Chapter 53 The Duties of a Physician
Given Li San Niang's modern education, gender and race would naturally not be a shackle between her and her patients.
In the eyes of a true healer, prejudice based on age, gender, ethnicity, race, or even the patient's religion, political views, nationality, sexual orientation, social status, or any other factor should not exist between their duty and the patient.
When she first entered the medical field, she made a vow based on her integrity and sincerity.
This pursuit of medical responsibility will not change, even across time and space.
On the other hand, Li San Niang also understood the choice of Li's father and mother, and even most of the doctors in Chang'an who "refused to save lives".
Limited by the times and cultural constraints, and indeed unable to resist the current environment, it is understandable that they would try to protect themselves.
In fact, if the story of Li San Niang treating such prostitutes, especially the Hu women, were to spread, she would likely be criticized, insulted, and even slandered as a female doctor, implying she was also despicable. It would also bring trouble to the entire Li family, not to mention that she had Lu Zhu'er to raise.
Public opinion can melt metal and accumulated slander can destroy bones; killing people has never required swords.
So, Li Sanniang stood up and said to Tuva and Diliber, "Since you've come to me for help, and we've known each other for a while, I'll naturally help if I can. But right now, I haven't even entered the threshold of the Chang'an Medical Alliance, and I'm just a woman without any official position. I'm still weak and powerless, so I can only secretly help you diagnose and prescribe medicine behind your back."
Dilibai knelt down again with a "plop," saying, "It is already a great favor to have Third Sister's help behind the scenes. This servant will naturally keep the kindness in my heart."
Tuva was simple-minded; he punched her in the left chest again with a "bang!" and said, "I will remember the great kindness of Third Sister!"
The diagnosis process was simple. Tuva was sent out, and Li Sanniang carefully inquired about Diliber's symptoms, focusing on her urination and discomfort in that area. Finally, Diliber endured the shame and took off her pants to show Li Sanniang.
Fever, lower abdominal pain, discomfort, nausea, vomiting, red bloodstains on her pants, and purulent discharge—considering Diliber's profession, even without modern diagnostic technology, it was probably just one of those few illnesses.
Finally, Li San Niang prescribed medicine, with different methods for internal and external application, but the most important thing was to ensure that Dilibier got plenty of rest.
Li San Niang didn't take all the Tuva gems and silver; she took a rather large piece, enough to buy medicine for ten days.
"I'll get you ten days' worth of medicine. You can rest in the front house tonight. Take the rest back and brew it yourself. The most important thing for Dili right now is to rest. If possible, take this gem and exchange it for silver to get her out of the brothel for ten days or half a month. It will be better for her to take her medicine and rest properly."
Li San Niang took out the key and opened the two rooms in the front yard that were usually reserved for patients and their families who lived far away. She then went to get the medicine, went into the kitchen to get a small medicine stove to brew it, delivered it to Di Li, and gave her some more instructions on how to clean and use the medicine before leaving.
After Li San Niang settled the two Hu people who had come for medical treatment, she went to the kitchen to fetch a bucket of hot water to wash up. Li Da Xiong and Li Da Sao were still waiting for her to return, sitting in front of the stove.
"Alright, you've done your work. Have your older brother carry a bucket of hot water back for you to wash up properly. Dewdrop is already asleep, so keep your voice down and don't wake her."
With a warm smile, Li San Niang and Li Da Xiong, who was carrying a bucket of hot water, went one after the other into their own courtyard.
On the way, Brother Li asked, "Have you thought it through?"
"Well, elder brother, I can't live with myself if I don't do it. But I know my own situation. Just tell them to come secretly. If I have the ability in the future, I will be open about it. For now, it's better to do it this way."
By the time Li San Niang had washed up, soaked her feet, and gotten into bed, it was already past midnight.
As the city of Chang'an grew cooler, the night was so quiet that only the sound of the night watchman's clapper could be heard.
