Compounds you may see in our Phylaxa Medicinae Lib. 1. and 2. Salmon LXI In a hot Cause and Constitution Barbet gives this Take Roots of Al theae one Ounce Liquorice two Drams Mallow-Leaves M. ij Melon-seeds half an Ounce boyl them in Barley-water in a Quart of the Colature dissolve Syrup of Corn Poppies two Ounces raw Crabs-Eyes bruised one Dram mix them Dose two Ounces three or four times a Day Or thus Take Rose-water Strawberry and Purslane-water ana one Ounce Prophylactick-water Cinnamon water ana half an Ounce raw Crabs Eyes bruised one Scruple Laudanum Opiatum two Grains Fernelius his Syrupus de Altheae one Ounce mix them and let it be given by Spoonfuls LXII In a cold Cause and Constitution Take Roots of Rest harrow white Saxifrage ana one Ounce Liquorice half an Ounce Goats blood six Drams Crabs-Eyes bruised Nutmegs Cinnamon ana one Ounce Saffron three Drams Cloves two Drams Strasburgh Turpentine one Pound Spirit of Malmsey-wine five pound the Ingredients being cut and bruised digest fourteen days then distil in B. M. Dose one Ouuce Fasting and twice or thrice a day besides Barbet also saith That Cochinele being taken in fine Pouder in Rhenish-wine to one Scruple is a pleasant and sweet Medicine and of great efficacy LXIII Deckers advises the following Pouder Take Mustard-seed Tartar Vitriolate ana one Dram and a half Crabs-Eyes Salt of Bean-stalks of Broom of Rest-harrow of Pidgeons Dung ana one Dram mix and make a Pouder Dose from one Scruple to half a Dram in Parsly-water The Tincture of the Nephritick Stone is also very good but it is no where described but Moebius has this preparation Take Pouder of the Nephritick Stone put upon it rectified Spirit of Salt digest and there will be a green Tincture Dose from six Drops to twelve or twenty in Wine or proper Water Seeds of Violets are very convenient because they purge and expel the Stone especially if they be used in an Emulsion and is called by Schroder the Nephrocathartick Emulsion it is much commended both by Crato and Hartman and is a good thing against suppression of Urine LXIV Spiritus Acetosae Mineralis Take Tartar Vitriolate one Ounce Julep of Roses one Pound Cinnamon-water four Ounces mix them Dose two Ounces 't is an excellent thing Or Take Tartar Vitriolate one Ounce Radish-water one Pound Juice of Limons two Ounces Syrup of Corn-Poppies and de Altheae ana one Ounce Crabs-Eyes two Drams mix them Dose two Ounces Also Spirit of Juniper-berries affused upon Rob of Elder and Juniper and digested becomes of a pleasant red Colour and in Taste like Malmsey-wine and is truly a Medicine of great efficacy So also a Nephritick Liquor made of Nitre and Sal Gem calcin'd and dissolved per deliquium is a Nephritick of singular use LXV The Urinary Laudanum of Michael Take Spanish Juice of Liquorice dissolved in Winter-cherry-water one Ounce and a half Camphire one Dram Saffron four Scruples Winter-cherries half an Ounce Gum Tragacanth Mastick ana one Dram and a half Laudanum Opiatum two Drams mix them It is much commended for a peculiar Quality of provoking Urine opening Obstructions and expelling the same Michael his Nephritick Liquor Take Lynx-stone Jews-stone Nephritick-stone Sponge Crystal Crabs-Eyes ana q. v. dissolve them in rectified Spirit of Salt filtre the Solutions and distil to dryness so have you at bottom a coagulated Nephritick Liquor LXVI 〈◊〉 his Lithontriptick Pouder Take Crabs-Eyes prepared Goats-blood prepared ana one Dram and a half Jews-stone Nephritick-stone ana one Dram Pikes-Eyes Millet-seed ana two Scruples Crystals of Tartar half a Dram Salt of Tartar one Scruple mix and make a Pouder Dose from half a Dram to one Dram in any appropriate Water LXVII Forrestus his Decoction which some say exceeds all other things Take Red Tares three Ounces Barley hull'd two Drams Seeds of Marsh Mallows Mallows ana three Drams of the four greater cold Seeds ana one Dram fat Figgs nine Sebestens seven Liquorice scraped six Drams fair Water one Pound and a half boil 'till half be consumed then strain for an Apozem These Pills also are esteemed Take Pouder of Millepedes Crabs-Eyes Jews-stone ana one Dram Turpentine two Drams mix and make Pills Dose from half a Dram to one Dram every Morning Fasting Deckers his Apozem is yet better Take Spring-water three Pound red Vetches hull'd Barley ana two Drams Liquorice bruised Juniper-berries bruised ana one Ounce Seeds of Daucus Violets white Poppies Nettles Mallows ana half an Ounce fat Figgs nine Sebestens seven boil to a Quart strain and dissolve therein Syrups of Corn Poppies of the five opening Roots of Diacnicu ana one Ounce and a half Spirit of Sal Armoniack one Dram mix them Dose six Ounces twice or thrice a Day dropping into it at taking 2 or three Drops of the Juniperated Balsam of Sulphur LXVIII The same Deckers commends this Mixture Take Parsly-water two Ounces Fennel and Treacle-water ana one Ounce Spirit of Vinegar half an Ounce Crabs-Eyes one Dram Oyl of Juniper-berries six Drops Spirit of Nitre one Scruple Laudanum Opiatum two Grains Syrup of the five Roots or rather Syrup of Corn Poppies one Ounce mix them If the same be great this Emulsion may be given Take Hull'd Barley boil'd 'till it cracks two Ounces sweet Almonds blancht Violet-seeds ana half an Ounce white Poppy-seeds one Ounce with a sufficient quantity of Barley-water make an Emulsion to twenty four Ounces of which add Diacodium Syrup of Corn Poppies ana one Ounce mix them He also commends to all the Spirit of Sal Armoniack given in Rhenish-wine or some Diuretick Spirit or Water as a Specifick Medicine not only to prevent but to cure the Stone if brittle or easie to be broken Universals being given before-hand LXIX Junken Medicus Pars 2. Sect. 1. Cap. 18. prescribes this Take Strawberries fresh gathered a Gallon Winter-cherries half a Pound Horse-Radish Roots scraped two Pound Daucus-seeds half a Pound Juice of Birch or Birch-wine twenty four Pound mix and distil in B. M. Dose frome one Ounce to three with Syrup de Althaea half an Ounce sweet Spirit of Nitre ten or twelve Drops Or thus Take ripe Strawberries four Pound Winter-cherries two Pound Malaga-wine two Pound Juniper-water of Parsly-roots ana two Pound Ground-Ivy white Saxifrage-roots ana one Ounce Peach-kernels two Ounces digest in a Vessel close stopt for a Month then distil Dose from a Spoonful to four in the Morning Fasting it is said both to preserve from and cure the Stone Again Take Crabs-Eyes Sperma Coeti ana half a Scruple Volatile Salt of Amber six Grains mix for a Dose and to be often repeated Or thus Take Wild Bryar Seeds half an Ounce Crabs Eyes pure Nitre ana one Ounce mix them Dose one Dram. Or thus Take Crabs Eyes one Scruple Volatile Salt of Amber six Grains Laudanum Opiatum one Grain or two mix them for a Dose Again Take Malaga-Wine one Quart Opium in pouder Salt
Amicum four Ounces Pulvis ad Ulcera two Ounces mix and apply it and let it be drest at first twice a Day afterwards once a day Salmon XIII For that which the Vulgar call an Ague in the Brest viz. an Inflammation First Purge with our Family Powder then apply a Cataplasm of baked Turnips for twenty four Hours after bathe it with our Powers of Amber and in four or five Days it will be well Salmon XIV Another for an Inflammation of the Breasts Universals being first premised as Purging with the Family Powder c. Apply outwardly our Balsamum Amicum or if you please anoint with Balsamum de Chili Morning and Evening Salmon CHAP. VIII Of Abortion or Misearriage I. Abortion more dangerous then a Timely Birth IT is not only more dangerous but more painful by reason of the violent divulsion of the Immature Foetus whence it is that many Dye and such as escape it is not without dangerous Symptomes vehement Pains Fevers c. It is not unlike to unripe Fruit which is difficully pulled off the Tree whereas was it full ripe it would drop of its own accord whether it was ripe or no which is the true cause of a mature or timely Birth The danger is the more if the Foetus be in the sixth seventh or eighth Month and the Woman be of a weakly Constitution for that healthy Women never miscarry without eminent Danger II. Bleeding by the Womb not always a sign of Abortion This is evident for that some Women have their Terms all the time of their going with Child and I have known some that have had them from the third Month to the last after they had been stopt 3 Months without danger and therefore Midwifes ought to be very discreet in making Judgment For though a Woman with Child may void much Blood by the Womb yet it may be no Miscarriage but either be a natural Flux as it is to some Women or only foreshew a Danger which ought by proper Means to be prevented Therefore Midwifes ought diligently to examine the Matter excluded whether it be Blood or Flesh or Seed or Faetus which by washing it in Water will easily be discerned and Judgment may be made accordingly whether there be an Abortion or no. III. A History of a Woman that Miscarried A Woman gon with Child fourteen Weeks Miscarried First much Blood came away then the Membranes and Faetus Two days after the Woman fell into a high Feaver due means was used and sufficient Cleansers but the Placenta or After-burthen stuck so fast that it could by no means be removed all the while she voided a filthy Cadaverous stinking Matter and sometimes pieces of Flesh on the tenth Day she died IV. A Spirit to prevent Abortion Take Spirit of Wine one Gallon Balaustians Pomegranates Peels Oak-bark of each four Ounces Opium two Ounces mix dissolve the Opium digest all together for six or seven days then add to it a Gallon or five Quarts of fair Water Distil in an Alembick and draw off five Quarts of Liquor which Dulcifie with white Sugar and keep for use Dose four or five Spoonfulls two or three times a day Salmon V. Another for the same much stronger Take of the former distilled Spirit a Gallon Catechu Cortex Peruvianus both in Powder of each a Pound mix digest shaking it twice a day for ten or twelve days then keep it for use Dose from one Spoonfull to two or more Morning and Evening it will scarely ever fail Salmon VI. A Powder for the same Take Antimony Diaphoretick Pearl red Corral in fine Powder Levigated Powder of Crabs Eyes ana two Scruples Balaustians in Powder Nutmegs ana five Grains mix for a Dose to be given Morning and Evening Salmon VII Another Powder for the same Take Blood stone Mastick Olibanum ana fifteen Grains make all into a fine Powder for one Dose to be given Morning and Evening in a Glass of Tent. Salmon VIII An Emplaster for the same purpose Take Blood-stone in fine Powder half an Ounce Mastick Frankincense Olibanum of each an Ounce Sumach Balaustians in Powder ana two Drachms Galbanum two Ounces Pine Rosin Venice Turpentine enough to make a Cerecloth which apply to her Belly and continue the use of it 'till the seventh Month or time of Birth Let it be laid on the Belly and on the Loyns on each side the Back-bone being left bare and every ten or twelve Days it may be changed IX A most excellent mixture for the same Take of our Guttae Vitae one Ounce see it in our Phylaxa Lib. 1. Cap. 9. and our Tinctura ad Catarrhos four Ounces mix them Dose one Spoonfull every Night going to Bed in a Glass of Ale Tho' there be evident signs of Abortion yet this will prevent it I have proved it above a hundred times with success Salmon X. A Plaster from Riverius If the Child be not severed from the Cotyledous apply this Take Olibanum in Powder two Ounces the Whites of five Eggs stir them together over the Fire always keeping stirring that they may not run to a Lump adding also a little Turpentine that they may not stick too much Lay it upon Tow and apply it to the Navel as hot as it can be endured twice a day Morning and Evening for three or four days in the mean Season also let her wear an Eagle-stone or a Stone found in the Heart or Womb of a Hind under her Arm-pits XI A Cataplasm to comfort the Womb. Take Crumbs of Houshold Bread two Pound Camomil Flowers a handfull Mastick Olibanum of each half an Ounce in Powder Nutmegs Cloves in Powder of each an Ounce Rose-Vinegar two Ounces Tent or Malmsey-wine a sufficient quantity Boyl all over a gentle Fire to the consistence of a Pultice put it into a Bag or folded Cloth and apply it hot to the bottom of the Belly XII A Cataplasm to prevent Abortion Take of our Balsamum Amicum two Ounces of our New London Treacle one Ounce mix them and with Powder of Rue make it of a consistency apply it warm to the Belly Salmon XIII Prevention of Abortion A Woman who had miscarried four or five times and dispaired of ever having a live Child I Cured by the following Remedy Take Rheubarb four Ounces slice it thin Anniseeds Caraways bruised of each two Drachms put all into a large thin Rag with a stone in it and so tie it up which put in a Gallon of Ale in a Stone or Glass Bottle after it has stood three or four days drink of it This she drank of all the time of her going with Child and she went her whole time out chearfully and well I have prescribed the same to several other Women with the same Success Salmon XIV An Observation worth noting Consider whether there be a real Miscarriage or no viz. whether the Faetus be actually excluded or only fears of it If it be actually done you must abstain from Astringents and things
Use of Limbs I. IN many people here in England there is a loss of the use of their Limbs the most part caused by taking great Colds and sometimes it is the effect of the Palsie the like may happen in the West Indies but though in those hot Countries it is possible to proceed from such a Cause yet it is oftner and more generally known to proeeed from the Belly-Ach and that kind of Belly-Ach which proceed from dryness and Costiveness of Body II. If it proceeds from taking of Cold though Sudorificks are commonly used yet they ought rather to be used after a Legitimate purging and clensing the Body let the Sick first take our-Pilùlae Mirables from a Scruple to a dram And repeat the same for 2. or three times with due Intervalls between each Purging as of two or three days or more as they are in Age and strength III. After sufficient purging and cleansing the Body let the Patient sweat well with new London-treacle for 3. or 4. times or oftner as you see occasion and be very cautious that the Sick takes no Cold again and in the time of sweating Frictions ought to be used to the helpless Limb with course Cloths that as by the Diaphoresis the nervous juice becomes depurated and clean so also by the rubbing the natural Spirits may be called back again IV. After Sweating the weak Limbs are to be bathed alternatim with Powers of Amber and Powers of Juniper and in strong robust Bodies and where the Skin is very thick with Oyl of Amber pure and simple for some few daies and then afterwards with Powers of Amber c. V. If it be caused from a Palsie there ought to be some gentle Purging but with such things as more particularly carry off the cold glutinous and clamy Humour which has devolved upon the Nerves among which our Vinum Catharticum is none of the meanest if it be a strong Man and in the flower of his years you may with caution give the former Pilulae Mirabiles if he complains of a fulness and heaviness in his Stomach give him One Two or Three Doses of our Impetus Mineralis and you shall find a wonder succeed VI. But during all this you must sweat oftentimes and powerfully by giving our Vinum Catharticum inwardly and provoking the Sweat with Spirit of Wine in Hartman's Chair if you have such a one using Frictions withal as before directed VII Outwardly let the paralytick Limbs be well anointed Morning and Evening with this following Oyntment Take Chymical Oyl of Rosemary and Anniseeds of each an ounce Volatile Sal Armoniac in fine Powder half an ounce Palm Oyl half a pound mix them for use Rub it well in before a good Fire VIII Inwardly let the Sick take every morning this Take our new London Treacle Volatile Sal Armoniack ana Five grains mix it with pulp of Figgs and give it an hour after the taking of it give this Take our Spiritus Cosmeticus half an ounce Powers of Rosemary half a drachm Spiritus Antiastmaticus Twenty Drops mix and give it in a Glass of Sack or Ale and give the same at Night continuing this course for a month together IX But when it proceeds from the dry Belly Ach as for the most part it does in the West-Indies this following method is necessary to be pursued First Give the following Clyster R. Chicken Broth a pint Honey or Salt half an ounce Tinctura Aurea One Ounce or instead thereof boil two ounces of the Pulp of the bitter Gourd in the Broth then exhibit the clear Liquor warm if it comes away without any apparent effect repeat it again X. Then purge with our Pilulae Mirabiles two three four or six times as need requires with intervals between each Purge but for poor People who cannot go to the charge of these Pills or if they be not to be had use this Take a large quantity of Peach Leaves bruised viz. about fourty handfuls Pulp of the bitter Gourd Six ounces boil all in a gallon of Water to two Quarts strain and sweeten with Sugar and Honey Dose from half a pint to a pint according to Age and Strength This Purge at due intervals is to be repeated three four five or six times as you see need XI This done the Bowels and all the pained Parts and lamed Limbs are to be bathed with Powers of Amber Morning and Evening or with Oyl of Turpentine two ounces mixed with Hogs-lard Eight Ounces XII Lastly In the loss of the use of Limbs proceeding from what cause soever this following Drink must be constantly used and no other without which a perfect Cure cannot be expected Take Juniper Berries well bruised Seeds and all Four Ounces Fountain Water a Gallon boil all to Three Quarts or Five Pints strain out the clear and put to it of Spirit of Wine Four Ounces sweeten with White Sugar and drink it as your ordinary Drink This Dyet will seldom or never fail the desired end which is to restore the Sick to the perfect use of their Limbs and without which it can scarcely be done Salmon CHAP. XI Of the Cholick or Belly-ach I. To Cure the Belly-ach in a Child Take the best Brandy a Quart Cinnamon Cortex Winteranus ana half an Ounce Annifeeds an Ounce and half Rheubarb very thin sliced or grosly bruised two Ounces mix and in a gentle heat of a Bath make a Tincture Dose from two Spoonfulls to eight alone by it self or sweetned with Sugar but to Children give it sweetned with Sugar and mixed with a little Ale It is a thing not to be 〈◊〉 and which I have proved almost a thousand times Salmon II. Where a continuing and long lasting Belly-ach has been with a 〈◊〉 Flux I have Cured 〈◊〉 by the following Diet Drink Take strong Ale a Gallon choice Brandy a Pint Rheubarb thin sliced four Ounces Anniseeds bruised I Ounce Tie them up in a loose thin Rag with a Stone in it and put them into the Ale and Brandy and let the Sick continually drink of it I have used it in several Cures of Patients and never found it fail Salmon III. For the Cholick accompanied with a Quartane Ague Take Butter of Antimony rectified from Regulus of Mars 'till it is clear You may give of this from two drops to five in our Aqua Bezoartica Salmon IV. For a Pocky Cholick or the Belly-ach in Pocky Habit of Body This is difficult to be remedied and many times not without much trouble and sometimes danger to the Sick this following is of wonderful use Take Crude Antimony Sal Armoniack of each as much as you please reduce them into an Impalpable Powder then sublime so will you have red Flowers Take of these Flowers à Gr. iij. ad vj. Of white Proecipitate well edulcorated à Gr. iij. ad 8. Mix them and with Balsam de Peru a sufficient quantity make a Mass for one Dose of Pills 'T is a wonderful Medicine and not enough to
accompanied with a Feaver in which cases as also in an Inflamation of the Colon this Remedy never fails XXIX This is also to be noted That where there is occasion of using my volatile Laudan Guttoe Vitoe new London Treacle or any other of that kind that they ought to be used while there is yet strength For if they be used when the Forces are wasted and the sick consumed or near death they will not only do hurt but also hasten the Patient's death taking away Life and Sense together Nor ought they to be given by any means if the Pulses be low languid and weak Yet if they be at all used they ought to be applied externally or only used in a Clyster in a proper Vehicle and the Clyster being given the sick to lie on the pained side Salmon XXX They are also most effectual if taken after Universals as proper and fit Emeticks or Catharticks or both such as we have before described And without these Preparatives they ought not indeed to be taken Salmon XXXI Authors say Clysters should first be given as of Oils alone from six Ounces to a Pound which the sick is to keep all night If evacuation of Excrements follow not that then exhibit five Ounces of fat Manna dissolv'd in Broth aromatiz'd with Cinnamon or other Spices for that by its softness moistness and subtilty of parts loosens and penetrates and by softning expels the Excrements If this does not Oil may be given again from six or seven Ounces to a Pound When the Excrements are brought away purge with this Take Sena an Ounce Aniseeds bruised a Dram and half Salt of Tartar one Dram Juice of Liquorice half a Dram spring-Spring-water a Pint make an Infusion over a gentle beat for twelve or sixteen hours and strain it out for four Doses This will effectually cleanse the Bowels and take away all the Excrements or remaining morbifick matter Or instead thereof you may use our Tinctura Aured from half an Ounce to a whole Ounce at a time till the whole Cause is removed Salmon XXXII Should the Disease yet return and the Cholick pains be violent there is a necessity of having recourse to Opiates You may give them from 2 to 4 or 6 grains of our Volatile Laudanum after which give this Take of our Spiritus Cosmeticus a spoonful or spoonful and half choice Canary six spoonfuls to eight mix them to be given immediately after and the whole Region the Abdomen is to be bathed with our Spiritus Anodinus And these things are so much the better if the Constitution be hot But if cold the morbifick matter is made thicker and the Disease becomes yet more stubborn XXXIII When the Bowels or their Tunicles are thus afflicted with a gross tough and cold matter heating things ought to be used whether they be Cathartick or Alterative only In this case you may purge with this Take of our Tinctura Aurea from half an Ounce to an ounce Powers of Anniseeds half an ounce mix them with a Glass of White-wine or Ale for a Dose An Alterative Essence of Garlick is an admirable thing for it exceedingly heats warms discusses Wind profoundly and withal prevents the breeding and increase of the cold flegmatick Humor XXXIV To make the Essentia Allii or Essence of Garlick of so great use in this case Take a large quantity of Garlick beat it well in a Marble Mortar and reduce it to an impalpable Pap as much as you can put it into a long-neck'd Matrass or large Bolt-head which seal up hermetically or otherwise well close it set it to digest in Horse-dung or a Sand-heat of equal strength for forty days Then open the Vessel take out the matter which will most of it be reduced into a slimy Liquor strain out the thinner part by pressing Digest again in a little Sand-heat or rather in B. M. that there may be a residence of the grosser parts The thinner separate by inclination which perfectly purifie by adding to every quart of the Liquor from half an Ounce to a whole Ounce of its own fixt Salt or for want of the same as much Salt of Tartar digest again for forty days then separate the pure from the impure and keep the Essence for use in a Glass close stopt It will keep a long time and be as it were incorruptible Dose from half a spoonful to one or two spoonfuls or more The Essences of Plants made after this manner will be transparent either of an Emrald green or of a red Oriental Granate according to the quality and quantity of Salt Sulphur and Mercury predominating in each Plant. Salmon XXXV To make the Essentia Apii or Essence of Smallage which is a specifick in this Disease Take a great quantity of Smallage when in Flower beat it well as aforesaid digest in a long-neck'd Matrass for forty days close stopt in a Sand-heat strain out the thin by pressing Digest again in a very gentle Sand-heat or B. M. to make a farther separation Separate the thinner by inclination which perfectly purifie by adding to each pint of Liquor from two Drachms to half an Ounce of its own fixt Salt or for want of it as much Salt of Tartar digest again for forty days then separate the purely clear and keep it close stopt for use Dose from a spoonful to two or three spoonfuls or more in a Glass of Wine This is a Medicament not enough to be valued Salmon XXXVI These Essences thus drawn from the whole Plant or its parts are purified and exalted until they arrive to the nature of their first Being which will eminently posses all the central Virtues of their mixt for here Art and Nature in this Preparation have preserved all the seminal Powers with which it was endowed and these Essences contain in themselves all the efficacy and Virtues of the Plants of which they are made The addition of the Salt of the Plant not only adds to its virtue but it also causes to separate all the heterogeneous and slimy matter which did hinder the exaltation and perfection of the Medicine and brings it to the highest clarity and purity imaginable If three or four Ounces of white Sugar be added to every Pint of the Essence it will not only help to its conservation but also be more pleasant to the Patient And withal if you put a little Spirit of Wine or instead of the Sugar five or six Ounces of our Syrupus Volatilis the Preparation will not be the worse for it Note also these Essences may be given in Wine Water Broth or Decoction as the sick best likes They restore decayed strength and bring Nature back again into its old path for the health and preservation of the Body Salmon XXXVII The Essence of Peach-leaves Take Peach-Leaves long before the Fruit is ripe so many as by supposition you may have six Quarts of juice from beat them well as before digest all according to the former method for forty days
