As for this, it is sufficiently explained in the _First Part of
the Prosperity of_ Germany; so that it might be here passed over;
nevertheless I will make this short repetition.
Make a Malt of Wheat, Barley, Oats, or any other Grain, as is usual
for the brewing of Beer, [_See the full Description_, _Prosp._ Germ.
_p._ 1. _cap._ 2.] and extract all the strength with Water, as if Beer
were to be made thereof: Afterwards boil this Liquor away gently in
broad and shallow Vessels or Coppers, to the consistency of Honey: The
Dreggs or Grains serve for Food for Cattel, but the inspissated liquor
or juice may be commodiously carried by Sea, and at pleasure may be
made into Beer with a mixture of Hops and Water. And because for the
most part eight Tuns of Grain afford one Tun of the inspissated Juice,
every Tun of Grain maketh a Tun and an half, yea, two Tuns of Beer,
for every Tun of Liquor maketh at the least eight, ten, twelve, or
more Tuns of Beer, according as you will have it stronger or smaller.
Therefore it is easier and cheaper to carry in a ship one Tun of this
Juice, than ten or twelve Hogsheads of Beer, which easily corrupts
and grows sowre; but on the contrary, this Liquor being kept from the
Air, retaineth its goodness; and this is of singular advantage, seeing
that good fresh Beer may be made of this juice. To this also belongs
another great Commodity, _viz._ that if this Juice be mixed instead
of Water, with Wheat flower, and baked, it makes an efficacious Bread,
which affordeth far more nourishment to sailers than their common
Bread, and containeth in it self so great power, that it can refresh
and cheer the Sick: For which reason our Ancestors did not in vain use
to temper fine Flower with clarified Honey instead of Water, and make
Bread thereof, which they called Cakes of Life, because they were a
great support to the Humane Body, and as it were excited the Life it
self: But in our daies all things being subservient to _Avarice_, you
may see those sweet Cakes, made up with common, impure, and unclarified
Honey, which cannot generate much good blood, or juices; but this our
Bread will approve it self to be of a greater sweetness, nobility, and
efficacy, inasmuch as the elicited juice of Grain, affordeth a far
better nourishment than Honey. But if any desire to proceed farther
with it, this concentrated Liquor of Corn will yet afford a greater
utility, _viz._ if being inspissated or brought to a thick consistency,
it be mingled with fine Flower of the best Mault, and Bread made
thereof, which after it is baked, is to be cut into pieces, and again
put into the Oven, till it be dry and hard, and then put up into Chests
or Hogsheads, to preserve it from the Air, and so carried to Sea; for
then this Bread, when necessity requires, may be infused in warm Water
with a few Hops, and excited to the separation of its fæces, and it
will acquire the substance of Beer: But that which doth not pass into
the Liquor, nor become Beer, may be heat in a Kettle, and some Butter
put to it, which will very much comfort the languishing stomachs of
Seamen, as well, or better than the eating of Bread softened in Beer.
But in regard that bitter Potions are not agreeable to all Palates,
it may also be made into Beer without Hops, by mixing the bread with
good water only, and afterwards boiling it for the evaporating the more
phlegmatick part, which will have a pleasant taste. But this Bisket
also, or twice baked Bread, may be ground small in a Mill, and put up
close in Casks, and preserved on shipboard. Afterwards, when need shall
require, you may temper it with warm water, and in an open Hogshead
(which yet must have a bottom) suffer it to settle, and clear it self;
so the flower ascendeth upwards, and the water attracteth the sweet
liquor, and hence becometh excellent and wholsom Beer, which if it be
drawn out at the bottom of the Hogshead runneth as clear, as if it had
been made some Months; for there is now a separation made of the pure
part of the Bread, from the impure or gross, and when that which is
fine is drawn off, the gross part may also be drawn out of the Vessel,
which being boiled with butter, affords a singular pleasantness to the
taste; yea, also is of a greater salubrity, and better digestion in
the stomach, than Pease, Beans, or French Barley boiled: So that here
is nothing lost, Bread or Meal of this sort affording good Beer, and
also a wholsom Food to eat. And thus on shipboard one may at any time
of the year not only have good fresh Beer, but also thence may be made
good Vinegar. And this may suffice to have briefly taught the manner of
mitigating Hunger and Thirst by concentrated Corn.
I shall now treat of the Cure of Diseases, to which Seamen are liable,
and which often bring death.
Now, if you regard the Nature of Man, you shall generally find, that
he useth no measure or mediocrity in eating and drinking, but rather
puts down so much till his belly will hold no more. Which Vice one man
obtrudeth upon another, under the shew of kindness and good-will, from
an old custom and enormous abuse, although in this one offends more
than another. Therefore while the Appetite is more liberally indulged,
than admitteth of a good digestion, the Liver assumeth a Chyle which is
scarce half concocted: Whence also a gross blood is generated; and so
in process of time the Viscera are filled and obstructed with crass and
viscous humours; hence they cannot perform their office as they ought,
but rather many and divers Diseases do arise, according as the heap of
crudities encompass the Flesh covering the Joints, obstruct the Veins
and Nerves, and deprave all the _mediums_ of nourishment; therefore
when the Evil cometh to that pass, and grows prevalent, the whole body
is sensible of it, but chiefly in that place where it fixeth its seat:
And hence necessarily one part suffereth by the hurt of another, till
at length all the powers go to decay, and the whole body languisheth,
and cannot help it self, and unless succoured by Art, dyeth.
For these causes Physick was invented, that those Diseases arising from
intemperate eating and drinking, might be met in the way, the perverse
Enemy or primogenial Vice of the body be removed, the viscous and
phlegmatick _Saburra_ of the depraved humours dissolved and opened, and
the oppressed Members expurged, that so the body may again recover its
former healthful estate; the which is wont to be done by divers means,
and in various manners, according as the Physician understandeth the
Disease to be, so he also affords his help, _viz._ taking it away by
Evacuations upwards or downwards, by Sweat or Urine, or by other means,
as the nature of the Disease requireth. But by which way soever the
recrements of the malignity be dissipated and expelled, and the inward
parts be freed from them, it is well, and the Physician hath performed
his Office, also meriteth Thanks and a due Reward. Therefore whosoever
well understandeth the nature, rise, and birth of diseases, and also
possesseth a good Medicine, or can obtain one, is fitly qualified for
a Physician; but he who knoweth not the disease, nor is also furnished
with fit and efficacious Medicines, nor knoweth how to obtain them,
grievously erreth by trying Experiments so long, till the Evil more and
more encreasing, the Sick at length expires; the which is so well known
that it needeth no proof; so that many who have contracted diseases
from immoderate eating and drinking, are afraid to commit themselves
to an unskilful Physician, but chuse rather to cure themselves by
abstinence and fasting, which way is indeed safe, although it be
tedious and full of delay.
Others again use vulgar and trifling Medicines, and yet recover their
health, tho’ late, thinking that this happened by the use of their
Medicine, when nevertheless the length of time, and the sparingness
of their meat and drink, during their illness, whence the superfluous
pravity of humours hath gradually wasted, hath effected this; which
also sometimes happens to those who take no Physick; but by how much
the greater the pravity of the humours is, by so much the longer it
will be before Nature will be able without help to overcome and expel
them. The which, if it take 4, 5, or 6 weeks to accomplish, a Physician
(by the benefit of good Medicines) might effect it in 2 or 3 days. So
great is the difference between a Cure which Nature performeth in a
long time, and that which is quickly done by Art.
But here it may be objected, that all diseases take not their beginning
so much from an evil and superfluous humidity, as from manifold other
causes, one being derived from this, another from another cause. To
this I answer, that all those affects of the Body which exist in the
skin, and do not proceed from external accidents, as wounds, bruises,
falls, _&c._ whence the bruising of the body, and also Death, at length
happens, do draw their original from the intemperance of eating and
drinking, which administer occasion, and furnish matter to noxious
humours, which hence occupy and infect divers Members; for one part
affecteth another, till the whole body abounds, and is imbued with a
multitude of viscous humours. When the Stomach is over-gorged, and
its tone is spoiled, it contracteth cold crudities, and falls into a
dangerous estate, How then should it rightly digest the Food? and,
What good can it transmit to the Liver? And seeing the Liver receiveth
nothing but what is evil and depraved, What can that procreate of good,
and diffuse throughout the whole body? Therefore as I have said, one
Member must suffer by another, till the errour become common. Whilst a
Tree or an Herb in the ground remains temperate, that it be neither too
wet nor too dry, its root draweth from the earth virtue, and imparteth
it to the trunk, and the trunk to the branches, leaves, flowers, and
fruit, and is able to produce fruit conducible to health, for many
years. But if the root be ill placed, the Salt being ill disposed,
whatsoever the stock there finds, it associates to it self, and also
comnmunicateth the same, and no better to the branches: And if it stand
too wet, it brings forth an insalubrious Fruit, which by reason of too
much moisture, falleth off before it is ripe, in whose stead fungous
protuberances arising from putrefaction, spring up, and such Plants do
not endure long.
