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'''Medicine''' in the [[Seven Kingdoms]], and in the [[Known World]], often plays a key role in the quality of life of its inhabitants. In addition to common healers, midwives, and bonesetters there are a number of different orders practicing medicine such as [[Greenblood#Orphans of the Greenblood|the orphans of the Greenblood]]{{ref|affc|21}}. The most well known of these orders is the [[Maesters]] of the [[Citadel]].
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'''Medicine''' in the [[Seven Kingdoms]], and in the [[Known World]], often plays a key role in the quality of life of its inhabitants. In addition to common [[:Category:Healers|healers]], midwives, and bonesetters, there are a number of different orders practicing medicine, such as the [[Maesters]] of the [[Citadel]].
  
 
==Treatment==
 
==Treatment==
Commoners usually do not have access to a [[Maesters|Maester's]] services, like those who are rich or live in noble houses do, and have to rely on traveling barbers, local healers, midwives, and their own knowledge of herbs.
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[[Smallfolk|Commoners]] usually do not have access to a [[Maesters|Maester's]] services, like those who are rich or members of noble houses do, and have to rely on travelling barbers, local healers, midwives, [[hedge wizard]]s, [[woods witch]]es, and their own knowledge of herbs.
  
Wounds are often cleaned with boiling wine or treated with [[Myrish fire]] or [[firemilk]], both of which burn on contact. Maggots may be used if a wound is going rotten, as the maggots eat out the rotten parts. Maesters also learn to stitch wounds closed and can use poultices containing mustard seeds, nettles, and bread mould to prevent infection. Leeches are also used to drain bad blood that builds up in wounds. Potions containing opiates such as the [[milk of poppy]] or the [[vinsonge]] are employed to dull pain. Vinegar is used to disinfect surgical instruments.
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Wounds are often cleaned with boiling [[wine]], or treated with [[Myrish fire]] or [[firemilk]], both of which burn on contact. Maggots may be used if a wound is going rotten, as the maggots eat out the rotten parts. Maesters also learn to stitch wounds closed, and can use poultices containing mustard seeds, nettles, and [[w:Penicillin|bread mold]] to prevent infection. Leeches are also used to drain bad blood that builds up in wounds. Pain can be dulled with potions containing opiates such as [[milk of the poppy]] or [[dreamwine]], or by chewing [[w:Willow#Medicinal|willow bark]] or [[sourleaf]]. Vinegar is used to disinfect surgical instruments.
  
Fractured limbs are immobilized using plasters until the bones are joined up. [[Moon tea]] is used as contraceptive and to deal with unwanted pregnancies.
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Fractured limbs are immobilized using plasters until the bones are joined up. [[Moon tea]] is used as contraceptive, and to deal with unwanted pregnancies.
  
==Diseases & Illness==
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==Diseases and Illness==
Minor colds, fevers, and fluxes are rarely deadly or even seriously debilitating. The [[bloody flux]] is quite serious and often deadly. Whores often carry unpleasant poxes and venereal diseases. Though the sufferers of such diseases rarely find much sympathy, fortunately most of the symptoms are minor though embarrassing{{ref|acok|6}}.
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Minor colds, fevers, and fluxes are rarely deadly or even seriously debilitating. The [[bloody flux]] is quite serious and often deadly. Whores often carry unpleasant poxes and venereal diseases.{{Ref|ACOK|6}}
  
A number of diseases can be contracted primarily during childhood. [[Redspots]]{{ref|affc|21}} is common but it never kills anyone under the age of ten, and once you have had it you are immune to it for the rest of your life. However, adults who did not contract it in childhood remain at risk of infection. [[Greyscale]] is rarely fatal to children, but nearly always fatal to adults. It makes the skin grey and hard as stone and often leaves it's survivors disfigured.
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A number of diseases can be contracted primarily during childhood. [[Redspots]] is common, but it never kills anyone under the age of ten, and once you have had it you are immune to it for the rest of your life. However, adults who did not contract it in childhood remain at risk of infection.{{Ref|AFFC|21}} [[Greyscale]] is rarely fatal to children, but nearly always fatal to adults. It makes the skin grey and hard as stone, and often leaves its survivors disfigured.{{Ref|ACOK|0}}
  
