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 ...

APPENDIX II. OF QƲINTESSENCES so called.

40. Quinta Essentia Bu∣fonum Fabri, Fabers Quint-essence of Toads.

℞ Toads in great numbers, in the month of June, hang them up and dry them in the Sun, then calcine till the ashes are white, from which with Carduus or Scabious-water or water of Limon. Peels, ex∣tract a Salt to the highest whightness: mix, and keep this Salt with Treacle water. There are some which order the Quintessence to be made with the distillation of live Toads; but Faber affirms, that Water to be the highest Poison, and from its Volatile Spirit, to kill by its odour.

This Salt is one of the chie∣fest Antidotes against Poison, resisting all Venom to a won∣der. For the fire (by which it is made) consumes all, excep∣ting the Salt or Essence of Life, which is never Venom∣ous, but excites and defends the life, against the assaults and malignity of its Adver∣sary. It's as prevalent against the Contagion of the Air, as against material Poyson ta∣ken-in by the mouth. It is powerful against the Plague, Pestilential Buboes and Car∣buncles, Scirr••us humors, & Cancers, taking away their malignity, and sudenly cu∣ring and healing them. It is also of great force against all sorts of Dropsies and wa∣tery Tumors. Give it in the morning fasting ad ʒss or ʒj, either in the Treacle-water

aforesaid, or in Cinnamon∣water. Outwardly for the Mortification of Cancers, use it by unction or bathing.

41. Quinta essentia Rana∣rum Fabri, Quintessence of Frogs.

℞ Frogs in the Month of June, and in B.M. distill them alive with a very gentle fire, for the space of 4 hours. What distils-over in that time take away and keep it by it self. Change the receiver, lute well the Joints, and remove the glass-body from the B.M. into Sand, distilling all the re∣maining part of the humidi∣ty, which join with the former. What yet remains in the bot∣tom of the Alembick, burn with a strong fire in a strong Crucible to white Ashes. Ex∣tract and purify the Salt to the highest Whiteness and Sweetness, which joyn to the former liquor seven times re∣ctified by distillation; which being united, let be kept for use.

It is a great Arcanum for the curing of Quartans, which it do's by an occult Property. it cures Quotidian and Ter∣tian Feavers, at once taking, being given in Tobacco-wa∣ter, the sick after vomiting, sweating well upon it. It cools Inflamations, and eases their pain, by outward anoin∣ting with it. It is prevalent against an Erysipelas, sudden∣ly taking away its burning. It cures the Gout, from a hot Cause, as also hollow ulcers, being apply'd by unction. It is taken ad ℥j, with Cardu∣us or Tobacco-water early in the morning fasting, and sweating upon it.

42. Quinta Essentia Cerae Fabri, Quintessence of Wax.

This is little more than an Oyl of Wax, which you may make as we have taught in Our Pharmacopoeia, lib. 4. cap. 3. sect. 31. only with this difference: 1. That the distil∣lation may go slowly on, and be perform'd in about six days. 2. That it be done in sand. 3. That it be seven times rectifi'd, and every time in a new glass Retort. 4. That you mix Salt with the wax in stead of Sand, that so when the distillation is over, the Salt may be washd away, and

afterwards the Faeces to be calcin'd, from whose Ashes, with the water of Hypericon, you may extract a pure Salt, which is to be mixed with the aforesaid Oyl.

The Virtues you have in the aforecited place; besides which it is of incomparable use for all internal ulcers, the Dysentery, ulcrated and can∣cerated Haemorrhoids, Cho∣lick and griping of the Guts, being given à gut. viij ad 12 in SV. or Cinnamon-water, and applying it outwardly to places ulcerated. This Arca∣num is able to draw the Vir∣tues of all Flowers into it self, only by Infusion: And with it you may prepare a vulnerary Balsam, effectual for the healing of all green wounds and cleansed ulcers.

43. Quinta Essentia Capi∣tis Cervi Fabri, Quintes∣sence of a Deers head.

℞ The head of a Deer whose horns are young and tender (the old being lately cast) take off the skin, and put the head with its horns (be∣ing cut into little bits) and an equal quantity of Deers-blood, into a glass Vessel, which putrify in warm horse∣aung for a month (Sol and Mercury being in Leo:) after a Months time (viz. 40 dayes which is a medicinal month) let all be distilled in B. M. in warm ashes, with a very gentle fire. Separate the spi∣rit from the flegm and wate∣ry part, which you will know in the distillation how to di∣stinguish, by Vapours ascen∣ding up in streaks, being in the head of the Alembick converted into water: those streaks ceasing, change the Receiver, taking the flegm, till the white and clammy spirits ascend. Then is it time again to change the Ves∣sel, taking the white water which comes forth by it self, augmenting the fire by de∣grees, till all the said white water is ascended. Now aug∣ment the fire again, that the Volatile Salt may sublime white and clean, which will stick to the sides of the A∣lembick head: this salt keep in a Glass close stopt with a glass stopper. The spirit and white water put together, and purify by a seven fold Distil∣lation.

