Question

Explain in detail how Galen, a physician during the Middle Ages, expanded on Hippocrates’ theory of the four humors and explain what he believed each humor represented.

Answer 1

Galen was a renowned physician during the Middle Ages who made important contributions to anatomy, physiology, pathology and neurology among others. He developed the idea of Hippocrates of the 4 humours of black bile, yellow bile blood and phlegm. He studied the hearts of animals and found that the heart pumped the blood throughout the body. He considered that warm foods caused yellow bile and cold foods caused phlegm. Black bile was associated with the gall bladder and resulted in a melancholic mood. 

Answer 2

Hippocrates believed that there are four humors in human body which need balance for a healthy being. These were:
Blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile.
Galen expanded the idea of the humors and introduced four temperaments which were these:
choleric (hot / dry), melancholic (cold / dry), sanguine (warm / moist), and phlegmatic (cold / moist).
Another expansion Galen did was that he gave each humor/temperament physical and psychological qualities and said that even the food items have an association with the certain humor, those foods can effect certain humor in certain ways.