Chapter 122 - Great people? I will see them [3]

Chapter 122: Great people? I will see them [3]
The room became silent again.
Ganghyuk was moaning from time to time.

Heum

It was very unusual that Ganghyuk did not say anything after the examination.
He was pondering scratching his chin.
‘Brain neuron no. 5. That is the problem. It is a sure thing.’


He looked at the face of Simin remembering the path and distribution of brain neuron no. 5.
But he could not think of any idea.
His face did not show any changes.
‘Ok, I need to diagnose it first. Then I will think about the remedy.’
He was not sure if he could treat this case.
But a good doctor should keep the order.
If he gives a medicine without the correct diagnosis, he will be a quack.
He has pride as a doctor.
He broke the silence and asked questions.

Did you have this injury a year ago?




Yes.


How did you get it.


It is a long story.


Tell me just how you got that scar.

Simin started his story as if he forgot the pain.
Hwang Yungil turned his body away from Simin murmuring ‘Hugh, it will be a long story again.’
But Ganghyuk could not do that.
He was older than Ganghyuk and he is a great man.
He is the loyal subject who sacrificed his life for the country in Jinju Castle.
‘If I cure this injury and remove pain, he may survive in the battle,’


Of course, it would be better if Ganghyuk would be in Jinju Battle to make it sure.
But Ganghyuk does not want to take such a risk.
‘It is better not to be in the battlefield. But if I have to, I will choose to be near Sunshin.’
He was not defeated even once so the probability of death would be low.
Ganghyuk paid attention to Simin’s story leaving the daydream aside.
It was not in the important scene unlike his expectation.

Then Yeojin came. Without Sunshin we were all dead.


Is that so? Then the scar…


Wait. I will tell you.


Yes.



He said ‘soon’ so Ganghyuk did not have any other option but wait.
Ganghyuk was wondering if he did not know the meaning of the word ‘soon’.
His story ended at lunch time.

Yes, a bastard on the horse swung his sword and I got this. I thought I died but Sunshin rescued me. He is a great military officer with physical strength and skills.

It seems that Simin repeated the same story many times.
When Simin started the story, Hwang Yungil waved his hands.

Heo, you told your story as if you were a useless man. Dr. Baik. He is a good military officer, too. He is as good as Lee Sunshin. He has good skills in archery.


Haha, sir. I am not as good as he.


He is very humble. Anyway, please treat him. He will be a great contributor to this country.


I don’t know if I contribute to the country greatly, but I have a mind to sacrifice myself for the country. I think I was dead at that time and my life after that time is a bonus.



If somebody else made this remark, Ganghyuk would hoot.
But he was the man who really died for the country so Ganghyuk felt moved.
‘Why am I doing? Am I getting old?’
It is said that man would shed tears easily when he got old.
He had the sign just before he came to Joseon.
He thought himself a robot because he did not cry at all.
But he was changed a year before coming to Joseon. He wept when he watched movies such as ‘Gukje Market’ or ‘1987’. A resident who watched the movies with Ganghyuk gave him his handkerchief because he cried too hard.
‘Actually, that was only the beginning. I cried even when I saw a comedy movie.’
He did not understand why he did that.
When he saw himself in the mirror, he felt strange. He could not acknowledge his change.
He did not want to show his weakness in front of great men.
Ganghyuk kept asking.

Yes. Then what treatment did you have?


It seemed not a big problem. I left it. It cured automatically.


Did you leave it without treatment? Was there anyone who took care of it?


Yes, I did. He wiped the blood out and gave me fluid food for better digestion. Sunshin helped me a lot.

Whenever he remembered the old days, he talked about Sunshin.
It seems that he fell in love with Sunshin.
‘It is good to see the great men taking care of each other.’
If this relationship could continue, how it would be beautiful.
But the history did not allow it to be developed.
Even Admiral Lee died in his last battle.
‘I have to concentrate on the examination.’
Ganghyuk tried to concentrate on the scar and remedy suppressing his sentimental thought.

Then, the scar was made at that time.


No, it was open and now it is closed automatically.


No other treatment, right?


No.

Simin nodded his head.
Since medicine was not developed, they did not know about trauma treatment.
‘Even in western countries, they burnt and sterilized with alcohol at that time.’
Additionally, Joseon has been peaceful country without war for quite a long time.
It was said trauma remedy was more developed in the Warring States period in ancient China.
Even Mukjae Ilgi or Miam Ilgi which were known to be best medical books in that period did not have any records on trauma treatment.
Ganghyuk sighed again.

