be given to Children and Women with child sharp humours it mitigates it purgeth out phlegm and amends the hot and dry constitution of the bowels Dose six grains Another Dissolve Mercury in Aqua fortis and precipitate it according to Art by exhalation of all its humidity that the precipitate may be Red. When pulverisate put it into a strong vessel pouring on it so much Vinegar three times distilled as will stand above it five fingers place the vessel in sand administring fire that the vinegar may gently boil for the space of six hours and the precipitate be wholly dissolved Filter the solution and upon it pour Liquor impregnated with the soul of the world and presently the Mercury will be separated from the Dissolvent which must be washt and dryed and so reserved for use Dose from four grains to five Precipitation of Mercury in a moment Put the Red pulverisate matter in a crucible exposing it to a violent fire for four hours space until it do in a manner begin to vitrifie and adhere to the sides of the crucible Then remove it from the fire and when cold grind it to a subtile powder and put it into a glass vessel pouring Aqua Regis rectifyed upon it then set it in digestion for twenty four hours which time elapsed by inclination evacuate the tinged water and pour on other water repeating the same Labour so oft as until it shall have extracted all the Tincture The evacuations distil to an Oleaginy Of this oil â„ž â„¥ j. and pour it upon â„¥ iiij of crude Mercury and so it will be precipited in a moment Nor will the oil adhere to the Mercury if it be distilled off with strong fire After exhalation of the oil some of the Mercury will be sublimed but the greater part will remain fixed It s use is in augmentation of Sols and most red vitrification A Diaphoretick Precipitate Dissolve Mercury distilled from Sol or Luna and purged as above in Aqua fortis which in a vessel with a long neck and proportionate Alembeck annexed abstract by fire of the third degree with double cohobation that the Mercury may be made Red which must afterwards be edulcorated by calcining in a crucible placed in the fire continually moving it with an Iron rod for a quarter of an hour or thereabout or else with the following water â„ž Of distilled vinegar two pound of the phlegm of Allom ½ pound of reverberated Calx of Egg-shels â„¥ vj. distil them together to a dryness Of this water â„ž three pound of the aforesaid precipitate Mercury one pound mix and digest them for one day natural afterward distil them by Alimbeck with three cohobations toward the end encreasing the fire that the matter may be well dryed which circulate for one day natural with spirit of wine Then separate the spirit by distillation and again circulate and distil it Repeating the same labour the fourth time This is the true preparation of precipitate Mercury for expelling infinite diseases and especially Lues Venerea whether it be internally taken for so elaborated it only provokes sweat or externally applyed with Butter or any other medicament A Diaphoretick Precipitate of Cinnabar â„ž Of vulgar cinnabar â„¥ j. Of prepared salt Ê’ij Grind and mix these together and in a convenient vessel pour on them of oil of sulphur made per Campane â„¥ iij. digest these three days in ashes afterward by violent fire cause all the humidity to evaporate In the bottom a white mass will remain which must be edulcorated by frequent ablution Dose from six grains to ten chiefly in venereal distempers It is given with conserve of Roses and three or four ounces of decoction of Sarsaparilla Diaphoretick Mercury of Venus â„ž Of filings of Copper â„¥ j. Of Mercury meteorisate â„¥ ij Mercurial salt â„¥ ij ss Put these ground and mixed together in a strong vessel which place in sand and administer fire until all be melted as wax Then take the vessel hot as it is and put it in cold water that it may break in sunder and the greenish Mercury flow out which when dryed put into a smal Retort with spirit of sulphur or Vitriol and in ashes set it in digestion for one day natural Which being done distil it in sand twice cohobating it then wash it twice or thrice and the last time with cordial water It is a most excellent Diaphoretick Bezoardick Remedy against the Pest if two hours after the first assault of the disease it be taken in Liquor it preserves from death Dose one or two grains in appropriate water CHAP. XIV Of Calcination of Saturn and Jupiter SInce as Geber saith solution of bodies is imposible the composition being unknown before we come to calcinations of Metals to speak somewhat touching the natures of them will be in this place very suitable Rightly did Hermes the Father of Phylosophers understand when he said That which is superiour â—s as that which is inferiour For by the same reason â—s nature doth produce Plants and other Vegetables â—n the superficies of the earth so doth she in subterâ—anean places generate metals though more slowly 〈◊〉 in a longer space of time of the humid unctuous â—pour of Argentvive and sulphur vitriolate by its own heat containing properties in it self decocting Mercury Whence Hydrargyry is said to be the Mother of metals and sulphur the Father And in these are represented the four Elements which are the remote matter of all natural bodies For Mercury as Feminine cold and humid holds the property of water and air and sulphur as masculine hot and dry bears the representation of Fire and Earth If any shall affirm that as well of the vapour as juicyness found in Mines the matter of metals consists I will not gainsay it For when I the last Summer in Hungaria descended into the Silver Mine in Schemnitz about fifteen hundred Cubits deep I Learned of the Miners who by reason of the exceeding heat of the Mine did work without any cloaths not having so much as a shirt upon their naked bodies that Mineral vapours did frequently arise from the center of the earth and extinguish their lights and themselves also if they did not make haste away and that some time after when they entred the Pit they should find those damps or vapours coagulated into a mass to the sides of the wall which with a gentle touch would be fluid as oil Whence it may safely be inferred that the vapour is the more remote matter of Metal but the sulphureous and mercurial juice the more near matter of the same Also I have at present with me mineral Stones from the same Mine and others which either the vapour or such an unctuous humid mineral juice hath penetrated and in some of them is plainly to be seen a crude matter not sufficiently cocted in others moderately cocted from one pound of which Ê’vj of pure silver may be taken and about ℈ ss of Gold In others is matter perfectly decocted
