Dedicatory Epistle

was raging most fiercely. And although you consulted very many most excellent Physicians, you could be released from that disease by the help of none of them; although those men, most prudent in affairs, passed over nothing which belonged to the art of medicine. At last, it pleased you to experience what the industry of your Champier Latin: Campegius; the author refers to himself in the third person might avail in that matter. Having been summoned, I therefore betook myself to you: I found you surrounded by a circle of Physicians who were by no means of the common sort. With them, we investigated the hidden causes of this disease; and therein we consumed one or two hours (with many words exchanged back and forth).

But that more lingering disease, whose roots could not be so easily plucked out, delayed us there for several days. And since we considered that something should always be done, while others wore away the time with unlearned stories, and others played at Latrunculi A strategy board game similar to chess or draughts played in Ancient Rome and the Renaissance for the sake of their spirits, I preferred, according to my custom, to revolve something concerning our studies in my mind: which, afterwards committed to letters, might go forth for the common utility of students. And so, at that time, we undertook a serious commentary; and it seemed best to us in the first place

The errors of the Barbarians in medicines.

to uncover the errors of the Arabs, the Carthaginians, and the Mohamedans The author uses "Barbarians" to refer to non-Greek/Latin medical authorities, specifically those from the Islamic Golden Age like Avicenna or Rhazes in Medicines: which...