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.

SECT. II. Of Leaves.

ALthough we have amply and generally spoken of Leaves of Vegetables, when we did handle their preparation, and their difference, in the beginning of this Chapter of Vegetables: yet, there remain many things to add, as much concerning the Di∣stillation of their single Waters, as of their Spirits and Oyls; for, as concerning their extraction and reduction into Salt, we have spoken enough of it heretofore; yet will we say something more particularly of it.

We have sufficiently instructed the Artist how to proceed with odoriferous Plants; those that are acid and juycie, those we have called Anti-scorbutick, which are juycy and biting, by reason of the volatile Salt contained in them, to draw out several kinds of preparation: but, we must teach here, the way to distil Plants for the general use of the Chymical Apothecary, according to the clas∣sis unto which they belong.

To this end, the Artist shall have recourse to the Figure hereby annexed, for the erecting a Furnace fit for his use in the distilling of inodorous Plants, and not acid, such as are ladies-mantle, or Lions-foot, Burrage, Bugloss, Cardnus Benedictus, Eye-bright,

Fumitory, Lettuce, Mercury, Nightshade, Cowslip, Purslain, Dan∣delion or Taraxacon, Varvin, and all other Plants of this classis, or that are kin to it. To the end this Vessel may be used with some advantage, we must briefly explain the way how to do it, and the reasons why it is to be preferred to others. Those that have made use hitherto, and make yet dayly, of the Leaden Bell, and its Vessel under, to distil the Waters of Plants and Flowers, could never hinder their Waters to contract an ill odour or burn∣ing smell, which is called Empyreuma, because they were impa∣tient and over-hasty in ruling their fire, and that they neglected to make use of some interposed Medium's, to hinder the too violent action of the fire, upon so ill fixt a matter as is in Vegetables: but, when Chymists came to discover this defect, they made it their stu∣dy to prevent it. And to this purpose have they invented the con∣struction of this Furnace by us represented, and likewise of the distillatory Vessel it contains, whereof follows the descri∣ption.

First of all, build a round Furnace of 2 ½ foot diameter, and as much in height, wherein is left room for an Ash-hole, and a focus for the coals to burn in; a foot higher then the grate of the focus, appropriate a Cauldron or Kettle made with Plates of eight inches deep, and of each side an inch less in breadth than the di∣ameter of the Furnace, that it may receive heat from all parts; this Cauldron or Kettle must also have a brim three inches broad, to hold fast upon the sides of the Furnace, and supported under by two cross barrs of Iron. This brim must have eight holes in it, of one inch diameter, equally distant one from the other, which may be made to open and shut, with the same mettle as the Cauldron is, that these holes may be instead of Registers where∣by to increase and suppress the fire. This Vessel must have in the bottom two inches thick of Sand or Ashes, to place thereupon the second Cauldron, which must be of tinned Copper, 1½ inches less of each side than that of Iron which is destinated to receive it, and of five ½ inches hight; this is the Vessel which must receive the Plant, Fruit or Flower which is to be distilled; or any other li∣quor, provided, it be not acid. This second Vessel is to be covered with its Head Limbeck, which must be capacious and rising in the way of an Arch-roof with two Channels or Noses, by which

the Water is drawn off as it condenses in it; the remaining proportions may better be conceived by the Figure hereunto an∣nexed; but we must, after this, speak of its usefulness.

The chief end of the Artist in the construction of this Furnace, and its distillatory Vessel, hath without question been to hinder the Empyreumatical smell, which is ordinarily contracted by the too near action of the fire upon the Vessel containing the Plant, which is to be distilled: but, that cannot happen here for these following reasons; First, That the fire doth not immediately act upon the Vessel containing the distillable subject, since it meets the bottom of the first Cauldron which offers the first re∣sistance; after this, the Sand or Ashes make the second, because either of these two substances breaks the action of that devouring agent, and so the bottom of the Copper Vessel receives only a temperate heat, and yet sufficient to cause all the moisture of the matter to be distilled in the Limbeck Head to ascend, and there to be converted into Water, which is received in appropriated Recipients, and fitted for that purpose: Secondly, the Artist is not tyed to so great a care, nor so tedious an attendance: for, when he hath once put his distillation in a way, he may fill the focus with fewel or coals, without fear of any evil accident, pro∣vided he takes care to stop exactly the doors of the Focus and Ash-hole, and to leave no transpiration of Air to his Register, or at least so little, that it may simply be capable to feed and en∣tertain the fire in its degree, when the two Noses of the Limbeck do drop in an orderly way, and without intermission: for then is he assured that he need not heed the governing of the fire six, eight, or ten hours.

