Overwhelmed by personal and professional problems, biologist Friedrich von Kammacher decides to travel abroad in order to regain the joy of living. During his adventurous journey he will meet two very different women, one of whom will be the key to his fate.
In India, the Army surgeon is Dr. Warren posted, and he neglects his wife, Alice, who instead finds pleasure in Captain Alston's company. After contact with a sick child, Alston is struck by the infection.