effectual in all Diseases wherein we have prescribed the Tincture and may be administred from one Grain to 40 having always a respect to the age and strength of the Patient The best Vehicle to administer it in is Malago Wine and let the Patient keep in his bed to sweat as he must do also when he takes the Tincture And always in intermitting Feavers give the Powder as well as the Tincture before the Fitt Of the Diaphoretick Powder This Medicine is not onely successful in the same distempers that Tincture of Antimony is but in many others for it perfectly cures Itch Pimples old Vlcers and Scabs which through that abundant moisture that is in the body often become hard to cure the Dose is this Let the Patient take every morning about four or five hours before dinner half a scruple or half a draghm in a spoonful of some generous Wine and this for three weeks or more And it 's wonderful to behold what effects it hath above all Potions made of the decoction of Guaiacum Salsapatilla Clina or other common remedies used for this end This I can speak upon my own experience having found upon my giving it a most happy and notable success and that not onely in strong but also weak persons and infants it chiefly provokes sweat if the Patient keeps his bed and sometimes it works insensibly by transpiration for it will quickly discover its virtue for the good of the Patient Moreover this Powder may be carried more conveniently then the Tincture can yet let every one take which he likes best Of the Theion of Hypocrates This is a most excellent Medicine against the Falling-sickness Feavers Plague Gout Leprosie French Pox pains in the Head Meazles and Melancholy and in one word it is a commendable Medicine in all kinds of Diseases In outward maladies also as old Sores and Wounds it effects much namely if the Patient be inwardly purged with it women with child onely excepted for to them it must not be administred nor conveniently can it be to any such who are so far spent and weakened with Diseases that they have not strength enough left to take Physick The usual Dose to those that are not above 15 years is from one Grain to 3 4 and 5. To those that are of full age and in the flower of their youth such a Dose is to be administred as shall be able to make them vomit namely 6 or 8 Grains but if the Patient abhors a Vomit then let him take our Salt of Antimony whereof we shall speak hereafter To infants and little children young of age the Dose is from half a Grain to one Grain It may also be administred to new-born children against Convulsions and Epileptick Fitts but the Dose must not exceed the bigness of the seed of a Rape and it must be given in the mothers milk But if the child be strong and above half a year old you may encrease the Dose so as it may effect some visible operation and purge out the bad humours and by this means you may also prevent the Meazles and many other Diseases which use to afflict children Of a truth by this Medicine all Maladies wherewith men are troubled may be easily cured and at a cheap rate Purging Pills I have found out a way of preparing certain Pills with the Salt of Hypocrates which purge gently and with good success the same distempers that the Theion of Hypocrates doth but especially in the Head-ach Gout and Gravel for they purge not onely by Stool but also by Vrine I have cured many women of other pains in the head with them They are indeed a most excellent and universal Purge The way to take them is this Take five or six or fewer according to the age and strength of the Patient and mingle them with the Pap of a roasted Apple and after one Stool take Veal or Lamb. broth without any Salt instead whereof infuse twenty drops of the Spirit of Salt and you will find an happy issue thereof Besides the aforesaid Medicines there is to be had one other which comprehends all the virtues of Animals and Vegetables and it called Aqua Caelica whose virtue and use is as followeth Of the Virtues and Use of Aqua Coelica Aqua Coelica is a Spirit very volatile and piercing and may be used both outwardly and inwardly First it is good against all obstructions and stopping it cleanseth the bloud it is excellent good against the Plague and all Epidemical diseases as the Venereal malady Leprosie Scurvy Hypochondriacal melancholy Malignant Feavers and all diseases which are dispersed by sweating or bathing It cures all kinds of Agues and the Cholick and all Winds It doth ease pains which happen by a fall or bruisings it causeth Urine and Sweating and withall expels Malignant humours it helps the stoppings of the Terms and the stifling of the Matrix it is prevalent in stiff obstructions the Falling-sickness and Palsie and in irregular and extraordinary Terms of Women a most admirable remedy And in a word this Water before all other things is a most rare comforter of our connatural humane substance because it preserves from corruption comforts our strength and continually restores and corroborates our vital Spirits because it digests all crudities