A breefe aunswere of Iosephus Quercetanus Armeniacus, Doctor of Phisick, to the exposition of Iacobus Aubertus Vindonis, concerning the original, and causes of mettalles Set foorth against chimists. Another exquisite and plaine treatise of the same Iosephus, concerning the spagericall preparations, and vse of minerall, animall, and vegitable medicines. Whereunto is added diuers rare secretes, not heeretofore knowne of many. By Iohn Hester, practicioner in the spagericall arte.

Of the causes and reasons of spagiricke pre∣parations of simple purgations.

HYpocrates, in his booke de natura humana doth write, that purging medicines doe drawe vnto them the humors which are vn∣naturall in the body, not by a common mingled quallitie, but by the simillytude or property of the whole substance, and an in∣grafted famillyaritie. Whose sentence Galen confirmeth against Asclepiadem and Erassistratum, who thought that purging medicynes, could not drawe any one humor, * 1.1but whatsoeuer they touched, they could conuert & turne it into their owne nature, and so indifferently like leaches or boxes, to draw the sharpe thinne humors as is most apt to purge, rather then grosse and thicke: But whereas al al∣terations are done either by force of heate, or by driuing away the emptie, or by a similitude of the whole substance, that onely (as Galen writeth) is done with the Sim••athiae of quallities, or els with the likenes of the whole essence: which things though I haue plainely shewed them, yet they cannot be expressed with wotdes, and the Greekes call it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is a propertie, which can∣not be declared. So the Amber doth draw strawes, and the loadstone Iron: by which reason it is saide that Rhabarbe expelleth coller, Agaricke fleame, and Senna blacke chol∣ler, although besides this peculier power of purging, e∣uery one of them haue a certaine generall facultie to drawe other humors, which is to be iudged by the com∣position of many medycines, with which we vse to purge diuers humors, which alone would not suffice to purge by themselues, if those simples did not worke together, with naturall helpe to euacuate, & with a common force did prouoke the expulsiue power. It is ment (saith Galen) that the simples mingled together doe agree and not dif∣fer * 1.2in any thing. Amongst these medicines some bee dy∣gestiues of choller which cheifly euacuate yellow choller▪ some of fleagme, that euacuat fleame, some of mellan∣cholly

which euacuate blacke choller, and so forth of the other humors. Therebe also other medicines which by the vaines of the inward partes and belly doe cast out the bloud it selfe, which are called Jmpropriae seeing they bee poysons; neither doe they alone purge, but also destroye and kill as Galen witnesseth, who telleth a historie of a certaine man that had found an herbe, which firste toke * 1.3awaye the blood of them that tooke it, and then after∣warde the life also; but those are to be reiected of al other: for the true & only euacuating of blood is done by ope∣ning of a vaine, & not by those medicines which by a cer∣taine maligne and sharpe quallitie and deadly propertie, doe eate the vaines, and by alteration cast out the blood, the treasure of life not without great violence of spirites and vexation of nature,

But of these purging medicines there are▪ 3. orders or sortes. The first malignaunt, in which is a certaine ven∣namous power and substance, except they be prepared as they ought, among which are numbred of the roots these, Eleborus niger, turbith, hermodactilus. Esula, Cucumeris agrestis Asarum, Thymelaea, Chamaelaea, Among gumes, scamonium, Euforbium, sagapenum. Among fruits and seedes, Colocynthis * 1.4Lathyris. Among stones, Armenus, Cyanus.

Which medicines if at any time they doe not purge as they should, they doe the bodie much hurt, as Galen writeth.

The second are more milder, or gentle, which are so called because they purge gentlie without any greife, and they voide the hurtfull humors, not of the whole body, but of certain partes, and soften the belly, and do but litle decline from nourishing of nature, which among herbes are theise, Malua, Mercurialis, Violae, Rosae, Brassica, Beta, se∣rum lactis purnes, manna theribinthina & cassia medulla, which neede no other preparation then the common, that they may be safly taken.

The third sorte are of meane, among the which are, Aloe, Agaricus, Cnicus, Senna. Amongst rootes Rhabarbari, ••oli••odij Jridis, raphani siluestris, mechoacam & Eupatorij me∣suae:

Which last simples were lately found out, and the roote of the former is all together like in force vnto the vitis ingrae. All these are called Men because they euacu∣ate only superfluous humors which are vnfit to norrish the body, and that without great labor, and cheifly if they be well prepared and their due dossis obserued. The cause of the purging quallitie of all these simples is this: that a certaine thinne portion of it stirred vp by naturall heate, creepeth in by the open conditts or passages, into the lesser vaines, and from thence floweth into the greater, from the which by the liuer it is turned into the intesti∣nalls, and into the reynes it selfe, and then followeth eua∣cuation of humores, by the belly, which sometimes are discerned by the vrine, in which, as well the coloure as the sauor of the medicine receaued is manifestly seene, which any man may trie in Rhabarbe & senuae.