Again, if the Root stand too dry, it cannot thence have juice
sufficient to nourish the Tree, and bring forth Fruit, but will
by degrees wither away and die. So also it is with Men, and their
Diseases; for according as their Bodies are treated, they are healthful
and fruitful, or else diseasie. Now seeing that I have proved Diseases
from redundancy or humidity, or from driness, it will be easie to
provide preventive Remedies against them; or if any errour or delay
should happen in this, it may be amended in the curative part, by which
the Evil may be abolished. These are required to be of that nature and
property, that they attract the superfluous and pernicious humours
from all the Viscera and principal Internal Members of the whole Body,
into the Ventricle, conciliate a new concoction or digestion, separate
the pure from the impure, adjoin the one to the Liver, and eject
the other by Seige: And so the body is not only freed from depraved
burthensom humours, but also recovereth its strength, and is cured of
all Infirmities. Which manner of Curing, at this day, the more the
pity, is known but to few; seeing that it is not to be effected with
common Herbs, but somewhat better is required, than what the Philosophy
of old Women prescribeth: Nevertheless there is a great efficacy in
certain Simples; as may be seen in _Hellebore_ or _Helleboraster_, by
whose benefit the Ancients prolonged their lives, by the daily use of
a certain dose of it. Moreover, Tabaco where it cometh to maturity,
effecteth things to be admired, being rightly prepared and administred;
yea, even that which (being crude) is taken in Pipes, cooleth and
refresheth the body, and also in some measure relieves against Hunger
and Thirst; which common experience daily witnesseth. But whence this
Virtue happens, Tabaco-takers neither know nor care, but acquiesce,
in that they either receive pleasure or profit by it: Therefore, if
Tabaco, or any other vulgar Plant can perform so many and so great
things, being yet crude, without any preparation, What would not an
Extract or concentrated Essence of all the Vegetables do, being rightly
made? which nevertheless ought to be of that nature, that it may not
only dispel every heap of malignant humours, but also strengthen the
inward parts, and preserve from all things which may happen in the
generating of a Disease.
Such a Medicine is that which I here present to all those who
continually use the Seas, and besides the Scurvy, undergo many other
Diseases; by which they may not only efficaciously protect themselves
against the assaults of Distempers, and hinder their progress when
already began, but also under the present want of Meat and Drink, may
make sound an infirm body: But how, and from what Ingredients this
Euporist may be made and prepared, needs not to be manifested to every
one. This is a great Gift of God, which ought to be honoured, and not
prostituted to the Unworthy. Let it suffice at this time, that such a
Medicament may be obtained at a small price; I will not suffer it to be
buried with me, but will leave it to others, who may keep it, and sell
it to those who desire it at a reasonable rate.
This is given in form of an Electuary, and may be taken for a
Preservative, daily, or every second, third, or fourth day, as occasion
requireth, in the quantity of half or a whole Pease, upon an empty
stomach, fasting two hours after it, if need be, but if not, Food may
be taken presently after it, although it is better to abstain some
hours: But when a Disease hath already invaded a man, whether it be
_Fever_, _Scurvy_, _Headach_, _Catarrh_, or any other Disease infesting
Seamen, let the Patient forthwith swallow down of this Electuary the
magnitude of an ordinary Pease (for it hath no unpleasant taste) and
sweat if he can; if not, let him keep however a very moderate Dyet all
the day, and in Summer time, as much as he can, avoid the intense heat,
and in Winter, the extremity of Cold; the next day let him take the
quantity of a Pease or two, and so let him encrease or diminish the
dose, according to the state of the Disease. These things being well
observed, all Sicknesses will give place.
If a man carry with him but half an ounce of this Medicine to sea, in a
long Voyage, he will possess a _Panacea_, both for the preventing and
curing all Diseases incident to his body.
This is of very great use and profit especially for Masters of Ships,
to whom I also highly recommend it as such, and not to them only, but
also to all the Inhabitants of the Earth, to whom it promiseth no
less success. If a Medicine can be invented, (besides that universal
one of the Philosophers) accommodated to all diseases, truly this is
one, and will perform all, or even more than I have attributed to my
_Catholicon_ in the _Second Part of my Pharmac. Spagyr._ that is a
Powder, but this, of which I now discourse, an Electuary prepared of
certain good Ingredients and Sugar. I affirm again, That there is no
disease, whether internal or external, for the curing of which this
Medicine doth not suffice; for it doth not only resist the _Fever_,
_Scurvy_, and _Pox_, but even the _Gout_ and _Leprosy_ it self,
provided they be not too much fixed and radicated; yea, although
they be very inveterate, and cannot be throughly rooted out by this
Medicine, nevertheless it gives relief in them, and renders them more
tolerable, and hinders the accession of the daily fits, and keeps it
under. Certainly where this Medicine can yield no help, Nature must be
wholly ruined and tired out. What I have here written, is the Truth,
which I am able to prove by experience; however it is free for every
one to believe or not believe me, as he pleaseth: Christian Charity
to my Neighbour hath compelled me, if it be well taken, it is well,
if not, I have done my part, and discharged my Conscience. Nor will I
insist any farther on the praise of this _Panacea_, I have said enough
to those who believe, or can understand me.
And thus I have set before the whole World, that Medicament which can
preserve from, and cure the most grievous Diseases accompanying Ships
and Voyages, and also relieve in the extremity of Hunger.
This being done, there yet remains another Remedy whereby the Body
may be relieved, and refreshed in extremity of Thirst, when drink is
wanting; and this is done by Water concentrated, which is of so great
virtue, that it giveth such a refrigeration to a thirsty Palate, that
in the whole World there is not the like. Seeing therefore that in long
Voyages Water is often wanting, and putrefieth and stinketh, it will be
very necessary here to declare and shew, how Thirst may be restrained
and rendered tolerable in time of necessity. Then also how common Water
may be preserved from corruption; moreover, that one Tun may effect as
much for the quenching of Thirst, as otherwise 2 or 3 Tuns of common
Water can. Which is not only my saying, but the Truth it self; as I
will here prove by manifest testimonies: And this is to be done as I
have said, by Water concentrated and coagulated. But what that is, I
will first shew, and then by what means it is to be prepared and used.
To explain the genuine Property of concentrated Water to many, may seem
unnecessary, in regard that Seamen are not skilled in such discourses,
nor careful about them; and that they rather belong to Philosophers,
and the Contemplators of Nature, that they may render the knowledge of
them familiar to themselves: But this Treatise without doubt will come
into the hands of wise and experienced men, as well as into those who
use the Seas, and therefore perhaps I shall not lose my labour, if I
somewhat more exactly describe the nature of that water.
It is sufficiently evident to all those who have saluted but the
Thresholds of Nature, that the Omnipotent God, in the first Creation
of the World, hath separated the Elements from the rude _Chaos_, as
also the Elements from one another, placing the Earth in the bottom or
foundation of the Center, and over that the Water, over the Water the
Air, and over the Air the Fire; so that every of them holdeth its own
receptacle and seat, from whence, without the will of God, it cannot
recede. Nevertheless, we find that one alwaies participates of the
other, and none is found without another, although one be predominant
and visible; but the rest exist in it invisibly, and by the skill of an
Artist, may visibly be deduced from it. So from the Earth we elicite
Air, Water, and Fire; from the visible Water, natural Earth, Air, and
Fire; again, from the Air, Earth, Water, and Fire; and from the Fire,
Air, Water, and Earth. Hence the Elements are continually circulated
from one species into another, which indeed we do not observe or
perceive, and no Element can want an Element, but draweth its life and
nutriment from another. The Fire cannot burn without Air; the Fire
operateth upon the Water, and of it maketh Air; the Water resteth in
the Earth, and moisteneth the same; the Fire impregnateth the Air; the
Air insinuateth the Seed into the Earth; the Earth nourisheth and
cherisheth the Seed unto perfection, and afterwards bringeth to light
what it hath conceived, and carried in its belly.
