I Can Talk to the Internal Organs-Chapter 76 - 69: Rhubarb and Peony Decoction

"Let me put it this way: I can prescribe you some antibiotics for your current condition. But if it happens again, you’d better have surgery. Otherwise, a ruptured intestine can be very troublesome. I don’t know much about traditional Chinese medicine, but if it can help you, go for it. It’s up to you."

Guo Ximin had been in the emergency department for seven to eight years and had seen all sorts of patients. There are plenty of patients like Du Ran who first consult a traditional Chinese medicine doctor and then, not reassured, come for an examination.

Some people are stubborn and blindly trust traditional Chinese medicine even after being misled, while others, like Du Ran, believe in both sides yet don’t fully trust either. There’s also a small group who mention Chinese medicine with utter disdain, as if they want to get rid of all traditional Chinese doctors.

"Doctor, will surgery affect the fetus?" Du Ran asked.

"Fetus!?" Guo Ximin was startled and then said anxiously, "Why didn’t you mention it earlier? Didn’t the previous doctor tell you that you shouldn’t have a CT scan during pregnancy? Or did you forget? Never mind, one time isn’t a big deal, but from now on, remember this: unless absolutely necessary, avoid any radiographic exams!"

Du Ran suddenly realized, right, the previous doctor did remind her. How could she forget something so important?

"Doctor, is it really okay?" Du Ran asked nervously.

Guo Ximin replied, "Now you’re scared, aren’t you?"

"Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. But your appendicitis is a bit tricky. If it leads to abdominal infection, it might even cause a miscarriage. My suggestion is to have immediate surgery. This minor issue can turn into a major problem if delayed!"

"Of course, if you want to try traditional Chinese medicine, you can. But I don’t particularly recommend it, as I’ve never seen traditional Chinese medicine effectively treat appendicitis."

Is that so?

Du Ran began to feel torn.

"Hey, doctor, can you check us out now? We’ve been waiting forever."

"Yeah, I’ve got things to do."

"Doctor, my head’s about to explode, can you see me first?"

"......"

Guo Ximin frowned as the patients urged him, "Alright, I’ve said all I need to. I’ll prescribe you some antibiotics. Go home, discuss it with your family, and have the surgery as soon as possible."

After that, Guo Ximin ignored Du Ran and started diagnosing other patients.

Du Ran paid and picked up her medication. Even after leaving the hospital, she was still undecided about who to turn to.

Before she knew it, Du Ran had arrived home. Her parents-in-law were in the kitchen cooking, and her husband had just returned from work, entering the house right after her.

"What’s wrong? You seem upset." Luo Kai wrapped an arm around Du Ran’s shoulder.

"I went to the hospital. They diagnosed me with appendicitis." Du Ran handed Luo Kai the slip from the shoe cabinet.

Luo Kai’s expression turned grave the moment he took the slip. "Did you go alone? Why didn’t you have Mom and Dad accompany you?"

"I was in severe pain, and Mom and Dad had gone grocery shopping, so I went to the traditional Chinese doctor Uncle Wang recommended. He said it was appendicitis. I went to the hospital to confirm it, and it is. Now the hospital suggests surgery, but the Chinese doctor says he can treat it, and I don’t know what to do." Du Ran explained.

Luo Kai became anxious when he saw the words on the slip, "You had a CT scan?"

Du Ran looked down apologetically, knowing she had made a mistake.

Seeing his wife like this, Luo Kai sighed helplessly, "You’re always so careless. If Mom and Dad aren’t around, couldn’t you call me? Never mind, it’s done. We’ll be more careful in the future. As for the appendicitis, it’s not a big illness, but the pain is hard to endure. Why don’t we go for the surgery to avoid further suffering?"

Du Ran replied, "But Uncle Wang says that the Chinese doctor is really skilled. What if he can really cure it? A colleague mentioned that surgery during pregnancy isn’t advisable as it’s bad for the fetus, and the surgery costs over ten thousand."

