DISEASES OF KIDNEY
The kidneys show their signs at right iris 28′-30′ and left iris 30′-32′, commencing directly against the iris-wreath and extending outwards to the fourth and fifth minor zones. The kidney is all the more healthy the less its area is indicated (Schulte).
If both kidneys register, then in many cases it is a question of overstrain, suggesting that the system is overladen with poisonous substances and that one or several other organs (intestines, skin and lungs) show conditions of functional insufficiency. In such cases one also finds an early or closed weakness-sign, or darkening of the kidney area.
True kidney disease usually takes place in one kidney only, and the following signs may be seen:
1. Nephritis: inflammation of the kidney. In acute conditions, small white points, wisps or clouds, or also small white streaks are found in the kidney area, which take on a yellowish colouring as the conditions become chronic. With older damage, the iris-wreath in the kidney area is contracted inwards.
If the condition is one of cysto-pyelitis then sharp white lines or wisp signs are also found in the bladder area.
2. Renal hypo-function: functional weakness of the kidney. The kidney area shows a dark weakness-sign, which is markedly widened in the muscle zone. Patients with these signs pass scanty urine and have high-domed finger nails.
3. Contracted kidney: one finds in the kidney area dark to black points or streaks as signs of tissue disintegration. The condition is one of irreparable damage leading to progressive disturbance and renal insufficiency, with consequent uraemia. When these sharp black signs are seen, they are a reminder to be cautious (not dark wisps—these are signs of unresolved catarrh), and in addition to the customary urine analysis, to measure the blood pressure frequently, and also if possible to observe the fundus of the eye. Other signs of contracted kidney are a weakness-sign in the heart area, and in addition to the small black kidney signs a large suprarenal sign.
4. Renal stone, nephrolithiasis: occurs more frequently than is generally accepted—it is not for certain established diagnostically in every case. For so long as concretions are retained in the renal pelvis no signs for stone can be found in the iris unless its presence results in inflammation of the mucous membrane—and this possibility is always there. When stimulation of the mucous membrane of the renal pelvis arises from concretions, one finds in the kidney area a small white streak (as distinct from the sign of inflammation arising otherwise: white clouds) close to the iris-wreath. These small white streaks disappear, however, when the inflammation recedes, and leave behind no sign of special significance. Such cases are only seldom seen by the irisdiagnostician, usually accidentally, when a patient comes on account of some other complaint. Generally, the condition is one of ureteral colic, without inflammation signs in the kidney or ureteral areas. Only a loosening of the iris fibres is to be seen in the organ area of the ureter: right iris 30′-35′, left iris 25′-30′.
When a sharp-edged stone lodges in the renal pelvis a local circumscribed inflammation first arises. This leads to the above-mentioned small white signs in the iris. If the condition in the renal pelvis results in damage to the mucous membrane and degeneration of tissue, then a small dark to black point-like sign develops in the white sign. These small injuries and inflammations heal quickly when the stone shifts to another position in the renal pelvis, so that from these repeated local injuries several small black points develop in the area for renal pelvis.
It would be untrue to infer that all such signs as have been discussed refer to renal gravel. My view is that a single stone can also give rise to such signs. Much depends upon the kind of stone, as to whether these signs will develop. These small point-like signs are not the only signs in the iris for stones. Sometimes we find several points surrounded by a thin white line, suggesting that frequent inflammatory response to stone damage of the renal pelvis has already occurred, and also that such has healed again.
One sometimes finds a black streak with a point on top. It looks like an upside down comma. Such a sign suggests that there is a large stone in the renal pelvis, which from its size and weight has resulted in an indentation of the renal tissues, destroying mucous membrane and connection tissues.
The signs described so far can exist without the patient complaining of, or having complained of painful symptoms in the kidney region. Where there are painful conditions one always finds a white sign (inflammation sign) by the black sign. According to the degree of inflammation, small white streaks or larger white clouds show, which may extend to the neighbourhood of the kidney areas. With extension of the inflammatory process, and destruction of the renal tissues, there will appear against the large white clouds several large, longish or zigzag black signs.
((Black signs = tissue destruction = loss of substance.)
5. Hydronephrosis, renal stasis: arises as the result of pressure from inside or outside (stones, tumours, etc.), whereby the ureter is constricted and the urine collects in the renal pelvis, resulting in a considerable dilatation of the renal pelvis. In the iris the condition is recognised by a wide separation of the iris fibres in the kidney area, with many long black signs which appear between the fibres. In well marked cases, the iris fibres are observed to be running in large arcs which extend over the extremity area (30′) and extend through the region for inguinal, uterine and rectal areas: right iris 25′, left iris 35′.
6. Floating kidney: is recognised by a displacement of the kidney areas in the direction of the abdominal area. One sees a distinct white arc which extends out from the iris-wreath into the lower temporal quadrant of the iris. In addition, one often finds a contraction of the wreath at right iris 45′, or left iris 15-20′, which arises through pressure of the displaced kidney upon the intestine.
Floating kidney and hydronephrosis have quite similar signs. They are easily distinguished by the long black signs (loss of substance) which are found with hydronephrosis but not with floating kidney.
7. It is important to draw attention to the close connection between lungs and kidneys. Thus, for example, there is no lung T.B. without kidney signs in the left iris. (Right iris: hereditary, left iris: acquired.)
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