Seing therfore the vapor of these medicines which we call the essence, being stirred vp by naturall heate from the earthy partes, doth attenuate the resting humor and moueth the nature of the parte with a contrarie quallitie, and prouoketh it to cast out their earthly substance, or feces remaining in the stomake and the inward partes, who then is so doltish, that wil not commend the spagiri∣call preparation of these medicines, wherewith wee doe drawe forth the essence which is the true purger, and take away the maligne quallitie: Or at the least we suppresse it with his owne menstrua, which agreeth with his proper∣ties, and haue an vnitie with them. We seperate the feces or yearth as deadly and hurtfull, which doth much offend for his thicknes, cleauing vnto the tunicle of the stomake which Galen affirmeth out of Hipocrates in these wordes: * 1.5For saith he, the purging medicine how smal soeuer it be, it must needes goe to the bottom of the stomacke, and in going do wne the stomake, and what soeuer is found a∣bout it is infected, not onely by the quallitie of the medi∣cine, but also by the cleauing of the substance: in the swal∣lowing it is greatly hurte, and againe, those that are of more thinner essences, more readily executed their pro∣per

* 1.6 accions, then the grosse, as Galen witnesseth in many places: Also where as he saith in the first booke of simples, that those things which haue but a smal bodyly substance doe worke more then they that haue great. Our extracti∣ons of essēces is to be commēded in which al these things are performed the proper purgatiue quallitie of the hu∣mor notwithstanding reserued in the medicine as also it is made so much the stronger in that his vnprofitable earth and fex is seperated from it, and by his proper menstrua ioined vnto it all the maligne quallitie is taken awaye, * 1.7which Galen writeth is to bee done, where he saith, those seedes are to be mingled with medicines, which mitty∣gate their mallignitie and hinder not their worke which haue force to extenuate & to cut, that they may cutt a∣sunder grosse humors, and open the wayes by which they must be auoyded. All which thinges all learned men may iudge to be done in our preparations. But some will saye the extraction of essences is not so necessarie, when as * 1.8Actuarius commaundeth (vnto whose opynion Paulus a∣greeth) that to such as are of a weake stomacke. 15. or. 20. graines of Lathiris are to be swallowed whole, & he saith, that though they be not brused minime{que} in Corpus perme∣ent, yet they purge verie much: Which place is not a∣gainst our saying, but doth rather affirme it, because alitle after he willeth that those who must bee more effectually purged must eate them; by which it is manifest enough that there is a greater vertue by bringing the medicine in∣to a fine substance. then in the whole mase, and in the es∣sence it selfe a greater force then in the residence of it: which may be perceaued in Rhabarbe it selfe, the infusion thereof doth purge more mightely then the whole sub∣stance doth, for▪ which cause I doubt not, but that the same graines of Lathyris are prescribed rather whole then bru∣sed by any meanes to a weake stomake, because the force and strength of the Lathiris (as Galen saith) is much like in * 1.9force to Esullae, and these medicines are so sharpe and ve∣hement, that they purge both vpward and doneward, with great vexation, and by that meanes the more violent they

be, the more they hurt the stomak: but the slender body, as * 1.10Galen writeth, is easier altered and chaunged of that whereunto it is applyed: but that which is grosser is not chaunged but in a great time, and scarce at length fee∣leth any sensible alteration, for we trye by experience that we are so much the soner heated with pepper, as by how much the smaller it is beaten, and euen so must we iudge of the purging medicines, therefore in steade of those In∣futions and decoctions after the cōmon sorte we vse their essences, and that healthfully & without hurting of the stomak, or any of the other partes. But those vehement medicines otherwise to be feared, haue beene so rightly prepared of the true spagiricks, that their malitious qualli∣ties and sharpnes haue bin altogether bridled with their proper corrections, and so haue serued in steade of gent∣ler medicines for the cure of diuerse diseases. So our Essence of Elcborus Niger being well prepared is ministred at this day in many places, and is safly giuen to children to losen the belly without any labor: In the meane season there bee a great number which ignorantly condemne these essences, and speake against the vse of them, and spew out the poyson of their gaule against them, at whose rayling I cease to meruaile: because the Poet saith, that to those men that think nothing right but what them selues doe, nothing can be founde more vniust or wicked then that they doe not: But there bee other which being ouercome with reason, will at last commend these our ex∣tractions of essences out of all thinges, but yet they feare this one thing, that is their fierie nature in them by a cer∣teine quallitie receaued of the outwarde fire, and there∣fore they refuse the vse of them, chiefly in agues, and for curing of hott effectes, by which they shew themselues to be vnskillful in the Spagirick Arte, and to giue rashly iudg∣ment of thinges vnknowen: For almost all Essences are drawen forth with the, temperate heate of balneo, or hors∣donge, with proper meanes belonging thereto, which we call Menstrues, because the skillfull spagirickes by it, with their art and labor do drawe forth al the strength and ver∣tue

