Il était une fois... la vie (1987–1988): Season 1, Episode 22 - La vaccination - full transcript
[lively music playing]
♪ Is life, is life, that's life ♪
♪ Sing a song of life ♪
♪ Every heartbeat's a miracle ♪
♪ Feel the rhythm growing ♪
♪ Day by day as we go ♪
♪ Look inside, your body is humming ♪
♪ With a million drums that are drumming ♪
♪ Fill your lungs, get ready ♪
♪ Celebrating the joy
That's life ♪
♪ Is life, is life, that's life ♪
♪ Is life, is life, that's life ♪
♪ Is life, is life, that's life ♪
[mischievous music playing]
-When are we going to get there?
-Yeah, when?
-The water is gone.
-And there is nothing left to eat.
We're going to die of thirst,
-aren't we?
-We've about had it.
We're finished, all right. Dead.
-Stop this pathetic whining.
-But we can't live like this!
We are bacteria.
-And we need something to infect!
-But we can't find anything.
So what's the plan?
Now look here, can you tell me
what kind of bacteria you are?
Ah, that's easy, boss. We're nasty
horrible revolting bacteria.
[snarling]
Don't show off your ignorance,
you hulking great imbecile, you!
Nicolaier's Bacillus that's us.
The Tetanus microbe.
Well, I'll never just fancy that!
I'm Nicolaier!
Oh no, you're not!
-That's my name.
-If anybody is gonna be called Nicolaier,
-it's me, do you hear?
-[indistinct shouting]
Fools! I'm the only one with that name.
You can all shut up
and pay some attention to me
before you do kill yourselves.
-I know how to save our lives.
-Huh?
We bury ourselves.
-First, we find a hole--
-I don't want to be buried--
How dare you interrupt me
when I'm telling you something
-that's beyond your pea brain?
-Sorry.
We'll become spores.
How can I become a spore
when I don't know what it is?
We wrap ourselves up
in a protective covering.
As spores, we can survive for months,
even years, until the time is ripe.
-Ripe for what?
-To set up an infection.
As spores,
we have a brilliant future ahead of us.
Now follow me, and we'll look for
a suitable resting place.
[indistinct muttering]
[Stroppy] This will do nicely. We're safe.
Now we can turn into spores.
[clears throat]
-Okay, but how?
-It's easy.
[mumbling]
[Stroppy cackles] Now we look
just like harmless little spores.
Nobody will suspect that we're actually
dangerous tetanus germs.
And time is on our side.
All that time in the world.
[bright music playing]
[mom] That rosebush
has come on beautifully.
Absolutely gorgeous, but it looks
a little cramped to me.
I think I ought to transplant it.
Peter, run along now,
-you'll be late for school.
-[Peter Jr.] Okay.
See you later, Mommy. Bye.
[Peter Jr.] Jumbo! Come on!
Jumbo, we're going to be late!
[grandpa] Sorry, Peter Jumbo won't be
coming to school with you today.
He's got a nasty cold
and his mom decided to keep him at home.
Will you let him know
about any homework, huh?
Right oh.
Do you think he'll be better tomorrow?
Dear me, yes, I should think so, Peter.
Hurry up now, you don't want to be late
for school, do you?
Okay, bye.
[grandpa] Bye.
And... Oh, children, before I forget,
class will finish a little early today
because you all have to go
for your vaccinations.
-[gasps]
-[Mary] Please, sir,
do we have to be vaccinated?
Doesn't it hurt?
-[boy] What's the jab for, sir?
-No, it's not sore, Mary.
It's to prevent you getting Tetanus,
which is a very serious illness indeed.
-[Peter Jr.] Sir, can tetanus kill?
-No doubt about it.
Tetanus can be fatal.
-And with the vaccine?
-[teacher] No, no, then you're quite safe.
As long as you don't forget your boosters.
-That's not so bad.
-[kids muttering]
[indistinct chattering]
Hey, you guys,
it didn't hurt one tiny little bit.
It's nothing to worry about, I tell you.
-Alastair, it's your turn now.
-[Alastair gasps]
[chuckles]
[singing]
Wow! Roses are beautiful.
[Stroppy cackling]
[bright music playing]
-[Peter Jr.] Jumbo, have you finished yet?
-[Jumbo] Yes, this exercise wasn't easy,
you know. So what should we play at now,
Peter?
Come with me. I want to show you
something super.
[laughing]
-[Jumbo] Wow.
-What do you think of this rose bush?
I've never seen so many flowers.
I know! It would look even better
if the roots had more room to grow.
It needs to be transplanted.
Do you reckon we could manage the job?
-Yes, I've done it before.
-Huh?
You have to dig a fairly deep hole
so that you don't break any roots.
Then you spread compost
-and water it well.
