allonlinenovel Chapter 113 The Hope of the Clinic
Chapter 113 The Hope of the Clinic
At dusk, the afterglow of the setting sun, like a thin layer of golden gauze, gently fell on the eaves of the clinic, adding a touch of mystery and warmth to this quaint building. However, the atmosphere inside the clinic was solemn and depressing, forming a sharp contrast with the peaceful and beautiful exterior.
In the clinic's consulting room, the highly respected and experienced senior physician sat upright in a formal chair. His gaze was sharp, yet tinged with sternness and disdain, his brow furrowed tightly, as if he were faced with a mystery that could never be solved. His deep, stern voice echoed through the quiet room: "For a woman to study medicine is absurd! Since ancient times, practicing medicine and saving lives has been the responsibility of men, while women were expected to stay at home and take care of household chores. Let alone teaching me key medical skills, even allowing you to observe is an exception!" Every word was like a sharp sword, ruthlessly piercing the woman determined to study medicine.
The woman stood there quietly, her figure slightly frail. She bit her lip tightly, as if using the tiny pain to resist the grievance and unwillingness surging from deep within her heart. Her eyes were clear and bright, but at this moment, they flashed with stubbornness and determination. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady, and responded, "Sir, my passion for medicine comes from the heart and is no less than that of any man. I study medical books day and night, and study pathology with all my heart, just for the opportunity to save more lives. Why should I be deprived of the right to pursue medical skills just because I am a woman?"
However, the doctor only snorted coldly, his voice full of ridicule and dissatisfaction. He didn't even want to look at the woman again, and turned away, leaving her with an indifferent back.
The woman's eyes welled up slightly, but she fought hard to hold back the tears. She knew that tears wouldn't win her respect or recognition on this thorny path to medical study. So, she silently turned and walked towards the clinic's pharmacy.
In the pharmacy, the woman toiled day and night. She eagerly flipped through the yellowed ancient medical tomes, each page a door to the mysteries of medicine, eager to find the key to her dreams. Those ancient, obscure texts, to her, were precious treasures, requiring her to carefully decipher and comprehend them. To identify the various herbs, she often stood in front of the medicine cabinet for hours, meticulously observing each one's shape, color, and scent, even tasting its bitterness. Her fingers grew rough from the constant handling of the herbs, and her eyes were bloodshot from the long hours of reading.
But difficulties seemed to be refusing to let her off easily. The other apprentices at the clinic were filled with hostility and ridicule. Whenever she was busy in the pharmacy, she would be met with malicious voices: "A woman, instead of staying home to take care of your husband and children, comes here to embarrass herself!" "You think you can become a doctor? Don't even dream!" Some even deliberately disrupted her preparations, mixing up ingredients or secretly substituting them, causing her to make frequent mistakes. Faced with these taunts and malicious attempts, the woman felt deeply wronged and angry. But she knew that arguing with them would only put her in deeper trouble. She chose silence, choosing to prove her worth through her actions.
Just as the woman felt hopeless, nearly overwhelmed by the overwhelming difficulties, a crucial turning point occurred. A patient with a difficult and complicated illness was brought to the clinic. The patient was pale, barely breathing, and barely able to speak. His family's faces were stained with tears, their eyes filled with helplessness and fear. The clinic's doctors immediately gathered together for a tense and heated discussion.
The senior physician was the first to offer his opinion. Drawing on his years of medical experience, he proposed a traditional treatment plan. While sound, it wasn't particularly innovative. The other physicians nodded in agreement, believing that this plan might offer a glimmer of hope.
The woman listened silently, a trace of doubt welling up in her heart. Recalling similar cases she'd read in ancient medical texts and her recent research on various medicinal herbs and pathologies, she felt that this traditional treatment might not fundamentally address the patient's condition. However, she was well aware of her lowly position within the clinic, and in the presence of so many experienced physicians, she hesitated to express her opinion.
As treatment began, the patient took the medication prescribed by the senior physician. Initially, there seemed to be some signs of improvement: his spirits improved slightly, and he was able to eat with some effort. But within a few days, his condition suddenly worsened. He began vomiting frequently, had a persistent high fever, and fell into a coma. This sudden change caused panic among everyone at the clinic.
