The four humours are Sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic
and melancholic. Each is related to one of the four administering virtues of
the body – blood, yellow bile, phlegm and black bile respectively – whose
relative proportions were used in ancient and medieval physiology to determine
a person’s natural disposition and general health. They are associated with the
elements and seasonal influences – see individual terms: sanguine, choleric,
phlegmatic and melancholic.