OF MEDICINE

A

Our labor has grown. This is because we must investigate not only later discoveries but also those things which the ancients found, which have been lost to memory through laziness and the destruction of records. Who could find any cause for this "sleep" other than the public state of the world? Indeed, other customs have taken over, men's minds are occupied by other things, and only the arts of greed are cultivated—whereas before, the empires of nations were contained within themselves. Therefore, due to a certain sterility of fortune for talented men, it was necessary for them to exercise the virtues of the mind. Countless kings were honored for their skill in the arts and displayed them with pride, believing that their help and immortality were extended through them. For this reason, rewards and the works of life abounded. But for posterity, the vastness of the world and the magnitude of things became a loss, especially after a senator began to be chosen for his wealth, a judge to be made by his wealth, and nothing was seen to adorn a magistrate or a general more than his wealth. Once childlessness original: orbitas. In Roman society, wealthy childless individuals were often courted by "legacy hunters" looking to be named in their wills, leading to a corrupt social dynamic. began to be held in the highest authority and power, and legacy-hunting became a most fertile source of profit, and the only joys were found in possessing things, the value of life perished. All the arts called "liberal" The "liberal arts" were those considered suitable for a free person (Latin: liber), as opposed to "mechanical arts" or servile labor. fell from the greatest good into their opposite, and progress began to be made through servitude alone. One man adores greed in one way, another in another, yet the same hope of men tends toward that single vow: to possess.

B

Galen expresses the same opinion in his Method of Healing, book 1: "No one in our age is devoted to the inquiry of truth; instead, everyone looks up to money, civil power, and the insatiable delights of pleasure to such an extent that if anyone pursues any study of wisdom, they consider him insane." original: in Therapeu. lib. 1. Galen’s Methodus Medendi was a foundational text for Renaissance medicine. And so on—you may seek the rest in the place cited.

C O N C L V S I O N.

But where do all these things, repeated from such a long introduction, point? For what purpose, finally, have we said them? Indeed, it is so that we may bring back into use those divine herbs and plants of all kinds that have been obsolete and obscured until now—finally, whatever the fields or woods produce. Let us restore antiquity and "keep it in good repair," original: sarta tecta, a Roman legal phrase meaning a building is "roofed and repaired," or in sound condition. as the saying goes, and stretch out a hand to collapsed herbal medicine. Furthermore, let this skill and knowledge not be restricted to a few, but let the whole world recognize the great works of God. These works are nowhere more readily seen than in the herbs themselves, painted so festively with so many and such various colors, adorned with so many flowers and seeds, and what is greatest of all, endowed with so many healing powers.

Finally, what they see me urging, let the modern and newer physicians pursue much more vehemently and with greater effort. If physicians will listen to me as an advisor—since they see today that a new age is beginning—they should remember the words of the Comic poet: "this matter requires another life, and even another diet." A reference to the Roman playwright Terence in his play Andria. They should leave behind so many old obscurities, the trifles of barbarians, In the Renaissance, "barbarians" often referred to medieval Arabic and Scholastic authors whose translations were considered "corrupted" compared to original Greek sources. so many uncertain traditions, and indeed, the most trifling nonsense. Instead, let them devote themselves to those genuine and pure medicines. I call "pure" that which is sought from Hippocrates, Galen, Theophrastus, Pliny, Dioscorides, Oribasius, and that class of ancient writers of medical matters who were the first principles of the art itself. This knowledge should be sought throughout all things original Greek: διὰ πασῶν (dia pason), literally "through all," often used to mean a complete or harmonious understanding.. They will then recognize how much they differ from those whom they have admired until now as if they were gods; from those ancients, they will learn to heal more healthfully and more effectively, and they will cease to demand so much from and plunder the poor common people, who are burdened enough already.