Theory of the Four Humors

Introduction

• Ancient medical idea crucial in the medieval period and beyond
• Based on Greek philosophies, particularly Aristotle and Hippocrates

Overview of the Theory

• The body composed of four humors:
  • Blood
  • Phlegm
  • Black Bile
  • Yellow Bile
• Linked to four elements and seasons
• Health is a balance of these humors

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Hippocrates used this theory for diagnosing illnesses and suggesting treatments
• Diagnosis based on symptoms, an early rational approach
• Example cases:
  • Cold:
    • Symptoms: Shivers, phlegm
    • Cause: Too much phlegm
    • Treatment: Blowing nose, inhaling vapors
  • Rash and Fever:
    • Symptoms: Red skin, high temperature
    • Cause: Too much blood
    • Treatment: Bleeding the patient
  • Constipation:
    • Symptoms: Inability to have bowel movement
    • Cause: Too little black bile
    • Treatment: Laxative foods to induce diarrhea

Historical Significance

• Progress:
  • Rational and scientific explanation of illness
• Continuity:
  • Survived through medieval times, treatments like bleeding continued into the 19th century
• By the Renaissance, the idea started to be challenged
• Bleeding was so common that healthy individuals did it regularly

Conclusion

• Four humors represent blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile
• Illness linked to imbalances in these humors
• Theory provides a rational explanation but is incorrect
• Treatments often targeted symptoms rather than disease causes
• Four humors persisted for centuries as a widespread theory of disease causation

Closing

• Encouragement to like and subscribe for more content.