The royal pharmacopœea, galenical and chymical according to the practice of the most eminent and learned physitians of France : and publish'd with their several approbations / by Moses Charras, th Kings chief operator in his royal garden of plants ; faithfully Englished ; illustrated with several copper plates.

THE Royal Pharmacopoea, GALENICAL AND CHYMICAL. (Book 1)

THE FIRST PART. Concerning the Generalities of Pharmacy. (Book 1)

CHAP. I. Of the Definition and Names both of the one and the other Pharmacy.

PHARMACY is the second part of that part of Physick that attends the Cure of Diseases, and teaches the Choice, Preparation and Mixture of Medicaments. This Definition might suffice, did we not know of any other Pharmacy then that of the Ancients, which is call'd Galenic. But in regard the Chymical Pharmacy of the Moderns has many perfections that are peculiar to it, and that thereby the be∣nefit of the Galenic is much improv'd, it deserves to have a particular Definition. I will say then, without swerving from the first general Definition, that Chymical Phar∣macy ought to be defin'd to be, An Art which teaches us to dissolve bodies, and by the same means to divide and know the parts of which they are compos'd, to the end we may separate the bad, and preserve the good, and unite them again when occasion re∣quires. For,

Dividit ut purget, purúm{que} exaltet, & arctet.

The Name of Pharmacy, which is common to both, is derived from the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; which signifies a Medicine, in regard it is the work of both to compose Me∣dicines. The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is compounded of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as one should say, I bring a Remedy. We call the Galenic Pharmacy, which has been very ancient, that which was known and practis'd by the Greeks, Romans and Arabians, which has been very much improv'd by Galen and his Followers, and to this day is very much in esteem. We call the Chymical Pharmacy, that which was not known but to some few of the An∣cients; but which at present is very much approv'd and practis'd by a very great num∣ber of the Moderns, who have made it their study, and by their continual Industrie have brought to light, and unfolded many Mysteries that lay before conceal'd in riddles, and by that success have encourag'd others to follow their example.

The most receiv'd Etymology of the word Chymistrie, is that which is deriv'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from Juice, in regard it teaches how to extract the most pure and liquid parts of Compounds, and to separate them from those parts which are more impure and gross. Others derive the word from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to melt or dissolve; from whence they also fetch the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which some Lexicons expound to be a Melting or preparation of Gold and Silver, being substances upon which Chymistrie practises a vast number of preparations. The Name of Alchymie, which some have attributed to Chymistrie, is deriv'd from the Arabick word Al, which sometimes signifies the Excellencie of a thing, and sometimes Salt; in which sence it may signifie a dissolving or preparation of Salt, which is one of the most essential parts of Mixture.

Others have stil'd Chymistrie the Hermetic science, alledging without ground that Hermes was the Inventor thereof, to whom for that reason they gave the Name of Tris∣megistus, or Thrice great. Some, not improperly, have call'd it the Art Distillatorie, in regard that it accomplishes many of its operations by Distillation. Paracelsus and se∣veral others have nam'd it Spagyric Pharmacy, which is a composition of two Greek words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to separate, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to gather together; for it separates the pure from the impure, and unites and gathers together the pure parts, when the impure are se∣parated from them. I omit those other Names which others have ascrib'd to it, as Pyrotechnie, or the Art of working by Fire; the Sages or the Philosophers Art; the Se∣cret Art, and many other Names, which I pass over in silence.

CHAP. II. Of the Subject, Object and End of both the one and the other Pharmacy.

ALL natural things created may be compriz'd under the Name of Medicament; and they are equally the subject, and object both of the one and the other Phar∣macy: So then I say, That Medicament is the general matter that a Student in Phar∣macy ought to consider, and know both externally and internally, and which he ought to understand how to prepare and mix as occasion requires for the use of Physick. The exterior knowledge of Medicament is less difficult; because, that I may speak pro∣perly, it is onely superficial: Nevertheless it does not want some difficulty, in regard of the largeness of its extent, and the vast variety of mixtures which are comprehend∣ed under the Name of Medicament. But the internal knowledge dives into all the parts, whereof Mixture or simple Medicaments are compounded. And this re∣quires much more skill and experience than the former. Nor can it be obtain'd but by preparation, and by making an exact dissolution of all the parts, which cannot be accomplish'd without the help of Chymical Pharmacy.

Though the Body of Man be the remote object both of the one and the other Phar∣macy, it ceases not however to be some part of its subject, in regard it affords parts which are in truth Medicaments, as the Brains, the Blood, the Fat, the Hair, &c. which a Student in Pharmacy ought to consider, and understand how to prepare.

The end of a Physician is twofold, to understand the internal which is the true know∣ledge, and tends to the perfect preparation of Medicaments; and the external, which is the health of Man, for which the Physician chooses, prepares, and mixes all his Medicines. The first may be also call'd the Next End; the other may be term'd the Re∣mote End.

CHAP. III. Of the Principles of Chymical Pharmacy.

WIthout making any stay upon the opinion of the Ancient Philosophers, who found∣ed the principles of all things upon the four Elements, which they affirm'd to be Air, Fire, Water and Earth, I take part with the Chymical Authors, ancient and modern, who acknowledge no other principles than those which they meet with by Art in the disso∣lution

of all Compounds. Plants, Animals, and Minerals, are equally compos'd of these principles, and we find them very distinctly in the resolution of their parts; espe∣cially of those whose substance is not extraordinarily compacted. These Principles consist in five different substances; of which the three principal are call'd active Prin∣ciples; the other two of lesser note, passive Principles. The three first are called by the Names of Salt, Sulphur and Mercury, by reason of their agreement with Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury natural. They are called active, because they include within themselves, a quality, vertue or power that produces action. Salt is esteem'd to be the ground of all savours; Sulphur, of all odours, and combustibility; Mercury, of all colours. Flegm and Earth are the two last principles, which are said to be passive, as well to di∣stinguish them from the former, as also for that they cannot produce any considerable action. They are also call'd Elementary principles, by reason of their conformity with Water and Earth, which were the grosser Elements of the Ancients.

In the distillation of Compounds, the insipid Flegm, which is like Water, appears usually first of all. Next to that comes the Spirit, to which we give the name of Mer∣cury: In the third place appears the Oyl, which we call Sulphur. The Salt, under its own proper name, is found last of all, mix'd amongst the Earth; which remaining in the Filtre, after the separation of the Salt, is lookt upon as the last principle.

Nevertheless we find that the Salts of Animals and certain Creatures, rise in distilla∣tion among the other substances, and that in Rectification they also rise first, by reason of their great volatility, and that there remains but little fixed Salt among the terre∣strial part which is found at the bottom after distillation. We also find many times that the Flegm, the Spirit, the Volatile Salt and the Oyl, rise in distillation confusedly to∣gether: and that you must of necessity have recourse to Rectification to separate and pu∣rifie them. But though Flegm and Earth are accounted Passive principles, and have less vertue than Salt, Sulphur and Mercury, which are the Active principles; yet are they not altogether to be despis'd. For besides the necessary rank which they hold in the composition of Medicaments, they have their particular vertues and uses, when they are separated from the other principles by distillation, or any other way of prepara∣tion. Which obliges me to discourse of them, as well as of the rest, according to their order in distillation.

CHAP. IV. Of Flegm.

FLegm is a principle reputed to be passive, which most usually rises first in the di∣stillation of Compounds: especially of such mixt bodies, wherein it abounds. They who agree the Elements to be principles, suppose Flegm to be the Element of Wa∣ter; which it most resembles, when well separated from the rest of the principles. Flegm, though to outward shew it appear thin, and almost void of any consistency, is a substance which most abounds in the composition of mixt bodies; especially of Plants and Animals.

Flegm separated from the other substances of the mixt body, doth not lose its vertue. For it curbs the activity of the Spirits, and qualifies the acrimonie of the Salts, if united to them; it also serves to dissolve them, and all watry substances. It unites with the Oyls, by the help of the Salts. It is proper in the extraction of several Tinctures, especi∣ally of substances, to which it had been united. It is proper in several Fermentations, Distil∣lations, Humectations, and several other Operations. It qualifies the heat of the Oyls; and binds and unites the Earth with the Salts, redressing the drieness and brittleness of the latter. It refreshes and moistens being alone; but easily receives the impressions of those substances with which it is mix'd; it easily corupts, when mix'd with moist substan∣ces that are strangers to it; and hastens their corruption and dissolution. But it may be preserv'd a long time alone in a bottle well-stopp'd. It soon evaporates in the open air, but sooner in the Sun or against the Fire. It usually observes the motion and action of the Spirits, Oyls or Salts, with which it is mix'd; and from which at all times it may with ease be separated. It ascends in distillation in clear clouds, which presently dissolve into water. In that it differs from the Spirits and Oyls, whose va∣pors or clouds are much thicker, and harder to be dissolv'd.

CHAP. V. Of the Spirit.

THE Spirit, denoted by the Name of Mercury, is an airy, subtle; penetrating sub∣stance which usually ascends in distillation after the Flegm is rais'd. This Spirit is more or less subtle and penetrating, according to the nature of the mixt Bodies out of which it is drawn. For the Spirits of Vitriol, Salt, Nitre, and Sulphur, are much more piercing than that of Vinegar; and the Spirit of Vinegar much more penetrating than those of Guiacum and Allum: and by consequence a Spirit of more force and efficacy will act more powerfully than one which is weaker. The property of a Spi∣rit is to penetrate, cut, and open compacted and solid Bodies. It eats, putrifies, breaks, dissolves, and burns certain mixt Bodies. It coagulates others, as Blood and Milk, and separates the terrestrial from the watry parts. Certain Spirits being well purifi'd from their Flegm, and mingl'd with water, will cause a heat so vehement therein, that hardly a Man shall endure his hand in it: nor is it an easie matter to keep the Vessels from breaking that contain it. The Spirit presently extinguishes the flame of the Oyls; it joins immediately to the Salt, and sometimes unites it self so closely to it, that nothing but a violent Fire can separate it. It heats of it self, but being mingl'd with a small quantity of cooling liquors, it augments their coolness, and causes them to penetrate. It dries alone, but moist'ns being mingl'd with Flegm, and helps to preserve it. It gives it its own activity and strength, according as it is mix'd with it, either in a grea∣ter, or lesser quantity. It allays and qualifies the Acrimony of the Salts, and is by them reciprocally qualifi'd. It incorporates with them, and fixes their Volatility. It is us'd for Tinctures, and for diversity of colours, which it changes, and sometimes ut∣terly destroys, according as it is us'd. It dissolves Minerals, and precipitates those that were dissolv'd by their Salts. It serves for the nourishment of Plants and Animals, and gives motion to the latter. It dissolves Stones, purifies the Blood; it restores and renews the radical moisture. It restores the speech to them that have lost it. It clean∣ses and purges, being mix'd with its Flegm. It kills all sorts of Scurfs and Scabs; and asswages all sorts of pains caus'd by the Salts. In short, it will give considerable re∣lief to an abundance of Distempers, especially those that proceed from the acrimony of Salts, if rightly order'd and prescrib'd with judgment.

I refer the Volatile Urine Spirits, to the Chapter of Salt, as being more of the na∣ture of Salt, than of the acid Spirit.

CHAP. VI. Of Sulphur.

SƲlphur, acknowledg'd to be the third Principle, is a homogeneous, liquid, oylie, vis∣cous and combustible substance, which in distillation ascends usually like Oyl after the Spirit; which being purifi'd from the terrestrial and salt parts, is lighter than the Flegm, the Spirits, and all the other substances, so that it swims above them all; but while it still contains those parts of Earth and Salt, it swims between the other substan∣ces, or else it sinks to the bottom, according as it is more or less intermixt. Some∣times also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 happens, that one part of the Oyls swims above the Flegm, another part between it, and a third part falls to the bottom; as is often observ'd in the distillation of ponderous Woods. Sometimes likewise it happens, that the same compound Body yields Oyls distinct in colour, that swim one above another, as is observ'd in the distil∣lation of Turpentine, where are to be seen Oyls of three different colours, that swim one above another; not to mention the Spirit, or rather Ethereal Oyl that swims above all the rest. The viscosity of this Principle occasions it easily to stick to those substances that rise with it in distillation; and particularly to the Salts, or to some other gross and terrestrial parts: So that there is no way to separate it truly, but by Rectification, which separates and raises it above all the other Principles. This Sulphur, being like

Oyl, is a substance between Spirit and Salt, so that it may be united to them by Circu∣lation, for the making of Elixirs, Universal Medicines, and all the rare preparations of Chymical Pharmacy. This sulphurous Principle being separated from all the rest, not only resists cold, but of it self never congeals. It is incorruptible, and so preserves those Body's that are embalm'd within it, so that they do not too excessively abound in Flegm. It mortifies the acrimony of the Salts; it unites and coagulates with them: It resists Spirits, and Aquafortis it self, that it can can do no good upon it. It cherishes the na∣tural heat. It is a great Friend to the Nerves, and facilitates the motion of the Muscles: It is the Balsom of all things. It is a mollifier, lenitive, discussive, and an asswager of pain. It increases the Spirits, in Vegetals and Animals. It is as it were the Soul of Minerals: It is the matter and foundation of all Odours and scents; and keeps in the middle between the driness of Salt, and the moistness of the fluid Spirit.

CHAP. VII. Of Salt.

SAlt is the Spirit, which after distillation usually remains mixt with the Earth; which being separated, purifi'd, and dry'd, looks of a white colour, of a dry and brittle consistence. Salt is easily dissolv'd in moisture, and being dissolv'd, it indures the Oyl: It may be also join'd to the Oyl by vertue of the Spirit. Though this Salt seem to us to be very dry, nevertheless there is an internal moisture in it, which renders it apt to run with a great fire. Salt resists Fire, and is purifi'd thereby. It is incom∣bustible, and may be preserv'd as long as you please without any loss, or suffering any alteration of its own nature: The taste thereof is tart and sharp, with a little bitter∣ness: From whence it has been tak'n for the foundation of all savors; though the other Principles are not without them, by reason of some Particles of Salt that may remain in their substances. It is hot and penetrating; it hast'ns the running of Mettals; it helps to preserve all substances. It attracts to it self all that are volatile, and fixes them. It strongly unites with the Spirit, insomuch that if the Spirit exceed it three or four times in quantity, it ascends with it in distillation. It coagulates certain Liquors. It purges, cleanses, opens, resolves, dries up, and consumes superfluous humours. It hin∣ders the consumption of the Oyl. It is the Life and Soul of all substances. Without it the Earth is barren; through the excess of it, it becomes unfruitful. It preserves Ani∣mals in health and makes them fruitful. It consolidates all substances, especially Mi∣nerals; and makes the Spirit corporeal by joining with it. By the way observe, that the Salt of Animals, as also of certain Vegetals, is not found among the Earth at the bot∣tom after distillation: in regard that by reason of its volatile nature it rises like a kind of Spirit, among the Oyl, and with some part of the Flegm; whence it may afterwards be separated by Rectification. This volatile Salt has some of the qualities of that which I have already mention'd; but its volatileness carries it thither, where the other can∣not reach of it self without the help of this. It penetrates in an extraordinary man∣ner, so that neither the Eyes, nor the Nose can endure the strength of it, in any great quantity; by reason of its volatileness it cannot resist Fire, which it cannot endure, un∣less mingl'd with some acid Spirit, or with some fix'd Salt that surmounts it in quantity. The volatile Salt is too smart upon the Nose, the Tongue, the Eyes and the Brain by its penetration; but it neither has the acrimony, nor the bitterness of the fixed Salt; nor does it leave any considerable heat behind it, either upon the Tongue, or any other place.

CHAP. VIII. Of Earth.

EArth is the last Principle, and the less esteem'd of all. It appears last at the end of Distillation and Calcination; and when the Salt which was mix'd with it is drawn

out of it by Dissolution and Filtration. This Earth thus separated from all the Princi∣ples is called Caput mortuum, or the Dead Head, by the Chymists, having no other con∣siderable Quality but astriction and driness. This Principle however is very neces∣sary in the composition of mixt Bodies: for while the Sulphur makes it tenacious, vis∣cous and clammy; while the Salt makes it hard and firm; while the Spirit affords it nourishment and motion; while the Flegm is the cause of growth, and tempers all the other substances; from the Earth it receives a consistence necessary for its preservation: so that there is no substance in a mixt Body which has not its proper office, and particu∣lar service. The Earth after the dissolution of the mixt Body is that which troubles all the active Principles, and must be separated from them; for when it is mix'd with them, it hinders their action; It stops the Pores, it engenders Obstructions, it incorporates with the salts and spirits, and begets stones in the bladder and reins, and very much contributes to the Original of several Diseases. The Earth separated from the other substances is often porous and very light; it easily unites it self with the substances from whence it was separated. It borrows the weight of the other Principles, especi∣ally of Salt and Spirits which are the heaviest. The use of it in Physick is only exterior, where there is any occasion to close up and fortifie the parts.

CHAP. IX. Of Medicament in general.

MEdicament is defin'd to be any thing that is capable to change our Nature for the better. Medicament is divided into Internal and External; and both those in∣to Simple and Compound. The Simple Medicament is that which is produc'd by Na∣ture, though it be in truth compos'd of all the five Principles already mention'd. The Compound is that which depends upon several Simples different in vertue, and mingl'd artificially together. Sometimes a Compound Medicament may bear the Name of Simple to distinguish it from another more compounded, which carries the same Name-Aliment differs from Medicament in this, that being taken inwardly it nourishes and in∣creases our nature: whereas Medicament can only alter it, whether outwardly ap∣ply'd, or taken inwardly:

Poyson differs from Medicament in this, that it destroys our Nature: but it may pass for Medicament, in regard that Pharmacy is able to correct and tame whatever it has of wild and mischievous, and render it wholsome, as well when giv'n inwardly, as when outwardly apply'd.

Medicaments differ among themselves, either in their matter, or in their vertues.

The matter of Medicaments is taken from Vegetals, Animals, and Minerals.

By Vegetals I understand Trees, Shrubs, Brambles, Herbs with all their parts; all things that belong to, or grow upon them; and in general every thing that has a vege∣tative Life, and which receiving nourishment from the Earth by some sort of Root or other, grows either above, or near the superficies of the Earth; like the real Plants whose name is common with that of Vegetals. So then we are to comprehend under the Name of Vegetals, Roots, Stalks, Bark, Wood, Boughs, Leaves, Flowers, Berries, Cods, Seeds, Gums, Rosins, Juices, Tears, Liquors, distilling Waters, Kernels, Mush∣romes, as well those that grow out of the Earth, as upon Trees and other places; Wa∣ter-Nuts, the excrescences of Trees, as Musseltoe, Moss, Cottons, Galls, Thorns, Sugar, Manna, and several other Plants which it would be too tedious to repeat.

By Animals I understand Fowl, Land-Creatures, Water-Animals, and such as are accustom'd to Land and Water: and not only such as are made use of whole, as Scorpi∣ons, Frogs, Worms, Chestops, little Dogs, Emmets, Cantharides, Lizzards, &c. but all the parts of the bodies of Animals, which may be us'd in Physick, not excepting their excrements and superfluities, as are the brain, the fat, the blood, the hair, the dung, the urine of Men; the horn, the pizzle, the stones, the suet, the marrow, the bone of the heart of a Deer; the liver and inwards of a Wolf; the grease, milt, the yellow stones, and bone in the heart of an Oxe, the foot of an Elk, the lungs of a Fox, the brains of a Sparrow, the tooth of an Elephant and a wild Boar, the horn of a Unicorn and Rhi∣noceros. The ring-bone, hoof, fat and dung of a Horse; the dung of a Mule, or Ass.

Musk, Perles, Bezoar, Shells. The jaw of a Pike, the claws, stones, and juice of Craw-fish; the blood, and fat of a Wild Goat, and Kid. The heart, liver, trunk, head, tayl, fat and skin of Vipers; the fat, and sperm of a Whale. The liver, and fat of Eels; the bone of a Toàd, the grease of Bears: the grease, and stomach of a Capon; the feathers of a Wood-cock, and Partridges; the stinking oyl of Bezoar∣stone. The grease of Hogs, Badgers, Geese, Ducks, and several other Animals. The dung of Cows, Dogs, Mice, Lyzards, their bones, their skins, their excrescences, their hair, their urine, their sweat; and in general whatever appertains to the bodies of Animals.

By Minerals I understand all Metals, Half-metals, and what belongs to Metals. All sorts of Earths, and Bole-Armoniack; all Stones, Marbles, Flints, Porphyries, Jaspers, Chrystals, Jacinths, Emraulds, Saphirs, Granats, Blood-stones, Diamonds, and all sorts of Jewels: Sulphurs, Vitriols, Allums, Sal Gem, Bay-salt, Water, Rain, Snow, Ice, Hail, Thunder-bolts, Dew, Manna of several sorts, Morter, Lime, Brick, Oyl of Naphta Amber-griece white and yellow; Jet, Sea-coal and all Bitumens. Talk, Chalk, Bismuth, Zink, and all Marcasites, the ordinary Earth, Sand, Clay; and in general whatever is drawn out of the Bowels of the Earth, or Sea; or descends from the Air, being without Life. Some there are that add to these, Corals and Spunges, which others will have to be Plants.

Here I might take a fair occasion to make a large Catalogue of all the principal sim∣ple Medicaments, wherewith Vegetals, Animals, and Minerals, furnish Pharmacy; but the unprofitable confusion and perplexity, which I have observ'd in some Pharmacop••a's, have diverted me from it, and have made me resolve not to speak of them any other∣wise in the progress of this Treatise, than as necessity shall lead me to make more particular Illustrations upon some that need a peculiar explanation.

CHAP. X. Of the Vertue of Medicaments.

THE Vertue of Medicaments may be defin'd to be a proper and inseparable acci∣dent, upon which their action depends. So that we may say, that the Faculties, or Vertues of Medicaments cannot be well known, but by their action or operation. We observe three Vertues in Medicaments, the altering Faculty, the purging Faculty, and the strengthening Faculty. The altering Faculty is known by the manifest alteration which it makes in our Bodies. The purging Faculty carries away the ill humors, either by expelling them, by making the passages slippery to make them way, or by attract∣ing them together, and forcing them out at the usual vents of Nature. We may com∣prehend under Purgative, the Diaphoretic Faculty, which sends forth evil humours through the Pores of the Skin; and the Diuretic, which expells them by Urine. The strength∣ening Faculty, or Vertue, fortifies and preserves the Body, or some one of its parts, by a specific operation.

There are three sorts of Vertues attributed to Medicament. The first sort, which by the Ancients was esteem'd Elementary, and only ought to be attributed to the Princi∣ples whereof it is compos'd; that is, that it heats, cools, moistens, and dries; and, still to follow their opinion, sometimes obscurely in the first degree, sometimes mani∣festly in the second, sometimes violently in the third, and sometimes to extremi∣ty in the fourth. They also give to each degree, a beginning, a middle, and an end, which denotes the diminution or excess of heat, cold, moistness, or driness.

