Other mistake: Charles starts a discussion on the army having forbidden the use of curare. The following chatter is all about how things in the M.A.S.H. OR have slowed after curare was banned, leaving us with no choice but to understand that the ban came into effect during the Korean War. Actually, curare was not approved for use by the U.S. Army at any time during the Korean War. (See "Notable Names in Anasthesia" - J. Roger Maltby, Royal Society of Medicine, Great Britain, pg. 14). (00:00:25)
Suggested correction: The whole point of the discussion is to make it clear that curare was never allowed for use by the US military, however since the majority of the doctors there are not enlisted, they know of curare and how to use it on a patient. At no point is it mentioned that the banned occurred during the Korean war.
While they never specifically say that the ban occurred during the Korean war, at the beginning of the episode, Charles says "Ever since the army forbade our use of curare..." Then at the end of the episode, COL Potter says "It sure is the cat's P.J.s having our curare back." after they get some supply from another non-American unit. These conversations imply that the doctors had been allowed to use curare by the army until this point and the ban by the army is why they aren't using it any more.
Father Mulchahy says "I've noticed the work goes much faster with curare." Father Mulchahy's only experiences in operating rooms are from his deployment at mash 4077 (he mentions he used to work with children before the war), so he must have "noticed" it there. This makes it clear as daylight that curare was used at mash before it was banned.
Revealing mistake: In the supply room, as Hawkeye lights two candles, the room gets noticeably brighter. However, there's too much light for two candles, and his shadow comes from above.
Continuity mistake: While BJ, Hawkeye, and Margaret are in the OR, BJ has the stethoscope either around his neck or the eartips are in his ears, depending on the angle of the consecutive shots.
Factual error: When BJ opens the first box of tongue depressors the tongue depressors are packaged in a plastic bag inside the cardboard box, my research says that plastic bags were not available in the early 1950's. (00:08:06)
Factual error: When Klinger's walking with Captain Allen and the Stars and Stripes photographer, just before their introductions to "Ben" they pass an empty corrugated box with its flap open, and the recycling symbol can be seen on the flap. Recycling symbols were not in use until about 20 years later.
Other mistake: When Alan Alda and Mike Farrell are walking into frame in the scene where Hawkeye and BJ discover the huge shipment of tongue depressors, Alda's feet are visible for about two seconds and he has bright blue early '80s shoes on.
Visible crew/equipment: When the guy from I Corps Supply lifts the flap at the back of the truck with all the boxes, just as Colonel Potter says, "Sergeant, how many of these parcels are checking into this post," the shadow of the boom mic can be seen at the top, right corner of the screen.
Continuity mistake: While Charles, BJ, and Hawkeye are in the Officers' Club, when Margaret storms in and starts yelling at Charles about the visiting pervert Colonel, Charles facepalms himself with his right hand, but next shot his left hand is up, and it continues to switch.
Continuity mistake: As Charles talks to Finch, he hangs up the clipboard, and puts the pencil in his pocket. Then as he turns Finch to walk out, he puts the pencil in his pocket again.
Revealing mistake: In the closing scene, as the camera looks at the collected crowd, the camo net over the building poorly hides the edge of the "sky" background and the sound stage walls.
Continuity mistake: In the Officer's Club, Potter is about to order a drink. When he goes to give the order, he starts to look at Hawkeye. When the camera cuts to a close up of Potter, Hawkeye, and BJ, he's facing forward again.
Visible crew/equipment: After Hawkeye shows up in Colonel Potter's office with severe allergy symptoms, BJ and Margaret walk out with him, and when Potter says, "Time we found out what's on his mind," the shadow of the boom mic moves across the door.
Visible crew/equipment: A crew member is visible in Margaret's tent when she confronts OR nurse Helen about her drinking, approximately halfway through the episode.
Continuity mistake: As Mulcahy enters and is introduced by Potter, he assumes the podium, and clasps his hands behind his back. A second later, his arms are by his sides.
