Observations and Conclusions on the Haenseni Plague

[Hanrahan 2983]

Joint Statement from the Offices of Senator Terrence May and Doctor Charles Napier

 

IMPERIAL SENATE COMMISSION ON THE ‘HAESENI’ PLAGUE

10th of Harren’s Folly, 1743 | 296 ES

 

My dear constituents, 

 

It has come to my attention that rumors of questionable credibility of a ‘plague’ originated and infested our nation. These details indicate that the urban centers and the granaries around Reza are to blame as this so-called disease has spread toward the Ruberni crossroads and as far to the Morsgradese who have astonishingly reported widespread cases. Therefore, in order to investigate these matters with haste, I am announcing an Imperial Senate Commission on the ‘Haeseni’ Plague. I am inviting our esteemed colleague from Helena, Doctor Charles Napier, to accompany me and Senator Corbish to perform casework in this constituency. 

 

The intent of the commission is to provide utmost clarity and transparency so that if there is great consternation over health issues, the government will be readily poised to address it. Suspicion over the last few saint’s hours have indicated that if this disease is so widespread, why have no other cases been reported elsewhere? It is important to me and I believe I speak for all of our Haeseni people that the truth must be uncovered so as to prevent any fatalities and illnesses to wrack our homes. We must safeguard our children and our families with deliberate speed and find diagnoses and cures without delay. I am calling upon all of my constituents to remain at ease and to allow our medical officials to perform this vital work.

 

I urge all to remain equally vigilant and to ensure that they practice proper hygiene in order to quarantine any forms of infectious diseases or toxins. I am calling on increasing inspections for farmers and all imports from merchants, boiling water before using it, and abiding by all forthcoming directives that this commission may have to impart. 

 

Sen. T. May

 

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Commision on the RUMOURS of Plague in Reza.

 

    The preposterous claim by the thoroughly medieval ‘physicians’ if one could title them so (I personally think not) that there is a bout of plague occurring in Reza is of course, without any understanding or scientific backing. In virtually all forms of plague or pandemic, urban centers are always struck first, as they contain the most fruitful conditions to allow a plague to spread. In their letter, they detail how it spread from the rural areas into the urban centers. Secondly, the symptoms are completely irrelevant to any known disease so far known to man. Virtually all diseases cause significant physical alterations in the body, coughing, headaches, fever, weakness, sores, pox, rash, and so forth. What they do not do is cause significant hallucination and alteration of the state of mind. The answer for this can be found in a most subtle and yet common affliction of RYE grains, where the ‘plague’ was first reported. 

 

Ergot spores growing from Rye Grains.

 

    There is a common mould which fixes itself upon healthy grains of rye wheat, and is often ignored by the layman farmer. It can grow to cover a fifth of the harvest, and thusly - if the corrupted grains are not picked out of the lot, end up mixed with the rest. Then, as the mixed grains are sent to the mill, and eventually processed into bread, the spores of the mould are baked into said bread. 

 

The Spores of this mould cause many of the symptoms listed by the Morsgrad report. Severe hallucinations, an inability to speak, muscle spasms and muscle failure. It is a powerful toxin that severely hampers the mental processes. However, it is NOT FATAL, and will soon pass away when the infected bread is no longer consumed. 

 

The source of the mould is most likely traceable back to the Morsgrad occupation force. It is not outside the realm of reason that bread or grain they travelled with was infected, and they were not aware of it. As their hasty observations conclude - it is almost certain that they could not be aware of it.

 

Prevention of Ergot infection is very easy and manageable.

   

Boil harvested grains. Infected grains will float, whereas healthy grains sink.

Plow deep the fields. Ergot will not spore if the grain is planted below two inches of soil.

Rotate crops, and break up monoculture fields. This reduces the chances of full contamination and spread.

 

Dr. C. Napier

 

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Signed,

His Excellency, Doctor Charles Napier, Imperial Senator from Helena

 

His Excellency, Terrence May, Imperial Senator from the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska, Chairman of the Imperial Senate Committee on Justice

 

[Narthok 10416]

@Harrison “This man must be infected with the Marian Fever” Godric would murmur as he’d stand beside Dr Daniel, the good doctor applying the Marian Fever test and observing whether or not the most recently captured Haenseni would begin gobbling dirt, completely uncoerced

[Harri 4815]

Doctor Daniel sends note to the author of this thesis, the details of this letter requesting a peaceful discussion about the two acclaimed diseases of the realm, so that he may be further educated on the dangers and effects of Rye.