To the Reader.

Why Theophrastus’s method of healing original: modus medendi has been suppressed and neglected by the majority of physicians until now is due to several reasons, not the least of which is that his best books are not yet known to everyone, having been withheld by his disciples original: Discipulis — his students or followers until this time. For this reason, the foundation of Paracelsian teaching has taken root in only a few; the majority follow Theophrastus only in appearance. Likewise, Theophrastus's adversaries criticize and reject him only in appearance and not in truth, since the fundamental teachings of Theophrastus are not known to them in the slightest.

However, so that Theophrastus may be given the honor which he attained in the light of nature The "Light of Nature" (Lumen Naturae) is a core Paracelsian concept, referring to the divine wisdom hidden within the natural world that a physician must learn to read through observation and alchemy., and that he may no longer be so disparaged, necessity demands that his primary books come to light. From these, everyone may recognize that in his philosophical and medical writings, he built firmly and securely upon the foundation of nature, and did not fall into this or that opinion through thoughtlessness or doubt.

It is nonetheless true that the books previously published are excellently and thoroughly written, and are no less in accordance with nature than those that were withheld. This is especially true of On the Causes and Origin of Diseases original: de causis & origine morborum, both versions of On Tartar original: de Tartaro — Paracelsus’s influential theory that diseases like gout and stones are caused by "tartaric" precipitates in the body, similar to the deposits in wine casks. in Latin and German, The Great Surgery original: die grosse wundartzney, the Latin On Long Life original: de vita longa, the book On Dosages original: de Dosibus, and all the others which bear witness to his perfect teaching. However, because almost everyone complains of the obscurity and difficulty which Theophrastus used therein—either by diligence or by his innate nature—it is useful and good that those works which somewhat clarify the meaning of the aforementioned also come forward, such as those we have printed together here and brought to light for the benefit of everyone. For few medicines are found—