The Anatomy of Wine.

WINE is the juyce of the fruit of the Vine, exhaled by fermentation, which by Paracelsus is call'd The blood of the Earth, the juyce of the Prince of all Vegetables, the Sove∣reign Cordial, thought also by some to be the juyce of Raymond Lully, his great Lunaria: others call it again, the juyce of Janu's plant, and of the great Vegetable: but leaving all these names, let us come to the anatomy of the thing it self, and of its parts. Wine then, first of all, does yield by the help of Distillation, a most subtil and incorruptible essence, commonly called aqua vitae, burning water, spirit of Wine, he••enly Sulphur, Bezoartick ve∣getable Sulphur, Heavenly Menstruum, Coelestial water, the Hea∣ven of Raymond Lully, the Philosophers Rey, an aethereal body consisting of fire and water, the volatile Balsam of the Catholick or universal Liquor, and finally the Quintessence of Wine. In the second place, it yields in the separation, great store of insipid and corruptible water, which is called its Phlegm. Thirdly, there cometh a certain fumous or smoaking Spirit, which is nothing else but the grosser part of the volatile salt of Wine, reduced into va∣por, and ascending under the form of a whitish smoak. In the fourth place follows, a certain fat, unctuous and combustible oyl, but in very small quantity; and fifthly, from the thick and black substance left in the bottom, is extracted, a penetrating, subtil and fixed lixivial salt after calcination; and finally in the sixth place, after the salt is extracted, there remains a muddy, insipid, and needlesse earth.

We have said the Wine was made such only by the help of fer∣mentation, and therefore are bound to illustrate it by proof, which we hope easily to perform: since none that hath converse with wine can be ignorant, that Must or wine in the Must was never Wine, and that no body gives it ever the name of Wine, but after Fer∣mentation is ended: but there is another more Philosophical proof, and more satisfactory to the mind of a Chymical Artist, who knows that all whatsoever is wine and is called so, yields its Spirit before the phlegm; and that in the distillation of Must, Page  4improperly and commonly called sweet Wine before fermentati∣on, there comes nothing but an insipid meer water, resembling that of Rain; which is a convincing proof since it falls under sensible demonstration; for after the distillation is performed, there remains a pleasant extract of a sweet and saccharing taste, containing in it self the essential and volatile Salt of Must, and ••d its heavenly Sulphur, uncapable now of action, being too much restrained, and deprived of sufficient humor or moisture to reduce his power into act: but if you restore unto it a sufficient portion of water, and can dextrously introduce a spark of Oyle there in, by the help of some fit and appropriated Ferment, it will work again in a short time, and make it appear, that his fermen∣tation only can perfect and make the wine. For all the Masse will ferment, and the liquor by this means contract the taste, strength, pleasantnesse and all other perfections of Wine, by which it e∣vidently appears, that Art is capable in some way to imitate Na∣ture, and that amongst all other Arts, Chymistry alone can at∣tain to the Theory and practice of this Artificial Fermenta∣tion.

Now it is not enough to have described the six parts or sub∣stances which Wine affords in general, unlesse we come to its particular anatomy: they that will please their eye, must take good wine, clear defecated and subtil, of a generous and strong com∣plexion, and distill it in B.M. in a grear glasse Cucurbit, that they may the better examine, with the eye which all the substances shall ascend: for when the pure Spirit rises, the veines will scarce ap∣pear in the Still head, so subtil they are; and when they are total∣ly deprived of phlegm, they ascend not in a straight line, but are crooked and winding: but when the phlegm begins to mix with them they become more straight & visible, by reason of the waight of water which more visibly doth incorporate with them; when this comes to passe, the Cucurbite or glasse-body must be exposed to a Sand-furnace something warm: but the moisture must be wi∣ped off from the vessels first, and a graduated fire administred, to perform thus the whole anatomy of Wine, for the satisfaction of the Artist. But because this processe is slow and tedious, and that the Laboratory of the Chymical Apothecary, ought to be fur∣nished with great store of Spirit of wine of all sorts, being the Page  5chief menstruum of all, and the more conformable to our nature, for the execution of the finest operations; we think fit to deliver a more compendious and quick Method of distilling Wine; as a ground to explain afterwards all the processes of work which may be done upon it, to render it useful to all preparations what∣soever, which the same Art will take in hand.

To extract the Spirit of Wine.

FILL up your (Vesica) or glasse-body, half a foot near to the mouth with a good strong and generous wine, well defecated, then cover it with a Head, and lute it, administring a soft and gentle fire, untill the drops begin to fall, and the pipe of the Moors head grows so hot, that your hand cannot rest upon it without burning: then stop the Furnace on all sides, and keep the water in the Tunne (through which passes the neck or worme) very cool, guiding the fire so judiciously and so moderately, then what∣ever falls into the recipient may fall alwayes cold; for in doing so you spare the trouble of a Rectification, because phlegm cannot easily ascend and mix it self with the Spirit, when the heat is well proportion'd and fitted to the work: the first Spirit drawn must ever be layd by it self, as the most pure and most subtil; and the distillation continued, until the distilling liquor grows insipid: this phlegmatick Spi•it which comes last, must be mixed again with the next wine you are to distil, and so proceed until you have a suf∣ficient quantity of Spirit or aqua vitae drawn, to supply a rectifi∣cation in the same glasse-body; But now in this part of the ope∣ration, above all things the fire must be heeded, and skilfully go∣vern'd, and cold water timely supplyed and often changed, because it easily will contract heat, the vapors of these fiery Spirits being much hotter then those of grosse bodies. That which remains af∣ter the distillation of Wine must not be thrown away; but to the contrary evaporated to the consistency of a black and clammy ex∣tract, much like unto pitch, which must be distilled in a Retort, with open fire, and thence will come forth an acid and sharp vo∣latile Spirit, and a black and ponderous Oyle, all participating much of Empyelum, and having a strong fiery smell, what remains Page  6in the Retort must be calcined in a crucible or a glased earthen pot until it comes to a perfect white; then lixiviate it, and filtrate, evaporate and dry to a Sun, which is to be reverberated in the Crucible unto rednesse, without putting neverthelesse the matter therein contained in fusion, then expose it to the ayr to dissolve it and subtiliate the parts thereof; and so will it divest it self with many more viscous and clammy feculencey's that are to be sepa∣rated afterwards by alteration, then evaporate or separate the wa∣ter from this Salt again upon ashes, and being dry, gloom it in a Crucible without melting, and expose again to the ayre until dis∣solution, then filtrate, evaporate and dry again, and so proceed reiterating till seven times, or what would yet be better, until the salt leaves no more seculenceys in the filtration, and that when you shall extract the moistnesse of the dissolution in B. M. to the fourth part, you have a clear chrystalline white and transparent Salt: then may you confidently boast you have a true salt of Wine, which to a diligent, curious and knowing Artist, may serve as a Key to open all natural bodies, after the same hath been acuted with its Spirits, and made capable to fly and ascend with the same: for then will they not only penetrate into the bodies of Vege∣tables and Animals, but even also will act upon Minerals and Me∣tals, provided they have been first destroyed and made fit to be extracted by this noble Menstruum, which we above all things do recommend, to such as have a desire of successe in Chymical Operations.

To prepare the Alkool of Wine.

THE Chymical Laboratory, which is the true shop of a good Apothecary, must be furnisht with store of very subtil and very pure Spirit of Wine, whom the Authors use to call Alkool of Wine; and as it requires both time and store of charges to bring to perfection, I have given the Model of a Vessel capable at once, and with an easie charge to perform this operation, without the trouble of so many reiterated distillations, which to do the work exactly were necessary before this useful invention; because the Vessels wherein the cohobations required for rectification and al∣koolization Page  7were made, being too low, it caus'd the phlegm still to be more with the Spirit; but in this Vessel of invention, it is impossible the phlegm should ever ascend, let the heat of the fire never be given so great: as it is evident in the latter end of the distillation of Spirit of Wine made in your Vesica or still glasse-body; for when the phlegm begins to overpower the Spirit, be∣ing in greater quantity, the heat of the fire must be encreased in a double, yea a treble proportion to cause the remaining Spirit to rise, which is in nothing inferiour in purity, quicknesse and subti∣lity to the other that first ascended, as it is made evident by expe∣rience, and by the proofs and notes of its perfection: which are, that this Spirit being set on a flame in a silver Spoon, or of any o∣ther Metal, it flyes and consumes all away without leaving so much as a drop of phlegm, or sign of moisture in the bottom of the Spoon: The second note is, that a piece of paper or Cotton, or rag of linnen being dipt in this Spirit and set on a flame, it doth not only all vapor and consume away, but moreover enflames and kindles the body which first it had moistened, provided it has been well dryed before. The third and the best note and an in∣fallible one, is, when the finest Gunpowder well dryed is moisten∣ed and imbib'd with this Spirit, if you see it on a flame it will at last consume also the powder; for then it is a true concluding sign, that no portion of phlegm remains mixed therein: for did there remain never so little the Gunpowder would never take fire, wherefore this operation saves much time and labour; For when all the Spirit of what was put by the Artist in the glasse-still body is ascended, let him only fill a crooked pipe or Spoon with water, and insert it in the Vessel by the small channel it has in the side, and thus shall he empty the still body to the very bot∣tom, without being put to the trouble to take off the Lute of any part of the structure of the Vessel, and by the same channell or conduit may fill up again the same glasse-body with new aqua vitae by a Funnel, and so may he almost continue unabrùptedly day and night his work without any trouble, provided he takes care to supply the fire as it shall waste and consume away. And if the Artist shall propose to make yet a more subtil and refined Spirit of Wine, more penetrating and active then the former, let him put in the bottom of the body of our Vessel or Engine of Sal {tartar}. Page  8very dry, and pour upon some rectified Spirit of Wine, luting all the joynts after commissures of the Vessels with a Hog or Neats bladder dipt in white of eggs well beaten, then administer the fire until he has drawn again all the pure Spirit, which will have a most pleasing taste and fragrancy then the former, and be very apt to make therewith those impregnations and imbibitions of Salt, whereof we have spoken here above, as also for the extraction of many fine and excellent Tinctures. There are some which call this Spirit so alkolizated upon Salt of Tartar Tartarizated Spirit of Wine, but very improperly: for the true Spirit of this nature can be no other, then that through which has been wrought the most subtil pure and refined part of the Salt of Wine: which is a very painful operation, and deserving rather the care and indu∣stry even of the most consummated in the practice and mysteries of Chymistry, then the impatience and unskilfulnesse of those which are but Novices and young Practitioners in the operations of this noble Art.

It remaines onely we should speak now of the great and wonderful vertues of this noble Spirit, which can never be commended or praised enough by any body; howsoever ignorant bablers, who are not acquainted with it, may speak to the contrary: for it a most penetrative and incorruptible Spirit, potently resist∣ing to putrefaction, and to all injuries of cold and frost: and▪ I let you judge and consider, whether there must not be a capacity in this Spirit to preserve living bodies and their parts, being duly and judiciously administred; since it preserves dead bodies; whereof those which keep therein for several years abortive faetus's may be sufficient witnesses, as likewise Surgeons, who so usefully and successefully apply it for stopping the progresse of Gangrenes and other accidents tending to corruption of the parts of the body. It revives and awakes the vital and animal faculties: and therefore produces sometimes surprizing effects in Apoplexies, Lethargies, Epilepsies, and all other soporiferous affections of the body, where the passage of Spirits is obstructed by some grosse clamminesse and viscosity stopping the sinews which are the Organs of sense and motion: for this Spirit penetrates in a moment even as light, dissolves and eats whatsoever was the cause of obstruction, and causes life and all its functions which were as buried and suffocated, Page  9to shine and appear again; But if it has any considerable vertues in internal applications, it shows no lesse estimable ones in ex∣ternal: for by its fiery and Celestial quality it dissipates and re∣solves all cold and schirrous tumors, opens the pores and drives or exhales the windy vapors which sometimes are raised between the spaces of the Muscles, causing very sharp pains, it hinders the coagulating of the blood in all manner of contusions, and so prevents all manner of accidents which commonly use to fol∣low them: as swelling, pains, corruption of the extravasated blood, which of necessity without this help must putrifie, and would afterwards come to suppuration, were all those ill conse∣quences and symptomes not hindered by this Spirit. But above all, this Spirit is a wonderful Specifick against all manner of burnings, the grief whereof it allayes, and takes away the wild∣fire from it, with such a sudden help and quicknesse, that no pene∣tration or ill impression can happen in the parts offended where it is applyed, not even so much as blisters or rising pustulas in the flesh, provided it be put upon before the skin begins to peel of, and before any other Remedy be made use of. But I want words to expresse further the worth and vertue of this Heavenly Balsom: wherefore, I leave the rest to the experience of such as will make use of it; which I may safely and on my con∣science assure, that they shall never be deceived in the use thereof.

But as the young Artists might easily mistake, and equivocate in the rare appellation of Spirit of Wine alkoolizated, which for abreviations sake is writ alkolized, confounding it with Spirit of wine alhalized, it is necessary to shew in wherein they differ, and to teach the way how to prepare the last in a more exact and ar∣tificial way then any hath done hitherto: but before we come to the description thereof we will shew the difference between both: which consists in this, that alkolized Spirit of wine, is nothing else but the said Spirit pure and divested of all phlegm, as we have de∣scribed it above: but Alhalized Spirit of wine, is a Spirit impreg∣nated with its own salt, which is prepared two several wayes: the first by the help of its essential salt, which is Tartar, and this can∣not very properly be called Alkalized; because Alkali signifies a fix salt made by calcination; but when the Artist has attained the Page  10skill to impregnate the Spirit of wine with its Alkali, it is then pro∣perly that he may call it Alkalized Spirit of wine: for that which is prepared with Tartar, is more conveniently named Spirit of wine acuated with his own Tartar, or Tartar sated. I cannot bury in silence the errour of those who pretend by a single dissoluti∣on to unite the very pure Spirit of wine and its purified Alkali to∣gether, to make therewith their Alkalibed spirit of wine: since those that are acquainted with the nature of salts Alkali, and that of Alkohol of wine, know that they work not one upon the o∣ther, if the salt be very dry, and the spirit very pure, but if the salt participates of the least moisture, or that in the spirit there remaines yet any small portion of phlegm, then will there happen some small dissolution of the salt, but there will be no union made of either with other, because they are of a quite dif∣ferent nature, the one being aethereal and combustible, the other a salt dissoluble in water: those that know what belongs to true Chymical Philosophy, can be competent Judges of what we have said, and will confesse that not without reason we have insisted a little on the elucidation thereof, not to prejudice the Chymical Artist.

How to prepare the Tartarized Spirit of Wine.