After adjoyn the volatile Salt, and distill again seven times, changing the A••∣lembick every time, or at leastwise cleansing of it. The Caput Mortuum calcine with a very strong fire, till it is white, from which extract the Salt, which purify by rei∣terated Calcmations, soluti∣ons and filterations, viz. so long, till being dissolv'd it e∣mits no faeces. This Salt joyn with the aforesaid Volatile salt, spirit and water, which circulate to a perfect conjun∣ction.

This Arcanum radical∣ly cures the Falling sickness, is powerful in most Diseases of the Head, as Apoplexy, Vertigo, Hemicrania, Head∣ach, Palsy, Convulsions, &c. and is very prevalent against the suffocation of the Womb. Dose ʒj in broth.

44. Quinta Essentia Co∣rallorum Fabri, Quintessence of Coral.

℞ Coral, beat and reduce it into an Alcool, dissolve it in the best Vinegar, and di∣gest in a warm Balneo for some dayes, till (the Solution being repeated) all the Coral is dissolv'd: the dissolutions filter and evaporate in a sil∣ver or golden vessel (one of glass may serve the turn) to dryness. The Salt then dis∣solve in distilled rain-water, and purify it by many Eva∣parations, desiccations and so∣lutions, till it is freed from all its terrestreity, is clear as crystal, sweet as sugar, and will melt like wax. Take a∣gain new Coral, powder and mix it with an equal quanti∣ty of Sal Armoniack which sublime together, till the Sal Armoniac ascends very red, and carries with it the Tin∣cture of the Coral. This red Tincture separate from the Salt with Alchooliz'd S. V. perfectly devested of all its slegm; which is done, by so often putting on the said S.V. till the Salt remains purely white. Then by a gentle heat abstract the S.V. by distilla∣tion: the Tincture which re∣mains in the bottom, conjoyn with the afore prepared Salt, so have you the Quintessence of Coral very red, and of ad∣mirable Virtues, which keep in a glass close stopt for use.

This Arcanum is of so great power in purging and cleansing the blood, that it roots out all Diseases procee∣ding from corruption and putresaction thereof. It cures the Leprosy, stops the Flux of Terms, and all other Flu∣xes of the Bowels, as also all fluxes of blood against Na∣ture. It wonderfully com∣forts and strengthens the heart and stomach, restores the natural heat, and radical moisture, and is of excellent use in the cure of Consump∣tions. It dissolves coagula∣ted blood, as also sand, gra∣vel and stone, both in the Reins and bladder, being gi∣ven in the Essence of Rest∣harrow. It heals simple wounds, though made with poison'd weapons, old ulcers, Pistula's, and such other like Diseases: Dose á ʒss ad ʒj in broth, Canary Wine or some essence proper against the distemper: outwardly mix it with proper Balsams, and so use it warm.

45. Quinta Essentia Cu∣pri Fabri, Quintessence of Copper.

℞ fine filings of pure Cop∣per, flowers of Sulphur, Salt of Tartar, A. put them into an earthen Pot well glaz'd, and with a sufficient quantity of water, bo••l them for some hours, stirring them in the mean while with a wooden slice, till all the Copper, Sul∣phur, and Salt is dissolved, ad∣ding in the boyling new wa∣ter, so often as need requires; or, you may m••lt the Copper, Sulphur and Salt together, and then dissolve by boyling, as aforesaid. This done, and being cold, put the Solution into a Cellar, or in some other cold place, that the limpid Solution may concreet into Vi∣triol, of a pure blew colour. Gather the Vitriol, the re∣maining water evaporate up∣on a gentle fire to half, which then set again in a cold place, to concreet into more Vitriol. Gather the Vitriol again, the remaining water evapo∣rate, and concreet again: re∣peating this Operation so long as any Vitriol will fall or shoot. At last gather all your Vitriol together, which dry in a Copper or Iron Ves∣sel, and make the Quintes∣sence

thereof, as we have taught to make the Quintes∣sence of Common Vitriol, in Our Pharmacopoeia Lond. l. 4. c. 5, Sect. 46.

This is said to cure all af∣fects of the head, coming ei∣ther from a hot or cold cause. It comforts and strengthens, restores the radical Humidi∣ty, cleanses and purifies the blood, and is the only abso∣lute Remedy for the cure of the Leprosy. It cures all continual and intermitting Feavers, corroborates all the Viscera, excites the natu∣ral heat, heals excoriations of the Skin, all Wounds and Ulcers whether new or old, only by applying it to them; It eases all pains of the Gout, and dissolves the Arthritick nodes, proceeding from what Cause soever. It stops Ca∣tarrhs, strengthens the Brain and Nerves, wonderfully comforts the Joynts, and dis∣solves tartarous Viscosity. It softens all extream hard and Scirrhus Tumors, melting and dissolving them. Nimis (dixit Faber) longum esset percurrere omnes hujus ar∣cani Virtutes & proprietates, sussiciet hoc tibi unum, quod omnibus morbis accommodari pot est, sit arcanum restaurans & roborans. Let it be taken in Broth or distilled Cinnamon Water, Hipocras or good Ca∣nary a ℈j and ℈ij. at any hour of the day, without ob∣servation of any order, it be∣ing only a strengthning and restoring Medicine.

