_Lausanne, April 29, 1766._
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_The occasion of this discourse, and the choice of the materials, will
sufficiently appear from the discourse itself: therefore, courteous
reader, I shall not trespass upon thy patience by a long preface._
_I have long since read many treatises and dissertations concerning the
health of the studious; but of all the authors, who have treated this
subject, the only one who has acquitted himself to my satisfaction is
BERNARD RAMAZINI: for I have not yet had an opportunity of reading the
work of the celebrated PUJATUS, a man who in other respects has deserved
highly of the medicinal science; but whose treatise upon this subject
is, I find, neither praised by the journals nor by his friends. Nor is
the work of RAMAZINI compleat; since he has left more topicks untouched
than he has elucidated. I have therefore undertaken an important, an
agreeable, and even a new subject; and I hope I shall not appear unequal
to it; but it will be sufficient to have pointed out the road at a
distance to learned travellers; they will soon be able of themselves to
shew the unknown paths; which is my earnest wish and desire. In this
treatise there will occur many passages transcribed verbatim from CELSUS,
GAUBIUS, and other eminent men, and that even without distinguishing them
by quotation. This plagiarism will, I hope, be excused, because I looked
upon it as a sort of profanation to alter their words, as they were
extreamly eloquent, and admirably adapted to my purpose: besides, it was
improper to disgust the reader by too great a number of quotations._
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