A DISCOURSE In the Praise of Antimony, and the Virtues thereof.  
Written and Published at the request of a Person of quality.  
By Constantine Rhodocanacis.  
Printed in the year, 1664.   

A DISCOURSE in praise of Antimony, and the Virtues thereof.  
ALL expert Chemists have so commended this Mineral, that amongst all the Students of the Art, there is not one, who doth not much admire it, and not without good cause: For amongst all Minerals, Antimony alone hath received from Nature a Body compounded, and tempered with an admirable proportion of Elements. The Elements have given it so great and secret virtues, as if they had endeavoured to rank it in the number of those things, that have in them something of Divinity. Seeing that this sacred Lead hath power to make manifest the secret virtues of other Metals: for it is a certain mild fire, that can preserve not only the Bodies of Metals, but even those of Men. This is that fire which resolves and penetrates the metalline Bodies. Let us hear what Psellus saith of it to Xiphilinus the Patriarch, who desired to be instructed of him in some secrets of Nature. Shall I (saith he) discover unto you the virtues that lie hid in the inward parts of Antimony? or the sacred Lead, which Hypocrates kept so secret under the name of his Tetragon? Where we may note, that Psellus called this Mineral sacred, because he well knew it to be the perfection of Nature; the illustrious light, and flower of Jupiter: for there is in this Mineral a certain incombustible Sulphur, which useth to unite itself to other Metals, and to purify their impure and combustible Sulphur. Hence he is called the Governor of all Metals; the light, and blood of Gold; because he doth not only correct the imperfect Metals, but also upon the Test purgeth Gold itself, and exalts his light and splendour. He is called also the Star of Mars, because being joined to Iron, it melts to a bright Mettalline, called the Star of Iron, and the starry Regulus thereof. He claims likewise to himself the name of Mercury, and is called the shining Mercury, because there is a very near affinity between these two Minerals. He is also called Venus and Phosphorus, because he brings forth two Cupids, armed with different Arrows, whereof some are tipped with Gold, and some with Steel, in testimony of his affection both to Gold, and to Iron; wherefore his Father Saturn hath adorned him as his Son, with several titles. He is called moreover the Magnesia, because Antimony hath a certain magnetical, or sympathetick property, by which he inclines to, and affects the Metals, that he may impart to them a greater perfection: and this, much after that manner, by which the Loadstone inclines to the Polestar, and tends towards it perpetually. And to comprehend all in a word, Antimony with its magnetic quality, allures, as it were, all curious spirits to the search, and study thereof; and effects this much, that when they have once known it, they have a desire to appropriate it to themselves, and to exclude all others from the knowledge thereof. And this is the cause, why they imposed so many names upon it, and disguized this Mineral under the names of living creatures: as when they bid us, Take the black Lion with sparkling fiery eyes; and Basil Valentine calls it a Wolf, whose process I will here insert, that such as can understand it, may learn thereby to make no contemptible Medicines for the health of man. Take (saith he) the hungry ravenous Wolf, which is subject to warlike Mars, but originally is the son of Saturn, which lies in the Mountains, and Valleys, ready to die for hunger. Cast before him the body of the King, that he may ea●e it, and when he hath devoured it, cast the Wolf himself into a great fire, and the Wolf will vanish away, and leave the King behind him: Do this three times, and then the Lion, or King will overcome the Wolf: and the Nature of the King delights much in the tincture of the Wolf, because of the affinity that is between the Blood of these two. In this operation, thou mayest observe a most pleasant thing, for when the Lion is glutted with the blood of the Wolf, he will shine like the Sun, and his inward virtue is very great, and very profitable for any work, thou wouldst effect therewith. Behold now the Mineral Key, which is delivered to us, that we may not only open Metal with it, but withal, that we may open our Eyes, and may be able to discern as well