jan 1, 1250 - Theory of the Four Humors

Description:

One theory for disease in the medieval period was the theory of the four humours. This was an idea that stemmed from Hippocrates and the ancient Greeks. Hippocrates was a big advocate of clinical observation. They believed that the humours were all in balance:

- Humour: Blood
- Season: Spring
- Element: Air

- Humour: Yellow Bile
- Season: Summer
- Element: Fire

- Humour: Black Bile
- Season: Autumn
- Element: Earth

- Humour: Phlem
- Season: Winter
- Element: Water

This idea was then continued by Galen who taught the theory of opposites in the 2nd century AD. He also drew detailed diagrams of human anatomy that he learned from dead animals and gladiators in Rome. Although a lot of his work was correct, a lot was also wrong.

The church liked the theory of the four humours and so they promoted it. They liked it because it corresponded with the bible where it said that humans were created by God in balance.

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