The second Qualities are the Products of the first: For the property of heat is to open, rarefie, attenuate, attract, &c. The property of cold is to thicken, to condense, to stop, to repell, &c. The property of moist is to moisten, mollifie, &c. The property of driness is to knit, hard'n, and dissipate humidities, &c.

The third Qualities are hidd'n, and we can only find them out by experience. As when a Jasper apply'd to a Wound stops the blood: when a Toad dry'd, being held in the hand, stays bleeding at the Nose, and asswages the Tooth-ach, which is also per∣form'd by the Bone in the Fore-leg of the same Toad, when a Stick of Ash, boyl'd un∣der a certain Constellation, stops all losses of blood; when a Hazle-Stick, gather'd in its

proper season, heals all contusions; when the Eagle-stone hung about the neck, hin∣ders abortion; and hastens and facilitates the Birth, being ty'd to the thigh: as when a straw cleaves of it self to Amber, or Spanish-wax, Iron to the Load-stone; as when certain Plants ty'd to a Horses tayl, heal the Farce: and several other effects of the same nature, of which Philosophers labour to give the natural reason.

CHAP. XI. Of Election, or Choice.

EVery Artist ought to understand the matter of which he intends to make use, be∣fore he undertakes the cure. And therefore with great reason Pharmacy is obli∣g'd to begin its operations with Election.

Election is the discerning and choice of a good Medicament from a bad one. We may also alleadge it to be the discerning and distinguishing of every particular Medi∣cament, when there are several of a various nature mingl'd together.

The Ancients by the word Election, did not mean a knowledge as inward and se∣cret as we could obtain by the help of Chymical Pharmacy, which by the means of proper dissolvents, resolves the bodies into the principles whereof they are com∣pos'd, whereby we gain an inward knowledge of all their parts; but they only intend∣ed a superficial knowledge of the true Character of every drug. Now both the one and the other of these two skills cannot be principally acquir'd but by the help of the Senses, which are Seeing, Smelling, Tasting, Hearing and Feeling; which are not al∣wayes necessary altogether, to discern every Mixture separately, in regard there are some that may be distinguish'd only by the Sight, others by the Smell, others by the Taste; others that require a concurrence of more Senses than one towards a more per∣fect▪ Election. And though that without the Tryal of fire, all the Senses together cannot furnish us with an exact knowledge of all the parts whreof mixt bodies are com∣pos'd, yet they afford us enough to discern one mixt body from another, and the good from the bad; and as much judgement as is requir'd to select them for such and such occasions, or else to make a separation of them by Chymistry.

Election is made from the Essence, the Substance, or the Qualities of the mixt body. The Substance mainly conduces to the knowledge of the Essence. The Qualities assist to the knowledge of both together, adding thereto the tryal of the exterior disposi∣tion of the mixt body. By Substance we understand a certain couching or joyning together, or a consistency of matter, which is found out by the mixture and the pro∣portion of the five principles. Whence it comes to pass, that some mixt bodies are very heavy; others light, some close, others spungy; some coarse, others fine; some brittle, others clammy, &c.

The Sight serves to discern colours, and the various external dispositions of mixt bodies: it discovers also the internal disposition when the body is open'd by breaking, cutting, or otherwise.

The Smelling receives through the Nostrils a certain evaporated substance that rises from the mix'd body, and is carry'd to the Brain. The difference of Odours is so great, that it is impossible to relate the variety; but only by comparison we may guess by the affinity or remoteness of scent, what congruity one mixt bodie may have with another. Nor indeed are there above two differences, the one good, the other bad; though each of these may differ from their like, in the degrees of more or less.

Feeling serves to distinguish the smoothness or roughness of the mixt bodie: but the chief use thereof is to distinguish between heavy and light, hard and soft. Feeling is also to be made use of, when because there can be no positive judgement made of the exterior part, there is a necessity of breaking or cutting into the in-side. It serves also to understand the viscousness or brittleness of a mixt body.

The Taste is a Sense which is as much or more necessary than any of the rest, by rea∣son of the diversity of Savours in mixt bodies; which proceeds from the various na∣ture of the Salts, that are mix'd in the Composition of their Substances: and for that Savours are easie to be distinguish'd and describ'd.

Authors unanimously acknowledge nine simple Savours; of which they will have three to be hot, three to be cold, and three temperate. The tart, the bitter, and

the salt they place in the rank of hot Savours: The stiptic or sowre, the sharp, the eager, in the rank of cold Savours: The oylie, the sweet and the insipid, they alledge to be temperate.

The Hearing is of least use in the election of mixt Bodies. For it only serves to judge of their parts when they are clos'd up in their Covers, as the Eagle-stone; or in their rinds, as Cassia, whether it be moist or dry'd up; or in their cods or husks, as seve∣ral Seeds: unless we may bring it to the sound of Metals, the knowledge whereof is more useful in the course of common dealing, than in Pharmacy.

The practice of these Senses has been the rise of several general Rules, not only for the knowledge of mixt Bodies; but also for the prescription of them, which ought not to be unknown.

For it is necessary to examine the lightness of Medicaments that purge by attraction, as Agaric, Colloquintida, Scammonie, and Mechoacan; yet this Rule admits of some exception. For Jalap, Hermodactiles, and Turbith, are accounted more rosiny and best, when being dry they feel a little weighty.

'Tis necessary to examine the weight of Medicaments that purge by compression, mollifying and lenifying, as Rhubarb, Cassia, Mirobalans and Tamarinds.

The soft and smooth superficies of a Medicament, is to be preferr'd before the hard and rough. Remedies moderately hot, are to be preferr'd before cold; moist before dry. Hot and moist excel cold and dry. 'Tis also necessary to choose good Scents, and to avoid bad ones: and to act quite contrary in some Hysteric distempers of Wo∣men, who cannot endure the scent of sweet odours, which are only then to be employ'd in the lower parts.

Savours perfectly sowre are naught: those whose sowreness is accompany'd with a kind of stiptickness or restringency, are less hurtful; bitter and stiptick are the least hurtful of the three. Sweet is the best of all Savours, insipid next; acid-sweet holds the third place, bitter-sweet the fourth, sweet and stiptick the fifth.

CHAP. XII. Of the Place, Number, Bigness, Neighbourhood and Time which concur to the choice of a Medicament.

AS to the Place; we must observe that Plants, which grow of themselves in a place that is free and proportionable to their nature, are to be preferr'd before those which are transplanted, and nourish'd by Art. That Plants which grow in the Moun∣tains, especially those that lye to the East and South Sun, are to be preferr'd before those of the same sort that grow in Valleys. That a Plant hot and tart that grows in a moist place, has less heat and less tartness then that which grows in a dry place. That that plant, which abounds in superfluous moisture, will be far better in a dry than in a moist place.

The most part of those Rules which are observ'd in reference to the Native place of Plants, are to be follow'd in the choice of Animals us'd in Physick, and which serve us for food.

As for Minerals, there is nothing more to be observ'd, but onely to procure them from such places where they are the fairest and most pure.

As to the Number and Bigness, it is to be observ'd, That Plants accounted good, but more especially Fruits, are the better, the less their number is; but hurtful Plants and mischievous Fruits, have less malignancy, where they are most abundant. That a Fruit good of it self, is esteem'd the better the bigger it is. The contrary is to be observ'd in Fruits, and other parts of Plants, as also in Animals that are hurtful. I say nothing to Minerals at this time.

As to Neighbourhood, Misseltoe and Polypodie are to be commended that grow upon Oaks. Dodder of time, and Dodder it self that grows upon hepatic Herbs. Cham∣pignons growing under rotten Trees, are to be rejected; as also Plants that grow near Houses of office, and in shady places, where the Sun cannot come; unless they be such Plants as naturally grow in shady places, as Maidenhair, Liverwort, and Harts-Tongue.

The Time proper for the gathering of Plants, depends upon the diversity both of them, and of their parts, as also upon the use which they are to be put to. Fair wea∣ther must be always waited for. Fruits must be gather'd when they are fully ripe; as also Berries and Seeds. Herbs with their tops when they are in their full vigour, and as near as may be in the full of the Moon. Flowers, when they are in their full bud, and before they are quite blown, and before the Sun has wither'd 'em. Roots must be gather'd in the beginning of the Spring, and when the Herb begins to sprout forth. Woods must be cut after the full of the Moon. Tears, Gums, Rosins, and distilling Juices, before they are melted by the rays of the Sun, or wash'd off by the Rain. Rinds and Barks, when the Plants are full of sap.

As for their preservation, the parts of Plants and Animals must be dry'd with all convenient speed, by laying them in the Sun, which are of a compact and humid sub∣stance; by exposing them to the Air and shade, which are of a thin and slender sub∣stance; by keeping both the one and the other, when they are well-dry'd, close shut up in Boxes, and those Boxes in dry places, expos'd neither to the Sun, Wind nor Rain.

Rain, which we have plac'd among the Minerals, ought to be preserv'd about the Vernal Equinor; Snow and Ice in their season; the Spawn of Frogs in March. Dew and Manna in May, gather'd from wholsom Herbs. Ambergreese, Amber, Jet, Oyl of Naphta, and all sorts of Bitumens, before they are chang'd by the Sea or River-water, by the Sun or the injury of Time.

Animals, the soundest and most vigorous, are to be made choice of; whether they are to be made use of whole, or in any of their parts. I will not here speak of their Conservation, which depends upon their Preparation, of which more in due place.

CHAP. XIII. Of Preparation.

ANimals, which God has subjected to the power of Man, have those advantages wherewith Men are altogether unprovided. For besides that as soon as they are born, they are in a condition without help to provide for themselves all things ne∣cessary for their subsistance; as also for their own cures, when they are sick; that nou∣rishment which is proper for them is always ready, needing nothing of Art to cook it. Neither boyling nor washing are in use among them, not being accustom'd to eat more, then for those Remedies for which Nature has design'd and prepar'd them her self. But Men have need of a thousand Preparations for their necessities. For not∣withstanding those advantages which they enjoy in being advanc'd to a degree little below that of Angels, to have Reason and Understanding, and to know that all things were created for their use; yet are they not able to cure their Distempers, not so much as to nourish themselves, without the Preparation of Food and Physick. For how much labour and preparation is requir'd before Corn comes to maturity? How much more before it can be made into Bread? What toyles are requisite to the making of Wine, Vinegar, Beer and Cider? What pains to provide the very Food appointed for our nourishment? We must not wonder then if Medicaments so necessary for them, have need of Preparation, or that there is a necessity for Men to have recourse to Per∣sons that understand how to know, prepare, and administer them according as occasion requires.

As to the extent of the matter of Medicament, it is easie to judge that the number of Preparations cannot but be very great. And so much the more, in regard the Chy∣mical Pharmacy has very much augmented those, which the Galenists have for so long time together practis'd. Now in regard it is the design of this Work to comprehend both the one and the other Pharmacy, and that they have both need of the mutual assi∣stance of each other, I thought it very much to the purpose to rank them both toge∣ther, seeing they both aim at the same end, which is the Health of Mankind.

Preparation, is an Artificial labour whereby a Medicament is brought to that con∣dition which the use of it requires.

Medicaments are prepar'd for several purposes; sometimes to augment their Ver∣tue, sometimes to diminish it; sometimes to separate some evil quality, or correct its

malignity; sometimes to unite them with some other; sometimes to alter their Nature, or communicate their Vertue; and sometimes to accommodate them to the habit and constitution of the Patient. Whence it comes to pass that the same Remedy prescrib'd to several Persons will require several Preparations, especially when it comes to be us'd.

The Preparation of a Medicament is accomplish'd after three general manners: by adding, abating, and changing the condition of the Medicin. Oyl is added to Wax to make it softer; a Medicament is infus'd in some Liquor, to the end it may commu∣nicate its Vertue. Sugar or Honey are added to Powders, for the making of Com∣positions. Sulphur is added to Nitre, Nitre to Antimony; Aqua-fortis to Mercury, &c. We take away the Kernels from Mirobalans, the Earthy Substance from Scammony, the moisture from Salts, the Pith from Roots, the white of red Roses, the yellow part of Saffron, &c. The alteration of Medicaments is perform'd several ways, as we shall shew by the examples of the following Compositions.

CHAP. XIV. Of Lotion, or Washing.

MEsues, and the most part of the Ancients, have compriz'd all Preparations under four that are principal; Lotion or Washing; Trituration, crumbling, or beat∣ing in a Mortar; Infusion, and Coction or Boyling; of which they have set forth seve∣ral sorts. The two first are of the smallest extent; but the two latter, which are of a larger extent, will furnish us with a great number of sorts: especially in the Chymical Pharmacy, the explanation whereof deserves to be better known.

Lotion is perform'd by plunging or washing a Medicament in water, or in any other Liquor. It is either slight and superficial, to wash away the dirt, as when we wash Roots and Herbs; or internal and penetrating, either to carry along with it the more subtle parts of the Medicament, as when we wash Litharge, Antimony Diapho∣retic, &c. or to carry off some Salt or corrosive Spirit, as by the fore-mention'd wash∣ing of Antimony, as also of Precipitates and Magisteries: Or to take away some ill qua∣lity, as in the washing of Oyls, Suets and Turpentine, &c. or to imbibe into the Medi∣cament some part of the Liquor wherein it is washt, as in Galen's Sear-cloth; or to communicate some good quality to it, as by the washing of Tutia in Rose-water, Wax to whiten or blanch it, Pomatums in Aromatick-waters to give them a good scent; or to separate some internal part, as when we wash Lapis Lazuli, having first made it red∣hot in the Fire.

In Washing there is an operation made use of, which is call'd Sloping by inclination, when we pour the Water gently out that swims above the Substance. This is practi∣s'd not onely in Lotions, but in Tinctures, and upon several other occasions.

Washing of Aloes is an improper term; it being only a Dissolution of the more pure parts of the Aloes, to separate them from the impure. There are several circum∣stances to be observ'd in the Lotion of Medicaments, according to the diversity of their Substances, which will be more seasonably treated of in the practice of Lotions, which I will shew in the following part of this Work.

CHAP. XV. Of the Purgation of Medicaments.

TO purge or cleanse, among the Apothecaries, are terms synonymous, having both the same force of signification. And I therefore treat of the Purgation of Me∣dicaments next to Lotion, because Purgation takes quite away those superfluities that Lotion cannot carry off. We take from Coloquintida its grains; from Dates, Prunes, Apricocks, Tamarins, and many other sorts of Fruits their stones; from Grapes the same; from the cold Seeds, and those of Carthamum or bastard Saffron, Citrons and many

others, their husks; from the Roots of Eringo's, Fennel, Cichorie, Asparagus, and the like, we take out the pith, and other superfluities. From green Wall-nuts the rind, and from dry ones the shells, as also from Almonds and small Nuts; we take off the su∣perfluities from the Roots of Mountain Spikenard, and Couch-Grass. We make no use but of the hairy threads of Spikenard; we use the flowry tops of some Herbs, and fling away the rest; we take away the membranes and fibers out of Castoreum, as also the un∣ctuous part when it is to be swallow'd. We only make use of the oylie part when we use Castoreum for Oyls and Oyntments. We only take the Body, the Heart, the Liver of a Viper dry'd, to powder; and only the Fat, to make Emplastrum de ranis. Never∣theless sometimes we use the Viper whole, when we stuff them and preserve them in Spirit of Wine. We throw away the wings and feet of Cantharides. We only use the reins of the Sea-Stinc's, and throw away all the rest. We take the tart juices of Gra∣nates, Barberies and Citrons, to make Syrups; or to dissolve certain Minerals. We dry the rinds of Granates. We condite, dry, distil, and make Syrup of Citron-peel: the Seeds whereof serve also for many uses; as also that of Barberies, while we throw away the rest as useless: we cast away the wooden part or rind and the grains of Cassia; and separate the inward obscure part of Rhubarb; and the cups and rinds of Acorns, reserving them for other uses. We dispoil the grains of branch'd Amomum and Car∣domums of their husks. We take away the bark and woodden part of Agaric, and the terrestrial parts of Scammony, Aloes, and several other thick Juices: as also the filth that is mix'd with several other Gums, which are comprehended under the name of Juices. We separate Gold from Silver by the Inquart; we purge and purifie both in a Coppel or Ashen-pot, and by several other ways. We take away the thick of Mercury, and separate the impurities of Metals, Half-metals and Metallics; as also of Salts and Sulphurs. In short, there are few things that serve either for Medicament or Nourish∣ment, which have not some parts which are to be spar'd.

CHAP. XIV. Of Trituration, or Beating in a Morter.

TRituration denotes the division of a Medicament into very small parts. The first, which better agrees with its Name, is meant of Medicaments hard and dry; the second of Medicaments moist and soft. The one and the other are serviceable in seve∣ral Preparations of both Pharmacies. They are serviceable also for divers purposes; the chief of which are, to reduce a Medicament into a condition to be united and mix'd with others; or to make it more convenient and proper to be taken inwardly, or out∣wardly apply'd. Trituration of dry things is variously perform'd, according to the various nature of the Medicaments. For Woods must be saw'd, cut, bruis'd, and some∣times rasp'd, and then be put into a brass Morter for Trituration. Horns, Hoofs, and Bones must be saw'd before they can be broken into small pieces; or else rasp'd, ei∣ther to be so made use of, or else to be beaten to powder. Metals and Metallics must be fil'd for the most part, before they can be reduc'd into powder. But the Chymists use means much more proper to op'n and divide them into parts, without any compa∣rison far more fine and subtle, then they can possibly be, which are divided by any way or means of Galenic Pharmacy. The Roots of Trees being of the same nature, must be reduc'd to powder by the same method.

The dry parts of Plants call'd Herbs, as roots, stalks, leaves, flowers, dry Fruits, Berries, Seeds, Excrescencies both of Herbs and Trees with their barks, may be bruis'd in a Morter, without any preceding Preparation, but onely of being cut and broken. The same thing may be done to the tender parts of Animals, being first dry'd; as the Flesh, the Blood, and the tender bones of little Animals, and some of the greater, as the bones of the hearts of Deer and Oxen. Nevertheless upon some occasions, and for some Substances, there must be recourse to Addition. As for Example; If you were to pound the Roots of Birth-wort, Gentian, or any such-like herbs that are of a clammy Substance, though they seem to be well dry'd, they will stick to the Morter and the Pestle, unless you mix them with Almonds, or some of the cold Seeds cleans'd, or some other oylie matter, proper to divide their parts, while you pound them, without which you shall never make them fit for your use. Shavings of Ivory and Hart's horn may be tri∣turated

or beaten in a Morter among Sugar-candy alone. Camphire cannot be pulve∣ris'd alone, unless you add some few drops of the Spirit of Wine, when you beat it, or some of the cold Seeds cleans'd, or a drop of some oyl. The same cold Seeds are serviceable to divide the parts of clammy Substances; among the rest also, those of the dry, but not greasie parts of Animals. They help also to reduce into powder Amber∣greese, all Bitumens, and all rosiny Juices dry'd, as Scammony, Benjamin, Balsom, and the like. The heat of the Brass-morter and the Pestle help to pulverise Gum-Tra∣gacanth and Gum-Arabick, as also Venetian-Talk, which will however beat much better if it be expos'd a while before a flaming fire.

Many Minerals and many parts of animals cannot be reduc'd into fine powder, till they have been first burnt or calcin'd in the fire. Precious Stones, Bole-Armoniac, Earths, Amber, the Adamant, and some parts of Animals may be reduc'd into a powder scarce to be felt, which is call'd Alkohol, being bray'd upon Porphyrie, adding thereto so much Cordial-water as will bind the powder together, and keep it from wasting in beating. When they are beaten very fine, spread them upon clean Paper, and dry them in the Sun: And this is that which the Galenic Pharmacy calls Preparing. Medicaments of a solid substance, as wood, and several compacted and fibrous parts of Plants and A∣nimals, must be soundly pounded in a great Iron or Brass-morter: But those Medica∣ments whose parts are thin and without fibers; require only a gentle bruising to reduce them to powder; as Aloes, Agaric, Myrrh, Amydon or dry'd flower of Wheat, Mastick, Scammony, and many others. In short, when several Medicaments are to be reduc'd to powder, which are appointed for one composition, the nature of their substance is to be regarded, and those things are to be bruis'd or beaten by themselves which ei∣ther ought or may be so conveniently; and beat together those that will endure it. Thus you must first begin to powder those whose substance is most compact and solid, and then add the rest in order according to their hardness. Which I shall particularly de∣monstrate how to do, when I come to speak of the particular Preparations of powders, which are to be mix'd in Compositions.

The second sort of Trituration, which is only of humid matters, is ordinarily per∣form'd in a Marble or Porphyry-morter, or else of some other hard Stone, with a wood'n, glass, or Ivory-Pestle; though for some things they may be beaten in an Iron or Brass-morter. This sort of Trituration is sometimes us'd for dry Substances that will endure beating, but chiefly for moist and oylie Medicaments and Nourishments; such are Roots, Herbs, Flowers, green Fruit or newly gather'd, watry Berries, oylie Seeds and Fruits; and all the soft parts of Animals; of all which things are prepar'd some∣times Conserves, sometimes Cataplasms, Poultisses and Pomatums: Sometimes they are bruis'd for Decoction, Infusion or distillation; to extract the Juice, to press out the Oyl, to extract Emulsions, to make Pastes, to be taken inwardly, or apply'd out∣wardly; to make Lozenges, Trochisses, or other Medicines.

CHAP. XVII. Of Cribration, or Sifting.

CRibration, is a separation of the more fine and subtle parts of Medicaments as well dry as moist, or oylie, from the grosser. It is perform'd through Instruments pro∣per for that purpose call'd Bolters or Sieves, which are compos'd of two wood'n circles, as it were, enchas'd the one within another, in the middle of which is nail'd and strain'd a hair-cloth, or a piece of silk if it be a Sieve, or a piece of Parchment with holes at an equal distance, if it be a Bolter. Sieves of single hair-cloth, such as we have describ'd, are serviceable not only to sift gross powders, but also the pulps of vi∣scous and oylie Medicaments, after they have been beaten and re-beaten in the Morter. These Sieves serve also to sift Ceruss, rubbing it first upon the extended cloth, which must be of hair, and receiving the powder upon a sheet of white Paper. Bolters serve only to sift the grosser sort of Airy-substances.

There are also certain sort of Sieves, which are call'd Covers, for the sifting of Pow∣ders Aromatick, Cephalick, Cordial, Digestive, Laxative, and other more precious sorts of Powder, or any that ought so to be finely pulveriz'd. These Cover'd-sieves are compos'd of three distinct parts, imbox'd or inserted together, every one of which is

compos'd of three wood'n-circles, the middle-most receiving the upper-most and lower-most like a Box-lid. The middle-most is that wherein the linnen-cloth or silk is fix'd, through which the Powders are to pass. That part is fix'd in the lower part, which is made to receive the Powder in a skin, which serves for the bottom of it. It is also cover'd with the upper part, which embraces it like the Lid of a Box; and being cover'd as the under-most with another skin, hinders the Powders from wasting, while they are sifted.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Infusion.

