Ars chirurgica a compendium of the theory and practice of chirurgery in seven books ... shewing the names, causes, signs, differences, prognosticks, and various intentions of curing all kinds of chirurgick diseases ... : to which is added Pharmacopoeia chirurgica, or, The medical store, Latin and English ... / by William Salmon ...

CHAP. LXV. De FLORIBƲS.

I. Flores Sulphuris.

℞ SUlphuris vulgaris pulve∣risati libram unam, hic per se sine ulla additione sub∣limetur ex Cucurbita terrea in Ignem apertum artificiosa re∣posita, applicato Capitello vi∣treo, latissimo rostro; & leni Igne primò prodit Phlegma; secundò, aucto Ignis gradu, Flores sub forma Fumi in Ca∣pitellum ascendent; unde manu inter sublimandum saepius re∣moveri debent, ne nimis indu∣rentur: sublimentur Igne primò lento, sub finem fortiori pro∣cedendo, tamdiu donec totum Sulphur (relictis faecibus) sub∣limabitur in Capitellum: Flores Havissimos & levissimos, re∣moto Alembleo, cum Pluma∣ceolo collige, & serventur ad usum.

Pulmonici & Thoracici sunt; attenuant, incidunt, calefaciunt & siccant, Sudores movent; Alexipharmici, Bechici, & Vul∣nerarii sunt; Vulneribus, Ʋlce∣risque internis Pulmonum, Renum, aliisque partibus medentur. Pesti, Asthmati, Febribus ardentibus, Catarrhis, Morbisque Ʋteri con∣veniunt. Dosis, à scrupla una ad semidrachmam, plus-minus, cum Syrupo adapto, semel vel bis in diem.

II. Flores Bismuthi & Zinci.

℞ Bismuthi vel Zinci calci∣nati,

Salis Armoniaci, ana partes aequales; misce, & sublima, se∣cundum Artem, in Cucurbita forti.

Cosmetici sunt celebrati ad dealbandam Cutem; conferuntque ad Cutis vitia, Lichenes, Impeti∣genes, Lepram, &c. mixti sunt Olei de Ben, ad partem aequalem, pro usu.

III. Mercurius Sublimatus corrosivus.

℞ Salis communis libras duas, Vitrioli ad rubedinem calcinati libram unam & semis, Nitri purissimi uncias quatuor, Ar∣genti vivi libram unam, Mer∣curii Sublimati corrosivi unciam unam, Spiritus Aceti unciam semis; conterantur simul in Mortario lapideo per horam unam, doncc Mercurius planè dispareat; massam hanc Cucur∣bitae planae infunde, & in Are∣na impone: sublimetur tribus primis diebus Igne lenissimo, ita ut vix quicquam ascendat, nisi Aqua-fortis solùm, quae per Alembicum in Recipiens colle∣cta, ad usum servari poterit: quarto die augeatur Ignis, sic materia albissima in superficie faecum elevabitur, quae fractà Cucurbita, a faecibus facillimè separatur; Mercurium album sublimatum & corrosivum ad usum reserva; quò firmior & durior est, eò etiam melior est. Nota. Si lgnis nimis citò intenda∣tur, Mercurius sub forma pulveris sublimabitur, & altum petet, non tam corosivus, neque tam ponderosus. Vel sic, tempore brevissimo. ℞ Solutionis Mer∣curii in Aqua-forti factae partem unam, Salis communis partes

quatuor: misce, & per Retor∣tam vel Cucurbitam vitream, omnis Spiritus propellatur; post∣ea augeatur Ignis, & sic ascen∣det Mercurius corrosivus al∣bissimus, in usum reservandus. Haec Operatio quinque, vel sex horarum spatio perfici poterit, & aequè Corrosivum praebet Mercu∣rium. Temporibus antea, non nota fuit ista methodus, & jam Amstelodami conficiunt, & vendi∣tur pro duobus praetii prioris, tertiis.

