HEALING

Healing is done by the Caste of Physicians

you may be taught life saving measures to keep a

person alive till a Physician can be summoned

you as a slave are NOT a Physician or even a Healer

You will learn the ABC s of healing 

AIRWAY  BREATHING CIRCULATION

 proceed accordingly till a Healer or Physician can be brought to the Home

though surgeries and advanced healing will always be done by a Free ...A Physician or Healer ...you have to know enough to keep the patient alive till a Physician can arrive at the Home...

so you will learn how to stitch a deep serious wound and to attend minor ones

you will also learn to check for blocked airways and how to restart someones breathing

you will learn what to do for a patient going into shock and or how to prevent this

If and when the Physician arrives ...you will ask if you should stay to assist

pay close attention

follow all instructions

dont question or debate His or Her treatment

 

 

SUTURING TECHNIQUES

Before attempting to suture any wound the person healing should wash their hands throughly with soap and water..if no soap and water is available at least rince in some alcohol ie:paga or wine to cleanse them, the only exception to this is if a wound is life threatening where speed is of the essence,even then its risky as infection could set in.

Sutures are inserted individualy and not as a continuous suture. That way if a suture bursts the whole wound doesn't open.

1. Grasp the needle with the needle holder at the threaded end.
2. Push through the tissue to be sutured, releasing the needle holder, making sure the edges of the tissue are not overlapping.
3. Pull the thread through, grasp the tail with the needle holder and tie off the suture.
4. Cut the suture
5. Repeat till the wound is closed neatly.
6. Now close the skin layers using the same technique
NO HEAT WILL BE SHOWN BY SLAVES WHILE HEALING. MAKE IT SHORT AND TO THE POINT. Cleanse, If patient is awake administer tassa powder mixed in kalana once patient is "asleep", suture if needed and apply a dressing.

Slash/stab type wounds

For wounds that penetrate muscle, the tissue must be repaired in layers, starting with the muscle and using gut for the suture as it is dissolvable.. Carefully align the muscle edges, making sure no debris remains in the wound and follow the instructions for suturing techniques
The skin can then be repaired using silk interrupted stitches where each stitch is placed individually and knotted before moving on to the next stitch

ARROW AND CROSSBOW WOUNDS

"The hunting arrow, incidentally, has a long, tapering point, and this point is firmly fastened to the shaft. This makes it easier to withdraw the arrow from its target. The war arrow, on the other hand, uses an arrowhead whose base is either angled backwards, forming barbs, or cut straight across, the result in both cases being to make the arrow difficult to extract from a wound. The head of the war arrow, too, is fastened less securely to the shaft than is that of the hunting arrow. The point thus by intent, if the shaft is pulled out, is likely to linger in the wound. Sometimes it is possible to thrust the arrow through the body, break off the point and then withdraw the shaft backwards. At other times, if the point becomes dislodged in the body, it is common to seek it with a bone or greenwood probe, and then, when one has found it, attempt to work it free with a knife. There are cases where men have survived this. Much depends, of course, on the location of the point."
-Savages of Gor pg. 40


Here, we do not use bone or wood instruments but the principal remains the same, The barb must be removed.
The probes take the shape of 2 spoon like instruments that will fit round the head of the arrow to allow it to be pulled free without causing any further tissue damage, however, if the arrow is in a limb and not pressing on bone, nerves or blood vessels it is acceptable to push it through the wound, remove the head and pull the shaft free.
In many instances, if the wound is deep then it should not be sutured the first day but merely packed with ribbon gauze to allow healing to take place from the inside of the wound out. This allows for quicker healing and less chance of infection.


FRACTURES

The principals are to stabilise and then immobilise the area.
If a limb is fractured, keep the limb still and if it is an open fracture, cover the wound with a clean dry cloth.

Immobilise by carefully aligning the bones by applying gentle traction till the limb is straight and no grating of the bone edges are felt. Apply a splint to keep the limb stable and prevent any movement.

IF a patient has fractured ribs, DO NOT apply any splints or bandages to this area. This will only hamper breathing. The chest muscles and ribs provide a natural splint. The only treatment is rest and pain medication.

