The Anatomy of Melancholy Part 49

34._ "bids open an issue in the arm, or hinder part of the head."

[4287]Piso enjoins ligatures, frictions, suppositories, and cupping-gla.s.ses, still without scarification, and the rest.

Cauteries and hot irons are to be used [4288]"in the suture of the crown, and the seared or ulcerated place suffered to run a good while. 'Tis not amiss to bore the skull with an instrument, to let out the fuliginous vapours." Sallus. Salvia.n.u.s _de re medic. lib. 2. cap. 1._ [4289]"because this humour hardly yields to other physic, would have the leg cauterised, or the left leg, below the knee, [4290]and the head bored in two or three places," for that it much avails to the exhalation of the vapours; [4291]

"I saw" (saith he) "a melancholy man at Rome, that by no remedies could be healed, but when by chance he was wounded in the head, and the skull broken, he was excellently cured." Another, to the admiration of the beholders, [4292]"breaking his head with a fall from on high, was instantly recovered of his dotage." Gordonius _cap. 13. part. 2._ would have these cauteries tried last, when no other physic will serve. [4293] "The head to be shaved and bored to let out fumes, which without doubt will do much good. I saw a melancholy man wounded in the head with a sword, his brainpan broken; so long as the wound was open he was well, but when his wound was healed, his dotage returned again." But Alexander Messaria a professor in Padua, _lib. 1. pract. med. cap. 21. de melanchol_. will allow no cauteries at all, 'tis too stiff a humour and too thick as he holds, to be so evaporated.

Guianerius _c. 8. Tract. 15._ cured a n.o.bleman in Savoy, by boring alone, [4294]"leaving the hole open a month together," by means of which, after two years' melancholy and madness, he was delivered. All approve of this remedy in the suture of the crown; but Arcula.n.u.s would have the cautery to be made with gold. In many other parts, these cauteries are prescribed for melancholy men, as in the thighs, (_Mercurialis consil. 86._) arms, legs.

_Idem consil. 6. & 19. & 25._ Monta.n.u.s 86. Rodericus a Fonseca _tom. 2.

cousult. 84. pro hypochond. c.o.xa dextra_, &c., but most in the head, "if other physic will do no good."

SUBSECT. V.--_Alteratives and Cordials, corroborating, resolving the Reliques, and mending the Temperament_.

Because this humour is so malign of itself, and so hard to be removed, the reliques are to be cleansed, by alteratives, cordials, and such means: the temper is to be altered and amended, with such things as fortify and strengthen the heart and brain, [4295]"which are commonly both affected in this malady, and do mutually misaffect one another:" which are still to be given every other day, or some few days inserted after a purge, or like physic, as occasion serves, and are of such force, that many times they help alone, and as [4296]Arnoldus holds in his Aphorisms, are to be "preferred before all other medicines, in what kind soever."

Amongst this number of cordials and alteratives, I do not find a more present remedy, than a cup of wine or strong drink, if it be soberly and opportunely used. It makes a man bold, hardy, courageous, [4297]"whetteth the wit," if moderately taken, (and as Plutarch [4298]saith, _Symp. 7.

quaest. 12._) "it makes those which are otherwise dull, to exhale and evaporate like frankincense, or quicken" (Xenophon adds) [4299]as oil doth fire. [4300]"A famous cordial" Matthiolus in Dioscoridum calls it, "an excellent nutriment to refresh the body, it makes a good colour, a flourishing age, helps concoction, fortifies the stomach, takes away obstructions, provokes urine, drives out excrements, procures sleep, clears the blood, expels wind and cold poisons, attenuates, concocts, dissipates all thick vapours, and fuliginous humours." And that which is all in all to my purpose, it takes away fear and sorrow. [4301]_Curas edaces dissipat Evius_. "It glads the heart of man," Psal. civ. 15. _hilaritatis dulce seminarium_. Helena's bowl, the sole nectar of the G.o.ds, or that true nepenthes in [4302]Homer, which puts away care and grief, as Oribasius _5.

