I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 114 Syphilis

Chapter 114 Syphilis

Seeing this, Chen Wenbin couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "This old man is really a romantic!"

You're practically turning into a French version of King Zhou of Shang and King You of Zhou because of this woman, and you still care so much about her feelings—you love beauty more than your kingdom, don't you?

"—Your Majesty, the Marchioness."

Chen Wenbin couldn't stand it and interrupted, "I'd like to have the Marquis's wife take Mafia first to control her cough, and then inquire about her condition, is that alright?"

Louis XV, realizing what was happening, immediately stood up and offered his seat, saying, "Of course! Doctor, please sit down!"

He certainly knew of Mafy's reputation. This drug was said to be able to quickly relieve pain and eliminate all negative states. It was extremely rare in London, and even the Duke had to limit his purchases.

Chen Wenbin did not sit down, but placed the medicine box on the dressing table next to him, then took out a medicine bottle from it and poured out a light brown sugar-coated malva granule pill.

Normally, injection would be the fastest way to achieve results, but Chen Wenbin couldn't produce a syringe, so he could only use these oral pills.

Fortunately, Mafei is much more effective than licorice tablets, and it's more than enough to stop coughing—of course, if he dared to use this to treat coughs in modern times, he would definitely be sentenced to up to three years in prison.

Chen Wenbin gave Madame de Pompadour the pills with warm water. While waiting for the medicine to take effect in the bedroom, he inquired about the specific symptoms of Louis XV and the maid.

Upon learning that Madame Pompadour not only suffered from a serious gynecological ailment, had been unable to have intercourse for over a decade, and had recently begun coughing up purulent phlegm, he rose and asked the old Marquis to lead him to a clean room, where some distilled water and grinding tools were prepared.

After everything was prepared, he opened the two treasured amoxicillin capsules by himself, ground the granules into finer particles, mixed them thoroughly with saline, and finally set aside a small portion as a skin test solution.

For such an important patient as Madame de Pompadour, he would of course have to perform a skin test. Otherwise, she might die from an allergic reaction. Even if Louis XV didn't want her to die, Chen Wenbin's image as a miracle doctor would be ruined.

While amoxicillin cannot directly treat tuberculosis, it is very effective in treating streptococcal pharyngitis and pneumonia, as well as infections of the genitourinary system and syphilis.

Tuberculosis is actually a chronic, fatal disease; it can only lead to rapid death within a few weeks when the immune system is extremely weakened.

If immunity can be boosted, it can extend a patient's life by several years. Therefore, Chen Wenbin prepared to treat Mrs. Pompadour's lung infection and urinary tract inflammation with amoxicillin to help her immunity recover properly, which could at least allow her to live for another year or two.

The only problem was the cough caused by tuberculosis, which required long-term use of malathion to suppress—but this was of no concern to the wealthy Louis XV.

Even if a single malt extract costs 100 pounds, he can afford it.

When Chen Wenbin returned to the bedroom, he saw that Madame Pompadour had stopped coughing, so he smiled at her and said, "Madame—"

Before he could finish speaking, the other person shook his head and said, "Dr. Robin—I want to know, can I be cured?"

Chen Wenbin hesitated for a moment, but decided to tell the truth: "I am confident that I can cure your gynecological inflammation and lung inflammation, but I am not able to cure your tuberculosis at the moment."

Despair flashed in Madame Pompadour's eyes, but she remained rational and asked, "How much longer can I live?"

'

Chen Wenbin glanced at Louis XV, who was also concerned, and shook his head slightly.

"I can't give a specific timeframe, but I think you should have at least one to three years after treatment, provided you strictly follow my instructions regarding diet and rest."

Louis XV was initially disappointed, then overjoyed. He clenched his fists, remaining silent as he gazed at Madame de Pompadour on the bed. After a moment of silence, she gave the old king a reassuring look, then said to Chen Wenbin, "—Thank you for your honesty, Doctor! My name is Jeanne Antoinette. You can call me by my name in private. Thank God, I have at least another year to spend with Louis, which makes me feel incredibly fortunate!"