-Huh?
-Hang on while I fetch a couple of spades.
-Oh.
[grunting]
Start digging over there, Jumbo!
That's fine, Jumbo.
This is the compost we'll need.
[groaning]
Ow! It pricked me!
Me too. Thorns are a nuisance,
aren't they?
[Peter Jr.] Now, lift!
[grunts]
[Peter Jr.] Okay, put it down gently.
[groaning]
[laughing]
[Jumbo Jr.] Calling all macrophages.
Calling all macrophages.
Report to Zone 8 immediately.
Come along now, macrophages!
[cop] Move along there!
Stop dragging your feet, you corpuscles.
That oxygen must be delivered today. Mm?
-[Hemo] Huh?
-[Globine] Hey!
-[gasps]
-Hm.
Marbles. I ask you...
-[snarls] Wake up!
-[groans] What's happening to me?
Where's the garden gone to, boss?
We are inside the body of a human being,
just as I planned.
He invited us in by digging in the garden
with an open scratch on his skin.
[cackles] Poor fool,
now we take over his whole body.
That's the style, men! Our first priority
is to fill our empty bellies.
[gulps]
[wicked laughter]
It'll be ready in a minute.
-I'm really looking forward to this.
-How about adding a pinch of salt?
[Stroppy] Good idea,
it'll improve the taste.
[groans]
-[salt muttering]
-[germs laughing]
Poison! That's what's left behind
when we've finished eating.
Tetanus toxins
that attack the nervous system.
Just you wait and see the trouble
they're going to cause.
Once they get stuck into
the nervous system,
that's when the fun really starts.
Here are our friends. Hello.
-Yoohoo! Lieutenant!
-[corpuscles laughing]
-Hey!
-Oh!
[moaning and muttering]
Oh, Why are they bothering us like this?
What? Oh...
[voice] The staff is out to lunch. Please
leave your message after the tone!
I don't believe it. Are you playing
a practical joke on me, Lieutenant?
[Claire
giggles] -[Peter] Yes, she is, Jumbo.
-What can we do for you?
-[Jumbo] I would like to identify
some suspicious characters who are trying
to cause trouble down in my blood vessel.
-I repeat I would like to identify--
-Okay, Lieutenant, we're on our way.
[indistinct shouting]
[Claire] They're toxins, Captain.
Dangerous poisons, I think it's tetanus!
Tetanus, you say!
Tetanus, you say? Well, that's certainly
no great problem for us
because we've been vaccinated
Our antibodies can deal with these toxins
in a matter of minutes, you'll see!
-Vaccinated?
-Exactly!
Our antibodies know precisely
what to expect from those toxins.
So shall we release them, Captain?
Releasing antibodies battalions, now!
[Metro] Let's go!
[bright music playing]
Tetanus toxins, of all things!
This is going to be
an unexpected pleasure, my friends!
It's tetanus, brothers. Up and at them,
and take no prisoners.
You lack charm, sir, the world will be
a prettier place without you.
Don't give me that you fat fool smarty!
[groaning]
You'll have to do better than that.
Shall we carry on with the lesson?
[groaning]
Two for one, and one for two!
How considerate of you, sir, to make
this contest less boring for me. Up!
[grunts]
[Tarzan-like shouts]
Well, Sir Toxin, since you seem
so bent on self-destruction,
I shall make your own quietus for you,
with a bare bodkin!
-[moans]
-[chuckles]
[grunting]
Say your prayers, Bluebottle.
Dead, for a ducat, dead!
-[shouting]
-[chuckling]
[moans]
[Claire] Total victory!
Not a single toxin left!
Well, Lieutenant, it was to be expected,
after all, any vaccinated organism
is full of trained antibodies
who quickly put paid to invaders.
[narrator] We have just seen
what happened inside Peter's body
when the tetanus germs
failed to gain a foothold.
But what about Jumbo?
He was absent from school on the day
he should have been vaccinated.
What will happen to him now? Poor Jumbo!
[munching and cackling]
Poison. That's what's left over
when we're finished eating.
So long as there are
no antibodies to stop them,
they can paralyze the body.
Ow! Huh?
Oh, no! Hello? Hello?
Get me the flying squad! Quickly, please.
This is Lieutenant Jumbo speaking.
My artery has been invaded
by unidentified flying objects.
Help is needed, urgently. Help!
We'll see if we can identify those
flying objects for you, Jumbo. Hang on!
[indistinct shouting]
I don't recognize them at all.
-How about you, Lieutenant?
-I'm stumped.
Obviously, we haven't been vaccinated.
I'm afraid we may be running into danger.
Look down there! That antibody
doesn't recognize them either.
Hm... No... Hm-mm.
What are your orders, Captain?
