Van Helmont's works containing his most excellent philosophy, physick, chirurgery, anatomy : wherein the philosophy of the schools is examined, their errors refuted, and the whole body of physick reformed and rectified : being a new rise and progresse of philosophy and medicine, for the cure of diseases, and lengthening of life / made English by J.C. ...

CHAP. LIX. A Modern Pharmacapolion and Dispensatory. (Book 59)

1. The Art of Healing hath crept into Fables. 2. The Barbarians excel the Eu∣ropeans in Herbarism. 3. The custome of Galen, of filching the Inventions of others. 4. A Tragedial sex of Herbs. 5. The signate or thing signified in Herbs, was ridiculously translated into Palmestry. 6. The Rashnesse of Para∣celsus. 7. It was a vain Invention, to have brought back Herbs into the Zodi∣ack. 8. How little that is regarded, which is very much to be weighed. 9. It is a shameful thing ta measure the natural endowed gifts of Simples by their de∣gree of heat. 10. The stumblings of Herbarists. 11. The true refining of Simples hath been hitherto scanty. 12. The venal Blood, and arterial Blood, do differ even in Plants. 13. Ice hath deceived Quercetanus. 14. The Father of Lights, is the alone giver of infused knowledge, without the observance of effects. 15. Vain means to know the virtues of Simples. 16. A specifical savour. 17. Things desired in the knowledge of Simples. 18. The art of the Fire opens the way. 19. The diversity of Agents in Nature. 20. A diverse activity of Spagyrical or Alchymical remedies. 21. A Balsame preserving all the juices of Herbs from putrifaction, without an alteration of their properties. 22. A cen∣sure or valuation of Extracts and Magisteries. 23. A horrid confusion and plura∣lity of Simples. 24. Dispensatories prevail onely for expedition, but not for ap∣propriation. 25. A deceiving of Clients or Patients, obtained by the autho∣rity of Magistrates. 26. God composeth some things, which man may not sepa∣rate, nor over-add a third thing unto them. 27. When a conjoyning is to be ad∣mitted. 28. A sentence concerning the prevalency of Dispensatories. 29. The virtues of many things are blunted by sweet things. 30. An Answer to things Objected in behalf of sweet things. 31. The vanity of Syrupes. 32. Chymistry is preserred before other professions. 33. The use of things from beyond the Seas. 34. The Crasis or constitutive temperature is the kernel of Remedies. 35. Vices in Decoctions. 36. A defect in Electuaries, Pills, and Con∣fections. 37. Against the confoundings of Simples. 38. An examining of loosening Medicines. 39. What kind of preparation of Simples is to be despised. 40. The dammageable boyling of Odoriferous things. 41. The ridiculous burning of Harts-horne. 42. The Correction of many things is fatal. 43. The Offences of Simples. 44. Absurd Miscelanies, or Hotch∣potch mixtures. 45. The whole Earth hath, and brings forth Poyson. 46. Under Poysons do lurk the most powerful Secrets. 47. An Errour concerning the gelding of Asarum. 48. An errour concerning its Crudi∣ty. 49. No true Poyson in its first Being. 50. The Death of the Mar∣quess Spinellus, by the folly of Hellebore. 51. The examination of the Vi∣per. 52. Arsenical things, by what right they are the Remedies of Ul∣cers. 53. How Poysons may be made Remedies. 54. The Chymical Re∣medies of the Shops. 55. An examining of Gold and Pearles in healing. 56. The use of Oylie things. 57. What hath departed from clarified Su∣gar. 58. The manner of applying of external things. 59. The Collection or gathering of Simples.

THe Art of Healing is every where drawn into the Tragedies and scorn of the vul∣gar. Because Physitians will not be wise, but according to the custom of the Schools. For what they read, they believe, and what they believe, they deliver to the trust of the Apothecary, his Wife, and Servant or Family, to be put in execution. For thereby every [unspec 1] maker or seller of Oyles or Ointments, and old Women, do thrust themselves into Medi∣cine, scoffe at Physitians, because also, they oft-times excel them in many things. For they were wont in antient time to reserve some things to themselves for a pledge of fame and family. But afterwards, sloath overcame, and gain disposed of Medicine as a plough, and by the just judgement of God, all things grew ••orse.

Before my entry of the Shop, I cannot but be angry at the describers of simples: For although there be no field more spacious, plentiful, and delightful in the face of the whole earth, and where the mind is more delighted, than in Herbarism; yet there hath scarce been a less progress made in any other thing. For truly the Arabians, Greeks or Gentiles, [unspec 2] Barbarians, wild country People, and Indians, have observed their own Simples much more diligently than all the Europeans. For even from the dayes of Plato (wherein Dias∣corides a man of War, lived) nothing almost hath been added to Herbarism: but much diminished.

Galen, from a desire of robbery, wrote this study of another, his name being suppressed. He being plainly a non-Diascorian, snatched up the words of Diascorides. The which, in the mean time, Pliny hath besprinkled with many trifles: Because, as its very likely, [unspec 3] he being of a mean judgement, not being able to distinguish between truth and falshood, scraping many things together, on every side, hath described them, that he might equalize his name unto the greatness of his Section. But even unto this day, the more learned part of Physitians do as yet carefully dispute only about the faces and names of Herbs: As if the vertues could not speak before their countenance were known; the virtues I say, being first delivered by Diascorides: As if the power of Medicine had attained unto its end, in the first Author. But the more modern Herbarists, began to distinguish Herbs into Sexes, and supposing that they understood many things from thence, complain∣ed, [unspec 4] that these things had remained hidden or vailed: As if nature, did labour in jest and not in earnest, had been careful of a Sex, where it was content with a promiscuous and Hermophroditical Being or Body. For a sex doth respect only generation, but not opera∣tion, or the relation of like or equal objects. Therefore, that she might not frame, even the least tittle, in vain, who hath wholly referred her self unto the certain ends known to her Creator, wheresoever there was not need of the marks of Sexes to generate, she hath also disesteemed them in operating. But if of two Simples, one be stronger or rougher than another, surely that doth not denote the Sex, but the degree. For while the same Simple putrifieth, and is changed into small living creatures, these indeed, are not of one, but of both Sexes. The which surely could never be, if those Simples, should now have a Sex, or sexual virtues within them. For the same Herbs in number, are in Sex as well Masculines as Feminines, promiscuously bred.

