 The Cavalcade of America, starring Pat O'Brien in Oliver Wendell Holmes' McCranaghan, presented by the DuPont Company, makers of better things for better living through chemistry. Good evening. This is Pat O'Brien. Tonight's Cavalcade is set in 19th century Boston, but it could be set at any time, any place because it's a simple story. It's about Dennis McLanahan. That's me and my wife, Kate and my baby, my baby that's coming. Wendell Holmes McLanahan, starring Pat O'Brien as Dennis McLanahan on the DuPont Cavalcade of America. My name is Oliver Wendell Holmes McLanahan, and I'm going to tell you how I got such a name. And at the same time, I'll tell you how my namesake, Dr. Holmes and my own father, Dennis McLanahan, saved the lives of the women of Boston. Now, the story, as I tell it, is not quite word for word as it is in the school books, but it's gospel true nonetheless. I give you my oath as a McLanahan who have been all truth telling men since the first McLanahan was witnessed to St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland. It was in the year 1842 that this great saving of Boston's ladies happened, and it all begins in our kitchen with Pa smoking his pipe and Ma sewing unbaby clothes for me and me waiting, just waiting to be born. Kate. Yes, Dennis. How do you feel? Oh, fine. Do you now for sure? It's only a baby I'm having, Dennis, not a boil or a head cold. Are you saying I complain too much with my cold? I'm thinking more of the time you sat in your boiler. Hmm, well, if the pains of childbirth are a patch on what I had done, may the saints have mercy on you, woman. Oh, you're a big, strong man. Hey, here now. What are you getting out of your chair for? I'm going to put a little more cold in the stove. It's nippy out. I guess I'm a big, strong man enough to carry a cold scum. What, Dennis? I told you I don't want to do any heavy work with it, though. Sit down, now. Sit down. You should not worry so about me, Dennis. Oh, this is not you I worry about, girl, it's myself. I'm finding out that fatherhood's a difficult state, and I'd be glad when it's over. Hey, Arno, there's your fire pit. Oh, thank you, Dennis. Now, after handling that dirty cold scum, you better wash your hands. I didn't get a speck of cold dust on them. It won't wear your hands out to wash them, Dennis. My mother and father are coming soon. One should look nice for them. I look pretty nice enough for the old iris. Be a good boy, now, and clean yourself. Oh, all right, all right. I had a brain and a headlight. I just married an orphan. What was that? Oh, there, there. Now, am I pretty enough for your wonderful parents? Now, put your shoes on, Dennis. Shoes? Isn't that nice, boys? When I get through here with them, you want me to wash my hands again. Could that be Mampa? Who else has such a pompous knock as your father? I'll open the door. You don't have to break it down. Good day to you, McLenorhead. Good day to yourself, Mr. O'Leary. I'm sure you're keeping this house too warm, Dennis, for a girl who's about to become a mother. The girl who's about to become a mother wants it warm. It was chilly in here, ma. Well, it's too warm now. Open that window, Dennis. How do you feel now, Kate? Still cold? No, I guess not. I'm certainly not going to open any window if you are. Dennis, will you stop putting in on things that don't concern you? If my own wife and my own baby don't concern me, who in the name of St. Joseph does? Sure men don't know nothing at a time like this. Open the window, I said. Open it, Dennis. Ma knows what's best. All right, all right. There. Are you keeping busy as you're bricklaying, McLenorhead? I am, about the same. Well, you ought to try to do better. You'll have another mouse to feed soon, you know, and you need to look to me for help. The only thing I ever asked you for was your daughter, Mr. O'Leary. I'll take care of my own. You know, there's one thing you're doing all wrong, Dennis. Oh, now what? Well, you've not made arrangements yet with the midwife. I passed Mother Moore on the street today. She said she'd not heard from you at all. That she hasn't? Now, I'm not one to butt into other people's business, but you mustn't put it off any longer. Now, you go and see Mother Moore tomorrow. I don't think I will. Well, what have you got against Mother Moore? Sure, she's the best midwife in Boston. Tell me about that. Him that lashed his wife, you mean? I do, indeed. Ask Ed Jenks. Ask the carpenter