An ornate woodcut headpiece features elaborate acanthus leaf scrolls, flowers, and two central figures with human torsos and foliage-like lower bodies.

TO THE NOBLE,

GRAVE AND PRU-

DENT MEN

and to the Lords, the Consuls and Senators of the illustrious

Republic and Imperial city of Ratisbon Regensburg, their

dutifully honored Lords,

ANDREAS LIBAVIUS, M.D.

AND POET, WISHES

highest happiness.

A large historiated woodcut initial 'M' contains a skeletal figure, likely representing death or anatomical study, set against a background of floral motifs.

MEDICINE is indeed a most
illustrious and excellent art, but because of the ignorance of those by whom it is practiced, and on account of the rudeness of the common people and their sinister judgment—while it regards such as these as Physicians, and honors with medical science and status anyone who comes along with a little herb and the empty clamor of words about its powers—it is considered by far the vilest and most abject of all arts, O most Noble Consuls and Senators.