If you would have benefit by this liquor, the same may be done by the
same reason; in those places out of which it is transported into other
Countries; if, _viz._ the unprofitable water be removed after the same
manner as we taught to be separated from the Wine.
XCV. _By what means good Wine and Vinegar may be every year
prepared by the help of this same Magnet, in those Countries in
which the Grapes do not ripen._
Although that in all the Coasts scituated upon the Rhine, as in
_Rhingovia_, _Moguntia_, _Wormatia_, _Algentorati_; in _Alsatia_, the
_Palatinate_, _Franconia_, _Austria_, and the Dukedom of _Wurtenberg_,
(in which places, the Wines do for the most part arrive to their
perfection every year) this Art be not so very necessary; yet
nevertheless _Saxonia_, _Misnia_, _Thuringia_, _Suevia_, and _Bavaria_
do stand in need thereof; in which Countries the Wine doth for the most
part remain acid, unless the Summer hath by a singular chance hapned to
be very hot. For in these places it is no less profitable than pleasant
to drink a sweeter and nobler Wine instead of the more acid Wine, if so
be one could get it by the help of the said Art. Besides, this same Art
yields no small profit and benefit in those Countries, in which though
the Wine is (as we said but now) wont to be noble. For it may happen
that some unseasonable Weather may hinder the ripening of the Grapes,
and that the Vineyards wanting the due heat of the Sun cannot arrive
unto maturity. For oftentimes in one and the same Countrey, there are
divers Wines produced, so that one sort exceeds another in nobility and
goodness. Those therefore that are good and generous need not the help
of this Art, but contrarily the smaller and less noble Wines want it.
Hence I conclude that in all the Countries of the World, wheresoever
Wines are made, this Art may be serviceable and profitable to any one.
XCVI. _How in those cold Countries; as in =Poland=, =Denmark=,
=Suedeland=, =Norway=, &c. Which by reason of the Coldness of the
Air admit not of making Wine, there may nevertheless good Wine
and Vinegar conducive to the health of Man be made._
Though the Cold may so hinder as that Vines will not grow, nor
Vineyards be, yet notwithstanding those places so obnoxious to the
Cold, have plenty of Apples, Pears, and such like Tree-fruits; whose
Juice being pressed out, and fermented, and after the Fermentation,
freed of the greatest part of the unprofitable water, will give a
better and more durable Drink, than that which is made the usual way
of Apples and Pears. For this drink cannot last long because of the
muchness of the humidity, but becomes ropy, acid and muddy, and so
corrupts.
So likewise may those Countries that abound with Corn be rendered
partakers of most excellent and wine-like Drink, which may be used and
drunk instead of Wine, to the great benefit and advancement of the
health of the Body; and it is to be thus done.
First of all, let very good Wheat be made to germinate [or sprout] by
stewing in some gentle heat; [as in making of Mault] then after the
sprouting let it be put in some warm Furnace, or in great Coppers,
and stirred about with some wooden thing without ceasing till it be
dryed. In this Operation you must have an especial care, that the Corn
smatch not of the Fire, which is then brought by drying to a sufficient
hardness, when it is not soft in biting it with your Teeth, but leaps
as ’twere in pieces; this is a sign that you have done your work well.
Having prepared it thus, let it be broken [or ground] and boiled after
the manner of other Ale, without Hops; and then after it has fermented
let it be freed from its superfluous moisture by our Magnet. So will
you have remaining a sweet Drink not much unlike to Wine; which Liquor
if you would yet have more near in its likeness to Wine, you must
put in for every Tun or every Butt about a pound of Tartar in the
Fermentation, that so it may ferment together with the Corn, and may
give unto this Drink a winy Tast.
After the same manner may excellent Metheglin be made of Honey and
Sugar, or such a kind of Drink as but little differs from the Savour
of Wine. An Art, verily, most profitable in those places which have no
Wine, but have that defect supplied by the great Quantity of Honey and
Sugar. The manner of making such a kind of Drink is this.
Let there be added to the Honey so much water as is sufficient, for
their boiling together in a Copper, and let them being boiled be
diligently scummed so long till the Honey becomes thick again, and gets
a duskish or a reddish Colour, which is a sign, that the less sweet,
and less honied Savour is removed away, by the boiling.
