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.

CHAP. IX. Of Vegetables and their Chymical Preparations.

IN this Chapter we intend to make it manifest, that the ha∣ters and persecutors of this noble Art, are very much to be blamed, when they discovered it; and that their upbraidings done to the Artists and Practitioners of it, are false and scanda∣lous, since the Preparations which we are to describe, are capable to bring the most envious to a sober mind, and convince the most obstinate, that the Pharmacy of the Ancients had never any pre∣paration coming nere its excellency. It is upon the several parts of this noble, pleasant, and ample Family of Vegetables, that the true Pharmaceutick shall ever find matter of imployment, and admiration of the Creators works. But, as the design of our abridgement, doth not permit us to make the examination and resolution of all Vegetables and their parts; we shall content our selves to give one or two examples, of the manner of work∣ing either upon the whole Vegetable, or the parts thereof, which are Roots, Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, Seeds, Rinds, Woods, Grains, or Berryes, Juyces, Oyls, Drops, Rosins, Gums. We shall give a Section to each of these parts, the better to explain the manner of working, and to avoid confusion.

But before we come to the matter, I have thought necessary to say something of the abuses dayly committed by Apotheca∣ries not fully enlightned with the knowledge of Chymistry, and which are only guided by blind men, admiring and suffering all the defects of their ill preparation, want of a true information of the nature of things, and a right apprehension of Physical know∣ledge, the true gate to Medical skill. Whence it is less to be admired, that blind men guided by other blind, fall themselves, and dayly cause so many other to fall with them in the pit. And as Germany hath Swelferus Physitian to his Imperial Majesty, who hath reformed Pharmacy, in those learned and accurate Ob∣servations he hath made upon the Auspurgian Dispensatory; so have we in France, Monsieur Vallot first Physitian to our Monarch, who hath laboured, and labours yet dayly, to cultivate the field of Physick, and vulgar Pharmacy, and to purge it from those thorns and thistles, which the ignorance of Chymistry hath caused to grow, and too much over-spread the same.

This truth will I illustrate by the example of distilled Wa∣ters, and that of Syrups, because I know, that in these two Pre∣parations, vulgar Apothecaries commit the greatest faults for the most part, either through ignorance, malice, or covetuousness, to the great dishonour of Physick and Physitians, the discredit of their Profession, and that which is yet worse, the great damage of the common good.

First Discourse of distilled Waters.

IF Substances are not throughly known, it is impossible to have any good success in their Preparation, since from this knowledge doth absolutely depend, the exact and most commendable way of Operation: and, if that be necessary in all Chymical operations, much more is it in those which concern Vegetables, and chiefly the manner of their distillation without wasting any of their vertue, which hath induced me to believe it necessary, to give a general Idea of the nature of Plants, before I come to speak of their particular prepara∣tion.

We shall not speak here of Plants according to the sense of many; following the trace and steps of Botannick Authors, which for the most part have left us nothing but the external Picture of the Plant, and the divers degrees of their qualities, without taking any pains to teach us the differences of the intrinsecal nature of the same Plants, and much less the true manner of Anatomizing them, to separate and extract from them all what is good and serviceable, and also what is unprofitable.

To begin methodically; we must explain the nature of Plants, as they are in themselves, by the division we make of them, according to the degrees of their increase and perpetuation: for, they are either long-lived, or annual: The Long-lived (or vi∣vacious) are those whose roots in the two Aequinoxes do attract the universal nutriment to themselves; in the Vernal Aequinox they attract what is necessary to bud out and vegetate, to the full perfection of the Plant, which ends by her flower and seed; and in the Autumnal Aequinox, they attract wherewithall to re∣pair the exhausting of their strength, caused by the Suns heat, and of the other Stars and Planets. This Note is not made by us without necessity, being absolutely usefull, to acquaint the Artist with the most proper and fitting time to gather the Plant with its root, or to leave the same as unnecessary; for, if he hath need of the Plant a little after it is sprung out of the Earth, he must meditate with himself, and make a judicious reflexion, that this Plant is not yet furnished with that saline and spirituous nutriment, the Principle whereof is contained in the root, and that so his Operation will be lost upon this Plant; since what he may extract of it, is destituted of that strength and vertue which is desired by the Physician, and much more of that which is requisite to shew its efficacy against the disease; his recourse then shall be to the root, which containeth the Volatile Salt, the very soul of the Plant, and possessing in it self the vertue and efficacy of the whole. But if he desires to work upon the same Plant, when it hath almost attained to the period of her per∣fection, and that it hath but yet a small portion of its vertue left, which does administer yet a kinde of languishing life, untill it hath recovered its vertue, strength and new life, in the time of the Autumnal Aequinox, to the end that in Winter it may evade

destruction, and be renewed or born again in the Spring. By which it appears, that when the Plant is in her full state, as they speak commonly, the Artist must choose it between flower and seed, if he is desirous to enjoy the full vertue thereof; for when it hath attained to that perfection, the stalk, leaf, flowers, and the first seeds, are yet full of vigour and vertue, which they communicate to the Liquor extracted by distillation, which being a Volatile and Mercurial Salt, and an Embryonated Sulphur, containeth all the vertue of the Plant; for, that which is extracted from it, is a spirituous Water, which preserves it self very long, with the proper taste and odour of its subject, upon the surface of which swims an aethereal and subtile Oyl, which is that Embryonated Sulphur, mixt with part of its own Mercury. But if the Artist doth expect that the Plant should shoot and concen∣trate all its life in the seed, and that this Sulphur which was but embryonated, should become actuated and fully ripe, he must then in such a case reject the root, stalk, and leaf, because they have no more in themselves, that vertue which they had before. Here the Artist must meditate anew, and consult with the me∣thod of Natures action; for, the seed being once perfected, hath no more that Mercurial and saline moysture, which caused her vertue more easily to be extracted, but all is to the contrary re∣united, as it were, and lockt up under the skin of the kernel and the seed; and moreover, these seeds are of three differing kinds; for some are muscilagineous, and slimy, or like unto a Jelly; in the first of these, the Mercurial Salt and Sulphur are more fixt then Volatile, and so these seeds will not yield their vertue, but by the means of decoction; for, as they are clammy and sticking, the vertue thereof doth not ascend in the distillation: The other are milky, of a white and tender substance, whence Oyl may be extracted by expression, if so be they are well ripened and dryed; but their best vertue is only to be extracted, when you draw the Lacteous substance, or emulsion, out of it: For, this second kinde of seed is equally mixt with Volatile Salt and Sul∣phur, which easily communicates it self to Water; the Artist must not hope, by distillation to extract the vertue of this kinde of Seeds, no more then of the former. But there is a third kind of seed, altogether oleaginous and sulphurous, which communi∣cates

to the Water neither any Mucilage, viscosity or clammi∣ness, no more then whiteness; but to the contrary, their sub∣stance is compacted, drye, and astringent by a Sulphur predomi∣nant over the Salt. The Artist must distill this kind of seeds, either alone, or with addition; alone, if externally to be used; with addition, if it be to administer the remedy, which he pretends to extract internally to the Patient. These three differences or distinctions of seeds, do sufficiently shew, that it is required for a Chymical Apothecary to be very well vers'd in the know∣ledge of Nature, thereby to make the necessary observations upon the fixt and volatile parts of substances, whereupon he ope∣rates, that his work may orderly proceed, and not be unnecessa∣rily confounded.

The same Notes and Theorems are to be applyed to annual Plants, which are not preserved by their root, but are every year to be renewed by their seed. Now of these two sorts of Plants, either vivacious or annual, as well as of Seeds, there are three diffe∣rent kinds, viz. Those that yield no smell, of which some are almost insipid or tastless, or acid, or bitter, or severally intermixed of these two last qualities, and others which have a taste by them∣selves sharp and subtle; all these kind of Plants are green and tender, whose vertue begins to appear in the prime of their ve∣getation, because they do abound in Juice, which contains in it self an essential tartarous Salt, which with time and heat thic∣kens into a Mucilage, from whence, but with great difficulty, they cannot be separated; therefore must they be taken whilest they are yet juicy and tender, so as to break easily upon the least bending of their stalk. The second kind of Plants is alto∣gether opposite to the first; for, the Plant newly growing out of the ground is endued yet with little of vertue, even a good while after; for, when they are yet green and tender, they are tastless and inodorous, have no taste properly but of grass, because the superfluous humour is yet predominant, and that their vertue doth not consist in an essential tartarous Salt; but this kind of Plant carries with its natural nutriment, a spirituous and volatile Salt, mixt with an Embryonated Sulphur very subtle, which never is reduced from power into act, nor ever discovered by the taste or smell; but after this superfluous humidity is by heat

concocted and digested; then begins to appear the vertue of these Plants, discovered by the smell and taste, but particularly by the smell. The proper time to work upon this second sort of Vegetables, is when their stalk begins to grow drye at the foot, when they are yet covered with flowers, and begin already to shew some little part of their seed. The third kind of Vege∣tables is mixt and composed of the two first, for they have a taste from the first moment of their vegetation: But they are without smell, and acquire very little when they are in their perfection; or, if they have any, it appears only when they are pressed, grounded or rub'd with, because their Sulphur is overcome by a slow and gross viscosity, which contains much Salt, and appears by a bitter and biting taste, or a sweetish sugared savour like un∣to Honey, the Vertue of this last kinde, without previous digesti∣on or fermentation cannot be well extracted. These Plants are to be gathered, when their flower is yet upon them, if so be they are bitter and without smell, but if they bear fruit, berries or grains, their maturity is to be expected, because it is in these parts that the principal vertue of the whole is maintained, and it is in the center of the sugared Muscilage, and of a Honey na∣ture, which is in these fruits, that an Artist must seek the vertue of these wonderfull Mixts.

Now it is not enough for us to have given these general no∣tions, unless we make some particular applications, which may serve us for a pattern and guide upon each of these kinds; of in∣tegral Plants or their parts. We shall then in the first place treat of Juicy, Nitrous Plants, that is to say, those which par∣ticipate of a Salt, much of the nature of Salt-peter, or of that Salt in the Earth which is the Principle of Vegetation, and seems to have received yet very little of alteration in the body of these Plants, only that it begins already to partake a little of Tartar and its feculency. Plants of this nature are, Pa••ietary, Fumito∣ry, Purslane, Borage, Bugloss, Mercury, Night-shade, and gene∣rally all succulent Plants, which are neither acid nor bitter to the taste; but whose savour is only mixt with a tartness, com∣pounded of acidity and bitterness; qualities neer to the taste of Salt-peter.

Of the preparation of Nitrous, Juicy Plants, how to extract the Juice thereof, the Liquor, Water, Extract, Essential Nitro-tantareous Salt, and the Fixed Salt.

TAke a good quantity of any of the Plants above mentioned, which you must by parcels beat in a stone, wooden or Mar∣ble Mortar, untill they be reduced to a kind of Pap, that is to say, untill the parts of the Plants be sufficiently disunited and confounded together, so that expressing the same in a Hair-bag, Tammy, or Linnen Cloth thinly woven, you may extract all the Juice, which being thus extracted, you may run again through a closer strainer, and then let it settle, untill in a manner it be depurated by it self; after which you must softly pour by incli∣nation, this Juice so depurated in Cucurbites, or Bodies of glass, fitted for Limbecks, and place in B. M. in case you desire a good Extract and but a weak Water, because the heat of the said B. M. is not strong enough to elevate the essential Nitrous Salt of the Plant, which causes it to remain with the thick Juice, properly called Extract, when reduced to a thicker consistency, in the bottom of the Glass. But if you desire a long lasting Wa∣ter, and animated with its spiritualized Salt, you must then place your Cucurbites in Sand, because this degree of heat is capable to elevate and volatilize the, purest and most subtile portion of the Salt, and raise it towards the latter end of the distillation, with the last aqueous vapours: nevertheless, great heed must be taken, that the heat towards the end be not too violent, and that the residence in the bottom of the Cucurbit become not totally dry, of cleave to the Glass in danger of burning. But before you come to the end of your Operation, have a special care that your Juice may be exactly defecated, for there are two Separations performed, when by the heat of B. M. or sand the separation of the radical substance of the Juice of the Plant is made, from the feces or sediment which falls in the bottom of the Glass, and the skimm which rises above; wherefore this Juice so depurated must run through a strainer of Cloth, com∣monly cal'd a Bag, or Manica Hippocratis in the Shops: after which, the Juice being so separated of all its Heterogeneities,

and of the forain mixture of terrestreity, the distillation in B. M. or Sand must be continued, according to the intention of the Artist, untill this Juice be reduced to a consistency of Syrup, which is to be put in a fresh Cellar, or some other cool place, untill the Nitro-tartareous Essential Salt be reduced to Crystal, and separated from the viscosity of the inspissated Juice, which must be drawn again by a soft effusion by inclination, then put a second time in B. M. or Sand, to evaporate it to the consistency of an Extract, which shall yet contain great store of Salt, in case the first Operation was in B. M. and will be usefull to the ma∣king of Opiats, according to the indication which the learned and skilfull Physician or the Artist himself will take, when they intend to make use of it in any disease, according to the nature o•• vertue of the Plant whereupon the work is performed. And thus much for necessary Observations, concerning the purification of the Liquor of Juicy Plants, distillation of their Water, and the manner of making their essential Salt and Extract.

We come now to the preparation of the fixed Salt; to this end you must dry the Cake, or remaining part of the Plant after the expression of the Juice, then calcine and burn it well, untill all be reduced to whitish gray ashes, whereof you must with river or rain-water make a Lye, which must be filtrated through gray Paper not much stiffened, that the stiffening or glue may not hinder your Liquor to run swiftly and easily thorough. After the first Lie, impregnated with the Salt of the Ashes of the Plant, hath been filtrated, you must pour new water upon the Ashes, to extract the remainder of the Salt, untill the water comes off as insipid and voyd of taste as it was powred first; which is a manifest and evident sign, that no portion of Salt remains in the Ashes, which seem to be no more then an useless Earth, or as some do call it, the Caput Mortuum of the Plant upon which you have wrought: but I will prove the contrary nevertheless, by the following relation of what happened to me at Sedan, after I had wrought upon a parcel of Fennel: For, being posses∣sed of an opinion, as others are, that these Ashes devested of their Salt were totally unusefull, I caused them to be thrown away in a back-yard, where for the most part, Dung and other Immundicities were cast; but the next year by what happened

unto me, I knew I was deceived; for great store of Fennel grew in that yard, whereof, after it had attained to its perfection, I drew great store of distilled Oyl; by which experiment I was taught with that excellent Philosopher and Physitian Van Hel∣mont, that the Median Life of things is not so easily destroyed as it is imagined, and that according to this Axiom of Philoso∣phy, Formae rerum non pereunt; because both the Art and Artist do but follow from far our Mother Nature; and this is sufficient to convince us, that we apprehend not the least of her wayes or contrivances, much less any of those which she uses towards the attaining her own ends. But let us return to our purpose after this digression; which, because it is in its proper place, I thought more fitting to make here: After then you have gathered toge∣ther all the Lyes well filtrated, you must evaporate them in Jugg∣mettle dishes upon sand, untill they thicken to a skin, or in∣crustate by reason of the Salt, which then abounds; then must you begin with a Spatula to stirr and agitate softly the Liquor, untill the Salt be wholly dryed, which then being put in a Cru∣cible, reverberate in a Wind-furnace between kindled hot burn∣ing Coals, untill it growes glowing red on all sides, taking never∣theless exact heed that it melt not; this done, take off the Cru∣cible from the fire, let it cool, and then dissolve the Salt in the Extracted Water of the Plant which hath yielded the said Salt, that you may once more filtrate it, purifie it, and restore that portion of Volatile Salt which ascended in the distillation; after which, you must put this dissolution in a Glass Cucurbit covered with its head or Limbeck, and draw off again the Water from that Salt upon Sand, untill it begins to contract a skinne, then cease the fire, and put the Vessel in some cool place, to cause the Salt to Crystallize, and thus continue drawing off the Water upon Sand, and causing the Salt to shoot in Crystals, untill it be all drawn away, and so shall you have a pure and cleanly Salt, fit for use when you have occasion: but the chief use of it, is to put part thereof in the Water extracted from the Plant, to ren∣der it thereby not only more active and efficacious, but also to make it more durable, fitting for keeping several yeers, without any loss of its vertue. The proportion may be of ʒ ii. upon eve∣ry pint of distilled Water. The general use and faculty of the

fixed Salts of Plants made by calcination, evaporation, reverbe∣ration, depuration and crystallization, is moderately to loose the Belly, draw away Urines, and take off all obstructions from the lower parts of the body: the other particular vertues may be taken or assigned, according to the nature of the Plant from whence they were extracted.

And as we have declared the manner of purifying fixt Salts, so must we do also in shewing the way, of drawing off and sepa∣rating a certain viscous and coloured sliminess, which is found even amongst the Estential Nitro-tartareous Salts, in their first Crystallization. It is thus performed; You must dissolve them in clean, common Water, and percolate three or four times upon a portion of the Ashes of the Plant whence they were ex∣tracted; which is done upon two intentional ends: For, the the Artist must not work blindly, or without being capable to give an account, wherefore he doth, or doth not such a thing: The first intention is, that the Essential Salt which is not yet purified, and for the most part is found mingled with the Extract, without having been capable to take the Idea or Character of Salt, by reason of the hinderance caused by the clamminess of Inspissated Juyces, takes in his way as it passes through the Ashes the fixed Salt of its own Body, which imprints upon it its own saline Idea, and so causes it easily to crystallize, after the superfluous Liquor is vapoured away: The second intention is, that the Ashes may preserve the thick and clammy body of the Extract in themselves, and so the Water, impregnated with the essential and fixt Salt of the Ashes, may pass cleanlier and purer by the re-iterated Percolation. This being ended, you must slowly and gently vapour away your Water in a Dish of Jugg∣mettle in Sand; not till the skin begins to cover it, as we have spoken when we treated of the Fixed Salts, but evaporating away the two thirds, or the three parts of the Liquor, which must be softly and without shaking the bottom gently powred in a clean Earthen Dish, so as if by the action of heat any small Atoms or Corpuscles should happen to settle and make a sediment in the bottom, they should not mix with the clear Liquor, to hin∣der the purity of Crystallization in the Salt. The water which shal swim above the Crystals, must be drawn off, and the Evapo∣ration

re-iterated, untill half of the Liquor be consumed away: and so continue till you have got all your Salt turn'd to Crystals. And if so be this way of Purification doth not satisfie the Artist, and that the Crystals want the cleanliness and transparency de∣sired; he shall put them in a Crucible made of the least porous Earth which is to be found, and let him melt his Salt in a Wind-furnace, that the fire of Fusion may consume all what may hin∣der the Crystallization to be done with the requisite cleanliness and transparency: this Salt being so melted, must be poured in a very clean brass Mortar, warmed a little before, that the too violent heat of the melted Salt should not cleave or split it; when it is cooled, dissolve it in a sufficient quantity of the Water distilled from the Hearb whereof the Salt is extracted; but the quantity of Water must not exceed that of the Salt; other∣wise the third part or half must be drawn again by Distillation, or Evaporation; whi••h being done, the Vessel must be placed in a cold Room, and the Crystals will become fair and transparent, with sharp ends and sides much like unto the figure of Salt-peter, and about the same taste: Thus you must continue to evaporate and crystallize, untill the Water yields no more Salt. This Essential Salt must be dried between two Papers, then be put in a well stopt Glass-bottle to preserve for use: It hath the vertue to preserve as well the Water of the distilled Plant as the fixed Salt; and moreover, makes it diuretical, aperitive, and cooling, much better then the Mineral common Crystal made with Salt∣peter. It may be given in Broths, or the ordinary drink of the Patient, according to the judgement and discretion of the Pru∣dent and Learned Physician. The dosis is from ten grains to a Scruple.

The Preparation of Juicy Plants, possessed with an Essential Volatile Salt, and how to extract the Water thereof, their Spirit, Juice, Liquor, Essential Volatile Salt, Extract and Fixed Salt.

AFter we have shewn the way of operating upon those Plants which are impregnated with a Nitro-tartareous Salt, and in what manner the Artist is to prepare them, we must proceed in shewing what change of Operation there is in those which are

also juycy, but with an acrimonious, biting, and Aromatical taste, possessing in themselves great store of Essential Volatile Salt: such as are all kinde of Cresses, Water-parsley, Water-Mint, Alisander, Rapistrum, Spoonwort, and, to be short, all the kinds of Mustard, and generally all other Plants of this nature, which commonly are called Antiscorbuticks.

But as we have sufficiently and amply enlarged our selves upon the preparation of Juycie Plants, which have in them∣selves a Nitro-tartarous Juyce, and the Operations already des∣cribed are to lead the way, and serve as for a rule and example in the case of all other Juycie Plants; we have nevertheless thought it necessary to add here some notes, concerning the nature of these Plants, the proper time of gathering them to enjoy their vertues, and furthermore to add the manner of ex∣tracting the Spirits of these Plants, by the help of Fermentation, because we have said nothing of it heretofore.

It is then to be noted first of all, that the••e either waterish or cultivated Plants, do from their first orignal participate of great store of Essential Salt, which is of a very subtile, penetrating and volatile nature: and that therefore the Artist must work upon going. The reason is, because the other had not in themselves that saline, subtile and Vol tile Salt, which easily vapours and flies away, if the Artist doth not use great industry, and take the nick of time to preserve it; for, if too much time be spent, from the gathering of these Plants to the making use of them, their Spirit doth easily contract a heat, and being volatilized by the same, doth flie away, and the body of the Plant remains rotten and useless. This kind of Vegetable then is to be taken when he is newly sprouted, and begins to frame the tuffs or umbella's of its flowers; for, it is in this very time that the Essential the vertue which is hoped for; for, with a longer stay, all this efficacy would concentrate it self in a short time in the Seed, by reason of the Plants own heat, and that of the time of the year, as it is specially observed in the bringing up of Water-cresses or Nose-smart. And so much shall suffice to admonish the Artist, what heed he is to take in his Operation upon Plants of this

nature; for the remainder, let him follow the Prescriptions we have already given above; and specially not to use the Crucible for the Essential Volatile Salt of these Plants, otherwise all this Salt would vanish away, by reason of its most subtile and most volatile Principle, which participates more of Light and Hea∣ven, then of Water or Earth, which in Nitro-tartarous Salts a∣bounds most.

How the Spirit of Juicy Plants, possessed with an Essential Volatile Salt, is to be Extracted.

AFter we have given all the necessary observations to work upon Plants of this nature, we must end our discourse or treaty thereof, by the manner of well extracting their Volatile Spirit by the help of Fermentation; which is thus performed.

B••; as much as you shall think fitting of one of these Plants, and cleanse it from all its earthliness and impurities, bruise it in a Marble, Stone, or Wooden Mortar, and immediately put it in a great Glass Receiver, commonly called a great Ballon by the French Artists, and pour water upon it, between luke-warm and boyling, which by the Cooks is called Scalding-water, the height of ½ foot, then stop the neck of your Receiver with a blind-head (or Vaisse au de Rencontre;) and thus let it rest about two hours: after which, new water less then luke-warm, and only simpering must be added, to temperate the heat of the first, untill the finger being put in can, scarce perceive the heat, and that is the degree which the most expert in the Practice and Theory of Chymistry, use to call Natural or Human Heat, and the true point or instant of Fermentation. Herein the Chymical Artist needs properly his nicest judgement, to take the true nick of time of this soft and amicable heat, because if this degree of heat doth exceed, it volatilizes too sud∣denly, the Spirit and subtile parts of the Plants upon which he doth work; which, notwithstanding all care and precaution, easily vapours and vanishes away, for all is converted afterwards into an unpleasant acidity, which contains no more of the Volatile Spirit: And if this heat, on the other side, is less than it ought to be, it doth not sufficiently help the Leaven or Ferment, to

dissolve and divide the most solid parts of the Plant, which con∣tain yet in themselves a Centrical Salt, contributing very much to the perfection of the Spirit which is to be extracted out of the Plant; and moreover helps not a little to disunite the viscosi∣ty of the Juyce of the Plant, which contains in it self the prin∣cipal portion of the Essential Volatile Salt, which affords the Spirit; nevertheless, it is safer to fail in the defect then in the excess. Things being put in this temper, Take Barm, or Beer-yest, if you are in a convenient place to recover it; if not, raise Flower dissolved in Water something less then luke-warm, with about lb ss. of Leaven or Ferment commonly used every where for Dow in the making of Bread: and when the Liquor is sufficient∣ly raised and puft, and the flower hath got on the top of the Liquor, heed must be had when the top of the Flower begins to crack, for it is a token that the Fermenting Spirit is sufficiently excited, to be reduced from power into act, and to be introdu∣ced in the matter, ready to be fermented: but you must note, that your Vessel is not to be more then half filled, otherwise all will run out and fly away, by reason of the action of the Fer∣ment, which by an internal motion agitates and elevates the matters, and in which motion doth consist the power both of Nature and Art. This first Heat of Ebullition being past, the Artist must suffer the Ferment to act softly and by degrees, untill he perceives that all that Crust which the Fermenting Spirit had raised up, and framed out of the most corporeal and material substance, to be as a Wall or Defence against the evasion or evaporation of the acting Spirits, begins of it self to subside, and precipitate it self, because it is no longer supported by the activity of the Spirits; this most commonly doth happen at the end of two or three dayes in Summer, and four or five in Winter. Here again must the Artist be very carefull to take his time, for as soon as this sign begins to appear, he must distill his fermen∣ted matter, unless by his own sloth and neglect, he will lose what Art and Nature had prepared to his hand; for, at that time this Fermented Spirit easily vanishes, and what remains is no more then an acid, useless and unprofitable Liquor. But when the Artist taking opportunely his time, shall have put his fermented matter in the brass Vessel or Body, covered with its

Moor's-head, or Still, exactly luted the Joints, as much of the Head as the Pipe, taken care that the Water of the Refrige∣ratory, to condense the raising Vapours, be kept cool and fresh, given the fire by competent degrees, untill the drops begin to fall and follow one the other pretty thick, and having attained this degree, closed the Registers of the Furnace, and stopt ex∣actly the dore of the Furnace, to keep the Fire in that temper; he shall obtain by these means a Volatile Spirit, very subtile and efficacious; and must not cease the fire, untill he hath found out by the taste, that the Liquor stilling down be insipid, which is the true sign upon which he must cease his Operation. If he will rectifie this Spirit, he must distill it again in B. M. But in case he hath proceeded by the method we have described, there shall be no need of rectification, because he can separate imme∣diately in the Operation, the first Spirit from the second, and the second from the third, which shall differ accordingly in de∣grees of vertue and subtility, because they have more or less of mixture of phlegm.

The vertues of this Spirit are wonderfull in all Diseases which have their seat, and are rooted in fixt, crude, and tartarous matters, which he dissolves and volatilizes powerfully: But above all, the Spirit of Spoonwort, as also its Volatile Salt extracted of its Juice, as also the Juice of all Nitro-tartareous Plants: for, these are the two most powerfull remedies which learned men have found against scorbutical Diseases raigning in Maritime Coun∣treyes, and whereof very few can preserve themselves in long Sea-voyages. And though these diseases be almost unknown in the Climes of France, yet for the most part such are evil Rheu∣matisms proceeding from the alteration of the mass of the blood, whose whole Substance is vitiated, and degenerated in a gross and malignant serosity, whose venemous quality im∣printed in the membranous and nervous parts, causes weariness, running pains, swellings, and spots in the skin, which are all symptoms and tokens of the Scurvey,; and therefore, as these diseases can only be terminated by Diaphoreticks and Diureticks, recourse must be had to the Spirits and volatile Salts of Anti∣scorbutical Plants, whereof we have spoken but a little before. The Dosis of the Spirit is from vi. drops to xx. in broth, or ordi∣nary

drink of the Patient; that of the volatile Salt, is also from v. to xv. or xx. grains in the same liquors, or is yet better, in the water of the same Plant.

There will be no need of making any great discourse by it self, whereby to give to understand how the little Centaury, Wormwood, Rhue, Penny-royal, Balm, Mint, Flowers of lime-tree, and other Plants of this nature; which in themselves have no moisture when they are possessed with their vertue, and fit to be used, are to be gathered. They are only to be grosly bruised in a Mortar after they are cut, and you have added to each lb of the Plant (which you purpose to ferment and distil thereby, to extract the Spirit) x lb of water, as we have already related above, observing all the notes and hints also given, which are essentially necessary to the true ordering of fermentation. But in case you purpose only in your distillation to extract hereby the aetherial Oyl, and spirituous Water of the Plant, you must only distil the same Plant without any previous infusion, macera∣tion, and much less fermentation, being shred very small, putting to each lb of plant x lb of Water.

There is yet notwithstanding a way to preserve Plants of this nature, and even the Flowers themselves, and cause them to fer∣ment without any other addition of mixture: And herein also is the Artist to take great heed, and to be very circumspect: for, unless you will lose time and labour, not one of the circumstances which we shall now relate, is to be omitted. Proceed then as it followeth; Gather the Plant or Flower when they are in their per∣fection; to this purpose must the Plant be in a state between Flow∣er and Seed; and if it bears no Seed, or be only a Flower, it must be in the height of its smell, and the leaves must firmly hold to their stalks: But the principal Note besides, is, the time of gathering, which is, to gather these things a little after the rising of the Sun, that the dew may not be upon them, which would cause corruption; they must not also be gathered after a rainy-day, or the day before, whereby they might have contracted superfluous moisture, which would cause the same accident. Having these Plants thus conditionated, you must fill great Pots or Vessels of Jugge-metal therewith, well cleansed and dryed, and thrust them in very hard; leaving no empty space, but only so much as will

serve to put astopple of Cork very well fitted to the place, & steept in melted Wax; this done, pour upon the stopple, black melted Pitch, and besmear all round about the mouth of the Vessel, then put it in a Cellar upon Boards, that the Earth may not impart it to much coolness, and the Plant or Flower may not thereby be altered; and so shall you for whole years preserve Plants and Flowers, which shall be fermented by themselves, and will be ready for distillation at all times that there will be any need of it; adding only lb x. of Water to every lb of Flowers or Plants so fermented by themselves, and you shall extract a Water and a Spirit which shall really be endowed and impregnated with the odour, and all the vertues of the Plant, as we have our selves exemplified upon Plants so digested and fermented in them∣selves and by themselves, by order of Mr. Vallot, first Physitian to the King of France; who hath ever ordained those ocular de∣monstrations to be made in the eyes of the publick; that the ver∣tue of things, and the noblest way of distilling them may be made known, and that it may be truly confessed from hence∣forth, that this noble and learned way of operation owes its inven∣tion to him.

We have nothing else at present, to say, touching the general rules and common observations which the Artist is to make upon the Vegetable in general, and its parts in particular, but that we must impart the way of extracting the Liquors from the whole Plants, or their parts, and exalt them more and more, until they are arrived to the nature of their first being, which will eminently possess all the central vertues of their Mixt, because Art and Nature have preserved in this operation all the seminal powers with which it was endowed, as our great and illustrious Paracelsus doth most learnedly explain in a Treatise, which he intitles, De Renovatione & Restauratione.

The manner of Extracting Liquors from the Plants and their Quintessences.

ALl Plants are not fit for this operation, because they have not equally a sufficient proportion of Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury in themselves, to communicate to their Liquors and

Quintessences, the vertue of renewing and repairing themselves: and Paracelsus himself doth only recommend us two, among all the rest, which may serve for a rule and pattern, in all other Plants coming near the nature of these two, viz. Balm gentle, (or Melissa) and the great Celandine; among those that come n••ar, we may lawfully comprehend the great Scrophularia, the little Centaury, and the vulnerary Plants, as is the Pyrroha, Con∣solida, Sarracenica, Virga aurea, St. Johns-wort, Wormwood, and generally all Alexite••ical Plants, as Scordium, Asclepias, Gen∣tian, and the kinds of Genti••nel, Rhue, Parsley, Small••ge, and many more, which we leave to the choice and judgement of the Artist, who shall prepare them all in the manner we will relate hereafter, and when he shall have extracted the Liquor or Quintessence, he may use it as occasion shall serve, and according to the vertue of the Plant.

Of these Plants when you intend to prepare any, being in its state and strength, that is, when the Flower is fully blown, but not yet grown to Seed, at that time which Paracelsus cals Balsa∣miticum tempus, the Balsamick time. i. e. a little before the rising of the Sun, because in this operation is needful, that sweet and pleasant humor which Plants do in the night time attract from the dew, by the magnetical and natural vertue wherewith they are endowed to recruit themselves with the necessary moisture as much for their subsistance and self-preservation, as to resist the Suns heat, which by day time sucks and dryeth them: when you have a sufficient quantity of the Plant you intend to pre∣pare, beat it in a Marble Mortar, and reduce it to an in palpable Pap, as near as you can; then put this Pap in a long-neckt-ma∣trass thermetically sealed to digest in Horse dung, the space of a Philosophical month, which is forty natural dayes; or else put the Vessel in a vaporous Bath, wrapt up in sawings of Wood, or minced straw during the same time, and in a heat analogous to that of Horse-dung. The time being expired, open your Vessel to take out the matter which you shall find reduced into a Liquor, which being wrung, separate the pure part from the impurity in B. M. in a slow heat, that there may be a residence of the grosser parts, which you shall separate by inclination, or, which is better, by filtrating this Liquor through Cotton by the

Glass Funnel: This Liquor so depurated, put in a Viol Glass, to joyn therewith the fixed Salt, which you shall draw off by ex∣pression from the Plant, or from the same dryed: which will serve to encrease the vertue thereof, and make it more lasting, and even as it were incorruptible.

