A BRIEF Examination and Censure OF Several Medicines, of late years Extolled for Universal remedies, and Arcana's of the highest preparation;  
BEING Indeed some of them trivial toys, by mistake cried up for what they are not, others dangerous virulent venoms faslely commended for rare wonderworking mysteries;  
Namely, Lockyers' pill, Hugh's powder, Constantine's Spirit of Salt, with several other of that kind, by which the Art of Pyrotechny is in danger of being brought into Reproach and Contempt.  
From the injury of which pretenders true Chemistry is vindicated, and the disguise plucked off from Counterfeit Artists, who are discovered to be a pack of ignorant Sciolists; and vainglorious Boasters of what they know not, nor can perform.  
By George Starkey, who is a Philosopher by the Fire.  
Licenced September the 30. 1664.  
LONDON, Printed for the Author 1664.   

A BRIEF Examination and Censure OF Several Medicines of late years Extolled for Universal remedies, and Arcana's of the Highest preparation.  
IN the year 1651. and continuing from that time till 1655. I began publicly to use in my Medicinal practice, several succedaneous remedies for the Cure of Diseases, (acute especially) of which in my Nature's explication, and helmont's vindication, as also in my Pyrotechny asserted and illustrated, I gave a faithful account, and my Medicines were grown famous without Bills or Books, both in City and Country; at last one Mr. Mathews prevailed with me so far, as to impart unto him my middle way for preparation and correction of Vegetables, in defect of he great Dissolvent of Helmont and Para●elsus, namely by alcalizate Salts and oils essential united together by a long digestion, and reiterated imbibitions.  
This way of preparation although a true natural way, yet at the best and highest, is but a succedaneous or middle process to that of the great Circulate, and this by me communicated, the most inferior of its kind, as I have elsewhere more fully declared: For first it was wholly Vegetable, whereas by the same way Mineral Sulphurs might be extracted, Corrected and Exalted, and joined with the Vegetable composition, by which it would have been improved in virtue an hundred fold. But secondly, it was not by far the noblest Vegetable preparation, which that way leads unto; For, I have upon occasion, not only made an union of the Salt and oil, but also circulated them into a true volatile Spirit, and with them extracted Aromatic and Balsamic tinctures, which being truly essentificated, are by Paracelsus called Vina essata, of which in my Pyrotechny asserted I have discoursed fully and plainly, which Helmont speaks of in his Book of Fevers, in these words. He that knows how to turn the oil of Cinnamon, Cloves, etc. into the nature of a volatile Saline Spirit, hath at command a powerful Medicine, for the Asthma Consumption; Palsy, Apoplexy, and inveterat Vertigo, or swimming of the head, etc. which will perform as much as can be expected from any Vegetable remedy.  
However, as I elsewhere have written more at large, that way of preparation is a true natural way, and of very general use in the practice of Physic, for (frustra fit per plura, quod fieri potest per pauciora) multitudes of truculent diseases very violent and acute, are by effectual abstersives safely, speedily and pleasantly taken away, without danger of relapse. But where the disease respects the Spirits chief, or where in acute diseases the Spirits are oppressed, or violently enraged (the vital spirits I mean) there such purely defecated remedies are required, that may insinuate themselves into, and relieve the languishing fountain of life.  
Otherwise a powerful abstersive, (especially if it have a pacative virtue mixed with it to pacify the enraged Archaeus) will perform the desires of both Patient and Physician in Surfeits, Colds, Coughs, Fluxes, Fevers, Pleurisies, tormenting gripes of wind in the Stomach or Bowels, running pains in the joints or limbs, oppression of the Stomach, want of Appetite Digestion, Rest, or the like. And so far my pill communicated to Mr. Mathews is of general use, that almost in any distemper, that ordinarily afflicts the body, it may be given with credit to the Physician, and Comfort to the Patient, as in my vindication of this Pill from the unlearned Alchemist, and all other pretenders, I have sufficiently declared; to which I remit the Reader, as also to my Pyrotechny, and Nature's Explication for larger, yea, full satisfaction.  
My Pill then which Mr Mathews challenged for many years, is a true Correction of the lethal qualities of Opium, in which is not only an eminent pacative virtue, but experience shows it to be admirably abstersive, by both sweat, and urine, which abstersive quality is heightened and advanced by the Oils and Salt, as also by the addition of some or other abstersive simples as Hellebore, black or white, Asarum, Briony etc. which are also by the aforesaid Corrector of Oil and Salt totally stripped of all their malignity, whose virtues being joined together make an excellent Febrifuge, and a singular remedy for Coughs and Fluxes.  
Which preparation by much experience in these nine years (since I taught Mr. Mathews to make it) I have amended and advanced beyond credit, yet the unlearned Alchemist making use of the press, hath made his more ordinary Pill so famous in City and Country, that the repute of the Author is swallowed up in the larger stream of his Credit and Fame, Yea, although those who know me, and deal with me, find so great difference in goodness between mine and his, that they would scarce buy of that sort from me at any rate, yet I find that as long as they that learned of him, and his Widow, print every day Bills and Books, and by advertisements in the News-book give notice far and near of their preparations, if I be silent, I shall spend my time in obscurity, by which means people who never read my Books, nor heard of me, will not know me to be the Author, so I shall lose the credit of my Secret, nor perhaps will ever understand how much I have mended this preparation, and in more difficult cases, how far exceeding remedies I do and can prepare: but thinking this to be the best that can be had (the unlearned Alchemist foolishly boasting it beyond its limits of virtue) will sit down either content with this inferior sort, when far nobler may be had, or hearken out after some other things which of late are grown famous, but are indeed dangerous venoms, as I shall by and by more at large set forth.  
