A Body at the Lab

[drkenison]

Gloria wasn't sure what to make of all of this. The body in the cold storage wrapped in chains, the people, the mysterious disease. She was pacing around the secondary lab where she had the body because she didn't want it around her animals and this lab had the storage. She was waiting and hated it. Waiting for her professor, waiting for the people who helped her grab this thing and watching the door to the cold storage warily. Even though it was a reinforced door that thing scared her. She would never show it but she was afraid and uncomfortable. There hadn't been any sounds from the other room so she assumed the body was still secure.

Comments

[time_goes_by]

"The hunter seemed like he was.. trying to remember how to use the gun. So, does that make the disease something that keeps the nervous system functioning even after the body is dead? I keep thinking to what I read about Brukhonenko, but I know this isn't the same. It's just that if that wasn't a lie, then the brain can function and- I'm sorry, Miss. You're the scientist, so you understand this all a lot better than me. I'm just trying to have all of this make some kind of sense."

Janie stopped talking and looked down at her hands. She'd just made a fool of herself in front of someone who was smart and successful.

[drkenison]

I agree. She commented. He did seem like he had amnesia or some damage to his memories. Pick's disease shows similar brain symptoms but the thickening of the blood and the lack of pulse are not part of that disease.

Gloria was starting to just follow her own train of thought and speak out loud. Whatever the disease is that causes these symptoms I think it does effect and atrophy the nervous system.

[time_goes_by]

"Did you already analyze his blood?" Janie asked "I know that the disease probably isn't in it, but it might give us some clues, since it's not quite Pick's. He probably got it from the bite."

Janie frowned, as she got out a small notebook from her pocket She scribbled a few notes about what they just talked about, so she could remember it later, when she had time to read

[drkenison]

Yes. She replied with a very concerned look. Do you know where he was bitten, how many times?

Gloria was looking at Janie but she wasn't really seeing her. Her mind was elsewhere and deep in thought. There was a virus I didn't recognize in the blood and the saliva. I've requested literature but it will take time for it to arrive.

[time_goes_by]

"All I remember seeing was the bite on his leg. Did you sketch what the virus looked like? Is it anything close to rabies? I don't think a vaccine works after someone is already sick, but I'm not read up on this subject. I read what I can get my hands on, but it's nowhere near enough."

She looked at her notes again, and scribbled a few more down. Sometimes that was the best way for her to solve problems,

"We're going to have to check the other traps, if you still think it'll help."

[drkenison]

I've seen STEM scans of rabies. She shook her head slowly. This is not rabies.

Vaccines are not always reliable because they are dependent on immune responses which can be subdued in some individuals.

I am not sure how much specimens would help other than researching the symptoms and progress of the disease. There haven't been any safe treatments for viruses developed though I have read some experimental research on the topic.

She sighed realizing her knowledge was being tested to its limits but she rather enjoyed the challenge. Developing a treatment profile is a laborious process.


(OOC: The first rudimentary Anti-Virals, for hep, were developed in 1960. ;) )

[time_goes_by]

"What are your thoughts on it?" Janie asked, after a moment "Looking at my notes, you're right, we're going to need a treatment profile because otherwise... well. we're all going to have to be very careful. Can I read the research too? I- I want to help, Doctor, if I can. Something's got to be done"

Janie sighed too, realizing that this was a once-in-a-lifetime situation, and if circumstances were a little different, she'd be much happier about being in a lab. This was ll a huge honor, but she still hadn't had time to process it. Even so, she was a bit excited.

(OOC: Yep, through trial and error. A very long process)

[drkenison]

Gloria nodded. My assistant is home for break. I could use the help until Judith returns.

I have some of the articles in the office. She paused and looked at Janie critically and spoke frankly but without any sense of demeaning or treating her as less.

How much schooling have you had? Some of the research is very demanding. You may need to start with an immunology textbook before reading the research.

[time_goes_by]

Janie was extremely honored and happy for a moment, when Gloria said that she could use her help. Then it sank when she asked about schooling.

