Medical Science on Eberron [Archive] - Wizards Community

Medical Science on Eberron [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Romulus LoneWolf
01-03-06, 07:49 PM Ok, I've been thinking as to what kind of medical theory the people of Eberron might have, since they're technically since a medieval society, not a modern one. Here's what I think the main medical science theory used by House Jurasco might sound like..

Life in the universe depends not only on nutrients, water and air to survive, but also on Life Energy, otherwise known as Positive Energy. All creatures absorb Positive Energy by eating and breathing. This Energy then flows through their body within their blood, vitalizing their flesh and organs and providing them with life. This process, however, corrupts the Energy, turning it into Negative Energy. It must then be expelled in various ways, to be replaced with new Positive Energy. Normally, this process works automatically and without problems.

Sometimes, however, something interferes with the proper flow of Energy. Either the body doesn't recieve enough Positive Energy, or the Negative Energy isn't evacuated properly. Either way, this imbalance inevitably causes ailments in the body, which can only be cured by restoring the proper Energy flow.

Restoring proper Energy flow is done by diagnosting the cause of the flow problems, and dealing with it appropriatly. This can be as simple as giving the patient instructions on how to live a healthier life, to giving the patient the appropriate medicine. In extreme cases, amputation of a diseased limb engorged with Negative Energy may be necessary.

When a person is wounded and begins losing blood, quantities of precious Positive Energy is lost, leaving only Negative Energy. If the bloodloss isn't stopped, the victim may end up dying from it."

The causes of improper Energy flow and their cures are various, depending on the situation. This allows one to state that any possible ailment is caused by "improper Energy flow", with a remedy being appropriatly labeled a solution to "rebalance the flow". Got gastric problems? "This potion will help remove the flow stoppage within your intestines." Got a bad cough? "The odor of this ointment will help infuse your lungs with additional Positive Energy, until proper flow is restored.

In addition to all this, Positive Energy and Negative Energy can both be manipulated via magic. Healing Spells conjure blasts of pure Positive Energy which permeates a person's body, restoring proper health and even sealing wounds. Alternatively, Necromancy can manipulate and generate Negative Energy, which can be dangerous when used as a weapon.

Undead creatures are entirely polluted with Negative Energy, yet still require Positive Energy to continue their existance. They take this Positive Energy from living creatures, either by absorbing it directly, or by consuming their blood or flesh.

...That's about all I have for this idea. Any comments?
Aldarc
01-03-06, 08:59 PM Khorvaire can hardly be called a medieval society. While kingdoms and aristocracy exist on Eberron, so does the merchant middle class that does not exist in medieval society. Also medieval society is characterized by strict hierarchy of social classes, status, and vassals, liege lords, and bannermen. There is not amazing evidence of these elements, or at least there is no strong desire by the author to reinforce these elements as they have been presented. Eberron is a romanticized medieval society that conveniently leaves out nearly all elements medieval and coats itself superficially as medieval since the rigidness of medieval hierarchy and the dominance of the role of aristocracy does not appeal to players who want individual freedom and power against the evils of the world and societies. It is more akin to a mix between Late Renaissance and Victorian than it is Medieval. But at the same time, it could not entirely be called a Renaissance period since the Renaissance was a looking back and reemergence of the classics, and the only classics which may exist in Eberron is the united empire of Galifar, whose collapse caused the current calamity.

But otherwise, I like the thoughts that you put forth. In a world of magic and warriors, I think that philosophy and other basic and common elements of society are often negated in fantasy worlds in favor of cosmological facts created to reinforce the GM-designed mechanics of the world, which leaves the wonder found in ambiguity noticeably missing.
Rosary
01-04-06, 05:21 AM Another take on the positive/negative energy theory is that of the old greeks (who probably adopted most of it from the ancient middle-eastern civilizations). According to their beliefs, all life held within it a balance of the four elements, and it was when this balance was disturbed that people got sick.

To my knowledge, this theory was actually rediscovered in Europe in the 16th century and widely employed. It was later rewritten as a balance between different bodily fluids, each with specific characteristics. Thus eating salad would thin the slime in your body and balance it towards your (thinner) blood.
Very strange. But hey, what's a sick guy to do? :confused:
makeshiftwings
01-04-06, 11:31 AM I like it! It's kind of like a combination of Eastern medicine / chi flow theory with D&D energies.
SkyOdin
01-04-06, 08:24 PM Another take on the positive/negative energy theory is that of the old greeks (who probably adopted most of it from the ancient middle-eastern civilizations). According to their beliefs, all life held within it a balance of the four elements, and it was when this balance was disturbed that people got sick.

