Hippocrates the Social Reformer

Hippocrates is said to be a great Greek scholar and physician of 400 BC. He is called as the father of western medicine. But his contribution to psychiatry is more important. He was the first person to say that mental illness is due to bodily changes and not due to demonic possessions and black magic.

Doctors and Medical students take the Hippocrates oath during their medical journey.

Though Hippocrates was not able to point the changes in the nervous system or neurotransmitters he told that mental illness is due to an imbalance in the bodily fluids. He explained that human emotions can be divided into four humors.

A) SANGUINE (Blood) - A warm, outgoing personality. Rarely loses temper and is compassionate and loving by nature.

B) PHLEGMATIC (Phlegm) - A lazy, laid-back personality. Is rarely bothered by carrying out jobs or work, and does not express many emotions. Never is emotionally intense.

C) CHOLERIC (Yellow Bile) - An angry, aggressive personality. Is often loyal, but at the same time, has a very short fuse and is impulsive by nature.

D) MELANCHOLIC (Black Bile) - A sad, despondent personality. Tends to display more reactions of negativity towards stimuli, and is often selfish and self-absorbed.

But even in 2013 people believe mental illness could be a part of black magic or demonic possessions.

The more sad part is the amount of financial loss and stress they undergo before consulting a doctor. People consult a lot of magic religious persons and lose their hope before coming to a psychiatrist. They are so drained and tried that they are not able to accept the explanation of the psychiatrist. The latter they consult the poorer is the prognosis. This is very important in case of any mental illness. So friends please don’t hesitate to come out and solve your problems as soon as possible. BE OPEN AND BE FRANK

“LETS MAKE A DIFFERENCE”

Dr.Bevinsathya.