THE word Infusion comprehends a great many Galenical and Chymical Preparations, which shall be explain'd hereafter. Infusion, generally taken, is a Preparation by which entire Medicaments or their parts, being cut or bruis'd, are steep'd and infus'd in some agreeable Liquor. Sometimes it is done with fire, sometimes without it, ac∣cording to the thinness or solidity of the Substances which you infuse. Which also ser∣ves for a Rule, as to the length or shortness of time necessary for Infusion. The vari∣ety of Medicaments and the various intentions of the Physicians, oblige the Apotheca∣ries to use various Liquors for Infusion; as Common-water, Rain-water, Snow-water; Sea, Mineral, Rose-water; Wine, Verjuice, Hydromel, Must, Vinegar, Beer, Milk, Whey, several Juices of Plants, Oyls, Broth, Distill'd-waters, Spirit of Wine, &c. Infusion is made to impart the vertue of one or more Medicaments to the Liquors wherein they are infus'd. Sometimes it is also made to correct the evil quality of the Medica∣ment, or else to augment its vertue, as also to unite in the same Liquors the different vertues of several Medicaments, infus'd together for some particular purpose. Infu∣sion is also made to separate some particular Vertue of one Medicament, from the rest which it may also have. As when by a quick Infusion we separate the pur∣gative quality of Rhubarb and Mirobalans, to the end they may be purely astringent. Infusion of Senna in Fountain-water, may serve as an Example of simple Infusion, which may be done either with fire or without fire, and to manifest the communication of its vertue to the Water. The Infusion of Spurge in Vinegar to take away its purgative quality, may serve as an Example of correction. The Infusion of Rhubarb or Senna in the Juice of pale Roses, may serve as an Example of the augmentation of their vertues. The Infusion of several Medicaments differing in vertues, as must be done to make Con∣fectio Hamech, may serve as an Example of the union of their vertues in the Liquor. Of all which things you shall meet with a number of Examples in the continuance of this Pharmacopoea.

CHAP. XIX. Of Humectation and Immersion.

HƲmectation or Moistning, is us'd at the beginning of Infusion, but more often pra∣ctis'd for other uses. We moist'n a Medicament, to soft'n it when it is too dry, as when we moist'n Mountain French-Spikenard, or lay it in some moist place, that it may be more fit to be made clean: or as when we moist'n Tamarinds and Cassia, the bet∣ter to extract the Pulp. We also moist'n certain dry Medicaments to hinder them from exhaling, while they are beat'n in the Morter, as Agaric, Saunders, Coloquinth, &c. as also to colour them; as we do by the same Saunders. We moist'n others while we bray them upon Porphyrie, to hinder the dissipation of their more subtle parts, as Coral, Pearls, and Precious Stones. We moist'n other Medicaments, to qualifie their acri∣monie or their sharpness, as when we moist'n Coloquinth and Mirobalans with some drops of Oyl of sweet Almonds. We also moist'n others to assist the penetration of their vertue, as when we moist'n Senna or Rhubarb with some drops of juice of Lemmons; or as when we moist'n Stomachical, Cordial or Cephalick Medicines, with Oyl of

Gilly-flowers, Cinnamon, Lavender, or the like. Others we moist'n to communicate to them some good quality, as when we moist'n a Medicament with some Distill'd-waters, or with some proper Decoction; or as when we cause it to receive the steam and va∣pour thereof. Irroration, Inspersion and Imbibition are almost the same things with Humectation.

Immersion follows Humectation, and is either for a small time, with an intent to separate some superfluity from the Medicament, as when we soak Almonds in hot wa∣ter to peel off their skins: and sometimes to take away some of their vertue; as when we steep Rhubarb a little in some Liquor to abate its purgative vertue. Or else for a longer time, to take away some evil taste from the Medicament, as when we steep green Wall-nuts in water and in several changes of water, to take away their bitterness. Or as when we steep Olives for a long time in pickle for the same purpose. Or as when we steep Quick-lime in water, to make Lime-water. Or as-when we steep the peels of Citron and of many other Fruits, to hard'n them, render them transparent; and in a better condition to be condited.

CHAP. XX. Of Nutrition.

NƲtrition is usually done by the help of Liquors: It comes something near the na∣ture of Humectation. It is so call'd, because it encreases the Medicament, and furnishes it with a kind of nutriture. It is perform'd two ways; either by mixing or uniting several Medicaments into one; as when we mingle by little and little and at several repetitions, Vinegar, Oyl and Litharge, and stir them a long time together in a Morter, to make the nourish'd substance of all together: or as when we do the same thing with Saccharum Saturni, Oyl and Vinegar, or else with the tincture of Saturn drawn with Vinegar mingl'd with Oyl, to make the Liniment of Saturn. The next way is by add∣ing a Juice, a Water, or a Decoction to some Medicament, to nourish and augment it, or to give it some vertue; as when we add the juice of Roses or Cichory, or some hepatic or purgative decoction to Aloes to nourish it; and afterwards over a gentle fire evaporate the superfluous moisture of the same Juices, till the Aloes becomes suffi∣ciently nourish'd and charg'd. As also when we nourish Sarcocol with Woman's Milk; or else as when for the Preparation of the Sperniola, which Crollius so much commends, we feed Myrrh, Olibanum, Saffron and Camphire in powder with the Distill'd∣water of the Spawn of Frogs, which is afterwards reduc'd into a kind of paste, and laid to dry of it self; repeating the same Nutriment and the same drying twenty or thirty times.

CHAP. XXI. Of Dissolution; Where occasion is taken to speak of Chymical Solution.

DIssolution, in Galenic Pharmacy, succeeds Humectation. It serves to render com∣pact and thick Substances liquid or flowing, by the addition of some Liquor. Upon occasion we dissolve Electuaries, Opiates, Confections, Powders, Extracts, Salts, Syrups, and many other Preparations to render them potable. We also dis∣solve Manna, Sugar, Honey, several Gums, Tears, Rosins, in proper Liquors. We dissolve Wax and divers Emplasters in Oyls to make them soft. We dissolve Gold in Aqua-regalis, or in the Spirit of Salt: Silver, Copper, Mercury in Aqua-fortis; Pearls, Corals, Crabs Eyes, and such-like Substances, in distill'd Vinegar, Spirit of Nitre, or some such acid Juice. Mars or Iron is dissolv'd in Water by the help of Tartar, as also in Aqua-fortis and corrosive Spirits. The rosinie part of Scammonie; Jalap, Agaric and Turbith, &c. Amber-greese, Amber, Gum-lack, are dissolv'd in Spirit of Wine. Gum-Saundarach in the true Oyl of Asps distill'd. In short, several other Medicaments

may be dissolv'd in Liquors which have some correspondency with their substance.

Solution, in Chymical Pharmacy, is the division and dissolution of all the substances that compose a mixt Body. It is the foundaation of all Chymistrie, and the encourage∣ment to a great number of noble Preparations which that Art puts in practice. Un∣der Dissolution, you may compute several other Preparations, which may more aptly be plac'd under the title of Coction.

CHAP. XXII. Of Making hot, or Calefaction.

CAlefaction, is the beginning of all operations which are perfected by the means of heat. It differs from Coction in this, That what-ever is boyl'd has been well heated, but what-ever is warm'd has not been boyl'd. Nevertheless sometimes we are put to heat again those things which have been boyl'd. We warm Infusions, Tinctures, Decoctions, when they are cold, to the end they may be the better strain'd. We heat, Baths and Half-baths, when we have occasion for them. We warm Oyls, Oyntments, Fomentations, Epithems, Cataplasms, and Emplasters when we apply them. We warm Powder'd-Nutmegs, Line-seed, Annise-seed, and many other such Seeds, when we go about to press out the Oyl. We heat water luke-warm to provoke vomiting. We warm Iron and Brass-morters and Pestles, sometimes to melt certain Gums, as Taccamahacca, Mastic, Ammoniac, Galbanum, and the like: sometimes to pulverize others, as Tragacanth and Arabick; sometimes to pulverize Minerals, as Talk: or to dissipate the superfluous moisture of some Medicaments, and to make them fit to be pulveriz'd, as Saffron, Tabac, &c. or else to consume some adventitious moisture of Medicaments compos'd, and to restore them their consistencie and dryness; as in Extracts, Salts, and many other Preparations. We warm infus'd Dates, Cassia, and Tamarinds, the better to draw out the pulp; we warm Broth to dissolve Mama, though it may be also dissolv'd in cold Liquors. We heat the Vessel of Iron in the form of a horn, when we pour the Antimony in Fusion to separate it from the Regulus or Tinnie∣dross. We heat our earth'n or glass-Vessels for fear they should break, when we pour scalding Liquors into them. We heat the neck of the Limbeck, especially in Winter, which contains the Antimony and the Sublimate, in the distillation of Oyl of Antimo∣ny, to melt it when it is congeal'd there, and to make it drop into the Receiver. We heat Wax, Rosin, Suet and Tallows to melt them. We heat Sea-onions, Purslane, Burrage and Bugloss, and many other Plants, to extract the Juice.

CHAP. XXIII. Of Insolation, or Exposing to the Sun: And of the heat of Dung.

INsolation is the warming of Substances by exposing them to the heat of the Sun. We usually make use of it for the macerating of liquid Conserves, for the macerating of Flowers, or Herbs to be put into Oyls or Fats; for Tinctures, Balsoms, to dry the parts of Plants or Animals, which we intend to preserve or use; to dry Salts; to evaporate Extracts, Juices and Liquors, or to purifie them; to make Wine eager; to assist the Fermentation of Hydromel; to separate the black rind of Pepper, as they do in the Indies, when they have water'd the ground with salt-water to make the Pepper white: to dry Figs, Peaches, Prunes, and many other Fruits, in hot Countries. It is also serviceable for many other uses.

Horse-Dung being half putrify'd and well pil'd up, affords a heat more or less, ac∣cording to its quantity, and according as the Substances are either deeper or shallower buried. For the heat may be greater then the hand of a Man shall be able to endure. There is no heat which can be better regulated, or be brought to that equality, as that of Dung, or which approaches nearer to the Natural heat. It is proper to digest li∣quid matters, or to advance the Fermentation of those which have a natural disposi∣tion

to it. Thereby may be made a circulation of divers Substances; thereby may Tin∣ctures be drawn forth, Eggs may be hatch'd, and several Distillations made.

CHAP. XXIV. Of Coction and Maturation.

THE Ancients and also the Moderns have defin'd Coction to be an alteration of a thing which ought to be boyl'd. Nevertheless I do not find this definition to be very exact, if it be not tak'n in a very general sense, which agrees indifferently with all sorts of Alterations. Since the Alteration may be observ'd in all Preparations which are made with and without Coction, and that moreover the diversity of those which are made with Coction is so great, that it is a hard thing to find a definition precise e∣nough to agree with all in particular. So that without troubling my self to define it more exactly, I believe it will be enough for me to say, in dividing it, That there are several sorts of Coctions, and several degrees of every sort, according to the various Substances of the Medicaments, and the various Intentions of him that prepares them. The Ancients have set down some sorts of Coction, and among the rest Maturation, Elixation, Frying, Assation, Torrefaction, and Ustion. But in regard that besides all these, there are a great number of others which are to be known and practis'd, espe∣cially in Chymical Pharmacy, I thought it requisite to discourse of every one in particu∣lar, as shall be seen hereafter.

Maturation is a kind of Coction, sometimes dry and sometimes moist. For we may roast either before the fire or upon the hot Cinders green Fruits, in some measure to perfect their maturity, and make them fit to be eat'n. They may be also bak'd in an Oven, or boyl'd upon the fire in Water, in Must, in Honey, in any Juice, or in any other Liquor. There are also some Fruits, which having been gather'd green, rip'n in keeping; as Medlars, which are for that reason spread upon straw.

CHAP. XXV. Of Fermentation.

FErmentation ought to be accounted a kind of Coction, being a certain Ebullition which arises from the confus'd mixture of two Substances▪ in appearance contrary in their action; which the Chymists call Acid and Alcali. This is an Operation some∣times natural, and sometimes artificial, which happens to liquid or at least to moist Substances, either by the help of some external heat, or natural heat which is rous'd in the matter it self, by the conflict of Substances which ought to be fermented, and which thereby detect an Acid; which though but small in quantity at first, becomes however powerful enough to agitate the volatile parts of the whole matter, to unite with them, and dispose them to disingage themselves from the Terrestrial and gross parts that incumber them, and to reject and throw off the one part in scum by Ebullition, and the other in Sediment by a kind of precipitation, when the matter is liquid. It becomes also sufficiently prevalent to put them into a condition of being preserv'd for some time without those Terrestreities or earthie parts; or else to be made more pure by the means of distillation, which separates and raises the Spirits above the heavy and unprofitable Flegm, which incumber'd them before; and to become at length per∣fectly pure by rectification.

We have not any subject that more apparently clears this Operation then the Juice of the Grape: which deserves to be consider'd, in regard of the several changes that happ'n to it through Fermentation. Experience teaches us that it is impossible to se∣parate its pure and volatile parts if they have not endur'd Fermentation. Which may be observ'd in Burnt-wine. For if we take the Juice of Grapes, and let it boyl in a Kettle to the consumption of the third part, which is the usual Rule, there will arise nothing but the insipid and unprofitable Flegm. And though in the boyling it be se∣parated

from its earthiness, partly in the scum, partly in the terrestrial matter that sticks to the sides and bottom of the Kettle like Lees, the subtle and volatile parts keep still united with the fix'd and tartareous Salt of the same Juice, and the remainder of the Flegm; nor can they be separated but by Fermentation, which afterwards happ'ns of it self, without the concurrence of any external heat; if you put the same Juice in some mea∣sure clarify'd, into a proportionable Vessel, as you would do ordinary new Wine, and leave it standing six weeks or two months. For in that time the Acid, that lay hid in the proper Substance of the Juice, assisted by the nitrons parts of the Air which it has insensibly attracted, cuts and separates the thick parts of the Burnt-wine from the pure, throwing off the first by the Ebullition which it raises, partly in froth through the bung∣hole of the Vessel, and partly to the sides and bottom; and uniting it self to the latter, by vertue of a particular inclination, not being able however to separate the Flegm which remains, and which will very hardly forsake it. When the Burnt-wine has thus en∣dur'd Fermentation, and that it is well purg'd, if it be put into a Vessel to still, it fails not to send its Spirit first, and in greater abundance then the same quantity of ordi∣nary Wine would do, which appears to have that third part of Flegm which the Burnt∣wine had lost in burning. And if you continue the Distillation, after the Spirit is a∣scended, the Flegm which remain'd in the Burnt-wine shall rise also like that of ordi∣nary Wine when distill'd in the same manner.

This ordinary Wine is more easie to prepare then Burnt-wine; for it requires no external fire, but only that which is excited by the parts of which it is compos'd, which raise the Fermentation in it; which usually begins in the Tub, where the Juice re∣mains mingl'd with the grounds and squeezings of the Skins for some days, and ends afterwards in the Vessels, when the settlings are sunk to the bottom of the Juice. There may be also a Fermentation of the Juice of Grapes in the Vessel, though the grounds be not mingl'd with the Juice; as they never do that put up white and pale Wines. Upon which subject give me leave to speak my thoughts, which are these, That Wine being compos'd of a Sulphurie and Acid Tartareous Substance, mix'd with some Flegm, some∣what of fix'd Salt, and some earthy parts, is expos'd to several changes, caus'd by the disuniting of its Substances, or by the predominancy of the one above the other. Whence it comes to pass that much Rain before or during Vintage-time, makes the Wines to abound in Flegm, and consequently subject to corrupt. Wine is also sub∣ject to corruption and to become fat and oylie, when the volatile Sulphur surpasses the Tartarous Acid. Which is clearly demonstrated in this, that if you put some Pints of good Verjuice into a Cask of Wine ready to turn greasie, and in some measure already become fat, and mingle them together, the Wine will come again to it self. We may observe also that green Wines, that is to say, those Wines which abound in Acid, are not so subject to corrupt, as those which want that Acid: and we find that this Acid at the latter end of the year turns to Strength.

On the other side we may well judge that the corruption which happ'ns to Wine through the want of the Acid, does not extinguish the volatile sulphurous part of the Wine, seeing that those Wines afford almost as much combustible Spirit as those which are not spoil'd.

I am of opinion also that the true and natural alteration of Wine into Vinegar pro∣ceeds from no other cause, but only for that the Acid is increas'd and exceeds the vo∣latile; or else because the volatile Spirits being exhal'd, the Acid manifests it self more openly, and more sensibly fixes its impression upon the tongue and the palate. Which happ'ns to those Wines which naturally abound in Tartar and by consequence in Acid, as do those of Languedoc, especially when they leave their Casks open, and that the Wines can attract the nitrous parts of the air, to encrease those Acids that make up one part of their Composition.

There is another natural Fermentation which happ'ns to Substances mix'd of Acids and Volatiles, which are of a soft, but not liquid consistency: which comes to pass by the conjunction of the Acids with the Alkali's. As we observe in Treacle and in seve∣ral other Compositions; upon which I will not enlarge, for fear of making the Chapter tedious.

Artificial Fermentation is done by adding Acids to the Substances which you would have fermented. As when we put Leven to Dough, or Yest to certain Plants or bruis'd Berries in luke-warm Water, to hast'n the Fermentation, and afterwards to draw forth the Spirits and Volatil-oyls: as in the Fermentation of Cresses, Scurvy-grass, the lesser Centaurie, Juniper-Berries, and of many other parts of Plants. As for the levening of Bread, that Fermentation cannot actually separate the terrestrial parts into

froth, or precipitate them to the bottom, as in liquid Substances, for it only op'ns and dilates the Substances; more strictly uniting the acid with the volatile, so that they may be in a condition to receive their last Fermentation in the Stomach, and to the end they may be so well subtiliz'd, that they may with more ease be convey'd to all the parts of the Body for nourishment, leaving the gross and terrestrial parts to be thrown off as real excrements.

CHAP. XXVI. Of Digestion, and Maceration.

DIgestion and Maceration are almost the same thing. They require a long time and a moderate heat for their operation. Scorpions are digested or macerated whole in Oyl of bitter Almonds, to the end that by a little and a little they may communi∣cate their vertue to them. New Roses bray'd with an addition of Salt are put into a Vessel exactly stopt, and being left for some months to macerate in a Cellar, there is then an odoriferous Water, Spirit and Oyl drawn from them. The same Roses are a long time laid to macerate, sometimes in Oyl, and sometimes in Hogs-grease, for the making of Oyl, and Ʋnguentum Rosatum. Slic'd Dates are oft'n digested in Hydromel, and the pulp drawn forth to make Electuarium Diaph••nicon. The heads of Poppies are oft'n digested in Water to make them soft, a little before their decoction for Syrup. Lead slightly calcin'd, Minium, Ceruse and Litharge are digested in distill'd Vinegar, there to be dissolv'd by little and little, either to preserve the dissolution, or to make a Magisterie, or else that which they call improperly Salt of Saturn. Pearls and Corals are also digested in the same Vinegar distill'd, in the Spirit of Nitte or in acid Juices, to dissolve them sometimes for the making of Syrups, sometimes Magisteries, sometimes Salts, though improperly so call'd, in regard they are no more then the Salts of Vinegar distill'd. The filings of Steel are laid to digest in Spirit of Vitriol, to make Vitriol of Mars. The Spirit of Wine and the Spirit of Vitriol being mingl'd to∣gether by equal weight, are put to digest in an Iron-Skellet, there to be incorporated and reduc'd to a whitish Substance, which is call'd Salt of Mars. Jalap, Scammony, A∣garic, &c. are laid to digest in Spirit of Wine, there to dissolve the rosinie part, and to separate the terrestrial. Opium is laid to digest first in Water, there to dissolve the watry part, and then in Spirit of Wine, there to dissolve the rosinie part which can∣not be dissolv'd in water. Several other Substances are also digested in divers other Liquors; the enumeration of which would tire the Reader.

CHAP. XXVII. Of Tincture, and Circulation.

TIncture usually calls Digestion to its assistance. It is made use of to the same pur∣pose as Infusion, and chiefly to impart to some Liquor the Vertue or the princi∣pal Substance of some Medicament. It is call'd Tincture, because the Liquor gene∣rally becomes colour'd in the Operation. The pure and rosinie part of Benjamin is dissolv'd in Spirit of Wine, which gives it a light purple colour. Coloquinth cleans'd from its grains, cut and digested in Spirit of Wine, receives a yellow tincture, which Martin Rouland calls The gilded Spirit of Life. Aloes, Myrrh, and Saffron pulveriz'd and digested in Spirit of Wine, yield a swarthy-red tincture to make the Elixir pro∣prietatis of Paracelsus. The Rose, the Violet, Rhubarb, Senna, Cassia, and many other Medicaments impart their tincture to watry Liquors, to which the addition of some Spirit or acid Juice, or some fix'd Salt, may very much conduce, as well to hight'n the colour of the Tincture, as to make them more strong of the vertue of those Substan∣ces which are steep'd therein.

Circulation cannot operate without Digestion, no more then Tincture. It is u••d for Liquors impregnated with the Substance of Medicaments; or for those that have sub∣stantial

Medicaments seaking in them. It is done by putting the Liquors in a Vessel to circulate, being all of one plece and close stopt at the top: or else of two pieces, that is, of two Vessels fix'd one upon another, and well luted together▪ of, which the lower∣most must contain the Liquor. The Circulation is made by a fire of Lamps, or a bed of cinders or sand moderately hot, or in Dung, or in the Sun. It requires most com∣monly a continu'd heat for some days, and sometimes prolong'd to the number of weeks and months. By Circulation the most subtile matter ascends to the top of the Vessel, and not finding any out-let, is constrain'd to fall down again, and rejoyn with the Substance at the bottom of the Vessel, from whence it was rais'd. And thus continuing to ascend and descend in the Vessel, it makes a kind of Circulation, the Name whereof the Operation bears; and by the several penetrations and agitations of the Spirit full with the grosser parts, the first become more thin and in a better con∣dition to act, when they are separated from the latter. This Operation is principally in use in Chymical Pharmacy. It wholly disposes the Liquors to the separation of their pure parts from the impure, ripening and perfecting their active principles, and ren∣dring them fit to be made volatile, and to be united afterwards to other purify'd Sub∣stances, if there be occasion.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of Cohobation.

COhobation is a repeated Sprinkling of the distill'd Liquor upon the Substance from whence it was drawn▪ to the end the said matter may be distill'd again. This Sprinkling is repeated seldomer or oftner, according to the diversity of Substances which are distill'd; and as the purpose of the Artist requires. It is us'd most fre∣quently us'd to op'n and dissolve the parts of mixt Bodies, which you define to have di∣still'd, to which the repeated Sprinkling of the Spirits already drawn forth very much conduces. This Operation may in some measure be thought to do the office of Cir∣culation, by yielding at length a Liquor containing the most essential part of the mixt Body. Cohobation is chiefly us'd in the distillation of spiritful Aromatic-waters, and the distillation of their Oyls, to have them more pure and in greater quantity.