four pound of fountain water forty pound macerate them in a hot place as long as shall be convenient adde of Tartar â„¥ ij afterward distil it by a brass Vesica with its Refrigeratory and you will have â„¥ viij of oil In the same manner Mace Pepper and the Seeds of Anise and Coriander c. may be distilled It helps in cold diseases of the Stomach Liver Heart and the Diarrhaea from a cold cause it dissipates melancholly spirits and clarifies the gross Externally it heals green wounds and performs the office of true Balsom Oil of Sugar â„ž Of white Sugar grosly beaten â„¥ iiij Aqua vitae â„¥ viij Set fire of the Aqua vitae in a silver or earthen dish glazed into which cast the Sugar continually stirring it with a Spatula until the flame cease then add of Rose-water â„¥ â—j mix them It corroborates and by experience certainly helps those that labour with a cough caused by coldness of the Lungs Oil of Tartar This oil beside the way above delivered in preparing the spirit thereof is also made per deliquium by putting Tartar calcined to a whiteness in a Cellar This oil is an admirable Remedy in the Measels all Ulcers especially venereal in the Tinea Scab and Warts It makes the face smooth and the skin soft or other moist place until it be resolved into oil which must afterward be filtred Also it may be prepared If Tartar after calcination be dissolved in common water filtred and coagulated and the coagulate placed in a cold moist place until it be resolved Oil of Amber Digest a pound of Amber beaten in one pound of white wine Then adde a handful of prepared Salt distil it by Retort observing degrees of fire By distillation twice rectifie it with Salt only This oil was once called Sacred by reason of the admirable virtues it hath being as well exhibited per se as mixt with others in the Epilepsie Appoplexy Melancholly Cramp Vertigo Pest Stone cold defluxions of the Head Palpitations of the Heart deliquiums of the mind difficulty of breathings difficulty of making water difficult Birth Strangulations of the womb retention of the Menses white flux of the Matrix Worms and Fevers A compounded Oil for the Hemicrania â„ž Of Rue one handful boil it in one pound of oil Olive in a new earthen pot for half an hour Then pour it it into a Retort and to it adde of Venice Turpentine â„¥ xij of Colophony â„¥ iiij distil it in sand the clear water which comes forth first being of little value separate Afterward gradually encreasing the fire the oil will come forth which receive apart In the time of the Fit heat a little of it over a fire and with Cotton moistned in it anoint the fore-head and Temples and the dolourous part also ordering the Patient to go to bed A compounded Oil for the Womb. â„ž Of the powder of Rue a little dryed one â—ound Castor â„¥ ij Olibanum Myrrh of each â„¥ iiij â—il of Linum ½ pound digest them four days in â—orse dung or like heat afterward distil them by â—etort in a close Reverberatory With this Liquor â—oint the Womb morning and evening Oil of Tiles Small pieces of Tiles or Flints like Beans make Red hot in a Crucible which so fiery hot cast into old oil Olive close the vessel and leave it for a night Afterward distil the small Stones with the oil by Retort Rectifie the oil by distilling it the second and third time with prepared Salt Oil of Sulphur â„ž Of Sulphur beaten one pound Calx-vive ½ pound Mercurial Salt â„¥ iiij mix them and distil by Retort For wounds and Ulcers it is very profitable Oil of Salt Salt consists of divers parts earthy The nature of Salt aqueous and fiery It s consistency and solidity is from earth its Liquability from water and its biting property from fire It is sharp * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bitter-sweet cutting subtile penetrative pure fragrant incombustible and preserves other bodys from corruption perspicuous as air by reiterated distillations dissoluble in humid and Liquable in fire like Metals And it is as the Soul in the body according to Pliny who after the Stoicks saith Salt is given to Swines flesh being as it were dead in its own nature instead of a Soul For this in manner of â—erment where it hath power of penetration converts the body with which it is mixed into its own nature by consuming the humour obnoxious to putrefaction Raymund Lully calls the salsuginous Liquor dispersed through the whole body Urinal humour Paracelsus Mummy There are divers ways invented by Artists of extracting the oil of spirit of Salt Some distil Salt decrepitate per se without addition of any external thing But since salt is of easie fusion and when co-united in one it retains the most contumacious spirits after distillation for twenty four hours all being cooled they break the Retort grind the Mass of salt and put it in a new Retort with the distilled Liquor and this they repeat so often as till the whole salt be resolved into oil which in the eighth or ninth distillation is wont to be This Operation is too tedious Others dissolve calcined salt in a Cellar or with Rain-water and impaste it with Potters Clay sifted and thence make smal balls or pellets which when dryed