Text.BP151.A2r
Back to Authors | Back to Texts by Georg Forberger
Source: Paracelsus, Das sechste Buch in der artznei, ed. Georg Forberger, Basel: Samuel Apiarius for Pietro Perna, 1574, sig. A2r–A5r = pag. iii–ix [BP151]
Summary: Forberger expresses admiration for Theophrastus Paracelsus, whose works, despite facing criticism, are cherished by many for their profound insights into natural arts and medicine. Forberger highlights the division in public opinion about Paracelsus, noting that while some scorn his contributions, a significant number of both learned and unlearned individuals find great value and enlightenment in his writings.
To support the dissemination of Paracelsus's knowledge and to aid those who appreciate the natural sciences without prejudice, Forberger has decided to publish a booklet on Tartaric diseases, specifically addressing conditions like stone and gout, among other topics. He assures readers of the authenticity and completeness of the text, having transcribed it personally from Paracelsus's own handwriting.
Forberger also encourages others who possess unpublished works of Paracelsus to publish them for the benefit of future generations and the advancement of knowledge. He dedicates the booklet to Hans Heinrich vom Rhein, acknowledging Rhein's interest in Paracelsus's work and his generous support. (generated by ChatGPT)
Text
Ob wol/ Edler Vester Junckherr/ der thewre vnd von Gott hochbegabte Philosophus vnnd Medicus Theophrastus Paracelsus[c1] (wie den fast alle Heroes vil anfechtung haben) von vilen veracht vnnd vernichtet wirt/ so findet man doch widerumb sehr vil verstender frommer leut/ gelehrt vnd vngelehrt/ hohes vnd nidriges stands/ die sich seiner schrifften höchlich frewen/ vnd die selben mit grossem nutz vnnd erbawung brauchen vnnd lesen. Damit nun sölchen [p. 4] liebhabern der naturlichen künste/ die sich keine authoritatem vnnd præiudicium hindern lassen/ sondern ein vnpartheisch vrtheil führen/ gedenckend das die kunst niemand hasset den der sie nicht weiß/ möchte geholffen werden/ vnd also dises hocherfahrnen mans gaben/ so Gott der welt durch jn verliehen/ dem gemeinen nutz zu guttem möchten erschiessen vnd gedeien/ hab ich diß herrliche Büchlin von den Tartarischen kranckheiten namlich dem stein vnd podagra/ sampt etlichen andern/ wie sie mir worden sind/ nicht lenger für mich allein behalten/ sondern allen kunstliebenden mittheilen wöllen. Es soll aber der Leser gar nicht zweifeln ob das [p. 5] Büchlin Theophrasti sey/ oder ob es gantz sey/ denn ichs selbst bey dem hochgelehrten herren Johanne Montano zur Strigaw in der Schlesien wonhafft/ auß eigner handt Theophrasti/ die ich wol kenne/ abgeschriben/ von wort zu wort/ vnd auch volkomlich in truck geben hab. Will einer wissen was Ludus sey der bedencke das er im[c2] letzten Capitel des ersten theils sagt/ ein stein vertreibt den andern/ vnd besehe im Bůch de restauratione/ de præparationibus/ in Archidoxis in der Vorred Magister[iis] was er schreibt von den edelen gesteinen/ des gleichen von jrer præparation in Archid[oxis] de 5. essentijs & magisterijs/ vnd im Lateinischen vnd Teutschen [p. 6] Bůch vom Tartaro/ &c. Parallelum achte ich sey ex simili parte/ wiewol ein jede Mumia podagram hilfft curieren/ wie auß dem andern Bůch de Vita longa zu sehen am ersten Capitel. Die ossa sollen billich ossa Mumiæ sein/ besihe das Buchlin de Tempore. Was die eröffnung vnnd das attractium anlangt/ besihe die Curam maniæ im[c3] Bůch von den vnsinnigen kranckheiten cap[ite] 2. Tractatu 2. Vom letzten Capitel de præseruatiuis darff niemand zweifeln das es also da seie wie im[c4] Original/ den nach einem jedern recipe ist nichts anders gestanden als ein character oder zeichen/ das villeicht an einen andern ort weiset/ oder hatt sonst dem autori also gefal- [p. 7] len. Jch wil aber durch mein exempel vermant vnd gebetten haben alle die/ so noch andere Theophrastische bücher als seine Astronomiam/ Archidoxa maiora/ Herbarium/ de generationibus rerum/ &c. hinder jnen haben/ sie wolten doch die vndanckbarkeit der welt nicht ansehen/ vnd vmb frommer kunstliebender leut willen ja vmb der nachkommen willen/ damit dises dapfferen mannes schrifften nicht vnderdruckt werden/ was sie noch für Bücher hinder jnen haben/ in druck geben/ bedenckend das sie jnen nicht allein sondern dem gemeinem nutz geschriben seind/ wie auß diesem Büchlin wol zu sehen/ auch das sie wol verschlossen sind/ vnd allein den [p. 8] wirdigen recht mitgetheilt sein/ das sie auch nicht wolten canis in præsepi sein. Man spürt auß folgendem Prologo/ dz diß Büchlin eins ist auß den 53 Büchern die er in der Medicin geschriben/ deßgleichen auch dz von der Contractur welches das neundte/ vnd dz von vnsinnigen kranckheiten/ welches das sibende genennt wirt/ den ich die