At the least this medicine being now fallen into many hands, will as all things do of the like nature, grow daily worse and worse, which as it will be a great loss to those that are concerned in the need of it, so it will fall as an inevitable disgrace upon the Art, and redound to my both damage and discredit.  
For Mr. Mathews was by me taught my most common way then in use, which he did not follow with that Candour as he should, and might, but grasping at a vast trade, did too shamefully prevaricate in the direction he had from me, as Mr. Kendal, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Luddington, and Mrs. Marden know, by which neglect his Pills bind the body obstinately, and cause the next day giddiness, great drought, faintings, dejected appetite, suspension of wind, fottish drowsiness, etc. for want of the closing hand of a true Artist, which he, hasty to get a trade, neglected at first, to advise with me concerning, and having wronged me in using my secret as his own, in his own name, had not the face afterwards to address himself to me to learn to mend, so that although much good be done by his pill, yet far less than might be done thereby, if those symptoms had been by full and complete preparation taken away, which affright some from meddling with them, and dishearten others so as to make them weary of, and leave using them.  
Therefore I did according to the dictate of reason, and impulsion of necessity in a short Tractate vindicate that preparation from all pretenders, and have pitched upon one general Pill or powder, which will be more efficacious than that of Mr. Mathews, or any other publicly made by many degrees, and have given a short Index or Catalogue of other secrets, with description of the virtue, and directions for the use of this and them, the time, dose, and manner of ordering the patiented in applying them, and in what cases they are chief effectual.  
For the necessity of that vindication, and Catalogue, this Apology I hope will be satisfactory to rational persons, and for others I shall take little notice whether they are pleased or discontented. As for the shortness of that Tractate I shall say no more, but that it is a necessary direction of such whom it concerns, what is to be had for recovering their health and where, and how to make use of what is directed, for which end, short and plain advice is requisite, and sufficient. They that would have the Philosophy and reason of things at large, for satisfying their judgements, I commend them to my writings already extant, and I shall God willing hereafter send forth what other Tractates I have promised, which the studious in the Art of Pyrotechny expect, and have for some years desired, but shall not be long delayed for future.  
Thus having made a fair and friendly end with the unlearned Alchemist and his followers, I meet a many headed Chemical Monster, which I must encounter, or else the Art of Pyrotechny will be in danger of Contempt, scorn, and reproach, which I shall not willingly suffer to be cast upon it, at least, with colour of reason, and appearing just grounds.  
For of late years the formerly contemned Art of Pyrotechny, gins to have many favourers, and I may without boasting say, at least ten for one. Since I sent forth my Apology for Helmont, and his way of Medicine, which was seconded by my Pyrotechny asserted, etc. and now a man would bless himself to think what a number of Coleburners there are, and how they daily multiply, many of whom one could scarce imagine of any other extraction, but that they grew out of some dunghill: such heteroclyte pieces of Mortality, as Weavers, Tailors, Butchers, Cobblers, and who not, of late have thrown aside their bodkin and thimble, last, awl, and shuttle, and are become (Asini ad lyram) like so many Apes in a Carpenter's work-room, Philosophers of the date of Ionas Gourd, which sprung up in a night, flourished for a day, was smitten the next night, and the second day withered, and became scarce fit for the fire.  
A man might persuade himself that the world were lately drowned in ignorance, as the Poet's fable it was once with waters, in Deucalion's time, after which Cataclysm he and his wife Pyrrha, were taught to throw stones over their backs, which soon after became men and women, and so repeopled the universe, in imitation of whom some Chemist or other surely hath lately cast logs of wood over his back, from whence have sprung up such stupid, blockish Philosophers, as are or may be the scorn & derision of Art and ingenuity itself.  
These Mushrooms in Philosophy dream of themselves that they are tall Cedars in Chemistry, and from the Dark bosom of Nothing, they straightway soar to the pitch of Universality in Medicine. It is enough for them to get a Catalogue of diseases, which though they can scarce spell in true Orthography, yet will promise to cure them certainly, with an etc. That if any more diseases either are, or hereafter happen to be, woe be to them at all adventure, they have a wonder-doing trifle, that shall destroy them as soon as they appear. I long debated with myself whether or no I should meddle with this generation of boasting bubbles, and their baubles, or let them go unregarded, as not worth the notice taking of a true son of Art, and though the latter course more pleased me, and suited my genius, rather to scorn and neglect them, then do them so much honour and credit, as to examine and refute them; yet at last I resolved not to pass them over in silence, among many other, for these special reasons.  
1. First because I having publicly Vindicated the Excellency of Chemistry from its real adversaries, and professed enemies, and my Books being taken notice of in the world (I may say with modesty) not without approbation of many that are learned and judicious, not in this Nation only, but in foreign Countries and Kingdoms, it may be justly expected, that I who have defended this Art from the injuries of open adversaries, should not suffer it to be reproached by the absurd pretences of seeming Friends. For if on the one hand trifles be cried up with the Eulogies of powerful Arcana's, and on the other hand dangerous Venoms boasted to the world for true universal remedies, what a door will by this means be opened to Calumny, there is none so blind, but may easily perceive.  
