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. LXV. Of the Alchymie of Saturn.

I. TO prepare Lead. Set it in a Fornace of Calcination, stirring it while it is in Flux, with an Iron Spatula full of Holes, and drawing off the scum, till it be converted into a most fine pouder: Sift it, and set it in the Fire of Calcinati∣on, till its fugitive and in∣flamable substance be abo∣lished: Then take out this Red Calx, imbibe, and grind it often with Com∣mon Salt cleansed, Vitriol purified, and most sharp Vinegar, which are the things to be used for the Red; but for the White, Common Salt, Common Alum, and Vinegar.

II. Your matter must be often imbibed, dryed, and ground, till by the benefit of the aforesaid things, the uncleanness be totally re∣moved: Then mix Glass therewith, and cause the pure body to descend, that descending (by means of a vehement heat) the pure body may be reduced.

III. Calcine it again with pure Sal Armoniack (as you do Jupiter) and most subtily grind and dissolve it by the way aforesaid, for this is the water of Argent Vive and Sulphur proportionally made, which we use in the Com∣position of the Red Elixir.

IV. Lead is a Metalick Body, livid, earthy, pon∣derous, mute, partaking of a little Whiteness, with much

paleness, refusing the Cine∣ritium, and Cement, easily extensible in all its dimen∣sions, with small Compres∣sion, and very fusible with∣out Ignition. Yet some Men say, that Lead in its own Nature, is much appro∣ximated to Gold; these judge of things, not as they are in themselves, but ac∣cording to sense, being void of Reason, and not con∣ceiving the Truth.

V. It has much of an Earthy substance, and there∣fore is washed, and by a Lavament converted into Tin, by which it appears, that Tin is more assimilated to the perfect. It is also by Calcination made Minium; and by hanging over the Vapour of Vinegar, it is made Ceruse. And tho it is not near to perfection, yet by our Art, we easily convert it into Silver, not keeping its Weight in trans∣mutation, but acquiring a new Weight, which it ob∣tains by our Magistry. It is also the Tryal of Silver in the Cupel, as we shall hereafter shew.

VI. It differs not from Tin, after repeating its Calci∣nation to the reduction there∣of, save, that it has a more uncleansubstance commixed of a more grose Sulphur, and Argent Vive, the Sul∣phur being more burning and adhaesive to the Argent Vive. It has a greater Ear∣thy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 than Jupiter, which appears by washing of it with Argent Vive; and more Faeculency comes from it by washing than from Jupiter, and its first Calcination is easier per∣formed than in Tin, be∣cause of its Earthiness: and because its foulness is not rectified as in Jupiter, by repeated Calcinations, it is a sign of greater impurity in its principles, and in its own Nature.

VII. Its Sulphur is not se∣parated from it in fume, but is of a Citrine Colour, of much Yellowness, the like of which is remaining be∣low at the bottom, which shews that it has much of a Combustible Sulphur in it, and because the Odour of

Sulphureity is not removed from it in a short time, it shews that it approaches to the Nature of fixed Sul∣phur, and is Uniformly commixed with the sub∣stance of Argent Vive. Therefore when the fume ascends, it ascends with the Sulphur not burning, whose property is to create Citri∣nity.

VIII. And that the quan∣tity of its not burning Sul∣phur is more than in Tin, appears for that its whole Colour is changed into Ci∣trinity, in Calcination, but of Tin into White: Whence the cause appear why Ju∣piter in Calcination is more easily changed into a hard Body than Saturn: the burn∣ing Sulphureity being more easily removed from Jupi∣ter than Saturn, one of the causes of its softness is re∣moved; whence (being Calcined) it necessarily fol∣lows it must be hardened: but Saturn, because it has both the causes of softness strongly conjoyned, viz. much burning Sulphur and much Argent Vive, it is not easily hardened.

IX. Bodies having much Argent Vive, have much of Extension, but such as have little Argent Vive, have little Extension. Thus Jupiter is more easily and subtily extended than Sa∣turn. Saturn more easily than Venus. Venus more easily than Mars. Luna more subtily than Jupiter. And Sol more subtily than Luna.

