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℞ Very pure and dry Salt of Tartar ℥ j. Spirit of Vinegar ℥ iv. mix, and distil by Retort in Sand to driness; all the humidity which comes forth will be insipid like Water: for the whole acidity of the Vinegar will remain in the bottom, with the Salt of Tartar. Let the Fire go out, and the Retort being cold, affuse ℥ iv. more of Spirit of Vinegar, and distil again, even to driness; so will the humidity even now also come forth insipid like Water: Continue this distillation so long, (always affusing new Spirit) till at length the Spirit of the Vinegar shall come forth as acid as it went in: for then it is manifest that the Salt of Tar∣tar is sufficiently impregnated and saturated with the acid of the Vinegar. Dissolve this matter now again with rectified S.V. filter, and abstract to driness: so will you have in the bottom a substance fat and unctuous, like Butter or Balsam, and representing as it were many leaves; from whence possibly the name might come of Terra Tartari Foliata, Foliated Earth of Tartar.
It is a noted Digestive, cutting and attenuating thick Humors; and is profitably used in purging Potions, both as a stimulative and corrective. It is used by many as an universal Menstruum, and the Key of Chymical Arcanums. And is given inwardly, à ℈ss. ad ℈j. in some Vehicle proper for the obstructions of the Bowels.