2. Secondly, I having promised to the world in my last published Tractate of Pyrotechny, that I would expose to public sale true Chemical medicines, with large description of their virtues, and full directions for their use, and the performance of this my promise having been delayed, for these several years, in the mean time this spurious offspring coming abroad, with glorious titles, and golden promises abusing and deceiving the simple and unwary. What may people think, or can they imagine, but that these medicines are indeed such as were by me commended, or that I know and approve them to be of that virtue and Excellency which the Books written of them do boast in their praise; or at least that I know no other that are better? There can be in reason no other conjecture made of my silence, in case I should let pass without animadversion these Chemical mockeries: and well it were, if that were all, for some of them are so virulently malignant, and dangerously venomous, that I cannot but concur in the censure of noble Helmont concerning them, to wit, that Antimony so long as it causeth vomits, and Mercury while it may be revived (and that it will easily be so long as its infamous salivative Venom remains uncorrected) are not remedies fit for an honest man to use.  
3. Thirdly, Since it hath been known that I was Author of that Pill for which Mr. Mathews was famous for many years, it is now the judgement of many that I am either Author of, or have a hand in, whatever Chemical medicine is cried up, and hath a name in City and Country, and consequently whatever infamy they shall deserve for future, either upon the score of their insufficiency, for what they are commended, or villainy in operation, will in the opinion of many blemish my reputation, unless I publicly disown and protest against them.  
4. The Art itself will be in hazard of contempt and being rejected, if not of hatred and being abhorred, when people shall observe partly the ridiculous effect of some trivial toys, and partly the desperate operation of some other churlish venoms, which yet both the one, and the other, are highly extolled for true universal secrets in medicine, and rare efficacious mysteries in nature, by pitiful ignorant Sciolists, who are masters of nothing but ignorant confidence.  
5. It would confirm the old scandal, that hath been from the beginning thrown upon Chemical medicines, to wit, that they are full of Danger, and quickly either Kill or Cure. Now it behoves him that would be a Champion for Pyrotechny to meet with these reproaches betime, and nip them in the Bud.  

Frustra Medicina paratur Cum malaper longas invaluëre moras.  
6. Unless this remedy of disclaiming such Chemical fooleries be seasonably (that is, speedily applied) the abused people finding their expectation (once & again) deluded by such quacking Empirics, will in a short time come to suspect all Chemical preparations, for such as they, or others, with little or no profit, perhaps to their Cost, and Extreme hazard have Experienced. They will at last startle at the very name of a Chemical medicine, as at the appearance of some ghastly Ghost or spectrum. Away will one cry with your Chemistry, for such a time I took an universal Pill or Powder, and escaped very narrowly of being sent by it on a fools errand out of the world: besides such a person took it, who in few days, or perhaps not many hours, was so perfectly cured thereby of all diseases, as to lie covered with a Tombstone. Such true reports of the pernicious effects of some Catholic venom, will stick as an indelible blot of infamy, to blemish true and real Chemical medicines, unless the disguise be plucked off from such counterfeit preparations, under which they march with the greatest confidence imaginable, promising wonders, though upon no ground, and without the least truth, to the disgrace of Pyrotechny, and its true Adept sons, except the Cheat of them be discovered and laid open to the world.  
7. And lastly, I have been almost wearied with solicitations, both by word of mouth, and letters from several persons here in Town, and living in divers parts of the Country, to know what my judgement is concerning such and such (highly extolled) medicines. Whom not to undeceive and disabuse, lying in my power to do it, would in effect be the same as to abuse them. Qui non prohibet malum (quod potest) jubet.  
And so I come at length to answer the importunities of such who have requested my opinion and Censure of the forementioned perparations, and shall begin with that known by the name of   

Lockyers' Pill, or Pillula extracta Radiis solis.  
Concerning which I have seen and read a Tractate Written, likewise Tables on a board exposed commending it without either Reaon or measure. Who was first Godfather to the Pill, I know not, but its name at the Beginning was as absolute an Abortive in Grammar, as the Pill itself was in Philosophy, and Pyrotechny, and was called Pilluradii Extractus solus, the interpretation of which would puzzle a Synod of Grammarians, though since the Pill hath learned so much true Latin, as to proclaim its name Pillula radiis solis extracta, which was the meaning of the former barbarous denomination, as might be collected from its gaping, rather than speaking.  
By which licking of its name till it had some tolerable shape, as Bears are said to lick their whelps, and by other manifest symptoms, it appears that the Book in commendation of this new bauble, was midwifed into the world by some of the forlorn hope of the Schools of learning, in reading which with seriousness, I was surprised with a double admiration. First, That any man of common discretion, should run into such Extravagant sesquipedantick Rodomontades in praise of a preparation, which is (absit invidia dictis) one of the poorest, meanest, and most vulgar, that is or can be made of Antimony by the fire. Secondly, That such a pitiful toy, and more pitiful Scribble in praise of it, should among any that pretend to reason find other acceptance than derision, his brags concerning it appearing at first view so palpably gross, as to try the faith of a Solifidian, for confirmation of which wonderful effects, to have nothing but the (ipse dixit) of one, who in his too lavish boastings would outdo a professed Mountebank, and yet to find so much credit as to become famous, speaks the levity and madness of the people advanced to such a degree and height, as to incur the censure of Orestes himself, when most distracted.  
