Nine books of physick and chirurgery written by that great and learned physitian, Dr Sennertus. The first five being his Institutions of the whole body of physick: the other four of fevers and agues: with their differences, signs, and cures.

THE FIFTH BOOK, PART III. SECT. II. Of Operations necessary for the preparation, and composi∣tion of Medicines.

CHAP. I. Of the parts of Pharmacopoeia.

THE whole art of an Apothecary may be divided in∣to two parts, whereof the first handles the operations by which the Apothecary obtaines his desired end, and whereof oftentimes in the preparation of one Medicine they are more, and the same are required in divers prepara∣tions; The other teacheth, to prepare certain remedies by those operations, and to reduce them into a certain form, and when it is needful, to joyn and compound many of them. To the former part belongs Chymistry in some measure. But since, that is largely spoken of in the tract of consent and dissent of Chymicks, and Aristotelians, as also in the Institutions, I am unwilling to repeat those things here in this compen∣dium.

CHAP. II. Of the kinds of heate.

AS for what belongs to operations, and performances, since all Apothecaries whatsoever have need of heat and fire, as being the most common and usefull Instru∣ment, first let us treat of heare.

But in heate in the first place, the degrees thereof are to be considered and the manners, of adding of fire; the de∣grees of heate in generall and absolutly are accounted foure; The First is that which appears pleasing and milde or gentle; the Second is that which is quicker and allmost not to be endured by the hand; the Third destroyes, the Fourth is the highest: but every of these degrees have a great latitude, and therefore not undeservedly every degree may be divided againe into its degrees, in rightly shewing wher∣of much discretion is required, but for the most part tis bet∣ter to erre in defect, then in excesse, for if any thing be once corrupted by the violence of the fire, it cannot be re∣stored to its selfe againe, and oftentimes glasses are corrup∣ted, and other dangers are accumulated, but if there be any error in defect, by continnance and increafing the degree of heate, it may be recompenced, although the time of operation be prolonged.

But the degrees of heate may be made up divers wayes, and depend on divers causes, the cheife whereof we will propound. For first fire may be used divers wayes and manners, for sometimes the matter with a fit vessell, or without a vessell, naked and open, is put to the fire, which again is done severall wayes, for either it is circular, which in plaine incompasseth the vessells and is removed from a distant place by degrees neerer to the vessell, untill at length, 'tis heaped up over the vessell, or else the vessells are put in a fit furnace or the fire is made above the vessel Re∣verberatory, or striking back when the flame is repercussed by the cover, or doore of the furnace, it strikes as it were the matter, and so it flyes round every way.

At other times the matter with its vessell is not exposed to the open fire, but is setagainst another body intervening, and that divers wayes; for first, if a pot to put sand or such

like matter into, put on a vessell standing on a Trivet con∣taining the matter to be prepared, be empty, tis most conve∣niently called a dry Balneum or a dry Stupha, but if the vessell be not empty, a various heate according to the va∣riety of matter which is put in it, may be afforded, and may be called by severall names; if it be filled with water and the vessell together with the matter to be distilled, be set into the water; it is simply called Balneum Maris or Mariae; a Bath also may be prepared not only of water but of the saw-dust of sawed wood or Hay filling the vessell and then moistning it, and so cover it with a glasse, but if the vessell with the matter to be elaborated be not set in water, but be so placed, that it may receive only the vapour of the heated water, it is called Balneum Vaporosum, afterwards let the pot be filled with the dust of Bricks, with Sand, Saw∣dust, the filings of Iron and such like.

Secondly, the moderation or governing of the heate, de∣pends on the store of fuell, the quantity whereof in the kindled coales, the Artist can at pleasure abate or increase, or make it how he please, and that either by the plenty or want of coales, or by the more free eventilation of Aire, and the shutting out interception of the same; for a greater quan∣tity of coales make a greater and stronger heate, if they can by the fuming of the Aire, and by opening of breathing holes, be kindled, all which may be better shewne then des∣cribed.

