Angels in white

Today, Joseph also witnessed firsthand the appalling medical conditions of the Royal Guard Legion —medics were washing bandages with river water; Scalpel were scraped on wounds after just a quick wipe on their trousers; and wounded soldiers were treated with the blood of soldier A on their hands—only then did he think of setting up Battlefield Hospital.

He looked into the female doctor's questioning, light green eyes, and pulled up a chair for her to sit down. "First of all, as you already know, many diseases, including wound infections, are caused by Bacteria."

He gestured with his hands towards the air. "Bacteria are everywhere around us—beds, clothes, hands, bandages, and so on. Normally, our skin protects us from Bacteria, preventing them from entering our bodies, but once we are injured, that barrier disappears."

"If the injured person is left to lie on the ground at this time, their wound is likely to rub against the ground or clothing, causing a large number of Bacteria to enter the wound. Even the bandages used to bandage the wound can bring in a lot of Bacteria."

"Then, as you usually see, the wounds fester, and the injured develop a fever. Ultimately, most of them die, except for a few very robust individuals."

Perna's Medicine instincts were immediately piqued. She grabbed the pen and paper from the advisor beside her and, ignoring the latter's astonished gaze, quickly began to jot down notes. "Bacteria... wound... right, Your Highness, how can we prevent this from happening in the first place?"

"Try to keep the wounded from getting Bacteria," Joseph gestured reassuringly to the staff officer, then continued to Perna, "For example, clean the wounds with Spirits. Oh, 75% Alcohol is the most effective. Alcohol can kill Bacteria very efficiently."

Perna nodded subconsciously. "75%... that requires repeated distillation to achieve."

"The cost may be relatively high, but the amount used is not large, so it's definitely worth it," Joseph continued. "Also, it's important to disinfect everything during the medical process, including the doctor's hands, as well as the operating table, Scalpel, bandages, and so on."

"Doctors must wash their hands repeatedly before performing surgery, using boiled and cooled water. Everything else must be steamed or boiled to kill Bacteria."

"After this treatment, the likelihood of the wound festering will be greatly reduced."

"To achieve all this, a lot of specialized equipment is needed, as well as preventing unsterilized people from approaching."

"Therefore, we need a hospital. Everything here will be disinfected regularly, and it will be equipped with various medicines and medical equipment. Doctors will be concentrated here to perform surgery on the wounded, and unauthorized personnel will not be allowed to enter at will."

"Normally, the supplies from the Battlefield Hospital are packed onto Carriage and carried with the troops. After a battle breaks out, tents are immediately set up in the Camp, the hospital equipment is moved in, and sterilized. Then, they can begin treating the wounded."

Perna's eyes lit up. She imagined herself working tirelessly in such a hospital, watching injured people escape death through her treatment, and smiling at her with deep gratitude...

"Your Highness, I will build this Battlefield Hospital as quickly as possible!"

She gripped the pen and paper tightly and spoke loudly and earnestly.

"Thank you for your trouble." Joseph then explained some disinfection procedures to her, and added, "You'll also need to compile these procedures into a manual and teach them to other military doctors. As for the cost, please calculate it roughly, and I'll allocate the funds to you immediately."

Perna learned her skills from Dr. Lamark, and her medical expertise was quite remarkable. The medics of the Royal Guard Legion were very respectful of her.

Perna nodded and then asked, "Your Highness, you seemed to have mentioned 'nurse' earlier?"

"Yes, it's an important profession." Joseph thought for a moment and explained, "Actually, many medical procedures that aren't very complicated, such as stopping bleeding, bandaging wounds, administering medication, disinfecting, and moving the wounded, can be mastered with simple training."

"Making doctors do these trivial things would waste a lot of their energy."

"Therefore, we need a profession similar to a 'doctor's assistant,' which I call a nurse."

He silently apologized to Nightingale in his heart and continued, "This way, doctors can concentrate on performing complex surgeries or analyzing the condition."

"Of course, even the simplest training for nurses still needs to be done by someone."

Perna immediately and without hesitation replied, "Leave it all to me, Your Highness. I guarantee I'll train nurses to your satisfaction!"