Should I signal Headquarters?
Before we do that, we 'd better
find out what they're up to.
Alert the airborne units
at the next junction.
I'm going to follow this one.
[indistinct chattering]
[toxin] Okay, mates,
here's where we home in on a nerve.
This is where our training pays off.
[wicked laughter]
Excellent! We're on target!
[giggling]
[lively music playing]
Captain Peter calling Headquarters.
I've followed a group of intruders
as far as a nerve ending.
They're still in there, Colonel.
What shall I do?
[colonel] Inside a nerve, hey?
I don't like it, Captain.
-This could be extremely dangerous.
-[gasps]
Hey, Jumbo! Do you remember the other day,
when we got our anti-tet jabs at school--?
-Anti-what jabs?
-Tetanus.
What's tetanus?
I've never had an injection for tetanus.
[light, gentle music playing]
[narrator] Meanwhile,
in the nerve-cell nearest to the branch
where the toxins are hiding,
it's business as usual
in the nuclear control room.
[Speedy] Vroom!
[Speedy] Vroom!
He's washing his hands now.
Everything's going according to plan.
We might as well put our feet up. Huh?
Oh, it's all too predictable:
digital pronator muscles
are now contracting,
the wrist muscles are relaxing.
And the abductor muscle
of the thumb is relaxed. No problems.
[unsettling music playing]
[Speedy] Vroom!
[shouts]
Slow down, you madmen!
They've got a nerve! If you'd ask me,
they should be put away for life!
-Look out!
-[shouts]
What on earth was that?
I don't know.
This is the northbound lane, isn't it?
Course it is. All nerves are one-way!
Okay, let's go.
Vroom!
[gasps and groans]
My message! I think I've lost my message.
You can always help me
deliver mine, if you like.
Oh, that would never do!
You know all the signals are different.
If one goes missing,
the muscles won't work together properly.
That's right. You'll have to stay behind
and look for your message,
while I carry on alone.
No, wait! If you arrive before I do,
the muscles
still won't work together properly.
-Oh.
-Look! Here it is!
Vroom!
Vroom!
[machine beeping]
[Peter Jr.] What's the matter, Jumbo?
[Jumbo] I don't know. It's funny, Peter.
My hand's not working properly.
The pattern's far from normal. Look how
the muscle seems to be trembling.
-Mm.
-Is it a cramp, do you think?
Goodness!
Something is definitely wrong here.
Let me have a look
on this screen over here.
Oh dear me! Some of the signals
are not getting through. This is serious.
I'll have to tell the chief.
Maestro! Maestro! Maestro,
there's a slight problem, sir.
[moans]
[shouts]
[Maestro] What was that? Huh?
What's that noise?
What's this all about?
Good heavens, toxins!
There's absolutely no time to waste!
This is a major emergency.
We must mobilize our defenses!
[groans]
[Maestro] Jump to it, men!
Time is of the essence!
General alert!
Our transmissions are about to be cut off
by an invasion of toxins
affecting the nerves. SOS!
We are in extreme danger!
Please come to our aid!
Danger! I repeat: danger! Danger!
The nerve has gone dead! I can't transmit!
Will somebody please tell me
what's going on here?
Does it hurt?
Not really. My jaw's a bit stiff.
-How long has it been like that?
-Since yesterday.
That's when I first noticed
that I was clenching my teeth.
Tell me, have you had any cuts
or grazes recently?
Uh... No, I don't think so.
-You're dead certain?
-Yes.
-Hey, Jumbo!
-Hm, no.
-You're forgetting the rosebush.
-So I am!
We were transplanting a rosebush,
and I got a tiny scratch on my hand
from a thorn that pricked me.
-And you too?
-Yes, Doctor, I got a little scratch too,
but it's all healed up now.
I take it you boys
had your anti-tet jabs at school?
I don't know. I can't remember.
Peter says we had them,
but I can't remember.
But it wasn't very long ago, Jumbo!
The injection didn't hurt at all.
You must remember it.
[gasps] Of course!
You were sick that day.
-You're not vaccinated!
-Oh!
[Maestro] And so it seems
that this unfortunate young man
missed his anti-tetanus injection.
Tetanus is a serious complaint caused by
microbes found in the soil or in dirt.
Now, these microbes produce a toxin,
a poison, that acts on the nervous system.
That's why we have to act
very, very quickly.
-So what's the next step, Doc?
-I'm admitting him to hospital.
It'll be easier
to keep a close eye on him there.
[siren wailing]
[groans]
[mischievous music playing]
What are those bumblebees doing?
-Huh? Answer my question!
-Put him down! They're not bumblebees.
They're toxins,
that's poison, very cleverly
produced by ourselves.
So where are they flying off to, boss?
