many other throughout Germany and Italie do vse the spirit and oile of vitrioll for the curing of the falling sicknesse the stone and asthma with great ease and meruellous profit And Dioscorides speaking of vitrioll saith thus it killeth the broad wormes in the bellie ʒ i. of it being taken inward Being dronke with water it helpeth against the poyson of toadstooles and dissolued in water dropped into the nose purgeth the head By this it doth sufficiently appeare that so great a venemous quallitie is not in Mercury sublimat by meanes of vitrioll much lesse it is to be thought of commō salt Finally if so great malignitie were in it by meanes of the salte or vitrioll because it carrieth vp the spirites with him this malignitie also would be in Mercurie precipitat for the strong water wherwith it is made is compounded of the spirites of vitrioll and salte with the which also the phisitions make their precipitate which many of them doe minister without further preparation which albeit through his great sharpnes by meanes of the spirits inclosed in the strōg water it purgeth the bodie violently yet it is well knowen vnto many learned men at this day that it doth not hurt as the sublimat doth This malignity therefore in the sublimat commeth by how much the more it is made subtill and stronger by exaltation and flyeth with a small heate but in the precipitate it is not so for it is mortifyed and so fixed with that philosophilall fier the strong water that it will suffer great heat neither can that maligne aire be sent vnto the hart if it containe any which by nature is easily assaulted with all poysons because that the naturall heat cannot cause the precipitate to fume which no violence of fier can cause to vanish away as by certaine experiences is approued the fixing therefore of his spirit is the true preparation that either taken inward or applied outward cānot hurt the which many go about to do sundry wayes I speake of them which seeke his preparation onely for phisicke which think by powring on the water twise or thrise vpō the feces which they call caput mortuum and so distill it againe that the true preparation of so great a medecine may be attayned but they are not a little deceaued specially because they are not carefull to take away his corrosiue or else know not how to do it for truly Mercury precipitat can neuer be a sufficient profitable medicine so long as the corrosiue quality taken of the strong water is ioyned with it which is not taken away as many suppose with common washings but with farre other preparations and dulcifyinges which beyng vnknowen no perfect thing can be wrought therefore ye mustworke after this order following specially for the making of turpetum that wonderfull medicine Rec. Calcis terrae pellucidae fixae Talcum well calcined the which calcination shall be shewed in another place of each one pound make of them a strong capitall lye in the which ye shall boile one pound of Mercury first fiue times sublimed euery time quickened according to art the space of 7. howers and so shall ye attaine vnto the perfect purging of Mercury and the beginning of true fixing to all workes for these calces are so fixing that with sublimations reiterated vppon them at the length the mercury shall be fixed This mercury so prepared dissolue with regali foetido and proper menstrua dissolue also by it selfe ʒ iij of the mercury of Antimony well prepared and ℥ i. of gold purged by antimony according to art All these dissolutions put into a bodie of glasse and the vessell will be darkned or clowdy set that glasse in an Athenor giuing thē soft fire vntil they wax cleare then increase the fire and distill away the water by alimbecke from the feces till they bee drye powring on the water againe vpon the dead head four tymes then put on new fixing water that the matter may be couered 4 fingers set that to digest 2. or 3. dayes then distill it twise or thrise vppon the feces and toward the end giue it fier of sublimation that those thinges which are not truely mortifyed may rise and be exalted which must be kept a part for they serue not for our purpose then take the dead masse and bring it to powder and put it in a scaruell stirring it the space of 12. howres in the second degree of the fire in a fornes of reuerberation vntill it come to the rednesse of a Salamander out of the which ye shall drawe all the sharpnes and venom on this manner Rec. Of the sleume of vitrioll and allome ana lb. ij fs distilled vineger lb. ij calcis terrae nostrae pellucidae ae fixae ℥ 4. sulis corneoli cristallint ℥ i. whites of egges 20. distill all these by alimbeke twice vpon the feces put three pound of this water to one poūd of the powder of Mercury prepared as afore and distiil it away from the feces in alimbeke 4. times and the last time distill it vntil the feces be dry This done grind your powder vpon a stone powring to it againe new fixing water distill it againe foure times as before Then you shal fixe and make sweate thy mercurie by distilling from it the Alchooli vini fiue times putting on fresh euery time This the chyminicall phisitions call precipitate or turbith minerall by cause it purgeth grosse and slymie humours eight graines of this is giuen with conserue of Betony and aqua theriacalis to cure the pox due purgations being vsed before With two drammes of the extract of wild cucūbers one dramme of the extract of Hermodactiles ℈ ss of this precipitat is made a mixture whereof halfe a scruple is mingled with two drammes of aquae theriacalis and is giuen for the gout 4. or 5. times according to the age and hardnes of the disease and the strength of the sicke bodie in the spring Autumne For without any greefe it doth meruellously purge the sharpe excrements and draweth them out of the ioyntes For to cure the dropsie there is made this composition which doth purge the sharpe excrementes and strengthen the nutritue parts Rec. Of this precipitat aforesaid ℈ i. the extract of alhandall and Elaterium ana one scruple a halfe of the extraction of Elebori nigri well prepered and Rhuberbe ana one scruple the essence of red corall and yellow sanders ana 2. scruples spiritus vitrioli i. scruple olei mafliichini and cinamomi ana halfe a scruple mingle thē with the powder of cubebes and the muslage of gumme tragagant and make it into pilles The dose is from halfe a scruple to one scruple it must be geuen twice in a weeke if their strength will beare it If it be mingled with Diaphoreticall thinges it onely prouoketh sweates and by that meanes helpeth also many diseases mingled alone with butter it cureth cankered and eating vlcers specially that come of the
they call sulphur is not the common sulphur which burneth with combustion of blacknes and adustioÌ„ is burned whereas their proper sulphur doth whiten rubify coagulat and finally make perfect that Chimicall quickesiluer which is commonly vnknowen into the substance of golde according to nature or of the philosophers stone and gold according to art And this is the true secret sulphur and the onely tincture and shadow of the sonne and the proper congeler of his quicksiluer which the Philosophers haue shadowed with diuers names their dark speeches and enigmaes whereby it appeareth Aubertus to haue farre erred and by all meanes to bee refused because he speaketh of a sulphur which he knoweth not and that the Chimick Philosophers are not to be blamed because they say quicksiluer and sulphur to be the matter of mettalls which do not vnderstand it of the common quicksiluer sulphur For they know that these things whereof they speake are not founde in the mettal mines in their verie nature but oâ— those two they say there is made a third mixture hauing the natures properties vertues of them that of it may be engendred any mettall according to the diuersitie of the composition digestion and place These shall suffice touching the next matter of mettalles which Aubertus would haue to be water wrought vpon by the other elements but he hath kept sileÌ„t the cause why he thinketh so being contented to say that it is set forth by others or that he hath found it in other mens writings which is the saying of a man that will proue his opinion by an other mans credit and not by reason as the true Philosophers doe But now the efficient causes call vs which the Philosophers make double and so many passioÌ„s for heat and cold are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because they haue power to moue moist and drie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for because they rather suffer any thing then worke and are said to be wrought vpon of the first qualities as of the most noble and higher in nature by whose worke forme is ingendred in thinges for the matter is not knowen by it selfe but by the chaunge which cannot be without suffering as neither that without touching the which by coniunction and cogelation and by introduction of act and forme is abolished But it is to be obserued that by the mixture of drie and moist the bodies are first called congealed then harde or soft of which congealed bodies there is a triple difference for it is either a watrie humor that is congealed or some dry earthly thing or a mixture of them both Also these some of them are molten some dried some moistened and some made soft But those thinges which are drye and fierie as hony and must will neuer be congealed and they which are moist airie predominant as all oily thinges Wherefore these also are not elements neither the matter of these sufferinges But of bodies which doe congeale and are hardened according to Aristotle some are affected by heate and some by cold by heate drying vp the humor by cold driuing out the heate Therefore those thinges that are congealed by heat by want of moisture are dissolued of cold which maketh the moisture to enter in againe as salt And those thinges which for lacke of heate are congealed are dissolued againe by heate entring in againe as mettals for whatsoeuer is dissolued melting is molten either by fire or water Whatsoeuer melteth by water must needes be congealed by hot drie that is fiery heate and those which fier melteth or whose congelacion in any part it doth dissolue as horne are congealed by colde for of contrarie effectes the causes be contrarie and because that mettalles do melt by heat it is of necessitie that first they were congealed by cold as the efficient cause whereof none of the Chimist philosophers doth doubt although as Aristotle some time saith experience sheweth vs the contrary for salt is congealed by heate and may bee dissolued and molten by fier as I haue often tried and it is called fusible salt Neither Albertus Magnus that great Philosopher ought to be reprehended of our Aubertus because he referreth the power of making mettalles vnto heate when as Albertus doth not meane it of only heat as he thinketh Therefore it is to be knowen as Aristotle witnesseth thinges by meanes of colde to suffer rather then to worke because that cold is proper to the patient elements that is water and earth which both by nature are cold For they do not receiue cold from any other thing as they do heate but by taking away the heat they coole of their owne nature neither are they cooled by any externall cause as the aier and fier Wherfore albeit cold in mixed thinges hath an efficient force yet it preuaileth rather to corruption then to generation Therefore the Chimists are not to be reprooued although they say that nature needeth a heat vnder the earth for the procreatioÌ„ of mettals as a more effectuall efficient cause which may mingle alter dispose digest and concoct their matter at last with long tract of time frame it into gold as into his last end Neither are they to be reproued in this that they refer some force to the influeÌ„ce of the heauenly bodies for Aristotle â—onfirmeth their opinion in his booke de coelo mundo and his booke of the causes of the properties of elements in these wordes For saith he the first beginnings mouing to generation and inducing forme in euery thing are the starrie and heauenlie bodies by their mouing and light For they are the first that moue moued of the intelligences to performe the nature of generation or corruption for the preseruation of kindes and of them is giuen forme and perfection and as hee said in an other place the sonne and man engendreth man nether doth Aubertus rightly conclude vppon this reason the art of Alchemy to be vaine if mettalles bee ingendred by force of the starres when as the Chimiste s can not haue the fruition of this heauenly power for they beleeue with the Philosopher that if formes bee put on vppon inferiour thinges by the motion and light of the heauenly bodies by their site and aspect the same by consequent to come to passe in mettalles but that is done as it were by a generall cause and farre off but they haue a neerer efficient cause as we said that is heate by force whereof mettalles congealed in the bowels of the earth are disposed digested made perfect These thinges thus declared we must see to what end Aubertus tendeth and what is his vttermost scope hee would haue the labour of the Chimistes which they take vpon them in making perfect of mettalles to be vtterly vaine and lost and he denyeth that copper tinne Iron or leade which of them are called vnperfect mettalles can by any art be made perfect and be turned into gold and siluer And first saith hee it is euident
