Chapter 24: Treating Illness and Saving Lives

The third patient was an elderly man with white hair, carried in on a stretcher by two strong men.

The old man’s breathing was weak, and he could only speak in a faint voice, “Miraculous Doctor, I’ve been paralyzed in my legs for many years. I’ve seen countless doctors, and they all say it can’t be treated. I don’t want to be a burden to my family.”

Bai Linglong gently lifted the old man’s eyelids to examine him, then carefully pressed on the acupoints in his legs, her expression grave as she said, “Your condition stems from an injury sustained in your youth that has caused blood stasis, compounded by your age and insufficient qi and blood, leading to a lack of nourishment in your lower limbs. Previous treatments failed to effectively unblock the meridians and invigorate blood circulation. I will first use silver needles to stimulate the acupoints, then combine it with internal medicine to invigorate blood circulation and strengthen the bones. As long as you persist with the treatment, there will be improvements.”

The old man’s son frowned and asked, “Miraculous Doctor, can my father really be treated? How long will it take? We’ve already spent too much money.”

Bai Linglong replied earnestly, “I cannot guarantee a full recovery, but I will do my best to significantly improve the old man’s condition. The treatment may take some time, so both you and your father will need patience. As for the consultation fee, seeing that your family isn’t wealthy, I’ll charge four taels of silver this time.”

The old man’s son was filled with gratitude, bowing deeply in thanks.

The fourth patient was a child, cradled in his mother’s arms, coughing continuously, his little face turning red from the effort.

Bai Linglong gently touched the child’s forehead, examined his throat, and listened to his lungs, saying, “This child has a cough due to lung deficiency, compounded by exposure to cold, which has prevented thorough healing, leading to a protracted illness. Previous treatments may have used overly cooling medicines, harming the child’s spleen and stomach. I will prescribe gentle medicines to nourish the lungs and stop the cough, as well as strengthen the spleen and stomach. The child’s diet should also be light.”

The child’s mother anxiously asked, “Miraculous Doctor, will he be able to take this medicine? He is particularly resistant to taking medicine.”

Bai Linglong smiled and replied, “I will prepare the medicine in a sweet paste form, making it easier for the child to take. The consultation fee will be two taels of silver.”

The mother of the child sighed in relief, unable to express her gratitude in words.

The fifth patient was a burly man who stormed in, shouting, “Miraculous Doctor, you must save me! I have a huge sore on my arm that is painful and smells terrible. I’ve seen many doctors, and they all say I need to have my arm amputated. I don’t want to be disabled!”

Bai Linglong carefully examined the large sore on his arm, which was festering and emitting a foul odor, Bai Linglong frowned as she examined the man’s arm and said, “You have an accumulation of heat toxins and stagnation of qi and blood, which has caused the sore to remain unhealed for a long time. The previous treatments were inappropriate and failed to completely eliminate the heat toxins. I will first apply a special ointment to clean the sore, and then combine it with internal medicine to clear heat and detoxify, as well as promote healing of the tissue. This will certainly cure you without the need for amputation.”

The burly man looked skeptical and asked, “Really? Miraculous Doctor you must not be lying to me. I’m counting on you.”

Bai Linglong replied firmly, “Rest assured, I will do my best. The consultation fee will be six taels of silver.”

The man nodded eagerly, saying, “As long as it can be cured, money is not an issue.”

The sixth patient was a pale woman, walking unsteadily and supported by her maid.

In a weak voice, she said, “Miraculous Doctor, my illness is strange. Every month, for several days, I suffer from unbearable abdominal pain, and I pass dark clots of blood. I’ve seen many doctors, but none have been able to cure me. I’m almost desperate.”

Bai Linglong had the woman lie down and carefully examined her, asking about her menstrual cycle, lifestyle habits, and other details. She said, “You have stagnation of qi and blood, leading to obstructed menstruation and dysmenorrhea. The previous doctors did not pinpoint the root cause. I will prescribe medicines to invigorate blood circulation and relieve the pain, along with moxibustion treatment. After a few cycles, you will surely recover.”

Tears welled up in the woman’s eyes as she asked, “Miraculous Doctor, can this really be cured? I still want to have a child.”

Bai Linglong replied, “Of course, The consultation fee will be five taels of silver.”

The woman nodded gratefully, saying, “Miraculous Doctor, if you can cure my illness, I will surely thank you properly.”