But when the Artist will go further, and purifie this Liquor to the highest degree, and reduce it to a Quintessence, he must proceed thus.

℞ equal parts of this Liquor, and Water or Liquor made out of dissolved Salt, (the manner of which Preparation we shall teach in the chapter of Salts) and put them in a Matrass, which being hermetically sealed and exposed to the Sun during six weeks; thus without any other operation, this saline Liquor will separate all heterogeneous and slimy substances, which did hinder the purity and exaltation of this noble Medicament: but, this time being over, you shall see three several separations, which are the feces of the Liquor of the Plants, the Quintessence of the Plant, which is green and transparent as Emerald, or red and clear as an oriental Granate, according to the quality and quantity of Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury, which shall predominate in the pre∣pared Plant.

I know many will say, that the practise of this operation is ea∣sie, and most will hardly believe, that the Liquor of Plants or their Quintessences should possess those vertues, which after Paracel∣sus, we will attribute unto them. I wish nevertheless every one might be, by legitimate and true experiments, as well assured of this truth as I am my self; that Artists might be more industri∣ous, in furthering these rare Preparations, with a confidence, they shall not miss the benefit they may hope from it in their particular, and procure to the general society of mankind, in pre∣serving and repairing health in the individual members thereof.

Of the Ʋse and Vertue of the Liquor of Plants.

THis word Liquor is not here singly to be accepted for juyce, or moisture of the Plant: but it is by excellency here given to this kind of Remedy, because it contains in it self, all the efficacy and vertue which may be in the Plant whence it proceeds;

whence it is not difficult, to make the understanding conceive, to what use these Liquors so prepared, may and ought to be im∣ployed; for, if the Liquor be prepared out of a vulnerary Plant, it may be more safely exhibited then the decoction of any of the Plants of this nature in vulnerary potions; it may also be-mingled in injections, used in plaisters, unguents and digestives, which are applyed to wounds or ulcers: but with this condition, that the body of these remedies be composed of Honey, yolk of Eggs, Turpentine, Myrrhe, or any other Balsamick bo∣dy, which may rather prevent accidents in the wounded parts, then to cause a purging and painful colliquation, ever contrary to the good intention of Nature, and much more of the true pre∣cepts of the commendable and learned Chirurgery. In this ex∣cellent part of Physick, Paracelsus hath chiefly excelled, as, with∣out any gain-saying, it may be proved by those his two excel∣lent Treatises, which he doth entitle The great and small Chi∣rurgery. Moreover, if the Liquor be extracted from a Thoraci∣cal Plant, it may be mingled in the Julips and Potions, which are to be exhibited to the Patients, affected with any infirmity of the Brest. If it be prepared from a Diuretick or Antiscorbutick Plant, it may be given for obstructions in the Spleen, Mesente∣ry, Pancreas, Liver, and other neighbouring parts: or, it may be employed against gravel, retention of Urine, and other diseases of the Reins and Bladder: to conclude, if this Liquor draws its vertue from any Alexiterial, Cordial, Cephalick, Hysterick, Sto∣machal or Hepatick Plant; it may with very good success be given against Venoms, and all Agues, which may draw their ori∣ginal from venom; if the Plant be alexiterial, it may be given against all Lypothymies, or Swoundings, if the Plant be cordial: and if Cephalick, against Epilepsie, threatnings of Apoplexy, Palsie, and all other diseases and affections of the Brain. If hyste∣rical, it will wonderfully conduce against all Suffocations or Fits of the Mother, raisings, Convulsions, and all other irritations of this dangerous creature, living, as it were, and moving within another. If it be stomachical, it will extreamly conduce to hin∣der all corruptions which are generated in the bottom of the Ventricle, whether proceeding from the defect of digestion, by reason of the superfluity, or from the vice and evil quality of nu∣triment;

or occasioned by evil fermentation. Finally, if the Li∣quor be impregnated with the vertue of an hepaticall Plant; if it be true, that the Liver is the receptacle and source of the bloud; it shall be administred in all the diseases which are at∣tributed to the vice and defect of this entrail: but chiefly in g••owing D••opsies, and their very birth, as even in those which are thought to be confirmed and grown. The Dosis of these Li∣quors, and Tinctures truly Balsamical and friendly to our nature, is from ℈ ss to ʒ i. and ʒ ij. according to the age and strength of those to whom they are prescribed by the skilful Physitian. Let us add nevertheless one advice more, that those which shall p••epare these Liquors, may also preserve them long without any alteration or diminution of their strength, vertue or efficacy: which is done by mixing only ℥ iv. of Sugar in Powder, to lb i. of Liquor, if it be to be used inwardly, ℥ iv. of Hony boyled with white and despumated Wine, if to be used outwardly in Chirurgi∣cal Operations.

Of the Ʋse and Vertue of the Q. E. of Plants.

THE Q. E. of Plants may be used in every thing, wherein we have said, that their Liquors were useful. But there is that remarkable difference, that as these noble Remedies are much purer and exalted, then the Liquors which are more corporeal, so must also their dosis be very much lessened: so that what was given by dragms, before this high degree of preparation, must be now only given by drops: The dosis then is from iij. drops to xx. raising by degrees. This Remedy may be taken in white Wine, Broth, decoction or some kind of Water, which may serve as a vehicle to the Medicine, to render it more active and penetrating by the subtility of its parts, even into the last di∣gestions, to expel the evil, obnoxious, and useless part thereof, re∣store decayed strength, and finally bring Nature back again into his true path, to direct the health and preservation of every indi∣vidual subject.

But we will demonstrate, that it is not without reason Pa∣racelsus speaks of the Preparation of Quintessences in the Trea∣tise by us above quoted, De Renovatione & Restauratione. This

great Philosopher concludes his Treatise by the method of pre∣paring Quintessences of four several sorts, viz. Quintessences of Minerals; precious Stones; Plants and Liquors, which are Sulphurs and Bitumens: he hath not been contented with a Theo∣rical Discourse of the possibility of renewing and repairing our internal and external defects; but hath also added the practice and way of operation, upon several matters, to extract the Quintessences thereof, and finally doth conclude, by the manner of using the same to attain renovation of nature. He saith then, that it will suffice, to put as much of this precious liquor in white Wine, as there will be need to colour it with a colour neer that of the remedy; and thereof give a Glass every morn∣ing fasting to him, or her which shall feel a deficiency by age, or infirmity of sickness. Moreover, he gives the signs of the beginning and progress of this renewing, and the time when the use of this admirable Medicine must be put by: for, he thought it unnecessary, to mention the signs and observations which are to be heeded, when it is taken for some sensible and apparent disease; since it necessarily follows, that the use thereof must be continued, until the Patient finds alleviatior, or the disease falls away, and then must cease consequently the use of the Remedy. But as for the signs of renewing, he delivers them in a judicious order, as if he would prevent the incredulity of those which know not the power nor sphere of activity of the vertue and efficacy which God hath placed in natural Beeings, when by the help of Art they are reduced to their universal Principle without loss of their seminal goodness: or to prevent also the astonishment of those which shall make use of it, since what ordinarily happens, in the taking of this Remedy, causes no little surprisal, when the person that uses these Remedies, sees in the first place all his nails fall off from feet and hands, and next all the hair of the body, and then the teeth; and last of all, the skin to shrink and wrinckle, and drying insensibly to fall as all the rest, which are all the signs he gives of internal re∣novation, by that which is performed outwardly: For, it is as if he would insinuate, and give us to understand, that of all necessity, the medicine must have penetrated through all the body, and replenished it with new vigour, since the external parts

which are insensible, and as the excrements of our digestions fall of themselves without any pain: But you must note, that he causes the use of the Remedy to be intermitted, when the last sign, viz. the drying of the skin doth appear, the wrinckles and the falling thereof, because it is an universal sign, that the acti∣on of renewing hath sufficiently extended it self through the whole habit of the body, which the skin generally covers over, and that so it was necessary, that this old rind should fall, and another grow in the place, because the first was not sufficiently porous, or permeable, to cause the natural heat which is renewed, to drive outwardly all the supe••fluities of digestions, which are the occasional internal and external causes of most sicknesses in the humane body.

I know this Remedy, and the renewing and restoring ve••tues which are attributed to it, will pass for ridiculous amongst the vulgar sort of the learned, and even amongst those that pretend to the mysteries of Physick; partly, because Closet Philosophy is not capable to apprehend this great Arcanum Naturae; partly, because they will not, for the most part, be convinced by any proof or experimental demonstration. But I will, to convince them, bring here two remarkable examples; the one drawn from what naturally happens every year, by the renewing of some kind of creatures in one season of the year only; the other from a true History of what happened to one of my best friends, which took Quintessence of Balm Mint to a woman past the age of sixty, which took some also; and finally, to a Hen which did eat Corn steeped in some drops of the same Quintessence.

As for the first example, there is none but knows the renewing of the Stags-head, as also the skin of Serpents and Vipers; with∣out mentioning that of the Bird, called by the Latines, Halcyo, or the Kings-Fisher, the History of whom Paracelsus makes in the Tract before-mentioned. But of all those which agree in the fact, very few do know, or care to know how, and by what means, or for what reason it is done. For first, as for the Serpents in gene∣ral, it is to be considered, they remain hid under ground, or in the holes of Trees and Rocks, or lodg'd among rubbish and stones, from the end of Autumn, until very far in the Spring, and so during that time, they are as benummed & dead; their skins become thick

and hard, and loses even its porosity to preserve the better the Animal whom it incompasses; for, if there happened a continual transpiration, there would be also a deperdition of substance: now after the Serpents are in the Spring of the year got out of their holes, and have begun to feed, and live upon the tender ends of Herbs, in which is a renewing vertue: this creature being imme∣diately excited by a pricking and shooting which she feels about the compass of the head, by reason of the Spirits heated and actu∣ated by this natural remedy, she rubs and bestirs herself, until she hath got off her old skin from about her head, which she con∣tinues to do all the rest of the day, till she hath cast away all her old garment; which was not only needless, but want of porosity and transpirability might have suffocated her. Then doth she ap∣pear all glorious, and as it were renewed; which is perceived not only by the difference between the slow and lazie motion of those which are not renewed, from those which have cast their skins; whose motion is so quick and nimble, that easily they scape our sight. And moreover, the skin of the old ones is deformed, and of an earthly colour; whereas the other, to the contrary, is polisht, fair, shining and well coloured. As for the Stags, the casting of their head is done in another way, and for another rea∣son then that of the Serpents: for, that Creature doth not hide it self in the ground; nor renews not all its external parts, since he casts nothing off but his head in the Spring: but the reason is his being, during Winter, deprived of sufficient nourishment, and made unable to maintain this wonderful production he bears up∣on the head since even he wants a due supply for his own subsistence and life; then say the Huntsmen, that the Stag (by a Gallicism) is faln into poverty, which is perceived not only by his leanness and weakness, but chiefly also by the head which becomes dry, spongious and destituted of sap, because this Animal hath not a sufficient vigour, to impart a spirituous and saline nourishment to the head, by reason of its want of food, as we have said even now; now, it is this nourishment, which gives strength, vigour, and su∣stenance to the Stags head; for which reason, when in the Spring, a good and juicie nourishment animates, and heats its body, it causes now vegetation in all its parts, and consequently, and chiefly, in the head, which makes him to cast it off. We shall say no more

of this renovation, and of the vertue contained in the new Stags-head, and that which is already grown to consistency and perfecti∣on, because we have sufficiently made mention thereof in the Chy∣mical preparation of Animals and their parts.

But let us come now to the Experimental proof of Renovati∣on begun by the use of a Quintessence, by the relation of the Hi∣story we have promised above, and which happened thus. After one of my best friends had prepared a Quintessence of Balm mixt, and that all the tokens and alterations which Paracelsus re∣quires, had succeeded according to his hopes, and the truth of the remedy, he could not have a full and true satisfaction in his mind, unless he made the proof of this great Arcanum; to be more fully and better perswaded of the verity of the thing, and the de∣livery of the Authour he had followed: and as he knew that com∣monly experiments made upon other bodies will be defective, he made it upon himself, and an old woman-servant he had by him, of about 70. years of age, in the same house where he lived; and a Hen bred in the same place. He then for about 15 dayes, took every day fasting, a glass of white Wine coloured with this Remedy; and the very first day, the nails of hands and feet begun to separate themselves from the skin, without any grief or pain, and so continued still casting, until they fell off them∣selves without help. I confess unto you, that his constancy was not great enought, to go through all his Experiment, and that he thought himself sufficiently convinced by this that happened, without being obliged to try any further conclusions upon his own person. Therefore he gave every morning some of this Wine to this old Woman; who did drink not above 10. or 12. days, and before this time was expired, her monthly courses came back with a laudable colour, and broke out in a considerable quantity, enough to fright her, and make her believe it would be her death; not knowing she had took a remedy capable to renew her to youth; upon which account also, my friend durst not proceed further, as much by reason of the fear which had pos∣sessed the old Woman, as by reason of what had happened unto him. Having then thus experimented the Effects of his Medi∣cine, both upon man and woman, he would know also, what operation it might have upon other Creatures; and so steeping

some few grains of Corn in the Wine impregnated with the ver∣tue of the Quintessence he gave them, for the space of eight days to an old Hen by her self; and about the sixt day, she began to cast her feathers by degrees, till at last she remained quite naked; but before the fifteenth came about, she beg••n to recover new feathers, and having got them again, they appeared fairer and better coloured then before; her crest did rise again, and she began to lay Egges as before. Thus much I had to relate upon this subject, whereof I draw the following consequences.

I believe, there is none of so perverted a reason and depraved intellectuals, which doth not easily conceive, that since Nature teaches us by all her operations, that to maintain life in living bodies, with all the necessary functions of the parts which consti∣tute them, their porosity must be preserved; so must of necessity Art, which is but imitator of Nature, do the same to maintain and restore the health of Individuals, committed to her care and custody. Whence I do infer consequently, that the Physitian and Chymical Artist, ought perpetually to endeavour, by the Anatomy which they make of natural Mixts, to discover that sub∣tile, volatile, penetrating and active part, which is not corrosive, but to the contrary, friendly to our Nature, and may only ad∣vance her birth or delivery without constraint: And, as I know that there is nothing but the volatile sulphureous Salts, which may have the power of acting in the manner we have said; so must they apply all their understanding, to separate this amiable and friendly agent, and nevertheless very efficacious, and untye it as it were from the commerce of the gross and material body; if they will be the true imitators of Nature, which ever makes use of this same agent, to conduct all animated bodies to the perfecti∣on of their natural predestination, unless she be hindered by some occasional external or internal cause, which ordinarily does inter∣rupt the order, oenonomy, and guidance of her secret motions, which preserves the lovely harmony of all animated compounds. This Paracelsus hath done, teaching us the manner how to pre∣pare Liquors and Quintessences: because, this operations sepa∣rates the subtile part from the gross; preserves & exalts the seminal faculties of the compound, until it hath rendred it capable to correct and amend the defects of natural functions; that imitating

the example of this great searcher of Nature, and according to the Ideas by us given in this Discourse, before we come to the particulars of the parts of Vegetables, and all the operations to which they are lyable by the processes of Chymistry; all those that shall really addict themselves to these noble operations, may be prevented with a general knowledge of their parts, whether gross or subtile, and conducted also and regulated in their judge∣ment and actions, according to the notions and theorems we have imparted, which they may by the direction of their inten∣tions appropriate to each Vegetable in particular, that so the Artist may satisfie the expectation others have of her, and himself also, to the illustrating and innobling his Profession; and, that which must be his principal end, to the preservation and restorati∣on of his neighbours health.

Second Discourse of Syrups.

WE have sufficiently, in my opinion, insinuated the various nature of Plants, and the difference of their parts, in the fore-going Discourse, to prepare the mind of our Artist, to an acknowledgement of that truth we are now to declare, in that which we now begin, to correct and reform; and, if it be possible, take away the abuse and evil preparation, which the greatest part of Apothecaries do practise, when they work upon Syrups, which are either plain or single, or compounded: and are nothing else, but Sugar or Honey boyled to a certain liquid consistency, either with distilled Waters or Juyces, or with decoctions also of whole Plants, or of their own parts, as leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and roots. But, as we have taught above, the divers na∣ture of these parts, to be taken notice of by the Artist when he in∣tends to distil them; so do we refer there also the Apothecary, which pretends to Chymistry to be instructed in the way of his operation, when he intends to make his Syrups either single or compounded. Nevertheless, as I know, that all Dispensatories are defective, and commit the same faults in the preparation of their Syrups, and that but one Hermetical Physitian hath attempted to correct them; I think my self obliged to follow the example

of Mr. Swelfer Physitian to the Emperour, which hath made very learned Notes, upon all the defects of the antient Phar∣macy: but as he writes in Latin, and doth reason as an Herme∣tical Philosopher, I have thought my self obliged to direct into the right way, those which either through want of that language, or of skill in Chymistry, to apprehend the sense of so learned an Authour, do stride, and go out of it: Moreover to exhort those, which are endowed with the Latin tongue, and have some per∣swasion of being skill'd in the Mysteries of Chymistry, not to bury their talent, but rather improve it to the advancement and bene∣fit of sick people, the discharge of their conscience, and particular benefit.

We must notwithstanding set down here, some few examples of faults committed heretofore in this part of practice, prove the Error, want of a true apprehension of the things; and finally teach the way how to do better, adjoyning positive reasons, which may have their foundation in the thing it self and the manner of working, and why that operation proves better, and is more successful.

Before we come to the proof to which we have engaged our selves, it is necessary we should show the scope both of ancient and modern Apothecaries in the composition of their Syrups, ei∣ther single or compounded, whereof they have left us the descri∣ptions in their Antidotaries and Dispensatories. All the true sons of Art, have from all time held this Maxim; that in all Remedies three conditions were required, viz. that they should be capable to operate quickly, safely, and pleasantly, citò, tutò, jucundè: Moreover, another of their endeavours was, that, what they did prepare, might preserve for some time its own vertue within it self, to be used when opportunity should offer. Upon this ground have they brought in Sugar and Honey, separated, or both together, in the composition of their Syrups, and other Remedies of the like nature. So then have they made use of these two Substances as of two Balsamick Salts, which might be fit to receive and preserve the vertue of distilled waters: as that of Rose-water in their Syrup, or Alexandrine Julip: that of the Juyces of Plants or Fruits, as that of Wine, Vinegar, Juyce of Quinces, Limons, Oranges, Pomgranats, and many other, in

those Syrups which they prescribed the Apothecaries shops to be still furnished with: that of the infusions of Woods, Roots, Seeds and Flowers, whereof they have made several prescripti∣ons of Syrups: And finally, that of Decoctions of great store of all these things mixt together, as aromatick Substances, Flowers, mucilagenio••s Fruits, lacteous Seeds, slimy and jellyed Roots, and those that abound with volarile S••lts, whereof they have givenus the method to prepare compounded Syrups. But, as the greatest part of those, who have pretended to will, and to be capable to teach Apothecaries, their Art and modus faciendi, have been igno∣rant themselves in the differences or distinguishing of their matter, and want of being vers't in Chymical operations, have not known the several wayes of extracting their vertue without loss; so is it not to be admired, if Apothecaries who have followed them, and every day yet follow them, are fallen into grosser Errors then themselves, since for the most part they perform but very imper∣fectly what they find in their Books.

Our refuge then must be to Chymical Physick, which shall prescribe us the rules that from henceforth may hinder Physiti∣ans and Apothecaries, if they will be guided by them to com∣mit the like faults, and if they benefit themselves by the exam∣ples and doctrine which we are about now to prescribe them, whereby methodically to prepare the single and compounded Sy∣rups, without losing any pottion of that vertue which resides in volatile sulphureous Salt, and the mixt Salt of Mixts prescribed by their Dispensatories.

We shall begin by plain Syrups, and that by degrees: and first, by those which are compounded of juyces already depurated of themselves, or which may be separated without fear, that fermentation should be obnoxious to them, such as are acid juyces. Then will we treat of such Syrups, as are made with the juyces extracted from Plants, and those of two natures; viz. Some de∣stituted of odour, and participating of a vitriolick tartarous tast; the other are odoriferous, and participating of a volatile sul∣phureous Salt: these two sorts of Juyces need a quick and nimble Eye, and much industry of the Artist in the separation of their impurities, without any loss of their faculties and vertues, before Syrups are made of it; which without the Precepts of Chymistry,

an Apothecary will never be able to perform, then will we end this matter, by demonstrating the faults hitherto committed, in the preparation of Compounded Syrups, whereof we will give some Examples, that all may be made more sensible and manifest, to him that hath a desire to improve his knowledge and skill in his Operation.

The manner of preparing the Syrup called Acetosus Simplex, or Syrup of Vinegar, after the ancient and vulgar way.

℞ lb v. of clarified Sugar, lb iiij. of spring-water, and lb iij. good White-wine Vinegar, boyl all according to Art, into a Con∣sistency of Syrup.

It seems at first sight that this Prescription is all full of in∣genuity, clear, and agreeable to the rules of Arr and Nature; but our Chymical examining thereof, will make it appear, that there are more faults therein then words, and that it is all full of absurdities, even unworthy of a Chymical Novice, and so by consequent much more of so famous and renowned an Arabick Physician as Mesue was, to whom the invention of this Syrup is attributed.

But before we come to note the imperfections of this process, we must declare what vertues Mesue and his Sectators have attri∣buted to this Syrup, and the Oxymel Simplex, and for which Diseases he destinated it, because it will not give a small light, to discover, how false and ill grounded are the indications which they have taken, want of knowing well the nature of things, and being vers'd in the Operations of Chymistry.

They attribute, and not without some ground and reason, to this Syrup, the faculty and vertue of incising, attenuating, open∣ing and mundifying; that of refrigerating and tempering the heats proceeding from choler, that of resisting to putrefaction and corruptions, and finally of expelling the Urine, and provoking sweat. I confess all these vertues may possibly be in this Syrup, when rightly prepared: but unless it be after our prescriptions declared hereafter, it will possess those eminent and signal ver∣tues.

I have taken the description of this Syrup from the Aupsburg

Dispensatory, as the most correct and exact we have at this day; for had I taken it out of Banderon, or some other yet more an∣cient Author, I could shew in it much greater and less tolerable absurditie, than those I am now to demonstrate. What, I be∣seech you, is there worse digested, than to prescribe to boyl lb v. Sugar, with lb iii. water, upon a fire of kindled and flaming Coals, and skimming perpetually to the consumption of half the substance, without a previous Clarification, and then to add iij. or iiij lb Vinegar, to reduce the whole into a Syrup, since Vinegar doth also participate of its impurities and froth, and so puts the Artist to a new skimming. This is, notwithstanding, the pre∣scription of Baudero.

Others have not sped better with their clarified Sugar, and deserve no less reprehension; for Experience it self doth contra∣dict what they pretend to: For, this Axiom which saith, Frustra fit per plura quod fieri potest per pauciora, aequè bene vel melius; shewes evidently, that it is very ill done, to put lb iiij. of Water, with the Sugar and Vinegar, to reduce them to Syrup; since, besides that water is here altogether needless, I say even that for two reasons it is absolutely prejudicial: The first, because the ebulli∣tion of this Water causes a great loss of time, which a good Artist ought to value; the second, and which is yet much more considerable, is, because the Water doth in the action of boyling too long, carry away in its steem, the most subtle, volatile, and saline parts of the Vinegar, from which proceeds the incisive and aperitive vertue, which is proper and specifical to this Syrup. For, I would fain know, what lb iiij. of Water can avail to this Syrup, or what vertue communicate unto the same: For, if it be answered, To advance the depuration of the Sugar, and that it was the intention of Baudero: I will ask the reason also, why the Dispensatory of Augsburg, doth also prescribe the same lb iiij. of Water, since it prescribes to take clarified Sugar; which makes me to conclude, that neither the one nor the other had any rea∣son for what they did. Therefore, those that will prepare this Syrup as it should be, with all the vertues and faculties necessary unto the same, to follow and answer the intention of Physitians, must proceed after the following rule.

℞ an earthen white Dish, or Jugg-mettle glased, which place

upon a Kettle or Cauldron of boyling water, which we will call a boyling B. M. put in this Dish lb ij. fine Sugar in powder, upon which pour xviij. ℥ distilled Vinegar in a glass Cucurbit recti∣fied in B. M. to draw thereof all the waterishness or phlegm, as we shall teach when we come to treat of Vinegar; stirr the Sugar and distilled Vinegar together with a Spatula or Glass-spoon, untill all be dissolved and reduced to a Syrup, which shall be of a just consistency, and long-lasting, and possess all the vertues required in the acetous plain Syrup. I leave now the Reader to his free choyce and judgment, of making this Syrup after the ancient or modern way, and I know that the knowing Artist, will ever follow that reason and experience which guides him to operate citiùs, tutiùs, et jucundiùs; that is to say, in the quickest, safest and pleasantest manner: to shew that Chy∣mistry is, and ever shall be the fairest and best School of Pharmacy. To conclude this examination, note in the way, that ℥ ix. of clear Liquor by it self, or according to the prescriptions of Art, are sufficient to reduce lb i. to a consistency of Syrup, by a simple dissolution in the heat of the Vaporous Bath; that this may be as a general note, when we come to speak of the other Syrups, either plain or compounded, hereafter.

The general method of making Syrups of Acid things, Fruits, as are those of Juice of Lemmons, Oranges, Cherries, Pomgranates, Barberries, Quinces, Gooseberries, Strawberries, Apples, &c.

WE have not much to note, upon the preparation of these Syrups, because the vulgar Pharmacy doth commit less faults in them; yet as there is some small observations we ac∣count necessary to the instructing of our Chymical Apothecary, we would not pass them by.

Take then of all these Fruits which you please, and thereof express the Juyce according to Art, and the nature of each in particular; with this precaution, to make use of no Metallick Vessel to receive them; taking also great care to separate the grains and seeds of these fruits, because some of them are better, and other mucilagineous and slimy; and so would impart an ill taste to the Juyces, or a sliminess and viscosity, which would

be prejudicial to the perfecting of the Syrup: And as for those Fruits which must be scraped, to express the Juyce thereof, you must have Scrapers of Silver, or Letton well blanched and pre∣pared; for, Iron doth easily communicate its taste and colour, to the substance of any acid Fruit, as also Copper or Letton. All this being exactly observed, let those Juyces, which of them∣selves are liquid, to depurate, untill they have deposited a slimi∣ness, or a ground of certain Corpuscles, which are to be sepa∣rated by filtration. But as touching the Juyces of such Fruits, which are of a soft, slow, and viscous substance, they must be put in a cold place to settle, and, as it were, ferment a little, and then the purest Liquor so clarified of it self, and swimming above the rest, let be separated; because if you proceed otherwise, there will rather come a Jelly then a Syrup.

After all these Juyces have duely been prepared in this man∣ner, as we have now deducted, they must be put in a Glass Cu∣curbit in B. M. and evaporated to the consumption of ⅓ p. or ¼ neither ought you to fear, that by this process any portion of the sharpness of the Juyce should be lost, since to the contrary it will encrease it; the acid or sharp quality remaining ever the last, and nothing vapours away but the phlegm, or unnecessary waterishness, and moreover this Operation will serve to separate the remainder of the feculencies abiding in the Juyce: For it is a thing worthy to be noted, that two hours of digestion in B. M. will sooner depurate a Juyce, then three dayes of insolation of the same; and, that which is yet more remarkable, the Juyces so depurated will seldom viny, and may be much longer preserved then others, without any alteration: As for the preparation of the Syrup, you must follow the modus faciendi, which we have heretofore prescribed to the Acetous Syrup, viz. ℞ ℥ ix. of well prepared Juyce, against lb j. of powedered Sugar, or the same quantity of Sugar boyled into a solid Electuary or Rosat Sugar, dissolve them in the heat of a Vaporous Bath, in Earthen glazed, or Glass Vessels, noting still, when you work upon Acids, never to use Metal.

The manner of preparing Syrups of the Juyces of Plants, as well of those that are deprived of smell, as Odoriferous; with the necessary Notes for their Depuration.

THere are three kinds of Plants which offer themselves here to our consideration, and by consequence three Examples to be propounded, to prepare well the Syrups thereof, with the preservation of their proper and essential vertue, which we will distribute into three Classes. The first shall be of inodorous Juycy Plants, such as are the kinds of Sorrel, Chicory, or Endive, Fu∣mitory, Mercury, Purslane, Borage, Bugloss, Carduus B. and other of the like nature. The second, shall be of those that are inodoriferous, and sometimes also odoriferous, and whereof the Juyce is filled with a Spirit and Volatile Salt, very subtle, such as are Antiscorbutical Plants, as Cochlearia, Cresses, the kinds of Water-parsley, Mustard, Alisander, or Bell-rags, and Water-purstane, which is called also Beccabunga, or rather Beccapunga. The third, shall be of such Plants as are odoriferous and juycy, such as are Betony, Hyssop, Scordium, Smallage, Parsley, Eupa∣tory, and others of the same Category.

How the Juyces and Syrups of Plants of the First Classis shall be prepared.

TAke the Plant whereof you intend to extract the Juyce, cut it small, and beat it in a Marble or Stone-mortar, w••ing and express the Juyce, with all the care and necessary observations, which we have hinted in our discourse above, where we treated of the distilled Waters of the same Plants, and after the Juyce hath been well depurated in B. M. and a sufficient quantity of Phlegm or Water hath been extracted, as two parts from three by distillation; then to lib. 1. of this Juyce so depurated, mix lib. 1. ss. of Sugar, and boyl it together to a Consistency of Sugar. Rosat. Which decoct and reduce to a Syrup, with vi••or vii. ℥. of that water you have drawn out of the Juyce by distillation in B. M. so shall you have a Syrup endowed with all the vertues of the Plant; and when you will prepare either Apozems or

Juleps, you shall mix ℥ i. or ℥ ij. of either of these Syrups, with iij. or iv. ℥ of its proper Water, which according to the vertue and quality of the Plant, you shall fit to the purpose of the dis∣ease. Nota, that these Juyces so depurated by distillation may be kept one or two years without any corruption, because they are sufficiently filled with the Nitrotartarous Salt of these Plants: but they must nevertheless be covered, or filled up with Oyl, to hinder the penetration of Air, which is the great Alterator of all things; and that they must also be kept in a place, neither too moist, nor too dry.

How the Juyces and Syrups of Plants of the second Classis shall be prepared.

THE Juyces of these Plants must be extracted with the same precautions we have taught, when we spoke of the spirits of Plants, their distilled Waters and their extracts, whereto we refer the Artist, to avoid needless and tedious repetitions. But as I have already often said, that Antiscorbutical Plants were com∣posed of subtle parts, and had in themselves a saline Spirit, which is volatile, mercurial, and sulphureous, which easily vanishes and flyes away: so must the Chymical Apothecary carefully and diligently work in their Preparation after he hath once begun, that by his carelesness he may not lose, what he ought with dili∣gence and study to preserve, and can no more be recovered when once fled away. Here is then the only difference, between the preparation of these Juyces and Syrups, and the fore-going. That when you distil them in B. M. you must have a judicious regard, to set a part ℥ v. of the first Water which will ascend out of every pound of Juyce, because these ℥ v. shall have carryed away with themselves the portion of the Spirit and volatile Salt of ℥ i. Juyce: then continue your distillation, until you have drawn away the half of the liquor or moisture of your Juyce; then cease, and to lb i. of this Juyce, put lb i. ss. of Sugar boyled to a consistency of Sugar Rosat, and reduce it unto Syrup, by a simple dissolution in cold, with vi. or vij. ℥ of the spirituous and subtle Water which first ascended, and hath been kept for this purpose; so shall you have a Syrup filled with all the vertues of its Mixt, as easily it

will appear, and manifestly, by the odour and the tast: but prin∣cipally, by all the noble Effects it will produce in all Scorbutical diseases, whether you give it single or mixed, with the second Wa∣ter you have preserved. You may also preserve these Juyces for service, when there shall be need in the time that Plants are out of season and vigour, using such precaution and fore-cast as is in such a case required.

How the Juyces and Syrups of Plants of the third Classis, shall be prepared.

