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.

A Compendious Body of CHYMISTRY.

Book I. Of the Body of Chymistry abbreviated.

PART I. Of the Principles and Elements of Natural things.

CHAP. I. Of the Universal Spirit.

THE title of this Chapter doth sufficiently evidence the error of those who maintain, that the Natu∣ral Body is the only object of Chymistry, since it treats also of the Universal Spirit, which is a sub∣stance voyd and divested of all Corporeity: hence it is, that with more reason, we did assign all natural things her adequate object, viz. all created things, both corporeal and spi∣ritual, visible and invisible; and that because Chymistry doth not

only teach, how a body may be spiritualized, but how a spirit also may be fixt to become a body. For after having made the general and particular Anatomy of Nature, and searched and pe∣netrated to its very center, this noble Science hath found, that the spring and root of all things was a spiritual substance, ho∣mogeneous and like unto it self, to which ancient and modern Philosophers have attributed several names, calling it a Vital substance, a Spirit of life, Light, Balsom of life, Vital Mummy, Natural heat, Ʋniversal Spirit, Mercury of life; and many more names, which to sum up all here, would be needlesse, since these are the principal appellations.

But as our Scope, in this first. Book, is, to treat of the Prin∣ciples and Elements of natural things, it seemeth to stand with reason, that we shou••d in the first place speak of the first Prin∣ciple, by which the others are principiated; which Principle is nothing else but Nature it self, or that universal Spirit, which makes the subject matter of this Chapter.

Paracelsus, in his book of Vexations, saith, that Domus est semper mortua, sed eam inhabitans vivit: By which mysterious and figurative speech, he endeavours to teach us, that the strength of Nature is not included in the mortal and corruptible body; but that it is to be sought in that wonderfull seed which hides it self under the shade of the body, who of it self hath no strength or vertue, but fetches it all from that seminal spirit which it contains; a thing manifestly demonstrable in the cor∣ruption of that body, during which the internal spirit doth fa∣bricate it self a new one, yea many new ones, by the de∣struction of the first: Which occasioneth again our German Trismegistus to say, that the power and vertue of death is effica∣cious; for then the spirit doth disingage it self from the bonds of the body, wherein he seemed to be fetter'd, and without efficacy, which he beginneth then to declare, when it should seem more improbable. This truth is illustrated by the grain of Corn rotting in the earth: for the body being opened by that corruption, the internal seminal spirit therein inclosed, buds out, produceth a blade and stalk, and at the end of it an Ear, containing several grains of Corn, the very same in likenesse to that which perished and was rotten in the ground.

This spiritual substance, which is the primary and sole sub∣stance of all things, contains in it self three distinct, but not differing substances: For they are homogeneous, as we have already said. But because there is found in it, a heat, a moysture, and a drought; and all three are distinct, but not differing; we say, that these three are but one essence, and the same radical substance; otherwise, as Nature is one, simple, and homogeneous, if the seminal Principles of these substances were heterogeneous, nothing would be found in nature one, simple, and homogeneous; which cannot be, in regard of the great inconveniences that would follow: For if heat did differ from moysture, it could not be nourisht and fed by it (which is notwithstanding necessary to be granted true) because nourishment is performed by things not differing, but of a like nature▪ and if the aliment should prove in the beginning, different from the alimentated, it would be necessary before it could passe into the substance of the last ali∣ment, that it should be divested of all difference and dissimilar nature. Now it is granted on all hands, that radical moysture is the last aliment of natural heat; whence it followeth, that it cannot be of a different nature: Moreover, if they did differ, each one would endeavour to produce its like, and the intestine warre, raised by this occasion, hinder the generation of the Com∣pound. Let us then conclude, that this radical and fundamental substance of all things, is truely and really one in its essence, but hath a threefold denomination; for in respect of its natural heat and fire, it is called Sulphur; in respect of its moysture, which is the food and aliment of this fire, Mercury; and finally, in respect of the radical drought, which is, as it were, the knot and cement of the fire and moysture, it is called Salt; which we shall clear more particularly, when we treat hereafter of these three Principles by themselves, and examine, whether or no the one may be transmutated or converted into the other.

Having thus much spoken of the nature and essence of this universal spirit, we must now examine it's original, and the ef∣fects which it doth produce: And for the first point, it is not to be doubted, but that this spirit hath been created by the omni∣potency of the first Cause, when it extracted this goodly fabrick of the world out of its nothing, and did harbour it in all the

parts of this vast Machine, as the Poet doth acknowledge, when he saith,

Spiritus intus agit, totam{que} infusa per orbem Mens agitat molem. —

For all the parts of the Universe are in continual need of its supply and presence, as we discover by the effects; and if any by accident hath been deprived thereof, he immediately returns to possesse it, and taking its place, restores life by his arrival. So we see, that having extracted from the salt of Vitriol several sub∣stances therein contained, if the dead earth, or Caput mortuum, be exposed to the air, in some sheltered place free from the washing of Rain, this spirit will not fail to return to it, being po∣tently attracted by this Matrix, whose earnest longing it is to fill it self with this spirit, which makes the principal part of all things exi∣stent; for as things are only destinated to their operation, so can they not act, but by their efficient internal Principles. Therefore God, who ever works by the most compendious way, and will not every day busie his Omnipotency in the creation of new substances, hath once for all created this Universal Spirit, and placed it every where, that he might operate all in all things.

And as this Spirit is universal, so can he not be specificated but by the means of particular Ferments, which do print in it the Character and Idea of mixt bodies, to be made such or such de∣terminate substances, according to the diversity of Matrixes, which receive this Spirit in themselves to make it a body. Thus in a Vitriolick Matrix, it becomes Vitriol; in an Arsenical, Arse∣nick; a Vegetable Matrix makes it a Plant; and so of all the rest. But two things are here to be noted, the first, That when we say, that this Spirit is specificated in such or such a Matrix, that we understand nothing else, but that this Spirit is imbodyed in such or such a Compound, according to the different Idea it hath re∣ceived, by the means of particular ferment; and that, notwith∣standing, it may be extracted again out of this compound, by di∣vesting it by the help of Art, of this grosse body, to give it a more subtil one, and so bring it neerer its universal nature, and thus prepared, it doth manifest its own vertues much more

eminently. The second thing observable is, that this spirit cannot return to its indifferency or universal nature, without having lost first of all the Idea received from the Matrix, in which it was embodyed: I say, it must have lost all this Idea, because although these spirits have been divested of their bodies by Art, they do notwithstanding preserve yet, for a while, the character and print of their first body; as it evidently appears in an aire poysoned with Realgarick and Arsenical spirits, which invisibly fill it, and do flye up and down; but when it hath quite lost this Idea, it reunites it self with the universal spirit, and if it meets with any fruitfull Matrix, being yet impregnated of its Idea, then it embodyes it self in several different compounds: as it is evident in Plants and Animals, which we see produced without seed, as Mushroms, Nettles, Mice, Frogs, Insects, and several other things; which to relate here, would be too te∣dious.

Thus much had we to say of the Universal Spirit, reserving to speak of the Matrixes which do specifie and corporifie it, and communicate him the Idea and Character of such a determi∣nate existence or body, where we shall treat of Elements here∣after.

CHAP. II. Of the several substances which are found after the Reso∣lution and Anatomy of the Compound.

WE may consider three several wayes, the Principles and Elements which do constitute the Compound: Viz. Or before its composition, or after its resolution, or whilest they do yet compose and constitute the Mixt. In the foregoing Chapter we have demonstrated the nature of Principles, before they enter in the composition of the body; now our task is, in this Chapter, to shew, what they are after the resolution, and during the composition of the Mixt; which we will do the more

succinctly and in general terms at present, in regard we shall fall again more particularly upon the same matter in the fol∣lowing Chapters.

We have said heretofore, that the Universal Spirit, which ra∣dically contains in it self the three first Substances, was indifferent and in order to be made all things; and that he was specificated or embodyed, according to the Idea which it took from the Matrix wherein he was received; with the Minerals becoming Mineral, with Vegetables becoming a Plant, and with Animals Animal. Of this Idea we will speak more hereafter, as also of the Matrixes which do communicate it to the same.

During the composition of the Mixt, this spirit retains the na∣ture and Idea which it took in the Matrix. Thus if it hath taken the nature of Sulphur, and been impregnated with its Idea, it communicates to the Compound, all the vertues and qualities of Sulphur. The same is to be said of Salt, and Mercury; for when∣soever it is specificated, or (if it may be said without barbarism) Ideificated in any of these Principles, it shewes it immediately by its actions: Thus things are in their Composition either fine or volatil, liquid or solid, pure or impure, dissolved or co-agula∣lated, and so of the rest, according as this spirit contained more or lesse Salt, Sulphur and Mercury, or more or lesse mixture of the grossenesse and terrestreity of the Matrixes. But after these Principles are separated one from the other, and from the ter∣restreity and corporeity which they draw from their Matrixes, they make it plain enough by their powerfull effects, that it is in this state they ought to be reduced, before they can work with efficacy, though they retain yet still their character and in∣ternal Idea. Thus some few drops of the true spirit of Wine will be more powerfull, then a whole glasse of this corporeal liquor wherein it was enclosed: A drop of spirit of Vitriol shall be of more effect then many ounces of the body. But you are to note also, that these powerfull effects and great vertues do last no longer in the spirits, than the Idea of the Mixt, whence they were extracted, remains with them: For as all things by a natu∣ral circulation in Nature, which corporifies to spiritualize, and spiritualizeth again to corporifie, have a strong tendency to their first Principle: so these spirits are still busie and working, in en∣deavouring

to divest and free themselves of the Ideas wherein they are fettered, that they may return to their first Principle, which is the Universal Spirit.

These things being so cleared, it remains to see how many substances Chymistry findes in the resolution of the Compounds, and what they are. Aristotle saith, that the resolution of things shewes their constitutive Principles: Upon this Axiom, hath its ground and basis our Philosophy, both by reason of the truth of it, and that Chymistry receives no Principles of sensible things but such as are obvious to, and fall under the Judicatory of the senses. And as the Anatomist hath found a certain number of similar parts, which constitute the humane body, whereof he makes the subject of his Art; so doth the Chymist endeavour to finde out the number of primary and similary substances of all Compounds, to exhibit them to the senses, that they may bet∣ter judge what was their Office whilest yet joyned in their Mixt, having considered their vertue and efficacy, in this purity and abstracted nature; thence the name of Sensal Philosophy hath been by some given to the Chymist: For as the Anatomist doth make use of Rasors and other sharp Tools in his Dissections, to sepa∣rate the better the several parts of the human body, which is his chief object: The same doth the Chymical Artist, fetching his instruction from Nature it self, to attain his end, which is nothing else but to joyn homogeneal and separate heterogeneal things by the means of Heat; for he doth nothing else but contribute his care and labour, to regulate the first according to the exi∣gency of natural Agents and Patients, thereby to resolve the mixt bodies in their several substances, which he separates and purifies afterwards; for the fire never relents or slackens its action, but rather drives it on and encreaseth it, untill he findes no heterogeneity left in the Compound.

After that the Artist hath performed the Chymical resolution of bodies, he doth finde last of all five kinde of substances, which Chymistry admits for the Principles and Elements of natural bodies, whereupon are layd the grounds of its Doctrine, because in these five substances is found no Heterogeneity; these are, the Phlegmatick or waterish part, the Spirit or Mercury, the Sulphur

or Oyl, the Salt, and the Earth. Some give them other names; for it is free for every body to use their invention in such a case, being a thing of no great importance to neglect Names, and leave a latitude of freedom to every one therein, provided you may agree in the substance.

Now, as the Mixts cannot subsist in their integrity and perfect state, if you deprive them of any or these parts, so would also the knowledge of these substances prove defectuous, if they were separated one from another: wherefore we are to consider them, both absolutely and respectively. Three of these substances offer themselves to our sight, by the help of Chymical Operation, under the form of a Liquor, which are the Phlegm or Water, the Spirit, and the Oyl; the two other in a solid body, viz. Salt and Earth. The Water and Earth are commonly called passive Principles, material and of lesse efficacy then the other three; as contrary wise the Spirit or Mercury, Sulphur and Salt, are reckoned active and formal Principles, by reason of their pene∣trative and subtile vertue: Some do call the Earth and Water or Phlegm, Elements; and give the name of Principles to the three others. But if that definition which Aristotle hath given to Principles, is essential, viz. That Principia neque ex aliis, ne∣que ex se invicem fiunt; Experience doth teach us, that these Substances cannot properly bear the name of Principles; because we have said above, that Mercury did change it self into Sulphur, moysture is the aliment or food of heat, and food transforms it self into the thing which is fed. Therefore the definition of Elements should rather sute with these substances, since they are the last thing to be found, after the resolution of the Compound, and that Elements are, Ea quae primo componunt Mixtum, & in quae ultimo resolvitur.

But because the Elements are considered two wayes, either as they are parts which do constitute the Universe, or as they only compound Mixt Bodies; to accommodate our selves to the ordi∣nary way of expression, we shall attribute unto them the name of Principles, in regard they are constitutive parts of the Com∣pound; and shall reserve the appellation of Elements, for those great and vast Bodyes, which are the general Matrixes of natu∣ral things.

CHAP. III. Of each Principle in particular.

SECT. I. Wherein is treated, Whether those Five Principles, which remain after the dissolution of the Mixt, are Natural or Artificial.

CHymical Philosophy doth admit for Principles of the Com∣pound, those five substances whereof we have treated above, because as it is a Science wholly sensal, it grounds its reasons only upon what senses do demonstrate unto her: And because having exactly anatomized a body natural, nothing is found be∣yond what may answer one of these five substances. But here may be a Question moved of no small difficulty, viz. Whether these five Substances, are Natural or Artificial Principles, and not rather Principles of Disunion and destructive, than of Composition and Mixture? To this may be answered, that it is not a matter of small difficulty, to know whether these Principles are natural, because we do not see them severed from the Compound, by a natural corruption or putrefaction; and that Chymical separation can only be performed by an artificial corruption caused by the help of the heat of fire: but if the businesse be judiciously and narrowly examined, it will appear, that although these substances can only be extracted by the help of Chymical Art, they are notwithstanding, meerly and purely Natural, since Art doth con∣tribute nothing else but the Vessels to contain and receive them. Whence Nature being destitute of these Vessels, and we cannot without their help render those substances palpable and visible objects of the eye; it cannot seem strange, that we should not perceive these substances, in the natural corruption and solution of their Compounds: for Nature which is still in action and busie about productions, makes use of the said substances, and applyes

them to the generation of several other existencies, as Aristotle hath very well observed, when he saith that, Corruptio unius est gene∣ratio alterius. Thence it is, that in the natural putrefaction of bodies, a certain smell for the most part offends our Nostrils; a true token of the Air being impregnated with volatile spirits, which are Saline and Sulphureous; by which it appears, that the Mixt is radically dissolved, and thus it is performed: The Salt is dissolved by the help of the internal Phlegm or Water; and as the Salt is the bond of the two other Principles, so can they no longer subsist in their Mixt or Body, because heat which accompanyes all putrefactions, doth subtilize and carry them a∣way, so that there remains nothing but what is of earthlinesse in the Compound. Therefore we do conclude, that although these Principles may not be made sensible and manifest, but by the Operations of Chymistry, it doth not debarre them notwith∣standing from being natural, because if nature had not immixed them in all things, they could not indifferently be drawn from all bodies, as we daily see that they may; whence we inferre, that these substances are not extracted from the Mixt by trans∣mutation, but by a meer natural separation, assisted by the heat of the Vessels and the hand of the Artist: for all things cannot indifferently and immediately be transformed in the like and same things. Therefore it cannot be thought strange, that other sub∣stances then the forementioned five, should be extracted from Mixt Bodyes by Chymical Operations, when the way of opera∣ting is altered, and proceeds by another way, then by the sepa∣ration of Principles, such as are the Quintessences, Arcana, Magiste∣ries, Specificks, Tinctures, Extracts, Faeculae, Balsoms, Flowers, Panacaea's and Elixirs, whereof Paracelsus treats at large, in his Books of Archidoxa; since all these several preparations take their vertues from the various mixture of the Principles, whereof we are to speak in the following Sections, according to the order wherein they fall first under our senses. Where we shall consider them both as they yet compound the Mixt or Body, and as they are separated from it.

SECT. II. Of Phlegm or Water.

THat insipid liquor which commonly is called Water, hath by the Chymists the name of Phlegm given unto it, when it is separated from all other Mixture; it is the first substance obvious to the eye, when the fire doth act upon any Mixt body; it appears first in the shape of a vapour, and by condensation turns into liquor: Her presence is as necessary as any other Principle in the composition of the Mixt: And we do not agree with the opinion of those who hold it to be needlesse, provided the pro∣portion and harmony required in Natural bodyes be preserved: for Phlegm is as the curb and rains of spirits, which dulls and allayes their sharpnesse, dissolves the salt, and weakens its corro∣sive acrimony, hindereth the inflamation of Sulphur, and bindes the Earth, and mixes it with the Salts; for as these two last Substances are brickle, crumbling and dry, so could they give but little firmnesse and consistency to the body without the help of this liquor: Thence it comes, that corruption and dissolution are introduced by its absence, which hath occasioned some to call it the Principle of Destruction; for it easily vapours away, which is the cause that the Mixt cannot long subsist in the same state and harmony, because this Principle being part in the body, easily and at every hour exhaleth it self and vapours away, which makes it obnoxious to the least outward injuries, procured as much by internal as external causes. Therefore those that do work about the preservation of Mixts, make it their study to preserve this Principle in the Compound; because it is he that keepeth all the other linked together, as it evidently appears by the operations of our Art: It can endure several alterations, without changing its nature; for if sometimes it turns it self into vapours, they are notwithstanding essentially nothing else but the very Phlegm it self. And here you shall note, that vapours are of a different nature; some are meerly aqueous and Phlegmatick; others spirituous and Mercurial, others Sulphureous and Oyly; and lastly, some participate of these three qualities together.

It is moreover to be noted, that even the Salts, and Mineral and Metallick Earths, may be subtilized yet and turned into va∣pours differing from the aforesaid four qualities, yielding fixe and ponderous spirits, and flowers. Briefly, the Doctrine of fiery, aqueous, and aerial Meteors, may very well be related to the na∣ture of these vapours and exhalations: For we see that aqueous vapours are easily condensed in water in the Limbecks, which the Spirituous or Oily are not, as requiring much more time and cooling; whence many consequences may be drawn, tending to the use of Physick, and particularly in the cure of those pains, which are thought to proceed from vapours and exhalations, and vulgarly are called Mereorisms, or griping vapours of the Ven∣tricle and Spleen: For aqueous vapours cannot cause so much distention, because they are sooner compressed and condensed, then those which proceed from the Spirits, Oyls, and mixt Salts. Now as too much Phlegm doth extinguish the natural heat, and slackens the body, and dulls all his functions: so the too small proportion thereof, causeth as it were a burning and corrosion of it, whilest the Sulphur and fixed Spirit or Salt becomes pre∣dominant; an evident proof that the frame of mixt bodies doth only subsist by the harmony and just proportion of all its sub∣stances. To conclude what we have said of this Principle, you are to observe, that the Phlegme or waterish part of any Mixt, is ordinarily the fittest Menstruum to extract the tincture and Extract thereof, because it is endowed still with some character of its Compound, and some Idea of its vertue and faculty: but chiefly because it is for the most part accompanyed with the vo∣latile Spirit of the Mixt, whereby it is rendred more capable easily to penetrate the same, and to extract its vertue, being partaker of a mixt nature of most subtile Sulphur and Mercury, which comes very neer to the Universal.

SECT. III. Of the Spirit.

SOme do call Mercury that second substance which falls under our sight in the Anatomy of the body; Others name it radical

Moysture, but we shall keep the appellation of Spirit, as the most in use. Notwithstanding, to avoyd error and mistake in these vulgar names of Principles, and that the Reader should not confound them with the appellations of Compounds; it is ne∣cessary to inform him, that they have received such names, only for the likenesse and correspondency they have with those sub∣stances from which they are denominated: See therefore you do not mistake Phlegm for Pituite, Mercury for Quick silver, and Sulphur for ordinary Brimstone, which is an ingredient in the composition of Gun-powder, mixed with Saltpeter, nor Salt for that common Salt familiar to our Tables, and much lesse Earth for such a substance as is Bol-Armeny or Terra sigillata, since all these are Bodies, composed of the same Principles, every one as we design by those names. Spirit then is nothing else but that aerial, subtile, penetrating, active substance, which we draw out of the Mixt Body, by the help of fire; whence it is to be concluded, that this Principle in it self is one, unmixt, and homogeneous, having taken its Idea from the character of its specifick and particular Matrix, as we shall deduce hereafter more at large, when we speak of the Elements, and their vertues, in the following Chapter. This substance of the Spirit is con∣sidered, either as it composeth yet the Mixt, or as it is separa∣ted from it: Separated, it is very penetrating; i•• cuts, opens, and attenuates the most solid and fixt Bodies, it excites heat in Fermentation, untieth the bonds of Salt and Sulphur, and makes them separable, resists corruption and rottennesse; yet by acci∣dent may be the cause of it; devours the Salt, and seises so greedily upon it, that it can scarce be separated but by an extreme violence of the fire: It is possessed of its own heat, and cold, for it doth not act by Elementary, but by his own proper and specifick qualities: To be brief, we fall short of proper terms to expresse duely his nature; since it is a true Proteus, which turns himself in all shapes, and as the Sun dryes and moystens, whiteneth and blackens, according to the diversity of subjects upon which it worketh. This same Spirit communicates several Noble qualities to the Phlegm; for it preserves him from corruption, makes it penetrative, and endoweth him almost with a••l his own activity: And in requital, the Phegm doth soften and bri••••e

the fury of the Spirit, and makes it so tractable, that it may be∣come usefull in a thousand wayes.

Now whilest this Spirit remains in a due harmony, and doth not exceed the terms of his Office in mixt Bodies, it becomes to them very serviceable, hindering the encrease of excremen∣titious matters, and of all other substances which may prove con∣trary or hurtfull to the nature of the Compound, multiplying his substance, and strengthning all his faculties, and that in Ani∣mals, Vegetables and Minerals. But if by the power of some other Agent, this Principle is forced to exceed the condition and constitution of the Mixt wherein it is, it alters the whole frame and oeconomy of its Compound, as we shall shew more at large, when we come to treat of the Principles of Destructives.

SECT. IV. Of Sulphur.

THis Principle, as well as the others, hath received several names; for it is called Oyl, Natural Fire, Light, Vital Fire, Balsom of Life and of Sulphur, and besides, many other appella∣tions have been given by the Sons of Art, with which we will not fill up this Section: According to our usual custom, we will content our selves, with examining the nature of the thing, leaving the nicetie of Names to the overcurious.

That substance then, which sometimes we will call Oyl, sometimes Sulphur, is the third in order of those we extract by the artificial resolution of the Compound; we give it this name because it is an Oleagineous substance; which easily take fire, being of a combustible nature, by whose means also the Mixts are rendred such. It is called Principle as well as the others, because being separated from the Compound, it is homogeneous in all his parts, as the other Principles are. This Substance is also considered two several wayes: For being loosened from the others, it swims above the Phlegm and Spirits, because it is lighter and more aetherial; but if it be not absolutely separated from the Salt and the Earth, it will sometimes precipitate it self to the bottom, or swim in the middle, because the Sulphur

supports and holds up the Earth and Salt, untill it be overcome by their weight; it receives not easily nor willingly the Salt, without being first joyned with the Spirit, or before the Salt be circulated with the Spirit, wherewith it hath a great sympathy▪ and then they easily receive the Sulphur together; a thing very well worth noting, since without this observation, no Panacaea's, Magisteries, Essences, Arcana's, nor other most secret Remedies, which are unknown to vulgar Physicians, and Galenical Apothe∣caries, can be made: no more then these can give a reason of the noblest natural effects; because for the most part they assign them to the four first or primary Qualities.

This Sulphur is of the matter of those fiery Meteors, which are kindled in the several Regions of the Air, and are some∣times found in the Cavities of the earth, and chiefly in those places, where Minerals and Metals are generated; it resists to Cold, and never congeals, being the Principle of Heat; it never suffers corruption, preserves from it those things which are im∣mersed in it, preventing the penetration of Air, it sweetens the acrimony of Salt, by whose help it is fixed and coagulated; doth so powerfully blunt the sharpnesse of Spirits, that the most strong Waters have no power over it, nor those Bodies where it abounds. His Office is, to binde and allay the Earth which is but dust, with the Salt in the frame of Mixt Bodies: It causes also the strict union of the other Principles, moderating the too great dryness of Salt, and fluidity of Spirit, and finally by his means, these three Principles grow into a viscuous compact substance, which often times hardens afterwards, by the mixture of the Earth and Phlegm.

SECT. V. Of Salt.

THe Phlegm, Spirit, and Sulphur, are volatile Principles flying from the Fire, which makes them ascend, and sublimate into vapours; whence it followeth, that they were unable to endure the Mixt with a requisite solidity for its duration, unless there were some other fixt and permanent substances joyned unto

it; of which we finde two wholly differing from the others in the last dissolution of Bodies. The first is a plain and unmixt Earth, without any remarkable quality, except it be driness and heaviness: The second is a Substance; which resists fire, and dis∣solves in water, known to Chymists by the name of Salt.

These two substances, which are as it were the basis and foun∣dation of the Mixt, though confounded by the action of fire, are notwithstanding two several Principles in which are to be found such essential differences, that there is between them no Analogy. The salt doth manifest it self by his qualities, which are as numberless as efficatious and powerfull, much more with∣out compare then the Earth, which is almost without action or vertue.

The Salt being exactly severed from the other Principles, offers it self to our senses in a drie, crumbling, and brickle body, easily reduced to powder, a certain sign of his external drought; but it is endowed also of an internal moysture, witness its fusibility; it is fixt, and incombustible, resisting to fire, wherein it growes purer, suffereth no putrefaction, and is (as it were) eternal, being capable to preserve it self without alteration. This substance is thought by some, to be the first subject and cause of all savours, as the Sulphur of odours, and Mercury of colours; but we shall refute this Assertion, when we come to handle this Subject hereafter.

Salt is easily dissolved in moysture, and being dissolved bears up the Sulphur, and joyns it to it self by the means of the Spirit. The usefulness of it is very great; for it hinders fire from consuming hastily the Oyl; which is the cause that floated Wood doth not yield a long flame, being deprived of the greatest part of its Salt: It is salt which makes the earth fruitfull, being with the Oyl, instead of a vital Balsom to Vegetables; and thence it comes, that Grounds too much washed with rain, lose their fer∣tility: It conduceth also to the generation of Animals, and hardens Minerals also, and giveth them their consistency: But you are to note, that all these effects do only follow, when it is dispensed in Bodies, with a just proportion; for if it exceeds, generation and encrease are thereby hindered, because it corrodes and destroyes with his acrimony, whatsoever the other substances can produce.

But that you may not be deceived by the ambiguity of the word Salt, you are to know, that there is a certain Central Salt, radical Principle of all things, which is the first body wherewith the Universal Spirit closeth it self, and contains the other Prin∣ciples; some have called it Hermetical Salt, because, say they, Hermes was the first that spoke of it: but it may be more pro∣perly and lawfully called the Hermaphroditical Salt, because it participates of all natures, and is indifferently inclined to all. This Salt is the fundamental ground of all Nature, being the Center where all her vertues do meet, and the true seeds of all things, being nothing else, but a congealed, well digested and con∣cocted Salt: The truth of which evidently appears in this, that if you boyl in water any Seed whatsoever, it becomes imme∣diately barren; because this seminal vertue consists in a very subtile Salt, which dissolves and vanishes in the water; whence we learn, that Nature beginneth the production of all things by a central and radical Salt, which she extracts out of the Universal Spirit. The difference between these two Salts is, that the first breeds the other in the Mixt, and that the Hermaphroditical Salt is ever a Principle of Life, and the other proves sometimes a Principle of Death. But because we are to treat hereunder, of the Prin∣ciples of death and destruction, we shall not insist in these Sections upon the effects of either, because the knowledge of Contraries being the same, they shall be more illustrated when opposed one to another.

SECT. VI. Of the Earth.

THe Earth is the last of Principles, both of fixt and volatile; it is a naked substance, divested of all manifest qualities, except dryness and astringency; for as concerning Weight, we shall speak of it hereafter: I say, manifest quality, because this Earth retains alwayes in it self, the indelible character of that vertue she was once possessed with, viz. of embodying or cor∣porizing, and Ideifying the Universal Spirit. The first Idea she imparts to it, is that of Hermaphroditical Salt, which restores

to this Earth, her first Principles, so that the mixt is as it were by it resuscitated, since from the same body, the same specifi∣cal Principles, which by Chymical separation were before sepa∣rated, may be extracted again; as we shall explain hereafter more at large, when we come to treat of this matter. Let us consider at present, the usefulness of this substance, very necessary in the Compound of the body, since it is by her means that it receives firmness and consistency: For being united to the Salt, it causes presently the corporeity, and consequently, the continuity of the parts: Mixt with the Oyl or Sulphur, it causes tenacity, viscosity, and lent or, i. e. slowness in motion; it yields then with Salt, hardness and firmness; for as Salt is of a brickle and crum∣bling nature, and easily reduced to dust, it could not intimately be united to the earth, to give it a solidity, but by the help of moyst and liquid substances. The inconveniencies of this Prin∣ciple are manifested in this, that the Mixt requireth abundance of the other substances: For when Earth doth predominate, it makes the body heavy, slow, cold and stupid, according to the nature of Composites, wherein it doth abound.

But you shall notwithstanding take notice, by the By, that it is not the sole Earth which causeth the heaviness of the body, as those Philosophers do assert, who are little acquainted with our handy-work: For we finde more Earth in a pound of Cork after its resolution, though it be a very light body, then in three or four of Box and Guaiacum, which are so heavy, that (against the nature of other Woods) they can scarce hold above water: Whence we must of necessity conclude, that the greatest heavi∣ness and weight of Bodies, proceeds of Salt and Spirits aboun∣ding in these Woods, whereof Cork is deprived. It is also ex∣perimentally seen, that a Glass filled with Spirit of Vitriol, or some other sharp Spirit well rectified, shall outweigh two or three Glasses of the same bigness, filled with water, or any other like Liquor. I know it will be objected against this Experiment, that the heaviness of Guaiacum proceeds from the compactedness of its substance, almost impenetrable to Air, and that the lightness of Cork doth proceed from the great quantity of big and large pores it hath, which are filled with that light Element, and cause it to swim above water, contrarily to Box and Guaiacum. But

this Answer is not fully satisfactory; for if levity and heaviness are caused by rarefaction and condensation, it will follow thence, that those many pores in Cork, must proceed from the abundance of earth in it, and the defect of the other Principles; and hence it will be concluded necessarily, that Earth is porous of it self; and secondly, that it causeth porosity in Bodies: For the Axiom is true, Nihil dat quod non habet; &, Propter quod unumquodque est tale, illud est magis tale, say the Peripatetick or Ambulatory Phi∣losophers; and so shall they be forced to assert by their own rea∣son, though contradictory to their Maxims, that Earth causeth not only the levity of Mixts, but that it is also light of its own na∣ture, which in their Philosophy should be a Monster: and contra∣dicts also to experience; for of all the Principles, when they are duely and according to Art separated one from the other, none is heavyer then the Earth, which ever subsideth in the bot∣tom of the Glass, when they are mixt together.

To come out of this Labyrinth, a higher Philosophy is requi∣red, and fair Ariadne, which is Nature it self, must be courted, to obtain this Clue, and finde the issue of its winding paths; which if we can happily attain to, we shall be taught by the operations of Chymistry, that there is two sorts of levity and heaviness, the one internal, the other external; the one found in the Principles, whilest they yet compound the Mixt, the other when they are separated asunder.

CHAP. IV. Of Elements in General and Special.

SECT. I. Of Elements in General.

THE difference which Peripateticks make between Prin∣ciple and Element, is, as they say, that Principles can∣not take one anothers nature, neither be metamorphosed or transmuted the one into the other; but that Elements are Sub∣stances

which of themselves are compounded of Principles, and do compound the Mixts afterwards at their turns, and so these sub∣stances can easily pass one into anothers nature; the truth where∣of we shall examine hereafter. But in Hermetical Philosophy, Ele∣ments are taken for those four great Bodies, which are as it were the Matrixes, containing in themselves, the vertues, seeds, cha∣racters and Idea's imparted to them by the Universal Spirit. But before we enter into this kinde of Philosophy, after we have spoken in the foregoing Chapter of the nature of Principles, we must now treat in this of Elements; where we will first examine, what reason the Galenists have to say, that Mixt Bodies are com∣pounded of those Elements, and whether there are not more sub∣stances found in their Dissolutions, then those which their Books make mention of.

They say, that when Wood is burned in the Fire, four sub∣stances do manifestly occur to the senses, and do assure us, that these are the four Elements, which did constitute the Mixt be∣fore it was destroyed by the fire. Let us examine, whether they have discovered all, and left no occasion unto us of farther in∣quiry.

