Sister Kenny (1946) - full transcript

Subtitles: Lu?s Filipe Bernardes

Michael, it's Elizabeth!

- Hello, Alan.
- Hello, Miss Kenny, glad to see you back.

Thank you!

- Mother!
- Darling!

- Elizabeth!
- Oh, Father darling.

- How does it feel to be home again?
- Oh, wonderful. How are you?

Just fine, couldn't be better.
How are you, Dr. McDonnell?

Hello, Mr. Kenny. Well, what do you
think of your daughter now?

Oh, she's a little too grown-up
to suit me.

I don't know what kind of a nurse
she's going to make.



I guess I'll have to get sick
to find out.

Your father and I wanted to go to your
graduation but he's been so busy and...

Anyway, we wanted to meet you at
the train. Why didn't you telegraph?

Did you see her graduate, doctor?

He walked right in in the middle
of my oath.

Oh, I was there in time for the
last paragraph...

- ...and that's the important part of it.
- What was that?

With loyalty will I endeavor to aid
the physician in his work.

Precisely, and don't you forget it.

- You'll never make a good nurse.
- Why, Father?

Nursing is a career for a
homely woman...

...and not one of the Kenny
girls is homely.

- Oh, you hear?
- Dr. McDonnell,

you're going to have trouble when she walks
through the wards for the first time...



I'm a bit concerned about that myself.

It's the duty of the nurse to keep
the patients cheerful.

Not that cheerful.

You haven't told us all the news about
Mrs. McDonnell, have you, Doctor?

Well... we uh... heard that she...

Michael means we heard that Nellie
was going to have a baby.

Yes, she lost it.

Oh, dear, again?
She loves children so.

Yes, she's very good with them too.

She wants Elizabeth to stay with us
when she comes in to the hospital.

Do you remember the first time you stayed
with us when you broke your arm?

I certainly do.

Is that when you decided I wanted
to be a nurse?

I didn't decide it at all,
I just discovered a talent.

Of course you didn't encourage it?

Whatever you did you did
of your own free will.

Hm, so many people do exactly as you
want and always of their own free will.

You're a born nurse and you know it.

Our hospital's a fine chance for you.

It's going to grow.
Someday you'll be matron there.

How soon can you start?

I'm not going to your hospital,
Dr. McDonnell, I'm staying here.

- What are you going to do?
- Be a bush nurse.

Bush nurse?

Do you remember what you said
years ago when I broke my arm?

You said it to Mother,
but I never forgot.

You said a good bush nurse
could have set that arm...

...and you wouldn't have to break it
to set it straight again.

Well, I'm going to be that
bush nurse.

It's quite a responsibility, you know.
I'm the nearest doctor...

- ...and I'm fifty miles away.
- That's just the point.

You think you have enough experience.
Don't you think a couple of years...

...at the hospital can give you
more confidence?

Two years in your hospital
and I'd never be a bush nurse.

I don't know... Where did you get
this crazy idea anyway?

From you.

Oh, that's ridiculous. Why start
something you can't finish?

Being a bush nurse is a killing life.
You couldn't stand it.

- I grew up here in the bush.
- Not as a nurse.

Forty miles from one neighbor to the next.
In the saddle all the time.

Bad roads, dirty cabins, boiling
bed clothes, scrubbing floors...

- I thought of all that.
- You couldn't stand it.

If you wanted to be really
useful as a nurse,

would you work in a hospital
or out here in the bush?

- Who's asking questions around here?
- Come on, tell me I'm not needed here.

Elizabeth, I'm very worried
about you.

Someday that stubborn streak's
going to get you into trouble.

How soon do you think?

In six months you'll be applying
at the hospital...

...either as a nurse or as a patient.

Whisht! Whisht, everybody!

Elizabeth Kenny, your friends
and neighbors...

...have gathered here tonight to
do you honor.

And it's about time.

Whisht, Weir!

As I was saying, to do you honor,
and it's about time.

For the best part of three years
you've labored amongst us...

without a thought for yourself...

in the lonely watches of the night,
in foul weather and fair,

- in sickness and in health.
- Get on with it, Angus!

If you think you can do it any
better, Patrick O'Shea,

come up here and do it!

Where was I? You see, he's driven it
completely out of my head.

It's a beautiful speech, Mr. Frazier.

It was when I tried it on Maggie.

But what I want to say is...

...that some of us here wouldn't even
be here if you hadn't patched us up.

Look at me. Two years ago,
when I had a broken leg,

I thought I'd never walk again.

And all those Bearns you brought
into the world,

Ah, they're a bonnie crop of Aussies.

Aye, that they are, Angus!

Don't forget me, Angus.
She pulled me through pneumonia.

Aye, she did. But she's allowed
one mistake!

Now, to come to the point,
Nurse Kenny,

since you won't take a penny
for what you've done,

we've all got together and...

Archie! Archie!

Speech! Speech!

I...

I don't know what to say.

Of course you shouldn't have
done this.

I can't tell you how... how much it...

I'm not very good at making speeches...

But I...

He seems to be able to say it
far better than I can.

Thank you. Thank you all.

Now, let's go on with the dance.

I'll take him, Miss Kenny.

Does it hurt here, darling?

Here too?

She went lame yesterday just like
I've seen cows do before they fell down.

Can't you straighten your leg, Dorrie?

Try this one, try now.

There, don't cry, darling.

We're not going to hurt you.

Don't you think you could try
and go to sleep now?

It hurts... it hurts all over.

Yes.

But we're going to fix you up.

Are you sure it isn't
the cow sickness?

What ails her, Nurse Kenny?

Yes, what is it?

Don't you know what it is?

No, Martha, I don't.

- Where's the nearest telegraph office?
- Dry Fork.

- How long will it take you to get there?
- About an hour, if I take the shortcuts.

Wake up the operator if he's gone to bed.
This has got to get straight through.

Wait for the answer and bring
it back as soon as you can.

It's to Dr. McDonnell in Toowoomba.

But he can't get away out here.

He can tell me what to do.
I've described her symptoms.

Please hurry.

Mommy, can I go with Daddy?

You go back to sleep now, Nora.

Martha, you'd better keep the twins
away from Dorrie.

It might be catching.

Oh, can't you do something
for her? The pain's so bad.

I can't do anything until I hear
from Dr. McDonnell.

It's just that...

I can't stand to hear her
cry like that.

Martha, you go make some tea for yourself
and try and get some rest.

Everything will be all right when
we hear from Dr. McDonnell.

Nurse Kenny! Nurse Kenny!

Did you get an answer?

What is it?

- What does it say?
- Infantile paralysis.

- Paralysis?
- They don't know any way to treat it.

What kind of help is that
from a doctor?

- No known treatment?
- That's what it says.

What are we going to do?

- What the telegram says.
- But it says there's no known treatment.

It says something else, Martha.
Read it again.

Do the best you can
with the symp...

With the symptoms presenting
themselves.

Oh, she's twisted into knots.

Yes, these muscles are contracted.
They're pulling her into knots.

You mean they're paralyzed?

If they were paralyzed,
they couldn't pull.

They feel tense and straining.

Her back is arched.

The spinal muscles feel contracted.

Her posterior neck muscles too.

Better?

They look to me to be shorter
than they should be.

They're pulling against other muscles.
That's why she's in pain.

You see, this muscle isn't tense.

This opposing muscle is.

Looks to me to be drawn up
in a kind of spasm or something.

Spasm.

I'll need your help, Martha.

I'm going to try moist heat.

I want to put it on her
as hot as she can stand it.

Have you got some pieces of wool?
Er... get an old blanket,

We'll tear it into strips.
Mr. MacIntyre, go about the fire.

Get me the basin first, please.

Martha, you'd better bring
some towels.

Just set it right here.

Help Martha first, please.
Take that towel.

Take the other end of it, Martha.

Hold it over the basin.

Now you keep fixing these strips...

...and I'll put them on Dorrie
just as fast as you get them ready.

Here, give me that end.

Lift the basin, Martha.

Twist it now, twist it hard.

There mustn't be any water
in that wool or it will scald her skin.

Remember, every drop of water out.

There, now do it like that.

Hurry, get another one ready.

You'll have to keep doing this
whenever they lose their heat.

Now, Dorrie, this is going to feel hot,
but it won't burn you.

Don't you be frightened.

I'm going to wrap you all up
in hot rags.

I won't need any more, Martha.

There.

Now we'll keep the heat in.

Feeling better, Dorrie?

Dorrie.

She's asleep.

Hello, Kevin!

Well, well, well, how are you,
my boy?

Hello, Mother Kenny! My, you look
younger that ever.

- It's wonderful to have you here again.
- Well, the Army hasn't done you any harm.

But it feels pretty good to get
out of it.

This country suits me. I'm never
going to wear a uniform again.

- We were expecting you last night.
- Oh?

- Where's Elizabeth?
- Oh, we've hardly seen her for ten days.

Infantile paralysis.
She's got five cases now.

I don't know what she's going to do
if it spreads any more.

Well, if you want an epidemic,
just send for me.

- What did you say it was?
- Infantile paralysis.

- That's bad, isn't it?
- It's terrible.

It would break your heart to see
those children.

- Is it contagious?
- Nobody seems to know anything about it.

Here she comes.

Get back from the window,
she'll see you.

Now remember what you have to do.
Go on now, my boy, get in the pantry.

Come on now, Mary, get busy.
Act as though you're doing something.

I still think it's mean.

Oh, come on, Mary.
Cut a slice of bread,

pour a cup of tea, but whatever
you do, do it naturally.

- Michael.
- Hm?

Is he here yet?

Are you sure he was to arrive
here today?

Well, you saw his letter.

- Any more cases, dear?
- No, thank goodness.

How's the little Benson girl?

Only fair, Mother. I'm going over
there again tonight.

Got to get on the McIntyres first.

What about Kevin?

Oh, dear, why does that man
have to come at a time like this?

- Elizabeth!
- I mean it.

It's a fine way to talk about
a fine boy like Captain Connors...

...fighting in India for the motherland.

Nonsense, Father. He was just sitting
on a small bare hill in Afghanistan.

Now what would he say if
he heard that?

That's what he told me.

Now don't you talk about him like that,
you know you want to see him.

Of course I do, I'm dying to see him.
But look at me, I'm a sight.

I don't want things to happen
this time...

...the way they happened the last
time he was here.

There's some nice cold mutton
in the pantry.

- Don't you want to get it?
- All I want is a cup of tea.

Hm, why the best china?

Pretty, isn't it?

Oh, dear, I've misplaced my
spectacles somewhere.

Now where is... Oh, yes, I was fixing
a shelf in the pantry.

Elizabeth, would you mind ge...

Thank you.

Think I will have some of
that mutton.

Kevin, I don't think you should
come with me.

Look, darling, you said you've
only found one case in a family...

...and then in houses miles apart.

That doesn't prove it isn't catching.

My only chance of getting any attention
from you is to get sick myself, eh?

Get in.

I want to see Dorrie McIntyre.
Come on, boy.

Whoa.

Whoa!

Nurse Kenny, my mother wants you
to come as quick as you can.

What's happened to her, Jordy?

It's my brother, he's got it.

Oh...

Is he in much pain?

Yes, ma'am, his back's all bent
and he can't hardly breathe.

My mom told me to fetch you.
Will you come?

Yes, Jordy, I'll come.

But, Liz, can't I drive you?

If it's contagious, it's contagious
this time.

Oh, would you go on to the McIntyres?
Tell them I'll be along as soon as I can.

I'll drive over with Jordy,
you can bring me back.

Giddy up!

Come on, boy.
Take your time.

Dorrie, that's exactly what happened.

Just when I was all ready
for a buggy ride,

Nurse Kenny rode off with
another chap, left me flat.

Dorrie here is just as bad,
Nurse Kenny.

When I walked in here she didn't
even remember me.

Oh, you remember him,
don't you, Dorrie?

No, I don't.

Why, only three years ago you went
to sleep in my arms.

No, I didn't.

He's the man that brought your
little brother and sister.

No, he didn't.

- By the way, where are the twins?
- They're over at my sister-in-law's.

Nurse Kenny was scared it
might be catching.

Does that hurt, Dorrie?

- No.
- You're a good girl.

Oh, she has been a good girl,
Nurse Kenny. So still and patient.

Even when we changed the hot rags
she never stirred.

And I don't think she's going to need
any more hot rags.

The spasms are all gone.
These muscles look fine, relaxed.

You'll be dancing around like
a kangaroo in a few days.

- Will you dance with me, Dorrie?
- Don't know how to dance.

Well, I'll teach you. And Captain Connors
is a wonderful dancer.

I don't know how she knows.

You always thought you were.

Well, Dorrie, I don't think you'll
need me anymore.

- Can she get up now?
- Yes, for a little while.

Sit up, dear, we'll put your
nightie on.

All the way up, dear.

Dorrie, you mustn't tease Nurse Kenny
that way. Come on, sit up.

Here's your nightie.

- Dorrie...
- Just a minute.

Don't you want to sit up, Dorrie?

Yes.

Just lie still, dear.

Now do that yourself.

Put your knee up, dear. That's the first
thing a little girl does when she walks.

Pull it up, darling.
Try, dear.

- Try hard.
- I can't.

Move your leg, dear...
just move it.

I can't.

- She's paralyzed!
- Martha!

Does this leg feel numb, Dorrie?

It feels funny.

Of course it does.

See how I'm moving your
leg now, Dorrie?

It's as if you were walking in bed.

Those legs look perfectly
normal to me.

You know, Dorrie, I think you're
just lazy.

I think you want me to move your
legs for you when you walk.

That's a silly idea, isn't it?

There now.

I'm tired of walking for you.
You do it for yourself.

Lift your legs as if you
were walking, Dorrie.

- Try, Dorrie!
- I can't, I can't...

Oh, my baby! She's paralyzed!

Teach me how to dance, Nurse Kenny.

Oh, my baby! My baby!

You know what I think the trouble is?

I think you've forgotten how to walk.
You've been in bed so long.

I didn't forget.
My legs just won't do it.

Very well, then, we'll blame
your legs.

Dorrie didn't forget, they forgot.

Look at those wicked legs.
They've forgotten how to walk.

Now I'm going to have to teach
them all over again.

How can I teach them when
they haven't got ears?

You know, Dorrie, you should have
grown ears on your legs.

Do you know how people talk to each
other when they haven't got ears?

They talk with their hands.

That's what we're going to do.

Oh, you don't know it, Dorrie...

but I'm scolding away at these muscles.

Yes, I'm giving them such a talking to.

Dorrie, one of them just
answered back.

What did it say?

It said it couldn't seem to remember.

I told it it had to remember.

Think, dear, think hard.
Try to remember.

Please, Martha, this has nothing
to do with her memory.

Right now I don't want her
to think of a thing.

- Look.
- What is it?

Dorrie, your leg just told
me something.

It's beginning to think it
can remember.

Now you think, Dorrie.

Think with it.

Think of pulling from here.

Pulling from here, Dorrie.

Now lift your leg.

Lift your leg.

You wicked leg.

Oh, I wouldn't scold it, Dorrie.

The last thing it said to me was
that it was going to be good.

You're going to walk again, Dorrie.

And dance too.

It's going to take time.

That's enough for today.

Oh, Kevin, I was scared.

I sort of thought so.
But Dorrie didn't know it.

Neither did her mother.

Liz, before Dorrie moved her leg,
you told me to look.

- What was I supposed to see?
- The tendon.

It began to stand out, just
below the knee.

Then I knew the muscle
wasn't paralyzed.

I'd been trying to get that reflex.

Of course if I'd been a doctor I would
have known what to do in the first place.

Just as well I found out in
my first case.

I may run up against the same
thing with the others.

- How's Jordy's brother?
- Pretty bad.

You know, there's sometimes
I get scared.

What made you take up nursing
in the first place?

I liked nursing.

Where is it going to end?

Kevin, what are you afraid of?

You... and nursing.

Oh, darling, don't be ridiculous.

I told you I'd give it up when
you came back.

- Well, I'm here.
- And I'm going to marry you.

- When?
- As soon as these children are well.

- No more cases?
- No more cases.

- No more babies?
- No more ba...

- Well...
- Except our own?

- Cold feet?
- They're freezing.

- Well, you don't know him.
- Oh...

Oh, Kevin, do you mind
if I see him alone first?

Sure, I don't want to see him.

- I still don't see why you have to.
- I'll only be two minutes.

Alright, Dorrie and I will just wait
two minutes. Come on, Dorrie.

Well, Elizabeth! You look as if
you're going to a party.

- You like it?
- Yes...

Have a chicken leg?
I'm just eating my lunch.

- Well, you eat it.
- Thank you.

- Have a pickle?
- No, thank you.

Dr. McDonnell, you're going to be
awful disappointed in me.

Oh, no, Elizabeth, I have no doubt
you did the right thing.

- You knew about it all the time?
- Why, of course!

Well... who told you?

You did! You sent me the telegram,
didn't you?

- Oh, dear, this has nothing to do with it.
- Infantile paralysis is a frightening thing.

I asked Dr. Brack to go but he
simply didn't have time.

With so many cases here it was
almost an epidemic.

- Thank goodness you had only one.
- I had six.

- Six?
- Six.

Oh, dear!

Just to get things straight
as to why I'm here.

- There's a young man outside...
- How many of these cases did you lose?

How many of the children died?

Why, none.

Dr. McDonnell, I want you to meet
a young man I've brought to the hospital.

- He's waiting outside.
- I'll examine him later.

Tell me. What percentage of crippling
did you have?

How many of the children are deformed?

Why, not any!

You mean to say you had
five more cases...

...like the one you described in your
telegram and they all recovered?

- Yes.
- That's fantastic.

Oh, but I'm still working
on my last case.

I'm not satisfied with the way he walks.
I'm still reeducating his muscles.

- You're doing what to his muscles?
- Teaching them to work again.

I don't know how to put it.
Teaching, reeducating...

You must know all about it.

Well, I only did what you told me
to do in the telegram!

What did I tell you to do
in the telegram?

Treat the symptoms.
For spasm, moist heat.

Then I got an awful shock when I found
I had to reeducate the muscles.

You didn't know about that.

Reeducation, moist heat, spasm, there's not
one of those terms in this book...

...and this is the standard work
in infantile paralysis.

Sir Robert Jenkins, it's Brack's Bible.

May I see it?

You're going to see something else first.
Come along with me.

Well, I don't know, but one of us
is crazy.

- Liz!
- How do you do? Be with you in a moment.

Now these are cases of infantile
paralysis that ran true to form.

- Hello, Doctor.
- Hello, nurse, how's Becky?

Oh, Becky's fine today.

Hello, Dr. McDonnell.

Hello, David.

Are they getting better?

They get worse instead of better.

Eighty-eight out of every hundred
cases finish this way.

Let's go over this again. You had six
cases and they all recovered.

- Yes.
- That's fantastic.

- Let's check the symptoms. Headache?
- That's right.

- Fever?
- Yes.

Muscular pain, afraid to be touched?
Limbs twisted?

- Back arched?
- Yes.

- What about breathing, any trouble?
- One case.

