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.

The Preface.

MOst men derive the Original of Physick from heaven; for those who hold the best opinion of the Creation of the world, affirm, the Elements being created and separated each from other, man being not as yet made; incontinently by the divine decree, all herbs and plants with infinite variety of the flowers, en∣dued with various sents, tastes, colours, and forms, grew and sprung forth of the bowels of the Earth, enriched with so many and great vertues, that it may be thought a great offence to attribute to any other than the deity, the benefit of so great a blessing so necessary for so many uses. Neither could Mans capa∣city ever have attained to the knowledg of these things without the guidance of the Divine power. For God the great Creator and fashioner of the World, when first he inspired Adam by the breath of his mouth into a living and breathing man, he taught him the nature, the pro∣per operations, faculties and vertues of all things contained in the circuit of this universe. So that if there be any who would ascribe the glory of this invention to man, he is condemned of ingratitude even by the judgement of Pliny. But this knowledg was not buried in oblivion with Adam: but by the same gift of God was given to those whom he had chosen and ordained for Physick, to put their helping hands to others that stood in need thereof. Which opinion was not only received in the common manner and by the tacite consent of all Nations, but confirmed by Moses in the Scripture.* 1.1 Which thing Jesus the son of Sirach the wisest amongst the Jews, hath confirmed saying; Honour the Physitian with the honour due unto him, for the most High hath created him because of necessity: and of the Lord cometh the gift of healing. The Lord hath created Medicines of the Earth, and he that is wise will not abhor them. Give place and honour to the Physitian, for God hath created him; let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him. The Graecians who first seem more fully and with greater fame to have professed the Art of Physick, do in a manner consent with this opinion, in acknowledging Apollo to have been the Inventor thereof, neither did they it without a reasonable cause. For whether by Apollo they may understand the Sun who by its gentle and vital heat doth bring forth, temper and cherish all things; or else some Heros, who incited by an excellent and almost divine un∣derstanding first taught and put in practice the Medicinall vertues of Herbs; in which sense Ovid brings him in speaking thus:

Herbes are of mine invention, and through all The world, they me the first Physitian call.

The original of Physick arising from those beginnings shall alwayes be celebrated as celestiall, and was increased principally after this manner. After Apollo, Aesculapius his son instructed by his fa∣ther reduced this Art being as yet rude and vulgar into a little better and more exquisite form, for which cause he was reputed worthy to be accounted as one of Gods. At the same time flourished Chiron the Centaure, who for that he excelled in knowledg of Plants, and taught Aesculapius (as many re∣port) their faculties, is thought by Pliny and some others to have been the Inventor of Physick.* 1.2 Aescu∣lapius had two sons, Podalirius and Machaon, who following their fathers steps, and professing Phy∣sick, did principally beautifie and practise that part thereof which is called Chirurgery, and for that cause were accounted the Inventors thereof. After those Asclepiades left this Art much inlarged as hereditary to his posterity; by whose study and diligence, that part of the Art was Invented and annexed, which by a more curious skill searcheth and cureth those diseases which lye hid within the bo∣dy. Hippocrates the Coan the son of Heraclidas, born of the noble race of Asclepiades, Prince of the Physitians that were before him, perfocted Physick, and reduced it into an Art, and wrote divers Books thereof in Greek. Galen succeeded him six hundred years after, who was a Man most famous not only for his knowledg in Physick, but also in all other sciences, who faithfully interpreting every thing that was obscure and difficult in the writings of Hippocrates, enlarged the science with many volumes. Thus therefore was the beginning, thus the increase and perfectiag the Art of Physick, as much as can be holped for from mans industry. Although indeed we cannot deny but that experience hath much profited this Art, as it hath and doth many other. For as men perceived that some things were profitable, some unprofitable for this or that disease, they set it down, and so by diligent observation and marking of singu∣larities, they established universall and certain precepts and so brought it into an Art. For so we find it recorded in ancient Histories, before the invention of Physick, that the Babylonians and Assyrians had a custom amongst them to lay their sick and diseased persons in the porches and entries of their Houses, or to carry them into the streets or market places, that such as passed by and saw them, might

