Praxis medicinæ, or, the physicians practice vvherein are contained inward diseases from the head to the foote: explayning the nature of each disease, with the part affected; and also the signes, causes, and prognostiques, and likewise what temperature of the ayre is most requisite for the patients abode, with direction for the diet he ought to obserue, together with experimentall cures for euery disease. ... Written by that famous and worthy physician, VValter Bruel.

A method seruing for the cure of ASTHMA, or short breathing.

THe ayre must be hote and dry; his meate Hens, Patrid∣ges, Chickens, birds of mountayns: hee must forbeare eating of such meats as may breed grosse and slymy matter. Amongst Pot-hearbs: Fennell, Thime, Hyssop, Calamint may be allowed. His drinke must be small wine or honyed water, wherein Hyssop, or Hore-hound haue beene boyled; his exercise must be little, as walking a little before meate, the lower parts must be rubbed. Sleepe in the day time must be auoyded, and in the night it must bee moderate. All per∣turbations of the mind must be aoyded.

Sirupe of Mayden haire, Horehound, Licorice, Hyssop,* 1.1 of the two Roots of Violets, Calamint, Staechas, Mel rosatum. Oxymel simp. Composi••um & squillit. Acetum squillit. A de∣coction of the rootes of Elecampane, Epithymon, Aristolo∣chia, rot. Barley, Linseed, Fengreek, Quinces, Nettles, Fennel, Annise, Maiden-haire, Hyssop, Hore-hound, Scabious, Be∣tony, Raysins, Figs, Dates, Barley water with Sugar. The water of Hore-hound, Betony, Hyssop, Barley, Fen∣nell, Violets. A decoction o Guai••••um wood. Very hot things heere are not very good, because they doe consume

that which is thinne, and leaue that behind which is grosse; and because the disease is long, and will scarce bee cured by medicines, therefore they must often be changed, for see∣ing there is no sence of accustomed things, at the last, na∣ture will not care for the continuall vse of them. To these before mentioned syrupe of Poppy, Quinces, Bole Armony must be added, if we doe intend to stay the rhume.

* 1.2Agaricus trochiscatus, diaturbith cum rhabarb. Diaphae∣nicum, Diacath. Electuarium Indum maius. Hiera colocynth. Hiera simplex & composita, Pillulae de hieracum Agarico, Pillulae m••stichinae, Aggregatiuae, Assai••ret, Cocciae, Alephan∣ginae, Aromaticae, Agaricus, Cassia, Colocynthis. Vomit also shall bee caused, for that is better then a clyster, because it abides neerer the lungs, and emptieth the stomacke of phlegme. If clysters be vsed, make them of the pectorall de∣coction of Cassia, Hiera picra, Diaphaeniconis. A veine shall be opened if the body doe abound with blood. Or if the months, and Hemroides bee stayd, otherwise this labour shall be spared. In this disease pills are best, because they draw the offending matter from the remote parts: purging medicines in time of the fitt must not be vsed. For it is to be feared, that the matter being stirred vp too violently, should runne vnto the lungs; also when the fitte is past, purging medicines shall bee very seldome vsed, because the matter that stops the passages, is grosse and vicious. But the matter shall first bee made fit for expelling, before purging medi∣cines be vsed.

* 1.3Nasals shall be made of Nigella Romana, Cubebs, Nut∣megs, the iuyce of Maioram, Beete, Honyed water, Wine. A Masticatory. The feete must bee washed in the decoction of the flowers of Cammomile, Mellilot, Betony, Sage, Ma∣ioram, leaues of Bayes, of Rosemary. Vesicatory medicines shalbe applyed to the coronal seame, if the disease be increa∣sed by rhume. Frictions and Ligatures of the extreme parts must be vsed, especially if there be any danger of suffocation. When the disease doth begin to increase, the brest shall be

well rubd with a coorse cloth, that the passges of those parts might be opened, & the vertue of the medicines may be better receiued into the parts affected. Cupping-glasses shall be layd to the shoulders, if there bee danger of suffo∣cation without scarification, or when the patient doth breathe very short; also Cupping-glasses shalbe layd vn∣to the reines, vnto that place whereon some portion of the lungs doth rest: this must bee done in the morning very often.

