Archidoxa ex Theophrastia : Pars I

...and thus send the sick person away in a more wretched state than when they received him. Indeed, they have little knowledge to distinguish between leprosy leprosy original: "außsatz" and what is not leprosy. For they have often judged someone to be a leper and advised that he be cast out of the house Historically, those diagnosed with leprosy were legally and socially "cast out" to live in isolation in leper houses., who afterwards became healthy on his own while outside and returned to the community. From this, the lack of foundation in their judgment is visible; for no true leprosy goes away on its own, just as it does not yield to their medicine, as they themselves admit.

In the case of Gout Gout original: "Gutta" — in this context, a broad category of diseases involving "dropping" or "flowing" humors, often associated with joint pain or skin conditions. and its various types, if they did not have amber oil amber oil original: "augstain öll" — "Augstein" is an archaic German word for amber; its distilled oil was a prized alchemical remedy., they would be deprived of all help. And even with this, the majority are left uncured because these doctors are deprived of other secret remedies original: "haimligkaiten" that also belong to this treatment.

Regarding dropsy dropsy original: "wassersuchten" — a historical term for edema, or the swelling caused by excess fluid in the body's tissues., it is a mockery to report how they behave. For first, when someone is not yet swollen—even if the underlying cause and suffering of dropsy are present—they say he is not dropsical. But afterwards, as soon as the swelling is visible before their eyes, they declare the case hopeless, and then neither Euphorbium Euphorbium A potent resin from the spurge plant used as a violent purgative., nor Sagapenum Sagapenum A bitter resin from a species of Ferula, used in ancient and medieval medicine., nor Colocynth Colloquint Also known as "bitter apple," a powerful laxative., nor Scammony Scamonea, nor Spurge Esula, nor elder bark elder bark original: "holder rinden" helps. Thus the sick person The original "franck" is likely a printer's error for "kranck" (sick person). dies without help, which is truly a pity and should be prevented.

On the other hand, Theophrastus Referring to the author, Paracelsus (Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim). equips the true physicians against all these mentioned diseases and their like, so that they can stand firm in the light of nature light of nature original: "liecht der natur" — a central Paracelsian concept referring to the innate wisdom and healing power found in the natural world, accessible through observation and alchemy. and before their patients, having testimony of their knowledge from both. For against the Plague original: "Pestem", they have a preventative in Sulphur Sulphur and Mummy Mummy original: "Mummia" — an alchemical substance often derived from bituminous materials or preserved remains, believed to contain vital life forces.. The cure consists of expelling the poison through the Fifth Essence of Gold Fifth Essence of Gold original: "Quintam Essenciam auri" — an alchemical preparation of "potable gold," considered a supreme medicine. and drawing it out through an attractive plaster attractive plaster original: "Attractiuisch pflaster" — a medicinal patch designed to "draw out" toxins to the skin's surface.. Against Syphilis original: "Frantzosen," literally "the French disease.", they have the Mercurial Laudanum Mercurial Laudanum original: "Laudanum Mercuriale" — here meaning a "praiseworthy" alchemical preparation of mercury, rather than the opium-based laudanum of later centuries....