The theory of the four humours [ENGLISH version]

Summary

This script delves into the historical theory of the four humours, attributed to Hippocrates, detailing its influence on health and temperament. It explores the balance of blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile, linked to seasons and ages, and how this theory shaped medical practices in both Western and Eastern traditions, including Unani and Ayurveda. The summary highlights the evolution of this theory from ancient Greece to its modern-day interpretations and critiques.

Takeaways

• 🏥 Hippocrates, known as the 'Father of Medicine,' introduced evidence-based practices and the concept of treating the body as a whole, rather than as isolated parts.
• 📜 The 'Hippocratic Corpus' contains the foundational work 'On the Nature of Man,' which outlines the theory of the four humours, attributed to Hippocrates' disciple, Polybius.
• 🔍 Hippocrates' theory identified four humours in the body: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile, each associated with different seasons and temperaments.
• 🧘 The balance of these humours was considered essential for good health, with imbalance leading to disease, and the theory suggested modifying one's regime according to the seasons to maintain this balance.
• 👶 Theophrastus of Eresus linked the predominance of humours to personality types, associating blood with sociability, phlegm with calmness, yellow bile with choler, and black bile with melancholy.
• 🌡️ Galen expanded on the theory, correlating humours with the elements, seasons, and character, and distinguishing them not only by color but also by taste.
• 🌿 Avicenna in 'Canon of Medicine' further developed the study of humours, discussing their influence on health in relation to seasons and climates.
• 🌡️ Hildegard von Bingen adapted the humour theory to her medical concepts, offering a collection of recipes for treating diseases based on the balance of humours.
• 🧪 Paracelsus challenged traditional humour theory by emphasizing the alchemical principles of sulphur, mercury, and salt, and the role of the 'Archeus' in health and disease.
• 🌏 The theory of humours was prevalent in Western medicine until the 18th century, when advancements in bacteriology led to its decline, but it continues in Eastern medicine, such as Unani and Ayurveda.
• 🍲 Healing methods based on the humour theory included phytotherapy, bloodletting, emetics, purges, and moxibustion, aiming to restore balance to the humours.

Q & A

Who is considered the father of medicine and what significant approach did he introduce?

Hippocrates of Cos, a Greek physician, is considered the father of medicine. He introduced evidence-based practices, treating the body as a whole, and emphasizing natural healing through rest, proper diet, fresh air, and bodily cleansing.

What is the theory of the four humours and how does it relate to the seasons?

The theory of the four humours is an ancient Greek medical concept that suggests the body contains four fluids or humours: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Each humour is associated with a season and a set of qualities: blood is hot and moist (spring), yellow bile is hot and dry (summer), black bile is cold and dry (autumn), and phlegm is cold and moist (winter).

Who is Polybius and how is he related to the theory of humours?

Polybius was the son-in-law and disciple of Hippocrates. He is attributed as the author of 'On the Nature of Man,' a work in the Hippocratic Corpus where the theory of humours is set out, although the authorship is considered to be of doubtful origin.

What is the significance of the four humours in temperament according to Theophrastus of Eresus?

Theophrastus of Eresus stated that individuals with a predominance of blood are sociable, those with phlegm are calm, those with yellow bile are choleric, and those with black bile are melancholic, thus establishing the importance of humours in temperament and their classification.

How did Galen contribute to the understanding of the four humours?

Galen, a Greek physician in the Roman Empire, established correspondences between the humours, the seasons, and the elements. He also created a relationship between humours and character, and distinguished them not only by color but also by taste.

What is the influence of the seasons on health according to Avicenna's 'Canon of Medicine'?

Avicenna in 'Canon of Medicine' detailed how each season predisposes individuals to certain ailments. For example, spring can cause disturbances of the gall bladder and bronchitis, while winter is favorable for digestion but can lead to pituitary affections and colds.

How did Hildegard von Bingen adapt the traditional theory of humours in her medical concepts?

Hildegard von Bingen adapted the traditional theory of humours by associating each humour with specific qualities such as dry, moist, warm, and cold. She also linked them to specific medical conditions and treatments, using her 'medicinal garden' for creating remedies.

What is the difference between Unani medicine and Ayurveda in terms of their foundational principles?

Unani medicine is based on the four classical humours (phlegm, blood, yellow bile, and black bile) and is influenced by Greek physicians like Hippocrates and Galen. Ayurveda, on the other hand, is based on the Tridosha (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and the five elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth), with a focus on the integration of body, mind, and spirit.

How does the theory of humours relate to personality types?

According to the theory of humours, each humour corresponds to a traditional temperament: blood to sanguine, yellow bile to choleric, black bile to melancholic, and phlegm to phlegmatic. These temperaments are associated with specific personality traits and characteristics.

What are the healing methods suggested by the humour theory to balance the humours?

The healing methods suggested by the humour theory include phytotherapy, balancing food according to the seasons, bloodletting, emetics or provoked vomiting, purges, and moxibustion. These methods aim to restore the balance of humours in the body.