Hi! I know, that I'm going to be a bit nit-picking and I'm not here to offend anyone, just share my observation. I've read the whole book, it took me a couple days and it was a pleasant way of resting in between my exams. I'm a sixth year medical student (not an expert, not a doctor yet) and I have a weird pet peeve. I instinctively see medical things that don't quite add up or are misunderstood/misrepresented. They kind of annoy me. I still appreaciate the research that the author put into writing this book, and there was definetly a lot of research done. You can see it in the bibliography at the end. Still some things irked me or rubbed me the wrong way. Keep in mind the fact, that I've read a Polish translation (I'm not sure, whether it was translated from English or Japanese), so some mistakes might have to do with the trials and tribulations of the translation. Please feel free if the same misconceptions are in different translations of the book.

Here's the list of medical issues, that I had with this book:

1. Breech birth - some posts've mentioned that already, but usually breech birth is an indication for the Ceasarian birth. Of course it all makes sense in the books, because in the last chapter we find out, that Yuki had a negligent doctor and Naomi convinced her to give birth naturally. It's important to mention, that it's possible to have a perfectly healthy breech birth, but it increases risks both for the mother and the child.
2. Salt capsules and hypertension - my issue is that only 1/3 or 1/4 of population is sensitive to sodium. Of course it might be different for the Japanese population, and I might be not aware of that. What that means is that only some people are predisposed to obtaining hypertension due to the salt intake. It is unfortunately very hard or even impossible to know whether someone will react this way to increased sodium intake or not. That's why general population is adviced to reduce sodium intake. What is more, hypertension that appears during pregnancy, might be a sign of preeclampsia, which is a very dangerous condition. So I see it as a failed opportunity to use untreated eclampsia as the way of killing Yuki. Another important issue, is that causing Yuki to have hypertension, complicated birth and bleeding actually imposed a great danger to her child! So it might be interpreted as either author's oversight or a deliberate choice, meant to show the readers that Naomi will even endanger Yuta in order to remain a mother.
3. Kumai's cancer - I don't know If it's the translation's issue, but Kumai is said to have a "cancer of gastrointestinal tract". Okay? But which one? Esophagal? Gastric? Colon? Rectal? All of these are different neoplasms of gastrointestinal tract, but have very different prognosis and treatment. Also after Kumai gets diagnosed with another case of the same (???) tumor (fun fact, in oncology, 5 years since the begining of remission patient is considered as cured and if they find even the same tumor cells after 5 years, it's not considered a progression or reoccurance of the same neoplasm, but rather a new one), he chooses to take care of Yuta. What do you mean? A 60-year-old person, who has a tumor and their future is unknown, and might have chemo or radiation therapy? IS IT REALLY the best legal guardian for a little boy who has already lost both of his parents and a grandmother? I get it, that it was supposed to be a sweet moment for Kumai, who has found the strength to live and his purpose, but I found it cheesy and unrealistic.
4. Torasemide affair - last but not least, Toyogawa gives Takeshi Torasemide in orther to make him go to the bathroom during the night. It's obviously a smart, but a f-cked up move. But! I don't know if the translation's at fault, but in the book it said that it gave the bou diarrhea! But no! It's not a laxative! It's a diuretic! So it should make him.want to piss not defecate! So what? The effect in the book is the same! Who cares? I CARE!!! If you're puting the name of the drug in your book, then please make sure, that it's use and effects are going to be used correctly. Thank you for reading my rant. Let me know, do you have similar pet peeves in books, when it comes to your professions? Are there similar issues present in different translations of the book or in the original? P.S.: If you want east asian crime story with better medical descriptions, I really recommend Mrs. Shim is a Killer P.P.S.: I geniuenly liked Strange Pictures and I recommend it. It was a fun read, if you can describe a book about childhood trauma as such 😅