they put into a Retort and so extract the spirit But I am wont thus to prepare it I take of Sea salt calcined two pound and I mix it with six pound of flour of Tiles Red Earth or common Bolus all which I put into a firm and large Retort so as at least a third part may remaâ—n empty and applying a capacious Recipient into which I first pour one pound of distilled water then do I keep it distilling for thirty hours observing the same degrees of fire mentioned in distillation of spirit of Vitriol After separation of the water and phlegm I receive â„¥ xx at least of most sharp o l which must be rectifyed It is endued with most poâ—ent virtues whether it be used internally or externally It renovates the whole Man and preserves â—rom all diseases if it be used in râ—ch Wine or Aqua vitae Mixt with salt of Wormwood and taken either in Wine or water of Wormwood it expels the Dropsie It cures the Epilepsie Jaundies Fevers Stone and Maw-worms By anointing it heals Members disjoynted contracted paralytick and apostemated Also it mitigates dolours of the Gout if mixed with oil of Turpentine or of Wax or Camomil Also it calcines all Metals Stones yea Glass it self the most perfect work of Art Another way Dissolve common salt in humid per se filter it so often as till no feces be left then set it in horse dung for two Moneths afterward with most strong fire distil it and separate the phlegm from the unctuous salsug nous Liquor by B. M. Whatsoever is most obnoxious to corruption if imbibed with this Liquor it remains incorrupt
of the Tartarisate Quintessence distilling it by Alembick to a dryness Repour on other and distil it doing this so often as until the essence shall be distilled off sweet as when first poured on Which being done upon one part of this medicine pour four parts of spirit of wine without phlegm digesting it until the spirit be consumed So you will have the perfect conjunction of Sol and Mercurius Vitae The Dose of which is four drops in white Wine It is exceeding profitable in desperate diseases and in those wherof the cause is occult The End of the Second Book TYROCINIVM CHYMICVM OR CHYMICAL ESSAYS Book the Third CHAP. I. Of Quintessence Of the Quintessence of humane Bloud THE denomination of Quintessence is variously taken Sometimes it signifies any Chymical Species which hath put off the Elementary grosseness of matter and corpulent feces and is opposed to a Magistery in which almost the whole bulk of its substance remains only it is exalted and purifyed Sometimes also as we here take it it denotes an Aethereal Celestial and most subtile substance taken from the three principles of any mixt body dissolved freed by various Chymical Operations from their Elementary Sensible Corruptible and Mortal quality and coagulated either into one spiritual body or a corporeal spirit It is by some called Medicine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is by reason of its eminency By others Elixir by reason of those famous virtues it exerciseth in preservation of the humane body from sundry diseases By others Heaven for a double reason First because as Heaven consists not of the four Elements but is made of a certain Aethereal matter and as it were a fift Element and is not obnoxious to corruption so also the true Quintessence is separated from all feces of Elements and although it be not plainly incorruptible yet it is reduced to that subtility tenuity and spiritual simplicity that it seems to contain in it self nothing of heterogeneity by which it should be corrupted Secondly because as Heaven powerfully acts on these sublunary things contributing Life to all and conserving them so also this Quintessence conserves the health of the humane body prolongs youth retards Age and expelleth every disease The Quintessence of humane bloud is in this manner prepared â„ž A great quantity of the bloud of sound men in the flower of their Age. Put it in Circulatory vessels of a convenient magnitude which place in B. M. continually boiling until the Dragon shall have devoured his own tail The vessels cooled take out the matter which will be like Liver and cut it to pieces very smal And in high Cucurbits with the same heat of Baln by distillation separate the aqueous element or phlegm The distilled Liquor repour upon its earth and set it in the former circulatory vessels in a boiling Baln for ten days as before Repeating the same process five times and the last time keep all the distilled phlegm The vessels being cooled take out the matter and put it into a large Retort applying a capacious Receiver in ashes distil off the air by fire gradually encreased The smal and thin clouds in the recipient dissolving intend the fire so as the Element of fire may also come forth in form of Red or Purple oil Toward the end a little Salt armoniack will sublime it self The vessels being cold separate the air or spirit from the fire or oil either by gentle distillation in Baln or by a Separatory The spirit with the Salt armoniack again pour upon the feces digest them for three days then by a new Retort distil off the spirit toward the end giving fire apt for sublimation that the whole spiritual salt or at least the greater part thereof may be sublimed and mixed with the spirit in the Receptory Again pour new spirit upon the feces digest and distil as above so often as until the earth be deprived of its soul which you shall know if when put upon a burning plate it fume not Note That before the spirit be animated it must be seven times rectifyed every time separating the phlegm and feces and part thereof reserved for preparing the dissolvent as afterward shall be spoken Calcine the black blacker than black in a reverberatory fornace with moderate fire in a vessel every where closed for the space of five days until the blackness be turned to a yellowish whiteness and so into a red colour Then will the earth be apt for receiving its