Medicine in the Isles

The Medicine of the Isles is a fairly advanced science, although ancient medicine was largely a matter of superstition and believed in strange ideas about bodily humors, evil spirits, and misadjusted vital force, modern medicine is a an evidence-based science where rigorous notes and studies have cut away ineffective and dangerous treatments.

Alchemy has lead to the creation of a great many medicine both to cure illness (such as antibiotics) and to alleviate symptoms (such as painkillers)

## The Physician's Oath

Based on ancient Sveniar practice begun by the great Rizwan the Physician, one of the earliest proponent of evidence-based medicine who founded the first medical academy in 728BA, all classically trained physicians in the Isles take an oath wherein they swear to do no harm, to treat people reguardless of rank or wealth, and to save lives even if one cannot afford to pay for their service.

## Medical Theories

The exact nature of disease remains somewhat of a mystery which is hotly debated by scholars and doctors, with theories of disease including the popular Miasmatic Theory — which argues that disease-potential is a property of matter similar to heat or mass, and that by avoiding contact with miasmatic matter such as diseased fluids one can avoid disease.

Diseases are divided into three categories; toxicological, miasmic, and non-miasmic.

* Toxicological diseases are caused by the presence or ingestion of certain substances such as poison.
* Miasmic diseases are acquired by exposure of miasmic substances (such as diseased body fluids, animals, or feces) and can be transmitted from one individual to another.
* Non-Miasmic disease are non-transmittable diseases such as cancer, which are the least understood of the diseases.

## Medical Practitioners

### Barber-Surgeons

Barber-Surgeons serves as not only a barber, but also perform minor acts of surgery such as removing teeth, resetting bones, and stitching wounds.

### Herbalists

Herbalists are country practitioners who work in places where official apothecaries are non-existent, collecting, growing and preparing herbal remedies from common ailment.

### Midwives

Midwives are practitioners specializing in the care of pregnant people and young children, trained in a mix of surgical and apothical ways to ensure their patients well being. Most Midwives are female, but some are male.

### Physicians

Physicians are tasked with keeping the general health of individuals diagnose illnesses, and provide prescriptions. Old laws against snake-oil salesman forbid Physicians from selling medicine and must instead offer prescription to be filled at an apothecary.

Chirurgeons are specialized physicians that do 'wet' medicine including surgeries such amputations and trepanation.

### Apothecaries

Apothecaries are responsible for creating various medicines and to fulfill prescriptions given to them by customers. To avoid scams apothecaries are not allowed to prescribe medicine.

### Plague Doctor

Plague Doctors are at the forefront of dangerous epidemics, wearing special masks, gloves and outfits to protect themselves from infection. Plague doctors tend to the sick and dispose of the infectious dead.

### Field Medics

Field Medics are employed in the armies of the isles, their primary task is not to treat but to administer first aid and rescue wounded soldiers from battlefields.