Post by Fireyspeckle on Dec 16, 2008 17:44:09 GMT -5
Medicine cats often do not have to fully obey the traditional warrior code. Because of their close connection with StarClan, these special healing cats often hold different allegiances and ideals than most normal cats. Medicine cats may freely cross Clan boundaries if they are going to or coming from the Moonstone. All clan members respect and trust medicine cats. Medicine cats accompany their leaders to the Moonstone when they receive their 9 lives (on occasion, they may not) or need to commune with StarClan. Medicine cats are respected by all the forest cats, regardless of their clans.
Medicine Cats must also here to different rules than normal clan cats. They cannot have kits. They cannot take a mate. Medicine cats are expected to try and resolve all conflicts peacefully before resorting to violence. They are expected never to create false dreams or lie about what messages StarClan have shared with them.
Unlike normal apprentices, Medicine cat apprentices are not appointed by the clan's leader, although some agreement from the leader is essential. The current medicine cat must choose a cat who is willing to become a medicine cat and take them to Moonstone. StarClan must then approve or disapprove of the choice. Apprentices to medicine cats are expected to learn all the different herbs and their applications before they can become full medicine cats. A medicine cat apprentice does not receive his or her full name until StarClan decides it is deserved.
Apprentices are usually mild mannered and relatively quiet, but this is not a requirement. They are expected to keep secret anything they learn from StarClan until otherwise instructed by their mentor.
Healing Techniques:
How to Stop Heavy Bleeding: First the area that is bleeding must be cleaned of all large objects, such as twigs and leaves. Then cobwebs must be pressed heavily against the bleeding area. Pressure must be applied and kept on the wound until it stops bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, ease pressure gradually and apply any herbs necessary for fighting infection or healing the wound efficiently. Then apply more cobwebs and have injured cat rest for a day or more.
Making a sick cat comfortable: Ill or Injured cats must be taken care of very carefully. Always make sure that the bedding they lay on is dry and free of sharp stones or sticks. Bedding should be moss or soft pine needles, and should be changed daily. Be sure that the cat is out of the line of harsh sunlight, rain, and snow fall. Injured and ill cats are extremely sensitive to noise, so keep the worst cases far back in the den to avoid any disturbances. Moss soaked in water should be offered twice daily to cats who can drink.
Feeding a sick cat: If a cat is only injured, they should be able to eat for themselves. Bring one piece of fresh-kill daily to all injured cats. Cats who are ill may have more trouble. Cats who cannot keep down food should not be fed. They will need to be carefully monitored for signs of malnutrition and dehydration. Cats who can eat should be given only small, easy eaten pieces of fresh-kill. This includes mice, voles, and fish. Rabbits are too large, and birds must be de-feathered carefully. Small pieces are the key to a successful feeding. Do not let sick cats over eat, as it will make them sicker.
Treating an unknown illness: Cats who are found to have an unknown illness must be immediately quarantined from the population. Only the medicine cat may see them. All others must be kept away until the cat is declared safe again. The same care must be given to the cats as normal ill cats, and treatments that may promise to heal must be tried. If the case becomes severe, it may serve well to meet with other medicine cat to discuss the problem
Helpful Hints
Storing herbs in Winter: Storing herbs in winter can often be quite difficult. Herbs will spoil quickly after being gathered unless dried. While drying is possible in the seasons of leaf-green, green-leaf, and leaf-fall, it is rarely an option in leaf-bare. A recommended technique is pressing. This methods works only with large, leafy herbs. Take a flay rock and place it near the den. Place the herb on the rock and place another flat rock onto that. The herb will soon be flat and dry. Herbs that cannot be dried or pressed should be stored immediately after gathering. Dig a hole inside of your den. Line the hole with dry leaves and twigs. Then place all herbs into the hole and cover with snow. The herbs will keep for several moons.
Organizing your den: Organization is very important. An unorganized den may lead to a cat's death. All herbs should be contained in special hollows in the dirt at the den's entrance. These hollows should be scooped shaped, and lay close to the entrance and off to the side. The main den area should be covered with a layer of dry moss. The moss must be changed every three days to ensure comfort and cleanliness. A flat stone should be placed near the herb hollows for easy grinding acess. Keep the rock cleared off and do not pile herbs or prey onto the rock. Be sure to leave a clear path through the den so cats can move freely without stepping on the injured or ill.
Dealing with multiple wounded at one time: Often, after a battle or skirmish, many cats will be wounded at once. It is important to prioritize the wounded quickly and efficiently. First, check to see if any very young or very old cats were injured. Tend to these cats first. Then go and tend to the heavily bleeding or bitten. These must be treated quickly to prevent infection. Next comes any cat whose paws or eyes were injured. Finally, all minor injuries can be dealt with as necessary. Move any seriously wounded cats to the den for observation and special care
All thanks to Ashwing. I didn't make any of this so, congratulate Ashwing at StarClan's seven!
