First staged in 1906, The Doctor's Dilemma is a play that revolves around a community of doctors, most specializing, unbeknownst to them, in different types of expensive, fraudulent treatments.
Ridgeon, who has actually discovered a vaccine for tuberculosis, is conflicted about administering his limited remedy, for the husband of a woman he is in love with can pay, but his kind yet poverty-stricken colleague Dr.
Blenkinsop cannot.
Shaw's drama highlights the medical predicament of his day, that of treating patients with unnecessary practices to earn a living.
A well-written, verbose play characteristic of Shaw, The Doctor's Dilemma still resonates with today's audience because of its thoughtful commentary on the continuing problem of providing adequate healthcare to the poor.
