Donated blood is transfused to a patient immediately in the movie "Tiny Times 4". (Photo/screenshot from TV)
(ECNS) -- Chinese movies and TV series are being caught out showing an apparent ignorance of science and history.
In screen dramas, for example, doctors are incorrectly performing blood transfusions and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); while in another genre, an empress carried a child for her father-in-law by mistake.
A movie called Tiny Times 4 directed by China's best-selling author Guo Jingming is guilty of multiple misunderstandings regarding blood types and transfusions, according to a blood center in Xiamen city, Fujian province.
Blood types O and Rh were confused while blood was transfused immediately after donation, grossly ignoring proper procedure, which usually takes three to four days, which ensures the blood is healthy and safe.
In a hospital-themed TV series, a doctor ordered the injection of "9 percent normal saline" into an unconscious patient. In fact, the solution's density should be 0.9 percent, which would be "salty enough to make pickles."
In a different episode, a doctor was trying to help at a traffic accident by moving the injured to an ambulance. However, professionals pointed out that it is best not to recklessly move the injured in such a situation. Moreover, the doctor's CPR was too slow to save anyone. Finally, doctors took a 200-ml blood sample for testing, which far exceeds the typical amount of around two to four ml.
In a lawyer-themed TV series, a lawyer presented audio evidence in court, which was covertly recorded without the speaker's knowledge or consent. The plot faces criticism as audiences argue the evidence was illegally recorded and therefore would not qualify as proper evidence.
War-themed TV series showcased even more ignorance as Chinese warriors ripped apart Japanese soldiers with their bare hands or killed a dozen of them in a flash with one flying dagger. Real Chinese veterans who actually fought in World War II are highly offended by such plots.
In a more recent series called The Empress of China, Wu Zetian, the only female empress in Chinese history, carried a child for Li Shimin by mistake. Historically, Wu was made pregnant by Li Zhi, who was Li Shimin's ninth son. The mistake was only corrected by editing after all the shooting was complete. The series also showed Wu reading thread-bound books, which were historically unavailable until thousands of years later.
It is suggested scriptwriters, who lack knowledge in specific fields, are directly responsible for these anti-commonsense plots. Producers are also rushing to finish shooting as quickly as possible, which also does not help accuracy.
