Chapter 116: Confirmation of Death [1]
We lived in an era where the police casually informed us that people were going to be killed. That was the nineteenth century for you. It was a bit disturbing, but what could I do? Tracheotomy might be the only viable airway technique in this era.
Tracheal intubation… that was really difficult back then…
At the university hospital, I saw intubations every day. It was not the kind of thing you often saw in dramas or movies, where a plastic tube was inserted into a patient’s mouth during surgery or while treating someone unconscious. The goal was to keep the airway open. Sometimes, it was also done to prevent blood from clogging the airway. Ultimately, it was all to keep the patient breathing.
Why was intubation the go-to method in modern times? Simple. It was safer, and more importantly, it did not involve cutting.
But… there were some prerequisites for that, right?
That was what I learned once I came here. First of all, you needed a plastic tube, one soft and pliable yet firm enough not to collapse when the patient inhaled. I supposed rubber could work, but that was a distant dream for now.
The gag reflex… Laughing Gas alone isn’t enough to suppress it.
And then there was the gag reflex. Anyone who had ever drunk too much knew this. The moment something touched the back of your tongue, nausea hit. And intubation, by its nature, triggered that. In modern intensive care units, we used sedatives, anesthetics, and powerful tranquilizers to knock patients out before intubation. But in this godforsaken nineteenth century? Our options were limited to Laughing Gas and Opium. Neither could fully suppress the gag reflex.
So… Tracheotomy it was. That was our only option for now.
Tracheotomy, by contrast, was brutally invasive. You literally cut a hole in the neck. But because you were not touching the tongue or throat, there was no gag reflex. Of course, inserting something directly into the windpipe had its own risks, but even in the twenty-first century, Tracheotomies were commonly used for long-term airway management. With proper anatomical knowledge and a bit of training, it was technically easier than intubation.
All right… Let’s brace ourselves.
While I was mentally preparing myself, we sat in a carriage, nineteenth-century gentlemen without a hint of guilt, chatting casually.
“Seems the police are frustrated they couldn’t hang him.”
“Well, good. They all deserve to die.”
Blundell and Liston were discussing someone’s execution. Not exactly the kind of conversation doctors should be having. But since even the police officer sitting with us did not protest, I had to wonder if I was the odd one out.
“You’re right. They all deserve it. If their bodies can still help after death, that’s a blessing for them.”
Uh… I don’t think so. Did you get their consent?
“The only issue is when they use poison… It’s too unreliable. What if they survive and end up in the hospital?”
“Well, they’re death row inmates anyway. What happens next doesn’t matter.”
“Wait, Professor, that’s… a little much. Isn’t it murder if someone other than the executioner finishes the job?”
“I apologize. Our Professor Liston…”
“If no one finds out…”
“You just said that out loud.”
“If that happens, we’ll have no choice but to prosecute, Professor.”
The conversation kept spiraling, half-jokes turning darker by the second. I could not tell if this madness was specific to these people or the whole damn century.
“We should go check for ourselves.”
“Hmph.”
“What’s with that look? It’s only natural for a doctor to confirm death.”
“It’s not natural. It’s just… disturbing.”
They both paused and looked at me. More precisely, they looked between me and the Stethoscope I was holding, as if I were their magical tool.
They think I’m Doraemon, huh?
Honestly? They were not wrong. I sighed.
“I’ll do what I can.”
“Good. Please.”
Blundell nodded enthusiastically.
“Just in case, we’re bringing the police along.”
“Hah…”
Liston said something ominous, and the police officer sighed, clearly understanding that “just in case” meant “if he’s alive, kill him.”
Despite the chaotic conversation, the carriage eventually reached our destination.
“Kill him!”
“Death to the wicked!”
It was a public square. From my perspective, the British of this era had no right to criticize the Romans. What was the difference between this and the Colosseum?
Still… didn’t they say over thirty thousand people came to see William Hare’s execution?
Was that last year? He and Burke had been selling corpses to Dr. Knox after murdering people. With that level of infamy, I could understand the crowds. But today was not much different.
“Where’s the gallows?!”
