Text.BP151.A2r/Translation

To the noble and esteemed Hans Heinrich vom Rhein, citizen and council member of Frankfurt am Main, my gracious young lord,

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.