and perish with the violence of fier vppon the test or cople which happeneth vnto them as the earth in them is found to be lesse pure and their temperature not so good As it hapneth vnto Iron through the impure earth whereof there is great store in it But when as gold alone cannot bee consumed with anie fierie heate as Aristotle saith and looseth nothing of his waight though it bee burned or tried of necessity it must haue a most pure earth and well compact with his water whereby it commeth to passe that his earth doth hold and let his humor that it vapour not away and contrariwise the humour defendeth the earth that it butne not as saith Agricola which commeth to passe as others do affirme because of a most subtill moist and drye that hath not any impuritie mixed By this reason gold according to the nature of thinge is purer then other mettalles and surmounteth them in price because it is the most simple and purest mettall and furthest from imperfection of elementes by reason of his forme So Pliny saith vnto one thing which is golde nothing decayeth by fier as the Poet also saith and as appeareth by that aforesaid By this we may gather that amongest all mettalles gold is not onely the brightest but most temperat and perfect in respect of which all other mettalles may worthely be called vnperfect For nature alwaies tendeth to perfection that is to the making of golde which alone amongest mettals is called perfect for no agent naturall as the Philosophers say ceaseth from worke in his owne matter neither is seperat but with putting on some forme in that matter Therefore so long as the agent is ioyned to the matter or worketh vpon the matter that is said to be vnperfect for the perfection of any thing is not but by putting on of forme For so much then as in all mettalles there is a certaine viscous water which the Chimistes Philosophers call quickesiluer because of the likenes which is put in place of the matter and that which they call sulphur by like similitude of the agent or inducer of form in that matter no mettall can bee called perfect but that froÌ„ which the sulphur is separated But because other mettalles haue their sulphur mixed in the matter whereby they are killed made blacke calcined and burned which happeneth vnto them onely by that dry exhalation that is the sulphur because it is a matter apt to be set on fire for that cause they be altogether called vnperfect But on the contrary part because onely golde is altogether without this sulphur which the affinitie of gold and quicksiluer by it selfe doth sufficieÌ„tly declare For as Pliny writeth all things swimme vppon it but gold which alone it draweth vnto it By this meanes it is free from corruption both in the fier out of the fier Of right therefore it alone is called perfect and formed according to the first and true intention of nature and complete because it is come to the vttermost end wherein it is complete and pure because the agent is not mingled with the matter but is seperat from it To this purpose writeth Aristotle Met. 3. cap. vltimo speaking of mettalles wherefore saith he they conteine earth in them and are all burned because they haue a drye exhalation But gold alone of all the rest vseth not to be burned But Aubertus not content with these reasons will answeare what so euer hath attained an essentiall forme of necessity must bee perfect But all mettalles haue their substantial forme No man will deny saith he except it be some blockhead ashes blower and by that meanes hereupon concludeth that all are perfect But it is easy enough for vs to answere this obiection For those thinges which perseuer in their nature are called perfect in their kinde through their substantiall forme but some continue by nature in their kinde which notwithstanding are made perfect by some meanes through their substantiall forme to the which their is a certaine motion and end but because they are carried to another later essentiall forme which altogether finisheth the matter it selfe and maketh it complet therfore they are called vnperfect so long as they remaine vnder that first forme in respect of the later to the attaining whereof they do endeuor themselues But if no accompt be made of that later forme but they be considered onely in themselues they are truely perfect in that their kinde through their essentiall forme as that kinde doth require This all men see in the generation of egges in which there is a certaine determined motion in the getting of his substantiall forme which doth so remaine But because those egges are by nature ordeined to this end not to remaine vnder that forme but to bring forth a byrde and so is made the begetting of the latter substantiall forme Therefore egges are called vnperfect vnder the forme of an egge but it is a perfect thing after the bringing forth of a birde for that is the last ende of egges This is likewise to be iudged of mettalles which albeit they haue in their kinde gotten an essentiall forme yet can they not be called perfect in respect of gold which alone is said to bee perfect vntill they come to that last perfect end that is to the perfection of golde and become golde And like as in the generation of the Embrio there is comparison of the vegetable soule to the sensible and of the sensible to the rationall and not as formes so other imperfect mettalles are in respect of gold Therefore the Chimisticall Philosophers haue worthily deuided the mettalles into perfect and vnperfect For although the difference of mettalles be in the forme it selfe yet shall it not be properly the difference of the kindes as the difference of man and horse but shall be taken more properly of the matter his partes that is according as it is digested or vndigested complete or incomplete seeing those are altogether of one proper matter But indigest and incomplete is spoken in respect of gold But whereas Aubertus judgeth Iron more noble then golde because it serueth more to the vse man I thinke he shall neuer perswade any Phisitions be they neuer so vnlearned which rather desire to catch gold then Iton But I suppose there is suffâ—ciently spoken touching the excellencie and perfection of gold and because we said that mettalles are of one proper matter although not in all alike digested herein consisteth the point of the question therefore we must now come to seeke out that matter of mettalles The Philosophers make two causes of mettals as also of all other mixed bodies The one generall and far of which is taken of the elements as of the first causes of all things of which they coÌ„sist as of most simple are resolued againe as into most simple The Peripatecians contende against the Stoickes that onely the qualities and vertues of the elementes doe passe one into another and
notwithstanding he is answered by vs before the saith it can not congeale because it is of an airy substance But the vapor which we concluded out of Aristotle to be the next matter of mettalles who will not confesse to be airy in respect of water and notwithstanding who will denie but it may coÌ„geale then I confesse that quicksiluer is airy and therefore many Philosophers iudge it not to be a mettall but onely in Power but I do call it so to bee airy that it sendeth forth a most grosse vapour which by colde congealeth as may bee seene in Mercurie â—uâ—limat and many other his preparations wherein he sendeth forth his smokes and vapors but not so aâ—rye but they will grow thicke But what will you say to those vnpâ—rfect mettalles which as wee before said in examination do flâ—e away into smokes and vapors what finally shall wee thinke of their matter and forme brought to nothing will you not confesse the grosse vapour which wee call quicksiluer to bee the matter of them when at the last mettalles are reduced againe into it But Aubertus alledgeth this out of Aristotle those thinge which perteine vnto water if they conteâ—ne â—n them â— o â— aâ—re then water they can not congeale as oâ—le and quicksiluer But the matter of 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 to be â— rought to a hardnes otherwise they couâ—â—â— not put on the forme of mettalles ther fore their matter can not bee quicksiluer for so much as it can not congeale to hardnes But this argument is no more effectuall then the former For he setteth downe as graunted that which he hath not by any means prouâ—d and which we haue alreadie denyed for we graunted vnto him that quicksiluer was of an aâ—rie substance but that it cannot therfore congeale wee deny when contrary to his minde we haue shewed his vapors do congeale And truly Aubertus doth not deny but by art it doth harden but hee thinketh that neither by art or nature it may congeale into mettalle in hardnes or forme as thoughe to thinke were to demonstrate a thing Therefore he denyeth quicksiluer to be the matter of mettalles the cause which he alledgeth that it is of an airy substance is of no force For wee haue showed out of Aristotle that it is a vapour of an airy substance in respect of water and neuerthelesse the next matter of mettals Therefore airy thinges are to bee distinguished for such as are altogether and simply airy because of the predominant matter cannot be coagulated neither by heat or by cold because their airie moisture