 The Cavalcade of America sponsored by DuPont, maker of Better Things for Better Living through chemistry, presents George Brent in Burma Surgeon. DuPont's Better Things for Better Living have become vital materials of war. For instance, the nylon yarn which in peacetime was made into sheer long-wearing hosiery is today used exclusively for war purposes. And the strong, durable Cordura rayon yarn used in peacetime in the manufacture of sturdy truck and bus tires is today being used in tires for army rolling equipment and in all important parachutes for players, cargo and fragmentation bombs. When peace comes, these and scores of other DuPont products will return to all as still better, better things for better living. This evening the Cavalcade of America brings you a story out of the native villages, the swamps and jungles of Burma. A story of 20 years of a man's life devoted to teaching and healing. Here is a tale of sacrifice suddenly brought to life by the flames of war. Our play written by Milton Wayne and Robert Richards is based on the current bestseller Burma Surgeon by Dr. Gordon S. Seagrave. Cavalcade is proud to present Burma Surgeon starring George Brent as Dr. Gordon S. Seagrave. The Burma jungle is over. It is May 1942. And at the casualty station at the little town of Impal on the border of India, the last of the wounded is straggling in for treatment. Americans and British, Burmese, Chinese, Indians, veterans of Burma. Bring that man right over here. Doctor, we've heard really soon. Have you been examined yet Lieutenant? Not yet. No great hurry though. Where are you wounded? Here. Leg. Shell fragment I think. What are you doing there? I am cleaning up your wound before the doctor comes. Well, you better wait for a nurse or someone like that. I am a nurse, Lieutenant. Orderly dressings in a sterile probe, please. Yes, nurse. You are a nurse? Yes. Is it strange to you because I am in dirty overalls and have no pretty white uniform? Well, no, I'm used to that you know, but you're a native aren't you? I am a native of Burma, yes. You are a native of England. Are you not? How did you put it that way? Yes, I suppose I am. Soap a powder and put it in the cast. Well, what's the matter with this man? A shell fragment in the leg doctor. Any evidence of fracture? I don't find any. I'll probe for the fragment and undress the wound. You can do it as well as I can. Yes, sir. Now who's next here? This man over here, sir. What sort of a place is this? Who in the world is that chap? That is Dr. Seagrave. Really, now even a doctor from Burma doesn't go around in nothing but a pair of shorts and a layer of sweater. This doctor does when it is hot and when his clothes have all been soaked with the blood of men who fought for freedom. Hey, Judd. Good Lord, General Stillwell. No, don't try to stand. Well, Dr. Seagrave, still growing strong, I see, eh? And the best we can, better order of transfusion on this man right away. Yes, sir. I just want to say to you again that you and your Burmese girls were great on that march to the jungle. Lot of us wouldn't have made it without you. General, so I guess that makes us even. I'll operate on them as soon as you're ready. Very good, sir. When I see you bit this, I'll leave you alone. Anything you want? Same old thing. Food, medical supplies. We never seem to have enough. Well, I'm doing what I can. I know. I'll give you a more thorough report and I'm clear. You're right. Thanks again. So that's Dr. Seagrave. I told you. You would not believe. Well, I'm awfully sorry, really, but it's not usual, you know. I'm Burmese nurses. This chap, Seagrave, he's a wanderer here. Then I will tell you something about Dr. Seagrave. Because when I prove for the fragments in your leg, it will hurt. And perhaps what I tell you will take your mind off the pain. Shall I? Yes, do. You are going to hurt me, aren't you? Yes. Let me tell you about Dr. Seagrave. Go on. It was a long time ago. Long before the war. And I was only a little girl. When Dr. Seagrave came to our village in Burma. We did not know much of Americans or Europeans then. There was only one in the village. And our people did not like him very well. His name was Mr. Simpson. He was a trader. I see. Dr. Seagrave came with his young wife. They did not know quite what to expect. Especially poor Mrs. Seagrave. She had believed we would receive her and her husband with gratitude. But that was not what happened. Hello there. You are Seagrave? Yes, this is Mrs. Seagrave. How do you do? How do you do? I am Simpson. You never heard of me, I suppose. Well, there is a matter of fact. It is no matter. I heard of you though. I heard you were coming. Well, come along. I will show you your new setup. Oh, they know, all right. They? Yes, the natives. They knew before I did. I do not know how. There is a suspicious lot though. Suspicious? Of what? Of a white man. That is why you do not see any of them. They are cooking up some