And that such a purifying of the vitriol is nothing else but a

precipitating of the metal, which the water (as before said) running

through the veins thereof hath assumed, is thus to be proved; dissolve

any metal in its appropriate Menstruum, whether it be done with

distilled acid spirits or sharp salts, adding common water to them,

or else dry by the fire in a crucible, according as you please, and

then put into that solution another metal, such as the dissolvent

doth sooner seize on, then upon that which it hath assumed, and then

you will find, that the dissolvent doth let fall the assumed metal or

mineral, and falls upon the other, which it doth sooner seize on, and

dissolveth it as being more friendly to it; of which precipitation in

the fourth Part shall be spoken more at large.

This one thing more is worthy your observation, that among all metals

there is none more soluble than Zinck, and therefore that all the other

(as well in the dry as in the wet way) may be precipitated thereby and

reduced into light calxes, in so much that the calx of gold or silver

precipitated in this manner (if so be you proceed well) retaineth its

splendor or gloss, and is like a fine powder wherewith you may write

out of a pen.

_To make a subtle spirit and pleasant oyl of Zinck._

Because I made mention here of Zinck, I thought good not to omit, that

there may be made a penetrating spirit and wholesome oyl out of it

by the help of vinegar, which is thus to be done. Take of the flores

(which were taught to be made in the first part) one part, put them

into a glass (fit for digestion) and pour upon them 8, or 10. parts of

good sharp vinegar made of honey; or in want thereof take wine vinegar,

and set the glass with the flores and vinegar in a warm place to

dissolve, and the solution being performed, pour off the clear, which

will look yellow and after you have filtred it abstract the phlegm, and

there will remain a red liquor or balsome, to which you must add pure

sand, well calcined, and distill it, and first there will come over an

unsavory phlegme, afterward a subtle spirit, and at last a yellow and

red oyl which are to be kept by themselves separated from the spirit,

as a treasure for to heal all wounds very speedily. The spirit is

not inferior unto the oyl, not only for inward use to provoke sweat

thereby, but also externally for the quenching of all inflamations, and

doubtless this spirit and oyl is good for more diseases, but because

its further use is not known to me yet, I will not write of it, but

leave the further tryal to others.

_To distill a spirit and oyl out of Lead._

In the same manner as was taught of Zinck, there may be out of lead

also distilled a subtle spirit and a sweet oyl, and it is done thus:

Pour strong vinegar upon _Minium_, or any other calx of lead, which

is made _per se_, and not with sulphur, let it digest and dissolve in

sand or warm ashes, so long till the vinegar be coloured yellow by the

lead, and turned quite sweet. Then pour off the clear solution, and

pour on other vinegar, and let this likewise dissolve, and this repeat

so often, till the vinegar will dissolve no more, nor grow sweet;

then take all these solutions, and evaporate all the moisture, and

there will remain a thick sweet yellow liquor, like unto honey, if the

vinegar was not distilled, but if it was distilled and made clear, then

no liquor remaineth, but only a white sweet salt. This liquor or salt

may be distilled after the same manner as was taught with the Zinck,

and there will come over not only a penetrating subtle spirit, but also

a yellow oyl, which will not be much, but very effectual, in all the

same uses, as of the spirit, and oyl of the Zinck was taught.

N. B. This is to be observed, that for to make this spirit and oyl,

you need no distilled spirit, but that it may be done as well with

undistilled vinegar, and the undistilled yields more spirit than the

distilled. But if you look for a white and clear salt, then the vineger

must be distilled, else it doth not shoot into crystals, but remaineth

a yellow liquor like unto honey, and it is also needless to make the

solution in glasses, and by digestion continued for a long time, but it

may as well be done in a glazed pot, _viz._ pouring the vinegar upon

the Mineum in the pot, and boyling it on a coal fire; for you need not

fear that any thing of the vinegar will evaporate, in regard that the

lead keeps all the spirits, and lets only go an unsavory phlegm. You

must also continually stir the lead about with a wooden spatulla, else

it would turn to a hard stone, and would not dissolve: the same must

be done also when the solution is done in glasses; and the solution

after this way may be done in three or four hours: and when both kind

of solutions are done, there will be no difference betwixt them, and I

think it providently done not to spend a whole day about that which may

be done in an hour.

And if you will have this spirit and oyl better and more effectual, you

may mix ℥ i. of crude Tartar made into powder with ℔ j. of dissolved

and purified lead, and so distil it after the same manner as you do

distil it by it self, and you will get a much subtler spirit and a

better oyl than if it were made alone by it self.

_To distil a subtile spirit and oyl out of crude Tartar._

Many think it to be but a small matter to make the spirit of Tartar;

for they suppose, that if they do but only put Tartar into a retort,

and apply a receiver, and by a strong fire force over a water, they

have obtained their desire: and they do not observe, that in stead of a

pleasant subtle spirit, they get but a stinking vinegar or phlegm; the

pleasant spirit being gone. Which some careful operators perceiving,

they caused great receivers to be made, supposing by that means to get

the spirit. Now when they after the distillation was done, weighed

their spirits together with the remainder, they found, that they had

suffered great loss, wherefore they supposed it to be an impossible

thing, to get all the spirits, and to lose none, and indeed it is

hardly possible to be done otherwise by a retort: for although you

apply a great receiver to a small retort, and that there be also but a

little Tartar in it, and the joynts being well luted, so that nothing

can pass through, and though you make also the fire never so gentle,

hoping to get the spirit by that way, yet for all that you cannot

avoid danger and loss. For at last the retort beginning to be red hot,

and the black oyl going, then and but then the subtlest spirits will

come forth, which either steal through the joynts, or else do break

the retort or receiver, because they come in abundance and with great

force, and do not settle easily: wherefore I will set down my way of

making this most profitable, and excellent spirit.

_The preparation and use of the spirit of Tartar._

Take good and pure crude Tartar, whether it be red or white, it

matters not, make it into fine powder, and when the distilling vessel

is red hot, then cast in with a ladle half an ounce and no more at

once, and so soon as the spirits are gone forth and setled, cast in

another ℥ ss. and this continue, till you have spirit enough, then

take out the remainder, which will look black, and calcine it well in

a crucible, and put it in a glass retort, and pour the spirit that

came over together with the black oyl, upon it, drive it in sand at

first gently, and the subtlest spirits will come over, and after

them phlegme, at last a sowre vinegar together with the oyl, whereof

you must get each by it self. But if you desire to have the subtle

spirit which came over first, more penetrating yet, then you must

take the _Caput Mortuum_ that staid in the retort, and make it red

hot in a crucible, and abstract the spirit once more from it, and the

calcined Tartar will keep the remaining moistness or phlegm, and only

the subtlest spirit will come over, which is of a most penetrating

quality, whereof from half a dram to an ounce taken in wine or any

other liquor provoketh a quick and strong sweat, and it is a powerful

medicine in all obstructions, and most approved and often tryed in

the plague, malignant feavers, scurvy, _Melancolia Hypochondriaca_,

collick, contracture, epilepsy and the like diseases. And not only

these mentioned diseases, but also many others more, which proceed from

corrupt blood under God may successfully be cured with it.

The phlegm is to be cast away, as unprofitable: the vinegar cleanseth

wounds: the oyl allayeth swelling and pains, and doth cure scabs,

and disperseth knobs that are risen upon the skin, as also other

excrescencies of the same, if it be used timely, and the use thereof be

continued.

N. B. If the black stinking oyl be rectified from the calcined _Caput

Mortuum_, it will be clear and subtle, and it will not only asswage

very speedily all pains of the gout, but also dissolve and expel the

conglobated gravel in the reines, applyed as a plaister or unguent.

In like manner it will dissolve and extract the coagulated Tartar in

the hands, knees and feet, so that the place affected will be freed

and made whole thereby: because in such a despicable oyl there lyes

hid a volatile salt which is of great vertue. But if you desire

experimentally to know whether it be so, then pour upon this black

stinking oyl an acid spirit, as the spirit of common salt, or of

vitriol or salt nitre, or only distilled vinegar, and the oyl will grow

warm and make a noyse and rise, as if _Aqua fortis_ had been powred

upon salt of Tartar, and the acid spirit will be mortified thereby, and

turn to salt. And this well purified oyl doth dissolve and extract the

Tartar out of the joynts (unless it be grown to a hard stony substance)

even as sope scowres the uncleanness out of cloths, or to compare it

better, even as like receiveth its like, and is easily mixed with it,

and doth love it; but on the contrary, nothing will mix it self with

that wherewith it hath no affinity at all. As if you would take pitch

out of cloth by washing it with water, which never will be done by

reason of the contrary nature; for common water hath no affinity with

pitch or other fat things, nor will it ever be taken out therewith

without a mediator, partaking of both natures, _viz._ of the nature

of pitch and that of the water, and such are sulphureous salts, and

nitrous salts, whether they be fixed or volatile. As you may see at the

soap boylers, who incorporate common water by the help of sulphureous

salts with fat things, as tallow and oyl. But if you take warm oyl or

any thin fat substance, and put it upon the pitch or rozin, then the

oyl easily accepteth of and lays hold on its like, and so the pitch

is dissolved and got out of the cloth, and the remaining fatness of

the oyl may be fetcht out of the cloth with lye or sope and common

water, and so the cloth recovereth its former beauty and pureness. And

as it falleth out with sulphureous things, so it doth likewise with

Mercurial. For example, if you would take the salt out of powdered

flesh or pickled fish with a lixivium it would not succeed, because

that the nitrous and acid salts are of contrary natures.

But if upon the powdered flesh or pickled fish you pour on water

wherein some of the same salt (wherewithall the flesh was powdered) is

dissolved, that salt water will extract the salt out of the flesh, as

being its like, much more than common sweet water, wherein there is no

salt.

In this manner the hardest things also, as stones and metals, may be

joyned or united with water, whereof more in my other books are extant;

it is needless here therefore to relate. I gave a hint of it, only for

to shew, that always like with like must be extracted. True it is that

one Contrary can mortifie another, and take the corrosiveness from it,

whereby the pains for a time are asswaged, but whether the cause of the

disease it self be eradicated thereby, is a question.

Here may be objected, that I make a difference between the sulphureous

and Mercurial salts, whereas neither Mercury nor sulphur apparently is

to be seen in either. It is true, he that doth not understand nor know

the nature of salts, is not able to apprehend it. And I have not time

now to demonstrate it, but the same is shewed at large in my book _de

Natura salium_, that some of them are sulphureous, and some Mercurial:

but he that looks for a further direction yet, let him read my book _de

Sympathia & Antipathia rerum_, wherein he shall find it demonstrated

that from the Creation of the World to the time present, there were

always two contrary natures fighting one against the other, which

fight will continue so long till the Mediator betwixt God and Man, the

Lord Jesus Christ shall put an end unto this strife, when he shall

come to separate the good from the bad, by whose lightning and fire

flame the proud and hurtful superfluous sulphur shall be kindled and

consumed: the pure Mercurial being left in the center.

_How to make pretious spirits and oyls out of Tartar joined with

minerals and metals._

Take any metal or mineral, dissolve it in a fit menstruum, mix it with

a due proportion of crude Tartar, so that the crude Tartar being made

into powder together with the solution make up a pap as it were; then

at once cast in one spoonful of it, and distil it into a spirit and

oyl, which after the distillation must be separated by rectification,

for to keep each by its self for its proper use.

_The use of the metallized spirit and oyl of Tartar._

This Tartarized spirit of metals is of such a condition, that it

readily performeth its operation according to the strength of the

spirit, and the nature of the metal or mineral, whereof it is made. For

the spirit and oyl of Gold and Tartar is good for to corroborate the

heart, and to keep out its enemies: the spirit of silver and tartar

doth serve for the brain; that of Mercury and Tartar, for the liver: of

lead and tin for the spleen and lungs: of iron and copper for the reins

and seminary vessels: that of Antimony and Tartar for all accidents

and infirmities of the whole body; and these metallical spirits made

with Tartar, provoke sweat exceedingly, whereby many malignities are

expelled out of the body. Likewise also the oyl hath its operation,

though this of several metals, as of Mercury and Copper, is not well to

be used inwardly, because it causeth salivations and strong vomits. But

externally they are very good for to cleanse all putrid ulcers, and to

lay a good and firm ground for healing them.

The remainder, whereof the spirit and oyl is distilled, you may take

out, and reduce it in a crucible into a metal, so that what is not come

over, may not be lost, but made to serve again.

And as you were taught to distil spirits and oyls out of dissolved

metals and crude Tartar; so you may get them likewise out of common

vitriol and Tartar, _viz._ thus, take one part of Tartar made into

powder, two parts of good pure vitriol, mix them well together, and

distil a spirit of them, which though it be unpleasant to take, for

all that in all obstructions and corruption of blood whatsoever it is

not to be despised, but very successfully performeth its operation;

especially when it is rectified from its _Caput Mortuum_, and so

freed from its phlegm; and its best vertue, which consisteth in the

volatility, be not lost in the distilling.

