STERCORARIANISM Meaning and
Definition
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Stercorarianism is a rare and archaic term used in the field of medieval medicine and was commonly associated with the theory of humoral pathology. The term is derived from the Latin word "stercorarius," meaning "pertaining to dung" or "related to excrement."
In the context of medicine, stercorarianism referred to the belief that diseases could be caused by an imbalance of bodily humors, which were believed to include four main elements: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. According to this theory, stercorarianism specifically suggested that diseases could arise from the accumulation or excessive presence of "black bile" or "melancholic humor" in the body.
It was believed that the accumulation of black bile would result in melancholia, or a state of chronic depression and sadness. The theory proposed that the body's natural excretory processes, such as sweating, urination, and defecation, played a crucial role in maintaining the balance of bodily fluids and avoiding stercorarian diseases.
However, stercorarianism gradually lost prominence as medicine advanced and evolved, giving way to more scientific explanations for disease causes and treatments. The concept is no longer widely accepted in modern medical practice, as humoral pathology and stercorarianism are considered outdated and lacking empirical evidence. Nonetheless, the term remains relevant in historical and linguistic contexts, shedding light on the evolution of medical theories and practices throughout human history.
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The doctrine that the host is digested like other food, contemptuously applied.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for STERCORARIANISM
- atercorarianism
- ztercorarianism
- xtercorarianism
- dtercorarianism
- etercorarianism
- wtercorarianism
- srercorarianism
- sfercorarianism
- sgercorarianism
- syercorarianism
- s6ercorarianism
- s5ercorarianism
- stwrcorarianism
- stsrcorarianism
- stdrcorarianism
- strrcorarianism
- st4rcorarianism
- st3rcorarianism
- steecorarianism
- stedcorarianism
Etymology of STERCORARIANISM
The term "stercorarianism" is derived from the Latin word "stercus" which means "feces" or "excrement". The root of the word, "stercor-" signifies the concept of waste or dung. The "-arianism" suffix is utilized to form a noun from the root, indicating a specific system, belief, or doctrine. Therefore, "stercorarianism" refers to a theoretical or conceptual framework related to feces or excrement.