Their reasons are grounded upon the following experience: The four Elements, say they, are made manifest to our senses, when the Wood comes to be examined and consumed by Fire; for the Flame represents the Fire, the Smoak Air, the Moysture issuing from the ends of the Wood Water, and the Ashes Earth; whence they draw this consequence, That since we see but those four substances, there was none other that could constitute the Compound. But, though we grant those four to be all what can appear in so gross an operation, yet, if we will proceed with more Art and exactness, we shall not want to finde something more in it: For if you take the pains to enclose shreds or filings of Wood in a well luted Retort, and fit a capacious Recipient to it, and give a graduate and regular fire, you shall discover two substances, which without this Art cannot fall under our senses, and this is the Apple of Discord between Peripatetical and Her∣metical Philosophers: Which before I proceed further, I will en∣deavour to reconcile. To this end, we grant to both Parties, that Principles and Elements, are found in all Mixts; but let us

see how. When the first say, that the Smoak in burning Wood represents the Air, we say they are in the right, for it is only by way of Analogy and similitude, that this Smoak can obtain the denomination of Air; For it is not really Air, since experi∣ence sheweth us, that this smoak imprisoned in a Recipient, hath qualities very much differing from that of Air; whence we inferr, it can be called Air, only by Analogy. And this is the point in which both do differ, concerning this substance, that the Peripa∣teticks call it Air, and Chymists Mercury: Let them dispute of the words, provided we do agree in the thing it self.

We come now to the other Element of Peripateticks, viz. Fire, and the other Principle of Chymisters, Sulphury, which we are to examine, and see in what they agree, and wherein they differ. The first say, that in the action of Fire preying upon Wood, its action is manifest to the senses. But our answer to this sensible experiment is, that whatsoever destroyes the Mixt, cannot be a constitutive Principle of it, but rather a Principle of destruction: If they return, That no fire is actually in the Mixt, but only po∣tentially: therein we will close with them, and reconcile them with the Chymists, who name their Sulphur that potential fire of Peripateticks. To end then their Controversie, I say, that the fire which we see to issue out of burning Wood, is nothing else but the Sulphur of Wood actuated; for the actuating of Sulphur doth consist in its inflamation. As for the Ashes which they will have to be the Element of Earth; that Salt which by washings and Elixivation is extracted out of them, should sufficiently per∣swade these Philosophers, that the Chymists are as well, if not better, grounded in establishing the number of their Principles.

The number then of Principles and Elements which compound Mixt Bodies, being thus cleared, it remains for us to say some∣thing of the Elements, both as to their number and propriety, before we speak of them severally, as also of their Matrixes and Fruits.

It is a thing to be wondred at, that the Sectators of Aristotle, should not yet since so long a time that his Writings and Philo∣sophy are in credit, have determined the number of Elements: For some amongst them with great reason do affirm, that there is no Elementary Fire; I say, with reason, if it be understood in

their own sense: for, to what purpose is it to admit an Element of Fire under the sphere of the Moon, since we assign to it no other use then to enter in the Compound of Mixt Bodies; and that, besides that Element so placed, is at too great a di∣stance from the place where Mixts are generated, we have found that the fire in them is nothing else but their Sulphur: therefore I do conclude here, with Paracelsus, that there is no other Ele∣mentary fire, but the Heaven it self, and its light.

As touching the general proprieties of Elements, two Quaeries use to be made on them: The first, If they are pure; the second, If they are transmutable one into the other. Concerning their purity, I answer, that if they were such, they should prove of no use; for a pure Earth were barren, since it should have in it self no seeds of procreation and fruitfulness; and the brine of the Sea, and several qualities of the Air, sufficiently confirm this Assertion. But as concerning their mutual transmutation of one into the other, it is not so easily performed as vulgar Philoso∣phers do imagine, though we cannot say it to be absolutely im∣possible: For they teach, that Earth is changed into Water, Water into Air, Air into Fire, and finally that Fire by another transmuta∣tion returns into Earth: Because, although Earth and Water do sometimes assume and take the shape and form of Exhalations, yet these vapours are alwayes essentially Water or Earth, as it is made plain by their re-assuming their first nature. This change then cannot happen, unless such or such Element being totally spiritualized, comes to lose its Elementary Idea, and to be re∣united afterwards to the Universal Spirit, who might then give him the Idea of another Element, whose body he might have, by the character imprinted by the Matrix.

For this reason do Chymists assign two natures to Elements, in their description of them; viz. the one Spiritual, the other Corporal; the vertue of the one being hidden in the bosom of the other. Hence it comes, that when they will have any thing to act efficaciously, they endeavour as much as in them lies, to devest it from its Body, and spiritualize it: For as Nature cannot communicate its. Treasures unto us, but under the shade of Bodies, so can we do no more then to devest them by the help of Art from the grossest and most material part of that Body, to apply

to our uses: for if we urge them, and spiritualize too much, so as that they should flye from our sight and contact, then do they lose their bodily Idea and character, and return again to the Uni∣versal Spirit, to re-assume after some space of time their first Idea, or some other differing from it, by the character and Idea of such or such a Matrix, inclosed in such or such part of such or such Element.

These are the true effects of Elements, which are, as we have said, to corporifie or identifie the Universal Spirit, by the seve∣ral ferments contained in their particular Matrixes, and to give it those characters which they had imprinted in themselves; for, as we have said, this Spirit is undetermined to all things, and may be made all in all. This happens, because Nature is never idle, but perpetually in action; and as it is a finited essence, so can it neither create or annihilate any other, because such an act be∣longs only to an infinite power. But this matter being of too large an extent to be treated of here, w•• shall referre it to the following Sections, where we shall particularly treat of Elements, which are the Universal Matrixes of all things, where also we will speak of particular Matrixes, that imprint the Idea's and characters to the Spirit, whereby so many fruits are produced, which daily fall under our use, by the help and means of natural fermentations.

SECT. II. Of the Element of Fire.

SInce all things tend to their Center, and place of their natural rest, it is a manifest sign that they are thereunto inclined and drawn, by a natural vertue, hidden under the shade of their bo∣dies; this vertue can be nothing else, but that Magnetick faculty wherewith each Element is endowed, to draw its like to it self, and repell its contrary: For as the Load-stone attracts the Iron of one side, and rejects it of the other, the Elements do likewise by a like power attract those things which correspond with their nature, and repell and drive away from them, those that be of a different: since then fire ascends, it is not to be doubted but

that this effect doth proceed from a tendency it hath to its natu∣ral place, which is Elementary Fire, where it is carryed by its own proper spirit, when it forsakes the commerce of the other Elements.

To understand well this Doctrine, it is first to be known, that the Element of Fire is not enclosed under the sphere of the Moon, as we have already hinted above, and that consequently no other Fire can be admitted, then the Aether or Heaven it self, which hath its Matrixes and fruits, as the other Elements. For that great number of Stars which we see moving in that vast Element, are nothing else but particular Wombs or Matrixes, where the Universal Spirit takes a very perfect Idea, before it descends to incorporate it self in the Matrixes of the other Ele∣ments; and thence may be illustrated the sense and meaning of that Axiom of the Great-Hermes, which many look upon as a Chimaera; that, Nihil est inferius, quod non sit superius & vice versâ; and that opinion of Paracelsus, who doth affirm, That every thing hath its peculiar Heaven and Astrum: For to speak true, the ver∣tue of all sublunar things cometh from Heaven, by the means of that Spirit whereof we have already so much spoken. Para∣celsus names the knowledge of this Doctrine, Pyromancy, espe∣cially when he treats of the Theory of Diseases; for we see that Elements are as it were the Receptacles and Domicils of all those things that are endowed with an intellectual, sensitive, or vegetative knowledge, or also Mineral, which some do call the fruits of Elements: And according to that Doctrine, it is not to be doubted, that as the Heavens are most perfect and spiritual, so they are the Mansion and Receptacle of those spiritual and perfect substances which are called Intelligences.

But you must note, that when I have said, that Fire in its as∣cent doth forsake the commerce of others Elements, that I have so spoken, only because the visible Fire which we use on our Hearths, is nothing else but a Meteor or Body imperfectly mixt of some Elements or Principles, wherein Fire or Sulphur are pre∣dominant, and its flame an oleagineous and sulphureous smoak kindled; and when fire is spiritualized by that forsaking, it never ceaseth till it hath returned to its natural place, which of ne∣cessity must be above, and beyond the Air, since we see it in the

Air it self in a perpetual action, as willing to forsake it. It is also by the means of this fire, which is still aspiring to its Cen∣ter, that the Clouds, which are hot and moyst Vapours, or Meteors, compounded of Fire and Water, ascend to the second or middle Region of the Air, where the fire forsaking the water to ascend still higher, and so this Water finding it self destituted of the Fire, which did bear it up in the Form of a Vapour, is forced to fall back in the form and substance of rain.

And here you are to note that Circulation, which Nature makes by the means of that Universal Spirit, already described; for as its power is limited, and that she can, neither create nor produce any new thing, so can she neither create nor annihilate any substance already created; as for Example, The continual Influxes of Heaven and its Starres, do incessantly produce the Fire or Spiritual Light, which beginneth first to embody it self in the Air, where it takes the Idea of Hermaphroditical Salt, which thence falls in the waters and upon the earth, where it takes a body, either Mineral, Vegetable, or Animal, by the character and efficacy of some particular Matrix, imprinted in it by the action of its ferment; And when this body comes to be dissolved by the means of some potent Agent, its Sulphur, Fire or Light corporified is so depurated, that the Starrs attract it for their food; for the Stars, (as we suppose) are nothing else but a Fire, a Sulphur, or some most pure Light actuated: Not unlike the link of a Lamp, which once being lighted, doth continually attract the Oyl to feed its flame: so that the Starrs in the same manner attract this fire, which is depurated by that action, and spiritualize it anew, to precipitate again by their kinde influency, and restore it to the Air, the Water, and the Earth, to corporifie it, or give it a body again: Thus you see nothing is lost in Na∣ture, which maintains its great work, and wheel, by these two principal actions, viz. By spiritualizing to corporifie, and cor∣porifying to spiritualize, as we have already said; and these are as two Ladders, whereby the heavenly influences descend down, and re-ascend again from the lower parts: for the Heavenly vertues should not be so durable, and would daily decay, by reason of the perpetual Conflux of so many productive substances, without this constant Circulation; unless that without any ne∣cessity

we would admit a perpetual creation and destruction of sublunary substances, which could not be without a Miracle, and being a thing of daily course, might be called a miracle with∣out miracle, and so imply a manifest contradiction: What Spring do you think could supply the matter which feeds those vast Aetnean flames, which have lasted already so many Ages, were it not for this Circulation of Nature? And what could since so many years entertain the streaming sources of those mineral, hot, and acid Fountains which the World doth afford in so many places, unless it were by the help of this wonderfull Ladder, and concatenation of Earth and Heaven: Therefore it must not be held totally impossible to make a Body turn wholly into Spirit, and reduce that Spirit again to Body; for you know, that Art applying Actives to Passives, may in a very short time perform that, which Nature must be long busied about: And because that artificial Circulation which was performed in an ancient Sepulcher sound out at Padua, doth not ill represent that Natural Circulati∣on, or Circulation of Nature, whereof we have spoken, it will not be amiss to insert here in sew words the history of it; Appianus in his Books of Antiquities, relates it thus: That in the Town of Padua was discovered a very ancient Monument, wherein, being opened, a burning Lamp was found, which had been there kindled many Ages before, as by the Inscriptions of it did appear. This fire could not possibly be maintained, but by Circulation, and so it is easie to conjecture how it was done; viz. The Oyl spi∣ritualized by the heat of the burning and kindled Taper, did condense it self at the top, and so fall again into the same place whēnce it had been elevated. The Taper likely was made of Gold, Talcum, or Alumen Plumeum, which are incombustible; and the Urn was so exactly closed, that the least particle of Oleagi∣nous vapours could not breathe out.

SECT. III. Of the Element of Air.

PHilosophers have been long in doubt, whether there was an Element of Air, and whether that space wherein Animals do move and live, was not voyd of all substance; but the invention

and use of Bellowes, and the necessity of respiration, have at last abolisht this error. Therefore, there is no debate or difference between Chymist and Peripateticks at present, concerning the exi∣stency and place of this Element; but they agree not amongst themselves concerning its use in Nature: for these last do make the Air to bear a part in the composition of Mixt Bodies, which the former utterly reject and deny, because it never falls under their senses, in the last resolution of the Compound. The chief use which Chymists do assign to this Element, is, that it serves as Matrix to the Universal Spirit, which doth begin in it to take some bodily Idea, before it be wholly corporified in the Elements of Water and Earth, who produce Mixt Bodies, that are as fruits of the said Elements. And because we see no Element which doth not bear and produce its fruits, some have been for∣ward to affirm, that Birds were the fruits of the Air. But this opinion is wrong and erroneous; for although these Birds be vo∣latile, and for the most part abide in the Air, yet can they not be deprived of Commerce with the Earth either for the necessi∣ty of generation or food: they that maintain Meteors to be the right fruits of the Air, are much more in the right, since they take in it their true Meteoric•• Idea.

Some do call that part of Philosophy, which concerns the knowledge of Nature, the fruits and effects of this Element, Chormancy, but it is corruptly, and by a mistake instead of Aero∣mancy; for Chormancy is something more general, and more universal: since it is the Doctrine and knowledge of the Chaos, which is to say, this great Matrix, whence all the Elements have been drawn: it is the Tohu and Bohu, or the hyle of Cabalists, which in Holy Scripture is called Water, where it is said, that the Spirit of God did move upon the Waters, or rather lay hovering over the Wa∣ters, as a Hen doth over her Brood, Spiritus Dei incubabat aquis.

But a question may here be moved, that whereas we have said above, that Elements cannot but difficulty quit their own na∣ture to put on that of another Element, how it comes to pass, that Air is said to be the food and aliment of Fire, and that in reality it seems so necessary for its subsistance, that it perisheth

as soon as the passage or communication of Air becomes inter∣cepted. The answer is at hand; for as we have already shewed, the fire of our Hearths, or material fire, is not pure, the com∣bustible matter set on fire, doth send forth abundance of vapours and fuliginous excrements, which do very much prejudice the durableness and action of it; therefore it requires still a stream of continual Air, to remove the fuliginous matter, because with∣out it the flame should immediately be choaked; so that by this appears, how this conversion or imaginary food, is to be ta∣ken, and how much d••fference there is between true and false Philosophy.

Another question may be yet started, touching the use of respiration or breathing in Animals: Whether that Air which they draw in their breathing, hath any other end but meerly to refresh them, as the ordinary Philosophers do give out, only re∣lying upon their Teachers words, without any industrious enquiry touching the truth of it, and contenting themselves to quote their Authority, as the sum and ground of all reasons: But those that look more narrowly into the nature of things, say, that there is another much more excellent and necessary use thereof, viz. to attract the Universal Spirit, which by th•• influx of the Heavens, is conveyed into the Air, where it is endowed with an Idea al∣together Celestial, Spiritual, and full of vertue and efficacy; it is converted in the heart into Animal spirit, where it receives a perfect and vivifying Idea, which renders the Animal capable by its help to exercise all the functions of life: For it is this spirit contained in the Air we breath in, which subtilizeth, and maketh volatile, all the superfluities that are found both in the venal and arterial blood, the shop and matter of vital and animal spirits; and it is by the force and efficacy of this Spirit, that Na∣ture is enabled to expell the impurities of nutriment insinuated in the last digestions, by entertaining a continual transpiration through the pores. This appears even in the Plants, though very obscurely: for although they be deprived of Lungs, or any other material Instrument, for the performance of respiration; yet have they something Analogous to it, which is their Magnetisme, by which they draw that Spirit residing in the Air, without which they could not perform their natural Operations, as to

nourish themselves, increase, produce their like, &c. Which ma∣nifestly doth appear when they are buried too deep in the ground, and by this means deprived from that vivifying Spirit, by which they are animated, for they immediately die as if they were suffocated.

SECT. IV. Of the Element of Water.

THE most learned and perspicacious Philosophers amongst the Ancients, have been of opinion, that Water was the first Principle of all things; because it could in their apprehension, by its rarefaction or condensation, produce the other Elements. But as we have heretofore declared this mutual change to be im∣possible, so must we have our recourse to another way of Philo∣phy. We shall not here co••sider Water, as being a constitutive Principle in the Composition of the Mixt; for in this sense we have already spoken of it, where we have treated of Phlegm: But we shall speak of it as of a vast Element, concurring to the frame of this Universe, and containing in it self many particu∣lar Matrixes, which produce a fair and pleasing variety of fruits: First of Animals, viz. Fishes, and all sorts of Water-Insects: Se∣condly, Vegetables, as the herb called Ducks-meat, which hath her root implanted in the Water it self: And finally, Minerals, as Shells, Pearls, and Salt, which is abundantly through Creeks and secret pores conveyed into the Earth, to advance the pro∣duction of her own fruits. The Water then is the second gene∣ral Matrix, where the Universal Spirit takes the Idea of Salt, communicated by the Air, which did receive it from the Light, and the Heavens, for the production of all sublunary things. Paracelsus calls the knowledge of this Philosophy of Water, Hydromancy.

SECT. V. Of the Element of Earth.

IN the last Section of the foregoing Chapter, we have spoken of the Earth, as a Principle partly constituting the mixture of the body, and found after its last resolution; but in this Section we treat of it, as of the fourth and last Elem••nt of this Universe.

The Earth in this respect is, as it were, the Center of the World, in which all its vertues, proprieties and faculties are united; it seemeth even that all the other Elements were created for the use and benefit of the Earth, for all what is in them more precious, seemeth to be intended for its service. Thus the Orbs of Heaven are incessantly whirled about, to supply all the parts of it with vital spirit, and for the maintaining as it were, and recruiting the daily expences of its Family: The Air is in a perpetual motion, to penetrate her deepest bowels, an•• that to the same end, viz. to furnish her with the same vital spirit; and the Water is never at rest, running continually to communicate to her that which the Air hath bestowed upon him: So that all the World seemeth to be concerned for the Earth, and the Earth only for her Fruits, which are her Children, she being the Mother of all things. It seemeth even that the Universal Spirit, loves the Earth above any other of the Elements, since it descends from the highest part of Heaven, where it is in its exaltation, to corporifie it self, or take a bodily shape here on Earth. Now the first Body which the Universal Spi∣rit doth take, is that of Hermaphroditical Salt, whereof we have spoken above, which contains generally in it self all the Principles of life: it is not deprived of Sulphur nor Mercury, for it is the seed of all things, which takes afterwards a body, and the Idea or taliety of Mixts, by help of the characters of particular Matrixes or Wombs, inclosed in the body of this great Element: If it meets with a Vitriolick Matrix, it turns it self to Vitriol; if with Sulphur, it becomes Sulphur, and so of the rest, and that by the vertue and efficacy of several natural sermentations: In a Vegetable Matrix, it becomes Plant; in a Mineral, Stone, Mineral, Metal; in an Animal, whether living or not living, it produces an Animal, as it is

daily seen in the generation of such creatures as are produced by the corruption of some Animal, or other Mixt; as for Example, Bees generated out of young Bulls flesh, and Worms out of the corrupti∣on of several Fruits: Now as there are a great many differences of Mixts, so is there a great variety of particular Matrixes, which often causeth a transplantation in all things; but this matter belongeth rather to Chymical Philosophy then to this place, where having no time to particularize, we do treat of things only in a general way. The knowledge of that part of Philosophy which concerns this Element and its fruits, is called Geomancy. By it we are made ca∣pable of knowing the operations of Nature, both in its very bowels and the surface: Her fruits are the Animals, Vegetables and Mine∣rals; and if these Mixts are composed of the purest vital Principles, then according to their proper nature and condition, will they be lasting, and will attain the end of their natural predestination (or destiny) if some external and occasional cause doth not interrupt that progress, and stop them in their Career: But when Chance (or Fortune) mixes in their first Composition or Nourishment, any of the Principles of Death or Destruction, they cannot long subsist, neither end their intended course by Nature; because these Do∣mestical ••oes do incessantly devour and consume them, as we shall make appear, when we come hereafter to speak of Purity and Im∣purity. But before we enter into that matter, something must be said of the Principles of Death or Destruction.

CHAP. V. Of the Principles of Destruction.

SECT. I. Of the Order of Matters treated in this Chapter.

HAving to treat of Purity and Impurity, in the second Book, which shall immediately follow this Chapter, and the Principles of Death being in a manner contained under this matter; I found it not out of purpose, to close this first Book

by a short Discourse upon these Principles, although to speak properly, they should not be called by this name; for it is proper to the nature of Principles ever to compound or generate, but never to destroy.

We have shewed heretofore, that Principles may be considered three several wayes, viz. Either before the composition of the Mixt, or in the state of its composition, or finally after dissolution and destruction: We may say the same here touching the Prin∣ciples of Death, which we have already said in another place concerning the Principles of Life. But because Contraries oppo∣sed one to the other, are better apprehended and illustrated, we shall say something again concerning the Principles of Life be∣fore the composition of the Mixt, that we may the better come to the knowledge of the Principles of Death, when we shall speak of it in the third Section; for we shall referre our selves so speak of their effects, being already corporified or embodyed in Mixts, when we come to treat of Purity and Impurity.

SECT. II. Of the Principles of Life before Composition.

WE have often said above, that the Universal Spirit being indifferent to be made all things, is undetermined to any particular subject, unless by the character of particular Matrixes; and because each Element is filled with these particular Matrixes or Wombs, as we have already proved, each Element doth con∣tribute something of his own for the perfection of its Composite. The Heaven doth by the assistance of his Stars, communicate unto it her heavenly, spiritual, and invisible vertue, which descends first into the Air, where it beginneth to assume a kinde of body; the Air sends it into the Water or the Earth, where this coelestial vertue and influence beginneth to operate more materially, and associate it self to matter, thereby to frame a body to it self, by means of those various natural fermentations which are the cause of alteration in sublunary things: because this Spirit is the true Agent, and the true efficient internal cause of these fermentations performed in the Matter, which of it self is meerly passive, and

the Archeus or director general of it: For when it is Mixt and united to the body, which clotheth it as it were, or involves it under its rinde, it can neither produce nor manifest those wonder∣full effects which it hides and conceals, being then as it were fettered and imprisoned; and shall never be able to exercise or shew his vittues, unless it be first disintangled of its corporeity, and grosseness of the matter; and this is the main point upon which Chymistry bestowes so much labour, care and study, to bring unto light those lovely Truths, which this p••••t of natural knowledge doth contain.

Now as this Universal Spirit is the first Principle of all things, and that all things are produced by it, and return into the same, it is evident, that it must by necessity prove also the first Prin∣ciple or Original of death in all things, which doth imply no contradiction, since it is done and understood in several respects; for as the variety of Compounds in Nature, doth require for its maintenance a variety of substances: There is also a variety of Matrixes or Wombs in the Elements, to attend the fabrick of those various substances, and thence it is that what doth often∣times advance the life of one, is the destruction and death of the other; as for Example: A corrosive Principle will be the death of a sweet Mixt; and contrary wise, a sweet Principle the death of a corrosive, by taking away its acrimony and sharpness, which did constitute its estence and differency.

But to speak strictly and properly, it appears, that this first Principle, thus and thus Ideified, cannot be said to be a Prin∣ciple of Life or Death: This expression can hold but in a re∣spective consideration, and as it relates to this or that Compound; but as the most part of sweet things do contribute to the service and preservation of Mankind, because they have some correspon∣dency with his taste, and participate more of substances analo∣gous to his Nature and Constitution: Hence it comes to pass, that when the Universal Spirit hath received this stamp or cha∣racter, it takes the denomination of Principle of Life; as to the contrary that of Death, if it be stampt with a corrosive Idea, which not only prejudiceth to the actions of man, but corrupts also those of such Mixts and Substances as serve for his daily food and subsistance.

So when the Air is filled with Arsenical vapours, and Realga∣rick and Corrosive Influences, which by reason of the necessary use of respiration, are often the cause of great mortality amongst Mankinde; yet considering that those destructive spirits are not influenced to that end, and that their ill effects, as to Man, are only accidental; so can they not properly be called Principles of Death, since they are dispensed here below by the Care of Nature, for the generation and propagation of Arsenical Substances, Real∣gars, and other corrosive mixt Compounds, which are no ess a part of the World then Man it self, and are destinated to a better end, by the hand of the all-wise Master and Creator of this Uni∣verse, then is known unto most of us; for we see that Nature and Art can so order and prepare these Mixts, as to make them fit and serviceable for the use of Man: We must not therefore presently call Nature a Step-mother to us, since God hath endowed us with the skill and means, to avoid these evil and malignant in∣fluencies. To accommodate our selves then, to the vulgar way of expression, we shall say, that the Principles of Life, before the Composition of the Mixt, are nothing else but the Universal Spirit, impregnated with the Idea of favourable and amicable Principles to our Nature, and possessing in the Center of its Her∣maphroditical Salt, a moderate Sulphur, a temperate Mercury, and a sweet Salt: as to the contrary, the Principles of Death are no∣thing else but this same Spirit, having in it the same Hermaphro∣ditical Salt mixt with a sharp Sulphur, a biting Mercury, and a corrosive Salt, as we shall more fully declare in the following Section.

SECT. III. Of the Principles of Death.

I Must, before I do proceed further, repeat once more here, that when we call these, Principles against Nature, we under∣stand not Nature in a general term; but only humane Nature: because it happens often, that what is Poyson to one species, shall be nourishment to the other: so doth Hen-bane please to Sterns, which feed upon it; and killeth Man.

This ground being layd, I say, that all heat, or rather all hot, corrosive, biting, sharp substance, which destroyes and consumes, is such, because it contains in it self a Sulphur against Nature; and that from this Sulphur it is, that as from their Spring, do flow all the vertues and proprietyes of the Mixt, where that im∣pure Sulphur is predominant: for if Life doth flow from a sweet, natural and vital Sulphur, and that it receives a long preservation by the essential proprietyes of this Sulphur, it must necessarily be concluded, that death and destruction must follow that Sulphur which is of an opposite nature unto it; and all Arsenicks, Realgar, Auripigment, or Lead-oar, Sandarack, and all other venoms of a hot, fiery nature, whether celestial, aerial, watery, terrestrial, all these Poysons, I say, are such by their very actions, and sole propriety of this Sulphur against Nature.

It is not our design to speak here of those Principles which are enemies and contrary to humane nature when they are already in∣corporated, and do compose some of the venemous Mixts, because we referre our selves to treat of it in the Book following; we shall only speak of these Principles here, as they are yet spiritual, & flow∣ing from the Stars; by the mediation of the Universal Spirit, and as this Principle is single in this respect, so hath it received these seve∣ral and different denominations: for as we have already said, that the Sulphur, which is heat, cannot be without Mercury, that is to say, moysture; neither without Salt, by reason of their mutual union, it followeth from thence, that a biting Mercury, and corrosive and caustick Salt is required to the subsistance of a sharp Sulphur; as likewise a temperate Mercury and sweet Salt is required for the preservation of a moderate Sulphur. For these three Principles are ever united and joyned very strictly together, whether con∣sidered as P••inciples of life, or P••inciples of death; and if some∣times we treat of them separately, it is to the end only that their operations and nature may be better understood; because there is still one of these Principles predominant above the others in the Compound, and whose actions are made manifest, concealing and blunting the efficacy and vertues of the two other, though not∣withstanding they act by way of Concomitancy, with that which predominates; as for Example: When the Mercury of Death ope∣rates the Sulphur against Nature, and corrosive Salt does not cease

from their action, though it appears but little, by reason of the pre∣dominant Principle, for à potiori sumitur denominatio.

Now as the Sulphur of Death, or Mortal Sulphur, doth manifest it self in the Arsenical substances, Realgar, Auripigment, &c. the Mercury of Death doth also the same in all Narcoticks, and we have not without reason affirmed these poysons to be, not only terre∣strial, but aerial also; for in all the Elements there is much of this malignant Mercury, not yet specified in any individual Body, but flying up and down, and remaining of a volatile nature; and whensoever it exceeds proportion, doth cause an infinite number of Epidemical, Pestilential, and Contagious Diseases; and if the individual venoms already immersed in Bodies did not attract it for their nourishment, it would infallibly, cause a great spoyl and dis∣order in the World.

And as Salt is the Principle which causes the coalescency of substances in Bodies, or corporification (if we may use the word) and that by it Sulphur and Mercury are made visible and palpable, by reason of the coalition of the same which it causes; so the cor∣roding Salt, doth also corporifie the two other Principles of Death, and renders them visible by giving them a Body; for these sub∣stances otherwise should remain invisible in the Universal Spirit, were they not brought to light, and made corporeal by the opera∣tion and help of the Salt, and by this means it is, we finde true, that so important Axiom of the great Trismegist, when he saith, that Quod est occultum fit manifestum, et vice versâ. The violence and hurtfull nature of this Salt of Death, appears very little in natu∣ral things; but when Art hath bestowed its skill, upon one or several Mixts, then appears its activity, and not before, as is ob∣vious in all sublimated Corrosives, Aqua Fortis, Butter of Anti∣mony, and several other Preparations, of this nature, known to the Sons of Art, it is from such a kinde of Salt, that Cancers, Gan∣grenes, Kings-evil, and all other corroding Ulcers are generated in mans body; which is against the sense of those, who do im∣pute to sharp and biting humours, the cause of these Diseases, ha∣ving but Chymical notions of knowledge in natural things, as we shall shew in the next Book, where we shall declare which way the Principles of Death do incorporate themselves in Man.

The Second Book OF The First Part. Of Purity and Impurity.

CHAP. I. What is Purity and Impurity.

THE words pure and impure, may be taken several wayes; for some by Purity understand what is usefull and profitable to Mans Nature, and by Im∣purity what is hurtfull and damageable to it: Others will have that to be purity which is homogeneous, and all heterogeneous substances to be impurity; but it may so happen sometimes, that Heterogeneous substances shall be profitable, and the Homogeneous hurtfull. Thence it may be gathered, that nothing can be said either pure or impure, absolutely speaking, but only comparatively, and in respect of one thing to another: For as we have already said above, it may happen, that what shall offend the one, shall help the other; as for Example: Should it not be thought a very great absurdity to believe, that the bones

of Animals should be impure, because men do not eat them, and that their Flesh only should deserve the appellation of pure, be∣cause men feed upon it with pleasure, though the same bones be so absolutely necessary to the perfection of Animals, that with∣out them they should not be what they are, since Bones are the solidest part of their substance.

We shall not take here purity and impurity in this sense: but by purity we will understand, all what in the Mixt or Compound can be found to serve our end and purpose; as to the contrary, by impurity all what opposeth it self and contradicts to our in∣tention in the work: For though in Mixts Bodies there be ma∣ny parts hurtfull to mans nature, yet if we speak absolutely or respectively, in reference to the same Mixt, the parts of its Compound cannot be said impure, since they are of the estence of it, and do constitute his integrality: Moreover these parts cannot be damageable to man, but conditionally, since nothing compells him, but his own will to make use of it.

Purity and Impurity are in this sense considered, either in man, or out of him. The impurity found in man doth hinder and disturb his and Natures intention, which is, that without interruption, he might enjoy a full and entire health: The same doth it also out of him, since we suppose that it must necessarily enter and penetrate in him: But this is the difference between these two kinde of Impurities; that inward impurity doth all immediately by its presence, and the other is only considered as remote and absent, though it is to be neerer at hand, at some time or other. Because, as there is a necessity for man to breathe, and receive daily food, so can he not avoid the action of that impurity wherewith the Air and Elements are sometimes impregnated, as hereafter we will make it appear, and demonstrate also that in those substances which by some are accounted pure, there doth yet remain intermixed abundance of impurity.

CHAP. II. How Purity and Impurity are mixt in all the Com∣pounds of Nature.

THere is in every Mixt a Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury, pro∣per to its nature, as we have already said above: Now all Mixt perfectly framed, is either Animal, Vegetable or Mineral. Whence we gather, that as the one is the food of the other, as it appears by the mutation of Minerals into Vege∣tables, and of Vegetables into Animals, and again from Animals into Vegetables and Minerals; so is there in every Mixt, a Salt Sulphur and Mercury, Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral, imparted to them by the Universal Spirit; for all what receives nutriment receiveth it by its like, and what is dissimilary, is expelled as an Excrement: and if the expelling faculty is not vigorous and strong enough for this purpose, there remains many Excrements in the Compounds, which occasions many Mineral Diseases in mans body, altogether unknown to vulgar Physick, and conse∣quently out of the reach of her Methodical Remedies and Pre∣scriptions.

