Dedication, 1571-08-19, Michael Toxites to Johann Freiherr von Pollweiler
| Author: | Michael Toxites |
| Recipient: | Johann Freiherr von Pollweiler |
| Type: | Dedication |
| Date: | 19 August 1571 |
| Place: | Straßburg |
| Pages: | 13 |
| Language: | German |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=2002 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Paracelsus, Ein schöner Tractat Von Eygenschafften/ Eines volkomnen Wundtartzets, ed. Michael Toxites, Straßburg: Christian Müller 1571, sig. (*)2r–(*)8r [BP133]
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| CP: | Not in Kühlmann/Telle, Corpus Paracelsisticum |
| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | The text discusses the importance of medicine, specifically surgery and wound care, and how they should not be separated. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the art of surgery and the three characteristics necessary for a good wound doctor: not holding too much of oneself, recognizing the sick person well, and understanding the art of the wound doctor. The author also critiques the misuse of medicine, such as using mercury and fumigation to treat illnesses. The author recommends reading Theophrastus' books on wound medicine and provides four treatises on surgery, including opening the skin, healing wounds, worms, and paralysis. The author dedicates the book to a lord and emphasizes the need for good wound doctors in times of peace and war. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[sig. (*)2r] Dem wolgebornen herren/ Herrn Johan/ Freyherrn zů Polweiler/ vnd im Weilerthal/ Fürstlicher Durchleuchtigkeyt Ertzhertzogen Ferdinanden zů Osterreich/ &c. Rhat/ meinem gnedigen Herren.
Wolgeborner herr/ Es schreibt Theophrastus Paracelsus (Welchen Gott der Herr auß der natur einen Teutschen treuwen Artzet/ vnd der Artzney/ auch aller gůtten künsten/ vns Teutschen zů einem Renouator gegeben hat) das die Artzney vns im glauben befestige/ vns gehorsam/ vnnd volkommen mache/ vnd auß dem höchsten gesatz der liebe handle/ welcher hohen tröstlichen wort [sig. (*)2v] kein liebhaber der warheit billich nimmer soll vergessen. Dann alles was wir handlen/ soll dahin gericht sein/ das es nutz sey. Nu kan aber nichts nutzers sein/ dann die mengel abschaffen/ damit vnser nechster an seinem leib beladen ist/ das thůt die artzney/ darinn sich Gott der Herr mit seinen wunderthaten gewaltig sehen laßt.
So dann nit allein die Physic/ sonder auch die Chyrurgia der Medicin vnderworffen/ vnd nicht zwo/ sonder ein kunst der Artzney ist/ Darumb dann die leib vnd wundartzney nicht gescheyden werden sollen/ noch mögen/ So solte billich die Chyrurgia gleich so wol/ als die Physic bey meniglichen in höchern [sig. (*)3r] ehren gehalten werden/ vnnd auch die Chyrurgi jr kunst/ dauon sie den namen haben/ besser zůerfahren sich befleissen. Aber bey dem mehrer theyl geschicht das widerspil/ dieweil auß der hochloblichen kunst der Chyrurgi ein handwerck worden/ So halten sie es darfür/ wann sie jr handwerck/ wie schläfferig es auch bey weilen zůgeht/ gelehrnet/ vnd den lehrbrieff empfangen (will doch kein gůte gewonheit/ auch keynen stummen vnnd fleißigen Chyrurgum hiemit verkleinert haben) So se es genůg/ dörffen nit weitter der natur heymligkeyt erforschen/ darauß dann vil vnrhat/ schaden/ vnnd nachtheyl bey den krancken eruolget von den stoltzen/ vnnd vnerfar- [sig. (*)3v] farnen/ deren ich vil gekennt hab/ die sich selbs zůuil auffwerffen/ bedencken jr ampt nit/ welches fürnemlich inn drey eigenschafften verfaßt ist.
Erstlich in des wundartzets eigen person/ das er nicht zůuil von jhm selbs halte/ sonder der kunst täglich nachtrachte/ damit er mit gůtem gewissen auß erfarenheit handle/ on Rhům ein erbarn wandel in allen gůten tugenden fuere/ nit dem geitz sich ergebe/ Sonder des krancken gesundheit stetz vor augen habe.
Die ander eigenschafft ist/ das er den Krancken wol erkenne/ vnnd alles was am Menschen ist/ fleisch/ bein/ adern/[c1] neruen/ form/ vnd gstalt/ vnnd was [sig. (*)4r] ferner den krancken belangt/ gůt wissen hab.