across the street. Ask any men who are grieving men I could name for you. Those things are not Mother Moore's fault. Those are the ways of providence. Well, from my taste, Mother Moore is too providential. Well, how can Mother Moore help it? Now there's an epidemic of child bed fever. Mothers are dying all over the place. Oh, dear, have to talk about it in front of Kate. Well, who brought it up in the first place? It's all right, Dennis. I'm not worried about anything happening to me. No, she's going to be all right now. Only she has the right care. If you don't want Mother Moore, what midwife do you want then? I've been thinking of having a doctor for Kate. A doctor? Just for a baby. Expensive ideal, she have for a bricklayer. Oh, it's not only the money, it's the shame of it. Do you want your own wife having a strange man with her in a time like that? I don't care. I don't care as long as it's good for her. This idea of having doctors for babies is a lot of modern nonsense. And I won't have my daughter mixed up in such risky foolishness. It's women's work, I tell you. That's your opinion, Mrs. O'Leary? How can you go on arguing with me, Dennis? I've had 12 children I have and never a man had nothing to do with it. Come on, Pa, do you know more about these things than we do, Dennis? Well, maybe if I had 12, I wouldn't be worrying either. This is our first and I want things just so for you. Come on, Pa, do two. Oh, I know, I know. No, no, no, no, no. Stop writing yourself, Dennis. Tomorrow I'll make all the arrangements myself for you with Mother Moore. And you won't need to give Kate or the baby another thought. I think my nose best, Dennis. All right, then. And I still don't like it. Ah, stop worrying, I said, Dennis. Should law be taken care of as it always has by God and the women? If he can get a word in it wise. During these trying days while I'm waiting to be born, my father is attending Harvard College, working very hard, too. Laying bricks for a new building the professors want. Hey, Clancy. Clancy, hurry with that hard, will you? I have no bricks. Ah, don't rush me, McLanahan. I am in no mood to hurry. Oh, I was at a noble wake last night. A noble wake. Who's? Reagan's sister. Ah, you never saw such a weapon. Ah, well, there's your bricks, my boy. Was the one who died Reagan's sister with the new baby? And what other sister could it be? He had only one. What's she die of? That child-bed fever that's killing all the mothers lately. Had she trouble when the baby was born? None. And one week later, the poor girls in paradise leaving all of us with headaches after a wake. Tell me, who was the midwife? Oh, Mother Moore, of course. Oh, her again, was it? That was no fault of Mother Moore's. They had a doctor when the girl was taken bad. He said Mother Moore had done all he could have done himself, almost. Why did the doctor say she died? No one can do nothing about child-bed fever, not even doctors, he said. Those worries very were... Oh, my head. Oh, I hope none of my friends die for at least a week. Well, if Pa was worried before, you can imagine how he feels now. Or he can't even complete the eating of his dinner pail, which is not like a McLanahan. So he walks himself around the grounds of Harvard College, rooting. And then, he sees a brisk little gentleman walking in his direction, laughing to himself. Pa gets his courage up and speaks to him. I beg your pardon, sir. Yes? I beg your pardon, sir. What are you, one of the professors? No. No, but I teach. Well, then you're a gentleman of education, and I'm going to presume on your good nature to ask you a question. Who is the best doctor in Boston? Dr. Holmes. Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, unquestionably. They say good things of him, do they? Oh, my dear, sir. They say many things of Dr. Holmes. They say his legs are so short he can walk under tables with a high hat on. They say his tongue is so long he can out-talk his own mother-in-law. And Dr. Holmes says that Dr. Holmes is the best doctor in Boston. And you say so, too, do you, sir? Indeed, I do. You're a gentleman and scholar, and you ought to know, sir. Where can I find this Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes? At the Tremont Medical School. It's that building over there. But will the doctor see plain people like myself? Well, just tell him I sent you. Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you. No trouble at all. Have a good day. Oh, but, sir, who shall I tell the little doctor who has to send me? Tell the little doctor that you were sent by Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes. So, that's my trouble, Dr. Holmes. Oh, I thought of it in mind with fear that my wife, Cato, will be attacked by this, what do you call, this fever? The medical term is puerperal fever. Well, I'll just stick to calling it childbed fever, if you don't mind. It's quite all right. It fits better on a working man's tongue. The important thing is, can you keep it away from my poor kids? I wish I didn't know what to do. Well, then you agree with the Reagan's doctrine with old Mother Moore. But this pessimism is beyond the works of men, and nobody can do nothing about it. No, no, I don't say that at all, Mr. McLellahan. I find that when men talk that way, it's usually an excuse for their own ignorance. Somewhere, somehow, I'm sure there's a way to prevent this fever. But how? I don't know any more than this Mother Moore does. Oh, you must know more than her. She's been losing mother after mother. You might say she was Jeff's best friend. Well, you might also say that of certain physicians. I know there's one obstetrician of excellent reputation who's lost over a dozen mothers in the past few months. Why should some have such worse luck than others? I wish I knew. A few English doctors used to think the disease was contagious, but that fear has never been accepted. I know nothing about doctors, but I don't see how it could be contagious. Lion and mother seldom come and contact one with the other. Yes, that's true, but someone does go from mother to mother, like a bee from flower to flower. Nobody that I know, only a doctor or a midwife. Exactly. And suppose they were the carriers of the infection. Suppose this Mother Moore, without knowing it, is death's friend and goes around introducing him to a patient. Oh, you mean like I get dirty at my work and if I'm not careful when I'm home, I get rick dust over everything and my wife screams to me to wash my hands. Oh, she's a great one for washing my hands. Wait a minute, Mr. McLaman. Yes, Doctor. Maybe your wife has the right idea. Maybe the whole medical profession ought to wash its hands more. What do you mean, Doctor? We know that a proper use of disinfectants cuts down the spread of certain contagious infections. Supposed to work for a fever is contagious. Why shouldn't disinfectants help control it? I'm afraid I don't follow, Doctor. Well, it doesn't matter. I'm talking more to myself than to you, but I think... I think it's just possible I can help your wife. Can you now, Doctor? It's worth trying, anyway. McLanahan? Anything to put an end to these deaths. Oh, McLanahan! You know, someone calling me. Where are you, McLanahan? Sound like Clancy. Well, call out the window to him. You don't mind, Doctor. I will. I'll send him about his business. Hey! McLanahan! Oh, I'll go off with you, Clancy. I'm busy. But there's a fella looking for you to the job, McLanahan. I'm busy, I tell you, Clancy. I'm busy with Dr. Holmes about my baby that's coming. Well, if you stay busy the most longer, you won't have to worry about no baby that's coming. You'll have to worry about her baby that's here. Your wife's labor's begun. Well, it's too soon. Tell that to the baby! Did you hear what Clancy said, Doctor Holmes? Yes. All Boston heard Clancy. Well, would you come with me, Doctor? And do what's needed for Katie? Well, just let me get my bag. Oh. Clancy! Clancy, tell the boss I won't be back. I'm going on out to Katie with Dr. Holmes. You won't need no doctor. They've sent for Mothermore. Over my dead body, they'll have Mothermore. Come away from that window, Mr. McLanahan. Oh, but they're getting Mothermore for Katie. Precisely why I suggest that we get there first. For Katie. Come along. All right. Oh, but wait a minute. Maybe to be safe. You better wash your hands first. You are listening to Oliver Wendell Holmes, McLanahan starring Pat O'Brien on the Cable Kate of America, presented by the DuPont Company, maker of better things for better living through chemistry. This is Oliver Wendell Holmes, McLanahan, telling you how I came by that fine name. It's Boston. October 19th, 1842. And in a few hours, I will be born. In the meantime, I'm causing no end of commotion in the McLanahan house. Why don't Dennis come now? He's got a long way to come, darling. Now, now, now, he'll be here, darling. And guess who