To this Honey reduced to the said thickness, let be again added as much
water as is sufficient, that they may be boiled together, and being
boiled put up in Barrels. Whilst it is yet warm some Ale yest must be
added, which being fermented, renders this Liquor so sweet that it is
but little inferiour to Wine; moreover it will come nearer to the Tast
of Wine, if a due part of dissolved Tartar shall be added thereunto in
the Fermentation, that so being fermented together herewith, it may
acquire to it self a winy Tast.
_N. B._ But here good heed must be had, that in the last Solution there
be not taken too little water, but rather more than is wont to be taken
in the making of common Mede. The reason is this; because the Honey
gets not its due fermentation, but retains its usual and a kind of
nauceous Sweetness, and cannot be made partaker of a winy Savour.
But now, water enough being added, promotes the Fermentation, and
causeth that it gets its Purity and Clarity much sooner, and is of
an excellent sweet Savour. After that this Metheglin hath gotten the
requisite Clarity, the superfluous water is to be abstracted thencefrom
by your Magnet, which water being removed, the remaining ungratefull
Savour of the Honey going away together with the water, vanisheth, and
this Wine of the Honey, gets its strong Spirits from the Honey, and has
a winy Savour from the Tartar. If any one be so minded, he may add to
the Honey in the first boiling, some Spices, or which is better, may
hang them in a little Bag in at the Bung, that so they may be fermented
with the Metheglin, and give it a sweet Savour. The Spices are these
that follow: Cardamoms one, Coriander two, Orris Roots three parts; the
which will give the Metheglin a fine Tast. The Flowers of Elder make
it tast just like Wine made of the Apian or Muscadel Grapes. Cinamon
and Cloves also do give it a delicate Sweetness. But every one may use
such Spices as he thinks best, according as he fancieth this or that
Tast. Of such Metheglin is made most excellent Vinegar, which scarce is
inferiour to wine Vinegar though of the very best Sort.
XCVII. _Whither or no, there be any other benefit, which our Magnet
can bestow._
He that shall onely diligently enquire by trials made, will without
doubt, find, that such a Magnet as attracteth water, can be profitable
many ways; which to treat largely of here, the time will not permit.
For because that this Magnet draws out of all Liquors, their
superfluous water, it doth certainly bring much Benefit, and manifold
Fruits, very many of which, we would here declare if need required.
But the time admits not of any longer dwelling about these things.
But yet, however, I will reveal an Art for the Poor’s sake who have
no Wine growing, nor any money to buy it, and are therefore enforced
(but especially in the winter Season) to drink cold water after their
hard Labours;) by the help of which said Art they may have good Wine
to drink all the year both in the Summer and Winter months; I mean in
those places in which theres plenty of Wine made, and is in the Autumn
Season squeezed out with wine Presses.
In all those places in which store of Grapes are prest out with
Presses, there is great store of the husks, the which is partly kept
for the Beasts to nourish them in the Winter, and partly thrown away as
unprofitable, especially in those Seasons which afford a great Quantity
of Wine. But if so be that the Wine Harvest be somewhat poor and not so
plentifull, then they pour water upon all the husks or on some part of
them, and leave it so for some days, and again press them; and thereby
is made a Drink that has some kind of wine-like Savour which is given
to the Servants, and other Labourers to drink instead of bare water.
But now in such Years wherein they are thoroughly busied in curing or
making much Wine, they have not the time to bestow about making that
Drink then. Nay sometimes they have such a deal of Wine that they have
not Cask to put it in, but are compelled to give away their smaller
Wines to others, and stuff their Cellars with the more noble.
