Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 13

 

13           The relationship between doctor and patient.

 

Doctor Jekyll removed the protective shield he wore when mixing the chemicals. He was at his work table, trying out the experiments on Vlad Tepes’s blood. Blood experiments were still an unknown area of medicine, although blood transfusion was claimed to had been discovered in 1667, Doctor Blundell had invented an instrument that allow for the transfusion of blood with the presumption that human bloods could be mixed. but blood typing was still unknown not until much later in 1900 by Karl Landsteiner.

As a fact, the eighteenth hundreds era, the popularity of bloodletting was reaching an all-time high. The physician would perform the procedure by making an incision into the arteries or veins. In some cases, to “improve” their technique, they used a device called a fleam, which was a wooden stick that drove a blade into the vein.

(https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/article/a-brief-history-of-phlebotomy/#:~:text=By%20the%201800s%20the%20popularity,a%20blade%20into%20the%20vein)

“Doctor, would this works?” Vlad was lying on the cloth cot when the doctor has offered to replace his blood with another. It was assumed that if bloodletting; the removal of the blood that was in practice for generations was to cure many ailments.

“I am not sure. I am experimenting with that now.” Doctor Jekyll looked to the man on the cot. “I am using a new method but blood transfusion was done earlier in the sixteenth century by Physician Richard Lower …...”

“That was between dogs if I am not mistaken.” Count Vlad Tepes interjected.

“Noted, but in 1795, American Physician Philip Syng Physick claimed to have performed the first human blood transfusion but unpublished. It was known by many of Doctor James Blundell in 1818 for haemorrhage, and not only once but several patients.”

“And infection was unforeseen.” Count Vlad cut in. “I…. “

“Knowing that, Doctor Joseph Lister in some years back uses antiseptic to prevent that. He revolutionised the craft of surgery.” Doctor Jekyll in turn cut in. “Your knowledge is vast, Count.”

“But I am not a physician or surgeon. I am more of a ……. Murderer as claimed by many.” Count Vlad Tepes sighed. “When all I wanted to do was save my land and people from the invaders then.”

“We all have out noble aims misread by others.” Doctor Jekyll smiled. “Or rather they will say it was our ‘super-ego’ that drove us to …… should I say, madness.”

“I am aware of that. That was the reason I sought you out.” Count Vlad Tepes adjusted his body weight on the cot. “I have explained my infliction to you over my correspondences. I am also said to be a vampire but the real facts where I do not drink their blood, but yes, I hold immortality or rather I am still alive after so many generations, which is why I am here.”

“And you heal fast.” Doctor Jekyll held the vial with his left fingers.

“Unfortunately, or otherwise, that also made me a monster.”   Count Vlad smiled. “I sought solitary to being …….”

“We are all monsters in some form, Count. That monster may appear in our personality or…... ego.” Doctor Jekyll smiled. He held his view for in his works with the Government, he had done experiments; wild experiments claimed by the others of his works, but he felt it was to widen the frontier of medicine, although some of his work result could create monsters. He had infused in genes of animals to create the super warrior. It was an undisclosed works and was also his obsession to test the theory he held that the homo sapiens could be much better in strength or speed. He believed Nephilim exists.

“I cannot see any deformities’ in your blood.” Doctor Jekyll held up the vial to the electric light. “Blood properties are a work of studies of some experts but we have no real advancements there.”

“Whose blood am I getting now?” Count Vlad asked. He looked to the curtain screen that was between him and his donor. He was not shown his donor during the transfusion.

“Oh, that is unimportant.” Doctor Jekyll said. The doctor has arranged a man of younger age; a convict due to be hung to be exact and with the generous number of coins to the wardens, the other was strung upside down on the other side. He was sedated and at that moment medically dead. The blood was transfuse using the ‘surgical pump’ which was experimental then.

“We agreed, Count. You will not question my methods while I will not of your intentions.” Doctor Jekyll reminded the other. “We are pioneering new trails of medicine.”

Count Vlad then resumed his rest. He had offered himself to the experiment when the read of the Doctor’s experiments with blood and chemicals. He had suffered the ailment of his for far too long. He wanted to be rid of it.

Only Rosa will understand.

Count Vlad Tepes existed in the fourteenth century, and was the ruler of the land. He was made the ruler of Wallachia not once but thrice when he was dethroned by his enemies. He was famed not for his thrones, but the rumours that he conjured supernatural acts through the consumption of blood. It was the works of his enemies, when his action to impale his enemies on stakes and with the blood accumulated at the bottom end of the stake. It was an action to put fear into the enemy that was fivefold his numbers but the accusation made him into a monster.

Blood drinker.

Count Dracula.