Belonging to, or inherent in, the constitution, or in the structure of body or mind; as, a constitutional infirmity; constitutional ardor or dullness.
This is a term used when a medical condition is thought not to be due to an occupational factor but due to some physical or physiological characteristic specific to the person concerned which makes them more vulnerable than normal to a precipitating factor. This may indeed be true, as a group of workers exposed to the same adverse working conditions may respond in quite different ways, reflecting the inherent variability of mankind. Alternatively, a constitutional factor may bring about a more exacerbated response to an occupational situation. On the other hand the phrase 'constitutional' may be used when the medical practitioner is inexperienced or prejudiced.
Deriving from basic hereditary strengths and weaknesses, and including early environmental factors.