CaptainJosiahNewmanrunstheneuro-psychiatricwardofanArizonadeserthospitalduringWorldWarII.HeoftenusesunconventionalmeansandpeopletomatchincludinghisneworderlyJacksonLeibowitz.AmongthepatientsintheirwardisthesuicidalColonelBlisswhoeventuallyclimbsatopawatertowerandabattle-scarredcorporalnamedTompkinswhorevealsunderthespellofsodiumpentothalthesourceofhisdistress.NewmanalsoassistsinthemaritallovelifeofCaptainWinstonwhileenjoyingaflirtationortwowithhisownchiefnurseLieutenantCorum.