The method of chemical philosophie and physick. Being a brief introduction to the one, and a true discovery of the other. namely, of diseases, their qualities, causes, symptoms, and certain cures. The like never before extant in English.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the diseases of the middle of the bowels or Mesenterium of that part which is called Pancreas.

COncerning the tartar of the Mesaraical veins and the symptoms thereof read Paracels. lib. 3. pa∣ramir. de origine morbor. ex tribus principiis, & parag. lib. 1. de tartaro tractat. 2. cap. 3. Tartar is begot in all the cavities, passages and vessels of the whole body, as also in the Mesentery and mesaraical veins which are con∣veyed from the Belly to the Liver. Tartar being heapt and collected by daily nutrition and impression, at length obstructs the veins, whereby aliment may less be able to attract aliment from the Liver. These veins be∣ing obstructed, the Liver and parts of the body being de∣stitute of aliment, fall into pining and consumption. But when that tartar sends forth his flowrs (which are the poison of tartar, for in the tartar all the kinds of poi∣son are which are indued with malignant qualities) then they infect the vital Elements, from whence inflammati∣ons and other incommodities issue. Fernelius a most Judicious man writes thus of the mesenterium, and that which is called pancreas, lib. 6. de partium morbis & symptomatis, cap. 7. I affirm (saith he) and profess, that I have oftentimes marked the causes in these places of the choler, melancholy, Diarrhaea, dysenteria, cachexia, atro∣phia, languor of lingting and erring Fevers, and lastly of occult diseases, by whose expulsion and removal health is restored. Obscurity hath been a cause to many of ig∣norance, and why the affects of these parts are preter∣mitted and not celebrated in the writs of old writers. The* 1.1 tartar in the mesentery and mesaraical veins (which is often the cause of the phthisis, fever, inflammation, and most grievous diseases as well chronical as acute) is re∣solved,

reduced and consumed by true precipitated Mer∣cury; so also the confections of Antimony which works by vomit and stool. Little or nothing is effected by other medicaments in this case, the inflammation being present Diaphoreticks and such as corroborate nature and the vital Elements are to be administred, of which we have often spoken.

The said true precipitated Mercury prepare thus.

℞ pure crude Mercury, dissolve it in good Aquafortis (made with two parts Vitriol and one part Salt Peter) being all dissolved, distill off all the Aquafortis (at last with strong fire) and then put fresh Aquafortis upon the remaining Mercury, which also distill from it again, and so do the third time with fresh Aquafortis; so will the Mercury remain behind red as Cinaber, upon which pour a well rectified oil of Vitriol and distill it off strong∣ly again, then pour it on again and distill it off as before; thus cohobate with the same oil of Vitriol six times, and after that with good spirit of wine ten times, then with the distilled water of Bugloss and Borage dulcifie it: Lastly, neal it red hot in a crucible, and so is the true precipitated Mercury finished.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The cure.