ON MEDICINE

...Plantain, and even the Oak, and the lowliest grasses of the fields. A

Yet, they object again, "the learned doctors write such things, especially those who are considered the leaders." Then there is also the "Common Practice" (as they call it). Fine indeed. I only wish these men had learned something else, or were wise even late in the day, as their own consciences might testify. They would achieve this beautifully if they believed that the knowledge of herbs was something that concerned them, and not just the druggists original: seplasiarios, sellers of ointments and perfumes who functioned as early pharmacists.. Finally, if only they were not entirely consumed by—and even growing old in—the excessive mixing of compounds and simples Medicines made from a single constituent, usually a plant., but instead studied the powers of herbs: what they are worth, and in what degrees their qualities are balanced. Dioscorides will teach this above all; then Pliny and Theophrastus. If someone wishes to call upon Avicenna and Serapion Influential medieval Islamic physicians. as well, I do not object, provided they always look back toward the original sources. For I have found, while diligently studying Dioscorides and Pliny, that Avicenna contains nothing other than what is already written in the books of the ancients. May the Muses and all Physicians be ill-disposed toward me if I cannot demonstrate every single one of Avicenna's "simples" using only Pliny and Dioscorides, should anyone curiously demand it of me.

Otherwise, what a grand "art" it is to write a note to the pharmacist: "Take of golden pills and cochia pills, a half-scruple of each; let them be sharpened with 8 grains of scammony original: diagridij, a harsh purgative resin.; let 7 pills be made with syrup of stoechas A type of lavender.." Or thus: "Take 3 drams of Electuary of Rose Juice, 1 dram each of diaphinicon A laxative confection made with dates. and Indian Electuary, as much sugar as is sufficient, and let a bolus A large, soft pill. be made," etc. Any ignorant B barber-surgeon could easily learn all of this in a month or two, since everything is so clearly prescribed and established that unless a man is a complete "Thessalian ass" A classical proverb for someone remarkably stupid., he cannot go wrong. A certain Thessalus A famous Roman-era physician who claimed he could teach medicine in six months. once promised (as Galen says) a certain therapeutic method original: therapeutikēn that could be learned in the space of six months, and for that, he was driven out by every school of physicians. Yet I would stake my life that if you look at that trivial sort of medicine practiced today, it is exactly as he said; Thessalus spoke the absolute truth.

Ulrich Hutten

But since we have come upon the subject of spices, I would like to mention in passing what we have often heard from the most noble and learned knight, Ulrich von Hutten, and which he also included in his book on Guaiacum Hutten wrote a famous 1519 treatise on using "Holy Wood" (Guaiacum) from the Americas to treat syphilis.. He said: "The frugality of my grandfather, Laurentius Hutten, ought to be a great incentive for us in our pursuit of glory. Although he was of wealthy status and involved in the great affairs of our Princes both at home and in military service, he never allowed pepper, saffron, ginger, and foreign condiments of that kind into his house. Nor did he use any clothing other than what was made from our own wool, even though precious garments were occasionally given to him as rewards for his service. He did this not only himself, but he also attacked the customs of his peers with great reproach. 'As if,' he would say, 'there does not grow among us that which can season our food, if there is a need to delight the palate with pleasures.'" Thus far he spoke.

Yet why do I mention only him? Even the ancient writers of history testify that our ancestors lived on nothing but the simplest diet and very few medicines. And yet, while they lived so frugally, they possessed well-strengthened bodies, clearly hardened against hunger, thirst, and cold, and...