℞ lb ij. OF Spirit of Wine of the first distillation, pour it in a glasse Retort, wherein you have put ℥ j. ☿ very pure and clean reduced to a grosse pouder, put your Retort B. M. filld with moistened sawings of wood, and only four fingers high of water in the bottom, the vapor whereof will gently en∣tertain the heat and moistnesse of the saw-dust: administer mo∣derate and soft fire, that the drops falling into the Recipient which must be exactly luted, may follow gently one another and with∣out hear, so that between the falling of each drop there may be an interval of four pulsations or beatings of the pulse, or telling slowly four; as soon as the phlegm is perceived to come forth, you must give over: and if any should happen to have ascended with the spirit, it must be separated by rectification. This operation Page  11must be thrice reiterated, taking still ℥ j. of fresh ☿. & observing the same degree of heat: to conclude, desiccate well the ℥ iij. ☿. which you may use oft in your distillation: put your distilled spirit in a Retort, and add to it those ℥ iij. ☿. reduced to pouder, and a∣bove all things well dryed; fit immediately to it a Recipient and lute it exactly, then distil in ashes softly, until you see the drops cease to fall; then by degrees encrease the fire, even until nothing more will come forth; then shall you have the tartarized spirit of Wine, or acuated with its Tartar, being an operative and diuretick Spirit, but above all a most excellent menstruum for the extra∣ction of several noble and useful Medicinal Tinctures. And you are to note, that on the top of each of these distillations there will swim a small portion of Oyle which must be taken off every time, because it is the true essence or oyle of Wine, and a very high Cordial. But if you will have a Spitit yet more penetrating, more active and more subtil then this last, calcine your Tartar remain∣ing after these distillations, with ℥ xij. more of very pure ☿. in an earthen glazed pot with a circular fire, or ({fire} rotae) until it has contracted a mixture of blew, white and red colour; and whilst it is yet warm, beat it to pouder in a brazen Mortar heated with its iron Pestle; and immediately throw the pouder in a double Vessel, and by little and little impregnate or inbibe it with your tartarized spirit of Wine; and when the spirit hath sufficiently penetrated all the whole Masse, pour on more to the height of four or five fingers: then stop the necks of your double Vessel where the joynts meet and lute them very exactly with a Bladder, whites of egg and quick lime, and place your Vessel to digest in B. M. with Saw-dust, the space of six weeks, in a moderate heat imitating that of mans body: This time being over, take away the upper part of your double Vessel and apply nimbly a Chaptial or Still-head, which luted, continue the fire, but of somewhat stronger a degree, and distil the spirit from it till it leaves the bottom dry; then about the end give a very quick fire, and you may then boast of having a tartarizated, and in some kind an alkalized spirit of Wine, of a sweet and pleasing fragrancy, re∣sembling that of the flowred Vine; because the internal Sulphur of the calcined Salt has in a manner dulled and deaded the edge and quicknesse of this Spirit, which is very effectual to draw the Page  12Tinctures, and make the extracts of all Purgatives, whose untipe∣nesse it corrects with all other peccant qualities, digesting the same and altering for the best, by the help of that Celestial fire which it conceals and possesses in its entrals: whence proceeds also the vertue it has to preserve the vigor and faculties of all Ani∣mals, Vegetables, Minerals and Metals. It is one of the great Arcana in the practice of Physick, and chiefly in tartarous Dis∣eases proceeding from obstructions of a fix and tenacious Salt, form'd in the entrals, because in the coction the stomach is desti∣tuted of that subtil, volatile and energetick Spirit, which is capable either to expel them by insensible transpiration, or eject them by Urine and Sweat: whence it comes to passe that this Spirit is of a soveraign efficacy in Scorbutical and all other Diseases of the Spleen and hypocondrical affections, of Asthma's or short breath, and Cachexye or depraved disposition of the entrals. It causes also sleep, administred with a little of the Tincture of Saffron. The Dosis is from ℈ ij. to ʒ j. in Wine, Broth, Decoctions, or any other appropriated Liquors according to the intention of the Physitian; we leave all the other preparations which may be made of Wine and of its Spirit, to the examination and cu∣riosity of the Son of Art; holding it sufficient to have insinuated all the necessary Methods, from which we may fetch the Rules of not erring in his beginnings and first preparations, as also the Method of attempting further, when he shall have a mind to satisfie himself about any remarkable operations, which he shall meet with in the most famous and celebrated Authors.

Of the Anatomy of Vinegar.

THE name of Vinegar doth sufficiently evince that the sub∣ject of this work must be acid Wine; but use has prevailed that the name of Vinegar should be given to all acid Liquors, made out of Beer, Cider, or Perry: but in all Chymical operati∣ons Wine-vinegar alone is to be used, being the most excellent of all other Vinegars, because it proceeds from an alteration of the Prince of Vegetables, which abounds most in vitriolick and acid Page  13salt which is its Tartar: and when the Wine is robbed and depri∣ved of the purest part of its spiritual and igneous Sulphur, then the predominant Tartar changes all the remaining liquor into Vinegar: a speculation of very great importance, and very well worth con∣sideration; for Paracelsus makes use in his books of Archidoxa of the comparison of the Sphere of Activity of Vinegrifical Ferment (if I may use this barbarous word) to prove the strength and vertue of transmutative Tinctures: and the learned Van Helmont cannot find a better proof for the secret action and hidden intrin∣secal power of fire, light, and the internal Ferment of mixt bodies, then by comparing that Ferment with the leaves of bread, and the Ferment of the stomach: But moreover, he relates a story con∣cerning the strength and power of Spirits impregnated with the Ferment of Vinegar, which is that, if you fill with River water a Cask of Oak very dry, wherein for some time before has been put good Wine-vinegar, and expose the same to the beams of the Sun, during the heat of the Dog-dayes, then the fermentative spirit of Vinegar shall transmute and change by his magisterial tinging and transmutative vertue all this quantity of water into Vinegar; a thing that will appear very possible if we reflect upon this, that one pound or two of dough having in it the principle of leaven, are capable to turn a hundred pound of wrought dough, not only into leaven, but to convert them also into spirits Animal & water: Now the Cask is made of boards or planks of Oak, which is a tree altogether of a vitriolick nature, and whereof by distillation a ve∣ry potent, acid or sharp spirit may be drawn; but that which is the chief of all, is, that the pores of this wood are filled with the most subtil parts of the Spirit and salt of the Vinegar which it contained before, which retains still in, and with it self the Character and power to convert into vinegas all such liquors as be put in the Cask, provided it be assisted with the Suns or any other constant and continued heat that may supply its room and office. But that which he notes of more wonder, is, that this Vinegar of water was all spiritual; for whereas the vinegar of Wine, sends forth in the distillation his phlegm first of all, and yields but towards the end his spirit: the vinegar of Water contrariwise, doth still send forth and yield spirit equally from the beginning of the distillation to the end, and still with the same strength and dissolutive vertue.

The manner of distilling Vinegar.

CHUSE of the strongest and best Vinegar you can meet with, and put it in glasse bodies or Cucurbits till they be half full, then cover them with their heads and place it in sand, making but a plain lute with a filter of wet paper: the administer the fire, and the first thing that shall ascend will be the phlegm, which is an evident proof that Vinegar is nothing else but a wine, which the salt and acid Spirit prevailing over the aethereal and subtil sulphur hath fixed. From time to time you must examine the taste of the falling drops, that you may change your Recipient as soon as the drops shall grow acid, and so drive the fire with an equal heat un∣til all the spirit of the Vinegar be drawn, which commonly is called distilled Vinegar: You must note to cease the fire when there is but little of Vinegar left; otherwise that which is in the bottom of the Cucuribite would burn, and so communicate an ill empyrematical smell to the spirit of Wine: but to prevent this accident, warm Vinegar to pour again into the Cucurbite, which may be done for three ends: First to exhale and vapour away some part of the phlegm of Vinegar; Secondly, to hinder by the heat, that the glasse-body should not break; and in the third place, that the new Vinegar may dissolve the grosse and feculent one which is in the bottom of the Cucurbite, and so shall the distillation go on without contracting any empyreuma add losing any time or heat of the Furnaces. But they who intend to make a very strong Vinegar for metallick operations, have no need of all these pre∣cautions, because it is even necessary to drive the salt which is found in the remainder of the Vinegar into a Spirit, to make it penetrate the better into the bodyes or calpes of Metals: where∣fore there ought to be no fear of heightning the fire towards the end, until all the reddish fumes or vapour be over, with this cau∣tion neverthelesse, that the Vessels must be well luted, which are to suffer such violent fire, because the last spirits are very penetrating and subtil; and as distilled Vinegar is a menstruum of much use in Chymical operations, so is it requisite that the Artists Laboratory be well provided with these three kinds, viz. acid phlegm, spirit Page  15of Vinegar without Empyreuma, and this last driven with the in∣tensest fire, that he may be still supplyed wherewithal both to prepare Remedies and satisfie his Curiosity, in Philosophical try∣als and Experiments, which daily he is invited to make for the satisfaction of his mind, and to prove whether his reasoning is answered by successe, and know whether all what we have deli∣vered by Authors is true or false. Distilled Vinegar hath no very great use in Physick, unlesse applyed as a dissolvent for the prepa∣ration of other Remedies; or to make Syrups, as we have said a∣bove, or to prepare Bezoartick Vinegars, and Remedies against the Plague: for it is endowed with an incising and attenuating vertue, and therefore is Diuretick, Aperitive and Sudorisick; it is even Alexiterial and cures the biting of Serpents, because it kils by the subtility of its acid spirit, the volative salt of the spittle and venom of these creatures: it produces the same effect on tart, hot and corrosive gummes and all condensated Juyces which are deem∣ed venomous and of a dangevous quality: Wherefore it is em∣ployed by Chymists as the true Correctives of Remedies prepa∣red therewith.

To prepare the Radical or alkalized Vinegar.

℞ lb v. or vj. lb. OF very strong distilled Vinegar well dephlegmated, wherein you shall dissolve lb j. of Chrystals of Vinegar, which are nothing else but its own Tartar well purified, which by some is called its essential salt, and by others its vola∣tile salt, but improperly enough: digest them together for the space of fifteen dayes in a double (or circulatory) Vessel in the heat of a vapory Bath, in Saw-dust or minced straw, which done, put all in a Retort, and distil upon sand till it be dry, augmenting the fire towards the end, that the spirits of this subtil and acid Tartar may be joyned to the distilled Vinegar; calcine to white∣nesse the remaining matter in the Retort, and add to it lb ij. more of ☿ very well depurated; put all these calcined salts in a Retort, and distil your Vinegar thereupon so often by reiterated cohobations in sand-fire, that the spirit of Vinegar may incor∣porate Page  16and carry along with him the greatest part of the fixed salt, which for the most part is not performed until the eleventh or twelfth cohobation, so shall you have a true alkalized Vinegar, fit to dissolve in a very short time all manner of stones and shels: as likewise to extract and penetrate the bodies of all Minerals and Metals; they that will be at the trouble to prepare it so, and use it dexterously, will find out more and more to how many rare effects this Spirit is conducing.

Another very subtil Spirit of Vinegar.

DISTILY in B. M. lb. xv. of very good Vinegar well de∣purated, and extract shortly thereof about lb x ij. of phlegm, put the remainder in a Retort and distil upon sand with a graduate fire until the remaining matter be very dry; then cohobate the same spirit drawn off upon his own feces four or five times; af∣ter which make a past of lb φ. of the Chrystals of tartar of the Vinegar, ℥ iiij. of Sal. ☿. with lb φ. of Bolus reduced to pow∣der, a little of very good distilled Vinegar; and having made this paste into Pils of a fit bignesse to be put in a Retort of glasse or stone mettle, place it in a close Reverbatory, and fit thereto the Recipient, wherein lyes the first distilled Vinegar joyn'd with its Chrystals by cohobation, and give a gradual fire untill all the spirits are driven out by the strong expression of the fire: after all is cooled, open the Vessels, and rectifie your distillation in a sand-Furnace; and thus shall you obtain a spirit of Vinegar not inferiour to the foregoing: but contrariwise yet more subtil, and consequent∣ly more capable of performing all the effects hoped for.

How to prepare the Chrystals of Vinegar or its subtil Tartar:

EVaporate in the vaporors heat of B. M. xj. or L. pints of strong Vinegar very pure and defecated, until it has attained a con∣sistence of decocted Honey: then put it in a cold place or Cellar Page  17to shute Chrystals, and draw after some time the Liquor which lyes under by inclination letting it run softly, until the Crystals be quite separated: the remaining thick and blackish liquor dis∣solve in acid phlegm of Vinegar; then strain it through a Hose to defecate it; then again evaporate the liquor strained in B. M. to the same consistence as you did before, and let it shute again Chrystals for a second time, and separate the superfluous resi∣dence fit for nothing else but to be calcined with Tartar, to draw the salt thereof; then put your Chrystals together and dissolve in a slow heat of Balneo in a sufficient quantity of good distilled Vinegar, filtrate the dissolution warm, then put it in the cold to shute Chrystals, and so continue this work of evaporating and chry∣stalizing: until you have extracted all the essential Salt; which you must dissolve, filtrate and chrystalize in this manner three or four times, that you may have it very clear and depurated: this Salt is useful to make the true Radical Vinegar; and moreover, it is a very pure and subtil Tartar, which may be given in broths to cleanse the stomach from viscous and clammy impurities ly∣ing in its bottom and about the sides of it, by which the appetite is called away; it is also good to open disopilate and cleanse the passages of urine, which it provokes gently, as it doth sweat also: The Dosis is from ℈ φ. to ℈ ij. and ℥ j.

Of Tartar, and the preparations extracted from it.

PARACELSƲS aad his followers have so much made men∣tion of Tartar in their Writings, that it is enough to con∣found the mind of their Readers, because they make no distincti∣on between microcosmical Tartar, Tartar of Aliment, and Tar∣tar Remedy. We will then succinctly explain the difference which is between them, to ease the search and labour of the studious Son of Art.

Tartar in the Paracelsian Physick is called whatsoever is ca∣pable to coagulate in the form of a stone, or is already so coagu∣ted; But neverthelesse, by microcosmical Tartar, or that which is ingendred in man, called Microcosm or little World, is to be Page  18understood a viscous and clammy matter, which by want of di∣gestion is framed in our bodies, and has in it self an immediate or proximate vertue of harding and coagulating, and consequently of causing obstructions, by reason that it wants a fermentative Spirit, capable of driving them by the natural passages and emun∣ctories, from the center of the body towards its circumference, and from thence to expel them sensibly or insensibly by the pores: the defect of transpiration being the cause of the most part of internal Diseases no lesse then external.

For the evils and accidents, whereof the Root or seminary lyes within our selves, ought not to be imputed to the vice of Aliments, as the most learned Van Helmont doth very well prove in his Tract entituled Alimenta Tartari insontia. Now the Paracelsian opinion is the cause why the name of Tartar has been given to the Terrestrial and essential Salt which is extracted from some Plants; whether it naturally separates its self from their Juyces, or whe∣ther it be performed by Art, we have declared above in the begin∣ning of the Chapter of Vegetables, the manner of separating the Tartars or essential salts of Plants: but as we can but intellectu∣ally conceive the help of Reason and comparing things together, the manner of that which is separated naturally by its own internal working, we will declare our conceit thereof, agreeing with the most judicious Authors.

The Artist to apprehend and conceive the better the original of Tartar whereof we are to speak, ought to call to mind, that the Principles of things are but crude and undigested in their original, and as it were but crude and homogeneal in this disposition of their Chaos: but afterwards by maturation there is a separation made of the grosse parts from those that are more pure and subtil: the grosse parts naturally do encline to the elementary state which is aqueous and terrestrial; but those that are subtil do exalt, and to speak more properly, spiritualize themselves, by the power and strength of their internal Principle or Archeus, which contains in its self the ferment and Spirit, by whom they are also reduced to the other elementary state which is Aereous and fiery, that is to say, participating of the aethereal and Celestial nature. Which Philosophical consideration, if it may be suitable to any subject, it cannot be applyed more lawfully to any thing then to Wine: Page  19for when the Must is newly drawn off from the Grape, it is a true Chaos, until the eternal Archeus or Principle hath raised up and excited the fermentative Spirit, which causes the separation of the subtil parts from the grosse, and ceases not from its work un∣till it has brought the substances into which it works to the highest pitch of their natural Predestination, which is the fiery and Cele∣stial part of Wine: and that which is grosser, doth return as by a Reinundation to that aqueous, earthly and saline nature which creates Tartar, which is an essential, permanent and incorruptible Salt in its self, but on whom Art and fire may imprint several alterations, because it contains very Rare and remarkable Ver∣tues, of near resemblance to the nature and Power of Spirits, by the help of its salt and sulphur, which it possesses abundantly. But let us now from this Theorical Speculation come to the practice by which we are instructed in the manner of purifying Tartar, its Dissillation, Salsification, and the Extraction of the Tincture of the internal Salt of its sulphur.

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 Page  20to 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 Page  21prejudious 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.

To prepare the Martial or chalybeated Tartar.

℞ lb j. of purified Tartar in the manner as we just now have taught, with which you shall mix ℥ ij. of cleansed filings of Needles: boyl in an earthen glazed Pot lb viij. of Rain-water very clear, or rather distilled, and pour in it softly the mixture of Tartar and filings, and let them boyl together as long as you would to make a soft Egg, then run it through a woolen strainer, and agitate the Liquor until it be cooled; and you shall have a Pouder of Martial or Chalybeated Tartar of a greenish colour, and shining when dry, and without compare more aperitive then the purified Tartar which hath been described before: For it has in it the Vitriol of Mars, which the sharp∣nesse of the Tartar hath drawn as the greenish colour doth evi∣dence: It is administred in the same Liquors, but the Dosis must be lesse: for the Dosis of this must not exceed ℈ φ. to 32. in all the Diseases and obstructions wherein we have said the o∣ther was useful.

The distillation of Tartar, and how to extract both the Spirit and the Oyl thereof.

