Vitriolate Tartar (a).

℞. Salt (b) of Tartar most white, dissolved, filtred and coagulated often, accord­ing to the Chymical Art, with water of Agrimony; (c) for Example thus: ℞ ℥iiij of this dissolve it, Res. Ive. in a Cellar, upon a Marble (or Beneficio manicae) into an Oyl. Having this Oyl pure, ℞. Oyl of Vitriol (d) exceedingly well rectified ℥ij, and in a large Glass instill it drop by drop (e) upon the Oyl of Tar­tar: If two small a quantity [...] of Vitriol be pour­ [...] [...] makes it vo­native only. then make a most white Coagulum, draw off the supernating humidity, with gentle heat, to the consistency of a Salt, so thou hast fixt, white, Vitriolate, Tartar (f).

Gilla (a) of Theophrastus, or, Salt of Vitriol.

Chrystals of Vitriol, prepared of Copper or Iron (as a little after is described in the Stomachal Specifick) resolved in the acid Phlegme (b) which first comes off in the Distillation of Common Vitriol, and together circulated for 8 dayes. Of this circulate Liquor is given from ℈ j to ʒss. or ℈ij (c).

This Liquor far more Efficatious, and Commodiously operates, than the Salt of com­mon Vitriol, or Goslariensis, by what means soever (d) extracted from the Caput Mor­tuum.

[Page 10] (a) This is called Gilla by Paracelsus in lib. of Natural things, Chapt. 8. where he Treats of the Faculties of Crude Vitriol, and Colchotharis, (otherwise it is called Der roth Peinty,) Grilla rather than Gilla, this seems to be a name secretly given to Vitriol: But the Liquor of Vitriol, which is so excellent in those great Affects of the Brain, as Vertigo, Phrensy, Mania, &c. In 3 and 4. Chap. 2. he calls an Arcanum, which is Extracted of Gilla. Whether it be called, by this, or the other name, it matters not: For, without doubt, Pa­racelsus, in the former place understood Crude Vitriol, because another different Species may be made of Mars and Venus. Also the Dose by him perscribed, is only 6 Comets, that is, 3 Drops, which perhaps make 1 grane and [...], which he saith must be repeated, if Vomiting he not procured by the former. Therefore this Dose of our Author is too great, and is only proper for Crude Vitriol often washed, and exhibited in water of the lesser Century, which chiefly hath Emetick operations: but in Vitriol dissolved, and Chrystallised, the same Dose must be used as is prescribed by Paracelsus.

Sharp Phlegme of Vitriol.

(b) Acid and Aromatick Phlegme of Vitriol: That which is in the following manner pre­pared, is best.

℞. Of the best blew Vitriol a convenient quantity, distill of the Phlegme by Alembeck in Ashes, so as none of the Spirits may ascend with it: the same Phlegme again pour upon the Caput Mortuum, often cohobate it, and the seventh time urge it a little more strongly. This water acquires to it self a delightful Odour, especially if after the last distillation, it be for some time circulated with moderate heat.

It is otherwise an Arcanum, in pain of the Head, and Epilepsy, if half a spoonful be ta­ken in the morning fasting, and late at night, by it self: It also kindly opens the Belly.

With this Phlegm, Gilla of Paracelsus, and Vomitive Vitriol, may more rightly be ad­ministred.

Note: In exhibiting Vitriolate Vomitorys, care must be taken not to give it in the Asthma, and other Affects of the Breast. For Crude Vitriol is venomous, causing the Asthma, and of­tentimes by Suffocation Death it self.

Such as use Crude Vitriol for recovering hoarse Speech, are at length afflicted with griev­ous Diseases caused thereby.

(c) It is seldom given above ℈ j.

(d) For these extracted Salts are rarely efficacious.

But the Salt of Vitriols, which is extracted only from the Caput Mortuum, out of which flowers of Sulphur by Sublimation are elevated, of which we hereafter treat, in the Pestilential Specifick, exhibited with Fennel-water, or Wine, from 6. granes to 8. or 10. doth very easily procure Vomiting, sometimes purges downwards, and sometimes by Sweat.

White (a) Vomitive Vitriol.

Or, Dissolve white Vitriol in Rain-water, and Evaporate it, till it (b) appear all over crusted, afterward set it for four dayes in a cold place, and it will begin to Chry­stallise (c), gather the Chrystalls, and again evaporate the Water as before: this labor, by Coagulating, and Dissolving, must be repeated the third time exactly: Lastly, pro­ceed three times in the same manner with Rose-water. Which being done, drye the Chrystalls over a gentle heat, and they will spontaneously become a white powder. This is a Lenitive Vomitory, and a kindly (d) purger of the Brain.

Aqua Benedicta.

Martin Ruland the Father, in his Century of Emperical Curations, very often men­tions his Aqua Benedicta, which he also calls Vomitory and Ruptory, and in Century 5. Curat. 5.95. he saith, it is compounded of Crocus of Metals; of which the quan­tity of a Pea, being macerated in Water, Wine, Beer, or Methegline; of which in­fusion afterward; or else boil'd in these Liquors) being streined is given to drink from ℥ss, to ℥ij. What this Crocus of Metals is, or how prepared, very many have eagerly desired to know, What is this Cro­cus of Metals. even to this day; whence Commen­taries made by divers, have been extant thereabout, who have also been of Different Opinions. See Josephus Quercetanus in Pharmacopoea Chap. 7. in the end de Aquis. Also in Alexicacum Tyrocinium Chymicum Chap. 12. lib. 2. which is published with my Notes communicated to Dr. Beguinus. Also Libavius in either Treatise, and others. This is certain, it is prepared of Antimony, or Stibium, (which Quercetanus calls Saturnine Magnesia) but how, or in what manner, they do not all agree. Libavius in his second Treatise, sets down a manual Description of Ruland's Crocus of Metals, but it is lame and unprofitable for Aqua Benedicta, and therefore less useful for Libavius himself, that great Chymical Practitioner. It is true there was a process of Ruland's the Son, taken out of [his] seventh Disputation, which was in my custody, and (be­ing by theft obtained) was afterward by Libavius vended for the Fathers invention. Among the many forms, or methods of operating, most exquisite of all, is this which follows, being very often approved by use, but it requires an expert Artificer and dili­gent Preparer

Preparation of Crocus of Metals.

℞ Pure Nitre, well cleansed from all impurities a pound or two: Of Antimony a like quantity: First, with very gentle heat make the Nitre flow in an Iron Pan, but so, as the Pan be not vehement hot, or any wayes red; remove it from the fire, and add the Antimony exeedingly well reduced to Powder. If they suffer themselves to mix with­out inflammation and noise, it will be very well. If otherwise, forbear a little, till the Nitre be come to a convenient coolness, at first pour on the Powder very leisurely, afterward it will abide a more hasty commixtion; but you must be sure to stir these very well with an Iron Spattle continually. When all these are exactly mixed, set fire of the whole with a live Coal, or rather red hot Iron; when it makes a noise the Crocus of Metals is prepared. The Antimony thus elaborated, is left very like to a Crocus.

Dr. Hartmanus his Aqua Benedicta.

In Medicinal use, where Vomitorys are chiefly necessary, the Water, which, ac­cording to Rulana's institution, I call blessed, is of singular use; of which, in his Physical Centurys he makes such frequent mention. The preparation of which I described the last Summer, in Tyrocinium Chymicum (set forth by Gluckradius) explained by me, in the twelfth Chapter, intituled Of Liver of Antimony. Here therefore the same may properly be transferred. I have also used this in my Physical Practice, and ingeniously confess, in Diseases requiring the use hereof, nothing hath been more familiarly used by me; moreover, praised be God for his Divine Benediction, which, I may truly say, hath alwayes attended me in exhibiting this most noble Medicine.

Yet of equal Virtue to this, is a Simple infusion of Glass of Antimony by it self, with­out any other addition, either of Fluor, or Borax, or any other thing whatsoever, pre­pared in white Rhenish-wine. Briefly thus ℞ ℥j. or ℥ij. of Glass of Antimony, infuse it in 3. lib. or 4. lib. of Wine, in a Glass firmly closed, set it for a certain time in the Sun, untill the Liquor be tinged with a Citrine colour: afterwards filter it, What kinds of Diseases are cured by Vomiting. and keep it in a Glass exactly stopt. The use of this is from ℈ j. to ℈iij. or ℈v. at most, given in distill'd appropriate Water; this is usually given to provoke Vomiting with very good success, especially in Diseases which, neither will, nor can, be otherwise cured, than by Vomiting: Such are Coughs, Pleurisys, Quinsys, want of Appetite, inordinate Belchings, and infinite others, which are harboured in the first Region of the Belly. Moreover, this is wonderful, in infusing of Glass of Antimony with Wine, that the repeating the infusion once or twice, doth not exhaust its emetick Virtue, An admirable property in Glass of Antimony. but it may be infused again, and again, almost ad infinitum, and still applyed [Page 14]as at first, for it is not plainly discernable, at least very little, to loose of its former Virtue. Where its Cathartick force consists. Whence it is sufficiently manifest, that its Cathartick pro­perty, is more especially placed in the Spiritual Substantiality, than in the Cor­porality: The Spirits being the Administrators, and Effecters of these Operati­ons. When as this powder of Glass of Antimony shall, by very often Infusing, be rendred more slow in Operation, if it be dryed and again melted into Glass, it afresh, by infusion, recovers its pristine virtue, and so may perpetually be of use. Which I thought good to signifie to the Ingenious.

But I require, A Caution as indeed I always did, that as these things are diligently and exquisitly prepared, they also with Prudence, and great Circumspection may be Administred; because they are evident and swift in Operation, therefore they require the greater knowledg in exhibiting Moreover, there is also a Syrup confected of Aqua Bened. in like cases familiarly used by me: its preparation is thus.

Dr. Hartman's Vomitive Syrup.

℞. Glass of Antimony, or Crocus of Antimony (for either of them will serve, be­ing of like virtue,) impregnated with a tincture, as is shewed above, ℥vj. of odori­ferous Rose-water ℥ss. Powder of Cinamon ʒij. Leave these for four and twenty hours in a hot place, afterward strein it, in which, when streined, dissolve of most white Su­gar ℥viij. Boyl it to a convenient Consistency, and according to Art make a Syrup. Dose Dose from ʒj. to ʒij. or ʒiij. If need be a spoonful, with a little Hen­broath, or other Flesh-broath, boiled with a piece of Bread, and supt up a little after the taking it; this should also be done in exhibiting the former Aqua Bened. With this Dose of Syrup, Ʋse Dolours of the Colick tending to a Paresin, are hap­pily removed; by the same means, Suffocative Catarrhs, which for the most part descend to the Heart, and Lungs, are wonderfully exterminated: Especially if, after this, with respect to the Constitution, the Flux of the head be stopped and the Brain Comforted.

Note: Observation That either of these Medicaments in divers Bodies, variously operates; yet for the most part it purges by the Superiour parts, some­times also in the same Body by the Inferiour, or else onely by Siedge, without vo­miting; Sometimes Sweats are provoked, together with other purgings, and some­times alone.

Cautions in exhibiting Aqua Benedicta, and others in this place exceeding necessary.

1. There are two sorts that need relief by Vomiting, which are not alike able to [...]ear it: Some who easily vomit, having a strong Stomach, whose passages of the Breast are large and wide, their Head sound, accustomed to Vomiting, and in whom the sickly matter easily comes upward.

There are others, streight Breasted, who by Pysicians are called [...], weak and wanting strength, and who very difficultly Vomit; also such as are obnoxious to Cephalalgia, Haemorthagia, Suffusion of the Eyes, Diseases of the Lungs, Swounings, and Suffocation of the Matrix; such must not rashly be provoked to Vomit; which [...]-chymists and Empericks, too often do; and audaciously and wickedly sport themselves in others ruine.

3. When the Physician is about to exhibit Aqua Benedicta, and other Vomitorys, [...] [...]ld accurately consider circumstances; that he give not too much or too little; that it be seasonably administred; that, that be not first done which should be list, &c.

[Page 15] 4. The most convenient time to exhibit Vomitorys, is in the increase of the Moon: for then the humours ripen and swell, which safely and easily are excluded by Vo­miting.

5. The Sick in time of Vomiting must keep himself very warm, and foment his Vi­tals with hot cloths: Lastly, by taking cold, griping in the Guts, to [...] seen, is procured.

6. Beer must not be given presently after taking the Von [...], but after the sick hath vomited once or twice, it may. For otherwise the Vomitory force is hindred, not encreased.

7. When the evil is pretty well come up, and bitter matter doth also come forth: [...] may more largely be given, and toward the end to wash the stomach, and that the remaining evil may the better be expell'd.

8. But the Beer must be blood-warm, for so it causes nauseousness; not hot be­cause therein the stomach takes delight; neither must Wine be given.

9. A draught of sharp Broath is very beneficial, if it be very seasonably exhibited. For sharp things cause the Reliques of evil to precipitate the inferiour parts, and are afterward expell'd thereby.

10. In Cholerick Natures, the Choler being last vomited, must not be suddainly stopt, not permitted to abide, and gather again in the stomach, but daily part there­of must be expell'd, either by repeating the Vomitory, or by exhibiting precipitating Purges, or Diureticks, not Volatile, or Spirituous, but such as are sharp and salt, as Wormwood-wine, Infusion of Wormwood, Binde-weed, Carduus Bened. Scena, Rubarb, Century.

11. In the use of Vomitorys, the sick must not sleep too soon, especially in such Bodies as abound with Choler, least by sleep the Choler ascend to the Brain. Yet when the sick have sufficiently vomited, sleep may commodiously be used.

12. When strength is decayed by Vomiting, hot Wine, as a confortative may safely be given; with some drops of Oyl of Cloves applyed warm with a Linnen-cloth to the bottom of the stomach.

13. After Vomiting Confortatives are required, especially such as be sharp. In this case excellent is Coral fermented, and mixt with Conserve of Roses.

14. The sick, by intervals, may eat a piece of the upper crust of Bread tosted, and macerated for a quarter of an hour in Wine, or Beer, or any other Broath; and in case of abundance of Choler, it will be best to sprinkle Nutmeg, and Cinamon upon the Tost.

15. If Vomiting, after the exhibiting these, be too inordinate, the present reme­dy is a draught of Milk boiled with Bread, or a spoonful of Syrup of Mastick, with Spirit of the same, or else old Treacle; Or apply a plaister of a crust of Bread to the stomach, or a Cataplasme of Ferment and Mint. If these be not sufficiently efficacious, the present and infallible remedy is, to give a Dose of Laudanum Opiate. Other Vomitories see Practica Chymiatrica of our Edition, Page

Observations.

1. EVery Laxative, according to Paracelsus, hath-three principal properties, viz. it frees wearied Nature, by Evacuation, and comforts it when debilitated, also it mitigates (b).

2. Purgations, which infer dangerous Symptoms, from the venemous Reliques (c) of Proprieties, and cause dejection of natural Vigour, must alwayes be avoided.

3. In the true method of Purging, (in which we esteem not the number of dejections or abundance; power and excellency of faculties, but rather respect the removing the Roots, and Impurities of Diseases, by remitting Symptomes and strengthening Nature) we judge Remedies have performed their Office, when either by absolute (d) Consum­ption, or sensible Excretion they take away Impurities, whether Urine, Dolours, or Dejection be moved thereby.

4. Catharticks, operate not according to the force of the quality, (e) viz. of Hear, Cold, Driness, and Moisture, but by an occult Propriety, and Specifick form; namely a propriety of the whole substance, which by the impulse of heat, and in­citement of the Coelestial power, expells the humour familiar, and affinity to it self, by Excretion.

5. In Diseases Chronical, (f) Critical and of long continuance, not Purgations, but Arcanums (g) must be used, for these are not cured, but by Spagirick degrees (h).

6. In Chronical Diseases, if Purgations be instituted, they must be done slowly, leisurely, and with time.

7. Although strong, and violent Medicaments, must not rashly be used, not the Body be inconsiderately moved, as Plato advises in Timaeum, (i) and long before him Hippocrates, who refused to cure Democritus his Friend and Familiar, with Hellebore, and such like, affirming, that no Medicament was solutive, that did not in some mea­sure participate of the force and substance of humane Bodies: And for this cause Avi­cen rightly saith, Medicines (k), although they be not venemous, yet (l), to take them, may be troublesome to Nature: Nevertheless the now fixed roots of Diseases require Antimonial, Vitriolate, and Mercurial Purgations; we should do well (m) to abstain from these, Intemperance the Nurse of Physicians. unless a better and more harmless (n) way of preparing them were found out, were it not by the Intem­perance of this present Age, which despise our Forefathers Frugality, we are compelled, and also invited to the use thereof.

(a) Mercurials and Antimonials rather, but Purgations of Scammony, and Coloquin­tida, are useful.

(b) Both Disease and Symptomes.

(c) Or, not removed, or not corrected.

(d) Ʋniversal.

(e) The only quality of the Cathartick is not communicated by the Liqu [...]r of Infusion, but is resident, and setled in a certain peculiar Substance, which accompanies the purging pro­perty, and every Operation. 1. It may be questioned, touching the subject of the purging fa­culty, wherein it consists?

[Page 17] Not in the quality alone, because that moves the faculty, Where the Subject of the parging fa­culty consists. and is in sepa­rated Elements: So are the Elements of Wine, burning Fire, or [...]ery Air, Phlegmatick water, and Terrestrial Salt of Tartar, of which conjoyned the Substance of the Wine consists, by the propriety of temperament it is moderately bot, viz. it heats, but inflames not. But this fire is in the Spirit or separated Air, wherein is no temperateness, but is a pure quality; such as is found in fire it self. Therefore this faculty is not at all in a Temperament: for Temperament is a connexion of many Contraries. It therefore is in some Hypopatical principle or in Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury: it is rather in Mercurial Salt, than in others, this appears in purging Extracts made with Spirit of Vinega [...]. For these do not equally purge with extracts otherwise made, for example, Sulphur when extracted with Spirit of Vinegar, hath a remaining Salt: but the Diaphoretick force of Sulphur must be extracted with Spirit of Wine.

2. It may be also questioned, how these purging Medicaments operate? 1. [...]. [...], they attract the humors according the Sentence of Galen. 2. They excite the expulsive faculty faculty. 3. By reason of Similitude of Substance, they do either in quantity, or quality, How these purg­ing Medicines a­perate. augment the humors, with which, Nature being overburthened, endeavours ex­pulsion. 4. Or else Solution, with its Mercurial Virtues, attended with Arsenical, Antimonial Spirits, is appointed to perform this office.

(f) In which, Purgations are of no force.

(g) Specifick Medicaments, Spagirically prepared.

(h) Operations.

(i) Almost at the end of its [...].

(k) To wit, more strong purgations.

(l) In the total.

(m) Viz. From such as are Crude and not rightly prepared.

(n) Chymical.

Mineral Turbith (a).

Because, among sundry most excellent purging Medicaments, of which we in this place treat, we have first pitcht our intentions upon Mercury, the impurities of which although they be very deeply (b) mixt, yet by an ingenuous preparation may be removed (c); we shall proceed in describing the use thereof.

It is hitherto vulgarly thought the Hermetick Philosophers, only used this Mercury as a Servant, (d) and fugitive Slave: neither can it be judged, that any one doth understand by their Philosophical Writings, that they without any detriment would drink this Mercury. The true Philosophick, and most noble Lympha, rarely discovers her self to many, nor will she attend upon any but true Philosophers. Although she be sought of many, yet very few there be that find her. In Cabalistical Philosophy, this is denoted by the Virgin Mary (as our Saviour is denoted by the Ferment of Medicine), because they affirm that she, before, in, and after the Birth, was alwayes a pure Vir­gin. But to our Medicinal Institution.

This Vulgar (e) Mercury in a certain preparation, dose, and mixture, becomes a divine (f) Medicine, and in very many Diseases, far more efficaciously operates, (if it may be believed to be the same,) than that purified Panacea of former times, (g) which is prepared of powder of native Cinnabar, (h) most finely beaten, with Saffron, and Shell-fishes mixt; in the trial of which, by applying a small part to the fire, I have very many times found, the crude Mercury to ascend in a fume, which hath whitened a piece of Gold Coin.

In preparing Mercury, divers wayes have been experimented by Chymical Practi­tioners: [Page 18]Some of which (and not evilly) have endeavoured to perform it by Spirit of common Salt Aqua-fortis, and Oyl of Vitriol, others by it self, or with Flints, which is done in (i) length of time.

(a) Every purging Medicament which is made of Mercury, With many Chymists Turbith, or Turpetum is nothing else, but precipitate Mercury.

(b) More opinion, than really so in it self.

(c) By a dexterous hand joyned with legitimate Operation; these are the words of Severi­nus in Idea Medicinae.

(d) Because it is used for preparation of Gold.

(e) That which is brought from Spain, or Hungaria is best. There is some brought from Poland, which is too watrish, and is far inferiour to the Spanish. The best Mercury is thus known, A Trial of the best Mercury. put ʒj. of it in a pure Silver Spoon, and over Coals let it evaporate, if it leave a yellow or white spot in the Spoon, it is certainly good: but that which blacks the Spoon, ought to be purged, before it be applyed to medicinal use.

(f) It cannot commodiously be mixed with Conserve, Caution. because without some chewing it can hardly be taken; all precipitates chewed hurt the Teeth.

(g) Anwaldinus had the true Panacea, Panacea of Anwaldinus. which he exhibited, it was indeed made by another, of whom he received it, and brought it with him out of Italy, and with the same he cured many grievous Diseases.

Afterward, that at length the true Panacea might not be wholly lost, he compounded another Medicine, which Crollius speaks of, and to it added a small part of the true Panacea, by which means the said Medicine is said to participate of the virtues of the true Panacea.

(h) Minium.

(i) The precipitation of Mercury with Flints, is with ℥ij. or ℥iij. at most, with almost 2 [...], of small stones like Beans, which must be so long reteined in a fire of Sand, untill by its often Circulations, it at length be plainly precipitated, and stick to the Flints, from which the Mercury may be separated, by shaking the stones together. Dose from four granes to six.

In Precipitating Mercury, there is not a more secure and commodious way, than this following.

Precipitate Mercury.

℞ Mercury well purified ½ ss (a) upon it pour rectified Oyl of Sulphur, (b) per Campane, (for this Oyl, before all other corrosive Oyls, and far more powerfully, than Oyl of Vitriol, (c) precipitates and coagulates it, so as it will endure the stronger (d) fire) this Composition for two dayes digest in Sand, afterward by Retort fortified with Luting (e) leisurely distill (f) it, the Liquor that comes off, again pour on, and repeat this the third time.

The fourth time there may be again poured on a little fresh Oyl of Sulphut, (g) and about the end, encrease the fire that the Retort may wax hot, and in distilling so ab­stract it, as by the Distillation the Mercury may be (h) precipitated into a white Mass. Afterward break the Vessel, (i) and take out the matter, and upon a Marble grinde it very well, then with distill'd Rain-water hot, wash away its Saltness diligently in a Glass with a wide mouth: work it very well for four hours together, see it be all well under the water, before you pour it off: This edulcoration must be so often re­peated, till no saltness be perceived in the water poured on, and the Mercury remain converted to a most yellow-powder, (k) which afterward, being first dryed, put it to a Phial with a long [...] which must be closed with Bombace, and placed over a most [Page 19]vehement (l) fire in Sand to digest for eight dayes, if it happen any of the Mercury be not sufficiently precipitate, it will spontaneously sublime it self in the neck of the Glass, which afterward, with an Iron Ring heat red hot, break off, and the upper part in which the affixt crude Mercury sticks, warily and gently take off, but the mass remaining in the bottom take out, and upon it thrice burn Spirit of Wine, afterward carefully put it up for use. Thus prepared it may securely be inwardly given.

I have sometimes precipitated Amalgama's of Gold and Silver, apart, for two years, and although it was reduced to a perfect red Powder, yet it was not at all duly fixt, nor could it, without further preparation, be safely applyed to medicinal use.

Who so would prepare a precipitate of this kind, by Amalgamations, in three or four Months, with the adhibiting of due proportion of fire, (m) he will see fair shoots, like unto Cypress growing in the Glass, (n) and by often taking out the mat­ter and grinding it, he will have by the violence of the Fire an Earthy-matter, (o) which afterward by Oyl of Sulphur, as abovesaid, may be precipitated, (p) and fixed, into a yellow powder.

A most excellent Purgation of Mercury.

℞ Crude Mercury, what quantity you please, in a long Glass no part cut off, pour on the best Spirit of Wine, that it may cover it two fingers; afterwards be­tween your hands shake it very well together, diligently minding to keep the Orifice of the Glass well stopt, with your thumb; and you will see all the Mercutial black­ness, separated in the Spirit of Wine, and to the sides of the Vessel; the Spirit of Wine, infected with this foulness, pour off, and pour on fresh Spirit of Wine, and as before by shaking separate the remaining blackness. Repeat the operation till the blackness be wholly removed, which in some Mercurys, (which are very foul) is al­most a fourth part of their weight: Draw off the Spirit of Wine, by distillation in Balneo, leaving the blackness in the bottom. This Spirit of Wine, as also others thus used, carefully keep. By this purgation, the Mercury as a witness of its puri­ty, famously discovers it self, in a most bright and perfect Celestial Colour. But the blackness must not be wholly thrown away, for it is useful in killing Lice and Worms, and may be used in a Girdle to that purpose, or as shall be otherwise thought fit.