animate spirit Digest it by Baln as long as shall be sufficient afterward by gentle distillation separate the insipid humidity Which being done revert upon the earth a ninth part of its animate spirit digest and distil as before Then give it the eighth part of the animate spirit afterward the seventh the sixth the fifth the fourth part so long with the fourth part imbibing it as til the earth be encreased to double of its own weight before imbibition And this is what Avicen saith know that the earth must be nourished first with a little of its own water and afterward with more as is seen in education of Infants Therefore often grind the earth and leisurely imbibe the same from eight days to eight days Decoct it and afterward moderately calcine it in fire And let not this Labour seem tedious to thee in so many reiterations for the earth brings not forth fruit without frequent moistnings Yet be wary least you too hastily imbibe the earth but do it leisurely by little and a little and with long contrition after the earth is dryed Wherefore in this the weight is diligently to be observed viz. least too much dryness or superfluous humidity corrupt the work And much coct it by assation as by imbibing the dissolution requires Thus far Avicen Whence also Geber saith Thereâ—ore from the multiplicit reiteration of imbibition and assation the greater part of its aqueousness is taken away and the residue by sublimation is removed Put the aforesaid earth into an high cucurbit having an Alembick and receiver annexed the junctures being very firmly closed so as nothing may respire give to it fire of ashes for the space of three days until the clean and white fume ascend and cleave to the sides of the cucurbit like Talck This is that which Clangor Buccina saith †A Phylosophik book so called therefore as much as you can subtiliate that body and coct it with clean Mercury and when the body shall have drawn and concluded in it self some part of the Mercury subtiliate it with as quick and strong fire as you can until it shall ascend in the likeness of powder most white as snow adhering to the sides of the vessel But the ashes remaining in the bottom is the feces and vituperate Scoria to be cast away having nothing of life in it Of the aforesaid Meteorisate Mercury â„ž â„¥ j. Mix it with â„¥ vij of the rectifyed spirit not animate Digest it for two dayes in Bâ—â—n then distil it by ashes
afterward by Baln with repeated cohobations until no feces be left Then circulate it for forty days It s use is for extracting Tinctures of Meâ—als and stones Of the same Mercury and its oil is made an Elixir for expelling the most desperate diseases in this manner â„ž Of this Mercury â„¥ j. unto which add an eighth part of its own weight of its proper oil rectifyed decoct them in hea of Athanor for eight days afterward with a sixt part and then with a fift part reiterating the former labour so often as until the matter become thick as syrup and by decoction will be no further hardned After this digest it forty days and it will be a most red stone of which the Dose is one grain or two in appropriate Liquor CHAP. II. Of the Quintessence of Wine IN circulatory vessels of a just magnitude digest a good quantity of rich wine in horse dung for a moneth Then in high cucurbits distil off the spirit in B. M. which afterward rectifie seven times each time separating all its phlegmatick humour Distâ—lling it so as in the seven times from forty pound of wine you may separate one pound more spiritual â—an the other for what is distilled between the spiâ—it and the phlegm is Aqua ardens Keep the spiâ—it in a glass vessel of such a magnitude as it may be â—alf full firmly closed that nothâ—ng may respire in 〈◊〉 cold place In the mean while distil the remainâ—ing phlegm to the consistency of Liquid honey What is distilled off revert upon the feces and again by gentle heat of Baln draw off three parts Then take out the cucurbit and set it in a cold place that the matter may Crystalize the Crystals washed from all filth so often dissolve and coagulate as until they resemble the Ice of most pure water Now if you desire by force of Art to have a fat and combustible oil from wine distil the pâ—legm separated from the Crystals in Baln unto the thickness of Liquid honey afterward in a retort placed in sand force it with strong fire First comes forth a water mixed with yellow oil then a red oil Lastly Rosin Unto the Crystals beaten very smal pour the spirit above reserved digest them in Baln for three days afterward distil off the spirit in sand repeating the same process so often as until the spirit be perfectly impregnated with its proper soul and the â—ody made so very dry as if put upon a glowing â—late it will yield no fume Then on the body â—â—rst calcined according to Art revert an eighth â—â—rt of its own weight of the animate spirit digest â—nd distâ—l it as before then give it a sixth part of the â—â—irit afterward a fift and then a fourth so often â—ontinuing the imbibition with a fourth part as unâ—â—l the greater part of the body put upon a burning â—ate shall vanish into air Then is fulfilled that â—hich Morienus saith This also it behoves thee to know that the soul soon hath ingress into its own body which with another body can by no means be conjoyned Having this sign cover the vessel and to it placed in ashes administer fire for the space of two days until the vegetable sulphur adhere to the sides of the vessel like Talck Of this sulphur â„ž â„¥ j. Of the pure spirit â„¥ iij. Mix and digest them for one day natural then distil them in ashes cohobating often until the whole body shall ascend After which twice distil it in a boiling Baln and circulate it for sixty days And having separated the Hypestasis which will adhere about the bottom of the Pellican keep the Quintessence of wine for curing infinite diseases to be used both internally and