autographa selber gesehen: so wir nun die vbrigen auch hetten/ wie sie denn ohn zweiffel von jm beschriben sind/ das wurde freilich ein schöner chorus Apollineus sein. Dz gegenwertige Büchlin aber habe ich/ Edler vester Junckherr darumb vnter ewerm nammen vnd schutz lassen außgehn vnd euch Dediciert/ dieweil ich [p. 9] an euch/ wie jr den vergangenen winter allhie zu Basel gewesen/ ein sonderliche neigung zu Theophrasto/ vnnd allen liebhabern der naturlichen heimlichkeiten gespürt/ wie mir denn auch E[dler] V[ester] vnuerdienter sach allen gutten willen bewiesen/ derhalben ich mich auch/ weil ich jetzmals anders nicht können/ mit disem geringen geschencklin danckbar hab erzeigen wöllen/ mich durch diß gedenckzeichen euch weiter befehlend. Geben zu Basel im jar 1574 den 20 Hornungs.
Magister Georgius Forberger auß Meissen.
Apparatus
Corrections
Modern English Raw Translation
Though the esteemed and divinely gifted philosopher and physician Theophrastus Paracelsus (as is common with many heroes, faced with numerous challenges) is scorned and dismissed by many, there exists a considerable number of discerning and devout individuals, both educated and uneducated, of high and low status, who greatly cherish his writings. These individuals utilize his works for significant benefit and enlightenment. In order to assist such enthusiasts of the natural arts, who do not allow authority or prejudice to obstruct them but rather maintain an impartial judgment, remembering that art is only despised by those who do not understand it, I aim to make the gifts of this highly experienced man, which God has bestowed upon the world through him, accessible for the common good to flourish and prosper. Therefore, I have decided not to keep this magnificent booklet on Tartaric diseases, specifically stone and gout, along with several others, to myself any longer but to share them with all lovers of art. The reader should have no doubt whether this booklet is indeed by Theophrastus or whether it is complete, for I have personally transcribed it from the hand of Theophrastus, which I am well acquainted with, word for word, and have also published it in its entirety. If one wishes to understand what Ludus is, consider that in the last chapter of the first part, he states, "one stone drives out another," and examine in the book "De Restauratione," "De Praeparationibus," in "Archidoxis" in the preface of "Magisteriis," what he writes about noble stones, similarly their preparation in "Archidoxis de 5. Essentiis & Magisteriis," and in the Latin and German book on Tartaro, etc. I believe a parallel exists in a similar part, although each Mummy helps cure gout, as seen in the first chapter of the other book "De Vita Longa." The bones should rightly be bones of Mummy, see the booklet "De Tempore." Regarding the opening and the attractium, see the cure for mania in the book on insane diseases, chapter 2, treatise 2. From the last chapter "De Praeservativis," no one should doubt that it is as it appears in the original, for after each recipe, there is nothing but a character or sign, which perhaps points to another place, or otherwise pleased the author so. However, through my example, I have urged and requested all those who possess other Theophrastian books, such as his "Astronomia," "Archidoxa Maiora," "Herbarium," "De Generationibus Rerum," etc., not to regard the ingratitude of the world, and for the sake of devout lovers of art and for posterity, so that the writings of this valiant man are not suppressed, to publish any books they have, remembering that they are written not just for themselves but for the common good, as can be seen from this booklet. Also, that they are well protected and rightfully shared only with the worthy, and that they should not be like a dog in a manger. From the following prologue, it is evident that this booklet is one of the 53 books he wrote on medicine, as well as the one on contracture, which is the ninth, and the one on insane diseases, which is the seventh, for I have seen the autographs myself. If we had the rest, as they are undoubtedly written by him, it would indeed make a splendid chorus Apollonian. However, I have chosen to release and dedicate this present booklet under your name and protection, noble and esteemed young lord, because during your stay here in Basel last winter, I sensed in you a particular affinity for Theophrastus and all lovers of natural secrets. Moreover, noble and esteemed lord, you have shown me undeserved goodwill, for which I am now, unable to do otherwise, expressing my gratitude with this modest gift, further commending myself to you with this token of remembrance. Given in Basel in the year 1574, on the 20th of February.
Magister Georgius Forberger from Misnia.