(b) How Oyl of Sulphur per Campane is made, is described in Tyrocinium Chy­micum, &c. lib. 2. cap. 4. Intituled, Spirit of Sulphur.

(c) For Sulphur, seems to have more apt Spirits for precipitation, which is a certain kind of sixation. Yet equally sufficient is Spirit of Vitriol; for it wants not power of fixing. Spirit of Vi­triol and Sul­phur differ not. Therefore Spirit of Vitriol and Spirit of Sulphur are almost one, and the same: for from the same sharp principle, Mercurial Vitriols are de­rived.

(d) After absolute precipitation.

(e) That needs not.

[Page 21] (f) With gentle heat.

(g) In a new and excellently well luted Retort.

(h) May be left.

(i) With an Iron ring red hot, or with Sulphureal threds

(k) It will presently wax yellow, where the Water is poured on.

(l) Not very vehement, least it again flow.

(m) As is taught in Tyrocinium Chymicum, &c. cap. 19. lib. 2. Intituled, Another precipitation of Mercury.

(n) Viz. from the Amalgama it self.

(o) Remaining in the bottom.

(p) Other and various precipitates may hereto be transferred from Tyrocinium, &c. lib. 2. cap. 13. Also there is a famous precipitate described in Disputa. Chymicotechn. by Rhenan in Lib. Solis è puteo emergentis, &c. Thesi. 120. page 34 and 35. of the same Book. Here in this place we shall also set down excellent Precipitates, and of great virtue.

A famous Precipitation of Mercury.

First make an Aquafortis, of Nitre 2 [...]. Vitriol 1 [...]. Allum not calcined ℥vj. Common Salt ℥vj. mix them. Distill it, and in the usual manner make a Water, as is described in Tyrocinium lib. 3. cap. 2. ℞ Mercury purified what quantity you will, dissolve it with the Water as much as you can, (Note, that the Mercury must be dis­solved with the Water as much as possibly it can be, otherwise it will not freely be precipited,) the Mercury being thus dissolved, pour upon it of cold fountain Water ℥ij. or ℥iij. and leave it in a still place without fire for certain hours, that the Mercury may spontaneously be precipited. When the Mercury hath thus precipited it self, pour on good store of cold Water, leave it to settle for a time, then power off the Water, and pour on more, and leave it again as before, this do so long, as till no Acrimony in the precipitate Mercury can at all be perceived. Then take it out, and in a Bolt-head with a large Orifice without an Alembeck, digest it with most gentle fire, untill it be dry. The dryed powder take out, and to one part of this precipitate, add four parts of most sharp distill'd Vinegar, put it in a Cucurbit well closed, and digest it for one day or two in Balneo, afterward without distillation of the Vinegar, in a Bolt-head with a large Orifice, dry it as before, which when dryed keep for use. Dose from one grane to five or six. If necessity require one grane may be given to Infants, that have obstructions of the Belly. No less famous is the Precipi­tation following, though compounded, yet it is of singular virtue.

Solar precipitate Mercury.

℞ of pure Gold, excellently well purified ℥ss. reduce it into thin small pieces, and in the usual manner dissolve it in Aqua Regis, with common Salt, not Ammoniack, for that renders the Mercury volatile; Glass of Antimony ℥ss. and Mercury well cleansed ℥iij. Dissolve these in Aquafortis apart, and in several Glasses, and so as all the Solutions may be very clear, and transparent. All these waters mix, and by Alem­beck abstract the Water, and pour on fresh Aqua Regis, draw it off again and again, and so continue repeating the Operation, till the Precipitate, being put upon an Iron plate red hot, yield no fume at all. Which sign appearing, diligently in a Crucible calcine the whole Precipitate; for so all the Spirits of Aqua Regis, will be expell'd and dissipated. Afterward with it six times distill Spirit of Wine, that the Mercury may be wholly fixt. Lastly gently calcine it.

[Page 22] 1. Use. In the French Sickness it is a principal cleansing Remedy. For it cleanses the blood in the veins, the marrow in the Bones, and whatsoever impurity lyes hid in the flesh, nerves, and under the skin, it purges out.

2. In the Dropsy it is a great Comforter, because it expells the Water, and dryes up the Fountain.

3. It helps such as are afflicted with the Falling-sickness.

4. It resists the Cholick.

5. It mitigates the Quartane.

6. It is proper for the Jaundies.

7. Ectichiomen, Cancer, Fistula's, and other Ulcers it cures.

8. In the Pestilence, and Poisons it is helpful.

Aurum-vita.

℞ Aqua-fortis made of Vitriol, Nitre and Allum ℥iiij. Salt Ammoniack ℥j. mix it, and distill it by Alembeck in Sand, as Aqua-regis is made. In ℥ij. of this dissolve of fine Gold ℥ff. keep the Solution in a hot place: then in 1 lib. of common Aqua­fortis, dissolve of crude Mercury well cleansed ℥vj. Afterward mix the Solutions of Gold and Mercury together, and in a little time all will appear very black, then by Alembeck in Sand distill it with gentle heat, encrease the fire gradually, till what is in the bottom begins to be red, and the Spirits are seen to evaporate, afterward augment the heat, that the Cucurbit in the bottom may be very hot. Take it out, and the powder that shall happen to be sublimed, if any be, mix with it, by stirring it with an Iron rod, and in a Crucible calcine it till the Spirits be well separated: Then with sweet Water remove all its Saltness; Lastly, after corrected Spirit of Wine hath been distill'd with it, by often cohobating, keep the powder of Aurum-vitae for use. Which is famous in the Pestilence, and other Diseases very many.

Yellow Diaphoretick Precipitate.

Mercury by common Salt and Vitriol sublimed, as is described in Tyrocihium Chy­micum, &c. lib. 2. cap. 18. Intituled Sublimate Mercury. ℞ of this Sublimate Mer­cury, what quantity you please, boyl it in fountain Water, with very gentle fire: then in this Solution being very clear, and pute, (viz. separated from its feces, either by inclination, or by filtring,) leisurely pour off Oyl of Tartar made of its own Salt per deliquium, a sufficient quantity, and presently the Mercury will precipate the bottom, like powder of a yellow Colour. Draw off the Water by Inclination, and edulcorate the powder by often washing it in distill'd rain, or fountain Water, or untill the Water, with which it is washt, retein no more favour of sharpness; lastly, diligently, and with very gentle heat dry the powder, and keep it for use.

The virtue of this is only Diaphoretick, Dose and Use. Dose from 5, or, 6, to 7. granes, in Treacle or Mithridate, or the extract of either of them, it must be taken in a morning fasting twice or thrice a week. It wonderfully dissolves all obstructions, especially in the Jaundies, therefore may safely be used instead of a dige­stive, being exceeding profitable and necessary for to open stoppages of the interior bowels, and very often in opening obstructions of the most grievous Evil. Moreover, against Venoms it is a powerful Remedy. But how this Precipitate, with Sublimate Mercury should be transferred to a Sweetness, and afterward to a purging property, shall be shewn a little after, when we treat of Panchymagogon dulce. After these forms, may be made a Precipitate more proper to Lues-venerea, of which I have made men­tion in my Notes on Tyrocinium Cyhmicum, &c. lib. 2. cap. 13. The genuine descri­ption [Page 23]wereof may be found in I he [...]bus Medico-chymicis, &c. Which here also follows,

Anti-venereal Precipitate Mercury.

℞ Mercury well cleansed 1 lib. Dissolve it in a sufficient quantity of Aqua-sortis, made with Vitriol 3 lib. and Salt Peter 2 lib. Afterward distill it by Alembeck in Sand leisurely, that the Water and Spirit may come forth. But as soon as you perceive the Spirit to arise, encrease the fire, that the glass may be a little hot, and appear somewhat redish; for, so in the Alembeck, and to the sides of the Cucurbit, the unprofitable yellow, and duskisn flowers will elevate themselves from the Mercury. Cool the Vessel, and take out the matter; break the Cucurbit, and rejecting the unprofitable flowers sublim­ed to the sides, you will find in the bottom a red powder, which in an Earthen Platter, wash so long with hot Water, as till no sharpness at all remain. To this powder, when dryed, pour Oyl of Salt of Tartar, till it be covered two fingers, abstract the Phlegme by distillation in Sand thrice, but the third time encrease the fire, that the Cucurbit may with the heat be somewhat red, and by this means, a small portion of the Mer­cury, crude or living will ascend, which from the residue must be diligently separated. The matter remaining in the bottom take out, and beat it grossly to Powder, and with sweet Water hot, wash it often, till no Saltness or any other Impurity do re­main, and the powder be left red and clear, which dry, and in a Cucurbit imbibe it with Water of Eggs, and seven times abstract the same Water from it by Alembeck in Sand. What is left in the bottom, again wash often with hot Water, and pour upon it seven times, rectifyed Spirit of Wine, then distill it, repeating the Cohoba­tions as often. This being done, take out the Powder, and pour on Alchohol of Wine, that it may be well moistened therewith, Red Alcohol. then set fire to it, and keep it stirring with an Iron rod, untill by burning the Alcohol be wholly consumed.

Dose of this Precipitate three or five granes. To which for a while may be added of prepared Scammony, the Preparation of which I describe below, of Purging Medicaments, or of my Panchymagogon, as much as shall be sufficient to make it up into Pills. Also it may be mixt with juyce of Liquorish. This precipitate in the Dropsy is a principal help if exhibited (as was first by mey in 3 or 5 granes of Dia­gridium. It is necessary in this Disease first to exhibit Turbith, afterward Diureticks may be applyed. Caution. For this is alwayes minded by the skilful Physician, first he carefully endeavours to expell the Water by the Excre­ments, in exhibiting a Cathartick three or four times, certain days together, or by intermission, afterward by Urine: otherwise the whey-like humor is devolved to the Reins, and passages of the Bladder; from whence afterward, most pertinacious Symptoms are wont to arise very often. Of all which, we treat below in the Hy­dr [...]pical Specifick. But how some Precipitates are wont to be made, which are of va­rious Colours, I think good in this place to set down their Way of Preparation.

A more Compendious way of preparing the Coralline Arcanum.

The ingenious Sagacity of some, hath found out another way of preparing the Co­ralline Arcanum, much more easie and excellent than is described by our Author. It is after this manner:

℞ The Caput Mortuum of the Aqua-fortis, which is made of Vitriol and a like quantity of Nitre, what quantity you please, and from it with hot fountain-Water extract a Salt. Of this Salt very well dryed ℞. ℥vj. of crude Mercury well purged ℥ij. Nitre purified ʒij. Mix them and grinde them well together, imbibing them with Vinegar, untill in those Salts the Mercury be quite consumed. Then in a Cucurbit with Alembeck, after the usual manner sublime it, and at first some part of the crude Mercury will be sublimed, some part will be white, other will be yellowish but ve­ry dusky; other of it will ascend of the colour of Saffron, but some will be most red, without any corrosiveness: gather the Saffron-colour and red, rejecting the rest, and when mixt put them in a Phiol or Bolthead, and in sand extream hot, or otherwise per se sublime it, that all may be very red, afterward wash, or edulcorate it and upon it burn Spirit of Wine. Dose as of the former. It takes away Scabs, Ulcers, Cancers, Fistula's, &c. It is the true Treacle of Metals. Paracelsus calls is Mercurial, or Me­tallick Laudanum.

A most Compendious way of preparing the Coralline Arcanum.

℞ of Mercury excellently well washt and purged ℥iiij. the best rectifi [...]d spirit of [Page 28]Nitre as much, dissolve the washt Mercury perfectly and wholly in it, so as none temain undissolved; The solution in a convenient Phiol, that hath a long Neck, boyl in a fire of Sand, and the spirit it self will come forth partly red and partly white; and the Mercury by degrees settle in the bottom in Crystals; continue boyl­ing it till all the spirit be removed, and the Mercury reside in the bottom like a white stone. The next day take out the matter, and grind it very small, and you will find the quantity of the Mercury encreased ℥jss. To this in a Phiol, pour fresh Spirit of Nitte, and boyl it for one whole day. Note: In this Coction you shall scarcely perceive it to boyl, unless sometimes it will rise with noise and violence, elevating at self, (as it were wholly) but it doth no hurt at all: continue boyling, and the third time pour on as much fresh Spirit of Nitre as before, and boyl it again, and indeed with a stronger fire, than at first. Some Spirit of Nitre will pass the neck of the Alembeck, but without any redness, nor will it strongly boyl, continue the Operati­on, till all the Spirit of Nitre be removed. You will see in the bottom an excellent corallate Mercury, which afterward by burning, calcine a little. It is sweet without any Corrosiveness, whose use is the same, and indeed more powerfully efficacious, than that of Crollius.

In a Phiol Hermetically sealed set it for eight whole days in hot Ashes, and a Tin­cture of Gold may from it be extracted, red like blood, leaving in the bottom a white substance of Gold, in another Phiol Hermetically sealed, coagulate it with gentle fire in an Athanor, into a red stone, which upon a Porphery stone in a cold moist place dissolve into Oyl, which afterward purged from its feces coagulate, and re­peat the same coagulation the third time. This principal Elixir of life, and Mercurial Laudanum, carefully keep in a Glass well closed. Dose one grane with extract of Treacle, Dose and Use. and powder of Liquorish enough to make it up into Pills; in every Disease after the taking it, the sick may drink a draught of Wine, repeating the Dose, if necessity urge. Note, the white sub­stance of Gold remaining in the bottom of the Phiol, ☞ which is wont to be called fixed Silver, recovers it's pristine colour, if precipitated by Antimony. See Paracelsus his great Chirurgy.

Dr. Hartman's Minoral Laudanum.

From the Coralline Arcanum may be made another, and indeed very excellent Alexi­pharmacum. Thus: Extract it with distill'd Vinegar over a gentle fire, untill the Vinegar be of a dark yellow colour; afterward draw off the Vinegar, and from the remaining Extract, with Spirit of wine abstract a redness, which removed, the remain­ing powder will be red. This keep for use. Of which two granes in convenient Liquor exhibited in the Evening, open the Belly, cause swear, and procure Sleep. I call it Mineral Laudanum.

(u) Also Scabs, Ʋlcers, Fistula's.

(w) Or in Extracted Panchymagogon vegetable, or Ext [...]act of Trochus of [...]lhanda [...].

(x) The two ways of preparing Mercury, which our Author mentions, but explains not, are northy to be known and described, though he writes they are most secret. These I now make known to all. The first way is a precipitation by it [...], without the additament of any other thing whatsoever, yet it is compendious, not requiring much labour, if prepared with Instruments artificially made.

The second is Mercurius Dulcis, as it is called by Beguinus or Quercetanus his Pan­chymagogon, prepared with Sublimate Mercury and Quick-silver crude, and purged, of each certan weight, mixed, and then sublimed.

The way of precipitating Mercury per se.

In Glass-houses are made Phiols flat and broad, within not a Cubit in breadth; high, and very close neck'd, so as the Orifice is no bigger than a needle may be put through, nigh unto the bottom there is a hole, through which crude Mercury very well was [...]'d, and purged from all impurities, that it may cover the bottom, and some part of the Glass from the upper covering be vacant. This therefore must be so ex­actly placed in Sand, that no part of the Mercury, by the unequal placing of the Glass be higher or lower; when this is done, boyl it, at first with gentle heat, afterward with more strong fire, untill of it's own accord, it become a most red powder like Cinnabar; which must be diligently edulcorated with Cordial Waters, or with Spi­rit of Wine. Dose from four granes to six. It powerfully provokes Sweat, and being six or seven times exhibited in Lues venerea, it wholly eradicates, and extermi­nates the Disease, if other things necessary in this Cure be duly performed also. All Fevers both constant and intermitting it perfectly expells.

Mercurius dulcis, or Quercetanus his Panchymagogon.

Mercurius dulcis, the mitigating Dragon, as it is called by the Author of Tyrocini­um Chymicum, &c. lib. 2. cap. 18. is made of Sublimate Mercury, and crude Mercury in certain weight conjoyned and sublimed anew. For by this means the corrosive Spirits in the Sublimate, are removed with homogencal Artifice, that is, by the crude Mercury are mortified, and the whole Composition, (whence it is called [...], that is,) without any sharp favour, tending rather to a sweetness, is prepared. Of it Quercetanus makes mention in Tetrad. of most grievous Affects of the head. Tyrocinium in the before alledged place, adds in the preparation his Colchothar, that is, Vitriol calcined to a Redness, but unnecessarily. For per se, without the addition of any other thing different from Mercury, they easily unite. The man­ner is therefore thus:

℞ Mercury sublimed, pure and perfect, as I describe in my Notes on the same Chapter of Tyrocinium, &c. ℥viij. crude Mercury well purged ℥vj. Grind them to­gether part after part, then mix them in a Stone Mortar, untill the crude Metcu­ry be consumed in the sublimate, then in a Phiol, of a convenient magnitude, that it may be half full, sublime it in sand, untill the whole ascend to the upper part of the Phiol, which for the most part, is wont to be in eight or ten hours. Break the Glass, and the crude Mercury which comes forth in this first distillation curiously separate, and what remains sublime in the former manner, this do the third, and fourth time, without the addition of any other external thing, and the sublimate will be clear like Crystal, which is easily cleansed from all its Acrimony. For the Vitriolate Spirits, forcible, and abiding in the Sublimate Mercuty, by homoge­neal Artifice, as the Author speaks, that is, by the crude running Mercury are re­ctified. These Spirits depart not by the mutual action and passion of mixtion and agitation, leaving the powder as it were dead, as Libavius judges: but they ab­solutely dy, as the same or other sharp Spirits are wont to be mortified. The sublimations ended, the thick mass reduced to powder, must be often wash'd with Rose-water. Of this may be given fifteen or twenty granes, or in strong Constitutions thirty granes, with some purging Extract, Dose. as Extract of Tro­chus, of Alhandal four or five granes, made up into small Pills. It ex­pells all noxious humors without perturbation. It is given in all Affects, Ʋse. and is wont very commodiously to be exhibited after midnight. The Operation [Page 30]will be more evident if to sixteen granes of this be added two granes of Flowers of Butter of Antimony, or Mercuri [...]-vitae, being before the exhibiting, well and long wrought together, with a Pestil, not Metallick, nor Wood, for these will stick to the matter, (they ought to be three hours working together, and so they will the better Operate, the more it is beaten, the better is the Operation, and it will not too extreamly provoke Vomiting;) the second day it may again be repeated if need be: if nothing of evil be, it expells nothing. After taking it the Patient should rest. Some have used this medicament several months. Note: it must not be exhibited in any Vehicle, Caution. as in Liquor, but only made up into Pills.

In Tyrocinium Chymicum there is instituted another Mercurius dulcis, but not so good as this. The Preparation of which is in this manner.

Another Mercurius dulcis.

℞ of crude Mercury, and made in distillation of Butter of Antimony with Subli­mate Mercury, ℥ss. red Vitriol ℥iiij, Salt fuse ℥vj. mix them together and in a Glass Sublimatory pour upon it Aqua-fortis (in repetitions of the Aqua-fortis it must not be poured on, but mixed when the sublimate is mixed with the Caput Mortuum) the Mercury will be sublimed most white, which mix with the Caput Mortuum, and again sublime it and repeat it the third time. ℞ of this sublimate ℥iiij. add of the same crude Mercury made of the Regulus of Antimo­ny, of Leaf-Silver, page 68. Take levigated of each, ℥j. Make a powder: in a Phiol, as before sublime it in Sand four times. Afterward put it in a new Glass, and in hot Sand for a whole hour or more sublime it; for so it will be exceed­ing white. The French Sickness newly taken, it perfectly cures; being exhibited eight or ten dayes together in the palpe of a roasted Apple, and a convenientor­der of Diet observed. Dose from six to fifteen granes.

There are other ways of preparing Mercurius dulcis.

Also other Mercurius dulcis of as great, and greater virtues, may be made; as thus

1. If crude Mercury well purged be dissolved in Spirit of Nitre, of which the Author speaks below, and by distillation the Water be often abstracted, and the Mercury dryed, and Edulcorated, and afterward, with an equal weight of other crude Mercury, be certain times sublimed, it is made sweet, and gently purges by the inferiour parts. Dose from six to twelve granes.

2. In the same manner, if the yellowish Precipitate Mercury, which is above added to the Authors Precipitate, be per se sublimed, it becomes sweet, and in a small quantity, viz. eight granes, it moves the Belly.

A Water profitable against Scabs, Fistula's, and malignant Ulcers.

Here in the last place it will not be incongruous to add after all these pre­parations of Mercurius dulcis, a most profitable Water in Fistula's and Malignant Ulcers, may be prepared, not only for cleansing, but also for healing; but more espe­cially in Lues-venerea, wherein they are so inveterate, as they admit of no Curation whatsoever, unless mixed with Mercurials. It is also powerful in curing the Scab, without any detriment. Fallopius calls it Water of Allum.

Put fresh Calx-vive into boiling Water, leave it for some time, then filter the supernating Water, and in 1 lib. of it, in boiling dissolve ʒj. of Mercurius dulcis, Strein it, and keep it for the aforesaid uses, only washing the affected parts with [Page 31]the Water. It is profitable in all Inflammations, also in French Ulcers, either open, or black.

Flowers (a) of Butter of Antimony.

℞ Antimony Ungarick, and Sublimate Mercury, (b) of each (c), 1 lib. grind (d), and mix them diligently, and in a Glass retort fortified with Luting (e), in Sand distill them with moderate heat, untill the Liquor (f) come forth like Butter or Ice, if it stick in the neck of the Retort, as it is often wont to do, then with a live Coal moisten it, least the distillation be by the Obstruction (g) hindred.

This Liquor is vulgarly (h) called Mercurius vitae, yet it is exceeding corrosive: there have been some (i) so rash, as wickedly to sport (l) themselves with it, in others detriment.

If hot Water be poured upon it, the corrosive Salts will be (m) dissolved, and the white Flowers (n) be precipitated, which must most diligently by often edul­corating with hot Water (o) be cleansed from all its saltness: this powder dryed must be kept for use; which in strong Complexions exhibited, is inwardly given with greater success, than the vulgar white Flowers of Antimony, prepared (p) by sublimation.

Whoso would rectifie this Antimonial Butter, (q) he must do it before the Water is poured on; for so he will have more excellent Flowers (r). Whe­ther any thing in Chymistry, (s) can exceed this Oil, let them judge who know how to ferment it with Gold radically dissolved, and to reduce it accord­ing to requisite Art, (t) by Philosophick rotation. fire (u).

Philosophick Spirit of Vitriol.

(o) Rather cold, otherwise the flowers will be yellow; that water, which is said to imbibe the corrosive force of the Salts, if by gentle evaporation in a Glass, it be delivered from its phlegm, and the remaining sharpness, be by retort expell'd, ☞ it renders Spirit of Vitriol excellent, which I call Philosophick. This comes not from the Vitriolate Salt in the common manner, but from that most thin Vitriolate Substance, which sublimate Mercury, (from the Antimony, by the former distillation re­duced to an Oily Liquor) before the subliming, hath extracted from the Vitriol and Salt, and together with it is become a Liquorous matter, that which is only by the benefit of Antimony, is transmuted: this afterward by the adjecting of simple Water, is separated from the Mercury precipitated into a white powder, and remains in the Water. And this vitriolate Spirit is of more powerful virtue, than that which is prepar­ed in the common manner. Use & Dose Of this three, four, or eight drops at most, given [Page 33]in a draught of Wine or other convenient Vehicle, in Fevers it mitigates, Lues venerea it asswages; in the Spleen and Mesentery-veins it opens the ob [...]tructi [...]ns , and [...]omp [...]es the V [...]n­tricle, debilitated by the contraction of Phlegme; but especially, the Pe [...]tilence, being given in Water of Me [...]ow-sweet, and Cardu-bened: it happily cures. In Hypochondriack Melancho­ly, it is admirably useful. Also with it are extracted tinctures of Minerals, and Corals, and Pearls d [...]ssolved. So Practica Chymiatrica of our Edition (not the counterfeit, published at Frankfort) page.

(p) This Powder given with convenient Water, pu [...]ges by the superi [...]r, Mercurius vitz, Corrected. and inferior parts. The same is more happily effected, if the Emetick Powder be diligently edulcorated and dryed, and then in fire of Sand in a Bolt-head, or Phi [...]l be digested, until it begin to be red. This Powder afterward, often ex­tracted with Spirit of Wine, is given in a dose of four or five Granes; which by the infe­rior parts only, purges all kind of Impurities.

If with common Salt it be often, and long beaten, Mercurius vitae Cathartick. and the Saltness afterward by washing in common water be removed, it obtains only a Cathartick property.

