Horæ subsecivæ, or, Some long-vacation hours redeem'd for the discovery of the true sal volatile oleosum of the ancient philosophers now happily regain'd to the materia medica : and distinguish'd from all other preparations, partly by the senses, but more effectually by its medicinal performances, totally extirpating the saline stem of acids (the root of most diseases) and inferring the volatile oleose temper, the standard of health in humane bodies / by T. Byfield ...

Horae Subſecivae: OR, Some Long-Vacation Hours Redeem'd, For the Diſcovery of the True SAL VOLATILE OLEOSUM OF THE Ancient Philoſophers.

Now happily regain'd to the MATERIA MEDICA: AND Diſtinguiſh'd from all other Preparations, partly by the Senſes; but more effectually by its Medicinal Performances, totally extirpating the Saline Stem of Acids (the Root of moſt Diſeaſes) and inferring the Volatile Oleoſe Temper, The Standard of Health in Humane Bodies.

By T. Byſield, M. D. and Fellow of the College of Phyſicians in DƲBLIN.

LONDON, Printed: And are to be Sold by J. Whitlook near Stationers-Hall. M DC XC V.

THE VOLATILE OLEOSE TEMPER, THE Standard of Health IN HUMANE BODIES.

MAN, the accompliſh'd Draught of the Univerſe, Prince of all Creatures and of the Lower World; for his ſuper-celeſtial and divine Soul has an immortal Ray of the Divine Light, reflected to the ſame, by the ſharp Sight and ſoaring Contemplations of his Mind, which ſhew he is a dependent Spirit on the Father of the Spirits of all Fleſh.

And for his Body he has a beautified Compoſure of the Elements, a perfect mixture in Life, illuminated with an undiſcernable Spark of Celeſtial Fire, the Form of a mixt Body, firſt ſurrounded with a Radical Moiſture, then bound to an Elementary Body, by the Mediation of the Spirit, giving it individual Being. And Life thus deriv'd is the moſt ſupream and compleat Act of Nature.

For the Souls of Living Creatures are vaſtly diſtant from the dark and earthy Matter of their Bodies, till by this ſubtile mean of an Aetherial Spirit they are faſtned to 'em by the ſtricteſt Tye in Nature.

The former of theſe two Souls I leave to the Conduct of Divines; the latter falling within my Sphere, I'll endeavour to direct into an harmonious Union with the Body, by the help of the Spirit, which is a ſmall portion of the pureſt Air, a middle Nature betwixt the Body and Soul; light and inviſible, temper'd with Fire, Volatile, and a moſt pure Subſtance, begetting Vital Spirits. Its firſt Cloathing is with an Univerſal Sperm begot on Sulphureo-Saline Exhalations drawn up into the Air, rowling up and down in the Belly of the Wind, till it takes up its proper Reſidence in the Seeds of Things. And thus deſcending to the Lower Region, it aſſumes the Moiſture of a watery Vapour, and by degrees the Element of Water, which is a mean betwixt the Air and Earth; a paſſive yielding Nature, aſſuming multiplied Shapes, apt to mix with things, delighted much in motion; fit to receive and preſerve every thing that's ſubtile; capable of the heavenly Influences, and to convey 'em thro' the Pores of our Earth, which is an empty place, into which all the other Elements project their Virtues, a proper Receptacle for the Spiritual Elements, a convenient hiding place to conceal the Principles and Operations of Nature. Here I may take notice, how the four Elements, which upholds the Fabrick of the World, continually acting one upon the other, beget and bring to light the fundamental Principles of Nature and Philoſophy.

The Fire acting on the Air produces Sulphur: The Air acting on the Water brings forth Mercury: The Water acting on the Earth brings forth Salt: The Earth having nothing to work upon, brings forth nothing: So that we muſt take up with three Principles out of the four Elements. But I muſt not enter into ſo large a Field, ſince I deſign but a ſhort Lecture, not ſo much for Theory, as to demonſtrate a rational Practice from my Sal Volatile ſulphureum, which is the moſt ſenſible and beneficial Performance.

I ſhall therefore conſider, that the joyning of the Principles well or ill together makes up a perfect or imperfect Body. And that the prime Agent is the Fire that is plac'd in mixt Bodies, and hath choſen the Radical Moiſture as its proper ſeat, the principal reſidence of which (in Man) is in the Heart, the Centre of the little World, the prime Organ of Life, altho' it be diffus'd thro' all the parts of the Body. But there commanding from its Caſtle, doth move concordantly all the Faculties and Organs, and breath Life into the Spirits, Humours, and the whole elementary Maſs. Its Food is a vivi • ical Spirit flowing down from the Superiour Natures thro' the Air, which becomes a natural oleoſe ferment and food of Life, without which, neither Man, nor any living Creature, cou'd ſubſiſt: for Man lives not by Bread alone, but by the heavenly Food of Air. Yet the Lamp muſt be fed with the nutritious Juices of corruptible Bodies, which have in 'em a fixt Fire: But the leſs we partake of thoſe Meats and Drinks which have loſt their ſupple nouriſhing Particles, the more evenly we feed our vital flame: For ſalt Meats, ſour Drinks, firy Wines, and ſtrong Drams, are like ſo many fire-works thrown into the Magazeen of the Heart, which will blow up the Man. 'Tis of dangerous conſequence to enrage our Calidum innatum, making fluſhings of Wild-fire to run about our Bodies, like flaſhes of Lightning from the Heavens.