cannot bee dryed vp the earth wâ—nting by which reason also they swimme vpon the water witnesse Aristotle as oile and are easily set on fire because it is matter of fire as oile it selfe and wooddes which swimme vpon the water except ebenum which is more earthly as by his waight may be iudged but quicksiluer is neither set on fire neither matter of fire but most contrary vnto it like water neither is it light but ponderous that in it the souÌ„dest boddies of all mettalles will swimme vpon golde onely except for the great affinitie of them both whereby it appeareth that it is of an other substance then simply aire like oile Therefore to the similitude of this quicksiluer the next matter of mettalles the Chimicall Philosophers haue said that this quicksiluer is ingendred of a strong commixtion of the first matter of all mettals that is of a moist viscous incombustible humour incorporat with a subtill earth equally and strongly mixed by small partes in the minerall caues of the earth Vnto this wise nature because the matter bringeth not it selfe to effect ioyneth his proper agent that is sulphur which is nothing else then a certaine fatnesse of the earth engendred in the proper mines and by temperat decoction thickned that it may turne the quicksiluer by digestion and concoction into forme of mettall Therefore this sulphur is to the quicksiluer as the man to the woman and as the proper agent to the proper matter Not that this quicksiluer and sulpur as some foolishly thinke are found by themselues in their nature in the mines but that these are alreadie mingled by nature and by longe concoction brought into the nature of earth And this truly is the neâ—rest matter of mettalles as in the generation of man meate is neerer matter then the elements the blood neerer then meate and the sperme neerer then blood it selfe and at last by apt digestion the matter receiueth the shape of a man So when as it is said that mettals are first made of the foure elements as of their generall and first matter the same order kept it is necessarie that of those elements come vapours of vapours a slimie water which is yet a neerer matter theÌ„ the vapors lest by defending Aristotle Aubertus may thinke mee to gainsay my selfe and heauy mingled with a subtile sulphureous earth which is called quicksiluer of which as of a neerer matter by meane of the mixture and working of the outward sulphur is made gold or other mettall according to the great or lesser digestion of nature For as the Philosopher writeth Metaph. 6. when any thing is said to be made of another either an extreme perfect is made of a meane and vnperfect as of a childe a man or else an extreme of extreme as aire of water but let vs returne to our Aubertus He writeth that sulphur also can not bee the matter of mettalles But let vs heare by what reasons he doth proue it Sulphur saith he according to Aristotle is ingendred of a hot drie and vnctuous breath but mettals are ingendred of an other breath hot and moist and a litle vnctuous Truly a goodly but sophisticall argument by which he goeth about to proue his purpose by the opinions which he hath already impugned Let him therefore remember that he before hath affirmed against Aristotle that breath was not the matter of mettalles and now he doth confesse that mettalles are ingendred of breaths Therefore he speaketh against himselfe that he shall not neede my refutation hee addeth to proue his opinion that sulphur waxeth soft with moisture like salt and that mettalles are molten only with strong fire but of a false antecedent can not follow a good consequent For by no meanes is sulphur dissolued into water but by heat is molten like leade and this should our searcher of thinges vnder ground first haue tryed then to affirme so boldlâ—e that which is false Therefore that dart may be bent against him wherewith hee supposed to haue wounded â—he Chimistes Also he saith that sulphur is of an airy and fiâ—ie substance and therefore can not bee increased or congealed But I haue afore shewed the contrary wherfore he is not to looke for any other answeare of me because he hath neither reproued my argument neither made any demonstration of his opinion by firme reasons But this one thing sufficeth that all wise Chimistes do affirme that this which
altogether mingled The Stoickes contrarily doe affirme that whole substances are mingled with the whole but leauing these waues of slipperie opinions we will goe to the safe and quiet port And in this point we do allow the opinion of Aubertus who thinketh the elementes not to be mixed bodies essentially or in deede but in power which Galen witnesseth in the first book de methodo medendi where he writeth that the elements are to be mingled wholly with the whole onely by their qualities Of the second or proper matter of mettalles the opinion of many Philosophers is not agreeable but very diuers For some said the neerest matter of mettals is a moist breath as Aristotle some hold it to be a water draweÌ„ from other elementes which Agricola alloweth whose opinion our Aubertus agreeth vnto Other deeme it ashes moistened with water But the Chimist whose opinion Aubertus goeth about to ouerthrow saith quicksiluer is the matter of them some haue ioyned sulphur all which opinions are breefly and diligently to be examined by vs that the matter may bee more euident and that all men may vnderstand how vnworthely Aubertus others haue inueâ—ghed against so many famous Chimist philosophers Aristotle the prince of philosophers assineth a double matter of those things which are made within and vppon the earth by the supernaturall power and force that is a breath and a vapour by the mixture whereof in the bowelles of the earth hâ—ethinketh all are made and haue their originall and those hee dâ—uideth according to the diuerâ—e nature of the matter into two sortes that is into thinges to be digged and â—eâ—â—allyne They are called fossilia because they are digged out of the earth and like vnto the earth that is digged neither are they liquable as all kind of stones which are made of a dry exhalation set on fier and with the heate consuming the moisture and in a manner burning it The other sort are metallyne whereof some are fusible and liquable because they draw neerer to the nature of moisture then of drith as leade and tinne and are so called because they are easelier molten then beaten On the contrary those that are to be beaten which are molten with greater difficulty as Iron whose next matter is a vaperous breath congealed by cold and groweth into mettall according to the opinion of Aristotle whom our Aubertus thinketh worthy to be reprooued For saith he it cannot come to passe in the nature of things that there may be a passage from one extreame or contrary into an other without any meane for it is euident that mettalles and breathes are of contrary qualities for these are very subtill and the other very grose Hereupon he concludeth in the originall of mettalles breathes and vapoures doe of necessitie first congeale into humors before they harden into mettalls This did he take out of Agricola but that excellent learned man Iacobus Scheggius in his coÌ„mentaries vpon Arist Meteors doth sufficiently defend Aristotle being vnworthily reproued where he teacheth that the breath or vapor whereof water commeth is one that whereof mettalles concreteth is an other as also that wherof a storme groweth another for it is sometime more ponderouse and grosse then that whereof water groweth By which reason they propose a further distant matter of mettalles which say it is water theÌ„ they which say it is a breath when as the greatest part of meteors do growe vpon these breathes and vaperous matters raised vp out of the water and earth by the force of heate for so much as there is no fertility of the water or earth without heat for heate doth procre at these two as a first childe in whose nature the force of the parentes that is of the foure elementes is represented and as it were an ingendring power of them doth consent together two qualities working by a masculine force the other two suffering as feminine But either of them obaying the celestiall temperature as their father whereby these thinges without life are accustomed to be procreat by the instrument of the first qualities And this may be perceaued by the verie sence that so grosse vapors do often breake out in places vnder the ground that the diggers can not take breath and sometimes through the grosenes therof as Galen witnesseth are choked If they be so grosse who will iudge that mettalles and breathes are of contrary qualities but that they may grow into a sound matter of mettalles without any other meane as the ponderous vapor doth into a storme Furthermore as multitudes of people can testify if it hath rained copper and Iron and that stones and such other bodies do grow and are made in the vppermost aire how should these be engendred of water earth for whom there is no place to tarrie in the aire rather then of vapour and breath which both can pearce stay there for their thinnes and heate Wherefore it is certaine that mettalles rather haue their originall of breath then of water which breath because it is grosse doth also easely congeale But what needeth more of