the Internal Qualities, as the Extern●l of the Sacred Lead. This also is generally affirmed of Antimony, that it is very beneficial to colour withal: for there are drawn out of it several colours, or tinctures, not only to paint and beautify the Eyes with, but also to stop their defluxions: yea, and to mitigate all sharp humours, and inflammations, and to take away their causes. Hence the Jewish women made use of Antimony for a Cosmetic, to paint their Eyes, and Faces withal, for they endeavoured to render themselves pleasing to the Assyrians, Chaldaeans, and Egyptians. In this respect the Chaldees called Antimony Cohol, and the Arabians Cohl, because it beautifies the face: as the Greeks also called it Stibi, from its colour: for the Women did black their Eyebrows with it, as the custom is in Turkey, at this day. Galen also confesseth, that the Greek-women used it to the same end, and he teacheth, that it is not only proper to paint the Brows, but also to stop the defluxions of the Eyes. Whence he boasts, that he had found a most excellent remedy to repel, and dry up all sharp Rheums that offend the Eyes, and this remedy was therefore called an Opthalmic, and a Prophilactic, or Preservative of the Eyes. This Remedy was usual amongst all those people, who lived under the Roman government, and was esteemed infallible: not only to stop defluxions, but to clear the Eyes, and to take away all spots, and clouds, that hindered the sight. Hence it may appear, that Antimony; was used in the days of Galen, and principally by the phrase Vpostimmizein in the Greek tongue, from Stimmi, which signifies Antimony, because they did put the Stimmi or Antimony upon their Brows, and painted them therewith. There were also many Physical Remedies made for the Eyes, of Antimony, whereof some were dry, and some moist Confections, wherewith the sight was strengthened, and sore Eyes very readily cured. Hence it appears that Antimony cleanseth our Eyes, as well as Metals, and certainly if the effects of it are so wholesome, being outwardly applied to the Eyes, what shall we think of it, if it be ministered inwardly, and taken into the Body. Of a truth, it will no less strengthen the stomach, if it be well prepared, for it cureth all distempers of the inward parts, strengthens the appetite, and giveth ease in all stitches, and pungent distempers caused by Choleric and Sharp-humors in the Guts, or Stomach. Antimony was the Phoenix of Hypocrates, but a Wiseman must extract the secret, and supply himself with the knowledge of the Virtues thereof, out of its Ashes, for there they lie hid. For this Mineral doth so strengthen, and stir up nature, that she can free, and discharge herself from Bilious humours, which breed obstructions in the Guts, and stomach, and from thence disperse themselves into other parts of the Body; This Mineral stirreth up four several faculties in our Bodies, whereby the Excrements are expelled, and all peccant humours cast out: for it purgeth by vomit, by stool, it causeth us to sweat, it strengtheneth the principal parts, and is a preservative against poisons. These admirable virtues were the cause, why Hypocrates concealed this Mineral under the name of his Tetragon: and verily nature hath not produced any other Compound, wherein there is such virtue and power to remove, and resolve obstructions in the Guts, seeing nature hath not imparted this faculty to any other Body, but hath conferred it upon Antimony alone. Hence Basil Valentine confesseth this Mineral to be most conducing, and agreeable to the principal parts of the Body, as the very Balsam, and Mumy of life: and he affirmeth, that there is not under heaven, a more excellent medicine, than what may be prepared out of Antimony, for it expelleth poisons, opens all obstructions, driveth out the superfluities of the Blood by sweat, and purgeth by stool, and vomit; most justly therefore did Hypocrates call Antimony his Tetragon, because of its fourfold faculties, and virtues: for it vomits, it purgeth, it sweateth, and it preserves, and strengthens withal. Galen calleth those shining filaments, or streaks, which appear in Antimony, Plakas: which discover, and manifest unto us, that Antimony is naturally full of Regulus, in which Regulus there are excellent Virtues: For by his Plakas Galen understood the purer, and brighter parts of the Antimony, in which parts those four medicinal faculties lodge, which make