kind of reception for you, all the same. What kind of reception? It is hard to say. But you will find out soon enough though. Some way to make you lose face. Some way to embarrass you. I am sorry. I do not believe that. Do not worry yourself. You know what I mean when you have been here for a little while. Maybe if they have been treated a little better. There is only one way to treat these people. Tell them what you want done and make them do it. It is all a matter of face here. Well, here is your establishment. Where? Right in front of you. Your hospital. That is Shek. I hope you did not expect to find a miniature Johns Hopkins. That is your house next door. It is not too bad. We can make you fairly comfortable here. Let us take a look inside the hospital. There is not much to see. Here you are. There are a few wooden beds. It is about all. Pretty dirty, is not it? Everything out here is dirty. Gordon, look, there is our luggage. They must have brought it up here. They must want you to have it handy. No patience, of course. You thought the lame, the haught and the blind would all be waiting for you, did you? They go to their own doctors, these people. If you could call them that. Which doctors would be much better? Well, they are certainly starting from scratch. Listen, what is there? I thought they would be up to something. Come on, let us have a look. Looks like a parade of the whole village. What is that they are chanting? It is a sort of prayer for the dying. Oh, look, that must be it. It is a funeral. They are carrying someone. They must have sent it to that. They are turning in here to the hospital. Oh, so that is it, eh? Hello! Do any of them speak English? Some of them. Now look, this is the trick, Seagrave. I am warning you. I suppose you let me handle this. I have a sick man there, that is obvious. Who can speak English? I can speak English. Well, what is the matter? You are American doctor? Yes, Dr. Seagrave. And this man? This man. Good Lord, the fellow is half-dead. What is the matter with him? Hmm, peritonitis. The rupture depends, probably. But it must have happened days ago. He is full of infection by now. Is there a chance? No, half a chance, if we operate right away. They will never let you operate, never in the world. Look, this man is dying. I know. I may be able to save his life if I operate on him right away. What? This is operate. Well, I have to cut him open. Take the poison out. Then I sew him up again. You understand? All right. You operate. You give the anesthetic, tiny. Look, Seagrave, don't be a fool. It isn't time to boil anything. We have to sterilize and scrub with alcohol. There is a big bottle in that carton, I think. Yes, I'll get everything ready. For heaven's sake, Seagrave, are you crazy? No, I'm merely a doctor. But don't you see what this whole thing is? It's a trick. I told you it was. The man's all but dead right now. You can't save him. Probably not. But there's a chance. He certainly won't live if I don't try. He won't live anyway, and when he dies, they'll blame you and that'll be the end of you. Let's simply get a trick of the local witch doctor to make you lose face. I guess I'll just have to lose a little then. Well, lose as much as you like. Let's get one thing straight. I don't give a hoot for prestige in any race. I came out here to save lives or try to, and I'm starting right now. Oh, so you're one of those fellows. That's right. Ever see an operation? Come on in. You might learn something. In fact, you might be able to help. Almost ready, Tani? Yes, already. Here's your alcohol for scrubbing. Thanks. How is he? You'd better hurry. I don't need gloves. You'd better put some on yourself. You'll have to help. And start the anesthetic. Well, who are you? What are you doing to my father? Well, if you mean that man there, I'm going to make him well again, if I can. No, no, I heard what they are saying. You are going to cut him open, like a pig. Well, I'm going to cut him open, but hardly like a pig. No, you will not. He shall die in peace at least. You will not. Go on with the anesthetic, Tani. Don't you dare to touch him. Don't you dare to explain that I can't operate unless they get that girl out of here. All right. Gordon. Is he under yet? Yes, Gordon. Perhaps we shouldn't. Scalpel, please, Tani. Here you are. Watch his pulse. Is there adrenaline handy? I've laid it out. Clamp, please. Another, please. How is he? Pulse is weak, but steady. This girl, her name was Ehela, she was what you call a very spirited girl. Did she was? At first she hated Dr. C Grave for what she thought he had done to her father. And when her father got this disease, she thought she was just going to die, and she didn't know what to do. So she left the hospital. Then she had to leave the hospital. I don't know what to do. If she didn't leave the hospital, she would have died. She would go in to see him, only when the doctor was not there. But she was very curious, too, about