this when it is manifest to all Philosophers that all thinge haue their originall of that whereunto they may at last be reduced For all mettalles except the two perfect which by greater decoction haue their matter more compact and fixed are they not reduced into a breath of vapor in the examinatioÌ„ of the test or cople do they not vanish away into smoke Yes truly into smoke which is not turned into water or moisteneth but grosse because of the earthines mixed with it being coÌ„geled thickned with cold which by certain experience may daily be seene perceaued of those which work in fier and more easily also of the Philosophers in their sublimations The same doth Tutia Cadmia and Pompholix with other such like prooue which comming of the vapoures of mettalles sticke to the walles of the furnaces and shew them to be grosse in the mines neither do represent water by any meanes Let Aubertus therefore with his leaden argument hold his tongue which goeth about to ouerthrow Aristotles opinion neither let him iudge rashly of things which he knoweth not but credit those which haue experience know those vapors to bee most thicke whereof mettals are first congealed and without any other meane hardned But hauing ouerthrowen Aristotle let vs see what iudgement he will giue of other lerrned men and Philosophers as of Albertus magnus Geber and other Collars for by that name this our noble censor adorneth those excellent men whose opinions Aubertus refelleth in this point because they say that quicksiluer and sulphur is the next matter of mettalles and goeth about with certeine arguments to shew how they are out of the way First touching quicksiluer he saith it is not likely to be the propper matter of mettalles because it can not congeale into hardnes surely an excellent argument and worthy to bee often repeated of the author whereunto
many other throughout Germany and Italie do vse the spirit and oile of vitrioll for the curing of the falling sicknesse the stone and asthma with great ease and meruellous profit And Dioscorides speaking of vitrioll saith thus it killeth the broad wormes in the bellie ʒ i. of it being taken inward Being dronke with water it helpeth against the poyson of toadstooles and dissolued in water dropped into the nose purgeth the head By this it doth sufficiently appeare that so great a venemous quallitie is not in Mercury sublimat by meanes of vitrioll much lesse it is to be thought of commō salt Finally if so great malignitie were in it by meanes of the salte or vitrioll because it carrieth vp the spirites with him this malignitie also would be in Mercurie precipitat for the strong water wherwith it is made is compounded of the spirites of vitrioll and salte with the which also the phisitions make their precipitate which many of them doe minister without further preparation which albeit through his great sharpnes by meanes of the spirits inclosed in the strōg water it purgeth the bodie violently yet it is well knowen vnto many learned men at this day that it doth not hurt as the sublimat doth This malignity therefore in the sublimat commeth by how much the more it is made subtill and stronger by exaltation and flyeth with a small heate but in the precipitate it is not so for it is mortifyed and so fixed with that philosophilall fier the strong water that it will suffer great heat neither can that maligne aire be sent vnto the hart if it containe any which by nature is easily assaulted with all poysons because that the naturall heat cannot cause the precipitate to fume which no violence of fier can cause to vanish away as by certaine experiences is approued the fixing therefore of his spirit is the true preparation that either taken inward or applied outward cānot hurt the which many go about to do sundry wayes I speake of them which seeke his preparation onely for phisicke which think by powring on the water twise or thrise vpō the feces which they call caput mortuum and so distill it againe that the true preparation of so great a medecine may be attayned but they are not a little deceaued specially because they are not carefull to take away his corrosiue or else know not how to do it for truly Mercury precipitat can neuer be a sufficient profitable medicine so long as the corrosiue quality taken of the strong water is ioyned with it which is not taken away as many suppose with common washings but with farre other preparations and dulcifyinges which beyng vnknowen no perfect thing can be wrought therefore ye mustworke after this order following specially for the making of turpetum that wonderfull medicine Rec. Calcis terrae pellucidae fixae Talcum well calcined the which calcination shall be shewed in another place of each one pound make of them a strong capitall lye in the which ye shall boile one pound of Mercury first fiue times sublimed euery time quickened according to art the space of 7. howers and so shall ye attaine vnto the perfect purging of Mercury and the beginning of true fixing to all workes for these calces are so fixing that with sublimations reiterated vppon them at the length the mercury shall be fixed This mercury so prepared dissolue with regali foetido and proper menstrua dissolue also by it selfe ʒ iij of the mercury of Antimony well prepared and ℥ i. of gold purged by antimony according to art All these dissolutions put into a bodie of glasse and the vessell will be darkned or clowdy set that glasse in an Athenor giuing thē soft fire vntil they wax cleare then increase the fire and distill away the water by alimbecke from the feces till they bee drye powring on the water againe vpon the dead head four tymes then put on new fixing water that the matter may be couered 4 fingers set that to digest 2. or 3. dayes then distill it twise or thrise vppon the feces and toward the end giue it fier of sublimation that those thinges which are not truely mortifyed may rise and be exalted which must be kept a part for they serue not for our purpose then take the dead masse and bring it to powder and put it in a scaruell stirring it the space of 12. howres in the second degree of the fire in a fornes of reuerberation vntill it come to the rednesse of a Salamander out of the which ye shall drawe all the sharpnes and venom on this manner Rec. Of the sleume of vitrioll and allome ana lb. ij fs distilled vineger lb. ij calcis terrae nostrae pellucidae ae fixae ℥ 4. sulis corneoli cristallint ℥ i. whites of egges 20. distill all these by alimbeke twice vpon the feces put three pound of this water to one poūd of the powder of Mercury prepared as afore and distiil it away from the feces in alimbeke 4. times and the last time distill it vntil the feces be dry This done grind your powder vpon a stone powring to it againe new fixing water distill it againe foure times as before Then you shal fixe and make sweate thy mercurie by distilling from it the Alchooli vini fiue times putting on fresh euery time This the chyminicall phisitions call precipitate or turbith minerall by cause it purgeth grosse and slymie humours eight graines of this is giuen with conserue of Betony and aqua theriacalis to cure the pox due purgations being vsed before With two drammes of the extract of wild cucūbers one dramme of the extract of Hermodactiles ℈ ss of this precipitat is made a mixture whereof halfe a scruple is mingled with two drammes of aquae theriacalis and is giuen for the gout 4. or 5. times according to the age and hardnes of the disease and the strength of the sicke bodie in the spring Autumne For without any greefe it doth meruellously purge the sharpe excrements and draweth them out of the ioyntes For to cure the dropsie there is made this composition which doth purge the sharpe excrementes and strengthen the nutritue parts Rec. Of this precipitat aforesaid ℈ i. the extract of alhandall and Elaterium ana one scruple a halfe of the extraction of Elebori nigri well prepered and Rhuberbe ana one scruple the essence of red corall and yellow sanders ana 2. scruples spiritus vitrioli i. scruple olei mafliichini and cinamomi ana halfe a scruple mingle thē with the powder of cubebes and the muslage of gumme tragagant and make it into pilles The dose is from halfe a scruple to one scruple it must be geuen twice in a weeke if their strength will beare it If it be mingled with Diaphoreticall thinges it onely prouoketh sweates and by that meanes helpeth also many diseases mingled alone with butter it cureth cankered and eating vlcers specially that come of the