This which I say here, cometh to pass in this manner: When the food is received into mans body, & digestion hath separated the se∣veral parts of Mixts, which contribute to its nourishment; each part doth attract out of this food, and the Animal Principles therein, that which is most proper and Analogous to its nature. But as for those other Principles, which cannot be assimilated to our sub∣stance, and are no staffe of our lives, Nature doth expell them by the ministery of that faculty which is dedicated to such an Office: But if this faculty be oppressed or debilitated, by some acciden∣tal and external cause, or by some internal disorder of our Ar∣cheus, which is the guide and director of our life and health; then do these Excrements coagulate themselves, or turn volatile, according to the Idea which the natural fermentation vitiated by this accidental disorder, imprints on them; and by this defect

are all the Mines of Diseases bred and generated in us. Whence it cometh to pass, that such Diseases cannot be mastered nor expelled, but only by such as are first very well acquainted with the nature and vice of the Ferment; and secondly, with the proper and specifical remedy, which can restore our Nature, and appease those irritations of Spirits, which are caused for the most part by a preposterous or corrupt fermentation. For if the ferment be of a coagulative nature, it is necessary we be acquainted with some specifick dissolvement, which should not prejudice the Ven∣tricle: but if it be such a dissolvement, as will make an evil col∣liquation of the nutriment and parts; he that will undertake the Cure with success, must know what remedy is capable to repair that fault in Nature, and reform its disorder. Thence proceed the reiterated fits in F••avours, and their continuance often, not∣withstanding the administration of many remedies, which cannot stop their raging fury, because we are for the most part ignorant in the effects of good or bad fermentation.

If our leasure would give us leave to enlarge here upon several noble and curious inquiries, we should be taught by this Phi∣losophy the causes of several effects, altogether unknown to most men. I will give a touch only by the by, for a proof of it, upon this Question ordinarily moved: Wherefore Men before the Flood were much stronger and long-lived without comparison, then after that general inundation of the World? Two reasons of this effect and wonderfull change we can give, according to the Doctrine layd already before: The first, that as the world stood then in the beginning, there was yet no change of alteration in the nature of things; which happened since, only by the several mixtures and changes introduced in the Compounds of Nature, after the deserved Curse inflicted upon sin. The second, that the Waters, which are the general Matrixes or Wombs of several Minerals, and particularly of Salts, had not yet covered all the Earth, neither by consequence communicated the Mineral seeds, to feed the Family of Vegetables, whose vertue is thereby be∣come vitiated, and their first nature in a manner altered: Whence the Animals Family hath been made partaker of this defect, be∣cause it drawes its food and sustenance almost from Vegetables; as this chiefly appears in the Vine, which abounds in Tartar,

which is its proper Salt: Now, that Tartar is a kinde of Mineral, appears by its action, working potently upon Minerals, and with great efficacy upon Metals; for, all natural action is performed by its like, and there is a proportion required between the Agent and Patient. But to avoyd here multiplying objections, I un∣derstand here by this Proportion only a genetical similitude. These things thus premised, 'twill not be very difficult to con∣ceive what is here properly understood by impurity, viz. That they are Principles of an Heterogeneous and different nature, mixt with other Principles, not of the same Family nor Category: As when Minerals become by some way or other, united to Ve∣getables or Animals: It is also very easie to observe, how Purity insinuates it self in all things, by taking the opposite or contre-part of what we have said of Impurity. But now will it be necessary to shew, how impurity may be severed or banished, since it is a Prin∣ciple of Death and Destruction, as purity a Principle of Life, as we have said here above.

CHAP. III. How the Impurity of all things is to be separated.

WEE have said impurity to be that which could interrupt the perfection of those actions, which do conduct the Mixt to the end of its natural predestination: It is then very requisite to know, how it may be freed from this do∣mestick enemy, which insensibly doth creep into the Com∣pounds. Now as all Mixts are under several genders, and diffe∣ring species, and that there is several sorts of impurities, men have invented several Arts to correct and take them away: and as the Art of Chymistry hath all the things of Nature in general for her object, so doth it endeavour to shew how they may be freed and extricated from their impurities: But because, to par∣ticularize all the parts of this doctrine, would extend beyond the limits of a Compendious Treatise, as this we do intend; we shall

content our selves to speak only of those Impurities, which use to happen in Chymical Operations: For, to handle any part of Physical Chymistry or Iatrochimy, is not here our design, since it could alone fill many Volumes. You are to note only by the by, that there is two several wayes of removing the impurity of things; the first universal, the other particular: The first is an universal medicine, which is or may be extracted from several subjects, after they have been, as much as Art can perform it, reduced to their Universality, and devested of their specification and natural fermentation, which caused them to be this or that determinate Mixt: For this Medicine being by a fit digestion, and requisite coction and maturation, reduced to the highest de∣gree of its exaltation; it is sufficient to expell impurity out of all Bodies indifferently, because it insensibly consumes it, both by the help of Fixation and Volatilization. The second is a particular Medicine, which by its specifical vertue and faculty, may expell particular impurities: A thing of no small importance, and whose secret is not to be attained unto but by the true Sons of Art; and those which do joyn together manual Operation and diligent Practice to an indefatigable study, which do use and bring to the Examen of Tracts the weight of their reason, and never venture their Remedies upon sick Patients, unless groun∣ded upon the infallible Theorems of the noblest Philosophy, and the truest Physick.

To return then to our Operations, we have said above, that by the ministery of fire, the Artist did separate from each Com∣pound, five Substances or differing Principles, which though very pure in themselves, yet in several respects may have their impu∣rities, either in respect to themselves, or in respect to our in∣tention: For if we have occasion to use only the Spirit extracted out of a Mixt, and that this Spirit be joyned with some portion of the Phlegm of it, we shall say this Spirit to be impure in such a respect, and so of the other Principles. Now concerning the particular way of separating these kinde of impurities, we shall treat of it in the following Book, but particularly in the first Chapter of the last Book, to which we referre the Reader.

CHAP. IV. Of the Pure Substances extracted out of Mixts.

BEsides the five Substances or Principles, which we have for∣merly said may be extracted out of natural Compounds, by the ministery of fire; there may be yet some Essences drawn, by diversifying the Operations of Art, which exalts, and do ennoble the Principles of these Mixts, and raise it to their purity. These Essences do not only differ in body, from that of the Compound whence they were extracted, but are advanced also to nobler and more efficacious qualities and vertues, than those which during it's intireness did adorn their bodies, and after its dissolution and artificial separation, will possess more then any of the Principles of the Compound. But though these wonderfull Essences obtain several names in the Books of Philo∣sophers, who call them Arcana's, Magisteries, Elixirs, Tinctures, Panacea's, Specifical Extracts, &c. they are comprehended ne∣vertheless, under the general notion of pure and purity; and it proceeds from hence, that after those Essences are drawn out of their Mixts, the remainder is commonly rejected as impure. Paracelsus in his first Book of Archidoxa's, saith, that the six fol∣lowing Preparations, viz. Essences, Arcana's, Elixirs, Specificks, Tinctures, Extracts, are contained in the mystery of Nature, which he calls Purity, and that with a learned allusion to the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies fire; thereby insinuating, that these Essences are brought neer and assimilated to their first Prin∣ciple, which is of the nature of Fire, since Light it self, which is but Fire, is the first Principle of all things: In the same place, he calleth also the Body Impurity, which keepeth in Prison this mystery: and therefore saith, that he that will enjoy this myste∣ry, must devest it of all Corporeity, as it shall appear in the second part of this Treatise. But it is here to be noted, that when Paracelsus saith, that this mystery must be devested of its body, he means only that it must be freed of that gross body wherein it is imprisoned, to impart him a more subtle one,

which he may shake off with ease, and spiritualize himself, to be the more capable thereby to penetrate into our last digestions, and there correct all those defects which impurity might have caused. This mystery sometimes is extracted out of one sole Mixt, as Magisteries are done; sometimes of several Compounds, as Elixirs, which will appear more plainly hereunder.

But it will not be from our purpose, to treat succinctly of Compounds, either perfect or imperfect, and their variety, be∣cause we have already much spoken of it in this Treatise, and are to speak yet more; considering likewise that these Mixts are the subject and matter of Chymical Operations, and further, that it may serve as a common and peculiar place of Physick, where he that will rightly be informed, to what Category each Body doth belong, may have his recourse: We shall then handle in this last Chapter of this Book, the natural generation and cor∣ruption of Bodies, and their variety.

CHAP. V. Of the Natural Generation and Corruption of Mixts, and their variety.

SECT. I. Of the Order of this Chapter.

BEfore we can well understand the nature of Mixts and Mixti∣on, and apprehend clearly how purity or impurity bear a part in their generation, we must know well before-hand, what Alteration is; and thence consequently inform our selves touching the nature of Generation and Corruption. Therefore it will be apposite, to say succinctly something of Alteration, Generation, Corruption, and Mixtion, before we enumerate more particularly the Mixts, either perfect or imperfect, which are the fruits of Na∣ture, and by consequence the subject of its Operations.

SECT. II. Of the Alteration, Generation and Corruption of Natural things.

IF you will insist upon the Etymology of the word Alteration, you shall finde it to be nothing else but, A motion by which any subject is made different from what it was before: Or thus, It is a motion by which a subject is accidentarily altered accor∣ding to its qualities. In this, Alteration differs from Generation; for Generation is an essential and substantial change, and Alte∣ration is only an accidental motion of the qualities of a Body: And further, Alteration is only a disposition and preparatory way towards Generation and Corruption: and thence it comes to pass, that there are two kindes of Alteration; the one per∣fecting the Body or Substance, the other destructive of it. In per∣fective Alteration, all the qualities observe a just temper of pro∣portion, and an equal harmony, according to the nature of their subject, and in order either to preserve the same nature, or assume a more perfect one. But in the destructive or putrefactive Alte∣ration, all qualities fall into that disorder, that they plainly re∣move their subject from its natural constitution, as it often hap∣pens in fluid bodies, abounding with great store of Phlegm; and is seen by Example in Wine, when it begins to corrupt, and grow flat.

This is then the difference between Alteration and Generation, that Alteration introduceth no substantial form into its subject; but that which is substance in the subject, receives only some ad∣ventitious quality which it had not before; as for Example, when heat or cold are generated in any Plant or Animal. But Genera∣tion is a change of substance, which presupposes not only the production of new qualities in the Subject, but of new substantial forms also: as when out of Bread Blood is engendred, the subject or matter of this Bread is not only deprived of the quality of Bread, but also of its substantial and essential form, to take the form and quality of Blood: Yet are you to note, that a question upon this may be raised, though not wanting its Answer, viz.

That when some Physical Herb is prescribed to a Nurse to feed upon, that the vertue of this Herb may pass into her Milk, whether it be the same numerical quality which was in the Herb, that is now found in the Milk? The Answer is negative; though it be the same specifical, or rather generical: For as the Milk and the Plant do generically differ, the difference of their quality should also be altogether generical. But to speak of these things more intelligibly, we say with Van Helmont, that the vertue of the Plant was inclosed in its Median or Intrinsecal Life, which is neither altered nor corrupted by the Nurses digestions, and so is conveyed into her milk, setting aside the ordinary Quiblets and Niceties of Schools, which usually raise more doubts, then they can establish truths in Physick and Philosophy. Hence you may learn, how the Generation of one thing is the Corruption of the other: and contrary-wise, the Corruption maketh the Ge∣neration. Therefore we will say no more of Corruption, because whosoever shall understand the one, cannot be ignorant in the other: We will only succinctly shew, wherein Generation and Corruption, do differ from Creation, Destruction or Annihilation. The difference then lyes in this, that Generation and Corruption do presuppose a matter, which must be the subject of the several forms introduced into it. But Creation and Destruction require no matter; for as the one is the production of something out of nothing, so is reciprocally Annihilating performed but upon cre∣ated things. Generation and Corruption are natural motions, proceeding from a second and finite cause: but Creation and Destruction or Annihilation, can only be the work of an Om∣nipotent hand, and infinite Cause; the distance between being and not being, something and nothing, being infinite.

These things thus cleared, we come to Mixtion, which is two∣fold, viz. the one so called improperly, which is artificial; the other proper and natural. That improperly called, is but a local approximation of Bodies differing in Nature, confusedly joyned together, so an heap of Corn is improperly called Mixt; this Artificial mixture, in which the parts are really mixt together, but without change or alteration of the whole substance, is yet double, viz. that which is made by apposition, and that which is by confusion of the parts: Apposition is made, when the things mixt

together, are divided in parcels scarce perceptible to the eye, as when the particles of Wheat and Barley mixt in a heap, are mingled in the same mass of Flower: Confusion is, when the mixt parcels are not only imperceptibly divided, but also so con∣founded together, that they cannot easily be separated again, as when Water and Wine are mixed together, and Apothecaryes mix their Druggs, which remain so confounded, that none can be longer discerned.

Natural mixture properly so said, is a strict union of the sub∣stances, whence some things substantial doth result, and yet diffe∣rent from the other Substances which constitute it, by the help of Alteration: For by the conjunction of the Principles, a Mixt is generated, whose principal form differs from that of its own Principles, as it is made more manifest in the dissolution of the Mixt, according to the Peripatetical Axiom, which saith that, Quod est ultimum in resolutione, id fuit primum in compositione. This Alteration, which causeth Unition to lead Nature to Union, and thence to Mixtion, hath been already illustrated, where we have spoken of the conjunction of Salt and Spirit, and the action of Phlegm and Sulphur, which overcome the sharpness and sower∣ness of Salt and Mercury; and when we have said, that the Earth imparts solidity and body to these several Substances; it is by the means of this Alteration, this union and conjunction, that the natural Compound is framed and produced. And if it be ob∣jected, that these Principles are rather a work of Art then Na∣ture, your recourse shall be for answer, to what we have already said in the first Section of the first Chapter of the first Book.

SECT. III. Of the differency of Mixts in general.

HAving sufficiently discoursed at large of those single, pure and homogeneous Substances, which we have called Principles; and having illustrated their various alterations before their union and mixtion, which maketh up the perfecting of the Compound: it followeth we should speak of such Mixts as are resulting from this action. All Mixts are perfectly or imperfectly compounded,

according to the strength or weakness of their Principles union. The Body, which is imperfectly compounded, hath only a light coagulation of some of the Principles, and not very lasting, neither differenced by some principal, substantial form, which should make it essentially to differ from its Principles; as for Ex∣ample, Ice or Snow, which only differ from Water by adjunction of some foraign and adventitious qualities: But the Perfect Mixt is that, which is endowed with a substantial principal form, distinguished from the Principles whereof it is compounded, after their perfect union, and for this reason also is more lasting; such are all Minerals, Vegetables, and Animals.

Those Bodies which are imperfectly compounded, are called Meteors, and their difference is great, according to the difference and variety of the Principles which abound in them; for some are Sulphureous, others Nitrous, others Aqueous, and so of the rest; of these we must say something, before we speak further of perfectly compounded Mixts: and herein will we imitate the process of Nature in her workmanship, which never produceth any perfect Mixt, before her Principles have passed through Me∣teorick Nature, as we shall explain hereafter: her method being, never to pass from one extremity to the other without a mean. Meteors are called (sometimes) perfectly mixt Bodies, not be∣cause the nature and form of Mixts is in them, but because, al∣though they preserve in a manner the nature of Principles, yet they differ in some kinde from the natural state of those Prin∣ciples; which is the reason they are assigned a middle condition and nature, between that of pure and unmixt Principles, and Bodies perfectly compounded of them: they are also imperfect Mixts, by reason of their sudden generation, and dissolution: For as the mixture and coagulation of the Principles in those Bodies is imperfect, so can they neither be of duration; but are easily converted into the nature of the Principle most pre∣dominant in them. The material, remote cause of these imper∣fect Mixts or Meteors, are the Principles; and the proxime or im∣mediate, those fumes and Spirits, into which by the vertue of some efficient cause, the same Principles are turned by volati∣lization and spiritualization. But you are to note here, that there is two different kindes of Fumes and Spirits, viz. Vapours

and Exhalations: Vapour is a hot and moist Fume, and conse∣quently proceeding from Phlegm, if it prove Aqueous; from Oyl or Sulphur, if inflamable; or Mercury, if windy and spirituous. Exhalation is a hot and dry Fume, and by consequence generated from a terrestrious and earthly Body, and a Principle of Salt: It must also be noted, that the Vapour is said to be hot and moyst, because Water converted into Vapour, is elevated by the action of Fire which is insinuated in it, and for this cause (by a Greek expression 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) is called Meteor, or a body imperfectly composed of some Principles. And concerning the Doctrine of Meteors in particular, they that will be exactly informed, must repair to such Authors as have professedly handled this Doctrine: For it would engage us beyond the bounds which we have limited to this our short Chymical Abbreviate in our Preface, if we should undertake that matter here at large.

SECT. IV. Of the Diversity of Perfect Mixts.

HAving shewed, that Nature ever aims at the corporifying and spiritualizing Mixts and their Principles, by the assi∣stance of the Universal Spirit, and the vertue and character of particular Matrixes or Wombs, and that wrought by the opera∣tion of the Ferment, and impression of the Idea once received: We must also now turn our discourse to those Mixts, which are as we have already often said, generated by the Universal Spirit only, cloathed under some Meteorical Idea; as that appears in the resolution of Metals and other Minerals, which are converted into Fumes and Exhalations, before they escape our sight, to re-unite themselves to the Universal Spirit; whence we gather, that they must have observed the same degrees of production in their generation, corporification and coagulation.

The perfectly compounded Body, is animated or inanimated; the animated Mixt, is that which is adorned with a soul, or vivi∣fying form, as Plants, Beasts, and Men; as contrarywise, the in∣animate Mixt is that which is deprived of all appearance of life, which doth consist in sense and motion.

But a Question is here raised, Whether Minerals are animated or no? To which, without mentioning here the vulgar School-Arguments, to avoid tediousness, we answer, That though in these Bodies, which are fruits of the Earths Center, we cannot so easily perceive those manifest vital Operations, which are ob∣vious in Plants and Animals, yet nevertheless are they not alto∣gether deprived thereof; since they are multiplyed by a constant perpetuity; which moves us to say, that as they have a multi∣plicative form of their own species, so must they be endowed with life. Some of the ancient Philosophers have acknowledged this Life, as when Pliny saith, lib. 3. c. 10. Spumam Nitri fieri, cum ros cecidisset, praegnantibus intrariis, sed n••n parientibus. Let us then conclude, that Minerals do live, as long as they are joyned to their Matrix and Root, since they grow there sensibly; but when they are separated from it, they are justly called Inanimate Mixts; as we may rightly call dead, the stock or body of a Tree separated from its root. In this sense we shall from henceforth term them, as also many other substances, though taken from Animate Bodies: In this manner, we say, there are two kindes of Inanimate Bodies, the one extracted from the Earth, the other from the Mixts themselves, either animate or inanimate: those which are extracted from the bowels of the Earth, are called Minerals, whereof there are three species, viz. Metals, Stones, and middle Minerals, which are also called Marcassites.

Metal is a Mixt, extending it self under the Hammer, and melt∣ing in the fire. Marcassites are fusible, but extend not under the Hammer: and Stones are neither fusible nor extensible.

As for those Mixts which are not digged out of the Earth, human Art hath found a way to draw them ordinarily out of animated bodyes, such are Fruits, Seeds, Roots, Gums, Rosins, Wooll, Cotton, Oyl, Wine, and several other substances ex∣tracted and separated as parts of Animals and Vegetables, no more considered as Organical; whose Animals are also made use of (in Chymical Operations) when they are deprived of their life and soul. Of all these mixt substances, as much animated as inanimated, shall we treat in the following Sections.

SECT. V. Of middle Minerals or Marcassites.

MIddle Minerals are Fossiles of a middle nature, between Metals and Stones; and partaking in something of the essence of both: For by their fusion they agree with Metals; and with Stones, in their brickle and crumbling nature. Middle Minerals are for the most part Metallick Juices, dissolved or con∣densed, or else Metallick and Mineral Earths.

The principal Metallick Juices are, First, Salt, which is a body easily crumbled, dissolving it self in moysture and coagulating in drought: whence it is evident, that the predominant and aboun∣ding Principle in this Mixt is Salt, whence it borrowes its de∣nomination, and because it is a Mixt, thence it followes, that it is not destituted of other Principles, as it appears by the action of fire upon it, and its Spagitical Anatomy.

Salts are either natural or artificial: Nature produceth the first kinde, which are called Fossile Salts; Art doth make the other, of which therefore several species are found; as for Example, Salgem. Armoniack, Saltpeter or Nitre, Well or Pit-salt, Sea-salt, Fountain-salt, Aloms, Vitriol or Copporas, which all are endowed with specifical qualities differing the one from the other, according to the nature of their predominant Principles, which are either fixt or volatile, dissolving or coagulating, as may be seen by the diversity of Operations which may be per∣formed upon each kinde of these Salts.

Bituminous Substances follow Salts, and comprehend several various kindes, as Asphalium, Amber yellow or gris, Camphire, Naptha, Petroly, and Brimstone, which we difference from the Sulphur as it is a Principle in all things: For this is but a fat and stinking Mineral Juice, having in it self a subtile, inflamable part, and another terrestrious and Vitriolick, by which he soon destroyes Metals, and will soon be extinguished if Vitriol doth abound in it. This Brimstone is either quick (Sulphur vivum in the Shops) that is, such as when it is drawn out of the Earth, and never felt the fire; or prepared by Art, and refined by Fire,

as we have it in Cakes from the Druggist. Several various Re∣medies usefull in Physick, are by the help of Art extracted out of these Bituminous bodies; as we will more particulary declare in the last Book of the Second part of this Chymical Trea∣tise.

Arsenick is either Natural or Artificial; the natural is of three kindes, Auripigment or Litharge of Gold, so called for its golden colour; Sandarak, which is red; and Realgar, which is yellow: the artificial is prepared by a sublimation of the natural, with Salt.

Antimony is also natural, otherwise called Mineral; and arti∣ficial, which is most frequent in our use, having been melted from the Mineral in Cakes: Of the qualities and choyce of it, its constituting parts, and various kindes, we shall speak more fully hereafter, where we handle the practice upon this Mineral.

Cinnabar is a Mineral body, composed of Sulphur and Mercury, or Brimstone and Quick-silver, coagulated together to a stony hardness. The natural is extracted from Mines, where it is found more or less mixed with Sand; the artificial is made by sublima∣tion of those two substances mixt together.

Cadmy is natural or artificial; the natural is a Metallick Stone, containing in it self the volatile and impute Salt of some Metal; there are very many kindes differing one from the other, in co∣lour, vertue, and consistency: The artificial is found in Furnaces where Metals use to be melted, being nothing else but the Flores or volatile Salt of Metals, sublimated and cleaving to the walls of the Furnace; raising, as the subtilest part of flower doth in Mills, to the roofs of melting houses. There are also of this seve∣ral sorts, as, Pompholyx, Spodium, Tuty.

The other kinde of Marcassites are Mineral Earths, as B••∣lus's, Terra Sigillata of Lemnos, Silesian Clay or Blois in France, Chalk, red Clay, and all other Mineral Earths. To this we might also add, all Artificial Earths, as the several kindes of Lime, made out of feveral sorts of Stones, and containing in them a corroding Salt, and a secret fire.

But before we begin with the Section of Metals, we must re∣move a difficulty which offers it self in this place; and that is, That since Salts are reckoned amongst Metallick Juices, how

can Armoniack Salt, and some kinde of the Metallick Earths, of which we have spoken above, be placed amongst Mareassites, since Marcassites or middle Minerals, do not indeed yield or extend themselves under the Hammer, but are fusible; for it is granted that Armoniack doth never melt in the fire, but rather ascends and sublimates it self; and so likewise those Metallick Earths do not melt, but easily calcine and sublimate themselves in Metallick Flowers. To this we answer, that if indeed Ar∣moniack Salt be put alone in a Crucible, it will not melt, but sublimate; But if this Salt nevertheless be mixt with other Salt in fusion, it will melt together; as likewise if Metallick Earths be mixt together alone, they shall rather be calcined then melt; but if they be allayed with some fusible body, then are they capable of fusion: as by Example, When to equal weight of red Copper, is added as much Lapis Calaminaris, it will melt with the Metal, turn it into a yellow Brass, and make an augmenta∣tion of fifty in the hundred. It is then to be noted, that when Fossiles are divided into Metals, Stones, Marcassites; by Marcassites or middle Minerals must only be understood those bodies which participate, or bear some relation with the nature of Stones or Metals, either in respect of their fusibility, or extensiveness, or hardness, or softness. So that noble Mixt which seemeth to be the Master-piece of Art, that is Glass, must in this sense be reckoned amongst Marcassites, since it easily melts, but cannot for all that yield and extend it self under the Hammer, if you except that which was made Malleable at Rome (in the time of Tiberius) whereof the Secret is perisht with its Author.

SECT. VI. Of Metals.

MEtals are hard bodies, generated in particular Matrixes or Wombs in the bowels of the Earth, which may be exten∣ded under the Hammer, and melt in the Fire. They are com∣monly reckoned seven in number, which number is referred to the seven Planets, whose names (in the writings of Chymical Philosophers) they sometimes do borrow. They are divided into

perfect and imperfect: Perfect, say they, are those which nature hath advanced and brought to their ultimate and perfect end. The tokens of which perfection are, perfect fixation, a most exact mixtion and union of the constitutive parts of those Bodies, ac∣companyed with (requisite) weight, sound, and colour; capable of bearing a long fusion, and a strong ignition, without altering their qualities, and losing of their substance: There are two of this nature, viz. the Sun and Moon, or Gold and Silver. Imper∣fect Metals are of two sorts, viz. hard and soft; those that are hard, are rather susceptible of ignition then fusion, as Mars and Venus, or Iron and Brass; soft, are those which are sooner sus∣ceptible of fusion then ignition, as Jupiter and Saturn, or Tin and Lead. The Mercury or Quick-silver is accounted the seventh Metal, and is a liquid Metal, for this cause called fluid, as the other are named solid: Yet by reason of this fluidity, some do expell it from the Classis and number of Metals, and place it amongst the substances that are neerly related to Metals, as being a kinde of Meteor of a middle nature between; and even many Philosophers, will have it the first matter of Metals.

Metals and Minerals are differenced in sex, and accordingly several kinde of Menstrues are used for their dissolution: so no∣thing but Regal water can dissolve Gold, Lead and Antimony, which are accounted of the masculine sex; but ordinary Aqua fortis is sufficient to dissolve the others, which are accounted of the female sex.

Before we put an end to this Section, some few Questions, which are usually raised, about the nature of Metals, must be il∣lustrated: The first Question raised, is: If when several Metals are melted together, any Metallick Species, differing from the Me∣tals, which do make the whole Compound, is thereby raised? To which, the Answer is negative, because it is not a true mixture, much less a strict and exact Union, but rather a Confusion, since they may be again separated asunder. There is another Doubt also made upon this matter, Whether or no Metals do specifically differ amongst themselves, or only according to the more or less perfection: But Scaliger answers to this, that Nature hath no more made Metals in order to the production of Gold, then framed other Creatures to the generation of Man; it may be added to this,

that God created this variety of Metals for the perfection and beautifying of this Universe, and the several uses wherein men do imploy them: We must nevertheless acknowledge as a truth, that both Minerals and imperfect Metals participate of the nature of either of the two perfect Metals; and most commonly of both together, as it is evident by the extraction which those can make, that are Masters of the secret of this separation, performed either after a preceding digestion, or by examining by the true instrument of Separation, external Fire, which excites and actuates the internal, potential Fire of things, and is the only Instrument of Philosophers to verifie by deed what I have said: Whence we conclude, that these imperfect Metals and Minerals do continually endeavour the perfection of their natural predesti∣nation, whilest they are yet in their Mothers Womb; which they are able to do no more, when torn off from their Matrixes. This Question is commonly followed by another, which demands, Whether the power of Art doth extend to the changing of an imperfect Metal, and may advance it by this Metamorphosis to the perfection of either of the great Luminaries? To which out Answer is affir∣mative; since it is certain, that both Art and Nature applying Actives to Passives, are capable of great and noble transmutations. But the difficulty of success is almost insuperable: and this i•• that Great Work, which since so many Ages hath vexed the mindes of so many obstinate searchers, wearied and weakened their bo∣dies, and emptied their Purses.

The last Question to be touch'd here, and ordinarily made, is, Whether Gold may be made potable? To which the Answer is, that it cannot be doubted of, since Experience doth shew that it may be converted into Liquor; but the chief point is to know, whe∣ther this Liquor can afford nourishment, as many do endeavour to perswade: which we do deny, since there is neither correspon∣dency nor analogy between Gold and our Body, which is necessa∣rily required between nourishment and the body nourished; but there is no proportion between the Metallick and Animal Nature. Yet no doubt is to be made, but that this Liquor is a very Sove∣raign Medecine, if it be performed with a Menstruum or dis∣solvent friendly and amicable to our Nature, and capable to render Gold so volatile, that it may not be afterwards in the

power of Art, to reduce it again to body. For being thus once prepared, it passes easily to the very last digestion, where it corrects whatsoever it meets with that is defective; and so it alters and changes our body for the better, provided the right Dosis and way of using it be known, otherwise it would rather prove a devouring Enemy, then a familiar and pleasing Guest.

SECT. VII. Of Stones.

STones are hard Bodies, which neither are extensible under the hammer, nor meltable in the fire. They are generated in their particular Matrixes out of a Juice, which hath the Idea and Lapidifick ferment imprinted in it self: they receive their various colours, from the various Mines through which their Lapidifick juice, and their Mercurial fumes, or coagulating Spirit doth pass. They are either opacons, or transparent: The transparent are either with or without colour; so in all likelihood we may say, that the Coagulative Spirit of Emerald passeth through a Mine of Vitriol or Copper; that of Opal through a Sulphureous Mine; of Ruby and Carbuncle through a golden one; Granats and some other like Stones of this nature, draw their colour from Iron, a proof whereof is, that they are attracted by the Load∣stone; and so we may conclude of others. But the Coagula∣tive Spirit of Diamond and Rock Chrystal, is only a pure and unmixt petrifying Spirit, deprived of all tingent Sulphureity; which by consequence leaves in it nothing but that lovely and admirable transparency, for which they are admired.

It is noted, that opacous Stones, are not only generated in the bowels of the Earth or Waters, but also in the bowels and entrails of all kinde of Animals, as the searchers of Nature have made it manifest.

Thus briefly we have run over the Nature of Minerals: For in what concerns the Doctrine of their particular hystory, we must have recourse to such natural Philosophers as have exactly and professedly written thereof, as Georgius Agricola, and Lazarus Ercker; for our intention is, only to make an Abridgement of

the chief heads, to which you may referre all the natural-Mixts which depend upon, and flow from them.

SECT. VIII. Of other Mixts, both Animate and Inanimate.

WE have said above, that there were two kindes of Inani∣mate Mixts, viz. Those that are extracted from the bowels of the Earth, and those that are not; it remains we should speak of these last, since we have, as much as the Lawes of our Abridgement can suffer it, discoursed of the former. Those which belong to this last Classis, are Juices and Liquors, extracted out of Plants by expression; as also mediately or im∣mediately from Animals: As for Example, Wine, Oyl, Vine∣ger, Gums, Rosins, Fruits, Fats, Milk, Cadavers and their seve∣ral parts, and many other things, which as remedies are used for the restauration of mens decayed health.

Animate Mixts, are either Vegetables or Animals; Vegetable or Plants are either perfect or imperfect: Perfect Plants are those which have both root and stalk or surface: Imperfect, which want either of the two, Trussoli are of this kinde: for their root makes all their substance, and contrariwise Mushroms, in which there appears little or no root at all. Perfect Plants are divi∣ded into Hearb, Shrub, and Tree; and each of these again subdi∣vided into an infinite number of differing kindes, the names whereof are to be found in Herbals. The parts of perfect Plants, are principal, or less principal; Principal are those which the Vegetative soul maketh use of in her functions, and they are similary or dissimilary: Similary again are, liquid or solid; Li∣quid are Juices and Drops, which if they be aqueous are coagu∣lated into Gums, if sulphureous in Rosins; and for this reason Gums dissolve in Liquors of an aqueous nature; and Rosins can∣not be dissolved, but by Oyls, and analogical Liquors. The solid parts are the substance or carneous part, and the fibres of the Plant. The dissimilar parts, that is to say, those which

contain in themselves a diversity of substance, are perpetual or annual. Perpetual or lasting long, are the root, the stock, the rinde, the marrow and the branches: Annual are those which renew every year, as the buds, flowers, leaves, fruits, seeds, &c.

As the plants then have a great variety of parts, and they di∣vided into several kindes; so likewise Animals, which are com∣posed of similar and dissimilar parts, are divided into several species: for they are either, rational or unrational; the irrational, or beasts, are perfect or unperfect: Perfect are those which are without caesure, and for the nourishment of their parts do generate blood: Unperfect, such as are Insects, breed no blood and are divided by cesures. All beasts, whether perfect or un∣perfect, are either gressile and marching, or reptile and creeping, or natatile, i. e. swimming, or volatile, i. e. flying. But if you desire to be further instructed in the History of Animals, read Aldrovandus, who hath treated of this subject with great exact∣nesse; and for the knowledge of Man and his parts, consult Anatomists.