of any thing, seperating that which is pure from the earth and stinking feces, reseruing onely the quickning es∣cence, whose power rising vp, as it were, breaking his bondes, doth drawe it selfe higher and sheweth much greater force then it did before, and more effectuall for helping of the bodie. And if they will saye that all the menstrues be hot, they are verie much deceaued; for the iuce of Lemonds prepared after our order is the mēstrue for pearles, because it dissolueth them and chaungeth thē into a thinner essence, and yet the iuce is not hot, nor the essence of the pearles hot which remayneth. When the menstrua is separated awaye: And as (Galen writeth) wee must not call whatsoeuer is subtill, hot also, for water it selfe is of a more subbil essence, which is manifest because it runneth spedily throwe haire and garments, and yet being so thinne, it neuer heateth as by his nature, neither is it the proper norishment of fire, but it is contrarie to it. But they will aunswere Vini alcool, his essence or spirite (which menstrue we oftenest vse) to drawe out the essence of all other thinges is most hot: let it be so: shall it there∣fore bee called daungerous by any meanes: Seeing the proper menstrua is alwaies seperated out of euery essence of thinges and all his force is taken away, and euerie me∣dicine remaineth simple with his proper quallities, being onely increased in vertue. Finally, to returne to purgings, who will deny that they haue a hidden power of heate to stirre vp? with which notwithstanding, must bee mingled such things as must take awaie their malignitie and make it more subtill and pearcing, and quicken his slow operation, and make it effectuall according to the opinion * 1.11of Galen. Therefore Paulus wileth to mingle with Eleborus, Peniroyall and sauerie, or any of those that soddenly passe through and are not hurtful to the stomack. Item all phi∣sitions doe will to mingle with Rhabarbe, Cinamond, and spikenard with hermodactilis Radish, & Cōmin, with Cni∣cos, Cardamomum, Aloes with Nutmegges, masticke and cloues. with Agarick▪ turbith & sennae, ginger: which although they bee hot, yet they are mingled in purgations: which

also are safly giuen to the sicke of the Agew; not that a hot medicine is giuen for the Agews sake, but that greater commoditie might followe in rooting out the humors, which cause the feauers: for the commoditie is greater, saith Galen, in taking awaie the molesting humors, then the hurt which necessarily is done to the body by the pur∣gations; which yet wil bee more commodiously donne, if whatsoeuer hurteth be taken away without payne by me∣dicines prepared and corrected, which the cōmon phisiti∣ons do, although they take not away the heat of the simple mixed in the corecting of their purgations, and not∣withstanding, they feare not to minnister them to hott diseases. But our Menstrua of Alcoole Vini although they cal it hott, yet is it so spiritual (Yf we may vse words of art) that with the least, heate it vaporeth away, and is altoge∣ther seperated from that which it dissolueth, which is so separated from the feces that his power and subtil essence only remaineth, which also more aptly doth execute his proper action, whether it be to coole or heate, or to purge, and that with lesse daunger for 2 causes. First because the essence of the medicine doth more swiftly passe thorow the bowells, and thereby the sharpe and yearthy partes of them, cleauing to the inward partes, cannot vlcerate them, according to which opinion, Paulus speaketh thus of Colocinthide, let it, saith he, be diligētly corrected, because * 1.12his sharpenes cleauing to the entrailes doe cause vlcers, and trouble the sinnowes with like effects. Secondly be∣cause all the noysome qualities of those Essences (yf they cannot be wholly taken awaye in the first preparation may yet be taken away or easily corrected with mixing of other conuenient essence: So the of Alloes, otherwise is slowe in purging, wil most swiftly purge, and least it should open the vaines by his to much subtilnes it may eassily be corrected with our oyle of Masticke, and so safly mini∣stred. But let vs heare Mesues Iudgement of all these pre∣parations, who agreeing with Paulus and Auicen, that wri∣teth Colocinthides is to be beaten small for our reasons a∣foresaide in these wordes: It doeth require (saith he) long

decoction and it is (as it seemeth to me) with the sonne of Serapion, contrarie to the minde of the sonne of Zezaz, to be beaten to small pouder, that his malicious power may be mixed with other exquisite things to correct him, that it may the sooner passe thorow the bowels, and not stay in them for the thicknes of some part not wel beaten, whereby it may peraduenture be longer staied in the bo∣wels, and exulcerate them, chieflie when by some little partes of it sensiblie felt. who cānot denie, but that al these are done more commodiouslie with our essences, & with greater profit to the patient then the simple pouder. I thinke none, except some donghill raker, that is altoge∣ther vnskilfull in phisicke. It remaineth that we set downe the extractions of purgers: and their preparations, and so to prosecute in order.

