The Works of Geber (1678)

because the ignorant and unexpert may possibly be informed by it, and from there learn true experiences original: "Experiences"; here meaning practical experiments or observations, by which (if industrious) they will in time be able to correct their own errors, just as well as if they had used the policy of Apelles Apelles was a renowned ancient Greek painter known for his diligence and for inviting public criticism to improve his work.. But of covetous, deceitful, and ambitious men, there is no such hope. Therefore, omitting these, I do not doubt but that to every man studious of truth original: "Verity", the present work will be highly acceptable: because herein he will find instructions sufficient to inform his judgment in preparing medicines truly chemical original: "Chymical".

For this author (excelling others in this regard) has clearly and candidly, though briefly, taught the methods of purifying all metals, minerals, salts, alums original: "Allomes", etc. In which true and perfect purification, the virtue The inherent medicinal power or essential quality of a substance. of each subject (its vice and impurity being separated) is rendered ten times more efficacious in medicinal use than the same subject could have been without such preceding preparation; as experience daily proves.

But if any man objects and says, "This author taught these purifications only in order to find the great Philosophers' Stone"; to him I answer this: All philosophers (ancient and modern) unanimously affirm that impurity tends toward corruption and death, but purity toward incorruption and life. Therefore, if they—in order to amend imperfect metals, namely to heal their diseases—so strictly enjoined the separation of heterogeneous original: "Heterogeneals"; substances of a different or foreign nature. parts and the purification of homogeneous original: "Homogenal"; substances of the same essential nature. things; how much more ought every faithful physician labor in purifying the subjects of medicine for the human body (which is more precious than all metals)? Since the substances specified here are no small part of that medicine, I leave this to the judgment of all. And having introduced these points, I crave the reader's patience in the perusal of what follows.

When I had perfected this translation of GEBER, my purpose was to have concealed my name, as I did in the translation of Royal and Practical Chemistry...