After another manner the Emetick-force is taken from the Mercury. Pour Nitre into a Crucible, add to it leisurely Mercurius vitae, stirring it very well; then remove the Crucible from the fire, which being cooled, you will find the Mercury in the bottome like a Regulus, this taken out Edulcorate with water. From the Mercurius vitae first draw off the less fixed parts by Retort (for by this means, if the sire were at first more strong, the Oleaginous liquor of Antimonial Butter, would also come forth, which left in the Retort remains fixt) after­ward, with vehement fire make it flow in the Crucible, Glasse of Mer­cury. and it will become a transparent-glasse of a dusky colour, or else if longer continued in the fire, of the colour of Hyacinth, which with less trouble purges, being given from two Granes per se, to three Grans in Infusion; it often also excites vomiting. Also the same Glasse, which by some is called Amber of Antimony, is extracted with distill'd Vinegar, and after­ward two or three Granes exhibited provoke sweat.

(q) This is altogether necessary.

(t) More Subtil.

(f) Tra [...]smutatory.

(t) Fire of Athanor.

(u) Our Author was seduced in that perswasion, for Metallick Tinctures have been sought by many from Corrosive Salts, but this Operation to be in vain, experience proves.

(w) Long begore the fit.

(x) Because Fevers are sometimes harboured in the Ventricle, and first Passages.

(y) So my Notes set forth by Gluckradius lib. 2. cap. 13. intituled of Mercurius vi­tae.

(z) Repeat the Dose continually for three days, three or four granes, and afterward let the sick drink a Decoction of Sarseparella.

In the Drosie, but Note: Caution. in the Aged this Operation causeth the falling of the Fundament, which is afterward difficultly, or hardly at all, sanable. Beginus with D. Vaterius Physiiian of Montispeliensis. Mountpelier with this Mercurius vitae cured two Quartanary Hydropicks, given over by the cheifest Physicians.

(aa) At most.

(bb) Viz. Least he take cold, which is the cause, and Author of grievous Symptomes. Caution. Note: in all Purgations heed must be taken, that the head, and feed be not cold.

Flowers of Antimony corrected. (a)

First ℞ white flowers of Antimony, prepared after the common Chymical manner, [Page 34] viz. by sublimation in Pots artificially set one within another: or ℞ them which by the benefit of a Retort are prepared, when Pulverisate Ant mony is mixt with pure Sand, and by the violence of fire without any Caput mortuum reduced to flowers. After­ward ℞ Salt of Tartar, by frequent solution, (b and coagulation perfectly purified, what quartity you please, and pour on so much distill'd Vinegar, as may be sufficient to dissolve the Salt, abstract the Vinegar with gentle heat in Balneo [...] or evaporate it: pour on fresh distill'd Vinegar, and, as before, abstract it in the same manner, re­peating the labour, till (c) the Vinegar by distilling, go forth of the same taste, which usually is after the eighth or ninth Imbibing and Distillation. Of this Salt, therefore, impregnated with Spirit of Vinegar, and dried; ℞ ʒss. White flowers of Antimo­ny ℥j. Mix them, and in a Crucible placed in the fire (d) melt them, the liquid Masse almost red like blood, pour upon a Marble, where when cooled, it will be of an ash colour; afterward grinde the matter, and in a Glasse pour upon it the following Aro­matisate Aqua Vitae.

• ℞ Galangal.
• Gallia Moschata.
• Cloves.
• Cinamon, (e).
• Mace of each ℥ss.
• Saffron ℥iij.

Grinde these moderately, and pour on them Alcohol (f) of Wine, in gentle heat of ashes extract a tincture, afterward by Inclination, remove the tinged spirit of Wine, and pour on fresh, until it will yield no more tincture: then pour all the tinged, Are­matisate Spirit, upon the Tartar and Antimony melted together, as abovesaid, adding of Salt (g) of Pearls and Corals, of each ℥ij. In a Glass well closed digest all these for two days in gentle heat of ashes: afterward with a convenient head, distil off the Spi­rit of Wine with gentle heat, in the bottome will remain the tincture of the Aroma­ticks with the powder of Antimony and Tartar; abstract these to a dryness. So thou wilt have the best prepared Antimony, which in colour will be like to Cloves. Keep it in a Glasse well closed, because in the Air it will resolve: Without any fear, it may safely be exhibited inwardly.

White Flowers of Antimony.

The expedient way of preparing the white Flowers is mentioned by the Author, and also in the aforesaid place of Tyrocinium. But the work will more happily succeed, if an earthen Cucurbit be made of good matter, well coated, and have near the bottome a hole; and this be afterward placed firmly in a Furnace, and other Blind-heads with holes in them be aptly set upon it one within another, and those in number six or more: And on the top placed a glasse Alembeck with a neck, to which a greater or regal Cu­curbit, may be fitly joyned for a Receiver. First, therefore, encreasing the fire gradu­ally, till the empty vessel be very hot, which is placed undermost, take one Spoonful of Antimony pulverisate, and through the hole of the lowest pot leisurely, and at times, inject it. It will presently melt, and by force of the fire the Flowers will a [...]cend into the superposited Blind-heads. The Antimony must be injected with an Iron. In­strument, crooked at the end, with which, through the hole, the Antimony may be often stirred in the Cucurbit; for so the Flowers will the more speedily be elevated. All things being rightly done, the Flowers will ascend to the top of the glasse Alembeck, with some part of the sharpe Phlegme, which must be gathered in the Cucurbit annexed to the neck, as aforesaid. Liquer against worms. For it is powerfully excellent in expelling Maw-worms; three, four, or five drops of it, being exhibited in a Decoction of Gentian root.

This is the way of preparing the white Flowers.

Red Flowers of Antimony.

Red Flowers of Antimony are made, when powder of Antimony mixt with Sand, is expelled by an earthen Retort, or Cucurbit obliquely placed. For so the Antimony comes forth, in yellow and red Flowers, into the receiver, or great Cucurbit annexed. All the Flowers, both white and red, may be taken out; the red are more vehement, than the rest. Also, the Flowers of Antimony are made in the common manner, by Sublimation in Pots, aptly placed upon an earthen Cucurbit one within another, encrea­sing the fire gradually till at length it be more vehement, and the Flowers come forth, as well yellow, as white. Note. But little Antimony must be put in at one time.

The most commodious way of all is in the following manner.

First let an earthen Cucurbit be made, not of great bulk, or belly, but almost of an equal bigness, from the upper Orifice to the bottome: to which, instead of a Receiver, aptly conjoyn an other vessel, or oblique Instrument of like matter made, and ☞ well annealed: of two foot in length, and in the extreme part thereof shaped like a head, with a neck adjoyned, through which the Phlegme may pass into another Receiver, for that purpose annexed.

The most commodious way of preparing Flowers of Antimony.

℞ ℥viiij. of Antimony, and in the said Bolt-head or Cucurbit, with the other conve­nient oblique instruments, urge the fire at first slowly, afterward encrease it, and at length make it more vehement for thirty hours; and the Antimony will come forth in Flowers, partly red and partly purple, into the Receiver adjoyned to the head, without any Caput mortuum, onely from the crude Antimony it self, to the upper part of the Cu­curbit, Crystals will be elevated. After the end of the operation diligently gather all the Flowers. Dose two or three Granes. These Flowers are indeed Vomitive, (the red are more vehement) but if they be calcined, or circulated with spirit of Wine and [Page 36]Honey, all the violence will be removed, and they onely retain the faculty of dejecting: for the violence arising from its crudity, is mitigated by the digestion of these noble Menstruums. Spirit of Wine must be poured upon Honey, and set for some time in a Sublimatory, afterward distill'd, toward the end of the distillation the fire must be en­creased, that the spirit of the Honey may also come forth; which must afterward be joyned with spirit of Wine, for the use aforesaid. Also the same Flowers being put in a Glasse-dish, and covered onely with Paper, and placed in a Furnace with moderate heat, for the space of a Month, or two in the Winter, and daily stirr'd twice a day, (if not stirr'd they will wax black) will continue red, yet be porose and light. These onely move the Belly without vomiting. Dose from five granes to eight.

Double Antimonial Pills.

Moreover, from white Flowers very noble Pills may be made, which admirably ope­rate, and for the most part move the Belly, yet they do also often procure Vomiting, and that the more strongly, when the Menera's of Impurities in the first region of the Belly, by the rule of Indications require extermination. But this vomitive Faculty, may be taken away easily, leaving it with the onely force of purging by the inferior parts. Therefore I call them double; the formet are Emetick, that is, [...], purging by the inferior and superior parts.

The latter onely purge the Belly. The Composition, and use of both, hitherto by me kept in secret, I now faithfully communicate. First of all, make an aqua fortis of Vitriol calcined to a yellowness, and common Salt of each 3 lib. to which add of Potters Earth twice or thrice so much, and mix it. Afterward by Retort in open fire draw off the the water, then in Balneo remove the Phlegme, that the Spirits may onely remain. Then ℞ white Flowers of Antimony, add an equal part of the said water, and with gentle heat in Balneo remove the unprofitable Phlegme; for the Spirits co-operate with the Flowers, and onely send forth a waterness. Pour on fresh prepared Water, and as before draw off the Phlegme; this do so oft as till the Flowers be sufficiently impregna­ted with the Spirits of the Waters, and the Waters retain in them no more Spirits. The Flowers thus impregnated, distill by Retort, and diligently receive the watery hu­midity which first comes forth; for it must be separated from the matter. But when some white, weighty, and small drops, begin to descend into the Receiver, apply ano­ther Receiver, and gather the Oyle till no more will come forth, but an unprofitable Ca­put mortuum is left behind. (This Liquor comes forth just after the same manner as Butter of Antimony, or Mercurius vitae; wherefore it may here seem to be taken for it.) This Oyle in the Receiver, by little and little, Co-agulates and Crystallises, which must again the second time by Retort be purified: the same Oyle will come forth, but more pure and excellent. This Oyle is the Basis of the Emetick Pills, as well as of those that only purge the Belly.

For if a small part of this Oyle, be injected into distill'd Rain-water, it will be preci­pited into a most white, rate, and soft powder, which in the distill'd water must be often washt from all its acrimony; and afterward mixed with as much purging extract, as shall be convenient to incorporate the Powder into [...]ills; of which from one grain to three given per se, purge out all noxious impurities both by the superior and inferiot parts. But if a small part of this Oyle be injected into an equal weight of Oyle of Tartar, made per diliqu [...]um, and for one or two days left together, and at length by often washings, purified, and edulcorated, it will be reduced into Flowers very soft, and delicate, which in like manner mixed with purging Extracts, and made up into Pills. Dose from one grain to four, do onely purge the belly, and that gently without pain or molestation. But either of these sorts of Pills, in all diseases where Evacuation is [Page 37]needful, may most commodiously be adhibited. Which we in other Specificks advise about.

Hence it is manifest, and experience proves, that the preparation of Antimony is not only one, but many, which may only purge, and that very kindly, by the Inferior parts; which is contrary to the Opinion of our Author below, Error of Crollius and others. where he treates of Panchymagogon, and many others, who are of the same opinion with him, because they know not, affirme it to be plainly impossible.

Anno 1614. October 31. I gave one of these Pills, weighing at least one grain, to my Son Jacob; it moved his Belly strongly six times, without any pain, and with admi­rable success.

The Emetick force of Flowers of Butter of Antimony, or Mercurius vitae, is from the Antimony it self: yet this is taken away by being wrought together with Salt only, that it hardly retains a Cathartick virtue. Moreover, with easie Artifice, Flowers are made, which only parge downwards, in this manner.

Dissolve calcined Tartar in hot-water filter it, and [...]terward with gentle evaporation remove the Phlegme, (Note, If Salt of [...]tar often impregnated with Spirit of Vine­gar, be mixt with thrice so much Argilla, and afterward distill'd by Retort, there will come forth a most excellent Arcanum of [...]artar, useful in all affects of the Ventricle, Reins, and other obstructions) the Solution cleansed put into a vessel and keep. Put Crude Antimony into a Crucible, when melted put it into the former Solution and the Flowers of Antimony will be precipited very red. Of which, first cleansed from all their saltness, with common Water, and then dryed, ℞ six, eight, or ten granes, add of Sulphur of Vitriol two granes; give this to drink in Syrup of Maiden-hair, or other convenient Extract. This wonderfully, but very gently, exhausts all impurities, even from the most remote parts, in Fluxes of the Head, and the noxious humors of the Gout.

Sulphur of Vitriol.

Make Sulphur of Vitriol thus: ℞ Vitriol calcined in a Hot-house, or in the Sun, to a whiteness, what quantity you please, dissolve it in hot-water, pour upon it drop by drop Oyle of Tartar, and the Sulphur of Vitriol will precipite the bottome; which diligently edulcorate and dry. This is also profitable in Assects of the Lights. These preparations being familiat with me, have hitherto been kept secret.

Tincture of Gold.

Note, If this Oyle of rectified Flowers, be conjoyned with Calx of Gold, diligently prepared, and set in digestion for a Month, the Gold will Extract a Redness; if distill'd with the same Oyle the Gold will be ele [...]ated, which by Spirit of Wine is dissolved into an Aurum p [...]tabile, not to be contemned. Its virtues are Diaphoretick, for if three, four, or five granes of it be exhibited in Wine, Sweats are presently procured, in so great a measure, as the Patient must necessarily change his shirt. But the Oyle of Antimony, which comes forth [...]rom the Gold in this first distillation gently purges, and resolves all obstructions, and is otherwise of singular use.

• (b) This is necessary, otherwise, it would not be useful.
• (c) At length.
• (d) Sudamly.
• (e) Or the true Cassia Lignea, which is better.
• (f) Otherwise it is called powder without humidity.
• (g) Or of Magistery.

Electuary (a) of Antimony.

℞ Glasse of Antimony, prepared when Sol and Luna are in the sign Aquarius or Pisces, grinde it subtily, often pouring upon it distill'd Vinegar, (b) which afterward dry in Ashes; so you will have a white Masse, which grinde to powder.

• Of this power ℞ ℥ij.
• Treacle (c) Androm. ℥ij.
• Nutmegs.
• Mastick, of each ʒij.
• Orange Peels.
• Red Corals prepared, of each ʒij.
• Cloves.
• Seeds of Fennel.
• Coriander prepared, of each ℥ij.

Pulverisate these exceeding well, mix them, and with Conserve of Quinces make a Masse according to art, of which make Pills, in magnitude like Peas.

Cautions in exhibiting Antimony and Turbith.

1. In Exhibiting these two Catharticks, diligent heed must be taken, least Consti­pations be (e) dolours of the Cholick, or one of the principal members hurt, (f) as the Lights, (g) or the Liver, which by grievous vomiting, are oftentimes further endam­maged.

2. In such, as to whom Antimony is exhibited, a vein must by no means be cut, either before, or after the taking it (i).

3. Where it provokes vomiting, a draught of Pease-broath gently boiled must be given, or Hen-broath without fat or warm beet, repeating it often if need be, that the sick may more easily vomit, and the Medicine more swiftly operate.

4. They must always be given two, or three hours before and after meat (k).

5. In Cholerick persons, and such as difficultly vomit, and are naturally weak, it (l) must not rashly be given, least the stomach by the use thereof be debilitated, and distend­ed, so as the natural vigor be wholly dejected.

6. To those, it may rightly be administred, who are prone to vomiting, having a strong stomach, the passages of the breast large and wide, (m) and who are otherwise ac­customed to vomiting, and in whom the matter easily comes upward.

7. I [...] t [...]e Disease be contumacious, (n) the matter must first be ripened for two days with [...]urb [...]th, [...]) afterward Antimony may be exhibited.

[Page 39] 8. In the Pestilence, if Antimony be administred, this must be always observed, that the same time, some maturating Attractive, (p) be also applyed to the Bubo or Carbun­cle, (q) otherwise it will be hard like a S [...]rrhus, and that hardnesse will continue for se­veral months.

In Hypercatharsis, to suppress the overmuch vomiting give fresh Treacle, or juice (r) of Quinces: Apply to the ventricle a Plaister of a Crust (f) of Bread; and to the soles of the feet toasted bread sopt in Vinegar.

If exceeding dolour of the head be, apply to the head and fore-head linnen cloaths, moistned in water of Lettice (t) and Roses, with Vinegar and Oyle of Roses.

(a) It is called Electuary of Antimony, because glasse of Antimony rightly prepared, and often corrected, conjoyned with other Theriacal Species, Glasse of Antimony. is a medicament representing an Electuary; the use whereof is excellent. Gla [...]e of Anti­mony is so called, because it becomes transparent like to glasse; from the only powder of Antimony, with long and gentle heat calcined to the c [...]lour of Ashes, in the Month of January or February, according to the Authors mind, melted perse, is more commendable for this com­position, than the other, which in the vulgar manner is wont to be made of Borax and Crude Antimony; for it is more excellent, The time of preparing glasse of Antimony. and by reason of the Celestial Influences, of Sol and Luna, being in the watery Signs Aquatius and Pisces, is rendred more happy and powerful in Operation.

(b) To correct glasse of Antimony, our Author takes strong distill'd Vinegar, which surely is not improper, but better, and indeed nearer to fixation, is that correction of the same glasse, which is made with Oyle or Spirit of Vitriol; for so the more light and crude part, from which their so great vomitory force and violence arises, by more strong maturating, are ren­dred more gentle, purging very easily, and almost onely by the inferior parts. Processe in the correction of glasse of Antimony may be made, thus: ℞ Glasse of Antimony dryed, and re­duced to most fine powder ℥ij. Glasse of Antimo­ny corrected. Instill upon it Spirit or Oyle of Vitriol corrected ℥ij. diligently mix them, afterward in a Dish with gentle heat dry it, then pour on the sames quantity of Spirit of Vitriol, and evapo­rate it; repeat the operation seven or else nine times, always provided, the powder of glasse of Antimony be every time very well dryed, before the instilling the Oyle of Vitriol. This powder in the same proportion afterward mixt with the Theriacal Species described by our Author, and what you desire, you will have more excellent.

Another preparation not unlike to this, is described in Practica Chymiatrica of our Edi­tion page. which in Conserves, Rotula's, confected Pears, and in other confected fruits may be exhibited without nauseousnesse.

Other glasse of Antimony excellently corrected.

℞ powder of Antimony very fine, mix it with a like quantity of common Salt, sub­lime it in a luted pot, and the Antimony will rise like a Saturnine matter, by boiling dis­solve the Salt and powder of Antimony; afterward diligently dry it, and by moderate heat again calcine it in a pot always stirring it, and intending the fire, till all wax white; grinde it very well, and in a duplicate Crucible make it flow in an open fire; this being done remove it from the fire, and pour it drop by drop into a Bason, then it will be of a red colour. Dose to Infants one [...], to them of ten years of age two granes, to them of forty years five granes in Wine, it onely purges by Siedge, but in Honey by the Superior parts.

Balls made of glasse of Antimony, good against Fevers.

There is also another preparation of glasse of Antimony, familiarly used by me in [...]s, the composition of which in this place I shall communicate, the use is as in the [...]brile Specifick, of which afterward. ℞ Glasse of Antimony prepared in the just time, if possible, and most diligently whitened with Spirit of Vitriol, and afterward finely Pulverisate ℥ss. aliàs ℥jss. Sugar Candy ʒiij. Wheat-flower ℥iiij. Select Saffron ℈ j. Boil them with gentle heat in common Water, to the consistency of a Poultis, yet diligently beware, least in the end in the too much hardened, or burnt, but let it be almost as stiff as bread; of this make Balls, and lay them up carefully. They will keep in their integrity four years, after which time they will contract an hoarinesse, and be­come unprofitable.

Dose and Use, see below in the Febrile Specifick.

(c) In more vehement Purgations, some granes of the true Bezoar-stone should be added, as Boetius in his Treatise of Gems adviseth. Note. By the same reason, mineral Boezoar, may also profitably be added.

(d) Either by it self, or swallowed with convenient Liquor.

(e) Of the belly.

(f) Vehemently, otherwise in more light affects, the use of Antimony is not to be feared, [...]or it much helps.

(g) But it is happily exhibited in the Plurisie, inflammation of the Lights, Asthma, Empye­ma, and Imposthume. Therefore it is not to be understood simply of the Lungs hurt, for in the Affects thereof it is an healing Remedy, except only in old inveterate Ulcerations. In Em­pyema it is a great Arcanum.

(h) A Caution of Antimony. Caution. The too frequent use of Antimony, extracts the innate humidity, and causes Convulsions, wherefore in dry and cholerick bodies it must not too often be used.

(i) What causes the Author had, that before, and after the taking of Antimony, a vein should not be cut, Whether after the taking of Antimony a vein may be cut. I understand not. For Antimony is endued with like purging virtues, as all other Catharticks are. Hellebore, which abounds with Antimonial properties, moves vomiting more vehemently: but who hath at any time, before or after exhibiting Hellebore, forbid Phlebotomy where need re­quired? Therefore it is not to be feared, in the exhibiting of Antimony. Moreover, expe­rience proves, besides the Testimony of Ruland the Father, and others, that either before or after the giving of Aqua bened, which is wholly Antimonial, in the Plurtsi [...], and other diseases, the cutting of a Vein hath been used, and that happily to the repelling the disease, from whence no peril hath ensued.

(k) Read, before: seldome after.

(l) Viz. Antimony and Turbith.

(m) Also a long Neck.

(n) Chronical.

(o) Read the Ʋniversal Digestive, or Vitriolate Tartar.

(p) Emplayster.

(q) See below the Pestilential Sp [...]cifick.

(r) Or, crude juice of Quinces, or one pill, or one d [...]se of Laudanum Opiat, which also very sw [...]ly stays vomiting. See Practica Chymiatrica of our Edition page.

(s) Beiled with Wine and Vinegar.

(t) Rather of Vervein. See Pract. Chymiatrica, &c. page.

Panchymagogon (a).

Among all Cathartick Medicaments, although I have spared neither cost nor labour, yet by very often experiment made, I have hitherto found none, which are with lesse trouble taken, and do more happily perform the desired Operations, than Panchyma­gogon.

If Antimony (which, among the vulgar, by reason of its vehement vomiting, is infa­mous and abominable) could so be prepared, as it might onely perform its office by the inferior (b) parts, without the usual violence, which for the most part is by me re­moved in my antecedent preparations, there could hardly be given a more pleasant Ca­thart [...]ck in the things of nature.

But a preparation of this kind hath been often attempted, yet not performed hi­therto, although by the benefit of Pirotechnia it hath been endeavoured, wherefore not found out by any Chymist, notwithstanding of it, for Ostentation sake, as well as of Aurum potabile, many do falsly glory. ℞ Species of Diarrhod. Abbat.

Diamber, (c) of each ℥j.

From these with Spirit of Wine, (d) by digestion for four days daily stirring it, ex­tract a Tincture, and keep it a part; Then ℞ Pulpe of Coloquintida (e) ʒvij.

• Turbith Gumos. ʒv.
• The best Agarick, ℥j.
• Root of the true black Hellebore, ℥j.
• Choice Scammony, ʒvj.
• Leaves of Sena ℥iiij.
• Choice Rubarb ʒiiij.
• Seeds of Wallwort beaten, ℥iij.
• Elatery, ʒij.
• Hermodactyls, ʒiij.

Break and bruise these well together, and upon them pour the Spirit of Wine Tinged (f) with the Species, as aforesaid; afterwards for eight or fourteen days, macerate them with gentle heat in Balneo, (beware least the Spirit of Wine break the Glasse) re­move the tinged Spirit by Inclination, and pour on fresh, this do so long as till all the tincture and purging property be extracted: Lastly, the tinged Spirit of Wine (g) mixt together, abstract by gentle heat in Balneo, until a thickness like Honey be left in the bottome: About the end, add Oyle (h) of Cinamon, Cloves, and Nutmegs, of each ten drops, Salt (i) of Pearls, and Corals ʒij. Salt extracted by Art (k) from calcined Feces, with shavings of Cranium, (l) being mixed herewith render it more efficatious. There is not given a better Cathartick, which purgeth with less molestation.

Another Description.

℞ Pulpe of Coloquintida, ʒvj.

[Page 42] Agarick, choice Scammony, of each ℥ss.

Black Hellebore.

Species of Diarrhodon Abbat.

Alias Aloes succotrine. Aloes in juice of Citron, of each, ℥j.

From these, with Spirit of Wine, extract and Essence, from which, afterward in Bal­neo, the Spirit of Wine must be seperated. And, because in extraction of purging me­dicaments, the purgative faculty is wont to be debilitated, (n) wherefore some add to one part of extract, another of crude purges, add there ore to the above said, before the extract in the bottome remain plainly thickned.

Trochus of Alhandal ʒvj.

Diagridium prepared.

Agarick Trochiscate, of each ℥ss.

Aloes Epatick ℥j.

Pulverisate all these, and reduce them to a mass of a just consistency. Dose from [...] to fifteen and twenty granes, in form of Pills.

(a) This description of Panchymagogon, was invented by Isaack Holland, for it is found in his vegetable work; and is very commendable. Tyrocinium Chymicum, among other Extracts, quotes this lib. 2. chap. 9. Moreover, it is called Panchymagogon, because it attracts all humors.