As the Sun is the Centre amongſt the Spheres of the Planets, and ſcatters its beams downward by its motion; ſo is the Heart the Centre of the Body, which by its perpetual Motion (in Conjunction with the Air in circulating the Blood) ſends heat to the Superficies of the Body, which we allay from day to day with Liquids that penetrate our Pores, and cool it: In imitation of the Air and Clouds, which flying round the World, temper and mitigate the heat of the heavenly Sun. For as the heat of the Sun would deſtroy all things, and nothing produc'd in Nature, if the Air and Clouds did not intervene: ſo wou'd the inviſible central fire of Bodies conſume 'em, if balmy Sulphurs and watery Vapours coming betwixt did not prevent it.

'Tis the univerſal Fire thro' the medium of the Air that governs all the ſubordinate ſixt Fires of Bodies: for Air hath ingreſs into Air, and they join themſelves together, Nature being delighted in Nature. And by how much the greater are the Pores, by ſo much the better the Body may be purify'd. Thus beams of Light incircled with radical moiſture are our ſpiritual Nouriſhment: But that will not ſupport us without corporeal Nutriment; the former will avail but little without the latter. We ſtand in need therefore of Food, that the natural Spirits may be recruited, which do continually ſlide forth thro' the Pores; for thus we muſt maintain a ſucceſſive repair of the loſs of Nature. Our nouriſhing Juices are made by the more ſucculent ſubſtance of our Meat, whereby the Parts and Humours of the Body are reinforc'd. The radical Moiſture is renewed out of the purer Particles of Blood, with the celeſtial Influences intermingling with 'em by Reſpiration. Thus the natural Ferment of Man's Body, as well from his ſpiritual as his corporeal Diet, ſeems to conſiſt in a Sulphureo-Saline Temperament, which Vital Union becomes more inbodied in oleoſe Salts, and then aſſumes a greater Corporeity.

The ſpiritual Sulphurs are exalted with the Volatile Salts, and beget a mild and eaſie Ferment in the happy Concentration of the Principles; from whence the fix'd parts receive their vivid Impregnations, and the inſite Fire is fed with its proper Pabulum, and kept from rebelling.

In all things, near the Principle of Life, is a ſmooth, ſupple, oily Subſtance: in all Seeds we find it more or leſs, therefore from ſo ſmall Bodies as Seeds, Oils are drawn. The Subſtance of all animal Sperms, that of Eggs, and many other things, will help to demonſtrate that 'tis an oleoſe Body that early covers the Principles of Life, till they are cloathed with our Bodies, as our Bodies are cover'd with Cloaths.

But when the inbred fire is harſh and inrag'd, thro defect of this Balſom and Union, and by the contrary abounding of Acids; then the Spirits are inflam'd, the Oil burns, the Stamina Vitae ſhake: At length the purer Flements fly the Texture, the mixt Body diſſolves, and the Corruption of the frail Elements come to a loſs: The Aetherial Nature returns to its native home, and there is nothing left in the Carcaſs, but a perturbation and confuſion of the corruptible Elements, having loſt their Governour. Then reigns Corruption, Death, and Darkneſs, in the deprived Matter; until the virtue of Heaven does again ſlow down into it, and ſummoning the wandring Elements re-inkindles the weak light of a new Form, and reaſſumes the Elements into the methodical compoſure of a new mixture.

Life is an harmonious Copulation of Matter and Form, conſtituting the perfect Being of an individual Nature; the Health of that Life is a regular Aſſumption of the Principles into magnetick Love, wherein our natural Fire, retain'd by ſpiritual Sulphurs, lies well beded in Oleity, rightly ſeaſon'd with Nitro-aereal Salts; not lock'd up, depreſt, or drawn out beyond its Centre. And this I call the Salino-ſulphureous Temperament, which to preſerve or reſtore, is the Scope of Medicine, the Deſign of Phyſick and Phyſicians.

I am warranted in this rational Conjecture from ſome experimental Obſervations, which is as near as humane ſight can penetrate. 'Tis true, theſe things in their own nature, are inviſible and tranſacted in ſecret, which makes em not underſtood by the gener • lity of Men, who know not the occuls, much leſs to make it manifeſt; and are altogether unaccuſtom'd to ſuch Contemplations and Experiments. Nevertheleſs they are not to be look'd upon as Dreams and Fancies; no more than the Spirit of Life which animates 'em. For altho' Nature is not viſible, yet ſhe acts viſibly from a volatile ſulphureous Spirit, which executes her Office in Bodies.

