Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Ever since the successful "Chef Competition", Zhu Yuan's reputation has exploded in the capital.

Although he always looks nonchalant, who would have thought that he could make a banquet so successful?

Even the emperor praised him highly.

However, just when I thought he was finally going to be quiet for a while, this guy suddenly ran to the pharmacy again, looking extremely serious, and his whole body exuding an aura of "I have important things to do."

"Miss Yang, I think the medical equipment in our Ming Dynasty needs to be improved." As soon as he opened his mouth, I almost dropped the herbs in my hand.

I was stunned, wondering if I had heard correctly: "What did you say? Medical equipment?"

Zhu Yuan nodded, his eyes sparkling. "Yes, medical equipment! You see, the medical skills of our Ming Dynasty are indeed very advanced. The imperial doctors save lives like gods, but the tools they use, how should I put it... I think they can be even better."

I squinted my eyes at him and couldn't help laughing in my heart: This guy is usually most afraid of injections and taking medicine, but now he wants to transform medical equipment?

However, as a modern time traveler, his words touched my heart.

Indeed, the medical level of the Ming Dynasty was already quite advanced, especially in the field of traditional Chinese medicine, but if some concepts of modern medical equipment could be introduced, even minor improvements would bring about significant changes.

"How do you want to improve it?" I asked casually, but I was already thinking about how to start from scratch.

Zhu Yuan chuckled, a sly glint in his eyes. "I was thinking we could start with basic tools like scalpels and clamps and improve their design. Aren't you a skilled doctor? You must know more about these instruments than I do. I was thinking, let's work together and come up with a set of better instruments!"

I laughed in my heart. Sure enough, this guy wanted to drag me into this again.

But this time, I am willing to take the initiative to take up this challenge.

After all, as a time traveler, I can't just rely on modern knowledge to help him organize banquets and competitions. The medical field is where I can really show my talents.

"Okay," I nodded and said calmly, "Since you say so, I'll help you take a look. But don't expect me to come up with anything magical overnight."

Zhu Yuan patted his chest and smiled like a child: "Don't worry! With you here, I have confidence! Let's make changes slowly, and there will be results!"

In the next few days, I began to lead this "medical device transformation plan".

Although Zhu Yuan is a man of action, he knows nothing about medicine and he won't achieve anything by just thinking about it.

So, I decided to start with the simplest scalpel and see if I could upgrade and improve it by combining it with modern instrument design concepts.

"Miss Yang, look, this is the scalpel we use now." Zhu Yuan borrowed an old-fashioned scalpel from the Imperial Hospital and handed it to me, looking at me eagerly.

I picked up the scalpel and thought to myself: This knife is indeed sharp, but its design is too simple, and the handle is too straight. The doctor will easily get tired after prolonged operation. If the handle could be designed more ergonomically and made of more durable materials, the precision and efficiency of the surgery would be greatly improved.

I pretended to be thoughtful, then said, "Although this knife is sharp, there are some problems with the handle. Doctors' hands will become sore after using it for a long time, and their control will be unstable. We can try to improve the design of the handle so that it better fits the shape of the palm."

Zhu Yuan scratched his head, clearly confused by my technical terminology. "Fit the shape of the palm? You mean, the handle should be a little curved?"

I nodded, picked up a piece of wood, and drew a few simple strokes, simplifying the basic shape of a modern scalpel. "Look, this handle design can reduce the pressure on the doctor's hand and increase stability."

Zhu Yuan came over to take a look, his eyes immediately lighting up: "Oh, what a great idea! This design is obviously more advanced than the original knife!"

I smiled without saying anything, but in my mind, I had already formed the outline of the entire improvement plan. The scalpel was just the beginning. Then there were tweezers, clamps, hemostats, and so on. These tools could all be improved by drawing inspiration from modern designs.

I began to lead this project step by step. First, I developed a detailed renovation plan, then contacted the best craftsmen in Beijing and started making samples.

Zhu Yuan worked as an "assistant" on the side, responsible for running errands and doing miscellaneous tasks.

Although he knew only a little about these instruments, he was very enthusiastic and helped a lot.

"Miss Yang, do you think the imperial doctors would be surprised if our instruments were successfully modified?" Zhu Yuan asked with a smile as he helped me organize the tools.

I smiled and said, "They should be very happy. After all, these devices will make their work easier and their patient care more efficient."

"Then are we going to make another contribution?" Zhu Yuan blinked his eyes with anticipation.

"It doesn't matter whether you achieve merit or not," I said calmly. "What matters is that you can truly help the patients."