There were also afterwards, others, who would observe signatures in Herbs, as it [unspec 5] were a Palmestry: and this Meditation, the root of Satyrion or dog-stones, hath notably promoted. And therefore through the desert hereof especially, they have introduced a sealed knowledge, or essayed Anatomy, that is, new names, and great swelling Titles, embroidered with their own boldnesses. I believe by Faith, that man was not of nature, and therefore likewise, that nature is not the Image, likeness, or engravement of man. God out of the eternal providence of his goodness and wisdom, hath abundantly pro∣vided for future necessities. He himself hath made and endowed Simples for the appoin∣ted ends of all necessities. Therefore, I believe, that the Simples, in their own simpli∣city, are sufficient for the healing of all Diseases. Therefore we must more study about the searching into the virtues, than about disputing any hard questions: Seeing that in Sim∣ples there is a perfect cure, and healing of all Diseases: And by consequence, that Dis∣pensatories, which will us to compound and joyn most things together, do destroy the whole, and through a hidden blasphemy, do as it were strive to supply divine insuf∣ficiency.

Hence Paracelsus rightly writeth to Chyrurgions: To what end do ye over-adde unto Sym∣phytum or the root of greater Comfrey, Vinegar, Bole, and such like wan additaments? when as God hath composed this Simple as altogether sufficient against the ruptures of bones? finally, whatsoever thou shalt adde unto it, thou makest, as if thou wouldest by thy correction, supply the place of God. Thou dost grievously erre.

In like manner, I also think, that God hath perfectly, and sufficiently composed in Simples, compleat Remedies of any Diseases whatsoever.

In the next place, I infallibly know, that there is in the Archeus of vegetables, no anatomical alliance or affinity with us, whether we regard the whole, or at length, their parts. For the endowments of Simples, are by creation: but not from an usurpation of possession: for properties were already in their-own Herbes, before sin, death, and ne∣cessity.

Lastly, I believe, that God doth give the knowledge of Simples, to whom he will, from a supernatural grace: but not by the signes of nature! For what Palmestrical affinity hath the Boars tooth, the Goats blood, the peisle of a Bull, the dung of a Horse, or the Herbe Daysie, with a Pleurisie? or what signature have those Simples with each other? Truly, I praise my Lord, who before Diseases were, created all things primarily for his own glory; neither marked he Simples for Diseases that were to come by accident: but for the grace of the universe, from whence indeed the Lord hath honour. Therefore I have laughed at Paracelsus, because he hath erected serious trifles into the principles of [unspec 6] healing. There have not been those wanting also, who have brought the huge Catalogue of Diseases, into the signes of the Zodiack: whose number, seeing it was too narrow, [unspec 7] they have enlarged every one of the signes into a threefold Section: To wit, that they might divide all the virtues of Herbes into 36, and gather them into a narrow fold. But the earth hath of it self, a seminal virtue of producing Herbes, the which, therefore, it doth not beg from the Heavens. For the whole property of Herbes, is from their Seed, and the seminative power is drawn from the earth, according to the holy Scriptures: but not from the faces of the lights of Heaven. For 16 or 20 Stars, may be put to make a constellation, or one of the 12 Houses, and to be extended into 30 Degrees. But in what sort could so few Stars, contain the essences, seeds, faces, and properties perhaps of five hundred plants, differing in their species and internal properties? Moreover, be∣sides a thousand vain attributions of so many things, as well humane as politick? Away with these trifles! The properties of Herbes are in the Seeds, but not in the Heaven or Stars. The powers of the Stars, are grown out of date, the which by an old Fable, have stood feigned unto heats, colds, and complexions. For the Stars, in whatsoever manner they are taken, do differ from Plants, much more, than Herbs do from mists and frests, or fishes from precious stones. Let it therefore be a faulty argument, to have attributed effects to causes, which do contain nothing at all like a cause in them. That is even as for a watch-man to dream, if he shall believe such a thing, or wholly to go out of his wits by his own thought. Mathiolus, Tabernomontanus, Brasavolus, Ruellius, Fuchsius, Tra∣gus d'Allichampius, and other observers of Herbes, are hitherto busied, only about the [unspec 8] faces, and visual knowledge of Plants: but their virtues, they all as one, describe out of Diascorides: they also tye them up unto the degrees of heat and cold, as though they did demonstrate something from the foundation: A shameful thing indeed it is, to have drawn the Crasis or constitutive temperature of Simples out of heat, but not from the [unspec 9] fountains of the Seeds. Dodonaeus Friso, being now become a Dutch-man, Tabernomon∣tanus, with a few others, although they did insist on the same steps of Degrees, yet they have subjoyned some additions, from their own, or the gathered experiences of others: but as yet, plainly confused, uncertain, and badly distinct: because that they have not written from knowledge, but either from the noted revelation of the vulgar, or they being things drawn from a casual experiment. There is none amongst them all, who hath knowingly described the properties of Simples, even as he, who had described all things, [unspec 10] from the Hyssop, even unto the Cedar of Libanus. As a sure token, that true knowledges or Sciences are not elsewhere to be fetched, than from the Father of Lights: even as I have elsewhere touched at by the way, concerning the hunting or searching out of Scien∣ces. A living creature that is entire, and alive, cannot be bruised without its dung. It is therefore to be lamented, that it hath not been yet weighed, that Herbs have much dung, [unspec 11] which have never cast forth any out of them, and so that they are to be refined with the greater wariness.

In the next place, we distinguish the arterial blood in a man, from his venal blood, by divers marks: But in plants, it hath seemed sufficient to have said it. That plant, in one only subject, consisteth of divers and opposite properties: they have acquiesced, nei∣ther [unspec 12] hath there been a deeper entrance, than by some common savours, and uncertain events. For out of the stalk or hollowness of Poppy being hurt, Opium distilleth. Celen∣dine or Swallow-wort weeps a golden, and Tithymal or Spurge, a milky juice; out of the bur∣dock, gums, out of the Herbe Chamelion, a Bird-lime, &c. whose Simples, if thou shalt

bruise, they shall give forth another and a far more inferiour juice, to wit, a dung and ve∣nal blood, well mixt with arterial blood, however they are clarified. For let young begin∣ners learn to distinguish and separate an arterial blood from the venal blood and substance of Plants, if they do ever minde to have performed any thing worthy of praise, by Sim∣ples: for from hence it comes to pass, that how stoutly soever thou hast operated in extract∣ing, (the manner thereof being taught by those of late time) yet one dram of crude Rhu∣barb doth effect more being administred in pouder, than whatsoever thou shalt extract out of a dram and a half. For the stomack resolves more by its ferment, than whatsoever the mediating or middling juices of extractions can take away; because they resolve with∣out distinction, liquor of the substance which is like unto a dreg, and despised. For Quercetanus, when as he had taken notice, that the innermost powers of things were not to be sufficiently examined by Palmestry, and Anatomy, which they call, Sealed; calls di∣vination [unspec 13] by the fire unto his help, but he failed in the way; to wit, he had drawn out of the ashes of a nettle, a Lixivium or Lye, the which by chance of fortune, an Ice in his galley pot, had a little constrained or bound together (for if the Lye had been the stron∣ger, it could not have been frozen) he wondring in the morning, cryes out; Behold, oh what a figure of the nettle, do I behold in the glass! And rejoycing, he established a Maxim: To wit, That a seminal figurative Being of Herbs, doth remain in the ashes, unconquered by the fire.

