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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..16eae4e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #60412 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60412) diff --git a/old/60412-h.zip b/old/60412-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c3b93a0..0000000 --- a/old/60412-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/60412-h/60412-h.htm b/old/60412-h/60412-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 3f9f235..0000000 --- a/old/60412-h/60412-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1081 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of R_{x}, by Alan E. Nourse. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -.ph1 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; } -.ph1 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of RX, by Alan E. Nourse - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: RX - -Author: Alan E. Nourse - -Release Date: October 3, 2019 [EBook #60412] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RX *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="345" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>R<sub>X</sub></h1> - -<h2>BY ALAN E. NOURSE</h2> - -<p class="ph1"><i>The tenth son of a tenth son was very<br /> -sick, but it was written that he would<br /> -never die. Of course, it was up to the<br /> -Earth doctor to see that he didn't!</i></p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Worlds of If Science Fiction, October 1957.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>They didn't realize they were in trouble until it was too late to stop -it. The call from Morua II came in quite innocently, relayed to the -ship from HQ in Standard GPP Contract code for crash priority, which -meant Top Grade Planetary Emergency, and don't argue about it, fellows, -just get there, fast. Red Doctor Sam Jenkins took one look at the -flashing blinker and slammed the controls into automatic; gyros hummed, -bearings were computed and checked, and the General Practice Patrol -ship <i>Lancet</i> spun in its tracks, so to speak, and began homing on the -call-source like a hound on a fox. The fact that Morua II was a Class -VI planet didn't quite register with anybody, just then.</p> - -<p>Ten minutes later the Red Doctor reached for the results of the Initial -Information Survey on Morua II, and let out a howl of alarm. A single -card sat in the slot with a wide black stripe across it.</p> - -<p>Jenkins snapped on the intercom. "Wally," he yelped. "Better get up -here fast."</p> - -<p>"Trouble?" said the squawk-box, sleepily.</p> - -<p>"Oh, brother," said Jenkins. "Somebody's cracked the Contract Code or -something."</p> - -<p>A moment later a tall sleepy man in green undershorts appeared at -the control room, rubbing his eyes. "What happened?" he said. "We've -changed course."</p> - -<p>"Yeah. Ever hear of Morua II?"</p> - -<p>Green Doctor Wally Stone frowned and scratched his whiskered chin. -"Sounds familiar, but I can't quite tune in. Crash call?" His eye -caught the black-striped card. "Class VI planet ... a plague spot! How -can we get a crash-call from <i>this</i>?"</p> - -<p>"You tell me," said Jenkins.</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute. Seems to me there was some sort of nasty business—"</p> - -<p>Jenkins nodded heavily. "There sure was. Five successive attempts -to establish a Contract with them, and five times we got thrown out -bodily. The last time an Earth ship landed there half the crew was -summarily shot and the others came home with their ears cut off. Seems -the folks on Morua II didn't want a Contract with Hospital Earth. And -they're still in the jungle, as far as their medicine goes. Witch -doctors and spells." He tossed the Info-card down the chute with a -growl. "So now we have an emergency call from them in a Contract code -they couldn't possibly know."</p> - -<p>The surgeon in the green undershorts chewed his lip. "Looks like -somebody in that last crew spilled the beans before they shot him."</p> - -<p>"Obviously."</p> - -<p>"Well, what are we doing on automatics? We're not <i>going</i> there, are -we?"</p> - -<p>"What else? You know the law. Instantaneous response to any -crash-priority call, regardless of circumstances—"</p> - -<p>"Law be damned," Stone cried. "File a protest with HQ. Cancel the -course bearings and thumb our noses at them!"</p> - -<p>"And spend the next twenty years scrubbing test tubes." Jenkins shook -his head. "Sorry, it took me too long to get aboard one of these tubs. -We don't do that in the General Practice Patrol, remember? I don't know -how Morua II got the code, but they got it, and that's all the farther -we're supposed to think. We answer the call, and beef about it later. -If we still happen to be around later, that is."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It had always been that way. Since the first formal Medical Service -Contract had been signed with Deneb III centuries before, Hospital -Earth had laboriously built its reputation on that single foundation -stone: immediate medical assistance, without question or hesitation, -whenever and wherever it was required, on any planet bound by Contract. -That was the law, for Hospital Earth could not afford to jeopardize a -Contract.</p> - -<p>In the early days of galactic exploration, of course, Medical Services -was only a minor factor in an expanding commercial network that drew -multitudes of planets into social and economic interdependence; but -in any growing civilization division of labor inevitably occurs. -Other planets outstripped Earth in technology, in communications, in -transport, and in production techniques—but Earth stood unrivaled in -its development of the biological sciences. Wherever an Earth ship -landed, the crew was soon rendering Medical Services of one sort or -another, whether they had planned it that way or not. On Deneb III -the Medical Service Contract was formalized, and Hospital Earth came -into being. Into all known corners of the galaxy ships of the General -Practice Patrol were dispatched—"Galactic Pill Peddlers" forging a -chain of Contracts from Aldebaran to Zarn, accepting calls, diagnosing -ills, arranging for proper disposition of whatever medical problems -they came across. Serious problems were shuttled back to Hospital Earth -without delay; more frequently the GPP crews—doctors of the Red and -Green services, representing the ancient Earthly arts of medicine and -surgery—were able to handle the problems on the spot and by themselves.</p> - -<p>It was a rugged service for a single planet to provide, and it was -costly. Many planets studied the terms of Contract and declined, -pleasantly but firmly—and were assured nevertheless that GPP ships -would answer an emergency call if one was received. There would be a -fee, of course, but the call would be answered. And then there were -other planets—places such as Morua II....