Ep 19. Hepatitis

Hepatitis

In the 19th episode of M*A*S*H season 5 titled "Hepatitis," the medical staff of the 4077th must deal with an outbreak of hepatitis in the camp. The disease spreads quickly among the personnel, and Hawkeye, Trapper, and the other doctors must work tirelessly to contain the outbreak and treat those who have been infected.

The episode begins with one of the patients, a wounded soldier, being diagnosed with hepatitis. The medical team realizes that the disease has likely spread through contaminated water, and they immediately begin to take measures to prevent further infections. They advise all the personnel to boil water before drinking it and provide vaccines to those who have not been infected.

However, despite their best efforts, the disease continues to spread. The situation worsens when a group of new arrivals, including a journalist and a colonel, bring the disease with them. With the camp now teeming with infected soldiers and personnel, the medical team is pushed to their limits.

The episode focuses mainly on the efforts of Hawkeye and Trapper to combat the outbreak. They work tirelessly, often at the expense of their own health, to treat the sick and contain the disease. Their dedication and bravery are on full display as they put their own safety on the line to save others.

Meanwhile, other members of the camp are forced to deal with the repercussions of the outbreak. Father Mulcahy takes it upon himself to provide spiritual guidance to those who are sick and to boost the morale of the camp. Klinger, desperate for a medical discharge, tries to contract hepatitis to join the sicklist but fails miserably.

Throughout the episode, the tension and urgency of the situation are palpable. The medical team works under immense pressure, trying to keep up with the increasing number of patients while also trying to prevent the disease from spreading any further. The episode effectively captures the chaos and anxiety of a medical emergency, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.

An especially poignant moment comes towards the end of the episode when Hawkeye becomes infected with hepatitis himself. Plagued by fever and exhaustion, he continues to treat patients, refusing to give up even when it seems impossible. It's a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by medical personnel in times of crisis, and a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

Overall, "Hepatitis" is an intense and emotional episode that showcases the best of the M*A*S*H series. It combines humour, drama, and heart to create a compelling narrative that explores the human toll of war and the resilience of those who fight it.