At the top of the page, below the header, there is a decorative border consisting of three rows of typographic ornaments. The first row contains small fleur-de-lis or floral patterns. The second and third rows consist of circular, star-shaped floral icons.

The First Little Treatise.

Of the Universal Medicine for Humans and Metals.

Here begins the highest secret of all nature: the Universal The "Universal" or "Universal Medicine" refers to the Philosopher's Stone in its most potent form, believed by alchemists to be a "panacea" capable of curing any illness in humans and "perfecting" any base metal into gold. of the entire, perfect medicine for the human body and for metals original: "Metalla.", to transform the same into the very best gold, which is far better than that found in the mountains. This is described not according to the riddles of the sages original: "Rätzeln der Weisen." Most alchemical texts were written in "Decknamen" (cover-names) or allegories to keep the secrets from the common people; here, the author claims to break that tradition., but entirely according to my mother tongue original: "Mutter-Sprache." Here meaning German, as opposed to the scholarly Latin that dominated the era.. No one has ever done the like as long as the world has stood, from the beginning of creation original: "Schöpffung." until now, as I do here; and I have been moved to do so by the love I bear for those who have set out upon this path.

However, the reason I have written so clearly is because I know many of my brothers The author refers to his fellow monks or members of his religious order. who have immersed themselves in this and spend everything that the beloved Church gives them—namely their food and money—upon it, and would rather suffer hunger and sorrow than give up. This moves me to deep pity, especially for those I know personally. I shall reveal it to one more person before I die, and afterwards seal this into a hidden place; I am also certain that whoever finds this will have been chosen for it by God.

Universal Medicine, Metals, Gold, Riddles of the Sages, Mother Tongue, Creation