The Hospital Is Full

[Steve]

Fourth Cycle of the month of Kalandryas, Season of Winter

The Adam du'Galle Memorial Hospital has been filled to its capacity by humans who are suffering from the malady that has been been gradually intensifying for the past several cycles.

The symptoms of those affected were fatigue, malaise, fever, perspiration and sometimes convulsions. In the Hospital, most of those affected recovered in about one cycle but about 5% of those affected died within five brightenings. The survival rate for those hospitalized was much better than for those who did not get medical attention.

[Joyau delaLune]

Shortly after she arrived in Taralon, Joyau was interning at the hospital when an epidemic of monsterous proportions hit the city. She had heard that in the Autumn, several cycles earlier, the malady had started affecting the human population with symptoms of fatigue, malaise, fever, perspiration and sometimes convulsions.

Luckily the malady did not affect faes, at least it appeared it did not, and she was anxious to become useful. Many were dying, and even when the patient did not subcumb to it, there was a long period of suffering before they rallied.

Joyau reported to her supervisor's office at the De'Gaulle hospital ready to work at whatever the patients needed to alleviate their suffering. She had not expected the hospital to be full, and that concerned her greatly. She knocked on the supervisor's door before entering. in case he was busy.

[Steve]

The Healer came to the door, his face showing the affects of little sleep and hard work.

"Ah, good that you have come, I was about to look for you. We are not doing any better on saving these folks with this new malady. I had hoped that we would have found something to stop this but it has not happened. It seems that all we can do is treat the symptoms in those afflicted. Short of using spells, there seems to be no way to stop these deaths. We are not going to use spells because it is too tiring and helps very few.

"Continue with treating the symptoms. You might try bleeding some of them and see if that helps.

"You have been doing well with your work but because of your size there are limitations in your effectiveness. To help you with the heavy work, I am giving you two assistants. Let me introduce them."

There were two Dwarfs next to him.

"These are brother and sister who have offered to help. The red haired fellow is Hematite. He is deaf.

"The black haired lass is Ebony. She is mute.

"They have managed to come up with methods of their own by which they communicate with each other quickly and effectively. I'm sure you will soon be communicating with them easily. They know nothing about healing but they are quick learners. Of course being Dwarfs, they are quite strong.

"Go with them, introduce yourself and do your best to help the sick people survive."

Originally Posted by Joyau delaLune

Shortly after she arrived in Taralon, Joyau was interning at the hospital when an epidemic of monsterous proportions hit the city. She had heard that in the Autumn, several cycles earlier, the malady had started affecting the human population with symptoms of fatigue, malaise, fever, perspiration and sometimes convulsions.

Luckily the malady did not affect faes, at least it appeared it did not, and she was anxious to become useful. Many were dying, and even when the patient did not subcumb to it, there was a long period of suffering before they rallied.

Joyau reported to her supervisor's office at the De'Gaulle hospital ready to work at whatever the patients needed to alleviate their suffering. She had not expected the hospital to be full, and that concerned her greatly. She knocked on the supervisor's door before entering. in case he was busy.

[Joyau delaLune]

Joyau's supervisor had spoken and she found herself in charge of two dwarves to help her with the patients she would treat.

Joyau had her medical kit with her, with her healing parchments and herbal medication book she had diligently studied during her courses at the Panacea. She asked her supervisor, Is there a dispensary here where I may order herbal medications to be administered to the patients if I see fit.

(If he says yes, she will try to treat with herbal medications they have in stock. If not, she will just continue to do the best she can do with what she has.)

Turning to Ebony and Hermatite she said, "my name is Joyau, it is a pleasure to meet you." She could see Ebony making some sort of signals to Hematite. She smilled at both when they had finished communicating. The dwarves looked at her and nodded. Please follow me and I will start my rounds to visit the patients who are sick. She started walking down the hall and into the wards, starting first with the women. All the patients were humans and in various stages of the disease.

She first stopped at a desk where a nurse sat and inquired to her, "I am here with my assistants, Ebony and Hematite. We will be seeing to the comfort and well-being of the patients. May I have their parchments to see what their treatment has been and if they have had no medication, then I would like to see what symptoms they have been exhibiting."

