A doctor who travels through two eras

The next day, early in the morning.

Director Zhu of the Health Bureau, President Tu and Vice President Ye of Union Hospital, with their hands behind their backs, walked in and out of several temporary tents set up at the Chinese Medicine Hospital, observing the patients sitting or lying inside.

Unlike yesterday when they looked gloomy and groaned in pain, almost all the patients in the tent today had shown obvious improvement.

They were either sitting there chatting with each other, or lying on the makeshift beds and sleeping soundly, and quite a few of them were even jumping around.

If Dean Tu and Vice Dean Ye had not seen with their own eyes how sick they looked when they were admitted to the hospital yesterday, it would have been hard to tell that they had suffered a serious illness.

Dean Tu couldn't help it, and asked Dean Shen who was looking up at him:
"Old Shen, were these people admitted to the hospital yesterday? Did you create a group of fake patients to fool us?"

Director Zhu smiled but said nothing, because he and the staff from the health department had been helping on the scene and were certain that the patients had not been switched at night.

Dean Shen no longer looked mad as before. He returned to his harmless and smiling face:
"Ah, old butcher, I see what you are talking about. I am willing to act, but those patients are not willing to cooperate with me. You said that it is possible for me to find 70 or 80 extras, but can these thousands of patients cooperate with me in acting?"

Vice President Ye also asked with a heavy face:

"Old Shen, how many patients did you see yesterday? What percentage of patients have recovered from fever so far? What's the mortality rate?"

People who specialize in Western medicine believe in clinical data and don’t like to make rough estimates.

Dean Shen wanted to let Lin Sanqi take the spotlight, so he looked around:
"Is Comrade Lin Sanqi here? Come, as the deputy leader of the frontline command, answer Dean Ye's question. Oh, by the way, I want to emphasize that I am the leader of this frontline command.

In addition, key doctors from various departments of our hospital served as members of a temporary working group, using the best medicinal materials and sparing no effort to treat patients, which reflects the importance our Chinese medicine hospital attaches to the epidemic. "

Dean Zhu nodded repeatedly when he heard this:
"The Chinese medicine hospital's approach is correct, and it also shows the importance and foresight of the Chinese medicine hospital in fighting the epidemic and defending the capital. It is worthy of learning for all our hospitals."

Lin Sanqi thought, when did our hospital set up this so-called front-line anti-epidemic command center?
Knowing that this was Dean Shen bragging in front of his colleagues again, Lin Sanqi did not expose it and replied with a smile:
"Yesterday, we received a total of 2080 patients, including 820 adults and 1260 children. After a day and a night of treatment, 1600 people have normal body temperatures and the death rate is currently zero.

Among the 480 other patients with fever, none of them are in danger of life, and most of them have seen significant improvement in their body temperatures.

Therefore, in order to speed up the patient turnover rate and allow more patients to receive treatment, our hospital has decided to allow all patients with normal body temperature or no higher than 38°C to go home after taking their medicines, leaving beds free for us to continue to see the next batch of patients. "

When Lin Sanqi reported this data, everyone present gasped.

Laymen may think that this data is just so-so, as there are still hundreds of people suffering from fever. Only experts know how exaggerated this data is.

For an epidemic dominated by fever, you were able to allow most patients to recover from fever and return home within a day. This is definitely a medical miracle.

If it had happened in previous years, who knows how many people would have died from the plague.

A similar plague broke out in Peking in 1940, killing more than 3 people. In the eyes of doctors, this was a normal plague. How could a plague not kill people?
When Dean Tu heard this data, his heartbeat quickened a bit, and he questioned:

"Comrade Lin Sanqi, I don't know what medicine you used, but I believe you can reduce the fever of most patients within a day. But diseases have their own patterns and are prone to recurrence. Are you so sure that these patients won't have a fever again in the future?"

Lin Sanqi has some understanding of the infectious disease influenza A.

Influenza A is extremely sensitive to drugs

Or the antiviral drugs such as Mabaloxavir and Oseltamivir have no effect at all, so it is useless to take them, and the high fever persists, and finally you have to wait for yourself to recover.

Either it works immediately after taking it, and the effect is immediate, and the fever will not recur.

That was why Lin Sanqi was so confident in letting the patients whose fever had subsided go home, because he was confident that the patients' condition would not relapse. As for their weak constitution, they needed to be recuperated with food, and it had nothing to do with the hospital's business.

In theory, these patients can be better managed together to prevent them from returning home and spreading the virus.

Unfortunately, 1960 is not 2023. The country of this era does not have the financial resources and ability to build temporary hospitals. Let alone medicine, just providing food for tens of millions of people is a huge problem.

Of course, Lin Sanqi also took precautions and gave each patient who returned home a few packets of antipyretic powder.

