Disputatio de melancholia

or artificial preparation has been set forth.

LXX.
In the declination, if anything has been left from an almost imperfect purgation, it must be gently led out by medicine so that it cannot cause a relapse, and the parts weakened by the long duration of the disease must be recreated in turn with restoratives.

LXXI.
Topicals also, if necessity itself requires, are not to be neglected: especially in flatulent melancholia: in which such things must be chosen as can blunt the violence of the vapors.

LXXII.
From the number of which, cupping glasses, which are commonly called "wind-glasses," are especially recommended: which daily experience itself testifies are wonderfully useful for digesting flatulence and soothing pains from flatulence.

LXXIII.
As far as alteratives are concerned, they ought to be warm and moist: and they are either offered to be taken internally, or applied externally.

LXXIIII.
Internally, distilled waters are taken, or juices, or syrups mixed from these: such as violet, water lily, rose, epithymum, stoechas, etc., or a decoction from melilot, chamomile, betony, and similar things. Also woman's milk, which is recommended by Rhazes.

LXXV.
It must be observed, however, that although they might perhaps be less effective than others, yet if there is counsel to apply them, one must first provide for other parts of the body, the heart, the stomach, etc., with convenient safeguards so that they do not receive harm from them.

LXXVI.
Externally, irrigations are applied from tepid water or oil, or also milk, as Rhasis says, poured from on high onto the head.

LXXVII.
Finally, although symptoms ought necessarily to cease once the causes are removed: yet before the perfect removal of the causes is done, they are not to be neglected: nor should the fantasy of the melancholic always be fiercely checked.