To my knowledge, this theory was actually rediscovered in Europe in the 16th century and widely employed. It was later rewritten as a balance between different bodily fluids, each with specific characteristics. Thus eating salad would thin the slime in your body and balance it towards your (thinner) blood.
Very strange. But hey, what's a sick guy to do? :confused:

What you are talking about is the theory of the humors. It was originally put forward by the Hippocratic school of medicine in the fifth to fourth centuries BC. There were four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Each humor was associated with one of the Aristotle's underlying qualities: hot, cold, moist, and dry. Disease was considered to result from an imbalance between these humors. As a result, common medical treatments involved proposing a regimen of diet and exercise for the sick person. Also, the use of blood-letting, and medicines such as laxatives were common.

This medical practices were further developed by Galen, who added a great deal of anatomical knowledge, based on the dissections of animals. Galen's writings became the basis for all Medieval Western medicine. It was actually well-preserved and still studied in monastaries and universities throughout the Middle Ages. I think the theory of the Humors was still influencing medicine up through the Modern period.

(All info comes from David Lindberg's The Beginnings of Western Science )

Ahem. I think Eastern medicine had similar ideas about internal balance and unbalance as the basis of health and disease. Any Eberron medicine would probably be based on such principles. They don't have microscopes so they probably haven't identified bacteria yet.

The primary source of medical knowledge in Khorvaire would be House Jorasco, which uses a lot of healing magic. So, the Positive energy theory could have merit. However, I think that it would just be part of a much more complcated medical theory that explained how different diseases worked.

An important question is whether the doctors of House Jorasco slavishly follow old teachings or are conducting active investigation into anatomy and medicine. I think it would be the latter, because the Last War would have created a large demand for accurate medical knowledge. If so, then you could probably attend human dissections in any House Jorasco teaching institution.
Romulus LoneWolf
01-04-06, 09:27 PM What you are talking about is the theory of the humors. It was originally put forward by the Hippocratic school of medicine in the fifth to fourth centuries BC. There were four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Each humor was associated with one of the Aristotle's underlying qualities: hot, cold, moist, and dry. Disease was considered to result from an imbalance between these humors. As a result, common medical treatments involved proposing a regimen of diet and exercise for the sick person. Also, the use of blood-letting, and medicines such as laxatives were common.

This medical practices were further developed by Galen, who added a great deal of anatomical knowledge, based on the dissections of animals. Galen's writings became the basis for all Medieval Western medicine. It was actually well-preserved and still studied in monastaries and universities throughout the Middle Ages. I think the theory of the Humors was still influencing medicine up through the Modern period.

Yeah, I'm familiar with that theory as well. Heck, Dragon Magazine wrote an article about the four humors, along with four specially created Imps of Ill-Humor in #338. The four humors could also be adapted to use in Eberron and D&D, since the four humors were also connected to the elements: Choler, or yellow bile, was warm and dry and associated with Fire; Melancholy, or black bile, was cool and dry, and associated with Earth; Phlegm was cool and moist and associated with water; and Sanguis, or blood, was warm and moist and associated with air. One could add Humor Imbalance to a campaign as another cause of ailments both physical and psychological.

Ahem. I think Eastern medicine had similar ideas about internal balance and unbalance as the basis of health and disease. Any Eberron medicine would probably be based on such principles. They don't have microscopes so they probably haven't identified bacteria yet.

Yes, I based my theories on Eastern Chi-Flow medical theory, only using the D&D concepts of Positive and Negative Energy. I felt the two concepts meshed well together on a conceptual basis.

The primary source of medical knowledge in Khorvaire would be House Jorasco, which uses a lot of healing magic. So, the Positive energy theory could have merit. However, I think that it would just be part of a much more complcated medical theory that explained how different diseases worked.

An important question is whether the doctors of House Jorasco slavishly follow old teachings or are conducting active investigation into anatomy and medicine. I think it would be the latter, because the Last War would have created a large demand for accurate medical knowledge. If so, then you could probably attend human dissections in any House Jorasco teaching institution.

I would imagine that yes, House Jorasco would essentially be the cornerstone of medical knowledge on Khorvaire, with centuries of recorded lore to consult and teach. And I'm pretty certain medical knowledge will be ongoing, if only because there will always be some new ailments that will appear with time that no previous information will encompass. I agree that the Last War must've created a large demand for accurate medical knowledge to deal with injuries, just as I'm sure it was also accompanied by a rise in diseases, both natural and magical..
taski
01-05-06, 12:16 AM Good stuff!

As an addition, I'm sure House Vadalis has discovered a few things about genetics. I doubt they'd know about DNA, but a solid working knowledge of heredity and animal husbandtry could lead to an awareness of Mendelian-level genetics.

