Page:Paré - Works, 1649.djvu/9



Have here for the publike good taken paines to subject my selfe 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 other praise, than that I have laboured for my Countries good, if that deserve any. I feare not Calumniation (though sure to heare of it) and therefore I will not Apologize, but informe 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 Author, who was principall Surgeon to two or three Kings of France, hee was a man well versed in the writings of the antient and moderne Physitians, and Surgeons, as you may evidently finde by sundry places alledged in his workes. For his experience, or practice (the chiefe helpe to attaine the highest perfection in this Art) it was wonderfull great, as you may collect by his voyages recorded in the last part of this work; as also by that which James Guillemeau, Surgeon to the French King, a man both learned and judicious in his profession, averres, speaking of his owne education and progresse in the Art of Surgery. I so laid (* saith hee) the first foundation of this Art in the Hospitall of Paris, being, as it were, an ample Theater of wounds and diseases of all kindes, that for two whole yeares, during which time I was there conversant, nothing was consulted of, nothing performed, the Physitians, and Surgeons being present, whereof I was not an Auditor of Actor. There flourished at these times, and yet doth, Ambrose Parey, principall Surgeon to the most Christian King, the Author of this great worke, most renowned for the gracious favour of Kings, Princes and Nobles towards him, for his Authoritie amongst his equals, for his Chirurgical operations amongst all men. Therefore I earnestly endeavoured to be received into his family, as unto another Machaon, or Podalitius: once admitted, I so by all dutifulnesse and due respect acquired his favour, that he, unlesse I were present and assisting, did nothing (such is his naturall gentlenesse 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 Citie 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 worke, heare what this same man in the same place affirmeth further: I not content with these meanes, which may seeme sufficient, and too much, as desirous to satisfie my long thirst, determined to try whether I could draw, or borrow any thing from strangers, which our men wanted, to the fuller knowledge of Surgery. To this purpose I travailed over Germany, and then for foure years space I followed the Spanish Armie in the Lowcountries; whereas I did not onely carefully cure the wounded Souldier, but also heedfully and curiously observe what way of curing the renowned Italian, Germane, and Spanish Surgeons observed, who together with me were imployed in the Hospitall, for the healing of the wounded and sicke. 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 worke for large rewards, turned into Latine, or such Languages as they understood, which they kept charily, and made great store of; and they esteemed, admired, and embraced this worke alone, above all other workes of Surgery, &c. Our Author also himselfe, not out of a vainglorious ostentation, but a minde conscious of the truth of his assertion, affirmes thus much of this his worke. I have (saith hee) so certainely toucht the marke whereat I aimed, that Antiquity may seeme to have nothing wherein it may exceed us, besides the glory of invention, nor posterity any thing left, but a certaine 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 my translation, the which, as desiring more a publike good, than private 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 commend 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 paines, who knowing the disability of understanding this Author in Latine 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.