Thirdly, for the variation of the fire, the dishes com∣monly called Cappellae do make it according to their various distance from the fier; for if they are moved neerer to the fier it is increased, but if further off, the heate is remitted.

CHAP. III. Of the first rank or forme of operations of Breaking, Sleeking, or making plaine, Shaving and File∣ing.

NOw for what belongs to Workemanship and opera∣tions, although all these may seeme to be referd to conjunction and separation, yet it pleaseth us in this place according to our purpose to reduce them into three formes,

and to comprehend them in the three following Chapters, In the first we may contain those operations which pertain to the dissolution and corruption of a thing; In the second we will put in those things which are separated, and the detra∣ction of any thing, In the third, we will explain those which are appointed for the alteration, immutation, perfection, and preserving of a thing.

In the the first rank are breaking, or grinding, shaving, sleeking, filing, melting, or dissolving, drayning, burning, turning into ashes, or incineration, calcination, praecipita∣tions, fumigation, putrifaction and fermentation.

As for breaking or grinding, the chief end thereof is, that things may reduced into their smallest parts; that afterwards they may the easier, and more exactly be mixt with others, and their vertue may be drawn out.

Sleeking, or levigation, is nothing else then a most exact breaking or grinding, whereby some Medicine, red marble, or some other polite stone, a convenient liquor being powred in, or else without liquor, tis so long wrought with a little kind of Mil stone, by the turning of the hand, that it is re∣duced into the form of fine flower, and wonderful smal dust, in that manner painters use to prepare their colours.

Next to these are Section, Shaving, and Filing: Leaves, Staulks and rootes of plants, are cut with Scizzers, or Knives, and by this means they are prepared, for boyling, infusion, or grinding, other things are shaved, or lessened by a turn, as woods, horns, hoofs, or nails, teeth of living creatures, for the same purposes. But those things which can neither be lessened by cutting or breaking, should be filed with an iron File, and reduced into the smallest parts, such like are most met∣tals, as iron, and others, and also woods, horns, and bones of Animales.

Melting is a reduction of harder things, into a more liquid substance. Dissolving differs not from this, unlesse because that is done alwaies by the benefit of heat, and for the most part without adding of moisture; but this is alwayes done with moisture, and oftentimes without heat, so they melt fat, butter, marrow, wax, Pirch••osin, certain kinds of gummes, as also mettals by a greater strength of fire, but for the most part with powder added that they may the better run; all kinds of salt, are dissolved teares, juices, many kinds of gummes, Rosins.

Drayning or dissolving is a peculiar sort of solution when a body is made fluid, by moist aier, which insinuates it self into it, so salts, allome, nitre, and such like melt, all which turn into liquor, also lyme, or chaulke, of which the greatest part are dissolved into liquor, or some thing of them onely melt, according as they contain more or less salt. To these belong burning, and torrifying, yet they differ in this, that these are performed with the lesse, they with the greater fire, whence, in tosting things are rather dryed, then burnt, and if any thing be burnt, tis the out-side, but in burn∣ing as well the internal parts, as those on the outside are burnt together. This drying is performed in a Platter, or Frying pan, especially of iron, wherein medicines put to the fire may often be stirred about, that either the superfluous hu∣miditie may be consumed, or the qualitie that abounds in the medicine may be taken away, but burning, when any medi∣cine, as harts horn, mans skull, ivory, oils inclosed in a pot∣ters furnace, are burnt, and being burnt, and as yet hot are ex∣tinguished in a convenient liquor, and afterward rubbed, or crumbled to dust.

Cinefaction, or a reduction into ashes, is so called when the moisture, which was in the combustible matter, by which the parts hung together, is consumed by the fire, which is per∣formed, two wayes; First, the fire being opened the thing it self is cast in naked, and is reduced into ashes, moreover in a Vessel that is closed, matter is burnt and turned into ashes, which combustion differs from the former in this, for in the former, whatsoever is volitile flyes into the ayer, but in this some volitiles are retained, and fastned with the fixed.