CHAP. VI. In what manner Chymistry worketh upon all these Mixts, to extract what is pure in them; and re∣jects their impurity.

YOu see by the enumeration of these Mixts, of what vast extent is the Empire of Chymistry, since her ope∣ration is busied upon these so different Compounds: for she may choose any of these bodies, either to divide and re∣solve it into its Principles, by making a separation of the Sub∣stances which do compound it; or she uses them, to extract the mystery of Nature out of them, which contains the Arcanum, Ma∣gistery, Quintessence, Extract and Specifick, in a much more eminent

degree, than the body from whence it is extracted; because this body, by Chymical Preparation which separates impurities, for the perfection of this mystery, is changed and exalted; as we shall make it plain in the Book of Operations. For it is not enough to study and read the Works of Paracelsus, and chiefly his Books of Archidoxa, which I have already recom∣mended: but you must also use your hands, and come to the Practical part, if you will unriddle his Obscurities, not heeding the time which therein must be spent, nor thinking much of the labour and charges; As most do, who by the reading of some few Authors, only grounded upon the authority and opinions of their Predecessors, neglecting experience and the painfull search of Natures secrets, think and imagine to attain unto great perfection, though Experience be one of the Columns of the best Natural Philosophy, and consequently of the truest Physick. That we may then the better attain to it, we shall here conclude the Theorical part, to come to the Practice; and by the help of one, illustrate the other the better.

The End of the Theory.

Part II. Of the Abridgement of CHYMISTRY.

Book I. Of the proper and necessary terms to under∣stand and perform all Chymical Opera∣tions.

The PREFACE.

IN the First Part of this Treatise, we have shewed unto you the Grounds upon which doth lean all the Theory of Chymistry: But because we said in the Preface, that Chymistry was a Sensal Philosophy, which admits only what the Senses manifest and demonstrate unto us; it is time for us to come to the Practical part, and Operations de∣pending of it, and to examine, Whether all what we have said above, is grounded upon Sense. No body must admire, that a Science should

become Operative; since Operation is only to the end of perfecting Con∣templation, and Contemplation seemeth to be only to help Operation; so that these two seem to be inseparable. And if it be true, that all Doctrine and Knowledge must begin by the Senses, according to the Maxim which saith, Nihil esse in Intellectu, quod non prius fuerit in Sensu; I think it very necessary that the Senses be well informed and instructed by several Experiences, before you give your self to the Theory, or begin to contemplate upon Natural things, lest you fall into the error of those superficial Philosophers, who please them∣selves in arguing upon the Principles of some Doctrine, whereof expe∣rience discovers the untruth; as for Example: Is it not a very mani∣fest and palpable error, to imagine that the Smoak or Fume, which any Mixt doth yield by violent dissolution, should be a Fire or Elementary Air, or some unmixt Substance; since, if they are examined in a Lim∣beck, or any other Vessel or Receiver, experience will demonstrate to the sense, that that Flame or Smoak, are neither pure Elements nor imper∣fect Mixts; but that it is sometimes the Body of a most perfect Mixt, as evidently appears by subliming of Brimstone and Armoniack Salt, and the Fumes of Mercury, which is the same Quick-silver, who like unto that Proteus of the ancient Poets, takes all sorts of shapes and colours; but returns again to its first nature, being revived.

By this it appears, that it is not good to judge of things lightly; as to say that all Smoak is Air, because it hath some resemblance with Air: For though all Vapours and Exhalations are alike unto the sight, yet nevertheless are they of a very different nature; as those that examine them thoroughly, and search them narrowly, by the help of Chymical Vessels will discover; and this shall we demonstrate by the several Ope∣rations, whereof we are to treat in this last Part.

But because in the practical part of these Operations, we meet with several terms that are proper and essential to the Art of Chymistry, and seem to be of difficult understanding, it is necessary, before we enter into the discourse of Operations, to explain their meaning. We shall then in this First Book, treat of the several kindes of Solutions and Coagulations; because one of the chief ends of Chymistry is to spiri∣tualize and corporifie again, thereby to separate Purity from Impurity: after this, we will shew the several degrees of Fire; by the means of which, and the help of several Furnaces, and divers Vessels, that true exalta∣tion is attained unto, which from the mystery of each Mixt's nature,

doth extract the Arcanum, Elixit, Tincture, or some sublime Essence graduated to such a height, as one drop or grain of these miraculous Re∣medyes may without comparison be more efficacious then many pounds of the grosse and bodily Mixt, out of which these Medicaments have been extracted.

CHAP. I Of the several kindes of Solutions and Coagulations.

THough Chymistry takes for its object all natural Bodies, yet properly and particularly she confines her Opera∣tions upon Mixt Bodies, which she reacheth how to exalt by the help of Solution and Coagulation, who do contain under them several kinds of Operations, tending all either to spiritualize or corporifie, Minerals, Vegetables, and Animals: so that the exaltation of any Mixt or Compound, is nothing else but the purest part of the same, by the help of several So∣lutions and Coagulations often reiterated, brought to its highest perfection. To attain this point, Purity first must be separated from Impurity, which is performed materially or formally: Ma∣terially, by cribration or sifting, ablution or washing, edulco∣ration or sweetening, detersion or cleansing, effusion or powring, colation and philtration, or running through a bag, and despu∣mation: Formally, by distillation, sublimation, digestion, and several other reiterated Operations, whereof hereafter.

The separation of Purity and Impurity being performed, to obtain a perfect exaltation of the Mixt, the impurity of it must be rejected, and that which is pure be first put in Solution, then Coagulation; which is done either by reducing it to very small Particles, or to Liquor, or else in a solid Body, by help of the following Operations, viz. Limation or filing, rasion or scraping, pulverisation or reducing to powder, alkoholisation or reducing to atomical parts, incision or cutting, granulation or reducing into small grains by melting, lamination or converting

into thin Plates, putrefaction, fermentation, maceration, fumi∣gation, which is either dry or moyst, cohobation, precipitation, amalgamation, distillation, rectification, sublimation, calcination either actual or potential, vitrification, projection, lapidification, extinction, fusion, liquation, cementation, stratification, reverbe∣ration, fulmination or detonation, extraction, expression, ince∣ration, digestion, evaporation, desiccation, exhalation, circula∣tion, congelation, crystallization, fixation, volatilisation, spi∣ritualization, corporification, mortification and revivification; all which terms, to remove obscurities in the understanding of the Artist, we will further illustrate in this Chapter.

Cribration, is when the matter, after it hath been pounded in a Mortar, is sifted through a thin Cloth or a Sieve, the one is for the exact contusion, the other for the grosser.

Ablution or lotion is, when the matter to be cleansed from its grosser impurities, is washed in water; but when the matter by its weight is fallen in the bottom of the Vessel, and the water powred out by inclination, it is called Effusion.

Edulcoration is, when the spirituous, saline, and corrosive parts of Chymical Preparations, performed by actual or potential cal∣cination, are separated.

That matter which cannot endure water without alteration, or loss of its substance, is purged by Detersion; and if it be put in any convenient Liquor, and then afterwards grossely expressed, either through a Linnen, or some other Strainer of Cloth or Tamy, it is called Colation or Percolation: but if this Ope∣ration be performed through some more compact substance, it will be called Philtration, which is performed either by the Cloth, Paper, or Ragge; that which is performed through the Paper, is cleanlier and exacter.

Despumation is nothing else, but separating of the skum, or other impurities which swim above the matter, with some proper Instruments to that purpose.

Limation is the solution of continuity of some mixt Body, performed with a File of Steel: it is used in all the three Fami∣lies of Bodies; for, the Bones of Animals, the Wood of Vege∣tables, and the Bodies of the most compact, hard and solid Me∣tals yield to the File.

Rasion comes very neer Limation, but is performed with a sharper Instrument, as a knife, or some of the like nature; it may also be referred in a manner to In••ision.

Pulverization or Contusion, are nothing else but the reduction of some Mixt into Powder, by means of Trituration or grinding upon a Marble or Porphyry, or pounding in a Mortar; and if the matter be reduced to an impalpable and imperceptible Powder, it is called Alkoholisation, which is also sometimes said of liquid things, as the Alkohol of Wine, or other volatile and inflamable spirits, when these spirits are so deprived of their phlegm and waterish part, that they consume and flame away with the matter wherein they were dipt, be it Linnen, Paper, or Cotton.

By Granulation, Mineral and Metallick Bodies are reduced to small grains, and by Lamination extended in small and thin Plates, as are Gold, Silver, Leaf Copper, &c.

Putrefaction is, when the Mixt by a moyst heat without any mixture tends to its corruption: and if it be performed by the mixture or addition of any Ferment, as Tartar, common Salt, Yeast of Beer, Leaven of Bread, or Lees of Wine, it is then called Fermentation.

Maceration is, when any matter is put in a Menstruum or proper liquor to infuse, that liquor being chosen according to the design or intention of the Artist, to extract the vertue of the Body upon which it works. This Operation requires a fit and competent time for compleating the Extraction, which retards or advances, according to the more or less solidity and compacted∣ness of the body wrought upon.

Fumigation is a Corrosion of the external parts of a body by a vapour, or sharp and corroding Exhalation: If it be by a vapour, as is that of Vinegar, it is a moist fumigation: if by Exhalation, as the fumes of Lead or Quick-silver, it is a dry fumigation, cal∣cining laminated Metals, or reduced in Plates, and making them so crumbling and brickle, that they may afterwards be easily reduced to powder.

Cohobation is done, by often powring again the Menstruum, extracted out of one or several Mixts upon its own feces, or the remainder of those Mixts in the Receiver, either to draw the Central Vertues enclosed in those Compounds, or to cause the

same feces, to resume and take back, what in the distillation they had suffered to flie up and volatilize by the action of heat, and in this only Operation doth Cohobation consist.

Precipitation causeth the dissolving Menstruum to quit the body which it had dissolved, which is performed by the analogy that Salts have with Spirits; for, Whatsoever is dissolved by Spirits, is precipitated by Salts; and contrarywise. This Operation requires the particular consideration of the Artist, because it gives great light, and is a great key to comprehend the generation and cor∣ruption of natural things.

Amalgamation is a particular calcination of Metals, which some Authors do call Philosophical Calcination: It is performed by the union of Mercury or Quick-silver with the least particles of Metals, which doth so separate and open them, that they be∣come unctuous and extensible upon the hand; so that evapora∣ting the Quick-silver with a convenient heat, the Metals are reduced to a very subtile Calx, which cannot be performed so well by any other means.

Distillation is, when the matter inclosed in a Vessel, drives and sends up vapours in another Vessel, by the help and activity of Fire: There are three species of it. The first, when the vapour of distilled Substances do ascend. The second, when the same vapours are driven by the side of the Vessel: And the third, when downwards: all these according to the distillable matters, and the fitness of the Vessels for Operation.

Rectification is nothing else but a reiterated Distillation, and that to subtilize the more the distilled vapours, or separate some Spirit from its Phlegm, and the more-terrestrial and gross parts, according as the Spirits are, either sharp and fixed, or volatile and inflamable.

Sublimation is an Operation, by which the action and heat of Fire, elevates a whole body, in dry Exhalations, or at least some part of it which cleaves and condenses it self in thin and subtile Flores, or sometimes thick, compacted and pressed in the top of the Vessel: this manner of Operation is opposed to Precipi∣tation.

Calcination is a violent action, which reduces the Mixt to Calx and Ashes. It is double, actual and potential: the actual is

performed by flaming Wood or kindled Coals, which are the material fire: Potential Calcination is that which is made by the secret and potential fire of strong and dissolutive Waters, or Aqua Fortis, single or compounded, and by the vapours and cor∣rosive fumes, as it is observed in Precipitation and Fumiga∣tion.

Vitrification is the change of Metals, Minerals, Vegetables or Stones in Glass, and that by projection after their fusion, or by addition of Salts, Alkali or fixt, or extracted from Lees, which do penetrate and purifie these several substances, and vitrifie them by giving them fusibility and transparency: There are many nevertheless Opacous also, which are used for enamelling, and called Amels.

Lapidification is when Metals are changed into Stones or Pasts, which in a kinde are of a middle nature, between Metallick and Transparent Glasses; and Amels, because they are susceptible of a fair polishing.

Extinction is the suffocation and cooling of a hot kindled sub∣stance in some Liquor, either to the end of extracting its vertue and communicating it to the Liquor, or to impart some adven∣titious quality to the substance immersed; as when, for Example, Tuty or Lapis Calaminaris is extinguished in Fennel water or Vinegar, to make them more efficacious for the cure of the Eyes; as also all Iron and Steel Tools are dipt, to become thereby more apt for polishing, and receive a hardness, and consequently an edge.

Fusion is properly said of Metals and Minerals, and is per∣formed by a great and violent Ignition. And Liquation is only said of the fat of Animals, Wax, and unctuous fat and resinous substances of Vegetables, performed by a temperate heat.

The Impurities of Metals are removed by Cementation; it serves also to examine them, whether they are true or false, as also to lessen their bulk by the compressing of their parts, which is per∣formed by stratification, making a bed or lay of Cement, ano∣ther of Metallick Plates, and so continuing stratum super stratum, or lay upon lay, till the Vessel be top full; but you are to note, that the first and the last lay must be of Cement, after which the

Pot or Crucible must be exactly luted, to give a Circular fire by degrees untill fusion.

Reverberation is an Ignition, by which Bodies are calcined with a flaming fire in a Reverberatory Furnace: Whether it be done to the end corrosive Spirits may be separated from it, or to subtilize and soften the body with that Operation.

Fulmination or Fulguration is an Operation, by which all Metals, excepting Gold and Silver, are meteorized, and driven or reduced into vapours, exhalations, and fumes; by the help of Lead in a Copell, with violence of fire kindled and animated with good and ample Bellowes.

The end of Detonation is to drive away and separate all the Sul∣phureous and Mercurial parts of a Body which are not pure, that there may remain the earthly part only, which is accom∣panyed by the internal and fixt Sulphur, in which is properly inherent the vertue of Minerals. This Operation is performed by the help of Salt-peter or Nitre, as it appears in the Precipita∣tion of Diaphoretical Antimony, made by Detonation and Fusion.

Extraction is, when the essence or tincture of a Mixt is ex∣tracted, by help of a Menstruum or convenient Liquor, which the Artist doth evaporate away, if it be unusefull and of small value; but if of any price, he draweth it again by Distillation, to use it in other Operations; that which remains in the bottom of the Vessel is called Extract.

Expression tends to separate the subtilest from the grosser parts of the body, according to the intention of the Artist, to preserve the one or the other, it is performed by a Presse which screwes, or otherwise, and Tables.

Digestion is one of the principal and most necessary Operations of Chymistry; because Mixts are made tractable by it, and ca∣pable to yield us what we desire out of them; it is performed by the means of a convenient Menstruum, and a slow and long heat: most commonly joynted Vessels meeting at the mouth, called properly Circulatory, are employed for this purpose, that nothing of the volatile spirits of the digested Substance may be lost; to this Operation are commonly made use of, the heat of a watery Bath (Balneum maris) or vaporous, or aerial, or the

heat of Horse-••ung, Ashes, or Sand. Digestion hath a great affi∣nity with Maceration, they do notwithstanding differ among themselves; in regard that there is a kinde of coction performed in the act of Digestion, which is not done in Maceration.

The Menstruum, which hath been used in Dissolution or Ex∣traction, is by evaporation reduced to vapour, and this way is Desiccation performed: but by Exhalation the drye spirits are carryed away from the substance by the vertue of the fire, and reduced to Exhalations.

Circulation is an Operation, by which the substances, contained in the bottom of a Pelican, or Circulatory Vessel, are driven upwards by the action of heat, and thence fall again upon them-themselves, either to volatilize them by the help of spirits, or to fix the spirit by the frequent and reiterated contract of the body; which is a thing very well worthy the contemplation of him that will attain the true knowledge of Nature.

Congelation is, when the solid parts of Animals are, with some convenient Menstruum, reduced to a Jelly by Elixation: Such are the Jellies of Horns, Bones, Muscles, Sinews, and Cartilages; but you are to note, that this Congelation proceeds only from the volatile Salt, which abounds in Animals: As Crystallization is properly said of Salts purified by several Solutions, Filtrations, and Crystallizations, after the Liquor in which they are con∣tained, hath been evaporated to a skin.

Things volatile are fixed by Fixation, as contrarywise Fixt are volatilized by Volatilization. That substance is called fixt, which abides and is permanent in the fire; as volatile is called that which flyes and exhaleth it self with the least heat. But note here, that as there are several degrees of heat, so there is several things fixt, and several volatile.

Spiritualization doth change the whole body into Spirit, so that it becomes no more palpable nor sensible to us: And by Corporification, the Spirit re-assumes its Body, and manifests it self again to our senses; but the body so qualified is an exalted body, very different in vertue from that from which it hath been ex∣tracted, since this body so glorified contains in it self the mystery of its own Mixt.

By Mortification, Mixts are as it were destroyed, and lose all

the qualities and vertues of their first nature; to acquire others much sublimer and more efficacious, by the help of revivifica∣tion. Paracelsus meant it of this Operation, when he said, That the power of death was efficacious, since no resurrection can be without her: And as the Apostle S. Paul saith, It is necessary, that the grain of Corn should first dye in the Earth, before it can live again, and multiply it self in the Ear which it produces.

CHAP. II. Of the several degrees of Heat and Fire.

THE most potent Agent that Nature hath furnished us withall under Heaven, to perform the Anatomy of Mixt Bodies, is Fire; which to feed and maintain it self, doth need first a com∣bustible oily and ••••phureous matter, either Mineral as Sea-coal, or Vegetable as Chark-coal, and the Oyls of Vegetables; or finally, Animals Fats, Suets and Oyls of Animals. Secondly, Fire needs a continual Air, that may by its action drive away the excrements and fuliginous emanations of the substances which are burned, and that may animate the Fire, to make it more or less act upon its subject; and from this necessity it is that some, though improperly, have affirmed, that the Air was the true food and nourishment of Fire. If we will exactly speak, it cannot be said, that Fire receives more or less by it self or in it self, or as Philosophers speak, admits of intention or remission; Though the matter upon which it doth act, may receive great variety of degrees of heat, according to its neerness or distance, or inter∣position of things which may receive the impression of heat; whence it necessarily followes, that the ordering of the heat of Fire, doth consist in a just and convenient quantity, administred by the Artist, according to the nature and condition of the matter upon which he worketh, and according to the means or instru∣ments which he uses, to whom it is required he should give a proportionate distance.

To encrease the Fire, it is required, either to add a greater quantity of Coals in the Fire, or if there be enough, and that the Artist doth finde it not to burn according to his expectation, there must be more Air let in, either by the dore or mouth of the Furnace which receives the Fire, or by the Ash-hole, which is better: as also by opening the Registers, which are usually made either at the upper part, or in the sides of the Furnaces, to let out exhalations and fuliginous vapours, which commonly suffocate the Fire; or lastly, by blowing large bellowes, and of a capacious body for room of winde. From this that is said may be conceived, that Fire may be decreased and weakened by the contrary wayes, as shutting the Dores and Registers, to hinder the entring of Air, and issue of fuliginous substances; or the combustible matter must be diminished, or the Fire covered with cold Ashes, or a plate of Iron, or a Brick, to hinder such disorders and accidents as usually happen in the midst of the work.

As for the distance of the Vessels containing the matter, it can only be judged according to the nature of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 matter of their composition, or the Mediums interposed between, it may never∣theless stand as a general rule, that there ought to be a distance of about eight inches, between the Grate which contains the fire▪ and the Dish or part upon which the bottom of the Vessel which is to receive the heat doth rest: For the action of Fi••e upon bodies, is mediate or immediate; Immediate, when without opposition Fire acts upon the matter, or Vessel that contains it, whether it be a Crucible, Retort, or any other thing; and this is commonly called Open Fire; Fire of Calcination and sup∣pression: Mediate is, when any thing is interposed between the Fire and the matter, which doth hinder its destructive action; whereby the Artist is enabled to govern it, not otherwise then a skilfull rider manages a Horses, and keeps him in awe, by the help of the Bridle which he holds in his hand.

We shall comprise under nine chief Classes, the several diffe∣ring degrees of Heat, and these the ingenuous Artist may yet vary in an infinite number of manners, according to his intention, and that the quality of the Mixt upon which he works, doth re∣quire it: Those differences are as followeth.

We will take the first degree of Heat from the greatest ex∣tremity of its height, which is the fire of Flame, which calcines and reverberates all things; and this is that properly, which is capable to turn the most solid and fixt Bodies into Vapours and Exhalations.

The second is that of Coals, which properly and principally serves for Cementation, for colouring and purging, as well as for contracting Metals, as also those Minerals which participate most of Metallick nature. It is sometimes called Circulatory Fire, (Ignis rotae;) sometimes Fire of suppression, according as the fire is placed above, under, or at the sides.

The third degree of Intense Fire, is that of the Iron Plate, when it is red hot at the highest; which is a kinde of heat proper to trye Metallick Tinctures, as well as the degree of Fixation of Mineral remedies.

The fourth is that which is maintained by the filings of Iron put in a Capsula or Kettle of the same Mettal; and this, because this substance being once heated, preserves its heat much longer then the other, and communicates it to the Vessel put into it, which contains the matter that is either to be distilled, digested or concocted, with a greater activity.

The fifth is the Fire of Furnace, with Sand interposed to the Vessel; it preserves, and yields a less heat then that of the filings of Iron, because it takes heat more slowly, and sooner cooleth, and is more easily kept in order, by the help of the Registers of the Furnace.

The sixth is the heat of Ashes, which in respect of the fore∣going degrees, begins to be temperate: This Fire commonly is used in the Extractions of such Mixts as are of a middle substance, either Animals or Vegetables, as also in their digestions and evaporations.

The Balneum Mariae, or (to speak more properly) Balneum Maris, maketh the seventh of our Classes or degrees; and it is the most considerable of all, as that which constitutes the most excellent and usefull part of the work of Chymistry; because an understanding Artist may manage it with that judgement and proportion, that he may with its help perform a number∣less variety of Operations, which by any other imaginable way,

are not to be attained unto: For this Bath may be boyling hot, half boyling, simpring, luke-warm, half luke-warm, and be yet so ordered as to keep the middle proportions of all these de∣grees too.

The eighth degree of well graduated Fite, is the Vaporous Bath, for the Vessels may be only put to the vapour of the water contained in the Bath: And for the ninth, there may be put about the Vessel sawings of Wood to receive the vapour, as also Oaten Chaffe, or any other, shred very small, because they are bodies which easily attract this vapour and heat, and keep it long in slow, and almost perfectly equal temper.

Besides all these degrees and kindes of Heat spoken of, there remains yet the Lamp-fire, which may be graduated according to the distance or neerness of the Lamp, which shall have one or more Weeks; these weeks shall have two, three, four, or more threds, according as you intend to give a less or greater temper of heat to your matter; this Heat is chiefly used for Coction and Fixation.

The invention of ingenuous Chymists hath found out, besides this, several kindes of cheap Heats, as that of the Sun, either exposing your matter to the reflexion of the rayes of his light, received by some Body, more or less capable to reflect them; or concerning the rayes of the same Light, by the help of a Bur∣ning Glass, an Instrument whose invention may strike with amaze∣ment the best Philosophers, that are not well acquainted with the sphere of its activity, since the most obvious effects of it are, to melt Metals, according to the section and bigness of the dia∣meter of these admirable Instruments. But that which of all is more worth enquiry, and surprizes more, is, that this Fire is a Magical Fire, differing from all other; since the vulgar is de∣structive, and this to the contrary preserves and multiplyes, as experience doth verifie in the Solar Calcination of Antimony, which loses its impure Mercury and Sulphur, vapouring away in this Operation, whereby it would be thought the body should diminish; whereas it acquires a cordial and diaphoretick vertue, with a considerable addition of weight: which is thus proved. If you calcine in vulgar fire ten grains of this Mineral, it dimi∣nisheth to four, and consequently there remains but six, which

have yet a Cathartick and Emetick faculty: but if you calcine the same quantity with the Solar Fire, besides that it loses its ill qualities, by the Exhalation made of its Impurities, which no question have some weight, and seem in the Operation to have diminisht the ten grains; you shall, instead of that, the Prepa∣ration being ended, finde twelve grains of matter endowed with an admirable vertue; and this with just reason strikes into amaze∣ment the subtilest and most searching Wits; for, compare this to the other Operation, and you cannot but confess, that the augmentation is of a just full half. But it will allay something your astonishment, if you are acquainted a little more with the nature of this miraculous Fire, and can comprehend, that Light is that Promethean Fire, which gives life to all natural bodies, is their Principle, and indivisibly joyns it self to its like, whereso∣ever it meers with it in any subject.

Chymical Artists do likewise make use of Horse-dung, which yields a puttefying heat, specially recommended by Paracelsus, in the opening of the most solid and fixt Bodies, as are those of Metals and Minerals: To extract the eassier those noble remedies which he doth teach us, we may substitute to the Horse-dung, that of hot Bathes and Mineral Springs heared by Nature it self, as also that of Balneum Maris, which is Artificial, provided the requisite proportions be understood.

CHAP. III. Of the variety of Vessels.

THE matters which the Artist works upon, are not often put on the open bear fire: But that it is necessarily required they should be enclosed in fit and convenient Vessels, according to the intention of the work; which Vessels are to be set artificially and with great judgement upon the fire, whose action is mediate or immediate; to the end that the ex∣tracted substances vanish not, and be lost without proof, but

rather carefully and curiously preserved: We shall treat in this Chapter of the variety of those Vessels, and the several uses unto which they are serviceable.

Now these Vessels are to be considered either according to their matter, or their form; because they are the two essential parts, which make them to be used in the Operations of Chy∣mistry, and their differences is as great, as the fancies and in∣ventions are various in the mindes of Artists. And as they are since many Ages in quest of the perfection of the Operations of this Art, so shall we only trace, in more general tearms, the greatest part of the more necessary Instruments, to leave a lati∣tude of liberty to the invention of those which will addict them∣selves to this Noble Art, after they are once introduced to attain to the most secret and abstruse knowledges of it, by the rare Preparations which are made by the means and assistance of the same.

There must ever be a care had to choose the cleanliest matter for the fabrick of Vessels, which must also be pressed and com∣pacted, that the subtilest portions of matter may not transpire, and that the substance of the Vessels may not communicate any forain quality to the matter, whether single or compounded, upon which the Chymist doth operate. Glass is the body, which exclu∣ding all others, would be the fittest to be employed, both by rea∣son of its compactedness, and cleanly nature, were it capable to endure all the actions of Fire; but its fusibility, and the several accidents which may cause it to break, notwithstanding all the care and foresight of Artists, make it necessary to have a recourse to some other matters which may be capable of resisting Fire, and may not break so easily: As, for one, to Potters Clay, which furnishes several Vessels to the service and use of Chymistry, ac∣cording to the several kindes of Clay, and their porosity; for if it be said, that it may be glased within with some Mineral or Metallick substances (as Leaden oar. &c.) which will hinder transpiration, it is as soon answered, that this Preparation makes them not differing from the nature of Glass, and so consequently subject to the same inconveniencies, as Glass is: For, besides their ordinary brickleness, there must also a great regard be had, not to expose them too soon from heat to cold, nor from cold to

heat, because compression or rarefaction of the parts, and the air in them, would soon cause them to fly in pieces.

There is also some use of Metallick Vessels for many Opera∣tions in this Art, which without their help would prove very difficult, yea almost impossible; as much by reason of the activity of Fire, destroying and consuming whatsoever comes neer it, as for the several m••tters upon which the Artist doth use to work: for, to contain sharp, acid, saline, nitrous, vitriolick and alumi∣nous substances, Glass, or leaded or glased Pots, are necessary; as contrariwise when you intend to distill spirit of Wine in abun∣dance, Metallick Vessels that may long abide an open Fire, and contain much matter, are requisite. Distilled Oyls of Vegetables cannot also be drawn without these Vessel••, because these Ope∣rations require a violent and long fire to disunite the Balsamick and Aethereal parts from the other, which are terrestial and saline, which cannot be separated without much ebullition, and store of water. But you are to note, that when you intend to work upon Mercury (which you are to understand henceforth to be Quick∣silver) you must never make use of any Metallick Vessel, because this Metallick Body will easily amalgam and mix it self with the greatest part of Metals, though with greater ease with some then others. Thus much in short concerning the matter of Chymical Vessels.

As for the diversity of their form, it is distinguished according to the requisite or intended Operations. For when the distilla∣tion is intended, we use Cucurbites with their head — or Lim∣beck, as also the brass Body, or Vesica, covered with the Moors head, made of the same Metal or Tin, lest the Spirits or distilled Oyls should draw any vitriolick substance from the Copper; And to prevent the same inconveniency, it will be very requisite, that all the Copper Vessels which are to be used by the Artist, be tinned within: For the distillation of new Fruits, juicy Plants, or Flowers, are to be used great and large Basons, on the top whereof a Tin Bell or distilling head is to be applyed: And these three kindes of Vessels, are sufficient for the distillation of all vapours extracted by ascension. But for performing the distilla∣tion of such vapours as are droven by the sides, Re••orts and great Receivers are necessary, as Artists have found by experience,

because such vapours cannot ascend by reason of their heaviness; it is also sometimes requisite to have earthen Retorts, or of Metal opened above, as also Receivers with three necks or channels, to change and fit others to the first, with more ease and dispatch when occasion requires, and to condense more easi∣ly and speedily the Exhalations and vapours which the matter urged by the Fire's action doth yield; for were it not for that, either of necessity the Vessel containing the matter must break, or the Recipient fly into pieces, if not changed, because it would not be capacious enough to contain the vapour or spirits droven in by the Fire.

For digestion long neck'd Matrasses and narrow mouth'd, are ne∣cessary: double Vessels may also be used to this purpose, which are two Vessels whose mouths are placed one in the other, that nothing of what is fitting to be kept in, may evaporate.

Pelicans are used for Circulation, as also twins, which are two Cucurbites with their heads, whose noses are reciprocally inserted in the body of the opposite Cucurbite. The double Vessels may also be made use of for this Operation, but they are not so com∣modious. For sublimation Aludels are employed, or some analo∣gous Vessels, as several earthen Pots put one in another; as also distillatory heads, or blinde Limbecks without nose: strong and well glued blew Paper shaped in a Conick Figure is also used, to receive the Exhalations of the sublimed matters, as we shall teach more particularly in the sublimation of Benjimin here∣after.

For Fusion or melting, as also Cementation and Calcination, it is requisite to be provided with Crucibles made with a good Earth, and well abiding the Fire, and capable to keep the Salts in fusion, and hinder the vaporation of their spirits, as also to keep Metals in fusion: There must also be coverings for the Cru∣cibles, that may easily be put on or removed with the Pincers, that no Coals or any other Mixture, may fall into the matter whilest it is upon the fire, or that they may exactly be luted to the Crucibles, as it is practised in Cementations.

Finally, the Artist must be provided with Pans, Dishes, Spoons, and Spatula's of Glass, white Earth, Jugg-metal, or some other good Earth glased, or not glased or leaded, to use in Dissolutions,

[illustration] diagram

A Vessel to alkolize the Spirit of Wyn in the very first distillation.

• 1. Vessel receaving the Aqua Vitce
• 2. pipe to put it in.
• 3. the head receaving the ascending vapour.
• 4. the first peece of the crooked pipe or worme.
• 5. the second peece.
• 6. funnel receaving and supporting the still head.
• 7. the still head.
• 8. the receaver or Recipient.
• 9. a stander support∣ing the same Recipient.
• 10. an Instrument to empty the spirit of Wyn without interrupt∣ing the distillation called Siphon.

[illustration] diagram

A Common Furnace for all operations, provided the vessels be fitted and appropriated thereunto as we have sayd in the Chapter of Furnaces

• ...a. the ashe hole.
• ...b. the focus, or fire room with its grate.
• ...c. iron barres supporting the Retort.
• ...d. the Retort.
• ...e. the cover of the Furnace.
• ...f. the holes or Registers to suppress the fire.
• ...g. the receavor or Recipiem.
• ...h. the stoole or threefoot table to support the receivor.

[illustration] diagram

Lamp Furnace

n We atherglass, Thermometer, or Engin to judge of the equality or degrees of heat.

• ...a. the Basis of the Furnace.
• ...b. a Lamp which may be raised and depressed with a screw.
• ...c. Trefoot, to set upon the Vessel.
• ...d. the Vessel, with the Philosophical egge.
• ...e. first, second and third peece of the Furnace.
• ...f. glasse Window, to looke vpon the matter.
• ...g. another Oval window opposit and answering f.
• ...h. Registers.

[illustration] diagram

Sublimating Furnace.

• ...a. the Furnace.
• ...b. the ashe hole.
• ...c. the doore of the focus.
• ...d. Registers.
• ...e. the next to the fire wherein the matter is put.
• ...f. another pot turned vpside down wards and placed vpon:e.
• ...g. the doore through which the matter is throwne in.
• ...h. the third pot.
• ...i. the fourth pot.
• ...k. the fift pot.
• ...l. button closing the pot.
• ...m. spoon to throw the matter in.