Oh, they'll wander through
the bloodstream and mess up
a few nerves here and there until
they're ready for the final objective.
The great danger here
is that the brain stem and the spinal cord
could become affected.
We must prevent that at all costs.
Sweeties! Who'll buy
my delicious sweetie pies?
Very cheap today! Sweeties.
Sweeties! Sweeties!
[laughing]
Now, what's that buzzing?
Proceed no further!
Produce your papers at once.
I've got no papers to produce, fat boy,
cause I'm a nasty horrible toxin
and I'm not afraid of the likes of you,
so there!
We'll see!
[cackles]
Okay, your careers are over.
[growls]
-Oh!
-Huh?
[groans]
-[moaning]
-[cackling]
We've got them outnumbered, mates.
They'll never stop us now.
So, come on! Let's go!
Releasing antibodies!
Our antibodies
don't recognize the toxins.
None of our fighters have had
the special training they need
to wipe out these toxins.
They're spreading like wildfire.
Come in, Headquarters, we're in trouble!
Purified anti-tetanus serum.
This is our best chance to save the boy.
This ought to do the trick, Nurse.
Antibiotics!
-[buzzing]
-[indistinct muttering]
I can't take much more of this. Buzz off!
-[rumbling]
-[shouting]
[Hemo] What's that?
-[buzzing]
-[gasps]
[Metro] Fear not, oh hapless denizens
of this human body,
be you platelets or corpuscles.
We have come to rid you of the plague.
These loathsome toxin flies,
who rule the roost, or so they think,
will get a rude awakening
from my chevaliers.
Have at them! A very palpable hit!
Dead, for a ducat, I say! Dead!
They've come just in time.
The toxins have got the upper hand!
We may have missed out on vaccination,
but now, fortunately,
we've got the next best thing:
anti-tetanus serum.
Our doctor friend outside the body
has very powerful weapons.
Look, Lieutenant, now the battle
is really going to begin in earnest.
[buzzing]
Now, listen! Those antibodies
have really got it in for us,
I'm telling you! Get angry with them,
lads, smash their faces in
and do the worst you can.
That's the only way we'll win. Okay? Okay?
You mustn't fight fair!
Well, that's all we can do for him
at present.
We'll just have to wait
for the serum to take effect.
It shouldn't be very long now.
It'll kill the toxins,
while the antibiotic wipes out the germs.
[upbeat music playing]
I'm weary. [groans]
[Globus] Keep moving, children.
We'll have a breather
when we get to the skin.
That's where we're delivering our oxygen.
-Hey, Professor! Look at this!
-[Hemo groans]
[Globus] Looks like antibiotic to me!
Shh! We must be close to them now!
Antibodies! There must be microbes about
with all this military traffic.
[corpuscles gasping]
There's a million of them, Professor.
Do you think there's going to be a war?
Oh, yes, I should think so, child!
Those are the antibodies of an antibiotic,
a medicine made to fight microbes.
The war will go on
until all the microbes are dead.
Hello!
Shh! We're almost on them!
The idea is to take them by surprise
before they've had time to multiply!
Follow me, antibodies!
Stop that! Where did you spring from? Hey?
Huh? It's too late! We're surrounded!
[screams]
Puny little mosquitoes,
can't hurt a germ like me. [groans]
[Metro] Come on, bet you can't bash me!
-[groans] Huh?
-Missed me! Try again!
Whoopsie!
You'll have to do better than that!
Over here! This way, you great ox. Look.
Missed again!
Okay, chaps, come and puncture
this windbag, he's full of hot air!
[grunting and groaning]
This is Lieutenant Claire
of the Lymphocyte Patrol calling.
Please send in the macrophages to mop up.
The tetanus infection
has been completely eliminated.
Over and out.
Draw your swords,
my gallant band of antibodies.
This time, they should be blooded!
The choice awaits us: death or glory!
Charge!
Remember what I told you, fellows!
Give them everything you've got!
Use your boots and teeth
if you have to! Charge!
[moaning and groaning]
[Metro] No quarter given or asked!
-Have at you! A hit!
-[grunting]
A very palpable hit. [laughs]
-Next, please.
-[groaning]
Hah! They'll all wipe each other out,
they're stupid!
I'm going to toddle off! Hm.
Look behind you, Metro!
One of them's trying to get away!
We don't want him to become
a new source of infection.
Grab this and hold on tight!
Ah! [groans]
To be, or not...
to be.
[grunts and shouts]
-[groans]
-That is the question.
Well, my young friend, you've had
a narrow escape, no mistake about it.
Tetanus can kill, you know.
But we were lucky to catch you
at an early stage.
Everyone should be vaccinated.
Doctor, are there vaccines
for other diseases?
Good heavens,
yes, there are dozens of them.
