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.
Syrup of Bugloss
Syrup of Fumitory          ½ oz.
Bugloss water
Fumitory water
Violet water                     4 oz.
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.
Borage flower
Violet
Dodder                             1½ handfuls.
Hops
Fumitory                           1 handful
Annis                                 ½ oz.
Raisins stoned
Barley                                1 oz.
Licorice                             3 drams
Tamarisk bark                  ½ oz.
Senna leaf                        1½ 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      1½ 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 each
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              1½ drams
Dianthos
Diambrae                          2 scruple
With Sugar dissolved in Violet and Bugloss water, form an Electuary.

9. SYRUP TO PROMOTE REST
Syrup of Poppy              1½ oz.
Syrup of Violet                  ½ oz.
Violet Water
Lettuce water                   1½ oz. each
Form syrup. To promote sleep.

Treatment of Melancholy from Praxis Medicinae Theorica et Empirica