MEMB. II.
Cure of Melancholy over all the Body.
Where the melancholy blood possesseth the whole body with the brain, [4371]
it is best to begin with bloodletting. The Greeks prescribe the [4372]
median or middle vein to be opened, and so much blood to be taken away as
the patient may well spare, and the cut that is made must be wide enough.
The Arabians hold it fittest to be taken from that arm on which side there
is more pain and heaviness in the head: if black blood issue forth, bleed
on; if it be clear and good, let it be instantly suppressed, [4373]
because the malice of melancholy is much corrected by the goodness of the
blood. If the party's strength will not admit much evacuation in this kind
at once, it must be assayed again and again: if it may not be conveniently
taken from the arm, it must be taken from the knees and ankles, especially
to such men or women whose haemorrhoids or months have been stopped. [4374]
If the malady continue, it is not amiss to evacuate in a part in the
forehead, and to virgins in the ankles, who are melancholy for love
matters; so to widows that are much grieved and troubled with sorrow and
cares: for bad blood flows in the heart, and so crucifies the mind. The
haemorrhoids are to be opened with an instrument or horseleeches, &c. See
more in Montaltus, cap. 29. [4375]Sckenkius hath an example of one that
was cured by an accidental wound in his thigh, much bleeding freed him from
melancholy. Diet, diminutives, alteratives, cordials, correctors as before,
intermixed as occasion serves, [4376]all their study must be to make a
melancholy man fat, and then the cure is ended. Diuretics, or medicines to
procure urine, are prescribed by some in this kind, hot and cold: hot where
the heat of the liver doth not forbid; cold where the heat of the liver is
very great: [4377]amongst hot are parsley roots, lovage, fennel, &c.:
cold, melon seeds, &c., with whey of goat's milk, which is the common
conveyer.
To purge and [4378]purify the blood, use sowthistle, succory, senna,
endive, carduus benedictus, dandelion, hop, maidenhair, fumitory, bugloss,
borage, &c., with their juice, decoctions, distilled waters, syrups, &c.
Oswaldus, Crollius, basil Chym. much admires salt of corals in this case,
and Aetius, tetrabib. ser. 2. cap. 114. Hieram Archigenis, which is an
excellent medicine to purify the blood, for all melancholy affections,
falling sickness, none to be compared to it. |