'Tis generally granted, that Life lies eminently in the Blood; and ſo I ſay, and that from its abounding with a pure Sulphur and a volatile Salt, which are demonſtrable. Sulphur illuminates, gives Tincture and Centrality; What Red more beautiful and more vivid than in good Blood? and what a ſibrous Conſiſtence has it? That there is plenty of volatile Salts appears to an Artiſt, who can extract em; beſides, 'tis evident to all, by Sweat and Urine, both which abound with volatile Salts. But ſome may ſay, the Ingeſta of Meats and Drinks may ſupply thoſe: no, it cannot be, for theſe Diſcharges are larger than they amount to. Be pleas'd to make the Experiment of living with Bread and Water for one Week, and uſe hard Labour, yet you'll find your Sweat and Urine well impregnated with Salts; very few of which proceeded from your Dyet. The great Repairer of theſe is the ambient Air in which both are eminently, and therefore plentifully convey'd in breathing thro the Lungs to the Blood, helping it to ſanguiſie the new Acceſs of Chyle, in beſtowing vital Ferment and a vivid Colour.

I'll take it for grant, that by this time we are agreed on the Point, viz. That the healthful juvenile Temper of our Bodies conſiſts in the Harmony of our ſpiritual Sulphurs and volatile Salts, which magnetical ly join to the ſubjected Natures, and gives 'em their proper ſeaſoning: Theſe tun'd with vital Air rariſie and illuminate our Bodies, ſtill preſerving a due Regimen of our inbred Fire, and a healthful Government of the whole Oeconomy.

This Temperament preſery'd, is an Antidote againſt all Diſeaſes and Decay. 'Tis true, 'tis very nice to hit and keep it, becauſe we deal ſo low in the corruptible World, and depend ſo much on corporeal Supplies for our Subſiſtance, and are liable to ſo many changes of Seaſons, Weather, and Chance, that 'tis no wonder ſo few make up a competent number of Years: Yet 'tis good to know the Standard of Health, that we may ſtill be aiming at that Mark, ſome near Approaches to which, will preſerve Life, altho' it is not acted with that Satisfaction and Pleaſure the compleatly healthy do enjoy. But to lye under riveling Acids, ſcorbutick Wildfires, Stones in wrong places, Tartar in Joints, rambling and fixt Pains, and forty more troubleſome Diſtempers, which make the Body ſuch a Clog to the Soul, that to a generous mind 'tis the greateſt Puniſhment in the World to attend upon it, in blowing its Noſe, wiping its Breech, dreſſing, undreſſing, waſhing, combing, cleaning, and colouring it, in order only to the eating of Water-gruel and drinking Small beer with him. Who would not rather be at ſome Pains, and Coſt too, to make him a little better Company for himſelf and his Friends, by introducing that ſmooth, oleoſe Temper I have already deſcrib'd. And where that does bear ſway, the Saline Stem of Acids cannot ſet up to play its Pranks. The inbred Fire is kept ſo truly delighted and entertained with thoſe Solar Gueſts, that it can't turn ſour or ill-natur'd. For the Sharpneſs of all Salts ariſes from the inſite Fire of Mixts: And the more the fixt Fire is urg'd, the greater the Sharpneſs; from both the Blood's corrupted, and many Diſeaſes are deriv'd throughout the whole Body, which exerciſe the utmoſt Skill of Phyſicians, and notwithſtanding all their Cunning, they are often buffled by 'em.

So great is the Energy of Acids, that it preys upon all the Sulphureity in the Blood, till it has devour'd its whole Tincture, and left it ſizy, or turn'd it into Matter, at leaſt ſeveral Colours; but robb'd it of its Life; and tranſmuted the other Juices into a Vitriolick Tartneſs. Such Acids will corrode Metals, eat Holes in Iron, and make the Sulphurs putrid and ſtink, to the offending of your Noſe.

But I'll ſhew in particular Diſtempers ſome of the many Miſchiefs that ariſe from this Root of Acids. the grand Enemy of Man's Health. Our natural Fire diveſted of its vital Allay grows burning and ſcorching; and being fed with the Fires of mixt and diſturb'd Elements, at length puts on a raging Fit and ſharpens all the Humours; and when 'tis more intenſe, enkindles the Aetherial Spirit, and becomes a ſtrong Fever, more difficult to cure than putrid ones, and when it becomes mortiferous, uſually ends in Convulſions: if it be not timely underſtood, and ſupply'd with proper Alkali's in the method, and often enough repeated to correct the Acids. But when by good Conduct you get it to a Remiſſion and then an Intermiſſion, it is like to iſſue well. For in the Intervals you have time to apply Alkali's, which abate the Fire by abſorbing the acid Fuel: for Acids commonly cauſe this Fire, and this Fire creates Acids. This ſeems to be the Reaſon of the uſe of Jeſuits Powder: Tis freely given in Intermiſſions, ſerving to good Purpoſes, becauſe impos'd ſo long, till it ſhall do ſomething. Not but that other Alkali's may do as well, nay, it may be better in ſome Caſes, if adminiſtred in as large Doſes, as often repeated, and as long continu'd, and I doubt not to ſay, with leſs injurious Conſequences.

