Chapter 38: Working Together to Treat Infectious Disease [3]

Cowpox vaccination could be a preventive measure, but it was a curing agent at the same time. Rather, it was the only treatment method at present.

‘It is said that Jenner discovered this phenomenon thanks to the shepherds.’

Smallpox was a dreadful disease, both in the west and the east. Naturally, medical professionals had great interest in this, and Jenner innovated with an accidental discovery.

He had realized that the shepherds who milked were free from smallpox.

The phenomenon was there from the beginning, but it was Jenner who paid attention to it and ended up discovering the vaccination.

He used the method of injecting the pus of the cow or ox into people. It seemed like an ignorant method, but the effects were good.

‘It was safe and effective. And now I am using that very method.’

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Ganghyuk took all the discharge of the ox in the syringe as he worried about the overly quick advancement of medicine for a while. But, the present in this world was more important to him rather than the future that he did not know if he could go back to.

‘I will inject this into the first patient.’

Although they would resist a little, he could say that it was a new acupuncture needle. Maybe they would not protest because of the pain then.

Squeak!

Ganghyuk opened the warehouse door and went in.

Cough!

He could hear coughs here and there; it was the room for the serious patients.

‘Ugh, that’s quite some odor.”

Ganghyuk went to the patient who had come first. Although he had had anti-inflammatory medication, his fever did not subside. His face was all red.

‘He has become worse.’

It seemed that the disease had developed even more, which was natural because he did nothing but give anti-inflammatory medication.

“How do you feel?”

“Painful…”

The patient managed to answer with breathlessness. His lips were dry and red blood came out; he was clearly dehydrated.

“Goodness!”

If possible, Ganghyuk wanted to intubate and use ventilator treatment. He would feel far better if the patient could breathe properly.

‘It’s such a drag that we don’t have such tools here.’

Ganghyuk gave him the Yanggyeoksan that Heo Jun had prepared while shaking his head.

“Do not swallow, but gargle with it.”

“Yes…”

Doing that did not add to the pain, so the patient gargled easily.

“Take this one.”

Ganghyuk then gave him the Seonbanghwalmyeongeum. The medicine was aromatic, as it had expensive ingredients such as rhubarb, lonicera flower, and frankincense.

He wished it would be as effective as good its aroma was.

“Okay.”

“Good!”

“Ugh…”

“I will give you some water acupuncture now.”

“Water acupuncture?”

“Yes, it is a good one. Stay still.’

Ganghyuk searched for the bag and took out a small IV set. It was only 500ml, and there was only one. It was insufficient to use for a dehydrated patient.

‘But, it would better than nothing.’

If necessary, he could use the water that Dolseok and Yeoni had boiled. However, it was risky because too many unknown ingredients could come together.

‘I would rather give it to him.’

Ganghyuk brought the needle near the patient while shaking his head. As it was a needle for giving large volume IV, the size was quite big.

“It is quite big.”

“It is effective though. Turn your head away.’

“Okay.”

Ganghyuk placed the needle on the back of the patient’s handand paused.

‘I have not done this for a while. The last time was when I was an intern.’

He was a professor, so who could dare ask him to give injection? Even a first year resident would not do that by himself.

“Phew.”

In Joseon, he had to do too many things that he did not usually do. It was fortunate that the patient had a strong vessel though.

Poke!

With the sound appeared red blood at the end of the needle. It meant that he did the job very well.

“Ouch!” The patient grunted

If one got an injection on the back of one’s hand, they would know how painful it was.

Ganghyuk connected the IV with an indifferent facial expression.

“I have done one and I need to do another. Do not look at it.”

“Okay.”

It was the time to inject the vaccine. Ganghyuk then administered the pus from the ox to the patient.

“What is this on earth?”

“En…”

The patient felt something different because something had entered his body. So, Ganghyuk improvised, actually without any difficulty. He was a man of good speech, and an expert in making up a story.

“Medicine acupuncture.”

“Ah!”

Although it was not a very sincere answer, the patient had accepted it. Actually there would be no use to protest anyway.

“Next…” Ganghyuk looked around the warehouse. There were many patients even though he had only put the serious ones here.

‘Luckily, we have enough syringes.’

It was not enough to give a shot to less serious patients, but they would be replenished the next morning.

He thus tried to finish with the serious patients first.

“Gargle with this, swallow it… Take it… and here.”

Ganghyuk used Yanggyeoksan, Seonbanghwalmyeongeum, anti-inflammatory meds, antibiotics, and then the vaccine.

All the patients in the warehouse were treated by him and fell asleep.

‘I am dying.’

Of course, he had to do operations overnight sometimes because of the nature of his work. But, it was a really long time ago when he worked like this.

‘I am not an intern.’ Ganghyuk came out of the warehouse while complaining.

Heo Jun was sitting on the floor. Ganghyuk could not see if he was mediating or sleeping. Yeoni and Yeoju were sleeping side by side as well.

Only Dolseok was awake.

“Sir, you came back.”

“Why are you not sleeping?”

