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.

CHAP. IX. Of Tinctures, and Extracts, and liquid dissolutions.

AN Extract is nothing else but the pure essence of a thing separated from its grosser body by a fit menstruum (whence they are also called Essences by many) which whilst it is as yet in a more liquid substance, * 1.1 and joyned with the menstruum, it hath also the colour of the thing, and therefore is called a Tincture; alth ough sometimes they are called Tinctures also, when the essence of a thing is now separated from its menstruum which extracted it.

Essences or Tinctures that are liquid, * 1.2 are prepared ei∣ther of green Plants, or of Juices: when they are prepa∣red of green things, the Hearbs are bruised, and a little spirit of Wine is put in for the preservation of them, and the juice is pressed out, which being cleansed is called an Essence.

Those that are properly called Extracts are prepared of dryed Plants, from whence if the whole menstruum be not separated it is called a Tincture, or liquid extract: But menstruums, that is, Liquours exhibited for the drawing out of the essence of a thing are various, according to the diversity of the matter, and use; they of spirit of Wine, distilled Waters, Whey, Vinegar, and such like, are ex∣hibited.

In choosing a menstruam, first you are to consider whe∣ther you desire a liquid tincture, or an extract, or a thicker or grosser body: For if a liquid tincture be desired, a men∣struum is to be taken, which is of the same kind and facul∣ty: But if the menstruum ought to be separated, it is no matter, although it be of another kinde then the Tincture is of.

But since it is required in a menstruum that by the subtility of its substance it may penetrate the matter, and by its fa∣miliarity intice out the purer parts, and without spoyling and corrupting of the Extract it selfe, may againe be sepa∣rated

from it: Spirit of Wine may easily be esteemed the best amongst them, and take the first place; but May-dew, distilled Vineger, Spirit of Salt, of Turpentine, &c. are used also according as some present occasion may require.

If compound Extracts are prepared, * 1.3 and the simples be of divers natures, each of them severally, or those which are nearest one to the other, are drawn off by their Menstruum, and afterwards the Extracts are mingled.

The way of preparing Extracts is plain of it self, namely, the Menstruum is poured into the matter, that is beaten and poudred, which sometimes by the help of an external heat, when the essence of a thing is drawn out, and the Menstru∣um coloured enough, 'tis poured out, and another is put in, and that so often repeated, till all the strength and virtue is extracted; afterwards the Menstruum is separated by heat, which if it be not separated whole, 'tis called a Tincture or liquid Extract; but if almost whole, and of the consistence of Honey, 'tis called a simple extract; examples may be seen in the Institutions.

Nor are such Extracts as well liquid as thicker prepared simply alone, but also compounded: to these belong E••ixir, of propriety, purging Extracts, and universal purgers, Lau∣danum opiated.

To Extracts belong those Rosins also which are prepared of Scammony, Mechoacam, Jalep, and such like, containing in them a kinde of gummy substance.

Of Tinctures, of Gemms, Coralls, Metalls, as of Balsum of Venus, may be seen in the Institutions.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An Ex∣tract.
• * 1.2

  Essences.
• * 1.3

  The man∣ner of pre∣paring Ex∣tracts.