Hypochondriac Melancholy
Hypochondriac Melancholy, also referred to as Windy Melancholy, is a type of Melancholy caused by poor digestion. It was often confused or not well covered in traditional texts. Some claimed it harder to treat than regular Melancholy, others said it was easier. The causes and symptoms were also often confused. Therefore, it is worth taking some passages from Praxis medicinæ (Bruel, 1632) which describes Hypochondriac Melancholy in detail:|
‘The Hypochondriac, or windy melancholy is often caused by the overboiling of dreggish blood, which was settled near unto the stomach, or gristles of the short ribs, by a distemper of the Liver, Stomach, or Mesenteric Veins; hence it is, that gross and burnt humour, are carried up to the principal seat of the Brain and so do disquiet it, and stir up Melancholy. By the self same cause, as in a suffusion, the symptoms of that mischief are stirred up by sharp, and smoky vapours, proceeding from the lower parts: for it so happens, that the temperature of the brain is altered by dark and foggy vapors arising from the Stomach, Liver, Mesentary, or from some other adjacent part near unto them; whereby the imagination is hurt, memory and cogitation remaining perfect’. |
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‘Besides the ordinary signs of melancholians, by the excessive heat of the humors, the parts about the heart are inflamed, and seem to be somewhat mitigated by cold meats: oftentimes the patient doth feel pain in his stomach, and short ribs, after he hath eaten such meats that are not easy of digestion, for from hence much crudity is caused, whereof the more plenty there is, by so much the more doth this mischief rage. They doe eat much, but in the mean while they have their bellies bound: they break wind often, and belch very much, which is caused by raw and melancholy humors contained in the aforesaid places. In those places are very frequent rumblings, & murmurs heard; and this is an especial sign of this disease. Sometimes they have pains in their shoulder, the Midrif is drawn upwards, the arteries beat strongly, and disorderly; Ringing in the ears, and inflammations of veins and eyes, are caused by vapours which are carried up thither. Their sleep is short and troublesome. They are troubled with a dizziness, and palpitation. Vomit of crude phlegm is caused, wherewith choler is sometime mixed. They are eased of their pain, after they have digested that which they have eaten, after stools, vomits, and belchings.’ |
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‘It is caused by the default of the spleen, when it doth not draw away the melancholy blood made by the Livers distemper. Sometimes it doth happen, that the blood, which is in the veins of the Stomach, Mesentery, Spleen, Bowels, Guts, and adjacent parts, is burnt up by too much heat, caused by some obstruction, or some other cause; and then the blood doth degenerate into black juice which runs over the Mesentery, Spleen, and other parts thereto adjoining, whereof follows a great heat of the bowels, and from thence vapours are conveyed to the brain, from whence these Symptoms break out.’ |
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‘Because of the stubborness of the disease, we will concoct and purge humors, and will strengthen the aforesaid parts’ |
See also:
Black Bile & Melancholy
Preparers and Purgers of Melancholy
The Treatment of Melancholy (Wirtzung)
Treatment of Melancholy from Praxis Medicinae Theorica et Empirica
Special Formula
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SYRUP FOR HYPOCHONDRIAC MELANCHOLY Syrup of Dodder Syrup of Violet 1 oz. each Syrup of Borage Byzantine Syrup (without Vinegar) 1 ½ oz. each DECOCTION FOR HYPOCHONDRIAC MELANCHOLY Borage root 1 ½ oz. Centaury Pennyroyal 1 ½ handful each Aniseed Fennel seed 3 drams each Raisins 1 ½ oz. Senna Polypody 1 oz. each Dodder ½ oz. DECOCTION: Mercury leaf Mallows Pennyroyal Elder flower Camomile Melilot Centaury the less 1 handful each Broom 1 ½ handfuls Beet leaf Cabbage Hops ½ handful each Dodder 1 handful Aniseed Fennel seed Safflower 6 drams each Polypody ½ oz. Senna 1 oz. Dodder 5 drams Form a decoction. ELECTUARY Darrhodon abbatis 2 scruples Rosata Novellae Aromaticum rosatum 1 scruple each Bugloss flowers 1 ½ scruple Orange peel 1 dram Aniseed 3 drams Sugar of Violet Sugar of Rose Conserve of Bugloss roots, 1 oz. each With sufficient syrup of the juice of Borage, form an Electuary. (Praxis medicinæ, Bruele, 1632) |