Collect, cap. 7._ and some others will, was nought else but a cup of good wine. "It makes the mind of the king and of the fatherless both one, of the bond and freeman, poor and rich; it turneth all his thoughts to joy and mirth, makes him remember no sorrow or debt, but enricheth his heart, and makes him speak by talents," Esdras iii. 19, 20, 21. It gives life itself, spirits, wit, &c. For which cause the ancients called Bacchus, _Liber pater a liberando_, and [4303]sacrificed to Bacchus and Pallas still upon an altar. [4304]"Wine measurably drunk, and in time, brings gladness and cheerfulness of mind, it cheereth G.o.d and men," Judges ix. 13. _laet.i.tiae Bacchus dator_, it makes an old wife dance, and such as are in misery to forget evil, and be [4305]merry.

"Bacchus et afflictis requiem mortalibus affert, Crura licet duro compede vincta forent."

"Wine makes a troubled soul to rest, Though feet with fetters be opprest."

Demetrius in Plutarch, when he fell into Seleucus's hands, and was prisoner in Syria, [4306]"spent his time with dice and drink that he might so ease his discontented mind, and avoid those continual cogitations of his present condition wherewith he was tormented." Therefore Solomon, Prov. x.x.xi. 6, bids "wine be given to him that is ready to [4307]perish, and to him that hath grief of heart, let him drink that he forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more." _Sollicitis animis onus eximit_, it easeth a burdened soul, nothing speedier, nothing better; which the prophet Zachariah perceived, when he said, "that in the time of Messias, they of Ephraim should be glad, and their heart should rejoice as through wine." All which makes me very well approve of that pretty description of a feast in [4308]

Bartholomeus Anglicus, when grace was said, their hands washed, and the guests sufficiently exhilarated, with good discourse, sweet music, dainty fare, _exhilarationis gratia, pocula iterum atque iterum offeruntur_, as a corollary to conclude the feast, and continue their mirth, a grace cup came in to cheer their hearts, and they drank healths to one another again and again. Which as I. Fredericus Matenesius, _Crit. Christ. lib. 2. cap. 5, 6, & 7_, was an old custom in all ages in every commonwealth, so as they be not enforced, _bibere per violentiam_, but as in that royal feast of [4309]

Ahasuerus, which lasted 180 days, "without compulsion they drank by order in golden vessels," when and what they would themselves. This of drink is a most easy and parable remedy, a common, a cheap, still ready against fear, sorrow, and such troublesome thoughts, that molest the mind; as brimstone with fire, the spirits on a sudden are enlightened by it. "No better physic" (saith [4310]Rhasis) "for a melancholy man: and he that can keep company, and carouse, needs no other medicines," 'tis enough. His countryman Avicenna, _31. doc. 2. cap. 8._ proceeds farther yet, and will have him that is troubled in mind, or melancholy, not to drink only, but now and then to be drunk: excellent good physic it is for this and many other diseases. _Magninus Reg. san. part. 3. c. 31._ will have them to be so once a month at least, and gives his reasons for it, [4311]"because it scours the body by vomit, urine, sweat, of all manner of superfluities, and keeps it clean." Of the same mind is Seneca the philosopher, in his book _de tranquil. lib. 1. c. 15._ _nonnunquam ut in aliis morbis ad ebrietatem usque veniendum; Curas deprimit, trist.i.tiae medetur_, it is good sometimes to be drunk, it helps sorrow, depresseth cares, and so concludes this tract with a cup of wine: _Habes, Serene charissime, quae ad, tranquillitatem animae, pertinent_. But these are epicureal tenets, tending to looseness of life, luxury and atheism, maintained alone by some heathens, dissolute Arabians, profane Christians, and are exploded by Rabbi Moses, _tract. 4._ Guliel, Placentius, _lib. 1. cap. 8._ Valescus de Taranta, and most accurately ventilated by Jo. Sylvaticus, a late writer and physician of Milan, _med. cont. cap. 14._ where you shall find this tenet copiously confuted.

Howsoever you say, if this be true, that wine and strong drink have such virtue to expel fear and sorrow, and to exhilarate the mind, ever hereafter let's drink and be merry.

