P
Sir _Henry Puckering_, Kt. _Warwick_
_William Penn_, Esq;
_Tho. Powell_, Esq;
_Richard Palmer_, Esq;
Capt. _Tho. Powell_
_Charles Panton_, Med. _Somerset_
Mr. _Francis Porter_
Mr. _Edward Powell_
_Edward Patteson_, Chym.
_John Peck_, Chyrurg.
Mr. _John Peacock_
Mr. _Edward Page_
Mr. _Samuel Philips_
R
_Luke Rugely_, M. D.
_Samuel Reynolds_, Med. _Ipswich_
_William Russel_, M. D.
_John Rallet_, Med. _Braintry_
_Joseph Rawson_, Cyrurg. _Ailsbury_
_John Rudd_, Med.
Mr. _Tho. Rawlinson_, Distiller
Mr. _Robert Rawlinson_, Distiller
Mr. _Edmond Read_
Mr. _Simon Romny_
Mr. _Michael Rose_
Mr. _James Rance_
Mr. _William Robardson_
Mr. _Robert Ross_
S
The Right Honourable Sir _John Shorter_, Kt. Lord Mayor of the City of
_London_
_Nicholas Salter_, Esq; _Bucks_
_Nathaniel Staughton_, Esq;
Col. _John Stawell_, Somerset
_Nath. Slade_, M. D. _Wrexham_
Dr. ---- _Symcotts_
_William Smith_, Gent. _Bath_
Mr. _Thomas Samborne_, Somerset
Mr. _John Spire_
Mr. _Thomas Stone_
Mr. _William Savage_
Mr. _Richard Salick_
_Tho. Saffold_, Student in Astrology
Mr. _Philip Seddal_
Mr. _John Sloakham_, Colebrook
Mr. _Francis Smartfoot_
_Mat. Sarfati_, Chym.
T
_Robert Toope_, M. D. _Bath_.
_John Tanner_, Med. _Amersham_
_John Tomkys_, A. M. _Warwick_
_Josiah Thorald_, M. D.
Mr. _John Till_
_John Trotter_, Student in Astrology
Mr. _Henry Tash_
Mr. _Isaac Taylear_
Mr. _John Tunstall_
W
Sir _Tho. Witherly_, Kt. Physician to His Majesty, and President of
the Colledge of Physicians
_Richard Wharton_, Esq;
Mr. _Robert Wolley_
Mr. _Edward West_
Mr. _Richard Wyn_, Apoth.
Mr. _Thomas Wigg_
Mr. _Israel Wormal_
_John Walraven_, Chyrurgion
_James Wass_, Chyrurgion
_Charles Wells_, Gent. _Huntingdon_
Mr. _Joseph Wells_
Mr. _William Wheeler_
Mr. _John Webb_
_William Williams_, Med.
Mr. _David Withers_, Berks
Mr. _Edward Wilson_
Mr. _Keeblewhite_
Mr. _Philip Washburn_
Mr. _Richard Weekes_
Mr. _Randal Watson_
Mr. _John Withers_.
THE
FIRST PART
OF
Philosophical Furnaces.
Containing a new Art of making _Spirits_, _Oyls_, _Flowers_, and
other Medicaments, by the help of the first of those Furnaces,
after a very easie and peculiar manner out of Vegetables, Animals
and Minerals: With their Chymical and Medicinal use.
A _Preface_ to the Courteous Reader.
_I have hitherto reserved to my self as Secrets, some peculiar Furnaces
and compendious Ways of Distilling, which with diligent study and
speculation I found out some few years since, by which many excellent
Works, impossible to be done by the vulgar Art, may be performed; but
now at last I have, considering with my self how advantageous it may
be to the World, determined to conceal this Art no longer, but for the
good of my Neighbour to publish it, by giving to =Chymists= a perfect
and fundamental information of this new-invented Art, that they may
no longer for the future spend their Time and Money in long tedious
Operations, but may after a more easie way, by the help of my Furnaces,
be able to effect many excellent things. Now this Book shall be divided
into Five Parts, the first whereof shall teach how to build a Furnace,
in which incombustible things are distilled and sublimed, and indeed
such things which cannot be done by Retort or any other Vessels, and
how the Spirits, Flowers, and Oyls of Minerals, and Metals may by the
help thereof be prepared, as also what their Use and Vertues are._
_In the Second Part shall be shewed another Furnace, in which
combustible things, as Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals are distilled
and most perfectly subtilized: by help whereof many most excellent
Medicaments for the cure of most grievous and otherwise incurable
diseases may be prepared._
_In the Third shall be taught a certain new invention hitherto unknown,
of distilling Burning Spirits, as of Wine, Corn, Fruits, Flowers, Herbs
and Roots; as also the Waters of Vegetables and Animals, and that in
a great quantity, in a short time, and without much costs; as also of
boyling Beer, Mead, Wine, and other things, which otherwise are made in
Copper or Iron Vessels; and all this by the help of Wooden Vessels, and
benefit of a certain small Copper, or Iron instrument of two or three
pound weight, and that after a certain easie manner without Furnaces.
This newly-invented Art doth also teach divers Chymical Operations, as
Putrefactions, Digestions, Circulations, Extractions, Abstractions,
Cohobations, Fixations, =&c.= And this invention is very necessary
and profitable for young beginners in this Art, for they need not in
the making of burning Spirits, Waters of Vegetables, Extracts, and
other Medicaments so many Furnaces, and so many Copper, Iron, Tin,
Earthen and Glass Vessels, for it is here taught how all the aforesaid
Operations may be done onely by the help of a certain small Copper or
Iron Instrument in Wooden Vessels as well as by Alembicks and other
great Copper Vessels, by which means a great deal of Costs is saved._
_In the Fourth Part shall be taught another certain, and hitherto
unknown Furnace, in which all Chymical Operations may most easily be
done: being most profitable for the trying of the Natures of Minerals
and Metals; as also for the proving, examining, melting, cupelling, and
separating of Metals, that nothing may be lost of them, and that after
a compendious and easie way, and also to great advantage._
_In the Fifth shall be taught how to make and prepare Iron, Earthen,
Glass, and other kind of Instruments necessary for the aforesaid four
Furnaces, as also other necessary, and most profitable Manuals._
_And in the First Part, the Fabrick of the first Furnace being
delineated, I shall also shew how by the help thereof may be made
Spirits, Oyls, Flowers, and other most profitable Medicaments, also
their Vertues and Use, and that as faithfully as I may, and without
fraud. And truly I do not doubt but those of understanding will approve
of this Work, but ignorant =Zoilus’s= will contemn it: For it is
said according to the Proverb, =He that builds by the highway, will
hear many things from them that find fault=, and especially from the
vulgar, =&c.= But it would be well if those =Thrasoes= would put forth
something more excellent, before they find fault with and carp at other
Mens pains and labours._
_Wherefore let no one rashly judge of this Work, untill he be throughly
informed concerning the same, and then I do not doubt but the Authour
shall be by him commended._
_And if haply all things shall not presently succeed well, to his mind,
with him that shall build this Furnace, and operate therewith, let him
think with himself that perhaps he hath erred in some part, (for it
is a new and unknown work, in which any one may easily err) and not
presently therefore murmur against the Authour, blaming him, because
he hath not wrote clear enough, but let him ascribe it to his own
ignorance, and let him study to understand the Authour’s meaning, and
still be practising upon it, and then I do not doubt, but he will have
better success, which I pray every one may have._ Amen.
The EXPLICATION of the Figures of the first Furnace in all its parts.
=FIG. I.= E. _The first Subliming-Pot, which is set into the upper
hole of the Furnace._ D. _The upper hole of the Furnace._ F. _The
second Pot._ G. _The third._ H. _The fourth._
=FIG. II.= A. _The Ash-hole, with the wideness of the Furnace._ B.
_The middle hole, by which the Coals and Matter to be distilled,
are cast in._ C. _A Stopper of Stone, which is to stop the said
hole after casting in the matter._ D. _The upper hole with a
certain false bottom, which is to be filled with Sand._ E. _The
Cover of the upper hole, which is put on after the putting in
the Coals and Materials._ F. _A Pipe going out of the Receiver,
and joyned to the first Pot._ G. _The first Receiver._ H. _The
second._ I. _The third._ K. _A Stool on which the first Receiver
stands, having a hole in the middle, through which the Neck of
the first Pot, to which a Dish is annexed, passeth._ L. _The
Dish through the Pipe whereof the refrigerated Spirits distill._
M. _A Receiver into which the Spirits collected in the Dish do
flow._ N. _A Screw to be raised higher at pleasure for the better
joyning the Receiver to the Pipe, and it goeth through a Stool._
O. _The place of the Pipe for the Distilling of Spirit of Vitriol
and Allom._ P. _A Grate consisting of two strong cross Iron
Barrs, fastned in the Furnace, and four or five more less, that
are moveable, for the better cleansing of the Furnace._
=FIG. III.= G. _The first crooked Pipe fitted to the Pipe of the
Furnace._ F. _The Pipe of the Furnace._ H. _A Receiver fitted
to that Pipe, and set in a Tub of water, for accellerating the
Operations: which Receiver hath a Cover with two holes, through
the first whereof goeth a single crooked Pipe, and through the
other two crooked Pipes, whereof one goeth into the Receiver,
as did the single, and the other out of the Receiver H, into
H. H._ I. _The Tub of Water._ M. _A third Pipe. By this way
Flowers are sublimed, and Spirits distilled speedily, and in
great quantity._
[Illustration: The Second Furnace.]
THE
FIRST PART
OF
Philosophical Furnaces.
_Of the Structure of the First Furnace._
As for the first Furnace, it may be built greater or lesser as you
please, a regard being had of the quantity of the Matter to be
distilled, and also either round or square; either of Bricks, or by a
Potter with Potters Clay. Now when the Diameter is of one span, _viz._
withinside, the height must be of four, _viz._ one from the bottom
to the grate, another from the grate to the hole made for putting in
of Coals, and two from thence to the top of the Pipe, which must at
least go forth out of the Furnace one span, lest the receivers should
by the neerness of the Furnace be heated. The Pipe also must have on
the fore part a Diameter, answering the third part of the intrinsecal
Diameter of the Furnace; also a little larger on the hinder part than
the forepart. Let the grate be such an one, as may be taken out at
your pleasure and made clean, being stopt by the Matter that is cast
in and distilled: for it is easily stopt in distilling of Salts melted
with the coals, whereby the aire is kept from coming to the fire, and
the distillation by consequence hindred: Or let there be put into the
Furnace cross-wise two strong iron bars, upon which lay four or five
lesser, distant the one from the other the breadth of a finger, going a
little out of the Furnace, by which when they are stopt, you may take
them out with a pair of Tongs, and cleanse them from the burnt Matter,
and then again put them into their own places: wherefore also the
Furnace must on the fore part be open under the grate, that you may the
better order the grate.
Also the grate must have above, a covering of Iron or Stone, with a
hole in the middle thereof with a certain distinction, which is to be
filled with sand, that the cover may the better and more fitly shut the
hole, and prevent the exhaling of the spirits which by this means will,
being forced, go forth thorow the Pipe into the receivers, after you
have cast in the matter which is to be distilled.
_Of the Receivers._
Let the Receivers be made of glass, or of strong earth, which
may retain the spirits, and such is the Waldburgick, Hassiack,
Frechheimensian, Siburgic earth, _&c._ They are better that are made
of glass, if they are to be had, and those especially which are made
of strong and firm glass, which may be smoothed about the joints with
a Smiris stone, and so fitted that they may the better be joyned
together, and then they need not luteing (but how they shall be
smoothed with the Smiris stone, and be fitted, shall be taught in the
Fifth part, which treats of Manuals) because by this means they are
joyned so close, that no spirits can go through the joynts: otherwise
you must close the joynts with the best Lute, such as will not let the
spirits exhale, which shall be taught in the Book treating of Manuals.
