An ornamental woodcut headpiece featuring symmetrical floral and foliate scrolls with a central blossom motif.

TO THE MOST NOBLE, MOST ILLUSTRIOUS, AND

BY HIS MOST AMPLE DIGNITY

distinguished man, Lord
HÉROARD, Jean Héroard (1551–1628) was a celebrated French physician, best known for being the chief physician to King Louis XIII and for keeping a detailed journal of the King's health and childhood. Lord of Vaugrineuse, original: "Valgrinosae." This refers to Héroard's seigneurial estate in France.
Counselor to the Most Christian King of France
and Navarre, and most worthy Chief Physician, original: "Archiatro," a high-ranking title for a royal doctor.
greetings and prosperity. original Greek: "εὖ πράττειν" (eu prattein), a standard greeting in scholarly letters wishing the recipient "to do well."

A decorative woodcut initial letter 'C' entwined with vine and leaf patterns.

WHILE I was frequently
reflecting and revolving somewhat
attentively in my mind and memory,
Most Distinguished Sir, in what sense Fernel, Jean Fernel (1497–1558) was a highly influential French physician whose works bridged medieval and modern medicine.
in the second book of "On the Hidden Causes of Things," original: "De Abditis rerum caussis," Fernel's famous treatise exploring diseases that seemed to have supernatural or "occult" origins beyond the four humors.