Disputationes chymico-medicae

THE PHILOSOPHER, OR THE PHYSICIAN CONSULTED BY NATURE.

...of others. Envy cannot bear the successes of those emerging alongside it; but to envy and at the same time to damn with ruinous infection that which you have not understood cannot help but smell of the ulcerous lineage of the most shameful vices. To the filthily restless, even the most upright things seem filthy. But it is well with that Republic in which rewards and punishments are distributed to the worthy in the most equal scales. For thus the innocence of those who think rightly can claim itself from the diseases of the wicked with the most just tranquility. Thus, studies flourish among themselves with pleasant commerce, and, linked as if in a chain by mutual works, they are most happily propagated to all posterity.

Since all these things are so, and yet it has not been properly explored what each person in today's century ought to choose, do, or follow concerning the correct undertaking and practice of Medicine amidst such perversity of dissenters, allow me, LISTENERS, to draw this pole from the deepest ocean of Medical matters. Allow me to fix the the constellations of the Great and Little Bear, used for navigation Helice and Cynosura for those sailing in this vast sea. By their guidance, students of true Medicine, having rightly emerged from the reefs of perturbations and unhappiness, may be able to unfold their ropes in the most desired port of health, and finally hang their votive tablets in the sanctuary of Apollo. Allow me, I say, to propose this before this Academic Assembly, and to exhort all who take pleasure in emancipating themselves to Medicine with mature counsel to embrace it. Perhaps by my speech I might achieve that some, captured by its beauty and necessity, will stimulate many by a very imitable example to heal well and blessedly. If, however, I do not profit as much by speaking as my mind desires and the greatness of the matter demands, I hope that everyone will at least follow this one fruit from this skirmish: if anyone seems to himself to be a wise Physician—that is, a true Philosopher—yet is nowhere near it, let him immediately cast off the false opinion of himself. For he alone is the Philosopher or true Nature-consultant Physician brought onto the stage by me...

...who, after he has been abundantly instructed by all the aids of talent, doctrine, and art, has learned to move Nature well, which is to say, to heal well. For why does Medicine often fail many Physicians? Because few know how to heal well, since the art of healing is not perfected by opinion, but by moving nature well. To move Nature well belongs only to the Philosopher, only to the Physician who is a consultant of Nature. For just as Patroclus, neglecting the spear of the most brave Achilles, only took up his armor; so many put on the name, but few reach the virtue of true Philosophy. It is not far from being the case that the saying of Socrates—who once desired more human beings in Greece than cities—could most rightly be used of our Europe, burdened with more Academies built here and there than with Philosophers. Almost everyone, in the manner of gladiators who fought while wearing helmets without eye-holes Andabatae, contends everywhere around the outer coverings of things, while the interior nucleus and sweetest marrow are never seen, being wrapped in the densest obscurities, much less called back to the anvil even by those who are otherwise more prudent. Therefore, it was worth the effort to have instituted a discourse on correctly informing the true Philosopher, to have set forth the reasons for the counsel, and to have warned faithfully. On this account, I trust no one will be such an unfair judge as to think I do not act with just reason in what I do. For the matter is consistent with my profession, accommodated to these times, not unworthy of your ears, ACADEMIC FATHERS, not useless to this most adorned and beautiful crown of students, and grateful and pleasant to all who are present to learn. For I must speak of the dignity and fruit of most sacred Medicine, of almost all sciences and arts, and of Medical prudence. It seems to me that I should not labor so much over what I say, as provide that if I wish to say everything that can be said, I may never find an exit for my speech. I will, however, restrain myself in speaking, and circumscribe a matter heavy with its own immensity within certain narrow barriers.