The form of the recipient you may see in the delineation thereof. As
for the quantity thereof, know that by how much the greater they are,
so much the better they are, for then you need the fewer, but the more,
by how much the lesser they are. Let the superiour orifice be larger
than the inferiour, so that alwaies another receiver may with its
inferiour orifice be joyned to it, and let the inferiour orifice have a
Diameter of three fingers breadth, or thereabouts; I mean in case the
Diameter of the Furnace be of one span. For a greater Furnace requires
greater holes, as also orifices of the receivers, by which means a
sufficient and due proportion of air may be given to the fire: or if
the Diameter of the Furnace be more than a span, it must also have two
or three pipes (which being considered together, should have a wideness
answering the wideness of the third part of the Furnace, for so great
a wideness, and so much air is required, if the fire burn freely and
do its office) to which vessels of the aforesaid proportion must be
applyed, that the fire be not choaked.
Now, the Figure that is annexed will teach the conjunction of the
Receivers, as also their application to the Furnace. And, in the first
place, the Receiver stands in a three-foot stool bored thorow in
the middle, that the neck of the first Receiver may pass thorow, to
which is applyed a dish with a pipe receiving the dropping Spirits:
To the first there is joyned a Second, and to that a third, and so
consequently (_viz._ near unto a wall or ladder) so many as you please.
Let the upper Receiver, and indeed all the rest, be left open: To the
lower as hath been said, is joyned a dish with a pipe, by which the
distilled Spirits run down into another certain glass vessel added
thereunto, which being filled, is taken away, and another is set in the
place of it, because that is set under it without luting, and therefore
may easily be changed. And if you please to distil any thing else,
you may take away that dish with a pipe, and make it clean, and then
joyn it close again (that no spirit may breath forth) to the neck of
the lower receiver. And if that dish cannot be so closely joyned, that
nothing exhale, pour in a spoonful of Water, for that doth astringe,
neither doth it hurt the spirits, because in the rectifying it is
separated.
_Of the subliming Vessels._
These you need not make of glass, or of such earth as may retain the
spirits, as hath been above mentioned; it is sufficient, if so be they
be made of good common Potters earth, and be well glazed within, _viz._
of such a form and figure, as appears by the annexed delineation.
Yet you must chuse good earth that will endure the fire, for the lower
pots are so heated by the fire, that they would be broken if they
should not be made of good earth.
Now I will shew you in general the manner it self of distilling; as
also, the manual necessaries in every distillation.
_The manner of Distilling._
In the first place, let there be some burning Coals put in, which
afterwards must be covered with more until the Furnace be full almost
to the pipe, which being done, let not the uppermost cover be laid over
its hole (that the heat and smoak may pass that way, and not thorow
the pipe, and receivers, which will thereby be red hot; and this will
be a hindrance to the distillation) until the fire be sufficiently
kindled, and the Furnace be throughly hot; then cast in, with an Iron
ladle, of the matter prepared for distillation as much as will cover
the Coals, which being done, stop the Furnace very close, by pressing
down strongly the upper cover upon its hole or sand, which is put in
the lower part of the hole, being a place made for that purpose. Now
let him that casts in any thing thorow the middle hole, presently stop
it with a stopple of stone, and that very close, for by this means all
those things which were cast in, will be forced, after the manner of a
thick Cloud, to break forth through the pipe into the receivers, and
there to condense themselves into an acid spirit or oyl, and thence
to distil into the dish set under, through the pipe whereof they do
yet distil down further into another glass receiver. The Coals being
burnt out, and all the spirits being come forth, you must cast in more
Coals, and more materials, until you have got a sufficient quantity of
Spirits. In this way of distilling, you may at your pleasure cease,
and begin again without any danger.
When you will make clean the Furnace, you need do nothing else, then
draw out the Iron bars that lye on the cross bar, that the _Caput
Mortuum_ may fall down, which afterwards may be taken away with a
Fire-shovel, which being done, you must put in the bars again, and lay
them on the cross-bars as before, upon which you must cast burning
Coals, and upon them others, until there be enough, then on them all,
being well kindled, cast your materials.
When you go to make clean the receivers, and to begin to distil another
thing, you need not remove them, but only pour pure Water into them,
_viz._ by their upper receiver, by the descending whereof the other are
purified.
And by this way, not only out of Vegetables, and volatile Minerals
(incombustible) but also out of fixed Metals and Stones, spirits,
oyls, and flowers, are drawn forth wonderfully, easily, and in good
quantity, which otherwise could never have been done by the vulgar art
of distilling.
Now, in this Furnace are distilled only such materials, which being
distilled, yield an incombustible humidity, as common Salt, Vitriol,
Allom, and other Minerals and Metals, each of which doth yet require
their peculiar manuals, if operated upon.
Now, because this Furnace doth not serve for every matter, because
the materials to be distilled are cast upon burning Coals, which are
things Combustible, I have determined in the second part to give
another, _viz._ a lesser, unlike to this, yet convenient to distil all
combustible things that are endued with volatile spirits, as Tartar,
Harts-horn, Amber, Sal Armoniack, Urine, _&c._ There are, by the help
hereof, made most subtile, volatile, sulphureous spirits of Salts, and
Minerals, as of common Salt, Vitriol, Allom, Nitre, Antimony, and of
all other Minerals and Metals, which otherwise, without this Furnace,
could not have been made, with which spirits, wonderful things are
performed in Medicine and Alchymy, as in the Second Part shall be
demonstrated more largely.
Now I will shew you a way to make other Receivers belonging to the
first Furnace, and indeed, such as are more fit for some Operations,
as the former were more fit for others: wherefore let him that will
operate, chuse these, or the other, as he pleaseth.
As therefore the former being erected upwards by a wall, or ladder,
by which means the spirit might ascend from one into another so long,
until being refrigerated and condensed might again drop downward into
the dish that is annexed thereto: so these are a contrary way set and
placed collateral in a vessel filled with cold Water to condense the
spirits, by which means you need not so many receivers; also they must
not be fashioned like the former, as to be open above, and below, but
only above like pots that serve for boyling: but this you must observe,
that by how much the deeper and larger they are, by so much the better
they are.
Also you must joyn them together by the help of earthen pipes, being
so distinct, that the spirits may be kept back, being yet hot (and
not refrigerated) from passing out of one into the other, but being
forced through the middle of the separation of the pipes, may go to
the bottom of every receiver, and thence arise by another pipe into
another receiver that hath a double cover like the former, where again
descending to the cold bottom, remain refrigerated and condensed.
Now three or four of these are enough (whereas of other, thirteen or
fifteen are required) a regard being had of their Greatness.
You may see the figure of these receivers, as also their joyning
together by the annexed delineation. Now, for the most part, one is
sufficient for him that distils a few things, especially if the matter
be not pretious, and then let one crooked earthen pipe at least be
joyned, one arm with the pipe that goeth forth of the Furnace, the
other with the Receiver, but so that it go into the receiver downwards,
even to the middle thereof, and then you need not shut the orifice of
the receivers, for it is no great matter if somewhat evaporate, _viz._
if the matter to be distilled be not pretious. And by this way may
new spirits and new flowers be made every hour, with the help of one
Furnace, and one recipient, but with this caution, that for every new
distillation, the recipient be washed with Water before it be put to
the pipe; which being put to, you may then cast your species into the
Furnace; and this do till you have a sufficient quantity of spirits.
And this way of distillation serves especially for the trying of the
natures and properties of many and divers Minerals, such as yield in
the fire spirits and flowers. For it would be too tedious in every
new distillation to apply a new and distinct receiver: as also many
studious of the Chymical art would quit their study, being able to make
by retort but one tryal in a day. And no wonder if expences, and loss
of time should deter many.
Now here there is no need of many Retorts, nor of luting them, nor of
receivers, and such like superfluous things; neither is there here
required the constant presence of the operator, the observation of the
regiment of fire, the neglect whereof would otherwise endanger the loss
of the retorts and receivers, and by consequence the loss of labour.
These and such like tedious things are not here to be cared for,
because it is sufficient only to cast the Matter upon the coals, and
cover the Furnace, and then presently go forth the spirits, and flowers
of the same kind with their mineral: of which when thou hast got a
sufficient quantity, thou must draw out the Iron bars, upon which the
coals lye, that they may fall down, and be taken away; and whilst the
Furnace is yet hot, to put in the Iron bars again, and upon them to lay
fresh coals, which then will of their own accord be kindled with the
heat of the Furnace. In the mean time you must take away the receiver,
and make it clean and set it to again, or if you had rather put another
clean one, _viz._ for the new distillation of another Matter.
And by this way, divers things may be in the space of one hour
distilled, and sublimed, _viz._ in a small quantity. But he that will
distil, or sublime in a greater quantity, let him take three or four
pots that the spirits may pass from one into another, that nothing
thereof be lost. Here needs not (as I said before) the continual
presence of the operator, for he may be gone, cease, or repeat as he
please, because the work is without danger of breaking the retorts, and
receivers.
He that knows the use of this Furnace, may do many things in a short
time with little cost. For any one may do more by the help thereof in
one hour, than in the common way in twenty four, by which way also
there is a great saving of coals, because ten pound of coals will do
more this way than a hundred the other. As for example, he that will
try, shall make a pound of spirit of Salt in one hour with three, four,
or five pounds of coals; whereas after the other way are required fifty
of sixty pounds, and at least twenty or thirty hours time, _viz._ in
the common way by the help of retorts: which is indeed very tedious.
Also by this way may be made the flowers or minerals, and metals, in a
great quantity, very easily, and in a short time without great cost,
so as that in one hours space, with three or four pound of coals may a
pound of the flowers of Antimony be made. And this is no small help to
the Physitian, and Chymist.
Moreover this furnace being once built, endures for many years, and
being broken is easily repaired.
And by this way you shall need only materials to be distilled, no
retorts and receivers are in danger, by which means much cost is saved.
Besides the aforesaid ways, I have yet another, and that more
compendious, _viz._ of distilling, and subliming, and more easy, by
which means in a very little time, an incredible quantity of spirits of
Salts, and flowers of Minerals, and metals may be made; which I shall
refer till another time, because for the present I have said enough.
Now I do not doubt, but diligent Chymists will follow my steps, and
find out those things which are unknown to me. _For it is easier to add
to things found out, than to find out things unknown._
The construction therefore of the furnace being in my opinion clearly
shewed, there now follows the manner of distilling, and subliming with
it.
Although haply, and contrary to my hope any obscurity should be
met withal, yet one process will explain another: and the diligent
operator, and searcher of Nature shall without doubt, by his practise
attain the effect after the same manner as I have prescribed: which
together with the blessing of GOD, I heartily wish all pious Chymists,
_Amen_.
_How the Spirit of Salt is to be distilled._
The reason why I enter upon the spirit of salt, before I say any thing
of the spirits of vegetables, is this, _viz._ because it is even the
chiefest, which can be made in this furnace: for few exceed this in
strength and vertues; wherefore I also have given it the preeminency.
Neither is there any of the acid spirits, about which the Chymists
hitherto have been more busied, than this, wherefore also it is of
all, of greatest price, _&c._ for some have mixed salt with potters
clay, and have made this mixture into little balls, which they have
to get the spirit, forced by retort in a very strong fire: some have
mixed salt with bole, some with the powder of tyles, others with burnt
Allume, _&c._
Others using a more compendious way have made salt to flow in a retort,
which hath a pipe both in the upper, and hinder part; by the uper pipe
of which they have dropped in cold water, to elevate the ponderous
spirits of the salt, but by the hinder they have blown with Bellows, to
force the spirits into the retort: and this way is not altogether to be
slighted, yet it hath this inconveniency, that in process of time the
retorts are broken that they can no longer retain the salt, and so the
distillation is intercepted. Some have attempted it with Iron retorts,
but by this means the spirits have been deaded, because they easily set
upon the Iron, whence instead of spirit they have had flegme. And such,
and other tedious wayes of distilling they have invented; and by the
best of them indeed they could scarce distill one pound in 25. or 30.
hours space with 50. 60. or 100 pound of coals; this being the reason,
because the salt is very little wrought upon, and therefore it is that
few ever had the spirit right and good, whence also the vertues thereof
have been unknown.
And this therefore I was willing to make known, that it might appear,
what price this spirit hath hitherto been of, and how easie, and
abundantly, and with what little cost, it may after my new invented way
be made.
