2. When it is changed into a fixt and fiery Liquor.

3. When (by the benefit of the fire) it is distilled into an Acid

Spirit. With these three instruments are dissolved all whatsoever is

in the nature of things, are amended, and transmuted into a better

and purer substance. But the manner how this is done shall clearly be

taught in this Treatise, and explained, insomuch that all such as have

either out of gross Ignorance, or conceited Pride, or meer diabolical

hatred and envy, hitherto contemned, despised, and traduced it as a

thing impossible to be done (as _Farnerus_ for one) may be confounded

with shame, and be driven to confess, that their meer ignorance,

pride, and envy, caused them to oppose the Noonday light, and attempt

the extinguishing, blotting out, and obscuring the same. And although

that I have described the preparation and use of the universal

_Menstruum_, both in my _Miraculum Mundi_, and in its explication, as

likewise in my Apology against _Farnerus_; yet notwithstanding many

perswade themselves, that that description is too much clad over with

darkness, and that without a more accurate and plainer declaration

or explication, it cannot be understood, and consequently not made

use of. Therefore that such Men may have their food ready chewed, and

thrust into their mouths, and may have no farther cause of labour and

consideration, I will give a plainer declaration and make (in God’s

name, for whose honour, and for the benefit of all mankind, I have

thus purposed to do) an initiation, and perfectly demonstrate, that

Niter is (by the three aforementioned ways) able to dissolve, and alter

all whatsoever is in the nature of things, and to reduce them into a

better substance. These are the weapons wherewith I enter the list with

all deriders and haters of the truth, and do demand, if they have any

better and more powerfull thing, than this universal dissolvent out of

Niter, if so, to produce it; if not, then to let this alone. Every man

has his liberty, (if he hath better) to publish it for the common good;

but if he can’t produce a better, he may well submit himself to the

truth. Verily would any man discover a better universal dissolvent, he

would do me an acceptable thing, and I wou’d most readily acknowledge

any errors I have committed in this matter, and would refuse my own

proper writings. But that some such will arise and do this thing, I do

not in the least fear. If such an one should come, we will hear and see

him, and recieve him with a decent reply. In the mean while we will

address our selves, to the preparation of good Medicines, to the honour

of God, and benefit of our Neighbour. The bettering and correcting

metals, which is to be accomplished by the said Niter, is exactly

described and demonstrated in the second, third, and fourth part of

the Treatise of the prosperity of my Countrey; in this place we have

purposed to treat onely of medicines. But as for the way of reducing

Niter into a fixt and fiery Liquor, and also into a Volatile, Acid and

fiery Spirit; we have already taught in other places of our writings,

so that it is a meer needless thing, here again, to repeat the same.

But because it is profitable to the lover of Arts, that he find both

the preparations here conjoined, I have deemed it necessary to set them

down both to your view.

_The Process of turning Salt-peter into a fiery Liquor._

Take of pure Salt-peter, and such as is free from all common Salt one

pound, put it into a strong and well burned Pot or Crucible, with a

Cover to it, put it into a Wind Furnace, urge it so long with Coals

till it be a bright red hot, and all the Niter flow; which being

molten and in flux, cast in a little Powder of good Char-coals, that

so it swimming at top of the Salt-peter may burn up. This Coal Powder

being consumed, throw in some more of the same, and proceed on thus

with casting on Coal Powder so long till the Coal Powder you cast in

will not take Fire any more, and the Salt-peter appear of a greenish

and sky-colour. Then pour it out thus molten into a warmed Mortar or

Bason, (for if you throw it into a cold Vessel, it will leap up into

your Face) and there let it lie till it be cold. If you touch your

tongue with some of this Salt, you shall find it fiery like the Salt of

Tartar. Beat this Salt into a Powder and put it into a Glass, or else

set it in some moist or cold Cellar, and in few days, nay, or hours, it

will be dissolved into a clear and fiery liquor, which strain through

Cap Paper or a Filter (as they call it) and set it up for use.

_The use thereof in the preparation of such Medicaments as are made

out of Animals, and also Vegetables._

Forasmuch as the use of this _Menstruum_ is already demonstrated in

my first Apology against _Farnerus_, and in the first part of this

_Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_, wherein the Essences of Herbs are taught.

But in this Treatise shall mention be made onely of such Medicaments

as are preparable out of Animals. I will here set down the way and

manner of operation, whereby not onely Animals, but also Vegetables

my be corrected and transmuted into safe Medicaments. And here it is

to be noted, that the use of this _Menstruum_, takes place onely in

correcting such Herbs and Animals as are strongly operative and as it

were venemous, whose malice is to be necessarily removed. For those

Herbs that are good, and used in the Kitchin, and without any hurt in

them, need not any correction, except one will make out of them, an

extract by Spirit of Wine, or make of them a burning Spirit, and Oil,

as also a fixed Salt, and conjoin them by the benefit of Art, and make

them into sweet Essences, which labour is accurately described in the

first part of my _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_. In this place we treat onely

of turning Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals into sweet Medicaments,

by the benefit of Salt-peter: And in other places of my Writings is

sufficiently enough taught by what other ways, and those various ones

too, several Medicaments may be prepared, and that without the help

of this universal dissolvent, whereto I refer the well minded Reader,

and proceed on here to teach the preparation of the said Medicaments

by that hitherto often named fiery dissolvent, which (without any

additions) is of notable effect.

_The Preparation of Animals and Vegetables by the fiery Liquor of

Niter, their Dissolution, Correction, and Transmutation into

wholsome Medicines._

Take any Animal or Herb, what you please, if it be new, cut it small;

if the Animal or Herb be dry, beat it into Powder, and pour thereto

the liquor of fixt Niter, that it may well moisten the Animal or the

Herb, and may cover it all over; set the Glass in a B. and digest

the venemous Animal or Herb for one day and night, in which time the

liquor of Niter will ripen the venemous Animal or Herb, and transmute

it, and make a Medicine of the Poison. After the Cucurbit is cooled

in the Balneo, take it out and pour forth the liquor, together with

the corrected Animal or Herb into another Glass having a long Neck,

and pour thereon the best Spirit of Wine, or burning Spirit of Corn,

and such as is well purged from all Phlegm, that it may swim on the

solution the height of two fingers. Note well, that the liquor of

Niter, and likewise the burning Spirit, must be well freed from all

Phlegm, so that the Spirit may not conjoin it self with the Niter,

but swim on the top of it. For if both of them be watery or phlegmy,

there would be a conjunction or commixion of them both, and your labour

would miss the event hoped for, and this is well to be observed.

Therefore seeing that such a commixtion, is prevented by removing of

the aquosity, the burning Spirit will attract to it self, the true and

corrected Essence of the Herb or Animal, and leave the fixt liquor

together with the unprofitable Fæces of the Herb or Animal. Separate

the burning Spirit thus impregnated with the Essence, and so much that

it can attract no more, by pouring it off from the liquor, and pour

more Spirit thereupon, repeating this labour so long and so often,

untill all the Essence shall be extracted out of the liquor of the

Niter. Then take all these extractions which contain the transmuted

or corrected venome of the Herb or Animal, and put them together in

a Cucurbit, in a B. M. and draw off the burning Spirit with a gentle

heat, that so at length the remaining liquor, may be of a thick and

dark coloured reddishness. Note well that the best part of the burning

Spirit may be also separated in a B. and reserved for farther use, but

its remaining and weaker part may be taken out with the extract, out of

the B. M. and be evaporated in a Glass Vessel, over a vaporous B. to

the thickness of Honey. For in so doing, there’s no fear of burning the

extract in the Cucurbit, if the B. should be over hot; and this you are

to have an especial regard unto. But if the evaporation cannot be done

in Glass Vessels, by a vaporous B. then when the Essence is brought to

such a pass in a little Cucurbit, pour thereto some of that burning

Spirit, that came first over, and presently shake it well about, and

mix it well, and this will again forthwith extract the purest part

of the Essence, and leave behind a few Fæces, with a little of the

fixt Niter Liquor, from the which, the burning Spirit together with

the Essence, is to be forthwith separated, by pouring it off, lest it

should (by any longer stay on the Fæces) draw also to it self the Salt,

and so not get the sweet Savour and Odour of the Essence. But if any

one doth yet desire to make the Essence more pure and more sweet, he

may extract it yet a third time after the aforesaid manner, and after

this third labour there will remain again some more Salt, and the

Essence will become sweeter. If a diligent regard be not had hereunto,

there will (for the most part) some of the fixed Salt abide with

the Essence, and render it of an unpleasant savour: this admonition

therefore is not to be neglected, but such a one that covets the

obtaining of any good must bestow his labour with all kind of diligence.

This is an exact description of the manner of preparing most

efficacious Medicines, out of the most venemous Herbs and Animals.

Furthermore this is to be noted, that when the Essence is extracted

by the burning Spirit, out of the Alkalizated Herb or Animal, the

remainder is to be boiled in an earthen or glazed Pot even to driness,

and afterwards to be made red hot, that all the impurity may be

consumed by calcination, and the pure fixt Niter may remain alone,

which if you set in a Cellar, and do again let it dissolve into a

liquor, it will be of the same virtues as before, and thus will it be

many a time, and so may the Spirit of the Wine be used for the like

operation.

Now although this fixed Niter doth change as well venemous Minerals,

as Animals and Vegetables, and reduce their venenosity into wholsome

Medicine: yet is it more fit for the sulphureous Vegetables, Animals,

and Minerals, than for mercurial ones; and for such the Acid Spirit of

Niter is more fit, though it doth also dissolve, correct, and transmute

Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals; the which is chiefly observable in

the Minerals, for therein may be learned the wonderfull property, and

the all-things-changing efficacy of this Fire. For Niter crude as it

is in its body, being mixed with combustible Animals and Vegetables,

and enkindled, burns up all things, and drives them with the flame up

into the Air, insomuch that nothing save the fixt Salt onely is left

remaining: And therefore this crude Niter is altogether unfit for

Vegetables and Animals, if you would have any good from them. But in

the venemous Minerals it performeth its office better than the fixt

Niter, or than the volatile corrosive or Acid Spirit, as shall be

afterwards shown where we treat of Minerals. This I thought expedient

to advise you of, and have thus done to this end, that those that are

desirous of the Art may learn the divers operations of Niter. The

crude Niter doth (by its flame) display its virtues upon the venemous

Animals, and changeth them in few hours space into safe Medicaments).

Being reduced into a fixt liquor, it dissolveth all sulphureous

Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, the which thing the common or

crude Niter, as also the acid and corrosive Spirit will never do:

As this fixt liquor of Niter also dissolveth wholly the sulphureous

Minerals, and leaves nothing behind save the onely Fæces. So the

acid Spirit of Niter dissolveth all mercurial Minerals, that nothing

remains undissolved. From whence ’tis evident, that every nature doth

lovingly embrace its like, and is willingly conjoyned therewithall,

and especially if such natures are pure and clean, and not mixed with

any other things. But that you may yet better understand these things,

hearken a little farther. There is no Herb, no Animal, no Mineral, that

consisteth not of its three first principles, _viz._ Salt, Sulphur, and

Mercury, but yet are these very unequal: for in one subject, the Salt

is most powerfull, in another, the Sulphur, in a third, the Mercury:

But when in such subjects consisting of the three principles, there is

not too much inequality, and that no principle bears sway over another,

then either the acid Spirit, or the fixed Salt of the Niter will

alike dissolve them, as is evident in many Vegetables, Minerals, and

Animals, which being compounded of well tempered Principles, do admit

of Solution and Correction, both by the fixt Liquor, as also by the

volatile acid Spirit: For example. I take some Herb, be it _Napellus_,

or _Mandragora_, or _Opium_, or some Animal, as a Spider, Scorpion,

or Golden _Scarabæus_, I deal on this Subject now with fixt Niter (as

I afore taught) and the whole will be dissolved, changed, and become

a safe Medicament, (for they consist of well tempered Principles.)

