Practicing Medical Skills in a Small Clinic-Chapter 121 - 107: Old Street of South City—Official Tripartite Stand-Off

Chapter 121: Chapter 107: Old Street of South City—Official Tripartite Stand-Off

Actually, many ordinary people nowadays share the same mindset as the elderly.

Going to a proper hospital for a check-up means undergoing a bunch of various tests, queueing up, and wasting time, effort, and money. If it’s a serious illness, there’s no other option but to go to a big hospital to save one’s life.

But if it’s a minor illness like a cold, fever, headache, or cough, who would want to take a day off, spending hundreds to thousands of yuan for treatment at a hospital?

If you don’t go to a big hospital, then there’s the option of a small clinic, which is convenient but might also come with the risk of being scammed.

Of course, in the end, most people choose to buy some medication at the drugstore or visit a clinic.

Cost-effective and convenient, that’s the biggest advantage of clinics and pharmacies.

"Thank you for recognizing what I do. Let’s continue discussing your condition. Have you been urinating normally these past couple of days? Any issues with low urine output or difficulty urinating?"

"Hey, I didn’t expect your medical skills to be quite excellent! I’ve indeed had some trouble urinating these past two days, feeling the urge but unable to relieve myself."

The elderly man’s gaze towards him changed somewhat.

This young man’s medical ethics are noble, and surprisingly, his skills are also quite advanced.

This made the elderly man trust Li Jingsheng a bit more.

"I strongly suspect that you have tetanus. This disease is caused by the tetanus bacillus, usually contracted through infection after an injury, leading to the illness. You are now experiencing muscle stiffness and body tremors, along with elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and urine retention—these symptoms all align with tetanus. I suggest you go to a big hospital for treatment immediately. If you delay, it could be life-threatening."

Li Jingsheng said to the elderly man with a serious expression.

After contracting tetanus, it usually starts with difficulty in chewing, where it’s particularly strenuous. The jaws are tight, making it difficult to open the mouth, and there’s a peculiar smile on the face.

However, this expression wasn’t apparent on the elderly man’s face.

It might be due to age, with skin laxity and more wrinkles making that peculiar smile not very noticeable. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

As the illness progresses, the proliferation of a large amount of tetanus bacilli within the body causes damage, leading to muscle tightness in the neck, back, abdomen, and limbs, along with body tremors.

At this stage, difficulty swallowing, breathing, urine retention, and continuous muscle contraction often occur.

In severe cases, limb fractures could even occur.

Moreover, tetanus has a characteristic of rapid onset, often extremely dangerous with a poor prognosis.

With a slower progression, timely treatment leads to a good prognosis.

Li Jingsheng believes this elderly man’s illness progression is relatively slow, but has already advanced to the second stage.

Immediate hospitalization in a major hospital is necessary.

Otherwise, it may be life-threatening.

"At my age, even if something really happens, it’s not considered a short life. I see things very clearly, going to a big hospital costs too much, I won’t get treated then."

The elderly man said, tremblingly feeling around in his pocket for that stack of money.

"How much for your examination?"

"No, no, no, I offer free medical consultations here, no charge. Only medications cost money."

Li Jingsheng would never take money from the elderly man.

"Sir, for your illness, you must get treatment. You have a retirement pension, surely bought health insurance, it won’t cost much. I’ll call a car for you and have the driver take you to the Second Hospital for treatment."

"Cabs are very expensive. The Second Hospital is just a few steps from here, I’ll walk over."

The elderly gentleman saw Li Jingsheng’s firm refusal to charge and gave up on the idea.

Picking up that bag of waste, he stood up using the exam table for support.

"Young man, I really appreciate your help today."

The elderly gentleman walked towards the door.

Li Jingsheng moved quickly to catch up, just as a new patient came in to purchase medication from him.

"Hold on a second, I’ll see off this gentleman."

Li Jingsheng said apologetically to the patient.

"No problem."

The patient was quite understanding.

Acts that exemplify true kindness are actually supported by most people.

Li Jingsheng hurried to the road, waving to hail a cab.

"Driver, how much to the Second Hospital?"

"Around 10 yuan! Anyway, the fare’s metered, it’s usually 10 yuan."

"I’ll give you 50 yuan, could you take this gentleman to the Second Hospital, then help him register at the emergency department, is that okay?"

The driver hesitated.

"This gentleman’s son isn’t nearby, so just take him to the emergency department, register him, and lead him to the doctor. It won’t take much of your time, twenty minutes at most."

Li Jingsheng tried persuading the driver.

"Alright, alright! Help the gentleman into the car, don’t let him fall, I can’t take that responsibility."

The driver, a young fellow, finally took the task.

Many cab drivers and ride-sharing drivers fear picking up solitary elderly people.

The main concern is the risk of having them fall while getting in or out of the vehicle, which they can’t afford to take on.

Moreover, the frequent incidents of elderly people staging accidents make drivers avoid them.

Otherwise, if your car passes by smoothly and the person collapses onto the ground, if there’s surveillance it’s manageable. Without surveillance, it’s a big problem.

After assisting the elderly man into the car, Li Jingsheng instructed, "Sir, this driver said it’s on his way, won’t charge you, and will take you to the Second Hospital."

The driver paused slightly on hearing this.

Then his expression changed a bit.

It’s hard to describe, but his face seemed to radiate with a newfound glow.

He must have been moved by Li Jingsheng’s kind deed.

After watching the cab drive away, Li Jingsheng breathed a sigh of relief. He simply couldn’t dare prescribe medicine for this elderly man; if by chance he passed away at home, his small clinic would face big trouble.