Chapter 39 Snake Venom
Saltpeter and sulfur are frequent guests in various ancient medical systems.
Whether in traditional Chinese medicine or Arabic medicine, saltpeter is considered to have detoxifying, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory effects, while sulfur is considered to treat skin diseases and remove external parasites.
Among them, the medicinal value of sulfur has been repeatedly verified in modern medicine, and saltpeter diuresis is also feasible in theory. It can be said that these are all good things.
Unlike the medical system in Western Europe, which may still be at the level of witch doctors, Arab medicine in the 12th century seemed to have an understanding beyond the times in many medical fields because of its openness and tolerance and rich positivist spirit.
For example, as early as the 9th century AD, Arab doctors built the world's first real hospital in Baghdad, instead of the previous model of charity homes and almshouses.
In the 10th century AD, people began to realize that the reason why people have fever is part of the body's self-defense.
In the 11th century, a large number of practical surgeries were developed that could cure many eye diseases.
In terms of herbal medicine experience, he absorbed a large amount of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge from China and Ayurvedic medicine from India, and sublated and demonstrated it, retaining the more medically effective parts.
Different from the current situation in Europe where the development of medical research is still deeply influenced by theology, Islamic culture's persistence and worship of rationality and empirical evidence in this era is no less than that of people in the classical era.
When he came to the town, Garris was quite surprised when he found an Arab medical clinic on this street.
He never thought that there might actually be an Arab doctor in this small town. After thinking of the medicinal value of saltpeter and sulfur, he opened the door and walked in, hoping to find what he wanted here.
Of course, in order to determine whether the doctor in front of him was a liar or a quack, after entering the door, Garris still tested it with simple words.
When he heard that Garris was here to look for sulfur and saltpeter, Abdullah looked very ugly. He said directly: "If you are not seeking medical treatment, you should not come to the medical center!"
Garris was a little shocked. He didn't expect that he would get such a reply. He could only say that compared to Arabs, Europeans in this era are indeed inferior in technology and culture...not to mention whether the other party is Realizing the value of gunpowder, at least the other party could guess what Garris was looking for.
Of course, this does not prevent Europeans from beating up Arabs in terms of martial ethics...
Garris opened his mouth and held back the words that came to his lips. He did not lie because it was unnecessary.
Just when the atmosphere was brewing in an awkward direction, suddenly the door of the medical center was pushed open again, and a man rushed into the medical center in a hurry.
I heard the man shout loudly: "Abdullah! My child was bitten by a poisonous snake!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Abdullah immediately put down his work, rushed to the table nearby, and simply packed up some equipment that might be used, as well as sorting out the herbs that could defuse snake venom.
While Abdullah was packing up the medical equipment, Gairis grabbed the man and said, "I am also a doctor. You take me to see your child first. Dr. Abdullah wants to pack up the snake medicine."
The man was hesitant. He didn't know whether he should trust the Franks. In his impression, the Franks were not much different from barbarians.
"Hurry! We don't have that much time!"
Garris's words were mixed with unspeakable power. He was ordering this man to lead the way, rather than bargaining.
Feeling the dragon-like ferocious momentum, this man who had experienced hardships and hardships subconsciously obeyed. He turned his head and looked at Abdullah who was still picking medicines from bottles and jars, and said loudly: "Doctor, my child It's on the street! Come here quickly!" Abdullah gestured to indicate that he was clear. He didn't bother to verify the quality of Gellis, so he could only take the time to pack his things and prepare the ointment.
Under the leadership of the man, Garris rushed out of the medical center and ran towards the street.
An Arab boy was leaning against a mud house, holding his bitten leg and crying.
Next to him was the body of a snake, which looked like its spine had been broken by being directly stepped on.
Garris glanced at the appearance of the venomous snake. Its body length was about 40 to 50 centimeters, and its main body was yellowish brown with irregular dark stripes.
This kind of color is very easy to disguise in the Middle East. If ordinary people don't pay attention, they will disturb each other.
Garris didn't recognize the type of snake, but now was not the time for learning.
He loudly ordered again to the man beside him: "Go! Hurry, help me get a basin of water and a piece of soap!"
When he heard the word soap, the man looked a little embarrassed. This was obviously not because he had never heard of it, but more like because he was short of money and did not have it at home. Although soap has a long history, it has always been a luxury. Goods are far from what ordinary people can use on a daily basis.
After sensing the man's emotions, Garris directly threw out a gold dinar. The shining gold reflected greed and temptation in the sun, causing the pedestrians around him to stop and look at Garris in surprise. look.
"Now! Now, bring me soap, water and a dagger right now!"
Garris's words, at this critical moment, seem to have magic power, driving others to act according to his orders.
Or maybe it's because of Garris, the more urgent the situation, the more sincere his eyes become. It's not for personal gain, but because he has a burning heart of justice.
It was the lack of affectation in his emotions and the lack of hesitation when throwing gold coins that made others willing to listen to his words.
The man left in search of soapy water and a dagger, and more passers-by gathered around him, but Garris didn't care.
He tore off a strip of cloth from his clothes with his bare hands, and then calmed the young man down, making him let down his guard.
When the boy realized that Garris might be a doctor, he tried his best to control his sobs and stretched out the leg he was holding.
To be honest, first aid for venomous snake bites is not complicated. The core focus is to prevent the spread of venom from the snake.
On the one hand, it is necessary to bandage in time to prevent too much venom from flowing along the veins to other parts of the body. On the other hand, it is to soothe the emotions of the person involved and calm the panic of the person involved to reduce the absorption and spread of toxins.
Garris first took off the straw sandals on the boy's feet to avoid the swelling of the limbs caused by the venom that would be difficult to remove later.
Then, tie it with the previously torn cloth strip 5 to 10 centimeters near the heart of the wound.
(End of chapter)