this American doctor. And one day, when he was working in a part of the hospital, he had made it to the lab. Well, hello there, my little Spitfire. I did not know you were here. Didn't you? Well, come in, anyway. What is this, Spitfire? It's a young lady who needs an operation on her temper. You will not operate on me. Oh, don't worry. How is your father? I don't know. He eats a great deal. He will probably die soon. You don't really think that, do you? What is the magic that you have to make the dying live? It must be a very wicked magic. No, not magic. It's something called science. Science? What is this science? Science? Well, it's just knowing the right way to do a thing, so that what you want to have happen does happen. Oh, this is nothing. My people also have this. Do they? What do they do for your father? The doctor made many strong spells and gave much strong medicine made from the oil of a snake. But it didn't do your father much good, did it? Well, he was very sick. But what I did made him well. Oh, not because I'm any better than your people, but because I had science. You see? If that is all, why does not everyone learn this science? Because it is very hard and takes a very long time. And some people just don't have that kind of a mind. Some people simply don't have the time. Then a woman could not learn it? Oh, yes. Many women have learned it. But a woman of Burma, like me, she could not learn it. She could try. She could learn it if she wanted to enough. Dr. Seagrave. Yes, eh, hello? I want to learn your science. I want that more than anything in the world. Do you, eh, hello? Oh, yes. Well, why do you? To help my people. Oh, but perhaps that is not a great enough reason. It's the finest reason anyone could ever have. Eh, hello? I wanted to hear that. You will teach me? Oh, I will be your servant. I will work day and night. Oh, you won't have to do that. Then what must I do? Tell me. Well, you must learn to be patient and kind of those who are sick. You must learn to do the most humble tasks and do them carefully. And you must learn not to tremble at the sight of pain. And yet, you must feel that pain as though it were your own. You must learn to do many things that will be unpleasant to you, but will sicken you. And yet, never show your feelings to those you serve. Do you think you can learn all those things? Yes, Dr. Seagrave. I promise you, I will learn. You are listening to Burma Surgeon, starring George Branta's Dr. Gordon Seagrave on the Cavalcade of America sponsored by Dupont, maker of better things for better living through chemistry. As our play continues, a young Burmese nurse is telling a wounded soldier how Seagrave came to Burma and how he struggled to overcome the suspicion and prejudice he found there. His first step toward success was to interest a group of Burmese girls to become nurses. That was how Dr. Seagrave started his school for Burmese nurses, Lieutenant. At first there was only Ehola, then others joined. I myself joined. Good for you. As the years passed, we built a new hospital, even a nurse's home in the midst of the Burma jungle. And then came the terrible years of war. The Burma road was being built right past our village, and so we were all doubly concerned. But of course. We got most of our news by radio. One afternoon, the doctor and some others were listening to the radio. It was confirmed in a light headquarters that the Japanese have launched an extensive drive into Burma. Although no details had been officially revealed, it was reliably reported that the Japanese had already crossed the Burma border in several places and had made advance up to as much as eight miles. The first objective of any such drive would of course be to cut the famous Burma road, which supplies are carried to the armies. I guess it's true, all right, Simpson? Well, it had to come sooner or later. The Burma road? That sort of puts us right in the line of fire, doesn't it? Do you think we're really in danger? Not from the Japanese, not yet. Your worst danger is right here at home. What do you mean? I mean from the Burmese themselves. Once they've seen that the Japs are actually strong enough to march in the Burma, they'll desert to them like flies. Oh, nonsense. Oh, I know some of them have been taken in by this Asia for the Asiatic stuff. But most of them see right through it. Oh, you think so, eh? I suppose you think these little Burmese nurses of yours won't streak over to the Japanese the first chance they get. Why, I'd bet my life on it that they wouldn't. Ah, all right, all right. But the first good demonstration of power the Japs put on, goodbye, nurses. Listen, what's that? Planes. Don't suppose there could be... Something tells me here's your demonstration of power, Dr. Seagrave. They're Japs. Come on, tiny, you go down to the shelter and hurry. Well, Gordon, where are you going? I'm going to warn the nurses and the ward. Ah, hello. Koi, all of