pox Likewise the fistula and all callowes matters Ex triapharmaco and the aforesaid precipitate is made a plaster which being put into the necke of the bladder with a waxe candle or small tent as it ought cureth the vlcers of it and taketh away the flesh without paine or danger The fixing water for the said turpetum is made ex Climia lapide Sedenegi lapide perlato marchasitarum sulphure rubicundo lacerta viridi rubra halinitro sale aluminoso this made after the manner of Aqua fortis among all waters of graduation this is the chiefest and verie fixing if any attaine vnto it truely Of mercury also are made other medicines for there is made of it being first prepared as it ought Amalgamy with gold which is put into a bolts head and closed with Hermes seall so being kept in a temperate fire 20. daies is brought to a yellowish fixed powder the signe of perfection is when it will not vapour away by force of fire neither be quickned againe in water This medicine is Diaphoretical and is ministred for the forenamed diseases specially to cure the pox onely by sweates There is also made of Mercurie a balme with the water of the calex of egge-shelles and tartar also a most excellent oile for fistulaes all vlcers and callosites this shall suffice to bee spoken of Mercurie so that this one thing being noted that the whole perfection of this medicine consisteth in the fixing and dulcifying of it Of Arsenicke Chap. 7. AMongest the corrosiue medicines which by the extreame sharpnes of heat do distroy our naturall heate or conuert it into fiery quallity and by their malignant nature dissolue the naturall moysture consume all the substāce of the bodie and cause putrifaction with stinche the Phisitions do accompt Arsenicke sandrake and orpiment and therefore do iudge the vse of those medicines very perilous in chirurgery nether by any meanes necessary because they are so venemous and contrary to our nature This they may verie well say if they knew not their true preparatiōs wherby they are made apt to cure many outward infirmities These medecines are said to be venemous for their maligne quallitie and sharpnes But that euil quallity consisteth in the spirit stinking aire or blacke smoake which it sendeth out with a small heate but the sharpnes is onely in the salt This venemous and blacke smoke when it is raised by natural heate doth weake the matter of the part corrupteth it oftentimes killeth as if one had dronke poison if it be not laide too farre from the principall partes specially the skin being wounded which happened to a certaine woman and Fernelius the chiefe of phisitions of our time witnesseth that he saw it seeing that maligne quality is in the blacke smoke it must be altogether fixed for by fixing as we said before in the chapter of mercurie all the venom is taken away from the spirites as from arsenicke mercurie orpiment others The sharpnes is taken away by extracting the salt which may be done by their proper washinges as wee haue before shewed by which reason arsenike shall not hurt but profit much in locall medicines for poisoned woundes the wolfe fistula canker and gangrena if it be dulie prepared fixed and sweetned Of which true preparation Dioscorides seemeth secretly to intreat of when as hee speaketh of that metalline sandaraca which in the beginning of the chapter he writeth to smell of sulfur It is giuen with mulsum to those that coughe out rotten matter and to those that are short winded it is verie well giuen in drinke with rosen It is verie hurtful to geue sandrake vnprepared when as Galen doth witnes it is of a burning quallitie vnto whose opinion Dioscorides also agreeth in the sixt booke 29. chapter of simples Therefore it will not be amisse or hurtfull to vse arsenicke or any other corosiue medicine being prepared in chirurgerie specially the preparation therof is thus sublime arsenicke 3. times with salt prepared and rubifyed vitrioll the scalles of Iron that yee may purge it which afterward yee shall fixe with salt peeter giuing fyer by degrees the space of 24. howres and it will be a masse whiter then snow Resembling the colour of pearles which yee shall dissolue in warme water to draw out his salt and there will remaine in the bottome a verie white powder which being dried ye shal fix with the like waight of olei inceratiuiex talco confecti and set it in a fournace of reuerberation on whole day then againe dissolue it in warme water that the powder may remaine white fixed sweet mhich in a moist place wil turne into a fat thicke oile like buter swaging paines for like as arsenike not prepared bringeth great paines and by the maligne qualities is poison so contrariwise by his fixing he looseth that and worketh without paine and is a profitable medicine for curing of poisoned woundes if 1. ounce of it be mingled with 2. ounces of oile of mirrha Many also sublime arsenicke 3. times cum calce fixa colchothare then dissolue it in aqua stigia fixatoria ac conueniente for that purpose distilling the water often from the feces thā reuerberate the caput mortuum which will come to a white powder fixed from which the alkalie is drawen out with the alchoole of wine and so is made sweete the vse of this is to cure fistulaes and cankers Of Sulphur chap. 8. SVlfur is the balme of the lunges which the Chimist doe 3. or 4. times sublime with colcothar to purge it from his impurities and make thereof many profitable medicines to cure asthmatis if sugar be mixed with it also of the flowers of sulfur and his proper menstrua Therebinthinat digested certaine daies in a drie heate there is drawne out a balme like to a rubine the menstrua being seperated there remaineth a verie red oile of sulphur which must bee circulated with vin◠distillato alcholisato and be this means is a balme drawne out of sulfur whereof 3. or 4 droppes is geuen with water of Isope to those that are short winded and spitte rotten matter It healeth all manner of woundes quickly c. Notwithstanding the auncient Phisitions seeme to haue thought that sulfure did only cure outward greefes that it had a drawing quallitie and was of a whot temperature and thin essence as Galen and Aegineta wrote and that it was good against venemous beastes specially against the Sea Turtle and Dragon either cast on drie or mingled yet Galen seemeth to allowe the vse of sulfurie waters by these wordes The bathes or drinking of sweet waters is very hurtfull to the sicke of the dropsie But of salte sulpherie and pitchie waters is very profitable Dioscorides writeth that sulfur eaten with a rere egge helpeth those that are shorte winded But the Spagirickes haue attained to many things vnknowne to the auncient Phisitions Finally of sulfur is also madeth sower
borne in a ring comforteth the stomacke which Galen writeth that he made proofe It also helpeth to hasten the birth as Diosorides saith Pearles take away sounding Corall by his bindinge dooth strengthen the stomacke and stayeth spitting of bloude All which pretious stones the Phisitians vse against the aforesaid diseases without anie other preparation sauing bringing them into most fine powder as Alcool the which surelie profiteth very little for strengthening the heart if the pure essence be not first taken out of it which onely the Spagitickes art teacheth to doe according to which the tincture of corall is drawen out as followeth which is said to be giuen not onely to the aforesaid vses but to purge the bloud and against the Morphew and Herpes and to cure all the discases of the Matrix Calcine the best redde corall in a fornace of reuerberation in the second degree of the fire lest their tincture by the violence of the fire consume away then grinde them vpon a stone very fine and put them into a glasse with Menstruum caeleste distillatum cum proprio suo saccaro that it may be couered 7. fingers highe then lente the glasse with Hermes seale and set it in Balneo x. daies vntill the menstrua haue taken away all the tincture then seperate the menstâ—ua in Balneo and there will remaine a precious tincture in the botome of which a little droppe is giuen with water of succorie or fumetorie That celestiall menstrua is the true menstrua of algemmes which dissolueth them with true solution and from thence is the true essence taken and this all learned Phisitions will iudge to be more profitable for to cure the body then the only powder of them that menstrua dooth also make softe and dissolue the adamante stone which contrarie to the opinion of many doth take away poyson if vpon theÌ„ be cast the salt drawn out of the blood of a goate and distilled togeather reiterating the water 3. times vpon the deatheadeâ— let passe the preparations of the Adamant and also of the rubine because they be stones of great price and fit onely for Kinges You shall also rightlie dissolue pearles with the aforesaide menstrua but if ye wante it you shall vse Acido menstruum alcolisato with his equall proportion of the spirit of wine also alcolisated they doo the same also with the iuice of Lemondes and Barberes purified and filtred and prepared as it ought to be with ablutiones you shall take away the sharpenes from the Pearles if any remaine in them by meanes of the menstrua 2. or 3. graines of this essence is giuen with conuenient broth to strengthen the hart and to refresh the powers this essence dooth resist putrification about the hart the pestilence and poisons is giuen against resolution of sinewes conuulcions frenzes and vnto those that are waxen leane thorowe age or sicknesse Arnoldus writeth that the dissolution of pearle comforteth naturall heat helpeth the trembling of the hart and properly purifieth the bloud of the hart and many diseases are cured by them In the same order yee may drawe out of the other aforesaide gemmes their proper essence may haue their true preparation to cure many diseases In this order ye shal prepare the little stones of spunges Lapis Iodaicus Lincis and Christall to breake the stone in the raines The quintaessence of bolearmeni terra lemnij do maruelous much good against