From the desk of Commissar 2nd Class, Doctor Sara
Barerra
Office of Health & Disease Prevention on loan to OEDR
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The following is a compilation of
case notes I have archived in my search to understand the novum condition known
as “Geliartik” (or “Grey Eye” in English). "Grey Eye" is a non-life threatening
medical condition affecting subjects from birth. It manifests, as its name
would imply, by altering the pigmentation in the iris resulting in dark
epithelium and near transparent anterior stroma to produce the appearance of
grey in nearly all light conditions (Detailed notes attached in separate file).
Unlike humans, novum seem to have no hereditary predisposition for grey eyes to
occur as the condition manifests in all known races and pedigree of novum. What
is clear is that external factors (apparently during pregnancy) manifest the
condition; however what these factors are became a point of interest to
investigate. “Common knowledge” amongst the novum dictates that a pregnancy
brought on by involuntary sexual congress will produce a grey eyed or
“geliartik” baby. However, what caused me to question the validity of those
findings were several inconsistencies.
-First: The instance rate of “geliartiks”, by all accounts, were several times higher during the Imperial occupation than at any other point in recorded novum history. While understanding that certain elements may seek to take advantage of the wildly different concept of ‘Law & Order’ the Empire provided, the fact that ‘Theft of Purity’ as a cultural taboo had not been removed forces me to question just how often such attacks would have truly taken place.
-Second: Though anecdotal, grey eyed children being born to mothers who have insisted that the baby was indeed that of the consensual sexual partner was not unheard of even before the occupation. In the past this has been dismissed as either a deliberate attempt on behalf of the mother to hide (more ‘developed’ cultures have also suggested ‘blocked memory’ of) the assault. Again, while perhaps true in some cases, it is extremely specious to suggest it would be true in all.
-Third: While our knowledge of the novum reproductive system remains limited as of this writing, we do know that at least mechanically consensual intercourse and non-consensual intercourse have no significant differences.
-Fourth: There are incidents both in novum legal proceedings and in legend that a novum woman impregnated by allegedly non-consensual intercourse bore children with ‘normal’ eye colors.
-Fifth: Birthing grey eyed children appears to have no bearing one one’s ability to produce subsequent children with ‘normal’ eye colors.
Given
these inconsistencies, I was prompted to begin a preliminary investigation into
this phenomenon apart from my regular duties. The ethical nature of the subject
matter, of course, precluded any sort of controlled practical testing; so these
findings are strictly based on interviews and non-laboratory standard genetic
testing, however I believe even the initial results do much to challenge the
initial conclusion behind the cause of the condition.
(Earth: 2043) (Talv: 06/10): A
novum woman (Subject Athena Blue in Attached Case Report) in clear distress
checked herself in at the relief clinic and demanded that she be seen only by a
female doctor. Being available at the time, I elected to treat her. Blue
confided that she had begun to lactate that morning and revealed that she had
been the victim a forced encounter several weeks prior (Assailant Unknown). It
was then that I was introduced to the concerns regarding birthing a grey-eyed
child (Condition hitherto to be referred to a Ocular Cinereosis), and asked if there was anything
I could do. I informed her that it would be unsafe for me to attempt any sort
of procedure that would alter her baby’s eye color or perform a pregnancy termination
given our limited knowledge of novum physiology. I did, however, obtain a blood
and urine sample and instructed her to return in two week’s time after fasting
for 36 hours.
(T) 06/12: Athena Blue’s test
results showed a wide-spectrum elevation in hormones when compared to other
novum women, particularly in Adrenaline, Testosterone, Estrogen, Cortisol,
Progesterone, Norepinephrine, and a hormone unique to novum designated as P14.
The presence of many of these hormones is completely normal in pregnant humans,
but some would indicate a persistent state of stress or depression. However,
this being the first blood test of a pregnant novum woman (sadly, past medical
records remain unavailable at this time) I have no basis on whether to state if
this is normal.
(T)
06/14: Another pregnant subject (Athena White)
reported to the clinic today. She had an inner ear infection, but appeared
otherwise healthy. Novum-specific antibiotics are still in short supply since
the liberation, but success has been reported with Amoxicillin on healthy
adults. Before prescribing any, I drew her blood as well. Since she reported
that her pregnancy was consensual (a difficult nugget of information to obtain)
I hope that I can use her blood work as a baseline for further tests.
(T)
06/15: Athena White’s test results showed
significant differences from Blue’s. Adrenaline, Cortisol, Norepinephrine, and
P14 levels were all markedly reduced. Given her state of infection, it is
unknown if any normal hormone production may have a tendency to be inhibited,
but that there was a difference between her and Blue is important context.
(T)
06/18: Commissar Prewitt and I had been discussing
OC for the past few days. Apparently, sufferers of OC(again, called
‘Geliartiks’ by local populace) are treated with no little disdain; given the
assumption of circumstances regarding their conception. Yesterday, Prewitt had
assisted in delivering a baby who had OC, however the mother (Athena Red)
maintained that it was indeed her husband’s (Adonis Red). The husband was, of
course, furious (such a claim, after all, might double as an accusation in a
novum court). Fortunately, Prewitt was able to convince them to subject the
infant (Eros Red) to a paternity test. I must admit that I am glad Prewitt –and
not I- had to report to the Red family that Eros Red’s father was Adonis Red’s
brother. The brother (Poseidon Red) was arrested for theft of purity after
Athena Red accused him of forcing himself on her (citing fear of skepticism as
reason for not reporting it before). Prewitt was not convinced, suspecting
Athena Red told the most convenient lie to get out of trouble. However, Eros
was not bought into an orphanage. Further medical inquiries with the Red family
will likely prove difficult.
---(TBC)---
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