White Disease

A certain country is struck by an epidemic of the white disease. Doctor Galén has invented an effective cure for it. He will only dispense the cure if governments pledge never to wage war again. The head of the state where the white disease has broken out – a pugnacious Marshal – wants to conquer the world and stops at nothing. Only at the insistence of his daughter and the young Krug is he willing to make peace and thus fulfil Galén's condition so that he can be treated. Čapek's play is recommended school reading.