Final answer:
The correction from 'black bile from the kidneys' to 'white phlegm from the lungs' reflects an updated understanding of bodily fluids and their relation to diseases. While black bile was once believed to be a humor affecting mental state, now we know the kidneys filter blood and produce urine. White phlegm is related to respiratory issues, and jaundice indicates liver problems due to bilirubin build-up.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase “black bile from the kidneys” should be changed to “white phlegm from the lungs” indicates a shift in the understanding of bodily fluids and their association with diseases. In ancient medical theories, it was believed that imbalances in the four humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) were responsible for diseases. Black bile was thought to come from the kidneys and cause melancholia, whereas today, we understand that the kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood, producing urine. White phlegm, in contrast, is associated with the respiratory system and conditions such as influenza, where chest radiography can reveal lung infections and phlegm can indicate respiratory issues.
Medical conditions like jaundice can cause a yellowing of the skin and eyes due to the build-up of bilirubin, which is a breakdown product of hemoglobin from red blood cells. The liver's role in filtering out these waste products and secreting bile for digestion is crucial. However, with biliary tree obstruction or liver disorders, bilirubin can accumulate, leading to jaundice. This yellowing is often visible in patients with liver disease, pancreatitis, or blockage of bile ducts.