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Author: Digby, Kenelm, Sir, 1603-1665.
Title: A choice collection of rare secrets and experiments in philosophy as also rare and unheard-of medicines, menstruums and alkahests : with the true secret of volatilizing the fixt salt of tartar / collected and experimented by the honourable and truly learned Sir Kenelm Digby, Kt., Chancellour to Her Majesty the Queen-Mother ; hitherto kept secret since his decease, but now published for the good and benefit of the publick by George Hartman.
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Print source: A choice collection of rare secrets and experiments in philosophy as also rare and unheard-of medicines, menstruums and alkahests : with the true secret of volatilizing the fixt salt of tartar / collected and experimented by the honourable and truly learned Sir Kenelm Digby, Kt., Chancellour to Her Majesty the Queen-Mother ; hitherto kept secret since his decease, but now published for the good and benefit of the publick by George Hartman.
Digby, Kenelm, Sir, 1603-1665., Hartman, G. (George)
London: Printed for the author, and are to be sold by William Cooper ..., and Henry Faithorns and John Kersey ..., 1682.
Alternate titles: Choice collection of rare secrets and experiments in philosophy
Subject terms:
Medicine, Magic, mystic, and spagiric.
Alchemy.
URL: http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A35968.0001.001
How to cite: For suggestions on citing this text, please see Citing the TCP on the Text Creation Partnership website.

Contents
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title page
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, ROBERT, Lord Paston, Baron of Paston, Vicount and Earl of Yarmouth.
TO THE READER.
AN EPITAPH UPON The Honourable and Truly Noble Sir Kenelm Digby, Kt. Chancellour to Her MAJESTY THE Queen-Mother.
THE INDEX.
An Explication of the Characters which are used in this Book.
CHYMICAL SECRETS.
How to fix ☽ into ☉ by ☿ and ☿ Preci∣pitate.
My Process is such.
A Work with ☉ and ☿ that Monsieur Dandre helped to work in Piedmont, in great quantity: Given me by him, June 1660.
Some Observations about the said Monsieur Dandre's Work.
Monsieur Van Outer's Secret, Physician of Brussels, with ☉ and Butter of Anti∣mony.
The Multiplication of the Powder.
The Projection.
A considerable Work with ☉ and ☿.
A Work Copied out of the Original of Mon∣sieur de la Violette's own Hand, whereof he made great Account.
Snyder's Secret, as he gave it me himself the 22 of July, 1664.
The following Observations are from another Learned Man, with whom Sir Kenelm did confer at his return from Bristol, con∣cerning the said Snyder's Work. Who saith thus.
A great Secret of the said Mr. Snyder's Powder.
Matthews his Work.
To fix ☽ into ☉.
An Observation about Volatilised ☽.
A Process from Monsieur Vignault, with ☉ and ☿, &c.
Fixation of ☽, wrought by Father Bening de Baune, and by him communicated to me.
Observations.
A {water} which changes ☿ as red as Blood, which abideth the Fire.
Saunier's Work, as I wrought it.
The Danes Work.
Opus Magnum ex Virginea Terra.
A Miniera of ☉, wrought by a Person of Quality in Champagne.
Fixation of ♄ into ☽, with good Profit.
To fix ☿ of {antimony}, or the Common ☿.
A Reality upon ☽.
Fixation of the ☿ of {antimony}, as Monsieur de la Noüe wrought it at Paris.
Preparation of the Powder, with which Clau∣dius de Montrouge, and Abbot Oberye at Paris fixed ☿ of {antimony}.
A Process to fix the Common ☿ by the Salt of ♄; wrought by Captain Ziegler at Ments, and sent me by him.
An A. F. to be used in this Work.
A Work upon Cinaber, wrought by Monsieur Sauvage.
Tincture of Mars.
To fix a quarter part of ☽ into ☉.
A Work with Butter of {antimony}.
An Excellent fusible Salt.
Another fusible Salt.
An Operation with a Martial Regulus of {antimony}, wrought by Monsieur Toysonnier.
Butter of {antimony} to Extract the Tincture of ☉.
To fix ☽ into ☉; given me by an Intimate Friend, who told me that he wrought it as followeth, taking his hints out of Lul∣ly's Experiments.
Mallus his Process to fix ☽: Wrought by Mon∣sieur Ferrier, and given me by him, 1660.
To fix ☽ by a Mercurial Water.
Monsieur Bertault's Tincture of ☉ by Venus.
To fix ☽ into ☉.
Another Tincture of ☽.
An Operation with ☉ and ☿ of {antimony}: Wrought by Monsieur Chambulan, and given me by him.
Fermentation.
Elixir of {antimony}, ☉, and ☿.
Elixir ex ☉ & ☽.
Elixir Album.
Elixir Rubrum.
The best way to Extract the ☿ of ♀.
To Extract ☿ of ☽ or ♄.
To make a Minera of ☿ of Antimony, ad Infinitum.
Another way to Extract the ☿ of Antimony by an A. R. Given me by Monsieur Car∣ton.