I commend my Angelus Mineralis or my Piluloe Anglicoe if given according to the Directions in my Phylaxa Medicinoe Lib. 1. cap. 42 53. For they not only stop the Flux of Matter to to the part hinder the generation of new but also dispose the whole habit of the Body and all Humors thereof to a healing temper XXIX If there be an inward Aposteme Nature commonly breaks it yet things proper for the same ought to be given for which purpose some commend Anisated Balsam of Sulphur When it is broken and become an Ulcer it is clearly and fully cured by taking for some time or continuance Antimonium Diaphoreticum or Bezoar Minerale or some other more effectual refined Medicine made of Antimony whose Elixir Magistery Essence or Powers will perform things wonderful although they seem incredible to most not only in curing this Disease which is dangerous and hard to be cured but also other like Distempers which may at any time seize the Viscera XXX Some Men commend the Juice of Water-Cresses as also the Juice of Garden Cresses strained and drank for the speedy breaking of inward Apostemes in the Body This is good Take Mustard-seed grind it well with Water then with a sufficient quantity of Water wash out the Virtue from it which Water sweeten with Honey and drink it XXXI To ripen also an external Tumor you may apply a Cataplasm made of Water cresses and Garden-cresses beaten up with Hogs Lard A Cataplasm also of Goose-dung fresh and hot or of Pidgeons or Hens dung will do the same Or this Take Cresses cut and bruised well Goose dung Hens dung Pidgeons dung ana one handful Goose-grease eight Ounces with Pouder of Aron-Roots make a Cataplasm See my Synopsis Medic. Lib. 3. cap. 24. sect 30. CHAP. XIV Of the THRVSH I. 'T Is certain That every Thrush has its rise from a morbifick Acid and that is the true Reason they are so frequent in Children and in Children rather than in those of riper Age and this is first caused either from ill Milk in the Nurse spoiling the Stomach of the Child or from a natural Weakness of the part and sharpness of Humors there which curdling the Milk breeds or encreases the acid Humor so much 'till it comes to that acidity as to corrode the Skin so that the Mouth and parts adjacent seem as if it was a part scalded and in some as if it was scalded and the Skin rubb'd off II. The first thing therefore to be considered in the Cure is to absorb the acid Humor and that with all the speed that may be For the soreness of the Mouth though it be bad enough yet is not that which indicates the greatest danger inasmuch as the acid Humor may be carried down into the Bowels and do the same thing there at least cause gripings sharp prickings of the Bowels and sometimes a vehement Flux if not a bloody Flux which does not always go alone but are many times attended with dire Symptoms as Convulsions Fevers and the like III. It is also to be noted That where this acid Matter or Spirit extravagantly prevails in little ones by reason of the softness and ductileness of the parts the said acid penetrating and through a thousand Intricacies acscending up to the Brain being volatilized by the infant-heat and subtilty of the Spirits it strikes upon the Ventricles of the Brain and seizing as it were upon the Substance of the Brain contaminating all the animal Spirits with its acidity it forthwith causes an Epilepsie And this is the true ground of this Disease which so often and so much afflicts Children which might easily be preyented in the beginning were but care timely taken to depress the acid and sweeten the juvenile Juices IV. The next thing is to expel the Excrements or Matter contaminated with the acid We must not only correct or absorb the acid Humor but the Matter affected therewith must be expelled for otherwise it will lie both in the Bowels and Vessels and there corrupt or grow sowre again and indeed it easily resumes its former state V. The acid is corrected with Alcalies and such indeed are best which may best and with most ease and the least danger be given to Children Such are impalpable Pouders of Crabs Eyes Pearls Corral Salt of Tartar Lapis Haematitis Antimonium Diaphoreticum Bezoar Minerale Cinnabar of Antimony which last being levigated into subtil Powder is a most absolute thing Out of these things you may make the following Prescriptions or the like VI. Take impalpable Pouder of Crabs Eyes from one Scruple to half an Ounce Syrup of Poppies two Drams mix for a Dose Or this Take Bezoarticum Minerale one Scruple Syrup of Poppies or of Planiane enough to malax it for one Dose Or this Take Antimenium 〈◊〉 ten Grains Cinnabar of Antimony one Scruple All being in fine Pounder let them be given in a little Milk Or this Take Bezoar Minerale Cinnabar of Antimony in impalpable Pounder ana fifteen Grains mix for a Dose And some of these things are to be taken Morning and Night for four or five days These Doses are for elder Persons but if for Children you must diminish the Dose accordingly Ex. Gr. Take Bezoar Minerale four Grains Cinnabar of Antimony eight Grains mix for a Dose Or this Take Salt of Tartar eight Grains Cinnabar of Antimony six Grains mix them VII To carry off the morbifick Matter the vulgar Physicians commonly purge Children with Syrup of Cichory with Rheubarb and it may do indifferent well But Purges which cool the Body are here to be chosen Take Manna half an Ounce Extract of Cassia one Dram mix for a Dose Or the Manna may be made into a Syrup with Water and the Cassia dissolved therein Or two or three Drams of Cassia with two or three drops of Oil of Anniseeds may be given dissolved in Milk Or this Take Sena from half a Dram to a Dram Liquorice bruised half a Dram Anniseeds one Scruple bruised infuse twelve hours in a gentle heat in two Ounces or better of Water strain out and sweeten with Manna Or this Take Sena Liquorice bruised half a Dram Anniseeds Caraways ana ten Grains infuse as before in Water two Ounces for twelve hours strain and dissolve therein Cassia extracted from half a Dram to a Dram and give it for a Dose But if it be to be given to one of riper years you must double treble or quadruple the Dose according to Age and Strength VIII Fat and oily Things take off the edge of the acid but Opiates do it much better For this purpose you may give from ten to fifteen or twenty drops of my Guttae Vitae in any thing the Child drinks at bed-time I have found it very prevalent It not only blunts the points of the acid and dulls the edge of the sharp Homor but gives Nature rest and ease 'till she can recruit her self again as also it puts a present stop
a cachectical Patient who formerly had the Pox but had been well of that Disease some years but fearing there should be yet some Relicks of it desired I should proceed in the Cure as if it had been the Pox nor could I prevail with the Man to admit of any other Cure At length I fumed him with the following Troches Take artificial Cinnabar six Drams Myrrh Amber Mastick Olibanum Cloves Nutmegs ana half an Ounce Mercurius Dulcis two Drams with Spirit of Wine make thirty two Troches for eight Fumigations I fumed him three or four times and took away all his swelling without any sensible fluxing and he became perfectly well But one thing which was very remarkable in this Cure was That an old Pain of the Spleen which he had been troubled withal for twenty two or twenty three years was totally and perfectly removed and much of the Disease went away by Urine XII A confirm'd Cachexy is without danger and may be cured in short time by Sudorificks only the Cause principally proceeding from a Debility of the Blood and noble Parts charged either with too great Acidities or an aqueous Matter which is sent into the Habit of the Body For this purpose a Tincture of the opening Crocus Martis or the Crocus Martis it self is profitably given and Grulingius saith for this purpose it excels all other Remedies because it strengthens so powerfully For internal Sudorificks which may also absorb the Acid we commend Bezoar Mineral from six to sixteen Gr. our Angelus Mineralis from six to twelve Grains Pilulae Angelicae from one to two Scruples or a Decoction of Guaiacum after the usual manner the Patient being in a Stove or Bed XIII Barbet saith that the watery Matter is first gathered in the Face and Limbs and if the tumid Parts be prest with your Finger that they are not so full as in a true Dropsie and that the cause of it is from the lymphatick Vessels being compressed broken or some other way obstructed whereby the natural Motion of the Lympha is himdred and so thrust into the fleshy and skinny Parts But all this we cannot concede unto nor do we believe that ever the Rupture of the lymphatick Vessels were or can be the Cause thereof but this possibly may be sometimes a Cause the two great thinness of the Lympha and the weakness or laxness of the Vessels containing it whereby it has an emission through their Pores and Plicatures into the fleshy Substance of the Body XIV If the Sick be of a cholerick habit of Body if they sweat in a Stove Chair or Bagnio it ought to be with a gentle heat If they be melancholly the heat must be greater but if phlegmatick the heat must be most intense that the Humors may be melted and the preternatural Gelly dissolved without which it can never pass away by sweat And this is of use chiefly in Virgins where the Disease proceeds from Grief drinking cold Water eating unripe Fruit or other hetrogene Things But in hot Constitutions and such as have been used to eat and drink hot Things whereby the Liver is made exceeding hot and dry and much Choler abounds in the first and second Region viz. in the Veins of the Liver Spleen and Mesentery and in the greater Veins and Arteries Baths are much more proper than Stoves and such-like because they moisten whereas a dry sweat irritates the Atribilious Humor XV. Being come out of the Bath you may anoint the Belly Feet Legs and other swoln Parts with the following Unguent Take tops of Elder Dwarf-Elder Doves-foot musked Cranes-bill Mustard Rocket Camomil ana two Ounces Palm-oil one Pound boil well strain out by pressing then add distilled Oils of Amber Anniseeds and Juniper ana three Drams mix them to anoint withal and inwardly give a Dram or two or more of our Aqua Bezoartica or good cinamon-Cinamon-Water XVI Catharticks are adjudged by most to be of evil consequence being given to cachectick Persons because they hurt the Liver and weaken the Ferment of the Viscera This is true it they be often or long given as we noted at Sect. 3. above for they destroy the Patient the 〈◊〉 and weakned Parts being extreamly hurt and more weakened thereby but Lenitives may be given and repeated with Strengthners between and sometimes stronger Purges provided there be pretty long intervals between and many times Corroboraters of the Bowels be given in the interim to support and restore their tone XVII Quercetanus commends this Pouder Take fine Filings of Iron one Dram Feculi Ari one Dram Essence of Coral Pearl Pouder of Amebrgrise ana half a Ounce Amber prepared Cinamon ana four Scruples Sugar q. s. mix and make a Pouder It is a good Thing for pale and depraved Colours Cachexies in Men Women and Maids whether young or old the Body being prepared and purged for some time before hand Schroder commends his Chalybeated Salt for the same purpose See it in my Seplasium Lib. 1. Cap. 16. Sect. 13 14 15. Lib. 2. Cap. 14. Sect. 4 5. XVIII Or this Take Filings of Iron sprinkle them with Waters of Wormwood Ash or Scurvy-Grass wherein their Salts have been dissolved leave them so long till all is converted to Rust or Crocus of which take six Ounces burnt Harts-horn prepared Magisteries of Coral and Pearl ana one Dram and half Cinamon Crystals of Tartar ana one Dram Sugar a sufficient quantity mix and make a Pouder Dose one Dram. XIX Sennertus commends this Wine Take Filings of Iron three Ounces and half White Wine two Quarts infuse them together in a Boltbead a Month in a warm place shaking it three or four times a day Dose five or six Ounces at a time in the Morning fasting and lying two or three hours in Bed after it or otherwise walking and stirring two hours after it As often as you pour out one Glass you must put in another till half the Rust or Crocus seems spent then you are to cease and put in no more Our Tinctura ad Chlorosin is also of experienced Use. XX. If the Patient finds any pain in the Abdomen or Belly you ought to bathe the Part with Powers of Amber twice a day Or with this Take Palm-Oil four Ounces Oil of Anniseeds half an Ounce mix and anoint with it Or this Take Palm-Oil four Ounces Oil of sweet Fennel-seed of Oranges ana two Drams mix and anoint with as before CHAP. XIX Of the STONE in the Reins 1. AS this is a Disease with which many are afflicted so it is of as hard and difficult Cure for which variety of Medicaments are instituted The cause of which is this That those things which do some good and cure them to boot yet do others no good at all and sometimes make them worse for which Reason sake we shall make it it our Business here to examine variety of Authors and hear what they all say II. It is a Disease like the Colick but it is
in this I think Galen was wholly in the wrong I am clearly of the contrary Opinion for the curdy part of Milk is only Nutritive and the greatest part of it dissolves in the Stomach into a chylous Juice God Almighty Himself seeing it the best and most innocent Nourishment even for Infanes as soon as they are Born And who dares to doubt His Wisdom whilst the oily and serous parts of it cool moisten open cleanse and make slippery the Passages XIX Now things are said to open rather in respect to their emollient attenuating and discussive Qualities than to their Diuretick because there are many things-which powerfully open Obstructions that provoke not Urine at all amongst which are most bitter Herbs and Plants which open by a Specifick Virtue as Centory Wormwood Hops Gentian Carduus Camomil and Carminatives which do it by a discussive property such are Angelica Southernwood Parsly Smallage Anniseed Cuminseed all the sorts of Pepper Cloves Nutmegs Fennelseeds Caraways Carotseeds c. And Emollients which do it by their softning and making slippery such are Oil Olive Mallows Marshmallows Lillies Spinage boiled Onions Garlick Leeks c. But the true great and chief of all Openers is Iron and the aperitive Preparations thereof which do that in a Day which none of the others will do in a Month for which purpose I commend my Tinctura Martis as one of the most famous things in the World to which may be added Tinctura ad Chlorosin an approved thing for opening the most obdurate Obstructions XX. The Matter being prepared the next thing is to cleanse the Vessels and Passages of slime filth matter sand or gravel which does or may obstruct the Passages of the Urine and this is properly done with Diureticks of which kind of Medicaments Authors admirably abound We shall not here tell you all that has been said upon that Subject but rather give you an Abstract of the choicest and most approved Experiments of that kind Take of our Tinctura Stomachica two Dra. Juice of Garlick one Dram White or Rhenish-wine six Ounces mix for a Draught I have often proved it with good success Or this Take Juice of Onions two Ounces Juice of Hydropiper half an Ounce White or Rhenish-wine eight Ounces mix for a Draught I gave this to one in extremity a Woman that had not made Water in eight or nine Days it made her make Water and gave her ease in less than an hour Take Onions four Ounces bruise them Anniseeds Caraways ana two Drams bruised Infuse them all Night in White-wine then squeeze forth the Wine and let the Sick drink it it is a singular Experiment XXI Sennertus commends Lignum Nephriticum and Lapis Nephriticus and so does Experience too Take Raspings of Lignum Nephriticum two Ounces Spring water two Pound infuse 'till the Water is blewish for twenty four or forty eight Hours then decant for three Doses Or thus Take Raspings of the Wood two Ounces spring-Spring-water White-wine ana one Pound digest for forty eight Hours then decant or strain out the clear for use for three Doses Or thus Take Raspings of Lignum Nephriticum two Ounces Winter-Cherries bruised one Ounce White or Rhenish wine two Pound mix digest forty eight Hours and strain out for use XXII Or you may draw forth the Tincture with our Spiritus Universalis after this manner Take Raspings of Lignum Nephriticum two Ounces Spiritus Universalis one Pound digest twenty four Hours so will a substantial Tincture he drawn decant and filtre to the filtred Liquor put Alchool of Spirit of Wine one Pound digest twenty four Hours more so will the Sulphur of the Wood be drawn into the Wine which you may decant leaving the Spiritus Universalis at the bottom with which you may perform the like again Dose one Dram to two in any convenient Vehicle as Waters of Onions Parsley or Hydropiper Mead White or Rhenish-wine or the like The Lapis Nephriticus is seldom given inwardly if you do it give the levigated Pouder from one Scruple to half a Dram or two Scruples in Syrup or other fit Liquor But the usual way of using the Stone is to wear it as a Jewel being tied to the Wrist or Arm or hung about the Neck or Hip. I once knew a Lady which experimented the truth of this as long as the Stone was tied to the brawn of her Arm she had ease and voided much Gravel continually upon making Water but as soon as the Stone was removed the Gravel stopt and the pains returned and that she might be sure this was the effect of the Stone she oftentimes laid it by for experiment sake and the stoppage and pains in some few Hours would return upon the taking it off and again upon the putting it on she would have as sensible ease and freedom of passage as before XXIII Trallianus Lib. 3. Cap. 39. saith The Herb Peony in Pouder drunk with honied Wine is an excellent thing against obstruction of Urine caused by a Stone so hard as not to be broken But the Tincture drawn from the Herb with our Spiritus Universalis as above directed and then with Spirit of Wine being drunk with the said honied Wine is much more effectual After the same manner you may make a Tincture of Golden-Rod which will be no less effectual for that the Crude Herb had been proved in this case in innumerable Persons as Carolus Piso saith with happy success XXIV Zacutus Lusitanus Praxis Lib. 2. Observ. 58. saith A Man sixty Years old of a cold Constitution was cured of the Stone by Purgations made of Turpentine which he took divers ways and a daily use of a Decoction of Lignum Nephriticum by which he voided red Gravel and a Stone and was well for two Years together His Disease afterwards coming upon him again Clysters Ointments Fomentations Plasters Phlebotomy Baths were all used in vain his Urine being retained eighteen Days he began to be afflicted with the Falling-Sickness by Fits and the Sick was given over as desperate at length he took Oyl of sweet Almonds with drops of Natural Balsam I suppose he means Balsam of Peru it made him void a clammy Humor by Stool and small Gravel by Urine and continuing the use of the said Remedy he voided with Bloody Urine a Stone of the bigness of a Date-stone of a purple colour long round rough and very hard and now making Water very freely he took a greater quantity of the Oyl of sweet Almonds viz. to three Ounces and the Balsam to the quantity of half an Ounce and in the space of ten days he voided sixty five Stones hard and of the bigness and shape of Vetches And with this Remedy alone he was preserved for the future for he used every Morning to take half an Ounce of the Oyl with six drops of the said Balsam by which he voided gravelly Urine and lived many Years By this Balsam Avenzoar saith he cured a Scrivener who was at
