Alchemical Medicine
The Green Order of alchemists has over the last couple of decades revolutionized both the theoretical fields of chemistry and biology and the practical application of medicine. The field of epidemiology and pathology in particular have developed quickly thanks to the understanding of microfauna, and promising breakthroughs in the laboratories of Goldstadt thanks to new and advanced alchemical techniques are sure to shed light on the very origin of life itself. These techniques were developed in tandem by two professors of the Green and Yellow orders, and they will no doubt revolutionize the imperium's medicinal knowledge over the next couple of years.
The alchemists have very impressive understanding of the body and microanatomy thanks to advanced optical technologies, being able to perceive particles smaller than the mitochondria. They also have the ability to use markers like gold and phosphor to follow molecules in the cell, which has given them a thorough understanding of how the cell works and how they can treat it. They can use their alchemical knowledge to make medicines. They also have a good understanding of genetics, and are capable of modifying som creatures. What they lack, however, is computational power. They have no automated systems and no computational power. As an example, alchemists understand the importance of blood, how its different cellular components work and can interpret complete blood counts. However, actually performing such a count is time-consuming, as it demands that an alchemist sits down with a sample and studies it. Even the best alchemist must spend the better part of a day making a full report on blood, although it can be a useful diagnostic tool in extreme cases where it is very obvious that something is wrong.
Similarly, while the alchemists have knowledge of genetics they have no reliable way of performing cheap and quick tests of genes. They have developed techniques for verifying a few genetic disorders, mostly through trial and error, but these tests are so time-consuming that they are only performed in cases where such disorders are suspected. There are no larg-scale population testing, which means that many grow up and suffer from gene diseases which could have been prevented given better testing.
The alchemists have very impressive understanding of the body and microanatomy thanks to advanced optical technologies, being able to perceive particles smaller than the mitochondria. They also have the ability to use markers like gold and phosphor to follow molecules in the cell, which has given them a thorough understanding of how the cell works and how they can treat it. They can use their alchemical knowledge to make medicines. They also have a good understanding of genetics, and are capable of modifying som creatures. What they lack, however, is computational power. They have no automated systems and no computational power. As an example, alchemists understand the importance of blood, how its different cellular components work and can interpret complete blood counts. However, actually performing such a count is time-consuming, as it demands that an alchemist sits down with a sample and studies it. Even the best alchemist must spend the better part of a day making a full report on blood, although it can be a useful diagnostic tool in extreme cases where it is very obvious that something is wrong.
Similarly, while the alchemists have knowledge of genetics they have no reliable way of performing cheap and quick tests of genes. They have developed techniques for verifying a few genetic disorders, mostly through trial and error, but these tests are so time-consuming that they are only performed in cases where such disorders are suspected. There are no larg-scale population testing, which means that many grow up and suffer from gene diseases which could have been prevented given better testing.
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