The places. Black bile links the substance with the affliction. (p. 4; DJR-002-13.) Melancholizing supports Burton’s claim to experience. (p. 6; DJR-003-11.) Melancholizing describes pleasurable solitary fantasy. (p. 88; DJR-038-07.) Adventitious melancholy is discussed as acquired. (p. 175; DJR-057-14.) Asinine melancholy names a disparaging historical subtype. (p. 191; DJR-060-16.) Degrees and ratios express the condition’s variety. (p. 195; DJR-061-10.) The name is explained through black bile and disputed categories. (p. 31; DJR-027-03.) The source index gathers the word’s different meanings and subjects. (unnumbered Table and closing notice; DJR-172-013.)

In this edition. “atra bilis” → “black bile” (DJR-002-13); “melancholizing” → “melancholizing” (DJR-003-11); “so to melancholize” → “to indulge in melancholy like this” (DJR-038-07); “adventitious Melancholy” → “acquired melancholy” (DJR-057-14); “Asininam melancholiam” → “Asinine melancholy” (DJR-060-16); “melancholicus ad octo” → “melancholic to the eighth degree” (DJR-061-10); “black Choler” → “black bile” (DJR-027-03); “mel. equivocations” → “the different meanings of melancholy” (DJR-172-013). The modern text generally retains melancholy while explaining its changing sense. Black bile identifies the material substance; acquired explains adventitious. The source index’s old numbers remain source references, not a newly verified clinical or navigational system.

See also. Adust; Humour; Habit and disposition; Madness; Hypochondria; Religious melancholy.

Memory and recollection

Source forms: reminiscentia; recollect

The word. Reminiscentia means recollection or remembering. Recollect can also mean gather together, so the later use need not describe recovering something from memory.

In Burton. Burton reports Plato’s account of learning as the soul remembering what it knew before entering the body. In the consolation for troubled consciences, Burton instead promises to collect useful sayings from extensive books and Scripture for readers who cannot readily obtain them.

The places. Recollection belongs to the reported account of the soul’s earlier knowledge. (p. 26; DJR-026-09.) Recollect describes gathering passages for the afflicted reader. (p. 705–706; DJR-166-16.)

In this edition. “reminiscentia, or recalling” → “recollection or remembering” (DJR-026-09); “recollect out of their voluminous Treatises” → “gather from their extensive treatises” (DJR-166-16). Recollection serves the philosophical account, while gather makes the editorial activity plain.

See also. Faculty.

Meseraic

Source forms: miseriack; Meseraick veines; Meseraicke veins

The word. Meseraic and the variant miseriack mean mesenteric: belonging to the mesentery, the tissue supporting the intestines. Meseraic veins are the veins of that region.

In Burton. The synopsis lists these veins among possible internal causes of windy melancholy. The anatomical catalogue repeats them, and the symptom discussion associates them with a particular appetite pattern. Their role belongs to Burton’s historical map of abdominal causes.

The places. Miseriack veins occur among internal causes in the synopsis. (p. 98; DJR-020-33.) Meseraic veins appear in the catalogue of bodily parts. (p. 174; DJR-057-02.) The veins and liver are associated with diminished appetite. (p. 200; DJR-062-17.)

In this edition. “miseriack veins” → “mesenteric veins” (DJR-020-33); “Meseraick veines” → “mesenteric veins” (DJR-057-02); “Meseraicke veins” → “mesenteric veins” (DJR-062-17). The same anatomical equivalent covers the spelling variants. On the other hand in the third passage marks a contrast in symptoms, not the side on which the liver lies.

See also. Organical parts.

Metempsychosis

Source forms: metempsychosis; palingenesia

The word. Metempsychosis is the passage of a soul from one body to another; palingenesia is rebirth. Burton pairs them in his account of Pythagorean teaching.

In Burton. The souls first drink the water of forgetfulness and then enter new bodies. The animal examples connect their new forms with inclinations or traits shown during their human lives. Burton combines several traditions in this brief survey.

The places. The paired terms introduce passage into new bodies. (p. 26; DJR-026-05.)

In this edition. “Metempsychosis, and Palingenesia” → “transmigration and rebirth” (DJR-026-05). Transmigration and rebirth state the two meanings directly, while the surrounding account retains their association with Lethe and animal character.

See also. Soul.

Meteors

Source forms: meteors; Ignes fatui; blazing Stars; ignis fatuus

The word. Meteors can cover atmospheric phenomena and disturbances broadly. Blazing stars are comets; ignes fatui, or the singular ignis fatuus, are will-o’-the-wisps, misleading lights that also supply a figurative expression.

In Burton. Burton first lists dangerous weather among the threats to human life. In the classification of spirits, several different lights become instruments of fiery devils. Elsewhere imagination itself is a will-o’-the-wisp, leading the sufferer through changing forms of distress.

The places. Meteors introduces the threatening phenomena of the air. (p. 4; DJR-021-29.) Comets and misleading lights enter the classification of fiery spirits. (p. 46; DJR-029-46.) The will-o’-the-wisp becomes an image of shifting imagination. (p. 195; DJR-061-11.)

In this edition. “Meteors” → “atmospheric disturbances” (DJR-021-29); “blazing Stars” → “comets” (DJR-029-46); “Ignes fatui” → “will-o’-the-wisps” (DJR-029-46); “ignis fatuus of phantasie” → “will-o’-the-wisp, imagination” (DJR-061-11). The equivalents distinguish weather, comets and reported wandering lights rather than treating all as modern astronomical meteors. The figurative light retains its power to lead astray.

See also. Astrology.

Microcosm

Source forms: Microcosme

The word. Microcosm means a little world. Here it names the human being, whose internal changes can be compared with disturbances in a larger world.

In Burton. The thunderbolt of emotional disturbance violently alters this little world. Burton then describes the body acting upon the mind through humours, spirits and vapours. The image gathers bodily and mental effects within one human constitution.

The places. The little world is shaken by the thunderbolt of the passions. (p. 91; DJR-038-30.)

In this edition. “this our Microcosme” → “our little world, the human being” (DJR-038-30). The added explanation identifies the metaphor’s human referent. Healthy condition and balance clarify the accompanying estate and temperature.

See also. Soul.

Mirth

Source forms: mirth

The word. Mirth means cheerfulness or enjoyable social activity, including lively company. In the remedy discussion it belongs to means of diverting distressing thoughts and restoring the mind.

In Burton. Burton gives mirth a prominent place beside music and company in his account of relief. His final counsel likewise recommends wholesome recreation and help from friends. The later passage develops the restorative purpose without repeating the word mirth itself.

The places. Mirth joins music and company among the preferred means of relief. (p. 298–299; DJR-085-02.) Wholesome recreation and friendship serve the related purpose of restoration. (p. 722; DJR-169-28.)

In this edition. “mirth” → “cheerfulness” (DJR-085-02); “refresh and recreate his distressed soul” → “refresh and restore his distressed soul” (DJR-169-28). Cheerfulness names the immediate sense; restore makes the related force of recreation explicit. The two examples connect enjoyment with a change in the course of thought.