Death's door with the Stone If you cannot get the true Balsam Zacutus advises to use instead thereof Stacte which is the precious droppings of Myrrh and comes out of the East-Indies also from Peru which saith he works rare effects In the same Observation he saith That he had many times driven out great Stones that were firmly fixed in the cavities of the Kidnies by the Water distilled out of Green Tobacco which he gave the Patient to drink XXV Platerus in Lib. 2. of his Observations tells us He cured one of the Stone with this Julep Take Pellitory-water one Ounce Fennel water Bean-flower-water Julep of Roses ana half an Ounce mix them giving the Patient to drink after a decoction of Pease Bean-shales Parsly Roots and Restharrow-Roots Another he cured by giving 1. A Clyster 2. A Narcotick 3. Pellitory and Turpentine-water ana half an Ounce by which the Stone got into the Bladder and then into the Yard and there stopt he sate in a Bath and a little after pissed it forth And by the taking of this following Pouder twice a Week a Spoonful at a time a Patient of his voided many Stones and the continued use of it prevented the pain Take Liquorice in Pouder half an Ounce dried Peach-kernels one Ounce Anise and Fennel-seeds ana two Ounces Winter-Cherries one Dram Gromwel-seeds half a Dram Crabs-Eyes two Drams Sugar-Candy one Ounce and a half make a fine Pouder He drank after it a decoction of Pease Parsley and Bean-shales with Butter and a little Salt And in Lib. 3. of his said Observations he commends this Take Turpentine two Ounces Honey one Ounce Yolk of one Egg grind them in a Mortar together 'till they are white then add White Wine pellitory-Pellitory-water Bean-flower-water ana one Ounce and a half Syrup of Limons or Juice of Citrons one Ounce mix them Dose one Ounce and a half The Sick took also these Pills Take Cyprus Turpentine half an ounce Sugar-candy two Drams with Syrup of Limons make Pills Dose one Dram at a time drinking after a decoction of red Pease but while his pain was great he gave him an Opiate and sometimes a cleansing Clyster of Whey Yolks of Eggs Turpentine and Honey Platerus gave this to a Patient thrice which had his Urine stopt Take Turpentine five Drams Yolks of Eggs two Honey one Ounce Wine four Ounces By the use whereof he avoided so many Rags that he wrote to him That a torn Shirt came out of his Bladder Thus was he cured and lived many Years after sound and with the same kind of Potion he cured a French Minister who voided the Stone with the first Dose XXVI I cured a Man after he had been twelve Years troubled with the Stone and Gravel with this mixture Take Venice or Strasburgh Turpentine four Ounces Oyl of sweet Almonds six Ounces Honey two Drams melt and mix them well together it opened the Passages made him presently piss freely and brought away a great quantity of Sand and small Stones He took it Morning and Evening half an Ounce or better at a time for three Months drinking after it Arsmart-water and was perfectly cured so that for many Years after he had not the least Pain or Symptom Another I cured with this Take Strasburgh Turpentine eight Ounces Yolks of four Eggs grind them together in a Mortar 'till they are white then add Oyl of sweet Almonds four Ounces and mix them well by grinding Dose an Ounce Morning and Evening drinking a Glass of Mead after This he continued for eight or ten Weeks it continually brought away Sand and large Gravel and he was perfectly cured Salmon XXVII Bartholinus tells us That he found no ease by any Diuretick except Bean-shale-water which brought away Gravel so that saith he more may be attributed to it in bringing away the Stone than to Millepedes And saith he Egg-shells are given with singular success after the Chickens are Hatched either to break or expel the Stone this Lithontriptick being reckoned among Secrets of this kind For this purpose Ludovicus Mercatus commends the Flower and Seed of Star-Thistle as a thing highly in request for purging and cleansing the Reins and Bladder daily experience saith he still confirming it giving two Ounces of the distilled Water in the Morning Fasting but an Essence of the whole Plant as we have taught in Chap. 5. Sect. 35 and 37 aforegoing is much better XXVIII Augenius in his Medicinal Epistles Lib. 12. Ep. 1 and 2 saith He has cured near six hundred of the Stone by this following Syrup giving three Ounces at a time with six Ounces of the decoction of Eringo for fifteen days together five hours before Dinner Universals being premised Take Saxifrage Knee-holly Eringo Lovage Restharrow Anise Fennel Parsly Grass ana half an Ounce Horse-Radish Roots two Ounces Leaves of Betony Burnet Marsh-Mallows Nettles Penny-royal Rocket Calamint Knot-grass Pellitory of the Wall ana M. qu. Winter-Cherries twenty Sebestens fifteen Seeds of Basil Burdock Parsly Seseli Millet ana three Ounces Bark of the Bay-Tree Root Liquorice ana three Drams Water five Quarts boyl 'till three Quarts only remain strain and with Honey two Pound Sugar four Pound make a Syrup and aromatize it with Cinnamon one Ounce Nutmegs half an Ounce Probably it may do good there is no Argument against Experience yet it looks like a hotch-potch of all together XXIX Crato in Consiliis saith That he prefers Eringo Roots candied or steeped in White-wine and Syrup of the Juice of Speedwel before all though saith he I am not Ignorant that the Roots of Brier and Restharrow do much good when the Stone is manifest And for the pain in the Kidneys caused by the Stone there is nothing saith he better than a Decoction of Speedwel or the Inspissate Juice thereof But an Essence of the Plant crude as we have directed in Chap. 5. Sect. 35 and 37 much transcends them both XXX Fresh Oyl of Hasle-nuts by expression given to three Ounces at a time every day for some time is commended as an excellent thing and a certain Physician attests That by the daily use thereof he has seen several Stones voided The same probably may be done with expressed Oyl of sweet Almonds as also with the expressed Oyl of Wall-nuts but more with the expressed Oyl of Orange Limon or Citron Kernels Outwardly also to anoint with this following Oyl it is of good use Take Oyl of Scorpions four Ounces Oyl of bitter Almonds one Ounce Palm Oyl six Drams Oyl of Juniper-berries half an Ounce mix them and anoint the region of the Loyns therewith Morning and Evening XXXI With this following Remedy I have done almost Miracles in expelling Sand Gravel and Stones out of both Reins and Bladder Take Balsamum Copaybae or as we call it Capivi four Ounces Yolks of Eggs four Oyl of sweet Almonds Honey ana three Ounces Oyl of Juniper berries one Dram Grind all together in a Glass Mortar 'till they are perfectly mixed and
keep the Mixture for use Dose from six Drams to an Ounce every Night going to Bed drinking after it three Ounces of the Essence of Speedwel in a Glass of Rhenish-wine and Sugar Salmon XXXII Beverovicius de Calculo Cap. 12. saith That when the ways are loosned I suppose he means with Oily and Mucilaginous things nothing is more effectual to remove the Stone than one Dram of Sal Prunellae to be given in Rhenish-wine warm by which Medicine alone saith he I have often brought away the Stone of the Bladder from Children Crabs-Eyes are of tenuious Parts and Diuretick they break the Stone and force it away by Urine especially the Liquor of them which prepared after this manner is best Take Crabs-Eyes finely poudred two Ounces Acetum Terebinthinatum four Ounces stop and digest for a Night in hot Ashes the next Day decant what is clear and pour on as much more repeating this work so often 'till all the Pouder is dissolved These Liquors filterate and evaporate to dryness and the Salt will remain at bottom which dissolve in a Cellar into Liquor per deliquium Dose gut ten or twelve in Horse Radish Water or some such like This Liquor is much more efficacious than the Crabs-Eyes in substance XXXIII Quercetan his Nephritick-water is of great account and it is thus made Take Juice of Horse-Radish of Limons ana one Pound and a half Waters of Betony Saxifrage Wild Tansey Vervain ana one Pound Hydromel Malmsey ana two Pound Juniper-berries three Ounces Seeds of Millet great Burdock Nettles Onions Anise Fennel ana one Ounoe and a half of the four greater cold Seeds Marsh-mallows ana six Drams burnt Egg-shells Cinnamon ana three Drams Cloves two Drams digest all four or five days in a gentle Balneo then strain out and distill in Ashes He says this Water does wonders in the Stone and against suppression of Urine Dose from two Drams to an Ounce He adds a Dram of two sorts of Lithontriptick Species to the Composition but the smalness of the proportion to the former large quantity signifies but little I am of Opinion the Juice of Limons alone depurated without that specious preparation or given in Malmsey-wine as Guarinonius advises may be as good it is found by experience effectually to purge and cleanse the Reins and to give help to many and that without any harm to the Stomach especially if sheathed with Honey or Sugar XXXIV Brannerus de Calculo commends the following Syrup as an excellent Remedy leaving no calculous Matter behind in the Kidnies if after Purging two Spoonfuls of it be taken at a time in the Morning Fasting Take Juice of Speedwell one Pound Juice of Ground Ivy six Ounces of Purslane three Ounces mix and make a Syrup with Honey one Pound and a half Both Helmont and Faber commend the Liquor of the Birch-Tree which we call Birch-wine as a Remedy that does not only expel the Stone and Gravel but also prevents the Bleeding thereof XXXV Riverius saith The Ashes of Egg-shells given from half a Dram to one Dram in White-wine powerfully expels the Stone lodged in the passages of the Urine So also the Salt of Bean-Cods and Stalks of which half a Dram in White-wine operates after a wonderful manner Also Tartar Vitriolate given in the same Dose Spirit of Salt is also praised some drops of it being taken in the Morning Fasting in Broth or some other Liquor as Wine Decoction of Eringo c. He commends this Potion not a little Take Strawberry and Saxifrage-waters ana two Ounces White wine six Ounces Oyl of sweet Almonds two Ounces Spirit of Vitriol one Dram mix for three Doses to be given six Hours one after another Take Sal Prunellae Crystals of Tartar Pouder of Ivy-berries and Leaves of Cresses ana partes equales with some proper Syrup make Pills of which take one Dram every Morning Fasting XXXVI AEtius Sextus Platonicus and Guarinonius do all of them commend a Hare baked in an Oven 'till it is dry then poudred but Poterius saith the Ashes of a Hare given from one to two Drams in Wine is profitable to expel the Stone some say to dissolve it as also to prevent its breeding for the future made into Pills with Turpentine it is indeed of good use The Pouder of Deers-blood given to one Dram is commended to expel the Stone as Hoferus affirms Motherwort and the Roots of Vervain in Pouder or the Essence of those Plants prepared as we have taught in Chap. 5. Sect. 35 and 37. and drank with White-wine or Mead a little warmed are incredible Remedies in removing all things that hinder the passage of the Urine as Hofman and Marquardus say XXXVII For Medicines given Clyster-wise Fontanus commends the Decoction of Millet given to half a Pint but without doubt it may be much more effectual if half an Ounce of Turpentine be added to it being first ground with the Yolk of an Egg to open its body XXXVIII Zecchius in his Consultations commends yea says nothing is better to bring away the Stone in the Kidnies than warm Water or Veal or Mutton or Chicken-broth five or six Ounces being drunk pretty warm Morning and Evening before Eating And the great heat of the Reins will be taken away which is the essicient cause of the pains of the Stone returning if boyled Water to the quantity of seven or eight Ounces be drank before Meals twice a day for nothing renders the Kidnies so free from Recrements and so temperate and their fiery heat is at length extinguished with the warm Water so that they can never after breed the Stone If to what our Author here says you add to each Draught half a Dram of Salt of Tartar or pure Nitre it will in my Opinion be much more effectual because those Salts do in some measure direct the Water to the parts afficted If also it be sweetned with Honey the Medicament will be still the better for that it will less disaffect the Stomach which in some People it will be apt to do Salmon XXXIX Saxonia in prescribing some familiar Purge for such as are troubled with the Stone mightily discommends the use of Cassia whether for Prevention or Revulsion Petrus Pigray Lib. 7. Cap. 4. says That Cassia agrees very ill with those that are troubled with the Stone Others say that Cassia has increased the Disease and that the heat of Urine always followed the taking of it Fabritius Hildanus tells us That two Ounces of Cassia being given one in a continual Fever it raised such a Flux of Urine that for three days together he made his Urine so hot every time that he thought a red hot Wire had been drawn through his Yard XL To all this we answer 1 That very famous Physicians no ways inferior to the former have constantly used Cassia with very good success Platerus scarcely gave any thing in the Stone without it and often gave it mixt with Manna And the learned
Sons of Learning wonder not for we have not concealed it from you but have delivered it in such Language as that it may be hid from evil Men and that the unjust and Vile might not know it But ye Sons of Doctrine search and you shall find this most excellent gift of God which he has reserved for you Ye Sons of folly impiety and prophaneness avoid you the seeking after this Knowledge it will be Enimical and destructive to you and precipitate you into the State of Contempt and Misery This gift of God is absolutely by the Judgment of the Divine providence hid from you and denyed you for ever XIV A solar Medicine of the third Order It is made of Sol dissolved and prepared after the manner of Luna in Chap. 46. Sect. 11. aforegoing to which you must add of Sulphur dissolved 3 parts of Arsenick one part as afterwards is shewed through all things doing as in the place now cited is directed and it will be a Medicine tinging every Body and Mercury it self into true Sol or better according to the way now shewed Read and peruse what we shall direct and thereby you will be able to tinge to Infinity if you have understanding and erre not by the ambiguous sayings of the Philosophers XV. The Ferment of Sol for the Red. The Ferment of Sol is made of Gold dissolved into its own Water Aqua Regis and decocted and prepared by the directions in Chap. 46. Sect. 16. aforegoing So will you have the Ferment of Sol for the Red which keep for use XVI The Ferment of Ferments upon Mercury for the Red. Dissolve Sol in its own water which we shall hereafter teach i. e. Aqua Regis to this Gold dissolved 1 ounce add Sulphur 2 ounces dissolved in the same Water together with it Mercury 3 ounces also disolved Let all these be truly dissolved into most clear Water which being mixt decoct for one day that they may be Fermented then draw off the Water 15 times each time cohobating Incerate with Yellow Virgins Wax that is with half its Weight of Oyl of Blood or Oyl of Eggs then project upon crude Mercury as you see requisite Here note that if you perfect this Medicine as we teach in our third Order in Chap. 47. Sect. 21.22 c. following of the Congelative Medicine of Mercury you will find by Reiteration of the Work and by Subtilization thereof that one part will tinge infinite parts of Mercury into most fine and high Gold more Noble than any natural Gold whatsoever CHAP. XLVIII Of the Alchymie of Mercury I. ARgent Vive which is also called Mercury is a Viscous Water in the Bowels of the Earth by most temperate heat United in a total Union through its least parts with the substance of White subtil Earth until the humid be contemperated with the Dry and the Dry with the humid equally There fore it easily runs upon a plain Superfices by reason of its watery humidity but it adhers not although it has a Viscous humidity by reason of the dryness of that which Contemperatesit and permits it not to adhere II. This is also as some say the matter of Metals with Sulphur and easily adheres to three Minerals viz. Saturn Jupiter and Sol but to Luna more difficulty and to Venus more difficulty than to Luna but to Mars in no wise but by Artifice Hence you may collect a very great Secret For it is amicable and pleasing to the Metals and the Medium of conjoyning Tinctures and nothing is submerged in Argent Vive unless it is Sol. Yet Jupiter and Saturn Luna and Venus are dissolved by it and mixed and without it can none of the Metals be gilded It is fixed and the Tincture of Redness of most exuberant perfection and fulgid splendor and receeds not from the Commixtion till it is in its own nature But it is not our Medicine in its Nature but it may sometimes help in the Case III. Of the Sublimation of Argent Vive This Work is compleated with its Terrestreity is highly purified and its Aquosity wholy removed We remove it not by adustion because it has none so the Art of separating its superfluous Earth is to mix it with things where with it has not Affinity and often to reiterate the Sublimation from them Of this kind is Talck and the Calx of Egg-shells and Calx of white Marble as also Glass in most subtil Pouder and every kind of Salt prepared for by these it is cleansed but by other things having affinity with it unless they be bodies of perfection it is rather Corrupted because all such things have a Sulphureity which ascending with it in Sublimation corrupt it And this you may find to be true by Experience because when you sublime it from Tin or Lead you find it after Sublimation infected with blackness Therefore its Sublimation is better made by those things which agree not with it but it would be better by things with which it does agree if they had not Sulphureity Wherefore this Sublimation is better from Calx than from all other things because that agrees little with it and has not Sulphureity IV. But the way of removing its superfluous aquosity is that when it is mixed with Calces from which it is to be sublimed it be well Ground and commixt with them by Imbibition untill nothing of it appear and afterwards the Wateriness of Imbibition removed by a most gentle heat of Fire which receeding the Aquosity of Argent Vive receeds with it yet the Fire must be so very Gentle as that by it the whole substance of Argent Vive ascend not V. Therefore from the manifold reiteration of Imbibition with Contrition and gentle Assation it s greater Aquosity is abolished the residue of which is removed by repeating the Sublimation often And when you see it is most white excelling Snow in its whiteness and to adhere as it were dead to the sides of the Vessell then again reiterate its Sub limation without the feces because part of it adheres fixed with the Feces and can never by any Art or Ingenuity be separated from them Or afterwards fix part of it as we shall teach you and when you have fixed it then reiterate Sublimation of the part remaining that it may likewise be fixed VI. Being fixed reserve it but first prove it upon Fire if it flow well then you have administred sufficient Sublimation but if not add to it some small part of Argent Vive sublim'd and reiterate the Sublima tion till your end be accom plished for if it has a Lucid and most white Color and be porous then you have well sublimed it otherwise not therefore in the preparation of it made by Sublimation be not negligent because such as its cleansing shall be such will be its Perfection in projecting of it upon any of the imperfect Bodies and upon its own Body unprepared VII Yet here note that some have by it formed Iron
Bowels but even from the Brain it self Salmon VII Alterative Remedies for the same Nothing is better than our Powers of Rosemary Amber and Spir. Antiasthmaticus given as directed in our Phylaxa Salmon CHAP. III. Of AGVES I. A rare Secret to Cure all Agues whatsoever TAke Venice Turpentine half an ounce incorporate it with as much Camphire and Mastick beaten into fine Powder as will make it into a Plaister then take of it and spread it on a piece of Sheeps Leather cut round and lay it on the Stomach and Navel pretty warm a day before the Fit cometh Probat II. Against an Ague Take Posset-drink a pint and half put into it nine heads of Carduus boyl it 'till half be wasted to every quarter of a Pint put in a quarter of a Spoonful of gross Pepper stir it well and take half a Pint an Hour before the Fit cometh and be sure to Sweat him in his Bed upon the taking of it III. A Plaister against an Ague Take a piece of Leather pricked full of Holes spread it over with Venice-Turpent and on that spread all over Rue and Frankincense beaten into Powder of each a like quantity then bind it to the Wrist a little before the Fit cometh and let it lie 'till the Fit be gone IV. Against a Tertian Ague Take at the coming of the cold Fit half a Pint of expressed Juice of Germander for Germander is styled by Physicians the Scourge of a Fever V. Against all burning and pestilential Fevers Take of the Herb Fluellin cut small and infuse it twenty four Hours in White Wine then Distil it and drink of this Distilla ion with three four five or six Drops of Oyl of Vituol in every Draught when Thirsty This hath cured Old and Young that took it VI. An Excellent Process to Cure all Quotidian Tertiane Pestilential and Burning Fevers and Agues Take Aloes three drachms Myrrh one drachm Saffron half a drachm Sugar three drachms beat them well together then infuse them in a pint of White Wine over Night and give it two several Mornings half a pint at a time to purge with And for ordinary Drink when-thirsty use this Take White-Wine-Vinegar half a pint Rose-water Conduit or Fountain Water ana one Pint seeth them together with a Pound of Sugar VII Sleep to procure in an Ague If he want Sleep Take Syrup of white Poppy one ounce distilled Water of Lettice Sal Prunella 15. grains mix them and take it at Night for Sleep cools the Body and prevents motion and Motion is one of the principal Causes of heat VIII An Ague with a sore Mouth to Heal. If the Mouth be sore take of red Sage grosly cut one handful of French Barley beaten Roach Allom ana one ounce Boyl all these together in a pint and a half of spring-Spring-water then duleifie it before it be cold with Honey and therewith wash the Mouth and gargle the Throat IX Against a new Ague Take one drachm of pine Tobacco in the Leaf infuse it all Night in half a pint of White-Wine then strain it and drink it fasting two Hours after it This will purge Phlegm and Choler throughly X. Against a burning Feaver Take Water distilled from Wall-nuts a Week or two before Mid-Summer and give of that Water one ounce and a half at a time an Hour before the Fit It Cures XI An Excellent Julep in all Fevers Take Poppy-water four ounces of Prune-water Juice of Oranges Syrup of Gilly-flowers two ounces a few drops of Spirit of Vitriol mix them and let the Patient drink two or three spoonfuls at a time often XII A Specifick against all manner of Agues Take Quin-quina or Jesuits Bark two Drachms beat it into Powder just about the time of using it Infuse it in a good Draught of Claret or other Generous Wine for the space of two Hours then give the Patient both Liquor and Powder at once as they lye in Bed Some advise to give it as the Fit is coming others as the Fit is going off the latter way is best if the Sick be very weak Salmon XIII Another Remedy for the same If you give my Catharticum Argenteum to forty fifty sixty or one hundred Drops according as the Patient is in Age and strength as I have directed in my Phylaxa Medicinae Lib. 1. Cap. 3. and continue it for five or six times taking it will go near to Cure any Ague whatsoever more especially if after such universal Purging you give either my Guttae Vitae or my Volatile Laudanum in such due Dose as in my said Phylaxa is prescribed about three Hours before the coming of the Fit so as the Sick may be in a good Sweat about the coming of the cold Fit by this means used five or six times the Ague goes off and comes no more I scarce ever fail of Curing an Ague by this method Salmon XIV Agues Cured by another Medicine I have Cured hundreds of Agues exactly by the former method except only that instead of the Catharticum Argenteum I have used either my Tabulae Emeticae or Vomiting Lozenges Or my Vinum Emeticum and sometimes some other proper Emeticks and Catharticks alternately But before either Quin-quina or Opiates be given if you would do like an Artist you ought to premise Universal Cleansers Salmon XV. A violent burning Feaver with Vomiting and Bloody Flux Where the Disease has been long the Patient wasted and brought as it were to Death's door there is nothing in the World better than our Pulvis Antifebriticus mentioned in Phylaxa Medic. Lib. 1. Cap. 45. You may give it to half a drachm or a drachm in any convenient Vehicle an Hour and half before the coming of the Fit Salmon XVI Agues chiefly Quartans Cured by the following Arcanum Rolfinc Lib. 5. Sect. 6. Cap. 12. Take Leaf-gold a drachm dissolve it in Aqua Regis Glass of Antimony a drachm dissolve it in Aqua Fortis Quick-silver six Drachms dissolve it in Aqua Fortis mix these Solutions together and Distil them by an Alembick cohobating twelve times at last to the Powder left in the bottom put Spirit of Wine which abstract from it six times then Calcine it upon a Tile or in a Hascican Crucible in a Circulary Fire so have you one of the best Remedies for an Ague chiefly a Quartane yet commonly known Take of this Powder six Grains Scammony twelve Grains mix for a Dose give it in the Morning the day before the Fit or in the Morning the same day if the Fit falls towards Night Salmon XVII Riverius his Ague Frighter Take Flowers of Antimony thrice sublimed with Sal Armoniack and Dulcified Perlucid Hyacinth Glass of Antimony ana half an Ounce Aqua Fortis made of Nitre and Alum 4 Ounces Praecipitate the said Antimony in the said Water Again Take Quicksilver revived from Cinabar six Ounces Aqua Fortis made of Nitre Alum and Vitriol q. s. in which dissolve and praecipitate the Mercury Take also fine Leaf-Gold one
