Agricola, Georgius, De re metallica, 1912/1950

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              diseases to which they are more liable than workmen in other occupations,
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              or if they do meet with them, that he himself may be able to heal them or
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              may see that the doctors do so. </s>
              <s>Thirdly follows Astronomy, that he may
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              know the divisions of the heavens and from them judge the direction of
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              the veins. </s>
              <s>Fourthly, there is the science of Surveying that he may be able
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              to estimate how deep a shaft should be sunk to reach the tunnel which is
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              being driven to it, and to determine the limits and boundaries in these
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              workings, especially in depth. </s>
              <s>Fifthly, his knowledge of Arithmetical Science
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              should be such that he may calculate the cost to be incurred in the
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              machinery and the working of the mine. </s>
              <s>Sixthly, his learning must comprise
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              Architecture, that he himself may construct the various machines and timber
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              work required underground, or that he may be able to explain the method
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              of the construction to others. </s>
              <s>Next, he must have knowledge of Drawing,
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              that he can draw plans of his machinery. </s>
              <s>Lastly, there is the Law, especially
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              that dealing with metals, that he may claim his own rights, that he may
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              undertake the duty of giving others his opinion on legal matters, that he
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              may not take another man's property and so make trouble for himself, and
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              that he may fulfil his obligations to others according to the law.</s>
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              <s>It is therefore necessary that those who take an interest in the methods
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              and precepts of mining and metallurgy should read these and others of our
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              books studiously and diligently; or on every point they should consult
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              expert mining people, though they will discover few who are skilled in the
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              whole art. </s>
              <s>As a rule one man understands only the methods of mining,
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              another possesses the knowledge of washing
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              , another is experienced in the
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              art of smelting, another has a knowledge of measuring the hidden parts of
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              the earth, another is skilful in the art of making machines, and finally,
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              another is learned in mining law. </s>
              <s>But as for us, though we may not have
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              perfected the whole art of the discovery and preparation of metals, at least
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              we can be of great assistance to persons studious in its acquisition.</s>
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              <s>But let us now approach the subject we have undertaken. </s>
              <s>Since there
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              has always been the greatest disagreement amongst men concerning metals
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              and mining, some praising, others utterly condemning them, therefore I have
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              decided that before imparting my instruction, I should carefully weigh
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              the facts with a view to discovering the truth in this matter.</s>
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              <s>So I may begin with the question of utility, which is a two-fold one,
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              for either it may be asked whether the art of mining is really profitable or
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              not to those who are engaged in it, or whether it is useful or not to the rest
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              of mankind. </s>
              <s>Those who think mining of no advantage to the men who follow
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              the occupation assert, first, that scarcely one in a hundred who dig metals or
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              other such things derive profit therefrom; and again, that miners, because they
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              entrust their certain and well-established wealth to dubious and slippery
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              fortune, generally deceive themselves, and as a result, impoverished by </s>
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