Die dritt eigenschafft triff des Wundartzets kunst an/ das er wisse vnd nit wene/ was er wissen soll/ vnnd mehr zůlehrnen/ dann zůuerachten geneygt sey/ wie ein jeder klerlich in disem tractetlein finden wirt.
Welche dise drey eigenschafften nicht bedencken/ die werden nicht viel fruchtbars außrichten/ Sonder offt mahlen mit jhrem curiern mit spott vnnd schanden abziehen müssen. Wie vil mal werden Glider von dem Leib geschnitten/ die wol erhalten werden möchten? Wie offt erwürgt der brandt gute/ ehrliche Leüth vnschuldig? Wie mancher würdt krumm [sig. (*)4v] vnd lam gebunden? Jch hab gesehen dz auch die/ so gar vil sein wolten/ nit kleine wündlin in eim finger kunden heylen inn vielen wochen/ sonder macheten solche schmertzen/ das die Patienten/ wa nit andere in wenig tagen den jrthumb abgewendt/ in gefahr des lebens gestanden weren. Dergleichen wüßt ich vil zůerzehlen/ aber was hülfft es? Es ist nit zůschreiben was vnrhat sich bey den wundartzeten in offnen schäden zůtregt/ wieuil redlich leüth seind in morbo gallico jemerlich verderbt/ wieuil gar vmb den halß gebracht worden? Welche kranckheyt doch ein jeder heilen will. Diser braucht das holtz/ welches/ so es nicht recht bereit wirt/ verderbt es den magen/ [sig. (*)5r] nimpt den lust zů essen/ nimpt dem Menschen die farb/ Die abstinentz aber so darinn gehalten wirdt/ entzeücht den glidern die Natürlichen krefft/ schwecht den gantzen leib/ gibt vrsach zů der wassersucht/ vnd kreütziget die armen patienten mit dem vnnötigen hunger/ das jnen die seel möcht außfarn/ vnnd ist vnder zehen nit einer der on schaden[c2] dauon komme. Das saltz ist der balsam aller ding/ dz verbietten sie/ wölt gern die vrsach wissen/ warumb geben die hürten vnd Pauren dem vich saltz? was erhelt das fleisch im rauch? warumb faulen die bäum im wald? Verstüenden sye des saltzs heimligkeyten/ sie verbüttens nicht. Dann dz saltz purgiert/ es reinigt [sig. (*)5v] vnd balsamiert den Leib/ vnnd wehret aller feulin. Die andern wöllen alle frantzoen heilen mit Reuchen/ schmieren/ weschen/ darinn jr fundament das quecksylber ist/ darauß vnaußsprechliche schäden volgen/ gleichwol wirt dise cur allenthalben geduldet/ Aber die Artzet solten zů vnsern zeitten/ da Gott der Herr dz liecht der waren artzney so hell angezündet/ solchen schaden besser bedencken vmb der barmhertzigkeit willen/ So wir gegen den krancken haben sollen/ vnd nicht jhmer den Alten Tanheuser singen/ Damit sie nicht für jhre Patienten für dem strengen Richter schwere Rechnung geben müssen.
Dann was dz eingeschmiert [sig. (*)6r] quecksylber für vnruw/ schäden/ vnd natheil in des menschen leib anrichte/ Jst gnůgsam sampt allen andern jrthumen vnd imposturen inn der grossen Chyrurgi vnnd andern Büchern vor viel jharn von Theophrasto an tag geben worden/ vnd beweisen es die erschröckliche Exempel täglich/ das mich wunder nimpt/ mit was gewissen die artzt Theophrasti grosse wundartzney lesen mögen/ so sie im Alten trab fort faren. Von wegen vilfeltiger jrthumb hat Theophrastus auch disen kleinen/ doch sehr nutzlichen Tractat von eigenschafften eines volkomnen wundartzets geschreiben/ den ich auß seiner eignen handschrifft hab lassen [sig. (*)6v] außschreiben/ vnd in truck verfertigt/ allen denen zů gůtem/ so zů der warheyt lust haben. Es ist nit Theophrasti meinung/ dz weder Doctores noch Magistri sein sollen/ Sonst müßt er sich selbs auch verwerffen/ Sonder das gefelt jm nicht/ das einer ein grossen namen vnnd titel hab/ vnd daneben nichts wisse zůuerrichten/ wie dann zů seiner zeit gar barbarum seculum gewesen ist. Er schilt den mißbrauch/ wie billich/ als ein erfahrner Artzet/ deßgleich Teutschland keinen nie gehapt/ es zürne darüber wer wöll/ wem zůhelffen ist/ der lese Theophrasti Bücher alle in der wundartzney neben den Archidoxis/ wirdt er mehr finden dann er sůcht/ damit er inn zeit [sig. (*)7r] der noth wol bestehen mag.
