Cause
Miner's Lung is characterised by the shortness of breath of an individual and a harsh, violent, persistent cough that can often turn into a full blown coughing fit. It is caused by the continuous inhalation of dust or small particles, it is a condition usually contracted by miners due their proximity to such particles for prolonged periods of time as part of their job. However, anyone in a profession that deals with fine mud particles such as archaeology are susceptible. Whilst Miner's Lung is so called because the sufferers are predominantly miners who deal with tiny earth particles, the name Miner's Lung is applied even if the particles inhaled are not earthy in nature, such as crystal dust for instance.
Cure
During the travels of Hajar Stoutsong, he discovered a new species of beetle which he called the Barrens Burrowing Beetle for short. He watched as the beetle skimmed the dusty dry surface of the Dust Barrens in western Mysandros. He realised that the beetles must be using the tiny dry mud particles for something internally. Upon further research it was determined the beetles were breaking the mud down to use to use the small quantities of iron within to harden and colour their carapace for protection and camouflage.
At the time, Hajar Stoutsong did not make the connection. However, once his chronicles of that part of his journey were published into the public domain, a gnomish inventor at the Billowblock Inventors company did. The only problem was how to administer the liqiud into the affected's lungs since taking it orally would just cause it to be digested instead and the quantities needed were far to much to somehow force through nasally. After all physical options were exhausted, he turned to mage, or more specifically - elemental magic. The only way to get enough of this beetle chemical into the lungs was to use someone adept in controlling water.
The process is incredibly unpleasant for the person afflicted with Miner's Lung if they are completely conscious during it, since a not insignificant amount of liquid has to be forced into the organ used for breathing and for long enough for it to do its job - which is a few hours. Early attempts, the patients compared it to what they imagined drowning would feel like. Since then, the patients are put into a magically induced sleep whilst the process occurs.
Notably, however, this process only works Miner's Lung sufferers who have contracted the condition from working in mines or similar, as the chemical breaks down mud. It does not work on dust of any other kind.
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