This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

”But that’s not it. This is simply the child experiencing a fever and abnormal muscle tension.”

After speaking, Du Heng exhaled heavily. ”These symptoms all correspond to what traditional Chinese medicine calls phlegm and heat syndromes. Therefore, before the toxic wind can cause more substantial damage to the brain, we just need to clear heat and detoxify, expel phlegm and open the orifices, and extinguish the wind and stop convulsions. Then the child can recover.”

Director Cao’s mouth opened as if to say something, but he found himself unable to find the right words.

Du Heng’s explanation was clear, yet to Director Cao, it sounded like a charlatan’s pitch.

He knew where this feeling came from—it was because he himself was a man of medicine, Western medicine. Precisely because of his medical background, he couldn’t comprehend how complications of cerebral hypoxia could be termed ’toxic wind attacking the brain.’ What was this toxic wind? Where did it come from? This was entirely at odds with the medical knowledge he had learned; how could he possibly believe it? If he trusted his own medical knowledge, then Du Heng’s traditional Chinese medicine was pseudoscience, something he, as a highly educated individual, simply couldn’t understand. Conversely, to believe Du Heng’s words and accept his treatment philosophy would mean doubting the entire knowledge system he had painstakingly built over decades—a prospect that could shatter his worldview. Consequently, people like him, those with some understanding of so-called medicine and science, are the biggest skeptics of traditional Chinese medicine. They also form a highly concentrated group of its detractors. This is because the principles of traditional Chinese medicine are inexplicable and incomprehensible using the knowledge and understanding they possess.

At the same time, Director Cao also knew that two groups of people were staunch supporters of traditional Chinese medicine.

The first group consisted of ordinary people. They believed in tradition, in history, in the wisdom of their ancestors. Moreover, these people were highly pragmatic; they chose to believe in traditional Chinese medicine simply because they hoped it could cure their illnesses. As for matters like heritage or honor, those meant nothing to them. So, this group could largely be disregarded; they were like grass swaying in the wind, easily influenced.

The second group, ironically, comprised the top figures among the very people who opposed traditional Chinese medicine—or rather, their counterparts. Those genuine gurus of Western medicine, the ones without selfish motives, were among the staunchest supporters and believers in traditional Chinese medicine.

Seeing Du Heng’s renewed determination, Director Cao knew he couldn’t persuade him. He turned to the nurse behind him and said, ”Call that young fellow who was here earlier—the rather clueless one—back in. Have him record this entire treatment process, just in case.”

Then, he muttered to himself, ”If it fails, we’ll investigate the cause. If it succeeds... well, then... then things will get interesting.”

As he said this, he wasn’t even sure what his own emotions were.

Just as Director Cao finished speaking, the nurse beside him said, ”Director Cao, Clerk Luo left with Director Liu.”

Director Liu had left quickly, and she returned just as swiftly.

”Dean, the family members and the mother have signed the consent forms.”

”Good.” Du Heng also let out a breath. ”Give me the three-edged needle we prepared.”

The doctor behind him, who had everything ready, quickly handed over the three-edged needle.

The moment Du Heng took the three-edged needle, everyone in the room seemed to breathe a little lighter, and even the nurses standing further back felt their bodies tense up.

The last time a three-edged needle had been used for bloodletting was at the Health Clinic, when You Fang’s child had suffered a high fever-induced convulsion. Although that child was also an infant, he had been nearly a month old.

This child, however, had just been born.

Looking at the infant’s thin arms and legs, even Du Heng felt his heart leap into his throat.

The child’s eyes were closed, and its response to external stimuli was minimal, almost non-existent. So, the first step was to needle the ten diffusing points.

However, the child’s tiny fists were clenched very tightly, presenting a significant challenge for Du Heng.

”Director Liu, please help me. Open the child’s hands and spread out his fingers.”

Director Liu said nothing and stepped forward.

Although Director Liu had only recently become a Department Director, she was a genuine Deputy Director of the Obstetrics Department. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, her career path would likely mirror Xu Pinglin’s; after obtaining her senior professional title in a couple of years, her position as Director would be firmly established. Therefore, her technique and skill were impeccable.

