I Became a Plague Doctor in a Romance Fantasy Novel

Episode 59. These Days’ College Students

Episode 59. These Days’ College Students

What Violet said might be true.

Will the academic world flip again this time?

Until now, in the academic world of this world, many physiological processes, including immune responses, have been understood as continuous and abstract phenomena.

Four cardinal directions, four fundamental elements, and four types of humors. The theory of humors, which attempted to explain illnesses through the interactions between these, is a prime example.

But reality isn’t like that. The human body is made of cells stacked like bricks, and the mechanisms inside cells are governed by chemistry.

The agents of disease aren’t miasmas but tiny particles, and what fights diseases within the body are soldiers smaller than the cross-section of a hair.

There are definitely things in this world that are emergent and continuous, things that can’t be explained by the sum of their reductionist components. That’s true in the previous world and also in this world.

However. Even if there are anomalies or exceptions, even if they’re so strong that they overwrite the fundamental rules of the universe and make them meaningless.

That fact doesn’t mean there’s an absence of fundamental rules. That’s how I understood it, at least.

But, if we keep spending class time discussing new theories… when will we make progress?

I guess we’ll have to just assess with some essays or descriptive tests and move on. That way I won’t have to worry about creating test questions, right?

I can just get Istina to grade them.

The important thing is this. Thoughts spoken aloud can’t be taken back, and judging by the situation, it’s highly likely to spread like wildfire in academia.

To lead the direction of academic research, to avoid being caught up to by the people who heard me.

I have to keep publishing research, of course, and also give them so many research topics and things to worry about that they can’t catch up.

Even Professor Klaus is spending time finding different kinds of bacteria and stains right now.

Anyway.

The class ended successfully again today.

Of course, since doctors are inherently combative and distrusting types, instead of a standing ovation, sharp questions were fired at me. But that’s just proof that my research is that innovative.

It was a shame. If a master pianist finished a performance, everyone would give a standing ovation.

After finishing a medical class that will change the history of this world, everyone peppers me with rebuttals and questions like I’m their parents’ enemy. If that wasn’t happening, it wouldn’t be a class that would change the world.

“But professor…”

“Yeah?”

“Professor. You said blood isn’t made in the liver, right? So where does it come from? It’s not just some liquid, it’s… something with living cells floating around.”

Good question.

I think I explained it before? Can’t quite remember. Even if we did discuss it before, I don’t think we got anywhere concrete.

“It’s made in bone. Remember how I told you to get a femur last time? I asked for that so we could observe the bone marrow.”

“Bone marrow, then. So, did you succeed?”

I shook my head. The condemned had been dead for about a day, it seemed, and the bone marrow cells had already deteriorated beyond recognition.

We need fresh bone marrow, and that’s no easy task. Should we just wait at the execution site and harvest it the moment they die? That raises all sorts of legal and ethical issues, I think.

It’s not impossible to extract it from a living person, but it’s incredibly painful and carries significant risks of infection and other serious complications. Not something you’d do just for a simple research purpose.

Well, maybe a solution will come to mind.

“What I’m thinking is, if we observe fresh bone marrow under a microscope, we can directly see the hematopoietic cells that make blood. Maybe?”

I’ve never actually observed bone marrow cells myself, so I don’t know for sure. But theoretically, that’s it.

Would bone marrow cells need staining to be visible?

“Professor, can I go home for a bit?”

“Huh? Sure.”

Istina seemed relieved as she left the lab. What’s going on, home—actually, thinking about it, people are supposed to go home regularly.

Looks like I’ll have to handle things myself for a day.

There are a few loose ends to tie up.

I need to finish the scurvy paper. Speaking of the scurvy paper, there’s someone who comes to mind.

“Hello, Professor.”

Hedwig stood on one side of the lab.

Hedwig had been walking around the ward these last few days, working on research with Istina, and even came along on an outpatient visit once.

Like an inconspicuous shadow. I don’t know if they were really working hard. I wonder if they’re learning a lot?

They’re not trying to steal the research, are they?

“I’m sorry for the damage caused by the misdiagnosis of the Black Death at Imentia.”