If now I pour upon either Subject the acid Spirit of Niter, it will

be dissolved therein, changed, and corrected, and put on the nature

of an wholsome Medicine, as well as when dissolved in the aforesaid

Liquor. Now though both Liquors, _viz._ the fixt Liquor and the acid

Spirit do arise out of one Root, yet do they exceedingly differ in

their nature, and do prosecute as it were each the other with a deadly

hatred: And that because the fixt Liquor, as well as the acid Spirit,

are in some sort as yet adversaries, and do not absolutely bear such

sway as if they were in one Nature. For they are from one subject,

and are by the fire drawn out of common Salt-peter, and reduced into

two contrary parts and into Enemies opposing each other. But they are

again conjoined, that they may mutually set upon each other, with

that enmity they have received from the fire, and may overcome and

kill each other, then neither the fiery Liquor, nor the acid Spirit

is any more discerned, but they return unto that which they were

before, and from which they were born, _viz._ unto Niter or common

Salt-peter. Excellently well therefore say the Philosophers, make the

fixt Volatile, and the Volatile fixt. _Hermes_ also saith, that our

Dragon dieth not without his Brother and Sister, many things might

be spoken of this matter, but they belong not to this place, but to

the fourth part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, in which is treated

of the Concentration of Gold and Silver into Tinctures, but if so

be that one of the aforenamed Principles, whether it be Sulphur or

Mercury (for the Salt is not to be here considered) do bear overmuch

sway in any subject, then both the dissolvents cannot alike dissolve

that body, but that dissolvent onely which is appropriated to the

nature of that Subject: As for example. The seed of any Herb (though

it hath a mercurial Salt) yet the Sulphur hath the predominancy, and

therefore admits of dissolution by the fixt Liquor rather than by the

acid Spirit. But if the Oil be separated from the mercurial Salt,

either by expressing it or distilling it out of the Seed, then the

fixt Liquor hath a greater efficacy of operation upon its like, and

dissolves all the Oil, without leaving any part thereof behind. But

contrariwise, the Oil being severed from its mercurial Salt, which

admitteth of the acid Spirit onely, the acid Spirit hath no power at

all to dissolve it, though he be arisen from the very same Subject,

as his brother the fixt Liquor is. So then the Sister answers not the

brother in the like operation, and ’tis impossible for the Sister to

accomplish those things that the Brother doth. But when both brother

and sister are mixed together, they do again beget Children like to

their Parents, _viz._ _Hermaphrodites_, from whence themselves had

their Original, returning to simple and crude Niter, out of which

there do again proceed the like Procreations and Generations of the

masculine and feminine Sex. And so one birth transmutes it self

into another, augmenteth and bettereth each other and that even to

infinity, if it do but get its own conjugal bed, and be dealt withal

in a Philosophical manner. And what we have said of the vegetable

Sulphur, the same may likewise be understood of the Animal and Mineral.

For such a Sulphur as is severed from its Salt and Mercury, the acid

Spirit of Niter will not dissolve, but its sulphureous Liquor doth

readily perform it, and this doth wholly dissolve the common mineral

Sulphur, whereas the acid Spirit leaves it untouched. But such a

Subject as participates of both Natures, _viz._ of the sulphureous and

mercurial one, doth admit of dissolution both by the fixt Liquor, and

by the acid Spirit, whether it be a Vegetable, Animal, or Mineral.

Therefore the extreams, _viz._ the beginning and the end, the first Ens

and last Essentiality, the volatile and combustible, and the fixt and

incombustible, are to be compared with each other, (as thus.) Let the

common combustible Sulphur and which adheres to Minerals and Veins of

Metals be accompted of as the beginning, and let Gold be accompted the

end. The fixt Liquor now dissolves the Sulphur wholly, but cannot do

so with the ripe Gold; but the acid Spirit dissolves that, and cannot

at all dissolve the Sulphur. But now such as are middle Subjects and

do partake of both natures, _viz._ of a sulphureous and a mercurial,

such as are _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Mars_, _Venus_, _Mercury_, _Lune_;

for they are dissolveable by both, _viz._ by the fixt Liquor, and also

by the acid Spirit. But by how much the more either of them partake of

combustible Sulphur, by so much the easier doth it admit Solution by

the fixt Liquor. So this Liquor doth easily dissolve these Minerals,

_viz._ Antimony, Auripigment, common Sulphur, red Arsenick, _&c._ and

of metals these, _Mars_, _Venus_, _Jupiter_, _Saturn_, difficultly;

_Lune_ more difficultly; _Mercury_ most difficultly; but for _Sol_,

which is the last and best of all, it doth in no wise dissolve, because

it is plainly freed by nature from its superfluous, extraneous, and

burning Sulphur, and is washed, purified, and maturated into a most

pure mercurial Substance. Contrariwise the acid Spirit (if it be

strong enough) doth dissolve all, even from the supreamest metal, to

the lowest Mineral, Sulphur onely excepted, which it can’t dissolve.

Yet doth it more easily dissolve one Subject than another according

as it is of more affinity with, or remote, from its own Nature. And

therefore every Chymist may easily know the Nature and Properties of

every metal and mineral by the dissolving them, with these two, _viz._

Liquor and acid Spirit. Note well, I have (by this means) found out

what Metals and Minerals are of nearest Affinity with Gold, and this

kind of enquiry is far more certain and safer than the reading of

many Books; nor will it be hurtfull to him if he did understand the

signature of metals and minerals, and thereby know how to learn their

Nature and Property; but my intent is not to treat of that, in this

place, but will refer my labour to the second part of my Treatise of

the Prosperity of _Germany_, where we will speak of the Concentration

of Metals and Minerals. But that I may trifle out no more time in the

discoursing of the difference of metals and minerals, I will go on and

describe how the venemous Subjects of Animals and Vegetables are to be

dissolved by the acid Spirit of Niter, to be transmuted and ripened

thereby, and converted into safe Medicaments.

_The Process and Preparation is as follows._

Take either _Nux Vomica_, or venomous party-coloured Toads, Scorpions,

Cantharides, or such like venomous Vegetables or Animals. Cut your

Vegetables, but take your Animals whole as they are, that so dying

(in the _Menstruum_) they become greater and safer Medicaments, put

them in some glass: As for example. Take one Ounce or two Ounces of

the Spirit of Niter; put it in a glass with a narrow neck, that so it

may be stopped, and put into that Spirit such Vegetables as you would

dissolve; which being dissolved into a Liquor, then put yet more Herbs,

thus doing so long till the Spirit grows thickish, and can dissolve no

more. After the same manner may you proceed with the Animals if dead;

but if alive, then to the Spirit add some water before you put the

Vermine thereinto; for the too vehement force of the Spirit, is to be

so allayed, that the Vermine being put in alive may not presently die,

but may kill himself with his own proper Poison. For if the Spirit

be too strong, such kind of Animals will die in less than a moment,

and not know what hath happened unto them. But now they live longer

in the milder Spirit, and when they see that they must needs die,

they are extreamly enraged, do prick, and bite, and kill themselves

with their own Poison, insomuch that the venome is increased, and the

Medicine acquires the greater Virtues. So then those which thou hast

put in being dissolved, add more untill the Spirit becoming thick, can

dissolve no more; strain this Solution through a thin Linnen Cloath

into another glass, and pour thereon by little and little, or drop by

drop, the fixt Liquor of Niter, that it may kill the acid Spirit, and

they both having lost their strengths return into Salt-peter as they

were before, and the corrected Vegetable or Animal may be precipitated

to the bottom in the form of a Powder. When you have so done pour

on some more fresh Water, or Rain-water, that the Salt-peter may be

the better dissolved. Then pour out all the Solution, through a thin

Linnen Cloth placed in a glass Funnel, into another glass, that so the

Salt-peter, which before was partly an acid Spirit, and partly a fixt

Liquor, and is again become Niter, may (being dissolved with the water

poured thereon) run through the Cloth, and that corrected Vegetable

or Animal may stay behind in the same, the which by pouring on store

of fair water, is to be freed of all Saltishness, and afterwards to

be put together with the Cloth upon Cap-paper several times doubled.

This Paper will drink up all the moisture, and the remaining Animal

or Vegetable Powder will stay behind: which being thus dried is to

be lay’d up for use, and may afterwards be used either _per se_ in

the form of a Powder or be reduced into Pills, which before this

preparation could not be safely used, nor without much danger. There

is besides, another way of turning Animals and Vegetables by the acid

Spirit of Niter, or by the fixt Liquor into wholsome Medicaments: and

the manner thereof is thus.

Those Subjects which refuse to be dissolved by the fixt Liquor, are

dissolved by the acid Spirit, and precipitated with the fixt Liquor,

or contrariwise those which are not dissolveable by the acid Spirit,

are dissolved by the fixt Liquor, and precipitated by the acid Spirit.

All being precipitated, and the Dissolvent sufficiently slain, let

some more of the fixt Liquor be poured thereupon, so that it may much

exceed in quantity the acid Spirit. This done, let the Phlegm be drawn

off in a vaporous B, and to the remaining Liquor, let be poured as much

burning Spirit as is sufficient, that so it may by extraction extract

all that is to be extracted. This burning Spirit operates upon, and

attracteth to it self, no other thing save the onely Essence of the

Herb or Animal alone, and leaves the Dissolvents untoucht. But this

Essence is no ways inferiour neither in virtue or efficacy, to that

which was prepared after the before described manner. And thus much let

suffice to have been said of the preparation of Vegetable and Animal

Medicaments. And now we will betake our selves (in God’s Name) to speak

likewise of Mineral and Metalline Medicaments, and see what good thing

the Omnipotent God bestoweth on us by the benefit of these things.

The preparation of Metalline Medicaments is almost a-kin, and like to

the precedent preparation of Vegetable and Animal ones, and doth herein

onely differ, that the most part of Minerals and Metals, are dissolved,

corrected, and converted into safe Medicaments by crude and purified

Niter, as the following manner demonstrates.