These things are only hinted at by the way, and not without cause.
But to return to our concentrated water, that we may explain its
nature, know, that water is the _principium_ or beginning of all the
Elements; which thing is sufficiently manifest, and may be seen daily,
especially in the _subterranean_ Mines of Metals, whose inward bowels
are so penetrated, that there is not only water, but we also see it to
be quickly transmuted into various forms of Mineral Bodies, the which
without is familiar; and the more limpid or clear the water is, the
brighter Stones and purer Minerals it generateth: Of which you may read
more in that Treatise, [_The Second Part of the Mineral Work_] where I
have described the generation of Minerals; also that Flints and Sand,
in the Earth, Rivers, and Seas, receive their encrease from water, is
sufficiently manifest; for all sand was primitively water only, and
hath passed out of water into hard sand or stones, and into which it
may again be changed. But this is not to be used as a Remedy against
Thirst, because it is now too hard, and difficultly returneth to its
first matter, _viz._ Water, except by the benefit of another subject,
which is a _medium_ between Sand, Flints, Crystal, and common water,
_viz._ Salt, which hath an agreement with the nature both of common
water and that of stones, and may be easily changed into either of
them; as you shall hereafter hear. But this concentrated water, which I
here propose for the vanquishing of Thirst, and refreshing of the body,
is salt prepared and concentrated, either of the waters of Mountains,
or of the Sea, which are of the same goodness: Of which afterwards is
prepared by Art a water so excellent, that for repressing of Thirst
and refreshing a languid body, there is no Remedy in the world may be
compared to it.
Here some one ignorant of natural things may object, and say, How can
it be that Salt should repel Thirst, seeing that when it is eaten,
it exciteth and encreaseth the same? To this I answer, That common
salt, as it is first extracted or boiled, can in no wise restrain the
Appetite of drinking, but rather provoke it, except its pravity be
first corrected and depurated; for every salt seems to have laid aside
its nature and property, so long as it contains earthy and gross fæces,
which nevertheless may be removed from it by solution, filtration,
and coagulation; whence also it is bitter, astringent, and hard; but
this harshness and terrestreity being removed, the salt remaineth no
longer hard, but is reduced into a soft and fluid Liquor, not sweet,
but pleasantly acid, tasting like an Apple or the stones of Grapes. And
this purification must be made by the force of Fire, _viz._ when the
salt in destilling is sublimed in earthen Vessels, by strong Flames;
and then the purest and most noble part only ascendeth, and the more
gross and earthy remaineth in the bottom, and is of no use; but the
purer part is of great power and virtues, not only against Thirst,
but is also very necessary for many other things, as shall hereafter
be demonstrated. That otherwise in impure common salt a great Virtue
is latent, let no man doubt, seeing that it may be daily observed:
Wherefore that excellent Philosopher _Plato_ writeth, _That in salt
there is somewhat divine_; and according to the opinion of other great
and wise men, GOD hath openly manifested Himself in Fire and Salt, and
the ancient Philosophers were hence taught to prepare their _Universal
Medicine_; which Art of preparing they have called _Alchymy_, or _The
melting of Salt_; but I speak not this by experience, in regard that I
never yet durst attempt so great a Secret, being contented with smaller
things; but this I know, and have divers times done, _viz._ that by a
certain Artifice, I have precipitated from common Salt some corporeal
Gold, although without profit, and only to see the possibility, which
without those precipitations remaineth spiritual, and at length by them
obtaineth a corporeal substance.
Indeed the greatest Mystery of the whole World consisteth in Fire and
Salt, and with those two (after God) nothing may be compared; for
the Flame raiseth Light out of Darkness, which otherwise none but
God can do. It is also fit to restore life to the dead, no otherwise
than the warm Sun or Oven reviveth Worms, Frogs, Serpents, Flies, and
other Insects, which have been killed by the Cold; of which I have
made mention in the second part of my _Pharmacop. Spagyr._ as also in
_Miraculum Mundi_, and its _Explication_. Many men use Fire, yet know
not what they have or use: So also it happeneth with salt, all men use
it out of custom, but observe not what they taste. Salt is a thing of
great moment; by it we give strength to resist Corruption, both to the
living and the dead.
And so it is, that if men had not salt, or at the least those Plants
and Fruits, in which it dwells, they would putrefie while yet living.
Which would also happen to Cattel, if they did not eat Grass, which
contains in it self its own salt, and sufficeth them in feeding;
nevertheless if something better were given them with it, it would
be very profitable for them; for if to horned Beasts, as also Hogs,
some saltness were given with their meat and drink, they would thereby
acquire much strength and fatness.
Seeing therefore that Salt, whilst it is yet gross and rude, and
defiled with many impurities, performeth such things in living
Creatures, and preserveth Flesh and Fish, as also all Herbs and
Grass, long from Corruption; What could not such a salt do, which
by the help of Art hath received a greater purity than Nature hath
bestowed upon it? For the Fire containeth a power of correcting and
purifying salt, and converting it into a finer and better substance.
The common salts which we daily use, do indeed give a relish to all
Edibles, and preserve them from putrefaction; yet nevertheless they
dry, astringe, and bind the belly; also excite Thirst; but salt being
rectified and depurated, communicateth a sweet and grateful taste,
also more powerfully resisteth Corruption than the other, neither doth
it bind the belly, but keepeth it soluble, expelleth Urine; nor doth
it cause Thirst, but rather taketh it away both from the sick and
sound: So great a difference is there between the common and corrected
and depurated salt, which Rusticks little understand. The nature and
property of common salt is known to every one, as far as concerns the
Kitchin, but the rectified is known to few: And the Spirit of Salt,
which is in use in Apothecaries shops, and which they also sell, being
for the most part not rightly prepared, effecteth little, and therefore
not frequently used: But if it were made and rectified as it should be,
it would not only have a pleasanter taste, but also a better operation.
So many things bear Names which are not agreeable to the thing, and
therefore cannot perform what is expected from them.
The Ancients have ascribed great Virtues to Spirit of Salt in Medicine,
which it indeed hath, if after its destillation it be well rectified
and dephlegmed; but if it be administred so crude as it ascends the
first time, it may perhaps do more harm than good, inasmuch as a great
deal of terrestreity comes over with it, which in the rectifying
remaineth in the bottom of the Glass, as an insipid, bitter, or
astringent salt. And although this be well enough known to some,
nevertheless they abhor to rectifie their spirit, because the spirit
in rectification loseth a great part of its weight, by separating its
superfluities.
I taught, many years since, how to prepare the spirit of salt in
quantity, whose description is also exactly set down in the _first
and second part of my Furnaces_. It also demonstrateth its utility in
Metallicks; as manifestly appears in the _first part of my Mineral
Work_, where the manner of extracting Gold from Stones, by its help,
is taught. Altho’ the spirit for that work should be prepared after
another manner, than that which is to be used at Sea, or on shore, for
the curing Diseases or repressing of Thirst; wherefore I’ll first teach
the way of making this, and then also shew its Use.
As for the manner of anatomising Salt by Fire and Art, and transmuting
it into a pure and sweet spirit, it is various, for one useth this,
another way, as I also have taught divers waies, in the _first and
second part of my Furnaces_; but here I will appoint another, which is
the best and most commodious for the uses treated of in this Book, and
is thus to be performed.
Get some strong Retorts, made of good Earth (but Glass is better) fill
them with the following mixture of Salt and Earth, then according to
Art, destil thence a spirit gratefully acid, which duly rectifie,
and it will be prepared for Use. The salt is to be thus prepared for
destillation: fill a great Crucible with Sea-salt, which cover with
an earthen Cover, and by degrees put Fire about it of flaming Coals,
encreasing it, until the salt be all over red-hot; this being done,
presently remove it from the fire, and let it cool; by this means, if
any greasie sordes, or other combustible impurities, adhere to the
salt, they will be consumed and vanish. Dissolve the salt in common
water, filter or strain it through a fine close Linen Cloth, that
the fæces may be separated; the clear Liquor evaporate in an earthen
glazed Vessel, till the Cuticula appear, then make little balls of
clay and sand, about the bigness of Walnuts or Pigeons Eggs; dry them,
and heat them red-hot in an earthen Vessel, and so the fat spirit of
the Earth will be burnt away; then imbibe those balls with your strong
salt water, by letting them remain in it for some hours, that they may
drink in as much of it as they can, then take them out, and dry them:
With these fill your Retorts, and administer Fire by degrees, and at
length urge with the strongest flames, so long, till they emit no more
fume, for then all the spirit is come forth: The Receiver must be of
Glass, and very large, in whose bottom must also be a little water,
to attract and condense the spirit. The Destillation being finished,
the spirit is to be rectified by it self in a low Cucurbit in sand,
and first the water or phlegm will come over, (which you may keep for
another destillation) then the pure and sweet spirit will rise limpid
and clear, and an unpleasant salt will remain in the bottom, which is
to be cast away, and the spirit to be kept for the uses to be shewed
hereafter.