Sirupe of Licorice, de Iuiubis, Hyssop, Hore-hound. Dia∣hyssopus, Diapenidion, loch sanum, of Cabages, of Pine,* 1.4 Diairis, Diatragacanthum, with the Oyle of Annise; con∣serue of Elecampane, the broth of an old cocke with the syr. of Mayden-haire. The lungs of a Fox dried, sirupe of Licorice. Ericinus Syluestris. Millepeda, certaine creatures which lie vnder watery vessels. Squilla, Licorice, Brassica, Allium, Hysop, Elecampany, Aristolochia rot. The Root of serpentaria layd in hote Embers, with the syr. of Licorice, loch of the lungs of a Fox, of Pine, Raisins, dry figs, Linseed, Iuiuba, Scabious, Licorice. A decoction of figs, Hyssop, Fengreeke, Licorice, Raisins, Hony, Saffron. An oyntment for the brest of the Oyle of Linus, of sweet Almonds, Dill, Rew, flower-de-luce, Lillies, Cammomill, fresh Butter, Hens grease, the mucilage of Fengreeke, Althea, with Saffron, and the Roots of flower-de-luce. The oyntment of Agrippa. A Cataplasme of Barley-flower, figs, flower-de-luce, Hony and Raisins. The humours shall be emptied out of the passages and spongy matter of the lungs by these present remedies, rather then by purg••ng & vomiting medi∣cines, and we will the rather vse these, because the humors do abound in the body. Also with these we will endeauour to open the pores of the brest with gentle frictions, and then anoynt the brest with these oyntments, and after∣wards vse Cataplasmes.

Triacle with old white wine, Alex. Diaireos simplex,* 1.5 Mi∣••hridate, Diamuscum dulce & amarum, Plirisarcotieum, loch

ad Asthma, Loche squilla. a decoction of Wood Guaiacum, Melicratum; powder of Beauer stone. A suffumigation with Brimstone, Frankincense, Masticke, Iuniper, Turpen∣tine: an oyntment of the oyle of Rew, Flower-de-luce, Dill, roots of Flower-de-luce, Elecampane, seeds of Linus, Hens grease.

A more particular method seruing for the cure of short windynesse.

℞ of the roots of Aristolochia rot. Flower-de-luce, ana ℥ ss, of Centory the lesse, Hyssop, Calamint, ana M i. of white and light Agaricke,* 1.6 ʒ v. boyle these in water q. s. vn∣till the third part be consumed, adde to the strayning, Sp. hierae diacolocynth. ʒ i. ss, Diaturbith rhab. ʒ v. oyle of Lillies, Cammomile, Rew ana ℥ i. of Salt, ʒ i.

℞ of Licorice, Horehound, ana ℥ ss, of Hyssop, ℥ i. ss, Oxy∣mellis squillit. ℥ i. of the water of Horehound,* 1.7 Hysop, Colts-foote, Scabious, ana ℥ iiii. Giue of this ℥ iiii. in the mor∣ning, after which hee must take one morsell of Diaireos simp.

* 1.8℞ of the roots of Elecampane, Flower-de-luce, ana ℥ ii. of Hyssop, Colts-foot, ana M ii. ss, of scraped Licorice, ℥ i, ss seeds of Annise, ℥ i. of Raysins the stones being taken out ℥ iiii. of the seeds of Fengreeke ℥ i. flowers of Violets, Thyme, ana M i. of Figs, n ^o vi. boyle these in water q. s. vntill the third part bee consumed; adde hereto a little Honey, whereof a sirupe must be made, and hee must take halfe a spoonefull hereof in his mouth.

℞ Oxymellis squillitici, ℥ i. drinke this with the former decoction.

* 1.9℞ Elecampane, Colts-foot, Hysop, Mayden-haire, Hore∣hound, ana Mi. of scraped Licorice, ℥ i. seeds of Annise, ʒ ss, Let the patient take in the morning, ℥ iii. of this decoction,

if the disease will giue any ease or respit to the patient, with ℥ i, ss, of the former sirupe, afterwards when the former decoction is boyled, senae Alex. ℥ i. of white and light Agaricke. ℥ iii. seeds of Carthamus, ℥ ss, must be added, wher∣of a purging potion shall bee made, which may serue for two or three times.

℞ of Agaricke made into a trochiske,* 1.10 Hierae diacolo∣cynth. ana ℈ i. ss, Pillularum Elephanginarum, ℈ i, Oxymellis squillitici q. s. make hereof pills n ^o 8. and they must be giuen after the first sleepe.

℞ Pillul. cochiarum, ℈ ii. Pillul. de Agarico,* 1.11 ℈ ii. Rha∣barb, ℈ ss.

℞ Diapheniconis, Cassiae, ana ℥ ss,* 1.12 Agaricke made in a tro∣chiske, ℈ ss, of the finest Sugar q. s.

℞ of the roots of Radish, ℥ ii. of Betony, ℥ i,* 1.13 Seminis nastur••ij, Atriplicis, ana ʒ ii. boyle these in water q. s. vntill the third part be consumed, vnto ℥ v. of this strayning, adde Oxymellis squillitici ℥ i. ss, Succi cepae domestic•• ℥ ss. Giue this after dinner, and the patient must walke after it: also a vomit may be made with the decoction of a Radish root and white Hellebore.

℞ Conserue of Violet, roots of Elecampane, ana ʒ vi. con∣serue of Rosemary flowers, ℥ ss, Sp. Diaireos Salomonìs,* 1.14 Diatragacanthi frigidi, ana ℈ ii. ss, syr. of Violets, Mayden-haire, ana q. s.

