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To The Reader.
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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.There