Theses medicae de medicamentis stomachicis, quae ventriculi medentur imbecillitatib

Small ornamental initial M at the beginning of the first paragraph.

1. There are various differences of medicines, but the most illustrious are those which are taken either from their effects, because they are calefacient, diuretic, or anodyne; or from the affections, such as dysenteric, hydropic; or from the affected parts, such as cephalic, ophthalmic, stomachic, errhine, or stomachic.

2. From such a forest of medicines, let us select one tree, which is inferior to none in its frequency, if not in its height, and let us treat of stomachic medicines.

3. They are so called because they remedy the stomach properly, that is to say, the orifice of the ventricle, which is termed καρδία [cardia], where the source and fountainhead of most serious diseases is found: the Latins call it the Gullet, the passage for solid and liquid foods, and the Greeks οἰσόφαγον [esophagus].

4. Yet, those are commonly called stomachics which remedy the weaknesses of the ventricle, which is more often understood by the appellation of the stomach: therefore, our discourse will be primarily about these.

5. These remedy [ailments] by the contrariety which they possess against that which harms the ventricle, whether as a cause, as a disease, or as a symptom, from which various indications are presented to the dogmatic physician.

6. Furthermore, for the investigation of the causes which inflict harm upon the faculties, it contributes a great deal to have known the ἐνεργείαν [energy/activity] of the part, as well as its figure, position, εὐαισθίαν [sensitivity] and δυσαισθησίαν [insensitivity], and to have learned the rest from anatomy. For by the consideration of these, the form, use, and powers of medicines vary.

7. But here I shall treat only of the εὐστομαχία [good stomach function] of the Ventricle, which, since it holds the public office of nutrition, possesses twin natural faculties; each one of these, when offended, hinders its actions in a threefold manner, in that they act either not at all, or sluggishly, or depravedly.

8. Its action is called χύλωσις [chylosis], by which food and drink consumed are changed into a juice familiar to nature, which is whitish, and which is subsequently turned by the Liver or the veins into blood through further concoction, and then at last, together with the Ventricle, it nourishes the whole body.

9. Two things concur in this work: the confection of the chyle, or its conversion into a cream, which is not true concoction. Next, the impression of a new quality, by which the consumed substances acquire a quality and substance apt and suited for nourishing the animal; this proceeds from a peculiar virtue and the innate property of the substance of the Ventricle itself.

10. This is perfected by means of a good crasis, with the help of the spirits, and a close composition.

11. The instrument is heat, not merely an influencing heat, existing as the common organ of all actions, but rather a heat which is implanted and ἀρχέγονον [primordial]. For the efficient cause of every concoction is φυσικὸν καὶ οἰκεῖον [natural and proper].