and all superfluities and defects of our body and brings them to an equal poise and because it causeth many good effects according to the disposition of the Subject to whom it is applied The Dose is from four drops to fourty according to the age and strength of the party taking it in a glass of Malage Wine but for want of such Wine in Ale or Beer Besides it is a most excellent remedy against the Gout in the joynts and all parts of the body it extinguisheth all Inflammations and cures the Gangrene and Ring-worm it dissolves congealed bloud it eases pains and swellings it strengthens the sinews also mingled with running or conduit-water it eases the Tooth-atch mingled with a Glyster it kills Worms and mitigateth the Cholick I also for many Diseases mingle it with the Spirit of Salt to be used inwardly Further this Aqua Coelica is most excellent in all griefs and pains of the body if the parts affected be anointed therewith A Specifick against Catarhs and the Cough I have by me a most pleasant and cordial Water which is very soveraign and effectual against Catarhs and Coughs if one or two spoonfuls thereof according to the age and strength of the Patient be taken every four hours in the day yea and by night too if the Patient be troubled much then it cures in a very short time as is to be seen in the Twentieth Testimony and Seventh Page of this Book but yet the Diaphoretick Powder is not to be neglected to the end that the Patient may sweat twice in the week I have most haply cured many by this Specifick Laus DEO FINIS
ALEXICACVS Spirit of Salt of the VVorld Which vulgarly prepair'd is call'd THE SPIRIT OF SALT OR The transcendent Virtue of the true SPIRIT of SALT Long look'd for And now Philosophically prepared and purified from all hurtfull or Coroding Qualities far beyond any thing yet known to the World being both safe and pleasant for the use of all Men Women and Children By CONSTANTINE RHODOCANACES Grecian of the Isle of Chios and one of his Majesty's Chymists who is the sole authour and inventor of this Spirit Living In LONDON next door to the Three Kings Inne in Southampton Buildings near the Kings Gate in Holborn Where al manner of Chymical preparations are carried on without any sophistication or abuses whatsoever This fifth Edition is enlarged with some new Testimonies Advertisements and rare Medicaments By His Majesties special Direction and Allowance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 London Printed by I. R. in the Year 1667. To the Reader HAving promis'd as is to be seen in the following Apologie to his Sacred Majestie to give a farther relation of the excellent virtues and use of the Spirit of Salt of the World confirm'd by sundry experiments here in England accordingly I have here done it though omitting many experiments to prevent tediousness which I call The Spirit of Salt of the World to difference it from that which is commonly called Spirit of Salt For many hearing what great success my Spirit of Salt hath had they concluded that which was vulgarly call'd so would have the same The contrary to which is found for not long since a sick person making use of the common Spirit of Salt bought at the Apothecaries dyed upon the taking of it This relation I received from the Right Worshipful Sr Tho. Middleton several other witnesses attesting the same This relation charitie towards my Neighbour commandeth me to make publicke that hereafter greater caution may be had in using the vulgar corrosive Spirit of Salt-instead whereof I make publick this which is most innocent and healthfull as may be seen in the following testimonies Further Reader take notice that in this fith Edition there are several Testimonies added of Doctors in Physick and other learned men touching the virtue and excellencie of this Spirit of Salt which is done for the greater satisfaction of the buyer who is to give six pence for it There are some who pretend to make this Spirit according to my preparation wherefore I think good to let the world know that as yet this Secret hath not been communicated to any nor must it be it being for the present so ordered by his Majestie who if he shall be pleased to allow the communication of it for the publick good I shall then publickly declare the Person that shall receive from me the Philosophical way of preparing it The Apology of the Author which he presented to his Majesty and now hath made publick for the satisfaction of others May it please your most excellent Majesty THat the ample testimony of Sir Thomas Middleton lately tendred to your Sacred Majestie touching my preparation of the Spirit of Salt as to the difference thereof from that vulgarly prepared might receive some farther confirmation And that that worthy persons commendation of me in that respect might obtain at least your Majesties excuse It hath happily been so ordered that the eminent virtues of the said Spirit should approve themselves to the world by several experiments a few of which out of many lest I should be tedious taken