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Title, II. Of the sorts of Medicaments and their Differences.
Chap. I. Of simple Medica∣ments.
MEdicaments considered in their sorts are variously divided: howbeit the cheif differences are those which are taken from their constitution, qualities, and virtues, the parts of mans Body, the Planets and Signs of the Zodiack, to which Magical medicaments may be added.
In respect of their Constitution, Medicaments are Simple or Compound. I cal those Simple, which are such as nature has produ∣ced, having received no composition by art, but go into the composition of artificial me∣dicaments: and they are Fossilia, Vegetabilia, Animalia, or Microsmica. Fossilia, are such medicaments as are fetcht out of the Bowels of the Earth. Under this kind are contained, I. Earths, which wil dissolve when water is pou∣red upon them, such as.
- 1. Argilla, potters clay, of very little, though some use in physick.
- 2. Chalke, useful in want of appetite. Terra Lemnia, of a red coler and fat, so that held in the mouth it seemes to be made of suec.
- 4. Bole Armeniack, or oriental Bole, which is counted best, if it wil presently rub in a mor∣tar to very fine pouder, and has no grittyness or sandiness in it. Red bole is the vulgar Bole of the Shops,
- 5. Cimolia, either the white or that enclineing to purple; being fat, and cold to feele to, it is best.
- 6. Terra Silesiaca, or strigensis, which Montanus found out.
II. Concrete or congealed juices, such as
- 1. Salt, whether it be Sal gem, or Sea Salt; the former of which is dug out of Mines, and being thrown into the fire, it does not crackle, but takes flame.
- 2. Nitre, as wel that of Dioscorides, of a rosie or white color, as the vulgar Sal Nitre or Salt peter so cald; the froath which by long boileing it sends forth, is termed Aphronitrum.
- 3. Allum, especially roche or rock allum. For the Alumen scissile, or leader alum, which is not sensible of the force of fire, and Catinum made of the ashes of the plant Kali, are not in use. 'Tis called stip∣terion.
- 4. Vitriol or Chalcantum, which is nothing else than a Coagulum of sulfurous, brazen or iron saltness. Se thereof Verbezius and Billichius in the first book of Chymical observations, Chap. 13. The white and na∣tive is counted best; when burnt, tis termed Colcothar.
- 5. Sulfur, which if it be natu∣ral, it is shineing and transparent like a Glow∣worme, of a light ash color without, and yel∣low within: if made by Art, it is very fat and greenish.
III. The several sorts of Bitumen, such as
- 1. Haphtha, strainings of Babylonian Bi∣tumen, fluid, white, extreamly apt to take fire.
- 2. Petroleum, as if you should say, oile out of a rock, which is gathered in the country about Modena in Lombardy.
- 3. Spermaceti, or a whiteish ambar, the Creame of the Sea. 'Tis collected in the Sea, being a fa••ty and branny foam thereof. Choose that which is white, fat, &c.
- 4 Ambar-greife, which is cast out of the Channels of the Sea upon the shoare, & growes hard by lying in the Aire. The best is of an Ash-color most fragrant, which being prickt with a pin, sweates out much fat moisture. That which is made by Art is commonly black, and put in water, grows quickly soft.
- 5. Succinum or amber, cal∣led citrine or yellow amber, Electrum, Carabe, is found in shallow parts of the Sea, and on the shoares thereof. The white is lighter, fra∣granter, and better; the yellow, is also good, if transparent, and if being rubbed it smel like Rosemary. See thereof Libavius.
- 6. Ga∣gates, jeat, is black, crustie, and ful of Bitu∣men; if set on fire, it flames, smells like bitumen, and so it is distinguished from pit coales.
IV. Stones, such as are.
- 1. Among the more precious sort.
- 1. The Smaragd, of which the Scytian is best, being of one color, and that a light Green.
- 2. The Sapphyr, which if it be of an azure color is best; if of a watrie color, 'tis of smal esteem. 'Tis found in Zeilan, Calcut and Pegu.
- 3. The Ru∣bine; of which there are four kinds. The true and best sort, is of the color of Indian Lac or Scarlet, the slightest are the Balassius and Spi∣nellus.
- 4. The granate, which is best if it have the color of a march violet, mingled with the red.
- 5. Sardius, which is common∣ly found at Sardis, and thence has its name; is most approved, when reddest.
- 6. Hemati∣tes