The Anatomy of Melancholy

Symptoms particular to the three distinct species. Section 3, Member 2.

Sections: 1.3.2.

Head melancholy. Subsection 1. In the body: Headache, constriction, heaviness, dizziness, light-headedness, ringing in the ears, excessive wakefulness, staring eyes, a flushed complexion, red eyes, constipation, bodily dryness, little sign of melancholy in other parts. Or in the mind: Constant fear, sorrow, suspicion, discontent, unnecessary cares, worry, anxiety, perpetual brooding over the fancies that possess them, thoughts like dreams, etc.

Sections: 1.3.2.1.

Hypochondriacal, or windy, melancholy. Subsection 2. In the body: Wind, rumbling in the intestines, abdominal pain, heat in the bowels, convulsions, undigested matter, shortness of breath, sour and acrid belching, cold sweat, pain in the left side, choking, palpitation, heaviness of the heart, ringing in the ears, abundant watery saliva, etc.

Sections: 1.3.2.2.

Or in the mind: Fearfulness, sadness, suspicion, discontent, anxiety, etc.; lustfulness because of excessive wind; disturbing dreams; symptoms occurring in fits, etc.

Sections: 1.3.2.2.

Melancholy throughout the body. Subsection 3. In the body: A dark complexion, generally thin, prominent veins, coarse, thick blood; bleeding from haemorrhoids usually suppressed, etc. Or in the mind: Fearful, sad, solitary; they hate light, avoid company, have frightening dreams, etc.

Sections: 1.3.2.3.

Bodily and mental symptoms of melancholy in nuns, unmarried women, and widows, etc. Subsection 4.

Sections: 1.3.2.4.

An explanation of these symptoms. Member 3. Why they are so fearful, sad, suspicious without cause, and solitary; why melancholy people are intellectually gifted; why they believe they hear strange voices and see visions and apparitions. Why they prophesy and speak unfamiliar languages; what causes their undigested matter, rumbling, convulsions, cold sweat, heaviness of the heart, palpitation, pain at the upper opening of the stomach, frightening dreams, excessive wakefulness, and extraordinary fancies.

Sections: 1.3.3.

C Prognoses of melancholy. Section 4. Favourable signs: Discoloured patches of skin, scabs, itching, eruptions, etc. Black jaundice. If haemorrhoids begin to bleed spontaneously. If varicose veins appear.

Sections: 1.4.1.

Unfavourable signs: Thinness, dryness, sunken eyes, etc. Deeply established melancholy is incurable. If cold, it often develops into epilepsy, apoplexy, mental decay, or blindness. If hot, into madness, despair, and violent death.

Sections: 1.4.1.

Consequences and questions. The severity of this disease above all others. Diseases of the mind are more grievous than those of the body. Whether a man suffering from melancholy may lawfully do violence to himself. No. How to judge a melancholy or mad person who does violence to himself.

Sections: 1.4.1.