I Became a Plague Doctor in a Romance Fantasy

130. Autumn Academic Conference (2)

****

We also need to talk about euthanasia, huh? Gotta mention that part.

“To be honest, when I first arrived at Vinia Castle, I argued for halting treatment on the most critically ill patients and administering painkillers instead. After all, if their limbs were turning black, the chances of survival were slim.”

I still remember it clearly.

Out of all the patients whose limbs turned black, only one survived—by having the infected arm amputated. The rest didn’t make it.

“There were many patients who wouldn’t last more than a day. This plan ultimately failed because the temple insisted on waiting just one more day—but most of those patients passed away the next morning.”

Looking back now, calling that ‘euthanasia’ might’ve been an exaggeration. Administering painkillers to someone dying is kind of a no-brainer, isn’t it?

“I’m not hiding anything here. There were darker aspects to solving this plague, and it wasn’t as simple as just making the problem go away.”

Meaning sacrifices were made.

“And this fact also reveals another characteristic of the Black Death. While it’s terrifying, its high mortality rate actually hinders its spread.”

In reality, the number of infected people in Vinia Castle was lower than expected, and the disease didn’t spread exponentially like we feared.

“Humans infected with the Black Death die too quickly for the disease to spread widely before they succumb. Without fleas as intermediaries, the disease struggles to spread between humans.”

****

“In short, fleas primarily transmit the Black Death, and rats are the main carriers of these fleas.”

The reason rats spread the Black Death is complicated, but let me simplify: fleas can’t travel far.

“Infected rats survive relatively longer, carrying fleas that directly transmit the Black Death to humans. That’s the primary transmission process.”

The symposium was silent.

“So, when the Black Death broke out in Vinia Castle, our first priority was finding ways to exterminate the city’s rat population.”

“When Vinia’s magicians managed to kill all the rats, the epidemic subsided shortly after. It was clear that without rats, the disease couldn’t spread.”

I glanced around the auditorium.

This time, Professor Croftler raised his hand.

“Was that truly all there was to it?”

“Yes.”

“You’ll see how different things are compared to the era when the Black Death wiped out half the empire. Back then, streets were piled with filth, creating perfect conditions for rats to thrive.”

Well, maybe so many people dying from the Black Death helped clean up the mess eventually. Either way, he’s right—the key lies in human living environments.

“The direct solution was indeed exterminating the rats, but controlling diseases goes beyond that. Improving living conditions and infrastructure remains the most effective method for controlling epidemics and promoting public health.”

There’s one more thing I need to address—the societal impact of the disease.

“One final note. Officials in Vinia marked houses of Black Death patients to distribute bread and water. Unfortunately, mobs burned down every house with those marks.”

The Dean of the Academy and Professor Fisher looked at me, seemingly asking for a solution.

“What do you suggest we do about that?”

How should I know?

“I don’t have an answer either. But it’s something worth considering. We can’t ignore the social upheaval that accompanies an epidemic.”

Burning the homes of infected individuals may seem helpful on the surface, but everyone is susceptible to infection.

“Things must’ve been worse a hundred years ago.”

“Did the outbreak threaten the very fabric of society itself? More importantly, plagues arise from accumulated societal entropy and poor living conditions—and they exacerbate both.”

With that, my presentation on the Black Death concluded.

The audience erupted into enthusiastic applause.

“Are there any more questions? Let’s take some before moving on to the next topic.”

****

Violet remained seated, deep in thought.

If Professor Asterix is correct, simply killing all the rats stopped the Black Death. Sure, it could be true, but it lacks credibility.

Solutions aren’t usually that simple.

Even if they were, surely there’s something being hidden—a miraculous cure or another approach.

Many thoughts raced through her mind.

****

I scanned the room again for anyone else wanting to ask a question. Violet stood up this time.

“Yes, Miss Violet.”

“So, professor, I heard you developed a new drug that kills bacteria. Was it used on the Black Death patients in Vinia Castle?”

I shook my head.

“No.”

“Why not?”

As I’ve explained to others before, the Black Death is caused by gram-negative bacteria, and penicillin primarily targets gram-positive bacteria. That’s the main reason.

“It’s also because production levels weren’t high enough yet, and the type of bacteria causing the Black Death differs from those infecting common wounds. Different goals mean uncertain results.”

“Then wouldn’t your new drug have been able to treat them? It was just a matter of insufficient supply?”

It’s the same conversation I had in Vinia Castle.

That wasn’t the situation, though. Violet didn’t seem convinced.

Everyone seems to think along the same lines.

“No, I already said it—penicillin might not even work against the Black Death. What’s important is improving living conditions through public health policies, which are effective against not just the Black Death but many other diseases…”

My voice trailed off due to the atmosphere, and the audience began murmuring, ignoring my words.

Same old chaos.

This is why it’s called a symposium, right?

“Does your newly developed drug kill bacteria, or does it merely reduce fever?”

“Could you be withholding information about the drug’s use to coincide with its release? For the sake of science, please tell us the truth.”

“We’ve also heard reports from Vinia Castle stating the government invested in developing this new drug. Is there a connection?”

“Professor Asterix, if the drug theoretically has a good chance of working, why deny it without trying? Or are you withholding information for commercial purposes?”

Sigh. People only hear what they want to hear.

These folks. With the speed they speak, they’d be raking in money as rappers instead of doctors.

What a waste of talent fixing people instead of pursuing music. Medically speaking, I don’t know, but musically, it’s a huge loss.

****

Scientists remain children until the day they die.

Isn’t that true? They toss aside boring stuff like public health policies and demand shiny new drugs. That’s what happened in Vinia…

And it’s happening now.

I quietly sighed, unheard by the bustling symposium.

The original social message I intended to convey during the Black Death presentation was instantly forgotten amidst the circus-like atmosphere.

All that remained was the debate over the shiny new toy.

“So, wasn’t the successful control of the Black Death in Vinia Castle thanks to the new drug?”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“Do you have proof it doesn’t work?”

I sighed again.

“How can I prove a negative? Logically, such propositions aren’t provable.”

I tried my best to explain, but it wasn’t enough to change the mood of the symposium. I helplessly scratched my head.

“Professor Asterix, isn’t your next presentation also about the new drug?”

Yes, it is, but…

“It’s unrelated to the Black Death.”

“How can you say it’s unrelated… Didn’t you mention the new willow-based drug helps reduce fevers? Don’t various infections cause fevers?”

This is why Teacher Violet is scary.

She acts like a fool most of the time, but she’s surprisingly sharp. I sighed once more.

“There are many diseases that cause fevers.”

The situation grew increasingly chaotic.

“What are the components of the new drug?”

They’re not really listening to me. I looked at Teacher Benedict who asked the question.

“At the last symposium, I distributed samples of blue mold to research institutions across the empire. Your institution likely received some.”

“Oh, that’s what it was.”

Teacher Benedict sat back down.

****

The first presentation has concluded.

You could call it a roaring success, but I’m somewhat worried since the conclusion reached seems opposite to what I originally intended.

Somehow, the consensus became “just bring us the new drug.” The fact that I’d already shared samples of the mysterious drug seemed forgotten.

Well… there’s nothing I can do about that.

You can’t control how people interpret things in their own minds.

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