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OF ARETÆUS, THE CAPPADOCIAN, ON THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC DISEASE
BOOK I.
[p. 298]
CHAPTER V. ON MELANCHOLY
BLACK bile, if it make its appearance in acute diseases of the
upper parts of the body, is very dangerous; or, if it pass
downwards, it is not free from danger. But in chronic
diseases, if it pass downward, it terminates in dysentery and
pain of the liver. But in women it serves as a purgation
instead of the menses, provided they are not otherwise in a
dangerous condition. But if it be determined upwards to the
stomach and diaphragm, it forms melancholy; for it produces
flatulence and eructations of a fetid and fishy nature, and it
sends rumbling wind downwards, and disturbs the understanding.
On this account, in former days, these were called
melancholics and flatulent persons. And yet, in certain of
these cases, there is neither flatulence nor black bile, but mere
anger and grief, and sad dejection of mind; and these were
called melancholics, because the terms bile (χολὴ) and anger
(ὀργὴ) are synonymous in import, and likewise black (μέλαινα),
with much (πολλὴ) and furious (θηριώδης). Homer is authority
for this when he says:--
"Then straight to speak uprose
The Atreidan chief, who `neath his sway a wide-spread empire held:
Sore vexed was he; his mighty heart in his dark bosom swelled
With rage, and from his eyes the fire like lightning-flashes
broke."
