De podagra et podagricorum curatione doctrina

141. However, where the ailment is more stubborn, one may use, with advice, phoenigms rubefacients that redden the skin, cauteries, and fontanels small surgical drains.
142. Finally, an empirical method of curing is done with simple substances.
143. Simples, whose virtue is more hidden, are helpful either when ingested or applied externally.
144. Of the former type are crushed bones given as a drink, and also the cremated and ground head of a kite a bird of prey.
145. The stork is so beneficial that whoever eats it once a year, at the beginning of spring, either roasted or boiled, becomes immune to gout for that year.
146. Among those to be applied, it has been observed that the skin of a dogfish or a torpedo electric ray is beneficial when applied.
147. Distilled water from stork chicks, when smeared on, has restored many who were contracted and lame.
148. The same can be done with the excrement of storks taken from the nest while they still have chicks, and applied with old lard.
149. Sextus Pompeius was once cured by placing his feet in a heap of wheat.