The woman's exaggerated actions made Xiao Ma feel numb; he even began to doubt his own diagnosis. He might have diagnosed incorrectly.
But his rationality told him he wasn't wrong. Besides, it didn't take a genius to figure it out. Anything ingested a month ago, unless it had turned into a roundworm, would be long dead and flushed down the toilet—be it a spider or even a scorpion.
Could it be a worm infestation?
However, the patient's pulse indicated spleen and stomach weakness. Xiao Ma was very confident about this and certain he hadn't misdiagnosed.
A worm infestation, on the other hand, wouldn't only cause spleen and stomach weakness. The nausea was so pronounced; if it were a worm infestation, her liver and gallbladder would undoubtedly be affected too.
So, he could now confirm with one hundred percent certainty that this woman simply had a psychological block.
But the female patient's reactions clearly showed she didn't believe his diagnosis. In her mind, the spider was stuck in her chest and still trying to crawl out.
Xiao Ma looked to Du Heng for help, but Du Heng just smiled, offering no reaction.
Helpless, Xiao Ma could only turn back to the female patient. After her nausea subsided a little, he said, "You might not believe , but how about I arrange an examination? We can use a B-ultrasound or a color doppler ultrasound to see if there's actually anything there. Then you'll know."
That was a very good suggestion. However, the man standing behind the patient didn't think so. He shook his head, his face etched with frustration, and said, "Doctor, we've already done all those tests. We even did a gastroscope."
Xiao Ma chuckled. "And didn't the doctor who perford those examinations tell you there was nothing in her stomach?"
"Yes, the doctor said my wife was fine, perfectly healthy, and that there was no such thing as she described." The man sighed heavily, his voice tinged with sorrow. "My wife even saw the results, but she still feels sothing crawling in her stomach. She's constantly nauseous.
"Eventually, that doctor was at a loss and said my wife had so sort of delusion, advising us to go to a psychiatric hospital."
Xiao Ma couldn't help but purse his lips. Isn't that exactly what a delusion is?
But thinking it was one thing; saying it aloud was another. Besides, judging by the couple's expressions, they clearly didn't believe in any talk of delusions. That was why they had co to see a traditional Chinese dicine doctor.
Xiao Ma was truly stumped for a mont. He couldn't bring himself to just casually dismiss their concerns and send them away. So, he once again looked to Du Heng for help.
At this point, only this senior of his, Du Heng, whom he felt lucky to work with, could salvage the situation.
Du Heng noticed Xiao Ma's renewed pleading gaze and smiled before asking the patient, "This thing in your stomach, what do you feel it's like?"
The patient turned to Du Heng, her eyes filled with confusion. Why is he interrupting? And he's not even wearing a white gown. Who is he?
Hearing Du Heng speak, Xiao Ma imdiately let out a sigh of relief and quickly introduced him. "This is Du Heng, a Deputy Chief Physician in our Chinese dicine Departnt. He's also the Dean of the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital.
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask President Du. His dical skills are exceptionally high; he recently received the Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award."
Upon hearing this explanation, the couple's initial confusion instantly turned into pleasant surprise. The man nudged his wife from behind. "He's asking you a question. Hurry up and answer."
The woman turned to face Du Heng and said, "I always feel like it has many claws, and it's soft and squishy."
Du Heng maintained a serious expression, showing no hint that he thought the woman was lying. After she finished, he continued to ask earnestly, "This thing you're describing, can you sense how big it is?"
Seeing Du Heng's earnest inquiry, the woman felt as if she had finally found a kindred spirit, a true divine doctor. She replied seriously, "It's about as big as the pad of my thumb." After saying this, she very earnestly gestured its size to Du Heng.
Du Heng, still as serious as before, carefully observed the patient's gesture. Then he said, "This isn't a major problem. I'll write you a prescription. After you take the dicine made from it, your illness will be gone right away."
The female patient asked in surprise, "Doctor, do you know what illness I have?"
Du Heng smiled mysteriously. "Of course, I know. This illness is no challenge for ."
The woman was overjoyed and quickly asked, "Doctor, then what is my illness?"
Du Heng looked at the woman with a smile. "Don't you already know yourself? Alright, I'll write out the prescription now. Please wait outside for a bit. When the dicine is ready, I'll call you in to take it."
The woman suddenly asked, "Doctor, is this dicine expensive?"
"Not at all. Just over ten yuan."
"Oh."
It wasn't just the woman who breathed a sigh of relief; the man behind her did too.
They had sought treatnt for her illness in many places, going round and round, and had spent a considerable amount of money. To be honest, their finances were getting strained.
Du Heng looked at Xiao Ma and said, "I'll write out a prescription. You prepare it for the patient."
Xiao Ma imdiately agreed and readied himself.
"lon stalk, licorice, radish seed, pinelliap..."
As Du Heng listed each dicinal herb, Xiao Ma quickly wrote it down. However, after noting down a few, a flicker of confusion crossed his face, but with the patient present, he didn't dare to ask.
After Du Heng finished dictating the prescription, he stood up with a smile. "You write out the paynt receipt for the patient. I need to step out and make a phone call." With that, he left the consultation room and walked to the far end of the hallway to use the phone.
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