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Haleth
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 538
Location: The ruins of Tharbad.
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 Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 4:21 pm Post subject: Question about Elven Medical Practices |
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I'm in need of opinions.
Elves never became ill, but they could be wounded.
They could also drown.
So the question is...would elves have known about and practiced artificial respiration? Presumably it would not be common knowledge as I can't see that many elves going out of their way to drown, but would the healers be familiar with it?
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Books would not be read, and pipes would not smoke. The day slipped out of his hand, running aimlessly to waste. JRR Tolkien. The Lost Road |
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Moralanqua
Joined: 11 May 2003
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Location: Scotland
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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IMO - no.
As wise and ancient and fantastic as the elves were, CPR and other forms of artificial respiration or respitory alleviation are primarily modern inventions.
I personally, would think that Tolkien gave his characters as much knowledge as he could, in keeping with a Medieval sense.
Afterall - he calls them 'healers' and not doctors.
But then... If you can find research to the contrary, go for it!
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Haleth
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 538
Location: The ruins of Tharbad.
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:06 pm Post subject: AR |
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It was more just artificial respiration that I was thinking of, but you're right. I wonder what the history of its development was and if anything remotely like it had been used in the past?
I asked around and I think I've found a way around having to use it.
Thanks for your help. It's much appreciated.
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Books would not be read, and pipes would not smoke. The day slipped out of his hand, running aimlessly to waste. JRR Tolkien. The Lost Road |
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miriel361
Joined: 10 Jun 2003
Posts: 417
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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| But they would probably have used leeches. In the Middle Ages, people applied leeches to black eyes in order to reduce the swelling. It was quite effective actually. |
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NancyBrooke
Challenge Admin
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 160
Location: In a motel 6 by the airport
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: Question about Elven Medical Practices |
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| Haleth wrote: | | So the question is...would elves have known about and practiced artificial respiration? |
Is your story going to involve anyone from outside the culture that knows how to do CPR? Imagine the reaction among the Rohirrim, for example:
Your breath will give life to a dead person??!? What kind of creature are you?!?!?!?!!? |
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Haleth
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 538
Location: The ruins of Tharbad.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2003 8:09 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | But they would probably have used leeches. In the Middle Ages, people applied leeches to black eyes in order to reduce the swelling. It was quite effective actually. |
It would be an effective treatment for bleeding under the skin. I'm not quite sure what the reaction would be in today's society.
Maggots were also used to clear away dead tissue to keep gangrene from setting in. They still are, in certain cases, today.
The Romans had instruments for catarract surgery. It's unlikely the elves would have known about catarracts until Men arrived.
As they did not know sickness, elvish medicine would concentrate on healing wounds and setting broken bones. Elrond, at least, had some knowledge of how to deal with poisons.
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Books would not be read, and pipes would not smoke. The day slipped out of his hand, running aimlessly to waste. JRR Tolkien. The Lost Road |
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Haleth
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 538
Location: The ruins of Tharbad.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2003 8:11 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Is your story going to involve anyone from outside the culture that knows how to do CPR? Imagine the reaction among the Rohirrim, for example:
Your breath will give life to a dead person??!? What kind of creature are you?!?!?!?!!? |
This sounds like a wonderful plot bunny for the modern girl in Middle Earth challenge!
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Books would not be read, and pipes would not smoke. The day slipped out of his hand, running aimlessly to waste. JRR Tolkien. The Lost Road |
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