Dean Tu suddenly put his arm around Dean Shen's shoulders:

"Old Shen, come on, tell me what medicine you used? Your Chinese medicine treatment was not very effective before, how come it suddenly worked overnight? I'm very curious."

Dean Shen asked back proudly, "How about this? Now you admit that your Western medicine is not as good as our Chinese medicine, right?"

Lin Sanqi thought: Boss, stop bragging, we actually use Western medicine...

Dean Tu was also single and did not make any excuses:

"Medicine is one and two. If it works, it works. I don't deny that. I just wonder what magic weapon you Chinese medicine practitioners have found? Or what Chinese herbal medicine has a miraculous effect on this plague?"

Dean Shen coughed lightly:
"Even if you want to know, I can't tell you. This is the exclusive secret recipe passed down from the Lin family. The Lin family's willingness to help us in time is already the greatest help to our work. We can't ask for too much, right?"

Now everyone in the entire Chinese medicine hospital knows that the basic ingredient of the decoction given to patients is a simple honeysuckle.

As for what secret recipe the Lin family used, no one knows. After all, the Lin family added the secret medicine behind closed doors.

Many doctors are secretly researching what the secret recipe consists of. However, after much research, they still can't even tell what the ingredients are, let alone taste a single medicinal ingredient.

Vice President Ye felt a little sorry after hearing this:

"Oh, this is a great treasure. This secret recipe is not only effective, but can also be used in large quantities. It is simply the best choice to fight the plague."

At this time, Ping Shuilong from the Health Bureau suddenly interrupted:

"Since it is so important to the plague, this secret recipe should be handed over. The next time there is a similar epidemic, it can be promoted nationwide. This way, many lives can be saved."

As soon as these words were spoken, they resonated with many people. Obviously, most people agreed with this statement, including the medical staff of Union Hospital.

But the people at the Chinese medicine hospital had different expressions.

Traditional Chinese medicine is different from Western medicine. There is no such thing as secret recipe in Western medicine. At most, there is the term "miracle medicine".

Moreover, the ingredients of Western medicine need to be disclosed. If it were not protected by patent law, it would be very simple to copy a Western medicine. Just look at what the Indians have done.

However, there is such a thing as "secret recipes handed down from generation to generation" in Traditional Chinese Medicine. You can say that Traditional Chinese Medicine is narrow-minded and not philanthropic enough, but the rule within the industry is that secret recipes handed down from generation to generation must not be leaked or made public.

Everyone's eyes turned to the only member of the Lin family present, Lin Sanqi.

Lin Sanqi was ready to play dead and pretend that he didn't hear anything.

Nonsense, his so-called secret recipe is not Chinese medicine at all, but black technology from later generations.

The birth of a drug involves multiple disciplines including chemistry, pharmacy, pharmacognosy, drug analysis, microbiology and biotechnology, pharmacology, clinical pharmacy, etc.

With the domestic science and technology and drug extraction technology in 1960, it was impossible to produce mabaloxavir and oseltamivir.

The production of Western medicine is still a link in the industrial chain, and it requires the cooperation of multiple factories to produce it. The level of complexity involved is simply beyond the imagination of a primitive man.

Otherwise, why did Shanghai Pharmaceutical Factory No. 3 import penicillin raw materials from abroad? Because they couldn't even produce the raw materials.

When smart people see that Lin Sanqi doesn't say anything, they know that this is Lin Sanqi's rejection through silence.

But Ping Shuilong was obviously not satisfied with Lin Sanqi's attitude:

"Comrade Lin Sanqi, as a cadre, you accepted... that means serving the people wholeheartedly,... not... "

Lin Sanqi and Dean Shen looked at each other. Dean Shen shook his head slightly, actually signaling Lin Sanqi not to speak and continue pretending to be dead.

Lin Sanqi looked at Director Zhu again, and Director Zhu looked up at the sky, as if there was a UFO flying in the sky.

……

……

……

……

The matter was over, and Lin Sanqi was about to leave when he was stopped by Dean Tu and Vice Dean Ye.

Dean Tu asked with a smile:

"Comrade Lin Sanqi, there is a question I haven't had time to ask just now. What do you think about this epidemic? For example, how did the epidemic occur? What is the root cause? How can we effectively prevent it?"

When Lin Sanqi heard the question was a professional one, he became excited. He didn't understand Chinese medicine, but he did understand Western medicine.

"Dean Tu, according to my analysis, this epidemic should be classified as influenza, and it is ultimately caused by influenza virus infection."

"Virus?"

Dean Tu and Vice Dean Ye were overjoyed.

"You said it was caused by a virus? This is a Western medical concept. Shouldn't you explain it by saying something like yin and yang, the five elements, or warm, hot, or cold syndromes?"