externally Also this Quintessence of wine may be perfected in a shorter space of time Yea when I did this in the presence and sight of certain of my disciples in the space of five weeks I finished it and with the same extracted a most red Tincture of Gold For as Geber witnesseth there are many ways to the accomplishing one effect and one intent But In this place I can never sufficiently admire why French and Germane wine circulated have not that admirable odour which Baptista Porta attributes to Neapolitan wine in these words Then open the mouth of the vessel and if such an admirable fragrancy issue out as with it nothing may be compared know that you are come to the desired end But if the odour or colour answer not close the vessel again and re-place it to be circulated until you shall have the aforesaid sign Nor is the Italian spirit of wine endued with such an odour as Rubens testifies For he in the second Chap. of the second Sect. on of his book of distillation in this manner writeth I would that good Man and most excellen Physician Eustachius Sancto Severinas had now lived For he not to speak of my own knowledge could have evinced by his experience most diligently acquired that Aqua ardens if circulated not only for a moneth but for two or three moneths yea for a whole year as Raymund prescribes can never be deduced to that sweetness of odour but rather will be found more hot and be rendred more acid as who so will may easily prove and reason it self by observation of the fire and motion perswades the same But Raymund did not understand or intend that of simple and pure Aqua ardens as some of late have thought but of that in which the metallick body was dissolved For in the second Canon of the first book he thus writeth But this Quintessence so circulated and rectifyed will not possess such an odour unless the body be distilled in it Whence it appears that Porta drew not such a Quintessence of wine from his Labour in the fire but from the writings of Lully and John de Rupescissa evilly understood CHAP. III. Of Quintessence of Corals FIrst a great quantity of most sharp vinegar must be distilled with separation of the phlegm for this work wholly unprofitable Distilling it nine times upon the former feces until you shall have about a hundred pound of vinegar most perfectly rectifyed per Baln Also you must have thirty pound of red Corals reduced to a most subtile powder likewise many large vessels with long necks in every of which one pound of Corals must be put unto them pouring on of vinegar leisurely and at times to prevent ebulition so much as may stand above them four or five fingers then they must with the vinegar be digested in Baln for one day natural or until the vinegar wax sweet and be invested with a yellow colour Which being done pour off the Menstruum and repour on fresh repeating the same Labour til what is dissolvible be dissolved Put the evacuations in high cucurbits and abstract the Menstruum by heat of Blan. then to every one pound of the salt pour â„¥ ij of vinegar and distil it which being done again add â„¥ iiij after â„¥ vj. and so
the most commendable Antidote it is received Garlick Onions Sinape and Nasturcium how sharp are these yet are we not affraid daily to use them in our Banquets The juices of Lemmons and Citrons dissove the most firm bodies of Pearls and Corrals yet in the Cardiack passion and in extream imbecility and decay of strength a more ready and excellent remedy is not vulgarly given Therefore the Acrimony and Costick force of Chymical Remedies is not to be forced especially since many are outwardly corroding which inwardly cannot exercise their force not only by reason of greater repugnancy of the intestines and the vegetate strength of the native heat but also by reason of the noxious humors residing in the Stomach As we devour not whole handfuls of Salt nor use we certain pounds of it in broths but it may be we dissolve of it one pugil and a little Vinegar and Spice we are wont to use for seasoning our meats so when necessity compels spagyrick Physicians to the using of sharp Medicaments they exhibit some drops or one grain or two not alone but mixed with appropriate Liquors Yea the most sharp may be so well odulcorated as they may deposite all their acrimony Chymical Medicines are not dangerous by reason of their sharpness contracted by fire which in Aqua fortis and Aqua Regis is clearly evinced if with them Salt of Tartar be commixed Now as touching the Contagion of fire which is by them objected it is a thing so vain and frivolous as needs no refutation Galen himself in the 18. Chap. de Theriaca ad Pisonem expresly writeth that the fire doth meliorate many things and sometimes discovers the hidden nature of things and some things also it renders apt for use according to our intention Whence also the same Element by Cicero is not undeservedly honoured with the Title of Master of Arts likewise Galen subjects sharp and biting Minerals to the Examen of fire that they may be rendred more gentle He esteems * Red Vitriol Chalcitis burnt better than not burnt Balanus Myrepsica according to Mesue provokes vomiting and also causeth dejections by the inferiour parts but being burnt and the nauseous humidity thereof removed the only force of expelling humours by Seidge remains So sublimate Mercury which is most sharp abiding the violence of fire with Antimony is reduced to a most gentle and most wholsome Alexipharmacon Likewise Iron when calcined into Crocus Martis with fire of reverberation sustaineth the extreamest heat of flames yet they on it impress no acrimony to hinder the use thereof from being most profitable as it is most frequent in Haemorrhagia's and other Fluxes On the contrary how great sharpness do the Water and Oil of Cinnamon acquire in a Balneum of vapour only And in the same how much is Wine made more acid Whence is this Can you understand the Reason