Cuts and slashes are quite common around Caelereth, everywhere from the smallest scratch to the deepest impalement. Most people get their first cuts during their childhood while frolicking around and from then on get many different wounds, and scratches. Many people know how to treat some light cuts and such, but most likely can’t handle larger ones which require greater work. - Cuts and slashes are treated in three stages: cleaning, bandaging or application of tourniquet, and medicine.

Image description. These few soldiers making a humble retreat were probably quickly dealt with by military healers. Picture from the game Mystical Empire™. Illustration drawn by Quellion.

• Cleaning the Wound
  Cleaning is usually the stage to prevent bad spirits from going in and entering the body through the cut; this is done by just simply washing it with water. Although for a more effective clean a small amount of mil'no sap, totit oil, or ormelin can be used.

• Bandaging
  Bandaging is quite obviously used for covering and wrapping the wound, usually until no blood can seep through which can be supplemented by using the yahrle ointment. For blood loss is the deadliest part of a wound.

• Application of Medicine
  The medicinal part is used to treat pain using certain herbs; the most common are odea moss, miyu bean, and the ice plant. The odea moss is made into a paste and is usually applied after the cleaning and before the bandaging, as to stop the bleeding. The other two, being the miyu bean and the ice plant, are made into salves and are applied to the wound as to nimb it. The miyu bean can also be eaten, and numbs the whole body for very large wounds. The treatments for all different degrees of cuts are described in the following.

Scratch. A scratch is the smallest of cuts, not even noticed by most people although many of children will usually need some treatment. A scratch is about one grain deep, and may not draw any blood. Many children however will come to their parents with a sad face, and will start to feel much better with a small kiss and hug.

Treatment. The treatment for a scratch is quite simple. First water is poured over the scratch, as to wash away evil. Then, skipping the bandage part for it is not needed for something so small that in general doesn’t draw blood, most children want the scratch to feel better so a simple kiss and some reassurance should do.

Cut. A cut is something small and most grown people will just clean it and ignore it, although small children will tear up at the site of their cut. Most cuts draw a drop or two of blood, but not much and can range from two grains to three in depth.

Treatment. Though cuts are often small, often not requiring treatment, children may cry upon seeing a cut on themselves. Most people will first wash the cut with water. Then sometimes a small piece of cloth will usually be put onto the wound, and will stick onto the sticky blood. Then for children, they will sometimes be given a small miyu bean, or possibly even more effective a piece of chocolate, although only rich families can afford this treatment for chocolate is quite expensive.

Deep Cut. A deep cut is usually the point of irritation on adults, but will send some children into a balling state. Deep cuts are usually not dangerous however they are prone to contagion, and require a little bit more care and treatment than a regular cut. Deep cuts will draw a few drops to a quater of a sip of blood, and can be quite painful although they are only temporary. They range from four grains to a nailsbreadth deep.

Treatment. The first thing done when a deep cut is inflicted is a small washing with water. Then usually a small strip of cloth is wrapped around the wounded area, and is sometimes applied with a small amount of yahrle before this. Yahrle is not applied to any cuts smaller than this, for it is seen as a waste, for there is hardly any blood involved. Some people might eat one or two miyu beans, or apply a small amount of a salve made out of miyu bean or ice plant. Although men usually don't do this for they think it is a sign of weakness. Children will also be given a small amount of miyu beans salve or Ice plant salve. Some severe cases however will sometimes require a very small amount of odea moss, given in the form of a powder. A deep cut is to the state where the location of the cut will determine the severity. For instance a deep cut on the sole of the foot would hardly be noticed. But on the earlobe it would bleed profusely and burn. Just keep in mind some areas bleed more than others.

Slash. A slash is a more serious cut in many ways, firstly it hurts adults to the point of actual real pain, and if a child gets a slash in some way it can pose a serious problem, such as blood loss. For a slash can spill a sip of blood or more. Also some slashes on children can get close to the bone, which will require a trip to a professional. These same problems are also sometimes found with the elderly. On adults a slash is quite painful, but most don't need to be taken to a healer. A slash can run up to one nailsbreadth to two nailsbreadth in depth.