Of Eleborus.

* 1.13 TAke the rootes of blacke Eleborus, fresh gathered in Autumne, 1. li. boile thē in water of Aniseede & peniroyal, out of which the oile is drawen Chimi∣callie, closlie stopped in Balneo, a whole day, then straine it foorth harde, and distill it by a filter, vntill it be cleare: then seperate the menstrua, and in the bottome will remaine a slimie substance: vnto which poure the spirite of wine that it may be couered foure fingers, and so let it stand two or three daies close stopped, to digest in Balneo, then poure away that part which is cleare, & put on more, doing as ye did before, vntill you haue drawen out all the essence, with reiterating the digestions, alwaies seperating the feces, according to arte: which done, se∣perate the first menstrua in Balneo, that being done, cir∣culate it with new spirites of wine of the infusiō of maces, for certaine daies, then seperate the Menstrue againe, & in the bottome shall remaine Essentia Ellebori in forme of a sirop, and Duskish of Coulor, the which thou shalt keepe to many vses.

℈ j of these essence mixed with certaine dropes of oyle of

And myntes is giuen fasting with some conuenient decocti∣on or water of wormes against the dropsie. Item with water of Betony it helpeth against diseases of the braine, as Ma∣niae, Melancholiae, Vertiginis, Epilepsiae, and Paralysis, it purgeth choller and fleame without any paine, and finally the whole bodie of all corrupt-excrements, which (as Hipocrates saith) maketh a man healthfull, and as it were young: it draweth not onely the hurtfull humors and excrements out of the vessels by purging the bloud, but also from the whole bodie and skinne it selfe, and therefore it is very healthfull against Elephantiasis, the canker, Erisipelas, malomortuo, all eating * 1.14sores. Paulus did giue about ʒ i. of the roote of Eleborus ni∣ger infused in aqua mulsa fasting against the aforesaid disea∣ses. I know not why in our time wee haue left the vse of it, and shunne it as it were some strong poison: and yet in the ancient time it was so much commended (except it bee through the vnskilfulnes of the Phisitions) seeing the mal∣lice of this medicine, and all other may easily be taken away with their true preparations, as we haue declared: and that this doth good, Hypocrates witnesseth, where he maketh mē∣tion of white Eleborus, saying thus. To some bodies (saith * 1.15he) Eleborus is troublesome: as in other places hee saith, that all byting medicines are naught for them, but it being corrected by art and industrie may rightly bee ministred to whom and when it ought, and worketh healthfully: but these men will say, that in the time of Hypocrates their bo∣dies were more stronger, or else Heleborus in those coun∣tries had no malitious qualities (for simples according to their seuerall regions and places haue seuerall qualities) neither stirreth vp such fearfull passions as in our countrey: * 1.16to which purpose Messue speaketh this of Eleborus, the white because it is troublesome to the bodies of this our time, let it be shunned as it were a strangling poison: and hee addeth, but the vertue of the black is tollerable euen vnto our time, although also verie hardlie. I thinke onely by this opinion many Phisitions to be so feared, that being content with the reading of some writers alone, they condemne thinges they know not, and whereof they haue no experience, with∣out

any reason disalowing medicins, which is altogether an absurditie, and vnfitly for a Phisition at the length they will answere, that both the Greekes and Arabian Phisitions did vse those violent medicines, because they wanted the lighter as Rhabarb, Cassia Manna, and such like which may bee safely giuen and with more profit. But oh what great praise they get by these medecines in the curing of many diseases. Do not these men know out of Hypocrates, that to extreame dis∣eases extreame medicines must bee applied, and that some times the excrements mingled with bloud in the vains must be drawen out, not from the onely concauitie of the partes, but from the whole bodie and from the partes farthest of, yea and the braine it selfe sometimes, and the whole head & the instruments of the sences▪ and the sinewes, and the rest of the intrailes must bee purged of many affectes: which when those sleight medicines can not doe, we must take the stronger, as Eleborus Niger chiefly. Although I knowe that at this day many notable Phisitions both in Germany and I∣talie doe vse the white with good successe, out of the which if the essence be taken, as we haue taught, it may be giuen with meruellous profit of the sicke and praise of the Phisiti∣on to daily diseases, and to such as the superfluities are bro∣ken out in the vttermost partes as the leprosie & Impetigo, for therein is a great and peculier power of essence, in that to bring foorth whatsoeuer is mingled with the bloud that doth corrupt it. It is also giuen to such as haue the quar∣taine, dropsie, and are Melancholike, and to many other dis∣eases, as wee haue declared, because it doth purge gently without any trouble or vomiting the excremēt of the whole bodie.

