The Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Aureolus Philippus Theophrastus Bombast, of Hohenheim, Called Paracelsus the Great - Edited, With a Biographical Preface, Elucidatory Notes, a Copious Hermetic Vocabulary, and Index; Hermetic Che... #246037

It seems also desirable to state that a comparison of the medical and chemical knowledge possessed by Paracelsus with the chemistry and medicine of to-day is outside the purpose of this edition, because it is outside possibility within the limits of two volumes. There is no doubt that it would be an interesting as well as an important task to establish the exact position of Paracelsus, not only as regards modern knowledge, but as regards the science which preceded him, and it is hoped that such a work will be ultimately performed. Should this translation be regarded as final by students, or at least as a satisfactory foundation for a full and complete comprehension of the sage of Hohenheim, and should the encouragement which is indispensable to an undertaking so long and costly be adequately given, it is proposed, after a reasonable interval, that these two volumes of uncriticised text should be followed by one other which will contain all the materials requisite for understanding Paracelsus, and will further trace, methodically and historically, the development of alchemical symbolism, with the growth of chemical knowledge from the Byzantine period to the dawn of the Reformation. It isxvi. T /ze Hermefz'c and Alc/zemz'm/ Wm'lz'ngy of Paracelsus.