Chapter 197 Folk Remedies
Chapter 197 Folk Remedies
At this time, Wu Deyong was calling some doctors in the city to the county government office and asking them to find a way to prepare medicine.
Yesterday, the yamen runners went to the city to inquire and found out that many people in the city had been infected, and today there are even more people with symptoms.
Wu Deyong said, "Everyone, don't you have a good way to control the epidemic as soon as possible?"
There are only a few doctors in the county, and none of them has a good solution.
A doctor said, "Sir, please close the city gates.
The disease spreads very quickly, and there are no symptoms at first; it takes a long time for symptoms to appear.
By the time symptoms appear, it’s already unknown where the infection has spread.”
Another doctor spoke up, "It's not that this disease is incurable, it's just that the treatment is slow. Also, my Lord, you need to find a way to get more herbs."
Wu Deyong nodded and said, "Okay, I will report this to the prefect immediately. I hope he can help us gather the herbs."
In the county government office, Wu Deyong and others were discussing how to deal with the plague. At the gate of Weixin Academy, Nanny Tao had already bought what Zhang Hulan wanted.
Zhang Hulan put the bird's nest into a mortar and crushed it, then picked out the grass debris.
Only very fine sand remained in the mortar.
Pour out the mud and sand, then put the chives into the mortar and mash them.
Pour the mashed bird's nest paste into the mortar, beat an egg white into it, and then stir together.
Before Dong Jianyong arrived, Zhang Hulan asked Zhang Xiaojun to get a bowl of water.
She poured some salt into the bowl, stirred it to dissolve it, and then asked Zhang Xiaobing to rinse his mouth with the salt water.
Zhang Xiaobing rinsed his mouth with salt water several times, and then asked him to hold a mouthful in his mouth.
Zhang Hulan also asked Zhang Xiaojun and Shanzi to rinse their mouths with salt water every once in a while, so as to reduce the chance of infection.
Zhang Hulan also rinsed her mouth with salt water to prevent herself from being infected.
After Dong Jianyong brought the salt for soaking salted eggs and stirred them together, Zhang Hulan applied the mixed bird's nest paste on the swollen area of Zhang Xiaobing.
Finally, I wrapped it in cloth, and now it does look a bit like a pig's head.
Zhang Xiaobing asked, "Auntie, will this work? When will it be effective?"
Zhang Hulan said, "You'll still be in pain for at least another day, but it should be better by tomorrow."
In fact, Zhang Xiaobing's condition was not serious. He did not have a fever and the swelling was not very severe.
Some were so severely swollen that they had difficulty opening their mouths, could not speak clearly, could not eat, and could only drink some water.
Zhang Hulan then said to Dong Jianyong, "Uncle Dong, you go back first. I will stay in the county for the time being.
When you get back, tell my mother and the others that I have something to do in the county town and will be back in two days."
Dong Jianyong said, "Madam, please go back. I'll just play here and watch."
"No, I'll stay here. When you go back, have everyone gargle with salt water at least five times a day."
"Do people in Zhuangzi also rinse their mouths with salt water?"
Zhang Hulan nodded, "Everyone should rinse their mouths to prevent anyone from getting infected."
"Wouldn't that be a waste of a lot of salt?"
"Uncle Dong, it's okay. We can use a water tank on the farm to mix some salt water for them to rinse their mouths. It doesn't take much salt."
Since Zhang Hulan refused to leave, Dong Jianyong had to go back.
The instructor next to her asked Zhang Hulan, "Does your method work?"
The teacher asked about the method of gargling with salt water to prevent infection.
Zhang Hulan said: "It does have a certain effect, but it doesn't mean that you won't get infected if you gargle with salt water. It's just a matter of probability.
But gargling with salt water can help people who are already infected get better faster.”
The instructor immediately said, "I'll tell the headmaster right away and have the canteen prepare salt water for everyone."
Zhang Hulan asked, "Sir, I need to stay here with my nephew. Could you please let me into the academy? It's not a good idea for them to stay outside. How about I stay with him in their dormitory?"
The instructor said, "I can't make the decision. I'll ask the headmaster for you."
"Okay, trouble."
Zhang Xiaojun said, "Auntie, you can go back. I and Shanzi are here to take care of the soldiers. It's okay."
Shanzi also said, "Yes, Auntie, go back. Brother Xiaojun and I are here. We will take good care of Xiaobing."
Zhang Xiaobing was unwilling, "I want to stay!"
Zhang Xiaojun said unhappily, "Do you want me to be infected by you?"
Zhang Xiaobing was stunned for a moment, then he realized that their disease was contagious. Then he said to Zhang Hulan, "Auntie, you can go back. I'm fine."
Zhang Hulan smiled and said, "Okay, I'll stay with you.
My method is definitely effective. If it works quickly, it will be effective within a day, and if it works slowly, it will definitely be effective within three days. So even if I get infected, it doesn’t matter.”
Zhang Xiaobing's eyes were filled with tears. "Auntie, you are so kind to us!"
The instructor came back quickly and said, "The headmaster has agreed. Please come in."
The teacher opened the door and let Zhang Hulan and Nanny Tao into the academy.
Zhang Hulan followed Zhang Xiaojun and others to the dormitory. As soon as they arrived, Fu Xiyang came over.
He looked at Zhang Xiaobing's head wrapped in cloth and asked Zhang Hulan, "Does your folk remedy work? Has anyone used it before?"
Zhang Hulan nodded. "Some people have used it, and it works pretty well. But I can't guarantee it will work."
Fu Xiyang nodded, "For the same disease, the medicine used is different. It also has something to do with each person's constitution.
But you can give it a try. Are you willing to tell others about this secret recipe?"
"Why wouldn't I want to?" Zhang Hulan said, "Prescriptions are used to cure illnesses and save lives, just like books, they are used to impart knowledge."
Fu Xiyang stroked his beard and smiled, nodded and praised: "There are really not many people in this world who are as broad-minded and sensible as you.
An aunt is willing to accompany her nephew to face the plague. This kind of family love is not something that ordinary people can have.
Most people become terrified when they hear about the plague.
Not to mention my aunt, even some parents would stay away from their children if they were infected with the plague."
Fu Xiyang looked down at Zhang Xiaobing and the other three and said, "You must cherish the love your aunt has for you."
Zhang Xiaobing and the other three nodded immediately, "We'll remember this!"
Fu Xiyang then said to Zhang Hulan, "Those three of them weren't particularly outstanding in their studies at the academy, but their conduct was good, which has a lot to do with you and your family's upbringing.
You can take your time with reading, maybe their brains haven't opened up yet.
Some people only start to understand things when they are in their thirties or forties.
At some point, they’re going to make a big jump, so don’t rush it.”
Zhang Hulan said, "Don't worry, Headmaster, I'm not in a hurry. I don't have such high expectations of them.
Letting them study is to broaden their intelligence and gain wisdom, not to pass imperial examinations and become officials.
Of course, it would be even better if they could pass the imperial examination and become an official.”
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