Chapter 54 - 52 The Canal
From Li Ang’s position, looking into the building’s entrance, he could see a corner of the courtyard. It was lined with earthenware pots for decocting medicines. In the center, wooden tables resembling stretchers served as sickbeds, with many patients lying on them, covered in quilts.
The sick house was an institution set up by Yu Country’s officials to shelter the impoverished and treat sicknesses, offering treatment and medicines free of charge to those too poor to afford care for their illnesses.
The intention behind the establishment of the sick house system was good.
However, even the official medical institutions of Yu Country lacked a complete medical education system, doctors, and resources. Thus, they couldn’t bear the burden of Chang’an’s medical needs. The sick house, being like a tree without roots or a river without a source, naturally couldn’t play any significant role. To a large extent, it was just an empty gesture, a facade of officialdom.
"Risheng, what are you looking at? Let’s go."
The voice of Song Shaoyuan came from ahead. Li Ang shifted his gaze from the sick house and replied, "Coming."
A purely charitable sick house couldn’t possibly sustain and expand its operations. To allow more people to afford to see a doctor and receive proper treatment, it seemed that only the establishment of a real hospital would suffice...
Led by Wu Shiqi, a group of scholars proceeded from the East Market towards the West Market, taking in the sights of Ximing Temple, Dazhuangyan Temple, and other attractions in a cursory manner. At noon, Song Shaoyuan, Zhai Yiming, and others treated them to a meal at a restaurant.
Halfway through the meal, Yang Yu, whom they had met in the hostel yesterday, came running over, out of breath, awkwardly apologizing.
Yang Yu was supposed to accompany the Yizhou group on a tour of Chang’an that morning. However, he had drunk too much with his friend the previous evening. By the time he woke up, it was already noon. Consequently, he hurried over to apologize and insisted on paying for the meal.