WE will not here lose time with vain and empty repetitions, since it suffices us to say, that the Artist must duly prepare his Juyce, to ground his operation upon, as we are now going to declare. When you have the Juyce of any of these odori∣ferous Plants, you must depurate it by a single and slow digestion in B. M. to separate the feces and skum which swims on the top. This Juyce being percolated cold through a Flannel, ℞ lb iiij. thereof, and place it in a Cucurbit, with a blind head over it, or in a double vessel exactly joyned: put in this juyce lb i. ss. of the tops and flowers of the same Plant, not beaten in the Mortar, but only cut very small with Cizzars; then close the Ves∣sels, and lute them with a bladder steept in beaten whites of Eggs, and place it 24 hours in a slow heat of B. M. After which take away the covering of the Vessel, and apply to it a Head. Limbeck to extract out of this Juyce impregnated with the new vertue and ef∣ficacy of it Plants ℥ xx. of spirituous and very odoriferous water, this ended, cease the fire, and express what remains in the bot∣tom of the Cucurbit, and preserve it for this following purpose: Put the xx ℥ of odoriferous Water in a double Glass, or blind Head, to which you shall add ℥ x. more, of the new tops of the Plant upon which you work; which lute and cause to digest in the slow heat of B. M. during a natural day; then being let cool, express it softly, that it may not grow thick or muddy, and keep it till you have caused that which did remain with the grounds of your expression to boyl, and clarified it with white of Eggs, and boyled with lb iij. of Sugar, into consistency of Lozenges, which you must melt in the cold, or only in luke-warm water,

with the twenty ounces of your odoriferous Water, containing the Mumial and Balsamical vertue of the Plant; and thus shall you have a Syrup, in which nothing of what should be in shall be wanting, to follow clearly the intention of Art and Nature. But me thinks, I hear the most part of Apothecaries alleadging, that this is a way to lengthen the method of making Syrups, and that no body will care for rewarding the trouble which they will be at, in this exact way of operation: Moreover, that they must be obliged to be at the charge of a Balneum Maris and Glass Vessels, which are necessary to digestion and distillation, that these Vessels are brickle; and that, all things thus considered and cast up together, the price of their remedies must then be set at higher rates: and besides this, that others which are not so circumspect, will give their Syrups at the common rates, and that people run most commonly where they find things cheaper, without examining the worth or goodness of them; and that this is the way to ruine their shops quickly, and lose customers. To all these objections, which are not without some ground, we answer, First, as concerning the Balneum Maris, it hath no such matter to be started at in it self, but the name, to such as know the nature thereof: for a Kettle only may be made use of to all the purposes and necessary uses of their shops. Second∣ly, Concerning the Vessels, What Artist is not obliged to be pro∣vided with them for other distillations, if they will duly discharge their Calling, or at least make a show thereof? And if they fear breaking, they may have Cucurbits of Jugge-mettle, or white Earth for acid substances, and of Copper tinned for other matters; but this will not be without some inconveniency, in respect that they shall not be able to judge of the depuration of the sub∣stances, nor the remaining quantity or consistency, where these things are to be observed, by reason of the opacity of their Ves∣sels. But the last consideration is prevalent over all the rest; and that is, that every one is obliged by the Oath he hath taken in his admission to the Profession of Pharmacy, to exercise it with all care and exactness,, and the discharge of his Conscience. This last scope then must prevail over all the rest, and be instead of a spur and bait of well doing: for thereby shall they find the recommendation of Physitians; and their candour and assiduity

being known, will draw upon them the esteem and affections of such as do love the preservation of their present, and restoring of their past health. Let us then go on in discovering some more of the Errors of ancient Pharmacy, and being not contented to prove they have done ill, let us show how they may do better. To this end, we will deliver three examples more, of single Sy∣rups, viz. of odoriferous Flowers, of Rinds of the same nature, and of aromatical Substances: That when Apothecaries shall pre∣pare any Syrups of this kind, their shops may not be smelt, at three or four hundred yards distance, which is an infallible token of the deperdition of the Essential vertue of the Volatile and Sulphurous parts of the Flowers, odoriferous Rinds, and aroma∣tical Substances wrought upon: unless these Apothecaries by a vain and preposterous policy, and very prejudicial to the pub∣lique and themselves, take a delight in having their shops smelt from a far off. And as contra ies by the opposition of their con∣traries are more illustrated; we shall first declare, how the fault is committed, secondly, wherefore; to teach in the third place, and explain to the understanding Reader how to do better.

The old process or manner of making Syrup of Orange Flowers.

℞. lb ss. of new Flowers of Orange: infuse them in lb ij. of clear and clean warm Water, during 24 hours: after which make the expression thereof, then reiterate the same infusion twice, with lb ss. of new Flowers at each time; the expression and co∣lature being done, boyl ℥ xx. of this infusion in Syrup with lb i. of very white Sugar. Nota here once for all, that the weight I understand here, is not the Physitians weight, but the ordinary one of Merchants of ℥ vi. to the lb. Before we show the defi∣ciency of this prescription, we will relate the vertues attributed to the Syrup proceeding from the same, that we may the bet∣ter make it plain who is in the wrong, who in the right. It is then attributed to this Syrup, marvellously to recreate the Heart and Brain, to restore Spirits, provoke Sweating; and to be con∣sequently very soveraign against malignant and pestilent diseases, because it drives the infection of this venom from the center of the parts, where it lurketh to the circumference, and makes the

spots to appear. All which may be true, if the Syrup be made according to due process. But the Physitian is frustrated of these noble Effects, by the evil and wrong preparation which we have just now quoted; since nothing is left to the Syrup so prepared but an ungrateful bitterness, which proceeds from its material and gross Salt, instead of that pleasant quickness to the taste it ought to have; and that subtile and delicate steem which is discerned by the Smell: which is properly a token, that this Syrup is not deprived of its volatile sulphureous Salt, in which are placed all the vertues required and hoped from it. But the coction of this Syrup which cannot be performed without boyl∣ing, carries away all that subtile vertue which occasions it, not to answer the indications of the learned and experimented Phy∣sitian, and much less the hope of the Patient.

The Chymical and genuine Preparation of Orange-Flower Syrup.

℞ lb. i. ss. Orange-Flowers, gathered a little after the rising of the Sun, place them in a Glass Cucurbit, and besprinkle with ℥ ij. of good white Wine, and as much excellent Rose-water, cover the Vessel with its head Limbeck, exactly luted in the Joynts, and being placed in B M. draw off from it, by distilla∣tion made with graduate fire, ℥ viij. of Spirit of spirituous Water, which will be very odoriferous and subtile, which keep by it self: then continue the fire, and draw a second Water, until your Flowers be almost dry, then cease the fire, and boyl your re∣maining Flowers in lb ij. of common Water, to the consumption of lb j. Express this decoction filled and impregnated with the ex∣tract and fixt Salt of the Flowers, clarifie it with white of Eggs, and boyl it to a consistency of Sugar Rosat with lib. j. of Sugar, which you shall dissolve afterwards with ℥ viij. of the spirituous Water, and that in the cold: and you shall have the true Syrup of Orange-Flowers, truly impregnated with all their vertue. The second Water extracted will serve for a Cordial and Alexiterial Water, to mix with the Syrup, when the Physitian shall pre∣scribe it. And this Preparation may serve as a model, to prepare the Syrups of other Flowers, which are, or come nere to the nature of Orange-Flowers. We follow now, to give an example of the

Syrup of odoriferous Rinds, and we take for our example that of Limon.

The old way of Preparing Syrup of Limons.

℞ lb j. of the outward Rind of new Limons, ʒ ij. of grains of Scarlet or Kermes, and lb v. of common Water; boyl all toge∣ther to the consumption of two p. Strain it, and add lb i. of Sugar, which reduce to the just consistency of a Syrup. Which aromatize with iv. grains of Musk. This is their manner of pre∣scribing and operating, altogether unworthy of a true and good Physitian, as we shall make appear by the vertues which they at∣tribute to this Syrup, and by their ingenuous confession, that the good sent is altogether necessary to elevate it, and make it at∣tain to that high degree of vertues which are by them attributed unto it, and are these; to strengthen the Stomack and Heart, to repel and correct putrid and corrupt humors of the Ventricle, to take a∣way ill breath, to resist venomous and pestilential diseases, prevent or remedy the bearing and palpitation of the Heart, and dissipate sadness and melancholy. All these vertues are proper and essen∣tial to the volatile sulphureous Salt of Limon Rind, as most worthily doth witness its odour and pleasant taste.

But let us see, how these pretended Masters imagine they can introduce and preserve this taste and smell in the Syrup which we speak of, or in a Julep of Sugar and Water, boyled together to a consistency of Syrup. They prescribe to put in the one or the other, a judicious quantity of the external Rind of Limon, with∣out saying, whether it shall be done in cold or warmth; since, if they should even have this foresight, it would be to little pur∣pose: for, if the Rind be put in warmth, the smell and volatile Spirit will immediately vanish away, and there shall remain but an odour and taste of Turpentine; if in cold, the viscosity and clamminess of the Syrup, loaded with the bitterness and extract of the Rind, shall not be able to receive, nor be capable to ex∣tract that vertue which is pretended to be introduced in it, though very subtile of it self. They had nevertheless done much bet∣ter, if they had prescribed to the Apothecary, to express with his fingers from the Rind, the oleagineous part hidden in it,

and impregnate therewith a quantity of Sugar very fine and finely powdered; until it begins to melt, and so to end the dissolution of this Sugar with a little juyce of Limons well filtrated; and thus aromatize their Syrup already boyled with this pleasant and odo∣riferous Liquor. But this manner of Preparation is not yet wor∣thy an ingenuous Artist or Chymical Apothecary. He shall then proceed herein after the following manner.

The manner of preparing artificially the Syrup of Limon-Rind.

℞ lb ss. of the external thin Rind of new Limons; cut it very small with a Knife or Cizzars; and being placed in a Glass Cucur∣bite, besprinkle it with lb i. ss. of good white Wine, or, that which will be much better, in as much Malmesy or good Spanish Wine; keep it a while in digestion, and then extract by distillation, with those precautions we have already declared, ℥ x. or ℥ xij. of Spi∣rituous Water, or a very subtile or odoriferous Spirit, without any other addition, if it be for Women, by reason of the Mo∣ther, which can neither endure the odour of Musk, nor that of Amber. But if it be for men or women not obnoxious to hyste∣rical passions, put into the nose of the Limbeck you imploy for this distillation, a knot of Silk-cloth, wherein is tyed ℥ ss. of grain of Kermes not too old nor Worm-eaten, viij. grains Amber∣griece, and iv. grains of Musk: and so the first vapours which are very subtile, penetrating and dissolving, being condensed in Liquor which shall distil by this Nose, shall carry along with them the tincture, odour and vertue of these three Substances, and so im∣pregnate and perfume all the rest. This done, put ℥ iij. more of Limon Rind, very superficial, thinly pared, and subtile, and very small shred to digest in cold in the spirituous water which you first drew: run without expression this maceration through a Linnen clean and fine, and preserve it in a Vial well stopt, till you have boyled in lib. ij. of common Water the Rind which you had left from the distillation, and that of the expression also, un∣til the Liquor be reduced to half, which then strain clarifie, and boyl to a Sugar Rosat, with lib. i. of very white Sugar, which af∣terward you are to decoct in a consistency of Syrup, with the re∣quisite quantity of spirituous essensified Water. This Syrup must

be preserved carefully, because it is as useful in time of health as of sickness: for a spoonful of this Syrup mixt with white Wine, or Sugar and Water, composes a kind of pleasant and odorife∣rous Limonado; and those that will make this drink more accepta∣ble, giving it a sharp pleasant quickness, may joyn to it the juyce of Limon, or some drop of Spirit of Sulphur or of Vitriol, if it be in sickness, and that not without the prescription of a Physi∣tian. From the example of this Syrup, may be drawn the man∣ner of making also that of Orange, nor less useful then the so e-going, and chiefly for women; and those that are subject to Indi∣gestions and Cholicks. We come now to the third example of our Aromatical Substances.

The vulgar Preparation of Syrup of Cinamon.

℞ ℥ ij. ss. of fine and subtile Cinamon. i. e. of a penetrating and biting taste, make it into gross Powder, and digest it with lib. ij. of good Cinamon Water, by the space of 24 hours in a Glass Cucurbite in a warm place; the Vessel being so well stopt, that nothing may transpire; then strain and express it, and put again ℥ ij. ss. more of new Cinamon in infusion, as long as the first, which keep also; and thus continue and reiterate the same operation four times; keep this infusion impregnated with the vertues of the Cinamon by it self; then take the Cinamon remaining after the expressions, and infuse upon it lib. i. of Malmsey, or some other Wine strong and generous; then extract all the Liquor by a strong expression, and joyn it to the preceding infusion, with ℥ ij. of ve∣ry odoriferous Rose-water, and lib. i. of Sugar, and boyl them toge∣ther in a well covered Pot, to the consistency of a Syrup.

I know there is none so little acquainted with Cinamon and the parts which administer and contain its vertue, as also of other A∣romatical Substances, but chiefly, that of Cloves; who doth not admire, and pitty this ridiculous and simple description, of one of the noblest and most excellent Syrups which an Apothecary can prepare or keep his shop furnished with, and which all the Authors of it do destinate to the refreshment and repairing of vital Spirits; to retrive the vital heat, and restore it to the Heart and Stomack, when driven away from it by some mortal cold;

correcting also the ill breath of the Mouth, and the corruption of the Ventricle; to help digestion; and finally, to repair and pre∣serve all the strength of the body. I know, I say, that none never so little verst in the Art of distilling, and extracting the aethereal substance of aromatical bodies, but particularly of Cinamon, can∣not, but have an aversion to so defective a prescription, taken from a Dispensatory wherein so many grave Doctors have had a hand. All the vertues attributed to the Syrup of Cinamon are real and true, provided they be preserved: But let us, I beseech you, examine a little, with what fine and judicious precaution, the Authors of this prescription have laboured to do it. They ordain to the Apothecary to boyl this Syrup in an earthen Pot exactly stopped; but consider, that at the same time they prescribe the stopping of the Vessel, they would have the contained mat∣ter to be boyled to a consistency of Syrup, which cannot be done, but by the slow evaporation of the superfluous liquor, or by its ebullition. If then the cover of the Pot hath an edge inlaid in the other, and so just and exactly fitted and shut up, and the Joynts so well luted, that nothing can transpire, the Artist or Apothecary shall never attain their end, which is to make a Sy∣rup, according as they are prescribed to do, since there will be a perpetual circulation of vapours from the bottom to the top; for what shall rise from the bottom shall condense in the top of the cover, and thence fall back again, without any hopes to attain this way to the conslency of a Syrup. There must then of necessity be some exspiration, and even some ebullition, to consume lb ij. ss of superfluous and super-abounding liquor, where∣by to give a body and consistency to the Syrup. Now, would it not be a very great damage, and a considerable loss, to let eva∣porate and fly away in the Air lb ij. ss. and more of a spirituous Water, of a very fragrant smell, very pleasant taste & great efficacy. Yet these erroneous processes and operations can only be cor∣rected by the help of Chymistry, since it is by her means we come to know, that Cinamon possesses in it self, as all other aromatical bodies, a volatile sulphureous Salt, so subtile, that the least heat is capable to extract it and drive it away, if the Ar∣tist doth not observe to stop with a great exactness, as he ought to do, not only the joynts of the Limbeck, but also of the nose

wherein it joyns with the mouth of the Recipient, otherwise he shall lose the most subtile and efficacious part of the saline Spirit of the Cinamon, accompanyed with that of the Malmsey, or whatsoever other Wine, the Artist doth make use of.

Let us now prosecute to demonstrate the extreme impertinency of this description, by adding ℥ ij. of good Rose-water upon ℥ x. of Cinamon, and lib. ij. of good Water of Cinamon, and lib. i. of Malmsey; and that which is yet more ridiculous, is, that the odour of this Water must vanish away with the subtile and vo∣latile part of the other. But it may be objected to this, That Sugar, which is a vegetable Salt, of a median nature between fix and volatile, shall be capable to fix and detain by it self the volatile Salt of Cinamon; and so without reason do we inveigh against this Syrup, since this uniting mean is capable to preserve the vertue of what enters in its composition. But though, this argument seem to be full of strength, and even hath very much in it, we will nevertheless illustrate the truth without destroying the same, and that by the following distin∣ction. We do then distinguish between warm Sugar, and be∣tween Sugar cold; for we confess indeed, that Sugar reduced to a subtle Powder, is capable to receive in it self the aethereal Oyls of aromatical Substances, and also all other distilled Oyls, that it is even capable to unite them, and mix them indivisibly with the Spirits and Waters, which is none of the least secrets of Chymistry: But we absolutely deny this union and mixture to be possible in warmth, even in the least heat; and so much less by consequent in that heat which is requisite to the boyling of a Syrup, where it is necessary to evaporate above lib. ij. of superfluous liquor. The intention we had to elucidate truth more and more, hath obliged us to deduce this matter so much to the full, and to show evidently the abso∣lute necessity of the intervention of Chymistry, which is the fittest Mistress to teach how truly to operate in all the Prepara∣tions of Pharmacy.

The Preparation of Syrup of Cinamon according to the Precepts and Prescriptions of Chymistry.

THis Syrup may serve for a pattern and rule to make all other. Syrups of aromatical bodies, of which it would be needless to give the particular prescriptions, since this may be instar om∣nium.

℞ ℥ x. of very good Cinamon cut very small, and put in a Glass Cucurbite, upon which pour lb iij. of good Malmsey or Spanish Wine, or some other kind of generous and spirited Wine, and lb i. of very good Rose-water, cover the Cucurbite with its Glass Body, the joynts being exactly luted, put it in B. M. and adap∣tate thereto a Receiver, which you shall lute to the Nose of the Limbeck very exactly; give first a gentle fire of digestion the space of 12. hours; then increase, till the distilling drops follow close one the other, heeding nevertheless, that the Head of the Lim∣beck should not grow too hot: but may be so, as the hand may endure it. Continue thus until the Cinamon in the bottom ap∣pears dry; the cease, and put by the Cinamon. Reiterate your operation with like quantity of fresh Cinamon, pouring upon it the Water first extracted, and distil as you did at first, reiterate it until the third time; and having ended, put your Water in a Bot∣tle well stopt with waxed Cork, and cover it with a wet Bladder, lest that it should lose and exhale away the best and subtilest part of its vertue. Then take afterwards all the remaining Cinamon, put it in a Cucurbite, and pour upon lb iiij. of common Water; cover it with its Head; lute, and distil in Sand, and draw off lb i. ss. that in case any volatile and virtual substance should remain in the Cinamon, it may be drawn off again without loss: This last Water shall serve in the Laboratory for the last lotion of Magi∣steries and Precipitates, as also for the extraction of some Tin∣ctures. Strain and express all the liquor impregnated with the ex∣tract and fixed Salt of the Cinamon, clarifie, and then boyl to the consistency of Lozenges, with lb ij. of refined Sugar, which you must dissolve in cold, with lb i. of the spirituous Water be∣fore received: This Syrup must immediately be put in a well stopt Bottle, that what you have preserved with so much labour,

smay not be lost. It is a treasure and present remedy in all weaknes∣es: but chiefly, in long and difficult travels of Women, where their strength is exhausted, and they consequently deprived of the best part of their Spirits and natural heat: and as there is no Ve∣getable that possesses more of Spirits then Cinamon, and prin∣cipally, being animated with the Spirits of Wine, all that ver∣tue is found concentrated in this Syrup by an admirable harmony, so, that is capable to produce all the effects we have attri∣buted unto it. The Dosis is from one half to one and two spoonfuls. They that shall desire to make this Syrup yet more excellent, must put in the mouth of the Limbeck ℈ i. of Amber∣grice mixt with ʒ i. of true wood of Aloes reduced to Powder, and shall distil over again lb ss. of their best Cinamon Water, whereof they shall make the Syrup which will be much more efficacious.

We will end this Discourse concerning Syrups, by the notes and observations we shall make upon compounded Syrups: be∣cause that as they are destinated to several ends, so are they com∣pounded with different matters, which do require a different manner and way of preparation. But before we enter into our matter, we must say something that may affect the mind of the Reader, and open his understanding, whereby we may also in∣struct those that apply themselves to the study of the noblest Pharmacy. And to begin, I will say: that Natural Phylosophers, which are the soundest Judges of things, do assure us, that all whatsoever receives, doth receive according to its proper way of receiving Secundum modum recipientis; and not according to the way of the thing received, Secundum modum recepti, which is to introduce some new quality in the Recipient. If this Phyloso∣phical Axiom is true in it self, as no body of sound judgement can doubt of it; it will chiefly appear to be so, and we will make it evident herein. Because no Apothecary can make a compound∣ed Syrup, without extracting before hand the vertue and tinctures of the several ingredients which are to be received into the li∣quor, which is that which commonly Chymists do call their Menstruum: Now of whatsoever quality or nature that Men∣struum be, it cannot take upon it self, nor be impregnated with the Tincture or Essence of any Vegetable, Animal, or Mineral what∣soever,

but according to its own way or capacity of receiving, which cannot be otherwise disposed then by the weight of Na∣ture, which is nothing else but the capacity, and sufficient quan∣tity of the most subtile matter of the extracted body, whereof the Menstruum is impregnated; and when it is thus filled and satiated within, either cold or warm, all the power of Art can∣not make it to take up more; because, as we have said, he is loaden according to the weight of Nature, which cannot be transgressed, unless with a design to lose all, or frustrate the ope∣ration: for,

Est modus in rebus, sunt certi deni que fines: Quos ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum.

For example. Take ℥ iv. of ordinary Salt, dissolve them in ℥ viij. of common Water warm, and you shall see the Water to take up but ℥ iij. of the Salt, and leave behind the fourth, and though you never boyl or agitate so much the Water with the Salt, yet it shall not be capable to receive more; because if it appears dissolved in the heat, it sinks nevertheless afterwards to the bot∣tom, and coagulates when the water is grown cold. But to prove more evidently, that the Water is naturally and sufficiently loaded; take a competent quantity of this Water so impregnated with Salt, that an Egge may swim in it, whereby you may imme∣diately know, whether the Water is loaded according to the weight of Nature; for if it hath as much as it can be capable to receive, the Egge will swim above the Water; but, if it be not sufficiently loaden or impregnated, the Egge will immediarely sink to the bottom; because the Water is not sufficiently filled with the dissolved body of the Salt to hinder the sinking of that of the Egge. Another proof and experiment thereof, is made in the boyling of Hydromel or Mead; for, when the Water is not yet sufficiently loaded with the small bodies of Honey, the Egge will never swim above the Water; but to the contrary, will im∣mediately sink to the bottom: but, when by reiterated experi∣ments, you are come to bring the Egge to swim above Water, it is then a true sign of the sufficient boyling of the Mead, and that the Water is as much impregnated with Honey as it can

bear, to have a pleasant and vinous drink thereof, after due fermen∣tation; whereas if it be more loaded, the drink will prove clam∣my and cleaving to the lips, by reason of the over-abundance of Honey; and if it be not enough, then it is defective, and wants its sufficiency of the body of Honey, to give it the taste and strength it ought to have; because the Spirits of Honey, which cause its goodness, are in too small a quantity to cause due fermentation. We say the same thing of Spirit of Wine, Aqua-vitae, plain and distilled Vinegar, corrosive Spirits of Salt, Nitre, Vitriol, or Copparis, all Strong-waters generally, Liquors or Menstrua's, which are capable to extract or dissolve any Body, Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral. For example, put Coral gross∣ly powdered in a Matrass, and pour upon distilled Vinegar, by degrees, to the height of three or four fingers, you shall imme∣diately perceive its action, and hear a certain noise in its ebulli∣tion, which causes the dissolution of the body of Coral; but when this ebullition and noise is ceased, filtrate the liquor which swims above, and put it upon new Coral in Powder, and you shall perceive no more action or noise; which evidently proves that liquor to be satiated with the body received, and uncapable to admit any more; Take also Water, Aqua-vitae, or Spirit of Wine, and put upon Saffron, until it be exhaled to a very high colour; then take afterwards new Saffron, and pour this tin∣cture upon it, and you shall perceive, that this will extract no more, and that your Saffron will remain of the same colour as when you did put it in at first.

It happens so to all Vegetable Bodies entring in the preparation of compounded Syrups, as Herbs, Flowers, Fruits, Seeds and Roots. All these bodies have a Salt in themselves, which though of a different nature, doth notwithstanding load or impregnate of its substance more or less Clammy, the Menstruum, which the A∣pothecary doth use, according to the Dispensatory from whence he hath his direction, proportionally to the weight of Nature; and when this Menstruum is once impregnated, with the vertue or essence of any of these things, to the concurrence and pro∣portion of the weight of Nature, it is impossible it should at∣tract to it self the tincture or, vertue of other bodies added to it afterwards, without some deperdition and loss: for the nature

of these bodies will be either fixt or volatile; if fixt, the Men∣struum is already loaded with some thing of like nature, and so this body shall never communicate its vertue to the decoction of the Syrup already sufficiently loaded: but, if the vertue of this body be volatile, it will needlesly evaporate during the ebullition of the superfluous liquor in the concocting of the Syrup.

All what we have said here above, may sufficiently show the necessity of delivering our promised notes upon the compounded Syrups, and the examples of the dividing the matters which enter into the composition of these Syrups, to extract their essence and vertue, according to the several nature which is in them, whether it resides in the fixed part, or be found in the vo∣latile.

We shall then make use of the example of six kinds of Syrups, having six several uses, and consequently, compounded of dif∣ferent substances, and extracted with different Menstruums, to demonstrate the better the truth of all the possible means. These Syrups are; first, a Stomachal one, which is the compounded Syrup of Wormwood. Secondly, an aperitive Syrup, which is the acetous, or compounded Syrup of Vinegar. The third is, an hy∣sterical Syrup, or good for the Mother, which is the compounded Syrup of Mugwort. The fourth, a cholagogick and hepatical Sy∣rup, which is the compounded Syrup of Endive or Chicory, with Rhubarb. The fifth is, a thoracical or pectoral Syrup, dedicated to the diseases of the Brest, which is that of Hysop. The sixth is, a purgative and phlegmagogical Syrup, which is the Syrup of Carthamie, or Bastard Saffron. We shall first deliver them ac∣cording to the ancient dispensations, and then shall make our notes thereupon of their imperfection: after which shall fol∣low our prescpition for preparing after the modern way, i. e. Chy∣mically and without defects.

The old way of preparing the compounded Syrup of Wormwood.

℞ lb. ss. of Absynthium Ponticum, or Romanum, ℥ ij. of red Roses, ʒ ij. of Indian Nard. Put it in maceration reduced to a gross Powder, in an earthen Vessel glazed, the space of 24 hours,

with good old Claret Wine, and well depurated Juyce of Quinces, ana lb iij. ℥ iv. After this, let all boyl and percolate; and thereof with lb ij. of Sugar, make a Syrup according to Art.

This Syrup is none of the least in an Apothecaries shop, pro∣vided it be well and duly prepared: for it is compounded of such things as may produce those effects attributed unto it by Authors, provided that by a gross and unpardonable ignorance, that which doth constitute its vertue be not lost: such as are the Spirit of the Claret Wine, the volatile, odoriferous, and subtile essence of the Wormwood, Roses, and Indian Nard. But we have already sufficiently said before, the reasons, why this com∣mon Preparation was erroneous, when we discoursed concerning plain Syrups; wherefore we will content our selves, only to say, that no body can boyl to a consistency the infusion of this Syrup with lib. ij. of Sugar, unless you evaporate first by coction and ebullition lib. 5. and more of the superfluous liquor, which can∣not be done without the loss of the Spirit of Wine, and the vo∣latile Sulphurous Salt of the ingredients, and so there shall remain only the sharpness of the Juyce of Quinces, and the gross and ma∣terial of this Remedy, and the manner of well operating without any loss of the best substance.

How the compounded Syrup of Wormwood must rightly be prepared.

℞ ℥ vi. of new Wormwood, ℥ iij. of Mint, ℥ i. Galanga, ℥ ij. Calamus aromat. ℥ i. ss. red-Roses, and ℥ ss. Indian Nard, which shred very small, and put in a Glass Cucurbite with lb iiij. of good Claret Wine; put all in B. M. with the requisite pre-cautions to the work and distillation, and after 24. hours infu∣sion, extract ℥ xviij, of spirituous and odoriferous water, which put in a double Vessel, or blind Head, and add to it ℥ ij. ss. more of the tops of Wormwood, ʒ ij. of Cloves, and ℥ ss. of Nutmeg, and ʒ ij. of select Mastick, all reduced to subtle Powder; and after two days infusion in a vaporous bath, strain it in the cold, and filtrate the liquor, which you shall keep in a Vial, until you have boyled the remainder of your distillation and expression in a glazed Pot of Earth, to the consumption of half, which clarifie, and boyl after∣wards

to the consistency of Lozenges, to dissolve again in Syrup with the essensified water of the stomachal vertue of Wormwood and Aromatical Substances. If you will ••ender it more active yet, and ready to answer your indications, add to it Spirit of Vitriol, or of Salt, until it hath acquired a pleasant sharpness, much better then that which might have been left from the juyce of Quinces, after so long unnecessary an ebullition.

The ancient way of preparing your acetous Syrup, or the com∣pounded Syrup of Vinegar.

℞ Roots of Fennel, Smallage and endive, or Chicory ana ℥ iij. of the Seeds of the same ana ℥ i. except Endive ℥ ss. boyl all, shred and reduce it to a gross Powder in lb x. of Spring-water with a slow fire, to the consumption of one half, then in an Earthen Vessel glazed; reduce it to a Syrup with lb iij. of Sugar and lb ij. of very strong Vinegar: We have the same reasons to take and note the Errors, whereof was spoken above: For, who cannot (I beseech you) perceive the gross and plain absurdities herein ob∣vious, to boyl Seeds and Roots, compounded of Volatile and subtile parts, with a slow fire, and lb x. of water: and moreover, to joyn two pound of Vinegar to lb v. of liquor, to destroy the most penetrative and active part of it, and upon whom depends all the incisive and aperitive vertue of this Syrup. Let us not grow tedious nevertheless, in repeating so often the same lesson: but show the way and means how to do better, since we have suffici∣ently explicated this matter here above in our preceding Notes up∣on the plain acetous Syrup.

The Chymical Preparation of the compounded acetous Syrup.

℞ Roots of Smallage, Chicory or Endive ana ℥ iij. Seeds of Anis, Fennel and Smallage ana ℥ i. Endive ℥ ss. beat the Seeds grosly, and shred the Roots very small, then put in a Glass Cucu∣rbite & pour upon it lb ij. of distilled Vinegar well dephlegmated; distil it all in B. M. until you have drawn off all the Vinegar, and the substances be dry in the bottom; keep in a Vial the distilled Vinegar, which is impregnated with the volatile Salt of the Roots

and Seeds, which communicate unto it its chief vertue of open∣ing obstructions: draw off the remainder from the Cucurbite, and make it boyl in lb iij. of common water, until a third part remains, which clarifie, and boyl to the consistency of Lozenges, with lb iij. refined Sugar: to dislolve afterwards in the luke-warm heat of the Bath, to a consistency of Syrup, with the Vinegar you had before drawn off by distillation. This Syrup is excellent for clensing of the Ventricle in pituitous bodies, which for the most part is stuft with slimy and mucilagionous substances, which spread over the internal tunicles, and hinder the digestion of meats and stomack, and are the occasional causes of bastard Feavers: it is al∣so very good to open obstructions of the Reins or Kidneys, Liver, and Spleen, by reason of the subulity of the Tartar volatilized, in the distilled Vinegar, assisted with the subtile and penetrating vertue of the Volatile Salt of the Roots and S••eds.

The ancient way of preparing the Syrup of Mugwort.

THE Preparation of this Syrup is ordinarily prescribed as a Master-piece for young Apothecasies to make trial of their skill: I believe nevertheless, more to try their skill and abilities in the knowledge of Plants, than preparing the Syrup with a true preservation of the vertue of its ingredients, which are indeed capable of producing noble effects, since it is, composed of Herbs, Roots, Seeds, and aromatical Substances, all-concurring to the same end; and all specifical remedies of the Mother, and fit to remove the suppression of Moneths, and cleanse, and as it were sweep the Womb of all the filth wherewith it might be infected, and free it from the pains which winds will sometimes cause in this part, which for the most part irritate it even to Convulsions, Suffocations, and Lipothymies.

But all this shall never be performed, unless, by the help of Chymistry, all the subtile and penetrative vertue, which enters in∣to this Syrup, be duly preserved.

The Description of the said Syrup.

