The Fox of France

Chapter 249: Closing the Door, Trouble-Making Lady

What Lucien mentioned as a new discovery referred to the identification of pathogenic bacteria.

Bacteria had been discovered quite early, as far back as 1702 when Dutch scientist Leven Hook used his own invention, the microscope, to spot these microorganisms. However, at the time, people didn't connect bacteria with diseases. Moreover, due to their colorless and transparent nature, even with microscopes, you could barely see faint shadows caused by the refracted light due to bacteria's movements. This made it impossible to discern the structure or quantity of bacteria accurately.

For a long time, the discovery of bacteria, apart from being an interesting topic for discussion, held little significance.

Since the relationship between bacteria and diseases couldn't be established, techniques like disinfection and sterilization remained non-existent. In earlier wars, Joseph, under the pretext of finding an old medieval note about barbarians in the East using boiled cloth for bandaging to reduce fever and suppuration in wounded soldiers, had initiated experiments. Although this claim lacked scientific evidence, it was worth verifying.

The results were astonishing. Using boiled and sun-dried cloth for dressing wounds instead of untreated materials significantly reduced the chances of infection and death among the wounded.

Though the cause remained unknown, the efficacy of this method prompted its widespread adoption throughout France when Napoleon became the First Consul. Even "The Lancet" magazine noted this practice.

Joseph believed, "Existence is reasonable." If this method proved effective, there must be scientific reasons behind it yet to be discovered. So, Joseph offered a prize of five thousand francs to encourage scholars to delve into the scientific principles behind this discovery.

Not long ago, Joseph's Irish student, Carol, with Joseph's guidance, achieved a significant breakthrough.

"My teacher had a suspicion," Carol recounted, "he suspected that wounds, ulcers, and fevers were caused by some kind of parasitic organism. These parasites were minuscule, perhaps even smaller than mites, making them invisible to the naked eye. Mr. Leven Hook had once used a microscope to discover some very tiny creatures. My teacher suspected that these might be the culprits behind wound ulcers, fever, and other ailments.

If my conjecture is correct, these creatures must proliferate abundantly in the pus-filled ulcers of wounds. It's just that these creatures are colorless and transparent, making them invisible. We can't even determine their numbers. If only we could make them opaque, give them color!"

Inspired by this idea, Carol continued, "Why not try dyeing these tiny creatures with some dye or pigment?" Napoleon was impressed by this suggestion and encouraged Carol to pursue research in this direction. He told Carol, "I believe you can become Ireland's pride in the realm of science."

Under Napoleon's encouragement, Carol faced numerous failures while attempting various dyes. However, his persistence paid off in the end, just as Napoleon had predicted, "Opportunity always favors the prepared mind."

With the development of bacteria staining techniques, the relationship between bacteria and various infections became evident.

Within a little over a week of acquiring this new technique, Carol identified dozens of pathogenic bacteria, including Clostridium tetani and Staphylococcus aureus. Building upon this discovery, Carol wrote a paper and submitted it to the French Academy of Sciences.

It was an era-defining revelation, but Lucien suggested postponing the publication of this paper.

Lucien said, "Joseph, ask your student to refine the paper. I don't believe the evidence is strong enough. We need clinical data to support it. Let's establish a strict disinfection protocol in a French hospital and record the infection rates. Then, select a British hospital, preferably one with Tory and Anglican affiliations, to compare their infection and mortality rates under similar conditions."

He further elaborated, "We will first publish an article in 'The Lancet' titled 'Experiments in French Hospitals.' We'll introduce this effective method as coming from historical records of nomadic Eastern tribes. Then, we can present Carol's parasitic hypothesis and compare the infection and mortality rates between our hospitals and British hospitals."

"The Lancet" had a limited readership, and this article wouldn't cause much of a stir. That's exactly what we needed. We'd wait for a month and then have "The Truth of Science" report it in their popular science section. We'd point out how, after a month of "The Lancet" introducing the effective French method, the British medical establishment remained unresponsive to such a life-and-death matter. Lucien continued, "This report is bound to irk those British fellows. Next, we'll have 'The London Businessman' publish an article analyzing it from an economic perspective, concluding that it's more cost-effective for the British to let the lower classes die than invest in improving hospital conditions."

Continuing, they planned to involve "The Sun" and "Charlie the Woodpecker" to mock and satirize the situation with the sharpest language, igniting a massive debate. They aimed to keep this argument going for about a month, creating various spectacles to let the British perform to their full potential. Then, they would have "Nature" and other publications under their influence join the fray.

Napoleon interjected, "Lancet is a bimonthly, and the next issue is about to be published. In this issue of 'The Lancet,' we'll introduce conclusive evidence, your student's paper, to completely defeat them."

"We'll start by creating a bigger wave, ideally undermining the entire field of British medicine, even luring the Royal Society to endorse the British Medical Association, then we, as a team, will bring them down. We'll tarnish their reputation, both in the British media and the Royal Society," Napoleon added. "To stir up the Brits further, and make them act crazier, I have a suggestion..."

At this point, Napoleon suddenly paused, looked at Joseph, and said, "Well, it's just a suggestion. If it's not feasible, we can discuss it together."

Joseph, frowning, responded, "Napoleon, what are you talking about? It's just us brothers here. There's nothing we can't discuss. Spit it out, and stop beating around the bush!"

Napoleon hesitated for a moment, then continued, "I have a suggestion... If it's not acceptable, just forget I mentioned it."

Joseph insisted, "Enough with the preambles, get to the point!"

Napoleon cautiously began, "I think Lucien's plan, with a few adjustments, could be refined. We can have Pauline and my sister-in-law...” Here, he stole a quick glance at Joseph, who didn't seem angry. Napoleon proceeded, "Send Pauline and my sister-in-law to London for a visit, and as part of a charity activity, they can donate to a particular British hospital. Since it's charity, we can choose a hospital with poorer conditions.

Then, the controversial article in 'The Truth of Science' can be written by Pauline under her pseudonym. The British won't tolerate a woman pointing fingers and giving them a hard time. They will react even more vigorously. Let Pauline engage in a war of words with them... Pauline can be as sharp and sarcastic as she likes, irresponsible even. Other newspapers can follow suit, ridiculing the British for their lack of scientific literacy compared to a woman. This is amusing, even more so than the comedies of Molière... Well... Joseph, if you don't think it's a good idea, we can come up with another plan."

Joseph replied, "Why not? I think it's a good plan. But, why involve Fanny? Why don't you let Pauline do it herself? After all, she's the one with a knack for causing trouble. Let her be her true self. Of course, this should be done with Pauline's consent. She must do it willingly... Now, who's going to talk to her about this?"

Napoleon immediately shifted his gaze to Lucien.

Lucien retorted, "Why me?" He knew well that getting that trouble-making lady to agree to this plan wouldn't pose any difficulty. However, if he personally broached the topic, and in case the lady went overboard and caused trouble, leading to their mother's inquiries, considering the brothers' consistent partiality, he was almost certain they'd place all the blame squarely on him.

Lucien protested, "You should know what I mean. It's just us brothers here, so why are you all being so secretive? Just spill it, already!"

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