Rueff's name was variously written Ruff, Rüff, Ruoff and Ryff, and he should not be confused with Walter Reiff, who plagiarized Rösslin. Born in the Rheintal in 1500, he is noted as living in Zurich in 1525, where he acquired a reputation as a "Steinschnyder." He was a physician, surgeon, author and preacher all combined, and was well thought of by his contemporaries. Conrad Gesner refers to him as "Vir in arte sua peritissimus," most skilled in his art. Apart from his medical writings, he wrote verse and several plays, including a couple of comedies and a play based on the story of Wilhelm Tell. After the manner of his day, he dabbled in astronomy and astrology. In 1532, he was made Stadtarzt in Zurich. He died in 1558.
His medical writings include: "Ein schön lustig Tröstbüchle von den empfengnussen und geburten der menschen, und jren vilfaltigen zufälen und verhindernussen,