[4312] "Prome reconditum, Lyde strenua, caecub.u.m, Capaciores puer huc affer Scyphos, Et Chia vina aut Lesbia."

"Come, l.u.s.ty Lyda, fill's a cup of sack, And, sirrah drawer, bigger pots we lack, And Scio wines that have so good a smack."

I say with him in [4313]A. Gellius, "let us maintain the vigour of our souls with a moderate cup of wine," [4314]_Natis in usum laet.i.tiae scyphis_, "and drink to refresh our mind; if there be any cold sorrow in it, or torpid bashfulness, let's wash it all away."--_Nunc vino pellite curas_; so saith [4315]Horace, so saith Anacreon,

"[Greek: Methuonta gar me keisthai polu kreisson ae thanonta.]"

Let's drive down care with a cup of wine: and so say I too, (though I drink none myself) for all this may be done, so that it be modestly, soberly, opportunely used: so that "they be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess,"

which our [4316]Apostle forewarns; for as Chrysostom well comments on that place, _ad laet.i.tiam datum est vinum, non ad ebrietatem_, 'tis for mirth wine, but not for madness: and will you know where, when, and how that is to be understood? _Vis discere ubi bonum sit vinum? Audi quid dicat Scriptura_, hear the Scriptures, "Give wine to them that are in sorrow," or as Paul bid Timothy drink wine for his stomach's sake, for concoction, health, or some such honest occasion. Otherwise, as [4317] Pliny telleth us; if singular moderation be not had, [4318]"nothing so pernicious, 'tis mere vinegar, _blandus daemon_, poison itself." But hear a more fearful doom, Habac. ii. 15. and 16. "Woe be to him that makes his neighbour drunk, shameful spewing shall be upon his glory." Let not good fellows triumph therefore (saith Matthiolus) that I have so much commended wine, if it be immoderately taken, "instead of making glad, it confounds both body and soul, it makes a giddy head, a sorrowful heart." And 'twas well said of the poet of old, "Vine causeth mirth and grief," [4319]nothing so good for some, so bad for others, especially as [4320]one observes, _qui a causa calida male habent_, that are hot or inflamed. And so of spices, they alone, as I have showed, cause head-melancholy themselves, they must not use wine as an [4321]ordinary drink, or in their diet. But to determine with Laurentius, _c. 8. de melan._ wine is bad for madmen, and such as are troubled with heat in their inner parts or brains; but to melancholy, which is cold (as most is), wine, soberly used, may be very good.

I may say the same of the decoction of China roots, sa.s.safras, sarsaparilla, guaiac.u.m: China, saith Manardus, makes a good colour in the face, takes away melancholy, and all infirmities proceeding from cold, even so sarsaparilla provokes sweat mightily, guaiac.u.m dries, Claudinus, _consult. 89. & 46._ Monta.n.u.s, Capivaccius, _consult. 188. Scoltzii_, make frequent and good use of guaiac.u.m and China, [4322]"so that the liver be not incensed," good for such as are cold, as most melancholy men are, but by no means to be mentioned in hot.

The Turks have a drink called coffee (for they use no wine), so named of a berry as black as soot, and as bitter, (like that black drink which was in use amongst the Lacedaemonians, and perhaps the same,) which they sip still of, and sup as warm as they can suffer; they spend much time in those coffeehouses, which are somewhat like our alehouses or taverns, and there they sit chatting and drinking to drive away the time, and to be merry together, because they find by experience that kind of drink, so used, helpeth digestion, and procureth alacrity. Some of them take opium to this purpose.