MINOR WOUNDS
All that is needed for minor cuts and grazes is for the area to be cleansed and allow to heal naturally. Not every wound needs sutured or bandaged.

GENERAL HEALING INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO...

The basic assesment of the patient should start with ABC
Airway - There is no point in attending to a Warriors wounds if He is choking to death in front of you. Tilt the head back to make sure the airway is open
Breathing-Again, what's the point of merrily suturing away if He's blue because His breathing has stopped
Circulation-Now check the bleeding and deal with it



If the Patient needs to be sutured or is in great pain you can administer a dose of tassa powder in wine to render Him asleep or a shot of frobicain this injection will make Him unconscience Make sure to check for signs of shock before administering anything to Him. NO kanda   will be chewed this may make things worse ...imagine an angry wounded Warrior sent into halucinations ... If a wound is so severe that the Patient requires surgery then He will be sedated after ensuring He is not in shock from blood loss.

Assess the wound and the type of bleeding, Arterial bleeding is bright red and will spurt at the same rate as the heart beat and is the more serious type of bleed, Venous bleeding is slower and steadier, darker and is easier to control. Apply direct pressure to the wound to try and press on the vessel that is bleeding either by pressing firmly with the palm of the hand or by using pads until the torn vessels can be sutured with very fine gut. DO NOT CAUTERISE.

If the patient appears to be going into shock, becoming pale, clammy and cold then an immediate blood transfusion needs to be given or at least infused with premade bags of IV saline(salt water) after inserting a large bore IV needle into a large VEIN. These are kept in the Med Kits  If more are needed they are stored in the Medical Cylinder... . Elevate the legs.

Blood Group O negative is the universal donor type blood and can be given without matching to the pataients own group
Should someone's life be in danger, then drastic measures may have to be taken, treat the patient where they lie and use whatever instruments are to hand while someone else brings a med kit. NO flowerieness to be used in descriptiveness, TREAT, STABILISE and MOVE if able.

If an injury is to a limb, elevate that limb to cause bleeding to slow down.

NO CAUTERY WILL BE USED - This does much more damage to the vessels and underlying tissues that it ever saves. The only time cautery is ever used is on tiny leaking vessels during surgery that are too small to be tied. Think about it...why would you ever burn two edges of a wound and think it would close. Clamps with flat blades will be used on all bleeding arteries before a repair is attempted.

Do NOT apply heat to a fresh injury as heat dilates (opens) blood vessels and will cause the bleeding to increase. Ice will constrict blood vessels but be careful when applying ice packs that an ice "burn" is not caused. Always make an ice pack by enclosing the ice in a rep cloth.

NO tourniquets should be applied without instruction from a Physician. Wrong use of tourniquets can cause gangrene and the loss of a limb.

Burns

Burns and scalds will be treated by immersing the part in cold water or pouring copious quantities of cold water over the burned areas.
Do not try to remove burned clothing that is stuck to the skin. This will tear off the surface layer of skin and allow infection into the raw surface. Remember that under the burned clothing is sterile
Do not burst blisters unless ordered by a Physician. Medical help should be sought quickly.
NO salves will be applied unless ordered by a Physician.
Cover the burned area with clean non fluffy cloths, rep is ideal

Burns or scalds to a child MUST be treated quickly by a Physician

Gorean LifeMedicine

Contraception on Gor

Slavewine ...
There are two mixtures of slave wine, both are a blend of watered down Ka-la-na and bitter herbs given to the slave by her Master. The first type, is meant to prevent pregnancy whereas the second type is called "breeding wine" and is given to a girl to counteract the effect the slavewine, when her Master wishes to breed her.

Slave wine is bitter, intentionally so. Its effects lasts for more than a Gorean month. I did not wish the females to conceive. A female slave is taken off slave wine only when it is her master's intention to breed her."
---Marauders of Gor, p 23

Need I drink that? I asked, apprehensively.

Unless you have had slave wine," he said, "I have no intention of taking you through the streets clad as you are. Suppose you are raped." I put the flask, which he had opened, to my lips. Its opening was large enough to drink freely from. "It is bitter!" I said, touching my lips to it. "It is the standard concentration, and dosage," he said, "plus a little more, for assurance.