You may if you can comprehend why the Sun hardens clay and softens wax and the same makes linnen white Whence is the acrimony of Chymical Medicaments but blackens the face You are therefore deceived if you think Spirit of Vitriol contracts acrimony from external heat and so if you judge that Oil of Salt from the fire of Reverberation is infected with the same for if Salts were not insited and mixed in these you by the greatest violence of fire could never be able to inure such a sharpness And contrarywise should you use the most moderate heat that could be in some things yet you shall undoubtedly render them more sharp by reason of the force of present Salts Moreover for the Empyreuma of Chymical Medicines Chymical Remedies smell not of the fire it is not of such moment as under that name they should seem violent and dangerous to practical Physicians for if such a thing be inherent in those Medicaments it took its beginning either from a moderate or strong heat If from that and therefore Chymical Remedies are censured for obnoxious then can neither our Meats or Drinks or vulgar Medicaments be safe and wholsome since in preparing them oftentimes a greater degree of fire is required than for Spagyrick Remedies which is manifest in the making of Beer or Ale where the Mault is first with strong fire dryed afterward boiled with greater And also in some Rhenish Wines which by reason of their wholsomness are used by the Northern people in almost all diseases instead of a Remedy and yet to a true maturity they cannot be brought but by the benefit of Elementary fite also in broiled fish and smoak dryed roasted and boiled flesh with many other such like But if from this The Empyreuma how it may be corrected viz. from violent fire yet thence cannot any thing of peril happen to the sick since either with ablution or digestion it may be corrected as is seen in ashes which water being poured on them deposite the notes of their calidity received from the fire in a Lixivium Yea ablution often repeated renders some purging Metallicks and Minerals Chymically prepared inefficacious for exhausting depraved humours How by decoction all things are made sweet is known yet there seemed to be need of inducing an Ensample to prove the same If by an Empyrenma you shall happen thus to understand that when either the potential heat which is latent in the mixture as it were under coals is produced into act by violent fire and so freed from all impediment exerciseth more potent force or when the heat which therein was dispersed is united by the benefit of fire for this cause neither an Empyreuma nor too much heat is to be feared since it is the office of a Physician rightly to use hot things of this kind as also others less hot which if imprudently adhibited may unavoidably infer detriment to the sick But Mâ—sochymists cease not to urge us grievously whilst they pretend our Medicaments are unprofitable because they are decayed Preparation renders not Chymical Medicaments unprofitable and take their beginning from perished and corrupted mixt things and are destitute of primogeneal humidity as they say Now if the bodies of mixt things be not to be dissolved or to use their odious terms not to be destroyed Why do they trouble the Harmony of that mixtion Why do they prepare infusions decoctions and Syrups with violent fire Why use they assations Why parchings Why distillations Why Diagridium not Scammony whole Why Trochus of Alhandal not Coloquintida it self Why in extream imbecillity of strength when the sick are ready to expire presume they to nourish them with a destroyed Capon viz. with the distilled water thereof where certainly all the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Temperament and mixture of the whole perisheth Is it because in this part they would imitate Nature Who conveys not food undigested from the Stomach nor crude or while it is whole for nourishing the parts but destroyed that is separated from the unprofitable and more gross parts and in the
know that a Metallick body reduced into thin plates and to be calcined by fume must be suspended either over Aqua fortis Vinegar or the vapour of melted Lead or Mercury or such like sharp things as vulgarly they are wont to prepare Ceruse Ignition Ignition is calcination by fire And it is either Cinefaction or Reverberation Cinefaction Cinefaction is ignition wherein Vegetable and Animal bodies are reduced to ashes by violent fire Reverberation Reverberation is also ignition wherein bodys by fire of flame in a furnace of Reverberation are calcined Hereunto also appertains Desiccation of the native humidity Desiccation of the native humidity as is wont to be in Salt Vitriol Allom and such like CHAP. IV. Of Extraction EXtraction is a kind of Resolution Extraction generally considered wherein the more subtile parts are separated from the more gross And is twofold either generally or specially so called Generally so called is made duplicitly as well by ascension and descension as by an intermedium And that is either dry or humid the dry is Sublimation the other is called distillation Sublimation Sublimation is an extraction of the more subtile dry parts by fire elevated aloft and adhering to the vessel It is made when the matter to be sublimed is aptly prepared as it ought to be viz. either by washing or by calcination parching cocting or the like and afterward either alone or with other matter permixt put into an Urinal with a Spherick or large and broad bottom so as half part of the vessel only may be filled and that placed in an aludel or pan over a furnace quite above the fire and unto the vessel a Blind-head Luted on with good Luting in the Head must be a hole directly over the middle of the inferior vessel that the humid Spirits may exhale through the hole Then must fire be gradually adhibited and when all the humidity hath expired which may be proved by a piece