Doron medicum, or, A supplement to the new London dispensatory in III books : containing a supplement I. to the materia medica, II. to the internal compound medicaments, III. to the external compound medicaments : compleated with the art of compounding medicines ... / by William Salmon ...

The special Extraction of POTESTATES out of all things whatsoever, according to Para∣celsus.

53. The Extraction of the POWERS of Metals.

The seven Metals have one and the same Prooess, and it is this: Let the Mo∣tal be dissolved into Water, then afterwards must this so∣lution be distilled by a B. and be asstracted or drawn off, and putrisfied so long until it be reduced into an Oyl, which must be distilled out of small glass Cucurbits, by an Alem∣bick, and one part of the Me∣tal will remain in the bottom, the which let be again redu∣ced into an Oyl, as before, and be distilled so long, un∣til all the Metal shally as∣cend. Then let it be again putrified for a Month, and at length be again distilled with a gentle fire, and the Vapors will ascend first, and fall into the Receiver, the which Vapors remove: then there will ascend two obscure colors, one White, the other answerable to the nature and condition of the Metal, and when they shall be whol∣ly come over, they become separated in the Receiver: so that the POTESTATES remain in the bottom, and the white color of the Body swims on top: separate those two by a separating Glass, and put the POTESTATES into another Glass, and put upon it the best rectified S.V. which let remain so long therewith, until the S.V. be plainly acu∣ated, then let it be separa∣ted from the POTESTA∣TES, and more fresh be a∣gain poured on: this do of∣ten, till you perceive no more acuity or sharpness: at last pour on Water twice distilled, wherewith let it be washed, and brought unto its sweet∣ness, so keep it in a Glass close stopt for use. Thus have you the POWERS of Metals.

54. As for the white co∣lor of the Body, if you re∣duce it, you shall have there∣from a white maleable and metallick Body, the which cannot be known, as under what species or kind it is con∣teined. Many other ways are to be sound for the Ex∣traction of these POW∣ERS, which we shall be silent in, because we account them not for true Extraction of that kind, but only as Trans∣mutations, in which there is no extraction made or used.

55. Now this is to be un∣derstood, That Metalls are to be divided into two parts, viz. into their POTES∣TATES, and into their BO∣DY, both which are liquid and Potable, but will not be permixed together. But the impure body, turns forth the POTESTAS to its superficies, even as the Colastrum, or Cream is se∣parated from the Milk.

56. By this way are made two fatnesses or viscous li∣quors out of Metalls; the which liquors are to be sepa∣rated. As for the fathess of the BODY, 'tis always white, even of all the Metals: but their POTESTATES is co∣lored, even as we have ex∣plained it afore, concerning the seven Metals; and they likewise have the same Pro∣cess with the former.

57. The Extraction of the POWERS of Marcha∣sites.

Take a Marchasite ground most exceeding small lbj: of corroding or eating Water lbij: being permixt together in a Pellican, let them re∣main in digestion, two or three Months, and they will be reduced into a Liquor: Distil this Liquor by the Fire wholly, and it will come over in an Oyl, the which thou shalt putrify together in Horse dung for a Month; then distil it, as you did the Metals, and there will likewise two colors ascend, as did from the Metals; one color white, the other the true color of the POTESTAS: leave the white, except it be of Bismuth, or a white Mar∣chasite, and then you shall know them from each other by the thickness. Take the undermost, and reduce it

to its sweetness, as was afore spoken of the Metals: so hast thou the POWERS of Mar∣chasites in all purity.

58. Where we speak of the corroding or eating Wa∣ter, understand Acetum, mixed with Spirit of Wine, and such a Spirit as being often abstracted from the Spirit of Sal-Niter, becoms an Acetum. The fixt Ele∣ment of Marchasites are to be dissolved, therein to be pu∣trified and elevated by an A∣lembick, and then at length to be corrupted or broken with the Spirit of Wine, that the Impure may fall to the bottom, and separate it self from the Pure.

59. There are also vari∣ous ways to be found, as to the Extraction of the POW∣ERS of Marchasites, but yet we cannot in the least account them for true PO∣TESTATES. And al∣though they be of greater Virtues than the POTE∣STATES, as we teach of Arcana's, Magisteries and Elixirs: yet notwithstand∣ing the way and manner that we here use, in Extracting the POWERS of all Meta∣line Marchasites, is like to the true extraction of the Metals.

60. And whereas we said before, that the POTESTAS is the most supream Virtue of things; and do yet for all that aver the contrary in Arcana's, viz. that they are greater than POTE∣STATES are; the rea∣son is this, because all Ar∣cana's contain in them the said POTESTATES, and are exalted farther to such an acuity and subtilty, that they do receive thereby a far greater Virtue than the POWERS have.

61. The Extraction of the POWERS of Salts.

Take Salts, the which you must calcine excellently well: but if they be Volatile salts, burn them; afterwards let them be resolved into a Te∣nuity or thinness, and be di∣stilled into a Water. Put this Water into Putrifaction for a Month, and distil it by a Balneo, and there will as∣cend a sweet Water, which throw away. That which will not ascend, set again in

digestion for another Month, and distil it as before; and thus do so often till there be no more sweetness perceived: for by this way hast thou now the POWERS of salt in the bottom; from lbj of burnt or calcin'd salt, thou wilt scarce∣ly have ℥ij.