or fifth Day Salmon V. Shortness of Breath cured by Vomiting Experience shews That when a great quantity of impacted Matter lies in the Lappets of the Lungs especially if there be a Sickness at Stomach also that then I say Vomits are of great use and sometimes the Paroxysm is taken off with this Remedy alone Salt of Vitriol may be given from half a Drachm to a Drachm Aqua Benedicta from three to four Drachms or one Ounce to an Ounce and a half if to very strong Persons My Catharticum Argenteum given from one to two Drachms is one of the best of Remedies Salmon VI. Shortness of Breathing Cured by reiterated Clysters Take Mutton-Broth eight Ounces Tincture of Colocynthis half an Ounce Infusion of Croous Metallorum Elixir Proprietatis of each an Ounce mix and give it warm In this case Clysters ought to be given in small quantity lest the Guts too much distended should press upon the Diaphragma and make the Paroxism more vehement and dangerous and they ought also often to be repeated Salmon VII For a vehement shortness of Breath I have often given with great Success my Syrupus Nephriticus see it in my Phylaxa Lib. I. Cap. 34. Sect. I. for that causes the Matter contained in the Cavity of the Breast to be avoided with the Urine through the Bladder the Urine for the most part being much thick and troubled by which the peccant Humours are carried not only from the Breast and places of Respiration but also from the head Veins and other parts I have done wonders in this case by the assiduous use of Spirit of Sulphur per Camp given in pectoral Drinks Salmon VIII A Pectoral Drink Take Raisins of the Sun stoned Figs slit ana Liquorice bruised two Ounces Elecampane Roots bruised one Ounce Spring water a Gallon Boyl all to two Quarts and strain it for use Dose half a Pint three or four times a Day Salmon IX Of the use of Opiates If Rest has been long wanting and there be withal a vehement Flux of Rhoum and Cough though the stopping of the Catarrh cannot be without sensible danger yet you must immediately give an Opiate such as my Laudanum Volatile cum Aloe for otherwise the Obstruction will so increase with the Catarrh that before you are aware the Breath will be stopt which there is no great fear of by giving the Opiates for that all Opiates stop the Flux by no other way than by thickning the Matter whereby it cannot so easily flow to the part the Humour then being thus thickned through the whole Man and not flowing to the Bronchia of the Lungs as formerly it at length finds a vent by other ways and that for the most part by Sweat Urine or Stool either of which ways you must endeavour to promote according as you see the disposition of the Body is inclinable Salmon X. An Inveterate Asthma I Cured an Inveterate Asthma that had been of fifteen or sixteen Years standing by giving my Piluloe Mirabiles twice and then my Family Pills as they are now prepared by me not as Hollier pretends to make them once letting a Day or two be between each and so reiterating this Course two or three times as you see occasion Salmon XI Shortness of Breath in a Woman with Child Truly because I saw the peril of her Life was not small by reason of her being with Child I could not pursue the usual methods of Cure I took the following course I gave her my Volatile Laudanum at Night going to Bed and the Spiritus Antiasthmaticus in all her Drink and by this course in about a Months time she was freed perfectly from her Disease Salmon CHAP. VII Diseases of the Breast I. A Pultess for a Sore Breast Take new Milk and grate white Bread into it then take Mallows and red Rose Leaves I handful of each then chop them small and boyl them together till it be thick then put in Honey and Turpentine of each two ounces white Lead six ounces mix them spread it on a Cloth and apply it II. For an Ague in the Breast Take good Aqua-vitae and Linseed Oyl and warm them together on a Chafing-Dish of Coles dip therein two Cloths made fit for the Breasts and lay them thereon as hot as may be suffered Morning and Evening III. To heal an Inflammation or Ague in the Breast Take the Whites of two Eggs and Housleek two handfuls let the Whites be first well beaten then pound them with the Housleek and three handfuls of Barley Meal and apply it very hot IV. To heal Ulcers in the Breast tho inveterate Take Oyl of Sulphur and touch them with it then apply this following Oyntment Take Yelks of two or three new laid Eggs Turpentine Butter Honey of Roses Barley-Flower ana half an Ounce Grind them all in a leaden Mortar and dress them therewith till they be whole V. Against Pain and Swilling of the Breasts If it proceeds from Gold taken or from a Blow Bath the Place very well Morning and Evening with Powers of Amber for three or four or five Days and the Pain and Swelling will go away Salmon VI. For a Sore Breast If the Sore be recent it may be Cured with our Balsamum Vulnerarium two Ounces Mercurius Dulcis Levigated half an Ounce mix them well and apply it Salmon VII For an Inveterate Ulcer in the Breast Take our Balsamum Ami. cum two Ounces Angelus Mineralis half an Ounce mix and apply it dressing the Sore Morning and Evening It will Cure it in a Short time Salmon VIII For a Painful Swelling in the Breast Take our Balsam of Amber and Anoint therewith Morning and Evening and keep the part warm If it proceeds from Cold or a Blow it Cures Salmon IX For hard Tumors of the Brest Take Gum Ammoniacum strained and made up into a Plaister it cures them to a Miracle much more if it be made up with Juice of Hemlock Or you may use Emplastrum de Ammoniaco cum Cicuta it is a Remedy that hardly ever fails Salmon X. A Cancerated Breast not broken I Cured two Cancerated Brests with the following Take Diapalma six Ounces Oyl an Ounce of our Hercules 3 Ounces mix them over a gentle heat spread it upon soft Leather or Cloth and apply it The Cancers that which was oldest was not above six Months standing The assiduous use of this Medicine eased the Pain in five or six Days time and in the space of four Months time or thereabouts prefectly dissolved the Tumour Salmon XI Soreness of the Nipples cured Take Bees-wax 1 Ounce Fresh Butter two Ounces Venice Turpentine half an Ounce mix melt and anoint with it it will be so much the better if you add to it two Drachms of Oyl of Wax Salmon XII A Tumour of the Breast broken Let the Patient Purge every day or every other day with Elixir Proprietatis according to their Strength and outwardly let it be drest with this Take of our Balsamum
preventing Abortion and then use Forcers Loosners and Forcers lest any of the Membranes or after-Birth or any part of it or other foetid and putrid Matter should be left behind by which the Woman would certainly Perish But if the Child be not Dead nor expelled but only a Danger and the foetus retreats then you ought to use restingents and things above directed that Abortion may be prevented and the Child preserved Salmon XV. A Medicine after Miscarriage If part of the After-birth should remain and a continual Flux of Blood for some Months should accompany it the most Excellent Sylvius has restored the sick by three ounces of the following Decoction taken twice or thrice a day Take Bistort-root three Ounces Marjoram Pennyroyal ana a handful Water White-wine of each a sufficient quantity Strain and Sweetten with Syrup of Mugwort a Tenth part Cinnamon-water a Twentieth part By Virtue of this a piece of the After-birth as big as ones Fist was voided and the Flux of Blood stopped and cured CHAP. IX Want of Appetite I. IF want of Appetite proceeds from a cold Cause or cold Flegm afflicting the Ventricle or Stomach 't will be necessary to give a proper Vomit and then such things as may heat and corroborate it II. A Vomit evacuating Flegm and cold and watery Humours Take our Pulvis Argenteum 10. grains mix it with the Pulp of a rosted Apple and give it in the Morning fasting drinking warm Broth or Posset-drink after it The third day repeat the same Dose III. Then to warm comfort and restore the Stomach Take our Tinctura Stomachica from half a Spoonful to a Spoonful in a draught of Ale or Wine Morning Noon and Night a quarter of an Hour or more before eating it does Wonders and restores the Appetite tho lost for many Months I have proved it many Hundreds of times for these Twenty five or Twenty six Years together Salmon IV. Salt Meats are also good because they iritate and provoke the languid Faculties of the Stomach Salts also have an inciding and attenuating Virtue and next to these such things as have a volatile heat and sharpness as Mustard seed Onions Garlick Leeks Shellots c. V. When Flegm disaffects the Ventricle that is tough thick and viscous whereby the Appetite seems to be almost destroyed it will be necessary that you use Medicines of another Nature viz. such as are acid sharp and cutting for that these things not only separate the offending Matter from the Tunicles of the Stomach but also prevent Putrefaction and the Generation of the like for the future VI. For this purpose Spirit of Vitriol is most commended by some and 't is doubtless a good Medicine but ought to be cautiously used to dry Bodies lest it induces a Consumption VII But in fuller and moister Bodies it is not only safe but very profitable more especially if the Anorexia or want of Appetite proceeds from Choler Yellow or Green abounding in the Stomach VIII In this case I commend my Spiritus Aperiens and Syrupus Diasulphuriis see them in my Phylaxa Med. Lib. I. Cap. 14. Sect. I. and Lib. 2. Cap. 36. Sect. I. given the first to 30. 40. 50. or 60. or more Drops in a Glass of Ale the other in all the drink the Sick drinks to a Spoonful more or less as they can Affect it and to take it assidiously for ten Fifteen or Tweny days together they are Medecines that seldom fail of their effects and are beyond my Commendation Salmon IX I always adjust the Medicaments for cure according to the Causes where there is an exceeding Coldness of the Stomach my Tinctura Absinthij is beyond compare so also Elixir proprietatis sine Acido To these things add our Aqua Bezoartica and Tinctura Corallorum Composita given in Wine X. If the want of Appetite is restored by taking Acids it is a Sign that the Acid Humour in the Stomach is Languid debile and weak but if not or it rather is hurt by it it is a sign that it is too Rampant and Vigorous and therefore Alcalies as Tincture of Tartar Volatile Sal Armoniack or our Spirit Antiasthmaticus ought to be given and other like Volatile Salts Bezoar Mineral in our Syrup Volatilis is of good use in this case Salmon XI The loss of Appetite which arises from decay of Strength or old Age is seldom or never cured unless it proceed from a Cold cause in which case Volatile Sulphurs and Spirituous Things are proper but things that dry too much must be cautiously given The Stomach may be Anointed with Oyl of Mace or you may use this Take Balsam of Amber one Ounce common Oyl I dram mix them XII If there be neither Sickness nor weakness nor old Age present and yet the Person complains that he never comes to his Food with a Stomach or eats with an Appetite the only way to restore such an one is to let him fast till he is a hungry for long want of Victualsand emptiness insuch always breeds an Appetite XIII In Women especially such as have Gross Bodies want of Appetite is cured if not with Child by proper Emeticks and Catharticks For the first of these I commend our Cartharticum Argenteum given to a dram in a Glass of Ale For the latter either our Family Pills or our Family Powder both of which may be taken 2 or 3 or 4 times with due intervals Salmon XIV If it happens in a Woman with Child all or most of the Preceeding Courses must be avoided and other Courses taken The juices of Oranges and Lemons with white Sugar may be daily taken for some time so also Canary made acid with juice of Limons and if heat also abounds a Decoction of Tamerinds sweetned alone or mixt A Syrup or Infusion of Rheubarb is of good use XV. Want of Appetite in Consumptive People is of dangerous Consequence some commend as the best thing Elixir Proprietatis given in wine it may be good for a little Season but long it must not be taken left it also induce the Consumption The best thing which I have found by my large experience is Our Tinctura Stomachica given to a spoonsul 2. or 3. times a day in a large draught of new Milk And altho the ingredients thereof heat Violently yet by reason they are of thin Substance and parts their heat is quickly discussed and so do no harm Salmon XVI If Sickness at Stomach and want of Appetite proceed from worms as sometimes it does Our Tincturo Absinthij or Infusion of Worm-wood in Rhenish Wine or Canary is good Salmon XVII Galens Antidotus Thespesiana for want of Appetite Take Smallage-seed xij drams Myrrh Anniseed Opium ana vj. drams White-Pepper V. drams Parsly-seed Long-pepper Spicknard Cassia-Lignea ana iv drams Castor Saffron Flowers of Juncus Odoratus ana iij. drams Cinamon ij drams Honey 1 pound make an Electuary dose the quantity of a Hazle-Nut at Bed-time in a little Drink CHAP. X. Loss of the
joined with a volatile Alcalie and such are the Spirit of Wine and Essence of the Blood Dose from ten to twenty or thirty or forty Drops in any convenient Liquor It opens all manner of Obstructions in any part of the Body provokes Urine powerfully and is an admirable good thing against the Disury and Ischury viz. where the Water comes scalding and by drops or where it is totally supprest IX I have found much good in this following for bringing away Sand Gravel or any mucous Matter obstructing the Urine Take Strasburg Turpentine two Ounces Oleum Petroleum one Ounce Oleum Anisii Baccarum Juniperi ana half an Ounce Millepedes prepared Earth-worms prepared pure Salt of Tartar volatile Sal-Armoniack ana three Drams mix them Dose from six Drops to twelve or more in a Glass of Ale Wine or Mead. Sometimes I prepared it thus Take Strasburg Turpentine two Ounces Oleum Petroleum one Ounce Oil of Limons Caraways sweet Fen nel-seed ana half an Ounce Crabs Eyes Goats Blood prepared volatile Sal-Armoniack volatile Salt of Amber ana three Drams strong Tincture of Thebian Opium made with the best rectified Spirit of Wine an ounce and half mix them Dose from ten Drops to twenty thirty or more according to age and strength in any proper Vehicle X. This is a thing I have often experienced with good success Take of our Spiritus Universalis two Pound brui sed Onions eight Ounces Parsley bruised four Ounces digest twenty four hours strain out by pressing then pass it through a Filter Dose from half a spoonful to a spoonful or more in a Glass of Ale Mead Wine or Parsley or Arsmart-water Or thus Take common Spirit of Wine a Quart bruised Onions Aniseeds Parsley roots ana six Ounces mix digest three days strain filter and keep it for Use Dose three or four spoonsuls in any fit Vehicle XI Laurenbergius Riverius and others mightily commend this as a thing almost infallible Take pure Salt of Tartar one Ounce Parsley-water a Quart mix dissolve and filter it two or three times through brown Paper that it may become clear then put into it the fresh outward Rind of Orange peels so much as to colour it of a Citron-colour viz. about two Ounces after three days decant the clear and keep it for Use The Dose is a spoonfull or more in half a Pint of White or Rhenish-Wine or Wine in which Mustard-seed or Horse-Radish-root has been infused XII This is commended by some for to expel the Stone in the Bladder Take Millepedes prepared Bedugar or Sponge of the Briar bush seeds of purple Violets ana one Ounce Species Lithontripticae two Drams mix them make a Pouder Dose two Drams in ten Ounces of a Diuretick Decoction mixt with two Drams of Spirit of Juniper It was given at five in the Morning for some time and a little after a great quantity of reddish Urine came away with flakes like Scales of Fishes which was the Coat or Crust loosned from a larger Stone and by the continual use thereof the Sick was freed from his Disease XIII This has been approved of Take a Hare with young calcine it to Ashes these Ashes mix with an equal quantity of Sugar Dose two Drams in any convenient Vehicle as Syrupus Nephriticus mixt with a Glass of White or Rhenish-Wine But Arnoldus de Villa nova took a Hare and fill'd the Bolly with the skin Saxafrage Millet Lapis Lyncis Lapis Judaicus Lapis Spongiae Cinkfoil and golden Rod and then calcin'd it of which he gave a spoonful in a Glass of Wine every day it broke says he and forced away the Stone in the Reins and Bladder XIV I have often given this following Medicine with incredible success Take Strasburg Turpentine two Ounces Hercules noster half an Ounce Bezoar Minerale Crabs Eyes Millepedes prepared ana q. s. mix and make Pills Dose two Drams twice a day drinking after it the following mixture Take Rbenish-Wine eight Ounces Syrupus Nephriticus an Ounce Potestates Litbontripticae fifteen Drops mix for a Draught This I have also proved with good Success Take Balsam of Peru half a Dram Oils of Nard and Mastich ana ten Drops Oil of Juniper six Drops Lapis Judaicus prepared Crabs Eyes fifteen Grains mix and give it in White or Rhenish-Wine or a Decoction of Millet XV. If by these or some of the Medicines mentioned in the former Chapter the Sick receives no benefit you must come to manual operation how that is to be performed whether by the Apparatus minor or major we have taught in our Synopsis Medicinae Lib. 3. Cap. 16. Sect. 7. 8. to which we shall refer you But there is another way of taking out the Stone which is thus The Artist puts his Finger up the Anus and moves the Stone to the fore-part of the Belly and then by a hole cut in the Musculus Rectus according to the Duct of the Fibres above the Os Pubis he takes out the Stone by the help of the Lapidillium or a pair of Forceps The Operation being performed this way a dripping of the Urine need never be feared and besides a larger space is allowed to take out the Stone in However this Operations is not without its danger besides the trouble for if the Lips of the Wound made in the Bladder be not united to the Muscles of the Abdomen an Exulceration of the Bladder follows which both makes much pain and creates an Ulcer more incurable than the Stone it self Roussetus commends cutting in the Groin especially for Children and is approved by Hildanus in larger Stones which cannot be brought to the Perinaeum it being there taken out with less pain and danger of an Hemorrhage The healing of the Bladder is not extraordinary because it has fleshy Fibres by the help whereof and the innate heat the Wound is the more easily cured XVI Some inject by a Catheter into the Bladder thinking thereby to break the Stone for that the Medicines are not altered in their passage nor lose any thing of their Virtue as those do which are given by the mouth but reach the Stone immediately I have injected Opiates with good success for giving ease If the Liquors be sharp they ought to be such that breaking the Stone they may not hurt the Bladder as Waters made of the Ashes of Scorpions Parsley-roots Kneeholm Crabs Eyes Pellitory of the Wall Pigeons dung c. Baverius injects Petroleum in which Lapis Lyncis has been boiled and strained forth embrocating at the same time with a Decoction of Mallows He says it wonderfully breaks the Stone in the Bladder Or you may inject with this Take a small Lixivium of Pot-Ashes one Pound crude Opium two Drams mix digest twenty four hours then strain out the Liquor for use CHAP. XXI Precipiolum The Universal Medicine of PARACELSUS WHat we have aenigmatically delivered in our Doron Medicum Lib. 1. Cap. 27. concerning the universal Medicine of Paracelsus by reason of
the Gold Take the Gold which you have scraped out of the Retort and pouder it very small in your Glass Mortar with which mingle your Mercury by degrees or by little and little your Mercury will hardly mix with your Gold the reason is the Gold is full of the Praecipiolum and then it is time to separate the Praecipiolum from the Gold and Mercury which is a Womans work when her Cloths are foul she washes them from their foulness The same way you must cleanse or separate the Praecipiolum from the Gold and Mercury as followeth XI When you have the sign that your Mercury will hardly amalgamate or mix with your Gold or that the Gold will not enter into the Mercury then pour on it the fairest Water distilled Water is best three Fingers breadth above the Sol or Luna and Mercury which wash together in the Mortar with a Pestel very well till the Water is blewish black then it is a sign that the Gold le ts fall its Tartar or Praecipiolum into the Water Pour off this Water into a Glass but be careful that not any of the Mercury goes off with it for this Mercury will no more mix with common fair Water than Oil and Water will mix Put more fresh Water upon your Gold and Mercury and wash it again 'till the Water is blew again pour it off as aforesaid Thus continue washing 'till your Water remains white Put this last Water to the other Waters in the Glass and cover the Glass very close that not any foulness may fall into the Glass XII The Praecipiolum being thus washed away the Mercury will again amalgamate with the Gold as Oil will dissolve Wax Take the Amalgama dry it upon warm Ashes very softly with a Sponge or on Paper and by a little heat that the Amalgama may be dry which put again into the Retort and distil it as aforesaid by Sect. 8. 9. so long 'till the Gold will hardly Amalgamate with the Mercury then separate the Praecipiolum as aforesaid by Sect. 10. 11. XIII Now observe I gave you a charge that you should keep your Glass close wherein you put your blewest Water which will be clear and a Pouder at bottom which is some of the Praecipiolum The clear Water pour off without disturbing it as soon as you can into another Glass Now when you see that your Gold will hardly mit with your Mercury or not without great trouble pour the same Water which you poured off from the Praecipiolum upon your Amalgama and wash it again 'till the Water is blewish as aforesaid which pour off and continue so doing 'till the Water is colourless by Sect. 11. XIV Then take the Amalgama again and dry it and repeat the same Work again by Sect. 12. 'till you have the sign which wash again with the aforesaid Water by Sect. 13. and you will find that your Praecipiolum will 〈◊〉 daily This distillation and washing you shall continue 'till the Mercury is freed from the Mercurium coagulatum or Praecipiolum XV. Observe that as the Water grows less you add to it as need requires fresh Water Now the sign when the Mercury has lost all its Sperm or its Tartar or Coagulum or Praecipiolum is That that Mercury will Eternally Amalgamate with the Gold so that they will always mix well together And if you should a thousand times Amalgamate that Gold and Mercury and as often distil the one from the other yet they will still Amalgamate again or mix And if you should wash them a thousand times with fresh Water the Water will be clear and not blewish As long as any Salt or Praecipiolum is in the Mercury you cannot distil two three or four times the Mercury from the Sol but it will be difficult to Amalgamate or mit the one with the other and when you will have it to mix you must wash it and then it will Amalgamate well again But when that the Salt or Praecipiolum is all separated from the Mercury it will Amalgamate or mit after a thousand distillations as aforesaid And if it be wash'd a thousand times the Water will always be clear XVI To prepare the Praecipiolum to a Medicine Pour the clear Waters from the Pouder which lies at the bottom in the Glass that no Water may be left on the Pouder put the Glass on a little warm Ashes that the Pouder may dry which will look blewish Yellow Put this Pouder into a little Cucurbit Glass or Bolt-head and distil off from it the Water of Eggs five or six times or so long 'till the Pouder becomes Red and distil off from it five or six times Spirit of Wine so is it fitted for Medicine Dostwo or almost three Grains XVII To make the Water of Eggs. Take a good quantity of Eggs boyl them very hard take the Whites and cut them very small and distil them in an Alembick per Cineres very softly 'till you have got all the Water from the Whites then take the Egg-shells calcine them put them into a Retort put upon them the former that is their own Water and distil per Arenam with a strong Fire put this Water upon Ashes again and distil it again Thus continue it five or six times so the Water will be fitted for the Praecipiolum XVIII The Philosophers Key which is the Sal Prae cipioli or Salt of the Mercury coagulate You may remember that I gave you Instruction that you should pour off the clear VVater from the Praecipiolum and you should make dry the Praecipiolum and bring it into a Medicinal red Pouder Or you should bring it into its first Matter which shall bring all Mettals principally its own Body into its first Matter which cannot be done without the Sal Praecipioli which is hidden in the VVater you pour off from the Praecipiolum That same VVater filtre through brown Paper and set the VVater to evaporate in a round Glass very softly in Ashes VVhen the VVater is evaporated away you will find at the bottom of the Glass a yellow whitish Salt which is Sal Praecipioli and the Clavis Philosophorum wherewith they do unlock the Lock of the Praecipiolum which brings the same into its first Matter If you know not this Salt you know nothing of the true Chymistry This Salt does decrease in the decrease of the Moon and increase in the full One Grain will purge very safely all Podagra's Struma's venerial and hydropical Humors with two Grains of the Praecipiolum prepared XIX To bring the Praecipiolum into its first Matter or slippery Water Take of the Salt p. 1. of the Praecipiolum p. 2. being dry first dissolve the Salt in warm Water and put it upon the Praecipiolum and evaporate it away very gently in warm Ashes with a very gentle fire then is the Praecipiolum with its own Salt put it into a little Retort nip up the neck of the Retort very close put it into Balneum
