The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latin and compared with the French. by Tho: Johnson. Whereunto are added three tractates our of Adrianus Spigelius of the veines, arteries, & nerves, with large figures. Also a table of the bookes and chapters.

To the Reader.

I Have here for the publike good taken pains to subject my self to common censure, the which I doubt not but to finde as various as the faces of the Censurers; but I expect no thanks, nor hunt after o∣ther praise, than that I have laboured for my Countries good, if that deserve any. I fear not Calumniation (though sure to hear of it) and therefore I will not Apologize, but inform thee of some things concerning the Author, his work, and the reason that induced me to the translation thereof, with some few things besides. For the Au∣thor, who was principal Surgeon to two or three Kings of France, he was a man well versed in the writings of the Antient and modern Physitians, and Sur∣geons, as you may evidently find by sundry places alledged in his works. For his ex∣perience, or practice (the chief help to attain the highest perfection in this Art) it was wonderful great, as you may collect by his voyages recorded in the last part of his work; as also by that which James Guilleman, Surgeon to the French King, a man both learned and judicious in his profession, avers, speaking of his own education and progresse in the Art of Surgery. I so laid (* 1.1 said he) the first foundation of this Art in the Ho∣spital of Paris, being as it were, an ample Theater of wounds and diseases of all kindes, that for two whole years, during which time I was there conversant, nothing was con∣sulted of, nothing performed, the Physitians and Surgeons being present, whereof I was not an Auditor or Actor. There flourished at these times, and yet doth, Ambrose Parey, principal Surgeon to the most Christian King, the Author of this great work, most re∣nowned for the most gracious favour of Kings, Princes and Nobles towards him, for his Authority amongst his equals, for his Chirurgical operations amongst all men. There∣fore I earnestly endeavoured to be received into his family, as unto another Machaon, or Podalirius: once admitted, I so by all dutifulness and due respect acquired his favour, that he, unless I were present and assisting, did nothing (such is his natural gentleness and curtesie to all such as are studious of the Art) at home or abroad, in the field, in the tents, or lastly in this famous City of Paris, about the bodies of Dukes, Noblemen, or Citizens, in whose cure, he by the ardent desire of them all, had still the prime place.

Now for this work, hear what this same man in the same place affirmeth further: I not content with these means, which may seem sufficient, and too much, as desirous to satisfie my long thirst, determined to try whether I could draw, or borrow any thing from stran∣gers, which our men wanted, to the fuller knowledge of Surgery. To this purpose I travailed over Germany, and then for four years space I followed the Spanish Army in the Low-countries; whereas I did not only carefully cure the wounded Souldiers, but also heedfully and curiously observed what way of curing the renowned Italian, Germane, and Spanish Surgeons observed, who together with me were imployed in the Hospital, for the healing of the wounded and sick. I observed them all to take no other course than that which is here delivered by Parey. Such as did not understand French, got some pieces of this work for large rewards, turned into Latin, or such languages as they understood, which they kept charily, and made great store of; and they esteemed, and admired, and embraced this work alone, above all other works of Surgery, &c. Our author also himself, not out of a vain-glorious ostentation, but a mind conscious of the truth of his assertion, affirms thus much of this work. I have (saith he) so certainly toucht the mark whereat I aimed, that Antiquity may seem to have nothing wherein it may exceed us, besides the glory of invention, nor Posterity any thing left, but a certain small hope to add some things, as it is easie to add to former inventions. Thus much concerning our Author, and the excellency of his Work.

Now come I to the Translation, the which, as desiring more a publike good, than pri∣vate praise, I have performed plainly and honestly, labouring to fit it to the capacity of the meanest Artist; for these are they to whom I chiefly comm••nd this work, and from whom I expect acceptation. I being by the earnest perswasions of some of this profession, chiefly and almost wholly perswaded and incited to take this pains, who knowing the disability of understanding this Author in Latin or French, in many of the weaker members of the large body of their profession, dispersed over this Kingdome, and the rest of his Majesties Dominions, whose good, and encrease in knowledge may be wisht, that so they may be the better enabled to do good to such as shall implore their aid in their profession.

There are some (I know) will blame me for Englishing this work, as laying open the mysteries of a worthy Art, to the unworthy view of the vulgar. To such I could answer as* 1.2Aristotle did to Alexander: but for the present I will give them these reasons which I think may satisfie any but the purposely malicious: the first is drawn from the goodness of the thing, as intended for those that want such guides to direct them in their Art; for it is com∣monly granted, that, Bonum quo communius eo melius. Secondly, it hath been the custom of most Writers in all ages and Countries thus to do: Hippocrates, Galen, and the other Greeks, writ in their mother tongue the mysteries of their Art: thus did Celsus, Serenus, and others in Latin: Mesue, Avicen, Serapio, and others, in Arabick; as also, to go no further, our author writ this work in his native French, and learned men have done the like in this, and all other Arts. And it is a great hinderance to us in these dayes, that we must be forced to learn to understand two or three tongues, before we can learn any sci∣ence, whereas the Ancients learned and taught theirs in their mother tongue: so that they spent a great deal less time about words, and more upon the study of that Art or Science they intended to learn and follow. Thirdly I must tell you, that, Ex libris nemo evasit Ar∣tifex, No man becomes a workman by books: so that unless they have had some insight in the Art, and be in some sort acquainted both with the terms of Art, as also with the knowledge and use of the instruments thereto belonging, if by reading this, or any other Book of the like nature they become Surgeons, I must needs liken them (as Galen doth a∣nother sort of men* 1.3) to Pilots by book only: to whose care, I think none of us would commit his safety at Sea; nor any if wise, will commit themselves to these at land, or Sea either, unless wholly destitute of other.

The other things whereof I must give you notice, are these. The figures in the A∣natomy are not the same used by my Author (whose were according to those of Vesalius) but according to those of Bauhine, which were used in the work of Dr. Crook; and these indeed are the better and more compleat. Also pag. 519. I thought it better to give the true figure of the Helmet floured Aconite, mentioned out of Pliny, than to reserve the feig∣ned picture of Matthiolus which in our Author was encreased with the further fiction of a Helmet. I have in some few places in the margent, which you shall find marked with a star, put short annotations, for the better illustration of that which is obscure, &c. I have also in the Text to the same purpose, here and there put two or three words, con∣tained in these limits [], which I find here and there turned into a plain Parenthesis, espe∣cially toward the latter end of the book; but the matter is not great. Further I must ac∣quaint you that the Apology and Voyages, being the last part of this work, and not in the Latin, but French editions, were translated into English out of French by George Baker, a Surgeon of this City, since that time, as I hear, dead beyond the Seas.

This is all, Courteous Reader, that I have thought necessary to acquaint thee withall concerning this, which I would desire thee to take with the same mind that it is presented to thee, by him that wisheth thee all happiness,

Thomas Johnson.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In his Epistle Prefixed before the Latin edi∣tion of this Author.
• * 1.2

  Vide Aul. Gel. l. 2. c. 4.
• * 1.3

  Gal. de simp. l. 6.