“It’s alright. I don’t think it was your fault. Accurate diagnosis always takes time, equipment, and the opinions of multiple experts.”

Hedwig nodded.

“Anyway. I learned a lot while I was at the Academy hospital these past few days. I even listened to your lecture from before, Professor. How did you come up with the idea to create 300 times the gravity?”

“It’s a method I’ve used before.”

“I came here to learn from you, but, uh. I don’t think I could ever be like you, no matter how much I study! I would like you to help me for the time being.”

“You’re too kind.”

Hedwig seemed quite shocked by something they said back in Imentia. Or maybe they were shocked because they were wrong?

I awkwardly scratched my head.

Hedwig sat down on the lab couch.

“When I go back to the Imperial Military Hospital this time, I think there will be a lot to teach my colleagues. First, I need to make sure I clearly explain your research. If I look at the academy from a new perspective, I might be able to discover something new.”

“Right.”

“But, Professor, are you not interested in mentoring future generations? I’m sure you’re disappointed that you only have one graduate student.”

True. I shifted in my seat.

“Do you have any countermeasures?”

“Uh, I can use my connections to find someone who wants to join your lab, Professor.”

“Nice?”

I got up from my seat.

“Really?”

“Uh, yeah…?”

“I’d be so grateful if you could look into it, even a little bit. Honestly, we’re having trouble finding grad students these days, it’s a real problem.”

“Yeah, you know, these days, young college students don’t want to do anything hard, but then they don’t like being looked down on for not having a long education, either.”

Where did *that* old-fart talk come from?

Hedwig Yang. To look at her, it seems like she’s got at least twenty years to go before she can start talking like that. Is she older than she looks, or is her personality just weird?

I thought to myself. How old is Professor Hedwig? I’d been thinking she was around Istina’s age. Or was I wrong?

“Uh, yeah, right.”

I decided to just go along with it for now.

The ward. It’s time for the drug addict patient, Father Tyriel, who was admitted a few days ago, to be discharged.

“Mr. Tyriel. Do you know why I restrained you and administered all of the naloxone?”

Tyriel nodded.

“Thank you so much for saving me.”

“It hurts, you know. Waking up after a full dose of naloxone, I hear it’s really painful for opiate addicts. But I still did it.”

There are two main reasons.

“Yes.”

“Two reasons. First, to maximize your chances of survival. The opiates were interfering with your breathing.”

“I’m aware.”

“Secondly. And this is me being completely frank, I had no intention of letting you wake up peacefully, without pain. Administering the full dose of naloxone is painful, yes, but.”

Punitive medication is forbidden. But.

To explain in detail. In the case of someone who habitually uses opioids, the parasympathetic nervous system can be compensatorily depressed.

The calming effect of opioids lowers the neurological function that calms the body.

When the effects of opioids suddenly wear off in someone whose parasympathetic nervous system is this damaged, the sympathetic nervous system can become over-stimulated in response to pain.

Meaning, they can become aggressive in an over-stimulated state upon waking. In the US, where there are many drug addicts, it’s not uncommon to restrain a patient and administer naloxone.

As tolerance to opioids builds, that pain will eventually become their normal. Although, they’re much more likely to die from opioid addiction before that.

“I know it well in my head too. That it’s wrong, that it’s a loan against life.”

Tyriel bowed his head sharply, but I shook mine. That’s not the issue.

“Opioid use isn’t a loan against life. It’s a loan against the absence of pain. As tolerance to the drug builds, the pain you felt when you woke up a few days ago will become your normal.”

“Is that so… That’s awful.”

My thoughts drifted, but.

“In accordance with the Healer’s Code of Conduct, I will not inform the Temple of your offense. Please come to the hospital for check-ups every four months from now on.”

“Thank you.”

The patient bowed again.

“Congratulations on your discharge, Mr. Tyriel. Take your medications well. And you understand that if you take opioids after taking the medication I gave you, you will die, correct?”

“Uh, yes. Thank you.”

I think I’ve scared him enough.

That’s truly everything I can do. The patient, again in his clerical robes, shouldered his bag and left the hospital.

People say you can’t fix a person, but fixing people is my entire job.

Well… I still hope it turns out alright.