62. Or thus. Cohobate them with their own proper Liquor or Water, oftentimes putrefy them with Flegm; and abstract the Body there∣from in the manner of Flegm, even to the fixt Spi∣rit. This then dissolve in Water, or in their own pro∣per Water; and (in the heat) separate the pure from the impure with Spirit of Wine.

63. By either of these ways (which disser not much) the POTESTATES of all Salts are prepared, as out of Common-salt, Bay∣salt, sal Niter, Alum, Vi∣triol, sal Veneris, sal Anti∣monij, &c. Half an ounce of this Salt thus extracted (suppose from common salt) will season more Meat or Broth, than half a pound of the Salt it self: for here the POTESTATES are only present, and the BODY is abstracted therefrom by a a liquid Solution:

64. But the POTESTA∣TES of Alum and Vitriol, are much better extracted by this following Direction. Calcine them, but not to Fu∣sion, as you do other Salts: after calcination burn them, and resolve them according to the rule of Practice. Af∣ter they be resolved, pour on again the Waters that pro∣ceeded from them, and pro∣ceed on, according to the process given of Salts; for much of the Essence ascends with the moisture, the which doth again thus reside at the bottom in the Composition and Putrefaction, and so come together into one.

65. The Extraction of the POTESTATES of Stones, Gems, and Pearls.

Take which of them you please, beat them into pretty big pieces, not into a Pouder, and put them in a glass, and put thereto the Acetum of the Root, or Radicated Vinegar, so much as to overtop the matter the breadth of four or five Inches: let them be di∣gested

gested into a Horse Belly for a whole Month, which being done, the whole matter will appear liquid; the which thou shalt extract with other radicated Vinegar, and shake and mix them well together; so the Vinegar receives into it self the color of the Stone. The colored Vinegar must be poured out into another glass: on the Magma remaining put more Ranficated Vinegar as before, this do so often as there comes off any colour. Now in this color are the POTESTATES contained, the residne is the Corporality. T•••• therefore the colored or tinged Vinegars, and boyl them very gently, even to dryness; then wash it often with distilled water, until it be made sweet, as abovesaid. This pouder dissolve upon a Marble, so shalt thou have the POTESTATES of Gems and Pearls. But this is to be noted in the Colors of Pearls, that they are resol∣ved into the colour of thick Milk, and the body of them is sandy and viscous, by which the one may be known from the other. The like also is it with Crystal, its POTE∣STAS appears at top, a certain viscous Body remain∣ing.

66. Where we speak of Radicated Vinegar, under∣stand us thus: to wit, that you have a sharp Acetum corrected with Tilos or Bricks, and oftentimes ab∣stracted from the Tartarised Matrix of Acetum. Your Gems, are first to be calci∣ned-by sulphur, then dissolve them therein, and putrefy them, and then separate the pure from the impure, by breaking them with spirit of Wine.

67. The former process serves for stones, Gems, and Pearls, and is the most ex∣cellent of all, as to the Ope∣ration thereof, very subtil and industrious: But very little is the quantity of the POTESTATES which is to be had out of Gems; and by how much the more transparent and purer the Gem is, by so much the less is its POTESTAS. 'Tis searce worth while to ex∣tract it from gross, great and base Stones, for they have

but little Virtue in them, and therefore have but a small quantity of POW∣ERS, to be drawn from them.

68. The Extraction of the POTESTATES of burning things.

Take the Body (whether it contains Oyl, Rosin, Pitch, or Turpentine, Fir-wood, Juniper-wood, Cypress or Ce∣der-wood &c. or whether it be seeds, fruits, or such like) cut it exceeding small, and put it in a glazed Pot, fill it up, and cl••se it firmly with Lutum Sapientiae, that so it breath not out: burn it in a circulary fire for twenty four hours, so as to abide in an equal heat, and the pot to be glowing like the Coals: then take it out of the fire; and putrefy it in Dung for a month, after distil as much as will ascend: let this be put in a Horse-Belly, distil off all the moisture therefrom, and then let it be set again to pu∣trify, until there come out no more moisture: then at last the POTESTATES of that which you have received, and at first took in the Receiver, remains in the bottom.

69. Now here is to be noted, that there are many other ways and kinds of extracting the POWERS of the afore∣named things, by which they may be drawn very odorife∣rous, subtil, and clear: but those ways are not Extracti∣ons of the POTESTATES, but certain Magisteries of those same things, by which some part of the POTE∣STAS does in the per∣mixion together, ascend up∣wards.

70. But the Essence of Woods (which is, what is here, and sect. 68. aforegoing intended) is a certain Fat∣ness or Resin, and thick sub∣stance; and therefore not to be extracted in the form of a Magistery; for this Reason; The Essence or POTE∣STATES of the Tur∣pentine-tree heals Wounds; but if it be extracted after the manner of Magisteries, it does not cure them. The reason is, because the Ma∣gistery has not in it the Basis and Foundation of the POWERS: and they are

thus distinguished: Magi∣steries only concern and re∣spect the Complexions and four Elements, and have the POWERS spirituously: PO∣TESTATES do not concern themselves with those things, and have or possess the POWERS materially.