</p> - -<p>The <i>Lancet</i> homed on the dismal grey planet with an escort of eight -ugly fighter ships which had swarmed up like hornets to greet her. They -triangled her in, grappled her, and dropped her with a bone-jarring -crash into a landing slot on the edge of the city. As Sam Jenkins and -Wally Stone picked themselves off the bulkheads, trying to rearrange -the scarlet and green uniforms of their respective services, the main -entrance lock burst open with a squeal of tortured metal. At least a -dozen Moruans poured into the control room—huge bearlike creatures -with heavy grey fur ruffing out around their faces like thick hairy -dog collars. The one in command strode forward arrogantly, one huge -paw leveling a placer-gun with a distinct air of business about it. -"Well, you took long enough!" he roared, baring a set of yellow fangs -that sent shivers up Jenkins' spine. "Fourteen hours! Do you call that -speed?"</p> - -<p>Jenkins twisted down the volume on his Translator with a grimace. -"You're lucky we came at all," he said peevishly. "Where's your -Contract? Where did you get the Code?"</p> - -<p>"Bother the Contract," the Moruan snarled. "You're supposed to be -physicians, eh?" He eyed them up and down as though he disapproved of -everything that he saw. "You make sick people well?"</p> - -<p>"That's the general idea."</p> - -<p>"All right." He poked a hairy finger at a shuttle car perched outside. -"In there."</p> - -<p>They were herded into the car with three guards in front and three -behind. A tunnel gulped them into darkness as the car careened madly -into the city. For an endless period they pitched and churned through -blackness—then suddenly emerged into a high, gilded hall with pale -sunlight filtering down. From the number of decorated guards, and -the scraping and groveling that went on as they were hurried through -embattled corridors, it seemed likely they were nearing the seat of -government. Finally a pair of steel doors opened to admit them to -a long, arched hallway. Their leader, who was called Aguar by his -flunkies, halted them with a snarl and walked across to the tall figure -guarding the far door. The guard did not seem pleased; he wore a long -purple cap with a gold ball on the end which twitched wildly as their -whispered conference devolved into growling and snarling. Finally -Aguar motioned them to follow, and they entered the far chamber, with -Purple-Hat glaring at them malignantly as they passed.</p> - -<p>Aguar halted them at the door-way. "His Eminence will see you," he -growled.</p> - -<p>"Who is His Eminence?" Jenkins asked.</p> - -<p>"The Lord High Emperor of All Morua and Creator of the Galaxies," Aguar -rumbled. "He is the Tenth Son of a Tenth Son, and it is written that he -can never die. When you enter, bow," he added.</p> - -<p>The Tenth Son of a Tenth Son couldn't have cared less whether they -bowed or not. The room was dark and rank with the smell of sickness. On -a pallet in the center lay a huge Moruan, panting and groaning. He was -wrapped like a mummy in bedclothes of scarlet interwoven with gold; on -either side of the bed braziers flickered with sickly greenish light.</p> - -<p>His Eminence looked up at them from bloodshot eyes and greeted them -with a groan of anguish that seemed to roll up from the soles of his -feet. "Go away," he moaned, closing his eyes again and rolling over -with his back toward them.</p> - -<p>The Red Doctor blinked at his companion, then turned to Aguar. "What -illness is this?" he whispered.</p> - -<p>"He is afflicted with a Pox, as any fool can see. All others it -kills—but His Eminence is the Tenth Son of a Tenth Son, and it is -written—"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, I know. He can never die." Sam gave Wally a sour look. "What -happens, though, if he just up and does?"</p> - -<p>Aguar's paw came down with a clatter on the hilt of his sword. "<i>He -does not die.</i> We have you here now. You are doctors, you say. Cure -him."</p> - -<p>They walked to the bedside and lifted back the covers. Jenkins took a -limp paw in his hand. He finally found a palpable pulse just below the -second elbow joint. It was fast and thready. The creature's skin bagged -loosely from his arm.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" width="533" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Looks like His Eminence can't read," Wally muttered. "He's going fast, -Doc."</p> - -<p>Jenkins nodded grimly. "What does it look like to you?"</p> - -<p>"How should I know? I've never seen a healthy Moruan before, to say -nothing of a sick one. It looks like a pox all right."</p> - -<p>"Probably a viremia of some sort." Jenkins went over the great groaning -hulk with inquiring fingers.</p> - -<p>"If it's a viremia, we're cooked," Stone whispered. "None of the drugs -cross over—and we won't have time to culture the stuff and grow any -new ones—"</p> - -<p>Jenkins turned to Aguar. "How long has this gone on?"</p> - -<p>"For days," the Moruan growled. "He can't speak. He grows hot and -cannot eat. He moans until the Palace trembles."</p> - -<p>"What about your own doctors?"</p> - -<p>Aguar spat angrily on the floor. "They are jealous as cats until -trouble comes. Then they hide in the caves like chickens. See the -green flames? Death flames. They leave him here to die. But now that -is all over. We have heard about you wizards from Hospital Earth. You -cure all, the stories say. You are very wise, they say. You balance -the humors and drive forth the spirits of the Pox like devils." He -gave them a terrible grin and tightened his hand on the gold-encrusted -sword. "Now we see."</p> - -<p>"We can't promise," Jenkins began. "Sometimes we're called too -late—but perhaps not in this case," he added hastily when he saw the -Moruan's face. "Tenth Son and all that. But you'll have to give us -freedom to work."</p> - -<p>"What kind of freedom?"</p> - -<p>"We'll need supplies and information from our ship. We'll have to -consult your physicians. We'll need healthy Moruans to examine—"</p> - -<p>"But you will cure him," Aguar said.</p> - -<p>Jenkins took a deep breath and gripped his red tunic around his throat -tightly. "Sure, sure," he said weakly. "You just watch us."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"But what do you think we're going to do?" the surgeon wailed, back -in the control room of the <i>Lancet</i>. "Sam, we can't <i>touch</i> him. If -he didn't die naturally we'd kill him for sure! We can't go near him -without a Bio-survey—look what happened on Baron when they tried it! -Half the planetary population wiped out before they realized that the -antibiotic was more deadly to the race than the virus was...."</p> - -<p>"Might not be such a bad idea for Morua," the Red Doctor muttered -grimly. "Well, what did you expect me to do—politely refuse? And -have our throats slit right on the spot?" He grabbed a pad and began -scribbling. "We've got to do <i>something</i> just to keep alive for a -while."</p> - -<p>"Yeah," said Wally. "What, for instance?"</p> - -<p>"Well, we've got a little to go on just from looking at them. They're -oxygen-breathers, which means they manage internal combustion of -carbohydrates, somehow. From the grey skin color I'd guess at a cuprous -or stannous heme-protein carrying system. They're carnivores, but god -knows what their protein metabolism is like—Let's get going on some of -these specimens Aguar has rounded up for us."