Theses de febre hectica

A large ornamental drop cap M begins the text.

TO THE CLARISSIMUS VIR original: "CL. V." — a title meaning "most illustrious man", THE EXCELLENT PRECEPTOR, D. THEODORE ZWINGER, GUILLAUME BAUCINET SENDS GREETINGS.

Magna are your benefits toward me, most illustrious man, for which I do not find a suitable manner of speech to offer you thanks. It is so far from being the case that I could repay them, that I have decided it is better not to diminish them with my own words, which I would have done, even if I had undertaken to praise them most highly. I do what I can, zealously and willingly, to demonstrate how much I owe to you, a second parent, and indeed a preceptor, but of what sort and how great? I would owe more if the sloth and slowness of my wit had allowed it. To show a grateful spirit toward you, it seemed proper to dedicate these positions to you. And if I know that for you, a most excellent man, well-deserving of good things and meritorious, there is nothing else proposed beyond the act of doing good itself. But if I should ever be judged not unworthy of that dignity which I now seek, it will be to you, after God, that it must be attributed; from you I am able to learn in what way and by what method I ought to conduct myself, not only in the master art, Medicine itself I mean, but also in other matters. May God keep you, excellent preceptor, safe and surviving for the Republic of Basel and indeed for the whole literary world for a very long time. Basel, 15 days before the Kalends of June, 1584.