To Extract the ☿ of {antimony}, or of ♄. Wrought several times by Monsieur Van Outre, Phy∣sician of Brussels.
Butter of {antimony} without Sublimate, to Extract ☿ of {antimony}.
To Extract the ☿ of {antimony} with this Butter, proceed thus.
Another way.
To Extract a ☿ out of ☽.
Another way to Extract the ☿ of {antimony}.
Mercury of all Metals.
A great Secret, ☿ of {antimony}, and other Metals, ad infinitum.
To prepare the Common ☿, so that it will have all the Qualities and Properties of ☿ of {antimony}, and will be as Powerful to Vo∣latilize ☉.
Another Excellent Preparation and Anima∣tion of ☿.
Another way.
Another.
Another.
Another.
About a particular Spirit of Nitre.
An Operation upon ♄: Sent me by Monsieur Boucaud.
The Philosopher's Epilogue.
Quintessence of ♄; the Universal Dis∣solvent.
The Philosophical Aqua Regis.
Composition.
The said Abbot sent to Sir K. D. also the following Process, which he saith he had from an intimate Friend, who assured him that it was a Reality.
The said Abbot sent also the following Pro∣cess in a Letter from Paris.
An Operation upon Jupiter.
☉ & ☽ ex ♃.
A short and clear Description of the great Phi∣losophick Stone.
The first Operation.
The Second Operation.
The Third Operation.
The Fourth Operation.
The Fifth Operation.
The Sixth Operation.
The Seventh Operation
A Note from one that wrought the Stone.
Lauremberg's Observations upon Angelus Sala his Synopsis of Aphorisms, 1624. in Quarto, pag. 4.
Concerning May Dew.
Flamel, Artefius, Pontanus, Zacaire, &c. Their Arcanum.
To prepare a Ferment or Sulphur of ☉.
An Operation that Monsieur de I'Oberye wrote from Monsieur John's Mouth.
Venus into ☽: Sent me by Monsieur de Beaulieu.
The Multiplication.
To fix the {sal armoniac} for this Work.
To fix the Arsenick.
To fix the Sulphur for this Work.
Oyl of ☿.
To prepare the ♀ for this Work.
To prepare the Salt of Tartar for this Work.
To prepare the ☽ for this Work.
Transmutation of ☿ into a Regulus.
Calx of ☉.
A pretty Curiosity, To make Metals Vegetate visibly.
To engender Cray-fishes.
To make Oyl of Talc.
An Excellent Cosmetick prepared out of ☽.
Another way to make Oyl of Talc.
Another way to make Oyl of Talc.
To burn holes in Glass.
An Explanation of this Figure.
Directions how to Coppel in this Furnace; and first, how to make a Coppel.
title page
CHYMICAL SECRETS.
A Real and True way to Volatilize the Salt of Tartar, and Corporifie Spirit of Wine, as it was wrought by a Noble Per∣son beyond Sea, and by him Communicated unto me.
The Dutch-mans Process of Volatilizing Salt of Tartar, and Corporifying Spirit of Wine, is thus:
He maketh his red Calx of ☉ thus:
Elixir ex vino & Sole.
Monsieur Toysonnier wrought thus:
The Menstruum Coelicum Exuberatum, to dissolve ☉, and all Metals, and carry them over the Helm. Wrought by Dr. Clodius, and by him Communicated unto me.
To prepare a most Excellent Medicine with this Mercurial Water, proceed thus:
The Lunary {water} of Paradise, or the Coelestial Eagle of the Lunar Sphere, which is Lul∣lys true Spiritual Lunary.
Water of Paradise of Saturn, or Iupiters Coelestial Eagle.
About Vitrum Antimonii, and the Tincture of it.
A white Spirit of Sulphur to dissolve ☽ and ☿; given me by Monsieur Bugneau.
An Universal Medicine, from ☉ and {antimony}, &c.
To prepare the ☿ for this Work.
To prepare the Tincture of ☉ for this Work.
The Dissolvent.
To prepare the Spirit of Wine, fit for this Tincture of ☉.
A great Corroborant and Sudorifick, wrought by Monsieur Du Closs, Physician at Paris; given me by him the 16th. of August, 1660.
His Menstruum is thus made:
The Metalline Aureal {water}, or the Aethereal Aurum potabile, which is a very great Medicine for the Gout: It is the true Her∣maphroditick Bath.
The Eagles Gluten, or ☿ of the Wise, or Me∣talline Menstruum; with which and Lions Blood is made the Metalline Stone.
Water of Paradise, or of the Hermetick Eagle, whereof are made unheard-of Medicines, and Powders of Projection.
Water of Paradise of Common ☿, or Hermes his Eagle, of the Terrestrial and Coele∣stial ☿.
The Antimonial {water} of Paradise, or the Her∣metick Coelestial Eagle with two Heads.
Water of Paradise of Venus and Mars, or ♀. and ♂ Captivated, whence cometh Cupid, or the Solar Panacea.
The thrice Noble Water of Paradise, or Apol∣lo Medens.
An unheard-of Arcanum, or new and unheard of Lunary, wherewith is made the Elixir, or Metalline Stone.