- That's bulbar, it's very bad.
- Liz!

Be with you in a moment.

It couldn't be a clearer picture,
Elizabeth.

There's infantile paralysis
in the acute stage.

- Is that what you saw?
- Yes, yes...

That's exactly like my second case.

That's like the little Benson girl.

Yes, those same muscles
were shortened.

- Shortened?
- They were in spasm.

You told me to treat the symptoms,
that's all I did.

That's what you think.

Elizabeth, I don't think you realize
what you've done.

Of course I may be wrong,
I'm just a general practitioner.

Dr. Brack will know, it's his field.
We'd better go to his office right away.

Brack's made a study of polio. He's one
of the best men in the country.

- Dr. McDonnell!
- I'll be with you in a moment.

We'll stop this.

Oh,no, I shall never forget
that telegram.

McDonnell and I agreed it was
a model of brevity.

About as concise a description...

...of the classical symptoms of
poliomyolitis that I've ever seen.

Oh, thank you, Dr. Brack.

Come and sit down. I want to hear
everything that happened.

- It was a little girl, wasn't it?
- Yes.

Tragic business.
Is she badly crippled?

- No...
- Fine, fine.

You were lucky only one
case developed.

She had six cases.

Really?

Well, but... why weren't they reported?

They have all recovered and there
is no crippling.

- Extraordinary.
- No crippling, Brack.

I er... I don't know another instance
of an epidemic that was so light.

I wouldn't call it exactly light,
Dr. Brack.

I don't think you've got
the point yet, Doctor.

I may be wrong, I'm no expert,
but if I have my facts right...

Nurse Kenny has discovered an entirely
new treatment for infantile paralysis.

And what's more, it's successful.

Well, offhand, McDonnell, I should say
you haven't got your facts right.

However, let's hear what they are.
Sit down, Nurse Kenny.

- Sit down.
- You sit down.

You mustn't mind my skepticism.
McDonnell here is quite a joker.

I'm never sure he's not trying
to pull my leg.

Now tell me, what did you do?

Well, first I treated the shortened
muscles for spasm.

- Spasm?
- Spasm.

And then what?

Then I thought they were well,
but they weren't.

You found some muscles
were paralyzed.

Well, there was an awful moment
when I thought they were.

What do you mean thought they were?
Weren't they?

Well, they were disconnected
from the brain.

Alienated. They certainly
didn't work.

Oh, I see... alienated.

Oh, it wasn't the sick muscles
that were alienated.

It was the other ones.

You hear that, McDonnell, the other
ones were alienated.

Hm-hmm.

And so, then what did you do?

Well, then I found there was
still some reflex.

So I proceeded to reeducate
the muscles.

And they lived happily ever after.

McDonnell, are you serious
about this?

I certainly am.

Then you're a bigger fool than
I thought you were.

Nurse Kenny, I don't want to hurt
your feelings.

I have no doubt you did a fine job.

But in future it might be useful for you
to know just what really happens in polio.

The point is, Brack, that what
happens didn't happen.

Oh, we'll come to that in
a minute, Doctor.

Come here.

I use this model to demonstrate how
infantile paralysis produces deformity.

Now, this is the normal functioning
of the leg.

You see, the muscles pull against
each other in pairs.

Now what happens in infantile paralysis?

Assume that these muscles become paralyzed
and can't pull back as they should.

Then these normal muscles contract,
and meeting no resistance,

pull the leg back into a deformed
position.

- Is that what you saw in your patient?
- Yes.

It becomes impossible to straighten the leg
and it may become a permanent deformity.

What have you to say to that,
Elizabeth?

- You say these muscles are sick.
- Paralyzed.

But if they were not paralyzed,

if they were not sick at all,
if they were perfectly normal,

and these muscles were sick,
shortened, being drawn up in spasm,

they would contract and you would ge
the same deformity, wouldn't you?

- Exactly what occurred to me.
- Nonsense.

You're trying to find a reason
for an irrational concept.

I think it's quite rational.

You can't take a theory that's been
accepted for half a century...

...and turn it upside down like that.

Spasm, reeducation, alienation,
I don't know what they mean.

How could you, Brack,
they're not in the books.

I have a notion Nurse Kenny knows
what they mean.

Now, just a minute, Doctor.

If her theories were correct,

She'd have discovered not a new treatment
but an entirely new disease.

Well, I have no objection to her
discovering a new disease...

...so long as she can cure it.

Well, I don't want to be rude,

but are we to take Nurse Kenny's
word against Sir Robert Jenkins'?

Oh, no!

Obviously you can't take her word
when you haven't heard it.

Now, I'm no orthopedic man,
but I think this is very important.

I'm asking you to sit down
and to listen to what she did.

Oh... very well, very well.

Oh, sorry.

Where's Miss Kenny?

Well, it's about time to
find out, Dorrie.

Come on.

Let me see if I can sum up
the interpretation...

...you put on the symptoms you observed.

First you say that the muscle we call
sick is not sick.

That it's the opposing muscle
that's affected.

Secondly, you say that the sick muscles
do not become paralyzed,

but that the opposing muscles, being
pulled out of their normal resting length,

lose their function.

become alienated, as you put it.

Yes, Doctor.

Third, you believe that these
apparently paralyzed muscles...

...can have their functions restored
by stimulating certain reflexes.

What you call reeducation.

That's it, Doctor.

Well, yes, these certainly are
revolutionary discoveries.

Then you do think I found a way
to help these children.

No, you've wasted two hours
of my time.

Before you try to revolutionize medicine
you should learn a little more about it.

Medical science is a business
of facts, not fancies.

- Now, surely, Brack...
- Just a minute, Doctor.

It's taken me twenty years
to collect this library.

Every book on this section is by
an authority on polio.

Spasm, reeducation, alienation,

you won't find one of those terms
in any of those books.

They deal with facts, and that's
what we need, facts.

But that's what we are here for.

Nurse Kenny's brought a few facts
and they're new ones.

You only seem to recognize the fact
that is printed in the book.

- She did something.
- She did something very dangerous...

...and you shouldn't encourage it.

There is no treatment for the
acute stage.

The fight against polio is the fight
against frightful deformity.

And the only way that offers any hope
is prompt and complete immobilization.

How, Doctor?

Well, how do you immobilize a broken leg?
You put it in splints, don't you?

But the children must be in agony.

Can there be any agony worse
than lifelong deformity?

But if you make the arms and legs
rigid so the child can't move,

how can it ever learn to walk again?

My dear, girl...

Yes?

He can do it now, Dr. Brack.

I told him he could show you tomorrow,
but he insisted on coming right now.

Oh, excellent, I want to see that.
You're very clever, David.

Go ahead, you've got an audience.

- Easy, David, easy.
- Go, go, David, kick as hard as you can!

Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Brack!

Oh, not at all, not at all,
that's er...

That was very clever of you, David.
Glad you came in.

Nurse Kenny, this is an example
of poliomyelitis in it's...

...chronic stage.

This boy had no spasm, no hot pad,
no alienation and no reeducation.

I think it's a pretty serious
thing, McDonnell...

to encourage a nurse to
contradict the greatest...

- ...orthopedical authorities in the world.
- I'm not contradicting you, Dr. Brack.

- I'm not referring to myself.
- I'm not contradicting anybody.

But I cannot deny what I saw
with my own eyes.

I didn't know what infantile paralysis
was until I got your telegram.

- It was your diagnosis, Brack.
- Now, just a minute.

You say that your patients
are not deformed.

- No.
- Well, deformities often develop later.

I'd like to examine one of
your patients.

Isn't that the man you wanted
me to examine?

Oh, no, no... it's the child.

This is my first patient, Dr. Brack,
Dorrie McIntyre.

Come here, dear.

Well, take a look at her, Brack.
Is she recovered or not?

Oh, we'll very soon find out.

Oh, Kevin, come in.
I'll explain in just a minute.

Take her clothes off, nurse.
I want to test her muscles.

Yes, Doctor.

- Which leg was affected?
- Both legs, Doctor.

Sit down, dear.

- Arms?
- No, not the arms.

- Spine?
- Yes, and the posterior neck muscles.

Oh, Dorrie, look at those knees.
You got them all dirty.

Those hands aren't too clean either.

That's it, now lie down for the doctor,
right here.

Okay.

Now flex your leg.

Hold your leg against my hand.

Hold tight.

Normal strength, she takes
full resistance.

Now, pull your foot up.

Push down.

Yes... sit up.

Lean forward.

Perfectly straight, no scoliosis.

All right, sit up again.

You did a good job, Elizabeth.
She looks perfectly well to me.

Perfectly.

Oh, I knew all you had to do
was to see her, Dr. Brack.

Come on, Dorrie, show the doctor
how you can run.

I can dance too.

She learned me how to dance.

I can do cartwheels.

And there it is, Brack.

That's what we've been talking about.

They're both the same disease
and different treatments.

- Are you sick?
- I was, but I'm well now.

- What's your name?
- David.

- What's your name?
- Dorrie.

You know what?
I can kick a football.

Wanna see me dance again?

No, turn another cartwheel.

Uh, Dorrie...

Come along, David.

- Nurse, take him out of here.
- Yes, Doctor.

- Goodbye.
- Bye.

Well, Brack, it looks as if this
little fact to you...

with her dirty knees is not in
your books, in your braces...

...in your orthodox treatment
and your cocked hat.

My dear McDonnell, I told you
when you came in here...

...I didn't think you had your
facts right.

Well, here's your first wrong fact.

This child never had infantile paralysis.

- Never had it?
- Not a trace of it.

- Brack, are you out of your mind?
- All my experience proves conclusively...

...that no child could possibly recover
from poliomyelitis in such a short time.