Calcination is a pulverisation of a thing by fire caused by the privation of the moisture of the part joyned with it. This principally takes place in minerals, and mettals, and other things which of themselves do not burn, and are more firmely united, and tis appointed either that a thing may be made the fitter for solution, or to lose the acrimony, which it hath, although on the contrary some things become the sharper for burning whilst the aqueous humiditie, whereby the acri∣mony is occasioned is consumed by fire. But this is perform∣ed two wayes, either by actual fire, when things are fired, and the bond of continuitie is broken by actual fire; or by poten∣tial fire, when things to be calcined, are corroded, by strong and corrasive waters, and other causticks.

That calcination, which is made by actuall fire is againe various, for some things are calcined by themselves, and without any addition, but other things, with additamen∣tents, which either prohibit the fusion, or else burne and corrode.

But that calcination in particular, which is made and corrasive powders mixt therewith, is called Cementing, and tis performed when a crucible is filled with thin plates of mettall, and corrasive powders, one ranke above ano∣ther, First Plates, then Powders, then Plates, then pow∣ders, &c. As the manner is in doing, after the crucible is exposed to a circular fire or Reverberation by degrees, yet some things are extinguished first by certaine waters, be∣fore they are calcined, some are corroded first by their own waters and afterwards are Reverberared; on the contrary some things are Reverberated first, afterwards corro∣ded.

Calcination which is done by potentiall fire is finished by corroding, precipitating, or Fumigation. Corrosion is a so∣lution of mettalls, or such like by waters and sharpe spirits Precipitation is when a mettall descends to the bottome, in the likenesse of Chaulke, and is seperated from the water that dissolves it; but Fumigation is when some body is corroded and brought into a body like chaulke, by the ex∣halation, or vapour of a corroding thing.

Hitherto pertaines Amalgamation, which with the Chy∣mists is an operation which is nothing else then a corrod∣ing of mettalls by Quick-silver and Mercury.

Lastly putrifaction, which others call Fermentation, and digestion, is that operation whereby a mixt body is someway dissolved by a moist heate, and losing its natu∣rall juncture, or Union, is rendred the more fit for artificial seperation.

CHAP. IV. Of the second ranke or forme of operations.

TO the second forme of operations we refer those things, which are imployed in seperation and detracti∣on of any thing; and in seperation of Homogenialls from

Heterogenialls, of pure from impure, of Profitable, from unprofitable, such are fifting, washing, infusing, boyle∣ing, straining, fumeing, Clarifying, Filtring, Digestion, Expression, Distillation, Sublimation, Exsiccation, Eva∣poration, Exhalation and Coagulation.

Sifting is not only a seperation of things beaten, and brought into powder, of the finer part from the thicker, by meanes of the seive, but also for the most part, a casting of moist and boyled things through a haire seive.

Washing is not appointed for that end only, that medi∣cines defiled may be cleansed, but that some superfluous quality may be taken away from the medicine, or a new, may be introduced.

Infusion is nothing else but a steeping of a medicine in some liquor, whereby the medicine may be moistned within and without, that its force or strength may be drawn out, or increased, or its malignity corrected, or that which is hard may be softned.

Next to infusion, is boyling, or seething, which differ only in this, that medicines in infusion are moistned with longer time and lesse heate, but by boyling tis performed sooner and with greater heate.

Straining is that whereby moist things, either first heat∣ed, as the thicker and more viscid things, or lukewarme or eold, as those that are thinner, are cast through a thick, or thin strayner, the thicker parts and dregs being left be∣hind in the strainer, they become the purer.

Scumming is when during the time of seething the froath swimming on the top, is often taken away with a spoon, for the most part perforated.