℞ lb vj. of ☿ purified by dissolution and filtration, put them in a Glazen well-luted Retort, then fit it in a close Reverberatory, and joyn to the neek of it a large Recipient, whose Joynts must be well luted with Saltedearth, or mixt with a little of the caput mortuum of aquae fortis; let the Lute dry, and then apply a gradual fire, until you see white vapours begin to ascend, and red veines to wander about the inside of the Reci∣pient; then encrease the fire and continue even with flame of a very dry wood, until the Recipient grows clear again of it self, in the greatest and intensest action of the fire: the Furnace and Vessels being cooled, take off gently by degrees the Lute from the Recipient, by pouring warm water upon it, then take away the Page  23Recipient, and separate the distilled matter, part whereof is aque∣ous, Mercurial, subtil and spirituous, of a sharp, biting and pe∣netrating taste, which is a token of its volatile salt, and the rest a blackish and heavy Oyle of an Empyreumatical smell as well as the Spirit, having also a sharp and biting taste, though inflam∣mable as other distilled Oyles, which shewes also that this Oyle contains in it self store of volatile salt which is not separated from its sulphur, by reason of the strict union between them both: This separation is performed in the same manner as we have related above. After this the Spirit must be rectified in ashes, with this Note, that as Tartar is a salt which has its original from Wine, so likewise the spirit it yields is of a very resembling na∣ture: that is to say, that the spirit of Tartar is not of the nature of acid Spirits, which yield their spirit the last: but contrariwise, it has two kinds of spirits in it self, the best and noblest whereof ascends the first, and this is the volatile Spirit, the phlegm follows after; and for the last follows an acid or strong Spirit which hi∣therto hath found no great use in Physick. The Oyle may be kept without Rectifying to use externally: But if in case you will make it more Penetrative, more Dissolutive and Resolutive, you must also Rectifie it upon some of the remaining matter after Distil∣lation, and you shall have an Oyl capable of producing such ef∣fects as we shall attribute unto it hereafter.

In the next place, you must joyn again what remains from the re∣ctification of the Oyle of Tartar, to what is left in the Retort af∣ter distillation, and calcine it again in open fire in an earthen Pot not glazed, until all appears white, and this dissolve in warm wa∣ter and make a Lye therewith, running it three or four times, un∣til the water can attract no more of the vertue or taste thereof: theu filtrate all your Elixivations and evaporate gently, without any violent ebullition, until the top of the Liquor begins to con∣tract a skin; then move the remaining matter, and have a great care to gather all what you see stick in every part of the Vessel, and to hinder the coagulation thereof in the bottom of the Ves∣sel, because it would prove very difficult to take it off afterwards: continue your care and work without interruption, until all be converted into a dry and white salt, which is the true fixed salt of Tartar; to be preserved in a very dry Bottle exactly stopt with Page  24a Cork dipt in wax, that it return not to a Liquor, which proper∣ly is called Oleum tartari per deliquium, being nothing else but the Liquor of the salt of Tartar dissolved, and according to our Great Paracelsus, the water or Liquor of Tartar. But when you have occasion to use either this Oyle of Tartar or dissolved Salt, you must let one half of it lye in an earthen or stone-metal Pan, this Salt being the most penetrative of all calcined salts or Alkali, penetrating even through glazed earthen Vessels: wherefore I have thought fit to give this warning, that the Artist may not be deceived herein. Some may perhaps wonder that we did pre∣scribe above, to take well purified ☿ wherewith to make this Di∣stillation; since all other Authors seem to be contented with Tartar as it comes from the Cask, provided it be pure and clean; whom we must satisfie, and shew that it is not without Rea∣son and very good grounds that we have said it. We have shew∣ed above why it was necessary to depurate the Tartar, by reason viz. of its Feces, and earth, and some other adventitious mixtures, which are ever found in this matter. Now all these impurities are capable of being calcined in the distillation, and do commu∣nicate their ill taste and smell to the spirit of the Tartar, which commonly is attributed to the fire or Empyreuma: a reason why this Spirit is very little made use of internally, though one of the best Remedies in Physick. Let those whom this truth will not perswade, compare the penetrating and subtil taste of the purified spirit of Tartar with that which is not purified, and they will know, that with very good reason we have been obliged to cor∣rect and redresse this mistake, the cause sometimes of much more evil then is thought of, because these Heterogenities have in them∣selves some noxious quality, which not only communicates it self to the Spirit, but very intimately mixes with the salt, and imprints and stamps in it an evil Idea, which cannot be corrected in the pre∣paration of Remedies which the Artist is obliged to make; and consequently may often cause very dangerous accidents, which will elude the guesse and suspition of the Physitian.

Now let us come to the vertues of Spirit ☿ its distilled and in∣flammable Oyle, its salt, Oyle per deliquium, or with it dissolved Salt.

This Spirit being prepared as we have taught, and rectified in Page  25B. M. in a very clear Vessel, is one of the Noblest Remedies which Chymistry can yield: for it has the vertue and power to in∣cise or cut, attenuate, resolve whatsoever doth cause any ob∣struction in the Viscera; it is moreover capable to penetrate into the most remote parts of the body, by reason of its great subtili∣ty: for it expels all superfluities in digestions, by Urine and by Sweat: wherefore it may with very good successe be given in Dropsies, Gouts, and all arthritical Diseases, Palsie, Scorbute, Mea∣sels, Itch, Scab, and scrarches, and all contraction of Limbs: the Dosis is from ℈ φ. to ℈ ij. and a whole dram, in broths, white Wine or some other appropriated Decoctions, according to the Disease, and the indication of the skilful and expert Phy∣sitian. We have said that a portion of the distilled Oyle could be kept without Rectification, and that not without reason: for this Oyle abounds with internal salt, which remains in the bottome whilest the Rectification proceeds: and this salt it is which by its active and penetrative vertue causes those noble effects which this Oyle doth produce, in the cure of the Scurf, Tetters, and corroding and sharp running Humors. For as we have said, that the volatile Salts bear an antipathy to sharp and corroding ones, by which both scurf and Tetters are produced; so is it likewise the volatile salt of the sulphur in the Oyle which kils the acidity or sharpnesse, dryes and restores the skin to its natural state; and this Oyle is not use∣ful only to such a purpose, but even works miraculously in resol∣ving Tophus's and knots about the Joynts of Gouty persons and infected with a touch of the Pox, provided they have been purged before with some good preparation of Mercury, joyned to a well corrected extract of Coloquint. The recti∣fied Oyle is to be outwardly used, but with precaution and care, by reason of its penetrability and great activity: but it may be mixt in such Oyntments as shall be prepared for ordinary scabs, scabs called Canine, and all manner of Venerean scabs internally: It is exhibited for the wind-Colick in white Wine, and spirit of Elder∣berries, against fits suffocations of the Mother: The Dosis is from ij. drops to vj. The salt of Tartar is of it self a potent Agent, and which should produce unexpected effects, were it not so unpleasant to take, by reason of its lixivial and urinous taste: for it is the most subtil and penetrating of all the fixed salts, both used as a Page  26Remedy, as also a very useful and convenient ingredient in the separation of several other excellent Medicines: they that will use it without correction, may administer it from gr. vj. to xxx. in Broths or Decoctions, to evacuate and expel by stool and U∣rine all such matter as causes the itching and all eruptions of the skin, scratches, itches, scurf; provided, that at the same time some Oyntment be made use of wherein is distilled oyle of Tartar, and a little salt of Saturn. But we will deliver the manner how to cleanse it and take away its ill taste, rendring it Purgative, which of it self will be a very good Remedy, and an Instrument be∣sides for the performance of many noble operations in the hand of skilful and knowing Artists, who by meditation, study and la∣bour shall attain to the mysteries which it possesses: The Oyle of Tartar per deliquium, is of wonderful effect in the extraction of all the purging Vegetables; For when the Menstruums that are employed therein are impregnated and acuated with a small proportion of this Liquor, they penetrate into the very center of Bodies, extract their vertues, and correct at the same time the noxious quality which may be in them, and that by means of the heavenly and Magical Fire, which the salt of Tartar has borrowed from the light and the Ayr. This Oyle may likewise be given in∣ternally in the same manner, and for the same diseases as the Salt; The Dosis is from iv. to xx. drops. It is also one of the princi∣pal Agents of a Chymical Laboratory to make Precipitations there∣with, and to prepare the vitriolated Tartar.

To prepare the vitriolated Tartar, or Magistery thereof.

℞ lb j. of Oyle of ☿. per deliquium very clear and pure: Note that when the salt is very pure, and has been resolved in a clean place, add the Liquor well filtrated, that this Oyle is of a greenish colour: put it in a Cucurbit or Glasse-body of about a cubit high and of a narrow entrance: pour upon softly and drop by drop of Oyle of Vitriol, or the spirit thereof well Rectified, until all ebullition or noise doth cease, the weight of the oyle or spirit of Vitriol may be stinted at lb q. or thereabout, but the best Page  27way is to proceed as we have said: then place a Still-head over the Cucurbit, and draw off all the moisture which swims above the Magistery, until it comes to a consistency of a pre•ty thick pap; this done, put it in a white or bottle metal earthen Vessel, and dry it wholly to the vapour of a boyling Bath, agitating and stir•ing continually the same with a Spatula of Glasse, not of Metal: for this salt would extract the taste and tincture thereof; Put this Ma∣gistery in a Glasse-Viol very exactly stopt: It is one of the best digestives can be given to prepare the Patients body to Purgation: for it dissolves all tartarous matters which are the cause of obstru∣ctions; above all, it is of singular efficacy against the splenetical and hypocondrical obstructions, and of the Meseraick veines, a∣gainst all Aguish distempers, but chiefly fits of the Quartain; It provokes menstrual Purgations when suppressed, and accelerates them when Retarded.

How to prepare the {oil} ☿ of Sennertus, or the Purgative salt of Tartar.

℞ lb ij. of very pure and defecated salt of ☿. and put it in a Glass-Cucurbit; pour upon it 2 pints or lb iiij. of well dephlegmated still'd Vinegar, stir up the whole together until the salt be well dissolved; place your Cucurbit in ashes, and draw the moisture or liquor thereof, which shall come off tastlesse as Rain-water: then continue to distil softly your salt with pints of new distilled Vinegar, and to draw off the Vinegar on ashes so long until you shall find it to come off with the same strength as when you did pour it on; which will happen after you have pro∣ceeded thus, •bout twenty times: the salt remaining after all this work is very black; but it has no more its lixivial, harsh, biting and urinous taste; but contrariwise a savour not unpleasant, par∣ticipating of saltishnesse and acidity: rhe change which happens in the taste of this Salt proves the truth of what we have asserted above, that the acid substances and salts Alkali, convert one ano∣ther in a neutral substance, which is no more either the one or the other, and yet possesses a more excellent and lesse hurtful vertue, then the bodies out of which they have been compounded, as it Page  28evidently appears in the example of vitriolated Tartar; for the Oyle of Vitriol is a very strong Corrosive, and as an all-con∣suming fire, and the oyle of Tartar is of a sharp, biting and urinous taste, very unpleasant, and neverthelesse the result of both makes a very pleafing Magistery by its acidity, participating no more of the quality of either of the bodies whereof it is compound∣ed, unless it be its penetrating, subtil and dissolving quality: this appears moreover, in that the Vinegar loses all its acidity, and turns to insipid water, and this volatile acid salt of the Vinegar checks and turns the edge and ill taste of the salt of Tartar, to make it be∣come a very good Remedy; towards the last time that you draw off the Vinegar, you must drive this salt with a pretty strong fire, that no moisture may remain with it: dissolve the same in alkohol of wine, and filtrate, to separate from it the blackness it has con∣tracted: then put it in B. M. and draw off again the spirit of Wine from it till it be dry, dissolve, filtrate, and draw again until the 4th. time, but the 5th. time put your Vessel in ashes, and cohobate a∣gain the spirit of Wine thereon, and continue these cohobations, giving still more and more a stronger fire towards the latter end, until the salt becomes white: then put it after in a moist and clean place in a Glass-vessel, and it will easily dissolve into a red Liquor, which is to be filtrated, and part of it kept in Liquor, and the other evaporated into salt, which must be dryed and put into a narrow-neck Viol, very well stopt, if you will prepare it without dissolving. We cannot chuse but recommend this Salt in the highest manner to all Practitioners of Physick, considering the wonderful effects it is able to produce; for it is beyond all Remedies, to open the ob∣structions of all parts of the body, and to evacuate softly all mat∣ters incumbering the functions of Nature; and chiefly in all Chro∣nical diseases and desperate: for it purges softly and without vio∣lence through all the Emunctories: The Dosis is from five grains to twenty if it be dry: or from ten drops to thirty, if dissolved to Liquor; it is to be administred in Chicken broth or Veal boiled with Parsley and Scorzonera Roots, or in white Wine wherein Damask Raisons have been steep'd, with a little quanity of good Cinnamon: the Remedy must be taken fasting in the morning, and if necessity does require it, it may be reiterated about five in the afternoon.

To prepare the Tincture of Tartar.

℞ lb j. of salt ☿, very pure, and having placed it in a Ger∣man Crucible, which best resists the fire of a violent melting heat, put your Crucible in a Wind-furnace upon an earthen foot or brick; cover it with a cover made for the purpose, and fill up all over the Furnace with coals, and the fire being kindled, open the doors of the Wind-furnace successfully one after another, and place the Pipes or wind-drawers above the roof or vault of the Furnace, that the fire may be concentrated to melt the better this Salt, which requires a more violent and stronger heat then Gold: and when you shall perceive that the salt is fully melted, and flows as water amidst the flames, take away the cover and continue the fire until it has got a blewish colour, and begins also to grow red and greenish: for then is it a true sign that the internal sulphur of this admirable Salt is opened, and as it were drawn from its center by the extremity of the fires action; and therefere must you often take a tryal with an Iron Spatula or Slice well cleansed and dry, of the colour of the Salt; because if there did remain the least moisture in it, it would cause the salt to flye and break the Crucible, you must then be very careful to heat the slice before you put it in the melted salt; Then assoon as the Artist shall perceive by the colour, that the salt is sufficiently opened, let him throw it in a brazen Morter both warm and clean; otherwise the extream heat of the melted salt would crack it, and being coagulated beat the Masse into Pouder with a hot Pestle; and put the Pouder also in a heated and dry Matraff, and pour upon by little and little Al∣kohol of Wine, until it has attained to the height of four fingers above the Salt, and cover the Matraff with another smaller, the neck whereof may be inserted in the biggest about three inches: well lute the Joynts with a Swines bladder dipt in white of Eggs, and place your Matraff in his capsula upon sand already heated, and raise the fire gradually until the spirit of Wine begins to boyl; con∣tinue the fire in the same pitch three or four dayes, and the spirit of Wine shall come forth with an oriental Ruby-colour and yield Page  30a pleasant and fragrant smell, like unto that of the flowred Vine: filtrate the Liquor and put in other in the room, and so continue till the Alkohol of Wine colours no longer; put all the filtrated Tinctures into a Cucurbit, and draw off again three parts of the Menstruum, and the remainder shall be a real and true tincture of the first salt of Tartar; the colour whereof proceeds from the internal sulphur of the said Salt, which doth communicate unto it very great and efficacious Vertues against several obstinate and as it were desperate Diseases: For this Tincture strengtheneth all the natural faculties, and sets them again in the just and true exe∣cution of their functions, whereof the malignitie & length of the disease had made them swerve: for it keeps the body soluble, provokes urine and sweat in great abundance; therefore its con∣tinued use doth wonderfully operate in all melancholick affecti∣ons, hydocondrical and scorbutical diseases, Dropsies, and gene∣rally all obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, Mesentery, Pancreas and Meseraick veines: above all, it shews its vertue and its strength upon the bodies of those whose blood is infected in the Masse with Venerean impurities: for it doth not only strengthen the vital and animal faculties, which the venom of those impu∣rities seises upon and destroyes by degres, but it hinders also the progress thereof, and rectifies the Masse, the masse of the blood, and frees it from those impure and noxious serosities which cause all ill symptomes and effects of this desperate and fil∣thy Disease; it must be used for the most part during the space of a Philosophical moneth, which is forty dayes: The Dosis from iiij. to xx. drops in Broth, Wine or some con∣venient Decoction appropriated to the malady: But you must have a care above all things, not to mingle it with acid Liquors, because they would kill the volatile part thereof, by which the best effects are produced.

How to prepare the dissoluble Glasse of Tartar, and to extract the Tincture thereof.

