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 SYNCOPE or SWOVNDING.

THe ayre must bee temperate, for hote or cold aire doth offend: his chamber must bee somewhat lightsome; and his meate easy of digestion, as flesh-broth and ptisan; his drinke must bee small wine, and Barley-water with a little Oxymel in the beginning of the disease for some few dayes: honied water may be giuen, wherein one or two handfuls of Hyssop haue beene boyled. Exercise & motion must be auoy∣ded, & rest permitted. His sleepe must be no longer then vsual∣ly it was wont to be. If swounding be caused by great paine, or labour, too much hunger, or of sore accidents of mind, he may sleepe longer. But a care ought to be had that a Phy∣sicion stand by, and obserue the patient in his sleeping and waking; for if while hee wake, his pulse, colour of his face, and breathing bee better or settled, his sleepe shall be broken: but those accidents being better while he sleepes, hee may continue sleeping; all perturbation of the mind must be auoy∣ded, and hee should giue himselfe vnto mirth.

Syrupe of Orange-peels,* 1.1 syr. Byzantinus. syr. of the iuyce of Pomegranates; syr. of Apples, Oxymel. simplex & Com∣positum. Oxy. saccharum Acetosus simplex. sirupes of Vio∣lets, Lemmons, Roses, Peaches, Quinces, the iuce of Endiue. de acetositate Citri, de pemis. Water of Borage, Buglosse, Violets, Roses, Sorrell. In a cold cause the former shall bee vsed, in hote the latter.

* 1.2If swounding be caused by plenty of blood, a veine shalbe opened. Manna, Agaricke, Cassia, Diaphaenicum, rhab. Pillul. Alephang. Tamarind. A gentle clyster. A vomit with hote wa∣ter, syr. Acetoso sinplici, common Oyle: when it is caused of slymy phlegme, or rotten humours inclosed in the stomacke, or when there is suspition of poyson, the vomit shalbe giuen the second time. Strong purgers are not here fit, neither is opening a veine.

* 1.3A veine shalbe opened. Frictions as well in the time of the fit, as out of it, from the shoulder downeward with a rough linnen cloth, and also the backe-bone shalbe so handled. The tongue shalbe rubd with Mithridate, and Triacle▪ Liga∣tures of the Armes & Legs, that the spirits thereby may be cal∣led to the outward parts, which before had taken sanctuary, euen the heart. Cupping-glasses, iniections of cold water, or Rose-water vpon the face, whereto some Vineger shalbe added, by this meanes also the spirits will come vnto the out∣ward parts. But this shal not be vsed, if the disease bee cau∣sed by loosnes of the belly, or by a cold cause: loud outcries and roarings must bee made about the patient; sneezing me∣dicines shalbe administred, if it be caused by a suffocation; or if it be caused by crushing of the Mouth, Nose, Fingers, and Hands. Frictions and Ligatures shall not bee vsed, if it be caused by too much euacuation: for then it is to be feared, that those spirits, which remaine about the heart, would bee brought out, and so dissolued. To these therefore rest is good, and at certaine times a draught of strong wine is good.

* 1.4Diamuscum dulce, Diambra, Triacle, Mithridate. Ele∣ctuarium de Gemmis, aromaticum Rosatum, diatrium pipe∣reon. Oyle of Chinamon, extracted by Cgimicall arte. syr. of Orange pilles, strong wine. An epitheme for the heart of Cloues, S••ffron, Cinamon, Muske, Lignum aloes, Am∣ber, Orange pilles, the water of Rosemary, Roses, Me∣lissae, Maioram, and sweet wine. An oyntment of the Oyles of Cammomill, Dill, white Lillies, the backe-bone and

limbs shalbe anoynted herewith. An odour of the wood Aloes, Orange-peels, Citrangle flowers, Amber, Muske, Vineger, the waters of Roses, Maioram, and Melissae. A quilt of Cloues, Cinnamon, Lignum aloes, Orange-peeles, dry Roses, Saffron, Muske, flower of Rosemary, Maioram, Melissae, Serpilli. An emplaister of Barley-flowers, the fruite of Palme Trees, Masticke; Aloes, Saffron, Wine. Syrupe of Lemmons, Saccharum rosarum, Violarum, Diamargaritum frigidum, Diatrion sandali, Conserue of Buglosse, Oxysac∣charum, Dìabuglossatum. A potion of the decoction of Wormwood. An epitheme for the heart; of the wood Aloes, sp. sandalorum, Saffron, the bone of the heart of a hart, Orange-peels, Muske, red Corrall, water of Roses, Sorrell, Bo∣rage, Melissae, strong wine: a quilt of the wood Aloes, Sandalis Amber, Saffron, Orange-peeles, flowers of Roses, Violets, Borage, Water-lillies, Melissophylli. An odour ex sandal. Orange-peels, Red-corrall, Vineger, Muske, the waters of Water-lillies, Roses, Myrtle. If the disease bee caused by a cold matter, they in the first may be giuen; if by a hote matter, they in the latter place are good. But epithemes and vnctions shal not be vsed vnder the left teate.

A more particular method seruing for the cure of SINCOPE or SWOVNDING.

℞ of the Roots of Angelica,* 1.5 Orange-peels ana ʒ vi. leaues of Maioram, Sorrell, Melissae, ana M i. flowers of Woodrowell, p i. of white and light agaricke ʒ iij, rab. ʒ ii, boyle these in water q. s. vnto lb i. adde to the strayning, Diacath. ʒ vii, Oyles of Roses, Lillies ana ℥ i ss. of Malmsey ℥ iiij.

℞ syr. of Orange-peels, Mellis rosati Colati,* 1.6 syr. Byzan∣tini, ana ℥ i. waters of Borage, Melissa, ana ℥ iiij, of sweet wine ℥ iij.