from Patients own Letters and from such as have made their observations of it upon themselves and others I do here humbly submit unto your Majesties inspection having added hereunto many testimonies if perhaps by such means the preparation of this excellent medicine especially in Scorbutick distempers familiar as hath been observed unto your Majestie 's Kingdomes may be admitted and receive no discouragement from those who are pleased at present to think otherwise of it than experience hath evinced to be true Testimonies touching the Spirit of Salt as it is perpared by Mr. Constantine Rhodocanaces I had intended to have added to this fifth Edition of my Book many new testimonies which have been brought unto me from several persons but in regard I find that this my Spirit is in the judgment almost of all men received with a singular commendation I do forbear to create any unnecessary trouble to my Readers But yet there being some new testimonies of great consequence I cannot let them pass but have added them in p. 6.7 c. that the truth may be affirmed It 's virtues more illustrated and every one with more securitie and cheerfulness may use it as a remedie that cases and cures all griefs and maladies The old Testimonies 1 Mr. Lyne Gentleman living in Alesford being sick of the Stone in the Reins was cured by the Spirit of Salt and he had a son which being eight years old could neither stand nor go and by advice he gave to his son every day some drops of the Spirit of Salt and in six weeks time he was brought to his Limbs and strength that to the admiration of all about him he could goe very well 2. Mr. Francis Cotton of Gadsden in the County of Hertford and servant to her Majestie the Queen Mother was for 18. years together troubled with the Scurvy which so far had wrought upon him that from head to foot he was extremly distempered both with a lightness in his head and pain throughout all his body that he could neithersteep nor takeany natural rest but by the Spirit of Salt with the mixture of other medicaments prepared by me he was persectly cured in the space of two months 3. Iane Shepherd living at the blew boar in S. Giles being very much troubled with the Stone in the Kidneys for six years so that she could not rise and at length was given up for one incurable by the use of the Spirit of Salt mixed with aqua coelica of which water we have spoken in the end of this book was altogether freed from her distemper voiding three spoonfulls of gravel and two stones of the bigness of a pease 4. Ioseph Hooper Confectioner living on Ludgate-Hill being troubled for the space of two years with the Tooth-ach was cured by only taking the Spirit of Salt 5. Elias Price living at the sign of the three Kings by Southampton buildings was dangerously sick and so full of pain all over his body that he cryed out with great exclamations and also his breath being almost stopt and his stomack out of order so that all accounted him as a dead man was by the blessing of God on this Spirit of Salt and Aqua coelica cured in two dayes Mr. Richard Morton testifieth upon his own observation as followeth 6. That a Minister in Lincoln shire born and bred in that County having been Scorbutical from his Childhood and at the 35. year of his age grievously afflicted insomuch as from head to foot
of this my Spirit of Salt have come to me for it but there are many who not understanding the fermentation or leavening and the man ner of extracting the true essence of things do therefore stick to their private opinions and judgements of this my Spirit but I hope that at length being moved with the excellency thereof they will change their opinion and will not only judge better but also make frequent use thereof New Testimonies of several patients Elias Price 17. This Elias Price lay very dangerously sick of pains in his body and stopping in his stomack his breath being almost gone and he being given up for a dead man by the Doctors to whom his water was sent yet afterwards in a fortnights time by Gods help in the use of this Spirit of Salt he was perfectly well The Testimony of Mr. Line 26 Aug. 1664. 18. This Mr. Line living at Ashford in Kent and being sorely troubled with gravel made use of this my Spirit of Salt and was petfectly cured thereby The same person having a child eight years old that could neither go nor stand in the space of six weeks by the use of this Spirit of Salt could go and stand as well as the rest of his children The Testimony of Mr. Philip Roberts fellow of Jesus Colledge in Oxford 19. This Mr. Roberts was so troubled with the scurvy that he could neither sleep by night nor scarce move either armes or legs in a weeks time spent in the use of this Spirit of Salt found that it procured him sound sleep constantly and in little time he was eased of all his pains The Testimony of Mr. Bull of Ratcliff near London 20. This Mr. Bull had a young son much troubled with shortness of breath spitting of bloud immoderately coughing ill digestion that at last he was grown