Die drey tractetlin so ich vor diser zeit hab lassen in truck außgehn/ von öffnung der haut/ von heylung der wunden/ vnd von würmen/ hab ich hiezů gesetzt/ dieweil nit mehr vorhanden. Vnd nach dem die contractur/ vnnd lämi der glider bey vnsern zeiten bey reich vnnd armen vast vberhand nimpt/ hab ich auch das Büchlein Theophrasti von den contracturen/ wie ichs geschriben gehabt/ hinzůtrucken lassen/ damit diß alles in der Chyrurgia als ein Enchyridion were/ vom Ampt des wundartzets/ von offnen schäden/ von wunden/ von ettlichen experimentis der thier/ vnd von der lämi/ in welchen vier tracta- [sig. (*)7v] ten/ gar herrliche stuck begriffen seind.
Dieses opusculum aber hab Wolgeborner Gnediger Herr/ E[uer] G[naden] ich zůschreiben vnd dediciert wöllen/ Erstlich von wegen des gnedigen willens/ so E[uer] G[naden] mir allwegen erzeigt. Vnd zům andern das E[uer] G[naden] von disen hochwichtigen sachen wissen zů vrtheilen/ nit allein auß angebornem hohen verstand/ Sonder auch auß vilfeltigen erfahrungen/ so sie in namhafften kriegen zům theil an jr selbs/ vnnd zům theil an andern hochs vnnd niders stands personen befunden/ wie hoch von nötten sey zů fridens vnd kriegs zeitten/ gůtte wundartzet zůhaben/ Vnderthenig bittend/ E[uer] G[naden] wöllend jr diß klein [sig. (*)8r] Büchlein gnedig lassen gefallen. Dann ob wol E[uer] G[naden] von wegen des hohen vnnd alt hergebrachten stammens/ vnnd grossen ansehens/ so E[uer] G[naden] bey hohen potentaten gehabt/ vnd noch haben/ eines höcheren wercks würdig weren/ So hoff ich doch/ E[uer] G[naden] werden auch dises gerings nit verachten/ thůe hiemit E[uer] G[naden] dem HErren befelhen. Straßburg den 19. Augusti/ Anno M. D. LXXI..
E[uer] G[naden] Vndertheniger
Michaël Toxites, Medicus Argentoratensis.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT on 22 March 2023. Attention: This translation is a machine translation by artificial intelligence. The translation has not been checked and should not be cited without additional human verification.
To the well-born lord/ Lord Johan/ Baron of Polweiler/ and in the Weiler Valley/ of His Serene Highness Archduke Ferdinand of Austria/ &c. Council to my gracious lord.
Well-born lord, Theophrastus Paracelsus writes (whom God the Lord gave us Germans as a faithful physician and renovator of all good arts, including medicine) that medicine strengthens our faith, makes us obedient and perfect, and acts from the highest commandment of love. No lover of truth should ever forget these comforting words. For everything we do should be directed towards usefulness. Now, nothing can be more useful than removing deficiencies that burden our neighbor's body, and medicine does that, in which God the Lord shows His miraculous powers.
Not only physics, but also surgery is subject to medicine, and not two, but one art of medicine. Therefore, surgery and wound care should not be separated, nor can they. Therefore, surgery should be held in as high esteem as physics among many people, and surgeons should strive to better understand their art, from which they take their name. But for the most part, the opposite happens, as the noble art of surgery has become a trade. They consider it enough if they learn their trade, no matter how sluggish it may be at times, and receive their license (however, no good habit should belittle even a silent and diligent surgeon). They should not investigate the secrets of nature further, from which much confusion, harm, and damage to the sick results from the proud and inexperienced, many of whom I have known, who raise themselves too high, do not consider their duties, which are mainly composed of three characteristics.