If therefore the poorer sort would have now and then a good Draught of
Wine, they must get them some large Vessels which they must fill with
the Offal of the Grapes, and with water poured thereupon, and leave
them thus, so long untill the rich People have done with their wine
Presses and stowed their Wines in their Cellars. Then may they also
press out their second Wines in the rich mens wine Presses, and by the
oft-spoken of Magnet separate the unprofitable water therefrom, and so
lay up their Wine, the which will last and abide good and durable all
the Year about, which it will not otherwise do. For such kind of second
Wines dure only (for the most part) but the Winter and Spring, and part
of the Summer, and the utmost time they remain any thing good is but
till the Month of _July_, afterwards they grow ropy or musty. But now
the unprofitable part of the water being separated, they get a shorter
or longer durability according to the moreness or lesness of their
Concentration. This advice and secret was I willing to bestow upon the
poor that they may also drink good Wine.
But they may demand where should we get us such a Magnet, by the using
of which we might make our second Wines good? I answer, they may borrow
it of the Rich men who have Vineyards, for so long; and when they have
done with it may restore it them again; for it is so lasting that
it never loseth any thing of its Body nor of its Virtue, but always
remains good. The rich men therefore will buy it of the Chymists,
the preparation whereof is clearly and perspicuously delivered in
my first Century. If now this be done (which I doubt not of) the
Chymist by preparing, and the Merchant by using of the same will reap
no small Benefit and profit. And questionless, there will be found
some men that are studious of new things, who will make trial of this
Concentration of Wines in small experiments; that so they may fish out
the possibility of the thing. But I know not whether they will exercise
this Operation in a greater Quantity or no. For its neither here nor
there to me whether they will exercise this Art or let it alone. For
this is the natural disposition of most men, they would very willingly
get store of gain, provided it could be done without great labour and
much trouble. From hence it is certain, that this Art of Concentrating
Wines by cold Fires will not be so soon common, especially because
I have not here delivered how such a Magnet may be made in great
Quantity, and applied to use.
But yet I think I have sufficiently done [or hinted at] those things
I have revealed. Let others draw out of their own store too, if they
have any thing. More things I could not reveal, for many weighty causes
which I count it needless to mention here. Very many men will commit
many Errours, e’re they attain the right Scope. Verily it would be
much better if there were a greater Number of such Persons as readily
understood this Art; especially in those places of _Germany_ in which
the Wines are so acid, that it will make ones Eyes run with water if a
bigger Draught than ordinary be drunk to quench Thirst. And therefore
in those places Ale is in the most esteem, and indeed it is no
contemptible drink, if good, but yet it is not at all comparable to the
noble Wine, concerning which noble Liquor these Verses may rightly be
pronounced.
_With what a lovely gift are all things blest
By th’ noble Wine from tender Vines exprest,
To sick mens pains it doth an easement bring,
It joys the Countrey Peasant, makes him sing.
And you shall see that that man whom to day }
By means of Wine lies tumbling in the way, }
Will on the Morrow have his t’other lay._ }
There are many Songs in the praise of Wine, but Ale is not celebrated
with any ditty, though it be never so good. Upon this account therefore
the noble Juice of Wine is not undeservedly preferred before all the
rest, provided it has its due generousness and excelling goodness. But
if it be not good, ’tis wholly expedient to help it, lest by keeping
its Sourishness and waterishness it perish. But filthy covetousness
bears too great a sway upon mortals, insomuch that there are too many
to be found that would rather pour water to their Wine and spoil it,
than better it by abstracting of the water.
I have often heard the complaints of Vineyard Masters in those Seasons,
in which they have had whole Cellars full of small and poor Wines,
which have not arrived to so much ripeness as to be able to be sold
and transported into other Countries. Hence comes it to pass, that if
they lie a long while and be not drunk up, they degenerate more and
more, and become exceeding poor, and at length corrupt by lying and so
perish for altogether; unless it happens by chance that some years of
a more happy Vintage do succeed, with which more noble Wines they may
mix their small ones, and so sell them off, but yet with a poor profit,
because the Merchants are not wont to buy midling Wines, but the very
best of all. But they may have noble Wine every year by that means that
I have shewn. For if one eighth part of water were extracted from the
Wine, it might have the name of good Wine. But now if a fourth part of
that water should be taken away thencefrom it would become far more
excellent, for a little water is able to make a most noble Wine smaller
and more base, a tryal whereof you may make as follows.
