The Outlandish Companion - Diana Gabaldon [167]
#: 470986 S8/Research & craft [WRITERS]
23-Aug-97 03:48:21 Sb: SPOILER—Penicillin Fm: Diana Gabaldon 76530,523 To: All
SPOILER
Whew. Had a migraine all yesterday, and didn’t get _anything_ done, but finally finished this penicillin scene tonight. This is a somewhat longer scene than I’d usually post on the boards, but it’s kind of all-of-a-piece, so it didn’t seem suitable just to put up the first bit.
IN ORDER TO GIVE the flavor of this sort of online exchange, minimal editing has been done, and small conventions of online communication have been left as they appeared in the original messages. These include underscore marks (_) used to indicate italics or other emphasis in the text, abbreviations of commonly used terms, and assorted “emoticons.”
Since it isn’t possible to transmit tones of voice, facial expressions, or other nonverbal cues that people normally use in face-to-face conversations, many people use symbols known as “emoticons,” to indicate these cues and clarify the meaning of their messages. Such symbols as appear in this thread include:
:) = also a smile (look at the symbol sideways) ;) = a wink <<>>= brackets enclose text that is quoted from an earlier message, in order to make it clear when a subsequent message is addressing a particular point from the earlier message. SPOILER is used at the head of messages that contain excerpts of a to-be-published book or story, or that include discussions of published work (or films) that might give away important material concerning the plot. This is a courtesy warning to people who don’t want to know anything about a book, film, etc., prior to seeing the completed work.4 IANAD = “I am not a doctor.” (also IANAL = “I am not a lawyer”) A disclaimer of expert knowledge, preceding an opinion. LOL = “Laughing out loud” OTOH = “On the other hand” FWTW = “For what it’s worth” IOW = “In other words” It occurs to me that Alan might not want to read this, if he’s only beginning with OUTLANDER. But if you’re around, Ellen, (or any other of the medically knowledgeable) I’d appreciate any comments on plausibilities and procedures—just so I don’t get rashes of letters from People Who Know, later on. Thanks,—Diana Excerpt THE FIERY CROSS Copyright © 1997 Diana Gabaldon [date] _Was called from churning to attend Rosamund Lindsey, who arrived in late afternoon with a severe laceration to the left hand, sustained with an axe while girdling trees. Wound was extensive, having nearly severed the left thumb; laceration extended from base of index finger to two inches above the styloid process of the radius, which was superficially damaged. Injury had been sustained approximately three days prior, treated with rough binding and bacon grease. Extensive sepsis apparent, with suppuration, gross swelling of hand and forearm. Thumb blackened; gangrene apparent; characteristic pungent odor. Subcutaneous red streaks, indicative of blood poisoning, extended from site of injury nearly to antecubital fossa. Patient presented with high fever (est. 104 degrees F, by hand), symptoms of dehydration, mild disorientation. Tachycardia evident. In view of the seriousness of patient’s condition, recommended immediate amputation of limb at elbow. Patient refused to consider this, insisted instead upon application of pigeon poultice, consisting of the split body of a freshly killed pigeon, applied to wound (patient’s husband had brought pigeon, neck freshly wrung). Removed thumb at base of metacarpal, ligated remains of radial artery (crushed in original injury) and superficialis volae. Debrided and drained wound, applied approximately ½ oz. crude penicillin powder (source: rotted casaba rind, batch #23, prep. 15/4/71) topically, followed by application of mashed raw garlic (three cloves),