TREATMENT OF SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

The Treatment of Melancholy

from Praxis Medicinae Theorica et Empirica, 1585

This text is interesting as it deals with the treatment of disease, but the whole text is set out in Table form. Each disease lists Preparers, Purges (where applicable) and Strengtheners (tonic medicines) used in the treatment of the disease. In some cases, other classes are added, such as ‘Diverters’, which are used to divert a humor away from an organ or ‘Noble’ part in some diseases. He then list some Empirical formulas, found useful in the treatment of the Disease.

Prepare

Syrups: Borage juice, Bugloss juice, Violet, Fumitory, Hops, Licorice
Compound Syrups of: Dodder, of Apples, of Quinces, of Bugloss
Oxymel Simplex
Waters of: Bugloss, Hops, Fumitory, Chicory, Balm
Decoctions of: Fennel root, Parsley root, Capers root bark, Licorice, Tamarisk bark, Thyme, Fumitory, Borage flower, Bugloss flower, Violet, Raisins

Purge

Decoctions: Polypody, Senna, Myrobalan, Diasenna,
Dodder water with Senna infused
Diasenna, Indian Pills, Pills of Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Armenius, Polypody, Dodder, Senna, Chebulic Myrobalan, Black Myrobalan, Hellebore

Divert

Enemas of: Annis, Fennel seed, Safflower seed, Hops, Thyme, Dodder, Mallow, Fumitory, Bugloss, Polypody, Senna to which add Confectio Hamech, Diacatholicum, Hiera Logadii, Cassia, Violet oil, Sweet Almond oil
Friction of the Extremities
Masticatories; Sternutories
Open the Hemorrhoid veins

Strengthen

Electuary: Letificans, of Gems, Diamargariton Frigidum, Dianthos
Pleres Arconticon, Diagalanga, Diacuminum, Diaborraginatum
Syrup of Quince, of Apples
Conserves of Borage, Bugloss, Violet, Rose, Fumitory; Citron peel condited, Elecampane condited
Sugar of Violets, of Rose; Manus Christi

Noble Empirical Formulas for Melancholy

1. A POTION:
    Syrup of Dodder
    Syrup of Apples
    Syrup of Violet                  1 oz. ea.
    Syrup of Bugloss
    Syrup of Fumitory            ½ oz. ea.
    Bugloss water
    Fumitory water
    Violet water                        4 oz. ea.
Form a Syrup.
2. INFUSION
    Annis                                    3 drams
    Senna leaf                           1 ½ oz.
    Dodder                                 ½ oz.
    Damask Prunes                  10
Beat, then macerate in Whey qs.
3. A POTION
    Fennel root                          1 ½ oz. ea.
    Borage flower
    Violet
    Dodder                                1 ½ handfuls ea..
    Hops
    Fumitory                               1 handful ea.
    Annis                                     ½ oz.
    Raisins stoned
    Barley                                    1 oz. ea.
    Licorice                                3 drams
    Tamarisk bark                    ½ oz.
    Senna leaf                            1 ½ oz.
    Rhubarb
    Black Myrobalan                2 drams
    Polypody                              10 drams
Decoct down to 1 ½ lbs. Strain, add Syrup of Dodder, Syrup of Fumitory of each 1 ½ oz. Form a Potion.
4. ELECTUARY
    Conserve of Violet
    Conserve of Bugloss           1 ½ oz.
    Letificans Galeni                  2 scruple
    Dianthos
    Diamoschu dulce
    Electuary of Gems               2 drams
    Diamargariton Frigidum      1 ½ drams
    Syrup of Violet
    Syrup of Apples                    qs
Form an Electuary. Dose: 1 dram
5. ANOTHER ELECTUARY
    Letificans Galeni                   ½ oz.
    Confected Citron peel        3 drams
    Sugar of Violets
    Sugar of Rose                        ½ oz.
    Syrup of Borage juice          qs
Form an Electuary.
6. POWDER
    Pleres Arconticon
    Letificans Galeni                    2 drams ea.
Take 1 dram in wine.
7. CONFECTION
    Conserve of Bugloss            1½ oz.
    Letificans Galeni                    1 scruple
    Diarrhodon Abbatis
    Citron seed
    Cinnamon                               ½ scruple
Form a Confect.
8. ELECTUARY OF GEMS
    Powder of Gems                    1 ½ drams
    Dianthos
    Diambrae                                2 scruple
With Sugar dissolved in Violet and Bugloss water, form an Electuary.
9. SYRUP TO PROMOTE REST
    Syrup of Poppy                      1 ½ oz.
    Syrup of Violet                       ½ oz.
    Violet Water
    Lettuce water                        1 ½ oz. each
Form syrup. To promote sleep.