An exact collection of the choicest and more rare experiments and secrets in physick and chyrurgery (both cymick and Galenick) viz. of Leonard Phioravant, Knight and doctour in physick and chyrurgery, his Rational secrets and chyrurgery &c. : whereunto is annexed Paracelsus's One hundred and fourteen experiments : with certain excellent works of G.B. áa ortu Aquitano ; also Isaac Holandus, his secrets concerning his vegetal and animal work : with Quercetanus his Spagyrick antidotary for gun-shot : also certain collections out of some manuscripts of Dr. Edwards and other physitians of note ...

CHAP. XLI. A Discourse upon the Sciatica, and his remedie.

THe Sciatica is so called, because it is upon the bone which is called Scio, and of that it taketh the name Sciatica, the which is caused of an evill qualitie in the Stomack and Liver, the which you may see by the cure; for if ye cure the Stomack, and help the Liver, the Sciatica will cease, and by this means thou mayest see whether I say the truth or no. See∣ing then that the Sciatica is caused as is said before, ye shall understand that it is so caused, by reason that the stomack can∣not well digest that which it should, and so it causeth crude and undigested humours, of the which Nature would be discharged, he casteth them forth of the stomack, and having no other way to come forth of the Stomack but by the ordinary waies, they doe passe, and of force they must passe by those powers that passe by the Liver, and so the Liver which is able both to resolve the good and the evill qualitie, remaineth still infected of that indisposi∣tion, and not being able to digest them according unto the order of Nature, they ingross and become maligne, and then Nature the which with all industrie would discharge himself of that burthen, sending them to the higher parts, sendeth them downwards, and when they come unto Scio, where they must passe with difficultie by certain small muscles, they in∣grosse in that place, and cause inflamation and pain, the

which Inflamation or swelling, after the bodie is well purged, is resolved with Vesicatores Ventosos, and attractive Cerots and such like things. Also attractive Glisters are most whol∣some, because they discharge the humour in the lower parts, and comfort the Sciatica. Neverthelesse, ye shall understand that there are certain and true appropriate Medicines to re∣solve it with brevity, the which are these that follow. First, when the Patient is in most extream pain, let him blood un∣der the tongue, the which is such a singular remedie, that it causeth the world to wonder thereat: after that purge him with our Soluble Sirrup, six or seven daies, that being done, take away the water which causeth the pain, then comfort the Patient with the Oil that is separated from the flower of flowers, and distilled in a Retort, then all this being done, the Patient shall remain helped to thy great honour. And there∣fore he that will cure the Sciatica, it were necessary that hee consider well of the nature and qualitie of the infirmitie, and when they are satisfied to be the Sciatica, in that case cure them according to this our Order, the which by the grace of God, and vertue of these Medicines, they shall remain helped of that indisposition, for this is a great Secret.