Anatomia sambuci, or, The anatomy of the elder cutting out of it plain, approved, and specific remedies for most and chiefest maladies : confirmed and cleared by reason, experience, and history / collected in Latine by Dr. Martin Blochwich ...

THE PRINTER TO THE READER.

THe Ornaments of Nature are so many and marvellous, that they not only submit the mind of Man in a devote honour to that Being that preserveth this variety in so sweet a consort; but force also our thoughts to pursue the inquest of the several ties and dependencies of this beau∣tiful proportion, that at last we may come to the knowledge of things in their causes and con∣nexion. This Pythagoras most properly termed Philosophy. And indeed Nature hath not been in this, neither in any other of her works, empty: but hath bestowed on us largely all means fit for the accomplishment of our wishes. Amongst which Experience and Reason deservedly challenge precedency: Experience, being be∣holding to Chance and Imitation, is pleased to impart her Observations to Reason; who not

being discourteous, doth assist her with her own Principles, and so mustereth in the fields of Learning Noble Squadrons of Conclusions against their common enemy Ignorance.

This is vigorously illustrated by the Relation of famous Galen; A Viper by chance being stifled in Wine, and a Leprous person drinking it, was cured. A Philosopher hearing it, used the same means, and was rid of the same Ma∣lady. Chance in the one, and Imitation in the other, asserted the experience: Which Reason now in others makes plausible use of.

From this Base is the Noble Frame of Medicine raised to so great a magnificence: For the Ancients, being by event or advice de∣livered from their sickness, hung up votive Tables in the Chapels of their Gods, drawn with the Lineaments of their Disease and Remedy. Out of these approved, yet scatter∣ed, Records did the divine Hippocrates ga∣ther those Theorems, which all Posterity adore and embrace as the highest Masterpiece of this skill.

And our Author seems in this his Treatise of the Elder to tread the foot-steps of that more than mortal old man: For here, as in a curious Landskip, he hath clearly and metho∣dically represented to your view the Experi∣ments and Vertues of this humble Shrub;

whether by chance discovered to the Commons, or by improvement to the rational. In whose ragged Cote are contained, I dare aver, rarer and safer Medicines, than the rob'd Indies en∣rich us with; and though they seem but homely, and the Products of Peasants; yet are more safe and effectual for our bodies and diseases, than the most renowned Exoticks: For Nature, with a plentiful Horn, hath provided each Climate proper Medicines.

This being considered by the ingenious, it will not only inforce upon them a grateful remem∣brance of the Author for collecting, but of the Translator also for imparting his Experiments to us in our Mother Tongue.

For my own part, though I might put in for my share, if not of Thanks, yet of Acceptance, for this Bill of Revival, if I may so term it, which brings you at present a new sight of that Translation, which, with many other things of great value, seem'd lately buried in the rubbish of our Cities Ruines, I shall content my self with performance of a work conducing to the Service of my Countrymen: and hope that this second apparence of so useful a Piece will be no less acceptable to them, than the first. I am sure it cannot be less useful, if the frequent and urgent enquiries with which the Book was demanded, when out of Print, deceive me not,

But without peradventure, the great Experience which hath lately justified the Vertues of the Elder Tree (such, I dare say, as hath far exceeded the knowledge of Elder Times) will make for me with them that know, as many do, that from its Berries is drawn a Spirit of such use and request in some parts of the Land, that not only Shops, but Private Houses also, are thought ill furnished without it. I will not therefore by a tedeous Preface detain you any longer from the benefit of this excellent Discourse, of which it is not the least commendation, that it can suffi∣ciently commend it self.

Novemb. 1. 1669.