Time_Traveling_Texan by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-03-23T01:02:15+00:00

CHAPTER 36:

MALARIA

Jake had seen several cases of malaria, which he treated with cinchona bark. The Padre was a Jesuit, and they had learned of the Fever Bark Tree as they called it. He told the patients to dry the bark and crush it into a powder. Add a tablespoon into a liquid. Drink it three times a day for five to seven days. It was very bitter and should be added to a sweet drink. He remembered that quinine, which was the drug from the bark, was how we got tonic water and the southerners would drink it with gin and then vodka as a prophylaxis for malaria. Jake didn’t reveal that it was the Anopheles mosquito that passed the malaria bug to humans. But he did tell them to get rid of standing water.

Rosie knew of this tree, and the last padre had brought a tree from the mission San Antonio de Bexar. There were now four of these trees right out back of the mission. “I’ll show you,” she exclaimed, “come on, Doctor Jake.” She showed him a piece of bark that was on the ground next to the tree.

Jake took it in and crushed it with a mortar and pestle that the nuns gave him. He poured the powder into a cup of water. He then took a sip. “Wow, that’s bitter!”

“Let’s add some agave to it,” Juanita said. We have some in the kitchen and dispatched Toto to get it. He returned, and the addition was perfect. Still slightly bitter but tolerable.

“We have to tell the people with malaria how to do this,” Jake requested.

“I can do it,” Sister Juanita said.

Jake responded, “Give them enough powder to last five to seven days. They should use it when they have the shaking or rigors. Be sure not to give them too much for each dose.” He then turned to Sister Juanita and said that once the people learned of the magic that the people might kill the trees by stripping off the bark. The padre came in just as Jake was telling them what to do and agreed to enclose them and guard them. He congratulated Jake on a good day and asked if the patients were interesting.

Jake told him about the malaria patients. He also told about the broken bones he tried to reset, the thorns he had removed, and the two patients he thought might be diabetics. He told about one pregnant woman and one child with tonsillitis.

“How did you treat the child?” the padre inquired.

Jake smiled. “I told the mother to feed him a little moldy bread three times a day for seven days. I told her to look for a special kind of mold.” Jake was worried that the mold might harm but felt justified

The Padre’s eyes widened. “I hope God is helping you. When the child comes back, I hope he is well.” He walked out shaking his head. Jake was sure that the bread he gave them had penicillium mold on it.

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