46. Quinta Essentia Ferri Fabri, Quintessence of Iron.

℞ Filings of Iron, heat them red hot, which extin∣guish in the best Vinegar: heat them red hot, and quench them again, as before, which work repeat seven times, or till they are converted into a most red Crocus. Put this Crocus into a Phial, with a long neck, to which affuse the best Spirit of Vinegar, so as it may over-top it, about the breadth of eight fingers: stop the Phial close, and place it in a gentle digestion in warm Ashes for a Month, shaking the Phial several times eve∣ry day, till the Vinegar is tinged into a red Color; de∣cant the tinged Vinegar, by inclination, into another glass Vessell: to the remaining

magma affuse new Spirit of Vinegar, and digest again in warm ashes, till it is tinged; this again separate, and put it to the former. The mag∣ma remaining calcine, or make red hot upon a smooth Tile, and then quench it in the best Vinegar, as before; which repeat about 4 times, or till it becomes a very red Crocus. Put this Crocus in∣to the former Phial, affusing thereon new Spirit of Vinegar, and digest as before till it is tinged: this so often repeat as the Vinegar by digestion will be tinged. Then put all the tinged Vinegar together, which destil in B.M. with a gentle fire, till the Tincture remans at the botom of the Alembick of the thickness of Honey. To this put the high∣est alchooliz'd S. V. till all the Magma is dissolv'd, which digest in a warm B. M. the tinged S.V. separate, by In∣clination, to the remaining Magma put new Spirit of Wine rectified, and digest again, this often repeat till the Magma is dissolv'd, or till the S.V. will be no more tin∣••edred. The S.V. thus tin∣ged distill very gently, by a Retort, till all the Spirit is a∣scended: then at length aug∣ment the sire, and (the Re∣ceiver being Changed) by a strong distillation force over the Oyl purely red, which 3 or 4 times rectify by a Retort. The Magma of every distillation gather together, and calcine it on a tile to whiteness, from which extract a Salt by many Solutions, evaporations and calcinations, which joyn with the aforesaid rectified oyl, and keep the mixture in a glass close stopt for use.

This dissers not much from the Philosophick Oyl of Steel, in our Pharm. Lon. lib. 3. cap. 4. Sect. 14. but on∣ly in the praeparation of the Crocus. It is a wonderful Balsam for the Cure of all Ulcers whether old or new. It powerfully conglutinates Wounds, dissolves and trans∣mutes Corroding Humours; and preserves the part from Corruption. It comforts the Stomach, and chears the Spi∣rits. It stops a Gonorrhaea, the Hepatick flux, and all o∣ther Fluxes of the Bowels. Dose ℈j.

47. Quinta essentia Gat∣tariae seu Nepetae Fabri, Quintessence of Nep.

It is made as you make Quintessonce of Baxm or Mint, in Our Pharm. Lond. Lib 4. Cap. 5. Sect. 31. and 32.

This Arcanum is of an ex∣ceeding sweet scent, by which it recreates the Ani∣mal Spirits and Functions. It is an excellent thing a∣gainst Obstructions of the Liver, Spleen and Womb. It prevails against the Green-Sickness in Virgins, so that there is scarce any thing more powerful. It strength∣ens the Concoctive and Di∣gestive Faculty, comforts all the Viscera, chears the Spi∣rits, purifies the Blood, takes away all stoppages, causes a good color in the Face; cer∣tainly and powerfully pro∣vokes the Terms, strength∣ens and cleanses the Womb, and causes Barren Women to become Fruitful. In ea∣sing the Sciatica nothing is more powerful; it also cures the Elephantiasis (if Faber says true,) and biting of Ve∣nomous Beasts. Dose a ℈j. ad ʒj. Externally you may apply it with a little Lint.

48. Quinta essentia Gam∣bogiae Fabri, Quintessence of Gambogia.

℞ Guttae Gambae lbj. or ij. bruise it, put it into a fit Vessel, and with the strongest fire, distil ad descensum, en∣creasing the Fire by degrees, till the Faeces are burnt and incinerated. After distil∣lation, separate the Oyl from the water, which will be in very great plenty. Rectify the Oyl in a Retort (with a little Vitriol calcin'd to red∣ness) till the Empyreuma is gone: This Oyl keep and con∣joyn with the Salt, extracted out of the Ashes of the fa∣ces, depurated by many ite∣rated solutions and calcina∣tions. Now taking again more Guttae Gambae, viz. ℥vj. or ℥viij. dissolve it (in a Bolt-Head) in the best recti∣fied SV. mixed with its equal weight of Oyl of Vitriol, by digesting it 15 days, in a warm B. M. then destil in the same Balneo, all that can possibly be drawn over, Ʋpon

