Nineteenth Century Medical Guide

Chapter 205 202. Commander Candidate
On May 5, a simple and ordinary day, the old Marshal Ludwig underwent the world's first intervertebral discectomy.

The operation came quietly, without notice, and without alerting the reporters. In fact, few people in Austria knew about it, but it touched the hearts of almost all Austrian high-level officials.After all, the old marshal has been born and died for so many years, and has made great military exploits. Even if he no longer serves as the supreme commander of the entire army, he should enjoy his old age peacefully after losing his beloved son.

Worry is certain, but they are not entirely for worry.

The manor accepted many people today, except for some surgeons who wanted to learn surgery, most of the country's power centers gathered here.In addition to waiting for the results of Ludwig's surgery, they also hope to take this opportunity to have a good chat about the new commander-in-chief.

But it has been a touchy subject since Ludwig said he had turned down the appointment.It should be discussed after the king proposes it, rather than other people talking nonsense.So Franz didn't speak, and no one wanted to be the first to speak. Everyone stood together in twos and threes and only talked about their own affairs.

The entire living room is roughly divided into three levels of power ladder.

The top ones are naturally Franz's royal family and the prime minister, the middle ones are the cabinet ministers and members of parliament, and then the scattered local nobles.Most of the people who can come here are related to military affairs, and some are old acquaintances of the old marshal.

The person who attracted the most attention was not King Franz, but the Grand Duke Brecht Rudolf sitting beside him.

The eldest son of Grand Duke Karl, a famous general during the Napoleonic Wars, and the grandson of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II, he received military education from an early age. He joined the Austrian Army 30 years ago with the rank of colonel, commanding an infantry regiment. Two years later, he was transferred to the cavalry regiment, and after another year, he was promoted to major general.

Although he played a disgraceful role in 48, he made outstanding achievements in the campaign against Italy, and later experienced the positions of Governor of Hungary and Marshal of the Eighth Army of Vicenza.

Unlike Old Marshal Ludwig, who was good at defending, Brecht was better at attacking. He was very precise in grasping the opportunity of battle and would not miss any opportunity to strike the enemy.At the same time, he also advocated the reform of the bloated imperial army. Railways, reserve military service, improved weapons, and the establishment of a sound staff are all his ideas.

Brecht, 49, is the most competitive candidate after Field Marshal Ludwig announced his resignation as commander-in-chief of the legion. 【1】

"Italy has been in close contact with Prussia recently, and it is very likely that they will send troops together to retake the last bit of Italian land." Franz held the fruit plate in his hand, but he was not interested in the fruit inside, "Brecht, originally I hope you go to the south line."

"I'm going to deal with Italy?" Brecht was a little surprised, "But I'm not familiar with Lombardy, the southern battlefield this time."

"So I said it was the original"

Franz has the world's first-class army in his hands, and he also has many officers at his disposal, but he lacks a leader who can command the entire army.Dividing the north-south double lines was already a difficult task, but now that Ludwig has been cut off, no matter how strong Brecht is, he can't be split into two halves.

"Your Majesty, I would rather go to the northern front and touch Prussia." Brecht said, "The people of the Prussian Federation are not united, and there are a large number of anti-Prussian armed forces and troops in Nanpu. Personally, I suggest that after the army is assembled for a short time, quickly Drive into the western part of Bohemia, contact them, and go straight to Berlin in one go."

At this time, Lieutenant Colonel Baker, the king's staff officer, repeatedly said: "The Marshal agrees with me. There is also the Kingdom of Saxony in the local area. We can ask them to fight together."

Both of them are top students in the military academy, and they have also experienced in the army for many years. They are very good in the military, but they are not very sensitive to politics.

"It's not that easy."

Franz easily pointed out the drawbacks of their simple plan: "Bavaria's army is useless; If you are pro-Prussian, you will definitely not try your best; the ability of the commander-in-chief of Hanover may be equal to that of my son.