It is said above, that the materials may in this way of distilling be
immediately cast into the fire; yet this must be wisely understood. For
although some of the species may without any preparation be immediately
cast into the fire, yet it doth not follow that all and every one of
them must: for in some of them we must use our discretion, as in the
distilling of salt. For if the salt be immediately cast into the fire,
it will not only yield no spirits, but will leap so long upon the
coals, until it find a descent to the lowest part of the furnace: Now
this may be prevented divers wayes; and first indeed after this manner:
Dissolve salt in common water, then quench burning coals with this
water, that they may be impregnated with the salt, which afterwards set
on fire in the furnace: but you must first cast in other burning coals,
upon which you must cast those that are impregnated with salt untill
the furnace be full, as is above said: and while the coals burn, the
salt is resolved by the force of the fire into spirit.
Now you must observe that he that distils spirit of salt after this
manner, must make choice of glass receivers, because the spirit whilest
it is hot, penetrates by reason of its wonderful subtilty, those that
are earthen. And this spirit is of a most grateful taste. But in defect
of glass receivers, I shall shew you another way wherein you may use
those that be of earth.
Mix salt, and vitriol or allome together, grinding them very well in
a Morter (for by how much the better they are ground, the more Spirit
they yield.) Then cast this mixture into the fire with an Iron Ladle,
_viz._ so much of it as will be sufficient to cover the coals, and then
with a great fire the spirits come forth into the receivers, where
being coagulated, they distill down into the dish, and thence into
another receiver. And if thou knowest how to work aright, the spirits
will like water continually run out thorow the pipe, the thickness of
a straw; and thou mayest easily every hour make a pound of the spirit.
Now the reason why thou shalt by this way have more spirits than by the
other, is this, _viz._ because the vitriol and allome, which is mixed
with the salt, makes it flow quickly, by which means it is prevented
from falling down through the coals to the lower part of the furnace,
but sticking to the coals is almost all of it turned into spirits. The
_Caput Mortuum_, which is reddish, easily falls with the ashes through
the grate, and can no more be distilled, but yields by excoction a
white fixed salt, which serves for the flowing of metals; and being
dissolved in warm water serves also for a glyster against the Worms,
which it kills, and purgeth also the Bowels.
Thou wilt object, that the spirit made after this manner, is not the
true spirit of salt by reason of the mixture of vitriol and allome,
but mixed, and compounded. I answer; There can by this way distil no
spirit of vitriol, or allome, being that which I often tryed, casting
vitriol or allome into the furnace, where I received no spirit at
all; the reason of this is, because these spirits are far more heavy
than the spirit of salt, neither can they ascend so great a heighth,
_viz._ of three spans, but are burnt, whence unless the flegme, nothing
distils. Wherefore the spirit of salt that is made after this manner
is not mixed, but pure and meer spirit of salt, of the same tast and
vertue as that is of, that is made by it self; because in this furnace
the spirit of allome and vitriol, cannot be made unless a pipe go out
of the furnace neer the grate, as you may see by the delineation of the
furnace, for otherwise it cannot be made; besides, these spirit are
better, and more truly taught in the second part. And if it be granted
that somewhat together with the spirit of salt comes forth (which is
yet impossible) what hurt I pray you comes from thence either in the
solution of metals, or medicine? wherefore the spirit made after this
way is not to be suspected. Yet I will satisfie the incredulous, and
will shew him another way without the addition of allome or vitriol,
for the distilling of that spirit, but that will be in the second part
of this Book, where I will teach you the furnace, by which is made
spirit of Nitre, Aquafortis, and amongst combustibles, the Oyles of
vegetables, and Fats of animals and other things which cannot be made
by this: and by this way I will satisfie those, who are not pleased
with the former.
Now for want of glass receivers, we are forced to use earthen, but
these cannot retain the spirit of salt made after the aforesaid wayes,
in which case I could indeed discover a certain little manual, by
vertue of which the aforesaid spirit may be received even in a great
quantity in earthen recipients: but for certain causes I shall here be
silent, and shall refer it till the edition of the second part. Let it
suffice therefore that I mentioned such a thing, wherefore omitting
that, I shall proceed to shew you the vertues, and use of this spirit,
as well in Alchymy, as in Medicine, and other Mechanical Arts.
_Of the Use of the Spirit of Salt._
It is worth while, to speak of the power, and vertues of this excellent
spirit; what other Authors have clearly described, I shall here pass
over, and refer the Reader to the Writings of those Authors; touching
only on some few of which they said nothing.
The Spirit of salt is by most accounted a most excellent medicine, and
safely to be used, as well inwardly as outwardly: It extinguisheth
a preternatural thirst in hot diseases, abstergeth and consumeth
flegmatick humours in the Stomack, exciteth the Appetite, is good
for them that are hydropical, have the Stone, and Gout, _&c._ It is
a menstruum dissolving metals, excelling all other therein: For it
dissolveth all metals and minerals (excepting silver) and almost
all stones (being rightly prepared) and reduceth them into excellent
medicaments. It doth also many excellent things in mechanical arts.
Neither is it to be slighted in the kitchen, for with the help thereof
are prepared divers pleasant meats for the sick as well as for those
that are in health, yea and better than with Vinegar, and other acid
things: and it doth more in a small quantity, than Vinegar in a great.
But especially, it serves for those Countries that have no Vinegar. It
is used also instead of Verjuice, and the juice of Lymons. For being
prepared after this way, it is bought at a cheaper rate than Vinegar or
juice of Lymons. Neither is it corruptible as expressed juices are, but
is bettered by age. Being mixed with Sugar it is an excellent sauce for
roast meat. It preserves also divers kinds of Fruits for many years. It
makes also Raisins, and dryed Grapes to swell, so as to acquire their
former magnitude again, which are good to refresh a weak Stomach in
many diseases, and serves for the preparing of divers kinds of meats of
Flesh and Fish; but you must mix some water with the spirit, or else
the Raisins will contract too much acidity. This spirit doth especially
serve for making meats delightfully acid; for whatsoever things are
prepared with it, as Chickens, Pigeons, Veale, _&c._ are of a more
pleasant taste than those which are prepared with Vinegar. Beef being
macerated with it, becomes in a few dayes so tender, as if it had been
a long time macerated with Vinegar. Such, and many more things can the
Spirit of Salt do.
_A distillation of Vegetable Oyles, whereby a greater quantity is
acquired, than by that common way, by a Vesica._
As many Distillers as hitherto have been, have been ignorant of a
better way to distill Oyles of Spices, Woods, and Seeds, than by a
vesica or alembick, with a great quantity of water. And altho’ they may
also be made by retort, yet there is a great deal of care required, or
else they contract an _Empyreuma_; wherefore that way, by a still, is
alwayes accounted the better, which way indeed is not to be slighted,
if you distill Vegetables of a low price, and such as be oleaginous;
but not so in the distillation of Spices, and of other things that are
of a greater value, as are Cinnamon, Mace, Saffron, _&c._ which cannot
be distilled in a gourd still without loss, because then there is
required a great quantity of water, and by consequence great, and large
vessels, to which something adheres, wherefore we lose almost half,
which is not to be so much valued in vegetables that are oleaginous,
as in Annisseed, Fennel, and Caryoway-seed, _&c._ But the loss made in
the distilling of dryer and dearer vegetables, as of Cinnamon, _Lignum
Rhodii_, _Cassia_, is evident enough, and by consequence not to be
slighted. Neither can it be, that all things can be distilled that way,
for a good quantity by coction acquireth a gummy tenaciousness, which
cannot ascend with the water. But that this way for the future may be
prevented, I will shew another way to distill the Oyles of Spices, and
other precious things, which is done with spirit of salt, whereby all
the Oyle is drawn forth without any loss, the process whereof is this,
_viz._ Fill a gourd with Cinnamon or any other Wood, or Seed, upon
which pour so much of the spirit of salt, as will be sufficient to
cover the wood, then place it with its Alembick in Sand, and give it
fire by degrees that the spirit of salt may boyl, and all the Oyle will
distill off with a little flegme; for the spirit of salt doth with its
acrimony penetrate the wood, and freeth the Oyle that it may distill
off the better and easier. And by this way the Oyle is not lost by
the addition of that great quantity of water in those great and large
vessels, but is drawn in lesser glass vessels with the addition of a
little moysture. Distillation being finished the spirit is poured off
by inclination from the wood, being again useful for the same work. And
if it hath contracted any impurity from the wood, it may be rectified:
but the residue of the spirit which remains in the wood ye may recover,
if that wood be cast into the aforesaid furnace upon burning coals, by
which means it may come forth again pure, and clear: and by this means
we lose none of the spirit of Salt. And after this way by help of the
spirit of Salt, are drawn forth Oyls of dearer Vegetables together with
their Fruit, which cannot be done by a still.
There are made also by means thereof Oyles of Gumms and Rosins, clear,
and perspicuous.
_The clear Oyle of Mastick, and Frankincense._
Take of Frankincense or Mastick powdered small, as much as will serve
to fill the third part of a Retort (which must be coated) upon which
pour a sufficient quantity of spirit of Salt, taking heed that the
Retort be not filled too full, or else the spirit when it boyles, flows
over it, then place it in sand, and give fire by degrees, and there
will first come out some phlegme, after which a clear transparent oyle
together with the spirit of salt, which must be kept by it self, after
this a certain yellow Oyle which must be received by it self, and last
of all there follows a red Oyle, which altho’ it is not to be cast
away, yet it is very unlike to the first, serving for outward uses,
and to be mixed with Oyntments and Emplasters, for it doth wonderfully
consolidate, and therefore good in new and old Wounds. The first being
well rectified, is in its subtilty, and penetrating faculty not unlike
to spirit of wine, and may profitably be used inwardly and outwardly,
_viz._ in cold affects, but especially in the stiffness of the Nerves,
caused by cold humors, upon which follows a contraction; but then you
must first rub the member contracted with a linnen cloath, that it may
be well warmed, into which then the Oyle must be chafed with a warm
hand. For it doth do wonders in such like affects of the Nerves.
After the same manner may Oyles be made out of all gumms. The red,
tenacious and stinking Oyles of Tartar, Harts-horn, Amber, _&c._
distilled after the common way by retort are also rectified with
spirit of salt so as to become transparent and to lose the _Empyreuma_
contracted by distillation.
Now the cause of the blackness, and fetidness of these kind of Oyles,
is a certain volatile salt which is to be found as well in Vegetables,
as certain Animals, which is easily mixed with the Oyle, and makes it
of a brown colour. For every volatile salt whether it be of Urine,
Tartar, Amber, Harts-horn, and of other Vegetables and Animals, is
of this condition and nature, as to exalt, and alter the colours of
sulphureous things, and that either for the worse or for the better:
but for the most part it makes Oyles thick, black and stinking, as you
may see in Amber, Harts-horn, and Tartar. The cause therefore of the
blackness, and fetidness of these Oyles being known we may the more
easily take heed thereof in distilling, and being contracted, correct
them again by the help of spirit of Salt. For all volatile salt hath
contrariety to any acid spirit, and on the other side, every acid
spirit hath a contrariety with all volatile salts, that have the nature
of salt of Tartar. For metals that are dissolved with acid spirits are
as well precipitated with spirit of Urine, or any volatile salt as with
the liquor of salt of Tartar; which shall be more at large declared in
the second part.
The volatile salt therefore is by the mortifying acid spirits, as of
Salt, Vitriol, Allom, Vinegar, _&c._ deprived of its volatility, and
is fixed, by which means being debilitated it forsakes its associate
which was infected with blackness by it: it is necessary that we should
proceed after the same manner with these fetid Oyles, _viz._ as follows.
Take any fetid Oyle of Tartar, Amber, _&c._ with which fill the fourth
part only of a glass Retort, and upon it pour by drops the spirit of
salt; and it will begin to be hot, as it is used to be, when Aqua
fortis is poured on salt of Tartar; wherefore the spirit is to be
poured on it by little and little, and by drops for fear of breaking
the glass: Now the signe of the mortification of the volatile salt
is, when it ceaseth to make a noise, and then no more is to be poured
on, but set your Retort in sand, & give fire to it by degrees, as
is used to be done in the rectifying things of easie elevation: and
first of all will go forth a certain stinking water, after which comes
a transparent clear, and odoriferous Oyle, and after that a certain
yellow, clear, and also well smelling Oyle, but not so as the first,
wherefore each must be taken a part by changing the receivers. Now
these Oyles become more grateful than those fetid ones of the shops.