But if you desire to have the spirit yet more pure, and efficacious,
you may rectifie it again upon calcined or powdered Flints, which will
retain in the bottom whatsoever is yet gross or impure, and the spirit
will be rendered very pure and subtile; for the Flint at the first
was Water and Salt, and hence both contain in themselves so streight a
communion. This may be seen among the Glass-makers, who reduce Sand or
Flints into clearness by melting, that thence they may make pure Glass;
for Salt in the Fire dissolveth sand, Flint, Crystal, and together
with them receiveth the Essence of Glass; yea, and these very species
and matters, by the help of an _Alkaly_ Salt, are resolved into a
diaphanous Glass, which being put into common Water, melt like salt;
of which I have discoursed in the _Third Part of my Furnaces_. When
we destil the aforesaid rectified Spirit of Salt again from powdered
Flints, from the innate love which it hath to the Flints, it carrieth
some part of them upwards with it self, and is made better for use in
all Diseases, especially in the _Dropsie_, _Stone_, and _Gout_ it is an
excellent Medicine. The Flints remaining in the bottom, yield a water
which dissolveth the hardest Crystals, and is acid like the spirit of
Salt, and nothing else but part of it coagulated with them, and may be
administred in all cases as the Spirit of Salt.
Let no man wonder that I ascribe more to this Spirit rectified with
Flints, than to any other common spirit of salt; for few know what
Virtues are latent in flints or sand. All Birds and four-footed Animals
use sand. Many men administer the powder of Flints and Crystal, for the
corroborating of weak stomachs. Hens devour Sand and small Pebbles,
that they may thence have matter for their Eggshels, and being debarred
of it, lay Eggs without shells. Wherefore I affirm, That this spirit
of Salt, abstracted from flints, to be better in many Diseases than
the common spirit, and especially the Crystals, or spirit of salt
coagulated, of which we have above made mention.
Let this Suffice concerning the Preparation of spirit of salt. Now we
will also teach, how it is to be administred either at Sea or on Shore,
for the repelling of Thirst, and the Cure of Diseases: To what other
purposes the spirit of salt serves, besides Medicine, I have shewed
elsewhere; here my intention is only to signifie of what great use and
profit it may be in Voyages to Sea, which was the only occasion of
writing this Treatise.
_Of the Use of =Spirit of Salt= in Ships, against Thirst, and
also the Scurvy._
In the first place, this spirit is profitable to the body, when a small
quantity of it is put into the Hogsheads of Water, thereof Seamen
and Souldiers drink, to which it gives a grateful acidity, like that
of Wine, and is far more effectual in quenching of Thirst, and in
less quantity than other Water, and besides preserves the Water from
corruption and stinking, which otherwise in long Voyages it is wont
to suffer, contracting a muddiness, blackness, and breeding Worms,
which generate the _Scurvy_; for the Water containing the spirit of
salt, cannot corrupt; which spirit also preserveth other things, both
living and dead, from putrefaction. And because the water with the acid
spirit of salt extinguisheth Thirst more than any other, it necessarily
follows, that so great a quantity of water need not be carried for
a Voyage, as otherwise is usual. Moreover, seeing that the spirit
of salt resisteth all putrefaction, it suffereth not the _Scurvy_
to take root, for it refresheth and exhilarateth a man with great
vigour, corroborateth the stomach, and all the members of the body, it
consumeth pituitous matter in the Reins and Bladder, expelleth Urine
and Stone, keepeth the Belly soluble, promoteth digestion; it suffereth
no Disease to grow from corruption of the Blood, to which otherwise
Sea-faring men are subject: Moreover, it exerteth its salutiferous
Virtues, if a little of it be mingled with Wine and Beer, in Ships,
which will long preserve it in its goodness and sincerity, causing
it the better to repress Thirst, and therefore to go the farther in
use. Also Beef, Mutton, and Veal may by it be preserved a long time,
_viz._ if they be put into stone pots, and powdered or condited with
some salt, dissolved in the spirit of salt. Nevertheless it behoveth
that the Flesh be without many Bones, and that all the legs, shins, or
shanks be cut off. Moreover, a very small quantity of the spirit being
added to the water in which Fish is to be boiled, maketh the Fish eat
firm and close, and of a much solider relish than when sprinkled with
Vinegar. So also Raisins being put into water impregnated with spirit
of salt, will grow soft, and swell, and will recover their strength
and sweetness, as if they were fresh plucked from the Vine, which will
afford a great refreshment to those who frequent the Seas.
In a word, this spirit may commodiously be used, not only in Water,
Wine, or Beer, but also in all sorts of Food in Ships; for it giveth
a very pleasant taste to all meat and drink, and correcteth them so,
that they become more wholsom. It hath also another very profitable
use, _viz._ If in hot weather but one drop, or so small a part of the
coagulated spirit, as the magnitude of an Hempseed, be mixed with sugar
and held upon the Tongue; for it so cooleth the mouth, and allayeth
Thirst, that there will be no need of bad Water or Beer, by which the
body is more violated than corroborated, through drinking often and
much of them. Nor is this the least of its virtues, that when in a
long Voyage there is a want of water, a little more of the spirit of
salt may be put into it than will serve for a grateful acidity; for
so it will quench Thirst for a longer time, and in a less quantity
than otherwise a greater quantity of water can do. Yea, although the
Ship should be cast away, and the men forced to betake themselves to
their Boat, or broken pieces of the Ship, as it often happens, if they
have but an ounce of the spirit of salt in a Glass, or half so much of
it coagulated, in defect of Drink, they may sustain their lives and
health therewith so long, till it please God to afford them a means of
_getting_ to shore; nor will they be forced to drink their own Urine,
or Sea-water, which is pernicious.
These and the like Virtues the spirit of salt sheweth in Ships, which
for brevity sake, are not all declared.
I have also meditated how the _Sea-water_ may be made sweet and
drinkable by precipitation, which would be very desirable in want of
water: And so far I have _attained_, that I can precipitate a good
quantity of the salt from the water, which also becomes much sweeter,
but yet not so fully, but some saltness remains in it. Although in case
of necessity this water may be used in Ships for the boiling of Pease
and Beans, as also for the fermenting of _concentrated Corn_. What I
now know concerning this precipitation, I will make manifest for the
good of my Neighbour, and shew a good beginning how Sea-water may be
made fit to drink.
There is a certain kind of Mineral called _Mary’s Ice_; it is not the
_Muscovian_ Glass, as perhaps some may think, but another thing; when
it is heat red-hot in the fire, and so cast into Sea-water, it is
presently reduced to a tender and white powder; which being done, the
Water will be agitated and moved hither and thither; then the Powder
attracteth to it self part of the Salt from the Water, and settleth to
the bottom of the Vessel, and the Water groweth clear, which may be
poured out, and if this labour be once or twice repeated, the Water,
by this precipitation, will indeed be made sweeter, but not altogether
potable. Also the salt or solution of _Saturn_ dismisseth much of the
salt from Sea-water, yet by that it is not rendered drinkable. The best
way which I now know, is this which follows, but it is somewhat costly:
Nevertheless when necessity urgeth, sweet and good water profiteth
a man more than a Bond of an hundred pieces of Gold. Hence this Art
deserveth to be honoured, although it be costly; for a man ready to
die with Thirst would give all he hath for a draught of Water to save
his Life: Wherefore somewhat of this precipitation may be committed to
Ships, for their preservation, which may be used in great necessity,
but if no such be, it may be brought home again, and kept for another
Voyage, seeing that it will in no wise decay, but be as good after an
hundred years, as the first day of its preparation.
But what this is, there is no need openly to divulge, but he who
desireth it, may come to me and have it: But for the information of
those who are skilful in _Chymistry_, I will intimate this; That the
precipitation of Salt from Water, is necessarily to be performed by a
singular sand, which doth not only drive salt downwards, but also all
Phlegm, Sordes, and Impurities; so that although the water should be
like to a Fen or Dunghill in filth and stink, by the benefit of this
precipitation, in a few hours, it should become like clear Fountain
water, because the evil odour and taste would also be precipitated.