A Hogshead of rich Wine, containing some six Renish _Oma_’s or _Aulms_,
costs an hundred imperials; yea [sometimes] more, an hundred Duckets;
Now if you take thencefrom one eighth part of the measure, and put
in the room thereof one eighth part of water, you will find by the
tast, that its goodness is so much diminished, that that Vessel will
be scarcely valued at fifty imperials. But if a quarter part be taken
away, and so much water put in its room, any one may easily conjecture
that such a Vessel filled with such Wine will be hardly judged worth
twenty imperials.
So then by this way that I have told, any Wine might be brought to such
a nobleness by taking away one fourth part onely of its water, that
a Vessel which afore would have yielded but twelve imperials, will
afterwards yield three times the price.
By all this that hath been spoken may any one easily conclude the
truth of the true Alchymy, and what incredible benefits may be reaped
thencefrom. From this ground I say, that that delicate sup of Wine
which I have here taught the preparation of will so inflame many, even
of the enemies of Alchymy, that they will for the future put their
hands to the Coals, and try to get thereby such a delicate Magnet, and
to have it by them.
This Magnet will also help not a few Alchymists themselves that are
in straights and want, and afford them a good Cup of Wine; whose
Vineyards, House, and all their substance, the smoak and hot fire
hath already driven up the Chimny, and [in lieu thereof] this cold
fire will recover them again with no contemptible increase. For this
Leap-year 1660 is the first year since the World’s Creation, in which
the miserable Coal-blowers may arrive to a way of getting their Bread,
if they will but stretch out their hands. And that I may be here well
understood, I don’t onely mind the concentration of Wine, for there are
other most profitable uses to be found out of these cold fires; which
time will manifest.
It seems good unto me to add by way of an overplus (because I have
taught the making of a Cup of good Wine, and there is a great
familiarity ’twixt Wine and Corn,) the showing away how one may get a
most delicate sort of Bread and of an excellent savour, that so he may
be furnished with the choicest of Food and Drink.
Let some part of the water be extracted by the cold Magnet out of new
Milk, that it may be made better than the common Milk. This would
be a most excellent nutriment for the sustaining of Infants, whose
Mothers die too soon. For every Infant cannot bear raw Cows Milk; and
if the superfluity of the Water be removed by boiling, the Milk (not
brooking much boiling) doth easily tast of the fire, which would not
be if it were freed of its water by the oft mentioned Magnet, for it
would remain sweet, and be of an excellent Tast. With this fat Milk,
moisten your Wheat Meal, (which must be of the best) in the stead of
water; and let the Bread be baked, and without doubt the Bread will
be of an excellent Tast, which could not be by the common baking,
although that Butter were added thereunto. One may feed upon this Bread
alone, without Cheese and Butter, because the Cheese and the Butter
are with the Milk in which they lie hidden, added unto the Bread. Such
Bread is strong nourishment and far better for filling and nourishing
than the common; and in eating thereof one may easily commit excess,
because it notably pleaseth the Pallat by the sweetness of its tast.
For so it happened on a time to me, for eating such Bread as was made
up with fat Sheeps Milk I exceeded a mediocrity in my eating. But
verily this is wont to happen to such as in their eating and drinking,
abuse the delicate Meats and Drinks, and so fall into the hands of the
Physicians, because indeed the most Diseases do arise from too much
fulness and surfeiting. And therefore good reason is it that a most
special regard be had to a mediocrity and temperance in all things.
XCVIII. _How the Water attracting Magnet may be serviceable to
Physicians._
In my opinion a Physician may very well examine the Urine of the Sick,
and Anotamize the same, and that more easily than by an external bare
aspect or looking-on onely, if, _viz._ he separate and take away
therefrom a part of the water by the Magnet. For by this means he will
discern a great difference betwixt the one and the other part, and know
the causes and properties of Diseases; and that far better and more
certainly than by a bare outside view, after the Gallenical fashion,
or by the weight, and by Distillation according to the custom of
_Paracelsus_ and _Turnheiser_; But I leave it to every ones pleasure to
enquire which of these three ways is to be preferred.
And now follows by way of Corrolary or Surplusage, a description of
certain most excellent Medicines to be administred, for the curing of
most greivous Diseases both in Men and Beasts.
