You're quite right it was signed on behalf of your principal carers. Kosta and Althorpe were copy recipients, but the signature is 'Able Main, JHA' (Journeyman of Healing Arts). I've had a look at the seal, as well, and find that it is the generic St M's staff seal.
You infer that you are a being mined as a subject by some junior staffer expanding his research portfolio? It could be. Or it may simply be that K & A have pushed off their correspondence onto junior staff in order to preserve time for their own researches.
Either way, you are quite right to guess that you are being studied. I can tell you that of late St M's have been under considerable pressure to show substantial evidence of 'productivity'. Apparently the Ministry crave notable breakthroughs; understandably, the Minister wishes our Protectorate to lead all nations in advancing the frontiers of magic.
It's a noble goal. At least in so far as it provides incentive for advancements in the state of knowledge. (I'm rather less concerned about diplomatic bragging rights, though I suppose that might hold more sway in your considerations?)
I agree that they are asking for quite a lot, some of it quite invasive (in all senses), and much of it with no clear relevance to direct treatment of your injuries. On top of that, they've asked for blanket permission for whatever further studies they might wish to introduce at some later point.
That last, at least, I would refuse if I myself were the patient. They ought to have to ask permission at each stage. (Imagine if they should decide that conclusive results demanded a post-mortem examination? One does not wish to have given blanket permission for whatever mad thing they might wish to do next. I am only half joking.)
I believe, too, that you would be well within your rights to enquire about the studies in which you are being used as a specimen. You are well-placed to press for information. As a fellow academician.
As for your last question, I believe it is immaterial what effect your cooperation or refusal might have on my relations with St Mungo's. Treatment decisions ought not be influenced by such extraneous matters. It runs counter to my oath to allow that sort of self-consideration to interfere. And in any case, it's quite impossible to guess whether it would have any effect at all, for good or ill, so we may rule that matter out of bounds.
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Date: 2013-01-10 04:11 pm (UTC)You infer that you are a being mined as a subject by some junior staffer expanding his research portfolio? It could be. Or it may simply be that K & A have pushed off their correspondence onto junior staff in order to preserve time for their own researches.
Either way, you are quite right to guess that you are being studied. I can tell you that of late St M's have been under considerable pressure to show substantial evidence of 'productivity'. Apparently the Ministry crave notable breakthroughs; understandably, the Minister wishes our Protectorate to lead all nations in advancing the frontiers of magic.
It's a noble goal. At least in so far as it provides incentive for advancements in the state of knowledge. (I'm rather less concerned about diplomatic bragging rights, though I suppose that might hold more sway in your considerations?)
I agree that they are asking for quite a lot, some of it quite invasive (in all senses), and much of it with no clear relevance to direct treatment of your injuries. On top of that, they've asked for blanket permission for whatever further studies they might wish to introduce at some later point.
That last, at least, I would refuse if I myself were the patient. They ought to have to ask permission at each stage. (Imagine if they should decide that conclusive results demanded a post-mortem examination? One does not wish to have given blanket permission for whatever mad thing they might wish to do next. I am only half joking.)
I believe, too, that you would be well within your rights to enquire about the studies in which you are being used as a specimen. You are well-placed to press for information. As a fellow academician.
As for your last question, I believe it is immaterial what effect your cooperation or refusal might have on my relations with St Mungo's. Treatment decisions ought not be influenced by such extraneous matters. It runs counter to my oath to allow that sort of self-consideration to interfere. And in any case, it's quite impossible to guess whether it would have any effect at all, for good or ill, so we may rule that matter out of bounds.