That good man declareth his ignorance of Principles, not knowing, first of all, that eve∣ry Ice, beginning, maketh dented or tooth-like points, like the shape of the leaf of a net∣tle: And then, that the Archeus is the figurer of the thing to be generated, which is burnt up by the fire, long before a coal or ashes is made.

Thirdly, if a Lixivium should express the seminal Being of Herbes, surely it ought to resemble, not the leafes; but the root, stalk, flowers and fruits. But the figurative power [unspec 14] of the Seeds, lurketh in the Archeus, the Vulcan of herbs and things capable of genera∣tion, which cannot subsist with fleshly eyes. It is to be begged only of God, that he may vouchsafe to open the eyes of the mind, who to Adam, and who to Salomon, demonstrated the properties of things at the first sight. St. Theresa, having once, mentally seen a Crucifix, perceived it to be the eyes of her soul; the which she thenceforth kept open for her life-time, and the flesh hath shut them up in us, through the corruption of nature. For neither for the future, do we else, know natures from a former cause; neither do we now know the interchangeable courses of the Archeus, but by a naked observation. Many Simples are indeed assigned us; but for the most part, false and disagreeable. Neither doth the reading of Books make us to be knowers of the properties, but by observation: No otherwise than as a Boy who sounds or sings the Musick, doth notwithstanding, not compose it, as neither hath he known the first grounds of harmony, by means whereof, the tunes or notes were so to be disposed. If this thing thus happen in sensible things which are to be known by sence, the reason whereof, the hearing measureth: what shall not be done in Medicinal affairs, wherein the virtues of Simples are not penetrable by any sense? But the descriptions of all kind of Medicines, are read, being delivered in the Shops, with a defect of the knowledge of properties and agreements. For I speak concerning a knowledge of vision, such a one, as the soul hath, being separated from the Body, and such a one, as God bestoweth in this life, on whom he will, and hitherto hath he removed this knowledge from the company of those who ascribe all reverence unto heathenish Books. The Father of Lights therefore is to be intreated, that he may vouchsafe to give us knowledge, such as once he did unto Bezaleel and Aholiab, for the glory of his own Name, and the naked charity towards our Neighbours: For so, the Art of Medicine should stand aright in us, under every weight. But it is to be feared, lest he who hath suffered the Books of Salomon to perish, may reserve this knowledge of Sim∣ples for the age of Elias the Artist. For the Schools have by savours or tastes, promised an [unspec 15] entrance unto the knowledge of Simples: That as it were the crafts-men of all proper∣ties, they by sharp, bitter, salt, sweet, astringent, soure, and un-savoury, heats and colds, would measure them. But proud boastings are made ridiculous by the effect. For truly, also Opium being very bitter, the which in this respect, they will have to be hot; yet they teach it to be exceeding cold. So sharp or tart Camphor, according to their Rules, ought to be hot; yet they declare it to be (without controversie) cold.

In like manner also Aqua fortis, oyle of Vitriol, Sulphur, &c. being soure things, ac∣cording to the Rules of tastes, ought to be exceeding cold. But I am to shew, at some∣time, in its place, that the Schools have not yet beheld the faculties of things, as to the outward bark or shell of them; and therefore that they have passed by the fountains of

their seminal properties. Finally, there is in every thing, a specifical savour, which ought to teach their property, if there be any other external signates: To wit, there is in Cinnamon, besides a quick sharpness, a peculiar grace or acceptableness in savour, the which thou canst scarce find in any Simple besides. So Gentian, Elecampane, &c. have besides common bitterness, a specifical savour, which (by reason of a singularity proper to any kinde of Simples) cannot be reduced under Rules, and is the alone accuser, as al∣so distinguisher of all properties.

Furthermore, that Simples are to be chosen or gathered in the station wherein they are in their vigour, this is common to the Schools, country people, and my self: To wit, Seeds, while they are almost dry: but stalks and leafs, while being juicy, they are moist through a full quantity of venal blood: roots also, while they swell with strength, and are not as yet worn out with generating and cocting: but being now filled through much rest, their Archeus being awakened, they meditate of budding. Others perswade the Autumn; I for the most part, love the Spring: the which I have learned by experience in Poli∣podium, Briony, &c. For the juice of Herbes, is their venal blood, the which being more and more ripened, is either gathered into them, or ends into the nature of fibers, or at least wise doth slackly perform its office, whilst the vital power meditates of propa∣gating a Seed.

Therefore, in searching into, and gathering Simples, nothing hath remained more neg∣lected, than that which was most desired, and wherein, even from the beginning hitherto, there hath been no progress. Indeed the powers of Simples, and their immediate sub∣jects, have remained unknown. For those, besides a cleer and visual knowledge of them, do require a desired preparation and appropriation. First of all, the knowledge of Scien∣ces: but that doth not presuppose traditions declared at pleasure, and transcribed one to another. But preparation doth not only require the boylings and bruisings of the shop: but the whole Art of the fire. At length a fitting or suiting, applying or appropriating, requires a speculation founded in the light of nature, of man, Diseases, and affects, and then their dependencies, changes, and interchangeable courses. Its no wonder there∣fore, that the Doctrine of Simples, hath remained barren. In the mean time, under so [unspec 18] great sloath of mortals, the Almighty hath vouchsafed to raise up Alchymists, who might worthily think of the transmutation, ripening, tincture, and promoting of virtues, as of things chiefly necessary: And so they having proceeded by degrees unto the harmonious unity of Medicine, have become the obtaining followers of their own desire. For they have not gone unto the unequal tempering or mixture of feigned humours, their strise, and defluxions; yea, nor indeed, unto the products, or fruits of Diseases (to wit, for the avertings whereof, they had known that they followed only the relapsing cloakings of Diseases) but they converted their study unto the more formerly, or first causes: know∣ing that the impowering foundation of many defects, was stamped or imprinted in the Archeus of Life. Wherefore, by the purity, simplicity, and subtility of Remedies which have a mark of resemblance, they have attempted an entrance unto the middle Life. That if any of them do not pierce unto the first Constitutives of us; at least wise, they may unfold their natural endowment in the entrance of these, by stirring up our pow∣ers, by their acceptable talk or communication. For truly, nature doth not only acknow∣ledge the actions of agents, which do wholly enter into the jurisdictions of Patients (in∣deed [unspec 19] there is only a corporeal action of such, and an obedience of the nourishing facul∣ty) but there is also another authority of agents, not to be despised, which is an unfolding of their native endowment, into the very middle Life of the Archeus, by reason of the sequestrings of mortality, dregginess, and turbulency. By which superiority, such agents, do suffer not any thing from their Patients, and much less are they altered, by resistance or re-acting. For some Remidies being thus prepared, do by their deaf wedlock, so re∣fresh [unspec 20] our faculties, that they do the more assure us, that they came into the world for this purpose. For some things do even refresh us by their fragrancy: Also, there are other things, which being shut up, are hindered from shewing their good will unto us; as gold, and gems or precious stones. Others in the next place, (their shakles being loosed) are brought up into a degree, being as it were happy through the favour of an increase, and the liberty & authority of their powers or virtues being obtained, they raise us up from a fall, and comfort us: Surely not more sluggishly, than (after another manner) deadly poysons do prostrate our strength: To wit, they drive away a corporal, yea and fermental poyson: but not that any Medicine is able to renew again the powers implan∣ted in the parts, they being extinguished, abolished, and worn out.

