TYROCINIUM CHYMICUM: OR, Chemical Essays, Acquired from The Fountain of Nature, AND Manual Experience. By John Beguinus Almoner to the most Christian King of France. LONDON: ●rinted for Thomas Passenger, at the three Bibles upon London brid●● 〈…〉 THE Author's Dedication, I Dedicate, offer up, and bequeath, This Work, such as it is, as also myself, and all that is called mine, To the only Wise GOD, Author of all Good: To whom be all Praise, Virtue, and Power, ascribed, for ever and ever. AMEN. Paracelsus in his Book of Tincture of Natural things, Chapter 1. saith, FIrst, you must Learn Digestions, Distillations, Sublimations, Reverberations, Extractions, Solutions, Coagulations, Fermentations, and Fixations; and you must also know what Instruments are required for use in this Work; as Glasses, Cucurbits, Circulatory Vessels, Vessels of Hermes, Earthen Vessels, Balneums, Wind Fornaces, Fornaces of Reverberation, and other such like: as also a Marble, Mortars, Coals, etc. So may you at length proceed in the Work of Alchemy, and Medicine. But as long as you shall by Fantasy and Opinion adhere to feigned Books, you will be apt for, and Predestinated to none of these. Epigramma Authoris ad Benevolum Lectorem. Quisquis es, O Lector, nostro tu parce Labori, Quae sunt dicta modo, dicta sucre prius: Et quaecunque meo parvo sunt scripta Libello, Ut mea, non measunt, sic tua, non tua sunt. TO THE READER. IT becomes every man, about to transcribe, or render the Works of another in his own native Tongue, neither to add any thing of his own, nor to omit of the Author's; lest in so doing, he should maim the same by abstracting, or render them monstrous by impertinent additions. Wherefore, avoiding these extremes, I offer this Little work, (not gorgeously adorned with paintings of Rhetoric, but plainly clothed in an English Habit) to the Searchers into the wondrous Mysteries of Nature, by them to be viewed, and reviewed, to be approved, or condemned (if any thing herein may justly be censured) as they shall think fit. Yet, I would not have any Man to persuade himself, that I present This Tyrocinium as a Guide to the most Experienced, but rather as a necessary auxiliary to Pupils, and such as are desirous to enter upon the Praxis of this Laudable Science, but hitherto, perhaps for want of Expert knowledge of the Latin Tongue, or rather not finding experienced Masters, could not understand how, or where to begin. For such only, this Book was written by the Author, and to the same end it is now translated. Therefore if you find benefit by the perusal hereof, extol not the Author, nor commend the Translator, but praise God, who is the Giver of all good Gifts, and by whom all Sciences were communicated to the Children of Adam. The most Material Erratas are thus Corrected. PAge 2. line 27. for sow, read snow. l. 35. for Philosophicks, r. Philosophic. p. 7. l. 2. for Antimony, r. Anatomy. l. 16. for to boiled, r. to be boiled. p. 8. l. 12. for forced r. feared. p. 30. l. 20. for Cinnen Cloth, r. Linen Cloth. p. 47. l. 18. for enduring, r. inducing. p. 57 l. 22. for by gradually, r. gradually. p. 70. l. 23. for Tincture, r. the Tincture. p. 72. l. 12. for upon Oil, r. upon the Oil. p. 75. l. 16. for Oriental Saffron ʒ ss. r. Oriental Saffron, ʒj. ss. l. 18. for Coltsfoot, r. Asarabacca. p. 88 l. 5. for Crocus Martis Stellate, r. Regulus Martis Stellate. p. 95. l. 18. for Sols, r. Sol. p. 109. l. 22. for Calcine in a Crucible, r. Calcine it in, etc. p. 129. l. 19 for And much Coct, r. And as much Coct. TYROCINIUM CHYMICUM, In three Books. BOOK I. CHAP. I. Touching the definition of Alchemy. CHymistry is the Art of dissolving natural mixed bodies, What Alchemy is. and of coagulating the same when dissolved, and of reducing them into salubrious, safe, and grateful Medicaments. Chymia is a Greek word; The Etymology of the word Chymiae. the Latins render it an Art making Liquor, or dissolving things solid into Liquor: it is likewise called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, because Chemistry teacheth to dissolve (that which is most difficult) and to coagulate. If any one call it Alchemy, He, in the Arabian manner declares the excellency thereof. If the Spagyric Art, he shows its principal Offices, viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; that is to say, Conjunction and Separation. If the Hermetick Art, he demonstrates its Author, and Antiquity. If the Distillatory Science, he shows its Authority and Function. But since all Disciplines are either Theorical, or Practical; Chemistry not acquiescing in the knowledge and contemplation of mixed bodies, as a natural Science; but having regard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (that is) to the work or business, viz. to Magisteries, Tinctures, Quintessences, and such like; unto it, is worthily granted a place among practical Arts and Disciplines: although happily some may be found, who, being contented with the Theory only, accidentally, either for want of suitable Masters, or impeded by other more weighty businesses, apply not themselves to the most pleasant labours in the practical part thereof required. Object. The Objection of this Art is, that the body is mixed and concrete; but wherein it is movable is not inspected, for this is the part of natural consideration, viz. to observe how far a body is dissolvable and coagulable. Bodies are either imperfectly mixed, as Dew, Hail, Sow; or perfectly mixed, as Plants, Fruits, Metals, Stones, Trees, and Animals of every kind. Whence it is manifest, how egregiously they are deceived, who, hearing the name of an Alchemist, presently conclude, that Man employs himself in nothing else, than the transmutation or Metamorphosing of Metals, and meditates on no other thing than the wonderful Mystery of the Philosophicks Stone; Whereas, The intention of this Artist, is to prepare most sweet, most wholesome, and most safe Medicaments. And herein it is that our Art is distinguished from the vulgar Pharmacopaea, which also confects Medicines, safe indeed, and wholesome, but less grateful to the diseased. For as to sweetness, or pleasure in taking, it must needs be granted, Chemical Medicines are helpful to the vulgar. that the sick will sooner take Conserve of Roses, with which 4 grains of Mercury, working by siege, only are commixed, than many drams of Diacatholicon: and will more willingly take one only of the blessed Pills of Quercetanus, or two Pills of his Panchymagogon Electuary, than 10, or 15, without them, of gilded and fetid Pills, or four grains of Mineral Bezoar, of the most famous Dr. Hartmannus, or eight grains of Diaphoretick Antimony of Crollius, than any other Sudorific potion: And much rather a little of the Cream or Magistery of Tartar, than an agonistick draught of Apozeme or Syrup of any Magistrale, laboriously confected according to a description of I know not how many foot long. Yet in a sense the Potions and Vessels of vulgar Medicaments, do in odour far exceed the Chemical; namely, when the Sick, only hearing of them before they take then in their hands, with the nauseous imagination of their taste and odour, being not provoked with any magnetic force, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, purge upward, and downward, which hitherto by Chemical Medicaments could not be performed. They say, Spagyric Artificers glory in the sweetness of their Remedies, but Medicines prepared in the shops of Apothecarys, have obtained the praise of salubrity and safeness of Curation. For, say they, your Remedies are not more wholesome and more safe than ours, being not enough salubrious or safe: since yours for the most part are venomous and plainly repugnant to humane Nature, as being Metallic and taken from Minerals; and generally are more sharp, more corrosive, and more hot than is convenient, and also very strongly smell of the fire. These indeed are forcible weapons, and are ready to cast down the strong-hold of Chemists, if they be not dexterously enervated with the Buckler of Reason and Experience. It can scarcely be denied, but that most of our Medicines are taken from out of the family of Minerals and Metals. But if the Ancient and famous Physicians did not only use them, Chemical Medicines are not venomous and repugnant to humane Nature although Metallic. but crude and unprepared, as in the prescriptions of Galen, Dioscorides, and in the Antidotory of Nicholas of Myrepsicum, and others is to this day to be seen, and some most famous Physicians of late time, as Rondeletius used crude Mercury in P●lls of Barbarossa, for expelling the Neapolitan disease: Crato the most fortunate Physician of three Caesar's used Cinnabar, for removing the Vertigo; and others have used Antimony, as Cardanus, Julius, Alexandrinus and Mathiolus: Vitriol was used by Gesnerus, Crocus Martis for the Jaundice, by Fallopius; and for all affects of the Lights, Sulphur hath generally been by them used: Why then should it not be lawful for us to transfer the same things rightly prepared, and perfectly freed from all venomous malignity to medicinal use? especially since we have seen those, who, with vulgar Medicaments of the Apothecaries, could not recover a perfect state of Health; yet at the persuasion of the same Misochymists have removed themselves to Metallic Baths, or Mineral fountains through the continued use of which, they have been perfectly cured. Whence we indeed may rightly conjecture, that in Minerals and metallics of this kind, there are concluded a certain fixed Balsam, and most potent Spirits, not obnoxious to corruption. The same also in the use of Chyrurgical Medicaments is conspicuous; for of their Remedys is scarce any of great virtue, unless with it some Metal o● Mineral be commixed. But far be it, that the same crude & unprepared (according to the Custom of the Ancient, and some of the Physicians of late times) should be by us thought fit to be re-received inwardly into the body. The profitable must be separated from the unprofitable; The true Correction of Malignant Medicines. the venom from the salutary Mummy; and the Kernel and Marrow uncased from Rinds, Shells, Husks, and Feces. So at length from thence may Remedies be taken apt for the Cure of most deplorable diseases, quickly, safely, and pleasantly, if they be adhibited by learned, expert, and circumspect Physicians, and according to the prescribed Rules of Therapeia. The Viper, a beast most venomous, being rightly prepared, is the Basis of Treacle, that universal Alexipharmacon, approved by the Experience of so many Ages. So we see daily, that from vulgar Serpents, they now commonly prepare a most certain preventionary and curative Medicine against venoms of every kind. Likewise the Sea-Dragon, which the French call Lavive, hath in his back a Bone, which being taken out, thence is made a most delicate food. In the same manner also things dug out of the Earth, may plainly be reduced to that Nature of Mediocrity, the whole being resolved into distinct parts, and the malignant and mortiferous qualities removed; that most certainly, those, who rightly use such, legitimately prepared, admit not a mortal enemy, but a friendly Guest, not a poisonous venom, but an Alexapharmacon, and Antidote against all diseases into the penetrales of their life. For if the venemosity of Metals and Minerals depend upon their form; who sees not, if these by Chemical Artifice be resolved into their three principles, that their deadly and destructive qualities are removed? And if you shall conceive the malignity to be established in any of the undivided parts, you will so much the easier understand, that when the whole is divided into parts, that may be segregated. And in this manner is the correction of mortiferous medicaments; which, how safe, and salubrious it is, might be proved by infinite Examples, if we thought it were not sufficiently known already. Let therefore Misochymists forbear to abhor the use of Minerals and Metals, to be exhibited internally into the humane body; and unadvisedly to fear I know not what, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, thence to proceed; but let them rather learn of Chemists the true way of subduing the malignity of Remedies, which venerable Antiquity used (as Antimony, Mercury, both kinds of Hellebore, all the Species of Tithymalus, Pytyusa, Elaterium, Coloquintida, Euphorbium, Thapsia, Seammony, Thymelaea, the Lazure and Armenian Stone, Scoria of Brass, Sandarack, etc.) which is done by the Antimony of the heterogeneal body, into its proper parts; but not by the wont addition of Mastic, Dragacanth, Spike, Cinnamon, or such like. For he that endeavours so to dissipate, and infringe the venomous qualities of Simples, is not unlike to foolish and ignorant Cooks, who, when Carp are to be scaled, and boweled, contend that if the choler or bag of the gall shall happen to be broke, it is not to be washed out, or segregated, but with Honey or Sugar to be corrected, and its evil savour so removed: or if they be to prepare the intestines of Animals for man's food, shall foolishly judge that the sordid and filthy excrements are not to be washed away, but that they are to boiled as they are, with the addition of Amber, or odoriferous Oils poured upon them. Spagyric Remedies seem not to be wholesome and safe, because they are sharp and corrosive, and by the violence of fire rendered more Costick, and because they smell of the fire: but if they be (or while they are) sharp and corrosive, they are not to be received into the body. Good GOD! how great a quantity of Medicaments ought to be cast out from the vulgar Pharmacopoly's? How great is the number of them to be expunged from their Antidotary's? And how many Condiments are to be removed from their Kitchens? Cantharideses by Galen are numbered among dangerous Medicines, which by erosion kill; and they are to be but sparingly taken; and unto these he grants it is behoveful they should be commixed, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and with Diuretics instead of a Vehicle. How corrosive Vitriol is, is palpably known to all; and notwithstanding into Treacle the most commendable Antidote, it is received. Garlic, Onions, Sinape, and Nasturcium, how sharp are these? yet are we not afraid daily to use them in our Banquets. The juices of Lemons and Citrons dissolve the most firm bodies of Pearls and Corrals; yet in the Cardiack passion, and in extreme imbecility, and decay of strength, a more ready and excellent remedy, is not vulgarly given. Therefore the Acrimony and Costick force of Chemical Remedies is not to be forced, especially, since many are outwardly corroding, which inwardly cannot exercise their force, not only by reason of greater repugnancy of the intestines, and the vegetate strength of the native heat; but also by reason of the noxious humours residing in the Stomach. As we devour not whole handfuls of Salt, nor use we certain pounds of it in broths, but, it may be, we dissolve of it one pugil; and a little Vinegar and Spice we are wont to use for seasoning our meats; so when necessity compels, spagyric Physicians to the using of sharp Medicaments, they exhibit some drops, or one grain or two, not alone, but mixed with appropriate Liquors. Yea, the most sharp may be so well odulcorated, as they may deposit all their acrimony; Chemical Medicines are not dangerous, by reason of their sharpness contracted by fire. which in Aqua fortis, and Aqua Regis is clearly evinced, if with them Salt of Tartar be commixed. Now as touching the Contagion of fire, which is by them objected, it is a thing so vain and frivolous, as needs no refutation. Galen himself in the 18. Chap. de Theriaca ad Pisonem, expressly writeth, that the fire doth meliorate many things, and sometimes discovers the hidden nature of things, and some things also it renders apt for use, according to our intention. Whence also the same Element by Cicero, is not undeservedly honoured with the Title of Master of Arts, likewise Galen subjects sharp and biting Minerals to the Examen of fire, that they may be rendered more gentle. He esteems * Red Vitriol. Chalcitis burnt, better than not burnt. Balanus Myrepsica, according to Mesue, provokes vomiting, and also causeth dejections by the inferior parts; but being burnt, and the nauseous humidity thereof removed, the only force of expelling humours by Siege remains. So sublimate Mercury, which is most sharp, abiding the violence of fire with Antimony, is reduced to a most gentle, and most wholesome Alexipharmacon. Likewise Iron, when calcined into Crocus Martis, with fire of reverberation sustaineth the extremest heat of flames, yet they on it impress no acrimony to hinder the use thereof from being most profitable, as it is most frequent in Haemorrhagia's, and other Fluxes. On the contrary, how great sharpness do the Water and Oil of Cinnamon acquire in a Balneum of vapour only? And in the same, how much is Wine made more acid? Whence is this? Can you understand the Reason? You may, if you can comprehend why the Sun hardens clay, and softens wax; and the same makes linen white, Whence is the acrimony of Chemical Medicaments. but blackens the face. You are therefore deceived, if you think Spirit of Vitriol contracts acrimony from external heat: and so if you judge that Oil of Salt from the fire of Reverberation is infected with the same; for if Salts were not insited and mixed in these, you by the greatest violence of fire, could never be able to inure such a sharpness. And contrariwise, should you use the most moderate heat that could be in some things, yet you shall undoubtedly render them more sharp, by reason of the force of present Salts. Moreover for the Empyreuma of Chemical Medicines, Chemical Remedies smell not of the fire. it is not of such moment, as under that name they should seem violent and dangerous to practical Physicians: for if such a thing be inherent in those Medicaments, it took its beginning either from a moderate or strong heat. If from that, and therefore Chemical Remedies are censured for obnoxious; then can neither our Meats, or Drinks, or vulgar Medicaments be safe and wholesome; since, in preparing them, oftentimes a greater degree of fire is required than for Spagyric Remedies, which is manifest in the making of Beer or Ale, where the Malt is first with strong fire dried, afterward boiled with greater. And also in some Rhenish Wines, which by reason of their wholsomness, are used by the Northern people in almost all diseases, instead of a Remedy; and yet to a true maturity, they cannot be brought, but by the benefit of Elementary fire; also in broiled fish, and smoke dried, roasted, and boiled flesh, with many other such like. But if from this, The Empyreuma how it may be corrected. viz. from violent fire, yet thence cannot any thing of peril happen to the sick, since either with ablution or digestion it may be corrected; as is seen in ashes, which water being poured on them, deposit the notes of their calidity received from the fire in a Lixivium. Yea, ablution often repeated, renders some purging metallics and Minerals Chemically prepared, inefficacious for exhausting depraved humours. How by decoction all things are made sweet is known, yet there seemed to be need of inducing an Ensample to prove the same. If by an Empyrenma, you shall happen thus to understand; that when either the potential heat, which is latent in the mixture, as it were under coals, is produced into act by violent fire, and so freed from all impediment, exerciseth more potent force; or when the heat, which therein was dispersed, is united by the benefit of fire; for this cause, neither an Empyreuma, nor too much heat is to be feared; since it is the office of a Physician rightly to use hot things of this kind, as also others [less hot] which if imprudently adhibited, may unavoidably infer detriment to the sick. But M●sochymists cease not to urge us grievously, whilst they pretend our Medicaments are unprofitable, because they are decayed, Preparation renders not Chemical Medicaments unprofitable. and take their beginning from perished and corrupted mixed things, and are destitute of primogeneal humidity, as they say. Now if the bodies of mixed things be not to be dissolved, or (to use their odious terms) not to be destroyed; Why do they trouble the Harmony of that mixtion? Why do they prepare infusions, decoctions, and Syrups with violent fire? Why use they assations? Why parching? Why distillations? Why Diagridium, & not Scammony whole? Why Trochus of Alhandal, & not Coloquintida itself? Why in extreme imbecility of strength, when the sick are ready to expire, presume they to nourish them with a destroyed Capon, viz. with the distilled water thereof, where certainly all the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Temperament and mixture of the whole perisheth? Is it because in this part they would imitate Nature? Who conveys not food undigested from the Stomach, nor crude, or while it is whole, for nourishing the parts; but destroyed, that is, separated from the unprofitable and more gross parts, and in the shop of the Liver reduced, as it were, to a Quintessence, they say (if you please to hear it) that if sucking Infants be purged with their Mother's Milk, having Rhubarb infused in it, which is often used for health-sake; the Concord, Temperament, and Harmony of the whole Rhubarb squeezed in the Mother's Milk, is given to the Children; but will the form of this mixture passing from its own substance into another, and again translated from this into another, & suffering many mutations, remain whole and entire, and so exclude the depraved humours from out of the body? Perhaps hence it is, that some M●sochymists abhor the use of Cheese, and also Butter, not from any natural antipathy; but because, by reason of the destroyed concord of the Milk, and the abolished form and temperament thereof, they fear these, and such like are unfit for nourishing the body. Again, while these call Chemical Remedies, Chemical Remedies are not dead Carcases. dead bodies or Carcases, and affirm them to be despoliated of primogeneal humidity; they partly contrary themselves, and partly speak inconsentaneous to truth. For if they be so vile and inefficacious, why do they elsewhere affirm them to act more potently, than the mediocrity of humane temperament permits? Moreover, is it not necessary, that as well Animals as Vegetables, should be deprived of that life whereby they live, that is, are nourished, grow, and increase, that they may be rendered apt for the food, and use of man? For even the barbarous Scythians, although they feed on flesh, either crude or heated by hunting with the swift coursing of Horses, yet will they not take the beasts alive into their Mouths, and tear their flesh, and eat it. So also it is expedient, that Plants, Sprouts, and Fruits should die, that they may give forth vital actions in the humane body; that is, they must be taken from their Native Soil or Root, lest thence they should still attract aliment for conserving their life, that they may be made apt Remedies for conserving the health of men, and expelling their diseases. And in like manner Herbs, and other such things so mortified, especially, if a legitimate preparation of them precede, happily and safely operate, if inwardly taken into the body. And (as by experience, the most certain Judge of Verity, I shall evince) the life of Vegetables is not destroyed by Chemical Operations, nor the primogeneal humidity of mixed bodies by them consumed. It is certain, and very often proved, that Salts of Herbs, especially hot, if seminated in a certain manner, as is unto us known, do produce other herbs of their own Species. Not to mention those stupendious and pertinent examples produced by Quercetanus, Chapter 23. In his Answer to Anonynius for the verity of Hermetick Medicine. * The Forest of Arden in France. In Arduenna, and many other desert, barren, and dry places, that the Husbandmen in Summer might have somewhat to reap, they cut down their Brambles, Broom, and Briers, which they burn on an heap, and scatter the ashes here, and there, all over the fields, that the ploughed Earth by the Salt extracted from them by the benefit of the falling showers may be fattened, and