Medicine Cats must also here to different rules than normal clan cats. They cannot have kits. They cannot take a mate. Medicine cats are expected to try and resolve all conflicts peacefully before resorting to violence. They are expected never to create false dreams or lie about what messages StarClan have shared with them.
Unlike normal apprentices, Medicine cat apprentices are not appointed by the clan's leader, although some agreement from the leader is essential. The current medicine cat must choose a cat who is willing to become a medicine cat and take them to Moonstone. StarClan must then approve or disapprove of the choice. Apprentices to medicine cats are expected to learn all the different herbs and their applications before they can become full medicine cats. A medicine cat apprentice does not receive his or her full name until StarClan decides it is deserved.
Apprentices are usually mild mannered and relatively quiet, but this is not a requirement. They are expected to keep secret anything they learn from StarClan until otherwise instructed by their mentor.
Healing Techniques:
How to Stop Heavy Bleeding: First the area that is bleeding must be cleaned of all large objects, such as twigs and leaves. Then cobwebs must be pressed heavily against the bleeding area. Pressure must be applied and kept on the wound until it stops bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, ease pressure gradually and apply any herbs necessary for fighting infection or healing the wound efficiently. Then apply more cobwebs and have injured cat rest for a day or more.
Making a sick cat comfortable: Ill or Injured cats must be taken care of very carefully. Always make sure that the bedding they lay on is dry and free of sharp stones or sticks. Bedding should be moss or soft pine needles, and should be changed daily. Be sure that the cat is out of the line of harsh sunlight, rain, and snow fall. Injured and ill cats are extremely sensitive to noise, so keep the worst cases far back in the den to avoid any disturbances. Moss soaked in water should be offered twice daily to cats who can drink.
Feeding a sick cat: If a cat is only injured, they should be able to eat for themselves. Bring one piece of fresh-kill daily to all injured cats. Cats who are ill may have more trouble. Cats who cannot keep down food should not be fed. They will need to be carefully monitored for signs of malnutrition and dehydration. Cats who can eat should be given only small, easy eaten pieces of fresh-kill. This includes mice, voles, and fish. Rabbits are too large, and birds must be de-feathered carefully. Small pieces are the key to a successful feeding. Do not let sick cats over eat, as it will make them sicker.
Treating an unknown illness: Cats who are found to have an unknown illness must be immediately quarantined from the population. Only the medicine cat may see them. All others must be kept away until the cat is declared safe again. The same care must be given to the cats as normal ill cats, and treatments that may promise to heal must be tried. If the case becomes severe, it may serve well to meet with other medicine cat to discuss the problem
Helpful Hints
Storing herbs in Winter: Storing herbs in winter can often be quite difficult. Herbs will spoil quickly after being gathered unless dried. While drying is possible in the seasons of leaf-green, green-leaf, and leaf-fall, it is rarely an option in leaf-bare. A recommended technique is pressing. This methods works only with large, leafy herbs. Take a flay rock and place it near the den. Place the herb on the rock and place another flat rock onto that. The herb will soon be flat and dry. Herbs that cannot be dried or pressed should be stored immediately after gathering. Dig a hole inside of your den. Line the hole with dry leaves and twigs. Then place all herbs into the hole and cover with snow. The herbs will keep for several moons.
Organizing your den: Organization is very important. An unorganized den may lead to a cat's death. All herbs should be contained in special hollows in the dirt at the den's entrance. These hollows should be scooped shaped, and lay close to the entrance and off to the side. The main den area should be covered with a layer of dry moss. The moss must be changed every three days to ensure comfort and cleanliness. A flat stone should be placed near the herb hollows for easy grinding acess. Keep the rock cleared off and do not pile herbs or prey onto the rock. Be sure to leave a clear path through the den so cats can move freely without stepping on the injured or ill.
Dealing with multiple wounded at one time: Often, after a battle or skirmish, many cats will be wounded at once. It is important to prioritize the wounded quickly and efficiently. First, check to see if any very young or very old cats were injured. Tend to these cats first. Then go and tend to the heavily bleeding or bitten. These must be treated quickly to prevent infection. Next comes any cat whose paws or eyes were injured. Finally, all minor injuries can be dealt with as necessary. Move any seriously wounded cats to the den for observation and special care
All thanks to Ashwing. I didn't make any of this so, congratulate Ashwing at StarClan's seven!