[Peter Jr.] Oh... [laughs]
[lively music playing]
♪ Is life, is life, that's life ♪
♪ Sing a song of life ♪
♪ Every heartbeat's a miracle ♪
♪ Feel the rhythm growing ♪
♪ Day by day as we go ♪
♪ Look inside, your body is humming ♪
♪ With a million drums that are drumming ♪
♪ Fill your lungs, get ready ♪
♪ Celebrating the joy
That's life ♪
♪ Is life, is life, that's life ♪
♪ Is life, is life, that's life ♪
♪ Is life, is life, that's life ♪
[mischievous music playing]
-When are we going to get there?
-Yeah, when?
-The water is gone.
-And there is nothing left to eat.
We're going to die of thirst,
-aren't we?
-We've about had it.
We're finished, all right. Dead.
-Stop this pathetic whining.
-But we can't live like this!
We are bacteria.
-And we need something to infect!
-But we can't find anything.
So what's the plan?
Now look here, can you tell me
what kind of bacteria you are?
Ah, that's easy, boss. We're nasty
horrible revolting bacteria.
[snarling]
Don't show off your ignorance,
you hulking great imbecile, you!
Nicolaier's Bacillus that's us.
The Tetanus microbe.
Well, I'll never just fancy that!
I'm Nicolaier!
Oh no, you're not!
-That's my name.
-If anybody is gonna be called Nicolaier,
-it's me, do you hear?
-[indistinct shouting]
Fools! I'm the only one with that name.
You can all shut up
and pay some attention to me
before you do kill yourselves.
-I know how to save our lives.
-Huh?
We bury ourselves.
-First, we find a hole--
-I don't want to be buried--
How dare you interrupt me
when I'm telling you something
-that's beyond your pea brain?
-Sorry.
We'll become spores.
How can I become a spore
when I don't know what it is?
We wrap ourselves up
in a protective covering.
As spores, we can survive for months,
even years, until the time is ripe.
-Ripe for what?
-To set up an infection.
As spores,
we have a brilliant future ahead of us.
Now follow me, and we'll look for
a suitable resting place.
[indistinct muttering]
[Stroppy] This will do nicely. We're safe.
Now we can turn into spores.
[clears throat]
-Okay, but how?
-It's easy.
[mumbling]
[Stroppy cackles] Now we look
just like harmless little spores.
Nobody will suspect that we're actually
dangerous tetanus germs.
And time is on our side.
All that time in the world.
[bright music playing]
[mom] That rosebush
has come on beautifully.
Absolutely gorgeous, but it looks
a little cramped to me.
I think I ought to transplant it.
Peter, run along now,
-you'll be late for school.
-[Peter Jr.] Okay.
See you later, Mommy. Bye.
[Peter Jr.] Jumbo! Come on!
Jumbo, we're going to be late!
[grandpa] Sorry, Peter Jumbo won't be
coming to school with you today.
He's got a nasty cold
and his mom decided to keep him at home.
Will you let him know
about any homework, huh?
Right oh.
Do you think he'll be better tomorrow?
Dear me, yes, I should think so, Peter.
Hurry up now, you don't want to be late
for school, do you?
Okay, bye.
[grandpa] Bye.
And... Oh, children, before I forget,
class will finish a little early today
because you all have to go
for your vaccinations.
-[gasps]
-[Mary] Please, sir,
do we have to be vaccinated?
Doesn't it hurt?
-[boy] What's the jab for, sir?
-No, it's not sore, Mary.
It's to prevent you getting Tetanus,
which is a very serious illness indeed.
-[Peter Jr.] Sir, can tetanus kill?
-No doubt about it.
Tetanus can be fatal.
-And with the vaccine?
-[teacher] No, no, then you're quite safe.
As long as you don't forget your boosters.
-That's not so bad.
-[kids muttering]
[indistinct chattering]
Hey, you guys,
it didn't hurt one tiny little bit.
It's nothing to worry about, I tell you.
-Alastair, it's your turn now.
-[Alastair gasps]
[chuckles]
[singing]
Wow! Roses are beautiful.
[Stroppy cackling]
[bright music playing]
-[Peter Jr.] Jumbo, have you finished yet?
-[Jumbo] Yes, this exercise wasn't easy,
you know. So what should we play at now,
Peter?
Come with me. I want to show you
something super.
[laughing]
-[Jumbo] Wow.
-What do you think of this rose bush?
I've never seen so many flowers.
I know! It would look even better
if the roots had more room to grow.
It needs to be transplanted.
Do you reckon we could manage the job?
-Yes, I've done it before.
-Huh?
You have to dig a fairly deep hole
so that you don't break any roots.
Then you spread compost
-and water it well.
-Huh?
-Hang on while I fetch a couple of spades.