But it hath been the error of the Schools, not first to subdue the juices of Herbs, toge∣ther

with their substance, and their ferment, before that a choice or separation of the best parts be possible to be made. Then also, they have neglected diligently to search, that the juice of things being pressed forth with a press, doth afterwards, only through the [unspec 21] odour of a certain sulphureous fire, remain uncorrupted, without sugar, or any other ad∣ditament: by favour whereof it attains a certain Balsamical Being, and translates the airy draughts incorporated with it, unto a great act of perfection. Moreover I now de∣scend unto the labours of the shops. For first of all, although Extracts may seem to ease a weak or dull stomack of pains: yet I have those in no great esteem, for their errors al∣ready before noted. But Magisteries, I willingly lay up in the place of extracts, where∣by the whole substance of a thing is reduced into its primitive juice. Which manner of [unspec 22] preparation, shall remain for ever unknown to the common sort of Physitians. In which regression or return of solution, juices differing in kind, are voluntarily separated, swimming upon each other, for the most part, with divers grounds, and one Ruler, famous in diversity, containing the seminal Being, settles to the bottom.

In the second place, I pitty the so many connexions, and confused hotch-potch mixtures in the shops, the bewrayers of ignorance, and uncertainty. For the Schooles hope, that [unspec 23] if one thing help not, another will help: and so (through the preachment of Herbarists) they joyn many things together with each other, they being extolled by them, for the same purpose. The sisters of huckstery, seething and tempering or seasoning, are adjoyned: Therefore the Dispensatories described by the Schools, and used by Physitians, are commen∣ded, for expedition, and promptitude or readiness (indeed for this cause, Promptuaries or [unspec 24] store-houses have their name) but not for property and necessity: To wit, they having on∣ly general and universal intentions, with a substituting and dispensing one thing for ano∣ther. Whence they are called Dispensatories. In all and every one whereof, the con∣course and confounding of crude Simples, do afford a conjectural event. For the sick man is on every side (for his money) deceived; indeed, as well through the belief and deceit of the Apothecary, as by the oath of Doctorship. He thinking, that he cannot erre, de∣ceive, or be deceived, who swears that he is admitted as a skilful and sufficient Physitian. [unspec 25] Ah, I wish that Magistrates, may prevent so great deceiving of Patients, and fraud of Physitians. I, in the first place, do greatly admire a sincere composition in Simples, which is made by Gods compounding. For, I find in the greater Comfrey, a full Remedie of a broken bone, it having all things whereof that hath need. Whereto, if thou shalt admix [unspec 26] Bole, Vinegar, or any other forreign things, even as I have admonished above out of Paracelsus; thou hast now corrupted the mixture ordained of God. Yet, as oft as any particular things have not there intent, I do forthwith admit of adjoynings, if the things do couplingly attain that by their conjoyning, which they had not in their singularity: [unspec 27] Which is hereafter to be confirmed by a teaching experiment. An example whereof, is most evident in Ink, and Tinctures or Dies. For indeed, at the time of repenting me of my studies, I often considered, that seeing there was in nature, a certain proportion of mat∣ter unto matter, and of form unto form, the same proportion of properties unto proper∣ties, and by consequence, of effects unto effects was also kept. But the composition of Simples, presently taught me the defect of these, where their interchangeable courses do presently enter after the co-mixt beginning of the Seed, and do for the most part, de∣molish themselves, no otherwise than as the Seeds of many things being bruised and con∣founded together, do exclude a seminal hope.

I afterwards knew, by many labours, and expences, that the mattes of Remedies be∣ing advanced to a more noble dignity only by their preparation, did ascend unto a degree of perfection, liberty, subtility, and purity, and did far excel the Decoctions, Syrupes, and Pouders of the Shops co-heaped under Honey. For whosoever is well instructed in the ex∣ercises of the fire, doth cleerly behold with me, that there is no Medicine to be found in [unspec 28] dispensatories, which may not contain more hurt than profit. For the Schooles which profess Hippocrates, if they acknowledge that Diseases do proceed from sharp, bitter, salt, [unspec 29] or soure; may see, that they do wholly mask and season all things with one honey, and one only sugar, and do blunt the properties of Remedies (otherwise weak enough in them∣selves): as though the one and alone Medicine, and top of all Diseases, did stand in sweet. For they answer, That laxative Medicines do operate nothing the more unsuccessfully, although sugared; as also, because they are the more acceptable to the palate; and third∣ly, [unspec 30] because they are thus preserved from rottenness and corruption. As to that which con∣cerns the first; I grant indeed, that poysons have an equal effect, whether they are ac∣companied with sugar, or are swallowed alone. For truly the power of laxative things, is wholly sealed in the melting of the Body, as also in the putrifying of that which is mel∣ted,

and so that it ought to be of no credit or esteem with poyson. Therefore the answer of the Schools by poysons, is impertinent unto the question concerning the Remedies of Diseases, as bitter, sharp, &c. Unto the second I say, that it is a frivolous answer, while there is not satisfaction given unto the first. They know not therefore as yet, that the vir∣tues of Remedies are changed and blunted by sugar. That to many, the taste of Aloes is more grateful, than that of honey.

In the next place, that those who desire to flatter the tongue; yet, cannot the stomack, which only by the beholding, abhorreth Medicines covered over with the deceit of sugar. That a thing is more easily taken in some liquor, in a few drops, and is more freely dige∣sted or concocted within, than being seasoned with plenty of sugar. Again, that things being immingled with a convenient liquor, do the more fully or piercingly enter, than being overwhelmed with much sugar. That sugar, although it be grateful to healthy per∣sons, yet it presently becomes horried unto sick folkes, being hostile in most Diseases of the stomack and womb: but that in other Diseases, it oft-times makes the help of the adjoyned Medicine, ridiculous or vain. For sugar is diametrically opposite to the soure ferment of the stomack, and therefore it causeth the more difficult digestions. For sugar is clarified with the Lixivium of Calx vive, and Potters earth. For if the Schooles had known the sharpness of the spirit of honey, and the stinking dregginess of sugar, they had been content with a more sparing use of them among the sick.

