torso caused by violentcontact with the metal of the aircraft,” she went on.
“There was continuing blood loss. Differences in the appearance of the limbs on
the right and left sides indicated the presence of multiple fractures, one of
which was visible where it projected through the tegument of the left leg. There
was no evidence of blood coming from the patient’s breathing and speaking
orifices, so it was assumed that no serious injuries had been sustained in the
lung and abdominal areas. Naturally, very careful consideration had to be given
before I agreed to take the case.” “Naturally,” Edanelt said. “You were faced
with treating a member of an off-planet species, one possessing a physiology and
metabolism of which you had no previous experience. Or had you previous
experience? Did you consider sending for same-species medical assistance?”
“I had not seen an Earth-human before that time,” Cha Thrat replied. “I knew
that one of their ships was in orbit around Sommaradva and that the process of
establishing friendly contact was well advanced. I had heard that they were
traveling widely among our principal cities, and that they often used our air
transport, presumably to gain some experience of our level of technology. I sent
a message to the nearest city hoping that they would relay it to the
Earth-humans, but it was unlikely that it would arrive in time. The area is
remote, mountainous, heavily forested, and thinly populated. The facilities were
limited and time was short.”
“I understand,” Edanelt said. “Describe your procedure.”
Remembering, Cha Thrat looked again at the network of scars and the dark,
contused areas where the subder-mal bleeding had not completely dispersed.
“At the time of treatment I was not aware of the fact that native pathogens have
no effect on life-forms which evolved on a different planet, and it seemed to me
thatthere was a grave danger of infection. It was also thought] that Sommaradvan
medication and anesthetics would bel ineffective if not lethal. The only
indicated procedur^. was to thoroughly irrigate the wounds, particularly those]
associated with the fractures, with distilled water. While j reducing the
fractures, some minor repairs were required to damaged blood vessels in the
area. The incised, wounds were sutured, covered, and the fractured limbs |
immobilized. The work was done very quickly because the patient was conscious
and…”
“Not for long,” Chiang said in a low voice. “I passed out.”
“… and the pulse seemed weak and irregular,” she went on, “even though I
didn’t know the normal rate. The only means available to counteract shock and
the effects of blood loss were external heating, provided by wood fires placed
downwind so that smoke and ash would not contaminate the operative field, and
pure water given intravenously when consciousness was lost. 1 was unsure whether
our saline solution would be beneficial or toxic. I realize now that I was being
overcautious, but I did not want to risk losing a limb.”
“Naturally,” Edanelt said. “Now describe your postoperative treatment.”
“The patient regained consciousness late that evening,” Cha Thrat went on. “It
appeared to be mentally and verbally lucid, although the exact meaning of some
words were unclear since they referred to the consigning of the faulty aircraft,
the whole current situation, and myself to some hypothetical but extremely
unpleasant afterlife. Since the native edible vegetation was likely to prove
harmful, only water administered orally could be given. The patient complained
of severe discomfort at the site of the wounds. Native pain-relief medication
could not be given because it might prove toxic, so thatthe condition could only
be treated, however inadequately, by verbal reassurance and encouragement—”
“For three days she never stopped talking,” Chiang said. “Asking questions about
my work, and what I would be doing after I returned to active duty, when I was
pretty sure that I would be returning in a box. She talked so much, sometimes,
that I just fell asleep.”
There was a slight tremor apparent in Prilicla’s limbs. Cha Thrat wondered if
the Cinrusskin was sensitive even to the Earth-human’s remembered pain.
She resumed. “In response to several urgent requests, five members of the
patient’s species, one of whom was a healer, arrived with supplies of suitable