Disputationes chymico-medicae

A decorative initial letter 'A' showing scrolling floral patterns.
Chemistry has therefore flourished from all antiquity. It is an honor of the highest eminence that it was invented by the genius of the wise, cultivated by the zeal of Kings and Princes, and most studiously included among the number of the liberal sciences. However much in later ages it was obscured by darkness deeper than that of the Cimmerians, it no doubt suffered God himself as a most sharp avenger on account of the perverse ingratitude of an unclean world. Thus, those who feel that Chemistry once lay hidden for a time for no other reason, or was held in no desire or very little desire in the divinely blinded minds of men, seem to me not to have judged poorly. At a destined time, it would in turn glide back into sight and favor with other nations who are less inclined away from the norm of piety and right action.

Indeed, after it happened by divine providence that barbarian and rustic Germany was breathed upon by the most kind breeze of divine mercy in the ancient ages of our fathers, along with the highest peak of the Roman Empire, the illustrious teachings of all the liberal arts also began to be sown here and there through the same land. Therefore, this art of ours could no longer be hidden. But because of the small sparks of both truth and immense delight and the highest utility, leaping forth from the embers of antiquity into the day of fatal production, it came into admiration again, was cultivated, and made remarkable progress.

For it could not contain itself only within the enclosures and hiding places of the monks, who pursued this philosophy very studiously, but it broke through the walls of the monasteries and fixed its seat far and wide in the circle of those who heal. It will never desert its post, which it has undertaken with great constancy of fidelity among almost the entire Asclepiadeam gentem the family of Asclepius, or physicians for its supreme necessity and utility to the human race.

And do we still doubt whether to grant the merited honors—nay, the highest peaks of dignity, I say—to that art without whose protection Medicine possesses either no majesty or a plainly thin one? And do we still doubt whether to lift this art higher, though it is still somewhat damp with the mud of the unjust common folk, and place it in precious halls, supported by a gentle arm among the purple-clad Faculties of the Universities?

But what am I doing? Why do I torture myself with these empty complaints and vain anxiety? Why do I further provoke your minds, AUDITORS, with the despairing wail of grievances? A remedy has been found for this disease; a cure is prepared. It has been received, it has been received, I say, under the auspices of the Most Illustrious and Mighty Prince MAURICE, FATHER OF THE COUNTRY, our most kind Provider.