Those expressions which I findused in its commendation, viz. that it is the best thing which ever he met with or desires, may in some sense be true, and we have an English proverb fit to the purpose, Give a fool or a child a bauble, and he will not leave it for a noble. Gold itself may be, and oft is overvalued by a wise man, no marvel then if a butterfly or a play-toy be overprized by a Schoolboy. And a pretty play-toy I must confess this is, if that were all, nor should I ever censure it, if it did not play with the skins and lives of mankind.  
I shall not say of this Pill that it is preparatio insulsa, having in it a double Salt, to wit, common and Salt-petre, but this I shall confidently affirm of it, and the Charcoal in it will confirm my sentence, that it is Nigro carbone notanda.  
He that shall commend this, or any other preparation like unto this so highly as I find that to be, if his breast assents to the truth of what he writes with his pen, deserves to be sent from the School of Vulcan to pick Salads with Nabuchadnezzar, till the dew of Heaven have cooled his overheated noddle, so as to understand himself, and his operations a little better than he doth.  
The preparation is at best but a Crocus of Antimony, and so much more churlish than the common made as the Apothecaries prepare it by flushing with ana of Saltpetre, by how much the nearer it comes glass, or vitrum of Antimony. For the Charcoal, and Sea-salt which are mixed in the composition, give it an easier fluxibility in the fire, which quickens and makes more active, doth no way extinguish, correct or diminish the virulency of Antimony. As for instance, Let one part of Antimony be calcined with three parts of Saltpetre, the Calx (if the work be well done) will be very white, from which the saltness being separated by hot water, and the powder dried, it is then called Antimonium Diaphoreticum, which may be given from ten to 30. grains, without any vomitive effect ordinarily, but if this powder before the Salt be washed from it, be melted in a Crucible by a strong fire, then poured forth, and dulcified with warm water, and after dried, it gives a powder in colour rather whiter than the forementioned Antimonium Diaphoreticum, but in its churlish vomitive quality equal either to Crocus or vitrum itself. So it is proportionably in this mock-preparation disguised under the name of Panacaea Aurea, or Pillula radiis solis extracta, which two preparations (I would have the reader take notice) are the same and Synonymous, and do really excelse ordinary Crocus in their venom's rigour, and this is the highest attainment (after infinice brags and boastings) of these bungling Sophisters, whose idle rhapsodies deserve rather a satirical derision, than any other kind of Confutation.  
Let no man bless himself with hopes of the Pills excellency, by reason of the small dose in which it is administered, for since its natural, ordinary, and proper effect is forcibly to provoke vomit, the lesser the dose is, the greater and quicker malignity it argues in that which is administered. As for the great cures that are noised about, and attributed to this Pill, I doubt not but these reports (upon moderate enquiry) will be found to be like to the shearing of hogs, where the squeaking far exceeds the wool. I would not be understood as though I deny a possibility of great and unexpected cures by this means but say, that they are adventured on with danger and hazard, by reason of deficiency in the Antimonies correction. Nor a hundreth part so notable and certain cures, as may be made by Antimony totally corrected, exalted, glorified and perfected, besided the absolute safety joined with sovereign Excellency in such true preparations, which in these uncorrected venoms is not to be expected. But lastly, compare this with other preparations of Antimony, which were once famous, till their desperate danger, (that is inseparable from the virtue of such false operations) brought them at last to become deservedly infamous, and see if there be any thing new in this, transcending them; nay, if there be any odds, it is, that this not so effectual and safe as some of them.  
For there are several processes in Antimony, the products of which, at their first coming upon the stage have been extolled to the the Heavens, yet wanting real worth to confirm and make good their commendations, they have in short time been laid aside, like a cracked Bagpipe, or instrument out of tune, though their first appearance in public was ussherd in with as large a Catalogue of Cures, as this is or can be. For (as Basilius Valentine truly saith, The virtues of Antimony are so great, and inexplicable, that no mortal man can ever be able to search out the bottom of its secrets and mysteries. Even crude as it comes out of the earth it is of great virtue. Howbeit it is nothing so powerful, penetrative, abstersive, and renovative in its gross substance, nor in any preparation that doth not extinguish its venom, as it is when its central profundity is by art manifested, and its Arcanum made to appear. Of which I shall God-willing write more fully in a peculiar tractate concerning the mysteries of Antimony. Here I shall only compare this new invention, with other old ones of the like kind, to see if we can find any thing peculiar herein, that excels the others; and upon serious and sober enquiry, I find no such thing. The relief that the sick may expect hence, is no other, then that which a man half starved may receive from a loaf of Bread fastened to the point of a sharp spear, and darted at him, the loaf may refresh his hunger-pincht stomach, and save his life, but the deadly spear threatens as much or more danger, than the bread promiseth relief. The tree of life is guarded with armed and angry Cherubims, whose flaming sword is to be taken away by the true Artist, that so the restoring fruit may be enjoyed with profit and safety, but trust me this Absaloms' pillar will perfom no such thing. Yet it may answer expectation in keeping up the name and memory. Erostratus who burned Diana's Temple Eternised his memory, when the bvilders of it lie buried in oblivion. A famous Quack will be longer remembered than a skilful Doctor of ordinary practice, but the memory of one and the other differs exceedingly. Thais of Corinth hath outlived the remembrance of all the noble Matrons, and honest women, that were coetaneous with her, and so Lockyers' Pill may be more durable than a Grave-stone, but so as to be contemned, derided, and become the byword of every Practitioner, when the remembrance of its formet credit and esteem, will add to its present and future infamy. Such a name I would not envy.  
