Chapter 513 376: Deformed Joints, Severe Rheumatism

After a simple meal, Qin Feng was led by the village chief to the village committee to temporarily settle down.

Qin Feng also explained the purpose of this visit, which was to conduct a medical checkup for the villagers. He received warm hospitality from the village officials, with someone even bringing quilts from their home to make them comfortable.

The mountain's temperature was colder than the town below, and the downpour continued, with the damp chill piercing through the thick quilts. Fortunately, their cold-proof clothing was quite effective.

There was no electricity at night here, so they had to rely on candles. There was no phone signal, so they couldn't access Douyin, Kuaishou, Bilibili, or Weibo.

Ye Ying was smart; she had already downloaded the entire series of "The Story of Minglan" on her phone before coming. When Qin Feng was falling asleep, he could still hear Sheng Minglan and Gu Tingye's arguments.

The next morning, the downpour had stopped.

The sunlight broke through the fog, forming rings of rainbow light in the sky, which contrasted beautifully with the mountains and green ridges.

Qin Feng and his companion woke up early to arrange the medical tools. Upon seeing this scene, Ye Ying couldn't help but run outside, happily taking out her phone to snap pictures continuously.

"If Sister Hui sees these photos, she'll definitely envy us to death. It's just too beautiful!"

"Be careful not to catch a cold."

Qin Feng, seeing the young girl's energy, couldn't help but laugh.

"Got it, Director Qin. We really should have brought them all here; this is what nature feels like." Ye Ying took a deep breath of the mountain air, cool and fresh, penetrating to her heart.

They had never experienced such clear surroundings in the city, not even when visiting scenic spots or climbing mountains.

This is real nature!

"Director Lei and the others notified each household early in the morning, so they should be arriving at the village committee soon. Let's try to examine as many people as possible in these two days; we have to head down the mountain by tomorrow afternoon."

"Yes, don't worry, Director. There aren't many people here, one busy day should be enough for us."

The two quickly arranged the once-empty village committee, assisted by a few early-arriving villagers helping to move things.

By around 7 a.m., elderly and children began gradually appearing in their view.

The medical examination officially started.

"Madam, there's no major issue here. Just walk and move less, and rest more."

"Sir, you should smoke less; I'll give you some medicine to take home."

"Kid, this is de-worming medicine. Take it once a week, twice should do."

"Madam, your eyes need surgery; medication won't help. Try to make a trip down the mountain when you have the time."

....

By the end of the morning, about sixty or seventy adults and children had been examined. Village Chief Lei brought lunch for the group, and it wasn't until two o'clock when Qin Feng and Ye Ying had their first bite.

In the afternoon, some villagers from a nearby village also came, upon hearing that doctors were visiting the mountain for checkups.

After working for another three to four hours, only a few scattered villagers came by occasionally in twos or threes.

Qin Feng noticed that most of the villagers here had some old ailments accumulated over many years, quite similar to residents down in the town.

However, treatment options were quite limited, as these were old chronic conditions. Issues like joint problems and cardiopulmonary issues could only be maintained, which was already quite good.

Of course, some conditions like eye diseases or cysts could be treated, but surgery was needed, which for them was another matter.

Going down the mountain was one thing; affording it was another. They could only rely on painkillers to alleviate symptoms as much as possible and let nature take its course.

"Dr. Qin."

"Senior Han."

As dusk approached, Qin Feng and Ye Ying were tidying up the medical equipment, preparing to call it a day, when Han Xianchen came in with his granddaughter.

"Is Dr. Qin finishing up? Haha."

Han Xianchen walked somewhat unsteadily and smiled as he asked.

"No, no, Senior Han, please have a seat." Qin Feng quickly invited him to sit, then sat down himself, "Did you come all this way for..."

"Haha, I actually brought my granddaughter for a checkup. Who would've thought she insisted on me getting checked too." Han Xianchen chuckled helplessly, "It's all just old ailments, I know them well enough, but I can't argue with her."

"Grandpa, it's rare for a doctor to come up the mountain, just get checked." The granddaughter beside him whined.

"No problem, since you're here, I'll definitely give you a thorough checkup. Ye Ying." Qin Feng also laughed, then reached out for a pair of sterile gloves.

Qin Feng first checked the little girl. There wasn't any major illness, just that she was too skinny, and her development seemed a bit behind.

"Here, take this. Give her two tablets every few days for nutrition."

Qin Feng took two bottles of vitamins from the box and handed them to Han Xianchen.

With limited supplies brought up the mountain, he had mostly prepared anti-inflammatory, pain relief, and vitamins.

After all, being in the mountains, Qin Feng felt a bit powerless.

"Let me take a look at you, sir." Qin Feng said, then helped Han Xianchen onto the bed, removing his outerwear and trousers, revealing that the elderly man's arms, knees, and joints of hands and feet were deformed and raised.

In some areas, small raised circular regions formed from the points, indicating severe rheumatoid joint deformation.

Especially on the thigh, a palm-sized area was visibly sunken with necrotic muscle, and two black dots could be faintly seen in the center.

"Senior Han, you this..." Qin Feng frowned deeply.

"It's all old ailments from years ago, often picking herbs in the mountains and getting exposed to miasma that can't be dispelled." Han Xianchen spoke lightly, as if accustomed to it, "This happened when I was in my thirties, got bitten by a venomous snake while picking herbs at Tiger's Mouth Cliff afar. I thought I wouldn't make it, but fortunately, I stumbled upon a Gold-thread Nine-leaf Paris, which barely saved my life."

Gold-thread Nine-leaf Paris!

Upon hearing this name, Qin Feng's eyes showed surprise.

Wild Gold-thread Nine-leaf Paris is a rare detoxifying miraculous herb!

Also known as the 'Seven-leaf One Flower,' it has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and pain, calming the liver and pacifying convulsions. It is commonly used for abscesses, sore throats, snake and insect bites, injuries from falls, and convulsions.

Common wild 'Seven-leaf One Flower' typically has seven leaves, and those with more than seven leaves have efficacy dozens of times stronger. A nine-leaf Paris is an extremely rare medicinal plant.

Gold-thread Paris is already extremely rare among Parises, with a seven-leaf being worth a fortune. A nine-leaf is almost unheard of.

With current cultivation techniques, the medicinal efficacy of ordinary 'Seven-leaf One Flower' isn't as potent as before, and wild varieties fetch high prices.

The Gold-thread Paris is nearly extinct, yet the old gentleman encountered such a precious Gold-thread Nine-leaf Paris decades ago, truly a stroke of destiny!

"Senior Han, since you're also skilled in traditional medicine, why didn't you prepare medicine for yourself?"

Qin Feng asked with some puzzlement.

Being a traditional medicine practitioner, he could have compounded his own treatments to alleviate the intrusion of miasma, preventing it from becoming so serious in old age.

"When I was young, life wasn't as good as it is now, let alone Western medicine. Even barefoot doctors like us were rare in the town." Han Xianchen sighed, smiling plainly, "Back then, I had to traverse hundreds of miles of mountain trails daily, balancing treating illnesses and gathering herbs was overwhelming. Not to mention, in my youth, I was strong and didn't pay attention, which led to this situation."