Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Zhu Yuan has always had a soft spot for eating. When I mentioned that "postoperative care" was actually related to eating, his eyes lit up instantly, and he was as excited as a child who had been injected with chicken blood. "Miss Yang! Are you saying that after surgery, patients not only need to take medicine, but also eat delicious food to recover faster? Then, can I help you try the 'nutritional support' you mentioned?"

I glanced at him and couldn't help laughing. "Don't think you're taking advantage, you foodie. I won't give you any special care during the post-operative period! However, this time it does involve eating."

Zhu Yuan leaned closer, his face full of anticipation: "What kind of delicious food is that? Tell me quickly, I can't wait!"

Post-operative care is more than just having a nice meal.

In modern medicine, nutritional support for patients after surgery is crucial, especially for those who have undergone major surgery, lost a lot of blood, or are physically exhausted.

Adequate protein, vitamins and water can help them recover their strength quickly, promote wound healing and reduce the risk of infection.

But in the Ming Dynasty, the concept of nutrition was not yet popular.

Most patients rely on drinking porridge or eating some light meals after surgery. Although these foods are easy to digest, they are far from providing enough nutrition.

"Most of our patients now drink plain porridge or light soup after surgery. Although this keeps them from going hungry, it lacks sufficient nutrition," I explained patiently. "This is especially true for patients who have undergone major surgery. They are weak and have lost a lot of blood and physical strength. They can't recover quickly by relying solely on these light soups."

Zhu Yuan nodded repeatedly. "So how do you plan to change this? Do you want to let the patient eat meat?"

I smiled and nodded. "That's right. Protein is an important component in the patient's body for repairing tissues and producing blood. Foods like meat, fish, and eggs are rich in protein and can help patients regain their strength. Also, the vitamins in fruits and vegetables are essential; they can boost the patient's immunity and promote wound healing."

Zhu Yuan immediately perked up: "Eat meat! I know that patients need to eat meat to become stronger! Then let's go and give the patients in the Imperial Hospital a snack!"

In the next few days, Zhu Yuan and I were very busy in the Imperial Hospital.

In order to provide patients with better nutritional support after surgery, we specially purchased a large amount of fresh chicken, fish and eggs from the market, as well as some green leafy vegetables and fruits.

When the imperial doctors looked at the ingredients we brought, their jaws almost dropped to the ground in shock.

"Miss Yang, are you planning to open a restaurant?" An old imperial physician looked at the food we brought with a look of disbelief. "Don't patients usually drink porridge after surgery? Can they eat all this meat and vegetables?"

I smiled and explained, "Porridge is too light, and patients won't feel full or well-fed. Especially those who have just undergone major surgery, they need more nutrition to recover quickly. We're going to make some easily digestible broth and steamed eggs, and pair it with some fresh vegetables and fruits to help them replenish their energy."

Zhu Yuan nodded repeatedly on the side: "Yes, yes, yes! Miss Yang is right, patients need to eat meat to recover quickly! These ingredients of ours are not ordinary, they are all for their quick recovery!"

Although the imperial doctors were skeptical, they didn't say much. After all, every improvement made by Miss Yang before had been successful, and this "extra meal" might also bring miraculous results.

At noon that day, we prepared the first "post-operative nutritional meal" and gave it first to a veteran who had just undergone surgery.

The veteran's abdomen was severely damaged due to combat injuries. Although he survived the surgery, he was left weak and looked haggard.

According to tradition, he should have had some white porridge to restore his strength, but this time we brought him a bowl of chicken soup, a steamed egg, and some mixed greens.

When the old soldier saw the food, he was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "Wow, such a rich feast! I've been a soldier for so many years, and this is the first time I've eaten such delicious food in the Imperial Hospital!"

Zhu Yuan said proudly beside him, "This is what Miss Yang prepared specially for you. She said it can help you recover quickly. Eat it quickly, and your wound will heal faster after eating it!"

