Synopsis

Medical professor Dr. med. Prätorius is loved by his patients and appreciated by his colleagues. His goal in life: to defeat the "bacillus of stupidity". His only effective remedy is humor. Pregnant patient Violetta Höllriegel seeks his advice. She has separated from her lover, but Praetorius implores her to carry the child to term. On leaving the clinic, she has an accident that looks suspiciously like a suicide attempt. The young woman is admitted to Prätorius' clinic. Despite the age difference, the two fall in love and marry. His personal and professional success arouses the envy of his colleague Professor Speiter. With the help of a detective agency, he discovers that at the beginning of his career, Prätorius had worked as a "medical practitioner" and had violated the dignity of the medical profession. Prätorius is summoned to appear before the medical association's court of honor. But when Prätorius reveals the secret of his past, the horror in the room gives way to laughter.