Exhalations, Evaporations, Crystalizations, and particularly for Dissolutions in the cold Cellar or open Air.

Those that will employ themselves about true Fixations, shall need the Philosophers Egge, or another Instrument of my own invention, which I cannot call otherwise, then the Egge in the Egge, or Ovum in Ovo: It doth something participate of the na∣ture of a Pelican for the Circulation, and of that Instrument which is called a Hell, because whatsoever is put in it can never go out again: This Vessel is proper for the fixing of Mercury, and hath the figure of an Egge enclosed in another; so that it is as the Abridgement and Compendium of these three Vessels, usually employed by Artists in their work of fixation.

But as the exact description of all these Vessels cannot be so well performed by writing; and that ocular demonstration doth much more advantage the understanding, than reading can do: we have thought fitting in this regard to satisfie the Readers cu∣riosity, by exhibiting in a draught, in the beginning of this Chapter, the delineation and models of the several Vessels spo∣ken of.

CHAP. IV. Of the Diversity of all sorts of Furnaces.

IT doth not suffice, that the Artist be provided with Fire and Vessels, he must have also his Furnaces to regulate and govern his heat, and put his Vessels in that degree of Fire, which he shall judge most fitting and convenient for the matter in them contained. Furnaces are Instruments destinated to those Operations, that are performed by the help of Fire, that heat may be as it were kept in awe and bridled, to submit it self to the judgement, skill, and intention of the Artist. They have several names given them, according to the several Operations to which they are appropriated: For, they are either fixt and immovable, or moveable and to be transported. We will only

speak here of the Unmoveable, since they are the most usefull kinde for Chymical Operations; leaving the other to the in∣vention and fancy of those whom their curiosity leads to this noble Art. The matter of Furnaces is threefold; Bricks, Clay, and Iron-work; their form is according to their use.

Every Furnace must consist of four necessary parts, of what∣soever form they be, which are; First, the Hearth or Ash-room, with its hole or mouth, to take away the Ashes falling from the Coals. Secondly, the Grate which receives and keeps up the Coals. Thirdly, the Chafing-dish or Focus with its dore to throw the Coals upon the Grate; wherein are the Registers, whereby the degrees of heat of the kindled Coals are ruled and moderated. Finally, the Shop or Laboratory, which must con∣tain the Vessels and matter upon which the work is intended. These are the general heads upon which the matter and con∣struction of Furnaces is grounded; it followeth now, we should say something of their use, and the description of their parts.

We begin by the Furnace commonly called an ATHANOR, which signifies a Furnace in Arabick, and hath this name given it by excellency, (the figure called by Orators Antonomasia) because this Furnace is not only the most usefull of all others, to perform at the same time several Operations; but also because it saves Coals, easeth the care and assiduity of the Artist, and yields a heat easie to be regulated. The Athanor is consisting of four parts: The first is the Turret, containing the Coals: The second, a Balneum Maris: The third, an Ash: The fourth, a Sand-fur∣nace. The Turret is to have four or five foot in height, 1 ½ foot square in the outside, and ten inches of empty space or diameter in the inside. It requires an Ash room, with its dore for com∣municating the Air, and taking away the Ashes, and a dore above the Grate, to cleanse it, and take away the earth and little stones which are sometimes mingled with the Coals, and would stop the Grate, and hinder the passage of Air, and consequently ex∣tinguish the Fire. This Turret also must have three open places, each half a foot high, and three inches broad in the three other sides of the Furnace above the Grate, that the heat may by that passage be communicated to the Balneum Maris, Ash and Sand-Furnaces, which must be Contiguous to this Turret, and each

of these must also have their Ash-hole, Grate, and Dore, to be (if occasion requires) employed severally by themselves with∣out the Turret: These holes must be shut up, with Iron Plates, that are to rise and fall, according to the degrees of fire to be given, to either of these Furnaces. To stop the top of the Turret, there may be fitted a round or square brass Kettle, which may be usefull for several Operations, but specially digestions: This Kettle or Cauldron shall be fitted, and joyn between two Iron bands, the one of which shall be even with the inside of the Turret-top, and the other with the outside, the space between these two being filled with Ashes to hinder the expiration of heat by the said top; and thus the fire shall be forced to drive its heat to the sides, drawn in by the Registers fitted to each of the three Furnaces. And so much shall suffice to give a short explanation of the structure and use of the Athanor: for as con∣cerning the form and figure of it, the ingenuous Artist is left to his own liberty.

There is also a Distillatory Furnace requisite in Chymical Ope∣rations, to which the Copper body, or Vesica, is fastened for the distilling of Aqua Vitae or Spirits of Wine, and for other hot Spirits, which are extracted by the help of fermentation; also for the extraction of distilled Oyls, improperly called Essen∣ces, and after you have covered the said body with its head, you must joyn to it a Fat or Barrell, with a strait or crooked Pipe (called commonly a Worm) passing through the same, and receiving the vapours droven by the Fire, which are con∣densed into Liquor in the Pipe, by the cold of Water where∣with the Fat is to be filled.

For those that will operate upon Minerals and Metals, a Furnace of Cementation or trying-Furnace is required, which is no∣thing else but a Round of bricks of one foot diameter in the in∣side, and eight or nine inches high; wherein, after the first row of bricks is set, which by a good Lute and fire-proof, must exact∣ly be joyned and fastened together, a hole must be left for the bellowes: This Furnace may also serve for Copell and Calci∣nation.

A Laboratory cannot be accounted compleat, without a Rever∣beratory Furnace, which is either close or open; the close is that

in which, Aqua Fortis, and spirits of Salts, as Nitre, Vitriol, common Salt, and other things of like nature, may be distilled; the Open, is that which is used for Reverberation and Calcina∣tion, by the help of the flame refracted from the backside to the mouth of the Furnace, drawn in by a gap of half an Inch broad, and of the length of the whole Furnace, left behinde the Iron Plate, which contains the matter to be reverberated; and the same flame so reflected, goes out by another gap of the same dimension, left in the fore-front of the Furnace at the top, im∣mediately under its Cover, which ought to be made flat without any Register, except the same gap left open before.

Finally, to compleat all, the Artist must have his Winde-Fur∣nace, for Mineral and Metallick fusions, Vitrifications, and pre∣paring of Regula's; the Grate thereof must be placed upon a Square born by four Pi••lars only, that the winde and air may have a free admission, and so may be instead of bellowes; the opening between each Pillar of about a foot; and upon this basis, a round Turret of about fifteen inches high, and eight inches diameter in the inside, shall be built; the dore for passage of the Crucibles that are to be put in, must be seven or eight inches broad, and ten inches high: upon this Turret must be ap∣plyed a Cover of an Elliptical figure, or Arch-wise, with a Chan∣nel above bored with a hole of about three inches diameter, upon which another shall be adapted, three or four foot high, that the action of fire may better concentrate about the Crucible, or other Vessels containing the matter to be melted; the mouth of the dore, by which Crucibles are put in, Crucibles must also be stopt, with a dore of good Clay, made of three pieces.

But because Chymical Artists are not still sedentary, and so cannot be furnished, where they have occasion to work, with all sort of Furnaces, I will he••e impart a w••y how to erect one, which may successively be employed in all Operations requisite to this Art; provided the Artist may be furnished with necessary Vessels, and of suitable dimensions to the Furnace, which I will now describe.

Build a Furnace of 1 ½ foot square, make the bottom of the Ash-room with a brick layd flat, and continue to raise the wall with two bricks, and leave the empty place in the middle, with

the dore before of four inches height, which are two bricks; then cover the dore with a brick, and compleat the square with the same height: after this set a Grate consisting of seven Iron barres, of the thicknesse of the thumb, squarely wrought: these barres must be laid upon their edge, that the ashes may the easlier fall thorough, and not suffocate the fire; the distance between each must be of the fore-fingers breadth: and having thus placed them, and fitted their equal distance with Tyles broken, or stones of the same dimension and thickness, and luted all very well together; you must begin to build in a falling wall, leaving only six inches of your Grate open, and lessening every lay of bricks of about three lines, which work is to be continued till you have brought it to be about ten inches high, which space is necessary, as much to contain the Coals, as to leave a play sufficient for the fire; you must leave here a dore also of the same dimension as the Ash-room; this ended, place two Iron∣barres of an inch thick, distant half a foot one from the other, and then eeven the wall either with stone, or some other matter of a fit thicknesse, and then build round three bricks edge wise, that you may have the more room, to put the necessary Vessels for the following Operations.

If you will work with the Balneum Maris, take a Kettle or round Cauldron of an equal diameter with the inside of your Furnace, and of one foot height only, that it may the better be adapted to the Furnace, and the space remaining at the cor∣nes of the square, will be instead of Registers to draw, and enliven or remit the heat, according as there shall be occasion. You must also have another Cauldron, with a good strong bottom of Iron plate, but thinner in the sides, made fit to be adapted to the same Furnace; and this will serve for distillations, and for works that require a heat either of Ashes, Sand, or filings of Iron; and if this Iron Vessel was made of Mettle of a Brest-armour Plate, and forged all of one piece, it would also serve for a Balneum Maris.

And if you will work with a Retort, you may put an Earthen Pot Cover, turned upsidewards, upon the Grate; and fill the hol∣low of it with sand, to be instead of a Lute, and hinder the breaking of the Vessel, and the too quick action of the fire,

upon it and the contained matter; after which you have no more to do, then to cover the top of the Furnace with an Earthen Pan not leaded, and bored with a hole in the middle, that this hole with the other four angles may be instead of a Register to direct the fire.

If the Artist desires to make use of this Furnace; towards Fusion, Calcination, Cementation, or Reverberation, he may do it also, having taken away the bricks, builded edge-wise on the side-top of the Furnace, as the barres also, to put in his matter more easily and readily.

Thus much we had to say of Furnaces built with Lute and Bricks: there remains only now, to speak something of the Lamp-Furnace, used by the most curious Artists for many Chy∣mical Operations. This Furnace must be made of a good Bolus and well compacted Clay, kneaded and well allayed together, and then well baked, that the heat of the Lamp may not transpire; and to hinder it the better, the Furnace may after baking be rubb'd and anointed within and without, with white of Eggs re∣duced to Liquor by a continual agitation.

This Furnace is to consist of three pieces, making in all 21 inches in height, of an inch thickness, and eight inches diame∣ter in the inside. The first piece, which is the basis of the Furnace, must be eight inches high, with a hole of 4½ diameter below, that by this opening the Lamp may be put in, whose diameter is to consist of three inches, and the depth or con∣cavity of two: it must be round, and covered with an Iron plate, bored in the middle with a sufficient hole to contain a link of 12 threds or more, and with six other holes round about, pro∣portioned in an equal distance from that of the middle. The second piece is to be of seven inches height, and fitted and ad∣apted to the first, having four earthen jets or handles of about an inch long, springing out of the Wall-work, to hold up an Earthen or Brass Vessel of six inches diameter, and four high, to make a Balneum Maris, or a Capsula for ashes or sand, as occasion requires. There must also be in this second piece or part of the Furnace two holes opposite the one to the other, of 1½ inch diameter, fitted with two Glasses of Venice Crystal: these two holes must be made between the height of the fourth

and last inch of the height, to be instead of windows, to disco∣ver thereby the better the various colours, in the Operations and Dissolutions made by the Artist, opposing a lighted Candle to the side you are to look in the Vessel in which the matter is contained, lying interposed. The third piece or part of the Furnace must be six inches high to compleat the total height of 21. made arch∣wise, or hemispherical, and bored on the top with a hole of an inch diameter, receiving several pieces of three lines apiece, growing still narrower till they end in a pyramidal knob which shall close up the last: There must also be four other like holes made between the height of three or four inches, equally distant one from the other: these holes are instead of Registers to the Lamp-Furnace, whose heat is also partly governed by the en∣creasing or relenting, which the approach or removal of the flame in the Lamp doth cause, (whose support must be made with a round piece of Wood, fastened or applyed to a skrew, where∣by it shall be raised or depressed at the will of the Artist,) as also by putting more or less wieks to burn in the Lamps; and augmenting or lessening the number of threds in the wieks, the heat is multiplyed or lessened, according to the nature of the Operations. But he that will proceed with more nicety in obser∣ving the exact degrees of heat, must have recourse to the Ther∣mometer (commonly called A Weather-glasse) wherein the wa∣ter inclosed, doth by its raising and depressing, exactly shew the degrees of heat. The Oyl which is to be imployed for the feeding of this Lamp, may be rectified upon fixt Salts made by Calcination, that they may yield less Soot, and display their action more vigorously, since that rectification takes away their excrementitious humour and superfluity. The wieks must be made of Gold, Alumen plumae, or Amiantho's, which is a Mine∣ral found in the Island of Elba: to which in case of necessity may be substituted the Marrow or soft Cotton found in the middle of Elder, or Reed, very well dried; and this must be changed fresh every 24 hours: for which cause it is necessary to be provided with two Lamps, to succeed one the other, that no intermission may interrupt the action of heat. If you make use of the marrow or heart of Elder, there must be a little sharp piece of Iron, or a Wyer sharpened, fixt and fodded in the bottom of the Lamp,

that may answer the middle hole of the Cover which is to con∣tain the wiek.

The figures of all these several Furnaces are exhibited in the Cut, following this Chapter. We add only two words concer∣ning the Instruments necessary to the managing of the Furnaces, as Pincers and Tongs to take away the Crucibles, a crooked Scraper to cleanse the Grates, an Iron Shovel to take the ashes away: There must also be an Iron Conical and hollow Vessel, well sodded and staunch, for projecting the Regula's, the Model whereof may be taken in the figures of Glass Vessels.

CHAP. V. Of Lutations.

HAving described the variety of Vessels, and their use, as also the diversity of Furnaces, it followeth we should speak of all the kindes of Lutations, both of Lutes be∣longing to the fabrication of Furnaces, as of that which is used for the preservation of Vessels, and to repair their cracks and fractures, as also to joyn them again together.

That Lute which is fittest for the construction of Furnaces, is to be made with red Clay: not too fat, lest it be subject to chinks; nor too lean or sandy, lest it binde not enough. This Clay must be wrought in Water, wherein store of Horse-dung and Chim∣ney-soot hath been steept and well mingled, by which a Salt is communicated to the water, binding the Clay, and making it fit to abide the Fire. But if you will make use of this kinde of Lute or Clay, to arm, or spread about the Glass or Earthen Vessels, which are exposed to the open Fire, you must add com∣mon Salt, or the Caput mortuum of Aqua Fortis, beaten or grinded Glass, and scales of Iron falling from the Anvil in Smiths Forges; and you shall have a Lute so resisting to the action of Fire, that it will be impenetrable to vapours, insomuch as it will serve instead of the Retorts when the length and vio∣lence

of flaming Fire, which is usually given at the end of Mine∣ral Operations, hath melted the Glasten ones.

When we have spoken of Vessels, we have mentioned some that ought to be joyned together for one Operation, and said that it is necessary, when the substances wrought upon are subtile, penetrating and aethereal, that their meeting may be very exactly luted. There are then three kindes of Lute observable, for the joyning of Vessels together, when they are not exposed to open fire. The first is, that Lute which is made with white of Eggs, beaten and reduced to water by a long agitation: therein dip Fillets of Linnen, and spread the powder of unslackt Lime subtily beaten, then add another fillet of dipt Linnen, and spread pow∣der again, and so continue and re-iterate this three times; but note, that the Lime powder must never be mingled with the water of Eggs, because the secret fire of the Lime would burn and harden it, though many Artists do fall into this error; you may also dip in the same Whites of Eggs, Swine or Ox Bladder, without making use of the Lime, principally in the rectification and alkoholisation of fiery Spirits, extracted out of fermented substances. The second kinde of Lute is made with white Starch or baked Flower, and made into Pappe with common water: this kinde of Lute suffices for luting Vessels which contain less subtile and penetrating substances. The third, is nothing else but Paper cut in Fillets, folded and dipt in water, applyed to the top of Cucurbites, both to hinder that the head may not offend it, and prevent the exhaling of vapours. This manner of Lute is only used in evaporating and drawing of some inconside∣rable Menstruum or of small worth, and which may not serve again for another Operation.

There must also be another kinde of strong Lute, made to remedy the cracking of Vessels, and joyn them together, when they are to suffer a violent heat; of this there is two sorts. The first made with Glass reduced to very subtile powder, Karabe or yellow Amber and Borax, allayed with the Mucilage or water wherein Gum Arabick hath been steept, and so applyed to the joynts or meeting of the Vessels or their Cracks: and after it is well dryed, you must run with a red hot Iron gently over it, and it will give it a fast so dering and almost perfect union of the

chinks or cracks of the Vessels together: But if you will spare so much trouble, make your Lute only with soft Cheese, Lime and Rye flower; and you shall finde it no less successefull for this purpose by experience. But if you will close the neck of a Retort, and fit it to its Recipient, for the distilling of Aqua Fortis and Spirits of Salts, use only common Clay, and the Ca∣put Mortuum of Vitriol or Aqua Fortis, and common Salt, dis∣solving the Salt in water, and mixing well your Lute, then ap∣plying to the place, give it time to drye with a slow heat, to avoyd chinks; which if any happen, your care must be to stop them leasurely as they are made, and hinder thereby the exhaling of volatile Spirits.

To all these kinde of Lutations may very well be added the Hermetical Seal, which is nothing else but the melting of the Glass in the neck of the Vessel, to which end the Artist is to give by degrees the heat of Fusion; and when you see the neck begin to yield and encline by the force of fire melting the Glass, with strong Cizzers ready for the purpose, you must cut the neck of the Vessel where it is most melted; and thus the parts compressed, do as it were unite the edges of the Glass inseparably: But if you would rather close or seal the Vessel in a sharp end, twisting by degrees the neck of the Vessel, you must after expose the small end to the flame of a Candle or Lamp, to frame thereby a little knob, wherewith that small hole may be stopt, which most commonly remains at the end of the twisting, and is almost imperceptible.

Now as the Vessels are not still framed according to our desire, and that some parts are often to be taken away, which may hinder the Operations; we must also declare, how this, without endangering the Vessel may be done, viz. by breaking or slitting the Glass equally by a thwart line: This is performed three several wayes; as either by applying a red hot Iron to begin the slit, or twisting about the neck of the Vessel three rowes of thred dipt in Brimstone, if it be strong and thick; or else turning the Vessels part you would slit to the flame of a Lamp or Candle, if it be a thin and small Glass; and when it is well heated by any of these three ways, wipe it off, and throw upon it some drops of cold water, which will cause a Crack; the which begun,

mony, or any other: Aqua Fortis, the Ostridge's stomack: Armo∣niack Salt sublimated, the spread Eagle: The Tincture of Gold, the red Lion: That of Vitriol, the Green Lion: The Mercury subli∣mated, corrosive, and Antimony, are their two Dragons; the But∣ter of Antimony, the poysonous Foam of the two Dragons: The Tincture of Antimony, the Dragons Blood; and when this Tincture is coagulated, they have called it, the Wolfs Jelley. They also name that redness, which in the distillation of Nitre appears in the Receiver, the Blood of Salamander. The Vine is called by them, the Great Vegetable; Tartar, the Excrement of the Juice of Ja∣nus's Plant: And so have they several other names, more or less Enigmatical, which we will not gather up here; partly because it might prove both tedious and needless; as also that by assiduous reading and practice, (which are the two best Clues to lead us out of this labyrinth) they may easily be conceived and understood. Thus shall we with this Chapter put a conclusion to this Book, to enter into the second of our Second Part, wherein we shall give a free and ingenuous description of the manner of working, and preparing remedies, as also of the excellent uses, to which they may be applyed.

The Second Book OF The Second Part. Treating of Chymical Operations.

CHAP. I. Of such Observations as are necessary for Separating and Purifying the first Five Substances, after they are drawn from the Mixts.

FIRE is a potent agent, and an equivocal cause, which easily drives upwards, evaporable, sublimeable, and volatile Substances, such as are Phlegm, Spirit and Oyl. Phlegm, or the waterish part, because it sticks not very much to the other Principles, doth ascend the first; and for this reason, there is but need of a slow fire to extract it, whereas for the Oyl a stronger is required, by reason of its clamminess and viscosity, and its uni∣on with the Salt; and for the Spirit, it requires yet a more vio∣lent

fire, by reason of its waight, Spirits being nothing else but open Salts, as Salts exchangeably nothing but closed and com∣pacted Spirits. Sometimes the Phlegm, Oyl, and Spirit, do confu∣sedly ascend with much Salt, by the great violence and vehemency of Fire, and some time much of the Earth is also sublimated with these Substances; as it may evidently appear in the Soot of Chim∣neys, from which the separation of the five Substances may easi∣ly be made.

The Phlegm then, which is the first ascending, may be separated with the heat of a luke-warm Bath, or some other analogal heat; it may be severed from the Oyl, by the Funnel, because it swims a∣bove: but from the Spirit it must be separated by the heat of Balne∣um maris, or some such like: for, that heat is capable to elevate the Phlegm, but cannot drive upwards the Spirit by reason of its waight; to that sublimation a stronger fire is required, as that of ashes, sand, or filings, or some quicker heat, according to the nature of the Spirit.

The Salt and Earth are not very strictly united, wherefore they may easily be separated by the help of some aqueous liquor, which is the fittest Menstruum to dissolve Salts, and separate them from the Earth: and as the Earth by its nature is indissoluble, it precipitates it self into the bottom by its own weight: The Salt being thus separated, the Lye must be filtrated, and the Men∣struum evaporated in Glassen Vessels, White-Earth, or Jugge∣metal till it skins, then expose them to the cold to make it shute into Crystals, and so inclose it in Glassen Vessels well stopt, to hinder their melting, by the attraction of the moisture of the Air.

But you are to note, that the fiery, or hot Spirits, drawn from fermented Substances, are lighter yet then the Phlegm, and so ascend the first in their distillation or rectification. A very fa∣miliar and remarkable example is obvious in the making of Wine: for, if you take it to distil in the Must before it hath fermented, nothing but Phlegm will ascend, and the Spirit shall remain, joyned and incorporated with the essential salt of liquor, which shal thick∣en into an extract very sweet and pleasant: But, if you stay your Distillation after the Fermentation is perfected in the Cellar, you shall draw first the hot burning Spirit, which the Phlegm shall fol∣low,

and in the bottom nothing shall remain, but an ungrateful and unsavoury extract, because the essential Salt of the Must, hath been volatilized into Spirit by the action of the fermentation.

The difference of Vessels and several degrees of Fire, are also very useful to separate and joyn again these several substances, af∣ter they have separated assunder: for the bond of their union being once broken, each takes its place by it self; but the fire intervening, reduces all into vapours and exhalations, which ac∣cording to the diversity of Substances are received by the Artist in several Vessels. Thus is the Spirit easily separated from the the Oyl by the funnel, whether it swims on the top, as the Oyls of Flowers and Seeds are used to do; or whether it sinks in the bot∣tom, as doth the Oyl extracted from aromatick Substances and Woods, But nothing but a great and violent heat can separate the Salt from the Spirit, by reason of the great sympathy they have together; when it is noted, that Salts must be made use of in the fixing of Spirits, and Spirits reciprocally to volatilize Salts.

From what we have already said above, every one may of himself make several fine reflections and considerations, touch∣ing the distillation of Mixts abounding in Salt, Spirit, or Oyl, or any other mediane Substance between these three. But it must be noted, in general, that Animals and their parts require in the operations made upon them, only a very slow heat, because they are compounded of a very Volatile Oyl and Spirit; and that Vegetables and their parts need a heat of a more exalted degree, according to their more or less affixation; but Minerals, and chiefly all the family of Salts, require the greatest and intensest hear.

When the Oyls and Spirits ascend with the other Substances confusedly together, they must be rectified, that is to say, puri∣fied by a re-iterated distillation. But a slow and gentle fire draws easily away, and separates asunder the Phlegm and the Salt: the Salt hides himself in the bosom of the Earth, and forsakes it not till the Spirit and Oyl be separated by augmentation of fire, which by the violence of its action disunites finally the compound, and that done, there must be water poured upon the Earth (common∣ly and improperly enough called the Caput mortuum) to dissolve

and separate the Salt: which done, you are to evaporate the Men∣struum, & in the bottom of the Vessel, you shall find are transparent and Crystalline Salt, if the Salt be an Essential Salt which follow∣eth stil the nature of niter, provided you leave a portion of Phlegm, that the Crystals may shoot therein: but, if the Salt be an Alkali made by Calcination, you must evaporate Phlegm dry, and you shall find the Salt in the bottom in the form of an opacous and friable stone.

All these Observations are very necessary to be noted in the practical part, because oftentimes the Artist hath need but of one of these Substances separated from the others: therefore he must be skilful in separating the one from the other according to his pre∣sent occasion, because the desired and lookt for operation is often missed, and impedited by a connexion of the associated principles, when they are yet joyned one to another: for one part of the Mixt may be astringent and coagulating, when the other shall be incisive and astringent, according to the variety of principles that compound the same: and these parts so joyned together, are hurtful, and contrary one to the other, so that when you intend to dissolve, you must know, and be capable to separate the dis∣solving principle by it self, as you must reciprocally take the coa∣gulating principle to coagulate.

The first Distillations are ever tainted with some impurities, and for the most part have a touch and savour of Empyreuma, chiefly those that without addition of any Menstruum, are made with the heat of a violent fire: as the Oyls drawn by a retort, which are thick and filled with some portion of the Volatile Salt of the Mixt, and sometimes of the fixt Salt driven up by the extreme action of fire. Therefore an Artist must be skilled in separating these different parts; so, if the extracted Oyl be filled with these impuri∣ties, or hath acquired an Empyreumatical odour, it must be rectified upon Alkalis, such as are Tartar, or Vine-ashes, or ashes of any Wood; for, the sympathy which is between Salts, will cause them to joyn together; or to speak more Philosophically, the fixt Salts will kill the volatile by their action, they being commonly sharp and acid, and so shall the Oyl ascend clear, subtile, defeca∣ted, and without that smoaky Odour, which the Volatile Salt car∣ries along with it, as a kind of smoak: And if the first Rectification

be not sufficient, it shall be reiterated upon other Salts, or upon that which hath already been used, provided it be before hand made red hot in a Crucible, to take away from it, that ill o∣dour and impurity which it had contracted in the first Rectifica∣tion.

The impurities of Spirits must be separated by rectifying them upon Earths deprived of all Salt, or upon Ashes, whose Salt shall be washt away by Lyes: because, if you did rectifie them, upon bodies that were impregnated with any Salt, the Salt should fix and keep to it self some part of the Spirit; or, if the Spirit was stronger, it would Volatilize the Salt, and carry it along with it by Sublimation, because of their mutual sympathy which binds and unites them very strictly together.

Those that have been ignorant of this doctrine of Action, Re∣action, and the several Fermentations incident to Chymistry, by the means and mixture of Salts and Spirits, have grossly erred and committed irreparable faults, as it may be observed in the reading of Chymical Practitioners.

Volatile Salts may be purified by dissolving them in their own Spirits, after which they must be filtrated to separate their heterogeneous Substances, and then drive them through low Cu∣curbits or Retorts with a wide neck: and thus shall two opera∣tions be performed at once, by rectifying the Spirit, and subliming the Volatile Salt, which is nothing else but a coagulated Spirit, or a mean substance between Salts and Spirits, by the mixture of a small portion of internal Sulphur of the Mixt whence it is ex∣tracted.

Concerning Essential Salts, such as those which are extracted out of green and juycy Plants, where Nitre or Tartar are predo∣minant, which contain in themselves the principles in which re∣sides the Essence and chief virtue of the Mixt, they must be pu∣rified either with distilled Rain-water, or the water distilled from the juyces of the same Plants; then percolate those dissolutions through common Ashes, or such as will be made, by calcining the Cakes of the Plants remaining after the juyce is drawn: that it may be instead as it were of a filtration, to remove the terres∣triety and clamminess, which might hinder the Crystallizing of the Salts; then evaporate what is percolated to a fourth part

of the whole, and expose it in a Vessel in the cold, that the Saline substance contained in the liquor may shoot in Cry∣stals.

As for the Salts, Alkali or Fixt; made by Calcination, they must be purified by reverberating the Ashes, until they become gray or whitish, then make a Lye thereof, filtrate it, and evaporate, till it be dry; and if it be the Salt of any Plant distilled, reiterate the dissolution of that first Salt in the proper water of that Plant, that the Spiritual and Essential Salt of that Plant which is in the water, may joyn with the fixt Salt, which shall be as a Magns to it, and encrease its vertue; as also it will hinder the said Salt from melting so easily when exposed to the open Air, as it would otherwise; the Salt having been thus prepared, must be exposed in the cold to Crystallize, after evaporation hath been made, till a skin covers the liquor: but if it be a Lye only, it must be evaporated, till it be dry, having first been filtrated.

From all that is said above, it may easily be conceived, that no labour nor care is to be spared, to separate and purifie all these divers Substances, since it is absolutely necessary; lest the one should prove opposite and contrary to the other, and so hinder the use and operations of our most noble Remedies, according to the true Indications of Physick: for these Substances being joyn∣ed yet together, do often more hurt and prejudice then they do service: and this mixture doth hinder, that the Preparation doth not operate (as we do intend) according to the extent of the Salts vertue, or of the Oyl and Spirit, because the faculty and vertue of one of these things, is blunted and depressed, by the Viscosity or the drought of the other. And all these general hints and directions may be applyed to all Chymical Preparations, which are not only made upon Animals and Vegetables, but also upon Minerals; and as much for those that work upon Metals, as for those which only seek Remedies for the ennobling of Physick; or such as only work for satisfaction of their Curiosity, and the tri∣al and examination of Physical Truths.

CHAP. II. An Apology in the behalf of Chymical Remedies.

I Thought it necessary to vindicate the Professors of this noble Art, from the calumnies and aspersions which ignorant per∣sons do cast upon it, before I come to describe the Prepa∣rations of those Remedies which are used by true Physitians; to arm with Reasons and defensive Arguments the Lovers of this Sci∣ence, against the weakness of their Adversaries. I say, that these despisers of Chymists, and haters of Chymistry, are ignorant: be∣cause not only unacquainted with the true Preparation and Effects of these Remedies; but moreover ignorant in the knowledge of Nature and its Operations, which only can be discovered by those that work upon natural Products, and do exactly and curi∣ously Anatomize all the parts which they contain in parti∣cular.

But before we come to quote the reasons of both parties, Chy∣mists and Galenists, in the controversie between them; we must before all things, find a competent and capable Judge to decide the Question: that is to say, a Judge that may be throughly ac∣quainted with their Opinions. For it would not be possible for a Galenist, to blame and lawfully refute the Theory and Practise of Chymistry, unless he be fully acquainted with their doctrine.

But, that no body may be scandalized at our Discourse, you must know, that there is a great difference between the Galenists and the Doctrine of Galen; and that Chymistry doth not undervalue this Author, knowing very well, with what desire he was possest to attain to the knowledge of this Art, having with great avidity and longing sought for that Art, which should teach him how to separate the several Substances, of which Mixts are composed. But many at this day do profess, and take upon themselves the name of Galenists, which never were acquainted with his works; and boastingly pretend to follow the Doctrine of Hippocrates, which never did examine his practise. We must then call Galenists

those which are only Physitians by name, and who after they have perused some University Writings, which do perswade them, that, Physick is nothing else but an art of discerning heat and cold, immediately take upon themselves the practice, and fill their dis∣courses with nothing else but notions of Heat and Cold; and all their skill tends to speak upon the more or less of these qualities. But the learned Fernelius, who was the Ornament of his Age, doth confess and evidence, after having acknowledged this Error, that besides these first qualities, there are many other vertues hid∣den in the Mixts, as it evidently doth appear towards the end of his second Book, De abditis Rerum Causis, where he teaches how the Seminal Vertue contained in Compounds, and which really is the seat of all their activity, must be extracted.

We must then take for judge of this Controversie Peripatetick Philosophy, provided it be seasoned with the noble knowledge both of Galenical and Chymical Physick, that none may be judge and party in the same case; to this end, all prejudices which might be entertained concerning either of these Arts, must be laid aside, and submitted to the trial of Reason, which is the Touch-stone by which the truth or falsity of all Learning is discovered.