CHAP. XXIX. Of Elixation.

ELixation is the boyling of a Medicament in some Liquor different from it, accord∣ing to the diversity of the Medicament, and the various intentions of the Artist. It is to endure a longer or lesser time, as the Medicaments are more or less solid. Generally Fountain or River-water is more us'd in Elixation: but sometimes Mineral∣waters. Lyes▪ Rain-water, Dew, Snow and Sea-water may be us'd as well. Milk, Whey, Hydromel, Wine, Vinegar, Beer, divers Juices of Plants, Distill'd-waters, Oyls, Fats, as also the Urines of several Animals, are many times more properly ser∣viceable.

The most usual intent of Elixation is to impart the vertue of the Medicaments to the Liquors: As many times it happ'ns in several Decoctions made for Apozemes, Potions, Clysters, Fomentations, Baths, &c. as also for Syrups, Electuaries, Oyls, Oyntments, &c. Sometimes it serves to take away the Crudity of the parts of Animals or Plants; to soft'n them; and not only to make the things boyl'd, but the Broth it self useful: as in the Elixation of Flesh, Roots, Herbs, and Fruits which we eat. It is useful also to take away from any Medicament or Aliment any ill taste, or ill quality, as from Colli-flowers and Champignons which are boyl'd in two Waters, the first of which is thrown away, and with it the hurtful Juice of the Colli-flowers and Mush∣room▪ It also separates the earthy and gross parts of Medicaments: as in the Elixa∣tion of Salts, Sugar, and Honey, to take off the scum. It serves also for the preser∣vation

of Medicaments, as Syrups, Honeys, and Robbes. Upon Elixation attend the following Operations.

CHAP. XXX. Of Ebullition, Despumation, Streining, and Filtration.

EBullition (which is a gentle seething to bubbling) is oft'n-times necessary at the end of Infusions; almost at all times in Elixations, and many times in Purifications. We boyl Decoctions of the parts of Plants and Animals, Syrups, Unguents, Electuaries, and an infinite sort of other Compositions; some more, some less.

Despumation, is practis'd in several Elixations, especially in that of Victuals, Sugàrs and Honeys. However Boyling or Ebullition always precedes▪ which separates and raises above the Liquor the gross, terrestrial and viscous superfluities like a froth.

Colature or Straining, is usually next in order to Ebullition and Despumation. But it may be done upon other occasions and at other times, like Filtration. They are both useful in each Pharmacy, in the preparation of an infinite sort of liquid matters, the dregs whereof are dispos'd to be separated, either by Rest, Digestion, Circulation, Fer∣mentation or otherwise. It is useful also in the separation of filth and other impuri∣ties, which are apt to be mix'd with the Liquors. It is also useful to separate the moi∣sture of several Substances design'd to be dry'd. It also separates the watrie from the oylie Substances.

Liquors are strain'd through hair, through linnen, through woollen, sometimes through a loose cloth, and sometimes through •• ••••g which we ca•• Hippocrates Breeches. Liquors are filter'd variously: for sometimes we make use of Cotton-weeks, or Flax, or else of little pieces of white cloth as long as a Man's hand, and two or three fingers broad, which must be first wet in ordinary Water; then having wrung the moisture out, and leaning the Vessel that contains the Liquor upon one side, you must put in a third part of the length of your cloth into the Liquor you intend to filter, the other part hanging over the Vessel, so that the clearer part of the Liquor falls into another Ves∣sel, which is plac'd below the former to receive the Liquor, if it be of any consequence. For by this means the Liquor distils through the cotton or cloth, and rids the Sub∣stances of the greatest part of their moisture, if it be superfluous; or else the oyls that swim at the top are separated from the moisture that bears them, provided you take care from time to time to stoop the Vessel as it empties. This Filtration is oft'n made use of, for the separation of Waters us'd in the lotion of Minerals. Several Li∣quors are also filter'd through a sheet of brown Paper, extended upon some clean lin∣nen, or else made up like a horn, and put into a glass or white Iron-Tunnel. Some∣times also Liquors are filter'd through a heap of beat'n-glass, plac'd below a glass-Tunnel. And thus Spirits of Vitriol, Nitre, Salts, Sulphur, &c. are filter'd, when they are charg'd with any earthiness, which sometimes mixes with them in luting and unluting the Vessels. This fort of Filtration is absolutely necessary for these corrosive Spirits: for they eat and penetrate paper, cloth, or cotton too soon. Filtration through brown Paper in a glass-Tunnel, is us'd for watrie Substances to separate them from the oylie, which not being able to pass through the Paper, remain in the filter, and are drawn forth and separated by putting the bottom of the Tunnel in the neck of some proper Bottle, and piercing the end of the Paper with a silver or steel Bodkin, or else with a Scewer. And these are the most usual ways of filtring and straining.

CHAP. XXXI. Of Clarifying, and Pressing forth.

CLarification happ'ns of it self oft-times to some Liquors; only by standing-still, especially after Digestion, Circulation, and Fermentation: But the most com∣mon and quickest way of Clarification, especially in Galenic Pharmacy, is made by Ebulli∣tion,

Despumation, Streining or Filtration. Sometimes the whites of Eggs are also made use of; and then they are stirr'd and beat'n among the liquid matters, which are to be clarify'd, before you make them boyl; especially among Sugar, Honey, and Gellies. To which we add white Wine to clarifie them well. Sometimes we pour a little Vinegar, juice of Lemmons, Barberies, Verjuice, or some drops of Spirit of Vi∣triol, or Sulphur; or else Creme of Tartar, Mineral-Chrystal, or Nitre purify'd, to make a kind of Precipitation, or at least a Separation of the gross matters from the pure liquids, and so to dispose of the first as to remain in the Filter.

Expression or Pressing forth sometimes precedes Clarification, especially in Decoctions, when they are to be separated from their grounds. There is a greater or lesser strength to be us'd▪ according to the intrinsecal worth of the Medicament, and the Nature of the Substances either thick or thin. The Expression of the Decoction of the parts of Plants in any Liquor, is generally the most easie and slightest of all, unless you meet with Laxatives or Aromatics whose vertue is very considerable. The Pressing of Plants for the Juice, must be stronger; and some Plants, especially those that are of a viscous nature, ought to be heated before. The same method is to be observ'd very near in the pressing of watry Fruits: the expression of infus'd Oyls, Unguents and watry Gums must be with an indifferent strength. The expression of oylie Fruits and Seeds, as Almonds, com∣mon Wall-nuts, Filberds, Nutmegs, Benne, the great cold Seeds, those of Annise, Pop∣pies, &c. requires an extraordinary strength.

CHAP. XXXII. Of Aromatization, and Colouring.

ARomatization and Colouring oft'n meet with Filtration and Clarification. They are also us'd in several other Preparations. Aromatization is useful as well to augment the vertue of the Medicaments, as also to render them more pleasing to the scent and taste. We mix in Powders Substantial-Aromatics, as Mace, Cinnamon, Cloves, Saffron, Musk, Ambergreese, and several others. They are also mix'd in Opiates, in Electuaries, Confections, Pills, Trochiskes▪ as also in Oyntments, and Em∣plasters. They are also mix'd in Infusions, Tinctures, Elixirs; as also in Decoctions and Syrups. But this must be understood by the way, That the principal parts of Aro∣matics, being thin and volatile, cannot long endure the fire without dissipating those parts. So that they are not to be mix'd till last of all; and great care must be tak'n to cover the Vessels at the same time, to prevent the dissipation. To which the An∣cients having a great regard, were accustom'd to put their Cordial Aromatic Powders into a Cullender or Wooll'n-bag, through which they strein'd their Apozems or De∣coctions, when they intended to aromatize them: being of that opinion, That the heat of the Decoction was sufficient to attract and retain the vertue as it pass'd through, and that there was no need of a stronger heat. But now we have ways more proper and convenient to aromatize all sorts of Remedies, in regard we can put into them the Oyls of several Aromatics, which Chymistrie teaches us to distil, and which contain the true sulphurie, aromatic and essential part of the Substance. These Oyls incor∣porated in drops with forty or fifty times the weight of fine powder'd Sugar, are in a condition to be united and effectually mix'd in all sorts of Liquors and Medicines, and to render them more atomatical, pleasing, and of greater strength, then the Sub∣stance of Aromatics us'd as the Ancients were wont to do, according to the Precepts of Galenic Pharmacy.

The Colouring of Medicaments is Natural or Artificial. The Natural is two-fold. For either it is such as Nature produces, as White in Snow or Milk, Red in Blood, Yellow in Gold, Sad colour in Lead or Antimony, &c. or such as length of time, or some other accident alters; as the whiteness of the Hair through Age, Paleness of the Face through Sickness. Artificial happens either through Fermentation, as to divers Juices; or by Digestion, as to Tinctures of Tartar and Coral; or by Agitation, as in the white colours of Pomatums, or Galen's Sear-cloth; or by the mixture of different Sub∣stances: of which some may change or height'n the colour of the Medicament by its a∣cidity, as divers Spirits do; others dye with their own colour, as red Sanders, Dra∣gon's blood, Indigo, Verdigreece, Cochenille, Saffron, and many other things. Or

by Washing and exposing to the Sun, and the Air: as the white colour of Wax, Oyl of Eggs, and several other things. Or by Coction, or Calcination, as it happ'ns to Mercury, Lead and Antimony. In short, the change of colour may happ'n to Medi∣caments a thousand ways, fore-seen, and not fore-seen, which it would be too tedious to relate.

CHAP. XXXIII. Of Frying, Assation or Roasting, Torrefaction.

FRixion or Frying, is usually done in a Frying-pan, with the addition of some Li∣quors, especially Oyl or Suet. It is done with less Liquor then ordinary boyling, and upon a quick fire for Meat; but with very little liquor and over a moderate fire for Medicaments, to prevent dissipation of their good parts. Eggs are first boyl'd in Water, and when they are hard, the yolkes are tak'n out, and fry'd over a mode∣rate fire, till their oyl begins to appear in the Frying pan; then pour upon them a little Spirit of Wine, and immediately put them into a coarse Linnen-bag, and press them strongly to get out the Oyl. Mirobalans in powder must be gently fry'd, pour∣ing upon them a little Oyl of sweet Almonds to temper their asperity.

Assation, is the Coction of Food or Medicaments in their proper juice, without the addition of any moisture or basting extraordinary. Thus Meat is roasted upon a Spit, or upon a Grid▪ iron. We roast Water-nuts, or Saligots, Chest-nuts, Apples, Pears, and many other Fruits and Roots in their own juice, either upon the coals before the fire, or otherwise. We bake in the Oven Squills, Onions, red Pars••ips, and seve∣ral other Roots and Fruits without the addition of any moisture. We also bake Meat in the Oven, and dry the parts of Animals as the Blood, the Secondine, &c. and some Animals whole, as Moles, &c. We roast Coffee upon a Spit, in a Tin-box; all which several wayes may pass under the Name of Assation.

Torrefaction is an abatement of Assation; it is us'd in dry Medicaments that abound in strength. It is chiefly us'd for Rhubarb and Mirobalans beat'n to pow∣der, and spread upon a silver-Plate or a thin piece of iron, set upon a Chaffing-dish. They may be also torrefy'd over a moderate fire, stirring them oft'n with a Spatula or little slice, till the powder begins to look of a darkish colour; which is a sign that the purgative Faculty is quite gone, and that the astringent only remains.

CHAP. XXXIV. Of Ʋstion, Cineration, and Extinction.

UStion or Burning has its differences and degrees, according to the diversity of the Substance of the Medicaments, and the various purposes of the Artist. The An∣cients made use of this Preparation for Animals, Plants and Minerals. They burnt the Horns, the Hoofs, the Bones, the Flesh, the Feathers, the Hair and all parts, not consi∣dering, that what-ever Animals have of essential in all their Bodies, consists in their volatile salt and oyl, which by Ustion are dissipated and exhal'd. I desire the Reader to take the pains to view my Preparation of Vipers, and to examine the reasons which I have to condemn in that particular the proceedings of the Ancients, as also the burning of Harts-horn and Ivory; an errour which some to this day can hardly avoid commit∣ting. Indeed we burn to good purpose several sorts of Wood, as well to warm us, as to dress our Victuals, and draw out their salts: We also burn several Plants and their parts to extract the salt: But neither the salt of the Wood nor of the Plants can be drawn out by bare Ustion, which only reduces them to coals; so that it is absolutely necessary to re∣duce that coal into ashes, to draw forth the Salt. And this is call'd Cineration, which is done by a long and continu'd Ustion, especially of Wood or other parts of Plants. It being certain, that in the change which Ustion makes of Wood into coal, that the flegm, spirit and oyl of the Wood are totally dissipated, if the Wood be well burnt; and that the little moisture which is drawn forth by the distillations of ordinary coals, is only borrow∣ed from the Earth, or from the Substances wherewith the Colliers extinguish their coals▪

and that the hurtful vapours which ascend from the coals while they burn, proceed from the nitrous and sulphurie parts, and from those other Substances of which they are compos'd. You may know the nitrous and sulphurie parts, which that moisture con∣tains, by the precipitation which may be made thereof, if you throw Spirit of Vitriol upon it. We may also alledge, That the hurtful vapours that proceed from ordinary coals, proceed from something else besides its own proper Substance; seeing that the coals of a fire that go out of themselves in the op'n air, is not capable of doing any harm when it is lighted again; nor need we to wonder at it, in regard those coals con∣tain nothing considerable, but the terrestrial and salt part which remains in the cin∣ders, after the coal is consum'd. It is also observable, that after you have drawn through a Retort the spirit and oyl of Woods by a long-continu'd fire, and violent too at the end, you shall find in the Retort the Wood converted into coal, by distillation de∣priv'd of all that flegm, spirit and oyl which it contain'd; and that though you keep a violent fire to the same coals in the Retort, provided with a Receiver very well luted, they will nevern turn to cinders, but preserve their shape of coals: Nor can they be reduc'd to cinders without the help of the Air, which assists the activity of the fire, dissi∣pates that part of the coal, to which Vanhelmont gives the Name of Gas, makes the coal to lose its shape, and reduces it to cinders.

You shall find in the latter part of this Pharmacopoea, the way how to separate the Salt matter from the Terrestrial, which are the two Principles of which cinders are com∣pos'd, and which remain in the Coal after the separation of the other Principles.

The strong Ustion of Minerals, ought to be refer'd to Calcination. Ustion in a lesser degree, which is not at all destructive, may in some measure be comprehended under it, though to speak properly, it onely ought to be call'd a Heating red-hot; as for Example we heat Tutia red-hot three times in the fire in a Crucible, and quench it as many times in Rose-water, to repress its acrimonie; we also heat red-hot in the fire a square piece of Steel, and quench it as often in water, to make it astringent.

Extinction or Quenching, is practis'd upon Minerals that have been heated red∣hot in the fire, and are afterwards quench'd in certain Liquors. This Quenching or Extinction is made use of to abate their acrimonie, as I have said of Tutia; or to im∣part their vertue to the Liquor wherein they are quench'd; as that of Steel to Water; of Bricks to Oyl, to make Philosophers Oyl: It serves also to make certain Minerals brittle, as when we quench red-hot Flints in Water. We call, but impro∣perly, by the name of Extinction, that of Flowing Mercury, when we take away the fluidness thereof, by the assistance of Turpentine, or any other viscous matter. But this Extinction is not to be refer'd to those of which I have already spok'n, which must be preceded by Ignition or heating in the fire the Substances you intend to quench.

CHAP. XXXV. Of Calcination.

CAlcination is the turning of a Medicament into Lime, by the help of a violent fire; it is of great use in Chymical Pharmacy, and chiefly for Minerals, whose sub∣stance is more solid than that of Plants and Animals. Calcination is divided into A∣ctual and Potential: Actual Calcination is perform'd by the Fire; Potential by corrosive Spirits. Minerals require a less or bigger fire, according to the diversity of their sub∣stances, and according to the various purposes of the Artist. Calcination of Lead into grey powder inclining to yellow, requires much less fire then other Calcinations of that Metal. The Calcination of Oyster-shells is much sooner done then that of Lime, which serves for building. There is less fire requir'd to calcine Antimony into a grey pow∣der, then to calcine it into a white powder, which is call'd Ceruse of Antimony, or An∣timony-diaphoretic; or then is requir'd to convert it into Saffron, Regulus, or Glass. The Actual Calcination of Minerals, is perform'd sometimes without addition, as the simple Calcination of Lead, Antimony and Steel, &c. sometimes by the addition of Sulphur, Nitre and Tartar, &c. The Potential Calcination of Metals, is also call'd Immersive. It is made by the means of corrosive Spirits, which penetrate and dis∣solve them. So Gold is dissolv'd in Aqua-Regalis, or by Spirit of Salt well purg'd from its flegm. Silver, Copper, Mercury, Saturn, Mars, &c. by the Spirit of Nitre, or

Aqua-fortis, or by other corroding Spirits; and so are all the rest. It is call'd Immer∣sive, because the Minerals are steep'd in the corroding Liquors, to the end they may lie in soak there till they are calcin'd.

CHAP. XXXVI. Of Amalgamation, Fumigation, Cementation, Stratification.

AMalgamation, is a Potential Calcination, which is made of Gold and Silver, by the means of Quick-silver, which being mingl'd either with the one or the other of these Metals when it is melted, separates their parts, and for a time so effectually mixes it self with them, that the whole becomes an unctuous paste that may be extended up∣on the hand. This paste being afterwards put into a Crucible and set upon the fire, loses its shape and consistency; for when the Mercury has forsak'n those perfect Me∣tals by evaporation, they appear at the bottom of the Crucible, like Lime, much more fine then it could possibly have been made by any other Operation.

Fumigation, is also a Potential Calcination, by which the Mercurie put upon the fire in a Crucible, the mouth whereof must be somewhat streight, corrodes and reduces in∣to Lime the thin plates, which hang over it to receive the vapour of the Mercury. Saturn in plates hung in that manner, so that it may receive the vapours of Vinegar set upon the fire, will be also corroded by that means, and the superficies thereof convert∣ed into a white Lime, which is the true Ceruse. This Fumigation is call'd Evaporating∣calcination▪ Fumigation made by the means of Sulphur kindl'd, is made use of to abate the purgative Faculty of Scammony, by the penetration of the acid of the same Sul∣phur into all the parts of the Substance of the same Scammony, and by the change which it produces by the uniting it self to it. But this is no Calcinating-fumigation, like those of Mercury and Vinegar. I let alone those Fumigations which are rais'd from Aromatics, which are onely exhalations of the more odorific parts of those sorts of Substances, which never change the nature of those that receive them, no more then of their form, but only leave the scent of their odours behind them.

Cementation, is yet another sort of Calcination, whereby the imperfect Metals, which are mix'd with Gold and Silver, extended upon small and very thin Plates, are calcin'd and destroy'd, so that the perfect Metals become rid of them and absolute∣ly pure. It is call'd Cementation, because of the Cement in powder, with which the thin Plates are strow'd all over, by means of the Stratification which is us'd in the Crucible, that is afterwards cover'd and luted extraordinary close; and then put in a Gradual wheel-fire for some hours, till the perfect metals are melted, which is the last period of Cementation.

Stratification, or the laying of things in rows or beds, is done by covering the bot∣tom of the Crucible with a powder for Cementation, upon which are laid certain thin Plates of Gold or Silver, which must be cover'd again with the powder; then lay other thin Plates upon that powder, and then more powder upon those Plates, continuing so to do alternatively, and ending with the powder with which you began; then cover the Crucible and lute it exactly, and put it in the wheel-fire, as has been said already in Cementation. Stratification is also made use of upon several other occasions, where Cementation is not necessary.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of Fusion, Granulation, Projection, Detonation and Fulmination.

FƲsion belongs only to Metals, and Mineral Substances, which are put into a Cru∣cible, and expos'd to a violent fire, till the Substance is melted. The Salts of Plants are also melted in the same fire to vitrifie them.

Granulation cannot be done without Fusion; and it is consequent to it. It is chiefly practis'd upon Gold or Silver melted together or separately. We softly pour these

Metals into cold water when they are well melted, for then you find them in graines at the bottom of the Vessel. You may also lay some twigs of a Broom upon the top of the water, the better to divide the melted Metal, and to make the graines lesser: There are others that for the same purpose, will run them through Paper pierc'd full of holes with a Bodkin, and rubb'd with Orpiment.

Projection is made after the following manner. You must place a Crucible, or an Aludel upon a round of bak'd earth about two fingers thick, and sufficiently broad, which the Chymists call A Culotte, to set the Crucible or Aludel upon. This Round must be set with the bottom downwards upon the middle-grate of a Wind-furnace, kindling a Charcoal-fire round about the Round of bak'd earth, and the Crucible or Aludel. The Crucible being well fortify'd with its cover, and the Aludel with its stop∣per. The fire must be continu'd till the Crucible or Vessel be red-hot; at what time you must throw into either an ounce of that Substance which you intend to project, making use for that purpose of a Ladle, or Iron or Copper Spatula with a long handle, able to contain as much as you are to throw in at a time, but not bigger then the cover of the Crucible or the Aludel. At the same time you must also cover the Crucible, or stop the Aludel; and when Detonation is pass'd, you may op'n them again, and throw in as much new matter as at the first time, then cover them again, and continue the same Projection till all the matter be projected, or that the Vessels are able to contain no more.

Detonation usually accompanies Projection. It is advanc'd by the Nitre, which is the most powerful agent in matters to be projected. It is also succeeded by Fusion, to which the force of the fire, and the activity of the Salt-Peter compel the Substances. The most familiar happ'ns in the Preparation of Diaphoretic-Antimony, made by Antimony and Salt-Peter: in that of Sul-Polychrestes, made of Nitre and Sulphur; and that of Flowers of Antimony, with the same Nitre. Projection ought to be made of a small quantity, and at several repetitions. For if you should put too much Substance at a time, the violent activity of the Nitre would break all the Vessels, or make the Substances run in the fire. Detonation raises the impure and volatile Sulphur from the matters, partly into the air, and partly immediatly above the more pure mass. The terrestreities are usually found mix'd with the volatile parts, of the impurities whereof they are the cause. But the principal internal Sulphur is found in the pure mass: which by reason of its weight, quits the impure parts, to descend to the bottom of the Vessel.

Fulmination, which is also call'd Fulguration, is much more violent then Detonation, especially that which is us'd to one particular Preparation of Gold. It is so call'd be∣cause it acts like thunder, working its effects from top to bottom, according as the matter finds resistance at the top. Fulmination of Gold happens through the union of Aqua-regalis with it in dissolving it, as also of the Salts of the Tartar, united with it when the Gold was precipitated into Lime. Whence it comes to pass, that this Lime of Gold precipitated, retains still some particles of the Salts, especially of the Ammo∣niac contain'd in the Aqua-regalis, to produce Fulmination upon the least heat that should happ'n to the Lime of Gold. And this Fulmination is no otherwise made then by the forc'd division of the Salts from the Gold by the means of the heat. There is another Fulmination less violent, which is made by the Salt of Tartar, Nitre and Sul∣phur, in a certain proportion: which is not so dear as that of Gold, and is more easie to do; the description whereof is in the third part of this Pharmacopoea.

