The disease has symptoms similar to leprosy and strangely only affects those older than forty-five, typically killing its victims within 3-5 months.
The government, meanwhile, eager to maintain public order and tranquility, is sponsoring a ruse, allegedly a former student of Galén, who sells fake cures to the rich.
The aftermath is left ambiguous, and it is uncertain if Europe will be plagued by both the war and the disease, as Galen's formula is destroyed in the struggle.
[2] Max Brod predicted the play would be successful abroad, while Thomas Mann sent Čapek a letter praising The White Disease.
[3] The Hebrew version staged by Habima premiered in Tel Aviv on 28 September 1938, one day before the Munich Agreement which led to Germany's annexation of the Sudeten territory.