Spirit of God which goes through and pierces all things which generates and preserves that which is generated His Spirit of heat decocts and coagulates that which is thin rarifies that which is too thick warms the cold and raises up to life that which has been dead and buried II. Hermes Who has given to or bestowed upon rational Creatures the power and faculties of truly judging and determining not forsaking any so as to give them an occasion to cease searching after the Truth Salmon 'T is true that Adam before the Fall was adorned with the fulness of light and knowledge above all other Creatures shining like Sol among the Stars but after his Fall that prime perfection was much eclipsed and he was drove out of the Garden into a Wilderness among the Beasts which perish yet not without a promise of Restauration and remission of his Transgression by one Eternal Sacrifice through the diffluence and power of whose Spirit Man is put into a possibility of attaining a measure of the true and perfect knowledge and understanding even in this life III. Hermes For my part I had never discovered any thing of this matter nor revealed it to any one had not the fear of the Judgments of God or the hazard of the Damnation of my Soul for such a Concealment prevailed with me It is a debt I am willing to pay to the Just as the Father of the Just has liberally bestowed it upon me Salmon That is revealed them so as that the Sons of Art might understand them not to the Profane and Unworthy and Scoffers For the Oracle of Truth himself has long since told us It is not fit to give the Childrens Bread to Dogs though they may eat of the Crumbs which fall from the Masters Table Some Men the Scriptures of Truth have compared to Dogs yea Greedy Dogs Wolves Foxes c. These can never come to sit at the Table and feed of the Divine repast 'T is a Transgression against the Law of Nature which is the Law of God which deserves the Divine Vengeance for a punishment And such indeed is the revealing of forbidden Secrets to such to whom they do not belong And saith Raimand Lully Thou shalt reserve and keep that Secret which is proper only to God to reveal and thou dost justly conceal those things whose revelation belongs to his Honour otherwise thou shalt be condemned in the Great day as a Traytor to the Majesty of God nor shall thy Treason be forgiven thee IV. Hermes Now understand O ye Children of Wisdom that the knowledge of the four Elements of the Ancient Philosophers was not Corporally nor Imprudently sought into Which are through patience to be attained according to their kind which through their own operation are hidden or obscured You can do nothing except the matter be compounded because it cannot be perfected unless first the various Colours are throughly accomplished Salmon Hermes now begins to give a description of the Great Work which he calls the knowledge of the Elements but not of those Elements which are foolishly discoursed of in the Schools of the Peripateticks They speak of an Element to be Corpus Simplex but our Hermes saith They are not to be understood Corporaliter Ergò 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Spiritualiter Sapienter that is Spiritually and Wisely Thus the Principles of Art are said to be four Elements Earth Water Air Fire as Hermes indigitates but what these are in a Spiritual sense the Peripatetick knows not which the same Hermes interprets in another place the Soul Spirit and Body and which Paracelsus calls Salt Sulphur and Mercury Others make but two as the Agent and Patient Masculine and Feminine Sulphur and Mercury Others but one only viz. The Aqua Philosophica There are many other Names by which this Matter is called but the Subject or Prima materia is one only because it is as it were the Cardinal hinge upon which all the rest turn which the Philosophers explicate to be their Mercury which is the beginning the middle and the end of the Work and without which whoever labours labours in vain and yet it will do nothing without it be compounded because it cannot be perfected without its colours are throughly accomplished The Body and the Soul or the Salt and the Sulphur cannot be united in their most minute parts without the help of the Spirit which is Mercury Luna and Sol cannot procreate without the help of Mercury which extracts the Semen from both the Bodies and in the center of the Earth as its proper Vessel digests and perfects it Therefore Mercury does nothing of its self except something be added to it by which it may be mortified V. Harmes Know then that the Division which was made upon the water by the Ancient Philosophers is that which separates it or converts it into four other substances one into two and three to one the third part of which is color or has tincture to wit the coagulating humour or moisture but the second and third Waters are the Weights of the Wise. Salmon This Water to be divided is the same with the four Elements before spoken of viz. The Aqua Philosophica This must be divided into four parts viz. The one part into two adding three parts to one from whence arises seven parts He divides the differences of the Colors into two threes that is into three Red Spirits and three White which three Spirits have their rise from the one Aqua Philosophica and are resolved into the same again VI. Hermes Take of the humidity or moisture an ounce and half of the Southern Redness viz. Anima Solis a fourth part i. e. half an ounce of the Citrine Seyre in like manner half an ounce of Auripigment half an ounce which are eight that is three ounces Now understand that the Vine of the Wise Men or Tree of the Philosophers is extracted or drawn forth in three but the Wine thereof is not perfected till at length thirty be compleated Salmon He Essays to explicate the proportions of the Philosophick Ingredients under various Names for that which he calls the Humidity the Southern Redness Anima solis Seyre Citrinum Auripigment the Vine of the Philosophers and their Wine have no other signification but that the Aqua Mercurii should be seven times distilled which after the eighth Distillation the Compositum by the force of the fire is converted into Ashes or a most subtil pouder which by reason of its purity and perfection resists the fire neither wonder that eight parts and three ounces are equivalent for by the former Section the one part is divided into two to each of them there is added three parts which are the true and Philosophick Proportions called by Hermes the Weights of the Wise. VII Hermes Understand then the operation The Decoction doth diminish the matter but the Tincture does augment it Because Luna in 15 days is diminished in the Heaven and in the third
will tinge nothing for it never tinges any thing Red but that which is White and while the Work is now perfecting add them to the light of the Sun and it will be compleated Regimine Marino as we have already declared and by this conjunction above your Stone will attain to its Beauty and Glory XII Thus have you a dry Fire which does tinge an Air or Vapour which fixes and chains the Volatile Matter binding the Fugitive in Fetters and also whitens expelling the blackness from Bodies and a fixed Earth also receiving the Tincture CHAP. XX. The Order of the Practical part of the Operation I. WAsh your Mercury with the Water of the Sea till you have taken away from it all its Blackness so will you accomplish your work to perfection in which rejoyce II. If you understand how a Resurrection is ac complished i. e. how the living Principle or Spirit comes forth from the dead Matter or Substance how that is made apparent which was hidden and how Strength is drawn forth through Weakness you cannot be Ignorant how to compleat and perfect this Work III. How Manifest and Clear are the Words of the Wise yet so as the internal Life and Principal is still hidden you understand them not perfectly by their Expressions IIII. Two Bodies equally taken from the Earth grind in the Oyl of the Decocted Matter and in the Milk of the White Volatile Now mighty and wonderful are the powers and force of these Bodies which are freely bestowed upon you through this whole Science which you shall possess and therewith a long and enduring Life V. Take by force the most Intense Wisdom from whence you must draw forth the Eternal perpetual or fixed Life of the Stone till your Stone is congealed and its dulness is vanished so will you accomplish the Life thereof sought after VI. Give therefore of this Life sufficienly to your Matter and it will mortifie it or bring it to putrefaction but repleat your Earth and it shall make it to live Spring Bud Grow Germinate VII Plant this Tree upon your Stone that it may not be in danger of the violence of Winds that the Volatile Iufluences or Bird of Heaven may fall upon it and by virtue thereof its Branches may bring forth much Fruit from thence Wisdom does arise VIII Take this Volatile Bird cut off its Head with a fiery Sword then strip it of its Feathers or Wings undo its Joynts and boil it upon Coals till it is made or becomes of one only Color IX Then put the Venom or Poyson to it so much as is enough to bury or cover it govern it now with a gentle Fire till your Matter is mortified or putrefied which done grind it with White Water and manage it rightly X. For we bought two Black Crows and we put them into a Paropsidem or Crucible or Cupel which we had by us and Eggs or Silver Gobbets came out White as Salt these we tinged with our Saffron of them we sold publickly two hundred times with which we have been made Rich and our Treasures are multiplied XI And whosoever you shall imbue or fill with the Powers thereof should they be hurt with the Poyson of Vipers or the Malignity of Brass or Verdigrise they shall be in no danger for that it quickens and revives the Dead and kills the Living It destroys and restores again it casts down that which is elevated and lift up and elevates that which is abjected and cast down and gives you a dominion over the Heavens of the Earth XII Now you must note that there are two Stones of the Wise found in the Shores of the Rivers in the Arms of the Mountains in the Bowels of the Floods and in the back parts of the Kings House which by instruction and prudent management may be brought forth Male and Female XIII By these being conjoyned and made complex or perfectly united into one consimiliar substance you will be made wiser you will see the reason of the Operation and the end of the Work Blessed God how great and how wonderful a thing is this XIV A certain Philosopher dreamed that the Kings Messenger came to a certain Podagrick and the Podagrick desired that he might go with him to whom the Messenger answered since thou hast the Gout how canst thou go with me for thou canst not walk XV. To whom the Podagrick answered Thou knowest that in the Root of this Mountain there is a certain Tabernacle bearing me then thither leave there the burthen so shall I be presently freed or delivered from my Gout XVI Then said he to me thou art not able to touch the foot thereof but going back he took him up and placed him in the Tabernacle the foot of which the Messenger said he was not able to touch And waking from his Dream he saw nothing Behold the Similitude XVII Another also saw in a Dream wherein it was said if any one truly should sit down by the way and should ask you whether you would think fit to do this thing would you do it He answered I know not the other said thar he should lie or generate with his Mother in the middle of the Earth then awaking he saw nothing Consider well this similitude CHAP. XXI The remaining Operations and conclusion of this whole Work I. BUT leading you to the knowledge of Phylosophy and exposing the Demonstrations thereof in a Philosophick manner we should make it the dirision and mockery of Women and the play of Children II. Take also the fresh Bark or Rind in the same moment in which you shall after another manner extract the matter or thing it self in the place where it is generated and put it into a Cucurbit and sublime it III. And that which is or shall be sublimed separate it for it is the Vinegar of the Philosophers and their Sapience i. e. their Salt IV. Then take this Vinegar and melt or pour it forth upon another Cortex Bark or Superfices of the Sea and put it into a Glass Vesica in which put so much of your Vinegar as may over top it the heighth of Four Inches this bury in warm Horse dung for Thirty One or Forty Daies V. This time being past take the Vessel forth and you will find it now dissolved and turned into a black and stinking Water more black and stinking than any thing in the whole World VI. Take then this very thing it self and very gently elevate it in its tabernacle till all the moisture is consumed so as no more will ascend this sublimed Matter keep carefully for your use VII Then take the Foeces which remain in the bottom of the Cucurbit and keep them for they are the crown and rejoycing of the Heart Die then the same and grind them and add there to fresh or new Cortex of the Sea that is say Mercury and grind them together drying them in a warm Sun VIII And the Waters from the same first sublimed
sink down to the bottom which diligently grind and dry and put them in the Crucible or Test of Ethel and sublime and the Matter being sublimed purely White as fine Salt keep it safely for it is the Auripigment and Sulphur and Magnesia of the Philosopers IX Understand now and see that you govern your Work with Wisdom and Prudence and make not too much haste X. Then take the Cucurbit put half way into lute and put into the same your dissolved black Water which you have sublimed that is to say nine parts and of this whitned Auripigmentum which you sublimed from the Ethel two parts XI I say that this opened or decocted Auripigment is immediately dissolved in the Water and made like to Water that nothing can be seen by mankind of a more intense fixt and perfect Whiteness nor any thing more beautiful to the Eye which the Philosopers call their Sal Virginis or Virgin Salt XII Put this into a little Vessel called a Cucurbit close well the Joynts which put upon a gentle Fire making it as it were but with two Coals at first and then adding two others and look into it to see how the Water ascends and descends XIII When you see the Vapour is consumed and nothing more will ascend of that which is elevated nor descend know that the Matter it self is now coagulated make therefore a more intense and vehement Fire for the space of three hours of the day XIV Then lastly take away the Fire or let it go out and the next day all things being cold open the mouth of your 〈◊〉 and take forth the Matter which is of a substance white sincere and melted or dissolved XV. This is your Substance sought after and now you have comethrough to the end of your Work manage it according to your Reason and Prudence for God assisting you may make of it what you please KALIDIS PERSICI SECRETA ALCHYMIAE Written Originally in Hebrew and Translated thence into Arabick and out of Arabick into Latin Now faithfully rendred into English By WILLIAM SALMON CHAP. XXII Of the Difficulties of this Art I. THanks be given to God the Creator of all things who hath made us renewed us taught us and given us knowledge and understanding for except he should keep us preserve us and direct us we should wander out of the right way as having no Guide or Teacher Nor can we know any thing in this World unless he teach us who is the begining of all things and the Wisdom it self his power and goodness it is with which he over-shadows his People II. He directs and instructs whom he pleases and by his long-suffering and tender Mercies brings them back into the way of Righteousness For he has sent his Angels or Spirit into the dark places and made plain the Ways and with his loving kindness replenishes such as love him III. Know then my Brother that this Magistery of our Secret Stone and this Valuable Art is a secret of the Secrets of God which he has hidden with his own People not revealing it to any but to such who as Sons faithfully have deserved it who have known his Goodness and Almightiness IV. If you would request any Earthly thing at the Hand of God the Secret of this Magistery is more to be desired than any thing else For the Wise Men who have perfected the knowledge thereof have not been wholly plain but speaking of it have partly concealed it and partly revealed it And in this very thing I have found the preceeding Philosophers to agree in all their so much valued Books V. Know therefore that Musa my own Disciple more valuable to me than any other having diligently studied their Books and laboured much in the Work of this Magistery was much perplexed not knowing the Natures of things belonging thereto Whereupon he humbly begged at my Hands my Explanation thereof and my Directions therein VI. But I gave him no other Answer Than that he should read over the Philosophers Books and therein to seek that which he desired of me Going his way he read above an hundred Books as he found or could get them the true Books of the Secret of the Great Philosophers But by them he could not attain the knowledge of that Mistery which he desired tho continually studying it for the space of a Year for which reason he was as one astonished and much troubled in mind VII If then Musa my Scholar who has deserved to be accounted among the Philosophers has thus failed in the knowledge of this Mistery what may be supposed from the Ignorant and Unlearned who under stand not the Natures of things nor apprehend whereof they consist VIII Now when I saw this in my most dear and chosen Disciple moved with Piety and Love to him by the Will also and Appointment of God I wrote this my Book near the time of my Death in which tho' I have pretermitted many things which the Philosophers before me have mentioned in their Books yet have I handled some things which they have concealed and could not be prevailed withal to reveal or discover IX Yea I have explicated and laid open certain things which they hid under AEnigmatical and dark Expressions and this my Book I have Named The Secrets of Alchymie for that I have revealed in it whatsoever is necessary to the knowledge of this Learning in a Language befiting the matter and to your sence and understanding X. I have taught four Magisteries far greater and better than the other Philosophers have done of which number The one is a Mineral Elixir another Animal The other two are Mineral Elixirs but not the one Mineral whose Virtue is to wash cleanse or purifie those which they call the Bodies And another is to make Gold of Azot vive whose Composition or Generation is according to the Natural Generation in the Mines or in the Heart and Bowels of the Earth XI And these four Magisteries or Works the Philosophers have discoursed of in their Books of the Composition thereof but they are wanting in many things nor would they clearly shew the Operation of it in their Books And when by chance any one found it out yet could he not throughly understand it than which nothing was more grievous to him XII I will therefore in this Work declare it toge ther with the way and manner how to make it but if you read me learn to understand Geometrical proportion that so you may rightly frame your Fornaces not exceeding the mean either in greatness or smalness with all you must understand the proportion of your Fire and the form of the Vessel fit for your Work XIII Also you must consider what is the ground work and beginning of the Magistery which is as the Seed and Womb to the Generation of Living Creatures which are shaped in the Womb and therein receive their Fabrick Increase and Nourishment For if the prima materia of our Magistery is not conveniently managed the
is but One and of the Nature thereof I. WHEN it was demanded of Bauzan a Greek Philosopher whether a Stone may be made of a thing which budeth Answered Yea viz. the two first Stones to wit the Stone Aleali and our Stone which is the Workmanship and Life of him who knows and underftands it II. But he that is ignorant of it who has not made nor knows how it is generated supposing it to be no Stone or apprehends not in his own mind all the things which I have spoken of it and yet will attempt to compose it spends away foolishly his precious time and loses his Money III. Except he finds out this precious Treasure he finds indeed nothing there is no second thing or matter that can rise up and take its place or stand it self instead thereof there is no other Natures that can triumph over it IV. Much heat is the nature thereof but with a certain temperature If by this saying you come to know it you will reap profit but if yet you remain ignorant you will lose all your labour V. It has many singular Properties and Virtues in curing the Infirmities of Bodies and their accidental Diseases and preserves sound Substances so that there appears not in them any Heterogenities or Contrarieties No possibility of the dissolution of their Union VI. It is the Sapo or Soap of Bodies yea their Spirit and Soul which when it is incorporate with them dissolves them without any loss VII This is the Life of the Dead and their Resurrection a Medicine preserving Bodies cleansing them and purging away their Superfluities VIII He that understands let him understand and he that is ignorant let him be ignorant still For this Treasure is not to be bought with Money and as it cannot be bought so neither can it be sold. IX Conceive therefore its Virtue and Excellency aright consider its value and Worth and then begin to Work How excellently speaks a Learned Philosopher to this purpose X. God saith he gives thee not this Magistery for thy sole Courage Boldness Strength or Wisdom without any labour but thou must labour that God may give thee success Adore then God Almighty the Creator of all things who is pleased thus to favour thee with so great and so precious a Treasure CHAP. XXXIII The Way and Manner how to make the Stone both White and Red. I. WHen you attempt to do this take this our precious Stone and put it into a Cucurbit covering it with an Alembick which close well with Lutum sapientiae and set it in Horse-dung and fixing a Receiver to it distil the matter into the Receiver till all the water is come over and the moisture dry up and dryness prevail over it II. Then take it out dry reserving the water that is distilled for a future occasion take I say the dry body that remained in the bottom of the Cucurbit and grind it and put it into a Vessel answerable in magnitude to the quantity of the Medicine III. Bury it in as very hot Horse-dung as you can get the Vessel being well luted with Lutum sapientiae And in this manner let it digest But when you perceive the Dung to grow cold get other fresh Dung which is very hot and put your Vessel therein to digest as before IV. Thus shall you do for the space of forty days renewing your Dung so often as the occasion or reason of the Work shall require and the Medicine shall dissolve of it self and become a thick White water V. Which when you shall see you shall weigh it and put thereto half so much by weight of the water which you reserved close and lute your Vessel well with Lutum sapientiae and put it again into hot Horse-dung which is hot and moist to digest not omitting to renew the Dung when it begins to cool till the course of forty days be expired VI. So will your Medicine be congealed in the like number of days as before it was dissolved in VII Again take it weigh it justly and according to its quantity add to it of the reserved water you made before grind the Body and subtilize it and put the water upon it and set it again in hot Horse-dung for a Week and half or ten days then take it out and you shall see that the Body has already drunk up the Water VIII Afterwards grind it again and put thereto the like Quantity of your reserved water as you did before bury it in very hot Horse dung and leave it therefore ten days more take it out again and you shall find that the Body has already drunk up the Water IX Then as before grind it putting thereto of the afore reserved Water the aforesaid quantity and bury it in like manner in hot Horse-dung digesting it 10 days longer then taking it forth and this do the fourth time also X. Which done take it forth and grind it and bury it in Horse-dung till it be dissolved Afterwards take it out and reiterate it once more for then the Birth will be perfect and the Work ended XI Now when this is done and you have brought your matter to this great perfection then take of Lead or Steel 250 Drams melt it and caste thereon 1 Dram of Cinnabar to wit of this our Medicine thus perfected and it shall fix the Lead or Steel that it shall not fly the fire XII It shall make it white 〈◊〉 cleanse it from all its dross and blackness and convert it into a Tincture perpetually abiding XIII Then take a Dram from these 250 Drams and project it upon 250 Drams of Steel or Copper and it shall whiten it and convert it into Silver better than that of the Mine which is the greatest and last Work of the White which it performs XIV To convert the said Stone into Red. And if you desire to convert this Magistry into Sol or Gold take of this Medicine thus perfected at 10. above the weight of one Dram after the manner of the former Example and put it into a Vessel and bury it in Horse-dung for forty days till it be dissolved XV. Then give it the Water of the dissolved Body to drink first as much as amounts to half its weight afterwards bury it in hot Horse-dung digesting it till it is dissolved as aforesaid XVI Then proceed in this Golden Work as before in the Silver and you shall have fine Gold even pure Gold Keep my Son this most secret Book containing the Secret of Secrets reserving it from Ignorant and Profane Hands so shall you obtain your desire Amen CHAP. XXXIV Kalid's Secret of Secrets or Stone of the Philosophers Explicated I. IF you would be so happy as to obtain the Blessing of the Philosphers as God doth live for ever so let this verity live with you Now the Philosophers say it abides in the Shell and contains in it self both White and Red the one is called Masculine the other Feminine and they are