The senior doctors gathered again to discuss countermeasures. Their faces were filled with anxiety and confusion, and everyone felt unprecedented pressure. The woman looked at the dying patient on the bed, feeling a surge of pity and anxiety. She knew that if an effective treatment was not found, the patient would likely die.
At this critical moment, the woman finally mustered up the courage to present her idea to the senior doctor. She took a deep breath, walked up to him, and said with a trembling voice, "Sir, I have a different treatment plan. Perhaps we can try it."
The senior doctor looked up, his eyes filled with surprise and anger. "You're just a little girl, what do you know? How dare you question my plan?"
The woman was not intimidated by the doctor's rebuke. She said calmly, "Sir, I don't mean to question your medical skills. I've been researching this condition for a while now, and I think we can try a new medication and treatment."
The woman then elaborated on her treatment plan in detail, explaining everything from the pathological analysis to the selection of herbs and the steps involved. As the senior physician listened, his expression gradually shifted from anger to confusion, and then to a state of deep thought.
But he didn't immediately agree with the woman's plan. Instead, he decided to gather other doctors to discuss it. Over the next few days, a heated academic discussion ensued in the clinic. The doctors expressed their opinions and raised various questions and concerns about the woman's plan.
The woman, facing these doubts, remained undeterred. She patiently answered each question, persuading everyone with her solid medical knowledge and unwavering conviction. After days and nights of intense debate and in-depth analysis, and after weighing all the pros and cons, the doctors finally reached a consensus: let the woman try her plan.
After receiving permission, the woman immediately immersed herself in the treatment. She first carefully felt the patient's pulse, her expression focused and solemn. Her fingers gently rested on the patient's wrist, feeling the pulse, as if listening for a distress signal from deep within the patient's body. Then, she meticulously prepared the prescription. Each herb was precisely weighed, her eyes focused and attentive, fearing even the slightest mistake.
As the medicine was being boiled, the woman stayed close to the pot. She kept a constant eye on the heat, controlling the duration and temperature. The rising steam blurred her features, but her gaze never left the pot.
When the medicine was ready, the woman personally fed it to the patient. Her movements were gentle, as if she were handling a precious treasure. She slowly used a small spoon to pour the medicine into the patient's mouth, her eyes filled with concern and anticipation.
During the treatment, the woman stayed by the patient's bedside day and night, barely closing her eyes as she constantly observed the patient's condition. She meticulously recorded every subtle symptom, even a cough or a turn of the patient's body.
As the days passed, the patient's condition gradually showed signs of improvement. His fever began to subside, and his vomiting became less frequent. Seeing these changes, the woman was filled with hope, but she didn't dare to let her guard down.
A few days later, the patient finally woke up from his coma. His eyesight gradually became clearer, and he was able to speak. This news made the entire clinic excited.
The patient's family members were so moved by the good news that tears welled up in their eyes. They came to the woman and knelt down to express their gratitude. The woman quickly helped them up and said, "This is what I should do. As long as the patient can recover, all my efforts will be worth it."
As the patient's condition gradually improved, the news spread to the neighbors. They praised the woman's medical skills and hailed her as the "female Hua Tuo." Her name spread throughout the streets and alleys, becoming a legend.
The senior doctor who had once been full of doubt and disdain for the woman now looked upon her with new eyes. He realized how wrong his prejudice against her was, and his heart was filled with guilt and admiration.
At a meeting at the clinic, the senior doctor solemnly apologized to the woman in front of everyone: "Miss, I was blind and underestimated your talent and ability. From now on, I am willing to explore medical skills with you and serve patients together."
The woman smiled and accepted the doctor's apology. She said, "Sir, the past is the past. Our goal is to save more lives and promote medical skills."
From then on, the attitude of the clinic towards women studying medicine changed dramatically. The woman became a highly respected member of the clinic, and her medical skills were recognized by more and more people.
In the days to come, the woman will continue to explore and advance on the path of medicine, using her wisdom and courage to bring hope and health to more patients.