The medicus legionis, the man who was in overall charge of the hospitium, met them outside the building and guided the company of officers to the sick bay where the men were resting. Somewhere between fifteen to twenty men lay in the medical barracks, all with conventional injuries you would expect to see in any hospital of a legion on the borders of the Empire. But in the furthest corner away from the others were three more beds, which were occupied by sleeping figures.
The medic led them over and explained on the way. “The man nearest the wall came in ten days ago. He’s recovering well and should be back on duty in a few days. He’s responded well to bloodletting and he’s more awake during the day and less restless at night. I’ve not seen any evidence of the madness associated with the infection in any of the men here. So, in my opinion, bed rest, food and plenty of water seem to aid recovery.”
Junius looked at the sleeping men in the gloom of the darkened room. The one furthest away seemed a healthy colour, but the other men were pale and sickly looking.
“How long have these two been here?” he asked.
The medic paused. “When they came to us from Salinae, they were already listless and tired. We’ve had them in here for five, maybe six days. They’re improving, but it’s taking longer, their symptoms were more severe.”
Marius stepped forward. “Would you mind if I examined them?”
“Are you a medic?” the doctor asked, somewhat affronted by the request.
“He’s not, but he has treated men in Parthia who had similar symptoms. He’s merely eliminating any other causes.”
“What sort of thing did he treat?”
“Let him look, Quintus, it’s no problem,” the general broke in. “Go on, Marius, you have my permission.”
Marius glanced at Junius who nodded slightly, so he moved forward and carefully checked the men’s neck on both sides. Eventually, he stood and shook his head at Junius, who realised that he’d been holding his breath.
“There’s no evidence of the lesion that forms on the neck. We found it in Parthia, and it was spread by sexual contact with an infected person. Thankfully, these men aren’t displaying any signs of this contamination.”
“Maybe it’s not reached that stage yet?” Rufus suggested, glancing at his medic who shrugged.
Junius shook his head. “There would be sign of it by now. The lesion is the first thing to show, the exhaustion and sensitivity to light come later. I don’t believe that we have the same disease here, thankfully.” He looked at Rufus. “We’ll visit the fort and speak with the survivors.” He turned to the medic. “Has this man told you any information about how he became ill?”
“He went with the tribune for a routine inspection to Salinae and returned like this.”
Marius glanced at Junius then asked a question. “Did he do a patrol whilst there?”
The medic shrugged. “I have no idea. But the others returned in good health and have remained so.”
“How many locals or people in the vicus have come down with this?”
Rufus interrupted them. “Quintus and his men are paid to concentrate on our men. The health of the locals and camp followers is not his concern.”
“It should be,” Marius retorted with a hint of annoyance in his voice, which cost him a look from Junius. So he added, “Your men socialise and mix with the locals. If they’re carrying something, it could spread.”
Before the general could reply, Quintus stepped in. “Some of the medici ordinarii visit and treat the local people. They have family in the vicus and they say that some of the residents have not been as fortunate as these men. A few have been driven to madness and some are still ill.”
The general made a noise, almost a splutter. “Why wasn’t I informed? Are they locals from Salinae?”
Quintus frowned at the outburst of noise, so close to the sleeping men; he led the group away and towards the exit of the building. “Any one infected has been confined to their house. I don’t believe that all were from Salinae. It’s possible that the spores have travelled. But we do know how to treat it.” He stopped at the entrance. “Now I have further duties. If you have more questions, then please feel free to come later, and I will answer as best I can.” With that he turned upon his heel and walked back into the hospitilium