History of Islamic Medicine 8

Soil is cold and dry Black bile , which is cold and dry .

Below is a chart showing the features of structural components in comparison with elements.

Element	Structural Component	Feature
Fire	Bile	Warm and Dry
Air	Blood	Warm and Wet
Water	Phlegm	Cold  and Wet
Soil	Black bile	Cold  and Dry

 

In general, there are four types of proper spirit: One is brutal spirit residing in the heart and it is the origin of all spirits. Another – as physicians refer to it – is sensual spirit residing in the brain. The third – as physicians refer to it – is natural spirit residing in the liver. The fourth is generative – i.e. procreative – spirits residing in the gonads. These four spirits go-between the soul of absolute purity and the body of absolute impurity.”