Disputationes chymico-medicae

Into the throne of his own Hessian territory, by a new and plainly fresh example throughout the entire world, Chemistry has been introduced. It was done by a most wise counsel so that, from the clearest fountains of Hermetic and Hippocratic Philosophy, CHYMIATRIA chemical medicine may hereafter be taught, practiced, and publicly discussed as much as is right.

What should I now commemorate? In what words shall I explain how glorious and memorable this thing will be when it is spread among foreign nations and praised by posterity? That MAURICE, LANDGRAVE OF HESSE, a Prince most illustrious in the course of all praises and proclamations, whose fame for virtue and erudition has reached all corners of the world, so greatly loved the increases of true MEDICINE that he made a place for teaching and learning CHYMIATRIA in the most flourishing and uniquely beloved UNIVERSITY OF MARBURG.

Indeed, it was not enough for him a few years ago to have procured with most pious and great religious fervor and zeal, and with untiring study, that the uncorrupted waters of the divine word be studiously offered to the people from the pulpits and to the youth purely and sincerely from the Theological chairs. But having laid so well and so properly the foundation of piety and orthodox religion, he did not think he should rest until, in the previous year, he reformed this UNIVERSITY according to the legitimate example of the German form. Having reformed it, he restored it; having restored it, he enriched it most amply, so that nothing has been lacking until now concerning the praises of the University produced by the industry and labor of Philosophers, Physicians, Lawyers, and Theologians—contrary to what some, hindered by the spite of some impiety, were not a little wishing and hoping for.

Therefore, while he clearly sees and wisely understands that all moments must be directed toward the norm of right information, and that the goals of individual arts and Faculties must turn upon the accurate and perfect power of action: just as he did for the other disciplines, so he seriously advised

that the Medical schools be established according to certain formulas of lectures and exercises. He advised that it is not so much permitted to be occupied with thorny altercations about precepts as it is to be busy in the meditation and execution of the Physician's work.

Therefore, he willed this path of this genuine medical profession—this Xystum exercise ground or porch—to be opened and to flourish, so that besides the ordinary works of Lectures and Disputations, Students of Medicine might not only philosophize about herbs, plants, and various kinds of simples medicinal plants. Sometimes, imitating the most flourishing spirit of nature, they are to be led by Physicians into the meadows, gardens, and forests; or many times they are to be exercised in the dissecting of bodies. But they should also be instructed in Hermetic Philosophy—which is the searcher and discoverer of the secrets lying hidden in mixtures chemical compounds for the purpose of healing well—as much as anyone can grasp by his genius. And finally, they should become participants in the counsel, the medicine, and the entire reasoning used for treating the sick.

O thing of incredible magnitude, unusual by the vice of the times, unheard of in previous memory, most worthy of YOU, MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE, as its Prince and Author. Students of Philosophy and Medicine everywhere among the nations will emulously raise your name to the stars. You will be proclaimed far and wide in the speeches and praises of many. No posterity will ever be silent about this noble deed of yours; no antiquity will abolish it.

Hear therefore, you most learned flock of scholars through all corners of the whole world; Hear, Germans, French, British, Poles, Italians; hear all peoples who greatly desire yourselves and your children to be most well-instructed in the science of healing perfectly and successfully: hear, I say, that in the UNIVERSITY OF MARBURG, the instruction and exercise of Hippocratic and Hermetic Medicine—that is, to say it in one word, CHYMIATRIA—under the auspices of the Most Illustrious Prince of Hesse, MAURICE, shall hereafter be not only free from blame and error, but by the help of the divine power, it shall be not unsuccessful in praise and commendation. And this I predict, accept, and confirm, and moreover I wish it to be continuous and perpetual into the infinite ages of the time to come.