X. The Cause of Indu∣ration or hardening is fixed Argent Vive, or fixed Sul∣phur; but the cause of soft∣ness is Opposite. The cause of Fusion is also twofold, to wit, of Sulphur not fixed, and Argent Vive of what kind soever; Sulphur not fixed is necessarily a cause of Fusion without Ignition. This is evident in Arsenick, for projected on Bodies dif∣ficult to be Fused, it makes them of easie Fufion, with∣out Ignition: and the cause of Fusion with Ignition is fixed Argent Vive. But the Impediment of Fusion is fix∣ed Sulphur.

XI. From hence it ap∣pears, That seeing Bodies of greatest perfection, con tain the greatest quantity of Argent Vive: Those Imper∣fect Bodies holding more of Argent Vive, must needs be more approximate to the perfect — whence it follows, that Bodies of much Sul∣phureity, are Bodies of much Corruption.

XII. From hence it is e vident, that Jupiter is near to the perfect, seeing it par∣ticipates more of Perfection, but Saturn less; Venus yet: less, and Mars least of all. And as to the Medicines, compleating them, it is clear, that Venus is the most perfective of Medicine; Mars less, Jupiter yet less; and Saturn least of all.

XIII. Thus according to the diversity of Bodies, di∣versity of Medicines are found out: A hard Body, that can endure Ignition re quires one Medicine; but the soft, that abides not Ig∣nition another; that one may be softned and attenu∣ated in its profundity, and equalized in its substance; but the other hardned, and its occult parts inspissa∣ted.

XIV. There are three degrees which the Imper∣fect Bodies, chiefly Saturn and Jupiter must obtain, in order to perfection: First, Cleanness, or Brightness: Secondly, Hardness, or Densness, with Ignition in fusion. Thirdly, Fixation, by taking away their fugi∣tive substance.

XV. They are cleansed (viz. Saturn and Jupiter) in a threefold manner: 1. By Mundifying. 2. By Calci∣nation and Reduction: 5. By Solution. First, By things purifying they are cleansed two ways, either by reducing them into a Calx, or into the Nature of Bodies: reducing into a Calx, they are purified ei∣ther by Salts, or Alum, or Glass: Thus, when the Bo∣dy is Calcin'd, put upon its Calx, water of Alums, or Salts, or Glass mixed with it, and reduce it to a Body,

which so often reiterate till they look purely clean: For seeing Alums, Salts, and Glass, are fused with ano∣ther kind of fusion than Bo∣dies, therefore they are se∣parated from them, retain∣ing with themselves the earthy substance, the purity of the Bodies being only left.

XVI. Or thus. Let Sa∣turn or Jupiter be filed, and mix therewith Alums, Salts, and Glass, and then redu∣ced into a body, and this so often to be repeated till they be well cleansed: They are also cleansed by way of Lavement with Argent Vive, of which we have spoken before.

XVII. The second way of cleansing Saturn and Jupiter, by Calcination and Reduction with sufficient fire, where∣by they are freed from a twofold corrupting sub∣stance, 1. One inflamable and fugitive. 2. Another earthy and faeculent; be∣cause the Fire elevates and consumes every fugitive sub∣stance. And by reduction the same fire, divides every substance of earth, with its proportion: See Sect. 1, 2, 3. above.

XVIII. The third way of cleansing Saturn and Jupiter by Solution of their substance, and by reduction of that likewise, which is dissolved from them; for that solution reduced makes them more clean, than any other way or kind of preparation what∣soever, except that by Sublimation, to which this is equivalent.

XIX. Induration, or hard∣ning of their soft substance. This is done with Ignition in their Fusion, thus. With Saturn or Jupiter the sub∣stance of Argent Vive, or Sulphur fixed, or of Arsenick, must be mixed in their pro∣fundity: Or, they must be mixed with hard, and not fusible things, as the Calx of Marchasite, and Tutia, for these are united with, and embraced by them, and harden them so, that they flow not, till they are red hot. The same thing is al∣so compleated by our Me∣dicine

perfecting them, of which hereafter.