XCIX. _The Cure of the Stone in the Reins and Bladder, and likewise
of the Gout._
The Stone of the Reins and Bladder, and the Gout, are judged to be
the most greivous Diseases, and in very deed they are most grievous
Sicknesses, but especially the Gout, which being various and manifold
afflicts the Body of Man with most grievous Pains. Now for the cure
and removal of these Diseases, I will prescribe a certain and safe
Medicament, easily preparable, and of small charge.
Take one or two pounds of white Tartar, and pour upon every pound
beaten into Powder about some eight or ten pound of common water, which
set over the Coals in a well glazed earthen Pot, and boil it so long,
till all the Tartar shall be dissolved by the water, which you may try
if done or no with a clean wooden Spoon, putting it to the bottom and
seeing if there be any left undissolved. In the boiling you must very
diligently take off the Scum with a wooden Scummer, that so there may
remain no impurity. After that all the Tartar is dissolved and that
there appears no more Scum, evaporate the water so long till a thin
skin appears at the top. Then take off the Pot from the Coals, and set
it in some cold place, and leave it there unstirred for a day, and
there will stick on to the sides of the Pot, delicate Crystals like a
Dye, having a Cubical form _Paracelsus_ calls this mundified Tartar
_Ludus_, and that very properly, and without doubt he did so, because
it gets (after its purification the shape of the square Dice. Out
of this pure and Cube-like Tartar is prepared an universal Medicine
against all tartarous Diseases, as follows.
If you have one pound of this pure and Cubical Tartar, reduce one pound
of Crude Tartar into a white Salt by Calcination; the which you are to
dissolve with so much common water as is necessary to its dissolution;
filter the dissolved Salt through Cap-Paper, that you may have your
sharp _Lixivium_ freed of all its Fæces. Pour this _Lixivium_ into the
glazed Pot wherein your pound of the said purified Tartar is, and boil
it accurately therewithall; in which boiling the Tartar will be easily
dissolved by the _Lixivium_, and be turned with the same into a ruddish
coloured juice; though that your _Lixivium_ and Tartar had each of them
a white and clear colour. The reason is this, because the Tartar is as
yet defiled with many hidden and black Fæces, and doth at length after
its solution with the _Lixivium_ render them visible and manifest.
Pass this muddish solution through a filter, and it will be a yellow
liquor, and leave many Fæces in the Philter, good for nothing but to be
thrown away, for they are of no virtue more. Verily ’tis a thing worth
the admiring, that there should yet be so many Fæces left in so well
purified a Tartar. This liquor being thus prepared is very profitable
for the taking away and curing of all kinds of Tartarous Diseases, by
being daily used, or however, it doth at least strongly tame their
violence, but you must first purge the Body by Antimonial Medicaments,
one of which we will presently shew you.
_N. B._ This Medicament will be yet far more noble, if all the humidity
be vapoured away and the reddish Salt that is left be dissolved in
good spirit of Wine and filtered, and the said Spirit of Wine be again
separated therefrom by a gentle Distillation. For so by this second
solution, there will be severed yet more Fæces and the Salt it self
will get a yet greater purity.
This Salt may be safely used as a most precious Treasure against all
the abovesaid tartareous Diseases; For it expells Urine, and drives
out all the impurities out of the Reins and Bladder, and hinders the
gathering together, and generation of Sand or Stones in those Members.
But if there be already Stones generated, and that they be not too
hard, it consumes them by little and little, and carrys them off;
provided that Antimonial purges be (as we said but now) afore used to
purge the Body with.
I have in these few words taught thee how the _Ludus_, that is, the
Dye-like figured Tartar is changed by its own proper liquor Alkahest,
or its own Alkalizate Salt into a Medicine resisting all Tartareous
Diseases. The Dose thereof is a Scruple in Wine, Ale, or other
Vehicles, oftentimes every day, or twice at the least, _viz._ Morning
and Evening, for such as are fifteen or twenty years old and upwards,
and they must fast after the taking of the medicament, for some due
time.
Such as are younger, from three, four, to ten, or twelve may take at
one time, three, four, six, eight, or ten grains, according as they are
older or younger.