(b) Which, Whether Antimony only purging by the inferior parts may be. to his desired wish that Antimony might be prepared only purging downward, the Author adds declaiming judgments, of opinions va­rying from his, which is the experiences, and testimony of so many famous men. Antimony, as we have already said, is prepared with a purging faculty only; for all the Emetick force of Antimony may be taken away, by requisite Art, so as it shall neither purge by Siedge, nor by vomiting, but diaphoretically only. If therefore Art can remove all power of purging, it most certainly can retain in it the Cathartick property, and mitigate the other, or else wholly remove it. For if either part of its operation be alterable, according to variety of prepapations, it may also be abolisht or retained, according to the same diversity. And a little before our Author prescribes correctories, with Aromaticks, for flowers of Antimony, least they should too vehemently provoke vomiting; where we in our Notes of the same flowers of Antimony, describe circulation with noble Menstruums of Spirit of Wine and Honey, and afterward a simple digestion, by which they are rendred operative only by the inferior parts. Likewise flowers of Antimony by being wrought together for some time with common Salt, lose their vomitive faculty.

Purging Spirit of Vitriol.

Moreover, if Pulverisate glasse of Antimony, or flowers of the same, be infused in a Bolt-head, with Oyle or Spirit of Vitriol, not rectified (which must be well minded) the glade or flowers being covered two fingers with the Oyle or Spirit, and left for some time in a warm place, a dark red extraction is made. Of which, from four to ten drops, exhibited in some convenient liquor, purges the impurities of the belly by Siedge onely, without any detriment, nauseousness, or vomiting; it is a very profitable Cathartick, and in many diseases admirably useful: yet it will be better, first to prove its virtue by experience, before it be too much commended.

(c) To these may be added others, as of Mastick, red Roses, Anniseeds, Fennel-seeds, of each ʒiss.

(d) Others, more commodiously, make the Extraction with Cinamon-water prepared with Wine.

[Page 43] (e) Of that which hath been long kept.

(f) The Chymical Essence.

(g) Dissolve in that Menstruum, Aloes succotrin. ℥j. filter it, and and is to the former.

(h) The Oyles, before they are adjected, should first be dissolved in a little Spirit of Wine, for so they will be the better-mixed with the Extracts.

(i) Magistery rather.

(k) With water of Fennel.

(l) Or, bones of the Microcosme, calcined.

(m) If it be hard, it may be tempered with Spirit of Roses or Violets, and afterward dis­solved in Malmesy-wine.

(n) Whether in preparing purging Extracts, Spirit of Wine, for a proper Menstruum, may be adhibited; after many others, is questioned by the Author of Tyrocinium Chymi­cum, lib. 2. chap. 9. of Extracts. He rather judges, that in some the purging virtue, by digestion with Spirit of Wine, is impeded; but he leaves it so, as it seems, to require a sub­til arguing; for it doth not infringe the virtue, nor doth it attract it to it self. The fa­culty of purging Extracts, is fostered in the volatile Mercurial-salt, wherefore it desires a like Menstruum; of like nature with that which should be extracteds but Spirit of Wine is Sulphureous, and retains the nature of Sulphur; so that he attracts from things, what is of of his own nature, viz. Sulphur; leaving the Mercurial-salts untouched. Wherefore it is rather to be used for Extraction of such things, whose essence consists in Sulphur, such are Diaphoreticks, than of Catharticks, for which it is not so proper. Yet this our judgment can­not overthrow the Opinion of those, who endeavour to perswade the contrary, viz. that no purging force is left in the [...] after they have been infused with Spirit of Wine; for, say, they, a certain Cathartick virtue may be extracted from Spirit of Wine, from which it is not easily separated, but when it is about to be separated the Spirit of Wine is also abstracted with it. The contrary of this experience declares. For first, how can the Spirit of Wine attract to it self, what is not of its own nature, as is already said? Secondly, If it plainly extract the purging faculty, how is it, that when extracts of this kind, by this Mehstruum debilita­ted, (as they say) being afterward well dryed, and other convenient Menstruum pour on, do still retain their purging faculty so apparently manifest? And lastly, where they say the Cathartick virtue, cannot easily be separated from the Spirit of Wine, this also experience manifestly repugness For who will deny, that Spirit of Wine, used instead of a Menstruum in Extract of Coloquintida, cannot easily be separated from the purging Tincture? Where­fore the purging virtue is not fixed in Spirit of Wine: for the remaining Magna's after Spi­rit of Wine hath compleatly performed the office of Extraction, being afterward excited with other Menstruums, do still retain their purging faculty, by the Spirit of Wine not attracted. Yet rightly to prepare purging Extracts, except in Coloquintida, Scammony, and Elatery, whose violence by Spirit of Wine is corrected, other Menstruums are more proper, such as Metheglin. Canary Vine, Whey of Milk, Water of sweet Apples, Betony, Fennel, Anise, Roses, Meadon-sweet, Cardu-bened, Fumitory and such like; especially, if with these be conjoyned some drops of Oyle of Tartar, made per deliquium, for so they will the sooner attract, and take to themselves the Mercurial Salt. From all which it is sufficiently manifest, what is the cause in Extracts their purging property is debilitated, so as many times we are enforced to give some purges in the Substance. For which cause, this must well be noted and considered, viz. what Menstruums are to be applyed to this or that Extract.

Anno 1615. in the Month of December, I thus prepared this Panchymagogon.

• ℞ choice leaves of Sena ℥iiij.
• Root of the true black Hellebore ℥iij.
• Turbith gummos.
• Polypode of the Oake.
• [Page 44] Most white Agarick.
• Pulp of Coloquintida, of each ℥ij.
• Peth of Carthamus-seeds, ℥jss.
• Choice Rubarb.
• Hermodactyls, of each ℥jss.
• Fine Scammony ℥j.
• Elatery ℥ss.
• Species Aromatice Caryophyllata ℥iij.
• Species of Diamber.
• Rindes of Citron, of each ʒij.

Make the Extract with Cinamon-water made with Wine. Of this simple Extract there was ℥viij. I added Balsome of Aloes ℥iij. I also added Magistery of Pearls, and Corals, of each ℈ss.

Oyle of Mace, Cinamon, and Cloves, of each ten drops.

Dose from ten granes to ℈ j. with respect to the disease, and Patient. See Pansa in his book of proroguing life, part. 2. pag. 113.

Anno 1629. in the Month of October, I prepared this Panchymagogon.

• ℞ Aloes Succotrine ½ lib.
• The best Rubarb. ℥v.
• Choice leaves of Sena ℥iiij.
• Most white Agarick ℥iij.
• Choice Turbith ℥ijss.
• Root of most white Mechoacanna ℥ij.
• Root of true black Hellebore ℥ss.
• Pulp of Coloquintida ℥j.
• Root Chelapu.
• Scammony, of each ʒv.
• Root of Esula prepared ʒss.
• Hermodactyls ʒiij.
• Sharpe Cinamon.
• Most white Ginger.
• Mace, of each ʒij.
• Galangal ʒj.
• Wormseed
• Cloves.
• Cardamum.
• Rindes of Citron.
• Squinanthum, of each ʒj.

Make infusion with a sufficient quantity of Spirit of Wine, and 1 lib. of Anise of Fennel-water, let them stand for eight days, in the mean while stirring them every day; afterward strein, and express them strongly through a linnen cloath, and make an Extract; adde in the end, the other things, which Crollius adds, especially add to the Extraction Species of Diamber, and Diarrhodon, mix them all exactly.

Another way not less noble.

• ℞ Leaves of Sena without all the stalks ℥ij.
• Choice Rubarb ℥jss.
• Root of black Hellebore of Austria ℥j.
• White gummose Turbith.
• Polypode of the Oake.
• Trochus of Alhandal.
• Agarick Trochiscate, of each ℥ss.
• Peth of Carthamus-seed.
• Choice red Myrth, of each ʒiij.
• Species Aromat. Caryophilat.
• Diamber, of each ʒij.
• Rindes of Cidron ʒj.

Cut and bruise these very well, pour upon them Spirit of good Wine, and Water of Cinamon, of each 1 lib. and ½; extract the Spirits, afterward presse them out, ex­tract the feces again only with Cinamon-water, afterward strein it well, according to Crollius his mind. To the Extract and Extract of Aloes made with water of Betony, or Vervein ℥iij. Make a mixture, then by heat reduce the whole to a convenient Consi­stency, adding Oyle of Cloves ten drops. Dose from ten granes to twenty.

Another description.

• ℞ Rubarb.
• The best Turbith.
• Pulp of Coloquintida.
• Most white Agarick, of each ℥ij.
• True black Hellebore ℥jss.
• White Hellebore ℥ss.
• White Ginger [...].
• Root of Cucumer wilde.
• Hermodactyls.
• Euphorbium of each ℥ss.
• Squinanthum.
• Root of Coltsfoot, of each ʒij.

Digest these in a close vessel for twenty four hours, in a sufficient quantity of Water of Anise, then boil them with gentle heat, till half be consumed, to which, when strein­ed and thickned, add.

• Scammony pulverisate ʒvj.
• The best Aloes succotrine ℥j.
• Amber-greise seven granes.
• Camphire ℈ss.

Benzonie, Musk, of each seven granes, moisten them with Oyle Anise.

Another Panchymagogon.

• ℞ root of the flower de luce.
• Cypress.
• Coltsfoot.
• Angelica.
• Lign. Aloes, of each ʒj.
• Root of wild Cucumer ʒij.
• White gummose Turbith ℥j.
• Saffron ʒss.
• Squinanthum ʒss.
• The best Rubarb.
• Most white Agarick, of each ℥j.
• True black Hellebore.
• Diagridium, of each ℥jss.
• Pulp of Coloquintida ʒvj.
• Aloes succotrine ʒij.

Dissolve the Aloes and Diagridium, in a sufficient quantity of Water, let them stand in Balneo three days or more, very often stirring them: Infuse the rest in a sufficient quantity of Spirit of Wine, stirring them sometimes; afterward Evaporate them to the consistency of an Extract: mix both Extracts, and to them adde

• Musk, Amber,
• Camphire, of each ten granes.

Reduce it to a Masse, of a just consistency to be made up in Pills, moistning it with Oyle of Anise.

Extract of Mechoacanna.

• ℞ root of choice Mechoacanna not putrified ℥iij.
• Turbith gummose, and white ℥j.
• White ginger ʒij.
• Root of Polypode ℥ss.

These cut in a gross manner, pour upon them of the best Spirit of Wine and Water of Betony, and of that Water which is abstracted from Aloes, of each ½ lib. macerate them for two days in a hot place, and vessel well-closed; then with a Press strongly ex­press the Juices: on the remaining feces again pour Water of Betony, as much as will cover them a little above, when sufficiently macerated express them; joyn the expres­sions and add

• Most pure Manna ʒij.
• Scammony well cleansed ʒj.

Mix these, stirring them well together, and add Spirit of Vitriol five drops, Oyle of Cinamon three drops. Dose ℈ j. more or less.

Extract of Coloquintida and Scammony, useful to incorporate prepared flowers of Antimony, of which mention is often made above.

℞ Coloquintida not fresh, but that which hath been kept some years, without the kernels ½ lib.

Pure and choice Scammon ℥iij.

These, being cut, extract with Spirit of Wine, till all be extracted out of it, rejecting the feces distil off the Menstruum to a consistency, and the Spirit will serve for the same use, by distillation coagulate it, and put it up for use. Dose per se, from twelve to fifteen granes. It is very useful incorporated with others, made up into Pills.

The true preparation (a) of Scammony.

℞ Choice Scammony not adulterated ½ lib. beat, and sift it, afterward pour upon it a little juice of Roses, or which is better of the wilde roses, (b) exprest and streined, (add one or two drops of Spirit of Vitriol. The juice must be kept for use in a cold place least it grow sower) and in the Sun, or behind a Furnace dry it. This imbibition, and drying, must be renewed (c) twenty or thirty times: for so the noxious, and viscous malignity of the Scammony is easily dissipated, which, otherwise, by cleaving to the foldings of the Ventricle is wont to excite great dolour and anguish. With the for­mer juice may be mixed half so much of the exprest juice of Quinces purified, whereby it will be more efficacious, and with less trouble purge the belly, and with this prepared Scammony, the purging force of all Catharticks may be excited, and sharpned.

The best preparation of Scammony.

Choice Scammony prepared with juice of Roses, by re-iterated imbibitions, and dry­ings, as is already said; then ℞ good Alcohol of Wine (f) without phlegme (in which have been first macerated for twenty four hours, seeds of Anise, Fennel, Cina­mon, and Spikenard, of each a little) as much as may suffice to extract the Tincture, or Essence of Scammony; pour it upon the Scammony moderately dryed, that it may co­ver it three or four fingers, and let them stand in Balneo three or four days, every day often moving them, so the Spirit of Wine will extract a Tincture: The pure tinged Spirit by inclination separate, and pour on fresh Spirit, repeating the labour often, until the Alcohol be more tinged. Afterward, the tinged Spirits joyned, extract in Balneo and the Scammony will remain in the bottome like Honey, which in a convenient vessel, must be further dryed with gentle heat. Of this Extract, which it is yet sost, like bread newly boiled, ℞ ℥j. of purified juice of Quinces ℥iiij. of juice of Red Roses, well cleansed ℥j Mix in a convenient glass, the Juices and Scammony with gentle heat, stirring them leisurely with a Silver Spatula, that the juices may be exhaled, and the Extract acquire its former consistency; but before all the humor be plainly exhaled, to ℥j. of Scammony, add of Salt, or Magistery of Pearls, and Corals, of each ʒj. Make it up in Pills.

So you will have the most excellent Cathartick, purging without Molestation.

A more short preparation of Scammony.

(a) Indeed our Author here proposes a profitable, yet very laborious preparation. This following which I prepose is more short and easie; yet not wanting its [...] [...]rtue.

℞ Fine or choice Scammony, grind it very small upon a Marbel, imbibe it with a little Spirit of Vitriol, or Sulphur made per Campane, adding three or four drops (or more accord­ing to the quantity of the Scammony) of distill'd Oyle of Anise or Fennel­seeds, The true correcti­on of Scammony by Spirit of Vitriol. diligently grind them long together, till they become a Masse clammy like Pitch; which keep in a Bladder, or as other pillulary Masses are wont to be kept. This preparation, with Spirit of Vitriol, is plainly Philosophical. For as An­timony attended with a vehement hot quality, which proceeds from the Mercury, and corro­ding volatile Salt, is corrected perfectly by this Noble Menstruum: So here the corroding property of the Salt can no more be of force, but is transmuted by the mortification, effected through the contrary acting of Spirit of Vitriol, and Oyle of Anise, and reduced to a beneficial Operation. It is necessary, the same way and method be always observed by the Chymist, in the requisite and dexterous preparation and correction of Euphorbium, which indeed should by no means in Pills or otherwise be admitted for medicinal use, until this genuine preparation be first prudently performed. Dose of this prepared Scammony from fifteen to twenty granes; it purges gently without molestation. The same may be used instead of the Extract of [...]olo­quintida and Scammony, before prescribed for incorporating Mercurial and Antimonial Pills. The use of this is plainly necessary in Mineral Turbith, of which two, three, or four granes, in fifteen granes of Scammony thus prepared, exhibited in Lues venerea, and the Dose often repeated, powerfully expells the disease. Some correct Antimony with juice of Se­landine, and that very well. Moreover, in the same manner are prepared all purging Juices, Aloes, Elatery, Gumdeperu, &c. For hereby their vehemency is mitigated, and so rendred more sutable to be inwardly taken, in form of Pills or otherwise.

(b) Viz. an half part. For this Juice is astringent, and hinders the purging faculty.

(c) Scammony not prepared. Scammony not prepa­red is hurtful.

1. Begets corroding winds.

2. By its aboundant sharpness inflames the spirits, and so excites Fevers.

[Page 48] 3. It vehemently attracts and opens.

4. It by its sharpness endamages the Intestines, causing the Dysentery and Tenesmus.

5. It is prejudicial to the Heart, Liver, and Ventricle, by the propriety of its substance.

(d) Especially in Cholerick persons.

(e) The same Doses may be used in other purging Extracts, yet always with consideration of their powerful faculties.

(f) Also Scammony, by macerating is extracted with Majoran-water, or other odoriferous water hot, which being afterward separated, fresh water is again poured on, till it will no more be extracted. The Water is abstracted in Balneo, and the Scammony left in the bottome pure and Candid. Which being done, according to the Authors prescript, it must with puri­fied Juice of Quinces and Roses, be reduced to the consistency of Pills.

Specificum purgans of Paracelsus (a).

First, The purification of Vitriol from Sulphur is made in the following manner.

℞ Ʋngarick Vitriol, (b) and in a Copper Vessel dissolve it in common water, being dissolved sprinkle upon it common Oyle of Tartar, (c) 3. lib. of Vitriol, ℥iiij. of Oyle of Tartar, or there about are required; let them cool together, afterward what is clear pour off, (d) for the fetid Sulphur, unapt for this Operation, sinks to the bottome like Clay. The pure Solution evaporate, till it begin to be as it were crusted, afterward in a cold place the Vitriol will be converted to Or small stones. Chrystals, which diligent­ly keep.

Secondly, Distillation of Spirit of Tartar is thus instituted. ℞ Crude white Tartar, (e) upon it pour one measure (f) of Spirit of Wine, close the orifice of the vessel very well, and in a Hot-house, set it to digest for forty days together. Afterward distill it in a gentle heat of Ashes, until some yellow oyly drops begin to come forth, then cease. The Spirit that is come forth keep a part, the remaining Caput mortuum with strong fire evaporate, so long as till the Tartar be moderately calcined, not to a whiteness, but so as it remain of a dark colour: upon this Tartar pour the Spirit before distill'd off, set it to putrefie in Balneo for three days; this being done, distill it first in Sand, afterward by Alembeck luted not too high in a most strong open fire, so the requisite Spirit of Tar­tar will come forth.

Thirdly, Of the former remaining calcined Tartar (from which the Spirit is extract­ed) ℞ 1 lib. Of the Vitriol, as aforesaid, prepared 1 lib. beat them, (g) and mix them in a large glasse, pour upon them the before distill'd Spirit of Tartar, adding a measure of old rich White-wine: the glass closed with a Blind-head, set for forty days in gentle heat; the time expired, begin to distill it, at first with most gentle fire in Sand, that the subtil Spirits of Wine, Tartar, and Vitriol may ascend, which diligently gather, and keep a part. When the phlegme comes off sweet, that also gather a part: after­ward again grind the matter, (for it will be crystallized) and in a Retort well coated, distil it in an open vehement fire, yet first begin leisurely least the matter melt, afterward with most strong fire (as is wont to be in preparation of Oyle of Vtriol) force it, till all the Spirits be come forth. These last Spirits mixt with the former subtil Spirits, but the middle sweet phlegme reject, as useless.

Fourthly, From the Caput mortuum according to art, by the benefit of common Wa­ter (h) extract a Salt, if need be reverberate the matter, and again extract it. This re­verberation and extraction repeat, until all the saltness be extracted. Mix the Extracti­ons (i) of Salts, and by evaporating abstract the Water. Upon a Marble grinde the Salt, which when ground, put into a long body with Alembeck annexed, pour on it the proper Spirits, viz. the first subtil, and the last strong Spirits, till the Salt be covered three or four fingers above, (if some phelegme do yet remain mixt with the Spirits, it [Page 49]will be no inconvenience) place it in Balneo for certain days, then the spirits from the Salts will extract their own proper Essence, (k) whatsoever is dissolved and extracted, by inclination gently pour off, and put on more of the remaining spirits, re-iterate this labour, till the spirits in extracting be no more coloured.

Fifthly, These spiritual extractions mix, and in Balneo cohobate for fourteen days, al­ways re-pouring on what comes off: Lastly, in Sand strongly distill whatsoever will come forth, and what remains force in an open fire, till the Salts, together with the Spirits, be come forth.

Sixthly, The Salts with the Spirits in Balneo cohobate often, and the Salts in a gross and visible manner will begin to settle in the bottome, (whence the Liquor becomes white like Calx of Silver dissolved in powerful (l) water) then in Balneo, with [...] heat, the proper Spirits may be abstracted, and the matter in the bottome remain thick like a Poultis.

And so Specificum purgans, not without great labour and is time prepared.

A more easie way of preparing in re-iterating the Operation the second time.

The remaining Spirit last abstracted after the first absolute Operation, may be kept for the second preparation, so the labour will be more easie, viz. ℞ [...]he Salt of Vulgar Vitriol, and Salt of Tartar, (m) in equal weight, and from them with this Spirit extract an Essence or Salts, and in the same manner proceed in all.

But because a purgative in great abundance cannot very quickly be made, nor ought only the mineral noxious (n) fumes be removed, but also the earthy (o) impurities o [...] the Microcosme quite exterminated ʒi it will not be improper here to set down the prepa­ration of extracting volatile Salts by Alembeck from certain herbs, which afterward in equal weight with Specificum purgans being mixed and exhibited, will render the work more easie.

Salts of Herbs are thus prepared.

• ℞ Black Hellebore. Herbs and Roots (p).
• Carduus Bened. Herbs and Roots (p).
• Masterwort Herbs and Roots (p).
• Roots of wild Alexander.
• Century.
• Tormentil.
• Herbs and Flowers of Succory.
• Angelica.
• Pimpernel.
• Selandine.
• Herbs, Saint Johnsworty
• Vincetox.
• Aron,
• Horse-tail.

Cinquefoile, of all these a like quantity, as shall be thought fit. Dry them in the shade, not in the Sun; cut them and put them in a little Barrel, upon them pour wa­ter, wherein a little Hops and Ferment hath been gently boiled; Ferment them in a Hot-house, (q) often stirring them for three Weeks; (r) afterward, distill them in vesi­ca cuprea, as the manner is, with refreshing of the Spirits, as is wont to be in­distillation of spirit of Wine. This Spirit moderately rectifie, (t) not per­fectly, viz. to the highest perfection. (u) The remaining Feces to those the like dryed Herbs may be added, and so you will have more abundance) (w) reduce th Ashes, and from them extract a Salt; to the Salt when dryed, pour on the proper Spirit, that being set in Balneo for certain days, the Essence may be extracted, pour off the essencified spi­rit, and pour on more, repeating the labour till no more can be extracted (x). Mix the extractions, and cohobate it certain days in Balneo, if any Feces happen to settle in [Page 50]the bottome, these separate by filtring through Brown Paper) afterward in a boiling Bal­neo distill it, then the Salt will ascend together with the spirit: If any thing by chance remain, pour on more spirit, and again cohobate it, and then distill it in Sand: what comes forth receive and pour upon it a good quantity of its own Phlegme, (y) let them stand in a cold place, then the subtil distill'd Salt will sink to the bottome; remove the spirit by inclination, and keep it for a second use of Extraction; that which resides in the bottome, may be a little edulcorated and dryed in a Hot-house, then will remain (z) Salt of Herbs in Medicinal use most efficacious; whose use according to Theophrastus, is thus.

℞ Of Specificum (aa) purgans one part, of Essence, of Oriental Crocus one other part extracted with Spirit of Wine, from which the spirit of Wine is not separated, circulate these two or three Weeks, and keep them for use. It may also be given with­out Essence of Saffron, but with it is better for comforting the heart.

A more easie way of preparing Specificum purgans of Paracelsus.

A more compendious and less laborious way of preparing this Specifick, hath been by me invented, and often practised, which is, thus. ℞ Of spirit of Tartar distill'd, as the Author prescribes below in Diaphoreticks, without any addition of spirit of Wine, 1 lib. Add to it of spirit of Wine 2 lib. and of rectified spirit of Vitriol ℥ij. Pour these when mixed, upon the Colcothar of Vitriol, and Caput mortuum of Tartar, (from which a Spirit hath been extracted, and is afterward calcined to a dark colour) and in a vessel well closed, digest it in Balneo for certain days. Then distill it by Retort in an open fire, yet at first with exceeding gentle heat, least the spirits which are very thin be exhaled and perish: In the end urge the fire more strongly. This distillation is scarcely finished in three days. From the Caput mortuum remaining after distillation, being first well and vehemently calcined in a Potter's Furnace, in the usual manner ex­tract a Salt, and with the before distill'd spirit, digest it in Balneo for fifteen days, then mix them with dry Argilla or the Pumex-stone calcined, and by an Earthen Retort in an open fire distill it; so with the Spirit the Salt will come forth made spirituous, and be mixed in the same liquor. This liquor, according to the Authors mind, by re-iterations cohobate, that is, distill it often, or else leave it to digest in Balneo, until the Salts begin to appear, spontaneously settling in the bottome, and then the desired end of the opera­tion [Page 52]will be accomplished. By this means will be gained more, than half the time, which in the Author's preparation is consumed; nor is this at all inferior to it, but, by reason it is more compendiously and less laboriously prepared, is rather more ex­cellent.

Dose and Use, as of the Authors.

I. Salt of Amber (a).

A little after in the description of Oyle of Amber, I shall declare the preparation of this.

II. Spirit of Salt (a).

℞ Salt of Cracovia, (b) Native or Sea-salt, dryed or (c) calcined 4 lib. pour upon it Rain-water, mix and impast (d) it with fresh white Argilla, finely powdered, and sifted (or, which is better, instead of Argilla, take the matrix, or outward co­vering (if it can be had) that encloses, and cleaves round about Terra sigillata, out of which Terra sigillata is taken, as a Kernel out of its Shell, for so the liquor will be ren­dred more efficacious for medicinal use) and make it up into Balls, or long Rolls, which, first dryed to a hardness behind a Furnace, put into a conveniently large Retort very well coated, that it may not be quite half full, Adde to which a capacious Reciever. and gradually encrease the fire, till the phlegme be come forth, afterward force it in a strong continued open fire, until all the white Spirits are come forth.