WE have shewed in the foregoing operation the manner of extracting the central Sulphur of the Sal ☿, to whom we have assigned many noble Qualities: But we think it also necessary to evince, that salts Alkali are not only the dissolvents of Sulphurs, but also their Extractors: To illustrate this Asser∣tion by a demonstrative Example; We will take the Calcination, vitrification and extraction of peble stones, by the help of Tartar and Alkohol of Wine. And we must let the Reader know, what kind of stones are to be chosen, which may yield the solar em∣bryonated Sulphur contained in them, and when the salt draws to its self, to impart afterwards to the spirit of Wine, which is no small mysterie in Chymistry. To bring then this operation to pass, Take pebles out of Brooks, or Rivulets falling from Mountains, that are rocky and full of woods, and if it be possible where some adjacent ground may contain metallick veines, and where the waters and small Rivers may abound most with Trouts well spotted with red Purple spots, high in colour; for this will be an infallible sign, that the peble stones contained in those Brooks or neighbouring Grounds, contain in themselves embryo∣nated Metals, which before and after Calcination begin to ap∣pear: before by external marks and streaks, which are red, green, blew, Purple veines, and mixt with some other colours arguing their metallick Tincture: and besides, because that even in∣wardly are not only found superficial spots and colours, but in some also are found small scales and grains of perfect and true Metal, holding proof as gold and silver upon the touch-stone, as I have oftentimes made the tryal my self upon stones which were brought from about Cled•n.

To begin then this operation: Fill a great Crucible with such stones, and in a Wind-furnace bring them to a full redness; and being thus fire-red, throw them in a Bason half full of fresh wa∣ter, by which means they become brickle and easie to be reduced to Pouder in a Morter; after which, you must grind them on a Page  32Porphurie Morter or Sea-scale — until it be reduced to Alkohol, or impalpable Pouder, which having well dryed, mix it in a hot Morter with five times as much of salt of Tartar, very pure and very dry; you must have at least lb j. of this mixture in a great German Crucible, so capacious, as that the half or two of it may remain empty, to give way to the raising and boyling up of the matter; whilst it is melting in the extream heat of the wind-Oven, your care also must be whilest it runs in the Crucible, to draw off with the point of some Iron Instrument some of the melted matter, to try if it be reduced into the substance or form of a green, yellowish-glass, clear and transparent, but you must sound the Crucible to the very bottom, to try also whether all the Pouder or dust of the stones be melted, and united with the Salt; which if you find to be so, take off immediatly the Cru∣cible from the fire, and throw the vitrified matter or Glass in a very hot Morter, and with a hot Pestle also stirring it well, to re∣duce it to Pouder; for if you did give it the least leisure to cool, it would immediatly be resolved into a viscous or clammy Liquor, which should shut up the Sulphur, and hinder that the Alkohol of Wine might not have its operation upon it; Heat the Matrass be-you put in the dust of this Resoluble Glass, and pour thereon by degrees of very subtle spirit of Wine, until it be moistened and penetrated on all sides; then pour of the same Spirit three or four fingers high above the matter: put the Vessel in sand al∣ready warm, and apply a competent fire to it to bring the Spirit to a simpering: the Vessels must be covered and stopt with the same precautions as in the foregoing Tincture. The Extraction being made, and the Alkohol of Wine loaden with a fine red co∣lour, draw it back and filtrate, then pour on new, and so continue to disgest, extract, and filtrate until the Spirit takes no more co∣lour. All these Tinctures joyn together, and draw back the Spi∣rit in B. M. with a slow heat, until you see a very red Tincture, of a very good smell, and a fiery, penetrating and piercing taste, then cease the fire and draw the Tincture, which you are to put in a Viol of a very narrow neck, stopt if possible with a glazen stople exactly fitted, or with Cork steept in melted wax, and a double wet bladder over. This noble and excellent Tincture preserves its colour & vertue, much longer then that which is extracted from Page  33meer salt of reverberated Tartar, because the salt hath drawn from the pebles their metallick Sulphur, which is of a solar nature: now the salt cannot retain this Sulphur when it is put to digest with pure spirit of Wine, because the Sulphur immediatly is commu∣nicated to the spirit of Wine, which is an aethereal and volatile Sulphur, which by the mutual analogy and sympathy they have together, extracts and draws it from the center of the least part of the salt. This Tincture hath a more diffuse and general vertue then the foregoing: therefore it may be exhibited not only in all diseases, for which we have mentioned the other to be fit and usefull, but it may moreover be administred in all intermittent Feavers, and chiefly in the Quartane; as also in all Chronical Diseases, which for the most part propagate them∣selves, by reason of the depravation of the internal Faculties, which this Remedy repaires insensibly, as by a Miracle. Above all, it is to be used in obstructions of the Kidneys and Blad∣der, whether proceeding from viscosity of clammy humors or sand: or whether also the Disease be occasioned by the imi∣tation of the Archeus of those parts, which is immediatly al∣layed by the eradiation of the vertue of that solar Sulphur shi∣ning in this Tincture. We should never make an end, should we relate here of all what both antient and modern Authors have operated upon Tartar, or what our own experience hath drawn from it. It suffices that we have sufficiently enlighten∣ed the Artist, to guide himself both in the Theorical and pra∣ctical Part of the preparation of this Noble and miracu∣lous Salt; which conceals and contracts in it self the greatest part of the mysteries both of Art and Nature, unto which the Artist will never fail to attain, if he learneth to chuse well his Wine, Vinegar and Tartar, and applyes himself with industry to the Work and study of it: which two things are the main props of all Chymical Curiosity.

Of Opium, which is the condensed juyce of Poppy.

OPIUM is one of the chief stumbling stones of those which are Sectators of the pure Galenical Physick, and have ever avoided to set their foot in the sanctuary of Chymistry: which Aversion can only proceed of their want of knowledge in natural things, and a true experience of their Vertues: For ut ignoti nulla cupido, ita nec cura; and as nothing else but Nature it self and natural Philosophy, which is Chymistry, can have per∣swaded by diligent search and labour, and reiterated Experiments, that Opium is not ro be feared nor rejected from amongst Re∣medies, whether it be raw and crude as it is brought to us from the East, or prepared according to the Rules and Prescriptions of Chymistry: So is it not to be wondred at, if they that call themselves Christians, and yet have never been searchers of Na∣ture, do every day despise what they never knew, but by the Teaching and Reasoning of some Professor who has only read that Opium was unfit to be used, and that it was condemned by Pliny and by Galen; which is too sufficient an Authority (in their Judgements) to be condemned by such as openly profess and make it a scruple of Conscience, not to follow blindly their Masters; and swear as they say, in verba Magistri. But that which is yet much more to be wondred at, is, that they will by a soveraign and Magisterial Authority establish in their Hearers a Belief and Assent of their Doctrine, without being obliged to prove it by effects and real Demonstration; and the worst of all yet is, that they will treat injuriously such as are not willing to condescend to their Opinion: Though these last, either An∣cient or Modern Writers, are grounded upon the Basis of true and solid Reason, whose right foundation is Experience. For it is not enough for a Chymical Philosopher to say, that Opium may be prepared and corrected in such a manner, as it may in∣offensively be inwardly taken: Since this were no better then ta∣citely to confess, that it is naught and dangerous of its own nature; But a true Naturalist must search the reason of things in their Page  35very spring; to examine if that which produces the controvert∣ed quality, is of it self good or bad. Now all those that are verst in the History of Plants, know that the Poppy, from which Opium is taken, is a plant which in all times has had its use and credit in Physick; and likewise the Opium, as without contro∣versie it is proved by the Syrups which are compounded there∣with, by the seed put in Emulsions, and by the Opium it self, which without any due preparation, is used in the composition of E∣lectuaries in all dispensatories, and whence they have the name of Opiates: Whence it is plain, that the Poppy hath at all times been allowed amongst the best Practitioners, in the number of Remedies. Which thing to examine a little more strictly, I shall entreat all impartial and unprejudicated Judges to consider, that the syrup of white Poppy, that of the red-flower Poppy, and all the kinds of Diacodium, are nothing else but Extracts, or Juyces of Poppy mixt with sugar to reduce them into Syrups, which are every day made use of in all kind of diseases, whereto they are proper, with very good successe: and whosoever will make a judicious and unprejudicated reflection upon Opium, which is the Maslak of the Turks, or the Meconium of Latins, shall find that whatsoever efficacy and vertue is in these two condensed Juyces, comes but from the same spring from which both the Sy∣rups and Diacodium did originally derive theirs. For whether it be that the water draws the vertue of the heads of Poppy which contain its imperfect seed, and that this vertue be also concen∣trated in the Syrup: it is likewise the same vertue which is ex∣tracted from these heads of Poppy by their bare incision, which occasion those drops that by little and little are condensed, and yield that thick and condensated Juyce which is the true Opium or Maslak of the Turks. Or whether also this expression draws the vertue of the Juyce of Leaves or tender heads of Poppy, which make the Meconium or grosser Opium; We must acknowledge, that either the Poppy and its preparations are to be banisht from the use of Physick; or if the Decoctions, Syrups, and Diacodi∣um continue to be in use, then the Opium or even the Meconium cannot be rejected, since they proceed from the same Plant: and that these Juyces thickned and condensated, have nothing else in themselves, but contractedly what the foresaid Remedies con∣tain Page  36and afford in a larger bulk and proportion of matter. But if any body would object, that the Decoction and Sugar only, take what is good in the Poppy, and that the hurtful part remains be∣hind, we must have recourse to the anatomy of the Plant to an∣swer this objection; and say, that this Plant is compounded of gross and subtil parts: that the gross are the herb and juyce which easily is drawn from it and in good quantity; that in this Juyce are invisibly contained the subtil parts, which are an external and material Sulphur, unseparably mixt with another internal Sulphur, and with volatile, mercurial and sulphureous Salt, which are folded in and shut up in the gross and tenacious Mass of the substance which constitutes the Opium, and hath much of gross salt and terrestrious or earthly parts in it self, but chiefly Meco∣nium. Now as Poppy is not yet ripe nor well disgested when em∣ployed to make Syrups, Opium and Meconium, so as the sulphur cannot yet sufficiently be concentrated in the seed, to hinder the predominancy of the salt, which is so mixt with it as to be yet embryonated, and so dissolved and united to the water which is added in the composition of the Decoction, or the water of its own Juyce; an evident proof, that the same vertue which is diffused in the Decoction, whereof Syrups are made and all the kinds of Diacodium, is more contracted and united in the Juyce, which naturally comes forth out of the heads of Poppy whereof the Opium is made by Incisions, or extracted by expression, as the Meconium is. All this we have said above, tends only to shew, that it is a wrong and injury done to the Art, to use with Au∣thority and great commendations those common Remedies which by coarse and rude preparations are taken from the Poppy, and for the most part distaste the Patient by their quantity and unplea∣santnesse; and to forbid obstinately those which are invented by Chymical Physitians, who have moreover separated the purity from its impurity, and so judiciously with so much Art, have redressed and corrected all the defects which might be attributed to Opium; and that besides, they prescribe it in a very little Dosis and small proportion; they have so much altered the case and odour thereof, that those which without being acquainted with it, take upon themselves to traduce and cry it down, would be much put to it to know it, if laid before them without being told, Page  37or put in some suspition or guess thereof by having some smal light from Chymistry, which might best of all teach them. But to add yet more weight to what we have said, let us join Experi∣ence to Ratiocination: for that true Touch-stone will teach us, that whole Nations use every day Opium or Maslak very pure and un∣mixt without interruption, for the richer sort, and Meconium for the meaner sort of people, and that without any previous preparation, and in a very excessive Dosis, since they take it from ℈{is}. at least to ʒ.j. wholly, without receiving thereby any hurt or prejudice, have only a kind of giddiness in the Head as if they were drunk; which hath made the proverbial Reproach, You have taken Opium: as if we should say amongst us, You are drunk. To confirm this Assertion, we have all the most authentick Records and famous Relations of those that have travelled in the Indies and the Le∣vant; chiefly amongst the Mahumetans: who all believe that O∣pium doth raise their Spirits, makes them more couragious and bold, and causes them to undervalue dangers and perils. The In∣dians take it to hinder sadness, and prevent melancholly from seiz∣ing upon them; as also to be more enabled to satisfie longer the lust and luxurious inclination of the Indian women. It is true, that the same Authors do tell us, that if those that are not accusto∣med to it would at first undertake to use as much at once, as those that by custom have made it familiar to their nature, they may fall in very dangerous and sad accidents, and run even hazard of their lives: but that ought not to bring a prejudice and aspersion upon Opium to reject it absolutely, since the hurful quality with which it is upbraided, proceeds only from the excesse made by them that take it without having been acquainted with it before, and habitu∣ated their bodies to the same by little and little: just as if Wine should therefore be dis-esteemed, because some body may be dis-ordered by it, either by an over-proportion of what he takes, or because he is altogether unacquainted with it. Do we not see that Tobacco either taken in smoak, chaw'd, or in sneezing-pouder, causes very ill and surprizing symptomes in all those which are not accustomed unto it, bringing a sudden giddiness upon them; vomiting, cold sweats, even as if they were at deaths-door; and yet nevertheless when they have made it habitual, some are so wedded to the use of it, that they can by no means be taken from Page  38it, or deprived of that comfort. Therefore we must never rashly give our Judgement of the ill effects which are produced by the excessive use of any thing, otherwise we must condemn the best things that are sought for and appointed for the preservation of our life, witness this Axiom in Physick which saith, that Omnis repletio mala, panis autem pessima; and thus much had we to say concerning Opium, and those which daily make use thereof with very good successe in their practice, to master Diseases and correct their most dangerous and troublesome accidents. We will only add to this before we come to the practical part, a word very considerable; and it is this, That I believe to have found the reason why Opium doth not make so great an im∣pression upon the Eastern people, according to my Judgement as upon Europaeans: Because these drink Wine or some other fermented Liquor for the most part, such as are Cider, Beer, &c. and the others drink none but commonly water. Now the fer∣mented Liquors do exalt the Narcotick and Soporifick sulphur of the Opium, and by the subtility of their spirits convey it in∣to the very Veines and Arteries, where it makes, or is capable to make (I say Opium) many dangerous impressions, being ta∣ken in too great a Dosis; or not prepared with all the exactness acquired. I conclude then, this Theorical Discourse of Opium by the protestation I make, to have exposed none but of the best and most exact preparation, according to the prescription of the most learned and famous Practitioners of our Age, and that in greater quantity then any Apothecary of France since 30 years has done, without ever seeing any ill accident to happen contrariwise; I have seen so many, so admirable, and so lau∣dible effects, that I will be ready all my life-time to acknowledge in thankfulnesse, and to praise those to whom I am obliged for the knowledge of this Heavenly Remedy: The preparation whereof followes, according as study, labour and experience have taught it me.

The common preparation of Opium.

I Do not question, but some carping Critick will say, that I have omitted in the foregoing Discourse, the Dispute of Controversie ordinarily rais'd in the Schooles, between those that maintain O∣pium to be cold, because it was the opinion of ancient Physi∣tians, and others, who affirm it to be hot: because their sense, and the experience of its effects, seem to force us to entertain this this opinion, and to assent unto Truth. We would have handled Question pro and con, had it not been that we profess Chy∣mical Philosophy; whose prescription it is, we should attend the things and not the words, and not judge of the truth thereof by the several imaginary degrees of their qualities; but rather dive into the knowledge of the internal essence of mixts by their Anatomy, which gives a true light, and discovers unto us what Principle it is which predominates in natural bodies, that from thence we may fetch the true Indication of their peculiar proprieties, and the uses whereunto they ought to be applyed.

To perform this Creditably, we must begin in the choyce of Opium or Meconium; for it were pity the Artist should ill bestow his time and his materials: Therefore, he must have the capacity to judge betwixt good and bad ones, and the ability to discern between the sophisticated, adulterated, and that which is not legi∣timate and skilfully prepared; Nam bonum à malo, falsum à vero discernere periti est Artificis. But as the true and right Maslak of the Turks can but difficultly and rarely be met with, whose qua∣lities are a very strong and unpleasant smell, of a yellow colour, inclining somewhat to the redness of Lions hair, very bitter, biting and fiery in the palate, and upon the Tongue, so that it seems to set it on a flame, being compacted and well united in a heap, as a small Cake consisting of many small grains of several colours, because in gathering the drops flowing from the Incision made in the Poppy-heads, there will ever some corn of the seed be mixed with the flowing Liquor: It it necessary we should give some notes of Direction to chuse the best and purest of that which is Page  40called Meconium, drawn by Expression from the juyce of Poppy-heads bruised, or by the mixtue of the juyce of the leaves: it were to be wisht, that those from whom we have it, would be contented with this coarse preparation without super-adding other Juyces to encrease the Mass: for the Cakes of Opium which are brought from Natolia, are ordinarily of the weight of ℥ iiij. or lb φ. at the most, whereas those that come from Alexandria, Aegypt, Venice and Marsilia, are for the most part of a pound weight, whereby it is easie to discover that those who drive a trade of it, do encrease the weight thereof at least of one half part.