With what applause did the Antimonial cup court the world, and that of late years? of which an Ancient Divine, published a book in its praise, boasting of as many cures done by it, as might serve for a prologue on a Mountebanks stage at Tower-hill or Smithfield. Besides, the writings of most profound Philosophers, were tortured upon the Rack of that Author's Ingeny, to make them confess that all the excellency which in their most deep and mysterious sentences, they boast to be in their hidden Elixirs and Mercury is true of this Chemical toy. And I dare affirm on my Credit, nor do I doubt but my experience in the Art of Pyrotechny, will be believed by those that know me, sufficient to allow me for a competent judge in this case, that the effects of the Antimonial Cup equal at least, if they exceed not the effects of this (so called) Golden Panacaea, or Pills extracted by the Solar rays, of which I may say truly, It is tituli magniloqui trufa, at the best an Ape clad in a jacket of tissue, where the gay clothing doth only add to the beasts deformity. But let all sons of Art know, that diseases are not to be chased away with swelling titles, and bombast names.  
What need I mind the Reader of the fame which once the Crocus of Antimony had in the world, the infusion whereof was by Rulandus an eminent Germane Doctor entitled (aqua benedicta) to which he attributes many Centuries of cures, prodigiously admirable, yea almost incredible. Nor hath the vitrum of Antimony wanted both its favourers and admirers, as I could name several Authors both famous and learned. So also Mercurius vitae, reckoned by Bilichius as the Apex of Chemical preparations, though he erroneously ascribes that offspring to the parent Mercury (from whom also it hath its name) yet it is indeed wholly the product of Antimony, as experience may make it appear to any that is ingenious in the School of Vulcan, by ocular demonstration, beyond denial or doubt.  
All these and many other preparations of Antimony, (too tedious here to name) had their time of being extolled almost for working of Miracles, yet because of their malignant virulency, have at length been laid aside as so many dangerous fiends, not to be conjured up in Medicine, without the help, Art, and advice of a very skilful Exorcist, or Doctor.  
Such a Devil in a new dress, is this lately invented Pill, as by an ordinary flux may be made to appear in a quarter of an hour, by which means these Pills will quickly and easily give at least a third part of their weight in Regulus, to the inexcusable disgrace of him that prepares and commends them, who very disingeniously, and without the least truth (as I am informed) denies them to be at all Antimonial, of which nevertheless they are the most contemptible preparation.  
As for the Sunbeams which the title page, and the very name of the Pill promise, or seem to promise, I am confident the Master of the Pill cannot tell what he understands himself, or would have others to understand by the Periphrasis. Whether they be extracted, prepared, and maturated by the Sunbeams, as the Grammar sense carries it, or they are brought to perfection by the influence of Gold, figuratively called the Sun by Philosophers, or at least have the quality, nature and virtue, and do that in the Microcosm, which the Sun doth in the Macrocosm, let what will be the Reason of that title, if they be not made by the beams or heat of the Sun, or dried up, and brought to a Consistence thereby, it is a groundless insipid denomination. It is a new name signifying just nothing. Men are said to be judged by the names they give to their Children, sure I am, Philosophers may be judged by the titles they give to their secrets. Here is a secret of whose name and title we may say, as the Angel once said of his name to Manoah, It is wonderful! Wonderful to me, what affinity Charcoal, Sea-salt, Saltpetre, and Antimony have with the Sunbeams? what the Crucible the mixture is melted in? the fire that melts it? the water that dulcifies it? the Sugar, Gums, etc. that make the powder into a Pill, any of these, or all put together, he that can make out to my understanding, how they denote the Solar rays, either really or analogically, shall be my Oedipus: till than my wonder will and must continue.  
Howbeit as I before hinted out of Basilius Valentine, in Antimony are most noble arcana's hidden, but not to be prepared by the hand of every ignorant Sciolist, concerning which this caution of Helmont is universally true, and not to be neglected, that Antimony, while it causeth vomit, and ☿ while Salivative are not medicaments fit for an honest man to use.  
