Medicine Cat/Medicine Cat Apprentice Tips/Hints

[Blackstormz]

Medicine Cats & the Warrior Code

Medicine cats often do not have to fully obey the traditional warrior code because of their close and unusual connection with Starclan, these special healers often hold different allegiances then normal warriors. Medicine cats may freely cross Clan Borders if they are going to or coming from the Moonpool or on a mission to another clan. All clan Clan-Mates no matter what clan respect and trust all medicine cats. Medicine cats accompany their leaders to Moonpool when they receive their 9 lives or when they need to talk with their warrior ancestors. Medicine cats must also ad here to different rules then normal clan cats.

• They can not have mates and kits
  
• They are expected to try and resolve all conflicts peacefully before turning to violence.
  
• They are expected to never to make false dreams or lie about what message Starclan has shared with them.

Medicine Cat Apprentices

Unlike normal apprentices, Medicine cats apprentices are not appointed by the leader but by the medicine cat (although some agreement is made by the leader). The current Medicine cat chooses a cat that is willing to become a medicine cat and then take them to Moonpool. Starclan must approve or disapprove of the choice. Apprentices to the medicine cat are expected to learn all the different herbs and applications before they become a full medicine cat. The medicine cat apprentice does not receive her full name until Starclan decides that they deserve it. Apprentice are usually mild mannered, mature, and somewhat quiet but there is no certain requirement apprentice may have whatever personality they were born with.

Medicine Cats and Starclan

Medicine cats share a unique bond with the ancestors of Starclan. They travel to Moonpool every half moon to share dreams with these starry cats and sometimes receives prophecies about the future.

Medicine cats travel to Moonpool for several reasons:

• Accompany a leader to recieve their 9 lives
  
• Initiate a new apprentice
  
• Initiate a new Medicine Cat
  
• During the half moon to share dreams
  

Starclan can also speak with Medicine cats through their regular dreams, though this is likely rare.

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.

Treating a broken/fractured bone: Few times in battle or just normal accidents in the forest does a cat break a leg. But in case this does happen Medicine cats and their apprentice are prepared for the times. All you need is Reed and Cobwebs. Measure the Reed size to the size of the area that is broken. Next place the reed by the broken spot and put bone in place. Then you must wrap the cobweb around the reed and the broken area. You must be extremely gentle and double check that the bone is in place and that the reed is holding it straight. Check the wound every couple days to see if the bone is healing and mending well. When the cat can walk on it properly or with little limp then you can remove the cobweb and reed and the cats broken area is healed.

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 roak 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 access. 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.

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