℞ M. ij. Mugwort, after it is over-grown and yet in flower; Pe∣nyroyal, Calamint, Origan, Balm-Mint, Dittany of Creet, Persi∣cary,

Savin, Marjerom, Chamaedry, St. Johns-wort, Chamaepytis or Ground-Pine, Feverfew with its flower, small Centaury, Rhue, Betony, Bugloss, ana M. i. Fennel roots, Knee-holm, Parsley, as Asparagus, Smallage, Pimpernel, Woodbind, Cyperus aromaticus, Madder, Iris, and Paeony ana ℥ i. Juniper-berries, seeds of Lovage-Parsley, Smallage, Anis, Hi••h, wild Spikenard, Sneesing-wort, or Pepper-wort, Valerian, Costus amarus, Carpo Balsamum, C••∣bebs or Cardamom, aromatical Cassia Lignea, and Calamus, of all ana ℥ ss shred the Herbs and recent Roots, and reduce to gross Powder all the dry substances, and infuse and macerate 24 hours in pure water; then boyl and evaporate to the consumption of the whole half, and removing the Vessel from the fire, when the decoction is grown luke-warm, rub and handle the sub∣stances with your hands; and having made an exact straining of all, boyl it to a consistency of Syrup with lb iiij. Sugar. Nota, That the prescription runs, iteratively, that before the decocti∣on be boyled with Sugar, it may very exactly and cleanly be strained and strained again, or that otherwise the Syrup will ga∣ther a Mother, and easily lose its clearness and colour; because they pretend not to clarifie it, lest the white of Eggs should attract all the vertue of the decoction to themselves: and more∣over, do ordain to put in the aromatical substances only towards the end of the ebullition, that the vertue of these volatile sub∣stances should not deperish by too long a coction. By which it appears, that these men only fail in their operations, for want of having been initiated in the Mysteries of Chymistry, whereby they should have been taught to reason with more judgement, and work with more circumspection. But let us come to the examination of this Preparation, and necessary notes for the in∣struction of the Chymical Apothecary; and only with three we shall sufficiently give to understand the impertinency of their pro∣ceeding: And first of all, To what conduces, I beseech you, that friction, and handling of the species, since they must be pressed, to extract by this violence all the liquor whereof they are imbibed and impregnated? To what purpose again this duplicated and tri∣plicated colature? Since it shall never be able to purifie the deco∣ction, and that it is absolutely necessary to clarifie it with whites of Eggs, to prepare therewith a Syrup, which may be pleasant

to the sight and taste. The second ever is, that they will have the aromatical substances to be put in only towards the latter end of the decoction; lest, say they, their vertue which doth consist in very subtile parts should vapour away; not considering, that al∣though the decoction might have received some vertue from the aromatical substances, no ebullition of them being pre∣vious, yet this vertue must vanish away, when this same de∣coction shall be boyled with Sugar, and so their precaution is both unjudicious and ignorant: But as for the third, is it, that no∣thing else but the aromatical substances are to be heeded ••n the preparation of this Syrup? Since all the Plants, all the Fruits, all the Roots and all the Seeds which enter into its composition are aromatical and odoriferous, and consequently filled with a Salt Spirit, and Sulphur very subtile; which is no less to be preserved then the vertue of the said aromatical substances, since these prin∣ciples only give efficacy and power to the Syrup, to appease, as they pretend, all the irritations and exorbitancies of the Mother. It is not necessary, we should deliver a particular method o•• pre∣paring this Syrup according to Chymical directions, since we have enough taught and repeated the manner of doing it, in the others which we have before described, and chiefly, where we spoke of the compounded acetous Syrup: Those that shall prepare this Sy∣rup, with those precautions and Chymical method which we have before insinuated, may boast they have made a Master-piece of Pharmacy: Since it doth not suffice to know the Ingredients, and make thereof a pompous show; to neglect afterwards the pre∣serving of the vertue of those things which enter into its compo∣sition, whereof for the most part, a great show is made before the Master Apothecaries.

The vulgar preparation of the Syrup of Chicory with Rhubarb.

PHysitians do make use of this Syrup for a very solid reason, since it hath its ground and foundation in the nature of the thing, and the experiency of its vertues: for, nothing comes in the composition of this Syrup, which may not very well second their good intentions, and produce the good effects by them wish∣ed for and desired; provided it be made with the depurated juyce

of the Plants which do compose it; which by their bitter taste give a sufficient testimony of the essential Nitro-tartarous Salt abounding in them, which is both aperitive and diuretick; more∣over, the aperitive Roots possess in themselves a Salt which is analogous to that of Plants; but, that which doth constitute its chief vertue is the Rhubarb, which is the root of one of the kinds of Lapathum, containing in it self a volatile, subtile and very ef∣ficacious Salt, a Balsamick and Conservative Sulphur of the fa∣culties of the Stomack: which is proved by its taste and tingent colour, which not only communicates it self to Excrements and Urin when well conditionated, but even carries the penetration of its tincture to the Eyes and the Nails. It would then be a very great damage to lose the vertues of this wonderful root, or to neglect directions, how to extract them right, and preserve them carefully. This Syrup is used against Obstructions, Jaundise, Sple∣netical Diseases, Cachexy and impurities in the Entrails, debility of the Ventricle, Epilepsie or Falling-sickness in general; but principally, against that of Children, and finally it is imployed, to expel by Stools and Urins, all what can be vitiated in us; and all this is true enough, because this Syrup must be filled with the essential Salt of Plants, and the volatile Salt of Roots accompa∣nyed with the Balsamick Sulphur of Rhubarb, which do correct all the defects of the Spleen and Stomack, the two parts which cause all the disorders which this Syrup can appease and resettle as is fitting.

The Vulgar manner of this Process is then such.

℞ domestical and wild Endive, ana M. ij. ss. Chicory and Dendeli∣on ana M. ij Sow-thistle, Hepatick Lettuce, Fumitory and Hops, ana M. i. Barley whole ℥ ij. of eack kind of the Capillaries ana ℥ ij. ℥ ij. Alkakengi, Liquorish, Ceterach, Doddar ana ʒ vi. Fennel Roots, Smalage Asparagus ana ℥ ij. shred the herbs, & roots, & make them boyl in lb xxx. water, to the consumption of one half, then boyl this decoction to a Syrup with lb x. clarified Sugar, and in boyl∣ing add in a knot of clean linnen, ℥ vij. ss. of excellent Rhubarb small shred, and ℈ ij. of Indian Nard; from time to time you must press the knot, and when the Syrup shall be boyled to a sufficient

consistency, and put up in its Pot, hang the same knot therein, with your Rhubarb and Spike, the better to entertain its ver∣tue.

This is the common way of making this Syrup: to which vul∣gar Apothecaries have thought fit to joyn some other Observati∣ons to make it the better, which nevertheless, do not much sur∣pass the other: for, though they imagine in them to have some∣what better mended the matter, they go nevertheless to work but blindly, and grope without being able to find out the true way, because they are not guided by the light of Chymistry. They say then, that the Barley must be macerated 24 hours with the Roots and dry Substances of this Composition, in such a quantity of wa∣ter as is required, and that all the rest may be together boyled to the consumption of the one half. That the decoction must after∣wards be percolated, and a part of it taken, wherein for 12 hours together, at least, must be infused ℥ vij. ss. of Spikenard and Rhubarb, to extract the tincture and vertue thereof; after which, they must boyl a little, then softly be expressed, and that this tin∣cture must not be joyned with the remainder, but when the other part of the decoction shall be boyled to a perfect consistency of Syrup, and to put there also the Rhubarb and Indian Nard in a knot of cloth, that they may communicate their vertue to the re∣mainder of the Syrup; because otherwise it would not be per∣ceived, that the suspension of this same knot in the Syrup might contribute to its vertue, and when all shall be put together, then must the Syrup be thickned by degrees, until it comes to a true and requisite consistency. It seems by this, that great care is taken in reformning the preparation of this Syrup: but it is very coorse∣ly; for, Do they not judge, that this decoction is charged with the body of the Roots, and that of the Herbs, and so can take no more? neither extract well the Rhubarb, which is the basis and foundation of the vertue of this remedy? But yet, had they pre∣scribed before to clarifie this decoction, to devest her from the gross body, which the collature cannot take away; they should have shown some spark of judgment, which yet would be defective in this, that it might indeed thus extract better; but would not preserve the volatile part of the Rhubarb, nor the odour of the Spikenard, because before you can make a true Syrup, lb x. or lb xi. of

water must first be evaporated away: which cannot be done but by the means we shall now prescribe.

The right way of preparing Chymically the compounded Syrup of Chicory with Rhubarb.

℞ enough of all juycie Plants which enter into the composi∣tion of this Syrup, to make lib viij. of the juyce thereof, shred and bruise them in a stone Mortar, express the juyce, and put it in B. M. in a Glass Cucurbite covered with its Head-Limbeck to make a due depuration thereof; keep the water extracted, run the juyce through a Flannel, and put again in B. M. and add the Roots mundified and the Capillaries; then draw of lib. iiij. of water, which joyn to the first, then put the quantity of Rhubarb and In∣dian Nard, which you destinate to your Syrup: I do presuppose it to be ʒ ss upon each ounce of Syrup, which is one ounce to each pound, in a Matrass, and pour upon of the water extracted from the juyces three fingers high above the matter, digest it during 12 days in a vaporous Bath to make the extraction thereof; percolate and squeeze softly this first expression, put the Rhubarb again in the Matrass with new water, and so continue till three re-itera∣ted times, and you shall have all the tincture of the Rhubarb, which you shall by settlement purifie in B. M. by reason of the expression which ever transmits some gross body and material. This done, decoct the rest of your juyce, after you have strained and clarified it with the Sugar, and reduce it to a consistency of Lo∣zenges, which with your tincture of Rhubarb dissolve in a true Sy∣rup possessed with all the intended vertues, and which without loss of its faculties shall preserve it long, by reason of the great store of the Salts of Plants, and the true Balsamick Sulphur of Rhubarb, Nota, that ℥ ss of this Syrup is more efficacious then a whole ounce of that of the vulgar preparation.

The manner of Preparing the compounded Syrup of Hysop accord∣ing to the method of the Ancients.

℞ Hysop not very much dryed, Roots of Smallage, Fennel, Parsley, Liquorish ana ℥ x. French-Barley ℥ ss. Gum-Dragan, Seeds

of Mallows and Quinces, ana ʒ iij. Capillaries ʒ vi. Jujubes and Sebestens ana N. xxx. Raisins of the Sun stoned ℥ i ss. Figs and Dates something fat, ana N. x. decoct all in lib. viij. water until half be consumed away; reduce the rest in a consistency of Syrup after you have expressed it with lib. ij. Sugar refined.

If in the fore going descriptions of Syrups we have noted some things improper and ill digested; this discovers yet much more the ignorance and supinity of vulgar Pharmacy. For, if we take the pains to examine throughly the ingredients wherewith it is compounded, we find nothing in it but an abyssus of mistakes and Chaos of Errors; and what I do yet find worst, is, that Chymi∣stry here is at a non-plus, not knowing where to have her recourse and repair the defects of this practice: For, the Roots and Herbs yield already from themselves a decoction sufficiently course; the Fruits render it clammy and viscous, but the Gum and Seeds shall render it altogether muscilaginous; So, that it will ever be impos∣sible to take a Syrup therewith; and, if any doth advance himself so much, as to boast that he may effect it—

—Talem vix repperit unum, Millibus è multis hominum consultus Apollo.

For, if he pretends to make his decoction superficially, without well concocting the Roots, Fruits, Seeds, and Gums, he shall fru∣strate the intention of the Authors and Compilers of this Prescri∣ption, and deprive the Syrup of the pretended vertue which is at∣tributed unto it; and, if moreover, he decocts it as it must and ought to be, he shall lose the volatile part of the Roots, and chiefly of the Hyssop and Capillaries; but, if he doth clarifie his decoction the whire of Eggs shall keep the Gums and Muscila∣gineous Substances. I know, moreover, that the vulgar of Apo∣thecaries who prepare this Syrup, do pretend to have quitted them∣selves of their duty, when they have boyled the muscilagineous Substances in the decoction in a knot, which they afterwards draw back again without expression, and so is their decoction de∣vested from the required vertue: moreover, what more ridiculous thing can there be, then to substitute the refined Sugar, or in cake, to common Sugar; for, I can satisfie my self with no reason I can

imagine, unless it be to raise the price of the Syrup, and to abuse the vulgar and ignorant people. As then, this Syrup can∣not possibly be well made according to this prescription, no more can it have the vertues which are attributed unto it, viz. to con∣tribute to the cure of cold diseases in the Brest; where it is required to cleanse and attenuate the crass and clammy matter which doth obsess it, take away Obstructions, alleviate Hypochondriacal pains, and to be soveraign against the gravel. Now there is no body, that is so little acquainted with the Ingredients of this Sy∣rup, who seeth not it is a manifest absurdity, to hope to open with viscosities and clammy glewing matters, which enter in the com∣position of this Syrup, to open Obstructions, which they would much sooner be capable to produce, then to remove. There∣fore, whosoever requires a good pectoral Syrup, let him make it in the following manner.

Pectoral Syrup of Hysop very singular.

℞ new Hysop ℥ iiij. Roots of Smallage, Fennel, Parsley, Li∣quorish ana ℥ ij. shred and beat it grosly, and then put in a Glass Cucurbite, and pour upon lb i. Juyce of Hysop: ℥ xij. Juyce of Fennel, and lb ss. Juyce of Ground-Ivy. Distil all in B. M. until the grounds look almost dry. Infuse again during the space of a natural day in your water ℥ i ss. fresh Hysop,, and as much unpre∣pared Squilla: ℥ i. Fennel Roots, as much of the tops of Ground-Ivy: strain, express, and filtrate this infusion, and keep it by it self. After this, boyl the matter remaining after distillation and ex∣pression in lb iv. water to half consumption; again, strain and clarifie, then boyl it, to a consistency of Lozenges with lb ij. ss. Su∣gar, which dissolve in Syrup with the essensified water of the Tin∣cture and Salt of pectoral Plants. So shall you have a Syrup which will be of very great service and use.

The vulgar way of Preparing the Syrup of Carthamy.

IT seemeth that both ancient and modern Physitians have pre∣tended only to shew their great skill, both in the Theorical and Practical part of Physick, when they have heaped up great

store of needless Ingredients for the composition of Waters, Ele∣ctuaries and Opiats; but chiefly, in the descriptions which they have left us of their Magisterial Syrups. That of Carthamy or Bastard Saffron, the examination whereof we come now to handle, affords us a sufficient example thereof: For, I know not what Master-piece they pretend to have made, in mixing often one with another such kinds of Drugs as are altogether different among themselves, and contradictory for the most part to their purposes: the Error of this is only occasioned by their ignorance in the different nature of Salts, and Spirits, and much more in the acti∣on and reaction of the one upon the other; as is dayly seen in the laboratories of such as apply themselves to the Anatomy of natu∣ral Bodies, to learn by this way the manner of operating of Na∣ture, and follow it close in the things which Art doth prescribe us: For, those which have either made formerly, or make dayly Receipts of a foot and a half long, have in truth neither well con∣ceived, nor well known by any experience, that, as Nature is but one and plain, so doth it but act plainly; and, so of necessity must the Physitians which are but her Agents and Apes, study to know the plain and specifical vertue of natural products, to use them with the same plainness, that so they may become the true imitators of Nature.

Now have they not contented themselves to make a needless rapsody: but, moreover, they have ordained the modus faciendi in so confused a manner, and so uncapable to extract the vertue of all these different species mixt together, that it even terrifies and moves to pity Artists, and as these Syrups are used yet in many places, though cut off for the future from the practice of more expert and illuminated Physitians: we have thought necessary to relate it here, thereby to guide to the true method of well making these Syrups, the Apothecaries not knowing and skilled in that mysteries of Chymisty.

But, before we go further, let us explain the common way of operating.

℞ therefore this compounded purging Syrup, of true Capillary, Hysop, Thyme, Origan, Chamaedrys or Germander, Chamaepitys or Ground-Ivy, Ceterach or Stone-wort, Bugloss ana M ss. Dodder, Alkekengi, Roots of Angelica, Liquorish, Fennel, Asparagues,

ana ℥ i. Palypody of the oak ℥ i. ss. rind of tamarise ℥ ss. Annis, Fennel, Herb-William seeds, Dock seeds, ana ℥ i. Carthami seeds slightly beaten ℥ iiij. Raisins of the Sun stoned ℥ ij. Boyl all these substances shred and grosly beaten together in lb vi. clear water, which reduce by boyling to a third, percolate this decoction, and put in warm to infusion ℥ i. ss. Senne mundified, and ℥ ss. Agarick in Trochisks ʒ vi. select Rhubarb, and ʒ i Ginger: leave all to macerate during the space of a whole night, and the next day make a strong expres∣sion, then strain, and the straining decoct to a Syrup with lb i. re∣fined Sugar, and add of Violat and Rosat, both solutive Syrups, and of acetous plain Syrup ana ℥ ij. The use of this Syrup, is by vul∣gar Apothecaries assigned to the cure of inveterate Feavers, Quo∣tidians and Quartans, to open Obstructions, which proceed from the clamminess and crassness of that humor called pituita, and to drive by the Belly the noxious serosities.

I ask now, whether it be possible, that this decoction loaded with the substance of the first matters of this Syrup, and more∣over reduced to a third, is capable to receive, much less to ex∣tract the vertue of Purgatives: and then, to what purpose, I be∣seech you, the addition of ℥ ij. of each of these Syrups prescribed, since a quantity of Sugar may be substituted in the place, and in their stead also; infusion of Violets may be added, and of Roses, and something of common Vinegar, or of distilled, as we shall say hereafter. But this is not all; but, besides this, must be con∣sidered the most important loss of volatile and sulphureous Salts, Herbs, Roots, and Seeds, which fly away, and evaporate by de∣coction. Let us then say, how the business may be mended, and let the following Syrup, be a rule and model for all other purging compounded Syrups.

The true Chymical Preparation of the Syrup of Carthamy:

℞ the true Capillary, Hysop, Thyme, Origan, Germander, Ground-Ivy; Spleen-wort, Angelica root, Annis, Fennel, and Herb-William seeds, shred the Plants & Roots, and beat to Pow∣der the Seeds grosly; place all in a Cucurbite in B. M. with lb ij. water, and ℥ iiij. juyce or infusion of Roses, as much of Violets, and ℥ i. distilled Vinegar, cover the Cucurbit with its Limbeck-head, and draw of lb ss. of a spirituous and odoriferous water,

which preserve. Add to this first decoction Bugloss, Dadder, Grains of Alkakengi, Liquorish Roots, Fennel, Asparagus, Poly∣pody of the Oak, Tamarisk rind, Seed of Carthamy, and Raisins mundified, and add lb iij. of water more, boyl all to the con∣sumption of a third or half; percolate and express the remainder of the Ingredients. Clarifie this decoction with whites of Eggs, and infuse in a slow warmth in this clarified decoction the Senne, Agarick in Trochisks, Rhubarb and Ginger, during, the space of 24 hours, after which you shall let it boyl a little together, and then percolate; keep the colature by it self, and let boyl once more the Purgative Species in lib. i. new common water, to extract all the remaining vertue; percolate and express this last decoction, which joyn to the first extraction of your Purgarives, and clarifie and concoct to the consistency of an Electuary with lib. ij. Sugar in Powder. After which, you shall bring your Syrup to a due consi∣stency with the spirituous and aromatical water which you have drawn by distillation. In this manner shall you have a Purgative compounded Syrup, very pleasing, and full of the vertue of all its ingredients, and which for many years will keep without alterati∣on; provided it be kept as all other Syrups, in a moderate place, neither hot nor cold; because from these two qualities, for the most part, proceeds the cause of fermentation, whereby they be∣come sharp and acide, or from gathering of mother and ranckness, which doth corrupt and spoil them.

Thus much had we to say upon the subject of Plants; and these are the notes we thought necessary to observe, for such as wil make good distilled waters and Syrups. What we have said, is sufficient to teach well, not only what is useful to these two Preparations: but may be also with great reason observed and made use of, to prepare all macerations, infusions, decoctions, digestions and ebul∣litions, of whatsoever the Physitians prescribe to Apothecaries for Apogems, Juleps, Potions, and other Preparations prescribed for the good of the Patient: And I know, that after Apotheca∣ries have known what useful substance may by the action of heat be evaporated, they will study to preserve it the more, to advance in all things the good of their Neighbour, the discharge of their Conscience, and the honour and credit of Pharmacy: and more∣over, they will know, that they could not receive these lights

from any where else, but the Precepts of Chymistry.

Now having thus given a general Idea of Integral Vegetables, and their constitutive parts, of what is fixt in them, and what vo∣latile; and having given the necessary Notes, whereby a Chymi∣cal Artist may lose nothing of what he ought to preserve: it is time to come to the part which Nature and Art do furnish us with, in this ample family, and that we give a Section to each of the 14 subalternate Species, which are extracted from the principal Vegetable kind: that the example we shall give of Chymical Ope∣rations, which must be performed upon the same species of that subalternate gender, may be as a guide and beacon, whereby the Artist may be directed to operate upon all other species that are of a like nature.

These subalternate kinds, as already we have said, are Roots, Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, Seeds, Rinds, Woods, Grains or Bays, Juyces, Oyls, distilled Sap, Rosins, Gum-Rosins, and other Gums. We will afford a Section to each of these kinds in particular, that if these kinds, though subalternate in themselves, have yet some other subordinated to them, we may nevertheless subdivide them, to give by this means, so much the more light to the Artist, be∣cause there is often a variety and differen••e found between the parts of the same kind, which by consequence require a different Operation. We will begin by the Roots.

SECT. I. Of Roots.

ROots are the lower parts of Vegetables; and as it were, the shop and place of their first digestion: Now the dige∣stion is, but the volatilization, or spiritualization of an aliment which in some kind was fixt: It seems then, that it was not with∣out some ground of reason, that some have affirmed, that Roots were more fixt then any other part of the Plant, because they are nourished with a less elaborate nourishment then the rest. This indeed seems true, if you have respect to some peculiar kind of

Roots, but not generally to all: for, some do possess the vertue of the whole Plant, so, that these are some Plants whereof the sole Root is of use for Physical Preparations, because searchers of Na∣ture have found by experience, that the Salt Sulphur and Mercury of these Plants had its principal heat in the Root, as their tastle and odour may witness. And as some Roots are wooddy, nervous and knotty; so, there are others that are thin, soft, and spongi∣ous; some are mucilaginous and full of jelly, as others are lacte∣ous and full of marrow: some are bitter, some sweet, some sharp and pleasant to the taste; as to the contrary, other sharp, biting, and even corrosive; finally, some are of a pleasant smell, others very unpleasant, and even offending the Brain and Brest, whereas the first do recreate and strengthen it.

The end of our specificating all the differences, is only to give the better to the workman to understand, that he must not use the same way of Operation upon all Roots, before he hath maturely and judiciously examined of what parts they are composed, which is fixt, and which volatile, that after he shall have well conceived their nature, by the help of the external senses, he may conclude upon this knowledge, which way he may proceed in extracting their vertue: And, as we come to examine the particulars of Chy∣mical Operations made upon Vegetables and their parts, we will follow with examples of the manner of working according to the diversity of Roots.

EXAMPLE. I. Of the Preparation of Odoriferous Roots, which abound in Spirit and Volatile Salt.

WE will take for our first example of these Roots, that of Angelica, brought unto us from foraign parts, which is dry: For, as there is much vertue in this Root, and that it is one of the best Alexiteries: we have chosen it for a rule, upon which may be prepared the Roots of Calamus Aromaticus, Carlin-thistle, Lagwort, and Valerian, Pellitory of Spain, and others of the same nature, or in some way approaching, either by the smell or the taste.

℞ then lb vi. of Bohemian Angelica Root, well-conditioned, i. e. neither too Dry nor Worm-eaten; shred it, and reduce it to gross Powder, which you shall put to digest by slow heat, in a double Glass Vessel or Blind-head, with lb xij. of distilled Rain-water, and as much white Wine, during the space of four natural days; After which put all in a Still-body, and give it fire by de∣grees, until the Spirits begin to ascend, and to condense and drop: then continue the fire in a well regulated equality, until you have extracted all the spirituous water; which will appear when that which comes off, shall have no more of taste or odour left.

They that shall desire to separate the Spirit from the Water, must make the rectification of it in B. M. in a slow heat; and so shall they have a very subtile Spirit impregnated with the vo∣latile Salt of Angelica Root, which is, of a very rare vertue in all Pestilential diseases and fits of the Mother. This Spirit is Di∣aphoretical, Diuretical, and Alexiterial. The dosis is from ℈ ss. to ʒ i. in Wine, Broth, or even in its own Water.

The first Spirit being ascended, encrease the fire, and extract the spirituous water, which shall follow until it comes out with∣out taste or smell; throw away the remainder, because 'tis un∣profitable: and preserve this water to mix some of its Spirit with it, or dissolve the extract of the Root from whence it hath been extracted. The dosis is from ℥ ss. to ℥ iiij.

Most commonly there swims over the first distillation made per vesicam, an Aetherial Oyl which must be separated by the Flannel, or Funnel, and carefully preserved; for it is a very noble Essence, to make thereof a potable and dissoluble Balsom in Li∣quors, or a Preservative Balsom in time of Plague. But, be∣cause it often happens, that this Oyl sinks in the bottom of the Vessel which hath received the water, because the violence of the ebullition hath caused it to take along with it self a portion of the fixt Salt of the Root; it must also be separated with care, for it will not be inferiour in vertue to that which swims above, though it be nevertheless something less subtile, and of less activity.

But let us return to examine that which did remain in the Vessel after distillation, containing in it self the fixed Root of

the Root and a portion of its Sulphur, which never parts from it, by reason of the strict union and tye they have together; this truth is justified by the colour of the remaining liquor and its taste: which would argue a great imprudence, and defect of know∣ledge and judgement in the Artist, if by his negligency and ig∣norance he should suffer a deperdition of that substance, which nature and his own senses make not only appear by the outward judgment, but is also really good in its self. Therefore must the Chymical Apothecary acknowledge, that this vertue cannot be concentrated but in that which he calls an Extract, which is to be made after the following method.

Express and strain the whole, then clarifie with whites of Eggs, and let run through the Flannel or the Hypocras Bagge, and evaporate this liquor by a very gentle heat to the consistency of an extract, which may be called between the consistency of a mass of Pills, and a liquid Electuary, that it may be given either in Bolus or Pills, when the Physitian shall prescribe; or, that it may be sooner dissolved in some appropriated liquor, according to the intention for which it is used. Now before we deter∣mine the Dosis of this Extract, we must say, by the way, that all Extracts which are made in this manner, are friendly to the Sto∣mach, and do gently loosen the Belly, without interrupting the oeconomy of digestion, and making any superfluous or hurtful col∣liquation. And let this serve as a general Note for all the ex∣tracts which are made out of sulphurous and volatile Vegetables, after the Spirit, Oyl, and Water is drawn from them. The dosis of this extract, as of others of the same nature, is from ʒ ss. to ℥ ss. either alone or dissolved, and mixt in its own water, or some other analogous liquor, and that to open gently the Patients Belly, without any fear of those perturbations which do use to happen, by reason of the irritation and violence of ordinary Pur∣gatives.

And as nothing is to be lost of what possesses some vertue, you must dry the Cake remaining after expression, and calcine it in an Earthen Vessel, or Crucible not glazed, until the mat∣ter be reduced to gray Ashes, whereof make a Lye with distilled Rain-water, which filtrate and evaporate till it be dry, to extract the Salt of the Roots; which afterwards put in a Crucible, and

heat, it glowing-red upon a fire of Coals without melting; then dissolve it in the last water extracted; filtrate and evaporate it to a skim, and let it shoot into Crystals in the cold, then draw the Salt which shall come pure and clean: and so continue until there be no more Crystallization. You may mix a portion of this Salt in its own water, to render it less susceptible of alceration, you may also put another part in the extract, and it will en∣crease the stomachal and cathartical vertue thereof. The rest you shall keep, to the end, that if you desire to re-unite all the fixt and volatile vertues of the Root of Angelica in one body to make a Clyssus thereof (which is that substance properly which con∣tains in it self, as in a compendium, all the vertues of a Mixt, the parts whereof have been severed and depurated) you may joyn again the rectified Spirit and aecherial Oyl, by the uniting medi∣um, which is the fixt Salt, without which it is impossible to make any union of the Oyl and Spirit, because they are of a different na∣ture, and will swim ever the one on the top of the other: but, when you have alkalized the subtle and rectified Spirit with the proper Alkali of the Plant, then shall you inseparably joyn the Oyl, whereof is produced a marvellous substance: but, as for the Clyssus, there is no need of so much refining, mix only one part of fixt purified Salt, with 2 p. of distilled Oyl, and 3 p. of the very subtile Spirit, and digest together in the vapour of a Bath in a circulatory Vessel, until all the substance be indissolubly joyned and united together; which for the most part is performed with∣in the time of a Philosophical Moneth, which is 40 dayes, or that which we commonly call the space of six weeks. This remedy thus prepared, may be given instead of the Spirit, Oyl, Extract and Salt. Having all the Essential faculties of these four togther. The Dosis is from vi. grains to ℈ i. in all diseases wherein Physitians do make use of the body of Angelica root, whereof it hath been pre∣pared.

How to prepare the Potable and Dissoluble Oyl of the Root of Angelica.

ALthough this Preparation be not very full of mystery, as it wil seem to the Reader, yet is it not unworthy his considerati∣on, since it will serve to demonstrate more and more the truth

of what we have asserted heretofore, viz. that Salts are but close Spirits, and possess in themselves a hidden Sulphur, and, by consequence, a median nature between aqueous and oleaginous liquors, which cannot coagulate, much less joyn together with∣out the help of Salt, which renders the Oyl dissoluble and capa∣ble to be united to the water; and all other liquors of the like nature, which is not one of the less important secrets of Chymistry, though it s••ems in some manner despicable, by reason of its plain∣ness: but, let no body despise this commendable plainness, since whosoever shall follow her, may boldly boast, that he is the best follower of Nature, whose chief beauty and secret admirable operations are never found in the confusion of things and im∣perfect mixtures, unless it be to contribute to generation of Monsters. Now, as our study must be, to render things pleasant and easie, and, that those that want these noble remedies, are not still in places to come by Furnaces and Vessels, to unite the fixt Salt to the Oyl of its subject; and moreover, this Salt is for the most part unpleasant, by reason of its lixivi••l and urinous taste: I have thought more fitting, to take of Sugar well refined and reduced to very small Powder; or, as they call it, Alkool, whereof you sh••ll fill an Ivory or Silver guilt Box, upon which you shall drop by drop let fall some of the di∣stilled Oyl of Angelica Roots, or some other, until the Sugar be sufficiently impregnated, and reduced to a consistency capa∣ble to be contained in the Box, although it were turned upside down. So shall you have an admirable Balsom, which by way of precaution, and for a Preservative, you may use in the time of Pestilence; yet, with this precaution, that it be so taken in a less dosis, than if you took it for a curative remedy. The dosis is from the bigness of a Pea to that of a small Nut. In Wine in the morning fasting, if it be for a Preservative; or in its own Spirit or Water for a curative remedy.

Let no body wonder, that Sugar should cause Oyl to mix well and dissolve in water, for Sugar is a Vegetable Salt, whose na∣ture it is to work, so being mixt of Sulphur and Mercury, where∣by it is rendred perceptible of Oyl, whose nature it alters ne∣vertheless so much, that it easily dissolves and unites it self with water, by reason of the saline substance of the said Sugar. These

Balsoms are properly such as you find in modern Authors: under the name of Elaeo-saccharum.

How the unctuous Balsom of the Oyl of Angelica Root may be prepared.

TO make this Balsom, chuse an incorruptible substance, with∣out either smell or colour, which might be capable to re∣ceive the Oyl, and preserve its odour and vertue. Those that have addicted themselves to this operation, have much laboured and took great pains, before they could meet with a substance de∣vested of colour and smell, and that should not turn to corruption in time. For some years, white Wax and Marrow, were two sub∣jects used to this purpose; as also the fat or suet of Kid and of Pork, well prepared and washed: but this lasted very little, these substances becoming ranck, of ill odour, and yellow. To make short, Chymists have exercised their wit further, and refining this process, made use of the Oyl, which by expression is extracted from the Nutmeg, to make therewith the body of their Balsoms; without losing, nevertheless, the subtile aethereal and odoriferous vertue of the Nutmegg, which is thus performed.