give them counsel to take those things to cure their diseases, which they had formerly found profitable in themselves or any other in the like affects, neither might any pass by a sick man in silence. Also Strabo writes that it was a custom in Greece that those which were sick should resort to Aescu∣lapius his Temple in Epidaurum, that there as they slept, by their dreams they might be admonish∣ed by the God what means they should use to be cured; and when they were freed from their diseases, they writ the manner of their infirmities and the means by which they were cured, in Tables and fastned them to the pillars of the Temple, not only for the glory of the God, but also for the profit of such, as should afterwards be affected with the like Maladies. All which tables as (fame reports) Hippocrates transcribed, and so from those drew the Art of Physick. Beasts also have added much to his Art. For one Man was not only instructed by another, but learned also much from brute beasts; for they by the only instinct of nature have found out divers herbs, and remedies, by which they freed and preserved themselves from infirmities, which might presently be transferred to mans use. Where∣for considering that such and so many have concurred to bring this Art to perfection, who hereafter dare call in question the excellency thereof? chiefly if he respected the subject thereof, Mans body, a thing more noble than all other Mundane things, and for which the rest were created. Which thing moved Herophilus in times past to call Physitians The hands of the Gods. For as we by putting forth our hand, do help any man out of the water or mud into which he is fallen: even so we do sustain those that are thrown down from the top of health to the gates of death by violence of diseases, with happy medicines, and as it were by some special and divine gift deliv••r them out of the jaws of death. Homer the Prince of Greek Poets affirms, that one Physitian is far more worthy then many other men. All Antiquity gave Physitians such honour, that they worshipped them with great veneration as Gods, or the sons of their Gods. For who is it which is not much delighted with the divine force of healthful medicines, with which (we see by daily experience) Physitians, as armed with Mercu∣ries rod, do bring back those languishing souls which are even entring the gates of Death? Hence it cometh to pass that the divine Poets of ancient times, as Orpheus, and Musaeus, and He∣siod, and the most renowned Philosophers, Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, Theophrastus, Chrysippus, Cato Censorius, and Varro, esteemed nothing more excellent than to excell in the knowledg of Medicines, and to testifie the same by written monuments to Posterity. For what can be more noble and worthy of a generous disposition than to attain to that by the benefit of Physick, that adorned with the ornaments of dignity thou mayest have power over other men, and favoured of Princes, Kings, and Emperors, mayest appoint and prescribe to them those things which are profitable to preserve health, and cure their diseases? But if thou look for benefit by Sciences; then known that the professors hereof have beside sufficient gain, acquired much honour and many friends. Hippocrates coming to Abdera to cure Democritus of his madness, not only the men of the City, but also the Women Children,* 1.3 and people of every age, sex and rank, went forth to meet him, giving him with a common consent and loud voice the title of a Tutelary Deity and father of their Countrey. But the Atheni∣ans, for freeing their Countrey from the Plague, with triumphant pompe celebrated playes to his honour, and bountifully set upon his head as if he had been a King, a Crown of Gold weighing a 1000. pieces of their Golden coin, and erected his statute, for a perpetual monument of his piety and learning. Era∣sistratus the Nephew of Aristotle by his daughter, received, freely given him by Ptolomy King of Egypt, for the cure of his son, 100. Talents of gold. The Emperor Augustus honoured Anto∣nius Musa with a golden statue. Quintus Stertinius yearly received out of the Emperors Treasury 12500. pieces of gold. In the time of our Grandfathers Petrus Aponensis called Concili∣ator was so famous through all Italy for his knowledg in Physick, that he could scarce be intreated to come to any man of fashion that was sick, unless he gave him 50. crowns, for every day he was ab∣sent from home: but when he went to cure Heronius the Bishop of Rome, he received 400. crowns for every day he was absent. Our French Chronicles relate in what credit and estimation James Cotterius the Physitian was with Lewis the 11. King of France; for they report he gave him monthly out of his Treasury 10000. crowns. Physick in times past hath been in such esteem with many famous and noble personages, that divers Kings and Princes delighted with the study thereof, and desirous to attain glory and credit thereby, called sundry herbs after their own names. For so Gentian took its name of Gentius King of Illyria; the herb Lysimachia of Lusima∣chus,* 1.4 the King of Macedon, the Mithridatick herb or Scordium, of Mithridates the King of Pontus and Bithinay, Achilla of Achilles, Centory of Chiron the Centaure; Artemisia of Arte∣misia the Queen of Carias Attalus King of Pergamus, Solomon of Judea. Evax of Arabia, and Juba the King of Mauritania, were not only inflamed with a desire of the knowledg of Plants; but either they have written books of it, or for the great commodity of posterity, invented by their skil many choice antidotes compounded of divers simples; neither the desire of learning this noble science is yet altogether extinct; as may appear by that Indian plant Tabacco, called by some the noble herb, Catherines herb and Medices herb, but commonly the Queens herb, because Catherine Medices the Mother of our Kings, by her singular study and industry made manifest the excellent vertue it hath in curing malign ulcers and wounds, which before was unknown to the French. For these worthy men understood that their glory, thus fastened and ingraffed into the deep, and as it were ever living roots of plants, would never decay; but should be propagated to all posterity in many succeeding ages, growing up with their sprouting and budding shouts, stalks, flowers and fruits. Neither did these famous men whilst they adorned this part of Physick suffer the other, which treats of the dissection of mans body, be buried in oblivion, and without their knowledg; as instructed with the precepts and learning of the wisest men, how artificial and unimitable by mortal hand this fabrick of our body is. Neither is it probable that Apis, Osiris

