A lesson in ergonomics ...

[T'aral 0]

In the defusely lit medical office, T'Aral examined the day's duty logs. They were crossing into the Klingon/Federation neutral zone, and she wanted to prepare for any predictable complications. As she examined the reports over the last several weeks, the Vulcan Leutenant began to see a disturbing pattern.

 

"Leutenants Baliss and Ellis to my office, please."

 

Within moments the page was answered. "Leutenant Baliss - you treated Ensign Dallor for a 'headache' a total of six times in the last three weeks. No cause has been determined?"

The medical technician nodded. "Simple analgesics were effective, and repeated scans have offered no direct cause for his malady."

T'Aral simply nodded. "Ensign Ellis - you treated Ensign Usa for a similar condition eight times in two weeks?"

Ellis also nodded. "Tricorder scans indicated minor irritations, but so far a root cause has proven ellusive."

T'Aral nodded again, then stood to address both technicians. "In fact, there have been a total of fifty-nine such logs ... all of them involving bridge personnel. Sciences, Environmental Engineering, the Engineering duty station, and Damage Control appear particularly susceptible." She stepped about the table. "I have been informed that Ensign Usa has, in fact, joined us again. Shall we examine her together?"

The trio of medical technicians stepped out into sickbay to greet the young Andorian engineer. "I see your condition is troubling you again. Please step this way." T'Aral opened a tricorder and began her scans. "Can you offer any insight regarding these headaches?"

The Andorian gave T'Aral a sour look. "If there was any sense to this, wouldn't I use it to avoid this? I wake up - I'm fine. I go to work, and I'm fine. I leave work, and as often as not I get a headache from it. What more is there to say?"

T'Aral faced her patient's unpleasantness coolly. "So ... the pain comes after your duty shift. It may interest you to know that you are not alone." She continued scanning. "Interesting - you appear to be showing signs of sensory overload." She stepped away from Usa, gesturing for Ensign Ellis to care for the Andorian. "It is a simple condition, and easy to overlook. Usa's condition, however, is fresh - and therefore detectable." Bringing up a monitor to expand the display, T'Aral showed the indications to Leutenant Baliss. "You see here, and here ... the concentrations of acetylcholine, and particularly the high levels of glutamate ... especially in the optical reception region of the brain. They are most excessive. This indicates extreme levels of optical stimulation resulting in over-stimulation of the cerebral cortex."

Baliss blinked at her superior. "So ... there's what, too much light?"

T'Aral nodded. "Precisely." This was not altogether a surprise to T'Aral. For the last several months communications had been circulating among the Starfleet medical community which were critical of the Chambliss Architype. While it was approved by Fleet Admiral Abrams to be the model for all Starfleet vessels, there were many in the Engineering and Medical communities critical of the needless energy consumed by excessive lighting as well as the absence of ergonomic considerations. Light was everywhere, and nowhere moreso than on the bridge.

 

Illumination was fine, but this was direct light pouring into occular sensory organs rather than diffuse light illuminating controls and displays. There were complaints of after-images obscuring readouts and temporary flash blindness. It was inefficient, and hindered far more than it helped.

 

T'Aral gathered a bundle of instruments. Investigation would be needed in order to gather evidence. Hopefully the Captain would be receptive to her observations. She likely would be - it was for the good of the crew, after all.