Take of powdered Antimony and purged Niter each alike, mix these equal

parts in a covered Pot least the Mass leap out, calcine it, after

Calcination pour it forth, and reduce the Mass into a Powder, and

wash off the Salt-peter with Water and dry the Antimony, which hath

now lost its black Colour, and is become white. Mix it again with an

equal part of Salt-peter, calcine it, and wash it, and repeat this

Labour a third time. This done, the Antimony hath laid aside all its

venomosity and blackness, and become white, and such a medicament, as

may be most safely administred in expelling all Diseases by Sweat, the

Dose from two, three, four, even to six Grains. Note well, if you use

the _Regulus_ instead of the Crude Antimony, it will presently, in the

first operation become a white Diaphoretick, and to be adhibited in

the same Dose. Even after the same manner may you deprive poisonous

Arsenick, Auripigment, and such like Poisons of all their venomousness,

and transmute them into most safe Diaphoretick Powders. But forasmuch

as the preparations of them do not correspond with every ones mind,

yea and may easily injure the ignorant and unskilfull, my advice to

such men is this, that they abstain from medling with them and betake

themselves to Antimony onely, and to fix him well, for that they may

use him with far more safety. But that I speak here of those most

highly venomous Objects, I did it for this end, that every one might

know, that even the chiefest Poisons may be corrected and transmuted

into Medicines, merely by the help of Niter alone. But he that desires

yet farther to render Antimony safer and better, let him use the

following preparation: Take the aforesaid Diaphoretick Antimony, fixed

by the help of Niter, dissolve it up in strong _Aqua Fortis_: and

being dissolved, precipitate it with the fixt Liquor of Niter, that it

may settle to the bottom like a snowy Powder: Pour off the moisture,

vapour away some part of the humidity, and set by the remainder that

the Salt may shoot, and so will you have your Niter again. As for the

Powder, dry it and wash it well with water, and it may well be styled

a _Bezoardicum_ Mineral, being a most excellent Medicine to expel

all Diseases by Sweat, the Dose of which is one, two, three, four,

six, even to twelve Grains, according as the Disease and Patient is.

But I have sufficiently enough treated of this Medicine at large in

my other Writings, and therefore needs not to be repeated in this

place. So then all, Metals, Minerals, Stones, and whatsoever is in the

World, may by these three ways be dissolved and corrected by Niter,

either crude, fixed, or acid, and be transmuted into Medicines void

of all kind of danger. Thou maist dissolve all the Metals (Gold onely

excepted) with the acid Spirit of Niter, and if thou put thereto a

little _Sal Armoniack_, or rectifie it with common Salt, then it will

likewise dissolve common Gold. But the Minerals are dissolved with the

fixt Liquor of Niter, and precipitated, and then washed with common

water, and being washed are used to make Medicine with. They yield

subtile Powders, according to the nature and property of their Metals

and Minerals. The Powder of Gold is yellow, and is called _Aurum

Fulminans_, of Silver, Ashy, of Copper, Green, of Iron, Red, of Tin,

and Lead, White, of Antimony, white; of _Lapis Calaminaris_, _Tutia_,

and _Cadmia_, Ashy: But the common Sulphur, and all the precious

and common Stones, it (_viz._ the acid Spirit) cannot dissolve, but

leaves them for her Brother, the fixed Liquor to dissolve. So then

what the Sister cannot do, that the Brother can perform with ease,

and that which the Brother can’t effect, that the Sister undertakes

the accomplishment of; and what neither of them can possibly perform,

we see it possible to be done, by their Father and Mother, _viz._ the

crude Niter, insomuch that to this subject is a power given of doing

what you please. But that I may perfectly demonstrate, that Niter is

able to dissolve all the things that are in the World, and may withall

shew, how those subjects, which yields not to a Solution by the acid

Spirit may come under the power of the fixt Niter, I will proceed on,

and begin with the common Sulphur.

Take Sulphur reduced into Powder, one part, of fixt Niter two parts,

put them in a Cucurbit, pour thereon twice as much water as they both

of them weigh, _viz._ six parts. Boil them about one hour in Sand, in

which boiling the Liquor of the fixt Niter, will dissolve the Sulphur

into a red Solution. Strain it through Cap Paper, and precipitate

it by the acid Spirit, then wash it, and you shall have a white and

subtile Powder, profitable in the Diseases of the Lungs. And now it

remains that I shew you Flints, Sand, Crystal, all kinds of Stones

both precious ones and common, (which the acid Spirit is not capable

of dissolving) may be dissolved by the fixt Niter, and display their

Virtues, the which is thus done. Make the Flint, Crystal, Marble, or

any other Stone that is meltable in the Fire into a Glass, very red

hot, and presently squench it in cold Water, and dry it, that it may

be powdered with ease. Take one part of this Powder, and three or four

parts of fixt Niter, mix them well, put them into a Crucible, and cover

the Pot, and melt them with a strong Fire in a Wind Furnace, that it

may become a transparent Glass. Then turn it out, Powder it, and set

it in a Glass Vessel in a moist Cellar, that the Stone may be turned

into a Liquor; or else having powdered the said molten Glass, pour

common Water thereupon, which will dissolve the Powder. If now you pour

the said acid Spirit of Niter on the clear Solution, then the fixt

Niter being deprived of its fiery virtue and force, will let fall the

dissolved Stone in the form of a Powder, which is to be washed with

store of Water, and be dried, and it will be the Magistery of that

Stone, which this operation is bestowed on. These Stones may likewise

be digested and dissolved in a strong Glass set on Sand, with the

fixt Niter Liquor, but this moist way is more slow and tedious than

the former dry way which is done by melting. And besides, the Glasses

themselves cannot long endure this liquor, but are therewith also

dissolved. Now these Magisteries or Stones thus prepared are profitable

in the Stone, the which they do not onely expel out of the Reins, but

likewise out of the Bladder, if it be not too much hardned. If you

desire to make this Medicine yet better, then do thus. Take the Liquor

of the Flints or Crystals, that are dissolved in a Cellar after their

having been melted, put it in a Vial having a long Neck, whereon pour

twice as much Spirit of Wine, but see that the Belly of your Glass be

but half full; then let some body or other shake the Glass in their

hands strongly up and down, and commix the Liquor and Spirit of Wine

well, then will the Spirit penetrate, dissolve and render it sweet.

Note well, this agitation is necessary, because if it be not thus

tossed to and fro, the Spirit of Wine will stand at the top of the

Liquor, and not attract the fixt Niter to it self. Now when the Spirit

of Wine that you poured first on, is sharp enough, pour that out and

pour on more, and when that is sharp enough, decant that also, and

pour on more, repeat this operation so often, untill the Liquor of the

Stones be rendred sweet. Note well, the Spirit of Wine must be void of

all Phlegm, for if there be in it any water, the Liquor of the Stones

would be precipitated into a Powder. But he that proceeds well and

rightly will obtain a noble Medicine against the Stone of the Microcosm.

_N. B._ After that the Liquor of the Stones is brought to a sweetness,

it is to be covered over with the Spirit of Wine, in the Glass you

keep it in, that so the Liquor may abide in its Liquidity, otherwise

it will in a few days space be turned into a Stone in the Glass. When

you would use the Liquor, stop the mouth of the Glass with your Thumb,

and turn down the Glass that the Spirit of Wine may (as being lighter)

give place for the Liquor to flow out by your Thumb, and thus may you

take out as much Liquor as you please. I have been the more curious

in describing this preparation in this place, that so no error may be

committed, seeing this labour requires an expert Man, and not such a

rude and insipid Sot as _Farnerus_ is. Experience testifies that the

Liquor, and the Magistery of Sand, Flints, Crystals, and such like

Stones, are endued with one and the same virtues. Any one may chuse

which in his opinion is best. I commend the common white Flints,

that are in the Sands of Rivers. The Magistery of these are notably

conducive to weak Stomachs, nor is any thing corrupted by the same,

whatsoever Diseases they be used unto. The Dose of the Powder is 4, 8,

12, 20, 30 Grains, of the Liquor, 1, 2, 3, 4, even to 10 Grains. This

Liquor, wheresoever it comes, adheres to every matter it meets with, if

it be kept in a dry place, it becomes a natural and transparent Stone.

In Man’s Body, it attracts to it self its like, and carries it off with

it self. There lie hid in it many other secrets, which forasmuch as

they pertain not to this place, are to be found in my other Writings.

Moreover there are Stones found which do not admit of Solution either

by the fixt Liquor or acid Spirit, and they are to be thus tamed. Take

that Stone which yields not to a Solution by the fixt Niter Liquor, nor

by the acid Spirit, beat it into Powder, then mix it with three times

as much of the Powder of pure and well dried Niter. Then with this

mixture fill a Crucible half full, take up a Coal with your Tongs, and

put it into the matter, and hold it hard on, least the flame throw it

clear out again. So the Niter being kindled by the Coal doth (together

with the Stone) flame and burn up, and cause such a speedy and vehement

Fire, that the Stone is thereby penetrated and opened, and may (after

this operation) be dissolved with common Water. This done, the Solution

which hath imbibed (or which contains) the dissolved Stone, is to be

purified by passing it through Cap Paper, and to be precipitated by

pouring in of the acid Spirit, that so the Stone may settle down in the

form of a Powder, the which is to be washed with Water, to be dried and

kept for use. Thus now have we dissolved all the Metals, all Stones,

all Vegetables, and Animals, and transmuted them into Medicaments. And

were there yet any other thing in nature besides these subjects, or

could there be found any thing else, I would have taught its Solution

by this my universal _Menstruum_. But forasmuch as I find nothing else

besides Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, as likewise all kinds of

Stones, yea and Glass it self, nor can find ought besides, it will

deservedly remain an universal _Menstruum_, and Dissolvent (though the

moamish deriders, and brethren of ignorance, and haters of the truth,

split for anger) constant, unconquered, and incomparable, as long

as the World stands. As to its efficacy in bettering and correcting

Metals, the second, third, and fourth Parts of my Treatise of the

Prosperity of _Germany_ will testifie, for therein we treat of the

concentration of Metals. But as for such other mysteries as concern

true Hermetick Philosophy, and that lie hid in this wonderfull subject,

they are accurately and succinctly described in my Treatise of the

Nature of Gold, and of the concentration of the Elements, in which

Book the studious Reader may delight himself with divine and humane

Miracles. So now we have proved and demonstrated, that Niter is an

universal _Menstruum_ and Dissolvent, seeing there is nothing in the

nature of things that is able to resist its dissolving virtues; nor can

its like be found out. Well therefore may it most deservedly remain,

as in very deed it is, and as ’tis accounted of both by my self and

all skillfull Chymists. But now if any one shall object and say, that

the before produced proofs are no ways satisfactory to him, neither

do demonstrate that this dissolvent is also profitable as to the

Philosophick Work, I do not intend to answer him, nor will I so open

my Bosom to such Adventerers as _Arnoldus_ did to _Lully_, but leave

secret things in a secret place. I have spoken enough, and do also

speak much in my Treatise of the concentration of Heaven and Earth. He

that understands not my sayings, and doth as yet despise them, has no

reason to reckon himself amongst the Adeptists and Sons of _Hermes_,

but rather is of the rank of the _Farnerians_ sodality, and must remain

at the Hogs Trough.

_The Use, Power, and Virtues, of the Medicaments out of Vegetables,

Animals, and Minerals: The Composition whereof we taught above._

As concerning Vegetables, some few of them there are that need

correcting by the universal dissolvent. For such things as are

in their own nature whole and sound, need not any Medicament. For

Rosemary, Fether-few, sweet Marjoram, Sage, Thyme, and such like Herbs

needs no correction, but may be reduced into their sweet Essences,

according to the ways that I have prescribed in the first part; but

those Herbs that are more strongly operative, and used in medicinal

affairs, are not without danger, such as are _Henbane_, _Hemlock_,

_Mandrake_, _Opium_, _Tobacco_, _Napellus_, _Levant-Berries_, _Nux

Vomica_, &c. these must be amended by a good correction, or else can

they not be safely taken into the body. If they be dissolved by the

fiery operative _Menstruum_ and corrected thereby, (as we shewed in the

foregoing discourse) then may they be taken into the Body most safely,

and without any danger, and will perform things wonderfull in Medicine.