Then when did you have pain?


I don’t remember exactly. But I remember the feeling vividly.


How was it?


I thought I had a new cut. The pain was sharp. I asked people many times.


Yes, I suppose so. And the same pain persists, right?


Yes.

Brian neuron no. 5.
If we describe it with familiar name, we can call it a tertiary neuralgia.
It usually happens when blood vessel structure such as artery in the cerebellum has an issue and presses neurons.
Simin’s case was a rare case that a part of nerves were injured because of trauma.

Can you feel my touch?


Eum? Yes, I do.


Did you have pain?


Yes, sometimes I feel pain even with wind. That is why I always wear this strange looking hat.

From the history and the nature of the pain to his face reminding of tick disorder…
All things say that it is a tertiary neurology.
As he diagnosed, he must be happy. But he could not be happy at all.
‘There is no treatment.’
He looked at the Home-visit bag left at the corner of the room.
He knew everything in the bag, as he brought it with him every day.
‘No, there is nothing for neurology.’
As a matter of fact, a tertiary neurology is not a difficult disease in Korea although it sounds critical.
Only some of the cases that medication does not work needs operation.
‘It is nonsense. I have Viagra but no antiseizure drug. What should I do?’
He looked at Simin again.
He had good painkillers.
He had non-steroid anti-inflammatory and narcotic pain-killers.
However, they cannot help such a sudden and keen pain that neurology gives.

Why, is it difficult to cure?

Simin asked with a worried face, as Ganghyuk’s face became darker.
Ganghyuk shook his head slowly.
Although the possibility of cure was not high and it did not look very safe, there might be a medicine that he could try.
‘It is better to ask him to stay for a while.’
There must be a way.

It is very experimental way to treat, but…


Oh, is there a method?


I think I can try but…


But?


It will take long. Do you mind staying here for a while?

In old times or now, every employee has the same problem.
We work to have a good life, but we cannot take a rest when we are sick.
It is true even in Joseon.
Most of the noblemen who Ganghyuk treated went to work right after he removed the stitch.
But Simin nodded his head laughing loudly.

No, I don’t mind at all. I was fired. I did not know that it would help me.


Fired?

When Ganghyuk opened his eyes wider, Yungil answered instead.

You have connections everywhere. You may know that the government is not quiet these days.


Yes, I know it.

Ganghyuk remembered the conversation between Ryu Seongyong and Lee Hangbok.
‘King Seonjo was not so stupid as I thought.’
He thought he was a real fool, but he was better than he thought.
He tried not to be controlled by the parties.
In Gichukoksa he suppressed Dongin but he left some room for them to counterattack.
However, that made problems again.
The survived Dongin tried their best to take revenge on Seoin.
‘They talked about the crown prince.’
It was not on the surface but most of the people knew this issue.
Jeong Cheol, the chief of Seoin, addressed the urgency of appointment of crown prince.
Lee Hangbok tried to stop him vainly.
‘Jeong Cheol would not bend his own will.’
He looked very stubborn.
And there was enough reason why he wanted to pursue it.
King Seonjo did not have a rightful son.
He had sons from concubines only.
If King Seonjo died without appointing his successor, there might be turbulent.
‘However, he does not need to mention it directly to Seonjo.’
Lee Hangbok repeatedly reminded Jeong Cheol that the King was young, and he did not like such discussion.
However, Jeong Cheol did not listen to him and repeatedly requested the King to appoint his successor.
King Seonjo did not like it.
Dongin was attacking Jeong Cheol to take advantage of this situation.
The government was stirred up because of the issue, although the war was at their nose.
Hwang Yungil continued his talk, watching Ganghyuk.

Yes… He does not like the fractional strife. Therefore…


I am fired. Haha.


Able and righteous men are fired and political people who are good at fractional fighting are dominant. I am really worried about this situation.


Anyway, it is good for me. I can get enough time to be treated.

Ganghyuk looked for something from the drawer while hearing their conversation.
He took out Seomsu and Chooh which used to be a poison and is now being used as anesthetic.

I don’t know if I have enough time. It is very important to find the right concentration if I want to use it as a treatment.