CHAPTER 322: 318 CHAPTER: CITY SANITATION AND CHOLERA

The first day of the short trip to Strasbourg caused Jerome Bonaparte to "lose" more than 20 million francs. Although this money was used to train qualified military commanders, Jerome Bonaparte always had an indescribable feeling that it was as if all this had been arranged in advance by Renio.

That evening, Jerome Bonaparte wrote to the Ministry of War, requesting that its financial department allocate funds to the Strasbourg region, and at the same time dispatch a group of mathematicians from Paris to Strasbourg.

Whether it’s the artillery or "civil engineering" department, mathematics is indispensable, and compared to the strong academic atmosphere of Paris, the mathematicians in Strasbourg are not up to par. Moreover, the professors at Strasbourg’s universities were already nearly bald from being overworked by two military schools.

If the newly established military college also invites professors from Strasbourg University of Technology to work part-time, unless the university dissolves on the spot and all the professors are incorporated into the new military academy, it would be impossible to meet the requirements.

Jerome Bonaparte also understood that this letter would definitely provoke opposition from some military bureaucrats within the Ministry of War, among whom might very well be generals who had previously supported him.

For conservative military commanders, any reform is a clash with the old system, which naturally incites their opposition.

The tragedy of reform is none other than this.

At this point, Jerome Bonaparte can only rely on his prestige at its peak to continue pressing forward with the reforms. As long as military reforms show results, he can gain the same esteem as his uncle Napoleon.

Folding the letter, Jerome Bonaparte handed it to Mornay, commanding him to immediately head to Strasbourg’s telegraph office and transmit it by telegraph to the Ministry of War.

Mornay took the letter and left the hotel under the cover of night to go to the telegraph office, leaving Jerome Bonaparte alone in the room again.

Alone standing by the window, Jerome Bonaparte gazed at the sly full moon on the horizon, feeling a sense of alienation from the world.

Submerged in the tides of history, Jerome Bonaparte knew that each of his steps was writing new history, yet was unsure if he could cut through this new history and pave a broad path for France.

"Let it be!" Jerome Bonaparte murmured vacantly, before turning away from the window and lying on the bed with his hand under his head.

After sending the letter via telegraph to Paris, Mornay returned to the hotel to report to Jerome Bonaparte, only to find him already asleep. He shook his head and quietly left the room.

Early the next morning, a noise came from Jerome Bonaparte’s room.

"Achoo!"

With a sneeze, Jerome Bonaparte sniffled, having caught a cold due to the temperature difference between day and night in Strasbourg and leaving the window open the previous night.

Luckily, 1851 wasn’t an outbreak year for cholera, otherwise, he’d consider taking willow bark to see if he could endure it.

Nonetheless, Jerome Bonaparte felt his nose was somewhat blocked, so he urgently summoned Mornay and instructed him to find a doctor to treat him.

Mornay took a carriage to a private clinic in Strasbourg to "invite" a doctor for Jerome Bonaparte. After examining him, the doctor immediately pulled out his medical bag and prepared the medicine.

Looking at the prepared, thick, healthy-colored medicine, Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but feel nauseous.

Mornay, with an unsure expression, asked, "Is this medicine really effective?"

"Rest assured! These have been tested extensively!" the doctor confidently responded.

Watching the confident doctor, Jerome Bonaparte gritted his teeth and drank it down.

The moment the medicine entered his throat, Jerome Bonaparte felt an indescribable bitterness, as if bitter melon juice was being poured in.

"Water! Water!" Jerome Bonaparte croaked.

The doctor calmly took out a small bottle and poured a glass of colorless, transparent liquid for Jerome Bonaparte. Jerome, eyeing the doctor, was reluctant to drink the unknown liquid.

"What’s wrong? Are you afraid it’s poisoned?" the doctor inquired.

Jerome Bonaparte shook his head, while Mornay explained for him, "The Governor doesn’t like drinking water that hasn’t been boiled!"

In the 19th century, when pathological knowledge was not yet widespread, not many monarchs were willing to drink boiled water [except for coffee and the like; most monarchs preferred wine]. Jerome Bonaparte’s behavior was somewhat out of step with most monarchs.

The doctor looked at Jerome Bonaparte in surprise, showing a curious smile, "Governor, do you also believe that cholera bacteria exist?"