The same may be done in all Waters, how nasty and muddy soever, and
not only in Waters, but also in all potable Liquors, as Wine and Beer,
although the Wine were red, seeing that the precipitation casteth to
the bottom all muddiness, colour, and stink. And hence not only those
Liquors, which are changed red by corruption, or other accident, but
also Crystals, which are red by nature, may be reduced to a perspicuous
clarity; which is a thing very profitable for Vintners; for otherwise
the Sea-waters become sweet when they are carried far through common
sand, which imbibeth their salt; for those two have a mutual communion
and communication, seeing that both are generated of Water; hence also,
by the fire, they are resolved into a dry Water, or pellucid Glass.
Whence any man knowing in the nature of things, may apprehend, that
this precipitation of Sea-water is built upon a foundation agreeable to
Nature.
My _Alexipharmac_, or Mineral-Electuary, before mentioned, as also the
Spirit and Crystals of Salt, may be administred, as well at Land as on
Sea, against the _Scurvy_, _Fevers_, and other Diseases.
And although in the _Second Part of my_ Pharmacop. I have already
described a certain Mineral Remedy, under the Title of a _Panacea_,
and commended it against all Diseases, by which admirable Cures are
e’ry where done, yet I prefer my Mineral Electuary before that, because
it is more accommodated to use, seeing that when need requires, it
may be taken out of a Box with a Knife only; neither is there need
of any Vehicle, as Wine, Beer, or others, which are necessary to be
used with the _Panacea_; neither is there need of weighing it, but
may be proportioned by the Eye, according to the age and strength of
the sick. Those who are of full age and strength, may take as much of
the Electuary upon a fasting stomach as will equal the magnitude of a
Pease, and fast some hours after it, if time and opportunity permit;
also let the Patient avoid the cold Air, and the heat of the Sun in
hot seasons. It is to be taken twice, four times, or oftner, in a
week, according to the necessity of the sick, to which it must also be
proportioned by encreasing or diminishing the Dose; for if one grain
should not work, the Patient may take two, ascending to 3 or 4, if need
be. When a small Dose is administred, it works insensibly; if a little
more, then it worketh by stool, and sometimes by vomit, when it findeth
diseasie matter in the stomach; if it findeth depraved salt humours, it
casteth them out by sweat, spitting, or urine, and throughly purgeth
the body from every evil. In brief, I say, it greatly purifieth the
Blood, openeth all obstructions of the internal principal members, as
the _Liver_, _Spleen_, and _Lungs_, beyond all _Phlegmagogues_: It
hindereth the growth of all _Apostemations_ both within and without
the body; it consumeth _Fluxes_ and _Catarrhs_, which fall upon the
Eyes, Ears, and Teeth; it exterminateth the venereal _Pox_ in a
short time; it also cureth the _Dropsie_, _Leprosie_, _Gout_, and
_Falling-sickness_, both in old and young; expelleth the _Stone_ both
of the _Kidneys_ and _Bladder_; cureth all sorts of _Fevers_; and
lastly, it healeth all inward and outward _Wounds_ and _Ulcers_, being
taken inwardly, and a due Diet observed.
This is a safe and approved Medicine in the cure of all curable
diseases, nor doth it fail to help in inveterate affects, _viz._ when
a disease hath been long growing, and is now firmly rooted and fixed,
that it cannot be totally expelled, as the _Gout_ and _Stone_, yet then
this Medicine mitigateth the pain, and maketh the Fits slower and more
tolerable, and suffereth not the _Disease_ to encrease, but to be more
and more abated and diminished. It cures all _Scabs_ and _Ringworms_,
or _Tetters_, proceeding from an impure Blood and Liver, only by taking
it inwardly, without any outward unctions. What shall I say more? This
Medicine cannot be sufficiently praised, seeing that it operateth
universally against all the diseases both of Men and Beasts: But I must
forbear, for if I should shew all its Virtues, this Treatise would
swell to too great a bulk.
In _Maritime_ Towns, and other places where the _Scurvy_ is regnant, a
better Medicine than this cannot be found, for it removeth all pravity
of Humours, from which such diseases proceed; it preserveth from the
_Plague_, and other Contagions, and happily cureth their Infections;
it strengtheneth the Memory, Heart, and Brain; preserveth from the
_Palsie_ and its Concomitants: In time it restoreth those who have
their Members contracted, and their Nerves repressed and immovable,
after the being anointed with Mercury, for the cure of the _Pox_. He
that will take it every week or once in 3 or 4 weeks as a preservative,
shall not have the _Tooth-ach_, nor shall his Ears be troubled with
ringing or other noises, nor shall his Eyes be troubled with sharp
Rheums; but by the benefit of this, those continual inveterate
Corroders of the Body, _Catarrh_, _Fistula_, _Cancer_, and other almost
incurable symptoms, are throughly cured.
Hence both Rich and Poor, and those especially who go long Voyages
to Sea, and want Physicians, ought to esteem this _Alexipharmac_,
and provide themselves with it against a time of necessity. If any
man carries with him half an ounce of it, it will be sufficient for
preservation and curation for more than a year, in many diseases. If
a Ship going to the _East_ or _West Indies_, carry with them half a
pound of it, they may save the Lives of many men; one of which is of
ten times more value than the price of the Medicine, by help of which
the lives and health of many Hundreds of Men may be preserved, and
being sick, may be reduced to their former health.
Now it is farther necessary to describe the Virtues which the Spirit
of Salt sheweth on Shore; for that which is profitable to the sick
on shipboard, is not hurtful for those who dwell at Land: For this
spirit may be used in all Houses in their usual drink, as Beer or Wine,
especially in these moist Regions, where the Scurvy commonly reigneth;
so that there is scarcely an House to be found, in which there is not
one at the least infected with this Disease; for the drink is hereby
made clear, so that it well dilateth the Urinary passages, moreover
hindereth the growing of the stone in the Kidnys and Bladder; it also
gives a pleasant taste to the Wine, removeth its superfluous Tartar
and precipitateth it to the bottom, so that _Spanish_ and _French_
Wine acquire a clearness like to _Rhenish_ wine. In Summer time, after
Liquors have once wrought, it suffereth them not to fret, grow mucous,
or work again, but keepeth them from many Accidents. _French_ Wines,
as sold in many places, have neither odour nor taste, but good Wine is
endowed both with a Vinous relish, and a grateful odour; and when these
are wanting, the name agrees not with the thing. But the Spirit of
Salt, with the Essence of Wine, conciliates to _French_ wine the smell,
taste, and colour of _Rhenish_ wine. Hence also being so meliorated, it
will, like _Rhenish_, keep many years, which otherwise will hardly hold
good two years. Moreover, by the spirit of salt that quality may be
taken away from Honey, which renders its taste somewhat ungrateful, and
its hidden Impurities may be precipitated, so that an excellent wholsom
drink may be made of it. Which is a famous Art to be used in those
places where there is no wine; for when Honey is well depurated, and
the unpleasant taste taken from it, it becomes as a comforting Balsam
to Man; as that old Souldier had experienced, whom _Alexander_ asked
what he had used to prolong his Life to so great an Age, he answered,
That inwardly he had used Honey, and outwardly Oil. And it is evident
to many, that there is a great virtue in Honey, but by reason of the
unpleasant taste, it is loathed; which yet is removed by the spirit of
salt, so that a drink prepared of such pure Honey, is as wholsom as
the best wine: which hath also this benefit, that every Housekeeper
may have this drink at his Table, at any time of the year. This honied
Nectar also holdeth good many years, after the manner of the best
_Rhenish_ wine, and is made for a small charge, and will be a great
comfort to those who are not able to go to the price of wine. Moreover,
every one may make his own drink as strong and as sweet as he pleaseth;
which is the principal head of the Art, to take away the ungrateful
taste from the Honey, which being removed by the spirit of salt, the
drink will become clear, to which you may add a little _French_ or
_Rhenish_ wine for taste sake. You may thence also make good Beer,
which will hold its goodness 10 or 20 years, or more, _viz._ if instead
of common water you take the water of Hops, to dissolve the purified
Honey, to which (if you please) you may give divers tasts, by putting
into it divers Herbs, as is wont to be done in wine and beer. But this
you are especially to regard, That for this business you do not use
unrectified spirit of salt, for such would spoil the taste, and corrupt
the drink, but alwaies take that which is well rectify’d, which I have
sufficiently taught the manner of doing of, both in this Treatise, and
divers other places of my Writings.