And whatsoever was a Poison before is afterwards rendred a Poison

subduing Antidote. For Example, _Henbane_, _Mandrake_, _Opium_, have by

their nature a stupefactive power, and do suppress the vital Spirit, do

infect, or destroy, the _Humidum Radicale_, do procure overmuch Sleep,

yea, do close up the Life in perpetual Sleep. But now those Herbs being

corrected by the force of the fiery Water, and being dissolved of their

Poison, do no more hurt, but allay all inward and outward pains, do

pacifie the vital Spirits being provoked and enraged, do compose all

disquietudes with a sweet pleasant rest, do expell venemous humours

out of the Body by Sweat, and do by reducing all things into a quiet

State, heal many Diseases. The _Cicuta_ or _Hemlock_, _Napellus_,

_Levant-berries_, _Nux Vomica_, &c. do not onely cause a most deadly

Sleep, but do also provoke most vehement vomitings, and make most

accute prickings in the body, and deprive Men of their Scences and

understandings, and do at last bring on Death, if they be admitted into

the Body in too great a quantity, and are not drawn out from thence

again by strong vomitings. But such Herbs being corrected, and changing

the Poison into wholsome Medicaments, do no more cause such horrible

and dreadfully painfull Symptoms, but by penetrating the whole Body

in a harmless and insensible manner, do take away all obstructions,

and cast forth all hurtfull things out of the Body, by sweat, urine,

and stool, and frees the inward bowels by purging them from all impure

humours, and do happily take away occult Diseases. And now if they

did before load the head with a very great heaviness and render it

mad and unsound, it doth now mundifie it, and purge it, and free it

from grievous and obnoxious Vapours, and do comfort the Brain and make

Ingenuity or Memory better. So that what they did corrupt (before their

correction) they do now (after their being bettered) amend and refresh

it. But however you are to have good regard, that you be carefully

provident in the use of these Medicaments, that you exceed not a due

measure, and so commit an errour, for it is not lawfull to play with

such kind of penetrative Medicaments.

The strongest purgative Medicaments, as _Esula_, _Cataputia_,

_Stavesacre_, _Gummi Gutta_, and such like, being dissolved in this

_Menstruum_, and precipitated, do lose their vehement, and as it were

venemous quality, and become safe and gentle purges. _N. B._ You

are here to observe (as concerning this Solution) that forasmuch as

the Seed of _Esula_, _Cataputia_, _Stavesacre_, as likewise _Guttæ

Gambogia_, and _Scammony_, are of a fat and resinous nature, are not to

be dissolved with the acid Spirit of Niter, but with its fixt Liquor,

or better with the Spirit of Wine corroborated and alkalizated by fixt

Niter, and to be precipitated with the acid Spirit. And so with the

same Spirit of Wine, being made more strong by the addition of the fixt

Niter, all Gums that have a fat quality (may be thus dealt with) and

contrariwise such as are not fat may be dissolved with the acid Spirit,

and precipitated with its contrary Liquor. So likewise all bitter

Juices, as Aloes, Myrrh, and the like, being therewith dissolved and

corrected do acquire a more sweeter and more gratefull Savour. It is

also very fitting, for the grievously smelling Gums, as _Assa Fœtida_

is, and for correcting other such like stinking things arising from

Animals or Vegetables, and so spoil them of their grievous Odour, and

for correcting them into a gratefull smell. Insomuch that some things

that emit even almost an ungratefull stinch may be so transmuted as

that they may afterwards yield a pleasant smell. And although that

I made some mention of this Work or Operation some years ago in the

first Book of my Philosophical Furnaces, where mention is made of the

Spirit of Salt, yet will I not leave it off so, but describe more,

yea and compendiouser ways too in my third part of the _Spagyrical

Pharmacopœa_, for effecting such matters, and thereto refer the

studious for the preparing of pleasant and efficacious Medicines.

As for such Animals as serve for the Kitchin, as Beef, Mutton, Pork,

Hens, Geese, and such like, also Fishes and Birds, they need not much

correction. Those of them that are a year old or more may be boiled

with Water, Salt, Spice, Wine, and Vinegar, _&c._ the younger may be

roasted on a Spit. These are not hurtfull to such men as are in health,

if they feed on them and drink after it a good draught of good Wine

or Ale, that so they may thereby wash down into the Stomach any such

matters as might stay by the way in the Throat, _&c._

If now any one would make use of venomous Worms, and Insects in

Medicines (for sometimes they perform far more in Medicine than

Vegetables can, as experience witnesseth) they are not to be adhibited

without correction. But I do not here understand the Kitchin

correction, which is done by Wine, Sugar, and Spices; but such an

one as in which all the parts remain together, and are corrected and

amended by the fiery _Menstruum_, and that without the addition of any

other thing as we taught before. And being on this wise corrected, they

do not onely safely conduce to a Medicinal help in desperate Diseases,

but do also become of greater assistance and comfort to many a sick

Person, and purchase to their Authours a greater honour. It is well

known even to blind Bayards and Barbars what effects sometimes the

great Earth-worms, _Scarabæus’s_, _Cantharides_, _Aselli_ or Pigs-lice,

and suck like Urine provoking Insects do effect, being administred

to the sick, crude, dried onely and so powdered; he that desires to

procure a good quantity of Earth-worms, let him but thrust a stick into

the Earth, and stir it to and fro thereby to disquiet the Worms, for

they will presently guess that the devouring Mole is at hand, and will

for fear creep by heaps out of the Earth, so as you may then easily

take them. If any one loaths the Worms themselves, let him take that

Earth which the Worms do cast out to the top of the ground, after a

warm Rain in the Spring time, and is like small bunches; as if they

should say, give us our lives for this Earth’s sake; and from thence

you may extract an Essence, which will be as profitable to you as if

you took us: _N. B._ The _Merulæ_ or Blackbirds seeks after this Earth

and carries it to her young ones lying in the Nest, which thing they

would not do, did it contain no good in it, but would rather take the

Worms themselves and carry them. A Dog which hath devoured many bones

seeks out for some clean place to dung in, either on a smooth stone,

or on the grass, as that he should say, This do I give you by way of

thankfulness for the food which you have bestowed on me, keep it and

use it according to your knowledge. _N. B._ The greatest Vertues of

Animals are placed in their Excrements, and not in their flesh. Next

the Excrements are the superfluities of the bodies, which (in men) are,

the Hair, Teeth, and Nails: In Beasts, the Hairs, Teeth, Hoofs, and

Horns: In Birds, the Claws, and Feathers, _&c._ And that the _May_ Worm

frees from the Gout and Stone, See Doctour _Wierus_, he hath written a

peculiar Treatise of the Gout, and of the wandering or moveable pains

of the Joints, and of the intrinsecal and hidden Scurvy, and other such

like Diseases, and which are commonly accompted of as uncurable; all

which he teacheth the removal of, by the means of the _May_ worms, or

unctious _Scarabæus’s_. Nor indeed is it without ground, that there is

sometimes more effected by such abject and contemptible Vermine, than

by the most precious and highly esteemed Compositions and Vegetables:

This now they do crude as they are, and uncorrected. But if the great

Earth-worms, and principally their Enemies, _viz._ those black, smooth,

and many footed Vermine, that suck from the Worms their Juice and

Strength; and likewise those broad, and party-coloured, venereous

small Vermine, which we have before mentioned (if all these I say) be

corrected by the fiery _Menstruum_, they would not onely drive forth

Urine, and the Stone, safely and without hurt, but would withal most

notably strengthen the nature of Man, and be a great comfort to many

debilitated Gallants. The green _Scarabæus’s_, the _Cantharides_, and

green Flies, being all of a venereal Nature, do (being corrected) not

onely drive forth the Stone and Urine, but do also wonderfully shew

their efficacy in the Feet Gout, wandring Gout, and other grievous

Diseases which have already gotten deep rooting: But that black and

slow creeping _May_ worm, or unctious _Scarabæus_ doth operate the

most efficacious of them all, and may be plentifully enough had in

the Months of _May_ and _June_. The whole knack of the business doth

consist in this, that such Vermine be well corrected with the Liquor

Alkahest, and so prepared before they be made use of. As for those

great and horned _Scarabæus’s_, that live upon the Juice and Rosins of

Nuts, Cherries, and Plums, and are wholly of a Balsamick Nature, if

they be corrected, I do highly encourage the use of them both inwardly

and outwardly, _viz._ when the internal and external Members are

tormented with most vehement pricking Pains and Torments. As for Emmets

or Ants they have a wholsome and efficacious Balsam, and are healers

both of inward and outward Dolours. But the chiefest of them are those

that live in Woods wherein are store of Pines, and Fir-trees, and do

there feed upon the Rosins of the Trees, and do not as the others do,

live upon leaves and grass, but do in the Summer Months store their

little Holes with the small Grains of those Rosins for their Winter

food. And this the Inhabitants of those Woods know full well, and do

seek after it and sell it the Druggists instead of Mastick. For it

answers to the Mastick that comes out of _India_ in efficacy, vertues,

form, and odour, and haply we might not need that Gum, knew we but

how to get and use this. There is great variety and plenty of such

like Insects as these, which without all question may be of great use

in medicine; but seeing they can’t be gotten in such plenty as the

Vegetables and Minerals may be, the use of them is forborn, and rarely

are they sought after. Nor indeed is it necessary to seek after and

fetch from far, such things as we have present before our Eyes. The

drift of my writing is this primarily, that I may demonstrate, that

there are in the universal _Menstruum_, such vertues as are able to

correct all venemous Animals, and deprive them of their Poisons, and

to convert them into wholsome medicaments, for the honour and renown

of it, was I even constrained to write these things. And as to its

energetical Operation on venemous Minerals, it is sufficiently enough

known, and doth most clearly appear even in its effect upon Antimony

alone, the which being burnt twice or thrice with common Niter, is

wholly deprived of its blackness, and cloaths it self with a most white

colour, and becomes a Diaphoretick and an all-evil-resisting Powder. So

is it too with Arsenick and Auripigment, those most vehement Poisons,

which may be so changed in a few hours space, as that they may be taken

afterwards into the Body without any hurt or danger, and will subdue

and expel the greatest Poisons, though indeed there’s no necessity of

making use of those venemous Subjects, seeing there is plenty enough

of other means. ’Tis sufficient that we have shown, that Niter hath

such notable vertues, as to be able to invert the venemous Nature of

every Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral, and of transmuting the Poison

into a wholsome Medicament. Now because the Animal vertues are more

efficacious than the Vegetables, and that the Minerals exceed them

both, therefore by good right are those Minerals of greatest use in

medicine, which be most efficacious, most sweet, and most safe. But yet

we would willingly have the Animals and Vegetables to retain their own

dignity and station: And for the better discovery of the difference

betwixt these, and that my Neighbour may be the better and more

sincerely served, necessity doth even require a larger explanation.