</p> - -<p>They dug in frantically. Under normal conditions a GPP ship would -send in a full crew of technicians to a newly-Contracted planet to -make the initial Bio-survey of the indigenous races. Bio-chemists, -physiologists, anatomists, microbiologists, radiologists—survey -workers from every Service would examine and study the new clients, -take them apart cell by cell to see what made them tick.</p> - -<p>Certain basic principles were always the same, a fact which accelerated -the program considerably. Humanoid or not, all forms of life had basic -qualities in common. Biochemical reactions were biochemical reactions, -whether they happened to occur in a wing-creature of Wolf IV or a -doctor from Sol III. Anatomy was a broad determinant: a jelly-blob from -Deneb I with its fine skein of pulsating nerve fibrils was still just -a jelly-blob, and would never rise above the level of amoeboid yes-no -response because of its utter lack of organization. But a creature -with an organized central nervous system and a functional division of -work among organ systems could be categorized, tested, studied, and -compared, and the information used in combating native disease. Given -no major setbacks, and full cooperation of the natives, the job only -took about six months to do—</p> - -<p>For the crew of the <i>Lancet</i> six hours was seven hours too long. They -herded cringing Moruan "volunteers" into the little ship's lab. Jenkins -handled external examinations and blood and tissue chemistries; Stone -ran the X-ray and pan-endoscopic examinations. After four grueling -hours the Red Doctor groaned and scowled at the growing pile of data. -"Okay. It seems that they're vaguely humanoid. And that's about all we -can say for sure. I think we're wasting time. What say we tackle the -Wizards for a while?"</p> - -<p>Aguar's guards urged the tall Moruan with the purple cap into the -control room at gunpoint, along with a couple of minor medical -potentates. Purple-hat's name was Kiz, and it seemed that he wasn't -having any that day.</p> - -<p>"Look," said Jenkins intensely. "You've seen this illness before. We -haven't. So you can at least get us started. What kind of course does -it run?"</p> - -<p>Silence.</p> - -<p>"All right then, what causes it? Do you know? Bacteria? Virus? -Degeneration?"</p> - -<p>Silence.</p> - -<p>Jenkins' face was pale. "Look, boys—your Boss out there is going to -cool before long if something doesn't happen fast—" His eyes narrowed -on Kiz. "Of course, that might be right up your alley—how about that? -His Eminence bows out, somebody has to bow in, right? Maybe you, huh?"</p> - -<p>Kiz began sputtering indignantly; the Red Doctor cut him off. "It -adds up," he said heatedly. "You've got the power, you've got your -magic and all. Maybe you were the boys that turned thumbs down so -violently on the idea of a Hospital Earth Contract, eh? Couldn't risk -having outsiders cutting in on your trade." Jenkins rubbed his chin -thoughtfully. "But somehow it seems to me you'd have a whale of a lot -more power if you learned how to control this Pox."</p> - -<p>Kiz stopped sputtering quite abruptly. He blinked at his confederates -for a long moment. Then: "You're an idiot. It can't be done."</p> - -<p>"Suppose it could."</p> - -<p>"The Spirit of the Pox is too strong. Our most powerful spells make him -laugh. He eats our powders and drinks our potions. Even the Iron Circle -won't drive him out."</p> - -<p>"Won't it, now! Well, we have iron <i>needles</i> and potions that eat the -bottoms out of their jars. Suppose <i>they</i> drive him out?"</p> - -<p>The Moruan was visibly shaken. He held a whispered conference with his -henchmen. "You'll <i>show</i> us these things?" he asked suspiciously.</p> - -<p>"I'll make a bargain," said Jenkins. "You give us a Contract, we give -you the power—fair enough?"</p> - -<p>More whispers. Wally Stone tugged at Sam's sleeve. "What do you think -you're doing?" he choked. "These boys will cut your throat quicker than -Aguar will—"</p> - -<p>"Maybe not," said Sam. "Look, I've got an idea—risky, but it might -work if you'll play along. We can't lose much."</p> - -<p>The whispers stopped and Kiz nodded to the Red Doctor. "All right, we -bargain," he said. "<i>After</i> you show us."</p> - -<p>"Now or never." Jenkins threw open the door and nodded to the guards. -"I'll be in the sickroom in a very short while. If you're with me, I'll -see you there. If not—" He fingered his throat suggestively.</p> - -<p>As soon as they had gone Jenkins dived into the storeroom and began -throwing flasks and bottles into a black bag. Wally Stone watched him -in bewilderment. "You're going to kill him," he moaned. "Prayers, -promises, pills and post-mortems. That's the Medical service for you."</p> - -<p>Sam grinned. "Maybe you should operate on him. <i>That</i> would open their -eyes all right."</p> - -<p>"No thanks, not me. This is a medical case and it's all yours. What do -you want me to do?"</p> - -<p>"Stay here and try your damnedest to get through to HQ," said Sam -grimly. "Tell them to send an armada, because we're liable to need one -in the next few hours—"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>If the Tenth Son of a Tenth Son had looked bad before, three hours had -witnessed no improvement. The potentate's skin had turned from grey -to a pasty green as he lay panting on the bed. He seemed to have lost -strength enough even to groan, and his eyes were glazed.</p> - -<p>Outside the royal chambers Jenkins found a group of green-clad -mourners, wailing like banshees and tearing out their fur in great grey -chunks. They stood about a flaming brazier; as Jenkins entered the -sickroom the wails rose ten decibels and took on a howling-dog quality.</p> - -<p>Aguar met him at the door. "He's dying," he roared angrily. "Why don't -you do something? Every hour he sinks more rapidly, and all you do is -poke holes in the healthy ones! And then you send in <i>this</i> bag of -bones again—" He glowered at the tall purple-capped figure bending -over the bed.</p> - -<p>Jenkins looked sharply at Kiz, and the wizard nodded his head slowly. -"Try being quiet for a while," Jenkins said to Aguar. "We're going to -cure the Boss here." Solemnly he slipped off his scarlet tunic and cap -and laid them on a bench, then set his black bag carefully on the floor -and threw it open. "First off, get rid of those things." He pointed -to the braziers at the bedside. "They're enough to give anybody a -headache. And tell those people outside to stop the racket. How can -they expect the Spirit of the Pox to come out of His Eminence when -they're raising a din like that?"</p> - -<p>Aguar's eyes widened for a moment as he hesitated; then he threw open -the door and screamed a command. The wailing stopped as though a switch -had been thrown. As a couple of cowering guards crept in to remove the -braziers, Red Doctor Jenkins drew the wizard aside.