concept of temperament and aging

ABSTRACT

The Greco-Arab system of medicine has been examined with reference to the concept of temperament and compatibility and the elements aire, water, earth and fire which have the properties of being cold, wet, dry and hot have been interpreted as endothermic, hydration, dehydration and exothermic reactions. Compatibility of a substance with a living body has been suggested to be dependent on its being hydrogen bondable. Temperament of the living body is suggested to be its ability to maintain an optimum hydration level, a positive mass and energy balance as well as the elemental [chemical] and substrate balance and to reactivate the deactivated enzymes. In case of any imbalances, the life processes would be disturbed and the most favoured reactions that would predominate over others would comprise oxidative dehydration reactions which would give rise to a cold and dry temperament that would characterize aging