SUBSEC. 2. Correctors to expell winde. Against costiveness, &c.

In this kind of melancholy one of the most offensive symptoms is winde, which as in the other species, so in this, hath great need to be corrected and expelled.

The medicines to expell it are either inwardly taken, or outwardly. Inwardly to expell winde, are simples or compounds: Simples are herbs, roots, &c. as Galanga, Gentian, Angelica, Enula, Calamus Aromaticus, Valerean, Zeodoti, Iris, condite Ginger, Aristolochy, Cicliminus, China, Dittander, Pennyroyall, Rue, Calamint, Bay-berries, & Bay-leaves, Betany, Rosemary, Hysope, Sabine, Centaury, Mint, Camomile, Stæchas, Agnus Castus, Broom-flowres, Origan, Orange pills, &c.

Spices, as Saffron, Cinamome, Bezoar stone, Myrrhe, Mace, Nutmegs, Pepper, Cloves, Ginger, seeds of Annis, Fennell, Amni, Cary, Nettle, Rue, &c. Juniper berries, grana Paradisi: Compounds, Dianisum, Diagalanga, Diaciminum, Diacalaminth, Electuarium de baccis lauri, Benedicta laxativa, Pulvis ad flatus. Antid. Florent. pulvis Carminativus, Aromaticum Rosatum, Treacle, Mithridate, &c.

This one caution of Gualter Bruel is to be observed in the administring of these hot medicines and dry, that whilst they covet to expell winde, they do not inflame the blood, and increase the disease; sometimes (as he saith) medicines must more decline to heat, sometimes more to cold, as the circumstances require, and as the parties are inclined to heat or cold.

Outwardly taken to expell winds, are oils, as of Camomile, Rue, Baies, &c. fomentations of the Hypocondries, with the decoctions of Dill, Penniroyal, Rue, Bay-leaves, Cummin, &c. bags of camomile flowres, Aniseed, Cummin, Bayes, Rue, Wormwood, ointments of the oil of Spikenard, Wormwood, Rue, &c. Areteus prescribes Cataplasms, of Camomile-flowres, Fennell, Aniseeds, Cummin, Rosemary, Wormwood-leaves, &c.

Cupping-glasses applied to the Hypocondries, without scarification, do wonderfully resolve winde. Fernelius consil. 43. much approves of them at the lower end of the belly; Lod. Mercatus calls them a powerfull remedy, and certifies moreover out of his own knowledge, how many he hath seen suddenly eased by them. Iulius Cæsar Claudinus respons. med. resp. 33. admires these Cupping-glasses, which he calls out of Galen, a kinde of enchantment, they cause such present help.

Empyricks have a myriade of medicines, as to swallow a bullet of lead, &c. which I voluntarily omit. Amatus Lusitanus cent. 4. curat. 54. for an Hypocondriacall person, that was extreamly tormented with winde, prescribes a strange remedy. Put a pair of bellows end into a Clyster pipe, and applying it into the fundament, open the bowels, so draw forth the winde, Natura non admittit vacuum.

He vants he was the first invented this remedy, and by means of it, speedily eased a melancholy man. Of the cure of this flatuous melancholy, read more in Fienus de flatibus cap. 26. & passim alias.

Against Head-ach, Vertigo, vapours which ascend forth of the stomack to molest the head, read Hercules de Saxonia, and others.

If Costiveness offend in this, or any other of the three species, it is to be corrected with suppositories, clysters, or lenitives, powder of Sene, condite Prunes, &c.

℞. Elect. lenit. è succo rosar. ana ℥ j. misce.

Take as much as a nutmeg at a time, half an hour before dinner or supper, or pil. mastichin. ʒ j. in six pills, a pill or two at a time. See more in Montan. consil. 229. Hildesheim spicel. 2. P. Cnemander, and Montanus commend Cyprian Turpentine, which they would have familiarly taken, to the quantity of a small nut, two or three hours before dinner and supper, twice or thrice a week if need be; for besides that it keeps the belly soluble, it clears the stomack, opens obstructions, cleanseth the liver, provokes urine.

These in brief are the ordinary medicines which belong to the cure of melancholy, which if they be used aright, no doubt may do much good; Si non levando saltem leniendo valent, peculiaria bene selecta, saith Bessardus, a good choice of particular receipts, must needs ease, if not quite cure, not one but all or most, as occasion serves.

Et quæ non prosunt singula, multa juvant.