pestilent diseases and doo withstand deadly and venemous poisons that they cannot hurt But if ye will vse them to suppresse bloud they neede no other preparation seeing that it is the yearthes propertie to thicken and to bind as it is of the essence to quicken so dooth terra samia and the stone called Hematites and Cornalino which a learned Philosopher shall easilie attaine vnto The Spagiricall preparations of medicines which are taken out of Animalles Cap. 1. MEdicines which are made out of Animalles doo obtaine the second degree of perfection for they haue more force then they that were wont to be prepared out of vegitables which doo perish with lesse heate or colde and therefore is easelie destroyed that they scarcely profite any thing at all for the cure of diseases especially when they are commonly prepared among animalles man by right obtaineth the first place out of whose 3. fold MuÌ„mia that is to say liquid fresh and drie or transmarina of the which are made sundry most whole-some medicines to cure infinite sortes of diseases This last Mummia only was known to the auncient Phisitions which was nothing else but mans body laid in the tombe inbalmed with Frankensence Myrra and Aloes By which kinde of funerall the Sirians Egiptians Arabians and Iewes vsed in olde time to keepe their dead bodies from corrupting which natiuemummia the GreciaÌ„s called Pissasphaltus for they with that kind of pitch did inbalm their dead bodies which Mummia they vsed both inwardly and outwardly to staie bloud wheresoeuer it brake out to strengthen the stomacke and hart and to cure othr infinite diseases specially when the fragments of bones being cast away the earth and flesh being drie they tooke vp a liquor concreted and gathered in the hollow partes of the mans body but at this day we want that true natiue mummia of the auncients and the Phisitions and Apothicaries in steede of it vse the dried flesh and that without any preparation all be it out of it there may be taken or drawne a certaine pure essence which may after a sorte be compared in vertue and propertie with the true Mummia rather then that earthlie substance or only dried fleshe which scarcely auaileth any thinge to cure bodies therefore thus thou shalt prepare the common Mummia Take the best Mummia broken and cut in little peeces 1. pouÌ„d put it in a glasse with as much Spiritus vini alcolisati tere binthinati clari menstrui ana that it may be couered 4. fingers then shut it with hermes seale and putrifie it in the first degree of the fire 15. daies vntill the menstrua be of the colouer of a Rubine the which ye shal seperat in Balneo for the said purpose againe in the botome thou shalt find the true tincture of mummia the which ye shal circulate with the spirite of wine certaine daies and so thou shalt haue a more pure essence which is most profitable to the cure of al poisons either alone or if it bee mixed with theriakle Against the plague it is a most excellent medicine that it cannot be sufficiently commended It defendeth all bodies from corruption and is profitablie giuen to cure Phthisis Asthmatis if it be mingled with the conserue of Enula campane and violets it is also profitable against many other diseases the feces which remained are put into vnguentes to swage paines and aches Now remaineth to speake of the Mummia that the Chimistes know of which are 2. sorts fresh
dissolueth the stone in the raines and prouoketh vrine The last liquor that is redde maketh the heare yellowe as golde if ye wash it there with diuers times It taketh away spots in the eies and is thus made Take pure honie 2. pouÌ„d and distil it in a glasse that containeth 2. gallons with a gentle fire in sand till it changeth colour then change the receiuer increase the fire a little vntill all the fumes be come foorth the which will afterwarde turne into a redde liquor which some call the oile ex leonardo Phiorauanti There is also a quintaessence or burning spirit made out of honie the which hath the vertues and quailities that the spirite of wine hath in all pointes and may be vsed in steede therof some affirme that this quintaessence or spirite of honie will dissoule golde being firste calcined and circulated therewith certaine daies It dissolueth like wise any kinde of iewell that is put therein It healeth woundes with greate speede if ye wash them therewith It helpeth againste the cough cattar and paines of the milte it cureth spots in the eies and preserueth the sight It is affirmed that one vsinge this essence 40 daies was cured of the Palsie and fallingesicknesse also this quintaessence beeing distilled 20. times with perfect pure siluer calcined it wil restore the sight vnto those that are in manner blinde The extraâ—ction of liquors out of plantes flowers seedes and rootes Cap. 3. PVt Celandine brused into a glasse cucurbit well stopped set itto digest 15. daies in warm dung then distil it with a gentle fire vntill the feces remaine drie the which ye shall stampe powâ—ring there on the element of water before distilled that iâ—t may be couered 4 fingers theÌ„ stop the glasse putrifie it 8. daies in Balneo after distill it againe giuing fire by degrees til ther come forth no more spirits in this 2. distillation thou shalt haue the water aire the fleme if ye wil ye may seperate by Balneo which reserue then calcine the feces that remaine which imbibe with the fleme reserued puttifie it in Balneo and distill it per alembicum vntill the matter appeare in white stones the which by often solutions and coagulations with his proper water become cristaline and so the earth shall remaine well purified which although it be white notwithstanding containeth his fire and inward tincture vpon this put on your 2. first elementes before reserued and circulate al together in Balneo till the oile appeare and swim vpon which is called the true essence endued with infinite quallities In like manner ye may attaine the true preparations of Melissa sage and Valerian and all other hearbes In that manner ye may prepare the oyles of flowers but the herbes and flowers which yeeld small quantitie of oyle must be cut or stamped small and then put it into a glasse mixing with them if they be drie faire water distilled But if they be moist or waterish ye shall put them in a glasse alone close stopped and set them in the sunne or some warme place to macerate vntill ye see the oile swimme vppon the toppe the which ye shall power foorth and making it warme ye may seperate it by a funnell or conuenient instrumente Some vse to take those herbes and flowers thus macerated and distil them in a vessel of copper with a refrigeratory and after seperate the oile ye shall note that what vertue the herbe is of the oile is of the same but much more forcible subtile Oyle of Time his vertues THree or 4. droppes being drunke with aqua mulsa helpeth the painefull cough shortnes of breath clenseth the brest and ripeneth the fleme it prouoketh vrine expelleth the secundine and dead fruite from the maâ—rix in diâ—â—olueth clotted and coÌ„gealed bloud within the body being vsed with Oximell and a little salte it purgeth toughe and clammie fleme and sharpe cholerike humours and corruption of the bloud It preuaileth against blastings and winde in the bellie and stones being often vsed it preuaileth against melancholie diseases and the goute the smell of this oile is profitable for those that are toubled with the falling sicknesse Beeing put in to a hollowe tooth it taketh away the paines presentlie Oyle of sweete Margerom THis oile being often vsed with other conuenient medicines is most profitable for those that are fallen into a dropsie and cannot make water but with great difficultie It preuaileth against winde and gripings in the belly and prouoketh neesing it is comfortable against all paines of the heade and restoreth smelling beeing lost if it bee put into the eare nostrels it is good against poison and the stinging of Scorpiones Oyle of Sage THis oile dissolueth congeled bloud within the body cureth inward woundes and bruses comming either of a stripe or fall It prouoketh vrine and expelleth grauell comforteth the hart and head that is greeued with cold humours it is profitable for women with child because it closeth the matrix and comforteth the childe it is profitable for those that are troubled with the gout palsie or weakenes of the sinewes if ye mixe it with oile of waxe annoint the partes therewith it helpeth the cough and openeth obstructions of the liuer and swageth paines in the side beeing drunke with wormewood wine it is profitable against the bitings of venemous beastes for it cleanseth the sores and healeth them if it be put into vnguentes fitte for that purpose Oyle of Peniriall THis oile being drunke with conuenient liquors proueketh Menstrua and bringeth foorth the after burthen the dead fruite and vnnatural birth It prouoketh vrine and breaketh the stone especially in the kidnes being taken with conuenient siropes it clenseth the lunges and breast from al grosse and thicke humors beeing taken with aloes and honie it preuaileth against crampes and contractions of the sinewes being dronke with water and vineger it stayeth the inordinat desire to vomit gnawing paines of the stomack and is profitable against the biting of venemous beastes the annointing of the temples and nostrelles with this oile is profitable against the falling sicknes and taketh away the swimming paines thereof and is most profitable for those that haue a colde and moist braine it slaketh the paines of the gout the fume of this oile being receaued at the lower partes with a funnell is profitable against windines and blastinges and also against hardnes stoppings of the matrix Oile of Mintes THis warmeth and strengtheneth the stomacke and dryeth vp moist and superfluous humors gathered in the same and causeth good digestion it stayeth vomitting being dronke and annointing the stomacke therewith and killeth round wormes being often vsed it helpeth the griping paines of the collicke and stayeth the menstruall fluxe being either eaten or dronk with some conuenient medicine it easeth women which are much troubled with harde and perillous trauell in childe birth It helpeth deafnes if it be