NB. There is no need to put the spirit into a Vessel of Wine or Beer,
but it sufficeth to keep it in a small glass, and as often as you have
occasion to put some drops of it into a Bottle of Wine or Beer, and so
to drink of it. Every one therefore may make his drink as he will, by
putting in more or less of the spirit, according to his Palate; which
doth not only serve to make the wine and beer clear and diuretick, but
may also be used in Fountain-water, in hot weather, for the allaying
of wine: For if some drops of it be put into a bottle of water, it
giveth it a grateful acidity, not much unlike to the natural Mineral
acid waters, and in hot weather allayeth the over-great heat of the
Blood, and quencheth Thirst, so that there is no need of burdening the
stomach with much wine or beer. Also all those drinks, as wine, beer,
and water, which are mingled with the well-rectified spirit of salt,
are far wholsomer than other ordinary drinks. If a little pure Steel
be dissolved in spirit of Salt, and then put to fair water, it will
have almost the same taste with the _Spaw_-water, and if some quantity
of it be drank, it looseth the belly, and evacuateth black Excrements,
whence a man grows lively and vigorous, as if he had drank of the
_Spaw_-waters.
And this benefit may accrue by it to all Travellers, who carrying with
them a little spirit of salt in a glass, may at all times, and in all
places, correct and amend their beer or wine in their Tuns, and give
it a better relish: But because this spirit is more liable to be lost
in a liquid form by any accident befalling the glass, therefore being
coagulated into a dry form, it may be more commodiously carried about
in a Paper or Box, of which the magnitude of a small Pease drank in one
cup of water, quencheth Thirst better than a great quantity of water
alone. This spirit or salt will be serviceable to men of all sorts,
but to none more than to Seamen or Souldiers, in war-like expeditions,
of which sometimes more die through want of water, than by the sword,
who also for the most part contract their Diseases from the filths in
Ships, which might easily be prevented. What will it profit a Captain
of a Man of War, or the Commander of a Merchant-ship to have many men
for his defence and service, if they are disabled by a Disease? Were
it not then better to use all diligence to preserve their health, and
to restore it when lost? Which may be done with small Labour and Cost.
A General brings an Army some time into the Field, of 10, 20, or 30
Thousand Men, and seeing that those observe no due order in eating and
drinking, and being destitute of Medicines, if the _Plague_, _Fever_,
or _Bloody-Flux_ comes among them, they drop off one after another
like Flies in Winter; when notwithstanding they might be succoured and
helped in those Diseases by my Electuary, [_This Electuary I think
to be the =Panacea Antimonij= made up with Sugar._] Salt of Salt, or
Spirit of Salt, inspissated or thickened with Sugar. The spirit of salt
hath alwaies been highly esteemed, both by ancient & modern Physicians,
for its great virtues which it sheweth both inwardly & outwardly;
besides which, it is of great use in other Arts, as I have shewed in
the _first and second Part of my Furnaces_. And that the Reader may
see that I am not singular in what I have ascribed to the spirit of
salt, I will here set down the Experience of that no less learned than
famous Physician _Conradus Kunrath_; of the spirit of salt, as he hath
expressed it in his _Medulla Destillatoria_, printed at _Hamburgh_,
_Anno_ 1638. in these words, _Part_ 1. _pag._ 59.
The Great and Effectual Operations which are attributed to the
Spirit or Oil of _SALT_.
_The Spirit or Oil of Salt is not of so acrimonious a taste, as Salt
commonly is: Nor hath it so great an acidity as the Spirit of Vitriol,
but it tasteth almost like the juice of wild Apples, with somewhat of
sweetness intermixt. It discusseth, dissolveth, consumeth, and dryeth,
yet it doth not heat too much, but hath a temperate nature, mitigating
and comforting the natural heat, which it also encreaseth, and
dispelleth all things contrary to Nature, preserveth the state of sound
humours unhurt, especially profitable for those who are phlegmatick,
whose viscous =Saburra= of humidities it consumeth, taketh away
=Catarrhs= which fall from the Head, and preserveth from all Diseases
which arise from a noxious Pituity, Mucor, and Fluxes. Yea, those who
use labour and study, shall perceive their Strength to be restored by
it, and as it were renewed._
_Experience, the Mistris of things, witnesseth, That it is a present
Remedy against the =Falling-sickness=, being administred in good
=Aqua-vitæ=: Against the =Apoplexy=, =Palsie=, or =loss of Speech=;
as also the trembling and beating of the Heart, and all dejections of
Mind; as also in the time of the =Plague=, or in any infectious Air, it
may be administred with profit, by mixing half an ounce of the Spirit
or Oil of Salt with two ounces of the Juice of Violets, and as much of
the Electuary of Juniper-berries, in a Stone or Glass Mortar, and the
Patient taking the quantity of a Filberd in the morning upon an empty
stomach._
_This Compound-Medicine being given to Women with Child, facilitateth
the Birth, and is highly profitable against various symptoms of Women
in Child-bed, without any danger. If any desire to preserve their
native heat, let them often use this =Alexipharmack=._
_Whoever is burdened with superfluous moisture, let him take this
Spirit or Oil of Salt daily, in Wine or some other Vehicle._
_In Coldness, and continual Fluxes, which stop up the Breast, it
conduceth much, and taketh away inveterate Coughs and grievous
=Asthma’s=, which are stirred up by those Fluxes. It dissolveth,
consumeth, and dissipateth depraved humours, collected and indurated
in the stomach: and although of it self it communicateth little
nourishment, yet it excites the Stomach to a good Appetite, and
disposeth the Meat to a good digestion and passage through the body._
_It helpeth in the Tartarous and indurated =Obstructions of the Liver
and Spleen=, which it openeth and relieveth, and hence removeth and
taketh away the =Jaundice=, =Dropsie=, =Hypocondriack Melancholy=, and
pains and affects of the =Ribs= and =Viscera=, and also whatsoever
ariseth from Wind and Flatulency, and other symptomes proceeding from
the said causes, it especially absumeth the =Anasarca=, or Water under
the skin, and throughly removeth watery Tumours in the Genital Members
or Legs, which for the most part happen to those who are Hydropical,
Phthisical, or labour under a Distemper of the Liver. It also taketh
away the great Thirst in those, which otherwise in this kind of
diseases doth not lightly afflict, so that the Patient shall have no
desire of drinking, but may remain some daies without. The same is also
a Remedy against all putrid =Fevers=._
_In tormenting Pains of the Belly, and =Cholick=, which are excited by
the viscosity of humours, or intemperature of flatulency, or force of
cold, and a dense and tough Phlegm driven into the Intestines; this
spirit resolveth and consumeth, and so openeth the stopt passages of
the Bowels, and looseneth the Belly, that it easeth the Iliack pains,
whether it be taken at the mouth, or administred Clysterwise. In
the =Lientery=, =Dysentery=, or =Hæmorrhage=, it is to be given in
Clysters; in like manner in =Nephritick= Diseases, and the dolorous
=Stone in the Bladder=, which it dispelleth and exterminateth._
_In =Ruptures=, as the =Hernia= and =Enterocele=, let some drops be
given daily in good Wine; let the Tumour of the =Scrotum= be also often
anointed with this Spirit or Oil, and cherished by a fit Truss, or some
other bandage, and in a few daies the sick will recover his former
health._
_It killeth all =Worms= in the Body, casteth them out, and prohibits
their breeding again._
_It is a most effectual preservative against the contagion of the
=Plague=; and also is very conducible to those who are already
infected. It also wonderfully profiteth such as have eaten Poisonous
Mushrooms or Opium, as also those who are hurt by Serpents, Vipers,
Spiders, and the like venomous Insects, it is accommodated both to
inward and outward use, because it consumeth virulent humidities. For
the stinging of Wasps and Hornets, it is to be applied topically._
_For fat Women, and those who are troubled with impurities of the
Matrix, from a superfluous phlegmatic humour, it is very profitable;
for by the benefit of it, every redundancy and incommodity of Phlegm is
purified, consumed, and dried up, so that the seed may more easily rest
in the Womb, and fertility be greatly promoted._
_In protuberant Excrescencies of the Eyes, =Films=, =Cataracts=,
=Blisters=, =Pustles=, or =Spots=, =Dimness= or =Darkness of sight=,
it is to be used in a good Collyry, or other commodious Vehicle. In
=Blows=, =Bruises=, or =Falls=, when the Blood is congealed, (which
we call black and blue) in the Eyes or Face, let a bit of a Sponge or
Lint be wetted with the Spirit or Oil of Salt, and applied to the place
affected; or else dissolve in the same a little red Myrrh, and with the
Dissolution mix a little Honey, and anoint with it. It driveth away
noise and pain of the Ears, also when the Ears send forth an ulcerous
and purulent matter, the same Medicine may be administred with an happy