For these Oyles retain their clearness, and fairness, the cause of
their fetidness, and redness being taken away by the spirit of salt.
In the bottom of the Retort remains the black volatile salt with the
spirit of salt, from whence it may be sublimed into an odoriferous salt
resembling salt armoniack in tast. The spirit of salt is also deprived
of its acidity, and coagulated by the volatile salt, and is like
_tartarum vitriolatum_, appointed also for its uses, as shall be spoken
in the second part, of the spirit of Urine.
After the same manner also are rectified other Oyles, which by length
of time have contracted a clamminess, as are Oyle of Cinnamon, Mace,
Cloves, _&c._ with the spirit of Salt, if they be rectified by Retort,
for then they acquire again both the same clearness, and goodness, as
they had when they were newly distilled.
Here I must make mention of a certain error of Physitians, not only
of ignorant Galenists but Spagyricks, committed in the preparations
of some Chymical medicaments. For many have perswaded themselves that
Oyle of Tartar, Harts-horn, _&c._ having lost its stink, is a Medicine
radically taking away all obstructions; but this must be taken with
a grain of salt. For some have rectified these kinds of Oyles by
calcined Vitriol, and by that means have somewhat made them lose their
_Empyreuma_, but with all their Vertues; which others observing have
conceived that the fetidness thereof is not to be taken away, because
the Vertue of them is thereby lost, as if the Vertue consisted in the
fetidness thereof; but that is a very great error, because fetidness
is an enemy to the heart and brain, and in it is no good. But this is
granted, that they that take away the fetidness of those Oyles mortifie
the vertues of them. But thou sayst, How then must we proceed in taking
away their fetidness without the loss of the vertues? Must they be
rectified by the spirit of salt? as even now thou taughtest. R. No,
for although I said that Oyles might be clarified with spirit of salt,
yet it doth not follow that my meaning was, that that clarification
was the mending of them: This is only a way of clarification, whereby
they become more grateful; and it is not to be slighted, a better
being unknown. But how they are to be rectified from their fetidness
and blackness, without the loss of their Vertues, and to be made more
noble, doth not belong to this place, because it cannot be done by this
Furnace: I shall refer the reader therefore to the second part, where
it shall be shewed, how such spirits are to be rectified without the
loss of their vertues, which being so prepared may well be accounted
for the fourth Pillar of Physick. And these things I was willing at
least for information sake to shew you, not to offend you, and that
because I was moved with pity, and compassion towards my neighbour.
_The Quintessence of all Vegetables._
Pour upon Spices, Seeds, Woods, Roots, Fruits, Flowers, _&c._ the
Spirit of Wine well rectified, place them in digestion to be extracted,
untill all the essence be extracted, with the Spirit of Wine; then upon
this Spirit of Wine, being impregnated, pour the best Spirit of Salt;
and being thus mixed together, place them in Balneo to digest, untill
the Oyle be separated, and swim above from the Spirit of Wine, then
separate it with a separating glass, or distill off the Spirit of Wine
in Balneo, and a clear Oyle will ascend; for if the Spirit of Wine be
not abstracted, then that Oyle will be as red as blood; and it is the
true quintessence of that vegetable, from whence by the Spirit of Wine
it was extracted.
_The Quintessence of all Metals and Minerals._
Dissolve any metal (excepting Silver, which must be dissolved in Aqua
fortis) in the strongest spirit of Salt, and draw off the flegme in
Balneo; to that which remains pour the best rectified spirit of Wine,
put it to digesting, untill the Oyle be elevated to the top as red as
blood, which is the tincture, and quintessence of that metal, being a
most Precious treasure in medicine.
_A sweet and red Oyle, of Metals and Minerals._
Dissolve a Metal or Mineral in spirit of Salt, dissolve also an equal
weight of salt of Wine essentificated; mix these dissolutions, and
distill them by retort in a gradual heat, and there will come out an
oyle sweet, and as red as blood, together with the spirit of Salt; and
sometimes the neck of the retort and receiver will be coloured like a
Peacocks tail with divers colours, and sometimes with a golden colour.
And because I would without any difference comprehend all Metals
and Minerals under one certain general process; let him that would
make the essence of silver take the spirit of nitre, and proceed in
all things as was spoken of the other metals. Concerning the use of
these essences, I need not speak much thereof; for to him that knows
the preparation shall be discovered the use thereof. Concerning the
corrosive oyles of metals and minerals, seeing they cannot be described
by any one process, it will be worth while to set down what is peculiar
to each of them, as followeth.
_The Oyle, or Liquor of Gold._
Dissolve the calx of gold in the spirit of salt, (which must be very
strong, or else it cannot dissolve it) but in defect of the strongest
spirit thereof, mix a little of the purest salt-peter; but that oyle
is the best which is made with the spirit of salt alone. From the
gold dissolved abstract half the solution, and there will remain a
corrosive oyle, upon which pour the expressed juice of lemons, and the
dissolution will become green, and a few feces fall to the bottom,
which may be reduced in melting. This being done, put this green liquor
in Balneo, and draw off the flegme: that which remains take out, and
put upon a marble in a cold moist place, and it will be resolved into
a red oyle, which may safely, and without danger be taken inwardly,
curing those that are hurt with Mercury. But especially it is commended
in old ulcers of the mouth, tongue, and throat, arising from the French
pox, leprosy, scorbute, _&c._ where the oyl of other things cannot be
so safely used. There is not a better medicine in the exulceration, and
swelling of the glandules, in the ulcers of tongue and jaws, which doth
sooner mundify, and consolidate. Neither yet must we neglect necessary
purgings, and sudorificks, for fear of a relapse, the cause not being
taken away.
Neither will there any danger follow, whether it be given inwardly,
or used outwardly, as in the accustomed use of other medicaments, and
gargarisms; for it may daily, and truly without all danger be used at
least three times with a wonderful admiration of a quick operation.
_Oyle of_ Mars.
Dissolve thin plates of Iron in rectified spirit of salt, take the
solution, which is green, of a sweet tast, and smelling like fetid
sulphur; and filter it from that filthy and feculent residence: then in
a glass gourd in sand, abstract all the humidity (_viz._ with a gentle
fire) which will be as insipid as rainwater, because the iron by reason
of its dryness, hath attracted all the acidity to it self: but in the
bottom will remain a mass as red as blood, burning the tongue like
fire: it takes away all proud flesh of wounds, and that without all
danger. It is to be kept in a glass close stopt from the air, lest it
be resolved into an oyle, which will be of a yellow colour. But he that
desires to have the oyle, may set it on a marble in a moist Cellar, and
within a day it will be resolved into an oyle, which will be in colour
betwixt yellow and red: It is a most excellent secret in all corroding
ulcers, fistulas, cancer, _&c._ being an incomparable consolidator, and
mundifyer. And it is not without profit mixed also with common water
to wash the moist, fetid ulcers of the leggs; which cause tumours, by
being applyed warm like a bath, for it dryes, and heals suddenly, if
withal Purges be administred. It cures also any scab. That red mass
(being yet unresolved) being put on the oyle of sand, or flints (of
which in the second part) makes a tree to grow in the space of one or
two hours, having root, trunk, and boughs: which being taken out, and
dryed, in the test yields good gold, which that tree extracts from the
earth, _i. e._ from the flints, or sand. Thou mayst if thou pleasest,
more accurately examine this matter.
_Oyle of_ Venus.
Spirit of Salt doth not easily work upon Copper, unless it be first
reduced into a calx, and that after this manner. Take plates of Copper
made red hot in an open crucible, quench them in cold water, and they
will cleave into red scales: then the remainders of the plates make
red hot, and quench as before: do this so often, till thou hast got
a sufficient quantity of the calx; which being dryed, and powdered,
extract with the rectified spirit of salt, in sand, until the spirit
of salt be sufficiently coloured with a green tincture, which you must
decant, and filter; and then abstract from it the superfluous moisture,
that there may remain a green thick oyle, which is an excellent remedy
for ulcers, especially such as are Venereal, being applyed outwardly.
_Oyle of_ Jupiter _and_ Saturn.
Neither are these two metals easily dissolved in the spirit of salt,
yet being filed, are dissolved in the best rectified spirit of salt.
But the operation is performed better with the flowers of these metals
(the preparation whereof shall be hereafter taught.) Take therefore
the flowers, upon which in a gourd glass pour the spirit of salt, and
presently the spirit will work upon them, especially being set in a
warm place; filter the yellow solution, and abstract the humidity,
until there remain a yellow heavy oyle, which is proper against putrid
ulcers.
_Oyle of_ Mercury.
Neither is this easily dissolved with the spirit of salt: but being
sublimed with vitriol, and salt is easily dissolved. Being dissolved,
it yields an oyle very corrosive, which must be used with discretion,
wherefore it is not to be administred, unless it be where none of the
other are to be had. For I saw a woman suddenly killed with this oyle,
being applyed by a certain Chyrurgeon. But this oyle is not to be
slighted in eating ulcers, tetter, _&c._ which are mortified by it.
_Oyle of Antimony._
Crude Antimony that hath never undergone the fire, is hardly dissolved
in spirit of salt: as also the _Regulus_ thereof; but the _Regulus_
being subtilly poudered, is more easily wrought upon, in case the
spirit be sufficiently rectified.
The _Vitrum_ is more easily, but most easily of all the flowers are
dissolved, being such as are made after our prescription a little after
set down. Neither is _Butyrum Antimonii_ (being made out of sublimed
Mercury, and Antimony) any thing else but the _Regulus_ of Antimony
dissolved with spirit of salt; for sublimed Mercury being mixed with
Antimony, feeling the heat of the fire, is forsaken by the corrosive
spirits associating themselves with the Antimony, whence comes the
thick Oyle; whilest which is done the sulphur of Antimony is joyned to
the Quick-silver, and yields a Cinnabar, sticking to the neck of the
Retort; but the residue of the Mercury remains in the bottom with the
_Caput Mortuum_, because a little part thereof doth distill off: And
if thou hast skill thou mayst recover the whole weight of the Mercury
again.
And these things I was willing the rather to shew thee, because many
think this is the oyle of Mercury, and therefore that white powder made
thence by the pouring on of abundance of water they call _Mercurius
vitæ_, with which there is no mixture at all of Mercury, for it is
meer Regulus of Antimony dissolved with spirit of Salt, which is again
separated, when the water is poured on the Antimonial butter; as is
seen by experience; For that white pouder being dryed, and melted in a
crucible yields partly a yellow Glass, and partly also a Regulus, but
no Mercury at all.
Whence it doth necessarily follow that that thick oyle is nothing else
but Antimony dissolved in spirit of Salt. For the flowers of Antimony
being mixed with spirit of Salt, make an oyle in all respects like to
that butter which is made of Antimony, and sublimated Mercury, which
also is after the same manner by the affusion of a good quantity of
water precipitated into a white pouder, which is commonly called
_Mercurius vitæ_: It is also by the same way turned into _Bezoardicum
mineral_, _viz._ by abstracting the spirit of Nitre, and it is nothing
else but Diaphoretick Antimony.
For it is all one whether that Diaphoretick be made with spirit of
Nitre, or with Nitre it self, _viz._ corporeal, for these have the same
vertues, although some are of opinion that that is to be preferred
before the other; but the truth is, there is no difference. But let
every one be free in his own judgment, for those things which I have
wrote, I have not Writ out of ambition, but to find out the truth.
Now again to our purpose, which is to shew an oyle of Antimony made
with the spirit of salt.
Take a pound of the flowers of Antimony (of which a little after)
upon which pour two pound of the best rectified spirit, mix them well
together in a glass, and set them in sand a day and night to dissolve,
then pour out that solution together with the flowers into a retort
that is coated, which set in sand, and first give a gentle fire, untill
the flegme be come off, then follows a weak spirit with a little
stronger fire, for the stronger spirits remain in the bottom with the
Antimony: then give a stronger fire, and there will come forth an oyle
like to the butter of Antimony made with sublimed Mercury, and is
appropriated to the same uses, as follows.