But Jeſuits Bark at preſent is got in faſhion, and muſt be ſo, becauſe it ſometimes does the Feat, tho ſeldom conſider'd how it comes about; but reverently look'd upon among the occult Qualities, which to examine is reckon'd unmannerly, becauſe difficult. In continued Fevers of pure accenſion, Blood-letting is proper in the beginning, and a cloſe Application of Alkali's, and there are of ſuch ſort as may be ſecurely given, although the Fever neither intermit or remit. But the Jeſuit muſt not be ſo us'd, he plays Tricks in a Paroxyſm: for beſides his Alkaliſate abſorbing Quality, he has a churliſh Roughneſs and Stipticity, which at ſometimes recommends him, but at other times makes him very ill Company. Where the Fever comes Aguiſhly, or intermittingly, with Cold and Heat by turns, thro' the abundance of indigeſted roapy Humours; here Jeſuits Powder, by its Aſtringency, Roughneſs, and Bitterneſs Sutgeneris, beſides its Alkalious Quality, becomes a very good common Remedy, if well apply'd. But in all Fevers ariſing from Faetid Sulphurs, which are to determine in ſeaſonable Separations to the Superſicies, there Jeſuits Powder is altogether improper: but the Variety in theſe ſort of Fevers is ſo great, that 'tis not at preſent to be medled with.

The Riſe of the Scurvy proceeds from the Blood impoveriſht and ſeparated; for when the lively vinous Spirits are exhul'd, what remains divides into two parts, a wateny and a thick Subſtance; which latter being of a Tartarous Nature, is impower'd with a faculty of turning the Juices into Acids. The watery part conveys to the Glands, and by them to the Superficies a firy, ſharp, thin Humour, which ſtets and corrodes the Gums and Skin, ſometimes breaking out on the Hands and Legs, and will run a great quantity of clear and limpid, but ſharp Water: and from the Tantarous Fund this is ſupply'd, which ſtill tranſmutes the thinner parts of your Aliment into this ſort of Acid Liquor. Until the Blood ſhall be again brought to its due Mixture, by the Addition of a ſweet Sulphureous Spirit, the Jively Principle that gives Tincture and keeps it in a juſt Conſiſtence, and makes it perfect. And thus it becomes a Mediclnal Fountain from which all parts are ſupply'd, according as they differ, each by its attractive quality drawing Nouriſhment peculiar to its kind. From this decay of lively Principles, and Separation of the Blood, tho' with ſome Alteration, where the ſlegmatick Humour more abounds, and the Tartarous Body leſs, proceeds thoſe Overflowings and inundations of the Dropſie, which tho' of fatal conſequence, if confirm'd, yet taken in time, by proper Medicines and Methods, may be prevented.

The Gout is a Diſtemper that owes its Original to Tartar, which in the extraordinary undue Ferment of the Blood is work'd off into the extream parts, thro▪ ſmall Meandets, and lodg'd in the Interſtices of Joints, from whence it can't return: and by repeated Ferments increaſes its Maſs to a viſible chalky Subſtance, which is of a dry ſtiptick Nature, that by degrees drinks up the Joint-water, and loading the Socket, renders the part crooked and uſeleſs: tho▪ in all it does not come to this height; nor needs it, if timely care be taken. The Stone differs but little from it, unleſs in Scituation. Many other Diſeaſes are deriv'd too from this general Root. But becauſe the Miſchiefs from Acids and ſick Blood are more obvious than their Remedies, I ſhall therefore betake my ſelf to the Deſcription of a Univerſal Noble Medicine, abundantly qualified to bring about the great Deſign of Health, and reſcue Life from the innumerable Dangers wherewith it is ſurrounded.

The True SAL VOLATILE OLEOSUM OF THE Ancient Philoſophers.

FRom what I have ſaid already it may appear that the Volatile Oleoſe Temper is the moſt natural to our Bodies, and governs beſt our Calidum innatum; contrary to the Saline Stem of Acids, which divides and precipitates, enraging the inſite Fire, ſcattering it up and down, ſcorching the Body, till it has one way or other ruin'd it; like ſlaſhes of unbounded conſuming Fire from the Heavens.

In order therefore to the preventing of ſuch Deſtruction, I have laid my Deſign in Phyſick, and liberally expended in preparing two general noble Remedies; a Panacea, which I formerly treated of, and this Sal Volatile Oleoſum; for extraordinary Directors whereby leſler or greater Aberrations may be reclaim'd to a due ſtate of Health.

For altho▪ all Perſons that are declin'd from a juſt Temper, are not immediately turn'd out of their Beings; yet ſo many live in pain, decaying, and waſting away, that 'tis grievous to a Phyſician, beſides a great Reproach to Art, to hear 'em complaining and crying out their very Lives are burthenſome.