else? Who? Mothermore. But Dennis don't want her, ma. Why should he? It ain't him that needs her. No, can't you get that horse here so go any faster, man? Nope. But I got a new baby coming. That's your fault. Don't you understand the doctor and I've got to be there. It really is urgent, driver. Ain't threaten my horse up to nobody. Oh, the devil with your horse, man. You show me the baby can earn a day's pay like my horse can and I'll hurry. One way or another, there's going to be work for you today, Dr. Holmes. If you're too late to help Katie and the baby, this driver will be near. Becoming, Katie. There he is, ma. Maybe that's him now. Call him, ma. Is that you, Dennis? No, it's me and Mothermore. It's your father, darling, with the midwife. Look, Mothermore's here. You've got nothing to worry about. Here's Mothermore to see you, Kate. Good day to you, dear. Maybe just to make work for Mothermore, aren't you? Maybe so poor Mothermore can get no rest. Just to spite you, we'll get this over quickly. How do you feel, Katie Gale? Pretty good, pa. He's been sent for. And you come running as soon as he hears the news. Husbands are always like that the first time. Larry, why don't you look up the street and see if you can't see him coming and hurry him up here? Well, do just that. And now, Mrs. Larry, would you get Mothermore the things she needs from the kitchen? You've been through it enough to know what's wanted. Oh, indeed, and I have. I'll be right back, Kate and darling. And now, dearie, you and I are just going to wait. You'll get right to rest. And Mothermore will smoke her pipe. You finally got here to Dennis. We came flying in carriage. There was no call for such extravagance, McClanahan. No, this happened yet. These are my wife's parents, Dr. Holmes. How do you do? So you went and got a doctor after all, did you, McClanahan? I'm afraid you brought the doctor here for nothing, Dennis. Mothermore is in with Katie now. Mothermore? With Kate now? Well, who else would the midwife be with? Well, get her out. I don't know such thing. I've been a patient man with you when your husband, Mrs. O'Leary. I've let you order Kate and me around like we're dogs instead of people, and I never open my mouth. But Kate's my wife. And this once I'm going to have my way. I've never heard of such a thing. Dennis McClanahan. You can't talk that way. Quiet. There's a doctor in the house. Now, here's money to pay Mothermore. I don't want her to lose nothing. I just want her out. But Dennis, Mothermore. And if he don't stop arguing with me, I'll throw her out. I'm approaching fatherhood I am, and I'm not to be trifled with. Kate's having Dr. Holmes, the best doctor in Boston. I've read in the newspaper, he said fine after Dennis Baker. That he may be, but he's not going to be a doctor to my daughter. And I say he is, Mrs. O'Leary. And I say he's not. May I say a few words? You can try. Only one thing matters here, Mrs. O'Leary. The life of your daughter. Yes, and the lives of hundreds of thousands of other young mothers like her. If we can prevent this pestilence from reaching Kate, it's my hope that we can someday keep her away from all mothers. And I believe I can do this. Oh, you can, can you? With God's help, I can. Wait a minute. Then if you can do so much, get started. Don't stand there after dinner speaking. Oh, Dennis. I'm so glad you've come. Oh, if I had my own way, I'd never be one minute away from you. Oh, you and your planning. I brought you Dr. Holmes to take care of you now. As long as you're here, I don't worry about anything. Dr. Holmes is the best doctor in Boston. Aren't you, doctor? By all means. Now, give me a kiss, Dennis. Is it all right without washing my hands, Dr. Holmes? Yes. Don't worry about me, Dennis. No, I think you better go. Go? Yes. Your wife's right, Mr. McLennan. This is no place for you now. Ask Mrs. O'Leary to come in, please. This is doctors and women's work. You too, Dr. Holmes? Now comes a time of waiting. The power of the world. The time of waiting. The power for the O'Leary's, for Dr. Holmes, for Ma, and for all of us. Waiting, waiting. They'd woke up and down too, if they wished you, McLennan. I guess all expecting fathers are nervous. Not like you, they're not. What do you mean? It was a rash thing bringing in a doctor. None of us knew nothing about her even wanted. Heaven knows how it'll come out. Things will be all right. You'll see. What do you pay in this fancy doctor? I don't know, I