In the Theory of the Four Humours, what treatment was recommended if a patient was too hot?

• A. Bleed the patient, e.g., bloodletting, cupping, leeches
• B. Purge with emetics
• C. Apply warm compresses
• D. Administer opiates

Answer: (A)

In the four humours system, illness is about balancing fluids, each with its own qualities. Blood is considered hot and wet, so when someone is too hot the goal is to reduce this hot humour. Blowing away excess heat through removing blood—bloodletting, done directly or via cupping or leeches—lowers the amount of hot blood in the body, helping to cool the patient and restore balance. Purging with emetics would not specifically target heat and can upset balance in other ways, applying warm compresses would add heat, and opiates address pain rather than the humoral balance itself. So bleeding is the treatment aligned with cooling excess heat.