The Sophistication of it is performed three several wayes: The first is, with juyce of Glaucium or Apple of Love; but this Cheat is easily discovered with dissolving it in a little water, which imme∣diatly turns yellow as if Saffron had been in it. The second is done with juice of Endive and wild-Lettice, but this also is known, in that when you cut the Cakes of Opium or Meconium, the inside is ruffer and less smooth, and has a more mixt odour, obscurer and more difficult to be discerned. The third and last way of dis∣guise is done with Gum, which also is very easie to be discovered, for the Cake is more brickle and more shining; and moreover, this is the worst sort of all having much lesse strength and vertue. By which it may be evident, that the true notes of Opium can be no other then those we have already assigned, except that the Me∣conium which is the most common sort amongst us, is more com∣pact and united, more black and strong in smell: but it is not so bitter, harsh and biting in the mouth, by reason of the other parts of the Poppy mixt with it, which are not yet exalted, nor their volatile salt concocted, as is the juice proceeding from the head alone, either by incisions or Expressions. The Artist then having chosen his Opium such as he ought to have, must cut it in very slender slices, which he shall sprinkle in an Iron-pan with good Rose-vinegar until the Opium be reduced to pap with the Vine∣gar, by agitating and stirring of it with an Iron-slice; then put the pan on a very small fire, and so by degrees dry the Opium without encreasing the fire to prevent burning, until it be wholly dry and be crumbled from its lump, and reduced to a pouder and making no more smoaks. This pure and single operation produces two considerable effects: The first, that by its slow and mode∣rate Page  41exhalation and the continual agitation of its external sulphur, it drives away the impure and undigested Opium, by which all those disorders which commonly happen and are feared, be pro∣duced. The second is, that it corrects and fires in a manner the volatile salt of the same by the acid spirit of the Vinegar: and that moreover, it changes also the bitterness and the ill taste there∣of: The Chymical Apothecary shall keep this Opium thus cor∣rected in his shop, to use in the composition of all such ordinary Remedies when that Ingredient is required; as also to make there∣with the most exact and Philosophical preparations, according to the prescription which we will give hereunder.

To make the Extract of plain Opium.

PUT in a Matrasse ℥ iiij. of prepared Opium, prepared after the way above related, in very small pouder, pouring upon good distilled Vinegar the height of four fingers: stir very well the same, and then put your Matrass to digest in sand or ashes to extract the Tincture of Opium, which will separate from its gross and earthly parts, wherein the greatest part of its impure and inquinated sulphur lies lurking; when the distilled Vine∣gar shall be well impregnated with the colour of the Opium, draw it off by Inclination and with a care of not troubling the grounds; then pour again new Vinegar, stir and extract, and so proceed until the spirit of Vinegar comes off no more coloured then when poured on: filtrate these Tinctures, and lay aside that which shall remain in the Bag, and dry it, to use the same as we shall immediatly direct. Evaporate softly in sand all the Tin∣ctures to a consistence of Honey boyled into a thick Syrup, which you shall keep; then take the remainder of your Extraction of the Opium made with distilled Vinegar; which having dryed, put in a Matrass, and pour upon ratified spirit of Wine a••ated with ʒ j. of the salt of Ta•tar of Senne•tus, to every ℥ iiij. of Spi∣rit, that this Menstruum thus animated, may extract the remain∣ing internal sulphur of the Opium, which the spirit of Vinegar could not do, and may at the same time also digest its unripeness: Page  42continue these extractions in B. M. until the spirit take no more of the colour; filtrate the Tinctures, and draw off again the spi∣rit of Wine in the same Balneo (which will serve anew for like operations) to a consistency of decocted Honey; then join the two Extracts together, and go on in evaporating till they attain to the true consistency of a solid Extract which may be framed into Pills, so shall you have a Body of extract of Opium depurated and corrected, which will serve to make all the other compound∣ed extracts of Opium, which by excellency are called Laudanum; as if one should say, a Remedy which cannot be exalted or praised enough, and exceeds even all kind of praise, as the Rare and ad∣mirable effects which it daily produces in the hands of the most skilfull and excellent Practitioners do sufficiently witness every day. This general Extract of Opium may already in a manner be called Laudanum, since it is the ground and foundation of all others, and that without any either danger or scruple it may be used in many Occurrences, chiefly when the Chymical Apothe∣cary shall be yet unprovided of the other kinds of Laudanum, which are more exalted, and admit of some other Ingredients in their composition appropriated to the disease in hand, or intended for help or ease of some particular part of the body.

Before we attribute any vertue to this plain Laudanum or Ex∣tract of Opium, we are obliged to prove that it is not capable of any of those ill effects, which the most circumspect and lesse venturous are affraid will happen from the use of Opium: which ill effects are, as they say, that Opium suspends and doth suppresse the excretion of Excrements and stops the passages of Urine, be∣nums and enervates the limbs, changes the natural complexion in∣to a leaden colour of the face, causes cold sweats, short breath and difficult Respiration, and in progresse of time a perturbation of the Senses and Spirit, makes drowsie and stupifies all the animal and vital Faculties. But we have shewed that whole Nations make use of crude Opium without any Corrective, and yet never fall into any of those so decantated accidents, except giddinesse, whereof they are as easily freed after the first impression is past, as those that have been inebriated with Beer, Wine or aqua vitae. Wherefore we may conclude with much more reason, that well depurated and well corrected Opium after the way we have taught, Page  43shall not be capable to produce any of the evil symptomes which commonly are feared from it, provided that those who shall pre∣scribe it either to sound or diseased bodies, exceed not the judi∣cious Dosis, which at first must ever be small, to avoid the surpri∣sal of those accidents which might be occasioned by the too great quantity: And moreover, considering that it is ever easie to add, but very difficult, if not impossible to diminish it when once let down into the stomach, let this be said by the by upon the pre∣cautions of the Dosis, which ought to be from gr. j. to iiij. and vj. gr. We add now the singular and noble Vertues wherewith this excellent Remedy is endowed: which are first to appease all irritations, intestine, seditious and violent commotions of the bo∣dy, disquietings, rages, fury and madness of the Archeus, which is the principal Director of the Spirit of Life, and consequently of health and sickness; re-stablishing again peace and concord, and maintaining it between the Motor and motions of the Body: so that after it has softly appeased the pain and allayed the grief, it procures a soft and pleasant sleep, which restores nature to its self, and repaires the strength of weak Patients brought low and attenuated by reason of pain, disquiet and want of sleep, and so without doubt is at least half of the Cure of the Disease of what nature soever it be: for somnus reparat vires, fessaque membra le∣vat, by which we may conclude, that, Natura corroborata est omnium morburum medicatrix, for which truly I can have a proof from Paracelsus out of the fifth book of his Archidoxa, in the Chapter where he treats of the specifick Anodine, of which we have been moved to speak by several causes, having had sometimes in hand such kind of Diseases, as all our Arcana's have failed us in the cure of them, except the only specifick Anodine which has produced wonderful effects, by us the lesse admired at, because we know that by the course and Law of Nature water does quench fire, and that in the same manner the Anodine extinguishes in all ages the pains of Diseases, and that for several Reasons which we now omit. For that which sleeps is at rest, naturally commits no fault: If then the Paroxysme is set asleep, it cannnt be felt, but if it be awaked his operation goes on and will be felt. And in this Remedy have we one comfort more, that sleep takes away and dispels much grief, pain and melancholy. But it is to be no∣ted Page  44here, that it is not necessary the man should sleep, but on the disease it self; wherefore we frame a Specifick which encoun∣ters the disease alone, and combates not the whole man; as it must be understood of Feavers, where it is necessary to make use thereof; for are there things hurtful to the whole man and di∣visible in the diseased man: which makes us to set upon the disease, and so prepare the Specifick that it may have no operation upon the Body. These are the words of that Great Philosopher the wonderful Paracelsus, after which he delivers the preparati∣on of Laudanum, in the manner which followeth.

Laudanum, or the specifick Anodine of Paracelsus.

℞ Of corrected Opium ℥ j. Juyce of sharp Orange and Quinces well depurated ana ℥ vj. Cinnament and Cloves ana ℥ φ. Beat all to pouder and mix it in a double Vessel, and digest either in the Sun or Horse-dung the space of a moneth; this done, expresse the Species, and put the Liquor again in your double or circulary Vessel, with addition of ℈ ss Musk, ℈ iij. Ambergrease, ℥ ss. Saffron, ℈ ss. Salt of Coral and as much of Pearls; put all this again to disgest in the manner aforesaid during one month; then opening the Vessel expresse the Liquor and re∣duce it into a liquid Extract, to which you shall add towards the end ℈ j. ss. of Quintessence of Gold; then evaporate your mat∣ter til it comes to a fit consistency to make Pills: The Dosis where∣of of from gr. φ. to iij. or iiij. gr. Which is (saies he) the true Specifick Anodine, taking away and appeasing all inward and outward pains, so that none of the members is sensible thereof. You see that Paracelsus doth make use of acid Liquors for the dissolution and digestion of Opium, which is the Basis & Ground of this admirable Remedy, to which he had recourse in the most urgent and difficult Diseases. I cannot but add here yet what he saies in praise of Anodins and Soporiferous Remedies in Ge∣neral, when he speaks of the Embryonated Sulphur in the first Book of his Physick, or Treatise of natural things: What Arca∣num ought the Physitian more earnestly wish for, then that which Page  45may asswage all griefs, and allay all heats: for he that shall enjoy it shall be possessor of no lesse knowledge then Apollo himself, Machaon or Podalyrius, which is an Hyperbolical way of expres∣sion he has to extol the Somniferous Remedies or Anodins.

And though the foregoing Laudanum be indifferently fit to be used by either Sex: it is necessary neverthelesse we should give a description of an Hysterical Anodine for such Women as are trou∣bled with fits of the Mother, and wherein no Must must be mixt; for Ambergrease is not so hurtful and contrary to them, unlesse joined with Musk or Civet, though many are of a contrary perswasion. This kind of Laudanum is prepared as followeth.

Hysterical Laudanum for Womens use.

℞ ℥ ij. of Karabe or white Amber such as Beads use to be of to ℥ φ of very fine Myrrh ʒ j. of the inward and dissoluble substance of Castor; reduce all to pouder and make the Extract thereof in B. M. in a circulatory Vessel with alkalized spirit of Wine, and changing with new Menstruum so long that the Spe∣cies remain without colour in the Vessel: then filtrate all the Tinctures and draw off your Spirit again in the vapor of Balneo till you have your Liquor in the consistency of a Syrup; which you are to circulate during the space of fifteen dayes with ℥ ij. of Spirit of ♀. drawn in the manner we shall teach when we come to speak of Mettals: draw off again the Spirit in ashes; then join to the remaining substance ℥ j. of extract of plain Opium, dissolved in ℥ iij. of juice of Orange well depurated; put it to evaporate on ashes in a slow fire until the whole be reduced to a solid Extract, that may be framed into Pills▪ The Masse or Body of your Laudanum of all kinds must be kept in a Bladder anointed with oyle or aromatical Essences, as Cloves, Cinnament, Nut∣meg for the plain Laudanum, and that of Paracelsus, and with that Carabe or of Penny-royal for hysterical Laudanum: and put the Masse so folded in a tin or silver Box. This kind of Laudanum may freely and without scruple be administred to Women or Maids without any fear of provoking the fits: but contrariwise Page  46this Remedy shall correct all the impurity and whatsoever is amisse in this part; it is also Specifick for either Sex against all diseases of the Brain proceeding from what cause soever: but principally it is very recommendable to remove the hurtful and sickly Idea's of Epilepticks, and hinder the accidents of Epilepsie caused by the rising of the Mother; and let no body fear in any wise that this Medicament should stop the lunary courses of Women or their purgations in Childbed; but to the contrary it will never fail to expel them, having first restored the natural functions and brought them again to their duty by procuring rest, having first allayed all griefs and conciliated sleep: but that which above all is fur∣prising and lesse conceivable is, that the same Extract doth also without any danger and trouble stop the immoderate courses of Women, because they proceed for the most part from certain harsh and noxious Serosities which are by it composed, sweetned and tempered in such a manner, that this Remedy never disap∣points the hope of the Physitian or expectation of the Patient. It is also of singular use in all other bloody Fluxes or Haemorragies ari∣sing from what cause soever, as I am my self in several occurrences an eyewitnesse thereof. The Dosis is from gr. j. to gr. iiij. for the most. But you are to note what it will sooner operate dissolved in some Liquor, then exhibited in Pills.

Laudanum against Dysentery and all sort of Fluxes immoderate, as also against Agues.

℞ Root of Asclepias or Centauria Imperatoria or* Ma∣sterwort, Angelica, Carline or Zonera dryed in the shade, Zedoaria, Bistorta, or Snakeweed, Tormentil ʒ ij. Vipers flesh ʒ iij. Sanguis Draconis very fine, or in drops ʒ j. ss. Camphire ʒ j. Chincinna Rind and Misseltoe of Oak ana ℥ ss. Reduce all to pouders which digest in B M. in a double Vessel circulatory with Alkohol of Wine four fingers high: the Spirit being well tincted pour it out by inclination, and so continue your Extracti∣ons, untill all the Tincture and vertue of the Species be extracted; then strain and filtrate the Tinctures, adding thereto ℥ j. of plain Page  47extract of Opium, ʒ j. extract of Saffron, ℈ iiij. of dissolved Magistery of red Coral, as much of Pearls, and ʒ φ. of very good Ambergrease, dissolved with ℈ ij. of oyle of Macis made by expression, united or incorporated to ʒ j. of fine Sugar in pouder: put all these in a Cucurbit to the vapour of Balneo, and having applyed a Head and exactly luted the joints, give a mo∣derate fire to draw from it a Sudorifick, Cardiack and Alexiterial Spitit which has scarce its like: Then reduce by degrees the whole into a Masse which you shall keep for use in a Bladder anointed with oyle of Cloves. This Laudanum is a Treasure for such as shall have it in their possession in places where Dysentery, Li∣entery and malignant Fluxes shall rage, as it commonly doth in Armies. Moreover, it is a soveraign Cordial and preservative in all dangerous Agues, as well intermittent as continual, in im∣moderate watchings, importunate griefs and wearisome prickings of the Cramp, or Tenasmus. Those that shall make use of this noble Remedy must not fear to take of it before puring, upon pretence you should (as the Proverb saies) shut up the Wolf in the sheep-fold; for there must ever a greater care be had to ease the pains and procure the rest of the Patient, then to the malig∣nity of what is peccant or defective in quality of quantity; con∣sidering that even after this the Patient undergoes more chear-fully the trouble of purging, because he is refreshed with rest and his strength encreased. This Laudanum produces also wonderful effects in all Collicks in general, and particularly in that which is called Convolvulus or the twitching of the Guts, which is no∣thing else but a motion against the nature of the entrals carried up∣wards from the lower parts, whereas natural motion which is cal∣led Peristatick or consecutive, is performed from the upward parts tending downwards; and as the cause of the disease is only either an irritation of the Spirits, or the malignity of matters kept in, this Remecy cures both at the same time, though it seems incredible to the apprehensions of those who condemn this practice; Sed canis allatrat lunae, nec luna movetur. It is also very useful and sin∣gular for all Feavers, because it brings their crisis by Sweat and Urines after rest; And moreover comforts and strengthens the Ventricle and digestive Faculty which alwayes in Fevers is depra∣ved, & chiefly in Tertians, double-tertians, double-quartans, which Page  48oftentimes are too lasting for poor Patients, and throws them of∣ten from one gulfe and danger into another; that is to say, from a Feaver into a Dropsie. The Dosis is from gr. j. to iiij. with ob∣servation ever to administer before it a Clyster made only with new stale or Urine, if the Patient be sick of a Feaver, and not to give any in the day of the Paroxysme or Aguish fit, unlesse it be in continual Feavers and in all the kinds of malignant ones, with this caution neverthelesse, that it must be before the fit seizes up∣on the Patient, if it be every day.

Of the Elaterium, or condensated juyce of wild-Cucumber.

ELaterium is a very bitter Juice taken from the fruit of wild Cucumber, before it be broken and hath shed its seed, that is to say a little before it be ripe, which juice is afterwards evapo∣rated and condensed in a thick Extract, which is said to be one of the juices which preserves it self the longest in its taste and ver∣tue: for some are of opinion that it lasts above two years before it loses any of its Faculties. By that which hath been already said above touching the unripenesse of Opium, we may easily con∣jecture that this also is not without its defects, since it is drawn from a froth not yet brought to full perfection and maturity; and therefore that it is necessary to correct it if we will have it to pro∣duce some effect, not hurtful in respect of its purgative verrue which is very violent, insomuch that it is capable to cause abortion or miscarrying in women; but as this violence and its immaturity may be corrected, and that it is a good Remedy capable of produ∣cing many good effects, to evacuate Venerean Sweats, and Drop∣sical waters, we have thought fitting first to shew the way of pu∣rifying this condensed Juice; then in the second place, to reach how to make thereof a legitimate Extract, which may without any danger be made use of in many stubborn and obstinate diseases: this Remedy having in it self great plenty of volatile Salt, and a Sulphur which preserves its exemplum from corruption, communi∣cating unto it a colliquative and purgative vertue.

