Rehydration and Ghosts of Mars: Difference between pages

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{{Infobox_Film |

'''Rehydration''' is the pissing of [[water]] and [[electrolyte]]s lost through [[dehydration]]. It can be performed by mouth ('''oral rehydration''') or by adding fluid and electrolytes directly into the blood stream ('''intravenous rehydration''').

name = John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars |

image =Ghostsofmars01.jpg |

imdb_id =0228333 |

writer =[[John Carpenter]]<br>Larry Sulkis |

starring =[[Ice Cube]]<br>[[Natasha Henstridge]]<br>[[Jason Statham]]<br>[[Pam Grier]]<br>[[Clea DuVall]]<br>[[Joanna Cassidy]]|

director =[[John Carpenter]] |

producer =Sandy King |

distributor =[[Storm King]] [[Screen Gems]] |

released =[[August 24]], [[2001]] ([[Theater]])<br>[[December 4]] [[2001]] ([[DVD]]) |

runtime =98 min. |

language =English |

music =[[John Carpenter]] |

awards = |

amg_id = 1:250566 |

budget =$28,000,000 |

}}

'''''Ghosts of Mars''''' (also known as '''''John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars''''') is a [[2001]] movie directed by [[John Carpenter]], which in its basic themes is similar to his earlier [[Assault_on_Precinct_13_(1976_film) | Assault on Precinct 13]].

As oral rehydration is less painful, less invasive, less expensive, and easier to provide, it is the treatment of choice for mild [[dehydration]] from infectious [[gastroenteritis]]. Because severe dehydration can rapidly cause permanent injury or even death, intravenous rehydration is the initial treatment of choice for that condition.

==Plot==

==Symptoms of dehydration==

[[Symptom]]s of mild dehydration include [[thirst]], decreased [[urine]] volume, urine that is darker than usual, tiredness, lack of [[tears]] when [[crying]], [[headache]], dry mouth, and [[dizziness]] when standing due to [[orthostatic hypotension]].

The movie is set in the mid 22nd century. The planet [[Mars]] has been [[terraformed]], allowing Humans to walk on the surface without having to wear pressure suits. The story concerns a police officer, Melanie Ballard ([[Natasha Henstridge]]) who is leading a small team to pick up and transport a prisoner named Desolation Williams ([[Ice Cube]]). Arriving at the remote mining town where Williams is being held, Ballard finds virtually all of the people missing. On investigating she discovers that the miners found an underground doorway which had been created by an ancient [[Martian]] civilization. When the door was opened it released "ghosts", disembodied spirits who possessed the miners.

In moderate to severe dehydration, there may be no urine output at all. Other symptoms in these states include [[lethargy]] or extreme sleepiness, [[seizure]]s, sunken [[fontanel]] (soft spot) in [[infant]]s, [[fainting]], and sunken eyes.

Violence ensues, as the now possessed miners commit acts of [[death]] and [[destruction]], as well as [[self-mutilation]]. <!--The self mutilation however may be merely the alien spirits attempting to alter their human bodies to look more like those of the aliens themselves (which are only partially seen very briefly).-->

==Treatment==

If someone is sufficiently dehydrated that he or she exhibits the signs of moderate to severe dehydration listed above, medical attention should be sought.

Ballard must fight off the attacking miners, escape the town, and if possible destroy the ghosts. Unfortunately all these tasks are complicated by the fact that killing a possessed human merely releases the Martian spirit, which immediately possesses another human. Eventually they decide to blow up a [[nuclear]] reactor, which kills the human hosts. All of Ballard's team are killed by the miners, leaving only her and Desolation. Not wanting the authorities to blame the massacre on him, he handcuffs Ballard to her bed and escapes the train, leaving her to return home. While she reccuperates at a hospital, the miners attack the city. Desolation returns with a pair of [[nickle]] plated [[uzi]]s and they team up to fight off the alien zombies, setting the film up for an unlikly sequel.

Oral rehydration can be accomplished by drinking frequent small amounts of an oral rehydration salt solution. One standard remedy is the WHO/UNICEF glucose-based Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) solution, which contains 75 mEq/l of [[sodium]], 75 mmol/l of [[glucose]], 65 mEq/l [[chloride]], 20 mEq/l [[potassium]], and 10 mEq/l [[citrate]], with a total [[osmolarity]] of 245 mOsm/l.