N. B. But if you will have this spirit more effectual, then you may

join Tartar and vitriol by boyling them together in common water, and

crystallizing; and then cast it in, and distil it, and there will

come over a much purer and more penetrating spirit; because that in

the solution and coagulation of both, many fæces were separated: but

if to one part of vitriol you take two parts of Tartar, and dissolve

it together, and so filter and coagulate it, then the Tartar with the

vitriol will shoot no more, but there remaineth a thick liquor like

unto honey, out of which with spirit of wine there may be extracted a

good tincture against obstructions. This liquor taken from ℈ i. to ʒ i.

doth purge very gently, and sometimes it causeth a vomit, especially if

the vitriol was not pure and good: and it may be also distilled into a

spirit not inferiour unto the former in vertue. Besides the way above

taught, there is yet (for to distil a metallized spirit of Tartar)

another way, whereby several metals and minerals may be reduced into

pleasant spirits and oyls, and of more vertue, and it is done in this

manner.

Take of the Tartar of white Rhenish wine made into powder, pour upon

it sweet rain or running water, so that to ℔ j. of tartar there be ℔

x. or ℔ xij. of water, or so much that the tartar may be dissolved

by it in the boyling, and then boyl the mixture with the water in a

tinned kettle, or which is better, in a glazed pot, until it be quite

dissolved, and in the mean while take off the skum (with a wooden

skimmer) still as it riseth in the boyling: and when no more skum

riseth, and all the tartar is dissolved, then pour the solution thus

hot through a linnen cloth, tyed straight on an earthen glazed vessel,

that the remaining sliminess may be separated. The tartar water being

strained, let it stand for 24. or 30. hours without stirring, and

there will stick a crystallized tartar to the sides of the vessel,

which after the water is poured off may be taken out, and washed with

cold water, and then dryed. This purified tartar keep, until I shall

teach you, what further is to be done with it; and this tartar is pure

enough for the above said purpose, _viz._ to reduce metals into oyl

with it, as shall follow anon. It is also good taken of it self for an

abstersive to make the body soluble. But if you desire to have it yet

whiter and fairer and in great Crystals, you must proceed thus.

You must know this that all salts, if they shall shoot into great

crystals, there must be a great quantity of them, for of little there

comes but little. And if you will make great and fair white crystals of

tartar, which will be no better than the former, but only pleasant to

the eye, then you must proceed in this manner.

Take of white tartar made into powder about ten or thirty ℔. pour so

much water upon it, as is needful for to dissolve it, and boyl it by

a strong fire in a tinned kettle, until all the tartar be dissolved,

which you may know by stirring in it with a wooden ladle, and skim

off diligently all the filth rising on the water; and you must take

heed, that you take neither too much nor too little water to it; for

if you take too little, part of the tartar will remain undissolved,

and so will be cast away and lost among the slime: but if you take

too much of it, then the tartar is too much disspersed in the water,

and cannot shoot well, and so will likewise be lost, being cast away

afterwards with the water. For I have heard many a one complain, that

they could get but little of a pound, and therefore supposed the tartar

to have been naught, whereas the fault was not in the tartar, but in

the workman, that managed not well his work, pouring away one half

which did not shoot with the water: but if you proceed well, then four

pound of common tartar will yield ℔ iij. of pure white crystals. The

solution being well made, and no skim more rising at the top, cover

the kettle, and let it cool without removing from the warm place it

stands in, which will be done within three or four dayes, if the kettle

be bigg. But the fire must be taken away from under the kettle, and so

let it stand for the time mentioned. In the mean while the Tartar will

crystallise to the sides of the kettle, which crystals after the time

is expired, and the water poured off, are to be taken out and washed

and boyled again with fresh water, and so skimmed and crystallised;

and this proceeding must be still reiterated, untill (which is done

the third or fourth time) the crystals are white enough: then take

them out, dry and keep them for use; whereof from ʒ j. to ℥ j. made

into powder, and taken in wine, beer, warm broth or other liquor,

will give some gentle stooles, and serveth for those, which cannot

endure strong physick. This tartar may be sharpned with Diagridium or

any other purging drug, that so you need not take it in so great a

quantity at once, but a lesser dose may serve turn. But if you do not

look for great crystals, but only for Tartar well purified, then you

may use this following manual, and you will get exceeding fair and

glistering little crystals, which need no beating into powder, but by

the working come to be so pure and fine, as if they had been ground

upon a stone, and looking not like a dead powder, but having a gloss,

like unto small glistering snow that fell in very cold weather, and it

is done thus: when the crystals are come to be pure enough by often

dissolving and coagulating, then dissolve them once again in pure

water, and pour the solution into a clean vessel of wood, copper, or

earth being glased; and let it not stand still (as above taught with

the crystals) but as soon as it is powred in, with a clean wooden stick

stirr about continually without ceasing, till all be cold, which will

be done in half an houre. In this stirring the Tartar hath no time to

shoot into crystals, but doth coagulate into the smallest glistering

powder, pleasant to behold, and like unto frozen snow settleth at the

bottom of the vessel; then pour off the water, and dry the powder,

and keep it for use. The waters which you poured off, in regard that

they contain yet some Tartar, ought not to be cast away (as others do)

but evaporated, and the Tartar contained in them will be saved, and

so nothing will be lost, and in this manner not only white Tartar may

be reduced into clear crystals, but also the red being several times

dissolved and crystallized, loseth its redness, and turneth white

and clear. Besides the abovesaid, there is another way to reduce the

Tartar into great white crystals at once by precipitation; but these

being good enough for our purpose, _viz._ to make good medicines out of

metals, I hold it needless to loose more time by the relation of it,

and so I will acquiesce.

_Another way to make a metallised spirit of Tartar._

Take of purified Tartar dissolved and coagulated but once, as much as

you please, pour so much rain or other sweet water to it as will serve

to dissolve it; in which solution you must boyl plates of metals, until

the Tartar have dissolved enough of it, so that it will dissolve no

more; the sign whereof is, when the solution is deep coloured of the

metal, and during your boyling you must often supply the evaporated

water with pouring on of other, lest the Tartar come to be too dry

and burn; and this solution may be done best of all in a metallical

vessel; as when you will make the solution of iron, you may do it in

an iron pot; and for copper you may take a copper kettle, and so forth

for other metals, a vessel made of the same is to be taken. But you

must know that gold, silver, and crude Mercury, unless they be first

prepared cannot be dissolved like iron and copper, but when they are

prepared first for the purpose, then they will also be dissolved. In

like manner some minerals also must be first prepared, before they can

be dissolved with Tartar and water. But if you can have good glasses or

glazed vessels of earth, you may use them for all metals and minerals

for to dissolve them therein, and the solution you may not only use of

it self for a medicine, but also distill it, and make a very effectual

spirit and oyl of it as followeth.

_To distill the spirit and oyl of Lead and Tin._

Take the filings of Lead and Tin, and boyl them with the water or

solution of Tartar in a leaden or tin vessel, untill the Tartar be

sweetned by the water, so that it will dissolve no more, to which pass

it will be brought within twenty four hours, for both these metals will

be dissolved but slowly, but if you would perform this solution sooner,

then you must reduce the metals first into a soluble calx, and then

they may be dissolved in less time than an hour. The solution being

done, you must filtre it, and in B. abstract all the moisture to the

thickness or consistency of honey, and there will remain a pleasant

sweet liquor, which of it self with out any further preparation

may safely be used inwardly for all such diseases, for which other

medicaments, made of these metals are useful. Especially the sweet

liquor of lead and tin doeth much good in the Plague, not only by

driving the poyson from the heart by sweating, but also by breaking or

allaying the intolerable heat, so that a happy cure doth follow upon

it: but externally the liquor of lead may be used succesfully in all

inflammations, and it healeth very suddenly, not only fresh wounds, but

also old ulcers turned to fistulaes; for the Tartar cleanseth, and lead

consolidates.

The liquor of tin is better for inward use than for outward whose

operation is not so fully known yet, as that of lead. But if you will

distil a spirit thereof, then cast it in with a ladle by little and

little, as above in other distillations oftentimes was mentioned, and

there will come over a subtle spirit of tartar, carrying along the

vertue and best essence of the metal, and therefore doth also prove

much more effectual than the common spirit of tartar, which is made

alone by it self, and this spirit as well that which is made of tin,

as that of lead, if it be well dephlegmed first, may be used and held

for a great treasure in all obstructions, especially of the Spleen;

and few other medicines will go beyond them; but besides there must

not be neglected the use of good purging medicines, if need require

them. With the spirit there cometh over also an oyl, which is of a

quick operation, especially in wounds and sores of the eye, where other

oyntments and plaisters may not so fitly be used, for it doth not only

allay the heat and inflammation, a common symptome of the eye wounds,

but also doth hinder and keep back all other symptomes which few other

medicaments, are able to do; and for the residue, if it be driven

further by the strongest fire, then there will come over a sublimate,

which, in the air dissolveth into oyl, which is also of a powerful

operation, not only in physick, but also in Alchymy.

And the Lead runeth together into a fair white _Regulus_, which is

much whiter, purer and fairer than other common lead: but the tartar

retaines the blackness, and raiseth it self to the top as a fusible

dross, which is impregnated with the sulphur of lead, wherewith you may

colour hair, bones, feathers and the like, and make them to be, and

remain brown and black.

I made tryal once of such a distillation in an iron vessel, whereby the

same in the inside was so whitened by the purified lead, that it was

like unto fine silver in brightness: which afterwards trying again, it

would not fall so fair as at first; whereat none ought to wonder, for

I could write something more (if it were fit) of tartar, knowing well

what may be effected with it, if I did not stand in fear of scoffers,

which vilify all what they do not understand. I durst presume to call

tartar the Sope of the Philosophers; for in the cleansing of some

metals, by long experience I found it of admirable vertue; though I

would not be understood thus, as if I did count it to be the true

_Azoth universalis Philosophorum_, whereby they wash their Laton: but

I cannot deny, but that it is of particular use for the washing and

cleansing of several metals; for it is indued with admirable vertues

for the use of metals, whereof in other places more shall be said

hereafter.

_How to make a Tartarised spirit and oyle out of Iron or Steel and

Copper._

If you intend to make a good medicine out of iron or steel or copper

joyned with tartar, then for the iron or steel take an iron pot, and

for copper a kettel of copper, make them very clean and put in it the

filings of iron, or steel, or copper, which you please, and twice as

much of pure tartar made into powder, and so much water, that the

tartar maybe dissolved well by it in the boyling, and so boyl the metal

with the tartar-water so long, till it be deeply coloured by the metal,

as red by the iron, and deep green by the copper; and when the water in

the boyling doth waste, you must still supply it with other, that the

tartar may not burn; for there must be alwayes so much water, that no

skin of the tartar may rise at the top, but that it remain always open,

and there must not be too much water neither, lest it be too sweet, and

not able to dissolve the metal. The solution of iron or steel being

come to be red and sweet, and in taste like unto vitriol, but green and

bitter of copper, pour it off warm by inclination into an other clean

vessel, and let it stand so long again in a very gentle heat of coals,

till almost all the water be evaporated, and the dissolved metal with

the tartar remain in the consistency of honey.

Which metallical liquor may be used inwardly and outwardly (especially

that of iron) which doth purge gently, and openeth the obstructions

of the Liver and Spleen: cleanseth the Stomach, and killeth Worms:

externally used it is a good wound balsome, and goes far beyond all

such as are made of vegetables. It is a singular treasure, not only

for to cure new wounds; but also for to cleanse and heal old corrupt

exulcerated sores, turned to fistulaes; but the liquor of copper is not

so safe for to be used inwardly, for it is not only very unpleasant

in taste, but also causeth vehement vomits: and therefore I would not

advise any one to be forward to use it, unless it be for strong folks

and for to kill worms in them, for which purpose it is excellent good

and surpasseth all other medicines whatsoever; but to little children

it ought not to be given at all, in regard that it is of far too strong

an operation for them.

N. B. And if you will use it to strong bodies against the worms or

stomach-agues, you must observe that the patient (in case that he

cannot get it up) thrust his finger into the throat to further the

vomiting, that it may not stay behind, but come forth again out of the

body, which done health followeth upon it; but if it remain in the

body, it causeth a loathsomeness to use it any more. And therefore you

must take heed to use it warily: and in regard that this liquor is

very bitter, you may mix it with some sugar, to facilitate the taking

thereof; but that of iron needeth no such correction, it being sweet

enough of it self, and therefore I commend and prefer it before the

other: but if you will needs have that of copper (because it worketh

so strongly) then the Patient must keep in from the cold aire, and not

presently after the operation load the stomach with strong drink and

superfluity of meat, contenting himself with some warm broth and a

little cup of wine or beer, and the next day his meat and drink will

taste the better with him, and do him so much the more good.