If any shall object that Lockyers' Pill works with some scarce perceptibly, I answer, so will the Antimonial Cup, Crocus, or vitrum of Antimony, in a full dose with some robust natures; but this universal Pill, or rather poison, is given in so small dose at first and gradually increased, that scarce Arsenic, Orpiment, or Realgar would prove lethally dangerous, if given in the same quantity, which beguiling nature with an insufficient dose, and gradual administration, is a pernicious prevarication against the sure rules of the true Art of Medicine, which prescribe, that whatever noxious is given internally, be given with great caution in respect of the party's strength, age, and other circumstances, yet in a sufficient quantity to work itself out, lest by this means of imposing on nature's discretion, with a virulent venom given in a too small dose, an enemy be lodged within, ready upon occasion to work an inevitable mischief, when nature beguiled by the small dose of an absolute poison shall be least ware of it, and not able to prevent, or remedy it, for where the Archaeus of the stomach is not sufficiently provoked to vomit, nor the pylorus, mesaraicks, and bowels to an artificial dysentery, or purging, (as it hath fallaciously got a name) there at least provident nature involves the offensive powder (or Pill) in a phlegmatic enclosure (as a spider doth a fly in its web) and so gradually as more is taken in it covers it, till with the heat of the stomach and continuance, this secondine break or dissolve, then follow continual vomitings, and looseness with Syncope's, deliquias, and other tragical symptoms, and perhaps the life of the Patient pays for the folly of the ignorant Artist; at least an indelible malignant Character is imprinted upon the bowels, and viscera, which by no Art perhaps is after to be remedied, or with extreme difficulty. Hence arise continual palpitations of the heart, involuntary sigh, oppression of the vitals, with most difficult breathing, as durable as the life, to the amazement and horror of beholders. And truly it was to gratify the importunate requests of several, who from Bristol, Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Kent, Surry, Sussex, etc. have solicited my opinion of these Pills, with reciting several apparent, undeniable, inexcusable tragedies ensuing after, and caused by the taking of them, that caused me thus far to travel in the Anatomy of them, and discovering their true nature, virtue, and danger, that a record may be for future in behalf of Pyrotechny, that the Philosopher by the fire hath publicly protested against them, and given caution to that purpose.  
No less Dangerous is that Mercurial preparation not more famous about the Town and in the Country, for its monstrous price, then infamous for its salivative quality, of which an ounce of fine gold is but the purchase of eight grains, and that quantity exceeds a single dose but one grain. This powder is only Bradshaw revived with a double value set upon the medicine by his successor. It is an odd and old folly of the vulgar, to value the goodness and excellency of a thing according to its price, so that it is become a proverb, far fetched, and dear bought is for Ladies: but if it were truly known how little this powder in virtue exceeds common and ordinary precipitate, men would hardly be persuaded to give after the rate of two hundred and forty pounds an ounce for it, and might have the common that wants little or nothing of its goodness for less than a shilling.  
Yet if the detrimnet of the purse were all the mischief that attended this old new invention, I could be content to let it pass; and suffer the people to be lashed for the itch of their curiosity with a silver whip. But when that comes to be hazarded by it, that is so far better than estate, (even the life of man kind,) for which to redeem it from the pit, man would willingly give, not only all that he enjoyeth, but skin for skin besides; in such a case I cannot let it pass without notice and censure, that if men will be foolish, and hazard their lives, and health to extreme danger, by adventuring on unfaithful remedies; it may be on their own score, and not be imputed to the insufficiency of the Art, which is properly the fault of ignorant, yet confident Artists.  
The preparation is only a precipitate of ☿, and if any Gold be added in precipitation, if the precipitation be made with a Corrosive, it is at best a delusion, for what dissolves meddles not with Gold, nor will aqua regia that dissolves gold, work on it alike, when mixed with ☿, or if they were corroded together, or by bare digestion precipitated, without a corrosive, so long as there is no alteration, nor union of their natures, the product is inconsiderable, the ☿ is not in the least amended of its salivative venom, nor is the body of ☉ in the least opened or altered, but as to all medicinal virtue is dead; as it was before precipitation; so that it is a clog (if any thing) to the ☿; but gold reducible as before: for trial, let this powder be put in a small crucible, in a heat of fusion for ☽, or a smaller degree, the ☿ goes away in a white smoke, and if a piece of gold be held over the fume in a pair of tongs, the ☿ straightway cleaves to it, and whitens it, and stands in a pearly dew of crude ☿, if any part abide, that may be gold or silver; but because it is corporally metalline, (as it was before) it adds nothing of medicinal virtue to the ☿. I deny not but in Corrosive dissolutions, the Corroded metal or ☿, may and doth give a determination of efficacy to the coagulated salt of the dissolving spirit, as it is in the Lunar Pills, of which the honourable Robert Boyl Esquire hath written much in their commendation. But where ☿ is dissolved by a Corosive, the product becomes too churlish to be given (almost in any dose) without washing away the Corrosive salts by warm water, and when at the sweetest (that water can bring it too) the ☿ still impresses on those atoms of salt which remain its odious quality of salivation, and tormenting the the Intestines and viscera; that oft times the tragical operation thereof, becomes a spectacle of horror and astonishment. And though ☿ may have many, and those excellent virtues, in its own nature, (as the Elegy of John Woodall a famous Chirurgeon testifies in its praise) yet till a true Philosophical preparation thereof be made, it is attended with so manay infamous qualities, and dangerous symptoms, as justly to brand the unadvised user thereof, with a mark of ignorance at best, if not of unfaithfulness and dishonesty.  