The Distillation is the same, as is wont to be in preparing Aqua fortis (e).

Diaphoretick (d) Antimony.

℞ 1 lib. (e) of Mercury sublimate with Vitriol and Salt, add of Antimony Ungarick 3 lib. grinde them together and mix them: In a glass Retort (f) well coated put the mixture, annexing a Receiver well luted, make the distillation in Sand, well governing the fire, that the drops congeal not like Butter in the neck of the Retort, which if per­ceived, presently take a live coal, holding it so near the glass with the tonges, as may moisten the matter, but not hurt the glass, this must be done as oft as need is. The li­quor come forth rectify once (g) afterward moistned with heat, (h) pour it into a large glass (i) that hath a long neck, and pour upon it Aqua Regis (some use only spirit of Ni­tre (k) very leisurely, viz. drop by drop, to prevent the danger of noise, (l) and over­much heat, when you perceive the matter to be plainly dissolved and setled, then proceed thus, to ½ lib. of the Oyle (and so proprotionably) add one loton of Gold, (m) first dissolved in Aqua Regis a part, so the mixture will be clear, not disturbed, and in colour be most red; unless you thus proceed the solution will be unsetled, and the gold not truly incorporate it self, and after abstraction small shining sparks of the gold will ap­pear. The whole clear and most red Solution put into a Cucurbit well luted, with a head and receiver aptly fitted, observing degrees of fire, begin to abstract the phlegme, (this Operation is performed in two days space) afterward encrease (m) the fire so as the bottome of the Cucurbit may be very hot; a little will sublime it self, which, when the work is ended, and the vessel cooled and broke, reject as useless: the residue, which is left in the bottome or sticks to the sides, being in colour of a dark yellow, like most dry and gaping earth, having almost no Tast. It will stick to the tongue without corro­sion, like burnt or calcined Harts-horn. From 1 lib. of Oyle after drying, you will have of this Earth ½ lib. half a pound (n). This fixed Calx needs not be edulcorated unless you will, but must be burnt in a Crucible for half (o) an hour: It is marvellous to see what a Test of the fire this sustains in the Crucible, and all corrosiveness is mor­tified.

In Chymical use, although this thirsty Earth be fixed, yet by the benefit of vulgar Sulphur, (p) being therewith conjoyned by Art, by peculiar industry may remain mixed with gold when in flux, yet in the fire it doth not always answer the desired end.

In Medicinal use among Spagirick Remedies, this is one of the principal ( [...])

This cost me almost 200. dollers, which with others, I now freely communicate to the candid Reader.

The true Preparation of Solat Bezoar.

(m) ‘This adjection of Gold is by no means necessary or profitable, which is evinced by the following reason and experience. For the Gold is reduced to its pristine body, therefore can by no means act, and so not render the Powder of Antimony more virtu­ous. But if the Gold were from its corporeity, plainly reduced to a spiritual sub­stance, then indeed its addition would be very profitable. Yea, if Gold in a very small quantity be added to this Bezoardick, it would encrease its virtue. If you would make Solar Bezoar, and loose neither labour nor cost, thus proceed. We say below, that in the first distillation, the Spirit of Nitre or Aqua fortis (which is the Menstruum) comes forth from that Butter in a most red transparent colour, and it afterward again comes off from the Water of its own Root, viz. it is conjoyned with the Antimony, by cohoba­tions often re-iterated.’

That Menstruum which first comes off keep, and with it dissolve fine pure Gold what quantity you please, from the Gold dissolved abstract the Menstruum with gentle heat unto and oyliness, or till the matter be skin'd over, pour on fresh Menstruum, and again abstract it, this do the third and fourth time; distill it by Retort with a long Neck, and well coated, and also hermetically closed, always with gentle heat, lest the Spirits come forth. These distillations finished, this same Solution impregnated with the Gold by those Spirits, with somewhat more strong fire by Retort force; what shall be distill'd off re-pour on, and this do so long until the Gold it self be elevated of a most red colour like a Ruby; this Gold made spiritual, joyn with Butter of Antimony dissolved in Spi­rit of Nitre, or Aqua Regis, repeat the former necessary distillations, till with it it be united and fixed: And after extream calcination, it may be prepared into a Bezoadick of a purple colour, (which is a sign the gold is spiritually dissolved and united) of sin­gular virtue in medicinal use.

A Solar Diaphoretick of Korndorfferus.

Of that Gold also is made that great Diaphoretick of Bartholomew Korndorffer [...], who was Paracelsus his Master [...] Namely, with most excellent Alcohol of Wine it is dissolved, and separated for the Feces; this Solution in a Pellican, placed in a most cer­tain heat of Balneum, is digested for one month [...] In which space of time the Gold spontaneously soparates it self from the Spirit, and in the bottome of the Vessel rests a part, leaving the whole Menstruum alone to float above; which by inclination warily separate. Wash the Calx of Gold often with sweet waters, and with gentle heat dry it; then in a Phial of a just proportion Hermetically sealed; at first, with gentle heat of Athanor, afterward more strong; fix it until it be reduced to a purple powder, which lastly, dissolve in Spirit of Wine. This given in a very small quantity, viz. three o [...] four drops, by preserving life and health, expells all diseases by Sweat. This is such a Diaphoretick as hardly any other may be compared with it.

(m) Whether this first distillation be stronger or not, it is not much material: for with the same Menstruum the cohobations must be often repeated, yet so, as always a little fresh spirit of Nitre (which I judge better) or Aqua Regis be added. By reason of the repeated cohobations more of the Powder of Antimony is fixed, which otherwise by one only (although in the end more strong distillation) would be lost. This is one of those things touching which I sometime writ to Ruland, wherein Crollius is silent. The other is, that in the first distil­lation of the Menstruum, that, or the spirit of N [...]tre, especially if more swiftly urged, be­comes plainly red; and that redness proceeds not from it self, but from the Antimonial spirits. (For Stibium contains in it self a sertain volatile redness) conjoyned for the pre­paring of Antimonial Butter, that is, for reducing sublimate Mercury into a certain buttery mucilage, and this conversion they principally operate by often cohobations, whereby at length with the Bezoardick Powder it is fixed; and by this means rendred more excellent. This redness of Aqua fortis is egregioussy profitable to render the substance of Gold volatile, and to revoke it into a certain spirituality.

(n) If it were distill'd the third time with the Menstruum, from Butter of Antimony 1 lib. you will have ℥xij. or else after the repeated cohobation ℥xvj.

(o) Yea, for twelve h [...]urs.

(p) The [...] is thus: ℞ two parts of common Sulphur, to one part of this fixed Earth, viz. Mineral Bezoar, grinde and mix them upon a Marbel, afterward melt them in a Crucible, and in melting cause the Sulphur to take flame, which permit, till it cease of it's own accord, then the Powder will be left of a grisly colour, which cast into gold when in flux is mixed therewith; but from ℥j. of it, scarcely ℈iiij. will be left; yet these in the vehement fire are lyable to be lost.

(q) Neither by the inferior nor superior parts.

(r) In some, but seldome.

(s) And also without Gold.

(t) By it self not very well, but other necessaries being first applyed, it may afterward be given with other sudorificks, especially with Water of Ars [...]smart.

(u) In Water of Medow-sweet, Scordium, Scorzonera.

(w) In Water of Fearn-brake and Germander.

(x) In Water of Wallworts

(y) In a Decoction of the lesser Century, or fobrifugal Water.

(z) In a Specifick Water for the Spleen, Water of Harts-tongue, &c.

(aa) In Water of Rest-harrow, Saxifrage, Strawberries, and wild Alexander.

(bb) Yet this operation wants not its evidence, therefore not wholly to be contemned: First, [Page 63]Harts-horn is impregnated with the Essence or sweetness of Saturn, in the same manner as is [...]hserved by Artificers, who often from the ashes and burnt bo [...]s of great Ammals make [...], (or Capella's.) These Balls only made of burnt Harts-hor [...]s first essen [...] with the sweet­ness of Saturn, heath [...]t under a Tile [...] as is wont to be do [...]e, afternard g [...]th [...] to pou [...]er; then joyn this Powder with an equal part of Butter of Antimony; a [...]stract the same Butter by di [...]illation thri [...], afterward by most strong spirit of Wine-vinegar six it: repeat the co­hobation, as is above declared By this means there wall be no fear of its cor [...]ess; for the corrosives a [...] partly taken away by the burnt Harts-horn, and Essence of Saturne, (of which see below of Sugar of Saturne) and by the Vinegar d [...], and are rea [...]y mort [...], and a a [...]lesome substance is only left fit for the medicinal uses above described.

(cc) Yet there remains some Acidity.

Diaphoretick Antimony, or fixed Ant [...]mony.

There is another Diaphoretick Antimony, which is made by only calcining the same with Nitre. For by this calcination thrice repeated, which otherwise Chymists call Detonation, all the Sulphureous and Mercurial parts perish, and the earthy part is only left, which obtaineth the force of drying and provoking Sweat. Beguinus describes this in Tyrocinium Chymacum lib. 2. chap. 12. in the title of Diaphoretick Antimony, and indeed rightly. But experience, in elaboration of this Medicament, hath taught li­quefaction, which the same Beguinus grants; this ought not to be metallick, but only so much may be added to the mixture, as shall be needful to make it flow like Salt. More­over, after the three calcinations with Nitre, it must always be washed with hot sweet Water, and the Powder dryed, which will be very white. In which operation the Au­thor of Tyrocinium and others acquiess. But far more subtil is the Powder made, if after the last calcination, and some liquefaction the whole be beaten, and for certain hours boiled in Fountain Water, and the Decoction while it is hot filtred, and left in a cold place; for so by this boiling, that which is more subril is dissolved in the Water, and at length precipited into an exceeding white and thin Powder, which must be often washt and dryed. And if distill'd Vinegar be put into the same filtred Deco­ction, the Powder more easily and speedily descends, and is of greater virtue. Basilius Valentinus, in his Triumphant Chariot of Antimony, under the title of fixed Flowers of Antimony, or white Powder of Antimony (for so he and others call it) doth highly commend this for imposthumes of the interior parts; fifteen granes of this being taken five times certain days together. The same he saith is exceeding prevalent in Lues-venerea, used in the same manner and Dose. And indeed he is not beside the mark. In the latter Affect with Spirit of Guaiacum exhibited, it wonderfully renews the whole substance of the Blood, and perfectly exterminates the Neapolitan disease.

Various Mineral Bezoardicks.

Mineral Bezoar is either made by it self, that is, without any addition of other Metal, or it is made with them.

Spirit of Tartar.

℞ Of the best white Tartar (viz. which in breaking shines) (a) 6 lib. wash it with Rain-water warm, (b) until in it no dusty filthiness be perceived, then wash it with warm (c) Wine very well, and dry it in the Sun, or in a Hot-house, and reduce it to Powder. Or wash, and dissolve pulverisate Tartar in hot (d) Rain-water, what remains in the bottome undissolved, boil in Rain-water that it may dissolve, afterward silter it, evaporate the Water leisurely, and put this last part in a cold place, that the Tartar may again be Crystalized, (e) and this is purified Tartar, (which also per se is Cathartick, (f) if ʒj. be taken in flesh-broth) and is hereby rendred most apt for distillation. Put this into a Cucurbit luted, (g) and in an open fire distill it like Aqua fortis, yet with great circumspection this must always be minded, that the Receiver being large and ca­pacious, be exceeding well Luted to the Head, by reason of the subtil penetrancy of the Spirits, least the virtue of this spiritual Water vanish into Air. At first let the fire be gentle, afterward make it more strong, till all the Spirits be come forth, and the Receiver filled with Clouds, again become transparent and clear. Use your endeavour so to temper the fire, as it may not be too vehement, by reason of the penetrancy of the Spi­rits. The Water first comes forth, then the fetid Oyle; separate these by a Separatory: (h) the Water or Spirit which first comes off, correct and rectify in a Cellar, by placing it [...]; days in cold or moist Sand. The Oyle must be corrected with distill'd Vinegar, by Retort in an open fire, where with the Vinegar it will come forth, sometimes of a red, and sometimes of a Citrine colour; and so the Vinegar receives the Empyreuma of the Oyle, and the Oyle it self is rendred sweet in favour, and of the colour of Gold. The Water or Spirit, must afterward be distill'd by Alembeck in Ashes, and rectified twice or thrice, that it may be pure, and not of so evil savour, yet the smell cannot be wholly taken away without loss of the virtues. If from the Caput mortuum of this, by Art you extract a Salt, and with it rectify this Spirit in Balneo, (t) then the great stink (k) will for the most part be removed: for in the same manner, (l) all Oyles by abstraction with their own proper Salt, may be rectified from the stink that usually attends them.

Or in digestion circulate (m) this Spirit with a like quantity of Spirit of Wine, so the odour will be more pleasant; or you may rectify it upon Cloves.

Or else some drops of Oyle of Vitriol digected, with two or three spoonfuls of Spi­rit of Wine, and afterward mixed with Spirit of Tartar, amends the odour.

[Page 67] Some mix it (n) with a little Rose-water, to render it more savoury.

Aperitive compounded Spirit of Tartar.

℞ Of the simple Spirit drawn from Cream of Tartar, as is already said, 1 lib. Spirit of Wine ℥iiij. To these when mixed add of Vitriol, with moderate heat dryed to a redness, 2 lib. leisurely moisten it in the aforesaid Spirits, digest them for eight days in Balneo, afterward by Retort, gradually encreasing the fire force all. Then the whole be­ing come forth, pour it upon the black Caput mortuum of Tartar, from which the simple Spirit is made; digest it for twenty four hours, afterward the Water imbibed with the tincture of Tartar by inclination separate, the remaining feces of Tartar calcine to a whiteness, from which, with the Water before tinged, by placing it in a hot place for twenty four hours, extract a Salt; this Water by filtting purefy. This from ℈ j. to ℈ij. in appropriate Waters is given with very good success, in contumacious obstructions of the bowels, discoloration, wateriness, between the skin and flesh, and diuturnal Fe­vers.

(l) Salts in gentle distillation retain the evil savour, which arises from the combustible Oyle, yet if from both removed, they would be rendred more pure.

(m) It were also good it were essencified with its own Salt, yet is very expediently done either with Wine or Cloves.

(n) This operation ought to be very exact, otherwise by mixture it may be rendred more weak.

(o) In obstructions and putrefactions it [...]s very powerful from the Salt, either separated from the blood, or resolved. Yet in obstructions more excellent is aperitive compounded Spirit of Tartar.

(p) It frees the Nerves from tough phlegme, and viscous putrilageousness, which in this dis [...]ase is chie [...]y required.

(q) After the use of other necessaries.

(r) Therefore the former preparation with Spirit of Vitriol is not to be contemned, but the m [...]re approved of.

(s) In water of Mugwort, or infusion of Borrage-flowers.

(t) In Wine.

(u) In Water of Elder-flowers or Senecio.

[Page 69] (w) In a decoction of Strawberries or root of Selandine, yet the [...] this case Butter.

(x) Afterwards sometimes Spirit of Guaiacum may be given with Water of Arsmart gathered in the latter end of September and October. The blemis [...] [...] Lues Vener [...] [...] taken away by anointing with Sugar of Saturne dissolved in Rose-water.

(y) In Balsamick Fumatory-water.

(z) In Water of Carduus-bened, Carduus Mariae, and Corn-pop [...]y.

(aa) In Water of Majoran and Vervein.

(bb) In a decoction of the lesser Century, Sowthistle, Tobacco.

(cc) In contractures occasioned by the Cholick, vehement purgations must at first be jor­born. Here Vegetable Purgations are more convenient than Mineral. [...]pirit of Tart [...]r after the use of our Vegetable Panchymagogon, or Extract of black Hellebore, may be da [...] given, as also to provoke Sweat, but not too much; for reason and experience teach, that to this case we must leisurely proceed, afterward Topicks may be used, among which the Galba­net of Paracelsus is most excellent, the preparation of which, and manner of applying, See Practica Chymiatrica of our Edition page. This no Contracture can resist, so as if the Phisicians judgment correspond with the Patients desire, the sick may be cured [...]n fourteen days or little more.

(dd) In Water or Syrup of Flowers of Corn-poppy, or Water of the Flowers of the Slow-tree.

(ee) This Caustick Sulphur of Tartar is a Tincture extracted of the same, which in Me­dicine is of admirable use. Some, and that lately, have sought from this Sulphur the Me­dicine of Metals; but what they have therein done, hath neither been agreeable to the [...]d of the more sincere Philosophers, nor to the conveniency of Nature. We therefore leaving such to their diversity of Opinions, shall in this place treat of Medicinals. The genuine prepa­ration of this Sulphur follows.

Sulphur or the true tincture of Tartar.

First, let Salt of Tartar be so prepared, as by frequent Solutions, Coagulations, and Fusions, it may at length acquire a perfect purity. This thus purefied put into a strong Crucible in vehement fire, and when in Flux keep it so, until it be converted from a green colour to a blew, and be of so great Acrimony and Erosion, as if a little of it be put upon the tongue it burns like fire.

Extract it with Spirit of Wine, viz. Homogeneal, pouring on the same very gently, not hastily; till it be covered with the Spirit three fingers, and so leave it for some time in a cold place, afterward in Asnes gently boil it, and repeat this extraction as long as there shall be any need thereof. The Spirit of Wine separated by distillation, a liquor will remain red as blood and of a fragrant odour: Which lastly, joyn with fresh Spirit of Wine to cover it one finger, and in a Phiol with gentle heat of Athanor digest for some time, and it will remain a liquid red.

Of this from four to eight drops exhibited in rich Wine, vehemently by Urine expels the Diseases of the inferior Bowels. In Hypochondriack Melancholy, Dropsy, Ca­chexy, and all obstructions, it is a most excellent Remedy. And which is most of all to be admired, the barenness of the Womb, whether from the frequent use of Purgations or of Powder of Serpents, or else by nature or age it be contracted it wonderfully helps, and the lu [...]icity of the Intestines restores to their Pristine state, exciting the expulsive virtue; if for certain days two or three drops be taken in Wine before sleep. It takes away the Stone of the Reins and Bladder. From 1 lib. of the Salt of Tartar thus prepa­red there [...]cely remains ℥iss. The sign of perfection is, when in Flux it acquires a blew colour. See also Practic [...] Chymiatrica of our Edition, page.

Diaphoretick in peracutis of Paracelsus, or Mixtura simplex.

Para [...]elsus in his Counsels to Physicians, which are extant Tom. 5. (set forth in Ger­many in quarto) page 128. makes mention of a certain Diaphoretick in peracutis, the de­scription of which he also hath in his Book of the Pest, ad sterzingenses Tom. 3. pag. 116, and 117. of the same Edition. It is of admirable virtue, therefore not to be neg­ [...]cted, some in their daily practice call it Mixtura simplex; yet of it self it is a com­pounded Medicine of Spirit of Tartar, Spirit of Treacle, Myrrh, and Spirit of Vitriol: but afterward being profitably used, as a basis for other compositions necessary in many diseases, and with divers mixtures conjoyned, is therefore call'd mixtura simplex. It consists of three Spirits, viz. Spirit of Treacle Camphorate, Spirit of Tartar, and Spi­rit of Vitriol, worthy of labour and consideration. The preparation of it is thus: First make Spirit of Tartar, as we have already said; then make Spirit of Treacle in this manner,

• ℞ Of old Treacle Andromach, ℥v.
• Fine red Myrrh ℥ijss.
• Oriental Crocus, ℥ss.

To these, when mixed in a Cucurbit, pour of the best corrected Spirit of Wine ℥x. with a convenient Blind-head aptly fitted and closed, set it for sometime behind a Fur­ance, or in the Sun. Afterward put on an Alembeck with a Neck, (but before this be put on, into the mixture must be put ʒij. of choice Campher beaten) aptly fitting a con­venient Receiver well luted thereto; and with most gentle heat of Balneo, at first distill a Liquor, afterward with a boiling Balneo, and the excellent Spirit, together with the Camphire will come forth. The vessel cooled, again pour upon the matter the same distill'd Liquor, before drawn off, the vessels being very well closed, first digest, and then distill it as before, repeat the labour the third time. And so you will have the best and most excellent Treacle-water, exceeding penetrative, which given with certain drops of its own Oyle, separated from it, is very profitable in the Pest and Poisons. Dose three or four drops.

Then make Spirit of Vitriol in this manner.

℞ Of Ungarick Vitriol, by solution and coagulation, excellently well cleansed and purified what quantity you please, imbibe it with the best Spirit of Wine, that it may be made like a Paste. Afterward by Retort, with a capacious Receiver annexed, in a strong open Fire first distill off the Spirit of Wine, and then the Phlegme also, always observing degrees of heat; at length with most strong fire force it, that all the Spirits may come forth. After the vessel is cooled by distillation in Balneo, first separate the Spirit of Wine from the distill'd Spirit, and afterward the Phlegme; the remaining Spirit of Vitriol by Retort in Sand force, and you will have corrected Spirit of Vitriol. Of these three Spirits make the Diaphoretick in peracutis of Paracelsus, in this propor­tion.

• ℞ Spirit of Treacle-water Camphorate ℥v.
• Spirit of Tartar ℥iij.
• Spirit of Vitriol ℥j.

Mix these, and keep them in a quiet place, in a vessel very well closed. The Dose of this Diaphoretick in peracutis is ʒj. in a convenient Vehicle or Liquor, with respect to the nature of the Disease and Patient. It is a principal Diaphoretick in several most gr [...]vous, especially sharp diseases. In curing the Epilepsy it happily excells, in the Pl [...]isy it is present Remedy, it dissolves obstructions of the Bowels, asswages In­flammations, [Page 71]and by Sweat expells the venome from the Heart to the exterior parts. It allays the heat of Fevers, and consumes their matter: Profits Melancholy, heats the cold Matrix, and removes hysterical Suffocations, provokes the Menses, and hinders their preternatural Flux.

Transparent Gold.

For a third and fourth Diaphoretick, in stead of a Crown, I here add Transparent Gold, which is also barbarously called Perspectable, and Panacea, compounded of Sul­phur of Antimony. The former is translucid glass of Antimony, with which in melt­ing Gold is mixt, from which mixtion and transparency it takes its name. The prepa­ration is after this manner:

℞ Of most pure Gold ℥ss. Ungarick Antimony ℥viij. put them together in a Cruci­ble placed in the fire, when in Flux pour it out, yet beware it be not converted to a Re­gulus. This mixture grinde exceeding well, that it may be a most subtil Powder, which calcine (after the same manner, as Antimony is calcined when prepared into glass) untill it yeild no more fume. When you have the Powder thus fixed, set on the Fire a Pot, that it may be very hot, and be as it were reduced to glass; afterward pour the Powder into it leisurely, while it is so very hot, and let it flow so long, as till it be plainly con­verted to a red transparent glass, which you may prove with an Iron Rod; and you will find the Gold in the bottom of the Crucible half diminished. Pour it out into a Bason, and you will have the Transparent Gold with glass of Antimony in equal weight mix­ed. ℞ Of this Transparent Gold Pulveritate what quantity you please, upon it pour Spirit of good Wine very well rectified, till it be covered four fingers, the vessel being very well closed, set it in digestive heat, and the Spirit from the Gold will extract a most red Tincture, which keep for use. Of this Spirit from ʒj. to ʒiij. or more exhibited, provokes Sweat, cleanses the blood from all impurities, and Tartarous seculencies, the resolved Salt of the Microcosm, from whence the Dropsy proceeds, it coagulates, and exterminates noxious phlegms from out of the Body. It helps such as are afflicted with the Gout, delivers both from the pain and disease, especially if taken with Arcanum of Flints, of which below in the Podagrical Specifick. Dolours of Lues vencrea, in the Pe­riostium of the Arms and Legs it wonderfully remove; moreover in the cure of Lues, especially in delicate persons, it is very profitably used in changeable decoctions, as of China, Sarsaparilla, and Guaiacum. It cures Ulcers. In the Pest, and other Epidemical Diseases, it is a principal comforter. This Spirit neither provokes vomiting, nauseous­ness, nor siedge; which properties the vulgar glass of Antimony hath not, for that purg­eth with great violence, as is well known, therefore to be noted in the white stone.

Panacea of Sulphur of Antimony.