℞ syrupe of Hyssop, of Horehound,* 1.15 ana ʒ i. lohoch •• scylla, of a Woolfes lungs, ana ℥ ss, the roots of Ele∣campane, ʒ ii. iuyce of Licorice, Sugar-candy, ana ʒ i. ss.

℞ sir. of Hyssop, of Horehound, Violets,* 1.16 ana ℥ i. Oxymel. simp. ℥ i. ss. take one spoonefull hereof with a draught of Barley water.

℞ sirupe of Licorice, ℥ ss, Oxymellis simp. ℥ i. ss, Lo∣hoch

of the lungs of a Foxe, ʒ vi. of Gumme Ammoniacke ʒ ss.

* 1.17℞ of the roots of Elecampane preserued, Dragant, ana ℥ ss, Lohoch of the Lungs of a Foxe, Lohoc sani, ana ʒ v. roots of flower-de-luce, ℈ ii. sir. of Hysop q. s. mixe these, and the patient must take hereof very often.

* 1.18℞ of the roots of Elecampane, Gentianae, Lungs of a Fox ana ʒ ii. Diaireos ℈ iiii. Mellis squillitici, q. s. giue ʒ i. hereof vnto the patient in the decoction of Scabious, Hysop, May∣dens-hayre.

* 1.19℞ of Licorice scraped, ʒ ii. ss, of Hysop, ʒ i. of Saffron, ℈ i. the roots of Colts-foote, ʒ i. ss, of Mace, ℈ ii. season the meate with this powder,

* 1.20℞ Lohoch of the lungs of a Fox, ℈ i. aurea Alex. of the best Mithridate, ana ʒ i. Squillae assae, ʒ i. conserue of the roots of Elecampane, ℥ ss, giue twice in a weeke ʒ ii. hereof in white Wine.

* 1.21℞ preserued roots of Elecampane, ℥ ii. preserued roots of Flower-de-luce, ℥ i. Licorice, ℥ i. ss, iuyce of Hysop, ℥ i. of Pepper, seeds of Nettles, ℈ iiii, of Raysins, the stones being taken out, of bitter Almonds▪ ana ℥ ss, sirupe of Hy∣sop q. s.

* 1.22℞ of Bay berries, ʒ vi. roots of Dragant, ℥ i. Bole Armony, ʒ ii. iuyce of Licorice, ʒ i ss, sirupe of Hysop, q. s. Let the patient take 3 or 4 of these when hee goes to bed.

* 1.23℞ of Frankincense, Masticke, ana ʒ ••i. ss, of Brimstone, ʒ ii. ss, of Iuniper, ℈ ii. of Storax, ℈ i. of Turpentine q. s. when there is any occasion for the vse of this, cast a piece of this lumpe vpon liue coales, and the smoake must bee conueyed vnto the mouth by a pipe, also a cap must be smoaked here∣with, and put vpon the patients head; this doth dry the su∣perfluous humidity.

* 1.24℞ the oyle of Cammomile, ana ℥ i ss, of Dill, ʒ vi. of

sweet Almonds, ʒ iii. Sp. Diaireos, ʒ ss, roots of Elicam∣pane, and Dragant, ana ℈ i. of Waxe and Vineger a lit∣tle.

℞ of oyle white Lillies, sweet Almonds, Lini, ana ℥ ss,* 1.25 oyle of Bayes, Cammomile, ana ℥ iii. of fresh Butter, Hens and Ducks greace, ana ʒ iii. iuyce of Hysop, Elecampane, ana ʒ ii. roots of Dragant, ʒ ss, of Saffron ℈ ss, of Waxe q. s. an oynt∣ment for the brest.

℞ of the roots of Flower-de-luce, Elecampane,* 1.26 ana ℥ ss, Farinae hordeaceae, Oleaceae, seeds of Linus, ana ℥ i. of Figs, n ^o x. of Rosin, Turpentine, ana ℥ i. ss, Mellis despu∣mati, q. s.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Preparers.
• * 1.2

  Emptiers.
• * 1.3

  Auerters.
• * 1.4

  Prouokerts of spettle.
• * 1.5

  Digesters.
• * 1.6

  A Clyster.
• * 1.7

  A Iulep.
• * 1.8

  A Sirupe.
• * 1.9

  A Potion.
• * 1.10

  Pills.
• * 1.11

  Pills.
• * 1.12

  Bolus.
• * 1.13

  A Vomit.
• * 1.14

  A Lohoch.
• * 1.15

  A Lohoch.
• * 1.16

  A draught.
• * 1.17

  A mixture.
• * 1.18

  An Electu∣ary.
• * 1.19

  A Powder.
• * 1.20

  An Electu∣ary.
• * 1.21

  Another.
• * 1.22

  Pills.
• * 1.23

  A Suffumi∣gation.
• * 1.24

  An Oynt∣ment.
• * 1.25

  An Oynt∣ment.
• * 1.26

  A Cata∣plasme.