Borage, balm, saffron, gold, I have spoken of; Montaltus, _c. 23._ commends scorzonera roots condite. Garcius ab Horto, _plant. hist. lib. 2. cap. 25._ makes mention of an herb called datura, [4323]"which, if it be eaten for twenty-four hours following, takes away all sense of grief, makes them incline to laughter and mirth:" and another called bauge, like in effect to opium, "which puts them for a time into a kind of ecstasy," and makes them gently to laugh. One of the Roman emperors had a seed, which he did ordinarily eat to exhilarate himself. [4324]Christophorus Ayrerus prefers bezoar stone, and the confection of alkermes, before other cordials, and amber in some cases. [4325]"Alkermes comforts the inner parts;" and bezoar stone hath an especial virtue against all melancholy affections, [4326]"it refresheth the heart, and corroborates the whole body." [4327]Amber provokes urine, helps the body, breaks wind, &c. After a purge, 3 or 4 grains of bezoar stone, and 3 grains of ambergris, drunk or taken in borage or bugloss water, in which gold hot hath been quenched, will do much good, and the purge shall diminish less (the heart so refreshed) of the strength and substance of the body.

"[Symbol: Rx]. confect. Alkermes [Symbol: Ounce] lap. Bezor.

[Symbol: Scruple]j. Succini albi subtiliss. pulverisat. [Symbol: Scruple]jj. c.u.m Syrup, de cort. citri; fiat electuarium."

To bezoar stone most subscribe, Manardus, and [4328]many others; "it takes away sadness, and makes him merry that useth it; I have seen some that have been much diseased with faintness, swooning, and melancholy, that taking the weight of three grains of this stone, in the water of oxtongue, have been cured." Garcias ab Horto brags how many desperate cures he hath done upon melancholy men by this alone, when all physicians had forsaken them.

But alkermes many except against; in some cases it may help, if it be good and of the best, such as that of Montpelier in France, which [4329]Iodocus Sincerus, _Itinerario Galliae_, so much magnifies, and would have no traveller omit to see it made. But it is not so general a medicine as the other. Fernelius, _consil. 49_, suspects alkermes, by reason of its heat, [4330]"nothing" (saith he) "sooner exasperates this disease, than the use of hot working meats and medicines, and would have them for that cause warily taken." I conclude, therefore, of this and all other medicines, as Thucydides of the plague at Athens, no remedy could be prescribed for it, _Nam quod uni profuit, hoc aliis erat exitio_: there is no Catholic medicine to be had: that which helps one, is pernicious to another.

_Diamargaritum frigidum, diambra, diaboraginatum, electuarium laetificans Galeni et Rhasis, de gemmis, dianthos, diamosc.u.m dulce et amarum, electuarium conciliatoris, syrup. Cidoniorum de pomis_, conserves of roses, violets, fumitory, enula campana, satyrion, lemons, orange-pills, condite, &c., have their good use.

[4331] "[Symbol: Rx]. Diamoschi dulcis et amari ana [Symbol: Dram]jj.

Diabuglossati, Diaboraginati, sacchari violacei ana j. misce c.u.m syrupo de pomis."

Every physician is full of such receipts: one only I will add for the rareness of it, which I find recorded by many learned authors, as an approved medicine against dotage, head-melancholy, and such diseases of the brain. Take a [4332]ram's head that never meddled with an ewe, cut off at a blow, and the horns only take away, boil it well, skin and wool together; after it is well sod, take out the brains, and put these spices to it, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, mace, cloves, _ana_ [Symbol: Ounce], mingle the powder of these spices with it, and heat them in a platter upon a chafing-dish of coals together, stirring them well, that they do not burn; take heed it be not overmuch dried, or drier than a calf's brains ready to be eaten. Keep it so prepared, and for three days give it the patient fasting, so that he fast two hours after it. It may be eaten with bread in an egg or broth, or any way, so it be taken. For fourteen days let him use this diet, drink no wine, &c. Gesner, _hist. animal. lib. 1. pag. 917._ Caricterius, _pract. 13. in Nich. de metri. pag. 129._ Iatro: _Wittenberg.

edit. Tubing. pag. 62_, mention this medicine, though with some variation; he that list may try it, [4333]and many such.

