The significant rise in temperatures over the next half century is likely to make the dreaded kidney stone, also called renal calculi, a reality for millions of people. In America, scientists predict that by 2050, kidney stone cases will rise to an additional 1.6 to 2.2 million, seeing a 30 per cent growth, particularly in areas in the south, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee. The area often known as ‘the Bible Belt’ has already been dubbed ‘the Kidney Belt’ by those in the medical profession.

“This study is one of the first examples of global warming causing a direct medical consequence for humans,” said Margaret Pearle of the University of Texas. “There is a known geographic variation in stone disease that has been attributed to regional differences in temperature. When people relocate from areas of moderate temperature to areas with warmer climates, a rapid increase in stone risk has been observed. This has been shown in military deployments to the Middle East for instance.”

“This will come and get you in your home,” added Dr. Tom Brikowski, an associate professor at the University based in Dallas. “It will make life just uncomfortable enough that maybe people will slow down and think what they’re doing to the climate.”

“Similar climate-related changes in the prevalence of kidney-stone disease can be expected in other stone belts worldwide,” the study said.

According to Wikipedia, “The existence of kidney stones has been recorded since the beginning of civilization, and lithotomy for the removal of stones is one of the earliest known surgical procedures. In 1901, a stone was discovered in the pelvis of an ancient Egyptianmummy, and was dated to 4,800 BCE.”

The offending stones, which are formed from dissolved minerals in the urine, can be extremely painful, with some unfortunate souls who have been shot exclaiming that their kidney stones were actually more excruciating than taking a bullet.

Famously, the diarist Samuel Pepys underwent what was then a horrendous and hazardous operation in 1657, to have his removed. Following the success of the operation, Pepys vowed to hold a celebration yearly on the anniversary of his ordeal, more sumptuous and decedent than any birthday party.

‘At noon come my good guests,” he wrote jubilantly. “I had a pretty dinner for them, viz. a brace of stewed carp, six roast chickens and a jowl of hot salmon for the first course; a tanzy and two neats’ tongues and cheese second. We were very merry all the afternoon talking and singing and piping upon the flageolette.”