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Fifth Doctor
Spectrox Toxaemia by Toyah13 [Reviews - 4] Printer
Author's Notes:
As a science test we had to write about a made-up illness. So, being a doctor who fan, I used Spectrox Toxaemia. I was so annoyed because it meant I had to watch "The Caves of Androzani" again, which I *hate* ;) Jokeing!!! This illness is what the Fifth doctor dies of in "The Cave of Androzani". If you like it please leave a comment!


Raw Spectrox is extremely dangerous to humans; in fact, in many ways it is similar to a snake’s venom. It contains a chemical similar to mustard nitrogen. It is most commonly found on the planet of Androzani minor (twin planet of Androzani major) and when boiled and left to cool is an excellent restorative. Many people take 0.3cl a day to give them twice normal lifespan. As raw Spectrox is deadly to humans, special androids are sent down the caves to collect it. Spectrox toxaemia is a bacterium, it travels around the body through the blood.

A Spectrox nest is a large, fuzzy, sticky ball, similar to a spider’s web. It has a very bitter smell like vinegar. It is deposits left by the bat colonies that live in the caves of Androzani minor. The average lifespan of the bats is three years.

If you touch raw Spectrox, you will feel a stinging sensation on your skin (caused by the toxins of the raw Spectrox entering the skin). This gradually builds up into a sharp, sore rash, and then comes out into blisters. These are caused by the poisons in the raw Spectrox rising up to the surface of the skin. This may be confused with urticaria (pale red swellings or wheals that occur in patches). Then you get cramp (caused by the bacteria squirting toxins into the muscles) (NOTE: the cramp isn’t always near where the rashes/ blisters are), when the cramp fades away, you get sharp spasms. These are caused by the poisons entering the muscle tissue; causing them to contract. Next is the slow paralysis of the thoracic spinal nerve (this means you loose the feeling in your arms and neck) and lastly TDP (Thermal Death Point). Once you get to this stage there is no point in trying to save yourself. This whole process takes two and a half days to complete. (NOTE: surprisingly, celery can be used as a temporary painkiller!)

Thankfully, there is a cure; it is the milk from a queen bat. It contains an anti-vesicant which works against the toxins. The best time to collect the milk is when they go into the deeps of the caves to die; however, there is little oxygen down there, so you will need a breathing device. This cure was discovered by Professor Jackij in 1853.
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