A brief overview of each lesson that will be given to Weyrlings by the Weyrlingmaster...

Lesson One : Section One of Weyrling Handbook; The Developmental Needs of Dragons


Lesson Two: Bagging Fire Stone along with Section Two of Weyrling Handbook; Common Stomach and Hide Complaints of a growing Dragon


Lesson Three: Section Three of Weyrling Handbook; Watching for and treating of Dehydration, Infections, and Burns


Lesson Four: First Flames/ Fire Stone chewing along with Section Four of Weyrling Handbook; Threadscore and related Complications


Lesson Five: First Flights along with Section Five of Weyrling Handbook; Dislocated Joints and Muscle Injuries


Lesson Six: Final Test *All sections of Handbook will be hidden for the duration of the test*

Section 1: Dragonets feed six or seven times a day during their first month, but eventually this evens out to around twice a sevenday by the end of the first Turn when they are hunting for themselves. The new Riders are responsible for feeding their lifemates, although the first morning after impression a pail of meat is provided for the new pairs. After that, Riders are responsible for carving up the meat for their lifemates, chopping the morsels into small pieces. After feeding the Dragonets sleep, and then generally need to be bathed and then oiled.

Dragons take between a Turn and a Turn and a half to reach maturity and full growth. However, they remain in proportion throughout their development, with their wingspan at 1 and 2/3's of their length. Gold Dragons grow to be the largest Dragons, ranging between 38 to 42 metres in size. Bronzes range between 35 to 38 metres, whilst Browns, Blues and Greens range between 30 to 35, 25 to 30 and 20 to 25 metres respectively.

Young Dragons are discouraged from flight until their muscles have been developed sufficiently, usually at around 8 months. As a young Dragon approaches maturity, the Weyrlingmaster will allow them to carry their Riders, briefly at first, but increasing to build muscle strength and allow them to fly through an arduous 6 hour Threadfall.

Similarly, young Dragons are prevented from going between until their Riders mature and have achieved sufficient control over their emotions. This delay also ensures that the bond, partnership and reliability on each other has developed. Probably due to their short memories, Dragons rely on the images given to them by their Riders, or other Dragons. Without a clear visualisation, a Dragon will risk never reappearing, and thus Dragons are rarely permitted between on their own.


Section 2 WH
Stomach Complaints

The important thing with stomach complaints is to determine the cause, this is because they have two stomachs. Overeating generally only happens in Weyrling Dragons. It can, and will, lead to constipation if left unchecked. Additionally, flying with an overfull stomach can lead to sprains and strains. Since Dragons eat freshly killed meat, they do not encounter problems that some humans can have with bad meat. Overeating can usually be diagnosed by asking the Dragon if they've eaten recently. Dragons are fairly hardly, and apart from the odd bout of indigestion they seem to avoid other stomach problems that some humans encounter, with even bad meat, if eaten, causing just indigestion-like symptoms.
When Dragons begin to chew Firestone a stomach ache may result from chewing firestone that is of a poor grade. Bad firestone can be recognized by an uneven color, holes that vary widely in diameter, as well as tunnels that may go straight through the rock. This is why it is imperative that Weyrlings are taught to sort Firestone early on, so that when feeding their lifemates it becomes second nature to give them the right sized chunks, but also of sufficient quality to produce and sustain a good flame. However, in the case of bad freestone, the Weyrleaders need to be informed immediately so that the stores can be checked, and the Minecraft notified. Dragons may also is regurgitate acid from the second stomach. This burning feeling will be fleeting and often will pass with after a swallow or two.
Cause: Overeating, eating bad meat, regurgitating firestone acid, bad firestone
Cause 1: Firestone
Symptoms: Small belches of blue, and/or unsustainable, flame, Dragon will complain of a 'bad' second stomach, burning feeling in oesophagus.
Treatment: Allow the Dragon to cough up ash. If they are complaining of the firestone acid, remind Rider to stress to Dragon about their second stomach, and get them to eat something light, like a Wherry.
Recovery: Once the firestone has been regurgitated as ash, the problem should clear. Dragons should not be allowed to head into Threadfall after consuming bad firestone, but should be cleared by the next Threadfall.
Notes: Report to Weyrleader's and or Weyrling Master about the firestone
Cause 2: Eating
Symptoms: Complaints of 'bad' stomach after eating, stomach may be distended.
Treatment: Get them to rest and not overstress themselves until feeling better.
Recovery: The Dragon's eating habits need to be controlled better by their lifemates, especially since overeating can lead to constipation. Dragons should not be allowed to fly in case their strain themselves. Full recovery should happen within a day. Notes: Ask the Rider to keep a closer eye on their lifemates.


