The Anatomy of Melancholy

The word. Humours are bodily fluids within the historical physiological model. Their thickness, mixture and condition are said to affect both body and mind. Humorous can consequently describe a variable mood or disposition; it need not mean amusing.

In Burton. Burton argues that thick humours can obstruct the body and disturb the soul. His symptom catalogue then describes rapid changes between laughter and tears as humorous. In the discussion of exceptional intellect, the argument turns on a mixture of humours: simple means unmixed, while adust means scorched.

The places. Thick humours are said to disturb the soul. (p. 173; DJR-056-53.) Humorous describes extreme changes of mood. (p. 186; DJR-059-30.) The distinction between unmixed and mixed humours shapes the argument about intellect. (p. 207; DJR-064-05.)

In this edition. “gross humors” → “thick humours” (DJR-056-53); “Humorous they are beyond all measure” → “They are changeable beyond all measure” (DJR-059-30); “not of the simple” → “not the unmixed humour” (DJR-064-05). Thick, changeable and unmixed state the particular senses. Retaining humour elsewhere allows the historical bodily model to remain visible.

See also. Melancholy; Blood and sanguine; Choler; Phlegm; Complexion and temperament; Humoral qualities.

Hypochondria

Source forms: Hypocondries; hypocondries; Hypocondriacal

The word. The hypochondria are the upper abdominal regions beneath the ribs; hypochondrium is singular. Hypochondriacal therefore has an anatomical force in these passages, especially in relation to the spleen and supposed wind or vapours.

In Burton. The term appears both in the general map of the body and among the parts said to cause melancholy. The symptom discussion distinguishes right and left regions in connection with liver and spleen, then describes swelling and belching. Burton’s introductory account similarly names hypochondriacal wind as a common trouble.

The places. Hypochondria occur in the catalogue of bodily causes. (p. 174; DJR-057-02.) The anatomical list locates the regions beneath the ribs. (p. 16; DJR-024-02.) Right and left hypochondria are associated with different symptoms. (p. 200; DJR-062-17.) Splenic hypochondriacal wind is emphasized. (p. 76; DJR-019-19.)

In this edition. “Hypocondries” → “hypochondria” (DJR-057-02); “hypocondries” → “regions beneath the ribs” (DJR-024-02); “right Hypocondrie” → “right hypochondrium” (DJR-062-17); “left Hypocondrie” → “left hypochondrium” (DJR-062-17); “Hypocondriacal winde” → “hypochondriacal wind” (DJR-019-19). The explanatory phrase in the anatomical list supports the technical terms retained elsewhere. They are not automatically equivalents for modern health anxiety.

See also. Melancholy; Spleen; Matrix and mother; Consent and essence; Vapours; Spirits.

Idiot

Source forms: idiots

The word. Idiots here means unlearned people. It is one term in a disparaging description of ignorance, not a precise designation of intellectual capacity.

In Burton. Burton argues that contempt for learning grows from lack of learning. His series of insults turns back on people who judge scholars by their own uncultivated standards.

The places. Idiots forms part of the attack on contempt for scholarship. (p. 138; DJR-048-29.)

In this edition. “idiots” → “unlearned” (DJR-048-29). Unlearned identifies the educational sense while the surrounding adjectives preserve the passage’s hostility.

See also. Silly.

Idleness

Source forms: Idleness

The word. Idleness in this causal discussion means inactivity or lack of occupation. It is closely associated with excessive solitude, but the two remain distinct conditions.

In Burton. Burton calls too much solitude idleness’s first cousin and accompanying cause. He then distinguishes solitude imposed on a person from solitude freely chosen. The kinship metaphor connects the causes without making all time alone identical with idleness.