Originally Aired: December 14, 1958

Gunsmoke #349, "Kitty's Injury," finds Marshal Matt Dillon making what should be a routine ride to escort Kitty Russell back from the town of Larnard. Despite good-natured teasing from Doc and Chester about the romantic nature of the journey, the trip turns dangerous when Kitty's horse is spooked by a rattlesnake. Thrown from her mount, Kitty suffers a serious head injury that leaves her feverish, disoriented, and unable to see clearly. With darkness falling and Kitty's condition worsening, Matt desperately seeks shelter at the nearest homestead, occupied by a poor family.

What begins as a simple request for help quickly turns into a tense standoff when the family's simple-minded son Ludie becomes fixated on the beautiful, helpless woman brought into their home. As Matt struggles to get Doc Adams out to treat Kitty's injuries, Ludie hatches a dangerous plan of his own. With Kitty's life hanging in the balance and an unpredictable young man holding a gun, Matt must find a way to protect his injured friend before it's too late.