the magma remaining put the new distilled Spirit, and digest till it is perfectly dissol∣ved, viz. for three or four days, then silter it well, and what will not admit of Filte∣ration, destil as before in the aforesaid B. M. Again, dis∣solve, digest, filterate and di∣stil so often as the remaining magma, will emit any faeces. The Magma being separated from all the S. V. dissolve it with the juyce of Limons, di∣stilled with Spirit of Vitriol; digest all together in a gentle heat for fifteen days, after which separate the said distil∣led juyce and spirit, by a boyling B. M. or by warm Ashes, till the Magma is of the consistency of Honey. To this Magma put the afore∣prepared Oyl and Salt, which digest three or four days to∣gether, then keep it in a glass close stopt for use.

It cures Quartans, dis∣solves tartarous Humors, drys up water betwixt the Flesh and Skin, powerfully exhauriates serose Humors, cures a Leucophlegmatia, the evil color and Green-sickness in Virgins, strengthens the Ventricle, opens all Obstru∣ctions, and expels Wind. It comforts the Liver, purifies the Blood, opens the Pores, causes Sweat, and is one of the most powerful Arca∣nums yet known in the cure of the Gout; for it takes a∣way the internal Cause, re∣focillates the Parts, strength∣ens the Nerves and Muscles, takes away Trembling, is prevalent against the Palsy, and other cold and moist Di∣feases of the Brain, proceed∣ing of Fiegm: it frees the Breast and Lungs of pitui∣tous Humors, cures the Drop∣sy, and takes away the vices of the Skin. Dose à gr. vj. ad x. in broth or syrup, or made up in the form of Pills with crums of Bread.

49. Quinta Essentia Mellis Fabri, Quintessence of Honey.

℞ Honey, dissolve it in Rain Water seven times di∣stilled, despumate it with a gentle fire, and that so often, till it emits no Faeces in the solution, but remains in the water in which it is dissolved cleer and limpid.

Circulate it for a whole Month in a Pellican, with a gentle heat or fire. Then Destil in B.M. as much as you can conveniently get over, the rest destil in Ashes to dry∣ness, even to the burning of the earthy matter. From the Caput Mortuum well Calci∣ned, elixiviate a Salt, which purify by many iterated solu∣tions and calcinations, till it is perfectly freed from all firth. This Salt (thus puri∣fied) conjoyn with the Aqua Mollis (which you destilled in B.M.) seven times distil∣led, to which add the Oyl di∣stilled in Ashes, and made pure by several rectifications: Digest all leisurely, till it comes to a Balsamick Body, Quod servardum est tan∣quam secretum summum sanitatis.

It is accounted one of the highest preservatives of Health, strengthning and comforting all the Powers and saculties of the Body, Natural, Vital and Animal, Faber saith, Corpus huma∣num conservat, unde conve∣nit••omnibus morbis. This I know by experience, that it is good against all Vices of breathing, and Diseases of the Lungs, as Coughs, Ast∣ma's, Hoarsness, Shortiess of Breath, &c. Dose ad ʒj. in the morning safting, either in the Yolk of an Egg, or in Broth.

50. Quinta Essentia Mag∣netis Fabri, Quintessence of the Load-stone.

℞ of the Load-stone redu∣ced into a sine pouder or Al∣chool; affuse upon it the Quintessence of Iron, which digest in a Bolt-Head, close stopped, and in a warm B.M. for 15 days and nights. This done, put it into a glass Re∣tort well luted, and distil in Ashes, by degrees of Fire, first gentle, then stronger, till you come to the strongest. The Caput Mortuum or mag∣ma which remains, by break∣ing of the Retort, take and reduce to fine pouder, which calcine in a strong Fire, for one whole day: the Calx dis∣solve in the best and sharpest Vinegar, extract the Salt, which by many Lotions, Solu∣tions and Calcinations, bring to the highest purity and to a

red color. This Salt conjoyn with the Q E. of the Iron, impregnated with the Spirit of the Magnet, which digest for three or four days in a warm B.M. and by B. M. abstract whatever willascend, the rest digest with a gentle Fire, and continual, till it is all fixed, and nothing more will ascend, though by a strong Distillation, but it remains melted and liquid in the bottom of the Vessel or Stillatory, like as melted Sal Nitre; which humidity is so tyed to it, that the force of the fire is not able to separate it, unless it be immediately touched with live Coals. Thus have you the Quintessence of the Magnet, which keep as of miraculous us.

