In Lu Xun's " Medicine ", the white-bearded Uncle Kang Xia Yu said that he was pitiful. What did he mean?

In Lu Xun's novel Medicine, the white-bearded Uncle Kang Xia Yu said to the protagonist Bai Yao,"You're too pitiful. You're a medicine jar." The pity here referred to Bai Yao's body and mind being tortured and in pain as a patient. Uncle Kang and Xia Yu hoped that Bai Yao would be strong enough to face the disease and not give up on treatment. At the same time, they also expressed their concern and sympathy for Bai Yao.