Odoraments to smell to, of rosewater, violet flowers, balm, rose-cakes, vinegar, &c., do much recreate the brains and spirits, according to Solomon. Prov. xxvii. 9. "They rejoice the heart," and as some say, nourish; 'tis a question commonly controverted in our schools, _an odores nutriant_; let Ficinus, _lib. 2. cap. 18._ decide it; [4334]many arguments he brings to prove it; as of Democritus, that lived by the smell of bread alone, applied to his nostrils, for some few days, when for old age he could eat no meat. Ferrerius, _lib. 2. meth._ speaks of an excellent confection of his making, of wine, saffron, &c., which he prescribed to dull, weak, feeble, and dying men to smell to, and by it to have done very much good, _aeque fere profuisse olfactu, et potu_, as if he had given them drink. Our n.o.ble and learned Lord [4335]Verulam, in his book _de vita et morte_, commends, therefore, all such cold smells as any way serve to refrigerate the spirits. Monta.n.u.s, _consil. 31_, prescribes a form which he would have his melancholy patient never to have out of his hands. If you will have them spagirically prepared, look in Oswaldus Crollius, _basil.

Chymica_.

Irrigations of the head shaven, [4336]"of the flowers of water lilies, lettuce, violets, camomile, wild mallows, wether's-head, &c.," must be used many mornings together. Montan. _consil. 31_, would have the head so washed once a week. Laelius a Fonte Eugubinus _consult. 44_, for an Italian count, troubled with head-melancholy, repeats many medicines which he tried, [4337]"but two alone which did the cure; use of whey made of goat's milk, with the extract of h.e.l.lebore, and irrigations of the head with water lilies, lettuce, violets, camomile, &c., upon the suture of the crown."

Piso commends a ram's lungs applied hot to the fore part of the head, [4338]or a young lamb divided in the back, exenterated, &c.; all acknowledge the chief cure in moistening throughout. Some, saith Laurentius, use powders and caps to the brain; but forasmuch as such aromatical things are hot and dry, they must be sparingly administered.

Unto the heart we may do well to apply bags, epithems, ointments, of which Laurentius, _c. 9. de melan._ gives examples. Bruel prescribes an epithem for the heart, of bugloss, borage, water-lily, violet waters, sweet-wine, balm leaves, nutmegs, cloves, &c.

For the belly, make a fomentation of oil, [4339]in which the seeds of c.u.min, rue, carrots, dill, have been boiled.

Baths are of wonderful great force in this malady, much admired by [4340]

Galen, [4341]Aetius, Rhasis, &c., of sweet water, in which is boiled the leaves of mallows, roses, violets, water-lilies, wether's-head, flowers of bugloss, camomile, melilot, &c. Guianer, _cap. 8. tract. 15_, would have them used twice a day, and when they came forth of the baths, their back bones to be anointed with oil of almonds, violets, nymphea, fresh capon grease, &c.

Amulets and things to be borne about, I find prescribed, taxed by some, approved by Renodeus, Platerus, (_amuleta inquit non negligenda_) and others; look for them in Mizaldus, Porta, Albertus, &c. Ba.s.sardus Viscontinus, _ant. philos._ commends hypericon, or St. John's wort gathered on a [4342]Friday in the hour of "Jupiter, when it comes to his effectual operation (that is about the full moon in July); so gathered and borne, or hung about the neck, it mightily helps this affection, and drives away all fantastical spirits." [4343]Philes, a Greek author that flourished in the time of Michael Paleologus, writes that a sheep or kid's skin, whom a wolf worried, [4344]_Haedus inhumani raptus ab ore lupi_, ought not at all to be worn about a man, "because it causeth palpitation of the heart," not for any fear, but a secret virtue which amulets have. A ring made of the hoof of an a.s.s's right fore foot carried about, &c. I say with [4345]Renodeus, they are not altogether to be rejected. Paeony doth cure epilepsy; precious stones most diseases; [4346]a wolf's dung borne with one helps the colic, [4347]a spider an ague, &c. Being in the country in the vacation time not many years since, at Lindley in Leicestershire, my father's house, I first observed this amulet of a spider in a nut-sh.e.l.l lapped in silk, &c., so applied for an ague by [4348]my mother; whom, although I knew to have excellent skill in chirurgery, sore eyes, aches, &c., and such experimental medicines, as all the country where she dwelt can witness, to have done many famous and good cures upon diverse poor folks, that were otherwise dest.i.tute of help: yet among all other experiments, this methought was most absurd and ridiculous, I could see no warrant for it. _Quid aranea c.u.m febre_? For what antipathy? till at length rambling amongst authors (as often I do) I found this very medicine in Dioscorides, approved by Matthiolus, repeated by Alderovandus, _cap. de Aranea, lib. de insectis_, I began to have a better opinion of it, and to give more credit to amulets, when I saw it in some parties answer to experience. Some medicines are to be exploded, that consist of words, characters, spells, and charms, which can do no good at all, but out of a strong conceit, as Pomponatius proves; or the devil's policy, who is the first founder and teacher of them.

