Dr Latib’s live session

Dr. Latib's lecture on temperaments in traditional Islamic medicine covered the four temperaments: cold and moist (phlegmatic), cold and dry (melancholic), hot and dry (choleric), and hot and moist (sanguine). He emphasized the importance of understanding a patient's constitution through body shape, color, and temperature, rather than personality. Dr. Latib explained that a person's temperament is inherent and unchangeable, even with severe illnesses. He also discussed the relevance of these temperaments to various treatments, such as hijama (cupping), and noted cultural differences in temperaments, like Arabs being predominantly choleric. The session concluded with a Q&A session to clarify further points.

Outline

Understanding Temperaments in Traditional Islamic Medicine

• The lesson is for students in the traditional Islamic medicine program, the Hakim program, and the Tibb Nabawi diploma.
• Dr Latib explains the importance of understanding different methods of assessing a person's temperament
• The Prophet ﷺ's Sunnah provides guidance on what is right and wrong in various fields, including medicine.

The Four Temperaments and Their Relevance

• Dr Latib discusses the four temperaments: cold and moist (phlegmatic), cold and dry (melancholic), hot and dry (choleric), and hot and moist (sanguine).
• Emphasizes the importance of using a coherent and meaningful construct for assessing patients.
• Notes that no person fits exactly into one temperament, but they can be characterized by primary and secondary constitutions.
• Dr Latib mentions the five-element system used in advanced courses, comparing it to other systems like Ayurveda and TCM.

Correlations Between Temperaments and Elements

• Dr Latib explains the correlations between temperaments and elements mentioned in the Quran and Hadith, such as earth, water, fire, metal, and wood.
• Discusses the basic elements that form the nature of the world and how they apply to human beings.
• Provides examples of how different elements are present in various human constitutions, such as earth (clay) for phlegmatic and fire for choleric.
• Emphasizes the importance of understanding these basic elements for treating patients effectively.

Temperament Stability and Illness Impact

• Dr Latib addresses a question about whether a patient's temperament can change due to toxins or immune disorders.
• Clarifies that a person's temperament remains the same throughout their life, even if severe illness or drug usage causes physical changes.
• Explains that severe illness can lead to temporary changes in a person's presentation, but their core nature remains the same.
• Discusses the importance of treating patients based on their primary constitution and understanding their history.

Personality vs. Temperament

• Dr Latib explains that personality is not a reliable indicator of a person's temperament, as people can hide their true personalities.
• Uses the example of confidence, which is perceived in someone else rather than felt by the individual.
• Emphasizes that confidence is something that can be displayed and does not necessarily reflect internal confidence.
• Discusses the limitations of using personality tests to determine a person's constitution.

Assessing Temperament Through Body Shape, Color, and Temperature

• Dr Latib advises looking at a person's body shape, color, and temperature to assess their temperament.
• Provides examples of how different body shapes and colors correspond to different temperaments, such as muscular and tall for wood and short and red for fire.
• Discusses the importance of understanding blood circulation and temperature in assessing a person's constitution.
• Emphasizes that personality should be considered last, as it is influenced by the body shape, color, and temperature.

Treatment Based on Temperament

• Dr Latib explains that the goal of treatment is to understand and work with a patient's nature, not necessarily to bring them back to their original state.
• Discusses the importance of treating the primary complaint and preventing future illnesses based on the patient's constitution.
• Mentions hijama (cupping) as a therapy that is most suited to hot and moist constitutions and least suited to cold and dry ones.
• Emphasizes the need to understand a patient's constitution to provide effective treatment and prevent illness.

Cultural and Regional Differences in Temperaments

• Dr Latib discusses the temperaments of different populations, such as Arabs (fire), Indians (earth), and Turks (wood).
• Notes that different environments and genetics influence the temperaments of different populations.
• Emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural and regional background of patients to provide effective treatment.
• Encourages students to characterize themselves, their family, and their patients based on the discussed principles.

Learning to Assess Temperaments

• Dr Latib advises students to learn to assess temperaments through observation and practice.
• Emphasizes the importance of looking at body shape, color, temperature, and personality to determine a person's constitution.
• Notes that there are no lab tests to determine temperaments, and it requires experience and observation.
• Encourages students to replay the session and think about their own and their patients' constitutions to gain a better understanding.

Q&A and Final Remarks

• Dr Latib opens the floor for questions and comments from the students.
• Addresses questions about the suitability of hijama for different temperaments and the characteristics of various populations.
• Emphasizes the importance of understanding a patient's constitution to provide effective treatment and prevent illness.
• Concludes the session by encouraging students to continue learning and practicing the principles discussed.