But that which is yet more advantagious and considerable, is, that the Waters thus distilled, have all the requisite vertue in themselves, which doth consist in the essential Salt, or the vo∣latile Salt of the Leaf or Plant whole with its Flower: but, you are to observe, that the matter to be distilled must be turned and stirred every four hours, if it be solid, raising softly the Limbecks Head by the string fastned to its pully for greater facility. And when the Plant shall be wholly dryed, it will be found void of smell, dry, and easie to be crumbled; in such a wise, that it may ea∣sily be reduced to Powder with the fingers end, without any kind

of burning at all; but contrariwise it preserves a green colour, more or less brown, or blackish, according as the Plant was juycie.

This Vessel doth not only serve towards the distillation of Herbs, but is useful also, to that of their Juyces; provided, they have been depurated in B. M. before they be put in the Still-Body, to avoid that the herbaceous odour, proceeding from the feces of the Plants, may not be communicated to their water: so shall you have a very good water, and the inspissated juyce or Extract improperly called of the Plant. It conduces moreover, to the distillation of fruits, as to make the water of green Walnuts, Apples, Melons, Cowcumbers, and other like Fruits. With it may also be distilled Milk, Sperm of Frogs, and Cow-dung; whereof is made the Water called Mille Florum; finally herein, better then in any other Vessel, may be distilled the Flowers of Nenuphar, red Poppy, Elder, Beans, and Honey-suckle: and to end in a word, it is a Vessel which ought not to be wanting in a Chymical Laboratory, or the shop of an Apothecary curious of distillation.

These Plants distilled in this manner, may easily be calcined, because they are very dry, and then their Salt be extracted, to joyn with the Water of the Plant; and so not only be made more full of vertue and efficacy, but also, fit to be better and longer preserved, without any alteration: which is the Apothecaries ad∣vantage, the satisfaction of the Physitian, and the benefit of the Patient.

We have yet to speak here of odoriferous Plants, which are Mercurial and Sulphureous, and which attain not to the true peri∣od of their vertue; but, when the outward heat of the Sun, and their internal Archeus, hath concocted and digested rheir superflu∣ous moisture, which was a hinderance to their perfection. This kind of Plant nevertheless, is, that which furnishes us with the largest and fairest harvest to provide the Shops of Apothecaries, and bestow their time with more advantage, and greater pleasure. The Plants of this Classis are, Wormwood, Sothernwood, male and female Anise, Dill, Chervile, Coriander, Fennel, Hysop, Marjerom, Feverfew, Balm, Penny-royal, Parsley, Rhue, Sabine, Scordium, or Water-Germander Tansie, and all other odorife ous

Plants which have some analogy or correspondency with those of this classis. The right time of gathering these Plants to enjoy their vertue, is, when they are fully blown, and the Seed be∣gins to be framed in their ears, or heads: for it is the right time in which the Root is wholly exhausted, and that Nature doth aim at the concentring and uniting in the Seed, the vertue yet dis∣sipated and dispersed in the stalk, leaf, and flowers, and in this embryonated Seed. But the Artist must necessarily prevent the cementration, otherwise, there would be little hopes to extract the vertue of these Plants, by help of distillation by Water as it is done in the ordinary way of distilling Spirits. The reason is, because, whatsoever is of a saline and volatile nature, is in a man∣ner digested, concocted and fixed by the union of this spiritual sub∣stance into an Oyl-fat, clammy, and viscous, which doth not ea∣sily communicate it self to water, unless it be by disuniting its parts and bringing them to fermentation, if I may so speak: but it is unfit to labour in vain, since we can take these Plants in the nick of time that nature hath not yet brought that Vegetable to the height of its natural predestination, which is the perfection of the Seed, the spring of the perpetuation, and multiplication of beeings.