The two deans were happy that Lin Sanqi used Western medical concepts to explain that he might be a Western medical spy lurking inside the Chinese medicine hospital, so they could make good use of him. In the field of the Chinese medicine hospital farm, Lin Sanqi, Dean Tu and Vice Dean Ye of Union Hospital, as well as Dean Shen and Vice Dean Ji of the Chinese medicine hospital sat together.

Without the interference of outsiders, the topics among insiders are purer.

Dean Shen and Vice Dean Ji were not there to accompany their colleagues from Union Medical College, but they saw their colleagues from Union Medical College stopped Lin Sanqi and stayed behind to support him.

The four deans did not mind the dirt and sat together on the stalks of the field, eating a handful of fried edamame that Lin Sanqi had found.

Lin Sanqi bit into the edamame and reminded:

"Think about it, in 1957, Asia experienced the Asian flu, which affected Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and Southeast Asian countries. The symptoms were the same as the current Changping epidemic, with high fever as the main symptom."

“Asian Flu?”

Dean Shen and Vice Dean Ji who came from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital were obviously confused. This was the first time they had heard of it.

Dean Tu and Vice Dean Ye obviously had foreign sources of information and were not completely ignorant. They said in surprise:
"In 1957... there seemed to be a global influenza outbreak. I heard that many people died..."

The Asian flu of 1957 was large in scale and highly contagious, killing at least 280 million people across Asia, and thus went down in history.

The fact that Lin Sanqi can find relevant information on the Internet shows how serious the case is.

Fortunately, because we had almost no personnel exchanges with other countries in 57, no serious harm was caused to our country, and we escaped a disaster.

"Our country is also an Asian country. In fact, the large-scale influenza in 57 also affected our country. For example, half of the population of Shanghai was infected. In addition, my hometown Huadu also had a serious influenza outbreak, so I knew about it."

These two regions are among the few windows for opening up to the outside world in the country, and they have the most dealings with foreigners and are the first to be affected.

Judging from the reactions of several hospital deans, it is clear that the country did not take the Asian flu of 57 seriously, and there has been no relevant literature to find, which shows how backward the medical care is.

Dean Tu then asked back:

"Comrade Xiaolin, how can you be sure that the epidemic in Changping was caused by influenza? It's not enough to judge based on symptoms alone."

Lin Sanqi took out a test paper from his pocket and explained softly:
"Deans, I trust you. What I said today must not be known to outsiders."

Several deans nodded repeatedly. People are curious after all.

"This is a flu test strip in my hand. The principle is that since both breathing and food pass through the mouth, there are all kinds of bacteria and viruses parasitizing in the mouth or nasopharynx, including the flu virus.

The throat swab specimen is made by using a medical cotton swab to take a small amount of secretions from the human throat, put it into this liquid, and then drip it onto the swab. After a while, if there are two bars on the display, it is positive for influenza, otherwise it is negative. "

"Is it that simple?" Dean Tu's eyes were full of disbelief.

"This is the simplest detection method. More complex methods include virus culture isolation, antigen detection and serological detection. However, based on the current laboratory conditions in our country, it is estimated that this cannot be carried out."

When it comes to medical instruments and laboratory equipment, both Dean Tu and Vice Dean Ye look embarrassed.

Dean Tu held the test tube and said doubtfully:
"Comrade Lin Sanqi, Dean Ye and I can assure you with our personal integrity that we will never reveal the content of today's conversation. Can you tell us where you got this test tube, including the drugs you used this time?"

Lin Sanqi shrugged: "Dean Tu, don't you already have your own guess? Haha."

"Little slippery man!"

Dean Tu cursed with a smile. He had studied in the United States before and his ideas were not conservative. On the contrary, Dean Tu was in favor of exchanges with foreign countries.

Intellectuals only have academic issues in their minds and do not consider too many political factors.

Suddenly, Dean Tu lowered his voice and asked:

"Comrade Lin Sanqi, since you have a way to contact foreign countries and get this kind of wipes, do you have a way to get some scientific research equipment and experimental instruments?"

Vice President Ye also asked anxiously: "Or surgical instruments would be good. Imports have stopped now. They are in short supply."

Union Hospital is different from traditional Chinese medicine hospital.

When a Chinese doctor treats a patient, all he needs is a pulse pillow, and at most some small items such as acupuncture and cupping. Even the required medicinal herbs can be picked by himself in the mountains, and he basically doesn't need to ask anyone for help.

But Western medicine is different. The so-called Western medicine is just a popular name. Strictly speaking, it should be called "modern medicine."

Modern hospitals originated in Europe and the United States, developed and grew in Europe and the United States, and their main markets are also in European and American countries, including Japan, which broke away from Asia and joined Europe early on.