"Water!" Jerome Bonaparte dry-heaved twice, without answering the doctor.

The doctor handed the water to Jerome Bonaparte, saying considerately, "I boiled the water and sterilized the bottle!"

This time it was Jerome Bonaparte’s turn to be surprised. He took the distilled water from the doctor’s bottle and drank it all, finally feeling much better in his throat.

"Cholera vibrio?" Jerome Bonaparte, having recovered his voice, asked the doctor once more.

"Governor, are you not aware of the debate at the recent health conference?" The doctor also showed a look of surprise.

Jerome Bonaparte turned his gaze to Mornay, who explained to Jerome Bonaparte.

It turned out that not long ago, to cope with the impact of cholera, an international sanitary conference of a semi-official nature was convened in Paris, led by Britain.

"At that time, you were dealing with other matters, and for such things, we thought it best not to disturb you!" Mornay said to Jerome Bonaparte.

Since the international sanitary conference was held in mid-August, Jerome Bonaparte was managing military affairs at the time, and all minor matters, except major ones, were assigned to various departments for handling.

Something like the international sanitary seminar, having a semi-official character, was not worth troubling Jerome Bonaparte with.

Hearing Mornay’s explanation, Jerome Bonaparte finally understood what was going on. He turned his gaze to the doctor and said, "Did you attend that conference as well?"

The doctor nodded and couldn’t help but exclaim, "That conference really benefited me greatly!"

"Could you tell me about it?" Jerome Bonaparte showed some interest.

Since Renio had not yet arrived, listening to the doctor’s experiences was also a kind of amusement, just to pass the time.

The doctor recounted two views proposed at the international sanitary seminar regarding cholera: one was the "cholera vibrio" introduced by anatomists from Florence, and the other was the popular "miasma theory" from England.

"So, do you support the cholera vibrio?" Jerome Bonaparte responded to the doctor.

The doctor nodded and said, "I have dissected corpses of cholera patients and discovered this thing under the microscope!"

Jerome Bonaparte gave the doctor a thumbs up. No matter the era, there are always unsung heroes who silently lead the progress of their time.

Jerome Bonaparte also believed that any technology or development was not accidental. It was a "truth" derived from thousands of experiments, and similarly, it would not be only one person who discovered this truth.

Some people are destined to remain anonymous for various reasons.

"I also support the cholera vibrio!" Jerome Bonaparte said to the doctor as well.

"Governor, since you support the cholera vibrio, why haven’t you taken action?" The doctor questioned Jerome Bonaparte.

"Bold!" Mornay immediately reprimanded the doctor.

The doctor continued in his own way, saying, "I have seen many people waiting to die due to lack of treatment for cholera. It is really due to the monarch’s inaction that they face such dilemmas!"

"Sir, we are already actively developing a vaccine for the cholera virus!" Jerome Bonaparte responded in a calm tone, "I believe it won’t be long before we succeed!"

"No... that’s not enough!" The doctor shook his head and replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"What do you think the government should do better?" Jerome Bonaparte asked the doctor again.

"I believe cholera should not only be treated but also prevented! We must not only prevent cholera but also other diseases!" The doctor elaborated to Jerome Bonaparte, "When our healthcare system responds to sudden diseases, its speed is exceptionally slow! Ultimately, it is because we have too few hospitals and too few qualified doctors!"

"Sir, France is already actively addressing this matter!" Jerome Bonaparte could only respond to the doctor formally.

In the 19th century, as long as charitable hospitals could save lives, it was considered a success.

"It’s not enough!" The doctor shook his head sincerely and said, "France should establish more community hospitals and equip them with sufficient caregivers. Caregiving should not be underestimated. I have seen many people become critically ill again due to inadequate follow-up care..."

The doctor spoke to Jerome Bonaparte one by one, and Jerome Bonaparte listened attentively to the doctor’s words.

Although many issues were merely the doctor’s wishful thinking (such as hospitals should forgive those who cannot afford treatment, constructing more national hospitals), there were still some that were useful (such as establishing care hospitals, isolating patients, and the issue of public drinking water).

"Thank you very much for your suggestions! I will seriously consider all your advice and then carefully plan the future construction of France’s healthcare system."