XX. Fixation, by removal of their fugitive substance. This is done by calcination in a fire proportional to their substance: In order to which, 1. All their corrup∣ting adustive substance must be cleansed from them as aforesaid. 2. Then their earthy superfluity must be taken away. 3. They must be dissolved and Reduced, or compleatly washed in a Lavement of Argent Vive. This is necessary and profi∣table.

XXI. Saturn is specially hardened by a Calcination with the Acuity of Salt, and by Talk it is especially deal∣bated, as also by Marchasite and Tutia. Calcine Saturn fluxed with common Salt putrefied, stirring it continu∣ally with an Iron Spatula, till it comes to Ashes. De∣coct it for one Natural day, and let it be a little Fiery hot, but not much; then wash it with pure clean wa∣ter, and Calcine it for 3 daies till it be Red both within, and without. If you would have it to be prepared for the White, Im∣bibe it with water of White Alum, and reduce it with Oyl of Tartar, or its Salt. But if you would have it for the Red, Imbibe it with the water of Crocus Martis, and of Verdigrise, and re∣duce it with Salt of Tartar as before: This work Rei∣terate as often as need re∣quires.

XXII. The Calcination of Saturn and Jupiter. Let a great Test (or Calcining Pan) be placed in a For∣nace, and put Saturn and Jupiter into it, with as much common Salt prepa∣red, and Roch Alum Cal∣cined: being in Flux, let the Metal be continually. stirred with an Iron Spatu∣la full of holes, till the whole be reduced to Ashes, which sift, and set chem in the Fire again, keeping them continually Red Fire Hot till the Calx of Jupiter is whiten∣ed or that of Jupiter is rubi∣fied as Minium.

XXIII. The Regimen of

Saturn and Jupiter for the White. Take Saturn purifi∣ed three Pound, melt or add to it clean or purified Mercury twelve Pound, stirring the whole that they may be mixed: This mixture put into a Bolt-Head of a Foot in Length, which place in the Athanor with a gentle Fre for a week. Take purified Jupiter one Poind, melt and add purified Mercury 12 Pound, doing in all respects as before with Sa∣turn. In this weeks time you will have a Paste dissolved, fit to be Fermented with the White Ferment, Thus.

XXIV. Take of the White Ferment one Pound, of the Paste of Saturn two Pounds, of the Paste of Jupiter three Pounds: These being dissolved, mix through their least parts, and set in putrefaction, (in a moderate Fire, like as in dis∣solution) for seven daies: Then take them out well mix∣ed and Strain or Squeeze their more Liquid parts through a Cloth: The thick Matter re∣maining, put into a Glass, Seal it well up, and place it in an Athanor for the time aforesaid, which do thrice, till it has Imbibed all the humidity. Then put the Vessel with its Matter into a Fornace of Fixa∣tion for twelve daies, which done, take it forth, and reduce it with things reducing; so will you find that which our Ancestors found not without great Study, viz. The Ge∣nerated, generating. Prove this upon the Cineritium or Cupel with Lead, and you will find the Body perfect in Whiteness, perpetually generating its like.

XXV. The Regimen of Saturn is also compleated, if being prepared and dis∣solved, (I suppose he means in his dissolutive Water, made of Nitre and Vitriol) it be mixed with a third part of its Red Ferment dissolved also; and then Di∣stilling off the Water, and Cohobating seven times. Re∣duce it to a Body, and prove it by its Examen, and you will rejoyce in the bountiful Body which is generated.

XXVI. White Medicines for Saturn: also solar Medicines for Saturn. Because the Me∣dicines, and the work are

wholly or altogether the same, as for Jupiter, and that in the Chapter of Ju∣piter we have explicitely and largely declared the matter, we shall refer you thither, saying no more thereof in this place, see Chap. 43. Sect. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. following.