“Black Bile possesses in its constitution many varieties of matter.
Some portion of it appears to be like the sediment of blood,
and is sufficiently dense like the dregs of wine, but one portion
of it is very much thinner in its consistency than these“.
(Syrian Book of Medicine)

“The symptoms of Melancholia are gloominess, sadness, fear,
irritability, hating people, loving solitude, and being annoyed
with oneself and with others“. (Rhazes)

Melancholy and Black or Burnt Bile are the names given to that portion of the Blood which is more Cold and Dry and appears as sediment in the blood. Its seat is the Spleen, and like other Humors it is Physiological when pure and in balance, but Pathological when impure or in excess.

Melancholy Humors are increased by foods which are hard of digestion, as well as weakness of the Digestion (Spleen-Stomach). Here we can see the similarity with the TCM concept of Damp. Damp likewise causes obstruction and hinders digestion, but is also enhanced by a weak Spleen function. The importance of the quote at the top of the page is worth noting here. What is called Melancholy can be either a sediment or “ash” of the blood, or else a very thin, fine penetrating fluid. The latter equates with the Damp of TCM.

“Burnt Humors” are one aspect of Melancholy or Burnt Bile. Humors can be burnt are form Melancholy, and this is analagous to cellular debris seen in chronic inflammation for example. Excess Heat, especially of the Liver, also breeds Burnt Melancholy Humors.

In general, similar Medicines and Formulas are used to treat both “Damp” Melancholy and “Burnt” Melancholy.

Because the nature of Melancholy is opposite to the Nature of our Body, which in health is Warm and Moist in nature, it is associated with various obstinate and chronic diseases. obstinate skin diseases including Leprosy, Fibroids, Cancer, Depression, Mental Illness and in general all diseases which deform or destroy the body.

Melancholy has a number of varieties. Any of the Humors, when Burnt, can cause Melancholy Humors, such as Burnt Bile, Burnt Phlegm, Burnt Phlegm-Bile etc.

Treatment

“Make such enter a hot tub in his home, not in the bathhouse;
give him moist, fat and quickly digested foods; purge him
from black bile; and he should travel, change localities, and get
together with people over wine and storytelling“. (Rhazes)

Treatment is aimed at purging Melancholy Humor, and calming and cheering the Heart and Spirit.

Psychology in the treatment of Melancholy was long recognised. Diverting attention away from stresses, using music and pleasant sights and smells, and avoiding being alone were all long known. Even the use of amulets, as can be seen from the following:

“Amulets must not be neglected, amongst which they write thus of one; that Stone found in the Maw of a Swallow which is red, tied to the right Arm, is good against the Phantastical Illusions of Melancholy, cures the Lunatic and Mad, and makes them lovely and pleasant”. (Platerus)

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See also

Depression
Hypochondriac Melancholy
Preparers and Purgers of Melancholy
The Treatment of Melancholy (Wirtzung)
Treatment of Melancholy from Praxis Medicinae Theorica et Empirica

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Special Formulas