afterward from Seed cast thereinto, produce good and desirable Corn. For the Salt of ashes of this kind, performs the office of dung, because fields could never be impinguate, unless they were strewed with the Urines and Salt of brute Animals. * There is a wonderful Fatness in Salts, as Plutarch witnesseth in Symposiacis. lib. 1. Quest. the 9th. Yet I will not flatly deny, but that some living things, and such as are not as yet dead, may sometimes rightly be adhibited, as a Cock deplumate (about the breech) for extracting the Venom from pestiferous Carbuncles. And a young whelp externally applied to cherish a cold and weak Stomach by its benign and temperate heat. In like manner I deny not, but that things whole may sometimes exceed those that are broke, dissolved, or altered. Also they confess themselves to use some things no less destroyed, Chemical Medicaments impress not a depraved disposition on the principal Members of the Body. than the Chemists do. There remains now one scruple, which very much troubles the minds of many, and they have long been held in suspense thereabout, so as they could not consent to the use of Hermetick Medicaments; and it is this, that they especially, if they be Metallic or Mineral, dissipate the native heat and Spirits suddenly, and leave in the principal parts polluted Relics, a malignant ferment, and a depraved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 [or] disposition; whence some by accident are cured, and a little after suffering a relapse, are untimely hurried out of this life. But Remedies Spagyrically prepared, undeservedly suffer this Reproach; since if such a thing by the use of them should chance to happen, it is not so much to be imputed to the Remedies, as to the Artificers that prepared them, or to the Physicians that exhibited them. For it is very well known how great a number there are, who unworthily approach to this most noble Art, and having learned, or supposedly found the use of this Science from Books only, and not from their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or proper experience, unadvisedly prepare Stibium or Hydrargyry, and so prepared, are not afraid to exhibit it inwardly, either for conserving the health of Man, or for restoring the same when decayed. With such precipitates of Chemists, it is no wonder if they that use them be precipited into the Grave. If some improvident and prodigal of their own health follow after their Mercuries of life, they follow not life, but death, which they sometimes buy at a very great rate. Then the blame of so grievous accidents, doth not seldom redound to those also who administer the said Medicaments, some of whom never saw the legitimate use of them; others of them are plainly unlearned, stupid, and ignorant of the whole method of Galen and Hippocrates: Such are like to Jews and Patricides, whose Religion is no other than after the manner of Thiefs, to sport themselves in others ruin. For like reason, the same is sometimes written of vulgar Medicines, and such as are of most potent virtues, as the Scammoneate, Helleborate, and such like; when by unskilful Apothecaries they are sinistrously prepared, or by the expert, dexterously consected, but by Empyricks preposterously used, although the same Medicaments may be of excellent use, if well prepared, and methodically adhibited. There is no reason therefore, that learned and prudent Physicians should abstain any longer from the use of Chemical Remedies, since, if they be confected by expert Artists (among whom in France, Nicholas Bonne is famous, the Apothecary of the most illustrious Duke of Bullion in Arce Sedanensi, who hath a shop completely furnished with most choice Remedies, as well Galenical as Spagyrical, especially Treacles, both the common and essensified, according to the Rules of Quercetanus, most tightly and faithfully prepared;) all malignity, if any be in their nature, is removed by the benefit of Vulcan; so as it is impossible, if they be methodically used, that they should either destroy the native heat and Spirits, (the individual guards of the Soul) or infer on the principal parts a depraved disposition. And thus hitherto is shown, how under a false pretext Chemical Remedies are as it were dangerous, unprofitable, and pestiferous: and so the Cities right in the Republic of Medicine is denied. Now, that they are more wholesome, and more safe than the vulgar, is to be proved; which indeed by what hath been already said, is sufficiently manifested; nevertheless, that all things may be the better judged of, Spagyric Medicaments are more wholesome, and more safe than the vulgar. some few things to back our assertion seem to be needful. Remedies prepared by the Spagyric Art, are therefore more salubrious, and more safe than the vulgar, or the same after the common and vulgar manner prepared; because in them the pure is separated from the impure, the Alexipharmacon from the malignity, the Corporeal from the Spiritual, and the unprofitable from the commodious; and so with their bulkiness they oppress not the Stomach, nor do they delay or defer their Operations, but immediately begin to assault the Diseases, and speedily compel them to forsake their strong-holds in humane bodies. So Beer that hath sufficiently purged, is better and more wholesome, than what hath not purged. Wine cleansed from its Tartar, is more safely drunk, than Wine newly pressed from the Grape. So food, the Excrements secluded by nature after many Coctions nourish all the members of our bodies. Sooner doth the water or Balsam of Cinnamon in swoon refresh the Spirits, than the Cinnamon whole. Likewise some drops of Oil of Anise are more efficacious, than whole Ounces of the same unprepared. But the vulgar mind despiseth all preparations, and had rather use things whole, than dissolved into their principles; wherefore he adhibits Medicines partly not sufficient or convenient; whence it often happens, that the sick having devoured the noxious, excrementitious, and venomous parts together, with the salubrious and profitable, the Disease being overcome, they are soon after afflicted with symptoms more grievous, and more dangerous than the disease itself. Moreover, who knows not that Chemical waters retain the entire odour, and taste of Vegetables, but the vulgar waters are no other than unprofitable phlegm, and waters easily putrefying; and those will dure many years, but these scarcely a Month or two. And as the vulgar waters of Pharmacopoly's acquire an extreme malignity from the Leaden vessels; so their decoctions in Copper vessels are no less contaminated, which are so much the worse also, because in their preparation, the more subtle and better parts vanish into Air, and a little after, through mouldiness contracted, they are corrupted and rendered unprofitable. Also their Restoratives and Cordials, which are prepared of Corals and Pearls reduced to powder, and sifted, as also of foliate Gold; what other virtue do they manifest in the humane body, than the incrusting of the Ventricle, and otherwise rendering it more languished, and unapt to perform its office? Whereas, on the contrary, Quintessences of Chemists and Magisteries by them confected, as also Tinctures of Gold made without Corrosives, easily dissolved in any Liquor; these so dissolved, being admitted into the body, renew decayed strength, and restore to pristine vigour. Also vulgar Medicaments in Chronical diseases, seldom produce the desired effects; being only taken from Vegetables, with which they are unable totally to extirpate, and pluck up the settled Roots of contumacious affects. But Chemical Remedies, especially those prepared of Metals and Minerals, being of more potent force, and of great efficacy, do throughly cure Distempers vulgarly uncureable, as the epilepsy, leprosy, quartane fever, gout, Dropsy, etc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, pleasantly, speedily, and safely. We therefore thought what we have done, not impertinent to our purpose; namely, in the Frontise-piece of our Book, to define Chemistry, and demonstrate it to an Art of preparing the most grateful, salubrious and safe medicaments. CHAP. II. Of Solution in Genere. Chemical Solution is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, What Solution is. or an Operation wherein the natural mixed body by separation of the Hetrogeneal parts, is deduced into its own three Principles, viz. Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt, of which by Nature it was at first made. As Aristotle of the Natural body hath truly stated three principles, viz. Matter, Form, and Privation; although they be rather Noetick, than truly hypostatick, and as Galen the four Elements, viz. Fire, Air, The three Chemical principles. Water, & Earth, for principles, although they be remote, yet are they not wholly by him unproperly cited: so the Chemist, the intelligent Artificer affirms there are 3 sensible, and most near principles of sensible bodies, viz. Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt: and in this part follows Aristotle, of the third Heaven, Text 61. Which place Peter Ramus in the Acroamatic Schools, doth over strenuously oppose against the above alleged principles of the Philosopher, and after him Kragius doth vehemently contrary the Peripatetics. But by Mercury, What by them is to be understood. Sulphur, and Salt, it is not to be understood that Minerals of this kind can by the benefit of Chemical resolution, be extracted from mixed and concrete bodies; I mean, such as are vulgarly sold by Merchants. Yet it sufficeth, that they are such, especially being in the family of Vegetables, and Animals, which are analogous, and have affinity with Minerals, and do so far differ among themselves in Essence, Property, and Actions as they are in their kind [more or less] Mineral. Mercury Mercury. is that Acid, permeable, penetrable, Aethereal, and most pure Liquor, whence is all nutrition, sense, motion, virtues, colours, and the retardation of over hasty age. It is made of the Element of Air, and Water: and indeed to the first, as far as it is altered by approaching heat, it vanishes into air; but as to the other, so far as it is d fficultly bounded in its own proper limits, it is easily contained in another Terminum Sulphur Sulphur. is a sweet, oleaginous, and viscid Balsam, conserving the native heat of the parts, the instrument of all vegetation, increase, and transmutation, and the fountain, and original of all odours grateful and ingrateful. It is assimilated to fire, by reason of the flame which it easily conceives, as all other resinous and oleaginous things. And this peculiar property it hath, The property of Sulphur. viz. a power of pacifying and conglutinating extreme contraries. For as you can never make tenacious Luting of water and sand, unless with them you commix Galx, or other glutinous matter: so neither can volatile Mercury, and fixed Salt be tenaciously united into one substance, unless by the bond and copulation of Sulphur, which participates of either principle. It contemperates the dryness of Salt, and Liquidity of Mercury, by its own viscosity; the density of Salt, and the permeability of Mercury by its own soft fluidness, and the bitterness of Salt, and sharpness of Mercury, by its own sweetness. Salt Salt. is a dry body, saline, and defending mixed things from putrefaction, is endowed with wonderful faculties of dissolving, coagulating, cleansing, and evacuating; and from it is every solidity, determination, taste, and other infinite virtues. It is analogious to the Earth; not as it is cold and dry, but as it is an Element firm, fixed, and the subject of generation of all bodies. But the said principles, to speak properly, Chemical Principles possess a nature between Bodies, and Spirits. are neither bodies, because they are plainly Spiritual, by reason of the influx of celestial Seeds, with which they are impregnated; nor Spirits, because corporeal, but they participate of either nature; and have been insignized by Philosophers with various names, or at the least unto them they have alluded these, as by the following Table will appear. SALT. SULPHUR. MERCURY. Common Salt. Salt-peter. Salt armoniac. Unpleasant, & bitter. Sweet. Acid. Body. Soul. Spirit. Matter. Form. Idea. Patient. Agent. Informant, or movent. Art. Nature. Intelligence Sense. Judgement. Intellect. Material. Spiritual. Glorious. Moreover, every mixed body may be, and by us is resolved into these three principles (so according to the Pythagoreans, every thing, and all things are terminated in three) fixed in the sacred Ternary. Although this might be proved by weighty reasons, yet ocular and evident inspection doth far exceed all these. Therefore, by examples taken from the various kind of mixed things, we shall, for the benefit of young Beginners, delucidate every thing. We will first begin with green Woods, which if you burn, there will come forth a certain Wateriness, which is plainly unapt for taking flame; and if gathered when converted into fume, it is resolved easily into water (and by the same reason, to seek drink from a flame is not impossible) and this is called Mercury: then there goes forth an oleaginous substance easily inflammable, which resolved into vapours, if taken, will pass into Oil, and that is called Sulphur: at length a dry and terrestrial substance remains, which from the ashes, by the benefit of water is extracted, and in the humid and cold it is dissolved, but in heat congealed, and it obtains the name of Salt. So Milk contains a Sulphureous buttery substance, then Mercurial Whey, and at length saline Cheese, or Curds. In Eggs, the White exhibits Mercury, the Yolk Sulphur, the Skins and Shells Salt. In like manner from Linseed we draw Oil by expression; Water by separation from the Oil; and Salt from the remaining feces, by extraction. By like reason from Cloves a most famous Mercurial water, a most excellent Sulphureous Oil, and from the feces a Salt is extracted. So Nitre is divided into aquosity, fatness, and Salt. No otherwise of Sea Salt do we produce Mercury 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, bitter-sweet; Sweet Crystals plainly of a Sulphureous nature; and at length a most fixed Salt. Of Antimony a Regulus is made, which is the Mercury thereof; then a Red Sulphur conceiving flame; and at length a Salt, which is vomitive. And thus may you of all other things judge the same. But you are chief to note, that none of the aforesaid principles can be found simple, No principle is plainly simple. and alone, that doth not participate with the other. For Mercury contains a Sulphureous and saline substance; Sulphur a Salt and Mercurial substance: And Salt an oleaginous and Mercurial substance. It is also to be observed, that in the Spagyric 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, The Caput-mortuum and phlegm are not principles. or separation of parts after solution, beside the former precited three principles truly active, there are two other substances, which by Chemists are not admitted into the number of principles, because they are only as it were the Shells or Cover of the said principles, and are destitute of all Hyppocratick * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. virtue; One of which is dry, a sandy Earth or lifeless ashes, and it is called damnate Earth, and Caput-mortuum, endued with no other virtue then, than drying and emplastic, and it is easily converted into Glass. The other is humid, and accidentally airy, viz. insipid and unsavoury phlegm, which only moistens, without any other * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Energy or Medicinal activity. CHAP. III. Of Calcination. THere are two kinds of Solution, viz. Calcination and Extraction. Calcination Calcination. is the Solution of the mixed body into a Calx. It is defined by Geber; that pulverisation of a thing is made by fire, through privation of the humidity, consolidating the parts. By Calx Chemists understand every most subtle powder made by ablation of the superfluous humidity, Calx of Chemists. especially from Minerals. But when the powder or Calx is plainly rendered impalpable, and most subtle as to sense, like the finest Flower, then do they call it * Read Alcohol. Alcohol; the same appellation they properly give to the most subtle Spirit of wine, rectified by often repeated distillations; which than they call Alcohol of wine. Alcohol of wine. Calcination is made by Corrosion or Ignition. Corrosion is a Calcination of the body by things corrosive. This is done divers ways, but especially by four, viz. by Amalgamation, Precipitation, Stratification, and Fumigation. Amalgamation is the corrosion of a Metal by Mercury. Amalgamation. And this is done when a Metal filled small, or beat out into very thin plates, is commixed with eight parts of Mercury, or eight times its own weight of ☿, that it may be a Mass every where like unto it (and be as one body) for dissolving the unity of that Metal: for the Hydrargyry being evaporated over a fire, the Metal is left like unto a thin Calx. Precipitation is a corrosion by strong and corrosive Waters, Precipitation. and that is done when bodies are emerged in corrosive Liquor, and afterward being corroded or dissolved, either by abstraction of the Water, or some other way, they are repercussed into a Calx. Stratification Stratification. is a corrosion by corrosive powders. It is thus made, viz. when a crucible or other convenient Earthen vessel is filled with thin plates of Metal and corrosive powders, making S. S. S. or lay upon lay, thus; first put some of the corrosive powder in the bottom of the crucible, then lay in the thin plates of the Metallic body, upon which strew more of the powder, than again lay in more of the plates, and so go on till the vessel be full. Afterward put coals round about, or give it fire of Reverberation, increasing the fire leisurely, as the matter requires. It is also called— Cementation, Cementation. of affinity to which is— Commixtion, Commixtion. wherein the body to be corroded is mixed with corrosive powders, and by the adhibition of fire is reduced to a Calx. Fumigation Fumigation. is a corrosion of Metal by sharp fume or vapour. This is done divers ways. In general let it suffice to know, that a Metallic body reduced into thin plates, and to be calcined by fume, must be suspended either over Aqua fortis, Vinegar, or the vapour of melted Lead, or Mercury, or such like sharp things; as vulgarly they are wont to prepare Ceruse. Ignition Ignition. is calcination by fire. And it is either Cinefaction or Reverberation. Cinefaction Cinefaction. is ignition, wherein Vegetable and Animal bodies are reduced to ashes by violent fire. Reverberation Reverberation. is also ignition, wherein bodies by fire of flame in a furnace of Reverberation, are calcined. Hereunto also appertains Desiccation of the native humidity, Desiccation of the native humidity. as is wont to be in Salt, Vitriol, Allom, and such like. CHAP. IU. Of Extraction. EXtraction is a kind of Resolution, Extraction generally considered. wherein the more subtle parts are separated from the more gross. And is twofold, either generally, or specially, so called: Generally, so called, is made duplicitly, as well by ascension and descension, as by an intermedium. And that is either dry or humid: the dry is Sublimation, the other is called distillation. Sublimation Sublimation. is an extraction of the more subtle dry parts, by fire elevated aloft, and adhering to the vessel. It is made, when the matter to be sublimed is aptly prepared, as it ought to be, viz. either by washing, or by calcination, parching, cocting, or the like; and afterward either alone, or with other matter permixt, put into an Urinal with a Spheric, or large and broad bottom, so as half part of the vessel only may be filled, and that placed in an aludel [or pan] over a furnace quite above the fire, and unto the vessel a Blind-head Luted on with good Luting, in the Head must be a hole directly over the middle of the inferior vessel, that the humid Spirits may exhale through the hole. Then must fire be gradually adhibited, and when all the humidity hath expired (which may be proved by a piece of glass, or a smooth plate of Iron, when applied to the hole, if not at all stained with the breathing) the hole of the Alembeck closed with Luting, and the fire intended for forcing the Spirits upwards. Therefore, according to Geber, Sublimation is the elevation of a dry matter by fire, with adherency to the sides of the vessel; how madly are distillation and calcination confounded, and waters which are distilled, said to be sublimed. Moreover it is observable, that this Chemical Operation is not a new invention, but it was also known to the ancients. For so Cadmia or Brass-oar was heretofore prepared, witness Galen, and Dioscorides; and likewise Pompholyx and Spodium, by the same testimony. Distillation Distillation. is an extraction of the humid parts, extenuate and elevate into fume by heat. What Aristole saith, lib. 4. of Meteors; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, Art imitates nature, is verified in this vulgar Operation of practical Chemistry. For as vapours by the Solar rays are drawn up from the Earth into the middle Region of Air, and there condensed by the coldness of that Celestial Sphere, fall down again upon the Earth in showers. So the Chemical Artificer, from things exhaleable and vapourable, by the ministry of fire, with separation of the thin Spirits from the more gross parts, and elevation of them unto the cold concaveness of the head, extracts their essence in form of Liquor. Likewise in the humane body * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. exhalations from the inferior parts are carried upward into the Airy Region of the Microcosm, as into an Alembeck, and by the coldness thereof, are condensed into a phlegmatic and mucose Excrement, whence afterward is made a continued distillation and defluction thereof into the Nostrils, palate, or other parts of the body. Hence it is, that in dressing of Meats we close our Pots with covers, that what vapours are converted into water, may after exhalation be reverted into their own Original. So, when we would keep any prepared meats warm, or being cold, heat them, we cover the dishes, in which they are with others; whereby the vapours arising from them by their cold, incrassate Antiperistasis, fall down again in drops. Also Distillation, with respect to the diversity of vessels wherein it is made (not to mention many other differences) is either right or obliqne. It is made by Alembeck, or per Vesicam, or else by Retort, especially in things containing the more contumacious spirits. Hereto appertains Rectification and Cohobation. Rectification Rectification. is a repeated distillation of Liquors, for their greater purification and exhalation, yet this is also sometimes performed by Digestion. Cohobation Cohobation. is a reiteration of distillations, wherein the Liquor distilled is reverted upon its own feces, and again thence distilled. But this is done with the feces first ground, and leisurely imbibed with the humour, that they may be macerated. Extraction generally so called, which is made by Descension, is twofold, viz. either hot or cold. The hot is that wherein the subtle parts are separated from the gross by descension, Distillation by descension hot. with the mediation of fire. Whence it is also called distillation by descent, and is used in making of Pitch; when from the heap of Clefts of the Pitch-tree piled together, and closed from any breathing places by fire kindled within, Pitch floweth out; as is to be seen in Pliny and M●thiolus, who have exactly described this Operation. The cold is that, which by descent without fire makes separation of the subtle parts from the gross. Cold distillation by descent. And it is either Filtration or Deliquium. Filtration Filtration. is, when the aqueous humours by a Separatory or brown-paper wrapped up round, like (or put into) a Tunnel or Hippocrates Sleeve, Linen Cloth, or some such thing, is strained, leaving in the filter or vessel, the more gross parts. Deliquium Deliquium. is, when impure Calxes, Salts, and such like