The constitution is the overall congenital or genetically determined disposition of a person. The characteristic traits result from these predispositions but also a person's weak points – their susceptibility for certain diseases.
These predispositions may lead to a certain disease, but do not necessarily have to. For example, environmental factors, stress, diseases etc. are also crucial. The responsiveness of an individual to the variety of influences varies extremely from person to person. Some people react to a weak stimulus by feeling unwell while other people easily resist this.
The great scholars of ancient times, Hippocrates and Galen, observed such correlations. They traced it back to certain bodily fluids. The classification of temperaments which we still use today is based on this:
Sanguine
Phlegmatic
Melancholic
Choleric
The classification according to physique is also typical. In this case there is a close relationship between the frame and various characteristics and weak points. For example, we are familiar with the classification into:
Pyknic
Athletic
Leptosome
The experienced iridologist can tell a lot from our eyes about congenital characteristics and tendencies to certain diseases. Iridology recognises the following types of constitutional types:
- Lymphatic constitutional type
- Choleric constitutional type
- Rheumatic constitutional type
- Gastric type
- Neurogenic-sensitive constitutional type