Medicine

Medicine is a field of study at The University. Kvothe studied it one Term. The Medica is the University's hospital and also the facility in which the subject is taught. The class is currently taught by Master Arwyl, the Master Physicker at The University.

Medicine within the Chronicle

Medical Basis

Medicine in The Kingkiller Chronicle is largely based on herbal medicine. Relevant herbs can be studied in books such as The Herborica. Healers are expected to know all of the effects that herbs have on the human body, including whether or not they are safe in pregnant women. Other medicines and medical supplies, are made with chemicals, which connects to another university study of Chemistry.

Known Medicine

Healers have knowledge anesthesia, sterilization, and many surgical techniques. Healers are expected to know how to suture lacerations. Many diseases, such as cataracts, can be treated with surgery. Healers are aware that diseases are caused by germs, and are expected to maintain sanitary techniques when treating patients. Healers are keenly aware of the dangers of drug addictions, and are therefore careful when prescribing anesthetics. Healers are also aware of the futility of many pseudo-medical techniques of the time, such as the use the leaches to treat infections.

Gaps in Knowledge

While healers in The Chronicle have an impressive knowledge of medicine, there are many aspects of medicine, which we know in our world, which are unknown within Temerant. Examples include:

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics are unavailable within Temerant. This means that when wounds become infected, amputation is often necessary. Furthermore, as Kvothe and Vashet state, they are unable to save a patient from an abdominal wound.
• Biologic Medicines: Inorganic chemistry is very advanced within Temerant. However, inorganic chemistry and biochemistry are not as well understood. Kvothe mocks Caudicus for believing the temperature of medications is important. For biologic medications, specific temperatures must be maintained.
• Phlebotomy: Both Kvothe and Arwyl mock the idea of removing blood from patients. While it is true that removing blood does not treat infections, there are many diseases, such as excess blood iron levels, that can be treated by removing blood.