Training the Heavens

Chapter 334 Rescue
In the original history, Wu Lien-teh returned from his studies with a passion to repay his motherland, but unfortunately he did not get a good opportunity and remained as the deputy supervisor (vice principal) of the Tianjin Army Medical School.

Today, Zhang Xingjiu has been in contact with him. After hearing that he had obtained a Ph.D. in medicine from Cambridge University, he immediately invited him to teach at Aurora University. He also established a medical school for him, built school buildings, and purchased experimental teaching and research equipment so that Wu Lien-teh could display his strengths.

Wu Lien-teh quickly adapted to his new identity. In just a few years, he made the Aurora University Medical School the best modern medical school in the country. It not only trained a group of medical talents, but also made many contributions in the field of medical research. His papers have appeared many times in internationally renowned medical journals such as The Lancet.

Seeing Zhang Xingjiu, Wu Lien-teh, looking tired, urged him repeatedly, "I have to go to the Northeast now. The situation there is getting increasingly tense. I really can't bear to leave those students alone in the epidemic area. I must go there to take charge of the situation."

At the end of last year, the plague was transmitted to Harbin via Manzhouli along the Chinese Eastern Railway. Subsequently, a major plague swept across the entire Northeast. When the news reached Shanghai, Wu Lien-teh immediately prepared to lead a team to the Northeast to fight the plague, but was persuaded by Zhang Xingjiu to stay.

There is a lot of preparatory work needed for epidemic prevention, and Wu Lien-teh's hasty trip to the Northeast is not the best option, so Zhang Xingjiu suggested sending some students who are physically strong and familiar with the Northeast first to find out the situation there and then report back in a timely manner.

Based on this information, Wu Lien-teh came up with a specific epidemic prevention plan, and Zhang Xingjiu helped raise funds to purchase urgently needed supplies. Finally, Wu Lien-teh took these supplies and the second group of personnel to the Northeast.

"Now all kinds of supplies are on the way to the Northeast. You set off now. When you arrive in the Northeast, these ships will just dock and then be sent to the epidemic area by rail. I have helped to open up all the links. The Northeast will definitely not dare to neglect such a big thing. You can go with peace of mind! Send me a telegram at any time if you need anything." Zhang Xingjiu said solemnly.

The plague caused the deaths of more than 60,000 people in total. If it weren't for Wu Lien-teh, the losses would have been much greater. Now that Wu Lien-teh has the support of Zhang Xingjiu, he is more prepared and hopefully can save more lives.

"I have also completed my research. According to the students' reports, this plague is very likely to be transmitted through respiratory droplets, so masks are the best way to prevent the plague. I have redesigned masks with better protection." Wu Lien-teh took out some samples and handed them to Zhang Xingjiu.

This is an extremely simple double-layer gauze bag mask, which is made of two layers of gauze with a piece of absorbent cotton built in. Wearing it can isolate patients. Although the structure is simple, the design is very ingenious. Even in the 21st century, this design is not outdated, it's just that the materials used are more advanced.

"This kind of mask only costs two and a half cents, and large-scale production can further reduce the cost. I have already asked the factory affiliated with the school to start production, and I hope to bring a batch over." Wu Lien-teh even considered the cost issue. Now the people are very poor, and Yuan Shikai is only concerned with fighting for power and profit. He will definitely not allocate much money to the fight against the epidemic. Therefore, the funds needed for the fight against the epidemic can only be raised by the local area itself. The cost of masks cannot be too high.

"Very good. I will immediately send someone to pass on the production method of this mask to the Northeast, and then transfer a sum of money so that the students who are in the front line can contact the factory to start production immediately." Zhang Xingjiu's understanding of medicine is not as deep as Wu Lien-teh's, but he has money and can provide them with strong financial support.

Wu Lien-teh took a group of students to the Northeast that day with a large number of masks and medicines. A few days later, they arrived in Fujia Dian, where the epidemic was the most serious. He quickly studied the specific conditions of the local area and even secretly dissected a corpse at the risk of great condemnation to confirm his guess. Under the Baker microscope, Wu Lien-teh clearly saw an oval-shaped bacteria - it was the plague bacillus.

He immediately adjusted the plan based on local conditions, completely sealing off the entire epidemic area and dividing it into four zones. Each zone was led by a senior medical officer, staffed by two assistants, four medical students, and numerous sanitary servants and police officers. Emergency teams were divided into various roles, including diagnosis, disinfection, burial, and guard duty. Every day, over 4 search teams were dispatched from each zone to inspect every household for signs of the plague. Anyone found infected with the plague was immediately sent to an epidemic prevention hospital, and their homes were disinfected with raw sulfur and carbolic acid.

All medical staff of the search team must wear masks, and subsequent masks will be distributed to local people for use. All people who go out must wear masks.

Before the students from Aurora University School of Medicine arrived, more than 200 people died in the area almost every day. After the students came to check the situation and made some adjustments, the number of deaths dropped significantly.

After Wu Lien-teh came, the number of deaths and the number of illnesses dropped sharply. Seeing this, Fengtian, Changchun and other places followed suit and managed the epidemic areas according to Wu Lien-teh's methods. Masks and medicinal materials were shipped from the interior and the sea to the Northeast in an endless stream, which greatly controlled the epidemic.

By late February, there had been no deaths in Fujia Dian for several consecutive days, which was about ten days earlier than the original historical record. Wu Lien-teh then moved on to Changchun, Shenyang and other places. After hard work, by the end of April, the plague was completely eradicated in all parts of the three northeastern provinces.

When the epidemic was completely under control, Wu Lien-teh became a beloved figure in the hearts of the people of Northeast China.

When Zhang Xingjiu saw the statistical results and found that the death toll was more than 10,000 less than in the original history, he couldn't help but feel relieved. This could be considered as a small change brought about by himself.

After the epidemic ended, Wu Lien-teh did not return immediately, but instead attended the International Plague Conference attended by experts and scholars from 11 countries including China, the United States, Austria, France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands and Russia.

At the meeting, he analyzed in detail the causes and processes of the outbreak, the results of prevention and control, and proposed a series of effective prevention and control measures.

After returning to Shanghai, Zhang Xingjiu asked Wu Lien-teh to organize the essence of these epidemic prevention methods, write a paper and publish it in The Lancet. He then immediately sent a telegram to the well-known medical experts he was familiar with, introducing them to Wu Lien-teh's contributions and asking them to nominate Wu Lien-teh as a candidate for next year's medical award.

There is no way. The nomination deadline is the end of January every year. I can’t make it this year and can only look forward to next year.

Even without Zhang Xingjiu, Wu Lien-teh would have been nominated, but unfortunately he did not win the award in the end. This time, Zhang Xingjiu intends to make up for this regret.

(End of this chapter)