Dissertatio medica inauguralis de ictero

The opening of this early‑19th‑century dissertation invites listeners into a timeless medical puzzle: why the skin and eyes turn yellow, why stools become clay‑colored, and why the body feels weighed down by a lingering fatigue. Drawing on the ancient observations of Celsus, the author sketches the classic signs of jaundice and then asks what lies hidden behind those outward clues. The tone is scholarly yet conversational, setting the stage for a careful exploration of the disease’s many faces.

In the next section the work surveys the most widely accepted causes of the condition as understood in the author’s day. Obstructions of the bile ducts by stones, tumors, or spasms take centre stage, while the accumulation of bile in the intestines offers a secondary, contested explanation. Throughout, the author emphasizes the need to blend careful reading of ancient texts with direct observation of nature, urging a balanced approach that respects both written wisdom and empirical evidence.