HUMOURS Meaning and
Definition
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Humours, in the context of medicine, refer to the bodily fluids believed to govern a person's physical and mental health according to ancient Greek and medieval medical theories. This concept emerged from the humoral theory, which originated with the Greek philosopher Hippocrates and was further developed by Galen and other physicians. According to this theory, the body contains four humours: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile.
Each humour was associated with specific qualities: blood was considered warm and moist, phlegm cold and moist, yellow bile hot and dry, and black bile cold and dry. The balance and proper mixture of these humours were seen as vital for maintaining a person's health and temperament.
Imbalances in the humours were believed to lead to various physical and psychological disorders. For instance, an excess of blood could result in fever or, conversely, a lack of blood could lead to anemia. Emotional imbalances were also associated with the humours: excess black bile was believed to cause sadness or depression, while an excess of yellow bile was thought to cause anger or irritability.
Although the humoral theory has been largely discredited by modern scientific understanding, the influence of its terminology and concepts can still be seen in some medical traditions and historical literature.
Etymology of HUMOURS
The word "humours" derives from the Latin word "humor", which means "fluid" or "moisture". In ancient times, it was believed that the body consisted of four humours or fluids: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. These humours were thought to be responsible for a person's physical and mental characteristics, temperament, and overall health. The concept of the humours originated with the ancient Greeks before being adopted and further developed by Roman physicians, such as Galen. The term "humours" has since evolved to refer more broadly to one's disposition or mood.