success. And in these Symptoms it is to be mixed with Wine-Vinegar, and
dropped into the Ears, and rubbed upon the diseased parts._
_In the =Thrush=, and other sore mouths of sucking Children, also
in the glandular or kernelly Swellings of the Neck, foulness of the
Tongue, swelled and rotten Gums, =Scurvy= in the Mouth, =Tooth-ach=,
superfluous humours and filths adhering to the Teeth and Gums, this
Spirit or Oil of Salt is an excellent Remedy; as also in preserving
from those Evils, it is to be conjoined with clarified Honey, and the
Mouth, or parts affected in it, to be anointed therewith. Against the
evil Affects and Ulcers of Womens Breasts, some linen rags are to be
humected with the Spirit or Oil of Salt, and they will be quickly
healed. The moist =Itch=, =Tetters=, =Ringworms=, and other contagious
Affects of the Skin, are happily cured by both the inward and outward
use of this Spirit. =Ulcers= and fungous =Tumours= in the Venereal
Disease, or others, if we would bring them to a suppuration, the Oil
of Salt will effect it, being applied either alone, or mixed with
other convenient Remedies. For the healing of venomous Ulcers, which
pierce the Bone it self, as also all virulent Apostems, the Spirit or
Oil of Salt is to be mixed with White-wine, and Barley-Flour, into the
consistency of a Plaster, which is to be applied to the Sore._
_Also in cancerous, eating, and spreading Ulcers, it is very
profitable, being mixed with the juice of Rhue, and aptly applied._
_That I may summarily express its use both inwardly and outwardly, it
resisteth all fluid and corroding Vices, and layeth the foundation of
their Cure. In luxated, shortened, or contracted members and joints,
it affordeth present help, being used alone, or joined with fit
fomentations or Epithems._
_In the taking away of =Warts=, this Spirit is to be mixed with the
juice of Marigolds, and applied to them: It also taketh away Corns, if
after they are softened with warm water, they be well cut and anointed
with this Oil. In the =Erysipelas=, St. =Anthony’s= fire, this being
mixed with Elder-Vinegar, and applied, is of great virtue._
_The Hands or Feet being corrupted or chapt by Cold, are recovered by
the benefit of this Medicine. This Spirit or Oil greatly conduceth
to help the weariness and weakness of the Feet and other Members,
restoring to them their strength and vigour, if they be well bathed
therewith before the fire._
_Moreover, in the dolorous =Gout= it is a famous Remedy, and a
profitable =Anodine= for allaying the pain, if besides its internal
use it be also applied topically: For to this our Medicine are to be
joined Oil of Turpentine, Oil of Wax, Oil of Camomile, or also Oil of
Cowslips, with which the parts affected are to be well anointed. But
where the members are contracted by =Fluxions= and =Catarrhs=, fit
Fomentations are also to be used, and besides our Oil or Spirit, the
dulcified Oil of Vitriol, and pure Oil of Turpentine, are to be mixed
together, and the parts to be therewith anointed before the fire.
And hence the Nerves and Joints are so comforted, that they will not
so easily admit such Fluxions again. Also if there be =Tophes= or
=Nodes= in the Joints, they will be discussed beyond belief; being duly
anointed with this Oil, mixed with the dulcified Oil of Vitriol._
_It is also used with great profit both inwardly and outwardly, against
the =Cramp= and =Convulsion of the Nerves= by Cold._
_In external Wounds and Symptoms there often happens a Putretude, and
also proud Flesh sometimes starteth up, and causeth great pain. These
Protuberances being anointed with this Oil or Spirit, are presently
dissolved and consumed, and also preserved from future corruptions._
_In brief, this is a most excellent Medicine, overcoming many Diseases.
Moreover, the Reader is to know, that this spirit or Oil of Salt,
(besides those Virtues which I have declared) if it be diligently
prepared, and rightly prescribed, may be used for the preparing of many
excellent and precious things in the Chymical Art; for it dissolveth
Gold, Gemms, and other Stones, Pearls, Corals, =&c.= so that they are
reduced into excellent Medicines, in a liquid or potable form, highly
useful for Mankind: But how those Processes are to be instituted, I
shall here pretermit, But he that hath drawn a good foundation of
working from that information which my =Medulla Destillatoria= hath
faithfully propounded, let him weigh the matter with an accurate mind,
and put his hand to the Work, there is nothing in it so tedious, but he
will easily conceive; moreover, let him associate himself with honest,
sincere, and skilful Artists, and take their counsel, then he will find
out many Secrets of Nature, and singular Arcana’s, and will see that
his care and diligence hath not been in vain: Then let him use that
Experience to the Glory of God, and the help of his needy Neighbour._
The Virtues or most efficacious Operations of the _Spirit_ or _Oil
of Salt_, in which Gold is rightly dissolved, according to Art;
or, when it shall be made an _Aurum Potabile_.
_Philosophers and Physicians, endowed with the great Exercise and
Knowledge of Things, have attributed to the Spirit or Oil of Salt,
in which Gold is rightly dissolved, or the =Aurum Potabile= made
with it, very great operations in the body of Man, inasmuch as in
all Diseases and Infirmities, of what name soever, it giveth present
help, and in all dejections of the vital spirit, although they tend
to the fatal period, it giveth such relief, that life and vigour may
be yet somewhat farther protracted, if two, three, or four drops be
administred as occasion shall serve in a good =Aqua vitæ= or Cordial
Water. In like manner, if three drops be administred once a week in
generous Wine, or =Aqua vitæ=, or other fit Vehicle, it renovateth a
man, makes him youthful, changeth gray Hairs, produceth new Nails, and
Skin, preserveth from various and diverse symptoms of Diseases, and
preserveth the body in such a state, even to the prefixed hour of the
Divine appointment._
These are the very words of that famous Philosopher and Chymical
Physician _Conradus Kunrath_, in his _Medulla Destillatoria_; as the
Reader may there see.
Now any may easily conjecture, that although this learned man had found
out many things, yet that he knew not all, but what was known to him,
that he divulged. But that as yet more might be done by that Spirit
or Oil of Salt, than what he had set down, easily appeareth from that
which he sheweth at the end, concerning the Oil or Liquor of Gold,
prepared by the Spirit of Salt, which words are Truth it self, and much
more may be done by the benefit of that solution. He hath written what
Experience hath taught him, the rest he hath left to the study and
searches of others.
Seeing therefore that I also (not to speak boastingly) have often
handled Furnaces and Coals, and among others, have found this Liquor
of Gold or _Aurum Potabile_, made with Oil of Salt, to be of great
virtue, and knowing its great use, power, and virtue by experience, I
will describe it in an open stile, lest so noble a Medicine should be
buried. Such a Liquor of Gold as is here mentioned, is compounded of
the purest Sol, and the most highly rectified and again concentrated
Spirit of Salt: The Sol is to be first melted, and throughly purged
with Antimony, then to be dissolved in _Aqua Regia_, and precipitated
with ☿, to be edulcorated and brought into a subtile Calx, which must
be heat red-hot (to free it from the ☿) and then dissolved in strong
and well-prepared Oil of Salt; being dissolved, abstract part of the
spirit of salt from it, and a very yellow Liquor of Gold will remain
at the bottom, which yet is not, fit for use alone, seeing that the
Oil of Salt containeth too much Acrimony; therefore a drop of it is to
be mixed with a spoonful of Beer, Wine, or warm Broth, before it be
administred to weaken the spirit of salt; but if any desire to have it
sweeter, instead of Wine, Beer, or Broth, it may be mixed with melted
Sugar, or syrup of Roses. The Dose for a man of ripe age, is two or
three drops, which if he shall perceive not to operate sufficiently,
he may encrease to three or four drops, so long, till he shall find
an evident operation, which appearing, let him encrease the Dose no
longer, but rather diminish it a drop; and when the Oil of Gold rightly
performeth its operations, these signs will appear: In the first use,
a certain loathing or nauseousness of the stomach, will be perceived,
when the Oil of Gold findeth there a vitious pituity, and endeavouring
to expel it, driveth it downwards, and ejecteth it by stool. 2. The
Excrements are as black as a Coal, and during the use of the Medicine,
the sick maketh a discharge by stools at least twice, sometimes three
or four times, without any impediment or sence of necessity, as is
wont to be in the working of Purges. The Urine will also be thick and
turbid, because the Medicine dissolveth the Tartar and Phlegm in the
Reins and Bladder, and by degrees expelleth it. NB. That by the black
Excrements, it is manifest, that Gold may be radically dissolved in
the stomach of a Man, which some think to be impossible. The humane
stomach hath a greater power in the destruction of things than the
strongest fire, as may be here seen by the Gold: Yea, all things which
are eaten or drank, in the space of 24 hours, it throughly dissolved
and transmuteth into a new form of Excrements.
