EXCISING the TAINT of POWERFUL POISONS through a COMBINED INVASIVE and DIVINE APPROACH: a MEDICAL PROCEDURE

[LiAlH4]

[A copy of this treatise is left with the Curios shop in Mistlocke, another placed in the halls of the Brotherhood of Mercy, and still another sent to Physician Issac Solomon of the Last Keep.

EXCISING the TAINT of POWERFUL POISONS through a COMBINED INVASIVE and DIVINE APPROACH: a MEDICAL PROCEDURE

How poisons which are resistant to positive energy may be removed from the body though the use of Blessings and the drawing of blood.

Father Mororn Glaemril; of Ilmater, the Disciples of St. Sollars the Twice-Martyred, and the Brotherhood of Mercy

First Edition published in MISTLOCKE, Mirtul 5th, 1381 DR, by the Brotherhood of Mercy.

~-----~

We shall here examine the methods of treatment which exist for patients who have been afflicted by poisons which go beyond any available magical treatments, referred to hereafter as "Powerful Poisons". A case study from the Brotherhood of Mercy's medical archives which used this particular procedure will be discussed in detail that future physicians may employ this technique and improve upon it.

Tarsakh 30th, 1381 DR - Waleran Mercer, Musterman


Patient arrived at the Shrine of the Brotherhood appearing greatly  fatigued and troubled. It was clear that he had imbibed a great deal of  alcohol in the recent past, and complained of being poisoned through the  work of a ring. This object, a simple iron band, had upon the inside of  the band a number of small metal spikes which were designed to pierce  the skin and deliver a blood-borne poison. Examination of the patient  revealed severe tissue damage and necrosis of the hand and lower arm.  Specifically, the ravages seemed confined to the blood vessels  themselves, which were observed to at times burst within the patient's  body. This particular poison was identified as nothing less than the Ichor of the Pit Fiend.  There are no magical treatments available for such, and death is almost  a certainty (excepting cases where amputation of the limb occurs  immediately after infection).


Mercer was unclear how long the poison had been within his system, but  it was safe to say that it had likely been hours if not days. His body  was rapidly deteriorating and a procedure was devised in an attempt to  save his life. Brother Joadath of Tyr and one Madame Zoroastryl of  Savras were in attendance and aided significantly over the course of the  surgery. In an attempt to remove the poison from the patient's body, it  was clear that the offending finger would have to be amputated. After  this, the patient's "Rate of Vitae", or the generation of blood by the  physical form, would be dramatically accelerated through the use of the  greatest of His Blessings I could command. Non-afflicted blood being  produced, blood would be extracted via syringe at the patient's  afflicted arm leading eventually to the complete replacement of Mercer's  blood.


Minor errors in the surgery occurred, leading to the amputation of the  four fingers upon the right hand. These were sutured back into place  (excepting the offending ring finger) after the procedure was complete.  Patient survived the works through Ilmater's Mercy. He will likely make a  near-full recovery with the exception of the lost finger. It was in all  an incredible success given a near-hopeless case, which has given new  insight into the means by which poisons may be treated when they go  beyond any available Blessings.


-Mororn Glaemril, acting Physician; Madame Zoroastryl, Assisting; Brother Joadath, Assisting.

The technique employed here relies on no obscure or difficult to obtain ingredients beyond the brass syringe, which may not be commonly available. Some specifics are necessary for those physicians who are attempting to conduct this procedure alone or with divine assistance.

• The vein from which blood is drawn should be close to the site of contact. In this case, the median cubital vein in the lower arm was chosen. This may be difficult to hit with so large and imprecise an instrument as the brass syringe. If the point of contact is not at a limb, then the arm should suffice.
[/SIZE][/FONT]

• The "Rate of Vitae" as defined is the rate at which the body produces blood. It is accelerated through the use of divine spells, which in addition to closing wounds replenish the blood lost by severe bleeding. This procedure relies on this essential fact; only when powerful divine blessings are available should this be attempted. The greatest Healing spell available to His Faith was employed thrice during these works. Though this method, the patient's blood is completely and totally replaced, resulting in the dilution and eradication of the poison.
[/SIZE][/FONT]

• Amputation is only recommended in cases where tissue damage is so severe as to have resulted in the complete necrosis of the limb - or in circumstances where the limb itself bears an irremovable remnant of the poison. The removal of the finger in this case was necessary due to both the severe tissue damage inflicted by the Ichor along with the possibility that shards of the ring remained within the finger.
  
• The damage to the body inflicted by this procedure is considerable; there is a significant danger to the life of the individual who is poisoned. It is under no circumstances to be used on any poison which is not lethal.
[/SIZE][/FONT]

Armed with this technique, physicians confronted with nigh-impossible cases may yet give their patients hope for salvation. This is a matter which must require the collaboration of an experienced surgeon and a powerful priest; it represents to date the best and most effective means of curing nominally-lethal poisons that I have encountered. May Ilmater bless your works as you go forth in this world; your practice of the medicinal art done for the salvation of the sick and injured.