PRÆFATIO.

then the defect is in his own sense.

We indeed prove a matter clearly perceived from the vision of the craftsman. Even if we do not discern the change of appearance that occurs in the hands of some juggler or illusionist, either because of speed or some other reason, we still see what he holds in his hands; and if he performs the circles more slowly, he will not deceive the one whom he otherwise deceives by his glance. And indeed, we are singularly carried away into admiration of ourselves by what Architecture fashions, what Painting represents, what Sculpture creates, while it builds such magnificent works that Nature never produced by her own forces. But if we examine those things which Medicine provides to Man, by what an interval does it leave behind all things produced by other Arts and Sciences? For if the human mind is not granted sufficiency to fix its gaze—even as if through a dream of a shadow—upon that power of God by which He ordered Nature to place no more work into this conglomeration of the Universe than in the production of Hyssop that grows out of a wall, as the Wise maintain, what is there that cannot be conceived by the mind regarding the excellence of Medicine? It proceeds so far that it is, I will not say a helper of Nature, but sometimes the primary architect. How of-