Stone Lung

Stone-Lung is a condition that's only recently developed as Spell-Stone mining and processing has grown as an industrial practice.

Causes

Stone-Lung is caused by breathing in fine particles of spell-stone dust. The mines, processing plants, and areas around the plants are filled with this dust. The condition is caused by the crystalline particles cutting the lungs and causing scare tissue to build up.

Symptoms

The first sign you are developing Stone-Lung is a hacking couch. As the condition progresses the victim will begin to cough up blood, run fevers, lose weight and be unable to get a good nights sleep.

Treatment

There is no known treatment at this time. Because the scarring in the lungs is caused by the magical crystals they are resistant to magical healing. You can treat the bacterial and viral infections that form but not the root cause.

Prognosis

In the long run this condition is fatal. But it usually takes 10-15 years to kill a healthy creature. In some cases, the crystal dust will produce an autoimmune response that speeds up this process and the victim will begin having fevers and bowel issues within a few weeks of exposure. All you can do in either case is make the victim comfortable.

Sequela

Tuberculosis, lung cancers, pulmonary edema, cyanosis, heart disease, fungal lung infections, chronic bronchitis, and lung failure are all common conditions that develop.

Affected Groups

Spell-Stone Miners  and Spell-Stone Processors are the most common victims of this disease.

Prevention

There has been talk of a filter being invented in the southern region of Ullia.

Cultural Reception

The condition is seen as something only slaves and lower classes get. Those who can't afford not to work in the mines or districts around the processing plants. But very little is understood about this condition at this point and many upper class people think they can get it by just coming into contact with the victims.

Type

Physiological

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Common