This therefore is generally to be observed, that by how much the riper

the Minerals be (and so ’tis with the Animals and Vegetables) by so

much the nearer they are to the Sun, and abide therein, so much the

safer and securer may they be taken into the Body. All Herbs, Vermine,

and Animals, that delight in a warm Air, and love to abide therein, are

never infected or impregnated with so great a Poison as those are that

delight rather in obscure, shady, and darksome places. For _Napellus_,

_Mandragora_, _Cicuta_, and such like Herbs are never, or at least most

rarely, to be found in other than dark places that are shaded over. And

so the most venemous Animals and Vermine, do most willingly take up

their abode in holes of the Earth, in cold and darksome Dens; and by

reason of the want of the warm Air remain venemous, and do necessarily

hurt mankind. But being digested by the Liquor of fixt Niter, they

deposit their venemous quality and become wholsome Medicaments. So then

all the maturation of things consisteth in heat, but Poison consisteth

in cold, witness Wine and the Fruits of Trees, the which being ripened

by the solar heat, men may feed on them without hurt, but if they be

eaten raw and unripe they corrupt their Stomachs. Now as we have said

of Animals and Vegetables, the same is also to be understood of the

unripe minerals and metals. By how much the unriper and cruder they

be, so much the more do they hurt, and are unfit for the making of

medicine. And as for metals, they do by little and little, and step

by step go on towards their perfection, and end: Like as an Infant

doth by little and little arrive to its highest degree of age. And as

there is more to be found in a man that is arrived to man’s Estate than

there is in an Infant, so is there in minerals and metals that have

in long success of time attained to their maturity. And forasmuch as

in them may be found, most safe, sweet, and efficacious Medicines, I

have deemed it necessary briefly to detect their dignity and degrees,

and shew the Ladder as it were, or Scale, wherein the metals stand

in order, and how by their signature that perfection which they have

gradually arrived unto, may be known. I do resemble the mines of metals

to a Tree, thus, _Saturn_ is the Root, _Mars_ the trunk or body,

_Jupiter_ the bark that covers the Tree over, _Mercury_ the Juice that

sticks between the bark and the trunk, _Venus_ the green leaves, _Lune_

the flower, and _Sol_ the fruit. The ancient Physicians or Naturalists,

compared the seven principal metals with the seven Planets, the which

comparison squares notably well with them. For the Planets and Metals

have a mutual correspondency with each other. The Chymists ascribe

Lead to _Saturn_: Tin to _Jupiter_: Iron to _Mars_: Copper to _Venus_:

Quick-silver to _Mercury_: Silver to _Lune_: and Gold to _Sol_: And

even as the Planets do excel one the other in brightness, vertues, and

other things; even so do the metals, and this their nature informs

us of, and their different signature demonstrates. Verily when the

ancients would mark out to us a perfect thing, they described it under

the form of a round Circle: And by how much imperfecter the thing was,

by so much the less rotundity did they give unto it. The Character of

the Sun is _Sol_, _viz._ a Circle with a point in the midst: The Circle

denotes the Golds perfection, the point in the middle of the Circle

signifies the Original of perfection. The sign of Silver or the Moon

was this _Luna_: which consisteth of two half Circles, and tells us of

its half perfection: So is it with the other signs, and signatures of

the other metals. How much the nearer they approach to a roundness, so

much the nearer are they to perfection, and so on the contrary. The

Sun being the noblest amongst all the Stars, doth also yield and make

the noblest metal, _viz._ Gold, the which is likewise to be observed

of the other metals. But by how much perfecter the metals be, so much

excellenter are the medicaments that proceed therefrom. _Saturn_ or

Lead, is not much profitable for the inward use of the body, except

it be in the Plague, and in other most hot Diseases. Being outwardly

applied it dries up the moist affects of the body, and moist Ulcers,

and healeth heat and all the external affects arising thencefrom.

_Jupiter_ or Tin is somewhat hotter than _Saturn_, but yet is withal

very dry. _Mars_ or Iron is hot and dry. _Venus_ or Copper is hot and

moist. _Mercury_ or _Argent vive_ is hotter and moister. _Lune_ or

Silver is of a midling heat and moisture. _Sol_ or Gold is at length of

temperate heat and moisture. If now any good thing be made our of Gold,

it corroborates the heart as being the most noble member of the body

of man. And so in like manner, Silver doth the brain: _Argent vive_

the Liver: Tin the Lungs: Iron the Gall: Lead the Milt or Spleen: and

Copper the Reins. Thus have the ancient Philosophers and Physicians

distributed the metals and distinguished them, the which I leave

as I find it, though perhaps some of them may yet admit of another

distinction. But so long may they remain (as they are) until _Elias_

the Artist, shall by his coming release us of our Errours. Amongst

the Minerals Antimony is the chiefest, in whom the Vertues of all the

Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, are collected and concentrated into

one, as its signature declareth. For the Philosophers have signed it

with a round Sphere (by which the Earth is deciphered) and on it a

cross put, and is without doubt for this reason, because the Earth

never produced any fitter Subject for medicine, and this is attested by

all true Chymists, as may be read in their Writings; but especially in

_Basil Valentine_’s triumphant Chariot of Antimony, being a Treatise he

wrote in honour of this Mineral. The same thing doth that Philosopher

testifie, saying, common Gold and Silver doe not effect it, but their

first Ens does it. Now that Antimony is the first and true genuine

Ens of Gold, is not onely testified by all the Philosophers, but also

daily experience it self witnesseth the same, from whence it is as

clear as Noon day, that Antimony is rarely to be found in any other

places but in Gold Mines, nor is there (besides) any Antimony but what

is pregnant with Gold, but yet some Antimony contains more Gold and

other some less. Nay farther, amongst the very Veins of Gold it self

is Antimony often met with, and may therefore undeservedly be stiled

an unripe Gold. I my self have seen a piece of golden Vein, which was

digged out of the Gold Mines, and contained some pounds weight, in one

side there was pure Gold, mixt with the hard Flint, on the other side

was a black Vein of Antimony. There is a place in _Germany_ called Gold

Granack, nigh which in the _Sudetis_ Mountains called _Fichtelberg_

by the _Germans_, was found heretofore much Gold, but now at this day

is there digged out onely Antimony, cleaving on to the hard Flints

and Rocks. And herewithal is immixed a golden Marquesite, which being

separated therefrom, and prepared after a due manner, becomes a most

excellent Medicament, of which we shall hereafter make mention.

Further, had we not this testimony of a daily experience, yet have we

the witness of the true Alchymy, which doth most assuredly affirm,

that true Gold may by the help of Art be extracted out of Antimony.

Nay more, this incomparable Art, doth not onely perform this, _viz._

of bringing Antimony to the true ripeness of Gold, but doth also so

change the Gold (by extracting its Soul) that it is no more Gold, but

is plainly indistinguishable from any _Regulus_ of Antimony both as to

the form, volatility, nature, and properties of the same. And although

an infinite number of men will contradict these sayings of mine, yet

shall they never draw me from this my opinion, for I believe but what

my Eyes have seen. One Eye-witness is of more value than ten hear-say

ones. Such as do gainsay these things, do build on no other foundations

save such as they have gotten by reading or hearsay, and what will

not at all correspond with experience. Well, I will remain stable in

my opinion and in very truth demonstrate, that there is no subject to

be found in the nature of things, that may be preferred in Medicine,

before Antimony, so that it be but duely brought into its true Essence.

I confess that whilst it is crude and as yet unprepared, it is a mere

Poison, and the use thereof is accompanied with a great deal of danger.

And such as do use the common glass of Antimony, and other Medicaments

made thereof after a rude manner, and so hurt the sick, must impute the

blame to themselves and not the Antimony.

I have mentioned in my _Miraculum Mundi_, and in my first part of

my _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_, the preparation of a Medicine out of

Antimony, and have called it a _Panacæa_. This now out strips the

capacity of very many rude and ignorant men, to whom it seems unlikely

and impossible, that a Medicine of such wonderfull efficacy should lie

hidden in so contemptible and base a thing as to deserve such a Title

as a _Panacæa_: but especially seeing some unskilfull men, have instead

of it, administred to the sick crude Antimony, and by saying it is my

_Panacæa_ have with a wicked boldness deceived men, and have hereby

brought an _Odium_ and contempt amongst very many men, upon this true

Medicine of mine. Amongst these is that faithless _Farnerus_ none of

the least, yea rather is more eminent or standard-bearer to the rest,

and such a one as may rightly be termed the blot and scandal too of

other men. For my part, he that lists may persecute Antimony with as

much hatred as he pleaseth. But whereas I have already praised it,

and the thing doth withal concern my Neighbour’s profit, I could not

omit yet farther to magnifie and exalt it with greater praises, and in

very deed confirm this truth, _viz._ that such a Medicine may be made

thereout of as I have described, and therefore every one that judgeth

of the truth without prejudice must confess, that there is not a

better, an effectualler, or a more harmless medicament, and purchasable

by a meaner price, insomuch that both rich and poor may enjoy the same,

if so be it be but prepared and used as it ought. But that he who is

studious after good medicaments may withal see, that I have not spent

my labour altogether on Antimony, but on other Subjects too, I will

adjoin the description of the preparation, use and efficacy of other

Subjects, and will take care for the preparation of those medicaments

for the benefit of mankind, and of the sick, and for the distribution

of them amongst the needy. For by this means shall I satisfie my

conscience and shall not be accused thereby of burying the Talent given

me, out of envy and hatred to my Neighbour. And whoever he be that

hath any good thing, let him make it common, and being moved with pity

and commiseration become serviceable unto his Neighbour. But if he

neither hath, nor knoweth ought better, let him desist from contemning

this, and omit despising the things he is ignorant of. And let him not

deprive the miserable poor sick people of such things as himself cannot

give, that so he may remain an honest and pious man. But as touching

the Medicaments, which are here treated of, they are indeed but few,

however they are such as may next God be safely confided in.

I have formerly written of preparing a _Panacæa_ of common Antimony,

and taught its way of making. But whereas the description is dispersed

in divers tracts, and is obscurer thereby, and haply one man may not

have all those Treatises, I have judged it expedient to repeat that

description in this place, and to mention it in this Treatise.

The preparation doth for the most part consist in the Calcination by

Niter, which corrects and changeth the venome and immature Quality of

the Antimony. Then afterwards the pure part is extracted by Spirit of

Wine, and becomes a tender and spadicious (or light-red) Powder, and

can effect those things, which I do here ascribe unto it. It may be

taken in a morning before you eat, either in Wine, Ale, or some hot

Broth, or in a soft poached Egg, or roasted Apple, and fasting some

hours after it untill its operation be finished. The Dose is ¼ or ½

of a Grain, or 1, 2, 3, or 4, Grains at most for one time, regard

being had to the Age and Disease, concerning which, the well minded

Reader will find more written, in the first part of this _Spagyrical

Pharmacopœa_, and in my _Miraculum Mundi_, but yet I will here likewise

annex it for the benefit of the sick.

_Of the common use of this Medicine._

This Universal Medicine may safely and without any kind of danger

be used in all the natural Diseases of new born Infants, as well as

in those of years, and strong people, and may be used I say without

any danger, and in so small a dose as may not move in any one either

a loathing or a nauseate, as these large Cup-fulls of the common

Potions are wont to do when they are drank down. For that dose exceeds

not 1, 2, 3, or 4 Grains at the most, and may most easily be taken

down in a spoonfull of warm Broath, Wine, Ale, Water, or Milk, as

the necessity of the sick requires. For if this prescribed dose be

observed, it operates after an invisible manner, and strengthens the

radical Moisture, and purgeth and expelleth out after a wonderfull

manner, every hurtfull thing (by little and little) out of the whole

body, if it be daily used, (or every second or third day) once each

day according as the condition, or necessity of any one requireth.

