I Became a Plague Doctor in a Romance Fantasy Novel

Dispatch Duty of the Epidemic Doctor (4)

Dispatch Duty of the Epidemic Doctor (4)

All the while mentioning Snow’s research since I came here, I don’t think I’ve ever properly explained what John Snow specifically did.

To put it simply, it goes like this.

In 1854, John Snow marked the residences of cholera patients on a map.

This map showed that the patients drew water from a specific well, and that there was a source of fecal contamination near that well.

It was an example showing that the epidemic was spread not by bad air, but by a specific contaminant, namely bacteria. In particular, it proved that cholera was spread through water.

At the time, it was groundbreaking.

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

Prohibiting the consumption of unboiled water in epidemic areas and closing problematic wells.

It also required considerable courage from Snow. The common sense of the time was that contaminated air caused disease. But Snow personally conducted epidemiological investigations, visiting patients’ homes in the smelly slums.

It was literally a life-risking research achievement. The research was not only a scientific feat but also laid the foundation for modern disease epidemiology.

Istina looked puzzled.

“……”

“I’m going to write a paper on this.”

“I see.”

“It doesn’t need to be long. Just roughly, we did this and the epidemic was controlled, it seems that the mechanism of the epidemic spread is like this, that’s all I want to write.”

Anyway, the important thing is the map.

Istina nodded.

“But we didn’t create the map, did we? Is there a way to get a map showing the distribution of patients? Did the officials make it?”

I don’t know.

Couldn’t we get it from the lord of Lapis? If it’s needed for research, they might give it to us.

“Let’s wrap this up and go back to the academy. Other healers can see these patients, and we need to continue our research.”

“That’s right. Compared to when we first arrived, the number of patients has significantly decreased.”

Some died, and some survived and were discharged. The number of new patients coming in has also greatly reduced. It seems the situation is stabilizing.

Lapis’ territory, three days since arrival.

The relief ward gradually regained its peace.

We went to see Baron Lapis again. Today, Baron Lapis was sitting in a place similar to an office, not a conference room.

This must be evidence that the situation has improved.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Creak. The office door opened.

“Greetings, Baron Lapis.”

“Ah, the healers. Hello.”

Laflania’s office was quite splendid.

It wasn’t filled with dazzling decorations or expensive furniture. But it was a bit surprising that three sides of the room were filled with books.

Istina and I bowed our heads in greeting.

“It seems the plague’s momentum has been curbed. We intend to return to the academy now.”

“Of course. There are patients waiting at the academy hospital as well, right?”

Probably. We’ve been away for a few days, so I’m not sure what’s happening there. But what could have happened in just a few days?

“Yes, that’s correct.”

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

“It’s just what we had to do.”

“Of course, it’s something I must do.”

Baron Lapis hesitated a bit.

“Why is that?”

“It might be an obvious story, but I am a sort of regent. I’m sitting here in place of my elderly father.”

It seems there is a long story behind this.

“I see.”

“Right after my coronation, this happened… If this situation hadn’t been resolved, who knows what could have happened.”

Baron Lapis looked young for the position. When I heard ‘lord,’ I was thinking of an old man or an uncle, but a young woman who still looked like a student was sitting there.

The bureaucratic group seems competent, so it should run smoothly. It’s not my problem to worry about.

I bowed my head again.

“If it’s not too much trouble, may I see the documents or maps you prepared to resolve this situation? I need them for my research.”

Baron Lapis made a strange expression again. I couldn’t tell what it meant. Was it displeasure or curiosity?

“Take them, if you need.”

“Yes.”

“Professor Asterix, I will give you the maximum reward for this matter, but more than that, I hope to work with you in the future. Can I afford your price?”

Am I some kind of football player to be bought with a price? I shook my head. I had gone through so much to come to the academy.

I will stay at the academy for the time being.

It’s the best environment for research.

“I will stay at the academy for the time being. I feel I need to be where my students and patients are the most.”

“Yes.”

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

“Well then. We’ll be off now. We’ve summarized the methodology for the prevention and treatment of epidemic dysentery on about three sheets of paper and handed it over to Mr. Hedwig, so please refer to it if necessary.”

“Is it okay to just leak that kind of information?”

“A hospital isn’t some secret recipe restaurant. If there’s a good way to save lives, we should share it.”

Anyway.

“Well then… We’ll be off now. If the plague breaks out again, please send a letter to the academy right away, and we’ll help as much as we can.”

“Yes. I hope to see you soon.”

“It’s better not to have any business, Baron.”

A doctor should have fewer things to deal with in life.

Especially a plague doctor.

We left the lord of Lapis and exited the office. Can we ride the wyvern knight on the way back? Or do we have to take a carriage?

The latter would be a bit of a hassle.

Baron Laplania of Lapis laughed inwardly. They were truly amusing people.

Two healers flown in from the academy.

When I asked Hedwig for details, he said that the professor had given a long speech about epidemic dysentery and waterborne diseases even before entering the airspace of Lapis.

Before even knowing the situation of the city, they diagnosed the problem and proposed a solution just by hearing the word ‘dysentery.’

The conversation roughly went like this:

“If it weren’t for Professor Asterix, what would we have done? To identify the problem and propose a solution within just a day of arrival.”

“It’s not even two days. Before even departing from the academy, they insisted that epidemic dysentery is spread through water and that it should be blocked.”

“Really?”

“Yes. They kept saying things like, we need to address dehydration, it comes from contaminated water sources, we need to clean the well.”

It was obvious after the fact.

“At the time, I thought it was nonsense without even seeing the site… Looking back now, there was no need for Professor Asterix to come. If we had applied everything said at the academy, it would have been over.”

Laplania looked out the window.

“Strange. Could they be a fortune teller?”

“They’ve been famous among healers for a long time. An unidentified healer saved a princess dying from an unknown lung disease.”

“I see.”

More than that.

I brought up the topic of regency and my elderly father. Whether they were oblivious or just rude, they ignored it and moved on to their research.

– It may be a cliché, but I am a sort of regent. I am sitting here in place of my elderly father. This happened right after the coronation… If this situation hadn’t been resolved, who knows what would have happened.

And this was Asterix’s response.

– If you don’t mind, could I see the documents or maps you prepared for resolving this situation? I need them for my research.

A completely uninterested attitude.

‘Oh, my father is old, so I came out to work in his place. Thank you for your help.’

‘Never mind, just give me the research materials.’

Honestly, at this point, aren’t they a madman?

Back in my research lab at the academy.

What, the documents given by Baron Lapis had almost all the information needed for writing the paper.

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

There is almost nothing new to create. It seems the officials of Lapis have written down almost everything I said. They even made a map.

“Just submit it, Istina.”

“What? Submit what?”

What do you think?

“The paper. Put me as the corresponding author.”

“What? Me?”

At this point, it seems like a habit. But I have no other graduate student besides Istina. And when I actually make her do it, she does it well.

“Who else is here besides you?”

“Well, I’ll do my best…”

Istina nodded.