Has de humoribus theses

TO THE MOST NOBLE, DISTINGUISHED, AND LEARNED MAN, LORD CHRISTIAN TALHAMER, councilor and secretary to the two illustrious Orders of Counts and Barons, Knights and Nobles of the renowned Archduchy of Lower Austria, etc., my most respected Lord and patron.

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THERE is nothing, most noble Lord Talhamer, my most respected patron, on which expenditures are more poorly placed than when they are wasted uselessly and shamefully under the false pretext of studies. Therefore, in order to show some evidence of progress and diligence to the two illustrious Orders of Counts and Barons, Knights and Nobles of the renowned Archduchy of Lower Austria, etc., my most merciful Lords and patrons who provide me with generous and magnificent funds to complete the curriculum of the medical art, I wished to write these medical Theses on the Humors and to propose them for public debate and examination. I thought it appropriate, however, to send them to you, most distinguished man, and to inscribe them to your illustrious name, so that there might exist some proof of my most grateful intention toward you. For since you have embraced me with singular love and benevolence until now, have promoted my efforts in every way, and have uniquely studied my interests, it would indeed be the mark of an ungrateful man if I did not try to show some gratitude, even if not equal to your merits, then at least owed. Furthermore, since you have achieved such fame of name not only among the two illustrious Orders, but also among the remaining Orders of Austria, through your highest prudence in political affairs, counsel, and merits, and indeed through the splendor of all virtues which shines in you beyond your age, and your authority among all is such that even by your recommendation alone you can assist very many and open a path for all to praise and dignity, whom else should I consider as a great patron to be held, respected, and in every way deserved? Receive, therefore, this little gift, indeed a slight one and unworthy of your greatness, yet a token of my gratitude and respect toward you, and continue to deserve well of me and my studies, and to recommend them to the illustrious Orders. I also bid a great greeting to your colleague, Lord Simon Egen, a most distinguished man, who has served the illustrious Orders and indeed the entire province of Austria most well, and who is most devoted to me, out of gratitude and respect. May you both be well in these things, and keep me entirely commended to yourselves. Given at Basel of the Rauraci on the first of February, in the year of the salvation-bringing birth, one thousand five hundred and eighty-one.

Your most devoted,
M. PAULUS SCKERUE