CHAPTER 121: 121 VALLEY PATH BLOCKED

Du Heng had been very busy for the past two days. Besides having a few more patients with stroke paralysis, he had to spend more time attending meetings. These included meetings on school health and safety, promoting rural medical insurance, and so forth. Such meetings were understandable, as they were at least related to the work of the Health Clinic. But today’s meeting was about rural drinking water safety for humans and animals. What on earth did that have to do with the Health Clinic?Shouldn’t this be a matter for Civil Affairs, under the jurisdiction of the Administrative Department? However, it wasn’t up to him; the leaders insisted on his attendance.

The Health Clinic was quite busy this week, as they had to administer vaccines to kindergarteners and primary school students in Zhonghu Town. Du Heng had sent out all available staff. Even the logistics personnel were dispatched, supposedly to help catch any children who tried to escape. Wang Zhenzhen led one team, and Zhang Jinlian led the other. Both teams worked simultaneously and should be able to finish in three or four days.

Du Heng had originally thought Zhang Jinlian would make a fuss, and he had prepared his arguments and countermeasures. However, Zhang Jinlian surprisingly didn’t cause any trouble. She readily accepted the task and even volunteered to lead a team. Although this was unexpected, it was also understandable. Consequently, there was a particularly severe staff shortage this week, especially of doctors.

As a last resort, Du Heng had brought back Li, the old man who was due to retire next month. Now, with Du Heng attending a meeting and Zhang Jinlian administering vaccines at the kindergarten, the Health Clinic was left with only Li to hold the fort. His return this week was essential. However, now that he was back, Li didn’t really have to do much. His main task was to keep an eye on the inpatients, ensuring someone capable was available in case of an emergency. Additionally, someone had to be present for patients picking up medications or seeking treatment for minor ailments like headaches and fevers.

Although Li didn’t have to be too busy, he dared not be idle. He was one of the earliest graduates of the integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine program. In his later work, he had gradually shifted to primarily practicing Western medicine, but he had never abandoned traditional Chinese medicine. When treating patients, he would sometimes prescribe Chinese herbal medicine for them. However, in his entire life, he had never prescribed aconite to a patient. Yet Du Heng had prescribed it to four of the ten currently hospitalized patients. This greatly distressed the cautious old man.

Every day at eleven o’clock, when Li Nating went to the decoction room to prepare the medicine, he would stand behind her, meticulously ensuring the four doses containing aconite were decocted for precisely fifteen minutes under his watchful eye. Not one second less.

Li Nating felt extremely uncomfortable; she rolled her eyes so much they almost popped out of their sockets. This old man! Not only did he not help, but he also acted like a supervisor. Whenever Li appeared in the decoction room, Li Nating became extremely unhappy.

The Health Clinic’s facilities were poor. There was no decoction machine, no plastic bags for the decoction medicine, and no plastic sealing machine. Decoction of medicine was done using several gas stoves lined up, with medicine brewed in pots. After the medicine was prepared, it was poured into disposable paper cups, provided by the patients’ families and labeled with their names. Some family members would come and help carry the cups, but for patients without accompanying family, Li Nating had to deliver the medicine herself. However, some family members simply wouldn’t budge. They felt it was the nurse’s responsibility to handle these tasks. These people probably thought the Health Clinic was just a small hospital, so their help didn’t matter. If this were a big hospital, these same people would likely be the most considerate towards nurses. Most village people were very kind and even obedient. However, the actions of some individuals could be infuriating. So, after preparing the medicine, Li Nating still had to deliver it to the patients’ hospital rooms.

Seeing that Li didn’t trust her, and having to manage everything alone, she felt weary and vexed. However, Li didn’t care. As long as he saw the medicine had been decocted for the required time, he would leave.

With his hands behind his back, he strolled leisurely from the backyard to the hall of the new building. There, he saw Du Fei pacing anxiously.

Li Xiang stretched out his hand and said, "Hey, kid, why are you here instead of making money at your clinic?"

Upon hearing the voice, Du Fei immediately ran over to Li Xiang. "Uncle Li, where have you been? Why don’t you keep your mobile phone in your pocket?"

"I went to the decoction room in the backyard."

Du Fei didn’t hesitate, half-supporting, half-pushing Li Xiang toward the office. "Hurry up, a patient is waiting for you."

"Who is it? Why such a rush? If it’s too urgent or serious, you should send them to the city. There’s nothing I can do here."

"You’d better go in and take a look first," Du Fei urged.

In Li Xiang’s office, a man in his forties stood, clutching his abdomen with both hands, his face contorted in pain.

Li Xiang’s eyes quickly assessed the man. "What’s wrong? What’s bothering you?"

"I’m constipated."

"How many days?"

"Six days."

Li Xiang’s eyes flickered. Six days? Nothing too serious. He’d seen cases with no bowel movement for half a month. "Haven’t you taken any medication?"

"I have, but it didn’t work."

Li Xiang had the patient lift his clothes. He looked at the bulging abdomen and gently pressed it. It was hard as a rock.

Seeing Li Xiang conducting the check-up, Du Fei hurriedly added, "The patient is Liang Fuman, 43 years old, from Duke Village. He has chronic constipation. Previously, I’d prescribe some medicine and use glycerin suppositories, and he’d be fine. But last month, he suddenly had no bowel movement for seven consecutive days. Medication had no effect, so he went to the Municipal First Hospital for treatment."

As Du Fei spoke, he looked at Liang Fuman with pity. "He was discharged after seven days in the hospital. He was home for about ten days, and then the constipation returned. He came to me for some medicine, and he also had medicine prescribed from his hospital stay. He wanted to wait a couple of days to see. This morning, I was worried, so I went to his house. His face had turned bluish, so I insisted on bringing him to the Health Clinic to see you, Uncle Li."

Li Xiang asked Du Fei, "What medication did you prescribe him?"

"Apricot Seed and Rhubarb Pills, Rhubarb Laxative Tablets, and glycerin suppositories."

"And none of them worked?"

Du Fei shook his head. "He said he felt the urge, but nothing would come out."

Constipation is typically due to a lack of moisture in the intestines and insufficient peristalsis. Apricot Seed and Rhubarb Pills, as well as Rhubarb Laxative Tablets, are meant to moisturize the intestines, promote bowel movement, and treat gastrointestinal food stagnation. They should have been effective.

"Have you eaten any irritating foods these past few days, like chili and garlic?"

Liang Fuman shook his head. "I haven’t eaten those things for several years. Since I developed this problem, I eat rice porridge or noodles every day. When I stir-fry vegetables, I cook them plain. Forget chili and garlic; I don’t even add a bit of green onion."

"How many years has it been like this?"

"At least five or six years, I’d say."

Stubborn constipation indeed. This is truly persistent.

Li Xiang stroked his chin, thinking for a moment before suddenly asking, "Why didn’t you go back to the Municipal First Hospital for treatment this time? Are you worried about the cost?"

Liang Fuman’s eyes flickered, but he remained silent.

Du Fei said anxiously, "Uncle Li, please think of something! Look, his face has turned bluish."

Li Xiang glared at Du Fei. So hasty and careless!

"Have you taken any other medicine these past few days?"

"I also took the lactulose prescribed by the Municipal First Hospital. I’ve used glycerin suppositories too, but nothing worked."

"Nothing at all came out?"

"No. Not even the urge."

Lactulose, a medication for moderate constipation, had also failed.