- Then what did she have?
- I haven't the slightest idea.

- I wasn't there.
- But the telegram.

It's quite clear that the symptoms
were not accurately observed.

I don't know what this is all about, Liz,
but if you want me as a witness, I...

No, no, Kevin, please.

If Nurse Kenny said those symptoms
were observed, they were there!

- No doubt, she's a very good nurse.
- She's more than that!

Oh, has she got degrees I don't
know about?

That's just the point!

If she'd been a doctor, she'd have
followed the orthodox treatment.

She wouldn't have done the things
she did. She wouldn't have dared.

Oh, perhaps you should turn
our business over to nurses.

Well, if they could do better,
I wouldn't mind.

If that's the case, I don't think
we have much to discuss.

Just a minute, doctor.

I saw this child when she
couldn't move.

I saw what Nurse Kenny did.

Oh, are you a doctor too?

No, but I saw her make Dorrie walk.

Nurse Kenny. Your friends are going
to lead you into great trouble.

I advise you to stick to nursing and not
meddle with orthopedic medicine.

It's a complicated subject
which is difficult enough...

...for those who spend a lifetime
studying it.

Now if you'll excuse me.

Brack!

No one who knows your record can
doubt your sincerity or your ability.

But, since I know Nurse Kenny
better than you do,

I can't dismiss this incident
without investigation.

All you have to do is to try Nurse
Kenny's treatment...

...on one acute case in this hospital.

Never in the world will I consent to it.

You can't play with children's lives.

This is a tragic business.
You don't know how tragic it is.

That's just why I'm asking.

You've seen only a few cases,
McDonnell, I've seen thousands.

I'm in charge of the orthopedic work
in this hospital, not you.

But if no new treatment were
ever tried.

I will not experiment with the
lives of children.

Not even to save them?

Even if you think your treatment
is wrong, dangerous,

it's your duty to try it on
one sick child.

Guinea pigs, yes, children, no.

I wouldn't submit my own children
to such an experiment.

Well, I would.

You have no children.

Well, I'm glad you're through with it.

We're not licked yet, Elizabeth.

As long as I live, I'll never
forget David.

Ever.

I don't know who's having the best
time, Dorrie or Mrs. McDonnell.

You know, Liz, I don't think we
should have any children.

- Why?
- You wouldn't have any time left for me.

Then I won't have any.

Fine. That's settled.

No brats.

How many do you really want?

Well, I plan on ten the first
five years.

I think I'd better go on being a nurse.

Not after next Saturday, you won't.

No married nurses in this country.

Liz, in all the excitement,
you forgot to tell me.

- What did McDonnell say?
- About what?

Our getting married.

Did he get angry?

No...

You forgot to tell him.

What's the matter, Liz,
are you ashamed of me?

Oh, no!

Well, here's your chance to prove it.

I'll be with you in a moment.

He must have had another fight
with Dr. Brack.

- The doctor's in his office.
- Oh, thanks, dear.

- Hello, darling.
- Hello, Nellie.

- Have you had any food?
- No, I haven't. Could you get me a snack?

I'll warm it up.

Come in here, you two.

Well, Elizabeth, this is tougher
than I thought.

Didn't you get anywhere
with him, Doctor?

About that far.

He wouldn't let you touch an acute case
of infantile paralysis with a ten-foot pole.

Well, Brack isn't the only specialist
in Australia.

Right now every other orthopedic man
in the country would back him up.

He's a brilliant man,
he's absolutely sincere.

In his opinion, he's defending
the lives of children, that's his job.

He'll never let you touch
an acute case.

But I did it as a nurse.

Try it again and you'll be prosecuted.

This thing is bigger than it was
in the afternoon.

Brack's in the warpath. Even my scalp
feels a bit loose at the edges.

He'd look pretty silly if you took it
to the newspapers.

- Tell them everything.
- Kevin that's wonderful.

He wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

If you were a quack, Elizabeth,
that's exactly what I'd tell you to do.

You'd hang yourself in no time.

Medical questions aren't settled
in the newspapers.

You'd brand yourself as a fake in the eyes
of every decent doctor in the country.

You mean to say that every decent doctor
in the country is a pig-headed fool?

Well now, look, Captain.

Suppose a civilian came to you
in the field and told you...

...your military science was all wrong.

You'd tell him to go to blazes,
wouldn't you?

Well, the medical profession is society's
only defense against quackery.

Our degrees, our licenses, our medical
associations are a wall to protect society.

...against vicious men who are willing
to trade on human ignorance and misery.

That's a beautiful speech, Doctor.

So inside the wall you go on
making cripples.

Surely there must be some way
you can try what I did.

I can't.

But you can.

Elizabeth, do you believe in
your achievement?

- Of course I do.
- Then take their failures.

The Davids, you can find plenty of them,
children the doctors have given up.

You saw some of them today.

They'll be discharged soon,
hidden away in little houses,

in forgotten streets with broken
hearts and parents.

Take the worst cases.
Take ten that can't walk.

Make them walk.

And your treatment...

the Kenny treatment,

will be adopted in every hospital
in Australia.

In the world.

Take their failures.

What's the matter?

We came here to tell you
we're going to be married.

Oh.

Congratulations.

I'll help you, Richard.

- Goodbye, Nurse Kenny.
- Goodbye, Valerie.

- Goodbye, Nurse Kenny.
- Goodbye, Dorothy.

You know this isn't our doing,
Nurse Kenny.

- I know that, Mrs. Hicks.
- We think it a wicked shame.

- Hasn't his parents come, Nurse Kenny?
- Richard has no parents, doctor.

We have a court order to take
him to the orphanage.

- Is that his case history?
- Yes.

Does it say that he was given up six
months ago as a hopeless cripple?

That's right. By a general
practitioner, however.

Of course any specialist can see
he never had infantile paralysis.

Precisely.

What was it that twisted his legs
out of shape? Muscular cramp?

I've heard that before too.

According to the record he had
an obscure nervous derangement.

Well, that's a new one. He had an
obscure nervous derangement.

So he was treated for five months
for infantile paralysis.

May I remind you, Nurse Kenny, we don't
discuss these matters in front of patients.

That makes it rather difficult for me.
Sit up, dear.

The only time I see a doctor is when
they come to take my patients away.

I had twelve children here.

All of them were carried in.
Seven of them walked out tonight.

- Richard here was the worst.
- I have no intention of arguing the matter.

- All right, my boy...
- You don't need to lift him.

Come on, Richard.

- We've had fun here, haven't we?
- Yes, Nurse Kenny.

Well, you have a good time
where you're going.

There will be lots of children
for you to play with.

Now, will you remember all the
exercises I've taught you?

Yes, Nurse Kenny.

All right, then. Off you go.

- Come on.
- Don't touch him!

He's going to walk out of here
by himself.

Just a moment.

You forgot something.

Is there anything more
I can do for you?

You've done too much already,
Mrs. Gordon.

- I wish I could have paid you.
- I've been well paid, my dear.

# It's a long way to Tiperrary #

# It's a long way to go #

# It's a long way to Tiperrary #

# To the sweetest girl I know #

# Goodbye Piccadilly #

# Farewell Leicester Square #

# It's a long, long way to Tiperrary #

# But my heart's right there #

Kevin!

Oh, Kevin...

This is the first time I've ever seen you
in uniform. You look wonderful.

Best tailor in Toowoomba.

- How are you, Liz?
- I'm fine...

...except for the fact you're going away.

It won't be for long,

Why didn't you tell me you were
going so soon?

- I didn't know.
- When do you sail?

Soon as we get to Sidney.
Here, this address will find me overseas.

I'll write tonight.

Kevin!

Don't worry, Liz, I'll be back
for Christmas.

Whatever you do, don't fall
in love with a nurse.

I can't, I already am.

Oh, here. Your mother sent this
for the children. How are they?

- Fine, seven walking.
- Is everything going well?

- Couldn't be better.
- Goodbye, darling.

Goodbye, Kevin.

Careful sir.

I still don't see why you want
to go in the army.

Oh, I'm used to a fight. I might as well
get in a good one.

Well, I think they'll take you.
But not in that hat.

Have you written to Captain Connors
you're going overseas?

Not yet.

But I've cabled Von Hindenburg
to cease firing...

...so that we can have a holiday
in Paris.

I wouldn't put it past you.

I want to get one thing straight.
And that's the last question I'll ask you.

You don't start this massage
in the acute stage.

No, no, not until the pain is all gone.
And don't call it massage.

You sound like Dr. Brack.

Well, what is it? You use your hands,
what do you do?

It's very simple. I stimulate
subconscious neuromotor impulses...

...by agitating the proprioreceptive
receptors in the periphery.

You what?

I stimulate subconscious neuromo...

Why are you asking all these questions?

Well, er...

in France...

...you might forget about it.
Take care of yourself, Elizabeth.

Oh, you take care of yourself...
for a change.

And don't forget. The fight against
polio will go on longer than the war.

Oh, it'll probably go on until
the last doctor dies of it.

Well, this is a new one. Putting a soldier
on the ground before he's dead.

- Who ordered this transfer?
- I don't know, sir.

Just carrying out orders.

I was alright where I was.
Why did I have to be moved?

You're supposed to be quiet, sir.

I'm gonna make a nuisance of myself
till I find out who ordered this transfer.

Take it easy, sir. We'll get you off.

It's alright. I can make it
alright myself.

Wait a minute, you chaps.

Who's in charge around here?
Who ordered this transfer?

I did, sir.

Liz!

Anything else, nurse?

No, thank you.

- Any further complaints, Major Connors?
- I can't believe it.

Liz, your last letter.
This is from Lyons.