There are indeed ſome wonderful ſtrong Bodies that will hold out thro' courſes of Exceſs to great Ages. But hundreds, for one ſuch, go early to the Grave; and they too, with ſuch hail Conſtitutions (in all probability) might have liv'd much longer with Temperance: I'm ſure they ought to have liv'd to much better purpoſes. But 'tis not my buſineſs to diſturb ſuch tranquil Souls, who riſque their Lives in a perpetual Tickle of Senſuality, aways ſtimulated with the wild fires of Wines and Drams, to the committing of very odd Actions. Thus the glare of borrowed • ights preſent phantaſtical Ideas which to repreſent in Figures to the view of others require the niceſt Artifice of the Senſual Man for their Equipment. Then appearing very taking with ſuch as are led by the ſnares of their Senſes, no wonder ſo many dance after theſe Ignes fatui, willing rather (than to be at the pains of ſerious Thinking) to run ſecundo flumine, with the Croud, chaft and heated with Deſires: As tho▪ the Fall of Man had been their Happineſs, and 'twere a Divine Bleſſing thus to be brutify'd. But I'll betake my ſelf to the aſſiſtance of the Infirm, and ſuch as thro' the want of bodily Health know how to value that. And here, if perſons will but contribute one quarter of that Care about themſelves, which I have done faithfully to preſerve and ſerve em, abundance of complaints wou'd ſoon be remedied on very eaſie terms.

I appeal to every one, whether 'tis not a fair deſign in Medicine, to aim at the right Amendment of the Spirit of Life, which animates the mighty lump of Matter, the Body. Alas! what are We without it? and by what ſmall inviſible Power is ſo great a maſs of Matter lightly mov'd about at pleaſure? When the Spirits are rich and well united, how ſupple, gay, and vivid, are all the Senſes and Organs of the Body, how concordantly, do they move in all their juſt Dependencies? no one griev'd on a ••• icted to abait the Harmony.

Now a true Sal 〈◊〉 O ••• ſum is the faireſt Medicine to lay down for theſe purpoſes: Becauſe every one may be a Judge of what he takes, and of what is true from falſe: And to help 'em in this Diſcovery, and a little elucidate this Univerſal Remedy, is my preſent Buſineſs▪

But firſt 'twill be neceſſary to preamble the great Difference there is between Comp • ſ ••• and M • ſt •• , the one being a Conjunction of Bodies in place, the other in quality and conſent; the one imperfecte miſta, a Confuſion, the other a Union.

Compoſitio is the joining of Bodies without a new Form, Miſtio is the joining or putting together of Bodies under a new Form. For the new Form is Commune Vinculum.

Natural Philoſophers know that Compoſitio is Opus hominis, and Miſtio, Opus Naturae. Man makes a fit Application of Bodies together; but the perfect Fermentation and Incorporation of 'em muſt be left to Nature, to make that Continuum which otherwiſe is but Contiguum.

'Tis therefore a great turn of Thought, to find out the Art of compounding in Life; ſo that Mixtures at firſt troubled, may grow after clear and ſettled, by the benefit of Reſt, Time, &c.

The due Contemplation of Nature, as well above as below, and ſome competent Knowledge how the ſuperiour act on inferiour Bodies, ſeems to me altogether needful. For the Heavens do not enrich themſelves by the Earth and Seas; nor keep no dead ſtock, nor untouch'd Treaſures of that they draw from below: but what they do take up, they return and ſpend in Dew and Showers impregnated with Life and Power.

This Conſent in Nature, and ſome other luckey Hints, have prov'd ſufficient to beget my Sal Volatile Oleoſum, which is a Nitro-aereal volatile Salt magnetically ty'd (by the Knot of Love in Nature) to a luminous Sulphur. 'Tis more Philoſophical to call it Sal Volatile Sulphureum. But to ſpeak it at once, 'tis Spirit of Air, and the beſt ſeaſoning in the whole World of Animal Bodies in Life. For by Philoſophick Management, the trueſt, pureſt, and moſt wholſome Volatile Salt may be extracted from the Air; and the firſt begotten Oleity in the World; which tranſparent radical Moiſture (prior to all ſpecifick Lives) has ſome portion of the univerſal Form that animates it: And this may properly be call'd a luminous Sulphur, which is the root of all Oleity; for I wou'd have it take the Name Oleoſe when the Sulphurs are cloath'd upon more bodily; and thus you may deſcend to the more groſs Bodies of Oils and Fats. But to comply with the common Meanings of Men, I'll call my Medicine no more than Sal Volatile Oleoſum, but then it muſt be conſider'd as perfectionate. And without doubt 'twas ſome quondam great Philoſopher (favour'd with a propitious Birth) that firſt diſcover'd this Union in Nature: And ſome learned Doctor ſearching into Sacred Remains, an Admirer of the Diſguis'd Learning of the Ancients, that robb'd the Philoſopher of the Name, but not the Secret, and handed it down to our Age. How cou'd elſe ſo many agree in the name, and not underſtand the reaſon or truth of the Medicine. Yet every one can talk of a Sal Volatile Oleoſum, and every little Proceſsmonger can make it. That I expect in a little while to hear it cry'd about the Streets like Elixirs made of Brandy, Jalop, Seeds, and Licoriſh. Whenas by the name Elixir, the Philoſophers of old mentioned their moſt Venerable Secret; but now 'tis profan'd and affix'd to a parcel of murdering Traſh. And the World finding ſuch ſorry Stuff under the higheſt Titles in Philoſophy, have of late damn'd and ridicul'd the whole Science. But I admire the Wiſdom of the Ancients in vailing ſuch glorious Knowledge under their Hieroglyphical Figures and Aenigmatical Expreſſions, to ſecure it from barbarous and profane hands. No, let all their Followers, the true Sons of Art, become worthy of uſeful Rarities, by imitating their Piety and Honeſty: then I wiſh they may find Ariadnes Thread to conduct 'em thro' the deluſive Windings of this intricate Philoſophy.