Dewdrop probably smelled Li San Niang's scent, and snuggled into Li San Niang's arms. Only when Li San Niang held her precious Dewdrop did she feel at ease.
The next day, Li San Niang woke up a little late, and the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was Lu Zhu'er's big face.
After spending some quality time with my precious baby, I carried her to the kitchen.
There's breakfast left for you two in the pot.
Before Li San Niang could reach for it, Li Da Sao whispered in her ear, "Tuva and Na Di Li Sha Er left early, leaving a gemstone in the house." As she spoke, Li Da Sao took out a multicolored gemstone to show Li San Niang.
"Since it was left by him, sister-in-law, please keep it. Consider it my medical fee and keep it for household expenses."
While having breakfast with Dewdrop, Li Sanniang thought to herself, "I still need to write up this medical record. This is the first patient I've treated since I traveled to the Tang Dynasty!"
Although I can't openly and honestly see and treat patients, it's still a recognition of my abilities as a doctor.
Very memorable!
After breakfast, I played Cuju with Luzhu and Xiaohuang for a while. Actually, it was just Li San Niang throwing the ball and letting Luzhu and Xiaohuang fetch it. Xiaohuang had become very healthy and strong in the past two months at Li's house. It was a good dog.
After entrusting Lu Zhu'er to Chen Qiu Niang, Li San Niang went to the front hall to report the events of the previous night to her father and second brother.
When Li's father heard Li San Niang's idea of creating individual medical records and files for each of her patients, he thought it was a great idea. Taking advantage of the fact that there weren't many patients, he excitedly discussed it with Li San Niang.
In the end, the unavoidable issue is that Li San Niang treated Hu Nu, who was a prostitute.
“I know I’ve taught you to be a healer since you were a child, to help others when you have the ability, and you’ve always done a good job. But if you want to join the alliance, even if you mainly treat women in the future, you’ll have contact with people who are considered untouchable by the public. How will you then heal the sick and save lives, and realize your ideals and ambitions? The mouths of moralists are never forgiving, but when have the mouths of women ever spared anyone?”
Hearing his father's words, Li Erxiong agreed in his heart, but still felt that his younger sister should not be scolded so harshly by her father. So he said, "Father's words make sense, but Father is not criticizing your benevolence as a doctor, which does not distinguish between high and low status. He just wants you to choose an easier path."
"Third Sister understands Father and Second Brother's good intentions. Right now, I am still a weak and unnamed female doctor, so it is necessary to keep a low profile. When I achieve success and fame, and even hold an official position, I will naturally be in charge. I already told Tuva and Dili that I secretly helped him with the treatment. Please rest assured, Father and Second Brother, Third Sister knows what she is doing and will never put herself or her family in danger."
Seeing patients arrive, Li San Niang took the opportunity to help Li's father write down the medical records. If this became a habit, little by little, it could help to verify some medical principles and prescriptions, and provide a better and more detailed perspective on the patients' illnesses. After all, neighbors usually go to doctors they know, and it's always the same people coming and going. Establishing medical records is a very effective method.
Thinking about this, Li San Niang felt that Li's mother's midwifery business could also be developed into this, which would definitely benefit the young woman herself.
Just as she finished seeing a patient, a well-dressed man entered the room. He wasn't there for a medical consultation, but after bowing and explaining his purpose, she learned that he was a servant of Minister Gao of the Ministry of Revenue, the same plump woman from the family that Li San Niang had saved from being falsely accused of pushing the daughter of the Duke of Liang into the water.
The servant came to deliver the invitation. He had heard that Li San Niang had passed one stage of the assessment for joining the Chang'an Medical Alliance, so he hurried over. If the Li family is available, he will visit them the day after tomorrow.
It was said before that the Gao family servants were good at talking, and this man was no exception. He praised Li San Niang from head to toe, saying that Li San Niang was the kindest and most responsible woman in Chang'an.
Li San Niang herself felt incredibly awkward listening to this, while Li's father and second brother listened with great interest.
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