The Elizabethan Psychology - the four humours

The Elizabethan Psychology - the four humours
Basic information
Embracement of ancient Greek and Roman beliefs, myths and culture in Elizabethan era

now discredited medical theory:
body consists of 4 humours

blood, bile (
Galle
), black bile, yellow bile, phlegm (
Schleim
)




relation between the humours
all 4 humours in balance healthy

fluids wax and wane in the body depending on diet and activity


surplus or deficit (imbalance) affects physical health, personality & character either positively or negatively
medical treatment
all diseases and disabilities supposedly resulted from imbalances, having a negative influence
treatments aimed on restoring balance through controlled expulsion of fluids like
blood
or
vomit
bloodletting
Black Bile Cold and Dry Too much earth Melancholic Autumn
Blood Hot and Moist Too much air Sanguine Sping
Phlegm Cold and Moist Too much water Phlegmatic Winter Yellow Bile Hot and Dry Too much fire Choleric Summer
humour
= 1. " bodily fluids"
2. "mood/state of mind/emotional condition"
the theory was closely related to the theory of the four elements: earth, fire, water and air
blood
Pleghm
yellow bile
black bile
s
u
r
p
l
u
s

o
f
fluid
temperature
element
effect
season
the main medical treatment used herbes
e.g. head afflictions : sweet-smelling herbs (rose, lavender)