be compared to balme 4 or 5. drops being drunke preuenteth the resolution of the Sinewes the falling sickenes and other diseases of the braine it preserueth the body from poison and pestilent aires it comâ—orteth a weake cold stomacke staieth vomiting it purgeth the raines breaketh grauell and prouoketh vrine and is profitable against the dropsie and water betweene the skinne and the flesh it killeth wormes to conclude it comforteth all weake members by his piercing vertue it helpeth conuulsiones and shakings and paines in the necke comming of a Catar if ye annointe the partes therewith it easeth the paines of the sciatica in the hippes the gout and the collicke and all malign vlcers being annointed therewith Oile of Baie berries OVt of lb. 1. of Baies there is not drawne aboue ℈ 2. of oile by distillation the which is most profitable against Collicum iliacum sciaticam passionem Oile of Iuie berries THis oile is distilled as the oile of Iuniper berries but some doo take the berries wood gum and all together and distil it by descention out of the which there will come foorth a thicke blacke oile that is profitable against colde diseases of the iointes it prouoketh the Flux Menstruall expelleth the stone and purgeth vlcers Oiles of sweete smelling thinges are thus prepared BEate them grosely then infuse theÌ„ in faire distilled water as afore is said and distil them with a refrigeratorie Oile of Cinamom THis reuiueth the naturall spirits marueilously it disperseth the euil humors in the stomack it openeth obstructions and is profitable against all cold diseases it preserueth from putrefaction it cureth woundes and vlcers as the naturall balme doth it causeth faire deliuerie of child birth it is a most precious remedie for those that lie speechlesse if ye put 3. or 4. drops into their mouth either by it selfe or mingled with cinamom water it helpeth concoction the lyke vertue the water hath but it must be vsed in greater quaÌ„tity This oile is of such a piercing nature that it pierceth thorough the whole bodie and finally it is a present remedie for a woman that soundeth in her trauaile if she drinke 3. or 4. droppes The Oile or essence of Safrone TAke drie Safron and drawe awaie his tincture with the spirit of wine vntill the feces remaine white the which ye shall calcine according to arte and circulate them in Balneo with the said meÌ„strua afterward let it settle vapor away the said Menstrua in Balneo and the essence of Safron will remaine in the bottome the which is excellent to comforte the spirites for if ye mixe a droppe or two with brothe or some conuenient liquor it restoreth and strengtheneth the weake spirites marueilouslie but especiallye the hart with infinite other vertues which wee omitte tyll another time Oile of Mace THis oile is of a hot facultie and therefore it is commodiouslie vsed in the Collicke comming of a cold cause or of a Catar descending from the heade it comforteth the hart belly and Matrix It is also good against trembling of the hart the obstructions of the bladder and Matrix it helpeth the strangurie and all diseases hauing their original of colde It strengtheneth the stomacke and wombe being vsed in wine or broth or made in losenges Oile of Cloues THis oile is very profitable for the bellie hart and liuer and hath all the qualities of naturall balme it healeth all fresh woundes and punctures it strengtheneth the hart and head and helpeth the megrim it purgeth melancholie bloud it sharpeneth the sight comforteth the stomacke causeth digestion and maketh a sweete breath it helpeth the collicke and all the paines in the bellie comming of colde if ye drink two or three drops in wine or eate losenges made with the same oile Oile of Pepper THis oile hath much more vertue then the Pepper it selfe in piercing and specially in the windie collicke other weake partes filled with fleame it staieth the shaking of the feuer tertain if ye take three or foure droppes with sirope of quinces two houres afore the fitte prouided that the bodie be first well purged and let bloud as occasion shal serue ye shal note this oile is onely the ayrie parte seperated from the other elementes Oile of Nutmegges THis oile being drunke with coÌ„uenient liquors bringeth downe the menstruall fluxe and also the quicke and deade fruite and therefore women with childe shall not vse this oile vntill such time as they be in trauell and then it causeth faire deliuerie without any danger it is profitable against all paines of the heade comming of colde it causeth a sweete breath and warmeth and strengtheneth a cold stomacke and consumeth superfluous humors of the same it dispearseth winde and appeaseth the collicke is profitable for the affects of the bladder it helpeth inward woundes beeing drunke with some conuenient wound drinke it helpeth colde diseases of the sinewes and swellinge of the Spleene two or three droppes being taken in broth Oiles of Woodes are thus prepared TAke Lignum vite rasped in powder and put it into a glasse or stone pot close stopped and set it in Balneo or warme dunge certaine daies to digest then distill it with a gentle fire Per descensum and there will come foorth a liquor called of the chimistes Mercurie then increase the fire and there will come foorth an oile which is called the sulfure the which must bee purged by arte from his stincking smel then take the ashes of the woode and drawe foorth his salt with Fumetorie water the which ye shall calcine dissolue and congele diuers times vntill it be as white as snow the which salte by a workeman may be brought Cristalline Of the Mercury or first liquor is giuen one spoonful or more with 2. ounces of Fumetorie water against all vicious humours in the body and driueth them out by sweate with the oile or sulfure ye shall cure the vlcers or other greefes after the bodie is well purged with the salt the which is done in this order Take of the salte Ê’ i. good theriakle â„¥ ss mixe them and giue thereof Ê’ ss more or lesse according to the discretion of the phisicion and the strength of the partie in this order must thou draw forth the Mercurie sulfur salt of all maner of woods there are diuers other orders to giue this Mercurie or liquor whereof some are written in the chapter where wee intreat of spiritus tartars Oile of Iuniper wood THis oile is profitable for members that are weakened through cold it strengtheneth the raines and matrix and helpeth conception it cureth maligne vlcers wounds and swageth paine it taketh away the fit of a quartane feuer especiallie being annointed from the nauell downeward Oile of the wood of Ashe THis oile doth cure the colde gout and cicatriceth raw places it dissolueth the white morphew and maketh it blacke it cureth those that
any part yee must first hold it ouer the â—ume of nettels boiled in faire water vntill the pores bee open then drie it well and annoint it with this oile and it will preserue it long time in youthfull state Oile of Galbanum THis gumme must first be dissolued in distilled vineger and then distilled in a retort with a gentle fire this oile is most profitable against inwarde bruses and crampes and shtinking of sinewes being dronke with oile of mirrha it is good against venome being either dronke or shotte into the body with venemous arrowes also dronke in the same order it prouoketh womens termes and deliuereth the dead fruit the fume of this oile being receaued at the lower partes worketh the same effect Also the fume of this oile being taken at the mouth helpeth the rising of the mother being layd to the nauell it causeth the matrix to stay in his naturall place the fume of this oile is profitable against the falling sicknes if ye annoint the nostrelles therewith In this maner ye may make oile of labdanuÌ„ opoponax sagapenum Amoniacum and such like which doe soften the knots of the gout and doth mightily dissolue the hardnes of the liuer splene and other members if they be distilled all together or taken euerie one by himselfe according to the method prescribed Oile of Egges SOme make this oile by distillation of the yolks of egges some by stirring them in a pan ouer the fire after they be sodden hard The water of egges being distilled taketh away scarres and spottes in the face or other places The oile comforteth against all paines it