Chapter 45

When Deng Guohui heard Wu Potian's self-recommendation, his expression clearly showed surprise, but he quickly recalled the situation Wu Qingsheng had introduced to him. He immediately introduced the middle-aged man surnamed Jiang, saying, "Old Jiang! Let me introduce you. This is the son of my sister-in-law Yueqin, Wu Potian! His family is a medical dynasty. Why don't you let him take a look at your condition?"

The middle-aged man surnamed Jiang, upon hearing Deng Guohui's words, immediately showed a puzzled expression on his face. Although Deng Guohui said that Wu Potian came from a medical family, Wu Potian was simply too young. Moreover, he had seen countless doctors for his illness, and even the old doctors were at a loss. How could a young man like this solve his problem?

Seeing the puzzled expression on the middle-aged man's face, Wu Potian knew that the other party didn't believe him because of his youth. However, Wu Potian was not bothered by this. Instead, he smiled and replied, "Uncle Jiang! I heard you've seen many doctors for this illness, but it hasn't been effective. Since that's the case, why don't you let me give it a try? If my diagnosis is different from your symptoms, you can just ignore what I say. But if I'm right, won't you have a chance to cure your illness?"

The middle-aged man surnamed Jiang, upon hearing Wu Potian's words, felt that what Wu Potian said made sense. However, Wu Potian was simply too young. So many doctors had been at a loss for his illness; how could a young man solve it?

"Old Jiang! What Xiaotian said is right. Since those doctors couldn't figure out the cause, why don't you let Xiaotian take a look?" Seeing the hesitant look on the other party's face, Deng Guohui, thinking about how long the other party had suffered from the illness, persuaded him again.

The middle-aged man surnamed Jiang, upon hearing Deng Guohui's persuasion, thought about the pain he had endured over the past period. Finally, he gritted his teeth and, with the attitude of treating a dead horse as if it were alive, said to Wu Potian, "Xiao Wu! Since your uncle-in-law recommends you so highly, then you can take a look at my condition."

Wu Potian, upon hearing that the other party agreed to let him examine him, was undoubtedly very happy. However, he did not show his inner thoughts on his face. He quickly walked to the side of the middle-aged man and held his wrist, carefully diagnosing him.

After a long time, Wu Potian released the other party's wrist and asked the middle-aged man surnamed Jiang seriously, "Uncle Jiang! Didn't you have acute enteritis a long time ago and receive treatment at the hospital? After that, you often had diarrhea for six months, especially in the past two months, with frequent abdominal pain, increased bowel movements, and changes in stool consistency. You also felt listless and had a loss of appetite, and you had reactions to antibiotics?"

The middle-aged man surnamed Jiang, who had agreed to let Wu Potian examine him with the attitude of treating a dead horse as if it were alive, had no confidence in Wu Potian at all. However, Wu Potian's words left him stunned. Although he had mentioned to Deng Guohui that he had seen many hospitals without effect, he had never mentioned that he had been hospitalized for acute enteritis six months ago.

Wu Potian's ability to diagnose so clearly from a simple pulse-taking left the middle-aged man surnamed Jiang in shock. He immediately grabbed Wu Potian's wrist and said excitedly, "Doctor Xiao Wu! Your diagnosis is simply amazing. You're right. About half a year ago, when I was on a business trip, I had acute enteritis and was treated at a local hospital. At the time, I had a big deal to sign, so I was discharged after one day in the hospital. Since then, I've had frequent diarrhea, and the situation in the past two months is almost the same as what you just described. What do you think is wrong with me?"

"Uncle Jiang! To be precise, your illness is called chronic bacterial dysentery. It is mainly caused by improper treatment during the acute phase, or due to malnutrition, rickets, intestinal parasitic diseases, and poor dietary hygiene. It often manifests as atypical dysentery symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating. When exposed to cold or eating cold food, it can cause acute episodes, leading to diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stools," Wu Potian, seeing the surprised look on the middle-aged man's face, did not show any pride but instead explained the patient's condition in a serious manner.

The middle-aged man, upon hearing Wu Potian's explanation, although he already deeply trusted Wu Potian, was still puzzled when he thought about the diagnosis he had received at the hospital. He immediately asked Wu Potian, "Doctor Xiao Wu! Isn't my illness enteritis? How did it turn into chronic bacterial dysentery?"

Wu Potian, upon hearing the middle-aged man's question, did not feel annoyed but instead smiled and replied, "Uncle Jiang! Broadly speaking, your illness can indeed be called enteritis, but enteritis is divided into acute and chronic types. Chronic enteritis usually lasts more than two months and includes conditions like chronic bacterial dysentery, chronic amoebic dysentery, schistosomiasis, non-specific ulcerative colitis, and regional enteritis. Your illness is one of these."

"However, it's fortunate that I met you today. If your illness continues, it could turn into toxic dysentery."

Wu Potian used medical terms to explain the condition to the middle-aged man, making it sound like a cloud of confusion. However, he could vaguely sense that his condition might be serious. He immediately asked Wu Potian, "Doctor Xiao Wu! What is toxic dysentery? Is it serious? How could a common enteritis turn into this illness?"

"Toxic dysentery! It is a severe clinical type of bacterial dysentery. It has a rapid onset, rapid progression, and severe symptoms, often leading to convulsions and shock, which can be fatal. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential," Wu Potian answered directly, explaining the pathophysiology of toxic dysentery to the middle-aged man.

No one is immune to the fear of death. When the middle-aged man heard Wu Potian's explanation and realized that his condition could be fatal if not treated in time, his face turned pale. He tightly held Wu Potian's hand and asked, "Doctor Xiao Wu! Is what you're saying true? Can this illness really be fatal?"

"Uncle Jiang! Do you think I would joke about such a serious matter? In fact, many patients have a misconception that only major diseases like cancer can be fatal. However, many serious illnesses are caused by minor conditions. Take enteritis, for example. Although it is extremely common, with about 30 to 50 billion cases worldwide each year, the incidence and mortality rate are highest in developing countries."

"If you had completed a full course of treatment and controlled your diet when you were treated out of town, you wouldn't have developed this condition. Of course, you don't need to worry. Although your condition has become chronic, it is still in the early stages. With active treatment, the chances of a cure are still high." Despite the burden this information might place on the other party, Wu Potian felt it was necessary to explain the severity of the condition to ensure the patient's cooperation in treatment.