Hide Complaints
Hide complaints can arise from three areas of neglect. The first is that hide needs to be oiled regularly, if not, then cracks appear which can be fatal when going between. This can be a problem in young Dragonets, who grow rapidly, but older Dragons are not exempt. In Weyrling Dragons, oiling is a daily necessity, the benefit in this is that the Rider's hands end up incredibly soft. The second is the problem of straps. Ill-fitting straps, those that are insufficiently oiled, those that have cracked or are damaged, can all rub and irritate a Dragon's hide. The hide beneath these areas can become sensitive and chafed, and may crack, again leading to problems going between. The third, and final, problem is that of dull, lackluster and grey hide. If this is your diagnosis your immediate thought should be dehydration, followed by some injury that has not been treated correctly.
Cause: Ill-fitting fighting straps, insufficient oiling of the hide.
Symptoms: Itching, flaky, dry hide. Hide may be different colours where it has been rubbed. In severe cases there may be cracks. Are the straps ill-fitting? Are the straps broken, twisted? Are the straps not flexible? Does the problem development when the straps are put on? Or does it develop when they are laying in their couch? Is it more painful, than itchy?
Treatment: Dry or Cracked Hide:
1. Instruct Rider to bathe the Dragon, paying particular attention to the region that's problematical. Use copious amounts of sand, and scrub any dead hide away.
2. Thoroughly oil the Dragon, and pay particular attention to the region that's problematical.
3. Numbweed may be applied at Dragonhealer's discretion if applicable.
Recovery: Dragon should not between when there is a risk of the dry hide cracking. Problem should clear up in a day or two. Riders should be instructed to pay closer attention to their lifemates and in particular to that region.
Chafed Hide:
1. Instruct Rider to bathe the Dragon, paying particular attention to the region that's problematical. Use copious amounts of sand, and scrub any dead hide away.
2. Thoroughly oil the Dragon, and pay particular attention to the region that's bothering them.
3. Numbweed may be applied at Dragonhealer's discretion if applicable.
4. Riding straps need to be corrected, but if this does not seem to be the problem, start checking couches etc. for stones or lips that might irritate the hide.
Recovery: Dragon should not between when there is a risk of the hide cracking. Problem should clear up in a day or two. Riders should be instructed to pay closer attention to their lifemates and their straps. Straps should be inspected daily for wear and tear. If it continues being a problem, think about padding out parts of the straps with strips of suede. Notes: Remind Rider to check and oil Dragon regularly.

Section 3 WH
Dehydration

The lack of adequate body fluids for the body to carry out its normal functions and operate at an optimal level (by loss, inadequate intake, or a combination of both) is a classic definition of dehydration. In Dragons it can be caused by diarrhoea, usually after a constipated Dragon has been purged, from consistently flying at high altitude for long periods of time, desert climes, and also from loss of ichor.
It is imperative that dehydration is treated as soon as it is identified. Mild cases are often cured by oral rehydration, but for moderate to severe cases of dehydration, intravenous fluids will be required.

Cause: Severe, or unidentified injury. Diarrhoea High altitude flying. Desert climes.
Symptoms: Dragon and Rider may both complain of unslakeable thirst. Dragon hide may be grey, and he/she will be lethargic. The Dragon will likely be distressed, and both Dragon and Rider may be delirious. There may be decreased urine output. The hide may have lost its elasticity (you can test this by pinching the hide into a fold, and watching it return: does it sag? If yes, then they have poor hide turgor). Hearts may be beating faster. They may have a dry mouth, and their stomach may hurt.
Treatment: 1. If dehydration is mild, then ensure that the Dragon starts drinking a lot of water, and continues to do so until they are recovered. Water should always be provided for a Dragon after any treatment by a Dragonhealer as a mostly precautionary measure.
2. If the dehydration is moderate, try treating with water, and watch for 3-4 hours. If there is no sign of improvement, treat as severe dehydration.
3. For severe dehydration, you must try transfusing the Dragon with ichor from another Dragon (see Transfusions for further details). Following the steps for removing ichor, and then inject this into a vein. You must inject slowly, or you risk having the vein collapse. Needless to say this is very bad. If this does happen, you need to inject ichor at a lower point on the vein to where you were injecting, and hope that you have the same vein. This is a very delicate procedure, with a lot of inherent problems and should only be carried out by experienced Dragonhealers.
Recovery: Depending on the severity, recovery may take a couple of days to upwards of a month or even six months.

