Nerak's Cabinet Project (#19012)

This is a paper on what should be in the Infirmary cabinet, and why it should be there. Inside the cabinet are the various items that Healers use on a daily basis. It also holds things that need to be stored and not used as often. On the top shelf are the various items that aren't used very often, as well as the bottom shelf. The containers, jars, pouches, etc., that are on the top shelf are things that are used often in the healercraft, but not on a daily basis. Jars, tins, and pouches are used to store medicines, salves and other useful items. They are stored after they are cleaned, so that the next person who takes them out is sure to know they are clean. Leather pouches are purchased and kept here for giving medicines to patients to take home. These are of a variety of sizes, so that there are choices for choosing how much medicine a patient will be sent home. The cups are for having patients take their medicines. Most of this is pretty basic, but necessary. There are other items here as well, mixing bowls, emisis basins, bedpans and the like. These are typical infirmary stock, and have to be kept clean, as does everything in the infirmary!

On the second shelf, are the first aid supplies - where they are easy to see, and easy to reach. The items here, when used, are usually grabbed in haste. This shelf has to be re-organized frequently! (This would be a good job to make the apprentices do!) Trays are for setting out the equipment needed for procedures, so that the instruments needed are easily accessible, and easily seen. This is very important if you are doing an emergency procedure, and time is crucial. These trays have to be washed well, and covered with a cloth to keep it's contents clean when in use. These trays also are used in classes, such as the First Aid classes. The bandages kept here are of various sizes, lengths and thickness. Each one for specific uses. These uses are taught in the first aid classes. The splint materials are also a variety of sizes - for a variety of body parts that need to be splinter. Some are more permanent, and others are more temporary, depending on the injury. The needles and thread on the shelf are for stitches, these, too, are kept clean so as not to add infection to injuries. The last thing kept routinely on this shelf are needlethorns. These are harvested and dried, and prepared, so that they may be used for injections and drawing blood - like our modern syringes. Tweezers are useful for many things, and are definately needed - everything from removing a splinter to holding the needle for making stitches. Scissors are also on this shelf to help cut bandages to the needed size. Tongue depressors are also kept on this shelf. These are many of the necessary items that must be within quick reach for the healers. Lastly, some snack items are also kept on this shelf. These are necessary for patients with diabetes, those who are hungry, quieting down kidlings, and just to snack on if it has been a long shift in the infirmary for the Healer.

On the third shelf, herbs and processing equipment are kept. There are makings for compresses, oils, liniments, salves, pills, poultices, ointments, syrups, teas and tinctures. These are probably the most used items in the infirmary, so they are on the most accessible shelf. Certain herbs are brewed on a weekly basis (such as the contraceptive draughts), and others must be processed yearly (such as numbweed). The herbs for teas are also used often, and so the tea kettle is kept in here, when not in use. There are a variety of pots and pans here, all used in herb preparation. A funnel can also be found on this shelf to aid in filling the containers. The herb availability is kept a close eye on, and notes are made if anything is running low - Healers cannot afford to run out of medicines! There are many jars on this shelf, neatly lined up and labeled as to their contents. Each one serving it's own purpose, yet nonetheless important in it's own way. There is also a drying rack on this shelf to dry the herbs.

On the fourth shelf, are the linens, folded and stacked neatly in piles. These are also used on a daily basis. These linens are well used, but also well taken care of. The sheets are used for the cots, and for covering patients. The blankets are more for keeping patients warm, especially the young, the elderly, and feverish. Many hours are spent here by apprentices folding and stacking the fresh linens on the shelves. Towels are needed for many things, and there are an abundance of them. You can never have enough towels! The patient gowns, or stylish gowns as they are called by some, are the typical hospital type gowns that tie in the back, for the ease of the healers to check their patients. These gowns are often joked about, never quite cover all of their wearers, but are stylish nonetheless. They are made lovingly by the seamstresses, keeping healers in mind.

Finally, the bottom shelf has stacked on it many extra healer's supplies. There are listening tubes, notebooks, styluses, mallets, glowsticks as well as items needed by various teachers for their classes. There is also a stack of hides for writing notes. This is the Miscellaneous shelf, for putting things that don't belong on any of the others.

It is apparent why this cabinet is so essential to the daily workings of the infirmary. These items all need to be stored, readily accessible, and out of the way of the healers at work. It is a well built piece of furniture, and is quite sturdy. I chose to do this project to add another component to RP'ing, so that the contents could be looked at when the sign is read (#14120) so that the people in the room can see what is in the cabinet before opening it. It actually opens & closes, so it adds to the RP'ing. I feel this will make the infirmary look and function better.

Infirmary Cabinet

In the corner of the Infirmary, you see an eight foot tall wooden cabinet. There are books piled up on top of it, for reference if necessary. The cabinet looks as if it is well used. There are wear marks on the wood by the knobs, where they have been pulled on frequently. There are also scratches on the doors, long since forgotten how they were acquired. It has two large doors that you can open by pulling on the roundish knobs (open ic, or open cabinet). The woodwork on the cabinet doors is ornate - there is a scene carved across both doors. In the sky are: clouds, dragons fighting thread, firelizards fliting around, and tall trees all the way down to numbweed plants, needlethorns, and other plants and herbs needed for the craft. This cabinet was definately made with healers in mind! When the cabinet is opened, the tools of the healercraft are at your fingertips. There are several shelves fit within the cabinet, filled with many things healers need. (OOC note, Please 'read sign' to see more info - like what is on which shelf.)

Contents:
listening tube
Infirmary Herb Tin
Infirmary Numbweed Tin
bottle

Sign - List of Cabinet Contents

There are many useful things in the cabinet. If you remove and use anything, please replace it. In this cabinet are:(on the top shelf) jars, tins, molds, pouches for medicines, and cups. Other types of containers are also kept here: Mixing bowls, emisis basins, bedpans, etc. (2nd shelf) first aid and surgical supplies: trays, bandages, splints, needles for stitching, thread, needlethorns for injections, tweezers, scissors, tongue depressors, etc. Also on this shelf are some snack type foods - for patients, such as diabetics, who need sugar, as well as hungry patients (and healers for that matter) (3rd shelf) herbs: numbweed, redwort, chamomile, etc. There are also pots & pans needed to process the herbs as well as funnels for pouring them into the containers. (4th shelf) stylish gowns (that tie in the back), sheets, blankets, towels, and other linens. (bottom shelf) healers supplies: listening tubes, extra healer notebooks, mallets, glowsticks, and styluses (OOC Notes. The items in the cabinet can all be used, and copied if you want one of your own. Please keep the originals in the Cabinet. If you can think of other things that need to be added, please @send Nerak a message. Thanks!*)