an homogene and uniform nature Then we take the moist part and reserve it a part to a farther use This Earth or Ashes which is a very fixed thing we put into a very strong Earthen Pot or Crucible to which we lute its Cover and set it in a calcining Fornace or Reverberatory for 3 days so that it may be always red hot Thus we make of a Stone a white Calx and of things of an earthy and watery nature a fiery nature For every Calx is of a fiery nature which is hot and dry XXXVI We have brought things to the nature of fire we must now further subtilize the four Elements we take apart a small quantity of this Calx viz. a fourth part The other we set to dissolve with a good quantity of fresh Mercury even as we had done formerly in all the Processes of the aforegoing Paragraphs and so proceed on from time to time till it is wholly dissolved XXXVII Now that you may change the fixt into a Volatile that is Fire into Water know that that which was of the nature of Fire is now become the nature of Water and the fixt thereby is made volatile and very subtil Take of this water one part put it to the reserved Calx and add to it as much of the water as may over top the Calx 2 or 3 Inches making a fire under it for 3 days thus it congeals sooner than at first for Calx is hot and dry and drinks up the humidity greedily XXXVIII This Congelation must be continued till all be quite congealed afterwards you must calcine it as formerly being quite calcined it is called the quintessence because it is of a more subtil nature than fire and because of the Transmutation formerly made All this being done our Medicine is finished and nothing but Ingression is wanting viz. that the matter may have an Ingress into Imperfect Metals XXXIX Plato and many other Philosophers began this Work again with dissolving subliming or subtilizing congealing and calcining as at first But this our Medicine which we call a ferment transmutes Mercury into its own na-nature in which it is dissolved and sublimed They say also our Medicine transmutes infinitely imperfect Metals and that he who attains once to the perfection of it shall never have any need to make more all which is Philosophically to be understood as to the first Original Work XL. Seeing then that our Medicine transmutes imperfect Metals into Sol and Luna according to the nature and form of the matter out of which it is made therefore we now a second time say That this our Medicine is of that nature that it transmutes or changes converts divides asunder like fire and is of a more subtil nature than fire being of the nature of a quintessence as aforesaid converting Mercury which is an imperfect substance into its own nature turning the grossness of Metal into Dust and Ashes as you see fire which does not turn all things into its nature but that which is homogene with it turning the hetero gene matter into Ashes XLI We have taught how a Body is to be changed into a Spirit and again how the Spirit is to be turned into a Body viz. how the fixed is made volatile and the volatile fixed again How the Earth is turned into Water and Air and the Air into Fire and the Fire into Earth again Then the Earth into Fire and the Fire into Air and the Air into Water and the Water again into Earth Now the Earth which was of the nature of Fire is brought to the nature of a quintessence XLII Thus we have taught the ways of transmuting performed through heat and moisture making out of a dry a moist thing and out of a moist a dry one otherwise Natures which are of several Properties or Families could not be brought to one uniform thing if the one should be turned into the others nature XLIII And this is the perfection of the matter according to the advice of the Philosopher Ascend from the Earth into Heaven and descend from the Heaven to the Earth to the intent to make the body which is Earth into a Spirit which is subtil and then to reduce that Spirit into a Body again which is gross changing one Element into another as Earth into Water Water into Air Air into Fire and Fire again into Water and Water into Fire and that into a more subtil Nature and quintescence Thus have you accomplished the Treasure of the whole World XLIII Ingression Take Sulphur Vive Melt it in an Earthen Vessel well glazed and put to it a strong Lye made of Calx vive and Pot Ashes Boyl gently together so will an Oyl swim on the top which take and keep Having enough of it mix it with Sand distil it through an Alembick or Retort so long till it becomes incombustible With this Oyl we imbibe Our Medicine which will be like Soap then we distil by an Alembick and cohobate 3 or 4 times adding more Oyl to it if it be not imbibed enough XLV Being thus imbibed put fire under it that the moisture may Vanish and the Medicine be fit and fusible as the body of Glass Then take the Avis Hermetis before reserved and put it to it Gradatim till it all becomes perfectly fixt XLVI Now according to Avicen it is not possible to convert or transmute Metals unless they be reduced to their first Matter then by the help of Art they are transmuted into another Metal The Alchymist does like the Physitian who first Purges off the Corrupt or Morbifick Matter the Enemy to Mans Health and then administers a Cordial to restore the Vital Powers So we first Purge the Mercury and Sulphur in Metals and then strengthen the Heavenly Elements in them according to their various Preparations XLVII This Nature works farther by the help of Art as her Instrument and really makes the most pure and fine Sol and Luna for as the heavenly Elemental Virtues work in natural Vessels even so do the artificial being made uniform agreeable with nature and as nature works by means of the heats of Fire and of the Bodies so also Art work 〈◊〉 by a like temperate and proportionate fire by the moving and living virtue in the matter XLVIII For the heavenly virtue mixed with it at first and inclinable to this or that is furthered by Art Heavenly Virtues are communicated to their Subjects as it is in all natural things chiefly in things generated by putrefaction where the Astral Influences are apparent according to the capacity of the matter XLIX The Alchymist imitates the same thing destroying one form to beget another and his Operations are best when they are according to nature as by purifying the Sulphur by digesting subliming and purging Argent Vive by an exact mixtion with a Metalick matter and thus out of their Principles the form of every Metal is produced L. The power and virtue of the converting Element must
Cupel The Magistery of this Art gives it a Tincture of Redness that shines in it with inestimable brightness It is hardened and cleansed more easily than Saturn He who knows how to take away its Vice of breaking will suddenly reap the Fruit of his Labour with joy because it agrees so well with Sol and Luna and will never be separated from them IV. In Calcining Tin a Sulphureous stink arises from its Sulphur not fixed and tho it gives no flame yet it is not fixed for it s not flaming is by reason of the great abundancy of its Argent Vive preserving from Combustion So that in Tin is a two-fold Sulphur and a two-fold Argent Vive one Sulphur less fixed sending forth a stink the other more fixed because it abides with the Calx in the Fire and stinks not V. there is also a twofold substance of Argent Vive in it one not fixed and the other sixed because it makes a Crashing noise before its Calcination but after it has been thrice Calcined that Crashing ceases which is caused by its fugitive Argent Vive being flown away This is evident in Lead being wash't with Argent Vive and then melted in a very gentle fire some part of the Mercury will remain with the Lead and will give to it this stridor converting the Lead into Tin VI. On the contrary also Tin may be converted into Lead For by a mani fold repetition of its Calcination and a fire fit for its reduction it is turned into Lead but especially when by subtraction of its Scoria it is calcin'd with a great fire VII Now after the removal of these two Substances viz. Sulphur and Argent Vive from Jupiter you will find that it is livid and weighty as Lead yet partaking of greater whiteness than Lead and therefore more pure than Lead In which is the equality of fixation of the two compounding things viz. Sulphur and Argent Vive but not the equality of quantity because in the Commixtion the Argent Vive is super-eminent VIII Now if there were not in its proper nature a greater quantity of Argent Vive than of Sulphur Argent Vive would not easily adhere to it For which reason it adheres with difficulty to Venus but with much greater difficulty to Mars by reason of the small quantity of Argent Vive contained therein the sign of which is the easie fusion of the one and the difficult fusion of the other IX But the fixation of these two substances remaining approaches nigh to firm fixation yet is it not absolutely fixed which is evident from the calcination of its body and after calcination the exposing the same to the most strong fire for by that division is not made but the whole substance ascends yet more purified from whence it appears that the burning Sulphur in Tin is more easily separated than that in Lead And that because its corrupting Properties are not radical but accidental therefore they are the more easily separated and its mundification Induration and fixation the more speedy X. And because that after Calcination and Reduction we found in its fume a citrinity through the great force of fire we judged that it contained in its body much sixed Sulphur By these Operations you may find out the Principles of Bodies and the Properties of Spirits XI At Sect. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22. of the former Chapter we have shewn the farther preparations of Tin which because they are so plainly expressed there are needless to be again repeated here Yet there are other special Preparations which are the following to wit by Calci nation by which its substance is more hardened which happens not to Saturn Also by Alums for these properly harden Jupiter Also by Conservation of it in the fire of its Calcination for by this it loose its stridor or Crashing and fraction of bodies likewise the which in like manner happens not to Saturn XII Calcine Jupiter as Saturn at Sect. 21. of the former Chapter with Common Salt purified and whiten its Calx for three days as in Saturn But see you err not in its Reduction for that is difficult unless it be made in the Fornace by Cineritium or Cement then it is done with ease But that you may not err joyn that Body which you would reduce in equal parts with that by which you make the reduction and co-unite the divided Calx But in Tinctures there is another consideration for the matrer tinging must be multiplied upon the matter to be tinged till the Tincture appear in the Body or Medicine XIII After you have found these two Leads and found their color and brightness with other things according to your desire possibly they may yet want Ignition then you must thus proceed Dissolve Tutia calcined and Tin calcined mix both Solutions and with that water imbibe the Calx of Tin time after time until the Calx has imbibed an eighth part of the Tutia then reduce it into a Body and you will find it to have Ignition and that good if not reiterate the same labour till due Ignition be acquired All Waters dissolutive of Bodies and Spirits we shall hereafter shew you every one of them according to their kind XIV With Talck or Mercury or pure Luna which is more profitable deduced to this by calcining and dissolving you may acquire the compleat Ignition and hardness of Saturn and Jupiter with incomparable brightness but Speculations in these things without practise is not very available XV. To Grind to Decoct to Inhumate to Calcine to Fuse to Destroy to Restore or Reduce and to cleanse Bodies are effectuall works with these Keys you may open the Occult Inclosures of our Arcanum and without them you shall never sit down at the Repasts of satisfactions XVI A White Medicine for Jupiter and Saturn prepared Take of fine Luna one Pound living Mercury eight Pound Amalgamate and waste the Amalgama with spirit of Vinegar and common Salt prepared until it acquires a Coelestial or Azure Colour Then extract as much of Mercury as you can by strongly expressing the mixture through a thick Cloth To this add Mercury sublimate double the weight of the Luna grind them well together then Decoct the mixture 〈◊〉 a Bolt-Head firmly closed for 24 hours Decoct the same again then break the Vessel and then separate that which is Sublimed from the Inferior Reddish Pouder But take heed of giving too great a Fire for that would cause the whole to flow into one black Mass. Put the Pouder upon a Porphyrie stone add to it two parts of Sal Armoniack prepared and one part of Mercury sublimed grind all very well together and imbibe the mixture with the Water of Sal Alcali or Sal Nitre if you cannot get the other or Salt of Pot-Ashes when imbibed Distil off with a gentle Fire the whole Water till that remains in the bottom is melted like Pitch Cohebate the same Water repeating this Work thrice Then
take out the Matter grind it on a stone and dry it very well Imbibe again with rectified Oyl of Eggs or with Sal Alkali or Oyl of Salt of Pot-Ashes or of Nitre or Tartar until it will flow with Ingress Project one part upon five parts of Tin prepared and it will be perfect Luna of the second Order without Error XVII Another White Medicine for Jupiter and Saturn prepared Take Talk Calcined and grind it with as much as it self of Sal Armoniack sublime it three or four times dissolve into Water and therewith Imbibe Luna calcined as you did in the former so often as until it has drunk in as much as its own weight is and give ingress to it with the Oyls aforesaid and project one part upon 10 parts of Jupiter prepared and it will be all fine Luna XVIII Another White Medicine for Saturn and Jupiter prepared Take Luna 1 pound dissolved in its own water made of Nitre and Vitriol to which add Talck calcined and dissolved 1 pound Distil off the Water cohobating 3 or 4 times congeal and incerate with Arsenick sublimed until it flow and have Ingress project 1 part upon 8 parts of Jupiter prepared and 't will be all fine Luna These three Medicines you may project upon Saturn prepared for the White but then the Saturn must be prepared and calcined for three days by Sect. 21. of the former Chapter XIX A Solar Medicine for Jupiter and Saturn prepared Calcine Sol amalgating first with Mercury as in Luna express the Mercury through a Cloth then grind it with twice so much as it self of common Salt prepared set the whole over a gentle fire that the remaining Mercury may receed Extract the Salt with sweet water dry the Calx from which sublime as much Sal Armoniack reverting the sublimed Salt four times dissolve it in A. F. made of Vitriol Nitre and Alum dissolve also Crocus Martis made by calcination or Copper calcined red joyn these Waters in equal parts draw off the Water by distillation and cohobate four times then dry the matter and imbibe it with Oyl of Tartar rectified as heretofore is taught until it flows as Wax and by projection will tinge four parts of Saturn or Jupiter into Gold Obrizon XX. Another Solar Medicine for Saturn and Jupiter prepared It is made with Sol dissolved as in the former and a like quantity of Verdigrise calcin'd and dissolved being both mixed and incerated by distilling and incerating with Sulphur prepared until it flow like Wax and tinge 8 parts of Saturn or Jupiter prepared splendidly XXI A third Solar Medicine for Saturn and Jupiter prepared for the Red. It is made of Sol dissolved Sulphur dissolved and Verdigrise dissolved mixt and prepared as in the last Sect and then increated with Oyl of Hair prepared or of Eggs for both are one one part of this projects upon 10 parts of Saturn or Jupiter prepared for the red and it will be most fine Gold according to its degree these Medicines only altering in the second Order XXII There is also another preparation of Jupiter by Sect. 22. of the former Chapter XXIII And in Sect. 23. of the former Chapter you have the Regimen of Jupiter for the White which generates or produces fine Luna such as being tryed upon the Test produces a Body perfect in Whiteness and perpetually generating its life CHAP. XLIV Of the Alchemy of Mars I. TO prepare Mars or Iron Calcine it as Venus with common Salt cleansed and let it he washed with pure Vinegar Being washed dry it in the Sun and when dried grind and imbibe it with new Salt and Vinegar and put it into the same Fornace as we shall direct in Venus for 3 days Esteem and value this Solution viz. The water of fixed Sulphur wonderfully augmenting the color of the Elixir II. The whole Secret of Mars is from the Work of Nature because it is a Metalick body very livid a little Red partaking of Whiteness not pure sustaining Ignition fusible with violent fire extensive under the Hammer and sounding much III. It is hard to be managed by reason of its impotency of fusion which if it be made to flow by a Medicine changing its nature is so conjoyned to Sol and Luna that it cannot be separated by examen without great Industry but if prepared it is conjoyned and cannot be separated by any Artisice if the nature of that fixation be not changed by it the defilement of the Mars being only removed Therefore it is easily a Tincture of Redness but difficultly of Whiteness And when it is conjoyned it is not altred nor does it change the colour of the commixtion but augments it in quantity IV. Among all Bodies Jupiter is more splendidly more clearly more brightly and more perfectly transmuted into a Solar or Lunar Body than other Bodies but the Work is of long labour though easie to be handled Next to Jupiter is Venus chosen of more difficult handling but of shorter labour than Jupiter Next after Venus comes Saturn which has a diminished perfection in Transmutation and is easie to be hand led but of most tedious labour Lastly Mars among all the Bodies of least perfection is in transmutation most difficult to be handled and of exceeding long labour V. And the more difficult any Bodies are of fusion the more difficult they are in handling in the Work of Transmutation the easier to be fused the easier to be handled and what diversity of perfections are found in any particular in the lesser or middle Works yet in the Great Work all Bodies are of one perfection but not all of a like easie handling or labour VI. Hence it appears that Mars or Iron is a commixture of fixed Earthy Sulphur with fixed earthy Argent Vive of a livid whiteness the highly fixed Sulphur predominating which prohibits fusion Whence it is evident that fixed Sulphur hinders fusion more than fixed Argent Vive But Sulphur not fixed hastens fusion more than unfixed Argent Vive By which the cause of speedy or slow fusion in every body is seen VII What has more of a fixed Sulphur is harder to fuse than what partakes of a burning fugitive Sulphur which appears because Sulphur cannot be fixed without Calcination and no Calx gives fusion therefore in all things it viz. fixt Sulphur must impede the same VIII The causes of the corruption of the Metals by fire are 1. The inclusion of a burning Sulphur in the profundity of their substance diminishing them by Inflammation and exterminating into Fume whatever fixed Argent Vive was in them 2. A Vehemency of the Exterior flame penetrating and resolving them with it self into Fume and the most fixed matter in them 3. The rarefaction of them by calcination the flame or fire penetrating into and exterminating them Where all these causes of Corruption concur those Bodies must be exceedingly corrupted Where they all concur not they are by so much the less corrupted IX The causes of the