helpeth woundes by gunshot it preuaileth much against burninges and scaldings either with fire or water or powder it maketh haire blacke if ye annoint it therewith it slaketh the paines of the hemeroides if yee annoint them therewith often times The yolkes of egges being distilled with as much white wax is most precious to heale woundes and bruses for it resolueth them with great speede the stomacke being annointed therwith causeth good digestion and comforteth it meruellouslie The true preparation of certaine oiles which are commonlie vsed in Apothecaries shops to be applied outwardly FOr outward medicines you shall best draw forth the hole strength of roses violets nymphaea white popie henbane and Mandrake with oile oliue which are commonly vsed in shoppes all which do quench inflamations and great heates asswage hot swellinges strengthen and thicken the member stoppe fluxes helpe madnes and prouoke sleepe if you vse this method following Oile of Roses TAke oleum omphacinum and wash it with common water distilled diuers times then purify it in Balneo vntill it leaue no more feces then take lb. j. of this oile so prepared of red roses the whites being cutte off and brused in a stone morter lb. j. ss put them into a glasse and set it to putrify in warme dung twelue daies being close luted theÌ„ presse forth the oile and put in fresh leaues as afore is said and putrify it againe and this ye shall doe three or foure times and so shall ye haue a perfect good oile in like sort shall you make all other cooling oiles for topicall medecines very well So is oile of Quinces and myrtilles made which refrigerat and astringe and are applied to the stomacke liuer braine and weake bowelles and also to the fundement In like manner are oiles made of Camomill and Lilies which doth strengthen the sinewes moderat resolue and swage aches but these are made with ripe sweet oile prepared as afore Of mintes wormewood lentiscus and others after the same order are oiles made with oleum omphacinum which being annointed doth moderatly warme the stomacke and strengthen the other partes and helpe concoction but first they are prepared with their proper water and astringent wine and must be clensed from all feces in Balneo certaine daies as is afore said But if any man will warme attenuat and digest the more strongly by these oiles let him take like portions of oile purifyed in Balneo and the spirit of wine Out of baies and such like beries ye may make oile if ye digest them the space of a moneth in warme dung and then presse them forth serua They are good for all colde greefes of the braine or sinewes and disperse winde But all these oiles of hot quallities will be much better if they be drawne onely with the spirit of wine in Balneo without any addition of other oile as Galen 1. simp cap. 15. Although it doth easilie inflame yet it doth not so quickly heate vs for through his grose and slimie substance sticking fast to that it first toucheth and therfore indureth long vpon all things wherewith it is annointed neither is it extenuated or digested of the aire about it or easily made to passe into the bodie Of artificiall saltes and their properties Chap. 1. THe vse and profit of saltes that are drawen out of simples by calcination are in maner as great in phisicke as the rocke or common salt is which daily and in general serueth to mans releefe for when from simples a grosse fleme is taken awaye which in troth hindereth their operation how much more woulde they performe their operation if they were conuerted into a spirituall matter which by long distillations and filtrings is caused that they may change by a certaine manner into a firye matter therefore it is not to be doubted that when the simples be conuerted into a salte and the element of fire hath in no such wise dominion in them but that they pierce sooner and may performe their proper action that such a heape or companie of diuers simples shall not neede besides in the composition of remedies for such salts haue certaine properties the which other purgers being distilled want for euerie salt saith Theophrastus Paracelsus purgeth but the distilled waters of the purgers lacke or haue not the same propertie because his salt is not ioyned in the same so that I suppose a great tartnes or sharpnes consifteth in them all The manner and fashion to prepare these saltes are diuers according to the opinion of the Authors Some will the hearbes to be gathered in their due time and distill away the water in Balneo then calcine the feces and with their proper water draw forth the salt the which yee shall calcine in a fornace of calcination and dissolue it againe and congeale it and this ye shall do vntill it be white as snowe the which afterward by a workeman may be brought christalline These saltes called alkalye must be kept in a glasse close stopped because the aire will soon resolue them which happeneth especially to those that are made of hearbes those substances which possesse and haue more quantity of eile and the subtiller Some calcine them slightly some more some lesse some make their salte with their owne water distilled from the hearbes some with raine water distilled
from those kind of hearbes being drie or greene some put on the water colde some hot and so let it stand certaine daies stirring it often the which is not amisse then distill it by a filter vntill it bee cleere and vapor it away in Balneo vntill it bee drie then calcine it againe and dissolue it in some conuenient liquor and then congeale it againe and this yee shall doe vntill it be white as snow the which by often calcining and dissoluing may be brought christalline whereof one graine is of more force then fixe of the first De salibus purgantibus per tussim THe salt of Hipericone or saint Iohns wort certaine affirme to bee highly commended and approued in the pluresie giuing the patient in warme wine so much as will goe into halfe a hasell nutshell A certaine singular phisition in the pluresie gaue as much of this salt as he cold hold betweene the ende of his fingers in malmsie and God is the witnes that the patient was cured by it the like vertue hath the salt of Polipodij De salibus purgantibus per vrinam AS much as a man may hold betweene the end of his fingers of this salt was giuen with warme wine vnto one that could not make water and he was presently deliuered as Leo Suauius writeth Salt of Woormewood THis salt is geuen in maner in all diseases or sicknesses with profit but especiallie in the pestilence it is profitable against all obstructions of the â—iuer and kidneis it prouoketh vrine it helpeth the dropsie and water betweene the skinne and the flesh proceeding of a salt cholericke humor and is profitable against the yellow iaundies it prouoketh sweat it helpeth and driueth forth from the inward partes the poxe Feiguarzen and such like diseases It comforteth the stomacke purgeth waterish bloud gathered together in the vaines and liuer causeth good digestion and slaketh the griping paines and blastinges in the bellie being vsed with conuenient liquors or medicines it mundifieth all foule sores if it bee strowed thereon or mixed with conuenient liquors or vnguents Sal Gentiane This salt is profitable against all feuers it openeth and purgeth all obstructions of the bowelles it prouoketh menstrua and vrine being dronke with conuenient liquors Sal Gratiolae This salt is effectuall against the dropsie Sal Anonidis This salt diminisheth the stone and prouoketh vrine is profitable against the strangury Sal Raphani This salt hath the aforesaid vertues Sal Genistae This salt breaketh the stone and prouoketh vrine Sal Stipitum Fabarum This salt helpeth the difficultie of vrine and breaketh the stone Sal Iuniperi This salt of Iuniper is of a piercing nature and hath the aforesaid vertues De salibus purgantibus per vterum THis salt doth prouoke womens termes This salt also prouoketh menstrua purgeth the womb and helpeth the suffocation of the matrix Sal Chelidoniae Take the rootes of celandine cleane scraped and not washed q. v. stampe them well in a stone morter then digest them 24 howres with the spirit of wine in Balneo theÌ„ powre it out without pressing and vapour away the said spirit in Balneo and in the bottom will remaine a yellow tincture or powder the which profiteth much in prouoking of womens termes the dose is about ℈ i. in white wine or other conuenient liquor De salibus purgantibus per sudorem THis salt is verie profitable against the pox or such like diseases either to be vsed inward or outward it prouoketh sweate mightily if it be mixed with diaphoreticall medicines The salt of Scabious hath the like vertue in prouoking sweat De salibus dolorem sedantibus TAke the bloud of an old Hart or Stagge being yet warm and distill it in Balneo with a gentle fire vntill all the fleme be come away then change the Receauer and set thy vessell in sand and augment the fire and there will comâ— forth both oile and salt the which will hange round about the glasse the which must be mixed with the oile Yee shall note that the stinking smell of the oilemay be taken away by often washinges in warme water afore yee mixe it with his salt This oile swageth all paines of the gout if ye annoint the partes therewith Sal sanguinis