Another thing to consider is the existence of high-level casters who can cast commune, miracle, wish, or probably some other such spells. Though still very rare, these people could have a profound impact on scientific advancement, as the spells can bypass the need for experimentation (and therefore the need for advanced technology to do the experiments with).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Romulus LoneWolf 01-03-06, 07:49 PM	Ok, I've been thinking as to what kind of medical theory the people of Eberron might have, since they're technically since a medieval society, not a modern one. Here's what I think the main medical science theory used by House Jurasco might sound like.. Life in the universe depends not only on nutrients, water and air to survive, but also on Life Energy, otherwise known as Positive Energy. All creatures absorb Positive Energy by eating and breathing. This Energy then flows through their body within their blood, vitalizing their flesh and organs and providing them with life. This process, however, corrupts the Energy, turning it into Negative Energy. It must then be expelled in various ways, to be replaced with new Positive Energy. Normally, this process works automatically and without problems. Sometimes, however, something interferes with the proper flow of Energy. Either the body doesn't recieve enough Positive Energy, or the Negative Energy isn't evacuated properly. Either way, this imbalance inevitably causes ailments in the body, which can only be cured by restoring the proper Energy flow. Restoring proper Energy flow is done by diagnosting the cause of the flow problems, and dealing with it appropriatly. This can be as simple as giving the patient instructions on how to live a healthier life, to giving the patient the appropriate medicine. In extreme cases, amputation of a diseased limb engorged with Negative Energy may be necessary. When a person is wounded and begins losing blood, quantities of precious Positive Energy is lost, leaving only Negative Energy. If the bloodloss isn't stopped, the victim may end up dying from it." The causes of improper Energy flow and their cures are various, depending on the situation. This allows one to state that any possible ailment is caused by "improper Energy flow", with a remedy being appropriatly labeled a solution to "rebalance the flow". Got gastric problems? "This potion will help remove the flow stoppage within your intestines." Got a bad cough? "The odor of this ointment will help infuse your lungs with additional Positive Energy, until proper flow is restored. In addition to all this, Positive Energy and Negative Energy can both be manipulated via magic. Healing Spells conjure blasts of pure Positive Energy which permeates a person's body, restoring proper health and even sealing wounds. Alternatively, Necromancy can manipulate and generate Negative Energy, which can be dangerous when used as a weapon. Undead creatures are entirely polluted with Negative Energy, yet still require Positive Energy to continue their existance. They take this Positive Energy from living creatures, either by absorbing it directly, or by consuming their blood or flesh. ...That's about all I have for this idea. Any comments?
Aldarc 01-03-06, 08:59 PM	Khorvaire can hardly be called a medieval society. While kingdoms and aristocracy exist on Eberron, so does the merchant middle class that does not exist in medieval society. Also medieval society is characterized by strict hierarchy of social classes, status, and vassals, liege lords, and bannermen. There is not amazing evidence of these elements, or at least there is no strong desire by the author to reinforce these elements as they have been presented. Eberron is a romanticized medieval society that conveniently leaves out nearly all elements medieval and coats itself superficially as medieval since the rigidness of medieval hierarchy and the dominance of the role of aristocracy does not appeal to players who want individual freedom and power against the evils of the world and societies. It is more akin to a mix between Late Renaissance and Victorian than it is Medieval. But at the same time, it could not entirely be called a Renaissance period since the Renaissance was a looking back and reemergence of the classics, and the only classics which may exist in Eberron is the united empire of Galifar, whose collapse caused the current calamity. But otherwise, I like the thoughts that you put forth. In a world of magic and warriors, I think that philosophy and other basic and common elements of society are often negated in fantasy worlds in favor of cosmological facts created to reinforce the GM-designed mechanics of the world, which leaves the wonder found in ambiguity noticeably missing.
Rosary 01-04-06, 05:21 AM	Another take on the positive/negative energy theory is that of the old greeks (who probably adopted most of it from the ancient middle-eastern civilizations). According to their beliefs, all life held within it a balance of the four elements, and it was when this balance was disturbed that people got sick. To my knowledge, this theory was actually rediscovered in Europe in the 16th century and widely employed. It was later rewritten as a balance between different bodily fluids, each with specific characteristics. Thus eating salad would thin the slime in your body and balance it towards your (thinner) blood. Very strange. But hey, what's a sick guy to do? :confused:
makeshiftwings 01-04-06, 11:31 AM	I like it! It's kind of like a combination of Eastern medicine / chi flow theory with D&D energies.
