Other reviewers have focused on the veracity of the smallpox outbreak. I saw this moving 30 years ago, but I still remember it for it's political allegory.
The smallpox is a factor that sends the society (the hospital) into a panic. The smallpox expert doctor who comes in to take control wears a frightening biohazard suit. Toward the end of the movie, the expert finally removes his suit's hood and reveals that he was a smallpox survivor (thus immune). A hospital doctor asks, "But why the suit? You are immune." To which the expert replies something to the effect of "The uniform scares people into following orders." A poignant line for a communist country at the time -- and probably true of any citizenry who are frightened of an insidious threat.
The smallpox is a factor that sends the society (the hospital) into a panic. The smallpox expert doctor who comes in to take control wears a frightening biohazard suit. Toward the end of the movie, the expert finally removes his suit's hood and reveals that he was a smallpox survivor (thus immune). A hospital doctor asks, "But why the suit? You are immune." To which the expert replies something to the effect of "The uniform scares people into following orders." A poignant line for a communist country at the time -- and probably true of any citizenry who are frightened of an insidious threat.