</p> - -<p>"Tell me what spells you've already used."</p> - -<p>Hurriedly, Kiz began enumerating, ticking off items on hairy fingers. -As he talked Jenkins dug into the black bag and started assembling a -liter flask, tubing and needles.</p> - -<p>"First we brewed witches' root for seven hours and poured it over his -belly. When the Pox appeared in spite of this we lit three red candles -at the foot of the bed and beat His Eminence steadily for one hour out -of four, with new rawhide. When His Eminence protested this, we were -certain the Spirit had possessed him, so we beat him one hour out of -two—"</p> - -<p>Jenkins winced as the accounting of cabalistic clap-trap continued. His -Eminence, he reflected, must have had the constitution of an ox. He -glanced over at the panting figure on the bed. "But doesn't <i>anybody</i> -ever recover from this?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes—if the Spirit that afflicts them is very small. Those are -the fortunate ones. They grow hot and sick, but they still can eat -and drink—" The wizard broke off to stare at the bottle-and-tube -arrangement Jenkins had prepared. "What's that?"</p> - -<p>"I told you about the iron needles, didn't I? Hold this a moment." -Jenkins handed him the liter flask. "Hold it high." He began searching -for a vein on the patient's baggy arm. The Moruan equivalent of blood -flowed back greenishly in the tube for an instant as he placed the -needle; then the flask began to drip slowly.</p> - -<p>Aguar let out a horrified scream and raced from the room; in a moment -he was back with a detachment of guards, all armed to the teeth, and -three other Moruan physicians with their retinues of apprentices. Sam -Jenkins held up his hand for silence. He allowed the first intravenous -flask to pour in rapidly; the second he adjusted to a steady -drip-drip-drip.</p> - -<p>Next he pulled two large bunsen burners and a gas tank from the bag. -These he set up at the foot of the bed, adjusting the blue flames to -high spear-tips. On the bedside table he set up a third with a flask -above it; into this he poured some water and a few crystals from a dark -bottle. In a moment the fluid in the flask was churning and boiling, an -ominous purple color.</p> - -<p>Kiz watched goggle-eyed.</p> - -<p>"Now!" said Jenkins, pulling out a long thin rubber tube. "This should -annoy the Spirit of the Pox something fierce." He popped the tube into -the patient's mouth. His Eminence rose up with a gasp, choking and -fighting, but the tube went down. The Red Doctor ground three white -pills into powder, mixed in some water, and poured it down the tube.</p> - -<p>Then he stepped back to view the scene, wiping cold perspiration from -his forehead. He motioned to Kiz. "You see what I'm doing, of course?" -he said loudly enough for Aguar and the guards to hear.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes—yes! Indeed, indeed," said Kiz.</p> - -<p>"Fine. Now this is most important." Jenkins searched in the bag until -he found a large mortar which he set down on the floor. Squatting -behind it, he began tapping it slowly with the pestle, in perfect -rhythm with the intravenous drip ... and waited.</p> - -<p>The room was deathly still except for a heavy snuffling sound from His -Eminence and the plink-plink of the pestle on the mortar. The flask of -purple stuff gurgled quietly. An hour passed, and another. Suddenly -Jenkins motioned to Kiz. "His pulse—quickly!"</p> - -<p>Kiz scampered gratefully over to the bedside. "A hundred and eighty," -he whispered.</p> - -<p>Jenkins' face darkened. He peered at the sick man intently. "It's a -bad sign," he said. "The Spirit is furious at the intrusion of an -outsider." He motioned toward the mortar. "Can you do this?"</p> - -<p>Without breaking the rhythm he transferred the plinking-job to Kiz. -He changed the dwindling intravenous bottle. "Call me when the bottle -is empty—or if there is any change. Whatever you do, <i>don't touch -anything</i>."</p> - -<p>With that he tiptoed from the room. Four murderous-looking guards -caught Aguar's eye and followed him out, swords bared. Jenkins sank -down on a bench in the hall and fell asleep in an instant.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>They woke him once, hours later, to change the intravenous solution, -and he found Kiz still intently pounding on the mortar. Jenkins -administered more of the white powder in water down the tube, and went -back to his bench. He had barely fallen asleep again when they were -rousing him with frightened voices. "Quickly!" Aguar cried. "There's -been a terrible change!"</p> - -<p>In the sickroom His Eminence was drenched with sweat, his face -glistening in the light of the bunsen burners. He rolled from side to -side, groaning hoarsely. "<i>Faster!</i>" Jenkins shouted to Kiz at the -mortar, and began stripping off the sodden bedclothes. "Blankets, -now—plenty of them."</p> - -<p>The plink-plink rose to a frantic staccato as Jenkins checked the -patient's vital signs, wiped more sweat from his furry brow. Quite -suddenly His Eminence opened bleary eyes, stared about him, let out a -monumental groan and buried his head in the blankets. In two minutes -he was snoring softly. His face was cool now, his heart-beat slow and -regular.</p> - -<p>Jenkins snatched the mortar from Kiz, and with a wild flourish smashed -it on the stone floor. Then he grabbed the wizard's paw, raising it -high. "You've done well!" he cried to the bewildered physician. "It's -over now—the Spirit has departed. His Eminence will recover."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>They escorted him in triumphal procession back to the <i>Lancet</i>, where -Wally Stone stared in disbelief as Jenkins and Kiz bowed and hugged -each other like long-lost brothers at a sad farewell. "I finally got -through to somebody at HQ," he said as the Red Doctor climbed aboard. -"It'll take them twenty days at least, to get help, considering that -Morua is not a Contract planet and we're not supposed to be here in the -first place, but that's the best they can do...."</p> - -<p>"Tell them to forget the armada," said Jenkins, grinning. "And anyway, -they've got things all wrong back at HQ." He brandished a huge roll -of parchment, stricken through with the colors of the seven Medical -Services of Hospital Earth. "Take a look, my boy—the juiciest Medical -Services Contract that's been written in three centuries—" He tossed -the Contract in the dry-storage locker with a sigh. "Old Kiz just -finished his first lesson, and he's still wondering what went on—"</p> - -<p>"So am I," said the Green Doctor suspiciously.</p> - -<p>"It was simple. We cured His Eminence of the Pox."</p> - -<p>"With what? Incantations?