"Dr.Kennison, I will be honest, I have not had very much school. I left home to go to college, but never made it. Instead, I read and learn what I can when I can. My boss is an engineer and he'll bring me any book I ask for as well as papers that he gets access to. I would very much like to read that textbook. Dr, I learn fast and I work hard. Just because I don't have a fancy degree doesn't mean that I'm dumb."

She was honest, and hoped that what she said wouldn't change Dr.Kennison's mind.

[drkenison]

Her stance about schooling brought a big and genuine smile to the Doctor. Janie reminded her of Judith in many ways.

Can you read German? It was an honest question as Gloria went to fetch several books from a cabinet. She gets at least these two books for Janie to start with; Fundamentals of Immunology and another on diseases and hosts

[time_goes_by]

"No, but I am fluent in French. I wouldn't understand very much if you told me to read a German textbook."

Janie was excited about the textbooks, and couldn't wait to start reading and taking notes.

[drkenison]

There is some research in French. She handed the books over with a smile. However, I can't be certain of the content. I don't understand French.

Her mind slowly went back to the virus. We do know it is probably transmitted through a bite and that airborne infection seems unlikely. It is an advantage. This disease will be slow to spread compared to Influenza or some of the other, more dangerous viruses.

A thought occurred to her like a light bulb going off and she spoke with urgency. We need to test for blood transmission.

[time_goes_by]

"Thank you." smiled Janie.

"Transmitted by saliva and blood... We'll need to find out the incubation period too. The hunter has been missing for five days, which means that the incubation period is less than that. Fred reported that a friend told him the possum was alive before it was shot. Fred planned to stuff the possum, when it attacked. He also said that there was another wound on the animal. The virus appears to be active right after death. I don't know when Mr.Henderson died, or when he was attacked, but it does look like the bite had been on his leg for a while, because it was infected."

Janie looked at her notes as she spoke, then stopped when Dr.Kennison said they needed to test for blood transmission.

"We'll have to use an animal."

[drkenison]

We have another problem. Dr. Kenison seemed very worried. Have you ever studied the Black Death?

Gloria seemed saddened by the mention of animals. She knew it was necessary but did not like subjecting the poor things to harm.

We can work with the mice.

[time_goes_by]

"Not very much." admitted Janie "I know it killed most of the people that came in contact with it. Was it spread by animals, initially? Should we make sure dead animals are disposed of properly?"

Janie nodded, and was glad they wouldn't have to use the bigger animals, even though the mice were awfully cute.

[drkenison]

Fleas. Gloria commented with even more worry in her voice. Large, visible bites may not be the only vector for introduction of the virus.

Gloria nodded approvingly. A safe procedure for disposal should be easy to develop. We should determine the UV levels and temperatures required to destroy the virus.

[time_goes_by]

"DDT might not be safe." Janie said, frowning "How can we protect against fleas without killing the other insects?"

She was quiet for a long moment, thinking about what she was going ask next.

"What do we do if another person gets it? I took a sample from Fred, just in case... but I don't know what to do if it is positive for the virus."

[drkenison]

I am not sure. Gloria sighed heavily. We can test for possible vectors. One of the other researchers is working with malaria and mosquitoes.

Gloria was at a loss. We can test Fred's blood but I don't know what we can make a treatment. We can certainly try.

Gloria smiled. If you have the blood sample with you, I can show you how to look for the virus.

[time_goes_by]

"It's a saliva sample." Janie said, frowning "I didn't know that it was supposed to be blood."

She scribbled down a few more notes, and then went to her bag to retrieve the sample. Janie had read all she could on taking samples and storing them, so she hoped what she had was usable.

"I hope you don't mind that I'm taking notes on all of this. This is such an honor, and I don't want to forget any of this."

[drkenison]

It doesn't need to be. Gloria explained. A virus spread by bites should be found in the saliva too.


Gloria smiled and a tiny laugh escaped. I do not mind. I work with many undergraduate students who take more notes than you do.