"Then I'm counting on you." Joseph stood up, touched his chest, and bowed to her. "Our angel in white."

If Perna can truly establish the Royal Guard Legion ' medical system, she will definitely be deserving of the Gold Iris Medal.

It's important to know that the modern nursing system established by Nightingale more than half a century later reduced the mortality rate of wounded English Army soldiers in the Crimean War to less than 10%!

Once a wounded soldier recovers and returns to the team, he can basically be considered a veteran.

This will significantly improve the army's combat effectiveness.

Perna only heard the words "angels in white" and her cheeks immediately flushed red.

Yes, Your Highness praised me as an angel!

Holy angels!!

Is Your Highness hinting at something...?

She dared not think any further. Her face flushed, she emerged from the officer's tent in a daze, and it took her a long time to calm down after taking deep breaths.

After thinking for a moment, she didn't rush to set up Battlefield Hospital. Instead, she gathered the military doctors, had them set up a row of pots, and threw all the bandages and sheets from the stretchers into them to boil.

Next, she found some Spirits —officers always carried some of this stuff with them—it certainly wasn't 75% ABV, but it should still have some antibacterial effect. In fact, the method of cleaning wounds with alcohol has existed for hundreds of years, but no one has ever been able to explain the underlying principle.

Subsequently, the wounded soldiers of the Royal Guard Legion became the first people in the world to receive sterile medical care. Well, rounding up, it could barely be considered sterile...

Perna never imagined that the things the Crown Prince had asked her to do today would make her a legend in Medicine history.

The next day.

Just as dawn broke, the Royal Guard Legion's scout cavalry galloped like the wind to the Commander-in-Chief's tent, shouting, "Report! The Algiers Guard Corps has Darcy. Initial estimate: approximately 13,000 men!"

Upon hearing this, Joseph immediately jumped up from the ground and quickly put on his coat—all the officers slept on the ground like the soldiers. Only high-ranking officers had tents, since Ministry of War couldn't be discussed in the open, and maps and documents needed to be covered.

Berthier's orderly lifted the tent flap and let the scout in. The scout immediately pointed to several locations on the unfolded map. "The main force is here. There are over a thousand men providing cover here and here. The cavalry is on the flanks and rear."

Soon, the senior officers gathered in the tent and listened to Berthier's brief analysis of the enemy situation. "It's clear that the enemy has also learned of our location."

Although Lefebvre executed a brilliant interception, the Royal Guard Legion was outnumbered, and several thousand Albanian Mercenaries escaped.

These people will surely report yesterday's battle situation to the Algiers Guard Corps. The latter will immediately dispatch a large number of troops for reconnaissance.

Andre nodded. "The Algerians will definitely choose higher ground to deploy their formation; we'll have a head-on confrontation."

Police Academy officer Le Drian chuckled, "We have your Moulins Legion here today, so the fighting should be much easier than yesterday."

Berthier, however, remained serious. "You cannot underestimate the enemy, Major. Yesterday, the Albanian Mercenaries were unaware of our approach, which is why we were able to launch a surprise attack. Today, the enemy will be fully prepared."

"You're absolutely right." Le Drian nodded, glancing at the Sand Table. "Let's adjust our deployment as soon as possible based on the enemy situation."

Andre shouted, "Let's meet head-on! We're not afraid of that!"

Just as all the officers gathered around the Sand Table, Lefebvre, standing in the corner, suddenly coughed lightly and said, "Perhaps we don't need to fight head-on."

He had just been promoted to Major and qualified to attend high-level military meetings, but his shoulder insignia still bore the red checkered pattern of Lieutenant —he hadn't had time to collect his new insignia the night before.

Everyone turned to look at him. "What suggestions do you have?"

"The Algerians will soon be expanding to the west; there probably won't be a chance for a surprise attack."

Lefebvre approached the map with slight nervousness, pointing northwest. "We can feign a siege of Annaba, or show an intention to attack Constantine to the south. The Algiers Guard Corps cannot remain indifferent to this."

Constantine is an ancient city, located at the southeastern gateway to Algiers, and is unrelated to Constantinople.

Joseph's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "A siege and ambush reinforcements? Excellent idea!"

He thought to himself: It was worth it for me to promote you to Major; you really are capable.

