Chapter 224: Angels in White
That day, Joseph had personally witnessed the appalling medical conditions within the Guards Corps—medical officers rinsing bandages in river water, surgical scalpels wiped on trousers before cutting wounds, and handling one patient's wound with blood from another still on their hands. It was only then that he considered establishing something like a field hospital.
He looked at the female doctor's light green eyes, full of questions, pulled over a nearby chair, and invited her to sit. "First, as you already know, many diseases, including wound infections, are caused by bacteria."
He gestured with an open hand in the air. "Bacteria are everywhere around us—on beds, clothes, hands, bandages, without exception. Normally, skin blocks bacteria, preventing them from entering the body. But once injured, that barrier disappears.
"At that point, if the injured person lies freely on the ground, their wound will likely brush against the earth or clothing, allowing a large number of bacteria to enter. Even the bandages used to dress the wound can introduce many bacteria.
"Then, as you normally see, the wound festers, and the patient develops a fever. Eventually, with the exception of a few very robust individuals, most will die."
Perna's medical curiosity was instantly piqued. She snatched the paper and pen from a nearby staff officer's hand, ignoring his startled expression, and quickly bent her head to record. "Bacteria... wounds... Right, Your Highness, how do we prevent this?"
"Try to keep the injured from getting contaminated by bacteria," Joseph said, making a reassuring gesture to the staff officer before continuing to Perna. "For example, clean wounds with strong spirits. Oh, an alcohol concentration of 75% works best. Alcohol is highly effective at killing bacteria."
Perna nodded instinctively. "75%... That would require repeated distillation to achieve."
"The cost might be higher, but the quantity needed isn't large, so it's definitely worth it," Joseph continued. "Also, disinfect everything involved in the medical procedure, including the doctor's hands, as well as the operating table, surgical scalpels, bandages, and so on.
"After such treatment, the incidence of wound infection and festering will be significantly reduced.
"To achieve all of this, we'll need a lot of specialized equipment and must prevent unsterilized individuals from approaching.
"Therefore, we need a hospital. Everything here will be continuously disinfected, and it will be equipped with various medicines and medical instruments. Doctors will gather here to operate on the wounded, and unauthorized personnel will not be permitted to enter freely.
"Normally, the field hospital's equipment will be packed into wagons and move with the army. After a battle, tents will be immediately set up at the camp, the hospital equipment moved inside and disinfected. Only then can we begin treating the wounded."
Perna's eyes gleamed as she listened. She imagined herself busy in such a hospital, one injured person after another escaping death through her treatment, smiling gratefully at her...
"Your Highness, I will establish this field hospital as quickly as possible!"
She gripped the paper and pen tightly, declaring with utmost seriousness.
"Then I'll leave it to your capable hands," Joseph said, instructing her further on disinfection matters. "You will also need to compile these procedures into a manual and teach them to the other military doctors. As for the necessary expenses, provide a rough estimate, and I will allocate the funds immediately."
Perna had studied under Dr. Lamarck; her medical skills were quite superb, and the medical officers of the Guards Corps held her in high regard.
Perna nodded, then asked, "Your Highness, you mentioned 'nurses' earlier, didn't you?"
"Yes, it is an important profession," Joseph considered for a moment, then explained. "In fact, many medical procedures that aren't overly complex—such as stopping bleeding, dressing wounds, administering medicine, disinfection, and transporting the wounded—can actually be mastered with simple training.
"Having doctors perform these trivial tasks, however, would waste a great deal of their energy.
"Therefore, we need a profession similar to a 'doctor's assistant,' which I call a nurse."
He silently apologized to Florence Nightingale in his mind and continued, "This way, doctors can focus their efforts on complex surgeries or analyzing patient conditions.
"Of course, even the simplest training for nurses still needs someone to conduct it."
Perna immediately took up the challenge without hesitation. "Leave it all to me, Your Highness. I guarantee I will train nurses who will meet your satisfaction!"
"Then I'm truly relying on you." Joseph stood up, placed a hand over his chest, and bowed to her. "Our angel in white."
If Perna could truly establish the sanitation system for the Guards Corps, that would certainly be a contribution worthy of the Golden Fleur-de-lis Medal.