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of Reverberation, Lapidification, and Vitrefaction.

REverberation serves to open, separate and calcine the Substances of mix'd Bodies, by means of a flaming fire, that encompasses and reflects upon the matter. It also serves to take away the corrosive Spirits of Nitre, Salt and Vitriol, as also by means of the Retort to separate the volatile parts of certain Plants and of all Animals. It is two fold; one done with an open fire, which is that of Calcination; the other with a close fire; as is that of Distillation.

Lapidification is the converting of more then one Medicament into the form of a stone. Which comes to pass by the dissolving any Metal in a corrosive Spirit, and

causing the dissolution to boyl to the consistency of stone. As when we dissolve Silver in Aqua-fortis, and boyl that dissolution to the consistency of a stone, which they call Infernal. Divers fix'd Salts are also converted into Fix'd-stones. We also turn into stone Vitriol, Alum, Salt of glass, and many other Salts of Plants, mix'd with Bole-Ammoniac, of which is made the Medicinal Stone. Many artificial Marbles and Jewels may be also made by several Preparations.

Vitrification by means of a violent fire turns some Substances into glass. It is practi∣s'd upon Metals, Metallics, and several sorts of Minerals: among the rest upon Stones, Flints and Sands, as also upon the Ashes of divers Plants.

CHAP. XXXIX. Of Precipitation.

PRecipitation is effected when a Medicament, dissolv'd by any fix'd corrosive Salt, or by some acid g••awing Spirit, or by some homogeneous volatile Spirit, quits the dis∣solvent, and precipitates or falls head-long to the bottom of the Vessel. To hast'n it, we must make use of Precipitants, which at least in all outward appearance are of a na∣ture quite contrary to the Dissolvents; and which may either joyn with them or make a confusion among them, or weak'n them, and so by some means or other constrain them to quit the Body which they held in dissolution. When we have dissolv'd Pearls or Co∣ral in the Spirit of Nitre, or Vinegar, we usually have recourse to some fix'd Salt, as that of Tartar, the Liquor whereof being pour'd upon the dissolution, unites with the acid Spirit which was in the dissolvent, and constrains the Substance of the Pearls and Corals which it dissolv'd, to precipitate to the bottom of the Vessel. When the flowers of Sulphur have been dissolv'd with Salt of Tartar, we must have recourse to some acid Spirit, as that of Nitre or Vinegar, or some acid Salt, as Alum dissolv'd in Wa∣ter, to make the Precipitation. Mercury dissolv'd in Aqua-fortis, or in Spirit of Nitre, is precipitated by Sea-water. But because Sea-water contains in its compo∣sition an acid part, which in some measure counterballances the fix'd parts, it does not act so powerfully for precipitation of Mercury as Salt of Tartar, which is void of all acid Spirit, and therefore proper to embrace the acid Spirit which dissolv'd the Mer∣cury, and to compel the one to quit the other. But as it acts with more violence than Sea-salt, it leaves in the Mercury a kind of a red colour. Whence it comes to pass, that we never use any other then Sea-salt when we desire that the Precipitate should be white. However there is another white Precipitate to be made of Mercury, by precipi∣tating it with Salt of Tartar, if you make use therein of Mercury sublim'd and dis∣solv'd in Water of Sal-Armoniac: which after it has corrected the impressions which the Salt and the Vitriol had left in the Mercury by its sublimation, causes the Volatile Sal-Armoniac to meet with the Salt of Tartar, which is in some measure homogeneous to it. And in regard the Dissolution of Mercury sublimated in Water of Sal-Armo∣niac is done without any violence, as is also the conjunction of its dissolution with that of Salt of Tartar, the white which is common to both Salts, suffers no alteration, and the acrimony of the Salts fails not to be carried away by Lotions. Tartar is also pro∣per to precipitate all sorts of vitriolated Dissolutions. Bismuth dissolv'd with Spi∣rit of Nitre, is properly precipitated with Sea-water: But it may be also precipitated by common-water only pour'd in a good quantity upon the Dissolution: which find∣ing it self weaken'd by the Dissolvent, abandons the dissolv'd Bismuth, and gives it opportunity to precipitate to the bottom. The Dissolution of the rosinie part of Scammony, Jalap, Agaric, and the like made in Spirit of Wine, as also that of Am∣ber, and several other bituminous Substances, are easily precipitated by weakning the Spirit of Wine with Water. Or else you may attain your end by drawing forth the Spirit of Wine by a soft Distillation, or else causing it to evaporate insensibly: For you shall find the rosinie or bituminous matter at the bottom, accompanied with an un∣profitable moisture, distinct, which is to be thrown away.

I do not account that Precipitation of Mercury, which is commonly call'd Red-preci∣pitate, to be one of these Precipitates: which is only a real potential Calcination of Mercury, by the means of Strong-water or Aqua fortis, or Spirit of Nitre, which af∣terwards they evaporate without pouring any precipitating Salt upon it.

CHAP. XL. Of Sublimation.

SƲblimation is practis'd upon dry Substances, some of which are either rais'd almost altogether, or in part towards the upper part of the Vessel proper for Sublimati∣on, and that by means of a gradual fire. Medicaments are sometimes sublim'd without any mixture, and the more pure parts are sublim'd like Flowers, leaving the thicker parts at the bottom. In this manner are the Flowers of Benjamin, Storax, and Ar∣senic, &c. prepar'd. Thus may Sulphur be sublim'd with an addition of some other matter: and it is observable that it will almost all mount up in Flowers, unless it be extraordinarily charg'd and load'n with external terrestreities. Sublimation is also us'd to separate the volatile Substances from the fix'd; as when we sublime in Flowers the volatile part of Sal-Ammoniac, and reserve the salt part fix'd at the bottom mix'd among the acid. Mercury is also very much inclin'd to Sublimation, and to take several shapes according to the variety of the Substances with which it is mix'd, which will cause it to act as differently. However it cannot be sublimated unless it be mix'd with corrosive Substances, or at least with such as may put a stop to its fluidity; nor with∣out borrowing also some particles of those forreign Substances, to elevate it self and to incorporate with them: Then it sublimes altogether, provided it be perfectly uni∣ted with them, and that you have observ'd proportions in mixture and degrees of fire.

Fluid Mercury is incorporated with a certain quantity of Salt decrepitated, and Vitriol dry'd to whiteness, and it is sublimated by a gradual fire in a consistence white and corrosive, which is call'd Sublimate-corrosive; so become, by reason of the par∣ticles of Salt and Vitriol which have been rais'd with it in Sublimation, and which make it a most dangerous poison. The same Mercury sublimate-corrosive mix'd and perfectly united with three fourths of its weight of fluid Mercury takes off the acri∣monie of the Salts, and that little corrosion which might remain in that Mercury∣sublimate, might perhaps be altogether carry'd off, by resubliming it two or three times without any addition. This Mercury so sublimated is call'd Sweet-sublimate, or Mercurius dulcis, the internal use whereof is frequent in the cure of several Distempers, especially Venereal. Mercury is also sublimated in a very red and shining consi∣stency, having been formerly well united with a certain quantity of Sulphur. This Mercury so sublimated we call Cinnabar, and is usually made use of in Perfums for Ve∣nereal distempers. It is useful also in painting, and to colour Spanish-wax. I say nothing of the Preparation of the Flowers of Antimony, and several other Minerals, which I refer to their proper place.

CHAP. XLI. Of Distillation.

DIstillation is an Elevation attended by a Descension of the watrie, spiritful, oylie or salt parts of mixt Bodies, separated from the gross and terrestrial by means of the Fire. The natural Ascension or Elevation is that of Rain, Dew, Mists, which ascend in vapor up into the Air, and being there gather'd in a body together fall after∣wards by the force of their own proper weight, either in Springs of Water divided, or else in drops or in lesser parts, according as the vapors are more or less abounding, or that they are more or less agitated by the winds; and which in falling make a kind of Distillation. The artificial Distillation is usually made after general ways: of which the first is call'd the Streight, the second the Oblique or Lateral, the third by Descent. Both the one and the other are made into divers Vessels either of Silver, Pewter, Cop∣per, Iron, Earth, Glass; and all by the means of Fire, or of some borrow'd heat. Sreight of Upright Distillation raises up the vapors high into a Vessel proper to receive them, which must be plac'd and luted above that which contains the matters. These vapors thus rais'd are converted into Liquor, and distil through the neck of the superior Ves∣sel, into another set below the neck and call'd the Recipient. Oblique or Side-ling

Distillation is made in crooked Vessels, which are call'd Cornutes or Retorts, to which are fitted Recipients bigger or lesser according to the nature of the Spirits which are to be drawn forth. These Vessels were invented for the distillation of ponderous Spi∣rits, as those of Nitre, Salt, Vitriol, &c. as also for the distillation of other Spirits less weighty, as of Oyls and volatile Salts, which will not so commodiously ascend by an upright Distillation: such are the Spirits and Oyls of Woods; the Spirits, the Oyls, the volatile Salts of Vipers, Harts-horn, Ivory and many other parts of Animals; as also of certain Plants that abound in Salts and volatile Oyls; and likewise of the Spirits of Tartar, Wax, Amber, and many others. Distillation by descent is made by the putting the fire round about, and at the top of the Vessel, which contains the Substances to be distill'd, and whose orifice is below.

This fire acting upon the substances within, by degrees separates the liquid parts from the gross and terrestrial, and constrains them to descend and distil into the Vessel plac'd immediately below, and luted with the Superiour; there being however between the two Orifices of the two Vessels a little thin plate pierced through with several holes, to hinder the grosser substances from falling into the Recipient, and to give the Liquors passage, to fall into the lower Vessel. The use thereof is particularly, for thick mat∣ters, especially Wood. Though this Distillation may serve for thinner Sub∣stances; of which you will find examples in my Chymical Preparations.

There is also a sort of Distillation by descent, which is called per * 1.1 Deliquium, or by Draining, which is only the Resolution of Salts into Liquor, and which is more Natural then Artificial. The distilling of a Vine, cut in the Spring, may be also called Distillation: also Oyl of Petrol, or Naphte, which distils from the Rocks, and the like. Hither we also refer the Natural Balsom, and other liquids that distil from Plants of themselves, or by Incision: As Turpentines, that trickle from divers Trees, Opium from Poppy, and Scammony from its Plant.

CHAP. XLII. Of Rectification.

REctification is a new purification and exaltation of the most essential part of the mixt Body, which was formerly separated by Distillation, or otherwise. It is in use for Waters, for Oyls, for Spirits and Salts, as well fix'd as volatile, distill'd or sublim'd. It is also us'd for dry Substances, as also for Tinctures. Rectification is properly a Distillation, or new Sublimation of that which had been already distill'd or sublimated; and by that means a new separation of the aquosities, terrestreities, or other impurities, which are found intermix'd in the first Distillation or Sublimation. You may repeat Rectification so often, till the matter intended to be rectify'd have at∣tain'd its utmost purity. The volatile Salts rise first of all in their Rectification; the Spirits and volatile Oyls follow: the Flegm appears next, or else it remains at the bot∣tom of the Vessel with the thick Oyl and terrestreities. The ethereal spirit of Wine and Turpentine ascend first in Rectification: as it happens also to several other spirit∣ful Waters. The Flegm follows the spirit of Wine, if you continue the fire: if not, it remains at the bottom of the Vessel, The ethereal Spirit of Turpentine, is attended by the unctuous Substances, the first whereof are less thick and less, colour'd than the latter: but the rosinie and thick part lies at the bottom of the Vessel. The watry part of the Spirits of Salt, Vitriol and Sulphur, ascend first in their Rectification; it is follow'd by the Spirits, if the fire be increas'd and continued; if not, the Spirits re∣main at the bottom of the Vessel. The Oyls ascend among their Spirits or Liquors, which were added to them to hinder their Empyreuma, or being scorch'd by the fire during their Rectification. Tinctures are rectify'd by Circulation and Filtration. Fix'd Salts are rectify'd by Calcination, Dissolution, Filtration and Coagulation. You may also mingle among them some small quantity of Sulphur, and burn it in calcining them, if you would cleanse them well from their superfluous moisture, which causes their dis∣solution; and in keeping them, makes them subject to dissolve into Liquor. As many times it happens to the Salts of Plants, which were not calcinated with Sulphur. Re∣gulus's are rectify'd by repeated Fusions, and additions of some little quantity of Salt-Peter. Perfect Metals are rectify'd by the Coppel, by Antimony, by Sublimate, by the Inquart, and by other ways, &c.

CHAP. XLIII. Of Extraction, Evaporation, and Exhalation.

EXtraction is a separation of the more pure and most essential parts of Medicaments from the gross and terrestrial, by the means of some proper Menstruum. Disso∣lution, or at least the Addition of some other Liquor, Digestion and Filtration are al∣most inseparable from Extraction, This operation is well made use of for Tinctures, Essences, Balsoms, and several other liquid Preparations; but chiefly for those that are call'd Extracts: which are of a consistence solid enough to be made into Bolus's and Pills. Such are the extracts of Rhubarb, Senna, Coloquinth, Ellebore, Aloes, and the like, which are begun by the extraction which is made of their Tincture; and fi∣nish'd either by the volatile part of the Menstruum, by distillation, if it be worth while, or by evaporating the superfluous moistures over a gentle fire, or in the Sun, or in Horse∣dung. Extracts also of the Juice of green Plants, is made without any other addition of forreign Liquor. For it is enough to purifie those Juices by Filtration or otherwise, and to evaporate them over a gentle fire, till they come to their necessary consistency. Such are the Extracts of Wormwood, Carduus, Centaurie, Spurge, &c.

Evaporation is the elevation and dissipation of the superfluous humidity which is to be found in any Medicament. It is usually made by the means of Fire, though some∣times we also make use of the heat of the Sun; it is very often made use of in several Galenic and Chymical Preparations.

Exhalation is only practis'd upon drie things, to raise and dissipate the most volatile parts; it is made by the means of heat lesser or greater, according to the vari∣ous Substance of the Medicaments. It is of use in several Galenical and Chymical Preparations.

CHAP. XLIV. Of Liquefaction, Melting, and Coagulation, Curdling.

LIquefaction or Melting is practis'd upon Wax, Suets, Greases, Rosins, Gums, But∣ter, Oyntments, Emplasters, Ice, and all Substances that may be coagulated by the cold, and easily melted by heat. Metals, Metallics, and several Minerals are well coagulated by cold, and may be turn'd into Liquor by the heat of fire: But because this cannot usually be done but by a violent heat, therefore that Operation is call'd Fusion, and not Liquefaction.

Coagulation is oppos'd to Liquefaction and Fusion. And therefore it is call'd the Al∣teration of a liquid matter into a solid, by the privation of heat or the separation of moisture: as when the fix'd Salts have been dissolv'd in some liquor, and we eva∣porate the moisture over the fire, then they remain drie and coagulated. The same thing may befal them after they have suffer'd Fusion. It happ'ns also to Metals, and other Minerals that may be run down, as Sulphur, Alum, Antimony, Nitre, Vitriol and many others, which run with the fire and coagulate in the cold. There are also Salts which are call'd Essential, which being melted in hot liquors, coagulate in the cold, as that of Carduus. We see also several dissolutions of Metals, and of se∣veral other Minerals made by strong Waters, which were very liquid while they stood upon the fire; but soon coagulated in the cold, notwithstanding the moisture which accompanys them. I pass over the Coagulation of Milk, and that which may be made by the conjunction of acid Spirits with volatile, whereof I shall shew examples in my Chymical Preparations.

CHAP. XLV. Of Fixation, Congelation, and Chrystallization.

FIxation is opposite to Volatilization, because it fixes and stops that which was of a volatile nature, and renders it altogether durable in the fire, or else able to withstand its force for a long time. And here we must observe that Acids are the most proper principal means which we can make use of to fix Volatiles. Which I do not believe happ'ns through any antipathy, or contrariety of Substance that is between them, as many Philosophers are of opinion: for if that were true, they would cer∣tainly destroy one another, which never falls out. But my sentiment is this, That in regard of the great sympathy and inclination which they have, streightly to unite with their like parts, that is the cause that they joyn with so much swiftness, and with a kind of violence; and being once united, they are not parted but with great difficulty, and only when they meet with a Substance which more agrees with their Nature. On the other side their difficulty to unite proceeds from a certain disposition of the figures of their parts, which render them incapable to embody and compose a solid mass together, without making an affault one upon another. For though Acids and Volatiles seem to have chang'd their qualities in being mix'd and confounded one within another, though their activity be different, when they can act separately; yet they preserve their Na∣ture and their first faculty, and fail not to demonstrate the truth thereof, when they have been frequently separated. Which may be done with mixing Salt Tartar, or any other fix'd Salt with them. For the acids are more enclin'd to unite to the fix'd Salts, then the volatile. So that joyning very close to the fix'd and adhering but very slight∣ly to the volatile, they suffer the volatiles to be rais'd by the fire: and these volatiles are observ'd to have the same penetration, which they had before they were joyn'd and mingl'd with the acids and the same acids may be still constrain'd to quit those fix'd Salts, when you increase the quantity of the latter, and that the former find them∣selves too strongly attacqu'd. For the fix'd Salts being in a condition of themselves to resist the violence of the fire, without the concurrence of acids, could never hinder the latter from quitting them, when they are no longer able to resist the fire, but that they must be rais'd and carried away with the acidity and force which they had before they were joyn'd together.

Congelation approaches very near to Coagulation. It happ'ns that several liquors, and several Substances liquefy'd by heat, congeal in the cold. Such are the Decocti∣ons of several Meats and Fish, as also of Serpents, especially of Vipers, the Decocti∣ons of Harts-horn and Elephants-teeth rasp'd, and several others; as also the Juices and Decoctions of several acid Fruits mingl'd and boyl'd with Sugar: among the rest those of Goosberries, Verjuice, Cherries and the like▪ to all which things they are wont to give the Name of Gellies. We may also rank under the Name of Congelati∣ons, Water congeal'd by the cold, Suets, Greases melted before the fire, and after∣wards congeal'd; as also Wax, Rosines, Oyl of Nut-megs, and several others easily melted at the fire, which always congeal in the cold; though they may be reckon'd also for Coagulations.

Chrystallization is a sort of Congelation which happ'ns to Salts, as well essential, fix'd and volatile, as also to those which are mix'd with acids; when being separated from a good part of their moisture, you let them rest in a coole place there to chrystallize; and then to be tak'n out and dry'd when you have pour'd out by Inclination the liquor that swims at the top, which is not chrystalliz'd. This Chrystallization happ'ns to Cre∣mor Tartar, to the essential Salts of divers Plants, to Nitre variously prepar'd, to Vi∣triols dissolv'd, filter'd and evaporated to the very Pellicula or thin skin; and to se∣veral Minerals dissolv'd by corrosives. It may also happ'n to all sorts of purify'd Salts, separated from the greatest part of their moisture, in which they had been dissolv'd. We call the small skin or Pellicula, a kind of thin Film, which appears upon the su∣perficies of the Salts, dissolv'd in Water, when you have evaporated the moisture over the fire, and that the greatest part is consum'd.

CHAP. XLVI. Of Spiritualization, and Corporification.

SPiritualization is the conversion of the parts of a solid body into Spirit. It is particu∣larly attributed to Salts, of which almost all the parts are converted into Spirit by Distillation. Such are Bay-salt, Nitre, Vitriol, Alum, &c. Several other Medicaments are to be spiritualiz'd, especially Juices, and fermented Liquors, which render their Spirits volatile and combustible, but not acid, as are those which we draw from Salts.

Corporification restores to Spirits the same body, or at least a body very like to that which they had before their Spiritualization. For Example, The Spirit of Nitre uni∣ted with Salt of Tartar, or with its own proper fix'd Salt, and set to chrystallize, re∣sumes its former body. Spirit of Vitriol, after it has devour'd Iron, being dissolv'd in Water, filter'd and evaporated, resumes the form and consistency of Vitriol. There is another sort of Corporification, which in embodying of Spirits causes them to take a form quite different from that of their original. For Example, Spirit of Vinegar, having dissolv'd Pearls, Coral, Saturn, &c. incorporated, assumes the form of Salt, if you evaporate the superfluous moisture that accompanies it. And this Salt of Vi∣negar will resume the shape of Spirit by Distillation, abandoning to the bottom of the Vessel the matter with which it was incorporated.

CHAP. XLVII. Of Reduction, and Mortification.

REduction is the re-establishment of mixt Bodies, or their parts in their natural Estate. As when the Spirits, united and incorporated with certain Matters, are separated from them and reduced to their former estate by Distillation. Reduction is very much practis'd in Metals: For by that means the Metals which ap∣pear destroy'd, by several Corrosions, Calcinations, Sublimations, and Dissolutions are reduc'd to the same condition in which they were, before they had suffer'd any alteration.

Mortification is a change of the exterior form, and sometimes of the consistency of the mixt Body. It may be attributed to Mercury, not only then when being mingl'd and incorporated with Turpentine, or with other oylie Substances, it loses its motion and fluidness; but after it has undergone several Chymical Preparations. It may be also apply'd to Saturn or Lead in divers Preparations. It may be also attributed to Animals or Plants, not only then when motion and growth are tak'n from them with their Lives, but also when their parts are dis-joynted, and that they have chang'd con∣dition and form.

There are practis'd in both the one and the other Pharmacy several other manners of preparing, of which you shall be sufficiently inform'd in the following Part of this Pharmacopoea, without giving you the trouble of multiplying Descriptions in particu∣lar Chapters.

CHAP. XLVIII. Of Mixture.

NO Man can undertake the Preparation of any Medicin before he know it: No more can any Man practise Mixture before he know Preparation. For all Me∣dicaments are not so simple, so known, so usual, so easie to mixe, as Water and Wine.

Mixture is then the third thing a Physician ought to know and put in practice. It is defin'd an Artificial mixture of divers Medicaments, which an Artist has chos'n and

alter'd by Preparation; and which he unites together to make a compounded Medi∣cament. And in truth when the Ancients talk'd of Mixture, they chiefly meant that Mixture which is made of several Medicaments prepar'd to make one Composition. As when to make any Electuary the Artist chooses, weighs and orders every drug; beats those things which are to be reduc'd into powder; strains the Pulps; makes the Deco∣ctions, boyles the Sugar or Honey with them to a convenient consistency, then mixes the Pulps and the Powders, and makes the Electuary; and so of other compositions. But I must say, That in both the one and the other Pharmacy there are continual Mix∣tures; in regard there are few Preparations that can be made up without Mixture. And though Mixture seems easie enough, and that it be truly so to them that well un∣derstand all sorts of Preparations; yet it does not want its difficulties, and requires a great exactness in a thousand things which are to be observ'd. As in the ordering of Medicaments that are to be put into one Composition; the regard which is to be had to their different Substances; the Preparation which is due to them to dispose them for Mixture; the proportions requisite for Ingredients, to bring them to their just consistency, and the form which is intended to be giv'n to the Medicament; the de∣grees of heat and boyling; the Vessels and Instruments to be made use of in Mixture and Boyling: the time and moment necessary, and the Vessels and place where Medi∣caments are to be set up and preserv'd.