'Tis one of the greateſt Misfortunes of latter times, that all Medicinal Experiments are put out to making. The Phyſician muſt by no means now-a-days know more than half of his Art, having nothing to ſhew but multitudo librorum. The compleateſt Medicine wou'd ſtigmatize him with Quackery, altho' it is the Accompliſhment of all his Learning.

Nothing's more difficult than to hit a Curioſity aright, which the beſt of Authors have difficultly enough diſcover'd: And he's a very ſenſible perſon that can correct twenty miſtakes in a Preparation, and by them grow wiſe enough to bring about his end. And 'tis not a low educated perſon can thus improve, he will take quid pro quo, and if the Phyſitian is not experimentally skillful he muſt be put upon, and conſequently his Patients: Thus we become full of Medicines but no Remedies.

For if any one can but raiſe a Volatile Salt from Horns or Bones, and join therewith ſome Aromatick Oils, which for Odour and Thinneſs couple to the beſt advantage with his Salt, then he cries out preſently, 'tis a Sal Volatile Oleoſum, altho 'tis no more a Medicine than a gilt Shilling is a Guinea. And Miſtakes herein are of fatal conſequence to them that rely on ſuch Preparations: for they are at once banter'd out of their money, the time of helping themſelves, and thus by delay out of Life too ſometimes.

〈◊〉 affirm, 'tis not from Horns, Hoofs, nor Bones, which abound with Salts; no, nor from Sal Armoniac that this Remedy can be drawn. For altho' there be plenty of Volatile Salts, which Chymiſts call ſo, that by the force of Fire will come over the Helm; yet they bring with 'em ſomewhat of Fixity, petrifying Diſpoſitions, and cauſtic Qualities. And as for Horns and Bones, they are endow'd with very faetid, corporal Oils: ſo that from theſe they borrow only a little pungent Salt dilated in a Phlegm, which is ſo poor a Vehicle, that the Salts will drop through to the bottom of the Glaſs. Now having made a ſhift for his Salt, the Chymiſt is to ſeek for the Spiritual Sulphurs or oleoſe part, which conſtitutes the Medicine. Here he's at a loſs in Philoſophy, and bluntly takes an oily body to join to his Salt; and becauſe he finds the groſſer bodies of Oil are greaſie, and wont mix well, he wittily turns one Thought to the purer Oils of Seeds or Aromaticks, and there he gets a Scent too, and finding they will hang about his Salts, he then pronounces ore rotundo that 'tis the right Sal Volatile Oleoſum of Silvius de le Boe, or of ſome other cry'd-up Doctor, whoſe Reputation can ſupport it; not regarding Science, or the Medicinal Virtues, ſo long as 'twill paſs for a Commodity in Trade.

I muſt confeſs, 'tis very difficult, and a great piece of Art, to prepare this Medicine, ſo as to anſwer learned Teſts and Phyſical Intentions. For the Salts, as well as the Sulphurs, are deeply conceal'd in Nature, and their Union is a great myſtery, as nice as the Subtile mixtions in Life; not to be received into one another by the Philoſophers adjoining, altho' he muſt have a hand in the buſineſs, till his Deſign is wrought about by Art.

The Sulphurs muſt be ſpiritualiz'd that mix with Volatile Salts, and be united by the mean of an Aetherial Spirit, and held to view illuminated and perfectly united. As in ſine fermented Ale the Water, Malt, and Hop, are ſo entirely one, that Art can never more ſhew the Ingredients apart; all three make up one thing, call'd Ale.

I have well conſider'd the Vegetable nature, and in the Mineral Kingdom have much pleas'd my ſelf with fine Sulphurs, difficultly enough obtain'd from Antimony; but yet am diſappointed in both. Animals methinks ſhou'd ſeem to yield the beſt Sulphureous Volatile, as neareſt of kin to our Natures: but ſo ſubtile are the Spiritual Elements, that they wing away with Life in one quinteſſential form to the Aereal Manſions, and leave you only their corruptible Natures to work upon.

