Chapter 1398: Europe's Strongest Medical Dream Team
Thank goodness Glucose wasn't injected just now. Joseph felt no relief, instead plunging into deep anxiety.
In this era without insulin, diabetes was an incredibly troublesome disease.
If blood sugar levels couldn't be controlled, it could lead to fatigue, weight loss, and itchy skin in mild cases, or severe leg ulcers, blindness, and even fatal kidney failure in severe cases.
He rubbed his face hard, a touch of terror in his eyes, then realized that as his parents aged, other health issues might arise.
They needed a thorough medical examination.
He immediately turned to the Chief Imperial Physician: "Mr. Bisha, I need you to conduct detailed physical examinations on the King and Queen immediately to rule out possibilities like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke."
Bisha exchanged a nervous glance with Pertti, then stammered, "Your, Your Highness, um, it's almost impossible to detect stroke and cardiovascular lesions before they manifest...
"As for what you call high blood pressure... I'm not familiar with it, but it sounds like some kind of illness?"
Joseph sighed helplessly. Indeed, in this era, the concept of high blood pressure didn't even exist, so how could it be detected during a physical examination?
Joseph turned and saw his mother asleep on the stretcher, then quietly instructed Alexandra to look after her, before gesturing for the imperial physicians to follow him outside the tent.
He mentally reviewed the medical check-up procedures from his previous life, then asked, "Alright, let's put the matter of blood pressure aside for now.
"Is there any method to detect blood lipids now?"
The imperial physicians exchanged glances, their eyes clear. "Your Highness, what are blood lipids?"
"Are they fats in the blood?"
"We apologize, Your Highness, but to our knowledge, no one can test for such a thing yet."
Joseph sighed again, patiently asking, "What about cholesterol?"
Bisha, like a student finally hearing a question he knew, immediately declared, "It's a yellowish substance found in xanthomas and gallstones, Your Highness."
"Can it be isolated from the blood?"
The physicians lowered their heads again.
"No matter, let's continue." Joseph was already feeling somewhat numb. "What about urine ketones..."
About half an hour later, Joseph had a rough understanding of the current medical testing capabilities available.
The good news was that with the popularization of new medical equipment and the development of the pharmaceutical industry over the years, conditions like uric acid levels, lung health, and occult blood in stool could now be tested for.
However, for many more critical indicators, especially blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar, they remained helpless.
Joseph sighed inwardly. He had led all of France out of financial ruin and swept across Europe with his army, yet he couldn't grant the people he cared about most healthy bodies...
What good were a full treasury and a powerful army if they couldn't ensure the health of his loved ones?
He clenched his fists tightly. No matter how many resources it took, he would ensure they enjoyed healthy lives for as long as possible!
He immediately turned to Eman, who stood by his side. "Please send someone to notify the Medical and Health Bureau. All scholars and doctors are to come to Versailles Palace for a meeting tomorrow. Oh, and invite renowned doctors from other hospitals as well."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Queen Mary's voice drifted from inside the tent. "I'm truly sorry, I seem to have ruined everyone's hunting pleasure.
"Fortunately, it's still early. Does anyone want to join me for a barbecue?"
Joseph felt a pang of emotion, quickly took a deep breath, and turned to enter the tent, smiling faintly. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, my dear, I'm fine now. See?"
"Good, then let's go for a barbecue. But you absolutely must rest well tonight... and from now on, no more sweets..."
Queen Mary: "?"
The following day, at noon.
Over sixty of France's top physicians, pharmacists, and biologists gathered in the conference hall on the second floor of Versailles Palace, led by Nicolas Corvisart, Director of the Medical and Health Bureau.
Joseph briefly explained the Queen's condition, then took out the materials he had compiled last night, scanning the assembled group.
"Next, I will present some new medical concepts. Please record them carefully. If you have any helpful suggestions, please voice them immediately."
Everyone instantly adopted a serious posture, Perna, seated in the front row, looking the most earnest.
Joseph first reiterated the discussion about blood sugar from the previous day, then quickly brought up the "ant detection method":
"Clearly, this method is only effective when the sugar content in the urine is very high.
"Furthermore, the most rigorous way to diagnose polyuria is by directly measuring the Glucose content in the blood, but the smell of blood would interfere with the ants."
Immediately, a chemist named Louis Nicolas Walkerland rose and said, "Your Highness, I once discovered in an experiment that Glucose has reducing properties. Perhaps we could use it to reduce colored compounds and thus determine Glucose content."
Joseph nodded. "That's very feasible. You will be provided with a laboratory to implement your idea."
Dr. Walkerland hesitated. "Your Highness, but I am currently conducting an important experiment to extract special proteins from asparagus..."
"Please halt it temporarily." Joseph's tone brooked no argument. "Are there any other suggestions...
"Good, next is blood lipids.
"First, I'll introduce the concept of blood lipids.
"Our blood contains different types of fats, among which 'triglycerides' and 'cholesterol' have the greatest impact on body health..."
After introducing the concepts, he looked at everyone again. "So, who has ideas for separating and measuring blood lipids?"
Claude Louis Berthollet cleared his throat, then bowed slightly. "Your Highness, I believe a rotary centrifuge could be used—farmers have used a similar method to produce cream.
"However, the fat content in blood should be relatively low, and the amount of blood taken cannot be too much. This would require creating a centrifuge that is as precise as possible and operates at extremely high speeds."
Joseph said without hesitation, "You will receive support from the Engineering Design Institute. United Steam Engine Company will also specially design a miniature steam engine for you to power the centrifuge."
Corvisart, however, frowned and interjected, "Your Highness, blood coagulates quickly, so this method might..."
Dr. Du Mangran immediately said, "Oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can prevent blood coagulation."
"What is that?"
"A substance discovered by the Swedes over a decade ago, usually used as a cleaning agent."
Joseph gestured to him approvingly. "Please provide assistance to Mr. Berthollet's laboratory."
"As you command, Your Highness."
Joseph glanced at the list and continued, "Now then, let's discuss 'blood pressure'..."
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