This so excellent a medicament have I described for the benefit of
mankind, nor is there as far as I know, a better, though it seems to
arise of so vile a Parentage, and be so mean. Suffer not thy self to be
affrighted by any one, but use the same boldly, whensoever necessity
requires; and firmly believe me that thou wilt not find a better, I do
not deceive thee; and the truth hereof will be demonstrated by its use.
This is a quick and wonderfull purification of Tartar, and a changing
it into a sweet Salt, which is neither sweet nor sour, but a midling
tast ’twixt both, and it gets a middle nature, from the Acid and the
Alkalizate Tartar. Now follows the Antimonial Purge.
C. _An universal Antimonial Purge to be used in all grievous
Diseases, with, a very happy success._
Take of Crude Antimony, Tartar, and Niter, of each alike, Powder them
each apart, commix the Powders, being mixt, put them in a melting Pot
or Crucible, and kindle them with a live Coal, that by this kindling
they may flame up, and go into a ruddish kind of coloured mass. Your
Pot being yet hot set it into your Wind Furnace, and melt it, that
all your matter may flow in the Crucible like water, then pour it out
into your Cone, and being cold take it out, and separate the _Regulus_
therefrom, and lay it by for other uses, because ’tis not serviceable
for the operation here minded. Now out of one pound of Antimony, you’l
have eight Lots, or four ounces of _Regulus_, so that of your one pound
you will get a _Regulus_ of four ounces or the fourth part of the
pound. The _Scoria_’s which will be of a reddish colour and of a fiery
tast upon the Tongue must be again melted in the same Pot they were
melted in, if it be whole, or in some new Pot, and when they flow, put
a live Coal into the Pot. The Salt peter will seize upon the Coal, and
being occupied about corroding the same, will let fall the remainder
of the _Regulus_ it as yet held up. Then the matters being poured out
into your Cone, and cool, strike off the _Regulus_ at the bottom with
the stroke of an hammer, and beat the _Scoria_’s which will be of a red
colour and fiery tast, into Powder, and being thus poudered let the
Salts be extracted [or dissolved] in the heat with common fair water;
the which holding in them the most pure Sulphur of Antimony do turn
the water into a red _Lixivium_, in which is hidden the Medicine that
we seek after; and is to be gotten thence by the following way. For
after that the Sulphur is dissolved, by dissolving all that will be
separated by the Salts or Lye, the Reliques or Remainder are good for
nothing.
Having so done, dissolve white and purified Tartar in fair water, in
some glazed Pot, and thou shalt have an acid Solution; being thus
hot as it is (for when ’tis cold the Tartar will again shoot in it)
pour it by little and little into the Antimonial _Lixivium_, and it
will debilitate the same, so that the Sulphur of the Antimony will
fall down to the bottom in the form of a yellowish or reddish Powder.
When all the Sulphur is setled, separate the clear Water of the Salt,
from the Sulphur, by canting it off; then pour on some warm Water and
wash it so often till all the Salt be gone off. Then philter it, that
all the Water may be separated and the Powder stay in the Philter,
which you shall put upon new and dry Cap-paper thereby to remove
all the wateriness, and then dry it in the heat of the Sun. This is
that Universal purging Medicament which drives out all malignant
humours by all the Emunctories, _viz._ by Vomit, Stool, Sweat, Urine,
and Spittle, out of the whole Body; and that very safely if warily
administred, and the Dose thereof not too much encreased; in which
case even the Galenical medicines themselves do hurt, if their due
Dose be exceeded. Hereupon it is better that there be used at the
beginning rather a lesser Dose than too much, that so no errour may
be committed, and a safe trial may be made, how much the strength of
the Patient will bear or not bear. And albeit that the Dose of this
medicament should be given in so small a Quantity as not to work, or
have any visible Operation at all, yet nevertheless it well performs
its Office, and drives out the Distempers, but yet more slowly than
when ’tis administred in a due Dose, such as may give about one, two,
or three Stools. And to such as are strong and youthfull Persons, the
Dose may be given in such a Quantity as to cause Vomit, in such I say
as can brook vomiting. The usual Dose for those that are above fifteen
Years of Age is, one, two, three, four, or five Grains, according as
they are older or younger. To Infants and such as are a little elder
an eighth part, a quarter, or half a Grain even to an whole Grain,
may be administred, with regard had to the Age and the Disease. This
medicine is of good use in all kinds of Diseases, and in all kinds of
Men, [and Women] save onely Women with Child; and to them you must
administer either none at all, or at least wise so little as to be sure
it provokes not to any inclination of vomiting. And the like is to be
observed by such Persons who are so weak, as that they clearly want
strength requisite for this Operation [of vomiting.] But yet it may be
used even to new born Infants, _viz._ for Convulsion Fits with which
a great many of them are wont to be snatch’d away without any remedy.
