video- don't you put it in your mouth

[zen_en_vert]

Hello, Hadriel.

We have a garden now, and Sorrow has made comments to the effect that the food in it might disagree with us, so I'm going to talk to you about how to test for poisons in plants.

First of all, to those of you who aren't human, let me apologize, because I won't be able to help much with your physiology. But for those of you who are-

We need to catalogue and name everything we can that's growing in there, and then identify the plant species that no one knows. Once we have the unidentified species, each one needs to be assigned a volunteer. The testing period takes several days, and if you do two at once and get a reaction, you won't know which are poisonous.

The first step is to test for contact toxicity- that is, touch the leaves and stems and fruit juices of the plant to your skin, and see if it poisons you that way. Plants that provoke that kind of reaction aren't generally safe to eat. You take a few days to see if a reaction develops, and then begin by cooking small portions of the plant, and holding it in your mouth for a few minutes- three, and then later fifteen, testing to see if it provokes tingling, swelling, or any kind of reaction.

No one should try to test any plant with milky sap, white berries, or any kind of pod. You never want thorns, spurs, on the plant itself or on grain heads. If you get an almond scent or a bitter taste, stop eating, and just to play it safe, avoid plants with leaves in clusters of threes.

I've got a small supply of activated charcoal in the clinic. Let me know if you can help. Nothing is ripe yet, but we can begin classification and contact testing immediately.

Thank you, everyone.

Comments

permatext;

[verinumeri]

Good show. I volunteer. Have you gone through them yet?

[ As in, just gotten an idea of the number and variety. It isn't remotely his field, but obviously he can handle cataloging and the rest. ]

[zen_en_vert]

About half way done, if you care to join me?

Video

[fortunefavored]

Dude, sign me up! I've got a microscope that I made from a tablet Tony gave me, so I could also do some basic chemical testing that way as well.

video

[zen_en_vert]

A microscope- amazing, yes, please. Please.

[It's just that it's been so long.]

audio;

[dedikated]

Anything you need me to do?

audio;

[zen_en_vert]

Not really; just call me back if anyone turns up sick or hurt.

[wormintheglass]

I can help.

[zen_en_vert]

Great. For testing? Come on by.

video;

[cashlin]

None of the, like... five? Yeah, five. None of those things that I ate have killed me yet, so, probably, we're looking good here.

[there are two kinds of people.....]

video;

[zen_en_vert]

--all right. What did you eat, and what did they look like, how long ago, and what parts of the plant?

video

[unknowable]

I might be able to test a few things without eating them. I'm not sure.

video

[zen_en_vert]

Howso, if you don't mind my asking?

Text

[federalbureauofimmortals]

ext bruce bannerbrucebannertextbrucebannernamebrucebanner Hey. Yeah, if you need a volunteer to test food and plants I'll offer some help. I need something to get my mind off of things and keep me busy. Not my specialty but I played with how certain things react before.

[Hey, an area Alchemy might give him a bit of help in.]

Text

[zen_en_vert]

I can use all the help I can get. I'm at the garden now if you'd like to come by?

text

[unfollowing]

are you going to put up a list when you're sure of what's edible and what's not?

[Because guess who's not volunteering. She's doing her part, okay. She got everybody good fabric.]

text

[zen_en_vert]

No- Sorrow is going to take everything out that's a problem.

video

[wipedclean]

[He looks curious.]

I would offer to help, but I might not be affected in the same way as everyone else.

[He knows he's... different.]

video

[zen_en_vert]

Want to come help with the paperwork?

You can still be useful.

video

[prespangled]

Sign me up for testing, Doc.

video

[zen_en_vert]

With your underlying health issues, would poisoning you be a good idea right now?

Voice

[solvethepuzzle]

[Normally, Near would be content to simply read a report made on a topic like this. But perhaps it's better if he participates in some initiative. The question is whether to reveal an ability, no matter how minor, or go to the trouble of actually leaving the house and finding an excuse to hide his face.

[After some consideration:] I believe I can help without the equipment.

Voice

[zen_en_vert]

By all means, come by, then. We're in the garden now.

[Video]

[corundum]

I can help out.

[Her vessel should still react to anything poisonous if Ruby isn't actively suppressing it, but Ruby won't have to really feel any unpleasantness. Not the she's particularly altruistic, but pretty much no risk for the reward of seeming helpful is an easy choice.]

[Video]

[zen_en_vert]

Excellent. Do you know absolutely anything about jamming or canning?

[Is the next project to move onto.]

video

[whichend]

I was trained in identifying poisons at the House of Black and White. I might be able to help.

[ she wants to help. After Sorrow's event, she just wants to do something productive. ]

video

[zen_en_vert]

How about preserving perishable food? What have you got on that subject?

[pellameno]

I'd help, but I'm not human so I don't know if the effects would be the same. Is there anything else you need? Maintaining the list maybe?

[zen_en_vert]

Jamming and canning, is still where we have a labour shortage. What do you know about that, if anything?

voice.

[scarletcast]

I will, if you still need anyone.

voice.

[zen_en_vert]

I don't know- I'm not sure your powers wouldn't impact the results. But honestly, thank you, all the same.

Do you want to come help with the legwork?

Voice

[stepford_smiler]

Would you like me to help with anything? I'm unwilling to do any personal taste testing, I'm sorry to say, but I can help with other things.

Voice

[zen_en_vert]

No, I'm fine, thank you- maybe just be on hand to provide medical care if this goes drastically wrong?

Oh- and have you seen any sugar?