Infection

Once ichoring has been stopped, the greatest danger from wounds is that of infection. Wounds should be well cleaned with both water and Redwort, and great care should be taken to remove all dirt or other foreign objects from a wound. This is especially true with puncture wounds, as dirt may be driven deep into the skin. If stitches are to be taken, the wound should be only lightly coated with Numbweed, and then re-coated more heavily after placing the stitches. All other wounds should be well-coated with Numbweed
It is important to keep wounds clean and protected from further injury; however, the flow of air over a wound promotes healing. These two objectives may be accomplished by covering the wound for two to three days to allow healing to begin and then leaving it uncovered except when the Dragon will be doing something that involves getting dirty, for example feeding. Alternatively, the wound can be covered during the day and uncovered at night. Wounds that show no signs of healing within two days should also be considered to be infected and treated as such. Covering a wound is not always as simple as it sounds, especially on a Dragon because of their size. In cases where it is simply not possible to bandage the wound, which is true about 90% of the time, make sure the wound is kept clean. If there is a danger of infection, soak bandages in Numbweed, and allow the drying herb attach the pads of the bandages to the wound.
In spite of a Dragonhealer's best efforts, wounds can become infected. When this happens, a Dragonhealer must be able to recognise and treat the condition.
The signs of infection include: Increasing pain and soreness. Swelling, greenness and a feeling of heat around the wound. Pus within, or oozing from, the wound. Faint trails leading away from the wound. If the infection is advanced, signs of thirst, grey hide and lethargy.
Cause: Badly tended wounds, talon loss, decaying teeth.
Symptoms: Increasing pain and soreness. Swelling, greenness and a feeling of heat around the wound. Pus within, or oozing from, the wound. Faint trails leading away from the wound. If the infection is advanced, signs of thirst, grey hide and lethargy.
Treatment: Any of these signs are cause for concern and treatment should begin as any of them are recognised. Hot poultices may be used to try to draw out the infection and are often effective. If this treatment does not improve the condition, it may be necessary to pierce the wound to allow it to drain, or to re-open a wound and re-clean it, sometimes with a scrubbing brush and Redwort. Both of these procedures are extremely painful, and the Dragon will need to be controlled by a Gold Dragon during the process. Extreme care should be taken to prevent further infection, and infection of others from infected materials. Dressings used on an infected wound should be destroyed, and tools should be boiled in water before re-use. The Dragon should be watched carefully until the wound is fully healed.
Recovery: Depending on the severity, wounds will take between 2-3 days and just over a month to heal correctly. It may be necessary to drain the wound several times if infection is sufficiently advanced.

Burns

Burns result from dry heat, from corrosive substances and from friction. Burns can also be caused by extreme cold, and by radiation from the sun's rays. In Dragons, burns are common throughout a Dragon's life, because of the thickness of their hide they don't suffer from any deleterious effects of sunlight, but flame, Agenothree, and friction are all problems.
There are a number of factors to be taken into consideration when assessing a burn. These include the cause of the burn, the depth of the burn and its extent. The extent of the burn will tell you whether shock is likely to develop, as tissue fluid leaks from the burned area and is replenished by fluids from the circulatory system. The greater the area covered by the burn, the more severe the shock will be. Burns also carry a serious risk of infection, and the larger and deeper the burn, the greater this risk will be. The damage to the hide breaks down the body's natural barrier to infection, leaving it exposed to germs.
Causes of Burns: Dry - flames, contact with hot objects, friction from ropes etc.
Chemical - exposure to Agenothree.