SUBSECT. VI.--_Correctors of Accidents to procure Sleep. Against fearful Dreams, Redness, &c._

When you have used all good means and helps of alteratives, averters, diminutives, yet there will be still certain accidents to be corrected and amended, as waking, fearful dreams, flushing in the face to some ruddiness, &c.

Waking, by reason of their continual cares, fears, sorrows, dry brains, is a symptom that much crucifies melancholy men, and must therefore be speedily helped, and sleep by all means procured, which sometimes is a sufficient [4349]remedy of itself without any other physic. Sckenkius, in his observations, hath an example of a woman that was so cured. The means to procure it, are inward or outward. Inwardly taken, are simples, or compounds; simples, as poppy, nymphea, violets, roses, lettuce, mandrake, henbane, nightshade or solanum, saffron, hemp-seed, nutmegs, willows, with their seeds, juice, decoctions, distilled waters, &c. Compounds are syrups, or opiates, syrup of poppy, violets, verbasco, which are commonly taken with distilled waters.

"[Symbol: Rx] diacodii [Symbol: Ounce]j. diascordii [Symbol: Dram]

aquae lactucae [Symbol: Ounce]iij mista fiat potio ad horam somni sumenda."

Requies Nicholai, Philonium Romanum, Triphera magna, pilulae, de Cynoglossa, Dioscordium, Laudanum Paracelsi, Opium, are in use, &c. Country folks commonly make a posset of hemp-seed, which Fuchsius in his herbal so much discommends; yet I have seen the good effect, and it may be used where better medicines are not to be had.

Laudanum Paracelsi is prescribed in two or three grains, with a dram of Diascordium, which Oswald. Crollius commends. Opium itself is most part used outwardly, to smell to in a ball, though commonly so taken by the Turks to the same quant.i.ty [4350]for a cordial, and at Goa in, the Indies; the dose 40 or 50 grains.

Rulandus calls Requiem Nicholai _ultimum refugium_, the last refuge; but of this and the rest look for peculiar receipts in Victorius Faventinus, _cap.

de phrensi_. Heurnius _cap. de mania_. Hildesheim _spicel. 4. de somno et vigil_. &c. Outwardly used, as oil of nutmegs by extraction, or expression with rosewater to anoint the temples, oils of poppy, nenuphar, mandrake, purslan, violets, all to the same purpose.

Montan. _consil. 24 & 25._ much commends odoraments of opium, vinegar, and rosewater. Laurentius _cap. 9._ prescribes pomanders and nodules; see the receipts in him; Codronchus [4351]wormwood to smell to.

_Unguentum Alabastritum, populeum_ are used to anoint the temples, nostrils, or if they be too weak, they mix saffron and opium. Take a grain or two of opium, and dissolve it with three or four drops of rosewater in a spoon, and after mingle with it as much _Unguentum populeum_ as a nut, use it as before: or else take half a dram of opium, _Unguentum populeum_, oil of nenuphar, rosewater, rose-vinegar, of each half an ounce, with as much virgin wax as a nut, anoint your temples with some of it, _ad horam somni_.

Sacks of wormwood, [4352]mandrake, [4353]henbane, roses made like pillows and laid under the patient's head, are mentioned by [4354]Cardan and Mizaldus, "to anoint the soles of the feet with the fat of a dormouse, the teeth with ear wax of a dog, swine's gall, hare's ears:" charms, &c.

Frontlets are well known to every good wife, rosewater and vinegar, with a little woman's milk, and nutmegs grated upon a rose-cake applied to both temples.