- How did you get here?
- I had myself transferred.

Then I had you transferred.
That's all there was to it.

I wish I had your brains.

Will you come and see me
in the guard house?

- Forgery.
- Almost.

Oh, darling, how is your leg?

All it needs is a little time.
And a good nurse.

You sure it's not bad?

Right now I think it's the luckiest thing
that's happened to me in four years.

Now let's see, er...

Oh, yes, yes...
Think of nothing, Clarence.

- What's nothing?
- It's, er...

Well, it doesn't matter. Don't pay
any attention to what I'm doing.

Alright, alright.

- Is there any pain there?
- Uh-uh.

Oh, Doctor, I told Dr. McDonnell...

...you gave strict orders not to remove
any splints from your patient.

All right, nurse, I gave permission.

That's what I've been trying
to tell her.

What's that for?

You're not supposed to pay any
attention to what I'm doing here.

You're supposed to relax.

Why don't you relax?

Clarence.

- What are you doing?
- I wish you'd stop asking questions.

I don't quite know myself what I'm doing,
but I'm trying to find out.

Well, if you don't know,
I don't.

Well, if you want to know
what I'm doing...

I'm trying to stimulate subconscious
neuromotor impulses...

...by agitating the proprioreceptive
receptors in the periphery.

Oh.

Now...

Now you can watch.

No, lie down, lie down.

Pull from here.
Now think.

Now you see what I'm doing,
I'm exercising your quadriceps.

Now do that yourself.

Come on, lift your leg.

Can't you lift it?

If I could, I'd walk out of here.

- Have you finished, doctor?
- Hm?

Yes, yes, I'm finished.

Good night, Clarence.

Bye, Doc.

- Can I have my splint back?
- All right, nurse, put back his splint.

Yes, doctor.

Well, McDonnell.

Do you want to experiment on any
more of my patients?

No, I'm no good at it.

But Kenny can do it!

Not in this hospital.

Elizabeth!

- From where did you spring?
- Hello, Doctor McDonnell.

Your mother said you wouldn't
be here for another month.

Well, I was on my way home and the
Armistice was signed on the hospital ship.

- My, my, you look fine.
- And so do you. How is Nellie? XXX

- Nellie? I've never seen her so happy.
- Ahh!

- You have a son.
- Hm, She's very proud.

- And you're not.
- Well...

He's quite a remarkable child,
you know.

Brack delivered him.

Couldn't you get anybody else?

It was in a bit of a hurry.
Come and sit down.

Congratulations on your promotion.

What am I supposed to call
you now? Sister Kenny?

Sister Kenny. And please have a little
respect for my military rank.

I will!
How's Major Connors?

He's in a hospital in England.

It'll be six months before
he can walk.

- But he'll walk.
- He'll walk.

Good! Oh, that's fine, that's fine.

And now what do you plan to do?

I'm going home and wait for Kevin.

Uh-huh.

You're not interested in nursing.

No.

- No more clinics?
- No.

Feeling you need a rest, eh?

I certainly do.
Mother's all alone now.

I'll wait there for Kevin.

What about polio?

Never heard of it.

Did you ever hear of the Kenny
treatment?

- Kenny, Elizabeth Kenny?
- Uh-huh.

She's a fake, doctor.
A dangerous quack.

Every doctor in Australia
knows that.

So you've lost your faith in her.

Not at all. But let somebody
else do it.

Trouble is, they don't know
enough about it.

When they try it, it doesn't work.

Then they're stupid.
It's perfectly simple.

Who's been trying it?

How should I know?

Well, you just said they don't
know very much...

Oh, dear!

I forgot to look at that patient
in ward 3.

I'll be back in a minute.

- Would you like to look at the paper?
- Hm.

You're right. You ought to have
a fine six months at home.

Sister, how soon is tea?
- Oh, pretty soon now, Mickey.

- I'm getting hungry.
- There we are, Caroline.

Hm-hmm.

Very good. Turn over now, dear.
On your face.

That's a girl.

Now. We're going to pull those
shoulder blades back.

Pull them back, dear.

Can't you hold that there, Caroline?

You know, you've got to learn
to anchor that scapula.

Try this one. Hold it there...

Oh, Nurse Warren.

- Give Caroline her exercises, please.
- Yes, Sister.

Hello, Liz.

Come in, Kevin.

Would you like to see the children?

No, Liz. I read your letter.
And I don't understand it.

Well, I tried to be definite.

You certainly were definite.

Liz, this seems absurd to me.
I won't accept it.

I have the greatest sympathy
with your work...

...but I can't sit by and see you throw
away every chance of personal happiness.

Let's sit down, darling.

Well?

You may be right.
I may be wasting my life.

But I haven't got the right
to waste yours too...

...and I have no intention of doing it.

- Nonsense.
- No, no it isn't, Kevin.

You've been so good each time I asked
you to wait. You never said a word.

You didn't let me realize
how unfair it was.

I guess I didn't want to realize it.

Liz, if I choose to wait, it's my doing,
it's my responsibility.

Maybe I'm a fool.

Alright, I'm a fool. Go on and finish
your job here in Townsville.

How long is it going to take?

Well, when do you think
you'll be finished?

I don't think I'll ever be
finished, Kevin.

Let's say two years.

We've always said something like that.
It'll go on and on.

The day the doctors let me treat an
acute case I'll be in sight of the end...

...but that's all.

Let's face facts, Liz.

Are you any nearer to that today
than you were ten years ago?

Yes... a little, I think.

I'm learning a lot about polio
I didn't know.

I'm getting better results with
the children.

You know, I rather wanted some
children too.

- That's a little unfair, Kevin.
- Maybe it is, but it's true.

You're wrong, Liz, I know it.

That's my decision.

I'm not going to let you throw yourself
away on this work any longer.

If there was the slightest hope, Liz...

- Sister Kenny?
- Come in, please.

My name's Johnson, Sister.

I've come clear from Brisbane.

- This is my little girl, Emily.
- Hello, Emily.

Hello, Sister.

I've got my money, Sister.
But if you...

If you could... take Emily here...

...maybe I could work for you,
scrubbing, or something.

Let's have a look at you, Emily.

Well, how old are you?

Eight.

- No, eight and a half.
- Well, when did you take sick?

- I don't remember.
- She was only three, Sister.

Oh...

Well, I can't tell you whether I can
help you till I examine you thoroughly.

But we're going to try.

First thing we're going to do
is to take off those braces.

I think you'll have
a good time here, Emily.

There are lots of little girls here
to make friends with.

Do you hear them out there?
Well, we'll meet them in just a minute.

Most of the time we live outside here,
where we get lots of sun...

And the...

Now we're going to take you out
into the sun.

- Joe, have you seen Sister Kenny?
- Yes, just a minute ago, doctor.

- Did she buy a ticket to Brisbane?
- Yes.

- Ticket!
- Oh, hello, Doctor.

Elizabeth!

Well, what are you doing here?

Did you actually think you could see
Dr. Brisbane without telling me?

What are you so excited about? Ten years
ago you would have sent me there.

I've learned something in ten years
you haven't.

You're as stubborn as you
were in Townsville.

Don't be ridiculous, I know what
I'm doing. Give me my bag.

In this epidemic there will be nothing
but the orthodox treatment.

- Brack's and Brisbane's.
- That's one reason I'm going.

You told me to convince the doctors.

You open a clinic there and they'll
shut you up in a week.

I don't think I'd mind if I could get
my hands on one acute case.

You touch an acute case and they'll
shut you up in a minute.

- And in jail.
- Anyway, I'm going.

Alright, alright, just sit down
for a minute. You've still got time.

Now look, Elizabeth,

there's one thing you don't
seem to realize.

Big people make little people feel small,
and naturally they resent it.

Now, when a big person
happens to be a nurse...

Well, you know as well as I do
what a shock it is to a doctor...

...to be told off by a nurse.

Now, I've heard a lot of stories
complaining about the same thing.

You antagonize them, Elizabeth.

You've said some very unkind
things about doctors.

I've never said anything unkind
about doctors.

Ha!

I'd like to see a few of them
in their own splints.

Now look, Elizabeth, the train's
going in a minute...

...and there are two things I want
to get off my chest. First...

- Use more tact, more patience.
- I'm never impatient!

And the second point is this.
You're bound to run into Brack.

Now you use four words that aren't
in the books and that drives him mad.

If you say spasm, he'll have a spasm.

Alienation, incoordination, reeducation.

He just doesn't know what you mean
when you use those words.

- And he won't take the trouble to find out.
- That's one of the facts you have to face.

To him and to all the specialists,
those are not scientific terms.

So don't use them.

What are you going to call spasm
except spasm?

Call it a, er... muscle condition.

- A muscle condition?
- Muscle condition, but not spasm.

- Goodbye, Doctor.
- Goodbye, good luck.

- And no spasm.
- No spasm.

I'm sorry about this, Sister.

When I let you move in here, I didn't know
the place was unfit for hospital purposes.

When I moved in here, Mr. Todd, it was not
unfit for hospital purposes.

Not until I put that up.

Let me know if there's anything
I can do.

Thank you, Mr. Todd.

This patient has just finished his
quarantine isolation.

At the onset of the attack, the familiar
symptoms of polio appeared.

A stiff neck, headache, fever
with ensuing muscular pain...

followed by the loss of the use
of arms and legs.

This boy was brought here immediately
and I advised total immobilization.

Certain muscles have become
paralyzed...

...owing to the destruction of the anterior
horn cells of the spinal cord.

The result was that strong
unaffected muscles...

...were pulling against weak paralyzed
muscles and producing deformity.

You doctors who have worked
so many years in orthopedic medicine...