_The flowers of Antimony, White and Vomitive._
Take of this butter as much as you please, upon which in a glass gourd,
or any other large glass pour a great quantity of water until the white
flowers will precipitate no more; then decant off the water from the
flowers, which edulcorate with warm water, and dry with a gentle heat,
and thou shalt have a white pouder.
The Dose is, that 1. 2. 3. 8. 10. grains be macerated for the space of
a night in wine, which is to be drank in the morning, and it worketh
upward and downward. But it is not to be given to children, those
that be old, and weak, but to those that be strong, and accustomed to
vomiting. When at any time this infusion is taken and doth not work,
as sometimes it falls out, but makes the Patient very sick, he must
provoke vomiting with his finger, or else it will not work, but make
those that have taken it to be sick, and debilitated even to death. We
must also in the over much working of these flowers drink a draught of
warm Beer, or rather of warm Water, decocted with Chervil, or Parsly,
and they will work more mildly. But let not him that is able to bear
the operation thereof any way hinder it, for there is the greater hope
of recovering his health thereby, for they do excellently purge choler,
and evacuate flegme in the Stomack, being humors that will not yield
to other Catharticks; they open obstructions, resist the putrefaction
of the blood, the causes of many diseases, such as are Feavers,
Head-aches, _&c._ they are good for them that are Leprous, Scorbutical,
Melancholical, Hypochondriacal, infected with the French-Pox, and in
the beginning of the Plague. In brief, they do work gallantly, and do
many things.
After the taking of them, the Patient must stay in his bed or at least
not go forth of his house, for to avoid the aire, or otherwise they may
be mistrusted.
And because of their violence they are feared, and hated, I shall in
the fourth part of this Book for the sake of the sick set down such as
are milder, and safer, such as shall work rather downward than upward,
causing easie vomits, which also thou mayest give to children, and
those that are old without danger, yet some respect being had of the
disease, and age.
_The flowers of Antimony diaphoretical._
The foresaid flowers if they be cast into melted Nitre, and be left a
while in melting, are made fixt, so as to become Diaphoretical, and
lose their Cathartical Vertue. The acid water being separated from the
flowers, if it be evaporated, leaves behind the best spirit of salt,
serving for the same or such like uses again.
_Of the External use of the Corrosive Oyle of Antimony._
This oyle hath been long used by Chirurgions, for they have with a
feather applyed it to wounds almost uncurable, to separate impurities,
for the acceleration of the cure, that afterwards other medicaments
being applyed may the better operate. But it is better if it be mixed,
with spirit of Salt, for they are easily mixed and it is made more mild
thereby, and the too great corrosive faculty thereof is mitigated.
Neither is there any other besides the spirit of Salt, with which
this oyle can be mixed, unless it be the strongest spirit of Nitre,
for the weak spirit of Nitre precipitates the butter of Antimony, as
you may see in the preparation of _Bezoardicum Minerale_. But the
strongest spirit of nitre dissolving this butter, makes a red solution
of wonderfull Vertue in Chymistry, of which we are not to treat in
this place; and if this be drawn off again by distillation, it leaves
behind the first time a fixed Antimony, and Diaphoretical, which
otherwise must be drawn off twice, or thrice, _viz._ if it be weak, and
not able to dissolve the butter without precipitation.
Now this _Bezoardicum_ is the best, and safest Diaphoretick in all
diseases that require sweat, as in the plague, French pox, feavers,
scorbute, leprosy, _&c._ if it be given from 6. 8. 10. to twenty grains
in proper vehicles; it penetrates the whole body, and evacuates all
evil humours by sweat and urine.
_The Oyl of =Arsenic= and =Auripigmentum=._
As the spirit of salt doth not easily work upon Antimony by reason of
the abundance of crude sulphur, unless it be reduced into flowers,
in the preparation whereof, some part of its sulphur is burnt; so
also _Arsenic_ and _Auripigmentum_ are hardly dissolved with spirit
of salt, unless they be reduced into flowers, and the spirit of
salt be very strong, which may be able to work upon it. These may
be distilled by retort like Antimony into a thick heavy oyl; which
being used in cancrous eating ulcers, exceeds that of Antimony in
mortifying, mundifying, and purging those evils. After the same manner
may corrosive oyls be made out of all the realgars being ordained for
outward uses.
_Oyl of_ Lapis Calaminaris.
Take of the best yellow or red _Lapis Calaminaris_ very subtilly
powdered, as much as you please, and pour upon it five or six times
as much of rectified spirit of salt, mix and stir them well together,
and do not leave them long unstirred, but ever and anon shake the
glass with the materials; and this do oftentimes, or else the _Lapis
Calaminaris_ will grow together into a very hard stone, which can be
dissolved no more, and is prevented by the aforesaid often shaking: and
when the spirit of salt will dissolve no more thereof in _frigido_,
set the glass in warm sand so long, until the spirit be tinged with a
most yellow colour, which then decant, and pour on fresh, and again
set it in digestion to extract, and do not forget to shake the glass
often. The solution being finished filter it, and cast away the
residue of the _terra mortua_. Afterwards set the solution in sand,
and give fire, and almost three parts of the spirit of salt will go
over insipid, which is nothing but the flegme, although the spirit was
never so well rectified; the reason whereof is the most dry nature of
_lapis calaminaris_, to which the spirit of salt is very friendly,
and therefore very hard to be separated from it. For I never knew any
mineral or metal (beside _Zinck_) which exceeds _lapis calaminaris_ in
dryness. At last when no more flegm will go over, let all things cool;
which being done, take out the glass, and thou shalt find a red thick
oyl, as fat as oyl olive, and not very corrosive; for that spirit of
salt being almost mortified with the _lapis calaminaris_ is deprived of
its acidity. This oyl is to be kept from the air; or else within a few
dayes it attracts much air which it converts into water, and thereby
becomes weakened.
This Oyl is of wonderful Vertue, being used as well inwardly as
outwardly. And I wonder that in so long a time there hath been no body,
who hath operated in _lapis calaminaris_ and described the nature
thereof, seeing it hath in it a golden sulphur (of which thing in the
fourth Part) for if the terrestreity thereof were separated from it
artificially, pure gold would be manifested therein; now the greatest
part thereof is volatile, and immature, and cannot easily be reduced
into a body in melting, wherefore hitherto that stone hath not been
esteemed of by Chymists, but to the wise was alwayes pretious, _&c._
_The use of the Oyl of_ Lapis Calaminaris.
If it be given from 1. 2. 3. drops to ten, and fifteen with sutable
vehicles, it purgeth the dropsy, leprosy, gout, and other noxious
fixed humors not yielding to vegetable Catharticks, of which more at
large in the second Part of the spirit of urine and salt of tartar. It
serves outwardly for an excellent vulnerary balsome, the like to which
can scarce be shewed, not only in reducing old corrupt wounds, but
also in those that are green, for it doth powerfully dry, mundify, and
consolidate.
It is also used in houshold affairs, for birdlime being dissolved in
it, yields a certain tenacious matter serving to catch birds, mice,
_&c._ about the house or in the field. For it is as permanent in the
heat of the Sun, as in the cold of Winter, wherefore it may be used
at any time of the year; all small animals stick to it if they do but
touch the matter.
A ligature or string smeered therewith, and bound about any tree
prevents the spiders from climbing up thereon, and other kinds of
insects that are noxious to the fruit; a thing worth taking notice of.
This oyl is not by the pouring on of water corrupted, neither is it
precipitated, as that of Antimony: wherefore it is useful for many
things. Common yellow sulphur boyled in it, _viz._ in a strong fire, so
as to be dissolved in it, swims upon it like fat, is thereby purified
and made as transparent as yellow pellucid glass, and a better medicine
than those common flowers of sulphur: it serves also for other uses,
all which to relate here it would be too tedious.
This oyl being mixed with clean sand, and distilled by retort in
a fire that is very strong (otherwise the spirit of salt will not
leave the _lapis calaminaris_) yields a most fiery spirit, the _lapis
calaminaris_ remaining in the bottom of the retort.
This spirit is so strong, that it can scarce be kept; it dissolves
all metals, and all minerals (excepting silver and sulphur) wherefore
by the help thereof many excellent medicaments are made, which cannot
be made with the common spirit though never so well rectified, which
although it be often rectified, yet it is not without flegm, which
cannot be separated from it by the power of rectification, so well as
with _lapis calaminaris_.
This spirit doth perform many things in medicine, & alchymy, as also in
other arts, as you may easily conjecture; but here is not opportunity
to speak more of these things, yet for the sake of the sick I shall
add one thing, to which few things are to be compared; the plain &
short process whereof I would not have thee be offended at. And it is
this, _viz._ mix this spirit with the best rectifyed spirit of wine,
digest this mixture some while, and the spirit of salt will separate
the spirit of wine, and will make the oyl of wine swim on the top, the
volatile salt being mortified: and this oyl is a most incomparable
cordial, especially if with the said spirit of wine, spices have first
been extracted, and with the said spirit of salt, gold hath been
dissolved. For then in the digestion of this mixture, the oyl of wine
being separated, attracts the essence of the cordial species, and of
other vegetables, being extracted before with the spirit of wine, as
also the tincture of gold, and so by consequence a most efficacious
incomparable and universal medicine for all diseases, fortifying the
_Humidum radicale_, that it may be able to overcome its enemies; for
which let praise and glory be given to the immortal God for ever who
hath revealed to us so great secrets.
_Of the Extrinsecal use of the spirit of Salt in the Kitchen._
I said before that instead of Vinegar, and verjuice it may be used, as
also instead of the juice of Limons, now it remains that I shew you how
it is to be used, and that indeed as well for the sake of the healthy
as the sick.
Let him therefore that will dress a pullet, pigeons, veal, _&c._ in the
first place put a sufficient quantity of spices, of water, and butter,
and then as he pleaseth a greater, or lesser quantity of spirit of
salt: and by this means fleshes are sooner made ready being boyled,
then that common way; an old hen though the flesh thereof be old is
made as tender as a chicken by the addition of this spirit: but he that
will use it instead of the juice of Limons with rost meat, must put
into it the pill of Limons for preservation sake, because it preserves
it. It is used instead of verjuice by it self alone, or mixed with a
little sugar, if it be too acid.
He that will stew beef, and make it as tender as kid, must first
dissolve in it tartar and a little salt before he wets the flesh
therewith, and the flesh will not only be preserved but made tender
thereby: but to keep flesh a long time you must mix some water
therewith, and with weights press down the flesh, that it may be
covered with the pickle: for by this means flesh may be preserved a
great while.
After the same manner may all kinds of garden fruits be preserved, as
cucumbers, purslain, fennel, broom, German capers, _&c._ and indeed
better than in vinegar. Also flowers, and hearbs may a long while be
preserved by the help thereof, so that you may have a rose all the
winter.
It preserves also wine, if a little be mixed therewith. A little
thereof being mixed with milk precipitates the cheese, which if it be
rightly made is never corrupted, being like to such cheese as they call
_Parmesan_. The whey of that milk dissolves Iron, and cures any scab
being washed therewith.
With the help of spirit of salt is made with honey, and sugar a most
pleasant drink, not unlike to wine. There is made also of certain
fruits with the spirit of salt a very good vinegar like to the Rhenish
vinegar. Such and many more things, which I will not now divulge, may
be done with spirit of salt.
And thus have I in some measure taught the use of the spirit of salt,
which I would not have you take as if I had revealed all things; for,
brevities sake, as also for some other reasons I have silently passed
over many things. Neither do I know all things my self: but those
things, which I do know, I have so far declared that others may from
thence have hints of seeking further. He that would describe all, and
every power and vertue thereof, had need to write a whole volum, the
which is not my purpose at this time to do, but may perhaps be done
another time. There shall also be shewed in the second part of this
book, some secrets which may be prepared by the help of this spirit: as
how it may be dulcified to extract the tincture of gold, and of other
metals, leaving a white body, which tincture is a medicine not to be
slighted. Wherefore now seeing it is manifest how great things this
spirit can do, every one will desire a good quantity for his houshold
uses, especially seeing most excellent spirits may be made after an
easie and short way.
