Causes of Disease (Roman)

Question 1

What were the four humours?

Answer 1

A theory for why disease occurs created by Hippocrates and furthered by Galen.
-Phlegm (winter), Blood (spring), Black bile (autumn), yellow bile (summer)

Question 2

How did the four humours cause disease?

Answer 2

Believed that an imbalance in the four humours would cause disease, must be balanced to stay healthy

Question 3

Supernatural theories?

Answer 3

• Caused by the stars (Ginas of Massilia)
• Creatures too tiny to see (Varro)
• Punishment from the Gods (popular belief)

Question 4

Natural theories?

Answer 4

MIASMA: there was a general belief that bad air and smells could cause disease
-Blamed poisonous vapours in the swamps (Columella)