Lastly, unto the third, I say, that the Schooles herein confess their ignorance, that they know not how to preserve Medicines from corruption, without a pickling, and geld∣ing [unspec 31] of their virtues. The deceit therefore of Syrupes, is sufficiently discovered, which are made onley by boyled Simples, honey or sugar being added. Hitherto at length, that tendeth; that Vegetables do only lay aside their juice and musci∣lage, by boyling in waters: Which crude and impure things, do impose their troubles on the stomack, before that they being digested with the honey, do appoint us to be heirs of their virtues. Especially, because the gumminess of herbes, is fryed with the honey and sugar, becomes ungrateful and troublesome to the stomack, and by boyling, a nota∣ble waste is made of its virtues.

I praise my bountiful God, who hath called me into the Art of the fire, out of the dregs of other professions. For truly, Chymistry, hath its principles not gotten by discour∣ses, [unspec 32] but those which are known by nature, and evident by the fire: and it prepares the un∣derstanding to pierce the secrets of nature, and causeth a further searching out in nature, than all other Sciences being put together: and it pierceth even unto the utmost depths of real truth: Because it sends or lets in the Operator unto the first roots of those things, with a pointing out the operations of nature, and powers of Art; together also, with the ripening of seminal virtues. For the thrice glorious Highest, is also to be praised, who hath freely given this knowledge unto little ones. I also, seldom use Remedies fetcht from beyond the Seas, or from the utmost part of the East; as knowing, that the Almigh∣ty hath made all Nations of the earth capable of curing; neither that he would, that [unspec 33] wares should be expected to be brought from the Indian shore, as neither, that God was less favourable unto mortals, before the Indies were known. Therefore the Divine Good∣ness hath perswaded me, that for Diseases Inhabiting us, their own Remedies are to be [unspec 34] found at home. And Alchymical speculations have taught me, that a small liquor may be prepared, which keeps the Crasis of Simples uncorrupted, without a forreign or hurtful seasoning. Therefore, they boyle Herbs in water, wine, or a distilled liquor, unto a third part, half, also co-heaped in a double vessel (as they say) and under a Diploma. Wherein, [unspec 35] the chief virtues, if they do not perish; at least wise, none but the burdensome and un∣grateful muck of the Herbes (to be digested by the stomack) is drawn out, however the decoctions and juices may be refined with whites of egges, and may be masked with su∣gar: Because they are drunk without a separation of the pure from the invalid or weak part, without an unlocking of the shut-up virtues, without the root, and participation of life, an amending of defects, crudities, excrements, and violent powers, whose activi∣ties our nature cannot bear without a grievous dammage. And then, Electuaries, Con∣fections, or Pills, whether to comfort, or to loosen the Body, do as yet abound with greater [unspec 36] miseries than Syrupes: for they are ridiculously, ignorantly, and unconsiderately co∣knit of many Simples, without boyling, only by bruising or poudering; the which, are for the most part, cross to each other, do hurt one another, and themselves are hindered from joyning in a mutual endeavour for us, as they ought. For that is not in nature, which the Schools have expected in numbers, wherein forces do agree together in one, because [unspec 37] they consent by unities. For truly, in nature, every thing is singular, lives in its own

Family-administration, nor rejoyceth it in Wedlock. Thus far also, the operation of healing proceeds into the middle life of the Archeus, the which, by connexions and con∣foundings, if it doth not plainly perish: at leastwise, it is manifestly weakened. For the vain successes by the mutual embracing of many seeds, ought to have admonished the Schools, to abstain from the confounding of so many and so divers Simples. By how much the ra∣ther, because under that multitude, many supposites or things put in the place of others, opposites, vain things, but besides most of them ponderous, impertinent, unfit, impro∣per, and therefore, weak, barren, evil and dead things, do run together, or at least wise, are made. For although the worthinesses, and adulteries of Simples, belong more to the Merchants, than Apothecaries: yet not to have distinguished of those Simples, is the part only of a sluggish, ignorant, or covetous Apothecary.

In the mean time, it is certain, that for the most part, all things are at length, taken crude, hard, unripe, shut up, poysonsom, impure, bound, and unfit for the communicating of their virtues, and to be the more depraved by co-mingling. And because the sto∣mack of sick folks is in the entry of the House, and therefore also first offended, because it is weak, and unfit to extract the middle life, being beset with so many difficulties: Therefore it was by all manner of labours and singular care to be prevented, that we may prepare all things for a weak stomack, if we hope sweetly to reach unto our conceived and desired ends. The use therefore of all Confections, is horride, nauseous, and tire∣som. And therefore, from hence is the Proverb: Take away that; for the Shops have a smell. Also, if thou takest way from loosening Medicines, Scammony and Coloquintida, the whole fabrick of the Shops in loosening Medicines, will fall to the ground. For pur∣gative [unspec 38] Medicines, besides Scammony, Coloquintida, Euphorbium, Elaterium, Esula, and so manifest poysons, and those moreover adulterated, sorbid, and horrid (the heads of di∣minishing of our faculties and strength) do contain plainly nothing: unless we suppose the same poysons to be mitigated in Aloes, Rhubarbe, Senna, Agarick, Manna, and the like, and to be so much the more obvious or easie for deceit. Therefore I have hated the preparations of Simples, as oft as washing, boyling, burning or scorching, adjoyning, or calcining, makes havock of their faculties. For Aloes looseth its juice by washing, and the residue remaines a meer Rosin, the which, by its adhering unto the bowels is a stirrer [unspec 39] up of wringings, and the piles.

In the next place, seeing the proper and chief virtue of Spices is in that which is odour∣able, [unspec 40] if this doth of its own accord vanish away, and voluntarily cease from the Body perfumed, what shall at length be done by boyling and roasting, especially where a degree shall happen thereunto? which thing, our distillings of odoriferous things do teach. At length, what can be said to be more foolish in the Schools, than to have reduced Harts∣horn [unspec 41] into an un-savoury ashes (and that deprived of all virtue) for great uses? and to have substituted a gelding or rather a privation, in the stead of preparation? For I have, learned, that that or most Remedies, do by their odour & savour, as well within as without, help our infirmities: and therefore I have detested the co-mixtures of many Simples, be∣cause, if unto a healing odour, thou shalt moreover adjoyn another, which may suppress, cloak, convert the former into its self, or also raise up a neutrality from them both; I have known, that from thenceforth, the specifical healing virtue would be abolished, and the effect desired by the sick, made void. Therefore, the joyning of Spicy odours, and sweet tasted savours are suspected by me.

