[TML] Low Berths

[Robert O'Connor]

Hans Rancke-Madsen wrote:
> The problem (which is nowhere as severe as many others) is that 'Slow 
> Berths' has never been mentioned as an available option. If they really 
> were superior to Low Berths, why don't we hear about them?

The consequences were not explored. So it was the start of a premise 
thrown out there for people to play with in their own campaigns.

At least that's my take on it.

Using fast drug in the manner described in this thread and elsewhere is 
insane unless it prevents a number of problems, only one of which David 
Smart has hinted at.

By reducing metabolic rate by a factor of 60, body temperature falls 
over 4-6 hours, eventually equilibrating with room temperature. This is 
a consequence of physiology and physics, and kind of hard to handwave away.

At that stage, muscles are unable to contract, brain electrical activity 
is negligible, and any sudden movement can precipitate cardiac 
dysrhythmias that cannot be reversed until rewarming to at least 30C 
(86F) occurs.

There is a requirement for monitoring and hydration if you want a 
revival rate that's more successful than that canonically given for low 
berthing. Otherwise you're left with 'long pork' cold cuts.

You are dealing with someone who looks like a corpse. Fast drug is 
therefore an ideal way of faking a death or killing someone at lower 
tech levels.

Other problems associated with cooling and the attendant immobility include:
- Deep venous thrombosis due to blood pooling in the legs and pelvic veins.
- Cold-induced derangements of coagulation (bleed in some places, clot 
in others).
- Suppression of adrenal and immune function. Pathogen overgrowth, rot.
- Pneumonia from failure to clear pooled oral and airway secretions.
- Reduction in circulating blood volume.
- 'Resetting' of postural cardiovascular reflexes, leading to dizziness 
(or fainting) on sitting up or standing.
- Pressure sores in dependent areas.
- Bone demineralisation and muscle wasting.

These are listed in approximate temporal order. You need to have a 
slightly faster metabolic rate to do the last few items on the list over 
the week in jump.

If fast drug can prevent or modify some of the problems on the above 
list, it is far more useful than the limited application that we started 
out with. It's a universal antibiotic, immune and coagulation modifier, 
cardiac stimulant, bone remineralizer, etc. In other words, similar to 
anagathics.

Kelly St. Clair wrote:
> So is Fast Drug actually used for anything in your TU, or are you throwing 
> this particular baby out with the bathwater?  In which case, it might be 
> simplest to just remove it entirely.

I do not see Fast Drug having a legitimate clinical use except for one 
situation - to delay the death of a critically ill patient until they 
can reach a place of definitive care where low berthing is not available 
as a transport option.

The criminal uses have been hinted at above.


Robert O'Connor
medico, gamer