Pharmacopœia Bateana, or, Bate's dispensatory translated from the second edition of the Latin copy, published by Mr. James Shipton : containing his choice and select recipe's, their names, compositions, preparations, vertues, uses, and doses, as they are applicable to the whole practice of physick and chyrurgery : the Arcana Goddardiana, and their recipe's intersperst in their proper places, which are almost all wanting in the Latin copy : compleated with above five hundred chymical processes, and their explications at large, various observations thereon, and a rationale upon each process : to which are added in this English edition, Goddard's drops, Russel's pouder [sic], and the Emplastrum febrifugum, those so much fam'd in the world : as also several other preparations from the Collectanea chymica, and other good authors / by William Salmon ...

XXXI. Sal Decripitatum, De∣cripitated or calcin'd Salt.

Bate.] It is made by calci∣ning it in a covered Cruci∣ble, till the Salt has done crackling.

Salmon.] § 1. Some ad∣vise to put the Salt into an Earthen-Pot covering it, and then to put fire round about it (called Ignis rotae) that it may be red fire hot, so will the Salt crackle, and be re∣duced to pouder: then to continue the fire till the noise ceases.

§ 2. Lemery heats an un∣glaz'd Pot or Crucible red hot, and puts into it a Spoonful or two of Sea-salt, and then covers the Vessel, till the crackling is over, and the Salt falls into Pouder; which done he puts in more Salt, and continues the same Operation as long as need requires: the noise being over, and the P•••• taken out of the Fire and cool••••▪ ••e takes the Salt and keeps it in a Glass bottle close stopt for use that the Air may not enter in to moisten it a new.

§ 3. The reason of the crackling in the Fire is an inward Humidity, which being rarified by the heat of fire, and finding the Pores of the Salt very close shut up, it breaks through them with a kind of Impetuosity and Violence, and so causes that crackling noise.

§ 4. The use of this Salt is either Medicinal or, Mechani∣cal: its Medicinal use is, that being put very hot into bags, and laid behind the neck, it will open the Pores, and fa∣cilitate a Perspiration of the too much abounding Hu∣midity, of the Brain: and if a little Salt of Tartar be mixed with it, it will be made the more active.

§ 5. Its Mechanical use is for Refiners, who Regalize their Aqua fortis therewith, to make it able to dissolve Gold, thus, ℞ Of this Salt decripitated lbj. put it into a Retort and affuse thereon good A. F. or Spirit of Ni∣tre lbij. then draw off the Spirit in a Sand-heat, and keep it for use: But some only dissolve the Salt in the A. F. &c. without di∣stillation, which they e∣steem the stronger Prepara∣tion.

§ 6. Here is to be noted, that when you have occasion to make use of decripita∣ted Salt, it will be best to use that which is newly done,

lest it should be again moist∣ned with any new attracti∣ons of Air.