oyle by a bell which is a very profitable remedie for the teeth and cureth also cancered vlcers Of Vitriolle Cap. 9. GAlene and Aegineta asâ—irmeth that vitrioll dooth moste effectually preserue moyst flesh if it be powdred with it Dioscorides also writeth that the same drunken with water helpeth against the poyson of Tode stooles and for outward greefes it is put into Emplastrum Diachalcites to cure vlcers The later Phisitions make an oyle of vitrioll for the fallinge sickenesse and other diseases where of Matheolus and manie other moe make mentione But wee make many medicines of vitrioll as his spirite a sweete and sower oyle his Colcothar Salte and Oker The spirit is driuen foorth by the ix alimbeke powringe on againe all waies the liquor vpon the dead head and circulating it in Balneo 8. daies this is profitaable against the falling sickenesse but the fleme beeing seperated from the redde Colcothar by force of fire there is drawne out a sower oyle which is made sweete by circulating it with the spirite of wine and is giuen with succâ—â—ie water or with Ptysane in rotten agues for with the sowrenes it driueth away rottennes as the sirope of the iuice of Lâ—mondes doth and putteth away obstructiones with the subtilite of the partes Wherefore it is verye effectuall to helpe the obstructions of the bowels liuer and splene sometime a fewe dropes of it are mingled with the conserue of the flowers of Succorie and is a medicine of a pleasaunt taste to quench immoderate thirst yet the ignoraunt fay that this medicine is sharpe and therefore to be reiected but those good men are farre deceiued for it being well prepared is sweetish and the iuice of Lemones the vse where of is allowed in Phisicke is much sowrer then it as with the which Perles are dissolued and vessels of tinne eaten thorowe and that iuice giuen alone would hurt the stomacke as much as the oyle of Vitrioll but mixed with sugar it restraineth with his sowrenes the rottennes of burning feuers the malignite of Pestilent agues which thing also oyle of vitriol doth without hurt of the stomacke not by it selfe but mixed with conuenient thinges as many Spagiricke Phisitions at this day haue experimented who also in outward causes vse the vnsauery and sweetned Colcothar to dry vp vlcers and to stanch blood Of Antimoni Cap. 10. NOt onely for outward greefes but also for inwarde are medicines made of Antimoni The chymical Phisitions drawe out of it a most excellent medicine which they call the tincture of antimoni for they minding to try the force of Antimoni in mans body feared not to seeke out the secrets of it especially when they perceiued it to bee the greatest purger of gold and that it could driue away all impurities By which meanes they labour to seeke out the qualities of Antimoni that they might prooue whether it would worke the same effect in purging of mans body as it was euident to worke in the purging of golde at the length they obtained their desired purpose and found out the great excellencie of this medicine both to restore renue the body of man specially to cure the Mophew the Dead euill the Wolfe and all maligne vlcers for that tincture purgeth black bloud and all other viscious humors without any manifest euacuationes but onely by corrections of ill humors Let no man thinke that I speake of Vitrum Antimonij which many vnskilfull doo vse now a daies with great danger it is a noy-some medicine which by his sharpenes prouoketh the expulsiue power and purgeth both vpwarde and downe-warde with great vexation the which I can by no meanes allowe For all diseases are not cured with violence but with fitte and conuenient purgations For as Hipocrates saith 1. Aphori if such things be purged as ought to be purged it doth helpe and they beare it easily if not contrariwise But all true Philosophers therfore auoide these vitrifications and not seeke their medicines or tinctures in them vse therfore this method following Rec. The purest part of Antimoni that is his Mercury and subline it 3. times that nothing remaine in the botome so shall ye haue all his sulfure with his proportionate mercury which is called the true Lilly this digest in a reuerberatory being closed with hermes seale in degrees of the fire vntill it wax white and afterward there appeare the collour of a Rubine Out of the which with Alcoole glaciaâ— Cornioli that it may bee couered 8. fingers you shall drawe out the precious tincture which ye shal circulate in a Pellicand to his perfect graduation and fixing It is fixed also Cum terra muria and with washings the alkaly is drawne foorth and there remaine the white flowers of Antimoni which do strongly mooue sweate if you giue 3. â—s of them with water of Cardus Benedictus a most excellent medicine for intermitting feuers For outward greefes there is drawne out of Antimoni a very reade sulfure with tartar and niteâ— or onely with a lye made of quicke lime and ashes and many waies an oyle is drawne out all which are profitable to cure festered vlcers these shall suffise to be spoken of vs for the preparations of metalline thinges of the which God willinge wee will intreate shortly in an other booke more plainer Of the true preparation of Gemes and precious stones Cap. 11. OF sundry stones are made sundry healthfull medicines cheefely out of precious stones which of all Phisitiones are though according to the propertie of the whole substance according to their quality do take away sounding doo with stand corruption to strengthen the hart defend it from all kinde of poison By reason where of Electuariae Analepi Nicolai Myrep Diamargarit Antidotumâ—e gemmis confectio ex Hiacinth Alkermes are prescribed vnto sicke persons in pestilent diseafes and continuall burning feuers Into which are put Perle Saphires Smarages Granates Iasintes Sarda that is Corneola Iasper and Corall which kinde of stones may be worthely said to excell the rest both for their temperance and for their great cleerenesse which are neither lost nor spoiled by any heate of fire for the onely fixation of their spirites which may bee sufficientlie perceiued in them for which cause in manie respectes they may bee compared with golde for the cure of diseases Amonge the rest they be called precious stones euen as gold among all other metalles is called the most precious And although the quallitie of these stones are cordiall yet euery one hath his proper and peculier vertue to cure sundry diseases The Saphire being drunke dooth speciallie helpe them that bee stunge with a Scorpion The lacent also doth helpe wounds of venamos beastes and causeth sleepe The Smarage not onely drunke but also hung about the necke helpeth melancholie diseases and striueth against the falling sicknes as it were against an enemie The Iasper either hung about the necke that it may touch the mouth of the stomacke or else
dissolueth the stone in the raines and prouoketh vrine The last liquor that is redde maketh the heare yellowe as golde if ye wash it there with diuers times It taketh away spots in the eies and is thus made Take pure honie 2. pouÌ„d and distil it in a glasse that containeth 2. gallons with a gentle fire in sand till it changeth colour then change the receiuer increase the fire a little vntill all the fumes be come foorth the which will afterwarde turne into a redde liquor which some call the oile ex leonardo Phiorauanti There is also a quintaessence or burning spirit made out of honie the which hath the vertues and quailities that the spirite of wine hath in all pointes and may be vsed in steede therof some affirme that this quintaessence or spirite of honie will dissoule golde being firste calcined and circulated therewith certaine daies It dissolueth like wise any kinde of iewell that is put therein It healeth woundes with greate speede if ye wash them therewith It helpeth againste the cough cattar and paines of the milte it cureth spots in the eies and preserueth the sight It is affirmed that one vsinge this essence 40 daies was cured of the Palsie and fallingesicknesse also this quintaessence beeing distilled 20. times with perfect pure siluer calcined it wil restore the sight vnto those that are in manner blinde The extraâ—ction of liquors out of plantes flowers seedes and rootes Cap. 3. PVt Celandine brused into a glasse cucurbit well stopped set itto digest 15. daies in warm dung then distil it with a gentle fire vntill the feces remaine drie the which ye shall stampe powâ—ring there on the element of water before distilled that iâ—t may be couered 4 fingers theÌ„ stop the glasse putrifie it 8. daies in Balneo after distill it againe giuing fire by degrees til ther come forth no more spirits in this 2. distillation thou shalt haue the water aire the fleme if ye wil ye may seperate by Balneo which reserue then calcine the feces that remaine which imbibe with the fleme reserued puttifie it in Balneo and distill it per alembicum vntill the matter appeare in white stones the which by often solutions and coagulations with his proper water become cristaline and so the earth shall remaine well purified which although it be white notwithstanding containeth his fire and inward tincture vpon this put on your 2. first elementes before reserued and circulate al together in Balneo till the oile appeare and swim vpon which is called the true essence endued with infinite quallities In like manner ye may attaine the true preparations of Melissa sage and Valerian and all other hearbes In that manner ye may prepare the oyles of flowers but the herbes and flowers which yeeld small quantitie of oyle must be cut or stamped small and then put it into a glasse mixing with them if they be drie faire water distilled But if they be moist or waterish ye shall put them in a glasse alone close stopped and set them in the sunne or some warme place to macerate vntill ye see the oile swimme vppon the toppe the which ye shall power foorth and making it warme ye may seperate it by a funnell or conuenient instrumente Some vse to take those herbes and flowers thus macerated and distil them in a vessel of copper with a refrigeratory and after seperate the oile ye shall note that what vertue the herbe is of the oile is of the same but much more forcible subtile Oyle of Time his vertues THree or 4. droppes being drunke with aqua mulsa helpeth the painefull cough shortnes of breath clenseth the brest and ripeneth the fleme it prouoketh vrine expelleth the secundine and dead fruite from the maâ—rix in diâ—â—olueth clotted and coÌ„gealed bloud within the body being vsed with Oximell and a little salte it purgeth toughe and clammie fleme and sharpe cholerike humours and corruption of the bloud It preuaileth against blastings and winde in the bellie and stones being often vsed it preuaileth against melancholie diseases and the goute the smell of this oile is profitable for those that are toubled with the falling sicknesse Beeing put in to a hollowe tooth it taketh away the paines presentlie Oyle of sweete Margerom THis oile being often vsed with other conuenient medicines is most profitable for those that are fallen into a dropsie and cannot make water but with great difficultie It preuaileth against winde and gripings in the belly and prouoketh neesing it is comfortable against all paines of the heade and restoreth smelling beeing lost if it bee put into the eare nostrels it is good against poison and the stinging of Scorpiones Oyle of Sage THis oile dissolueth congeled bloud within the body cureth inward woundes and bruses comming either of a stripe or fall It prouoketh vrine and expelleth grauell comforteth the hart and head that is greeued with cold humours it is profitable for women with child because it closeth the matrix and comforteth the childe it is profitable for those that are troubled with the gout palsie or weakenes of the sinewes if ye mixe it with oile of waxe annoint the partes therewith it helpeth the cough and openeth obstructions of the liuer and swageth paines in the side beeing drunke with wormewood wine it is profitable against the bitings of venemous beastes for it cleanseth the sores and healeth them if it be put into vnguentes fitte for that purpose Oyle of Peniriall THis oile being drunke with conuenient liquors proueketh Menstrua and bringeth foorth the after burthen the dead fruite and vnnatural birth It prouoketh vrine and breaketh the stone especially in the kidnes being taken with conuenient siropes it clenseth the lunges and breast from al grosse and thicke humors beeing taken with aloes and honie it preuaileth against crampes and contractions of the sinewes being dronke with water and vineger it stayeth the inordinat desire to vomit gnawing paines of the stomack and is profitable against the biting of venemous beastes the annointing of the temples and nostrelles with this oile is profitable against the falling sicknes and taketh away the swimming paines thereof and is most profitable for those that haue a colde and moist braine it slaketh the paines of the gout the fume of this oile being receaued at the lower partes with a funnell is profitable against windines and blastinges and also against hardnes stoppings of the matrix Oile of Mintes THis warmeth and strengtheneth the stomacke and dryeth vp moist and superfluous humors gathered in the same and causeth good digestion it stayeth vomitting being dronke and annointing the stomacke therewith and killeth round wormes being often vsed it helpeth the griping paines of the collicke and stayeth the menstruall fluxe being either eaten or dronk with some conuenient medicine it easeth women which are much troubled with harde and perillous trauell in childe birth It helpeth deafnes if it be
by sweates and finallie are not a little profitable by their whole substance as many learned men daily with great successe doe practice but of these thinges more then enough Therefore now we will goe forward to those thinges which you write touching mettalles A briefe answeare of Iosephus Quercitanus Armeniacus doctor of Phisicke to the exposition of Iacobus Aubertus Vyndon concerning the originall and causes of mettalles against the Chimistes MANY write that mettell is a bodie to be digged vp by nature either liquid as quick-siluer or hard which may be molté with the heate of the fier as gold siluer copper leade and tinne or softened as Iron Other call all things that are digged out of the bowels of the earth by the proper name of mettalles So Onesicritus writeth that in Carmania there is a mettall of a red chalke Herodotus affirmeth that in Lybia about Atlantus is a mettall of salt and this doth Plinie testify in his 33. booke of his naturall historie Others say that is proper mettall which being molten is brought againe to his former forme and that may be beaten out with hammer is hard and apt to take impression for that cause they deuide it into six that is golde siluer copper tinne leade and Iron whereunto some haue added mercurie not that it is a mettall indeede but it may be The Chimistes vse to call them by the names of the planets not to referre their substance to the planets as Aubertus foolishly thinketh but partly moued with a certaine likenes of the greatest and principall starres for which cause they named the two most perfect mettalles the Sunne and Moone and Iron for his hardnes Mars whom the Poets faine to be the God of armes and battell and quicksiluer for the great and vncertaine motion they called Mercurie and partly after the Pythagoreans that they might hide their secrets vnder darke speeches But I see no reason why Antimony should be properly receiued among mettalles wherefore by Agricola his leaue whose aucthoritie Aubertus leaneth vnto it is to be excepted out of their kinde for that it is alltogether repugnāt to their definition for all mettalles molten doe returne to their proper forme and such as are easie to be driuen be hard and apt to receiue impression by which reason they differ from many liquable stones in which the humiditie is not strongly mixed with the dry earthines as also from infinite kindes of marcasites and halfe metalles But Antymony molten doth vtterly loose his first forme as practisioners doe daily trie neither is it easye to be driuen and practise sheweth it will take no print and therefore properly it cannot be called mettall But it pleased Aubertus which is so learned in mettalles to affirme this that yet he dreameth that tynne glasse which is that Bisemutum and that sinder or ashie kinde of leade whereof Agricola speaketh much in the 8. booke de natura fossil to be Stibium molten and the Chimists basiliske which is most absurd For that tinne-glasse which is commonly called bisemutum is not stibium any way prepared neither the Chimistes basiliske extract with tartar niter may be called bisemutum which I leaue to the iudgement of al that be of vpright mindes but this is small to the purpose when many thinges are called by