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.

To make the tincture and Magistery of Benjuin.

℞ ℥. 11 BENJUIN of the best note, reduce it to a very sub∣tile powder, which being searced through a silke Tamy that all the heterogeneous substances may be separated, put this powder in a Matrass and poure upon it ℥vi. of Alkohal of wine prepared upon salt of ♀ because if there was the least of phlegm mingled with it, the operation might be checkt thereby: agitate nimbly the matter and keep the matresse in a litle of lukewarm water, and the Benjuin will disolve in a very short time, which is an infallible argument to prove that this refine containes a very pure and subtile sulphureous volatile salt: for if it held a grosse and unctuos sulphur, the Alkohal of wine could make but a simple extraction of it, and not an intire and perfect dissolution: if it also did particpate of a grosse and earthly muscilage, it would by no means hold proportion nor agree in matter with the clean∣linesse and subtilty of our vital spirit, neither with that of the spirit of wine. For as the remedies extracted from Benjuin are made use of for the diseases of the breast and lungs, it must fol∣low of all necessity, that the matter whereof they are extracted is composed of very subtile, volatile and balsamick parts, that they may be guided and appropriated by the help of the Archeus to the disgestions of the diseased parts, servata & illibata suae virtutis potestate. The dissolution which shall be red and transparent, must be filtrated in a very dry Vial: for if there was the least moisture or aquosity, it would instantly turn the tincture into white, and precipitate it to a Magistery. Keep half of the tin∣cture in a vial by it self, which must be very well stopt, to use up∣on occasion. But if you will have very well depurated Benjuin, precipitate the other part of the dissolution in very cleer common water; and when you have drawn off the spirit of wine again, in a small cucurbit in the vapour of Balneo, the Magistery will be left in the bottom, then draw off the water by inclination, and wash this pure Benjuin with rose water, and dry it softly; we will give it the name of Magistery, though somewhat improperly, because many Authors have so. The Tincture is not much more pro∣perly

so named; for it is, to say truth, but a dissolution: the ver∣tue whereof is nevertheless encreased, by reason of the excel∣lency and nobleness of the Menstruum; wherefore it may law∣fully be used both inwardly and outwardly. Outwardly applyed, it is a wonderful Cosmetick, clensing the skin both of the hands and face beyond any other, taking away all spots, dries pimples in the face, and takes them away, as all other tumours, buds or rednesses in the skin, resolving patiently all harsh and malignant serosities which the outward air hinders from transpiring, because the face is not covered as are the other parts of the body; and the matter being thus kept in betwen the flesh and skin, it causes those several defects of it. To make a right use of this Tincture, apply it towards bed-time upon all the places where you find need, and the next day wash the place with Barley-water wherein Veal hath boiled, which you shall turn to a milk colour, with some few drops of the Tincture of Benjuin, and then sweep either face or hands (as you have applyed it) with a very dry and soft linnen cloth. But besides this outward use in repairing such defects of the skin, if after being raised, you use at any time washing with the white water made by this Tincture, it will prevent for the future all pimples, raising of the skin, or redness which often happens by ill preparation of the soap-ball, and the lixivial salt, which has ever something of fieryness that enters in the composition of it. Inwardly it may be given for Asthma's and Short-breath; and to physical persons, or such as are troubled with old Coughs, from ij. drops to x. or xij. in a new raw egg, or a spoonful of Syrup of Hyssop, made after the description which we have given above; it may be given in the morning fasting, and the evening two hours before supper. As for the Magistery, it may also be admi∣nistred in new laid eggs, or some pectoral Conserve, from iv. grains to xv. and xx. for those which are offended by the smell and taste of spirit of wine: It may also be mixed in Electuaries and Tablets; they that will make good washing-balls, and such as may never endanger by any ill accident the skin of those they will trim, must prepare and wash carefully their soap, to divest it from the ill quality of the lixivial salt, and leave in it only the mundifying and abstersive vertue; and when it is brought to that pass, wash it, and feed it a good while with tincture of Benjuin,

adding thereto ℥s. of the Magistery to each pound of soap, after which they shall frame their balls of the bigness of ℥ij. and let them dry softly; add if they are pleased to add a little of Musk and amber-greece, they may boast to have washing-balls better for the perfume and sweetness, and more useful for preserving and clensing the skin both of face and hands, then those of Bolonia so much accounted of.