"Yeah, that’s what the Traditional Chinese Medicine department in our hospital thinks too."

"Does this kid even understand Traditional Chinese Medicine? Is he just talking nonsense?"

Expert Liu’s face flushed red then turned pale as he said to Song Xiaodong, "Doctor Song, with the patient’s condition this severe, if it’s not severe varicella, could it still be mild varicella?"

"What a joke. The patient’s whole body is covered with intensely itchy, painful pox, yellow turbid pus—those are all heat-toxin manifestations. How could it possibly be wind-heat with dampness?" Doctor Zhang said in a weirdly mocking tone from the side.

"Exactly." Song Xiaodong nodded in reply.

"Enough! Director Wu, I really can’t watch this anymore. This is the doctor Director Zhao brought. Director Zhao, I have to criticize you—just what kind of person did you bring here? Can he even treat patients? With so many experts present, and all of us agreeing with Expert Liu, does your Doctor Song even understand medical skill at all?"

"Expert Zhang, in the pursuit of knowledge there’s no first or last, only depth and shallowness. Listen to me finish, then decide whether I understand medical skill or not, how about that?" Song Xiaodong did not respond to the earlier words, but instead spoke calmly to this Expert Zhang who had just criticized Vice President Zhao.

"We’re here to discuss prevention and treatment of the varicella outbreak. Director Wu has a lot of work to do—where does he have time to listen to you spout nonsense here?" Expert Zhang said to Song Xiaodong.

"Exactly, Director Wu, the prevention and control of this varicella outbreak is extremely urgent, we really can’t delay any longer! This doctor may have the guts to say no and challenge authority, but after all there are so many Traditional Chinese Medicine experts here; it’s impossible we’d all misjudge even the classification of varicella. Director Wu, let’s hurry up and discuss the next-step work plan." Another hospital director said to Director Wu.

Director Wu glanced at Song Xiaodong and said, "Since this is a seminar, everyone should speak up enthusiastically. If you have an opinion, say it. Let’s hear what Mr. Song thinks."

Although the group of directors and experts heard what Director Wu said, they were still very unconvinced. They looked at Song Xiaodong, their faces full of disdain.

"Alright, here’s how it is, Director Wu. I believe that Expert Liu and all the experts present..."

"...are all trash." Song Xiaodong thought to himself.

"...all have problems in the syndrome differentiation and classification of this varicella."

Since Director Wu had said they should listen to Song Xiaodong’s opinion, this time no one cut in again.

Song Xiaodong continued, "I know, this time the varicella does indeed look relatively severe in terms of symptoms."

"’Relatively’ severe? You haven’t seen those patients? They scratch themselves till they’re bloody all over, skin torn open, and still can’t stop the itching."

"Yeah, with varicella this severe, it’s definitely severe varicella caused by blood-toxin."

The experts continued to buzz with discussion.

"However, severe varicella is also accompanied by fever, listlessness, irritability with thirst, oral herpes, and a yellow greasy tongue coating. But in this outbreak, aside from the unbearable pain and itching, the patients don’t have any of the other symptoms of severe varicella."

Song Xiaodong looked around at the experts and spoke slowly.

"This..."

Once again, Song Xiaodong left all the experts present speechless.

Expert Liu listened, his expression turning somewhat ugly. He said, "Brother Song does have a few valid points there. But regardless of mild or severe, the patients are suffering terribly right now. Relying on Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment, the effect is too slow. Even if we do know the precise syndrome differentiation, the help it gives to clinical treatment is still very limited."

Director Wu listened to Expert Liu and also nodded. He said, "Then let’s have everyone talk about the treatment situation in their own hospitals, and be honest."

Several directors all said that the treatment effect was mediocre. Western Medicine’s symptomatic treatment couldn’t effectively relieve the symptoms, and with Traditional Chinese Medicine, even after a day you couldn’t see results.

Very soon it was Vice President Zhao’s turn.

Doctor Zhang stood up proactively and said, "I advocate dispersing wind and clearing heat, draining dampness and detoxifying, using a modified Yin Qiao Powder. In the prescription there are Honeysuckle, Forsythia, Homepage, Mint, cow herb, Platycodon grandiflorus, Licorice Root. For those with red rashes add Angelicae Sinensis and Red Peony; for cough with phlegm add Apricot Kernel and Fritillaria thunbergii; for sore throat add Isatis root and Stiff Silkworm; for headache add Chrysanthemum and Vitex."

Doctor Zhang came from a Traditional Chinese Medicine family and had high standing in Minghe’s Traditional Chinese Medicine circle. When the group of TCM experts heard his treatment method, they all nodded repeatedly.

Expert Liu also expressed approval and said, "Doctor Zhang treats based on syndrome differentiation, using a modified Yin Qiao Powder to clear heat and detoxify, acrid-cool to release the exterior, disseminate the Lung and dispel toxin, transform dampness and promote urination. It’s very suitable for treating deficiency-type varicella!"

The group of TCM experts was also surprised. Even Expert Liu had gotten the syndrome classification of this varicella wrong, yet this young Doctor Zhang could actually see that it was mild varicella. That was really not simple.

"Doctor Zhang is so young and already has such attainments in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Truly admirable. Vice President Zhao has nurtured a fine talent!"

"Doctor Zhang really lives up to being from a TCM family. Doctor Zhang’s father and grandfather were both renowned old TCM doctors back in the day. Now that it’s passed to the third generation, it’s really a case of a tiger father having no dog of a son!"

"Doctor Zhang’s treatment plan is something we can all learn from!"

Hearing everyone, Director Wu also felt that this Doctor Zhang did have some skill, so he asked him, "Doctor Zhang, how effective has your prescription been in treatment?"

Chapter 1949 Strange Disease Needs Strange Medicine

Doctor Zhang had originally been quite pleased with himself, but when he heard Director Wu’s question, he suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. After weighing his words he said, "After taking one dose, the patient’s varicella shows a tendency to subside and form scabs, but it’s only been one dose, so the effect isn’t very obvious. However, I believe the treatment approach itself is not wrong."

Director Wu also felt a bit disappointed when he heard this.