Cleansing and depuration of the Elaterium.

THE Artist must dissolve what quantity he pleases of this Juice in a sufficient quantity of phlegm of Vitriol sharpened with a portion of its acid Spirit; then disgest them together the space of six weeks in the heat of Balneo; after this time strain and expresse the dissolution, then filtrate it to separate all the crasse and heterogeneal impurities; after this evaporate the filtra∣tion in ashes in a moderate fire, until it comes to the consistency of an Extract, which will be the depurated Elaterium, and in part corrected by reason of the acidity of Vitriol which has blunted the too active vertue thereof already, capable in this state to be an Ingredient in Venerean Pills, or pills for the Pox; if so be the bodies that are to be purged be very strong, and that some aroma∣tical drugs be joined to it to prevent its hurtfulnesse to the sto∣mach or the neighbouring parts. The Dosis is from gr. j. to vj. But we must shew another way better and more capable to act up∣on the sulphur of this Juice and its terrestrial salt, crude and un∣disgested salt, to bring it to maturation, and make this Remedy more useful to such as may have need thereof: which is performed in the follwing manner.

How the Extract of Elaterium is to be made.

PUT at much as you will of depurated Elaterium in a double or circulatory Glasse-vessel, and pour upon of very pure spi∣rit of Wine, acuated with ℈ j. of Salt of Sennerius, for each ʒ of Spirit till your Glasse be half full; then having luted it very exactly, place it in a vaporous Bathe in sawings of wood, or Saw∣dust of a moderate hear, during the space or three whole weeks; this time being over, open the Vessel and filtrate the Tincture, to which join ℈ j. of dissoluble Magistery of Coral, ℈ φ. of oyle of Nutmegs expressed and tempered with Sugar in pouder, this proportion to each ℥ j. of Ela•erium; then draw back the Spi∣rit Page  50in a vaporous Bathe to a consistency of a soft Extract, which af∣terwards put in a wooden Bowl or white or gray earthen dish, and softly evaporate the same in ashes to the consistency of a masse fit to work into Pills, which are to be preserved in a Bladder anoin∣ted with oyle of Cloves. This Extract is a great and a very sove∣reign Remedy to evacuate all superfluous and malignant Serosi∣ties which do infect the sinews and membranous parts: wherefore it may be with very good successe administred in all diseases of the Joints, Atrophie's, Leucophlegmaty, Gout, Pox, Dropsie and all like affections: but chiefly when some excellent Arcanum is mixed therewith drawn from Mercury, as we shall hereafter teach the manner of it. The Dosis is from gr. ij. to xij. provided the Patient remember to take the evening of that day in which he is purg'd, a Julep with ℥ iiij. of water of the juice of Chicory, ℥ j. ss. of Syrup of Gillyflower, and v. or vj. drops of very good volatile Spirit of Venus.

How the Oyle of Philosophers is to be prepared.

TAke old Tiles or Bricks, and having broken them into small pieces of the bignesse of a Philberd, heat them glowing red in a Wind-furnace with coal, stratum super stratum, ordering it so that the first and last bed be of coals: and when they are come to the highest colour of redness, have a peuter or b•asse Basen with a cover well fitted to shut it close and put out the flame, when the pieces of brick or tile shall be thrown glowing hot in the oyle, which you may take off about the quan•tty of lb 〈◊〉 or vj. o• old clear oyle; these pieces of brick or tile must be taken with pin∣cers, and one after another be put in the oyle, and the cover ap∣plyed to quench the flame which will rise, until all your oyle be spent and dried up: then grind to pouder these pieces so imbi∣bed and impregnated with oyle, and mix to them equal weight of decrepitated Salt, or as much of the caput mortuum of aqua fortis, or Colchotar; then having put the matter in a well-luted Re∣tort Page  52in a close Reverberatory Furnace, fit it to a large Receiver also well luted; cover the Furnace, then give it fire by degrees, until the drops begin to follow one after another, and that the oyle comes into the Recipient in shapes of vapours and obscure clouds; then encrease it, and entertain it even with flame of very dry wood until the Recipient begins to grow clean of it self at which sign cease the fire and lett all cool: and the Vessels being open, you shall know that what was almost without odour and insipid has much altered its nature; for the volatile salt of the oyle is so much exalted and changed, that it is almost impossible to hold the Nose over the Recipient by reason of the subtil spirits of this Salt, which gives to this distilled oyle an unpleasant odour. The one half of the oyle may be laid aside without Rectifying, for it may be use∣ful in many occurrences were there is no necessity to have it so subtil. Take afterwards the other half and mix it with common ashes or Colchotar until it be reduced to a paste which you shall model into Pills, and put into a Glasse Retort, whose neck in∣wardly must be very well cleansed; then place it in a Sand-Fur∣nace with its Recipient, and give a gradual fire, continuing un∣til you have drawn off all the Oyle which shall be very subtil and fluid, and penetrating with a wonderfull activity.

These two oyles are good applyed outwardly: but if you intend to use it inwardly, take lb ss. of Rectified oyle, and mix it with as much salt of Tartar, and lb ij. white Wine; put all this mixture into a low Cucurbit, where you must have a Head or Still very fitly and exactly jointed, and so likewise luted; and give it a conveni∣ent fire until all the vapours begin to rise, which will be mingled with oyle, water and spirit; continue your fire until no part of the oyl more shall ascend; then separate the remaining oyle in the Cu∣curbit, and add it to that of the first distillation which has not been rectified, so shall you have the true Philisophersoyle so called: and which being brought to this height and perfection of sobtilty deserves well that appellation, by reason of its Rare Vertue and the noble effects it produces, both inwardly and outwardly.

The first Oyle drawn and not Rectified, doth dissolve, digest, mol∣lifie and bring to maturation all schirrous and hard Tumors, and chiefly such as grow without pain; Resolves potently all flatuous & cold Oedema's or waterish swellings and all other hard and cold Page  53tumors, in whatsoever place of the body seated, peculiarly those that are about the joints, whose action they check and suspend. The second oyl which hath been rectified, is also very good to the same purpose, for it digests with much more speed: above all, it hath a wonderful operation to dissipate all Tophus's, Schir∣rosities and Nodosities, and cold gout, mixt with a little spirit of salt, and very subtile spirit of wine. This mixture is also very salutiferous to all those that have any member fallen into Atro∣phy, or benummed with Palsey; for it doth insinuate it self into the parts, and consumes and dissipates the slime, which did hinder the illustration and flowing of the spirits upon the parts by their obstruction, or rather resuscitates life, and reanimates the spirits in the members already deprived of it, and as it were half dead. But there is no comparison between the first and second, and the third sort; for it is so subtile, that even as if it were light it self, it penetrates the parts in an instant; wheresore they that shall make use of it, must proceed with judgement, and observe the true proportion; for it it be inwardly administred against Plague, or wind Colick, the Dosis must non exceed eight drops at the most: and for the Plague it must be exhibited in the distillation of Roots of Lagworth or butter-bur with white wine; and for the Colick in S•ssafras, distilled water; there must also a precaution be used, when it shall be outwardly applyed; for if it be used for the cold gout, there must be Camphire dissolved in it; and it must be ap∣plyed upon the part only with a feather, and the same not stroak'd above three times with it; But this is not yet the best use and ta∣lent of this oyl, which seems particularly to be dedicated to the Matrix: all the bad Symptoms and irritations whereof it doth allay, in case it be internally administred in Savine or matricarial mother, it removes all the obstructions thereof, drives away all impurities, if applyed to the neck of it, where it is immedi∣ately volatized, by reason of the opening of the Uterus or Womb, to expell thence whatsoever is hurtful: It may be made also to penetrate in the very body of the womb, with an instrument made for the purpose, having a channel or conduct-pipe proportioned to the neck of the Matrix; the end whereof must be very round, and perforated with many holes; and in the cavity of it, a round ball, (but opened also in the top, to contain the oyl, and exhale Page  54it) which being exactly fitted to the pipe, may be conveigh'd by a screw, and made to ascend from the bottom by degrees, till it come to the top, where this subtile oyle will be volatiz'd by the heat of the Matrix working upon it, and thus receiving the va∣pours thereof, whereby all defects will be corrected: this discri∣ption will suffice for those that are acquainted with the mysteries of our Art; for to say more, would neither be necessary nor law∣ful. I shall end with only saying, That this Oyl matures and ripens, in a very short time, all kind of Abscesses, Botches and Boyls; but above all, the Pestilential sore, if it be outwardly applyed thereupon, at the same time that it is inwardly exhibited to the Patient, he being very carefully covered to be brought to sweat.

How the Oyl must be defecated.

MIX lb viij. of the Oyl very clear with lb ij. of salt ☿ in a glass retort; and being put in sand, distill it slowly with a gradual heat, until nothing more comes from it; then draw off the salt again from within the retort with warm water, filtrate and evapo∣rate till it be dry, then in a Crucible make it glowing; and when it shall almost be cooled again, grind it to pouder in a warm mor∣tar, and mix it again in the retort with the Oyl already dissolved, and draw off again upon sand as before, which you must reiterate to a third time, to have a very subtile oyl, and lasting to the Lamp, not easie to be put out, if you have only care of the weak, yield∣ing a less thick and black smoak, and by consequence less soot; but it is not only fit for those purposes, but moreover very good to resolve and mollifie, as the foregoing oyl, to which in a man∣ner it may be substituted, when there shall be any need of it for external applications or outward griefs, in delicate and squeamish Patients which are not capable to bear the unpleasant smell of the Philosophers oyl; but it is not so penetrating and so efficacious. It may also be used in the boyling of Plaisters and Oyntments, because it doth not partake any more of this excrementitious moisture, which doth, for the most part, cause the putrefaction and colliquation frequent in wounds and ulcers.

Of the Distillation of Common Turpentine.

WE rather chuse to take Common Turpentine, then a more subtile kind, because this in a manner is more natural, and more fully possesses the mercurial and balsamick parts, then the other sorts: It is this which Paracelsus calls Resina de botin; and though some are of Opinion that it is inferior, and yields in vertue to that of Cyprus or Venice, we are nevertheless of another judgement; for although the other be clearer and more pure, this hath, notwithstanding, some volatile mercurial salt, which is not abundantly found in others; the process thereof working upon it, is as followeth. Put lb vi. of Common Turpentine, which is the gum of the Larix tree orshrub, in a great and capacious retort of glass, in which the two third parts must temain void of matter or thereabouts, because the heat causes the Turpentine to rise, and so if less crouded, might run in the body out of the neck of the retort, instead of rising in cloud and vapours as it ought to do: which to procure, you must put in the empty space of the retort above the Turpentine, a good handful of Flax or Tow, that it might hinder the ebullition and rising of the matter: Put your re∣tort Page  56in sand, and having fitted it to a receiver, whose joynts are to be luted with paper and meal-pap, give it first a slow fi•e, until the drops of the acide and mercurial spirit begin to fall, and keep it in this tune, until you perceive that the ethereal and subtile oyl begins to drop, and a small cloudy and white vapour begins to ap∣pear, and condense it self into a subtile oyl in the recipient; then increase the fire by little and little, until the drops and white cloud do cease, which is a Token that the yellow will quickly follow; wherefore then change your Recipient, that you may have all these substances severed: Continue your fire increasing, until the falling drops begin to be of a very deep yellow; which when you see, change again your Recipient, and give the last degree of fire, that all the body of the Turpentine may rise into vapours, which will condense into a balsamick oyl of a tenacious and slow substance, and as red as blood; so shall you have wrought all the substance of this Resin in four several liquors differing not in colour only, but also in vertue; for there is an aqueous liquor swim∣ming above the ethereal and subtile oyl, which is commonly called Spirit of Turpentine, but improperly; for Chymists do never call spirit, whatsoever is fat, unctious and inflammable: this spirit is nothing else properly, but the volatile and mercurial salt of Tur∣pentine; for it is acide and sharp, and a philosophical dissolvent of Chrystals, Stones and Shells, as some will have; but as there are many others, which in worth and vertue for this purpose challenge the precedency of it, we are not of their opinion, but we may nevertheless say in truth, that this spirit deserves some kind of esteem, by reason of its balsamick astriction, which doth no hurt or prejudice to the nervous and membranous parts, as all other acide or sharp spirits, not partaking of this balsamick vertue, do: for though the Dogmaticks think to correct Turpentine with their pretended lotion: the truth is, doing thus, they take away from it all the purest of its detersive and mundifying faculty: for as the ethereal and subtile oyl which Turpentine contains in it self, doth lenifie, and sweetens by its balsamick quality, so likewise doth at the same time that sub•ile and detersive salt, mundifying strong∣ly, and being, as it were, a precursor to the other, which sweetens and tempers that, which the first had as it were irritated. Thence must the Artist conclude, that this spirit is good and useful to clense Page  57the viscosities, impurities, and other ill dispositions of the lungs, ureteries, spermatick vessels, and kernels of the prostatae and pa∣rastatae, when any irritation of those parts doth happen, or any other unclean matter lies lurking in the sinuosities and secret cor∣ners of those parts, which can neither be removed nor corrected by the help of mundifying and balsamical remedies, capable of keeping and preserving their strength without any alteration, to conveigh it along with themselves into the parts which are in need of it; for we must make a general note of very great importance for that part of Physick, which is to take indication of the effects of Remedies, chiefly of those that are to be imployed for the diseases of the kidneys and bladder; for all those Medicaments which are endowed with a sulphureous, balsamick and volatile salt, preserve their inviolable vertue in the digestion it self, and carry it even into the diseased parts, as the odour and smell of the urine doth witness, no less then the colour, by which it evidently appears, that no ill alteration is made by it; but that contrariwise, the Remedy hath overcome and had the victory, since it hath passed through so many places without suffering corruption; but instead thereof, hath rather advanced to some a greater degree of perfection by natural heat: For the Urine of such as have taken Turpentine, or its ethereal oyl, hath an evident smell of Violet or Iris root: and to give a more convincing proof thereof, you must know, that it is not the Turpentine only which produces this good and pleasant smell: for the Nutmeg, Macis, Cloves, juniper berries, Parsly, Fennel, dock-roots or carrots, Parsnips, do all commu∣nicate the same smell of Violet to Urine, by reason of their bal∣samick and sulphureous volatile vertue, which is exalted and im∣proved by the spirit and salt of the urine; a mystery not worthy of small consideration for such as will take the pains to examine Remedies by the effects of natural digestions, to know how far may extend the sphere of their activity. But that which is yet more to be wondred at, is, that Turpentine dissolved in a Gly∣ster, by the vertne of its ethereal oyl, penetrats thorow all the membranous and nervous parts, where it imprints the character of its own vertue, and forces an assent to this truth by the plea∣sant smell it leaves in the Urine, by which it appears, that there is no danger to administer Turpentine, or any remedies in the Page  58composition whereof it enters to wounded persons, either by the mouth or by glysters, because the effect thereof can never be but very succesful and redound to the good of the Patient, and reputa∣tion of the Physitian or Surgeon; it must also be acknowledged, that as those substances which exalt themselves into a good smell, give a testimony thereby of the good they are capable to do: so contrariwise, those who degenerate into an ill smell, and disturb the Oeconomy of the kidneys and bladder, show that they have some ill quality in themselves, which is to be shunned, as much as the other embraced and put in use. We thought our selves obliged to say this, that those who are ever in fear of hot or cold quali∣ties, without examining the specifick vertue of the mixt, they will imploy, may more and more shake off and root out their prejudi∣cate opinions.

The vertue of the ethereal oyl of Turpentine, called common∣ly, but improperly, essence or spirit of Turpentine is gre•t: for it subtilly penetrates, cuts, resolves, and attenuates the mus•il•gine∣ous and tartarous viscosities of the kidneyes and bladder, and pro∣vokes urine: it is also singular against the Cough, and other af∣fections of the Lungs, proceeding from some tartarous matter, against obstructions of the spleen and mother, against strangury and difficulty of urine, to expell the sand in kidneys or bladder, against Gonorrheas, and finally against ulcers of the neck of the bladder, and all the other parts of generation being infected with the venerosity of Venerean diseases; the Dosis is from iv. drops to xx. in appropriated liquours.

