Dedication, no date, Thomas Erastus to City Council of Ulm (BP.Erastus.1573-01)
| Author: | Thomas Erastus |
| Recipient: | City Council of Ulm |
| Type: | Dedication |
| Date: | no date [1573] |
| Place: | Heidelberg |
| Pages: | 2 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=2983 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Thomas Erastus, Disputationum de medicina nova Philippi Paracelsi pars quarta et ultima, Basel: Pietro Perna 1573, sig. ❧2r-❧2v [BP.Erastus.1573-01]
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| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | Erastus writes about the many reasons why scholars traditionally dedicate their writings. He lauds the Republic's wisdom and benevolence, especially towards physicians, noting their support for prominent doctors and their efforts to prevent the spread of deceptive medical practices by the Paracelsians. Erastus is particularly impressed by the Republic's dedication to preserving genuine medical knowledge and protecting its citizens from fraud. He has dedicated this fourth part of his work to them, driven by his admiration and hope that they continue to guard against the dangers of the Paracelsians. Erastus believes that by highlighting their example, other regions will be inspired to similarly defend their people from such deceptive practices. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[sig. ❧2r] Virtvte, sapientia, pietate illvstribvs inclytæ reipublicæ Vlmensis, DD[ominis] Consulib[us] & Senatoribus, Viris amplissimis & prudentiss[imis] Dominis suis omni obseruantia colendissimis.
Complures sunt causæ, Viri amplißimi, propter quas plerique omnes lucubrationes suas viris virtute & gloria insignibus inscribunt. Quippe aliqui hac ratione aditum sibi ad amicitiam eorum, quibus commendati esse cupiunt, parant. Alij commentationibus suis per hunc modum splendorem & commendationem aucupantur. Sunt qui gratitudinis causa labores suos illis dedicant, à quibus se beneficijs affectos sentiunt, quibusq́ue se sua debere omnia existimant. Non pauci mecœnates & patronos studiorum suorum per hanc viam quærunt. Reperiuntur etiam, qui prædicare virtutes, illustrioraque reddere student facta eorum, quorum nomina suis scriptis præfigunt. Qua in re sicut opinione sua non frustrantur, quorum excellens est doctrina, & clarum apud omnes nomen: ita se deridendos illi omnibus propinant, quorum eruditio vix est mediocris, & fama in obscuro latet. Alij denique alios sibi fines consimiles, ad quos respiciunt, proposuêre. Me verò quid non impulerit solùm, sed etiam perpulerit, vt hanc vobis Antiparacelsicarum Disputationum partem consecrarem, nunc dicam. Biennium ferè effluxit, quando ex D[octore] Bartholomeo Vuolfharto Medico pietate, doctrina & experientia clariß[imo] ea de vestra sapientia, virtutibus, laudibus & institutis audiui, quæ in admirationem amoremq́ue vestri omnes pertrahere poßint. Cæterùm vt reliquas Reipub[licae] à vobis sapientißimè administratæ partes (quæ ad præsens negotium propriè non spectant) præteream, illa mirificè me delectarunt, quæ de vestra erga medicos summa tum beneuolentia tum liberalitete prolixè grauiterq́ue re- [sig. ❧2v] censuit. An non verè paterni animi erga subditos argumentum illud est, quòd medicos præstantißimos (inter quos honoris causa nomino D[octorem] Bartholomeum, cuius nuper mentionem fecimus, & D[octorem] Friderichum Fuchsium, clarißimi patris clarum filium) stipendijs inuitauistis? quòd ad vos pertractos honorificentißimè tractatis? quòd labores eorum prudentissimè dispertiuistis? quòd denique in id sedulò incumbitis, ne veræ medicinæ corruptores Paracelsici, rerumpub[licae] & vitæ salutisq́ue nostræ pestes perniciosißima, clàm vobis, irrepant, ciuibusq́ue vestris per fraudem pecuniam vnà cum vita eripiant? Hæc fermè præcipua causa fuit, vt instituti operis mei (quod solius vtilitatis publicæ causa suscepi) partem vultimam & fortaße vtilißimam vobis, Viri amplißimi & prudentißimi, nunciparem. Confido enim futurum, vt cùm perspexeritis quàm falsè & mendaciter Paracelsici legitimam morborum illorum curationem profiteantur, à quorum medicatione præcipuè laudari cupiunt, non minore deinceps cura & sedulitate immanes istos carnifices à vestris vestrorumq́ue ceruicibus sitis depulsuri. Qùod cùm impetrauero, satisfactum animo meo putabo: & non tàm mihi, quàm communi patriæ nostræ, quæ præcipuè hanc pestem huc vsque sensit, gratulabor. Non dubito etiam, quin ex adscriptione nominum vestrorum operi magna sit accessura commendatio: & alij magistratus vestros exemplo moniti pari diligentia aduigilaturi sint, ne posthac pro medicis Paracelsici impostores impunè graßentur in vitam atque opes subditorum. Deus Opt[imus] Max[imus] mentes piorum magistratuum sancto suo Spiritu illustret, vt salutaria præcipiant, noxia vetent. Amen.
Thomas Erastus Medicus
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 15 August 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 illustrious consuls and senators of the renowned Republic of Ulm, distinguished by virtue, wisdom, and piety, esteemed gentlemen of utmost wisdom and prudence, deserving of all due respect,
There are many reasons, esteemed gentlemen, why several dedicate their scholarly endeavors to men of virtue and renowned glory. Some, by this means, seek entry to the friendship of those they wish to impress. Others hunt for splendor and acclaim through their commentaries. There are those who, out of gratitude, dedicate their labors to benefactors, feeling indebted to them. Not a few seek patrons and supporters for their studies this way. Some aim to proclaim virtues and magnify the deeds of those whose names they prefix to their writings. In this endeavor, while some with eminent doctrine and recognized name meet expectations, others with mediocre erudition and hidden reputation become a laughing stock. Others set similar objectives for themselves. I will now share what not just inspired, but also drove me, to dedicate this part of my Antiparacelsist Disputations to you. Nearly two years have passed since I heard from Doctor Bartholomaeus Wolfhart, a distinguished medical practitioner, about your wisdom, virtues, praises, and practices which could captivate all. Overlooking other facets of your wisely managed Republic, I was deeply impressed by your extraordinary benevolence and generosity towards physicians. Isn’t it a true paternal care towards your subjects when you’ve invited exceptional doctors, notably Doctor Bartholomaeus and Doctor Friederich Fuchs, a distinguished son of a renowned father, with stipends? You treat them with the utmost respect, wisely distribute their tasks, and vigilantly ensure that corruptors of true medicine, the Paracelsians - detrimental pests to the Republic, life, and health - don't secretly infiltrate and defraud your citizens of money and life. This was my primary reason to dedicate this possibly most useful part of my work (undertaken solely for public benefit) to you, esteemed and wise gentlemen. I trust that once you discern how falsely the Paracelsians claim to cure certain diseases, you'll oust these monstrous executioners from your midst with even more diligence. Achieving this would fulfill my heart, and I would rejoice not just for myself but for our homeland, which has particularly felt this plague. I'm confident that attaching your names will significantly commend this work, and other magistrates, inspired by your example, will ensure Paracelsian impostors don't exploit the life and wealth of their subjects. May the Almighty God enlighten the minds of pious magistrates with His Holy Spirit, directing them to endorse what is beneficial and forbid what is harmful. Amen.
