Chapter 148: National Physical Examination (Part Two)

In the supreme medical skills package, cancer is not an incurable and stubborn disease. Centuries later, future medical researchers finally discovered a type of antibiotic named Wallace-mycin. The birth of this antibiotic was of no less significance to humanity than the birth of penicillin in the past. The creation of penicillin saved the lives of countless tuberculosis patients and numerous individuals who would have otherwise died from various infections and inflammation. Back then, in people's minds, tuberculosis was just like cancer is today—something daunting and helpless with an extremely high mortality rate. The discovery of penicillin immediately kicked these diseases out of the terminal category and derived all subsequent antibiotics. It can be said that the entire family of antibiotics traces its ancestry back to penicillin.

For cancer, Wallace-mycin is the same. Cancer cells stand before it like ordinary pathogenic bacteria, easily eradicated by Wallace-mycin. The most crucial point is that, unlike chemotherapy and radiotherapy which indiscriminately kill healthy cells alongside cancer cells while still failing to completely eliminate them, Wallace-mycin is a truly targeted therapeutic drug specifically designed for cancer cells. Its appearance transformed cancer from a century-old terminal illness into an easily curable ordinary disease, marking a miracle in the history of human medicine.

However, the actual deployment history of Wallace-mycin was far less noble than the drug itself. The person who successfully synthesized Wallace-mycin was an American medical scientist named John Wallace. Upon successfully synthesizing it, he immediately applied for an international patent and established a pharmaceutical company that would later dominate the world—Wallace Pharmaceuticals.

Wallace was an extremely narcissistic and selfish individual. Even when governments and humanists worldwide pressured him, he kept the synthesis method of Wallace-mycin a top secret. The profit margin for the Wallace-mycin produced by his company reached an unprecedented fifteen thousandfold. The exorbitant pricing drove the vast majority of patients into bankruptcy and shut countless others out of the doors of life, earning Wallace a global notoriety as the Bandit of Life.

During the thirty years from the time the Bandit of Life synthesized Wallace-mycin until his death, his assets surpassed four hundred billion US dollars. Yet, as if unwilling to watch any longer, fate played a cruel joke on him: Wallace had six children, all of whom died in accidents. Before his death, Wallace finally repented and unconditionally donated the synthesis method of Wallace-mycin to the United States government.

However, after acquiring Wallace-mycin, the US government failed to truly fulfill its profound humanitarian purpose. Instead, it wielded the drug as a political weapon to blackmail various nations around the world to differing degrees. Against hostile countries, Wallace-mycin became an absolute embargoed item, utilized to reinforce its hegemony.

Another four decades passed before a Swede successfully cracked the synthesis method of Wallace-mycin. Only from that point on did all of humanity finally manage to benefit from Wallace-mycin.

Currently, although Zhang Wenhao possessed the synthesis method of Wallace-mycin, given the present level of biomedical technology, successfully synthesizing it was utterly impossible. Even the United States of America in this era lacked such capability. To synthesize Wallace-mycin, he would likely have to wait a very long time.

Without targeted therapy for cancer, once the disease reached an advanced stage, no medical intervention could save a patient's life. Slightly luckier patients might escape immense pain, but those less fortunate would spend the final chapter of their lives consumed by endless suffering.

Zhang Wenhao wore a troubled expression. Facing the old woman whose eyes were filled with hopeful expectation, he simply had no viable way to save her life.

Acupuncture? Traditional herbal medicine? In the face of cancer, these were mere chicken ribs, offering little substance.

Send her to the county seat or a reputable hospital for radiotherapy and chemotherapy? The elderly woman's body was already extremely frail. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy inflict severe damage on the body. A robust constitution might endure these treatments, but a frail one subjected to blind chemotherapy and radiotherapy would likely only accelerate the old woman's demise.

For many stubborn and terminal illnesses, no matter how exceptional one's medical skills were, they could at best provide a certain degree of palliation, but utterly lacked the power to cure the patient single-handedly. Zhang Wenhao knew that for cancer, he currently had no effective remedy, let alone when this patient was essentially confirmed to be in the late stages of lung cancer.