It is a mighty thing in cu∣ring of all manner of Wounds and Ulcers, stopping of all Fluxes of blood, all Dysenteries, Lienterias, Di∣arrhaea's, drys up all salt and serous Catarrhs, cures the Hepatick Flux, Hemor∣thage, Cramp, Convulsion and Stupefaction of any Member; it augments the Natural Heat, comforts the Animal Spirits, and revives the Vitals. It cures the Dropsy, and draws out all serous and watery Humors: and is one of the greatest Medicines that is known for the Spleen, and Obstructions thereof, for it attenuates and purifies the Blood, ex∣hausting all icorous, serous and putrid juyces, and there∣fore is certainly an excellent thing against the Seurvy. Dose à gut x. and xx. in Ca∣nary, or some water appro∣piate to the Disease, to be taken in the morning fasting. Outwardly it is applyed to Wounds and Ulcers, either on Lint, or mixt with proper Unguents, Oyls or Balsams.

51. Quint a Essentia Me∣choacannae, Fabri, Quin∣tessence of Mechoacan.

℞ Mechoacan in fine pou∣der, affuse upon it Alchoo∣liz'd S. V. which digest for fifteen days, or a whole month in a warm B. M. till it sends forth its Hypostasis, then decant off the clear from the troubled, and silterate it. To the Magma remaining put new S.V. Alchooliz'd,

and digest 8 days in a warm B. M. as before: decant fil∣terate and affuse new S. V. again, digesting as before 4 days; decant, filterate and joyn it to the former Tin∣ctures, and distil them toge∣ther with a gentle fire, till the Magma be of the consi∣stency of Honey. This work so often repeat, till the Mag∣ma leaves at the end of the Distillation (in the Alem∣bick) no Faeces, nor emits any Faeces in the solution. This Magma thus purified, con∣joyn with the Oyl drawn from fresh Mechoacan per descen∣sum (or otherwise) and well rectified or freed from its Empyreuma, by the help of Vitriol calcin'd to redness: to which add the pure Salt, extracted from all its Faeces, calcin'd; being first made very pure and white: digest them together, and keep the Quintessence in a glass close stopt for use.

It is a great Arcanum in all kind of Madness, Phren∣sies and Melancholy: for it extracts the melancholy and adust Humors, which infest the Menings of the Brain, and casts them forth. Now if after this purgation, you give a few drops of Oleum Argenteum, in a proper Ve∣hicle, the Cure will not only be safe, but certain. It cures also the Palsy, quartan A∣gues, and all other chronick Diseases. I have found it very powerful in the Gout, Dropsy, Scurvy, and old Head-achs; as also in Ver∣togo's, Megrims, and such like capital Diseases, for which it is commended as a secret. Dose a ℈j. ad ℈ij. in Broth, proper Water, or Syrup.

52. Quinta Essentia Mar∣chasitae Auri, Fabri; Quin∣tessence of the Golden Mar∣chasite,

℞ of the golden Marcha∣site or Bismuth in fine pouder, common Salt depurated and decripitated, A. put them in∣to a well luted Retort, with its Receiver, and Distil with degrees of fire, till all the sulphurous Spirit both of the Salt and of the Bismuth is drawn off, and is very sowr. This done, take the Magma in the bottom, and free it from

the Salt, by washing it several times in pure fair Water, till the water comes off, without any tast of the Salt. ℞ the Marchasite thus depurated, fine Niter, A. mix them, and in a Crucible with a live coal set them on fire, which let burn till the Thunder is over and the Niter is vanished. Then take the Marchasite again, and by many Lotions in fair water as before, free it absolutely from the Nitor. This most fine pouder of the Marchasite, put into a Bolt-Head, stop it well with good lute, and put it into a Rever∣berating fire for a Month, till it acquires a red color. After take it away, and to this pouder affuse its own Spirit, seven times rectified, digest them together in a warm B. M till the Spirit is colored; the Tincture decant by inclination, and put on new Spirit, so as it may over∣top it four fingers breadth, and digest as before, till it is again colored. When you have gotten the whole Tin∣cture, digest in B. M. for 15 days, then distil by a Re∣tort 3 or 4 times, and a most red Oyl will come forth, which being joyned with its own Spi∣rit, freed from its flegm, and impregnated with its own Tincture, you have the Quin∣tessence of the golden Mar∣chasite, and a most excellent Arcanum.

It is an admirable thing in the cure of Scrophula, or the Kings Evil, whether ui∣cerated or not: for it resolves all hard Tumors, and mor∣ifies all sorts of Cancers. It is no caustick or burning Medicine, if rightly prepa∣red, but may be taken in∣wardly; and so taken, it pu∣rifies the blood from mucous and serous Humors, by Sweat and Urine; cor∣recting and amending all the vices thereof. It takes away all Scabs, and every kind of excoriation of the Skin, only by outwardly ap∣plying it, being mixt with Oyls, Balsams, and Unguents, proper against Scabs. Dose inwardly gut x. in Broth.