_How an acid spirit, or vinegar may be distilled out of all
vegetables, as hearbs, woods, roots, seeds_, &c.
First put a few living coals into the furnace, then put upon them the
wood that is to be distilled, that it may be burnt: out of which whilst
it is burning goes forth the acid spirit thereof into the receiver,
where being condensed it falls down into another receiver, resembling
almost common vinegar in its smell, wherefore also it is called the
_vinegar of woods_.
And after this manner you may draw forth an acid spirit out of any
wood, or vegetable, and that in a great quantity without costs, because
the wood to be distilled is put but upon a very few living coals,
and upon that another, for one kindles the other; and this spirit
requires no more charges than of the wood to be distilled; which is a
great difference betwixt this, and the common way of distilling, where
besides retorts, is required another fire; and out of a great retort
scarce a pound of spirit is drawn in the space of five or six hours;
whereas in ours in the space of one day, and that without any cost or
labor may be extracted twenty or thirty pound, because the wood is
immediately to be cast into the fire to be distilled, and that not in
pieces, but whole. Now this spirit (being rectified) may commodiously
be used in divers Chymical operations, for it doth easily dissolve
animal stones, as the eyes of Crabs, the stones of Perches, and Carps,
Corals also and Pearl, _&c._ as doth vinegar of wine. By means thereof
also are dissolved the glasses of metals, as of tin, lead, Antimony,
and are extracted, and reduced into sweet oyles.
This vinegar being taken inwardly of it self doth cause sweat
wonderfully, wherefore it is good in many diseases, especially that
which is made of Oak, Box; Guaiacum, Juniper, and other heavy woods;
for by how much the heavier the woods are, by so much the more acid
spirit do they yield.
Being used outwardly it mundifies ulcers, wounds, consolidates,
extinguisheth, and mitigates inflammations caused by fire, cures the
scab, but especially the decoction being made of its own wood in the
same. Being mixed with warm water for a bath for the lower part of the
body, it cures occult diseases of women; as also malignant ulcers of
the leggs.
This spirit therefore deserves some place in the shops, _i. e._ it
is unjustly rejected in the shops, seeing it is easie to be made. In
distilling of wormwood and other vegetables, there remaines in the
bottom of the furnace ashes, which being extracted with warm water
yields a salt by decoction, which being again dissolved in its own
spirit or vinegar, and filtred, doth by the evaporation of the flegm,
being placed in a cold place pass into a Crystalline salt, which is of
a pleasant tast, not like unto a _lixivium_, nor unto other salts that
are dissolved in the air. This salt is also more efficacious (being
reduced into Crystals by its proper Spirit) than that which is made by
the help of sulphur, or Aqua fortis, and oyl of Vitriol, and otherways
which Chymists, and Apothecaries use.
_The spirit of paper and linnen cloath._
Pieces of linnen cloth gathered, and got from Sempsters being cast
into the furnace upon living coals, yield a most acid spirit, which
tingeth the nailes, skin, & hair with a yellow colour, restores members
destroyed with cold, is good in a gangrene, and erysipelas if linen
clothes wet in the same be applyed thereto, _&c._ The same doth spirit
made of paper, _viz._ of the pieces thereof.
_The spirit of silk._
After the same manner is there a spirit made of pieces of silk, which
is not so sharp as that which is made of linnen and paper, neither
doth it tinge the Skin, but is most excellent in wounds as well old as
green, and it makes the Skin beautiful.
_The spirit of mans hair, and of other animals, as also of horns._
Out of horns also, and hair is made a spirit, but most fetid, wherefore
it is not so useful, although otherwise it may serve for divers arts:
being rectified it comes clear and to be of the odour of the spirit of
urine. It dissolves common sulphur, and yields a water, that cures the
scab in a very short time.
Now for this business, shreds of woollen cloth undyed may serve, being
cast in a good quantity into the furnace. Pieces of cloath dipt in this
spirit and hanged in vineyards, and fields, keep out Deer and Swine
from coming in, because they are afraid of the smell of that spirit, as
of an huntsman that waits to catch them.
_The spirit of vinegar, honey, and sugar._
He that will distil liquid things, must cast red hot coals into them,
as for example into vinegar in the furnace, or if it be honey, or
sugar, let them first be dissolved in water, by which means they will
be drank up by the coals, which being therewith impregnated, must
afterwards at several times be cast into the furnace, and be burnt; and
whilst the coals are burning, that which is incombustible comes forth.
And by this means you may distil liquid things in a great quantity.
Vinegar which is distilled this way, is of the same nature, as that
which is distilled in close vessels.
But honey and sugar that are distilled after this manner, are a little
altered, and acquire other vertues: but how they shall be distilled
without the loss of their volatile spirit shall be taught in the second
Part. Also after this manner may all liquid things being drunk up by
living coals be distilled.
Of the use of distilled vinegar many things might be said, but because
the Books of all the Chymists treat abundantly thereof, I account it
needless to repeat what they have writ. Yet this is worth taking notice
of, that the sharpest vinegar hath a great affinity with some metals,
which may be extracted by the help thereof; also dissolved, and reduced
into medicaments; yea, many things may be made with the help thereof,
as the books of all the Chymists testify.
But there is yet another vinegar, of which there is often mention
made in the books of Philosophers, by the help whereof, many wonderful
things are performed in the solution of metals, the name whereof the
ancients have been silent in; of which I do not here treat, because
it cannot be made by this furnace; but I shall treat of it in another
part; yet so that I incur not the Curse of the Philosophers.
_How spirits may be made out of the salt of tartar, vitriolated
tartar, the spirit of salt tartarizated, and of other such like
fixed salts._
As many Chymists as there hath been, almost all have been of the
opinion that a spirit cannot be drawn out of salt of tartar, and other
fixed salts. For experience hath taught that by retort little or no
spirit can be drawn from thence, as I had often experience of before
the invention of this furnace: the reason of which thing was the
admixtion of sand, earth, bole, pouder of tiles, _&c._ for to prevent
the flowing of the salt of tartar, being by this means dispersed. But
this is done through the ignorance of Authors, who have been ignorant
of the properties of salt of tartar. For a stony matter, as sand,
flint, bole, _&c._ being mixed with salt of tartar, feeling the heat
of the fire, and being made red with the same, is joyned to it most
closely, so as no spirit can be drawn from thence, but become a most
hard stone. For sand, and such things that are like to it, have so
great an affinity with the salt of tartar, that being once united can
scarce ever be separated. Yet it may be made by Art by the addition of
pure sand, or flint, because the whole substance of the salt of tartar
may be turned into a spirit in the space of one or two hours, as shall
be taught in the second part, and it excells all other medicaments in
vertue, in curing the stone, and gout. And if by the regiment of art
there be left any _Caput Mortuum_ in the distillation, it hath, being
dissolved in the air, a power to putrify metals being prepared, and
mixed with it, in the space of few hours, so as to make them become
black, and to grow up like trees with their roots, trunks, and boughs,
which by how much the longer they are so left, become the better. Of
calx of lead being subtilized, and of salt of tartar may be made a
_spiritus gradatorius_ of wonderful vertues as well in Medicine as
Alchymy. There is made of the _Caput Mortuum_, _per deliquium_ a green
liquor which doth wonderful things; whence it is proved, _That Saturn
is not the lowest of the Planets_; enough to the wise.
_And so is the Lac Virginis, and the Philosophical Sanguis Draconis
made._
Sometimes there is found a certain earth, or bole, which hath no
affinity with tartar, which being mixed with salt of tartar yields a
spirit, but very little. But in this furnace may all fixed things be
elevated, because the species not being included in it, but dispersed,
being cast upon the fire, are from the fire elevated through the aire,
and are being refrigerated in the recipients again condensed, which
cannot be so well done by a close retort.
He therefore that will make the spirit of the salt of tartar, need do
nothing else than to call the calcined tartar into the fire, and it
will wholly come over in a spirit: but then there are required glass
recipients, because those that are earthen cannot retain it.
And this is the way whereby most fixed salts are distilled into a
spirit by the first furnace. In the second furnace (_viz._ in the
furnace of the second Part) it may be done better, and easier, where
together with the preparation shall be taught the use thereof.
_The spirits, flowers, and salts of Minerals and stones._
By this way spirits may be raised from any mineral or stone, and that
without the addition of any other thing: yet so as that the minerals,
and stones, as flints, Crystal, talk, _lapis calaminaris_, Marcasite,
Antimony, being ground be with an Iron ladle cast upon the coals, and
there will arise together with a certain acid spirit, some salt and
flowers, which are to be washed off from the recipients, and filtred,
and the flowers will remain in _Charta bibula_, or filter for the water
together with the spirit, and the salt passeth through the filter, all
which may be separated, rectified and be kept by themselves for their
proper uses. Now this you must know, that you must choose such minerals
which have not been touched by the fire, if you desire to have their
spirit.
_How minerals, and metals may be reduced into flowers, and of their
vertues._
Hitherto the flowers of metals, and minerals have not been in use,
excepting the flowers of Antimony, and sulphur, which are easily
sublimed: for Chymists have not dared to attempt the sublimation of
other metals, and fixed minerals, being content with the solution of
them with Aqua fortis, and corrosive waters, precipitating them with
the liquor of salt of tartar, and afterward edulcorating, and drying
them; and being so prepared they have called them their Flowers: but
by Flowers I understand the same matter which is by the help of fire
without the addition of any other thing sublimed, and turned into a
most subtile pouder, not to be perceived by the teeth or eyes, which
indeed is (in my judgment) to be accounted for the true flowers; when
as the flowers which others make are more corporeal, and cannot be so
well edulcorated, but retain some saltness in them, as may be perceived
by the increase of their weight, and therefore hurtful to the eyes, and
other parts.
But our flowers being by the force of the fire sublimed by themselves,
are not only without saltness, but are also so subtile that being
taken inwardly presently operate, and put forth their powers,
_viz._ according to the pleasure of the Physitian. Neither is their
preparation so costly as the others.
Metals also, and minerals are maturated, and amended in their
sublimation, that they may be the more safely taken; but in other
preparations they are rather destroyed, and corrupted, as experience
witnesseth: Now how these kind of flowers are to be made I shall now
teach, and indeed of each metal by it self, whereby the artist in the
preparation cannot erre, and first thus.
_Of Gold and Silver._
Gold and silver can hardly be brought into flowers, because many are
of opinion, that nothing comes from them in the fire, especially from
Gold, although it should be left there for ever: which although it
be true, _viz._ that nothing comes from gold in the fire, although it
should remain there a long time, and from silver but a little except
it have copper or any other metal mixed, which yet vapours away but by
little and little.
Which I say although it be so, yet they being broken and subtilized and
scattered upon coals, and so dispersed, may by the force of the fire
and help of the air be sublimed, and reduced into flowers.
Now seeing the aforesaid metals are dear, and of a great price, and
the furnace with its recipients large, I would not that any one should
cast them in, especially gold, because he cannot recover them all;
but I shall to those that desire to make these flowers shew another
way in the second part, whereby they may make them without the loss
of the metal; to which I refer the reader. For this furnace serves
for the subliming of metals, and minerals, which are not so pretious,
the loosing of part whereof is not so much regarded. And thus much is
said to shew that gold, and silver, although fixed, may be sublimed.
Now other metals may more easily be sublimed, yet one more easily than
another, neither need they any other preparation but beating small,
before they be cast into the fire.
_Flowers of Iron and Copper._
Take of the filings of Iron or Copper, as much as you please, cast them
with an Iron laddle upon burning coals, _viz._ scatteringly, and there
will arise from Iron a red vapour, but from Copper a green, and will
be sublimed into the sublimatory vessels. As the fire abates it must
be renewed with fresh coales, and the casting in of these filings be
continued, until you have got a sufficient quantity of flowers, and
then you may let all cool. This being done take off the sublimatory
vessels, take out the flowers, and keep them, for they are very good if
they be mixed with unguents, and emplasters: and being used inwardly
cause vomiting; therefore they are better in Chirurgery, where scarce
any thing is to be compared to them. Copper being dissolved in spirit
of salt, and precipitated with oyl of vitriol, edulcorated, dryed, and
sublimed, yields flowers, which being in the air resolved into a green
balsom, is most useful in wounds and old putrid ulcers, and is a most
pretious treasure.
