Gorean Medicine/Medicinal Plants

 

A slave should know the basic life saving steps needed to keep A Master/Mistress alive in an emergency. These steps include stopping bleeding, treating for shock, CPR and burns. Most medical emergencies on Gor are going to be bleeding wounds. Due to the violent way in which most Goreans settle disputes, a girl can expect to find a wide variety of cuts and punctures.

Contents of a typical Gorean medical chest
scissors, scalpels, tweezers, cauterising irons, pliers needles for suturing reels of silk thread and gut soft cloths for cleaning and covering wounds rep cloth bandages a box of kanda leaves (these are chewed to numb the body) a pot of numbing salve (dried ground kanda leaves in lard) a pot of healing salve a pot of antiseptic green herbal powder sleeping aid (valerian powder) sterile water bandages and dressings emetics to induce vomiting

Healing
Because Goreans are healthier, and because of such medical advances as the Stabilization Serums, wounds heal faster than on earth.

All wounds on Gor heal quickly and Goreans are very rarely ill Bones can heal as fast as 3 days Tendons in as fast as 2 days Bruises in as little as 1 day

Drugs Agrimony is an antibiotic salve Bergament salve is used for itching and rashes Brak bush is a shrub whose leaves have a pergatory effect when chewed Capture Scent will render a person unconscious when inhaled. Can also be used in a dart. Healing salve a gift of the Priest Kings. When applyed it will heal a cut in a few minutes. Honey is applied to wounds to help promote healing Green herbal powder is used to clean wounds when mixed with water. Can also be sprinkled into a clean wound. Ka la na root is steeped in water and used to cleanse wounds. Kur fat is used to stop infections Matchweed is an anti-coagulant Mudpacks are placed on a sprained ankle to help with swelling and pain Numbing salve (dried ground kanda leaves in lard) Sleeping Powder it is an amber powder - add water and shake, turns a dark blue Tassa powder when mixed with ka la na, it will render the patient unconscious, it is a reddish powder Tubers are used to make packs to stop external bleeding by drying them, then crushing them, mixing them with water to form the pack White Sage is used to help fight off infections Wylow, parts of this tree are used for pain relief, the bark is chewed, while the leaves and buds are brewed as a tea Yellow powder is concentrated brak brush. Used as a laxative, causes diarrhea. Zingiber is used for nausea

Bruises, sprains and strains Apply a cool mud pack to the area (ice packs if available). In the case of a sprained wrist, ankle etc the mud (ice) pack can be held in place by bandaging.

Simple cuts and punctures These are easily dealt with by the obvious cleaning and bandaging of the wound. If a girl reads the lists of drugs, she will see that she has many choices for salves and powders to fight infection and to kill pain. (A note on pain relief: Kanda leaf is a toxic narcotic. There are many more alternatives to this for pain relief.) Slaves of Ko ro ba will offer wylow as the first choice for numbing pain. If kanda leaf is specifically requested, it may be given.

Wash the wound with green herbal powder mixed with water or ka lana root steeped in water in a bowl. Use a clean rep cloth to wash it. For deep punctures or cuts pour directly onto the wound. Smooth numbing salve to the wound edges.
Bandage with rep cloth bandage.

 

Serious cuts and punctures This an area in which a slave must do the main life saving steps and then get the help of a physician. If not bleeding badly, do the above steps but call for the help of a healer to treat the wound. Often you will find that there is arterial bleeding. This is when a girl must move fast. The first step is to stop the bleeding. This is accomplished by means of direct pressure or in a worse case scenerio with a tourniquet. The tourniquet should only be used if the patient isn't able to, or if another bystander isn't around to hold direct pressure on the wound while you go for help. Do not pull out arrows or other barbed weapons. A slave may remove knives etc. by grasping them in a cloth and laying them beside the Master. Do not cauterise wounds. this invites infection.

Don'ts of bleeding wounds
Don't pull the bandage off once you have a bad cut stopped bleeding.
Don't pull out barbed weapons.
Don't cauterize a wound.

Shock Shock can be fatal if not treated and is often overlooked by the inexperienced. Trauma, whether it's cuts, burns, poison, allergic reaction or exposure, can induce shock. A girl should have the patient lay down, keep Him calm, elevate the legs slightly, except in the case of a head wound. Loosen any restrictive clothing. Remember the main goal is to increase the blood flow to the primary organs, in particular the brain. Keep Him warm but do not allow to over heat. The patient can have as much water He wants to drink...but remember the main thing is to keep Him calm. Don't force Him to drink.

 

Signs of shock include:

pale clammy skin
rapid heart rate
low blood pressure
decreased alertness
confusion

 

Don'ts of shock
Don't over heat the patient.
Don't let the patient become aggitated, keep Him calm.

Broken bones and Types of breaks:
Incomplete: The break doesn't go through the whole bone.
Complete: The bone is broken all the way through but still in contact.
Simple fracture: The break goes all the way through the bone. The bone is separated but held together by muscle and skin.

Compound fracture: The bone has penetrated the skin.