53. Quint essentia Me∣dullarum omnium Fabri, Quintessence of all forts of Marrows.

℞ a large quantity of what Marrow you please, in the full of the Moon, put it into a Retort, so as it may fill it half full, joyn to it a receiver, closing the joynts well: distil in Ashes, augmenting the fire by degrees, till all is distilled over: the Distilled Oyl recti∣fy by another Retort, three or four times, by adding a little Vitriol calcined to redness, in each distillation; so have you a most penetrating Oyl, freed from its Empyreuma: from the faeces well calcined, extract a pure Salt, which free from all its Terrestreity, which add to the said Oyl, so have you the Quintessence of great Vertues.

This Quintessence, ex∣tracted from the Marrow of what Animal soever, is a stupendious Arcanum, in easing of all sorts of pains and arthritick dolors. It resolves Oedema, and dis∣cusses all sorts of cold and hard Tumors, Nodes, and such like, in any part of the the Body. But to this pur∣pose the Quintessence of the Marrow, and the Oyl of Mams bones exceed all o∣thers. The Oyl and Salt from the Marrow and Bones of a Horse or Mare, won∣derfully discuss Scirrhous Tumors, and such as have a Stone like hardness in them. If it be from the brains and bones of a Horse Head, it cures Epilepsies, Apoplexies, and such like. These kind of Quintessences will soften and discuss even the hardest Callosity or Node.

54. Quenta Essentia Ossi∣um humanum Fabri, Quin∣tessence of Mans Bones.

℞ Mans bones in gross pou∣der (and infused in generous wine, for 8 days) of which make an Oyl per descensum, which rectify by a seaven-fold distillation, in a Retort. The faeces or Caput Mortuum calcine in a strong fire, from which Calx, with boyling water, extract a Salt, which purify and make white; then conjoyn it, with its afore∣prepared Oyl, and digest that they may be perfectly incorpo∣rated. This will be best and most efficaciously done, at Sol his Entrance into Aries, which is about the tenth day

of March every Year. The same ought to be observed in making the Salt of Mans Skull, with sweet Spirit of Vitriol.

There is nothing in Rerum Natura, more powerful than this Balsam, in easing and taking away all manner of arthritick pains and tor∣ments. It speedily takes away all kind of rottenness, and corrects every other vice of the Bones. Let it be applyed warm in manner of a Balsam with Lint, to the part affected. But in order to its curing of the Gout, the body ought to be purged three or four times with a specifick Cathartick for that purpose, especially cum pi∣lulis ex Mercurio spagyrice preparato, or with the Pilulae Lunares, mixt with a few grains of the Extract of black Hellebor, from whence you will see wonderful ef∣fects.

55. Quinta Essentia Avi∣um Fabri, Quintessence of Birds.

℞ what Birds you please, and chop them into small bits with their Bones (the Fea∣thers, Skin, and Fat being taken away:) put them into a Bolt-Head, and place it in B. M. that it may boyl for about four hours: this done, whilst it is hot, decant from the Bolt-Head (into another vessel) all the liquor which is separated from the flesh. This liquor depurate in B. M. till it emits no faeces, which are to be extracted or separa∣ted in three days, by de••aut∣ing the liquor from the clo∣sed Vessel, boyling in B. M. the former remaining flesh and bones burn, and calcine to whiteness; from which white Calx or Ashes, with rectified Rose Water (not di∣stilled in a Leaden or Pewter Still) extract a Salt, which by many solutions, filtera∣tions and calcinations, bring to pure whiteness and sweet∣ness, and conjoyn it with the aforesaid Liquor.

This is an excellent thing to restore the radical moi∣sture, cure Consumptions, conserve Health, and keep back old Age. It is dedica∣ted to Kings, Princes, and great Persons and to all such

as desire to live long, by pre∣serving their Health. If thereto you add sal Mar∣garitarum, it will be yet of greater efficacy; for in that Salt is contained a certain Balsam of Life, with which every Philosopher is not ac∣quainted. It cures the Phthi∣sis, and Hectick, strengthens the whole body, and comforts all the natural and vital fa∣culties, it may be given every hour in Broth, or something to drink. This Quintessence made of Ca∣pons, Patridges, Phesants, Larks, and such like Birds, is most effectual to the pur∣poses aforesaid. After the same method you may make a Quintessence of Serpents (ca∣sting away their Heads and Tails) for the same intentions as also to cure the Leprosy, Elephantiasis, French Pox, &c. So also for all sorts of Flshes for Phthisicks or Ʋl∣cers of the Lungs, Hectick Feav••rs, and other wastings of the Body.

