Thesaurus & armamentarium medico-chymicum, or, A treasury of physick with the most secret way of preparing remedies against all diseases : obtained by labour, confirmed by practice, and published out of good will to mankind : being a work of great use for the publick / written originally in Latine by ... Hadrianus à Mynsicht ...; and faithfully rendred into English by John Partridge ...

SECT. XI. Of Compound Salts. (Book 11)

Sal Apoplecticum, or an Apoplectick Salt.

TAke seeds of Rocket two pound, roots of the Lily of the valley, of Pellitory, Avens, of each a pound; of wild black Cherries half a pound, berries of Iumper and Bays, of each four ounces; Ground∣pine, Marjoram, Rosemary, Origanum, Hyssop, Sage, of each three ounces; flowers of Marigold, Lavender, Primrose and Betony, of each two ounces. Mix them in a Reverberatory, and thence (not in the vulgar way, but) according to Spagirick Art draw a white and crystalline Salt; which method observe in all others, and let this admonition be sufficient for all.

Virtue, Use, and Dose. It is a present Remedy in the Apoplexy and Palsie, &c. for it excites, discusseth and attenuates the Humors, and restores sense and motion to the whole body. The dose is from ten grains to twenty or thirty in specifick Vehicles.

Sal Epilepticum, or an Epileptick Salt.

Take roots of Palma Christi two pound, roots of An∣gelica, Peony and Pellitory of the wall, of each a pound; seeds of Peony, shavings of Cyprus wood, Misleto of the Oak, of each half a pound; Cinquefoil, Millefoil, Rue, Mullein, Lavender, Rosemary, Henbane, of each four ounces; flower of Primrose, Stoechas, Teil-tree, Peony, and Elder, of each two ounces. Being mixed, let them be calcined in a Reverberatory, and then add the ashes of young Magpies and Swallows, and Peacocks dung, of each an ounce. And with an appropriate Liquor, according to Art, make a white crystalline Salt.

Virtue, Use, and Dose. It is effectual in all Epile∣psies, Vertigo, Lethargies, and other stupefying Dis∣eases; 'tis also given to those who fear or are trou∣bled with dangerous diseases of the Head. The dose is from ten to twenty or thirty grains in Teil-tree flower-water, or in our Epileptick water.

Sal Cordiale, or a Cordial Salt.

Take roots of Avens and Bugloss, of each two pound; the herbs Rosemary, Sage and Balm, of each a pound; seeds of sweet Basil, Citron peels, of each half a pound; the five Cordial flowers, Clovegilly-flowers, of each four ounces. Mix them, and calcine them into ashes, the Vessel being close shut; then add ashes of Cinamon three ounces, ashes of Cloves and Cardamoms, of each an ounce and a half; ashes of Oriental Saffron and Mace, of each three drams. From these ashes thus mixed with Cor∣dial waters, extract a white Salt according to Art.

Virtue, Use, and Dose. It is most useful in Lipothy∣mies, Syncopes, and other affects of the Heart, to strengthen and refresh the Spirits. The dose is from ten to twenty grains, more or less, in Cordial waters.

Sal Pectorale.

Take roots of Liquorish two pound, Florentine Flower∣de-luce,

Elicampane, and Marsh-mallows, of each a pound; roots of Comfry and Mallows, of each eight ounces; both sorts of the herb Lungwort, Horehound, Hyssop, Coltsfoot, Fluellin, Ground Ivy, Maidenhair, Scabious, of each four ounces; seeds of Fenil and Anise, of each three oun∣ces; flowers of Coltsfoot, Chamomil, and Hearts-ease, of each two ounces. From these being mixed, and well calcined, with Pectoral waters extract a most splen∣did Salt.

Virtue, Use, and Dose. It is excellent in Pectoral Diseases; for it doth attenuate thick, tough, and viscous Flegm gathered in the Lungs, and doth in∣large and cleanse the Breast. Moreover it provokes Urine, and purgeth the Reins and Ventricle. The dose is from ten to twenty and thirty grains in Pecto∣ral or other appropriate Vehicles.