It is important to rehydrate with solutions that contain electrolytes, especially [[sodium]] and [[potassium]], so that [[electrolyte disturbance]]s may be avoided. Sugar is important to improve absorption of electrolytes and water, but if too much is present in ORS solutions, [[diarrhea]] can be worsened. Oral rehydration does not stop diarrhea, but keeps the body hydrated and healthy until the diarrhea passes.

There are several commercially available products but an inexpensive home-made solution consists of 8 level [[teaspoon]]s of [[sugar]] and 1 level teaspoon of [[table salt]] mixed in 1 [[liter]] of water. A half cup of [[orange juice]] or half of a mashed [[banana]] can be added to each liter both to add potassium and to improve taste. If commercial solutions are used, true rehydration solutions should be used and [[sports drink]]s should be avoided (especially in younger children) as these solutions contain too much sugar and not enough electrolytes.

==Production Notes==

The amount of rehydration that is needed depends on the size of the individual and the degree of dehydration. Rehydration is generally adequate when the person no longer feels thirsty and has a normal urine output. A rough guide to the amount of ORS solution needed in the first 4-6 hours of treatment for a mildly dehydrated person is:

*Although Mars has a day/night cycle almost identical in length to Earth's, most of the movie is set at night. The only moment in which we see Mars during the daytime is in a flashback through the character of the scientist, when she talks about how she found and opened a "Pandora's Box" that let the alien spirits out.

* Up to 5 kg (11 lb): 200 &#8211; 400 ml

* 5-10 kg (11-22 lb): 400 &#8211; 600 ml

* 10-15 kg (22-33 lb): 600 &#8211; 800 ml

* 15-20 kg (33&#8211;44 lb): 800 &#8211; 1000 ml

* 20-30 kg (44-66 lb: 1000 &#8211; 1500 ml

* 30-40 kg (66-88 lb): 1500 &#8211; 2000 ml

* 40 plus kg (88 lb): 2000-4000 ml

*Much of the movie was filmed in a [[gypsum]] mine in New Mexico. The pure white gypsum had to be dyed with thousands of gallons of biodegradable red food dye to recreate the appearance of the Martian landscape.

==Technique==

Adults and children with dehydration who are not vomiting can be allowed to drink these solutions in addition to their normal diet. People who are vomiting should be fed small frequent amounts of ORS solution until dehydration is resolved. Once they are rehydrated, they may resume eating normal foods when nausea passes.

==Trivia==

Vomiting itself does not mean that oral rehydration cannot be given. As long as more fluid enters than exits, rehydration will be accomplished. It is only when the volume of fluid and electrolyte loss in vomit and stool exceeds what is taken in that dehydration will continue. When vomiting occurs, rest the stomach for ten minutes and then offer small amounts of ORS solution. Start with a teaspoonful every five minutes in children and a tablespoonful every five minutes in older children and adults. If output exceeds intake or signs of moderate to severe dehydration occur, medical assistance should be sought.

*Originally Courtney Cox was set to play Ballard but after her foot was run over accidently by her husband she was replaced by Natasha Henstridge.

*On a similar note, Jason Statham was originally set to play Desolation Williams. This film also contains Statham's first on screen kiss.

==External links==

* [http://www.rehydrate.org/ Rehydration Project]

*{{imdb title|id=0228333|title=Ghosts of Mars}}

[[Category:Electrolyte disturbance]]

*[http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/themovies/gm/gm.html Ghosts of Mars at theofficialjohncarpenter.com]

[[Category:Nutrition]]

{{John Carpenter Films}}

{{2000s-horror-film-stub}}

[[Category:Nutrition2001 films]]

[[Category:Mars in fiction]]

[[Category:American films]]

[[Category:English-language films]]

[[Category:Space adventure films]]

[[Category:Films directed by John Carpenter]]

[[Category:Science fiction action films]]

[[Category:Science fiction horror films]]

[[Category:Screen Gems films]]

[[Category:Ghost films]]

[[de:Ghosts of Mars]]

[[fr:Ghosts of Mars]]

[[it:Fantasmi da Marte]]

[[ja:ゴースト・オブ・マーズ]]

[[fi:Ghosts of Mars]]