56. Quinta Essentia Sa∣turni Fabri, Quintessence of Lead.

℞ Lead, melt it, calcine it by stirring it with an Iron Spatula, reduce it into a fine pouder, and by a continued calcination, into Minium; dissolve it in the best Spirit of Vinegar, which being clear and limpid, evaporate in a Brass or Copper Vessel, till the Magma remains of the consistency of Honey: this a∣gain dissolve and digest as before, for about 6 or 7 times: after this evaporate the Vi∣negar, and dissolve the Mag∣ma in the best Alcholiz'd S.V. and digest in a warm B. M. for 15 days, in a glass so close stopt, that none of the Spirits may get out. This last Solution put into a Re∣tort, and be sure to distil with a most gentle heat, till all the Spirit is come off: then change the Receiver, and augment the fire, till all the white and sweet Spirit of the Lead are come forth; and at length an oily substance of a yellow color, and lastly a red. This Oylrectify four or five times. The black faeces at the bottom of the Retort, take out, burn, and with a strong fire calcine, till they attain the highest

whiteness. From this Calx, with rain water seven times distilled in a boiling B.M. draw forth the fixed Salt, which filterate through Brown paper; then evaporate, cal∣cine again, dissolve, and filte∣rate, as before; which work so often repeat, till the Salt is purely white, sweet, and easie to be melted in a gentle heat like wax or Butter. This Salt you shall conjoyn to the White Spirit, and digest them in a warm B. M. for 15 days. Then distill, adding the distil∣led Liquor to the Magma, so long till the fix'd Salt ascends and becomes Volatile, which Salt 7 times sublime and con∣joyn to the aforesaid Oyls se∣ventimes rectified: digest them together in a warm BM for a Month, so have you the Q.E. of Saturn or Lead.

This Arcanum is the Bal∣sam of Balsams for the Cure of all sorts of Wounds, Ui∣cers, burnings, scaldings, and such like affects. It cures Hecticks, Phthisicks, and Con∣suptions; extinguishes the preternatural heat of Fea∣vers, comforts the natural powers, restores the radical moisture, fortifies the Spi∣rits, cures Fits of the Mother, Syncopes, all affects of the Brain, Delyrium, Epilepsy, Madness, Frensy, Green-sick∣ness, Stoppage of the Terms, &c. Dose ad ℈j in some pro∣per broth, water, Syrup, &c. in a morning fasting, obser∣ving order; for it purges both upwards and downwards, as also by Urine and Sweat. se∣cundum naturae exigentiam & necessitatem.

57. Quinta offentia Ru∣bini, Fabri, Quinteslence of the Ruby.

℞ Bits of Rubys or Gra∣nates, and calcine them 3 or 4 times with an equal quan∣tity of Sulphur and Niter in a strong Crucible, Repeat the Ignition or Calcination till the Calx is purely white: then wash it in warm water to free it from the Salt, and dry it by the fire in a strong Cruci∣ble for 2 or 3 dayes. To the pure white pouder affuse (••f you please rectified) spirit of Salt in a wide glass: or to the spirit of Salt, put rather by degrees the Powder, lest it should boil over. The Ebu∣lition

ceasing, put the Powder and liquor into a glass Ma∣trass, close up the mouth well, and digest for 15 dayes in a Boiling B.M. till the pouder is dissolved. If in the first digestion it be not wholly dis∣solv'd, decant the first spirit, and on the remainder affuse new, digesting as before, till the whole powder is swallowed up by the spirit. All these so∣lutions put into a bolt head, seal it up, and digest for a month in a warm B. M: that they may make a better Dis∣solution, and become a clear Water, which in a shorter time will scarcely be done. Then by Retort, draw off the spiritu us water of the Salt; after, change the Receiver, & augment the fire; so have you the rubicund Essence of the Ruby or Granate. If all will not ascend, but somewhat yet remains in the Retort, dissolve that again with the former spirit of Salt, first drawn off, by digesting it for several dayes, then drawing off the Spirit of Salt first, and after, changing the Receiver, with a stronger fire, force the whole Substance of the Ruby to a∣scend; which if it be not suf∣ficiently red, digest in it new pouder of Rubies till it is well colored, which then keep in a glass close stopt for use.

It is a wonderful Cordial, and preservative in pestilen∣tial times, from all poyson∣ous, malign, pestiferous and contagious Diseases. It de∣purates the blood, and clean∣ses it from all its filth of what kind soever. It strengthens the Liver, and all the other Viscera. It multiplies the natural heat & radical moi∣sture; It restores youth∣fulness, and retards old age, driving away sorrow, grief and Melancholy. Outwardly it cures all wounds, bruises and ulcers whatsoever, and restores the natural Balsam by which in a short time a ci∣catrize is produced. Dose à ʒss ad ʒj in broth, at any time or hour, according as the necessity of the sick re∣quires. Outwardly apply∣ed with lint or cotton, or mixt with fresh May-butter, and annointed therewith.