Of Turpetum, Hermodactilis, Thymelea, Chamelea, Esula, and other milkie purgations.

* 1.17 MAke Mesues Turbyth into powder, and choose that which is whitest, and gummy, and reasonable newe, then put it into a glasse with a long necke, and put thereon the spirit of wine that it may be couered foure fingers, then

lute it with Hermes seale, and set it in Balneo two or three daies that the menstrua may draw forth all the essence, then powre out that menstrua & put on fresh, and do so still vntill all the substance or tincture be drawen out: then circulate all the menstrua together, that it may come to the highest perfection of degree, then seperat thy menstrua, and in the bottom will remaine thy essence, the which will bee more perfecter: if then in the correction of it yee adde for euery ℥ i. of essence, oile of nutmegges and Ginger ana. scrup. 1. For with this his operation is so altered, with a certaine mer∣uellous propertie, that it worketh without lothsomnes & perturbations, and purgeth the ioyntes, and those farthest places from slime and thicke fleame whereas else it would onely drawe the thinne matter, and that very slouthfully. The dose of this essence is 1 scru. with red wine, or some de∣coction pectorall. It helpeth against the Hed••opes and all phlegmatick diseases.

* 1.18 THe essence is drawen out of the white & chosen root of Hermodactilis of Aegineta after the same maner, as out of Eleborus. (Not the root of Cholchicus ephemeris: of the apothecaries, which Dioscorides, Galen, and Paulus affirme to be poison.) This draweth grosse slimie steam especially from the ioynts, and therefore it helpeth much Arthrites: Yet it must bee corrected with the oile of comin and cloues, least with his windie humour it hurt the stomacke and prouoke lothsomnes in it: it is giuen either by it selfe or with some conuenient decoction. The dose is 1. scru. either more or lesse according to the strength of the patient. The rootes of Esulae, Thymelee and Chameleae, seu Meserij serapionis and Thap∣si••e succus: which draw forth partly fleame, partly choller, & * 1.19yet not without byting because they be all sharpe and fiery, and verie dangerous, for they excoriat the bowels, & breake the mouthes of the vaines: the which are prepared in the same manner that Eleborus is, and their extraction is giuen without danger, if it be mixed with the extractiō of Myrabo∣lan•• against the Hydropsie, and to purge sharpe humors out of the iointes themselues. The dose is about 1. scrup. with ℥ 1. of the oile of sweet almondes. In the same maner yee may

draw the essence out of the graines of Lathiridis being beatē vnto the which to correct it ye shall put oile of Masticke and oile of Nutmegges.

Of wilde Cucumbers, Ebulo, sambuco, and Squilla.

* 1.20 THe rootes of wild cucumbers must be gathered in May, and then stamped, and their iuice taken forth, the which must be filtred verie cleare: vpon which powre the spirit of wine santalatum & optime praeparatum, then set all in Balneo 3. or 4. daies, and what is pure powre of, and put on more spi∣rit of wine, vntill their remaine no more feces, then circulat all together for certaine daies vntill a higher degree, the which being done, seperat thy menstrua in Balneo, and con∣geale thy essence with a soft fire in sande vntill it be thicke, vnto which ad for euery ℥ i. of essence 1. s••r. of oile of c••na∣mō & ℈ ss. of the essence of safrō. This medicin doth purge sharpe humors mightyly, by which reason it helpeth the Hi∣dropsie, the iaundies, and all obstructions of the liuer and spleene. If 1. halfe scru. or more according to the strength of the patient bee giuen with white wine in the morning fa∣sting.

Out of the iuice of wilde cucumbers being gathered in Au∣tumne when they are ripe is made a noble medicine, if it be rightly prepared to purge cholerick and sharpe excrements. * 1.21This medicine the Greekes call Elaterium, whose prepara∣tions Dioscorides sheweth in his fourth booke of symples. But if it be thus prepared, it is more effectuall, and with lesse danger or hurt. The iuice must be gently pressed out, & thē distilled by a filter vntill it be cleare, then put it into a glasse with a long necke, with as much of the spirit of wine, and let them digest in Balneo certaine dayes vntill it is seperated from his feces▪ then seperat the menstrua with a soft fire, & put on new spirits of wine infusionis diamarg. frigidi, and cir∣culate them altogether 10. dayes in a Pellican, that the force of the medicine may bee increased, and all malignity taken from it: at length seperat the last menstrua, and coa∣gulate

it with a most gentle fire, which will be done in a few daies, of the which take 1. oū. and put thereunto oile of nut∣megs and cinamom ana, 1. scru. and mixe them together, & so haue ye the Spagiricall preparation of Elaterium, or his Essence, which doth drawe meruellouslie all sharpe excre∣mentes out of the ioyntes, and from the braine, and ther∣fore helpeth much Arthritides, dropsies, old headach, and the falling sicknes, the dose is ℈ ss.

