MEDICAL LOGS

BLOOD FEVER
Season 3 : Episode 58

 

MEDICAL REPORT:

Ensign Vorik, a Vulcan, proposes the Vulcan equivalent of marriage to Torres but she declines. However Vorik grabs hold of her face (unknowingly at that time, creating a telepathic mating bond), and she dislocates his jaw in violent defence.

The Doctor repairs Vorik's jaw and determines that his patient is experiencing pon farr. This is the strong Vulcan mating urge which occurs in adult Vulcans every seven years, causing an instinctual urge to mate or to migrate to the home world to find a mate. The pon farr is characterised by a neurochemical imbalance within the Vulcan brain which can be fatal if the drive to mate is not acted upon. Although Vorik refuses to discuss the very personal experience, it is clear that if he does not mate his increasing chemical imbalances will eventually kill him. There are only three options: mate, ritual combat to purge the 'blood fever', or intensive meditation to try and suppress the urge. The first two options are not possible, so Vorik's insistent request is granted by the Doctor, for Vorik to attempt to get through the difficult period by engaging in the intensive meditation. The Doctor puts a cortical monitor on his neck to monitor his condition.

Note: The 'plaktow', the Vulcan term which is translated in Star Trek as 'blood fever', first became known to certain Starfleet officers, namely Dr McCoy and Captain Kirk, in [TOS: Amok Time] screenshots, though they did not file an official report in deference to privacy wishes by friend Spock.

after the Doctor has treated Vorik in Sickbay for the dislocated jaw

the Doctor tries to discuss Vorik's pon farr but Vorik insists on dealing with it privately on his own

the Doctor tries to discuss Vorik's condition with a most reluctant Tuvok

Later, the Doctor devises an unorthodox treatment, namely a holographic Vulcan female named T'Pera. At first the treatment seems successful (and Paris will do the same for Tuvok in  [#153 Body And Soul], but with a hologram of Tuvok's wife), but the Doctor promises not to report the details in records so as to meet Vorik's insistence on confidentiality.

the Doctor introduces Vorik to the holographic Vulcan character named T'Pera - see DOCTOR'S QUOTE below

While descending into the planet's caves, Neelix falls due to faulty equipment and injures his leg. He is hauled to the surface and beamed to Voyager's Sickbay where the Doctor treats him.

Tuvok has an artificial implant in his arm. It was necessary to replace the elbow joint after he was injured in a combat simulation. The date of that medical incident is not given in the episode. The member of the Sakari species called Ishan detects the artificial implant.

After the blood fever is purged from both Torres and Vorik after they engage in the Vulcan ritual combat, it is likely that the Doctor gives each a medical check-up on their return to Voyager.

DOCTOR'S QUOTE:

To Vorik about the hologram T'Pera: "The difference is all in your mind which, if I've understood you and Mr Tuvok correctly, is where the Pon farr must ultimately be resolved. Let your mind convince your body that she is exactly what you need her to be. Think of this as an advanced self-healing technique. It will still require considerable mental discipline on your part."