Great Drug

With a bundle of Artemisia annua in hand, Constantine retreated to his study to delve into the chemistry knowledge he had acquired during his junior high school years. He understood that Artemisinin, an organic substance, could be easily extracted due to its solubility in organic solutions. His urgency to produce artemisinin wasn't driven solely by financial motives; instead, he sought to provide a preventive measure for the 500 members of the Royal Guard, who were poised for deployment in Africa.

In the harsh and disease-prone environment of southern Africa, combatants faced threats of malaria and other illnesses. Constantine aimed to minimize non-combat attrition by equipping his guards with supplies that included Artemisia annua, renowned for its efficacy in treating malaria.

The decision to focus on Artemisia annua over cinchona bark, the traditional source of quinine, was multifaceted. Firstly, cinchona bark's high price made it an impractical choice, especially considering the intense demand and dwindling supply. The exploitation of cinchona trees in the Andes Mountains, their native habitat, led to a decrease in availability. Furthermore, attempts to cultivate cinchona trees in other regions faced challenges, with the Dutch achieving success only after 30 years of effort in Java.

Secondly, cinchona bark had serious side effects, ranging from tinnitus and deafness to diarrhea and even death if consumed in excess. These factors, coupled with the high costs and environmental constraints, made Artemisia annua a more attractive alternative.

Constantine directed his servants to mash the harvested Artemisia annua, soaked it in high-proof vodka, and filtered the mixture after two days. The resulting green liquid was a crude form of artemisinin.

Acknowledging the uncertainty about the efficacy of this homemade remedy, Constantine resolved to conduct a drug test. The next morning, armed with the artemisinin concoction, he visited the Athens City Hospital, the foremost medical institution in Greece.

Dean Philip, the head of the hospital, received Constantine but expressed skepticism about the prince's claim of inventing a new malaria treatment. Stressing the gravity of medicine and its impact on lives, Dean Philip hesitated to conduct a drug experiment.

In response, Constantine, frustrated by the Dean's caution, decided to use a tempting offer as leverage. He promised to secure the body of an Athens prison inmate for anatomical studies in exchange for the hospital's assistance in the drug experiment. The mention of this favor swayed Dean Philip's decision, and he reluctantly agreed to proceed with the test.

Constantine, understanding the delicate nature of medical ethics and the clandestine world of corpse trading in the 19th century, employed this unusual tactic to secure the cooperation of the esteemed Dean. The quest to validate the efficacy of Artemisia annua and the intrigue surrounding the exchange with Dean Philip added a layer of complexity to Constantine's endeavors.