Liquables, either per se are put upon a Marble or Glass Table inclined; or included in a bag are suspended; that moistening by the humid Air, they may let go their pure juice. Yet sometimes it so is, as per deliquium, there is no separation of parts made; as when Salts purified, or such like are placed in a cold Cellar or other moist place, and by external humidity, which easily enters into them, descend and fall into a subjacent vessel in Liquor. Extraction which is made by an intermedium, is when the more pure parts of Liquids' or dry things moistened, are separated from the impure without distillation and sublimation. Of this there are three kinds, viz. Digestion, Putrefaction, and Circulation. Digestion Digestion. is, when things with digestive heat, resembling the heat of natural digestion in the Stomach are cocted or ripened. For as the Stomach by its own moderate heat digesteth crude meats received, and by cocting transmutes it into Chyle; that, the feces being secluded and thrust out into the Intestines, from that substance by the Liver an extraction of the more benign and more pure parts, may be made; so also by like temperate heat of any other thing, digestion separates the subtle from the gross; what are thick it breaks and attenuates, cocts the crude, mitigates and edulcorates the unsavoury; and so elaborates all things, that from things digested, a more plentiful Harvest of essence is always to be expected. The administration thereof, is Learnedly described by Libavius in this manner. The matter to be digested is included in a vessel like unto the Stomach, every where firmly closed; unless when with digestion evaporation is conjoined, as for correction of an Empyreuma or in coagulation, and such like; for then a small hole in the cover or mouth of the vessel is left, and a just time observed, that none of the substance perish. Whether it be mere juice or Liquor, the matter is plain: but in Minutal of Herbs, and such like, either the proper juice is to be left, or some analogous' humour from without is to be added; which notwithstanding is sometimes also in liquors of divers kinds; as when Oils are digested with Spirit of Wine, etc. where is a proneness to putrefaction, and in adding the Menstruum, care enough can hardly be taken; (for putrefaction must not be made when we would digest a thing, although digestion may be the way to it) than Salt is to be added; and the vessel so fitted, must be placed in a digestory furnace of competent heat, and there permitted to stand unto the desired end, which is divers, by reason of the multiplicite use of digestion. As for example: Green Herbs moistened with their own juice, from which, by distillation their Essence is to be extracted, are macerated three days; but the dry moistened with Spirit of wine seven days. Seeds and Aromaticks half a Month: Roots for a Month if they be dry: Minerals for a philosophic month, A Philosophic Month. which is forty days or longer, according to firmness, and the hability of the Menstruum. Some are twice macerated, sprinkled with Greek-wine, as sometimes Aromaticks, which, being moistened, are digested to a dryness; afterward pulverisate, are the second time macerated by imbibition. So solidity and rarity also have their difference of time. Distilled Waters set in digestion to the Sun, are rectified in half a Month, the vessel being firmly closed, and two parts of the vessel full, and the third empty; and sometimes a third part of the glass is set in sand, which in cold things Artificers command to be done, but with great caution. Yet hot waters and Oils are rectified in cold sand, also a third part of the vessel buried in it, etc. in a * Vapid or musty. moist Cellar for a month; likewise the other humour to be added, must be such as may help digestion without corruption of the substance. And here if the humour be alienate, it is separated by the aforesaid hole; but if otherwise, and it be familiar, or else alterable into the nature of the digested, it ●s left. In Dense things it is more sharp, and sometimes corrosive, as Vinegar, Spirit of wine, strong wine, etc. In others gentle, as distilled Rain-water, Rose-water, etc. sometimes O●l of the same kind. In the interim, what are of another Nature, and by digestion recede, are separated. But digestion is not only accompanied with distillations or extractions, but also with rectification, coagulation, fixation, edulcoration of Calxes prepared by Aqua fortis; and is called Maceration: because it also hath power of penetrating, Maceration. of opening the compactness of things, and of separating impurities. Putrefaction Putrefaction. is, when a mixed body through natural putridness, by humour overcoming dryness and external heat operating more strongly than internaly, is resolved to an Essence, apt to be extracted and segregated from its hetrogeneal parts. The way of performing it is thus: What is to be putrefied, must be duly prepared, and so put into a Cucurbit of glass, if it either be dry or abound not with humidity sufficient for putrefaction, a certain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, [that is, a Vehicle] or Menstruum (so generally from the month of putrefaction, every Liquor is called, which is used for extraction of things, if it either be of its own kind, or to it analogous, or a Water) convenient must be poured on, which by its own excess may take away the dryness of the mixed body, open the mixture, draw the out-going Essence to itself, and conserve it entire and uncorrupt, until it be all extracted: and lest the heat with its own humidity should expire, the vessel must be sealed with Hermes Seal: afterward in Horse-dung, or like heat, it must be conserved, and that heat continued to the end of the time prefixed. The property of Putrefaction The property of putrefaction. is, to change both the colours, odours, and tastes of things, and their old nature being destroyed, to generate a new. Circulation. Circulation is of a Liquor depurated from Elements in a Pelican, by various Circumvolutations or Rotations, by which the impurities settling downward are removed, and so it is converted or exalted to a more excellent State. It is thus performed: The Liquor to be exalted, is included in a Pelican or Circulatory vessel, four or five parts thereof remaining empty; and so it is placed in Balneum, or Dung, as deep as the Liquor riseth within the Glass, or a little lower, so as the superior empty parts of the vessel may stand in the cold Air; that from the bottom and the sides, an attenuation may be made by heat; but from the upper parts coagulation by cold; and so the said vessel must be kept in moderate and continued heat, ●ntill the Artist come to his desired end, and the f●ces totally reside in the bottom. In this place it seems not improper to annex Fermentation; Fermentation. although sometimes by it is not made so conspicuous a segregation of the salubrious, from the more gross parts; as (rather) a disposition for extracting the most noble Essence. Yet it is the Exaltation of a thing in substance, by which, digestion mediating, the Agent heat prevails, and turns the Patient into its own Nature. Moreover, what are fermented, are either Liquid or Solid. What are Liquid, are such simply, as Water and Wine, or thick and soft, as honey and Sapa. Liquids which are simply such, if they be also hot, * Wine boiled to a consistency. per se are fermented, as Wine, Perry, & Cider. But what are cold? as the expressed juices of cold things, have need of the addition of some other external, as feces of Wine, dregs of Beers or Ale, Salt, or any like acidness, for accelerating ebullition and fermentation. The thick and soft may be in the following manner fermented. For example: To ten pound of honey add fifty pound of water; Let them stand in moderate heat for one day natural, Hydromel. then with gentle fire boil the whole, and scum it; let a third part exhale, or while the Liquor is hot put in a new-laid-egg, which, if it shall float above the Liquor, is a sign of perfect decoction, Then the Liquor removed from the fire must be strained hot through a double Cloth, and in a suitable Vessel placed in the Sun; two drams of Salt of Tartar, or common Salt being added, or ʒj of any acidity put in. And so it must boil or ferment for forty days or thereabout, until the Liquor be clear, and have an odour like Wine. Then must the vessel be closed, and the Hydromel reserved in a Cellar for use. What are solid and hard, as Seeds, Wheat, Fennel, Anise, Juniper-berrys, Aromaticks, etc. must be bruised; and water be poured on them, and their proper Salt, or what is to them analogous, or some acidity or feces of Beer or Wine; so as to a hogshead of the matter to be fermented, a pint of feces be added. But what are most hard, as Stones, must first be calcined, and afterward fermented; as in the following Treatise, touching Corals and Led, shall be spoken. Extraction specially so called, Extraction specially so called. is when from the mixed body, the more subtle, and more noble parts drawn but by any Menstruum, are extracted from the Elementary grossness remaining in the bottom; and by distillation or evaporation are coagulated to the consistency of Syrup or Sapa. It is thus made: When a matter having Tincture is infused in a convenient Menstruum, and the vessel close shut, placed in digestion: Afterward the coloured Menstruum, by inclination separated; and other fresh Menstruum poured on, and the vessel closed, again set to digest, and the same labour so oft repeated, as till the Menstruum be no more tinged. Then are all the evacuations filtered, circulated, and coagulated with the Menstruum, to an oleaginous consistency, or else sometimes to a dryness, according to the nature of the matter, or as the intended use shall require. CHAP. V Of Coagulation. Hitherto we have spoke of Solution, and its Species, now follows Coagulation. Coagulation Coagulation. is another of the principal Operations of the Spagyric Science; wherein soft and Liquid things are forced by privation of humidity, from a thin and fluid consistency into a solid. This, although it almost inseparably adhere to the Species of Solution, as Precipitation, Amalgamation, Sublimation, Distillation, etc. Yet is it peculiarly. First, by exhalation, wherein the humour expires from the coagulable matter. Secondly, by decoction, wherein Liquid things are cocted to a certain solid consistency. Thirdly, by Congelation, as in Cellars, when Crystals by cold are produced. Fourthly, by Fixation, wherein things volatile and flying the fire, are taught by use to remain fixed therein; which is done either by addition of a fixed Medicine, or by mixtures or sublimations, Cements, and such like, according to the nature of the matter. CHAP. VI Of Lutation. NOw for order sake, it is expedient we should speak of Furnaces, Vessels, and various Chemical Uutensils, as also their divers Regimens of fire. But these are rather learned by ocular inspection, than by precepts and rules. Therefore for brevity sake, we shall omit them, and only speak a few things touching the Lutaments and Conglutination of Sapient Artificers. For building Furnaces. Take fat Earth, of what colour soever it be, and mix, and work it together with sand, Horse-dung, and Salt-water. For Coating Retorts. (Although I am not wont to Coat either Glass or Earthen Retorts, whether I distil by sand, or by a naked fire, or by a close Reverberatory, or by fire of suppression.) Take Potters-clay, Horse-dung washed and dried, flour of Tiles, and Scales of Iron, mix, and work these strongly together with common water. Luting of Sapience for closing in the most Subtle Spirits. Make Luting of Calx- vive, and the white of Eggs reduced to water, and speedily apply the same, because it easily dries. For consolidating cracked and broken Glasses. Take Bole-armenack, Minium, Ceruse, of each equal parts, reduce them to a most subtle powder, and temper it with Linseed Oil, or liquid Varnish. For Luting Glasses together. I unto this day have with good success used Hogs or Ox-bladders, for luting an Alembeck with its Cucurbit, as well in distillation of waters, as of sharp and penetrating Spirits. For Luting the nose of the Alembeck with the Recipient. Take of Wax ℥ j Rosin, Colophony, of each ℥ j melt them together in an earthen pan; unto these add a little Oil Olive, stirring them with a stick, that the whole may be incorparated; then removing the pan from the fire, work the whole well together with your hands. For Luting Retorts with their Receivers, in distillation of sharp Spirits. The Luting for coating Retorts work together with Salt water, or mix it with Colophony pulverisate, and apply it moist. The End of the First Book. TYROCINIUM CHYMICUM: OR, CHEMICAL ESSAYS. Book the Second. THe former Book treats of Solution and Coagulation in general; Proemium. now in the following Books we intent to treat of the effects of these Operations. Although in Specie, how the compactness of all mixed bodies are to be opened, aught to be declared; the same we should have endeavoured to perform, had we undertaken to write an entire System, and not a Tyrocinium of Chemistry. There are effects, or, as by some they are called, Chemical Species of Solution and Coagulation, which are either liquid, or soft, or hard. To the liquid may be referred, the various kinds of Aqua fortis, Spirits, Vinegar, Oils, and Liquid Tinctures, extracted from Flowers, Herbs, Roots, Rinds, Seeds, Woods, etc. To the soft Balsams, various Extracts, soft Tinctures. To the Hard, Salts, Flores, Magisteries Calxes, dry Tinctures of Crocus. CHAP. I. Before we come to speak of the forms of Liquors to be prepared, which are, for the most part, made by distillation; certain general Rules seem needful to be inserted, of which this is The First. VEssels in which distillation is made, Rules necessary for the Doctrine of distillation. must not be of Lead. For they infect Liquors with a malignant quality, render them vomitive, change their native taste, and sometimes themselves are corroded by sharp vapours expiring from the matter to be distilled. And if Galen, and other wise Physicians, condemned the waters which flow through Leaden Pipes, by reason of the malignity (much infesting the internal parts) which they thence contract. What may be judged of waters distilled in Leaden Vessels? Since it is often manifest (especially when distilled Liquors of this kind have stood unmoved for certain days) that Ceruse of Lead razed off in distillation from the Leaden Alembeck, is found in the bottom of the vessel; especially if to prove the same, you shall pour in a drop or two of Spirit of Vitriol. And what is said of Leaden vessels, for like reason must be understood of Tin, Brass, and Iron; unless distillation be made in a Brass Vesica, where what are distilled soon flow out. The Second. Glasses, by how much the higher they be, so much the better are they. For so one distillation is better than three rectifications. Let the Cucurbits [or Glass bodies] for the most part be two Cubits high. The Third. In every distillation, vessels must not be two full; you will more safely operate, if Cucurbits be filled but one fourth part, Retorts about half; but the Brass Vesica may be three parts full, and but one remaining empty. The Fourth. Things flatulent, as Wax, Rosin, and the like; as also those which easily boil, must be put to distil in a less quantity, and in greater vessels, and indeed must be mixed with Salt, Sand, or such like. The Fifth. Distillation by a Balneum, is proper for things not too strongly compacted. Yet in Herbs, especially those that are hot, as in Wormwood, Sage, Rosemary, etc. great heed must be taken, that we use not too gentle heat, lest we draw out not so much of the essence, as of the unprofitable phlegm. But in Lettuce, Endive, and such like of a more thin substance, a moderate heat must be adhibited; and sometimes a Baln of dew [or vapour only] which neither impresseth an Empyreuma, nor dissipates the more thin airy parts, may be sufficient. The Sixth. Distillation by Ashes or Sand, agrees with things of a more solid consistency, as Seeds, Woods, Roots, etc. The Seventh. By a Brass Vesica, things thin are not only distilled, but others also which are more firmly compacted; yet in their Menstruum first macerated. The Eighth. Distillation by Retort, doth not only extract the more weighty Spirits of Minerals, but also things more soft, as Woods, Seeds, Roots, Gums, Rosins, etc. Waters, and Oils. The Ninth. When fresh and juicy Herbs are to be distilled, they must be bruised, and the juice expressed, and then by heat of Baln. distilled in a high Cucurbit. The Tenth. Herbs either of their own nature dry, or dried by time, must be bruised and moistened with common water, or their own proper water, May-dew, or Wine. And of the Menstruum must be so great a quantity, as may be sufficient for maceration; but if more be poured on, the whole quantity must not be abstracted. Maceration being made according to discretion, distillation must be made by a Baln. or if you shall distil per Vesicam, add to every one pound of herbs, six pound of water, and distil according to Art. The Eleventh. In the same manner per Vesicam, whatsoever is Aromatic, whether Roots, or Rinds, Woods, Seeds, or Leaves, or Flowers are distilled, and Oil and water come forth together. The Twelfth. There are some which require a vehement fire; yet such must not be too violently urged, lest, in so doing, their nature be wholly corrupted. The Thirteenth. Great care must be taken, that the Luting wherewith the distillatory vessels are conglutinated, do no no where admit of expiration, lest the liquor be defiled with an extraneous quality; especially when a more violent fire is to be adhibited. The Fourteenth. The distillation of things Acid, hath this property, that the more ignoble part always comes forth first, and the more noble last. Wherefore in Rectification of them, what first comes forth is to be separated, as phlegm. The Fifteenth. If waters smell of an Empyreuma, or shall be very much contaminated with a certain fiery heat dispersed through their least parts; that is corrected if the Glasses containing them, be set in a cold and moist place. The Sixteenth. When Liquors distilled per B. M. are to be rectified by Insolation; the Glasses wherein they are put must be but half full, or three parrs filled at most; and the Membranes, with which they are wont to be covered, must be pricked with a needle; that through those Spiracles, the unprofitable phlegm may exhale. The Seventeenth. Distillation must so long be continued, as until the Liquor come forth without any savour of the matter imposited. CHAP. II. Of Waters from Flowers, Herbs, Roots, Rinds, Seeds, Woods. Water of Roses. THis is prepared divers ways. Some take of Roses a convenient quantity, and these digested three days in Baln. they distil with the vapour of hot water. Others, without preceding digestion draw forth a water from them put into an Alembeck. Others also distil them by ashes; where there is need of the greatest Caution and circumspection, lest the distilled Liquor be infected with an Empyreuma. And there are others, who for lucre of gain, more than intending the health of Men, take the Roses whole as they are gathered, with a great quantity of water, and distil them by a Brass Vesica: and from thirty pound of Roses, they extract a hundred pound of saleable water, having an indifferent good odour. Others distil the flowers bruised by gentle heat of Baln. without any Menstruum, or at most, only so much as will serve to moisten them: and for the more expeditious procuring of a cooling virtue, in one distillation they first moisten them, either with common water, or old Rose-water; or else for enduring a fragrant and comforting virtue, they use more infusions in distilled water. Which way, we follow in preparing it; only distinguishing between the white, and the flesh coloured. For from them, that the greater cooling virtue may be obtained; we beat them in a Marble Mortar, having first moistened them with a little Rain water, then with a Press, express the juice, and so distil it. The flesh coloured, bruised, without any moistening, are put into a great glass vessel set in a Cellar; and after three days, the juice is expressed and distilled. This is the most fragrant water, and will keep the fragrancy of its odour many years. Some upon the press of these, pour clean and pure water, and so macerated for eight days, they distil it either in Baln. or a brass Vesica; and this water so d●stilled in virtue and efficacy, is not inferior to the common vendible Rose-water. Burning Water of Roses. As from all other things, especially such as are Alimentose, as flagrant and fragrant water, by the benefit of fermentation, may be extracted; so also from Roses, which, by common censure are cold. Take Roses gathered in a serene time, when they are wholly destitute of any dewy moisture; beat these most accurately, and put them in a glass Cucurbit, which afterward being firmly closed, place in a Cellar. As soon as the Matter seems to smell of any acidity, take of the same bruised flowers, what quantity you please, and thence distil a Liquor per Baln. the water thence extracted, pour upon another part of the Roses; and again distil it after the same manner, proceeding until all the quantity of fermented Roses hath passed by Alembeck; the feces, which are wont to remain in the bottom, being every time separated. Afterward, all the water drawn from the Roses, distil by Baln. and abstract about a twelfth part at least, and it if you please rectify. So will you have a most grateful, and most odoriferous water; and which will as readily take flame, as Spirit of wine. Water of Succory. Take of the Herbs, and Roots of Succory gathered in the middle of May, twelve pound, bruise them, or cut them very small, pour on them of common water twenty pound, and having macerated them three days; by a Vesica distil at least eight pound. Fennel Water. ℞. Of Fennelseeds grossly beaten four pound, of common water twenty four pound, add of Salt of Tartar or common Salt ℥ j macerate these in a hot place. Afterward distil them by a Brass Vesica, with its Refrigeratory; So the water with the Oil will pass out together, which from it must be separated. Cinnamen Water. ℞. Of the best Cinnamon grossly bruised; on which pour of Rose-water, and of White-wine, of each three pound, macerate them in heat congruous to the heat of dung; then make distillation per Baln. separating the first water, which is the best; and also receiving the second apart; and so likewise the third. The second may be used instead of a Menstruum for maceration. The third is unprofitable phlegm. Acid Water of Oak, Juniper, Guaiacum, and Box. ℞. The sawing of Oak, or small splinters, or shave of Juniper and Guaiacum, or shave of Box: distil them in a Retort unto a dryness: afterward separate the Oil from the water through a brown paper. Rectify the water in sand upon Colcothar, or Sea-Salt, or its own proper ashes: then by distillation separate the phlegm from the acid Liquor: Lastly, reserve a third part of the most pure Liquor, or there about. It is useful in dissolving Corals and Pearls, and in extracting their Tinctures. Compounded Water of Cinnamon. Macerate and distil Cinnamon, as above; adding the Roots of Dittany of Crete, Angelica, of each ʒijs. In this water dissolve as much white Sugar, as you can, and digest the whole for one day natural: afterward segregate the superfluous water by distillation; then add of Aqua vitae rectified ℥ ●j. and diligently mix them. It is of admirable virtue in the Pest, and in a difficult Birth. CHAP. III. Of sundry kinds of Aqua fortis. STrong Waters, which are also called Caustick, Chrysulcae, Separatory, and Stygian Waters, are confected by violent fire, of Atramentum, Sutorium, Salt Nitre, Salt-armoniack, Stibium, sublimate Mercury, Allom, Cinnabar, etc. Of which, that which obtains the greatest caustick, and corrosive force of all, is called Aqua Stygia; but that which dissolves gold, Aqua Regia. Common Aqua fortis. ℞. Vitriol dried two pound, Saltpetre purified one pound, grind them together, and mix them; then put them into a