“Hang him!”
Really? You were all screaming just to see someone die? Coming from the twenty-first century, a relatively civilized era, it was surreal.
“Today’s execution will be by poison.”
“Booo!”
“Lame!”
“How much did he pay them?!”
As soon as the police chief announced poison instead of hanging, the crowd erupted in outrage. I thought the chief was trembling from fear, but Blundell leaned toward me and explained.
“I suppose poison isn’t reliable enough. There are quite a few who survive. So… naturally, people wonder how much money changed hands.”
“Ah…”
“Actually, it happens. Some wealthy convicts fake their deaths and escape to the colonies in Asia. I once received a request like that.”
“A… request?”
“See, after poison executions, a doctor is supposed to verify the death. Officially, it’s an autopsy. Unofficially, sometimes it’s a cover-up.”
“To declare a living person dead?”
“Exactly. Of course, this Blundell would never violate his conscience that way.”
“Of course, of course…”
He was so adamant that I started to wonder if he had done it at least once. But never mind that. The crowd was on the verge of rioting.
“Calm down! Yes, their crimes are so heinous that hanging seems deserved, but today, we’ll proceed by poison. Dr. Liston! Dr. Pyeong! Step forward!”
I nearly cursed aloud. Why was I being called out?
Liston, who should have acted as a shield, just stepped forward, grinning like he was basking in the attention.
“Well, what can you do, Pyeong?”
“This… This isn’t right!”
“Haha! The police are here. The situation is already in motion. And we’re the reason they changed the method of execution, aren’t we?”
“Don’t say that so loudly…”
And then he pointed to me. Loudly. Clearly. Instantly, the crowd’s eyes locked onto us.
If I were taller, I would be making direct eye contact with all of them. Thank God I was short.
“This is an honorable reason. We’re doing this to save lives.”
“Sure. That’s very noble.”
“Terrifying, though.”
“It’s like staring down a herd of wild animals.”
Hey, I’m weaker than a sheep, Professor. They could easily tear someone apart in a frenzy.
“Let’s go.”
Shaking, I let Dr. Liston lead me forward. Suddenly, splat. A tomato. Who threw it?
Luckily, Liston blocked it with his hand.
“Hehe…”
The chief gave a smarmy smile and handed over the floor.
“You two must have a good reason. Considering the crimes these men committed, we’re curious to hear it.”
“Gladly.”
We stepped onto the platform. From up here, I could see the crowd clearly, thousands of angry eyes aimed at us. The reason? Because we chose poison instead of hanging.
The fear was overwhelming.
“What’s with the yellow guy?!”
“He’s going to take our money and run off to Asia!”
“How obvious!”
Just hearing their voices was terrifying. And then—
“Haha.”
Liston smiled. Seriously? Now?
“If you know me, you’ll know I’m Dr. Liston. I imagine there are at least a few people here whose lives I’ve saved.”
The crowd quieted a little. He sounded like a drug peddler, but they were listening.
“This here is Dr. Pyeong. He developed the anesthetic that’s now saving lives.”
He even gave me credit. The murmuring died down even more.
And then, as if to drive the point home, Liston grabbed the condemned man, the gang leader, by the head.
“It takes anatomical knowledge to save lives. We don’t support stealing corpses, but these men exploited our needs. So now, we’re going to use their bodies for dissection! You can’t study neck anatomy if you hang them!”
I froze in terror. Even the gang leader looked offended, as if to say, How dare you say that right before my death.
Footnotes
Translator’s Notes
Tracheal intubation — Procedure of placing a tube through the mouth or nose into the trachea to maintain an airway.
Intensive care unit — Hospital unit for critically ill patients requiring close monitoring and advanced support.
Gag reflex — Protective reflex that triggers retching or vomiting when the back of the throat is stimulated.
Colosseum — Ancient Roman amphitheater in Rome, associated with public spectacles and gladiatorial games.
William Hare — Criminal involved in the Burke and Hare murders in Edinburgh; historically, Hare was not executed but turned king’s evidence. The narration reflects the character’s mistaken or altered understanding.