The ground of mistake in those that work both on ♁ and ☿, is the Commendation that is truly given by the sons of Art to the Arcana's that by the labour of wisdom, are to be prepared out of both, such are the Corrallatum or Precipiolum of Paracelsus, which is his Diaceltatesson, (of which I have written in my Catalogue and Index of medicines by me prepared, with directions for their use etc.) which cures radically the Gout, and Lues, all Fevers, the Dropsey, and Ulcers of the Lungs, Kidneys and Bladder, the Horizontal gold also, which is truly universal, the Sacharine Ens, or Laudanum of ☿ the Lily of ♁, the stone of the fire of Basilius Valentine, with other of the like nature, which mundify, cleanse and restore nature, so as to renew the hair, the skin, and teeth, and powerfully extirpate all diseases radically. After which secrets rash ignorant pretenders seeking long in vain, fall at last to actual imposture, and boast of trivial preparations in which the form of ♁ is only disguised, as if they were indeed these noble mysteries, when as they are only unfaithfully prepared, incorrected poisons, such (as pests in a Common wealth) deserve a black mark, that they may not be a real scandal and reproach to true sons of Art. To pluck off whose disguise is the end of this tractate. To undeceive also as many as I can who have been seduced by their boastings, and swelling words of vanity, to run too great a hazard of both life and health in trying their unfaithful remedies. For whose satisfactory information, let such learn from me, that the vomitive quality of ♁, and the salivative of ☿, do betray both their natures, as the Devil is reported to be betrayed by his cloven foot, that however they may be disguised, yet their form is not changed, but by an easy art, and in a little time, both may be returned to their pristine form, the ☿ to running quicksilver, and the ♁ to regulus. No marvel then if the hopes of such as make use of them be deluded to the unexcusable disgrace of the preparers and extollers of such dangerous secrets, whose rashness will, I hope, lie no longer as a blemish on true Pyrotechny, and it's Adept Sons.  
Besides, these who deal in ☿ and ♁ prepared with trivial mock preparations yet extolling their products to universality in medicine, there is another sort of Chemists, who like Whifflers in a show of Pageantry, serve only to make the Art of Pyrotechny appear ridiculous, some having gotten a knack by mistake esteem it for what it is not, and confidently so report of it, and give out concerning it both by word and writing, others lighting upon some specificks, which may be useful, and prescribed with credit to themselves, and the Art, in such cases for which they are peculiar, do by undue boasting and unreasonable commendations thereof, much bring their own judgement and the credit of the Art they profess, into suspicion and question. Of the first sort are they who cry up a spirit of Salt with the highest Elegy due to the best of its kind, which is truly made and prepared, yet instead of it, sell a pitiful rascal Phlegm of Salt, which hath truly none of the virtues which are duly ascribed to that which is faithfully prepared. Of the true spirit of Salt helmont's testimony is to be understood, that it hath not its peer or fellow for extinguishing the thirst that afflicts feverish persons, as also against the burning sharpness of urine, yea where the bladder is actually oppressed with a stone, as also in the stranguries of old persons, that it gradually diminsheth, and pleasantly brings away nephritical gravel and stones; It is also a most excellent Diuretic, and so very helpful in Hydropic, and Scorbutic Cases, cleansing and amending the blood by its balsamic quality. But let the Reader consider what spirit of Salt performs all this. It is that which is distilled from Spanish Salt, first decrepited, then melted in a Crucible, after dissolved among slices of Radish roots, than dried again, and mixed with calcined Potter's clay, and distilled by degrees of fire at first, & urged at last with the extreme fire of reverberation, and so continued till the Spirits be wholly drawn off. This Spirit is of a pleasant sent, very volatile, ponderous, tincted, and tightly crid, yet will not corrode common quicksilver, though in sharpness it equal the most rectified oil of Vitriol, and in weight, and is so volatile that you can no sooner open the glass, but the fumes in form of a smoke will soon fill the room. Whereas this spirit which lately is cried up in City and Country, is made of white Salt, not so much as dried from its moisture, which by lying in the air it contracts. The invention of drawing it, as to the instrument was Glaubers, which being of earth lets out all the subtle spirits, giving only the phlegm, which a small trial will demonstrate to any that is ingenious, for let that spirit be rectified with a very gentle fire, and all that is insipid thrown away (for it is worth nothing else) the residue of a whole pound will be so incredibly little, that a man who hath once made the experiment, would wonder at his own levity and vanity, to be deluded by so palpable a trifle, in a thing that concerns not his purse only, but his health and life also, for by relying on this broken staff for help, opportunity of seeking out elsewhere is lost, never to be recovered again, and this damage at least is got by promised help, where the thing on which the Patient relies for performance of what he expects, and the Doctor promiseth, cannot perform what it gives hopes of. Such may well be called cruel promises, where the life is engaged, and the effect in an ordinary way cannot, nor will answer expectation. Of this sort are several Chemical preparations, as namely Elixir proprietatis, the tincture of Corals, the Magistery of Pearls, etc. which have only the name of Paracelsus and helmont's secrets, but are not the things themselves. Such is the potable gold boasted of by some, in which is nothing of remark, but the cheat of it, and disapointment of expectation in him that useth it. Of this sort of potable gold that testimony of Gideon Harvey may be very true, that it hath no admirable virtue in it, but by reason of its Corrosive spirits (with which it is prepared) it hath to his knowledge caused dysenteries etc. which is no more than Helmont said before him, to wit, that in his Tyrociny he could by Corrosives make gold appear in the disguises of oil, Vitriol, and a spirit, yet he could never find in those preparations such virtues which the Adept Philosophers ascribe to the preparations of Gold extolled by them, nay rather he found better effect in the decoction of some simple then herein. But at last he perceived that gold without its true proper Corrosive is dead; till (I say) it be radically penetrated by its Corrosive, which as Paracelsus saith, is truly more noble than the gold itself. Nor is it impossible, but Dr. Harvey may hereafter come to find another far more secret potable gold, than any he hath seen yet, which may have other virtues then that which he mentions with such deserved contempt. Then he may have a far better esteem of Helmont then at present he manifests; when the whimsies of his natural Theology (little better than Scripture Atheism or Ethnic Divinity) his Graphical descriptions of the several divisions of the Chaos, his Metaphysical Dog-Cat, with other pretty Chimeras about fire, and the Elements, shall by riper years be wormed out of his brain, than he may fall into a more serious consideration of his latter end, set forth to him by the Emblems of his Deaths-head and flowerpot, and at last perhaps prove a Sober Philosopher. Till than I leave him for answer, to what he hath vomited up in disgrace of Helmont, to his further and more judicious reading of him; his Exceptions being so empty and weak, as to deserve no further answer, and his Book of Archeology so pitifully idle, as that it hath not the good luck of those Tractates which have of all others the worst fortune, to contain so much in it of real value, as to requite the Readers time that he spends in reading it.  
