Chapter 88

"…You want to improve the existing disinfection techniques?"

Looking at the young and serious face of John in front of him, Bergmann felt a strange sensation amidst his extreme surprise!

Was it excitement and admiration for a student who had his own ideas, or disappointment at his presumptuousness?

Bergmann couldn't quite put his finger on it at the moment.

However, after hearing John's words, he immediately understood why John had been so calm today, to the point where he thought John lacked passion for his studies. And Bergmann now realized that, whether he thought John lacked passion for his studies or was too arrogant, he probably couldn't treat this American kid the same way he treated other students. After all, Bergmann had never seen a student who, on the first day of entering surgery, wanted to start his own research!

It was just that...

"Perhaps he's another arrogant genius?"

Although Bergmann had subconsciously dismissed John's idea even before hearing it.

From the unfortunate Semmelweis to the British surgeon Lister, and even Bergmann himself, which of the surgeons who recognized disinfection techniques hadn't thought about improving them? Bergmann himself was still continuously striving, seeking better methods in his work.

John was just a student who had just started learning surgery. What good ideas could he have? Without a few years of experience in surgery, how could he have any practical and useful insights?

Bergmann didn't show his disapproval directly, considering it might dampen the student's enthusiasm. But in his heart, he was already shaking his head, pondering how to advise this talented young man to focus his energy and time on his studies.

However, as Bergmann was shaking his head, John noticed the change in his expression.

John had long known that convincing his teacher wouldn't be easy, and he had been prepared. After a brief moment of thought, he continued, "Professor, this idea didn't come to me on a whim; it's the result of serious consideration! Moreover, over the past year, I've read a lot of literature and even bought a microscope for my research..."

"You bought a microscope yourself?"

Upon hearing John's words, Bergmann was immediately surprised, and his gaze toward John changed again.

Bergmann, as a professor of surgery, knew very well how expensive microscopes were in this era. In fact, he had once had a similar idea but gave up due to the cost. Although his salary as a professor at the University of Berlin was not low, Bergmann had to support a large family, and buying a microscope was beyond his means.

John nodded and chuckled, "Yes, because I needed to verify many conclusions, and a microscope was essential, so I just bought one... It turned out to be very useful, helping me discover a lot of evidence!"

"Oh?"

At this point, Bergmann's interest was piqued.

Regardless of whether John's plan was as good as he claimed, Bergmann could be certain of one thing: John had indeed read a lot of literature over the past year. Many associate professors and teaching assistants who had examined him had a deep impression of how familiar he was with medical papers published in recent years! If you add a microscope and John's performance in various experimental exams, Bergmann suddenly felt he should listen to what this young man had to say.

After a moment's thought, Bergmann sat down in his chair and nodded, "Alright, sit down. There's still plenty of time before lunch. You can tell me your specific ideas and try to convince me!"

"Thank you, Professor!"

Upon hearing Bergmann's words, John was genuinely grateful.

As a professor of surgery at the University of Berlin, Bergmann was undoubtedly one of the top surgeons of his time. The fact that such a prominent figure didn't immediately dismiss his ideas but was willing to listen to a student's "presumptuous" thoughts about improving disinfection techniques was enough for John to be grateful.

He needed Bergmann's support to do what he wanted to do now.

Research on blood types or bacteria could be concluded through laboratory results, but advancements in surgical techniques required real, effective results, which meant they had to be implemented on patients. At the Charité Hospital, any changes or experiments John wanted to make would have to go through Bergmann, the professor of surgery.

After sitting down, John spoke earnestly, "Professor, I want to clarify that much of what I'm about to say is my personal opinion, so it may not be very mature. However, I want you to know that I didn't start this research recently; I started quite early... even before I came to Berlin!"

"Oh?"

Bergmann's eyes lit up.

John inwardly smiled. He had started researching surgical infections in his previous life, long before he came to Berlin, even before he was born!

However, John didn't dare to laugh out loud. After a brief moment to gather his thoughts, he continued, "From the moment I decided to study surgery, I've been thinking about one question: what should we, as surgeons, know about infections? Personally, I believe there are five main points: one, what causes surgical infections; two, the routes of infection; three, the process of infection in patients; four, how to prevent infections; and five, how to manage infections once they occur!"

"Hmm, not bad."

After listening to John's words, Bergmann nodded subconsciously. As a seasoned surgeon who had been researching infections for years, Bergmann naturally recognized the importance of John's five points. These were indeed the questions many top surgeons were thinking about.

However, just a few seconds after nodding in agreement, Bergmann suddenly felt a jolt and sat up straight, staring at John with a very surprised look!

No!

Something was completely off!

While he understood the importance of these aspects, it didn't mean John should.

This was absolutely not something a student just starting to learn surgery could summarize, or even a surgeon with over a decade of experience might not think of!

Don't judge the surgeons of this era by the standards of future doctors. John's questions might seem simple, and a layperson in the future might think of them, but in this era, how many surgeons systematically considered these issues? Pasteur had to put in tremendous effort to get some people to acknowledge the existence of bacteria, and it took Lister over a decade to promote the concept of disinfection, and even now, many European and American surgeons remain indifferent...

This was not something you could learn in a university in this era!

The things John mentioned could only be understood by someone like Lister or Bergmann, who were at the forefront of disinfection techniques. Most surgeons would simply follow the textbook or the footsteps of other famous surgeons!

Under Bergmann's intense gaze, John remained calm.

The things he had just mentioned were the foundational knowledge of future surgery, something every medical student must understand. Originally, John had planned to start his "research" and refine it in Berlin before bringing it back to New York. After all, the traditional mindset in Europe constrained many people's ability to accept new ideas, and introducing them rashly might face significant resistance.

But now that he was working with Bergmann, everything was different.

As a surgeon who would be featured in future surgical textbooks, John was confident in Bergmann's ability to accept new ideas in this field.

"This kid..."

Looking at John's serious face, Bergmann's expression gradually became more solemn. As a surgeon, Bergmann had an instinctive premonition that what John was about to say would not be as naive and ridiculous as he had imagined!

After a moment's thought, Bergmann said in a deep voice, "John, give me a brief overview."

"Sure."

John, who had been waiting, immediately nodded and continued, "Professor, after studying the papers on surgical disinfection by you, Mr. Lister, and many other surgeons, I conducted many small experiments and finally discovered several effective and safe disinfection methods that can completely replace the much-criticized carbolic acid..."

"You already have methods to improve it? And more than one?!"

At this point, Bergmann was completely taken aback.

"Yes, sir."

John was inwardly delighted but maintained a calm expression, "If you allow it, I can organize my past experimental reports and bring them to you for review..."

...

There will be another chapter tonight.

i1153

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