Retort very well coated; which place in a Furnace of Reverberation, and applying a capacious Receiver, distil by fire gradually augmented, for twenty four hours. When white and cloudy Spirits are dissipated in the Recipient, the distillation is ended; after which suffer all to cool by degrees. The water taken out, clarify with Silver in this manner: take a fourth part of the Liquor distilled, in which project of pure silver ʒj. and dissolve the same over a fire; pour out the Solution on the other three parts, and they will wax milky; let the water settle, and pour off the clear. If you would have it be Aqua Regia in ℥ iiij. of this common water, dissolve ℥ j of Salt Armoniac, or common Salt dried; and with it you may dissolve gold. A perpetual Aqua fortis, and the way of making Cinnabar. Dissolve Mercury in Aqua fortis, add of Sulphur an equal part; distil these by Retort, and you will have a water more potent than before, and in the neck of the Retort Cinnabar. Philosophic Water, or Aqua Regia. ℞. Of Salt Nitre purified, and Salt armoniac, of each ℥ ij. grind, and mix them well together; and in a large Retort, with a capacious Receiver annexed, the junctures gently luted; make distillation in ashes, continuing the fire until all the fumes with great violence be come forth; and no more drops will fall from the Retort. Then take out the Retort while it is hot, and put in the same quantity of the abovesaid matter, and mix it with the Caput-mortuum, distilling it as above. CHAP. IU. Of Spirits. Spirit's participate partly of water, and partly of fire; and as they are more aqueous, or more oleaginous; so are they called either water or Oil. Yet such, as are extracted from Minerals, are for the most part called Oils. Among the Spirits of Animals, the spirit of humane blood excels; of Vegetables, spirit of Wine; and of Minerals, spirit of Vitriol. Spirit of Wine. Digest Rich wine in dung, or like heat, in Circulatory vessels of an equal largeness for eight or ten days; afterward the vessels cooled, pour it out into high Cucurbits, on which set Alembecks, with Recipients annexed, the junctures being firmly closed with Hogs or Ox-bladders, make distillation in Baln. according to Art. First the spirit Spirit. comes forth, which keep apart by changing the Receivers; then urge the phlegm till the feces remain thick like liquid honey. The same feces distil by Retort, administering fire gradually, and you shall receive a fat Oil. Oil. Then from the Caput-mortuum, by reverting the phlegm upon it, and by digesting, filtering, and coagulating, you may extract a Salt. Salt. If you desire the spirit of wine more excellent, rectify it by often repeated distillations. Spirit of Tartar. ℞. Of pure white Tartar five pound, put it in a glass Retort, to which, when placed in ashes with a large Receiver annexed, administer fire gradually; first the sp●rit comes forth, afterward the Oil; both which must be rectified by addition of Salt of Tartar, and afterward separated each from other. It is a famous aperitive; wherefore in retention of the Menstrues, the Paralysie, Jaundice, and such like affects, it is wonderfully efficacious. It is also used in the Dropsy, with other hydragoge waters. In the Leprosy, Indian disease, Pleurisy, and Quinsey, it is also exhibited. The dose from ℈ j to ℈ ij. in convenient Liquors. Spirit of Turpentine. ℞. Of clear Turpentine, what quantity you please; put it into a Brass Vesica (with its Refrigeratory) almost filled with water. So a spirit is drawn forth, which will swim above the water; and by B. M. it may be rectified. It's use in Medicine is manifold. The Cough, Phtisick it cures; pestilential venoms it resists; it clears the stomach of sordid and viscous stoppages: it maketh Urine sweet as a Violet; it expels the Stone, and gravel, and heals the Strangury, and Ulcers of the bladder: it opens, and comforts the nervous parts; heats the Spermatick vessels, and excites Venus: dissolves coagulated blood, purifies the womb, and in suffocation of the Matrix is exceeding profitable. Externally in contusions, it is of admirable use, and exceeding beneficial. Spirit of Sulphur. Under a Glass Campane place an earthen vessel with Sulphur, which set on fire. The inferior vessel must be so fitted to the Campane; that the ascending fumes may not suffocate the flame, but carried freely upward into the head, may there be condensed into Liquor, and so fall into a vessel apt to receive the same. From one pound of Sulphur, may you have ℥ j of spirit, of so great efficacy, as Leonardus Fieravant said he could never sufficiently admire the virtue thereof, inwardly exhibited into the body. It may be given with appropriate waters, or Syrups to 4. 5. or 6. drops. And be mixed with Electuaries and Pills, as well in hot as cold distempers. Externally also it is profitable for dealbation of the Teeth: for Ulcers in Lues-venerea of the jaws; Warts and Fistula's of the Fundament, and all other members. It is also called Oil, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. but improperly. Spirit of Vitriol. There are three kinds of Vitriol; the Green, White, and Blue, participating of the nature of Salts, Alloms, and Sulphurs, some more, and some less. The first indeed participates more of Salt, the second of Allom, and the third of Sulphur; and they consist of an aqueous, earthy, and middle nature, the aqueous and earthy, as Ripley witnesseth in his Pupil of Alchemy, cannot be separated from their extremities, but by the mediation of Mercury; which, as Geber affirms, retains what is of its own nature, rejecting and exposing to the fire, what is not so. The middle perspicuous substance exalted by sublimation, into a Snowlike candour, occultly in itself contains a sulphurous seed, most Red, like a small worm. Whence in Turba it is said, Philosophers have admired, that a redness should be existant in so great whiteness. Of this Sulphur Gebar thus speaketh; in cap. 28. Summ. By the most high GOD, that thing illuminates and rectifies all bodies, because it is Allom, and Tincture. This is that Aqua vitae, the dry water which wetteth not the hands, the congealed water, the animate Salt; touching which Raymund Lul after Alphidius saith, salt is no other than fire; nor fire any other than sulphur, nor sulphur other than Argent- vive, reduced into that precious, celestial, incorruptible substance, which we call our stone. Whence one to the Letters VITRIOLUM thus alludes. Visitando Interiora Terrae Rectificando, Invenies Occultum Lapidem Veram Medicinam: that is, visiting the interior parts of the earth, by rectifying you may find the occult stone, the true Medicine. Moreover, among Artists it is controverted, whether among the various kinds of Vitriol, either that of Cyprus, the Roman, or Hungarick, be the better, and more noble. The Cyprian and Roman may well enough be suspected, because they are for the most part adulterate and sophisticate, being various, viz. of divers colours, forms, and virtues. And the Hungarick, such as by French and Germane Merchants is brought unto us, is a certain blue, perspicuous, and sometimes a greenish Vitriol, which they sell for genuine, and as brought from Pannonia, but they lie impudently. For when I with great travel went to those parts, with intention to go into the Mines of Gold and Silver, that I might by * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. proper experience have more perfect notice of Metals and Minerals; the Illustrious and noble Lord of Bloenstain, general Perfect of the Mines, of that Kingdom of Hungary, through his abundant courtesy and humanity, did certainly affirm to me, that there were two kinds of Vitriol there; whereof one was white, and very aluminose, of which they make Chrysule-waters, but the other blue, and far more excellent; yet the Minera of this, although much better than the other, was not dug; because no Merchants judged it worth their time, to buy such Vitriol, and transport it to other Lands. The same is likewise affirmed of Antimony, Ungarick Antimony genuine, is seldom brought into other Regions. which is found in abundance in the Gold Mines. That Vitriol, of right, and deservedly, aught to be censured most excellent, which by the benefit of water is made of Venus, and thence extracted, as is mentioned hearafter. To this, the blue aforesaid is somewhat inferior; for this contains in itself more of Sol; transmutes more of Mars into Venus; and longer sustains the Examen of fire, before it gives forth its last spirits, from what place soever it is brought. Therefore of this Vitriol ℞. twelve pound, calcine it in an earthen vessel with moderate fire, until all its humidity recede. The vessel cooled, reduce the Mass, which will be about seven pound, to powder very fine, and with one pound or thereabouts of the same Test [where it was calcined] pulverisate, put it into a Retort firmly coated; which must be so large, as at least a third part thereof may be empty. Then place it in a Reverberatory furnace, apply a large Recipient, with a short neck likewise coated, and diligently close the juncture of the Retort with the Receiver, with Salt Luting. Then above the Retort place a broad cover of earth of one foot high, and quadrangularly perforate in the top [or upper part] being made exactly to close the mouth of the furnace, of what form soever it be, whether square or round, exactly fitted in altitude convenient, and to close or shut in the mouth of the furnace equally on every side; that the vacant place between the Retort and the cover may be filled with coals. Which being done, make a quadrangular draught with four pieces of Tile, above the square hole of the cover, that the flame by help of such a vehicle, may, when time serves, more freely ascend. The Orifice of the draught, as also the furnace door and ash hole, must be so closed, as for the first four hours, the coals in the furnace may but just burn, without being extinguished; by which the Retort being leisurely and successively heated, then for the following four hours, the heat may be increased, by gradually, and by little and little every hour opening the holes above and below, until the flame begin to break out in the superior part, and the Retort wax hot all over, the ash hole and draught being altogether open, and no way stopped; the fire must be intended eighteen or twenty hours, until all the spirits be come forth. After two days, moisten the Salt Luting, wherewith the Retort and Recipient were joined, with a wet cloth kept on for an hour, because it will be so very hard, as without moistening it cannot be removed without endangering the Glasses; then may you safely take off the Receiver. Which being done, by distillation in Baln. or a gentle heat in ashes, separate the phlegm from the spirit. There are some, who after separation of the phlegm, do rectify the spirit in sand upon Corals beaten small. This spirit, in burning Fevers mixed with appropriate waters, conveniently cools; it quenches thirst, resists the putrefaction of humours; it operates by Urine and Sweat, consumes phlegm, breaks tough and viscous humours, restores languished appetite, and excellently tingeth juices of Roses, Violets, and other flowers. Spirit of Nitre. Nitre or Salt-peter must be mixed with three parts of common Bolus, and distilled by Retort, the space of ten or twelve hours. Of one pound of Saltpetre, you may have a pound of Spirit, if you rightly operate. This Spirit is the true Balsamic fire of nature, and in the Colic, Pleurisy, and Quinsey, is very beneficial. Burning Spirit of Saturn. Calx of Saturn or Minium, is infused in distilled Vinegar, or else the phlegm thereof: afterward it is digested for one day natural, being often stirred, that it Crystallise not in the bottom of the vessel, the Menstruum is poured off, and other Menstruum poured on, until all the Saltness be abstracted. The evacuations are filtered, and two parts or thereabout vapoured away; the third remaining part set in a cold place to Crystallise; the Crystals are separated, and dissolved in fresh Vinegar; filtered, and often as above coagulated, until they be sufficiently impregnated with the Salt of Vinegar, Armoniac, as with proper ferment. They are digested for a Month with such heat in Baln. as they may continually be resolved, like Oil into Liquor. Afterward they are distilled by Retort in sand, observing degrees of fire, into a large capacious Receiver annexed; which if not very exactly luted on with the Retort, so great a fragrancy (filling the whole Laboratory) will be lost, as I doubt not but if the odours of all odorate Vegetables were gathered together, and mixed, it would far exceed them. After distillation, when all is cooled, you will find a Caput-mortuum very black, and of no value. From the Liquor come forth you shall separate a yellow Oil supernatant; and an Oil Red as blood settling to the bottom. The phlegm by reiterated distillations, being separated from the burning water, you shall keep the most fragrant spirit of Saturn, as a most precious Balsam for various diseases, profitably to be exhibited, as well internally, as externally. Moreover, a fragrant Spirit of this kind may by Chemical Art be extracted, not from Saturn only, but also from all other Metals, by mediation of that viscous Mineral water, which, by the benefit of Vulcan only, without the addition of any extraneous thing, in a most short space of time is prepared. Of which Rhodianus, in the Treatise of three words, saith, That fumous, aqueous, and adustive Spirit, is changed into a most noble body, and flies not any more from the fire, but flows like Oil, etc. For it receives all the qualities of that Metal, with which, by the industry of a prudent Artificer, it is mixed, as also the odour, colour, and taste, with conservation of its vegetate faculty. And as Rhasis saith: As it is changed, it changeth. Whence it is apparent, how basely, ignorant, vulgar Misochymists are, who attribute, odours, tastes, and other medicinal virtues to vegetables only, and esteem Metallicks as destructive to the humane body, and worthy to be shunned, more than a Dog or Snake. CHAP. V Of Vinegar. Distilled Vinegar. VInegar without digestion, is distilled in the same manner, as Spirit of Wine: only that the phlegm, as in all other sharp things, comes forth first, and the spirit last. Oil, and Salt, by like reason as is said in Wine, are thence extracted. Vinegar Alkalisate. Upon Vinegar distilled to the consistency of Liquid honey, pour so much common water, as may stand above it six, seven, or eight inches, digest it in Balneum for two days: then set it in a cold place to Chrystalize. Remove from them the water by inclination, and pour on other until all the oleaginy recede. Then must the Crystals be often dissolved in boiling water, and coagulated in a cold place, that they may be rendered altogether transparent, and on them poured vinegar four times distilled, and purged from all its phlegm, so as to one pound of Crystals, be added four pound of Vinegar. Which being done the whole must be distilled by Retort in sand, administering toward the end, a fire sufficiently strong. The distillation finished, calcine the feces, and extract a fixed Salt; then rectify the vinegar with its essential animate Salt, distilling it with a strong fire from the fixed Salt, and repouring, what is distilled off, upon the remaining Salt, until all the Salt shall have passed by Alembeck. Then twice distil this vinegar impregnated with this its own Salt in a boiling Baln. that being done, keep the vinegar, thus rendered most potent, for calcining the most hard bodies of Stones and Crystals. CHAP. VI Of Oils. OIl expressed from Olives, is most properly so called, because it participates of every exceeding quality; but others are only similitudinarily so named. All Oils are between an airy and fiery nature: and by how much the more sharp they are, so much the more fiery; and the loss sharp are said to be, the more Aethereal and airy. Oil of the Yolks of Eggs. Fry the Yolks broke in a Frying-pan, with temperate heat, until they wax Red, and send forth Oil; keeping them continually moving with a stick, that they burn not. Then express the Oil hot, and with a great quantity of distilled water, digest it for a Month in Baln. Some take the Yolks so fried, and enclosing them in cloth moistened Oil of sweet Almonds, press out the Oil with with a Press. Mathiolus writing to Dioscorides, commends this Oil as useful for cleansing, and removing roughness of the Skin, and clefts of the lips, hands, and feet; and against dolours of Ulcers, of the joints, and all nervous places. It is likewise profitable in scaldings or burn by fire, and in membranes of the Brain, malignant Ulcers it cicatriseth, and generates hairs. Oil of Sage. Take a great quantity of Sage, and set it in the shade two or three weeks; afterward distil it by a Refrigeratory, and receive the water (which you may rectify) and the Oil. Which is profitable in all diseases of the Nerves: in the Paralysie, Apoplexy, Convulsion, and such like. Oil of Wax. Melt wax with a gentle fire, and let it stand so long melted, as till from it no more bubbles rise. Then removing it from the fire, mix it with double its own weight of Salt decrepitate, and distil it by Retort with gentle heat. From one pound of wax, you may extract ℥ xij. of Oil. It resolves, attenuates, penetrates, mollifies, and discusses; wherefore it is profitable in hard imposthums, and cold tumours. It heals chaps in the paps of women's breasts, and mitigates the dolours of them. Also it consolidates fresh wounds, if therewith they be twice a day anointed. It is beneficial in burns, if mixed with oil of eggs. Oil of Turpentine. ℞. The thick substance remaining after distillation of spirit of Turpentine, and distil it per se, by Retort in ashes. So when the oil is extracted, Colophony will reside in the bottom of the Retort. If you shall digest it afterward in Baln. as is said of the Oil of yolks of eggs, all its empyreuma will be removed. It heats, softens, discusseth, opens, purges, and externally may be used instead of true Balsam, in all wounds; malignant, fetid, and incurable Ulcers, as Fistula's, the Wolf, and such like running soars; in the Parotides fractures, and contractures, etc. But it doth not always per se, if used alone, prove so beneficial, as when it is conveniently mixed with other appropriates for curing the affects. Oil of Cloves. ℞. Of Cloves grossly beaten four pound, of fountain water forty pound, macerate them in a hot place, as long as shall be convenient, add of Tartar ℥ ij. afterward distil it by a brass Vesica with its Refrigeratory, and you will have ℥ viij. of oil. In the same manner, Mace, Pepper, and the Seeds of Anise, and Coriander, etc. may be distilled. It helps in cold diseases of the Stomach, Liver, Heart, and the Diarrhaea from a cold cause; it dissipates melancholy spirits, and clarifies the gross. Externally it heals green wounds, and performs the office of true Balsam. Oil of Sugar. ℞. Of white Sugar grossly beaten ℥ iiij. Aqua vitae, ℥ viij. Set fire of the Aqua vitae in a silver or earthen dish glazed, into which cast the Sugar, continually stirring it with a Spatula, until the flame cease; then add of Rose-water ℥ ●j. mix them. It corroborates, and by experience certainly helps those that labour with a cough caused by coldness of the Lungs. Oil of Tartar. This oil, beside the way above delivered in preparing the spirit thereof, is also made per deliquium, by putting Tartar calcined to a whiteness in a Cellar, This oil is an admirable Remedy in the Measles, all Ulcers, especially venereal, in the Tinea, Scab, and Warts. It makes the face smooth, and the skin soft. or other moist place, until it be resolved into oil, which must afterward be filtered. Also it may be prepared: If Tartar, after calcination be dissolved in common water, filtered and coagulated; and the coagulate placed in a cold moist place, until it be resolved. Oil of Amber. Digest a pound of Amber beaten in one pound of white wine. Then add a handful of prepared Salt, distil it by Retort, observing degrees of fire. By distillation twice rectify it with Salt only. This oil was once called Sacred, by reason of the admirable virtues it hath, being as well exhibited per se, as mixed with others; in the Epilepsy, Apoplexy, Melancholy, Cramp, Vertigo, Pest, Stone, cold defluxions of the Head, Palpitations of the Heart, deliquiums of the mind, difficulty of breathe, difficulty of making water, difficult Birth, Strangulations of the womb, retention of the Menses, white flux of the Matrix, Worms, and Fevers. A compounded Oil for the Hemicrania. ℞. Of Rue one handful, boil it in one pound of oil Olive, in a new earthen pot for half an hour. Then pour it it into a Retort, and to it add of Venice Turpentine ℥ xij. of Colophony ℥ iiij. distil it in sand; the clear water, which comes forth first, being of little value separate. Afterward gradually increasing the fire, the oil will come forth, which receive apart. In the time of the Fit, heat a little of it over a fire, and with Cotton moistened in it, anoint the forehead and Temples, and the dolorous part also, ordering the Patient to go to bed. A compounded Oil for the Womb. ℞. Of the powder of Rue, a little dried, one ●ound Castor, ℥ ij. Olibanum, Myrrh, of each ℥ iiij, ●il of Linum ½ pound, digest them four days in ●orse dung, or like heat; afterward distil them by ●etort in a close Reverberatory. With this Liquor ●oint the Womb morning and evening. Oil of Tiles. Small pieces of Tiles or Flints (like Beans) make Red hot in a Crucible, which, so fiery hot, cast into old oil Olive; close the vessel, and leave it for a night. Afterward distil the small Stones with the oil by Retort. Rectify the oil by distilling it the second, and third time with prepared Salt. Oil of Sulphur. ℞. Of Sulphur beaten one pound, Calx-vive ½ pound Mercurial Salt ℥ iiij. mix them, and distil by Retort. For wounds and Ulcers, it is very profitable. Oil of Salt. Salt consists of divers parts; earthy, The nature of Salt. aqueous, and fiery. It's consistency and solidity, is from earth, its Liquability from water, and its biting property from fire. It is sharp, * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. bitter-sweet, cutting, subtle, penetrative, pure, fragrant, incombustible, and preserves other bodies from corruption; perspicuous, as air, by reiterated distillations; dissoluble in humid, and Liquable in fire like Metals. And it is as the Soul in the body, according to Pliny, who after the Stoics, saith, Salt is given to Swine's flesh, being as it were dead in its own nature, instead of a Soul. For this, in manner of ●erment, where it hath power of penetration, converts the body, with which it is mixed into its own nature, by consuming the humour obnoxious to putrefaction. Raymund Lul calls the salsuginous Liquor, dispersed through the whole body, Urinal humour: Paracelsus, Mummy. There are divers ways invented by Artists, of extracting the oil of spirit of Salt. Some distil Salt decrepitate per se, without addition of any external thing. But since salt is of easy fusion; and when counited in one, it retains the most contumacious spirits: after distillation for twenty four hours, all being cooled, they break the Retort, grind the Mass of salt, and put it in a new Retort with the distilled Liquor; and this they repeat so often, as till the whole salt be resolved into oil, which in the eighth or ninth distillation is wont to be. This Operation is too tedious. Others dissolve calcined salt in a Cellar, or with Rain-water, and impaste it with Potter's Clay sifted, and thence make small balls or pellets, which when dried, they put into a Retort, and so extract the spirit. But I am wont thus to prepare it. I take of Sea salt calcined, two pound, and I mix it with six pound of flour of Tiles, Red Earth, or common Bolus: all which I put into a firm and large Retort, so as at least a third part may remain empty; and applying a capacious Recipient, into which I first pour one pound of distilled water; then do I keep it distilling for thirty hours, observing the same degrees of fire mentioned in distillation of spirit of Vitriol. After separation of the water and