Therefore, whether it is medicines, surgical instruments, auxiliary inspection equipment, laboratory instruments, etc., almost all of them rely on imports from abroad.

As a result, as soon as our country was established, the United States immediately imposed a blockade, and we were doomed.

This is also the reason why people can be covered with the national flag after their death. It is like providing timely assistance, and it happens at the risk of one's own life.

Of course, the country did not treat him unfairly. It gave him gold and silver when doing business with him, and also sent bodyguards from China and the N Sea to protect him.

Otherwise, how could this wealthy man have guaranteed his personal safety and become a wealthy man despite being severely targeted by the colonial government? Where did he get the money and people?

Lin Sanqi actually wanted to become such a tycoon.

He can cooperate with domestic companies, not worry about any storms, make a lot of money, enjoy the luxurious life of capitalism, legally marry three wives, and have 13 children...

Seeing that the two presidents of Union Medical College were so eager to get equipment and instruments, Lin Sanqi tried to test them:
"President Tu, Vice President Ye, can I ask how your Union Hospital is carrying out its work now? How do you solve the shortage of medicines and equipment?"

Dean Tu smiled bitterly and said:

“You may not believe it, but the instruments and equipment we have now are divided into two types. One part was left over from the Republic of China government, and the other part was donated by the Soviet Union. But no matter whether it is from Europe or the United States or the Soviet Union, they cannot be easily used now.

Therefore, we are unable to carry out clinical trials now, and even auxiliary examinations are difficult. One reason is that the machines are broken and there are no parts to replace them. Another reason is that there is a shortage of experimental consumables. The original ones have been used up long ago, and we cannot buy new ones.

For example, last year Shanghai claimed to have successfully trial-produced a 400 mAh large-scale X-ray machine, and equipped Zhongshan Hospital with one. But we at Union Hospital have been waiting for a long time, and now Shanghai has told us that it is still in production.

I guess they imported some parts and assembled them themselves, and then boasted about it. Now, they are at a loss when it comes to mass production. They only made one or two experimental models, which cannot solve the domestic X-ray shortage problem at all. "

Vice President Ye also complained:

"There is also the issue of medicines. What is most lacking in China now is actually antibacterial drugs, such as penicillin, oh yes, now called penicillin. In 53, the Shanghai Third Pharmaceutical Factory successfully trial-produced the first domestically produced penicillin, which ended the era of importing penicillin from abroad.

As a result, once it was localized, it was doomed.

It was in short supply before, but at least it was available. After localization, it was no longer available. I went to the Shanghai Third Pharmaceutical Factory in person, and guess what? It was a small workshop with more than a dozen people producing penicillin, and the annual output was only a few dozen kilograms. Who could use it?
and……"

Vice President Ye looked around and said in a low voice:

"And as far as I know, this strain was secretly brought back from the United States by a patriotic overseas student. It was not easy, so the production volume cannot be increased."

Lin Sanqi blinked a few times and thought that penicillin would be very easy to get in 2023. A bottle of injection with 160 million units could be bought for a few dimes.

In 1960, the price of penicillin per unit was still 5 or 10, which was very expensive.

As a profiteer who traveled between the two worlds, Lin Sanqi keenly discovered business opportunities.

He didn't dare to do it before because he was afraid of being caught, sliced ​​into pieces, or killed.

Now he is bolder and has someone to back him up.

Thinking of this, Lin Sanqi asked tentatively:
"President Tu, Vice President Ye, if I have a friend who can get penicillin and the experimental equipment you need, including surgical instruments, etc., would you like them?"

Dean Shen coughed lightly a few times beside him.

Dean Tu and Vice Dean Ye were a little stunned, their brains couldn't wrap around it, and then they were ecstatic:
"Yes, of course. We'll take as many as you can get. Both medicines and surgical instruments are strategic materials. The more the better!"

"Ahem, don't be too happy too soon. What are you going to exchange for it?"

Dean Shen rolled his eyes at them. He had seen that the two from Union Medical College were looking to get something for free. No matter what Lin Sanqi could get, he would take it all. Of course, there was a price to pay...

Dean Tu and Vice Dean Ye looked at each other and immediately realized the core of the problem.

If you want to get drugs and equipment from "foreign countries", what's the point of empty words? The problem is that now, not only does Union Hospital have no foreign exchange, but even the entire country has little foreign exchange.

(In 1960, the country's foreign exchange reserves were only US$0.4 million, and foreign trade was almost entirely based on barter)

Dean Tu rubbed his hands and said embarrassedly: "Our hospital still has some savings, we can pay..."

Dean Shen said disdainfully: "Is it RMB?"

"OK."

Lin Sanqi didn't care: "Dean Tu, you can actually exchange it with something else." (End of this chapter)