 

Broken bones need to be handled by a healer. NEVER try to reset the bone yourself. The only thing a girl need do is to immobilize the limb or body area. On an extremity a simple splint will work. This kind of situation is a perfect example of where shock can set in without the girl realizing the problem. When splinting a limb be sure to use ample padding before applying the splints.

 

Don'ts of broken bones
Don't try to reset the break.
Don't allow the bone to move.
Don't apply a splint without applying ample padding first.

 

Burns and Types of burns? A slave should know the basic life saving steps needed to keep A Master/Mistress alive in an emergency. These steps include stopping bleeding, treating for shock, CPR and burns. Most medical emergencies on Gor are going to be bleeding wounds. Due to the violent way in which most Goreans settle disputes, a girl can expect to find a wide variety of cuts and punctures.

 

Burns and Types of burns
First degree burns The outer layer of skin is burned. It will be red and painful.
Second degree burns Deeper burns, into the second layer of tissue.
Third degree burns Can be extremely deep, doing damage to muscle and tendon.

 

Burns need to be kept clean and bandaged. Gently bathe the burn in clean cool water, change dressing often. Infection is a major concern of burn victims. Again burns are an area that shock is very likely. Watch the patient closely and treat for it.

Don'ts of treating burns
Don't apply salve or grease.
Don't bathe or soak in ice water. cool water is ok.
Don't peel off dead or blistered skin.

 

First degree burns The outer layer of skin is burned. It will be red and painful.
Second degree burns Deeper burns, into the second layer of tissue.
Third degree burns Can be extremely deep, doing damage to muscle and tendon.

Burns need to be kept clean and bandaged. Gently bathe the burn in clean cool water, change dressing often. Infection is a major concern of burn victims. Again burns are an area that shock is very likely. Watch the patient closely and treat for it.

 

Don'ts of treating burns
Don't apply salve or grease.
Don't bathe or soak in ice water. cool water is ok.
Don't peel off dead or blistered skin.
Ascertain the history of the incident from the patient (If conscious) and witnesses also ask to see Room scrolls).

Check the patient's (calmness, confidence and reassurance will go a long way to reduce shock.)
Respiration (rescusitate if necessary)
Bleeding (control bleeds)
Neck and spinal alignment
Major limbs (possible fractures - internal bleeding)
Pupils (shock, drugs)
Skin (Texture and tone)
Alertness (concussions for hidden or secondary conditions)
Pain areas

 

Wash hands with preferably hot water and then with an antiseptic astringent

Assemble medical equipment in a safe field (field surgical kit, sterilized instrument tray in consulting room, would repair kit etc)

Deal with the most serious and dangerous injuries first.

 

When finished, the patient should be comfortable and instructions issued for continued care, medications (including herbal preparations), when to return for suture removal if necessary and rest period.

 

Vital Signs

 

It is necessary for vital signs (skin, eyes, respiration and pulse) to be checked on arrival at the scene or meeting the patient, and at various stages of the treatment. This is even more critical when the patient suffers from more serious complaints or injuries, and during surgery.

 

even in the basic care of a patient while waiting for the physician these are good to know to tell the PHY

Skin
Cool and toned ~ normal
Hot and Dry ~ possible fever
Cold and Clammy ~ possible shock

 

Pulse
Strong and Steady (72 per minute) ~ normal
Strong and rapid ~ adrenalin high, and possible excited or scared ~ shock (needs careful watching.
Weak and Thready ~ possible trauma ~ serious condition and needs careful watching

Respiration
Steady and Even ~ normal
Rapid (panting) ~ respiratory problems such as an obstacle in the throat or a chest wound, shock
Rapid (hyperventilation) ~ fear, shock, pain, respiratory problems such as allergies.
Sturtious (laboured) ~ extreme fear, severe shock, serious trauma (patient may be close to death)

Pupils
Pupils Normal and Clear ~ normal
Normal sized but Clouded ~ mental confusion, possible concussion, extreme depression
Pupils pinpoint ~ usually under the influence of a drug
Pupils Very Large ~ possible concussion and head injuries, extreme fear, shock

 

Alertness
Normally Alert and Able To respond To Questions ~ normal
Confused ~ shock, concussion, blood loss, serious trauma, fear, drug influence, sleep deprivation, extreme pain

Temperature
36 degrees Celsius ~ normal
Low Temp ~ Hyperthermia and possible shock, major trauma
High Temp ~ Hypothermia, fever

 

LIST OF MEDICAL PLANTS AND THEIR USES

Agrimony is an antibiotic salve :leaves of the herb possess antibiotic qualities.