The old soldier was skeptical. He picked up the bowl and slowly drank a few mouthfuls of chicken soup. A satisfied look appeared on his face. "This soup tastes really good. It's quite light and not greasy. It seems that my old bones can hold on for a few more days."

A few days later, a miracle really happened.

The old soldier's wounds healed much faster than expected, even surprising the imperial doctors.

"Miss Yang, this veteran's recovery is far better than we imagined!" a young imperial physician exclaimed as he examined the patient's wounds. "I originally thought he'd have to lie down for at least two weeks before he could move, but I didn't expect him to be able to get out of bed and walk in just a few days."

Another veteran imperial physician was also impressed: "It seems that Miss Yang's nutritional support method is indeed effective. Patients need more than just a simple light diet after surgery. Protein and vitamin supplements are crucial for their recovery."

Zhu Yuan laughed proudly beside him: "Hehe, I told you long ago that Miss Yang's method must be correct!"

But I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The success of nutritional support is not just a change in diet, but also a new understanding of postoperative care for patients.

In the past, people always thought that all patients needed to do after surgery was rest and drink porridge. However, they did not know that patients need a lot of nutrition to repair their bodies after surgery, especially those who have undergone major surgery. Drinking porridge alone is far from enough.

In the following weeks, the "nutritional support" of the Imperial Medical Service became an object of emulation for everyone.

Not only were Zhu Yuan and I extremely busy, but even the imperial doctors began to research different types of "post-operative meals", such as chicken soup, fish porridge and steamed egg custard. Various varieties emerged one after another, turning the entire Imperial Hospital into a "food testing ground".

"Miss Yang, look, this time we made fish porridge for the patient and added some wolfberries and red dates. It tastes good, right?" A young imperial physician excitedly showed me a bowl of freshly made porridge.

I tasted it and nodded: "Well, this kind of porridge is both light and nutritious. It can replenish blood and qi for patients after surgery. It's quite good."

Zhu Yuan swallowed his saliva and looked at the bowl of porridge eagerly: "Miss Yang, this porridge looks delicious... Can I have a taste too? I've been helping to move things these days, and I've used up a lot of energy!"

I shook my head helplessly. "You're not a patient, why are you joining in the fun? But if you really want to eat, I'll make you a bowl of 'nutritious meal' after the surgery is over."

Zhu Yuan immediately smiled brightly: "Hehe, then I'm really looking forward to it! If Miss Yang makes it, it must be delicious!"

With the promotion of nutritional support, the success rate of operations and the postoperative recovery rate of patients in the Imperial Hospital have increased significantly.

Not only the Imperial Medical Service, but also medical clinics around the capital began to follow our example and provide more abundant nutritional support to postoperative patients.

Patients recovered faster, infection rates dropped significantly, and the entire medical system was transformed.

"Miss Yang, you've saved so many lives," Zhu Yuan said to me one day with emotion. "From hemostatic forceps to anesthetics, and then to postoperative care, our patients' lives are becoming increasingly safe."

I smiled, but my heart felt incredibly fulfilled. Every improvement was meant to give patients a better chance of survival, and these efforts were finally paying off, little by little.

Just when we thought everything was going in the right direction, an accident happened quietly.

That night, the Imperial Hospital suddenly received an urgent patient - the Queen's personal maid, who was unconscious due to an acute illness.

The imperial doctors were in a panic and rushed to treat the patient overnight, but they could not find the cause of the disease. The empress was so anxious that she even rushed to the Imperial Hospital to supervise the treatment.

"Miss Yang, this palace maid's illness came on so suddenly that we, the imperial doctors, are helpless," one of them said to me anxiously, "Do you have any solution? If this continues, I'm afraid even the Empress will blame us!"

My heart sank, and I knew something was wrong.

Things in the palace have always been complicated, especially when it comes to the queen's personal maids. If something goes wrong, the consequences will be unimaginable.

"Keep the patient stable first, I'll go and check it out right away!" I said decisively.