There's a saying that it's darkest just before dawn.
I'm not exactly sure what it means, but I remembered it because it sounded cool.
Coming to the 19th century, I feel like I'm truly learning its meaning.
When you think about the remarkable achievements of modern medicine that began in the late 20th century…
The fact that such things will happen just 150 years from this very point…
"Hmm… Epilepsy?"
"Yes. It seems that because it's covered, inflammation occurs easily. That can transfer to the head and cause epilepsy, you see."
"Aha… The theoretical basis is sufficient."
"Exactly. Nathaniel, that friend, isn't one to act carelessly. If I could, I'd want to recruit him to our hospital, but since I can't, it's a shame."
I was stunned again.
Every time this happens, I feel disappointed in my own weakness…
But compared to before, I've become much stronger.
I probably would have fainted back then.
Listening to this conversation, I surely would have.
You know those scenes in Romance of the Three Kingdoms where someone gets overwhelmed in a war of words and coughs up blood?
I used to think that was a blatant lie, but now that I think about it, it doesn't seem so far-fetched.
'I'm really going to suffer from qi deviation, seriously.'
Sufficient basis, he says.
Madmen.
"Besides, many other doctors are conducting research now."
"What kind…?"
"Actually, Nathaniel hasn't published yet, but rumors are spreading that he's seeing effects. In fact… aren't all diseases caused by the same root cause? Unless it's trauma."
"That's true. It would be an imbalance."
While I remained silent for a moment, the conversation was going off the rails.
They were expounding a theory that it was the root of all disease…
This is something that was debunked long ago in 21st-century modern medicine.
Of course, if you delve into the very minutiae, you could argue that stress is the root of all disease or something, but this isn't that level of discussion.
They really believe this, these people.
It means they have a blind belief that if they can find one single cause and correct it, everything can be cured.
"So, research is underway for hernia, insomnia, asthma, indigestion, and so on."
"Hmm… The basis?"
"It's probably weaker than before. We're just trying it. After all, you don't know until you try, right?"
"Well… That is also true. It's just cutting off a little bit of flesh, so it doesn't seem like the loss will be great."
"That's what I'm saying. Compared to that, urology is in an uproar right now."
"Tha… those maniacs?"
I don't know who's calling whom a maniac.
It doesn't seem like something Liston should say….
Though if the other party is urology, it's somewhat understandable.
Aren't they the ones who perform surgeries to remove kidney stones without even an endoscope?
It's called surgery, but it's practically murder, murder.
"Erectile dysfunction, cystitis, kidney stones, syphilis, things like that. They're saying all of these can be treated."
"Ah… But this seems to have a basis?"
"Of course. If you remove the foreskin, then surely…
...
Wouldn't erections also become easier?"
"Well… I suppose. Stones probably wouldn't build up as much without the foreskin."
"Right. For the same reason, syphilis would decrease too. Isn't that why we're doing it?"
"This… perhaps."
"Yes, medicine…
… no, humanity is on the verge of a great leap forward."
Ha.
A sigh escapes me.
I don't understand why this conversation is happening.
It feels like as soon as you solve one problem, a completely unexpected one pops up elsewhere…
The really infuriating thing is that they think they have a basis for all this.
'I… Even with libido. I tried to understand it somehow.'
That means I thought that, limited to this era, perhaps getting the surgery might be better.
But getting surgery for those reasons is just too much.
Erectile dysfunction?...
Even in the 21st century, there's no real method besides Viagra, right?
And once you're past the point where Viagra works and it withers, you could say all remedies are useless.
'Moreover, the fact that the surgery that solves erectile dysfunction and the surgery that lowers libido are the same surgery… Shouldn't it seem strange if you think about it for just a moment?'
I must have been frowning a bit.
I could tell because the two of them, who had been chatting excitedly, were now standing still and staring at me.
In the past, even if the director let it slide, I would have been trembling in fear of Liston.
But not anymore.
Because I know they both respect me greatly.
"Pyeong, why the face?"
"Do you have a different opinion? It doesn't seem like there's any grounds for one."
As expected, they ask for my opinion.
It's a bit annoying that they're already convinced it can't be different…
But still, asking is better than nothing.
It's a huge improvement compared to before.
Fortunately, I had already prepared some arguments.
"So, you're saying this circumcision is essential?"
"That's right."
"According to what has been revealed so far, yes. Once again, we realize the cunning of those Jews. Keeping this good thing to themselves…"
At the director's words, Liston nodded as if in deep agreement.
Anyway, it seems like they're all frantic as long as they can insult Jews.
Ironically, that makes it seem difficult to reverse this atmosphere…
But it's okay.
"Circumcision, ultimately, is cutting off flesh that was originally attached, right?"
"That's correct."
"Yes."
"But this foreskin is also something God gave us… Did He attach it for no reason? It sounds like you're claiming the Lord's creation is imperfect."
