The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latin and compared with the French. by Tho: Johnson. Whereunto are added three tractates our of Adrianus Spigelius of the veines, arteries, & nerves, with large figures. Also a table of the bookes and chapters.

CHAP. II. Of the matter and form of Fornaces.

THe matter and form of Fornaces uses to be divers.* 1.1 For some Fornaces use to be made of bricks and clay, othersome of clay only, which are the better and more lasting, if so be the clay be fat and well tempered with whites of Eggs and hair. Yet in sudden occa∣sions when there is present necessity of distillation, Fornaces may be made of bricks, so laid to∣gether that the joints may not agree, but be unequal; for so the structure will be the stronger. The best and fittest form of a Fornace for distillation is round; for so the heat of the fire carried up e∣qually diffuses it self every way, which happens not in a Fornace of another figure,* 1.2 as square or triangular, for the corners disperse and separate the force of the fire. Their magnitude must be such as shall be fit for the receiving of the vessel. For their thickness so great as necessity shall seem to require. They must be made with two bottoms, distinguishd as it were into two forges; one below which may receive the ashes of the coals or the like other fuel, the o∣ther above to contain the burning coals or fire. The bottom of this upper must either be an iron∣g••••te, or else it must be perforated with many holes, that so the ashes may the more easi∣ly fall down into the bottom, which otherwise would extinguish the fire; yet some For∣naces have three partitions, as the fornace for reverberation. In the first and lowest the ashes are received, in the second the coals are put, and in the third the matter which is calcind or else distilled. The third ought to have a semicircular cover, that so the heat or flame may be reflected upon the contained matter. The lower partition shall have one or more doors, by which the fallen-down ashes may be taken forth, but the upper must have but one where∣by

the coals or wood may be put in. But in the top or upper part of the Fornace where it shall seem most fit, there shall be two or thre holes made, that by them you may blow the fire, and that the smoak may more freely pass out. But these-forementioned doors must have their shut∣ters, much like an ovens mouth. But in defect of a fornace or fit matter to build one withall we may use a kettle, set upon a treefoot, after the manner that we shall presently declare, when we come to speak of that distillation which is to be made by Balneum Mariae.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The matter the best for Fornaces.
• * 1.2

  A round form the best for Fotnaces.