Among these federations, only the Kingdom of Saxony has some combat power, but the old king is too indecisive, and I am afraid that he will not express his position until the actual war begins. "

Although Franz has always looked down on Prussia on the surface, he has worked hard behind the scenes.In just a few sentences, he summed up the appearance of the friendly army, and his worries were faintly revealed between the lines.

"If you can't get into Berlin, then send your troops quickly into Bohemia, and wipe out the Prussian army there."

Franz agreed with this plan very much, and also intended to put Brecht in front of him on the throne of commander in chief.

However, the northern route has many valleys and canyons, which are easy to defend and difficult to attack. From a strategic point of view, it is more suitable for the old marshal who is good at letting go, and it is not suitable for Brecht to display fast interspersed attacks.Even if Brecht could really stabilize the situation on the northern front, the southern front still lacked a front-line commander.

The commander will command an army of 8, facing the vast plains of Lombardy and the Italian army waiting for complete independence.

The southern front is easy to attack and difficult to defend. Although the Italian army is vulnerable, it has the self-confidence brought about by the previous victory in the War of Independence. Not far away, France is also an important combat force worthy of vigilance.

Although Edward swears at peace, but when it comes to the critical moment, France is very happy to see Austria defeated.Once Austria had gained the upper hand over Prussia, the southern front needed to be protected against the entry of French troops.

"Oh, I have a headache"

It was not difficult for others to see what Franz was thinking, as Brecht sat next to the king.But they also knew that it was not enough for the imperial army to have a commander-in-chief. They also needed to find a suitable commander for the other legion after the division.

As for this position, those nobles and mid-level officers seem to have their own ideas: "Major General Jedion has followed the old marshal through life and death for so many years. If you need seniority and military merit, you should be the best candidate."

"Grand Duke Brecht doesn't want to see our major general."

"It is indeed a bit low in terms of military rank."

The Jedion they were talking about was the chief of staff of the old Marshal Ludwig. He was the same age as Brecht, but because of the family's ability, he had not been promoted very well.The rank of major general is not enough to stand out in the talented imperial army. At most, he can only command a certain corps, not the entire army group.

"There is a vacancy in the position of marshal. We can ask the marshal to recommend Major General Jedion and raise his rank."

"Having said so much, why don't you recommend yourself?"

Suddenly, Jedion, who was known by everyone, stood up by himself: "You are also generals, not only major generals, but also lieutenant generals and generals. Why bother to stare at me alone?"

"In terms of qualifications, we can't compare with you."

Jedion snorted softly: "Maybe we can still fight on the northern front, and holding on to the Bohemian defense line can always withstand the Prussian offensive. But I really can't fight on the terrain of the southern front. Not only do I have to defeat the Italians there It is too difficult for the army to defend against France."

After I expressed my attitude, everyone fell silent. Looking at Franz who had no desire to discuss in the distance, they began to change the subject: "I really didn't expect the old marshal to retire at this time."

"His old injuries are getting worse, and his body cannot withstand the front-line battle."

"He is the commander-in-chief, there is no need to fight."

"I have to go to the front line, I have to ride a horse, how can his waist and legs withstand the bumps."

"But I heard that the risk of surgery is very high, will it be?"

"If it were me, I would definitely not want to have surgery. Putting a knife in your ass is more disgusting than losing a battle on the front line."

"The knife doesn't stick in the butt, it's the lower back."

"That's not too bad. Anyway, the position is too sensitive, so it doesn't matter if you don't move."

"You've never been in pain and you don't know how terrible it is. The old marshal has been in pain for more than ten years, and the pain is getting worse. These days, my son died again. I'm afraid that what if he vents his breath? "

"."

Various speculations were filled in the simple conversation, and finally they all converged on Edinson, chief of the military medical department: "Dr. Edinson, you are the person who knows the most about surgery here. What do you think of the operation?"

"how?"

Edinson had just been refused to enter the bedroom by the marshal, and he felt uncomfortable. Now that he was asked this question again, his face became even more ugly: "How do I know, I'm not Carvey. I mean, he invented the operation. I didn't participate, and I don't even know how the operation was performed, so how can I evaluate it?"

