To the most famous and excellent man,

Master Doctor Philippus Mullerus of

Freiburg, most skilled chymiatrist: "chymiatro," a practitioner of iatrochemistry, the early modern branch of medicine that sought to treat diseases using chemical and mineral preparations rather than just herbs

CASPAR BARTHOLINUS the Dane,

Doctor of Philosophy and

Physician.

So at last, my most dear Müller original: "mi oculissime," literally "my most-eyed," a classical Latin expression for someone held in the highest affection, similar to "the apple of my eye", I hear that the monuments of your genius are to be spread abroad; you have kept them hidden long enough until now, and I know well that you finally judge it time for them to be brought into the light. Yet no one besides yourself thinks they should have stayed hidden so long.

When we were once joined in conversation in Italy—that queen of regions—I remind you original: "memoriam tibi refrico," literally "I rub your memory," a vivid idiom for refreshing someone's recollection of what you promised: namely, that you would not delay in publication, because the subject matter of the work is for the public good: "pro publico bono," the moral imperative for scholars to share knowledge that might improve the health or lives of the general population. Come then, keep your word! And to me, indeed, show your love: which, since it is not possible to do so in person, I offer to you in spirit