of glass or a smooth plate of Iron when applyed to the hole if not at all stained with the breathing the hole of the Alembeck closed with Luting and the fire intended for forcing the Spirits upwards Therefore according to Geber Sublimation is the elevation of a dry matter by fire with adherency to the sides of the vessel how madly are distillation and calcination confounded and waters which are distilled faid to be sublimed Moreover it is observable that this Chymical Operation is not a new invention but it was also known to the ancients For so Cadmia or Brass-oar was heretofore prepared witness Galen and Dioscorides and likewise Pompholyx and Spodium by the same testimony Distillation Distillation is an extraction of the humid parts extenuate and elevate into fume by heat What Aristole saith lib. 4. of Meteors 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Art imitates nature is verified in this vulgar Operation of practical Chymistry For as vapours by the Solar rays are drawn up from the Earth into the middle Region of Air and there condensed by the coldness of that Celestial Sphere fall down again upon the Earth in showers So the Chymical Artificer from things exhaleable and vapourable by the ministry of fire with separation of the thin Spirits from the more gross parts and elevation of them unto the cold concaveness of the head extracts their essence in form of Liquor Likewise in the humane body * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exhalations from the inferior parts are carryed upward into the Airy Region of the Microcosm as into an Alembeck and by the coldness thereof are condensed into a phlegmatick and mucose Excrement whence afterward is made a continued distillation and defluction thereof into the Nostrils Pallate or other parts of the body Hence it is that in dressing of Meats we close our Pots with covers that what vapours are converted into water may after exhalation be reverted into their own Original So when we would keep any prepared meats warm or being cold heat them we cover the dishes in which they are with others whereby the vapours arising from them by their cold incrassate Antiperistasis fall down again in drops Also Distillation with respect to the diversity of vessels wherein it is made not to mention many other differences is either right or oblique It is made by Alembeck or per Vesicam or else by Retort especially in things containing the more contumacious spirits Hereto appertains Rectification and Cohobation Rectification Rectification is a repeated distillation of Liquors for their greater purification and exhalation yet this is also sometimes performed by Digestion Cohobation Cohobation is a reiteration of distillations wherein the Liquor distilled is reverted upon its own feces and again thence distilled But this is done with the feces first ground and leisurely imbibed with the humour that they may be macerated Extraction generally so called which is made by Descention is twofold viz. either hot or cold The hot is that wherein the subtile parts are separated from the gross by descension Distillation by descension hot with the mediation of fire Whence it is also called distillation by descent and is used in making of Pitch when from the heap of Clefts of the Pitch-tree piled together and closed from any breathing places by fire kindled within Pitch floweth out as is to be seen in Pliny and Mâ—thiolus who have exactly described this Operation The cold is that which by descent without fire makes separation of the subtile parts from the gross Cold distillation by descent And it is either Filtration or Deliquium Filtration Filtration is when the aqueous humours by a Separatory or brown-paper wrapt up round like or put into a Tunnel or Hyppocrates Sleeve Linnen Cloath or some such thing is strained leaving in the filter or vessel the more gross parts Deliquium Deliquium is when impure Calxes Salts and such like Liquables either per se are put upon a Marble or Glass Table inclined or included in a bag are suspended that moistning by the humid Air they may let go their pure juice Yet sometimes it so is as per deliquium there is no separation of parts made as when Salts purified or such like are placed in a cold Cellar or other moist place and by external humidity which easily enters into them descend and fall into a subjacent vessel in Liquor Extraction which is made by an intermedium is when the more pure parts of Liquids or dry things moistened are separated from the impure without distillation and sublimation Of this there are three kinds viz. Digestion Putrefaction and Circulation Digestion Digestion is when things with digestive heat resembling the heat of natural digestion in the Stomach are cocted or ripened For as the Stomach by its own moderate heat digesteth crude meats received and by cocting transmutes it into Chyle that the feces being secluded and thrust out into the Intestines from that substance by the Liver an
leisurely and at times nourishâ—ng it and at length diminishing the infurions from ounce to ounce until the vinegar be distilled off as sharp as it was when first poured on All the insipid distilled phlegm must be kept And the salts impregnated with the salt armoniack of vinegar must be fermented in vapour of an hot Baln and there left until a strong odour and black colour appear which are the signs of true putrefaction When these signs shall appear put the resolved salts while warm into retorts because in cold they will presently be congealed and by a vaporous B. or ashes separate the phlegm until white vapours or fumes shall be seen to arise Then cease the distillation there and continue it by sand in a close Reverberatory until all the spirits shall be come forth and an oil red as bloud shall issue out drop by drop Reserve the feces for the use hereafter mentioned All the distilled Liquor being most odorate and like Aqua ardens