ain't asked him yet. And how do you know he ain't going to give you a bill the size of the state house? I don't care what he charges, as long as Kate's all right. I'll pay somehow. Just don't come asking me for nothing. Oh, I was going to ask for something right now. Ask me for what, McLennan? For the time of the day, Mr. O'Leary. If you wouldn't throw money around, you could own a watch of your own. It is now 7 p.m. How much longer do you think it'll be? Who can tell? Some cases take no time at all. Some cases take days. Oh, I'll go out of my mind if something doesn't happen soon. What's that? It's me. Oh, hello, Clancy. Hello, Clancy. Has the baby come yet? No, not yet. I thought I'd stop by to see if there was anything I could do. A man needs his friends about him at a solemn time like this. Ah, yes. Last night was the wake, Clancy. Don't remind me. I'm never going to touch another drop. Unless, of course, when the baby comes, you intend a bit of a celebration. Under them circumstances, I wouldn't insult you by turn and wondering down. I'm sure you wouldn't, Clancy. Why don't something happen? Don't you love these new fathers, Mr. O'Leary? Here, waiting till he's had 12 like I am. 12? And all lived? Every one. Well, well, now that is remarkable. Usually, out of a batch that big, there'd be three or four babies. Ah, would it shut up, Clancy? Ah, now what have I said? Not them. Mr. O'Leary, could you spare me the time again? It's, uh, it's three minutes past seven. Oh. Ah, don't worry about the time, Clancy. And I'm prepared to stay with you all night, if need be. Oh, thanks. See, did you hear about Chipper McGee's baby? Who's Chipper McGee? Ah, the little fellow over to the woodyard. You know, the 10-1. Chipper ain't wide enough to bless himself. Clancy, uh, what about his baby? Well, he had a lovely baby. Lovely. Only one of us was born. O'Leary, O'Leary. Yes, Mother. You board dinner, spring some more hot water, right away. Hurry, quick! There's no time to waste. And now, while Dr. Holmes scrubs his hands and pours his disinfectant and boils his doctor's tools, Pa stays kneeling in the hall outside the door, praying and praying. And it, it ain't that I don't trust the little doctor, God, only to be on the safe side, which I keep an eye on, see that he gets his hands clean enough so no sickness is brought to Kate. I wouldn't be no good without her, dear Lord. And he'd only have another sinner to worry about. And soon, I begin to be mighty hurtful, the poor Ma. The sleep and the peace end. And I'm delivered out of the hands of God into the small, immaculate hands of Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes of Boston on October 19th, 1842. That's me. And the mere fact that I'm named for Dr. Holmes ought to tell you the story turned out right. Ma didn't get the fever. No, did any of Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes' mother is from that time on. And so the doctor wrote a paper about it, telling how he and certain other long-named doctors had found out how to prevent poor, uh, pure childbed fever, which makes me proud of the name my parents gave me, which is much more fitting than the name they'd planned for me. Listen to them talking about me the day before I was born. Dennis, what should we call the baby that's coming? I have the perfect name. Catherine Elizabeth McLanahan. Tonight's Dupont Cavalcade was written by Frank Gabrielson, directed by Jack Zoller. Music was composed by Arden Cornwell, conducted by Donald Bryan. The part of Kate McLanahan was played by Grace Kedde. Pat O'Brien will soon be seen in the RKO production, The Boy with Green Hair. Next week, at Cavalcade Time, we'll present the distinguished star of the theater, Cornelia Otter Skinner. Our play, a radio dramatization of her best-seller, Family Circle. Co-starring with Miss Skinner will be another popular Hollywood star, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. This is Ted Pearson speaking. Cavalcade of America comes to you each week from the stage of the Longacre Theater on Broadway in New York, and is presented by the Dupont Company of Wilmington, Delaware. Ladies and gentlemen, America needs adequate schools and well-trained teachers. You can help achieve them by taking an active interest in educational conditions in your community. Don't delay. The sooner we solve this problem, the better it will be for the future of our country. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.