"Oh! My Jeanne!"

Louis XV, moved, bent down and kissed his mistress's forehead, then also expressed his gratitude to Chen Wenbin.

If this couple were ordinary people, they would seem quite good together, but one of them was an indecisive king, and the other was a woman who could influence the king's decisions—Chen Wenbin didn't know how to evaluate them, and could only silently mourn for the French in his heart.

"—Your Majesty, I will now conduct a test on the Lady to verify her sensitivity to the medication—"

Chen Wenbin explained the skin test process to them, and after obtaining their consent, he took out a small scalpel and alcohol from the toolbox. After wiping the scalpel with alcohol, he cut open the skin on the inside of Mrs. Pompadour's forearm and used a pipette to inject a small amount of amoxicillin saline solution under the skin.

After waiting for twenty minutes and finding no positive reaction of raised skin wheals or redness, she was allowed to drink half a cup of sugar water containing dissolved amoxicillin.

After doing all this, Chen Wenbin had Catherine give a light diet plan for the patient to the Marquis de Ferrarière, the chief steward of the court, and then instructed Madame Pompadour's maid to sprinkle alcohol all over the room.

After everyone left Madame de Pompadour's bedroom, Louis XV couldn't help but ask Chen Wenbin, "Doctor—what kind of medicine is the 'amoxicillin' you gave Jeanne? Why was a test necessary?"

He spoke "amoxicillin" in Mandarin, which made Chen Wenbin chuckle. He explained, "Yes, it's a drug with some toxicity. It can effectively treat gynecological inflammation and syphilis, but it's extremely toxic to some people and can be fatal. So, it must be tested before use."

"—It can actually treat syphilis?" The old king stared wide-eyed at Chen Wenbin, shocked. "More effective than mercury?"

Even the old marquis following behind the two was drawn over, staring intently at Chen Wenbin, hoping for a positive answer.

mercury!

Mercury ointment and mercury sugar pills are now commonly used in Europe to treat syphilis—it sounds terrible, and it really is terrible!

Mercury is a heavy metal. Excessive intake can lead to damage to the nervous system and kidneys. In severe cases, it can cause hematuria, tremors in the hands and feet, and even mental disorders.

However, mercury was the only way to alleviate the symptoms of syphilis in this era. As for the side effects of mercury poisoning, since syphilis was almost fatal, it was necessary to choose the lesser of two evils.

The homemade penicillin powder, which Chen Wenbin was preparing to launch as a specific drug for syphilis, was originally intended to be marketed to French nobles. When Louis XV asked him about it, of course he had to promote it well.

So he confidently smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the effectiveness of amoxicillin in treating syphilis has been preliminarily verified in London. I think its side effects are definitely less than those of mercury. However, the cost is too high, and the production process also depends on luck. Therefore, it is still in the exploratory stage and can only be used to treat a small number of people."

Upon hearing this, Louis XV immediately grabbed Chen Wenbin's arm and exclaimed excitedly, "My God! Dr. Robin! Are you telling the truth?"

Chen Wenbin was a little surprised by his reaction, but still nodded and said, "Why would I lie to you, Your Majesty? I am a doctor, and I can stand by my words!"

Upon hearing this, Louis XV exchanged a glance with the Marquis de Lafayette, who immediately said, "Dr. Robin, His Majesty the King wishes to speak with you privately!"

"That's right, doctor."

The old king sighed and nodded, saying, "Let's talk in the study on the first floor!"

Chen Wenbin was taken aback, looking at Louis XV with a strange expression, thinking to himself, "Is there something I can't say now? Wait a minute!"

He stared at Louis XV's slightly trembling fingers and eyelids, recalling the bloodshot gums he had shown while speaking—

I rely on!