How to Cure Melancholy, c. 1303

J. Paul Getty Museum, MS 42, f. 1v

The home must be bright, luminous, without pictures, and there should be many fragrant things there, and everyone in the home must be beautiful to behold… and they must say lighthearted things, and there should be musical instruments, and in short everything which gladdens the soul… also helpful are sleep, rest, leisure, and baths before food; helpful foods are hens, capons, and lamb; light, delicate wine; scaly fish from clean water; raw eggs; well-fermented and well-baked wheat bread with a reasonable amount of salt… one should avoid wine that is new, cloudy, coarse, or thick; lentils, beans, and other legumes; old cheese; beef; and other melancholy foods.

Bernard de Gordon, Lilium medicinae

Feeling melancholy? No problem – just tell your beautiful family to play music and serve you some fine wine in bed.