In the spirit of Thanksgiving, a balance of what four things was essential to good health in Colonial America?
The four humors: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Blood was associated with hot, moist air; phlegm with cold, wet water; black bile with cold, dry earth; and yellow bile with hot, dry fire. These were thought to affect complexion, hair color, and even personality. The colonists brought these beliefs with them to the new world. So, be thankful we’ve learned a lot since then!
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