Gangrene

Gangrene, or darkrot, was the death of body tissues caused by prolonged lack of blood flow, characterized by putrification, foul smell, and blackened color.

"Many warriors fear gangrene more than the sword. When "the rots" sets in, the only recourse at times lay in drastic measures."

- From the pages of Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue.

Acquisition
Gangrene was considered one of the most dangerous natural diseases as it could be contracted via a simple piercing or slashing wound if left untreated. Gangrene could set in a short period of time as 24 hours. Frostbite was just as dangerous. Frozen tissue stopped blood flow which eventually led to gangrene.

Some dangerous undead creatures like angels of decay and plague blights could spread gangrene with a mere touch. Some living creatures, such as shadowdrakes were known to inflict darkrot.

Some rare and unlucky individuals who wronged the Vistani folk of Barovia were sentenced to death by some of the most horrific way. One such death was inflicted upon a criminal via a full-body gangrene.

Darkrot was a common danger in the Rat Hills outside the City of Splendors, Waterdeep.

Effects
Once gangrene set in, afflicted flesh sprouted blackened patches within one or two days after infection. Within two to twelve days, the breathing of the afflicted became labored and hissing. As the infection spread, their bodies weakened until they reached the full-system shock as early as seven days after infection. If left untreated, death was inevitable.

Prevention
The spell of Talona's blessing could ward off gangrene or stop its spread. The spell required the cleric to touch the afflicted body part.

Cure
The only non-magical cure was amputation when the rot set in, with death being the only alternative. When performed in a controlled environment, amputation was performed using amputation saws. Each limb or appendage requited a separate tool, all professionally forged in Procampur and purchasable from the Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. Separate saws were used to remove fingers, arms, legs, and trunk sections; a special joint cutter was required in some cases, while snips were required to amputate for fleshy sections. The surgery required tourniquets and gauze as it produced a lot of blood. Healers recommended the subjects of the surgeries to be very drunk to dull the pain.

A holy spring of Eldath – Sweetwater, that flowed among the rocks in the forest not far east of The Standing Stone, was known to wash away and neutralize all known poisons and diseases, including such afflictions as mummy rot and darkrot.

Comfrey root was a healing herb that possessed some curative properties that could stave the spread of gangrene.

Notable Individuals Who Survived Darkrot

 * Athan, who was entrusted with the Gauntlets of Moander by Elminster was tortured by the Cult of the Dragon and his wounds turned to rot. He was rescued by the Veiled Ones and, eventually, had his grave wounds healed via Mystra healing blessings.
 * Halana Shauluth, the proprietor of aptly-named Halana Shauluth's bakery in Amphail. She lost her hand to gangrene, which ended her adventuring career and led her to open the popular and successful bakery business.
 * Yousouf, of Yousouf's Grocery a retired adventurer whose friend and healer Ihre was forced to amputate his gangrenous toes following nasty frostbite.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * King Pinch &bull; Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor &bull; Lady of Poison &bull; Unclean &bull; Unholy
 * Dawnbringer
 * Dawnbringer