Sal Stomachicum, or a Salt for the Stomach.

Take roots of Burnet two pound, Calamus aromaticus, white Ginger, of each a pound; Sea-wormwood, Water-Mint, Sage, Rosemary, of each half a pound; Quinces dryed, and Zedoary, of each four ounces. Calcine all in a close Vessel, and then add the ashes of the lesser Ga∣langal, and Cinamon, of each three ounces; ashes of Cloves, both sorts of Cardamoms, Nutmegs, round Pepper, of each an ounce. Mix them, and with Mint or other specifick Water make a Spagirick Salt according to Art.

Virtue, Use, and Dose. It wonderfully roborates and warms a cold Stomach; it helps Digestion, and Loathing of Meat. It is useful in all distempers of the Nerves; it quickens all the Senses, allays pains of the Head, preserves old people from Catarrhs, and gives ease in the Dropsie. The dose is a scruple, more or less, respecting both Disease and Patient, in specifick Vehicles.

Sal Epaticum.

Take roots of Agrimony two pound, roots of Chicory, and Scorzonera, of each a pound; bitter Costus, Eryngo, Turmerick, of each half a pound; Calamus aromaticus, Rhapontick, of each four ounces; Pontick Wormwood, Southernwood, Agrimony, Harts-tongue, Fluellin, Liver∣wort, Cascula, of each three ounces. These being mix∣ed, let them be calcined in a Reverberatory, then add ashes of Rhubard and Cassia lignea, of each an ounce and a half. Then with some Epatick or other con∣venient water draw a Spagirick Salt.

Virtue, Use, and Dose. It takes away the hardness, wind, and obstructions of the Liver, and dissolves the scirrhous Tumors there. It helps the ill habit of bo∣dy, and takes away dropsical Humors. It cures the Jaundice, and amends the ill colour of the Skin, moves the Terms, provokes Urine, and dissolves the Stone. The dose is from a scruple to two in appro∣priate Vehicles.

Sal Spleneticum, or a Salt for the Spleen.

Take Pontick Wormwood two pound, Carduus benedi∣ctus a pound, Rosemary, Harts-tongue, Fluellin, and Ceterach, of each half a pound; roots of both sorts of Fern, Calamus aromaticus, of each four ounces; bark of the Caper-tree Tamarisk, Ash, of each three ounces; flower of Chamomil, the lesser Centaury, Broom, of each two ounces. Bring all into Ashes, and with the di∣stilled water of the aforesaid Herbs extract a Salt ac∣cording to Art.

Virtue, Use, and Dose. It opens Obstructions, mol∣lifies and resolves the pains, tumors, and hardness of the Spleen. It is good for aged people, and those troubled with Quartan Agues. The dose is every morning from a scruple to half a dram in Harts-tongue water or other convenient Liquor.

Sal Nephriticum.

Take roots of Parsley and Restharrow, of each two pound; roots of Dropwort and Vervain, of each a pound; roots of Eryngo and Burnet, of each half a pound; Beans dryed, the cores of Medlars, of each six ounces; berries of Bays and Iuniper, Winter-cherries, and seeds of Gro∣mel, of each four ounces; Ground-Ivy, Fluellin, Hors∣tail, Fumitory, Strawberry leaves, of each three ounces; flowers of great Mallows, Elder and Broom, of each two ounces; seeds of white Lilies, of white Saxifrage, and Burdock, Barberries, of each an ounce and a half. Let all be calcined into white Ashes according to Art, to which add ashes of Lignum Nephriticum, of Peach∣stones and kernels, bitter Almonds, round Pepper, the lesser Galangal, white Ginger, of each an ounce; Nitre prepared six drams. Mix all, and with Rain-water make a most white Salt according to Art.

Virtue, Use, and Dose. It breaks the Stone, expels Urine and Gravel, and helps those that piss with diffi∣culty, and relieves those who are troubled with other distempers of the Reins and Bladder. The dose is from a scruple to half a dram in water of Resthar∣row, Parsley, Burnet, or Ground-Ivy, or any other other Specifick.

Sal Hydropicum.