Clarifying, although it may be taken in general for any sort of separation of filthy, and thick things, which may be per∣formed many wayes, either by standing still whilst the secu∣lent matter, descends of its selfe to the bottome, and settles or by straining, or by froathing, yet principall with the Apothecaries, Clarification is that purification of things boyled by despumation, having added the white of an egg, namely whilst the white of an egg is beate with a Spatula, or spoone, untill it come into froath, and afterwards is ming∣led with the Syrup or decoction hot to clarify it, and when it hath contracted any blacknesse tis taken away, and a new is put in so often till the liquor become cleare.

By Filtration, or straining through a brown paper, that which is thick and faeculent, mixed or confused in any li∣quour is separated, namely whilest the pure liquour descends through the strainer, whether it be a linnen ragge or brown paper, into the Vessel that is under it, but the impuritie is left in the strainer.

Digestion, although sometimes it signifie putrifaction, sometimes a certain exaltation, and circulation, since that in general, to distribute or dispose in order, is to concoct, and digestion is concoction, yet in this place, by digestion, we understand such a conction only whereby that may be se∣perated, which is as yet foule in things, whilst the substance of the liquour is attenuated, and separated from its earthy impuritie.

Hereunto belongs Expression, by the benefit whereof by a strong endeavour, either with the hand alone or with a presse, we separate the liquid and moist from that which is dry and earthy.

Distillation is nothing else, but a collection of exhalations elevated by heat, out of something exhalable, by the help of a Vessel, and receptacle, thick, and cold into a liquour.

This is commonly accounted threefold, the one is that which is by ascent, the other is that which is made by the sides, the third is that which is made by descent.

By ascent Distillation is said to be, when the exhalations and vapours ascend upward, from the Alembick, or the head of the Furnace. And the Vessels which contain the matter to be distilled, the head being put on in it, tis condensed into a liquour, which distills drop by drop through the beak or nose into the receiver, and it is gathered together. This is performed, either by the Sun beams or by fire, sometimes ly∣ing open, sometimes not manifest, namely some other body intervening, as sand, ashes, water, &c.

Hitherto also may be referred conveniently Distillation by a Glasse like a ball so called, whereby oil of sulphure is pre∣pared, namely when the brimstone is kindled, glasse, ham∣mers receives the vapours, and condense them into oil.

Distillation to the sides, or else it is called by inclination, when the exhalation, and spirits do not ascend straight up∣wards in the Alembick, but tend towards the receiver by the sides and obliquely, This is performed either when the fire is opened to it, or when some other body comes between, as sand, ashes, &c. By a Vessel which they call a Retort, or a

Straight gourd, yet placed oblique in the furnace, that the Alembick may incline downwards.

Distillation by descent is when a liquour, is not carried upwards, from the dissolved exhalations, nor to the sides; but tends downwards, and drops into the supposed Vessel. This again is performed, the Vessel lying immediatly on the fire, or sand, ashes, &c. intervening.

To distillations belongs Rectification, or Cohobation, whereof that is no other then a repeated distillation of a thing, to purifie and exalt it the more, the dreggs being left in the bottome, or to seperate the phlegme from oil, or the spirit from phlegme, but this is said, when the humour which was distilled, is powred off, and again, and again, is drawn, and distilled in the same Vessel, where the matter was left.

Sublimation, which is performed sometimes by fire that is open, sometimes by some intervening body, as Sand, Ashes, &c. Tis the nearest to distillation by ascent and differs from it only in this, that as in distillation vapours, which are exalted, come together into a liquour, so in sublimation exhalations ascend dry, and being carried up on high, stick to the sides of the Alembick like attomes.

Praecipitation seems to be contrary to this, which is done when bodies dissolved by waters and corroding liquours, are again separated from the liquour, that the form of chaulk or dust may remain, which commeth to passe, when any thing is cast or powred into the solution, by whose force the dis∣solving liquour, or that which was the cause of solution in the liquor, is seperated from the dissolved body.

