An update.
My dwarf was put in a chamber which was filled to 4/7 water. I checked on him and pretty soon he was a dabbling swimmer ... he is now a COMPETENT swimmer but he still hasn't gained any strength, toughness or agility. He has been laying in a hospital bed unconscious and thrashing about needlessly. The only thing he's gotten is SWIMMING SKILLS!
Perhaps one should make a water and drainage system for the infirmary? Lock the patients in and flood the room., they will become competent swimmers in NO time. Drain the room and dwarves can enter to feed and water the patients before exiting again.
Build skills while being knocked out! ... sadly only swimming though.
My phantom limb-pained dwarf is all but useless. I will try throwing him into a room where he faces an undead frogman. Frogmen are pushovers, but if he cannot defeat such a simple foe ... I don't know.
Maybe I will just leave him in there... or rescue him and appoint him Sheriff.
I don't think it's possible.
An engraver got bitten by zombies as he entered the map. He has been here for half a year in bed with a broken arm, in spite laying next to the one-armed chick (who it appears is really a guy) and being cared for - he doesn't know anyone. He doesn't even have a long-term acquaintance.
Well of course not. He was bitten by zombies. Do you think he's going to form friendships or indulge in social interactions when all he can do is moan, shamble, and groan for delicious braaaaaaains?
Har har har har.