[Steve]

For reasons of their own, the Dwarfs were anxious to help and eager to please Joyau. They did anything, within their capabilities, that the Fae requested. When she asked about herbal medications, her supervisor replied, "Our supply of herbal medications has been depleted. The number of patients has been greater than we have ever experienced or anticipated. Add to that, the Imperial Legion has needs as well in order to keep as many soldiers fit to fight as possible.

However, we have ample supply of powdered willow bark. There are many willow trees in Taralon so you can get as much as you need from the dispensary. We have found that when dosed with powdered willow bark regularly, the fever and pain are eased for most of the sick.

The Hospital was filled beyond its capacity and there was no longer any effort made to segregate males and females.

When Joyau asked for the patients' parchments, the nurse replied, "We have long ago ran out of parchments and must use our limited funds for more important needs than parchment. All of those afflicted with this new malady are dosed with powdered willow bark four times each brightening. They are given as much water as they can comfortably consume."

[Joyau delaLune]

Joyau set her medical bag down on a table, then pulled out her notebook to record her patient's vitals. She noticed that the womans ward was filled with both men and women. She also had her water bag with her. "Hematite, I need you to fill this water skin with fresh water and bring it back to me." She waited until Ebony had motioned with her hands, and then saw a broad smile come over his face as he shook his head up and down.

After Hemitite left Joyau pulled some cloth from her medic bag and handed it to Ebony. "After Hemitite comes back with the water, please wet the cloth and start at this end of the ward. Please wipe the patient's face with the cool cloth to refresh them. Give them a cup of water if they want it. It appears that they will need their tea shortly, so we will have to use the water to make tea, also. She found the pitcher which contained the herbal tea. (empty or full) Even if there was some tea some more would have to be made for later.

"Until then I will try to take the patient's history and their vitals."
Going to the first bed she asked the patient, "How are you feeling."Taking the vitals she found that their pulse seemed rapid. They were still warm from fever also.

Joyau found a tall stool and pulled it over to the first bed. It would be better to sit at eye level with the patient than have the patient try to look down and see who was talking to her. She flew up and sat down on the stool beside the patient. She moved a little to readjust her wings and her notebook and pen than said, "I would like to have your name? What are your symptoms?"
"How long have you had these symptoms?"
"Did you get any bites from and insect or animal before you started having symptoms."

Although Joyau didn't have experience in treating insect bites, she knew from general knowledge and her knowledge from her herbalism textbooks that sometimes when people got bit by insects they had a rash or lump and sometimes got sick or died. She thought just maybe the malady could be from a bite.

[Steve]

Joyau

The questions and replies about insect bites did not help Joyau understand this malady any better.

All of the affected patients were human. Almost all of them recalled being in proximity to a human with similar symptoms.

There was ample supply of tea and coffee for use as beverages.

Common household herbs and spices that may have had medicinal value were readily available.

[Joyau delaLune]

After interviewing the patients, Joyau realized that her assumption that the malady could be caused by an insect bite was probably not true. She asked Ebony and Hematite to boil the water for tea as she went over her notebook carefully. There were patients that had headaches, stomach problems and fevers. She went into her herbal remedies parchments to find some household spices which might alleviate some of their symptoms.

After the water was boiled she made the willow bark infusions to the proper strength and then turned to Ebony and Hematite, "Would you please see that the patients are given their cups of tea. Ask the nurses and orderlies help you, while I try to find some spices I think can also help with some of their symptoms."

She went into the hospital kitchen and asked the cook if they had a supply cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron or clove. If they had no nutmeg, did they have mace.

If they had these spices, she would use them to alleviate some of the symptoms of the patients.

She still puzzled over how the disease was transmitted, if not by insects or animals. The only other explanation was that most of the people who were sick were around someone with those symptoms before getting sick. Was it possible that the disease was transmitted from one person to another. Horror struck Joyau's heart at this thought. If it were true the disease would not be contained until all sick people were rounded up and kept away from people who were not sick. Otherwise every human in Taralon, of which there were thousands would eventually come down with the disease.