The Galenists, such as we have spoken of above, do first blame the Remedies prepared by Chymical Art, for three reasons: The first, because these Remedies cannot be wrought but by Fire. The second, because they are extracted from Minerals. And the third, because their Action is too violent. To these heads, we answer in order, and say first, That if whatsoever passes through fire, and cannot be prepared but by it, was to be blamed, it would go ill against the Cooks, who without it can dress no meats; and those very Apothecaries, which according to their Prescriptions, pre∣pare their Medicaments, would stand in opposition to their ex∣ceptions. Secondly, that all Chymical Remedies are not extract∣ed from Minerals; though it may objected to them, that they use them in their own Dispensatories; but that the greatest and best part of the choyselt Chymical Remedies are taken from the fa∣mily of Vegetables and Animals. And for the third point, we say, That if any Chymical Remedies have a violent action, and the Chymical Physitian doth make use of them in desperate and refractory diseases, he doth nothing in this case, that Hippocrates

hath not done, who made frequent use of Hellebore, the vio∣lentest of all Vegetables: If they object, that this great Physi∣tian made use of this Remedy only for want of a better; it may be as rationally answered again, that Chymical Physitians nei∣ther do use these violent Remedies, but in desperate Diseases, and that because Extremis morbis extrema remedia conveniunt. To say, that all Chymical Remedies are violent, is an assertion of ig∣norance; for Chymical Artists do prepare them with so neat and in so necessary a manner, that they become by it pleasanter to the taste, more salutiferous to the body, and less hurtful in their operations. And it is in this properly, That Chymical Pharmacy doth differ from the Galenick, which prepares also in a manner Medicaments, and doth pretend to correct the vices and violence thereof; but not with that requisite nicety and perfection, as to separate Purity from Impurity, and Homogeneous from Heteroge∣neous Substances. For, who will not confess, that a Patient will rather take some few grains of Magistery of Jalap, or a Pill of some Panchymagogical Extract; or finally, a very small dosis of well prepared Mercury, which may be wrapt in some Conserves pleasing to the tast, or delicate Jelleys, or finally, be dissolved in some pleasant Liquor, then to swallow a Bolus of five or six ʒ of Cassia, or double Catholicon: that he will more resolutely take three or four grains of some Sudorifical Specifick, as Bezoard Mi∣neral, then to swallow a full glass of some Therical Dissolution, or Opiatum Salomonis: That he will look with a better Eye upon a Broth wherein 1 ℈ of Vitriolated Tartar shall be dissolved, then a great Glass of Apozem, or some Magisterial Syrup after the old way, the Receipts or Prescriptions whereof are commonly of the length of one foot and a half.

But it will be moreover objected, That although Chymists do cry up the sweetness and pleasantness of their Remedies; they must nevertheless confess, that there is in them more danger then in others, because they are extracted from Minerals. It is con∣fessed, that many Remedies in Chymistry are taken from the Fa∣mily of Minerals: But for all this, it must not, nor cannot be granted, that they are venemous, or contrary to the nature of Mans-Body, and to affirm it, is the height of ignorance. For if ancient Physitians, have used them raw, as they were, and with∣out

out any Preparation, as may be seen in Galen, Dioscorid, Pliny, and several other Authors; If modern Galenists have also imploy∣ed them, as Rondeletius, which in his Pills against the Pox uses crude Mercury; Mathiolus who hath put in practice Antimony, which by excellency he calleth Manus Dei; Gesnerus hath done the same with Vitriol; Fallopius with the filings of Steel; and Riolanus, and many others, with Brimstone, for Diseases of the Lungs: Why shall Chymists be debarred from the same Reme∣dies, after they have prepared, corrected, and devested them from the malignity and venom which they did contain, by the sepa∣rating of Purity from Impurity? which is much a better way then the pretended correction of Galenists, who indeavour to mitigate the vices and malignity of Mixts, used by the Anci∣ents and Moderns also, by the addition of some other Substance, which may have, and really hath, in it self its particular Vice and Impurity: as it is obvious in Hellebore, Spurge, Scamony, Colo∣quint or bitter Gourd, Agarick, and some others, which they pretend to correct by a simple addition of Mastick, Cynamon, Cloves, Gum Dragant, and Ginger. But to show the manifest difference between this Correction and that of Chymists; we may use the vulgar comparison of an unskilful Cook, which to dress a savoury and delicate dish of Tripes, should think it enough to boyl them with odoriferous Herbs and good sents, without washing and clensing them from their inward filth.

Again, the Galenists will instance, and say, that Chymical Remedies, by reason of their sharpness and acrimony, are not to be trusted. But to that we answer, That if the use of sharp things must be banished from Physick, it must with more reason be for∣bidden in Food, and so consequently all dishes and ragouts where∣in Salt, Vinegar, Verjuyce, Leek, Onion, Mustard, Pepper, and all other kind of Spices are Ingredients, must be excluded from the Kitching use, as well as many Medicines blotted out of An∣tidotaries. Neither do they perceive, that by this argument, they thwart Galen himself, who hath placed Cantharides among mortal Medicaments, by reason of their corrosion, particularly upon the Bladder; he doth notwithstanding ordain them, and so do his Sectators prescribe them, though in some small quantity, in some convenient liquor, to provoke Urine; to which end and purpose he doth highly commend them.

The same do Chymists use to do, who give their sharp Remedies in some proper and specifical Liquor, to produce such Effects as they hope from their Medicaments. But to stop fully the Gale∣nists mouth, we must prove that they use in their common pra∣ctice, though Empirically, Chymical Remedies, whether they be natural, or artificial, as for Example: Do they not make use of crude Steel and Mercury, and many more natural Mixts with∣out preparation? Do they not use Spirit of Vitriol, Spirit of Sulphur, Mineral Crystal, Cremor and Crystals of Tartar, Crocus Martis aperitive and astringent, Salt of Vitriol, Saccharum Satur∣ni, or Sugar of Saturn? And though most of them be unacquaint∣ed with Antimony, and the true time and method of exhibiting this admirable Remedy; yet nevertheless do they give it in stealth to their Patients, disguising it oftentimes with some in∣fusion of Senne, or some portion of their ordinary Pills; for they mix Emetick Wine in their Infusions, and Emetick Powder in their Pills. But, that which is yet more to be noted, and consi∣dered, is, That when Galenists by the obstinacy of the Disease, are at a stand, and can no longer find in their method a Remedy to cure, and eradicate the evil of it, because they never attained to the perfect knowledge of it, they use to send their Patients for a last refuge, to Baths and Mineral Springs: which practice of theirs, makes them tacitely to confess, that there is in Minerals a more potent, penetrative and active Vertue, then in any other of those Remedies, which they did put in practice before.

This Truth is further confirmed by those Remedies which Chy∣rurgions do daily use with very good success, being for the most part compounded of Metals and Minerals; but those principally which do work with more efficacy. It is true, that Chymists do likewise send their Patients to Mineral waters, and enjoyn them the use of them: But there is this difference, between them and Galenists; that the first are distinctly acquainted with the Sulphur, Salt or Spirit, which predominates in the Waters by them pre∣scribed; which the others do not, having but a confused and su∣perficial knowledge of the Vertue residing and hidden in these waters; and prescribing them only, because others have used them before, not being capable to ratiocinate upon the Effects by them produced, much less to prove the Efficient Internal

causes of the same; since it belongs properly to the search of Chymists, whose peculiar work it is, to anatomize Mineral Waters, and demonstrate what Fire, or Volatile Substances, are con∣tained in them: And if the ingenious Artist finds not himself fully satisfied with examining the Waters, he must further ex∣tend his inquisition in working upon the Earths adjacent to those Mineral Spirits, and endeavour to discover what Metal most abounds in the Marcassites growing about that place: that done, it will be easie for him to find what Salt, or what Spirit is the most fitting to dissolve that Metal, and to unite and mix it so indivi∣sibly as it is, with the water: and being thus instructed, he can never fail to assign pertinent and demonstrative reasons both of the effects and cause of the vertue and efficacy of those Mineral Wa∣ters. If it be answered, that Galenists do also give the reasons of such effects, and assign them to the Salt, Sulphur, or Spirit predominant in these Waters; I reply, that they shall never ful∣ly satisfie a curious inquisitor and searcher of truth in Nature, by their reasons taken from the Doctrine of the Schools: But, that they must have borrowed this light from Chymical Authors, and so far they are no more a Galenical Doctrine; since they reason only upon the grounds, and by the Organs of Herme∣tical Philosophy. Let us then conclude in the behalf of Chymi∣cal Remedies, and say, that they are the true weapons, where∣with a Physitian must arm himself to conquer and extirpate the most stubborn and rebellious Diseases; and even such as are held incurable by the ordinary Remedies of Galenical Physick; and so we conclude this short Apology in the behalf of Chymical Remedies, whose wonderful nature it is, ever to act Citiùs, Tuti∣ùs, & Jucundiùs.

CHAP. III. Of the Faculties of Mixts, and the several degrees of their Qualities.

AFter all we have said above, we are to consider what be∣nefit we can reap, by separating the five Principles which may be extracted out of Compounds, to exalt the Ver∣tues and Faculties of Remedies, and qualifie them with conveni∣ent and various degrees according to their nature. Having then distinguished the various Substances, which an Artist may extract out of Natural Bodies, and having taken notice, that some of them do more or less abound with Sulphur, Salt, Spirit, Earth, or Phlegm and that these five Substances are found in all the Mixts of the three Families of Nature, which are Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals: It seemeth that something may be lawfully de∣terminated in Physick for the use of it, and discovery of such ver∣tues and specifical qualities, as are proper to each of the Sub∣stances, extracted out of the Mixt Bodies. For, as Vulgar or Dogmatical Physick hath attributed all, to the several degrees of first and second Qualities: we must in this Chapter open the true knowledge of the specifical vertues of each principle of the com∣pound, that what we shall here deliver, may serve for an Introdu∣ction to the better understanding of those Authors, who hitherto have written thereof; for it may be securely affirmed, that whatso∣ever abounds in Oyl, participates of the qualities of Oyl, and so of the Spirit and other constitutive parts. We might also insert here a Catalogue of all the Mixts, wherein Sulphur is predomi∣nant; as also of the Compounds, where the other Principles do abound. We could likewise Anatomize all Natural Bodies, to know precisely in what dosis or proportion they possess either of the five Principles, and how Nature hath distributed them to every one in particular, and having perfected such a work, we mought very well bragge, of a distinct and absolute knowledge of the Facul∣ties of all natural things. But, as it is not only a work above the

extent of any one single mans life; and even that many Artists put together were not sufficient for it; and that besides this consi∣deration, many Volumes would be of too narrow a compass to contain the Notes of such Experiments: we will content our selves, to speak only something of it by the by, when we come to the description of the work which may be done upon each Mixt, not exceeding the limits first propounded to our selves in the delineation of this Abridgement.

To return then to our several Degrees of Qualities of Mixts, or the five Substances which may be extracted out of them: We say first, that Oyl doth heat, or perform its operation by the means of heat, which is a more excellent Quality then that which is stiled Elementary. As for Example, We see by a common and familiar Experiment to all, that if the Oyl, or Aethereal Spirit of the Wine, which is its sulphureous part, be separated from its Vola∣tile Salt, exalted by Fermentation, which we vulgarly call Aqua vitae; that which remains hath no heating faculty left, and is quite unapt to communicate any part more of that Qua∣lity, which we do attribute to Oyls and Spirits; but, if you joyn again this portion of Aetherial Oyl, or Spirit to its Phlegm or watery part, you shall restore it immediately to its capacity of heating which it had before; which makes us to conclude, that the more a Mixt doth abound in Aetherial Oyl, and Volatile Spirit, the more is it fit to impart heat, strengthen and encrease our spi∣rits, as being more analogous and correspondent to the na∣ture of our vital Spirits, as also of the Animals, because this only portion of the Mixt is able to be conveyed and pass to the last digestions.

The same judgement may be made also of all the family of Ve∣getables; for we may say confidently, that the different parts of Plants have divers Degrees of Qualities, according as they have been more or less fermented, digested and concocted by the external heat of the Sun, concurring with their internal and es∣sential, which is contained in their Salt, which is as the rind and cover of their fermenting and digestive Spirit; and according as this Salt is exalted, by the actions of these two efficient causes, the parts of the Plants do participate of more or less efficacy. So is the first place assigned to the Seed of the Plant,

because it is exalted to its perfection, and contains in it self, that germinative and spermatick Spirit, which is capable to produce and multiply it self into its like; and that in the body of the Seed Nature hath likewise gathered, concocted, digested and concentra∣ted all the Salt, Sulphur and Spirit of the Body of the Plant; as it ap∣pears by the Distillation of Seeds from which a great quantity of Volatile Salt is extracted, which is nothing else but the three Principles volatilized and united together, by the Internal heat of the Plant, and the External of the Sun: and in this Volatile Salt it is, that the vertues of all things lye hidden, which hath given occasion to Van Helmont, to call them the General Lievte∣nant of the Arcana. Thence must we by degrees descend to know by divers steps the qualities of the other parts of Plants, follow∣ing the same Ratiocination we have already made upon the Seed, for in the Flower there is less vertue then in the Seed, in the Leaf less then in the Flower, and in the Wood less then the Rind; and the Fruit is better then the Leaf, and so of the other parts of the Vegetable, which all are to be esteemed according as they do abound in Oyl, Spirit, Essential or Volatile Salt. But we must digress a little here, to note a difference which is between the annual and lasting Plants: for some have the seat of their vertue placed in the root, the others in the leaf, and most in the Seed; therefore all these circumstances are to be weighed, to make a right and solid judgement thereof, and to examine them by the external senses and ratiocination, and make the choyce thereof accordingly.

All what we have said above, may also be applyed to the other Principles, for distinguishing the Degrees of their Faculties; for if, by Example, a Mixt be deprived of its Salt, it shall lose its desiccative, detersive, coagulative faculty, and all other pro∣prieties proceeding from, or depending upon Salt. Now it is possible, that one Mixt compared to the other, may have two, three, four or five times more or less of Salt, Spirit, Sulphur, Phlegm or Earth, according to which the rise and rule must be taken, for subdividing the Degrees of its Faculties; when the Artist shall have discovered by his work, the excess or defect of what pro∣duces the vertues of Natural Bodies, that being yet hidden from our knowledge either by the neglect of Writers, or the ignorance

of those Mongrel Physitians, which neither knew their Mother, nor the Children of her Womb: for we see that the juyce of Bar∣beries, Oranges, Limons, common and distilled Vinegar, the Spirit of Vitriol, common Salt, Nitre, Tartar, and many more like, do deserve to have several Degrees of Qualities attributed to them, considering their eminent actions, which proceed from the excess or defect of some Principle more or less depurated; by which it doth appear, that Mixts have more or less of efficacy, acti∣on, and vertue, according as the Efficient Principles are more or less in them; wherefore we may with very good ground and reason seek in Chymistry a solid foundation, for encreasing the Orna∣ment and Variety of Physick; correct the vulgar Pharmacy, ready to fall to decay; and examin throughly the practise of common Physitians.

CHAP. IV. Of the Order which we will follow in the Description of Chymical Operations.

THE order to be observed in the description of the five Principles extracted from Mixt Bodies by Chymical Ope∣rations, may be given two several wayes: for there may be first compiled in a Treatise all the Waters, either simple or compounded, according to their several kinds, as also the Oyls in another, and so of the Salt, and likewise each other of the Principles. Secondly, These Substances may be described in the same Order, as their Extraction out of the Individual Bodies of Nature is performed. This last method we intend to follow, as that which satisfies better the mind of the Inquisitor, and breeds less confusion. We shall then accordingly give to each Mixt in particular a chapter by it self, wherein we shall give an exact de∣scription of the nature of the Mixt; and of all the Chymical Operations useful and necessary to Physick: forgetting nothing

of what may conduce to the exact information of the Artist, in exactly and curiously anaromizing the Mixt upon which he doth intend his Operation, untill he hath separated all the several parts wherewith Nature hath endowed it.

And to proceed more methodically, we shall begin by Meteors, wherein we are to speak of Rain, Dew, Honey, Wax, and B••ine or Sea-water; next to which, we will teach those Preparations which belong to Animals and their parts. Then we follow speak∣ing of Vegetables; where we will teach, how the parts of that rich and numerous Family are to be anatomiz'd; and finally, end by Minerals, examining the contents of Stones Salts, Marcassites, and Metals, whereof we shall separate the hardest, and fixest parts, to draw from thence those wonderfull Remedies, which are lockt up in the Center of those true fruits of the Earth.

CHAP. V. Of Dew, and Rain.

AS Chymists can neither extract nor dissolve, without some fitting and convenient Liquor, adapted to the nature of those Substances whereof the vertue is desired (this Liquor Artists do commonly call their Menstruum, and this word being the most proper and best known, we will only make use of in all the Operations we are to describe) as (I say) Chymists can per∣form no Operation without their Menstruum; so hath their care and invention, much laboured to finde out one, which should be devested of all particular qualities, and agreeable to all sorts of Mixts, besides the particular Menstrues which they possess, and which are destinated for the extraction and dissolution of some particular Substances and Compounds. The Sons of A••t, upon this account, have thought no Substance to be more conducible to their end, then that which is the purest and most simple in Nature, viz. Dew and Rain water; both containing in themselves

the Universal Spirit, and capable to yield their universal Men∣struum, fit for extracting the vertues of things, and to be separated again from them, without robbing or depriving them of any part of their vertue and excellency; provided these two Liquors be well and duely prepared.

It is needless to repeat that Dew and Rain are two Meteors, since we have already spoken of it, in the first part of this Trea∣tise: It will suffice to say, that Rain-water must be gathered from the beginning to the twentieth of March, (or eight dayes be∣fore the Equinoxe, and eight dayes after) because then the Air is all filled and impregnated with those true heavenly seeds that are destinated to the renewing of all natural productions; and when the water hath been elevated from the earth, and deprived of the several ferments wherewith the divers generations made within and without her Womb, had filled her, she doth fall again through the Air, where she is furnished anew with a pure Spirit, undetermined to all things, and fit to assume any shape. And so much shall suffice, to shew the necessity of choosing the Aequinoctial time, for gathering of the Rain-water.

Gather then about this time great store of Rain-water, and leave it in a great wooden Tub or Vessel very clean, in an open place, and free to the Air, and there let it ferment, to make a Sediment of the most gross Impurities, which it might have con∣tracted from the roofs and gutters of houses, or other conveyan∣ces through which it passes, and is conveyed unto us; it shall yield moreover a kind of skin or froth above, which perfects its depuration; after this fill, therewith great stone-Bottles, Glass-Vessels, or Casks, if you will keep any as it is then, being then even so, fit for many Operations, and more usefull then any other kind of water whatsoever, as we shall make appear in the sequel of our practice; for it is of a more subtile nature then other waters, and abounds with a spiritual Salt, the only capable Agent to penetrate well into the Mixts.

But if you will subtilize more this water, and render it more capable to extract the tincture and vertues of things, you must distill it through the Worm, as you do Spirit of Wine, and draw only the two third parts of what your Vessel contains, re∣iterating this Distillation, by diminishing still proportionably,

till from a hundred pints you have but ten, which will afterwards serve to the extraction of purgative Substances.

The same may be done with Dew, which is to be preferred to Rain-water; the time to gather it is May, because then it is much more impregnated with the Universal Spirit, and filled with that spiritual Salt, which administers nourishment to all things, causeth their generation, and gives them maintenance.

CHAP. VI. Of Honey and Wax.

YOU must not think strange, if we reckon Honey among Meteors, since Dew contributes much to its generation; for it thickens after its falling upon Plants, detains and condenses in it self those vapours, which Plants do continually exhale, assisted by the cool of the Night; and the Suns heat doth digest and concoct all into Honey and Wax, which Bees do after∣wards gather, and carry into their Hives, for their own sustenance and nourishment. From this that we have said, the consequence may easily be drawn, why one season of the year doth abound more with Honey then the other. The best Honey is that which is of a whitish yellow, pleasant to the taste and smell, neither too thin nor too thick, compacted in its parts, and easily melting upon the tongue. That which young Bees do yield, is better then old Bees Honey. From it is extracted a Water, an Oyl, a Spirit, Salt, and Tincture. From Wax also, which is an Em∣plastick cleaving substance, is extracted the Phlegm, Spirit, Butter, Oyl, and a very small proportion of Flowers, which are nothing else but the volatile Salt of this Compound.

The manner of Extracting the Principles of Honey.

TAke a quantity of Honey, and put it in a Glass Vessel, white Earth, or Stone Bottle Earth, and put above it about

ii ℥ of Hemp, or Flax-Tow, to hinder the Honey from raising into the head by its ebullition; cover the Glass or Vessel with its head or Limbeck, and lute or stop well the joynts with two bands or fillets of Paper, spread over with Pap made with flower and water boyled together; put your Cucurbite or Vessel in sand, and give a slow fire at first, to extract only the Water by this first degree of heat; then change your Receiver and increase the fire, which shall drive up a second water, of a yellowish colour, con∣taining the Spirit; and increasing yet one degree more, you shall have a red Spirit with its Oyl, which must be separated by the Funnel, and the Spirit rectified. That which remains in the bot∣tom, calcine in a Reverberatory Furnace, to extract the Salt thereof with its own Phlegm, and then evaporate either to a total drought, or to a skin only, to get Crystals in a cool place.

Both these Waters of Honey, viz. the Clear and the Yellow, are very usefull to cleanse and clear the Eyes, take away films, spots, or blemishes; to cause Hair to grow: the Spirit is a great remover of Obstructions; for, being taken from fifteen to twenty drops, in Aperitive Waters, or decoction of Nettle-roots and Burdock, it opens all Obstructions, provokes Urine, and drives away Gravel, clammy and viscous humours in the Reins and Bladder. The Oyl being circulated in Spirit of Wine twenty or thirty dayes, becomes very sweet and pleasant; it conduces won∣derfully to the cure of Gun-shots, and to cleanse corroding and cancerous Ulcers: It is a singular remedy to appease the pain of the Gout; as also to take away the spots of the face, being mixt with a little Oyl of Camphire.

To make Hydromel or Mead, and the Vinegar of Honey.

TAke a q. of very good Honey, and viii p. of depurated Rain-water, or River-water, left some dayes in a Vessel, to defecate and cleanse it self from Impurities; then let it boyl softly to the consumption of one half part, being first exactly skimmed. This remaining Liquor put in a Cask, and upon every 30 pints of Liquor put ℥ i. of Salt of Tartar, and ℥ ii. of the Tincture of the same Salt to help Fermentation, which within the Philsophical

Moneth, which is 40 dayes, will be compleated: But you are to note, that every day the Cask must be filled anew, to repair what the fermenting Spirit drives away: that done, put the Cask in a Cellar and stop it well: and this may be used for a very good drink, both by healthfull and crasie bodies.

But when you will make Vinegar, put, in the Vessel wherein you have boyled your Honey and Water to a half consumption, as you are directed above, a knot containing the pounded seeds of _____ _____ grossely beaten, and leave the Cask in a warm room if it be Winter, or expose it to the Suns heat if Summer, untill the Liquor hath done boyling and fermenting; and it will by degrees and slowly turn into very good Vinegar; which may be distilled as the other uses to be. It is an excellent Menstruum for the dissolving of Peble stones, and all others, though not calcined before; and this is that Vinegar which Quercetanus doth call in his writings, the Philosophical Vinegar. You are to note also, that the same Author doth often make mention of Ho∣ney, in his Works, under the notion of Dew, or Heavenly Manna.

To make the Tincture of Honey.

THis Tincture is not one of the meanest remedies, extracted out of this Meteor; either by reason of the peculiar vertues of the Mixt, or that of the Menstruum, used to extract the fa∣culties of this Heavenly Manna, much more full of efficacy, then those have imagined which fancy that it is easily converted into Choler; led thereto by that false Axiom of their School, which they take for a granted truth, that Omnia dulcia facilè bilescunt, not apprehending, that these alterations of temper, are not wrought in us by the mixture of humors, but that all is performed by the several fermentations, which have their rise and original in the Ventricle, and that the Leaven or Ferment is either health∣full or sickly, according to the good or evil Idea's, which the spirit of Life hidden in Man, hath conceived. To return then to our matter, we say, that Honey is one of the sublunary sub∣stances that hath more in it self of Universal Spirit, and that none is fitter to be reduced to the nature of that general Agent

of the World, to perform thereby wonderfull remedies in Phy∣sick; sick; provided we preserve in it something of its specification, whereby it may become usefull and sensible.

Choose then the best and purest Honey you can finde, accor∣ding to the notes we have already given, and mix one part of it with 3 p. of the cleanliest and purest Sand you can meet with, beating all together in a Mo••tar, and reducing it to a mass, whereof make pellets of a convenient bigness, to pass through the neck of a Matrass: thus being put in, powre upon spirit of Wine well rectified, and let it rise over the matter three or four fingers; then let another Matrass be inserted in the neck or Orifice of the first, about two fingers deep, and lute the joynts of the two Vessels, with two fillets of Neat or Swines Bladder, dipt in white of Eggs, reduced to water by frequent agitation; (note this manner of luting the joynts or commissures of Vessels, for all the Operations which from henceforth shall be described.) Then tie your Matrass to the Cover of your B. M. and suspend to the vapour, and so digest the Honey with its Monstruum, untill the spirit of Wine be well impregnated, tincted, and loaded, with the internal Sulphur of this Mixt, which the Sp. V. will attract, by reason of the analogy which is between it and this Principle. This being done, leave the Vessels to cool, then open them, and filter the tincture through gray Paper, and having powred it in a small glass Body or Cucurbit covered with its head, luted the joynts very exactly, and adapted a fitting Receiver, draw by distillation half of the Alkohol of Wine, with a very soft heat of the B. M. and the Bath being cooled, open your Vessels, and keep choysely the remaining Tincture, in a glass Viol, with a narrow mouth, and well stopt with Cork first seasoned in melted Wax, to stop the porosities of it, and cover it with a doubled wet Bladder and a Paper, that nothing of the vertue of this Re∣medy may exhale or vapour away, by reason of the great subtilty of its parts, to use when you have occasion.

The use of this tincture is almost heavenly, in all affections of the Breast or Thorax, wherein slimy and viscous serosities, ga∣thered in the hollow or capacity or cavity of it, are the cause: For it hath a subtilizing and dissolving vertue, sufficiently strength∣ning the Patient to expell by spotting, what he findes obstructive

and cumbersome, or to drive away by urine, sweating, or insensible transpiration, which are the noblest and most ordinary effects of such remedies as come neerest to the Universal Medicine. Such rare Medicaments do prove the truth of this celebrated Maxim, that Natura corroborata, est omnium morborum Medicatrix. The The Dosis of this Tincture is from one fourth part of a spoonfull, to a whole, for the more advanced in age; and from five to twen∣ty drops for Children: It may be given alone, or mixt in de∣coctions, or specifical waters appropriated to the disease; as are the waters of Colts-foot flower, the roots of butter-Burre, the white and odoriferous Hore-hound, Juniper berries, and roots of Enula; because all these simples do abound with a penetrating and volatile spirit: it may also be exhibited in broths, or the ordinary drink of the Patient.

To extract the Oyl of Wax.

FRom Wax, as also from many other mixt Bodies, may be extracted, a Phlegm, an acid or sharp Spirit, an Oyl, and the Flowers which we have said to be its volatile Salt. But as these substances (the Oyl excepted) have no great use in Phy∣sick, we shall not insist here upon their descriptions; contenting our selves to impart here an usefull, easie and compendious way of making the Oyl of Wax.

Take lb i. of yellow, well-smelling, and depurated Wax; melt it with a gentle heat in a Copper skillet, shutting with a close Cover; and if you have a Fire already kindled for some other purpose, take red burning Coals, and extinguish them the one after the other in the melted Wax, untill they are sufficient∣ly imbibed, and well filled with it: and thus continue untill all the Wax be thus consumed, having a special care in the mean while to cover close the Skillet every time you throw the Coals in it, least the Wax should take fire; then pound the Coals to an indifferently gross powder, and mix with equal weight of de∣crepitated Salt; and having put this mixture in a glass Retort, leaving the third part empty, place it upon a Sand-furnace, with a sufficiently ample Receiver fitted to the neck of it, and lute exactly the joynts with Bladder and whites of Eggs, then having

dryed it leasurely, give fire to it by degrees, untill the vapours begin to cease of their own accord, which ever happens within the space of fifteen or twenty hours, and ••••ll being setled and cooled, separate the Oyl which is yet gross and thick from the aqueous Liquor, and keep some part of it in that consistency, to use outwardly, but rectifie the rest in a low Cucurbite, and mingle with 3 or 4 lb of White-wine, and ℥ iv. of Salt of Tartar, di∣stilling it with all the care and exactness which is requisite to a very subtile and penetrating Oyl, upon Ashes: Thus shall you have the Oyl of Wax, as clear, fluent and penetrating as the Sp. V. endowed with many peculiar vertues, both for internal and external griefs. It is exhibited inwardly in some Diuretick Liquor, from 6 to 12 drops, in retentions of Urine; and for the same purpose may also be given in Parsly-water, and Sassafras∣wood-water, or decoction, as also of Lignum Nephriticum. Out∣wardly applyed, it is very resolutive, which makes it of great efficacy to dissolve all schirrhous tumours and swellings; good also to restore motion to Paralytical and contracted Members, and cure all cold aches in the nervous and sinewous parts of the body; it is also used with very good success against Sciatica, and cold Gout in hand or feet. The Butter or gross Oyl, which you kept unrectified, cures the chaps of the lips caused by cold, and cica∣trizes and heals again the soreness or chaps in the Nipple. The aqueous Liquor or Phlegm being rectified, you shall finde a fourth part to be a spirit of Salt, not of less vertue then that which is distilled alone.

CHAP. VII. Of Manna.

PLiny doth, not without reason, call Manna the Honey of the Air, containing in it self a heavenly nature: I have said, that he cal'd it so, not without reason; because Man∣na is nothing else but a Dew, or a sweet pleasant Liquor, which

about the time of the Aequinox, falls upon the branches and leaves of Trees, thence upon Hearbs, Stones, and sometimes upon the Earth it self, and in a short time is condensed, and takes a form of drops of Gum.

That which commonly is chosen for the best, is the Oriental, as the Persian or Syriack; but that which ordinarily comes from Calabria, a part of the Kingdom of Naples, may very well serve turn; it must be white and new, for when it growes reddish, it is a sign of age, and that it hath lost that celestial and spirituous part, wherein did consist its vertue.

To make Spirit of Manna.

TAke of Manna well chosen q. s. put it in a glass Cucurbit, covered with its head; lute them both exactly together, and having fitted a Recipient to the Limbeck, give it a slow fire, thence shall come forth a tastless spirit, of very great vertue; for it is a great sudorifick, which with very good success is given, both in pestilential and spotted Feavers, as in all sorts of com∣mon Aguish distempers; this Spirit doth provoke sweat copi∣ously, and expells the excrements of last digestions, as may be evidenced by the unpleasant smell of the sweat which it pro∣vokes. The Dosis is from one half spoonfull to a whole one.

Moreover, this Spirit hath a peculiar vertue to dissolve Brim∣stone, and extract the yellow Tincture of it, which is not one of the least remedies for easing the breast, and the principal parts about it, when oppress'd: For this Tincture is as a restoring Bal∣some, to correct the defects of the Lungs, and strengthen and preserve their action. It may be given in Juice of _____ _____ prepa∣red and depurated, as we shall direct in the Chapter of Vegetables, from one drop to twelve.

There may be also a water of Manna made, which shall be both laxative and sudorifick: For this end, ℞ a parcel of well-chosen Manna, two parts of very pure Nitre, and put them both in a Near or Hogs Bladder, and having exactly tied it, suspend the same by a string in boyling water, till all the two substances be well dissolved: This Liquor or Dissolution must you distill, as we have said of the Spirit; and you shall have an insipid,

laxative water, provoking sweat copiously: The Dosis is from i ʒ to vi ʒ, in a broth of some pectoral Decoction. This water may prove a very good remedy to attract forth the superfluous serosities, which ordinarily do breed Rheumatical Defluxions.

CHAP. VIII. Of Animals.

TO treat of Animals, is a part of Chymical Pharmacy, containing the remedies extracted out of Animals, and the way how to prepare them: And as the object of Chymical Philosophy are all natural substances, so doth she ex∣tend her Operations upon all Animals, and Man it self, the most perfect and accomplished of all. But as the extent of a Compen∣dium, or Abbreviate Treatise, cannot reach to an exact enumera∣tion of perfect Terrestrial Animals, neither of Fouls, Fishes or Insects, which are the four Classes or Divisions of this vast, beau∣tifull, and noble family of Animals; it shall suffice for our design and purpose, to make first some observations upon the nature of Animals in general, and the choyce which an Artist is to make of them, when he intends to draw from them those wonderfull remedies which they contain, to ease the griefs and misery of mankinde; thence shall we pass upon some of the Operations made on them, to be as a Guide and an Example, whereby to work upon all others of the like nature.