When you shall have any of these Plants gathered in the morning, a little after the rising of the Sun, in the state we have re∣lated above; cut it very small with Cizzars, and put it in a Copper body filled ½ foot, neer the brim, pour Water upon it to the same height, and apply the Moors-head, or Still; lute the Joynts with Paper fillets pasted with Pap made of Flower and Water, then apply the fire to it, and leave the door of the Furnace and Registers open, until the drops begin to fall in the Recipient, and that you may not without burning your hand, grasp the Pipe which is between the Moores-head and the Still-body; then close ex∣actly the Door and Registers, that the matter may not ascend in a body into the Moores-head, by too violent an ebullition: but, that the vapours may only be raised and carryed to the Pipe (or Worm) which runs through the Fat wherein is the cold Water, which condenses them in a Liquor mixt with Water, Spirit, and an aetherial and subtile Oyl, as is evidently to be seen in the Re∣cipient where the spirituos Water bears up the Oyl swiming over.

The fire must be maintained in the same degree, until the Water is∣suing forth, be without odor and tasteless. After which, open the bo∣dy, and take away the matter contained in the same, which strain, and squeeze the Herb; to put to dry and burn for the extraction of the Salt. But you must clatifie the decoction, & evaporate to a consi∣stency of extract, which shall contain what is most fixt in the Plant: for, that which came out by distillation is of a volatile nature. You must let the Recipient, which contains the first part of what hath been extracted by distillation, be at rest, that the oleaginous sub∣stance may in time separate from the spirituous and aqueous, and gather above it; and this done, you must separate the Oyl and Water by the help of a Cotton, which will draw it to it self, and cause it to run into the Vial, which shall be tyed to the upper part of the Neck of the Recipient, as it will appear more clearly in the annexed Plate, in the figure adjoyning to the Furnace and its Vessel: and when the Cotton shall draw no more, by reason of the sinking of the Oyl; you must cause it to ascend, by pouring softly more Water of the same Plant, whereof the Oyl is ex∣tracted, and so continue till all the Oyl be separated from the Water. Having wrought upon a good Vegetable, and got good store of spirituous Water, you may rectifie it, to possess the Spirit by it self, which will go forth first of all, and so continue your distillation, till the Water comes without any smell, and then keep it for use,

This is the right method and way of Anatomizing the Plants of this last classis, to extract their vertue, and all what may conduce in them to the use of Physick: It is also the true method whereby you may attain to the intimate knowledge of Plants: for, as they abound either in Oyl, volatile, or fixt Salt, in Mercu∣ry or Spirit, the indication of their use for fixt or volatile mala∣dies, i. e. where appear either Obstructions or Colliquations, are to be taken: and I am confident, that Physitians will receive much more satisfaction this way, then if they singly argue and rely up∣on the first and second qualities; so vainly hitherto attributed unto them by modern and ancients Authors: whence it appears, that Chymistry is the true Key to open Natural Bodies, whereby to discover their vertues, & apply them next to the uses unto which by the Creator's Providence they have been destinated for the

cure and easing of such maladies unto whom the infirmity of our nature hath subjected us.

It is not a fit place for us to enlarge here upon the vertues of the Spirits, Oyls or Essences, Extracts or Salts, of these kindes of Plants, because we intend only to shew a general way of Operation, without coming to particulars: but he that desires to be better informed this way, let him consult the learned and ex∣cellent Dispensatory, of the experienced Schroderus, Ordinary Physitian of the City of Franck fort on the Main: where, in a very compleat Abbreviate, he will find an ingenuous description of the vertues of Plants, and all other natural products, handled; with an order and method worthy of so eminent an Author, to whom the Common-weal of Chymical Physick and Pharmacy hath no less obligation then the Galenick.

We will put an end to this Section, by a description of the manner to be used in extracting the Oyl of Plants, their volatile Salt, their Spirit and fixed Salt, without any addition; which is performed by a Retort in open fire in a close Reverberatory Fur∣nace: taking now for an example, the Plant vulgarly called To∣bacco. Were we in a time where this Plant should be less known, it would concern us to say somewhat of its original; but, there are so few that can be ignorant, that it is brought from the Indies, that it would turn to importunity to the Reader, to speak any thing more thereof. Let us only mention in our way some of the names, because Authors who speak of it, have variously denominated the same. The Indians call it Petum, or Petechenune, whence the vul∣gar name Petun amongst the French; and because Jean Nicot, Ambassadour for the Crown of France in Portugal, was the first who did send Seeds to the Queen, it was called the Queens-weed, (Herbe a la Reyn,) and Nicotian. Others call it the Holy-weed, by reason of its wonderful effects. And though this Plant be now cultivated in France, England, Germany, and the Low-Countreys, and doth prosper there very well; yet, that which comes directly from the Indies, dryed and prepared there, is much to be preferred before that which grows in our Clime: for, the Sun's heat is too weak with us, to digest the moisture contained in the same, and to prepare in it that volatile Salt and balsamick Sulphur, which does constitute the chief vertues of such remedies as are drawn out of it. Not, but

that new and fresh gathered Tobacco, such as grows in our parts, may serve to make Salves, Plaisters, Syrups, Honey, and the plain Balsom, so as it is described in modern Dispensatories, as also many other common remedies, mentioned in Authors, who have left upon record the praises of this wonderful Plant. But, as we will anatomize this Plant without any addition, and give to understand, what are the best inward qualities of it: we think it fittest, to take well qualified Tobacco, such as that which is brought from the Plantation of Virginia in the West-India's. And I cannot but declare my wonder, that Physitians and Chirur∣gions have not continued more to practise upon this Plant, and make use of it, as much inwardly as outwardly, since it produces effects, which are above the expectation of those which can dextrously apply the remedies it doth afford: but, that it may no longer lay buryed in oblivion, you must distil it after this follow∣ing manner.

℞ lb iij. or iiij. of Virginia Tobacco, neither so phisticated nor corrupted; shred it grosly, and put it in a Glass Retort, which place in a Reverberatory Furnace, upon the cover of an Earthen pot turned upside down, and kept up upon two Iron-bars, put∣ting a handful of Ashes or Sand upon the said Cover, to hinder the breaking of the Glass by the contiguity of the Earthen cover, whose encompassing is to the Retort instead of a Lute, and a me∣dium interposed to break the violence of the fires action: cover the Furnace, and fit your Recipient to the neck of the Retort, lute the Joynts thereof, with a good salted Lute, and let it dry gent∣ly; then give a gradual fire, and encrease it by little and little, un∣til the Recipient begins to be filled with clouds and vapours, at which time keep the fire in an equal temper, until the Glass be∣gins to be freed from fumes; then give it the last and extreme degree of fire, which is, that of flame, that the matter may cal∣cine, and no volatile, saline, or oleaginous substance may remain, and when the Recipient grows clear of it self, and that, though the fire doth continue its action, no vapour nor liquor comes out of the Retort, cease your operation: All being grown cold, open the Vessels, and pour what you find in the Recipient in a Glass Bottle, that the Spirit and and Oyl may separate one from the other; after this, filtrate the Spirit with Paper, and the Oyl

shall remain in the Funnel with the Paper, which you must break with a little hole in the bottom, and so make the Oyl drop in a Vial, then rectifie the Spirit by separating the Phlegm.