The diversity of Diseases, their complication, their accidents unfore-seen, and the necessity at all times of a quick Remedy, have constrain'd the Physicians to invent an infinite variety of Compositions. They must frame themselves to the nature and con∣stitution of the Patients, and vary the applications of Medicaments, as well simple as compound, as occasion requires, to quick'n the slowness and weakness of some, and repress the violence of others. It behoves them to give them various forms and con∣sistencies, to vary the taste, and to provide for their preservation, which cannot be done without making use of Mixture. So that mixture is not to be separated either from the one or the other Pharmacy: for though Chymistrie does not usually require either in Pre∣paration, or in the use of Medicines, such a numerous quantity of Medicaments to be clapt together as the Galenists do; yet the Division and the Purification of the parts of Medicament, require a skill and dexterity altogether peculiar, as well for their Mix∣ture as their Union. It behoves the Chymist to know the dissimilitude of Substances, and how to reduce them to a kind of homogeneousness; to make Elixirs and universal Medicines of great vertue, which are beyond the knowledge of Galenic Pharmacy: as not being accustom'd to practise Mixture, but upon Medicaments incumber'd with all the parts of which they are compos'd.

Here I might seasonably dilate upon many cautions to be observ'd in the right Mix∣ture and Union of all sorts of Medicaments: But in regard that in the following part of this Pharmacopoea I am oblig'd to speak of the particular mixture of every Composi∣tion, as also of every considerable Preparation, as well Galenic as Chymical; I thought it more convenient to remit the Reader thither.

CHAP. XLIX. Of the Composition of Medicaments.

THE Composition of Medicaments cannot be accomplish'd without mixture. But the word Composition implies something of well-order'd, proportionate and di∣spos'd to produce those effects which are requir'd upon occasion from the union of se∣veral Medicaments, tending together to one or more purposes. I will not repeat here the reasons for which the Composition of Medicaments was invented. It shall suffice me to take notice, That besides the great number of Compositions which have hereto∣fore been made use of, the Physicians are at liberty every day to invent more; and that in some there may be a greater, in others a lesser number of Medicaments. I must also needs say that Preservation is one of the chief ends of Composition; never∣theless many compounded Remedies us'd every day, cannot be kept long; and there∣fore they are never to be prepar'd, but onely when there's occasion to use them.

It is not my resolution to insist in general upon all the compounded Remedies which the Ancients have made use of; and of which they have left several presidents. It will

be enough for me to speak of those, which are in practice at this day. To which in∣tent I will divide all compounded Remedies into internal and external. The internal are Juleps, Apozems, Emulsions, Almonds milks and creams, Restoratives Purgative potions, Altering-physick, Mixtures, Gargarisms, Prisans, divers Decoctions, Bolus's▪ Clysters, Suppositories, Pessaries, Injections, Wines, Vinegars, and divers Juices; which may be also outwardly apply'd, Robbes, Honeys compounded, Oxymels, Syrups, Loches, Lozenges, Condites, Gellies, Conserves, Electuaries, Hiera's, Opiats, Con∣fections, Antidotes, Tablets, Pills, Powders, Distill'd-waters simple and compound, Feces, Extracts, Rosins, Salts fixt, volatile and essential, Chrystals, Flowers, Magi∣steries, Saffrons, Oyls distill'd and press'd; Tinctures, Elixirs, Essences, Balsoms, Panacea's, Lime, Stones, Glasses, Regulus's, Sulphurs, Sublimates, Precipitates, &c. Remedies external compounded, are Baths, Half-baths as well liquid as by steam, Lo∣tions, Embrochations, Fermentations, Bags and Caps quilted with Cephalic-powders, Frontlets, Sinapisms, Vesicatories, Depilatories, or Medicines to take away the Hair, Cataplasms, Epithemes liquid and solid; Suffumigations, Pomatums, Grains and Sweet Candles, Caustic-stones, Mucilages, several Balsoms, several Oyls, as well by infusion as expression and distillation; Liniments, Oyntments, Sear-cloths, Emplasters, Pastes for the Hands, Wax'd-linnen-cloths, Sparadraps, or Linnen-cloths dipt in melted-salves, certain Flowers, certain Magisteries, certain Limes, and certain compos'd stones, of all which I shall speak in their proper place.

CHAP. L. Of Fire, and its degrees.

IT was not without great reason that Fire has been esteem'd at all times the most noble of all the Elements. In regard it is the principal agent of Nature and of Art in the Production of all things: it foments, it nourishes them, and gives them growth: it comforts by its light, and penetrates by its subtlety the most compact of Substances. So that I cannot imagine, by what motive, Persons that have rendred themselves famous as well by their Chymical Operations as Writings, and who never could have any reason to mis▪ doubt the utility of Fire, should nevertheless go about to blot it out of the number of the Elements; and instead of making it the author of any considerable production, should give it the Name of Corrupter and Destroyer. For though I make no question, but that Fire being kindl'd in wood or any other com∣bustible, matter and meeting with a continuity of substance upon which it can exercise its activity, will destroy, and continue that destruction, till it meet with no farther matter to act upon: yet all the World must of necessity be convinc'd, That besides the continual necessity we have of Fire, as well in the one as the other Pharmacy, as also for the support of Life, it is in our power to augment or abate its force at our plea∣sure; either by laying on or taking off the wood or coals, or by opening on closing the Pipes that let in the Air and quick'n the Fire. Neither it is possible for me but to commend and seek the assistance of Fire in my Profession; and I am also forc'd to con∣fess that without the assistance thereof, I had never attain'd any solid knowledge; and that what I have acquir'd would be of no use to me in the most part of my Operations, should I want Fire to begin, continue or carry them to perfection.

Under the Name of Fire, I understand not only the ordinary Fire lighted, and act∣ing upon wood, coals, or any other combustible matters; but all Heat that produces action approaching next to that of Fire. And therefore I shall divide Fire or Heat into Natural or Artificial. Natural Fire is esteem'd to be that which comes from the Rays of the Sun. Artificial, is that which depends upon the skill of Men; according to the variety and quantity of the matter combustible with which they furnish it, and the more or less Air which they afford it. The one and the other Pharmacy make use of the Natural heat of the beams of the Sun in several respects: but they more fre∣quently have recourse, and indeed at all times to Artificial Fire, which is able to do many things beyond the Natural heat of the Sun.

It is not necessary for me here to dilate upon the heat of the Sun, which we may seek and find to be more or less excessive, according to the Climates and Seasons, and the various occasions of it; it being also to be augmented and re-inforc'd by reflexion

and repercussion, by the help of a Burning-mirror. I will only insist upon Artificial heat, and the several degrees of it; of which we must acknowledge two in general, one for Digestion, and the other for Separation.

Digestion makes use of several fires, of which the most simple and nearest to Natural heat, is that of Horse-dung, which may be more or less excessive, according to the quantity of the Dung, the time when the Dung-hill was made, and the depth of the Vessel's being plac'd in it. For certain it is, that a man cannot put his hand in the midst of a great Dung-hill of Horse-dung, if it have had time to rip'n; nor endure a rod of Iron that has been buried but a-while in such a muck-hill. The heat of Horse-dung is also call'd The heat of the Horses Belly.

The Fire of the Air heated by an ordinary fire kindl'd under a Vessel of Iron or Earth fit to resist fire, and clos'd in a close Furnace, capable of receiving the Vessel which contains the matters, is accounted a moderate Fire.

The fire of a Lamp, is a fire also as moderate as equal; and yet it may be encreas'd or diminish'd, according to the bigness and quantity of wicks which you light; as also according as the Vessels are to be more or less heated. The fire of Lamps is very much us'd by those that seek after the universal Medicine; and for several Operations that require continuance of time and an equal fire, either for Digestions or Fixations.

The fire of the steam of hot water is a very moderate heat, but it cannot be conti∣nued so equal as that of Dung, the Lamp, or the heated Air. You may also increase the heat, by causing the water to boil. The use of it is only for Operations that re∣quire not the long continuance of a fire.

The fire of Balneum Mariae, call'd the Sea-bath, is made use of by plunging the Ves∣sel that contains the matters into the hot water, as into a Bath. It is useful for Tin∣ctures, Circulations, Digestions, and Distillations. It is a little more hot then the evaporating Bath, of which I have already spoken. It may be so far made use of, as to make the water boil.

The fire of Cinders, improperly call'd the Cinder-bath, is somewhat hotter then all the former, if it be made as hot as it may be. The Custom is to make use of Wood-ashes sifted through a coarse Sieve, to the end they may be put into a Capsula of Iron, or of Earth able to resist the fire; and then to place the Capsula upon a Furnace pro∣portionable, and to let down the Vessel containing the Medicaments into the Cinders or Ashes, so that there remain a good Thumbs-breadth between the bottom of the Chest, and the bottom of the Vessel; and that the Ashes may be heaped up round about the Vessel to the height of the Medicaments. The Vessel may be of Silver, Copper tinn'd within, Earth or Glass. The fire is lighted under the Capsula of Ashes, to heat them by a little and a little, and is continued or increased as occasion requires, either for digestion or distilling.

The fire of Sand, which bears also the name of a Bath, may be more powerful then that of Ashes. Whence it comes to pass, that it is call'd the fire of Separation, yet it may be more or less hot, as you make use of more or less fire; or according to the different weight and bigness of the Gravel; so that if you moderate the heat, it may serve in the place of Ashes.

The fire of the Filings of Iron or Steel, bears also improperly the name of a Bath. It's heat may be much more increased then that of Sand; but it is not much us'd.

The bare or immediate fire may afford much more heat then all the precedent fires. It is so call'd, because the fire immediately gives its heat to the Vessel, which contains the Matters; as also to the matters themselves, if they may be expos'd, to the fire, without being put into any Vessel. This fire is very much us'd in both Pharmacies, and chiefly for several Decoctions and Distillations; as also in Kitchins to dress Vi∣ctuals, for which reasons it is accounted the most common and chiefest of all.

The fire call'd the fire of the Wheel; as when the fire is put into the Crucible, or in another proper Vessel; and then the fire is kindled round about the Vessel, making as it were a Wheel of fire, from whence it had its Name. This Wheel of fire ought to be at a sufficient distance, at first, from the Vessel, to heat it by degrees, then insensibly put a little nearer, with an equal fire round about, and then laid all together close to the Vessel; where it may be continued, or increas'd as occasion requires.

There is also another sort of Naked fire, called the fire of Suppression, which in de∣gree of heat is not much unlike that of the Wheel; and which is made use of some∣times the better to fix the substances, and sometimes to separate some substance, which it causes to issue forth by the side, or to descend to the bottom. The Vessel is heated by a little and a little, environing it at first, and then covering it altogether with

kindl'd Coals, encreasing or abating the fire, for so long time, and to such a degree, as shall be requisite to perfect the Operation. Sometimes the fire of Suppression is u∣sed at the end of Distillations made through the Cornute, chiefly of those that are made in the Sand-Bath; They are also at other times made use of in the middle of Distillati∣ons, the better to draw forth the Spiritful Substances, or Oyl, which resist the fire that is under the Vessel.

The fourth, Naked fire, is that of the close Reverberatory, which is done by placing the Retort that contains the Substances, in a Furnace fit for the purpose, over a fire small at the beginning, then continu'd and increas'd at length to a great violence. The fire of close Reverberation, is us'd in the Distillation of several Spirits, especially those that are corrosive: It is made use of for the Distillations of several Oyls, and Salts, Volatile; who have no necessity of a fire so long, nor so great. This fire is call'd the fire of Reverberation, because it does not only strike upon the Vessel immediately, but because it reflects and strikes the heat back again from the top, and round about. There is also an open fire of Reverberation, which is made in a furnace that hath no covering.

The fifth fire, is that which they call the fire of Flame, or of Fusion: This is a fire more violent then any spoken of before: and which not only serves for the Fusion of several Metals, half-Metals, and Metallics, but also for the Calcination of them, and of several Stones.

There is a sixth fire, which is the fire of great Glass-houses, which is appointed to vitrifie the Ashes of Plants, Flints, and sandy Substances. This fire is more powerful then all the rest, because of the greatness, and thickness of the Furnace, and the quan∣tity of Wood with which it is continually supply'd. It may serve to Reverberate and Calcine divers Substances. All these fires, though very much differing the one from the other, may have every one in particular their several degrees by themselves: So that every fire may be made variously great or hot, and yet not vary from its kind. We also assign to violent heats, especially to that of Reverberation, four degrees, of which the first is only made use of to heat the Vessels by degrees, and the Substances therein contained: The second is, to heat them a little more, and to make them almost red∣hot: The third is, to make them altogether red-hot: The fourth, to maintain the Vessels and Substances in the same condition, as also to make them endure a continu'd fire, as violent as it can possibly be by Reverberation.

The Activity of several fires, of which Chymistry makes use to perfect her Opera∣tions, would be weak enough without the assistance of the Air, which we may call as it were the soul of fire, and the grand cause of divers effects, which we expect from it; in regard, that in an equal quantity of Coal, or other combustible matter, the fire will be more or less hot, as there is more or less Air to quicken it. Whence it comes to pass, that we must observe the necessary rules for the making of Furnaces; and toge∣ther with the consideration of the distances of heighth and breadth, not forget in-lets for the Air, and where to let it out again: so to make use of it as occasion shall serve, as well to encrease the Heat by opening them, as to abate the Heat by shutting them.

CHAP. LI. Of Furnaces.

A Furnace is call'd a close place, wherein the Apothecary kindles, proportions and orders his fire, for all sorts of Compositions, or Preparations, both Chymical and Galenick. Furnaces have been invented for the conveniency of the Artist; that being master of his fire, he might be able, either to increase or abate, and use it effectu∣ally upon all sorts of Substances, as occasion requires.

The Structure of Furnaces, is very various, because it depends as much upon the Nature of the Substances, and the Operation there to be undertaken, as upon the Ge∣nius and Skill of the Artist, who ought to understand as well how to invent them, as to build them.

The matter whereof Furnaces are composed and built, is very various; and as to that, there is as much regard to be had to their bigness, as to the place and use to which

they are appointed. Those in great Glass-houses are built of a thick strong Stone, able to resist fire, as well because of their extraordinary bigness, as because it is requir'd that they should last long. We also cut and fit one, two, or more of those thick Stones▪ and of the same Nature, to make lesser Furnaces, appointed for other uses. Furnaces more used, are generally composed of Brick, sometimes squared and long, sometimes moulded into portions of a Circle, whereof some make a fourth, a sixteenth, and some an eighth. These Bricks are sometimes laid one upon another, without binding them with any Morter: especially when the Operation is in haste, or requires no great caution.

These Furnaces may be raised and taken down, according to a Man's pleasure. But generally they build their Furnaces with Brick, laid and bound with several sorts of Mortar, according to the diversity of the Earth, and the violence, or remissness of the heat which the Furnace is to indure.

There are also other Furnaces call'd Portative-furnaces, because they may be carry'd and plac'd where a Man pleases; which are oft-times all of one piece, but most frequently of two, three or four, joyn'd and plac'd one above another; and and may be also dis-joyn'd as occasion requires. All these Portable furnaces, as well those that are of several, as those that are all of one piece, have their place for the ashes▪ their Grate, their Hearth, their Doors, their Duomo's, their Registers, and all their other parts, like the Furnaces which are made of Brick. The materials of these Furnaces are usually a fat Earth, pounded together with the powder of pots made of Potters-earth, and Sand proportionably mix'd together, with Water sufficient to bring them to a paste. They are afterwards bak'd in a Potter's Furnace among other earth'n Pots.

All Furnaces are either op'n or cover'd: The op'n Furnaces have no Coverings, whereas they that are cover'd have their hollow Coverings like Domo's, that cover the Substan∣ces therein contain'd, and prevent dissipation. The most part of Galenic Preparations or Compositions are made in open Furnaces, though the same Furnaces may serve for se∣veral Chymical Preparations. The round shape is not to be preferr'd before the square as to the outward form; in regard there is little difference of the one from the other, as to the action of the Fire; however the circular figure is to be desir'd as much as possible for the interior part of the Furnace: because the heat acts therein with more liberty▪ and because therein it imparts it self more equally then in any other figure. Observe by the way, That the thickness of Furnaces is of great advantage to preserve the heat of the fire, and resist the coldness of the Air, which usually dissipates a good part of the heat of Furnaces that are too thin. The ordering of the Air is also as necessary as that of the Wood or Coal, in the government of the fire; in regard, as I said be∣fore, the letting-in or keeping-out the Air, increases or abates its force. Whence it comes to pass that in the distances and proportions, which are to be observ'd in building Furnaces, to give the fire that air which is usually necessary, after you have made convenient doors in those parts of the Furnaces where the air may easily get out and in, you must have stopples of the same, to stop those out-lets, when you would moderate the power of the fire, or to op'n them when you would increase it. Which may be better apprehended in the following Examples; and first, in the descri∣ption of an op'n Furnace, very convenient for daily use, and built in that manner that you shall find three different spaces; that is to say, The place for the ashes, that for the Hearth, and that whereon to place the Vessel which contains the Substances.

This Furnace must be made of Brick bound together with one sort of lute; which is usually compos'd of fat Earth, Sand, the scum of melted Iron, Hair and Horse-dung kneaded and wrought together with Water. It must have its place for the Cinders, its Grate, its Hearth, its bars of Iron, the place for the Vessel, its Doors and Regi∣sters. You may also afford it a hollow round Cover, and a fourth place, which may serve for the fire of Reverberation. This Furnace is usually square, and ought to be seven and twenty thumbs-breadth or inches high, and above twenty broad for every square; so that the interior space must be twelve inches square. The place for the Cinders must be eight inches high, upon which the Grate ought to be plac'd from side to side a-cross, taking up about an inch of the thickness of the height of the Furnace. The Grate must be made of square Iron-bars ten or twelve * 1.2 lignes thick; they are to be made of a length proportionable, and flat∣ted at the ends where they are to be fix'd. But this flatting ought to be irregular, and only upon the two Angles, so that when the bars shall be plac'd, one of their Angles may turn directly upwards, and the other Angle tend in a

streight line to the bottom; and the other Angles face the resembling Angles of the other bars that are collateral with them. There ought to be but the distance of four or five lignes between bar and bar, which is wide enough for the air to enter that is requisite to burn the coal; and close enough to keep the coal from running through the Grates. In the Cinder-place must be left a door about the breadth of an ordinary Brick as high as the Cinder-place in the front of the Furnace. To this door must be fasten'd a plate of iron about five or six lignes thick, about three inches broad, and eight inches long, which is to be instead of a Lintel, upon which a Brick must be laid. There you must go on and build the Furnace round about, leaving a door for the hearth as large as that for the under-room. These doors are to be directly one above ano∣ther. That of the hearth ought to be six or seven inches high: and to that must be fasten'd a plate of Iron as to the door of the Cinder-place, which plate must be co∣ver'd with a good Brick. About this height you must leave two holes, each so big as to put a good large wall-nut through them. These holes must be directly opposite one to the other, and every one in the middle of the sides of the Furnace. These holes must also be made quite thorough, to hold a bar of Iron, if need be, to sustain a Vessel. Then raise the building of the Furnace four inches above those holes, which is a height suffi∣cient for any ordinary Furnace, and will serve for all manner of Decoctions. But if you design it for uses of more consequence, you must continue to build up the Furnace, till it be rais'd eighteen inches above the Grate, so that there may be allow'd between eight and nine inches for the height of the hearth, and that the rest may be to place the Vessel that contains the Substances. Then you must fill up the interior Angles of the Furnace with good lute mixt with pieces of Brick, so that the infide may be like a circle. But you must leave in the inside of every Angle an op'n hole wide enough to put your finger thorough. These holes must be hollow'd towards the hearth, to let in the air which is necessary to feed the fire. They are call'd by the name of Re∣gisters, because they serve to govern the fire. They must have their stopples made of the same materials as the Portable-furnace, to stop them when you would abate the force of the fire. The Hearth-place also ought to be built in such manner, that it may the more and more contract it self the nearer it comes to the bottom; so that the same bottom may not be above seven or eight inches in diameter: and that as well to spare coal, as to cause the fire to extend it self towards the middle of the hearth. The in∣side of the Furnace insensibly ought to enlarge it self at the top, for the conveniency of larger Vessels, of which you may have oft'n occasion to make use. These furnaces may be convenient for those Distillations that have need of a Reverberating-fire, by making on the one side a hollow notch to put in the neck of the Retort, and covering the furnace with a proportionable Duomo, that has a hole in the middle; which will serve as well as the four Registers, which will lie hid under the basis of the Duomo. By this means you may have a Cover'd-furnace, which may be of use for divers sorts of Meltings and Calcinations, if you only make two or three doors to the Cinder∣place; for the air that enters in at those holes will very much enliv'n the force of the fire. This thought engages me to give you the description of three Wind-furnaces, by which the Curious may find wherewith to satisfie themselves, and be able to make those fusions of Metal, which Chymical Pharmacy may have need of.

Draw a Plat-form, and build a square of twenty inches in diameter, leave in the middle of every front of the square an overture of four inches broad: Which four overtures shall be four doors; then build up with Bricks all the four fronts of the square, reserving still the thickness of the doors: the thickness of the walls shall be the breadth of the Bricks, that is to say, about four inches; then raise the building two foot higher: but as you build, leave in every corner of the furnace a stopping-hole, beginning at the bottom, and tending upward toward the corner which is diametri∣cally opposite. This hole ought to begin about the fifth inch of the building, and a∣scend within two inches of the middle of the Grate. These four holes must be strengthen'd every one with a Pipe of Iron about two lignes thick, and three foot long, made like a straight Trumpet; about four inches wide at the exterior mouth, which must be turn'd downwards, but contracting and tapering to the upper part, till the hole be no bigger then to put a Man's finger in. These four Pipes are to be soder'd with Copper, and to be fix'd as you raise the furnace. Upon this Building rais'd two foot, you shall lay your flat bars of Iron, six or eight lignes thick: and four inches broad, which shall bind the four walls of the furnace. You must put the Grate upon two of these bars of Iron opposite the one to the other, the bars whereof shall be of the bigness, shape, and flatted at the two ends, like those describ'd for the former

furnace, and are to be rang'd and fix'd in the same manner. Then continue the building above the bars of the Grate, and above the plates of Iron, as well as over all the rest, without leaving any new door; and raise it ten inches high, which will be room sufficient for the Hearth, and whereon to place the substances which you intend to cal∣cine or melt. Then fill the internal Angles of the Hearth-place with Lute, well-mix'd with pieces of Brick, so that the Internal Figure may be circular, and then taper again by a little and little till it come to the door, as I have already said of the preceding Furnace. You must cause a Potter to make a Duomo Cover, all of one piece, the bot∣tom whereof must rest upon the inner brims of the Superiour part of the Furnace. This Duomo ought to be about an inch and a half thick, hollowed like a Vault, about six inches in height. The Furnace ought to have one door beginning at the bottom, a∣bout five inches broad, and four inches and a half high, and a stopple of the same ma∣terial as the Duomo, of the same thickness, with two holes bor'd through it of an equal bigness toward the middle, somewhat long, and one by the side of the other, and so made as to receive a small pair of Nippers, to take off, and put on the Stopple as occa∣sion requires.