Its effect is indefinite, but it is normally renewed annually, primarily for symbolic purposes. I could not believe how bitter it was. I had learned from Susan, whom I had once questioned on the matter, the object.

It is prepared from a derivative of sip root. The formula, too, I had learned, at the insistence of masters and slavers, had been improved by the caste of physicians within the last few years. It was now, for most practical purposes, universally effective. Too, as Drusus Rencius bad mentioned, its effects, at least for most practical purposes, lasted indefinitely.
---Kajira of Gor, p 130

Have you had your slave wine?" asked Ina. "Yes," I said. This is not really wine, or an alcoholic beverage. It is called slave wine I think for the amusement of the Masters. It is extremely bitter. One draught of the substance is reputed to last until the administration of an appropriate releaser. In spite of this belief however or perhaps in deference to tradition, lingering from earlier times, in which, it seems less reliable slave wines were available, doses of this foul stuff are usually administered to female slaves at regular intervals usually once or twice a year. Some girls rather cynical ones, I suspect speculate that the Masters give it to them more often than necessary just because they enjoy watching them down the terrible stuff.
---Dancer of Gor pg 174

Slave wine makes sense in a slave-holding culture such as Gor. The breeding of slaves, like any sort of domestic animals, and particularly valuable ones, is carefully controlled. As a slave, of course, I could be bred, or crossed, when, and however, my master might see fit. It is the same as with other animals.
---Dancer of Gor, pp 175

 

Herbs and Drugs that you may see used.

Agrimony : 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
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 woundsKur fat : used to stop infectionsLavenia: Infusion:To be taken internally, pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoon 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 painNumbing 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 154Sip 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 bleedingValerian... Rhizome, Stolons and Roots 1 teaspoon of the dried herb and 1/2 cup water infuse for 10 min. This one is most widely used.
Tincture:1/2 to 1 teaspoon is given and indeed up to 2 teaspoons 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 :Parts 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

 

Several Med Kits kept in the Inn one in Main Hall behind the bar on a shelf

One in Master Tuck's Chambers for use above Stairs

One in the Kennel for use on ailing or injured slaves

learn the contents and their uses

Contents of Medical Kits


Sterile rep cloth pads
Bandages - assorted sizes
Scissors - large for cutting clothing and small scissors for general use
Suture kits
Flat bladed forceps
Scalpels - various sizes
Various salves
Tweezers
Pliers
Cupped spoons for removing arrow heads
Metal cutters
AdhesiveTape
Safety pins
Silk strips
Antiseptic Solution - boiled water with green powder pre mixed in
Paga for cleansing hands and surfaces. NOT for cleansing skin (just imagine neat alcohol on an open wound - "ouch")
Selection of sedatives plus needles and syringes - only to be used by a Physician
Saline solution plus IV needles and infusion sets - only to be used by a Physician
Skin bags (for heat and cold compresses)
Sterile rep swabs

Suture kits will be made up and kept ready in med kits at all times.

These will comprise of a small tray containing :
-a selection of curved needles threaded with silk and vulo gut of varying thicknesses,
-a scalpel
- toothed forceps to pull tissue edges together
- a pair of clamp style forceps with smooth edges to clamp bleeding vessels
-a small pair of scissors
-a needle holder similar to the clamp forceps but with ridged ends to the blades
-a small pair of scissors

Sedation
Kanda leaves will not be used for sedation or healing purposes. The only use kanda had was to provide a "high" effect and render the user almost senseless. The roots contain a deadly poison which is made into kanda paste and used on weapons.

it is effective as a pain killer but may make patient halucinate ....not good...

If sedation needs to be used, We will use the following drugs. Please see quotes pages for references:

Capture scent (chloroform) - but a second person must be available to check the Patient's airway,

Sleeping powder - an amber powder which when mixed with water turns dark blue

Tassa powder - which is a reddish powder, usually mixed with red wine to disguise the colour, this makes the patient unconscious

Frobicain which can be injected Intravenously or Intramuscularly.

Thanks to the following Sources for information on this page
MSN PHYSICIANS GUILD
Moon Productions
Gorean Library of knowledge
John Normans books on gor
The Central Fire
The Gorean Cave
FLN Training comm
Links will be provided
once entire comm is finished
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