The Dose must not exceed the bigness of a Rapeseed, and it must be
administred in the Mothers milk. But if the Infants are grown already
up to be somewhat stronger and are above half a Year old, the Dose of
the said medicament is to be a little encreased, that it may operate
visibly, and so cast forth all the malignant humours out of their
Bodies; and they themselves may not be afterwards afflicted with the
Small-pox, and other such like Diseases as Infants are subject unto.
Verily, all the Children whom I have given this medicine unto, have not
hitherto tasted of those Diseases; the which truth the Parents of such
Infants and others can confirm by their Testimonies. But especially
this medicament is a most present remedy against the Epilepsie both
in young and old, and a most certain Secret in the Plague and all
Feavers; and a most excellent purge in the Gout, Leoprosie, French-pox
and other most grievous Diseases; and likewise in external new Wounds,
in Fistula’s and old Ulcers, what Name soever they are called by, if
it be but used inwardly to purge them. Briefly, this medicament hath
scarce its fellow, so that we have no reason at all to regard such men
as out of meer ignorance, oppose and slander Antimony in their learned
bawlings, and say that it is nothing else but Poison, and therefore no
ways profitable. But let no body believe their barking, but first try
the same, and he will clearly find the contrary.
This indeed I readily confess that Antimony is of no use in the body of
man, nor can it be, afore it is prepared; but after preparation I do
boldly affirm it to be a most admirable medicine.
Concerning which, reade but the chiefest of the Ancient Philosophers,
especially _Basil Valentine_, who in the honour of Antimony wrote the
Triumphant Chariot [thereof.] Do but see what _Paracelsus_, _Alexander
Suchten_, and several others have recorded in writing, concerning the
incomparable Vertues and Power of Antimony; by all whose Writings is
clearly evinced, what things lie hidden in Antimony, I forbear to
speak of other Physicians as well modern as ancient. For it possesseth
the Vertues and Powers of all Vertues and Powers concentrated. What
need many words? Let it be brought but to the Test, and it will most
apparantly testifie by its trial, what Treasures it carries in its
bosom. The things that I speak of here proceed out of meer pity and
love to my Neighbour, that I might help his sickness and miseries. A
very small Portion of the said medicament may be able not onely to
preserve a whole Family for a whole Year free from all the Diseases
that might befall them, but also to rid them of them. So likewise it
sends packing all the sicknesses of beasts by its effectual Virtue. I
was willing from a faithfull and good mind to bestow this comfort and
help upon mankind, against all incident Diseases, whether external or
internal; In the third following Century shall be described more very
excellent medicines against all kinds of Diseases, which may be made
use of by such as without cause are afraid of Antimony.
And as touching that Salt which is made by the mixtion of the acid
Water of the Tartar, and the _Lixivium_ made of the Tartar calcined;
it is not inferiour as to its excellency and eminency to the but
now spoken of Sulphur of the Antimony it self; herein onely is the
difference, that there is to be administred a bigger Dose thereof. And
therefore it must not be thrown away, but after that the Sulphur is
separated, the insipid Water is to be evaporated, and there will then
remain a yellow Salt behind, which has even yet in it no small Portion
of the Antimonial Sulphur; and therefore ’tis in a manner better
than the Sulphur it self, because of its own peculiar Nature, which
by the discharging its own office [or proper work,] may be even _per
se_ reckoned up amongst those most excellent medicines which strongly
resist all Tartareous diseases.