Corrosivus & venenatus est, & si ad granum unam exhibeatur, Vomitum & Salivationes indu∣cit: Operationibus autem Chy∣micis, & Praeparationibus Medi∣cinalibus inservit.

IV. Mercurius dulcis sublimatus.

℞ Mercurii sublimati corro∣sivi optimè pulverisati uncias decem, Argenti vivi uncias se∣ptem & semis; misceantur in Mortario vitreo exactissimè, donec Mercurius vivus nullibi, sed plumbei coloris, appareat: mixturam Cucurbitae parvae sub∣limatoriae colli oblongi infun∣de, reponatur in Arena in Patella terrea, & lento Igne primò procedatur per semiho∣ram; postmodùm successivè augeatur ad incandescentiam usque, non vitreae Sublimato∣riae, sed Patellae terreae, id est, ad tertium Ignis gradum: sic ascendet Mercurius interdum ad summum Vitri, aliquando ad medium, Sacchari instar adhae∣rebit, faecibus in fundo relictis. Vitrum resrigeratum per me∣dium secetur Ferro ignito, se∣paraturque Mercurius albus & purus à faecibus. Teratur iterum

in Mortario vitreo subtilissimè, & per se sine ullà additio∣ne, denuò reponatur in recenti Phiala, & sublimetur sicut an∣tea; quo facto, Mercurium sublimatum, omnis acrimoniae expertem, ideoque dulcem di∣ctum, collige & serva ad usum. Aliter sic factum Opus. Recipe Argenti vivi uncias octo, Sa∣lis communis uncias sexdecim, Colcotharis Vitrioli quantum sufficit; misce, ac inde Phialae Sublimatoriae, & statim Ignis ei fatis fortis applicetur; assurgit Mercurius dulcis, qui per se iteratò sublimare possit. Nota, 1. Quò diutiùs laevigetur, eò magis albus fit pulvis, & eò citiùs etiam edulcoratur Mer∣curius. 2. Quò saepiùs sublima∣tur Mercurius, eò magis depo∣nit vim suam purgatricem.

Exhibetur cum aliis Purganti∣bas, ut Extracto Catholico, Seam∣monio, Trochisco Alhandal in sor∣ma Pilularum, à granis octo ad scruplam unam, vel semidra∣chmam. Blandè est purgans, Pi∣tuitam tenacem incidens & ex∣pellens; ac proinde in Gonorrhoea est Medicamentum praestantissi∣mum. Si per se sumitur, & ad scruplas duas Dosis extendatur, Ptyalismum seu Salivationem ex∣citare solet, ac in Morbo Venereo curando srequenter adhibent. Omnes in universo Corpore latitantes Humores attrahit, & fermenta∣tionem & praecipitationem satis magnaminducit; ideoque Attractivi & Stimuli loco, in caeteris Pur∣gantibus inservit; atque in Mor∣bis malignis & fixioribus, ut

Leprâ, Scrophulâ, Podagrâ, Lue Venereâ, Chiragrâ, Scorbutô, &c. plurimi est usûs; pro Vermibus Puerorum in bolo propinatur, à granis tribus ad sex; purgatque leniter per Alvum Humores serosos; unde cum alio Purgante adapto egregium est Hydragogum, Lymphae vitia corrigens. Externè Ʋlceri∣bus, Herpeti, Impetigini, Strumae, & partium Excoriationibus, im∣primis Venereis, medetur.

V. Cinnabaris artificialis.

℞ Sulphuris communis pul∣verisati unciam unam, fluat in Patella terrea super carbouibus, sine flamma, ne accendatu••; tum statim adde Argenti vivi uncias quatuor, agitentur per∣petuò Spatulà ferreâ, donec abeant in pulverem subnigrum, nec Mercurius ampliùs conspici possit; sic Mercurius erit ritè mixtus cum Sulphure: hanc massam redige in pulverem sub∣tilissimum, quod ex Retorta vitrea loricata in Igue aperto distilla; sic sesquihorae spatio, materia sublimabitur in collum Retortae, illudque totula sub forma grisea opplebit, aut sub∣rubicunda, quae tamen mox trita, rubicundissima evaderc possit, diciturque Cinnabaris artificialis: haec Cinnabaris in pulverem redigi, & adhuc semel eodem modo in Retorta nova sublimari, sic evadat rubicun∣dissima.

