----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: The Princess's Personal Physician Quits (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I'll have to give more thought to the specifics of the research. And review the progression of medical history from my undergrad days.
How best to convince the academic world? I was deep in thought when...
Knock knock.
I looked up from the papers at the sound of the knock. No one should be visiting me yet. I hadn't even gone to see Grandpa, the Academy Dean. Who could it be?
"Come in."
It was a stranger. Judging by the armful of books she carried, she seemed to be an Academy student. Did she have some business with me?
My question was answered quickly.
"Um, are you... recruiting graduate students by any chance?"
"Fuck yeah, of course we are."
I'd let my mouth run ahead. The student who'd just entered my lab tilted her head in confusion. I covered with a fake cough.
"Sorry, what did you say?"
"No, I mean, yes, we're recruiting grad students."
The word "grad student" had triggered my inner professor reflex, but I still needed to hear what this student had come for.
I looked at the visitor.
Her face still screamed "student." Round features, light brown hair in a ponytail, slightly dark blue eyes.
And she looked exhausted. Well, anyone bold enough to seek out grad school on their own feet probably was.
Her outfit was a white shirt with a bow tie and a black robe. That must be part of the Academy uniform.
I vaguely remembered hearing something like that.
Before modern times, doctors' coats were usually black. Similar to the plague doctors in media. No need for that beak mask unless something special came up.
"Oh, that's a relief."
"Have a seat first."
The prospective grad student sat in front of my desk. A grad student applicant right after arriving at the Academy.
Lucky me.
"Ah, yes. I'm Estina Ivyheart, Apprentice Healer with the Imperial Academy Hospital. Nice to meet you, Professor Asterix."
I nodded.
"I heard a professor who'd been working at the Imperial Palace was newly appointed, so I came to see if I could ask for your guidance."
Everything sounded good. Real good, but...
I mulled over Estina's words for a moment. She fidgeted anxiously, glancing around, her hands unable to stay still.
It was still early in the term; the Academy hadn't even properly started classes. Was there any reason to go knocking on professors' doors for an advisor already?
There had to be some backstory here.
"You're an Academy alum, right?"
"Yes!"
"Estina. If you're from the Academy, you must have professors you know or studied under. Why come to me first?"
"Well, that's..."
Estina's eyes darted nervously. I could guess. She'd probably caused some incident. Maybe an issue with her reputation or skills. She briefly avoided my gaze.
Hmm. What to do?
Sure, I was the new guy. I wasn't in a position to be picky about grad students. It was a blessing to have someone show up unprompted. But a total time bomb would be trouble.
"What incident did you cause?"
"Uh..."
She knew she'd been caught.
Estina hesitated before speaking.
"It wasn't anything big. I had a disagreement with a senior, but the story got twisted into something bad. And... I come from a weak background too."
I thought it over.
"One week."
"Pardon?"
"Classes haven't really started yet, so let's work together for a week. Then I'll decide if I take you on."
"Ah, got it. Thank you."
Estina bowed her head.
"What should I start with?"
Obviously.
"How much vodka do we have here?"
"Sorry, what?"
Hm, probably not the best icebreaker. This might start rumors that I'm a drunk.
"Next time, bring some booze. High-proof and clear, as much as possible. I'll pay you back later."
"Uh, what kind do you like?"
"It's not for drinking. Get the clearest, highest-proof stuff you can. For research materials."
"Okay, understood."
She seemed hesitant.
"Something else?"
Estina spoke up after a pause.
"I'll get the alcohol as soon as possible. Any advice on classes? Like the ones starting next semester?"
Oh ho. I stood up.
"Good. Any empty lecture halls nearby?"
"Ah, plenty."
"Let's head to one."
I arrived at an empty lecture hall with Estina.
"Alright, Estina. The classes I'll teach next semester boil down to two. Intro to Clinical Medicine, and Physiology Lab."
"I see."
Practical and useful, but advancing the field academically too.
"Academically speaking, my goals are these. The first: train healers who can be useful right away. The second: correct the misconceptions in current knowledge."
Estina tilted her head.
"Misconceptions?"
"Estina. Do you know what bacteria are?"
"Bacteria?"
Anyway. I nodded.
"Not sure where to start, but first up: proving bacteria exist, and the need for hand sanitation."
Estina nodded.
"I'll do my best."
"Let's do a quick lesson. Bacteria are tiny bug-like organisms that cause many diseases. They can spoil food too."
"Well, aren't most illnesses from lack of sunlight or unclean environments? Environmental factors, rather than specific bugs."
I shook my head.
Miasma theory.
The idea that diseases come from unclean or polluted surroundings, especially bad air.
Not entirely wrong, of course. But it overlooks that diseases can come from specific pathogens, not just vague abstractions.
"Different for each disease, but infections are caused by bacteria. Like pneumonia?"
"Ah."
"Anyway, most bacteria die when they meet alcohol. Soap too. That's why hand sanitation is key to preventing disease. Especially for us who deal with it often."
Estina looked unconvinced.
"Think of it like this. Ever seen an open wound? If it gets contaminated, it's bad."
"Right."
"Contamination by bacteria causes pus and swelling. Sterilizing tools for surgery, washing hands before, prevents that."
"So, pouring alcohol on a wound could heal it?"
I shook my head.
"It'd kill bacteria, but dousing a wound in booze does more harm than good. Better to sanitize the area around and tools to minimize contamination."
Estina nodded.
"I didn't do much surgery at the palace, but whenever I led one, I sterilized everything used, hands included."
"I see... Got it for now."
I wrote it on the board with chalk.
"Okay, Estina. What do we need to prove what I just explained?"
"If we could see those tiny bugs, that'd prove it. Ideally from a wound."
I nodded.
"Exactly. Magnifying glasses would help research. If they're transparent, staining them would make them visible."
Understanding dawned in Estina's eyes.
"Get what you need to study now?"
"Yes. Prove bacteria exist, stain and magnify to show visually, then use alcohol to kill them?"
I nodded.
"Right."
Estina was sharp. Not fully grasping it yet, but.
"For today, study what we covered. Tomorrow, bring the booze first, then continue. Ways to prove bacteria, ways to kill them."
I planned to plagiarize the greats of this world's academia. Just on bacteria alone, how many scholars? Pasteur who discovered them, Lister who systematized hygiene, Gram who classified them. I'd follow my old world's scientific path without trial and error.
"Okay, got it."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Estina let out a sigh.
She'd grabbed this last lifeline in her desperation. But he was a weird one. Asking for booze right off the bat.
The bacteria talk had some logic, but it clashed with current academia. Was it safe to buy into this?
"Just watch, Estina. Before you graduate, I'll make you a giant in imperial medical science."
Which meant he wouldn't let her graduate until she was one. Estina sensed she was screwed.