Editing Maraht the Horta (section)

== Medical History ==
Hortas, being silicon based life forms, need building plaster to heal up from phaser blasts and most types of wounds. However, their armor is so resilient that it is difficult to wound them. Modified Type II phasers would need to be set on maximum. They have no propensity for infection from carbon based viral and bacterial infections, but propensity for infection to non carbon based microbes is unknown. They are immune to their own acid secretions and can survive the cold vaccum of space as long as they have not been previously wounded. Adult Hortas consume about 20-35 pounds of rock material and minerals every 24-36 hours. Consuming refined metals are much like eating a bowl of white refined sugar for humans; edible yet not nutritionally optimal. In addition to a varied diet of metamorphic and igneous rock, Maraht needs to have some deep pressure time in an atmospheric chamber, probably 1-2 times for several hours weekly in an effort to keep his natural armor healthy if a planet is not currently available. Sleep or rest is also necessary for several hours on a weekly basis. For more information about this species see [[The Horta Report]].

There are currently no known drugs that work or are helpful for treating Hortas medicinally. Nutritionally, the old adage applies, "You are what you eat." There are no known anesthetics for pain for this species. [[Vulcan]] techniques have proven helpful in instances of coping with pain and injury.

Extensive tests were conducted on Maraht at Starbase 32 prior to his undergoing Academy training for [[Starfleet]], in addition to a detailed evaluation. A nefarious labratory technician had thought it profitable to "take samples" of parts of some of the shinier patches of small crystals and various ores out of Maraht's armored carapace to sell to passing traders. Maraht, though uncomfortable about it due to the absence of any anesthetics, had allowed the extra "samples" to be taken, not understanding the technician's true greedy intent, believing that they were being studied in case of injury and for other scientific testing and analysis. When the truth was discovered by the medical Chief of Staff on Starbase 32, Maraht was horrified to find that parts of his "skin" had been harvested for profit without his consent and the technician was summarily court-martialed, but it was never proven conclusivley if he had any connection to the [[Humans for Humanity]] organization. As a result of this regrettable incident, it is reccommended that a relationship of trust be built with Maraht before obtaining fluids and other samples. Labratories and sick bays are uncomfortable for him at first due to his inability to forget these regrettable experiences.

Hortas in general and Maraht specifically exude a dry earthy scent with metallic overtones especially if they have recently been ingesting refined metals or metalic ores. Much of the time Maraht tends to exude his normal dry earthy scent with a touch of vanilla. If injured or ill Maraht has been informed that the state of his scent changes. He was unaware of this as he can't neccessarily detect his own scent easily. If Maraht is ill or injured it has been found that he may exude a more acrid smell.