Chapter 218 Did James Give Up?
James frowned slightly. It seemed that the situation at this Sino-Western medicine exchange conference was even more serious than he had anticipated. Even a random taxi driver knew that traditional Chinese medicine was struggling.
There was still some distance to the destination, so James decided to chat with the taxi driver. He asked, "Why do you think traditional Chinese medicine is failing?"
The taxi driver replied, "It's not about what I think; it's just the reality. Look around the streets—how many traditional Chinese medicine clinics do you see? They're all Western medicine clinics. Most of the drugs sold in pharmacies are Western medicines. Hospitals are dominated by Western medicine, and the space for traditional Chinese medicine is shrinking."
James fell silent. The taxi driver was stating facts. The market share of traditional Chinese medicine in the country was indeed decreasing, gradually being eroded.
"What's your impression of traditional Chinese medicine? Do you really think it's a scam, as some people say?" James continued, curious about the perspective of an ordinary person.
The taxi driver shook his head and said, "Of course, it's not a scam, but it takes a long time to cure diseases with traditional Chinese medicine."
The taxi driver added. "Western medicine works quickly and can significantly shorten the recovery time."
Hearing this, James couldn't help but say, "Actually, traditional Chinese medicine doesn't necessarily take longer to work. It's just that some practitioners who don't really understand it give it a bad name."
"As for serious illnesses, traditional Chinese medicine can also cure them. The pathology of treating diseases is the same. The difference is that Western medicine seeks to treat patients through external drugs or surgery, often using chemically refined drugs that work quickly but can harm the body."
"Traditional Chinese medicine, on the other hand, aims to stimulate the patient's own immune system to cure the disease. The herbal medicines used are mainly supportive and don't harm the body. Once cured, the patient is less likely to relapse, and their overall health improves, which is a significant advantage over Western medicine."
James finished speaking in one breath. The taxi driver was stunned for a moment, then asked, "You must be a traditional Chinese medicine doctor."
"Sort of," James replied with a smile.
The taxi driver was silent for a few seconds, then smiled wryly and said, "You speak so passionately, but the fact is that traditional Chinese medicine is not very advanced, and it's very difficult to learn. It's also hard to make money for a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. "
Actually, the taxi driver wasn't entirely accurate. It was not that traditional Chinese medicine couldn't make money, but that it was very difficult to learn, and the cost of earning the same amount of money was high. In today's fast-paced society, with rising prices and increased consumer awareness, no one has the patience to delve into traditional Chinese medicine.
"Since you've said so much, your medical skills must be quite impressive. Can you take a look at me and see if there's anything wrong?" the taxi driver asked with a hint of teasing.
James smiled slightly and said, "Sure. Your eyes lack spirit, there's discharge at the corners, you have a heavy taste preference, you often stay up late driving, and you like to drink strong tea."
James spoke confidently. At first, the taxi driver was calm, thinking that James, being so young, was just talkative and probably not very skilled. But the more he listened, the more shocked he became. James had accurately described his condition, even mentioning some minor habits and hidden ailments that even his wife didn't know about!
The taxi driver was astonished. While waiting at a red light, he quickly turned around and said to James, "You're really a miracle doctor! Even the chief doctor at the hospital couldn't figure out my hidden ailments. You're amazing!"
James smiled faintly, without a trace of arrogance. On the contrary, he felt a bit disappointed. What he had done was something any competent traditional Chinese medicine doctor could achieve, but in modern times, it had become something to boast about.
This was the regression of traditional Chinese medicine.
James then told the taxi driver some treatment methods and closed his eyes to rest.
Meanwhile, on Edwin's side, many doctors had already arrived. At a glance, there were about a dozen, all over the age of forty-five, with three of them looking at least seventy.
Young people like Derrick, who was just over thirty, were rare.
They sat there chatting, seemingly waiting for someone, looking rather impatient.
"Dr. Wheeler, who is this doctor you recommended? He's making us wait so long," a doctor in his fifties finally couldn't help but say.
"Yeah, it's been half an hour. Why isn't he here yet? This is quite disrespectful. We're well-known traditional Chinese medicine doctors in Serenity Province!" another doctor in his forties said unhappily.
"Let's wait a bit longer. If Dr. Wheeler thinks so highly of him, he must be someone important, maybe even more famous than us," someone said sarcastically.
"More famous than us? I'm looking forward to it. Maybe he can bring some honor to traditional Chinese medicine at the exchange conference."
Edwin listened to these doctors and felt a bit angry. James didn't seem arrogant. He had already informed him to arrive before noon yesterday. Why wasn't he here yet?
"Derrick, ask Dr. Smith where he is and how much longer it will take," Edwin said to Derrick.
Derrick replied, "Grandpa, James must have chickened out. He knows this exchange conference is tough and decided to back out. Grandpa, you misjudged him this time."
Edwin frowned. He also realized half an hour had passed, and James still hadn't arrived or called. He couldn't help but wonder if James had really backed out.
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