Ah?
"Oh my."
"Hmm."
It's the age of science, but it's also an age dominated by religion.
It might be a rumor, but I heard even Nietzsche, who openly declared God is dead, later repented.
Because…
If you don't believe in God and die, and then suffer in hell for eternity, it's a bet with terrible odds, isn't it?
Of course, one could argue that it's a loss because there are commandments to follow if you believe in God while alive…
But…
You just don't follow them.
In fact, most of them are doing just that.
If they were truly following God's commandments, would they engage in colonialism based on imperialism?
Frankly, just take the Opium War that happened not long ago.
It's a rarely seen immoral war.
"Is it truly right for us to arbitrarily cut off something the Lord created for us?"
Even though they believe so capriciously, that doesn't mean they can outright deny God.
What if you go to hell?
What if you get punished?
"Ooh."
"..."
It worked again.
Just a moment ago, these two were proclaiming circumcision as if it were some panacea given by God, and now they've shut up, haven't they?
Hehe.
I was laughing…
When Liston suddenly started laughing along.
I thought he was crazy, but that wasn't it.
"But you know. Weren't the Jews doing circumcision for health reasons in the first place?"
"Ah, right! According to them, they said it was a revelation from God!"
He brought up Jewish law and laughed.
'Are they mad?'
Judaism…
Aren't they the people they truly hate?
Originally, they hate Jews because they claim to be God's chosen people and act all high and mighty.
Because of that, their religion, especially their law, is often terribly disregarded.
But now that it benefits them, they just bring it up as they please?
"..."
"No!"
"They aren't Jewish believers, are they?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Then why their law…"
"Couldn't at least one part of it be correct?"
By creating the foreskin and then commanding its removal… yes, to separate those who follow Him from those who don't."
"No..
Then does that mean all the numerous European heroes who died so far died without following God?"
This retort rose to the tip of my tongue, but I decided to hold back for now.
In a logical fight, I would honestly win without a doubt.
I may not be an expert in theology, but this is just wrong, isn't it?
'But… they've already lost their minds.'
Is there any point in trying to persuade madmen?
No.
It's absolutely impossible.
'The problem is whether this also happened in the original history…'
Was there ever a time in history when circumcision was performed for such reasons?
And in the 19th century, no less?
Long after the Industrial Revolution had happened?
Steamships were gradually starting to replace sailing ships on the seas…
'It probably did happen, maybe.'
I barely stopped myself from thinking based overly on common sense.
Haven't I been realizing, since coming here, that the more something seems unbelievable, the more likely it actually happened?
This is the so-called history of madness.
When you think about it, isn't the Nazi atrocities the result of this seemingly irrational hatred of Jews being intensified and reinforced over and over?
When I heard about it casually before, I just thought, 'Oh, that happened too'…
But after studying it by watching The Black-Haired American Generalissimo, I realized that's not the case.
It's truly a history of madmen, that.
'Foreskin eradication is a hundred, a thousand times better than Jewish eradication. Yes, of course. Absolutely.'
Whew.
Thinking this far, my mind felt at ease.
"Right, that's it. So this was, ultimately, a hint given by the Lord."
"Yes, Director. Wow..... Why didn't I think of that?"
"This is no time to be idle."
"Huh?"
"The diseases we just mentioned.
Where is the solid evidence for any of them?!
You're saying all these can be cured or prevented by circumcision. Isn't there a more reliable…
"Ah..... That's right! Damn it. Our hospital is a step behind! How do we handle this?"
I'd be more comfortable if I could close my ears, but that was impossible.
They say hearing is the sense that remains the longest, even when a person is dying.
It's not just talk; it's a proven fact through brain wave tests of dying people.
You can't close your ears by willpower, that's the thing.
"There is a way."
"What…
?"
But it's okay.
The biggest thing I've learned since coming to the 19th century is how to resign myself.
If you try to fix everything, you really can't fix a single thing.
You have to give up on some things and focus on pounding away at just one to fix it.
So I was ignoring them even as I heard them, but before I knew it, the two were staring at me again.
"What, why are you looking at me like that?"
It's cold.
A sense of foreboding washes over my entire body.
"My most cherished Pyeong."
"Director, please don't do this."
"Hasn't circumcision already become a trend? This is an unstoppable trend, and even if we start touting these various efficacy claims now, it doesn't seem like more patients will come."
"We already have plenty!"
Their eyes were even more frenzied than before.
What on earth are they trying to say?
I unconsciously stepped back, but that was short-lived.
A giant wall behind me…
… no, it was Liston appearing.
"We need to showcase our skill."
"I-I'll do the cutting!"
"No, you're busy."
"Then how.. •?"
"Become a patient."
"Huh?"
"I heard you just gave ideas for things like stool water measurement and urine stream and dodged them all. This time, shouldn't you take the lead and get it done yourself?"