An ordinary doctor would never dare to make such a rash judgment without X-rays or CT scans to detect suspected tumors followed by biopsies to definitively identify cancer cells.

Yet, for Zhang Wenhao, while his medical skills could not yet cure cancer, identifying cancerous lesions posed no problem at all.

Zhang Wenhao silently noted down the old woman's surname. She had no given name, and the villagers simply called her Aunt Tian. Tian Fugui knew the old woman's maiden surname was Liu and told Zhang Wenhao that her formal name was Madam Tian Liu.

Zhang Wenhao prayed silently in his heart that if he could quickly earn enough points to exchange for the high-energy wave manipulation skill, he might be able to use high-energy waves to heal the patient's body. After all, high-energy waves possessed extraordinary special energy, and combined with purely mental control, eradicating cancer cells was entirely feasible.

The physical condition of the subsequent villagers brought Zhang Wenhao a slight sense of relief. None of them suffered from major illnesses, and minor ailments were effortless for him to handle.

After conducting examinations, Zhang Wenhao distributed quite a few medications and instructed the patients on how to take them. As for the elderly woman suffering from cancer, Zhang Wenhao kept her behind, administering anti-inflammatory and phlegm-resolving intravenous drips. Although these drugs could not kill cancer cells, they could at least alleviate other symptoms brought on by the disease.

For five hours, Zhang Wenhao conducted meticulous examinations on the entire Tian family village. The clinic was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with over a dozen patients receiving intravenous infusions. Most of these individuals harbored stubborn internal inflammations; oral medication worked too slowly, and letting it drag on would cause unpredictable impacts on their health.

By dusk, the severe dehydration symptoms of the child who had suffered from acute diarrhea had also eased significantly. Zhang Wenhao prepared anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal medication for the child via intravenous injection. Seeing that the child's complexion was no longer so ghastly, the mother expressed her gratitude repeatedly. In her eyes, her child was saved in the hands of this visiting doctor.

That evening, the final few patients suffering from headaches and fevers completed their infusions and returned home. The breathing difficulties and excessive phlegm of the elderly lung cancer patient had eased slightly. Zhang Wenhao knew that the old woman urgently required an oxygen cylinder to prepare for potential respiratory crises at any moment—a task he would have to drive to the county seat to arrange himself the next day.

After a full day of busyness, Zhang Wenhao's mind inevitably felt fatigued. Lying on the somewhat damp bed, a myriad of emotions churned within him.

Just as Zhang Wenhao's thoughts were wandering, the system suddenly chimed:

"Completed physical examinations for eight hundred and sixty-four people. Rewarded the user with eight hundred and sixty-four points."

Zhang Wenhao was astonished. He hadn't cured any patients today; even though he had alleviated many people's conditions, a cure would still take two or three days. Therefore, he knew the system couldn't reward him for cures at this moment. However, he hadn't expected the system to award points for conducting physical examinations, and granting over eight hundred at once—equivalent to one point per examined person.

Zhang Wenhao couldn't help asking the system: "Why did the system never reward me with points when I secretly gave my parents physical examinations previously?"

The system asked back with a hint of disdain: "If you help an old lady cross the street, will the school and government reward you? Even online authors have a minimum threshold for manuscript fees. Only when you examine a large number of people all at once will the system acknowledge it."

Zhang Wenhao suddenly understood. Small deeds like that only yielded system rewards when performed on a large scale. Although examining a single person only gave one point, the advantage lay in sheer population. The entire Wanshan Township had four villages and several thousand people. Examining them all would yield several thousand points. This way, he could soon exchange for the high-energy wave manipulation skill.

The next day, just as dawn broke, Zhang Wenhao unloaded the medicinal herbs from his vehicle and drove empty to the county town. He filled two medium-sized oxygen cylinders and drove them back.

It was well past noon by the time he returned to Wanshan Township. Many patients requiring continuous infusions were already waiting in the township government courtyard. As soon as Zhang Wenhao returned, he immediately had someone help move one oxygen cylinder to the clinic and the other to the cancer patient's home, while he went inside to resume administering intravenous drips to the patients.