It defendeth every body from all hurtfull Causes and Diseases, and

admits not the least venomous Air, but if the Dose be augmented, it

doth also display its vertues, by a visible operation, and drives

out by Sweat and Urine, or Spittle, sometimes upwards and downwards,

every noxious thing, and operateth even as you will have it, according

as your dose is either more or less, and as your Disease needeth. A

dose that is very small and void of any visible operation, is wont

to heal many Diseases, yea and the greatest part of them. But some

Diseases there be which have deep rooting, and do therefore require a

visible operation, forasmuch as they cannot be expelled with a small

and invisible operating Dose. Every one therefore that prepareth and

administreth this Medicine, must accurately observe this direction,

that so (having regard to the Disease) he neither exceed nor come short

in the administration of this Medicament, but by a right using of the

same, he may obtain praise and glory.

But that the whole matter may be the better and more clearly

apprehended, I will set down the use of the said Medicine, according as

my self have experienced it, in the most grievous Diseases, that so the

sick may be instructed and helped, and the less Errours committed.

In the Plague and other raging burning Diseases, and contagious

Feavours, this Medicament doth (next God’s help) preserve every

one that takes it daily, in this proportion, _viz._ to Infants ½ a

Grain, to those of a midling Age, 1, 2, or 3, at most. But if any

one be infected by either of those Diseases, then the dose is to be

doubled according to the parties age, or trebled, that the sick being

well covered may sweat. If one time sufficeth not to free him of

this Disease, the dose of the said Medicine may be repeated the day

following, or the third day, and so is it to be proceeded on with, till

the Disease being weakened is cast forth.

This way of preservation and curing is not onely to be observed in the

Plague, but in all contagious Diseases that assaults with heat or cold,

and in all kind of Feavers whatsoever. The sick need not any other

Medicaments, for this is powerfull and effectual enough; provided you

pray seriously therewithal, that it may (by the help of God) drive away

that abominable and detestable Disease the Plague, and the pricking

paining Pleurisie, with the other Feavers. Nay farther, there is no

Medicament, no not of the best that performs what this can.

In the Epilepsie, or Convulsions of Children, of whom a great Number

destitute of such help die, this _Panacæa_ is a most experienced and

certain remedy for them, and is to be administred to a little Infant

presently after its Birth, the quantity of the ⅛ part or ¼ part of a

grain, in a little Milk, or else in some warmed fresh Butter, and is to

be repeated again the third and eighth day following. But if it should

be so, that after some days, weeks, or months, the fits do again come,

then let your Dose be somewhat stronger if the Child needs it, and be

so often reiterated untill the Disease be wholly subdued and carried

off. I do most highly commend this Medicine to all Mothers, for that

abundance of Infants (otherwise healthfull and sound enough are without

any help, snatched away by the violence of Death. And here the error of

some Physicians deserves to be taxed, who administer to the poor little

Babes, whole Glassfulls of the Water of Pearls void of all kind of

Virtue. Also the Powder of _Bezoar_ Stone either with, or without the

Water, together with the infusion of such like unprofitable things.

Such Men as are of riper years, may daily use the Dose of one, two,

or three grains, and it will profit them. If not daily then may they

repeat it every third or fourth day at least, and so continue untill

the Disease being subdued pass away: ’Tis needless for them to use

any other kind of thing, onely to observe this direction, _viz._ that

day that they do use this Medicament, let them shun the cold Air, and

abstain from Food three or four hours at least.

In the Leprosie, and other like detestable Diseases of whatsoever name

they are called by, and in every kind of Scabbiness, there is not to be

found any Remedy, whereby those affects are more easily and without any

trouble or labour, taken away better than this, which never fails your

hoped event, provided the sick be so strong as to brook the Cure.

In that detestable and venemous Disease of Whoredom usually called the

French Pox, there is nothing can be administred safer and securer than

this Medicament, if the Dose be but so much augmented, as not onely to

cause Sweat strongly, but also to provoke Vomits and Stools; and you

are so long to go on with using this Medicine every other day, untill

the Sick be well, which may be in some eight or fourteen days.

He that is overwhelmed with the Dropsie, may take one Dose every Day,

and forbear eating (for some hours after the use of this Medicine, (the

which is necessary to be done in other Diseases also) but let him that

takes it so as to work strongly, proceed gradually from one grain to

two, _&c._ untill it causeth a kind of nauseate (but without vomiting)

in as big a Dose as is needfull, and as the Patient can well bear.

Which being thus done, the Dose is afterwards to be lessened one or

two grains, and the lessening to be continued untill all the Water be

cast forth by Sweat, Urine, and Stool, and the Sick become as healthy

as he was before. Nor is there any reason why any one should doubt of

radically taking away this Disease, (except it be plainly deplorable

or desperate) by this my _Panacæa_ onely, forasmuch as experience

demonstrateth it more clear than the Noon-day Light.

In the Gout (a Disease accounted by the common Physicians for

incurable, as well as the Leprosie and Dropsie) doth this Medicament

perform wonderfull things, and doth effect more in a short space

of time than any one would either imagine or believe, provided it

be rightly administred. For it doth in a short time draw back the

affluence of noxious humours, and brings them forth out of the Body

after an invisible manner; so that, Day after Day, the pains do by

little and little remit and abate, the tumours lessen, and the Fit

becomes more tolerable, comes the slower, and at length vanisheth for

altogether. As for the Dose, you are to observe the same instructions

that we gave you but now for the Dropsie, _viz._ that you daily make

the same addition unto one grain so long till you cause a nauseate (but

no vomit) and then must you again lessen it one or two grains. The

Patient must do thus daily on a fasting Stomach, (and keep himself warm

and abstain from Food four hours, after the use of this Medicament)

as long as need shall require. Haply the things which I here mention,

will meet with many incredulous Men, and such as will not believe it

possible, for such a Disease as hath been hitherto esteemed incurable

by almost all Men, to be rooted out by the aforesaid Medicament; the

Opinion of such Men I confess that I cannot take in bad part, forasmuch

as even I my self was but a few years since (before I had experienced

the wonderfull efficacy of this Medicament) of the very same Opinion.

But after my experience had taught me to judge otherwise I do truly

and faithfully affirm, that this Disease is in no wise incurable, but

may (provided it be not too inveterate, and that the strength of the

Sick, either through old Age, or Debilities, hinder not the Medicines

operation, or that God himself withdraws not his own blessing) by a

good and sutable Medicament, be, if not radically rooted out, yet

for the greatest of it expelled. Now it is not to be thought, that

he who useth this _Panacæa_ may be at his choise to live as he list,

_viz._ either soberly, or to stuff his Stomach daily with hurtfull and

forbidden Food, and to swallow in Wine as he pleaseth. No such matter,

such Men err most hugely, for even the Philosophers Stone it self, that

is, the so much famed rooter out of Diseases would not help there. For

whatsoever those most excellent Medicines do mend in the Fore-noon,

and correct, the After-noons Surfeiting and Gluttony, and the so large

excess of Meat and Drink, will again destroy and corrupt. Nor is there

any room for the Opinion of those Men that think to be freed of this

Disease, by a bare Abstinence from Wine: No, this Disease comes not

always from drinking of Wine, for it is most evidently known, that

sometimes even the poorest of Men that never drank Wine are afflicted

with this Disease. And therefore the fault is not wholly to be imputed

to the Wine. Every kind of repletion or overfilling whether with too

much Wine or Ale, may procreate and encrease a Disease, but that is

not the onely or sole cause. For there are many other causes, from

whence this Disease is wont to arise. Verily, often being wrathfull

doth most vehemently disturb the Family, as it were, of the internal

Bowels. Lust, and an often use of Venery (which is the usual attender

and follower of Drunkenness) doth vehemently enervate and debilitate

the strength of the body. From hence nature being enervated and

debilitated, is not able to expell out of the body the copious relicts

and excrements, remaining of the too much abundance of meat and drink,

and therefore those excrements abiding in the body and exercising their

powers without controll, do produce most grievous Diseases. For that

part which nature is weakest in, there doth the Enemy make his first

attempt, according to the usual _German_ Proverb, every one climbs over

the Hedge in that place where it is lowest. The same doth for the most

part fall out in the procreation of this Disease, _viz._ when the body

is loaden and filled with overmuch Food and Drink, for the body being

overwhelmed with overmuch Wine, and then an immoderate coition or act

of venery presently following thereon, doth most exceedingly weaken the

body. For nature being by this means weakned, hath not strength enough

to expel those remaining excrements, which soon get Head, to the great

hurt and detriment of the whole body, and do make themselves a fixed

seat, the which is to be well headed in this Disease.

Besides this Medicament doth resist all the obstructions of the

Milt and Liver, (which corrupt the Blood, and stir up most grievous

Diseases, as the Scurvy, Joynt-Aches, Erisipelas, continued Headachs,

weakness of the Limbs, a Stinking Breath; and in Women a suffocation

of the Matrix, a suppression of the Months, panting of the Heart,

Swounings, the Lipothimy, and many such known, and unknown Diseases)

far more efficaciously than all other Medicaments do. All these

aforementioned Diseases are healed by the said Medicine, being taken

oftner or seldomer every Week according as the Disease is, and you will

see wonderfull effects produced.

I commend also this Medicament to all those that employ themselves in

Surgery, that they respect it as the chiefest Remedy that they can get.

For being daily given in a small Dose to those that are wounded, it

heals all new wounds in the Flesh, without the assisting help of any

vulnerary potions, and external applications of Emplaisters that are

compounded of so very many simples. For it withholds all Symptoms, and

advanceth healing even from the very bottom, and so to the external

parts, and doth also consolidate; but this is to be understood of those

wounds in which are no hurt or broken bones, for as for these the

manual Art is requisite, which may again set the Bones in their due

order and place. Likewise deep Stabs are to have Tents used to them

according as the Chirurgeons order is to apply them. But no external

thing need to be used besides, save onely the Patients own Urine

and Salt-Water, wherewithall the wounds are to be washed, and after

washing, to be covered with pure or clean Linnen, that the coldness of

the Air hurt them not.

But if wounds be dangerous and over great, then may also be applyed

some vulnerary Balsam, and Plaisters made of the Flores of Minerals and

Metals, and done up with Wax, Turpentine, and Oil: (Such Emplaisters I

have taught the composition of in my other Writings.) So that there’s

no need of so many Oils, Unguents, Emplaisters, and such like, to be

applyed to new wounds, if this medicament of mine be daily administred

to the wounded Patient.

This medicine doth operate even to admiration in open Fistulaes,

rotten and stinking Ulcers, nor is there any need of outward remedies,

save haply some Mineral Balsam to keep the Ulcer clean, and some

Plaister made of common Wax and Turpentine to keep off the cold Air.

For this Medicament doth begin its healing even from the very bottom,

and carries it on very successfully even to the outer Skin, and doth

throughly consolidate and perfectly cure all Ulcers, without any other

external remedies than aforesaid.

Having then well considered these things, and that every one cannot

prepare the prescribed Medicine, and yet very many may be found

that would willingly partake of the same; It seemed good unto me to

adjoin this admonition, that they that know how to prepare it, be

entreated not to count it burthensome, but rather being moved by a

Christian compassion, readily make such as are ignorant of the manner

of preparing it, partakers of the same; And not to mind wholly their

own profit, according to the custome of this perverse world, and the

scraping up of store of wealth, but to be well content with an honest

and just reward for their charges and labour which they have bestowed.

And forasmuch as the often spoken of Medicament, if sent abroad either

in a Liquid form, or in the form of Powder, into other parts, cannot

be in due manner used by every body, because an Error may easily be

committed in the measuring of Drops, and in weighing of Grains, and

so more or less be given. I have therefore deemed it very necessary

to reduce it into Pills, that so the less Errors may be committed in

its administration; and one Pill weighs one Grain, and two Pills two

Grains, and so on; so that the Patient needs neither to measure or

weigh, but onely to use them as the disease requires, and as I have

before prescribed, 1, 2, 3, 4, or more Pills at one time.