Berthier frowned slightly. "Your Highness, if we head north or south, it will open the road to Tunisia. If the Algerians invade Tunisia..."

Joseph smiled. "We have to put on this show—we're France, what business is it of mine if you attack Tunisia?"

Andre pondered, "I also think it's worth a try. If the enemy comes to rescue Annaba, we can turn around and strike them hard."

Even if they don't fall for it, at worst it'll just be a head-on confrontation again.

Ultimately, Berthier agreed to the strategy of "besieging the point and attacking the reinforcements." The officers discussed the specific arrangements and then immediately left the tent to lead their respective troops.

More than half an hour later, the Royal Guard Legion had assembled and began to march north. As for breakfast, they would simply eat a few bites of dried meat and bread during the march.

The Moulins Legion followed closely this time—they even slept with their coats on last night to improve their reaction speed.

Algiers Guard Corps commander Kehler, quickly received the message from the scouts and immediately frowned.

According to Albanian Mercenaries who retreated yesterday, the France are very strong fighters and must be dealt with with caution.

He had already ordered the entire army to deploy, preparing to use their numerical superiority to fight a decisive battle against the French Army in open terrain, but unexpectedly the enemy turned north.

An attendant standing nearby said, "General, the France are likely planning to plunder Annaba."

Kehler remained silent.

He could easily pretend he didn't see it and march straight east into Bizerte. But if Annaba was truly looted by the French Army, Dayi would definitely hold him responsible.

After much hesitation, he finally gave the order, "The entire army shall turn north to relieve Annaba."

On the third day at noon, the Algiers finally spotted the French Army; it was the rearguard of the Moulins Legion.

Upon learning that the French Army numbered only about three thousand, Kehler immediately ordered an attack—a number that closely matched the enemy numbers reported by the fleeing Albania soldiers, allowing him to capitalize on his numerical superiority.

Unsurprisingly, after his army clashed with the Infantry Line of the Moulins Legion, the Royal Guard Legion ' artillery roared from the flanks and rear of the Algiers.

Then, two regiments of the Royal Guard Legion appeared on the southern wasteland.

The Algiers Guard Corps was thrown into panic. Kehler personally led his reserves and some Artillery around, while concentrating all his forces to launch a fierce attack on the Moulins Legion to the north, in an attempt to hold back the French Army behind him and quickly open the passage to the north to avoid being attacked from both sides.

On the northern slope, Andre personally came to the front of the Infantry Line and directed the soldiers in battle. On both flanks, a Royal Guard Legion Infantry assisted in the operation.

Soon, the Algiers Guard Corps swept in like madmen— Kehler had ordered them to eliminate the French Army on the north side within half an hour.

Behind a narrow trench, the soldiers of the Moulins Legion began to fire in an orderly volley, reload, and fire again...

Although their combat effectiveness was not comparable to that of the Royal Guard Legion, after a year of rigorous training by Andre, they were definitely among the best in the old-style army, with rapid reloading and stable firing. More than 2,000 Charleville 1763 rifles unleashed astonishing firepower.

The Algerians ' first charge, when they were still more than 60 paces away from the Moulins Legion, was overwhelmed by casualties and retreated dejectedly. In fact, they left behind only about 100 corpses, but this was the limit of their morale.

After the Algiers officer in charge of the frontal assault had cut down several soldiers who were leading the retreat, he was about to regroup and launch another charge when he vaguely heard a commotion of shouts behind him, mixed with gunfire.

He quickly raised his Telescope and looked south, where he saw that the more than 3,500 men personally commanded by General Kehler had been routed and were fleeing in disarray toward him. Behind them was a white Infantry Line.

His heart skipped a beat. Only ten minutes had passed since Kehler organized the defense, and the France had already breached the line of defenses the moment he launched his first attack!

He glanced at his men, who were not yet fully assembled, then quickly took off his Military Uniform and beckoned his personal Guard to flee into the mountains to the west.

Andre waited for a long time, but did not see the second attack from the Algerians. Instead, the sound of cannons from the south seemed to be getting closer and closer.

He sent out cavalry to confirm the situation again, and then decisively ordered the Infantry Line.