Curandae Epilepsiae, Morbis Ve∣nereis, Gonorrhaeae, Nodis, Tophis, doloribus nocturnis, aliisque Affe∣ctibus ex Fermento acido oriun∣dis, inservit. Intern! sumitur

à scrupla una ad scruplas duas, vel drachmam unam, pro multis diebus; externè, in Ʋnguentis & Emplastris, pro Ʋlceribus & Tumoribus inveteratis & mali∣gnis.

CHAP. LXV. Of FLOWERS.

1. Flowers of Sulphur.

℞ COmmon Sulphur in pou∣der lbj. sublime it by it self, without any addition, from an earthen Cucurbit in an open Fire, and conveniently placed, cover it with a Glass-head having a large beak; making first a gentle Fire, so will you have a Phlegm; then increasing the Fire, the Flowers will rise like Smoak into the Head, from whence with your hand in the time of sublimation they are often to be taken away, lest they crust or harden: begin at first with a gentle Fire, but towards the end increase it so long, till all the Sulphur (a few faeces only remaining) is subli∣med into the Head; which being taken off, with a Wing gather the pure yellow and soft Flowers, which keep for use.

They are Pulmonick and Pe∣ctoral; they attenuate, incide, heat and dry, provoke Sweat; are Alexipharmick, Bechick, and Vulnerary; they cure inward Wounds and Ulcers of the Lungs, Reins, and other parts. They are good against the Plague, Asthma, burning Fevers, Catarrhs, and Diseases of the Womb. Dose, à ℈ j. ad ʒ ss. more or less, with some proper Syrup, once or twiee a day.

2. Flowers of Tin-glass, and Zink or Spelter.

℞ Tin-glass, or Spelter, cal∣cin'd,

Salt Armoniack, of each equal parts; mix, and sublime, according to Art, in a strong Cucurbit.

They are a famous Cosmetick for whitening the Skin, and are good against the vices thereof, as Spots, Ringworms, Leprosy, &c. and are prepared for use, by mixing them with an equal quantity of Oil of Ben.

3. Mercury Sublimate corrosive.

℞ Common Salt lbij. Vi∣triol calcin'd to redness lbj ss. fine Nitre ℥ iv. Spirit of Vinegar ℥ ss. Quick-silver lbj. Corrosive Sublimate ℥ j. beat them together in a stone Mortar for one hour, or till the Mercury wholly disap∣pears; put this mass into a flat Cucurbit, which place in Sand: sublime the three first days with a very gentle Fire, so as scarcely any thing may rise, except an Aqua-fortis only, which coming by the Alembick is saved in the Receiver, and may be kept for use: the sourth day increase the Fire, so a white substance will arise upon the top of the faeces, which, the Cucurbit being broken, may easily be separated, and the white corrosive Mercury sublimate keep for use; which, by how much the firmer and harder it is, by so much also the better it is. If the Fire is increased too soon, the Mercury will sublime in the form of pouder, and will rise up high, yet will neither be so corro∣sive nor so weighty. Or thus, done in a shorter time. ℞ Mercury dissolved in Aqua-fortis one part, common Salt four parts; mix,

and thro' a glass Retort or Cu∣curbit force away the Spirit; afterwards increase the Fire, so will the Mercury ascend very cor∣rosive, and purely white, which keep for use. This Operation may be done in five or six hours time, and the Mercury be full as corrosive. In former times this method was not known, but now it is thus made at Amster∣dam, and is sold for two thirds of the former price.

It is corrosive and poisonous, and if it be given to gr.j. it induces Vomiting and Spitting; but is of use for Chymists, and making other Medicinal Prepa∣rations.