71. The Extraction of POTESTATES out of growing things, as Herbs, &c.

Take growing things, bruise them exceeding will, put them into some fit Vessel, the which set in a It: se-belly for a Mouth; then distil it by B. put them again into Horseedung for eight days, and let them again be distilled by B. M. so the POTE∣STATES will ascend by the Alembick, but the BODY will abide in the bot∣tom: If there should ought of the POWERS remain yet behind in the faeces; you must farther putrify, and proceed as before: Then take this distilled Water, and put it again to this growing BODY, so let them be digested toge∣ther in a Pellican for six days: then the colour will be thick, the which abstract by B. M. and that Body will go away, and be severed; the POWERS remaining in the bottom: separate this (by a Retorsive process, or pres∣sing) from the faeces; by this means thou shalt have a Medicine perfect in Odor, Juciness, Tast and Virtue, and of a thick consistency.

72. The Essence is easily perfected out of Herbs Roots, Fruits, &c. so that you dissolve the imperfect Elements by the highest, secret putrefaction of the highest heat. Then shalt thou putrify them in Dung, and drive out per descensum, all that is able to go out, and from thence abstract by a distillation in a B. M. all the hurtful imperfect Body of the moisture: then will the praedistinated Element remain in the bottom: this must now be separated from the superfluous Impurity, by corrupting or breaking it with its own inflamable spi∣rit, or with S.V. the which draw off, and thou shalt have the POTESTATES pure and perfect.

73. As to the Extraction of these Essences, there are various ways found out, by the addition of other things: but they ought to be ex∣tracted without the mixture of any thing, and so as to retain their Color, Odor, and Tast; and that they may be encreased in them and not diminshed.

74. The Extraction of the POTESTATES of Spices and Persumes.

Take Oyl of Almonds with which mix an Aromatical Body, as Spices, Musk, Am∣bergrise, Civet, Camphir, (and such like) let them be digested together in a Glass in the Sun, their proper time, until they are reduced into a paste or pap: afterwards, let them be pressed out from their faces; so is the Body separa∣ted from the POTE∣STATES, which are now only mixed with Oyl, and are to be separated there∣from after this manner: Take rectified spirit of Wine, wherewith mix the afore-impregnated Oyl: put them in digestion for six days, af∣terwards let them be distilled by Ashes, and there will ascend the spirit of Wine, and therewith the POWERS of the Aromaticks, the Oyl remaining in the bottom without any smell of the spice or persume. Lastly, let this Wine be distilled by B.M. and the POTESTATES will abide in the bottom in the form of Oyl, separated from all mixtures.

75. The POWERS being extracted out of Amber∣grise, Musk, Civet, their Bodies or Faeces do stink af∣terwards, so that they are nothing worth, either in Smell, Tast or Nature: and the like is to be understood of the rest of that kind. More∣over it appears that the POWERS of Aromaticks are first separated by the help of a Medium; and af∣terwards separated from that Medium, by the help of another Medium, which will afterwards separate it self from the POTE∣STATES by the help of heat only.

76. The Extraction of POTESTATES of Come∣stible things.

Take a Comestible thing, (as flesh of Fowls, Beasts, Fishes, &c. Bread, &c.) out it into pieces, and put it into a Vessel, or great stone-Jug, which stop and lute very well; let it boyl for three days: then strain out that which shall be in the Jugg, and di∣stil it by a B. M. so there will first of all Ascend a certain Wateriness, the which when it shall be all come over, the POTESTATES will be left at the bottom.

77. This is the highest Nutriment beyond all that we can declare or set down; and in respect of nourishing, it is like, or at least-wise it has the qualities and proper∣ties of the most pure and sub∣stantial POWERS.

78. Now the POTE∣STATES of Comestible things, are to be in no wise understood, than in a like form, with that wherewith we are fed; with Flesh; for the POWERS of Co∣mestible things, as are the best nourishment: And al∣though no Prime POTE∣STATES can be drawn from Flesh, as aforesaid, yet we are able to extract there∣from, as from its own being or Essentiality, a Secondary POWER, as is even now a∣bove declared.

79. The Extraction of POTESTATES out of Po∣table things.

Take any Potable thing, shut it up in a Pellican, as it is, with its whole substance, and digest it for a Month in Horse-dung; (but it will be better to leave it so for a year or more;) and you will find in the Pellican a certain di∣gested matter: separate this same by B. M. afterwards by Ashes: and lastly by Fire. By this means you will have three POTESTATES, which are in all Potable things. Put these three Liquors thus extracted, each into its pro∣per Vessel: the two last, farther digest, then distil in B. M. so will you have more of the first POTESTATES to ascend, which you must mix with the said first: this do so often till no more of the first will arise, so will there be a good separation.

80. But the POWERS of Potable things may be ex∣tracted

many and sundry other ways; but this (here taught) is, (saith PARA∣CELSƲS) the true Pro∣cess, by him accounted as the chiefest, fittest, and most profitable for this Work.