Approaches to Prevention and Treatment

Rational Treatments in Connection with the Four Humours

1. Bloodletting was the most common treatment for the imbalance of humours. It was either done by cutting a vein, using leeches or cupping. Different points in the body were used for different illnesses. Occassionally bloodletting was performed by physicians but, more usually, it was done by barber-surgeons or non-medical persons.

2. Purging was another treatment used to re-balance the humours. It either involved making a patient vomit…