Joyau flew to the Master's office. When she reached the door, she didn't hesitate thistime, she opened the door and flew right in. She saw him at his desk before he saw her. Breathlessly Joyau held out her notebook, as if to convince him of her suspicions.

"Master, could it be possible that the symptoms of this disease pass it on directly from human to human. My research shows that the patients didn't have bug or animal bites, however, they had been in close proximity to others shortly before they came down with the symptoms. If this is true, we need to make sure all humans with these symptoms are gathered up, in a place where they cannot spread the disease. It also means their family members are in danger of getting the same thing. I don't know how it is transmitted, but it seems human to human contact is the only answer."

[Steve]

Ebony and Hematite boiled the water for tea and managed to distribute it themselves. The regular hospital staff were already working as hard as they could providing palliative care for those who were recuperating as well as for those who were dying. They just did not have time to take on additional work just then.

When she went into the hospital kitchen and asked the cook if they had a supply cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron or clove, the cook chuckled. "Saffron you say? It would indeed be a blessing to cook in an establihment that could afford to use saffron. I do have the rest of what you want uo on the shelf over the cutting board. You may have half of what I have. I need the rest to give some taste to the poor fare that we get here."

Joyau flew to the Master's office. When she reached the door, she didn't hesitate, she opened the door and flew right in. She saw him at his desk before he saw her. Breathlessly Joyau held out her notebook, as if to convince him of her suspicions. She said "Master, could it be possible that the symptoms of this disease pass it on directly from human to human. My research shows that the patients didn't have bug or animal bites, however, they had been in close proximity to others shortly before they came down with the symptoms. If this is true, we need to make sure all humans with these symptoms are gathered up, in a place where they cannot spread the disease. It also means their family members are in danger of getting the same thing. I don't know how it is transmitted, but it seems human to human contact is the only answer."

With a condescending smile, the Master replied, "How can a person pass a sickness to another person? I never heard of such a thing. A sickness is not an item that is handed from one person to another. That is foolishness. It is also foolish to consider that animals or insects spread the malady. You have a lot to learn. This malady was probably brought about by foul vapors and will not be gone until the vapors fade away.

"What you propose is also far beyond the authority and capabilities of the Hospital. Though I do not agree with you, I must say that nothing else has worked. You do not have my agreement but I will not stop you from pursuing this. Let me suggest that you take your idea to the Governor. If you convince him to implement your proposal then I will not object."

He shook his head, wondering how the Fae came up with such strange notion.

[Joyau delaLune]

At the Master's remarks, Joyau's excitment deflated. He was much more experienced than she and he scoffed at the notion that one human could transmit this malady to another. Why would he say she should see the governor, when he didn't believe it himself. Was it even possible. Vapors, he said, what did he mean by vapors? Joyau thought carefully about what she said next. She didn't even know who the governor was, and to go to a high official without proof.

It might do a lot of harm to put forth the idea that one person could cause another person to become sick. If they even half believed this was possible, there could be carnage in the streets as hundreds of people who developed symptoms might even kill someone who became sick.

The only other choice she had was to go back and try to treat the symptoms and hope for the best. Maybe this is what she should do for the time being.

She looked at the Master and said, "perhaps we should wait a while and see if the malady slows down. I will continue to treat the symptoms and see what happens."

She left his office as puzzled as ever. On her way to the ward, she stopped by the kitchen and picked up some cinnamon and nutmeg.

Back at the ward, she helped Ebony and Hemitite finish dosing the patients. We need to make some more tea for the next dose, she said to them. Why don't you go and get more water and then you and Ebony take a small break while I interview the new patients. More and more patients kept arriving until all the space in the halls was taken with litters. Joyau flitted from one strecher to the other asking the same question over and over. Had they any new insect or animal bites. If not, do they remember anything else unusual just before they became ill. A pattern began to form from Joyau's notes. Entire families were being affected. Friends were becoming sick, and many vendors who served a lot of people were becoming sick. The pattern emerging frightened Joyau, who realized that the malady was spreading out of control.

