Phlegm with a Canadian quarter for scale.

Phlegm (pronounced /flɛm/) is sticky fluid secreted by the mucus membranes of humans and other animals. FLUID ( F ast L ight '''U'''ser '''I'''nterface D esigner is a graphical editor that is used to produce FLTK Source code The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular mucosa) are linings of mostly endodermal origin covered in Epithelium, which are involved in Human beings, humans or man (Origin 1590–1600 L homō man OL hemō the earthly one (see Humus Its definition is limited to the mucus produced by the respiratory system, excluding that from the nasal passages, and particularly that which is expelled by coughing (sputum). In vertebrates mucus is a slippery secretion produced by and covering Mucous membranes It is a viscous Colloid containing Antiseptic enzymes (such as In living organisms a respiratory system functions to allow Gas exchange. Anatomically a nose is a protuberance in Vertebrates that houses the Nostrils or nares which admit and expel air for respiration in conjunction with the In Medicine, a cough ( Latin: tussis) is a sudden and often repetitively occurring defence Reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages Sputum is matter that is Expectorated from the respiratory tract such as Mucus or Phlegm, mixed with Saliva, which can then be spat Its composition varies, depending on climate, genetics and state of the immune system, but basically is a water-based gel consisting of glycoproteins, immunoglobulins, lipids, etc. Not to be confused with Peptidoglycan. Glycoproteins are proteins that contain Oligosaccharide chains ( Glycans) covalently attached Antibodies (also known as immunoglobulins, abbreviated Ig) are Gamma globulin Proteins that are found in Blood or other Bodily Lipids are broadly defined as any fat- Soluble ( lipophilic) naturally-occurring Molecule, such as fats oils waxes cholesterol sterols fat-soluble

In ancient (and now entirely discredited) Hippocratic medicine phlegm was counted as one of the four bodily humours, possessing the properties of coldness and wetness, and was responsible for apathetic and sluggish behaviour. Hippocrates of Cos II or Hippokrates of Kos ( ca. 460 BC – ca Medicine is the art and science of healing It encompasses a range of Health care practices evolved to maintain and restore Human Health by the Humorism, or humoralism, was a theory of the makeup and workings of the human body adopted by Greek and Roman physicians and philosophers This old belief is preserved in the word phlegmatic. Humorism, or humoralism, was a theory of the makeup and workings of the human body adopted by Greek and Roman physicians and philosophers

Colors of phlegm

Phlegm may be of several different colors.

• "Healthy" phlegm is normally clear or white; however, the initial state of the common flu when the phlegm is still clear can also be the most infectious period.
• Yellow phlegm means that the immune system is responding. An immune system is a collection of mechanisms within an Organism that protects against Disease by identifying and killing Pathogens and Tumor It is commonly taken to be a sign of bacterial infection and physicians often prescribe antibiotics as a results. When the cause is a viral infection such as influenza or the common cold, this treatment is thought to be incorrect. The development of antibiotic resistance may result from such overprescription. ^[1]
• Greenish or brownish phlegm is nearly always a sign of infection. Greenish or rusty phlegm or phlegm with rusty spots can also be a sign of pneumonia and/or internal micro-bleedings. Rust is a red-orange color resembling Iron oxide. It is a commonly used color in Stage lighting, and appears roughly the same color as photographic safelights Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the Lung. Frequently it is described as lung Parenchyma / alveolar inflammation and abnormal
• Coughing up brown phlegm is also a common symptom of smoking. Tobacco Smoking is the inhalation of smoke from burned dried or cured leaves of the Tobacco plant most often in the form of a Cigarette. This is due to resin sticking to the viscous texture of the phlegm and being ejected by the body. Resin, not to be confused with Rosin, is a Hydrocarbon Secretion of many Plants particularly coniferous trees.
• Another type of phlegm often associated with smoking is brownish gray in color. This variant is encased in clear saliva. When spread out, the brown-gray "core" is shown to be grainy in composition, as opposed to holding together. This is simply dust and other foreign matter and may be caused by damage to the cilia, as in COPD patients. A cilium (plural cilia) is an Organelle found in eukaryotic cells Cilia are tail-like projections extending approximately Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) is a Disease of the lungs in which the Airways become narrowed

Illnesses related to phlegm

Phlegm may be a carrier of larvae of intestinal parasites (see hookworm). A larva ( Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of Animal with indirect development, undergoing Metamorphosis (for example Intestinal parasites are Parasites that populate the Gastro-intestinal tract. The hookworm is a parasitic Nematode worm that lives in the Small intestine of its host which may be a Mammal such as a Dog, Bloody sputum can be a symptom of serious disease (such as tuberculosis and lung cancer), but can also be a relatively benign symptom of a minor disease (such as bronchitis). Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells ��such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products Sputum is matter that is Expectorated from the respiratory tract such as Mucus or Phlegm, mixed with Saliva, which can then be spat Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or T u' b' erculosis Bacillus --> is a common Lung cancer is a Disease of uncontrolled Cell growth in tissues of the Lung. Bronchitis is an Inflammation of the Bronchi. More specifically it may refer to Acute bronchitis, caused by viruses or bacteria and lasting In the latter case, the sputum is normally lightly streaked with blood. Coughing up any significant quantity of blood is always a serious medical condition, and any person who experiences this should seek medical attention.

Phlegm and humourism

Humourism is an ancient theory that the human body is filled with four basic substances, called the four humours, which are held in balance when a person is healthy. Humorism, or humoralism, was a theory of the makeup and workings of the human body adopted by Greek and Roman physicians and philosophers Humorism, or humoralism, was a theory of the makeup and workings of the human body adopted by Greek and Roman physicians and philosophers It is closely related to the ancient theory of the four elements and states that all diseases and disabilities result from an excess or deficit in black bile, bile, phlegm, and blood. Many ancient philosophies used a set of archetypal classical "elements" to explain patterns in Nature. Bile or gall is a bitter yellow or green Alkaline fluid secreted by Hepatocytes from the Liver of most Vertebrates In many species Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells ��such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products Hippocrates, an ancient Greek thinker, is credited for this theory, about 400 BC. Hippocrates of Cos II or Hippokrates of Kos ( ca. 460 BC – ca It influenced medical thinking for more than 2,000 years, until finally discredited in the 1800s.

Other concepts

Phlegm was thought to be associated with apathetic behaviour, this old belief is preserved in the word phlegmatic.

Sir William Osler’s 1889 Aequanimitas discusses the imperturbability or calmness in a storm required of physicians. Sir William Osler 1st Baronet ( July 12, 1849 &ndash December 29, 1919 Age 70 was a Canadian Physician. "Imperturbability means coolness and presence of mind under all circumstances, calmness amid storm, clearness of judgment in moments of grave peril, immobility, impassiveness, or, to use an old and expressive word, phlegm. " This was his farewell speech at the University of Pennsylvania in 1889 before becoming Physician-in-Chief at the recently founded Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn) is a private University located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine|Greenspring StationThe Johns Hopkins Hospital is a Teaching hospital in Baltimore Maryland This is from "Celebrating the Contributions of William Osler" in the Alan Mason Chesney Medical Archives of the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. "

References