But externally, this liquor is of the same use with that of iron or

steel, yea, proveth more effectual and speedier in healing. It would

be good that Surgeons knew how to prepare it, and would use it instead

of their salves, wherewith many fresh wounds are spoyled and turned

into horrid ulcers, especially it requiring so little cost and pains to

make it. And if you would have these liquors purer yet, you must pour

on spirit of wine, and extract them, and they will easily yield their

tincture, and leave many fæces behind which are good for nothing: but

the tincture will be so much the better, purer, and more effectual, so

that you need use but four or five drops for purging, whereas of the

gross liquor you must have from 4, 6, 8. to 12. or 16. drops: and this

extracted tincture worketh also much better externally, and keepeth

longer than the balsome or liquor, which in time is corrupted, but

the extraction is never spoiled. But if you will distil the liquor

or balsome, it is needless that it be extracted first, but may be

distilled so as the boyling made it, after the same manner, as above

was taught for Lead, and there will come over a yellow spirit and oyl

from iron or steel, and from copper a greenish spirit and oyl.

The spirit and oyl of iron may safely be used in the plague, feavers,

obstructions, and corruption of blood, from ʒ i. to ℥ i. It is much

better to provoke sweat, than that which is made of crude Tartar,

without addition of a metal: the like doth that also which is made of

copper and more effectually yet, and sometimes causeth a vomit, if it

be used in a greater quantity, than is fitting.

N. B. Although the Chymists do prefer copper before iron, as a more

firm and ripe metal, nevertheless it is found by experience, that

iron or steel by reason of its sweetness is better to be used for an

inward medicine than copper. But for external use, copper (if it be

well prepared) hath the preheminence, being an appropriate medicine

for all ulcers and open sores, in all the parts of the body, if the

same inwardly be kept clean by fitting purges. For not only the now

described medicine, but also many more besides, are taught to be made

out of copper in other places of my books.

A Country-physick and purge I will teach for those, which either live

far from Apothecary-shops, or have no money to spare for physick; and

it is to be made out of iron and copper, whereby they may cleanse

their slimy stomachs, spoyled by a disorderly dyet, whence head-aches,

worms, agues, and other diseases are occasioned, warning withal those

that are either too old or too young, or else decayed and weak, and so

not strong enough for such powerful physick, that they will forbear

to use it, lest besides the worms, they kill and expel life it self

also; but those that are of a strong constitution, and a middle age,

and of a sound heart, may safely use this purge, whereby stomach-agues,

belly-worms, and may other occult diseases may be cured with good

success. The preparation is done thus: Take ℥ _ss._ of pure tartar

made into powder, & ℥ _ss._ or ℥ j. of sugar or honey, and ℥ v. or ℥

vj. of spring or rain water, put all into a clean copper vessel which

is not greasy, and boyl it upon a coal fire as long or somewhat longer

than you use to boyl an egg, or at the furthest half a quarter of an

hour; take off the skum in boyling, let it stand till it be milk-warm,

so that it may be drunk. This potion tasting almost like warm wine

sweetned with sugar, give unto the patient to drink, and let him fast

upon it, and within half an hour it will begin to work upwards and

downwards; whereat you need not be amazed, but only keep the body

warm, and within an hour it will have done working. But if you will

drive out worms from little children by purging, then instead of the

copper-vessel, take a clean iron-vessel, and put in a less quantity

of tartar, sugar and water, and boyl it as abovesaid, and give it to

them, and it will purge only downward, but sometimes it will also give

a gentle vomit, which will do them no hurt, but rather will cleanse the

stomach the better. But if the drink be too weak, so that it doth not

work, it may be used again the next day (but you must take more of the

ingredients, or else let them boyl longer) there is no danger in it at

all, if you proceed aright, and it is much pleasanter to take, than the

bitter worm-feed, wherewith they usually torment children.

The reason why this decoction works in this manner is, that the tartar

and sugar being boyled in metallical vessels with water, work upon the

metal, and extract vertue out of it, which causeth vomiting and purging

(the Tartar also being helpful to it.)

_How to make a Tartarised spirit of Mercury._

Vulgar Mercury cannot be dissolved like the former metals with tartar

and water, without any foregoing preparation; but must be sublimed

first with salt and vitriol, or crystallised with _Aqua fortis_, and

then it may be dissolved by boyling with tartar and water, and reduced

into a balsame, like other metals, but is not to be used inwardly,

unless it be digested a sufficient time, so that its fierceness be

allayed: Externally it may safely be used in all desperate, especially

venereal sores, and it is a very effectual and profitable medicine for

them. But most of all it doth serve for Alchymy, although few do know

this guest, because he will not be seen by every one. The spirit which

comes over from it by distillation, is an admirable thing not only in

physick, but also in Alchymy: yet you must take heed, that instead of

a friend, you do not harbor a great enemy: for its force and vertue is

very great and powerful.

_How to make a Tartarised spirit of Gold and Silver._

Gold and silver also can by no means be dissolved with tartar in a wet

way: but in a dry way adding its helper to it, it will easily dissolve,

which doth not belong hither; but if you will draw a spirit of it, then

the gold and silver must first by dissolving and coagulating be reduced

to crystals, and then dissolved with purifyed tartar and water, and of

Gold you will get a yellow solution, and of silver a white inclining

unto green, which being reduced to the consistency of honey, may be

used safely and without fear. The solution of Gold doth loosen and keep

the body open; it effectually strengtheneth the stomach, heart, lungs,

and liver, and other principal members: and that of silver purgeth

very forcibly, according to the quantity given, like another purge,

but without harm or danger, so that in all diseases where purging is

necessary, it may be used safely from ℈ i. to ʒ _ss._ but that of

gold is used in a smaller quantity: and both the liquor of gold and

of silver may very successfully be used externally: but because for

external uses inferiour metals will serve the turn, it is needless to

use costly things thereto.

The spirit which is forced from it by distillation, is endued with

great vertue: for the volatile part of the metal cometh over-joyned

with the spirit of tartar, the remainder may be reduced, so as it

was taught of other metals. This spirit, especially that of Gold,

is exceeding good in the plague and other diseases, where sweating

is necessary: for it driveth not only by sweating, all Malignities

from the Heart, but also doth strengthen the same, and preserveth

it from all hurtful symptomes. Likewise also that of silver is very

commendable, especially if it be first dephlegmed from its _Caput

Mortuum_, as above was taught in the preparation of the common spirit

of tartar. For any Physitian expert in Chymistry may easily guess what

the spirit of tartar well rectifyed and impregnated with the vertues

of gold may effect, and therefore it is needless to make any further

mention of it, but it shall be left to the tryal thereof.

_To make a Tartarised spirit of Antimony._

Crude Antimony cannot be dissolved in such a manner as above hath been

taught: but if it be first prepared into flores, or a _vitrum_, it

yieldeth easily its vertue in boyling, and it is done thus: Take to

one part of the flores or of small ground _vitrum Antimonii_ made _per

se_, three parts of pure tartar, and 12. or 15. parts of clean water,

boyl the Antimony with the tartar and water in a glazed pot for three

or four hours, and the evaporated water must be still supplyed with

other that the tartar may not burn for want of water, and the _vitrum_

must be sometimes stirred about with a wooden spatula (which the flores

being light do not need): This done, the tartar water will be deep red

coloured by the Antimony, and leave the remaining Antimony settled in

the bottom, from which pour off the solution, and after having filtred

it, evaporate the water from it, and then extract it once more with

spirit of wine, and you will get a blood-red _Extractum_, whereof 1, 2,

3. to 10. or 12. drops given at once, causeth gentle vomits and stools,

which may be safely used by old and young in all diseases that have

need of purging, and you need not fear any danger at all: For I know no

vomit, which purgeth more gently than this, and if you please, you may

make it work only (_per inferiora_) downward, so that it shall cause no

vomits at all: and you need do nothing else but make a toast of brown

bread, and hold it hot to your nose and mouth, and when this is almost

cold, have another hot in readiness, and so use one after another by

turns, till you feel no more loathing, and that the vertue of Antimony

hath begun to work downward: This is a good secret for those that would

use Antimonial physick, but that they are affraid of vomiting, which

they are not able to endure. But if you will not spend so much pains,

as to make such an Extract, then do as you was taught above to do with

the copper, and take ten or twelve grains of prepared Antimony for an

old body, but for a young one 5, 6. grains or more or less according

to the condition of the person, and ℥ ss. or ʒ vj. of pure tartar, and

together with ℥ iiij. or ℥ v. of water put it in a little pipkin, and

boyl it a quarter of an hour, then pour the solution only into a cup,

and disolve a little sugar in it, whereby the acidity of the Tartar

will somewhat qualified. The _decoctum_ drink warm, and keep your self

as it is fit, and it will work much better, than it if had been steeped

over night in wine, which not every one can abide to take fasting; but

this _decoctum_, because it tasteth like warm and sweet wine, is much

pleasanter to take.

N. B. It is to be admired, that well prepared Antimony is never taken

in vain: for although it be given in a very small quantity, so that it

cannot cause either stools or vomits, yet it worketh insensibly, _viz._

it cleanseth the blood, and expelleth malignities by sweat, so that

mighty diseases may be rooted out thereby without any great sensible

operation. Which many times hapned unto me, and gave me occasion to

think further of it; and therefore I sought how to prepare Antimony so,

that it might be used daily without causing of vomits or stools, which

I put in execution accordingly, and found it good, as afterward shall

follow.

Of the solution above described, _viz._ of the flores of Antimony with

tartar make a good quantity, and after the evaporation of the water

distill a spirit of it, and there will also come over a black oyl,

which must be separated from the spirit, and rectified _per se_; and

externally applyed it will not only do the same wonderful operations,

which above have been ascribed to the simple oyl of tartar, but it

goeth also far beyond it, for the best essence of Antimony hath joyned

it self thereunto, in the distilling and so doubled the vertue of the

oyl of Tartar; and this oyl may with credit be used not only for all

podagrical tumors to allay them very readily, but also by reason of its

dryness it doth consume all other tumors in the whole body, whether

they be caused by wind or water: for the volatile salt by reason of its

subtlety, conveyeth the vertue of Antimony into the innermost parts of

the body in a marvellous and incredible way, whereby much good can be

performed in Chyrurgery.

As for the spirit, you may not only use it very successfully, in the

Plague, Pox, Scurvy, _Melancholia Hypochondriaca_, Feavers, and other

obstructions and corruptions of blood, but also if you put some of it

into new wine or beer, and let it work with it, the wine or beer comes

to be so vertuous thereby, that if it be daily used, it doth stay and

keep off all diseases proceeding from superfluous humors and corrupted

blood, so that neither Plague, Scurvy, _Melancholia Hypochondriaca_,

or any other disease of that kind can take root in those that daily

use it, wherein no metal or mineral (except gold) can be parallel’d

with it: but in case you have no conveniency to make that spirit, and

yet you would willingly have such a medicinal drink made of Antimony,

then take but of the solution made with tartar, before it be distilled,

and put ℔ j. or ℔ j ss. of it into 18. or 20. gallons of new wine or

beer, and let it work together, and the vertue of the Antimony by the

fermentation of the wine will grow the more volatile and efficacious to

work. And if you cannot have new wine (in regard that it doth not grow

every where) you may make an artificial wine of Honey, Sugar, Pears,

Figs, Cherries or the like fruit, as in the following third part shall

be taught, which may stand in stead of natural Wine.

These medicinal wines serve for a sure and safe preservative, not only

to prevent many diseases, but also if they have possessed the body

already, effectually to oppose and expel them. Also all external open

sores (which by daubing and plaistering could not be remedied) by

daily drinking thereof may be perfectly cured. For not only _Basilius

Valentinus_, and _Theophrastus Paracelsus_, but many more before and

after them knew it very well, and have written many good things of it,

which few did entertain, and (because their description was somewhat

dark) most despised and defamed them for untruths.

In like manner, and much more may this my writing be lightly esteemed

of, because I do not set down long and costly processes, but only

according to truth, and in simplicity do labour to serve my neighbour,

which doth not sound well in the ears of the proud world, which rather

tickle and load themselves with vain and unprofitable processes, than

harken unto the truth; and it is no wonder, that God suffereth such

men, which only look after high things, and despise small things, to be

held in Error.

Why do we look to get our Medicines by troubling our brains, & by

subtle and tedious works, whereas God through simple nature doth teach

us otherwise. Were it not better to let simple nature instruct us?

surely if we would be in love with small things, we should find great

ones. But because all men do strive only for great and high things,

therefore the small also are kept from them; and therefore it would be

well, that we could fancy this maxim, that also things of small account

can do something, as we may see by Tartar and despicable Antimony, and

not only so many coals, glasses, materials, and the like, but also the

pretious time would not be wasted so much in preparing of medicaments:

for all is not gold that glistereth, but oftentimes under a homely coat

some glorious thing is hid; which ought to be taken notice of.