phlegm, I receive ℥ xx. at least of most sharp o l, which must be rectified. It is endued with most po●ent virtues; whether it be used internally or externally. It renovates the whole Man, and preserves ●rom all diseases; if it be used in r●ch Wine, or Aqua vitae. Mixed with salt of Wormwood, and taken either in Wine or water of Wormwood, it expels the Dropsy. It cures the Epilepsy, Jaundice, Fevers, Stone, and Maw-worms. By anointing it heals Members disjointed, contracted, paralytic, and apostemated. Also it mitigates dolours of the Gout, if mixed with oil of Turpentine, or of Wax, or Camomile. Also it calcines all Metals, Stones, yea, Glass itself: the most perfect work of Art. Another way. Dissolve common salt in humid per se, filter it so often, as till no feces be left; then set it in horse dung for two Months, afterward with most strong fire distil it, and separate the phlegm from the unctuous, salsug nous Liquor by B. M. Whatsoever is most obnoxious to corruption, if imbibed with this Liquor, it remains incorrupt for many Ages. It is believed, that that body of a most beautiful Woman was embalmed with this Liquor; which, as Raphael Volateranus relates, in the time of Pope Alexander the VI was found about 117. years before, or thereabouts, in an ancient Sepulchre near Albana, so entire, and wholly free from any corruption, as if the Life had but that hour expired. Whereas, by the Sculpture upon the Marble Tomb, it was witnessed to have lain there buried above 1300. years. Oil of Vitriol. Dissolve the best Vitriol in common water; the Solution digest by gentle heat of Baln. afterward fi●ter it; and by vapour of Baln. in a Glass vessel, abstract ●he water till it contract a skinnyness. Then set the vessel in a cold place to produce perspicuous Crystals; which removed, the remaining water evaporate until it contract a new skin, and produce new Crystals in a cold place. All which separated, dissolve, digest, and filter; and in a cold place again set to Crystallise; and as above, separate, repeating the same labour the third time, until the Vitriol be freed from all Heterogeneal terrestriety. This Vitriol put into an high Cucurbit, and in Baln. abstract the phlegm to a dryness, reverting the humid so oft upon its own earth, as till the dry shall have imbibed all the humid. The Mass take out, and grind to a subtle powder, which put into a firm Retort, with an eighth part of its own weight of Spirit of wine perfectly rectified, and observing degrees of fire for three days, distil off all the Spirits. The vessel being cooled, what shall be in the Receiver, mix with other two pound of Colcothar, as above prepared; and again for three days distil it. Then in an high Cucurbit separate the spirit of wine by Baln. afterward distil the spirit of Vitriol by ashes. In which spirit, if you shall dissolve Corals or Pearls, you will have a true Antepileptick. The Oil, Red like blood, which adheres to the bottom, you may rectify by Retort in sand, or by digestion only, and separate the earthy feces settling to the bottom from the oil. It's use is rather in metallics, than in Medicine. Oil of Antimony. ℞. Of crude Antimony and Sugar candid, of each ℥ iiij. of calcined Allom ℥ j grind and mix them together, distil them by Retort with a very moderate fire. So will you have a Red oil, most apt for curing Ulcers. CHAP. VII. Of Liquid Tinctures. BY the word Tinctures, Chemists do not understand, as the vulgar think, simple colours separated or exalted from a mixed body; but essential colours of things, and such as are inherent in the formal qualities, extracted from the concrete body. Wherefore Tinctures are sometimes called oils, sometimes spirits, and sometimes Quintessence. Tincture of dry Roses. Put ℥ j of Roses dried in the shade, in four pound of warm water, unto which add ʒij. or thereabout of spirit of Vitriol or Sulphur. In three or four hours the water will be deeply coloured, which must be filtered. In which if you dissolve ℥ xij of Sugar, you will have a true Refrigerative of the Liver. Tincture of Violets. Bruise the Flowers, and macerate them in their proper water, or in oil of Sugar above described; afterward express them; the expression strain until Tincture answer your desire. Or. Put the flowers to the nose of an Alembeck, that the proper distilled water gliding through them, may abstract the Tincture with them. CHAP. VIII. Of Balsams. Chemical Balsams are no other than compounded oils, and by the addition of other things rendered more thick. They consist almost of a triplicit Liquor, viz. spirituous, or aqueous, oleaginous, and thick like honey. With which sometimes, as the nature of the matter requires, Musk, Amber, Civet, etc. are wont to be added. Balsam of Cinnamon. This is compounded of the Tincture extracted by spirit of wine, and inspissate with oil, and salt of the same as also with white wax dissolved, and well washed in Rose water from all its acrimony, which gives a convenient consistency. Or it is made of Dear suet, or suet of a Weather well cleansed and washed, every of them per se; or one of them may be mixed with the wax, and afterward with the extract oil, and Salt be reduced to a j●st consistency. So are prepared Balsams of Cloves, Juniper, Sage, Rosemary, Anise, and such like; which as well for external anointing, as internal use, are most efficacious. Balsam of Sulphur. ℞. Of flowers of Sulphur ℥ j oil of Turpentine ℥ iij. mix them, and in a Glass placed in sand, gently boil it for the space of eight hours, until it be as Red as blood. Then pour upon it common water, and by Alembeck distil off the superstitious oil with the water. In the bottom, the Balsam of Sulphur will remain; from which you may extract a Tincture with spirit of wine, and coagulate it, which is given in water of Hyssop, or Syrup of Liquorish, to those that are afflicted with the Cough of the Lungs. Balsam of Saturn. Distil away two parts of Vinegar, impregnated with the salt of Saturn, that only a third part may remain. Then take of oil of Roses ℥ iiij. of the impregnated Vinegar ℥ viij. Of this pour drop by drop upon oil, mixing them continually together in a brass Mortar, until it be like Unguent. Which helps in Inflammations, and hot Gouts. If the same Vinegar impregnated with the salt of Saturn, shall be mixed with an equal part of common water, and applied hot with double Linen , upon contusions, in what part of the body soever, it presently assuageth all dolour. CHAP. IX. Of Extracts. EXtracts, specially so called, are prepared of the Animal and Vegetable kind, by the benefit of accommodated Dissolvents or Menstruums, such are spirit of wine, of Juniper, Whey of Milk, Hydromel-vinose, water of redolent Apples, fumitory, and the like, or waters of the same things, from whence you intent to prepare the Extracts. From Animals, Flesh, Mumy, the Liver, Spleen, Lungs, Testicles, and like parts, are chosen: Whence extracts of Cranium are famous, for the Epilepsy; of Ox-spleen, for provoking the Menses; of the Liver of a Calf, for the Dropsy, and hepatick Flux; of the Lungs of a Fox, for the Asthma, and like diseases. From Vegetables, various extracts are made; as from Herbs, Flowers, Roots, Juices, Berrys, Rinds, Woods, Aromaticks, Seeds, and Fruits; as is manifest in Quercetanus his last Chapter, of restoring the Pharmacepaea of Dogmatics. Moreover, for preparing purging extracts; many have hitherto used spirit of wine, for a dissolvent; which because it doth much infringe their Cathartick force, is not to be promiscuously used in all. It may sometimes be used, as in extract of Hellebore, Coloquintida, and Scamony; but in others, distilled waters must be substituted; as in Rhubarb, water of Endive is most commodious; in Leaves of Oriental Sena, water of redolent apples, of Fumitory, and Fennel: in Agarick, water of Cinnamon; and so in others, others. Now, could such an Aqua vitae, deprived of its Salt armoniac, be obtained, as Dariotus (and after him John du Val, Physician of Issoldunen, likewise Panotus in his Treatise of the true preparation of Chemical Medicaments, in the Magistery of Tartar) teacheth, a more excellent could not be desired for preparing extracts of every kind. Although Dn. Mayaud, a Man in the Chemical Art long experienced, and my very good friend, did with me, according to prescript of the Doctors, attempt to prepare such a Menstruum; yet in this operation, we sometimes lost both the oil, and our labour. Whence a Man may conjecture, that when the good Panotus, in the above cited Magistery of Tartar, did admonish and invite others to reverence GOD, and render him thanks for so rare a Secret; he himself did not enough fear God, or render him praise, when he consecrated such a Magistery to Posterity. Extract of Sena. Macerate the Leaves of Sena twenty four hours, in a sufficient quantity of distilled water of redolent Apples; what is tinged, poured off, and filter; the Leaves being first strongly expressed. In the mean while, from the feces extract a salt according to Art, and commix it with the extract, which distil with gentle heat of Baln. until but two parts remain; or in a glass Bason, exhale the superfluous homor, by vapour of an hot Baln. to the consistency of an extract. Note, the extraction of Tincture from the same Leaves of Sena, must not be the second time repeated, lest the extract admitted into the body, excite grievous torments. Extract of Rhubarb. Fresh Rhubarb cut very small, digest in water of Endive, or other odoriferous water, until it be coloured; what is tinged pour off, and repour on fresh water so oft, as until it will no more be tinged. The evacuations filter, circulate, and distil off the Menstruum to the consistency of an extract, by heat of Baln. the salt from the feces being first added, as in the former preparation. Panchymagogon. ℞. Pulp of Coloquintida, Black Hellebore, Diagridium, of each ℥ ij ss. Leaves of oriental Sena ℥ iiij. Choice Rhei, ℥ iiij. Species of Diarrhodon Abbatis, ℥ j Hermodactils, Turbith, Agarick, Aloes of each ℥ j Make an extract with water of Cinnamon, according to Art, adding the salt from the feces. Dose from ℈ j to ʒ ss. For the Quartane. ℞. Aloes ℥ iiij. Myrrh, Roots of Gentian, Round Aristolochy, of each ʒiij. Oriental Saffron, ʒ ss. Of the three kinds of Saunders of each ʒjs. Coltsfoot ʒ j Leaves of Sena cleansed ℥ j ss. The best Mithridate ℥ ss. Pulverisate what are to be pulverised, and make a Mass with Syrup of Scolopendrium, of which make an extract with water of Carduus benedictus, adding the salt of the feces. Dose. From ℈ j to ʒ ss. the day before the coming of the fit in the morning, with ʒj. of water of the extract. Treacle. Fresh and ripe grains of Juniper are beaten in a Marble Mortar; to every one pound of which, four pound of distilled Rain-water is poured, and for three days they are digested in a hot place; afterwards strained through a cloth, and strongly expressed; the strained Liquor filtered, and exhaled to the consistency of an extract. Dose ʒj. It is given in the Colic, Stone, suffocation of the Matrix, suppression of the Menses, cold defluxions, and in the Dropsy. It is also a specific Preservative against the Pest, and all contagious air. Laudanum, or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Quovis Homerico praestantius. A Narcotick extract is called Laudanum, that is to say, a Laudable Medicine, viz. by reason of the famous effects thereof, Some call it Nepenthes. which we very often find in the most grievous diseases, and dolours. For Homer witnesseth, that the Remedy of Helen was insignized with such a name, whereby all languish of the heart, and sicknesses, are driven away, and pleasant cheerfulness, and joy is induced. ℞. Tincture of Henbane, extracted according to art, with spirit of wine, made sharp with spirit of Vitriol or Sulphur ℥ j Extract of Opium, extracted as above, ℥ j Extract of Oriental Saffron, ℥ j Mix these, and set them in a warm place for fifteen days, daily stirring them. The days expired, draw off the spirit of wine by Baln. to the mass remaining in the bottom; add extract of Castor ʒij. The Tincture extracted, from ℥ ij. of Diamber, by spirit of Juniper Wine in a vaporous Baln. together with the Dissolvent. Let these stand in digestion for a Month, stirring them often, until all the strong odour vanish. Then add, Tincture of Corals, Perlucid Amber prepared of each ʒjs. Bone of the Stags-heart ℈ ss. Tincture of Gold, ʒ ss. First beat what are to be beaten, then mix all these in a Marble Mortar, and add Oil of Amber, Of Mace, Of Cinnamon, of each ℈ j Extract of Musk ℈ ss. but this in Women must be omitted: Put altogether mixed in a temperate place, that the Mass may be dried, of it thence easily to form pills. Dose from one grain to four. CHAP. X. Of soft Tinctures. ALthough Tinctures of this kind, by reason of the operations they perform, and the consistency they have, may worthily be numbered with extracts; yet because by Authors, they were endowed with the Title of tinctures; I thought it not amiss to assign them a peculiar Chapter. Tincture of Honey. Mix honey with very clean sand, that it may be made a mass; then on it pour so much spirit of wine, as may stand above it two fingers; digest it for five or six hours; the coloured spirit pour off, and pour on other, until it be no more coloured. The tinged spirit filter and coagulate. It helps the Pthisick in a wonderful manner. Tincture of Saffron. This tincture is made with spirit of wine; which must so often be poured on, as till all the tincture be extracted, and a whitish earth remain. The tincture must be filtered, and the spirit of wine with gentle heat of Baln. abstracted. It hath various and egregious faculties: and especially it wonderfully recreates and restores the spirits in swoon, if one only drop of it be exhibited in a little broth or wine. Tincture of Sugar. ℞. Of white Sugar pulverisate one pound, put it in a Cucurbit, or other convenient vessel, with 2 spoonfuls of distilled Vinegar, digest it in hot ashes for six hours. Then pour on of Aqua vitae, so much as will stand above it two fingers; digest it until it be coloured; afterward the tinged water pour off, and pour on other often, until it be no more coloured. Then remove the Menstruum per Baln. and the tincture or Red essence will remain in the bottom, which must be circulated with Cordial waters. It is profitable in the Syncopen, and deliquiums of the mind, being exhibited with water of Cinnamon and Roses. Tincture of Sulphur. Melt Salt of Tartar in one vessel, and flowers of Sulphur in another; afterward mix them together, then suffer them to cool. Afterward grind the mass; on which pour so much spirit of wine, as will stand about it four fingers. Digest it, until it be tinged with a most Red colour; separate the Menstruum by Baln. This tincture is the true Balsam of the Lungs. Tincture of Coral. Dissolve ℥ j of Corals in one pound of juice of Lemons; digest it for eight days, than filter the Solution: in this tincture dissolve of white Sugar ℥ viij. Then digest it by evaporating to the consistency of a Syrup. Dose one spoonful in every Hepatick flux, Dysentery, and flux of blood. Another way. ℞. Of Coral beaten small, what quantity you will, infuse it in acid water, either of Oak, or of Juniper, Guaiacum, or Box rectified; (as we have taught in the Chapter of distilled waters) that the Menstruum may stand above the Coral three or four fingers. Then place it to digest in horse-dung, or like heat for eight days. What shall be dissolved pour off, and pour on other acid water; digest and pour it off so often, as until the Corals be wholly dissolved: the dissolutions filter, and distil to a dryness. To the matter remaining in the bottom, pour the best spirit of wine. That will in eight days be tinged like blood, being set in digestion: then separate the tinged Liquor from the feces; repour on other spirit, digest, and pour it off, until you shall have extracted all the tincture. Then filter the tinged spirit, and coagulate it to the consistency of a Syrup. If you will, you may circulate it with Cordial water, or add Sugar dissolved in Rose-water, and reduce it into a syrup. Another way. Corals are calcined with a like quantity of sulphur, and the tincture extracted with distilled Vinegar, by digestion for five or six days. Otherwise. Corals beaten, are calcined with a like quantity of Saltpetre, for one hour in a fire so moderate, as the Nitre may not melt. Afterward they are put hot into a vessel, and spirit of wine is poured upon them, and with it they are digested for twenty four hours. The tinged spirit is poured off, and other spirit repoured on, until it shall have extracted all the tincture. CHAP. XI. Of Calcination of Common Salt, Salt-peter, Vitriol, the Stone of the Sponge, Crystal, and Marchasite of Silver. Calcination of common Salt. PUt common Salt in a crucible, or other earthen vessel, filling it full almost to the top; then place the vessel covered between living coals, until it be very hot all over, and the Salt cease crackling. Afterward dissolve it in common water, filter the Solution, and coagulate it in a new glass dish. Calcination of Saltpetre, or Mineral Crystal, or of Lapis Prunella. Dissolve Salt-peter in common water, and filter it through brown paper, that it may be purged from all its impurities. Then in a glass vessel boil it, and scum it often before it be coagulated. When coagulate, and dry, grind it, and in a clean earthen vessel placed in burning coals, liquefie the Salt. To every pound of melted Salt, inject ℥ j of flowers of Sulphur; yet not altogether at one time, but at sundry times, until all the fatness be consumed in flame. But the flame must studiously be avoided. This Solution, Filtration, Decoction, Despumation, Coagulation, Eliquation, and Deflagration of the Salt, being thrice repeated: the Salt is sufficiently prepared for medicinal use. Of this Salt ʒ ss. dissolved in water of Roses, or Endive, is a principal Arcanum in the Prunella, or soar throat, being gargled; for it takes away all uncleanness of the mouth, and throat. And if a little of that water be swallowed, it assuageth all internal heat, and is an admirable cooler of the heart. It abateth the Cough, if taken with spirit of Wine: with water of Hyssop, it removes obstructions both of the Lungs, and Liver. Shortness of breath, it cures. Hoarseness it helps, and restores lost speech, if ʒ ss. thereof be taken in a morning fasting, with the yolk of an Egg moderately boiled. Moreover it is useful in all diseases, both internal, and external, as John Tholdeus in his Halography, and Bernard Penotus, in his book of the true preparation of Chemical Medicaments amply teach. Calcination of Vitriol. Dry Vitriol to a whiteness, in an earthen vessel, not glazed, with moderate fire: afterward increase the fire for a quarter of an hour, that the Vitriol may wax red; then is it called Colcothar. Calcination of the Sponge Stone. Heat the Stone of the Sponge red hot often, and as often extinguish it in distilled Vinegar, until it be resolved into a Calx. It's use in Calcination is for extracting tincture. Calcination of Crystal. Crystal reverberated for six hours in a crucible, reduce to a subtle powder; and mix it with an equal quantity of Saltpetre: and again reverberate it with a vehement fire for eighteen hours. Pour it out while in flux, into clear water; and what remains undissolved, dry, and reduce to an Alcohol. Then with the same water boil it, until it be thickened like a Poultis; after which, lay the Spissiude upon pieces of glass, to dry in heat; and again reduce it to an Alcohol: and if you will, set it in a cold humid place to be resolved. If any thing shall remain still undissolved, reiterate the Calcination with Nitre, and the other labours, as above, that it may be Soluble. Dose, three or four drops, with a like quantity of oil of Juniper: Against the Stone of the Reins and bladder. Another way. Make clear and ponderous Crystal red hot often, and as oft extinguish it in distilled Vinegar, until with the least touch it may be reduced to powder. Then mix it with a like quantity of Saltpetre, and reverberate it for eighteen hours. Then by many ablutions, extract a fixed Saltpetre, dry it, and reduce into an Alcohol. It is profitable in the Stone, Falling sickness, Dysentery, and Sterile Breasts. If any one would for the aforesaid affects, more subtiliate this impalpable powder; let him digest it twenty four hours in spirit of Wine, and by Retort distil it. What shall remain fixed, must be reverberated as above; and so often digested and distilled, as until the greater part shall ascend with the spirit of Wine. Then the spirit of wine being separated by distillation, what remains in the bottom of the vessel, must be set in a moist place, that it may be dissolved into a water or oil. Calcination of Marchasite of Silver. Weismouth or Marchasite must be dissolved in water made of Salts, unto a sulphureous and Styptic clearness. The solution being clear, pour upon it the * Nucleus. essence of all liquid things; so in a moment it will be precipited into an Alcohol, most white like snow, which must be freed from all acrimony, and dried. It's use is for removing vices of the skin. CHAP. XII. Of the various Calcination of Antimony. Calcination of Antimony. ℞. Of choice Stibium four pound, of salt prepared five pound. These pulverised, mix. And in a vessel of earth with a broad bottom placed over a furnace of Reverberation, still them together, for the space of five or six hours, until the fume cease, and the Stibium be made white, and somewhat yellow; (diligently beware of Liquefaction, and the noxious fume.) Afterward grind it to powder, from which, by affusion of hot water, and also of cold often, the salt must be extracted; which dried and pulverised, sublime per se in a proper vessel for ten or twelve hours. Having gathered the flores, grind the Catu-mortuum, and reverberate it to a redness in a month's space, the vessel being so closed, by reason of the ashes, as the fire may not be impeded from due operation. After calcination, draw forth the tincture with radicate Vinegar; and further elaborate it by filtration, separation of the menstruum, and circulation with Cordial water. Another Calcination of Stibium, and Emetic Powder, or Mercurius Vitae. ℞. Of Antimony pulverised, ℥ ●iij. Mercury sublimate, ℥ viij. Mix them together, and distil them in ashes by a glass Retort, unto which annex a Receptory half full of water. Afterward administer fire gradually, until a gummose Liquor, like butter, adhere to the neck of the Retort, which with a live coal, externally applied, cause to resolve, and it will be precipited into the water in a white powder. Then leisurely give fire of suppression, until a red Liquor come forth; which beginning to appear, remove the Receiver, and apply another presently; and intent the fire for an hour or two, until the Mercury joined with the sublimate sulphur of Antimony, be sublimed to the neck of the Retort into Cinnabar. The precipitate powder digest for one night, and separate the water (impregnated with spirit of Vitriol) from the sublimate, and keep it for dissolving Corals and Pearls. Then upon the precipitate powder, pour other water often, until all its Acrimony be removed; afterward wash it with Cordial water, and dry it with most gentle heat. Dose, in strong constitutions, is four or five grains, but in the weak, two or three grains in a roasted Apple, or conserve of Roses. It is beneficial in the Pest; diseases of the Head, Fevers, Lues-venerea, Leprosy, Dropsy, and in Ulcers. But in exhibition hereof, Cautions in exhibiting of Antimony to be observed. those singular Cautions delivered by Crollius in his Basilica Chymica, are to be observed; the first whereof is: That in the use of Antimony, care be taken, that no constipations be, colic dolours, nor one of the principal Members hurt. The second; nor that in those, to whom Antimony is given, a vein be cut either before or after taking it. The third; that it be not exhibited to choleric persons, nor such as difficultly vomit, and who have otherwise but little strength; but unto those, who are prone to vomit, having a strong stomach; a large and wide throat, and who are otherwise