List of known Diseases & Illness:
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===List of known diseases and illnesses===
* [[Bloody flux]]
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{{columns|2|
* Brownleg{{ref|asos|57}}
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* Blood boils{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}}
* Gout{{ref|agot|38}}
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* [[Bronze pate]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}}
* [[The Great Spring Sickness]]
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* [[Brownleg]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}}
* [[Grey plague]]
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* Burst belly{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}, the Westerosi equivalent to [[w:Appendicitis|appendicitis]]<ref>
* [[Greyscale]]
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Penguin Random House: [https://youtu.be/EXZE_KQnat4 A Conversation with George R R Martin] (at 17min56s)</ref>
* Greywater fever{{ref|acok|27}}
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* Clotted lung{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
* Pox
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* [[w:Tuberculosis|Consumption]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
* [[Redspots]]
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* [[w:Stomach cancer|Crabs in the belly]]{{ref|AGOT|71}}{{ref|AFFC|18}}
* [[Shaking sickness]]
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* [[Dancing plague]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}}
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* Fever{{Ref|AGOT|4}}
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** [[Butterfly fever]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Naath}}
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** [[w:Postpartum infections|Childbed fever]]{{Ref|TRP}}{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
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** Deadeye fever{{Ref|AGOT|68}}
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** [[Green fever]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}}
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** Greywater fever{{Ref|ACOK|28}}
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** Spotted fever{{Ref|FAB|Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I}}
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** Summer fever{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}
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* Flux{{Ref|ASOS|10}}
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** [[Bloody flux]]{{Ref|AGOT|38}}
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* [[w:Gout|Gout]]{{Ref|AGOT|38}}
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* [[Greyscale]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}}
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* Pox{{Ref|AGOT|65}}
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* [[Pus-eye]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}}
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* [[Redspots]]{{Ref|AFFC|21}}
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* [[Sailor's bane]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}}
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* [[Shaking sickness]]{{Ref|AGOT|34}}
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* Sourgut{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
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* Sweating sickness{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
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* [[Sweetrot]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}}
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* [[Wormbone]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}}
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* [[Yellowgum]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}}
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}}
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===Epidemics===
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* The [[Great Spring Sickness]]{{Ref|TSS}}
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* [[Grey plague]]{{Ref|AGOT|59}}
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* The [[Red Death]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}}
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* The [[Shivers]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
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* The [[Winter Fever]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
  
 
==Poisons==
 
==Poisons==
Many poisons are used throughout the [[Seven Kingdoms]] and in the [[Essos|East]]. Although the [[Maesters]] of the [[Citadel]] study the histories and qualities of various poisons in addition to their healing arts, their use seems to be more widespread in the [[Free Cities|free cities]] and the assassins guilds. Poisons are regarded with fear and loathing by knights and high lords alike in the [[Feudalism|feudal]] society of the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. Many regard them as vile weapons used only by the debauched sots of the free cities. It is also seen as a weapon of bastards and women. Of course, much of this is posturing.
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:{{main|poison}}
 
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Many poisons are used throughout the [[Seven Kingdoms]] and in the [[Essos|East]]. Although the [[Maesters]] of the [[Citadel]] study the histories and qualities of various poisons in addition to their healing arts, their use seems to be more widespread in the [[Free Cities|free cities]] and the assassins guilds.
 
 
Common poisons include [[nightshade]] and [[greycap|powdered greycap]], derived from a plant and a variety of toadstool respectively. Animal and insect venoms such as basilisk and manticore venom are also known to be used, though they are harder to gather. [[Manticore venom]] is particularly vicious and can be treated to make it work more slowly, causing its victim to die in slow agony.
 
Rare poisons include [[the Strangler]] which is made from a plant found only in the [[Jade Sea]]. It kills by closing the windpipe and therefore suffocating it's victims. It is a poison that has been used in the past to kill kings, a reason many kings now employ food-tasters. The [[tears of Lys]] is an odorless and colorless poison, killing by attacking the stomach and bowels.
 
