WHAT IS PATHOPHYSIOGNOMICS?

Recognition of specific illness symptoms of organs and functions in the face

Physiognomics (lat.sc. physiognomia), the epitome of all forms of living individuals, exists within living memory. Animals and – later – human beings have always expressed fear, sympathy, readiness to attack or indifference through their appearance. The abnormal has always distinguished itself from the standard. Since the beginning of time man has tried to find out why an abnormal behaviour leads also to an abnormal appearance, in total or in part. Meticulous observation led to empirical knowledge. It has been tried to draw conclusions from a non-conform appearance of the exterior about the health and the behaviour.

After these beginnings, researchers like Cesare Lombroso, Johann Caspar Lavater, Ernst Kretschmer, Carl Huter and many more helped in establishing an extensive literature of physiognomic studies. Many of the theses and thoughts developed were not checked and fell into oblivion. Others proved to be non practical and were rejected. However, some doctrines have shown to be useful up to our time, e.g.:

the typology of Ernst Kretschmer,
the psycho-physiognomics of Carl Huter or
the facial diagnosis of MD Wilhelm Heinrich Schüssler

Owing to his still ongoing thorough and responsible research work Natale Ferronato could develop his system of pathophysiognomics. This doctrine of organ and function related specific signs in the face allows drawing conclusions about present and past diseases. He created the name of his method and published it for the first time in 1991. Also the disposition of diseases, i.e. the mostly inherited susceptibility to develop a disease, can be detected.
The decryption of the early signs of a potentially developing disease makes this system particularly valuable in the prevention.

Natale Ferronato's pathophysiognomics is based upon precise and sensible observation. Apart from a visual perception intuitive empathy is mandatory. The practicing of this perceptive view - initially under instruction - as well as a solid knowledge of anatomy and pathophysiology are the conditions to learn this reliable method of diagnosis.
It permits also to assess the progression of the treatment:
In case of a well chosen therapy, the changes pathophysiognomicly recognizable towards the standard improve, otherwise the diagnostic findings deteriorate.

The organ and functions related specific pathophysiognomics according to Natale Ferronato is a real, reproducible and learnable discipline. To the experienced observer it offers a fast and reliable instrument of diagnosis without further means or devices. Its basis is the empirical determination of specific areas of the face which have been verified by clinical examination. As a complement and differentiated diagnosis other methods - e.g. lab data and optical systems - can and should be employed.

(Author: Andreas Halstenberg)

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