By Exsiccation the superfluous moisture is taken away, whether in the shade, or in the Sun, or whether it be done in an Oven, or in a Frying-pan over Coales, both for that the Medicines may the better be preserved, and may not contract thirst by their superfluous humidity, and putrifie, and be cor∣rupted, and also, that they may the easier be contained, and made into powder.

By Evaporation the aqueous humidity expires, as by exha∣lation, dry exhalations are elevated by heat, as that which is superfluous in the thing being dissolved into vapours and ex∣halations may go out, and the more useful part only may be left.

To these operations is added Coagulation, which is no∣thing else but a reduction of a liquid thing to a sollid sub∣stance by the privation of moisture.

CHAP. V. Of the third manner of Operations.

THe third forme comprehends those operations which are appointed them, for alteration, immutation, and per∣fection of a thing, and aime at this, that a thing may be reduced to a better state and more noble degree. But al∣though some do reckon more such operations, and perhaps there are more, yet in this place all of them are properly called by the name of Digestion, and as it is distinguish∣ed from the two higher kinds of digestion, whereby a new quality of a thing newly elaborated, is introduced, so that if the thing containes any thing that is hurtfull, it puts a∣way that, or if any thing is wanting to it, it begets that; and if there are any others to be here repeated, they ought to be accounted for certaine wayes of Digestion; For all of them for the most part, in the same manner by a gentle ex∣ternall heat, exciting the internall force of a thing are per∣formed, which here is the primary agent.

But amongst the manners or kinds of digestion, the cheife is Circulation, tis called by some Pelicanation, from the vessell wherein it is performed, where by a gentle ex∣ternall heat being exhibited, the matter which is circula∣ted, is exalted continually in the forme of vapours, and is againe condensed, and so by that continuall concoction and this circular motion of refolution and condensation, it at∣taines to the highest degree of perfection in its kind.

Hitherto belongs conditing, preserving, and confecting; fruits, flowers, roots, are condited or pickled with Honey, Sugar, Vinegar, Salt, not onely that they may be preser∣ved the longer, but that they may be the more pleasant to the taste.

In confecting, fruits, roots, seeds, sweet smelling spices, are preserved and candied with Sugar, more for the taste sake then preservation, or augmentation of the strength.

Nutrition of medicines is a certaine humectation, but such whereby the thing is presently wet, or moystned, and im∣mediately dryed againe by the Sun or fire, and is to be wet and moistened againe; which labour is to be repeated thrice, sour times, or so often until the medicine hath suffici∣ently imbibed that humour which we desire.

Notes

• The art of an Apothe∣cary.
• The de∣grees of heate.
• How they may be va∣ried.
• A dry Bath.
• Balneum Maris.
• In the in∣stitutions Chap. 3•• 4.5.6.7. The kindes of opera∣tions Phar∣maceuti∣call.
• Tritura.
• Laeviga∣tio.
• Cutting Shaving Filing
• Meltings Dissolving.
• Deliqui∣um.
• Burning. Toasting:
• Burning to askes.
• Calcining.
• Cementing.
• Corroding.
• Precipita∣tion. Fumiga∣tion.
• Corroding of mettalls by Quick-filuer. Putrifacti∣on.
• In the In∣stitutions Chap. the 8.9.10.11.12.13.14. the se∣cond forme of opera∣tions.
• Sifting.
• Washing.
• Infusion.
• Seething.
• Straining.
• Scumming.
• Clarifying.
• Filtring.
• Digestion.
• Pressing.
• Distilla∣tion.
• Distilla∣tion by as∣cent.
• Distilla∣tion by a glass.
• Distilla∣tion to the sides.
• Distilla∣tion by descent.
• Rectifica∣tion.
• Sublima∣tion.
• Praecipi∣tation.
• Drying.
• Evapora∣tion. Exhala∣tion.
• Coagula∣tion.
• The third forme of operations.
• Digestion.
• Institution Chap. 15. and 16. Circnla∣tion.
• Conditing.
• Confecting.
• Nutrition.