River God - Diseases

Discussion about Wilbur Smith's Egyptian series.

River God - Diseases

Postby Egypt09 » Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:09 pm

Does anyone know what the explanation for the red mass in Lostris' uterus was that eventually killed her? Also, what the modern term for the "yellow strangler" that affected the gnu and horses is?

I'm very curious! Thanks!
Egypt09
Junior Member
Junior Member
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:07 pm
Currently Reading: River God

Re: River God - Diseases

Postby Matbow » Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:41 pm

Egypt09 wrote:Does anyone know what the explanation for the red mass in Lostris' uterus was that eventually killed her?


I always assumed it was some sort of cancer, ovarian maybe?

No clue about the other one.
“Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.”

Forum Rules|Wilbur Smith FAQ|
Matbow
Webmaster
Webmaster
 
Posts: 1545
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:34 am
Location: Boston, Ma
Currently Reading: Desert God

Re: River God - Diseases

Postby Nefer » Sat Dec 11, 2010 3:55 pm

I think the yellow strangler may be foot and mouth disease.

And I agree with Matt, I always assumed that Lostris had some form of cancer, as Taita describes it as a mass that he cuts out of her.
"If I ever ask anything of you it would be to please consider life with an open mind and respect the opinions and wishes of others as long as they bring no harm to you and as long as you bring no harm or corruption to others."
~ Jason Mraz
User avatar
Nefer
Geek in the Pink
Geek in the Pink
 
Posts: 1904
Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2005 9:20 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC

Re: River God - Diseases

Postby tedd » Mon Dec 13, 2010 12:50 am

I don't think horses get foot and mouth disease - it's limited to cloven footed animals
tedd
Veteran Member
Veteran Member
 
Posts: 301
Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:26 am
Location: Australia

Re: River God - Diseases

Postby Matbow » Mon Dec 13, 2010 8:57 pm

Strangles/equine distemper?

Strangles (also equine distemper) is a contagious, upper respiratory tract infection of horses and other equines caused by a bacterium, Streptococcus equi var equi. Strangles is enzootic in domesticated horses worldwide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strangles
“Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.”

Forum Rules|Wilbur Smith FAQ|
Matbow
Webmaster
Webmaster
 
Posts: 1545
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:34 am
Location: Boston, Ma
Currently Reading: Desert God

Re: River God - Diseases

Postby molliemartian » Fri Dec 17, 2010 11:54 am

It sounded like Malignant Catarrhal Fever, although I'm not certain that disease affects horses. Horses are supposed to be resistant, but there have been cases reported. It sounds like it may have been used as the basis for the Yellow Strangler at any rate. Wildebeest carry it, and can infect herds of cattle who are exposed causing devastation to farmers in Africa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovine_mal ... rhal_fever
molliemartian
Junior Member
Junior Member
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2010 11:49 am

Re: River God - Diseases

Postby bernardlemke » Thu Mar 03, 2011 1:56 am

I believe the uterine red mass represents uterine cancer, often diagnosed at approximately Lostris' age.
bernardlemke
Junior Member
Junior Member
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Nov 05, 2010 3:39 am
Location: Ukiah, Mendocino County, California (2 hrs. N. of S.F.)
Currently Reading: Rereading A Falcon Flies

Re: River God - Diseases

Postby Captain Reactionary » Sat Dec 20, 2014 3:37 pm

Puking mucus isn't a symptom of F&M disease anyway, I don't think. Also, Taita makes no mention of white blistering around the mouths annd nose, which is F&M's classic symptom.

Lostris' fatal illness wasn't ovarian cancer I don't think (too large and described as being in the wrong place), but could easily have been cervical or uterine cancer.
Captain Reactionary
Junior Member
Junior Member
 
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri May 31, 2013 3:34 pm


Return to The Egyptians

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests

cron