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, the incantations were for the <i>doctors</i>," said Jenkins. "They -expected them, obviously, since that was the only level of medicine -they could understand. And incidentally, the only level that could -possibly get us a Contract. Anyway, I couldn't do very much else, under -the circumstances, except for a little supportive therapy. Without a -Bio-survey we were hamstrung. But whatever the Pox is, it obviously -involves fever, starvation and dehydration. I knew that His Eminence -could assimilate carbohydrates, and I took a long gamble that an -antipyretic wouldn't hurt him too much—"</p> - -<p>Wally Stone's jaw sagged. "So you treated him with sugar-water and -aspirin," he said weakly. "And on that you risked our necks."</p> - -<p>"Not quite," said the Red Doctor. "You're forgetting that I had -one other prescription to use—the oldest, most trustworthy -healer-of-all-ills known to medicine, just as potent now as it was a -thousand years ago. Without it, Hospital Earth might just as well pack -up her little black bag and go home." He smiled into the mirror as he -adjusted the scarlet band of the Red Service across his shoulders. "We -call it Tincture of Time," he said.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of RX, by Alan E. 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Nourse - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: RX - -Author: Alan E. Nourse - -Release Date: October 3, 2019 [EBook #60412] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RX *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - R_{X} - - BY ALAN E. NOURSE - - _The tenth son of a tenth son was very - sick, but it was written that he would - never die. Of course, it was up to the - Earth doctor to see that he didn't!_ - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Worlds of If Science Fiction, October 1957. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -They didn't realize they were in trouble until it was too late to stop -it. The call from Morua II came in quite innocently, relayed to the -ship from HQ in Standard GPP Contract code for crash priority, which -meant Top Grade Planetary Emergency, and don't argue about it, fellows, -just get there, fast. Red Doctor Sam Jenkins took one look at the -flashing blinker and slammed the controls into automatic; gyros hummed, -bearings were computed and checked, and the General Practice Patrol -ship _Lancet_ spun in its tracks, so to speak, and began homing on the -call-source like a hound on a fox. The fact that Morua II was a Class -VI planet didn't quite register with anybody, just then. - -Ten minutes later the Red Doctor reached for the results of the Initial -Information Survey on Morua II, and let out a howl of alarm. A single -card sat in the slot with a wide black stripe across it. - -Jenkins snapped on the intercom. "Wally," he yelped. "Better get up -here fast." - -"Trouble?" said the squawk-box, sleepily. - -"Oh, brother," said Jenkins. "Somebody's cracked the Contract Code or -something." - -A moment later a tall sleepy man in green undershorts appeared at -the control room, rubbing his eyes. "What happened?" he said. "We've -changed course." - -"Yeah. Ever hear of Morua II?" - -Green Doctor Wally Stone frowned and scratched his whiskered chin. -"Sounds familiar, but I can't quite tune in. Crash call?" His eye -caught the black-striped card. "Class VI planet ... a plague spot! How -can we get a crash-call from _this_?" - -"You tell me," said Jenkins. - -"Wait a minute. Seems to me there was some sort of nasty business--" - -Jenkins nodded heavily. "There sure was. Five successive attempts -to establish a Contract with them, and five times we got thrown out -bodily. The last time an Earth ship landed there half the crew was -summarily shot and the others came home with their ears cut off. Seems -the folks on Morua II didn't want a Contract with Hospital Earth. And -they're still in the jungle, as far as their medicine goes. Witch -doctors and spells." He tossed the Info-card down the chute with a -growl. "So now we have an emergency call from them in a Contract code -they couldn't possibly know." - -The surgeon in the green undershorts chewed his lip. "Looks like -somebody in that last crew spilled the beans before they shot him." - -"Obviously." - -"Well, what are we doing on automatics? We're not _going_ there, are -we?" - -"What else? You know the law. Instantaneous response to any -crash-priority call, regardless of circumstances--" - -"Law be damned," Stone cried. "File a protest with HQ. Cancel the -course bearings and thumb our noses at them!" - -"And spend the next twenty years scrubbing test tubes." Jenkins shook -his head. "Sorry, it took me too long to get aboard one of these tubs. -We don't do that in the General Practice Patrol, remember? I don't know -how Morua II got the code, but they got it, and that's all the farther -we're supposed to think. We answer the call, and beef about it later. -If we still happen to be around later, that is." - - * * * * * - -It had always been that way. Since the first formal Medical Service -Contract had been signed with Deneb III centuries before, Hospital -Earth had laboriously built its reputation on that single foundation -stone: immediate medical assistance, without question or hesitation, -whenever and wherever it was required, on any planet bound by Contract. -That was the law, for Hospital Earth could not afford to jeopardize a -Contract. - -In the early days of galactic exploration, of course, Medical Services -was only a minor factor in an expanding commercial network that drew -multitudes of planets into social and economic interdependence; but -in any growing civilization division of labor inevitably occurs. -Other planets outstripped Earth in technology, in communications, in -transport, and in production techniques--but Earth stood unrivaled in -its development of the biological sciences. Wherever an Earth ship -landed, the crew was soon rendering Medical Services of one sort or -another, whether they had planned it that way or not. On Deneb III -the Medical Service Contract was formalized, and Hospital Earth came -into being. Into all known corners of the galaxy ships of the General -Practice Patrol were dispatched--"Galactic Pill Peddlers" forging a -chain of Contracts from Aldebaran to Zarn, accepting calls, diagnosing -ills, arranging for proper disposition of whatever medical problems -they came across. Serious problems were shuttled back to Hospital Earth -without delay; more frequently the GPP crews--doctors of the Red and -Green services, representing the ancient Earthly arts of medicine and -surgery--were able to handle the problems on the spot and by themselves. - -It was a rugged service for a single planet to provide, and it was -costly. Many planets studied the terms of Contract and declined, -pleasantly but firmly--and were assured nevertheless that GPP ships -would answer an emergency call if one was received. There would be a -fee, of course, but the call would be answered. And then there were -other planets--places such as Morua II.... - -The _Lancet_ homed on the dismal grey planet with an escort of eight -ugly fighter ships which had swarmed up like hornets to greet her. They -triangled her in, grappled her, and dropped her with a bone-jarring -crash into a landing slot on the edge of the city. As Sam Jenkins and -Wally Stone picked themselves off the