Phlegms, as defined in the context of medieval medicine, are believed to be one of the four bodily humors, along with blood, black bile, and yellow bile. This theory of the four humors, which originated from the teachings of ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, suggests that an imbalance or excess of these humors can cause various physical and mental ailments. Phlegm is considered the humor associated with the element of water and is believed to be cold and moist in nature.
In this understanding, phlegms are thought to be a thick, sticky substance that can accumulate in the body's organs, particularly the lungs, throat, and sinuses. An excess of phlegm was often believed to be a sign of an underlying health issue.
The term "phlegms" is also commonly used in modern language to refer to excessive mucus or nasal congestion, often accompanied by coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose. In this context, phlegm is seen as a thick, viscid secretion produced by the respiratory system to protect it from external irritants or infection. It is typically associated with respiratory infections or allergies.
Overall, the notion of "phlegms" refers to a bodily humor, as well as to its modern implication in terms of excessive mucus or congestion in the respiratory system, often indicating a health concern.