Out of the root of Squilla, after the same order you shall draw and prepare the iuice: but to doe it better ye shal take * 1.22sweete malmsie, it doth euacuat grosse and slimie humors, that sticke in the breast, by cutting, extenuating, clensing, dissoluing, and digesting them, and taketh away the obstruc∣tions of the liuer and splene, the dose is ℈ 2. with some pec∣torall decoction, or cinamome water.

De lachrimis purgantihus & Colocynthide.

* 1.23 ALL Phisitians doe agree that Scammony is a most vio∣lent and dangerous medicine, and that for many cau∣ses, for with his biting blastes it hurteth the stomacke very much, and ouerturneth it. Further with his immoderate drawing it doth open the vaines, & with his sharpnes doth excoriat the verie intrailes, and by that meanes bringeth great paines: for which cause Galen doth mixe him with Quinces, others do boile it with Galingale, Ginger, Aniseed, * 1.24Daucus, or Smaledge seedes, or with the muscledge of Psyllium, or boile it in a sower or tart apple to make it more milde: but by the Spagiricall preparation it may be made so commodious to be vsed that it may be mixed with any o∣ther medicines without any danger, and safly ministred to purge choller and fleame.

Dissolue Scammonie in oile of Masticke drawen out by the art spagirical with the spirit of wine, that being done di∣gest it eight daies in Balneo close stopped: that which is cleere and shining powre of, and powre on new menstrua, vntill you haue drawen out all the essence, notwithstanding put apart all the feces, then seperat all the menstrua, and

put on new spirit of wine corolisated, that it may be couered, four fingers, circulat them all in Balneo 10. dayes or more, then draw away the menstrua, and for euerie ounce of es∣sence that remaineth in the bottome, yee shall put thereto the true essence of corall and pearles, ana 1. scrup. the es∣sence of safron halfe a scru. oile of Aniseedes and cinamon ana 1. scrup. & a halfe, mixe them all together on a soft fire vntill a reasonable thicknes. Mingle this essence so prepa∣red with the essence of aloes and Mirabolanes, and it will be a compounded medicine verie profitable to purge cho∣ler, and to draw downe sharpe excrements from the head, halfe a scruple may be giuen by it selfe with 2. oū. of oile of sweet almondes without any trouble or heate of the hart or stomacke, or liuer and bringeth from those places choler. To prepare Euforbium, Sagapenum, and Opoponax, you must dissolue them first in white rose vineger distilled in Balneo, then straine them through a searce from all their terrestriall matter, and thus thou shalt doe 3. times that it may bee the purer: then vapor away the vineger, that the sharpenes may be taken away with often washing it with rose water, for these medicines are sharpe, and of a thinne and fierie substance: but Euphorbium of all gummes is the hot∣test, subtillest & swiftest, and burneth most with a fierie force (as Galen witnesseth) which it doth with such violence, that * 1.25we must greatly beware of the vse of it except it bee rightly prepared: Serapio and Auicen haue written that ʒ iij. taken of it doth kil: and yet Aetius and Actuarius vsed it not only to purge fleame, but also mightily to expulse all sharpe ex∣crements. * 1.26And Dioscorides witnesseth, that we must giue it to the sicke of Ischiadis onely mingled with honie. Pau∣lus also saith ʒ i. of Euforbium being dronke with honie doth rather expell fleame then water. But by this preparatiō following all his maligne quall••tie may bee taken away, so that it will helpe verie much against the palsie, Arthritide, Crampe, dropsie, & purge fleame without any trouble whe∣ther it be thinne or thicke or lying among the sinewes and * 1.27ioyntes, and it is prepared in this order.

Take your Euforbium prepared and washed as is afore∣sayd,

and couer it with the spirit of wine, so that you may draw forth his essence, seperating the feces, and all the im∣purity, then circulat al with new Alcoole sacharino 10. daies, then seperat the menstrua and coagulat it with a gentle fier putting therunto at the end the oile of masticke 2. scru. olei Anisi 1. scrup. Essentia Corralli halfe a scrup. & make there∣of a mixture. The is dose 1. scrup. with some conuenient de∣coction to cure all the aforesaid diseases.

