The Anatomy of Melancholy

Although Galen has objected to water that runs through lead pipes, “because of the white lead formed in them”—that greasy white lead which causes dysentery and diarrhoea—Alsarius Crucius of Genoa rightly replies that this contradicts common experience. If it were true, most of our Italian cities, Montpellier in France and countless others would suffer this harm; but there is no such thing.

As for how private households should supply themselves, let them consult P. Crescentius, On Agriculture, book 1, chapter 4; Pamphilus Hirelacus; and the other writers.

Among fish, those living in waters with gravelly or sandy beds are most approved: pike, perch, trout, gudgeon, smelt, flounder and so on. Hippolytus Salvianus objects to carp, but I will confidently say with Dubravius that it is an excellent food, provided it does not come from muddy pools and retain an unpleasant taste. The sea urchin is highly recommended by Oribasius, Aetius and most of our recent writers.

Crato, consultation 21, book 2, condemns every kind of fruit as liable to decay, yet allows it sometimes after meals, as a second course: it keeps vapours down and has its uses. Sweet fruits are best, such as sweet cherries, plums, sweet apples, pearmains and pippins. Laurentius praises these as having a particular virtue against this disease, and Plater extols them: “they are suitable in every way as specific remedies.” But they must be prepared to counteract their tendency to cause wind.

Ripe grapes and sun-dried raisins are good, as are muskmelons when properly prepared and used sparingly. Figs are allowed, and blanched almonds. Trallianus disapproves of figs; Salvianus disapproves of olives and capers, which others particularly favour, and the same disagreement applies to pistachio nuts.

Montanus and Mercurialis, following Avenzoar, allow peaches, pears and apples, baked and eaten after meals, provided they are prepared with sugar and aniseed or fennel seed. They may then be taken with benefit because they strengthen the stomach and keep vapours down.

The same may be said of preserved cherries and plums, and preserves made from plums, quinces and so on; but one must not drink after eating them. Pomegranates, lemons and oranges are allowed if they are not too sour.

Crato allows no herbs or greens except borage, bugloss, endive, fennel, aniseed and balm. Callenius and Arnoldus permit lettuce, spinach, beets and so on. Crato likewise allows no roots at all to be eaten. Some approve of potatoes and parsnips, but all must be prepared to counteract wind. No raw salads: the greens should be cooked in broths, as Laurentius prescribes, and Crato recommends many of them in this form. Alternatively, borage, hops and balm may be steeped in the patient's usual drink.

Avenzoar praises pomegranate juice, if it is sweet, and especially rosewater, which he would have used in every dish. This is the practice in the hot countries around Damascus, where, if we may believe Varthema's accounts, many hogsheads of rosewater are offered for sale in the market at once, so great is the demand for it.