Redfist

Science is a wonderful thing, isn't it? Generations of people have suffered from this affliction and now, in the span of merely fifty years, we have annihilated it.

— Henrik Kladegan, Feran Medic

Redfist was an affliction primarily found in western Vardania that would usually show itself via red markings on the hands, arms and legs. However, the hands were most often affected, giving the disease its name. Beyond the well-known colouring, the affliction would cause severe irritation of the affected areas. In mild cases, this shows itself merely as slight itching or tickling. Others feel waves of pain that periodically return and may intensify or lessen. Worst case the afflicted are unable to even grasp anything with their hands, even the slightest touch sending waves of fiery pain down their bodies. If they are lucky, these waves will last for but a few minutes. In other cases, people had to go days on end without being able to touch anything.
The discovery of Kelgin, a substance that can be won from a mixture of healing plants native to western Vardania in 3242 DA, has brought an end to the suffering. It is usually used as a painkiller, but if applied in concentrated form can essentially deactivate the negative side effects of Redfist. Taking a spoonful of the powder every day, be it with either drink or food, over four weeks will ensure that the pain disappears, leaving only the red markings as a sign. The Fourth Tarquinnian Hegemony used the chance to try and eradicate an affliction, which while not lethal was still impeding on lives and performance of its citizens. After concentrated mass treatment of the populations within the affected regions for fifty years, the disease seems to have died off. No new cases have been reported in over a decade by 3301 DA.