Thus are medicines prepared of Opoponax, Sarcocolla and sagapenum most profitable against the same diseases, of * 1.28whose force purging downward the Grecians haue not spo∣ken, but it was found out by the Arabians: and these purge more gentlier then doth Euforbium. of all these is made a compound medicine, purging thicke and slimie fleame e∣uen from the furthest partes of, as the head, the sinewes, the ioyntes and the breast. I will shortly if God giue mee leaue set forth a description of our spagiricall practise, in which I will more fullie and at large declare the compositi∣ons and vse of all these medicines.

* 1.29 The force of Colocynthida is so vehement in purging that sometime with his onely touching, and yea, with his only smel he doth purge the belly of some. This medicine though it be otherwise most vehement, yet by the preparation fol∣lowing it may safely be ministred. Beate Colocynthida in most fine powder, and put thereon the Alcoole of wine well prepared, that it may be couered sixe fingers, then digest it in Balneo 3. weekes being close nipped, and in that time it will loose all his sharpnes: but if it be digested a longer time, the extraction will wax sweet, and so it will be made a no∣ble medicine against fleame and all other grosse and clam∣my humors to draw them from the lower partes, and that without any harme, as wee haue declared, and therefore it is ministred with the Syrop of roses or myrtels, against dis∣eases in the head, and megrim, and falling sicknes, and apo∣plexia, and is also corrected with oile of Masticke, Nutmegs, and cynamon.

Of stones that purge.

LApis Armeninus & Cyaneus must be made red hot vj.

times and quenched in aqua ardenti, then beat them to pow∣der very fine, and wash them with faire water, casting away the earth, & that which wil swim vpon the water, and do thus often times: then wash the rest of the powder that is left af∣ter it hath been first dried with water of Buglosse or melissa, euaporate away the water with a gentle fire, which being drie digest with our heauenly menstrua & the spirit of wine in Balneo, and circulat it 30. daies to the highest degree, thē seperat the menstrua, and congeale it with a gentle fire: and to correct it, ad the essence of pearles, corall, and saffron, with oile of cinamone and cloues, it helpeth against me∣lancolike affects, the frensie, vertigo, Epilepsia, Cephalal∣gia, quartaines, and the canker▪ His dose is 1. scrup▪ & halfe with water of balme or Buglosse: it purgeth blacke choller, and whatsoeuer grosse slimie thing is mixed with the bloud.

The stone Cyaneus thus prepared may more cōmodiously bee giuen in the confection of Alkermes, being commen∣ded by all Phisitions against the trembling of the hart, syn∣cope, sadnes, and to strengthen all the spirites, and to driue away all poisons.

Of the preparation of Rhabarb, Aloes, Sennae, Agaricke, Myrabolanes, Oxiphenicis, and of such like of a meaner sort.

THese medicines are compounded by Actuarius and the rest of the Phisitions among the true purgers, because euerie of them do draw by his whole substance, their proper humor: for they purge not the whole bodie from the roote (as I may say) but not with so great trouble. Phisitions vse them chiefly to cure almost all diseases, either because they may bee vsed without any greater preparation then that which they themselues know, or else because they dare not trie any better, seeing they are ignorant of the preparations of their medecines. In the meane season the purging power of these meane purgers may be greatly encreased with Spa∣gyricall preparations by taking out of them that which is pure and seperating the feces which are contrarie to the

purging of mans bodie, & thereby will great profit follow. First, for that the stomake will not be hurt with the medicine, when nothing shal hinder, but that it may performe his worke & spe∣dily moue the bodie & be likewise moued of it againe. And se∣condly the sick or diseased person wil more easily a great deale take it, for that there is but a little quantity of the medicine, which are sometimes found to be harde, that they had rather change life for death, then they would drinke vp whole cupfuls of those troubled & thicke medicines, which the stomacke of many can not abide before they take them, or else is made so weake that it loathing them, do cast them vp againe, and that with great trouble. True phisitions therefore should giue dili∣gent heede to seeke out these preparations of medicines, both for their honour of the art of Phisicke, & for the health of the diseased. It is manifest that the essence of Rhabarb is of a pur∣ging * 1.30power, because of his sub••ill part, which is left in his de∣coction▪ so that thereby he looseth his purging vertue, which by Phisitions is taken out, if it be macerated in some thinne liquor by putting too white wine & Cinamom. They call this the infusion of Rhabarbe, because they do after a sort draw out the force and essence of the Rhabarbe casting away the seces. But by this methode following, that medicine will be made a great deale better and more profitable.

Beate thy Rhabarb to powder and put thereon the Alcool of wine that it may be couered foure fingers, then close it fast and set it to digest three or foure daies in Balneo, vntill the men∣strua be coloured, then powre it out & put on fresh, & do so vn∣til the menstrua will be no more coloured, that the feces re∣maine white, all being well circulated according to art, seperat the menstrua by Balneo, and the essence of the Rhabarbe will remaine in the bottom: then to euery ounce thereof ad oile of cinamon 2. scrup. of which if you giue 1. scrup. with a spoonfull of white wine, it doth purge more mightely then 1. oū. of the in∣fusion, & yet with lesse trouble. This medicine may be ministred vnto children & to women with child & old men, and to those that are weake through sicknes. It purgeth and bringeth forth yellow choller. The feces or earth that doth remain is of a bin∣ding qualitie, and therfore it is prescribed against Lienteria, Di∣ssenteria, & al•••• fluoribus. But if any desire to haue it purge more stronger, let him calcine the feces in a reuerberatorie, & then

with water draw forth his salt, & with reiterating his filteratiō•• it wil bee purifyed like christall: then cast his essence that was drawen out vpon his alkaly, & digest him, & then distill him, for by this meanes the strength of all medicines shall be increased.

So shal you prepare the extractiō of alloes, which doth purge * 1.31choller and thicke fleame, but gently chiefly from the stomacke and intrailles, and strengtheneth those parts as wel in clensing as purging them, to this extraction ad oile of cloues and mace, to resist his force, & the oile of masticke to take away his sharp∣nes * 1.32and corroding quallity. Agaricke being prepared after the same order doth purge chiefly fleame out of the stomack, me∣senterion, liuer, spleen, and lungs from the braine and sinewes, not so swiftly because his power is weake. His dose is 2. scrup. aswell to the young as to the old, but because it doth somwhat offend the stomake, it is corrected with the oile of ginger and spike. Thus may you haue out the extractiōs or essence of sene, polypody, mechoacam, mirabolanes, and such like, which you may minister to whom and when they be conuenient, by put∣ting to them their proper corrections according to the qua∣litie of the sicknes and the strength of the diseased.

These are they which I purposed to set forth of the Spagiri∣call preparations, meaning shortly (God willing) to set forth greater thinges, that thereby those that are studious for true phisicke, may enioy my labors, watchinges, and trauelles, and the profit that I haue gotten thereby through the talke of di∣uers learned men. Of which I thought good to shadow certaine thinges with certaine secret words of art, lest I should seeme rashly to cast forth those pretious pearles heare set forth prin∣cipally for the Spagyricall Phisitions to the Sophisters of all good discipline, and contemners of the secrets of nature, who when they haue gotten any commō or neuer so sleight a thing out of the neast of Cadmi fillius, they contemne things vnknown, and are not afraide to raile at that art, and vnwiselye to taunt with all kind of bitter words, at that which they neuer so much once did see.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Lib de purgans med facult,
• * 1.2

  Lib quos purg conue quibus & quo nodos▪
• * 1.3

  Libro de purg medicam fac Chap. 6.
• * 1.4

  Lib. 3. Capit 5. med facult Chap. 24.
• * 1.5

  Lib quos purg conue & er•• Cap. 6.
• * 1.6

  Cap. 11. & lib ••. simp▪
• * 1.7

  Lib quos purg, dec & caet cap 8.
• * 1.8

  Lib. 7.
• * 1.9

  Simp med. 7.
• * 1.10

  Simp. 1. caq. 12.
• * 1.11

  Lib quos purg & caet cap. 8.
• * 1.12

  Lib. 7. cap. 4.
• * 1.13

  Extractio sine essentia Ele∣borie.
• * 1.14

  Lib. 7. cap. 4.
• * 1.15

  Aph. 16. lib 4.
• * 1.16

  Lib. 2. cap. 20
• * 1.17

  Extractum turpeti.
• * 1.18

  Extractio Hermodac∣tilorum. Dios••or. 45. cap. 79. Gal. simp. 6. Paul. lib. 7.
• * 1.19

  Extractio Lactario••ū
• * 1.20

  Extractum rad. cucu. agrestis.
• * 1.21

  Elaterium.
• * 1.22

  Extractum squillae.
• * 1.23

  Extractum scammoniae.
• * 1.24

  Lib, 1. a lim.
• * 1.25

  Lib. 7. simp.
• * 1.26

  Lib. 3. cap. 80.
• * 1.27

  Extractum Euforbij.
• * 1.28

  Extractum opoponax sar. sagap. &c.
• * 1.29

  Extractum colocynthi∣dis.
• * 1.30

  Ex Rab••
• * 1.31

  ••actum ••es.
• * 1.32

  ••actum ••rici.