These now are the principal Vertues of my _Panacæa_ made of Antimony.

As for the rest that are besides these, and are (for brevity sake)

omitted, they may be easily understood and known by every Judicious

man, from the before described circumstances. I do therefore yet again

testifie, that all the things that I have ascribed to this Medicament,

yea far more than they, can be done and effected thereby, if it be

rightly prepared and administred; And principally, if the Name of God

be seriously invoked. For prayers and a trust in God do strengthen

every Medicine, and make it happy by his benediction, though the

wicked will neither believe it, nor hearken thereunto. Indeed some

Medicament may, by God’s permission, restore one (without prayers)

to his former health; And so may Bread allay hunger without giving

thanks, and this we see daily done amongst the unreasonable Creatures:

But this enjoying of the gifts of God is bestial, and not humane. But

this now is truely Christian-like when (in our diseases) the help of

God is invoked, and then after that, the Medicine used. And this

way of using of Medicaments is necessarily accompanied with an happy

event. But if thou wouldest perswade thy self, that every Disease, how

inveterate soever, may, by the help of this Medicine, be certainly

removed without any difference, thou extreamly errest. For we speak

here of those Diseases, natural Remedies are able (by God’s help) to

heal. For sometimes Man’s inward bowels or parts, are so stuffed and

obstructed with gross humours, that they cannot be freed by even the

most efficacious Medicaments. Sometimes the Lungs and Liver are almost

wholly corrupted, e’er the true place of healing is sought after. And

who, I pray, is able to restore the things that are lost? For Man’s

inward bowels and principal members do not again grow, being once lost,

as the Crab’s shells and Spider’s feet that are broken off and lost,

doe. Farther, sometimes God inflicts a disease upon a Man, whom he will

not suffer to be cured. Such like Diseases as these cannot be taken

away with natural remedies. With God all things are possible; who alone

is able to bring help and remedy in such kind of diseases, whensoever

pleaseth him? but besides him alone none can help. There are therefore

some incurable diseases, which cannot be cured by any _Panacæa_, yet

not the Quartane, Leprosie, Gout, Epilepsie, and Dropsie, as most men

think, though Experience (or the being put on trial) should witness the

contrary. And although that all humane diseases be, in process of Years

and Ages become worse, and more troublesome, and doe, together with

the augmentation of sins, encrease; Yet the most bounteous God hath

also bestowed thus much, that there are more and more efficacious and

natural Remedies to be found out (by the Divine instinct) by diligent

men.

It happened some few years ago, that an honest man’s child, of about

some ten years old, had its Tongue perforated with many Exulcerations,

which pained it very much day and night. To cure which, the Parents

spared for no costs nor pains, and consulted with divers of their

neighbouring Physicians, but they used all their Labour and Skill to

no purpose, for the Exulcerations daily encreased with much pain, and

grew worse and worse; and the poor child, being destitute of all help,

wasted away. Then, at last, they called me to advise with them, and

having told me how many, and otherwise famous Physicians, could not

by all the labour and pains they bestowed for full two years do any

thing to the purpose, but had at last left the poor child destitute

of help and succour. I seeing the effect, considered that this was

nothing else but a Corrosive Catarrh arising from infected bloud,

which did so possess the Tongue, and perforate it, and was the cause

of this burning, eating, and cancrous effect, and so hitherto refused

any kind of healing, and gave the Parents such an answer, that in my

opinion there was no better way to meet with this evil, than by some

purging Minerals, which were capable of working, upon even the fix’d

humours, and of bringing them away, and that to be done principally by

an Antimonial Vomit. The Parents assented to my opinion, and requested

me to begin the cure, the which I did, and first I gave a small Dose

of my Antimonial _Panacæa_, not doubting but that it would stir up one

Vomit at the least; but yet it fell out otherwise, for there succeeded

no sensible operation at all: The following day I gave again the same

Dose, but without any sensible operation too, but yet nevertheless all

the pain vanished, and the Child could again move its Tongue, and use

it, and also ask’t for Meat, which it had not done in a year before,

but was forced to be content with Broths, because its Tongue could not

brook any solid food. The third day I administred the same Dose again,

and so the Exulcerations began to be consolidated, and all the whole

Tongue was throughly healed in eight days space, insomuch that there

scarce appeared any place where it had been ulcerated; and the Child

daily grew better and better, its natural Colour returned, the which

drew all that knew it into admiration as well as my self. By this Cure

that I have told you of, the vertue and efficacy of my _Panacæa_ did

farther manifest unto me what I knew not before to be in it, nor should

ever have believed it, (had I not perceived a manifest operation)

_viz._ that the Bloud should, by the help of so little Medicine, which

was not in all above six grains, be able in such a short space of time

to effect so much; And afterwards I perceived the same effects in other

Diseases likewise, and found that the daily use of this Medicine did

not onely shew its operation upon the Tartar in the Reins and Bladder

not as yet coagulated, but did by little and little lessen the already

hardned Sand and Stone, and in length of time expell it: And did also

in success of time resolve and root out even Podagrical inveterate

humours.

But thus much may suffice to have been spoken of the common Antimonial

_Panacæa_. This name _Panacæa_ hath made some envious men stare, and

such as judge this Medicament unworthy such a name, seeing it is

prepared out of so vile a subject, and doth withall sometimes (when

too unskilfully handled) stir up vehement Vomitings, which is not the

property of a _Panacæa_ to do. That I may answer such, I say, that

the name _Panacæa_ denoteth such a Medicament as may profitably be

administred in all Diseases, the which thing the _Panacæa_ of Antimony

is also wont to doe as daily experience testifies. But as for its being

taken out of such a vile and (by many brethren in ignorance) despised

subject, that doth not at all derogate from its Name, provided that

the Medicine thence drawn performs those things that are spoken of it.

Pray what brought _David_, that contemptible Shepherd, unto a Kingdom?

was not he of a low name, and low birth: the same is to be understood

of this Medicament. It is its most noble efficacy and operation hath

given it this name, and not its vile birth, nor contemptible nativity

and abject form. Neither is this any lett thereunto, _viz._ that it is

prepared out of a mean subject, and such a one as the ignorant contemn

and despise, and which (before its preparation) was a Poison; for the

Poison is now transmuted by the help of Art, and of the fire, into

a wholsome Medicament, and the more strong operation thereof, such

as to cause vehement Vomits, is not to be imputed to the Medicine it

self, but unto the abuse of it. For so the best Wine and most fragrant

Spices, are a poison to such as do abuse them. Abuse may turn the best

Medicine into Poison; and Art and Fire, both can and usually are wont

to turn Poison into a Medicament. That which I have often spoken, I do

here again repeat, and call God and the Truth to witness, that I never

met with any subject, that might with more profit be transmuted into a

wholesome Medicine, than the vile and contemptible Antimony; The which

I will take care to see it prepared ready for the Poors use: And as for

the Rich, to them I commend the Golden Purple-coloured _Panacæa_, which

hath the same efficacy as the former has, but herein differs from it,

_viz._ it operates more gently, and is less sensible in the operation,

and may be far more safely administred unto Infants and old Men, and

may be doubled in the Dose. Some few years since, many men of high and

low degree have by the help of this Medicine been freed, not onely

from the Gout, but from other grievous and inveterate Diseases: Nor

have I ever heard since the time I have prepared it, for my Neighbours

benefit, that the use of it wanted some good effect: Nor is there any

cause to fear offending by the abuse or excess thereof, as is in the

vulgar Antimonial Medicament. But this Golden Medicine will rarely

stir up Vomiting in the sick, unless a due measure be by a wanton

abuse exceeded, or the Dose too much enlarged. For this reason I will

hereafter have by me, for such as need the same, this Golden Medicine,

in the form of a Purple Powder, and the common Antimonial (because

that it being like a red Powder may be easily counterfeited, and so

ill-prepared Antimony may chance to be sold to the sick instead of a

_Panacæa_) shall be ready made up in Pills, and in that form onely,

each of which shall contain one Grain, that so being ready weighed the

sick that use them may receive no detriment by weighing and so taking

them. These now may be used by such men as are of a midling age, or

elder; but to those that are Infants, and aged, and weak persons I

commend the Golden, as operating more gently and safely. The Antimonial

_Panacæa_ made up in a Pillular form, may be most exceedingly

profitable in those long _East_ and _West-India_ Navigations, in which

the Souldiers and Mariners are so extreamly troubled with the Scurvy,

and debilitated thereby, and yet have so little benefit or help from

the Medicaments which they carry with them. Now this Medicine is able

so far to help them, as that they may make their Navigations with a

more courageous and more cheerfull mind. For I have not hitherto met

with any subject in the whole nature of things, that can oppose it self

with greater efficacy against all the corruption of the bloud, and

oppilations of the inward members, than this Medicine; the which both

Souldiers and Marriners may have with them, it being not very dear,

nor easily corruptible, and so make use thereof in necessitous Cases.

There is not to be found in the whole World a more commodious and more

wholsome Medicine, as well for the Marriners that sail for many Months

in the vast Ocean, as for the Souldiers lying in Camps, that undergo

troubles and discommodities of all sorts, and lead a disorderly life.

And therefore if Chyrurgions that be in Ships and Camps were furnished

with this Medicament, they would verily preserve the lives of many

Marriners and Souldiers, and would with one onely Ounce, which is of no

great price, out of which may some Hundreds of Doses be made, easily

effect far more than with a whole Chest full of such Medicaments as

are but of small virtue. If a Physician or Chyrurgion, that follows

the Camp, had by him some Ounces, he would preserve the Lives of

many Thousands of men, which would otherwise miserably perish. It is

a Medicine of easie carriage, and as easily kept, which is a thing

deservedly to be accounted of, seeing it much concerneth him who is a

Commander, to have at hand some present remedy for his Souldiers that

are usually oppressed with the Plague, Scurvy, Dysentery, malignant

Feavers, and other such like diseases, with which whole heaps of them

perish, as Flies do in a cold season. This incomparable Medicine doth

easily resist all those diseases. Upon this account I will have ready

by me for time to come, good store of this Medicament, and such as need

the same may seek it from me, and be made partakers thereof. I will

perform the office of a good Christian, who being not born onely for

himself, but for his Neighbours too, ought to be helpfull unto them,

even as the hand helps the hand, and one member helps another, the

which thing verily every one should necessarily (and well worthy is it

to be) observe more carefully.