the name of mettall and yet not properly But let vs pardon Aubertus in this which neuer saw any mines that he might iudge rightly of thē neither vnderstandeth the minde of Agricola In the meane time hee complaineth that Chimistes deuide the metalles into perfect and vnperfect and that he thinketh ridiculous for many causes First because of a certaine diffinition giuen by Geber which agreeth no lesse to one mettall then an other whereas the perfecte might be discried from the imperfect one diffinition were to be giuen to the one an other to the other As though the diffinition of a man were not agreeable to a child although he be not yet come to a mans age or in other accidentes seeme to differ from him as mettals do differ among themselues So the diffinitions of white and red coralles should be sundrie and diuers that by reason of absolute and perfect concoctiō the white haue not attained the vttermost degree whose definition notwithstanding is all one But Aubertus to proue his opinion the better writeth that all thinges which haue essentiall forme as it is certaine mettalles haue must of necessitie be perfect And that nature the godly parent of all thinges in doing of her office doth not cease or rest except it be letted vntill she hath attained her purposed end and scope He addeth that the matter whereof any naturall thing is made and whereabout nature is occupied doth moue so long vntill it hath attained the essentiall forme He concludeth that mettall cannot rightly be deuided into perfect and vnperfect neither that gold ought by any meanes to be called more excellent and perfect although it be more bewtifull and temperat then other mettalles all which wee must confute as sriuolous and vaine And to prosecute all thinges in due order we must shew that golde it selfe of the true Philosophers is worthily called more perfect excellent and pure then other mettals that hereuppon wee may conclude mettalles not without reason to be deuided of the Chimistes into perfect and vnperfect Therefore that I may also stay vpon the aucthoritie of Agricola out of whom Aubertus hath specially taken those his wordes he writeth in lib. 5. de ortu causis subterraneorum that mettalles do differ among themselues not onely in shining but also in colour sauour sent weight and power And specially speaking of shining which you Aubertus confesse to be in golde and siluer he saith But by how much the humor is more subtile thicke and pure by so much the mettall is more cleere and shining for which cause in this behalfe gold excelleth the other The excellencie of which gold Agricola himselfe seeketh in the difference of sent sauour and waight For the vnperfect mettalles when they come in any liquor are perceiued to be sower of taste as copper and Iron for the adust earth is cause of their sowernes whereof those mettalles do participat as Agricola himselfe witnesseth But the other because of their pure earth and more abundant water do not giue the liquors so sensible a sauor bur rather a sweetish tast as gold and siluer Also for as much as in gold the earth is most pure and verie wel tempered with his water it giueth verie litle or scarse sensible smoke when it is burned and rather sweete then stinking And Agricola addeth more that gold when it is purged in the fier hath in a maner no excremente because of his puritie in others there is more but so much more in one then an other as it is more vnpure Also the excellency of golde is to bee sought for in his force and strength because that besides it and siluer all other mettalles do vanish away in smoke
and perish with the violence of fier vppon the test or cople which happeneth vnto them as the earth in them is found to be lesse pure and their temperature not so good As it hapneth vnto Iron through the impure earth whereof there is great store in it But when as gold alone cannot bee consumed with anie fierie heate as Aristotle saith and looseth nothing of his waight though it bee burned or tried of necessity it must haue a most pure earth and well compact with his water whereby it commeth to passe that his earth doth hold and let his humor that it vapour not away and contrariwise the humour defendeth the earth that it butne not as saith Agricola which commeth to passe as others do affirme because of a most subtill moist and drye that hath not any impuritie mixed By this reason gold according to the nature of thinge is purer then other mettalles and surmounteth them in price because it is the most simple and purest mettall and furthest from imperfection of elementes by reason of his forme So Pliny saith vnto one thing which is golde nothing decayeth by fier as the Poet also saith and as appeareth by that aforesaid By this we may gather that amongest all mettalles gold is not onely the brightest but most temperat and perfect in respect of which all other mettalles may worthely be called vnperfect For nature alwaies tendeth to perfection that is to the making of golde which alone amongest mettals is called perfect for no agent naturall as the Philosophers say ceaseth from worke in his owne matter neither is seperat but with putting on some forme in that matter Therefore so long as the agent is ioyned to the matter or worketh vpon the matter that is said to be vnperfect for the perfection of any thing is not but by putting on of forme For so much then as in all mettalles there is a certaine viscous water which the Chimistes Philosophers call quickesiluer because of the likenes which is put in place of the matter and that which they call sulphur by like similitude of the agent or inducer of form in that matter no mettall can bee called perfect but that froÌ„ which the sulphur is separated But because other mettalles haue their sulphur mixed in the matter whereby they are killed made blacke calcined and burned which happeneth vnto them onely by that dry exhalation that is the sulphur because it is a matter apt to be set on fire for that cause they be altogether called vnperfect But on the contrary part because onely golde is altogether without this sulphur which the affinitie of gold and quicksiluer by it selfe doth sufficieÌ„tly declare For as Pliny writeth all things swimme vppon it but gold which alone it draweth vnto it By this meanes it is free from corruption both in the fier out of the fier Of right therefore it alone is called perfect and formed according to the first and true intention of nature and complete because it is come to the vttermost end wherein it is complete and pure because the agent is not mingled with the matter but is seperat from it To this purpose writeth Aristotle Met. 3. cap. vltimo speaking of mettalles wherefore saith he they conteine earth in them and are all burned because they haue a drye exhalation But gold alone of all the rest vseth not to be burned But Aubertus not content with these reasons will answeare what so euer hath attained an essentiall forme of necessity must bee perfect But all mettalles haue their substantial forme No man will deny saith he except it be some blockhead ashes blower and by that meanes hereupon concludeth that all are perfect But it is easy enough for vs to answere this obiection For those thinges which perseuer in their nature are called perfect in their kinde through their substantiall forme but some continue by nature in their kinde which notwithstanding are made perfect by some meanes through their substantiall forme to the which their is a certaine motion and end but because they are carried to another later essentiall forme which altogether finisheth the matter it selfe and maketh it complet therfore they are called vnperfect so long as they remaine vnder that first forme in respect of the later to the attaining whereof they do endeuor themselues But if no accompt be made of that later forme but they be considered onely in themselues they are truely perfect in that their kinde through their essentiall forme as that kinde doth require This all men see in the generation of egges in which there is a certaine determined motion in the getting of his substantiall forme which doth so remaine But because those egges are by nature ordeined to this end not to remaine vnder that forme but to bring forth a byrde and so is made the begetting of the latter substantiall forme Therefore egges are called vnperfect vnder the forme of an egge but it is a perfect thing after the bringing forth of a birde for that is the last ende of egges This is likewise to be iudged of mettalles which albeit they haue in their kinde gotten an essentiall forme yet can they not be called perfect in respect of gold which alone is said to bee perfect vntill they come to that last perfect end that is to the perfection of golde and become golde And like as in the generation of the Embrio there is comparison of the vegetable soule to the sensible and of the sensible to the rationall and not as formes so other imperfect mettalles are in respect of gold Therefore the Chimisticall Philosophers haue worthily deuided the mettalles into perfect and vnperfect For although the difference of mettalles be in the forme it selfe yet shall it not be properly the difference of the kindes as the difference of man and horse but shall be taken more properly of the matter his partes that is according as it is digested or vndigested complete or incomplete seeing those are altogether of one proper matter But indigest and incomplete is spoken in respect of gold But whereas Aubertus judgeth Iron more noble then golde because it serueth more to the vse man I thinke he shall neuer perswade any Phisitions be they neuer so vnlearned which rather desire to catch gold then Iton But I suppose there is suffâ—ciently spoken touching the excellencie and perfection of gold and because we said that mettalles are of one proper matter although not in all alike digested herein consisteth the point of the question therefore we must now come to seeke out that matter of mettalles The Philosophers make two causes of mettals as also of all other mixed bodies The one generall and far of which is taken of the elements as of the first causes of all things of which they coÌ„sist as of most simple are resolued againe as into most simple The Peripatecians contende against the Stoickes that onely the qualities and vertues of the elementes doe passe one into another and
altogether mingled The Stoickes contrarily doe affirme that whole substances are mingled with the whole but leauing these waues of slipperie opinions we will goe to the safe and quiet port And in this point we do allow the opinion of Aubertus who thinketh the elementes not to be mixed bodies essentially or in deede but in power which Galen witnesseth in the first book de methodo medendi where he writeth that the elements are to be mingled wholly with the whole onely by their qualities Of the second or proper matter of mettalles the opinion of many Philosophers is not agreeable but very diuers For some said the neerest matter of mettals is a moist breath as Aristotle some hold it to be a water draweÌ„ from other elementes which Agricola alloweth whose opinion our Aubertus agreeth vnto Other deeme it ashes moistened with water But the Chimist whose opinion Aubertus goeth about to ouerthrow saith quicksiluer is the matter of them some haue ioyned sulphur all which opinions are breefly and diligently to be examined by vs that the matter may bee more euident and that all men may vnderstand how vnworthely Aubertus others haue inueâ—ghed against so many famous Chimist philosophers Aristotle the prince of philosophers assineth a double matter of those things which are made within and vppon the earth by the supernaturall power and force that is a breath and a vapour by the mixture whereof in the bowelles of the earth hâ—ethinketh all are made and haue their originall and those hee dâ—uideth according to the diuerâ—e nature of the matter into two sortes that is into thinges to be digged and â—eâ—â—allyne They are called fossilia because they are digged out of the earth and like vnto the earth that is digged neither are they liquable as all kind of stones which are made of a dry exhalation set on fier and with the heate consuming the moisture and in a manner burning it The other sort are metallyne whereof some are fusible and liquable because they draw neerer to the nature of moisture then of drith as leade and tinne and are so called because they are easelier molten then beaten On the contrary those that are to be beaten which are molten with greater difficulty as Iron whose next matter is a vaperous breath congealed by cold and groweth into mettall according to the opinion of Aristotle whom our Aubertus thinketh worthy to be reprooued For saith he it cannot come to passe in the nature of things that there may be a passage from one extreame or contrary into an other without any meane for it is euident that mettalles and breathes are of contrary qualities for these are very subtill and the other very grose Hereupon he concludeth in the originall of mettalles breathes and vapoures doe of necessitie first congeale into humors before they harden into mettalls This did he take out of Agricola but that excellent learned man Iacobus Scheggius in his coÌ„mentaries vpon Arist Meteors doth sufficiently defend Aristotle being vnworthily reproued where he teacheth that the breath or vapor whereof water commeth is one that whereof mettalles concreteth is an other as also that wherof a storme groweth another for it is sometime more ponderouse and grosse then that whereof water groweth By which reason they propose a further distant matter of mettalles which say it is water theÌ„ they which say it is a breath when as the greatest part of meteors do growe vpon these breathes and vaperous matters raised vp out of the water and earth by the force of heate for so much as there is no fertility of the water or earth without heat for heate doth procre at these two as a first childe in whose nature the force of the parentes that is of the foure elementes is represented and as it were an ingendring power of them doth consent together two qualities working by a masculine force the other two suffering as feminine But either of them obaying the celestiall temperature as their father whereby these thinges without life are accustomed to be procreat by the instrument of the first qualities And this may be perceaued by the verie sence that so grosse vapors do often breake out in places vnder the ground that the diggers can not take breath and sometimes through the grosenes therof as Galen witnesseth are choked If they be so grosse who will iudge that mettalles and breathes are of contrary qualities but that they may grow into a sound matter of mettalles without any other meane as the ponderous vapor doth into a storme Furthermore as multitudes of people can testify if it hath rained copper and Iron and that stones and such other bodies do grow and are made in the vppermost aire how should these be engendred of water earth for whom there is no place to tarrie in the aire rather then of vapour and breath which both can pearce stay there for their thinnes and heate Wherefore it is certaine that mettalles rather haue their originall of breath then of water which breath because it is grosse doth also easely congeale But what needeth more of this when it is manifest to all Philosophers that all thinge haue their originall of that whereunto they may at last be reduced For all mettalles except the two perfect which by greater decoction haue their matter more compact and fixed are they not reduced into a breath of vapor in the examinatioÌ„ of the test or cople do they not vanish away into smoke Yes truly into smoke which is not turned into water or moisteneth but grosse because of the earthines mixed with it being coÌ„geled thickned with cold which by certain experience may daily be seene perceaued of those which work in fier and more easily also of the Philosophers in their sublimations The same doth Tutia Cadmia and Pompholix with other such like prooue which comming of the vapoures of mettalles sticke to the walles of the furnaces and shew them to be grosse in the mines neither do represent water by any meanes Let Aubertus therefore with his leaden argument hold his tongue which goeth about to ouerthrow Aristotles opinion neither let him iudge rashly of things which he knoweth not but credit those which haue experience know those vapors to bee most thicke whereof mettals are first congealed and without any other meane hardned But hauing ouerthrowen Aristotle let vs see what iudgement he will giue of other lerrned men and Philosophers as of Albertus magnus Geber and other Collars for by that name this our noble censor adorneth those excellent men whose opinions Aubertus refelleth in this point because they say that quicksiluer and sulphur is the next matter of mettalles and goeth about with certeine arguments to shew how they are out of the way First touching quicksiluer he saith it is not likely to be the propper matter of mettalles because it can not congeale into hardnes surely an excellent argument and worthy to bee often repeated of the author whereunto