...know the familiar tortured position
of the victims very well.

Here you see the most modern application
of splints to prevent deformity.

Dr. Brack.

Here on the right arm, I've applied
the latest type of airplane splints.

Dr. Brack!

Ladies and gentlemen, this is
Miss Elizabeth Kenny,

who has some original notions on the
pathology and treatment of this disease.

Miss Kenny, I presume you've come
to discuss infantile paralysis.

Yes, Dr. Brack.

Well, in order not to waste the time
of these busy people...

who after all came to hear me,

I suggest that we postpone
the discussion.

How many years, Doctor?

Miss Kenny, I'll be glad if you
were to call at my office.

I've called at your office on three
different occasions.

- Did you have an appointment?
- Your secretary refused to give me one.

Well, get in touch with her again.
I'm sure it can be arranged.

We're in the middle of an epidemic.
It's quite likely that I was engaged.

The last time I was there
you were having tea.

Well, I hope that this class will not
be further disturbed.

Now where was I?

Oh, yes. The type of splint
I've applied on the right arm...

Dr. Brack.

I don't like this any more than you do.

But I have no reason to believe
I'll ever see you in your office.

And I must have an answer, and a public
one if possible, to this question.

Why do you prevent me from
doing my work?

Miss Kenny, I don't prevent you
doing your work.

- It's the authorities.
- At your request.

Isn't that putting it rather rudely?

Do you know how to put it politely?

Shh!

Ladies and gentlemen, since we cannot
avoid this interruption,

perhaps we can make use of it.

As open-minded men of science, we do not
reject ideas without examination.

Now, Miss Kenny's ideas were familiar
to me 20 years ago.

I even permitted a general practitioner,
Dr. McDonnell of Toowoomba,

to test them with very sad results.

Nobody who reads the newspapers
in which Miss Kenny's name appears...

...more and more frequently, can be
unaware of her existence.

But they may be unfamiliar
with her ideas.

Now, how many of you hear know anything
of the so-called Kenny treatment?

Miss Kenny, would you like to tell
this class how ignorant I am?

And how dangerous the orthodox
treatment of this disease is?

I certainly would.

But I don't think you're ignorant.
Only pig-headed.

Well, come down here, please.

Come over here.

Speak freely.

Explain your theory.

Well, the fundamental difference
between us...

...is which muscle is sick.

Go on.

Dr. Brack, I didn't expect to find
you so tolerant.

This is the first time in 20 years I've been
given a hearing before orthopedic men.

Yes, yes, Miss Kenny. Go on.

Well, Dr. Brack considers that one
muscle is paralyzed...

...and the opposing muscle is healthy.

I say the opposing muscle is sick,
in spa...

Well, call it a muscle condition.

Now, the first thing to do when
you find a muscle condition like that...

...is to apply moist heat and reduce
the sp... the muscle condition.

The first thing to do is to keep
the muscles relaxed.

If you put them in splints,
you'll only make the sp...

I mean, the muscle condition worse.

Yes, that would be quite reasonable,
if your concept were correct.

Now come to the convalescence stage.

- Well, after the spasm...
- Spasm?

Yes, spasm!

After the spasm is relieved you find
the muscles look perfectly normal.

But they are not. They're alienated,
incoordinated, and they need reeducation.

There is no such thing as spasm
in infantile paralysis.

Incoordination, reeducation, alienation.

You'll find that word in the divorce court,
not in medical science.

These are not scientific terms,
they're gibberish, you invented them.

Yes, for a new concept.
New ideas need new words.

The words I use describe
the things I see.

Well, how is it that we don't
see them?

Because you've got a book in front
of your eyes, whole libraries, words.

If you're interested in what I mean
you wouldn't quibble about the words i use.

Without the strict and careful use of words
there could be no science.

We can't waste any more time if you express
yourself in terms that have no meaning.

They have meaning for me!
I call it spasm. I treat spasm!

And you get cures, isn't that right?

Lots of doctors have tried
to catch me on that one.

I don't claim to have a cure.

But I get improvements, Doctor,
even with your failures.

I'd only have a chance to show what
I could do if I started where you do.

In the acute stage.

Twenty years ago in the bush
I had that chance.

I had six acute cases and they
all recovered.

But ever since then, over and over,

...I've heard the same thing whenever
a patient showed improvement.

- He didn't have polio.
- Have you finished?

I'll never finish until you stop
doing that!

We will never abandon immobilization.

In my opinion a patient should be
encased in plaster.

To me that's terrifying.

I can show you patients whose
bodies are perfectly straight...

- ...as a result of using plaster.
- Yes, straight and rigid.

There are thousands lying out
in the graveyard...

...that have just as much chance
of recovering the use of their legs.

Miss Kenny, you're speaking in front
of a patient!

I've tried to speak to you elsewhere!

And hasn't he a right to hear?
It's his life, not yours or mine.

You're making a very serious mistake.

I've made a lot of mistakes, Doctor.
Do you know anyone who hasn't?

Are any of us infallible?

You don't need me to tell you
that medical ideas change.

Your fathers bled their patients for
everything from a fever to a cold.

Do you do it anymore? Harvey changed
a few ideas, so did Pasteur.

- Are you comparing yourself with Pasteur?
- Certainly not!

But I wish she were here.

So do I, Miss Kenny.

He had a cure for hydrophobia.

The only thing that makes that
laughter tolerable, Dr. Brack,

is that I know you're sincere.

But sincerity doesn't excuse
a shut mind, or the cruelty to which...

...that stubborn righteousness
subjects thousands of children.

Luckily the fate of these children is not
in the hands of emotional quacks.

As long as we are entrusted with
the responsibility of authority,

we will never permit you to tamper
recklessly with their lives.

It's a dangerous thing to traffic
in human affliction.

You can keep me from treating
an acute case, Dr. Brack,

but not from the hopeless ones.

The ones you've given up.

Oh...

If you need any more braces, steel
corsets and other instruments...

...of medieval torture I can send
them to you.

I've taken plenty off your patients.

Miss Kenny.

I think you should be very careful before
you consider this matter settled.

To become a nurse,
you took an oath.

Do you remember the last paragraph?

With loyalty will I endeavor
to aid the physician in his work.

Instead of aiding the physicians,
you have the arrogance...

...to try to teach them
their profession.

In the opinion of many doctors,
you are no longer a nurse.

You can't dispose of me
that way, Dr. Brack.

I've given up too much for the right
to wear a nurse's uniform.

Sister Kenny.

My name is Chuter, of the Queensland
Health Department.

- Weren't you in there?
- Yes.

Well, just a moment, Sister Kenny.

I'm not against your work.

Who said my clinic was an unfit
place for sick children?

Not the Queensland Health Department.

I'd like to ask you a favor.

Will you come to my office tonight?

- What for?
- We've got a lot to discuss.

You say that happened in 1914?

July, 1914.

And then your work was suspended
because of the war.

- That's right.
- Hm-hmm.

Did you keep a record of all
the cases you treated?

Not as careful as what
I should have.

What is this all about, Mr. Chuter?

I'll explain in a moment, just as soon
as I get this record straight.

- Good evening, Chuter, am I late?
- Not at all.

Sister Kenny, I'd like you
to meet Dr. Gideon.

- How do you do, Doctor?
- How do you do, Sister Kenny,

I've wanted to meet you for a long time.

Then I take it you're not an
orthopedic man.

- I'm afraid I am.
- Oh.

I saw the result of your treatment
on a girl named Johnson.

- Oh.
- I think you had her in Townsville...

...years ago. She's walking
remarkably well.

If there's anything wrong with the orthodox
treatment, I want to find out about it.

- You're sure you're an orthopedic man?
- It's what it says on my diploma.

Hello, Chuter, hello, Gideon.

- Well, Elizabeth.
- What brought you here?

Spasms.

Well, you can't teach an old dog
new tricks.

You made a mess of my treatment
in front of Dr. Brack.

- I never...
- Now, Dr. McDonnell,

- Who told you about that?
- Muscle condition.

Well, you won't scold me when you
read this. Take a look at it.

It's from the London County Council.

You see? They want you in England.

That's the most encouraging thing
that's happened in 20 years.

It doesn't say I can treat
an acute case.

And how many have you treated here?

It's the only way I'm ever going
to prove anything.

Finish the letter, finish the letter.

- She's got to go to England.
- Now just a moment, McDonnell.

How about our plan to get
a Royal Commission?

- Oh, by all means, go ahead with it.
- But she mustn't leave Australia.

- Certainly not.
- If we can get Parliament...

to appoint a group of the
foremost office...

in the country to investigate
the Kenny treatment...

- ...her fight is won.
- Fine, fine.

But you don't expect her to sit around
and twiddle her thumbs...

...while they stop her work
at every time.

The only thing slower
than a Royal Commission...

...is full payment on a doctor's bill.

But she shouldn't go to England. I want to
find out something about this treatment.

Certainly she should go to England.

What they do there this year
they'll do here the next.

She should be here when we get
that Royal Commission.

What are we going to investigate
if she's not here?

Patients. She's not going to take
them to England with her.

She ought to continue her work
in Australia. This is where she belongs.

She belongs where she'll get
recognition the quickest.

Let her take ten crippled
children in England.

The worst cases, make them walk...

And then what?

Royal Commission, Dr. Gideon, England...
Why, I don't know where I am.

Now, if you'll just do as I say,
you may...

I've heard that before, Dr. McDonnell,
a long time ago.

When I said I was going
to get married...

...you told me if I took ten children
and made them walk,

my treatment would be adopted by every
hospital in Australia,

in the world, remember?

Well, I've made a hundred
children walk.

And after 20 years, one lonely orthopedic
physician has shown some interest.