accustomed with ease to vomit, and in whom the sickly matter easily comes upward. The fourth; where vomiting is needful, that a little pease broth gently boiled, or fat broth of Hens, or warm beer be exh bited, and that certain times if need be; that the sick may the more easily vomit, and the action of the medicine be accelebrated. Liver of Antimony, or Crocus of Metals. ℞. Of crude Antimony one pound, of Saltpetre, ℥ xij. Mix these in an Iron mortar, where having first ground them well with a live coal, set fire to the mixture; and it will presently be Liver of Antimony. Afterward separate the Salt peter. Dose, from twelve to twenty grains, in infusion of white wine, water of Carduus Benedictus, or other convenient Liquors; especially in Pestilential Fevers. Another Calcination of Stibium, working only by the inferior parts. ℞. Choice Antimony, and salt decrepitate, of each one pound, these ground together, and well mixed, reverberate in a well luted crucible for twelve hours, increasing the fire to it by degrees. The vessel cooled, wash the matter so oft with Aqua dulcis, as until all the acrimony be removed, then dry and grind it. Dose, from twenty five, to thirty five grains. Regulus of Antimony. ℞. Of Antimony, Saltpetre, and Tartar, of each one pound, mix these pulverised well together, then set a crucible in the fire, that it may be hot. Which being done, inject a spoonful of the powder, and presently close the vessel until the fume cease; then removing the cover, inject more of the powders, and close it again, so doing till all the powders be in; after which, give fire of fusion, and shake the crucible, that the Regulus may settle to the bottom. The crucible cooled, separate the Regulus from the feces, and keep it. And from the Feces, a Sulphuraurate Diaphoretic, may in this manner be made. ℞. The feces of the Regulus, as above prepared, and reduce them to a Lexivium by digestion or ebulition, than filter it hot through brown paper. To this Lexivium when cold, add a little distilled Vinegar, and you will find the Crocus edulcorated by many ablutions: Which dry, and keep apart. It will be an admirable sudorific and mundificative of the blood, most apt for expelling many diseases. Dose from ℈ ss. to ℈ j Cr●●●s Martis Stellate. ℞. Of Horse nails ½ pound, Antimony one pound, make the Mars hot in a crucible, then add the Antimony beaten, and cover it, giving fire of fusion; afterward inject at times ℥ ●j. of Nitre; and lastly, pour all out into a Cone. Again pour the Regulus into the crucible, and add ℥ j of Nitre at times, as above. Repeat this Labour five or six times, until you have Regulus Martis Stellate. Diaphoretick Antimony. ℞. Of Antimony, and Saltpetre, of each one pound, mix them, being pulverisate together; then set a crucible in the fire, that it may be hot; when hot, inject ℥ ●j. or thereabout of this mixtion, and presently cover the crucible, until the fume and noise cease. Afterward inject more of the powder, and close the vessel as above, this do continually until all the mixture be put in, then administer fire of Liquefaction for a quarter of an hour. Which being done, and the vessel cold, take out the matter and grind it, mixing it as above, with an equal quantity of Saltpetre, calcine it in the same manner as before. The matter afterwards being ground and edulcorated with ablutions, reverberate in an earthen vessel closed, for the space of twenty four hours, until it be made a candid powder, of wh●ch the Dose is fifteen grains. Another. ℞. Of the venenate scum of the two Dragons once rectified, ℥ iiij. On which, when resolved in heat, pour spirit of Balsamic salt, ℥ ●iij. from this mixture, distil away the Liquor in sand to a dryness. The earth take out; and when very well ground, on it repour it's own distilled Liquor, with ℥ ●j. of fresh Balsamic spirit, and distil as before. Afterward to the powder ground as before, again pour on the distilled Liquor anew, adding other ℥ ij. of spirit; and proceed again as at first. Then deliver the dry and ground matter to be examined by Vulcan, for twenty four hours, continually stirring it with a clean iron Instrument. At length from it often abstract the Alcohol of wine, that a candid dry powder may remain. It is of singular use in all pestilential affects, and malignant Fevers generally infesting. CHAP. XIII. Of Calcination, and preparation of Mercury. MErcury is a Mineral body, compounded of subtle sulphureous earth and water strongly commixed. The earthy substance thereof must be purged from its gross sulphureous terrestreity, and its watery substance, from the superfluous humidity in it contained. Mercury is twofold, natural and artificial. The natural, active, Natural Mercury. and well purified in Almagro near Calatrava, in the Kingdom of Castille, is found living, per se, flowing, and coagulate into cinnabar which is extracted by force of fire. This most ancient Minera, Pliny calls the continent of eternal Liquor. Like unto this is found in Idria, a Village of the County of Goritz in Slavonia. But the Spanish excels in goodness, although Idria be more fertile. But there is one thing remarkable, and worthy of admiration, viz. that although the bordering Towns and people of Idria, are almost every year afflicted with a Pestiferous Lues, yet from this evil they sometimes are wont to be wholly free, which (I going to that place about eight years since) was confirmed to me by the people, that a certain man of a very great age had observed it so in himself, and had received like Information from his Ancestors. From whence, as well as from other innumerable examples, it is found that Mercury is an Alexipharmacon against all corruption, and putrefaction. Also no less stupendious, and nigh to a prodigy, is that which I there noted: There was a decrepit Old man, who, having spent the whole time of his Life in preparing cinnabar, did perpetually tremble; and he did so dealbate gold coin, by compressing it in his hand, as the native colour thereof did wholly disappear. There is also other Mercury found in the Mountain called Gimnavoda, six miles distant from Cracovia in Poland, between Tarnava, Ribie, and Streletzky, which at certain times of the year breaks out on the superficies of the earth, especially in the Autumnal quarter. Yet about the Feast of John Baptist, I there gathered many grains like Pease in the roots of green things. But this Mercury is very aqueous, and far inferior to that of Sclavonia, as well as to the Spanish. The natural is also found in many other places, and sometimes in Gold and Silver Mines. The Artificial, Artificial Mercury. and its way of preparing is sufficiently known to Artists, viz. by resusitative salts, as well from middle Minerals as Metals. Yet in this City, I have known many credible persons, and of great Authority and Dignity, who affirm, they have extracted living Mercury, not from Minerals only, but from humane blood, first calcined, and from Plants also. That Mercury is the best, The sign of the goodness of Mercury. which if a dram of it be put into a very clean Silver spoon, and that set over a fire, shall after evaporation leave a yellow or white spot. But what shall blacken the spoon before it can be adhibited to medicinal use, must thus be purged. ℞. Of Mercury, and of distilled Vinegar, of each one pound, put them in a strong vessel with an handful of prepared salt, stir them very well together for a quarter of an hour, that they may be mixed, and the Vinegar receive the blackness of Mercury to itself. Then pour out the Vinegar with the Mercury into a glass-bason, and so often wash it with warm water, as until all the blackness and salsature be separated from it. When it is dried, put it in the former vessel with Vinegar and salt as above, repeating the former Labour three or four times, and at last pass it through a skin. But this is a vulgar and imperfect purgation; a more perfect follows. ℞. Mercury precipitate, cinabarisate, or sublimate; mix it with two parts of its own weight of calcined Tartar, or Calx-vive, distil it by a glass Retort in fire of suppression, or in a close Reverberatory, applying a large Receiver half full of water. So you will have Mercury purified better than in the precedent manner. Yet the most perfect way of purifying Mercury, than which a better cannot be given, is the Amalgamation thereof with perfect bodies; distilling it certain times by Retort, every time removing the earthy, sulphureous, and fetent feces, and a new amalgamating it, and at length passing it through a skin. A White Precipitate. Mercury is dissolved in Aqua fortis, and by affusion of salt water precipited into a white powder. The dissolvent is by inclination separated, and the precipitate, by many ablutions, with digestion freed from all its saltness and acrimony. Then is it dried and washed with Rose water, and again dried. Dose internally, from eight grains to ten, chief in Venereal distempers. It purgeth only by the inferior parts. A Red Precipitate. After dissolution of Mercury in Aqua fortis, evaporate it to a dryness with violent fire, and to the bottom of the vessel a Red precipitate powder will adhere; especially fit for venereal Ulcers. Precipitate Mercury. From the best, the best is made. ℞. Of Mercury purified ℥ iiij. On which pour of oil of sulphur rectified ℥ viij. digest it for two days in sand, then by Retort distil it, three times cohobating, lastly with violent fire, that the Retort may be Red hot. Which being done, take out the white mass, and grind it; and with hot water wash it often, until you see the precipitate turned to a most yellow powder, upon which, burn spirit of wine thrice. So may it be securely given into the body. Dose, from three or four grains, to six, in purging Extracts, conserve of Roses, or sugar of Roses. It helps in infirmities caused by putrefaction of humours, and in deplorable diseases. It purifies the blood in the Gout, Dropsy, and in all continued Fevers, it is a principal Arcanum. Another Calcination, and Precipitation of Mercury. Mercury distilled from Sol, or Luna, and purified as above, either per se, or with an eighth part of Sol, or Luna, precipitate into a Red powder, in this manner. ℞. A small vessel with a long neck, in which put ℥ iiij. of Mercury; place the vessel upon an Iron plate in a furnace of sand, administering a continued fire, for the space of forty days. The neck of the vessel must stand above the sand six or eight thumbs breadth; and for the first ten or twelve days, the Mercury that shall ascend to the neck of the vessel, must be certain times a day, every day thrust down and precipited to the fiery bottom, with an Iron Rod, having a Linen bound to the end of it, as Geber teacheth. This way of precipiting Mercury, is not the method of the modern, but ancient Philosophers. The days being expired, if any crude Mercury be found in the bottom, it must be separated from the Red powder, which hath wonderful faculties in medicine. For it is a most excellent Cathartick in the Leprosy, so kindly loosening the belly, as it may safely be given to Children, and Women with child: sharp humours it mitigates; it purgeth out phlegm, and amends the hot and dry constitution of the bowels. Dose six grains. Another. Dissolve Mercury in Aqua fortis, and precipitate it according to Art, by exhalation of all its humidity, that the precipitate may be Red. When pulverisate, put it into a strong vessel, pouring on it so much Vinegar three times distilled as will stand above it five fingers; place the vessel in sand, administering fire, that the vinegar may gently boil for the space of six hours, and the precipitate be wholly dissolved. Filter the solution, and upon it pour Liquor impregnated with the soul of the world; and presently the Mercury will be separated from the Dissolvent, which must be washed and dried, and so reserved for use. Dose, from four grains to five. Precipitation of Mercury in a moment. Put the Red pulverisate matter in a crucible, exposing it to a violent fire for four hours' space, until it do in a manner begin to vitrify, and adhere to the sides of the crucible. Then remove it from the fire, and when cold, grind it to a subtle powder, and put it into a glass vessel, pouring Aqua Regis rectified upon it; then set it in digestion for twenty four hours, which time elapsed, by inclination evacuate the tinged water; and pour on other water, repeating the same Labour so oft, as until it shall have extracted all the Tincture. The evacuations distil to an Oleaginy. Of this oil ℞. ℥ j and pour it upon ℥ iiij. of crude Mercury, and so it will be precipited in a moment. Nor will the oil adhere to the Mercury, if it be distilled off with strong fire. After exhalation of the oil, some of the Mercury will be sublimed, but the greater part will remain fixed. It's use is in augmentation of Sols and most red vitrification. A Diaphoretic Precipitate. Dissolve Mercury distilled from Sol, or Luna, and purged, as above in Aqua fortis, which in a vessel with a long neck, and proportionate Alembeck annexed, abstract by fire of the third degree with double cohobation, that the Mercury may be made Red; which must afterwards be edulcorated by calcining in a crucible, placed in the fire, continually moving it with an Iron rod for a quarter of an hour or thereabout: or else with the following water. ℞. Of distilled vinegar two pound, of the phlegm of Allom ½ pound, of reverberated Calx of Eggshells ℥ vj. distil them together to a dryness. Of this water ℞. three pound; of the aforesaid precipitate Mercury, one pound; mix and digest them for one day natural, afterward distil them by Alimbeck, with three cohobations, toward the end increasing the fire, that the matter may be well dried; which circulate for one day natural with spirit of wine. Then separate the spirit by distillation; and again circulate and distil it. Repeating the same labour the fourth time. This is the true preparation of precipitate Mercury, for expelling infinite diseases, and especially Lues Venerea, whether it be internally taken (for so elaborated it only provokes sweat) or externally applied with Butter, or any other medicament. A Diaphoretic Precipitate of Cinnabar. ℞. Of vulgar cinnabar ℥ j Of prepared salt ʒij. Grind and mix these together, and in a convenient vessel, pour on them of oil of sulphur made per Campane ℥ iij. digest these three days in ashes, afterward by violent fire, cause all the humidity to evaporate. In the bottom a white mass will remain, which must be edulcorated by frequent ablution. Dose, from six grains to ten, chief in venereal distempers. It is given with conserve of Roses, and three or four ounces of decoction of Sarsaparilla. Diaphoretick Mercury of Venus. ℞. Of filings of Copper, ℥ j Of Mercury meteorisate ℥ ij. Mercurial salt, ℥ ij ss. Put these ground and mixed together in a strong vessel, which place in sand, and administer fire until all be melted, as wax. Then take the vessel hot as it is, and put it in cold [water] that it may break in sunder, and the greenish Mercury flow out, which, when dried, put into a small Retort, with spirit of sulphur or Vitriol, and in ashes set it in digestion for one day natural. Which being done, distil it in sand, twice cohobating it; then wash it twice, or thrice, and the last time with cordial water. It is a most excellent Diaphoretick Bezoardick Remedy against the Pest; if two hours after the first assault of the disease, it be taken in Liquor, it preserves from death. Dose one, or two grains in appropriate water. CHAP. XIV. Of Calcination of Saturn, and Jupiter. SInce as Geber saith, solution of bodies is impossible, the composition being unknown: before we come to calcinations of Metals, to speak somewhat touching the natures of them, will be in this place very suitable. Rightly did Hermes, the Father of Philosophers understand, when he said; That which is superior, ●s as that which is inferior. For by the same reason ●s nature doth produce Plants, and other Vegetables ●n the superficies of the earth; so doth she in subterranean places generate metals, though more slowly 〈◊〉 in a longer space of time, of the humid unctuous ●pour of Argentvive, and sulphur vitriolate by its own heat (containing properties in itself) decocting Mercury. Whence Hydrargyry is said to be the Mother of metals, and sulphur the Father. And in these are represented the four Elements, which are the remote matter of all natural bodies. For Mercury, as Feminine cold, and humid, holds the property of water, and air; and sulphur, as masculine, hot, and dry, bears the representation of Fire and Earth. If any shall affirm, that as well of the vapour, as juicyness [found in Mines] the matter of metals consists, I will not gainsay it. For when I, the last Summer, in Hungaria, descended into the Silver Mine in Schemnitz, about fifteen hundred Cubits deep; I Learned of the Miners, (who, by reason of the exceeding heat of the Mine, did work without any , not having so much as a shirt upon their naked bodies) that Mineral vapours did frequently arise from the centre of the earth, and extinguish their lights, and themselves also, if they did not make haste away: and that, some time after, when they entered the Pit, they should find those damps or vapours coagulated into a mass to the sides of the wall; which with a gentle touch, would be fluid, as oil. Whence it may safely be inferred, that the vapour is the more remote matter of Metal, but the sulphureous and mercurial juice, the more near matter of the same. Also I have at present with me, mineral Stones (from the same Mine, and others) which either the vapour, or such an unctuous humid mineral juice hath penetrated; and in some of them is plainly to be seen, a crude matter, not sufficiently cocted; in others moderately cocted, from one pound of which, ʒuj. of pure silver may be taken, and about ℈ ss. of Gold. In others is matter perfectly decocted, so as the silver is visible on the superficies, and in one vein shootings of pure gold may be beheld. Although there be some, who, by reason of certain frivolous reasons, deny Mercury and sulphur to be the matter of metal; yet Philosophers, who have experience in metals, believe the same, and that such a matter is found in all Mines and veins of the earth, do with one consent witness. With whose opinion, the judgement of all Miners, Melters, and tryers of Meals agree. Likewise Physicians know, that all diseases of such as labour in Mines, arise from the admission of crude, sulphureous, and mercurial spirits into the body: and that metals in external affects, perform the same that Mercury doth. Yea, that all metals, with no great labour, may be reduced into Argentvive, and Argentvive into all metals, is well known to Philosophers. Calcination of Saturn. Melt Lead in a vessel of earth or Iron, and purge it from its Scoria's. Then increase the fire, that it may be red hot in the vessel, continually stir●ing it with an Iron spatula, until it be reduced to a Calx, which if sifted, and afterward longer reverberated, will be Minium. Calcination of Jupiter. ℞. English Tin, not sophisticate (which you may know by its weight and malleation) four pound, melt it in a pot with a flat bottom, and purge it from its Scoria's. Then inject a little salt Armoniac; and increasing the fire till the pot be red hot, cast in one pound and half of prepared salt, so long stirring it with an Iron spatula, as until it be reduced to a Calx; which afterward, by violent fire must be reduced to a body, and separated from the impure and blackened salt. Again mix it with one pound of prepared salt, and calcine it as above. Wash the Calx from all its saltness, and reverberate it for eight days, that it may be turned to an Alcohol: From which, by affusion of Alkalisate vinegar, a salt is extracted, digestion for certain days being adhibited, and the matter afterward filtered and coagulated. Otherwise. Jupiter may also be calcined, as Saturn, without any addition of salt. Or else they may be calcined in a wooden Bowl well coated with clay; if they be first melted in a crucible, and from thence poured into the said wooden vessel, and there be stirred about very swiftly. Diaphoretick Jupiter. ℞. Of English Tin filled, or as above calcined either in a vessel of wood, or earth not glazed, ℥ ij. Of Mercury sublimed ℥ ●i●j. Mix them, and by Retort distil them in fire of sand, applying a Receiver half full of water; and when it gins to distil, give a moderate fire of suppression, until all the Liquor shall be distilled, and precipited into the water. But what shall be sublimed to the neck of the Retort, scrape off, and digest it with what is distilled for one night. The water impregnated with spirit of vitriol, separate and keep it for use: but dry the Cax; of which the dose is from four grains to six. CHAP. XV. Of Calcination of Mars, and Venus. Calcination of Mars. ℞. Of filings of Steel by Ventilation and Ablution, diligently cleansed from filth two pound, of prepared salt three pound, mix them, and in a pot for one day natural reverberate them. Then take out the mass, and grind it, afterward dissolve it in hot water, and wash it so often as until it be freed from all saltness and terrestreity. Which being done by grinding and sifting, reduce it to a subtle powder. Then again reverberate it, for eight or ten days, until the superficies be converted to a most red Crocus, and impalpable; which removed, reverberate the remaining part so oft, and so long, as till it be all reduced to a Crocus. Note, That the vessel containing the Limature, must have a cover, that no coals or ashes may fall into the Crocus, yet the cover must be so placed, as between it and the vessel, the flame may have free access. Another way. Crocus Martis is also prepared by putting small plates of Steel red hot, and sparkling into rolls of sulphur, by the force of which they melt, and fall down in small grains, into a subjacent vessel half full of cold water, or vinegar. Dry the grains, and grind them to a most subtle powder, and if you will, you may reverberate them to a Crocus in the space of six or eight hours. It hath virtue of expelling, opening, and attenuating; which filings of Steel also acquire, being reduced to a most pure Alcohol, by the benefit of simple water. Otherwise. Dissolve ℥ j of filings of Iron in ℥ viij. of Aqua f●rtis, and distil off the Aqua fortis by Alembick in sand. So you will have ℥ j ss. of most red Crocus. Otherwise. Reverberate filings of Mars, with a like quantity of beaten sulphur, for four or five hours. It hath an aperitive virtue; but it will have a greater, if it be calcined for half an hour, or thereabout with double its own weight of sulphur beaten small. Another Calcination of Mars. Digest filings of Iron or Steel in vinegar thrice distilled, until it be coloured. Pour off what is tinged, and pour on other fresh vinegar so often, as until it shall have extracted all the Tincture. Filter the evacuations, and distil them, and in the bottom will remain a red powder, which must be reverberated for one day natural into an impalpable Crocus. It hath virtue of constringing. Otherwise. Crocus Martis is also made with oil of sulphur thus. Pour oil of sulphur and spirit of wine, of each an equal part into an Iron spoon, and by gentle heat evaporate it, till the humidity be consumed: afterward if it settle for certain days, you will find a most subtle powder, which keep in a a Phial firmly closed; that no air may enter, because it will resolve if exposed to the air. If some grains of this be given in broth, or other convenient Liquor, it will be a true Restorative of the Liver, helping in all diseases thence arising, as the Dropsy, and such like. Calcination of Venus. Venus is dissolved in Aqua fortis, and by affusion of warm water, with a small piece of Iron or Silver, it is precipited to the bottom of the vessel. Or else plates of Copper are reverberated in a Potter's furnace into brass, which with easy contrition is reduced to a Calx. Or small plates are put into a crucible, with an equal part of sulphur beaten small; making S. S. S. that is, lay upon lay, and so reverberated into Aes ustum. CHAP. XVI. Of Calcination of Luna, and Sol. Calcination of Luna. DIssolve Luna in Aqua fortis, and by affusion