[TML] Low Berths

[Knapp]

On Sun, Aug 3, 2008 at 3:36 AM, Robert O'Connor <robocon at ozemail.com.au> wrote:
> 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

Many on these problems are not problem depending on what is meant by
"slower metabolism"; for example, muscle wasting and many other things
listed. For this "drug" to be real it would really need to be many
drugs put together. Who knows what each one does? Some might slow down
enzymatic actions or speed up other. Some might prevent pathogens from
taking over. This is so past our tech that it is really hard to say
what is going on. The mitochondria must be effect and controlled for
sure. Something must be effecting atp-adp reactions etc, etc. Can you
really say what would be the side effects of this drug without knowing
what it is doing and to what pathways?

Is this a hibernation drug? Many mammals can do this well.

-- 
Douglas E Knapp

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