SkyOdin 01-04-06, 08:24 PM	Another take on the positive/negative energy theory is that of the old greeks (who probably adopted most of it from the ancient middle-eastern civilizations). According to their beliefs, all life held within it a balance of the four elements, and it was when this balance was disturbed that people got sick. To my knowledge, this theory was actually rediscovered in Europe in the 16th century and widely employed. It was later rewritten as a balance between different bodily fluids, each with specific characteristics. Thus eating salad would thin the slime in your body and balance it towards your (thinner) blood. Very strange. But hey, what's a sick guy to do? :confused: What you are talking about is the theory of the humors. It was originally put forward by the Hippocratic school of medicine in the fifth to fourth centuries BC. There were four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Each humor was associated with one of the Aristotle's underlying qualities: hot, cold, moist, and dry. Disease was considered to result from an imbalance between these humors. As a result, common medical treatments involved proposing a regimen of diet and exercise for the sick person. Also, the use of blood-letting, and medicines such as laxatives were common. This medical practices were further developed by Galen, who added a great deal of anatomical knowledge, based on the dissections of animals. Galen's writings became the basis for all Medieval Western medicine. It was actually well-preserved and still studied in monastaries and universities throughout the Middle Ages. I think the theory of the Humors was still influencing medicine up through the Modern period. (All info comes from David Lindberg's The Beginnings of Western Science ) Ahem. I think Eastern medicine had similar ideas about internal balance and unbalance as the basis of health and disease. Any Eberron medicine would probably be based on such principles. They don't have microscopes so they probably haven't identified bacteria yet. The primary source of medical knowledge in Khorvaire would be House Jorasco, which uses a lot of healing magic. So, the Positive energy theory could have merit. However, I think that it would just be part of a much more complcated medical theory that explained how different diseases worked. An important question is whether the doctors of House Jorasco slavishly follow old teachings or are conducting active investigation into anatomy and medicine. I think it would be the latter, because the Last War would have created a large demand for accurate medical knowledge. If so, then you could probably attend human dissections in any House Jorasco teaching institution.
Romulus LoneWolf 01-04-06, 09:27 PM	What you are talking about is the theory of the humors. It was originally put forward by the Hippocratic school of medicine in the fifth to fourth centuries BC. There were four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Each humor was associated with one of the Aristotle's underlying qualities: hot, cold, moist, and dry. Disease was considered to result from an imbalance between these humors. As a result, common medical treatments involved proposing a regimen of diet and exercise for the sick person. Also, the use of blood-letting, and medicines such as laxatives were common. This medical practices were further developed by Galen, who added a great deal of anatomical knowledge, based on the dissections of animals. Galen's writings became the basis for all Medieval Western medicine. It was actually well-preserved and still studied in monastaries and universities throughout the Middle Ages. I think the theory of the Humors was still influencing medicine up through the Modern period. Yeah, I'm familiar with that theory as well. Heck, Dragon Magazine wrote an article about the four humors, along with four specially created Imps of Ill-Humor in #338. The four humors could also be adapted to use in Eberron and D&D, since the four humors were also connected to the elements: Choler, or yellow bile, was warm and dry and associated with Fire; Melancholy, or black bile, was cool and dry, and associated with Earth; Phlegm was cool and moist and associated with water; and Sanguis, or blood, was warm and moist and associated with air. One could add Humor Imbalance to a campaign as another cause of ailments both physical and psychological. Ahem. I think Eastern medicine had similar ideas about internal balance and unbalance as the basis of health and disease. Any Eberron medicine would probably be based on such principles. They don't have microscopes so they probably haven't identified bacteria yet. Yes, I based my theories on Eastern Chi-Flow medical theory, only using the D&D concepts of Positive and Negative Energy. I felt the two concepts meshed well together on a conceptual basis. The primary source of medical knowledge in Khorvaire would be House Jorasco, which uses a lot of healing magic. So, the Positive energy theory could have merit. However, I think that it would just be part of a much more complcated medical theory that explained how different diseases worked. An important question is whether the doctors of House Jorasco slavishly follow old teachings or are conducting active investigation into anatomy and medicine. I think it would be the latter, because the Last War would have created a large demand for accurate medical knowledge. If so, then you could probably attend human dissections in any House Jorasco teaching institution. I would imagine that yes, House Jorasco would essentially be the cornerstone of medical knowledge on Khorvaire, with centuries of recorded lore to consult and teach. And I'm pretty certain medical knowledge will be ongoing, if only because there will always be some new ailments that will appear with time that no previous information will encompass. I agree that the Last War must've created a large demand for accurate medical knowledge to deal with injuries, just as I'm sure it was also accompanied by a rise in diseases, both natural and magical..
taski 01-05-06, 12:16 AM	Good stuff! As an addition, I'm sure House Vadalis has discovered a few things about genetics. I doubt they'd know about DNA, but a solid working knowledge of heredity and animal husbandtry could lead to an awareness of Mendelian-level genetics. Another thing to consider is the existence of high-level casters who can cast commune, miracle, wish, or probably some other such spells. Though still very rare, these people could have a profound impact on scientific advancement, as the spells can bypass the need for experimentation (and therefore the need for advanced technology to do the experiments with).