Black bile

Black bile is one of the four humors (bodily fluids) that were believed to influence human health and temperament in ancient and medieval medicine. The concept of black bile originates from the Hippocratic Corpus, a collection of medical works attributed to Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine.

History

The theory of the four humors, including black bile, was first proposed by Hippocrates in the 5th century BC. According to this theory, the human body was thought to contain four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. These humors were believed to be produced by various organs in the body, and their balance was thought to determine a person's health and temperament.

Black bile was associated with the earth element and was believed to be produced by the spleen. It was thought to be responsible for melancholic conditions, including depression and melancholia.

Characteristics

Black bile was described as a cold and dry fluid. Its excess was believed to cause a melancholic temperament, characterized by despondency, sleeplessness, irritability, and a lack of interest in life.

In the context of disease, an excess of black bile was thought to cause various ailments, including fever, lethargy, and digestive disorders. Conversely, a deficiency of black bile was believed to result in a sanguine temperament, characterized by optimism, cheerfulness, and a love of life.

Modern Interpretations

In modern medicine, the theory of the four humors has been largely discredited. However, the concept of black bile has left a lasting impact on the language and culture of medicine. The term "melancholia" is derived from the Greek words "melas" (black) and "chole" (bile), and is still used today to describe a specific type of depression.