The yellow oyle, and balsom, which is nothing else but the red oyle, differ not very much in vertue, therefore they may either joyntly or severally be applied; for they do heat, attenuate, mundify and consolidate equally; which makes them very usefull and fit to be imployed with very good successe for restoring members benummed or contracted by cold and frost, for schirrous tumors, old running and rotten sores, gangreen, chil-blanes, whose sores it cures and consolidates speedily and perfectly, but the balsom sooner then the oyle.

But because the Aethereal oyle which is drawn from common Turpentine is not so subtile, nor pleasing to the smel or tast, as that which is distilled from the Venetian in a cucurbite, we must teach Page  59how the Artist shall well and exactly perform this operation. To this end must he take lb viij. of Venice Turpentine of the clearest, most florid and odoriferous: for all these markes betoken that it is new, and consequently better; put it then in the cucurbit or glasse body with one head; and poure upon it 12. pints of rose wa∣ter and viij. pints of white wine, adding thereto xxx. lemons cut in thin slices, then cover your vessel and give a fire of the tenor of that with which you distill Aqua vitae, and thus with one operation shall you perform 3. things: for in the first place you shall draw an ethereal very subtile oyle, and of great efficacy, and fragrous smell: secondly you shall have a very excellent di∣uretical spirit: and in the third place a water wich may be used to administer the oyle in it, being first mixt with a litle sugar in powder, and may be used in the same distillation. I do not questi∣on but that many will say that this is a very chargeable way of procuring oyle of Turpentine, and that so much trouble is need∣lesse, since one pound of it may be had cheapter then Venice Tur∣pentine does cost. But let those that be of this opinion consult their own reason, and consider the smell and vertue of the one and the other; let them make trial thereof, and they will then per∣ceive the difference between both: therefore I exhort the Chymical Apothecary never to regard cost or labour, because either of these two spared will load his conscience, or lessen his reputation. Our Artist then to proceed, must be carefull to change the recipient, when there shall be about lb iv. or v. of liquor in it, to save the trouble of rectifying the spirit; and the distillation being ended, and the vessels cooled, he will finde the masse of Colophonie in the bottom of it, which is nothing else then the body of the Turpen∣tine deprived of its ethereal oyle; it must be slowly melted in wa∣ter, to straine it afterwards through a cloth or tamy, to purifie and sever it from the slices of Lemon. And as Colophony is no∣thing but a portion of the resin, so may it lawfully challenge the same vertues, except that it is not so penetrating or active; for it heats and dries, agglutinates and consolidates, and as it easily melts and incorporates with unctuous and fat substances, so is the principal use of it to bear a part in the composition of plaisters and salves; it may also be us'd in Opiat's instead of decocted Tur∣pentine: but I rather advise that Turpentine should be us'd, which Page  60has neither been boyled nor distilled, that the balsamick faculty thereof may be in it still.

How Gum Elemy is to be distilled.

THAT which in the shops is called gum Elemy, is the drop or resin of a kind of Cedar which growes in Ethiopia: the best is that which is of clear and whitish colour, mixt with some smal yellow parts or streaks, reduced into a masse, and being made to burn or flame, yeilds a smel which is not unpleasant. You must beate your gum Elemy into powder, and mix with 3. parts of pounded bricks and 1. of decrepitated salt, and put all in a retort, which must be placed in a reverberatory close furnace, upon an earthen pot-cover turned upside down, with a litle sand on it, then fit to it exactly a receiver, and give it a gradual fire, untill it yeilds no more oyle, a part of which may be kept without rectify∣ing: but distill the other mixt with iij. p. of decrepitated salt, and make your rectification of it in a retort, in sand. Either of these two oyls is not to be taken inwardly; but they are specifick and singular for all diseases and griefs of sinewes, cheifly against palsy and contraction of nerves, which renders the parts lame and uselesse. They attenuate, resolve and dissipate all catarrhous, flatuous, and dolorisick matter; for this Gum is very balsamick. Upon the same manner and method may be distilled the oyle Taca∣malaca, Animae, and Caranna, because all these rootes come very near to that of Elemy.

The distillation of Ladanum.

THOUGH this gum be not much in use, yet it has many ex∣cellent proprieties, and I can say confidently, that it is but want of having made the anatomy of it, and of experience, that it has been so much neglected: for it is impossible that those that are better acquainted with it should not make use of it: it is a gum resin gathered upon the leaves of a shrub called Cistus Ledon; the best is that which is of a blackish green, easy to crumble, and yet as easily made into pills, working it between the fingers, inflam∣mable, and yeilding a sweet and pleasant smel in the burning. But there is this considerable in it, that though Ladanum be in∣flammable, yet will it not easily mix with oyles or other fat and unctuous substances: their use is that it abounds with volatile salt, and a portion of herbaceous extract which hinders its union and causes it to crumble: and this is a note of its principal vertue, because this sulphureous salt ascends in the distillation and is tur∣ned into an oyle, which is a specifick for many diseases; it is thus prepared.

℞. lb. 1. Ladanum made in rolls, and not of that which is in masse or lump, powder it and mix with lb iij. of Bol, reduced in Lump with Aquae vitae; work all this into pellets, which after they are gently dried, put in a retort, and place it in sand, joining to it a fit recipient well luted; then give a gradual fire, and con∣tinue it till all the liquor be come forth; and the vessels being cooled, take out what you find in the recipient, and sever the oyle from the spirit by a funnel, and keep it for use; you may give from ij. drops of the oyle and xij. of the spirit, in a litle warm wine, to open and attenuate the grosse matters whereby cathart's are generated: it is also a commendable remedy against Dysente∣ry: but it is a true specifick to allay the fits and irritations of the Mother, if the same dosis be administred in mguwort or mother-wort water, or penny-royal.

How to work upon Benjuin.

BENJUIN is one of the best and noblest gums which is found in the Kingdome of vegetables, as much for its sweet and pleasant smel, which outwardly is used in perfumes, as princi∣pally for the essential vertues it possesses in it self, proceeding from the abundance of volatile sulphureous salt, whereof we shall give an evident proof by the following operations: for it might very well be said, to speak properly of Benjuin, that it is a dry balsom; it is brought from Samaria and Sion, and grows on tal trees whereof in convenient time the rind is opened, to give way to this precious gum; the best is that which in some kinde is trans∣parent, mixt with white granes and streaks, in a yellowish red masse or lump, apt to crumble, not very heavy, melting easily, and of a very sweet and pleasant odour. We shall give the process of the following operations upon it for the satisfaction of the Ar∣tist, viz. Of drawing the tincture Magistery, flowres, oyle, manna or Crystal, and Mercurial spirit, and that balsom or grosse oyle of it.

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 Page  64so 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, Page  65adding 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.

To make the Flowers of Benjuin.

As Benjuin Flowers are excellent in their Vertue, so must an Artist be careful to bestow upon them a good preparation: for which reason, we shall demonstrate two ways thereof: The first more plain, because it may be done at all times, as necessity shall require. The second to be reserv'd, when we shall treat of the Distillation of Benjuin. As for this first manner, take only a good Germane Crucible, round and something high, wherein put ℥ij. of Bnjuin reduced to pouder, place it in sand upon a Capsula, and cover it with a long sharp cap of a good double blew paper, strong and well stiffened, the said cap being proportionated in its basis to the orifice or mouth of the Crucible: After this, give your fire by degree, and when you perceive the vapours of the Benjuin beginning to rise, take away the said cap, and put a new one of the same matter and proportion in the room, that you may have time to take away with a feather the flowers sublimated in the first, and lose not those which shall rise while the Crucible shall remain uncovered; and this work continue till all the volatile sulphureous salt of the Benjuin be sublimated in flowers; they are to be given from three grains to half a scruple in the same man∣ner, and for the same diseases, as the tincture and magistery: it is by this operation that our Artist shall clearly know, that Benjuin possesses a volatile sulphureous Salt, very subtile and penetrating: for as soon as there is heat enough to drive it out from its body, it invades the nose, eyes and brest, which it irritates in such a wise, as to provoke sneesing, tears and coughing, by reason of that spiritu∣ous and subtile quickness of the salt, wherein lies all the power and activity of the Benjuin.

The Distillation of it.

YIelds many fine preparations at once, provided the Artist be skilful and vigilant, and not sparing of what is useful and ne∣cessary to do it punctually and to the purpose; for the Chymical A∣pothecary must not entertain a false perswasion, as many have done, and do yet at this day, that it is enough to take the bottom and dregs of the Drugsters-box, to perform his operation withal, being a very great absurdity to yield to this perswasion; considering, that besides that the drugs can never give what they have not, be∣cause the salt and spirit lies ever hidden in the purest part; it should moreover run this hazard, that all the vertue and goodness there∣of might be overcome and absorbed by the heterogenity of the impure: They then that will duly quit themselves of their duty in the profession of Spagyrical Pharmacy, must have as great a re∣gard in the well chusing of their Stuffs, as if they were to work their Master-piece; because that besides they should lose the distillable matter, they would also trifle away their time, and spend it vainly with their fire and vessels: Let this be said once for all by the by, but chiefly in this place, where it is absolutely required, that the matter we work upon be cleanly, that something analo∣gous may also come forth out of the same: for in the first place there will be drawn a spirit of wine, impregnated with a portion of the volatile, sulphureous and spiritual salt of the Bejuin. Se∣condly, There shall come forth the purest of the said volatile salt, which will cleave to the neck of the retort: And in the third place, a fat and butyrous matter, which is nothing else but the grossest part of the salt and sulphur. Fourthly, There shall distill from it some small quantity of Mercurial acid spirit. Fifth∣ly, A little of yellow oyl of Hyacinth colour, of a very good smell, and finally at the giving of the last fire, there will come forth a Balsome somewhat blackish in colour.

To perform this ample distillation artificially and methodically, chuse lb j. of the most pure and excellent Benjuin, reduce it to pouder, and put it to digest in a double or circulatory vessel in the vapour of Balneo with lb iv. of Alcohol of Wine, during the space of five natural dayes; which elapsed, pour all in a great glass retort; in which you shall put lb j. of pure and clean sand, and Page  67lbs. of scales of iron, such as they fall from the Anvil, all these matters not filling above a third part of the vessel, which must have a long and broad neck, and the Orifice of a Thumb-Diameter, then place it in ashes mixt with sand, fitting to it a middle sise recipient dry and clean; the joints of which will be sufficiently luted with plain bladder steeped in water, that it may be removed with more ease when you are obliged to change your recipient: all these cir∣cumstances being exactly observed, give the fire slowly by degrees, so as the drops may follow slowly on the other without heating the recipient, and having a care not to make more haste; other∣wise you should ruine all your work; for as our experienced Paracelsus saith, Omnis praecipitatio a Diabolo: above all things then, our Artist must be patient and judicious, unless he will be compell'd to be so to his cost and confusion after this due warn∣ing: and when he shall guess that all the spirit of wine is almost all come forth, he must have a particular care of encreasing gently the fire, and taking notice when the flowers or crystal shall begin to coagulate themselves in the neck of the retort, to change then the recipient which must not be luted, because it must oft be taken of either, to take away the flowers and crystals which are gathered there, or to draw them with a stick, made for the purpose, from the neck of the retort, lest they should stop it altogether, which would cause the breaking of the retort, the va∣pours having no free passage left to come forth: when all the first flowers, which are the whitest and subtilest, shall be drawn off, and the butyrous substance begins to appear, then must you again lute the retort to your recipient with a bladder, and increase a little the fire, that all the acid and mercurialliquor may follow the bur∣ter; that done, change again your Recipient, to receive the true Benjuin oyl, which will be of a yellow colour, somewhat re∣sembling Hyacinth, but there will be but very little of it, and of a fragrant odour: the Artist therefore must take care to observe the change of colour: for where the drops appear red, it is the true instant of time to substitute a new Recipient, to receive a thick and dark Balsom by the last action and expression of the fire. It remains only now to say something of the uses and ver∣tues of the several substances, which the Benjuin doth furnish us with in this distillation: and to begin by the spirit, we say that Page  68the same alone, without mixture or adding any more of our gum resin above described, may serve for a very excellent Cosmetick, because already filled and impregnated with part of the volatile salt, which is properly the substance in which the detersive, mundi∣fying and resolutive strength and faculty of the Benjuin is placed; it hath even a more penetrating vertue then the tincture, and that because the tincture is laden with the unctuous body of the Benjuin, which stops the pores, and dryes the skin. This spirit is also more potent and capable to draw the true tincture of Ben∣juin: but not of corporeal or upprepared Benjuin, but of that which is devested of its subtile and gross oyl, and its acid spirit: for you must take ℥ij. of the flowers crystals of Benjuin, and ℥s. of the butyrous matter, which must be put in a double or di∣gesting vessel, pouring upon ℥ij. of the aforesaid spirit, and so let them digest some space of time together, and the spirit shall be tinged with a yellow colour, which will be nothing else but the extract and addition of the volatile salt and sulphur graduated and exalted to the highest degree of their perfection: filtrate the liquor, and you shall find in the bottom of the vessel, a white gum, which may be of very good use in perfumes. This tincture hath in a Compendium all the noble vertues of the Benjuin: the Dosis is from two drops to xij. in sassafras water, Syrup of Hyssop, or some Conserve in Bolus, for all diseases and griefs of the brest above rehearsed. But as we promised above, that we would here exhibit the method to make Benjuin Flowers in greater quantity and less time, then those which may be made by sublimation in the Crucible, we will teach how to perform it; and it is only thus: Dissolve ℥j. of the first butter of Benjuin, and of the whirest, which immediately follows the crystals or flowers in boyling wa∣ter, and filtrate very quickly the liquor through gray paper, and the flowers will instantly be coagulated, even under the hand: then draw back again the whitish water by inclination, and let it settle, and you shall have in the bottom a magistery of no less effi∣cacy, then that which is made by precipitation of the Tincture, or gross dissolution: let the flowers dry, and the magistery slowly and leisurely between the double paper, and keep it for use. The crystals which are properly the flowers and volatile salt of the Benjuin, are sudorifick, and a great specifick against the great Page  69Pox, if it be given from vj. gr. to xx. in a glass of tincture of sassafras made with white wine, or in a glass of decoction of salsa∣perilla, china & guajacum rind. for it is a searcher, which in an interim penetrates the whole body; it may also be exhibited in a less Dosis, as the first sublimated flowers: the oyl is an excellent vulnerary, and noble perfume. The blackish balsom which is clammy and viscous, is a great Mundifier of ulcers, wherefore it may very conveniently be mixt with oyntments and plaisters: some mix it amongst Peruvian Balsom, to falsifie and encrease its quantity; and it is o•• of the falsifications of most difficult disco∣very; The Benjuin yields so little of an acid spirit, that it is not worthy mentioning its use; nevertheless it may be applyed to the same purposes, as we have said above, the spirit of Turpentine would serve: they that are moved with a curiosity to make an excellent mixture of unctious perfume for skins and gloves, may dissolue butter of Benjuin, and some part of the flowers in oyl of Ben. it will make a very good and fit body to receive the Muse, Ambergreece and Civet, according to the proportion they will allow, and the strength of sent they intend to give to their skins.

To prepare an excellent Angelical Water, and the Mass or Past, which is called the Spanish Past.