"So that's how it is." Seeing that he was in a bad mood, everyone could only turn to the other side and take the next best thing, "What about Dr. Bergett?"

Because Bergert had no experience in the army, even with a background of Clichy, he could only stand on the periphery of these aristocratic groups, and he had the right to listen to the stories.Suddenly a question hit his head, which made him a little surprised: "Me? I just accompanied my father to see the world."

"Dr. Bergett is still too modest. Who doesn't know that you were on Dr. Carvey's operating table a week ago, and you are no less popular than him."

This round of rainbow farts made Bergett feel a little overwhelmed, he waved his hands again and again to clarify: "Don't make fun of me, everyone, I was just a miscellaneous Sansuke back then. I didn't even have the ability to help pull the hook on the operating table, and I was very popular. What's the use?"

"Then today's surgery"

After two months of baptism, Bergett has fully recognized Carvey's strength and let go of the burden in his heart: "The operation process is very complicated. I am not even qualified to participate in autopsy exercises. I just listen to Dr. Carvey's simple instructions." I have recounted it. To be honest, the two assistants who were on the operating table that day also failed to participate in the cadaver practice of this operation."

This passage is enough to point out the difficulty of the operation, but there is still some ambiguity in it.

Because the candidate was designated by Ludwig, it has little to do with Carvey.If possible, he also hopes to bring one or two young people with him, so as to promote more talents for the future, but unfortunately things backfired.

Of course, Watman, Olgi, and Massimov must be more capable, and there will be no harm to the operation itself.
At this time, the operation had already begun, and compared to the heavy atmosphere in the living room downstairs, the bedroom was not inferior at all.In addition to several doctors preparing to perform surgery, there are also two nurses, a housekeeper and two maids.

The nurse was brought in by Carvey for instrument delivery and chores.

But the housekeeper and the maid have to deal with some more intimate tasks. For example, now, they need to undress the Marshal who has inhaled a large amount of ether gas, and then put him on a special operating table. 【2】

"Why is it empty in the middle?"

The butler has worked in the manor for decades, and he is very concerned about the safety of the old marshal, so he is very dissatisfied with the shape of this weird operating table: "How can the marshal sleep peacefully on this kind of operating table?"

Carvey ignored his suggestion: "Naturally, I have a reason for such a design. Everything is to make the operation go on smoothly."

The housekeeper was upset, but he couldn't say much, so he could only write down the matter silently.I thought the matter was over, but Kawei's request was not so easy to satisfy: "Take off your pants."

"Take off your pants? Why are you taking off your pants?"

"Because the scope of the operation determines that just undressing is not enough to complete the operation, and even the preoperative disinfection cannot be done." Kawei was really annoyed, but in order to maintain the relationship between the doctor and the patient, he had to explain again, "Hurry up." Take it off, the anesthesia has started, we are in a hurry."

The housekeeper couldn't stand it anymore: "It's okay to take it off, but they have to leave!"

Carvey followed his fingers and looked at the two nurses he brought: "They are nurses and must stay here to assist in the operation."

"No, no! Marshal's identity is destined not to allow commoners like them to look at his body."

Carvey knew that the status of nurses in the 19th century was very low [3], and the white angel was a new word that appeared many years later.In fact, even in modern times, nurses are not respected by everyone, and this happens from time to time.

It was because he had a lot of clinical experience that he asked for a statement after Ludwig underwent surgery and before anesthesia.

"The operation has already started. Now that it has started, I have the final say. This was discussed with the old marshal before." Carvey took out the statement and didn't pay attention to the housekeeper's words at all. "If you have any comments , After the old marshal woke up, I told him, please don't affect my work now."

"You have no right to talk to me like that!"

"I am the Baron."

"Not even the Baron!"

"Sorry, you are not qualified to stand here." Carvey raised his sleeves, "It's just taking off his pants, I can do it for you."

(End of this chapter)