very lean and consumptive whereupon he gave him of my Spirit of Salt and another medicine on a suddain he found ease and after eight or nine dayes was perfectly cured this Mr. Bull desired might be published The Testimony of Mrs. Elizabeth Chapman living formerly in Coleman street but now in little Mooor fields in Butchers Alley 21. This Mrs Chapman was so troubled with the yellow jaundies that the Doctors in the Country gave her up as irrecoverable but she taking a bottle of my Spirit of Salt was perfectly cured Therefore this my Spirit ought not to be tryed by outward signes and vulgar notes as the colouring of Metalls the Smell Tast c. which signifie nothing but by the excellent effects it hath in expelling grievous Diseases and which it leaveth to all wise observing men as certain signs of its goodness and its unblameable virtue The transcendent virtue of the true Alexicacus Spirit of Salt of the World THere have been so many preparations of The commonly called Spirit of Salt unduly made retaining most pernicious accidents as it will be a hard matter to have the worth of that which is perfect admitted into a vulgar Creed Yet when the noble and universal qualites of seasoning and preserving our Food by common Salt are weighed the ingenuous must needs conclude and that when rightly separated from its dregs and scum and presented to us in its strength and vigour it cannot but be worth a welcome reception amongst intelligent persons Its Virtues inward and outward being published and experienced ALthough it communicates not much to the nourishment of the Body it self Yet this Spirit marvellously procures a good appetite strengthning and cleansing the stomack from putrefaction and consumes carries away and disperseth all raw and Fleg-matick humours For the stomack collected and ingendred in the Bowels Helps Digestion quenches Thirst keeps the body soluble and so operates that it helps to transport nourishment to and throughout the whole Body and dissolves all kind of Obstructions It purifies and revives the Bloud and keeps it volatile Bloud that thereby it more regularly proceeds in it's Circulation The author by using this Spirit in Drinks Plagat Broths and Sauces staying all the time of the Pestilence in London kept by Gods grace not onely himself and family but also many others during all the Contagion from the Plague It warmes but not overmuch Vitall Spirit Sweating and sleep because it hath a most temperate Faculty in comforting the vital Spirit and is the cause of dispelling whatsoever distempers arise against nature and hereby men become more agil merry and jocund It procures moderate sweatings gentle sleep It causeth Urin and keeps the Ureters from all filth or slime Urine and dispels the water that lurks betwixt the skin and flesh by Stool and urine It cures all persons troubled with the Stone or Gravell Stone and Gravel both in the Reins bladder hinders Coalition of the Gravell and in time dissolves the Stone if not already too much congealed and hardned It is very good against all Catarrhs that fall from the Head Rheumes Cough and preserves from all diseases that come by Coughing or any flux of Rheume It is an excellent remedy against Feavers of long continuance Feaver Liver and quenches Thirst in such as languish under hot distempers or maladies that cause draught in hot weather cooling the Bloud and inflamed Liver It helps the liver and Spleen Spleen Winde and Hypocondricall Melancholly it easily disperses all pains in the Sides and Bowels and whatsoever hath it's beginning from Wind or Cold. It cures the Haemorrhoides or Piles Piles Scurvy Against the Scurvy it is the most approved Antidote and Remedy because the Spirit of Salt hinders the putrefaction of the Bloud It is an excellentent remedy against all Hydropical diseases Dropsie because all Dropsies Ptyssicks and Diseases that proceed from the Liver are wont to happen by reason of certain watry and bubling tumours in the natural parts Thighes and Legges It is a most excellent remedy against the falling Sickness especially if it be taken in the best Extraction of saffron Falling sickness Palsie which is to be had of me which is not made of the dreggs of Wine but of Wine it self as also against benummednesse the Palsie and sciatica It stiffles the Jaundise in the birth Black yellow Jaundice Wormes or kills it in it's strength It is an healer of the ulceration of the Lungs and apreserver against the Consumption of them It prevents the breeding of Wormes especially in children and kills them if bred It is very beneficial for Women with Child and for such as give Suck and the Children that Suck of them For Women with Child and that give Suck Also for any that are poysoned by Opium Spiders or otherwise or stung or bitten by Serpents It causeth the Monethly courses in women removes obstructions and helps them to the benefit of nature Also for the cure of Green sickness and fits of the Mother it is an approved Medicine And those that have