I cannot imagine where to apply my ſelf in Nature for a very wholſom Salino-Sulphureous Volatile, unleſs it be from the Atmoſpherical Air, where Nature forms the Univerſal Sperm of the World by her heavenly fire on the gentle and ſoft Sublimations of the purer Elements, and incorporates 'em to your hand, beyond the profoundeſt skill of the moſt inquiſitive Philoſopher, altho' he have laminated the greateſt part of Nature on Vulcan's Anvil.

For amidſt all the Variety of Salts and Sulphurs in the World, which are as many as there be Species of things, none can be more agreeable than what's drawn from this general Bank of Nature; whence I borrow not only my Matter, but therewith ſome portion of the Univerſal Form, and that's a lively Touch indeed.

And ſince I can find here what I want, why need I look any farther. I have rov'd and ſearch't as well as others, but reckon I have anchor'd well at laſt, conſidering I had no Pilot. And he will prove a luckey man that hits my Knack, or rather diſcovers ſuch a Terra incognita in Philoſophy, altho' I give him here that aim which I never receiv'd. But ſhou'd he find my Bait, yet one half of the Skill does not lie in catching my ſtarry Volatiles: for I do aſſure him, he muſt well underſtand, and have long labour'd in Experimental Philoſophy, before he ſhall be Maſter of this Rarity in Nature. Dii omnia laboribus vendunt.

However, 'tis curious to know the Operation of Nature, and how ſhe produceth things by her Workings which requires ſubtilneſs and quickneſs of Mind; for ſhe is not perceived by vulgar eyes. 'Tis neceſſary to learn firſt with the Brain and Imagination, if 'twere but to ſave labour and charges in Fires and Glaſſes. Beſides, there is no pleaſure in the dull compoſition of things. Give me vital Principles wreath'd together by a magnetic Virtue, whence they become a ſure food of Life, and ſecurity from the haſty ſeparation by Death, which is nothing elſe but Life ſeparating it ſelf, by its ſelf, from a Corruptible Body. But if any petulant Sophiſter, ſtiff in his Opinion, ſhall oppoſe theſe Experiments, let him know, that what he aſſumes on Truſt, I make good by Tryal.

Now in deſcribing more particularly the Virtues and Uſe of this Remedy, I'll begin from its firſt entrance into the Body. In the Stomach theſe Sulphureo-Saline Volatiles do looſen and cleanſe away all viſcid clammy Humours and ill Digeſtions; they correct the auſtere and acid Ferment, which gives Heart-burn, Sourneſs, Pains in the Stomach, Flatulencies, Collicks, Convulſions, and ill Vapours offending the Head. And they bring in that Oleoſe Volatile Temper, which cauſes a good Digeſtion, well govern'd Bowels, and a right nutritious Chyle wherewith the Body is ſupply'd throughout with wholſome Juices. The food precipitated and hardned by Acids ſticks to the folds of the Stomach like Glue, and being too long detain'd, turns putrilaginous and auſtere, becoming a Load on Nature, to the great diſturbance of the Spirit of Life and Temperies of the part; from whence great Oppreſſions, Strugglings, Faintings, Fluſhings of Heat, Palpitations, and ſometimes very dangerous and ſudden Miſchiefs enſue • but if they do not ariſe to ſuch haſty deſtruction, yet theſe Acids will by degrees ſo debauch the true deſign of the Stomach, and corrupt all your Aliment, that inſtead of a well-digeſted wholſome Nouriſhment, you muſt be ſupply'd with ſharp, corroſive Juices throughout the whole Body. Till at length you'll find the Blood and all things ſpoilt, and all the Bowels and Organs griev'd. And then ſupply your Bodies with the ſofteſt things in Nature, and the greateſt Art in Cookery, all is preſently ſpoil't in this vitiated Stomach.

But here you may again remedy theſe contrary Ferments and abounding Acids, and vanquiſh the Root of 'em: and not only ſo, but in lieu thereof regain a well-condition'd Stomach, oily Bowels, a true natural Ferment; and a Supply of Oleoſe Volatile Particles, which mixing with the Chyle renders it not barely nutritious, but medicinal and balſamic. And this is not all, for they give a laſting Vigor and Strength to all the nervous Texture, cauſing a round Ability of the whole Body. Beſides, pleaſing Gas's aſcend the Brain and recreate the Senſes, inſtead of cloudy noxious Fumes.

And becauſe ſo many Diſeaſes are to be remedied in the firſt Digeſtion, from a well-govern'd Stomach. And that it is the moſt ſociable and entertaining Organ: I muſt have one Bout at him more; but firſt ſhew, that the Glandules glutted with theſe Sulphureous Volatiles, convey in chewing a very wholſome Saliva into the Stomach with your Food, inſtead of a Scorbutic, Vitriolic Flegm. And that theſe ſubtile Particles enable the Stomach to ſuch pleaſant agreeable Actions, that he plays the Wanton with all his Pabulum.