_Flowers of Lead and Tin._
You need not reduce these metals into small crums, it is sufficient if
they be cast in piece by piece, but then you must under the grate put
an earthen platter glazed, and filled with water, to gather that which
flows down melted, which is to be taken out, and cast again into the
fire, and this so often until all the metal be turned into flowers,
which afterwards are again, the vessels being cold, to be taken out, as
hath been said of the flowers of _Mars_ and _Venus_. And these flowers
are most excellent being mixed with plaisters and oyntments in old
and green wounds, for they have a greater power to dry, than metals
calcined, as experience can testifie.
_Of_ Mercury.
This is easily reduced into flowers, because it is very volatile, but
not for the aforesaid reason, because it leapes in the fire, and seeks
to descend. And if you desire to have the flowers thereof, mix in
first with sulphur that you may pulverize it, and cast it in mortified.
And if you cast into a red hot crucible set in the furnace, a little
quick Mercury, _viz._ by times with a ladle, presently it will fly
out, and some part thereof will be resolved into an acid water, which
is to be preferred before the flowers in my judgment; but the rest
of the Mercury drops into the receiver. But here are required glass
vessels, because the aforesaid water is lost in earthen. And this water
without doubt doth something in Alchymy: It is also good being applyed
outwardly, in the scab, and venereal ulcers.
_The flowers of Zinck._
It is a wonderful metal, and is found in the spagyrical anatomy to be
meer sulphur, golden, and immature. Being put upon burning coals doth
suddenly fly away wholly; it is inflamed also, and partly burns like
common sulphur, with a flame of another colour, _viz._ golden purple:
and yields most gallant white, and light flowers.
_The use._
Being given from 4, 5, 6, grains to 12, they provoke sweat wonderfully,
and sometimes vomit, and stools, according to the offending matter.
The vertues thereof being externally used are also wonderful, for
there are not found better flowers, for they do not only speedily
consolidate fresh wounds, but also old, such as always drop water, in
which cases they excell all other medicaments. For they are of such
dryness, which hath joyned with it a consolidating vertue, as that
they do even things incredible. They may be used divers ways, as to
be strewed by themselves, putting over them a stiptick plaister, or
being brought into an unguent with honey to be put into wounds; which
unguents in deep wounds may be boyled to a hardness for the making of
small suppositories, which are to be put into the wounds, which must
afterwards be covered with some plaister, and preserved from the air.
Being applyed after this manner they cure fundamentally, being mixed
with plaisters also they do wonderful things.
If they be mixed with rose, or rain water, so as to be united together,
and afterwards some of this mixture be sometimes every day dropt into
red eyes that water, yielding not to other ophthalmicks, do restore,
and heal them.
These flowers being taken up in lint and strewed upon those places of
Children that are galled with their urin (those places being first
washed with water) heal them quickly. They heal also quickly any
excoriation which is contracted by lying long in any sickness, and is
very painful, if they be strewed thereon.
These flowers also are more easily dissolved in corrosive waters,
than other metals, and minerals, neither doth the spirit leave them
in the fire, but an insipid phlegm only distills off, leaving a fat
and thick oyl, as is above said concerning the _lapis calaminaris_,
being ordained for the same uses, but more efficacious then that. Which
spirit if it be by the violence of fire driven forth, is of so great
strength, that it can scarce be kept. And not only spirit of salt, but
also Aqua fortis, and Regia may after this manner be exalted, so as to
be able to do wonderful things in the separation of metals; but here is
not place for these things, they shall be spoken of in the fourth part.
But you need not make flowers for this work, because crude Zinck
doth the same, although the flowers do it something better: whence
it appears that a metal contracts a higher degree of dryness in
sublimation.
_Flowers of Antimony._
There is no difficulty to make the flowers of Antimony, for Chymists
have a long time made use of them, and because their preparation was
tedious, they were not sold at a low rate.
Wherefore there was no body willing to attempt any thing else in them,
because they were used only for vomiting; the dose whereof was from
1. 2. 3. 4. grains to 8. and 10. in affects of the stomack and of the
head, as also in feavers, plague, morbus gallicus, _&c._ Neither is it
a wonder if Chymists tryed no farther in them, for we see that there
are found men in these days who perswade themselves that there is
nothing which was not found out by the learned ancients, can be found
out in these days, and if there were any thing to be yet found out it
was found out already by them. But this opinion truly is very foolish,
as if God gave all things to the ancients, and reserved nothing for
them that should come after. Neither indeed do they understand nature
in their operations, which works incessantly, and is not wearied in her
labours, _&c._ But however it is manifest that God hath revealed things
in these times which were hid from them of old, and he will not cease
to do the same even to the end of the world.
But to return to our purpose again, which is to shew an easier way of
making the flowers of Antimony, whereby a greater quantity may be had,
as also that they may serve for other uses.
Take of crude Antimony poudered as much as you please, and first make
your furnace red hot, then cast in at once a pound of Antimony, or
thereabouts, _viz._ scatteringly upon the coals; and presently it will
flow, & being mixed with the coals by the force of the fire will be
sublimed through the air into the receivers like a cloud, which will
there be coagulated into white flowers. Note, that when the first coals
are burnt up, more must be put in to continue the sublimation, and
those must be first kindled before they are put in, lest the flowers
be by the dust of the coals arising together with them discoloured,
and contract thence a gray colour: but it matters not if you will not
use them by themselves to provoke vomiting, because there is no danger
thereby, for that colour comes only from the smoake of the coals,
wherefore you need not be afraid of them. But let him that dislikes
this colour, first kindle the coals before he put them into the
furnace, and then he shall have white flowers. Also you must not shut
the middle hole through which the coals, and Antimony are cast in, that
thereby the fire may burn the more freely: for else the flowers of the
superior pots will be yellow and red, by reason of the sulphur of the
Antimony, which is sublimed higher than the regulus. Now you may by
this way make a pound of the flowers with 3. 4. or 5. pound of coals.
It is a little that goes away from the Antimony, _viz._ the combustible
sulphur, which is burnt, all the rest going into flowers. You must have
a care to provide a sufficient quantity of subliming pots by reason
that a large space is required for the sublimation of the flowers.
The flowers that are prepared after this way, are sold at a lower rate,
so that one pound thereof is cheaper, than half an ounce of those that
are made after the other manner. Also they are safer, as being made
with an open free flame of the fire, for they do not provoke vomit so
vehemently; moreover the flowers of the lower pots are not vomiting,
but diaphoretical, as if they had been prepared with nitre, for thus
they are corrected by the fire: And by this way at one and the same
operation divers flowers of divers operations may be made, for the
flowers of the lower pots are diaphoretical, of the middle a little
vomitive, but of the uppermost vehemently vomitive. For by how much
the more they have endured the fire, by so much the better are they
corrected; from whence the diversity of their power proceeds. Wherefore
each of them are to be kept by themselves, and the uppermost for
plaisters or butter, or oyl, and those to be made sweet or corrosive
thereby; The middle for purging, and vomiting, but the lowermost for
sweat, being more excellent than _Bezoardicum Minerale_, or _Antimonium
Diaphoreticum_ made with nitre. Truly I do not believe that there is an
easier way of making vomiting, and diaphoretical flowers, than ours.
Now for the use of them, you must know that those that are vomitive are
to be administred to those that are strong, and accustomed to vomit:
but to Children, and old Men with discretion, as hath been said above
of the butter of Antimony: but those that are diaphoretical may be
given without danger to Old and Young, to those that are in health, and
to the sick; in any affliction that requires sweat; as in the Plague,
Morbus Gallicus, Scorbute, Leprosy, Feavers, _&c._ The Dose of them
is from 3, 6, 9, 12, grains to 24. with proper vehicles to sweat in
the bed; for they do expel as well by sweat, as by urine, all evil
humours. And because they that are vomitive are in a greater quantity
than those that are diaphoretical, and not so necessary as these, and
there may be many more doses out of them; it is necessary to shew you
how those that are vomitive may be turned into diaphoretical; and that
may be done three wayes; the two former whereof I have before shewed
concerning the butter of Antimony made of flowers with spirit of salt,
the third is this, _viz._ put the flowers in a crucible covered,
(without luting) lest any thing fall into it, so set them by themselves
in a gentle fire, that they melt not, but be made only darkly glow for
the space of some hours; then let them cool, for they are become fixed
and diaphoretical. Although they had before contracted some yellowness
or ash-colour, yet by this means they are made white, fixed, and
diaphoretical. Also these flowers are used in stiptick plaisters by
reason of their dry nature, with which they are endued.
Also they are melted into a yellow transparent glass, neither is there
taught an easier way of reducing Antimony by it self into a yellow
transparent glass, where crude Antimony is first sublimed, and being
sublimed is melted into glass.
This sublimation serves instead of calcination, by the help whereof 20
pound are more easily sublimed, than by the help of the other one pound
is brought into calx.
Neither is there here any danger of the ascending fumes, because when
the Antimony is cast into the fire you may be gone, which is a safe,
and easy calcination, whereas the common way requires the continual
presence of the artist stirring the matter, who also takes out the
matter when it is once grown together, and grinds it again; by which
means he hath much to do, before the matter come to a whiteness; but by
our way, the matter is at the first time made sufficiently white, and
more than by that common way of calcination and agitation. I suppose
therefore that I have shewed to him that will make glass of Antimony,
the best, and hitherto unknown way; which being taught, I hope there is
no man will hereafter like a fool go that tedious way of the Antients,
but rather follow my steps. For by this way may any Physitian, most
easily be able to prepare for himself vomitive and diaphoretical
flowers, and also glass of Antimony _per se_.
Of those Flowers may be made oyls both sweet and corrosive, and other
medicaments, as hath been above said of the spirit of salt, and shall
afterwards be spoken in the Second Part.
Let him that will make Flowers of the Regulus, fairer than those which
are made of crude Antimony, cast it being poudered into the fire,
and in all things proceed as hath been said, and he shall have them,
_&c._ for they are easily sublimed. Now, how the regulus is to be made
after a compendious manner, you shall find in the Fourth Part. The
scoriæ also are sublimed, so as nothing is lost. But he that will make
Flowers that shall be dissolved in the aire into a liquor must add some
calcined tartar, or some other fixt vegetable salt, and he shall have
Flowers that will be dissolved in any liquor: but he that will make
red Flowers as well those that are diaphoretical, as those that are
purging, must mix iron, and he shall have Flowers like to Cinnabar: Let
him that desires green, mix copper, if purple, _lapis calaminaris_.
And thus out of any mineral may be made Flowers whether it be fixed, or
volatile; for it is forced to fly on high being cast into the fire. And
these may be used diversly in Chyrurgery, in plaisters and unguents;
for they dry, and astring potently, especially those that are made of
_lapis calaminaris_. Neither are they to be slighted that are made
of the golden, and silver marcasite. Those that are made of arsenic
& auripigmentum, are poysonous, but are useful for Painters. Arsenic
& auripigmentum being calcined with nitre, and then sublimed, yield
Flowers that are safely to be taken inwardly, expelling all poysons by
sweat and stool: For they are corrected two wayes, _viz._ first by the
nitre, secondly by the fire in the subliming: they are not therefore to
be feared, because that Arsnick was poysonous before the preparation
thereof. For by how much the greater poyson it was before preparation,
so much the greater medicine afterwards.
The Flowers of sulphur are taught in the Second Part, although they may
also be made by this furnace, _viz._ the natures and properties thereof
being known by an expert Artist, or otherwise it is burnt.
So also stones being prepared are brought into Flowers, and many other
things, of which we need not say any thing, only let him that pleaseth
make tryal thereof.
And now I suppose I have made plain, and shewed you clearly how
distillation is to be made in this our first furnace; wherefore I will
now end. He therefore that understands and knows the fabrick of the
furnace (which he may understand by the delineation thereof) and the
use thereof, will not deny but that I have done a good work, and will
not disapprove of my labour.
