Free Web NovelChapter 453: Chapter 453: Willow Catkin
That day, Lin Guorui administered the follow-up prescription Li Xu had written for the child. After the child took one dose in parts, their enlarged liver had already shrunk to two centimeters below the rib cage.
After another dose the next day, all of the child’s vitals returned to normal.
Afterwards, they ran a full Western medical examination on the child and found that the lung inflammation had completely subsided, the respiratory tract was clear, and all vital signs were stable. There were truly no more problems, so they had the parents complete the discharge procedures.
It had been such a severe case of pneumonia. The child had been delirious and frantic, their lungs filled with abnormal sounds. The condition had been incredibly perilous.
But after Li Xu took over and prescribed the medication, it took only three doses.
One dose to eliminate the danger and bring about a near-full recovery.
The remaining two follow-up doses to resolve all symptoms, allowing for a safe discharge from the hospital.
The entire process took no more than two and a half days. This was the extent of Li Xu’s skill.
A hospital isn’t exactly a place for secrets, and the story of Li Xu saving the child quickly spread throughout the entire staff.
Everyone was naturally convinced, all saying that Li Xu was indeed the real deal.
After Dean Song learned of the child’s safe discharge, he came over specifically to thank Li Xu.
"Dr. Li, we really owe you one for this."
Dean Song grasped Li Xu’s hand, his face all smiles. "The child’s condition was so perilous; the internal medicine and pediatrics departments were about to lose hope. I never expected that you’d step in and turn the tide. You’re truly a Divine Physician."
Li Xu smiled humbly. "Dean Song, you’re too kind. This was the result of everyone’s combined efforts." freēwebnovel.com
"No, no, Dr. Li. You don’t have to be so modest."
Dean Song said with feeling, "Your medical skills are truly awe-inspiring. It’s an honor for our City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine to have a master of your caliber with us. You see... would it be possible for you to hold clinic at our hospital for one more day each week?"
"Dean Song, I’m sorry..."
Li Xu shook his head and explained, "I also have to hold clinic one day a week at the Guanghe District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and then there’s my own clinic, plus matters at the pharmaceutical factory... I really don’t have any more time."
"I see."
Dean Song didn’t press the issue.
At noon, Dean Song had the cafeteria cook up a few nice dishes and asked Lin Guorui to join them for a thank-you meal.
In the afternoon, Li Xu returned to his clinic.
On the way, he saw white things floating in the sky, like snowflakes.
Li Xu quickly realized it wasn’t snow, but willow and poplar catkins.
Every year around April and May, when the weather warms and the willows and poplars begin to bud, the most miserable thing is the sky full of flying catkins. They dance through the air, and a gust of wind sends them scattering everywhere.
They coat the roadsides and windows, and they don’t even spare the mouths and noses of pedestrians.
Left with no choice, people have to go out wearing masks, their faces covered.
Many people wonder in what year these poplar catkins began to become so numerous.
After all, in the memories of some, the catkin disaster of their childhood was not nearly as severe as it is today.
The reason the poplar catkins of their childhood memories were not the plague they are today is because the poplar trees planted back then were a traditional species native to the Dragon Country: the Chinese White Poplar.
The Chinese White Poplar is stout and upright, grows quickly, and is highly adaptable to its environment. At the time, it was the main species of poplar planted in the northern and some western regions of the Dragon Country.
It is cold and drought-resistant, making it a go-to species for greening projects in areas like grasslands and deserts. While the Chinese White Poplar does produce poplar catkins, the quantity is not very large.
This all changed with the appearance of a poplar species called the "Fast-Growing Poplar," which drastically altered people’s lives.
As you can tell from its name, this poplar’s greatest feature is its rapid growth speed.
Of course, it has other advantages as well.
The Fast-Growing Poplar is extremely adaptable, highly resistant to pests and diseases, reproduces quickly, and is cheap to purchase.
At the time, the Dragon Country imported them on a massive scale.
The Fast-Growing Poplar is a type of black poplar, a hybrid variety bred from black poplars from European and American Countries. These trees have few geographical restrictions and are suitable for planting nationwide.
At that time, China desperately needed to plant a large number of trees to enrich its depleted forest resources, so someone proposed importing some Fast-Growing Poplars.
The Japanese happened to hear of our need and exported a large quantity of Fast-Growing Poplars to us, even sending over specialized personnel to provide planting guidance.
After planting Fast-Growing Poplars in large numbers, the Dragon Country’s soil erosion problem greatly improved.
Because the Fast-Growing Poplars grew tall and sturdy, their strong, firm roots effectively resisted the ravages of wind and sand. But just as people were rejoicing in this change, they were unaware that a "disaster" was on the horizon.
As the Fast-Growing Poplars gradually matured, people discovered that these trees seemed to produce more poplar catkins than other trees. A spring rain would wash away the winter snow, only to bring another kind of "spring snow."
The once vibrant spring was now shrouded in a white haze. The willow and poplar catkins flying everywhere had a significant impact on people’s daily lives.
First, the sky full of white poplar catkins creates a blinding white sheet, which can easily obstruct people’s vision. This effect can be fatal, especially when cycling or riding in an open-topped vehicle.
Second, the poplar catkins dance about and are blown everywhere by the wind, sometimes getting sucked into a car’s engine or radiator, which is another major nuisance for people.
They can also trigger illnesses.
For people with respiratory diseases, the sky full of catkins can be a huge menace. If accidentally inhaled, the consequences could be dire.
Even for healthy people, prolonged inhalation of these catkins can cause rhinitis or other allergic symptoms.
They also affect the city’s appearance.
Streets freshly cleaned by sanitation workers are soon covered in catkins again. The fluff hangs from tree branches, sticks to windows, and blankets the greenbelts along the roads in white, creating a frustrating sight.
They are also extremely flammable. Poplar catkins are covered in fine fuzz and burn very quickly, making them a fire hazard. The slightest spark can easily start a major fire.
Li Xu had seen news reports about similar incidents, like a man who used a lighter to set some willow catkins on fire, ended up starting a blaze, and was subsequently detained.
This wasn’t just an isolated incident or two; many such cases occur every spring.
...
Back at the clinic, just as he pushed the door open, Song Sisi urgently called out, "Li Xu, shut the door, quick! The poplar catkins are insane today."
Li Xu looked up and saw that, sure enough, tiny white fluffs like motes of dust were riding the draft from the opening door, scrambling to get inside the clinic.
He quickly closed the door, but a few strands of poplar catkins still managed to float in, spinning in the sunlight.
"I’ve swept the floor several times today, but this stuff is so light, it’s a nightmare to sweep. You can never get it all."
Song Sisi complained, her brows furrowed in frustration.
Seeing her vexed expression, Li Xu smiled and said, "Try filling a spray bottle with some water and a little bit of alcohol. If you spray it on the poplar catkins, they’ll get heavier and be easier to clean up."
Song Sisi’s eyes lit up. "Really? I’ll go try it right now!"
With that, she ran off to get the supplies.
Meanwhile, Li Xu got busy in the clinic, checking patients’ pulses, preparing herbs...