and inflamable substance with due proportion This Calx grind to a most subtil pouder wash it with Vinegar till water will come from it free from blackness Again 〈◊〉 it with more Salt and Vinagar and grind and then calcine again in an open Vessel for 3 days and nights Take it out grind it subtily and long and wash it with Vinegar till it is cleansed from all uncleanness This done dry it in the Sun Add to it half its weight of Sal Armoniack grinding it long to an impalpable substance Then expose it to the Air or set it in Horse-dung to be dissolved To what is undissolved add a new clean Sal Armoniack thus continuing till the whole be made water Esteem and value this water which we call the water of fixed Sulphur with which the Elixir is tinged to infinity II. Venus is a Metalick Body livid pertaking of a dusky redness subject to ignition fusible extensible under the Hammer but refusing the Cupel and Cement It is in the profundity of its substance of the color and essence of Gold and is hammered being red hot as Silver and Gold is It is the medium of Sol and Luna and easily converts it nature to either being of good conversion and of little labour III. It agrees very well with Tutia which citrinizes it with a good yellow from whence you may reap profit we need not labour to indurate it or make it ignitible therefore it is to be chosen before other imperfect Bodies in the lesser and middle Work but not in the greater Yet this has a Vice beyond Jupiter that it easily grows livid and receives foulness from sharp things to erradicate which is not an easie but a profound Art IV. Copper therefore is unclean Argent Vive mixed with Sulphur unclean gross and fixed as to its greater part but as to its lesser part not fixed red and livid in relation to the whole not overcoming nor overcome It s volatile Sulphur is evident from its sulphurous fume and loss of quantity by frequent fluxing and combustion Itt fixt Sulphur is evident from its slowness of fusion and induration of its substance And that there is an unclean red Sulphur joyned with unclean Argent Vive is evident even to the senses V. When the fixed Sulphur comes to fixation by heat of Fire its parts are subtilized but that part which is in the aptitude of solution of its substance is dissolved the sign of which is the exposing it to the vapours of Vinegar which makes the Aluminosity of its Sulphur flow in its Superficies And being put into a saline liquor many parts of it are easily dissolved by Ebulition this Aluminosity by a saline watriness and easie solution is changed into water For nothing is watery and easily soluble except Alum and what is of its nature This understand also of the body os Iron VI. But the blackness in either Venus or Mars created by the Fire is by reason of the Sulphur not fixed much indeed in Venus but little in Mars and it approaches nigh to the nature of fixed Sulphur Hence it is evident that fusion is helped and partly made by Sulphur not fixed but hindred from Sulphur fixed This he certainly knew to be true who by no art of fusion could make Sulphur to flow after its fixation But having fixed Argent Vive by frequently repeating the sublimation thereof found it apt to admit good fusion VII Hence it is evident that those Bodies are of greater perfection which contain more of Argent Vive those of lesser perfection which contain lesser Therefore study in all your Works to make Argent Vive to exceed in the Commixtion And if you could perfect by Argent Vive only you would have attained to the highest perfection even the perfection of that which overcomes the Works of Nature For you may cleanse it most inwardly to which purification nature cannot reach VIII This is manifest for that those Bodies which contain a greater quantity of Argent Vive should be of greater perfection arises from their easie reception of Argent Vive into their substance and we see Bodies of perfection amicably to embrace each other IX Out of what has been said it is also apparent that in Bodies there is a two fold sulphureity One indeed included in the profundity of Argent Vive in the begining of their mixtion The other supervenient from other Accidents The one of them may be removed with labour but the other cannot possibly be taken away by any Artisice or Operation of the Fire to which we can profitably come it being so firmly and radically united therein And this is proved by experiment for we see the aductible sulphureity to be abolished or destroyed by fire but the fixed sulphureity not so X. Therefore when we say Bodies are cleansed by Calcination understand that to be meant of the earthy substance which is not united to the Radix of their nature For it is not possible by Art or force of fire to cleanse or separate what is united unless the Medicine of Argent Vive has access XI Now the separation of an earthy substance from its compound which in the root of nature is united to a Metal is this Either it is made by elevation with things elevating the substance of Argent Vive and leaving the sulphureity by reason of its conveniency with them of which nature are Tutia and Marchasite because they are Fumes part of which has a greater quantity of Argent Vive than of Sulphur XII The proof of this you may see when you joyn those things with Bodies in a strong and sudden fusion for these Spirits in their flight carry up the Bodies with them and therefore you may elevate them with them Or else by a Lavation or Commixtion with Argent Vive as we have already said For Argent Vive holds what is of its own nature but casts out what is alien or forreign XIII The preparation of Venus It is manifold one by Elevation another without Elevation The way by Elevation is that Tutia be taken with which Venus well agrees and that it be ingeniously united therewith Then put it into a Vessel of sublimation to be sublimed and by a most exceeding degree of Fire it s most subtil part will be elevated which will be of most bright splendor Or it may be mixed with Sulphur and then elevated by sublimation XIV But without sublimation it is prepared either by cleansing things in its Calx or in its Body As by Tutia Salts and Alums Or by a Lavament of Argent Vive as all other imperfect Bodies are XV. The Preparation or Purgation of Venus also is two-fold viz. one for the White and the other for the red for the White it is thus Take Venus calcin'd by fire only as aforesaid ground fine 1 pound Arsenick sublimed 4 ounces Grind them together and imbibe the mixture 3 or 4 times with water of Litharge and reduce the whole with Sal
a commixtion through their least parts which keep in sufficient heat as in the White is said Extract the Water and what remains in the Cloth put into a well sealed Glass for 3 Weeks Then take it out and add to it a third part of its own reserved water and decoct by Chap. 42. Sect. 23. aforegoing which Work do thrice When it has imbibed all its proper Water put it in its proper Vessel and Fornace to be fixed When fixed with things reducing reduce it into a Body ready to be reduced and tinged XXVIII We more espe cially handling the Regimen of Venus do declare that you ought seven times or oftner to rectifie it when prepared and dissolved distilling off the Water and cohobating thereon each time which being coagulate thence make a most noble Greenness with Sal Armoniack dissolved in Spirit of Vinegar That greenness rubisie in a Vessel of Mars and again dissolve it to which solution adjoyn a third part of prepared and dissolved Luna afterwards extracting and cohobating the water of Ferment 7 times Then reduce this into a Body and you will rejoyce The Regimen of Mars is as of Venus but by reason of its foulness no great good arises from it XXIX Grind Luna amal gamated with Mercury with twice so much Metaline Arsenick Quaere Whether Regulus of Arsenick be not intended To which adjoyn a tenfold proportion of Venus amalgamated with Mercury Grind the whole and fix and reduce into a Body so will you have a pure White Metal XXX The first Dealbation of Venus Take Realgar 1 ounce Argent Vive sublimed 3 Ounces and half Tartar calcin'd 1 ounce grind and incorporate put them into a Bolt head a Foot and half high and its Orifice so wide as two Fingers may go into it lute it and set it over a Fire covered with a Cloth First make a gentle Fire for a quarter of an hour afterwards augment the Fire underneath and round about until the Fornace be very hot with Ignition when all is cold break the Vessel and take out what you find Metalline and make of this a great quantity XXXI A Second Dealbation Upon Tutia sublime one part of Mercury sublimate and two parts of Arsnick sublimed until it shall have ingress This clearly and very speciously whitens Veuus XXXII A Third Dealbation Take Mercury sublimate 3 Ounces Arsenick sublimed 2 Ounces dissolved with Litharge till they become 8 Ounces to these 8 Ounces adjoyn other 8 Ounces of Arsenick sublimed grind them together and flux them with Oyl of Tartar and there with you may whiten prepared Venus at pleasure XXXIII A Fourth Dealbation Grind Metaline Arsenick with as much of the Calx of Luna and imbibe the Mixture with the Water of Sal Armoniack and dry and grind then dissolve Salt of Tartar in the Water of Salt Nitre some suppose Spirit of Nitre with which Oyl imbibe the Medicine repeat this thrice incerating and drying and you will rejoyce XXXIV A Fifth Dealbation which is of our own Invention Imbibe Jupiter calcined washed and dryed so often with metaline Arsenick and hals so much Mercury sublimate as untill it flows and enters Venus which if first prepared it whitens speedily XXXV A Sixth Dealbation Vpon Tutia calcined dissolved and Coagulated sublime White Arsenick so that the Arsenick be 3 parts to 1 of the Tutia reiterating the sublimation upon it four times for it has Ingress With them mix half as much as the whole is of Mercury sublimate grinding and incerating 4 times with the Water of Sal Armoniack Nitre and Tartar ana Quere whether that may not be Aq. Regis with this when coagulated cement prepared plates of Venus and melt so will you have a very beautiful Body XXXVI A Seventh Dealbation Grind Venus calcined and incerated adding to it Arsenick sublimed and half a part of Mercury sublimate with which being well ground and mixed add a little of the Water of Sal Armonoick Quer. if not A. R incerating upon a marble after dry and sublime Revert the sublimate upon the Foeces again imbibing which do thrice the fourth time imbibe with Water of Nitre Spirit of Nitre and sublime what can be sublimed reiterate this Labor till it remains fluid in the bottom This in Copper prepared will be Resplendent with brightness XXXVII An Eighth De albation Upon the prepared Calx of Venus so often sublime Arsenick sublimate till some part of the Arsenick remaine with it in the strongest Fire That imbibed with the Water of Nitre Spirit of Nitre and lastly incerated with Water of Luna and Mercury precipitate and in the end with Oyl of Tartar Rectified until it flows wonderfully whetens Venus and enters the second order if you have operated right For I have else where said that if you obtain any part of Mercury precipitated in the mixture your Work wil be more splendid especially if the White Ferment dissolved with the Mercury dissolved after a certain fixation of it be added by the medium of Inceration by which you will find you have traced the high way it self Geber our Author here saith that the last 8 Sections are all proved Experiments the first 4 of them being Experiments of the Ancients by him again proved the latter 4 Rectifications of the Practises of the Ancients or rather Experiments of his Own All which he affirms to be absolutly true and by him proved so CHAP. XLVI Of the Alchymie of Luna I. THE preparation of Luna It is subtilized attenuated and re duced to a Spirituality in the same manner as hereafter in Chap. 47. Sect. 1. we shall teach concerning Sol. Therefore in all and every part of the Work do the same as we shall there teachwith Gold and this work of Luna dissolved is the Ferment for the White Elixir made Spitual II. It is a metalick Body white which pure whiteness clean hard sounding very durable in the Cupel extensible under the Hammer and fusible It is the Tincture of whiteness hardens Tin by Artifice and converts it to it self and being mixed with Sol it breaks not but in the examination it perseveres without Artifice III. He who knows how to subtilize it and then to inspissate and fix it associated with Gold brings it into such a State that it will remain with Sol in the Test and be in no wise separated from it being put over the fumes of sharp things as Vinegar A. F. or Salarmoniack and it will be of a wonderful Caelestine Color It is a noble Body but wants of the Nobility of Sol and its Minera is found determinate but it has often a Minera confused with other Bodies which Silver is not so Noble It is likewise dissolved and Calcin'd with great Labor and no Profit IV. If therefore clean fixed Red and clear Sulpher fall upon the pure substance of Argent Vive thereof is made pure Gold then in like manner if clean fixed white and clear Sulphur falls upon the substance of Argent Vive there
perfect Luna XIII The Regiment of Luna Dissolve and Coagulate it 7 times or at least 4 times and to it dissolved adjoyn the fixed Rubifying Waters which we shall declare and you will find the body aptly solar for it agrees with Sol and remains quietly with it In this Venus admirably well purged and dissolved may be a great help to you because a most clean tinging and fixed Sulphur may be extracted from it And I tell you that Mercury purified and fixed has power to palliate or illustrate the foulness of imperfect Bodies and fixed Sulphur extracted pure from bodies to tinge them with splendor XIV Hence you may gather a great Secret viz. That Mercury and Sulphur may be extracted as well from imperfect Bodies as from perfect For purified Spirits and middle Minerals are an help and very peculiar for deducing the Work to perfection XV. Another Regiment of Luna This is to reduce it to a more noble state Take Luna dissolved 3 Pounds of Venus dissolved 4 Pounds of Ferment dissolved 1 Pound conjoyn the dissolutions decoct them sor 7 days with gentle fire in a sealed glass as in Mars with their whole water then augment the fire leisurely for other 7 days and let it be as a fire of Sublimation For other 7 days give it fire yet stronger that the whole water may be fixed with it This pouder reduce in a small quantity and if it retains with it self part of the Mercury which you will easily perceive if you know how to calcine it is well indeed but if not put it again to be fixed until it is sufficiently fixt This must be reduced with red reducing Medicines so will you find your Luna tinged transmuted and fixed XVI The Ferment of Luna for the White It is made by dissolving Luna in its own Corrosive water and then boiling this water away to a third part it is to be exposed to the Air or set in B. M. or in Dung for certain days so will it be Oyl of Luna and Ferment which keep for the White Work XVII The Ferment of Ferments upon Mercury for the White Take of the Ferment of Luna which is its Oyl add to it twice as much of Arsenick sublimed and dissolved in water Quaer what Water then to both these add of Mercury dissolved as much as of the Arsenick mix the Waters set them over the fire for one day to be incorporated then draw off the water by an Alembick and cohobate fifteen times so incerating it will be fluid as fusible Wax Add to it as much Virgin-Wax melted commix them and project the mixture upon Mercury washed Quaere What is meant by washing here according as you see fit for that resolved is augmented in Virtue and Weight XVIII A Work upon Luna and Mercury Take Litharge Salt of Pot-Ashes mix and make a Cement Put the Cement first into a Crucible an Inch thick upon which put a Ball of the Amalgamation of Mercury and Luna upon which put the remainder of the Cement that the Ball may be in the middle Dry lute and set the Crucible in a gentle fire for half a day leisurely augmenting the fire and so continue its leisurely in crease from the Evening unto the dawning of the day with moderate ignition at last then take it out and prove it by Cineritium and it will be Luna in weight and surdity and much better in fixation XIX Another Work Amalgamate Luna with Mercury to which add as much Saturn as there is Luna put it into such a Crucible that a fourth part of it may be empty Affuse on it Oyl of Sulphur and decoct it unto the consumption of the Oyl Afterwards keep it for two hours in a moderate fire and there will be generated a black Stone with a little Redness This Stone prove by Cineritium and you will find your Luna augmented in Weight Surdity and Fixation XX. Another Work Take Luna amalgamated with Mercury Grind it with twice so much Metaline Arsenick to which a tenfold proportion of amalgamated Venus viz. That the Amalgamation of Venus may be 10 times as much as the whole Amalgama of Luna and Mercury mixed with the duple quantity of Arsenick grind the whole and fix Then reduce it into a Body and you will find a good augmentation XXI Of the Citrination of Luna or tinging its Body yellow Dissolve 〈◊〉 Philosophick Zyniar which is Verdigrise deduced from Venus prepared in the water of the dissolution of Luna Aqua Fortis to which adjoyn half so much as its self is of Mercury rubified by sublimation and in some sort fixed and dissolved to these add as much of Luna dissolved as the Zyniar Verdigrise is from which fermented for one day extract the water by distillation and cohobate 10 times then coagulate and reduce into a body and you will find it a good Work XXII Or thus Dissolve Zyniar 1 Ounce and our Crocus prepared with Mercury sublimate till it wax red 1 Ounce add as much Sal Armoniack and sublime it thrice from that Crocus which dissolve To which add of Luna dissolved 2 Ounces Then do as in the former incerating and reducing and you will find satisfaction XXIII Or thus Take of Crocus and Zyniar dissolved ana add as much Sol dissol ved incerate as before then coagulate to the coagulate add a fourth part of its weight of the Oyl of Salt-peter and project upon so much of Luna and will be a Tincture of a Citrine aspect XXIV Or thus Make a Water of our Zyniar and of our said Crocus and imbibe the Calces of Sol and Luna of each equal parts therewith until they have drunk in their own weight of it Then incerate with the Oyl of Sal Armoniack and Nitre and reduce the Mass into a Noble Body XXV Or thus Sublime Sal Armoniack from our greenness to which add Crocus and Zyniar from which well commixed sublime the Sal Armoniack and repeat it twice or thrice Then dissolve the whole to which add a third part of Gold dissolved incerate as before and congeal then project upon Sol 1 ounce Luna 2 Ounces mixed together and it will be good CHAP. XLVII Of the Alchimie of Sol. I. PErfect Bodies as Sol is need no preparation in relation to their farther perfection but that they may be more subtilized and attenuated we give you this Preparation Take Leaves of fine Sol which lay stratum superstratum with common Salt well prepared in a Vessel of Calcination Set it into a Fornace and calcine well for 3 days until the whole be subtily calcined Then take it grind it well wash it with Vinegar Quaer Whether Spirit of Vinegar or some other acid Spirit and dry it in the Sun Then grind it well with half its weight of prepared or purified Sal Armoniack and set it to be dissolved until the whole by help of the Common Salt and Sal Armoniack is reduced into a most clear water This is the pretious ferment for
of Perfection if in the reiteration of their Cal cination and Reduction they loose nothing of their Goodness in respect of Color Weight Quantity or Lustre of which great care is to be taken in the manifold reiterations of these Operations if therefore by repeating the Calcination and Reduction of altered Metals they loose any thing in their differences of Goodness it is to be supposed you have not rightly persued the Art CHAP. LIV. Of Solution and its Cause I. SOlution is the reduction of a dry thing into Water and every perfection of Solution is compleated with subtile Waters such especially as are acute and sharp and Saline hav ing no Feces as Spirits of Vinegar of sower Grapes of acid Pears of Pomgranates and the like Distillod II. The case of this Invention was the Subtilezation of those things which neither have Fusion nor Ingress by which was lost the great advantage of fixed Spirits and of those things which are of their Nature For every thing which is dissolved must necessarily have the nature of Salt or Alum or their like III. And the nature of them is that they give Fusion before their Vitrification therefore Spirits dissolved will likewise give Fusion And since they in their own nature agree with Bodies and each with other Fusion being acquired they must by that of necessity penetrate Bodies and penetrating them transmute them IV. But they neither penetrate nor transmute without our Magistery or Art viz. That after Solution and Coagulation of the Body there be added to it some one of the Spirits purified not fixed and then to be so often sublimed from it till it remains with it and gives to it a more swift fusion and conserves the same in Fusion from Vitrification V. For the nature of Spirits is not to be Vitrified but to preserve the mixture from Vitrification as long as they are in it Therefore the Spirit which more retains the nature of Spirits more defends or preserves from Vitrification And a Spirit only purified more preserves than a Spirit purified calcined and dissolved Therefore there is a necessity of mingling such a Spirit with the body for from these there results good Fusion and Ingress and true Fixation VI. Now we can demonstrate by natural operation that things only holding the nature of Salts Alums and the like are soluble for in all nature we find no other things to dissolved but them therefore what things soever are dissolved must of necessity be dissolved by their nature or property VII Yet since we see all things truly calcined to be dissolved by reiteration of Calcination and Solution therefore we by that prove that all Calcinates approach to the nature of Salts and Alums and must of necessity be themselves attended with these properties VIII The way of solution is two-fold 1. By hot Dung and by boilng or hot water that is in Balneo of both which there is one intention and one effect IX To dissolve by Dung is That the Calcinate be put into a Glass Vessel up on which must be affused Spirit of Vinegar or the like double its weight Then the mouth of the Vessel must be so closed or stopt that nothing may go forth and the matter with its Vessel set in hot Dung to be dissolved and the solution afterwards filterated X. But that which is not yet dissolved must be again calcined and after Calcination in like manner dissolved until by repeating the labour the whole be dissolved as before which also filter XI The way of dissolving by boiling water is more speedy thus Put the Calcinate in like manner into its Vessel with Vinegar poured on it as before and the mouth being well clofed that nothing expire set the Vessel buried in Straw into a Pot full of water as in Distillation in Balneo then kindling the fire make the water boil for an hour which done decant the Solution and filtrate XII And that which is undissolved let it again be calcined and then again in the same manner dissolved which Work so often repeat till the whole is finished XIII The Dissolutory or dissolving Fornace is made with a pot full of water with Iron Instruments in which other Vessels are artificially retained that they fall not These are the Vessels in which every Dissolution is made XIV Bodies are in a twofold way brought to perfection either 1. By the way of Prepararion or 2. By commixtion of perfect Bodies with the Imperfect i. e. by Medicine prepared for the purpose XV. Now we say that the Body cleansed by the way of Calcination as aforesaid and Reduced must either be filed or Granulated thus being melted we pour it upon a Table-board full of small holes over cold water the water being well stirred while this is doing XVI The body thus granulated we put into our Dissolving water or AF. made of Nitre and Vitriol as to one half thereof or dissolve the filings of the same body in the said AF into a limpid water then add to it of Ferment prepared to a third part of its own weight Abstract the water and revert or cohobate it and repeat this 7 times After it is reduced into a Body prove it in its Examen and you will rejoyce for the Treasure you have found XVII And because we have treated of the perfect administration of Imperfect Bodies we should now give you the special true and certain Rule for every particular body but that being already done for Saturn Jupiter Mars Venus and Luna in their respective Chapters aforegoing where we treat of their Regiment we shall refer you thither XVIII Mercury also purified and fixed has power to take off or away the foulness of imperfect Bodies and to brighten or illustrate them And Fixed Sulphur extracted from bodies to tinge or colour them with splendor Hence you may learn a great Secret viz. That Mercury and Sulphur may be extracted as well from imperfect bodies rightly prepared as from the perfect Purified Spirits also and middle Minerals are a great help and very peculiar for bringing on the Work to perfection XIX The Dissolving Water or AF. Take Cyprus Vitriol 1 Pound Sal-Nitre half a Pound Roch Alum a fourth part Distil off the water with a red hot heat for it is very solutive and use it as we have before in several places taught This may be made more acute if in it you dissolve a fourth part of Sal Armoniack because that dissolves Gold Sulphur and Silver CHAP. LV. Of Coagulation and its Causes I. COagulation is the Reduction of a thing Liquid to a solid substance by deprivation of its moisture for which there is a two-fold Cause one is the Induration or hardening of Argent Vive of which we have already treated Chap. 48. Sect. 8. ad 23. The other is the freeing of Medicines dissolved from their Aquosity which is mixed or joyned with them and so is varied according to the kinds of things to be Coagulated II. The way of Coagulating things
