This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

Bao Mi hesitated. But no one was forcing her at this point. Of course, Du Heng wasn't going to plead with her either.

While Bao Mi was contemplating, Du Heng and Xu Pinglin chatted, mostly about medical journals and techniques. Other topics were unsuitable for discussion in this setting.

Soon enough, Bao Mi spoke up, "Since I'm already here, let's give it a try."

Wu Buwei was very unhappy when he heard this. He wanted to say something, but Du Heng waved his hand to stop him.

They were doctors; healing the sick and saving lives was their duty. To earn trust, they needed genuine skill, not just arguments. Indeed, arguing would only make them appear unprofessional and insecure.

Since the patient had difficulty moving, Du Heng rose and squatted beside him for an examination.

His examination revealed the patient's condition was similar to that of Zuo Shucai from Mubangou: both suffered from hemiplegia, a sequela of cerebral infarction.

The patient was well-cared for, with no signs of muscular atrophy. However, he had been over-nourished, exhibiting signs of agitated qi and blood heat.

"Do you have any previous treatment records? A disease record, details of medications taken, things like that?"

"Yes, I brought them all." Bao Mi retrieved a thick stack of documents from her bag and handed them to Du Heng.

Du Heng flipped through them, selecting the hospital's disease records and the prescription from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic. However, he found no detailed treatment records or information about the treatment process from the clinic itself.

This seemed to be a common issue with all clinics nowadays—they rarely provided patients with their diagnostic and treatment records.

Du Heng examined the prescription and quickly grasped the situation.

"This doctor prescribed a modified version of the Three Raw Agents Beverage. This formula is used to treat conditions like stroke, unconsciousness, and hemiplegia. The prescription itself is appropriate for these conditions."

When Bao Mi heard this, a flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes; she thought there was no hope left.

Xu Pinglin approached it from a different angle. After hearing Du Heng's explanation, he asked, "If the prescription was correct, why wasn't it effective?"

Du Heng smiled faintly, shaking the prescription in his hand. "It's simple. This prescription contains an ingredient called aconite. For some reason, the doctor only included 3 grams of it, while the other ingredients were in sufficient quantities. Furthermore, the amount of Ginseng used was excessive. It would be a wonder if this concoction actually worked."

Xu Pinglin wasn't familiar with traditional Chinese medicinal materials, nor did he need to be. But since Bao Mi clearly needed to understand, he pressed on, "Why use so little aconite? Does that significantly impact the treatment?"

"It has a major impact. In this prescription, aconite and Ginseng are the primary ingredients; the others are supplementary. However, the amount of aconite is too small to be effective, meaning only the Ginseng is exerting any real effect. But Ginseng used alone merely enhances bodily functions; it has no therapeutic effect on hemiplegia. Both ingredients must work in concert for the treatment to be successful."

"Then why didn't he use more aconite? Is it very expensive?"

"Expensive?" Du Heng chuckled, shaking his head. "Aconite itself is toxic, and quite potent. The Pharmacopoeia stipulates a dosage between three and fifteen grams. This doctor, perhaps fearing complications, used only the minimum amount."

Du Heng sighed. He wasn't sure whether to call the doctor overly cautious or simply too constrained by regulations.

Yet, this doctor didn't seem to lack boldness either. The ratio of Ginseng to aconite in this prescription was an astonishing 1:40—it was essentially just a tonic!

Du Heng paused for a moment before continuing, "With such a small amount of aconite and an excessive amount of Ginseng, the medicinal properties of the aconite are completely neutralized. Adding it is worse than not adding it at all. Without it, the nourishing properties of the Ginseng would be better released, allowing the patient to actually strengthen his body."

Xu Pinglin was speechless. Though he practiced Western medicine, he too combined medications in treatment, always considering which was the primary agent and which was auxiliary.

Du Heng set down the prescription and asked Bao Mi, "Can you show me the points where he usually performs acupuncture?"

Listening to Du Heng's analysis, Bao Mi's internal skepticism had begun to shift.

Observing the locations Bao Mi indicated, Du Heng merely nodded slightly.

Bao Mi asked anxiously, "Is there a problem?"

"No, it appears to be standard practice." Du Heng gently pinched the patient's arm; seeing no reaction, he released it.

"The choice of acupoints isn't the issue. However, judging by the patient's lack of response, the treatment is largely ineffective. The technique is likely wrong, or the degree of stimulation is insufficient. I haven't witnessed his needling sequence, but through reverse deduction, I can also tell that the order of acupoint stimulation is incorrect."

After speaking, Du Heng shook his head again. "Actually, I can't definitively say it's 'wrong.' Each practitioner has their own acupuncture techniques. His particular method, however, is not appropriate for treating hemiplegia."

A surge of hope filled Bao Mi. She quickly asked, "Doctor Du, is there any chance my father can stand up again? Could we just increase the amount of aconite, like you said?"

Du Heng shook his head once more. "No, that won't work. Your father currently has excessive internal heat. Continuing with this prescription would be of little use."

"Then what should we do?" Bao Mi was growing anxious; she couldn't bear for this glimmer of hope to fade back into disappointment.

"Don't worry. Let me consider what medicine would be appropriate."

"Do you want to see the medicine my father has been taking?"

"Did you bring it?"

"Yes. I had just picked up the medicine this morning when Director Xu called and asked me to come. It's still in the car; I haven't taken it home yet. Please wait a moment."

With that, Bao Mi hurried outside, retrieved a bag of medicine from her car, and returned.

Since she had brought them, Du Heng decided to take a look. He opened the medicine bag, carefully separated the ingredients one by one, and finally focused his gaze on a small pile of Ginseng slices.

He was at a loss for words.

So much Ginseng in a single dose... it was hardly different from just eating raw Ginseng.

Moreover, the price of Ginseng varied enormously. Ginseng from a reputable source, of good age, and with a long medicinal history could sell for tens of thousands of yuan. In contrast, Ginseng from inferior sources and with a short medicinal history might only be worth a few yuan or tens of yuan, and might not even find a buyer.

Du Heng picked up a slice, took a small bite, and let the taste linger in his mouth. After a moment, he tried another piece. He began cursing inwardly. This doctor's problem wasn't a lack of medical skill; it was his utterly rotten medical ethics!

PTUI. Du Heng spat out the residue, his expression grim. He hesitated, debating whether or not to reveal what he'd discovered.

If he kept silent, the patient would continue to suffer, and that doctor would carry on with his shameless practices. But if he spoke up, the patient would undoubtedly confront the doctor, leading to a massive uproar.

While Du Heng wrestled with this dilemma, Bao Mi, her hand on her father's shoulder, looked at Du Heng with pleading eyes, desperate for an answer that offered them hope.

Du Heng met Bao Mi's gaze, then looked at the patient in the wheelchair. He unconsciously straightened his posture. Looking at Bao Mi and her father, he stated, "The Ginseng in your medicinal ingredients isn't genuine."

"Counterfeit?"

"Counterfeit?"

Not only was Bao Mi astonished, but even Xu Pinglin couldn't help but shoot to his feet.

"Doctor Du, you can't make such a serious accusation lightly," Xu Pinglin felt compelled to remind him, acutely aware of the severe repercussions of selling counterfeit medicine.

"Well, 'counterfeit' might not be the right word either." After a moment's thought, Du Heng amended his statement. He, too, felt that 'counterfeit medicine' wasn't entirely accurate.