Disputatio de phrenitide

L.
Wherefore, let it be established that the brain is affected in phrenitis as an organic entity, not as a similaris substantial one. From the definition of this phrenitis, according to Galen (Book 2, On the Causes of Symptoms, last chapter), Aetius (Book 6, Chapter 2), Paul (Book 3, Chapter 6), Trallianus (Book 1, Chapter 12), and those things which have been said above, such a definition can be collected: Phrenitis is a disease involving inflammation of the brain or its membranes with acute fever, inducing continuous delirium and mental disturbance in the way previously mentioned.

LI.
Since therefore phrenitis is a disease (of which there is only one proper difference) that is an inflammation, there can be various causes of this inflammation. For some are intrinsic, others extrinsic. Of the internal ones, again, some are mediate or antecedent; others are immediate. We shall treat of the internal ones first, then of the external ones individually.

LII.
There exists no other immediate or proximate cause of this inflammation than that humor which is the cause of burning fever (namely, bile), as Galen taught us (1 Epidemics, Commentary 2). For yellow bile, if it exists in the vessels, is ignited together with the blood and produces fever; but if it is driven into the brain and its membranes, it induces phrenitis. Since this bile is either pale or yellow, and yellow is either burnt or not, it follows that phrenitis also differs in some way, depending on whether this or that is its cause.

LIII.
Antecedent or mediate causes can be hot and dry temperatures, especially around the head; sex, as men are more frequently afflicted by phrenitis; and the prime of life. For in this age, thin, hot, and sharp humors abound more than in others. Also: burning fever, pleurisy, pneumonia, inflammation of the diaphragm; likewise, the untimely suppression of the excretion of hot humors, Erysipelas an acute skin infection of the face, if repellents are used in the beginning, etc.