Interpretation of Such Features
The interpretation of such features, however, belongs to the realm of pure
psychology, this is also true of similar conclusions drawn from the outlines of the
chin. Of much more importance for the purpose of diagnosis is the
nose.
Even a child understands what the red nose of the habitual drunkard signifies. A
bloated nose with a tendency to become sore is an indication of a disposition to
scrofulosis.
Other indications of disease are displayed to the experienced physician by the
condition of the nose. The nose is one of the most typical of the human organs; it is also in the closest
connection with the entire system with its groups of organs—the brain, intestines,
breast and even the sexual organs.
The infinite variety of nasal formation has attracted the intense interest of the
physiognomist to this organ.
The most important function of the nose lies in its action as a respiratory organ.
Bad habits or faulty construction which prevent it from serving in this capacity,
lead to much suffering and disease, and it is always important to determine whether
the channels of the nose are clear and open and efficiently serve their purposes.
The function of the nose as an olfactory organ must also rank highly in its
importance. In this case, however, the nose of the physician plays the important
part; not the nose of the patient. In fact, most of the famous authorities, among
them Professor Jaeger of Stuttgart, Dr. Heim of Berlin and Dr. Lahmann of
Dresden, have made very valuable discoveries in this respect.
Dr. Heim has found methods of determining the nature of certain acute diseases
from the odour emitted from the person.
Dr. Lahmann distinguishes the hypochondriacal, the melancholic and the hysteric
odours, which, as he says, are most characteristic.
The same applies to the odour of diabetics and other people who suffer from
disturbances of digestion, and patients who suffer from cancer and other diseases
involving a process of putrefaction.
The fact that most patients diffuse unpleasant odours is of the greatest importance
to married people, as it easily produces antipathy, and especially in the case of
chronic diseases, is frequently made the basis of separation and divorce.
Were this defect known to be but the symptom of a curable disease, the husband or
wife would probably prefer to consult the hygienic physician rather than the
lawyer.
Knowledge in such case would mean the preservation of domestic
happiness.
The teeth:
The parents of a young man once complained to me that their son had
been rejected as a cadet at West Point upon physical examination, because two of
his teeth were filled.
The authorities are certainly justified in their decision.
The lack of perfect teeth indicates faulty digestion. Usually the teeth are ruined
during youth because children breathe through the mouth instead of through the
nose,—either on account of the physical condition of the nose or because the
tonsils are enlarged.
The lack of sufficient nutritive salts in the diet is often revealed by the condition of
the teeth.
From a physiological standpoint the teeth are no less important than the brain, the
eyes and the hair; and the conclusion that perfect eyes, hair and teeth indicate a
perfect brain is absolutely justified, while the lack of perfection in these organs
shows internal deficiencies long before they appear in external manifestation in the
form of disease.
Since healthy blood is the basic condition of healthy teeth, the fact that people have
clean white teeth, set in regular line, indicates the existence of healthy blood. On
the other hand, a bad composition of the blood is manifested by short, irregularly
set, yellowish teeth.
The teeth of healthy people are always somewhat moist, dry teeth are accordingly a
bad sign.
The only advantage of yellowish teeth rests in the fact that their dentine is, as a
rule, stronger. Extremely bluish white teeth often consist of a soft, porous and
tender dentine.
Faulty structure of the teeth indicates weak bones in general.
Crippled teeth and the late appearance of teeth in infants,—that is, not before the
ninth month,—are symptoms of rachitis. Healthy children have their teeth between
the fifth and seventh months.
The teeth of diabetics become loose without any formation of tartar, (an
incrustation of phosphate of lime and saliva).
Extremely yellow teeth indicate jaundice, while reddish teeth show hyperaemia of
the dentine. Carious teeth are a result of disturbed circulation.
The gums are also very indicative of disease. If they are of a pale pink colour, they
indicate anaemia or chlorosis; if bluish red on the edge, they indicate tuberculosis.
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