A medicinal dispensatory, containing the vvhole body of physick discovering the natures, properties, and vertues of vegetables, minerals, & animals: the manner of compounding medicaments, and the way to administer them. Methodically digested in five books of philosophical and pharmaceutical institutions; three books of physical materials galenical and chymical. Together with a most perfect and absolute pharmacopoea or apothecaries shop. Accommodated with three useful tables. Composed by the illustrious Renodæus, chief physician to the monarch of France; and now Englished and revised, by Richard Tomlinson of London, apothecary.

CHAP. 2. Of Instruments necessary for the Shop.

THe Shops supellectuals, all which are either useful, or necessary, are almost innumerable: Those are useful, but more profitable, which are more expetible for their ornament, and greater splen∣dour, then their inservience; as many Silver vessels, which take much with the vulgar; and the Apothecaries may by this external shew, acquire that glory, which by their learning and skill they can∣not reach; and they are blamed by Hippocrates, who think this curious stuffe either odious or illiberal.

That same supellex is necessary, which serves either to repose Me∣dicaments in, as many: Earthen, Glassy, Argenteous, Stanneous, Plumbeous, Cupreous, and Brasen-vessels; for Syrupes, Sapes, Eclegms, Electuaries, Powders, Oyles, Salves, and Unguents: of which hereafter: or to prepare them; as, Marbles, Morters, Pe∣stels, of Wood, Stone, and Metals; Rudicles, Pots, Kettles, Basons, Dishes, Pottengers, Frying-pans, Frixories, Polishers, Files, Sieves, Stainers, Presses, Gauntlers, Weights, Tongs, Knives, Marble ra∣bles, manifold Alembicks, Refrigerative Chanels, called Scrpen∣tine

Lakes, in Fundibles, and many more, which it may be the Apo∣thecary will not use once in a year.

Chymists have yet besides these, some peculiar supellectils, which a witty fellow calls, The Instruments of Fallacy, and not of Pharma∣cy: but this I would speak of their abuse, and not of their use.

The appellation and form of many Pharmaceutrical instruments, are sooner known then their special uses; for every one knows Saws, Files, Hammers and Knives; but the Apothecaries use for these, is to scrape Boars-teeth, Ivory, Guaiacum; to attenuate them into dust, and levigate all such things, as cannot by attrition be pulve∣rated: but other artificers use them in the works of their Arts; as the Goldsmith, in making Rings, Bracelets, and vessels of Gold or Silver; the Blacksmith in making Nails; and all use Hammers, Anvils, and Tongs, to their peculiar works.

The Knives necessary for Pharmacopolies, must not be of one sort onely, but some greater then others, some oblong, others short, and others otherwise formed. The long and mucronated Knives, are much in use to scrape and purge roots; to divide and cleave the minute-boughs of wood, and caulicles of herbs: the shorter, which are not acuminated, but obtuse, whose backs are very crass, serve to cut Sugar into lumps; some whereof are very short, but broad, of a Lunar shape, like those wherewith Shoemakers cut their hides; wherewith some oleaginous seeds, and condited barks, which cannot be pulverated by a Pestel, may be cut small.

They serve also to divide Liquorice into small pieces, that it may ingrede the confection of common junkets.

There is also another Knife longer then the rest, whose point is reflected like a hook, which fastened upon another hook set in the table, will with much ease divide Wood and Roots, while its haft is pressed.

Yet all these varieties of Knives are not absolutely necessary in each Shop; for the same Knife which in the Kitchin cuts bread, may in the Shop divide Wax, and scrape Roots.