De hepatis inflammatione theses

And I must ingenuously acknowledge and confess that I am entirely bound to them. Since, therefore, most ample men, most eminent in learning and prudence, I owe perpetual gratitude to the Fatherland and to you, but cannot yet repay anything of any moment either to it or to you: lest I should rightly incur the suspicion of an ungrateful mind through further silence, I wished to give this small testimony of my respect toward your Personages. For since from my youth I have been delighted by the study of the medical art, and have pursued it with all the diligence I could in the other Academies of our Germany: eventually, not only did pleasure take hold of my mind, but also fame moved me to move to this Academy, in which everyone knows this study flourishes, and which abounds with men most famous for their reputation for learning. Having heard the most learned men there for two years, it happened that the highest degree in that art was solemnly conferred upon me by the College and Medical Order on the 7th of September. I desired that the Senators of my Fatherland, as witnesses, should be present at that public announcement above all others, a custom which is deservedly observed in nearby schools. But since I am hindered by such a great distance of places, so that I cannot fulfill my wish and observe the customary practice: lest I do nothing at all, I offer, dedicate, and assign these Theses, proposed for public disputation for the sake of obtaining the degree, to your Personages. And since I cannot in any way doubt your mind and benevolence, I send myself to commend myself to your Personages. I pray, however, to God the Almighty, that He may be present with His Holy Spirit to one and all, so that in the future also the government of my most dear Fatherland may be happy. From the Academy of Basel, the 3rd of the Nones of September September 3rd, the year 1584.