We say then by the way, that as all Animals are made of a more volatile, subtile, and aerial substance, than the Vegetables on which they feed; so in their ultimate resolution, which Art doth perform, have they less of Earth, and of diversity of Sub∣stances: whence it is, that there are only three efficatious Medi∣cines may be extracted from them, viz. Spirit, Volatile Salt, and Oyl: We will not lose time in debating here, whether the forms of these Animals are spiritual or material; being a dispute more of curiosity then use. We will only say, that the Artist

must choose the soundest and healthiest Animals to extract his remedies from; that they be of a middle age, that the parts may have attained to a requisite firmness, solidity and perfection; for it is well known, that Animals do daily ••ie, as they advance in age, after they have past a certain state and period of perfection, which according to the nature of each is the limit of their duration, and their Ne plus ultra. It is also requisite the Animal should dye a violent death, chiefly by strangling and suffocating; because suffocation doth concentrate the spirits in their parts, and hinders their dissipation; and that it is in the preservation of this flame and vital light, that properly inhabits, and makes its residence, the vertue of Animals and their parts, as is manifested by the fol∣lowing history of what happened at Montpellier, as Bartholinus relates it in his Centuries: Which is, that a woman having bought in the Shambles Meat newly killed, and steeming yet with the heat internal, hung it in the Chamber wherein she did use to sleep; having some occasion to wake at night, she was surprized, to see a great light in her Chamber, though the Moon did not shine; she at first was astraid, not imagining the cause whence it did proceed; but at last she perceiv'd, that this light did proceed from the meat she had hung up; and the next morning related it to her neighbours, which de••rous to see this thing, which by relation seemed to them incredible, were confirmed in the truth and belief of it by their own eyes: A piece of this Luminous Flesh was carried to the Prince of Conde, then Governour for his Majesty in Languedock, in the year 1641. and this Flesh at last did lose its light, as it came neerer its corruption. This truth cannot be contradicted in the historical part; and curious search∣ers of Nature, may see whenever they list, that sparks of light do issue forth out of living Creatures, if they take the pains to rub a Cat-skin in the dark, against the hair, a sufficient proof to verifie more and more that light is not only the Principle of Composition in all things, but is also the Principle of their pre∣servation, and the chief cherisher of life. The foregoing relation makes me remember a complaint which some Butchers Pren∣tices did make at Sedan, that coming by night time into their Slaughter-house, they did perceive some extraordinary light, which superstitiously they did attribute to apparitions of Evill

Spirits, not without horrour and aftrightment, whereof I was an ocular witness: but when there was any Candle lighted in the place, the light did vanish away; by which it was easie to be seen, that this light proceeded from the flesh of Animals newly killed.

Of Man.

THe Chymical Artist doth extract from Man, both male and female, several Substances, which are the subject of this work, and that either during his life, or after his death; from male and female during their life, are taken Hairs, Milk, After-burthen, Urin, Bloud, and the Stone in the Bladder: After death, use is made, either of the dead body, or its parts, which are muscles or flesh, fat, bones, or skull. From these several, parts, is the Ar∣tist to take his Remedies, as we shall hereunder teach in or∣der; and that will be a sufficient example to direct him in the like operation upon other Animals and their parts. There are yet besides these above related, several other parts in Animals, very useful for Physick: But, as they are not commonly made use of in Chymical operations, we think it needless to mention them in this Chapter, lest we break the Law of our Abridgement.

Of Hair.

TO draw from Hair any serviceable Remedy, and lose none of the Vertue, they must be distilled; for by this Operation is the Spirit and Oyl extracted, and the Ashes are preserved: which is performed in this manner.

Take Hair either of male or female, as they are found in Barbers shops, or Periwick-makers, and fill therewith a Glass Retort, rather then an Earthen one, by reason of the subtilty of their Spirits, and put it in a Sand Furnace, (which for abbrevia∣tion we will call only Sand hereafter): To this, fit exactly a con∣venient and large Receiver, and lute the Joynts; the Lute being dry, begin first to give it a moderate fire; which increase by de∣grees, till the vapours begin to fill and abundantly the Recipient; and keep the Fire in this state, until, the vapours being spent, the Re∣tort

begins to grow clear of it self; then encrease the Fire more violently, that nothing of what may be driven out of the Retort do remain, and the Calcination of the remainder, may perfect∣ly be performed; then ceasing the fire, let the Vessels cool, and you shall find in the Recipient two different substances, which are the Armoniac Spirit of the Hair, and the Oyl, which is no∣thing else but the sulphurous portion of this Mixt, mingled with the grosser part of the Volatile Salt. These two Substances after separation, may be applyed to Physical uses: But it is nevertheless necessary, to rectifie them before hand, viz. the Spirit in B. M. upon other Hair, cut in very small pieces, in a small Glass-Body covered with its head, and using all requisite precautions; and the Oyl upon its own Ashes, in an Ash Furnace, giving at first but a moderate heat.

The Spirit of Hair is not inwardly given, partly by reason of its ill taste and odour, partly because Art doth extract from other parts of Man, other Spirits more pleasing, and less nauseous in their use. This Spirit then is never used, but with a mixture of Honey, to anoint the parts where Hair are thin, and grow in small quantity, or altogether fallen away: The Oyl is soverain to eradicate Tetters in what part soever of the Body they grow, making a Liniment of it with Salt of Saturn, and applying to the place, after a due Purgation given to the Patient fit for ex∣pelling serosities. The Ashes mixt with Mutton-suet in the man∣ner of a Sear-cloth, produce wonderful effects in the cure of strains, and the strengthning of dis-joynted and dislocated parts. Add to this, that Hair unwrought, are a very present remedy to stanch running of bloud, either in wounds, bleeding of the nose, or immoderate courses of women.

Of Milk.

WOmans Milk of it self is an excellent remedy for Eyes, to appease the grief and remove inflamation, whether pro∣ceeding of some hurt in the substance it self, or from small Ul∣cers which happen to breed in Eye-lids and corners of the Eye: and if Womans Milk cannot be recovered, then some other kind is to be substituted in the place. But there is a Vitriolick Wa∣ter

distilled with Womans Milk, or some other, either Cows Milk, Ass, or Goat, which may be still ready at hand, and is no less ef∣ficacious to remove any grief from the Eye; It is thus made.

℞ of Milk and white Vitriol pulverised a like quantity, put them together in a Cucurbite or Glass Body, fitted with all the care requisite to Distillation, then extract upon the Ash Furnace, a water S. A. with a graduate heat, until the white vapours or clouds do ascend, at which time cease the fire, lest the Water should become corrosive: This Water doth correct the redness of the Eyes, and removes wonderfully inflamations.

Of the After-burthen.

TO prepare any Remedy from the After-burthen, you must chuse (if possible) one of the first birth, and a male: the Woman being of a middle age, as from 18 to 35 years, sound, Black or Ches-nut hair; the Red-hair Women (as participating something of Arsenical Spirits) are to be absolutely excepted. And if the Artist cannot recover one of the first child, let him at least have it of a male child: and, unless in absolute necessity, make no use of a female, which only in such case he is allowed to do: for being both male and female are nourished in the same womb with the same menstruous bloud, there is but the difference of the strength and vigour, considerable in the choyce.

Take then such an After-burthen (as is said) with all the condi∣tions requisite, put in a Glass Cucurbit, and distil in B. M. until the bottom be dry, and keep the Water in a Bottle well stopt with Cork, seasoned in melted Wax; and if what is left in the bottom of the Cucurbit, be not dry enough to be reduced to Powder, dry it in a Paper doubly or trebly folded, at a moderate heat. But you are to note, that neither in distilling nor drying of it, it must not be turned upside downwards, that the Spirit and Volatile Salt may the better concentrate themselves, because it is this Salt which properly gives vertue, to the Powder that is to be made thereof.

The Water thus extracted, is an excellent Cosmetick, smooth∣ing wonderfully the skin, both of hands and face, takes away the wrinckles, and spots; chiefly, if you add a little Salt of

Pearls and Borax. But it is moreover very useful in expelling the After-burthen, when the delivery of the Woman hath been long and difficult, and accompanyed with weakness, provided you mix with this Water the weight of ʒ ss. of the Powder of the Body whence it hath been extracted, or the same weight of an Eels Liver dryed with its Gall, which is an approved and infallible Remedy.

The Powder given from ℈. 1. to ij. or iij. is a Soverain Reme∣dy against Epilepsie, either in its own water, or that of Pyony, or Lillium Convallium, or Lime-tree, seven continual dayes fast∣ing, during the decrease of the Moon. But if you Calcine the After-burthen in an Earthen unleaded Pot well covered and luted; the Ashes will be a specifical Remedy against the Kings-Evil, and Wens, exhibited in Water of male Sour••hern-wort, the weight of ʒ ss. during the last quarter of the Moon, every morning fasting.

Of Ʋrine.

THough Urine be an excrement voyded, and cast away dayly, it contains nevertheless a mysterious Salt, full of Vertues, known but to very few. The ingenious Artist which is ac∣quainted with its proprieties, shall not easily be scared or di∣stasted by the name or noysomeness of it: it belongs only to such as boast of an eminent knowledge in Pharmacy and its Pre∣parations, and dare not nevertheless fowl and sully their hands in the disquisition and separating of the different parts where∣with bodies are compounded. And to prove in general, the divers Medicinal Vertues of Urine, we shall only hint, that the washing with it, when newly voided, doth dry and heal itches and scab, dissolve tumors being applyed warm, mundifies and clenseth wounds and venemous ulcers, prevents gangreen; opens gently the body without gripings, being administed in Glysters lukewarm; for, it it be suffered to cool, it loses that Volatile Spirit wherein the chief Vertue of it doth consist; hindereth, or at least, lesseneth the fits of certain Agues, if it be applyed warm to the wrist, and in frontals: healeth the ulcerous Ears, being poured in; taketh away the redness and the itching of the Eyes,

if be distilled in the corners of them: Being mixt with Spirit of Wine, cureth the shaking of Limbs; and taken in the way of a Gargal, dissipates the swelling and tumour of the Ʋvula: and to be short, appeaseth all the pains caused by vapours rising from the Spleen, applyed in a Plaister-wise made with Ashes. And if thus, Urin seemeth to be a treasure against outward Diseases: it is of no less efficacy against inward ones, being soverain in re∣moving all obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, Bladder and Gall, preserving against the Plague, and curing Dropsie in its beginning, and removing Yellow-Jaundies: And it hath been observed, by some curious searchers of Nature, that the Husband's Urin in difficulty of birth is a specifick remedy, to cause speedy delivery: and experience hath taught it to be no less wonderful and effectual in the cure of Tertians; a good glass full of recently voyded Urin being given in the very beginning of the Fit.

All what we have said hitherto, is only to make it plain, how much more excellent and capable of producing its Effects, well prepared Urin, and separated from its gross impurity shall be, than when it is yet corporeal; and to prove more and more, that the chief, nay almost all the Vertues of mixt Bodies, do proceed from their Spirits, and Salts.

They that will make use of Urin in Pharmacy, or Chymical operations, must chuse (if they can) that of wholesom Bodies of young men, or children, from the age of 10. until 15. years, drinking Wine, if it may be had so, if not, such as they can meet with; for all Urin is never without its Spirit and Salt: But in Urin of this latter sort, they will be fewer and grosser. Though experience hath made it manifest, that the same Remedies are sound in it either to be outwardly or inwardly applyed, or to pre∣pare the following operations.

To make the Igneous Spirit of Ʋrin, and prepare its Volatile Salt.

TAke of Urin, conditionated as we have said above, thirty or forty pints, and evaporate it with gentle heat, to a consistency of Syrup; put the remainder in a Glass-Body of about a cubit high, cover it with its Head or Limbeck well luted; and in a B. M. or Ashes, extract the Spirit and Volatile Salt by Distillation:

if you work in Balneo, let it be boyling; if in Ashes, give your de∣grees of fire with precaution. Your Spirit will be found coagulated in the Limbeck in a Volatile Salt.

But you are to observe, not to Evaporate your Urin, but when it is recent and new; for, if you did, after Fermentation or Digestion the best Substance would Evaporate away and be lost.

The Spirit of Urin may also be distilled with a Limbeck in B▪ M. hot boyling, withont Evaporation; but then it must be rectified.

The same Spirit may likewise be distilled without apparent fire, which is a wonderful operation, and thus performed; Evaporate the Urin with a gentle fire about a third part away, then having filled the bottom of a Glass Body with three fingers high of good unslackt Lime, pour your Urin thereupon being thus evaporated, then cover it quickly with its head, and fit a Receiver; and thus without the help of any fire, shall you obtain in a short time, the Spirit of Urin so Subtile and Volatile, as not to be any way inferiour to any drawn by another method: They that will make use of the open Retort of Glauber, shall more easily distil it, and in greater quantity; it is very difficult to preserve the Vo∣latile Salt of Urin, by reason of its subtile nature, and the pene∣trability of its parts, therefore is it necessary to digest it with its own Spirit, and unite them both together, preserving them in a Glass Viol of a narrow neck, and fenced with a double bladder wetted above all.

This Vol••til soline Spirit, or spiritual Salt is endowed with al∣most innumerable Vertues: for it is first, of a soverain efficacy in allaying the pain of all the parts of the body, and chiesly of joynts, when mixt with some convenient liquor. It opens more then any other remedy, all tartarous obstructions of the Mizentery and Bowels; whence it is used with wonderful success in Scor∣butick and Hypochondryacal Diseases, to correct evil Fermen∣tations of the Stomack, and cure the two kinds of Jaundies: it is of no less vertue to dissolve and attenuate the gravel and slimy substance generated in the Reins or Bladder. It may also be made a very excellent remedy against Epileptical, Apoplectical, Maniacal-Diseases, and all other of the like nature, which are

said to have their root and first original in the Brain: but it must be prepared as followeth.

Take Vitriol purified by several Solutions, Filtrations, and Cry∣stallizations made with distilled Rain, or which were yet better, Dew-water: Imbibe it with Spirit of Urine, until it only covers the matter; stop your Vessel very close, and put in digestion for eight or ten dayes, after which, put your matter thus digested in a high Glass Body, and distil it in Ashes till dry: you shall have an excellent Cephalick Remedy, to cure the Megrum and all other pains in the head, even by the only smell; and to provoke sleep, if it be only held a little space of time under the nose. That which remains in the bottom of your Glass Body or Cucurbit, must afterwards be put in a Retort in Sand, with its Recipient well luted, to draw the Volatile Salt thereof, and a kind of brown Oyl, not to be despised both in Medicinal and Metallick Operati∣ons; you may also make a Dissolution of the remainder, and by Filtration, Evaporation, and Crystallization bring it to a Salt, which is one of the truest Stomachal Remedies to expel those vi∣scosities and hurtful superfluities which most commonly stick to the sides of crude and ill-disposed Stomacks: it must be given in Broth or warm Beer. The dosis must be from viij grains to xx. and even to ℥ ss. The dosis of the Spirit of Urine, is from xi. drops to xij. or xv. in Emulsions, Broths or other appropriated Liquors; that of Volatile Salt from ii. grains to x. in the same manner as the Spirit.

To make the Water, Oyl, Spirit, volatile and fixed Salt, of Humane Bloud.

TAke in the month of May, a good quantity of some young mens bloud, which they ordinarily cause in that season to be let out for prevention of diseases, and distil it in Ashes in a large Glass Body; but to prevent the raising of it in the Head or Lim∣beck, put upon it two or three handful of Hemp, luting all ex∣actly, and fitting a convenient Receiver; rule your fire accurately by proportionate degrees, and take care above all things, that the remaining Mass after distillation in the bottom may not burn, but be only dryed sufficiently. So shall you have Water

and Spirit, which rectifie in Balneo: with the Water you may ex∣tract the Salt remaining in the Caput mortuum, after due calcina∣tion; the Spirit may be preserved as it is, to be used against the Falling-sickness, and Convulsion fits of children. The dosis from ℥ ss. to ℥ i. It is also a specifick Remedy for the same diseases, if you mix with it the Flower of Lilly-convally and Lavender, to extract the Tincture thereof. It will nevertheless be better, if you co∣hobate it in a Retort upon what did remain in the bottom of your Cucurbit, or Glass Body nine several times, or so long till it hath got a ruby colour, and that the Oyl cometh at last with its volatile Salt, sticking to the Neck of the Glass or the sides of your Recipient; then mix it with the Spirit, and joyn them to∣gether by distillation in Balneo. This is that Spirit impregnated with its volatile Salt, so much cryed up for the cure of Palsie, be∣ing inwardly taken from six drops to ten, in Broths, or decoction of Squina-root, or in white generous Wine.

What did remain in the bottom of the Glass Body, must be calcinated with a circular fire to extract the Salt thereof, with the water that came first in the distillation, filtring, evaporating, and crystallizing, to preserve for the following use.

Take the distilled Oyl, and rectifie it upon Colcothar in Sand in a Retort, until you find it subtile and penetrative; mix the fixed Salt with your Oyl, and digest it together, until they be perfectly united; and thus shall you have a wonderful Balsom, to allay the grief of Gout in hands, and feet, and remove the swel∣ling and redness thereof: But, that which is more considerable, is, that this remedy softens, dissipates, and dissolves the Chalk ga∣thered by the Gouty humor in the Joynts, as also coagulations in the Joynts of Pocky Bodies, being purged before with the ordi∣nary preparations of Mercury and Antimony.

But you must not stick still at the Spring season of the year, whereby to get your blood; for if necessity doth require it, you may take it also in the other seasons of the year; you may also make use of Goat, Swine, Near, or Sheeps bloud, and distil it with the same Art, and in the same manner as humane bloud; for in perfect Animals, the natural digestions are performed in the same manner, and their bloud is endowed with the same vertues; only that of Man is of a subtiler nature, by reason of the delicacy of his food.

To make the Salt and Elixir of the Stone and Bladder.

IT is a wonder of Nature, that the very same thing which causes in Man such extremities of torture, ••••ould become to the same disease so good and certain a remedy: this is experimented in the Stone of the Bladder, which without any other preparation than being reduced to small Powder, may be administred from ℈ i. to ʒ i. in white Wine, or decoction of Burredock Roots and red Nettles, to dissolve the Stone in the Bladder, and expel gra∣vel and slime from it and from the Kidneys: but those Re∣medies being heightened by Chymical preparation, are much more efficacious, and do act with a much greater quickness.

Take then a parcel of these Stones, reduce them to powder, and joyn with 2. pintes of Beach Goal pulverised, and thus be∣ing put in a well luted Crucible, calcine it with a circular or rever∣beratory fire, the space of five or six hours; and being cooled, grind your matter upon a Marble, and, with some diuretical Wa∣ter make a Lye thereof; o••, with Phlegm of Salt-Peter, or Al∣lom, filtrate and evaporate till it skins; then in a cold place draw your Crystals, and so continue to do, till you have extracted all the Salt; which if you find not yet sufficiently cleansed, put it again in a Crucible, and let it grow red-hot in the fire without fusion, then purifie by reiterated solutions, filtrations, evapora∣tions and crystallizations, until you like it. You must keep this Salt well dryed, in a Glass Viol well stopt, lest by the attra∣ction of Air, it should contract moisture. The dosis is from iv. grains to viij. in appropriated Liquors, to facilitate the excreti∣on of Urin, dissolve and expel the gravel and slimy matter in the Reins and Bladder, which most commonly are the occasional cause of generating the Stone.

But if you will have an Essence or Elixir out of it much more efficatious then this Salt, calcine the Stone with equal weight of well purified Salt-Peter in a Crucible with a circular fire, the space of six hours; then extract the Salt from the matter calcinated, with Spirit of Wine, filtrate, evaporate, and draw your Crystals, and when they are well desiccated, put them to digest in a double Vessel in Baelnei vapore, with rectified Spirit of Wine: then co∣ver

it with a head, and draw the Spirit of Wine in a gentle Bal∣neo, and cohobate so often, till the Salt be reduced to a very sub∣tile and clear Liquor, which you are choysely to preserve; it must be given from five drops to ten, for the same Diseases, and in the same Liquors before mentioned.

The Artist must not scruple to make use of Nitre in the Calci∣nation of the Stone of the Bladder, lest its Salt should joyn with the other••: for, besides that all, what is volatile, sharp and corrosive in the Nitre, flyes away in the calcination, that sub∣stance of it which remains after the Stone is calcined, can but augment the efficacy of the Remedy, then lessen or obstruct it, being reduced by the action of the fire to the universal nature.

Having thus ended to treat of those things, which are ex∣tracted from Man's body during its life; we will end this Chapter by examining those Sustances which his Body may afford after death; beginning with the Flesh, which doth furnish us with several con∣siderable preparations, as in the sequel will appear.

Of Humane Flesh and its Preparations.

THe Mummy which is prepared out of the Flesh of Man, is one of the noblest Remedies which all the parts of his Body can afford: But, because it is abhorred by some natures, and is nei∣ther known, nor well apprehended by others, it will not be unfit to say something of its differences, before we come to the descri∣ption of its true Preparation.

Those that have more learnedly writ of Mummy among the Ancients, make only four kinds of it: the first is the Arabiack, which is nothing else but a Liquor flowing from Bodies embalmed with Myrrha, Aloes, and natural Balsom mixed and acorporated, with the fleshy substance of embalmed bodies, contaming the Spirit and volatile Salt, from which doth result the Mummial part, which composes with Myrrha, Aloes, and Balsom this first kind of Mum∣my of the Ancients, which were not to be despised, if recoverable; but none such is to be found at this day.

The second kind, is the Aegyptian Mummy, which is a Liquor thickned and dryed, proceeding from the Bodies which have been sea••oned and filled with a Balsom, ordinarily called Asphaltum,

or Pissasphaltum (a kind of Bitumen). Now as Sulphur in natural bodies is incorruptible, so is it by his means and Balsamick facul∣ty also, that dead bodies are preserved against corruption: This second kind is much inferiour to the first, and is only fit for out∣ward uses, being not capable to draw from the dead body, the vertues of the median life, which was hidden and concealed in the parts, by reason of the compactedness and closeness of parts of these Bituminous Sulphureous Substances, which are dry, crumb∣ling, brikle.

The third kind is altogether to be laught at and rejected, being nothing else but an Artificial Pissasphaltum, viz. black Pitch mix∣ed with Bitumen, and boyled with a Liquor issuing from the dead Bodies of Slaves, to give it the cadaverous smell; and this third sort is usually found in Druggers shops, which furnish Apotheca∣ries; deceived by the odour of this D••ugg sophisticated and falsi∣fied. This that I say, have I learned from a Jew of Alexandria in Aegypt, laughing himself at the credulity and ignorance of Chri∣stians.

The fourth, and best, and less so phisticated kind, is that of Hu∣mane Bodies, dryed up in the hot Sands of Lybia; for it happens often, that whole Caravans are swallowed up in the Sands, when any contrary wind doth in an instant arise, and whirling the Sand, doth in an instant cover and overwhelm them unawares. I have said, that this fourth kind is the best, because it is uncompounded, and that this sudden suffocation doth concentrate the Spirits in all the parts, by reason of the fear and sudden surprisal, which seizes on Travellers, according to that saying of Virgil,

Membra quatit, gelidusque coit formidine sanguis.

And because moreover the sudden exsiccation caused by the heat of the Sand, or the irradiation of the Sun, communicates unto it some astral vertue, which by any other way whatsoever can∣not be performed.

They that can recover this last kind of Mummy, shall make use of it towards the following preparations: But, because these dead bodies so dryed, are not still to be recovered, and that the Remedies thereof extracted are very useful and necessary;

the ingenious Artist may substitute a fifth kinde of Mummy, viz. that which Paracelsus calleth Mumiam Patibuli; and which may lawfully be also called the Modern Mummy, which you may pre∣pare in the following manner.

Preparation of the Modern Mummy.

TAke some young lusty mans body, of about 25 or 30 years of age, dead by suffocation or hanging, and dissect the Muscles without loss of their common Membrane, and being thus sepa∣rated, dip in Sp. of Wine, and suspend in a place where the air may be drye and pass freely to and fro, that they may be soon desiccated, and the volatile Salt and Spirit contained therein, may be concentrated in the fibres, the serous and unserviceable part only vapouring away; and if so be the weather proves moyst and rainy, these Muscles must be hung in a Chimney, and every day aired with a small fire of Juniper wood, having all its leass and berries, untill they become as dry and well seasoned as the pow∣dered Beef, which Mariners use for long Sea-voyages. Thus will you have a Mummy not inferiour to that of the fourth kind before described; yea in some regard to be more valued, because we are assured of her preparation, and we can upon any occasion more easily come by it, and that it seemeth that the Spirits, Volatile Salt, and the Mumial and Balsamick Substance, must by this Preparation be better preserved, the flesh thereof not being dryed with so intense and great a heat.

To make the modern Mumial Balsom.

TAke lb 1. of the fifth kinde of Mummy, and bray it with a wooden Pestle in a Mortar, untill it be reduced to very thin fibres; which cut afterwards very small with Cizzers, and put in a long-neckt Matrass, pouring thereon Oyl of Olives impregna∣ted with spirit of Turpentine, which is properly her Aethereal Oyl, untill it swims above the matter three or four fingers high, seal your Glass Hermetically, and digest it in Fimo, or at the vapour of a hot Bath or B. M. in dust of Wood, during the space of a Philosophical Moneth, which is a space of forty dayes,

without interruption of the heat: Then opening the Vessel, pour your matter into a Cucurbite, and without covering put it in Balneo M. and so let all the nauseous smell which it had con∣tracted, exhale away, and all the Mummy be dissolved; then strain it through a Cotton, and let this dissolution digest in Balneo in a couble Glass, with equal portion of rectified Spirit of Wine, wherein you shall have dissolved ℥ ii. of old Triacle, and mixed ℥ i. of Vipers flesh in powder, during the space of three weeks, at the end whereof, you shall take away the blinde head of the double Glass, and cover the remaining body with a Lim∣beck-head, drawing away the Sp. V. with a very gentle heat of Balneo; and thus shall you have a most efficacious Balsom, usefull both inwardly and out wardly applyed.

It is an excellent internal remedy against all venemous Disea∣ses, but particularly against Pestilential, and all those that come neer their nature. It is also singular for inward bruises, and con∣gealed blood by a fall, for Palsie, contracted Limbs, and weakened by Atrophy, Plurisie, and all other Diseases which are help'd by sweating: Therefore great heed must be had to cover well the Patients to whom it shall be exhibited. The Dosis is from ʒ i. to ʒ iii. in Broths, or Tincture of Sassafras, or Juniper-berries.

But the vertues of it outwardly applyed, cannot enough be commended, for it is a Balsom to be preferred even to the Natu∣ral, which appeases all external griefs or aches proceeding from cold, or any winde or vapour shut up in the spaces that are be∣tween the Muscles, as also caused by bruises and crushings; you may also anoint therewith Limbs struck with Palsie, shrunk and contracted parts of the body, or weakened for want of nourish∣ment; you may also rub therewith all places of the body where a pain is felt, and no swelling or redness seen: but you must observe, that it will be good at the same time, to give some in∣wardly to the patient, that the internal heat may co-operate with the external; to this end he must be well covered, and left to his rest for some hours, to provoke sweating, or to cause that which occasioneth the grief and vice of the parts, insensibly to transpire.

How the Fat of Mans Body is to be prepared and distilled.

THe Fat of Mans Body, without other preparation, is of it self an outward remedy very considerable; for it strengthens the feeble parts, and dissipates the external dryness, appeases griefs, dissolves contractions, and restores to sinewous parts their action and motion lost, softens the hardness of Cicatrices or Skars, fills up holes and cavities, and smooths the hollow places whi••h the Small-pox leaves usually in the skin.

The first preparation is common and simple: for it prescribes only to cut it and boyl it in White-wine, untill the pieces are well crisped, and the moysture of the Wine evaporated; then crush it between two Tin-plates warmed before: and so keep it for use.

The second preparation is, when you intend an Anodine Oynt∣ment, cooling, and resolving, which may very successefully be applyed in swellings, inflamations, hardnesses, and other acci∣dents usually happening to Wounds and Ulcers, either by the Patients own distemper and ill diet, or the Chirurgeons neglect and unskilfulness: You must thus prepare it. Take Phlegm of Vitriol, or Allum, impregnated with their sharp, sowre spirit, about lb ss. put therein to digest in Sand ℥ ii. of washed and dryed Litharge or white Lead, stirring it often; and when your Liquor is well impregnated, filtrate it, and thereof make a Lini∣ment in the form of a Nutritum: and if you desire to make it more specifick, add to it in the stirring some proportion of the Tincture of Myrrhe and Aloes, drawn with good Spirit of Wine.

The third and last preparation is the exactest and best, and is performed by distillation in this manner. Take 1 p. of Fat, and 2 or 3 p. of decrepitated Salt, and being well mixed and incor∣porated together, put it in a glass Retort, joyned to its Recipi∣ent, both well luted S. A. in a Sand-furnace, then give it a graduate fire, untill the bottom of the Retort groweth red, which may be performed in the space of eight hours; and thus shall you have an Oyl of a subtile and penetrative nature, a soveraign remedy to re-animate, and take away the benumming of Para∣lytick

Limbs, which for the most part are cooled and deprived of nourishment: better by much then the substance from whence it was extracted, to all the uses and purposes which we have assign∣ed it hereabove. And if you will make this Oyl yet more subtle and penetrating, circulate it in Balneo with equal p. of Sp. of Wine, for the space of some dayes; then rectifie and distill in Ashes, in a low Glass body; by this means it shall become so penetrating, that scarce it can be preserved in Glass, and becomes imperceptible as soon as applyed, by reason of its quick pene∣tration.

These Preparations already described, may be a pattern for all other kinds of Oyls, Butters, Fats, and such like, which by this method may be made more efficacious and penetrating.

To make the Spirit, Oyl, and Volatile Salt of Mans Bones and Skull.

THe preparation of the Skull, shall not differ from that of the Bones; wherefore we will not lose time in making two several descriptions, the one and the other being thus wrought.

Take the Bones of a Man extingnished by violent death, which neither have been buryed under ground, nor boyled, nor put in Quick-lime, and saw them in pieces of a convenient size to be put in a Retort well luted, and being filled not above the two third part: put it in a close Reverberatory Furnace with open fire; and having exactly luted and fitted a Recipient to it, cover the Re∣verberatory, leaving only a hole of about the bigness of an inch and a half diameter, to be as a Register for ruling the fire, which ought to be moderately graduated, untill all the white steams be over; then change your Recipient, or empty the matter con∣tained in the first, and lute it again exactly, continuing and in∣creasing the fire, untill you drive out the Oyl with a Volatile Salt and the remainder of the Spirit, which work must be thus pursued, untill the Recipient begins to clear of it self, which will happen in the space of twelve hours, from the beginning of your Operation. But you must note, that the dust coming out of the sawing of the Bones, must be preserved, or some other provided by scraping or filing, to be used in rectifying of the Spirit, Oyl, or Volatile Salt. You must also calcine and reverberate with open

fire to whiteness, between bricks, the pieces or lump remain∣ing in your Retort, that they may serve in a manner to stay and fix the Volatile Salt, which otherwise, by reason of its subtile nature, cannot be preserved: as we shall declare, when we come to speak of the distillation and rectification of the Extract of Harts-horn.

I cannot here bury under silence an experiment wherein I was an Eye-witness, in the person of a Cornet, who had received a Musket-shot in the thigh, neer unto the knee, and who after the wound healed, had both his leg and knee so strangely put out of their natural posture and situation, that his heel did almost stick unto the buttock, which made him uncapable of the function of his employment. But their Surgeon major, who was a High Ger∣man, did undertake the restoring of his knee to its natural motion; which to effect, he administred unto him every day, for the space of six weeks, ʒ i. of the powder of a thigh or leg-bone of a man, who some yeers before had been dissected, in his ordinary Broths; by which he did recover not only the bending of his knee, but made him capable, before the six weeks ended, to Fence, play at Tennis, ride on Horse back, and perform all other exercises. Whence you may note, that so rare a Cure could not proceed but from the volatile, spiritual and penetrating Salt, which this reme∣dy did contain, since the material part of the bone could never pass so far as the last digestions. I have quoted this history, to no other purpose then to perswade the better, and lay more open to the understanding, the effects of those remedies which are ex∣tracted from the skull and bones of Man, by distillation, sepa∣rating artificially the pure parts from impurity. The Spirit and Volatile Salt of Mans skull is given against Epilepsie, in water of Lime-tree flowers, Lilly-Convally, or Piony: that of bones is also successefully administred, to restore contracted and dryed Limbs; provided you rub them also with Balsom of Modern Mummy: The Oyl of skull and bones is only applyable out∣wardly, to cleanse and heal filthy and corroding Ulcers, provided you mix a little powder of Colchotar, and every other day plye the patient with vulnerary and purgative potions. The Dosis of the Spirit is from three drops to ten, and of the Volatile Salt fixed from four grains to eight.

The manner of preparing Remedies out of Harts-horn.

