4F. Splenetic

Splenetics are appropriated to the Spleen, and are used for Pain, Swelling or Inflammation of the Spleen, and some are used for Melancholy disease.

Aphorisms on Splenetics, collected by Culpeper, (Composita, 1656):

• Three excrements are especially beheld in the breeding of Blood, a watery Humor [Phlegm], Choler [Bile], and Melancholy.
• The proper seat of Choler [Bile] is the Gall [Bladder], the Watery Humor goes to the Reins [Kidneys], the thicker part of the Blood, the Spleen challenges to itself.
• This is either adust [burnt] by too violent heat, and then it is called Atra Bilis [Burnt Bile], or thick and terrene [earthy] of itself, and that is properly called Melancholy.
  
• From hence now is the force and nature of Splenetical Medicines found out.
  
• For Atra Bilis [Burnt Bile] often produces Madness, and pure Melancholy Schirrus [Fibroids], and vitiates the concoction of the Blood, whence follows Dropsies [Edema], and also breeds Obstructions.
  
• Splenicals therefore are of two sorts, some appropriated to Atra Bilis, some to Melancholy.
  
• Atra Bilis [Burnt Bile] is tempered by cooling and moistening, yet is it not so hot that it should need things extremely cold.
  
• Such are those, which we wrote of amongst the Cordials [Cardiacs], that cause mirth, by keeping Melancholy vapors from the Heart.
  
• Melancholy Humor is removed by cutting and opening Medicines, which differ from Hepatics, beacuse they want adstriction; for the Spleen, seeing it wants Concoction, needs no adstriction.
  
• Moreover, the Spleen is not only obstructed by Melancholy Humors, but also made hard.
  
• The cure of it is wrought by Emollients which must not be given inwardly, lest they hinder the concoction of the Ventricle [Stomach], but applied outwardly.
  

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Warming Splenetics

Opening Roots                                               Elecampane                        Sage                        Bitter Almond                        Radish                        Anise                        Cumin                        Thyme                        Calamint                        Horehound                        Oregano                        Spikenard                        Valerian                        Borage                        St. John’s wort                        Broom flowers                        Dwarf Elder root bark                        Ground Pine                        Dodder of Thyme                        Fenugreek                        Agnus Castus                        Scordium                        Asarum                        Sandalwood                        Tamarind                        Lacca                        Gum Ammoniac                        Opopanax                        Senna                        Bryony                        Bile                        Honey

Warming seeds Peony Scorzonera Saffron Hog Fennel Fennel seed Nettle seed Mint Pennyroyal Betony Agrimony Cinnamon Calamus Bugloss Wormwood Gentian Watercress Germander Polypody Capers root bark Rue Lupin Madder Bay berry Orris Bdellium Galbanum Tamarisk Scolopendrum Cyclamen Castoreum

Warming Splenetic Compounds

Vinegar of Squill                        Oxymel of Squill                        Syrup of Dodder of Thyme                        Syrup of Wormwood                        Diaprassium                        Diacyminum                        Confection of Hyacinth                        Diacostum                        Diacapparis                        Troches of Wormwood                        Philonium Romanum

Simple Oxymel Sugar of Roses Syrup of Calamint Diacalamint Diacurcuma Letificans Electuary of Gems Diasulphur Dialacca Troches of Capers

Cooling Splenetics

4 Greater Cold Seeds                        Chicory                        Lettuce                        Tamarisk root bark                        Hart’s Tongue                        Mallows                        Cucumber                        Maidenhair                        Vinegar                        Coral                        Lapis Lazuli

Barley Endive Purslane Fumitory Comfrey Citron Gourd Violet Whey Magnet Lapis Armenius

Cooling Splenetic Compounds

Diarrhodon Abbatis                        Diaboriginatum                        Confection of Hyacinth

Diatrisanatlum Stomach Pills

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Western Classification

2. Secondary Faculties a. Aperients b. Attenuaters c. Inciding Medicines d. Attenuaters of Congealed Blood e. Lenitive f. Purifying g. Cleansing h. Carminatives i. Antispasmodics j. Rarefying k. Resolvent l. Emollients m. Drawing n. Repellents o. Astringent p. Hemostatic q. Anodyne r. Narcotics & Hypnotics

s. Strengthening t. Glutinate u. Suppuratives v. Expel Pus w. Sarcotics x. Incarnative y. Corrosive z. Cicatrizing 3. Tertiary Faculties a. Sudorifics and Diaphoretics b. Febrifuge and Antipyretic c. Alexipharmic d. Cordials and Cardiacs e. Diuretics f. Lithontriptic g. Emmenagogue h. Lactagogue i. Aphrodisiacs j. Increase Semen

k. Expectorant l. Anti-tussive m. Arthritic Medicines n. Vulnerary o. Emetics p. Masticatories & Sternutatories q. Anthelmintic 4. According to Part a. Cephalic b. Opthalmic c. Cardiac d. Pectoral e. Stomachic f. Splenetic g. Hepatic h. Nephritics i. Uterine j. Nervine k. Arthritic