The original thought was that each humor/fluid was correlated with elements of nature and body imbalances were thought to be reflective of these qualities. An overabundance of black bile was representative of Earth and identified as the cause of diseases that added weight to the body. This symptomology was also related to exhaustion, depression and other qualities that were collectively referred to as the melancholic temperament. The word melancholy, or depression, is a combination of the root words from the Latin. Melan and chole mean 'black bile' in Greek. Other dysfunctions believed to be the result of an over abundance of black bile were sexual dysfunctions and breathing difficulties