I'm sorry, Dr. Gideon,
but these are the facts.

I can't flatter myself, Elizabeth,
that I persuaded you into this work.

It was the children.

Oh, I can talk to the plain doctors.

But the Doctor Bracks, the specialists...

The men alone who could open
the door to my work.

They live in a fortress..
and I'm only a nurse.

I have no degrees, no passwords.

I'm outside the walls of Jericho.

They're strong walls, you don't
know how strong...

and how high.

Inside the walls of Jericho they can't
hear the crying of children.

Sister Kenny.

- We want more clinics!
- Open up the clinic!

Elizabeth...

a minute ago you were talking
about the walls of Jericho.

You remember what happened to them.

Well, some people shouted and...

...blew trumpets, didn't they?

Some people, yes.

And the walls came tumbling down.

- I'm booked on flight 70.
- Half an hour delay, mum.

- Fog's very heavy.
- Oh, then I'll get a cup of tea.

Righto. This way, please.

- That's all.
- Thank you, ma'am.

Kevin!

Well!

Well, I finally found you.

I phoned your...

- I phoned your office a dozen times.
- I only returned an hour ago.

- Oh.
- Just missed you in Paris.

I nearly caught up with you in Berlin but
I was determined to catch you in London.

Well, bless the fog.

Look, Liz, can't you miss this plane?
The weather's rotten.

I can get you a reservation tomorrow.

- Let's go back to London.
- Oh, dear, I'd love to.

But I've got to be in Sidney on the fifth.

There's a government plane waiting
for me in Alexandria.

Could I get there on time if I took
the morning plane?

- No, you couldn't.
- Oh.

Well, we'll take what time there is.

- Oh, another order of tea, please.
- Yes, Sister Kenny.

You're getting famous.

Oh, yes. Everybody likes me,
except the doctors.

I saw in the papers that you were
going to do a lot of work here.

Why are you in such a tearing hurry
to get back to Australia?

You won't believe it, Kevin.

The government has sent for me.

There's another bad outbreak
of polio.

I haven't seen anything about this
in the newspapers.

This Munich business has sort
of crowded it out.

The people are demanding Kenny clinics.

- So you've done it.
- No, no.

I haven't done it, but I can see
a wee crack in the walls of Jericho.

- Dr. McDonnell?
- Yes.

He realized before I did.
That my real hope was in the people.

Do you remember the night he told
me to take their failures?

I certainly do.

For twenty years I didn't think
I was getting anyplace.

But all the time, the mothers,
the fathers,

and the friends of the children
were forming an army.

They didn't know it, I didn't know it.

And the Doctor Bracks didn't know it.

But we know it now.

And it's a pretty powerful army.

You're a great woman, Liz.

I've had great friends.

- How's your mother?
- She's not too well.

Oh!

- Did you know I'm a struggling author?
- No.

The Kenny Concept of Infantile Paralysis.

- That's wonderful, Liz.
- Just off the press.

- May I have it?
- Of course you may.

Liz, you know...

it's taken me many years
to understand what...

...you tried to tell me in Townsville.

Well... it wasn't easy for either of us.

I wanted ten children.

You have thousands.

I still miss the ten.

So do I.

But when they laughed, you'd have
heard the crying of crippled children.

That's what you knew, wasn't it?

Yes, Kevin.

I'm glad it turned out this way.

That's what I've always hoped for.

To hear you say it.

Attention, please.
Flight 70.

Paris - Rome - Alexandria.

Passengers will please come to gate 3.

- Oh, you'd like this to read on the plane?
- Oh, thank you.

Peace in our time, says Chamberlain.

- Do you believe it, Kevin?
- Well, it gives us time to get ready.

Well, what do you think of it?

Incredible. When she sees this
she'll certainly go to America.

Yes. That's what I'm afraid of.

Her Royal Commission has left things
exactly where they were ten years ago.

Unfortunately.

I don't even see how they think
this will save their faces...

...when all the younger orthopedic men
are already using the Kenny treatment,

whether they choose to
call it that or not.

Royal Commission.

She does great work in Europe.

We call her back, she slaves through
another epidemic here...

then they throw that in her face.

Well, I'd hate to be the one
who has to tell her.

Mr. Chuter, I have Toowoomba
on the telephone.

- Thank you.
- The private line.

- Hello, Dr. McDonnell.
- Hello, Chuter?

Oh, so they finally got it down
on paper, did they.

Uh-huh.

Yes, I'm still here.

Oh, of course it can't stop
the work but...

she's not getting any younger.

The plain fact is she's got to
take it easy.

Of course it's serious. At her age
it's always serious.

Yes, I'll tell her.

Oh, you can take this now, Alan.

Yes, Sister.

- Hello, Dr. McDonnell.
- Hello, Alan.

- Well, well, Doctor.
- Hello, Elizabeth.

I didn't hear your car.

Oh, this rationing puts me right back
where I was 50 years ago.

- I'm a horse and buggy doctor.
- How did you get here so early?

I left yesterday. I stopped overnight
at the Fraziers.

Sit down, sit down.
Would you like a cup of tea?

Nothing, I've had
my breakfast.

I'll be ready in just a moment.

Oh, anything here you want?

Oh, they're probably books
I gave you myself.

Something wrong?

You're really closing the place up,
aren't you?

Well, I don't know how long
I'll be in America.

I had a call from Chuter.

Oh?

A report of the Royal Commission.

There's 130 pages of undiluted condemnation
of your work and ideas.

They say that on no account should
you be permitted...

...to tend a case of infantile paralysis
either recent or of long standing.

They condemn the government for
spending money on the Kenny clinics...

...instead of giving its support to
the orthodox method.

They recommend that the Kenny
clinics be closed.

Well, that really stops me.

Oh, hey, the people won't
stand for it.

The people. What can the people do
against organized authority?

Well, don't forget they got you
the clinics in the first place.

Of course this report won't do you
any good in America.

Maybe you should reconsider.

Do you think you really have to go?

I don't think it.
I know it.

Come along, Doctor.

Sister Kenny, unscientific.

- Rubbish!
- Hm?

They haven't even read my book.

Oh, would you quit your gab,
I've read those reviews.

Besides, you shouldn't be bothered
by petty minds.

Sister Kenny's book has parts that
are new and parts that are good...

...but the good is not new
and the new is not good.

Sir Charles Brack.

Would you put those reviews away?

Listen to this.

It is the abandonment of immobilization
in splinting that is most startling.

A complete denial of long-
established principles.

The British Medical Journal.

Elizabeth, you haven't much time
before your train leaves.

Oh, sorry, sorry.

It took me six years to write
that book.

Thirty years of work to get
ready to write it...

...and they dismiss it in 36 words.

Do you want to read those reviews
or do you want me to listen to your heart?

Oh, listen to my heart, go ahead,
go ahead.

Put the plugs in your ears.

Well, if you wouldn't confuse me,
talk, talk, talk...

- You doctors!
- Shh!

- Well, there's nothing wrong with my heart.
- Quiet!

Oh, you needn't pull that long face.

It's no worse than it's been
for the last ten years.

Well, listen to it yourself.

See what I tell you,
rustle-bang, rustle-bang...

Quiet!

Well?

It's not very good, is it?

It'll last till I do what I've got to do.

- It won't if you don't take it easy.
- Why don't you take it easy?

- I do.
- You're a liar.

You're a cantankerous woman.

You've always been a trial to me.

I like things easy.

How many beds have you got
in this hospital now?

- Two hundred.
- I remember when you only had twenty.

You like things easy.

Your father gave us two.

Mother managed that.
Where did you get the others?

Oh, from people. Nellie was pretty
good at persuading them.

Kevin Connors gave us ten.

You didn't know that, did you?

I saw Dorrie McIntyre the other day.

Do you remember her?
She was your first case.

Her eldest daughter is training
here as a nurse.

Her name's Elizabeth.

She's a fine girl.

You're a famous woman, Elizabeth.

I imagine I'm the only one left who
knows what it's cost you.

And I'd like to take this opportunity
to say quite formally...

it's a privilege to have known you.

Thank you.

Whatever you do, whatever happens,

remember the people are more
important than the system.

That's true in government.
They're fighting a war to prove it.

And it's true in medicine.

You've got that fight left, Elizabeth.

It's a big fight.
It won't be easy.

I wish I could help you.

But you'll be a long way off and...

I'm getting old and...

Well...

I'm no chicken.

- You know what time it is, Dr. McDonnell?
- Hm?

They're waiting for you in ward 7.

You'll need your white coat,
and don't forget your glasses.

Oh, don't tell me what I'll need.
Go on, go on, go on.

I'll need a new head nurse.

You know, it would have been nice
if we'd had time for a long talk...

...about all the people we
used to know.

Oh, well...

There'll be time for that we you
get back from America.

Sister Kenny! Sister Kenny,
this way, please.

Hold it, please!
Thank you.

This way, Kenny.

Thanks, honey.

One more, please.

Is this your first visit to America,
Sister Kenny?

- That's right.
- What do you think of San Francisco, Sister?

Well, if you ask me, it's getting
a little too big for it's bridges.

- Sister, are you a nun?
- A nun? Nothing as fine as that.

Then how come they call you Sister?

Oh, that's what they call an
Army nurse in Australia.

- Oh.
- What about the report...

...of that Royal Commission,
did it hurt you much?

Not as much as it hurt the children.

Give us the lowdown on doctors, Sister.

- The what?
- The lowdown, the dope.

- The dirt, you know.
- They say you've been pretty rough on them.

Isn't that what you're here for?
To show up the doctors?

Certainly not. I'm here to do what
I can for the children of America.

Oh, come on, Sister, we know
what you think about doctors.