℞ ℥ iiij. of very pure Oyl of Nutmegg, and free from any other mixture; put it in a Matrass with a long Neck, or in a double Glass, or blind Head, and pour upon it tartarized Spirit of Wine, to the height of four fingers, then put in B. M. and with a gentle heat extract and digest, and when the Spirit shall be sufficiently impregnated with the tincture of the Oyl; draw it off by incli∣nation, and pour other, and re-iterate until it takes no more of the tincture. Then put all what remains in a white Earthen dish, and wash with boyling water, until the whole mass becomes white and inodorous, and this will serve to make the Body of all unctu∣ous Balsoms, which contracts no ill quality, and will easily be impregnated, with the odour and vertue of odoriferous and aro∣matical Oyls. But, because the eye as well as the smell must be pleased, the green colour is imparted to the Balsoms of Plants, with the juyces of som inodoriferous Herb, wherein the Body of the Balsoms is put to boyl, which you intend to have thus colour∣ed: The Balsoms of Oyls of Roots and aromatical Substances are coloured with yellow Earth, when they come near that colour

in their nature, and those of Flowers, with a little of fine Gum∣lack, which the Painters are wont to make use of. Now as this body of Balsoms is dryed, by reason of the extraction of its sub∣tile and unctuous Oyl, made by the help of tartarized Spirit of wine, there is no more to be done further, then to feed it again with a proportionate quantity of the Oyl of Angelica Root, or some other aromatical Oyl, to make the unctuous Balsom thereof, with whom the Nostrils and Temple of the Head, as also the back of the hand doth use in time of contagious diseases to be rub'd, to hin∣der ill smells and savours from invading the Brain, and to correct the malignity of those pestiferous and hurtful Spirits, which fill up the Air in such dangerous times, or, when there is a necessity to converse in places exposed to nauseous smells, or where sick peo∣ple use to lye. But, before we proceed further, it will not be amiss, to direct the Artist what he is to do with the extracti∣on made by him, out of the Oyl of Nutmegg with Spirit of Wine. This Spirit must he draw off again in B. M. to the con∣sistency of a Syrup or boyled Honey and so shall he obtain the extract of Nutmegg impregnated with the best of its corporeal substance; and a Spirit possessed with its Oyl Spirit, and volatile Salt; if you please, you may keep some part of its extraction; for this shall be as a medium between the Extract, and Spirit, which hath been drawn off it, and may be made use of to the same purposes, because it possesses the same vertue and efficacy. The vertue of the Extract, Spirit and Tincture, refreshes and delights the Stomack, Brain, and Womb, corrects the ill smell of the breath, dissipates wind, helps digestion, strengthens the Embrio in the Womb, is good against Swoundings and beating of the Heart, opens and dissipates Obstructions of the Spleen, stops Lasks and Vomitting. And as I am a witness of the vulnerary vertue of Nutmegg; I think my self obliged for advancing publick good, to relate here, what I have seen done in Germany, in the person of a Captain of Horse, filled all over the Body with wounds both of shot and Sword, and who nevertheless, had never felt any touch of Ague in all the time his wounds were about to be cured, not even when the suppuration was working. This will seem, without doubt, very strange and Paradoxical: But, when I have told you, that this Gentleman did ever wear about him Nutmegg,

and assoon as he felt himself hurt, did eat a whole one; your admiration will cease, since the Balsamical vertue of Nutmegg, re∣siding in its Oyl and volatile Salt, being driven by the heat of the Stomack in all the parts of the Body, did correct the malignant and dangerous serosity, which is the occasional cause of pains, in∣flamations, and by consequence, Feavers, and finally, Death, in the greatest part of those which are hurt in some principal part of the body. Chirurgions then must not so lightly fear vulnerary Potions, neither to make use of this Aromat in the Broths of their Patients, by reason of its too great pretended heat: to the contrary, the more expert and skilful they are, and guided by good judgement, they have their recourse to the same, as to a very safe refuge, which will never fail them; but chiefly, if they use externally as wel as internally, the tincture extracted after the man∣ner by us related here above. Let it not be objected to me, that I bring a personal example; since the same hath happened to se∣veral of his friends, though they were of a different temper, as they speak, and had been very ill and sick in the cure of seve∣ral other wounds, because they made no use then of the said Nutmegg.

I hope, this digression will not have proved unpleasant, since it is useful both to the general and private good; but, we will make appear, that Chymistry doth not content it self with the colour of unctuous Balsoms, whereof we have made mention even now, since it hath found the secret to colour the body of Balsoms, with the Magistery of the same Plants wherewith the Balsom is to be made; and it is thus performed.

℞ Rhue or Marjoram, or any other balsamick and odoriferous Plant, as much as you will, when they are yet in the vigour of their green, boyl it in water sufficiently impregnated with the Oyl of Tartar, made per deliquium, or plain Tartar dissolved; strain the coction, and pour upon it dissolution of Rock-Allom, made in distilled Rain-water, and the matter will precipitate it self toward the bottom, in the form of a green Pap: Separate the swiming liquor by filtration, then wash the filtrated matter with common water at first, and with the odoriferous distilled water of the Plant it self towards the end, until you have de∣prived it of all saline taste, which it may have received from

the Salt of Tartar and Allom: Evaporate afterwards with a gen∣tle heat this Magistery, until it hath acquired the consistency of a very thick Pap, with which you shall tinge the white and in∣odorous Body of the Nutmegg, which you shall gently dry in the Air, to preferve for the making of your Balsom; or, if you add to it presently, the distilled Oyl of the Plant, then will the Bal∣som be perfect, and keep its odour, and its colour as long as you can wish. But note, that you must not altogether dry the Magi∣stery of Flowers or Herbs, before you colour the body of the Balsom; otherwise, there would be no union, nor perfect mixtion made, and by consequence, no colouring.

The same operation we have described may be made upon Flower of Roses, Pionie, red Poppy, Iris, Scarlet-grain or Kermes, to make Magisteries thereof, which will be useful to colour the Balsoms of Flowers without any forain mixture.

Before we end this discourse of Balsoms, we will after the learned Sennertus, teach the manner how to prepare Balsoms, as to the internal part in another way then with Sugar; which, though they be not so pleasant, yet will have no less, if not more ver∣tue, and will contain, as in a small volume, the efficacy of the Mixt whereof they receive their composition. Take then ℥ i. of the extract of the Plant, of its Root, Flower, or Seed; to which add ʒ ij. of select Manna, mix them together upon a gentle heat; and when the mixture is cooled, add ʒ i. ss. of the distilled Oyl of the Mixt, and so shall you have a Balsom which may be exhi∣bited in Bolus, or mixt in Broths, or given in other liquors appro∣priated to the disease.

EXAMPLE II. Of the Root of Enula Campana.

THis Root deserves very well we should speak of its Prepa∣ration, and make some necessary Observations to instruct thereby the Artist; for, besides, that it hath many vertues, and particular qualities, it will couduce to teach by the same method the Chymical Apothecary, what he is to do according to judge∣ment and experience, in drawing from other Roots, as from this

which is familiar with us, many good remedies to adorn and fur∣nish his shop with, where Physitians may have their recourse when they need it, for the good of their Patients.

We begin by the chusing of the time wherein this Root is to be taken out of the ground, that it may be abundantly furnished, of what we seek in it, which is a volatile spirituous and sulphure∣ous Salt, manifesting it self by taste and odour. This Root then is to be pulled out of the ground in the beginning of the Spring, when it begins to bud and peep out of the Earth; for, if you de∣lay longer, this vertue which is concentrated in the Root, and is the soul of Vegetation, explicates it self and shoots out, to declare the visible Character of its invisible Idea, given unto it by the Creator of Nature, and so doth exhaust it self from its own seminal vertue, to supply the beauty of perfect Vege∣tation.

Having got a good quantity of Root thus qualified, and being yet tender and juicie, so that it may be cut in long slices or round pieces; wash it well, then slit the most likely and most tender Roots in long bits, of the length of the fore-finger and bigness of the small; and cut the other in round pieces of the bigness of a Crown; then put them in a Glass Cucurbite in Sand with a suffici∣ent quantity of clean water, cover it with a Head Limbeck, and fit to the same a Receiver, and exactly lute the Joynts thereof; then give it a gradual fire, & distil it encreasing still the heat, till what in the Vessel begins to boyl, that the Roots may be well boyled. By this Operation many things are performed at once; for, when the Root is so boyled, as to be grown soft to the hand, you may with the remaining decoction in the Cucurbite boyl Sugar to the con∣sistency of a Sugar Rosat, therein to dip the long slices, after they have yeelded their superfluous water upon a Sive turned upside down; and so shall you have a liquid Preserve of Campana, which will keep long: if you boyl further the Sugar, and put the Root once again in it, and dry it in a Stove, you shall have a dry and so∣lid Preserve for such as will use it in travelling. Moreover, you may beat the round pieces, after they are strained, and the liquor expressed in a Marble Mortar, and extract the pulp thereof, which preserve with Sugar boyled in Lozenges, and it will be a very good kind of Preserve also for its peculiar uses; but, which

also will serve as a body, to receive other remedies for the Spleen and Brest, and so you may frame Opiats and Electuaries, which will be very excellent.

But we keep that which is best for the end, which is the spiri∣tuous Water and volatile sulphurous Salt, extracted by distillati∣on, during the boyling of the Root, and which should have been lost, had this decoction been made in an open Kettle or Vessel upon an open fire: and would be a great loss, and argue a defect of judgement, knowledge, and experience in the Artist: for, this di∣stilled Water hath the same taste and smell as the Root, and by consequence, doth possess the best part of her vertue, because it is filled with a very excellent and subtile Salt volatile, which ascends into the Head of the Limbeck under the form of Snow, and cleaves to the sides thereof, when heat causes the Water to penetrate into the very center of the Root, and when this Salt is freed from the mucilagineous substance of its body, it is sublimated by the fires activity into the Limbecks Head; it is true, that it doth not re∣main long there, being immediately dissolved by the aqueous ascending vapours, and carryed along with them into the Recipi∣ent, and this Salt doth communicate to the Water its taste, odour, and efficacy. Let those which deny credit to my discourse, pro∣ceed in the work as I have just now related, and watch exactly when they shall observe the Limbecks Head to be full of white va∣pours, and some substance cleave to the sides of it; let them be provided with another equal Limbeck; then taking away the first, substitute a second in its room; and then will they find them∣selves convicted by their own senses of the truth I have asserted; for, the Spirit of this Salt, shall fill their Nose and Brain immedi∣ately with the genuine smell of the Enula Campana; and, if they apply a little of the sublimated Salt upon the tongue, they will con∣fess, the very Plant not to have even had so subtile, penetrative, and efficacious a taste; so that it would be an irreparable da∣mage, and a gross ignorance, to lose the principal and more vertual part of the subject which is wrought upon.

Those that will make the Extract of the Enula, must dry it a little more then half; then reduce it to a gross Powder, and place it in a double Vessel of the Blind Head with subtile white Wine, to the heigh of four fingers, which they shall digest and extract in

heat of ashes, until the Wine be impregnated of the taste, smell, and yellowish colour of the Root; then shall they draw again what is impregnated, and put new and fresh Wine until it at∣tracts no more; then must be made an expression of the whole, w^ch put in a Cucurbite in B. M. with the requisite precautions, to draw the Spirit and spirituous Water, until the remaining substance hath neither smell nor taste left; clarifie after this what is left in the bottom of the Vessel, and evaporate in an Earthen dish in ashes until it comes to the consistence of an Extract, which shall possess in it self all the vertue of what is fixed in this Root: which is not despicable, because it opens the Belly and strengthens the Stomack. The dosis is from ʒ i. to ℥ ss. and this extract is very efficacious to dissolve and evacuate the fixt, glutinous and tartateous substances lurking in the Ventricle, Spleen, or Brest: but chiefly, it conduces to the cure of Periodical Asthma's, provided you mix some Diapho∣retical Antimony, or Volatile Sal of Karabe or yellow Amber, which will not fail to strengthen the Ventricle, and appease the motions and meteorical swellings of the Spleen, which for the most part do oppress the Diaphragma, one of the chief Instruments and Organs of Respiration, and which causes the oppression of the Stomack, and shortness of breath.

This Extract shall be a rule whereby to prepare those of Vale∣rian Roots, Pellitory of Spain, Carline-thistle, and chiefly Con∣trayerval, which is a Root coming from Peru, and one of the most Soverain remedies against Poyson: but chiefly, in all Pesti∣lential and Malignant Diseases, as Camp and Purpled Feavers, Measels and Small Pox, because it rids potently away the venom of it, and expels dangerous serosities by Sweat and Urin. It is marvellous also in corruptions of the Stomack, and chiefly Worms. There are even some, which believe, that its use is capable to dis∣sipate the charm and poyson of Philters, or amorous Potions. The Dosis of the Root in Powder is from ℈ ss. to ʒ i. in Wine or Cor∣dial, or sudorifick Waters, as that of Regina Prati, Carduus Be∣nedictus, or Mead Sweet, and Sassefras. But the extract of it made by exact operation, and the Spirit drawn by distillation, are with∣out compare much better then the material Body of the Root, and their Dosis less by half. I could not refrain from speaking something in my way concerning this noble Root, knowing that

it is yet concealed to most of the French Apothecaries: and I make no question, but that those which by the order of Physitians shall make use of it, will find those effects to answer the vertues I have attributed unto the same.

Of the Root of Consolida Major, or Great Comfrey and Satyrion.

AFter I have spoken of Odoriferous and Aromatical Roots, which are of a high taste and full of sensible volatile Salt: we must speak afterwards of Mucilagineous and almost Insipid Roots; but, though they seem so to be tasteless, yet do they in sufficient abundance partake of much vertue; provided, the Ar∣tist may free and untye them of the clamminess and viscosity of their substance, to bring to light the Salt and Spirit in them con∣tained, the quickness and efficacy whereof are as it were impri∣soned and fettered by the ligaments of this clammy and agglutina∣ting substance, which hinders them to produce within us, those noble effects which they are capable to produce, and which they conceal in their own center. But to perform this, there is no way but by Chymical operation, which discovers the hidden ver∣tues, and man fests the mystery contained in each Mixt. We will begin with the preparation of the Great Consolida, or Comfrey, which though viscous and insipid, produces notwithstanding very rare effects outwardly and inwardly applyed; for it is of a mira∣culous vertue, to dissolve all contusions, strengthen the sinewous parts of the Joynts in all sort of luxations. But it is much more efficacious in plaisters, with Powder of the Stone, called Ostoeco∣la, both to hinder the accidents of fractures, as to generate the callus, necessary in the re-uniting of broken Bones. And, if this Root doth produce so remarkable effects for the external parts; it is not less wonderful to stop the spitting of Bloud, whether oc∣casioned by the rupture of some Vein, or proceeding from the erosion of the Vessels, which ordinarily happens in the Brest or Throat: Moreover, the use of it doth continue the healing of the several kinds of Hernia's: Provided at the same time the part affected be kept tyed up with a good fillet, and every third day a Plaister or Cataplasma of the same Root be applyed, with Cro∣eus martis astringent, and dulcified Earth of Vitriol. This we have only mentioned, to let the Reader know, that this Root

is full of a wonderful vertue, if so be the Chymical Apothecary is capable to digest and extract it according to Art, separating the hurtful heterogeneities, which hinder this so considerable hidden vertue from being reduced into act, to bring to light the mystery of Nature, which every individual substance deeply hides in its center. And to attain thereunto, he must proceed in this follow∣ing manner.

The manner of making the Extract or Bloud of the Roots of Great Comfrey and of Satyrion.

ALthough this extract or bloud may be made with the Root only of the Great Comfrey, and would so contain much vertue: I find notwithstanding very necessary, to joyn unto it the Roots, Leaves & Flowers of Sarracene Comfrey, and those of Bugle or middle Comfrey; also of Prunella, or of small Comfrey and Seeds of St. Johns-wort; because the balsamick Salt of the Leaves, and the embryonated Sulphur of the Flowers, and Seeds, will infalli∣bly contribute to the perfection of that remedy which we are about to describe.

℞ lb ij. Roots of the Great Comfrey, and as much of the Roots, Herbs, and Flowers of the three other kinds; cleanse and pick, and then wash them well; and having beaten them in a Marble Mortar, with a Woodden Pestle, until all be reduced to a mash, add lb ss. Seeds of St. Johns-wort, reduced likewise to a Pap, by beating in the Mortar and sprinkling it with good white Wine; add to the whole, lb i. of crumb of Rye-bread, and as much of Wheaten-bread; mix all together very well, then imbibe it again something more with a little of good white Wine, until it be converted to a kind of thick mash or papp; something clear: which put in a Matrass with a long Neck, stopped with another Matrass, whose Neck shall be inserted in the other, the length of four inches; lute the Joynts very exactly, with beaten whites of Eggs, Linnen, Bladder and quick Lime, as we have taught above, where we have treated of Lutation: Suspend the Vessel on a vaporous Bath, or put in the heat of Horse-dung to digest, or in some other analogous heat, and give it a slow and digestive heat, until the mat∣ter be changed into a kind of chyle, red and as high coloured as bloud. Then let the Furnaces cool again; take away the Vessels,

and run through new and clean Linnen the matter which you must strongly express and strain. This expressed substance thus red and coloured, put in a vaporous Bath, to make a second digestion thereof, and a more exact purification; for, the liquor will much better clarifie, and the feces and remaining impurities, will make a sediment in the bottom of the Vessel, which must be separated by a gentle inclination, until the liquor be clear, red, and trans∣parent, so that no more impurities appear in the bottom. Put then this liquor so depurated in a Cucurbite, in the vaporous Bath or B. M. and draw off by distillation about the two third parts, and in the bottom will remain the true balsamick extract of those vulnerary Roots, which properly enough are called the Bloud of the Great Comfrey: Of wonderful vertue against all the kinds of Rupture, being ordered with the intimated pre-cautions; it is also a most rare and excellent help to consolidate inward ul∣cers, but chiefly, those of the Brest: and also very good, being mighled in vulnerary Insections; as also to dip in the Linnen or Tents, applyed to the Orifice or Lips of Wounds. The dosis is from ℈ ss. to ʒ i. in the water drawn off by distillation, white Wine, or any other convenient liquor, such as are vulnerary Po∣tions; but, you must continue for several dayes every day fasting; and even in inveterate diseases, it must be used during the space of a Philosophical Moneth, which is 40 dayes.

This method of Preparation must be exactly followed, to make the extract or bloud of Satyrion Roots: except only, that no other ingredient is to be added in the composition of it, but, that of Bread and Wine, with ʒ i. of very good Ambergrice, to each pound of the matter which is to be digested. The dosis is like∣wise the same with the former extract, both good to strengthen the Womb; and render fruitful and apt for generation. It is also a very secure specifick to put and restore again to their own temper all the parts designed to copulation, and the dependances of it. Those that to each pound of Satyrion Root, before they be put in digestion with the Bread and Wine, will add ʒ i. ss. of Vipers flesh dryed in B. M. will render this remedy much more efficaci∣ous. And note, that these Roots must be taken up in the be∣ginning of the Spring, and that you must only take that cod or swelling part which is smooth and full, and reject that which is

rugged and soft, the signature of this Root doth evidently testi∣fie, that Nature hath furnished it with necessary vertues for the use of those parts whose figure it represents.

Of the Root of Female Fern.

THough this Root be very common, yet is it not made use of enough, considering the great vertues it doth possess. Now that which hindereth, for the most part, Physitians, from making legitimate Observations, of the particular and specifical vertue of things, is, that for the most part, they confound them one with the other, which is the cause they cannot properly determinate, to which of the Ingredients they are to atribute the effects of those remedies which they have prescribed. But Chymical Phi∣losophers proceed otherwise, and, as they know Nature to be but one and uncompounded, so will they follow this good Mother and Guide as neer as it lyeth in their power. And as by the senses they have discovered, that the Root of Female Fern hath in it self some coagulated viscosity, which testifies it to have much of a volatile sulphureous Salt, of a rare and noble vertue, easily dis∣cerned by its bitterness mixt with an astringency, but this vertue to be hidden under the shade of the body; so have they found it necessary to free it from its prison, by the means and help of Fer∣mentation in the following manner.

℞ XL. or L. lb. of this Root gathered in the beginning of the Spring, and then when it begins only to bud out in a small yellow shoot from the ground, that it may not have lost yet any part of its internal substance by vegetation; wash and cleanse it from all the Earth which cleaves to it, & separate it from all other superfluities; without taking away, nevertheless, that which already is budded out: shred it, and then beat it well in a Marble or Stone-Mortar, then put it in a Fat of the bigness of about xv. or xx Buckets, and pour upon it xij. Buckets of warm Water: of a degree, as it were, to scald Chickens; and having well agitated the same, put two Buck∣ets full thereof to ferment with Yest, or ordinary Bread leaven, and a little Rye Flower: and when the liquor begins to stir or raise in boyling in the Buckets, pour it in the Cask, provided, the liquor also contained in it, be of a moderate heat, so, as

without inconveniency the hand may be suffered in it; cover the Vessel, and let the ferment or leaven perform its action, after you have stirred all very well together; after which, distil the fermen∣ted liquor in a Still Body S. A. two dayes after fermentation is ceased. All being thus distilled, and your distillation continued until the matter yield no more of spirituous and saline taste; put again all what hath been distilled in a Stillatory Vessel, and recti∣fie the Spirit, laying a side that which comes first, as the most ef∣ficacious and penetrative; and so the second and third, until it yeilds nothing more, but an inodorous and insipid Phlegm. This Spirit is a great opener and disopilator, dedicated in general, to open the Obstructions of the Intrals; but specially, those of the Spleen and Matrix. The dosis is from ʒ ss to ʒ ij. and even to ℥ ss. in the last Water drawn oft by rectification, or in Broths or white Wine. And the fermentation and distillation of this Root, must serve as a pattern for all other Roots either of the same nature, or coming neer it.

Of the Roots of Fal••p and Mechoacan.

AS we have propounded to our selves to afford examples of Roots that are different in their nature: we have thought fitting to take that of Jalap and of Mechoacan, because they are two purging Roots, both equally expelling serosities, and yet differing among themselves; for, the one is of a resinous quality, which is Jalap; and the other mucilaginous, mixt with rosin and a saline and insipid substance; in which, partly, is placed its purging faculty, provided, it be well extracted, and such is Me∣choacan: for which cause, the Artist is obliged to use divers wayes of Preparations, and different Menstruums to extract the vertues of these Roots, that they may be exhibited in a less dosis, and cause them work with less violence.

To prepare the Magistery or Rosin of Jalap.

THe Root of Jalap was first brought unto us from the India's, and is more or less full of vertue, according as it is more or less resinous, which Rosin is nothing else but a sulphureous vo∣latile

substance, more concocted and exalted then the volatile Salt, ordinarily found in other Roots, and as it is in this resinous and fat part of the Simple that the Purgative vertue is placed, and that nothing but the aetherial, volatile and sulphureous Spirits, are capable to extract and dissolve this Rosin; Chymical Artists do commonly use the rectified Spirit of Wine to make this Extra∣ction, which is thus performed.

℞ lb i. of well chosen Jalap Root, viz. full of round blackish circles from distance to distance, till they meet in the center, close and well compacted, and shining inwardly when it is broken; re∣duce it to subtile Powder with a Sive, and having placed it in a Matrass, pour upon it Spirit of Wine well rectified and dephleg∣mated; digest it some dayes in Embers, and when the Menstruum is sufficiently coloured, draw it off by inclination of the Vessel, and filtrate it, and continue this extraction until the Spirit of Wine tinges no more. Put all your tinctures filtrated in a Cucur∣bite, and draw off by distillation in B. M. the 3 parts of the Spi∣rit, which will be useful yet for the like operation again; after this, draw your Cucurbite from the Balneum, and affuse upon the remaining liquor, about a pint of very clear water, which will precipitate the Jallap Root to the bottom of the Vessel: because the Water weakning the Spirit of Wine which held the dissolved Rosin, and kept it flowing, causes it to lose its cold, and there be∣ing not strength and nimbleness enough in the Spirit to keep the solution, makes it precipitate and fall towards the bottom. Put again your Cucurbite in Balneos, and draw off the remaining Spirit of Wine mixt with the Water, and that for two reasons; the first, That you may not lose that portion of Spirit of Wine, which is still of use; and the second, because by that means you make yet as a second precipitation of Rosin, the Spirit of Wine holding yet some portion in it self, as it does evidently appear by the milky whiteness of the Water. Take the Rosin from the Cucurbite and put it in an Earthen Platter, and wash it three times with pure Wa∣ter, to take away the tang of the Spirit of Wine, which every one is not equally pleased with; but you must wash it the fourth time with Rose-water and Cinamon mixt together; then dry it gently in embers, and keep it for your use. The dosts of this Ro∣sin is from iij. grains to xv. in Bolus, Conserve, or Jelly of Quinces

and Goose-berries; it may be grinded also upon a Marble-Stone with three times as much of Cremor Tartari, until the whole be reduced to an impalpable Powder; then dissolve a dosis thereof in Water or Broth: but you must be very cautious, when you ad∣minister any of this Rosen, or of the others that are alike, and chiefly those that are of a purging faculty; because, that as their substance is not easily dissolved in aqueous liquors, but contrary∣wise, does re-incorporate when you think it to be more exactly mixt, and moreover, that the Stomack is fill'd most commonly with some moistness, you may have good reason to fear, lest this Rosen should unite again, and cleave to the sides of the Ventri∣cle, in the passage of the Maw-gut, or in the Duodenum, which is for the most part the cause of after-purges, not properly to be imputed as an ill effect of the remedy, but to an accidental cause occasioned by unskilfulness in administring the same; for, when these Medicaments are well dissolved, and joyned and allyed to the aqueous liquor, by the means of some neutral body all fear is over. You must then make use of yolk of Eggs to dilute and dis∣solve purging Rosens, that they may the better incorporate and allay either with the Ptisan or Broth wherein they are exhibited to the Patient: for, the reason of fearing these kinds of remedies never proceeded but from accidental causes; they, in them∣selves, and their operation, being in no wise dangerous, unless, when they are ill dissolved and united with the aqueous liquor: But, we thought very necessary to give this Advertisement in the way, by reason of those ill accidents which dayly do hap∣pen thereby.

To make the true Extract of Mechoacan.

℞ lb i. Mechoacan well chosen, not cariated or rotten, neither mixt with Briony-Root, which will easily be known and disco∣vered by the sight and taste. By the sight, because Mechoacan Root hath circles from the center to the circumference, which that of Briony hath not; and moreover, the taste doth yet better discover the truth, because, that of Mechoacan hath only a farinaceous and insipid taste: but, that of Briony pricks the tongue and throat, when long kept in the mouth: you must then take the

whitest Mechoacan, and that which easily breaks without making any dust, by which the corruption and cariation is discovered. Put this Root thus well chosen, into very subtile Powder, and having placed it in a Cucurbite of Glass, pour upon it Spirit of Wine, not rectified, to the height of four fingers and more; cover the Cucur∣bite, with a Blind Head, and the Joynrs being well luted, digest the whole in heat of embers, until the Menstruum be sufficiently coloured, which draw off by inclination, and re-affund new Spi∣rit, re-iterating so long, that your Menstruum will tinge no more; squeeze the Root hard, and filtrate all the Extractions, and distil in B. M. to draw off again the Spirit of Wine used for a Men∣struum, until it be altogether insipid; then cease the fire and take the rosenous substance which will swim above what is left in the Vessel, and dry it in a small Platter with a slow fire in Sand: Put the liquor wherein the Rosen was contained in a leaded Earthen Pan, adding ʒ i. of Salt of Tartar; and therein put also the Cakes left after expression, which let boyl together to half-con∣sumption; clarifie this decoction with whites of Eggs, and run through the cloth, evaporate it softly in Sand, to the consistency of a liquid Extract; to which add the Rosen reduced to very sub∣tile Powder, with three or four peel'd Almonds, and ʒ ij. Sugar, and so keep this Extract for use whensoever there is occasion, or to adminster it in Pills. You must note in your way, that it is not without reason, I have prescribed the addition of Almonds and Sugar, when the Rosen shall be tritu••ated. For, you must not think it only done, to hinder the sticking of it to the Mortar or Porphy∣ry, as it serves also for that purpose: But it is moreover, that these two Substances may be as uniting mediums to joyn closely the Ro∣sen with its Extract, and to facilitate also the dissolution thereof in aqueous liquors. This Extract is of singular efficacy to evacuate superfluous serosities from all the parts of the body, and less active and violent then the Rosen of Jalap, which is used to the same ends as this remedy. It is above all, a Specifical to purge the head, the nervous parts, and the breast; and therefore is very seasonably used in all Catharrous affections, Dropsies, and all Arthritical pains, but more particularly in Venerous diseases. The dosis is from vi. grains to xxx. either in Pills, or dissolved.

Of the Roots used for the Extraction of Fecula's.

WE cannot enough admire the long practised abuse, even by the wisest and most experimented Physitians, concerning Fecula's; and I wonder, that those which so often have advowed, confessed and taught, that all the vertue of Substances resides only in their Salts, but chiefly, of Vegetables: I wonder, I say, that these Chymical Physitians, should have made use of Fecula's, and attributed unto them the vertue of opening, dissolving, and pene∣treating even into the utmost digestions. And to prove the true ground of my wonder, you must know, that the Fecula's are no∣thing else, but the farinaceous and insipid part of the Root; and, to speak properly, as the white Starch of it: Now there is no body scarse, but knows, that a small quantity of the same will coagulate a great deal of water, and so consequently, must have the same operation in the Stomack, when the Fecula's are introduced in it, and the natural heat begins to act upon, as the least heat doth up∣on white Starch. But to discover the better this mistake, I will deliver the most exact and artificial way of preparing Fecula's, to show even to the meanest apprehension, that I have asserted no∣thing against truth; and that I condemn this common abuse, grounded only upon reason and good experience.

The manner of preparing Fecula's.

FEcula's are commonly made out of five kinds of Roots chiefly, which are Arum, or Coockow-pint, Iris, Piony, Briony, and great Dragons. But it will suffice, to give an example of any of the five, which will be as a model for the rest, and all those that are of a like nature. First of all, the time wherein the Root must be gathered, is to be attended, when you will make the Fecula, and that is, when the Plant begins only to put out the least bud, otherwise, no good could be done upon it. ℞ then Briony Root at such a time, and wash it exactly; then scrape the out-side of the Root, and so get the substance by scraping very cleanly; then ex∣press hard the same, and let settle in the bottom of the Vessel a kind of white feculency, until the juyce be all cleared, which

draw off softly by pouring down: and as you will find a mucilagi∣neous and yellowish substance, above the whitish Flower which settles in the bottom; you must pour upon it a little of luke∣warm clear water, to make the separation thereof, by a slow and circulary agitation; that being ended, you must put this farina∣ceous Substance or white Starch in a Marble Mortar, and agitate the same with clear water, until it be as white as Milk, then percolate this white Water through a new Tamy somewhat close, that the grosser part may remain within; then cover the Platter, and suffer the Fecula to make a settlement, re-iterating this agita∣tion with new Water three or four times, after which, you must separate the Water by a soft and slow inclination; then cover the Platter with a white Paper, bored through with many small holes of a Needle; then expose it to the Sun, until the Fecula be dry, which will be as white as any Starch, if you proceed in the opera∣tion with exactness and cleanliness.

This is the manner of artificially preparing your Fecula's: but, it were to be wisht, that they were endowed with the rare ver∣tues attributed unto them; for, there is no judicious man, never so little initiated in the mysteries of Chymistry, who doth not conceive, that this earthly and feculent portion, which by its own weight is severed from the juyce, is rather an excrement of the Root, than a substance containing its vertue; for, it is not with the family of Vegetables as with that of Minerals and Me∣tals: Since Vegetables have only their vertue contained in a saline and volatile substance, whereas the Metals and Minerals are fixt in a manner; and, that in this fixt substance and their ma∣terial and close center, is placed their chief vertue. Now this saline substance is, without doubt, in the juyce of the Plant; since it is a proper quality of Salts to dissolve themselves in Water, and if any part of it should remain amongst the Fecula's, the wash∣ings which are to be used with single pure Water to purifie them, carry away, without any doubt, the remainder of their vertue; so, that there is nothing left but a subtile Earth, of a mere white Starch or Flower: It would then be much better, to use those Roots, whereof the Fecula's are extracted, after they have been dryed, either whole, or cut in round slices; for, then may the Ar∣tist be confident, that their saline and mucilagineous vertue is

concentrated in their own body by exsiccation, and, that nothing but the aqueous phlegmatick and unnecessary substance is vapoured away. I dare moreover affirm, that what is commonly thrown away after the expression of these Roots, is without compare, worth much more, then the feculas from them extracted It is much better to strain the juyce and depurate it, and then evaporate it in B. M. to a consistency of inspissated juyce or extract, to make use thereof in case of need, since it will be endowed with the vertue of the Root, and will not fail to produce the hoped for effects: with this I shall put an end to the exemplification of Roots, to come to the other parts of Plants, according to their Order.

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.

SECT. III. Of Flowers.

AMongst that great number of Flowers, which the Vegetable Family supplies us with, with so fair so pleasant and so di∣verting a profusion; Nature seems to have bestowed no greater care upon any then the Rose, which may in a manner be called the Queen of Flowers, as much for the beauty and pleasingness of its colour and smell, as, because it is that which amongst all the Flowers, supplies both Physick and Pharmacy with the best imployment. For one of the Authors, which hath with more ex∣actness examined all what Ancient and Modern Physitians have drawn from the Rose either single or composite, reckons as much as 37 several operations, which this noble Flower lends to their Art: which makes me wonder how the Greeks should have been induced to give the name of Flower (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in their language) to the Rosemary Flower by Antonomasie, a kind of Rhetorical speech, and, as it were, by excellency; since this Flower doth not furnish so great a harvest of remedies as the Rose doth. Notwithstand∣ing, as the Rosemary Flower is endowed as well as the Rose wi••h many excellent vertues, and is even more balsamick; we will make use of these two Flowers in the present Section, to teach Artists the manner of operating upon Flowers, that by the example of these two, they may proceed upon others of the like or approaching nature: For, as concerning other kinds of Flowers, we did sufficiently insinuate how they were to be wrought upon, when we spoke in general of Plants, in the be∣ginning of the Chapter of Vegetables.

Of the Rose, and of the several Chymical Preparations made by it.

