A horizontal woodcut ornament shows two reclining cherubs or putti nestled among scrolling vines and fruit.

JOHANN HARTMANN,

PROFESSOR OF CHYMIATRY,

that is,

of Hippocratic and Hermetic

MEDICINE

To his most eager Students,

his most pleasant disciples, both past and future, and to his

most cherished friends, sends greetings.

A large decorative initial letter A is set within an architectural frame containing a seated figure.

It is now the fifth year since the most Illustrious Prince and Lord, Maurice, Landgrave of Hesse Maurice the Learned, 1572 to 1632, a great patron of the arts and sciences, our most merciful nourisher and patron, wished for me to be the public interpreter of Chymiatriæ Iatrochemistry or chemical medicine—which is to say, both Hippocratic and Hermetic medicine—in his Academy. This followed the full seventeen years I spent fulfilling the Professorship of Mathematics. In this new duty, I considered with what faith and integrity I must conduct myself, and with what alacrity I should proceed. Right from the beginning, I set forth my work "The Philosopher, or the Physician as a Consultant of Nature,"