True Sulphur of Antimony is like Panacea, with Regulus of Antimony (made and melted, as is now said, in Transparent Gold) conjoyned and fixed. It hath in it self an Hydrotick virtue, therefore being duely and rightly prepared, may be useful in expelling all diseases incident to humane bodies. Its preparation is thus. From Cinnabar of Antimony, which comes forth in the distillation of Flowers, and Butter of Antimony, as abovesaid. Red Sulphur may aptly be drawn in this manner: Make a most strong Lixivium of Ashes of Harts-ease, and a like quantity of Calx vive, as the manner is, with which boil Cinnabar of Antimony, first exactly purified and pulverisate for three or four hours; the Lixivium will be of a red colour, and the Argent vive will flow in the bottom of the vessel; the tinged Lixivium, by Inclination separate, and while it is hot filter it through Paper, let it rest for eight hours or more, and so the Sulphur of Antimony will [Page 72]sink to the bottom in form of a red Powder, which must be separated from the Li­xivium, and often edulcorated with common Water, afterward with gentle heat dryed. Of this and Regulus of Antimony ℞ of each ʒj. Oyle of Sulphut made per Campane, or Oyle of Vitriol ʒiij. Digest them in a glass Retort for certain days in a hot place, then distill it in Sand, thrice cohobating it, the last time urge it in a fire of the fourth degree for twelve hours, and it will all remain fixed in the fire. Of this ℞ ℥j. of Salt, or Ma­gistery of Corals ʒij. mix them exactly, and make a Powder. Dose from ten granes to fifteen and twenty. Repeat the exhibition often in divers diseases, especially Epidemi­cal and Malignant. See Practica Chymiatrica of our Edition, page.

Salt (d) of Oriental Pearls.

There are divers ways (e) of dissolving Pearls, some use Spirit of Vitriol, rectified Spirit of Guaiacum, also Water of the crusts of Oake (f) bark: but it is most simply and best performed by distill'd Vinegar.

After solution abstract the Vinegar till it be dry, then dissolve the Salt in distill'd Rain­water, or (which is better) in May Dew, gathered upon Wheat, filter it, and by eva­poration dry it, repeat this labour five or six times, until it be a most white Salt, freed from all its Acrimony.

Arcanum of Pearls.

A most excellent Arcanum of admirable virtues is prepared of Pearls, by the benefit of Spirit of Lignum Guaiacum, which is thus made: From a sufficiently large quantity [Page 75]of shavings of Lignum Guaiacum, Spirit of Lignum Guaiacum. by Retort in a fire of Sand (or in an open fire) draw forth the sharp Spirit, with which will come forth the fetid Oyle; but this must be separated from the Spirit, and reserved for other uses; (yet this Oyle may be rectified with toasted bread, and a little Tartar, so it looses all its fetid fatness; the preparation also see in Practica Chymiatrica of our Edition, page.) With this Spirit rectified, extract powder of Pearls, first subtilly ground upon a Porphery, placing it in gentle heat to digest, and the Extraction will be most red. Re-iterate this extraction twice or thrice; afterward in the fire gently calcine the Pow­der of Pearls, and again extract it, always with fresh Spirit of Guaiacum.

Lastly, Most strongly calcine the Pearls, and with that Menstruum extract the same Salt. All the Extracts mix, and by Alembeck in Balneo draw off the phlegm, until up­on the Superficies of the Extracted Liquor, a Skin appear of divers colours, which is a sign that the phlegm is abstracted, and that the Arcanum, or only Essence of Pearls, is remaining in a coagulated form with Spirit of Guaiacum, which are difficulty separable. This Essence or Arcanum of Pearls, with a sufficient quantity of Water of Melissa, is suddainly dissolved, and converted to a bright red colour, and of excellent taste. Dose of the Arcanum from six drops to fourteen.

Quintessence of Pearls.

Salt and Magistery of Pearls in Medicine are exceeding profitable, yet more excellent is their Quintessence, which is the more interior, and more pure Juice or Liquor by many Solutions, and digestions diligently from them extracted. The way of Prepa­ring it is set down by Anselmus Bood in his little Book of Gems, chap. 38. Lib. 2. page 87. But in some part, the Description is Imperfect, the following is more exact. A choice quantity of Pearls must be dissolved in Spirit of Wine-vinegar, and this not otherwise performed, than is described by the Author, viz. by distillation remove the Menstruum, and again dissolve the Salt of Pearls in fresh distill'd Vinegar, and removing the feces abstract again by distillation the same Menstruum; this operation of Solution with Spi­rit of Vinegar and Coagulation, (always rejecting the feces) must be continued, until no more feces, after the last Solutions, do at all remain, and so the Pearls will be freed from all impurity. Then with Rain-water, or May-dew, the purified Salt of Pearls must be dissolved, and this watery Menstruum often removed, the Spirits of the Vinegar remaining with the Pearls, by distillation in Ashes must be drawn off, when the watery Menstruum remains sweet, after abstraction it is a sign the Spirits of the Vinegar are se­parated. To this most pure Salt of Pearls in a Phiol, pour on rectified Alcohol of Wine, till it be covered two fingers, the glass well closed set to digest in Balneo for eight or ten days, in which time the Pearls will send forth their Essence, upon the Superficies of the Spirit of Wine like to thick Oyle, which warily separate; pour on other Alcohol of Wine allowing the like space of time for digestion, gather the Essence, this do, till no more Essence appear to rise, and the whole Salt, leaving very few feces, be converted into an Essence. This again with Spirit of Wine circulate for some time, afterward separate the Spirit by gentle heat in Balneo, and keep the Essence. Moreover, if the same Essence of Pearls be with Spirit of Wine by Retort in Balneo, or a dry Reverbe­tatory certain times cohobated, then it will all come forth of greater virtue, by reason of its exceeding subtilty: It is useful; in the like diseases the Salt of Pearls is used. Dose from six drops to ten or fourteen.

(f) Of Shoots and Tops.

(g) In Water of Buglosse, Enula Campane, Flowers of Tilia, Lyllies of the Valley.

(h) In Malmesy-wine, or Cinamon-water.

[Page 76] (i) In Water of Fennel.

(k) In Water of hearts, of the Hart and Boar, or in Saxon's Cordial-water.

(l) In Water of Lavender, Black Cherrys, Flowers of Tilia, Lillys of the Valley, Epileptick Water of Langium, Anhaltina.

(m) And fluxions.

(n) In Water of Serpillum, better in the Essence thereof extracted with Wine.

(o) In Water of Coltsfoot, Lungwort.

(p) In Water of Vincetox, Germander.

(q) In Water of the greater Urtica, Radish, Rest-harrow Wild-Alexander.

(r) In Cinamon-water.

(s) In Water of the Herb Paralysy. In this case wonderful excellent is the Arcanum of Pearls, of which above.

(t) In Water of Arsmart.

(u) In Water of Flowers of Tilia, Peony. The Arcanum of Pearls is here more useful.

(w) In Water of the greater Colewort.

(x) With Malmesy, or Breast-milk.

(y) In Saxon's Cordial-water.

(z) In Aqua vitae mulierum, or Embrionate Balsome.

(aa) Distill'd.

(bb) Gathered at the rising of the Sun, in the decrease of the Moon.

(cc) That is, made of Turpentine, or else dissolved in Spirit of Salt Nitre, and edulco­rated: In the Month of June, July, and August, in a Cellar dissolved into a Liquor.

(dd) Injected.

(ee) Yet with heat it may be reduced to its pristine form.

Salt (a) of Corals.

In the same manner Salt of Corals, of the Shells wherein Pearls grow, (b) of Crabs­eyes, and other crusted Stones (c) is prepared.

But all these Salts, must in a Cellar upon a Glass-table or a Porphery-stone be resolved into a Liquor, in the Months June, July, or August, for then by the Antiperistasis, Cellars are more cold; but the resolving them in other Months is vainly attempted, or at least it will much more difficultly be effected, than in the proper Months.

The true tincture (d) of Corals genuinely prepared, hath been hither to known to no man; for the best, which is believed to be extracted from the affusion of Water of Honey, is rather the Tincture of Water of Honey, than of Corals. There are many Menstruums, which standing for some time in digestion do of their own accord war red; (as in Spirit of Turpentine, though often rectified, is plainly seen) and so the in­circumspect are deceived judging they have the Tincture it self of the thing dissolved, when it is only of the Menstruum dissolving. Nor doth Spirit of Wine poured upon Salt of Corals, although it be coloured by digesting in Balneo, extract the true redness. There are some who dissolve Corals in Spirit of Salt, afterward pouring upon the Solu­tion the best rectified Spirit of Wine, which swimming on the top, they say, attracts to it self a Tincture, and afterward the separation by a Separatory, and abstraction per se in Balneo, being performed, the true Tincture is extracted.

The first way of preparing Tincture of Corals.

First, Dissolve Corals in most strong Vinegar, as our Author teacheth, the Menstruum removed by distillation, gather their Salt. This Salt afterward must be so long im­pregnated with distill'd Vinegar, as till no more of the said Spirit can at all be received into the Salt. Which being done, thus proceed: To every pound of Salt of Corals, add the first time of most sharp distill'd Vinegar ℥ij. then gently distill it, and the unsa­voury phlegm only will come off. The second time add ℥iij. of the former Vinegar, and again gently distill it; so go on every time adding of the Vinegar, and encreasing ℥j. and distill it until the Vinegar come forth as sharp, as when first poured on. See Ty­rocinium chap. 3. lib. 2. of Quintessence of Corals; yet the Process of Beguinus is not perfect.

This impregnated Salt, putresy in a hot Balneo for twenty days, and afterward by Re­tort, in a close Reverberatory or dry Balneo distill it, yet so as the unprofitable phlegm be first evaporated, afterward the Spirits coming forth white, receive a part in a capaci­ous Recipient, and so go on, until all the Spirits, with the Oyle as red as blood, be come forth. This Spirit hath a good odour, and burns like Spirit of Wine, which must afterward by Retort be rectified with the remaining red Oyle. This noble Menstruum, produced partly from the Vinegar, and partly from the Corals themselves, extracts a most red Tincture, from fresh Corals poured into it; which, if afterward freed from the Spirit by distillation, and then conjoyned either with other cordial and appropriate Water, or cohobated with them till it be rendred volatile, is a most excellent Tincture of Corals, of most pleasant taste, and delectable odour.

The second way of preparing Tincture of Corals.

There is another Tincture more excellent than the former, although that Menstruum extracts a Tincture from the Corals, yet it may be judged to be rather from the distill'd Vinegar; than the Corals themselves: This way, because not sincere, cannot be very sa­tisfactory to the ingenious, therefore another way is found out whereby the Tincture may elegantly be extracted from the Corals; which is thus: First, Calcine the Corals whole, not pulverisate, in a fire of Reverberation, at first gentle, so as the live flame may but just touch the Superficies of the Tests (viz Iron Pots. Dishes) placed in the Re­verberatory Furnace, in which the Corals are put. By this means in the first de­gree [Page 79]of fire the Corals will wax white, absconding their native colour: therefore the fire must be gradually encreased, till from their whiteness, they be converted to a yellow­ness, and from the yellowness reduced to a perfect red, the whole substance of the Co­rals being rendred spongeous and light: This operation for the most part is finished [...] two or three days. When the Corals are thus made red, by the benefit of degrees of fire, they are rendred fit to depose their proper Tincture into an other Menstruum. If therefore these Corals thus prepared be injected into Spirit of Wine, or Alcohol of Spi­rit of May-dew, they a little after into that same Alcohol spontaneously send forth their Tincture, their feces remaining in the bottom without any virtue. The Menstruum of Wine, by distillation being somewhat separated, the Tincture remains most red, with a certain sweetness. It is of such great virtue, that after the use of this sometimes re­peated, it is impossible any impurity in the blood of the whole body of Man, can re­main. It is given in convenient vehicles, from three drops to six, eight, or ten. In­deed this Tincture of Corals ought to be highly esteemed by the Physician, for its stu­pendious virtues, being exceeding sutable to the humane spirits. Note. There is a tin­cture of Corals described in the two Parts of the Marrow of Distillation of Conradus Kunradts.

(e) It is otherwise the perpetual and eternal Evestrum in the four Elements of the World. It also signifies a prophetick Spirit, which presageth by a precedent sign, and pre­dicts something of certainty.

(f) Of Tormentil of the Oake: Of Frog-spawn.

(g) In Water or Decoction of Root of Tormentil.

(h) In Water of Plantane, Shepheards purse.

(i) In Water of Borrage, Buglosse, Cordial-water of Saxony.

(k) In Water of Mint, Peneroyal.

(l) In Waters of Sorrel, the lesser Century, Bindeweed, Liverwort. Hence it is our Au­thor above in the universal digestive, perswades to mix Salt, or Liquor of Corals with dige­stives, that they may be more Deoppilative.

(m) In Water of Chervil, or the lesser Century.

(n) If you take Tincture of Gold made with Spirit of Honey, and Tincture of Corals, of each six or seven granes, and mix them with six or seven granes of Magistery of Pearls, you can have nothing more excellent in deplorable Affects of the Womb.

(o) By sprinkling it on, or mixing with Playsters.

Liquors (a) of Gemms, as Rubies, Granates, Hyacinths, Topazes, Amethysts, Chry­stals, and also of Flints are thus prepared.

With Sulphur (b) the Powders of them (c) are three or four times burnt in an open (d) fire, with a covered Crucible, afterward the fire must also be over the Crucible, that it may be wholly covered therewith. Wash out the Sulphur, and the Feces, (e) when well beaten, mix with a like quantity of Salt Nitre well purified, and calcine them in a covered Pot in an open Fire, till they flow; the Salt from the Powder, by rea­son of its corrosion, must be washt with hot water, afterward upon the edulcorated Powder, pour Menstruum of Turpentine, (f) diligently the first hours keep them stir­ring, least the matter congeal, so they will be resolved: the Menstruum (g) afterward abstract (h) by Alembeck, and the Salt remaining in the bottom dulcify often, always fil­tring and evaporating the distill'd Water. The same Salt in the above named Months put upon a Marbel in a Wine-cellar, that it may resolve into a Liquor. (i) The Feces remaining in the bottom, after sufficient extraction of Menstruum poured on, may again be burnt with new Sulphur, and used for a further extraction of Salt in the former man­ner.

[Page 80] (a) Liquors of Gemms are also numbred among Confortatives, not as the opinion of some is, because it seems so by reason of the nature of precious stones; but because these are deriv­ed from the same principle, as other Metals and Minerals are. Therefore with them, in consentaneous proprieties, and colours, and also other accidents, they correspond. So that de­servedly the Liquors or Essences of them, which are their more pure parts, freed from their elementary fetters, and the substance of hard Coagulation, are to be esteemed; since they may be inwardly taken with safety, and more satisfaction to the Physician, than if unprepared, broke to pieces, or in powder, either by it self taken, or mixt with other Medicaments. Note. The Problem of the Bezoar-stone, why we use it crude; it is, because it is light and kindly, and may easily be shaved, it sticks in the water, or easily melts in the fire.

(b) In equal parts.

(c) Made in an Iron Mortar.

(d) Applyed leisurely round about.

(e) The Caput mortuum of Gems and Stones.

(f) Distill'd upon Horse radishes.

(g) Pregnant with the Solution of Gems.

(h) In Sand.

(i) If upon the said Liquor, good Alcohol of Wine be poured, it from the Liquor im­bibes the Tincture or Sulphur to it self, and separates it from the Salt underneath, remaining with the Alcohol supernating; both being separated, reduce the Tincture (by abstracting the Menstruum) to a thick substance. But from the Liquor of Salt draw off the Spirit of Wine, and with fresh Spirit of Wine, and a like quantity of Vinegar of Turpentine distill it by Re­ [...]; after the Menstruum is removed, the Salts will come forth in the likeness of Oyle.

Radicate Vinegar which Huserus called Vinegar of Turpentine, the true Men­struum of all Hard Stones.

℞ Of Turpentine 2. or 3 lib. (a) pour upon it of distill'd Vinegar (b) 2 lib. and ac­cording to art distill them in Sand, at first with gentle heat, until the Vinegar with the Spirit of Turpentine be come forth, afterward encrease the fire, and a yellow Oyle will come forth, (and a sharp red Water, when the red Oyle begins to come forth cease the Operation.) Separate the Spirit of Turpentine and Oyle from the Vinegar, by a Separa­tory, and rectify (c) the Vinegar alone upon Ginger (d).

Of this Vinegar (e) abundance should always be prepared in readiness, for with it in the same manner are dissolved all Stones, used by Paracelsus, against the disease of the Stone; as a little after shall be shown in its own place.

(a) Or 4 lib. of Turpentine, or which is best, of the thick Feces, that remains in the bot­tom of the Vessel.

(b) That is Spirit of Wine-vinegar.

(c) Twice or three, until no Feces remain after distillation, but wholly come off perfectly purified.

(d) It is better without Ginger.

(e) Also in another manner a most sharp Vinegar may be made; ℞ of the best Honey one part, of River-water eight parts, boil them together till half be consumed, or by boiling, as is otherwise wont, it be made into Metheglin: afterward put this into a convenient Vessel, and by a hole on the top, hang in a Linnen-bag Seeds of Rocket, a convenient quantity, leave it in a hot place, or set it in the Sun, that it may be hot, and by little and little it is converted to a must sharp Vinegar, which being distill'd, dissolves Flints, and other stones also, without any proceding calvinations, being likewise commodious for many other uses.

[Page 81] (f) Also the phlegm of the same Turpentine per se, with the distill'd Spirit, being often rectified, may be kept, and afterward joyned with most strong Vinegar, and used in like Opera­tions of Solutions, but the former way is stronger and better.

Oyle of Cinnamon.

Oyle of Cinnamon (a) legitimately prepared, amongst the most efficacious Spagitick confortatives may properly be numbred.

Although the way of its preparation be obvious to all Chymists in their daily use: Yet of this it is needful to advise, that Aromaticks, about to be distill'd, must not be re­duced to Powder, as some preposterously are wont to do, but only broke to pieces and moderately bruised, otherwise they will yield you not half so much Oyle, as I have sometimes found, to be their loss that so operate.

This way more abundance of Oyle may be had, than by the vulgar distillations. ℞ The most choice Cinnamon break it to pieces, put it into a glass Retort, and in a vaporous (b) Balneo distill it, then the Water and Oyle (c) will come forth together: The same Water pour upon fresh Cinnamon, and go on in distillation, (d) which continue for some time in the same manner, and you will have great abundance of Water and Oyle; the Feces (e) in the bottom will be altogether dry, black, and unsavoury.

Elixit (a) Proprietatis of Paracelsus.

℞ Myrrh of Alexandria.

Epatick Aloes.

Oriental Crocus, (b) of each ℥iiij.

Pulverisate all these diligently, and put them in a glass, moistning them with the best Alcoholisate Spirit of Wine, afterward pour upon it rectified Oyle of Sulphur made per Campane (that Oyle must be prepared from yellow Sulphur in rainy weather, (c) so [...] will have the more abundance) until it be covered four fingers, set [...] late for two months, (d) then what is tinged and extracted by [...] seperate, upon the matter temaining in the bottom pour good Spirit of Wine, and by circulation for two months again extract a Tincture, separate it, and mix it with the former coloured Li­quor. The Feces in the bottom gently (e) distill, what first comes forth add to the for­mer Tincture, and again for a month without distillation (f) circulate them. This is sweet in tast, not bitter, nor doth it at all smell of the fire, as in distilling vulgarly is wont to be. This must be diligently observed, that the matter must first be moistned with Spirit of Wine, (g) that it may be like a Paste, and then the Oyle of Sulphur poured on, otherwise the whole matter will be burnt to a blackness; (h) this is that Paracelsus stu­diously concealed.

Confortative Balsomes (a) thickned by the benefit of Wax.

Because Aromatick Oyles in a liquid form, for danger of spilling or breaking the glass, cannot be conveniently or commodiously carried; Chymists began to consider of a way of thicking them, so as divers of them, in boxes of Tin or Silver, well gilt, may the more commodiously be carried about, and be always ready at hand in urgent necessity.

To prepare these the way denoted by the ingenious is sufficient, viz. that to the pre­paration of any of these Balsomes, there is required as much Oyle by distillation drawn forth, as Tincture extracted by Alcoholisate Spirit of Wine, and thickned by separation from the same Spirit: Also the Salt by the benefit of Water after calcining extracted, a Medium, which gives a just consistency to these, is white wax shaved, and often boiled in Rose-water, that its Acrimony may be taken away that thereby no strange quality of savour may be inferr'd.

All these, if mixed by a true and Chymical Artificer, Odoriferous Balsoms of Aro­maticks, and Vegetables, may be thereby rightly prepared, as well for external, by anointing the Nostrils and Temples, as for internal use, being according to the use and propriety of Simples most efficacious.

(a) Confortative Balsoms are no other than Aromatick Oyles compounded, and by the addi­tion of other things, which are as it were Bases, are made more thick, and so may the better be carried about and retained. Moreover, to the Composition of these Balsomes, whether a cer­tain weight of Principles, ought, or possibly can be observed in all, is much to be questioned. We deny it. For some are more dry, and plainly have a dry Tincture, such is Cinnamon; some have most oyly Tinctures, as Nutmegs, Mace, Fennel, Anise, Cloves; some obtain a middle Nature, as Ginger. Therefore as their Natures are more dry or moist, so also varies the Oyle in weight. But in general, so much of the consisting Basis must be mixed with the Oyle, as may suffice to coagulate it, which afterward with the Tincture may the m [...]re happily be mixt. For Example in Balsom of Fennel observe this rule of weights.

Balsom of Fennel.

℞

• Tincture of Fennel, extracted from the Seed by Spirit of Wine ℥iij.
• White wax ℥ss.
• Oyle of Fennel ʒij.

The well cleansed and shaved thin, melt with gentle heat, to which, when melted, add the Oyle, and from the fire mix them by stirring them with an Iron Spatula, till the mixture come to a Consistency; afterward add the Tincture extracted with Spirit of Wine, and again mix them. When all are wrought to a convenient Consistency, and cooled, add of Salt of Fennel to every ℥j. of the whole ʒss. which in all will be ʒij. and so keep it for use. But because wax through age or long keeping may be rank, and so in such compositions yeild an ungrateful favour, and by reason of its Emplastick Na­ture and gross Essence, prohibites perspiration (Galen lib. 7. Of Faculties of Medicaments) is often wont to close the Pores, from whence a sterile operation of the Balsoms must necessarily follow; and barren operation is always attended with fruitless effects: In the composition of these Balsoms wax seemeth to be unprositable; that therefore these in­conveniencies may be avoided, prudent Physicians from exprest Oyle of Nutmegs by Spirit of Wine extract a Tincture, until the remaining substance be wholly white; which when it is plainly unsavoury and capable of no other quality, they take it in stead of Wax or Manna, to reduce their Balsoms to a Consistency, viz. they mix the Oyle,

[Page 86] Tincture, and Salt of Aromaticks, in that Magma. Others take the thick substance, which is left after expression of Oyle of Nutmegs, and extract it with Spirit of Wine, proceeding, as is already said. Excellent useful in confecting Balsoms of Vegetables, is the Marrow of Harts-bones, taken out, and melted, and reserved for use. This may be a genuine Basis also, and exceeding convenient for the impasting of Oyles, and Prin­cipals. Balsom of Cinnamon, see in Practica Chymiatrica of our true Edition at Lipsi­ensis, page.

Essencified Amber.

Among Confortatives, recited by our Author, rectified Amber is not mentioned, whose use hath been often commended by Rudolphus the Emperour; the composition whereof he received from Elizabeth Queen of England, by whom it was also much used. ℞ Of Ambergreise pure and good eight parts, of most odoriferous Musk one part, and a little most white Sugar candied, pulverisate all these, afterward upon a Marbel with burning Spirit of Roses, (of which see Tyrocinium lib. 2. chap. 2. under the title of burning Wa­ter of Roses) grind them together, and that long, often pouring on some of the burning Spirit of Roses, that the whole may be like a Poultis. This put in a glass diligently closed, and set it in a convenient place under the Earth for one month, or one month and half, until the whole be homogeneal. Then again by grinding temper it with fiesh Spi­rit of Roses, and as before set it under the Earth, afterward reserve it for use. Dose the quantity of a small Pea, in Wine. It is a principal confortative of all the Bowels, especially it powerfully provokes the generative faculty. See below in the Venereal Spe­cifick of Satyrion, and Bread.

Spirit of Soot, the Description, and Use, see Practica Chymiatrica of our Edition page.

The description of English Aurum potabile, and Liquor of Hyacinth, with their use is extant in Practica Chymiatrica of our Edition Lipsiensis, page.

Laudanum (b) of Paracelsus of laudable Virtues.

℞

• Opium Thebaick (c) ℥iij.
• Juice of Henbane, in due time gathered, ℥jss
• and first thickned in the Sun, ℥jss
• [Page 87] Species of Diamber and Diamosk faithfully prepared, of each ℥ijss.
• Choice Forein Mumy ℥ss.
• Salt of Pearls.
• Of Corals, of each ʒiij.
• Liquor of white Amber, extracted by Alcohol of Wine.
• Bone of the heart of the Hart, of each ʒj.
• Bezoar-stone.
• Unicorns-horn, animal or mineral, of each ʒj.
• Musk, Amber, of each ℈ j.

In defect of genuine Aurum potabile, without any corrosives may be added these Oyles.

• Of Anise,
• Carraways,
• Orenges,
• Citrons,
• Nutmegs,
• Cloves,
• Cinnamon,
• Amber, of each twelve drops.

Make of these, according to Chymical Art, a Mass or Extract, out of which, for necessary use, Pills may be formed.

The Specifick Anodyne of Paracelsus.

