Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Discovery of Bacteria (2)

***

Benjamin Brizbin.

He was currently lying in bed with a broken arm. Benjamin glanced at the healer speaking in front of him.

“Hmm… Well, I guess it would hurt after having my arm cut open and nails hammered into the bone, huh?”

He honestly thought the healer sounded insane. What kind of healer talks like that? Though to be fair, they did correct themselves a few seconds later.

Still, he wasn’t angry or anything.

The nurses had warned him when he was admitted that he might lose the use of his arm—or even need amputation. But after the procedure, not only could he move his fingers again, but the burning pain in his arm had disappeared too. While the surgery itself had been truly horrifying, the results were decently satisfying.

Come to think of it, this healer probably felt confident enough in their work to speak so casually. They must believe they’d treated him well and achieved good results.

Benjamin slowly moved his injured wrist and fingers. It still hurt, but at least it worked—unlike on the day it first broke.

***

Seemed like the arm was recovering nicely. I stepped out of the ward with Istina.

“At least the patient is healing well.”

“True.”

“Still, this method is revolutionary! Just disinfecting patients and the operating area with alcohol prevents wounds from festering.”

That’s one way to look at it.

I nodded.

“After publishing this paper, all hospitals in the empire will adopt our methods—washing hands, using clean surgical tools. These will become basic practices.”

“That’s right.”

Istina responded brightly, though…

Even graceful swans have to paddle hard underwater. Or rather, since our lab coats are black, we’re more like crows flapping around.

Anyway, reaching our goals requires effort. We need to prove the existence of bacteria by building microscopes and conducting Pasteur’s swan-neck flask experiments…

We’ve got plenty of hurdles ahead.

***

The problem is the microscope.

I spent the night drafting designs for one. Not sure if the focal calculations are right—something about diopters, but that’s beyond me.

Still, I managed to draft something.

Technically, it should be possible. Compound lenses exist, but there’s no real demand for 100x magnification here since there’s nothing people want to see that closely—yet.

At least not until they learn microbes cause disease and decay.

Once they do, everyone will rush to build microscopes. Gram staining methods for classifying bacteria by color and shape remain highly effective even in modern molecular biology.

“Maybe someone can produce results just from verbal instructions. Let’s try this design anyway.”

I nodded.

Stains shouldn’t be too hard to obtain. Identifying bacterial types through Gram staining should be within reach soon.

“Alright then… I’ll take this design.”

Istina carefully took the blueprint. As she left, I couldn’t help but think—if only I had ten graduate students, I could handle both patient care and research seamlessly.

***

There’s just so much to do.

Every time I think about it, I wish for ten grad students. With them, research could progress several times faster.

I considered ways to recruit graduate students.

Of course, I could wait until classes start, but there’s no telling how long it would take for students to be inspired enough by my lectures to join my lab.

There’s a faster way.

“Your Highness, may I ask a favor?”

“Asterix Teacher… let’s hear what nonsense you have this time.”

“Could you help me recruit some graduate students?”

“Nope. Find them yourself.”

“But Your Highness, with just one word from you, you could gather a truckload of grad students. It would change my life—and the future of imperial science!”

“What’s a truck? Are you crazy?”

“You see—”

“You treat my authority like rubber bands. One moment you dismiss me as ‘just a princess,’ next you claim my single word can summon a line of grad students.”

She had a point—I couldn’t argue.

“It’s for the future of the empire.”

“Handle it yourself. Why do you always come to me?”

“Your Highness…”

Princess Mint smirked.

“Fine, let’s say I cooperate. What do you want me to do?”

“Announce that I’m recruiting grad students. With your influence, they’ll line up, right?”

Princess Mint massaged her temples.

“Crazy. Even listening makes my head hurt.”

“Is it really that bad?”

“How pathetic. You’re borrowing the princess’s name just to lure grad students?”

“Grad students are crucial!”

She shook her head.

***

Knock knock. After knocking on Professor Klaus’s lab door, I cautiously entered. Even if he’s a colleague, I couldn’t afford to be casual with a professor who’s practically a father figure.

“Professor Klaus.”

“Oh, it’s Professor Asterix. What brings you here today?”

“I’ll soon be teaching a class where I plan to discuss new theories. I came to ask if you’d join me for the lecture.”

Professor Klaus stroked his beard.

“Ah, presenting new theories to undergraduates? Is that really necessary?”

“The students are just extras. Research is the priority. Think of it as an internal discussion session. Still, it might benefit the students too.”

“Hm… If I have time, I’ll listen from the back. Afterward, we can talk about your new device and research plans.”

I bowed deeply before Professor Klaus. He’s truly a remarkable person—willing to accommodate my potentially rude request while also considering the students’ perspective.

***

It’s been a while since I’ve touched chalk.

No, actually, I don’t recall ever using chalk before. Not sure if my writing will come out properly.

“Istina, take attendance after class.”

She nodded.

“I’ve given a lot of thought to how I should conduct this lecture. In the end, I decided the best approach is to teach exactly as I conduct my research.”

My chalk moved briskly across the board.

-Causes of Disease

Today’s lecture topic is this: the causes of disease.

I scanned the classroom, but Professor Klaus hadn’t arrived yet. Did he change his mind? I hope he comes.

“Diseases can broadly be categorized into four types based on their causes: infectious diseases, deficiency diseases, genetic diseases, and physiological diseases.”

I looked around the room.

“What do you think causes epidemics?”

The classroom buzzed with murmurs.

Istina sat in the front row, but avoided my gaze. How frustrating—she came all this way to attend yet won’t answer.

“You there in the front. Answer please.”

I pointed randomly and a sleepy-looking male student in the front row raised his head.

“Uh, me?”

“Yes.”

“Um… I believe plagues arise from unclean environments and foul air.”

Partially correct.

“It’s important to consider the social context of disease. When patients arrive, checking their background and occupation is indeed necessary.”

The student nodded.

“To summarize, most infectious diseases are caused by microscopic particles. Pathogens can exist in the air, water, or food.”

This goes against common beliefs.

As expected, quite a few students started whispering among themselves.

“Professor, can these microscopic particles be observed?”

“Not with the naked eye.”

“Isn’t attributing disease to unprovable entities unscientific? On the other hand, polluted air can be sensed through smell and other means.”

…

This guy—smart, but wrong.

“What’s your name, student?”

“Oliver.”

I acknowledged with a nod.

“Oliver, very insightful criticism. To prove diseases are caused by microscopic particles, we’d indeed need multiple procedures and evidence.”

There are various approaches.

Several demonstrations are immediately possible.

“If we hypothesize my statement is correct, how would you suggest proving or disproving it? Miss Istina.”

“Eh?”

Istina dropped her pen in shock.

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