Enchiridion medicum: containing the causes, signs, and cures of all those diseases, that do chiefly affect the body of man: divided into three books. With alphabetical tables of such matters as are therein contained. Whereunto is added a treatise, De facultatibus medicamentorum compositorum, & dosibus. / By Robert Bayfield.

CHAP. XXVI.

SYNCOPE, * 1.1 is a sudden, and swift fayling of the strength, and it is a terrible symptom, because it is the image of death, for both na∣tural,

animal, and vital, chiefly do fail, from hence it happeneth, that there is no pulse, nor respiration, sence, and motion is abolished. The face is wan and pale, the extream parts are chill, and moyst, with a faint sweat.

For the cause, * 1.2 it may come by immoderate watchings, anger, sorrow, great cares, suddain fears, intollerable pain, acute fevers, immode∣rate emptinesse, famine, sweats, labours, vomi∣tings, exceeding fluxes, losse of blood, a sod∣dain emptying of water, as in the dropsie; of∣tentimes it proceedeth from abundance of grosse, cruid, rotten sharp, and biting humours, which do daily check, and as it were fill the mouth of the stomack in such sort, that the pas∣sages of the spirits are obstructed, that their motion is intercepted, even as it is when respira∣tion is let and hindred, as it is when abundance of humours are concluded in the passages of the lungs, that the sick cannot draw in ayre, to serve for the cooling of the heart.

For the cure, * 1.3 it is according to the diversity of causes, Galen in every swounding doth com∣mend wine, which otherwise in burning fevers is dangerous, nevertheless it may be used sparing∣ly, in time of intermissions, so it be diluted with Buglosse, Borage, and such like. Odors, and sweet smells, do comfort very much, except choaking of the mother be the cause, then sweet odors must be received underneath, and to the nostrils apply things that be foetid and stinking, as Castoreum, Assafoetida, and burnt haire; besides, we cause sternutation, * 1.4 which if the patient cannot do, it is a most manifest sign

of death: If it proceeds from poyson, if we know the venim, we administer the proper an∣tidote, if not, we give treakle, or methridate.

If Cardialgia, * 1.5 and Stomachica, do follow the syncope, then we take a toste of bread, moyste∣ned in wine, and scatter on it the powder of Nutmegs, and Cloves, and so apply it to the stomach, but not upon the heart, and this is to be observed, that nothing repaires the spirits so soon as wine, because it is vaporous, and hath a great affinity with the the spirits: but some will say, why do they sprinkle cold water on the face. I answer, because that the heat and the spi∣rits flying outwards, may be driven and turned back, from their circumference unto their Cen∣ter, yet cold water must not be used in the syn∣cope of a flux; * 1.6 for thereby the flux will be in∣creased, but rather use new Treakle; for Galen affirmeth it stayeth all super-purgations and fluxes: if it hapneth through immoderate sweats, then we sprinkle the face with Rose-wa∣ter campherated, * 1.7 and rub the body with cold linnen, and anoint it with oyle of Roses.

If it cometh through inanition, or emptiness, as immoderate watching, much venery, famin, and two much exercise or violent motion: then sprinkle the face with wine, and let them smell to mint-water, and administer some cordial Electuary, * 1.8 as you shall think proper, re∣membring you put in new Treakle or Me∣thridate.

If it be caused through vomiting, use fri∣ctions below, if through a flux use frictions above: and wine is most proper in the syncope,

coming of emptinesse; * 1.9 Ranzovius doth much commend this water following, affirming that by the continual use of it, one lived to the age of 129. yeares.

℞. Cinnamomi electi, cubebarum, galangae, * 1.10 cary∣ophyllorum, nucis moschatae, zingiberis ana ℥.iij. Salviae lb.j.℥.ij Haec omnia macera in duabus lb. & ℥.4. aquae vitae cpt. & circu∣latae, & distilla.

I have oftentimes given a quarter of a spoon∣full of this cordial following, (to such as have been taken with great swounings) with won∣derful successe.

℞. Aquae mariae, syrrupus è succo lujulae, ana ℥.j. misce.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.2

  Causa.
• * 1.3

  Curatio. Vinum. Galenus.
• * 1.4

  Sternuta∣mentum.
• * 1.5

  Cardial. & stomachica. Medica∣mentum.
• * 1.6

  Theria••a. Galenus.
• * 1.7

  Ol••r••s••••um.
• * 1.8

  Electuari∣um cord.
• * 1.9

  Ranzovius
• * 1.10

  Aqua vitae.