Treatment. Slashes are the point where cuts can get dangerous, especially to the weak. First a slash is washed in water, and if possible yahrle ointment; especially useful for children would be some odea moss powder for it stops bleeding better. Then comes bandaging, a long thick strip of cloth is recommended for a cut at this level as to stop blood from seeping through. Then comes medicine, most adults will take a miyu bean, even men. Some women will also apply a salve of ice plant or miyu bean. Children, if seen by a professional healer will usually have the same thing done, except more effective. Most children will need two miyu beans and a salve.

Deep Slash. A deep slash is where actual fatality becomes a distinct possibility. Deep Slashes are to the point where pain becomes quite severe, and nearly unbearable for some people. Although this cut is quite unlikely to happen unless on the battlefield. From this degree of wounds and up, nearly all of them are caused by weapons. This is also the first cut where surgical treatment is required. A deep slash may spill up to a tot of blood, and can range from three to four nailsbreadth in depth.

Treatment. The deep slash is a very severe cut, best treated by a healer. Most healers, as soon as their patients come in with this cut, will quickly douse it with water and put a large amount of yahrle ointment or odea moss on the wound. Most healers will usually give the patient about four miyu beans, as preperation for the surgery. They will then immediately take the strands of a silkel tree, although some pirimitive healers will use myrmex, and quickly stich across the wound. After this they will heavily bandage the area, and most doctors will advise their patients to eat a few miyu beans if the wound starts to hurt again.

Grievous Slash. A grievious slash is one of the most dangerous wounds, of which will probably not result in death with adults. This cut can go up to six nailsbreadth deep, enough to cut off a grown adults arm. The real danger is in the blood loss, for up to two and a half tots of blood can be spilled. This cut is rarely seen however, unless on a raging battlefield. This cut is sometimes can be fatal in adults but usually isn't, if seen by a healer.

Treatment. A grevious slash can be quite deadly if not treated immediately, especially in the weak. A grevious slash is usually quickly washed with water, and coated in lots of yahrle ointment. Although some poorer healers will use odea moss, this treatment is usually not as effective as yahrle ointment however. After this usually some miyu beans are eaten, however don't overdose, and for even more pain reliever some healers will apply ice plant paste to the wound. Then the healer will take a large strand of silkel tree, and double stitch the wound. This is done as a precaution, for the silkel thread might break. Then bandages are added and wrapped tightly. After this the patient is usually sent home and given some ice plant paste and many miyu beans.

Image description. Two tribal warriors end each other's lives, each with a fatal slash. Picture from the game Mystical Empire™, used with friendly permission. Illustration done by Arbaon.

Fatal Slash. A fatal blow is just as its name indicates, and is the highest degree of cut there is. It means permanent handicap and usually death. A fatal blow is most often inflicted by piercing weapons like spears and swords, and is usually done in the chest or stomach. However many other wounds can be done ending in a fatal slash. For in most adults if it is inflicted in the arm or leg area it is usually a grevious slash, unless you have very thick legs or arms. Fatal blows are measured from six nailsbreadth and up, and can draw almost all the blood in the body.

Treatment. The treatment for a fatal blow is very desperate although the patient can sometimes still be saved, if the wounded person isn't killed by an opponent, unable to defend himself or herself. Although some primitive or savage healers will not even try to save their patients. For those certain healers see this as a futile struggle, and a waste of time and supplies. So these healers will overdose their patients e.g. on miyu beans, and give them a painless quick death. These healers on the other hand, if caught in a civilized kindgom might be hanged, unless they have the patient and their family agree to this treatment, which is custom in most regions of Santharia.

If the healer tries to save the patient which they usually will, they will go through the same process that a grievous slash goes through. A serious victim should drink a deep sip of ormelin at the earliest opportunity. Though smaller amounts may be applied directly on or into smaller wounds, ingesting the fluid is best for near-fatal or fatal punctures or slashes. Many healers have patients that have passed out and claim to have sensed the Kiïvosh, the legendary messenger from another world. Many patients will then tell the healer to let them die. For the patient thinks that this is their time to die. As an example here a quote from an elven patient who was attacked in an orc raid: "No, don't give me more ormelin, I have seen the Kiïvosh. I feel him on my breast. His serene coolness radiates through me. Your attempt to save me is futile, I am meant to die now, my friends. It is my time to go." A few minutes after the patient was recorded to have died, peaceful with a blessed smile on his face.

30th Rising Sun 1667 a.S. Information provided by Aurora Damall