Furthermore, I have hated many other Confections of the Shops, because foolish ones: whereby they endeavour to cloak and blunt the supereminent and violent power of things, [unspec 42] by some ridiculous things. Yea, in the mean time, they declare abroad, that the in-bred savour of such a Medicine, is by so much promoted, by how much they do withdraw its powers by virtues adjoyned thereunto. For in most of them, they admix some grains of Cinnamon, or other fopperies, that they may subdue the furies of the more violent things; as if the furies of laxative Medicines, are tamed by some grains of Spices! For who that is but even slenderly instructed in Chymical preparations, knows not, that in Spicy Con∣fections, there is in the first place, the offence of plurality? and then, that most of those things also do vainly offend in the crudity, hardness, shuting up or closness, choice, and substituting of Simples.

In the next place, that those Simples do moreover, flow thither in an uncertain Dose? whence indeed, the hoped for effect is prevented? And indeed, by the error of every one [unspec 43] of them? And that I may resolve this thing by one example: what is there I pray you, in Lithontribon, or the Confection for wasting or breaking of the Stone, which may satisfie the promises of its Etymology. For to what end is there in it, Cinnamon, Cloves, the

three Peppers, Acorns, or Galengal, Costus, Rhubarb, Cassia, Bdellium, Mastick, Amo∣mum, Peucedanum or Dog-fennel, Spikenard, Ginger, the wood and juyce of Balsame, Gumme-dragon, Germander, Euphorbium, also the Oyles of Nard and Muske? Do every one of these conspire for the scope proposed in the Etymologie? Or whether from those being co-mixt together, and perfuming the intentions of each other, a new virtue shall arise, which may compleat its Promises? To wit, Can it powerfully break the stone in the Reins and Bladder? and can it presently loosen all the defects of Urine? should not Opobalsamum, rather perish in other excrements and sweepings? But in Opiate con∣fections, there is the same deafness, as in spicie ones, every where easie to be seen. The which, that I may resolve by one onely example also. For whither in Aurea Alexandri∣na Nicolai, doth the confounding together of sixty five Ingrediences tend? Of which Simples, there is no affinity with Opium and Mandrake, the pillars of the Confection? Truly the congresses of Simples made at the pleasure of an ignorant man, have befooled the Schooles, and killed the sick: they have frustrated them of their hope put into them, and by uncertaine conjectures have exposed them to sale, and made them to passe by the occasions of healing, which are unstable every moment. Therefore the compositi∣ons of the shops, if thou dost examine them without prejudice of mind, thou shalt on eve∣ry side, with a profitable admiration be astonished, that in Syrupes, Electuaries, Pills, Ec∣ligmaes, Trochies, and other things, the World hath been deluded by the prate of Phy∣sitians, the foolish blockishnesses of the Schooles, and their hurtful presumptions.

For we being Christians, do believe with the Stoicks, that the World was composed for Mans use. And when as I in times past, earnestly contemplated of that thing with my self, it presently seemed to me, that humane use might commodiously want so great, or so many Poysons: For our more cold climates, I have found, at least, in this, to be the more happy, that they want creeping, poysonsome, and deadly Monsters, wherewith other∣wise, the hotter Zone doth abound. Surely, we have not much necessity, familiarity, a∣bundance of poysons, neither shall their use, in any respect recompense so many calami∣ties arising from thence: Yea if the earth doth bring forth Thornes and Thistles, as a curse of Sin; truly it brings far greater calamities unto us, on its back, as well in the order of living creatures, as vegetables, which are importunate of the life of Mortals: where∣fore, the Text threatens some very small matter by the Thistles and Thornes, which man had now bewailed as the greatest, in the craftiness of the Serpent his Enemy. Surely if it be well searched into, Nature hath scarce any thing free, which hath not its own Ve∣nom secretly admixed with it. For we have not Roses or Violets, which do not assault us; as that under so great a fragrancy, they do not hide the contagions of Poyson: to wit, nota∣ble markes of Putrifaction, a co-melting of our body, and filching away of our strength or faculties.

Therefore we entring into an account of simples, shall find but few guiltless: Yea if thou shalt cast an eye on the fields, the whole globe of the Earth, is nought but one onely [unspec 45] and conjoyning spiders-web. Moreover by a more full heeding of the matter, there seemeth to be at this day, the same face of things, which there was before one only sin. And so perhaps, that there were from the beginning, more hurtful and guilty. Poysons, than there were good Medicines in the earth; yet there was not a Medicine of destruction for man: Because Paradise wanted those Poysons, although Serpents were present; or perhaps, Poysons were to be of no hurt to man in Eden, by reason of his immortality. But on the contrary, the Almighty saw, that whatsoever things, (even in the World, out of Paradise) he had made, were good in themselves, and for their ends. Wherefore I long agoe was deceived in my self, as thinking how unworthy Poysons were; both because the Honour of God did not require their existence; and also because man had willingly want∣ed many Poysons, and so I supposed that Poysons were made neither for the glory of God, nor for the use of man. There are indeed a few things which are guiltless, in the use whereof, without a caution, there is safety; but most things do fight against us with a horrid Tyranny. Other things also do gnaw us by scorching us with their sharpnesse; very ma∣ny other things do every where, under a shew of friendship mock us, and carry a secret de∣structive enemy within them. But there is nothing (universally) which doth not abound with dreggs, and is not horrid through impurities: In the next place, which doth not con∣sist with crudities, an unequal tempering, and an unvanquished stubbornness of perverse∣ness. For although man was brought into Paradise, yet the Creator of things worthy to be praised, foreknew from Eternity, that the World should be a Mansion for Man; and as he gave the Earth to the Sons of Men, so also he made the same for Man, with all things contained therein.

At length, I by Chymistry, beholding all things more clearly, it repented me of my [unspec 46] former rashness, and blockish ignorance; For truly, I did on every side, humbly adore, with admiration, the vast Clemency and Wisdom of the Master-Builder. For he would not have Poysons, to be Poysons, or hurtful unto us: For he neither made Death, nor a Medicine of Destruction in the Earth; but rather that by a little labour of ours, they might be changed into the great pledges of his Love, for the use of Mortals, against the cruelty of future Diseases. For in them lies hid an aid or succour, which the more kind and famili∣ar Simples do (otherwise) refuse. So, horrid Poysons, are kept for the more great and heroick uses of Physitians. For bruit Beasts are scarce fed with them; whether it be that they do beholdingly know a Poyson, which else by odour and savour, is not bewrayed; or that a certain Spirit, the Ruler of Bruits, doth preserve those Poysons for greater uses, as heirs of the greatest virtues: At least-wise, it is sufficient, that bruit Beasts do leave the most powerful Remedies for us, as it were by the command of the most High, who hath more care of us, than of Beasts. For crude Asarum or Asarabacca, with how great anguish doth it provoke Vomit, and the Stomack testifieth that a Poyson is present with it? and how easily doth it depart through boyling, and the Poyson is changed into an opening, Urine∣provoking remedy of lingring Fevers, the which, the occult or hidden spiciness therein, doth discover? So, Aron or Wake-robbin, being boyled in Vinegar, waxeth milde, and be∣comes a healing Medicine of great falls.

