episode_0021

Episode 21. Plague Doctor Dispatch (4)

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I’ve mentioned Snow’s research all along, but I don’t think I’ve ever really explained what Jon Snow did specifically.

If I were to say it, it would be like this.

1854. John Snow marked the locations of cholera patients with dots on a map.

The map showed that patients drank water from a specific well, and that there was a source of fecal contamination near that well.

An example showing that epidemics are transmitted not through bad air but through specific contaminants, namely bacteria. In particular, it was proven that cholera is transmitted through water.

It was groundbreaking at the time.

British society did not immediately believe John Snow’s announcement, but the policy based on the paper was effective and was implemented.

Prohibit the consumption of unboiled water in epidemic areas and close problematic wells.

It was also a task that required considerable courage for Snow. The common sense of the time was that polluted air caused illness. However, Snow is said to have conducted epidemiological investigations by going through the smelly slums and visiting patients’ homes.

It was a research result that was literally achieved by risking one’s life. The research was not only a scientific feat, but also became the foundation of modern disease epidemiology.

Istina looked puzzled.

“… … .”

“I’m going to use this content as a thesis.”

“I see.”

“It doesn’t have to be that long. I’ll just write down the general idea that if you do something like this, the epidemic will be controlled. This seems to be the mechanism by which the epidemic spreads.”

Anyway, what’s important is the map.

Istina nodded.

“But we didn’t make the map. Is there a way to get a map showing the distribution of patients? Did the bureaucrats make it?”

I don’t know.

Maybe you can get it from the Lord of Lapis? If you need it for research, he’ll give it to you.

“Let’s wrap things up and head back to the academy. Other healers will be able to see these patients, so we need to do some research.”

“That’s right. The number of patients has decreased significantly compared to when I first came.”

Some died, some were discharged alive. The number of new patients has also decreased significantly. The situation seems to be stabilizing.

Lapis’ territory, three days since arrival.

The relief center ward gradually regained peace.

We went to see Baron Lapis again. Today, Baron Lapis was sitting in a place similar to an office instead of a conference room.

This is also evidence that things have improved.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

Creak. The office door opened.

“Greetings, Baron of Lapis.”

“Ah, healers. Hello.”

Laplania’s office was quite ornate.

It wasn’t a place with flashy decorations or expensive furniture, but it was a bit strange that three walls of the room were filled with books.

Istina and I bowed our heads in greeting.

“The plague seems to have taken hold. We should now return to the Academy.”

“Yes. Are there patients waiting at the Academy Hospital?”

Probably. I’ve been away for a few days, so I don’t know what’s going on there. What could have happened in just a few days?

“Yes.”

“I can’t express my gratitude enough. No matter how much I say, it won’t be enough. If it weren’t for you, Professor, what would have happened… I don’t even want to imagine.”

“It’s just something that has to be done.”

“It’s something that should be done.”

The Baron of Lapis hesitated for a moment.

“Why are you like that?”

“This may sound obvious, but I am a sort of regent. I sit here in place of my elderly father.”

It seems like there is a detailed story behind it.

“I see.”

“This happened right after my coronation… … . If this situation had not been dealt with, I don’t know what would have happened.”

The Baron of Lapis looked young for his position. When I heard he was a lord, I thought he was a grandfather or an uncle, but there was a young woman sitting there who still looked like a student.

The bureaucracy seems competent, so I’m sure it’ll run smoothly. That’s not something I should worry about.

I bowed my head again.

“If you don’t mind, would you mind taking a look at the documents or maps you created to help resolve this situation? I need them for research.”

The Baron of Lapis made a strange expression again. I don’t know what it means. Was it displeasure or curiosity?

“Take that, that kind of thing.”

“Yes.”

“Professor Asterix. I will give you as much as I can for this case, but more than that. I would like to work with you in the future. Do you think I can pay your price?”

What kind of soccer player am I? You’re taking me for a ransom. I shook my head. I went through all kinds of hardships to get into the academy.

I will remain at the Academy for the time being.

It is also the best environment for research.

“I will remain in the Academy for the time being. I think I need to be where my students and patients are the most.”

“Yes.”

Come to think of it, I didn’t really struggle that much to get into the academy. I just got annoyed a few times by Mint telling me not to go.

“Then. We will go now. I have summarized the methodology for the prevention and treatment of infectious dysentery on about three sheets of paper and sent it to Mr. Hedwig, so please refer to it if necessary.”

“Can you just leak that?”

“The hospital is not the original restaurant, so if there is a good way to save people, we should share it.”

anyway.

“Then… … . We will go now. If the plague breaks out again, please write to the Academy immediately, and we will do our best to help.”

“Yes. I hope to see you soon.”

“It’s better not to have anything to do, Baron.”

A doctor should see little in his or her lifetime.

This is especially true for plague doctors.

We left the office, leaving the Lord of Lapis behind. Can we ride the Wyvern Knight when we leave? Or should we take the carriage?

If it’s the latter, it might be a bit difficult.

****

Laplania, the Baron of Lapis, laughed inwardly. They were truly funny people.

Two healers flew in from the academy.

When I asked Hedwig for more details, she said that the professor had given a long speech about something like epidemic dysentery and waterborne diseases before even entering the skies over Lapis.

Before even knowing the situation in the city, he diagnosed the problem and suggested a solution just by hearing the two words, ‘heterogeneity.’

The conversation went something like this.

“What would I have done without Professor Asterix? He figured out the problem and came up with a solution within a day of arriving.”

“Not two days. Even before leaving the academy, I insisted that the epidemic dysentery was transmitted through water and that it had to be prevented.”

“Really?”

“Yes. We have to deal with dehydration, it comes from polluted water sources, we have to clean the wells, they kept saying things like that.”

After implementing it, I realized that it was a natural thing to do.

“At the time, I thought it was nonsense without even seeing the scene… …. Now that I think about it, there was no need for Professor Asterix to come. If only he had applied everything he said at the academy.”

Laplania looked out the window.

“That’s strange. Could it be a fortune teller?”

“It has been famous among healers since long ago. An unidentified healer saved a princess who was dying of an unknown lung disease.”

“I see.”

More than that.

I brought up the topic of the regency and my elderly father, but he either didn’t have any sense or was just shameless, so he just ignored me and moved on to talking about the research he wanted to do.

– This may sound obvious, but I am a regent of sorts. I sit here in place of my elderly father. And since this happened right after the coronation… … . If this situation had not been dealt with, who knows what would have happened.

And this was Asterix’s answer.

– If you don’t mind, would you mind taking a look at the documents and maps you created to help resolve this situation? I need them for research.

An attitude of complete disinterest.

‘Oh, my father is old, so I came out to do the work instead. Thank you for helping me.’

‘Okay, just bring out the research materials.’

Honestly, isn’t this crazy?

****

Back to my lab at the Academy.

What, the documents Baron Lapis gave me contained almost all the information I needed to write my thesis.

A map showing the geographical distribution of patients, the success and failure of methods used to prevent cholera, and why waterborne infection is more likely in this case than the miasma theory.

There’s not much new content to create. It seems that Lapis officials have written down almost everything I said. They’ve even made a map.

“Just give it to me, Istina.”

“Yes? What?”

What could it be?

“Paper. I am listed as the corresponding author.”

“Yes? Me?”

At this point, it seems like it’s become a habit. But I don’t have a graduate student like Istina. And when I ask her to do something, she does it well.

“Is there anyone else here besides you?”

“Well, I’ll try my best… … .”

Istina nodded.