-Oh.
[grunting]
Start digging over there, Jumbo!
That's fine, Jumbo.
This is the compost we'll need.
[groaning]
Ow! It pricked me!
Me too. Thorns are a nuisance,
aren't they?
[Peter Jr.] Now, lift!
[grunts]
[Peter Jr.] Okay, put it down gently.
[groaning]
[laughing]
[Jumbo Jr.] Calling all macrophages.
Calling all macrophages.
Report to Zone 8 immediately.
Come along now, macrophages!
[cop] Move along there!
Stop dragging your feet, you corpuscles.
That oxygen must be delivered today. Mm?
-[Hemo] Huh?
-[Globine] Hey!
-[gasps]
-Hm.
Marbles. I ask you...
-[snarls] Wake up!
-[groans] What's happening to me?
Where's the garden gone to, boss?
We are inside the body of a human being,
just as I planned.
He invited us in by digging in the garden
with an open scratch on his skin.
[cackles] Poor fool,
now we take over his whole body.
That's the style, men! Our first priority
is to fill our empty bellies.
[gulps]
[wicked laughter]
It'll be ready in a minute.
-I'm really looking forward to this.
-How about adding a pinch of salt?
[Stroppy] Good idea,
it'll improve the taste.
[groans]
-[salt muttering]
-[germs laughing]
Poison! That's what's left behind
when we've finished eating.
Tetanus toxins
that attack the nervous system.
Just you wait and see the trouble
they're going to cause.
Once they get stuck into
the nervous system,
that's when the fun really starts.
Here are our friends. Hello.
-Yoohoo! Lieutenant!
-[corpuscles laughing]
-Hey!
-Oh!
[moaning and muttering]
Oh, Why are they bothering us like this?
What? Oh...
[voice] The staff is out to lunch. Please
leave your message after the tone!
I don't believe it. Are you playing
a practical joke on me, Lieutenant?
[Claire
giggles] -[Peter] Yes, she is, Jumbo.
-What can we do for you?
-[Jumbo] I would like to identify
some suspicious characters who are trying
to cause trouble down in my blood vessel.
-I repeat I would like to identify--
-Okay, Lieutenant, we're on our way.
[indistinct shouting]
[Claire] They're toxins, Captain.
Dangerous poisons, I think it's tetanus!
Tetanus, you say!
Tetanus, you say? Well, that's certainly
no great problem for us
because we've been vaccinated
Our antibodies can deal with these toxins
in a matter of minutes, you'll see!
-Vaccinated?
-Exactly!
Our antibodies know precisely
what to expect from those toxins.
So shall we release them, Captain?
Releasing antibodies battalions, now!
[Metro] Let's go!
[bright music playing]
Tetanus toxins, of all things!
This is going to be
an unexpected pleasure, my friends!
It's tetanus, brothers. Up and at them,
and take no prisoners.
You lack charm, sir, the world will be
a prettier place without you.
Don't give me that you fat fool smarty!
[groaning]
You'll have to do better than that.
Shall we carry on with the lesson?
[groaning]
Two for one, and one for two!
How considerate of you, sir, to make
this contest less boring for me. Up!
[grunts]
[Tarzan-like shouts]
Well, Sir Toxin, since you seem
so bent on self-destruction,
I shall make your own quietus for you,
with a bare bodkin!
-[moans]
-[chuckles]
[grunting]
Say your prayers, Bluebottle.
Dead, for a ducat, dead!
-[shouting]
-[chuckling]
[moans]
[Claire] Total victory!
Not a single toxin left!
Well, Lieutenant, it was to be expected,
after all, any vaccinated organism
is full of trained antibodies
who quickly put paid to invaders.
[narrator] We have just seen
what happened inside Peter's body
when the tetanus germs
failed to gain a foothold.
But what about Jumbo?
He was absent from school on the day
he should have been vaccinated.
What will happen to him now? Poor Jumbo!
[munching and cackling]
Poison. That's what's left over
when we're finished eating.
So long as there are
no antibodies to stop them,
they can paralyze the body.
Ow! Huh?
Oh, no! Hello? Hello?
Get me the flying squad! Quickly, please.
This is Lieutenant Jumbo speaking.
My artery has been invaded
by unidentified flying objects.
Help is needed, urgently. Help!
We'll see if we can identify those
flying objects for you, Jumbo. Hang on!
[indistinct shouting]
I don't recognize them at all.
-How about you, Lieutenant?
-I'm stumped.
Obviously, we haven't been vaccinated.
I'm afraid we may be running into danger.
Look down there! That antibody
doesn't recognize them either.
Hm... No... Hm-mm.
What are your orders, Captain?
Should I signal Headquarters?
Before we do that, we 'd better
find out what they're up to.
