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MEMB. 2. Cure of Melancholy over all the body.
Where the melancholy blood possesseth the whole body with the Brain, it is best to begin with blood-letting. The Greeks prescribe the ʳ 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, because the malice of melancholy is much corrected by the goodness of the blood.
If the parties strength will not admit much evacuation in this kinde 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 ancles, especially to such men or women whose hemrods or months have been stopped.
If the malady continue, it is not amiss to evacuate in a part in the fore-head, and to virgins in the ancles, which 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 minde. The hemrods are to be opened with an instrument or horse-leeches, &c. See more in Montaltus cap. 29. Sckenkius hath an example of one that was cured by an accidentall wound in his thigh, much bleeding freed him from melancholy.
Diet, Diminutives, Alteratives, Cordials, Correctors as before, intermixt as occasion serves, all their study must be to make a melancholy man fat, and then the cure is ended.
Diuretica or medicines to procure urine, are prescribed by some in this kinde hot and cold: hot where the heat of the liver doth not forbid; cold where the heat of the liver is very great: amongst hot are Parsely roots, Lovage, Fennel, &c. cold, Melon-seeds, &c. with whey of Goats milk, which is the common conveigher.
To purge and purify the blood, use Sowthistle, Succory, Sena, Endive, Carduus Benedictus, Dandelion, Hop, Maidenhair, Fumitory, Bugloss, Borage, &c. with their juyce, decoctions, distilled waters, Syrups, &c.
Oswaldus Crollius basil. Chym. much admires salt of Corals in this case, and Ætius tetrabb. 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.