BEfore we begin to speak in particular of the several Operati∣ons which an Artist may make upon the Rose, it is necessary we should say something of its differences, and the election which he is to make of them, to attain the proposed end of his work:

for Roses differ in vertue according to the more or less of their colour taste and smell. For example, Province Roses, or Red Roses, are higher in colour then the rest, of a more harsh and austere taste, their substance more compact and less alterable then that of the other kinds, which argues a better proportioned mixture of their Salt and Sulphur, wherefore they are more cephalick and stomachal, as the Physitians upon this account use them ra∣ther then others for Conserves and making of Vinegar: but chiefly to extract the tincture after they are dryed, as we will teach hereafter. The pale kind of Roses, which are called com∣mon Roses among the cultivated and garden kind, are of a more penetrating and subtile smell then the Province, abound more in juyce, and are sooner faded and altered; in so much, that they can scarse be dryed; they have also a more saline and bitter taste which is a token of their purging and loosening or colliquative quality, as appears by their effects: wherefore they are most used for Distillations, Syrups, and Honeys, by reason of their abounding Mercury, of their Sulphur and Salt preponderated by their moisture, which renders them capable of a quick fermen∣tation, and makes them easily to communicate their vertue, to such subjects as do participate of any of the three principles abounding in them.

There is a third kind of Roses, which are called Damask Roses, or Musk Roses, of a very fragrant smell, and much less violently affecting the brain, than the Pale Roses, not making so strong a col∣liquation, when they are used in purging, & less prejudicial to wo∣men subject to fits of the Mother; which is the reason they are pre∣ferred to others, in the preparation of purging Syrups either single or compounded: but as these Muscat Roses are not found every where, and for the most part, but in the hands of curious persons which cultivate them, rather for the pleasure of sight and smell than Physical uses; it will be lawful to make use in their place of the Wild Roses, which being gathered in due season, will easily sup∣ply the effects of the other.

The fourth kind of Roses employed by Physitians, are, the white Rose, only used for the Eyes and Women, for the reasons alledged already: we will not here waste frivolously our time in making a description of all the ordinary operations which the Rose yields

to Pharmacy: We shall only say, what we think to be necessary for instructing the Chymical Apothecary, to draw from this love∣ly Flower the purest and best part of it, without loss of any of its vertues. But before we come to particulars, we must briefly in∣dicate the time in which Roses are to be gathered, that you may find in them the advantages which Nature hath placed. To this end, when the Artist intends to make any use of Roses, he must cause them to be gathered a little after the break of day, when they have yet about themselves some small remains of the Bal∣samick moisture, which the cool of the night did as it were ga∣ther and concentrate, both without and within these Flowers: above all things, care must be taken, that it should not be after a Rainy-day; but chiefly, when you intend them either for conserve or drying: neither must they be gathered long after the rising of the Sun; because, that Planet seems greedily to suck the Balsom and Nectar of all the Flowers which are of an aetherial and deli∣cate substance: and amongst all the rest, Roses are the most de∣licate; therefore those that intend to work upon them, must take their time opportunely, as we said just now.

How to Extract the Tincture of Red Roses.

HAving gathered your Red Roses, commonly called Province Roses, with the required care you must take of their white bottom, when they are not yet fully blown, but only pretty well advanced in their buds; neither must they be of the double kind, but single and ordinary Roses; you must, besides, let them dry in the shade between two Papers, that nothing but superflu∣ous moisture may exhale; and, what shall be of odour and colour may be ••oncentrated by a slow and moderate exsiccation: for, it is in that properly that consists the vertue required by Physitians in the tincture of Roses, which is thus made.

℞ ℥ i. of thus dryed Roses, and put them in a Platter of Jugg∣mettal, or white Earth, pour upon it as much boyling water as is required to moisten them, and when they are well soakt, pour upon it drop by drop, still turning the Roses, ℈ iiij. of good Spi∣rit of Vitriol, or as much of acid Spirit of Sulphur, or Spirit of Salt, according to the indication taken of the disease and remedy;

after which, pour upon the whole lb iiij. boyling water, and co∣ver the Vessel until the liquor be cooled, which run through a Flannel or Filter. There may be added to each pound of Tincture, if the Physitian prescribe it so, ℥ i. or ℥ ij. of Sugar; and in case it agrees with the Patients constitution. This Tincture is an ex∣cellent remedy to correct all defects of the Stomack, and chiefly, when out of order, by vomittings and lasks; when also digestion is depravated, and natural appetite to meat is defective; either by reason of some relaxation of the fibres of the Ventricle, or the dilatation of its Membranes: above all, it is a specifical re∣medy, in the disease called Colera morbus, or voiding of the Sto∣mack both wayes, provided the Patient drink it by very great draughts: for, the Balsamical vertue of the Rose, assisted by the Stomachical acidity of Vitriol, Sulphur or Salt, doth admirably settle again all the agitations and tempests of choler, and turns them to a gentle and pleasing calm: It is also a very pleasing and useful drink in all hot Feavers, either continual or intermit∣tent: for, for the most part, these Feavers do proceed of some corruption generated in the Stomack, which hath produced an alteration in the ferment of digestion, which never fails to intro∣duce the malignity of the conceived Ideas in the food of the Pa∣tient, and continually carries this venom, and conveys it in the Veins and Arteries, which causes the differency of Spirits, fol∣lowed by the Feaver and its redoubled fits. Now as this maxim in Physick and Philosophy is very true, that, Sublata causa tollit••r effectus, the cause being removed, the effect must cease; and these Feavers in their beginnings, are nothing else but the products and sequels of the corruption made in the Ventricle; it follows of ne∣cessity, that this cause being taken away, so must of necessity cease the Feaver, which was only an effect thereof. And, as we have said heretofore, That the tincture of Roses did settle again the Stomack and its functions in their duty; so must the ordinary drink be made thereof, which Patients troubled with that kind of Feaver are to take.

This drink also is of no less efficacy against Dysentery, Lien∣tery, and generally, all kinds of Lasks, which do cause in the Pa∣tient a very importunate thirst and drought of mouth, which this tincture immediately allayes, and, as it were, miraculously quenches.

The manner of Extracting the Water, Oyl, Spirit and Salt of Roses.

WE will not repeat here, the reason why we doe take the pale or common Roses, nor the time fittest for ga∣thering them, having already spoken thereof in the beginning of this Section. Let us only say, how the Chymical Apothe∣cary is to proceed, in drawing the vertues contained in the same. And to begin:

℞ lb viij. of pale Roses, and pick them, separating the leaves from their stalks, which nevertheless, must not be thrown away, as is the common practice: but, contrariwise, left with the Roses because, that yellow substance which is in the midst of the Flower, contains a material Oyl, which in the distillation ascends in the form of Butter swiming on the top of the water, drawing to its self the subtile and aetherial Oyl of the leaves of the Rose, and fixing it; so, that thus proceeding, the Artist will find the double or treble part more of Oyl than otherwise: put the Roses in a Body, whereof the Head, and Pipe or Worm passing through the Fat of Water to cool the ascending Spirits, be made of Tin, or at least of Copper newly Tinned: because otherwise, the Oyl would draw the taste and greenish colour of the Copper, by reason of its volatile Salt very penetrating and very active. Pour upon the Roses, which ought not by any means to be bruised, the fourth part of Rain-water, if it be possible, or of River water; then di∣stil in the manner often already mentioned, Cease not your fire until you perceive by the sight, taste and smell, that the wa∣ter issuing participates no more of Oyl, being insipid and with∣out smell; and when you perceive it to be so, open the Body of your Still, and empty it in a Cask whereof the Lye hath been newly taken away, and begin your distillation with new Roses, that you may not interrupt and lose the heat of your Furnace; and continue this operation until you have a sufficient store of Oyl to do therewith, what we shall hereafter declare. And when you have gathered all your distilled Waters in a great large Glass Vessel, let them rest together, that the Oyl may gather on the top, and so be drawn with a Silver Spoon: or, to proceed yet better, strain all your Waters through a Linnen, spread over a square

Frame, and all the Oyl will remain upon the Linnen, which must be preserved in a very well stopt Bottle, by reason of the subtility and activity of its parts. If you will preserve your Water as it is, you may, for it is good; but, you may nevertheless, make it bet∣ter, and much more active, and efficacious, if you cohobate it twice over. lb viij. of Roses bruised in a Marble Mortar. And, if you demand the reason why we have said above, that they were to be left whole, and now we say, they ought to be bruised in a Mortar; the answer is, That in the first distillation, we had no further intention then to extract the Oyl, without caring much for the goodness of the Water; and, that as the Artist must know, the Oyl is confounded with the Salt and Spirit, by the mixture and contusion made in the Mortar, which would hinder it to ascend and be freed by the action of the fire in distilling, because the Spirit and Salt do invisibly keep it amongst themselves in the Water: upon which is grounded our prescription to bruise the Roses in the second distillation, intended only for the meliora∣ting the Water, and communicating unto it a greater ver∣tue.

We return now to the remainder of our distillation left in the Cask; which must be strained through a coorse Linnen Strainer, and the Cake left must be dryed, and calcined, to ex∣tract, the Salt thereof in the manner above related when we spoke of the fixed Salt of Vegetables. But, as we will put the liquor come forth in the straining to ferment with new Roses; it might be asked, why we have ordered the distilled Roses to be strained before fermentation; and this question, being not without good grounds, must be answered and satisfied with pertinent reasons; by which it may appear, that we have not said it without very good grounds, and an absolute necessity: for, had the substance of the Roses been fermented, the fixed Salt which is in them should have been dissolved by the action of fermenting, and so volatilized, that all this saline substance should have been con∣verted into Spirit, whereas the first distillation did extend no fur∣ther (neither was intended) then to extract the aetherial Oyl, and a portion of volatile Salt of the Flower. You must then mode∣rately warm that which hath been strained, and put it to ferment with xx. or xxx. lb. of new whole Roses, with either Yest or Lea∣ven,

observing all the requisites, and necessary precautions in this operation, which are sufficiently delivered in the beginning of this Chapter, to which we send back our Artist; as also for what concerns distillation, and rectification of the Spirit to be extracted.

The way of preparing the true Essence of Roses.

THe example we are now to give, is not one of the least my∣steries of Chymistry, wherefore we will deliver it with all possible exactness, that the Artist may make use of it with de∣light and advantage. To this end, take ℥ iiij. of Salt of Roses, and put them in a small Cucurbite, and pour upon lb ss. of the best Spirit of Roses: then apply a Head to your Cucurbite, and lute exactly the Joynts thereof, and draw off the Spirit in the slow heat of B. M. that it may become alkoholisated, that is to say, well dephlegmed; for then nothing but the pure and meer aeth∣rial substance will ascend, and the Salt keep all the Phlegmatick part. But this subtiliating of the Spirit is not yet sufficient; for, it is required besides, that this Spirit be impregnated with the purest and subtilest portion of the fixed Salt upon which it was distilled, and this is that Spirit which Chymists do call alkalizated, as if they should say, a Spirit participating of the Salt Alkali of its Plant; a name given by the Arabians, to all kinds of Salts ex∣tracted from Vegetables or their parts, by the help of calcina∣tion and elixiviation. Put then the Salt remaining after the alko∣holized Spirit in a Crucible, and dry it by moderate degrees to the fire, until it grows red; and above all, take great care that it should not melt, and when it is moderately cooled, put it in the Cucurbite, and the spirit being poured upon it, distil as at first; and so continue and re-iterate three times, drying the Salt, and distilling the Spirit, to acuate it, and furnish it with a sufficient portion of its own Salt, which will be an uniting mean to joyn and mix them indivisibly together, and to frame thereof an ad∣mirable Essence, as much for its sweetness and perfume as for its medicinal vertues, which do far transcend all other operations of Vegetables. Now the chief of all this mystery, is, the Al∣kalisation of the Spirit; wherefore the Artist must have a very exact regard, to make it with all requisite punctuality. To make

the mixture of these two bodies with a requisite proportion, you must put one part of the aetherial most pure and most subtile Oyl, and pour upon it three parts of the alkalized Spirit, and you shall see them instantly unite together in a wonderful manner; and so shall you have an Essence fit to be mixed to all kind of liquors, which infinitely recreates the senses by its pleasant smell. And if you joyn to it the Essence of good Ambergrice, and Limon Rind, it will prove a Cordial and Cephalick remedy, not to be par∣allel'd by any other, as much for the excellency of its smell, as for the subtile & efficacious vertues of the ingredients which compose the same, and are very penetrating, capable of raising up again the Spirits dulled and extenuated, by soporiferous and lethargick af∣fections, which most commonly strike to the Brain, and be∣num its affections; as also it is of great vertue in all failings of the Spirits and passions of the Heart; whether this Essence be given in Broth, Wine, or Cordial Water, or even any drops be let down between the teeth if they be closed, and thrusted with a Feather or a little Cotton in the Nostrils: The ordinary dosis of these Essences is from ij. to vi. drops viij. or x. in any of the afore∣mentioned Vehicles.

In this very manner may be prepared all the Essences of such Vegetables, as yield an aetherial Oyl, and may be fermented to extract the Spirit; whether those Plants be odoriferous or no. For those which we do not like for the smell, have notwithstand∣ing their profitable uses, and specifical vertues, for some part or other of the humane body. But, as there are some substances extracted from Vegetables or some other bodies, which do yield notwithstanding Oyls of very great vertue, but would afford much more, were they converted into Essences, as are Gums, Resins, and yellow Amber; we will say here only in few words, that al∣kalized Spirit of Wine may be made use of to essencificate them, or the Spirit of some other Plant which may have a corresponden∣cy with the Disease or affected part. And this shall suffice for the Rose. We come now to the Rosemary, which may be used in the same manner, and according to the same directions, and so have we no more to add here, but only the manner of preparing the Water, called of S. Elizabeth, or Isabelle, Queen of Hungary, which is in truth a worthy noble remedy.

To make the Queen of Hungary's Water with the Flowers of Rosemary.

℞ ℥ xx. of Rosemary Flowers, gathered a little after the rising of the Sun, put them in a double Vessel, and pour on them ℥ xxx. of alkoholized Spirit of Wine; lute exactly the Joynts where they meet, and put in digestion to extract in a very slow heat of the vaporous Bath, during three natural dayes: let the Vessel cool before you open it; after that, draw the Tincture and strain the Flowers: filtrate and keep by it self one part of this Balsamick Tincture, to use both internally and externally; for it hath as much if not more vertue than the Water, but is not so pleasant nor subtile. You must distil the other part in B. M. in a heat so well graduated, that the heat of the Limbeck may not contract any heat at all, and that the Artist may distinctly reckon two or three, between the falling of each drop, and so continue till you have reduced the Tincture to the consistency of an Extract. You must exactly stop the Bottle in which you put this Water, because it is extraordinarily subtile. Zapata, an Italian, both Physitian and Chirurgion, doth attribute to the remedies extracted from Rosemary almost innumerable vertues, and that with much rea∣son; for, this Plant is full of a volatile Salt and Sulphur, two of the chiefest agents of Nature: but chiefly, when their vertue is animated by the subtility of the Spirit of Wine, which doth in a moment penetrate from the center of the Stomack to the cir∣cumference of the Body, and doth inspire a new vigour into all the functions of our life. All the vertues of this Balsamick Tincture Water and Extract, can scarse be worthily enough described and magnified. For, what I be seech you, can be more wondered at and magnified, then the restoring of the Queen of Hungary, by the help of this Water, when she was sick with Palsie and Gowt, and grown so decay'd, that she had no motion of the body free from impediment, and that, being 72 years of age; and yet this subtile and balsamick Spirit proved to have so noble irradiating a vertue, that she was restored to a very great degree of health and vigour; insomuch, that she did not appear to have been above five and twenty years old: and the King of Poland, taken with

her beauty and youthfulness, courted her to his wife. This is a remarkable effect of this remedy as to the internal vertue, which we owe to the faith of History: But I must also relate here ano∣ther external cure, to prove more and more the noble and excel∣lent vertue of this Water, by what happened to a Serving-Maid in my own house; which by falling upon the hindg of a Door, had received a great bruise in the Fore-head; and having on a sudden repercuted the tumor raised in the place, by binding hard upon it Linnen dipt in fair Water, with a piece of Gold put upon it, took away all outward sign of any hurt; but, the accidents which followed a little after, made it sufficiently appear, that there was bloud shed under the Pericranium: for she soon after grew heavy and sleepy, did stagger as Drunkards use to do, and spoke nothing but idly, without feeling, with all this, any sharp pain, and leaving any outward token of her Disease, which occasioned me to ap∣ply a cross-folded Linnen dipt in this Water of the Queen of Hungary upon the place where she had received the contusion, and to make her take a good spoonful of it inwardly, which did put her in a slumber, or rather sleep, for the space of one hour; and when she awoke again, she said, she found her self cured, and im∣mediately walked and recovered her perfect Senses: but, that by which her cure did much better appear to be true, was, that all her Fore-head, Nose, and the parts about the Eyes, did appear of a colour as of Marbled Paper; because, the bloud which had setled under the Skull or Pericranium, and did cause all the for∣mer accidents, had been digested, and as it were dissolved, by the subtle and penetrating vertue of this admirable Water: so, that after this, she needed no more but the application of a second folded Linnen, which perfected the cure, without ever any acci∣dent since. I have yet many other Experiments and Observati∣ons made of the noble Effects of this Water: but, it suffices to have spoken generally of the vertues and dosis of the Tincture, Wa∣ter, and Extract. They are in truth specifical remedies, and chiefly dedicated to the Brain, Womb, and all Diseases incident unto it; as Apoplexy, Palsie, Epilep••ie, Vertigo's, and other like Diseases. They strengthen the sight, and do correct the ill savour of breath, corroborate the Stomack, remove the obstructions of Liver, Spleen, and the Mother; are wonderful against Jaundise, and a sure remedy

against the Whites; finally cherishes the Heart and all it functions, repairs decayed Memory, and preserves in an equal state and vi∣gour both internal and external Senses, either inwardly taken, or outwardly applyed. The dosis of the Tincture and the Water, is from ℈ i. to ℈ iiij. in white Wine, Broths, or some other appro∣priated liquor to the disease. But you must note, that in case you exhibit these remedies in Broth, you must expect to mix them, until the Broth be of a temperate heat to be taken, other∣wise all the vertue would be lost and vapour away, by reason of its too great subtilty. The dosis of the Extract is from ʒ ss. to ʒ i. either alone or mixt with some Conserve, or dissolved in white Wine, or some distilled Water. This remedy is so necessary by reason of the accidents happening every moment in a family, as hurting, burning, over-weariness, and colds, that it would be almost necessary to have it still at hand, to prevent by a ready help and sure assistance, the evil consequences and great griefs which ordinarily follow the beginning of these Diseases. Prin∣cipiis obsta: serò medicina paratur, Dum mala per long as invaluêre moras.

SECT. IV. Of Fruits.

FRuits are that part of Vegetables which are less regarded and made use of in Chymical Pharmacy: wherefore, we shall have little to say concerning their Preparation. Since we find Co∣loquint only worth our taking notice, and bestowing of our pains. And, as it is a Purgative often used, and in whose correction hi∣therto much error is committed; we shall set forth only here what Reason and Experience have taught us upon that subject.

Though the most famous Chymical Authors have prescribed to make the Extract of Coloquint with Spirit of Wine, yet do I differ from them in judgement in this particular. Because the Fruit of Coloquints is volatile, and hath a subtile and dangerous Salt in itself, which causes strange colliquations, and corrodes

the Stomack and Guts, as it plainly appears, when this unsafe remedy hath caused any hyper-catharrs or over-purgings. Now the Spirit of Wine draws from the substance of the Coloquint, no∣thing else but the volatile and hurtful Salt, without touching the fixt part at all, which is that that truly purges the serosities, clam∣my substances and mucosities of the body: Moreover, the Spirit of Wine doth so subtilize and attenuate the Body of the Collo∣quint, that it carries it into the very Veins and Arteries, whence it attracts the best and purest part of the bloud. The Artist then must find out some way to correct and extract this purging Fruit, that it may yield its faculty very conducing to that end, without any hurt or danger. But it must be performed by a Menstruum, differing in nature from Spirit of Wine, that it may fix in some manner the malignant volatility, which predominates in this Fruit, and causes all its ill effects; wherefore the corrective and Menstruum of Coloquint, must of necessity be distilled Vinegar, provided, it be assisted and animated with a fixt penetrating and subtile Salt, which may act upon this volatile part, and alter its nature: this Salt is that of Tartar, according to Sennertus his pre∣paration, as we will teach when we come to teach the Opera∣tions upon Tartar. For we regard very little here, the pretended cor∣rection of ancient and new Dispensatories, which rest only in the pulverisation and mixture of Aromatical Substances and Gum Dra∣gant, to hinder the dangerous effects of Coloquint. The manner then of the true Extract is this.

How to prepare truly the Extract of Coloquints.

℞ Coloquint of the whitest and lightest you can find; separate the Seed contained in the pulp or flesh of the dryed Coloquint, because some are affraid of its violent operation: But, because it can proceed from no other cause, but its volatile sulphureous Salt, in which consists all the venomous and hurtful quality; and, that we teach here, how to fix and correct it; we shall also take the half of the Seed to the double of the Pulp to make our Extract; reduce all to gross Powder, which pour in the Matrass, and imbibe by little and little with good distilled Vinegar, im∣pregnated with ℥ ss. of the prepared Tartar, according to Sennertus

way for every pound of Vinegar, and when all is well soakt, pour over of the same Vinegar about four fingers height, and put it to digest in Ashes to a moderate heat the space of 8 dayes, agi∣tating and stirring the Glass 3 or 4 times every day at the least; observing also, that your vessel be not filled above half, because this Fruit having been much contracted in the former drying of it, when it comes to resume its ordinary bulk in the Menstruum, it swel∣leth extraordinarily, and so might endanger the breaking of the Vessel, and loss of the substance and labour, when you should least think of it; having then laid it thus 8 dayes, strain and percolate the liquor, and put the Cake again in new digestion as before. The liquor you must only filtrate through a Linnen; and, if there remains any substance of the Body, joyn it again to the new di∣gestion, and re-iterate three times the operation of straining, perco∣lating, filtrating and digesting in embers, and, so shall you be sure to have extracted and corrected all what was good and bad in the Coloquint: Evaporate after this all your Digestions to a consi∣stency of Extract; whereof keep one half, to exhibit with some good Mercurial Preparation in Venerous diseases; as also in Drop∣sies, and Arthritical Diseases, provided, your Patient be of a strong and robust constitution: The dosis is from grain ij. to ℈ ss. and a whole ℈. If it be exhibited without Mercury, you must pre∣scribe after it a small draught of Malmsey, Spanish Wine, strong Mead, or some other good generous Wine; or give it in the same. But, if there be any Mercury incorporated with the Extract, you must prescribe a small Broth after, wherein you have mixt X grains of Coral, and as much of powdered Mace. But in case, you desire to give the Extract of Coloquint in a larger dosis, and with∣out any danger of doing hurt; you must pursue and compleat the due preparation of this Extract: Put it then in a Matrass, and to each dragm of the same add ℈ i. of soluble Magistery of Coral, and circulate it one whole Moneth in a Matrass doubled, or Pellican, well luted; having first poured upon it Spirit of tar∣tarized Wine to the eminency of four fingers; the circulation must be performed in a slow heat of B. M. And when it is ended, all must be poured in a Glass Cucurbite, adding to it the weight of ʒ i. of Nutmeg-Oyl made by expression, well mixt and united with ʒ ij. of Sugar in Powder; put this Cucurbite in B. M. and

draw off the Spirit of Wine by distillation, and when no more Spirit ascends, encrease a little the fire, and evaporate all this mix∣ture to the consistency of an Extract, which may be made in Pills: so shall you have a purging Extract perfectly corrected, and of safe use in all cases where Coloquint is wont to be recommended by Physical Authors: but chiefly, in all diseases of the Brain, Nerves, Joynts, and Lungs: and, therefore no scruple is to be made in exhibiting this Extract or Magistery so prepared to per∣sons affected with either Apoplexy, Epilepsie, Vertigo's or swim∣ing of the Head, but chiefly, in all accidents of Venerial diseases: The dosis is from vi. grains to ℈ i. and ʒ ss. in the Pap of a roasted Apple, or some pleasing Jelly: It might also be dissolved in Spa∣nish Wine; but it may contract an ungrateful bitterness, therefore some such vinous Liquors o•• Broths are rather to be taken after, ac∣cording to the constitution of the Patient, and the nature of the disease. But, as those which apply themselves to Chymical Physick, and consequently, to the reading of Authors treating thereof, shall find in Rullandus, and several others, mention made of a Specifical Spirit against several obstinate diseases, to whom the name of Spiritus vitae aureus Rullandi is attributed, and yet the description thereof is not to be found in the Author it self, and what others do deliver of it, is but conjectural; I have thought it necessary, to ease the mind of Artists upon this matter, to joyn my own opinion to that of others for their satisfaction. They that maintain this Spirit to be made out of Coloquint, say, that one of the conditions of it was to Purge without Vomit; and that, by consequence, this remedy could not proceed, but from this fruit, which is the only Vegetable purging with so small a do∣sis, and chiefly, being exalted by the help of Spirit of Wine: for, had this Medicine been both Purging and Vomiting at once they would have all attributed its vertue to some Antimonial Prepa∣ration; but as it is not Emetik, the most judicious have believed, that it was Spirit of Wine impregnated by a long digestion and Circulation with the vertue of Trochisks Alhandal, which are nothing else but prepared Coloquint. Others do maintain the contrary, amongst whom Franciscus Antonius, a London Physitian, is none of the least considerable: for, they will have it to be a preparation of Potable Gold, or some other tincture extracted

from this noble metal; and alleadge for their reason, that Colo∣quint being a Vegetable cannot extend so far its vertue, as are those attributed by Rullandus to this his Preparation in the Cen∣turies of his Observations; and, that none but a Mineral remedy, or Metallick one, can be capable of this Universality of action: and moreover, that it is not without reason or mystery, that this Author gives unto it the name of Golden Spirit of Life, or spiritus Vitae de auratus: seeming to be willing by this denomination, to insinuate what he would have concealed in his writings. Though it seems, that the reasons alleadged of both sides are valuable; yet I am forced to subscribe to the first opinion, which holds for Coloquint; because I am informed by several very ancient and creditable Physitians, who profess to have it from young Rullandus, that the Spirit which his Father used, and whereof he relates the Histories in his Centuries, was nothing else but the Tincture of Trochisks Alhandal: But, that the time, Menstruum, weight of the Trochisks, and their Preparation, was to be observed; and, as this remedy is full of many noble vertues, I have thought my self ob∣liged to set it here, though it be not so well corrected as the last Extract, whereof we have given the description, since the acid and fixative Spirit hath not been used, but for the Preparation of Trochisks; and, that the Salt which did accompany it was an Al∣kali, which deads and bl••nts the malignant action of the volatile Salt of Coloquint; it is nevertheless to be considered, that the Menstruum used in the preparation of the Spiritus vitae deauratus is impregnated with the purest parts of this Salt Alkali, since it must be the Spirit of Wine alkalized, which shall extract the Tro∣chisks Alhandal, and that by consequence it shall correct the ma∣lignity thereof, by the help of this Salt, and the long re-iterated digestion: which is thus performed.

The manner of Preparing the Spiritus vitae aureus, Rullandi.

THe Golden Spirit of life of Rullandus. ℞ very white and light Coloquint, cleanse it exactly from all its seed, and shred and cut it as small as you can with Cizzars; then reduce it to Powder, having first anointed your Pestle with expressed Oyl of Nutmeg, or Oyl of Mastick drawn by distillation; searce the Powder, and

with good distilled Vinegar, reduce it to a Paste in a Mortar; then frame this Paste into Pills, or Trochisks, having first anoint∣ed your hands with the said Oyls; dry these Trochisks or Pellets in the shade, between two Papers, and reduce them to Powder again: and beat them the second time in a Mortar with the same Menstruum of Vinegar; frame your Pills or Trochisks, and dry them, and so re-iterate the third time; and, thus shall you have your Trochisks Alhandal fit for all uses and appositions, and much safer then those that are prepared after the old way with the muci∣lage of Gum-Dragant.

℞ ℥ i. of these Trochisks reduced to very subtile Powder, and put them in a circulatory Vessel, or a double Vessel (de encontre), pour upon it lb i. alkalized Spirit of Wine; stop exactly the Joynts of the Vessels, and expose your matter to digest and extract, to the reverberation of the Suns rays during the space of 15 dayes; this time ended, open the Vessel, and add ℥ ss of these Trochisks in Powder, then stop it and put it again as long a time in dige∣stion; open your Vessel again, and add for the third and last time ʒ ij. of the same Trochisks reduced to Powder, and continue the same digestion for 15 days more. This ended, strain or per∣colate the liquor, and squeez the remaining matter, then filtrate the Tincture by a Paper, and you shall have the Golden Spirit of Life of Rullandus, in its perfection, which you may make use of in such cases and diseases as you shall find related in his Cen∣turies, or in all other diseases wherein we have already said, that the Extract was useful and conducing. The dosis is from ʒ i. to ʒ vi. and even to ℥ i. if it be used in liquor: but, if you draw back the Spirit of Wine, and reduce this Liquor to an Extract: the dosis then must be from vi. grains to xxiv.

We could have added to this Section of Fruits, several other Operations drawn from these Mixts, as the burning Spirit of Pears or Apples, and several other fruits of this nature: but, as no body is ignorant, that the juyces of these fruits will ferment of them∣selves; and, that Art contributes no more to it than the bare distillation, to draw the Spirit thereof: I have thought it unneces∣sary, to deliver particularly the manner of it here, since we shall furnish a sufficient example, when we come to teach of the Ana∣tomy of Wine, in the Section of Juyces. It seems also, that we

should have been obliged, to declare in this Section, how the burning Spirits of Elder-Berries and Dane-wort, of black Cher∣ries, Straw-berries, Raspeses, Goos-berries, and other like fruits should be made: But, as we reserve the example of their fermen∣tations, where we shall speak of Juniper-berries, we refer to de∣liver our selves here fully to the Artist there. There is only a warning to be given concerning these fruits, that the Juniper-berries are to be disti••led before fermentation, because they have in themselves great store of aetherial Oyl, which must be extracted before they ferment; but, that as these other fruits are only juicy and without any portion of Oyl, unless it be that which is concen∣trated in their Seed, so is it not necessary to distil them before fermentation.

SECT. V. Of Seeds, or Berries and their Seeds.

WE have already given a general Idea of the Composition of Seeds and their difference, when we did treat of Vege∣tables in general; we have also insinuated, as it were, the manner of distilling them, to extract their vertue; but, as we know by our own experience, that these general Maxims do not enough design the work; we must particularise the Operations, accord∣ing to the division we shall make of this universal genus in four other subalternate kinds, which will be, The insipid and inodorous Seeds; the odoriferous and aromatical; the inodorous, but of a subtile and biting taste; and finally, those which have scarse any smell, unless they be rub'd or squeez'd, and are endowed with a Honey-taste mixt with some Balsamick and Aromatical favour. For the first, we shall take the Wheat, Rye, and Barley, to make their Anatomy, and Extract out of them the true Aqua-vitae: For the second, we shall take the Seeds of Anise, Fennel, and Parssey, from whom we shall extract a spirituous Water, and aetherial Oyl: For the third, we will take the Mustard-seed, or Garden-Cresses, which we put into fermentation to distil thereof a vola∣tile

Spirit, and which we will distil also without addition by Re∣tort, to extract the volatile Salt, the gross Oyl, and the acid bi∣ting and mercurial Spirit: For the fourth, we will take Juniper-berties, whereof we will prepare several differing remedies, and very useful to Physick and Pharmacy.

I doubt not, but many will think it to be a very common theam to insert here the Anatomy of Wheat, or Corn, Rye, and Ba••ley; because as these eeds are very common, it would seem I should bring in some more rate Subjects for my purpose: but let them seriously consider, and make a due reflexion upon their daily food, that they should not be displeased to be taught, what por∣tion of Spirit of life is contained in the Bread they eat, and with∣out the dayly use of which they cannot be; and, though the vain babling of some, who pretending much to Philosophy, and thinking to have search Nature throughly, make a great noise, and seem to be sufficiently satisfied, with saying, That digestion is performed by the proper heat of the Stomack; without showing in what manner this heat doth act upon the matters which it is to digest: that, besides, this digestion produces a chyle as white as any Cream, without explaining at all by what means it is per∣formed, and, that they infatuate by these empty words, the minds of those which apply themselves to common Physick and its parts: It concerns our duty and publick safety, to give to under∣stand, that all these defects do proceed only from the ignorance of Chymistry, which would have taught them as we are going to show; That the fermentation artificially used in the Corn, is the same which the Stomack uses in the Ventricle: and conse∣quently, the Chymical Artist may make a real and true demon∣stration thereof, without any need of opening or anatomizing any living Animal to be surer of it. For we will give to under∣stand, by the action of fermentation and the Spirit we shall ex∣tract thereof, that it is in vain to use so many words as there are dayly made about heat and cold, and the first and second qualities of Mixts; which are properly Chimera's filling the mind with unnecessary terms, and dulling our natural light, discouraging ma∣ny from the earnest search of Physical truths, to acqui••e thereby the knowledge of several noble remedies, which would be pro∣fitable to the Members of Civil Society: This truth was illustrated

two years ago in the Royal Garden established for the culture of Medicinal Plants, and the Theorical Lectures of Chymistry, and demonstration of its Operations, which I then was appoint∣ed to make by order of the Kings first Physitian M. Vallot: for, when I came to speak of fermentation and its wonderful effects, and was about to prove the truth of my reasonings by an ope∣ration which I made upon Seeds: the most part of the Auditors, which had been prepossess'd with a doctrine relying only up∣on words, but void of effects, went away, as if what I said then, and did demonstrate, had been some trivial and too fami∣liar a business: though none of them could understand or appre∣hend this manner of Philosophy, neither conceive the great my∣steries which Nature hath been pleased to reveal to us, when she made obvious to our eyes natural fermentations, which ought to be our true model, to attain to the perfection of artificial ones; as we will make appear in the sequel.