bulkheads, trying to rearrange -the scarlet and green uniforms of their respective services, the main -entrance lock burst open with a squeal of tortured metal. At least a -dozen Moruans poured into the control room--huge bearlike creatures -with heavy grey fur ruffing out around their faces like thick hairy -dog collars. The one in command strode forward arrogantly, one huge -paw leveling a placer-gun with a distinct air of business about it. -"Well, you took long enough!" he roared, baring a set of yellow fangs -that sent shivers up Jenkins' spine. "Fourteen hours! Do you call that -speed?" - -Jenkins twisted down the volume on his Translator with a grimace. -"You're lucky we came at all," he said peevishly. "Where's your -Contract? Where did you get the Code?" - -"Bother the Contract," the Moruan snarled. "You're supposed to be -physicians, eh?" He eyed them up and down as though he disapproved of -everything that he saw. "You make sick people well?" - -"That's the general idea." - -"All right." He poked a hairy finger at a shuttle car perched outside. -"In there." - -They were herded into the car with three guards in front and three -behind. A tunnel gulped them into darkness as the car careened madly -into the city. For an endless period they pitched and churned through -blackness--then suddenly emerged into a high, gilded hall with pale -sunlight filtering down. From the number of decorated guards, and -the scraping and groveling that went on as they were hurried through -embattled corridors, it seemed likely they were nearing the seat of -government. Finally a pair of steel doors opened to admit them to -a long, arched hallway. Their leader, who was called Aguar by his -flunkies, halted them with a snarl and walked across to the tall figure -guarding the far door. The guard did not seem pleased; he wore a long -purple cap with a gold ball on the end which twitched wildly as their -whispered conference devolved into growling and snarling. Finally -Aguar motioned them to follow, and they entered the far chamber, with -Purple-Hat glaring at them malignantly as they passed. - -Aguar halted them at the door-way. "His Eminence will see you," he -growled. - -"Who is His Eminence?" Jenkins asked. - -"The Lord High Emperor of All Morua and Creator of the Galaxies," Aguar -rumbled. "He is the Tenth Son of a Tenth Son, and it is written that he -can never die. When you enter, bow," he added. - -The Tenth Son of a Tenth Son couldn't have cared less whether they -bowed or not. The room was dark and rank with the smell of sickness. On -a pallet in the center lay a huge Moruan, panting and groaning. He was -wrapped like a mummy in bedclothes of scarlet interwoven with gold; on -either side of the bed braziers flickered with sickly greenish light. - -His Eminence looked up at them from bloodshot eyes and greeted them -with a groan of anguish that seemed to roll up from the soles of his -feet. "Go away," he moaned, closing his eyes again and rolling over -with his back toward them. - -The Red Doctor blinked at his companion, then turned to Aguar. "What -illness is this?" he whispered. - -"He is afflicted with a Pox, as any fool can see. All others it -kills--but His Eminence is the Tenth Son of a Tenth Son, and it is -written--" - -"Yes, yes, I know. He can never die." Sam gave Wally a sour look. "What -happens, though, if he just up and does?" - -Aguar's paw came down with a clatter on the hilt of his sword. "_He -does not die._ We have you here now. You are doctors, you say. Cure -him." - -They walked to the bedside and lifted back the covers. Jenkins took a -limp paw in his hand. He finally found a palpable pulse just below the -second elbow joint. It was fast and thready. The creature's skin bagged -loosely from his arm. - -"Looks like His Eminence can't read," Wally muttered. "He's going fast, -Doc." - -Jenkins nodded grimly. "What does it look like to you?" - -"How should I know? I've never seen a healthy Moruan before, to say -nothing of a sick one. It looks like a pox all right." - -"Probably a viremia of some sort." Jenkins went over the great groaning -hulk with inquiring fingers. - -"If it's a viremia, we're cooked," Stone whispered. "None of the drugs -cross over--and we won't have time to culture the stuff and grow any -new ones--" - -Jenkins turned to Aguar. "How long has this gone on?" - -"For days," the Moruan growled. "He can't speak. He grows hot and -cannot eat. He moans until the Palace trembles." - -"What about your own doctors?" - -Aguar spat angrily on the floor. "They are jealous as cats until -trouble comes. Then they hide in the caves like chickens. See the -green flames? Death flames. They leave him here to die. But now that -is all over. We have heard about you wizards from Hospital Earth. You -cure all, the stories say. You are very wise, they say. You balance -the humors and drive forth the spirits of the Pox like devils." He -gave them a terrible grin and tightened his hand on the gold-encrusted -sword. "Now we see." - -"We can't promise," Jenkins began. "Sometimes we're called too -late--but perhaps not in this case," he added hastily when he saw the -Moruan's face. "Tenth Son and all that. But you'll have to give us -freedom to work." - -"What kind of freedom?" - -"We'll need supplies and information from our ship. We'll have to -consult your physicians. We'll need healthy Moruans to examine--" - -"But you will cure him," Aguar said. - -Jenkins took a deep breath and gripped his red tunic around his throat -tightly. "Sure, sure," he said weakly. "You just watch us." - - * * * * * - -"But what do you think we're going to do?" the surgeon wailed, back -in the control room of the _Lancet_. "Sam, we can't _touch_ him. If -he didn't die naturally we'd kill him for sure! We can't go near him -without a Bio-survey--look what happened on Baron when they tried it! -Half the planetary population wiped out before they realized that the -antibiotic was more deadly to the race than the virus was...." - -"Might not be such a bad idea for Morua," the Red Doctor muttered -grimly. "Well, what did you expect me to do--politely refuse? And -have our throats slit right on the spot?" He grabbed a pad and began -scribbling. "We've got to do _something_ just to keep alive for a -while." - -"Yeah," said Wally. "What, for instance?" - -"Well, we've got a little to go on just from looking at them. They're -oxygen-breathers, which means they manage internal combustion of -carbohydrates, somehow. From the grey skin color I'd guess at a cuprous -or stannous heme-protein carrying system. They're carnivores, but god -knows what their protein metabolism is like--Let's get going on some of -these specimens Aguar has rounded up for us." - -They dug in frantically. Under normal conditions a GPP ship would -send in a full crew of technicians to a newly-Contracted planet to -make the initial Bio-survey of the indigenous races. Bio-chemists, -physiologists, anatomists, microbiologists, radiologists--survey -workers from every Service would examine and study the new clients, -take them apart cell by cell to see what made them tick. - -Certain