The Oyl may be kept without rectification for outward uses: but, if you intend it for any internal use, you must rectifie it in a Retort in Sand or Ashes; and to proceed more artificially, mix your Oyl with the remaining matter left in your Vessel after the first distillation, until all be reduced to a mass or lump, whereof you may make Pellets of a competent bigness to be put in a new clean Retort: which afterwards placing in a Sand Furnace, draw off your Oyl by a second distillation, which will yield the same: very pure and subtile; which then may be inwardly used for such purposes as we shall mention here-under.

This done, put all what remained from the first and second distillation, in an Earthen Pot not glazed, or in a Crucible, to be calcined with a circular fire, until it be reduced to whitish or grayish Ashes, which you must put to digest in a Matrass in Ashes, with a sufficient quantity of Phlegm, which came out in the re∣ctification of the Spirit, to dissolve therewith the Salt contained in these Ashes; filtrate this first solution, and pour new liquor up∣on the Ashes: and thus continue until the Water comes our tasteless, and insipid, as it was first put in: then put together all the filtrations, and cause them to evaporate in an Earthen Platter, to a skim in a boyling Bath, and so place it in a cold Cellar to shoot into Crystals, or dry it throughly in the same vapour, working it gently with a small woodden Spatula, and, when it is throughly dry, keep it for use in a well stopt Vial.

We shall not labour here to make a description of the gene∣ral vertues of Tobacco: for, there are so many modern Authors that have treated thereof, according to the rules of ordinary me∣thod, that it would be superfluous; I am only obliged to say, that I wonder how these Doctors, who know Tobacco only by the rind, and superficially by his first and second qualities, do stretch the passages which they find in Hippocrates and Galen, to bring them to their own sense; and make these two great Genius's of Physick to speak for and against Tobacco, without ever having the sight or knowledge of it, neither by its shape nor effects.

Let us do otherwise, and show, that Chymical Physitians are not only contented with the superficies of things; but to the con∣trary, that they open them, to penetrate to their very center, and discover what good vertue they do contain, and appropriate it afterwards to external and internal maladies, to which they found by re-iterated experiences, noted with a solid judgement, that they did conduce.

The Spirit of Tobacco is so full of volatile Salt, that it must insinuate thereby its vertue; it being the property of this Salt to deterge, attenuate and dissolve whatsoever is against Nature, of whatsoever quality, and in what part soever contained: where∣fore this Spirit may successfully be used in the Asthma and other oppressions of the Brest, and the parts of it, proceeding most com∣monly from glutinous and tartarous matters, of which this Spirit is the true specifical dissolvent; it is taken in Hydromel, white Wine, Broth, distilled Waters, or incisive attenuating and pecto∣ral decoctions. The dosis is from iij. drops to xv. or xx. according to the age and strength of the diseased Patient. It works chiefly by Spitting, Urines, and Sweats, provokes even sometimes Vo∣mitting, if it meets the Stomack of the Patient full of any muci∣lagineous matter, because this Spirit doth immediately act upon, elevates and ferments this hurtful lurking matter, and so quà data porta ruit: and if this Spirit is profitable, inwardly taken, its use is not less marvellous outwardly applyed; for it hath not its like, to mundifie sinewous and cancerous Ulcers; above all, it doth rare∣ly well in the curing of Fistula's: It excels also above all other remedies, for fresh Wounds, and Contusions, if it be mixt with Urine to wash the parts, and afterward applyed warm upon the wounded part: and, for the last commendation of this Spirit, let us say, that Hartmannus, who was a very famous Physitian, as much renowned for the Theory as the Practical part, hath found no other remedy against the Critalline, which is the most per∣nicious and dangerous accident which can happen in the French disease, than the Spirit of Tobacco, which appeases, as it were, miraculously the extreme pains of this pernicious disease; re∣solves powerfully that horrid venomous substance by which it is caused; and hinders, in a short time, the evil and mortal conse∣quences which ever do accompany it.