Of Ferment and its Action, and how the Fermentation of Corn is to be performed; as also of Rye and Barly, to extract the burning Spirit thereof.

ALthough the art of baking Bread, and brewing Beer, seems for the present vile and abject; yet nevertheless, there be ma∣ny learned persons, and even of those which will be accounted searchers of Nature, and vers't in her mysteries, that feed upon both, without ever having made a judicious reflection, why these aliments do nourish and sustain them, much less, what portion of them is converted into their substance for the preserving of their life. Though such a study should be the chief imployment of those that undertake to treat of Nature and its Products: and, as we have so often said, that Chymistry only can introduce Man into Natures Closet and Sanctuary, there to discover her naked and hidden beauty; so will we endeavour to clear this truth, and explain it more essentially here than any where else. By the description we intend to make of the Introduction of the Leven and Ferment in those substances by which we are nourished, which doth evidence and manifest unto us by its action, what portion of vital spirituous and celestial substance there is in the

matters which are imployed dayly by us for the preservation of our life. Now we must of necessity have recourse to the inven∣tor of Leven, if we pretend to find its original any where else, than in the hand of God himself, and the nature of Light and Spi∣rits: since the action of ferment is all divine; it is properly that fire of Heaven which ancient Poets have adumbrated in the theft of Prometheus, and which fince hath been instrumental in the propagation of all Arts, since it is the only sharpener of Spirits, which illuminates and guides them to the noblest knowledge. For if any do attribute the knowledge of Leven to Tradition, we must return to the first Inventor which can be no body else, but our first Parent, who had his knowledge by infusion; and if we attribute it to Chance, it must of necessity follow, that the first discoverer should have found by accident some fermented matter which should have made him conceive, that the substance acting in this fermented body, did open and dilatate it, and introduce in it se∣veral qualities by the alteration caused by the ferment, which oc∣casioned him to take notice of some new productions, and as a kind of new generation in the fermented subject. Now it is not possible for any man to have all these considerations, and make these reflexions, without a previous tincture, or acquired and adop∣ted knowledge of natural Philosophy. And so by the help of either of these two guides, he must have extricated by the help of the External Senses, that which his Internal had preconceived, or, what is yet truer, his smell and taste must have invited him to meditate thereupon, since there is no fermentation, without some spirituous subtile and penetrative odour, which suggests im∣mediately to our reason this conclusion, that such an effect can∣not be produced, but by a celestial agent, and of an igneous na∣ture; moreover, the taste doth meet with a certain biting acidi∣ty, which is neither harsh nor corrosive: but, to the contrary, pleasant and evincing clearly that there is some very subtile Spi∣rit hidden therein: which must of necessity have obliged him who found out the first use of Leven, to make his Experiment of this fer∣mented matter, with the mixture of some other that should na∣turally incline to fermentation, and so came to discover the ef∣fect thereof, which since hath spread and communicated it self to Posterity. Nevertheless, which way soever men came first

to the knowledge of ferment and its action; we must refer the praise and glory of the invention to the Author of Nature, and the Creator of all natural productions; since those that have ap∣plyed themselves to seek its original, and the way of its operation have manifestly been convinced, that it had a source and origi∣nal above Nature it self, since all what the sublimest wits have ever been capable to say of it, hath never been sufficient to ex∣press its Essence; they contenting themselves only to say, That as God and his Attributes are the same thing, of which the hu∣mane mind can only conceive the existency, and whereof also we can affirm nothing but by Negatives: so likewise, the deepest Philosophers acknowledge Ferment and its action: but, they could never come to give an exact definition of what it is, and the manner of its action. For we find in holy Writ, that Moses hath imployed no other term but Gods fiat, let the thing be, to express the mind and will of God, which made, as it were, created things issue from Himself, as very well hath noted one of the most learned Physitians of our age, when he he saith, That God in the work of Creation, did in a manner open and explicate Him∣self, as in a Book, in which he hath left his Picture drawn in most beautiful and visible Characters; as if God had lodg'd and placed himself amongst the Beeings or created Substances; that they may the better partake of his goodness. Now as the intention of the Creation was to cause a duration and perpetuity of created substances, by a long sequel of generations; God placed the ferment or leven in the confused mass of the Chaos, to introduce in it by his Om∣nipotency the Seeds of all sublunary things, whereof he had the Idea's in himself from all Eternity. By which we know Ferment to be nothing else, but a spark of celestial and divine light, harbour∣ing in all individual Substances, which nevertheless doth not ap∣pear to the Internal Senses, much less to the External, and yet notwithstanding doth work perpetually, and reduce all things from power into act, to convey them to the end of their natu∣ral predestination. We have no more at present to say upon this matter, but, that our ignorance causes here admiration; and, that we are forced to depart from contemplation, and stoop to action, according to the measure of knowledge which God hath permitted us, that is, to imitate, though a far off, and at a

great distance the mysteries of natural fermentations by artificial ones.

To attain then to the perfect way of this noble operation, you must prepare a portion of the Seed which you are to ferment, that it may entirely be disposed to receive the ferment; and, be capable besides, to introduce it in a great quantity of the like un∣prepared Seed, which is thus performed. Chuse the time of the Vernal Equinox for this preparation; because, then Nature is in a kind of motion, to make all things bud and germinate in the renewing of the year: wherefore she makes use to this end of all the astrations or influences of the Stars; which by means of the ver∣nal Rain, impregnated with a very subtile and efficacious. Spirit and Salt, which renders it penetrative and permeable, more than at any other time of the year, doth soecundate the Earth. Take then lb L. of Wheat, Rye, or Barley, and put it to soak in a wood∣den Tub in Rain-water gathered in the Vernal Equinox; or, if the season will not afford it, in good River-water; let there be no more water then what is sufficient to soak well your Grain, and leave it so during 24 hours, then let the water run away, by a hole which is to be under the Tub; after which, take away your Grain from the Tub, and put it in an aired place, but not exposed to winds; make an heap thereof of the height of one foot and an half; cover it with a Linnen cloth first, and a Woollen one thereupon, and so let it lye together and softly contract a heat▪ until you find that the Grain hath begun to germinate, or bud and shoot out a small filament white and very thin, as if it were white Silk; then uncover your grain, because, that filament witnesses that the heat hath already sufficiently excited the internal and fermentative Spirit of the Grain, to reduce it from power into act, by the means of that spirituous substance which it had drawn from the water, that had rowsed and excited this Internal Spirit, which before did lye Dormant, and concentrated in it self: for, if you did let it lye longer covered, it would absolutely fer∣ment, and turn to putrefaction, which would spoil all the inmost part of the heap, and convert it into a confuse and shapeless mass, which would degenerate into Earth, and become as a ground and place of nourishment to the other part of the Grain in the Superficies; and in a short time would grow and be conver∣ted

into grass, by reason of the excess and abundance of water, and the precipitation of the heat. Now to prevent all these ac∣cidents, you must spread your Malt or germinated Corn in a well aired place, and permeable to the wind, it must not be higher than half a fingers bredth, that it should the sooner be dryed; so shall the air and wind dissipate the superfluous humidity, and con∣centrate this vital and spermatick power, which otherwayes would have vanisht away, and been lost and dissipated by the excess of heat and moisture. When you begin to perceive the grain to grow dry in the superficies, stir it often, to hasten the exsiccation of it; and, that the Spirit that was already in action, may recoil and concentrate it self again in its own body; which doth not cease, nevertheless, to retain a disposition more inclinable to the production of its own Spirit, than all other Grain which hath not been so prepared. And as I have said, that the Grain had suckt the spiritual and subtile part of the water, which was as its own preservative Salt; we must insist a little more in explicating this mystery for the instruction, and in the behalf, of such as are not yet acquainted with the noble actions of Nature, and the wayes she uses in her operations: Besides, that it will bring some light to what we have already said above, of Ferment and its action. To conceive this the better, it must be observed, that Nature hath placed in every Individual Substance a kind of mag∣netism, which causes it with a quick and sudden earnestness, to attract whatsoever is analogous to its Internal Spirit, from the things with which it is joyned. Now this Internal Spirit is shut up, as invisible, in the visible body of the sulphureous volatile Salt contained in the kernel or gross body of the Seed, which, to speak properly, is the soul and life of the thing: so that, when this Grain soaks in the Vernal Rain-water impregnated with the invi∣sible Seeds of all things, it attracts potently and greedily, what is most fitting and analogous to advance it self to that perfection to which it was destinated by Nature. And, when it is filled with it, it begins to conceive a heat in it self, and to ferment, whereby to produce the bud or germen, which is the principal of all vegetation: which would act and extend its power further, if the Artist did not check and draw back this stirred power, which, unless hindred, would pass into action. But the clearest

and most natural proof we can bring, that the Grain hath at∣tracted the saline and spirituous portion of the water, is, that this water in a very short time will turn to corruption, and doth contract a putrescency and ill smell above all others, which doth so offend and irritate the Brain and the Organs of Respiration, that it will almost choak those that come neer unto it. They that in March and September use to go by the doors of Brewing-houses, may best give testimony to this truth: for, those two seasons be∣ing the time they prepare greater store of Malt for brewing of their Beer, and the waters lying still in their houses and the street, they produce a most abominable and nauseous smell. And they that have wrought with Equinoxial water, and preserved full Casks thereof, know that it never corrupts, and can keep with∣out corruption whole years, which is not so with the Rain-wa∣ter of other seasons of the year. By which it evidently appears, that this long preservation cannot proceed, but from the saline Spi∣rit, which the Stars had as it were darted with their influences into this water; and that, as the Corn hath attracted it by its mag∣netism to help germination; so the water being deprived there∣of, could not preserve it self without alteration, corruption, and putrefaction.

Take lb xij. ss. of this Grain so germinated, or Malt, being dryed, and put it to lb xxx vij. ss. of Wheat, Rye, or Barley, severally, or all the three kinds together; and let it be grosly grounded, as Brewers do their Malt for Beer: Having thus your Meal prepared, put half of it in a Cask, newly emptied from Wine, and as much in another; pour upon it half boyling water with Buckets, and stir incessantly your Meal with a woodden Shovel, or any like Instru∣ment, and a four-pinned woodden Fork, to moisten throughly your Meal, and make as it were a dissolution of the internal sub∣stance of the Grain; and, when you have put 8 or 10 Buckets of scalding water in the degree afore-mentioned, and that the Meal is well mixt and allay'd, add some cold water, until all be re∣duced to so moderate a heat, that the hand may be suffered there∣in without hurt or inconveniency: that done, proportion to eve∣ry Tun of Liquor half a Bucket full of Yest of Beer, which shall be unto it instead of a Leven or Ferment; because this Yest is nothing else but fermented Flower, which the action of fermentative

Spirit expels out of the Cask as unnecessary, superfluous and full of feculency, having preserved yet in it self the fermenting pow∣er, which it is capable to introduce in the matter which is to be fermented. Having diligently and exactly agitated and mixt the Leven with the matter, you must cover the Tuns with woodden covers, & put on the top a Linnen four-folded cloth, and thereupon a Rugg, and look from time to time if the fermentation begins, which shall be noted by the rising of the grossest part of the Corn above the Liquor, and a swelling round about in the figure of an Hemisphery: Things being thus prepared, take care the matter should not run over, and make too quick an ebullition, which is a token of too much heat or too much leven; and, in such case, take away two Buckets full of it, or pour upon it a Bucket of cold water, and then let it work of it self. That which is most worthy of a Physical Philosophers consideration, and more to be admired in the working of this fermentation, is, that when that round swelling in the shape of an hemisphery is formed; and, that the Ferment hath raised the gross body of the Grain to the superficies, then appears the wise Providence of the Great Ma∣ster of Fermentations; for it serves as a Bulwark and defence against the eruption of Spirits, which act upon the matter from the center to the circumference, and play under this incrustation, until they have dissolved and volatilized all the parts of the body, upon which they act, except the uppermost skin, which is about this incrustation, which cleaves by intervals, and discovers under it a Cream as white as Snow, that dilatates it self and frames bubbles: which breaking, affects the Nostrils with a spirituous penetrating vapour, subtile and biting, that tickles the Nose, and would in a short time stupifie and inebriate; if you held your Nose over the Vessel, just as the volatile and narcotick vapour of Wine would do, when it begins to ferment in the Vessel. Now as we have engaged by the Fermentation we would describe, to show the nature of that which is performed in mans stomack; for a greater evidence of this truth, we will make a parallel be∣twixt both: for, as it is evident, that purity is separated from im∣purity; and that the substances which did seem to be heteroge∣neous become homogeneous by the action of the Ferment, which dissolves the substance of the Grain, and mixes it with the water,

to alter its taste and odour by communicating the Spirit unto it; the same is performed in the Ventricle, where all whatsoever we swallow of a liquid and solid substance, doth mix and coalesce together to become one mass of the same nature, though it should seem that what we have taken in, should be of very different kinds and qualities, as hard and soft, salt and sweet, harsh and and spiced, fat and Oyly, the acidity of the Stomack, and what∣soever else of several substances meet there: all that, I say, makes an uniform chyle, by the help of the volatile Spirit, lurking in the bottom of the Stomack, and of an acid nature, as is also ali∣ment of Leven. But, that which doth yet more illustrate this con∣formity and likeness of fermentation, is, the smell, which by eructations or belchings is brought some few hours after meals to the mouth and nostrils, which do represent the taste and smell of what hath been eaten and drunk; and chiefly, after drinking new Wine or new Beer, the belchings in their smell yield by their exhalation, a fermentative and tickling Spirit, like unto that we have mentioned above, which cannot better be apprehended, then by comparing those bubbles, which are formed in the purest part of the chyle of our fermentation of Grain, which send forth this subtile and tickling Spirit that doth invade the Nostrils; for the same happens in the Stomack, and when the eruption of these bubbles is made, it forces the action of belching, and then ap∣pears to the sense the taste and smell of what predominates in the chyle. All what we have now said, doth show how much it doth import, that as a Physitian should be well skilled in the good fermentation and its effects, since from her doth depend the pre∣servation of our health: so must he also be well verst in the con∣trary disposition of it, which is for the most part the occasional internal cause of all diseases; a truth confirmed by Hippocrates himself, when in his Aphorisms he saith, That the sowre or acid belchings of sick persons recovering, are of a good presage; which sig∣nifies no more in substance, but, that the Stomack begins to re∣cover its strength, and the digestion to be well performed, because the fermentative natural acid hath recovered the upper hand; whereby it may safely be concluded, and with great reason, that all things will go better and better.

But we return to our Fermentation, which, during this digres∣sion, we left in its progress; the knowledge whereof is of no small importance. We say then, that when the Artist sees, that what was lifted up by the action of the Spirit, is fallen again to the bottom of the Vessel; and knows by the taste, that the swiming liquor on the top hath acquired a taste between sweet, acid, and pricking; and moreover, that its smell evidences the light to have contracted a vinous and spirituous odour, which doth recre∣ate the Senses, is of a subtile nature, and happens for the most part towards the fourth or fifth day; then must you anoint the bottom of the Vessel to be used in the distillation of hot Spirits, with a piece of Bacon, to hinder the matter in the bottom to cleave unto it, and contract an adust taste or empyreumatical smell noxious to the Spirit; after this, agitate your fermentati∣on with a woodden Spatula, to cause the substance in the bot∣tom equally to mix with the liquor, whereof your Vessel must be filled, till it reach half foot neer to the top; and continually stir it, until it be sufficiently heated by the fire, to raise up all the body; then without danger may you close up the Vessel with its Moors-head or Still, luting the Joynts and quickning the fire, until you can no longer endure your hand to put upon the Still-head without burning; then you must exactly close the door of the Furnace and its Registers with great care and precaution, and so patiently expect until the Spirits begin to ascend in a va∣pour into the Worm or Pipe, where they are condensated in a spirituous burning liquor, which falls by drops into the Recipi∣ent. You must entertain the fire in that degree, until the liquor coming forth be totally insipid; then open the Vessel, and draw out the matter to fill it with new; and so continue till you have distilled all what was fermented. That done, put into the Vessel again all the distilled liquor, and throw into it two pound of new and warm white loaf of Bread, or toast it in want of new; because the Bread attracts to it self all what may be of ill favour in the first distillation; then cover the Vessel, and give it a re∣gular fire, according to the best judgement, until the Spirit be∣gins to distil, as we have already taught; and so continue until the phlegm ascends, which may easily be perceived by the taste. So shall you find after this rectification an Aqua vitae or hot

Spirit, of very good taste and odour, and little inferiour to that which is extracted from Wine, though the Grain of it self be flat and without taste, which illustrates so much the better the wonderful effects of Art and Nature, and verifies the saying of that learned Roman Philosopher Morienus, Quod est occultum fi∣at manifestum, &c. è contra: which can never be done but by the help of ferment which penetrates into the most inward parts of Mixts, and discovers unto us there, that which our Intellect or Senses should never have found otherwise.

They that will subtilize this Spirit by a third distillation, may do it, and add upon the whole a Bucket full of Wine-lees: then will it become so subtile, and so delicate, that the most skilful may be de∣ceived in their differencing it from Spirit of Wine, either by the taste or smell. It may then be applied to all such operations, where∣in Aqua vitae, and Spirit of Wine are necessary; which will be very useful to those that apply themselves to Chymical practice, in such places where there are no Vineyards, or Aqua vitae is at a dear rate. I do nevertheless advise, to keep the Spirit of Wine in Chymical operations, because it is ever more pleasant, sub∣tile, and penetrative: but, when you are destitute of it, you may lawfully substitute this Spirit, in the composition of all such re∣medies, where Aqua vitae is necessary. We shall not mention here the vertues of this Spirit; because, besides that it is com∣monly known for a great warmer, restorer; and strengthener; we purpose to speak thereof when we shall treat of the Spirit of Wine. We must nevertheless add something more in the be∣half of curious Artists, which have a mind to make this Spirit, and yet live in such Countreys where they know not what belongs to the making of Beer, and by consequence have no Ferment or Yest, which proceeds from that liquor to raise the fermentation of Meal. Now there is no place in the world where Bread is not made, and consequently, where there is not Leven or Fer∣ment, wherewith the Dow is raised in making of the Bread; where∣fore let them take lb ss. of ordinary Leven, which shall be mixt with lb ij. of Meal in xv. or xx lb. of luke-warm water; then let the Vessel containing all this be covered, and the fermentation of this Liquor be patiently expected, and when you see it begin, and the Meal to rise up on the top, and the Liquor to swell,

then introduce this Liquor in any matter which is to be fer∣mented, and you shall perceive the effects as we have already spoken of to follow, but not so quickly as if Beer-yest had been made use of.

We have but one thing more to add, which is, that to stir up the fermentation of Meal or Grains, you must put some of that which hath already been prepared: but you must know, that the Artist shall not extract so much Spirit, that it shall not be so subtile nor so delicate, nor have so kind a taste: and more∣over, that which is more important, is, that fermentations shall not succeed so well, as when this Grain is joyned to the other, which makes it fitter for fermentation, and that when it hath duly been so performed, all the distillations are much more successful, because this Grain, which hath been opened by its preparation rises up easily, and draws up to, and with it self, that which hath not been prepared. And if I am asked, why I have not p••e∣scribed prepared pure Grain to be made use of; I shall answer, that it would be unfit, because the Ferment would too soon vo∣latilize the same, and so the most subtile part of the Spirit should vanish and lose it self before it could be distilled: and moreover, that the matter would too soon ascend the Still-head, by its quick ebullition, and come forth in body and not in spirituous vapour, as it often happens with such as are not yet well verst and experimented in the distillation of fermented matters.

The Preparation of the Spirituous Water and Aetherial Oyl of Aniseeds, Fennel, Parsley, and the like.

YOu must take one of these Seeds, the freshest you can pro∣cure it, and put thereof 4.6. or 8. lb. grosly powdered in your Stillatory Vessel according to its bigness and the quantity of wa∣ter which it may contain, and pour upon it River or Rain-water, till it comes to ½ foot near the brim of the Vessel: which being shut, administer a graduate fire, till the drops begin to fall into the Recipient; then stop your Furnace and continue your distil∣lation, until the water comes away without any smell, and no Oyly substance be seen to swim on the top; then cease the fire

and open your Vessel, and drawing the matter wrought upon, sub∣stitute new whilest the Furnace is burning: but you must have be∣fore separated the Oyl from the Water, to pour it afresh upon the new Seed; for, by this way shall you procure much more Oyl in the second then in the first distillation, and as these Seeds are commonly rather distilled for their Oyls sake then their water, this part must therefore also be more heeded. The Oyl must be separated with Cotton, as you shall be directed in the figure de∣scribed by the Vesica or distilling Vessels for Spirits in the Chap∣ter of Vessels. And if the Oyl should not be flowing, but con∣gealed, as it happens to the Oyl of Anise, you must strain the Water through a clean Linnen, and the Oyl will remain above it, as we have said above, when we spoke of the Oyl of Roses. It must only be noted, in the way, that some Authors will have these Seeds to be digested, before they come to be di∣stilled, pretending that they will yield much more Oyl to the Ar••ist, because the body of the Seed will be more opened: but they do not observe that these Seeds do abound in volatile Salt, which is of a median nature, so that the Water cannot attract it to it self, by the length of digestion; which will happen other∣wise, if the distillation be begun immediately after the Water and Seed be mixed together: It is true, that if digestion doth precede, that the Water thereof will be all spirituous, and of much more efficacy then without it: but it will yield much more Oyl accor∣ding to the rule of our prescription. We shall say nothing of the vertue of these Oyls and Essences so improperly called, no more than of their dosis; for so many others have fully treated of this Subject, that it would prove but a tedious repetition.

The Preparation of Seeds of Garden Cresses, Mustard, and other of the like Nature.

ALthough these Seeds have in themselves great store of most subtile, volatile, and most penetrating Salt, as may be concluded from their taste; yet fermentation doth not cause them to yield a hot burning Spirit, as many other Vegetables: but it opens them, and rarifies nevertheless in such a manner, that all the Salt and Oyl which these Seeds have in themselves, and

wherein all their vertue is placed, ascends in Vapours and Spirits, which being condensed into Liquor, fall again into the Recipi∣ent, with so subtile and penetrative a smell, that it invades the Eyes and Nostrils, and passes into all the conduits of the Brain, with as much quickness as the most subtile volatile Spirit of Urin might do. It is not necessary we should repeat here, the process of Fermentation and Distillation; it will only suffice, to give the necessary precautions for the work, because these Seeds are of a different nature from the other, by reason of the subtility of their volatile Salt. There must then a special care be had, that the Vessel wherein the fermentation is performed, be not above half full, that the matter may not rise too high in the action of the Ferment; the same precaution must be used in the Stillato∣ry Vessel not to fill it above half, to lure it exactly, and regu∣late the fire with a clear judgement, and an orderly assiduity, o∣therwise all would ascend in substance in the Still-head. The Spi∣rits may be rectified in B. M. if they are desired more purified and more subtile than by the Vesica or ordinary Stillatory; they are true diuretical and aperitive remedies; above all, to remove the Obstructions of the Spleen: they are moreover true specificks against the Scurvy: the dosis and vertue whereof hath been speci∣fied above, when we spoke of Antiscorbutical Plants, whither we refer the Artist for his better information.

But as the Oyls and Spirits of these Seeds may be extracted without addition; and that more-over it is necessary to distil them in this manner for external uses: We say the right way of operating to be this: fill two parts of a Glass Retort with any one of these Seeds, but chiefly of Mustard, by reason of the singular vertues of its Oyl: then place it in a Furnace upon an Earthen cover turned upside down, filled with Sand, which will be unto it instead of a Lute; then cover the Furnace, and fit a large Receiver to the Neck of the Retort, and lute it with quick Lime and whites of Eggs, and give it a regulate fire, until the drops begin to fall, keeping it in that tenor until the Oyl begins to appear; then encrease the fire by little and little, and urge it un∣til the Receiver, which was dark with fumes, begins to clear again of it self, which is a manifest sign, that the action of the fire hath driven into the Recipient all the vapourable substance contained

in the Seed, and so consequently that no more is to be expected. This operation is commonly ended in the space of 12 hours. All the Vessels being cold, take the Receiver off from the Retort, and separate the Substances that will be found therein, which you may rectifie if you will: but as they are only intended for out∣ward applications, it will not be very necessary: but if you in∣tend to rectifie them, leave the Spirit and Oyl together, and in∣fuse them in a low Cucurbite, which being covered with its Head, put it in ashes, and give it a graduate fire, until the volatile Salt and Spirit begin to appear in the Still-head; then keep the fire only in an equal tenor, until the Phlegm begins to ascend, which the taste will discover: for the volatile Spirit which is actuated by the same Salt, is extraordinary biting, subtile, and penetrating, and the Phlegm hath only an acid and almost insipid taste: this done, change the Recipient, and strengthen the fire to make the Oyl ascend, and so continue till nothing more comes away; then separate the Oyl from the Phlegm, put the distilled and rectified matters in Glass Vials, exactly stopt by reason of the subtilty of this Spirit and its volatile Salt. The Spirit doth wonders being applyed upon starved Limbs, well fermented with Spirit of Wine, and fresh stale; then make a liniment with Ʋn∣guentum Martiatum, Mans-fat, and the Oyl of Mustard-seed, apply∣ed upon it; which will raise up again natural heat in the part, and attract the Spirits of other parts more remote; and the itchings and vellications of the skin fore-running the total recovery, be∣ing felt by the Patient, will be a sufficient testimony thereof: thence it may be concluded, that it will be of a Soveraign effica∣cy, in all benummings of Sinews, their shrinking looseness, which are the occasion of Palsie, or Contraction of Limbs; provi∣ded the Spirit of this Seed made by fermentation be exhibited, and that the Patient be made to sweat after. The Oyl unrectified, does mundifie, cleanses and fleshes again the most filthy and ma∣lignant ulcers, dissolves the knots and hardnesses of Gowt and venereous diseases; but you must at the same time make use, and even a little before, of the internal remedies, such as we shall teach hereafter to extract out of Mercury and Antimony.

We shall not speak here of the dosis, not excellent vertues of the Spirit extracted by fermentation, from these kinds of Seeds;

because we have already sufficiently instructed the Artist of it, when we spoke of the vertue and dosis of the Plant called Cochlearia: I will only add this, that where this Plant shall fail, you may sub∣stitute the Spirit of the Seed of Garden Cresses, which will pro∣duce the same effects, and be useful in the same diseases: but it would be better nevertheless, to distil the Plant whole, when it is only between Flower and Seed.

The manner of Extracting from Juniper-berries, all the good and ver∣tue contained in them, for the use of Chymical Pharmacy.

ALthough this Plant be common, it deserves nevertheless no common or mean Eulogies, by reason of those excellent remedies it affords to Physitians by the help and industry of Chy∣mists: for whosoever will consider that shrub with a disquisitive and Philosophical Eye, shall be forced to acknowledge, that it contains some extraordinary vertue, both because it doth resist the injury of Winter, and all its storms; and by reason of the length of time which Nature doth bestow in bringing its Berries to ma∣turation; whence we are necessarily perswaded, that there is in this shrub some intrinsecal Balsom, which doth maintain and preserve the same, and yet hardly and with difficulty shews it self in the fruit; since two re-iterated visits of the Sun are necessary, and the maturation of two years, before the Juniper-berry be fit to be gathered with all its requisite perfections. We shall then Anatomize all the parts which this admirable Plant doth furnish us withall, being thereunto invited by those excellent remedies it doth administer unto us; although we be bound to speak also of other parts then the Seed, which is the proper subject of this Section. We shall then, first of all, speak of the Wood, which doth yield an acid Spirit, an Oyl and a Salt. Secondly, we shall speak of its Berries, which before fermentation do yield a spiritu∣ous Water, an aetherial Oyl, and a cordial and alexiterial Extract; and after fermentation, a hot burning Spirit, a purging and diu∣retical Extract, and then we will teach the Preparation of the true Tincture and Elixir of the Berry, to conclude finally by the Gum; whereof an Oyl for the Sinews, and an anodine Balsom is extracted.

The Juniper-wood must be gathered with its leaves or pricky excrescence, and its Berries, whether ripe or not: and shred or cut in small pieces, so as they may be put in a capacious earthen Retort; which being placed in a close Reverberatory Furnace, the Recipient being fitted with all requisite and necessary pre∣cautions, a gradual fire must be given to it, and so continued until it hath driven out all the Oyl or Spirit contained in the Wood, the true token whereof is, when the Receiver doth grow clear of its self; the time of this operation will not last above 12. or 15. hours at most. The Vessels being cooled, separate the Oyl from the Spirit; the Spirit will remain reddish, because it is im∣pregnated with the tincture of the Oyl communicated to the same by the volatile Salt of the Plant: if you will rectifie it in Sands or Ashes, you shall have a very pure acid Spirit, provoke∣ing Sweat, and diuretical: The dosis is from ℈ i. to ʒ i. in Wine, or some convenient decoction; it hath as much, if not more vertue then the Spirit of Guaiacum, for venerial diseases: but a∣bove all things, it is singular in the bitings of Vipers, Serpents, or other venomous creatures, if it be given in the same dosis, and the wound be washed with it, and with new stale; it is not requi∣site to rectifie the Oyl extracted from the Wood, because it is not inwardly used: It is exceeding good to hinder the accidents of cutting of Sinews, and bitings of any creatures when provoked, because the volatile Salt contained in it, doth penetrate to the deepest part of the wounds, where it corrects the malignant im∣pression of venom, and hinders its progress and further spreading: But the Patient must take at the same time Spirit of Juniper∣wood, in warm Wine, with xx grains of scraped Nutmeg. The Oyl moreover, is singular to appease the pain of rotten Teeth: it equals the vertue of Guaiacum for the cure of old Ulcers; chiefly if they be seated near the Joynts where many sinews do concen∣trate, many gristles, and cartilages, which do feed for the most part Ulcers with their jelley, slime, and viscous superfluous moisture hindering consolidation: this Oyl doth digest and consume all these substances against Nature, and restores a good ground, which doth afterward cicatrize and fill up the Ulcer, and so brings it to a perfect cure.

Having wrought upon the Wood, let us go on upon the Fruit, which are the Berries containing the Seeds in a glutinous and viscous body, covered and wrapt up in a thin outward skin black and smooth; when the Berry hath attained its perfect ripeness, which comes to pass the second year after its production, about the midst of September, which is the true time of gathering; the Sun being in the sign of Virgo: For anticipating that time the Berry would not yet prove sufficiently ripe, neither have in it self, that sweet bitterness, and Balsamical Honey, which contains its volatile Salt, and by consequence, its Spirit; when you have a sufficient quantity of these Berries so conditionated; viz. very black and smooth, odoriferous, if they be rub'd and crusht, and that the Oyl remains in the nail, and strikes the Nostril in the bruising thereof, having their internal substance of the consistency of Honey and viscous, with small grains within the flesh, which are the Seed thereof; and when you masticate it, tasting at first with a sweet and balsamick taste, which by degrees degenerates into no unpleasant bitterness. It will seem perhaps, that we have enlarged our selves too much upon the qualities which this fruit must have; but as the vertue of the prepared substance depends on the goodness and qualities thereof, so was it necessary to declare it at large, that the Artist may not lose both time and matter in vain, as it is too usual a thing to do.

℞ lb viij. of Juniper-berries thus qualified, as we have said; beat them in a brazen Mortar, with a great woodden Pestle, until you find them to be all masht; then put them in a Still Body, and pour upon them either Rain or River-water, until it comes ½ foot near the brim; then cover and lute it, and give it fire according to the Rules of Art and good Judgement, and so distil a spirituous Water &c aetherial Oyl, which will swim above: observing still that you must not take off your eye from the Recipient, when the Water and Oyl begin to ascend into the Neck of the Recipient: for as this distillation is only intended to extract the Oyl, you might lose it all by your own fault; because if the Water did over-power, all the Oyl would vanish: and to prevent this loss, you must watch carefully to substitute another Receiver when the Oyl doth begin to reach within three or four fingers of the Ori∣fice of the first Recipient: and so continue your distillation, un∣till

no more Oyl appears on the Water, when you receive or put for trial your Water in a Spoon. This operation ought to be con∣tinued in this manner, until you have made an end of all your Berries, re-affunding still your distilled Water upon each distilla∣tion, after you have separated the Oyl with a Cotton. But if you will make the simple Extract, the Honey or Theriack of the Germans with these Berries, you must strain and percolate some part of these distillations being warmed, and slowly evaporate them to the consistency of a thick Syrup, or liquid Extract. If it be objected, That the Oyl is already separated from it, and that consequently, the vertue of it will be abated, the answer is ea∣sie: for you are to consider, that the Oyl would be evaporated nevertheless, during the coction and evaporation, as is sufficiently witnessed by its smell spreading about, when the Extract is made before the Oyl be separated.

