Name: Healer Hall
Current Craftmaster: (Open)
Colors: Purple
Purpose: The Healercraft is one of the oldest Crafts on Pern. The colonists
brought with them many different medical specialists, and medicine was one of the first programs for which they started apprenticing
boys and girls. Once the children had the basic training in first aid, those who showed particular aptitude were encouraged
to go on to further study.
Children and adults had to learn what plants and which animal bites or scratches were toxic on their
new world. The ships brought many medicinal plants from Earth and First Centauri, which the colonists were able to adapt to
Pernese soil. All the seasoning herbs and spices from the two worlds grew in the soil or in hydroponics tanks. Native herbs
and shrubs underwent thorough tests to determine their uses in healing or cookery. Some discoveries were made by accident,
such as that of numbweed.
The Healercraft doesn't have the technology to sustain defective humans. After twenty-five centuries
on Pern, the race has been bred clean of most defects. The humans may have mutated somewhat over the years. Pernese humans
live long lives and are still active in their eighth decade. Most of their ailments are a result of their environment.
The Healer Hall is watched over by the MasterHealder. Under him are Masters of the different disciplines
of healing, whose specialties and ranks can be read by the rank cords on their shoulders. The Healerhall CraftMaster also
oversees stewards who take care of stocking supplies, keeping the Hall clean, and preparing food. Another of his assistants
is the Nursing Master, a nurse with teaching skill and administrative ability. There are doctors and nurses and apprentices
of diagnostics, pediatrics, geriatrics, obstetrics, urology, pharmacy, dentistry, surgery, and respiratory ailments. Gifted
Master-healers become specialists in one of these facets of the craft. Some remain at the Hall to teach; others find posts
where such a specialty is needed. Each Weyr has at least one urologist and a surgeon.
Location: Fort Hold
Information curtesy of the Dragonlover's Guide to Pern