Some may object why do I teach to joyn the Antimony first with the

Tartar by the help of common water before its fermentation with the

wine: whether it would not be as good to put it in of it self in

powder, or to dissolve it with spirit of salt (which would be easier to

do than with Tartar) and so let it work? To which I answer, that the

working wine or drink, receiveth no metallical calx or solution, unless

it be first prepared with tartar or spirit of wine. For although you

dissolve Antimony, or any other metal or mineral in spirit of salt, or

of vitriol, or of salt nitre, or any other acid spirit, and then think

to let it work with wine or any other drink, you will find that it doth

not succeed; for the acid spirit will hinder the fermentation, and let

fall the dissolved metals, and so spoyl the work; and besides, Tartar

may be used among all drinks, and doth more agree with ones taste and

stomach, than any corrosive spirit.

In the same manner as was taught of Antimony, other minerals and

metals also may be fitly joyned with wine or other drink, and the use

of such Antimonial wine is this, _viz._ that it be drank at meals and

betwixt meals like other ordinary drink to quench thirst, but for all

that, it must not be drank in a greater quantity, than that Nature be

able to bear it. For if you would drink of it immoderately, it would

excite vomits, which ought not to be, for it is but only to work in

an insensible way, which if it be done, it preserveth not only the

body from all diseases proceeding from corrupted impure blood, as the

Plague, Leprosy, Pox, Scurvy, and the like, but by reason of its hidden

heat, whereby it doth consume and expel all evil and salt humors (as

the Sun dryeth up a pool) by sweat and urine, and so doth unburthen

the blood from all such sharp and hurtful humors, _&c._ It doth not

only cure the abovesaid diseases, but also all open sores, ulcers,

fistulaes, which by reason of the superfluity of salt humors can admit

of no healing, and it doth dispatch them in a short time in a wonderful

manner, and so firmly that there is no relapse to be feared.

This drink is not only good for the sick, but also for the whole

(though in a smaller quantity) because that it wonderfully cleanseth

the whole body, and you need not fear the least hurt either in young or

old, sick or healthy. And let no man stumble at it, that many ignorant

men do defame Antimony and hold it to be poyson, and forbid it to be

used; for if they knew it well, they would not do so; but because

such men know no more, than what they get by reading, or by hear-say,

they pronounce a false sentence; and it might be replyed unto them,

as _Apelles_ did to the Shooe-maker; _Ne sutor ultra crepidam_: but

what what shall we say? _Non omnis fert omnia tellus._ When an Ass

after his death doth rot, out of the carcass groweth Beetles, which

can fly higher than the Ass from whence they came; In the like manner

we wish it may fare with the haters of royal Antimony, _viz._ that

their posterity may get seeing eyes, and what they know not, they may

forbear to despise and scoff at.

I must confess, that if Antimony be not well prepared, and besides,

be indiscreetly used by the unskilful, that it may prejudice a man in

his health, which even the vegetables also may do. But to reject it

by reason of the abuse, would be a very unwise act: If perchance a

child should get into his hand a sharp-edged knife, and hurt himself

or others, because it doth not understand how to use a knife, should

therefore the use of a knife be rejected and forbidden to those that

are grown up and know how to use it? Good sharp tools make a good

workman; so good quick working and powerful medicines make a good

physitian; and the sharper the tool is, the sooner a stone-carver or

other craftsman may spoyl his work by one cut which he doth amiss:

which also must be understood of powerful medicines, for if they be

used pertinently, in a short time more good may be done with them,

than with weak medicaments in a long time. Now as a sharp tool is not

to be handled but by a good workman, so likewise a powerful medicine

ought to be managed by an understanding and conscientious physitian,

who according to the condition of the person, and the disease, knows to

increase or abate the strength of the medicine, and not by such a one,

as doth minister it ignorantly without making any difference at all.

Let no man marvail, that I ascribe such great vertues unto Antimony, it

being abundantly enriched with the _primum ens_ of gold. If I should

say ten times as much more of it, I should not lye. Its praise is not

to be expressed by any mans tongue; for purifying of the blood, there

is no mineral like unto it; for it cleanseth and purifieth the whole

man in the highest degree, if it be well prepared first, and then

discreetly used. It is the best and next friend to gold, which by the

same also is freed and purified from all addition and filth, as we said

even now, of man. Every Antimony for the most part agreeth with gold

and its medicine; for out of Antimony, by the cleansing Art may be made

firm gold, as in the fourth part shall be taught, and which is more, by

a long digestion a good part of the same is changed into gold. Whereby

it is evident, that it hath the nature and property of gold, and it is

better to be used for a medicine than gold it self, because the golden

vertue is as yet volatile in this, but in the other is grown fixed and

compacted, and may be compared to a young child in respect of an old

man. Therefore it is my advice, that in Antimony medicine should be

sought, and not to trifle away time and cost in vain and useless things.

Further note, That if you desire to contract nearer together the

vertue of Antimony or any other mineral or metal, as above was taught

to be done with the Tartar, you must by exhalation of the superfluous

moisture in Balneo, reduce the solution to a honey thick liquor, and

pour spirit of wine upon it for to extract, and within few days it will

be very red; then pour it off and pour on other, and let this likewise

extract: continue this proceeding with shifting the spirit of wine,

till the spirit of wine can get no more Tincture; then put all the

coloured spirit of wine together into a glass with a long neck, and

digest it so long in a warm Balneum, till the colour or best essence

of Antimony be separated from the spirit of wine, and settled to the

bottom like a blood red thick fat oyl, so that the spirit of wine is

turned white again; which is to be separated from the fair and pleasant

oyl of Antimony, which is made without any corrosive, and is to be kept

as a great treasure in physick. The spirit of wine retains somewhat of

the vertue of Antimony, and may be used with success of it self both

inwardly and outwardly. But the Tincture as a Panacea in all diseases

acteth its part with admiration, and as here mentioned of Antimony,

so in the same manner all metals by the help of Tartar and spirit of

wine may without distilling be reduced into pleasant and sweet oyles,

which are none of the meanest in Physick: for every knowing and skilful

Chymist will easily grant, that such a metallical oyl, as without all

corrosives out of the gross metals is reduced into a pleasant essence,

cannot be without great and singular vertue.

_How to make good spirit and oyles out of Pearls, Corals,

Crabs-eyes, and other light soluble stones of beasts and fishes._

Take to one part of pearls or corals (made into fine powder) three

or four parts of pure Tartar, and so much water as will dissolve the

Tartar by boyling; put the corals, Tartar and water together into a

glass body, which must stand in sand, and give it so strong a fire,

that the water boyl in the glass body with the Tartar, and may dissolve

the corals. (This solution may be done also in a clean earthen pot

that is glased, and the evaporated water must be supplyed with other,

as above was taught to be done with the metals.) The corals being

dissolved, let them cool, filtrate the solution, and abstract all

the moisture from it in Balneo, and there will remain a pleasant

honey-thick liquor, which may be used in Physick either of it self,

or else once more extracted with spirit of wine and purified, or else

distilled, as you please.

The extract or Tincture is better than the liquor, and the spirit is

better than the extract or tincture: and all three may well and safely

be used; they strengthen the heart and brain; especially those which

are made of pearls and corals, they expel the urin and keep the body

soluble. Those of crabs eyes and of pearches and other fishes open and

cleanse the passages of the urin from all slime and impurity, and they

powerfully expel the stone and gravel in the reins and bladder.

N. B. The distilled spirit of corals being well rectified, is good for

the Epilepsy, Melancholy, and Apoplexy. It expelleth and driveth out

all poyson by sweating, because it is of a golden nature and quality,

whereof in another place more shall be said.

_To distill a spirit out of salt of Tartar and crude Tartar._

If you take a like quantity of crude Tartar and of salt of Tartar,

and dissolve it with clean water, and then evaporate the water still

skimming it, till no skin more do rise, and then let it cool, there

will shoot white crystals, which being distilled as common Tartar, they

will yield a purer subtler and pleasanter spirit, than the crude Tartar

doth, in all to be used as above hath been taught of the simple spirit

of Tartar: therefore it is needless here to describe its use. Before

you distill a spirit thereof, you may use them in stead of _Tartarus

vitriolatus_ for purging, they will cause gentle stools, and drive also

the urin and stone, and are not unpleasant to take. The dose is from

℈ i. to ℥ i. in waters fit for your purpose. This salt dissolved with

water purifieth metals (if they be boyled therein) and maketh them

fairer then common Tartar doeth.

_How to get a powerful spirit out of the salt of Tartar, by the

help of pure sand or peble-stones._

In the first part of this book I taught how to make such a spirit, but

because the materials, which are to be distilled in that furnace must

be cast upon quick coals, whereby the remainder is lost, and that also

not every one hath the conveniency to set up a furnace that requireth

more room than this here doth: therefore I will set down how it may

be got with ease in this our present furnace, without the loss of the

remainder, which is not inferior to the spirit it self. And it is done

thus:

Make a fair white salt of calcined Tartar by dissolution, filtration

and coagulation, pulverise that salt in a warmed morter, and add to it

a fourth part of small pulverised crystal or flints or only of fine

sand, washed clean, mix it well, and cast one spoonful thereof at once

into your red-hot vessel (which must be made of earth) and so cover it,

and the mixture as soon as it is red hot, will rise and boyl (as common

Allome doth, when it cometh to a sudden heat) and yield a thick white

heavy spirit; and when it ceaseth to come forth, then cast in another

spoonful, and stay out the time of its settling, and then another part

again, till all your mixture be cast in. When no more spirit goeth

forth, then take off the lid from the distilling vessel, and with an

iron ladle take out that which stayed behind, whilest it is yet red-hot

and soft, and it will look like unto a transparent clear white fusible

glass, which you must keep from the air, for it will dissolve in it,

till I teach you what you are to do with it.

The spirit which came over, may either be kept as it is, or else

rectified _per arenam_ in a glass retort, and used in Physick; it is

clean of another taste than the spirit of common salt or vitriol, for

it is not so sharp; it smelleth of the flints after a sulphureous

manner, and tasteth urin-like, and it is very good for those that are

troubled with the gout, stone and Tisick: for it provoketh urin and

sweat mightily, and (because it cleanseth and strengthneth the stomach)

it also maketh one have a good appetite to his Victuals. What it can

do else is unknown to me as yet, but it is credible that it may act

its part in many other diseases, which is left free for every one to

try. In my opinion (since the spirit of the salt of Tartar is good to

be used of it self for the stone, and that here it is strengthned by

the sand, which have the signature of the stone of the Microcosme)

there is hardly any particular medicine, which can go beyond it, but I

leave every one to his own opinion and experience. Externally used, it

quencheth inflammations and maketh a pure skin, _&c._ The remainder,

which I bid you keep, and looks like a transparent clear glass, is

nothing else but the most fixed part of the salt of Tartar and flints,

which joyned themselves thus in the heat, and turned to a soluble

glass, wherein lyes hid a great heat and fire. As long at it is kept

dry from the air, it cannot be perceived in it: but if you pour water

upon it, then its secret heat will discover it self. If you make it

to fine powder in a warm morter, and lay it in a moist air, it will

dissolve and melt into a thick and fat oyl, and leave some fæces

behind. This fat liquor or oyl of flints, sand or crystal may not only

be used inwardly and outwardly of it self, but also serveth to prepare

minerals and metals into good medicines, or to change them into better

by Chymical art. For many great secrets are hid in the contemptible

peble or sand; which an ignorant and unexpert man (if they were

disclosed to him) would hardly believe: for this present world is by

the divels craft so far possessed with cursed filthy avarice, that they

seek for nothing but money, but honest and ingenious sciences are not

regarded at all; and therefore God doth close our eyes that we cannot

see what lyeth before them, and we trample upon with our feet. That

worthy man _Parcelsus_ hath given it us sufficiently to understand,

when he saith in his book (containing the vexations of Alchymists) that

many times a despicable flint cast at a Cow is more worth than the Cow;

not only because that gold may be melted out of it, but also that other

inferior metals may be purified thereby, so that they are like unto the

best gold and silver in all tryals; and although I never got any great

profit by the doing of it, yet it doth suffice me that I have seen

several times the possibility and truth thereof, which in its proper

place likewise shall be taught.

This liquor of flints is of that nature toward the metals, that it

maketh them exceeding fair, but not so, as women do scowre their

vessels of tin, copper, iron, _&c._ with ly and small sand, till all

filth be scoured off, and that they get a bright and fair gloss: but

the metals must be dissolved therein by Chymical art, and then either

after the wet or dry way digested in it for its due space of time;

which _Paracelsus_ calleth to go into the mothers womb, and be born

again: if this be done rightly, then the mother will bring forth a

pure child. All metals are engendred in sand or stone, and therefore

they may well be called the mother of metals, and the purer the mother

is, the purer and sounder child she will bear, and among all stones

there is none found purer than the peble, crystal or sand, which are

of one nature (if they be simple and not impregnated with metals:) And

therefore the peble or sand is found to be the fittest bath to wash the

metal withall. But he that would take this bath to be the Philosophers

secret Menstruum, whereby they exalt the King unto the highest purity,

would be mistaken; for their Balneum is more friendly to gold by reason

of its affinity with it than with other metals, but this doth easier

dissolve other metals than gold. Whereby it is evident, that it cannot

be _Benard_ his fountain (_Bernhardi fontina_) but must be held only

to be a particular cleanser of metals. But omitting this, and leaving

it to the further practise and tryal of those that want no time nor

conveniency for to search what may be done with it, let us take notice

of the use of this liquor in physick, for which uses sake this book is

written. That which hath been said, was only done to that end, that we

may observe, that we must not always look upon dear and costly things,

but that many times even in mean and contemptible things (as sand &

pebles) much good is to be found.