Alert the airborne units
at the next junction.
I'm going to follow this one.
[indistinct chattering]
[toxin] Okay, mates,
here's where we home in on a nerve.
This is where our training pays off.
[wicked laughter]
Excellent! We're on target!
[giggling]
[lively music playing]
Captain Peter calling Headquarters.
I've followed a group of intruders
as far as a nerve ending.
They're still in there, Colonel.
What shall I do?
[colonel] Inside a nerve, hey?
I don't like it, Captain.
-This could be extremely dangerous.
-[gasps]
Hey, Jumbo! Do you remember the other day,
when we got our anti-tet jabs at school--?
-Anti-what jabs?
-Tetanus.
What's tetanus?
I've never had an injection for tetanus.
[light, gentle music playing]
[narrator] Meanwhile,
in the nerve-cell nearest to the branch
where the toxins are hiding,
it's business as usual
in the nuclear control room.
[Speedy] Vroom!
[Speedy] Vroom!
He's washing his hands now.
Everything's going according to plan.
We might as well put our feet up. Huh?
Oh, it's all too predictable:
digital pronator muscles
are now contracting,
the wrist muscles are relaxing.
And the abductor muscle
of the thumb is relaxed. No problems.
[unsettling music playing]
[Speedy] Vroom!
[shouts]
Slow down, you madmen!
They've got a nerve! If you'd ask me,
they should be put away for life!
-Look out!
-[shouts]
What on earth was that?
I don't know.
This is the northbound lane, isn't it?
Course it is. All nerves are one-way!
Okay, let's go.
Vroom!
[gasps and groans]
My message! I think I've lost my message.
You can always help me
deliver mine, if you like.
Oh, that would never do!
You know all the signals are different.
If one goes missing,
the muscles won't work together properly.
That's right. You'll have to stay behind
and look for your message,
while I carry on alone.
No, wait! If you arrive before I do,
the muscles
still won't work together properly.
-Oh.
-Look! Here it is!
Vroom!
Vroom!
[machine beeping]
[Peter Jr.] What's the matter, Jumbo?
[Jumbo] I don't know. It's funny, Peter.
My hand's not working properly.
The pattern's far from normal. Look how
the muscle seems to be trembling.
-Mm.
-Is it a cramp, do you think?
Goodness!
Something is definitely wrong here.
Let me have a look
on this screen over here.
Oh dear me! Some of the signals
are not getting through. This is serious.
I'll have to tell the chief.
Maestro! Maestro! Maestro,
there's a slight problem, sir.
[moans]
[shouts]
[Maestro] What was that? Huh?
What's that noise?
What's this all about?
Good heavens, toxins!
There's absolutely no time to waste!
This is a major emergency.
We must mobilize our defenses!
[groans]
[Maestro] Jump to it, men!
Time is of the essence!
General alert!
Our transmissions are about to be cut off
by an invasion of toxins
affecting the nerves. SOS!
We are in extreme danger!
Please come to our aid!
Danger! I repeat: danger! Danger!
The nerve has gone dead! I can't transmit!
Will somebody please tell me
what's going on here?
Does it hurt?
Not really. My jaw's a bit stiff.
-How long has it been like that?
-Since yesterday.
That's when I first noticed
that I was clenching my teeth.
Tell me, have you had any cuts
or grazes recently?
Uh... No, I don't think so.
-You're dead certain?
-Yes.
-Hey, Jumbo!
-Hm, no.
-You're forgetting the rosebush.
-So I am!
We were transplanting a rosebush,
and I got a tiny scratch on my hand
from a thorn that pricked me.
-And you too?
-Yes, Doctor, I got a little scratch too,
but it's all healed up now.
I take it you boys
had your anti-tet jabs at school?
I don't know. I can't remember.
Peter says we had them,
but I can't remember.
But it wasn't very long ago, Jumbo!
The injection didn't hurt at all.
You must remember it.
[gasps] Of course!
You were sick that day.
-You're not vaccinated!
-Oh!
[Maestro] And so it seems
that this unfortunate young man
missed his anti-tetanus injection.
Tetanus is a serious complaint caused by
microbes found in the soil or in dirt.
Now, these microbes produce a toxin,
a poison, that acts on the nervous system.
That's why we have to act
very, very quickly.
-So what's the next step, Doc?
-I'm admitting him to hospital.
It'll be easier
to keep a close eye on him there.
[siren wailing]
[groans]
[mischievous music playing]
What are those bumblebees doing?
-Huh? Answer my question!
-Put him down! They're not bumblebees.
They're toxins,
that's poison, very cleverly
produced by ourselves.
So where are they flying off to, boss?
Oh, they'll wander through
the bloodstream and mess up
a few nerves here and there until
they're ready for the final objective.