If the stomach of a man can effect such things, why not Art also? Yea,
hence it is expresly proved, that the colours of Gold, at length, when
it is radically dissolved and destroyed, do appear, and may be known,
seeing that in Colours Blackness hath as it were the first and chief
place, and containeth all others hidden and concentrated under it.
NB. That these black Excrements should not be cast away, but the
radically-dissolved Gold ought to be separated from them, with which
perhaps some great thing may be effected.
I some time since administred this Oil of Gold, for eight or ten daies
successively, to a certain Infant, for the freeing his body from
Mercury, which had been imprudently given him for the Worms; I ordered
the Excrements to be saved, for some Experiment, which nevertheless,
because they stood long and bred Worms, I could not use, but commanded
them to be put to the Roots of a young Vine, which had not yet born
Grapes, being but of two years growth, which produced a small Grape
with large stones, which had golden spots like Stars, admirable to
behold. This Example is worthy of a profound consideration. It also
seems to me, that the Urine of those who continually use the aforesaid
golden Liquor should be auriferous, although it appear not in the
colour. The thing is out of doubt, seeing that men, in the use of the
said Medicine, attract only a certain hidden virtue from the Gold, and
again send the rest forth of the body, that that Gold is better than
other common Gold: The Benignity of the Divine Being hath disposed and
ordained every thing in the World for the best.
Seeing that in the Stomach of Man or Beast the Food is destroyed
and putrefied, Nature taking a little from it only for nourishment
sake, casteth out the rest by siege, which yet is not of so abject a
condition, as to want its virtues? for if these Excrements be mixed
with any Earth, moistened with Rain-water, and exposed to the open Air,
there will thence spring forth divers Herbs, without the addition of
any seed; but if the seed of any Herb be adjoined, then is also brought
forth fruit of the same substance and quality; so that these Excrements
may degenerate, and be converted into whatsoever Fruits we will: From
which Fountain the multiplication of Herbs and Metals may perhaps take
its original. Therefore it is necessary, that Putrefaction should go
before Multiplication; which our Saviour himself told his Disciples,
saying, _Except a grain of Wheat shall fall into the Earth, and die,
it remaineth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit_. The
Axiom of Philosophers is, _Where Nature endeth, and leaveth the Work
imperfect, there Art ought to begin_. But the manner of proceeding
farther they have involved in silence. Nature from the beginning hath
sublimed a Mineral _Ens_, or first matter of Metals, as much as it
could, and brought it to the royal seat, or highest perfection: Art
hath destroyed the most perfect body of Gold by corrosives, and being
destroyed, hath again dissolved it in the body of Man: But if any know
the manner of proceeding farther with it, he may easily reduce that
Essence of the dissolved Gold into a better, and multiply it: But I
would not have this taken for an Oracle, seeing these are only my
Cogitations.
The Use of this Medicine is to be continued till the body is freed from
all ill Symptoms; nor are any other Remedies to be intermixed with it,
that its operation may not be hindered: But before this Medicine be
administred, a Dose or two of my _Panacea_ ought to be given, (of which
the _Second part_ of my _Pharmacop._ treateth) for then its effects are
to be admired.
This Oil of Gold, or _Aurum Potabile_, is of much greater force in
all those Diseases, in which the simple spirit of salt is conducible,
because the Oil of salt hath double the strength of the spirit, and
also diffuseth its virtues much better, by reason of the Gold which is
anatomized in it; the which, because it is of a hot and dry property,
agreeth very well with the Oil of salt, whose nature is hot and moist:
and hence it effectually resisteth all Corruption which may arise in
the humane body.
[Sidenote: Spirit of Salt, a Remedy against Drunkenness.]
Besides, the Virtues which the spirit of salt, and especially the Oil
of Gold prepared with it, manifest both within and without the body; it
is an egregious preservative against Drunkenness, which is the root of
many Diseases, and the gate by which many evils enter: For strong Wine
or stale Beer being drank, suffer nothing in the stomach, because it
cannot restrain their subtile spirit, which presently flieth up into
the Head, and disordereth and confoundeth all the senses. But if in the
drinking, a little spirit of salt be mixed with the Wine, it openeth
the Orifice of the stomach, and suffers not the spirits to fly upward,
but restraineth and bindeth them, also mitigateth and represseth
that unnatural Thirst, which otherwise the Wine causeth in excessive
drinkings: Nor doth the Wine, which is mixed with spirit of salt, so
easily hurt the Liver; for as the spirit of wine heats and inflames the
Liver, so the spirit of salt corrects and cools it. Add that the spirit
of salt permits not the liquor to lie lurking in the stomach, but
presently casteth it out by Urine: and the sooner the superfluous Wine
is cast out of the body, the less hurt it can do. But this is to be
understood of the spirit of salt well rectified, and subtilly prepared.
In short, I might sooner want Paper to write, than matter to express
what good the spirit of salt coagulated can do, being taken in drink;
I have said enough for the present; in my _Vegetable Work_ I will more
fully discourse of this matter, in which I now acquiesce. Whatsoever I
have here written of a Medicine against all Sea-faring Diseases, and of
the concentration of Corn and Water, against Hunger and Thirst; as also
of the most efficacious use of Spirit of Salt, against Drunkenness,
and of the melioration of Wine, Beer, Water, and other Drinks, is
built upon the pure foundation of Truth, which Experience it self will
sufficiently testifie; with which I put an End to this Discourse.
A True and Perfect
DESCRIPTION
OF
Extracting good TARTAR
FROM THE
Lees of Wine,
And that after a Plentiful Manner.
_To the most Reverend =PRINCE JOHN PHILIP=, Lord Arch-Bishop of
=Moguntina=, High Chancellor of the Empire, and Elector, Bishop
of =Herbipolensis=, Duke of =Franconia=, &c. my most Honoured
Lord._
I presume, you remember (most Reverend and Noble Lord Arch-Bishop and
Elector) that about Two Years since, I crav’d Your Lordship’s Licence,
to Extract _Tartar_ from the Lees of Wine; which your Highness was
pleased to grant me. From which Work, seeing I have been hitherto
hindered by the multiplicity of other business, and the great Waste
and Loss which is daily sustain’d in the Electorate of _Moguntina_,
and Bishoprick of _Herbipolensis_, proceeding from the ignorance
of the Lees, daily troubles me; I have determined to dedicate this
gainful _Extraction of Tartar from the Lees of Wine_, to your Electoral
Reverence, under whose Patronage I may be safe, and for this Reason
especially, Because none of the Princes of _Germany_ enjoy a greater
Vintage than your Reverend Highness; to whom not only a good part of
the Tract of the _Rhine_, but almost the whole Jurisdiction of _Mœne_,
together with _Franconia_, by Divine Providence, belongs; being very
fruitful in Wines; where also much Lees are cast away, thro’ Ignorance
_of the way_ of extracting their _Tartar_, for the Good of the Country,
from which a good Spirit of Wine might first be drawn by Destillation;
the _Tartar_ contained in the thick Lees, and remaining in the bottom
of the Still, is by all Men cast away, as unprofitable, a few excepted,
who with great Labour dry them, and of them make clavellated Ashes:
Which Waste or Loss of the Lees, seeing that it makes every year an
incredible Loss of _Tartar_, I have thought fit to expose the Knowledge
of this Mystery to the Eyes of all Men, for the Good of my Country, by
which some being instructed, may set about the _Extraction of Tartar_
with great Gain, not doubting, but many, when they shall see this
Labour to be profitable to others, undertaking the same, will bring
great Profit to their impoverish’d Country.
Therefore I trust, this Little Work will be acceptable to your Reverend
Highness. And I pray the Giver of all Good Things, to furnish both your
Soul and Body with His Gracious Benefits, who study to be