and ••tolomy King of Egypt, Solomon, Alexander the great, Mithridates, Attalus, seeing they de∣•••••••• themselv•••• wh••lly to the contemplation of natural things: negle••ted th•• use of Anatomy, and 〈…〉〈…〉 us to know themselves, to have been ignorant of the structure ••f their own bodies being the ••••litations of th ir son's immortal and made to the Image of God: seeing they observed with cert••in judgment the different lights of the Sun, Moon and Stars; and passed ov••r so many Lands, so many Seas, so many Regions, so far remote one from another, by wayes so terrible by reason of cold, uncouthness, dark∣ness, by rocks, by fire and sword, with great labour, charge and danger of life, only that they might satis∣fi•••• their minds thirsting after the knowledg of things; and to have left untouched a thing truly noble, admirable, and most worthy of knowledg, easie to be attained by any, and to be acquired without any danger of life, or fortunes.

Seeing there be three parts of that Physick which at this time we profess Chirurgery;* 1.5 which by th•• use of the hand, Diet which with the convenient manner of feeding and ordering the body, and Pharmacy that by medicines attempt to expel diseases, and preserve health; The prime Phy•• 〈…〉〈…〉 not with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reason contend which of these may be accounted the chief. Certainly Herophilus had Pharmacy in such est em, that he thought medicines were first mixed and administred to the sick by Apollo (whom A••••••∣quity thought a great diety.) And Pliny had so good an opinion of Diet, that he exclaims, The true ••••medies and Antidotes against diseases, are put into the pot and eaten every day by the poor people. Veri∣•••• all learned men confess that the manner of curing which is performed by diet, is much more f••cile and prosperous, than that which is done by m••dicines; as those things which sought with much la our and ••••st are taken with much loathing, and taken are scarce retained, but retained they oft work with much ••••our and pain: Which things long ago moved Asclepiades to exclude the use of medicines, as hurt∣ful to the stomach. Yet if we will believe Celsus, neither of these parts merit the preheminence, but both of them give place to Chirurgery. For seeing that fortune is v••ry powerful in dis••••se••, and the same Meats and Medicines are often good and often vain, truly it is hard to say, whether the health is r co∣vered by the benefit of Diet and Pharmacy, or by the strength of the body. Moreover in thos cases, in which we most prevail with medicines, although the profit be more manifest, yet it is evident that health is often sought in vain even by th••se things, and often recovered without them. As it may be perceived by some troubled with sore eyes, and others with quartain Fevers, who having been long troubled by Physiti∣tians are som times healed without th••m. But the effect of Chirurgery as it is very necessary, so it is the most evident amongst all the parts of Physick. For who without Chirurgery can hope to cure broken, or luxated parts, who wounds and ulcers, who the falling of the Matrix, the stone in the bladder, a member infested with a gangrene or Sphacele? Besides, this part also is the most antient; for Podali∣rius and Machaon following their General Agamennon to the Trojan wars, yielded no small comfort to their fellow Souldiers. Whom notwithsanding Homer affirms not to have given any help in th•• Pe∣stilence, nor in divers other diseases, but only were accustomed t•• heal wounds by instruments and medi∣cines. And if the difficulty of learning i•• argue the excellency of the Art, who can dou••t but Chirur∣gery must be the most excellent, seeing that none ought to be accounted a Chirurgeon,* 1.6 or which can per∣form his duty, without the knowledg of Diet and Pharmacy▪ But both th•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 can perform their parts without Chirurgery if we may believe Galen. But if we consider the matter more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a••cording to truth; we shall understand thos•• three parts have a certain common bond and are very 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of kind∣••••••, so that the one implores the aid of the other; n••ither can the Physitian do any thing prais•••• why without the conspiracy and joint consent of these three; therefore in ancient times there was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one per∣form••r and user of all the three parts. But the multitude of men daily increasing, and ••n the contrary mans life d••creasing, so that it did not seem able to suffice for to learn and exercise all the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the w••rkmen divided themselves. Wherefore that which happens to any man either 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or counsel, th•••• let him follow, maintain and only use, as mindful how short his lfe is, and how long the Art.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gen. 1. Eccles. 38.••.
• * 1.2

  Plin. I. 7. c. 2▪
• * 1.3

  In what esteem Physitians have formerly been.
• * 1.4

  Names given to Plants.
• * 1.5

  Physick is divi∣ded into three parts.
• * 1.6

  The excellency of Chirurgery.