Take all what remains from all the Distillations, without se∣parating any thing, and joyn to it the Cake remaining from the expression of the Extract; fill the Still-body full of it to warm, and so by it communicate the heart to the remainder: which, I suppose, to be put in a Cask or Barrel for fermentation: introduce the Leven or ferment into it with the circumstances and requisite pre∣cautions, and so leave it four or five dayes; after which you shall distil it at several times, until you have made an end of extracting all the Spirit: the which rectifie in the same Still-body (viz. the Vesica) with lb vi. of new select and bruised Juniper-berries, and you shall have a burning Spirit, of very excellent and particu∣lar vertues: separate the first Spirit by it self, as also the se∣cond and the third, to be made use of in such cases as we shall say hereafter.

And to let you know, that Chymistry loses nothing of what may be made use of, percolate and strain the remainder of the fermented distillation, and being warmed, run it through a Hypo∣cras Bag, or a Flannel; then evaporate it to the consistency of a liquid Extract, which is one of the sweetest and gentlest Purges that may be used: This Purgative faculty will perchance, and not without reason, make some to wonder at it: But we will re∣move this scruple, giving to understand that the action of the ferment hath dissolved and united with the Water the best part

of the fixt Salt of these Berries, and as fix Salts loosen the Belly; it is the same also, which being predominant in this Extract, doth cause its purging vertue.

This done, dry the Cake remaining from all the expressions, and calcine it, to make a Lye thereof, and extract the Salt there∣of according to the method which we have formerly declared, then reverberate it in the Crucible without melting, and dissolve it in the last distilled Juniper-Water; then filtrate and evapo∣rate it to a skin, and cause it to shoot into Crystals, which pre∣serve for your use. Thus much we had to say upon Juniper-berries: it remains only to speak of the Vertue and Doses of those noble Preparations, which this Seed doth furnish us with, and to give you a description of an Elixir or Tincture of Juniper-berries, which is a most accomplisht remedy, whereof we shall also say the use and proprieties.

We will give to Juniper-berries in general, the vertues which they deserve, before we come to the particular proprieties of each of the remedies thereof extracted; that this general Appli∣cation may serve, to make the better our Observations, when there shall be occasion to use those remedies. And in the first place, we say, that the principal use of these Berries is to incite, attenu∣ate and dissipate in general: But they are particularly used to pro∣voke Urine and Sweat, to move and bring forth Lunary Purgati∣ons, remove obstructions of the Spleen, correct affections of the Brain, Sinews, Brest, and cure Coughs, dissipate Winds in the lower parts of the Belly and Colick; and above all, to dissolve and evacuate the viscous and slimy substances, and Sand in the Bladder and Kidneys: They are also most useful to use as a Preserva∣tive in time of contagious Diseases, either eaten, or used by the way of a Perfume, to correct the venenosity and malignant disposi∣tion of the Air.

It is now very easie to apply to every one of the Remedies prepared their proper vertue, for it is common to all, since they were extracted from that body which contained them, except the last Extract, which is purging, for the reasons before declared. The aetherial Oyl of Juniper is a Soveraign Remedy to provoke Urine, and appease all pains of the Colick; it is also an excellent Topical Remedy in all cold affections of the Sinews; as also in

the pricking or cutting of Sinews, by reason of its penetrative qua∣lity, but chiefly its Balsamick vertue. The dosis is from iij. drops to xv. or xx. in white Wine, or its own Water. The spirituous water which is extracted at the same time as the Oyl, is diuretical and di∣aphoretical: The dosis is from ℥ i to iiij. or ℥ v. but it hath quite a∣nother operation, when exalted with some drops of its Oyl mixt with Sugar in Powder, to make them dissoluble and mixt toge∣ther. As for the Extract made before the Fermentation, it is a very good Remedy of it self to strengthen the Brest and Stomack, a very excellent diuretical, and safe alexitery; therefore it is made use of instead of common boyled and skimmed or depu∣rated Honey, to receive the Powders which enter in that excel∣lent composition, and famous antidote, called Orvietan: It is a body of a wonderful use also for the composition and incorpora∣ting of Substances that are destinated for Opiats, or liquid Ele∣ctuaries, against the Plague, all other contagious diseases, and the venerious disease and its branches: The dosis is from ʒ ss. to ℥ ss. But the Spirit is an agent far surpassing all what we have said, for it penetrates as in a moment the whole body: so that it may be employed in all diseases wherein the Berries do conduce. And to prove manifestly its penetrating and balsamick vertue, this is a token, That a Patient taking never so little of it, shall be sure that the first Urine which comes from him, will have a very pleasant smell of Iris, or Violets: The dosis is from ʒ ss. to ʒ ij. in Broths, white Wine, or its own Water: The dosis of the other unrectified Spirits of the second and third distillation, may be augmented in proportion to the subtility of their parts. The Purgative Extract is wonderful, to receive in it self the other purging Remedies either Rosins or Magisteries, Extracts or Pow∣ders to prepare thereof some compounded Electuary, which with its purgative faculty preserves and advances the vertue of those things that were mixt with it. The dosis of this Extract is from ʒ ij. to ℥ i. either dissolved, or taken in bolus; the quantity cannot be prejudicial, as is that of other purging medicines, because it will never cause any Hypercatharsis or over-purging, neither make any dangerous Colliquation: but it loosens simply and softly the Bel∣ly, by a natural detersion of all the Excrements contained in the Entrails, which is a very requisite vertue in many stubborn and

obstinate constipations or bindings. There remains only the fix∣ed Salt to speak of, which is diuretical and loosening, of the weight from ℈ i. to ʒ i. in Broths or its own Water, or what is yet better, in bolus, in the purging Extract. This Salt is also capa∣ble long to preserve the vertue of its Water, if you dissolve ʒ i. or ij. in each pint.

To prepare the Elixir of Juniper-berries.

℞ Juniper-berries very ripe and very smooth, and choose the biggest and smoothest, till you have got lb i. which coursely bruise in a Marble Mortar with a woodden Pestle; put them in a Glass-body double (or Blind-head) and pour upon it the juyce of Parietary and Golden-rod, or Virga Aurea, ana lb ij. cover the Vessel with its Blind-head, and digest all in B. M. during three dayes; then having uncovered it, percolate and strain, and distil the Expression in Balneo with a soft and slow fire, until there re∣mains an Extract of middle consistency, which put in a Pellican, or some other circulatory Vessel, with lb i. of the best Spirit of Juniper-berries; then lute it, and put it to digest and circulate for the space of 8 dayes in the heat of a vaporous Bath: that time over, let the Vessels cool, then filtrate the liquor very pure, and you shall have the Elixir or true Tincture of Juniper-berries; which is a very Soveraign Remedy either to preserve, or to cure, in Plague and other pestilential and malignant diseases: but this Elixir is peculiarly dedicated to the Kidneys and Bladder, not only to evacuate what is viscous and sandy in them: but more∣over also to remove the seminary thereof, and hinder by a con∣stant use of this noble remedy, that there should be no further spreading nor generation of them. It is also a Stomachical and Hysterical Specifick, which by its heat and Alexiterial Balsami∣cal and Cordial vertue doth dissipate, whatsoever may cause evil alterations in the Ventricle or Womb. The dosis is from ½ spoon∣ful to 1. or 2.

We have no more to speak of Juniper, but concerning its Gum or Rosin, which is a very good Perfume against all defluxi∣ons of the Brain, if you receive the smoke in your hair and round about the Neck, as in the stopping of the Nose, or impediment

in the motion of the Neck, or when the Almonds are swell'd, and the free swallowing hindred; you must also perfume with it the Linnen which are put about the Neck, and the Head. But the best of all, is, that this Rosin, which commonly is called Varnish, or Juniper-Gum, yields an Oyl by distillation, which is wonderful in external use for all affections of Sinews, against the cold, and the in potency of parts which are fallen into some Resolution or Palsey, against all shrinking of Limbs, and generally, all cold Aches in all parts of the Body, whereof no evident cause can be given, and no swelling nor redness appears outwardly. It is also very efficacious to dissipate all cold cedema's, or cold swellings. And is thus done:

℞ Gum of Juniper Coals and decrepited Salt, ana equal parts; reduce them to a gross Powder, and being well mixt to∣gether, put it in a Glass Retort, and place it in a close Rever∣beratory: fit a Receiver to it, which being well luted, cover the Furnace, and give it a gradual fire, which encrease till nothing more comes forth, and the Recipient grows clear, which for the most part happens within the space 12. or 15. hours. Sepa∣rate the two substances which are in the Recipient; for the one is aqueous and acid, which proceeds from the Salt, and the vo∣latile part of the Gum of Juniper, with a small portion of its Mercurial Spirit which also are acid: the other substance is ole∣agineous, inflamable and sulphureous in some part, yet crass and viscous: therefore must this Oyl be rectified in Sand in a Glass Retort with Salt of Tartar, and so shall you have a clear, subtile, and penetrative Oyl, capable of all the noble effects we have attributed unto it.

SECT. VI. Of. Rinds.

WE shall have only two examples to give upon the Rinds in general, the one upon Limon-Rind and Orange-peel, which are volatile, and must be distilled in a peculiar manner, and with notes that are of concernment, and which the Artist must attend with care: the other shall be upon Rind of Guaiacum, which is more condensed and fixt, that these two extreams being opposed and compared together, may clear the better the under∣standing in the apprehending of the truth of things.

To apprehend the better for what reason we are induced to di∣stil these volatile Rinds, or Peels, otherwise than the Flowers which are no less volatile, we must take notice of the taste and smell of these two Rinds, when they are yet tender, recent, and smooth, and compare them with the taste and smell of the same, when the fruit hath been kept, the Rind is faded, grown rugged and half dry; for it will appear, that when new and fresh, these Rinds will yield a pleasant taste and smell, which subtilly ascends and insinuates it self into the Brain, recreates and strengthens it: whereas when the fruit is old and withered, and its Rind shrunk in its self; the taste is unpleasant and bitter, biting too much, and destituted of that vivacity and pleasant steam, which it had be∣fore; which is, that notwithstanding, that ought chiefly to be preserved, if you will have any good success in the Remedies pre∣pared therewith. To attain unto it, chuse the time wherein you may have store of new Limons and Oranges in great quantity, and at a cheap rate, and pare the Rind very thin, until you have ij. or iij. lb. which shred in small pieces, and put in a Glass Cu∣curbite with clear water, until it swims ½ foot above the Rind; and distil it in Sand with a moderate fire at first, which increase by degrees, so long that the liquor dropping comes out with∣out taste or smell, and no Oyly substance appears above the stil∣ling water. So shall you find an aetherial and subtile Oyl, which shall have all the delicacy and vertue of the Limon or Orange-Peel

Peel, which keep for your use in Glass Vials exactly stopt. It might be here objected unto me, that I otherwise proceed than those Authors, which formerly have prescribed the manner of distilling those Oyls: since I desire they may be distilled assoon as the Rind is separated from the Fruit; whereas others do pre∣scribe to digest and ferment the same, to purchase a greater store thereof. To which we answer, that we have not here regard to the quantity, which ought to be the least care of the Artist, when he perceives it may bring an alteration to the substance, and diminish the vertue: for as we have noted above, that the steam of these rinds is so subtile, that it cannot but with difficulty be preserved with its own subject, so shall it with much more reason vanish away, when it is separated from it: and although it be true, that the quantity of distilled Oyl will be greater, when the Rind hath been left in digestion and fermentation for some time; nevertheless ʒ i. of that distilled according to our direction, will without comparison exceed in goodness and vertue ℥ i. of the other. They that desire to have yet less of Oyl, but will at the same time have an excellent Spirit out of the said Rinds, must distil them with good and quick white Wine, and so shall they have a Spi∣rit which will not be much inferiour to the Oyl, which we have mentioned above, when we spoke of the Syrups made out of these Rinds, which will occasion us to say no more for the present.

To make the Elixir of Limon and Orange Peel.

TAke the outward Peel of either of these two fruits, which being cut very small, put in a double Vessel (or blind body) to the quantity of ℥ ij. adding ℈ i. of Ambergrice, and vi. grains of O••iental Musk grinded with ʒ ij. of fine powdered Sugar, pour up∣on this ℥ viij. of the purest Spirit extracted with white Wine from either of these Rinds; stop and lute well your Vessel, and put it to digest in a vaporous Bath to a slow heat the space of three na∣tural dayes; then let it cool, and percolate and strain the con∣tained matter, then filtrate it in a close Vessel, that nothing of the vertue may breathe away or evaporate: preserve this Elixir care∣fully, for it is a choyse cordial remedy, which hath few equals

in great failings of the Heart and Spirits, and chiefly in sudden accidents, after violent exercise, or after sharp and quick pains. Both are very good for men or women with Amber and Musk, except those which are subject to hysterial Passions; for which reason you must not be unprovided of some without Musk or Amber for the fits of the Mother. The Elixir of Orange Peel is of much more efficacy than that of Limon for women, to whom it cannot enough be recommended for the great help and benefit they may receive from it in the time of their travels. The dosis of this Remedy is from ℈ i. to ʒ i. either by it self, or mixed with Wine, Broth, or some distilled Water appropriated to the disease or Remedy.

How the Spirit, Oyl, and Salt, Extract Tincture and Magistery, of Rind of Guaiacum is to be prepared.

℞ of Rind of Guaiacum the heaviest, most compacted, and most streaked with black lines, as you can meet with; powder it grosly, and put it in a Retort of Jugge-mettal, which place in a Reverbera∣tory close Furnace, which we have called above, a Common Fur∣nace: to the Neck of which fit a capacious Recipient, the Joynts whereof you shall lute with Salted lute; cover the Furnace and let the lute dry, and give it a gradual fire, until you see the white va∣pours to appear, and perceive small drops of a reddish Oyl to mix with the veins which the Spirit doth make in the Recipient; then encrease the fire, even to flame, until the Recipient grows clearer of it self. You must expect until the next day to open your Vessels, and you shall find in the Retort the remainder of the Rinds converted into Coals, which you must calcine and rever∣berate in a Pot not leaded with an open fire, to convert them to Ashes, whereof draw the Salt by elixiviation, filtration, and eva∣poration, according to the manner which we have already so many times declared. This Salt must ever be mixed in all the Purgatives which you exhibit to those that have a touch of vene∣rious diseases; for besides that it quickens and helps the vertue of those Purgatives, it purges of it self, and is one of the An∣tivenerian Specificks. There is two Substances found in the Re∣cipient, one aqueous mercurial and acid, which is the Spirit of

this Rind; the other is a crass and heavy Oyl, which sinks under this Spirit, by reason of the great quantity of volatile Salt, which cleaves intimately to the sulphureous Oyl, and also because a portion of the fixed Salt, which by the violence of fire was vo∣latilized lies confounded in this Oyl; you must separate the Oyl from the Spirit by filtration with Paper upon the Funnel, and the Oyl will remain above the Paper, bored with small holes to make the Oyl flow in the Bottle appointed to receive it. This Oyl and Spirit may be externally applyed without rectification: for you may put a little of the Spirit in liquid fomentations, for the washing of cancerous, slimy, fistulous, and corroding ulcers, and principally those which are caused by the venenosity of the Pox: to apply the Oyl afterwards, either by it self, or mixed with some unctuous body, which blunts the edge of it, that otherwise would become too painful. The vertue of this Oyl cannot suf∣ficiently be extolled for the cure of all old ulcers, and to dissi∣pate Nodus's, but above all, to hasten and to bring to pass the exfoliation of Bones, provided you mix with it a little of the di∣stilled Oyl of Euphorbium. But if you will use this Spirit and Oyl internally, you must rectifie the Spirit in Sand in a Limbeck; and as it is an acid Spirit, the Artist must be warned, that the Phlegm doth ascend the first, and that the biting acid Spirit ascends the last; therefore must he separate the Phlegm, and put a new Recipient when he shall perceive by the taste, that the drops which begin to fall are acid. This Spirit doth powerfully withstand the venemous quality of the Pox, expelling the same wheresoever it meets with it, by the way of Urines, Sweats, or insensible tran∣spiration, provided it be impregnated with its Oyl, which possesses the best and greatest part of the volatile Salt of our Rind, from which it must not be deprived if you will preserve its vertue. To this end, it must be rectified in a Retort with the Ashes remaining after the extraction of the Salt, and the Oyl shall ascend fair, clear, and subtile, devested for the most part of its empyreumatical o∣dour, which it had contracted in the first distillation: for these Ashes mixt with the Oyl, will retain in themselves all the impu∣rity and grossness, but not keep the volatile Salt, which is the active and virtual principle, not only of this Oyl but also of the efficacy and power of all sublunary Substances, because it is the

last shelter and bond of the ferment and internal fire of all Mixts; in which resides the power and energy of all their actions: there∣fore, Artists must not wonder, if we so often do repeat the ver∣tues of this Salt, and recommend unto them the preservation thereof with so much earnestness, considering we do it not by a vain ostentation, nor to fall into needless repetitions, which are never to be born with, but when absolutely necessary, as it is now for the present here in this place.

The general vertues of this Spirit and Oyl are to provoke abun∣dantly Urine and Sweat; and by this means to mundifie and de∣purate the mass of the bloud from all its impurities, to resist the corruption of the parts, and preserve their use, as the effects there∣of make it appear in all diseases of the Joynts, running Gowts, Dropsie, Cath••rres, and all other diseases which draw their origi∣nal from the viscosity and sliminess of tartareous and fixt matters: they are above all Specificks against Venereous Diseases, and all their dependances. The dosis of the Spirit is from ℈ i. to ʒ i. in Sassafras water, or decoction of China Root, or Sarzaparil∣la. The Oyl from ij. drops to vi. or viij. Which before you mix with the Spirit or other Liquors must be distempered with Sugar. Some are of opinion, that the Oyl of Guaiacum is that which Rullandus doth call Heraclea, in the Centuries of his Observati∣ons, where he relates so many wonderful effects thereof: which I am the more inclinable to believe, considering that a Taylor of Paris, by name le Cerf, hath been capable to raise unto himself a credit and reputation by the sole use of Oyl of Guaiacum. Others do make use of this Oyl for the cure of Epilepsie, as also to help men in travel, and to bring forth the Child either dead or alive, as likewise the After-burthen: It is not to be forgotten also, that this Oyl doth in an instant appease the pain of cariated Teeth; for the volatile Salt doth immediately penetrate to the small Nerve, which lies at the Root of the Teeth, and stupifies and cau∣terises it in a manner, taking away its sensibility. Besides the me∣dicinal vertues of the Spirit, it is also useful in Chymical operati∣ons for the dissolution of Pearls, Coral, Crayfish-stones, (Crabs∣eyes) and the like: but that which hinders most its use, is, that it alwayes leaves some Empyreuma or ill savour.

To prepare the Extract of Guaiacum Rind, and its Tincture.

TAke of the best Rind of Guaiacum you can meet with, re∣duce it to a subtile powder, and put it in a Matrass, and pour upon it Alkool of Wine, till it swims above the height of four inches; then digest it in Sand, and make an Extract thereof; sepa∣rate the tincture, and so continue with new Spirit till it yields no more of tincture: then filtrate all the tinctures, and in a vaporous Bath draw off half of the Menstrue again; keep by it self lb ss. of this tincture, which is a good and quick sudorifick: The dosis is from half a spoonful to one and two spoonfuls in warm Wine or Water of Sassafras. Then take half of the remaining Substance, and precipitate it with common Water, and you shall have a Rosin, which you may prepare as that of Jalap: The d••sis is from x to xx Grains, in bolus, in its own Extract: this is a Specifick a∣gainst the Pox, working insensibly. Evaporate the remainder in B. M. to the consistency of an Extract. The dosis being from ℈ i to ʒ i. it produces the same effects as the Rosin or Magiste∣ry doth.

SECT. VII. Of Woods.

THE Woods used in Physick are differing, in whose number we will rank also all the species of it which are ordinarily im∣ployed, to make Infusions and Decoctions, according to the va∣rious intentions of those which do employ them: but Chymi∣cal Pharmacy works in a different manner upon woods, according to the diversity of their nature: for some of them are gummy, resinous and fat, pressed and compacted, and others more saline, and consequently, of easier Extraction; there is extracted from them by the help of spagyrical operation, Extracts, Waters, Spi∣rits, Oyls and Salts; whereof according to the diversity of their substance more or less pressed and compacted, we are to give ex∣amples:

and for this purpose shall chuse for the subject of our work the Lignum Aloes, Lignum Rhodium, so called in the shops, Lignum Nephriticum, and Sassafras, because the examples of all these four will be sufficient and serve instead of all the rest: for as concerning Guaiacum, Box, and other like, we have given you the method thereof in the distillation of Juniper-wood, and of Rind of Guaiacum, whereunto we refer the Reader for his directi∣on of the work, and for the vertues to such Authors as have writ∣ten thereof.

The manner of preparing the Extract and Essence of Lignum Aloes.

WE have said above, that Woods were of a different nature, and that for this reason we were obliged to give several examples of them: this we shall declare by the due preparation and extraction of Lignum Aloes, which is one of the best that is to be found in shops; in so much, that the Germans do give it the name of Lignum Paradisi, Wood of Paradise, by reason of the noble and great vertues it doth possess: It will then suffice for a pattern and example of making all the Extracts and Essences of precious and aromatical Woods, because these two preparations are made without any loss of its vertues.

To make the Extract, ℞ lb ss. of the true Wood of Aloes, the tokens whereof are, that it be Blackish and of Purple colour, inter∣mixed with veins of an Ash-gray colour, heavy, and bitter; and the chief token, when you put a small piece upon a hot glowing coal, that it should yield a gummy and resinous fat moisture, the smoak whereof should at first bite and seize upon the Nostril, but towards the end yield a pleasant and sweet odour, as is that of Benjuin and Peruvian Balsom: and moreover, leave upon the coal after its burning some marks of a kind of liquation; this Wood must be grosly scrapt, and put in a Retort moistned with a little Spirit of Wine; then the Retort placed in Ashes, adapt a Re∣ceiver, lute it, and give it a regulate fire, and with good judge∣ment to avoid the Empyreuma or smoaky taste, and so draw soft∣ly the aetherial and subtile Oyl of this Wood, which will ascend with the Spirit of Wine; and when the veins shall cease to ap∣pear in the Recipient, and that the matter remains dry, cease

the fire, and put the remainder in a Blind Matrass, and pour up∣on it Alkool of Wine to extract all its Resinous substance; the Wood being well opened by this digestion, pour all into a Cu∣curbite, and distil with requisite precautions about the third part of the Spirit by it self: which done, cease the fire, and filtrate the remaining Spirit, to add other Wood to it until it draws no more either of taste or colour: then percolate and strain the whole, and filtrate it, to draw off the Spirit from it to the consistency of a liquid Extract, which keep by it self, and boyl the remaining Wood in the distilled Dew or Rain-water, straining the decocti∣on which must be clarified with whites of Eggs, and evaporated also to the consistency of a liquid Extract: warm those two Ex∣tracts and joyn them together, to draw yet a little more of their moisture away, and reduce them to a mass of more solid Extract, to which shall be joyned half of the first extracted Oyl, being first tempered, and made dissoluble with powdered Sugar. Keep this Extract for its uses in a Box of Silver, shutting with a screw, that the subtile and operative part of it may not exhale.

Take the Spirit which you kept in the distillation of the extra∣ction of the Wood; put therein ℥ i. more of the best Wood of Aloes reduced to a subtile powder, which you shall digest and ex∣tract in a vaporous Bath during the space of six natural dayes in a Blind Matrass, this done, express and percolate the cold liquor, and filtrate it in a covered Funnel; joyn to this Liquor the rest of the Oyl which you kept with twice as much of the Salt of the Wood, or prepared Salt of Tartar, according to the method of Sennertus, whereof we have already spoken, and so shall you have the true Essence of Lignum Aloes, impregnated with all the vertues and powers, of the Mixt whereof it was ex∣tracted. The dosis of the Extract is from iiij. to x▪ grains in Bolus, or dissolved with some specifical burning Spirit: for besides, that it would not dissolve in aqueous Liquor, it should come short of the vertue; and though it should happen to dissolve, there would be a precipitation made of the resinous and fat substance, which would never incorporate with the Water, and debilitate the re∣medy instead of increasing its vertue. The dosis of the Essence is from iv. to x. drops to be exhibited to the Patient in burning or hot Spirits of Juniper, black Cherries, or Elixir Vitae of Mathiolus,

and not in aqueous liquors for the reasons alleadged above: but because there are many tender and delicate persons, which can∣not endure the taste and strength of these Spirits; the Extract or Essence may be mixed with a spoonful of convenient Syrup, of somewhat a thick consistency: for the Sugar keeps back the Wa∣ter and hinders its action upon the resinous substance of the Ex∣tract or Essence. These two remedies are two specifical com∣forters of all the principal parts contained in the lower-most, mid∣dlemost, and uppermost ventricle; it recreates the vital Spirits and animal Spirits of the Brain and Womb: therefore it is excellent against all infirmities of these two parts: they are also very good to strengthen the digestive faculty of the Stomack, kill by the bit∣terness of their Salt and Spirit the Worms which breed in the Ven∣tricle, and extirpate totally the seminary thereof, as much in aged persons, as young children, except that a regard must be had to the dosis.

To prepare the Water and Oyl of Lignum Rhodium.

WE bring this Wood for an example, to evidence that it is necessary for a Chymical Artist, to work upon all kind of Substances to extract their vertue, without any de∣perdition of their pleasantness, for it would be very easie to distil this Wood, by a Retort in open fire: but its pleasant smell should be lost; and besides, the Spirit and Oyl which should be extracted that way, would not have the same prop••ieties, with those of the Water and Oyl extracted by the method which we are now about to teach; and because the Lignum Rhodium is a heavy Wood, fat and compacted; it must be opened before you can by distillation extract the central vertue of it: Therefore pro∣cure above the quantity of xx lb. to be scraped, and put them a∣bove six weeks in Rain-water to steep, with lb iiij. of Tartar in powder, to volatilize in a manner, the most first parts of the Wood: this time being expired, put the fourth part of this in∣fusion, with the fourth part of the Wood in a Still-body (or Ve∣sica) and pour more Rain or River-water, till it comes ½ foot near the brim; cover it with a Head, and give a gradual convenient fire, having fitted to it a pretty big Recipient, until the Wa∣ter

in dropping down appears to have no more of Oyl in it. We have said it should be a capacious Recipent, because that little of Oyl which it yields towards the end would be lost in new Recipi∣ents, whereas in a capacious Recipient, the last Oyl joyns and unites it self to that which issued out before. But it is to be noted yet, that what doth distil ought to be somewhat warm, which is quite contrary to the common practise in distilling of hot and volatile spirits, for the Oyls must be separated from their bodies by a strong ebullition, driving the same upwards, and raising it with the aqueous vapours; but the heat must again be temperated, lest the Phlegm should ascend in too great abundance with the Spirit; and moreover, whereas in Spirits the Water above the Worm must be kept very cool, it must not be renewed in the distil∣lation of Oyls. We did purpose to set these two Notes at large, because the observation of them is of absolute necessity in the work. The Water must be separated from the Oyl, which will be clear, fair, and yellow, and of a good smell: and thus continue your distillation till all be ended. This Oyl is excellent for per∣fumes outwardly: it may also be inwardly applyed, reduced to Sugar, Oyl, or Elaeosaccharum to dissolve in its Water, or some di∣uretical Water, for the cleansing of the Kidneys and Bladder from Slime and Sand; it may also be used with very good success in Gar∣gles to absterge and cure Ulcers in the mouth, and wash and mundifie them in other parts of the body, and particularly in the parts appointed for generation.

To make the Extract of Nephritical Wood, or Lignum Nephriticum.

THis Wood is brought from New-Spain, is tender and dry, though heavy, by which it appears to be more Saline than Oyly, and therefore communicates easily its vertue to Water, which it dyes of a yellow-brown colour, in decoction appearing somewhat blewish in the Surface. We have chosen this Wood to show its difference from others; for although it be inodorous & in∣sipid, it is nevertheless endowed with much vertue, and expels pow∣erfully by Urines, whether simply infused in cold Water to drink the colature thereof, or mixt alone with white Wine; or whether a decoction be made thereof, which is very insipid. In this manner

it conduces very much to help those that are troubled with the Stone, Gravel, or stopping of Water. But above all, it is consi∣derable in decoctions against the Pox and Scurvy, for it frees easi∣ly and powerfully the Patient from the venom of these two dis∣eases; and, because this Wood is not to be found every where, we have thought it necessary to teach the manner of its extract, whereby the Artist may regulate himself in all other Woods, which shall be of this kind. Scrape lb vi. of this Wood, and make a decoction with Roots of Resta-bovis, Hundred headed-thistle, or Sea-holy; ana lb iij. and lb i. of Virga-aurea, or Gol∣den-rod in lb xxx. of River or Rain-water, till ½ be consumed: then percolate and express it, and make a second decoction of the cake remaining after the expression in lb xx. of fresh Water, then percolate and strain it, and so continue until the decoction takes no more colour: which done, clarifie all the decoctions, and run them through the bagg, and evaporate it in a slow heat without ebullition, to the consistency of a liquid Extract; to which add the Salt extracted from the remains of your Extraction. This Ex∣tract is an excellent diuretick aperitive Remedy, which may be exhibited from ℈ i. to ʒ i. in Broths, white Wine, or decoction of Lignum Nephriticum, when those which are troubled with Gra∣vel, Stoppings of Water, or Nephritical Colick are in the half Bath: but with this precaution, that they take before and render again a Turpentine Glyster.

To make the Spirituous water and Oyl of Sassafras.

THe Sassafras Wood or Pavame comes from Florida, and differs yet much in nature from the above-mentioned Woods; for it is very odoriferous; and being never so little warmed by rubbing, it sends forth Spirits which affect the smell with much pleasure, and shows this Tree to be very pregnant and full of volatile Salt, whence it is evident, that it hath much vertue. The smallest is to be chosen for distillation, and must have yet its Rind about him, and if it were possible, some of the Root with its Rind; because the Rind possesses more of the aetherial Oyl, or volatile Salt and Spirit, than the internal substance of the Wood, which is light and spongious, as the subtile and aromatical taste of the Rind, resem∣bling

that of Fennel, doth testifie: And as we said, that the Lig∣num Rhodium must be opened to volatilize it; here we must pro∣ceed in a quite contrary method, for we must distil the Sassafras assoon as it is cut in pieces, and that in a Still-body with Rain-water: but if you desire to have an excellent Water, and little of Oyl, you must distil it with white Wine: but if you only aim at the Oyl which is very excellent, have only Water. The Oyl of Sassafras sinks in the bottom of the Water, as that of all aromatical Substances. The spirituous Water is excellent against all kind of obstructions, and chiefly those of the Spleen, which it alleviates more than any other remedy. It is also ex∣cellent for the Stomach, strengthening the digestive heat, and correcting the crudity of aliments, it wonderfully helps the Wind Cholick. It is an infallible Sudorifick or Diuretick; for it will never miss of its effect by the two natural wayes, because if the Patient will not admit of much covering, and that the sweat by this means remains concentrated, the vertue of the medi∣cament will never fail to show it self by Urins: because the actions of Spirits and volatile Salts, can never be hindered; therefore is this spirituous Water very specifick in venerial dis∣eases, as also in scurbutick dispositions. The dosis of this remedy is from i. to ℥ vi. either by it self or mixt in white Wine. The tin∣cture which the Artist will draw from Sassafras, with white Wine, in B. M. in a Blind-head, may legitimately be substituted to the spirituous Water, when he shall be in haste and forced to make use of it: ℥ ss. of Sassafras is enough for lb i. of Wine; but the dosis must be double of the Water. Now as the Oyl is more subtile than the Water, because it is only made of a little Sul∣phur very subtile, and all the remainder is only volatile Salt, so ought it also to be less: for it must not be exhibited, but from the quantity of iij. to x. drops, reduced to a dissolubility with Sugar in powder, whether it be given in its own Water, that of Cinamon, white Wine, or Broth, for all the diseases we have intimated here above: but above all, in difficult Tra∣vels of women, whether the Child be dead or alive: as also to expel the After-burthen, and purge the woman in Travel, without much griping: for this Oyl strengthens the Womb,

and makes it discharge with more ease, and in less time, those superfluities wherewith it was incumbred since Child-bearing. Fi∣nally, this praise may lawfully be given to Sassafras, that it is a kind of Vegetable Panacea, since the Remedies extracted from it may be administred in all kind of diseases; and moreover its constant use may make either sex fruitful, but chiefly the fe∣male kinde; for it heats, and softly and naturally strengthens all the internal parts; but chiefly those that conduce to gene∣ration.

Notes

• Un Car∣lee.