Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Plague Doctor Dispatch Duty (4)
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Throughout the journey here, I'd mentioned Snow's research, but I don't think I'd ever properly explained what John Snow actually did.
Here's what it boils down to.
In 1854, John Snow marked the residences of cholera patients on a map with dots.
This map revealed that the patients had all been drawing water from a specific well, and there was a source of fecal contamination near that well.
It was a case that demonstrated how the plague wasn't spread by bad air, but by a specific contaminant—namely, bacteria. In particular, it proved that cholera spread through water.
At the time, this was revolutionary.
British society didn't immediately accept John Snow's findings, but the policies based on his paper proved effective, so they were implemented.
Banning the consumption of unboiled water in affected areas and closing problematic wells.
It took considerable courage for Snow as well. The common wisdom of the era held that contaminated air caused disease. Yet Snow waded through the stench-filled slums, visiting patients' homes to conduct epidemiological investigations firsthand.
It was research achieved truly at the risk of his life. Not only a scientific feat, but the foundation of modern disease epidemiology.
Estina gave me a puzzled look.
"……."
"I'm going to write this up as a paper."
"I see."
"It doesn't need to be long. Something like, 'We did this, and the plague came under control. It seems the mechanism of spread is like this.' That sort of thing."
The map was the key part anyway.
Estina nodded.
"But we didn't make the map ourselves. Is there a way to get one showing the distribution of patients? Did the bureaucrats make it?"
I had no idea.
Maybe I could get it from the Lord of Lapis? They'd probably hand it over if it's for research.
"Let's wrap things up soon and head back to the Academy. The remaining patients can be handled by other healers, and we need to keep up with our research."
"You're right. Compared to when we first arrived, the number of patients has dropped dramatically."
Some had died, others had recovered and been discharged. New admissions had also plummeted. Things seemed to be stabilizing.
Three days since arriving in Lapis territory.
The relief ward was gradually regaining its peace.
We went to see the Baroness of Lapis again. This time, instead of the meeting room, she was seated in what looked like an office.
Another sign that the situation was improving.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in."
Creeeak. The office door opened.
"Greetings, Baroness of Lapis."
"Ah, it's the healers. Hello."
Lafrenia's office was surprisingly lavish.
Not with gaudy decorations or expensive furniture, but three walls lined with books—that was intriguing.
Estina and I bowed in greeting.
"The plague seems to be under control. We're planning to return to the Academy now."
"Of course. There must be patients waiting at the Academy hospital, right?"
Probably. I had no idea what might have happened there while we were away for a few days, but what big trouble could arise in that time?
"Yes."
"I can't thank you enough—no matter how many times I say it, it's not sufficient. If it weren't for you, Professor... I don't even want to imagine how things might have turned out."
"It was just our duty."
"Your duty..."
The Baroness of Lapis hesitated a bit.
"Is something wrong?"
"It might sound obvious, but I'm a sort of regent. I'm sitting in this position in place of my elderly father."
She had quite the backstory, it seemed.
"I see."
"With this crisis erupting right after my coronation... If it hadn't been resolved, who knows what would have happened."
The Baroness of Lapis looked younger than her position suggested. I'd imagined some grandfatherly figure or a stern uncle as lord of the domain, but it was a young woman who still had a student-like air about her.
With such capable bureaucrats, things should run smoothly. Not my concern anyway.
I bowed again.
"If it's not too much trouble, could I take a look at the documents or maps you prepared for resolving this incident? It's for research."
The Baroness of Lapis wore an odd expression again. I couldn't tell if it was displeasure or curiosity.
"Take them. Stuff like that."
"Thank you."
"Professor Asterix. We'll provide as much case material from this incident as possible, but more than that... I'd love to work with you going forward. Could I afford your services?"
What was this, treating me like some soccer star with a transfer fee? I shook my head. After all the trouble I'd gone through to join the Academy...
I'd be staying at the Academy for the foreseeable future.
It was the best environment for research, after all.
"I'll be staying at the Academy for a while. I figure I should be where my disciple and the most patients are."
"I see."
Come to think of it, I hadn't gone through that much hardship to join the Academy. I'd just snapped at Mint a few times when she told me not to go.
"Well then, we'll be on our way. We've summarized methods for preventing and treating cholera-like dysentery—about three pages—and passed it to Mr. Headwick, so refer to it if needed."
"You can just hand out stuff like that?"
"A hospital isn't some secret recipe spot. If there's a good way to save lives, we should share it."
Anyway.
"Then... we'll take our leave. If the plague reemerges, send a letter straight to the Academy. We'll help as much as we can."
"Yes. I hope to see you again soon."
"It's better if there's no reason to meet, Baroness."
A doctor should have as few occasions to meet patients as possible in life.
Especially a plague doctor.
We left the Baroness of Lapis and exited the office. Could we ride wyvern knights back? Or would it be a carriage?
The latter would be a hassle.
The Baroness of Lapis, Lafrenia, chuckled inwardly. What amusing people they were.
Two healers dispatched from the Academy.
She'd asked Headwick for details, and apparently, that professor had launched into a monologue about cholera-like dysentery and waterborne diseases even before entering Lapis airspace.
He'd diagnosed the problem as 'dysentery' based solely on those two words—without even knowing the city's situation—and proposed solutions on the spot.
The conversation had gone something like this.
"We would have been lost without Professor Asterix. Figuring out the issue and presenting solutions within a day of arrival."
"It wasn't even two days. He insisted before leaving the Academy that cholera-like dysentery spreads through water, so we had to block that."
"Really?"
"Yes. He went on about countering dehydration, that it comes from contaminated water sources, cleaning the wells, and so on."
In hindsight, after implementing it, it all sounded obvious.
"At the time, without seeing the site, it sounded like nonsense... But now, Professor Asterix didn't even need to come. We could have just followed his advice from the Academy."
Lafrenia gazed out the window.
"Strange. Is he some kind of fortune-teller?"
"He's been famous among healers for a while. A healer of unknown origin saved a princess dying from an unidentified lung disease."
"I see."
But more than that.
She'd brought up being a regent and her elderly father, yet he'd ignored it all—whether out of obliviousness or rudeness—and jumped straight to his research requests.
- "It might sound obvious, but I'm a sort of regent. I'm sitting in this position in place of my elderly father. With this crisis erupting right after my coronation... If it hadn't been resolved, who knows what would have happened."
And Asterix's response?
- "If it's not too much trouble, could I take a look at the documents or maps you prepared for resolving this incident? It's for research."
A complete lack of interest.
'Ah, my father's elderly, so I stepped in to help, thanks for your assistance.'
'Whatever, hand over the research materials.'
Honestly, at this point, wasn't he some kind of madman?
Back in my research lab at the Academy.
What the heck—the documents from the Baroness of Lapis had almost everything I needed for the paper.
Maps charting the geographical distribution of patients, the successes and failures of cholera prevention methods, reasons why waterborne infection was more plausible than miasma theory in this case.
Hardly anything left for me to create anew. Lapis's officials must have recorded nearly everything I said. They'd even made the maps.
"Just submit it yourself, Estina."
"Pardon? Submit what?"
What else?
"The paper. Put me down as corresponding author."
"Me?"
It was starting to feel like a habit. But Estina was my only grad student, and she always did a great job when I tasked her.
"Who else is here besides you?"
"Uh, I'll do my best then..."
Estina nodded.