Consider that the modern nursing system established by Florence Nightingale over half a century later reduced the mortality rate of wounded British soldiers in the Crimean War to less than ten percent!
Wounded soldiers who recovered and returned to duty could essentially be considered veterans.
This would contribute significantly to improving the army's combat effectiveness.
Perna had only registered the words "angel in white," and her cheeks immediately flushed scarlet.
'Oh, His Highness called me an angel!'
'A pure and holy angel!!'
'Is His Highness implying something...?'
She dared not think further. Her face flushed, she stumbled out of the officers' tent in a daze. It took several deep breaths before she finally calmed herself.
After thinking for a moment, she didn't rush to establish the field hospital. Instead, she gathered the military doctors and had them set up a row of cauldrons, into which they threw all the bandages and stretcher sheets for boiling.
Next, she procured some strong spirits (there were always officers who secretly carried some of the stuff with them). While certainly not 75% pure, it should still have some antiseptic effect. In fact, the method of cleaning wounds with alcohol had existed for centuries, but no one had ever been able to explain its underlying principle.
Subsequently, the wounded soldiers of the Guards Corps became the first people in this world to receive aseptic medical care. 'Well, roughly speaking, it could just about be considered aseptic...'
Perna could never have imagined that the things the Crown Prince had her do today would make her a legend in medical history.
...
The next day.
Just as dawn broke, a scout cavalryman from the Guards Corps galloped like the wind to the commanding general's tent and announced loudly, "Report! The Algiers Janissaries have arrived 10 kilometers to the west. Preliminary estimates put their numbers at around 13,000."
Hearing this, Joseph immediately rose from the ground and quickly put on his coat (all officers slept on the ground like common soldiers). Only senior officers had tents, as military deployments couldn't be discussed in the open, and maps and documents needed protection.
Berthier's aide lifted the tent flap, allowing the scout to enter. The scout immediately pointed to several locations on the unfurled map. "Their main force is here. There are over a thousand screening troops here and here. Cavalry are positioned on the flanks."
Soon, all senior officers had gathered in the tent, listening as Berthier roughly analyzed the enemy situation. "It's clear the enemy has also learned our position."
Although Lefebvre had executed a brilliant intercepting battle, the Guards Corps' numbers were, after all, fewer, and several thousand Albanian mercenaries had still managed to escape.
These men would certainly report yesterday's battle situation to the Algiers Janissaries. The latter immediately dispatched a large number of troops for reconnaissance.
André nodded. "The Algerians will definitely choose high ground to deploy their formation; we're in for a head-on confrontation."
Ledruyon, an officer from the police academy, chuckled. "Today, we have your Moulins Legion with us, so the fighting should be easier than yesterday."
Berthier, however, looked serious. "You must not harbor such thoughts of underestimating the enemy, Major. Yesterday, the Albanian mercenaries were unaware of our army's approach, which is why we were able to launch a surprise attack. Today's enemy, however, will be fully prepared."
"You are absolutely right." Ledruyon nodded, looking at the sand table. "Let's adjust our deployment according to the enemy situation as soon as possible."
André declared loudly, "If it's a head-on clash, then so be it; we're not afraid!"
Just as all the officers gathered around the sand table, Lefebvre, who was in a corner, suddenly cleared his throat and said, "Perhaps we don't have to fight head-on."
He had just been promoted to Major, earning the right to attend high-level military meetings. However, his epaulets still bore the red squares of a Lieutenant (he hadn't had time to collect his new epaulets last night).
Everyone turned to look at him. "Do you have a suggestion?"
"The Algerians will soon be deploying to the west; there's probably no chance for a surprise attack."
Lefebvre, slightly nervous, approached the map and pointed northwest. "We can feign besieging Annaba, or make it appear we're attacking Constantine to the south. The Algiers Janissaries won't be able to remain indifferent to that."
Constantine was an ancient city, the southeastern gate of Algiers, unrelated to Constantinople.
Joseph's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "'Besiege a Point to Strike at Reinforcements'? Excellent idea!"
He thought to himself, 'My extraordinary promotion of him to Major was clearly not in vain; he truly has a knack for this.'