We have said, that some part of the Oyl extracted from To∣bacco by distillation, without rectifying, was to be kept, and that with much reason; because, as this Oyl is not destinated to internal uses, so is there no need to purifie it, with so much ex∣actness: there is notwithstanding another reason yet more pres∣sing and pertinent, which is, that rectification should deprive this Oyl of the greatest part of the volatile Salt which it con∣tains, and which is intimately joyned to its Sulphur. The greatest external use of this Oyl, is to consolidate new wounds, mun∣difie and cure all evil Ulcers, and remove all accidents of con∣tusions, because it potently resolves the extravassated bloud, and so doth hinder the heat and inflamation, which are ever fore∣runners of suppuration, which this extravassated bloud presup∣poses to be necessary: But it is never the intention of Nature, provided she be in time assisted by some balsamick remedy, such as is the unrectified Oyl of Tobacco. It is also good for the Tooth-ach, and to dissipate the chalky knots proceeding from the Gout, and Venery. Now, as it is both the volatile Salt and Oyl which joyntly produce these rate effects, it appears, that the unrectified is best for use; but, when you will make any internal use of this Oyl, you must in a manner correct its empy∣reumatical odour, which is very unpleasant, and causes a rising of the Stomack, and that cannot be performed but by rectification: It may be with a very happy success employed against Suffoca∣tions and fits of the Mother, against risings, inflations, and ir∣ritations of the Spleen, which do cause short breath, by reason of the compression of the Diaphragma or Midriffe. It may also be exhibited against intermittent Feavors a little before the fit comes, in Water of small Centaury and ground Pine: But I ra∣ther advise, that the Clyssus, whereof we shall shortly speak, may be made use of for this purpose. As for the fits of the Mo∣ther, or other accidents thereof, you must use the Water of Penny-royal or Savin: and for the Spleen, Water of Sassafras, or of juyce of Chervil. This Oyl is a very good antileptical remedy, provided, it be exhibited upon the fall of the Moon, in Camphir'd Theriacal Spirit, or in Volatile Spirit of Harts-horn, mixt of Lilly-Convallium and Balm. The dosis is from ij. drops to x. But you must note, that this Oyl must be made soluble

with Sugar powder'd before you mix it with aqueous liquors. We have only to say a word more of the fixed Salt of Tobacco, which possesses all its vertues: for, besides that it is a mundifying skarrifier, very gentle in being applyed upon the driveling foul flesh of Ulcers, and upon the callous sides which hinder cicatri∣zing; moreover, it gently moves the belly, if it be taken in Broths: it is also contrary to Worms, and all other corruptions generated in the bottom of the Stomack and the Entrails. It is also diureti••k and disopiling; removes all obstructions in the parts adjacent to the Ventricle, chiefly those of the Mesentery and Pancreas; it cleanses all the impurities of the Womb, if in∣wardly taken; and if you place the party diseased upon a close stool, and perfume her under with leaves of Tobacco, yeelding a steem in the way of a vaporous Bath, having boyled the Tobacco before in Urin and white Wine. The dosis of the Salt is from iiij. to xv. or xx. grains, in decoctions or appropriated to the malady for which it shall be used.

But if the Artist will be at the trouble to make the clyssus or compound out of 3 principles of the Plant, which are, the Spi∣rit or Mercury, the Oyl or Sulphur, and the Salt mixt together, in such a proportion as we have already taught, and puts them to digest together, uncil the inseparable union of them be made, it will be without compare, a much more efficacious remedy, than any of the three principles separated: but the dosis must be less by half proportion.

It may be, many will wonder, that I should attribute so many, and so different vertues to the remedies extracted from Tobacco: but I doubt not, their wonder will cease, when they shall take the pains, to make reflexion upon the different uses which it is put to when the Plannis but newly gathered, or even in dryed leaves, by the common people, and most Chirurgions and Phy∣sitians: for, it is taken in smoke, in Masticatory and Powder, to provoke Sneezing; whereof the effects are various, according to the various constitution of those that use it: it inebriates some, it prevents drunkenness in others, causes vomiting, sleeping, watching; to be short, it seemeth, that this Plant (as in part it is true) hath some universal vertue, not to say divine: It is also to be considered, that there is some Chymical mystery hidden under