_How to extract a blood-red Tincture with spirit of wine out of the

liquor of peble-stones._

If you will extract a tincture out of peble-stones, for use in Physick

or in Alchymy, then in stead of the white take a fair yellow, green

or blew peble or flint, whether it hold fixed or volatile gold, and

first with salt of tartar distill the spirit thereof; or if you do not

care for the spirit, then melt the mixture in a covered crucible into

a transparent, soluble and fusible glass, and in a warm morter make

it into fine powder; put this powder in a long necked glass, and pour

upon it rectified spirit of wine (it needeth not to be dephlegmed,

it matters not if it be but pure) let it remain upon it in a gentle

warmth, till it be turned red (the glass with the prepared peble or

flints must be often stirred about, that the peble be divided, and the

spirit of wine may be able to work upon it) then pour off the coloured

spirit of wine, and pour on other, and let this likewise turn red: this

pouring off and on must be iterated so often, till the spirit of wine

get no more colour out of it. All the Tinctured spirit of wine put

together, & abstract in a Balneum through a Limbeck from the Tincture

which will remain in the bottom of the glass body like a red juyce,

which you must take out and keep for its use.

_The use of the Tincture of pebles or flints in Physick._

This Tincture if it be made of gold, pebles or sand, is to be held for

none of the least medicines, for it doth powerfully resist all soluble

Tartareous coagulations, in the hands, knees, feet, reins and bladder;

and although in want of those that hold gold, it be extracted but only

out of common white peble, it doth act its part however, though not

altogether so well as the first. Let no man marvel, that sand or pebles

made potable, have so great vertue; for not all things are known to

all; and this Tincture is more powerful yet, if first gold have been

dissolved with the liquor of pebles before the extraction. And let no

man imagine that this Tincture comes from the salt of Tartar (which is

taken to the preparing of the oyl of sand) because that of it self also

doth colour the spirit of wine, for there is a great difference betwixt

this Tincture and that, which is extracted out of the salt of Tartar:

for if you distill that of the salt of tartar in a little glass body or

retort, there will come first a clear spirit of wine, then an unsavory

phlegm, and a salt will remain behind, in all like unto common salt of

tartar, wherein after its calcining not the least colour appeareth,

and because none came over neither, it might be questioned where it

remained then?

To which I answer, that it was not a true tincture, but only that

the sulphur in the spirit of wine was exalted or graduated by the

corporeal salt of tartar, and so got a red colour, which it loseth

as soon as the salt of tartar is taken from it, and reassumeth its

former white colour: even as it hapneth also, when the salt of urin,

or of harts-horn or soot, or any other like urinous salt is digested

with spirit of wine, that the spirit turneth red of it, but not

lastingly, but just so as it falls out with the salt of tartar, for if

by rectification it be separated again from the spirit of wine, each

(_viz._ both the salt and also the spirit of wine) doth recover again

its former colour, whereby it appeareth, that (as above said) it was

not a true tincture. He that will not believe it, let him dissolve

but ℥ i. of common white salt of tartar in ℔ i. of spirit of wine,

and the spirit will turn as red of it, as if it had stood a long time

upon several pounds of blew or green calcined salt of tartar; and if

I had not tryed it my self several times, I should have also been of

that opinion: but because I found it to be otherwise, therefore I

would not omit to set down my opinion: though I know I shall deserve

small thanks of some, especially of those which rather will err with

the greater number, than to know and confess the truth with the less

number. However, I do not say, that the supposed tincture of the salt

of Tartar is of no vertue or useless; for I know well enough that it

is found very effectual in many diseases: for the purest part of the

salt of Tartar hath been dissolved by the spirit of wine, it being thus

coloured thereby, and therefore that tinctured spirit of wine may very

fitly be used. But as for the Tincture, which is extracted out of the

prepared pebles, it is clean of another condition: for if you abstract

the spirit of wine from it, though it also cometh over white, yet

there remaineth a deep tinctured salt, whose colour is lasting in the

strongest fire, and therefore may be counted a true Tincture.

_How by the help of this liquor out of Gold its red colour may be

extracted so that it remains white._

This oyl or liquor of pebles is of such a condition, that it doth

precipitate all metals which are dissolved by corrosives, but not after

that manner as the salt of Tartar doth; for the calx of metals which

is precipitated by this liquor; (because that the pebles do mingle

themselves therewith) is grown much heavier thereby, than if it had

been only precipitated with salt of Tartar.

For example, dissolve in _Aqua Regia_ as much Gold as you please, and

pour of this liquor upon it, till all the Gold fall to the bottom like

a yellow powder, and the solution turn white and clear, which you must

pour off, and edulcorate the precipitated Gold with sweet water, and

then dry it (as you was taught to do with the _Aurum fulminans_) and

you need not fear that it will kindle and fulminate in the drying, as

it useth to do, when it is precipitated with salt of Tartar or spirit

of urin, but you may boldly dry it by the fire, and it will look like

yellow earth, and will weigh as heavy again as the Gold did weigh

before the solution; the cause of which weight is, the peble stones,

which did precipitate themselves together with the Gold. For the _Aqua

Regia_ by its acidity hath mortified the salt of Tartar, and robbed it

of its vertues so, that it could not choose but let fall the assumed

pebles or sand; on the other side, the salt of Tartar which was in the

liquor of pebles, hath annihilated the sharpness of the _Aqua Regia_,

so that it could not keep the dissolved gold any longer, whereby both

the gold and the pebles are freed from their dissolver.

This edulcorated and dryed yellow powder put into a clean crucible,

and set it between live coals, that it begin to be red hot, but not

long, and the yellow will be changed into the fairest purple colour,

which is pleasant to behold, but if you let it stand longer, then the

purple colour vanisheth, and it turns to a brown and brick colour: and

therefore if you desire to have a fair purple coloured gold, you must

take it off from the fire, as soon as it is come to that colour, and

let it not stand any longer, else it loseth that colour again.

This fair gold-powder may be used by the rich (which are able to pay

for it) from ℈i to ʒ_ss._ in convenient vehicles; and in all diseases,

where sweating is needful: for besides the provoking of sweat, it

comforteth not only the heart, but also by the vertue of the peble it

expelleth the stone in the reins and bladder (if it be not grown to

the height of hardness) like sand together with the urine: so that it

may be safely used as well to prevent, as to cure the plague, gout and

stone.

How to make further out of this purple coloured gold a soluble Ruby

for medicinal use, shall be taught in the fourth part: for in regard

that it must be done by a strong fire in a crucible, it doth not belong

hither, but to its proper place, where other like Medicaments are

taught to be made.

If you will extract the colour out of this precipitated gold, then pour

upon it (before it be put into the fire for to calcin) of the strongest

spirit of salt, and in a gentle heat the spirit will dissolve part of

the gold, which will be much fairer and deeper in colour, than if it

had been done with _Aqua Regia_: upon this solution pour five or six

times as much of dephlegmed spirit of wine, and digest both together

its due time, then by the digestion of a long time, part of the Gold

will fall out of the solution to the bottom like a fair white pouder,

which may be reduced with Borax or salt nitre and Tartar; it is white

like silver, and as heavy as other gold, and may easily get its colour

again by the help of Antimony. The residue out of which the white gold

is faln, _viz._ the spirit of salt mingled with the spirit of wine,

must be abstracted from the Tincture, and there will remain a pleasant

sowre liquor coloured by the gold, upon the bottom of the glass body,

which is almost of the same vertue, which above hath been ascribed to

other tinctures of gold. Especially this liquor of gold strengthneth

the heart, brain, and stomach.

N. B. Sometimes there comes over with the spirit of wine a little red

oyl, which the strong spirit of salt hath separated from the spirit

of wine, and it is impregnated with the Tincture of Gold. It is an

excellent cordial, few are found like unto it, whereby weak people

decayed by sickness or age, may be kept alive a long time, they taking

daily some drops of it, who else for want of the _humidum radicale_,

would be forced to exchange their life for death.

Here some body may ask, whether this Tincture is to be counted or taken

for a true Tincture of Gold; or whether there be another better to be

found?

To which I answer, that though many may hold it to be such, and I my

self do call it so here, yet that after due examination it will not

prove to be such: for although some vertue is taken from the gold by

this way, yet it doth still keep its life, though it be grown weak

and pale, because it can so easily recover its former sound colour

by a contemptible mineral: if its true Tincture or soul were gone

from it, surely an inferiour mineral could not restore it to life,

but of necessity there would be required such a thing for to do it,

which hath not only so much, as it hath need of for it self, but hath

a transcendent power to give life unto dead things. As we may see

by a man or any sensible beast, that if they have lost their vigor

by adversities, in that no life more is perceived in them, yet by

medicines fit for the purpose, they may be refreshed, and brought to

their former health, so that their former disease appeareth no more

in them: but if their soul be once gone, the dead body can by no

medicines be restored unto life again, but must remain dead so long,

till he in whose power it is to give and to take life, have mercy upon

it. So likewise it is to be understood of gold, when its colour is

taken from it, and yet its life is left, which by the help of Antimony,

being its medicine, as also by the help of iron or copper can be

restored unto it, so that it recovereth its former fair colours, so

that you cannot see at all, that it ailed any thing before. But if its

life be gone from the body, it is impossible for any ordinary metal or

mineral to restore it to life, but it must be done by such a thing,

which is more than Gold it self hath been: for even as a living man

cannot give life unto a dead man, but GOD must do it who hath created

man; so Gold cannot restore to dead Gold, the life which hath been

taken from it, and how could it then be done by an unfixt mineral? But

there is required a true Philosopher for to do it, such a one as hath

good knowledge of gold and its composition.

Now as we heard that like cannot help its like, but he that shall

help, must be more, than he that looks for help from him: Hence it is

evident, that the Tincture, whose remaining body (from which it is

taken) is still gold, can be no true tincture; for if it shall be a

true tincture, it must consist in its three principles, and how can

it consist therein, the body from whence it came being yet alive, and

possessing invisibly all its three principles? How can a mans soul be

taken from him, and yet the body live still? Some will say, that for

all that, this may be counted a true tincture, although the body still

remain gold, and have kept its life: even as man may spare some blood

out of his body, which though it will make him somewhat pale, yet he

liveth still, and the lost blood may be supplyed again by good meat

and drink. But what lame and senseless objections are these? Who would

be so simple as to think, that a handful of blood may be compared to

a mans life? I believe no wise man will do it. Although life goeth

forth with the blood, yet the blood is not the life it self; else the

dead could be raised thereby, if a cup full of it were poured into a

dead body; but where was such a thing ever heard or seen? With such

groundless opinions some did presume to censure the truth, set down in

my treatise _de Auro potabili vero_, saying, _Geber_ and _Lullius_ were

also of opinion, that a true tincture can be extracted out of gold,

the same nevertheless remaining good gold: but it may be asked, what

it hath lost then for to yield a true Tincture, since it remained good

gold? Here no body will be at home for to answer I doubt. What are the

Writings of _Geber_ or _Lully_ to me? What they have written I do not

despise, they were highly enlightned and experienced Philosophers, and

would defend their writings sufficiently, if they were alive: and what

I write, I am also able to maintain.

Do those men think, that the writings of _Geber_ and _Lully_ are to be

understood according unto the bare letter? shew me a tincture of gold

which was made by the writings of _Geber_ or _Lully_? if it were so,

then every idiot or novice, that could but read Latine, would not only

by their writings be able to make the Tincture of gold, but also the

Philosophers stone it self, whereof they have written at large; which

doth not follow, because it is seen by daily experience, that the most

worldly learned men spent many years, and have been at vast charges,

and taken great pains, and studied in their books day and night, and

found not the least thing in them.

Now if such Philosophers were to be understood literally, doubtless

there would not be so many poor decay’d Alchymists. Therefore the

writings of such worthies are not to be understood according to the

letter, but according to the mystical sense hid under the letter.

But because the truth is eclipsed in their books by so many seducing

and sophistical processes, there will hardly any man be able to pick it

out from so many seducements, unless a light from God be given to him

first, whereby he may be able so to peruse the dark writings of those

men, that he know how to separate the parabolical speeches, from those

that are true in the letter it self: or if an honest Godly Chymist by

the grace of God in his labours do hit upon the right steps, and yet do

doubt, whether he be in the right way or no, then by reading of good

and true Philosophers books, he may at last learn out of them the firm

and constant truth: else hardly any ones desire may be obtained out of

their books, but rather after the pretious time spent, means and health

wasted, a man shall be forced to fall a begging at last.

In like manner, if the true tincture be taken from Copper, the rest is

no more a metal, nor by any Art or force of fire can be reduced to a

metallical substance.