basic principles were always the same, a fact which accelerated -the program considerably. Humanoid or not, all forms of life had basic -qualities in common. Biochemical reactions were biochemical reactions, -whether they happened to occur in a wing-creature of Wolf IV or a -doctor from Sol III. Anatomy was a broad determinant: a jelly-blob from -Deneb I with its fine skein of pulsating nerve fibrils was still just -a jelly-blob, and would never rise above the level of amoeboid yes-no -response because of its utter lack of organization. But a creature -with an organized central nervous system and a functional division of -work among organ systems could be categorized, tested, studied, and -compared, and the information used in combating native disease. Given -no major setbacks, and full cooperation of the natives, the job only -took about six months to do-- - -For the crew of the _Lancet_ six hours was seven hours too long. They -herded cringing Moruan "volunteers" into the little ship's lab. Jenkins -handled external examinations and blood and tissue chemistries; Stone -ran the X-ray and pan-endoscopic examinations. After four grueling -hours the Red Doctor groaned and scowled at the growing pile of data. -"Okay. It seems that they're vaguely humanoid. And that's about all we -can say for sure. I think we're wasting time. What say we tackle the -Wizards for a while?" - -Aguar's guards urged the tall Moruan with the purple cap into the -control room at gunpoint, along with a couple of minor medical -potentates. Purple-hat's name was Kiz, and it seemed that he wasn't -having any that day. - -"Look," said Jenkins intensely. "You've seen this illness before. We -haven't. So you can at least get us started. What kind of course does -it run?" - -Silence. - -"All right then, what causes it? Do you know? Bacteria? Virus? -Degeneration?" - -Silence. - -Jenkins' face was pale. "Look, boys--your Boss out there is going to -cool before long if something doesn't happen fast--" His eyes narrowed -on Kiz. "Of course, that might be right up your alley--how about that? -His Eminence bows out, somebody has to bow in, right? Maybe you, huh?" - -Kiz began sputtering indignantly; the Red Doctor cut him off. "It -adds up," he said heatedly. "You've got the power, you've got your -magic and all. Maybe you were the boys that turned thumbs down so -violently on the idea of a Hospital Earth Contract, eh? Couldn't risk -having outsiders cutting in on your trade." Jenkins rubbed his chin -thoughtfully. "But somehow it seems to me you'd have a whale of a lot -more power if you learned how to control this Pox." - -Kiz stopped sputtering quite abruptly. He blinked at his confederates -for a long moment. Then: "You're an idiot. It can't be done." - -"Suppose it could." - -"The Spirit of the Pox is too strong. Our most powerful spells make him -laugh. He eats our powders and drinks our potions. Even the Iron Circle -won't drive him out." - -"Won't it, now! Well, we have iron _needles_ and potions that eat the -bottoms out of their jars. Suppose _they_ drive him out?" - -The Moruan was visibly shaken. He held a whispered conference with his -henchmen. "You'll _show_ us these things?" he asked suspiciously. - -"I'll make a bargain," said Jenkins. "You give us a Contract, we give -you the power--fair enough?" - -More whispers. Wally Stone tugged at Sam's sleeve. "What do you think -you're doing?" he choked. "These boys will cut your throat quicker than -Aguar will--" - -"Maybe not," said Sam. "Look, I've got an idea--risky, but it might -work if you'll play along. We can't lose much." - -The whispers stopped and Kiz nodded to the Red Doctor. "All right, we -bargain," he said. "_After_ you show us." - -"Now or never." Jenkins threw open the door and nodded to the guards. -"I'll be in the sickroom in a very short while. If you're with me, I'll -see you there. If not--" He fingered his throat suggestively. - -As soon as they had gone Jenkins dived into the storeroom and began -throwing flasks and bottles into a black bag. Wally Stone watched him -in bewilderment. "You're going to kill him," he moaned. "Prayers, -promises, pills and post-mortems. That's the Medical service for you." - -Sam grinned. "Maybe you should operate on him. _That_ would open their -eyes all right." - -"No thanks, not me. This is a medical case and it's all yours. What do -you want me to do?" - -"Stay here and try your damnedest to get through to HQ," said Sam -grimly. "Tell them to send an armada, because we're liable to need one -in the next few hours--" - - * * * * * - -If the Tenth Son of a Tenth Son had looked bad before, three hours had -witnessed no improvement. The potentate's skin had turned from grey -to a pasty green as he lay panting on the bed. He seemed to have lost -strength enough even to groan, and his eyes were glazed. - -Outside the royal chambers Jenkins found a group of green-clad -mourners, wailing like banshees and tearing out their fur in great grey -chunks. They stood about a flaming brazier; as Jenkins entered the -sickroom the wails rose ten decibels and took on a howling-dog quality. - -Aguar met him at the door. "He's dying," he roared angrily. "Why don't -you do something? Every hour he sinks more rapidly, and all you do is -poke holes in the healthy ones! And then you send in _this_ bag of -bones again--" He glowered at the tall purple-capped figure bending -over the bed. - -Jenkins looked sharply at Kiz, and the wizard nodded his head slowly. -"Try being quiet for a while," Jenkins said to Aguar. "We're going to -cure the Boss here." Solemnly he slipped off his scarlet tunic and cap -and laid them on a bench, then set his black bag carefully on the floor -and threw it open. "First off, get rid of those things." He pointed -to the braziers at the bedside. "They're enough to give anybody a -headache. And tell those people outside to stop the racket. How can -they expect the Spirit of the Pox to come out of His Eminence when -they're raising a din like that?" - -Aguar's eyes widened for a moment as he hesitated; then he threw open -the door and screamed a command. The wailing stopped as though a switch -had been thrown. As a couple of cowering guards crept in to remove the -braziers, Red Doctor Jenkins drew the wizard aside. - -"Tell me what spells you've already used." - -Hurriedly, Kiz began enumerating, ticking off items on hairy fingers. -As he talked Jenkins dug into the black bag and started assembling a -liter flask, tubing and needles. - -"First we brewed witches' root for seven hours and poured it over his -belly. When the Pox appeared in spite of this we lit three red candles -at the foot of the bed and beat His Eminence steadily for one hour out -of four, with new rawhide. When His Eminence protested this, we were -certain the Spirit had possessed him, so we beat him one hour out of -two--" - -Jenkins winced as the accounting of cabalistic clap-trap continued. His -Eminence, he reflected, must have had the constitution of an ox. He -glanced over at the panting figure on the bed. "But doesn't _anybody_ -ever recover from this?" - -"Oh, yes--if