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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