Berthier, however, frowned slightly. "Your Highness, if we move north or south, we would open up the road to Tunisia. If the Algerians were to invade Tunisia..."
Joseph smiled. "We need to adopt a certain posture—'We are French; what concern is it of ours if you attack Tunisia?'"
André pondered. "I also think it's worth a try. If the enemy comes to rescue Annaba, we can turn and strike hard.
"Even if they don't fall for it, at worst, we'll just resume a head-on confrontation."
Ultimately, Berthier also agreed to the "Besiege a Point to Strike at Reinforcements" strategy. The officers discussed the specific deployment, then immediately left the military tent to lead their respective units.
More than half an hour later, the Guards Corps had already completed their formation and began to advance north. As for breakfast, a few bites of jerky and bread eaten on the march would suffice.
The Moulins Legion also followed closely this time (to improve their reaction speed, they hadn't even taken off their coats when they slept last night).
Kehler, the commander of the Algiers Janissaries, quickly received the news from his scouts, and his brow furrowed instantly.
According to the Albanian mercenaries who had retreated yesterday, the French combat strength was formidable, and they had to be dealt with cautiously.
He had already ordered his entire army to deploy early, preparing to use their numerical superiority to fight a decisive head-on battle with the French in open terrain. Unexpectedly, the enemy had turned north.
An adjutant at his side said, "General, the French are likely heading to plunder Annaba."
Kehler remained silent.
He could have simply ignored it and marched straight east to Bizerte. But if Annaba were truly plundered clean by the French, the Dey would certainly hold him accountable.
He hesitated repeatedly and finally issued the order, "The entire army turns north to relieve Annaba."
The Algiers army finally spotted the French forces on the afternoon of the third day. It was the rearguard of the Moulins Legion.
After Kehler learned that the French only numbered around three thousand, he immediately ordered an attack. This roughly matched the enemy numbers reported by the routed Albanian soldiers, and they could easily overwhelm them with superior numbers.
Without surprise, after his large army engaged with the infantry line formation of the Moulins Legion, the Guards Corps' cannons roared from the Algiers army's flank and rear.
Next, two regiments of the Guards Corps appeared on the barren plains to the south.
The Algiers Janissaries immediately fell into a panic. Kehler personally turned with his reserves and some artillery, while simultaneously concentrating all his forces for a fierce assault on the Moulins Legion to the north, hoping to pin down the French forces behind them, quickly open a northern escape route, and avoid being caught in a pincer movement.
On the northern slope, André personally came to the front of the infantry line, directing his soldiers in battle. On their flanks, a battalion of Guards Corps infantry assisted in the fighting.
Soon, the Algiers Janissaries rushed forward like a furious storm (Kehler's order to them was to eliminate the French on the north side within half an hour).
Behind a relatively narrow trench, the Moulins Legion soldiers began systematically firing volleys, reloading, and firing again...
Although their combat effectiveness couldn't match the Guards Corps, thanks to André's diligent training over the past year, they were certainly considered excellent among older-style armies, reloading quickly and firing steadily. Over 2,000 Charleville 1763 muskets unleashed astonishing firepower.
The Algerians' first charge, when still over 60 paces from the Moulins Legion, couldn't endure the casualties and retreated dejectedly. In reality, they had only left behind around 100 bodies, but this was already the limit of their morale.
After the Algiers officer leading the frontal assault had cut down several soldiers who were retreating, and was about to reorganize his men for another charge, he faintly heard a clamor of shouts from behind, interspersed with gunfire.
He hurriedly raised his telescope and looked south. He saw that the over 3,500 men personally commanded by General Kehler had already been routed and were fleeing chaotically towards his position. Behind them was a white line of infantry.
His heart clenched instantly. Only a little over ten minutes had passed since Kehler began organizing his defense. His own side had just launched one attack, and the French had already broken through the other flank's defenses!
He looked at his men, who had yet to fully regroup, then suddenly ripped off his military uniform and motioned to his personal guards to flee towards the western mountains.
André waited for a considerable time but saw no second attack from the Algerians. Instead, the sound of cannons from the south seemed to be drawing closer.
He dispatched cavalry to confirm the situation once more, then decisively ordered the infantry line to advance.
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