The phlegmatic humour also encompasses lymph, sweat, mucus, cerebro-spinal fluid, synovial fluid and the vitreous and aqueous humours of the eye. All of these secretions are generally formed from the plasma, as the blood perfuses the tissues of the body. The cold and moist phlegmatic humour is co-ruled by the Moon and Venus. The Moon particularly rules the ventricles of the brain, hence the idea of the phlegmatic humour fortifying the brain by its consimilitude with it. The Watery nature of the phlegmatic humour counteracts the Fiery nature of the choleric humour, as demonstrated by an increase of perspiration cooling down the body in a fever, hence Culpeper's description of the phlegmatic humour qualifying choler.
Apprehension is an association of the choleric humour.
The Melancholic Humour Melancholic humour corresponds to the Earth Element, which Culpeper defines as the sediment of blood . Since Earth is the Element of precipitation, the melancholic humour can be identified with the plasma proteins that contribute to blood's viscosity, that have a particular role in its clotting mechanism. The clotting mechanism is important for stopping the loss of blood from the body when wounded or injured. The cold and dry melancholic humour is ruled by Saturn. There are times when the clotting mechanism produces blood clots or thrombi within the blood vessels with drastic consequences.