the Matrix clog'd with superfluous humours may use it with success Note that if any disease be so obstinate that this Spirit of Salt cannot remove it we have readily other Medicines God willing to assist and repell the most stubborn and pertinacious distemper For the virtues of it outwardly used IT keeps a good lively colour And putrified wound or proud flesh being gently washed with it are cured and the place preserved by it clean and sound It brings life into benumb'd Members and is very good against the Cramp It may be outwardly applyed for the French Disease a also in Gouts mixed with Oyl of Turpentine Wax Amber Harts-horne or the like It is good for the Kitching in rendring Meats gratefull and pleasant for instead of Vinegar Lemons or other sharp Sauces it is more healthfully taken mixt with Sugar it excellent sauce for Roasted meats By it Raisins recover their former bigness and beauty mixt with some fountain water are pleasing to the pallat and very cordial to refresh a weak stomack Pigeons Chickins and all flesh seasoned with it are of a pleasing relish Beef steeped in or sprinkled withit is made tender It cleanseth the Teeth and makes them as white as snow To say no more it 's that which cuts the Sinews of all Diseases and supports and restores weak bodies One thing more cannot be omitted when at Sea water is scant some of this prepared into a Balsome laid on the tip of the tongue in a small proportion takes away all inclination to drink Which Balsom whosoever desires is to give me notice afore hand that I who alone can may prepare him some Whosoever uses it shall find these Effects of which if any one doubt let them try in some one and by that judge the rest DIRECTIONS for the Vse of the SPIRIT of SALT FIrst in Genetal It may be put and taken in all sorts of Liquors as Water Beer Ale Posset Syder Wine Broths Sauce c. And is more healthfully used than Oranges Lemons Vinegar or Verjuice and with Oyl is most pleasant Indeed it 's proper in all sorts of Cookry to be used by the healthy to prevent the Maladies mentioned in the Treatise of it's Nature as well as for their Cure and it gives the Pallat a smart relish at the discretion of the uset no errour can be commited by taking any quantity from 10. Drops to 40. That proportion at any time mingled with Sugar may be doubled and taken in Morning draughts is very efficacious For it preserves the Body from all manner of Corruption and restores Nature to it's Primitive state To preserve health any small quantity will serve but to repel a Disease a greater quantity is requisite and may be used with Sugar if they please In particular 40 Drops of this Spirit in half a pin to any sort of Liquor is a good Standard And after the proportion of So Drops in a Quart it revives all sorts of Beet Ale Syder and Wine long preserving them both Strong and generous And the like quantity being put into barrels of Water for Mariners to drink at Sea will better preserve them from putrefaction which ariseth from Raw Water In dressing all sorts of Fish Flesh and Fowl being old and Tough they are made tender and nourishing by so much here of mingled with any Spices Water or Butter and sprinkled on them as may give a quick taste in their Sawces and cold Meat also sprinkled there with is preserved from detriment In Pickling any Sallets as Cucumbers Capers fennel Purstain Broom-buds c. being mingled with Water and Salt so as to make it sharp and quick it is very healthful and pleasant To prevent the tooth-ach or to cleanse preserve the Teeth white put six Drops in a spoonfull of running water or for the Curious into Rose water and with a smal Linnen Rag rub the Teeth and it 's impossible they should corrupt or putrifie It is very good for women with child either in their ordinary drink or Posset or Broths c. But as for such as give suck let them with 60. Drops turn a pint of Mill into a posset and take the whey mingled with Sugar if they please and drink a reasonable draught there of in a Morning fasting an hour after it and their Children will be kept from the Scurvy small pox Feavers Convulsions Wormes Stone and the like Diseases especially if they drink as much as they are able If any delight in Aromaticum or Coffee then they may drink 10 or 20. Drops in a Dish there of as in a good Vehicle It 's most succesful in intermittent Feavers if the patient take 30. or 40. Drops thereof with alittle sugar in his ordinary drink a little before his fit comes but after wards let him take only 20. Drops as often as he is thirsty but in continuall Feavers let him every four hours take 20. Drops with a little sugar in his ordinary drink Dr Sprackling told me he had cured many continual Feavers this way which made tryal of upon my Wife and younger daughter and found good successe thereby yet it is not my intention hereby to exclude other Remedies which in this case may be administred by learned Doctors Many have enquired of me whether this Spirit of Salt be beneficial at all seasons of the year I shall therefore give them further satisfaction by what followeth LEt