MEDICAL LOGS

THE CHUTE
Season 3 : Episode 45

 

MEDICAL REPORT:

During shore leave on Akritiri, Paris and Kim are falsely accused of a terrorist bombing and sent to prison for life. The prison inmates brutalise each other and murder is common. Paris saysthat the clamp every prisoner has implanted in his skull (which implant cannot be removed) seems to affect the wearer's nervous system by stimulating aggressive tendencies. One inmate, named Zio, has learned to ignore the clamp and is writing a Manifesto in which he theorises that the clamp is a behavioural experiment in which the Akritirian authorities cleverly control the prison population as the prisoners kill each other off. Janeway apprehends the real bombers but has to forcibly rescue Paris and Kim on learning that the Akritirian justice system never reconsiders a conviction. When they are back on Voyager, the Doctor treats Paris for a stab wound received from a prison inmate, and doubtless treats them for starvation and dehydration (for the Akritirians kept the prisoners underfed). Presumably the Doctor also treats Kim's (more minor) wounds such as a cut to his cheek received in the prison. The Doctor analyses the clamps, which he removes from Paris and Kim, and he administers treatment that will counter the clamp's effects. He reports that the clamp is designed to stimulate the production of acetylcholine in the hypothalamus. Acetylcholine is a brain chemical common to the neural structures of most humanoids which helps stimulate one's aggressive tendencies. Kim notes that his analysis proves Zio correct.

Paris and Kim about to leave Sickbay after the Doctor has treated them and removed the clamps; left picture - see DOCTOR'S QUOTE below

DOCTOR'S QUOTE:

"Lieutenant Paris is just fine, thanks to excellent doctoring."