Next this Antimonial Medicine, in the form of Pills, and the Golden

_Panacæa_ (of a Purple Colour) follows, my _Nepenthes_, or Anodine

medicament, allaying all Pains, and is made of corrected _Opium_,

extract of Saffron, and the Volatile Sulphur of Vitriol. Every one

knows that _Opium_ is stupefactive and soporiferous, because so much

mention is made of the correcting and preparing it, and the way,

described by many, of so doing; For they well perceived, that it being

sometimes imprudently administred, did not onely cause sleep, but

brought also the brother of Sleep too, _viz._ Death, insomuch that

the sick being cast into an everlasting sleep, could not be awakened

any more, (for it is a praise-worthy Medicament, and such an one as

will beget credit enough;) and therefore they not knowing how to take

away this Poison, did bend their studies thereabouts more and more, to

correct the _Opium_, and to tame the venomous force it had. Therefore

they dried it throughly, and reduced it into Powder, and dissolved it

with Spirit of Wine or Vinegar, and extracted it, and by distillation

abstracted these _Menstruums_, and brought the extracted _Opium_ to the

consistency of Honey, and thereto admixed a certain portion of the best

Saffron, wherewith they endeavoured to tame and correct the venomous

quality of the _Opium_. Others mixed that Powder with Oil of Anniseeds,

Liquid Storax, or extract of Saffron, (which are Simples that will

procure Sleep without _Opium_) and made it up in a Mass, and accounted

it a most excellent confection, as being every-where hitherto in the

Apothecaries Shops, and used by the Physicians with good success,

sometimes in many deplorable diseases: And is even to this day (and

deservedly too) in use, for there could not be found a better and more

safe one. But now forasmuch as a better and safer way is found out,

’tis but just to admit of this, and omit the other which is not so

good. Since the time that I knew the use of the Universal Dissolvent,

or moist and cold Fire, I found out and corrected many Subjects by

the help of the same. And amongst others, I dissolved _Opium_ in the

Liquor of Niter after my way, and prepared it, and perceived wonderfull

effects therein, but especially when I adjoined to it the Volatile

Sulphur of Vitriol, which is of it self an excellent and incomparable

Somniferous Anodine, allaying all Pains with a wonderfull success. I

also hereunto added the Essence of Saffron, a wonderfull strengthener

of the Heart. _Opium_ being uncorrected, is a vehement Saturnine

stupefier, which doth by its immoderate stupefying property constringe

as it were and choak the Vita faculties, insomuch that the often using

the same make men pale, and to sleep (for the most part) with their

mouths and eyes open, and they can hardly be awakened before the

operation thereof be over: And therefore many do deservedly abhor the

use of the same. The adding of the Oil of Anniseed and Saffron, may in

some sort restrain the cruel rage of it, but cannot throughly subdue

it; But yet even this may be done with ease, when being reduced unto

Powder, it be dissolved with the Volatile Spirit of Vitriol, instead

of the Spirit of Wine or Vinegar, and so strained through a Paper,

and precipitated with the contrary (or different nature) Liquor of

Niter, and be washed with common Water, be dried and prepared into a

Mass with the Essence of Saffron, in which operation the Narcotick

Sulphur of the Vitriol adjoins it self to the _Opium_, and this is far

better, and corrects it by its sulphureous and acid Spirit. But that

the Spirit of Vitriol is most fit for this effect, I will shew the

well-minded Reader. The common Vitriol doth, for the most part, consist

of a Sulphureous Salt, and of an Earth containing Iron or Copper. But

when it is distilled by the Fire, the Spirit of the Salt carrieth

up with it a Volatile and Sulphureous Spirit out of the _Mars_; the

which being precipitated with somewhat that is of a contrary nature,

affords you a subtile Narcotick Sulphur, very little in quantity,

but of a most wonderfull efficacy, the which I have made mention of

in the Second Part of my Furnaces. But if now there be added to the

Calcined Vitriol an equal weight of Iron filings or Iron cinders, such

as are smitten off from the red-hot Iron on an Anvil, and half a pound

of Salt-peter, and a water be distilled out of these matters thus

conjoined, the Spirit of Niter will bring over a great portion of the

Spirit of _Mars_. This Volatile Sulphureous Spirit is to be separated

from the Corrosive Spirit by rectification, and to be distilled

into a Receiver that has in it a little fair water. This Volatile

rectified Spirit, and not that corrosive one that was left behind in

the rectification, is to be used for the dissolving and correcting of

the _Opium_. And although that many diligent Chymists have before now

understood somewhat of this Narcotick Vitriol, as I my self did, yet

we have done but little as to the preparation thereof. But at length

when on a certain time I had added Filings of Iron to Calcined Vitriol,

to distill thence from an _Aq. Fortis_, my Retort being very red hot,

did by chance break, so that the matter fell out into the fire, out

of which proceeded so sulphureous a fume, and so much, and so filled

all the Laboratory that I could not stay in the Room; therefore I took

the live Coals out of the Furnace, as speedily as possible I could,

because of the suppressions and difficulties (of breathing) which that

Spirit overwhelmed me as it were withall, and hardly got my self out

of the Laboratory-door, but having got a little fresh Air, I presently

came to my self again, and perceived that the whole House was filled

with the fume, and therefore to let it out, I opened all the windows

and doors of the House. When I had thus done, presently hapned another

danger, for the burning Coals that I had pulled out of the Furnace,

had kindled the other Coals that were next them; There being danger of

fire, and that I might prevent it (being destitute of water, and in

the night-time hapning) I ran to the rest that were sleeping in the

Chamber, to get them to arise and fetch water, and to help me quench

the fire. But they slept so exceeding soundly, that though I called

and did my best to awaken them about quenching the fire, yet was I

forced to go about it my self, and do it as well as I could. Having

quenched it, away go I into the Chamber to see what they were doing

of, and I found them all oppressed with a most heavy sleep, yea and

the sweat dropped from all their faces, though it was Winter-season.

When it was light they awoke and arose, to whom I told the danger I

was in, and that I could not awaken them. They all of them confessed

that they dreamed that they were oppressed with some heavy thing, so

that they could not stir themselves. From this mischance, learned I

two things, the first is this, _viz._ that in Vitriol and Iron lay

hid an highly Narcotick Sulphur: The other was this, what the cause

is that some Men but especially melancholy Men do in the Night Dream,

that they are so oppressed with some thing, and yet cannot be awakned.

For the Sulphureous martial and saturnine Vapours which cast the

Brain and Heart into such straits, and do bind as ’twere the vital

Spirits with a Cord, do cause such Dreams. This breaking therefore of

my Retort, discovered to me an excellent Medicine, and the Disease

subject to the same, so that there is nothing so evil out of which

some good doth not sometimes spring up. I judged it worth my labour,

to gratifie those that are studious in Medicine by adding to the

aforegoing things, this story, hoping it will not be a thing tedious

to any. Besides this is worthy of consideration, that hapned to one of

the Children sleeping in the same case, whose head was much troubled

with phlegminess, but the Catarrs were so dissolved and loosened by

the efficacy of this fume, that it was ever after of a sound head.

From hence did I conjecture that there was more to be found in the

Sulphur of Vitriol than can be believed, and this did I conjoyn with

the corrected _Opium_, by the often use of which Medicine, I have freed

many Children from the Epilepsie or Convulsions, and found besides

that it was most exceedingly profitable for old Men, and such as were

of riper years; But with this proviso, that my Antimonial _Panacæa_ be

first administred, to those of a midling Age, and my golden _Panacæa_

to Infants and old Men, which being premised or first used, this most

excellent _Nepenthes_, can by so much the better and more commodiously

display its virtues. By this Medicine all internal pains, a disquiet

mind, and light-headedness in Fevers, are allayed, a quiet and gentle

sleep procured, the Winds and Gripes of Infants and elder Men, that

afflict their Bellies and Intestines are driven away, a good ingeny

and chearfull mind is procured, all wild and unquiet Spirits that

molest the Heart and Brain are restrained and laid a sleep: The vital

Spirit being overcome and suppressed with corrupt humours is reduced

to its former liberty, and the lost strength and vigour of the Body

so happily restored, that a most evident help is presently perceived,

and principally if the _Opium_ be well corrected by the help of the

volatile Spirit of Vitriol. It may likewise be profitably corrected

by the fix’d Liquor of Niter, extracted with Spirit of Wine, and be

reduced into an Essence. But if this correction be made by the acid

Spirit, it is better and more profitable, than that made by fixt Niter.

For in correcting it by the fixt Niter, the corrected Essence is to

be extracted by Spirit of Wine, which makes the powers of the _Opium_

too volatile and penetrative, the which thing we seek not after in

this place, being it is far better, that the _Opium_ lets upon his

enemy leasurely and not too strongly; and this experience sufficiently

testifies the necessity of. This most excellent medicine is one of the

four Cardinal Pillars, whereon the whole fabrick of medicine is built.

The Antimonial _Panacæa_ is a most excellent and safe purge, most fit

to drive out all the evil humours out of the whole Body. The golden

_Panacæa_ is the best and most excellent Diaphoretick and Sudorifick.

But the corrected _Opium_ and vitriolate Sulphur is the most eminent

Anodine and Somniferous Medicament.

_A Diuretick and Nephritick, extracted by the help of a certain

proper Vegetable Spirit, and endued with excellent Virtues._

Take of Cantharides one ounce, _Aselli_ or Hog-Lice two ounces, put

into a Glass, and pour upon them three ounces of the Spirit of Niter,

and dissolve the Vermine in a gentle heat, that they may be reduced

into Water, which will be in few hours, or else leave them in a Cellar

for some days and nights, and they will be dissolved as well as in the

heat. Afterwards add to this Solution three ounces of Earth-worms and

leave them yet for some days more in the Cellar. When they are all

dissolved strain them through a fine Linnen Cloth, put in a Funnel

of Glass, that the Solution may be separated from the Fæces, which

if many, squeese well the Cloth with your Fingers, that the whole

Solution may be separated from the Fæces, then throw away the said

remaining Fæces. And to the Solution that you strained through the

Funnel into the Glass, pour the Liquor of fixt Niter by little and

little, and so long untill all the ebullition shall have ceased, and

a thorough precipitation be made. All things thus done, separate the

Liquor by pouring them off from the Vermine, and coagulate it, that

it nay be again made Salt Peter, and be usefull for more occasions.

Wash your precipitated Vermine well with common Water, thereby freeing

them from all saltishness, and dry them in a gentle heat, that they

may be reduced into a pillular form, or into an Electuary: The which

medicament may be most safely and without all danger used in the Stone,

of the Bladder and Reins, being given from one, two, four, six, eight,

and twelve grains at most, according to the condition of the Sick: For

it brings forth the Urine and the Sandiness and Tartar; that is, as

yet uncongealed, and not lumped together in the Reins and Bladder. If

any one desire to have them shew their Virtues more strongly, he may

then extract the dissolved, precipitated, washed, dryed, and corrected

Vermine with some burning Spirit of Saxifrage, Parsly, Juniper berries,

Ash, or such like Stone expelling Herbs, that so there may be yet

again a separation of Fæces, and the Spirit may draw unto it self

the purest Essence. This Spirit being separated by a gentle heat in

a B. leaves in the bottom an Essence like a red Balsam, which is far

sweeter, profitabler, and pleasanter in the forenamed Diseases, than

it was before the extraction, when in the form of Powder, Pills, or

Electuary. _N. B._ If a venereal Medicine be to be prepared out of the

Earth-worms, then the Cantharides and _Aselli_ are to be omitted, and

an half part of those venereal Vermine, which are in the Summer Months

in Gardens, and adhere to old Seats, and old Walls in abundance, to

be added to the Worms, and to these is to be added one fourth part

of a Stags Pizzle and all to be prepared after that manner we have

taught and prescribed. The Worms are to be gathered at such a time as

the Earth first opens it self after the cold Season, and may be dig’d

out, that so you may have the Worms before they creep forth out of the

Earth, and have enervated each other by their coition, for when they

are thus gotten they are endued with wonderfull virtues, and are far

more efficacious than they be afterwards. These Worms being dissolved,

precipitated, and well washed with common Water; if they are yet once

extracted by the burning Spirit of Satyrion, Hop, or Sparagus-roots,

and reduced into a sweet Essence, do become a present and effectual

Medicament against impotency.