Chapter 713: The French Royal Military Medical University
Unlike the 21st century, where antibiotic abuse led to drug-resistant strains running rampant, the bacteria of this era had yet to be "trained," so penicillin's therapeutic effect was excellent.
Just four hours after the injection, Camelia's high fever began to subside.
Shortly after five o'clock, Dr. Lamarck brought another small bottle containing less than 70 grams of freshly purified glucose, with a concentration of 7.3%.
In this era, the technology to produce glucose from starch didn't exist, and purification techniques were imperfect. Making such a small amount of glucose required over five kilograms of raisins and cost more than 200 Francs.
Lamarck drew the glucose solution into a syringe, then carefully injected it into a vein in Camelia's arm, slowly pushing the plunger.
Yes, the Crown Prince had specifically warned that glucose injections shouldn't be administered too quickly. And since there was no IV drip equipment available at the time, it had to be done slowly by hand.
Fortunately, Dr. Lamarck's hands were steady. It took him ten minutes to inject all the medicine into Camelia.
As soon as the needle was withdrawn, Camelia instantly seemed to perk up, asking Perna to help her sit upright.
Joseph gazed at her pale face and asked with concern, "How do you feel? Are you better?"
Lamarck and his assistants exchanged glances, their eyes filled with profound shock.
They were all experienced doctors and could easily see how weak Camelia's body was.
According to their estimates, even if the Type I Antibiotic worked, like with the rabbits they had experimented on earlier, it would still take at least five or six days for her to regain her strength.
The most pessimistic doctor among them even believed she would be bedridden for over half a month.
Yet, that miraculous glucose was like magic, swiftly revitalizing her.
Lamarck leaned close to Joseph and murmured, "Your Highness, is the mechanism of glucose similar to that of opium tincture?"
Opium tincture, a poppy extract, indeed could quickly invigorate a person.
Joseph chuckled and shook his head. "No, no, you've misunderstood. Glucose is an energy substance.
"The food we eat eventually converts into glucose in our bodies, and everything we do, even just lying there thinking, consumes this energy.
"By administering glucose to Camelia, it's as if she's had a full meal and completely digested it, allowing her to quickly regain her strength."
"Wait, Your Highness, could you please repeat that?" Lamarck pulled out his notebook and began jotting notes with extreme seriousness.
His assistants mirrored his actions.
It was no wonder they were so excited; if this astonishing theory proved correct, it would undoubtedly secure them the next Supreme Louis Medical Award!
"Of course." Joseph nodded, then recounted everything he knew about glucose to Lamarck, also mentioning the practice of injecting physiological saline to replenish the body's electrolytes.
Lamarck gazed at his notes and exclaimed excitedly, "Your Highness, according to what you've said, we could live without eating or drinking, simply by injecting glucose and physiological saline every day!"
"The very form of human life would change because of this!"
He didn't even question how the Crown Prince knew all of this; he had grown accustomed to the "surprises" His Highness occasionally delivered. 'It must be divine revelation, no doubt,' he thought.
Joseph quickly shook his head. "That won't do. For us to survive, in addition to basic energy, water, and electrolytes, we also need a wide variety of vitamins and trace elements. And these substances must be obtained from various foods."
Lamarck stared at Joseph, his eyes wide. He muttered, 'Vitamins... trace elements... essential substances for survival...'
Joseph suddenly felt he had strayed a bit too far. He cleared his throat and said, "Ahem, regarding these matters, I can tell you more about them gradually, while you continue your research on the Type I Antibiotic."
He glanced at the sky outside the window and gestured toward Camelia. "This isn't a suitable place for a patient to rest. I need to take her back to Versailles."
"Very well, Your Highness." Lamarck nodded, somewhat disappointed, then asked, "Um, I'd like to write a paper on glucose and electrolytes. Oh, it absolutely won't interfere with the research here. Would that be acceptable?"
"Of course," Joseph replied. "Please send the medicine and glucose Camelia will need to Versailles tomorrow morning."
"I'll deliver them myself." Lamarck clearly wanted to 'piggyback' some knowledge about vitamins, but he still offered an excuse. "Administering injections requires specific skill; I'm concerned others might not be capable."
"Alright, then I'll trouble you with it."
On the way back to Versailles.
Perna sat in the carriage, her head bowed in thought.
Joseph thought she had something on her mind and was about to ask when she suddenly looked up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Your Highness, I believe injecting glucose and physiological saline could play a crucial role in treating the wounded."
"Many soldiers succumb because they're unconscious or too weak to eat, causing their bodies to gradually fail."
"If logistics could include glucose and physiological saline, it would significantly reduce the mortality rate among the wounded!"
She truly lived up to her reputation as the pioneer of the French field hospitals, constantly thinking of the injured soldiers.
Joseph nodded in agreement. "You're absolutely right. However, this would require building a new syringe manufacturing plant. As for glucose, that could be produced at the Paris Pharmaceutical Factory."
Perna interjected, "Your Highness, syringes could be manufactured at the mask factory. There are many skilled workers there."
The mask factory Joseph had initially invested in had always been managed by Perna. It had now grown into a large facility producing 65,000 masks a month, with excellent profitability.
Joseph nodded. "That works well. I'll have the artisans who made the syringes today assist you there."
Perna linked her arm through his, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank the Lord for bringing me to you. Only with you has my life become so meaningful."
Joseph stroked her beautiful hair. "You are also the most exquisite scenery in my life."
After a moment of tenderness, Perna recalled something else. "Oh, by the way, Your Highness, Father also mentioned that administering injections requires extremely high skill. Even I can't easily insert a needle into a vein."
"Therefore, I believe we'll need to provide special training for the military doctors and nurses in the field hospitals."
Joseph patted the back of her hand. "Let's just establish a military medical university. Our soldiers deserve the best medical treatment."
"I'll have Archbishop Brienne allocate the funds."
"The French Royal Military Medical University, and you, Perna, will be its president."
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