the preparation of this leaf: for, though those that prepare it, are not alwayes capable to give a reason of their proceeding, yet the Natural Philosopher doth ever find much to Philosophise up∣on; since there is an observation to be made in chusing the great middle leafs, rejecting the undermost, and cutting off all the shoots growing in the sides of the stalk of the Plant, with the buds or be∣ginnings of the flowers, and cutting also the t••p of the stalk, and all the small leaves which grow on this and that side of the great ones, and of the stalk, to concentrate the spirituous and saline nourishment of the Plant, and preserve it for the sustenance and food of those 10. or 12. great principal leafs, which grow above the middle. There is also a nicety of constellation, whose ob∣servation is very necessary to gather Tobacco, as well as to sow it, if you intend to do something with it more then the vulgar. The feed of Tobacco is dedicated to the signs of Aquarius, and of Mars. It is to be sowed in the increase of the Moon in April, a little before the stepping of the Sun into the sign of Aries; and that with great reason and prudence, because it hath need of water and moderate heat in its beginning, which temper is scarse found in any other season of the year. It is gathered in the de∣crease of the Moon in August, when the Sun is in Leo, which is a constellation of dignity, strength, and vertue; and in a season, which may by its heat digest, as is required, the superfluous moi∣sture of the Tobacco-leaves. But, that which deserves yet bet∣ter our consideration, is, that the leafs, buds, and growing flowers are not useless, but contrariwise, are as a Balm, and a preparing and preserving Liquor, without which, the best conditioned leafs should Lose their vigour, strength and vertue, either by their too quick exsiccation, or their sudden corruption and putrefaction. The juyce of these parts so gathered and cut, is extracted after they have been well beaten in a stony or woodden Mortar; then let them be boyled with sweet Spanish Wine, called decocted Wine, or with Malmsey, until all be well and curiously skimmed; after which, add some Salt, until the liquor hath acquired a taste and faltishness neer unto that of the brine of the Sea, and at last throw into it Anise and Ginger very finely powder'd; and let this liquor rest that it may depurate, and leave its seculency in the bottom of the Vessel: this done, put it in Glasses very well

stopt; otherwise, all the vertue thereof▪ will fly away. With this liquor are the Tobacco-leaves to be seasoned, when they are gathered: for, they use to be dipt one after another in a Bucket filled with this liquor, made something more then luke∣warm; for, were it boyling, the vertue thereof would fly into the air, by reason of its volatility: and besides, the too violent heat would bake the leaf dipped in it, and make it useless. After this, lay these leaves thus prepared one on the top of the other, and cover them of all sides, that they may lay to digest and ferment in a manner, until the liquor hath penetrated them in every part thereof, and that they begin to grow hot; then take one of these leaves, spread and expose it to the light, to see whether it hath begun to change colour or no, which colour must be ruddish or inclining towards a rusty red, and if you find it so, uncover quickly your Tobacco, separate the leafs; sow or joyn them to∣gether, and expose in a covered place, but open of all sides, to the free passage of the air, so ordered, as that it may alwayes be shut up to the Sun and Rain, and, that so the leaves may tempe∣rately dry, until they be rolled up, or pressed whole in Boxes well wrapt up in their own leaves, and some other covering about, to keep their subtile and volatile vertue from exhaling, which defect makes the Tobacco commonly call'd stale Tobacco, fit for no∣thing, unless it be restored to some proportion of its strength and vertue, by the decoction of some parcel of good Tobacco made in Spanish Wine; though some make use only of a little Beer, with a few Spices infused in it; and this is called, mended or re∣stored Tobacco. I was the rather invited to describe this Prepa∣ration, to show the necessity of the choice in Tobacco for pre∣paring of good remedies, and to give the more occasion to ad∣mire the wonders shut up by the Creator's hand in this Plant, which is not applyed to that lawful use and purpose for which his infinite goodness hath produced it, namely, for the recovery and preservation of health; but to the contrary, is abused and turn∣ed to excesses, which do offend his Divine Majesty, wound and ruine man's health, and spoils families and civil society.