- Give us a headline.
- Give us your honest opinion.

Very well, young man.

My honest opinion is that it's easier
to criticize a doctor than to be one.

- So long, boys.
- Thank you very much.

That's all right, that's all right.

Yes, it's the same old story.

From San Francisco to New York
I've been given what I believe...

...you Americans call the runaround.

Oh, I hadn't heard that one.
The brush off. That's it.

The Doctor Bracks seem as strong here
as they are in Australia.

Well, I had high hopes when
I came to America.

But ever since Pearl Harbor I realize
I've been wasting my time.

When do I sail?

Good.

Tell the Consul I'm very grateful.

Oh, yes. Of course I'll talk
to him. Put him on.

Come in.

- Sister Kenny?
- Yes?

- I'm from the New York Globe.
- Oh, sit down, sit down.

Not on my luggage.

I haven't got anything to say.

Except that I'm going back to Australia,
if that's news.

- That's news, alright, but wait a minute.
- I've waited two years.

Yes. Oh, how do you do?

No, I'm afraid I can't reconsider.

Stop that!

Well, the only place that's shown any
interest is the University of Minnesota.

Stop poking me!

Oh, no, I didn't mean you.

Well, I can't wait any longer
for their report.

I'm afraid it'll drag on as
long as the Royal Commission.

And... Well, frankly, I haven't any
money left.

Thank you very much. I'll pick up
the tickets right away.

- Sister Kenny...
- You shouldn't interrupt people, young man.

- Where's your manners?
- But Sister...

You heard what I said.
I'm going back to Australia.

- I'll bet you don't.
- What did you come here for?

Well, I thought maybe you'd like
to read this.

Oh, who's calling me a quack
this time?

- Read it.
- I don't want to read it.

Well, then I guess you'll just
have to listen to it.

Quote. We have no hesitation in saying
that the Kenny method...

...will form the basis for our
future treatment. End quote.

Quote. Absolutely no deformities
have materialized.

55% recoveries were registered
in thirty-two days.

End quote.

They're talking about acute cases.

Yes, it says that here, from
the University of Minnesota

Let me see this.

The big news is they've been hit
by a bad epidemic...

...of infantile paralysis in Minneapolis.

The people want you to go over
there and set up a clinic.

The University wants you, the Board
of Public Welfare wants you,

and the mayor wants you.

Now, are you going or aren't you?

Young man, have you ever been
kissed by a woman my age?

- Huh?
- Oh, never mind, never mind.

Pick up those bags.

Sister, where's your manners?

Please.

Oh, come on, Sister.

You've seen doctors before.

Not to hear me speak.

- Now, where were we?
- You haven't dictated a word yet.

Oh. Er... Dear Dr. McDonnell.

Do you think you'll have time?

Oh, yes, yes. They're going
through the wards first.

- Now, er... Where was I?
- Dear Dr. McDonnell.

At the end of this letter...

I hope to add the greatest piece
of news I've heard in 35 years.

The report of the National Committee
has been investigating my work...

...for the past 16 months in the
United States.

That committee is composed of
outstanding orthopedic men.

Yes, the walls of Jericho are
really tumbling down.

I have every reason to believe...

...that it will not be another fiasco
like the Royal Commission.

If it is unfavorable, I shall have
a spasm.

Spasm.

But more of this later.

Today is the climax of my three
years' work in Minneapolis.

You won't believe a word
of this, but it's true.

This morning I am lecturing
to orthopedic surgeons.

Cross my heart.

My first lecture.

The first course of study at
the new Institute.

Also, it is my birthday.

And by the way, don't go around
telling people how old I am.

I don't like it.
Oh...

Another thing.
The new book is just out.

- Even Brack will have to read this one.
- Brack?

B-R-A-C-K, Brack.

...because it was written in collaboration
with an orthopedic man.

The medical director of the
Kenny Institute.

I am sending you a copy
with this letter.

- Yes?
- A cablegram, Sister.

Thank you.

I long to see Australia.

But since I cannot get away, you
will have to come to America next year...

...and see a "hepcap" bush nurse.

You won't know what that means.

It's an honorary degree.

Incidentally, I have three real
honorary degrees.

I don't know why I am writing
in such a familiar way to a mere MD.

Is that all?

Is that the end, Sister?

Yes.

But it's not finished.

You were going to add something
about the report.

When it comes out.

Shall I type out what I have?

No... never mind.

The doctors are waiting
for you, Sister.

Thank you.

Thank you, doctors.

Thank you very much.

I am not in the habit of being
greeted so warmly by doctors.

Your laughter reminds me of an
occasion many years ago...

...when I was greeted by laughter.

It was however laughter
of another sort.

It was because I used four words...

...you are going to hear a great
deal of during this course of study.

Spasm, alienation, incoordination
and reeducation.

Before demonstrating their
application, however,

the medical director has asked
to make a few remarks.

I have Sister Kenny's permission
to make a few remarks.

But not to say what I am going to say.

When she lays me out afterwards,

I'm going to tell her she opened
the door by mentioning reeducation.

Gentlemen, that's what you're
here for.

Reeducation.

Like myself, you went to Medical School,
you worked hard for years.

Then, like myself, you went on
into a very difficult branch

...which required more years of study.

You've piled up experience and today you
feel that you're thoroughly qualified men.

Hard as it is to learn, it is even
more difficult to unlearn.

As an American humorist, Artemus Ward,
said many years ago,

it ain't the things we don't know
that causes all the trouble,

it's the things we do know
that ain't so.

I'm well aware that not all
of you are convinced.

But the fact that you are here from all
parts of the United States and Canada,

is proof that you are open-minded men.

In my opinion, had Miss Kenny
been a doctor,

this controversy would not have
gone on for 35 years.

And I'm equally sure...

and I say this at the risk
of life and limb,

that if Sister Kenny herself had used a
little more sugar and a little less vinegar,

the salad would have been
more to our taste.

But you can't fight for 35 years,
gentlemen, without the use of vinegar.

However, all these petty things
should be swept aside.

What we are concerned about
is the lives of children.

Not our personal feelings.

As true physicians,

we want to find the best possible
treatment for this disease...

that afflicted 19,000 children last year
in the United States alone.

Thank you, doctor.

Now, Tommy...

You see here a typical case in
the convalescence stage.

The acute stage has passed,
the pain is all gone...

...but the real difficulties now begin.

We have here what is known as
apparent or functional paralysis.

What I call alienation...
Yes?

Doctors, I have just been told...

...that the report of the National Committee
is coming through on the radio.

They're putting it on the
loudspeaker.

# ...with the Kenny treatment
as without it. #

# And in conclusion, the five specialists
who've composed the committee... #

# ...report that they find no evidence
the Kenny treatment reverts... #

# ...or decreases the amount
of paralysis. #

# I quote. "We criticize the
oft-repeated statements of Miss Kenny, #

# ...to patients who have to come
to her after treatment elsewhere, #

# that had this case come to her early,
the disability would have been prevented. #

# Such statements are not
founded on fact. #

# End quote. #

# The entire report of the committee
is a severe criticism... #

# ...of Sister Kenny and her supporters. #

# And with respect to her claims
for recoveries, she is accused of, quote, #

# "Deliberate misrepresentation of the facts
of treatments by other methods. #

# End quote. #

I don't know what evidence
the National Committee considered,

but we who are using the Kenny
treatment here in Minneapolis,

have observed her work
sufficiently long...

to know that crooked, shortened limbs
and twisted bodies...

...are not a necessary consequence
of this disease.

Because these tragedies do not occur in
the Kenny-treated cases in Minneapolis.

As medical director of the Elizabeth
Kenny Institute,

I have no hesitation in saying it is time
to abolish antiquated methods...

...which allow children to suffer
deformities from infantile paralysis

That's a very fine speech, doctor, but I'm
getting tired of being polite about it.

Crippled children are more important
than medical etiquette.

Year after year committees investigate
the ideas of Sister Kenny.

But who ever investigated
the brains of the committees?

I did, young man.

I've survived worse blows
than this...

...when I had fewer friends.

This is a problem of man's own mind.

When we speak with the voice
of authority,

we finally come to believe that
we are authority...

...and not just its voice.

This report will do damage.

Not to me, but to thousands of children
who may be deprived of proper treatment.

I do think the personal attack
is unworthy of this, gentlemen.

I have never knowingly misrepresented
facts. I don't have to.

And I owe too much to doctors
to be embittered.

I owe too much to America to feel
anything but gratitude.

In America, my treatment was tried
for the first time on acute cases.

In America I have been able to work
side by side with specialists.

And don't think this work has gone unnoticed
even beyond the borders of this country.

Infantile paralysis doesn't know
anything about national borders,

races, creeds, colors, rich or poor,

...and neither, thank God,
does medical science.

Oh, I have fought doctors.
In the bush and in the city.

And, as you say here,
I haven't pulled any punches.

And neither have they.

They're stubborn, headstrong, cantankerous,
domineering, quibbling people.

And they're wonderful.

The very fact they fought so bitterly
for what they believed...

...has made me respect them.

If any group of men can give
a better account of themselves...

when they come to meet
their maker...

Forgive me, gentlemen.

I am thinking of a doctor who was
very close to me in this work.

He was a very good man.

And now... to return to the subject...

...of teaching these muscles
to walk again.

You haven't touched your tea,
Sister.

Oh, I was thinking.

What's that?

I don't know.

# Happy Birthday to you #
# Happy Birthday to you #

# Happy Birthday, dear Sister #

# Happy Birthday to you #

# Happy Birthday to you #

# Happy Birthday to you #

# Happy Birthday, dear Sister #

# Happy Birthday to you #