The Best of Men

Dr. Cowan:
Now, Heath, you may not remember me.

Private William Heath:
Oh, I remember you. You're the bastard who was measuring me up for a coffin.

[Sergeant Hills has been posted to the Spinal Unit]

Sergeant 'Q' Hills:
I don't know anything about paralysis.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
You will learn. Become an expert.

Sergeant 'Q' Hills:
I'm a PT Instructor, not Jesus Christ. I don't raise men from the dead. Sorry.

[Hills salutes and walks away]

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
You are a soldier. This is your posting.

Sergeant 'Q' Hills:
No. There's been some mistake.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
Of course. I should be Head of Neurosurgery in Breslau, while watching children playing in the Oder. My friends and family should be enjoying the autumn in Silesia. But "some mistake" happened and most of them are in SS camps while I am here with you. So we must make the best of it.

[Dr Guttmann and Dr Cowan are arguing over whether a spinal patient should have an operation that could damage his spine]

Dr. Cowan:
What brings you to my department?

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
This young man, William Heath, he is my patient.

Dr. Cowan:
I operate tomorrow. Unstable fracture of the ninth vertibrae.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
[looking at X-rays] No! I think not. Ah, my apologies. Yes, he *does* have a fracture, you are right. And yes, for all anyone knows, it *may* be unstable. But, no, you are not going to operate on him. We don't know yet how much movement may be restored.

Dr. Cowan:
None.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
And with the operation, you are *guaranteeing* this.

[they continue the discussion in General Blake's office]

Dr. Cowan:
The Army consultant sent Heath here expressly for this operation.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
He sent him to my ward.

Dr. Cowan:
Actually he sent him to *me*.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
But now I'm here so I can take over. From today, all spinal patients are my responsibility.

Dr. Cowan:
I gather that you haven't touched a patient for years.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
I haven't been *allowed* to.

General Blake:
Dr Guttmann has specialised in spinal patients all his life.

Dr. Cowan:
Yes, in Germany.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
The spinal cord is the same for Wilhelm or William, Henry or Heinrich. There are pioneering treatments.

Dr. Cowan:
Experimental.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
No, new but already proven. Munro is doing great work in Boston.

Dr. Cowan:
America? Say no more. I am doing what I consider to be the best for this mortally wounded young man.

Dr. Cowan:
He has *not* been mortally wounded.

Dr. Cowan:
His life expectancy is what? Six months?

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
That is why I am here. Too many cripples in the last war. Too many men dying young. Too many wounded men made helpless by medical neglect. Too many widows. That is why I am here.

[the committee is discussing Dr Guttmann's proposals for a national spinal injuries games]

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
What is it that so offends you?

Dr. Cowan:
Yes, that's the word. It offends me, it *does*. This is a hospital. We have respectable people here, visiting sick relatives. We have children visiting their parents.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
I don't understand.

Dr. Cowan:
It's not pleasant. I'm sorry, but it's not. People in wheelchairs, withered limbs, damaged bodies.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
Ah, now I understand. We hide them away. Is this it? Is this what you say? Corporal Bowen with the bitter humour and the wife who loves him? Corporal James with his longing to teach history. David Dakers who plays the baboon like an angel.

[everyone sn*ggers at Guttman's mistaken use of "baboon" instead of "bassoon"]

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
And William Heath who has fought longer and harder to survive than you will ever have to. *We* are ashamed of *them*?

Dr. Cowan:
I'm not saying *that*.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann:
No, you are not honest enough to say it.