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

The Salification of Vitriol.

WEE have deferred hitherto to speak of the Caput mortuum of Vitriol remaining after distillation, saying only a∣bove, that it was to be exposed to the open ayr and influence of Heaven in a covered place, exposed to the free passage of the winds: but we will now teach here how to extract the salt thereof,

after it has been penetrated by the ayr during the space of six weeks or more. Take it then after that time and put it in a Cucurbite, or which is yet better, in an earthen Pan, and pour up∣on it distilled Rain-water, or new and fresh River water, and stir the matter as you pour the water in; otherwise it would grow hard in the bottom; digest all the matter in sand and stir it often, that the salt may the better be extracted; then filtrate the liquor, and slowly evaporate till it contracts a skin, and let it shute into Chri∣stals, and go on thus evaporating and chrystallizing until you can get no more salt; this salt dry gently between two papers, and keep for its uses. After this, take care to edulcorate well the red brownish earth which remaines after the salt is extracted, and to dry and keep it for its use, which is both inward and out∣ward. Internally it is a very good Remedy against the bloody Flux and Dysentery; it is also very good to dry running of the Reines, and stop the fluxion of Gonorrhaeas, the Whites and Reds in Wo∣men, and Hemorrhagy, and above all against spitting of blood; externally applyed it is a very good Emplastical and Balsamical Remedy, which mundifies and cicatrizes gently and without pain, all Wounds and Ulcers: wherefore it is used in Ointments, Cere∣cloths, Liniments and Plaisters.

The true Vitriolick salt which we extracted from this Earth must be white inclining upon the pale red of Roses, and chrystalliz'd as the salt of Saturn in small streaks, long and thin; the taste must rather incline towards mite then acerbity or harshnesse, for it must not keep the Idea or Character of of Vitriol, nor take the cu∣bical or Lozangical figure; otherwise it would not be the true salt of Vitriol; this salt being so qualified as we have described, is full of ma∣ny excellent vertues, which makes it to be a fit remedy for Epilepsy, and for such as are troubled with frequent & great headaches, pro∣ceeding from the corruption and superfluity of matters stuffing the stomach. It is given also against Pleuresy, malignant & pestilential Feavers, and swoonings, and Deliquiums proceeding from some re∣pletion of the ventricle, as also against obstructions of the Liver, Spleen & Reins. It may also be drawn into the nostrils to provoke sneezing, and unburthen the brain from such serous & excrementiti∣ous matters, which do oppress and cause the distention of its mem∣branes: for it is an excellent and specifical Sternutatory. Tsie Dosis must be from vj. gr. to ℈ ij. and ʒ j. in broth, beer, or some appro∣priated Decoction.