4. Mercury sublimed sweet.

℞ Mercury sublimate corrosive in fine pouder ℥ x. Quick-silver ℥ vij ss. mix them well in a glass Mortar, till the Quick-silver wholly disappears, and looks of the colour of Lead: put this mix∣ture into a small Cucurbit-subli∣matory, having a long neck; place it in Sand in an earthen Pan, and make a gentle Fire for half an hour; afterwards gradually in∣crease the Fire to a red-hot heat, (not of the Subliming-vessel, but) of the earthen Pan, to wit, to the third degree of heat: so the Mercury will rise sometimes to the top of the Glass, sometimes to the middle, having the resemblance of pure white Sugar, and sticking to the Vessel, the faeces remaining at bottom. The Glass being cooled, cut it in the middle with a red∣hot Iron, and let the white and pure Mercury be separated from the faeces. Beat the matter again

very well in a glass Mortar, which put again by it self without any addition, into a new Phial, and sublime as before; which done, the Mercury sublimate, (free from all manner of acrimony, and there∣fore called dulcis, or sweet) ga∣ther and keep for use. The Ope∣ration otherwise done, thus. Take Quick-silver ℥ viij. common Salt ℥ xvj. Colcothar of Vitriol q.s. mix, and put it into a Sub∣liming-vial, making a very good Fire of a sufficient heat; the Mercury will rise sweet, which may be sublimed alone by it self again. Where note, 1. By how much longer it is levigated, by so much will the pouder be more white, and by so much the sooner will the Mercury be sweetned. 2. By how much the oftner the Mercury is sublimed, by so much the more will it lose its purgative faculty.

It is given with other Purgers, as with Extractum Catholicum, Scammony, Troches Alhandal, in the form of Pills, à gr. viij, ad ℈ j, vel ʒ ss. it is a gentle Purge, cutting and expelling tough Phlegm; also, in a Gonorrhoea it is a very excellent Medicine: if it be given alone, or by it self, to a Dose of ℈ ij. it usually ex∣cites a Salivation or Spitting, and is frequently given in the French Pox. It attracts forth all the la∣tent Humors in the whole Body, and causes a very great fermen∣tation and precipitation of the same; and therefore serves as an Attractive and Quickner in other Purges; it is also of great use in malign and fixt Diseases, such as the Leprosy, Kings-Evil,

Gout, French Disease, Scurvy, &c. it is given in a Bolus, à gr. iij, ad vj. for the Worms in Children; and it purges serous Humors gently by Stool; for which reason, with other proper Purgers, it is a most excellent Hydragogue, cor∣recting the vices of the Lympha. Outwardly it cures Ulcers, Her∣pes, Ringworms, Struma, and parts Excoriated, chiefly from a Venereal cause.

5. Artificial Cinnabar.

℞ Common Sulphur in pouder ℥ j. melt it in an earthen Pan upon coals which flame not, lest it be kindled; then presently add Quick-silver ℥ iv. stir it conti∣nually with an iron Spatula, 'till it becomes a black pouder, and the Quick-silver can be no more seen; by which means the Mer∣cury will be well mixed with the Sulphur: this mass make into a fine pouder, which put into a glass Retort coated, and distil with an open Fire; so in an hour and halfs time the matter will be sublimed up to the neck of the Retort, and all the Sulphur will become a grey or reddish substance; which notwithstanding being af∣terwards beaten will become a deep red, and is called Cinnabar artificial: this Cinnabar being made into fine pouder, and once again in the same manner put into a new Retort to be sublimed, is made at length a most glorious red.

It is of good use in curing the Falling-sickness, Venereal Discases, the Gonorrhoea, Noder, Tophs, nocturnal pains, and other Disaffections arising from

an acid Ferment; inwardly, it is given à ℈ j, ad ℈ ij, aut ʒ j. for many days together; out∣wardly, it is used in Ointments and Emplasters, for inveterate and malign Tumors and Ulcers.