... were the first people who tried to find new reasons for illness rather than blaming it on Gods and spirits. This intrigued the Greeks to look closer and find the real reasons for illness. Hippocrates had an idea about illness. He believed that the body contained four humours (liquids); Phlegm, blood, yellow bile and black bile. When one of these humours became unbalanced then the person would fall ill. Element Qualities Season Humour Illness Water Cold and moist Winter Phlegm Sneezing/cold Air Hot and moist Spring Blood Dysentery/nose bleeds Fire Hot and dry Summer Yellow bile Fevers/vomiting Earth Cold and dry Autumn Black bile Dry skin/ vomiting This theory of the four humours was an important step forward because they did no longer believe in the supernatural causes of illness; they were now finding logical reasons for illness. Hippocrates enhanced the knowledge of medicine was the treatment. He encouraged people to look for more natural treatments for illness rather than looking to the Gods. This improved medical knowledge as people were searching for ...

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