Disputatio de melancholia

LVII.
But one shall cut either the axillary vein on account of the affected head, or the middle vein, which is also called common, and evacuates from the whole body, or the one named Salvatella, because of its peculiar communion with the spleen, and that especially in the left arm.

LVIII.
But if, because of the deep position of the veins or other impediments, it cannot be done conveniently, then one must attempt it in the parts of the ham and ankle: especially in those for whom either the hemorrhoids or the menses have been suppressed.

LIX.
In all these, however, the physician must not be too superstitious; but since this affection requires a great evacuation, he will rather choose such a vein from which such an evacuation can both be made and can be cut without danger.

LX.
Evacuating medicines are not convenient in any random way: but one must choose those above others that are called melanagōga black-bile expellers: with which, however, it will be permitted to mix cholagōga bile-expellers, and thus purge the melancholic humor.

LXI.
Before the purgation, if there is need, those things which are called preparatives are to be applied, such as syrups of apples, of scolopendrium, of borage juice, or fumitory, violet syrup with waters of lemon balm, hops, or bugloss, etc., with which it is fitting to prepare the redundant humor, either singly or mixed.

LXII.
But the passages of the body must also be prepared, especially the bowels, which in this affection are wont to be more constricted: and that either by some laxative decoction from cassia extracted with senna leaves, or an emollient clyster from the decocted leaves of mallow, violets, beet, mercury, fumitory, hops, with seeds of anise, fennel, a little salt and bran, and also fresh cassia fistula