notwithstanding he is answered by vs before the saith it can not congeale because it is of an airy substance But the vapor which we concluded out of Aristotle to be the next matter of mettalles who will not confesse to be airy in respect of water and notwithstanding who will denie but it may coÌ„geale then I confesse that quicksiluer is airy and therefore many Philosophers iudge it not to be a mettall but onely in Power but I do call it so to bee airy that it sendeth forth a most grosse vapour which by colde congealeth as may bee seene in Mercurie â—uâ—limat and many other his preparations wherein he sendeth forth his smokes and vapors but not so aâ—rye but they will grow thicke But what will you say to those vnpâ—rfect mettalles which as wee before said in examination do flâ—e away into smokes and vapors what finally shall wee thinke of their matter and forme brought to nothing will you not confesse the grosse vapour which wee call quicksiluer to bee the matter of them when at the last mettalles are reduced againe into it But Aubertus alledgeth this out of Aristotle those thinge which perteine vnto water if they conteâ—ne â—n them â— o â— aâ—re then water they can not congeale as oâ—le and quicksiluer But the matter of 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 to be â— rought to a hardnes otherwise they couâ—â—â— not put on the forme of mettalles ther fore their matter can not bee quicksiluer for so much as it can not congeale to hardnes But this argument is no more effectuall then the former For he setteth downe as graunted that which he hath not by any means prouâ—d and which we haue alreadie denyed for we graunted vnto him that quicksiluer was of an aâ—rie substance but that it cannot therfore congeale wee deny when contrary to his minde we haue shewed his vapors do congeale And truly Aubertus doth not deny but by art it doth harden but hee thinketh that neither by art or nature it may congeale into mettalle in hardnes or forme as thoughe to thinke were to demonstrate a thing Therefore he denyeth quicksiluer to be the matter of mettalles the cause which he alledgeth that it is of an airy substance is of no force For wee haue showed out of Aristotle that it is a vapour of an airy substance in respect of water and neuerthelesse the next matter of mettals Therefore airy thinges are to bee distinguished for such as are altogether and simply airy because of the predominant matter cannot be coagulated neither by heat or by cold because their airie moisture cannot bee dryed vp the earth wâ—nting by which reason also they swimme vpon the water witnesse Aristotle as oile and are easily set on fire because it is matter of fire as oile it selfe and wooddes which swimme vpon the water except ebenum which is more earthly as by his waight may be iudged but quicksiluer is neither set on fire neither matter of fire but most contrary vnto it like water neither is it light but ponderous that in it the souÌ„dest boddies of all mettalles will swimme vpon golde onely except for the great affinitie of them both whereby it appeareth that it is of an other substance then simply aire like oile Therefore to the similitude of this quicksiluer the next matter of mettalles the Chimicall Philosophers haue said that this quicksiluer is ingendred of a strong commixtion of the first matter of all mettals that is of a moist viscous incombustible humour incorporat with a subtill earth equally and strongly mixed by small partes in the minerall caues of the earth Vnto this wise nature because the matter bringeth not it selfe to effect ioyneth his proper agent that is sulphur which is nothing else then a certaine fatnesse of the earth engendred in the proper mines and by temperat decoction thickned that it may turne the quicksiluer by digestion and concoction into forme of mettall Therefore this sulphur is to the quicksiluer as the man to the woman and as the proper agent to the proper matter Not that this quicksiluer and sulpur as some foolishly thinke are found by themselues in their nature in the mines but that these are alreadie mingled by nature and by longe concoction brought into the nature of earth And this truly is the neâ—rest matter of mettalles as in the generation of man meate is neerer matter then the elements the blood neerer then meate and the sperme neerer then blood it selfe and at last by apt digestion the matter receiueth the shape of a man So when as it is said that mettals are first made of the foure elements as of their generall and first matter the same order kept it is necessarie that of those elements come vapours of vapours a slimie water which is yet a neerer matter theÌ„ the vapors lest by defending Aristotle Aubertus may thinke mee to gainsay my selfe and heauy mingled with a subtile sulphureous earth which is called quicksiluer of which as of a neerer matter by meane of the mixture and working of the outward sulphur is made gold or other mettall according to the great or lesser digestion of nature For as the Philosopher writeth Metaph. 6. when any thing is said to be made of another either an extreme perfect is made of a meane and vnperfect as of a childe a man or else an extreme of extreme as aire of water but let vs returne to our Aubertus He writeth that sulphur also can not bee the matter of mettalles But let vs heare by what reasons he doth proue it Sulphur saith he according to Aristotle is ingendred of a hot drie and vnctuous breath but mettals are ingendred of an other breath hot and moist and a litle vnctuous Truly a goodly but sophisticall argument by which he goeth about to proue his purpose by the opinions which he hath already impugned Let him therefore remember that he before hath affirmed against Aristotle that breath was not the matter of mettalles and now he doth confesse that mettalles are ingendred of breaths Therefore he speaketh against himselfe that he shall not neede my refutation hee addeth to proue his opinion that sulphur waxeth soft with moisture like salt and that mettalles are molten only with strong fire but of a false antecedent can not follow a good consequent For by no meanes is sulphur dissolued into water but by heat is molten like leade and this should our searcher of thinges vnder ground first haue tryed then to affirme so boldlâ—e that which is false Therefore that dart may be bent against him wherewith hee supposed to haue wounded â—he Chimistes Also he saith that sulphur is of an airy and fiâ—ie substance and therefore can not bee increased or congealed But I haue afore shewed the contrary wherfore he is not to looke for any other answeare of me because he hath neither reproued my argument neither made any demonstration of his opinion by firme reasons But this one thing sufficeth that all wise Chimistes do affirme that this which
and therewith part by passing into water wax blacke and the water by passing into airie wax white and the aire beâ— turned into fier The separation of elements made they make a coniunction of water earth with aire and fire keeping a proportion that euery element may be dispersed with other giue vnto the male 3. partes of his water and vnto the women ix parts then euery like reioyceth with his like for the desire of the ioyning specially of the materiall sulphureouse forme These thus ioyned they putrify it in a moist heate lest by hot fier the mercurie should be seperat or carried vp on high through his spirituall nature that by this corruption the matter might be changed and the elementes naturally deuided that regeneration may followe for there is nothing borne or groweth nor without life but first things putrifaction is made After putrefaction they come to coagulation and with the same most temperat heate continually altering the matter as well inwardly as outwardly they do worke vntill all the matter be white like vnto pearles then is there a true fixing and congealing of the shining spirites with the bodies The Chimick philosophers call this the white thorne and white sulphur incombustible which neuer departeth from the fier Finally they proceede vnto Cibation that is to the making thicke of the thinne and making subtile the grosse mingling his water with the ashes and his milke with the foliat earth but moderatly that so the whitenes and rednes goodnes quantitie and vertue of it may increase and grow and by decocting and decocting againe the matter might be nourished Then they sublyme the matter but not with common sublimation and so purge it from all vncleannes lifting vp the bodie and making it spirituall and the spirit corporal fixed by taking away the sulphureous saltnes that it may all be white and easily be molten Hauing finished the sublimation they leuen the water by ioyning the spirit with his whitened earth or calce as with his ferment or incorporating the soule with the bodie For the spirituall accidentes cannot shew their permanent qualities except they be ioyned with fixed bodies as with his leuen which bringeth vnro him his aptnes to his nature colour and sauour by the mutuall and common impression of the bodie and spirit without the which the worke can not bee finished as paste cannot be leuened without leuen But for the greater nobilitie of the matter they thinke it must be exalted by increasing the spirit and sublyming making subtil the earth by naturall rectifying of all the elements and the true circulation and graduation of them vntill they be brought to a perfect â—mbrasing Then they increase the force of their Salamander by reiterating their solutions and coagulations and with new leuen in force and quantitie and that into infinite Last they make proiection of one waight vpon many vppon the vnperfect according to the perfection of the medecine for by how much the more it is made subtill and stained so much the more abundantlie it worketh and so following nature they make perfect vnperfect mettalles and turn them into the sunne moone of their proper matter purified and made subtile by art and then fixed by decoction and digested vntill it come to a white and after into a red colour and is made againe flying and againe fixed vntill it haue his entrance and staâ—ne perfectly they ma e their medecine and their powder which they call the philosoph rs stone And that by sundry workes â—iuers thinges many vessels and many furnaces as by that is aforesaid the vnskilfull of art peraduenture will iudge when as vnto the true Philosopher in all this great worke there is but one worke one way one thing one vessell one onely fier and furnace as all do confesse All these things would I note by the way whereby I might ouerthrow maister Aubertus opinion touching the philosophers stone for it is lawfull for any mâ—n by iâ—sting to vtter his follie in thinges vnknowen and that I might demonstrat that not the bare forme of gold or siluer drawen from his substance as hee thinketh is not the matter of the philosophers medecine But saith he I care not of what matter the stone bee compounded Notwithstanding because it is not a naturall substance it cannot put on a naturalâ— forme but onely artificiall and deceitfull I could here appeale to the witnesse of many notable men but I thinke it better to deale by reason Therefore I say that mettalles truely altered are knoweÌ„ to be perfect not by the forme theâ— had afore or that is put in for that were impossible but by the accidents properties and passions which follow the formes Therefore if in mettall altered all those thinges are found in euery examination that are in the true mettall truely it is to be iudged they haue not a counterfect form but the true forme of mineral gold and siluer For that which worketh the worke of the â—iâ— is the â—iâ— as the philosopher writeth 4. Meteor and so contrarie Further more we haue shewed the Philosophers stone to be naturall by reason of his making and that by meanes of the naturall agent that is fier with his naturall colour sent and forme which are accidentall formes following his determinat substantiall forme art ministring matter vnto it For art is ioyned with nature for the beginning of art is nature it selfe as the philosopher writeth 2. phisic â—y which reason art may be called natural his workes naturall his formes are called naturall in two sortes that is when nature prepareth matter for it selfe and afterward induceth forme as in man and stone or when art doth minister and prepare matter for it selfe yet not with the last prepation with nature notwithstanding doth dispose and prepare euen to the end and doth induce a forme vpon it as is to be seene in the making of ceruse and red lead Neither is it any new thing that art in many points followeth nature and that many naturall thinges are made by art which Arist affirmeth 4 Metaph. spheaking of colchota and calchant For nature saith hee in the mines of Atraments engendreth Atraments and he sheweth the manner of the making And a little after hee saith the two atraments may be made and compounded by art for art being the follower of nature as he writeth 2. Metaph. by taking the substance of Iron or copper whereof naturally they are made ministring it vnto nature with often dissolutions distillations and coagulations doth so perfectly and ingeniously make them that they haue the same properties and operations actiue passiue that the two mineral attraments haue The like is seene in making of salt There is some minerall salt founde as in Polonia other some is made as in France yet hauing the same properties and passions as the minerall by which reason it may be called verie naturall and his forme also naturall and verie perfect