N. B. But if you leave some tincture in it, then it may be reduced into

a brittle gray body, like unto iron, but brittle.

_Another way to extract a good Tincture out of gold by the help of the

liquor of sand or pebles._

Take of that gold calx (which was precipitated with the oyl of sand)

one part, and three or four parts of the liquor of crystals or of

sand, mix the gold calx in a good crucible with the liquor, and set

this mixture into a gentle heat, so that the moystness may evaporate

from the oyl of sand which is not easily done; for the peble or sand,

by reason of their dryness keep and hold the moystness, and will not

let it go easily; it riseth in the pot or crucible, as borax or Allome

doth when you calcine them; therefore the crucible, must not be filled

above half, that the liquor together with the gold may have room

enough, and do not run over the pot: and when it riseth no more, then

strengthen the fire, till the pot be red-hot. The mixture standing

fast, put a lid upon it, which may close well, that no coals, ashes, or

other impurity may fall into it, and give it so strong fire in a winde

furnace, that the liquor together with the gold calx may melt like

water; keep it melting so long, till the liquor and gold together be

like unto a transparent fair ruby, which will be done in an hours time

or thereabouts; then pour it forth into a clean copper morter, let it

cool, and then make it into powder, and pour spirit of wine upon it for

to extract, which will look like unto thin blood: and will prove more

effectual in use, than the above described Tincture.

The residue from which the Tincture is extracted, must be boyled with

lead, and precipitated and driven off as you do oares, and you will get

the remaining gold, which went not into the spirit of wine; but it is

very pale and turned like unto silver in colour, which if it be melted

by Antimony, it recovereth its former colour without any considerable

loss in the weight. How the melting in crucibles, and boyling of the

remaining gold is to be done, shall be more punctually set down in the

fourth part; I know several other fine processes, for to extract the

colour easily out of gold; but because the gold must be first made

fit for it by melting in a crucible, and that it is not pertinent to

speak of that operation here in this second part, therefore it shall

be reserved for the fourth, where you shall be informed at large, not

onely how to prepare Gold, Antimony and other minerals, and make them

fit for extraction, but also how to reduce them into a transparent,

soluble and fire-proof Ruby (which are none of the meanest medicines)

and as it was done here with the gold, so you may proceed likewise with

other metals and minerals for to extract their colours. And therefore

being needless to describe each metals tincture by it self, all the

processes of them shall be disclosed in one, _viz._ in that of gold.

The book would grow too big, if I should describe them severally, which

I count needless to do. Let this suffice for this Second part, that we

have taught, how to extract out of the gold its colour after a common

way. Which indeed are good medicines, but for ought I know of no use in

Alchymy. But he that seeketh to have a true Tincture out of gold, let

him endeavour first to destroy the gold by the universal Mercury, and

to turn the inside outward, and the outside inward, and proceed further

according unto art, then the soul of gold will easily joyn it self with

the spirit of wine, and come to be a good medicine, whereof more in my

treatise _de auro potabili_ is handled. If one know the _Chalybs_ of

_Sandivogius_, which is well to be had, he might with little labour

quickly get a good medicine: but because we shew our selves still

ungrateful children unto God, therefore it is no marvel, that he

withdraweth his hand from us, and leaveth us in errors.

_What further may be done with the liquor of pebles._

Many more profitable things, as well in Alchymy, as in medicine, may

be compassed by the oyl of sand; as for example, to make fair painting

colours out of metals, which abide in all elements: Also to frame all

sorts of transparent hard stones out of crystal, which in beauty are

like unto the natural, yea fairer sometimes; also how to make many fair

Amauses or Enamels and the like profitable arts: but they belonging not

to this second part, shall be reserved for the fourth, where all such

shall be taught very punctually with all the circumstances thereunto

relating.

How by the help of this liquor to make trees to grow out of metals,

with their colours.

_Although this process in Physick may be of no great use: yet in

regard that to a Chymical Physitian it gives good information of

the condition of natural things, and their change. I thought it

not amiss to set it down here._

Take of the above described oyl made of sand, pebles or crystals as

much as you please, mix therewith a like quantity of the lixivium of

Tartar, shake both well together, so that the thick liquor may not be

perceived in the lixivium, but be throughly incorporated therewith,

both being turned to a thin solution, and then your water is prepared,

wherein the metals do grow.

The metals must be first dissolved in their proper corrosive

_Menstruums_, and the _Menstruum_ must be quite abstracted from thence

again, but not too near, that the calx of the metal may not grow

red-hot, whereby its growing vertue would be taken from it. Then take

it out of the little glass-body, and break it in pieces about the

bigness of a pulse, and put them in the above described liquor in a

cleer bright glass, that the growing of the metals may be discerned

through it; and as soon as the prepared metals are taken out of the

glass body, they must be kept from the aire, else they lose their

growing vertue. Therefore thus dry they must be broken in pieces, and

laid in the bottom of the glass (wherein the liquor is) a fingers

breadth one from another asunder, and must not be laid together on

a heap. The glass must stand still in a quiet place, and the metal

will presently swell in it, and thrust forth some bulks, out of which

branches and twigs do grow, so finely, that one shall admire at it;

and let none think that this growing serveth only for to please the

eye, for some special thing is hid in it; for all sand or pebles,

although they be white, invisibly containeth a hidden tincture or

golden sulphur, which none without experience will be able to believe;

for if for a time you digest the pure filings of lead in it, there will

gold come to stick to the outside thereof (which gold may be washed

off with water) and the lead will look as if it were gilded. Which

gold came from no where else but from the sand or pebles, although

they were white and clear, so that it could not be perceived in them.

It sheweth also its meliorating vertue, when the metals do grow

therein, and for a certain space of time are digested therewith. For

it may be seen apparently, that the metals in the growing do increase

from this liquor, and attract what is for their turn; which hence

also may be perceived, that when but as much as the bigness of a pea

groweth therein, it will grow twice or thrice as big, which is worthy

to be considered of. Also the pebles or sand-stones are the natural

matrixes of metals, and there appeareth a great sympathy between them,

especially between the unripe metals and them; as if nature should say

to such raw or unripe metals, return into your mothers womb, and stay

there the due time, till you have attained there to perfect ripeness,

for you were taken thence too soon against my will. Further, out of

this liquor there may be made a good borras to reduce the metals

thereby. There may be made also with this liquor fair glased and firm

colours upon earthen vessels like unto Porcellan or China. Also by

boyling it with water, a tender impalpable snow-white earth may be

precipitated out of it, whereof there may be made vessels like unto

Porcellan.

Many other useful things may be brought to pass thereby in mechanical

businesses, needless here to relate.

Also the unripe and volatile minerals may be fixed and ripened thereby,

so that not only they may be the fitter to be used in Physick, but also

the volatile gold and silver contained in them may be saved thereby,

whereof more in the fourth part.

N. B. Hither belongs also the process of the spirit of lead,

Virgins-milk and Dragons blood.

_Of the spirit of urine and of the volatile spirit of salt

Armoniack._

Out of urine or salt Armoniack, a powerful and penetrating spirit may

be made several wayes, which not only is to be used in phisick for many

diseases, but is also found very useful in mechanical and chymical

operations, as followeth.

Take of the urine of sound men living chast, gather a good quantity

together in a wooden vessel, let it stand for its time to putrefy, and

distil a spirit thereof, which afterward in a great glass retort with

a wide neck must be rectified from calcined tartar, and still that

which cometh over first, may be saved by it self, and so the second and

third also, the strongest may be used for the preparing of metallical

medicines, and the weaker for a medicine alone by its self, or else

mingled with fit vehicles: The salt which in the rectification cometh

over with the strongest spirit; may be put to the weakest, to make it

the stronger, or else it may be saved by it self in a good strong glass.

But because the spirit of urine is tedious to make, therefore I will

shew, how to get it easier out of salt Armoniack. The preparation is

thus.

Take of salt armoniack, and _lapis calaminaris_, and make each by it

self into powder, and then mix them together, and cast of it into the

red hot vessel at once no more than ℥ _ss._ or ℥ i. Unto the vessel

there must be applyed a great receiver: for this spirit goeth with such

a force and power, that it were impossible to distil it in a retort

without danger or loss, for I broke more than one receiver with it,

before I did invent this instrument. The spirits being well setled in

the receiver, cast in more of your mixture; this continue so long till

all your matter is cast in; then take off the receiver, and pour the

spirit into a strong glass, which must be well closed at the top, but

not with wax and a bladder, because it softeneth the wax, and doth

penetrate through the bladder; but first stop it with paper, then melt

Lacca or sulphur, and pour it upon it, so that it come to be very well

closed, and then it will not be able to exhale, or thou mayst get such

glasses made, as in the fifth part shall be taught, for to keep all the

subtle spirits in them, for more security sake. And this spirit, if no

water have been mixt with it in the receiver, needeth no rectifying:

but he that will have it stronger yet, may rectify it by a glass

retort, and so keep it for use.

And this is the best way to make a strong spirit out of salt armoniack:

the same may be done also, by taking of filed Zinck, instead of _lapis

calaminaris_: also by adding of salt of tartar, salt made of the Lee

of wood ashes, unquencht lime, and the like: but the spirit is nothing

near so strong (although all those things may be done with it, that are

done with the former) as that which is made with _lapis calaminaris_ or

Zinck.

_The process or the manner of making it, is this:_

Take ℔ i. of salt armoniack made into powder, and as much of salt of

tartar, mix both together by the help of a lye made of tartar, or only

with common water, so that all come to be like a pap, and cast in one

spoonful thereof at once, into the distilling vessel, then cast in more

till you have spirit enough.

N. B. The salt of tartar may also be mixed dry with the salt Armoniack

without any lye or water, and so distilled: but it is not so good, as

when the mixture is tempered with lye or water: for if it be cast in

dry, the spirit will come over in the form of a volatile salt: but if

the mixture have been moistened, then most part thereof will come over

like a fiery burning spirit: In like manner also the mixture of Lyme

and salt Armoniack may be tempered moist, and it will yield more spirit

than if it be distilled dry.

It may be asked: why _lapis calaminaris_, Zinck and unquencht lyme,

calcined tartar, salt of potashes, fixed salt nitre or the like things

prepared by the fire, must be added unto salt Armoniack, and whether it

be not as good to add some bolus, or other earth (as usually is done

to other salts) and so to distil a spirit of it? To which I answer,

that there are two sorts of salt in salt Armoniack, _viz._ a common

acid salt, and a volatile salt of urine, which without mortifying of

one of them, cannot be separated: for as soon as they feel the heat,

the volatile salt of urine carrieth the acid salt upwards, and they

both together yield a sublimate, of the same nature and essence with

common salt armoniack which is not sublimed, onely it is purer than the

common. And no spirit would come over from it, if it should be mingled

with bole, brick, dust, sand, or any other strengthless earth, and so

distilled, but the whole salt as it is of it self (leaving its earthy

substance behind) would sublime thus dry: but that it falleth out

otherwise with the _lapis calaminaris_ (which is also like an earth)

so that a separation of the salts is wrought thereby, and a volatile

spirit cometh over; the reason is, that the _lapis calaminaris_ and

Zinck are of such a nature, that they have a great affinity with all

acid things, and do love them, and are loved by them likewise (whereof

some mention hath been made in the first part) so that the acid salt

sticks to it in the warmth, and uniteth it self with it, and the

volatile salt is set free, and distilled into a subtle spirit; which

could not have been done, if the acid salt had not been kept back,

by the _lapis calaminaris_ or Zink. But that a spirit is distilled

off by addition of fixed salts; the reason is that fixed salts are

contrary unto acid salts, and (if they get the uperhand) do kill the

same, and rob them of their strength, whereby those things which are

mixed with them are freed from their bond: and so it falls out here

with salt armoniack, that when by addition of a vegetable fixed salt,

the acidity of the salt armoniack is killed; the salt of urine, which

formerly was bound therewith, gets its former freedome and strength,

and being sublimed turns into a spirit. Which could not have been done,

if common salt had been added to the salt armoniack instead of salt

of tartar; for the salt of urine would thereby (as by a far greater

enemy) be killed and kept back, so that it could yield no spirit. I

thought fit to give notice hereof to the ignorant (not for those, who

knew it before) and to the unknowing it will do much good, and that

they may have a light for other labours: for I have many times seen,

and see it still by daily experience, that the most part of vulgar

Chymists, whatsoever they do (having got it either by reading, seeing,

or hearing) they hurle it over like botchers, and are not able to give

any solid reason, why this or that must fall out in such or another

manner, not labouring to find out the natures and conditions of salts,

minerals, and other materials, but contenting themselves onely with

the Receipt, saying this or that Author hath written so, and therefore

it must be so, whereas many times such books are patcht up out of all

sorts of authors. And those that stick to so many books, will hardly

ever come to get any good, but are led out of one Labyrinth into

another, spending their life miserably in watching and cares: but if

they would first seriously consider things, and learn to know nature,

and then take their work in hand, then they would sooner attain unto

true knowledge; and so much of this matter by the way. I hope that he

that hath been in error will be pleased with it, and the knowing will

not grudge to have it imparted to the ignorant.