Even with the addition of the spices she saw no way they were going to be able to treat so many patients. People would soon be dying in the streets.

She flew back to the Master again. When she confronted him against, she said, "Things are very much out of control, and if we don't go to the governor, we are going to have thousands of people dying in the streets I fear. I don't even know who the governor is, and if he does believe me, how are we going to treat all these patients." She was desperate enough to realize that no matter what anyone thought of her, she was going to have to try to stop this epidemic. "I feel I must see him, as soon as possible."

[Steve]

Ebony and Hemitite took a well deserved break after completing their chores. Looking at the Hospital records, Joyau could see that there had been a steady increase in victims of this malady. It was not going to fade away, it was getting worse. There was trouble with the Orcs, then trouble with the Ratta and now this sickness was causing even more deaths. The Fae felt the burden of many problems weighing upon her.

She flew back to the Master again and once again spoke her mind. The Master replied, "If I knew for certain why this malady was spreading, I would tell you to stay put. However your recommendation just might be the answer, though I doubt it. There are awesome logistics involved in doing what you suggest and it is in fact a civic matter, not a healing matter. Not only Taralon is involved but it has manifested itself in the Provincial areas as well, especially among the Sheria Serpents. That is why I say that it will take the Governor to make the decision that you recommend." He then gave the Fae directions to the Governor's office and added, "You don't need to know his name, just address him as "Your Excellency". However, his name is Anvael."

[Joyau delaLune]

Several hours later Joyau returned to the hospital seeking out her master. Upon finding him she told him of the conversation between her and the Governor.

"Right now we need to get the orderlies to start transferring patients to the government buildings. We also need to make sure their families are quarantined too to see if they develop symptoms. There are guards who have accompanied me back to the hospital and they will help. The governor is sending for medications we need to keep the fever down. I think that is the most severe symptom and leads to convulsions and decline. Right now we need to send orderlies to set up field hospitals at the new government locations and out to the Sherian Serpents.

The governor will tell the city guards to not let any humans in or out of the city until the malady is gone. That way it will not spread to other cities. Other cities should be notified of the malady in case some humans have slipped out of the city with symptoms. Right now until we get the medicines, we can only do as we are doing now and use the willow bark tea."

[Aqua]

The Master, looking increasingly haggard, nodded to Joyau. "Very well then. Do as you must, and we'll see if we've got some sort of solution in the works. I'm still doubtful, but we have little other choice. Give the directions to the orderlies, and I'll see if we can't get people on the way to create field hospitals as well."

The sprite would find it relatively easy to carry out his tasks. The orderlies were in serious need of some way to direct their energy, and they would set about enacting Joyau's plan post haste. Perhaps the plague could still be stopped. Perhaps...

[Joyau delaLune]

Joyau energized by something concrete to do to help the humans, rounded up the orderlies. Then she spoke to them about carrying out the orders.

"We must set up field hospitals in the government buildings. The new patients in the halls must be transported to them. Take along all the supplies you need to set up the hospital.

She dispatched one of the orderlies to coordinate with the supplies department. "The soldiers will show you which buildings have been designated as field hospitals.

Fortunately the supplies were available because of the war. Many stretchers has gone unused.

"Until we receive the new herbal medications, we must use the willow bark tea. Be sure and keep the fevers down with cold wet clothes. Make sure no humans are allowed inside the hospital. Relatives must be separated and quarantined in another part of the buildings until we know whether there are any symptoms."

Joyau returned to the wards and after rounding up Hematite and Ebony began treating the more severe cases in the wards.

[Aqua]

The orderlies went about their work quickly, following Joyau's orders to the letter. Very soon, the field hospitals were established, and the quarantines imposed.

Some of the more severely affected recovered under Joyau's ministrations, though many died. When the herbal medications arrived, they were somewhat more effective. Perhaps even more importantly, the quarantines greatly helped in slowing the spread of the illness.

Eventually, the disease ran its course. It did not spread outside of Taralon, fortunately for the rest of the province. Although the death toll was high, it was nowhere near as bad as it might have been had those responsible for the public health not acted promptly.

OOC: +1 XP Healing, Joyau