pox Likewise the fistula and all callowes matters Ex triapharmaco and the aforesaid precipitate is made a plaster which being put into the necke of the bladder with a waxe candle or small tent as it ought cureth the vlcers of it and taketh away the flesh without paine or danger The fixing water for the said turpetum is made ex Climia lapide Sedenegi lapide perlato marchasitarum sulphure rubicundo lacerta viridi rubra halinitro sale aluminoso this made after the manner of Aqua fortis among all waters of graduation this is the chiefest and verie fixing if any attaine vnto it truely Of mercury also are made other medicines for there is made of it being first prepared as it ought Amalgamy with gold which is put into a bolts head and closed with Hermes seall so being kept in a temperate fire 20. daies is brought to a yellowish fixed powder the signe of perfection is when it will not vapour away by force of fire neither be quickned againe in water This medicine is Diaphoretical and is ministred for the forenamed diseases specially to cure the pox onely by sweates There is also made of Mercurie a balme with the water of the calex of egge-shelles and tartar also a most excellent oile for fistulaes all vlcers and callosites this shall suffice to bee spoken of Mercurie so that this one thing being noted that the whole perfection of this medicine consisteth in the fixing and dulcifying of it Of Arsenicke Chap. 7. AMongest the corrosiue medicines which by the extreame sharpnes of heat do distroy our naturall heate or conuert it into fiery quallity and by their malignant nature dissolue the naturall moysture consume all the substāce of the bodie and cause putrifaction with stinche the Phisitions do accompt Arsenicke sandrake and orpiment and therefore do iudge the vse of those medicines very perilous in chirurgery nether by any meanes necessary because they are so venemous and contrary to our nature This they may verie well say if they knew not their true preparatiōs wherby they are made apt to cure many outward infirmities These medecines are said to be venemous for their maligne quallitie and sharpnes But that euil quallity consisteth in the spirit stinking aire or blacke smoake which it sendeth out with a small heate but the sharpnes is onely in the salt This venemous and blacke smoke when it is raised by natural heate doth weake the matter of the part corrupteth it oftentimes killeth as if one had dronke poison if it be not laide too farre from the principall partes specially the skin being wounded which happened to a certaine woman and Fernelius the chiefe of phisitions of our time witnesseth that he saw it seeing that maligne quality is in the blacke smoke it must be altogether fixed for by fixing as we said before in the chapter of mercurie all the venom is taken away from the spirites as from arsenicke mercurie orpiment others The sharpnes is taken away by extracting the salt which may be done by their proper washinges as wee haue before shewed by which reason arsenike shall not hurt but profit much in locall medicines for poisoned woundes the wolfe fistula canker and gangrena if it be dulie prepared fixed and sweetned Of which true preparation Dioscorides seemeth secretly to intreat of when as hee speaketh of that metalline sandaraca which in the beginning of the chapter he writeth to smell of sulfur It is giuen with mulsum to those that coughe out rotten matter and to those that are short winded it is verie well giuen in drinke with rosen It is verie hurtful to geue sandrake vnprepared when as Galen doth witnes it is of a burning quallitie vnto whose opinion Dioscorides also agreeth in the sixt booke 29. chapter of simples Therefore it will not be amisse or hurtfull to vse arsenicke or any other corosiue medicine being prepared in chirurgerie specially the preparation therof is thus sublime arsenicke 3. times with salt prepared and rubifyed vitrioll the scalles of Iron that yee may purge it which afterward yee shall fixe with salt peeter giuing fyer by degrees the space of 24. howres and it will be a masse whiter then snow Resembling the colour of pearles which yee shall dissolue in warme water to draw out his salt and there will remaine in the bottome a verie white powder which being dried ye shal fix with the like waight of olei inceratiuiex talco confecti and set it in a fournace of reuerberation on whole day then againe dissolue it in warme water that the powder may remaine white fixed sweet mhich in a moist place wil turne into a fat thicke oile like buter swaging paines for like as arsenike not prepared bringeth great paines and by the maligne qualities is poison so contrariwise by his fixing he looseth that and worketh without paine and is a profitable medicine for curing of poisoned woundes if 1. ounce of it be mingled with 2. ounces of oile of mirrha Many also sublime arsenicke 3. times cum calce fixa colchothare then dissolue it in aqua stigia fixatoria ac conueniente for that purpose distilling the water often from the feces thā reuerberate the caput mortuum which will come to a white powder fixed from which the alkalie is drawen out with the alchoole of wine and so is made sweete the vse of this is to cure fistulaes and cankers Of Sulphur chap. 8. SVlfur is the balme of the lunges which the Chimist doe 3. or 4. times sublime with colcothar to purge it from his impurities and make thereof many profitable medicines to cure asthmatis if sugar be mixed with it also of the flowers of sulfur and his proper menstrua Therebinthinat digested certaine daies in a drie heate there is drawne out a balme like to a rubine the menstrua being seperated there remaineth a verie red oile of sulphur which must bee circulated with vin◠distillato alcholisato and be this means is a balme drawne out of sulfur whereof 3. or 4 droppes is geuen with water of Isope to those that are short winded and spitte rotten matter It healeth all manner of woundes quickly c. Notwithstanding the auncient Phisitions seeme to haue thought that sulfure did only cure outward greefes that it had a drawing quallitie and was of a whot temperature and thin essence as Galen and Aegineta wrote and that it was good against venemous beastes specially against the Sea Turtle and Dragon either cast on drie or mingled yet Galen seemeth to allowe the vse of sulfurie waters by these wordes The bathes or drinking of sweet waters is very hurtfull to the sicke of the dropsie But of salte sulpherie and pitchie waters is very profitable Dioscorides writeth that sulfur eaten with a rere egge helpeth those that are shorte winded But the Spagirickes haue attained to many things vnknowne to the auncient Phisitions Finally of sulfur is also madeth sower
of vipers and of other serpentes being dryed and prepared according to art is made a powder that helpeth very much against the woundes made by beastes or serpentes if it be laied thereon also to cure all cankers maligne vlcers Of the preparing of hornes and cordiall bones muske ciuet and castoreum Chap. 4. BOnes are either burnt or sodden with their conuenient liquor that out of them with the spirite of wine may be gotten the pure essence the which will bee done in the same order as we haue written of before in the preparing of a mans scull therefore thus shalt thou drawe out the essence of the bone of the Hartes hart which by a certaine likeliehod of substance doth strengthen mans hart and is cheiflie profitable against the paines of maÌ„s hart fincope his preparation differeth from the aforesaid because it is to be drawen with the spirit of Celandine alcolisated with his proper menstrua The hartes horne is vsed in stead of that bone for the said diseases whose essence is draweÌ„ forth with Hipericonis alcoole which is giuen vnto young children that be sicke of the wormes The horne of the Vnicorne which is the chiefest of al you shall prepare in the same order it defendeth the hart and driueth away all poisons it is good against pestilent difeases his proper menstrua is Alcoole melissae Ebur or Iuerie is also thus prepared whose vertue is to defend the strength of the hart and to helpe conception Out of Muske is also drawen a certaine precious essence cum vini spiritu terebinthinato as with his proper dissolution which doth strengthen and confirme the languishing partes and helpeth the weakned powers in like sort may you draw forh the essence of zibet In the like manner is the essence of Castoreum drawne forth of the which one drop is giuen with great profit in the decoction of the flowers of rosemarie sage and betony against tremblinges conuulsions or crampes and all diseases of the sinewes it is also applyed outwardly in conuulcions chieflie if it come of fulnesse and not of emptines and then that which is contained in the sinues contrarie to nature must be purged being dronke with water of penyryall it prouoketh womens termes and casteth forth the after burthen and it doth correct opium which is otherwise deadly The preparation of oiles out of fattes and greases Chap. 5. THe Chimistes doe draw oile out of the fat of all liuing thinges with a most gentle fire in the which is found a greater power to extenuate dissolue and supple then in the onely fatte not prepared because they be made more thinner subtiller which opinion Galen confirmeth 11. simpl where he intreateth of Castoreum furthermore saith he because it is of the subtill partes therefore it is more auaileable then the other things which do both heate and drie as it doth hee addeth that those mâ—dicines which consist of more subtil partes are more forcible then they which be of thinner although they haue both like facultie because they penetrat and goe deeper into the parts to which they be laied on chiefly if the partes be thick as the sinowy parts be I thinke there is no man if he way these wordes of Galen which will not allow these extractions both of oiles and essences which we vse and commend the vse of them in phisicke In this manner are oiles drawne out of the fat of men of the brocke of beares of wolues of hartes cattes eeles capons geese duckes calues hogges and of all Marrowes which do all resolue and supple and are good to cure many diseases Out of Butter is drawne an oile in the same order the which is Anodinum for the saide vses and to cease all paines Out of waxe is made an oile to resolue attenuate and is profitable against all colde greefes of the sine wes and is made thus Take one pound of yellow wax and melt it then powre it in sweet wine wring it out with your hands then melt it againe powre it into the same wine and this doe 4. or fiue times then put it into a retort with an halfe pouÌ„d of calcined allome and a handfull of sage and distill it with a gentel fire and there wil come forth a grosse thick oile and white the which if it bee rectifyed three times it will be perfect cleere and will congeale no more The vertues of oile of wax experimented by Monsure le counte de Shenaus his brother Monsure de Argenteaw in the warres in France This oile is of a temperat nature to be vsed either into the bodie or outward and may be vsed with out all danger it taketh away the paines of the gout if yee annoint the partes therewith it comforteth hard sine wes and ioynt aches the sciatica choppes in the lippes breast handes or feete and woundes burninges either with fire or water if ye annoint therewith and lay thereon a plaster of the same being put into the eare with black wool it helpeth deafnes it staieth haire from falling It is also good against the winde collicke and prouoketh vrine if ye vse to drinke euery morning Ê’ 1. with malmesie it preuaileth against the stitch in the side if yee drinke thereof and annoint the parts therewith To be short it helpeth against all manner of infirmities as hath bin diuers times prooued Of sundrie partes of liuing thinges Chap. 6. SVndrie profitable remedies are taken out of diuers parts of sundry beastes which neede verie little preparation notwithstanding are to be reserued in shoppes for the great vertues they haue in healing for the Riuer Crabbe being calcined to a white ashes is commended against the biting of a mad dogge The eies of Crabbes calcined in a reuerberatorie are giuen with good successe to them that are troubled with the stone and expelleth all obstructions of the bowelles of which we haue spoken of before against Aubertus The water of earth wormes distilled is profitable against the dropsie and to kill wormes in children and being bouÌ„d quicke vppon a panatâ—tio they profit much The water of cowe dung gathered in May is good against the dropsie and to cure all canâ—erd vlcers The powder of the worms called mille peduÌ„ is good against affectes of the eies Cattes pisse distilled against deafnes The bones cheiflie of a wolfe dryed and brought to powder helpeth the disease in the ribbes stitches and prickings Water of swallowes against the falling sicknes Water of the spawne of frogges to repell and stay all fluxes of bloud and rednes of the face Coaguluâ— le poris dronke with Hidromell against the falling sicknes Cerâ—aine litle bones which are found in the sorefeete of the hare prouoke vrine mightily if the powder bee giuen with white wine Orsepiae is with good successe giuen against the said diseases The powder of the liuer of frogges dryed is very well taken against the comming of the fit of a feuer especially the quartane Neither wil I let
