Codronchus in his book de sale absyn. magnifies the oil and salt of wormwood above all other remedies, [4382]"which works better and speedier than any simple whatsoever, and much to be preferred before all those fulsome decoctions and infusions, which must offend by reason of their quantity; this alone in a small measure taken, expels wind, and that most forcibly, moves urine, cleanseth the stomach of all gross humours, crudities, helps appetite,” &c.  Arnoldus hath a wormwood wine which he would have used, which every pharmacopoeia speaks of.

Diminutives and purges may [4383]be taken as before, of hiera, manna, cassia, which Montanus consil. 230. for an Italian abbot, in this kind prefers before all other simples, [4384]"And these must be often used, still abstaining from those which are more violent, lest they do exasperate the stomach, &c., and the mischief by that means be increased.”  Though in some physicians I find very strong purgers, hellebore itself prescribed in this affection.  If it long continue, vomits may be taken after meat, or otherwise gently procured with warm water, oxymel, &c., now and then.  Fuchsius cap. 33. prescribes hellebore; but still take heed in this malady, which I have often warned, of hot medicines, [4385]"because” (as Salvianus adds) “drought follows heat, which increaseth the disease:”  and yet Baptista Sylvaticus controv. 32. forbids cold medicines, [4386] “because they increase obstructions and other bad symptoms.”  But this varies as the parties do, and ’tis not easy to determine which to use. [4387]"The stomach most part in this infirmity is cold, the liver hot; scarce therefore” (which Montanus insinuates consil. 229. for the Earl of Manfort) “can you help the one and not hurt the other:”  much discretion must be used; take no physic at all he concludes without great need.  Laelius Aegubinus consil. for an hypochondriacal German prince, used many medicines; “but it was after signified to him in [4388]letters, that the decoction of China and sassafras, and salt of sassafras wrought him an incredible good.”  In his 108 consult, he used as happily the same remedies; this to a third might have been poison, by overheating his liver and blood.

For the other parts look for remedies in Savanarola, Gordonius, Massaria, Mercatus, Johnson, &c.  One for the spleen, amongst many other, I will not omit, cited by Hildesheim, spicel. 2, prescribed by Mat.  Flaccus, and out of the authority of Benevenius.  Antony Benevenius in a hypochondriacal passion, [4389]"cured an exceeding great swelling of the spleen with capers alone, a meat befitting that infirmity, and frequent use of the water of a smith’s forge; by this physic he helped a sick man, whom all other physicians had forsaken, that for seven years had been splenetic.”  And of such force is this water, [4390]"that those creatures as drink of it, have commonly little or no spleen.”  See more excellent medicines