Tap the page, move to the top or bottom edge, swipe down, or press Tab to reveal reading controls. Use the arrow keys or swipe sideways to turn pages.
The word. Passion can mean an emotion, an attack of illness, or an affliction and suffering. Its sense depends on whether Burton is describing feeling, a bodily episode or distress endured.
In Burton. The reported case of Katherine Gualter uses passions beside convulsions for violent attacks. Lovers pass from passions to actions, so the word there names feelings or emotions. David’s temporary passion is the affliction expressed in a psalm, with its temporary character emphasized.
The places. Passions names attacks accompanying convulsions. (p. 53; DJR-031-24.) Passions is contrasted with lovers’ actions. (p. 510; DJR-127-51.) A temporary passion names David’s suffering. (p. 695; DJR-164-04.)
In this edition. “strange passions and convulsions” → “strange attacks and convulsions” (DJR-031-24); “passions to actions” → “feelings to actions” (DJR-127-51); “actions and passions” → “actions and emotions” (DJR-127-51); “temporary passion” → “temporary affliction” (DJR-164-04). Attacks, feelings, emotions and affliction preserve the distinct contexts. A single emotional equivalent would obscure the first and third examples.
See also. Appetite; Affection; Perturbation; Anger; Fear; Sorrow.
Pathetical
The word. Pathetical means impassioned or emotionally forceful. In this example it describes a declaration of enthusiasm.
In Burton. Scaliger’s admiration for poetry becomes an outburst in which authorship of a few admired lines outweighs imperial rank. Pathetical marks the intensity of his preference.
The places. Pathetical characterizes Scaliger’s declaration about poetry. (p. 280; DJR-081-11.)
In this edition. “pathetical protestation” → “passionate declaration” (DJR-081-11). Passionate declaration avoids the narrower present-day suggestion of pitiable inadequacy that pathetic might introduce.
See also. Action.
Perturbation
Source forms: perturbation; perturbations
The word. Perturbation is a disturbance of the emotions or mind. In the Stoic argument it names a disordered passion that excludes wisdom; in the treatment heading it identifies the disturbances to be corrected.
In Burton. Burton first presents the stringent claim that even the slightest emotional disturbance is incompatible with wisdom. The later heading turns to practical responses, including resistance and confiding grief to a friend.
The places. Perturbation appears in the statement of the Stoic ideal. (p. 43; DJR-012-13.) Perturbations identifies the subject of the practical counsel. (p. 289; DJR-083-01.)
In this edition. “the least perturbation” → “the slightest disturbance of the emotions” (DJR-012-13); “Perturbations of the minde rectified” → “Disturbances of the mind corrected” (DJR-083-01). Disturbance retains the shared sense while emotions and mind follow the particular contexts. The heading’s corrected states the aim of the ensuing counsel.
See also. Non naturals; Passion.
Philter
Source forms: philters; philtrum
The word. A philter or philtrum is a love potion. Burton also uses the term figuratively for flattery that wins attachment and favour.
In Burton. The witchcraft account attributes power to potions that change affections. In the merchant’s case, friends suspect such a potion, but the physician assigns a bodily cause and reports relief after treatment. The political example makes flattering speech itself a potion by which dependants gain office.
The places. Philters are credited with compelling or changing affection. (p. 55; DJR-031-41.) A suspected philtrum is displaced by the physician’s explanation. (p. 78; DJR-036-07.) Philters figuratively names the flattering means of gaining favour. (p. 421–422; DJR-110-23.)
In this edition. “philters” → “love potions” (DJR-031-41); “Philtrum” → “love potion” (DJR-036-07); “such like philters” → “similar love potions” (DJR-110-23). Love potion makes the material name plain and preserves the metaphor when applied to social manipulation. The merchant’s initial suspicion remains distinct from the case’s reported conclusion.
See also. Fascination.
Phlebotomy
The word. Phlebotomy means bloodletting. Burton discusses it as an intervention intended to remove an excess of blood or corrupt humours.
In Burton. The passage argues that both omission and misuse can be harmful. Timely bleeding is said to prevent the effects of heated humours, while excessive or ill-timed bleeding is said to cool the body and deplete its spirits. The balance of the argument depends on retaining both claims.
The places. The discussion weighs neglect of bloodletting against its excessive or unsuitable use. (p. 80; DJR-036-22.)
In this edition. “Phlebotomy” → “bloodletting” (DJR-036-22). Bloodletting supplies the familiar term. Without judgement, at an unsuitable time and to excess clarify the separate qualifications on its use.
See also. Purging.
Phlegm
The word. Pituita means phlegm, named here as a bodily substance received by a passage of the brain’s middle ventricle. Its place belongs to the historical physiological description.
In Burton. Burton surveys the brain’s chambers and the faculties assigned to them. Phlegm appears beside the pathways of the animal spirits and the supposed locations of imagination, thought and memory.
The places. Pituita occurs in the account of the middle ventricle’s passages. (p. 19; DJR-024-19.)
In this edition. “Pituita” → “phlegm” (DJR-024-19). Phlegm supplies the English term. They place and they say preserve Burton’s attribution of the faculties’ locations to the writers he summarizes.
See also. Humour.
Phrenitis
Source forms: phrenitis; Phrensie
The word. Phrenitis is the historical disorder defined here by continual mental disturbance with acute fever. Phrensie, rendered frenzy, can likewise denote fever-associated delirium, rather than merely intense excitement.
In Burton. Burton distinguishes phrenitis from melancholy and madness through fever and contrasts its clamour with melancholy’s usual silence. In the later account of causes, frenzy appears among illnesses said to develop into melancholy. The classification and the claimed transition are separate uses of the medical vocabulary.
The places. Phrenitis is defined and distinguished by acute fever. (p. 8; DJR-022-19.) Phrensie is listed among preceding illnesses. (p. 173; DJR-056-57.)
In this edition. “Phrenitis” → “Phrenitis” (DJR-022-19); “Phrensie” → “frenzy” (DJR-056-57). The technical name remains in the definition. Frenzy is retained in the list with its historical medical sense explained; ague is rendered fever.
See also. Calenture and ague.
Physick
Source forms: physick; kitchin Physick; Pharmaceutice
The word. Physick means medicine, either the field of study and practice or remedies used for treatment. Kitchen physick is domestic medicine. Pharmaceutice is the branch concerned with treatment through medicines.
In Burton. The sufferer’s study of physick makes illness a motive for medical learning, as in Burton’s own reading. The treatment section distinguishes remedies prepared by apothecaries from the preceding regulation of life. Its subsequent polemic contrasts professional medicines with household remedies and country living.
The places. Physick names the subject studied in search of relief. (p. 6; DJR-003-09.) Kitchen and apothecaries’ physick are contrasted. (p. 362–363; DJR-098-45.) Pharmaceutice introduces treatment by medicines after regimen. (p. 362; DJR-098-40.)