Not to say her movements were rough, but in her hands, the child seemed almost like a doll. The camera hadn’t even been brought over yet, but she had already fulfilled Du Heng’s request.

Seeing the blue-green lines visible beneath the skin of the fingertips again, Du Heng no longer hesitated. He immediately took the needle and pricked lightly. As soon as blood appeared, he withdrew the needle.

Then, his hand moving swiftly with the three-edged needle, he proceeded to needle the Twelve Well Points, again stopping as soon as blood was drawn from each.

Medical texts say: ”Once the Well Points are open, the spring water will flow naturally.”

So, what are the Well Points?

Traditional Chinese medicine speaks of the Twelve Meridians. These twelve pathways run from the crown of the head to the soles of the feet, like twelve riverbeds connecting the entire body. The Well Points are the ”openings of the wells” that connect these ”rivers.” When the Well Points are clear, the circulation of vital substances throughout the body becomes unobstructed, hence the saying about spring water flowing naturally.

Thus, the Well Points have the functions of clearing heat, opening the orifices, and relieving uneasiness of mind. The circulation of blood nourishes the brain, making this the most appropriate and effective treatment for the child at this moment.

These Twelve Well Points are all located at the tips of the fingers and toes, so Du Heng could perform the needling with relative confidence.

After drawing blood from all Twelve Well Points, Du Heng let out a soft breath, then picked up the three-edged needle again and pricked both of the child’s earlobes.

Once more, he withdrew the needle as soon as blood appeared, then passed the three-edged needle back. ”Switch to the fine needle for me.”

Taking the fine needle, Du Heng did not pause. He immediately employed the pecking sparrow technique, performing point pricking on Suliao (GV25) and the bilateral Hegu (LI-04) points.

As Du Heng continued the point pricking, tiny beads of sweat appeared on the child’s skin, followed almost immediately by a loud, robust cry that seemed to erupt in the room.

This cry was like a thunderclap, startling everyone and making them feel as if their minds had been forcibly cleared.

Everyone turned to look at Du Heng, their eyes wide with incredulous astonishment.

A loud cry, the child’s limbs now starting to move restlessly, and eyelids fluttering—all indicated that the connections throughout the child’s body were being re-established.

Once this connection is established, the body can begin to self-repair, regardless of age. This is an ability endowed by our genes.

However, this self-repair ability is initially weak. If left unattended now, this child’s future would be little better than that of one with cerebral palsy. Therefore, this step had only bought Du Heng an opportunity for the next phase of treatment.

The moment the child began to cry, Du Heng immediately withdrew the needles.

He truly dared not let such a small child sweat excessively; the small amount already present made him feel apprehensive.

Du Heng handed the needles back to the doctor behind him. ”Quick, find something to wrap the child in. Nothing too thick, just a thin layer will do.”

”Alright.” The nearest nurse immediately got to work.

”Does the mother have milk? Is there any expressed breast milk available?”

”Yes, a small bag was brought in earlier.”

”Feed the child immediately.”

As Du Heng’s voice fell, a nurse from the back row quickly moved to comply.

After the child’s tiny body was wrapped, Du Heng stepped forward again to check him. Finding everything progressing as he had anticipated, he straightened up and said, ”Where is the pen and paper I asked for? Why haven’t I received it yet?”

The doctor who had just taken the needle utensils acknowledged and quickly handed Du Heng the pen and paper. ”Dean, they’re ready.”

Du Heng took the pen and paper and, without a word, began to write a prescription.

The first step, expelling phlegm and opening the orifices, was complete. Now it was time for the second step: clearing heat and detoxification.

This step, however, could not be rushed like the first, which had yielded rapid results. While speed was still a factor, it required a steady, gradual approach.

Calcined Manganolith, raw gypsum, moutan, puccoon, flea... and so on.

Although the quantities for each were small, around ten grams, the prescription listed a total of fourteen different ingredients.

”Prepare the medicine according to this prescription. Separately, take three doses of Antelope Musk Antispasmodic Powder and decoct it into 100ml of concentrated liquid. Go now, and bring the decoction here as soon as it’s ready.”

Du Heng handed the written prescription to the doctor beside him. After giving his instructions, he urged him to hurry and get the medicine decocted.

At this moment, a new light shone in everyone’s eyes.