Zhu Yuan scratched his head, as if he wasn't used to my serious attitude. "Hehe, that's true. But after all, it's not bad to have done something good, so I'll give you more rewards."

"But this is just the first step," I put down my paintbrush and continued, "The material of the blades also needs to be improved. Although these knives are sharp now, they tend to dull over time and need frequent sharpening. Shouldn't we try to introduce some more durable materials?"

Zhu Yuan frowned. "A more durable material? That's a bit troublesome. Our Ming Dynasty knives are mainly made of iron. What do you want to change to?"

I pretended to be in deep thought, but I already had the answer in my heart.

Modern scalpels are generally made of high-carbon stainless steel or even titanium alloy, which are not only sharp but also corrosion-resistant.

However, this material is too advanced for this era, so I can't be too direct.

"I heard that Westerners have a harder steel. Maybe we can import some and try to make more durable knives." I said tentatively.

Zhu Yuan's eyes lit up when he heard this. "Western steel? That's something new! I remember a few Western merchants came to the capital recently. I'll go ask around and see if I can buy some."

I nodded and said, "You go and ask around. I'll leave the materials to you while I continue to refine the design."

A few days later, Zhu Yuan brought back good news.

He obtained some high-quality steel from Western merchants, and the craftsmen began to sharpen new scalpels according to our design.

The first improved version of the scalpel was soon produced.

I couldn't help but feel excited as I held the newly designed scalpel.

Although this knife is far from the precision of a modern scalpel, it is much better than traditional Ming Dynasty tools.

The grip is designed to better fit the natural curve of the hand, and the blade is sharper and lighter than before.

"Miss Yang, this knife looks much better than the previous one." Zhu Yuan took the scalpel and played with it like a child. "I think we can take it to the Imperial Hospital to have the imperial doctors try it out."

I nodded. "It's time to let them try. No matter how good the tools are, they still have to be easy for doctors to use."

The next day, we went to the Imperial Hospital with the modified scalpel.

Several imperial doctors were very interested in this new scalpel and gathered around to take a look.

They looked at the knife carefully and discussed the differences between it and traditional scalpels.

"The handle of this knife is well designed. It is indeed more comfortable than the scalpels we usually use." An imperial physician touched the handle and exclaimed, "And the sharpness of the blade has also been improved."

Zhu Yuan laughed from ear to ear: "Of course! We put a lot of thought into renovating it!"

I stood aside, observing every detail silently.

The feedback from the imperial doctors made me feel relieved - at least the design direction was correct.

The next step is to continue optimizing and gradually introduce more improved equipment.

"Miss Yang, look, have we succeeded again this time?" Zhu Yuan said with a proud look on his face.

I couldn't help but laugh. "This is just the beginning. There are still many more tools to improve, such as tweezers, hemostats, and even the design of the operating table."

Zhu Yuan immediately became excited when he heard this: "Yes, yes, yes! An operating table! I've always felt that our current operating tables are too crude. Doctors have to bend over while performing surgery, which is so inconvenient!"

I nodded, a new idea already coming to my mind.

Modern operating tables are not only height-adjustable, but also take into account the convenience of the doctor's operation and the comfort of the patient.

Although these concepts were not yet popular in the Ming Dynasty, they could be realized through gradual improvements.

In the following months, I continued to lead the improvement of the entire medical device.

Not only did we improve the scalpel, we also introduced new types of forceps, clamps, and hemostats, and we even began designing a height-adjustable operating table.

Although Zhu Yuan did not understand these technical details, he was extremely active throughout the process and completely lost his previous nonchalant attitude.

Sometimes, when I look at his busy figure, I can't help but sigh: This guy, although he is always laughing and joking, he is very serious when it comes to truly meaningful things.

A few months later, the improved medical equipment was fully promoted in the Imperial Hospital.

The imperial physicians gave very good feedback on these new instruments, and some even suggested that they be promoted in clinics and hospitals across the country.

After the emperor learned about it, he specially issued an imperial decree to commend us for our contributions to the medical cause of the Ming Dynasty.

"Miss Yang, look, I said we can make a contribution!" Zhu Yuan smiled brightly while holding the emperor's edict of commendation.

I looked at his smug look and couldn't help laughing. "You're always thinking about making achievements. But this time you did quite a bit."

Zhu Yuan chuckled: "Of course! But let's split the credit equally. After all, you're the main force, and I'm just an errand boy."

I smiled and shook my head, but I was secretly determined in my heart: Next, I will continue to promote these improvements until Daming's medical equipment truly reaches the world's leading level.