The Duomo ought to be open in the middle of the upper part, and the opening ought to be round, about two inches in Diameter, to serve instead of a Register. You may set over the opening of the Duomo, one or two Pipes upright, the one upon the other, about five or six Ligne's thick, their hollowness being proportionable to the Over∣ture of the Duomo, about three foot in height. The Coals kindl'd in a Furnace thus order'd, shall give a violent heat able to melt or calcine any Minerals, that fire has pow∣er over. This furnace will plainly demonstrate the force of the Air in the operation of fire.

But you shall observe an effect much more powerful, if you build a Furnace after the following manner. Build a wind-Furnace three foot from a Well, equal in its dimen∣sions, to that which I have already describ'd, excepting the Pipes at the four Corners, which you may let alone. Provide a Tunnel of white Latten, about two Inches in Dia∣meter, the bottom whereof is to be five or six times as wide as the rest of the Pipe, to give the more free entrance to the Air. This Pipe ought to be very long, so that it may reach from about half a foot above the Superficies of the water of the Well, to that part of the floor upon which the Furnace is built. The upper end of the Pipe must be crooked, and somewhat Tapering, so that it may enter and fix it self in a new Pipe, which is to be of ordinary Iron well strengthen'd, and Tapering toward the head, the hole whereof must be no bigger then to admit the end of your Finger. This last Pipe must pass through a hole made on purpose under the border of the Well, level with the floor, the great hole or end being strongly riveted into the lesser end of the great Pipe of white Latten. It must be of a sufficient length, and retorted in such manner, that it may ascend insensibly, with its point ready to pass through a hole underneath one of the bars of Iron, which are placed above the doors of the Furnace, and which reaches toward the bottom of the Crucible containing the substances; which must be plac'd upon a round of Potters Earth, plac'd in the middle of the Grate. You must also make a hole, though never so small, in the Wall of the Furnaces, opposite to that where the Pipe enters: But it must be higher then the first, so that it may appear in that part, whither the wind of the Funnel shall be carry'd. This Engine produces an effect altogether extraordinary. For in the midst of that great noise which the enclo∣sed air makes, in passing and repassing through the Funnels, you shall perform in less time, and with less Coals, what you should hardly accomplish with a great Fire, without the help of this, or some such like piece of Art.

The third wind-Furnace is less troublesome then the preceding: and it is to be recei∣ved with so much the more applause, considering the last years success of that which I built in the Chymical Laboratory in the Royal Garden.

This Furnace must be square, two foot high, and two foot in Diameter: It must have one door to its Cinder-place, in the middle of the front-Wall, close to the floor, which serves for the Basis of the Furnace. This door must be eight inches in height, and eight inches in bredth. The Walls of the Furnace, ought to be about seven inches and a half thick, so that there may remain a void square place in the middle about nine inches in Diameter. They must be built of Brick, and good Lute: and when they shall be rais'd equally to the height of the door, you must cover the top with two good plates of Iron; then in the inner part of the Furnace, next to the Walls lay four square Bricks, every one big enough to cover all the one side, about an inch thick: thus you shall fix them streight to the Walls with the Lute of the Building; and so order it, that the

inside of the Furnace may be square, and the four Bricks so levell'd, may be able to sustain a frame of Iron, fit to bear such substances as are to be expos'd to the fire in the Furnace. This frame is to be an inch thick, about nine inches in Diameter, and com∣pos'd of a square joyn'd together with soder, or otherwise, each Bar whereof ought to be an inch thick, and an inch broad. In this square there must be a cross of Iron, in bredth and thickness equal to the Bars; so fram'd that it may rest with the half Iron, upon the square, without exceeding its thickness. This square must be fix'd upon the level Bricks: but before you fix it, provide a round Copper-pipe, soder'd with good soder being about fifteen Lignes in Diameter, and about six foot long, not compre∣hending the two ends, which must be bent; the uppermost of which must be so large, as only to imbrace closely the neck of the bellows, which are to be placed above, and a little upon the one side of the Furnace. As for the other end, the lower part of its retorted point ought to taper in that manner, that it may be able to admit no more then your finger. This lower end must be an Inch longer then the thickness of the Wall of the Furnace, and so bent that it may penetrate in a direct Line cross the side-Wall of the Furnace; and that the point not entring above an inch within the inside of the Furnace, and penetrating one of the four square-Bricks, may only reach within an inch below the Quadrate of Iron, whereof I have spok'n. The principal body of the Pipe, ought to run in a Perpendicular Line, along the middle of the side of the Furnace: and there to be fix'd with Lute, as far as the height of the Furnace will permit. That which is over and above may remain bare, or else be wrapt up with some matter pro∣per for its preservation. The lower end of the Pipe must be fix'd in the Wall of the Furnace; so that no outward Air may enter from thence into the Furnace.

After you have well fitted the end of the Funnel, and plac'd the Iron-square upon the four streight Bricks, then continue to carry up the building of the four Walls of the Furnace. But take care in the mean time to furnish the inside, with square upright tiles, about an inch thick, like to those below, so that there may be two rows, each of four tiles set one upon another; so that the void square of the Furnace, may be in all about seven inches in Diameter, and about fifteen inches high above the square of Iron. In the mean time, you must prepare a square piece of cast Iron, about eight or ten lignes thick, proportionable to the void space of the furnace, and which must be notch'd at the Corners, about the bredth of an inch. This square is to bear the Crucibles, and o∣ther Vessels; and the Notches, or Semi-circles, are made to give requisite entrance to the wind of the Bellows, to quicken the fire of the Hearth.

Sometimes upon this Iron square, they place a round cake of furnace-earth, a good inch thick, to bear the Crucible or vessel, containing the substances. You must also get ready a square of furnace-earth▪ somewhat thicker and larger then that of Iron, without any Se∣mi-circles cut in the corners, to cover the upper part of the opening of the furnace, when the Crucible is plac'd therein, and that you intend to increase the fire. At the same time you must have great double Bellows, like the Goldsmith's, which you must place at a height equal to that of the height of the Pipe; to the end you enter and joyn into it, as close as may be, the nosles of your Bellows; and look that there be not the least chink, or cleft for the wind to get out, that is to enter into the Pipe. These Bellows ought to be so plac'd, that by means of a cord fastned at one end to the upper board of both Bel∣lows; and at the other, fix'd to the end of the little beam fastned above, it may be easie, by drawing a cord fix'd to the other end, to raise and let fall the Bellows-boards, which rising and falling successively like an Organ-bellows, keep a continual breath. The wind of these Bellows, and the structure of this furnace, the door being well-luted, with a little Coal cause a heat much more violent, then a far greater quantity should do in the ordinary furnaces. They that have seen the good effects and the little Coal it con∣sumes, will not blame me for giving you the description and form of it.

The Athanor or Athannor, is a Furnace that cannot afford heat enough for operati∣ons that require a violent fire; but very convenient for those that may be done by a moderate fire. The Name comes from the Arabians, who call the Name of an Oven or Furnace Tannaron. The Greeks have call'd this Furnace A'〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies with∣out trouble. For which reason it is by others call'd Piger Henricus, or Lazie Henry. Some have giv'n it the Name of the Philosophical Furnace, or the Furnace of Secrets. This Furnace is as much us'd, as it is variously built not only for its height, breadth, and shape of the place which is to contain the coal; but also for the shape, number and use of the Furnaces, which are to be built next the Tower; and which are to be heated by its fire, as also for the manner of imparting their heat. The first design of those that invented the Athannor, was, that they might be able to heat with the same

fire, and with little trouble several furnaces at once. Wherein they have suceeded very well by means of a high Tower, which they have furnish'd with a Grate and a Cinder-place, a door and openings necessary for the imparting of heat: and having kindl'd the fire upon the Grate, they fill the Tower with Charcoal, cover it at top, and by vertue of the Charcoal which kindles by degrees, and which may well burn with an equal heat for twenty four hours and more, they impart an equal heat at the same time to several Furnaces near the Tower: by means of the openings made upon the sides of the hearth of the Tower, and those parts which are next the Furnaces. But though their invention have been effectually commodious, yet there was afterwards a kind of Tower invented, the coals whereof fall into the hearths of the furnaces which are plac'd about it, and which contain the Substances; which by that means are more ve∣hemently heated, then they would be by a heat that only came side-ways, and onely from the hearth of the Tower. I give you the figure as true as it was possible for me to do, both of the one and the other of these Athannors, and a particular Description of the latter as being less known, though much more useful. And that you may the bet∣ter understand it, I will make it of one Tower plac'd between two furnaces only, of which one may serve for a Balneum Mariae, the other for the Bath of ashes or sand.

Raise the Tower and the two Furnaces upon a plain ground, which you may build of Bricks and Lute against any wall. This flat ground must take up five foot and two inches in length, nineteen inches and a half in breadth, and eight inches in height. The Tower must be rais'd and built upon this Plat-form with two furnaces, and plac'd be∣tween them both. The height of the Tower must be 3 foot and seven inches, the breadth twenty six inches, and the length equal to that of the Plat-form. The height of every furnace must be twenty inches, the length eighteen, and their breadth equal to that of the Tower. First you must raise upon the Plat-form eight inches and a half of massie building for the Tower onely, according to the breadth and length already set down: Upon which Massie-building, thus rais'd, begin the outward walls with the inside of the Tower, and leave the void place for the coals. It will be also expedient at the same time to raise the two Furnaces which are to be joyn'd to the Tower and to depend upon the same Building. The Tower must have no opening before; nor must it have any open∣ing in the sides, in its height above that of the Furnaces. Only it must have the two Canals appointed for the coals, separated by a partition-wall, the entries whereof must be above the Tower, and the vents must butt upon the hearth of the Furnaces. The outward-walls of the Tower must be seven inches thick; the inward not above four; but it must have six in length. After this raise the walls before and behind to the height of four inches, and at the same time the middle-wall, which must not be above a Brick broad, and six inches long. Then provide a thin piece of Iron beat'n out, about two lignes thick, and two foot four inches in length, which you shall cut in such manner, that it shall not have above six inches of breadth in the extent of four inches, which are to cover the breadth of the middle-wall, and that that which remains beyond the four inches, containing a foot in extent, may have eight inches of breadth in the end, and on the two sides contract it self like a Lozenge, to the part where the Plate is not a∣bove six inches broad. This Plate must also be bent in such manner, that the part which has but six inches, being plac'd flat upon the middle-wall, and covering it ex∣actly, the two wings may possess the sloping of the height of the four inches which are allow'd to the middle-wall, and butt upon the side of the Building which ought to be opposite to the Hearth of the contiguous Furnace; so that the coals may slide easily a-long that Plate into the Furnace. Then must you neatly make a half-round hole in the walls to give way to the extent of the wings, and fill up with Lute and pieces of Brick the under-part of the sloping of the wings, to prop them up and keep them from bending. Then go on, and raise all the walls of the Tower, leaving the void space requisite for the Canals, which must every one contain as much in length and breadth as the middle-wall which separates them. Then provide bars of Iron flatted and harden∣ed, to correspond with the Plates; and which resting upon the walls that are next the Furnaces, may be strong enough and bow'd in such manner, that leaving an equal di∣stance of four inches wide over all the upper-part of the sloping of the Plates, they may support the Building necessary to compleat the Tower, which must be in all three foot and seven inches above the Plat-form. In building the Tower, take care that the inside of the Canals be well clos'd, and that they may somewhat enlarge themselves to∣wards the bottom, so that the coals at the top may the more easily slide down; and succeed to those that are burnt. You must also make two stoppers of Furnace-earth, big enough to stop the overtures of the Canals at the top of the Tower, after they are fill'd with coals.

The two Furnaces must have every one their Cinder-place, their Grate, their Hearth, and must be wide enough to place therein at the top the Balneum Mariae, and Sand-bath. They must have also doors to their Cinder-place and Hearth, which must be made in the one and the other, quite joyning to the Tower. The Cinder-place must begin from the Plat-form describ'd before. The door ought to be five inches high and four broad. And it must be cover'd with a Plate of hardn'd Iron, upon which you must lay a whole Brick, which will serve for a stay to the door of the Hearth, which ought to be dire∣ctly over that of the Cinder-place, and is also to be cover'd with a plate of Iron and a whole Brick, as the former. You must also fixe the Grate at the same time, and to the same height, as the Plate put upon the door of the Cinder-place. The inside of the Hearth ought to be nine inches in Diameter; but the void place above, where the Baths are to be set, ought to be twelve inches in Diameter. Then go on, and continue the building of the two Furnaces to their height appointed. Nor must you forget to fill up with Lute and pieces of Brick the inward corners of the furnaces, and to taper them by little and little toward the bottom of the Hearth.

It is also requisite that those furnaces should have their holes or Registers at the four upper-corners, and their stoppers ready upon occasion to increase or abate the heat of the fire. At the same time make the stoppers for the doors of the Cinder∣places and Hearths.

If you are careful to follow all the proportions which I have set down for the build∣ing of this Athannor; if after you have kindled the fires in the Hearths of these furnaces, you fill the Canals of the Tower, with Coal neither too big, nor too small; and if af∣ter that you stop up the upper-holes of the Tower, and the doors of the Cinder-places▪ and Hearths, you may be sure to have an equal fire, which shall continue for four and twenty hours at least. And this fire will also heat more fiercely, if you give Air to the furnaces through the Cinder-place, and Registers.

The other Athannors require not so much circumspection as this, because the Coals fall not from the Tower, but must from thence impart their heat to the Furnaces which environ it. This Tower may well be square, but it is usually the custom to make them round, to the end it may impart its heat to the greater number of furnaces. These A∣thannors, are generally plac'd in the middle of the Laboratorie. This Tower has but one Canal, but it has a Cinder place, with its door, a grate, and a little door for the Hearth. There are also Plates of Iron, fit to stop the breathing-holes of the Tower, when you would hinder the Tower from communicating its heat to a furnace that has no need of it. I suppose, that by the exact description, which I have made of the preceding A∣thannor, you may easily judge of the building and use of this, so that it may suffice only to give you the Figure of it.

The first furnace, of which I have given the description; may well serve for an Exam∣ple of a Reverberating furnace; But because a Man may have occasion for a good quantity of Acid Spirits, and Corrosives; and for that one Retort alone requires al∣most as much care and fire, as many Retorts together, I thought it my duty to impart the furnace of Reverberation, which I use my self, to distil with four Retorts at a time, which is as regular, as commodious, and certain.

These furnaces ought to be two foot and eight inches long, and two foot and six inches broad, and two foot and four inches high; The form of it ought to be four∣square; The Cinder-place must be eight inches high, the door must be in the middle of the Front, six inches broad, and as many high. The Walls of the two sides must be six inches thick as far as the Cinder-place. The Walls behind and before need not be a∣bove four inches thick, no more then the Walls of the sides from the Grate upward. You must have bars of Iron a foot long, of the form and bigness of those of the first furnace, and flatted at the ends, and they must be laid also five Ligne's one from the o∣ther. These bars are to rest upon the inner part of the side-Walls, and are to make the Grate that is to extend from the Wall before, to that behind. Upon the door of the Cinder-place, you must fix a flat-piece of Iron, about seven or eight Ligne's thick, and lay a Brick upon the plate. There must be a door left for the Hearth, over that of the Cinder-place; they must be both alike, and both covered with a thin plate of Iron and a Brick. The Walls must be built of an equal height, for seven inches above the Grate: and there must be laid two square-bars of Iron, from fifteen to sixteen Ligne's in Diameter, which ought to be almost as long as the whole length of the furnace. These bars must be fix'd flat-ways, so that they may divide the inward bredth of the furnaces into three equal distances. These bars are to bear two Retorts each of them▪ at the time of the Distillation. Then go on, and raise equally the Walls of the fur∣nace

above the great bars, to the height of four inches, then leave two openings in the two side-Walls above the Iron bars, opposite one to the other. These openings ought to be four inches wide, and be continu'd to the height of the walls; for they are to receive the neck of the Retorts, the bodies whereof are to rest upon the bars, with their back∣sides one against another. Take care to fill up the inside corners of the furnace with Lute, and small pieces of Brick, to make them in some manner circular, and so that the Hearth may slope like those of the foregoing Furnaces; and that the fire may not fall into the corners, but may always carry its force to the middle of the Grate. Then equally raise round about, all that there is to be more of wall, to the entire height of the furnace. Which done have ready a plate of cast Iron, at least half an inch thick, about two foot, and two or three inches long, and about twenty inches broad, and lay it upon the top of the furnace, to cover the void space, when you have fix'd the four Retorts. You must leave three Registers upon each side of the plate: that is to say▪ one at each cor∣ner of the hinder part of the furnace, and one just opposite to every Retort; lute all the rest of the circumference of the plate, and prepare stoppers for all the rest of the Registers and doors, to use upon occasion, especially at the beginning of the Distilla∣tion. Take notice also, that after you have plac'd the Retorts upon the bars of Iron, and put their necks through the openings of the furnace appointed for that purpose, you must with Lute and pieces of Brick, close all the void spaces, which the necks of the Retorts cannot fill up, so that there may be in those parts no breathing-places, but those of the Registers. In this furnace you may give to the four Retorts all the de∣grees of fire requisite, and the success will answer expectation, if you observe the rules which I have prescrib'd, as I come to discourse of particular preparations. You may at the same time make use of a fire for Distillation, by vertue of a square kind of Cap∣sula, made of plates of Iron rais'd like walls, which will make an enclosure of about six inches high, proportionable to the bigness of the Iron-plate, which covers the void place of the furnace. This square Capsula must be plac'd upon that plate, and fix'd with Lute to the fides of the plate, and then fill'd with Sand as much as it will hold. In this Sand you may set several Vessels, containing such substances as you would dissolve, digest, or distil; or you may make any other preparations, which the Artist must fit to the degrees and length of the fire, which the principal Distillation requires.

You may in the first furnace which I have describ'd make a great number of Distilla∣tions, as well upright as oblique; but it will not serve for those that are made by de∣scent, unless you change the whole order of the furnace, which engages me to give the description of another, that is proper for those sorts of Distillations; which, ne∣vertheless, may be made either bigger or lesser, according to the quantity of substances you would distil.

Draw the Dimensions of a furnace, round or square, four inches thick, and twenty inches in Diameter. In the lower-part it must have a door eleven inches high, and eight broad, upon which you must fix a strong plate of Iron, as is said already. Pro∣vide also a bar of strong Iron, four inches wide, in the middle whereof must be a round hole of three inches. This bar must be laid a-thwart upon the middle of the fur∣nace; then provide other bars of Iron of a sufficient length, of which make a kind of a close Grate, of each side the bar of bor'd Iron; then go on with the building and raise it a foot above the Grate. Then prepare an Earthen Vessel glaz'd within, and made like a Cucurbit, with a streight neck, into which put wood, or the substance which you would distil: Then prepare a cover of Silver, Latten, or of Copper Tinn'd, so made as to cover the Orifice of the Vessel, and surround the neck, like a Capsula lid, the bottom whereof must be bor'd through with several little holes like a sieve. Then take another Vessel of glaz'd Earth, or of Glass, the mouth whereof must be so dis∣pos'd, that the end of the neck of the Cucurbit, containing the substances, may with its bor'd cover enter in, yet not descend farther into the body. Then set the Vessel upon its Orifice, and put it through the hole in the middle of the bar, and so into the Vessel which is to serve for a recipient, and must be plac'd underneath. The Cucurbit must be supported by the bar of bor'd Iron: and then kindle round about it a fire, at first very gentle, only to give a soft heat to the substances, and the Vessels, then increase it by little and little, and from time to time till it cover all the Cucurbit, if the substan∣ces be solid; and when you have sufficiently continu'd your fire, you shall find in the Ves∣sel plac'd below, a liquor containing the most essential parts of the substance which you have distill'd. By this means you may draw forth a Spirit out of Vitrlol, having calcin'd it till it become yellow, and then putting it into the Cucurbit, in little pieces and not in powder, and a good quantity together; but this Spirit is much inferiour to that which is drawn forth by side-long Distillation.

I dare affirm that the two furnaces of Reverberation which I have describ'd, are very proper for the Distillation of Acid, and Corrosive Spirits; But that is no reason why I should not shew you the Structure, and use of the following furnace.

This Furnace ought to be two and twenty inches broad in the square, the walls four inches thick, so that the void space within ought to be fourteen inches diameter. This Furnace must have at the bottom, in the middle of the front, a door for the Cinder-place, four inches square, which ought to be cover'd with a good plate of Latten proportion∣able; then continue the whole Structure six inches high; then fix the Grate upon Bricks of full measure, set and joyn'd to the inner-wall of the Furnace, of each side: The bars must be like to those of other Reverberating-furnaces. Then raise all the walls of the Furnace equally, nine inches above the Grate; and leave in one of the side-walls an Opening, sufficient to put through the neck of a Retort; which Opening must be con∣tinu'd op'n to the top. Then raise the walls again equally one foot high above the Opening. Fill the inward-angles with Lute and pieces of Brick, as in the former Fur∣naces: do the same thing to the corners all along the upper part of the two sides of of the Grate. Then provide a flat Duomo, made in such manner, as in covering the Furnace, to rest upon the inner-brims of the wall. Place the Retort containing the matters upon a Trevet, made so that the lower part of the Retort may be rais'd four or five inches above the Grate. Then with Lute and pieces of Brick stop up the void parts of the overtures of the Furnace, which were made for the neck of the Retort▪ then kindle the fire, and fill all the void space with coals from the Grate to the top▪ having first kindl'd the fire upon the Grate round about the under-part of the Retort. At the same time cover the Furnace with its Duomo, and at the same time lute all the joyntures, that the fire may have no air but through the door of the Cinder-place, and the little hole in the Duomo. Then fit a recipient to the neck of the Retort; leave the fire to it self, and do not unlute the Recipient, till four and twenty hours after∣wards. You shall find the Spirit as you desire, and in the Retort a sediment depriv'd of all its Spirits.

I will not here dilate upon Portable-furnaces, the figure whereof is usually round and circular, because they have nothing in them that corresponds with the Furnaces which I have describ'd, especially the first. It will be sufficient to observe almost the same rules already set down, as well for the Cinder-place, Hearth, and place for the Vessel, as for the Doors, Openings, Registers and Duomo. I omit also Lamp-Fur∣naces, and many others useful for many things, the Descriptions whereof are to be seen in several Authors. For my part I believe I have describ'd enough for any Pre∣paration Chymical or Galenic, at least to serve as a rule for farther invention.