The Specifick Anodyne, according to the mind of Paracelsus, set down by him in his Archidoxes is thus described. First, Make Water of Frog-spawn, as out Author teach­eth below in compounded Frog-spawn. ℞ Of this distill'd Water of juice of sower Oranges, or else of Lemons, of each ℥vj. Of crude Opium Thebaick yet better if sepa­rated from the Sulphur) ʒj. Of Cinnamon, Cloves, O [...]iental Crocus, of each ℥ss. Set them in the Sun, or Horse-dung, to macerate for a Month, afterward express and strain them, then filter it through Paper, and Aromatize it with Amber ℈iiij. Musk ℈ss. Of the Solution or Salt of Corals, and Peatls, of each ʒss. From the remains reduced, to Asles make a Salt, which mix with the whole, and keep it for internal use. Dose from ℈ j, to ℈iij.

[Page 89] (b) It is called Laudanum, because it is a Laudable Medicament, by reason of its famous effects and operations, which with good success we have experimented, in allaying dolours of the most greivous and fierce distempers. It is also called Nepenthes, because it asswages greif.

A sincere description of Laudanum Opiat.

The sincere and easy composition of Laudanum Opiat, with Opium, (for there is a Laudanum also without Opium, made of Sulphur of Vitriol, of which a little after) in use by me is this. ℞ Of Thebaick Opium, good and not perished, what quantity you please, cut it into peices or small thin slices, and in a glass-dish over a gentle heat of Sand or Ashes, dry it so long, as until with your fingers, you may easily crumble it to powder, and it yeild a good and pleasant odour, for at first the gross and fetid Sulphur gives forth a very unsavory smell. This fetid Sulphur being removed or evaporated, in which all the narcotick, and stupefactive force consists, extract the corrected Opium with distill'd Vinegar, pouring it on till the Opium be covered five or six fingers, leaving it for some time in a hot place. The Vinegar, coloured by filtring, separate from the Fe­ces, and again pour upon the Feces fresh Vinegar, repeating the former digestion till it be tinged with a red Colour, then separate it in the former manner, and cease from fur­ther Extraction; all the coloured Vinegar distill in Balneo unto the consistency of Honey or Extract of the Opium. To which, if their be ℥j. add of Magistery, or Salt of Corals, and Pearls (of which above in Confortative Specificks) of each ʒss. Extract of Saffron made with Spirit of Wine ʒij. mix all diligently, and keep them; in the end add some drops of Oyle of Cloves. This Laudanum is almost inculpable, and may securely be exhibited without all fear of any peregrine affection; which can scarely be hoped of our Authors preparation, though very industriously compounded. Dose from two granes to three.

Laudanum without Opium.

Touching Laudanum, in which is contained no Opium, and yet is an Anodyne, from vi­triolate fixed Ancdyne Sulphur, (which our Author denies that he ever saw below in the Stomachal Specifick) many things, both by Quercetanus, In consilio de nobili virgine, and also Libavius in his Treatise of Arcanums are spoken and declared. Yet it is very like to me, neither of them knew the way of this preparation, much less the elegant Com­position of the most excellent Laudanum, and from it of the other two, viz. of the Epi­leptick, and Hysterial. That I may not seem to hate the one, or abscond the other, I shall teach a most easy and true way of preparing Anodyne Sulphur of Vitriol, and after ward [Page 90]shall candidly explain how with the same, the other two most excellent Laudanum's are made.

℞ Filings of Iron, most pure without any dust one part, Vitriol Ungarick that is blew, or Vitriol of Copper, of which below in the Stomachal Specifick two parts. Grinde them and mix them diligently, in a glass Cucurbit cut off half way, imbibe them with distill'd Vinegar, that it may cover them half a finger. Afterward boil and coagulate them in a fire of Sand till they be dry, afterward in the end urge the fire a little more strongly, that it may be somewhat red. To this powder pour other fresh distill'd Vine­gar, to cover it four fingers, leave it in a hot place for certain hours, and the Vinegar will be tinged, which pour off through a Filter, and pour on other, this in like manner tinged remove by inclination, without disturbing the Feces as before; and so proceed till the Vinegar be no more tinged. In this collected and tinged Vinegar, is burning Sulphur of Vitriol; if, for a trial, from a small part of it the Vinegar be evaporated, and what shall remain be often edulcorated with pure Fountain-water, and then diligently dryed with gentle heat upon Brown-paper, you will see in putting fire to it, it will presently take flame, and be by the fire wholly consumed like other Sulphur. This [...] Sulphur of Vitriol is thus fixed and rendred Anodyne. In the Vinegar impregnated with Tincture of Sulphur, pour a sufficient quantity of Oyle of Tartar drop by drop, and the Sulphur will speedily be precipited and fixed. The distill'd Vinegar supernating, reject as use­less; the powder remaining in the bottom, with Fountain water wash often very curi­ously, and you will have Sulphur of Vitriol Anodyne and fixed; so very much spoken of and desired by many, and which is the Basis of the following Laudanums known to few. See also Practica Chymiatrica of our Edition, page. Afterward,

℞ Powder of Red Sanders.

Citron, of each ℥j.

Mace.

Galangal.

Black-pepper.

Long-pepper, of ʒiij.

Lign-Aloes.

Cardamum the greater.

Cardamum the lesser, of each ʒij.

Extract all these, in the usual manner, with Spirit of Wine. In the same manner, with Water of Succory, extract

Red Myrrh.

Egyptian Mumy, of each ℥j.

And both Tinctures diligently gather, filter, and conjoyn them; when when well mixed, add of Narcotick Sulphur of Vitriol ℥ij.

Circulate them in a close Vessel in Balneo for five days, afterward by distillation ex­tract the Menstruums, to the consistency of Honey, to which add

Extract of Saffron ℥ss.

Salt or Magistery of Pearls.

Of Corals, of each ℥j.

Reduce it to a Mass. This indeed is a great and most excellent Anodyne.

Epileptick Laudanum.

℞ Of Laudanum of Sulphur of Vitriol ℥ij.. (This Laudanum is made in the same Preparation, Rule, and Measure of Ingredients, as in Laudanum Opiat, only for the Es­sence of Opium, Anodyne Sulphur of Vitriol must be taken:) True Oyle of Camphire ℥ss. and so it will be an Epileptick Laudanum, which most certainly cures the Falling-sick­ness. The genuine and true description of Oyle of Camphire. See in Practica Chymia­trica of our Edition, page.

[Page 91] Dose from two granes to four, either in the fit, and so it will be speedily dissolved, or afterward daily a little taken, and continued for some time, especially about the New of the Moon, other necessaries in this cure being observed; the fit it self is not only dis­solved, but the disease also totally exterminated.

Note. The Oyle of Camphire is quickly exhaled, therefore it will be better, if not to­tally mixed with the whole Epileptick Laudanum, but rather in the Dose in exhibiting proportionally added. See Practica Chym. page.

Hysterical Laudanum.

℞ Of Vitriolate Laudanum ℥ij.

Extract of Warts, growing in the Feet of Horses ℥iij.

Mix them diligently, and keep the mixture for use. It is a present remedy in Suffoca­tion of the Matrix, if exhibited from one grane to three in appropriate Liquors. Ex­tract of Lichenes, or Callis equorum, its preparation is extant in Practica Chymiatrica of our Edition, page.

(c) Thebaick is the best and most excellent, it is so called, because it is brought from Caire, and is whitish, as also Galen saith. There is some brought from Syria, Alexandria, and other Regions, black, and not so good. Yet of no less virtue, than the former, is that which is daily brought from Cambaja.

(d) In the Month March.

(e) This observation is of no use.

(f) Opium and juice of Henbane, difficultly depose their venemous Sulphur in Spirit of Wine, but rather the same by the Spirit of Wine is rendred more thin, whereby it afterward becomes more efficacious, and makes the Composition of Laudanum so much the worse; there­fore this Preparation of Laudanum I cannot approve of. The best of all is that above deli­vered, which is first made by gentle Evaporation of the Opium, being cut into very small pieces, and afterward with gentle fire Evapprated, until all its former fetid Odour be extinct, and it yield a most grateful and pleasant smell: after the same Opium, being freed from the noxious Sulphur, is extracted with distill'd Vinegar. Moreover I would not extract Opium with Spirit of Wine, because, as is shewed above in Vegetable Panchymagogon, it rather augments the force of Sulphur, than the Mercury and Salt. There is in that Sulphur a most powerful Narcotick force, which is an Enemy to Humane Nature; but Vinegar, especially that which is pure, takes from the Sulphur, but other principals it attracts not. Therefore in this kind Vinegar is best.

(g) As from Laudanum in the Preparation, Essence of Henbane is worthily excluded and omitted, so there are others which may be excluded, as Ʋnicorns-horn, Bezoar-stone, Amber, Musk, the divers and precious distill'd Oyles, which do not so much encrease the virtue of the Medicament, as the price, and render the Dose, though in a very small quantity, nauseous: Indeed the most exquisite Artificial Medicines, the more simple, the more perfect ought to be esteemed. For they oftner, and easier accomplish their end, because they are [...], and emulates the first Nature, which by moderate paces performes its journey, to the accomplish­ing of the desired end.

Electuary of Laudanum.

℞ Opium.

Juice of the Roots of Henbane, Essencified, of each ℥j.

Essence of Mandragora root extracted with Spirit of Wine, ʒvj.

[Page 92] Species of Diamber prepared without

Musk and Amber, ℥iiij.

Salt of Pearls, of Corals, of each ʒij.

Carabes (a).

Mumy, of each ℈iiij.

Oriental Crocus ℈ij.

Unicorns horn ℈ j.

Terra Strigensis ʒj.

Clarifyed Honey ℥xij.

Dissolve the Essence of Opium and Henbane (if the Essences be too liquid, first suffi­ciently Evaporate the Spirit of Wine from them, with gentle heat) in Honey over a fire, after they be well mixt, add the Salts of Pearls and Corals, afterward the other pow­ders finely beaten, viz. Carabes, Mumy, Crocus, Unicorns-horn, Terra (b) Sigillara, with the species of Diamber, leisurely mixing them by sprinkling upon the former ingre­dients blood-warm, make all up in form of an Electuary diligently.

℞

• Mace.
• Cloves.
• Choice [...]innamon, (f) of each ʒij.
• Amber (g) griese ʒj.
• Musk (h) ʒss.
• Civet (i) ʒij.
• Gumme Arabick ʒj.
• Tragacant, first dryed upon a Furnace ʒij.

Grinde these two gumms with the Musk. With all, diligently beaten, mix the Civet, and pour upon them Water of the best Nampha, (k) or of odoriferous Damascena, (ac­cording to pleasure) the Water being prepared of Specifick Odours, and Rose-water, in which by digestion for eight days, a little of Paracelsus his Carbos (l) or occidental [Page 95]Civet is mixed. Pour of this Water through a Cloth or Sieve, as much as small be suf­ficient to incorporate the whole, diligently stirring it that it may be a Mass; of which afterward make the likeness of Apples, or Pentacles of Gordis, and in a glass keep them to harden without digestion.

Or it may be thus prepared. ℞

• Waters of Rosemary.
• Lavender.
• White Lillyes.
• Basilicon.
• Roses.
• Majoran.
• Spike,

of each what quantity you please, for the moistning of Mace, Cloves, [...]in­namon, of each ʒij. these Aromaticks being first reduced to a most fine powder, and mo­deratly searsed, add of pulverisate Amber ℥ss. Musk of Alexandria ʒij. [...]ivet ℥j. All being diligently mixed, add pulverisate gum Arabick ʒij. work them exquisitely together, and leave them (but first add to the whole Tragacant pulverisate ʒiiij. working it together as before) for one night till all be well incorporated, the next day make them up into Cakes, dry them in a hot place, and lay them up for use.

Apoplectick.

Odontalgick (a).

Pectorale.
Milk of Sulphur.

℞ Of yellow Sulphur beaten or sifted, or of flowers of Sulphur, (b) one part, and Salt of Tartar three parts, (c) put them in a glass with a large Orifice, place the glass (first well Lured) in Sand, pour upon the Sulphur and Tartar distill'd Rain-water, till they be covered six fingers; the fourth part of the glass, which is vacant, must stand above the Sand: put fire under it successively, that it may boil, diligently stir it with a wooden Spatula, until the Sulphur in the boiling be almost all dissolved, which will be in the space of five or six hours, for then the Liquonwaxeth red, moderately thickning it self, like a Lixivium: If the Water in boiling be evaporated (d) pour on other hot water. Lastly, when the Sulphur is almost all dissolved, and the liquor on the top remains red, the thickness of two or three fingers, then while it is hot filter it through Brown-paper, and presently, before it be cold, upon it pour Wine (e) (some use distill'd Vinegar, but Wine is better) gently, yet somewhat swiftly, and with an high descent, so long as till it acquire the colour of thick Milk. This afterward in a peculiar glass keep apart, and proceed in the same manner with the remaining hot Solution and Wine: Lastly, all the milky liquor mix, and set it in a warm place, until the white­ness of the Sulphur have separated it self, by descending from the Wine to the bottom, being then of a blew and red colour; afterward abstract the Wine by inclination, and pour on distill'd Rain-water, mixing them: let them stand one day and night, then a­gain pour off that Water, and pour on fresh; repeating the labour often, until no more blackness, or impurity appear in the Water, nor any sensible fetor: then after due Re­sidence, and Effusion of Water, dry it by it self in a Hot-house, and keep it, being like fine Flower, or else before it be plainly dry, mix it with Cinnamon-water, or other ap­propriate Water, and before it be adhibited to Medicinal use, diligently stir it (f).

• 1. It is a Balsome of the radical moisture.
• 2. It comforts the natural vigour.
• 3. It purges the blood from all impurities, from whence many diseases are wont to arise.
• 4. It is a preservative in the Apoplexy. Convulsion of the Nerves. Leprosy. Lues venerea.
• 5. It is a Specifick of the Lungs, in preserving from, and curing of the Asthma (g).
• 6. It takes away the Cough, although of long continuance.
• 7. It consumes, and drys the fluxes of the Head.
• 8. It comforts the Brain.
• 9. It impedes the windinesses of the Ventricle, and the Cholick.
• 10. In such, as are afflicted with Hectick, (h) and dry Fevers, by its peculiar proper­ty of comforting, it much helps, if mixed with Cinnamon-water, that it may be like li­quid Milk.
• 11. The Pthisical, (i) it admirably helps, by acting upon the radical humor, accord­ing to the Testimony of the sick.
• 12. In Arthritis, Podagra, and Sciatica, with other such like diseases, it is exceeding profitable.
• 13. Like an occult fire it consumes the Disease, no otherwise than common fire con­sumes the wood.

Dose (k) Mix as much of the powder with the Vehicle, as may tinge it, as it were with a white colour. In the evening and morning give one spoonful: before the exhibition diligently mix the liquor.

[Page 111] It is given in distill'd Waters, of Cinnamon, Melissa, Lavender, Epileptick-water or Spirit of Wine.

(a) Some call it white Sulphur, Magistery, Cream, also Butter of Sulphur, Supereminen­cy of Sulphur. The Author of this Composition was Dr. Samuel Schleget, Phisician of Princ [...] Anhaltinus, wherewith he cured a Noble-man, and had for the Cure 500. Co [...]ats.

(b) Which are better.

(c) Fuse.

(d) Put on a Blindehead, so the Water will not evaporate.

(e) A little sharp, otherwise it will not do.

(f) Here many things seem Hyperbolical to Libavius.

(g) The exprest juice of Nuts, especially mitigates the Asthma, being tempered with dis­till'd water of the fruit of Madder. This is admirably dissolved,

First, If one sponful of the Water, which is made of most white Sugar, and Radishes cut into small pieces, and stirred together, being set for some time to simmer over a gentle [...]re between two dishes, be given fresh: made morning and evening. See Practica Chymia­trica, page.

Secondly, The juice of Briony, or of the White-wine, exceeds all. The way of preparing which, See also Practica, &c. in the Chapt. of streightness of the Breast, page.

(h) Of the first and second degree, for so great fiery [...]ess is not proper for these.

(i) In Water of Coltsfoot, contrary to Libavius, who thinks it not proper in hectick, dry and lean persons, because of its exceeding force of drying.

(k) Quercetanus exhibits ʒj. for a Cathartick.

Cordiale.

It is the principal part of a Physician, that would Cure the Sick, first to comfort the Heart, and afterward assault the Disease. Those to whom the harmonious Analogy of Superiours and Inferiours hath been known, and who from suffrages of Astrologers have learned that to the two greatest Lights of Heaven, the two principal parts of Man, viz. the Heart and Brain, are attributed, cannot deny, that the greatest Confortative of the Heart, in things of Nature, latently rests in GOLD, sealed with seven Seals, (a) as in the foregoing The Author's Pre­face before published. Preface is sufficiently denoted. Vulgar Physicians confess Gold comforts the Heart, which is nor to be understood of common dead Gold, by its Aspect only to exhilarate the Heart, but of the Phylosophick living Gold, regenerate, and more than perfect, resolvible in every Liquor. Although some Gems are preferred before Gold, yet it is not because they are better than it, but that they are more rare, and found in far smaller quantity. For, Nature hath endowed Gold, with no contemptible virtues, which, who so knows how to draw out, and by ingenions Artifice is able rightly to use, he will find Gold, which seemed dead and barren, to be so lively and pregnant, that it germi­nates, and of it self progenerates new Gold, with new and infinite en [...]rease. In­deed the generation of Metals is not so obvious to the Sight, as of Vegetables and Ani­mals, the reason is, that gross Terrestinal Mole, by which the Vegetative Spirit, lock't up as it were in a Castle is impeded, whereby it is less able to perform its office of ge­enrating its like. If this by Art can be freed from that Terrestial House and Sepulcher, and loosened from all its impurities; without doubt, as all other creatures, it will equal­ly participate of the generative virtue, and bring forth fruit according to its seed, and so Metal will bring forth Metal, and Gold generate Gold.

Whence, the true Philosophers have exquisitely prepared a wonderful, and greatly to be desired Medicine, with which the impurities of imperfect Metals are removed, and [Page 112]all vices of affects in uncurable Diseases of Humane Bodies, In Gold is the Re­servacle of all Magi­steries; for the Quin­tescence of Gold resists tho operation of the Sun and the other Planets, in the Body of Man. perfect­ly exterminated. Happy is that Physician, yea, thrice, and four times happy may he be esteemed, who, the three principles of the true universal matter, exceedingly well purifyed, and in due propor­tion joyned by Natural Rotation, is able to reduce it through all re­quisite colours, into an incombustible Phoenix, by the benefit of which, Gold in flux, may actually be vegetated and animated, and the Phoenix it self, in an inse­parable manner, be converted to Gold. Fortunate, I say, is that Physician, who, the Celestial [...]ol being auspicious, according to the rules of Magical Anatomy, and Phylo­sophical Pyronomy, There are four prin­ciples of Nature. knows how rightly, and harmoniously to apply Metallick Sol, dissolved, and regenerated by that variously named Hy­leal-water (b) in an appropriate Vehicle of vegetable Sol, Among the Celestials, Sol, obtaines the prio­rity. or of Spi­rit of rich Wine, to the Animal Sol, or Microcosmical Heart of Man, viz. to the Spirit of Life, Among Vegetables, Wine. as to its own Image. Since the Giver of gifts, Among Animals Man. hath not as yet favoured me in this part, as I have before said, although I have tryed various ways, And among Minerals, Gold. and from almost a hundred de­scriptions of Aurum-potabiles or rather Putabile, after the expence of time and charge, have in vain examined many of them by fire; also in this place I would not delude the candid Chymical Reader, because I promised in this Book to deliver my Experiments [...] only: yet, that I may satisfy the earnest expectation of some, one only description, [...] long since faithfully communicated to me, a little after I shall insert, which although it seems not estranged from Truth, and not unap­proved by Experience, yet to the desirous Reader, I here present to be by him examined. The method and ways of vulgar Alchymists in preparing Aurum-potabile are improper, inconducible to Humane Nature, and far distant from the purpose of Phylosophers, also whatsoever by this Name they boast of, and falsly speak: For that which is reduced to a corporeity, is it self crude, and undigested: Nature transfers the good to better, by way of alteration; but this Gold, described by them, hath neither suffered alteration, nor natural solution, therefore is not meliorated. And although many by Spirit of common Salt, some by Alcoholisate Spirit of Wine, others by Radicate Vinegar; some by Corrosive Salts first, and afterward by Spirit of Turpentine, or Aromatick Oyles, and such like deliraments, have endeavoured to dissolve Gold, as a metallick Stem, which, from the Province of Animals and Vegetables they undeservedly exclude, yet in vain all these have laboured, The Aurean Heaven is manifested without any comixtion of Impu­rity. So feculent and ponderous Lucifer once was cast out from the spiritual Heaven. as experience testifyes. The Phylosophers Wa­ter of Sapience is one, which delivers all Metals and Stones from the impure Bond of Quaternary (c) Coagulation, naturally and Phy­losophically: nor is there any other way under Heaven, of dissolv­ing the body of Sol naturally, than by the universal Mercurial Men­struum of Phylosophers, The Ancients not without cause say, in Sol and Salt all things are contained, viz. not in the excrementit [...]ous part, but in the Centrale universal Balsom of Na­ture, which from every Age hath been called the true Halchymia. Read. Rodagitius his inferior Zodiack of the Hyemal Signs. of all things in Nature the most Secret; which, while through ignorance, and difficulty of acquiring, we want: We are wont, as in defect of Partridges, to satiate our hun­ger with courser Meat; as a Cook, when wanting Oak-wood to dress his Meats, makes use of Beech, or other less serviceable fuel.

Moreover Gold, in which is the adequation of Elements, (d) is the universal Subject to Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, the life of all things: And as it hath a singular concordance with the Ce­lestial Sun, so also it possesseth a great affinity and harmony, (e) with the Humane Body in its internal form.

Also, Also Lullyes Heaven of Phylosophers of Cen­trale Salt. as the Celestial Sol bears it self towards other Planets [...] for like a King it sits in the mid'st of them, in Light, Magnitude, and Beauty, exceeding all, illuminating all, and distributing the vir­tue [Page 113]to them, which they dispose to inferiors: So, in like manner, the Phylosophick Sol bears it self toward other Metals; for, of Metals Gold is the most pure, (f) in which is manifest the splendor of the Sun, and Celestial Fire, and in its most perfect Body, the four Elements are harmoniously conjoyned.

The Ruble hath in it self the effect of all precious Stones, To this Phylosophick Heaven we apply its Terrene Stars, which are Plants, Stones, and Metals. so also Gold (the Noblest of all pretious Stones) hath in it self the virtue of all ductible Stones, viz. of Metals, because in it self it contains every Metal, and tinges, and vivifies them. As in Animals, of all parts the Heart it self is most excellent throughout the whole Body, so in the Heaven and World, the Sun ex­ceeds, being the joy of every Creature in the whole universe, and such as are in it have the Dominion. And as the superior Celestial Planets receive splendor and light from the Celestial Sun: Plainly, in the same, and like manner, the Terrestrial Planets, or Metallick Bodies, receive their splendor, light, virtue and rayes, from Gold, as from a Phylosophick, and Terrestrial Sun. Here it is manifest, why the most Antient Cabalists, and wife Men skillful in Natural Ma­gi [...]k, who obtained their plenary Knowledge of Nature in the light of GOD, likened the beginnings of all things in the whole universe, to the point of a strait Line, or Circumference: and why Characters, and Names of the Celestial Planets, are imparted to Metals, viz. by rea­son of their singular correspondency, and because among themselves, without any great disterence, they may be easily understood.

In Gold, the King and Head of Metals according to Hermes, See Menandem Hie­rohlyphicam. viz. in body most pure and perfect, domabile by no Element, and by God and Nature exquisitely, according to matter and form elaborated, are insused, not only all Celestial virtues of the Planets, and other metallick, and mineral Bodies, but also of Vegetables, and Animals. This dispensation, and conjunction of the Elements, is so tempered, Gold is every Nature. that no violence of Fire can separate, nor seculency of Earth vitiate, or limosity of Water contaminate, nor contagion of Air obumbrate or corrupt. Whence by the wise, as well by reason of Celestial, as Terrestrial latent virtues, every Man is called Microcosmus and Adam, that is to say, the and persection of Natures work. Yea, the septenary number of per­fection is truly compleated, beyond which, Nature (without the help of Art) in its own power and operation, is not able to proceed, but sabbatizes, and acquiesces therein. Yet that it may be understood, how the Celestial Bodies of Planets, and Stars, and how the Elements, and Vegetables also, communicate their virtues to Gold under the Earth, we shall sincerely leave these following, to be considered, and examined by the judgment of the prudent. The whole Machine of the Creation, according to the He­brew Cabalists, is divided into three Orbs or Worlds: Into the Elementary, viz. this sen­sible, and lowest, which consists of Heaven, and Earth: Into the Intellectual, or Angel­lical; and into the Archetype. Exodus 26. 30. These three Worlds are most evi­dently figured by Moses, in that admirable framing of the Taberna­cle, demonstrated in the Mount, according to the Archetype. In this sensible World, is the Elementary, and Celestial Region.