That which remains after the distillation is done, is also good for

use; if the addition have been of salt of tartar, a melting powder

may be made of it, to reduce metals. Of _lapis calaminaris_ or Zinck,

yields _per deliquium_ a clear, white, and heavy sharp oyl, for the

sharper part of salt armoniack, which did not turn to spirit, hath

dissolved _lapis calaminaris_, and is almost of the same vertues for

external use in Chyrurgery with that, which above in the first part

which was taught to be made out of _lapis calaminaris_, and spirit of

salt, save only that this in the distilling doth not yield so strong a

spirit as the other, but onely yields a sharp sublimate.

_Of the use and vertue of the spirit of salt Armoniack._

This spirit is of a sharp penetrating essence, and of an airy, moist,

and warm nature; and therefore may with credit be used in many

diseases, 8, 10, 12. (more or less) drops thereof used in a convenient

vehicle, do immediately penetrate all the body over, causing sudden

sweating, opening the obstructions of the spleen, and dispersing and

expelling many malignities by sweat and urine, it cureth the quartane,

collick, the suffocation of the Matrix, and many more diseases.

In brief, this spirit is a safe, sure, and ready medicine for to

disperse and expel all tough, gross and venemous humors. Also, this

spirit acteth his part externally, quenching all inflammations, curing

the Erysipelas and Grangrene; it allayeth the pains of the gout,

clothes being dipt in it and applyed: and although it draw blisters,

it matters not; laid to the pulse, it is good in ardent feavers, it

asswageth swellings and pains; disscusseth congealed blood, helpeth

strained limbs, and benummed nerves: onely smelled unto, it cureth the

megrim, and other Chronical diseases of the head: for it dissolveth the

peccant matter, and evacuateth it through the nostrils; it restoreth

the lost hearing, being externally laid on with a little instrument fit

for the purpose. Also in the obstructions of womens courses applyed by

a fit instrument in a spiritual way, openeth presently, and cleanseth

the womb, and maketh women fruitful, _&c._ Mingled with common water,

and held in the mouth, asswageth the tooth-ach, proceeding from sharp

humors which are falln in the teeth. A little of it applyed in a

glister, killeth the wormes in the body, and allayeth the colick.

This spirit may also further be used to many other things, especially

by means thereof many pretious and effectual medicaments may be

made out of metals and minerals, whereof some shall be described as

followeth.

N. B. There is yet another matter, which is found every where and at

all times, and is to be got by every one without distillation and

charges, and is as good for the abovesaid diseases, as the distilled

spirit, and if all men knew it, there would not be found every where so

many sick people, nor so many Doctors and Apothecaries.

_To distill a blood red oyl of vitriol by the help of the spirit of

urin._

Dissolve Hungarian or other good vitriol in common water, and let it

run through a filtring paper, pour of this spirit upon it so much, till

all the green be vanisht, and the water be made clear, and a yellow

sulphur be settled: then pour off the clear, and the rest which is

muddy, pour together in a _filtrum_, that the moisture may run off,

and the earth of the vitriol remain in the paper, which you must dry,

and distil to a blood-red oyl, which will open the obstructions of the

whole body, and perfectly cure the epilepsie. The clear water must be

evaporated dry, and there will remain a salt, which being distilled,

yields a wonderful spirit. Before it be distilled, it is a _specificum

purgans_, whereof 8. 10. 12. to 24. grains taken, may safely be used in

all diseases.

_The Tincture of Vegetables._

Spices, seeds or flowers being extracted therewith and digested and

distilled, the essence of them will come over with it, in the form of a

red oyl.

_Vitriol of copper._

If you pour it upon calx of copper, made by often heating the Copper

red hot and quenching it again, it will extract within an hours time a

fair blew colour, and having dissolved as much thereof as it can pour

it off and let it shoot in a cold place, and you will get a fair sky

coloured vitriol, a small quantity whereof will cause strong vomits;

the rest of the vitriol remaineth a blew oyl, good to be used in ulcers.

_The Tincture of crude Tartar._

If you take common crude tartar, and pour of this spirit upon it, and

set it in digestion, the spirit will extract a blood-red tincture, and

if the spirit be abstracted from it, there will remain a pleasant red

oyl, of no small vertue and power.

_To make the oyls or liquors of salts._

This spirit also dissolveth crystals and other stones, they being first

dissolved, precipitated and reduced to impalpable powders, turning them

into oyles and liquors, good to be used in Alchymy and Physick.

_To precipitate all metals with it._

Any metal being dissolved in an acid spirit may be precipitated better

and purer therewith, than with the liquor of the salt of tartar;

for _Aurum fulminans_ which is precipitated with it fulminateth far

stronger than if it were done with oyl of tartar.

R. Some juyce of Lemon and mix it with the solution of gold, before it

be precipitated, and then not all the gold will precipitate, but some

of it will remain in the solution, and in time many small green stones

(not unlike unto common vitriol) will appear; which in a small dose

will purge all noxious humors.

_The oyl and vitriol of silver._

If you dissolve silver in _Aqua fortis_, and pour so much of this

spirit into it till it ceaseth to make a noise, some of the silver

will precipitate in the form of a black powder, the rest of the silver

remaineth in the liquor: the phlegm abstracted from it in Balneo,

till it get a skin at the top, and then set into a cool place, there

will grow white crystals in it, which being taken out and dryed are

a good purge in madness, dropsie, feavers and other diseases, safely

and without danger to be used to young and old. The rest of the liquor

which did not crystallise may be extracted with spirit of wine, and the

fæces being cast away the extraction will be pleasanter. The spirit of

wine abstracted from it, there will remain a medicine of no small value

in all diseases of the brain.

_To extract a red Tincture out of Antimony or common sulphur._

Boyl sulphur or Antimony made into powder in a Lixivium of salt of

tartar, till it turn red, and pour this spirit upon it, and distill

gently in a _Balneum_, and there will come over a fair tincture with

the volatile spirit, silver anointed therewith will be guilt, though

not lastingly. It serveth for all diseases of the lungs.

_How to ripen Antimony and common sulphur, so that several sorts of

such smels, as vegetables have, arise from thence._

Dissolve Antimony or sulphur in the liquor of pebles or sand, coagulate

the solution to a red mass; upon this mass pour spirit of urin, and let

it extract in a gentle warmth. The spirit being coloured red, pour it

off, and pour on other spirit, let it extract likewise, and this you

must iterate so often, till the spirit will extract no more tincture;

then pour all the extracts together and abstract the spirit of urin

from it in Balneum through a limbeck, and there will remain a blood

red liquor, and if you pour upon this spirit of wine it will extract a

fairer tincture then the former was, leaving the fæces behind, and this

tincture smelleth like garlick: and if it be digested three or four

weeks in a gentle warmth, it will get a very pleasant smel, like unto

the yellow prunes or plums: and if it remain longer yet in digestion,

it will get a smel not inferior to musk and ambar; This tincture having

been digested a long time, and got several smels, is not only notably

by the fire increased in pleasantness of smel and taste, but also in

vertue: for so many and various sweet smels are perceived in it, that

it is to be admired, which variety and exaltation proceedeth only from

the pure and ripening spirit of urin, for there is hid in it a fire,

which doth not destroy but preserve and graduate all colours, whereof

in another place more shall be said.

N. B. Betwixt the spirit of urin and the animal and mineral Copper

there appeareth a great sympathy; for it doth not only love copper

above all other metals, and mingleth easily with it, and maketh it

extraordinary fair, and of good use in Physick, but it prepareth it

also to such a medicine, whereby all venerous sores (both by inward and

outward use) how deep so ever they took root in the blood, without the

use of any other medicaments, are perfectly cured; it maketh fruitful

and barren, according as it is used; it cleanseth the matrix, hindreth

the rising thereof, and miraculously furthereth womens courses that

have been stayed, above all other medicaments of what name soever.

If this spirit be mingled with the volatile (but not corrosive) spirit

of vitriol or common salt there will come a salt out of it, which is

inferior to none in fusibleness, and useful both in Alchymy and Physick.

N. B. The liquor of the salt Of tartar, and the spirit of wine do not

mix without water, this being the mean partaking of both of their

natures, and if you add unto it spirit of urin it will not mingle but

keep its own place: so that these three sorts of liquors, being put

in the same glass, and though they be shaked never so much will not

incorporate for all that: the liquor of the salt of tartar keepeth to

the bottom, next to it will be the spirit of urin, and on the top of

that is the spirit of wine: and if you pour a distilled oyl upon it,

that will keep uppermost of all, so that you may keep four sorts of

liquors in one glass, whereof none is mingled with the other.

Although this be of no great profit, yet it serveth for to learn

thereby the difference of spirits.

_Of the spirit and oyl of Harts-horn._

Take Harts-horn, cut it with a saw into pieces, of the bigness of a

finger, and cast in one at a time into the aforesaid distilling vessel,

and when the spirits are settled, then another, and continue this until

you have spirits enough: and the vessel being filled with the pieces

that were cast in, take them out with the tongs, and cast in others,

and do this as often as is needful. The distilling being finished,

take off the receiver, and pour into it dephlegmed spirit of wine,

which will cleanse the volatile salt: pour the oyl with the spirit

and volatile salt through a filtring paper made wet first and lying

in a glass funnel, and the spirit of wine together with the spirit of

Harts-horn and the volatile salt will run through the paper, and the

blackish oyl will stay behind, but it must quickly be poured out, else

it will pass through after them. The spirit together with the volatile

salt rectifie through a retort, and the best part of the spirit will

come over together with the spirit of wine and volatile salt; and when

the phlegme is coming, take of the spirit, which is come over, that the

naughty phlegm may not come amongst it; keep it well, for it is very

volatile, the oyl may be mingled with salt of tartar, and rectified by

a glass retort, and so it will be clear; if you will have it fairer,

you must rectify it with spirit of salt.

The first, which is done with salt of Tartar, is of more vertue; it

cureth the Quartane, and provoketh sweat extremly, cureth all internal

wounds and pains, which were caused by falls, blows, or other wayes:

6, or 8. 10, to 20. drops of it taken in wine and sweated upon it in

the bed. The spirit is very good for all obstructions of the whole

body, from ℈ _ss._ to ʒ _ss._ therefore taken in a fit vehicle,

provoketh urine, and forceth down womens courses, it cleanseth the

blood and maketh sweat mightily. In the Plague, Pox, Leprosie, Scurvy,

_Melancholia Hypochondriaca_, malignant Feavers, and the like where

sweating is necessary, it proveth a rare medicine.

_To make the spirit of mans hair an excellent medicine._

After the same manner you may make spirits out of all kind of horns

and claws of beasts: but since by reason of their ill smel the use of

them is not liked of (though in several heavy diseases, as in the fits

of the mother and Epilepsie, they do admirably well:) therefore I will

acquiesce. However it is worth observing, that the spirit made of mans

hair is not to be rejected in metallical operations, for it dissolveth

common sulphur, and reduceth it into a milk, which by further ripening

may be turned into blood, the like whereunto no spirit is able to

do. The same spirit may also of it self, without addition of sulphur

be fixed into a ruby; but that which is ripened with sulphur is the

better; and if it be brought so far by the fire, that it have lost its

stink, and be made fixed than it will be able sufficiently to pay for

the pains and coals bestowed upon it.

N. B. Hither belongeth the Process to pour dissolved metals upon filed

hartshorn, and so to distil them.

_Of the oyl of Ambar._

Ambar yeildeth a very pleasant oyl and of great vertue especially the

white Ambar: the yellow is not so good, and the black is inferior to

this; for by reason of its impurity it cannot be well used inwardly;

and there cometh over also along with it a volatile salt and an acid

water, which must be seperated; the water (for ought that I know) is

of little vertue; the salt if it be sublimed from the salt of Tartar

and purified, is a good diuretick, and in the Stone and the Gout, may

successfully be used both inwardly and outwardly. The oyl if it be

rectified, especially that which comes over first, is an excellent

medicine against the Plague, Epilepsy, rising of the Mother and Megrim,

6, 8, 10, to 20. drops being taken thereof at once, and the nostrils

also being anoynted therewith for to smell to it; and it is to be

observed, that when it is rectified with spirit of salt, it proveth

much clearer, than done by it self without addition: but if it be

rectified with salt of tartar, it is of much more vertue, though it

fall not so clear, as that which is done by spirit of salt.

N.B. If it be rectified from a strong _Aqua Regia_ having before once

already been rectified with spirit of salt, it will turn so subtle,

that it is able to dissolve iron or copper in some sort, and to reduce

them into good medicines; and in this second rectification by _Aqua

Regia_ all will not come over, but part of it will be coagulated by the

corrosive water, so that it turneth thick, like unto mastich, which in

the warmth is soft, and may be handled with owns fingers like wax, but

in the could it is so hard, that it may be broken and made into powder,

and glistereth like gold.