The great danger here
is that the brain stem and the spinal cord
could become affected.
We must prevent that at all costs.
Sweeties! Who'll buy
my delicious sweetie pies?
Very cheap today! Sweeties.
Sweeties! Sweeties!
[laughing]
Now, what's that buzzing?
Proceed no further!
Produce your papers at once.
I've got no papers to produce, fat boy,
cause I'm a nasty horrible toxin
and I'm not afraid of the likes of you,
so there!
We'll see!
[cackles]
Okay, your careers are over.
[growls]
-Oh!
-Huh?
[groans]
-[moaning]
-[cackling]
We've got them outnumbered, mates.
They'll never stop us now.
So, come on! Let's go!
Releasing antibodies!
Our antibodies
don't recognize the toxins.
None of our fighters have had
the special training they need
to wipe out these toxins.
They're spreading like wildfire.
Come in, Headquarters, we're in trouble!
Purified anti-tetanus serum.
This is our best chance to save the boy.
This ought to do the trick, Nurse.
Antibiotics!
-[buzzing]
-[indistinct muttering]
I can't take much more of this. Buzz off!
-[rumbling]
-[shouting]
[Hemo] What's that?
-[buzzing]
-[gasps]
[Metro] Fear not, oh hapless denizens
of this human body,
be you platelets or corpuscles.
We have come to rid you of the plague.
These loathsome toxin flies,
who rule the roost, or so they think,
will get a rude awakening
from my chevaliers.
Have at them! A very palpable hit!
Dead, for a ducat, I say! Dead!
They've come just in time.
The toxins have got the upper hand!
We may have missed out on vaccination,
but now, fortunately,
we've got the next best thing:
anti-tetanus serum.
Our doctor friend outside the body
has very powerful weapons.
Look, Lieutenant, now the battle
is really going to begin in earnest.
[buzzing]
Now, listen! Those antibodies
have really got it in for us,
I'm telling you! Get angry with them,
lads, smash their faces in
and do the worst you can.
That's the only way we'll win. Okay? Okay?
You mustn't fight fair!
Well, that's all we can do for him
at present.
We'll just have to wait
for the serum to take effect.
It shouldn't be very long now.
It'll kill the toxins,
while the antibiotic wipes out the germs.
[upbeat music playing]
I'm weary. [groans]
[Globus] Keep moving, children.
We'll have a breather
when we get to the skin.
That's where we're delivering our oxygen.
-Hey, Professor! Look at this!
-[Hemo groans]
[Globus] Looks like antibiotic to me!
Shh! We must be close to them now!
Antibodies! There must be microbes about
with all this military traffic.
[corpuscles gasping]
There's a million of them, Professor.
Do you think there's going to be a war?
Oh, yes, I should think so, child!
Those are the antibodies of an antibiotic,
a medicine made to fight microbes.
The war will go on
until all the microbes are dead.
Hello!
Shh! We're almost on them!
The idea is to take them by surprise
before they've had time to multiply!
Follow me, antibodies!
Stop that! Where did you spring from? Hey?
Huh? It's too late! We're surrounded!
[screams]
Puny little mosquitoes,
can't hurt a germ like me. [groans]
[Metro] Come on, bet you can't bash me!
-[groans] Huh?
-Missed me! Try again!
Whoopsie!
You'll have to do better than that!
Over here! This way, you great ox. Look.
Missed again!
Okay, chaps, come and puncture
this windbag, he's full of hot air!
[grunting and groaning]
This is Lieutenant Claire
of the Lymphocyte Patrol calling.
Please send in the macrophages to mop up.
The tetanus infection
has been completely eliminated.
Over and out.
Draw your swords,
my gallant band of antibodies.
This time, they should be blooded!
The choice awaits us: death or glory!
Charge!
Remember what I told you, fellows!
Give them everything you've got!
Use your boots and teeth
if you have to! Charge!
[moaning and groaning]
[Metro] No quarter given or asked!
-Have at you! A hit!
-[grunting]
A very palpable hit. [laughs]
-Next, please.
-[groaning]
Hah! They'll all wipe each other out,
they're stupid!
I'm going to toddle off! Hm.
Look behind you, Metro!
One of them's trying to get away!
We don't want him to become
a new source of infection.
Grab this and hold on tight!
Ah! [groans]
To be, or not...
to be.
[grunts and shouts]
-[groans]
-That is the question.
Well, my young friend, you've had
a narrow escape, no mistake about it.
Tetanus can kill, you know.
But we were lucky to catch you
at an early stage.
Everyone should be vaccinated.
Doctor, are there vaccines
for other diseases?
Good heavens,
yes, there are dozens of them.
[Peter Jr.] Oh... [laughs]
[lively music playing]