The works of the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esq., epitomiz'd by Richard Boulton ... ; illustrated with copper plates.

TITLE XVI. Of the Medicinal Virtues of Spirit of Hu∣man Blood inwardly used.

I Have been long apt to think, that the same peccant matter may produce several Distempers as its effects are diversified, part∣ly by its greater or lesser quantities, as well as more or less active qualities, and partly by the particular Natures, or Structures, and Sci∣tuations of the Parts that it invades; which seems to be favoured by the frequent Metasta∣ses of Morbifick matter in several Distempers, since the same Acid or sharp Humours some∣times occasion a Colick, sometimes after that a Palsey, at other times a Cough, a flux of the Belly, an Opthalmia, a Violent Head-ach, Convulsions, &c. As the peccant Humour falls upon this or that part, upon which ac∣count one or two Medicines may be able to cure several Distempers, especially if endew∣ed with any variety of active Virtues; and upon these grounds I am inclined to believe, that the Spirit of Human Blood may be a good Remedy in several internal affections of the Body; and indeed Volatile Alkalies in general have been so prosperously made use of in Physick, since the year 1656 as to in∣vite several Physicians to employ them instead of other Medicines, which clog and weaken the Patient, and want several advan∣tageous

qualities, which may be found in Vo∣latile Alkalies.

And indeed Spirit of Human Blood mor∣tifies Acid Salts, which occasion several Dis∣eases: It is likewise a great Resolvent, and fit to open Obstructions which produce not a few Diseases; it is also Diaphoretick and Di∣uretick, and able to discharge several noxious Salts, and to expel several Malignant and Con∣tagious Particles of matter. It resists Putre∣faction and Coagulation; and gives a brisk∣ness and Spirituousness to the Blood, which promotes free Circulation, upon which account it is a good Cordial and an Antidote against some Poysons: It is ve∣ry friendly to the Genus Nervosum, and to cure its Distempers, and Balsamick in some sort of Asthams, it neither causes great eva∣cuations, nor does it clog the Stomach; or is disadvantageous in any manifest qualities. And it may likwise be very good in such cases as Spirit of Sal-Armoniack hath been found successful in. Helmont commends it in Epi∣lepsies, which he says, it will cure in Adult Persons: And I have known it cure an inve∣terate Consumptive Cough, and a very bad Head-ach, which had a long time baffled ve∣ry eminent Physicians. But besides the Virtues it hath when simply used, its Virtues may be enobled and diversified by a long digestion, or frequent Cohobations of the Spirit with the Oyls, Salt or Phlegm of the same Concrete; or, by uniting it with Acids, as Spirit of Nitre, or Vinegar; Verdigrease, Oyl of Vi∣triol,

&c. either used in a Liquid form, or when reduced by evaporation into Crystals.

Or the Virtues of it may be enobled, by u∣niting our Spirit with Metalline Solutions, as of Gold, Silver, or Mercury; and with Solutions of Minium made with Spirit of Vinegar; by a Mixture of which Liquor and a slow evapora∣tion of them, I have obtained finely shaped Crystals.

Or, again either by uniting with it Sulphur opened with Salt of Tartar; or by dissolving in it Metalline Bodies, as Copper, Zinke, and Iron. Or by adding about a double weight of Alcohol of Wine; for these Liquors being shaken together, will in a very great measure coagulate into a Salt, which will retain a con∣siderable degree of quickness and penetrancy. And why such Salts as these should not be ef∣ficacious I see no reason, since such a kind of a Mixture, tho' made with another Urinous Spirit hath had extraordinary effects in Fevers. nor is the Liquor this Salt leaves behind useless in Medicine when well dephlegmed.

But this Spirit may be rendered still more commodious, if impregnated with essential Oyls; and by that means several Oyly Volatile Salts may be produced, which may be useful in peculiar Distempers, as those Oyls respect this or that part in their Medicinal Virtues.