Reborn in the Eighties as a Housewife with a Space

Chapter 861: Chapter 855: Tuberculosis_1

After loosening her grip, Qin Xue hesitated for a moment. She believed that Da Lang’s mother’s tuberculosis must have been detected at the hospital. However, medical treatments cost money, and it was apparent their financial situation was grim. It was this hardship that had pushed Da Lang to resort to stealing.

Tuberculosis could be cured in future generations, but due to the limited medical technology of the present, people believed it was a terminal disease. It was thought that few who contracted lung disease could survive. While this disease did have a high mortality rate in the past, the advancements in medical technology in future generations resulted in more cases of successful treatment, giving hope to those afflicted with this disease.

Qin Xue penned down a home remedy for Da Lang. The recipe called for a pound of ginger and a pound of garlic to be mashed into a paste and then steamed with a pound of rock sugar. It was to be consumed three times daily. (As a disclaimer, this treatment method was recounted by an elderly person and its efficacy against tuberculosis has not been verified. While it had proven effective when I prepared it for my daughter’s cough, I cannot confirm its effectiveness against tuberculosis. Please do not attempt this treatment without careful consideration.) It was equally important to adhere strictly to this eating regimen.

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease. It can invade many organs, mainly affecting the lungs. Given its high contagiousness, it is necessary to isolate eating utensils used by the patient. Spitting in public spaces and sharing food with family members using the same pair of chopsticks are not advised, and one should avoid coughing in the presence of others. It’s also crucial that those afflicted with this disease avoid overworking themselves and ensure adequate rest.

Of course, traditional Chinese medicine could also be used to improve the condition. Herbs like desert willow leaves, wild chrysanthemums, and Scleromitrion diffusum, known for their detoxifying and heat-clearing effects could be employed in treatment (This knowledge comes from online research).

“Sister-in-law, will this meal plan work?” Da Lang asked, looking at the note written by Qin Xue. The method seemed different from what the doctor had prescribed, using only common household ingredients, which were also inexpensive. Moreover, his family grew most of these ingredients at home, and he only needed to buy rock sugar.

...
“This is a home remedy. You can try it out and see if it works. If it doesn’t, I can prescribe you some Chinese herbal medicine,” Qin Xue said. She noticed how quickly Da Lang had changed how he addressed her—from “little sister” to “sister-in-law.”

If Da Lang knew what Qin Xue was pondering, he would tell her that he initially referred to her as “little sister” because she looked younger than him. The switch to “sister-in-law” came about because he had introduced her as a “military wife” to his mother.

In the military, higher-ranking officers are usually referred to as “Boss,” and their wives are accordingly addressed as “sister-in-law.” So, there was nothing wrong with his choice of address for Qin Xue.

“All right, thank you, sister-in-law.” Da Lang was genuinely grateful to Qin Xue. He could tell she had prescribed this treatment method to help him and his mother as it wouldn’t cost much money.

“You’re welcome. Pay attention to your diet. Avoid eating spicy food, alcohol, seafood, and inflammatory foods, especially konjac.” Qin Xue reminisced about how delicious konjac tofu was, but sadly, people with diseases couldn’t enjoy it.

After her patient consultation, Qin Xue was ready to head home. She didn’t want her child to go hungry and cry, and she also didn’t want to keep An Hao waiting for too long.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back. Remember to keep the room well-ventilated—it’s beneficial for the patient,” Qin Xue said, turning to address Da Lang and his mother with some final instructions.

“Okay, let me walk you out.” Da Lang had some questions that he wanted to ask Qin Xue.

“Alright, let’s go.” Qin Xue nodded and stepped outside.

“What is it?” Qin Xue asked Da Lang when they reached the door.

“Could I perhaps pay you back for the consultation once I have the money?” Da Lang asked after a moment of silence.

“Don’t worry about it. Just focus on taking care of your mother for now. Once things are settled on my end, I’ll send someone to find you. I could offer you a job. The pay won’t be much, but it’ll be enough for you and your mother to live on. What do you think?” Qin Xue said, extending an olive branch. It was now up to Da Lang to seize this opportunity.