the staff and confining myself to

consultation.

At first, I regretted this retirement.

Medicine goes on.

Life goes on.

We go on.

And so must my golf game.

And if I go on much longer, none of us will get a chance to get a piece of this

cake.

Mr. Ransom, will you make the purchase?

Prognosis on this patient, Doctor?

You'll make it. I knew you would.