up the Tetragon. Amongst all Symptoms of Diseases, the most vehement is an extreme pain of the head, which proceeds from abundance of Bilious slimy humours heaped up, and impacted in the Guts, where they cause Inflammations, and such strong Obstructions, that sometimes the natural passage downwards is stopped, that the very Excrements are purged out at the mouth: and in this cause; Hypocrates requires, that the patient should vomit every sixth day, should drink wine, and be purged with his Tetragon: in which Text Galen hath rightly observed, that by his Tetragon Hypocrates understood Antimony. For this Mineral being well prepared, roots out the Causes of this Symptom, namely, the Bilious humours impacted in the Guts. It is plain then, that Hypocrates by his Tetragon, meant Antimony, for this disease will not yield to any other Remedies: for purge the Patient with common Medicaments, as Hellebore, and the like, and make him vomit never so often, yet the pain in the Head shall still continue, for those remedies cannot resolve, and expel the Bilious excrements that cause it, and therefore the Patient must be purged with the Tetragon, for it is the property of this Mineral to resolve Obstructions, and purge them out both upwards and downwards, as also by sweeting, and to strengthen the natural parts, which have been weakened by the peccant matter. And seeing this Mineral is Diaphoretic withal, it doth by a gentle transpiration disperse, and expel those noxious vapours and fumes, which ascend from the Stomach, and the peccant matter, up to the heart, and the head, and cause those troublesome symptoms: and these excellent effects made a famous Philosopher call Antimony the Healing Mumie of life. Others there were, who called Antimony the Ramm, and not without reason, for as the Celestial Sun gins to be exalted in the Sign of Aries, even so the Terrestrial Sun, namely, Gold, is exalted and purged in Antimony, as we may understand by the Enigmatical process of Basil Valentine, formerly mentioned under the names of the Lion and the Wolf. And there are those who stick not to affirm, that in Antimony is hid the secret of all secrets, as being the Marcasite of Saturn. But this moreover is worth our observation, that there are two sorts of Antimony; namely, the Male and the Female: The Male is more impure, earthy, and of less weight; but the Female is purer, more sparkling and bright; much heavier than the other, and hath more in her of a Mettalline nature; whence we may conclude with Dioscorides, that that Antimony is to be chosen for the best, which hath in it certain shining filaments or streaks; and which being broken, the fragments will easily crumble between your fingers; and which hath not much earth mingled therewith, nor any extraneous, feculent superfluities.  
Moreover, there are made of Antimony several sorts of Medicines, namely, the Crocus, or Mineral Saffron; the Flowers; the Glass of Antimony; the Antimonial Cups, the Butter; the Mercurius vitae, or vomiting powder; the Regulus, the Golden Sulphur; the Salt, and Oil made thereof by Resolution in a cold place; as also several kinds of Tinctures. For our part, we know how to make four different Tinctures of Antimony, whereof the one excels the other in virtue, according to the purity of the matter, whereof they are prepared. The same we say of our sweeting powder: and these our Medicines cause no vomits at all, but work only by sweeting, and that kindly too; and without any molestation or offence to the stomach: And at Cambridge there are many persons who can attest this truth with me, as also here at London. We prepare also, besides the Tinctures, and the Diaphoretic, another Medicament, which is a ruddy powder, and we call it the Theion of Hypocrates, and our Panodon, because it purgeth at all the Emunctories, or passages of the Body, by Vomit, by Stool, by Urine, by Sweat, and an insensible transpiration. We prepare also the Salt of Antimony, which hath the same effects with our Theion, this only excepted, that the Salt purgeth only downwards, by Stool and Urine, and in that respect is better than our ruddy powder for such Patients, who cannot endure vomiting Medicines. Of all, and each of these we shall now discourse, that such persons who desire to have them, may know what they are good for, and how they ought to be taken, and in what quantity.  

Of the use and Dose of our Antimonial Tincture.  
