A compendious body of chymistry, which will serve as a guide and introduction both for understanding the authors which have treated of the theory of this science in general: and for making the way plain and easie to perform, according to art and method, all operations, which teach the practise of this art, upon animals, vegetables, and minerals, without losing any of the essential vertues contained in them. By N. le Fèbure apothecary in ordinary, and chymical distiller to the King of France, and at present to his Majesty of Great-Britain.

The Purification of Tartar.

TARTAR may be purified by a simple washing of warm wa∣ter to take away the salt and terrestrial dregs which it al∣wayes hath in its self, and by which it is ordinarily assisted and ac∣companied in its coagulation: To perform then this Purification, beat to pouder either German Tartar, or Tartar of Monipellier, and having put it in an earthen Pan, pour on it some water a lit∣tle more then luke-warm, half a foot high, then stir it with a Pestle that the water may take the substance and muddinesse of the Tartar, then let the fallen parts fettle again, and pour out the water by inclination, and reiterate three times this Lotion with warm water, and thrice with cold, and so shall you have a Tartar something pure, which you may use well enough in Deco∣ctions, Infusions or Macerations where there shall be need, ei∣ther for ordinary work or some prescription of the Physitians. But this way of Purifying is too course, and savours rather com∣mon and vulgar Pharmacy then Chymical, which ought totally

to separate purity from impurity: The Artist then shall thus pro∣ceed,, to make what they call Inshops, Chrystals and Cremor Tartari, which to speak properly, are nothing else but well puri∣fied Tartar, beat to subtil pouder lb xxx. or XL. of good ☿. well shining and glistering in the breaking thereof, compacted, Chrystalline and weighty: boyl lb CC. of Rain, or good and pure River water, in which throw the ☿ by degrees, and it will soon dissolve therein: then presently strain that Liquor through two great Hypocras baggs, hanging over some great Tub very well cleansed, and when all hath run stir continually the said Liquor with Pestles until it be totally cooled, then let it rest, and two hours after you shall find that the pure and finest Tartar shall be sunk in the bottom of the Tub in the form of an impalpable and shining Pouder, which may without scruple be used in stead of the Chrystal, or what improperly is called Cre∣mor Tartari, because some have supposed that the crust which remains on the top of the Liquor after it is drawn, was of a more subtil quality then the Chrystals which are found in the bottom, or stick on the sides of the Vessel, though it be the same thing; since that crust or pretended Cremor, is nothing else but the coagulation of the purified Tartar in the superfices of the water by the cold ayre. But above all this, there is yet one stronger Reason, why this Tartar thus purified should be preferred to the Chrystals or Cremor Tartari, which is ordinarily found in the Drugsters and Grocers shops, which is that those who purifie the Tartar in places where it is plentiful and cheap, do put in the water which must dissolve in Quick-lime with their Tartar, and that for two reasons; the first, because the Tartar should sooner and more easily be dissolved; the second, that the Lime may precipitate to the bottom, and draw along with it self all the Feces and clammy viscosities which cause the impurity of Tartar, and hinder the Chrystals to become either so white or so pure; But in using this Method, they do not consider the great harm which may proceed, and proceeds from thence daily: for besides that time doth in some manner fix the essential salt of the Tar∣tar, and makes it lesse easie to be dissolved in brothes and other Liquors, it doth besides imprint into it a noxious quality which offends the stomach, and heats extraordina••ily the brest, and is

prejudious to the whole habit of body of those that use often to take it, so that the good intention of Physitians is not followed: for whereas they intend to prescribe an Aperitive and Disopilative Remedy, it proves often to be coagulating and Fixative by reason of the Petrifick Idea which is unspeak∣able from the salt of Lime mixt and united with that of the Tartar. But this I only say by the by, that the Apothecaries may themselves take the pains to prepare their Remedies, whereof they are accountable unto God, the credit of Physitians, and to their Neighbour.

The Vertues of this purified Tartar, are first and chiefly to dis∣solve and attenuate the grosse and tartarous Humors, which cause the obstructions of the first Region of the Belly: where∣fore it may be usefully administred also to open those of the Liver, Spleen, Mesentery, Pancreas and Kidneys; above all things it is to be recommended in Diseases proceeding from Me∣lancholy, and all Hypocondrical fits and affections: All Au∣thors seem to agree in affirming that it is an universal Digestive; and for this reason make it ever a fore-runner of Purgation, to attenuate and prepare that which by the Purgative must be e∣vacuated. It is also a very convenient Remedy for all such as are naturally caustick and close in their bodies; for it will open and gently loose the Belly, without offending either the stomach or digestive Faculty; The Dosis is from ℈ i. to ℥ j. or i j. in broth, or some aperitive or digestive Decoction. But because this Remedy is destinated to open the obstructions of the Spleen and Liver, and that Iron or Steel, is one of the choisest Specificks which may be made use of for this pur∣pose, Chymical Artists have found a way to unite and associate the Steel and Tartar together, by their Reciprocal action work∣ing one upon the other in their dissolution, which is thus per∣formed.