The child with acute enteritis looked much better today. The dehydration symptoms were largely alleviated, giving the child more vitality. Moreover, with the fluids Zhang Wenhao administered yesterday, the diarrhea had also subsided significantly. According to the mother, the child slept soundly last night without the constant crying and fussing of previous nights.

The village's elderly folk doctor had been gathering herbs in the mountains and only returned this noon. Tian Fugui introduced him to Zhang Wenhao. Overwhelmed with excitement, the old folk doctor knew his own medical knowledge was limited to a few traditional herbal remedies, yet his capabilities were truly constrained. Now that a high-achieving graduate had arrived, bringing so many valuable Western medicines, he was naturally beyond thrilled.

The old folk doctor was named Han Ru. He wasn't a native of Tian family village, having lived outside the mountains for a few years, and spoke relatively fluent Mandarin. After chatting with Zhang Wenhao, Zhang Wenhao discovered that this old folk doctor did possess some insights into Chinese herbal medicine. While he didn't know many superior prescriptions, his strength lay in his exceptional ability to identify medicinal herbs, recognizing most of them.

Zhang Wenhao wrote down a prescription for a dampness-dispelling decoction, handed it to Han Ru, and asked, "Uncle Han, can you see if these herbs can be gathered completely?"

Han Ru took it, reviewed it carefully, thought for a moment, and said, "One or two of these herbs are a bit difficult to find, but the rest should all be found in the mountains."

Zhang Wenhao nodded and said, "I went to the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy in the city yesterday, and they were also missing three or four of these." With that, Zhang Wenhao listed the names of the herbs he failed to acquire. Han Ru said excitedly, "Splendid! Exactly what you failed to get can be found right here in our mountains, and what cannot be found in the mountains, you've already acquired."

A wave of joy washed over Zhang Wenhao. "This medicine is extremely effective in treating everyone's rheumatic arthritis. I'll have to trouble you to help me find them. Once gathered, we can begin treating the arthritis patients in the village."

Han Ru's face beamed with joy as he exclaimed, "Is it truly that miraculous? Can it cure rheumatic arthritis?"

Zhang Wenhao nodded. "With acupuncture applied as an auxiliary treatment then, the recovery speed will be even faster."

Han Ru asked excitedly, "Doctor Zhang, you also practice acupuncture?"

Zhang Wenhao smiled and replied, "I know a little."

Han Ru hurriedly said, "Our village lacks medicine and doctors. If you possess acupuncture skills, many minor ailments can be treated without medicine. Look, might I stay by your side and become your apprentice?" Then, with a hint of bashfulness, he added, "If you are unwilling to pass it on to outsiders, then never mind."

Zhang Wenhao laughed. "Why would I be unwilling? Once you've gathered the herbs, I'll teach you how to use the needles."

"Wonderful!" Han Ru said hastily. "I'll head up the mountain right now to gather the missing herbs. If all goes well, I should be back the day after tomorrow."

Zhang Wenhao asked, "Will you have to stay in the mountains overnight?"

Han Ru nodded. "Beyond two mountain ridges, there's a cave where I usually sleep. The next day I venture a bit deeper. If I go too far, I can't make it back by the following evening, so I sleep in the cave another night and return on the third day."

Zhang Wenhao instructed, "Please be careful, old man."

Han Ru waved his hand dismissively with a laugh, "Don't worry. I spend about twenty days every month in these mountains; I know them so well I could find my way with my eyes closed."

Han Ru hurriedly packed his belongings and, while the daylight still lingered, ventured alone into the mountains. After Zhang Wenhao administered infusions to the patients, the elderly cancer patient from yesterday was pushed over in a handcart by her son. Her son's face radiated joy. Upon seeing Zhang Wenhao, he said, "Thank you so much, Doctor Zhang! My mother's coughing noticeably decreased last night, and her breathing was smoother. If we continue treatment for a few days, will she be completely cured?"

A trace of helplessness washed over Zhang Wenhao, but he put on a comforting smile and said, "Persisting with treatment will bring some relief. I had someone deliver an oxygen cylinder to your home just now. Do you know how to use it?"