be compared to balme 4 or 5. drops being drunke preuenteth the resolution of the Sinewes the falling sickenes and other diseases of the braine it preserueth the body from poison and pestilent aires it comâ—orteth a weake cold stomacke staieth vomiting it purgeth the raines breaketh grauell and prouoketh vrine and is profitable against the dropsie and water betweene the skinne and the flesh it killeth wormes to conclude it comforteth all weake members by his piercing vertue it helpeth conuulsiones and shakings and paines in the necke comming of a Catar if ye annointe the partes therewith it easeth the paines of the sciatica in the hippes the gout and the collicke and all malign vlcers being annointed therewith Oile of Baie berries OVt of lb. 1. of Baies there is not drawne aboue ℈ 2. of oile by distillation the which is most profitable against Collicum iliacum sciaticam passionem Oile of Iuie berries THis oile is distilled as the oile of Iuniper berries but some doo take the berries wood gum and all together and distil it by descention out of the which there will come foorth a thicke blacke oile that is profitable against colde diseases of the iointes it prouoketh the Flux Menstruall expelleth the stone and purgeth vlcers Oiles of sweete smelling thinges are thus prepared BEate them grosely then infuse theÌ„ in faire distilled water as afore is said and distil them with a refrigeratorie Oile of Cinamom THis reuiueth the naturall spirits marueilously it disperseth the euil humors in the stomack it openeth obstructions and is profitable against all cold diseases it preserueth from putrefaction it cureth woundes and vlcers as the naturall balme doth it causeth faire deliuerie of child birth it is a most precious remedie for those that lie speechlesse if ye put 3. or 4. drops into their mouth either by it selfe or mingled with cinamom water it helpeth concoction the lyke vertue the water hath but it must be vsed in greater quaÌ„tity This oile is of such a piercing nature that it pierceth thorough the whole bodie and finally it is a present remedie for a woman that soundeth in her trauaile if she drinke 3. or 4. droppes The Oile or essence of Safrone TAke drie Safron and drawe awaie his tincture with the spirit of wine vntill the feces remaine white the which ye shall calcine according to arte and circulate them in Balneo with the said meÌ„strua afterward let it settle vapor away the said Menstrua in Balneo and the essence of Safron will remaine in the bottome the which is excellent to comforte the spirites for if ye mixe a droppe or two with brothe or some conuenient liquor it restoreth and strengtheneth the weake spirites marueilouslie but especiallye the hart with infinite other vertues which wee omitte tyll another time Oile of Mace THis oile is of a hot facultie and therefore it is commodiouslie vsed in the Collicke comming of a cold cause or of a Catar descending from the heade it comforteth the hart belly and Matrix It is also good against trembling of the hart the obstructions of the bladder and Matrix it helpeth the strangurie and all diseases hauing their original of colde It strengtheneth the stomacke and wombe being vsed in wine or broth or made in losenges Oile of Cloues THis oile is very profitable for the bellie hart and liuer and hath all the qualities of naturall balme it healeth all fresh woundes and punctures it strengtheneth the hart and head and helpeth the megrim it purgeth melancholie bloud it sharpeneth the sight comforteth the stomacke causeth digestion and maketh a sweete breath it helpeth the collicke and all the paines in the bellie comming of colde if ye drink two or three drops in wine or eate losenges made with the same oile Oile of Pepper THis oile hath much more vertue then the Pepper it selfe in piercing and specially in the windie collicke other weake partes filled with fleame it staieth the shaking of the feuer tertain if ye take three or foure droppes with sirope of quinces two houres afore the fitte prouided that the bodie be first well purged and let bloud as occasion shal serue ye shal note this oile is onely the ayrie parte seperated from the other elementes Oile of Nutmegges THis oile being drunke with coÌ„uenient liquors bringeth downe the menstruall fluxe and also the quicke and deade fruite and therefore women with childe shall not vse this oile vntill such time as they be in trauell and then it causeth faire deliuerie without any danger it is profitable against all paines of the heade comming of colde it causeth a sweete breath and warmeth and strengtheneth a cold stomacke and consumeth superfluous humors of the same it dispearseth winde and appeaseth the collicke is profitable for the affects of the bladder it helpeth inward woundes beeing drunke with some conuenient wound drinke it helpeth colde diseases of the sinewes and swellinge of the Spleene two or three droppes being taken in broth Oiles of Woodes are thus prepared TAke Lignum vite rasped in powder and put it into a glasse or stone pot close stopped and set it in Balneo or warme dunge certaine daies to digest then distill it with a gentle fire Per descensum and there will come foorth a liquor called of the chimistes Mercurie then increase the fire and there will come foorth an oile which is called the sulfure the which must bee purged by arte from his stincking smel then take the ashes of the woode and drawe foorth his salt with Fumetorie water the which ye shall calcine dissolue and congele diuers times vntill it be as white as snow the which salte by a workeman may be brought Cristalline Of the Mercury or first liquor is giuen one spoonful or more with 2. ounces of Fumetorie water against all vicious humours in the body and driueth them out by sweate with the oile or sulfure ye shall cure the vlcers or other greefes after the bodie is well purged with the salt the which is done in this order Take of the salte Ê’ i. good theriakle â„¥ ss mixe them and giue thereof Ê’ ss more or lesse according to the discretion of the phisicion and the strength of the partie in this order must thou draw forth the Mercurie sulfur salt of all maner of woods there are diuers other orders to giue this Mercurie or liquor whereof some are written in the chapter where wee intreat of spiritus tartars Oile of Iuniper wood THis oile is profitable for members that are weakened through cold it strengtheneth the raines and matrix and helpeth conception it cureth maligne vlcers wounds and swageth paine it taketh away the fit of a quartane feuer especiallie being annointed from the nauell downeward Oile of the wood of Ashe THis oile doth cure the colde gout and cicatriceth raw places it dissolueth the white morphew and maketh it blacke it cureth those that
haue the palsie and is profitable for those that are vexed with the splene not only dronke but also annointed therewith The true order to prepare and make oiles out of Rosens concreat liquors and gummes Chap. 4. THis oile is distilled with a geÌ„tle fire in Balneo and is most pure cleer some distil it in fand or ashes putting therto a haÌ„dful of salt a litle aqua vitae some put to it for euery lb. of turpentine â„¥ iij. of sifted ashes to keep the matter froÌ„ running ouer This oile is most profitable against cold diseases of the sinewes against asthma difficultie of breathing if ye drinke thereof Ê’ ij euery morning it preuaileth against grosse humors gathered together in the breast it ceaseth the paines of the collicke it helpeth chappes in womeÌ„s breastes and woundes it taketh away the crampe it helpeth deafnes and prouoketh vrine Oile of Frankensence THis oile is distilled as afore is said in sand with a gentle fire according to art vntill all the substance be come forth the which will be both oile and water the which yee must seperate by a funnell the water is good against winde in the stomacke if it be dronke it helpeth all chappes and chilblaines and such like either in the hands or feete if ye wash them therwith and annoint them with the oile against the fire and straight waies put on a paire of gloues it helpeth the white scall if yee wash it therewith also all maner of scabbes laying thereon morning and euening a cloth wet in the same it dryeth vp vlcers sores the oile is most precious against woundes in all partes of the body because it preserueth from putrefaction and alteration and taketh away paines if ye ioine the wound close together and lay this oile warm heron The first oile that commeth forth is cleere and preserueth the handes and face being annointed therewith it is also most profitable against all colde diseases inwardly if yee geue thereof Ê’ i. with conuenient liquors it dissolueth all tumors and aches comming of colde it taketh away the blacknes of any bruise being new done in two or three houres by continuall annointing the place so fast as it dryeth in Oile of Succinum or Amber STamp your amber small distill it in a retort with the powder of flint stones giuing it fire according to art vntill all the substance be come forth the which will bee both water and oile and a sal armoniacke the which wil hange about the Receauer the which keepe as a precious iuell then seperat one from another the oile is good against all affectes of the head comming of colde moist humors it helpeth the resolution of the sinewes the Apoplexia the falling sicknes and being put into the nostrelles when they fall it will recouer them presently it preserueth a man from poison and pestilent aires if yee annoint the nostrelles therwith it is good against diseases of the raines and bladder it dryueth forth grauell and prouoketh vrine if it be dronke with conuenient liquors it helpeth the collicke choking of the matrix being annointed therewith it bringeth forth the fruit and causeth faire deliuerance if it be dronke with conuenient liquors it strengtheneth and comforteth all the powres of the bodie it consumeth superfluous humors Oile of Masticke THe Apothecaries of â„¥ 4. of Mastike lb. i. of the oile of vnripe Oliues with â„¥ 4. of rosewater do make an oile which the Phisi ions prescribe to cure the lienterie and vomitting and to strengthen the stomacke and liuer which preparation is accounted ridiculous vnto those which out of lb. i. of mastike by their art draw â„¥ 10. of most pure oile whereof two droppes taken either with wine or broth or applied to the grieued place will profit more to cure the aforesaid diseases then lb. i. not of mastike but oâ—iues rather which our Phisitions I know not by what reason do vse now adaies wherefore yee shall prepare your oile in this manner Take of pure mastike lb. i. put it in a glasse with distilled water and aqua vitae of each alike so that it may be couered 4. fingers high then lute it close and set it in warme dung to putrify certaine daies afterward distill it in sand giuing fire by degrees and first there wil come forth with the menstruâ— a yellow oile the which keepe by it selfe then augment the fire and there will come forth a redde oile then at the last there will come forth a thicke blacke oile smelling of the fire the which ye shall circulate with the spirit of wine seperated from the first and then distill it againe and thou shalt haue a perfect oile profitable for outward griefes especially for his piercing force whereby it doth refresh all the members it strengtheneth the stomacke it helpeth concoction and inflations of the bowels it mollifyeth and asswageth their sorenes It comforteth and strengtheneth all the sinewes also the first yellow oile is geuen with wine or his proper decoction for the same diseases and to stoppe reumes if ye feare his fyrie heate after the aqua vite is seperated ye may wash it with rose water or faire water distilled and so ye shall make an excellent medicine against diuers infirmities Philippus Hermanus writeth that this oile is of a most subtill nature and stoppeth the menstruall flox and all other flixes being vsed with conuenient medicines either inward or outward it is good against falling downe of the fundement if ye annoint the parts therwith and put theÌ„ into their naturall place it is also profitable against the rupture in yong children it healeth woundes it fasteneth the teeth if yee annoint the gummes therewith Oile of Mirrha TAke pure mirrha â„¥ vj. and put thereto â„¥ xij of the spirit of wine set it in warme dung 6 daies then seperat the menstrua and the tincture or oile will remaine in the bottom This oile hath the vertues of naturall balme and preserueth all thinges from putrefaction that is annointed therewith Also the face being annointed therewith in a bath or stoue is preserued in youthfull state a long time it healeth woundes quicklie it helpeth foule stinking vlcers it helpeth those that are deafe it helpeth the paines of the mother if it be annointed therewith This oile dryeth and consumeth all accidents after child birth being dronke it maketh a sweete breath and helpeth the cough and shortnes of winde it helpeth the stitch in the side and all other inward diseases if ye drinke Ê’ ij thereof it stayeth haire froÌ„ falling If any be troubled with a feuer let them annoint all their bodie therewith and lay them downe to sweate and they shall be cured it taketh away the stinch of the armepittes if ye annoint the partes therewith in a bath or stoue being mixed with wine and the mouth washed therewith it fasteneth the teeth and gummes when ye will vse this oile to preserue
any part yee must first hold it ouer the â—ume of nettels boiled in faire water vntill the pores bee open then drie it well and annoint it with this oile and it will preserue it long time in youthfull state Oile of Galbanum THis gumme must first be dissolued in distilled vineger and then distilled in a retort with a gentle fire this oile is most profitable against inwarde bruses and crampes and shtinking of sinewes being dronke with oile of mirrha it is good against venome being either dronke or shotte into the body with venemous arrowes also dronke in the same order it prouoketh womens termes and deliuereth the dead fruit the fume of this oile being receaued at the lower partes worketh the same effect Also the fume of this oile being taken at the mouth helpeth the rising of the mother being layd to the nauell it causeth the matrix to stay in his naturall place the fume of this oile is profitable against the falling sicknes if ye annoint the nostrelles therewith In this maner ye may make oile of labdanuÌ„ opoponax sagapenum Amoniacum and such like which doe soften the knots of the gout and doth mightily dissolue the hardnes of the liuer splene and other members if they be distilled all together or taken euerie one by himselfe according to the method prescribed Oile of Egges SOme make this oile by distillation of the yolks of egges some by stirring them in a pan ouer the fire after they be sodden hard The water of egges being distilled taketh away scarres and spottes in the face or other places The oile comforteth against all paines it helpeth woundes by gunshot it preuaileth much against burninges and scaldings either with fire or water or powder it maketh haire blacke if ye annoint it therewith it slaketh the paines of the hemeroides if yee annoint them therewith often times The yolkes of egges being distilled with as much white wax is most precious to heale woundes and bruses for it resolueth them with great speede the stomacke being annointed therwith causeth good digestion and comforteth it meruellouslie The true preparation of certaine oiles which are commonlie vsed in Apothecaries shops to be applied outwardly FOr outward medicines you shall best draw forth the hole strength of roses violets nymphaea white popie henbane and Mandrake with oile oliue which are commonly vsed in shoppes all which do quench inflamations and great heates asswage hot swellinges strengthen and thicken the member stoppe fluxes helpe madnes and prouoke sleepe if you vse this method following Oile of Roses TAke oleum omphacinum and wash it with common water distilled diuers times then purify it in Balneo vntill it leaue no more feces then take lb. j. of this oile so prepared of red roses the whites being cutte off and brused in a stone morter lb. j. ss put them into a glasse and set it to putrify in warme dung twelue daies being close luted theÌ„ presse forth the oile and put in fresh leaues as afore is said and putrify it againe and this ye shall doe three or foure times and so shall ye haue a perfect good oile in like sort shall you make all other cooling oiles for topicall