Scrutinium Physico-Medicum Contagiosae Luis quae Pestis Dicitur

or shall it be considered a fault in me, if I diligently devote whatever talent has been entrusted to me by GOD, the Best and Greatest, to the cultivation of that part of Physics which is as noble as it is most abstruse—that which the medical faculty rightfully makes entirely its own? I shall devote, expend, and reveal it, with all fear of the critics proscribed and all the obelisks of the Aristarchuses expunged, relying especially on this confidence: that a subject undertaken not so much by the instinct of my own wit, as for the sake of divine honor and the duty of the common good—to which I have long since consecrated myself and all my works in the literary arena—and indeed extorted by the pressing prayers of men of princely status as well as private citizens, who are established in such great necessity during this calamitous time of pestilence, shall, with divine grace inspiring it, turn to some use for the afflicted and conduce to their benefit. But to return to the theme proposed to us.