Prosthetics

One field of medicine where the Dalmer do shine is prosthetics. Cybernetics is the interdisciplinary study of the structure of regulatory systems. The field involves the replacement and/or improvement of an organism's organic components with robotic ones.
=== Production ===
The Dalmer are experts in neural interfacing and connecting their nerve endings with electronics and/or robotics limbs. These prosthetics are standardized in order for the user to retain baseline functionality in society. Naturally the Dalmer constantly tinker with their prosthetics in order to add new functions. Linked directly to the nervous system, a prosthesis does not usually require an external energy source, and can be moved at will like a natural appendage, taking electrical pulses from the nerves to power and regulate the various electric motors and pneumatic actuators inside. The artificial limbs are generally made with a full steel skeletal frame layered with steel armor-plating to protect the various wires and intricate machinery inside; however, contemporary technological advancements have allowed certain automails to be comprised of other materials, so as to be less cumbersome and more durable than steel in abnormal conditions.
=== Usage ===
As a rule, prosthetics do not grant greater strength or speed to the user, unless the prosthetic is firmly attached to the body or if all articulations are replacements. For example if an entire arm is replaced from the shoulder down, the hand can exert greater pressure than regular hands, since the finger and wrist are robotic, however if a punch exceeds the regular speed the user risks breaking his shoulder or the prosthetic ripping itself off.
=== Limitations ===
Though arguably useful, the set of drawbacks unique to automotive prostheses is enough that many are loath to undergo the upgrade from standard prosthetic attachments. The installation process, which requires medical hardware specialized in bio-mechanical engineering (mechanical engineering complemented with surgical medicine), is notably painful, as certain body parts must often be further amputated in order to accommodate new prosthesis properly and the sensitive nervous system registers all types of over-stimulation involved as intense pain. Those receiving the prosthetic limb for the first time must also have each nerve painfully connected to a permanent housing system on the body, as well as have all the nerves connected simultaneously when the limb is later attached to the housing system. The recovery from surgery, including the period of time necessary to fully master the use of automail limbs, is noted to take roughly three years on average (though full recoveries are generally much shorter if stimpack or Fountainwater is used during the operation) and even after such time, prostheses must be meticulously maintained with regular oiling (via an automated dispensing unit in the machine) and frequent overhauls and updates to the software and hardware which necessitate that the automotive parts be disconnected from and then painfully reconnected to the nervous system in order to remain in proper working order.
Users are subject to various aches and pains resulting from drastic changes in barometric pressure, however another drawback to full limbs are the adverse effects which occur in extreme conditions such as heat and cold. In extremely high temperatures, the metals - which conduct and retain heat, induce great deals of discomfort to the user, who must remain with a heated metal object grafted to the skin; and in extremely cold temperatures, the cold conducting metals cause standard oils to cease functioning as well as expedite frostbite damage to the connecting tissue.
Another setback is that prosthetics put a large strain on the users' physical development which impedes growth. Though prosthetic limbs are generally used as an advanced medical tool to facilitate the lives of amputees, within Dalmeran (which has seen a significant rise in prosthetic limb usage in its state of near constant warfare), prosthetics customization has developed into a venue for weapons development as well, resulting in "combat limbs". Using various techniques, these machines, previously used only for movement, have begun to incorporate armaments such as diamond-tipped claws, hidden blades and even firearms, sometimes at the expense of normal limb functionality. In parallel, there is also a rise in the number of fanatical hobbyists who willingly sacrifice flesh-and-blood body parts by way of operation in order to obtain customized appendages.
While possible, "full-body" prosthetics exist, taking the place of vital organs and sometimes comprising half or more of the body's shape and/or normal functions. This is different from conscience uploading, which supposes the transfer of conscience from a biological or robotic frame to a robotic frame.
== Prosthetics ==
The Dalmer use a variety of prosthetics to replace missing limbs or to enhance their abilities.
=== Prosthetic brain ===
Main Article: Prosthetic Brain
A prosthetic brain is a process where a brain has parts of it removed, replaced with prosthetic devices and encased in a protective case. The process augments the biological brain.
=== Enhancers ===
Main Article: Enhancers
The Dalmer can implant enhancers that greatly increase the electric production of the body. The user can then hurl jolts of lightning. When the dalmer coupled this ability with telekinesis, they could use it to manipulate elements such as fire and ice. These powers are intended for domestic use (lighting fires, cooling drinks, vacuuming, grabbing objects from afar and powering appliances).
===Eye spy===
Ocular prosthetic with retrodiffusion, xray, zoom, and can display received messages. Used to operate unwilling assassins and spies. If uncooperative the operator can inflict migraines or in some cases explode the probe. Usually spies control spies to ensure cooperation through inter level violence. 
=== Notes ===
Dalmer Prosthetics also produce HP.
Payment and choosing a prosthetic can be done outside the operations room, where the patient's family is able to choose for the patient.
Options are biomechanical, cloned, mechanical, or gene spliced. As such there are many prosthetics and other bodily modifications available to the Dalmer to enhance themselves.
===Origins: the Replacer Louse===
The Replacer Louse is a parasite similar to a tongue-eating louse, adapted to form conjunctive symbiotic relationships with its hosts for a period of its lifespan. Upon contact with a subject, it embeds itself deeply in the flesh of its host. Over the course of seven days, the parasite will burrow into the host and effect numerous physiological alterations.
The most glaring alteration is the gradual conversion of the limb nearest the infection site into a chitinous appendage: as the louse consumes the host's flesh, it excretes tissue that replaces and augments the functionality of the host's limb without causing transplant rejection. It is suspected that it is able to secrete anesthetic and immunosuppressant substances to prevent the host's body from responding to the change. Furthermore, the nervous tissue excreted is able to interface with the host's nervous system. By the time the process is complete, the host will be able to control the affected limb with no loss in mobility and often with improved strength, reflexes, and resilience.
For a period of one to two weeks, the louse will reproduce, feeding on nutrients from and depositing eggs into assimilated blood vessels. The eggs are deposited throughout the human body via the bloodstream - while the vast majority of them die off, enough survive to begin colonizing and altering the rest of the host's body. As the lungs are assimilated, more eggs are produced and spread by the patient's coughing. As many as 10,000 eggs may be produced during this time, it is estimated that only 1% of them find their way into another host, of which 1% survive the host's immune response and implant successfully.
Although the louse inevitably results in the assimilation and alteration of the central nervous system, including the spinal cord and brain, the host's consciousness and behavior are unaffected. Interviews with subjects infected by SCP-150 have yielded little information, as infected subjects unaware of SCP-150 claim to sense no changes or improvement in certain senses and faculties. While subjects aware of the infection are able to pinpoint the source of the change, they exhibit little to no negative feelings and often express positivity towards it. This louse is the inspiration for Dalmer prosthesis technology.
Category:Dalmer Medical Technology
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