Firstly, the wound doctor's own person, that he does not hold too much of himself, but daily seeks the art, so that he may act with a good conscience from experience, without being arrogant in all good virtues, and not giving in to greed, but always keeping the patient's health in mind.
The second characteristic is that he recognizes the sick person well and has good knowledge of everything that pertains to human beings: flesh, bone, veins, nerves, shape, and form, and also everything else that concerns the sick person.
The third characteristic concerns the art of the wound doctor: that he knows and does not doubt what he should know, and is more inclined to learn than to be obstinate, as everyone will clearly find in this little treatise.
Those who do not consider these three characteristics will not achieve much fruitfulness, but often have to withdraw with ridicule and shame from their treatments. How many limbs are cut off the body that could have been preserved well? How often is a good, honest person wrongly executed by fire? How many are bound crooked and lame? I have seen that even those who wanted to be very skilled could not heal small wounds on a finger in many weeks but caused so much pain that the patients, if no others intervened within a few days, stood in danger of their lives. I could tell many such stories, but what good does it do? It is not possible to describe the confusion that occurs among wound doctors in open injuries, how many honest people have been horribly ruined by the French disease, and how many have been completely destroyed. This disease is one that everyone wants to cure. This one needs wood, which, if not properly prepared, spoils the stomach, takes away the appetite, and takes away the color from people's faces. But the abstinence that is observed therein deprives the limbs of their natural strength, weakens the whole body, causes dropsy, and crucifies the poor patients with unnecessary hunger so that their souls might depart, and not one in ten comes out of it unharmed. Salt is the balm of all things; they prohibit it, but would like to know the reason why the herdsmen and peasants give salt to their animals, why flesh is preserved in smoke, and why trees rot in the woods. If they understood the secrets of salt, they would not prohibit it. For salt purifies, cleanses, and balsamizes the body and wards off all putrefaction. Others want to cure all illnesses with fumigation, smearing, washing, in which their foundation is mercury, from which unspeakable damage follows, yet this treatment is tolerated everywhere. But doctors should, in our times, where God the Lord has lit the light of true medicine so brightly, better consider such harm for the sake of mercy, which we must have for the sick, and not sing the old Tanheuser forever, lest they have to give a severe account before the strict judge for their patients.
Then what mercury smeared on does to cause unrest, damage, and disadvantage in the human body, as well as all other delusions and impostures in great surgery and other books, has been written about by Theophrastus and proven by terrifying examples for many years. It amazes me with what conscience doctors can still read Theophrastus' great wound medicine, as they continue in the old routine. Because of many errors, Theophrastus has also written this small but very useful treatise on the characteristics of a perfect wound doctor, which I had transcribed from his own manuscript and printed for the benefit of those who desire truth. It is not Theophrastus' intention that they should not be doctors or masters; otherwise, he would have to condemn himself as well. However, he dislikes it when someone has a great name and title but cannot perform anything, as was the case in his time, which was a barbarous era. As an experienced doctor, he rightly condemns the misuse, which no German has ever tolerated. Whoever wants to help should read all of Theophrastus' books on wound medicine in addition to the Archidoxes. He will find more than he is looking for so that he can cope well in times of need.
The three treatises that I had printed earlier, on the opening of the skin, the healing of wounds, and worms, I have added to this because they are no longer available. And since the contraction and paralysis of the limbs are currently widespread among rich and poor alike, I have also had Theophrastus' booklet on contractures, which I had written, printed, so that all of this might serve as an Enchiridion in surgery, covering the duties of the wound doctor, open wounds, wounds, a few animal experiments, and paralysis, all of which are contained in these four treatises.
But I want to dedicate this opusculum to Your Grace, the well-born Lord Johann, Freiherr zu Polweiler, and in the Weilerthal, on behalf of the gracious goodwill that Your Grace has always shown me, and secondly, so that Your Grace can judge these highly important matters not only from innate high intellect but also from diverse experiences, which Your Grace has found both in yourself and in other high and low-ranking individuals during renowned wars, of how necessary it is to have good wound doctors in times of peace and war. Respectfully, I ask Your Grace to graciously accept this small book. Even though Your Grace, due to your high and old lineage and great prestige that Your Grace has had and still has with high potentates, would be worthy of a higher work, I still hope that Your Grace will not disdain this humble work. I commend Your Grace to the Lord. Strasbourg, August 19th, 1571.
Your Grace's humble servant,
Michael Toxites, Medicus Argentoratensis.
