Two Physical Treatises: On the Imposture of Healing Wounds by the Weapon Salve and On the Bleeding of Corpses

110. No other method remains, not even one based merely on probable nature.

111. For the motion and influence of the heavens reach all subjects without choice.

112. But if the telum medicatum medicated weapon receives power from the injured part of the animal, it would be similar, while the latter is dissimilar; we deny that there is any logic in this.

113. Furthermore, the power of the heavens does not flow in except by means of the air.

114. It is necessary that the air, being subject to all the planets, receive from all of them a preparation or disposition toward the power.

115. And it is also very familiar to bodies.

116. Although, therefore, there may be some application of medicine to the stars, the propensity that exists in the air is nevertheless stronger.

117. That which is stronger is better.

118. Nature seeks what is better, omitting the worse, if it can be done.

119. Therefore, there would not be a natural transition of virtue into this false medicine rather than into the air.

120. Magical attraction occurs either by the power of the medicine or by that of the one who operates, namely the practitioner.

121. Magicians can assign no other power to the medicine than a magnetic one, which attracts what is familiar, concerning which we have spoken before.