as hath been said; also the opening of the Hemor∣rhoids, although they be branches of the Vena porta in those that are accustomed to them wil help very much: Hither also may be refer'd Scarifications, made especi∣ally in those places where otherwise we ought to open a Vein, as in the Arms and Feet, or somtimes where we are not wont to open a Vein as in the Shoulders, which certainly do not only evacuate the blood, but if Cup∣ping-Glasses be applied, they do also egregiously re∣vell the matter from the Head, and as I have observed do oftentimes profit much.
Upon which account also are applied, Frictions, Dropaxes, Vesicatories, Cauteries and Cuttings made in the Head, and Trepanning in those that are despe∣rate, part of the bone being taken away, and the hole left open for a month.
It is conveninent to Clense the Guts often from their excrements with Suppositories and more rightly with Clysters, which although they do not so much empty the Melancholly matter lurking in the more di∣stant veins, as they do in the Hypochondriacal, in which it is neer to the Guts, yet before Bleeding and other Purgations, that they may succeed the better, 'tis safer first of all to bring forth the thicker excrements by Clysters, to which sometimes we must mix those things which are good to evacuate Melancholly, which being continued will effect something also in a cause more difficult.
A more simple one therefore which is most excellent Egregiously stimulating may be made thus, Take of juyces of Mercury or Beets two ounces, Mallows one ounce, common Honey two ounces, let them be dissolved with the fat and salt broth of flesh, and let it be given.
A more Compound one may be made thus which he may use by course, which is Emollient purging and stimulating, Take of the herbs Mallows, Orach, Bleets, Beets or Mercury, both Buglosses, Fumitory, of each one handful; flowers of Chamomel, Melilot, Elder, of each one pugil; Figs twelve, Bran one pugil, Flax seed half an ounce, Mallows, Fennel, of each two drams; make a Decoction, dissolve Honey of Violets or Roses two ounces, juyce of Mer∣cury or Beets one ounce, Benedicta Laxativa two drams, Oyl of Chamomel, Butter, of each one ounce and an half; a little Salt, make a Clyster.
In Mad Folks especially, it shal be prepared of stron∣ger Purgers, thus, Take of the roots of Marsh-mallows one ounce, the herbs Mallows, both Buglosses, Mercury, Hops, Fumitory, Time, of each one handful; flowers of Chamomel, Elder, both Bugloss, Violets, of each one pugil; Flax seed, Guords, of each half an ounce; seeds of Mallows, Fennel, of each two drams; seeds of Rue, Chast tree, of each one dram; Figs twelve, Tamarinds half an ounce, Bran, Barley, of each one pugil; Oakfern, Senna, wild Saffron, of each six drams; white Hellebore half a dram, or black one dram, make a De∣coction, dissolve Honey of Violets, red Sugar, of each one ounce; Hiera of Coloquintida, Diasena solutive, Confection Hamech, of each two drams; juyce of Mercury one ounce and an half, Oyl of Violets, Chamomel, Lillies, of each one ounce; Salt as much as is sufficient, make a Clyster.
'Tis convenient to Purge this Matter out of the Veins beginning with the Gentler and going to Stron∣ger, and continuing them for a long time, for they can endure it for the most part easily, and though they be somwhat weakned, nevertheless it doth good, seeing upon that account they become more calmed and qui∣et, neither can it hurt them much, seeing they may also be continually refreshed: therefore the humor being first prepared, Evacuation ought presently to follow, being administred once, twice, or thrice together, and this must weekly be repeated once or twice, intermix∣ing letting of blood, as hath been said; and once in a month also as Avicen teacheth, we must give a very strong Purger, for the chief nature of the Cure consists in those great Evacuations of the blood and Excre∣ments, whence successively the matter of the disease is taken away as hath been said.
The Humor is prepared before Purging, by obser∣ving whether they be very Cholerick that are affected with this evil, for then we must use things more Cold and Acrid, after this mauner. Take of Syrup of Violets, Borrage, of each two ounces, of Vinegar simple one ounce, the waters of both Buglosses, Lettice, Water-lillies, of each as much as is sufficient, make a Julep for four or five times aromatizing it with the pouder of the three Sanders, or gi∣ving a Lozenge of it after every dose.
Or make one thus of Juyces, Take of the juyces of both Buglosses, of sweet smelling apples of each two ounces and an half, the waters of both Bugloss, Fumitory, of each three ounces; Sugar two ounces, boyl them, and clarifie them, and aromatize it with Cinnamon, for some doses.
By a Decoction or Infusion let it be prepared thus, Take of the Roots of both Buglosses, Liquorish of each one ounce; the bark of Tamariisk half an ounce, Fumitory one handful, Miltwast half a handful, the Cordial flowers, of each one pugil; Water-lilly flowers half a pugil, Time one pugil, boyl them in common water and a Cup of Wine, add of Sugar and the juyce of Apples each two ounces, aromatize it for some doses.
Or let them be infused in thin Wine adding for the scents sake a little Wormwood, and let him drink it.
Then let the Humor be purged as hath been said by giving of divers forms dedicated to the Melanchollick humor, which if the Patients wil not obey, may be pre∣pared thus, that under the form of Wine or of some o∣ther Medicine that is most familiar to them, we may be able to deceive them, many of which have been spo∣ken of the in Melanagoge purging Remedies, here we wil propound certain choyce ones.
At the beginning therefore, the Humor being prepa∣red let this presently be given, Take of Catholicon one ounce, Confection Hamech two drams, Syrup of Roses solutive one ounce, dissolve them in Whey or Bugloss water, and give it.
Or, Take of Senna Oak-fern, of each half an ounce; Dodder of Time two drams, infuse them in Goats Whey add of fresh Mercury one ounce, Anise seed two drams, Syrup of Fumitory compound, or of sweet smelling Apples half an ounce, make a Potion.
Or, Take of the Pills of the five kinds of the Indian Myrobolans, of Lazulus Stones, each one scruple; with white Wine make Pils.
That the body may be purged successively and at many times, the following things are convenient.
First a Compound Apozem which may be made thus, Take of the roots of Polipody three ounces, the Leaves of Senna two ounces, wild Saffron seed one ounce, Dodder of Time half an ounce, Turbith three drams, Mirobalans, In∣dian, Citrine, Chebuline, rubbed with Oyl of sweet Almonds of each one dram; black Hellebore one dram, White half a dram,) if you would purge Gentler we omit Hellebore if sironger, we increase it) the roots of Grass, Cinquefoyl, Li∣quorish, of each one ounce, Elecampane half an ounce, the barks of Ash, Tamarisk, Danewort, of each half an ounce; the herbs Mercury, Fumitory, Hops, Harts-tongue, both Bugloss with their roots, Miltwast, Maidenhair, Time, Balm, of each one handful; the cordial flowers, of Tamarisk, Sca∣bious, Broom, of each one pugil, seeds of Anise, Melons, of each half an ounce; Guord seeds six drams, Purslane seed two drams, seed of Basil, Chast tree, of each one dram; Ta∣marinds, Raisons, of each one ounce and an half; Prunes