Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 314.5

LEONARDO FIORAVANTI (1518-1588) The Excellencie of physick and chirurgerie, collected out of approved Practices, and learned observations of many expert men in both Faculties. Printed by G. Dawson, and are to be sold by William Nealand, at his shop at the sign of the crown in Duck-lane. 1652 1st edition in English. [8], 16, [2], 180, [2], 106, [10], 92 [i.e. 72], [12], 75, [1] p. 19 cm.

For more information on this author or work, see number: 312

Fioravanti is a fascinating figure on the darkened fringes of the emerging medical world of the second half of the 16th century. Divided into four parts – the first three of which are from Firoavanti – the present work offers numerous case studies of disease and recipes for their cures in the tradition of harnessing, rather than opposing, nature pioneered by Paracelsus. “Rational Secrets” describes the causes, symptoms, and remedies for ailments as diverse as gout, toothache, and canker sores. A mixture of strained pears and honey, for example, is good for stomach and intestinal pains. The third work is a collection of cases, presumably collected by our English translator, in which the remedies of Fioravanti and others were applied with success. Some of these cases have an English context, such as the woman from Bedford cured of three ulcers in her leg, or the London man healed of fistulae in the breast.

See Related Record(s): 313 314 314.3 314.4 314.6

Cited references: Osler 2593; Wellcome III p.27; Cushing F151; NLM 17th c. #4079

John Martin M.D. Endowment