Shut the Door, Let the Female Troublemaker Loose

The new discovery Lucien referred to was the discovery of pathogenic bacteria.

Bacteria were actually discovered a long time ago. As early as 1702, Netherlands scientist Levin van Hooke discovered bacteria using the microscope he invented. However, people at that time did not associate bacteria with disease. Moreover, because bacteria are colorless and transparent, even with a microscope, one could only see shadows formed by the refraction of light due to the movement of bacteria. The structural features of bacteria could not be seen at all, and naturally, it was impossible to distinguish the types and numbers of bacteria.

For a long time, the discovery of bacteria had little significance other than providing people with some topics of conversation.

Since the relationship between bacteria and disease cannot be verified, technologies such as disinfection and sterilization will naturally not emerge. In a previous war, in order to reduce soldier losses, Joseph claimed to have seen a record in a medieval notebook about how barbarians in the East boiled bandages in water to reduce fever and suppuration in wounded soldiers. Although this claim has no scientific basis, it can certainly be proven with facts.

As it turned out, using gauze that had been boiled in water and then dried in the sun instead of other untreated bandages was remarkably effective, significantly reducing the chances of the wounded and prisoners dying from infection.

Although the reason for this is unknown, since this practice was effective, it began to be promoted throughout France after Napoleon became First Consul. Even the medical journal * the Lancet * mentioned it.

Joseph stated, "Existence is its own justification." Since this method has been proven effective, there must be a scientific reason behind it that we have not yet had time to discover. To this end, Joseph offered a prize of five thousand francs to encourage scholars to study the scientific principles behind it.

Not long ago, one of Joseph's Ireland students Carroll, achieved decisive results through his own efforts, following the general direction pointed out by Joseph.

"The teacher suspected that there must be some difference between the boiled gauze and the unboiled gauze that Hooke 'Levin discovery to me."

Professor Bonaparte said to me, "Carroll, I've always had a suspicion that wounds, ulcers, high fevers, and the like are caused by some kind of parasite. This parasite is very small, probably even smaller than a mite, so small that it's invisible to the naked eye. Mr. Levin once discovered some very small organisms with a microscope, and I suspect that these things might be some kind of very small parasite, and they might be the culprits behind problems like wounds Hooke, ulcers, and fevers."

If my guess is correct, then these insects would certainly multiply rapidly on festering, ulcerated wounds. It's just that these things are colorless and transparent, making them impossible to see clearly, let alone determine changes in their numbers. Ah, if only there were a way to make them opaque and colored.

Then a thought struck me, and I blurted out, "Why don't we try using some kind of dye to color these little bugs?"

Professor Bonaparte greatly appreciated my suggestion and encouraged me to pursue my research in that direction... Afterward, I tried many different dyes, but none were very effective. However, my professor continued to support and encourage me. He told me, "I believe you will become a source of scientific pride for Ireland."

With my teacher's encouragement, although I encountered failure after failure, in the end, just as my teacher said, 'Opportunity always favors the prepared mind'... -- <Fighting Illness - Carroll Oha's Memoir>

With bacterial staining techniques, the relationship between bacteria and various infections becomes readily apparent.

Within a week of acquiring this technology, Carroll drew diagrams of dozens of pathogenic bacteria, including tetanus and Staphylococcus aureus. Based on this discovery, Carroll wrote a paper and submitted it to the French Academy of Sciences.

This was absolutely a groundbreaking discovery, but Lucien proposed that the paper be postponed for publication.

Lucien said, "Joseph, have your students revise the paper. I think the evidence isn't sufficient; there should be more clinical data. We'll find a hospital in France and experiment with strict disinfection measures for various facilities, such as bedding, and record the infection rates of patients. Then we'll select a Britain hospital, preferably one with Tory Party and Anglican Church ties, and obtain their infection and mortality rates under similar conditions."

Then we'll first publish an article in * the Lancet * titled "Some Experiences from France Hospitals." Well, Joseph, our France hospitals have long been implementing the practice of boiling and sun-drying gauze for bandages. We'll introduce this experience in this article, specifically highlighting that it comes from records related to nomadic peoples of the East. Then we'll present your parasite theory, along with a comparison of infection and mortality rates between our hospitals and Britain hospitals.

