CHAPTER 541: CHAPTER 219: KEEPING PACE WITH THE TIMES

"These lunatics!"

"Free clinic?"

"For free?"

It’s simply astonishing. In reality, good-hearted doctors, regardless of their background, are the same. The East has a fine tradition of free clinics, and there are also saints in the West who treat patients without charge. Among doctors, there are always good people. However, the institutionalization of free clinics by East African traditional medicine caused quite a stir among German doctors, evoking a range of feelings: disdain, jealousy, admiration, and reflection... among others.

The East African traditional medicine practitioners didn’t really care about the opinions of the German doctors. Right now, they just wanted to bring honor to traditional medicine. They couldn’t let the heritage of their ancestors be lost—not only should it not be lost, but it should also be carried forward.

To promote traditional medicine, the East African Traditional Medicine Association was established, led by Li Ge. Of course, this was reported to Ernst, without whom it would be difficult to pass in a German cultural country. For instance, Ernst would never approve those miscellaneous medical schools in India.

The voluntary behavior of East African traditional medicine practitioners doing free clinics in rural areas was strongly supported by the East African government. East Africa lacked talent, and doctors have always been scarce resources in any era.

"Chairman Li, are you still reading that ’Cell Biology’ book?"

"Yes, Wei! Whether we admit it or not, those tiny organisms under the microscope objectively exist. We traditional medicine practitioners can’t pretend we don’t see them. The progress of the era allows us to better understand this world, so traditional medicine must also catch up and carry forward this knowledge."

"You’re right. I still remember the shock I felt when I saw cells and microorganisms on our skin through the microscope in that lab. It completely changed my worldview. If I were younger, I would definitely join you in exploring new paths for traditional medicine."

"Haha, you say that, but I know you’re more anxious than anyone else. I saw you reading that Western medicine book on human anatomy all night a few days ago."

With his secret revealed, Wei Jin didn’t say anything. As a traditional old school doctor, he had some integrity. Of course, after coming into contact with Western science in East Africa, Wei Jin was greatly shocked and also worried about the development of traditional medicine. The saying ’learn from the barbarians to counter the barbarians’ made Wei Jin plan to seek a future path for traditional medicine.

Li Ge is considered one of the founders of the new traditional medicine in East Africa. They already had relatively mature medical experience in the Far East and, while perhaps not at the top level, they were in the first tier. After all, the Far East Empire valued face and couldn’t send useless people to East Africa; this was also the result of East Africa’s insistence. Otherwise, given the Far Eastern bureaucrats’ nature, they might have indeed sent some frauds to East Africa. Unfortunately, Ernst knew them too well.

"Wei, you needn’t bear any mental burden. We have important tasks on our shoulders, and learning is nothing to be ashamed of. The future of what we’re engaged in is immeasurable."

"I understand that. You know I’m skilled in surgery. After seeing the Westerners’ research on human structure, I’ve realized that we’re indeed far behind. They can even draw each blood vessel very clearly, which is similar to our meridians. But in terms of meticulousness, we’re lacking. Treating illnesses is a serious matter, as the saying goes, ’a miss is as good as a mile.’

No wonder Wei Jin often mentions Westerners. In reality, once he boarded the ’pirate ship’ of East Africa, he couldn’t get off even if he wanted to. Returning to the Far East would only get him ridiculed by some entrenched scholars, so he simply brought his family to live in East Africa where doctors are respected and have social status.

Of course, some habits from the Far East cannot be changed. Given his age, some things are stubbornly ingrained. Unlike Li Ge, who, for the development of traditional medicine in East Africa, comfortably took East African nationality and even adopted a German name, which is just the pinyin of his own name with the first name first and surname last, making it easier for activities in East Africa.

"Li Ge, I heard you’re working on some kind of reform in traditional medicine preparation recently. How’s it going? Any success?"

"It’s just so-so! Actually, traditional medicine as a decoction is still the best. But now is the age of industrialization, and if traditional medicine wants to penetrate the market in the future, it must go through this as well. So, I’m thinking of turning traditional medicine into small pills or plasters."

"Will it affect the effectiveness of traditional medicine?"

"There will definitely be an impact, both positive and negative. Some medicines become more effective as preparations, while others are rendered useless. However, with so many traditional prescriptions, we’re not afraid to experiment. We can always find treasures in the recipes passed down by our ancestors. No other medical system can rival this," Li Ge said proudly.

"Also, you don’t know this, but the Crown Prince has a lot of treasures. When I mentioned prescriptions, he showed me his collection. Do you know? Many are unique copies of royal medical texts and ancient traditional medicine books from all dynasties! Just those books alone would take me quite some time to explore."

"The Crown Prince is also interested in traditional medicine?"

"It’s hard to say. But his collection of Eastern books and antiques is truly vast. He has stored medical books in two warehouses alone."

This wasn’t Ernst’s extravagance. His books were collectibles and antiques, with high storage requirements. Naturally, they couldn’t be simply placed on shelves like in ordinary libraries. Professionals were needed to maintain them, preventing damage from pests and rodents.

"If the Crown Prince treasures these ancient books so much, would he let you browse them freely?"

"Of course not. But the Crown Prince said that books are for reading, a medium to convey knowledge, so he specifically allowed me to have someone transcribe them, hoping to aid us."

Ernst naturally hoped East Africa’s medical endeavors would progress. Since Li Ge and his fellow traditional medicine practitioners invested themselves in the new traditional medicine, some support was warranted. East Africa wouldn’t lose out. With the assistance of Li Ge and others, a large number of medical patents were registered in East Africa.

Now, East African traditional medicine is advancing on two fronts. One led by Li Ge on the path of innovation, and the other clinging to conservatism, refusing to accept new realities.

However, Ernst isn’t concerned. Each has its pros and cons. Li Ge’s new traditional medicine essentially merges modern science for the modernization of traditional medicine. The challenges they face are similar to modern medicine’s early days, but the transition is much smoother compared to Western traditional medicine to modern medicine.

After all, the written records of traditional medicine are vast. Even if only ten percent is useful, it cannot be compared with Western traditional medicine.

The development of Western modern medicine in East Africa is currently thriving, but because of East Africa’s short history, it primarily focuses on clinical trials.

Theoretical innovation and scientific research are mainly conducted in Europe, and after achievements in European laboratories and research institutions, results are tested in East Africa. With East Africa’s large Black population, finding patients as experimental subjects is relatively easy.

Because of this, the clinical medicine of East Africa’s Western modern medicine can quickly progress. With ample experimental material, it’s not just Western modern medicine that benefits but other medical systems as well.

It can be said that Black people have made significant contributions to the development of East Africa’s medical endeavors, acting as guinea pigs, and far more reliable than mice.

Of course, it can’t be said that East Africa is cruel. Trials and surgeries for the Black people aren’t necessarily a bad thing, especially in this era. Like those in West Africa, if they get injured or sick, they basically await death as there’s virtually no chance for treatment.

This is similar to previous India’s situation, where they were aware that the West treated India as a testing ground but still willingly accepted it. This is a mutual agreement.