humani THe salt of the bloud of a man and a goate is made in the same order the which haue great vertue to helpe the raines bladder and all diseases of the articular partes as Chiragra Gonagra and Podagra A composition of saltes that seperateth fleme TAke hisop penirial ana â„¥ ss OriganuÌ„Ê’ ij fenel seed â„¥ ss Caraway seed Ê’ ij licorice â„¥ i. Salis vsti â„¥ vj. Salis absinthij Ê’ ij salis Iumperi totideÌ„ cinamomi ouÌ„ i. ss piperis longi Ê’ vj. carda momum granorum paradisi cariophilorum ana â„¥ ss Gingiberis â„¥ i. misco fiat puluis Sal perigrinorum TAke sails nitri fusi salis gemmae ana â„¥ i. galangae macis cubebaruÌ„ ana ℈ i. fiat puluis The dose is foure or sixe grains in the morning fasting vpon a peece of bread this comforteth the stomake maketh good digestion and preserueth the bodie from putrifaction the vse of this salt being at the sea will preserue from vomitting An addition to that salt to preserue the bodiâ— in health TAke of the aforesaid salt so prepared â„¥ iij. Alcoolis vini exiccati lb. ss extrahatur alcali of the which take Ê’ ij put thereunto kist vnum liquor is granorum Iuniperi mixe them the dose is 1. or 2. gr in wine ye shall not adde any other thing vnto this lest the vertue of the salt be spoiled this salt was of great estimation with Hermes trimigistes to preserue the bodie in health Balsamum vrinae the which through the great vertues it hath deserueth to be called Catholicum and is made thus TAke the vrine of yong Children aboute the age of 12. yeares that hath dronke wine for certaine moneths if it be possible the same putrify in Balneo or dung a philosophers yeare then distill it with a gentle fire in sand being also luted the which ye shall note diligently the fleme ye shall put vpon the feces 4. times then the last water keepe close shut the which is white and stinking and therfore ye may giue it both tast and smell with sinamom and sugar the feces that remained in the bottom being blacke yee shall sublime by degrees of fire and you shall haue a most precious salt the which some affirme will dissolue gold siluer other mettalles some philosophers call it their menstrua The vertues of this Balsamum vrinae are infinite and may rightly be called Catholicum remedium because it hath maruellous vertues in all maner of diseases and doth nourish nature wonderfullie by his similitude and not by contrarietie It cureth the dropsie prouoketh
hot and moist bodies where the liuer sendeth forth certaine vapours like fat scabbes and viscous flegme and such like it helpeth all weeping woundes and vlcers in few dayes Being mixed with oile of turpentine annointed it cureth conuulciones and resolutions being mixed with oile of camomill it dissolueth tumors and suppresseth burnings scaldings 3. or 4. graines being dronke helpeth the chollicke being mixed with oile of roses it cooleth and dryeth meruellously all heates scabbes and itch c. Of Quickesiluer Chap. 6. THe Phisitions in times past haue made sundrie experimentes of quicksiluer but Galen doth plainly confesse that hee neuer made any tryall of it either by ministring it inwardly or outwardly Paulus Aegineta writeth this of Mercury in his 7 booke Many haue giuen to drinke Mercury burned to ashes mingled with other spices to those that haue had the chollike and paine in the bowels latter Phisitions doe vse crude Mercury to kill the wormes in children as Mathiolus reporteth in the 5. of his commentaries vpon Diosâ—crides out of brassauola Many vse crude Mercury to cure the poxe and make thereof pilles which they call De barberossa the discription whereof Rondelecius a learned man my maister hath shewed in his boke de morbo gallico In outward diseases many do onely vse precipitate prepared with Aqua fortis which is good to heal al maligne vlcers especially of the pox and that without paine if it bee well prepared With this remedie my father A man of godly memorie and one that deserued well of all men for his phisicke did vse to take away the flesh of the necke of the blather whereof when hee had shewed me the true preparation I vsed it often with most happie successe both to cure that disease as also the vlcer of the blather whereof Steph. caretonus an Appoticary famous both for learning and experience was an eye witnes For a certaine noble man frend to vs both which had bin sicke three yeares of a perilous vlcer in the necke of his bladder by meanes of a fowle Gonorrhoea vnperfectly cured At the last after long vse of Guaicum whereof they say diet is made and many remedies so often reiterated taken and cast in and all those by the counsaile of the learned Phisition Doctor Isandon this onely remedie put in by a waxe candell or smal â—ent within fifteen daies he was fully cured Thus much by the way of digressioÌ„ but to returne to Mercurie these before named are almost all the remedies which are made thereof sauing that it is also put in ointments And many diseases otherwise vncurable haue enforced Phisitions euen without the counsail of Galen to search out these properties wherof at the length experience the mistris of all thinges hath made them certaine For the truth which consisteth in reason ought to be manifested vnto the sence and experience is not perceaued but by the sence as Galen testifyeth in his 6. book De sanitate tuenda It is necessarie saith hee that those thinges which are to be thought vpon be considered by reason and afterward certifyed by experience to the intent that reason by experience may be confirmed And in the second of the same booke hee writeth thus the force of reason sheweth the strength of the experiment Who could otherwise prooue that the Cyaneum and Armenie stones do helpe melancholy affections Persely to hurt women with childe and to doe no good against the fallyng sicknesse That Harmodactiles could purge flegme out of the ioyntes that Lapis Iudaicus and Lyncis shoulde breake the stone that pearles should strengthen the hart or that Napellus is so deadly a poison saue onely that by the practise and working of the foresaid thinges it had bin proued by diuers experiences In like maner by experience it is found out that Mercury is a fit remedie to cure many infirmities As for example Doctor Ioubertus a learned man lately tried it to be a most excellent remedie to cure the woundes made with shot who thereof coÌ„poseth his Triapharmacum Neither is it to bee maruelled when as with slender preparations it becommeth so forcible if with far better it attaineth the highest degree of perfection amongest medicines to cure many and those otherwise vncurable diseases as well inward as outward This excellent preparation of Mercury is hard and difficult and not onely vnknowen vnto manie Phisitions and Poticariesoâ—f one sort but verie few of the spagerikes haue truely attained thereunto For Mercurie is a flying spirit hauing a certaine arsenicall aire verie hurtfull to the bodie whereof at length being clensed and fixed are made so excellent medicines those so holsome for it is the propertie of euery perfect spirit to quicken the bodie that it seemeth not credible except vnto such as are cunning and experienced I wish hartely and desire earnestlye least my iudgement may seeme different from reason that the learned would consider the nature of these three Mercuries the common Mercurye the Mercury sublimate and Mercury precipitate I knowe that there is not any man except he be altogether ignorant but he will affirme that the sublimate Mercurie is more venemous then either the crude which some doe minister in pilles inwardly to kill wormes as is aforesaid or the precipitate whereof Paulus Aegineta seemeth to speake where he intrcateth of Mercurie brought into ashes which in time past was geuen for the collike which is made thus or at least with sulphur And many men at this day without any other preparation than with bare and simple washinges do giue Mercurie precipitate to cure the pox as Matheolus witnesseth neither do we perceiue although it purge vpwarde and downeward that it doth hurt like vnto the sublimat whereof halfe a scruple will kill a man If this which is true be graÌ„ted that mercurie sublimat is stronger poison theÌ„ the crude or prâ—ecipate how commeth it to passe I pray you that sublimation the only purifying which al philosophers do vse I meane this spirit exalted should get such malignitie venemous force Some will answeare peraduenture our Auberius that this doth not come by sublimation by which it is certaine all thinges are purifyed but by carying with it a certaine subtil sharpnes from the things that are mingled with it Let vs then examine this of one pound of crude mercury another pound of crude vitrioll and as much common salt not armonicke as Matheolus thinketh mingled altogether at a soft fire and ground on a stone or morter that it might be well incorporated and brought into a pouder and put in to a subliming glasse giuing fier thereto by degrees for the space of 40. howers is made your mercurie by sublimate If then he draw venemous quallity from the things it is mingled withall of necessitie it must be from salt and vitrioll But that common salt and vitrioll do not hurt as poison Infinite numbers doe daily prooue the same which eate salt in their meates and drincke vitrioll water in their baths And