On Updating Fast Drug... Jeff Zeitlin (30 Dec 2024 21:32 UTC)
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Re: [TML] On Updating Fast Drug...
Jeff Zeitlin
(01 Jan 2025 02:31 UTC)
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Re: [TML] On Updating Fast Drug...
Timothy Collinson
(01 Jan 2025 09:53 UTC)
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Re: [TML] On Updating Fast Drug...
Timothy Collinson
(01 Jan 2025 10:55 UTC)
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Re: [TML] On Updating Fast Drug...
Charles McKnight
(01 Jan 2025 11:08 UTC)
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Re: [TML] On Updating Fast Drug...
kaladorn@xxxxxx
(03 Jan 2025 23:53 UTC)
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Re: [TML] On Updating Fast Drug...
Timothy Collinson
(05 Jan 2025 08:47 UTC)
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Re: [TML] On Updating Fast Drug...
Jeff Zeitlin
(01 Jan 2025 17:23 UTC)
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A number of years ago, a contributor proposed, as part of an article on passages, that the availability of Fast Drug ("F", henceforth in this message) be modified. As written, F is available in pill form, modified metabolism at 60:1, and each dose is for one subjective day (S-Day)/60 objective days (O-day). The cost of each dose is Cr200. The change proposed is that F be available in "molecular powder" form, to be mixed with an appropriate liquid substrate and administered through what amounts to _Star Trek's_ hypospray. This would also allow controlling the dose such that it would become viable to dose a passenger before boarding a ship, and the passenger would experience about three hours of time, at the end of which s/he would be at the intended destination (barring misjump) - in other words, "fractional" dosing to control/limit the duration of metabolic modification. The cost cited in the proposal was not clearly set out, but what was written could reasonably be read as Cr3 per O-day. However, the lot size was unclear in notation, and used an expression whose _intent_ was clear, but which has an actual meaning unrelated to the sort of calculation being proposed. I am intending to reprint this article, with this section edited to clarify, and possibly to present costs that are more appropriate - I'm not certain that it's reasonable for a more controllable effect to result in a lower "end use" cost; thus I present the question to the TML brain trust: Assuming that a starship or SPA medic can easily administer F in this form, what should be (a) the cost _to the ship/SPA_ per "dose-hour", and what should be the "lot size" in which the ship/SPA obtains F in this form? (One "dose-hour" is the quantity needed to keep a notional 'standard person' under the influence of F for one _objective_ hour.) (b) the cost of one dose-hour to the recipient, on the assumption that a standard one-jump trip will last 180 _objective_ hours, including time to dose the recipient, situate the recipient aboard the ship, and remove the recipient to a recovery facility at the destination (The intent of the passage proposal is that the passenger should be loaded into the ship asleep, and remain asleep the entire duration of the trip (three s-hours) - essentially, actual costs to the ship would be allocation of space for a "bunk" and baggage allowance.) As a side question, should initiation and recovery be managed by the ship, or the SPA? NOTE: In reality, the sort of metabolic slowdown described would, in the real world, require constant medical monitoring, both human and instrumental. As written in Classic Traveller, this is not the case; it's like the High Passage in the Dumarest books, where a passenger who is awake can engage in normal activities in a mostly-normal environment - just lots slower. This "problem" is _not_ to be considered part of the discussion; the intent here is that F is Dumarestian rather than realistic. ®Traveller is a registered trademark of Mongoose Publishing, 1977-2024. Use of the trademark in this notice and in the referenced materials is not intended to infringe or devalue the trademark. -- Jeff Zeitlin, Editor Freelance Traveller The Electronic Fan-Supported Traveller® Resource xxxxxx@freelancetraveller.com http://www.freelancetraveller.com Freelance Traveller extends its thanks to the following enterprises for hosting services: onCloud/CyberWeb Enterprises (http://www.oncloud.io)