proper Womb it becomes fixed Thus the Wise man does that by Art in a short time which Nature cannot perform in less than the Revolution of a Thousand Years XIV Yet notwithstanding it is not We that make the metal but Nature her self that does it Nor do or can we change one thing into another but it is Nature that changes them We are no more than meer Servants in the work XV. Therefore Medus in Turba Philosophorum saith Our Stone naturally contains in it the whole Tincture It is perfectly made in the Mountains and Body of the Earth yet of it self without art it has no life or power whereby to move the Elements XVI Chuse then the natural Minerals to which by the advice of Aristotle add Art For Nature generates Metaline Bodies of the Vapours Clouds or Fumes of Sulphur and Mercury to which all the Philosophers agree Know therefore the Principles upon which Art works to wit the Principles or beginnings of Metals For he that knows not these things shall never attain to the perfection of the Work XVII Geber saith He who has not in himself the knowledge of the Natural Principles is far from attaining the perfection of the Art being Ignorant of the Mineral Root upon which he should work XVIII Geber also farther saith That our Art is only to be understood and Learned through the true wisdom and knowledge of Natural things that is with a wisdom searching into the Roots and Natural principles of the matter XIX Yet saith he my Son I shew thee a Secret though thou knowest the Principles yet therein thou canst not follow Nature in all things Herein some have erred in Essaying to follow Nature in all her properties and differences CHAP. XXXVIII Of Mercury the Second Principle of the Work I. THe second Principle of our Stone is called Mercury which some Philosophers call as it is simple of it self a Stone One of them said This is a Stone and no Stone and that without which Nature never performs any thing which enters into or is swallowed up of other Bodies and also swallows them up II. This is simply Argent Vive which contains the Essential Power which Explicates the Tincture of our Elixir or Philosophers Stone III. Therefore saith Rhasis such a thing may be made of it which exceedeth the highest perfection of Nature For it is the Root of Metals Harmonises with them and is the Medium that explicates and conjoyns the Tinctures IV. For it swallows up that which is of its own Nature and production but rejects what isForreign and Heterogene being of an Uniform substance in all its parts V. Wherefore our Stone is called Natural or Mineral Vegetable and Animal for it is Generated in the Mines and is the Mother or Womb of all Metals and by projection converts into Metals it Springs or Grows like a Vegetable and abounds with Life like an Animal by peircing with its Tincture like Spirit and Life every where and through all particles VI. Morien saith This Stone is no Stone that can Generate a living Creature Another faith It is cast out upon the Dunghil as a vile thing and is hidden from the Eyes or understandings of Ignorant Men. VII Also in Libro Speculi Alchymiae it is said Our Stone is a thing rejected but found in Dunghils i. e. in putrefaction or the Matter being putrefied containing in it self the four Elements over which it Triumphs and is certainly to be perfected by humane industry VIII Some make Mercury of Lead Thus R Lead melt it six or Seven times and quench it in Salt Armoniac dissolved of which take 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sal Vitrioli 〈◊〉 j. Borax 〈◊〉 ss mix and Digest Forty days in Igne Philosophorum So have you Mercury not at all differing from the Natural But that is not fit for our work as the Mineral is If you have any understanding this Caution may sufficiently instruct you CHAP. XXXIX Of the Purification of the Metals and Mercury for our Work I. THis is a great and certain truth that the Clean ought to be separated from the Unclean for nothing can give that which it has not For the pure substance is of one simple Essence void of all Heterogeneity But that which is impure and unclean consists of Heterogene parts is not simple but compounded to wit of pure and impure and apt to putrifie and corrupt II. Therefore let nothing enter into your Composition which is Alien or Foreign to the matter as all Impurity is for nothing goes to the Composition of our Stone that proceedeth not from it neither in part nor in whole III. If any strange or foreign thing be mixed with it it is immediately corrupted and by that Corruption your Work becomes frustrate IV. The Citrine Bodies as Sol c. you must purge by Calcination or Cementation and it is then purged or purified if it be fine and florid V. The metal being well cleansed beat it into thin Plates or Leaves as is Leaf Gold and reserve them for use VI. The White Liquor as Mercury contains two Superfluities which must necessarily be removed from it viz. It s foetid Earthiness which hinders its Fusion and its Humidity which causes its flying VII The Earthiness is thus removed Put it into a Marble or Wooden mortar with its equal weight of pure fine and dry Salt and a little Vinegar Grind all with the Pestle till nothing of the matter appears but the whole Salt becomes very black Wash this whole matter with pure Water till the Salt is dissolved this filtby water decant and put to the Mercury again as much more Salt and Vinegar grinding it as before and washing it with fair water which work so often repeat till the water comes clear from it and that the Mercury remains pure bright and clear like a Venice Looking Glass and of a Coelestial Colour Then strain it through a Linen Cloth three or four times doubled two or three times into a clean Glass Vessel till it be dry VIII The proportion of the parts is as 24 to 1. There are 24 Hours in a Natural Day to which add one and it is 25. to wit the Rising of the Sun To understand this is Wisdom as Geber saith Indeavour through the whole Work to over-power the Mercury in Commixtion IX Rhasis saith Those Bodies come nearest to perfection which contain most Argent Vive He farther saith That the Philosophers hid nothing but Weight and Measure to wit the Proportions of the Ingredients which is clear for that none of them all agree one with another therein which causeth great error X. Though the matters be well prepared and well mixed without the Proportions or Quantities of the things be just and according to the reason of the Work you will miss of the truth or the end and lose all your Labour you will not indeed bring any thing to perfection XI And this is evident in the Examination When there is a Transmutation of the Body or that
and then always augmenting the fire gradually for three days so will they be inseparably conjoyned This is a work of three days XVI Then again and lastly take one part of this mixture and project it upon a Thousand parts of another Body or Metal the nearer to perfection the better so the whole will be a most fine and perfect Body according to the kind and according to your intended work whether for the White or for the Red. XVII And all this is but the work of one day or rather but of an hour or of a moment for which wonderful work Praises be perpetually rendred to the Lord our God for Ever and Ever CHAP. LX. A Short Recapitulation of the whole Work I. OUR Tincture then is only generated out of the Mercury of the wise which is called the Prima Materia Aqua permanens Acetum Pilosophorum 〈◊〉 Lac Virginis Mercurius Corporalis with which nothing extraneous Alien or Forreign is commixed such as are Salts Alums and Vitriols II. Because from this Mercury alone the Virtue and Power of this our Magistry is generated and it so resolves every Metalline Body that it may be augmented or multiplied III. This our aforesaid Mercury is both the Root and the Tree from whence many and almost Infinite Branches Spring and increase IV. The first work for the making of this Elixir is sublimation which is nothing else but the subtilization of the matter of our Stone by which it is cleansed from all its supersluities V. The fixed and Volatile parts are not separated one from another but they remain United and are fixed together till they both may have an easie fusion together in the fire VI. Take therefore our aforesaid Mercury which in a Sealed Glass put into its hot bed for one whole Philosophick month which is 40 days till it begins in its own body to putrisie and be Coagulated and all its Humidity be Consumed in its self and also converted into a black Earth VII In this Sublimation is compleated the true separation of the four Elements VIII Because the cold and watery Elements is changed into a hot and dry Earth which is the head of the Crow the Mother of the remaining Elements IX Thus our work is nothing else but a transmutation of Nature and a Conversion of the Elements X. The Spiritual is made Corporal the Liquid is made thick and the water is made Fire XI Moreover the black Earth is imbibed with its own water and dryed so long till it is sufficiently cleansed and brought on to Whiteness XII Which then is called the White Earth foliated Sulphur of Nitre Sulphur of Magnesia and then there is a new Conjunction of Sol and Luna and a Resurrection of the Dead Body XIII When our Earth bearing Fruit is moistned with its own proper water it drinks it up in that its thirst with much greediness till it generates or is made pregnant and then brings forth Fruit an Hundred Fold XIV Now proceed farther with the White Earth augmenting or increasing the Fire 〈◊〉 it till by the motion of the Continual Heat it is digested and brought into the highest and most pure Red. XV. And now it is called our Red Coral Red Sulphur Blood our Purple Gold our burnt Crocus XVI This very Work repeat three or four times with new Materials and you shall have the most perfect Red Stone of the Philosophers Red as Blood it self with which you may tinge Mercury and all other imperfect Metals XVII But it behoves you to take of our aforesaid Sulphur three parts adding one part of fine Gold reduced into a subtle Calx and of the water thereof two parts these three mix subtilly till they become one Inseparable Matter these then digest in a proper Fornace till they become a Red Stone Operis Rogerij Bachonis Alchymici FINIS Georgij Riplei MEDVLLA ALCHYMIAE The Marrow of Alchymie Written in Latin by George Ripley Cannon of Bridlington which he sent out of Italy Anno 1476. To the Arch-Bishop of YORK Translated into English and now Revised and Claused By WILLIAM SALMON Professor of Physick CHAP. LXI The Preface to the Arch-Bishop of York I. I Shall endeavour Sir to explicate open and make plain to you the Secrets of Alchymie which I have attained to by my Travels through Italy and other Countries and Kingdoms for the space of Nine Years drawing Forth and Selecting the true Root and Marrow of Nature by a series of Experiences from its most inward Recesses and secret Habitations II. The which I am moved and compelled to from the singular Good-will entire Affections and Sincere Love which as well as in times past I now at present bear unto you And therefore shall faithfully tho' briefly declare the Secrets of this Art to you plainly and openly not Darkly and AEnigmatically as if it was done under a Shadow or Vail III. Such indeed is your Life your Works witnessing the same that you are as a healing Balm a Refuge of Defence and Shelter to the Church of God a Pillar of his Holy Temple for which Reasons I am obliged to reveal these hidden Mysteries and make known to you the abscondite Paths of Nature not to rejoyce your outward Man only by adding Health and long Life heaping up Treasures and external Honours and Applause in the World but to excite in you the highest Devotion to God Almighty that you might become good to all Men profitable to the Church a Father to the Fatherless and a Sanctuary to the Needy and Distressed IV. And in these things I am confident of you in whom is found such a Portion and Treasure of Vertue Prudence Piety and true Wisdom but most chiefly for that I know you to be such a one who has God always before your Eyes V. And therefore I speak truly and fervently and I will declare the Truth to you with all faithfulness according to the reality of my Soul I shall Elucidate the undoubted Verity and declare such things as with much Labour Care and Diligence I have sought out and obtained the knowledge of which I have seen with my Eyes and have handled with my Hands and which my own self has done And in this matter I will neither be tedious nor obscure lest that love which I profess to you should seem to be deficient or imperfect VI. Whatever I write I shall open the same briefly and plainly beseeching God that the matter whereof I shall entreat may become profitable unto you and that if you shall please to put the same into practice you may find the faithful experience thereof and not be deceived or spend your time in vain For we know certainly that of all transitory things Time is truly the most pretious VII Wherefore I write unto you honourable and dearly beloved Friend such things only as may be profitable making this humble suit unto your Excellency that the Revealed Secrets and Experiments which I send you in this little Book may not
Calces of all Bodies may be so depurated and Citrinated that thereby they may become most pure Gold IX When also Argent Vive is dissolved then dissolve in it a little of the aforesaid Red Ferment and so put all into Kemia or a proper Vessel which firmly close up with a Philosophick Seal Then with a continual and easie or gentle Fire draw out the Charriot of the four Elements through the Depth of the Sea until the Floods being dryed up there appears in the Matter a bright shining substance like to the Eyes of the Fishes X. For by this Operation if you keep your Temperate Fire continually alive the Floods shall dry up with an exceeding drought and the dry Land or Earth shall appear as in the days of Noah the waters were dryed up from off the Earth and behold the Face of the Ground was dry And by lifting up the Rod of Moses and stretching out his hand the waters were dryed up and the dry Ground appeared in the midst of the Sea for so says David He Rebuked the Red Sea and it was dryed up he led them through the Depths as through the Wilderness XI And then by the Space of Forty days following it shall be Rubified as the Philosophers Demonstrate by the help of a Vehement Fire as the Nature of it requires continuing and remaining in the same strong Fire till it melt and flow like Wax whereby it will be able to transmute all Bodies into pure fine Gold XII And thus the White and Red Medicines are multiplied with their own proper humidities viz. only by the solution of the White Medicines in their own proper White and Red humours and by their Coagulation again of the same as necessity requires Thus have we explicated with singular plainess of Speech the Elixiration of Mercury per se or Argent Vive alone CHAP. LXVIII The second of the former Elixirs with Mercury and the Body Alchymick I. TO Elixirate with Mercury and the Body Alchymick Take One part of the most pure Kibrick quod est pater Mercurij omnium Liquabilium Sea water twelve parts in which dissolve the Kibrick being dissolved strain the water through a Linnen Cloth and what remains undissolved which will not go through put into the Vessel called Kemia set it over a gentle fire as it were the heat of the Sun untill there appears on the Top a Red Color II. Then put to it a quarter more of the Sea-water aforesaid being kept in a very clean Vessel set it on a very gentle fire and dry it up again as you did before by little and little at a time III. For in this Work by so much less there is put of the Spirit and more of the Body by so much the sooner and better shall the Solution be made the which Solution is made by the Congelation of its water IV. And therefore as the Rosary saith you must beware that the Belly be not made over moist for if it be the water shall not receive or attain to its dryness V. This manner of Imbibition must be Observed and continued so long till the whole water by several Imbibitions shall be dryed up into a Body VI. This done let the Vessel be firmly and Philosophically Sealed up and placed in its proper Fornace with a mean or gentle fire which must not wax cold from the first hour you begin to set the same into the Fornace till you have made an end of the whole work VII And when the matter is sublimed then let it be made to Descend by little and little without Violence the fire being Artificially made or set over it which done let it be again sublimed as before VIII And so let the Soul of the Sun of the Vulgar the which Soul is Our unclean Oyntment the Spirit not yet conjoyned with the Body Ascend from the Earth to the Heaven and again make it to Descend from Heaven to the Earth till all becomes Earth which before was Heaven IX To the end there may be made a substance not so hard as the Body nor yet so soft as the Spirit but holding a mean disposition standing fixed and Permanent in the fire like a White peice of melted Wax flowing in the bottom of the Vessel X. The which White substance of a mean or middle consistency must be fed and nourished with Milk and Meat till the quantity thereof be increased according to your desire XI This Medicine being Fermented to the Red with a portion of Sol Dissolved in the water of the Sea by reason of separating the first the form from the Matter to the end that it may be in a more noble form than it was before when the first qualities did remain undivided and that it may be brought into a Purple Colour by the help of a strong and continual fire whereby is made the true Elixir both for the White and Red Work XII Now this Elixir be it White or Red shall be increased an hundred fold more both in Virtue and Goodness if its Quintessence be fixed with it and that then afterwards it be brought and reduced by the Fire of Nature into a thin Oyl the which must be done in a Circulatory Vessel for truly then the least drop thereof does Congeal a thousand drops of Mercury into the very greatest Medicine CHAP. LXIX Of the Vegetable Stone I. THe Vegetable Stone is gotten by Virtue of the Fire of Nature of the Composition of which fire we now intend plainly to treat and of the way how to work with it in every respect II. Its Composition is of four things as Raymundus saith in his Book of Quintessences It is a Composition of Sal Amarum which is Ignis adeptus a fire that is gotten without Wood or Coal and by an easie working does work against all manner of sharpness of Action of the Visible Fire like as if it were the fire of Hell and therefore altho' Wine be hot yet this water of Mercury is hotter for it is able to dissolve all Bodies to putrefie and also to divide the Elements which neither common Fire nor Wine can do III. Some think that this Fire of Nature is extracted or drawn from Wine according to the common way and that it must be rectified by often Distillations until its Flegm is wholly abstracted which hinders its Heat Virtue Strength and Burning But this when it is done to all advantages and its highest perfection which Fools call the pure Spirit and then put to the Calx of the Body never so well prepared yet will it be weak and ineffectual to Our purpose for Dissolution Conservation c. IV. The true and Pure Spirit is Our Silverish Spirit of Wine which is our Vegetable Mercury and the true water of the Philosophers Concerning which see in Ripley's secret Concord V. Wherefore since the vulgar Spirit or Wine is such it is evident that there is an Error in choosing of this Principle for the true Principle which is
than all the rest for this our purpose V. The which one thing because it is more excellent than all the rest the Philosophers have taken for the nearest because of the singular perfection which God has given to the Microcosm or lesser World in whom are not only the Idea's of the Courses and effects of the Planets Stars and Asterisms but also the Complexions humours Spirits and Natural Virtues of the Elements VI. And therefore consider the most noble Bird of Hermes which when the Sun is in Aries begins to fly and as it is advised so let it be brought forth and sought for Seek out the true Sulphur from his Mine or Minera not being corrupted for the whole perfection lies in the uncorrupt Sulphur VII This is our Stone the which as Aristotle saith in his Secret of Secrets is generated in the Dunghil High-ways and must be divided into four parts because saith he each part has one Nature the which parts must be joyned together again till they resist or strive no more when they are joyned unto it it shall be White is Fire Red as you please VIII But understand that this Division must not be a Manual Division but in Power and Effect wherefore let this one thing which all Men have its over-flowing Flegmatick property being somewhat Evacuated be put into Kemia or proper Vessels which Seal up Philosophically let it putrifie in a moist Fire a long Season into a black thickness IX Then by the second Degree of Fire let it be Coagulated into a dryness after many Bublings which it will make wherein shall shine innumerable Colors and when all that which is fine and subtil shall Ascend upwards or sublime in the Vessel moft White like as the Eyes of Fishes the work is compleat in the first part X. This truly is a marvelous thing more to be wondred at than any Miracle of Nature for then the self same White has fully the Nature of White Sulphur not Burning or Silver and is the very Sulphur of Nature and Argent Vive XI Let some quantity of Luna be added to it in the manner of an Amalgama then it brings forth by Operation or generation of White into White and the same thing worketh it into Red and is made compleat into Red by a greater Digestion in the Fire XII Then as the Philosophers advise let the two Sulphurs viz. the White and the Red be mingled with the Oyl of the White Elixir that they may work the more strongly upon which if the Quintescence of the Vegetable Stone shall be fixed you shall have the highest Medicine in the World both to Heal and Cure Humane Bodies and to transmute the Bodies of Metals into the most pure and fine Gold and Silver CHAP. LXXII The Reserved Secret Explicated I. AND now we are drawing near to the end of this work we shall hereunto add and Explicate one Secret even our reserved Secret hitherto Buried in the Abyss of AEnigma's and deep Silence II. We say that the Body of the Volatile Spirit fixed by Fire against Nature ought to be dissolved in the Vegetable Water that is to say in our Vaporous Menstruum not in water of the Cloud but in water of the Philosophers III. In which Dissolution the Body is made light for its more pure and subtil part is lifted up or sublimed from Salt and Combustible Faeces by Virtue of the water attractive which is more clear than the water of the Margarite as I have seen IV. And of this substance Fermented with the Oyl of Luna or Sol is made the great Elixir for the transmutation of imperfect Bodies V. It must oftentimes be dissolved and Coagulated with its Ferment that it may work the better and with this said Mercurial substance thus Elevated or sublimed we Counterfeit the most pretious Margarites or Pearls not inferior to the sight to the very best that ever Nature produced VI. And with these Artificial pretious Stones we shall finish the discourse of Our pretious Stones Mineral Vegetable and Animal the abscondite Mysteries of which being by the Wise and upright Sons of Art prudently kept Secret VII I Pray the most Good and Gracious God to open and reveal the same at one time or another even as it shall please him to his despised Servants and little ones VIII O most incomprehensible light most Glorious in Majesty who with the Charity of thy Heavenly Rays dost Darken our Dimmer Light O substantial Unity the Divine three the joy and Rejoycing of the Heavenly Host the Glory of Our Redemption IX Thou most Merciful the Purifier of Souls and the perpetual subsistance O most Grations through daily Dangers and Perils which thou suffers us to undergo and through this Vexatious vail of Vanity bring us to thy heavenly Kingdom X. O Power and Wisdom thou goodness inexplicable uphold us daily and be Our Guide and Director that we may never displease thee all the days of our Lives but obey thee as Faithful Professors of thy Holy Name XI Early even betimes O Lord hear thou my Prayers by the Virtue of thy Grace help forward my desires and enable me I beseech thee to perform thy Holy Will XII O most excellent Fountain boundless in Treasures thou scatterest thy good things without measure amongst the Sons of Men and thou makest every other Creature to partake of thine especial kindness XIII Thou art worthy O Lord to behold the Works of thy Hand and to defend what thy Right Hand has planted that we may not live unprofitably nor spend the course of our Years in Vanities XIV Grant therefore we beseech thee that we may live without falshood and deceit that avoiding the Great danger of a sinful course of Life we may escape the Snares of Sin XV. And as I Renounce the Loves of the things of this Life and the Concupiscences or Lusts thereof so accept of me thy Servant as a true and Spontaneous Votary who wholly depends on thy goodness with all Confidence possessing nothing more XVI We submit our selves to thee for so it is fit vouchsafe thy Light to discover to us the Immortal Treasures of Life shew us thy hidden things and be merciful and good unto us XVII Among the rest of thy Servants who profess thy Name I offer my self with all humble Submission And I beseech thee O Lord to forgive me if I open and reveal thy Secrets to thy Faithful Servants Amen CHAP. LXXIII Ripley's Philosophical Axioms out of the Theatrum Chymicum I. OUr Stone is called the Microcosm One and Three Magnesia and Sulphur and Mercury all proportioned by Nature her self Now understand that that there are three Mercuries which being the Key of the whole Science Raymundus calls his Menstruums without which nothing is to be done in this Art but the Essential Mercury of the Bodies is the chief material of our Stone II. Our Stone is a Soul and a substance by which the Earth does receive its splendor what other thing