the Spirit that afflicts them is very small. Those are -the fortunate ones. They grow hot and sick, but they still can eat -and drink--" The wizard broke off to stare at the bottle-and-tube -arrangement Jenkins had prepared. "What's that?" - -"I told you about the iron needles, didn't I? Hold this a moment." -Jenkins handed him the liter flask. "Hold it high." He began searching -for a vein on the patient's baggy arm. The Moruan equivalent of blood -flowed back greenishly in the tube for an instant as he placed the -needle; then the flask began to drip slowly. - -Aguar let out a horrified scream and raced from the room; in a moment -he was back with a detachment of guards, all armed to the teeth, and -three other Moruan physicians with their retinues of apprentices. Sam -Jenkins held up his hand for silence. He allowed the first intravenous -flask to pour in rapidly; the second he adjusted to a steady -drip-drip-drip. - -Next he pulled two large bunsen burners and a gas tank from the bag. -These he set up at the foot of the bed, adjusting the blue flames to -high spear-tips. On the bedside table he set up a third with a flask -above it; into this he poured some water and a few crystals from a dark -bottle. In a moment the fluid in the flask was churning and boiling, an -ominous purple color. - -Kiz watched goggle-eyed. - -"Now!" said Jenkins, pulling out a long thin rubber tube. "This should -annoy the Spirit of the Pox something fierce." He popped the tube into -the patient's mouth. His Eminence rose up with a gasp, choking and -fighting, but the tube went down. The Red Doctor ground three white -pills into powder, mixed in some water, and poured it down the tube. - -Then he stepped back to view the scene, wiping cold perspiration from -his forehead. He motioned to Kiz. "You see what I'm doing, of course?" -he said loudly enough for Aguar and the guards to hear. - -"Oh, yes--yes! Indeed, indeed," said Kiz. - -"Fine. Now this is most important." Jenkins searched in the bag until -he found a large mortar which he set down on the floor. Squatting -behind it, he began tapping it slowly with the pestle, in perfect -rhythm with the intravenous drip ... and waited. - -The room was deathly still except for a heavy snuffling sound from His -Eminence and the plink-plink of the pestle on the mortar. The flask of -purple stuff gurgled quietly. An hour passed, and another. Suddenly -Jenkins motioned to Kiz. "His pulse--quickly!" - -Kiz scampered gratefully over to the bedside. "A hundred and eighty," -he whispered. - -Jenkins' face darkened. He peered at the sick man intently. "It's a -bad sign," he said. "The Spirit is furious at the intrusion of an -outsider." He motioned toward the mortar. "Can you do this?" - -Without breaking the rhythm he transferred the plinking-job to Kiz. -He changed the dwindling intravenous bottle. "Call me when the bottle -is empty--or if there is any change. Whatever you do, _don't touch -anything_." - -With that he tiptoed from the room. Four murderous-looking guards -caught Aguar's eye and followed him out, swords bared. Jenkins sank -down on a bench in the hall and fell asleep in an instant. - - * * * * * - -They woke him once, hours later, to change the intravenous solution, -and he found Kiz still intently pounding on the mortar. Jenkins -administered more of the white powder in water down the tube, and went -back to his bench. He had barely fallen asleep again when they were -rousing him with frightened voices. "Quickly!" Aguar cried. "There's -been a terrible change!" - -In the sickroom His Eminence was drenched with sweat, his face -glistening in the light of the bunsen burners. He rolled from side to -side, groaning hoarsely. "_Faster!_" Jenkins shouted to Kiz at the -mortar, and began stripping off the sodden bedclothes. "Blankets, -now--plenty of them." - -The plink-plink rose to a frantic staccato as Jenkins checked the -patient's vital signs, wiped more sweat from his furry brow. Quite -suddenly His Eminence opened bleary eyes, stared about him, let out a -monumental groan and buried his head in the blankets. In two minutes -he was snoring softly. His face was cool now, his heart-beat slow and -regular. - -Jenkins snatched the mortar from Kiz, and with a wild flourish smashed -it on the stone floor. Then he grabbed the wizard's paw, raising it -high. "You've done well!" he cried to the bewildered physician. "It's -over now--the Spirit has departed. His Eminence will recover." - - * * * * * - -They escorted him in triumphal procession back to the _Lancet_, where -Wally Stone stared in disbelief as Jenkins and Kiz bowed and hugged -each other like long-lost brothers at a sad farewell. "I finally got -through to somebody at HQ," he said as the Red Doctor climbed aboard. -"It'll take them twenty days at least, to get help, considering that -Morua is not a Contract planet and we're not supposed to be here in the -first place, but that's the best they can do...." - -"Tell them to forget the armada," said Jenkins, grinning. "And anyway, -they've got things all wrong back at HQ." He brandished a huge roll -of parchment, stricken through with the colors of the seven Medical -Services of Hospital Earth. "Take a look, my boy--the juiciest Medical -Services Contract that's been written in three centuries--" He tossed -the Contract in the dry-storage locker with a sigh. "Old Kiz just -finished his first lesson, and he's still wondering what went on--" - -"So am I," said the Green Doctor suspiciously. - -"It was simple. We cured His Eminence of the Pox." - -"With what? Incantations?" - -"Oh, the incantations were for the _doctors_," said Jenkins. "They -expected them, obviously, since that was the only level of medicine -they could understand. And incidentally, the only level that could -possibly get us a Contract. Anyway, I couldn't do very much else, under -the circumstances, except for a little supportive therapy. Without a -Bio-survey we were hamstrung. But whatever the Pox is, it obviously -involves fever, starvation and dehydration. I knew that His Eminence -could assimilate carbohydrates, and I took a long gamble that an -antipyretic wouldn't hurt him too much--" - -Wally Stone's jaw sagged. "So you treated him with sugar-water and -aspirin," he said weakly. "And on that you risked our necks." - -"Not quite," said the Red Doctor. "You're forgetting that I had -one other prescription to use--the oldest, most trustworthy -healer-of-all-ills known to medicine, just as potent now as it was a -thousand years ago. Without it, Hospital Earth might just as well pack -up her little black bag and go home." He smiled into the mirror as he -adjusted the scarlet band of the Red Service across his shoulders. "We -call it Tincture of Time," he said. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of RX, by Alan E. Nourse - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RX *** - -***** This file should be named 60412.txt or 60412.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/4/1/60412/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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