Matsumoto prescribed sunlight.
When it was apparent to all that the herbs and teas weren't easing the waves of coughs that ripped from Souji's throat, he received another prescription.
-
"It kills the bacteria," the bald man muttered, as he put away his medicine, "so it should relieve the pain for longer." Susumu couldn't bring himself to write it down.
-
The tuberculosis slowly destroyed the captain's lungs as he sang to Saizou.
-
"Hijikata-san? Can I come back inside now? It's no fun when everyone else is training."
"Be quiet and stay out there."
Souji tried to read haiku, but the sun glared off the mulberry paper and left purple blood-stains in his vision.
-
It was sunny the day Okita Souji died. The sun made his dulled eyes appear to gleam with final mischief.
Hijikata didn't cry, didn't let the rain fall inside his heart. That didn't suit Souji.
---
That's it, people. I feel like it's too long, though…
By the way, people did use to believe that sunlight could cure tuberculosis. They would go away to sunny retreats and sit outside all day. Certainly, the bacteria doesn't survive in sun, but this won't cure you unless can get a direct beam of sunlight down into your lungs. Pity.