Nan Feng asked, “What exactly?”
The lady looked at Nan Quanyou’s leg, “I heard from the neighbors that the treatment process is very painful, extremely painful. You will find out how painful it is when it’s your turn to go in and ask.”
Nan Feng comforted Nan Quanyou, “Dad, it’s okay, as long as it can be healed, it will be worth the pain. Imagine if your leg healed, your walking would look much better, and maybe when you get back to the village, you will be the center of attention among the widows.”
Nan Quanyou blushed, “Fengfeng, why are you making fun of your dad? Am I a joke to you?”
“Okay, Dad, I won’t dare to do it again.”
“…” At least, the atmosphere had lightened up.
Maybe because Dr. An took his job of treating his patients very seriously, by the time it was Nan Feng’s turn, the sun had already set.
Nan Feng carefully helped Nan Quanyou inside and then finally met Dr. An.
He appeared to be in his fifties, with a rosy complexion and jet-black hair. He spoke with a strong and clear voice, which lacked the typical heaviness common among doctors.
As soon as the doctor saw how Nan Quanyou walked, he asked, “Did you break your leg?”
Having arrived in the county town, Nan Quanyou used more refined words, “Indeed.”
“Who bandaged you up after the bone was broken?”
“A local doctor in the village who knows a bit about medicine,” replied Nan Quanyou.
“Did he use wooden boards to fix the injury?” asked the doctor.
“Indeed, he did. I was up and about a month after it was fixed,” said Nan Quanyou.
Dr. An asked Nan Quanyou to extend his leg and then rolled up his trousers to feel it carefully. Then he made a diagnosis, “Your bone was misplaced because it was not properly secured.”
Then, Dr. An used two brushes to demonstrate, “For instance, if these represent two pieces of bone, when they fit perfectly together, it means they have been properly aligned. If a piece protrudes, it means they have not. That’s why you limp when you walk. You haven’t stopped working in the fields over these years, right? The dampness in the fields and the cold air seep into your bone from the misplaced spot, causing you to suffer sleepless nights due to the pain.”
Nan Feng asked from the side, “Dr. An, is there any way to cure it?”
“It’s not that there’s no solution, but it depends on whether you can bear it or not,” said Dr. An.
“I can bear it, I can bear it,” said Nan Quanyou, “As long as it can be healed, no pain is unbearable to me.”
Dr. An chuckled and said, “First of all, I will have to re-break the bone, then reset it.”
Upon hearing this, Nan Feng broke out in cold sweat and exclaimed, “Break it again?”
“Yes.”
“Will there be any… anesthesia? I know there was anesthesia in ancient times,” said Nan Feng.
“Oh? Little lady, you know about anesthesia?”
“I know a little,” said Nan Feng.
“Anesthesia was created by the great Hua Tuo, but it has been lost for many years. Some people have tried to reproduce it using Datura flowers, but the effects… “
Nan Feng asked quickly, “And how was it?”
“It’s hard to say, some people take it and never wake up, so the Dajin Dynasty doesn’t allow its use.”
“So, you just have to break the bone directly?” Nan Feng asked.
Dr. An, patient as he was, didn’t say anything like “if you want it, do it. If not, leave.” He merely asked her to consider it.
Nan Feng then asked, “So, Doctor, even if we decide to proceed with the treatment, it won’t be conducted today, right?”
“That’s right. If you decide to proceed, our physician’s assistant can schedule an appointment for you. When the time comes, you just need to show up. There will be no need to queue again.”
Nan Feng looked at Nan Quanyou, “Dad, what do you think? If we treat it, you’ll suffer for a while. If not, you’ll suffer forever. I believe Dr. An can heal your leg.”