MEDICORVM.

mutation of the present vicious affection into a natural habit. And since these affections are contrary, it is necessary that the translation of one into the other occurs through contraries. And thus again there will be only one most general indication of cures, namely contrariety. This is Galen. But Galen seems to be deservedly reproached by Paracelsus because he defines all remedies by mixture and temperament, while neglecting the form itself: of which, however, compelled by the truth itself, he is forced to make mention in many places. And they say it is not a wonder that Galen erred in temperaments and qualities: namely in hot, cold, moist, and dry: as he considered in many places that the human soul is nothing other than a temperament. I do not see what could be imagined as more absurd than this opinion. Rightly, therefore, Paracelsus (they say) says that hot, cold, moist, and dry, or the four elements as they are called, are like the matrices of things, in which, through that great, true, and living Anatomy, proper remedies are