Types of Burns: Superficial - involve only the outer layer of the hide. Characterised by greenness, swelling and tenderness.
Partial-thickness - involves a partial-thickness of the hide. Characterised by its raw appearance and blisters.
Full-thickness - all layers of the hide are compromised. Damage may extend behind hide to nerves, muscle and fat. Hide may appear pale, waxy and sometimes charred.
Cause: Flame from untrained Dragon, flame from Threadfall accident, flame from misdirected Flamethrower, acid burn from Agenothree, friction from bad takeoffs and landings, etc.
Symptoms: Greenness, swelling, tenderness. There may be blisters. Hide may be compromised completely, and ichoring. Dragon and Rider will be in mild to severe discomfort.
Treatment: 1. The Rider should still be conscious, though more than slightly distressed at the condition of their lifemate. For severe burns, the assistance of a gold Dragon will be required to dampen the pain and keep the Dragon still enough for you to do your job. Take control of the situation, but make sure you ask the Rider before approaching the Dragon. Take control of the situation, but never forget to ask a Rider first for permission to approach their lifemate: big Dragon, in pain, equals a dangerous combination. Get as many details as you can of the injury from the Rider.
2. Keep talking to the Rider if at all possible, to keep them lucid and in the here-and-now. It is also useful to keep the Rider from panicking at their lifemate's injury. Do your best to assess exactly how the burn happened, as this can help determine the best way to treat the wounds.
3. Coat wound thoroughly with Numbweed.
4. Douse the burn with copious amounts of water. Depending on the extent of the burn, it may be more practical to get them to a lake, or other clean body of water. Salt water can help, but may, at this time, be more painful.
5. Remove straps, cut them loose if need be.
6. Slather a mixture of Aloe gel and Numbweed over the burn, and leave uncovered.
7. Keep the Dragon in an infirmary, and make sure the infirmary is warm, since the hide has been compromised heat from the major organs can dissipate more quickly.
Recovery: Depending on the severity of the burn, the injury may take two-three days, to several months to heal. Generally, the deeper the burn, the longer the heal time. Keep the injury moist with a mixture of Aloe gel and Numbweed, pay particular attention to dehydration.


Section 4 WH
Threadscore and Complications

Thread is a parasitic fungal organism not native to the planet Pern. It is carbon-based and omnivorous. Although its exact origins are unknown, it is believed to hail from the Red Star, since its appearance in the sky heralds a Pass of Thread. As it passes through the Pern's atmosphere, Thread takes on its threatening form, a tangled, writhing mass of grey filaments which devours everything organic in its path. Thread can only be killed by flame, by a lack of air like that experienced between or by immersion in water.
Dragon Threadscores, unlike human 'scorings, do not need dousing with water. This is because they've generally gone between, as soon as sustaining the injury, in an attempt to kill the Thread. However, in the odd case when you need to drown the Thread on a Dragon, try and get them into a lake, or near one, or you'll be carrying a lot of buckets of water.
Threadscore is a severe burn, caused by the fact that the mycorrhiza grows very hot on its trip through the atmosphere. The edges of any Threadscore wound will be blackened and burned as if it were lanced through by a very hot blade.
Simple Threadscore

Cause: Threadfall.
Symptoms: Clean lacerations of a burn-nature, edges blackened and burned. Score will be shallow and simple in appearance. Rider and Dragon will be uncomfortable at most.
Treatment: 1. Apply Numbweed to area.
2. Get your dragon to a Healer asap and try to remain calm.

Recovery: Simple scores are unlikely to trouble Dragons once treated. Slightly deeper scores with no complications or infections may keep the Dragon out of the air for a day or two.

Deep Threadscore

Cause: Threadfall.
Symptoms: Clean lacerations of a burn-nature, edges blackened and burned. Ichor may be pooling from severed arteries and veins (usually veins: arteries are too deep). Wound will be deeper and more widespread. Rider and Dragon will be distressed to varying degrees.

Treatment: Get your dragon to a Healer asap and try to remain calm.

Wing Tears

From a practical point of view, a Dragon's wings are the most important part of their anatomy, after all, Dragons were bred specifically to be an effective aerial fighting force, and in order to fulfill this goal, usable wings are a requirement. Wing injuries are some of the most delicate and involved repairs any Dragonhealer can ever do. There are three levels of wing scorings.
Levels of wing scoring:

Light - consist of light tracks, the occasional hole, and maybe scores along the edges of the wing. Both Dragon and Rider will be uncomfortable.
Moderate - includes damage to edges and sails, but not to cartilages. The Rider will probably be uncomfortable, and the Dragon will be in some pain.
Severe - sails, cartilages, wingbones, and veins are all likely to be affected by these injuries. The injured Dragon will have to be restrained by a queen or perhaps two, depending on the severity of the injury, and the Rider will most likely need to be treated with a great deal of wine.
Cause: Threadfall.
Cause 1: Light Threadscoring
Symptoms: Little damage to any sails, veins, cartilages or edges. Rider and Dragon likely to be uncomfortable.
Treatment:
1. Apply Numbweed to area.
2. Get your dragon to a Healer asap and try to remain calm.

Recovery: Approximately a sevenday. Check that there are no further injuries that have been missed. Depending on the location of the injury rehabilitate slowly.
Cause 2: Moderate scoring
Symptoms: This may include damage to edges, sails etc., but will not include cartilages. Rider likely to be uncomfortable, Dragon will be in some pain.
Treatment:
1. Apply Numbweed to area.
2. Get your dragon to a Healer asap and try to remain calm.

