Page 110 of DATE
"Lord?" Hedy moved instinctively a step closer, concern growing. "Where does it hurt?"
The man’s face was already pale from the pain, clutching his leg but unable to form any words. He waved his hand quickly, andhis servant, Cosimo, rushed to close the door and windows, then began tying a bandage around his leg.
"Let me help you," Hedy said, her voice firm. "The bandage may relieve the pain slightly, but it could also make the situation worse."
The lord was sweating cold beads of perspiration now, and he waved his hand, signaling Cosimo to leave.
His knee was noticeably swollen, and the touch felt very strange.
Hedy’s mind blanked for a few seconds, and then it hit her. "Is it gout?!" she exclaimed.
She almost couldn’t remember the corresponding Italian term.
The lord gritted his teeth through what felt like an agonizing ten-minute bout of pain, then collapsed onto the couch, like a survivor of a brutal fight with a wild beast.
Hedy had rarely seen Medici so weak and exhausted.
In front of others, he was always sharp, decisive, and commanding.
But just a few moments ago, he had been writhing in pain, nearly falling to the floor, relying entirely on his servant to hold him up.
"This is a rich man’s disease, only a few lords and kings get it," Cosimo said as he wiped the sweat from the lord’s neck, his tone complicated. "But I’ve heard some doctors say that it can help prevent strokes and paralysis, so it’s actually a good thing."
—What kind of theory is that?!
Hedy began massaging his knee, then looked up, asking about his medical history.
Gout could be inherited and was heavily influenced by lifestyle. The pain could be so severe that it felt like it could kill a person.
It could afflict anyone, regardless of age, and was notoriously difficult to cure.
Once struck by this affliction, one might have to bid farewell to peaceful sleep every night.
She had a friend who suffered greatly from it, and even with modern medications, it was a brutal experience.
“It’s been four or five years now, but the attacks have been getting more frequent. It used to be two or three times a year, but now it happens once every two or three months,” Cosimo observed, looking at the lord, who was too exhausted to respond. The lord had been extremely busy lately, and his energy had long been depleted.
"Is that so?" Hedy hesitated for a moment, then spoke frankly. "This disease cannot be fully cured, but if you don't change your lifestyle, it will only become more painful in the future."
"What?" Cosimo looked confused. "Don’t the pains subside after a few days?"
"This illness is like a demon," Hedy's tone grew more serious. "It will remain here, and it can flare up at any time." She paused, making sure her words were clear. "The most important thing is to stop drinking."
She vaguely recalled that the lord would die prematurely in his forties, his health failing him due to this condition. After his death, Florence would descend into chaos, with countless people taking advantage of the situation.
No... He must survive.
Cosimo looked troubled, glancing at the lord before turning to the young alchemist. "No wine? What about beer or ale?"
"None of it. No more alcohol," Hedy replied without hesitation. "It’s best to avoid any internal organs and red meat as well. As much as possible, avoid them."
"Miss Kiesler, I don’t understand," Cosimo said, his confusion evident. "Isn’t this illness related to... whatever you were saying about microorganisms? Why does it have to do with food?"
"Do you remember the demon I mentioned?" Hedy adopted a tone similar to how she had once taught her son about eating sugar, her stance becoming more forceful. "Any kind of alcohol,red meat, anchovies, shellfish—all of these are offerings to that demon."
"If the lord refuses to control his diet, the demon will grow stronger and only bring more endless pain."
Lorenzo slightly opened his eyes, his voice hoarse and weak as he spoke.