you, listen. There are Japanese planes coming over. I want you to all go down to the air raid shelter right away. You understand? Yes, doctor. Now, hurry. Doctor, who is to stay with the patients? I'm going to stay with the patients. Now, hurry. Then we also will stay. You will not. Now, go down to that shelter as I told you. Very well. We will go. And hurry. You better go to Simpson. Oh, I don't mind staying here. Never seen a real air raid before. Suit yourself. Here they come. Now, now, now, now, everybody be calm. We're going to be all right. This is a hospital and they wouldn't bomb that. Who are you trying to fool? I just want to prevent any panic, that's all. They're bombing the road. Yeah, it sounds that way. Oh, I wonder how many of those poor devils out there working on her will be in the hospital tonight. There'll be enough. That was close. Well, either they're missing the road or they're trying to hit us. Sounds as though they're moving off. Well, I guess the worst is over. All right, everyone. It's over now. You can relax. I guess I better go and find Tiny. She'll be wondering where I was. Yeah, I guess she comes now. Oh, hello there, darling. You all right? Oh, yes, I'm all right. Where were you? Up here. Oh, Gordon. How do the girls take it? The girls? Oh, yes. Weren't they with you? Oh, no. I told you, it's the last you'll see of them. I don't believe it. You're sure they weren't down there with you, Tiny? No, no, not one of them. Well, where could they have gone? Listen, what's that? Sounds like someone's shouting. Huh? Probably better have a look. It is only the white man they wish to destroy. I hate to say I told you so, Seagrave. Gordon, Gordon, he's got a gun from somewhere. I don't like the looks of the Seagrave. They want to help us to free ourselves from the slavery of the white man. That is why they dropped death from the skies upon our lands. Because we hover the white men who are their enemies as well as ours. Isn't that one of your little nurses in the crowd there? Quite. It's Airlock. No, she is coming through the crowd. Dr. Seagrave. Well, where have you been? Don't be angry. We went to be nearly wounded. We hid in a ditch until it was over. The others are bringing the wounded in now. Oh. But what is happening here? What is that man saying? What you hear? Don't help by this American Seagrave. I am so ashamed for him. Never mind him, eh, hello. I think we owe you some thanks. The fighting front came to our hospital by the hundreds. Chinese, Americans, English, Indians. All those brave men who were fighting to hold on a little longer. And we were almost too busy to think of what would happen to us. It's very brave of you. Then, then at last the order came. We must leave. We must get across the border into India as best we could. We were to march with General Stillwell. I see. We had to leave on short notice. And everything was confusion as we loaded what we could into army ambulances for the first time. Miss Doctor? But how many way you can find room? You haven't seen Ahala, have you? Oh, no, sir. I haven't touched it. We are almost ready, Doctor. Wait with you in a minute. I'm trying to find Ahala. I haven't seen her this morning. Oh. There you are, Ahala. I was just going through the operating room to see if you had left anything. Better join the other girls. They're all ready to go. And the patients? Well, we've put as many as we could into the ambulances. Only the worst cases. How many will be left? Nearly a hundred. Oh, Ahala, that makes me sick. Sick to think of leaving those men behind. What's to become of them? Who's to take care of them? They will be cared for among my people. Oh, but they need so much more. Some of them still need medical attention. I'd give anything in the world to stay here with them. Well, you must go with the armies. That is your place. I know. I know. But are you sure your people can hide them from the Japs? Take care of them? Oh, yes. I am very, very sure. What do you mean? I mean I'm sure because I'm going to stay here with them. Stay here with them? Well, you can't do that. Yes, I can, and I must. Oh, no, you can't. I forbid it. You know what the Japs are like. Please. This is my place. This is where I will stay. It's my place if it's anyone. No. It is only where we can serve the most. You are needed with the armies. And I am needed here. Do not be afraid. I am afraid. I won't let you... Don't be afraid. You know what I am doing is right because it is you who have taught me these things. To perform the humble tasks, the unpleasant tasks. Well, you have taught us so much that your people and my people can trust each other and work together and serve each other at so many things that I cannot say. But that is why I am staying. It is what you yourself would do. I'm going to miss you a lot. Well, I shall miss you. But I shall be here when you come back. And we will come back. I shall be waiting. And these men, these fighting men, they will