The Lancet's readership is very limited, so this article won't generate much of a response. That's alright; that's exactly what we need. We'll wait a month, then let * Science Truth Daily * report on it in its popular science section, pointing out that "Britain hospitals, due to their filthy and unsanitary conditions, have become slaughterhouses for patients. A whole month after * the Lancet * reported on the effective France methods, the Britain medical sector has remained completely unresponsive on this matter concerning public safety, which is something to ponder."

Such reports would certainly provoke discontent among the Britain, and then we would have The London Merchant published an article analyzing the situation from an economic perspective, concluding that it would be more worthwhile to let the lower classes die than to spend money improving hospitals.

Then we'll get the Sun and Charlie Woodpecker to join in, using the sharpest language to satirize and ridicule, eventually creating a huge controversy. We'll let this controversy last for about a month, creating all sorts of hype, letting the Britain perform to their hearts' content, and then getting Nature and all our other newspapers and magazines involved, and then..."

"The Lancet is a bimonthly journal, and it's just the right time for the next issue to be published. We'll drop the decisive evidence in this issue—your student's paper, the Lancet —Joseph and utterly crush them," The Lancet interjected. "We need to build up the momentum, ideally to the point of negating the entire field of Britain medicine, and ideally, to entice the British Royal Academy of Sciences to endorse the British Doctors' Guild. Then we'll take them down in Napoleon fell swoop, disgracing both the Britain media and the Academy of Sciences of Britain. And incidentally, we'll establish our authority. Hmm, I think, to really provoke the Britain, to make them even more insane, to create an even bigger spectacle, I have a suggestion..."

At this point, Napoleon suddenly stopped talking. He turned to look at Joseph, then said, "It was just a suggestion. Whether it's feasible or not, we can discuss it further..."

"Napoleon, what are you saying? There are only a few of us brothers here. What can't we say? Hurry up and say it, stop dawdling!" Joseph said, frowning.

"Well, I'll say it then... Don't say I shouldn't have, I just have a suggestion... If it doesn't work out... just pretend I didn't say anything..."

"Stop talking nonsense and get to the point!"

"Hmm, I think Lucien's plan still has some details that can be improved... Hmm, let's have Pauline and her sister-in-law..." Napoleon quickly glanced at Joseph, and seeing that Joseph didn't seem angry, he continued, "Let Pauline accompany her sister-in-law to London, and then, as part of a charity event, donate to a Britain hospital. Since it's a charity event, we can choose a relatively low-income hospital with particularly poor conditions."

Then Pauline could write the controversial article in * Science Truth Daily *, under her pseudonym. The Britain certainly wouldn't tolerate a woman bossing them around; they'd be even more furious. Then Pauline could wage a war of words against them... Hmm, Pauline's language could be even sharper, sarcastic and ironic, the more biting and irresponsible the better. Other newspapers could follow suit, mocking the Britain having less scientific literacy than women... It's truly hilarious, even more so than Moliere's comedies... Hmm... Joseph, if you don't think this works, we can think of another way?"

"Why not?" Joseph said. "I think it's a good idea. But why drag Fanny into this? If she goes, you'll be my secretary? Besides, Fanny isn't cut out for this kind of trouble. Why not let Pauline go herself? She's a troublemaker anyway! Let her play her part. Of course, Pauline has to agree. She has to be willing... Hmm, who's going to talk to her about this?"

Napoleon immediately turned his attention to Lucien.

"Why are you looking at me?" Lucien said. Of course he knew that getting that troublemaker to agree to do it wouldn't be difficult at all. But if he were the one to propose it, and in the future, if that troublemaker went too far and something went wrong, and their mother asked about it, given his two older brothers' consistent biased behavior, most likely—no, not most likely, but absolutely certain—they would put all the blame on him.

"After all, you often take Pauline out to play. Even your mother knows that you and Pauline are very close," Napoleon said, his words carrying a veiled threat.

"Alright, alright," Lucien raised his hands in surrender, "But, when Mom finds out, you guys better not..."

"If Mother finds out, it must be because you are so incompetent, Lucien," Napoleon said.