medecines very well So is oile of Quinces and myrtilles made which refrigerat and astringe and are applied to the stomacke liuer braine and weake bowelles and also to the fundement In like manner are oiles made of Camomill and Lilies which doth strengthen the sinewes moderat resolue and swage aches but these are made with ripe sweet oile prepared as afore Of mintes wormewood lentiscus and others after the same order are oiles made with oleum omphacinum which being annointed doth moderatly warme the stomacke and strengthen the other partes and helpe concoction but first they are prepared with their proper water and astringent wine and must be clensed from all feces in Balneo certaine daies as is afore said But if any man will warme attenuat and digest the more strongly by these oiles let him take like portions of oile purifyed in Balneo and the spirit of wine Out of baies and such like beries ye may make oile if ye digest them the space of a moneth in warme dung and then presse them forth serua They are good for all colde greefes of the braine or sinewes and disperse winde But all these oiles of hot quallities will be much better if they be drawne onely with the spirit of wine in Balneo without any addition of other oile as Galen 1. simp cap. 15. Although it doth easilie inflame yet it doth not so quickly heate vs for through his grose and slimie substance sticking fast to that it first toucheth and therfore indureth long vpon all things wherewith it is annointed neither is it extenuated or digested of the aire about it or easily made to passe into the bodie Of artificiall saltes and their properties Chap. 1. THe vse and profit of saltes that are drawen out of simples by calcination are in maner as great in phisicke as the rocke or common salt is which daily and in general serueth to mans releefe for when from simples a grosse fleme is taken awaye which in troth hindereth their operation how much more woulde they performe their operation if they were conuerted into a spirituall matter which by long distillations and filtrings is caused that they may change by a certaine manner into a firye matter therefore it is not to be doubted that when the simples be conuerted into a salte and the element of fire hath in no such wise dominion in them but that they pierce sooner and may performe their proper action that such a heape or companie of diuers simples shall not neede besides in the composition of remedies for such salts haue certaine properties the which other purgers being distilled want for euerie salt saith Theophrastus Paracelsus purgeth but the distilled waters of the purgers lacke or haue not the same propertie because his salt is not ioyned in the same so that I suppose a great tartnes or sharpnes consifteth in them all The manner and fashion to prepare these saltes are diuers according to the opinion of the Authors Some will the hearbes to be gathered in their due time and distill away the water in Balneo then calcine the feces and with their proper water draw forth the salt the which yee shall calcine in a fornace of calcination and dissolue it againe and congeale it and this ye shall do vntill it be white as snowe the which afterward by a workeman may be brought christalline These saltes called alkalye must be kept in a glasse close stopped because the aire will soon resolue them which happeneth especially to those that are made of hearbes those substances which possesse and haue more quantity of eile and the subtiller Some calcine them slightly some more some lesse some make their salte with their owne water distilled from the hearbes some with raine water distilled
from those kind of hearbes being drie or greene some put on the water colde some hot and so let it stand certaine daies stirring it often the which is not amisse then distill it by a filter vntill it bee cleere and vapor it away in Balneo vntill it bee drie then calcine it againe and dissolue it in some conuenient liquor and then congeale it againe and this yee shall doe vntill it be white as snow the which by often calcining and dissoluing may be brought christalline whereof one graine is of more force then fixe of the first De salibus purgantibus per tussim THe salt of Hipericone or saint Iohns wort certaine affirme to bee highly commended and approued in the pluresie giuing the patient in warme wine so much as will goe into halfe a hasell nutshell A certaine singular phisition in the pluresie gaue as much of this salt as he cold hold betweene the ende of his fingers in malmsie and God is the witnes that the patient was cured by it the like vertue hath the salt of Polipodij De salibus purgantibus per vrinam AS much as a man may hold betweene the end of his fingers of this salt was giuen with warme wine vnto one that could not make water and he was presently deliuered as Leo Suauius writeth Salt of Woormewood THis salt is geuen in maner in all diseases or sicknesses with profit but especiallie in the pestilence it is profitable against all obstructions of the â—iuer and kidneis it prouoketh vrine it helpeth the dropsie and water betweene the skinne and the flesh proceeding of a salt cholericke humor and is profitable against the yellow iaundies it prouoketh sweat it helpeth and driueth forth from the inward partes the poxe Feiguarzen and such like diseases It comforteth the stomacke purgeth waterish bloud gathered together in the vaines and liuer causeth good digestion and slaketh the griping paines and blastinges in the bellie being vsed with conuenient liquors or medicines it mundifieth all foule sores if it bee strowed thereon or mixed with conuenient liquors or vnguents Sal Gentiane This salt is profitable against all feuers it openeth and purgeth all obstructions of the bowelles it prouoketh menstrua and vrine being dronke with conuenient liquors Sal Gratiolae This salt is effectuall against the dropsie Sal Anonidis This salt diminisheth the stone and prouoketh vrine is profitable against the strangury Sal Raphani This salt hath the aforesaid vertues Sal Genistae This salt breaketh the stone and prouoketh vrine Sal Stipitum Fabarum This salt helpeth the difficultie of vrine and breaketh the stone Sal Iuniperi This salt of Iuniper is of a piercing nature and hath the aforesaid vertues De salibus purgantibus per vterum THis salt doth prouoke womens termes This salt also prouoketh menstrua purgeth the womb and helpeth the suffocation of the matrix Sal Chelidoniae Take the rootes of celandine cleane scraped and not washed q. v. stampe them well in a stone morter then digest them 24 howres with the spirit of wine in Balneo theÌ„ powre it out without pressing and vapour away the said spirit in Balneo and in the bottom will remaine a yellow tincture or powder the which profiteth much in prouoking of womens termes the dose is about ℈ i. in white wine or other conuenient liquor De salibus purgantibus per sudorem THis salt is verie profitable against the pox or such like diseases either to be vsed inward or outward it prouoketh sweate mightily if it be mixed with diaphoreticall medicines The salt of Scabious hath the like vertue in prouoking sweat De salibus dolorem sedantibus TAke the bloud of an old Hart or Stagge being yet warm and distill it in Balneo with a gentle fire vntill all the fleme be come away then change the Receauer and set thy vessell in sand and augment the fire and there will comâ— forth both oile and salt the which will hange round about the glasse the which must be mixed with the oile Yee shall note that the stinking smell of the oilemay be taken away by often washinges in warme water afore yee mixe it with his salt This oile swageth all paines of the gout if ye annoint the partes therewith Sal sanguinis humani THe salt of the bloud of a man and a goate is made in the same order the which haue great vertue to helpe the raines bladder and all diseases of the articular partes as Chiragra Gonagra and Podagra A composition of saltes that seperateth fleme TAke hisop penirial ana â„¥ ss OriganuÌ„Ê’ ij fenel seed â„¥ ss Caraway seed Ê’ ij licorice â„¥ i. Salis vsti â„¥ vj. Salis absinthij Ê’ ij salis Iumperi totideÌ„ cinamomi ouÌ„ i. ss piperis longi Ê’ vj. carda momum granorum paradisi cariophilorum ana â„¥ ss Gingiberis â„¥ i. misco fiat puluis Sal perigrinorum TAke sails nitri fusi salis gemmae ana â„¥ i. galangae macis cubebaruÌ„ ana ℈ i. fiat puluis The dose is foure or sixe grains in the morning fasting vpon a peece of bread this comforteth the stomake maketh good digestion and preserueth the bodie from putrifaction the vse of this salt being at the sea will preserue from vomitting An addition to that salt to preserue the bodiâ— in health TAke of the aforesaid salt so prepared â„¥ iij. Alcoolis vini exiccati lb. ss extrahatur alcali of the which take Ê’ ij put thereunto kist vnum liquor is granorum Iuniperi mixe them the dose is 1. or 2. gr in wine ye shall not adde any other thing vnto this lest the vertue of the salt be spoiled this salt was of great estimation with Hermes trimigistes to preserue the bodie in health Balsamum vrinae the which through the great vertues it hath deserueth to be called Catholicum and is made thus TAke the vrine of yong Children aboute the age of 12. yeares that hath dronke wine for certaine moneths if it be possible the same putrify in Balneo or dung a philosophers yeare then distill it with a gentle fire in sand being also luted the which ye shall note diligently the fleme ye shall put vpon the feces 4. times then the last water keepe close shut the which is white and stinking and therfore ye may giue it both tast and smell with sinamom and sugar the feces that remained in the bottom being blacke yee shall sublime by degrees of fire and you shall haue a most precious salt the which some affirme will dissolue gold siluer other mettalles some philosophers call it their menstrua The vertues of this Balsamum vrinae are infinite and may rightly be called Catholicum remedium because it hath maruellous vertues in all maner of diseases and doth nourish nature wonderfullie by his similitude and not by contrarietie It cureth the dropsie prouoketh
dossis obserued The cause of the purging quallitie of all these simples is this that a certaine thinne portion of it stirred vp by naturall heate creepeth in by the open conditts or passages into the lesser vaines and from thence floweth into the greater from the which by the liuer it is turned into the intestinalls and into the reynes it selfe and then followeth euacuation of humores by the belly which sometimes are discerned by the vrine in which as well the coloure as the sauor of the medicine receaued is manifestly seene which any man may trie in Rhabarbe senuae Seing therfore the vapor of these medicines which we call the essence being stirred vp by naturall heate from the earthy partes doth attenuate the resting humor and moueth the nature of the parte with a contrarie quallitie and prouoketh it to cast out their earthly substance or feces remaining in the stomake and the inward partes who then is so doltish that wil not commend the spagiricall preparation of these medicines wherewith wee doe drawe forth the essence which is the true purger and take away the maligne quallitie Or at the least we suppresse it with his owne menstrua which agreeth with his properties and haue an vnitie with them We seperate the feces or yearth as deadly and hurtfull which doth much offend for his thicknes cleauing vnto the tunicle of the stomake which Galen affirmeth out of Hipocrates in these wordes For saith he the purging medicine how smal soeuer it be it must needes goe to the bottom of the stomacke and in going do wne the stomake and what soeuer is found about it is infected not onely by the quallitie of the medicine but also by the cleauing of the substance in the swallowing it is greatly hurte and againe those that are of more thinner essences more readily executed their proper accions then the grosse as Galen witnesseth in many places Also where as he saith in the first booke of simples that those things which haue but a smal bodyly substance doe worke more then they that haue great Our extractions of essēces is to be commēded in which al these things are performed the proper purgatiue quallitie of the humor notwithstanding reserued in the medicine as also it is made so much the stronger in that his vnprofitable earth and fex is seperated from it and by his proper menstrua ioined vnto it all the maligne quallitie is taken awaye which Galen writeth is to bee done where he saith those seedes are to be mingled with medicines which mittygate their mallignitie and hinder not their worke which haue force to extenuate to cut that they may cutt asunder grosse humors and open the wayes by which they must be auoyded All which thinges all learned men may iudge to be done in our preparations But some will saye the extraction of essences is not so necessarie when as Actuarius commaundeth vnto whose opynion Paulus agreeth that to such as are of a weake stomacke 15. or 20. graines of Lathiris are to be swallowed whole he saith that though they be not brused minimeque in Corpus permeent yet they purge verie much Which place is not against our saying but doth rather affirme it because alitle after he willeth that those who must bee more effectually purged must eate them by which it is manifest enough that there is a greater vertue by bringing the medicine into a fine substance then in the whole mase and in the essence it selfe a greater force then in the residence of it which may be perceaued in Rhabarbe it selfe the infusion thereof doth purge more mightely then the whole substance doth for which cause I doubt not but that the same graines of Lathyris are prescribed rather whole then brused by any meanes to a weake stomake because the force and strength of the Lathiris as Galen saith is much like in force to Esullae and these medicines are so sharpe and vehement that they purge both vpward and doneward with great vexation and by that meanes the more violent they be the more they hurt the stomak but the slender body as Galen writeth is easier altered and chaunged of that whereunto it is applyed but that which is grosser is not chaunged but in a great time and scarce at length feeleth any sensible alteration for we trye by experience that we are so much the soner heated with pepper as by how much the smaller it is beaten and euen so must we iudge of the purging medicines therefore in steade of those Infutions and decoctions after the cōmon sorte we vse their essences and that healthfully without hurting of the stomak or any of the other partes But those vehement medicines otherwise to be feared haue beene so rightly prepared of the true spagiricks that their malitious quallities and sharpnes haue bin altogether bridled with their proper corrections and so haue serued in steade of gentler medicines for the cure of diuerse diseases So our Essence of Elcborus Niger being well prepared is ministred at this day in many places and is safly giuen to children to losen the belly without any labor In the meane season there bee a great number which ignorantly condemne these essences and speake against the vse of them and spew out the poyson of their gaule against them at whose rayling I cease to meruaile because the Poet saith that to those men that think nothing right but what them selues doe nothing can be founde more vniust or wicked then that they doe not But there bee other which being ouercome with reason will at last commend these our extractions of essences out of all thinges but yet they feare this one thing that is their fierie nature in them by a certeine quallitie receaued of the outwarde fire and therefore they refuse the vse of them chiefly in agues and for curing of hott effectes by which they shew themselues to be vnskillful in the Spagirick Arte and to giue rashly iudgment of thinges vnknowen For almost all Essences are drawen forth with the temperate heate of balneo or horsdonge with proper meanes belonging thereto which we call Menstrues because the skillfull spagirickes by it with their art and labor do drawe forth al the strength and vertue of any thing seperating that which is pure from the earth and stinking feces reseruing onely the quickning escence whose power rising vp as it were breaking his bondes doth drawe it selfe higher and sheweth much greater force then it did before and more effectuall for helping of the bodie And if they will saye that all the menstrues be hot they are verie much deceaued for the iuce of Lemonds prepared after our order is the mēstrue for pearles because it dissolueth them and chaungeth thē into a thinner essence and yet the iuce is not hot nor the essence of the pearles hot which remayneth When the menstrua is separated awaye And as Galen writeth wee must not call whatsoeuer is subtill hot also for water it selfe