This Tincture is a good and a safe Medicine, and may be taken inwardly, or applied outwardly with much benefit: for it cures the Leprosy, the French Pox, the Scurvy, all Fevers, the Falling-sickness, the Dropsy, the Plague, the Measles, the Itch, and such other Diseases. In Meagrims, and pains of the head, and the hypocondriac melancholy, it avails much. It expels poisons, cures those that are Asthmatical; killeth Worms, and helps in many other distempers, which cannot be cured with Simples. It cleanseth the Blood, emptieth all vicious humours of the Stomach; brings down the Courses, and maketh Barren Women fruitful; in the Gout also, and the Stone, it is a commendable Medicine. The Dose thereof is alterable, according to the age of the Patient, wherein also there must be a respect had to his strength, and to the violence of the Disease. To little Children of 2, 3, 4, or 6 Months old, you may give one or two drops in their Mother's Milk against Worms, Itch, Fevers, Convulsions, Falling-Sickness, or Measles; but to Children of one, two, or three years old, you may give four drops in Milk or Wine, and you may safely repeat this Dose every third or fourth day. But if you would only use this Medicine as a Preservative, to prevent diseases, than you may give it little Children twice a Month, and it will strengthen them, and prevent the said diseases, by cleansing their Bodies, and purging out all bad humours. But to persons of 15 years of age, to 24, you may give 6, or 10 drops in sugared Wine. And to those of 25, and so forwards to 50 years of age, you may give 10, 20, or 40 drops: and always you may increase, or diminish the Dose, according to the age of the Patient, with respect had to the strength of the disease, and his body. In the Gout and the Stone, give 10 drops in Wine or Ale every day, in the morning fasting: but if the Patient be very weak, give it only every third, or fourth day, and so continue it to the end of the Cure; but let him withal use a temperate diet. In the Leprosy, the French Pox, and the Scurvy, take this Medicine every day in the Morning; but if the Patient be weak, then take it but every second day, and that so long as you find it necessary. In the Falling-Sickness and the Dropsy, it is to be taken after the same manner. But in intermitting Fevers, take it an hour, or so, before the Fit, or when the Fit is quite over; and the Patients should always in their ordinary drinks take some of our Spirit of Salt, in every distemper. But if it be a quotidian Fever, then take the Tincture every morning. In pestilential Diseases, take a Dose of it presently, and repeat it every day. But if you would use it only for a preservative to prevent the Plague, then take it but once a week. In all other inward distempers, you must take a Dose of it in the beginning of the disease, and continue it once every day till your distemper be removed; and by this means all maladies may be cured, without putting the Patients to any pain. Our Diaphoretick powder is also effectual in all diseases, wherein we have prescribed the Tincture: and may be administered from one Grain to 40, having always a respect to the age, and strength of the Patient. The best Vehicle to administer it in, is Malego Wine; and let the Patient keep in his Bed to sweat, as he must do also when he takes the Tincture. And always in intermitting Fevers give the Powder, as well as the Tincture, before the Fit.   

Of the Theion of Hypocrates.  
This is a most excellent Medicine against the Falling-Sickness, Fevers, Plague, Gout, Leprosy, French Pox, Pains in the Head, Measles, and Melancholy; and in one word, it is a commendable Medicine in all kinds of diseases. In outward Maladies also, as old Sores and Wounds, it effects much, namely. if the Patient be inwardly purged with it; Women with Child only excepted, for to them it must not be administered, nor conveniently to any such, who are so far spent, and weakened with diseases, that they have not strength enough left to take Physic. The usual Dose to those that are not above 15 years, is from one Grain, to 3, 4, and 5. To those that are of full age, and in the flower of their youth, such a Dose is to be administered, as shall be able to make them vomit; namely, 6, or 8 Grains; but if the Patient abhors a Vomit, then let him take our Salt of Antimony, whereof we shall speak hereafter. To Infants, and little Children, young of age, the Dose is from half a Grain, to one Grain. It may also be administered to newborn Children, against Convulsions, and Epileptic fits, but the Dose must not exceed the bigness of the Seed of a Rape, and it must be given in the Mothers Milk. But if the Child be strong, and above half a year old, you may increase the Dose, so as it may effect some visible operation, and purge out the bad humours; and by this means you may also prevent the Measles, and many other diseases which use to afflict Children. Of a truth, by this Medicine all Maladies wherewith men are troubled, may be easily cured, and at a cheap rate.   

Of the Salt of Hypocrates.  
This Salt of Antimony is in a manner better than the Theion of Hypocrates; and of a truth, it effects great matters, and many grievous diseases are cured therewith. It avails much against the Gout and the Stone, and is a very desirable Medicine for such as are afflicted with them. The Dose of it is variable: to those of full age, you may give one Scruple, or a little more; to little Children, the Dose is from one Grain, to 12, according as they are less, or more in years. It empties all bad humours, by a very gentle Purgation, which is worth our notice. The proper Vehicles to administer it in, is Wine or Ale, or any Broth whatsoever.   
Glory be to God.  
Constantine Rhodocanacis Chiensis.