The Elementary is concluded, The Counsel of the Supream Order, the middle order interprets to the Inferior. and encompassed with the exterior Heaven or Firmament, which contains in itself four Elements, lyable to corruption and generation. In the Celestial, the Planets, and other Stars, or Celestial Bodies, have their gubernation, and per­form their office. The second Region, is the habitation, or place of Angels by the Learned Rabbies called, The World of Intelligences. The third contains the Archetype World.

The Divine Power and Will, before it communicates itself to the inferiours, first de­scends to the Intelligences or Angels, from them to the Spheres of the Firmament, Planets and Stars: lastly, it comes into the Elementary World, or into the Region of the four Elements, where (as the Hebrens speak) the ultimate Execution of the Divine [Page 114]Will and Pleasure, The third is moved by the second; the se­cond is governed by the first. is fulfill'd and performed. In every of these three Regions, God hath placed a similitude, or exemplar of his Di­vine Omnipotency, not to that end it should be equal with Himself (or the Creator:) so as by itself, of its own accord, be able to do all things; but that those Effigies may be as Representations, only signifying, and de­monstrating the Divine Essence; by which, God exhibites his Omnipotent virtue and power, to be perceived and discerned by Sight, as is witnessed by Paul, Rom. 1. GOD to the Gentiles, GOD in the disposi­on and ordination of things by degrees, hath always placed the more noble in the highest de­gree. or Men hath made known his Invisible Essence, that is, Eternal Life, and the Deity he hath made manifest by his Works, viz. in the Creation of the World. In the Archetype are Idea's, and divine Dignities of GOD. In the Intellectual World, he hath pla­ced Angels, or Intelligencies: But in the Celestial Region, or this sensual World, All Souls to that one Soul of the World, and all Planets to the Sun only, as King over all, ought to be referred. he hath placed the [...]rimum Mobile, or, as others speak, the second Motion after Angels, or the first Corporeal Crea­ture, and Fountain of all Life and Motion. In this Celestial Region he hath put the Sun, It shines over all, and is the ferment of humane sapience. as King, and Governour of the Stars, and Foun­tain of all Light; for the Soul, or middle Nature of the World, cheifly inhabites in the Sun, which filling the whole Globe of the Sun, like a Spirit pours forth its Rayes every where through all things, distributing Life, Sence, and Motion, to the whole Universe, passing through all Essences. Therefore in the Sun, as in a Receptacle, and everlasting Fountain, all virtues of Nature are contained. And as in the humane Body, the Heart is the Spring of vital Spirit and Blood, imparting motion, and vigour to all the other Members: So the Sun, is in like manner the Heart of the Heavens, The force of the Sun peculiarly shines in Stones, for whilst in every natural thing the spirit of it is seated, so much the more will it be manifested in Gold, and in Stones, which helps their Nature la­bouring with defect, and restores them. which as Governour of all Elementary virtues, infuses and spreads its Rayes, through the Universal Nature. In the Elementary World Gold is as it were a Receptacle, and subject of all Elementary Celestial, and Super-cele­stial Virtues; which after they are delapsed downward, from the Supercelestial and Celestial Influence, into this Elementary World, by concentring themselves into this one Mettal, are conjoyned, and so finally, being gathered, in it are kept and concluded. For the most secret Celestial Spirit of Gold, distributes to all Creatures of the whole World, Life, Substance, and Essence, for which cause, it will not be improper to judge, it most nearly bears the Image of God. The same Spirit in the Heaven, is most liberally diffused, by its motion, and virtue: But in the Earth, especially in the Center thereof, most closely contracted, is condensed, and as it were incorporated into the substance of them, which in the Center of the Earth have their being: In Metals, it is wholly shut up, Therefore Paracel­sus, not without Rea­son, in lib vexationum hath constituted triple Gold. and fixed; and that this may more clearly be ex­plained, it is thus to be understood. When the Sun goes its Cir­cuit about the Heaven, and passeth through the ways, or passages of his Celestial journey, where he comes to the Houses, and appoint­ed places of the Planets, Metals are appoint­ed the lowest place of the Circle, they in the middle of the Centre of the Earth lye bid. or other Stars, by his governance they are all agitated, being not conjoyned with his presence they are troubled, but when in corporal conjunction they are exceedingly delighted (by comforting the force and operation, which they have in the Air, viz. with Mars he excites heat, with Saturne cold,) and he every where infuses light, life, and motion, even to the lowest, and most profound parts of the Earth. Whence by Heraclitus it is called the Celectial Fountain of Man; by Orpheus, the Light of Life, and the Eye of the World, or the Vivifying Eye of Heaven, which is said to inspire heat, light, and life into all things. It is the nature of external fire, to enliven all occult, latent fires; So the Sun, in like manner, is ordained by GOD to the same [Page 115]end, that it might enkindle all occult, and latent fires, for the sphears of the Plan [...]ts, which appear not to us, of themselves are dead; but when by the Sun set on fire, they are lively, and according to their proprieties operate. The Sun by Paracelsus is called the Spiracule of life of the Elements. By Plato and Zoroaster, it is named Celestial and Invisible Fire. The Father of Lights infusing, and communicating the splendor of his fire, first imparts it to the Sun, and other Celestial bodies, then, as it were, by mid­dle Instruments, instils it into this our Fire. Hence it is, that in the Sun the force, and virtues of all the Planets, are found. And Jamblichus truly faith, That whatsoever gift we receive, we have it from the Sun, either from it alone, The Sun receives from none, but burns and enlightens always of it self, and by God only it governed. or else from it by others; for although we partake of virtue from others, yet that is taken from the Sun. Therefore in the Sun, the heart of Heaven, as in a potent Spring or Fountain, are found Celestial, occult operations, of the Celestial Bodies. The heavenly Queen, You can proceed in nothing rightly without the benefit of Luna, because she by the vir­tue of Sol is governess of generation, augmen­tation, and decrease. and Wife of Sol, viz. Luna, of all Celestial influences and virtues, the ultimate receptacle, who receiving, as it were, into her wombe, the rayes, and influx of the Sun, and other Planets and Stars deli­vers them, as the fruit of her Wombe, to the inferior World, near unto herself. It pleased the most wise God, to Create, It is called Luna, be­cause it shines by the light of another, for of it self it shines not but receives all its splen­dor from the Sun. and put the sphear of the Moon, in the lowest place of the Celestial Bodies, and in the highest of Elementary motions, that from it, they might re­ceive the virtues, and celestial Influences of the Stars; and the Moon filled therewith, Without the Moon, [...] a Medium, we are altogether unable to attract the super [...]our virtues. doth from it self redispose them into all Elementa­ry things, or distribute them into the Elements, through the whole Globe of the Earth, and by this means the peculiar, and proper innate Astrum of every thing conspiring with the superiors, is excited. Hence it appears, how the soul of the World, by supercelestial, Although the Moon from all Stars receives virtue, yet as oft as she is joyned [...], and in conjunction with the Sun, she is most power­fully replenished with an enlivening virtue, and from his Aspect borrows her complexi [...]h. in­sensible, and invisible fire, moves the light, and fire of the Sun, which afterward moves the virtues of the Stars, and at length, by the Moon, disposeth it to the Earthy Globe, by distributing even to the lowest, and most profound part thereof, in like manner, as Mans seed is cast into the Globe, or Vessel of the Matrix. By reason of the sin­gular conformity, concordance, and similitude, the celestial Sol, and terrestial Gold, have usually between themselves, the ancient Wise Men, and Cabalists, would represent, and describe the celestial and terrestrial Sol, with one and the same Hieroglyphick character. viz. on intire Circle, and a visible Center; so the character of Sol hath reference both to Heaven and Earth, for it de­notes the celestial Circle, motion, and influences, and the Terrene Centor, and fixed Na­ture. Whosoever knows reason of the true point and center, nothing of things of na­ture can lye hid, of which [...]e hath not perfect knowledge: Since that in it the root, and foundation of hidden things consists, undoubtedly from hence the natural Basis of all Arts, and Sciences are principally to be drawn, and obtained. Now we come to the description of Aurum potabile.

First is required Calx of Sol, which before, although for other uses, I have thus pre­pared.

℞ Of common Aqua fortis half a pound, dissolve in it of Salt Ammoniack ℥j. (g) or as much as can be dissolved with small heat: So you will have Aqua Regis, in which dissolve of Gold, as much as will be, (b) afterward pour the Solution into a large Glass, and upon it instil drop by drop (to prevent the danger, and fervency of its boyling) good Oyle of Tartar (i) dissolved per se in a Collar: In defect of this, Salt of Tartar dissolv­ed in common Water may be taken: there is required a good quantity of Oyle of Tar­tar, then the Gold by repercussion falls to the bottom. When the whole C [...]lx of Gold [Page 116]is dissolved, and seen to settle to the bottom (which you will perceive by the colour of the Aqua Regis, that should be white, but if it still remain yellow, it is a sign the whole of the Gold is not yet precipited, therefore more Oyle of Tartar must be very leisure­ly poured on; be thou faithfully advised here by my loss) then after it have settled in a hot place for certain hours, pour off the superior Liquor, and Edulcorate the Calx (in colour it will be pale, almost like Terra-sigillata) four or five times with common Wa­ter, afterward in Balneo prudently, and leisurely with most gentle (k) fire, dry it, or which is safer, set it in a Hot-house in a Glass-dish, to dry of its own accord, without applying to it any heat of fire: The Calx must be stirr'd with a Wooden Spatula, not of Iron, and afterward for security, carefully kept in a Glass-vessel.

Note, There is great danger in drying it any other way, than in the two former; for as soon as ever it receives the heat of the fire, or by strong stirring, with an Iron Instru­ment, it presently takes flame, and vanishes into Air like a purple fume, with exceeding no [...]se and sound like Gun-powder; so as after, not one Atome thereof can be found. I have known some, who in doing this imprudently have endangered their lives. There are some, who with good success, exhibit some granes (l) of this volatile Calx, medi­cinally to be inwardly taken into the Body, in stead of a Diaphoretick. If a little common Sulphur, beaten small be mixed with this Calx, and afterward in a Crucible burnt in the fire, the most subtil Calx of Gold (m) will remain of a brown, or dark red colour, by this operation losing all its percussive force, which is strange, and worthy to be noted (n).

℈ j. Of this Volatile (o) Gold, more strongly and powerfully operates, than half a pound of Gu [...]powder. If one grane or two be put upon a Knife, and that set fire of, with a Candle, it sends forth a great sound, like the report of a great Gun fired, and the sound is so very loud, and piercing, that it seems to hurt the Hearing of the By-standers.

The Operation of this Powder, is contrary to the Operation of Powder of Pyrium: for as this exercises its force by ascending upward, so the other manifests its power by operating only downward.

[...]tain Scruples being put upon an Iron-plate, of a convenient thickness, and after­ward fired with a live coal, by penetration will make a hole through the Plate.

I judge Salt Armoniack (p) to be the cause of this percussion. My Reasons herel shall present to be considered, until more probable shall be added by others.

As Salt Nitre, and Sulphur (q) are enemies, and cannot be reconciled each to other, as we see in the fiting of prepared Gun-powder: In the same manner Salt Armoniack, and Tartar are contraries; when therefore Salt Armoniack is joyned with Oyle of Tar­tar, his enemy, by their mutual fight, they cause Gold, before dissolved in Aqua Regis, to fall, and the Oyle of Tartar smites the Spirit of Nitre, which is exceedingly well purified, in this conflict the Spirit of Nitre joyns himself with Sulphur of Sol his ad­☞ versary; and because that Sulphur of Sol, by nature is exceeding pure, and far more subtil than our vulgar combustible Sulphur therefore is more forci­ble, and in smaller quantity performs its slupendicus operations (r). In the same man­ner plainly, as we find from common Sulphur, and Salt-peter conjoyned in Gun-powder, and afterward fired, a great noise and cracking is made.

This Calx melts in Oyle of Salt like Butter, and this is because of the remanency of the dry Spirits of Salt Nitre (s), yet this is not a true, and radical Solution, because it may again be reduced to a corporeity.

Thus far is my Experience, which, to our most noble Emperour Rodulphus, at his re­quest, with certain other secret Medicines, I communicated. Now sollows the further process of Aurum potabile, which, received as a singular Gift, though not experienced by me, I here (together with others) freely, willingly, and faithfully offer, to the [...]hymi­cal Students.

[Page 117] ℞ The Urine of a sound Man drinking Wine, about twenty measures, put it into di­vers Glass Alembecks, abstract from these twenty measures, so much phlegme, in Bal­neo, as only one (t) measure may be remaining, the phlegms abstracted reject as useless, the remanency gathered into one, mix, and in Sand abstract, as much as will be distill'd forth, in the end, encrease the fire strongly, and a little will sublime it self; that subli­mate mix with the distill'd Spirit (u), the Salt remaining in the bottom, take out; the distill'd Spirit will stink, of which will scarcely be one whole measure, when this ope­ration is performed. This Spirit rectifie in Balnco, reserving the first fourth part, which is stronger, and better, and must be taken from the latter. Afterward ℞ Fresh-rain, or Fountain-water, pour it upon the reserved Spirit, and let it exceed the same in weight four fold; adjoyn a Receiver, aptly fitted, when sharp drops fall, and come forth almost like [...]lce, pour on Rain, Fountain-water, as before, and again distill it, if no more sharp­ness come forth, then cease: The Spirit of Urine first comes off, the Rain water, with the evil odour remaining.

Of this Spirit of Urine ℞ one part, of the best Spirit of Wine one other part, mix them, and let them stand in gentle heat one day and night, afterward distil them toge­ther, until these two Spirits be coagulated together: and so the Spirit of Urine is pre­pared for this work x).

Now is required Oyle of Salt, the preparation whereof is thus: ℞ Salt fuse, what quantity you please, put it into a An earthen Retort. Retort, well coated, adjoyn a ca­pacious Receiver, closing the junctures very well, when the Salt is in (y) flux then the Spirits come forth into the Receiver; or, if the operation be per­formed with Argilla, then Water may be put into the Recipient, that the Spirits com­ing forth, may the sooner mix themselves therewith; but the distill'd Spirit, before it be used, must often be rectified upon fresh Salt-fuse, that it may be stronger, for of it self it is too weak (z), for this operation.

Afterward ℞ the Calx of Sol. above said, and pour on it the Oyle of Salt (aa), and, that it may the better be dissolved, abstract the Oyle of Salt again to an Oylyness, and then re-pour it on, often repeating this labour of cohobation, until the Calx be well dissolved.

Of this Solution ℞ one part, of the Spirit of Urine prepared one other part, instill the Spirit of Urine upon the Solution, in a large Glass, drop by drop, always stoping the Orifice of the Glass, until the noise cease: Set it to putrefie in Balneo for four weeks afterward by Retort in Sand force it, obserying degrees of fire; first gentle, afterward more strong, that the Retort may wax hot; then the Gold for the most part will ascend, which sublimate Powder diligently keep, the Oyle of Salt coming forth by it self, also reserve. Then ℞ this sublimate Sol, upon it pour Spirit of Wine, and with gentle hea [...] it will be coloured pour on fresh Spirit of Wine, the former being removed by incli­nation, continue removing the tinged Spirit, and pouring on fresh, till the Spirit be no more coloured. This Spirit of Wine may be abstracted to an Oylyness, or so tinged with the Essence of Gold reserved for medicinal use. The Calx of Sol remaining in the Retort, again dissolve with Oyle of Salt, and digest it with Spirit of Urine, in the man­ner ascresaid, reiterating the labour, till no more of the Gold be remaining. If Spirit of Wine, with the extracted tincture of Sol, be for certain weeks set in digestion, then the whole will become volatile Gold, and ascend the Alembeck. This process, whoso­ever will may try.

If the Solution be red (bb), it promises much; indeed solutions of Gold by corro­sives made yellow, are not said to be radical Solutions, which when poured into Tin, or Silver vessels, affects them with blackness, for Phylosophick solutions, which are most red, leave no such impression; moreover, they tinge imperfect metals, and by no Arti­fice, unless by way of projection, can be reduced to a corporeity. Lully saith it is bet­ter [Page 118]to eat burning fire, No man once endam­aged, will use the same thing, by which be was hurt, the second time. or behold the Eyes of the Basilisk, then in stead of Aurum potabile, or a Medicine by Science unknown, to apply poyson, because Sophisticate Gold, from fire contrary to Nature with which the Sophister works, is full of all impurity; for through the sharpness (contrary to humane Nature) of the preter-natural fire, the natural heat is mortified, and dissolved, and the Spirits of the heart resolved, in which the natural heat is conserved. Therefore Peter Severinus (cc) in his Idaea truly affirms, that the Balsoms, and desired proprieties of most perfect bodies, are contained in such strong corporeal prisons, by reason of the perfect combination of Elements, that the favour and benevo­lence thereof, due to humane nature, cannot be demonstrated. A manifestation of oc­cult things may he made, because all Herbs and Minerals are within blood, and of a san­guine colour, and so, being prepared, may alter our blood, and elevate it to their own complexion. Therefore the virtues of Gorals, Pearls, Gems, Gold, Silver, and other metals bewail themselves, that they are come into the Mundane province, and incon­tinently accuse the impious rashness of mortals, because they are unmindful of their predestinations (to which the providence of nature had ordained them) and have con­verted the Majesty of things of this kind, to strange and implous uses, compelling them to cover the impurity of the skin, and ignorance of the mind, and to undergo the gr [...] ­vous offices of Avarice, Pride, Luxury, Persidlousness, Adultery, Discord, and of death it self, viz. by transferting such things to an unn [...]tural use, and exercising usury with them.

But who so hath attained to the fountain of the universal Menstruum, according to the true relation of Phylosophers, by the blessing of the Almighty in this great gift, can, not only all, and every metal, but also stones, both noble, ignoble, and mineral, by the benefit of this naturally, It is needful that Death precede Rege­neration. and radically (dd) dissolve, which re­solved and potable liquor Regenerated, (ee) the Feces being sponta­neously (ff) separated in the bottom, may afterward, by a piously learned Physician, be legitimately accommodated to humane uses, ac­cording to the exigency of the disease, and with stupendious success administred.

In this place I would candidly admonish the sincere Reader to beware of certain im­pestures, By this Powder of Volatile Gold, simple, and unwary men, have diversly been deceived, by malicious Deceiver. Agyrtes, litera longa dignis. I once communicated this to a superficiary Phylosopher, who most exqui­sitely covered his deceitful, hypocritical, and serpentine mind, with a Phatisaick piety and sincerity, which Powder (after the percussive force, by the admix [...] ­on of Sulphur (gg), according to my advice, was diminished mixing before such as were [...]acquainted with his impostures, with the loss of others, and his own profit, he at­tempted in the sight of many to multiply Gold. The same Theif, after he understood by me, that Silver was dissolved in vulgar Separatory-water, and by that vulgar Saline­water, dejected repercussive to the bottom into a white Powder, which the third, and fourth time edulcorated, is afterward in a Pot melted in the fire, and being poured out hath an horny-form. This horny-silver unknown, easily melting at a Candle or Fire, and that may be cut with a Knife, he mixed with Lead (hh) and other minerals, and with this famous, and damnable imposture, after ceneritious examen, he falsly affirmed to be the transmutation of Lead into Silver.

(a) That is, in Phlosophi [...]k Gold.

(b) That is, primordial, viz. material Mercury of Phylosophers.

(c) That is, Humor dementis.

(d) Not vulgar, but that most pure spirit, which pa [...]eth through the whole Globe.

(e) Effectively.

[Page 119] (f) It hath in [...]ins [...]cal impurities, which are found by Philosophick Solutions.

(g) Sublimate with common Salt.

(h) As may be.

(i) A little phlematous.

(k) By reason of the danger it is lyable to.

(l) Three or four granes in a Conventent Vehicle, is a famous Sudorisick, and Bez [...]ar­dick Medicine.

(m) Which, if afterward urged with sire of reverberation, in the usual manner, will be of a dark red colour like Crocus Martis.

(n) The same cracking, and volatility, may be wholly taken away from this Solar Calx, by the p [...]uring on more aboundance of Oyle of Tartar. That is to say, i [...] upon the Solution of Gold made with Aqua Regis, Oyle of Tartar be so long poured, as until the whole composi­tion be black as Writing-ink, although there be no certainty of the Gold's being repercust to the lott me, but never afterward. Yet if a collect on of what is first rep [...]rcust be made, (as our Author speaks) it may acquire a fulm native force, which is altogether wonderful, that one and the same thing should be the cause of two most different es [...]ects, which indeed other­wise in nature is scarcely found pessible. Idem nimirum qua [...]idem, non efficit nisi [...]dem. The same cannot be the cause of opposites, unless in it they should concurr, and divers Prin­ciples should so concurr in on [...], as to make a necessity for one, and the same, to be the cause of Opposites.

So we see Oyle of Tartar, in due proportion infused, makes Gold repercussive, and fulmi­native. But it takes away the same faculty being poured on in due proportion, and ex­ceeding, viz. until the whole waxblack.

(o) It is called Aurum fu'minans, Ceraunocryson, and by the Germans das Schlag­gold, from its effect.

(p) We deny it. If that were the cause, then to every such effect it would be required, but this is not: therefore it cannot be that: For Mars dissolved in Aqua fortis receives no Am­monick, yet repercust in Oyle of [...]artar, acquires the same fulminative force.

(q) Coal of Tilia is added, therefore it is easier fired.

(r) The only cause of Fulmination, consists in the Gold, Nitre, and Oyle of Tartar. For the Spirit of either strongly cleaves to dissolved bodies; therefore their mutual action, one with the other, either by heat, or fire, excited, is injurious to the Gold it self.

(s) For the Spirit of Nitre more easily dislolveth Gold, than any Aqua fortis.

(t) It is false, for in the Phlegme is the Spirit.

(u) Which was distill'd from the last measure.

Stomachal Oyle of Vitriol of Mars and Venus.
The way of preparing Vitriol of Copper and Iron without Corrosiveness.

The whole Artifice is, that the Metal (a) be well calcined with Sulphur.

℞ Of Iron or Copper-plate (for they are both prepared one way) what quantity you please, cut it into peices of the magnitude of half a doller, place them one upon ano­ther with pulverisate Sulphur between, over, and under them in a luted Pot, set it in fire of Rotation, (b) at first let the fire not touch the Pot, but leisurely encrease it nearer, and nearer, at length make it more strong; so the Sulphur burning, the aforesaid plates will be calcined, which is performed in an hours time: when all are cooled, take our the black coaly matter, which will be like burnt Brass; when beaten fist it, and put it into an open Earthen Glased Pot, (as is done in preparation of glass of Antimony) stir it diligently from top to bottom, over a fire of Coals, that it may not melt, and the Vi­triol be converted (c) to Copper: Stir it with an Iron (d) or Copper (e) Instrument (according to the Vitriol you intend to make) from side to side, when it sticks to the Iron it is enough, and must be taken from the fire. Weigh this Calx of Copper when Pulverisate, and to every pound of it ℞ three Lotones of Sulphur, and put it into an Earthen Pot, keep stirring it over a gentle fire for a quarter of an hour (f): Lastly, the Pot will wax hot, and the Copper be soft like a paste, and stick to the Iron. Let it cool, then beat and sift it; and again to 1 lib. of it, add three Lotones of Sulphur, and as before calcine it for a quarter of an hour (g). Repeat this labour five, six, or seven times, then the Calcination will be absolute. Note diligently, that the Calx be always well dryed, and to every 1 lib. there be precisely taken at least ℥jss. of Sulphur. ℞ This Calx of metal ground very small, pour upon it, in a Wooden vessel, very hot water, the Calx will dissolve, and the Water from the Copper, will acquire a blew colour, strain it, when strained by moderate boiling over a fire, evaporate the water, until it appear, as it were, crusted; that which remains set in a cold place, that it may crystallize, so you will have a most excellent blew Vitriol from Copper, but from Iron it will acquire a green colour. The Feces remaining in the bottom of the Water dry, and if not dis­solved, again calcine with Sulphur, as before you did, observing the former weight (b), afterward make a Lixivium, which, when filtred, evaporate; this labour repeat, till the whole calx be converted to a Lixivium. Then put it in an Earthen vessel of Gorlick, or Wallenburge, or in a large Glass Cucurbit, (beware it break not) and cause it to evapo­rate, until it begin to be crusted; set it in a cold place, until the Vitriol of Copper set­tle to the bottom in streiks, and crystallizeth, being of a sweetish tast (i) pour off the Water, and dry the congealed crystals: The remaining Water again boil a little, set it in a cold place, that it may crystallize, re-iterating the labour till the whole be convert­ed to Vitriol: Also little sticks may be put in, that the Vitriol may the better stick. The Sulphur (k) of them setling to the bottom, keep a part, for its proper use.

[Page 123] From these two Vitriols of Iron and Copper, Spirit and Oyle, in the vulgar and known way, may Chymically be prepared, of far greater efficacy and virtue, than from common Vitriol (l).

By this means the acid Artificial Fountain is obtained. Here is Esurive Vinegar in this Vitriolate Sulphur prepared without corrosiveness, a perfect Arcanum in cotrobo [...] ­ing the languishing Ventricle. See Theophrastus in his Book of Long Lise, and i [...] lib. of Tartar about the end.