such therefore know that it being a preservative for all things and nothing being more agreable to humane nature then it whosoever will consult and provide for his own health may take in every season viz. Winter Spring Summer and Autumn Firâ—â— Winter when all kind of Flegmes moist swellings and extraordinary spittings are common amongst men because Winter is naturally moist and cold through plenty of Rain and length of the Night as Hypocrates testifies in his book de natura Hominis Now this Spirit of Salt being known and approved to be most excellent against Fiegme Rheume Tumours and superfluity of Spitting may be very profitable taken as also 2. In the Spring when the bloud is increased 3. In Summer when the Bloud is far more increased and when men are troubled with inflamations and Fluxes of blood from the Nostils and are very hot and subject to Feavers as doth Hypocrates write in the same book and other places For this Spirit doth oppose and hinder all those inconveniencies being of it 's own nature contrary to all hot Dislempers as those that have made use of it have found by experience Besides this Spirit hath the property to correct depraved and malignant humours and moisture which are wont to hinder nourishment which if they be not prevented the Belly will swell and thereupon will follow an exasperation of Scabs and Boyls and indigestion which extenuates the vigour of the body and causes Dropsies and other evill habits and Maladies by which sick persons are so vexed that their tast is taken away and they fall into
Consumptions and lastly in this Spirit ought more principally to be taken in Autumn for the more grievous and destructive diseases do swarm as the same Hypocrates in his de Epidem doth write and at that time many are oppressed with sickness but especially those that are subject to Consumptions And therefore Women alwayes but more esoccially ought to have a very high esteem of this Spirit that they may keep themselves from the suppression of their Monethly courses from whence do arise great languishings and Consumptions as the same Author relates in his first book 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for those women having collected Flegme and filth in their stomach tremble and are astonished through all the parts of their body because Flegme by it's pricking quality doth detract and pluck the inward membranes which covet the Bowels which from the weight and plenty of matter that intercepts the spiritall and respitating wayes cannot breath but with great difficulty In the same season also extraordinary and spurious Feavers do happen which are most difficult to care and full of danger because then they have a divers permixture and inequality of humours which incommodities are prevented by this Spirit of Salt As for Children they ought not to be deprived of this most healthful Spirit because they are subject to the small Pox Measles Gravel c. and in their Feavers are most prone to convulsions because of the Crudity of their aliment and sharpness which they draw from the Milk and from the weakness of the nerves and sinews and therefore they are wont to be terrified and mourn and kick with their feet because of the vitiousness of their humours and corruption that proceeds from the Milk which do trouble the stomack or fill the brain with acrimonious vapours For these causes this Spirit of Salt is to be exhibited to Youth That the breeding of the Stone be stopt in the beginning for Boyes are more obnoxious to breed the stone then men as Hypocrates in libro de natura hominis very well observes and also there shews the reason to wit the great heat that nature affords for their growth and he in Libe de Aere Loco Aquis shews also another reason for the stone in Boys viz their mothers Milk which is hot and cholerick and therefore he prescribes water to be well mixed with their wine but this Spirit of Salt mixed in our common drink is far more excellent then wine because it doth not so scorch and dry the veins as wine doth for this Spirit of Salt its contrarie to heat it suffers not any thing which is either grasse or any wayes troublesome to stay in the bladder but ejects it by urine by that which is said Parents may learn how to prevent the stone in their children unto which they are so much subject viz. by this my Spirit of Salt these and other maladies this Spirit doth dispell Therefore I have insisted the more plainly upon the vertues of it for the glory of God and satisfaction and health of my neighbours An Aduertisement Envy is wont to snarl at Virtue but it can never hurt it There are very many who out of a perverse opinion with words artificial enough dare carp at and dispraise this Spirit of Salt notwithstanding they are altogether ignorant of the Preparation of it To whom this saying out of Hippocrates in his Book de Decenti habitu seu Decoro shall be a sufficient Answer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A most excellent thing is that reason which is drawn from the matter which any man