But to leave Dr. Harvey, and his potable gold, and come to what we further intent, namely, to discover the abuses under which the Art of Pyrotechny groans, and to disabuse the people who have been, and are deluded by such empty bubbles, in which besides a swelling outside there is nothing but air and vanity. I shall in brief resume what I have said before, and so conclude this my censure of unfaithful Chemical remedies, they are all of them mistakes in art, imposed on the credulous world for what they are not, of which some are truculent, and lethally dangerous, where, to wit, dangerous subjects are wrought upon, and the true preparation not understood by such Tyroes as too rashly adventure upon the work, yet they extol the products to the heavens for the true secrets of the Adepti, when indeed they are only false names of rare Arcana's put upon real venoms, where the preparation is not true, nor the product safe, such are Lockyers Pill, Hugh's powder, Mercurius vitae, commonly now known by that name, Aurum vitae, etc. with twenty several impostures of the like nature. Others are safe, being of subjects in which lies no danger, but for want of a due preparation, trivial and sophisticate. Such is Constantine's Phlegm of Salt, the common spirit of vitriol, the common Elixir proprietatis, Tincture of Coral, Oil of Amber, yea what spirit or oil is there, that for gain sake is not adulterated, or the preparation shuffled over, where the true way of doing it is troublesome and difficult, or perhaps not known. Every Tyro at his first entrance on the art of Chemistry, boasts himself straightway for a Colossus in Pyrotechny, and will adventure upon the most hidden mysteries, who knows not the keys by which natures Cabinet is unlocked. Hence it is, that while many boast of high Arcana's, and yet they and their secrets become at last deservedly contemptible, others who have some particular remedy not usual, with which more real good is done, then with these great mysteries (whose cruel danger makes them at last suspected by all, and abhorred by them, who know and have tried them) they take this opportunity of extolling this rarity of theirs for the Apex of Chemical preparations. Thus spirit of Hartshorn with some, spirit of Soot with others, (called by the name of ignis vitae) spirit of Dead men's bones with a third sort, are ignorantly and unadvisedly commended as true Panpharmaca, and so used by many, whereas they are only urinous spirits, and so abstersive, of which that of Hartshorn is the best, but nothing comparable to that spirit made of it, by the circulated salt of Helmont and Paracelsus; by which Hartshorn is turned into a lacteous spirit, and will reach the principles of our constitution, by which means such notable spirits do strengthen the balsom of life, & are powerfully renovative and restoring decayed strength, and the drooping vital spirits. Of this sort are Crabs eyes, Pearl, and the stones of vegetables, and animals, the shells also of Crabs, and fishes, yet so as that there are kinds and degrees of goodness among them, but their preparation must be performed by a true Key or agent, and not according to the slender skill of an illiterate Tyro, or ignorant Sciolist. In doing which, the concrets must be resolved by a spontaneous retrograde solution, and the primitive lactiform liquor separated totally from the dissolvent, which is the highest advancement those concretes can be brought to, in which are wonderful excellencies hidden, for such who have an inclination to nephritick Coaagulations of gravel, and stranguretical muccous viscidities in the bladder, which inclination though old and obstinate, such Arcana's remove, and by a restoring virtue confirm the Kidneys and bladder in their pacified state, to the infinite comfort of the patiented and credit of the Physician. Of these and many other true secrets, I shall God willing put forth a discourse entitled, Helmont revived, as a forerunner to which it was necessary to send forth this tractate, to undeceive the world, who have long been abused with adulterate rascal preparations, instead of true Chemical Arcana's and medicines, to the injury of deluded patients, and disgrace of the Art, which reproach I doubt not but these lines of mine will for the future wipe off, and remove.    

A Conclusion to the Sons of Art and all Ingenious Readers.  
THis for the honour of the Art of Pyrotechny, in vindicating its reputation from the reproach cast on it, by Pseudochymists, I thought necessary to send into the world as a forerunner of other plain, full, and faithful tractates, which shall be only didactical, and instructive, of which the first which I intent, shall follow this, is a discovery of the two Keys of Pyrotechny, Viz the Liquor Alchahest, and its succedaneum, the true Spirit of Salt of Tartar, to which I shall add by way of appendix, the Anatomies of Amber, Antimony, Mercury, and Saturn, by way of short essays, not to anticipate or prejudice my Pyrotechny Triumphing, which is a large Volume. Thus at present, Reader, I shall take leave of thee, and recommend both my own and thy study, and pains to his blessing who only can make successful what we enterprise, and discover, truth to the studious and serious searcher after Nature's secrets; and shall subscribe myself thy faithful friend, Monitor, Instructor and Brother,  
George Starkey, known by the title of Philosopher by the fire.  
FINIS.