Thanks to Vonnie's LJ, I found the proper term for what was wrong with Boone's leg: compartment syndrome.
Basically, think of each muscle in the leg as a soft-sided suitcase. They can all change shape, but they can't change size. Then, think what happens when you have 4 suitcases in the trunk of a small car, and keep trying to stuff more things into the trunk. More and more pressure gets put on the suitcases, and whatever is inside the suitcases gets squished into unrecognizability.
Now, in the lower leg, there are 4 muscle sections. Boone is bleeding heavily into his lower leg, and the muscle sections are being squished. When you squish muscle, it does bad things: under certain circumstances, it can poison you, but in this case, the muscle cells just die and get gross and eventually you die.
The googling I did said that the quickie remedy for compartment syndrome is to cut a long vertical slice in one or more sides of the lower leg, deeply enough to cut open the sheath of one of the muscles. Sort of like a big ole pressure valve, or allowing the car's trunk to hang open.
I don't think leeches would do the trick, because (a) loooots of blood and (b) blood not necessarily right up at the skin level. Then again, I don't think amputation was necessary right that moment, since the "get gross" phase takes a while.
I don't think amputation was necessary right that moment, since the "get gross" phase takes a while.
I thought the amputation was because the infusion wasn't working, and the supply was limited -- if you can tie off those arteries and stop the leaking, then you can give him blood he can actually use.
And I'm pretty sure it was called compartment syndrome in the episode, otherwise I'm just an uncanny googler.
I'm pretty sure it was called compartment syndrome in the episode
I'm sure it was, but I heard, "blah blah syndrome", so Vonnie's clarification was a help.
if you can tie off those arteries and stop the leaking, then you can give him blood he can actually use.
I think there are more efficient ways of tying off an artery than chopping off a whole leg. E.g., he could have just applied a tourniquet, written off the leg as "must amputate eventually," and stuck with the chest cavity problems. I mean, same outcome in the end, but a lot less drama.
Oh, yeah! I shouted at the tv during the death scene at Jack's self-involvement. Oh, gee, Jack, thanks for taking up so much time with your flagellation that Boone has to spend his whole death toll scene forgiving you, and doesn't have time to address anyone like, oh, his sister!
I was glad they didn't amputate. This whole episode was medical show squicky. Although I guess it went better than could be expected. I mean, really amazingly better, what with the middle-of-the-jungle without even the convenient not-dead doctor to help you out demon baby delivery.
Pretty cute for a demon baby.
Oh, no, the words "demon baby" have put Jack-Jack from The Incredibles into my head! Now I'm picturing Claire chasing the kid around with an extinguisher...
Ha.
I was, along with Claire, relieved to note that it seemed perfectly normal and healthy. I am sure, of course, that this is some set-up for some traumatic future development.
Of course, Jack-Jack looked perfectly normal and healthy, too, so...
See, I don't think Claire would want to be without Jack & Sun, should something go wrong with Babyof DOOM.
That baby looked really young. Ever since Tim mentioned that newborns were usually played by preemies, I've been far more accepting of babies that seem to be a composed 12 or 13 pounds at birth.
That baby looked at least six weeks old.