of salt water, precipit it into a bright Calx (to the bottom of the vessel) which by frequent pouring on of common water, must be edulcorated, and then dried. ℞. Of this Calx ℥ j of prepared salt, ℥ ij. of Salt-armoniack ʒij. Mix these well in a glass mortar, and reverberate the mixture, for eight days. Afterward extract a tincture with spirit of wine Alkalisate, and circulate it. It is profitable in Mania, and other diseases of the Brain. Calcination of Sol. Make Amalgamation of Sol, by purified cement, with six parts of Mercury, as follows. ℞. A thin plate of gold, and cut it into exceeding small pieces; which put into a crucible placed in such an heat, as the gold may only be red hot; then in another crucible make your Mercury hot, and presently pour it out upon the gold, and mix them with a stick, that they may be incorporated. Then cool it, and having admirably well washed the mass, pass it through a skin, and press out the superfluous Mercury, that the mass may remain conveniently hard, which must be long ground, with double its weight of prepared salt in a glass mortar, so as nothing of the Amalgama appear. Put all this into a strong crucible, covered, and luted, only a little hole left in the Luting, and reverberate it for one day natural; taking great heed, that the gold melt not. This being done, you will find your gold calcined, but the Mercury and salt vanished. Then a new amalgamate your gold, and pass it through a skin as above; and mix it with double its weight of sulphurvive, grinding them very well together. After which, put the mixture into an earthen glazed pan, pouring on it the best spirit of wine, unto which set fire, that it may burn upon it. After the deflagration of which, and of the sulphur, you will find the gold spungeous, and much attenuated, especially, if the same process be twice or thrice repeated. Some grind the Amalgama with flowers of sulphur, and having put it in a crucible placed in burning coals, they continually stir it with an Iron rod, until the Mercury fly away in fume. But before gold can be calcined with Philosophic calcination, it must be cemented, as is said either with vulgar, or Regale cement. The vulgar cement, is thus made. ℞. Of flour of Tiles, ℥ viij. Salt prepared, ℥ iiij. White vitriol ℥ j Salt-peter, and Aerugo, of each ℥ ss. The Regale cement, which belongs only to most pure gold, is thus made. ℞. Of flour of Tiles, four parts. Salt-armoniack, Salt-gem, and common salt prepared, of each one part. These commixed and united, must be moistened with Urine. Some make thin plates of gold red hot before they are compounded, and suffer them to cool; that if any defilement adhere to the superficies, it may be consumed, and leave more free access, and admittance for impression to the sharpness of the medicines. All being duly prepared, sprinkle the powder equally in the cementatory pot, that it may be a finger thick. Then put in your thin plates of gold moistened with urine in such order, and so equally placed, as one may not touch the other; lest body cohering to body, the matter be burnt, and by increase of heat, the edges be melted together. Having disposed the first lay of plates in order as above, then on them sprinkle of the medicine again, the thickness of one finger, and so proceed to lay in more plates, and c●●er them; so doing, even to the brim of the 〈◊〉, which must be filled with the powder, the same thickness as was in the bottom, viz. the thickness of a finger transversed. Lastly, put on the cover, without any spiracle, if for vulgar cement: but if for the Regale, the cover must have a small hole. The fire must be administered to it for twenty four hours, so as the pot may be always red. The work ended, cleanse the plates with an Hare's foot from the powders adhering, and wash them in wine, and dry them. The most perfect cement of all, is that which follows: Melt gold with double its weight of most pure Copper, reduce them to plates or leaves, as thin as paper; which cement for forty or fifty hours in a strong fire; making lay upon lay, as in Regale cement is said with flour of Tiles, common salt, Colcothar, Aerugo, and a little salt armoniac, mixed with strong vinegar. In this Examen, all the Copper vanisheth, the incombustible sulphur, and Tincture thereof remaining in the substance of the gold; according as Geber, in Chap. 18. of fornaces, witnesseth; who saith, that from Copper a most clean, ting, and fixed sulphur is extracted. Metallic Bezoardick. Dissolve of most pure gold in Philosophic water ʒij. to which add drop by drop of gummose Liquor seven times rectified ℥ j In mixing these will be great ebulition. Place the vessel upon hot ashes for three or four hours. Then precipitate the matter in common water, and wash it often; Lastly with cordial water, and then dry it. And you will have a stone of wonderful virtue: of which six grains egregiously provokes sweat. Ceraunocryson Diaphoretic. Dissolve most pure Sol in Phylosophick water, and digest it for one night in sand. Then pour upon it oil of Tartar drop by drop, until the ebulition cease, and the Calx of gold be precipited to the bottom; which must be edulcorated with many ablutions, and with most gentle fire dried. Dose three or four grains. Of this Diaphoretic, another more excellent may be prepared in this manner. ℞. Of this Ceraunocryson five or six grains, and put it in a small silver vessel, and on it pour the best rectified spirit of wine, which set on fire, and hang a Chrystaline glass with a sufficiently large Orifice over it. As soon as the spirit of wine ceaseth to burn, the Ceraunocryson performs its office, and a certain earthy part will be sublimed to the sides of the glass. Repeat this Labour four or five times, and wash the glass with spirit of wine, that the C●lx may settle to the bottom, which must be dried. Dose one or two grains. CHAP. XVII. Of Salts. The way of extracting essential Salts from Herbs, without calcination. ℞. A Great quantity of Carduus benedictus, bruise it in a stone or wooden mortar, afterward in a large vessel, with a great quantity of water boil it, until half be consumed; then strongly express it, and strain the expression. The Colature again boil to the thickness of Liquid honey. This juice of Carduus benedictus put into a glass vessel, and set it in a cold place for certain days; & in the bottom of the vessel, a crystalline salt angular, like salt gem, will be generated. From which pour off the juice, wash it with water of Carduus benedictus, and when dried, diligently keep it. For it is a most excellent Remedy in the Pest; if two grains more or less be exhibited in spirit of Carduus benedictus, they abundantly provoke sweat. By the same reason, and in like manner a salt may be extracted from other herbs, which shall in virtue far exceed that which is made of the ashes of herbs. Essential Salt, Cream, or Crystals of Tartar. ℞. White Tartar of Montispeliensis, which is the best, reduce it to powder, and in a large brass or iron Kettle boil it with a great quantity of water, until half the water be consumed. Then remove it from the fire, and if you will pass it through Hippocrates sleeve or a Linen cloth, into a firm earthen vessel. When it is cold, pour off the water by inclination: and the Salt adhering to the sides of the vessel, by frequent affusion of water gather; being separated from the feces. And again as above, boil it, wash it, separate it from the feces, and dry it. Then reduce it to powder; of which the Dose is ʒj. in a little broth, or appropriate medicine. It hath virtue of breaking thick and tartarous humours, and of opening obstructed passages. Salt, or Askali of Imperatory. Calcine the herb dried to a whiteness, extract the Salt with distilled water of the same herb, or else with common water digesting it for one night. Afterward pour off the water by inclination, taking heed you disturb not the feces. Pour on other water the second and third time, digesting and evacuating, without disturbing the feces as before. Then filter and coagulate the three evacuations together, If the coagulum be not sufficiently white, calcine in a crucible to a redness, taking heed it melt not, then resolve, filter, and coagulate it. Thus is Salt extracted from all herbs; but in such calcination, the volatile or essential salt perisheth; and the elemental salt only remains. Salt of Tartar. Strew or spread Tartar in an earthen unglazed vessel, with a flat bottom, the thickness of one finger. Afterward reverberate it to a whiteness, for the space of five or six hours, with a fire so moderate to prevent fusion, that the vessel may be but just Red. The Tartar thus calcined to a whiteness, pour out into common water, digest it, than filter and coagulate. Salt of Corals. This is done by digesting Corals beaten small, in vinegar thrice distilled for one night. Afterward the solution is filtered, and the vinegar evaporated to a dryness. So the salt of Corals remains in the bottom of the vessel. Its virtues are excellent; for it cleanseth the blood throughout the whole body, restores the pristine vigour of health; Fluxes of the Womb, and Belly, and Hemroides it stops; It strengthens the heart, and stomach; removes obstructions of the bowels, and dissolves congealed blood. It is profitable in the Dropsy, Convulsions, Paralysie, Stone, Suffocation of the Matrix, if exhibited with water convenient against preternatural affects. Dose, from ten grains, to ℈ j or ℈ ij. with respect to age, and the vehemency of the disease. Salt of Colcothar. The Colcothar is put into Rain water, and the salt by digestion for one day or night comes forth into the same, is filtered, and coagulated. If the remaining redness be five or six times again calcined, and the saltness every time washed out; it at length will be sweet, and is called sweetness of vitriol, which will be the greater, if the Colcothar be prepared of vitriol of Venus, and it is a present Remedy in malignant Ulcers. Vomative Vitriol. Dissolve white Vitriol in common water, filter and coagulate it; repeat the same Labour the second time: After which, dissolve it in Rose water and coagulate. Otherwise. Dissolve white Vitriol in distilled water, filter it, & in a glass vessel exhale the water, until it contract a skinnyness. Then set the vessel in a cold place, that it may be Crystallized. The Crystals separated, the remaining humour evaporate, and again set to Crystallize as above; and this Labour repeat the second time. Thirdly, dissolve the Crystals in Rose water, and as before exhale and Crystallize; then with gentle fire dry the Crystals. Dose from ℈ j to ʒ ss. in a draught of Wine or Beer, or with Conserve of Roses. It happily operates in Fevers, Affects of the Ventricle, Catarrhs, Maw-worms, Pest, etc. Salt, or Vitriol of Mars. ℞. Spirit of vitriol, or oil of sulphur per Campane, although not rectified ℥ j With this mix ℥ ij. of common water. Unto this mixtion, add ℥ j of filings of Iron; all which, in a close vessel, place in hot ashes, that it may boil very gently, for the space of six hours. Afterward permit it to cool; and in the vessel you will find vitriol generated green and splendid; which is dissolved in hea●, and in cold coagulated. Salt, or Vitriol of Venus. Reduce calcined Copper, or scales of Copper to a subtle powder, which digest in distilled vinegar for one day natural. The tinged vinegar by inclination pour off, and repour on other, so often as till it be no more tinged. The evacuations filter and evaporate, or distil off three parts; what remains in the bottom of the vessel, set in a cold place; and so a green, obscure, shining vitriol, will be generated. Otherwise. Plates of Copper, with a like quantity of sulphur beaten, as is said in calcination of Venus, are reduced to a subtle powder; and in an earthen pot with the beaten sulphur, are calcined; by a continued stirring the mixtion with a rod of Copper, till all the sulphur be burnt. The Calx again is ground, and with an eighth part of its own weight of sulphur beaten small, calcined. Then is it again ground, as before, and project into hot water, being often stirred with a stick or Copper rod, until the Calx be settled to the bottom, and the water wax cold; which being filtered, is evaporated to a fourth part, and put in a cold place to produce Azure Crystals, or else by evaporation coagulated. Salt of Saturn. Put the Calx of Saturn, or Minium, in distilled vinegar or the phlegm thereof; digest it for one day natural, often stirring it: then evacuate the Menstruum by inclination, and pour on other until all the Saltness of Saturn be abstracted. Filter the evacuations, and in ashes or sand coagulate them. If vinegar be the third time distilled from Salt of Saturn, with cohobations; and afterward spirit of Wine be poured on, and thrice cohobated: the Salt acquires so admirable a virtue in healing divers Diseases; as if six grains be given in white Wine in the Pest, it cures the sick in twenty four hours. In the Dropsy three grains are given in white Wine four days together. In the Colic six grains with whitewine. In the Leprosy also six grains, in water of Fumitory, continually for eighteen days together. This Sugar inwardly taken, by its coldness, doth also extinguish Venereal Lust; and is therefore profitable for those who are devoted to a single and Virgin Life. Externally used, it wondrously operates in malignant Ulcers, Corrosive, and Cancrous; Cancer, Woolf, and such like. Also it is a most excellent Remedy against putridness of the mouth, and Ringworms, Blast, Inflammations, Tumours, and red Pimples of the face, if applied with convenient Oils or Waters. CHAP. XVIII. Of Flowers. Flowers of Benzoin. Grinned Benzoin, and put it into a round pot, which close with a double brown paper, wrapped up in manner of Hippocrates sleeve; and administer fire apt for sublimation, gathering the snow like flores often. These in the Asthma, and all diseases of the Lungs, are very profitable. Dose ℈ ss. in convenient Liquors or Syrups. It is also a principal Remedy, for bunches, and redness of the face. Flowers of Sulphur. These are prepared, by mixing equal parts of Sulphur and Colcothar perfectly rubifyed and dried; and so mixed by subliming, as shall be taught in sublimation of Antimony; (but this operation is performed in the space of eight hours, nor is so much fire required, as in Antimony.) They must the second time be sublimed with Sugar candid alone, that they may be more efficacious in the Asthma, and other affects of the Lungs. Also this preparation of flowers, is made by mixing one pound of the flowers of sulphur, with one pound and ½ of flour of Tiles. Or by adding to one pound of sulphur, of Colcothar, and salt decrepitate, of each ½ a pound. Or else per se, they are sublimed without any other addition. These flowers do powerfully resist putrefaction; and therefore in the Pest, the weight of ʒj. either in Carduus benedictus, Treacle, or Syrup of Citron, or else in water of Melissa, is profitably used, as well for Preservation, as Curation. They also preserve from Fevers, and Epilepsy. In Lues Venerea, they provoke sweat: In all diseases needing exsiccation, they help; and are very beneficial in all Affects of the Lights, the Asthma, the Cough, as well of long continuance, as what is newly taken; Catarrhs flowing to the breast, Pleurisy, Colic, Imposthums, and Putrefactions of the body. Flowers of Antimony. Choice Stibium reduced to a subtle powder, and put into an earthen pot, with a blind head super-pofited, in the top of which must be an hole, for exhaling the humid spirits, and a movable stoppel fitted to the hole; must be sublimed according to Art, administering fire gradually for ten or twelve hours, for receiving white flores; but for Citrine, twenty four hours, and for the red flores, thirty six hours, continuing, and increasing the fire. Sublimate Mercury. ℞. Mercury purged with prepared Salt and Vinegar, and passed through a skin. Vitriol rubifyed. Prepared Salt, of each one pound. Salt Nitre ℥ iiij. Grind and mix them together in a stone Mortar, with a little Vinegar, so long as until the Mercury no more appear Living. All being well mixed, put into a cucurbit Luted; with an Alembick, having a short neck annexed, with Recipient adjoined; administering fire by degrees artificially, for eight or ten hours. The Aqua fortis, which first comes forth keep. For the second sublimation, to one pound of sublimate, add of Salt prepared ℥ xij. and of Vitriol ℥ iiij. If the third time, sublime it with salt only. A sweet Sublimate. ℞. Of Mercury purged as above, ℥ vj. Mercury sublimate, ℥ viij. Grind and mix them together with one pound, of Colcothar, well and perfectly rubifyed. Then sublime the mixture from a convenient vessel, placed in sand for the space of five or six hours. The second time, sublime it with ½ pound of Colcothar. The third time, per se only. Instead of Colcothar, prepared Salt may be used, if any one be so minded. The sublimations ended, reduce the mass into a subtle powder, which wash with Rose water, and dry it. Dose, from twenty grains, to thirty in Lues Venerea. Otherwise. ℞. Of Mercury sublimate, ℥ vj. Silver foliate, ℥ ij. By grinding mix these together, and sublime them in sand. The vessel cooled, separate the volatile part; and grind what is fixed, and crystalline; and mix it with the feces residing in the bottom. The second and third time subliming as above, and in the end washing the sublimate when dried, keep it for use. Dose, from six grains, to eight or ten. It purgeth gently. Manna of Mercury. Dissolve Mercury in Aqua fortis. Afterward precipit it in Sea water; and from a cucurbit placed in sand, distil it, toward the end increasing the fire, that the Mercury may be sublimed to the sides of the vessel. The vessel cooled, and the feces residing in the bottom of the vessel, removed, gather the sublimate apart. And again in the same water dissolve and distil it, as above. So will you have the Celestial Eagle, more white than snow, the use whereof is chief in Venereal distempers. Dose, from ten to fifteen grains. It purgeth only by the inferior parts. CHAP. XIX. Of Magisteries. A Magistery is, when the mixed body is so prepared by Chemical artifice without extraction; as all its homogeneal parts are preserved, and deduced to a more noble degree, either of substance or quality, the exteriours of impurity being segregated. Magistery of Tartar. ℞. Oil of Tartar, made of the resolved and purified Salt, ℥ iiij. Spirit of Vitriol ℥ i. which instil upon the Oil of Tartar, into a large glass, drop by drop; and it will be a most white Coagulum. The supernatant humidity remove by gentle heat, unto the dryness of salt: upon which distil spirit of wine three or four times. And so you will have a white fixed Vitriolate Tartar. It's use is in all obstructions of the bowels; in the Stone, Nephritick dolour, Jaundice, retention of the Menses, melancholy, hardness of the Spleen, Fevers, and the Dropsy, if conveniently adhibited. Dose, from ℈ ss. to ℈ j Magistery of Pearls, and Corals. Dissolve Corals or Pearls beaten small, in water made very sharp with spirit of vitriol. Digest it for one night, and upon the Solution, first filtered, inject oil of Tartar drop by drop, till it be like milk. Then pour upon it common water, and digest it; and so it will be precipited in bright powder to the bottom of the vessel. The water must be separated, and other poured on three or four times, until all the Acrimony be separated. Then dry the powder, and keep it for use. Margarits in temperament, and virtue, do very much emulate Gold; and therefore do comfort the vital spirits of the heart; and remove palpitation of the heart, deliquiums of the mind, and Vertigo's. And ought deservedly to be mixed with all Cordial medicaments. They excite Venus, resist melancholy, dealbate the Teeth, comfort the memory, and corroborate the young in the womb. They dry up all depraved humours in the body; and preserve all parts of the humane body from corruption. The virtues of Corals, are spoken of in the Salt of them. Magistery, Milk, Cream, or Butter of Sulphur. ℞. Of flowers of Sulphur, ℥ j Salt of Tartar, ℥ iij. Mix them, and pour upon them of common water three pound, digest all in sand for one day natural; with such heat, as toward the end the water may almost boil: afterward filter it hot through brown paper, and upon it pour a sufficient quantity of distilled vinegar; so the milky Cream of sulphur will by little and little settle to the bottom. Separate the Dissolvent by inclination, and with frequent ablutions edulcorate it. Lastly, digest it with Cordial water, and dry it. And thus will you have a most white Milk, or Cream of sulphur: Which, is the Balsam of the primogeneal humidity. It comforts the natural vigour, purifies the blood, Diseases of the Lungs, as the Asthma, Cough, and Ptysick it cures. In drying up Catarrhs, in removing windinesses of the Stomach; in the Sciatica, and Gont, it is commended as exceeding profitable. It also is an egregious preservative from the Apoplexy, Pest, Leprosy, and Convulsions of the Nerves. In Hectic Fevers, by comforting it profits. So much only of the powder, being mixed with specific waters, as shall be sufficient for tinging them with a white colour. One spoonful is given in the morning, and before exhibition, accurately mixed with the humid vehicle. Otherwise. It is also made, by mixing sulphur beaten, with clean sand or glass beaten small, of each equal parts: and by distilling by Retort in a moderate fire, applying a Recipient containing distilled vinegar. And so the distilled substance of the sulphur will be precipited into a white powder, which dry, and keep for use. This Antidote Prince Auraicus used against the Pest. Otherwise. Milk of sulphur is likewise made, by mixing sulphur and sand with Aqua vitae, and distilling it in ashes by Retort. It is good against malignant Ulcers, venereal Cancers, Measles, Warts, etc. CHAP. XX. Of solid Tinctures, and Panacaea's. Tincture of Antimony. MAke a Lexivium of ashes of Heart's ease, Calx-vive, and common ashes, of each a like quantity. In which dissolve Liver of Antimony, digesting it in such an heat of sand for one night, as it may almost boil. Separate the Tincture, and filter it. And, if you please, by vinegar, precipit it into a yellow powder, and by many ablutions edulcorate it. Panacaea of Vitriol. Dissolve blue vitriol in hot distilled Rain water, which, being the third time filtered, by gentle heat of Baln. evaporate to a skinnyness. Then pour the remaining Liquor hot into a Leaden vessel, in which you must first place small sticks transversed. And so leave it in a cold place for three days, that it may produce green Crystals, which separate, evaporate the remaining Liquor, and put it again into the same vessel to be Crystallized; repeating the same Labour so oft, as until all the Liquor shall be Crystallized. This vitriol, of the colour of an Emerald, by these Solutions, and Coagulations, perfectly purified, reduce to a powder very subtle; which in heat, not exceeding the heat of Sol in the Summer season, dry in the space of five or six days, until within, and without, it appear candid. Then dissolve it in distilled water, filter it, what is undissolvible, cast away; coagulate it in a Leaden vessel, and dry it to a whiteness in gentle heat, as above. Repeating this operation unto the third time, or until in dissolution, nothing remain undissolved. This candid vitriol put into a firm vessel, sealed with Hermes Seal: which so place in gentle fire of ashes, as the heat may not exceed the Summer's heat. The tenth day, it will wax yellow; the twentieth day, it will be reduced to an Alcohol, and be most red like blood. Break the vessel, and put it into an high cucurbit, and upon it pour vinegar thrice distilled, so much as may stand above it, at least four fingers. Apply a blind head, and digest it in a warm Baln. for four days, every day stirring it with a clean wooden spatula. The vessel cooled, what is tinged pour off, and pour on other vinegar, digesting, stirring, and evacuating it as above; repeating the same Labour, till the vinegar shall attract no more Tincture. What shall remain in the bottom, reject as useless. The ringed vinegar by gentle