3 bar menu

Chapter 19 – The Medicine of the Future

“Wait here for a moment.”

Saying that, I left the lounge and returned to my room.
I needed to bring something suitable from the stacks of papers I had written.

Among them were notes detailing methods for making medicine—half of which were things I had picked up from my otaku knowledge.
I had planned to test them myself once I grew older and could handle finer tasks.

(Now, which one should I start with first?)

Returning to the lounge where Kouryuu-san waited, I spread my papers across the table.
Some of them even had colorful pie charts.

“What is this? It looks related to nutrition.”

(He figured it out immediately—this guy really is impressive. Nutrition science is still in its early stages in this era, right?)

I was already amazed, but this reassured me that talking to him had been the right decision.
Not to mention, Kouryuu-san was a research physician and should be well-versed in bacteriology.

But I needed to start with a light touch.

When it came to medicine and pharmaceuticals, I was nothing more than an amateur with second hand knowledge.
Before anything else, I needed to earn Kouryuu-san’s trust.

That’s why I had scattered easy-to-understand notes on nutrition among my papers.

“That’s a simple food chart based on the five major nutrients. It’s easy to understand, right? This one here goes into more detail about different foods. By the way, Uncle Kouryuu, how much do you know about vitamins?”

“This is a food chart with added vitamin data, then? I can understand most of it. I’ve read through the published materials on vitamins, but how many types are known in the future?”

“Um, that would be this chart. Ah, but while I wrote down which foods contain them, I have no idea how they were discovered or how to extract them, so asking me about that is pointless.”

“…This really is knowledge of future predictions. However, one of the vitamins was discovered by our country’s own Umetarou Suzuki.”

He seemed quite impressed.
Sensing an opportunity, I decided to throw in a small jab, just as a test.

“Oh, in that case, this is a note on how to isolate it from rice bran.”

The next moment—

“Huh?”

Kouryuu-sensei was at a loss for words.

Of course, of course.
Even I had forgotten how simple it was until I recalled it. 

Naturally, the actual process of isolation, crystallization, and theoretical formulation would take considerable time.

But that was a problem for later.

If I didn’t keep hammering in my future knowledge while he was still in shock, he might not believe me.

“More importantly, let’s move on to today’s topic.”

“Wait, no—do you even realize what you just said? That was an incredible statement!”

His slightly flustered reaction was kind of adorable.
Even a stern-looking, sharp-eyed old man could have his cute moments.

“I know. But that’s for later. First, let’s start with something easy to make. You need to establish a track record, Kouryuu-ojisan.”

“…I see. A track record first. It makes sense—no one listens to someone without proven achievements. And?”

He nodded deeply, as if he’d had his fair share of bitter experiences. 

That worked in my favor.

“This. What I’m about to teach you is knowledge from half a century into the future.”

With that, I pulled out a sheet of paper.
At the mention of “half a century into the future,” Kouryuu-san immediately focused on the document—only to furrow his brows moments later.

Maybe including information from the sacred texts (manga) was a mistake.
But for me, that was the primary source, so I couldn’t help but write it down.

(Well, I get how he feels.)

Still, I continued.

“This is an ‘Oral Rehydration Solution.’ The top section lists the official ingredients and their proportions. The bottom section has a simplified version anyone can make at home. Easy, right?”

As soon as I finished speaking, Kouryuu-san lifted his head, his expression a mix of emotions—mostly confusion.

“This is kind of similar to saline solution. Is this really knowledge from half a century in the future? If you told me it originated in the Edo period, I’d believe it—it sounds like an old grandmother’s remedy. Just sugar and salt? That can’t be right.”

“That’s exactly why it works. Kouryuu-ojisama, you understand electrolytes and ions, right?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Thanks to those electrolytes, water gets absorbed not through the large intestine but through the small intestine instead. Do you know what that means?”

“That would be in cases where the large intestine is weakened… in other words, enteritis.”

“Exactly right. Dehydration—meaning it works wonders for any kind of gastroenteritis. Especially for the dangerous ones like cholera or dysentery.”

“If it’s cholera, I believe intravenous fluid treatment was used about ten years ago.”

The fact that he even knew that…
This man was more dedicated to research than I had expected.

Impressed, I continued speaking.

“That’s also correct. But with this, you just drink it. Anyone, anywhere, can administer it. If you’re strong enough, you can drink it yourself. And if we can make it taste good, it could even be marketed as a sports drink for hydration after exercise.”

“So, you’re saying it’s effective for any gastroenteritis or dehydration? But where’s the proof? What’s the theory? Can electrolytes alone explain it?”

“Well, I’ll leave the medical and scientific explanations to the experts. My reasoning is based on the IV treatment you just mentioned and Japan’s traditional okayu(rice porridge)—that’s the key.”

“Okayu? Why? I know it’s an excellent food for the sick, but… I see. It’s the same principle—or rather, it uses similar ingredients. And since glucose eliminates an extra digestive step compared to okayu, it’s even more suitable for weakened patients.”

“That’s right. Okayu is just rice and a bit of salt, right? And if you add umeboshi, even better. A little extra salt and maybe even a tiny bit of potassium, right? Anyway, Kouryuu-ojisama, just say in your research presentation that you got your inspiration from okayu.”

“That would make it easier for Japanese people to accept. What about the ingredient ratios?”

“Just bluff your way through it—say you researched it painstakingly on your own. The only thing left is clinical trials. There are plenty of patients with gastroenteritis, right?”

“Well, it’s always one of the top causes of death in Japan. Very well, I’ll get started immediately.”

“Please do. Once you clear that, I’ll spill everything about Vitamin B1 for you.”

“Ohhh! Leave it to the genius Kouryuu! But seriously, can’t you do something about the way you speak? You keep slipping in English-sounding words, and combined with your already childlike voice, it’s a little hard to understand at times.”

“Ah, sorry! I’ll be more careful!”

“Good. From next time on, then. Well, farewell! Until we meet again!”

“Wait, no—make sure you come back and tell me the results!”

“Fuhahahahaha! Just wait for the good news!”

“Geez, he’s such a dramatic guy…”

I sighed without thinking.

Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)
A mixture of mainly table salt and glucose, dissolved in water at an appropriate ratio.

Compared to drinking plain water, consuming this solution allows the small intestine to absorb water more efficiently. 

It is primarily used to treat dehydration caused by diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and excessive sweating.