Take of the whole Iuniper-tree cut small two pound, roots of Flower-de-luce, Elder, red Mugwort, and Dwarf-Elder, of each a pound; roots of Swallow-wort, Acorus, and Turmerick, of each half a pound; leaves and stalks of Pontick Wormwood, the lesser Centaury, Agrimony, Carduus benedictus, Bindweed, of each six ounces; flowers of Liverwort, Elder, and Broom, of each four ounces; seeds of Ash, Rocket, and Cummin, of each three ounces. All being mixed, let them be calcined in a Reverbe∣ratory, then add the ashes of Sarsaparilla, Cubebs, Rhu∣barb,

Nutmegs, and Mace, of each an ounce. Mix these Ashes, and with Elder-water make a crystal∣line Salt.

Virtue, Use, and Dose. It discusseth wind, and car∣ries away water, and is good in Dropsies of every kind; for it potently drys up the swellings of the Microcosmical Earth, caused by too much moisture. It corrects the ill habit of body, and exterminates all depraved Humors. The dose is from a scruple to a dram in appropriate Vehicles.

Sal Uterinum.

Take roots of Bryony two pound, roots of white Dip∣tamus, and Peony, of each a pound; Misleto of the Oak, Dwarff Elder and common Elder-berries, of each half a pound; Rosemary, Balm, Motherwort, Nep, and Penny∣royal, of each four ounces. Mix all, and calcine them to ashes, and with Balm water or any other appro∣priate Water extract a most white Salt.

Virtue, Use, and Dose. It opens all obstructions of the Womb, helps Convulsions, precipitates Suffoca∣tions and Fumes, and provokes the Terms. It re∣moves sterility, and takes away many other infirmi∣ties of those parts. The dose is from a scruple to half a dram in appropriate Vehicles.

Sal Carminativum.

Take Chamomil two pound, Pennyroyal, Mother of Tyme, Water-mints, and Dill, of each a pound. Let them be calcined according to Art into white Ashes, then add the Ashes following, i. e. ashes of Anise, Cum∣min, Caraway and Fenil seeds, of each two ounces; ashes of the lesser Galangal, white Ginger and Zedoary, of each an ounce. Mix all, and with Chervil-water make a most white Salt according to Art.

Virtue, Use, and Dose. It is excellent to discuss wind. It helps the Gripes, and allays all pain pro∣ceeding

from wind. The dose is from a scruple to half a dram in our Carminative water.

Sal Febrile.

Take Sal Armoniack divers times sublimed, Nitre prepared, Salt of Carduus benedictus, of Wormwood, and the lesser Centaury, of each an ounce. Dissolve them all in Succory-water, and make of all a most white Salt according to Art.

Virtue, Use, and Dose. It is a most excellent Alexi∣pyretick in Feavers of all kinds, whether Quotidians, Tertians, Semitertians or Quartans, &c. without danger. It is given from half a dram to a dram two or three hours before the Fit in Centaury-water or any other Specifick, expecting Sweat toward the end of the Fit: And the same dose is to be repeated, if the first or second dose doth not perform it.

Annotation. If any one proceeds so ingeniously, that from the forementioned specifick Compositions, he desires to prepare with the safe and secret Spagi∣••ists the Essential Salts, as they call them, let him ••ake the simple Herbs, or mixt with other Ingredi∣••nts, and being well dryed by a temperate heat, boil ••hem in common Water (according to Art) till all ••heir strength and native Salt is well excocted, (for otherwise his labour is in vain) then pour off the De∣••oction, and again boil that to the consistence of Ho∣••ey, or to the thickness of a Syrup; put that into a ••ery cool place, till it shoots into Crystals, which ••ake off, and purifie well by divers Solutions, Filtra∣••••ons and Coagulations, until it be fit for Physical ••se. This excellent Salt is also extracted from the ••uyce of Herbs made thick, concerning which see ••eguinus, Lib. 2. cap. 17. And do thou know, Rea∣••er, that three grains of these Essential Salts will be ••ore effectual than a scruple of the vulgar made by ••alcinations.