℞ syr. Ac••tosi ℥ i ss,* 1.7 of hote water ℥ vi. mixe these for a vomit.

* 1.8℞ Diaphaenic. ʒ vi. Cassia, ʒ v. the water of Borage, ℥ iii.

* 1.9℞ of the roots of Fennell, Parsely, ana ℥ i. of the roots of Angelica, ʒ iii, leaues of Melissa, the flowers of Borage, and Buglosse, ana M i. Orange pills, ℥ i. seeds of Annise, Licorice, ana ʒ v. of white and light Agaricke, ʒ ii. of Ginger, ʒ ss, rhab. ʒ i. of Nutmeg, Cinamon, ana ℈ ii. boyle these in water q. s. vn∣to lb i. adde to the strayning sirupe Byzantini, ℥ ii. of Orange pills, ℥ i. Diaphaenic. ʒ vii.

* 1.10℞ Diaphaenic. ℥ ss, Agaricitrochiscati. ʒ ss, rhab. Electi. ℈ i. of the decoction of the roots of Angelica, Maioram, Mellis∣sa, Orange pills, Nutmeg, ℥ iiii.

* 1.11℞ of Mithridate, ʒ i. of Triacle Andromachus, ʒ ss, sirupe of Orange pills, ℥ ss, water of Carduus benedictus, Melissa, An∣gelica, ana ℥ iii. Giue this the next day after the patient is pur∣ged. It is good also when as poyson is suspected to lurke in the body.

* 1.12℞ of Cassia, ʒ vi. Rhab. electi. Agarici trochiscati, ana ℈ ii. of Cinamon, gr. xii. sir. of Mints q. s.

* 1.13℞ Pillul. alephanginarum, ℈ ii. Agarici trochiscati, ℈ i. Rhab. electi. ℈ ss, sir. of the iuyce of Sorrell q. s. make 7. or 8. pills hereof.

* 1.14℞ Diambrae, Diamusci dulcis, ana ʒ ii. Sp. latificantis Gal. ʒ i. Aromatici rosati. Gal. ℈ iiii. sir. of Mints q. s. hereof the patient may take ʒ i. with ℥ iiii. of sweete wine, sixe houres before dinner.

* 1.15℞ Sp. latificantis Gal. electuarij de gemmis, ana ℈ i. ss, Aro∣matici rosati, Cinamon, Nutmeg, ana ℈i. Orange pills, ℈ i. ss, of Cloues, gr. xii. Giue this with broth, or any other nutri∣ments.

* 1.16℞ of Orange pills, ℥ i. of Nutmeg, ʒ i. ss, of Cloues, Cina∣mon, ana ʒ i. infuse these for the space of 24, houres in Malm∣sey▪ lb i. then strayne it forth, and adde to the strayning of the finest Sugar q. s. drinke one draught hereof at dinner and supper.

℞ Sp. Diamusci dulcis, ʒ ss, Plirisarcotici,* 1.17 ℈ i. Electuarij de gemmis, Cloues, Orange pills, ana ℈ ss, of the finest Sugar, dissolued in the water of Mints q. s. Giue of these often in one day.

℞ of Orange-pills, Cinamon, Nutmeg, ana ʒ i. of Ma∣sticke, Cloues, ana ʒ ss, of the best Mithridate, ʒ i. ss,* 1.18 E∣lectuarij de gemmis, ℈ ii. Conserue of Buglosse ℥ i, con∣serue of Rosemary-flowers, ℥ ss, syrupe of sweete Apples q. s.

℞ of Cloues, Cinnamon, ana, ℈ii. of the bone of the heart of a Hart, ʒ i. Orange-peels, Ligni Aloes,* 1.19 ana ℥ i. of Roses, M i. Sp. Electuarij laetificantis Gal. ʒ ii. of Muske, Saffron, ana gr. iii. of sweete Wine, ℥ vi. the waters of Baulme, Carduus benedictus, Maioram, Buglosse, Malmsey, ana ℥ iiii. make of these an Epitheme for the region of the heart.

℞ Oyle of Cammomile, white Lillies ana ʒ iii. Electuarii de gemmis, Orange-peels, ana ℈ ss, Cinnamon water ʒ i.ss,* 1.20 a little quantity of Waxe, and vse it about the region of the heart.

℞ Ligni aloes, Cinnamon, Cloues, Orange-peeles,* 1.21 ana ʒ i. of Saffron, gr. xii. flowers of Roses, ℈ ii. of Rosemary, Baulme, Maioram, ana ʒ ss, after the heart hath beene anoyn∣ted with the former oyntment, then this shall bee applyed to the same place. It must bee layd hot thereto, and sometimes be moystned with strong wine.

℞ oyles of Nutmeg, Masticke, Lillies,* 1.22 ana ʒ iii. of Cammo∣mile, ℥ ss. of Cinnamon, Cloues, ana ℈ ss, anoynt the backe∣bone herewith.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Preparers.
• * 1.2

  Emptiers.
• * 1.3

  Auerters.
• * 1.4

  Strength∣ners.
• * 1.5

  A Clyster.
• * 1.6

  A Iulep.
• * 1.7

  A vomit.
• * 1.8

  A draught.
• * 1.9

  A Potion.
• * 1.10

  A draught.
• * 1.11

  Another.
• * 1.12

  Bolus.
• * 1.13

  Pills.
• * 1.14

  An Elec∣tuary.
• * 1.15

  A powder.
• * 1.16

  A draught.
• * 1.17

  Lozenges.
• * 1.18

  An Elec∣tuary.
• * 1.19

  An Epi∣theme.
• * 1.20

  A Oynt∣ment.
• * 1.21

  A Quilt.
• * 1.22

  An Oynt∣ment.