Dedication, no date (1575), Thomas Erastus to Johann von Ewich (BP.Erastus.1581-01)
| Author: | Thomas Erastus |
| Recipient: | Johann von Ewich |
| Type: | Dedication |
| Date: | no date [1575] |
| Pages: | 2 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=3025 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Thomas Erastus, Comitis Montani ... quinque librorum de Morbis nuper editorum viva anatome, Basel: Pietro Perna 1581, p. 257-258 [BP.Erastus.1581-01]
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| Reprinted from: | BP.Erastus.1575-01 |
| Reprinted in: | BP.Erastus.1595-01 |
| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | Thomas Erastus emphasizes the importance of discussing diseases of the entire substance. While initially dismissing its significance, Erastus later recognized the confusion surrounding the topic and felt compelled to present it for scholarly debate. He elaborates on matters that could have been briefly summarized, ensuring comprehensive understanding. Erastus critiques the followers of Paracelsus for their hasty acceptance of certain remedies like Tinctures and Quintessences as sole treatments for these diseases. Erastus underscores the necessity of clarifying this subject, not just for its utility but as a public duty. He expresses gratitude to Ewich for his prior contributions and encourages all truth-seekers to engage in this discourse. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[p. 257] Excellente doctrina et virtvte viro, D[omine] Iohanni Euichio, Medico exercitatißimo Thomas Erastus, S[alutem] P[lurimam] D[icit].
Disqvisitio de totius substantiæ morbis, prima specia non magni videtur esse momenti, Euichi doctissime: quæ res effecit, vt non valde solicitus in hac parte fuerim, tametsi vehementer iam olim optarim à viris doctis expendi & ventilari. Postquam obseruari quantam secum ruinam traxerit, nec quenquam prodire animaduerti, qui onus hoc in se reciperet, facere non potui, quin boni publici causa eam doctis omnibus publicè discreptandam proponerem: & ita quidem proponerem, vt amplissimam cogitandi materiam simul exhiberem. Hanc ob rem, quæ concisè & breuiter comprehendi poterant, fusius persecutus sum: Nihil omittens eorum, quæ ad præsentis disputationis illustrationem conducere visa sunt. Etsi verò non puto, Paracelsum, aut æquè rudes eius discipulos, huius quæstionis occasione insanire cœpisse, tamen certò scio, semidoctis quibusdam à vera Medicina turpissimæ defectionis causam hinc esse ortam. Hi cùm totius substantiæ morbos exstare veteribus incognitos audiuissent, ac eosdem non alijs quàm occultis quibusdam remedijs expugnari legissent, nimis [p. 258] leuiter Paracelso crediderunt, Tincturas, Quintas essentias, Arcana, Magisteria, &c. illa remedia esse, quibus solis cum alij omnes, tum substantiæ morbi profligari valeant. Viden’ quòd non modò vtilis, verumetiam necessaria sit huius rei explicatio? quodque operæpretium faciat, quisquis huc aliquid contulerit? Confido itaque non te solùm, quam mihi in excutiendis Thesibus de contagio operam & beneuolentiam nauasti, in his etiam censendis & iudicandis nauaturum (Noui egregiam doctrinam tuam, præclarum ingenium, firmum iudicium, incredibile veritatis studium.) sed & alios omnes veritatis amatores, publicæq́ue salutis studiosos idem facturos: præsertim cum summi quidam viri nuper tam beneuolè ac liberaliter suas de contagio cogitationes grauissimas & eruditissimas nobis exposuerint. Causam agimus non priuatam nostram, sed publicam. In qua qui nos iuuabunt, non nos tantum immortali beneficio sibi obstringent, verumetiam de arte Medica, adeoq́ue de toto humano genere bene merebuntur. Vale.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 18 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 man of outstanding learning and virtue, Lord Johann Ewich, a most practiced physician, Thomas Erastus sends many greetings.
The discussion concerning diseases of the entire substance, at first glance, does not seem to be of great importance, most learned Ewich. This fact made me not overly concerned about it, even though I have long wished for it to be examined and discussed by learned men. After noticing the great confusion it has caused and not seeing anyone step forward to take on this burden, I felt compelled to present it for public debate among scholars for the public good. And I did so in a way that provides ample material for thought. For this reason, I have pursued in greater detail matters that could have been summarized briefly, leaving out nothing that seemed to contribute to the illumination of the present discussion. Although I don't think that Paracelsus, or his equally unlearned disciples, began to go mad because of this question, I do know for certain that it gave some semi-learned individuals a disgraceful reason to abandon true Medicine. When they heard that diseases of the entire substance, unknown to the ancients, existed and read that they could only be defeated by certain hidden remedies, they too readily believed Paracelsus, thinking that Tinctures, Quintessences, Secrets, Masteries, etc., were the only remedies with which all other diseases, including those of the substance, could be defeated. Do you see how not only useful but also necessary the explanation of this matter is? And that it is worth the effort for anyone who can contribute something to it? Therefore, I trust that not only you, who have shown me such effort and goodwill in examining the theses on contagion, will also make an effort in evaluating and judging these (I know your excellent learning, brilliant mind, strong judgment, and incredible passion for truth), but also all other lovers of truth and those concerned for public health will do the same, especially since some very important men have recently so kindly and generously shared with us their most serious and learned thoughts on contagion. We are advocating not for our private cause, but for the public one. Those who will help us in this will not only bind us to them with an immortal favor, but will also do a great service to the medical art, and thus to the entire human race. Farewell.
