Medicina practica, or, Practical physick shewing the method of curing the most usual diseases happening to humane bodies ... : to which is added, the philosophick works of Hermes Trismegistus, Kalid Persicus, Geber Arabs, Artesius Longævus, Nicholas Flammel, Roger Bachon and George Ripley : all translated out of the best Latin editions into English ... : together with a singular comment upon the first book of Hermes, the most ancient of philosophers : the whole compleated in three books / by William Salmon ...

CHAP. XLI. Of the Alchymie of Magnesia, Tutia, and other Minerals.

I. THE Sublimation of Magnesia and Tutia is the same with that of the Marchasite, for that they cannot be sublimed with∣out Ignition, having the same cause, the same Ope∣ration, and the same Gene∣ral method: likewise all imperfect Bodies, are subli∣med in the same order, with∣out any difference, except that the Bodies of the Me∣tals must have a more vehe∣ment fire than the Marcha∣site, Magnetia and Tutia: nor is there any diversity in Metaline sublimation save, that some need the addition of some other sub∣stance to make them sub∣lime or rise.

II. But in the sublima∣tion of Imperfect Metaline Bodies, no great quantity of the Body to be sublim∣ed, must be at once put into the bottom of the Ves∣sel, because much Metaline substance, holds the parts faster, and hinders the sub∣liming: also the bottom of the sublimatory should be

flat, not Concave, that the Body equally and thinly spread upon the bottom, may the more easily su∣blime in all its parts.

III. Such Bodies as need the admixtion of other sub∣stances, are Venus and Mars, by reason of the slow∣ness of their fusion: Venus needs Tutia; and Mars Arsenick, and with these they are easily sublimed, for that they well agree with them. Therefore their sublimation is to be made as in Tutia, and o∣ther like things, and to be performed in the same me∣thod and order, as in the former Chapter.

IV. Now Magnesia has a more Turbid and Fixed, and less inflamable Sulphur, and a more Earthy and fae∣culent Argent Vive, than the Marchasite, and therefore the more approximate to the Nature of Mars.

V. But Tutia is the fume of White Bodies; for the Fume of Jupiter and Ve∣nus adhering to the sides of the Fornaces where these Metals are wrought, does the same thing that Tutia does: and what a metalick Fume does not, without the admixtion of some o∣ther Body, neither will this likewise do.

VI. And by reason of its subtilty, it more pene∣trates the profundity of a Metaline Body, and alters it more than it does its own Body, and adhears more in the Examen, as by ex∣perience you may find: and whatever Bodies are altered by Sulphur of Ar∣gent Vive, will also neces∣sarily be altered by this, because of their Unity in Nature.

VII. To prepare Tutia. Pouder it very fine, and put it into and Aludel and by strong Ignition, or help of vehement fire, cause the Flowers to ascend or su∣blime, so is it prepared for use. It is also dissolved in Spirit of Vinegar, having been first Calcin'd, and so it is also well prepared.

VIII. Also it is certain, that many necessary things for our purpose, are ex∣tracted from Imperfect Bo∣dies, which need yet a far∣ther preparation, as first Ce∣ruse; which is thus prepa∣red: Wash it in Spirit of Vinegar, and separate it from its more gross parts; and the Milk coagulate in the Sun, and it is prepa∣red.

IX. Spanish White, Tin, Putty, and Minium, are pre∣pared after the same man∣ner, by dissolving them in Spirit of Urine, and then filterating and coagulating in the Sun as before.

X. Verdegrise is dissolved in Spirit of Vinegar, and rubified, being gently con∣gealed, with the soft heat of a gentle fire; and then it is prepared, and made fit for the Work.

XI. Crocus Martis is dis∣solved in Spirit of Vinegar, and filtred: This Red Wa∣ter being congealed, yields an excellent Crocus fit for use.

XII. AEs Ustum, or Cop∣per calcin'd, is to be ground to pouder, and washed with Spirit of Vinegar, after the same manner as we taught in the preparation of Ce∣ruse: So in like manner Li∣tharge of Gold and Silver: You may also dissolve these things again, and they will be purer: You may also use them either dissolved or congealed; this is a pro∣found Investigation.

XIII. Antimony is Calci∣ned, Dissolved, Filtred, Congealed, and ground to pouder, and so it is pre∣pared.

XIV. Cinnabar must be sublimed from Common Salt once, and so it is well prepared for use.

XV. The fixation of Mar∣chasite, Magnesia and Tutia. You must after the first sub∣limation of them is finished, cast away their foeces; and then reiterate their sublima∣tion,

so often returning what sublimes to that which remains below of either of them, till they be fixed, which must be done in pro∣per subliming Vessels.