Layers

The Layers are a concept central to the Kin's traditional medicine, introduced in Pathologic 2. The use of Layers is part of the Haruspex's Menkhu Knowledge.

Description
A body consists of three Layers: Blood ("Zürkh"), Bones ("Yas"), and Nerves ("Medrel"). It is believed that diseases will first show on one of the three Layers. The Layers are used by menkhu such as the Haruspex to diagnose patients, such as those infected with Sand Plague. The knowledge of the Layers of the body is closely connected to the knowledge of the Lines.

Gameplay
"Any affliction can be cured if one discovers which Layer has been poisoned."

- Haruspex touch details for Brewed Antibiotics

Upon unlocking the Haruspex's Lair, the Haruspex is able to begin making tinctures and recalling knowledge that includes the Layers of the body. After repairing the alembic, the Haruspex will imagine his old Tumbler Toy speaking as his father and instructing him regarding the Layers and related concepts.

Tinctures each correspond to a Layer of the body and can be used to treat that Layer. When a tincture is administered to a patient, it will not only cause the patient pain, but will reveal certain symptoms. If a patient's symptoms are exacerbated by a tincture—such as causing pupils to dilate—the Haruspex is able to determine that that tincture's Layer is where the disease lies. Once the appropriate Layer is revealed, the patient can then be treated with corresponding antibiotics such as Ferromycinium, Monomycinium or Neomycinium. Advanced versions of tinctures and antibiotics may be administered instead, respectively either revealing a greater number of symptoms or decreasing infection by a greater amount.

Early Concept
In the alpha release of Pathologic 2, the Layers were referred to primarily as "Nyespa" or sometimes "Humors"; however, in the official release, references to Nyespa were removed. Nyespa referred to humors that govern the body, and were likely based on the Nyespas of Tibetan medicine. There were three Nyespa: Bile, Phlegm, and Wind, which seem to correspond to what are now referred to as the Blood, Bone, and Nerve Layers, respectively. While the Ice Pick Lodge store was still available, posters relating to the Nyespa were sold. According to the product descriptions of these posters, Bile was "said to be responsible for hatred and internal cycles"; Phlegm "nests inside one’s head and hinders clear perception"; and Wind was "said to be cold and clingy." It was said that "when illness strikes, there is strife among the trio, and the disease kills." In early releases of Pathologic 2, the tinctures brewed by the Haruspex could be used to reveal which of the three Nyespa are affected in those infected with the plague, and each type of antibiotic could target conditions of one of the Nyespa. Conditions related to the bile humor were cured by keto pills; conditions related to the phlegm humor were cured by beta pills; and conditions related to the wind humor were cured by tetra pills.

Diagnosis
Once exacerbating a symptom with a tincture, the Haruspex will comment on it. A glyph or glyphs corresponding to the Layer or Layers will also be revealed.