Iridology was used by the ancient Egyptians, classical Greeks, and throughout Europe since the 9th century. Iris mapping was advanced in the late 1800’s by the studies of Dr.Ignatz von Peczely. In the 1st World War Dr. Stephenson, a veterinary surgeon, and his young assistant Syd Mercer worked together in the remount section, and they took particularly note of the markings in eyes of the injured, diseased and dying horses.Later in life, Syd Mercer became known as the “Magic Man” in the horse racing world, as he reputably helped several racehorses win major listed races. Syd Mercer would carefully study a horse’s eyes before prescribing remedies for it, many of them being herbal, and he became in all likelihood the first recognised equine iridologist. There is an intricate link between the eye and the brain via the nervous system, and iris nerve cells record vibratory changes in the rest of the body and respond to tissue changes. Iris markings include dark marks, white marks, stress lines–(which look like deep cuts), lactic acid lines (which look like brush markings) and radii solari which are raised ridges on the iris. Iridology can show what is happening inside the body non-invasively, and give warning to potential illnesses or lameness as it can show where the body is under either systemic or muscular-skeletal stress. It can also show if there are inherited strengths and weaknesses, and explain behaviour problems. It will not show pregnancy, as that is a completely natural process for the body, and it will not necessarily show operations (such as gelding) as the anaesthetics cut off the telepathic recordings of the nerves. Iridology combines extremely well with herbalism, as besides their nutritive properties, herbs also have medicinal properties (such as circulatory stimulants, demulcents, liver supportives {hepatics} diuretics, nerve tonics, anti-inflammatories, cell proliferants, etc, etc…) which detoxify and support the body to speed the healing process. By allowing the body to thoroughly heal itself with the aid of herbs (rather than using conventional anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, etc, which will only suppress the symptoms temporarily, but do not actually stimulate the healing process) it helps to ensure against recurring illnesses and injuries. Herbs can also be used as a preventative medicine, which is especially useful for horses which show inherited weaknesses. |