"And just as the year is governed at one time by winter, then by spring, then by summer, and then by autumn; so at one time in the body phlegm predominates, at another time blood, at another time yellow bile and this is followed by a preponderance of black bile. In these circumstances it follows that the diseases which increase in winter should decrease in summer and vice versa. . . ." What does this excerpt from the writings of Hippocrates (Thinking Like a Historian: Hellenistic Medicine) tell us about his understanding of disease?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The excerpt suggests that Hippocrates believed that disease was caused by an excess of a particular substance in the body, such as phlegm, blood, yellow bile, or black bile. He believed that there was a balance of these substances in the body, and an imbalance could lead to disease. This is known as the theory of the four humors, which was a common belief in ancient Greek medicine.

"And Just as the Year Is Governed at One Time