Recovery: Several sevendays. Check that there are no further injuries that have been missed. Rehabilitate slowly, using exercises designed for Weyrlinghood.

Cause 3: Severe scoring

Symptoms: Wingsails, batten cartilages, wingbones, veins are all possibly affected to some degree. Dragon will need to be restrained by a queen as he/she likely to be in considerable agony. Rider will probably need dousing with wine into unconsciousness.
Treatment:
1. Apply Numbweed to area.
2. Get your dragon to a Healer asap and try to remain calm.
Recovery: Can be anywhere from a few months to a full Turn, depending on the severity of the injury. Dragonhealers should be careful of dehydration (see Dehydration for further details). Scar and new tissue will overgrow the old pieces causing the wing to look thick and unsightly. This will at first imbalance the Dragon. Over time the Dragon will compensate and the regenerated tissue will smooth out with wind-sand abrasion. Dragons can fly with one third of their exterior sails damaged. Inner wing injuries tend to be more serious, especially those closest the torso, since Thread can, depending on angle, sear through the wing and into the body, which may be fatal if it hits the lungs. Dragonhealers should rehabilitate their patients using wing strengthening exercises designed for Weyrlinghood.

Section 5 WH
Dislocated Joints

The displacement of a bone at a joint can be caused by a strong force wrenching the bone into an abnormal position or sometimes by violent muscle contractions. Additionally, there may be tearing of the ligaments associated with the injury. Those joints most often affected include the hip, shoulder, digits and jaw. It can be difficult to distinguish a dislocation from a fracture, though they are usually differentiated from fractures by severe and 'sickening' pain rather than tenderness over the bone.
Cause: Joint wrenched by a strong force into an abnormal position or violent muscle contraction.
Symptoms: Difficulty in moving 'broken' area. Sickening pain at the site. Distortion, swelling. Dragon and Rider are likely to be distressed.
Treatment:
1. Apply Numbweed to area.
2. Get your dragon to a Healer and try to remain calm.
Recovery: Full recovery will take approximately two-four months. Soaking in the lake or ocean and doing gentle exercise in the water can reduce the swelling and help promote recovery. Dragons should be careful of repeat dislocations to the injury site, as this area will now become prone to this type of injuries.
Notes: Dislocated joints are relatively uncommon among Dragonkind, although they do happen.

Muscle Injuries

Injuries that seem to effect the muscles may also include the tendons and ligaments. Sprains happen when ligaments at, or near to, a joint are stretched, or damaged. A strain is a partial tearing of the muscle, often near the junction where the muscle and tendons anchor to the bone. Muscle may also be ruptured. This is where there is complete tearing of the muscle, which may occur in the fleshy part of the muscle, or in the tendon. Finally, there is always the association of deep bruising that can be extensive in large bulky muscles, such as the hind legs.
Types of Muscle Damage:

Strain - a partial tearing of the muscle, often at the junction of the muscle and the tendons that joins it to a bone.
Rupture - complete tearing of the muscle, which may occur in the fleshy part or in the tendon.
Deep bruising - this may be extensive where there is a large bulk of muscle.

Sprains, strains and deep bruising are very common and may occur from a wrenching, a sudden or violent, movement that tears at surrounding tissues, or from overstretching muscle groups. Injuries of this nature can occur to wings, forelimbs, hindlimbs, necks and even tails (from mating flights!) In young Dragons it can be prevented through the use of muscle exercises, especially utilizing the water to develop muscle groups before they can be used as the water will cushion any deleterious effects. In older Dragons muscle injuries may occur after a mating flight or after a Threadfall that has encountered heavy winds. The Dragon and Rider should be cautioned to use care when resuming normal activities, as the injured area will be weak and may be more prone to reinjury for several sevendays.

Cause: Mating flights, over-enthusiastic Weyrlings, bad takeoff and landings etc.
Symptoms: Will likely be favouring the other wing or limb. There may be swelling. Local pain may be eased by elevation of the area.
Treatment:
1. Apply Numbweed to area.
2. Get your dragon to a Healer and try to remain calm.
Recovery: Recovery time depends on the severity. This could be anything from a day or two, to several sevendays. Muscle injuries often benefit from immersion in salt water, and gentle exercise in the water. Both Rider and Dragon should be cautioned about returning to duty as the area may remain prone to sim