is of a more subbil essence which is manifest because it runneth spedily throwe haire and garments and yet being so thinne it neuer heateth as by his nature neither is it the proper norishment of fire but it is contrarie to it But they will aunswere Vini alcool his essence or spirite which menstrue we oftenest vse to drawe out the essence of all other thinges is most hot let it be so shall it therefore bee called daungerous by any meanes Seeing the proper menstrua is alwaies seperated out of euery essence of thinges and all his force is taken away and euerie medicine remaineth simple with his proper quallities being onely increased in vertue Finally to returne to purgings who will deny that they haue a hidden power of heate to stirre vp with which notwithstanding must bee mingled such things as must take awaie their malignitie and make it more subtill and pearcing and quicken his slow operation and make it effectuall according to the opinion of Galen Therefore Paulus wileth to mingle with Eleborus Peniroyall and sauerie or any of those that soddenly passe through and are not hurtful to the stomack Item all phisitions doe will to mingle with Rhabarbe Cinamond and spikenard with hermodactilis Radish Cōmin with Cnicos Cardamomum Aloes with Nutmegges masticke and cloues with Agarick turbith sennae ginger which although they bee hot yet they are mingled in purgations which also are safly giuen to the sicke of the Agew not that a hot medicine is giuen for the Agews sake but that greater commoditie might followe in rooting out the humors which cause the feauers for the commoditie is greater saith Galen in taking awaie the molesting humors then the hurt which necessarily is done to the body by the purgations which yet wil bee more commodiously donne if whatsoeuer hurteth be taken away without payne by medicines prepared and corrected which the cōmon phisitions do although they take not away the heat of the simple mixed in the corecting of their purgations and notwithstanding they feare not to minnister them to hott diseases But our Menstrua of Alcoole Vini although they cal it hott yet is it so spiritual Yf we may vse words of art that with the least heate it vaporeth away and is altogether seperated from that which it dissolueth which is so separated from the feces that his power and subtil essence only remaineth which also more aptly doth execute his proper action whether it be to coole or heate or to purge and that with lesse daunger for 2 causes First because the essence of the medicine doth more swiftly passe thorow the bowells and thereby the sharpe and yearthy partes of them cleauing to the inward partes cannot vlcerate them according to which opinion Paulus speaketh thus of Colocinthide let it saith he be diligētly corrected because his sharpenes cleauing to the entrailes doe cause vlcers and trouble the sinnowes with like effects Secondly because all the noysome qualities of those Essences yf they cannot be wholly taken awaye in the first preparation may yet be taken away or easily corrected with mixing of other conuenient essence So the of Alloes otherwise is slowe in purging wil most swiftly purge and least it should open the vaines by his to much subtilnes it may eassily be corrected with our oyle of Masticke and so safly ministred But let vs heare Mesues Iudgement of all these preparations who agreeing with Paulus and Auicen that writeth Colocinthides is to be beaten small for our reasons aforesaide in these wordes It doeth require saith he long decoction and it is as it seemeth to me with the sonne of Serapion contrarie to the minde of the sonne of Zezaz to be beaten to small pouder that his malicious power may be mixed with other exquisite things to correct him that it may the sooner passe thorow the bowels and not stay in them for the thicknes of some part not wel beaten whereby it may peraduenture be longer staied in the bowels and exulcerate them chieflie when by some little partes of it sensiblie felt who cānot denie but that al these are done more commodiouslie with our essences with greater profit to the patient then the simple pouder I thinke none except some donghill raker that is altogether vnskilfull in phisicke It remaineth that we set downe the extractions of purgers and their preparations and so to prosecute in order Of Eleborus TAke the rootes of blacke Eleborus fresh gathered in Autumne 1. li. boile thē in water of Aniseede peniroyal out of which the oile is drawen Chimicallie closlie stopped in Balneo a whole day then straine it foorth harde and distill it by a filter vntill it be cleare then seperate the menstrua and in the bottome will remaine a slimie substance vnto which poure the spirite of wine that it may be couered foure fingers and so let it stand two or three daies close stopped to digest in Balneo then poure away that part which is cleare put on more doing as ye did before vntill you haue drawen out all the essence with reiterating the digestions alwaies seperating the feces according to arte which done seperate the first menstrua in Balneo that being done circulate it with new spirites of wine of the infusiō of maces for certaine daies then seperate the Menstrue againe in the bottome shall remaine Essentia Ellebori in forme of a sirop and Duskish of Coulor the which thou shalt keepe to many vses ℈ j of these essence mixed with certaine dropes of oyle of And myntes is giuen fasting with some conuenient decoction or water of wormes against the dropsie Item with water of Betony it helpeth against diseases of the braine as Maniae Melancholiae Vertiginis Epilepsiae and Paralysis it purgeth choller and fleame without any paine and finally the whole bodie of all corrupt-excrements which as Hipocrates saith maketh a man healthfull and as it were young it draweth not onely the hurtfull humors and excrements out of the vessels by purging the bloud but also from the whole bodie and skinne it selfe and therefore it is very healthfull against Elephantiasis the canker Erisipelas malomortuo all eating sores Paulus did giue about ʒ i. of the roote of Eleborus niger infused in aqua mulsa fasting against the aforesaid diseases I know not why in our time wee haue left the vse of it and shunne it as it were some strong poison and yet in the ancient time it was so much commended except it bee through the vnskilfulnes of the Phisitions seeing the mallice of this medicine and all other may easily be taken away with their true preparations as we haue declared and that this doth good Hypocrates witnesseth where he maketh mētion of white Eleborus saying thus To some bodies saith he Eleborus is troublesome as in other places hee saith that all byting medicines are naught for them but it being corrected by art and industrie may rightly bee ministred to whom and when it ought
after it hath been first dried with water of Buglosse or melissa euaporate away the water with a gentle fire which being drie digest with our heauenly menstrua the spirit of wine in Balneo and circulat it 30. daies to the highest degree theÌ„ seperat the menstrua and congeale it with a gentle fire and to correct it ad the essence of pearles corall and saffron with oile of cinamone and cloues it helpeth against melancolike affects the frensie vertigo Epilepsia Cephalalgia quartaines and the canker His dose is 1. scrup halfe with water of balme or Buglosse it purgeth blacke choller and whatsoeuer grosse slimie thing is mixed with the bloud The stone Cyaneus thus prepared may more coÌ„modiously bee giuen in the confection of Alkermes being commended by all Phisitions against the trembling of the hart syncope sadnes and to strengthen all the spirites and to driue away all poisons Of the preparation of Rhabarb Aloes Sennae Agaricke Myrabolanes Oxiphenicis and of such like of a meaner sort THese medicines are compounded by Actuarius and the rest of the Phisitions among the true purgers because euerie of them do draw by his whole substance their proper humor for they purge not the whole bodie from the roote as I may say but not with so great trouble Phisitions vse them chiefly to cure almost all diseases either because they may bee vsed without any greater preparation then that which they themselues know or else because they dare not trie any better seeing they are ignorant of the preparations of their medecines In the meane season the purging power of these meane purgers may be greatly encreased with Spagyricall preparations by taking out of them that which is pure and seperating the feces which are contrarie to the purging of mans bodie thereby will great profit follow First for that the stomake will not be hurt with the medicine when nothing shal hinder but that it may performe his worke spedily moue the bodie be likewise moued of it againe And secondly the sick or diseased person wil more easily a great deale take it for that there is but a little quantity of the medicine which are sometimes found to be harde that they had rather change life for death then they would drinke vp whole cupfuls of those troubled thicke medicines which the stomacke of many can not abide before they take them or else is made so weake that it loathing them do cast them vp againe and that with great trouble True phisitions therefore should giue diligent heede to seeke out these preparations of medicines both for their honour of the art of Phisicke for the health of the diseased It is manifest that the essence of Rhabarb is of a purging power because of his subâ—ill part which is left in his decoction so that thereby he looseth his purging vertue which by Phisitions is taken out if it be macerated in some thinne liquor by putting too white wine Cinamom They call this the infusion of Rhabarbe because they do after a sort draw out the force and essence of the Rhabarbe casting away the seces But by this methode following that medicine will be made a great deale better and more profitable Beate thy Rhabarb to powder and put thereon the Alcool of wine that it may be couered foure fingers then close it fast and set it to digest three or foure daies in Balneo vntill the menstrua be coloured then powre it out put on fresh do so vntil the menstrua will be no more coloured that the feces remaine white all being well circulated according to art seperat the menstrua by Balneo and the essence of the Rhabarbe will remaine in the bottom then to euery ounce thereof ad oile of cinamon 2. scrup of which if you giue 1. scrup with a spoonfull of white wine it doth purge more mightely then 1. ouÌ„ of the infusion yet with lesse trouble This medicine may be ministred vnto children to women with child old men and to those that are weake through sicknes It purgeth and bringeth forth yellow choller The feces or earth that doth remain is of a binding qualitie and therfore it is prescribed against Lienteria Dissenteria alâ—â— fluoribus But if any desire to haue it purge more stronger let him calcine the feces in a reuerberatorie then with water draw forth his salt with reiterating his filteratioÌ„â— it wil bee purifyed like christall then cast his essence that was drawen out vpon his alkaly digest him then distill him for by this meanes the strength of all medicines shall be increased So shal you prepare the extractioÌ„ of alloes which doth purge choller and thicke fleame but gently chiefly from the stomacke and intrailles and strengtheneth those parts as wel in clensing as purging them to this extraction ad oile of cloues and mace to resist his force the oile of masticke to take away his sharpnes and corroding quallity Agaricke being prepared after the same order doth purge chiefly fleame out of the stomack mesenterion liuer spleen and lungs from the braine and sinewes not so swiftly because his power is weake His dose is 2. scrup aswell to the young as to the old but because it doth somwhat offend the stomake it is corrected with the oile of ginger and spike Thus may you haue out the extractioÌ„s or essence of sene polypody mechoacam mirabolanes and such like which you may minister to whom and when they be conuenient by putting to them their proper corrections according to the qualitie of the sicknes and the strength of the diseased These are they which I purposed to set forth of the Spagiricall preparations meaning shortly God willing to set forth greater thinges that thereby those that are studious for true phisicke may enioy my labors watchinges and trauelles and the profit that I haue gotten thereby through the talke of diuers learned men Of which I thought good to shadow certaine thinges with certaine secret words of art lest I should seeme rashly to cast forth those pretious pearles heare set forth principally for the Spagyricall Phisitions to the Sophisters of all good discipline and contemners of the secrets of nature who when they haue gotten any commoÌ„ or neuer so sleight a thing out of the neast of Cadmi fillius they contemne things vnknown and are not afraide to raile at that art and vnwiselye to taunt with all kind of bitter words at that which they neuer so much once did see FINIS The vertues of aqua Balsamie IT preserueth all things from putrifaction that is put therein or annointed therewith as the naturall balme doth in all respectes If any bee touched with the pestilence so that the hart or braine be not infected geue them Ê’ 2. thereof to drinke and annoint his stomacke with the same lay him downe to sweat and in once or twise vsing it by the grace of God they shall be holpe for