Luo Kai said, "Why worry about money? Your health is the most important. Uncle Wang has been seeing that Chinese doctor for years and hasn’t gotten better. I... Alright, don’t give me that pitiful look. I can’t handle it. How about this: I’ll take some leave now, we’ll rest after lunch, and go see the Chinese doctor in the afternoon. If he truly has a solution, we’ll try it. If not, we’ll have the surgery without delay. How does that sound?"

Du Ran smiled and replied, "Okay, I’ll listen to you!"

In the afternoon, the couple came to Lu’s Clinic.

Lu Jiu, who was stationed at the store, didn’t expect Du Ran to return.

Appendicitis is a minor ailment for hospitals, just a quick cut, and it’s done.

However, because the pain can be intense, if it ruptures over time and turns into peritonitis, it causes severe abdominal fluid accumulation, posing life-threatening risks.

In ancient times, with few traditional Chinese doctors and many people unable to afford medical care, they often endured appendicitis, leading to numerous deaths from the disease.

Thus, with the promotion of modern knowledge, appendicitis has become a so-called incurable disease. Most people believe it can’t be treated without surgery.

"Dr. Lu, I’ve been diagnosed with appendicitis." Du Ran entered the clinic with admiration in her eyes.

"So, you’re thinking of trying my treatment?" Lu Jiu asked.

"Can you really cure it?" Du Ran asked.

"Given your current situation, yes." This time, Lu Jiu answered confidently.

For traditional Chinese medicine, appendicitis is considered a minor illness. Even if Du Ran’s appendicitis resulted in a ruptured intestine turning into peritonitis, Lu Jiu had a formula to treat it.

In traditional Chinese medicine, appendicitis is labeled as "intestinal abscess." In the "Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet," there’s a medication called Rhubarb and Peony Decoction specifically for this condition, known for its rapid efficacy. Once consumed, it quickly eliminates what’s referred to as inflammation and repairs damaged areas.

"Really?" Luo Kai’s eyes showed doubt instead of joy.

Because Lu Jiu was too confident!

"Whether it’s true or not, you’ll know after taking one dose. It’s up to you whether to try it." Lu Jiu smiled.

One dose of medication...

Luo Kai hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Are there any side effects with this medication? Will it harm my wife’s body?"

Lu Jiu laughed, "It definitely has fewer side effects than the antibiotics your wife has been taking."

Huh?

Du Ran whispered in surprise.

How does he even know what medicine the hospital prescribed? Could he be a miracle doctor?

If Lu Jiu knew what Du Ran was thinking, he’d probably laugh. He knew it was antibiotics because hospitals treat illnesses like traditional Chinese medicine – with just two or three methods: surgery, hormones, antibiotics.

"Honey, let’s give it a try." Du Ran tugged at Luo Kai’s sleeve.

Luo Kai paused, "Alright."

Du Ran then smiled at Lu Jiu, "Dr. Lu, could you prescribe the medication for me?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Without hesitation, Lu Jiu went to the medicine cabinet to get Du Ran’s medication.

Rhubarb, Peony Bark, Peach Kernel, Winter Melon Seed, Mirabilite.

Among them, Lu Jiu weighed rhubarb heavier as it’s the chief herb of this formula, and its main effect is to clear heat and purge the intestines, promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation.

"Here, this is the medicine. Take it before dinner. If there’s blood in your stool and pressing the lower right abdomen and one inch below Zusanli doesn’t hurt, then the inflammation is gone. If these signs don’t appear, come see me again tomorrow," Lu Jiu instructed.

"Alright, thank you, Dr. Lu." Du Ran replied.

"Dr. Lu, how much is this medication?" Luo Kai asked.

"Eleven yuan and sixty cents," Lu Jiu answered.

Luo Kai’s pupils shrank as he silently scanned and paid.

It’s cheap, yes, but whether it’s effective remains to be seen.

If his wife couldn’t recover, Lu Jiu’s medicine, no matter how cheap, wouldn’t be appreciated. However, if it worked, even if Lu Jiu added two zeros to the price, he would respectfully call Lu Jiu a miracle doctor!