A small floral ornament is centered at the very top. Beneath it is a wide horizontal decorative band composed of repeating ornamental patterns including foliate designs and fleur-de-lis.

Introduction to the Reader.

Allow me, Friend Reader, to take you by the hand, as it were, in this entrance hall, to delay you briefly and introduce you to the matter at hand with a few forewarnings. Presented here, through my care, are the Complete Works of Hartmann Johannes Hartmann (1568–1631) was the first professor of chemistry in Europe and a leading figure in "iatrochemistry" or chemical medicine., whose genuine splendor has not yet shone forth sufficiently until now, since many of these writings either lay hidden under spiderwebs or were signed under another's name. The Additions which I promise on the title page of this book were prompted by certain students at the University of Rinteln original: "Academiâ Rintheliensi"; a university in Lower Saxony active from 1619 to 1810, where I held a professorship a few years ago. While I was "rolling this stone" original: "Quod faxum dum volvo"; a reference to the labor of Sisyphus, suggesting a heavy task, I held nothing more important than being able to benefit my students. Thus, these notes were born under my hands—things I was thinking of nothing less than eventually destining for the light of publication. For I do not live so unconcerned with this current age that I am unaware that those who expose their own experiments to the public judgment of all are subject to various criticisms. Therefore, I was content to watch over my own duties and hide away among books and letters, far from all envy.

But a Frankfurt bookseller, enticed by the prospect of profit, seeing that my Chymiatric Practice original: "Praxin meam Chymiatricam"; "Chymiatry" refers to the early modern medical tradition of using chemical and mineral preparations rather than just herbal ones, printed at his expense, was received with the kind favor of many, insisted with frequent interruptions that I also commit these Additions to Hartmann’s Practice to the press, as he had heard of them from elsewhere. Indeed, although I was glad that my little book was approved by the judgment of the learned, I did not think it safe enough to trust my little boat—which had been pulled up to the shore—to the ocean and the waves once again.

Nevertheless, I finally allowed those things I had recorded on paper for the use of students to be wrung from me, far from any ornament of words or "makeup," as all who deign to give them their care will easily perceive. But a sad fate for the bookseller intervened in this rushed edition: while he was departing, he perished miserably, crushed by the ruin of a collapsing house. I believed my annotations on Hartmann were wrapped in those same ruins and entombed in the same grave, since they did not return to the hand of the author, who afterwards desired nothing more than to apply a sharper file original: "acriorem adhibere limam"; a metaphor for meticulous editing and polishing so that they might come forth more carefully prepared.

And yet, at last, beyond all hope, they come forth dressed in their native "shagginess" original: "villo"; referring to the unpolished, raw state of the drafts just as they were; yet they promise some goodwill for themselves from the reader. What I have provided in this work would be superfluous to state anxiously, lest I be thought to be pushing "wares for sale"; for I candidly impart many secret experiments, on which account the "Prince of this Work" referring to Hartmann himself is most highly regarded and praised by almost everyone.

It was never my intention to disparage the opinions of others or to stand on another's head so that I might appear taller, or to hunt for fame at the expense of another—just as Caligula used to take the heads off the statues of the Gods to put his own in their place. I once tried to benefit the private utility of students with this labor; if it happens to serve the public benefit of many, I shall owe it to a great favor of fortune. I have gladly sought brevity to relieve the boredom that tends to creep over the delicate minds of some, though some things will occur that need more full explanation; I certainly would not have omitted to add these, had the considerations of time and place not begrudged me the opportunity. Otherwise, I hate "faulty abundance."

Furthermore, I am working so that my Medical Institutions—adapted to modern foundations and curious with many copperplate engravings, which I am now polishing according to the measure of time I am allowed to gain from my courtly duties—may one day show themselves to the eager reader to be looked upon. Farewell, friend reader, and be favorable to