Chapter 388: Difficulties in the Hospital

Chapter 388

Medical skills indeed emphasize observation, listening, inquiry and palpation, but one can also diagnose an illness without taking the pulse, it's just that reading the pulse provides a more accurate assessment compared to just using one's eyes.

Wen Zhiyun could already feel the other party's malicious intent, but for the clinic, to prove himself, he gritted his teeth and agreed, "Alright."

Observation, listening, inquiry and palpation, just as the name implies, first observe with the eyes, then listen with the ears, and finally explore the patient's symptoms and lifestyle habits.

The young master looked about fourteen or fifteen years old, with delicate and healthy skin, intact and agile limbs, he didn't look ill, except for slightly red corners of his eyes, and the whites of his eyes that should have been clear, seemed to be covered by a layer of fog.

It was just like the dry eye condition described in the books given by Doctor Wu.

Wen Zhiyun stood up and led the young man to the entrance of the clinic. The noon sun suddenly shone upon them, and the young man immediately closed his eyes, and took big steps back into the shade.

"Young master," he already had a sense, "Do your eyes often feel dry without tears, sometimes burning and itchy, like something is stuck in your eyes, and occasionally you have blurry vision?"

The young master was startled, but quickly nodded, "You've got some skills."

Wen Zhiyun humbly pursed his lips, and returned to the wooden table to take up a brush, "If it's more serious, auxiliary acupuncture and moxibustion may be needed, but for mild discomfort, taking some medicine first, using herbs like wolfberry and prepared rehmannia that clear the liver and improve vision, applying hot compresses with a towel when necessary."

By the time he finished speaking, the prescription was also written down.

The young master grabbed it and clicked his tongue in praise, “I didn’t expect it, this young doctor looks thirteen or fourteen, yet is so capable.”

In fact, capable was an overstatement.

Wen Zhiyun’s medical skills were honed on ordinary commoners. He was familiar with treating common illnesses like diarrhea, cold damage, and back and limb pain.

For truly serious illnesses, ordinary commoners wouldn't even seek treatment, just letting the patient die at home, so he never had a chance to accumulate experience.

If possible, he really wanted to apprentice under an experienced master to thoroughly study medical knowledge.

But ordinary people didn't have the qualifications or opportunity.

Wen Zhiyun sighed softly, and looked towards the elder with white hair and beard, his expression even more solemn, "Elder, this way please."

The elder didn't speak, just tottered over.

The young master immediately moved back, giving up the cushioned seat.

This time there was no difficulty, just a regular consultation, but Wen Zhiyun encountered new confusion with the pulse diagnosis.

As it was known, the pulse of the elderly was slower compared to the young, and the aged body also showed more illnesses, so when taking the pulse, the complex symptoms made it difficult to distinguish specifics.

"I heard you know acupuncture?" Seeing Wen Zhiyun couldn't answer, the elder changed the subject, "I wonder, what do you usually use acupuncture for?"

"It's used to unblock the meridians, invigorate blood, resolve stasis, harmonize yin and yang. It can also be used to resuscitate and in a short time, achieve fever reduction and pain relief." Wen Zhiyun truthfully recounted what he had learned.

The elder nodded calmly, placing his left hand on his right wrist's pulse, and didn't speak.

Little fifth brother had said, everyone in this world spoke and acted with their own motives.

If the elder had a motive for mentioning the pulse, then acupuncture... Wen Zhiyun's eyes lit up, an unbelievable notion rising up, "Could it be, this pulse condition was changed through acupuncture?"

Teachable indeed.

The corners of the elder's mouth curved up slightly. He removed something from his right arm, then placed it back over his pulse, signaling Wen Zhiyun to check again.

Only to see the three fair and youthful fingers on the wrinkled and aged skin, the slow and faint pulse of the elderly came, accompanied by slight tremors, somewhat normal, yet also showing symptoms.

Wen Zhiyun let go, cautiously saying, "Elder, do you have a heart tremor condition?"

Elderly heart tremors were not a major problem, but if left unchecked, could very possibly lead to stroke.

"Somewhat," the elder retracted his hand, finally smiling, "Truly unexpected, this young doctor in his teens is stronger than my grandson by a line."

The young master pouted, a little unhappy.

Indeed, three generations had come as a group to make trouble.

Jiang Sheng was so angry she was fuming, ready to go tattle to the Jiang house at any time, to have her father and grandmother back her up.

Yet unexpectedly, the elder's tone suddenly shifted, "It's just, too little experience with serious illnesses. Ancient texts can broaden your horizons, but without actual familiarity gained from saving lives, it's nothing but an armchair strategist."

This was just like martial practitioners sparring and brawling. No matter how many times one practiced moves against the air, it couldn't compare to actual grappling and wrestling with others.

Yet medicine and fighting were different.

Reckless fighting could at most cost one's own life, but recklessly needling could pitfall innocent patients.

No one would hand over a seriously ill patient to an inexperienced doctor. But without treating illness, the doctor would be forever lacking in experience.

This was when one's master became the most important guide.

Wen Zhiyun knew he lacked this, recalling eating closed door after closed door when trying to apprentice under little fifth brother, tears couldn't help but flow out.

Until he heard that sentence— "I see your qualifications are decent, would you be willing to learn medicine from me?"