rgical Remedies_.

In letting of blood three main circumstances are to be considered, [4241]
"Who, how much, when." That is, that it be done to such a one as may endure
it, or to whom it may belong, that he be of a competent age, not too young,
nor too old, overweak, fat, or lean, sore laboured, but to such as have
need, are full of bad blood, noxious humours, and may be eased by it.

The quantity depends upon the party's habit of body, as he is strong or
weak, full or empty, may spare more or less.

In the morning is the fittest time: some doubt whether it be best fasting,
or full, whether the moon's motion or aspect of planets be to be observed;
some affirm, some deny, some grant in acute, but not in chronic diseases,
whether before or after physic. 'Tis Heurnius' aphorism _a phlebotomia
auspicandum esse curiationem, non a pharmacia_, you must begin with
bloodletting and not physic; some except this peculiar malady. But what do
I? Horatius Augenius, a physician of Padua, hath lately writ 17 books of
this subject, Jobertus, &c.

Particular kinds of bloodletting in use [4242]are three, first is that
opening a vein in the arm with a sharp knife, or in the head, knees, or any
other parts, as shall be thought fit.

Cupping-glasses with or without scarification, _ocyssime compescunt_, saith
Fernelius, they work presently, and are applied to several parts, to divert
humours, aches, winds, &c.

Horseleeches are much used in melancholy, applied especially to the
haemorrhoids. Horatius Augenius, _lib. 10. cap. 10._ Platerus _de mentis
alienat. cap. 3._ Altomarus, Piso, and many others, prefer them before any
evacuations in this kind.

[4243]Cauteries, or searing with hot irons, combustions, borings, lancings,
which, because they are terrible, _Dropax_ and _Sinapismus_ are invented by
plasters to raise blisters, and eating medicines of pitch, mustard-seed,
and the like.

Issues still to be kept open, made as the former, and applied in and to
several parts, have their use here on divers occasions, as shall be shown.

SECT. V. MEMB. I.

SUBSECT. I.--_Particular Cure of the three several Kinds; of Head
Melancholy_.

The general cures thus briefly examined and discussed, it remains now to
apply these medicines to the three particular species or kinds, that,
according to the several parts affected, each man may tell in some sort how
to help or ease himself. I will treat of head melancholy first, in which,
as in all oth