The Quack

"Znachor," one of the most popular novels by Tadeusz Dołęga-Mostowicz, tells the story of Professor Wilczur, a brilliant surgeon whose life falls apart after his wife leaves him with their beloved daughter. Desperate and seeking escape in alcohol, Wilczur is severely injured in the head during a fight at a suburban tavern and loses his memory. Fifteen years later, he roams the countryside as a nameless wanderer, finds shelter with a miller named Prokop, and begins helping his crippled son, Wasylko. After a successful operation to correct the boy’s malformed bones, the boy starts to walk, and the healer’s fame quickly spreads throughout the area. Jealous of his success, the local doctor, Dr. Pawlicki, threatens him with legal action for practicing medicine illegally. The healer occasionally visits a nearby town and regularly stops by the shop where an orphan named Marysia works. The girl’s features seem strangely familiar to him, but he cannot recall who this young, beautiful woman reminds him of. Marysia is admired by Count Leszek Czyński, whose advances are watched with jealousy by Zenek, the innkeeper’s son. As a result of Zenek’s spiteful scheme, both lovers suffer a serious motorcycle accident. Dr. Pawlicki refuses to operate, so the healer steps in to save Marysia’s life, undertaking the procedure despite the threat of legal consequences.