hath learned for whatsoever it be that is wrought by Art proceeds from Reason but whatsoever is artificially spoken but not artificially performed argues both the way and reason void of Art or skill Therefore any thing only opinionated without Action is a notable token of lack of knowledge and want of skill And a bare Opinion of severall Drs. in Physick without ever experiencing the truth thereof is the cause why themselves are spoken against and their Parents miscarry for the Sick wants Help not Reasonings Some others again studying their own private Lucre raile against me and speak whatsoever comes uppermost as if I had done nothing but ill But to these I oppose those very many men that have made tryal of this my Spirit of Salt and having recovered their health by it have commended it very highly have given a verylarge Testimony of it's Virtues Some of them having found the benefit of it against Obstructions others against the Scurvy others against Consumptions others against the Tooth-ache others against Malignant Feavers others against Agues others against the Stone in the Reins others against the Suppression of Urine others against the Dropsie others against the Weakness of the Sinews Muscles and joynts others against the Swimming vapours of the Head and Head-ache others against Catarrhs and Colds so that indeed as some Letters sent unto me do testifie it may be accounted a Catholick or Vniversalmedicament Therefore let none hence forward speak against me or this my Spirit least they appear to display their own ignorance and withall envy to truth but rather bless God that they enjoy so excellent a medicine Therefore for my part I shall neaver leave off preparing it if for no other reason but only that I know it is most Excellently good A second Advertisement Many of my friends intelligent men do wonder and say how is it possible that one medicine can cure so many and so vatious Diseases To whom before I answer I wil bring this saying out of Hypocrates in his book de Natura Hominis who saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That all Diseases proceed partly from the manner if our living and partly from the air we draw into us without which we cannot live Now then if any man have an excellent water by him whereby the body is either kept in continual health or restor'd to health when sick it 's plain he may be preserved till the time limited by God for his death but experience hath found out 7. my Spirit of Salt will do these for it doth render the bowels and inward parts clean and firm doth corroborate and strengthen the Faculties and keep them constant makes good and easie Concoction and to breath freely and keeps his whole body in a like temper and heat for the firmness and strength of the bowels and the integrity of the Faculties doth much further the preservation of health for indeed they are the very Fort and Castle of our Livelihood from whence Hypocrates else where commends that man who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is he that hath clean and strong Bowels But this I say for my Conclusion that the Reader may diligently observe that he take not Doubtfull things for True Weak things for Solid and Arbitrary for things surely ratified for whatsoever by daily Experience is certainly approved ought alwayes to be preferred before any that happens by Chance and that more espeeially
in Chymical Medicines In which as in a storm at Sea the Mariner hath much adoe to attain his defired Port without danger of being swallowed up of Quick-sands or beaten in pieces against Rocks whereas experience dictates that many being deterred by the shipwrack of their Fortunes have cast away all hope and expectation of obtaining their wished-for-Haven This Spirit is to be had in several Glasses sealed with the Rose and Eagle with 3. Greek Letters Κ. Ρ. Χ. And about the Seal Verus Spiritus Salis It is sold at the Authours house next door to the three Kings Inn in Southampton-Buildings near the Kings Gate in Holborn As also by Mr. Milward Bookseller at Westminster-Hall-gate Mr. William Benson Barber at the three Tuns by Charing-Cross By William Grover at the Barber-Chirurgeans at Picadilly near St. James's Fields At Mr. Johnsons at the Red Lion in the Outward Rowe in the New Exchange Mr. Charles Morgan Grocer at the Angel in Henrietta-street in Covent-Garden Mr. Charles Brandon Cheesemonger at the Fryingpan in New-Market By Edward Cox at the Indian Gown in the Strand near Strand-bridge By Samuel Speed Bookseller at the Rainbow in Fleetstreet Mr. Herrick Stationer at Gray's-Inn-Gate Mr. Francis Gerard at the Three Bouls next to Brook-house in Holborn Mr. Redmayne Printer in Clerkenwell-Close By Samuel Tompson at the Bishops-head in Duck-Lane Mr. George Thody Cheesemonger in Aldersgate-street Jane Buckle at the Bodice and Sleeves in Aldersgatestreet Mr. Daniel Pelcome Millener at the Golden Goat in Jewen-street Mr. John Low Watchmaker at the Golden Bâ—ll in Newstreet in Moor-fields over against Little Moor-gate Mr. George