And this is the best way of distilling, and subliming incombustible
things. In the Second Part you shall find another furnace in which are
distilled combustible things, as also most subtil spirits, _&c._ The
first furnace serves also for other uses, as the separation of metals;
of the pure from the impure; for the making of the central salt, and
of the _humidum radicale_ of them all. But because it cannot be done
after the aforesaid way, by which things are cast into the fire to get
their flowers, and spirits, but after a certain secret Philosophical
manner, by the power of a certain secret fire, hitherto concealed by
the Philosophers (neither shall I prostrate that secret before all); It
is sufficient that I have given a hint of it for further enquiry, and
have shewed the way to other things.
_FINIS._
THE
SECOND PART
OF
Philosophical Furnaces:
_Wherein is Described the Nature of the Second Furnace; by the
help whereof, all volatile, subtle, and combustible things may
he distilled; whether they be Vegetables, Animals, or Minerals,
and that after an unknown and very compendious Way; whereby
nothing is lost, but even the most subtle spirits may be caught
and preserved, which else without the means of this Furnace is
impossible to be done by Retorts or other Distilling Instruments._
_Of the Structure of the Second Furnace._
The Distilling Vessel must be made of Iron, or good earth, such as can
abide in the fire (whereof in the fifth Part of this Book it shall
be taught) and you may make it as big or as little as you please,
according as your occasion shall require. That of iron is most fit to
be used for such spirits, as are not very sharp or corroding, else
they would corrode the vessel: but that of earth may be used for such
things, as shew their activity upon the Iron, and do make it to melt,
as sulphur, Antimony and the like; and therefore you ought to have two
such vessels, _viz._ one of iron, and one of earth, to the end that
for both sorts of materials (corrosive or not corrosive) you may have
proper vessels, and fit furnaces for their distilling, and that they
may not be spoiled by things contrary and hurtful to them. The shape
of the vessel is shewed by the foregoing figure, _viz._ the lower
part of it somewhat wider than the upper part, and twice as high as
wide; at the top having a hollow space between the two edges or brims,
whereinto the edge of the lid may close and enter in an inch deep. The
lid must have a ring or handle, by which it may be taken off and put
on again with a pair of tongs. The lid must have a deep edge answering
to the hollow space aforesaid. The lower part must have three knobs
or shoulders thereby to rest upon the wall of the furnace; the form
whereof is no other, than that of a common distilling furnace with
a sand Copple; as the figure of it doth shew: but if you will not
have the furnace, then it needeth no knobs or shoulders, if so be the
distilling vessel be flat at the bottom, or else have legs, for to
stand upon them: Beneath the edge of the vessel there comes forth a
spout or pipe of a span in length, and one or two inches wide, and
somewhat narrower before than behind, through which the spirits are
conveyed into the Receiver.
* * * * *
See the fourth Figure before the first part, wherein the Letter _A._
represents the Furnace, with the Iron distilling Vessel fastned into
it, whereunto a Receiver is applied.
_B._ The Distiller, with his left hand taking off the lid, and with his
right hand casting in his prepared matter.
_C._ The external form of the distilling vessel.
_D._ The internal form of the vessel.
_E._ Another distilling vessel, which is not fastned to a furnace, but
only standeth upon Coals.
_The way or manner to perform the Distillation._
When you intend to distil, then first make a fire in the Furnace, that
the distilling vessel come to be very hot. But if it be not fastned
to the Furnace, then set it upon a grate, and lay stones about it,
and coals between, and so let it grow hot, and lay melted lead in the
space between the two edges or brims, to the end, that the lid, when it
is put on, may close exactly, so that no spirit can get through. This
done, take a little of the matter you intend to distil, and cast it in,
and presently put on the lid, and there will be no other passage left
but through the pipe, to which there must be applyed and luted a very
big receiver. As soon as the species cast in come to be warm, they let
go their spirit, which doth come forth into the receiver: and because
there was but little of the matter cast in, it hath no power to force
through the lute, or to break the receiver, but must settle it self.
This done, cast in a little more of your matter, cover it and let it go
till the spirit be settled: continue this proceeding so long, until you
have spirits enough: but take heed, that you cast in no more at once,
than the receiver is able to bear, else it will break. And when your
vessel is full, the distillation not being ended, then take off the
lid, and with an iron ladle take out the Caput Mortuum; and so begin
again to cast in, and still but a little at a time, and continue this
as long as you please.
Thus in one day you may distil more in a small vessel, than otherways
you could do in a great retort; and you need not fear the least loss of
the subtile spirit, nor the breaking of the receiver by the abundance
of the spirits: and you may cease or leave off your distilling, and
begin it again when you list: also the fire cannot be made too strong,
so that it might cause any hurt or damage; but by this way you may
make the most subtile spirits, which is impossible to be done by any
Retort. But if you will distil a subtil spirit by a Retort, as of
Tartar, Harts-horn, Salarmoniack, or the like, you cannot do it without
prejudice (though there were but half a pound of the matter in it) the
subtlest spirits coming forth with force, seek to penetrate through
the lute, if that be not good, but if that be good, so that the spirits
cannot pass through it, then they break the receiver, because it cannot
possibly hold such a quantity of subtle spirits at once. For when they
are coming, they come so plentifully, and with such a force, that the
receiver cannot contain them, and so of necessity must flye asunder,
or must pass through the lutum; All which is not to be feared here,
because there is but a little cast in at once, which cannot yield such
a quantity of spirits, as to force the receiver to break: And when
there comes forth no more spirits, and the former is settled, then more
of the matter is to be cast in; and this is to be continued so long,
until you have spirits enough. Afterward take off the receiver, and
put the spirit into such a Glass (as in the fifth part of this book,
amongst the Manuals, shall be discovered) wherein it may be kept safely
without wasting or evaporating.
In this manner all things, Vegetable, Animal, or Mineral, may be
distilled in this Furnace, and much better, than by means of a Retort:
especially such subtile spirits (as by the other way of distilling
cannot be saved, but pass through the lutum) are got by this our way;
and they are much better than those heavy oyles, which commonly are
taken for spirits, but are none, being only corrosive waters. For the
nature and condition of a spirit is to be volatile, penetrating and
subtile, and such are not those spirits of salt, Vitriol, Allome and
Nitre, which are used in Apothecary shops, they being but heavy oyles,
which even in a warm place do not evaporate or exhale.
But a true spirit, fit for Medicinal use, must rise or ascend before
the phlegm, and not after; for whatsoever is heavier than phlegm, is no
volatile spirit, but a heavy spirit or (rather called) a sowre heavy
oyl. And it is seen by experience, that the Apothecaries spirit of
vitriol will cure no falling sickness, which vertue is ascribed to that
spirit, and indeed justly: for the true spirit of vitriol performeth
that cure out of hand. Likewise their spirit of Tartar (as they call
it) is no spirit, but only a stinking phlegm or vinegar.
The way to make such true spirits, I will now shew, because much
good may be done by them in all manner of Diseases. And this way of
distilling serveth only for those which seek after good Medicines: but
others which care not whether their medicines be well prepared or no,
need not take so much pains as to build such a furnace, and to make
their spirits themselves, for at any time they can buy for a small
matter, a good quantity of dead and fruitless spirits at the common
sellers and Apothecaries.
Hence it is no marvel, that now adaies so little good is done by
Chymical medicaments, which of right should far out-strip all the
Galenical in goodness and vertue. But alas! it is come to that pass
now, that a true Chymist, and honest Son of _Hermes_, is forced almost
to blush, when he heareth men talk of Chymical medicines, because
they do no such miracles, as are ascribed unto them. Which infamy is
occasion’d by none more, than by careless Physicians, which though they
make use of Chymical medicines, (because they would fain be esteemed to
know more than others) yet they do take greater care for their kitchen,
than for the welfare of their Patients; and so buying ill-prepared
Medicines of unskilful stillers, and withal using them undiscreetly
(whereby they many times do more hurt than good to the sick) they lay
such foul aspertions upon the noble Art of Chymistry.
But an industrious and accurate Physician is not ashamed to make his
Medicines himself, if it be possible, or at least to have them made by
good and well-exercis’d Artists: whereupon he may better rely, and get
more credit, than one that knoweth not whereof, nor how his Medicine
which he doth administer to his patients is prepared. But such wicked
and ignorant men will one day fall short of their answer before the
Judgment of the righteous Samaritan.
_How to make the Acid Oyl and the volatile spirit of Vitriol._
Hitherto I have taught, how to distil in general, and to get the subtle
spirits. There remaineth now to describe what Manuals or Preparations
are fitting for every matter in particular; and first,
_Of Vitriol._
To distil Vitriol, there needs no other preparation, but only that it
be well viewed, and if there be any filth amongst it, that the same be
carefully pickt out, lest being put together with the Vitriol into the
distilling vessel, the spirit be corrupted thereby. But he that will go
yet more exactly to work, may dissolve it in fair water, then filtrate
it, and then evaporate the water from it till a skin appear at the top,
and then set it in a cold place, and let it shoot again into Vitriol;
and then you are sure that no impurity is left in it.
Now your vessel being made red hot, with an Iron ladle cast in one or
two ounces of your Vitriol at once, put on the lid, and presently the
spirits together with the phlegm will come over into the receiver,
like unto a white cloud or mist; which being vanished, and the spirits
partly settled, carry in more Vitriol, and continue this so long,
until your vessel be full: Then uncover your vessel, and with a pair
of tongs or an iron ladle take out the Caput Mortuum, and cast more
in; and continue this proceeding as long as you please, still emptying
the vessel when it is filled, and then casting in more matter, and so
proceeding until you conceive that you have got spirits enough. Then
let the fire go out, and let the furnace cool; take off the receiver,
and pour that which is come over into a retort, and set the retort in
sand, and by a gentle fire distil the volatile spirit from the heavy
oyl; having first joyned to the retort the receiver, which is to
receive the volatile spirit, with a good lutum, such as is able to hold
such subtle spirits, the making whereof shall be taught in the fifth
part of this Book, amongst the Manuals.
All the volatile spirit being come over, which you may know by the
falling of bigger drops, then take off the receiver, and close it very
well with wax, that the spirit may not make an escape; then apply
another (without luting it) and so receive the phlegm by it self, and
there will remain in the retort a black and heavy corrosive oyl, which
if you please, you may rectifie, forcing it over by a strong fire, and
then it will be clear; if not, let all cool, then take out your Retort
together with the black oyl, and pour upon it the volatile spirit,
which in the rectifying went over first, put the retort into the sand,
and apply a receiver, and give it a very gentle fire, and the volatile
spirit will come over alone, leaving its phlegm behind with the oyl,
which by reason of its dryness doth easily keep it. Thus the spirit
being freed from all phlegm, is become as strong as a meer fire, and
yet not corrosive. And if this spirit be not rectified from its own
oyl, it will not remain good, but there doth precipitate a red powder
after it hath stood for some space of time, and the spirit loseth all
its vertue, insomuch that it is not to be discerned from ordinary
water, which doth not happen when it is rectified. The reason of this
precipitation is no other than the weakness of the spirit, which is
accompanied with too much water, and therefore not strong enough for
to keep its sulphur, but must let it fall: but after it is rectified
by its own oyl, it can keep its sulphur well enough, because then it
is freed from its superfluous moisture. However the red powder is not
to be thrown away, but ought to be kept carefully; because it is of
no less vertue than the spirit it self. And it is nothing else but a
Volatile sulphur of Vitriol. It hath wonderful vertues, some of which
shall be related.
_The Use and Dose of the Narcotick sulphur of Vitriol._
Of this sulphur 1, 2, 3, 4. or more grains (according to the condition
of the patient) given at once mitigates all pains, causeth quiet sleep;
not after the manner of Opium, Henbane, and other the like medicines,
which by stupifying and benumbing cause sleep, but it performeth its
operation very gently and safely, without any danger at all, and great
Diseases may be cured by the help thereof. _Paracelsus_ held it in high
esteem, as you may see, where he doth write of _Sulphur embryonatum_.
_Of the Use and Vertue of the volatile spirit of Vitriol._