To make the Metalline Stone per se of this Spiritual Lunary.
Monsieur Barkly's fixation of Common Sul∣phur, and the Tincture thereof, which is an Excellent Medicine in all affects of the Breast and Lungs.
The Countess of Kents Powder, as it was pre∣pared by Sir Kenelm Digby's Order in his Operatory.
A very Efficacious Remedy against the Epi∣lepsie, or Falling-Sickness, wherewith Sir Kenelm Digby Cured a Ministers Son, named Mr. Lichtenstein, at Francfort in Germany, in the Year 1659. to which I was an Eye-Witness.
Another for the same.
The Preparation of the Silver Pills against the Dropsie, as they were prepared by Sir Kenelm Digby's Order in his Opera∣tory.
Directions for the Use of these Silver Pills.
Another Drink.
Another Experimented Remedy for the Drop∣sie, whereby several Persons have been Cured, as I have been assured.
Another Excellent Remedy against the Dropsie.
The Copy of a Letter from Abbot Boucaud from Paris to Sir K. D. wherein he relates in what manner he Cured himself of the Stone, and of a Quartan Ague.
A Process, how to make a most Excellent Oyl of Sulphur in abundance; sent also by the said Abbot Boucaud to Sir K.
A subtil Volatil Water from Sulphur, which will Dissolve ☉.
An Excellent Essence of Sulphur for the Breast, and for the Lungs.
An Excellent Elixir of Sulphur.
Lac Sulphuris.
A great Diaphoretick of Antimony.
The Sudorifick Decoction.
A most Excellent Medicine against all sorts of Agues and Fevers, &c.
A Precious Oyl of Antimony.
A most Excellent Panacea of the true Sulphur of Antimony.
A great Febrifuge.
Another great Febrifuge, which is said to be Riverius his Febrifuge.
Another Febrifuge.
Another Febrifuge, which is thought to be Riverius his true Febrifuge.
A Certain and Experimented Remedy to Cure the Convulsion Fits in little Children; as also for the Epilepsie, the Cholick, and for the Spleen, &c.
Sigillum Hermetis, Or, a great and Experi∣mented Medicine, which hath done great Effects in the Cure of all sorts of Agues and Fevers. It was given to Sir Kenelm Digby by an able Physician, who had done Wonderful Cures with it.
A Mercurial Liquor with Jupiter.
Monsieur C. his Lunary Emetick and Fe∣brifuge, &c.
To make a most Excellent Sudorifick of the aforesaid Butter, that will Cure the Leprosie, and the Venereal Disease, proceed thus:
An Oyl of ☉, wherewith Monsieur Belieur, a Famous Chirurgeon at Paris, Cured Can∣cers, all old Ulcers, Cankers, and Venereal Sores, &c.
Doctor Havervelt his Remedy, wherewith he Cured the Evil or Scrofulaes, Cancers, and Old Ulcers.
Another for the same.
A most Excellent Physical Salt, as it was prepared in Sir Kenelm's Laboratory.
The best way to make the Spirit of Urine is thus:
Sir Kenelm Digby's Excellent Remedy for Tetters, Herps, and Ring-worms, Scabby Itches, &c. as it was prepared by his Di∣rections for his own use for a Tetter.
A great Medicine, wherewith Wonderful Cures have been performed to my know∣ledge.
Lapis ignis, for the renovation of Mankind, by the three Principles of Nature, Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury.
To make the Salt of Antimony.
To make the ☿ of {antimony} for this Work.
Composition of the said Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury.
The Marchioness de Beck, her Aurum po∣tabile, which she much esteemeth.
Cornachinus his Medicinal Powder, as it was Prepared by Sir K. Digby's Order in his Laboratory.
A Laxative and Emetick Cream of Tartar.
Another most Excellent Laxative and Eme∣tick Cream of Tartar.
The Volatile Salt of Tartar, as I have often made it, which is an Excellent Re∣medy.
A Physical Salt.
A Precious Tincture of the Flowers of Antimony.
An Excellent and true Tincture of Coral.
An Excellent Extract of Mars, for Diarrhaea's and Fluxes.
Sir Kenelm Digby's Remedy for the same, as it was prepared by his Order, and much used.
Sir Kenelm Digby, his Excellent Plaister of Lead.
Dr. Stephen's Plaister for the Gout.
A very good Oyntment for the Gout; and the running Gout, Aches, Numbness, and pain in the Ioynts, &c.
A Certain and Infallible Remedy to prevent and Cure the Fits of the Gout.
Mr. Locher, an Apothecary of London, his Excellent Oyl for Deafness, which he gave to Sir K. D.
Another Experimented Remedy for the same.
A most Precious Balsam of great Vertue.
Laudanum Germanicum: Being a singular Preparation of Matthew's, or Dr. Starky's Pills:
The Tincture of Antimony is made thus, ac∣cording to Basil Valentine.
Postscript.
The Preparation of Sir Kenlm Digby's Sym∣pathetical Powder, as we prepared it every Year in his Laboratory, and as I prepare it now, is only thus: