Academia scientiarum, or, The academy of sciences being a short and easie introduction to the knowledge of the liberal arts and sciences, with the names of those famous authors that have written on every particular science : in English and Latine / by D. Abercromby ...

Sect. IX. Chymistry.

CHymistry is the Art of Analysing, or Resolving Bodies by the opera∣tion of the fire into their compounding principles.

The Chymists do generally affirm Mer∣cury, Salt, and Sulphur to be the com∣pounding principles of all compounded things; which Doctrine is learnedly and solidly confuted by the English Philoso∣pher, I mean the Famous Robert Boyle in his Sceptical Chymist. Yet it can∣not be denied but that it is useful and necessary likewise to mankind, upon the account of those many excellent Medi∣cines

it prepares to the great advantage of Physicians, and ease of their Patients, whereof these ensuing are some of the most considerable.

• 1. Aurum fulminans, or thundering Gold; a very good Sudorifick; it may be taken in the Measles from 2 grains to 6 in any convenient Electuary; it stops Vomiting, and is a hindrance to the activity of Mercury, or Quick-silver.
• 2. Vitriolus Lunae taken inwardly, is prevalent against the Dropsie, and the Head-ach, of what sort soever; you may take it from 2 grains to 6 in any Speci∣fick water; it is likewise a moderate purger.
• 3. Sal Jovis, is a great drier.
• 4. Magisterium Bismuth, softeneth the skin, and is good against Scabs and Itch, if you mix a drachm of it with 4 ounces of water, because it is a great de∣stroyer of Salts and Acids, two general causes of most Distempers.
• 5. Sal Saturni taken inwardly, pre∣vaileth against the Squinancy, the over∣flowing

• of the Flowers, Piles, Dysentery; you may take it from 2 grains to 4 in Plantain-water.
• 6. Oleum Saturni cleanseth and dri∣eth up Ulcers.
• 7. Spiritus ardens Saturni resisteth powerfully putrefaction; it is beneficial to such as are troubled with too much Melancholy. You may take it from 8 to 16 drops, in any convenient liquor, a fortnight together.
• 8. Crocus aperitivus martis has a a peculiar vertue against all distempers occasioned by obstructions▪ You may take it from 2 grains to 2 scruples in Lozenges or Pills.
• 9. Crocus martis astringens is of a peculiar vertue against the glitting of the Yard, the overflowing of the monthly Flowers and Piles; you may take it from 15 grains to a drachm in Lozenges or Pills.
• 10. Mars Diaphoreticus cures effe∣ctually the most melancholy distempers, as likewise Quartan-Agues; you may

• take it from 10 to 20 grains in Pills, or any convenient Liquor.
• 11. Sublimatum corrosivum eats up superfluous flesh, and drieth up Ul∣cers.
• 12. Sublimatum dulce, or Aquila alba, is very good against all Venereal Distempers; 'tis a great Deobstruent, and killer of worms; it may be taken in Pills from 6 grains to 30: 'Tis a mild purger.
• 13. Praecipitatum rubrum drieth up wounds, and consumeth superfluous or proud flesh.
• 14. Turbith minerale, or The Yel∣low Praecipitate, is a strong purger, and worketh both upwards and downwards; 'tis good against Venereal Distempers; you may take it in Pills from 2 gr. to 6.
• 15. Crudum Antimonium is a Su∣dorifick, but if you boyl it in any acid liquor, it will provoke you to vomit.
• 16. Regulus Antimonii purgeth upwards and downwards, if mixed with any Cathartick or Purger.
• ...

• 17. Vitrum Antimonii is the stron∣gest Vomitory that is made of Anti∣mony.
• 18. Antimonium Diaphoreticum resisteth powerfully Poison, and is like∣wise good against contagious Distem∣pers, and against the Measlles.
• 19. Flores Antimonii provoke to Vomit; and Rubri flores Antimonii as yet more; you may take them both from 2 gr. to 14, taking every quarter of an hour a spoonful of Broth wherein you have boyl'd a competent quantity of the Cream of Tartar.
• 20. Sulphur Antimonii is prevalent against the Distempers of the Breast; you may take 6 grains of it in any appropri∣ated liquor.

Authors.

Paracelsus, Beguinus, Helmontius, and the deservedly Renowned Robert Boyle, &c.