CHAP. LII. Of Lutes.

THE variety of Substances of which mixt Bodies are compos'd, together with that of the Furnaces and Vessels which are made use of in Preparation, have put the Curious upon the Invention of moulds proper for their intentions, and to satisfie the necessity of all Operations. They have found out several for the usual building of Fur∣naces; some to plaister, some to cover all over the Vessels of glass or earth, which are to contain the Substances, and are for a long time to resist the violence of the fire; some to joyn the Vessels one to another; others to mend the Clefts which happ'n to Earth'n or Glass-vessels, and to make them as fit for service, as if they had never been crackt. I know very well that there is no want of Directions for Lutes in most Authors, who have treated of Chymistrie; but because I will not refer the Reader thither, as be∣ing desirous that an Apothecary should find in this Pharmacopoea all things that he stands in need of, I will impart those Lutes which I have made use of, which are both secure and profitable.

If you would build a Furnace for long lasting, and make use of great Stones fit to resist fire, then for all sorts of Lute there is no better, then a good Mortar made of Quick-lime and Sand. But if you build with Brick according to the usual manner, use this following Lute.

Take three parts of that fat Earth, which the Bakers make use of for building their

Ovens, one part of River-sand, and one part of Horse-dung, work them all well to∣gether with Water, and make thereof a Mortar, to bind the Bricks, when you build any Furnaces. This Mortar may be stiffen'd with the dross of Iron and Glass pounded, as also with salt▪ Water and many other things, if you would make it more firm and lasting; but these additions are useless for an ordinary Building.

If you would raise a Furnace of one or more pieces, without Stones or Brick, or make Vessels fit to resist the fire, as Capsula's, Retorts, Aladuls, &c. Make a Paste of two parts of Potters-earth well-dry'd, two parts of brok'n Butter-pots, both beat'n into fine powder, and one part of River-sand, well wrought and incorporated together with Water. The Furnaces and Vessels made of this Paste will be good and durable, if you be careful in the first place to drie them well in the Air when they are made; and if afterwards you bake them in the Potter's Furnace. The same Paste will serve to plai∣ster withal and cover all sorts of Vessels either of Earth or Glass. For it is able of it self alone to contain Substances in a violent fire, when the Vessel it covers is many times melted or brok'n. You may also make another Paste very near in goodness to this, and which will serve for many uses. Take six pound of good Potters-earth dry'd, two pound of the dead-head of Aqua-fortis, two pound of Butter-pots brok'n, one pound of dross of Iron, one pound of Glass, one pound of Brick, all beat'n into fine powder, two pound of Horse-dung dry'd and beat'n, five or six handfuls of Butter well mash'd and beat'n, work them all together with Water, and make thereof a Paste somewhat solid, which will serve you for the same uses.

You may also, for the same use, take two pound of Bricks, four pound of Potters-Earth, and a pound of Lime all beaten to fine Powder, and work them together with an equal quantity of Oxe-Blood, and water of the dissolution of the Caput Mortuum, or dead-head of Aqua-Fortis, which will serve for the same occasions as the fore-men∣tion'd Lutes.

When you would strongly joyn together the Recipients to the Retort, in the Distilla∣tions of corrosive Spirits; the first Lute which I have describ'd and appointed for the building of Brick-furnaces, may suffice, if it be strengthn'd with a large Linnen-cloth, bound on with pack-thred. But the Lute will be stronger if you add Butter well-mash'd and beat'n to it, and if instead of common-water you work your Lute with Ox-blood, or with the dissolution of the dead-head of Aqua-fortis. You may also make use of the last Lutes which I have describ'd: but then it will be more troublesom to unlute the Ves∣sels when the Distillation is over.

Amydon, or fine Wheat-flower boyl'd in Water spread upon Paper and laid on, may suffice when you only go to fit and lute the helm of the Limbeck with the Cucurbit, or to joyn the Recipients to the helm, or to the Retorts; or to lute Vessels together that contain spiritful Substances that have no corrosion. But if you would lute them more exactly, then take the Bladder or Bowels of Beasts newly kill'd; or moisten'd in wa∣ter if drie. They are very useful where the Substances are very spiritful and corro∣sive. The closures and joyntures of the Vessels are to be cover'd with these Bladders or Bowels squash'd upon them, or else bound round about them with Pack-thread, leaving them to drie very well before the fire be kindl'd under the Vessel. You may also for the same purpose make use of Fish-glue dissolv'd in Spirit of Wine, or in Vinegar spread upon a Linnen-roll, and well bound upon the joyntures.

There is also another Lute very fit to plaister and cover the Retorts round about, and to make them able to withstand any sort of fire, and also to contain the matters in case the Retorts should break. Take good Potters-earth pure and well powder'd, as much Bole-Ammoniac, and brok'n Butter-pots finely powder'd; incorporate them with Quick-lime newly quench'd in a little Milk, and add thereto the liquor of the whites of Eggs, and Butter mash'd as much as will bind them all together, and make thereof a soft lute, soft enough to plaister the Retorts, three or four times, one lay above an∣other, letting the lute laid on drie very well before you lay on drie any more. This lute will be the stronger if you mixe therewith a quantity of Bull's blood very hot, blend∣it well with all the rest.

You may make very good Crucibles with the following Lute or Composition. Take equal parts of good Potters-earth dry'd, Stone-Allum, and false Talk, commonly call'd The Froz'n-stone, powder'd fine and well wrought together with a little Milk, and reduc'd to a consistency fit to make Crucibles; which when you have made, bake them in a Potter's Furnace among other Earth'n-pots.

If you would mend the holes and clefts in Earth'n or Glass-Vessels, and make them as good as ever they were; Take the whites of new-laid Eggs and beat them in an

Earth'n-pan with small sticks, till they are nothing but froth. Let that scum stand still and stay till it be turn'd to a liquor; then mingle it in Quick-lime newly quench'd in a little Milk, and make a soft and close Paste to be spread upon a small piece of fine Linnen enough to cover the slit in the Vessel. Lay that upon the crack of the Vessel, having sprinkl'd the upper-part of the Linnen with Quick-lime very finely pulveris'd: at the same time lay on a new roll of equal bigness plaister'd with the same Paste upon the powder of Lime, and then powder the upper-part of the second Linnen-cloth with powder of Quick-lime again; then lay a third plaistering of the same Paste, with which you shall cover the upper part and sides of the last Linnen-roll, and then let it drie at leisure. This Lute, thus laid on, holds perfectly well, and prevents the cracks from going any farther. There are some that add Glass finely beat'n to this Paste; some mixe therewith powder of Bricks or Terra sigillata. Which things may strength'n the Lute, and are not to be rejected.

You may also very properly apply to the cracks of the Vessels, Fish-glue dissolv'd in Spirit of Wine, and spread upon a little piece of a Pig's or Oxe's Bladder, and let it drie.

You may also make a Lute very firm, and lasting in the fire for cracks of Vessels, as also to plaister and cover them. This Lute is made with two parts of Minium in fine powder; and one part of that which they call the Fat of Herrings; these things ought to be well incorporated together and spread upon fine Linnen, and laid upon the crack of the Vessel.

To stop your Bottles well and so that no vapour may go out, dissolve Fish-glue in Spirit of Wine, and make of it a kind of Mucilage, and incorporate with it a cer∣tain quantity of the Flowers of Sulphur, and Mastick finely pulveriz'd, to which you may add Lime quench'd in Milk. These things must be well mix'd together, to plai∣ster the mouth, as also the inside of the neck of the Bottle: which being drie, nothing never so subtle can pierce it.

There is a Lute common enough very good, which is made of equal parts of Minium, Ceruse of Venice, good Bole-Ammoniack and Gum Sandarack subtilly pulveriz'd, incor∣porated with Lineseed-Oyl and reduc'd into paste. The use whereof is much the same as of the preceding.

The Hermetick or Philosophical Seal, nam'd improperly Lute, is made use of for glass-Vessels, that contain some substance, of which you would preserve all the parts. Those Vessels ought to be somewhat long-neck'd, and strong enough to endure almost a Fusion, and yet not to suffer the matters therein contain'd to be alter'd. To accom∣plish this, you must bore the bottom of an Earth'n-pot able to resist fire, and cause the neck of the Vessel to enter underneath; then light a fire in the Pot round about the neck, and when it is near Fusion, with a pair of Tongs heated in the fire, squeeze it, and writh it so, that it may be so exactly joyn'd, that not the least vapour may get out.

Bottles also with short necks, strong and well-made, may be exactly stopt with a stopple of Glass, made fit and rubb'd round about with Emeril pulveriz'd, till they fill the hole of the bottle so exactly, that the vapours cannot find passage to get out. There is a way something like this, when, after you have stopt the neck of the bottle with a Cork fit and short, and that there remains a void breathing-place, you fill it up with melted Sulphur, or some one of the Lutes which I have already describ'd, and co∣ver the Lute with a double piece of Oxe's Bladder, moisten'd and strongly bound a∣bout the neck of the bottle. Mastic, Bole-ammoniac of the East, and Borax, finely powder'd with the liquor of the white of an Egg, will make a Lute very proper for this purpose, and for several other uses.

CHAP. LIII. Of Instruments, or Vessels requisite, as well in the one as in the other Pharmacy.

THough I might have comprehended Furnaces in the Chapter of instruments, yet the skill requir'd to make them, together with their bigness, their diversity of Materials, deserv'd a particular Chapter. Under the name of In∣strument are comprehended not only the Tools, or Utensils, which both Pharma∣cies make use of, but all the Vessels appointed to contain the substances to be pre∣par'd, which are prepar'd, and are to be preserv'd after preparation. The Materials of Instruments are various, according to the use, to which they are design'd. Gold and Silver may serve for the Materials of some▪ but their dearness makes them not so frequently in use. Other Metals are very much us'd, as red and yellow Copper, Pewter, Lead, Steel, common Iron forg'd and wrought, as also several Metals, and Me∣tallics melted alone, or mix'd together. Marble, Porphyrie, Sea-shells, divers Stones and Jewels, certain Horns, several Bones, divers Shells, as also the Eggs and Skins of some Animals; Woods, Roots of Trees, Shells of certain Fruits, Woollen and Lin∣nen-Cloths, Silk, Hemp, Flax, Rind of Trees, Horse-hair, Ropes, Pack-thred, Paper; divers Earths, and Sands, Glasses, Chrystals, Bitumens; all these are instrumentally made use of by both Pharmacies, besides a thousand other things too tedious to repeat.

Several Vessels or Instruments are made of Copper or Latten; but those Vessels that are to contain such things, as are to be tak'n inwardly, must be Tinn'd, to prevent the Metals from imparting their bad qualities to them. The most usual are Basons, Caul∣drons, Brass-pipes for the Mores head, for the Refrigeratory, for the Rose-water Lim∣becks, or for other heads of Limbecks, Stillatories for Spirit of Wine, with their Ser∣pentine, and heads; Vessels for Balneum Mariae, and evaporating Baths, Lamp-Fur∣naces with their appurtenances, Cucurbits, Chafers, Platters, Posnets, Lamps, Funnels, Capsula's, Moulds, Ladles, Scummers, Spatula's, &c. Several Vessels of Pewter are us'd, as Basins, Platters, Dishes, Trencher-Plates, Cucurbits, Vessels for Digestion, heads or helms of Limbecks, plates of Iron, Pots, Syringes, Ladles, Measures, Lavers, Cap∣sula's, Ewers, Bottles, Urns, Fountains, &c. Lead is very much us'd to make Instruments, as weights and boxes. Several Metals and Metallics are us'd mix'd together, for great and small Mortars and Pestles, Boylers, Horns of Antimony, Moulds, Pipkins, burn∣ing-Mirrours, &c. Several Instruments of Iron and Steel, are us'd as well to contain the Matters, as for several uses; as for Boylers, Cauldrons, Capsula's, Mortars, Anti∣mony-Horns, Pots, Crucibles, Plates of cast Iron, or beaten out, Frying-pans, Nip∣pers, Pincers, great and small Tonges, Forks, Ladles, Hooks, Bars, Grates, Moulds, Trevets, Knives, Scissars, Hammers, Files, Rasps, Saws, Spatula's, Pestles, Funnels, Cap∣sula's, Lamps, Conduits, Pipes, Rings, Irons bended round to cut off the neck of the Recipients, Compasses, &c. We use Jasper, Marble, Sea-shells, and divers hard Stones, upon which to bray several Minerals, and to pound some parts of Animals. We use them also for Mortars, Pestles, Cups, and several other Vessels appointed for several uses. We make an infinite sort of Vessels of Earth, as Crucibles, Cucurbits, Capsula's, Aladulls, Boylers, Pots, Covers, Pipkins, Plates, Dishes, Cups, Bottles, Pitchers, bend∣ing-Limbecks, Chaffers, and the like. Several Vessels are made of Chrystal, as Basins, Plates, Platters, Cups, Bottles, Vases, and Capsula's, &c. But a far greater quantity are made of Glass. For besides these that I have nam'd to be made of Chrystal, which may as well be made of Glass, we make thereof Limbeck-bells, Pelicans, and many o∣ther Vessels fit for Circulation, Vessels for Distillation, all of one piece, Matrasses with long Necks of several proportions and forms, Cornutes, Recipients of all sizes, some without a Pipe, some with one, two, or three Pipes; ordinary Cucurbits, others with a Pipe, or a streight neck, heads of Limbecks cover'd at the top, others uncover'd; others without a beak called blind Limbecks; Mortars, Pestles, Philosophers Eggs, Vessels to separate liquors, Pipes, Plates, Bibbers, Pots, Dishes, and an infinite sight of Vessels of all sorts and sizes.

We use Shells for cups, and to contain several Medicines. We make Capsula's, Spa∣tula's,

Rowlers, and Pestles of Ivory, Cups, Bottles and Boxes, Ostridge-eggs. The same things are also made of Horn; Bags, budgets, and bottles are made of Lea∣ther. Several boxes of Tortoise-shell; cups, spoons, boxes, and little pixes of Amber, Jet, and Mother of Pearl. We make use of Wood, and the Roots of Trees for Casks, Bathing-tubs, Covers, Buckets, Mortars, Pestles, Rowlers, Cups, Spatula's, Boxes, Presses, Cupboards, &c. We make use of Cloths for strainers, Hippocrates breeches, and long narrow bags for filtring.

We also use Cloth to cleanse the flowers of Schemanthes. We make bags and strain∣ers of ordinary Linnen; we make our sieves of Linnen, Silk, and Horse-hair. We use Paper to filter several Liquors, to cover bottles, pots, and to wrap up several Me∣dicines. In short, we make use of a thousand things, and a thousand inventions, for an infinite number of Vessels, and Instruments appointed for the use of Pharmacy, of the chief of which I will give you the Figure, as exact as well cut, as also of the Furnaces which I have describ'd.

CHAP. LIV. Of the manner of Cutting Glass.

THE incompatibility between the extremity of heat and the extremity of cold, joyntly acting one against the other, and the oft'n breaking of Earth'n and Glass▪ vessels, which happ'ns by the pouring any hot liquor into them when they are very cold, or any very cold liquor into them when they are very hot, has been the reason that several wary Artists have endeavour'd to remedie the exposing of their Vessels to these two combating qualities. Seeing therefore that they could make good advantage of these two opposites by cutting the necks and beaks of their Glass-vessels, they have made use of several ways to do it; of which I shall succinctly describe the most conve∣nient and the most useful.

Diamonds or Emerill will serve to cut the superfluous parts of glass, when they are thin. But when you would cut off the necks of Recipients, which are usually very thick, you may scratch the place where you intend to cut, but you must make use of Fire and Water to perfect your design.

To which purpose you must make use of Iron-rings, about the bigness of your little finger, the handles whereof must be of the same metal; round and hollow well-nigh proportionable to the bigness of the neck of the Recipient which you intend to cut off. Heat the Ring red-hot in the Fire, and having put it over the neck of the Reci∣pient, rest it upon that place which you intend to cut off; and when the glass is heated, pour some drops of cold Water upon it, and the neck will drop off just at that place where it was heated.

You may for the same purpose wind a wiek of Sulphur round about that part of the neck which you would have cut off, and so order it that the flame may give an equal heat round about that part; and when the part is hot enough, pour, as before, some few drops upon it, and the neck will come off.

I have done the same thing oft-times with a wiek dipt in Turpentine, by the means whereof, using it according to the method of the Sulphur-wiek, I have cut off the necks of the biggest Recipients, as well as of the less; and of all sorts of Glass-bottles.

If that part of the neck of the Recipient be not hot enough, and that instead of se∣parating quite, it only begins to break, you may perfect the work by resting the end of a red-hot Iron against the crack begun, and so going round with the same Iron, till the neck falls off.

CHAP. LV. Of Weights, and Measures.

THE Physical-pound never consisted of more than twelve Ounces, taking twelve Ounces of the ordinary Pound of sixteen Ounces; and is usually known by this Character lb. The Physical Ounce is thus mark'd ℥ by the Greeks, who make it to con∣sist of eight Drachms. They figure the Drachm like a figure of Three ʒ containing three Scruples. The Scruple is thus mark'd ℈, which consists of four and twenty Grains, be∣ing the third part of seventy two which a Drachm ought to weigh. The Grain is thus mark'd Gr. or thus g.

Sometimes the Physical-Pound is divided into two parts, and the Half is thus mark'd ss. Sometimes it is divided into four parts, which fourth part is call'd Quartarium, known by this abbreviation Quart. j. But most usually the Pound is divided into se∣veral Numbers of Ounces, which the Physicians specifie in their Bills, rarely mention∣ing Half-pounds or Quarter-pounds. The mark that stands for Half a pound stands for Half an Ounce, Half a Drachm, Half a Scruple, being preceded by their several Marks.

Herbs, Flowers, and several Roots are not weigh'd in Vessels, they are only mea∣sur'd by Fascicles, Manipules, or Pugiles. Fasciculus, or a Bundle, contains as much as a Man can hold under one Arm bent to the upper part of the Hip, and is thus mark'd Fasc. Manipulus, is as much as a Man can grasp in his hand, thus character'd, M. Pu∣gillus, is as much as a Man can grasp with three Fingers; and is known by this Cha∣racter Pug.

CHAP. LVI. Explaining several Physical Terms.

WHEN you find in any Receipt the five opening Roots prescrib'd, you must un∣derstand the Roots of Asparagus, Smallage, Parsley, Fennel and Butchers-Broom.

The usual Emollient-herbs are Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Bear-foot, Groundsil, Beets, Mercury, Violets, Arrach, Pellitorie of the Wall, and Lillies.

By the five Maindenhairs, are meant Adiantum album, White-maidenhair, Adiantum nigrum or common Maidenhair, English-maidenhair, Ceterack or Spleen-wort, and Wall-Rue: to which I may add Harts-tongue.

The three Cordial-flowers are Bugloss, Burrage and Violets; to which others add Gilly-flowers and Roses.

The four Carminatives, or Wind-dissolving Flowers, are Camomil, Melilot, Fe∣therfew and Dill-flowers.

The four great hot Seeds are, Anise, Fennel, Cumin and Caraway-seeds.

The four lesser cold Seeds are Parsley, Smallage, Ameos or Bishops-weed, and Dau∣cus or Wild Carrot-seeds.

The four greater cold Seeds are Gourds, Citruls, Melons and Cucumbers.

The four lesser cold Seeds are Lettice, Purslane, Endive and Succorie.

The five precious Fragments are Jacinths, Emraulds, Saphyrs, Granates and Sar∣donyxes.

The four Cordial Waters are Burrage, Bugloss, Endive and Succorie.

Some add to these Meadow-sweet, Blessed-thistle, Devils-bit, Sca••••ous, Water-Germander, Sorrel, Vipers-grass and Wood-sorrel.

The Physicians prescribe several Fruits by number, with this mark N^o. or by pairs, mark'd thus Par.

When you find the word Ana, or the Character aa, it signifies of equal quantity.

By s. a. or ex Arte, is to be understood According to Art.

By q. s. is to be undestood, As much as is sufficient.

And for that the Apothecary ought to be the Eye of the Physician, as well in the Pre∣paration

of Remedies prescrib'd, as in the Administring thereof. It is very neces∣sary for him not only to understand whatever written or printed Receipts shall come to his hands, but also to know the proportion and Doses of every Medicine. To the end that in case any mistake should happ'n by the carelessness of the Printer or Writer, or that he should not be able to read some bad Hands, he may be able to judge both of the Doses and Ingredients, make them agree with the Rules of Pharmacy, and the approbation of judicious Physicians, and prevent the ill-accidents that may happ'n by false Preparation and Administration.

I did not think it necessary to insert here several things which may be found in several Authors; among the rest, the Catalogues of several Medicaments, which being only some part either of some Plant or Animal, are to be understood such as are to be pre∣ferr'd before the other parts, when the Plant or Animal is prescrib'd, without nam∣ing the particular part; as the Seeds of Annise and Fennel, Roots of Orrice and Jal∣lap, Flowers of Violets and Roses, Fruits of Melons and Cowcumbers, Juices of the bending Egyptian Beantree, and the under-growth of Cistus; the Wood Santalum and Guiacum, Gums Galbanum and Ammoniac; Rinds of Cinnamon and Cassia; and several other parts of Plants and Animals which are to be understood, when the Plant or Animal is prescrib'd. Such as are also Castoreum, Bezoar-stone, Musk and Civet, which are but parts or excrements; yet ought to be understood, when the Animals are prescrib'd. There are also Minerals, which being but species of themselves, yet for their excellency, retain the name of the genis. Such are Lapis Lazuli, which is to be understood under the word Lapis; Bay-salt, under the name of Salt; the Seal'd∣earth of Lemnos, under the name of Seal'd-earth; the other Seal'd-earths with their additions, without which they would never be understood. They that are more cu∣rious may be better satisfy'd, by reading Authors, who have reckon'd up vast number of these things; though here be no great necessity of it, in regard that use and the Ex∣planation that a Man shall meet with in the Composition, may suffice. You may also find in the same Authors Catalogues of succedaneous Remedies, which would be both tedious and troublesom to enumerate. I will only say this, That you must avoid as much as possible the use of substituted Medicines, not sparing for any cost to be furnish'd with the same Medicaments which are set down in the Pharmacopoeical Com∣positions, or prescrib'd by the Physicians. And then when it is impossible to have all that the Physician prescribes, then must an Apothecary be careful not only to substitute Root for Root, Wood for Wood, Juice for Juice, Rind for Rind, Herb for Herb, Seed for Seed, Oyl for Oyl, Syrup for Syrup, &c. but also to have succedaneous or corresponding Medicaments near in vertue and quality, to those whose defect they are to supply.

The End of the First Part.

Notes

• * 1.1

  For in this place it must come from Delique, and not Deliqueo.
• * 1.2

  A Lig•••• is the third part of a Barley-corn, or the twelfth part of an Inch.