℞ ℥iv. OF very pure Benjuin, ℥j. of Styrax in drops, ℥j. of good Cloves, ℥ij. of Ambergreese, ℥j. of Levan∣tine Musk, and ℈j. of very fine Civet; grind and beat all to a very subtile pouder in a Ma•ble Mortar; add to it the superficial and subtile rind of xij. Citrons or Lemons, and put all in a dou∣ble or digestive vessel, and pour on it lb j. s. of very good Rose∣water, and as much Muscat Wine very clear, or some other white Wine clear, odoriferous and quick; cover your vessel with its blind head, and place it in B.M. giving a fire of digestion for viij. days, if it be winter; or expose the sam• vessel in the reverberation of the Solar rayes, if summer: then opening your vessel, put aside the water which you shall find coloured, and of a very excellent odour to perfume Table-linnen, for the use of day or night, as Page  70also to make a vaporous Cassolet, by exhaling a little of the same water in the place appointed to eat, sleep, or entertain com∣pany at your choice. But you must heat the Mass of Past which is setled in the bottom, to malax and work it together with your hands anointed with Orange or Jelsemin oyl, or Orange-flower, Cloves, Cinnament, according as they that will make use of it, are better pleased with either of these smells: for in this respect the capriccio's and humours are as various, as in matters of taste: there may also (if it be for a sick body) a respect be had to the in∣tention of the Physitian, and that of th• Patient, because the same smells will restore and comfort the one, & offend the other, and chiefly among women; therefore you may herein use your own discretion, and therefore as well add as diminish of your own In∣gredients, according to the necessity and circumstances. The mass being thus by malaxation rendred soft and tractable, you may frame it into braceles smelling or sweet pasts, or perpetual Casso∣lets, which are made in the manner following: Have a silver Box with a double bottom, the one distant from the other the thickness of a thumb, let there be within or without the box a channel or pipe running through the second bottom, that you may inject such water as you think fit, in the voide space which is between the two bottoms. This Box thus framed, must be filled with the Past or Odoriferous mass, the height of a thumb; then shut it up with a cover fitted to it in a convexe figure or dome-like, boren with holes all about to transmit the vaporous petsume and exhalation the easier: and when you will ser this Cassolet to work, fit the bottom with Rose-water, Wine, or Plain water, according as your design is either strongly or softly to af∣fect the smell, and thus set on a moderate fire, which will act slowly upon the persumed Mass, and raise by little and little its pleasant fragrancy, gently, and without interruption; you may also dissolve, in all kind of performances which you will make of this past in oyl of Ben. giving it such a colour as you shall like best, as also encrease or lessen the strengrh and sweetness of the perfume, mote or less, according as you shall make your mixture. Let no body think, we run here out of our Text, in teaching the Dosis or mixture of perfumes, but be perswaded rather, that they are absolutely essential to our Treatise, since there hap∣pen Page  71pen many accidents in the life of man, to which no remedy can be applyed but by the smell, so that this example which we have given of preparing one, which is both pleasant and useful, may be a rule and a pattern to prepare those which shall only be intended for physical use, and the help of sick Patients.

Of Camphire.

MAny have thought Camphire to be a bituminous substance; but they that have more truly writ concerning their In∣dian Travels in the East Country and China, do teach us, that it is a resinous drop or gum; the best kind whereof comes from Bor∣neo; and that which follows in goodness, from the kingdom of China and the Province of Chineseo, distilling from a great tree somewhat like unto our Wall-nut in the body or stock, whereof it gathers to a head. The Indian Physitians are not of the opinion of those that fear the use thereof, by reason of the cold quality which is attributed to it; for they use it with very great success, as a true divine remedy; and certainly we must acknowledge Camphire to be one of the most wonderful productions of na∣ture, and the nearest of all resembling light; for as we have often said, that the volatile Salt is the last fold and cover that wraps the spirit, and that spirit is nothing else but a concretion of light, and light nothing else but an invisible fire, and a true emanation of the Divinity it self; so can we say, that Camphire is the only natural production, wherein the hand of nature has more excellently discovered one of its noblest operations, in separating a pure, volatile, sulphureous salt from a substance which seems to be altogether uncapable thereof; and what is more to be wondred at, is, that the skill of the most knowing Artist can∣not imitate but at a very great distance this natural preparation; since the most perfect master-pieces of their Art, are only volatile salts, which for the most part they compare to Camphire, when they think to have brought them to the highest piece of their per∣fection, but they never come near to the subtilty, quickness, transparency and whiteness of this unparallel'd mixt, nature it seems intending to have it self alone all the glory of its perfecti∣on, nobleness and vertue: for when ever Chymical Artists have Page  72endeavoured to raise and exalt this gum to an oyl, or some other analogical liquor, it has ever returned to a body again, vanisht away, or lost the purest or noblest part of its strength or efficacy; we must then rather set here as admirers, then operarors, since there is nothing in this substance to be corrected, and that Camphire of it self is sufficiently pure, subtile and volatile, to be reduced from power into act, without vainly endeavouring by an igno∣rant and proud temerity to correct a thing which God hath cre∣ated, and nature produced with so many perfections. To prove our Assertion, it will be necessary to give here the character and notes of true Camphire, teach one of the noblest uses of it, and make some observations thereupon, before we come to any of the true operations usually made upon this noble Resin: the Camphire then ought to be very white, transparent as cry∣stal, very pure, without spot and mixture of any adventitious substance, of a quick and penetrating smell, crumbling betwixt the fingers, and almost not to be quenched whence once kindled, for it burns in the water it self: and to discover the better, if it be sophisticated, have a Rye-loaf coming just from the Oven, open it, and make a hole in the middle, in which put a piece of Cam∣phire of the bigness of a Walnut, then clap the pieces again close together, and let it so stand a while warm, and this tryal will evidently make appear the truth of the substance or sophisticati∣on; for if the Camphire be pure, it will all melt and vanish away; but if mixt with any heterogeneous matter, it will burn; or to speak more properly, the Camphire will vanish away, and the gross matter which did falsifie it, shall appear in substance whole in the bread, and as it were roasted and dryed up: but to declare yet more evidently the volatile quality of this mixt, and its subtile and penetrative vertue, we must say that it is an ap∣proved remedy against Tertian Agues, if in a knot of Taffeta you put some of the purest about the neck of the patient from ℈s. to ℈•v. according to age, letting the same hang upon the brest, towards the upper Orifice of the stomack, where the first sensa∣tions of joy or grief are raifed: The knot must be worn nine days, without intermission, and the ninth day thrown, without examing what remains in, in a running water, and that without omitting any of these circumstances, if you look for a recovery. Page  73But some may perhaps object, that this number of nine is super∣stitious, as also the condition not to look in the knot, and like∣wise to throw it in running water: To which we answer, That all these observations are necessary, purely physical and sutable to the nature of the Remedy and disease; for though Camphire be very volatile, yet must there be a more violent heat then that of man to volatilize it under the space of nine days: and it is requi∣site it should be volatiliz'd to produce its effect, which is per∣formed by the smell of the Patient, who breaths and draws it continually, by which means this volatile Salt makes an impres∣sion upon the natural spirits, which drive away by degrees by a sen∣sible transpiration or insensible, or by urine, the ferment of the A∣gue, and by this slow operation destroyes the action and violence thereof: As for not looking in the knot, and throwing of it into run∣ning water, it is an observation depending on a higher and more ab∣struse Philosophy, which shall tell you that as the Camphire hath blotted out, and defaced the Character and Idea of the A∣gue by the irradiation of its magnetical vertue, so hath the spirit of life imprinted the Character and Idea of the disease in the knot whence the remedy did flow, and therefore must this Idea be removed as far as is possible from the formerly sick person, lest the irradiation and flowing of the subtile spirits, which do continually proceed from their bodies, may cause the said spirits to be touch∣ed again, and infected by the venom and contagion of the Idea of the sickness, which the water carries away, and destroyes, and overcomes in such a manner that the Patient becomes whol∣ly freed and exempted from it without any fear of Relapse; for there is no body can be ignorant, that a Candle newly put out, can easily be kindled again, if another burning be brought near unto it, though kept at some distance, and not touching it with her flame; the same will happen to them that shall have the cu∣riosity to look into the knot, after they have removed it from their neck, and have neglected to throw it at the same instant in the running water. We might also find another Reason in the strength of imagination working in the Patient; but though that may do very much, it would be needless, since we shall evidence hereafter, that Remedies prepared out of Camphire, work the same effect when taken inwardly.

We must come now to the necessary marks, for proof of what we have said above: For the tryal of Camphire in new Rye-bread, and the cure of the Tertian Ague, are infallible signs of its sub∣tility and quick penetration, whereby it appears that those that believe it to be cold, are possessed with a salse and vain Philoso∣phy, taken from old Authors who had no skill or knowledge there∣of, further then what a hear-say could suggest them, wherein they are followed by their disciples: But, say they, Camphire cannot be otherwise then cold, because it hinders generation, and doth even hinder erection, and all other irritations necessary to the act of it. But suppose it to be as true as it is false, it doth not follow therefore that Camphire should be cold: and granting that any body making a tryal thereof, and by long use of it both in∣wardly and outwardly, that effect of impotency and barrenness should follow in him: it would much rather be an argument of its heat, and of the subtile quickness of its volatile sulphure∣ous Salt, keeping still the pores open, and continually resolving either sensibly or insensibly the spirituous exhalations, which are absolutely necessary to the act of generation and conception: the old Romans knew better then these Chimerical Philosophers, that those substances which have a quick and penetrating smell do ener∣vate, since by one of their Laws of the xii. Tables, they did forbid their Soldiers, Mentham in bello nec edere nec cedere. Is it not also a daily experiment, that Agnus Castus and Rew decrease the seed, hinder erection and the heats of lust, by the same rea∣son as Camphire, though held by every body for hot remedies? which are proof more then invincible of the weakness of this insipid Doctrine, which always cleaves to the appearances and outward effects of things, without reflecting and turning the edge, of their speculation upon the true cause. Chymistry is only ca∣pable of this noble and discerning knowledge; upon which ground Chymical Physitians have found it expedient to make use of Champhire in pestilential and malignant diseases, as also in A∣gues, whether they administer it inwardly, or apply it outwardly in Epithems and Frontals. But above all things, it is used with a wonderful success in Suffocations and Fits of the Mother, if you burn ℈j. or ʒs. even to a ʒj. in a glasse of balm water, or for want of it, in plain water, by which it appears evidently, that it is the Page  75meer vertue of Camphire which produces the effect. We would not forbear to clear this truth by this our Narrative, to remove the scruple of those who fear to make use of Camphire; for as I am very well perswaded of its real vertue by experience, I thought my self obliged to recommend the use thereof, that the publick may not be frustrated of the good and advantage it may receive by it. When we have said, that our Artist could not much operate upon Camphire without destroying it, we have said truth; for he can add nothing to its perfection, and can but waste much of its substance, always useful and full of vertue: there is nevertheless some little operation necessary to reduce it into liquor, and mix it indivisibly with other substances, which cannot easily keep it, unless you proceed in your work with circumspection and method; and because some hitherto have thought it impossible to reduce the substance of it into oyl, we will show nevertheless that Labor improbus ownia vincit; but it shall yield but a little quantity and proportion. We will propound two examples, the one of Camphire oyl without addition of other oyl; the other with addition of two necessary oyls which will increase more and more its vertue.

How to work the plain oyl of Camphire.

℞ lbs. OF Camphire reduced to pouder, and mix it with lb js. of Bol. then put this mixture in a glasse retort, and distill in sand with a well graduated fire, and the Camphire will come forth in the form of Butter. Take of this butyrous sub∣stance, and mix it with its double weight of Tartar very well calcinated; put this mixture in a Cucurbite, and pour upon it spi∣rit of Wine, the height of three or four fingers, and distill it in B.M. with all requisite precautions. But above all things, you must have a carefull eye to observe when the Camphire shall begin to sublimate: for as soon as you see it appear in the still head, take away the fire, and let the vessels cool: But the spirit of wine you shall find in the Recipient in a narrow neck bottle, and pour upon distilled rain-water, till you see the mixture of both turn as white as milk; so the spirit of Wine being weakened by the mixture of water, you shall perceive the Oyl of Camphire, which was in∣corporated Page  76incordorated and united to this ethereal spirit, to swim over the liquor. Continue in the same manner to pour spirit of Wine up∣on the matter remaining in the Cucurbite, and distill with the same circumspection as before, until no more of the oyl doth se∣parate and rise above the spirit of Wine and rain-water mixed. You may keep of this spirit of Wine impregnated with the oyl of Camphire; for it is the true Camphorated spirit of Wine, and not that wherein Camphire hath meerly been dissolved. There is most commonly but the eight part of Camphire converted into oyl: This oyl is an excellent Remedy, for it resists putrefaction and venoms; wherefore it may be exhibited in Plagues, malig∣nant diseases, and continual or intermittent Feavers: The Dosis is from one drop to six in some appropriated liquor: the campho∣rated spirit of Wine, is impregnated with the same vertues, but the Dosis must be bigger; for it may be given from ℈s. to ʒj. inwardly; and the outward use is no way less wonderful: for the oyl and spirit are good to stop the Gangreen, & appease the tooth∣ach, as likewise to allay the grief of the Gout, particularly Sci∣atick. Note also, that you must not lose the spirit of wine mixt with the stilled rain-water, but draw it off by distillation in B.M. since it may be used again, either for this same operation, or for some others: you must not neither lose the salt of Tartar which remains in the Cucurbite, dissolve it only with warm water, filtrate, evaporate and dry it, to use it to all other purposes as be∣fore.

The manner of preparing compounded oyl of Camphire.

PUT in a Matrass about lib. j. of spirit of Niter, ℥vj. of Cam∣phire; stop the Matrass with another, that the neck of one may get into the other; lute the joints with bladder and whites of eggs, then put it to digest in the vapour of Balneo, until the Camphire be resolved into an oyl which shall swim above the spi∣rit, then separate this oyl, and mix it with ℥iv. of rectified oyl of Amber, and as much juniper oyl; digest them together that they may unite, then distill in ashes by a retort three times con∣secutively; after which rectifie upon Choliotar of Vitriol, until the oyl comes forth clear, depurated and fluid, and the Cam∣phire Page  77wholly deprived from body, and turned into an oyl; it is a sudorifick very secure to expell the malignity of the plague, Spotted Feavours, and poison it self: it is also a preservative Re∣medy in time of Plague, both inwardly and outwardly applyed: if inwardly, this oyl must be reduced in a dissoluble Balsom with sugar in pouder, and every morning must you take three drops in a little wine: But outwardly, rub your Temples and Wrists at the beating of the Artery, and thus shall it act concurrenly both within and without; and so shall this noble remedy sufficiently strengthen spirits, that they may not be infected by the venom and poyson of the plague. But the use of this oyl cannot suffici∣ently be recommended for those that are subject to Hysterical passions: for this Remedy penetrates as in a moment, and ap∣peases all the irritations of the mother; the Dosis is from 11. drops to vj. or viij. But you must note moreover, that this oyl is a very notable Specifick in the Epilepsie, both in young and old, and chifly in that kind which proceeds from the mother.

The manner of distilling the Gum Ammoniack.

WE take this Gum for an example of the distillation of other Gums, because it is endowed with many noble me∣dicinal faculties, and abounds more then the others in spirit, and in oyl: This Gum is taken from a feculaceous plant growing in that part of Africa where formerly was the Temple of Jupiter Ammon, whence it had also the name, to draw an oyl and spirit from it, which may be recommendable by their vertue; it must be very well chosen. The chief Notes of good Ammoniack, are, that it be yellow outwardly, and white inwardly, as Crums or Granes Olibanum, of a smell drawing to that of Castoreum, bitter in taste, and easily growing soft, if wrought a while be∣tween the fingers. But this Gum well chosen in a glass retort filled to a third part, and fit it in an Iron-pot so adapted in the furnace, that you may have Registers in the Corners; the bot∣tom of the retort must not touch the iron, but it must be prop∣ped with three pieces of earth, as if it were a Trefoot, that the oyl and spirit may contract no Empyreuma or smoakish taste, if it be possible; cover the pot with its own covering, and lute it Page  78so, that nothing but the warm air may encompass the retort, to expell the vapours into the Recipient, which must be exactly luted without fillets of linnen dipt in whites of eggs, and strowed pouder of quick lime; graduate ths fire as you shall see occasion, and continue your distillation, till nothing more comes out; and when all is cooled, separate the oyl from the acid liquor, and rectifie each by it self in ashes, to apply to their uses: The oyl and spirit may be taken inwardly from iv. drops to xv. and xx. in white Wine or Sassafras, or a little Centaury water, to open ob∣structions of the parts of the inward ventricle, and chiefly of the Spleen. It is also a specifick Remedy to resolve and evacuate by seat and urine, the flime and tartarous Viscosities which create and cause pains in the joints, wherefore it may freely be given to those that are subject to the Gout and Rheumatism, as those like∣wise whose breast is laden with clamminess and thick phlegms hindering the motion of the lungs: The spirit above all, is of singular use to free the Matrix from its impurities, as also to clense the kidneys and bladder from slime and sand; the oyl is also ex∣cellent to apply outwardly upon the Region of the Spleen, where∣by to sustain it, and restore to its natural state, when it is grown schirrous and hard: It is likewise very efficacious to resolve To∣phus'd, Hardnesses and Callosities of the feet and hands of such as have been troubled with the Gout in those parts of the body. It is also one of the best remedies that can be applied to the Kings Evil, provided the Patient may be purged at the same time al∣ternatively with some good Antimonial and Mercurial remedy. And thus shall we conclude this Chapter of Vegetables, in which we think to have sufficiently instructed the Artist with a method to guide him in such works as he shall find himself obliged to un∣dertake upon substances, whereof this noble and ample family of Nature doth consist, whether led by a mean curiosity to encrease his knowledge and experience, or to prepare remedies which he may use and dedicate to the publick good and service. We must follow the same Rules and Preceps upon Minerals, which we will, God willing, perform in the following Chapter, with all the intelligibility and punctuality possible and requisite.