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. V. Of what fashions the vessels for the distilling of waters ought to be.

FOr the distilling of any kinde of waters, two kinde of vessels are necessary,* 1.1 which are com∣prehended under this original name of an Alembick. They call one of them the body,

[illustration]

Of what fashion the vessels for the destilling of waters ought to be.

• A. Shews a brass kettle full of wa∣ter.
• B. The cover of the kettle perfora∣ted in two places to give passage fourth to the vessels.
• C. A pipe or Chimney added to the kettle, wherein the fire is contai∣ned to heat the water.
• D. The alembick consisting of his body and head.
• E. The receiver whereinto the distil∣led liquor runs.

or containing vessel, the other the head, that is, the cap or top wherein the ascending vapors are condensated or turned into wa∣ter. It is called the head, because it stands over the body, like as an head; from the head there comes out a pipe or nose whereby the distilled liquor flows drop by drop into the receiver, as you may see by the figure.

[illustration]

The effigies of another Balneum Mariae, not so easily to be removed as the former.

• A. Shews the vessel of Copper that contains the wa∣ter.
• B. The Alembick set in water.

But lest the bottom of the Alembick being half full, should float up and down in the water, and so stick against the sides of the Kettle; I have thought good to shew you the way and means to prevent that danger.

[illustration]

• A. Shews the vessel or glass-Alembick.
• B. A plate of lead whereon it stands.
• C. Strings that binde the Alembick to the plate.
• D. Rings through which the strings are put to fasten the Alembick.

You may distill the liquors of things by the vapor or steam of boiling wa∣ter, if so be that you be provided of Vessels and forms made after this following manner.

[illustration]

A Fornace with his vessels to distill liquors with the stream of boiling water.

• A. Shews the head of the Alembick.
• B. The body thereof, placed in a brass-vessel made for that purpose.
• C. A brass-vessel perforated in many places to receive the vapor of the water. This vessel shall contain the Alembick compassed about with saw-dust, not only that it may the better and longer retain the heat of the vapor, but also lest it should be broken by the hard touch of the brazen vessel.
• D. Shews the brass vessel containing the water as it is placed in the fornace.
• E. The fornace containing the vessel.
• F. A funnel by which you may now and then pour in water, in stead of that which is vanished and dissipa∣ted by the heat of the fire.
• G. The Receiver.

* 1.2Now for the faculties of distilled waters it is certain that those which are drawn in Balneo Mariae or a double vessel, are far better and efficacious, because they do not only retain the smell of the things which are distilled, but also the taste, acidity, harshness, sweetness, bitterness, and other qualities, so that they will neither savor of smoak nor burning; for the milde and gentle heat of a bath contains by its humidity, the more subtil parts of the plants that are distilled, that they may not be dissipated and exhaled, contrary to which it usually happens in things which are distilled by the burning heat of wood or coals. For these have a certain nitrous and acrid taste, savoring of the smoak of fire. Besides, they acquire a malign quality from the vessels out of which they are distilled, especially if they be of Lead, whence they contract qualities hurtful to the principal, vital, and natural parts.

Therefore the plants which are thus distilled, if they be bitter by nature, presently become insipid, as you may perceive by wormwood-water thus distilled. Those things which are distilled in Balneo Mariae are contained in a glass vessel, from which they can borrow no malign quality. Therefore the matters so drawn are more effectual and pleasing in taste, smel, and sight. You may draw waters not only from one kinde of plant, but also from many compounded and mixed to∣gether: of these some are alimentary, others medicinal, yea and purging; others acquird for smel, others for washing or smoothing of womens faces, as we shall shew hereafter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The parts of an Alembick.
• * 1.2

  Why those things that are distil••ed in Balneo Mariae retain more of the strength of things.