Wherefore the Schooles have appointed corrections; but I wish they were not ridicu∣lous ones, not rather geldings, not withdrawings of their faculties! Indeed they think that the laxative part flies away out of Asarum by boylings, even as every thing doth (through its own rottenness) in languishing years, consume.

But at leastwise the root of Asarum, doth not wax mild being boyled in Wine, even so as it doth if it boyle in Water: Yet in an equal degree of the fire, its laxative part would [unspec 47] in like manner fly away.

Therefore others think, that the crudity in Asarum, is the effector of its loosening; but these do neglect pot-herbs, which are more crude than Asarum: But that Hellebore is not [unspec 48] to be ripened by boyling, if Vomiting be to arise from crudity. They boyl Scammony in soure things, that they may mittigate it; but the common sort of Physitians have already known that Scammony is thus gelded; so as, that if it be exposed unto the sharp vapor of Sul∣phur, it is plainly deprived of its virtue; and so much of the Scammony doth depart, as it shall draw of the sharpness. But I being willing from a fatherly affection, to correct the furious force of Medicines, do understand, that the ancient faculties or virtues of things ought to remain, and to be turned inward in their root, or to be transchanged under their own simplicity into other endowments or qualities privily lurking in the same place, un∣der the Poyson their keeper; or to be bred a new, by reason of an added perfection: Af∣ter which manner, Coloquintida, turns its laxative and destructive quality inwards; and a resolving faculty springs up from the bottom, being a greater or singular curer of Croni∣cal or long continuing Diseases.

For Paracelsus laudably attempted that thing in his tincture of the Lile of Antimony; yet [unspec 49] was he silent, or knew not that the same thing was to be done in all Poysons of living Creatures and Vegetables whatsoever, by their own circulated Salt: For truly all the Poyson of those perisheth, if they shall return into their first Beings.

This Hinge, not the Schooles, but Physitians chosen of God, whom the Almighty hath chosen from their Mothers Womb, in time to come, shall know; and he shall make a dif∣ference of the Sheep from the Goats. Simples therefore of great powers or virtues, are not to be gelded, nor mortified, but to be bettered by Art; by reason of the extracting of hidden faculties, or by a suspension or setting aside of the poysonsomeness, or by a substi∣tuting of one endowment in the roome of another, by commanding specifical adjuncts. These things are for those, to whom it hath not been granted to taste the power of the greater circulated Salt. For some things do by adjuncts wax milde, their cruelty being laid aside, do become neutral; to wit, through virtues being partakingly assumed on both sides. Neither therefore may we borrow these adjuncts from the received Dispensato∣ries of the Shops, which do not teach a bettering, or even corrections; but a destruction of things, or surely they afford nothing but correctingmockeries. For Example; Mar∣quess Charles Spinelli, late General of the Genoans, when as he had walked late on foot about the City, having thorowly viewed all the Walls, commanded the Physitians to be called, and said unto them, that he had sometimes laboured with the Falling-sickness, and was cu∣red by me, and that now and then he as yet felt a giddiness in his Head, since he had come out of Aquitane into Liguria or Genoa, by crossing the Sea.

A circle of Physitians, next morning, gives him a scruple of white Hellebore to drink, and for a correction thereof, added as much of Annise-seed; presently after half an hour, he Vomiteth, and afterwards he invokes the aid of me, being absent, and accuseth his Murderers, saying, Helmonti mio, voi me lo dicesti, gli Medici t'ucciderano. Oh my friend Helmont, thou toldst me this; that these Physitians will kill thee. He was silent, and after two hours, his Stomack being first contracted, and then having a convulsion through∣out his whole body, he dies: the Physitians seek excuses, and the Earth covered their fault. For so the Confections of the Schooles throughout their Dispensatories, do carry many foolish correctives into the fardle with them, Opiates have not things (especially) adjoyned unto them; but laxatives, for the most part, Ginger, Mace, Annise, and what∣soever things might cure wringings of the bowels, from a later effect of loosening Medi∣cines. Fie, with how unpunished a liberty, doth ignorance rage on mortals! How little do they understand their own Hippocrates: If those things are taken away, which is meet, (that is, which hurt and burden) the sick feels himself better, and doth easily bear it. For seeing those things which hurt within, do now and then, scarce weigh a dram, every purge which is directed for health, ought to be an evacuation, either unperceivable, or at least∣wise, exceeding moderate, and that with a restoring of the strength or faculties. For this is that which the sick do easily bear, with profit or help. The Correctories therefore of Medicines, are unprofitable patcheries, and a weight described by the Schooles, without the knowledge of things, and so destructive at least, to the Medicines, if not together al∣so, to the sick. This part of Medicine requires a diligent and expert Secretary of Nature; Because in that part, the most ample riches of Medicines, and guilded houshold-stuffe of Glaura, is found. The Schooles had in times past, learned of our Philosophers, that most excellent virtues do inhabite in Simples, over which destructive poysons were ap∣pointed chief Keepers: thereupon, their rashnesse succeded, which co-mingled express Poysons, and manifest Corrosives, with Antidotes; hoping, that by the goodness and quantity of adjuncts, the malignity of the Poyson was to be overcome; as if it were con∣venient for health, for a pestilentious Glove, to be brought unto guests into a chamber fil∣led with healthy aire.

For I do not here accuse the Viper in Triacle, without which, to wit, this hotch-potch of Simples is as it were dead; For the flesh of Vipers is in it self unhurtful, and without [unspec 51] Poyson; yea, an Antidote against Poyson: But little balls prepared thereof, in the boyl∣ing do leave all their state in the Pottage, which the raw flesh did keep. I complain in this place of Arsenical things, which are Magistrally (as they call it) put into an Anti∣dote. For the Schooles by reason of the rashness of boldness, or self-confidence, presume to deserve credit, and to have placed the glory of Studies, in the Authority of their possession. Neither is it alwayes, that even the most excellent virtues do abide or dwell about destructive Poysons, in the same subject, so as that these are covered over by Poysons.

For Arsenick and Orpiment, &c. How much soever they may be fixed, and dulcified [unspec 52] or made sweet; yet they are never to be taken inwardly, however others shall otherwise perswade. They onely prevaile without, and do kill and tame other Poysons of Ulcers, if they themselves have been first subdued. The corrections therefore of Medicines, are without the knowledge of properties, parts, and agreements. For what doth a spice Bal∣lance, in respect of a Poyson? If the whole body of man being strong and full of life, doth presently faint or fall down at the stroke of the tooth of a Viper? Shall Wolfes-bane wax mild through the admixing of the clove? Shall Coloquintida cease to putrifie, together with its gripings, if it be joyned with Gumme-dragon? The Corrections therefore, in Dispensatories, are burdens, and blockish addittaments, which do not cause the modera∣tings of poysonous qualities: but wastings of their faculties.