Philips a Potter over against the Meal-market in Southwark At any of these places may be had what quantity of this Spirit any desireth at the rate of Eight shillings a Pint and to that end Bottles of Pints Half-pints and Quarter of Pints are there sealed up to be had and what is so sealed and fold is the onely avouched Spirit of Salt Of other Medicines which are made Ex Sacro Saturno The praise and excellency of Sacri Saturni you shall find in my other small book intituled A Discourse of Antimony which is to be had at my house MOreover there are made of Antimony several sorts of Medicines namely the Crocus or Mineral Saffron the Flowers the Glass of Antimony the Antimonial Cup the Butter the Mercurius vitae or Vomiting Powder the Regulus the Golden Sulphur the Salt and Oyl made thereof by resolution in a cold place as also several kinds of Tinctures For our part we know how to make four different Tinctures of Antimony whereof the one excels the other in virtue according to the purity of the matter whereof they are prepared The same way of our Sweating Powder and these our Medicines cause no Vomits at all but work onely by Sweating and that kindly too and without any molestation or offence to the stomack And at Cambridge there are many persons who can attest this truth with me as also here in London We prepare also besides the Tinctures and the Diaphoretick another Medicament which is a red Powder and we call it the Theion of Hypocrates and our Panodon because it purgeth all the Emunctories or passages of the Body by Vomit by Stool by Urine by Sweat and insensible transpiration We prepare also the Salt of Antimony which hath the same effects with our Theion this onely excepted that the Salt purgeth onely downwards by Stool and Urine and in that respect is better than our red Powder for such Patients who cannot endure Vomiting Medicines Of all and each of these we shall now discourse that such persons who desire to have them may know what they are good for and how they ought to be taken and in what quantity Of the Vse Virtue and Dose of our Antimonial Tincture This Tincture is a good and safe Medicine and may be taken inwardly or applyed outwardly with much benefit for it cures the Leprosie the French Pox the Seurvy all Feavers the Falling Sickness the Dropsie the Plague the Meazles the Itch and such other Diseases In Meagrims and pains of the head and the Hypocondriack melancholy it avails much It expels Poisons cures those that are Asthmatical killeth Worms and helps in many other distempers which cannot be cured with Simples It cleanseth the Bloud emptieth the stomach of all vicious humours brings down the Courses and maketh Barren Women Fruitful in the Gout also and the Stone it is a commendable Medicine The Dose thereof is alterable according to the age of the Patient wherein also there must be a respect had to his strength and to the violence of the Disease To little Children of 2 3 4. or 6. moneths old you may give one or two drops in their mothers milk against VVorms Itch Feavers Convulsions Falling Sickness or Meazles but to Children of one two or three years old you may give four drops in milk or Wine and you may safely repeat this Dose every third or fourth day But If you would onely use this Medicine as a preservative to prevent diseases then you may give it little Children twice a moneth and it will strengthen them and prevent the said Diseases by cleansing their bodies and purging out all bad humors But to persons of fifteen years of age or 24. you may give fix or ten drops in sugar'd Wine And to those of 25. and so forwards to 50 years of age you may give 10 20 or 40 drops and always you may increase or diminish the Dose according to the age of the Patient with respect had to the strength of the Disease and his Body In the Gout and the Stone give 10 drops in Wine or Ale every day in the morning fasting but if the Patient be very weak give it onely every third or fourth day and so continue it to the end of the Cure but let him withall use a temperate diet In the Leprosie the French Pox and the Scurvy take this Medicine every day in the morning but if the Patient be weak then take it but every second day and that so long as you find it necessary In the Falling-sickness and the Dropsie it is to be taken after the same manner But in intermitting Feavers take it an hour or 〈◊〉 before the Fitt or when the Fitt is quite over and the Patients should always in their ordinary drinks take some of our Spirit of Salt in every distemper But if it be a Quotidian Feaver then take the Tincture every morning In Pestilential Diseases take a Dose of it presently and repeat it every day But if you would use it onely for a preservative to prevent the Plague then take it but once a week In all other outward distempers you must take a dose of it in the beginning of the Disease and continue it once every day till your distemper be removed and by this means all maladies may be cured without putting the Patients to any pain Our Diaphoretick Powder is also