57. Quinta essentia Tere∣binthinae, Fabri, Quintessence of Tupentine.

℞ Venice Turpentine lbj or ij, mix it with as much of the best rectified S. V. stirring them with a little stick, till they be united. Put them into a large Glass body, so big, as that not above a third, or at most an half part be full; shake them then together so long till they become white; then put them into a cold place, that its hypostasis may appear; the Spirit of Wine swimming above all, and the Turpentine dissolved into a yellow Oyl; lastly, a certain Salt of Turpentine of a pure white Color, which being se∣parated and dryed, is a Ca∣thartick of most excellent Virtues, purging downwards without any molestation or trouble. The S. V. and Oyl mix together and digest in a warm B.M. in a glass close stopt for 1.5 dayes. Then di∣stil in Ashes with degrees of Fire, first very gentle, till the spirit of Turpentine, with the S.V. and flegm are come forth. Now change the Receiver, and angment the fire, so will you have a yellow oyl; and con∣tinuing and augmenting the fire still, you will have a red Oyl; which ceasing to come, cease the Distillation: The yellow and red oyls, joyn together, which two or three times rectify by a Retort. The Magma remaining at the bottom of the Alembick take and beat it into sine Pouder; to which add double its weight of the Spirit of Tur∣pentine, (which you had in the first distillation) joyned with the Spirit of Wine, di∣gest them altogether in a warm B.M. for 15 dayes, till the Magma is all dissolv'd, which distill with a very gentle fire: Cohobate, digest and distil again, which often repeat till the spirit ascends with the Volatile Salt of the Turpentine, which comes forth at last, which is either coagulated in the top of the Alembick in form of Honey; or, resides in the bottom of the Receiver in form of Oyl. The Magma which resides af∣ter this last Distillation, burn and calcine, out of which draw a Salt, (which is but small) by Elixiviation. If you desire much of this sixed Salt (because the whole sub∣stance is sulphurous, and of

Volatile parts) you must add to the Magmate, a large quantity of Rosin, which you must burn and reduce to A∣shes together, from which ex∣tract a Salt, and depurate it by the common rules. This Salt conjoyn with the former Volatile Salt; adding to their whole weight, a sixth part of the spirit of Tur∣pentine, or something less, and of the yellow and red Oyls, a ninth or tenth part, which mix well together, and keep it in a glass close stopt for use.

It is an excellent thing to break the Stone, and bring forth Sand and Gravel, in both Reins and Bladder. It is one of the greatest Diure∣ticks and Openers, cleansing the urinary passages of all manner of filth and matter which obstructs them, or stops the making of water. It cures all Wounds and old Ulcers, though never so malign and rebellious. It cases pains of the Gout, and comforts and strengthens the Nerves to a wonder, curing most Diseases hapning to them, In curing a virulent Gonorrhaea, it has been found of excellent use, for it power∣fully cleanses and expurges the filth. It softens the Me∣sentery, strengthens the Li∣ver, and depurates the Mass of blood; it expels and brings forth pituitous and se∣rous humors; as also all tough and viscous slime. It kills Worms in Children, and takes away the crude mat∣ter which breeds them. Dose ad ʒj. in Broth, or in juyce of Limons, or syrup thereof, in the morning fasting. Out∣wardly, it is applyed with Lint, or made into the form of a Balsam, and so used.

58. Quinta essentia Thy∣mi, Fabri, Quintessence of Time.

℞ Time, immacerate it in S.V. for a Month, make a Spirit thereof, and separate from it its Flegm. Cohobate the Spirit upon the Faeces four times, that the Volatile Salt may ascend. Then from dryed Time make an Oyl per descensum, till the Time is burnt and incinerated. This Oyl rectify by Retort with a little Vitriol, calcine to red∣ness,

till it has lost its Empy∣reuma. This Oyl conjoyn with fresh gathered Flowers of Time, which insolate for some days. This done, ex∣press the Oyl from the Flow∣ers, and put to it again fresh flowers, which insolate and express as before. This in∣solation iterate three or four times, till it has acquired a most fragrant odour. This Oyl thus impregnated, joyn with the spirit or volatile Salt. From the Ashes made by drawing the Oyl, being first well calcin'd, extract a fixed Salt by the vulgar me∣thod, which free from all filth and impurity, which Salt conjoyn with the aforesaid Oyl and volatile Salt, and keep the mixture for use.

It is excellent good against all shortness of Breath, Wheezings, difficulty of Breathing, Obstructions, and many other affects of the Lungs; for it opens, com∣forts and preserves them. It dissolves Flegm, and gluti∣nous Humors, penetrates, warms and drys all cold and moist Constitutions. It is powerful in the Sciatica and Gout; for it eases pain and strengthens the parts to a wonder, and that even by ex∣ternal Unction alone. It helds the weakness of the sight, strengthens the Eyes, and fortifies the visive Facul∣ties, and Nerves, and multiplies the Animal and Visive Spirits, taking away darkness, clouds and vapors which obfuscate the Sight, or obstruct the optick Nerves. It helps the concoction of all the Viscera, multiplies the Natural heat, and preserves the Vital. It acuates and sharpens all the Senses, both internal and external; faci∣litates and expedites the mo∣tions of the Members, warms and comforts the Nerves, and makes way for the circulati∣on of the Animal Spirits through the whole Body. It cures Palsies, dead Palsies, Numbness, Cramps, and all other Diseases proceeding from cold and moist causes. Dose à gr. x.ad ℈j. in gene∣rous Wine in the morning fasting.