Doctor

"Doctor" by Murray Leinster is a science fiction novel written during the early 1960s. The book presents a captivating narrative that explores the themes of survival and the unknown dangers of space travel, particularly focusing on a devastating virus known as chlorophage, which threatens humanity. Set against the backdrop of a futuristic setting with advanced space travel, the story emphasizes the fragility of human life when faced with the vastness of the cosmos and the microscopic threats that lie within it. The plot centers around Doctor Nordenfeld, the ship's physician aboard the interplanetary liner "Star Queen", as he deals with the potential outbreak of chlorophage after a mysterious little girl, Kathy Brand, boards the ship. Kathy's background reveals a harrowing journey from the devastated planet Kamerun, where the virus wiped out all life. As Nordenfeld investigates, he wrestles with the fear that Kathy may carry the deadly virus to the rest of the ship. Tension mounts as Nordenfeld must make difficult decisions about the safety of passengers and crew, culminating in a climax where he discovers a possible solution to the crisis: a symbiotic microorganism from alien botany that can combat the chlorophage threat. In a race against time, he strives to contain the outbreak while protecting those aboard the "Star Queen", exploring the complexities of sacrifice, duty, and the intricacies of life amid chaos and uncertainty.