be waiting, too. Dr. Segrave, convoy's ready to start, sir. Over there in a minute. Yes, sir. Goodbye, my dear doctor. Goodbye, Ahala. Oh, look. There is one more thing you will need. The pail from the operating room. Oh. It is half filled with blood. The blood of Asia. Pour it here on the ground and mark the place, Ahala. One day, free men shall spring from this earth and from this blood. Part is glad to have had the privilege of bringing to Cappalcade's audience this story of one who serves his country better because he first served humanity. Mr. Brent will return to the microphone in a few moments. Meanwhile, here is Gaine Whitman with news which gives us added confidence that the Army Medical Corps, with the help of chemistry, is making the American Army the healthiest in the history of our country. Throughout history, disease has followed armies. Typhus has been the soldier's worst enemy, far worse than bullets. In the Crusades and again in Napoleon's day, Typhus killed soldiers by the tens of thousands and spread from the armies to the civilian population. During World War I, there were at least 10 million known cases of Typhus in Europe with 5 million deaths. In this war, the United States Army has already won an overwhelming victory over disease. Among all our soldiers in China, Burma and India, there has been only one case of Typhus. There has been not one case of cholera, tetanus or smallpox. In the whole of North Africa and the Middle East, our men have suffered only four mild cases of Typhus with no deaths. The shot in the arm inoculations that our soldiers and sailors get aren't fun. Nobody enjoys them. But such a splendid health record is worth any number of inoculations. In addition to inoculations, food is checked and food handlers are constantly inspected. The army purifies all drinking water by boiling it or killing the germs with chlorine. Insects and vermin, because Typhus is carried by license fleas, are controlled with other chemical compounds like Dupont's IN 930. High praise must go to the doctors and nurses of the medical corps who have achieved a miracle of health in the midst of battle. Their courage, their wisdom, their prompt acceptance of new life-saving techniques such as the blood bank are deserving of the greatest praise. Credit must go also to the manufacturers of medicinal compounds who are supplying drugs of the highest purity to the armed forces in vast quantities called for by more than 60 different fighting fronts, the longest battle line in the history of war. It has always been a source of gratification to the Dupont Company that many of the compounds used in medicine have been developed from materials created by industrial chemistry. The marvelous sulfur drugs, for instance, which have accomplished so much for civilian as well as military medicine and surgery, grew out of research in dyes. The shelves of Dupont laboratories with hundreds of bottles of new compounds with long names have supplied many research workers in medicine with the materials needed for his experiments. Saving lives in time of war is one of the duties of the products of industrial chemistry that serve you in time of peace as Dupont, better things for better living through chemistry. And now here is George Brent, star of this evening's cavalcade, to ask your help in a real emergency. George Brent. Another emergency, ladies and gentlemen, is this. At a time when the government needs great quantities of packaging paper, many American paper mills face a shutdown for lack of waste paper. Waste paper reprocessed packages food and shelves. It makes parachute flares, bomb fins, practice bombs, wing kites and camouflage paper and many other civilian and military items. So bundle up your old newspapers and magazines and watch your newspaper for local salvage directions. Get every scrap of waste paper into production for victory. Thank you. This Monday evening, cavalcade will bring you two of Hollywood's favorites, James Craig and Bula Bondi, in Joe Dyer Ends a War. Our play, a lesson for the post-war world from the pages of America's past, one answer to the age-old hope for lasting peace is an exciting story of a dispute between the people of Connecticut and the people of Pennsylvania that almost led to war a century and a half ago. Dupont invites you to join cavalcade's audience again next Monday evening when we present James Craig and Bula Bondi in an exciting drama that happened in the early days of our republic and has a parallel in today's news. Our play is called Joe Dyer Ends a War. Acknowledgement is made to Alfred Knoff, publisher of Jack Belden's Retreat with Stillwell for permission to quote from that book. Tonight's musical score was composed and conducted by Robert Armbrister. This is James Bannon sending best wishes from cavalcade sponsor, the Dupont Company of Wilmington, Delaware. The State of America comes to you from Hollywood. This is the National Broadcasting Company.