Appendix to the Books on Plants and Peripatetic Questions

neither by Mithridatum original: "Mitridatū"; a famous complex herbal remedy used as an antidote to poison, named after King Mithridates VI, nor by any others can they be healed, except by divine aid. However, the entire method of curing consists in recognizing the properties of those things which are administered, and the opportunity—to whom and when they are appropriate. Since indeed the authors from whom we received the art of Medicine used certain external medications proven by long experience, we are compelled to investigate those same things diligently, as many of them, due to the various revolutions of time, have either perished or been rendered unknown to us.

But among the other benefits bestowed upon us by God, this one is not insignificant: that in our times, commerce with India and the New World even unto the Antipodes A term used for the opposite side of the world has been granted, from which we can very easily obtain those things which grow among them; and the most precious things, desired by the ancient and most powerful Roman Emperors, are today brought to us at no great price. By the best right, moreover, those peoples communicate the goods of their own land to us in exchange for the inestimable treasure of the faith which they have received from our people.

It may seem a wonder, however, that the most precious spices were endangered and then revived simultaneously with the Christian faith. For there was no lack of a supply of Cinnamon at Rome before Nero; but afterward, when the Faith of the Gospel preached by the Apostle in India began to diminish, Cinnamon also began to be missed, even though the Roman Empire had then reached further toward those regions. It revived, however, when the Gospel began to be preached again, as the Portuguese original: "Lusitanis" penetrated to those lands; so much so that today a greater supply is had of its bark (which is its better part) than the ancients had of the wood, in which there is no pleasing quality. The same thing is seen to have happened—