Journey to the West: The Mysterious Doctor - Starting with a Heart Transplant for Princess Sizi

Contagious? When?

Recalling the earlier incident of cutting open the cyst, accompanied by a foul stench, worms flowed out of the opening, and then Du Zhong went outside to vomit, and not long after, Madam Shen exclaimed in surprise.

If I'm not mistaken, Eucommia ulmoides already had symptoms back then, though certainly not as severe as they are now.

After he finished treating Xiao Qing's cyst, he came out looking like this.

Judging from its appearance, it's clear that the infection occurred while the worms were still active, probably when the worms were flowing out of the cyst.

We know roughly when the infection occurred, but what about the transmission route?

The transmission of germs is limited to a few routes: air, contact, bodily fluids, digestive tract, and mosquito bites. The rest are just various combinations and minor branches.

Based on the situation just now, the most likely possibilities are air or contact.

If contact,

"Did you get those bugs on you before?" Zhang Zhao asked.

The swelling in the Eucommia ulmoides plant was clearly not limited to the skin, but also affected the internal organs. Aba Aba was speechless and could only shake his head in the end.

If it's not transmitted through contact, then it can only be through the air.

If it's airborne transmission, why does Eucommia ulmoides have symptoms while he doesn't? Are there any other conditions?

From infection to the onset of symptoms, less than ten minutes elapsed. Such rapid onset often indicates that the disease will progress very quickly as well.

Diseases that progress rapidly are often difficult to cure and can even lead to rapid death.

But this raises another question: why did Xiao Qing's infection symptoms only involve a cyst, while Du Zhong's reaction was so strong?

How would he know that?

His current medical skills were acquired by exchanging them with the "Primordial Medical Classic" after he had managed to save a few people with his limited medical knowledge from his previous life.

If I hadn't learned a little about fear of death in my past life, I wouldn't even have the ability to change it now.

Nowadays, he can treat colds, fevers, and sprains and bruises with ease, but infectious diseases, which are now called "plagues," are really beyond his capabilities.

Wait a minute? The Primordial Medical Classic?

He believed he had cured Xiao Qing's illness, and that all that was needed was to apply a disinfectant and tissue-regenerating ointment for a full recovery.

Since that's the case, the Primordial Medical Encyclopedia should have already included it. In other words, if it can offer more rewards, it might even be helpful for treating Eucommia ulmoides' symptoms.

Only he can see the Primordial Medical Classic, but if he is seen making strange or inexplicable movements, he might be mistaken for a lunatic, which would be bad for a doctor. It's better to avoid people seeing him.

"Xiao Du, go to the backyard and stay there for now." Zhang Zhao waved him away, "I'll treat you after I see Xiao Qing and his wife off."

Since it is an infectious disease, isolation and treatment are the best course of action.

The clinic is always busy with patients, making it too risky. Since we don't know anything about the transmission routes or the pathogenesis of this disease, we can only try to contain it all at once and eliminate all possibilities as much as possible.

Fortunately, in addition to the front clinic, Xuanhetang also has two courtyards in the back, which are sufficient for isolation purposes.

Zhang Zhao led Du Zhong to the backyard, chose an east wing room for him to stay in, and instructed him: "Shout if anything happens, I can hear you from the front, but remember, never leave the room."

Eucommia ulmoides is full of worms. If it is critically ill or bumped or injured, a few worms may be released, which increases the risk of infection.

He pulled out something that looked like an ice cream stick from his pocket and handed it to Du Zhong: "If you feel short of breath, put this tongue depressor in your throat and use it to press your tongue down to keep breathing."

A tongue depressor is used to press down on the base of the tongue and to examine the throat and tonsils.

If the base of the tongue swells, it can obstruct the airway and cause suffocation. A tongue depressor can be used to relieve the swelling.

If the swelling and proliferation of throat tissue is compressing the trachea, there's nothing that can be done unless a tracheotomy is performed.

The problem is, Zhang Zhao doesn't know how, and even if he did, he doesn't have the necessary tools.

After all, a tracheotomy is not just a simple incision; a ventilation tube must also be placed over the wound to prevent the trachea and neck tissues from closing and to prevent blood and tissue fluid from flowing into the trachea.

If it were the latter, Zhang Zhao could only wish him a safe journey and at most prescribe some poison to make Du Zhong's death easier.

After arranging for Du Zhong, Zhang Zhao walked towards the front courtyard.

Halfway there, seeing nothing in front or behind, he opened the "Primordial Medical Encyclopedia." Sure enough, Xiao Qing's medical records were displayed on it.

Xiao Qing, male, 25 years old.

"The first time I sought medical help, I presented with a soft, painless lump on my back, and a deep pulse. I used acupuncture to drain the pus, and the lump disappeared on its own."

"The physician heard the whispers, and that very night he was devoured by insects and died suddenly."

Huh? Zhang Zhao was shocked. So this was the cause of his predecessor's death. Just as he had guessed, it was because he contracted an infection while treating Xiao Qing.

As for insect infestation, he thought about the symptoms of Eucommia ulmoides now. If it continued to develop, would it become "insect infestation"?

Three days later, the patient sought medical attention for the second time. The swelling had recurred, and a hard, painful mass, the size of a chicken egg, was found on the back. When the mass was cut open to drain, white worms emerged from the opening, accompanied by a foul odor.

"Empty the worms, clean the abscess with white wine and gauze, and apply Wu Miao Shui Xian Ointment to remove necrotic tissue, promote tissue regeneration, astringe and kill bacteria, which can cure this disease."

As expected, Xiao Qing's illness could be cured simply by adding the ointment.

However, he hadn't expected that he would need to use the Five Wonders Narcissus Cream.

It goes without saying that daffodils are poisonous. The "Five Wonders" in their name are simply the five poisons of folklore.

The six poisonous substances are combined in a harmonious way, eliminating toxicity and increasing medicinal properties. They can remove dead tissue, kill three types of insects, and detoxify deadly poisons.

However, it can only be used externally; if even a little bit is ingested, one will not live past dawn.

In addition, its formulation is rigorous and its preparation is complicated, so most clinics and pharmacies only keep a small amount on hand for emergencies, and even then, only a small amount.

Zhang Zhao was overjoyed.

The procedure involved incision and drainage of pus, the use of uncommon ointments, and the added risk of infection. This disease was far more difficult to treat than before.

Over the past few days, he has come to a conclusion: the more difficult and complex the treatment, the more generous the reward will be once the treatment is completed and the information is entered into the medical encyclopedia.

He was already anticipating what reward he would receive. Would it be a direct initiation that would transform him into a renowned physician like Sun Simiao?

not at all.

The handwriting is still emerging. "Diagnosis:..."

A diagnosis? Didn't we already record his diagnosis? Not only was the diagnosis recorded, but the treatment process was also recorded. Why is there a "diagnosis" now?

Diagnosis: Strange disease - insect plague.

"Danger level: Level 0, not directly lethal, can be directly contacted in any way."

"Infectivity: Level 0. The infectivity of this strange disease gradually decreases over time and is only infectious to those who come into direct contact with it."

Cause: Element activation caused by strange atmospheric pollution

Treatment method: Remove air pollution and eliminate activating elements.

"Risk: There is a chance that elements in the body of those who come into direct contact with the virus may be activated, and this activation is irreversible."

Zhang Zhao felt a sense of disillusionment, as if his worldview had collapsed: "Do you want to see what you wrote?"

This world is too dangerous. Is it too late for him to change careers?