“They wanted to go out, that’s why.”

It was then that he found how Dolseok had blocked the door with his arm. There were complaints coming from the inside.

“Why?”

“Someone wants to go to the toilet and others want to go home. There are so many different reasons.”

“Hmm…”

Ganghyuk looked at the room. It was not a big room, but there were more than ten people. It was natural that they felt stiffy.

‘But, I cannot help it.

If the governor sent soldiers, they would help in solving the problem. They might be able to get some houses near the clinic vacated and distribute the patients there.

“Ok, I will see if something can be done.”

“Are you good? You worked all night.”

“I am familiar with it. Go to sleep.”

“How can I sleep when my master is working?”

Ganghyuk stroked his head and passed him to go to the room. They would feel better if he did something for them.

“Is it that difficult to follow? I told you to stay in the room.” He scolded the people in the room after opening the door.

They all looked at Ganghyuk; they could not complain to him even though their faces were full of complaints. They would not be able to easily see a nobleman like him here as it was a very small town.

Hence, they could not protest against a real nobleman.

Ganghyuk felt some discomfort from the silence of people. He opened his mouth again. “If you are roaming around, your village will be dangerous and your family will be put under risk.”

“…”

The room was very silent; they could not understand his statement. But, they followed the order because of his status.

As he did not expect an answer, he continued his speech, “I will examine you and give treatment. Come forward one by one.

Hearing the word ‘treatment’, they all came to him readily one by one. He was a famous doctor, anyway. Even though they had complaints, they wanted to have treatment for sure.

“Your mouth is OK, but pus blisters are coming up. Take it.”

“You have many blisters. You cannot eat with this mouth. Gargle with it and then have it.”

They were better than the patients in the warehouse, so it did not take long to finish up with them. Fortunately, Heo Jun had prepared enough medicine. But, it would not last tomorrow anyway.

“Sleep now.”

“Yes, sir.”

After finishing up, Ganghyuk immediately went out. He was afraid of people wanting to go out as well.

“Ugh!”

Although it was summer, the air in the early morning was very fresh and pleasant. As he took in a deep breath, Dolseok came over. He looked very sleepy, as he was yawning.

“I told you to sleep. Why were you waiting?”

“Please go to bed, sir. I will stay here.” Dolsok pointed at the room that Ganghyuk just came out of. It seemed that they were indeed thinking of running away.

‘Heo… It might have been better to send Yeoni instead of Makbong.”

“You mean to the governor?”

“Yes… It would have been easier for you to keep them in if Makbong were here.”

“I am sorry, sir.”

Ganghyuk was startled at the female voice; it was Yeoni, who just came out. She might have had been woken up because of their conversation.

“Did you hear?”

“Yes, I did.”

Her face was even more beautiful under the moonlight, especially the lips that were pushed forward.

“I meant…”

“I am better in martial arts.”

She probably was really angry. Men were never familiar with dealing with an angry woman. Although, it is better than a crying woman.

Ganghyuk scratched his head with an embarrassed face as Dolseok laughed while watching him.

“Yes, I do.”

“Then, why did you think that Makbong would be better than me?”

“No…”

Ganghyuk opened his eyes after tilting his head for some time.

“Yes, it is because you are faster. If you were on the errand, you might have been able to come back by now.”

“Don’t try to make an excuse.”

“Eo… Would you like to hit me?”

“Maybe.”

“Don’t forget that I am a nobleman. Dolseok, what are you doing now?”

If it were normal times, Dolseok might scold her and protect him. But right now, he was just watching them.

When looking at him closely, he found that he was actually enjoying this scene, considering that he was even whistling.

“I am no better than Yeoni, sir.”

“Heo… This fellow!”

Although Ganghyuk thought that Dolseok was being offensive, he could not move carelessly. But, Yeoni made the Teakyeon steps and smacked Dolseok instead.

Dolseok thought that she would not hit him anyway; but now that she did, it truly hurt.

Squeak!

The door was opened and someone ran out.

“Ah, there’s a man. Stop him!”

Hearing Ganghyuk’s remark, Yeoni moved quickly. She was like a flash as she warmed up with steps. In the next instant, the man who rushed out of the room fell down as Yeoni hit his back with a kick.

Dolseok and Ganghyuk closed the door again.

“Aiku” The man on the floor grunted. He was the guardian of the first patient, but he himself had become a patient a long time ago.

“I told you to stay there! Why did you come out?” Ganghyuk went to him while clicking his tongue.

The man answered, “I told him I wanted to go to the toilet. Can I go?”

Ganghyuk had placed a pot in the room so he could have a bowel movement. It was impossible for him to stay out of the room after all. Ganghyuk could not leave viruses roaming around.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Eo… Ya… Ya!”

He might have been loosened because he was hit in the waist; his face became very comfortable. At the same time, a bad odor filled up the yard.

“Oh my God!”

Yeoni or Dolseok had not been immunized yet.

‘Should I clean it?’

But, there was no other way. Ganghyuk murmured with anger, “Makbong… Run fast! Run!”