heat of Baln. distil to a dryness. In the bottom will remain a Red powder, which also the third time in the same vinegar, dissolve, digest, evacuate, distil, and dry. Then put your most Red powder into a Retort, with a large Receiver annexed, administering fire gradually. First the spirit comes forth yellow, afterward most red: continue the fire in that degree, until the spirits appear white. Then cease distilling, and c●ol the vessel; in the bottom of which, you will find a perspicuous, pure, and most bright earth; which, with the above said spirits, imbibe by little and little, digesting, and imbibing, until the spirit and soul be restored to their proper body. Then coct this blessed earth in a vessel Hermetically sealed, and placed in heat of Athanor, for forty days, until it be fixed. Dose, from three grains to five, especially in deplorate diseases. A Solar Diaphoretick Panacaea. Stomachus Struthionis of Paracelsus. ℞. Of Phylosophick water, one pound. Mercury sublimate, ℥ ij. Mix them, and in this water dissolve only so much Mercury as can well be dissolved in it. The dissolution slowly proceeds, therefore is there need of digestion. To the solution, add of Gummose Liquor ℥ ij. mix and distil them, and that distillation reiterate twice or thrice, until after the distillation, no feces be remaining. In all these distillations, sublimate Mercury ascends, which every time re-put into the water. With this water, the Quintessence of Metals, Minerals, and Marcasites is extracted. Spirit of Wine Tartarisate. Distil the dried feces of wine, after the manner as Aqua fortis is distilled. The water and oil-sepaparate, and keep. In the mean while, calcine the feces to a whiteness, which, with the above said oil, imbibe; and as before, distil and calcine; repeating this Labour so often, as until the oil be clear as water, and sweet, not savouring of adustion. So you will have a Tartarisate Quintessence, which removes all corrosiveness from Metals. Sublimation of Sol. ℞. Of Sol purged with Antimony, and cut into very thin plates, or instead thereof Of foliate Sol, ℥ ij. Of Stomachus Struthionis, ℥ iiij. Dissolve and distil by Alembick with strong fire toward the end, even to sublimation, that the glass may be red hot. The vessel cooled, cohobate, and distil it thrice, every time separating what shall be sublimed. The fourth time distil away the phlegm gently, and anew pour on other ℥ iiij. and do as before, until the whole water be consumed, and all the body shall be sublimed, unto the whiteness of the exalted Eagle; that is, of sublimate Mercury. Then praise GOD. Again reposit the whole sublimate with the phlegm, distilling away the phlegm, without ascension of the spirit. Mercurius Vitae. This is made, as in the Archidoxes of Paracelsus in the Book of Secrets, with one part of Antimony, and one part (or according to others, two parts) of sublimate Mercury. Afterward it is rectified, and dissolved upon a Marble or Table of glass; than it is congealed, by distilling away the phlegm, and a little of the acidness; until drops falling in the phlegm, begin to be precipited. Then the Receptory is removed, and another applied, and distillation urged with moderate fire. This Labour must be four times repeated; and the fourth time it will be a clear and white mass. The Conjunction of sublimate Sol, and Mercurius Vitae. ℞. Of Sol sublimate, or the oil of the same aforesaid, without phlegm one part. Of Mercurius Vitae clarified two parts. Mix them together, and with gentle fire distil the spirit. What shall remain coagulated, dissolve upon a Marble. Repeating the Solution, and Coagulation the third time. Then upon this matter pour two parts of the Tartarisate Quintessence, distilling it by Alembick to a dryness. Repour on other, and distil it, doing this so often, as until the essence shall be distilled off sweet, as when first poured on. Which being done, upon one part of this medicine pour four parts of spirit of wine without phlegm; digesting it until the spirit be consumed. So you will have the perfect conjunction of Sol, and Mercurius Vitae. The Dose of which is four drops in white Wine. It is exceeding profitable in desperate diseases, and in those whereof the cause is occult. The End of the Second Book. TYROCINIUM CHYMICUM: OR, CHEMICAL ESSAYS. Book the Third. CHAP. I. Of Quintessence. Of the Quintessence of humane Blood. THE denomination of Quintessence, is variously taken. Sometimes it signifies any Chemical Species, which hath put off the Elementary grosseness of matter, and corpulent feces: and is opposed to a Magistery, in which almost the whole bulk of its substance remains, only it is exalted, and purified. Sometimes also, as we here take it, it denotes an Aethereal, Celestial, and most subtle substance; taken from the three principles of any mixed body dissolved, freed by various Chemical Operations from their Elementary, Sensible, Corruptible, and Mortal quality, and coagulated either into one spiritual body, or a corporeal spirit. It is by some called Medicine, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; that is, by reason of its eminency. By others Elixir, by reason of those famous virtues, it exerciseth in preservation of the humane body, from sundry diseases. By others, Heaven, for a double reason; First, because, as Heaven consists not of the four Elements, but is made of a certain Aethereal matter, and as it were a fift Element; and is not obnoxious to corruption; so also the true Quintessence is separated from all feces of Elements; and although it be not plainly incorruptible, yet it is reduced to that subtlety, tenuity, and spiritual simplicity, that it seems to contain in itself nothing of heterogeneity, by which it should be corrupted. Secondly, because, as Heaven powerfully acts on these sublunary things, contributing Life to all, and conserving them: so also this Quintessence conserveses the health of the humane body, prolongs youth, retards Age, and expelleth every disease. The Quintessence of humane blood, is in this manner prepared. ℞. A great quantity of the blood of sound men in the flower of their Age. Put it in Circulatory vessels of a convenient magnitude, which place in B. M. continually boiling until the Dragon shall have devoured his own tail. The vessels cooled, take out the matter, which will be like Liver, and cut it to pieces very small. And in high Cucurbits, with the same heat of Baln. by distillation separate the aqueous element or phlegm. The distilled Liquor repour upon its earth, and set it in the former circulatory vessels, in a boiling Baln. for ten days as before. Repeating the same process five times; and the last time keep all the distilled phlegm. The vessels being cooled, take out the matter, and put it into a large Retort, applying a capacious Receiver; in ashes distil off the air by fire gradually increased. The small and thin clouds in the recipient dissolving, intent the fire so, as the Element of fire may also come forth in form of Red or Purple oil. Toward the end a little Salt armoniac will sublime itself. The vessels being cold, separate the air or spirit from the fire or oil; either by gentle distillation in Baln. or by a Separatory. The spirit with the Salt armoniac, again pour upon the feces, digest them for three days, then by a new Retort distil off the spirit, toward the end giving fire apt for sublimation, that the whole spiritual salt, or at least the greater part thereof may be sublimed, and mixed with the spirit in the Receptory. Again pour new spirit upon the feces, digest and distil as above; so often, as until the earth be deprived of its soul; which you shall know, if when put upon a burning plate, it fume not. Note, That before the spirit be animated, it must be seven times rectified, every time separating the phlegm and feces: and part thereof reserved for preparing the dissolvent, as afterward shall be spoken. Calcine the black blacker than black in a reverberatory furnace with moderate fire, in a vessel every where closed, for the space of five days, until the blackness be turned to a yellowish whiteness, and so into a red colour. Then will the earth be apt for receiving its animate spirit. Digest it by Baln. as long as shall be sufficient, afterward by gentle distillation separate the insipid humidity. Which being done; revert upon the earth a ninth part of its animate spirit, digest and distil as before. Then give it the eighth part of the animate spirit; afterward the seventh, the sixth, the fifth, the fourth part; so long with the fourth part imbibing it as till the earth be increased to double of its own weight, before imbibition. And this is what Avicen saith, know, that the earth must be nourished, first with a little of its own water, and afterward with more, as is seen in education of Infants. Therefore often grind the earth, and leisurely imbibe the same, from eight days to eight days. Decoct it, and afterward moderately calcine it in fire. And let not this Labour seem tedious to thee, in so many reiterations; for the earth brings not forth fruit, without frequent moistning. Yet be wary lest you too hastily imbibe the earth, but do it leisurely, by little, and a little, and with long contrition after the earth is dried. Wherefore in this the weight is diligently to be observed, viz. lest too much dryness or superfluous humidity corrupt the work. And much coct it by assation, as by imbibing the dissolution requires. Thus far Avicen. Whence also Geber saith: Therefore from the multiplicit reiteration of imbibition and assation, the greater part of its aqueousness is taken away; and the residue by sublimation is removed. Put the aforesaid earth into an high cucurbit, having an Alembick, and receiver annexed; the junctures being very firmly closed, so as nothing may respire; give to it fire of ashes for the space of three days, until the clean and white fume ascend, and cleave to the sides of the cucurbit like Talc. This is that which Clangor Buccina saith, † A Phylosophik book so called. therefore as much as you can subtiliate that body, and coct it with clean Mercury; and when the body shall have drawn, and concluded in itself some part of the Mercury; subtiliate it with as quick and strong fire as you can, until it shall ascend in the likeness of powder most white as snow, adhering to the sides of the vessel. But the ashes remaining in the bottom, is the feces, and vituperate Scoria to be cast away, having nothing of life in it. Of the aforesaid Meteorisate Mercury ℞. ℥ j Mix it with ℥ seven. of the rectified spirit not animate. Digest it for two days in B●●n. then distil it by ashes; afterward by Baln. with repeated cohobations, until no feces be left. Then circulate it for forty days. It's use is for extracting Tinctures of Me●als, and stones. Of the same Mercury and its oil, is made an Elixir for expelling the most desperate diseases; in this manner. ℞. Of this Mercury ℥ j unto which add an eighth part of its own weight, of its proper oil rectified; decoct them in hea of Athanor for eight days: afterward with a sixth part, and then with a fift part, reiterating the former labour so often, as until the matter become thick as syrup, and by decoction will be no further hardened. After this digest it forty days, and it will be a most red stone; of which the Dose is one grain or two in appropriate Liquor. CHAP. II. Of the Quintessence of Wine. IN circulatory vessels of a just magnitude, digest a good quantity of rich wine in horse dung for a month. Then in high cucurbits distil off the spirit, in B. M. which afterward rectify seven times, each time separating all its phlegmatic humour. Distilling it so, as in the seven times, from forty pound of wine, you may separate one pound more spiritual ●an the other (for what is distilled between the spirit and the phlegm, is Aqua arden's.) Keep the spirit in a glass vessel (of such a magnitude as it may be ●alf full) firmly closed, that nothing may respire in 〈◊〉 cold place. In the mean while distil the remain●ing phlegm to the consistency of Liquid honey. What is distilled off revert upon the feces; and again by gentle heat of Baln. draw off three parts. Then take out the cucurbit, and set it in a cold place, that the matter may crystallize; the Crystals washed from all filth, so often dissolve and coagulate, as until they resemble the Ice of most pure water. Now, if you desire by force of Art, to have a fat and combustible oil from wine, distil the phlegm, separated from the Crystals in Baln. unto the thickness of Liquid honey: afterward in a retort placed in sand, force it with strong fire. First comes forth a water mixed with yellow oil, than a red oil; Lastly Rosin. Unto the Crystals beaten very small, pour the spirit above reserved; digest them in Baln. for three days, afterward distil off the spirit in sand: repeating the same process so often, as until the spirit be perfectly impregnated with its proper soul, and the ●ody made so very dry, as if put upon a glowing ●late, it will yield no fume. Then on the body, ●●rst calcined according to Art, revert an eighth ●●rt of its own weight of the animate spirit, digest ●nd dist●l it as before, then give it a sixth part of the spirit; afterward a fift, and then a fourth, so often continuing the imbibition with a fourth part, as un●●l the greater part of the body put upon a burning ●ate, shall vanish into air. Then is fulfilled that ●hich Morienus saith: This also it behoves thee to know, that the soul soon hath ingress into its own body, which with another body, can by no means be conjoined. Having this sign, cover the vessel, and to it placed in ashes, administer fire for the space of two days, until the vegetable sulphur adhere to the sides of the vessel like Talc. Of this sulphur ℞. ℥ j Of the pure spirit ℥ iij. Mix and digest them for one day natural, then distil them in ashes, cohobating often, until the whole body shall ascend. After which, twice distil it in a boiling Baln. and circulate it for sixty days. And having separated the Hypestasis (which will adhere about the bottom of the Pelican) keep the Quintessence of wine for curing infinite diseases, to be used both internally and externally. Also this Quintessence of wine may be perfected in a shorter space of time. Yea when I did this, in the presence and sight of certain of my disciples, in the space of five weeks I finished it: and with the same extracted a most red Tincture of Gold. For, as Geber witnesseth, there are many ways to the accomplishing one effect, and one intent: But In this place, I can never sufficiently admire, why French and German wine circulated, have not that admirable odour, which Baptista Porta attributes to Neapolitan wine, in these words.— Then open the mouth of the vessel, and if such an admirable fragrancy issue out, as with it nothing may be compared; know that you are come to the desired end. But if the odour or colour answer not, close the vessel again; and re-place it to be circulated, until you shall have the aforesaid sign. Nor is the Italian spirit of wine endued with such an odour, as Rubens testifies. For he in the second Chap. of the second Sect. on of his book of distillation, in this manner writeth. I would that good Man, and most excellen Physician, Eustachius Sancto Severinas', had now lived. For he (not to speak of my own knowledge) could have evinced, by his experience most diligently acquired, that Aqua arden's, if circulated, not only for a month, but for two or three months; yea, for a whole year, as Raymund prescribes, can never be deduced to that sweetness of odour, but rather will be found more hot, and be rendered more acid; as who so will, may easily prove; and reason itself by observation of the fire and motion, persuades the same. But Raymund did not understand, or intent that of simple and pure Aqua arden's, as some of late have thought; but of that, in which the metallic body was dissolved. For in the second Canon of the first book, he thus writeth: But this Quintessence so circulated and rectified, will not possess such an odour, unless the body be distilled in it. Whence it appears, that Porta drew not such a Quintessence of wine from his Labour in the fire, but from the writings of Lul, and John de Rupescissa, evilly understood. CHAP. III. Of Quintessence of Corals. FIrst a great quantity of most sharp vinegar, must be distilled with separation of the phlegm, for this work wholly unprofitable. Distilling it nine times upon the former feces, until you shall have about a hundred pound of vinegar most perfectly rectified per Baln. Also you must have thirty pound of red Corals, reduced to a most subtle powder; likewise many large vessels with long necks, in every of which one pound of Corals must be put; unto them pouring on of vinegar leisurely, and at times, to prevent ebulition, so much as may stand above them four or five fingers: then they must with the vinegar be digested in Baln. for one day natural, or until the vinegar wax sweet, and be invested with a yellow colour. Which being done, pour off the Menstruum, and repour on fresh; repeating the same Labour, till what is dissolvible be dissolved. Put the evacuations in high cucurbits, and abstract the Menstruum by heat of Blan. then to every one pound of the salt, pour ℥ ij. of vinegar, and distil it; which being done, again add ℥ iiij. after ℥ vj. and so leisurely, and at times nourishing it, and at length diminishing the infurions from ounce to ounce, until the vinegar be distilled off as sharp as it was when first poured on. All the insipid distilled phlegm, must be kept. And the salts impregnated with the salt armoniac of vinegar, must be fermented in vapour of an hot Baln. and there left until a strong odour and black colour appear, which are the signs of true putrefaction. When these signs shall appear, put the resolved salts while warm into retorts; because in cold, they will presently be congealed: and by a vaporous B. or ashes, separate the phlegm, until white vapours or fumes shall be seen to arise. Then cease the distillation there, and continue it by sand in a close Reverberatory, until all the spirits shall be come forth, and an oil red as blood shall issue out drop by drop. Reserve the feces for the use hereafter mentioned. All the distilled Liquor being most odorate, and like Aqua arden's easily conceiving flame, put into high cucurbits, and by gentle heat of Baln. separate from the phlegm; and in a cold place in glasses well closed, keep them. Afterward increase the fire, and urge the phlegm, which separated from the oil, also set by for use. In the mean while calcine the above reserved feces in fire of Athanor, for the space of five days in a vessel very firmly closed, as Geber in the 50th. Chap. of the first Book, etc. in the following words teacheth. The way of calcination of spirits is, that unto them being nigh to fixation, fire be successively administered, and increased by degrees, that they fly not until they come to be able to abide the greatest fire; and the vessel containing them, must be of glass, round in the bottom, and indifferent thick, and well closed, that it melt not. And, as Lul saith, lest inflammation be caused. Or according to Alphidius, lest the spirits vanish into air, and what is sought after, be not obtained. Afterward the vessel being open, give fire to it by degrees, that the black feces may be made of an Ash colour. From which a salt with the former reserved phlegm, must be extracted, which filter and coagulate. Afterward dissolve the same salt in the latter reserved phlegm, until it be pure; then with moderate fire dry it. Of this Salt ℞. ℥ ij. digest it in Baln. for three days. Afterward, by gentle heat of Baln. distil off the unsavoury water, which keep apart. Reiterate the same operation, until the salt shall with its proper salt armoniac be impregnated, and augmented to double the weight it was before, or somewhat more; or until the spirit shall be distilled off from the salt, as sharp and as strong as when first poured on. Then put the salt in a convenient vessel to be sublimed in ashes for two days space, administering fire by degrees. So the matter will be sublimed to the sides of the vessel, most white like ●ow: this is called the true salt armoniac of Philosophers. Of this salt armoniac take ℥ j Of the rectified spirit ℥ iiiij. Mix them together, and digest them for two days. Afterward distil with cohobations, unti● the whole Milk shall ascend with the spirit. This triune matter must be circulated until the exaltaiion shall answer your desire. Thus you will have the Quintessence of Corals; a Celestial Substance, free from all earthy feces: the Vegetable and Mineral Mercury; the most solid Philosophic KEY, opening what bodies you will, for preparing them into Medicines of admirable virtues; being only known to all true Philosophers. FINIS. The TABLE of the Precedent Work. A Alchemy defined Page 1 Alcohol defined Page 24 Amalgamation Page 25 Aqua fortis, and the sorts Page 50 B Balsams Of Cinnamon Of Sulphur Page 71 Of Saturn Page 72 bezoardic metallic. Page 106 C Chemical Medicines m●st pleasing Page 3 Impress not a depraved disposition Page 15 ●●m●●ed with the vulgar Page 18 〈◊〉 ●ymist: ●●●nation Page 24 ●●●●nation. Of Common Salt Of Salt Peter Of Mineral Crystal Page 81 Of Lapis Prunella Of Vitriol Of the Sponge Stone Of Crystal Page 82 Of Silver Marchasite Of Antimony Page 84, 85, 87 Of Mercury Page 89 Of Saturn Of Jupiter Page 99 Of Mars Page 101 Of Venus' Page 103 Of Luna ib. Of Sol Page 104 Crocus of Metals Page 86 Corrosion Page 25 Cementation Cinefaction Page 26 Cohobation Page 29 Circulation Page 34 D DIstillation Page 28 by Descent by Deliquium Page 30 Digestion Page 31 Diaph●retick Antimony Page 88 Cinnabar Page 96 Ceraun●cryson Page 107 ☿ of Venus Page 96 Jupiter Page 100 E EMpyreuma how corrected Page 10 Extraction Page 27 Extracts Of Sena Of Rhubarb Page 74 Emetic powder Page 85 Essential Salts Of Herbs Of Tartar Page 108 F Fumigation Page 26 Flowers Of Benzoin Of Sulphur Page 114 Of Antimony Page 115 L LUting for Glasses Page 39 Luting of Sapience Page 38 Laudanum Page 76 Liver of Antimony Page 86 M MAceration Page 33 Menstruum why so called Page 33, 34 Mercurius vitae Page 85, 124 Mercury precipited Page 93 & 97 Mann● of Mercury Page 117 Magisteries Of Pearls Of Corals Of Tartar Page 118 Of Sulphur Page 119 O OIls of Eggs Page 61 Of Sage Of Wax Page 62 Of Turpentine Of Cloves Page 63 Of Tartar per deliquium Of Amber Page 64 for the Hemi●rania for the Womb Page 65 Of Tiles Of Sulphur Of Salt Page 66 Of Vitriol Page 68 Of Antimony Page 69 P THe three Princip●● defined, and demonstrated Page 20, 21, 22, 23 Precipitation Page 25 Putrefaction Page 34 Panchymagogon Page 75 Q QUint essence Of Humane Blood Page 127 Of Wine Page 130 Of Corals Page 133 R Reverberation Page 26 Rectification Page 29 Rules for distillation Page 42 Regulus of Antimony Page 87 Regulus of ♂ stellate Page 88 S SOlution Page 19 Stratification Page 25 Sublimation Page 27 Sublimate ☿ Page 115 Sublimate Sol Page 123 Spirits Of Wine Page 52 Of Wine Tartarisate Page 123 Of Tartar Of Turpentine Page 53 Of Sulphur Of Vitriol Page 54 Of Nitre Of Saturn Page 58 ●●l●s Of Tartar Page 109 Of Corals Of Colcothar Page 110 Of Saturn Page 113 T TInctures Liquid Of dry Roses Of Violet's Page 70 Treacle of Germany Page 75 Soft Tinctures Of Honey Of Saffron Of Sugar Page 78 Of Sulphur Of Coral Page 79 Solid Tinctures Of Antimony Page 120 Of Vitriol Page 121 V VInegar distilled and Alkalisate Page 60 Vomative Vitriol Vitriol of Mars Page 111 Vitriol of Venus Page 112 W Waters' Of Roses Of Succory Page 48 Of Cinnamon Of Fennel Page 49 Of Oak Of Box Of Juniper Of Guaiacum ib. FINIS. Books sold by Thomas Passenger at the three Bibles on London Bridge. MArkham's Master Piece. 4 to. Dod on the Commandments. Academy of Compliments Pichard on Sanctification. The Spiritual Antidote, by Mr. Tho Doolitell. The Wise Virgin, or a Narrative of the Life of Martha Hattfield. The Book of Palmistry and Physiognomy in octav. The Book of Knowledge in three parts, containing Astrology, Physic, and Husbandry, full of variety, both for Profit and Pleasure. The History of Valentine and Orson in 4 to. The Penitent Prodigal, or a gracious Reproof to Pharisaical Saints.