Humoral science and humour

A sense of humour is a coveted quality. Humorous (adjective) people are fun to have around. Humour(noun) is also the quality of being comic  or funny in life and literature and allows for self-deprecation  or a balanced perspective in a world where things often tend to go wrong.   'Good humour' indicates a positive attitude. “Women  in dependent positions   ‘humour’ ( verb form; accommodate; comply with)   the whims of spouses and   end up being  ‘bad humoured’.” 

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 The word ‘humour’   evolved from ‘humor’ (Latin for moist, Greek for sap). According to Hippocrates, human temperament (Latin temperare; to mix) could be explained  on the  basis of the predominance of one or another of the  humors ( body fluids): These were listed as yellow bile; black bile; blood and phlegm . The four humours corresponded to the four elements.   

Yellow Bile (hot and dry) produced in the liver was associated with the element of fire. Black bile (cold and dry) produced in the spleen was associated with the earth . Blood (hot and wet) produced in the heart was associated with air while  phlegm (wet and cold) produced in the brain was associated  with water.  The abundance of yellow bile made for a   choleric person; an abundance of blood made a person sanguine; black bile led to a melancholic temperament while an excess of phlegm was the reason behind a phlegmatic disposition.

 Humoral science   was accepted methodology in ancient and medieval systems of medicine in Greece, Rome and Persia. In fact, the theory of 'doshas', (vata, pitha and kapha) propounded in systems of Ayurveda, has much in common with the theory of humors.

The theory of humors analysed imbalances in human beings based on the distribution of bodily fluids. It fell into disuse with the advent of modern medicine. However, the   temperaments that were identified as a result of  the distribution of different humors in the human body  in medieval times,  continue to be part of modern use .

 The word 'sanguine' (noun) refers to a blood red colour. A ‘sanguine’ (adjective) person usually is  cheerful, positive and in robust health.

‘Choler’ (noun; archaic)  indicates peevishness or anger. The term 'choleric’ is an adjective used to describe irritable and bad-tempered people who are easily angered.  Bilious (adjective) once described   irascible persons.   Bilious/ nauseous in modern usage refers to excessive secretions of bile, suggesting a dysfunctional liver.   Spleen, a small  fist-sized organ near the stomach , was once considered to be the seat of ill-humour.  Splenetic (adjective; bad-tempered) persons  make everyday life unpleasant. “To vent one’s spleen” (idiom) is to express anger.   

Phelgm (noun) in modern usage refers  to the thick viscous secretions in the mucus membranes of the respiratory system. The term 'phlegmatic' however does not mean a person filled with phlegm or mucus. 'Phelgmatic' (adjective) qualifies individuals who display great calm and are  not easily excitable. 

 Melancholy (noun)   describes  a feeling of sadness. “A solitary life in gloomy weather   often creates an air of melancholy.” “Paro’s marriage to another, pushed a melancholic (adjective) Devdas into  alcoholic depression.”  Bilious, (nauseous) now associated with the bile, is an easily identifiable clinical condition. The gall bladder secrets (bitter) bile.  Unrelieved poverty and endless war are   'galling' (adjective) experiences. “He had the gall (audacity) to complain about the cooking after enjoying free meals for six months.”

In current usage melancholy, galling, phlegmatic, choleric have very little to do with body secretions and functions and are increasingly associated with emotional and mental volatility.  Humoric science may be dated, but good and bad humour still defines behaviour.