The man looked blank and shook his head.

Zhang Wenhao then said, "Help Grandma Tian inside first. There's another oxygen cylinder in there; I'll teach you how to use it."

"Alright."

After the son settled Madam Tian, Zhang Wenhao instructed him on how to refill the water in the oxygen cylinder, how to turn it on, and how to monitor the gas volume. Watching him practice twice without issue, Zhang Wenhao finally instructed, "From now on, you must assign someone to stay by Grandma Tian's side at night. The moment you notice her struggling to breathe, administer oxygen immediately and come to the clinic to find me."

The son nodded repeatedly and expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you truly, Doctor Zhang."

Zhang Wenhao remained silent, letting out an internal sigh instead, and turned to Tian Fugui: "Village Chief Tian, make some time tomorrow to accompany me to visit the villages further up. We need to conduct physical examinations for the villagers living higher up in the mountains."

"Certainly," Tian Fugui said with a smile. "Tomorrow I'll have someone prepare the tractor, and we can ride it up."

Zhang Wenhao replied, "Ride in my car. Wherever a tractor can go, this car can go."

Tian Fugui remained skeptical but said nothing further.

Early the next morning, Tian Fugui knocked on Zhang Wenhao's door. After a quick wash, Zhang Wenhao took Tian Fugui into the car. The fuel barrel had already been secured in a corner of the truck bed; the explosion-proof barrel posed no safety hazards, and coupled with the extreme backwardness and dampness here, static electricity couldn't even form.

Sitting in the car, Tian Fugui appeared somewhat constrained. He had never ridden in such a tall vehicle; apart from brick-hauling trucks, this was the highest and most comfortable vehicle he had ever boarded. Terrified of accidentally touching something and damaging the car, Tian Fugui only relaxed slightly after Zhang Wenhao reassured him several times.

With Tian Fugui guiding the way and Zhang Wenhao driving, fortunately, the three villages were not far away—the furthest being only seven or eight kilometers, mostly built on moderately sloping mountainsides. For the first village, Zhang Wenhao could only drive as far as a low hill; the remaining path was impassable not just for cars, but likely even for donkeys, making foot travel extremely arduous for anyone going up or down.

Tian Fugui spoke up, "Doctor Zhang, you can just park the car here. I'll go call the villagers over."

Zhang Wenhao smiled and said, "Why go through all that trouble? Searching house by house is exhausting. Climb onto the roof of the car, and I'll lean on the horn to attract their attention. Once they see you, the village chief, coming, they should all come over voluntarily."

"That's true too," Tian Fugui chuckled. Just as he was about to push the door open and climb onto the car roof, he asked nervously, "Little Doctor Zhang, won't I crush and ruin your car?"

"No," Zhang Wenhao laughed. "Go right ahead and climb up."

"Wonderful!"

Tian Fugui scrambled onto the roof of the car. Zhang Wenhao held down the horn for over ten seconds. The mountain was exceptionally quiet and expansive, allowing the loud vehicle horn to carry several kilometers away easily. Soon, the attention of nearby residents was drawn. When some recognized that the old man waving to everyone on top of the vehicle was indeed Village Chief Tian Fugui, within half an hour, the slightly leveled mountaintop was crowded with people.

According to Tian Fugui, this village, called Banshanling, had over five hundred residents, though most had built their houses on flat patches along various mountainsides, making the settlement somewhat sparse and the gathering slow. It took a full half-hour for everyone to basically arrive.

Tian Fugui explained the purpose of the visit to the crowd and solemnly introduced Zhang Wenhao as the fake prestigious medical school graduate. Afterward, following Zhang Wenhao's prior instructions, he had everyone line up according to age groups, and Zhang Wenhao proceeded to conduct physical examinations for each person.

Whether a person was healthy or not could be roughly discerned by Zhang Wenhao through mere observation, and paired with pulse-taking, the physical examinations proceeded very rapidly.

To Zhang Wenhao's shock, tuberculosis was extremely prevalent in Banshanling, accounting for nearly one-tenth of the total population, with varying degrees of severity among the patients. It appeared to be a contagious spread driven by pathogens.