NBC’s medical drama ‘St Elsewhere’ was one of the first US television series to explore the issue of AIDS, in its episode AIDS and Comfort. The story centres around an ostensibly heterosexual Boston politician who is admitted to St Elygius Hospital with a mysterious condition.

Needless to say, it turns out to be AIDS and the skeletons quickly come flying out of the closet. After initial indignation at being questioned about his sex life, the politician finally admits to a recent sexual relationship with another man.

But it’s not just the patient who’s indignant: the presence of a real live person with AIDS triggers the fears – and prejudices – of various members of the hospital staff. Having worked in a hospital with people with AIDS myself, I know just how common these reactions were – well into the 90s. Indeed, I wish some of the health care professionals I worked with had seen this episode in 1983 – then they might have worked through their hang-ups before I met them!

The full episode is available below (although you will have to endure several minutes of ads beforehand).

https://youtu.be/1AsRCPnSaTM

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