Allium : (garlic) its oils are effective against both Gram-positive bacteria (such as staphylococcal and streptococcal infections), Gram-negative and acid-fast organisms; most effective in lowering elevated blood sugar levels as well as moderating high blood pressure; the oil penetrates skin readily and moves through the bloodstream quickly

Bergamot : leaves are used for itching and rashes

 

Brak bush : a shrub whose leaves have a purgatory effect when chewed. In large doses, the leaves will induce vomiting. When taken as tea, brak bush acts as a laxative and systemic cleanser. In some towns and cities branches are nailed to house doors during the Waiting Hand to discourage the entry of bad luck into the house for the New Year

Breeding wine/second wine : given to slave girls to make them fertile again, it counteracts slave wine, the active ingredient being Teslik

Capture Scent : will render a person unconscious when inhaled. It can be used in a dart; Chloroform

Cayenne Pepper: Will level out blood pressure, when made as a tea helps to stop internal bleeding, when applied as a paste, stops external bleeding. --Tribesmen of Gor, pg. 36

Chamomile: a flower that is dried and then brewed into a tea for stomach upset and pain

Cloves : flower buds are the parts that are used. The essential oil was once primarily used as a dental anesthetic (the active component is called eugenol) Use 3-4 cloves per cup of boiling water, steep and then strain. The infusion is a powerful anti-nausea treatment and the cooled infusion may be used as a mouthwash to quell the pain of canker sores and fever blisters, as well as over the skin for light sunburn

Coffee : Coffee too has medicinal qualities, evidenced by the fondness for Gorean blackwine (strong coffee prepared like espresso). Recent studies have suggested that even simply the aroma of coffee may have anti-oxidant properties, leading to longer life for cells (oxidation increases cellular degeneration). Coffee is a strong stimulant (obviously) and diuretic, and the frequent user can develop a tolerance effect to higher doses. (Caffeine is a chemical in the alkaloid group, in the same chemical family as morphine, strychnine, quinine, ephedrine, and nicotine).

Dried sunflower Seeds are used in a crushed form and smoked in a pipe to help clear the head and ease cold symptoms.

Frobicain Is a sedative injection used during Voyages of Acquisition to render a captured barbarian unconscious ~*Assassin of Gor, p 126*~

 

Gieron : A drug, allergen, which causes a yellowing of the whites of the eyes, in combination with Sajel, It reproduces the symptoms of the Bazi plague.Noninfectious

Green tea - ( Gorean Bazi tea) or [Camellia sinesis], is uncured tea and has antimicrobial, anti-neoplastic (anti-cancer) and anti-inflammatory effects. Green tea is often used as a mouthwash when cooled to decrease the swelling of periodontal disease.

Healing Salve : a gift of the Priest Kings. Applied to the skin, it will heal a wound within a few minutes.

Hemp : used like Earthen Dopamine to increase blood pressure

Honey : applied to wounds to help and promote healing

Kanda: A shrub of the Gorean desert; a lethal poison can be extracted from its roots, while chewing the leaves has an addictive narcotic effect. Rolled leaves, chewed for pain relief, just DO NOT swallow them

Kalana root :steeped in water and used to cleanse wounds

Kur fat : used to stop infections

Lavenia: Infusion:To be taken internally, pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teasthingy of the dried herb flowers and leave to infuse for 10mins.Then 1-3 ml to be taken by mouth for pain. May be used topically in salve medium.

Matchweed :an anticoagulant

Mudpacks :are used when healing sprains, soft tissue trauma and reduce swelling and pain

Numbing salve : relieves pain locally

Peppermint : used to fight off infection and aid in the easement of nausea, headache and cold symptoms. is also a mild stimulant and aids in concentration.

Sajel :A drug which causes harmless pustules to erupt on the body; in combination with Gieron it reproduces the symptoms of the Bazi plague. Book 13: Explorers of Gor, page 154

Sip Root: A bitter root whose extract is the active ingredient in slave wine. Red Savages make their slaves chew as a means of birth control

Slave Wine: A black bitter beverage that acts as a contraceptive; its effect is instantaneous and lasts until reversed

Sleeping Powder: an amber powder - add water and shake, turns a dark blue

 

Tassa Powder: A reddish powder usually mixed with red wine which renders the consumer unconscious. Book 14: Fighting Slave of Gor, page 222-223 Book 16: Guardsman of Gor, page 113 Book 20: Players of Gor, page 293

Teslik : made into breeding wine to render slave girls fertile.

Tospit: Small, wrinkled, yellowish-white peachlike fruit, about the size of a plum, which grows on the Tospit bush, patches of which are indigenous to the drier valleys of the eastern Cartius. They are bitter but edible, and are sometimes served sliced and sweetened with honey, and in syrups, and to flavor, with their juices, a variety of dishes. Theyare also carried on sea voyages to prevent nutritional deficiencies. Book 4 Nomads of Gor, page 59 Book 9: Marauders of Gor, page 102 Book 10, Tribesmen of Gor, page 46

Tubers : used to make packs to stop external bleeding

Valerian... Rhizome, Stolons and Roots 1 teasthingy of the dried herb and 1/2 cup water infuse for 10 min. This one is most widely used.
Tincture:1/2 to 1 teasthingy is given and indeed up to 2 teasthingys at one time. (Note: This is a very strong sedative, use it with care. )

 

White Sage : leaves of the plant are used to help fight infection

Willow arts of this tree are used for pain relief, the barkis chewed, while the leaves and buds are brewed as tea

Yellow powder :It is concentrated brak brush. Used as a laxative, causes diarrhea.

Zingiber :a tea is Used for nausea