easily conceiving flame put into high cucurbits and by gentle heat of Baln separate from the phlegm and in a cold place in glasses well closed keep them Afterward encrease the fire and urge the phlegm which separated from the oil also set by for use In the mean while calcine the above reserved feces in fire of Athanor for the space of five days in a vessel very firmly closed as Geber in the 50th Chap. of the first Book c. in the following words teacheth The way of calcination of spirits is that unto them being nigh to fixation fire be successively administred and encreased by degrees that they fly not until they come to be able to abide the greatest fire and the vessel containing them must be of glass round in the bottom and indifferent thick and well closed that it melt not And as Lully saith least inflammation be caused Or according to Alphidius least the spirits vanish into air and what is sought after be not obtained Afterward the vessel being open give fire to it by degrees that the black feces may be made of an Ash colour From which a salt with the former reserved phlegm must be extracted which filter and coagulate Afterward dissolve the same salt in the latter reserved phlegm until it be pure then with moderate fire dry it Of this Salt â„ž â„¥ ij digest it in Baln for three days Afterward by gentle heat of Baln distil off the unsavoury water which keep apart Reiterate the same operation until the salt shall with its proper salt armoniack be impregnated and augmented to double the weight it was before or somewhat more or until the spirit shall be distilâ—ed off from the salt as sharp and as strong as when first poured on Then put the salt in a convenient vessel to be sublimed in ashes for two days space â—dministring fire by degrees So the matter will be â—ublâ—med to the sides of the vessel most white like â—ow this is called the true salt armoniack of Phyâ—â—sophers Of this salt armoniack take â„¥ j. Of the rectifyed spirit â„¥ iiiij Mix them together and digest them for two days Afterward distil with cohobations untiâ— the whole Milk shall ascend with the spirit This triune matter must be circulated until the exaltaiion shall answer your desire Thus you will have the Quintessence of Corals a Celestial Substance free from all earthy feces the Vegetable and Mineral Mercury the most solid Philosophick KEY opening what bodies you will for preparing them into Medicines of admirable virtues being only known to all true Phylosophers FINIS The TABLE of the Precedent Work A ALchimy defined Page 1 Alcohol defined Page 24 Amalgamation Page 25 Aqua fortis and the sorts Page 50 B BAlsoms Of Cinnamon Of Sulphur Page 71 Of Saturn Page 72 â—â—zâ—ardick metallick Page 106 C CHymical Medicines mâ—st pleasing Page 3 Impress not a depraved disposition Page 15 â—â—mâ—â—ed with the vulgar Page 18 〈◊〉 â—ymist â—â—â—nation Page 24 â—â—â—â—nation Of Common Salt Of Salt Peter Of Mineral Crystal Page 81 Of Lapis Prunella Of Vitriol Of the Spunge Stone Of Crystal Page 82 Of Silver Marchasite Of Antimony Page 84 85 87 Of Mercury Page 89 Of Saturn Of Jupiter Page 99 Of Mars Page 101 Of Venus Page 103 Of Luna ib. Of Sol Page 104 Crocus of Metals Page 86 Corrosion Page 25 Cementation Cinefaction Page 26 Cohobation Page 29 Circulation Page 34 D DIstillation Page 28 by Descent by Deliquium Page 30 Digestion Page 31 Diaphâ—retick Antimony Page 88 Cinnabar Page 96 Ceraunâ—cryson Page 107 ☿ of Venus Page 96 Jupiter Page 100 E EMpyreuma how corrected Page 10 Extraction Page 27 Extracts Of Sena Of Rubarb Page 74 Emetick powder Page 85 Essenâ—ial Salts Of Herbs Of Tartar Page 108 F Fâ—miâ—ation Page 26 Fâ—owers Of Benzoin Of Sulphur Page 114 Of Antimony Page 115 L LUting for Glasses Page 39 Luting of Sapience Page 38 Lâ—udanum Page 76 Liver of Antimony Page 86 M MAceration Page 33 Menstruum why so called Page 33 34 Mercurius vitae Page 85 124 Mercury precipited Page 93 97 Mannâ— of Mercury Page 117 Magisterys Of Pearls Of Corals Of Tartar Page 118 Of Sulphur Page 119 O OIls of Eggs Page 61 Of Sage Of Wax Page 62 Of Turpentine Of Cloves Page 63 Of Tartar per deliquium Of Amber Page 64 for the Hemiâ—rania for the Womb Page 65 Of Tiles Of Suâ—phur Of Salt Page 66 Of Vitriol Page 68 Of Antimony Page 69 P THe three Principâ—â— defined and demâ—â—strated Page 20 21 22 23 Precipitation Page 25 Putrefaction Page 34 Panchymagogon Page 75 Q QUint essence Of Humane Bloud Page 127 Of Wine Page 130 Of Corals Page 133 R REverberaâ—ion Page 26 Rectification Page 29 Rules for distillation Page 42 Regulus of Antimony Page 87 Regulus of ♂ stellate Page 88 S SOlution Page 19 Stratification Page 25 Sublimation Page 27 Sublimate ☿ Page 115 Suâ—limate Sol Page 123 Spirits Of Wine Page 52 Of Wine Tartarisate Page 123 Of Tartar Of Turpentine Page 53 Of Sulphur Of Vitriol Page 54 Of Nitre Of Saturn Page 58 â—â—lâ—s Of Tartar Page 109 Of Corals Of Colcothar Page 110 Of Saturn Page 113 T TInctures Liquid Of dry Roses Of Violets Page 70 Treacle of Germany Page 75 Soft Tinctures Of Honey Of Saffron Of Sugar Page 78 Of Sulphur Of Coral Page 79 Solid Tinctures Of Antimony Page 120 Of Vitriol Page 121 V VInegar distilled and Alkalisate Page 60 Vomative Vitriol Vitriol of Mars Page 111 Vitriol of Venus Page 112 W WAters Of Roses Of Succory Page 48 Of Cinamon Of Fennel Page 49 Of Oak Of Box Of Juniper Of Guaiacum ib. FINIS Books sold by Thomas Passenger at the three Bibles on London Bridge MArkham's Master Piece 4 to Dod on the Commandments Academy of Complements Pichard on Sanctification The Spiritual Antidote by Mr. Tho Doolitell The Wise Virgin or a Narrative of the Life of Martha Hattfield The Book of Palmestry and Phisiognomy in octav The Book of Knowledge in three parts containing Astrology Physick and Husbandry full of variety both for Profit and Pleasure The Hâ—story of Valentine and Orson in 4 to The Penitent Prodigal or a gracious Reproof to Pharisaical Saints