The yinrih use remotely operated micro mechs[^1] or stationary medical robots for most procedures, meaning the healer doesn't have to worry about her[^2] paws touching the patient.

In situations where such equipment is not available, the healer has a few options. The most straightforward is to avoid moving while working on a patient, making sure that any tools are within reach. The healer may stand on a moving platform that can be driven by tail-actuated controls. In want of even this, a healer will employ an assistant to fetch tools for her. The assistant will carry tools in the tail (which is sheathed much like a hand in a glove) or rest the tools on a back-mounted tray.

Paw washing is done in shallow washing pools. Front feet, back feet, and tail are washed. The palms and soles are scraped against a coarse mat to remove dirt from under the claws and from between the paw pads.

While not related directly to their quadrupedal stance, because yinrih have fur, healers take drugs to shed their coat, becoming completely bald save for the whiskers. Baldness is a sign of the medical profession, much like a human lab coat and stethoscope.

[^1]: zoomorphic drones that can range from cell-sized to the size of a small pill. They are swallowed by, or injected into, the patient to perform internal procedures without the use of incisions. The healer pilots the micro mech using a HUD visor, paw gauntlets, and a tail sheath. [^2]: As a rule, yinrih males may not become healers. Females may not become soldiers. "Men break, women fix" is the common saying about such matters.

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[–] Albbi@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I suppose floor cleanliness would be a priority.

[–] early_riser@lemmy.radio 2 points 1 month ago

Yes, very much so.

[–] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The doctor issue seems largely solved. In terms of kitchens though, it's important to consider the historical diet and how these norms evolved with the advent of modern society. I don't assume they always had chefs, or even a need for cooking. Maybe they were big egg eaters, and modern yirinh have a fondness for souffle?

[–] early_riser@lemmy.radio 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

They also didn't always have germ theory, so they weren't always aware they needed to take these precautions.

I've backed myself into a corner somewhat regarding commercial cooking. In theory deliberate baldness would also be prevalent among cooks since they also have to meet sanitation requirements, but I've made baldness such a distinct indicator of the medical profession that in some jurisdictions it's illegal to shed one's fur as it's considered impersonating a healer [^1].

For now cooks use bunny suits or glove boxes, though the use of a mobile assistant who carries tools on the back as described above is also common in kitchens. There's even a Commonthroat word for the job qgkNPqg that carries secondary meanings of someone who is made to do someone else's dirty work.

[^1]: This becomes a problem after a fad for emulating human hairlessness arises after First Contact. These so-called "skinnies" would steal the balding drugs used by healers to achieve the desired look.

[–] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Hmm. Tough when that sort of thing happens isn't it. What are the norms about tattoos? Maybe bald ones can get inked to show they're not healers, but some other sort of sanitary labourer?

If I had to go fully hairless just to be a cook, I think I'd prefer the full-body hairnet.

[–] early_riser@lemmy.radio 2 points 1 month ago

Tattoos aren't a thing since most of the population is covered nose to tail in fur. Perfumes are the primary means of personal adornment. The only visual decorations are designs painted or scored onto the writing claw (done by both men and women) and tail rings, which are usually cloth sleeves worn around the tail rather than rigid metal loops.

The anti-baldness laws aren't heavily enforced, and even when they are, it involves preventing the balding drugs from being leaked to the public rather than punishing possession and use. Perfumes are a more salient way to communicate status and rank anyway, and healers supplement their baldness with specific scents.

[–] IndigoGollum@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

My first thought is that an assistant could just push a cart with tools, while the doctor doesn't move. Or people could wear slippers to walk without touching the ground.