The White Plague [Volume: 7(1988), pp. 431-504]

462
KAREL CAPEK
SIGELIUS
I'm afraid the Marshal has given me a great deal more than my due, but now
that a safe cure has been found for what is popularly known as the white
plague-and you may quote me on this gentlemen-I am at liberty to state
that it was the most dangerous disease in all history, worse than the bubonic
plague. And I cannot tell you how proud I am that the credit for nothing
less than the salvation of mankind goes to our nation, our people, and that
the research leading to the cure was done at the clinic of my great teacher and predecessor Alfred Lilienthal... (Catches sight of GALEN, who has
just come out of Ward Thirteen.) Ah, Galen! Step up, will you?
Gentlemen, here is another of the many devoted doctors who helped to
make the cure a reality. Medicine is not a field of personal triumphs; we
work together and for the good of mankind... Don't be shy, my boy.
We've all done our bit, down to the junior nurses. On this happiest of days
I am glad to have an opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifices made by all
my colleagues at the clinic and to thank them from the bottom of my heart
for the...
SECOND REPORTER
Excuse me, but could you describe your treatment for us, Dr. Sigelius?
SIGELIUS
Oh, not my treatment. It's not mine; it belongs to the Lilienthal Clinic.
As far as the technical details are concerned, we shall be releasing them to
the medical world in due course. All your readers need know is that a cure
for the world's most devastating disease has been found. However, if you
really want to make this joyful day go down in history, tell them about
our great leader, our head of state, walking fearlessly among the lepers...
A superhuman gesture, gentlemen!... I'm sorry... I'm just so overcome
with emotion... Besides, I must get back to my patients. Good day, gentlemen. Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you. (Exits quickly.)
FIRST REPORTER
Well, that about winds it up.
GALEN (stepping forward)
Excuse me, but... if you've got a few more minutes... There's a message
I'd like you to put in your papers... A message from me, Galen, the slum
doctor...
SECOND REPORTER
A message? Who for?
GALEN
For all the kings, all the rulers of the world... Say that I appeal to them...
You see, I was a medic in the last war, I fought in the war. Anc' I want
to make sure there are no more wars to fight... There, that's my message.