Disputatio de melancholia

XXX.
But as for the causes: the containing cause will be known through those things which show a cold and dry intemperance of the brain and the dominance of the humors: and they can be derived from those things which distinguish the proper affection from that which happens by consensus.

XXXI.
The antecedent cause is derived not only from these, but also from others, such as slow digestion, hardness of the sides, crudity of the urine, and if there are any others besides, which show the intemperance of the stomach or liver to be suitable for accumulating this humor, or an impediment of the spleen in receiving it.

XXXII.
The evident and external cause, if it cannot be known from the report of the sick person or those standing by, then it should be reasonably conjectured from the antecedent cause, or investigated by other industry of the physician.

XXXIII.
How, however, melancholia differs from other affections which seem to have a similar nature, such as phrenitis and mania, although it can easily be clear to one who weighs the preceding points diligently: yet it is distinguished primarily by the fever itself, which is not present in melancholia; then also by the consideration of time, by which phrenitis, being an acute disease, is wont to be shorter than melancholia.

XXXIIII.
But it is separated from mania by the vehemence of the symptoms: which in this case are much more savage than in melancholia: so that, often like beasts, fleeing the company of men and wandering about horrific caves and the corpses of the dead, they not only imitate the voices of wild beasts but desire to converse with them; and they are often led to such insanity that they attack those they meet not only with words, but with teeth, nails, and fists.

XXXV.
It is separated from both by the matter itself: since Melancholia alone is contracted from a cold juice, the others from a warm one.