There are also ambiguous poisons. [[Moon tea]] aborts pregnancies which makes some maesters reluctant to call it a medicine. [[Sweetsleep]] brings deep sleep in small doses, but larger doses can kill. Large enough doses of most medicines can be fatal; the difference with sweetsleep is that the fatal dose is still quite small relative to other medicines. A maester must therefore be very careful when administering it.<ref>[http://bloodandfire.wikispaces.com/Maesters%2C+Medicine+and+Poisons bloodandfire wikispace - Maesters Medicine and Poisons]</ref>
 
 
 
Poisons are commonly administered to victims in food or drink which can also serve to mask their taste and odor. Because of this noble kitchens are often guarded and food tasters are employed to protect their masters’ lives with their own. Even still clever poisoners manage to slip past the safeguards from time to time and at least as many nobles deaths are caused by a poisoned cup or dish as a bloodied blade, if not more so. Poison may also be delivered by coating a weapon or even through the skin.
 
  
[[File:Demons Dance.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Demon's Dance<Br>© Fantasy Flight Games]]
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==References==
List of known posions:
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{{References}}
* Blindeye
 
* Basilisk venom
 
* Demon's dance
 
* [[Greycap]]
 
* Heart's bane
 
* Manticore venom
 
* Nightshade
 
* [[The Strangler]]
 
* [[Sweetsleep]]
 
* [[Tears of Lys]]
 
* [[Widow's blood]]
 
* Wolfsbane
 
  
==References and Notes==
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[[Category:Medicine| ]]
{{References|2}}
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[[Category:science and technology]]
  
[[Category:Poisons|!]] [[Category:science and technology]]  
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[[es:Medicina]]
[[fr:Médecine]][[zh:&#33647;&#21697;]]
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[[fr:Médecine]]
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[[zh:&#33647;&#21697;]]

Revision as of 13:43, 17 January 2023

Medicine in the Seven Kingdoms, and in the Known World, often plays a key role in the quality of life of its inhabitants. In addition to common healers, midwives, and bonesetters, there are a number of different orders practicing medicine, such as the Maesters of the Citadel.

Treatment

Commoners usually do not have access to a Maester's services, like those who are rich or members of noble houses do, and have to rely on travelling barbers, local healers, midwives, hedge wizards, woods witches, and their own knowledge of herbs.

Wounds are often cleaned with boiling wine, or treated with Myrish fire or firemilk, both of which burn on contact. Maggots may be used if a wound is going rotten, as the maggots eat out the rotten parts. Maesters also learn to stitch wounds closed, and can use poultices containing mustard seeds, nettles, and bread mold to prevent infection. Leeches are also used to drain bad blood that builds up in wounds. Pain can be dulled with potions containing opiates such as milk of the poppy or dreamwine, or by chewing willow bark or sourleaf. Vinegar is used to disinfect surgical instruments.

Fractured limbs are immobilized using plasters until the bones are joined up. Moon tea is used as contraceptive, and to deal with unwanted pregnancies.

Diseases and Illness

Minor colds, fevers, and fluxes are rarely deadly or even seriously debilitating. The bloody flux is quite serious and often deadly. Whores often carry unpleasant poxes and venereal diseases.[1]

A number of diseases can be contracted primarily during childhood. Redspots is common, but it never kills anyone under the age of ten, and once you have had it you are immune to it for the rest of your life. However, adults who did not contract it in childhood remain at risk of infection.[2] Greyscale is rarely fatal to children, but nearly always fatal to adults. It makes the skin grey and hard as stone, and often leaves its survivors disfigured.[3]

List of known diseases and illnesses

Epidemics

Poisons

Many poisons are used throughout the Seven Kingdoms and in the East. Although the Maesters of the Citadel study the histories and qualities of various poisons in addition to their healing arts, their use seems to be more widespread in the free cities and the assassins guilds.

References

  1. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 6, Jon I.
  2. 2.0 2.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 21, The Queenmaker.
  3. A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  6. Penguin Random House: A Conversation with George R R Martin (at 17min56s)
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  8. 8.0 8.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
  9. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 71, Catelyn XI.
  10. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 18, The Iron Captain.
  11. 11.0 11.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships.
  12. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  13. The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: Naath.
  14. The Rogue Prince.
  15. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 68, Daenerys IX.
  16. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 28, Bran IV.
  17. Fire & Blood, Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I.
  18. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  19. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 10, Davos II.
  20. 20.0 20.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 38, Tyrion V.
  21. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
  22. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 34, Catelyn VI.
  23. Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
  24. The Sworn Sword.
  25. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 59, Catelyn IX.