It is based on surgeon Ferdinand Sauerbruch's memoirs Das war mein Leben, which were ghostwritten by Hans Rudolf Berndorff and were published in the German magazine Revue shortly before the release of the film.

While the latter diagnoses a falling sickness, Sauerbruch recognizes that Olga Ahrends in fact is suffering from a metabolic disease weakening her bones.

As a consequence, he was arrested in order not to be able to help the enemies of the revolution, but was rescued by a young man whose mother Sauerbruch once had operated on.

A waiter is worried and confused about the costs of surgery but eventually breathes a sigh of relief when he learns that he only has to pay a nominal amount of 1 Mark.

Between operations, Sauerbruch gives lectures and administers exams to young physicians, leaving little time for personal life.