Chapter 7

In the initial plot, the protagonist was supposed to be more prominent, but after finishing the writing, "Hiro Michi Otousama" ended up taking it all.

---

Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

"Let's select the one with the most severe symptoms and bring it to Father's unit for the military doctor to observe and perform an autopsy."

Due to Misaki's suggestion, a chicken on the verge of death was brought to the division where Kiyomichi was stationed. The military doctor, who was initially puzzled when asked to examine the chicken, concluded:

"The symptoms displayed by this chicken are precisely those of beriberi. Furthermore, the autopsy revealed multiple neuritis and heart enlargement, making it impossible to consider this as a disease unrelated to beriberi."

In reality, such a presentation in Japan would not occur until 1910.

---

That weekend, at Kiyomichi's request, the military doctor explained the diagnosis results to Shinsuke and Misaki.

"Indeed, as my sister predicted, the chickens developed beriberi, right?"

"Strictly speaking, it's a different disease, but it's certainly closer to beriberi than cowpox is to smallpox."

By this time, it was a well-known fact that inoculating people with the pus from cowpox could provide immunity against smallpox. By drawing this parallel, the military doctor was indicating that he, like Misaki, believed that improving the diet could prevent and treat beriberi in humans.

"Then, with these results, if we can add rice bran pickles to the wartime rations..."

"Adding rice bran pickles to the wartime rations is possible even at this stage."

"Really!?"

"The current regulations specify '900g of white rice, 150g of meat or fish, 150g of vegetables, and 56g of pickles per day.' Therefore, we can provide rice bran pickles as part of the pickles."

Misaki was surprised by the military doctor's response. If rice bran pickles were available, she couldn't understand why beriberi had occurred.

"However, during the Sino-Japanese War and the Taiwan Expedition, supply lines were disrupted, and only white rice was provided as wartime rations. Beriberi incidence increased during such wartime periods, so I, like you two, believe that beriberi can be prevented and treated by improving the diet."

"Oh, that's a relief..."

Misaki sighed in relief. It would have been a major issue if all their efforts had been in vain.

"To be honest, beriberi was a disease we in the field desperately wanted to control. However, due to the preconception that 'beriberi can be improved by eating wheat,' we focused on adding wheat to the wartime rations, which faced strong opposition from the Surgeon General Mori and the former Surgeon General Ishiguro..."

"I understand. Without knowing the cause of beriberi, there was no choice but to rely on existing experience for treatment. This time, it was possible with chickens, but we can't do the same with humans."

"Shiga is a bastard... He should just stick to writing novels."

While Shinsuke consoled the disappointed military doctor, Misaki inwardly cursed Surgeon General Mori (Shiga Naoya).

"However, this time we have a new weapon in the form of rice bran. We can't eat it as is, so we need to use it to create a preservable meal—basically, rice bran pickles, as Misaki suggested. We will do everything we can to control beriberi."

"For the sake of the country, I hope you will do so. However, regarding the current wartime rations, I feel that 56g of pickles per day is too little to have a significant effect on preventing beriberi. I suggest conducting a study where we give different amounts of rice bran pickles (100g, 200g, 300g) to beriberi patients to determine the effective dose."

In modern times, the recommended daily intake of thiamine hydrochloride to treat beriberi is 0.7mg/day, which translates to 0.9mg/day of thiamine in food. For example, 100g of cucumber pickled in rice bran contains about 0.3mg of thiamine, so one would need to eat at least three cucumbers pickled in rice bran daily to treat beriberi. For prevention, a slightly lower amount might suffice, but the current regulation is clearly insufficient. Misaki, knowing the specific threshold, proposed this to the military doctor to avoid the claim that "rice bran pickles are ineffective against beriberi" due to insufficient quantity.

"Yes, I agree. I will do that... However, you are a very wise sister. It's hard to believe you are only four years old..."

"I don't know where she learned it, but Misaki has been like this since she was about two... Our family has high hopes for her future."

"Mr. Shinsuke, you are too kind..."

Kiyomichi, who didn't know, was naturally thirty years old, so it was no surprise.

---

Afterward, the military doctor conducted extensive research and successfully determined the daily intake of rice bran pickles needed to treat beriberi. However, in the summer of 1902, the same military doctor visited the Takaishi residence and consulted with Kiyomichi.

"What, the proposal to prioritize the transport of rice bran pickles over white rice during emergencies was rejected?"

"Yes, there is a faction that follows Professor Aoyama, who believes beriberi is contagious, and they are opposing it..."

"I have seen your research results, and the effects are clear. Didn't showing them help?"

"They argue, 'While it may be true that giving rice bran pickles can treat beriberi, it does not identify the cause. It is an empirical method without a theory, and the possibility of obtaining such results by chance cannot be ruled out, so we cannot accept it.'"

"Hmm..."

At the time, the Japanese Medical Association was heavily influenced by German medicine, which emphasized theory. In 1911, Professor Katsusaburo Yamakawa of Tokyo University strongly criticized this approach, stating, "It is often the case that everything is regulated by theory, which must be reconsidered."

"I understand. I have an idea. Ignore the opposition and make the necessary preparations."

"...Understood."

The military doctor had a bad feeling but decided not to think too deeply about it, sensing it was better not to delve further.

---

Some time later.

"Lord Takaishi, the proposal to prioritize the supply of rice bran pickles during wartime has finally been approved! This is all thanks to you."

"No, it's because you gathered solid evidence. I could only act because of your efforts. I should be the one to thank you. Now, we can fight without being plagued by beriberi."

"However, strangely, the opposition suddenly became less resistant. It made it easier to get the proposal through, but what did you do?"

The military doctor asked, looking worried.

"I asked the Crown Prince and Chief Equerry Okazawa to silence those opposing you."

"Wh-What!?"

The sudden appearance of people from the highest echelons of society made the military doctor exclaim in surprise.

"The Crown Prince favored me when I was a palace guard and still invites me to ride horses with him as a hobby."

"Amazing... And now, as a palace guard, Lord Takaishi, Chief Equerry Okazawa is your direct superior!"

"They both highly valued your research. When I told them, 'His research on beriberi is effective, but some oppose it due to lack of theory, which is cruel to those suffering from beriberi,' they understood... You can guess the rest, right?"

"Wow..."

Faced with Kiyomichi's stern expression, the military doctor vowed never to make him an enemy.

---

Thus, the situation of the army's rations improved significantly, unlike in history. The 250,000 soldiers who suffered from beriberi in reality were spared in this world and could fight through the Russo-Japanese War without such suffering. As an unexpected side effect, Professor Aoyama and his faction fell out of favor due to angering "a person of high standing," and the Institute of Infectious Diseases was not absorbed by Tokyo University. This allowed Director Shibasaburo Kitasato to focus on his research, leading to several of his achievements being realized earlier than in history.

As a result, the Japanese military could fight Russia with more confidence. In reality, Kiyomichi was skilled in horseback riding and served as a riding partner for Emperor Meiji during his time as a palace guard. He was so fond of horses that he even kept them at home, as mentioned in Shinsuke's "Living with Birds." It is not clear if he rode with Emperor Taisho, but given the Emperor's own skill and keen eye for horses, it is not hard to imagine that they had a good relationship.