Osip Dymov is the central fictional character in the classic story Grasshopper (1892) by Anton Chekhov

Anton Chekhov

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian physician, dramatist and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics...

. For generations his character has served to inspire medical professionals as to the standards of dedication expected from them.

Dymov is an unassuming doctor married to a beautiful, wealthy socialite. Her reasons for being attracted to him are suspect, and their marriage is soon on the rocks because of her preference for the "fast life" and his total dedication to his profession. He senses that she is having an affair, but displays an admirable magnanimity towards her.

She soon tires of her companions when she learns of their vacuous nature (and her lover's infidelity) and realises how great her husband was, which she took for granted. She tries desperately to return to him but by that time it is too late - in order to save a diphtheria

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity...

patient, Dymov had swallowed membrane from his patient's throat and died from the infection.