Medicine

The modern era has seen a number of medical innovations as well as improvements in public health and sanitation.

A more rationalist approach to illness has developed with doctors examining symptoms to create a diagnosis and prognosis. There is also more interest in determining cause of death post-mortem.

Drugs and Medicine

Medications used vary widely. Herbal and other natural treatments are common: many are traditional remedies but some doctors have discovered or concocted novel treatments (some more salutary than others). Many of these herbal remedies do have medicinal benefits and some are proto-antibiotics. Medications containing alcohol or lotos are also increasingly common. These are often palliative, addictive and even harmful.

Traditional Medicine Primitive healers and mystical faith healers can be found throughout the two Kingdoms. Most operate among the peasanty but can also be found in many noble courts. Some preach natural remedies and "old wive's tales", some exercise with a spiritual element, changes in diet, and/or centering mind and body through practices in meditation. Other such healers include women who are widowed and/or midwives and mystical charlatans.

Doctors are viewed by many (but not all) to be more professional and reliable

Public Health and Sanitation

Better surgical tools and procedures have been developed and various anesthetics are now employed.

In general there is more interest in the health of the population. More hospitals have been built in cities and more clinics established to serve rural areas. There are also studies on diet and nutrition. Treatises have been written on how best to keep the population fed and on nutritional deficiencies and how they can be remedied. Epidemiology

One field of medicine which has seen great development is epidemiology. For obvious reasons, governmental authorities wish to understand the origin of infectious diseases, how they are transmitted, common symptoms, mortality rate, and methods to contain, treat, cure and prevent the spread of diseases.

Origins

Many medical innovations such as surgical tools and procedures were first developed in a military context to treat field injuries.

The rise of rationalistic medicine and construction of hospitals began in Hu as well as the interest in nutrition. Meanwhile, the focus on epidemiology took place in Long. Many of these initiatives have since been introduced to both kingdoms, with more hospitals being constructed today in Long.

The rise of "snake oil" medications can be blamed on the urban and mercantile class. They are most likely to be seen in the Merchant League trade cities of the southern sea and in other large cities. Many theorize the craze first took off in the Cetacian city states.