ALthough we have given a method whereby to perform all Chymical Operations, in extracting remedies from the parts of Animals; yet because there may be many that will be shie ••o work upon the parts or substance of Man, and that some Ani∣mals parts do differ from that of Man, and contain in themselves a greater share of the usefull substance, to encounter and cure disea∣ses: I thought it necessary, exactly to describe such good reme∣dies, as may be extracted out of Harts-horn, and lawfully substi∣tured to those which are extracted from the body of Man. For we must confess, that there is something very noble, and worthy of our consideration, in the annual production of the Stags head, which every Spring he doth renew by a kinde of Vegetation: And to prove and clear this truth, it is to be noted, that the head of this noble Creature, becomes then only useless and troublesome to him when he is grown decayed and lean; which the French Huntsman expresses by a very significan: Physical notion, Tomber enpauvretè, Grown poor; for their meaning is, that the Deer hath want of good and sufficient food during the Winter season, when the earth being long covered with snow, these poor Creatures are exhausted of natural spirits, and want sufficiency of radical moystu••e, to fill up and shoot into their heads, having scarce enough to prop up and maintain their life, which makes them in that season prove lean and languishing. But when the Spring, repairer of Nature, restores again the fresh Grass to Valleys, and tender buds to the Copses, they are so plentifully re-animated with a new fire, that the sublimated Spirits shooting into the head, do provoke them by a violent itching to cast their old head, which at that time is become spongious and hollow, and spoiled of its best and prin∣cipal part, which is a volatile spiritual Salt, in which doth con∣sist all its Medicinal vertue; after which they recover a new Vel∣vet head, soft in the beginning, and filled with a very subtile Salt; which hardens by degrees, till it hath attained to its full per∣fection: From whence we may gather, that it is very necessary to have a regard in the choyce of the heads of this noble Crea∣ture; for, you must not take for Operations, any of the cast

heads, neither before they have attained their full and requisite firm∣ness; or when they are too neer the Winter-season: but the fittest time to have it in its true perfection, is between the two Feasts of our Lady in September; for at this time it is sufficiently fur∣nished with Spirit, Volatile Salt, and Oyl, to prepare those Me∣dicines with it, which we shall hereunder describe: The Stag or Deer must be killed by the Dogs. But before we goe fur∣ther, it will not be from our purpose, to shew, How the Wa∣ter of Stags head is to be distilled, whilest it is yet tender, and cove∣red with its hair, being a Water of very great vertue, and much less heating then the other remedies which we shall describe; her Spirits being but yet in their Embryo, not sufficiently concocted and digested, to attain their last perfection.

How the Velvet head of a Stag is to be distilled, to have thereby the Water of the Stags-head.

TAke the said Velvet-head from the 15 of May to the end of June; cut it in pieces of the thickness of a half-fingers breadth, and place them checker-wise one upon another, in the bottom of a Class Retort, which put in Balneo, and when all is ready, give fire till the Water begins to drop down, continuing that de∣gree of heat untill no more water comes out: you may after∣wards put your Cucurbite in Ashes, to extract the remaining moysture, that the pieces being more dry, may the more easily be preserved. Some do add Wine, Cinament, Mace, a little Saffron in the distilling, to make the Water more efficacious, chiefly to ease women in hard Labours, help to expell the after∣burthen when they are grown weak, as also to cleanse the womb from such serosities, as during the Childe-bearing have crept in between the Membranes, causing with the remaining blood, those gripings wherewith women newly brought to bed are for the most part tormented. The industrious and curious Apothe∣cary, may make it simple and compounded, the better to answer those Physicians intentions which will be willing to employ him. The Dosis of the simple-water is from half a spoonfull to two, and even to more, considering it is a water that strengthens without altering and heating; and besides its singular use in Childe∣beds,

it is of no less efficacy in all diseases where there is a touch of venom. They that will preserve it long, must add to each pound weight of this water ʒ i. ss. of Borax in powder, by which it will increase the more its vertues for Childe-births, since Bo∣rax it self is a specifick remedy to help and facilitate Delivery. The Dosis of Compounded Water must be less, for it must not be administred above ʒ ii. in quantity, in all malignant, and spot∣ted or purpureous Feavers, but chiefly in Measles and Small-pox it is a most soveraign Antidote.

The pieces which did remain in the bottom of the Glass, are not to be cast away, but rather to be preserved, and being beaten into very small powder, used from ℈ ss. to ʒ ss. for killing Worms in Children, and to hinder their breeding, giving it in de∣coction of Scraping of Harts-horn and Ivory; this powder hath not lost its vertue, because the heat of B. M. is not strong enough to elevate the Volatile Salt, which was inclosed in the most solid parts of these pieces.

A Philosophical Preparation of Harts-horn.

MAny are of opinion that Harts-horn cannot be made tender and crumbling enough to be easily afterwards reduced to powder, without previous Calcination; but as this way of Cal∣cination deprives it from its Spirits and Salt, the Sons of Art have found a way of a Philosophical Calcination, which preserves its vertue: whereby may easily appear how much ancient Pharmacy doth come short from that which in our dayes hath received the light of Chymistry.

Take then well-chosen Harts-horn, and gathered in its true season; saw it in pieces of the length of a Pan about the ends, then putting two sticks crosse-wayes towards the top of such a Glass Body as usually serves for distillation of Spirits and Waters, there suspend with a pack-thred pieces of the branches of the Deers head cut as before, when you are to distill any Cordial Waters, such as of Carduus Benedictus, Ʋlmaria, or small Centaury; or, which would yet be better, when you goe about to distill any fermented matters, which send forth more penetrative and subtile vapours, you must cover the glass body with a Limbeck, and give

the same degree of fire as for the distilling of Aqua Vitae; so shall these vapours penetrate into the very center of your Harts-horn, and make it as easie to crumble and be reduced to powder, as if calcined with open fire, and grinded upon the Porphyry: but you must prosecute the work of your distillation, four or five dayes, without intermission or opening the Vessel; for which reason, the Glass Body must have a hole towards the upper part, placed side-wise, whereby to recruit it with warm Water pro∣portionably as it diminishes by distillation, taking care also that the Liquor should not come neer the suspended matter by half a foot. And if it be objected, that the vapours may carry along with them the most subtile Spirits of the Harts-horn: We answer, that it may be so, and that these cordial and sudorifick Waters, whether distilled Spirits of fermented Juniper, or Elder-berries, do thereby contract a greater vertue: but that this vaporous heat is not sufficient to carry along with it the Volatile Salt, inclosed up in the matter by the strict bond and union it hath with the Oyl or Sulphur, which cannot be disunited but by a much more violent heat. Harts-horn thus prepared, is much better then that which did remain in the foregoing distillation, as much to strengthen and provoke sweat, as to give to Children against Worms, and hinders all those corruptions which breed for the most part in their tender stomacks. The Dosis is from ℈ ss. to ʒ ss;. and ℈ ii. in cordial and sudorifick Waters, or in some spe∣cifick Conserve, against all Pestilential and Venemous Disea∣ses.

How to prepare the Spirit, Oyl, and Volatile Salt of Harts-horn.

TAke of Harts-horn with its requisite conditions, as much as you think fit, saw it by round pieces of the thick∣ness of two Crowns, fill with it a Glass Cucurbit or Retort well Luted, and put it in a close Reverberatory to open fire, which graduate untill the drops begin to follow one another in the Recipient well Luted with a wet Bladder, and fall no faster then you may reckon Four between the interval of each drop falling; then continue and direct the fire upon the same equality and rule, untill the drops begin to cease; then remove your

Receiver, and empty it, then put it again, and lute it with good salted Lute S. A. and encrease the fire by a degree, untill the Oyl doth begin to distill, with some little remainder of the Spirit, and the Volatile Salt will gather it self by degrees, and stick to the neck of the Retort, and thence pass in the form of a Vapour in the body of the Recipient, where it shall stick to the side in the figure and form of Stags-horns, and branches of Trees, when they are loaden with hoar-frost or snow; which is an Operation very pleasing to the sight; for, of this Volatile Salt some part also under the shape of snow, doth fall into the bot∣tom of the Recipient, and joyns it self to the Spirit which is under the Oyl. Then continue the last degree of fire, untill nothing more cometh out, and the Recipient begins to appear without vapours.

But it is not enough to have extracted out of Harts-horn these several Substances, but the Artist must be taught besides how to rectifie them, both to take away as much as is possible the Empy∣reuma thereof, as to separate its grosseness; And to begin with the first extracted Substance, which is the Spirit, it must be rectified in Ashes, with gentle and soft fire, in a Glass Retort, wherein you have put sawings or scrapings of Harts-horn three or four fingers high, and so shall the Spirit come forth fair, clear, depurated and deprived of the greatest part of its ill odour: The first drawn is to be preferred to the last; because it is a Volatile Spirit, whose nature it is to ascend first still; the remainder must be cast away, as unusefull and unserviceable, but the rectified Spirit is to be choysely kept in a Glass Viol of a narrow neck, very well stopt.

It is an excellent remedy either inwardly or outwardly apply∣ed: for it purifies and cleanses the whole mass of the Blood, of its serous superfluities by Urines and by Sweat, as also by insensible Transpiration; therefore it is a true Specifick against Scurvey, the Pox, and all other Diseases proceeding from alteration of blood. Finally, this Volatile Spirit may worthily be substituted to that which is or may be extracted from all the parts of other Animals, and to be an excellent remedy to all the same purposes as the others formerly mentioned. But outwardly applyed, it is also of a marvailous use; for it cleanses wonderfully all malignant,

corrosive, cancerous, or fistulous Ulcers, if they be washed with it, or if it be injected with a Springe. It serves also for fresh wounds, caused either by fire, sword, or otherwise, preventing all dangerous accidents; it is friendly to Nature, and helps her to the re-union of separated parts, whose intention being not to cause suppuration, or a colliquation of the flesh and adjacent parts, so doth this Spirit hinder the same: But note also, that you must give it inwardly at the same time, from six drops to twelve, in vulnerary potions, or the Patients ordinary drink. To be short, this Spirit is nothing else but a Volatile Salt turned to Liquor, as the Volatile Salt reciprocally a Spirit compacted and condensated; whence it comes to pass, that they may indiffe∣rently be administred to the same purpose, except that the Dosis of the Volatile Salt, must be something less then that of the Spirit; so that the vertues attributed to the one, may be said also to be proper to the other.

We have no other observation to impart, for the rectifying of the Volatile Salt and Oyl, but that the Operation must be per∣formed in a Retort, upon scrapings of Harts-horn, and with the fame circumstances for regulating the fire. So shall you have a fair, clear, and Ruby-red Oyl, swimming over the Volatile Salt passed into the Recipient, or sublimated to the neck of the Glass, the Salt must be dissolved with its proper rectified Spirit, by a dissolution made in the vaporous heat of lukewarm water, to se∣parate it from the Oyl: This dissolution is to be filtrated through Paper, which must be moystened by the Spirit before you pour any thing into it, and you shall have the Oyl by it self, and the Salt in its proper Spirit, which thereby is so much bettered, and keeps thus better then alone, unless it be stayed and fixed, as we shall direct to do hereafter. To this end put the dissolution of the Salt and Spirit in a Cucurbit in Balneo to distill again the Spirit, and sublimate the Salt in the head, or if you please in a Retort: It is almost impossible to preserve this Salt, so penetra∣tive and subtile it is, therefore it must be stayed in the following manner. Take the round pieces which were left in the bottom, after the distillation performed, being very black, calcine them in open fire to whiteness, reduce one part to powder, which mix with equal weight of its Volatile Salt, and sublime together,

and so begin afresh with new Harts-horn calcined to whiteness re-iterating four or five times, and thus shall you have a volatile Salt fixed, which you may keep, transport or send with less dan∣ger then the Spirit: nevertheless, it is my counsel to use rather Spirit, filled, and as it were saturated with volatile Salt, to all the ends and purposes to be declared hereafter.

This Remedy might truly be called a Panacea, or Ʋniversal Me∣dicine, considering the wonderful effects it is apt to produce; for it is soverain against Epilepsie, Apoplexy, Lethargy, & generally against all Diseases, whose spring and original is ascribed unto the Brain: It takes away all obstructions of Liver, Spleen, Mesentery, and Pancreas; resists all Venoms, Pestilence, and all kinds of Fevers, or aguish distempers, none excepted. It clenses the Kidneys and Bladder from all slimy substances, which are the cause and original of Stones; corrects all defects of the Ventricle, and pe∣culiarly indigestions, which occasions an ill breath: it is a speci∣fical remedy for the Lungs, if it be digested with the Milk of Sul∣phur. It allayes the immoderate loosness of the Belly, and the womans purgations, because it evacuates superfluous serosities, which are the cause thereof: but, that which seemeth more in∣conceivable and wonderful, is, that it opens also the Belly when bound, and provokes Monthly Purgations, restoring all the fun∣ctions of Nature in their former estate, and removes all gross and terrestrious matters, which did hinder their effect. I make no doubt, but I shall appear ridiculous to all them which do not understand the sphere of activity of Volatile Salts: but I know likewise, that those who know with me, that this Salt is the last cover, and cloak as it were, of Spirit and Light, shall not find it strange, that I should attribute so many noble effects, to this ad∣mirable Remedy. But I will yet unfold and open more this Mystery, as much as lies in me, by a description of what dayly is done in our Kitchings, in the preparation of meats, both for healthy and sick people. Is it not unknown to all, that no Cook can make either a Bisk or good Bagon, without making use of the Broth, gravy, and juyces of the best kinds of meat; now it is only by their Volatile Salt, variously disposed and mixt, that the pleasure and tickling which affects our taste, is communicated to the Palate. Are there not also Jelleys, strong Broths, and Juyces

of boyled Meats prepared for the sick, whereof the material and earthly dregs and superfluities are thrown away, being deprived of that Salt, which remains in the Jelleys; and is the only prin∣ciple of congelation: they are exhibited to weak and crasie bo∣dies, that their Stomack might sooner turn these aliments to the substance of the parts by the easiness of digestion. The same doth our Artist in the preparation of the Volatile Salts, which are capable to show suddenly their Vertues, in that they soon penetrate all the parts of our bodies, and carry along with them that wonderful efficacy which we have attributed them. And do we not see, that both the ancient and modern Physick, hath ever prescribed Harts-horn as a necessary ingredient amongst her Cordials, hath in very great esteem the bone of a Stags-heart, and that the shops dayly prepare Harts-horn Jelley, rather to streng∣then the Patient, then to nourish him. But we leave all this to the Touch-stone of Experience, which is the true ground of all our fore-going Ratiocinations.

To make the Tincture of the Volatile Salt of Harts-horn.

TAke the Volatile Salt rectified, and put it in a double Glass, or Blind-head, which would yet be better in a Pelican; pour on twice the weight of it of Alkool of Wine, and so let it stand twelve or fifteen days, in extraction and digestion together, in the gentle heat of a vaporous Bath; and if all the Salt was not dissolved, draw off what is already tincted by inclination, and pour on new Alkool to perfect the extraction and dissolution. So shall you have a Tincture much more exalted then the preceding Reme∣dies, fit for all the uses we have already mentioned; and more∣over, a most rare Remedy, and of very present help and efficacy in Apoplexies; by reason of its subtilty which is so great, that it can scarse be preserved in the best stopt and closest Vials.

The same may be done with the Volatile Salt stayed, and as it were fixed, but it will not all dissolve, neither shall its tin∣cture be of that penetration and efficacy; but it will be much more pleasing, and deprived of the nauseous smell: The dosis of the first is from iij. drops to viij. or ix; and of the second from vi. drops to xij.

Of the Preparations made out of Vipers.

WE shall close this Chapter of the Chymical Preparations of Animals, by examining the several Remedies which Vipers do afford by the help of Chymistry: for this Reptile is endowed with a very subtile and efficacious Volatile Salt for the cure of several obstinate diseases. Galen doth make several relations of leprous bodies cured by the only drinking of Wine wherein Vi∣pers had been suffocated. Cardan doth also prove the same truth, in a consultation which he sent to John Archbishop of S. Andrews in Scotland containing this sense. I will declare you a very great se∣cret for the cure of consumptive bodies, leprous, and cor∣roded with Pox, &c. which fattens and restores them against all hope. Take a well chosen Viper, cut off the head and tayl, pull off the skin, throw away the entrails, and pre∣serve the Fat by it self: cut it in bits as you would do an Eel, and sod it in a sufficient quantity of Water, with Benjeethin and Salt, adding towards the end some few Parsley leafs: being well sodden, strain the Broth, and in that Broth boyl a Pullet, and give every morning to the Patient Bread that hath been dipt in that Broth, and let him eat the Pullet: Continue thus seven dayes to∣gether; but keep the Patient either in a Stove, or a very warm Room during the time, and anoint him with the Vipers fat all along the back-bone and other joynts of the body, as also the arteries of the feet, hands, and brest. This way are the Ulcers of the Lungs cured, for they are driven to the surface of the skin in the form of Pustula's and other eruptions. Quercetan doth also speak very advantagiously of Vipers in his Dogmatical Pharmacy. Several other Authors have followed these two: but we must ac∣knowledge here, that they have all stumbled against the same rock, holding the Viper to be venemous either wholly in it self, or at least in some parts.

But the Experiment related by Galen, must confound this opini∣on of the Ancient and Modern Authors, since that Viper was whole and alive, when suffocated in the Wine which did cure his Le∣prousy. The English Ladies herein shame the vulgar of Physiti∣ans themselves, making no scruple to drink of that Wine, where∣in

living and intire Vipers have been suffocated, to keep them∣selves in their plumpness. Sound disposition of Body, and quick∣ness of Spirits, hinder the injury of wrinckles, and preserve their flying beauty. But that which is yet more remarkable in this parti∣cular, is, that the Italian Curtesana's preseve themselves against the Venerian disease, and its sad accidents, taking every Spring and fall, Broths, made of Pullets, Vipers flesh, and China root. None amongst our Modern Physitians, but the famous Poterius, and the most learned and subtil Philosopher Van Helmont, have well explained wherein the poyson of Vipers doth consist; which is only placed in the sting of choler, which prints in the imagination of that Ani∣mal an envenomed Idea.

Fabritius Hildanus, and many other grave and renowned Au∣thors, do by their observations authorise the truth of the effects; but the two quoted only have taught us the true seat of poy∣son, which cannot be but in the Spirit of the Animals life; as the Italian Proverb hints very well; which faith, that Morta la Bestia, morto il veleno, since Man it self, Dogs, Horses, Wolfs, Cats, Pole-cats, &c. leave no venemous impression by their bitings, but when they are angered, and their Imagination poysoned with a desire of rage and vengeance.

And let this hint suffice by the by, to prove more and more, that all the Vertue of things is placed in the Spirits and Life, which are nothing else but a portion of the Universal Spirit, and corporified light. We come now to the Preparations made of Vi∣pers, and of their parts.

The manner of desiccating Vipers, to make the Powder and Trochisks thereof.

THe election of Vipers doth only consist in taking them af∣ter they have forsaken their holes, and are more full and fed; the regard of their sex is indifferent, provided the female is not big with young ones: they are to be chosen in high elevated and dry places, leaving them that breed about Ponds, or Morish and watery places.

Take of these Vipers as much as you please, pull off the skin and the entrails, keeping the Heart and Liver; then put them in

a large Glass Body or Cucurbit, where you may have sufficient room to place and order them upon small sticks, that they may not touch one the other: place your Glass with a Head in Balneo, and so desiccate your Vipers; having first strewed over a little Ni∣tre very pure, or Flowers of Salt Armoniack; preserve the Wa∣ter which shall issue forth from it, for such uses as we shall hint hereafter. Nota, that every 12. hours your Vipers must be turned in the Glass, that they may dry equally.

Thus shall you have a matter to make the true Powder of Vi∣pers, not full of thrids or filaments, which may be administred in its own Water, or in Wine, or Cinamon, or Sassafras Water from ℈ i. to ʒ i. in all Fevers, but particularly in pestilential and con∣tagious ones, and in the Plague it self, as also against Epilepsie and Apoplexy: but the other following Preparations are preferrable to this Powder.

But if you will prepare Trochisks, take other Vipers, and pulling off their skins and entrails, cut them in pieces, and boyl them in the water, which you did preserve in the preceding distillation, in a hot boyling Balneo, in a Glass Body covered with its Head, until this Broth comes to be of the consistency of a Jelley: with this Jelley beat in a Marble Mortar the Vipers Powder, and re∣duce it to Paste, which you shall frame in Trochisks or small rolls, having anointed your hands with Peruvian Balsom, Oyl of Cloves and Nutmegs made by expression: Those that will rightly pre∣pare Triacle, may make use of these Trochisks instead of them which the ancient Dispensatories do prescribe, which are only crumbs of Bread, and Vipers Flesh destituted of all the faculties, which reside in their Volatile Salt. The Powder of these Trochisks is preferrable to the single Powder, because they are impregnated with the proper substance and vertue of the Animal, besides that they are less apt to corrupt then the Powder. The dosis is from ℈ ss to ℈ ij. in the Waters above-mentioned.

How the Spirit, Oyl, volatile Salt, volatile fixed Salt, sublimation of that Salt, and the fixed Salt of Vipers, is to be prepared.

I Should be unjust to attribute unto my self the manner and invention of all these Operations, since the glory is lawfully due to the learned Zwelpherus, Physitian to his Imperial Ma∣jesty, yet living, who by his accurate learned and judicious Notes, upon the Auspurgian Pharmacy, hath purchased to him∣self an Immortal name; having corrected the defects of the an∣cient and modern Pharmacy, with so clear a judgement and so uncontrollable and confirmed an experience, that all those which will follow the operations of the noblest Pharmacy, must ever acknowledge themselves his debtors.

I will only hint, in the way, that the invention of Vola∣tilising again the volatile Salt of Vipers is mine, after it hath been as it were fixed by an acid substance. And as this gallant man hath been pleased to make his Experiments become publick, thereby to oblige Posterity; so would I not conceal the secret of this operation, since thereby a great benefit may accrew to poor diseased bodies, although the invention of it be not vulgar, and does particularly belong to my discovery.

Take well fed Vipers without distinction of sex, pull out the Entrails, and separate the Heart and Liver, dry them in a Stove or Oven, moderately heated, and being thus very well dryed, beat into gross Powder, and fill therewith a Glass Retort, which put in a close Reverberatory, upon the cover of an Earthen Pot turned up-side down, upon which put two handful of Ashes or Sand, to fence the Retort instead of lute, and hinder the first brunt and violence of fire; then cover your Reverberatory, and fit a capaci∣ous Receiver to the Neck of the Retort, and give a graduate fire, until the Retort grows red, and the Recipient cleareth during the violence of the fire, which is an evident token that all the vapours are disperst, that is done in less then 12 hours. When all is cooled again, you shall find three different Substances in your Receiver, which are the Phlegm and Spirit mixt together; the Oyl black and stinking, and the volatile Salt sticking to the sides of it. The volatile Salt which is about the sides, must be

dissolved with the spirituous Liquor in the bottom, then must this Liquor be separated from its Oyl by filtration, put afterwards the Liquor impregnated with Volatile Salt, in a high Cucurbit or Glass Body covered with its Head, and exactly luted in the Joynts, and adapt to it a small matrasse for Recipient, then put your Glass in a Sand or Ash Furnace, and regulate well the fire, lest the bitter and stinking Water, which hath dissolved the volatile Salt ascend within: the sublimation being ended, separate the Salt curiously, and preserve it in a Viol stopt with Cork dipt in melted Wax, upon which pour a little of melted Brimstone, if you will preserve this Salt, otherwise it will vanish in a short time, by reason of the subtile and penetrating nature of its vo∣latile and ••erial substance. It is this volatile Salt that possesseth so many rare vertues and wonderful effects; for it hinders all cor∣ruptions which use to breed in us, opens all obstructions of the humane body, dissolves and carries away all aguish distempers, and particularly the Quartane, being exhibited from 6. to 10 grains in Sassafras, Juniper, or Elder Water, one or two hours before the Fit: it is moreover given in the Plague, and all other conta∣gious Diseases, in Emulsions made of Columbine, Radish, Car∣duus Benedictus seed, to which are joyned Amands, Kernels of Pine-Aples, Sugar, and a little Rose or Cinamon Water. It is also singular against Epilepsie and Apoplexy: for it searches into the deepest parts of the bones and marrows; it is to be exhibited in Emulsions made of Water of Lilly Convally, Piony Flowers, Lime-tree, Piony-seeds, Almonds, Kernels of Cherries, Peaches or Ab••icots. The dosis is ever from vi. to xij. grains.

But because this Salt is of a very unpleasant smell, and un∣savoury taste, Artists have been long about seeking the means how to despoil it of these two qualities, as also the Salt of Urine. yellow Amber, Harts-horn, and of the parts of man: but hitherto, none hath attained to this skill and perfection, without depriving these volatile Salts of their subtility, and by consequence, their penetrating and diaphoretick vertue. The learned and experienced Zwelferus alone, hath well attained the Art of this useful and curious operation, after he had tryed first without success several other different wayes. But the do∣sis of this Salt given in a larger proportion, shows enough,

that this purification doth fix it in a manner; and that although it be fixed, and more pleasant to the tast, it is notwithstanding of less efficacy. And as this great and charitable Physitian provokes the sons of Art, to impart their Inventions, to ren∣der it again more volatile, and take away that acidity that fixes it: I shall add to that Preparation, which we owe to his free com∣munication, that which my own Industry and the study of natural things have taught me.

How Volatile Salts are to be stayed, fixed, and purified.

TAke such volatile Salt as you think fitting, put ℥ iiij. thereof in a high Cucurbit, which cover with its Head, on the top whereof let there be a hole of the bigness of a Goose-quill, lute exactly the Joynts, and put in the said hole a fitting Quill, stopt with Spanish Wax, or Gum-lack; then fit a small Recipient to the Limbeck, and softly pour by drops of very well rectified Spi∣rit of Salt, upon your volatile Salt which is to be wrought upon, and continue thus, until the noise and strife between the sharp Spirit and volatile sulphureous Salt be over, then shall you per∣ceive an union made of these two several Substances converted into Liquor; which if it appears to be impure, must be filtrated, if not, stop only the hole in the Limbecks Head with a Glass stopple, covered with a Bladder dipt in white of Egges: then fit your Vessel again in Balneo, and draw off the moisture, till but two parts remain, if so be you would have your Salt crystal∣lized; if not, draw all the moisture from it, and you shall find ℥ iiij. of Salt, fixed in a manner in the bottom of the Cucurbit or Glass Body, and if you have noted the weight of your Spirit of Salt, you shall find as much of tastless Liquor, and full of Em∣pyreuma in the Recipient. The Salt hath a fragrancy and very good smell, a sharp savour, and a Saline tast: The dosis of which is to be from ℈ ss. to ℈ i. It hath a vertue that penetrates to the remotest parts from the first digestion, without any altera∣tion, purifies the blond, and dissolves all excrementitious mat∣ters, which seem already to have incorporated themselves ••••••h our parts, but chiefly in gouty Bodies: it expels' Urine, Sand, Gravel and viscous humours from the Kidneys and Bladder, eva∣cuates

all matters by which melancholick affections are gene∣rated, resists better then any other Remedy to Putrefaction, opens all manner of Obstructions, cures all kinds of Agues, is the true preservative and curer of the Plague; and, to end in a word, the remainder of its vertues, blots out and takes away all the ill Ideas and Impressions, which have imparted their character to the Spirit of Life, the true seat of Health and Sickness: The dosis may also be augmented or diminished, according to the age, strength, and nature of the diseased and disease. But as Zwelphe∣rus hath been acquainted with the way of fixing the volatile Salt, by the help of an acid to take away its evil tast and smell, we will now declare the manner to draw off again this acid, and sublime the volatile Salt, restoring it to its first subtile nature, and encreasing by consequence its penetrating vertue, without contracting any evil savour or smell.

The manner of subliming again the Volatile fixed Salt.

TAke ℥ iv. of volatile fixed, and mix it with ℥ i. of Salt of Tartar, made by calcination, and well purified; put them in a small Glass-body in Ashes; cover the same with a fitting Head, and fit to it a Recipient, if the Head hath a Limbeck, (for if it be a blind Head, there is no need of it): lute exactly the Joynts, and give a graduate fire, until the sublimation be ended: so shall you have the most subtile volatile Salt that may be found in Nature, and which hath a perfect analogy and peculiar sympa∣thy with our spirits, which are the subject of our natural heat, and radical moisture. But note by the by, that all Alkalies have this propriety to kill acids, and never to prejudice volatile substances. The dosis of this Salt can be but from ij. grains to viij. by reason of its great subtility, which is so penetrating, as it cannot be preserved, unless mixed with it own Liquor, or be∣ing reduced into Essence, which preparation shall be taught here∣after. It is good for all the diseases above related, but principally, that of Harts-horn and Vipers, which ought to be considered as one of the Keyes of Physick.

How the Essence of Vipers, with their true volatile Salt is to be prepared.

TAke abovt 50. or 60. Hearts and Livers of Vipers, dryed in the manner above related; beat them to Powder, and put in a double Glass, pouring upon Alkool of Wine, until it swims six inches above the matter; then having covered your Glass, and lu∣ted it exactly, put it in a moist vaporous Bath, to digest with a fitting heat three or four dayes, to extract all the vertue thereof: that done, put all in a Glass-body in Balneo M. and with a slow heat distil the Spirit, cohobating three times, and at the fourth di∣stil all off to the dry bottom; put in every pound of this Spirit ℥ i ss. of the true volatile Salt of Vipers, ʒ i. Amber-grice essen∣sified, as we shall describe it hereafter, ʒ ss. of Oyl of Cinament, and as much of the true Essence of the external and fresh rind of Limon; put all these substances together in a Pelican, to circulate the space of 8. dayes; after which, put it up carefully in Glass Vials, as it becomes so precious a Remedy, and stop it with all requisite care. All the vertues which we have attributed to the vo∣latile Salt alone, may lawfully be attributed to this noble Reme∣dy; it hath even this advantage over and above, that it may easier be preserved then the volatile Salt; and moreover, it is one of the best and securest Antidotes in the world, worthy of the closets of greatest Princes. The dosis is from ℈ ss. to ℈ i. in Wine, Broth, or other convenient Liquors.

The manner how to make the simple Theriacal Salt, impregnated with the Alexiterial and Confortative Vertue of Vipers.

THe Ancients, and Quercetanus after them, have spoken of these Salts, and made a particular account thereof: but the ancient way of preparation, and the correction of it made by this famous Physitian, are rather to be pitied then imitated, though he ought not to pass without praise and commendation, for having excelled in his age, and endeavoured to find the truth with all his power; but as we have got upon his shoulders, and the discoveries of modern Physitians, industrious about the search of the secrets of

Nature, and our own experience having now better informed us, it is but justice and reason we should impart it to others.

Take then lb ij. of Bay-salt, white and depurated, or as much Sal∣gemme; dissolve it in lb x. of River-water well setled, then add 2 dozens of Vipers, with the Hearts and Livers, their skins and entrails pulled away: boyl all together in Sand, until the Vipers do easily get off from the bones, squeese all, clarifie and filtrate, then evaporate in a hot Balneo's vapour to the dry bottom, and keep it for use in a well stopt Bottle. Of this Salt, you may give to eat to healthful and sick bodies; to the one, as a Preservative; to the other, as Restorative. It is chiefly of great use in Chroni∣cal Diseases, where the mass of the bloud is to be purified, and the vice of digestion rectified. Those that will have it yet more spe∣cifical and stomachal, must add the distilled Oyls of Cinament, Cloves, and Nutmeg-flower or Mace, with a little Sugar in Pow∣der, which will be as an uniting mean to mix it perfectly with the Salt. ʒ i. of āā of these Oyls, with ʒ i. of essensified Amber∣grice is required to each lb of Salt, for in this manner the Salt will be much more efficacious. Its dosis shall be from x. grains to ʒ ss. in Broths, fasting in the morning, to cleanse the stomach from all preceding superfluities, which are for the most part the occa∣sional causes of diseases.

Another Preparation of a Theriacal Salt much more specifical then the fore-going.

TAke Scordium and small Centaury fresh pluckt, āa. lb. i. Roots of Angelica, Zedoary, Contrayerva, Asclepias āā. ℥ ij. shred the Herbs, and pound grosly the Roots, then boyl them in Balneo in a double Glass, in lb x. of distilled Water of Carduus Benedictus, and juyce of Borage and Bugloss: being cooled, strain the decoction, and put it again in the Vessel; then add a dozen and a half of fresh prepared and cleansed Vipers, with their Hearts and Livers, as also the Salts alkalized of Wormwood. Carduus B. small Centaury, and Scordium. āā ℥ viij. shut up the Vessel and lute it, and let it boyl the space of half a day, and all being cooled, clarifie it, filtrate, and evaporate in the vapour of a Bath in a Glass-body with its head to a dry bottom; so shall

you have a most rare and pretious Salt, and a water endowed with many singular vertues; for it is a sufficient Remedy to eradicate all manner of Agues and Feavers; it is a specifick in all epidemi∣cal Contagions, and malignant Diseases. The dosis is from ℈ i. and ʒ ss. to ʒ i. you may also add to this Salt the same distilled Oyls and essencified Amber-grice, as we have declared in the precedent Preparation of Theriacal Silt, and here with this Ope∣ation shall we conclude this Chapter of the Chymical Prepata∣tion of Animals.

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.

FINIS.

Notes

• Or Dissimi∣lar parts.
• So much doth import 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the Original.
• Tuberes ter∣rae, Puffes.
• Un Car∣lee.