DEDICATION

...of medical use, I have discussed not infrequently and reviewed through inquiry. For I hold it as a proven fact that we can aspire to the highest knowledge of natural things—so far as is possible given our human weakness—by three steps, as it were. These are Metallurgy term: Metallurgy (Metallurgia). In this period, metallurgy was not just industrial smelting but the foundational science of identifying and purifying substances from the earth., which is occupied with properly identifying and separating natural bodies term: natural bodies (corpora naturalia). A general term for any physical substance found in nature, including ores, plants, and animal matter., and prepares them so conveniently that they can afterwards be more successfully digested In early chemistry, "digestion" (digeri) referred to the process of exposing a substance to gentle, continuous heat to soften or decompose it. and applied to more difficult operations. Indeed, from here immediate-

DEDICATION

-ly The Latin word "statim" (immediately) is split across the page break; the syllable "-tim" completes the word and serves as the catchword. Chemistry term: Chemistry (Chemia). Here distinguished from metallurgy as a secondary stage focused on extraction and medical application. claims the second place for itself. It teaches how to draw out the best juices original: "succos." In early modern science, "juices" referred to the essential liquids, extracts, or medicinal essences found within raw materials. from those separated bodies and aptly convert them into human uses suitable for medical matters. From this it is clear that chemistry encompasses within its scope not only minerals, but also the things growing from the earth itself and other animals, and thus extends most widely. In contrast, Alchemy is of a deeper investigation; it explains the hidden method of preparing gold, to which other more noble metals term: noble metals (metalla nobiliora). Typically referring to gold and silver, which were considered "noble" because they do not rust or perish in fire. are also referred. And indeed the former...