_Of the oyl of soot._

Of the soot, which is taken from Chimneys, where nothing is burnt but

wood, there may be distilled a sharp volatile salt and a hot oyl. The

salt is in vertue not unlike unto that which is made of harts-horn or

ambar, and it quencheth inflammation, from what cause so ever it do

proceed: The oyl may without rectification externally be used very

successfully for all loathsome scabs, and for a scald head, _&c._

But if it be rectified, as hath been taught to be done with the oyl

of Tartar, of Ambar, and of Hartshorn; then it may safely be used

inwardly, as the above written oyls are used; for it doth as well as

these, yea better in some special cases.

_How to make a good oyl out of soot without distilling._

Boyl the soot in common watter, till the water turn blood red (urin

is better than water) and set this solution (being in an earthen pot)

in winter time into the greatest frost so long till all in the pot be

frozen into one piece and turned white: then break the pot and the ice,

and in the midst thereof you will find the hot oyl unfrozen and liquid

in colour like blood, which is not much inferior in vertue unto that

which is distilled, yet afterward it may be rectified, and so exalted

in its vertue, when you please, and it is to be noted, that this

separation doeth only succeed in the greatest frost and cold, and not

else.

_Of the spirit and oyl of honey._

Of honey there may be made a subtle spirit and a sowre vinegar, if it

be mingled with twice as much of pure calcined sand and so distilled;

and it falleth much better yet if it be made with the flores of

Antimony, which were taught to be made in the first part, whereby

the spirit is increased in its vertue, and its running over hindred

thereby; and so distilling it, there will come over a pleasant spirit,

a sharp vinegar and some red oyl also, which must be seperated: the

spirit after the rectification inwardly used is good in all diseases of

the lungs. It openeth and inlargeth the Breast, strengthneth the Heart,

takes away all obstructions of the Liver and Spleen; it dissolveth

and expelleth the Stone, resisteth all putrefaction of the Blood;

preserveth from, and cureth the Plague; all Agues, Dropsies, and many

other diseases, daily used from ℈ j. to ʒ j. taken with distilled water

proper for the diseases: the sower vinegar coloureth hair and nails as

yellow as gold: it cureth the itch and scabs of the skin; it cleanseth

and healeth old and new wounds, they being bathed and washed therewith.

The red oyl is too strong to be used of it self, it may be mingled with

the subtle spirit which came over first and so used, and the spirit

will be exalted thereby in its vertue.

_Of the oyl and spirit of sugar._

In the same manner as hath been taught of honey, there is also made a

spirit and oyl of sugar, _viz._ adding pure sand to it; or (which is

better) of the flores of Antimony, and then according to the rules of

Art one spoonful after the other of this mixture cast in, it will yeild

a yellow spirit, and a little red oyl, which after the distillation

must be digested in Balneo so long together, till the spirit have

assumed the oyl and be turned thereby very red in colour; it needeth

not to be rectified, but may daily be used either by it self, or with

such vehicles as are proper for your purpose; in all it is like in

virtue unto that which was made of honey; yet this of sugar is more

pleasant than the other; it reneweth and restoreth all the blood in

man, in regard that it received great vertue from the diaphoretical

flores of Antimony; and this spirit may fitly be used in all diseases,

it can do no hurt, neither in cold nor hot diseases; it doth help

nature mightily, and doth so much good, that it is almost beyond

belief. Especially if for a time it be used daily from ℈ j. to ʒ j. The

residue of it is black, and may be kept for the same use again, _viz._

for an addition to other honey or sugar, or else you may sublime it

again into flores in the furnace described in the first part, or in the

furnace described in the fourth part of this book, with an addition of

iron or tartar, or salt nitre, reduces it into a _Regulas_, &c.

_To distil an excellent spirit and a blood red tincture of corals and

sugar._

If you mix sugar with red corals made into powder and distil it, there

will besides the spirit come over a blood-red tincture like a heavy

oyl, which is to be joyned with the spirit by digestion in Balneo,

and it will be as vertuous as that which was made with Antimony

diaphoreticum. It doth perfectly and lastingly cure the epilepsie in

young and old; it cleanseth the blood from all filth, so that the

Leprosie together with its several species may be cured thereby, _&c._

Its use is the same as was taught above of the Antimonized spirit of

sugar.

_Of the spirit of Muste or new Wine._

Take sweet Must or juice of grapes, as soon as it is squeezed out, boyl

it to the consistency of honey- and then mix it with sand, corals, or

(which is better) with flores of Antimony, and so distill it, and it

will yield such another spirit as that which is made of honey or sugar,

only that this is somewhat tarter than that of honey. With honey, sugar

and the juice of grapes, several metals may be dissolved in boyling and

so prepared and made up into divers medicaments, both with and without

distillation, after the same manner as was taught above with tartar:

for honey, sugar, and the juice of grapes, are nothing else but a sweet

salt, which by fermentation and addition of some sower thing, may be

changed into a sower Tartar, in all like unto that which is gathered

in the wine vessels. There may be made also a tartar out of cherries,

pears, apples, figs, and all other fruit, yielding a sweet juice; as

also of rye, wheat, oats, barley and the like, whereof in the third

part more shall be said.

For every sweet liquor of vegetables, if it be turned inside out, by

fermentation may be changed to a natural sowre tartar; and it is

utterly false, that (as some do suppose) only wine yields tartar,

which by daily use made of it by those that have very hungry stomachs

(like Woolves) indistinctly together with the nourishment went into

the limbs, and there turned to a stony matter. If this were true, than

in cold Countries, where no wine groweth, men would not be troubled

with the Gout or Stone; the Contrary whereof is seen daily: though I

must confess, that among all vegetables none yeildeth more than the

vine, the concurrent acidity being the cause thereof; for it turneth

the sweetness into tartar; for the sowrer the wine is, the more tartar

it yieldeth; and so much the sweeter, so much the less tartar. By this

discourse an industrious Chymist may easily come to know the original

nature and properties of tartar, and in default of wine, how to make

it out of other vegetables; common salt or the salt of tartar may be

distilled with honey, sugar, or sodden wine (_sapa_) and it will yield

such strong spirits, that metals may be dissolved with them, and they

are not to be despised in Physick and Alchymy.

_Of oyl Olive._

Out of oyls made by expression (as oyl olive, rape oyl, wallnut oyl,

hempseed oyl, linseed oyl, and the like) there may be distilled a

penetrating oyl, useful both out wardly and inwardly, which is done

thus: Take common potters clay not mingled with sand, frame little bals

of it, as big as a pigeons or hens-egg, burn them (but not too strong)

to a hard stone, so that they may attract the oyl; and when they are

no more quite red-hot, but pretty hot, then throw them into oyl olive

which is the best; let them lye in it, till they be quite full and

drunk of the oyl, which will be done in two or three hours (some cast

them red hot into the oyl, but amiss, because the oyl contracts thence

an _Empyreuma_) then take them out, and cast in one or two of them

at once into your distilling-vessel made red-hot, and let it go; and

within a while after cast in one or two more, and continue this till

you have oyl enough. If the vessel be full of the bals, take them out

with the tongs or ladle, that you may proceed without let in your

distillation, and in this manner you need not fear the breaking of your

retort or receiver, or the burning of your oyle. The distillation being

performed take off your receiver, pour the oyl that came over into a

glass retort, and rectify it from calcined Allome or Vitriol, and the

Allome will keep back the blackness and stink, and so the oyl will come

over clear, which must be yet rectified once or twice more with fresh

calcined Allome, according to the intensness of penetrating which you

look for; that which cometh over first, ought still to be caught by

it self, and you will get a very fair, bright and clear oyl, which is

very subtle; but that which cometh after is somewhat yellow, and not so

penetrating neither as the first; and therefore it is but for external

use to extract flores and herbs therewith, and to make pretious balsams

for cold and moyst sores. Also you may dissolve with it Amber, Mastick,

Myrrh, and the like attractive things, and with Wax and Colophony

reduce it to a plaster, which will be very good in venemous sores and

boyls, for to attract the poyson, and to heal them out of hand. If you

dissolve in it common yellow sulphur made into powder, you will get a

blood red balsom, healing all manner of scabs, and other like defects

of the skin; especially when you add to it purified verdegrease, and in

hot sores _Saccharum Saturni_, which in a gentle heat and by continual

stirring about do easily melt and mingle therewith. It needeth not

to be done in glasses, but may be done in an ordinary earthen pot or

pipkin.

_The use of the blessed oyl._

The first and clear is of a very penetrating nature: some drops thereof

given in some _Aqua vitæ_, presently stays the collick, proceeding

from winds that could not be vented; as also the rising of the mother,

the navil being anointed therewith: and a cold humour being faln upon

the nervs, whereby they are lamed; if you do but anoint them with this

oyl, and rub it in with warm hands, it will quickly restore them, and

therefore in regard of its present help, may well be called _Oleum

sanctum_. If you extract plates of iron or copper with this oyl, it

will turn deep red or green, and is a soveraign remedy for to warm and

dry up all cold and watery sores. It consumeth allso all superfluous

moisture in Wounds and ulcerous Sores, as also all other excrescencies

of the skin: it healeth tettars and scald-heads, and other like defects

proceeding from superfluous cold and moisture. You may also dissolve

in it Euphorbium and other hot gums, and use them against great frost,

for what limb soever is anointed therewith, no frost how great soever

can do it any hurt. The balsames made with gum or sulphur may be also

distilled by a retort, and in some cases they are more useful than the

undistilled balsame.

_Of the oyl of Wax._

In the same manner may be distilled also the oyl of wax, the use

whereof is in all like unto the former; and for all cold infirmities of

the nerves, this is found more effectual yet than the former.

_A Spirit good for the Stone._

Out of stones which are found in grapes, there may be distilled a sowre

spirit, which is a certain and specifical remedy for the stone in the

kidneys and bladder, and also for all pains of the gout. It is not

onely to be used internally, but also externally, wetting clothes in

it, and applying them to the places affected, and it will asswage and

drive away the pains.

_Of the spirit or acid oyl of Sulphur._

To reduce sulphur into a sowre spirit or oyl hath been sought hitherto

by many, but found by few. Most of them made it in glass-bells, but

got very little that way; for the glasses being quickly hot, could not

hold the oyl, so that it went away in a smoak. Some thought to get

it by distilling, others by dissolving, but none of all these would

do the feat. Which is the reason why now-adayes it is found almost

no where right, and in the Drugsters and Apothecaries shops they

usually sell oyl of Vitriol instead of it, which by far is not to be

compared in vertue to the oyl of sulphur. For this is not onely of a

far pleasanter sowre taste, but in efficacy also much exceeds the

other. And therefore being of so great use both in Physick and Alchymy,

as in all hot diseases, mingling the patients drink therewith, till

it get a pleasant sowre tast, for to quench the intolerable drowth,

to strengthen the stomach, to refresh the lungs and the liver: Also

externally for to cure the gangreen: Also for to Chrystallise some

metals thereby, and to reduce them into pleasant vitriols, useful as

well in Alchymy as Physick: I thought good to set down the preparation,

though it be not done in this our distilling furnace, but in another

way by kindling and burning it as followeth.

Make a little furnace with a grate, upon which a strong crucible must

be fastned resting on two iron bars, and it is to be ordered so that

the smoak be conveighed (not above by the crucible, but) through a pipe

at the side of the furnace: the crucible must be filled with sulphur

even to the top; and by a coal-fire without flame be brought to burn

and kept burning. Over the burning sulphur, a vessel is to be applyed

of good stony earth like unto a flat dish with an high brim, wherein

is alwayes cold water to be kept, and whereunto the burning sulphur

doth flame: which thus burning, its fatness consumeth, and the acid

last is freed and sublimed to the cold vessel, where it is dissolved

by the air, and in the form of a sharp oyl runs from the hollow vessel

into the receiver, which must be taken off sometime, and more sulphur

supplyed instead of that which hath been consumed, to the end that the

sulphur may still burn in the crucible: and beat with the flame to the

cold head: and within few dayes you will get a great quantity of oyl,

which else by the (_campana_) glass-bell in many weeks could not have

been done.

N. B. Such a sowre spirit or oyl may also be got by distillation

together with the flores, _viz._ thus: If you take pieces of sulphur

as big as hens eggs, and cast them one after another into the hot

distilling vessel, a sowre oyl together with flores, will come over

into the receiver, which must with water be separated out of the

flores, and the water abstracted from it again in a cucurbit, and in

the bottome of your glass body you will find the oyl, which in vertue

and taste is equal to the former, but you get nothing near so much in

quantity by this way, and if you do not look for the oyl, you may leave

it with the flores, which by reason of their pleasant acid taste are

much toothsomer to take than the ordinary ones.

To the Courteous Reader.

_Thus I conclude this second part; I could have set down more medicinal

processes in this Treatise: but having as many as will be a sufficient

guide for the distilling of other things also, I thought it good here

to acquiesce; and whatsoever hath been here omitted, shall be supplyed

in the following parts._