This Medicine keeps the Orifice of the Stomach clean, and as tite as that of the Anus, folds up all the expanded Wrinkles, reimpregnates remaining Food, and gives a thouſand pretty pleaſing Touches (beſides ſubſtantial Services) to the whole Body. It ſuffers no canine Appetite which ravenouſly devours what it can't concoct, ſometimes to diſgorging; but gives a well-bred Deſire, which will equip you for all the Dainties of a Luxurious Table, and warrant the decent carrying off thr Largeſſes of Friendſhip.

The Lungs, and all its Pipes, are herewith cleans'd of tough foul Spittings, thickned by a praeternatural Heat, which cauſes Conſumptive P • hiſical Coughs, Aſthmatick Weaſings, and ſtraitneſs of the Cheſt, not to be reach'd by Syrups, Oils, Licks, Slops, or Lozenges, which offend the Stomach, and feed the unnatural Fire. But this Sal Volatile Oleoſum ſubtilly and ſweetly inſinuates it ſelf by the Blood, and thro the Pores, into the minuteſt Paſſages, and there nobly and evidently diſplays its Virtues.

'Tis the greateſt Antiſcorbutick yet diſcover'd, which is obvious to every one that conſiders how it deals with the Saline Stem, and all its Productions. It meets with it in every Form, by its powerful penetrating Nature, cloſely purſuing the moſt malign Atoms, clipping the wings of all fiery flying Acids, which ſting the Body, and deface it. But my Paper will not admit of enlarging on every Diſtemper.

In all Fluxes of Blood by the Noſe, Lungs, or downwards, occaſion'd from Acids, tis the moſt prevailing Medicine. 'Tis a powerful Diſſolvent of petrify'd tartarous Salts, therefore of ſingular benefit to ſuch as are afflicted with Goul and Stone; for herewith they may (at leaſt) prevent the Increaſe of either, and keep off the Fits of both. And I have reaſon to believe, waſte away the petrify'd Matter already lodg'd.

For that teizing Diſtemper call'd Vapours among the Ladies, and Hypocondriac Flatus and Stretchings among the Gentlemen, 'tis a non pareil in their Claret, Cyder, Ale, or other Liquors drank ad libitum.

'Tis a great Reſtorative of Age, from Rheums and Wind, Decay, and Wear and Tear.

'Twou'd ſave a thouſand Children in a Year from dying of Convulſion-Fits.

'Twill ſecure from, or cure all the Diſeaſes of the Brain, as Coma, Lethargy, Carus, Apoplexy, Palſie, Falling-ſickneſs, Vertigo, Madneſs, Catarihs &c.

All Aguiſh Diſtempers, Rheumatiſms, Dropſies, Jaundies, &c. are Remedied herewith. But I hate to enumerate Diſeaſes at this rate: 'Tis ſo rank Quackiſh. I need not here mention the many Caſes in Chirurgery that are deriv'd from ſuch an unwholſom Fountain, not to be cur'd by the Plaiſter-box only, without eradicating this Saline Stock, and renovating the Blood, by ſome ſuch balmy Medicine, that diſpoſes all the dependent Juices, Fleſh and Organs to healing. I ſhall only ſay in general, that to reſtore the Vital Sulphurs of the Blood is abſolutely neceſſary to a ſound and ſpeedy Cure of Wounds, Ulcers, and other ſharp Eruptions on any parts of the body, of whatſoever Name or Nature they be. And if I ſuggeſt this Sal Volatile Oleoſum as a prime Remedy for ſuch internal Services, it may be taken by the by, for a friendly Item.

For all the Drinkers of Bath, Tunbridge, or Epſom waters, or any others, 'tis a worthy Companion. And ſo it is for all engag'd in long Journeys or Voiages, aptly ſuiting every Climate. Uſeful to all the World of whatſoever Language, Nation, or Country, provided they are Animal Bodies, and not Stooks or Stones, or condens'd Air.

'Tis uſeful from the birth to a hundred years of Age, to cheriſh and uphold that vital Congruity we deſire to maintain with the Superiour Natures. All ſhagreen Conſtitutions and Tendencies to Corrutpion, à qua •••• que cauſa, may be releiv'd hereby.

In the great variety of acute caſes, it manifeſtly ſhews its power in its homogeneal Virtues, ſtanding by Life in all the Attacks of mortiferous Diſeaſes. But 'tis impoſſible I ſhould here, at a random gueſs, preſcibe the proper Seaſons, Doſes and Repetitions of the Medicine, altho' I may pronounce it the moſt effectual Remedy: I proteſt, I know not what to Subſtiute in its place. And I may be thought as competent a Judge of good Medicine as any other, having been many Years very curious in the Materia Medica. After all, I care not Ninepence for the Opinion of thoſe that decry what they cannot underſtand. I ſhall content my ſelf to be the ſole Poſſeſſor of ſo excellent a Remedy. Farewel. Excuſe him however, who deſires to deſerve well. And ſo, long may ye enjoy theſe my Labours to the Glory of God.

From my Houſe in Great Carter-Lane near St. Paul's. FINIS.