For even as Poysons, have a fermental readinesse of acting, so we were to have laboured, that we might reserve the strength and aptness of Medicines, but withal that we might di∣rect [unspec 53] them through the in-graftings of Art, unto the necessities of Chronical and far scitu∣ated Diseases. This one onely thing remains in this business, that we do infringe and tame the chief or greatest violence of the thing, with the propagation of its ferment.

Wherefore as I do (in general) pity the Compositions and Corrections of the Shops; so I do as yet more detest the precipitatings, glassifyings, and preparations of Mercury, [unspec 54] Antimony, Tuttie, Sulphur, &c. And likewise, the adulterations of Spirits out of Spices, hot Seeds, Vitriol, Sulphur, &c. For they are prepared for gain, by our fugitive servants, and purchased by the Shops, rather to the disgrace of the Art of the Fire, than for the de∣fect of the sick.

I likewise bewail the shameful simplicity of those, who give men, leaf-gold, and bruised or poudered precious stones, to drink, with great hope, selling their ignorance, if not de∣ceit, [unspec 55] at a great rate. As if the stomack may expect even the least succour thereby. And therefore the more subtile error of those, is more to be bewailed, who corrode Gold, Sil∣ver, Corals, Pearls, and the like, by sharp liquors, and seem to dissolve them, and think that by this means, they are to be admitted within the veins, and truly to communicate their properties with us. For they know not, alas, they know not, that that which is sou••, is an enemy to the veins; and therefore that the forreign sharpness of the dissolving liquors being conquered and transchanged, those Mettals and Stones are a pouder, as before: The which, into howsoever the finest pouder it may be re∣duced, yet nothing of it is digested by the stomack, or bestows on us, its virtues. Which thing that thou mayest see before thine eyes: For pour thou the salt of Tartar on things that are dissolved in some brackish corrosive liquor, and presently, that which was dissol∣ved, will fall to the bottom in form of a pouder: For if strong waters or aquae fortes's, do not change mettals in their substance (although those are made transparent, which were before thick or dark) but that Silver is thence, safely recovered; with what blindness therefore, do they give Stones and Pearls to drink, as if through the corrosives, they should lead the antient essence of Stones or a Mettal behind? For it was the invention of a subtile deceiver, that he might have his Medicines in great esteem with the sick: Because ignorant deceivers think, that if the thing dissolving be not distinguished by the sight, from the thing dissolved, that the very thing also dissolved, is truly transchanged in its substance.

In the next place, Oyles and fatnesses are not of value for Balsams, Oyntments, and Emplaisters, unless perhaps, as they may give a consistence to the Medicine.

For first, a great part of men do not suffer Oyntments in their skin, because they stir up itchings and wheales, with swelling. And then, because the aforesaid Oyles, [unspec 56] are for the most part prepared out of Herbes, the virtue whereof, lurketh in a muscilaginous and gummy juice: but that juice is drawn by boylings, into the broaths, or is pressed forth with a press, the which is not truly married to Oyles, but being fixed, doth at length, wax hard. But I do more rightly constrain or gather the Balsams of flow∣ers, in Honey: Yet, I more admit of the simplicities of simple Oyles, than of com∣pound ones: Therefore I do most especially expel the disconsonant and deaf composi∣tions of the Oyntments and Emplaisters of the Shops: because nothing is more blockish, than for the Pouder of Vegetables, in fixing, to be scorched, and so made unfit under various fatnesses, and those ignorantly co-mixed: The which, if it shall be Mineral, it doth not admix it self with fat; but rather, is so covered and imprisoned within the Oyntments, that it becomes of none effect, and is for weight only. For nothing is to be mixed with Oyles, Oyntments, or Emplaisters, which cannot be Homogeneally resolved in them, throughout their whole Body.

It is also worthy of loud laughter, that Loaf, or the whitest Sugar, is commended, not because it is more sweet, and more worthy in its virtue; but because it is dearer, and [unspec 57] hath often boyled with the Lixivium of Calx vive: Whereas the name of puri∣ty, hath caused a juggle. Flowers, Herbes, &c. being bruised, and Loaf-sugar admixed therewith, do fall asleep; those which are mixt with the more sweet Sugar, do snatch up a ferment, and in waxing hot, do unfold the virtues of a simple: But presently after, through a close digestion of heat, the ferment is restrained, and they become far more powerful. But the diversity of the Ferment depends on the Lixivium, wherewith one of the Sugars doth abound, but the other wanteth that Lixivium.

I am wont also, to apply Unguents outwardly, with choice or judgement: To wit, in affects, wherein the Cure is abroad or far from the Center, as in a wound, bruise, burn, [unspec 58] &c. I perswade them to be applyed luke-warm. But where an inward affect requires an outward succour, as the Bloody-flux, Collick, Convulsions in the Stone of the Reins, a Schirrhus, &c. I bid that the Oyntments be cherished from without, with a heated stone, or hot sand: And that thing, I learned, by beholding Chaff walking upwards and downwards in a kettle of luke-warm water, as it were from heat under-kindled: and therefore first I conjectured, that through a potent heat, Oyntments being applyed, are quickened, and do joyn their Spirit to our venal blood: and then, I certainly found, that thus, the evil or Malady is drawn or allured forth, and that symptomatical on-sets are stayed: And that whatsoever things Baths do perform in the whole Body; this same thing, heated and kept-warm Oyntments, do finish in a part thereof, without the decay of

the whole body. For a cherishing Tile or Brick, doth drive the odour of the Emplaister in∣wards, and doth attract outward, those things, which being the more slow, do else stick fast: and likewise the spirit making the assaults, is attracted together with the blood, is dispersed by the heat, and another succeedeth in its place, draweth the force of the Medi∣cine, and as it were boyling up within, is driven back.

Concerning the gathering of Simples also, men are not every where, sufficiently groun∣ded. They determine, that roots are to be gathered in time of Autumn: But for the most [unspec 59] part, many things do afford the more effectual roots in the Spring-time. Polipodium flourisheth chiefly at Spring; but in Autumn, it affordeth a grey and black root: indeed barren and oldish. I judge, that all things are to be gathered immediately before their state of maturity: for a full ripeness is a beginning of declining. Therefore let all Fruits, Flowers, Roots, Leafs, Barks, &c. have their own determined spaces of ripenesses. For also, the juice in Plants doth first abound, the which in many doth forthwith after wax dry, or is consumed into Leafs. Therefore, the variety of maturities, doth bring forth a variety of Collections. For so, some Leafs are more lively after their Flowers, but others are more juicy before their Leafs. Then also, there are some things which are stronger before the increase of their Fruit. Some remain with a perpetual countenance. Wherefore, they do the more rightly determine, who measure Simples according to the requirance of their aim.