For that reason therefore do I commend this Salt most highly to all
such as are burdened with grievous Diseases. The preparation thereof
is altogether easie, for it is not made of any chargeable matters, but
mean ones, and therefore not without cause to be highly esteemed of.
The dose of this so excellent a Salt is to be encreased or diminished
according to the Quality of the Persons and the Diseases. To such
as are of ripe Age, one Scruple or somewhat more is sufficient. To
Infants, and to such as are a little older, from one to twelve Grains
may be given, regard being had to the difference of their Years. It
gently purgeth the belly, without any kind of Danger, it draws out all
evil humours, and especially it helps the gouty and stony Persons with
a most wisht for Easement.
The weight of those two contrary Salts, _viz._ of the fixt Salt of
Tartar by which the Sulphur is extracted out of the Antimony, and of
the common and acid Tartar dissolved in Water, and which precipitateth
the Sulphur of the Antimony out of the _Lixivium_, cannot be certainly
defined and limited. For according to the greater or lesser Quantity
of the _Lixivium_, is required more or less of the Tartar water to be
poured upon the _Lixivium_, that so being mortified it may let go that
Sulphur of Antimony it holds up in it self. The _Lixivium_ it self will
shew you if you have not poured on Water enough of the Tartar by its
being not yet freed of all the Sulphur, and that there is more Water of
Tartar required to allay all its Acrimony that all the whole Sulphur
may be turned out. A bigger Quantity of the Water of Tartar poured on
the _Lixivium_ [than just enough] doth not spoil it; it takes in as
much of the dissolved Tartar as it can, and what is overplus remains
an acid Tartar, and is not changed in its Nature. But whatever of it
is dissolved in the _Lixivium_ is no more Tartar, because it becomes a
midling Salt of the two, neither acid nor sweet, but partaking of both
Natures, and dissolves in cold Water, which the acid Tartar will not do.
This Salt therefore is able to perform great matters in medicine, and
not onely in medicine but in Alchimy too, and in other Arts can it
exhibit abundance of riches; concerning which thing, more shall be
spoken in another place.
Thus finish I now this my second Century, wherein I have not onely
abundantly supplied those things which by reason of the overmuch
hast, I could not insert in the _Appendix_ to the fifth Part of the
Prosperity of _Germany_, but have withall laid open some part of the
Use of my _Sal Mirabilis_, as much as the shortness of my time would
give me leave to do.
If by the Grace of God I have a yet longer Life vouchsafed me, I will
about half a Year hence, bring so great a benefit not onely unto my
own Countrey, but perhaps even to the whole Christian World, as ever
they received from any man, in so much that the World shall seem as if
’twere new, and so for the present I rest and make an End.
The Third Century
OF
GLAUBER’S
Wealthy Store-house of Treasures.
Wherein many Profitable Chymical Secrets are discovered.
_Faithfully translated out of the High-Dutch of the Authour._
Courteous Reader,
_Having some Years since begun to communicate to the World my manifold
profitable Inventions in Centuries, but of late been hindred by
sickness and other impediments from continuing the same: yet now being
sollicited thereto by many Lovers of Art, I could do no less than to
endeavour to give them some satisfaction by the publishing of these;
and withall assuring them, that, in case God be pleased to continue
my Life (notwithstanding that because of great Age and Sickness I am
fain to keep my bed) I intend to compleat the rest of my promised
Centuries, desiring the kind Reader in the mean time to accept of
these three, and to pardon the confused manner of writing them, having
for want of leisure, set them down as I found them in my Notes, being
chiefly the occasional discoveries and inventions during my Chymical
Labours. Neither would I have the Reader offended that in some places
I break off so abruptly, especially where I am speaking of the matter
which =Adam= brought with him out of Paradise, for whatever may be
wanting in this fifth Century shall God willing be supplied in the
sixth: I also desire the Reader not to be moved by the Calumnies of
any Envious ignorant Persons, to think that the things here set down
(being most of them new and unheard of inventions) are mere Fables and
invented matters, and no real experimented Truths, but rather remit the
verification of them to time and his own Experience, which will not
fail to satisfie him of the Truth of the Particulars herein contained.
Farewel._