ILMINGTON WATERS c. HAVING Observed with * Probatio ea nauci nihilâ— est qnâ per alios nimirum Galenum Aviceâ—â—am Rbasin c. nostra tuemur velamus Paracel L. 4. de Orig. Morb. Matricis Paracelsus that proof by Authority where Reason and Experience are deficient is altogether uncertain and that Philosophy is not to be founded on Phansy but on Experience and plain Natural Diductions therefrom I shall in this following Treatise lay down only such Positions that I find built on Experience For if bare Authority might pass for Proof I might cite Anaxagoras to prove the Snow black and such like strange speculations which to the judicious will seem only as such Yet I shall not contemn Authority but yeild due honour and Reverence to our Ancestors whose Works still are for our Instruction but shall chiefly insist in the footsteps of them that have made Experimental Essayes for their guid In the prosecution of my design I shall speak somewhat as to the Principles of Concretes which will lead me on to a consideration of Mineral Glebes that principally give Essence to spaw-Spaw-waters Divers have been the opinions of Philosophers about the Elements of Compound bodies not to mention the OpinioÌ„ of Heraclitus who observing Fire to be an active simple tenuious body made it the first Principle of all things nor the opinion of Hesiod assigning Earth for the Original of Compounds there are other more famous which Sects of Philosophers do still maintain Such as that 1st of the Aristotelians 2ly of the Chymists 3ly of Thales Milesius Helmont and others 4ly of Epicurus and Democritus 1. The Aristotelians place the foundation of Bodies in the four â—lements viz Fire Air Water and Earth Which I wonder at seeing Aristotle lib. 2. de gener cap 8. alloweth of and urgeth that Argument Bodies consist of such Principles into which they are ultimately reducible But by all the Analysis that either Art or Nature could make did never find Fire an ingredient To talk of an Element of Fire sub Concavo Lunae is but a supposition without a Demonstration The Air we know is necessary and that in several respects to the Continuance and Preservation of our lives but no Demonstration of its first being an Element The Quaternary of Elements is so far from solving the Phenomena of the more abstruse Recesses of Nature that it is all one as Dr. Willis de Ferm c. 1. p. 3. hath rightly observed to say a House is made of wood and stones as to say a Body is made of the Four Elements For it is hard to imagine such Things to be Principles which neither answer the Phaenomena of Nature nor the Reduction of Concretes and truly the supposing Such for Elements will be but an Imaginary Philosophy 2ly The Chymical Principles are Salt Sulphur and Mercury because in an Analysis of Bodies by Fire these Three appear whether the Concrete belong to the Animal Vegetable or Mineral kingdom By Reduction of a Metal or Mineral as the Chymists thought into its first Elements they extract a Sulphur or Oyl a Fluid which in Minerals is a plain Mercury or Quicksilver and a Salt Out of Vegetables and Animals they extract an Oyl or Sulphureous Spirit which is but an Essential Oyl gotten by Fermentation a Salt and Mercury which last is but the Phlegm or Water whose Particles are driven off by the stress of Fire and recollected in a Receiver But the ingenious Dr Willis de Fermen c. 2. observing a faeces left after Distillation and when the other Principles are drawn off to be quite useless yea void of Mutation and Exaltation and therefore properly called Caput Mortuum or Terra Damnata Besides he considering that there must be some subtile spirituous Agent to bring Things to maturity and perfection as in the growth and fermentation of Vegetables and their fruit that by the Depression of this Active Principle Things are crude and immature and by the decay thereof decline and die That Heat Consistence variety of Colours and Tasts yea the amiable texture of Parts do chiefly depend on a Sulphur That the Weight Solidity and Duration of Bodys without Putrefaction do depend on a Salt which detaineth and fixeth the Volatile Parts and Sulphur That Water is a convenient Vehicle for the most active Principles and to associate them to the Salt Upon such like considerations hath multiplied the Chymical Principles into Five Spiritus Sal Sulphur Aqua Terra Against which multiplication I shall propose these Experimental Observations proving Spiritus to be no distinct Principle from the three former viz. Salt Sulphur and Mercury besides what may be said to his fifth Principle Earth All sorts of Chymical Spirits are reduceable to two kinds Sulphureous and Saline of Saline Spirits there are two sorts Volatile Alkalizate and Acid. Sulphureous Spirits such as Spirits of Wine Rosemary Juniper and all Sulphureous Spirits got by fermentation out of Vegetables are nothing but an essential Oyl or Sulphur exalted with a little Phlegm and Salt This is evident from its Inflammability which is allowed on all sides to depend chiefly on the Sulphur Take Spirit of Wine or Brandy a Spoonful it will take flame by a burning Paper or Candle which will continue until all is consumed except an insipid Water or Phlegm and the best way of trying the goodness of Vinous Spirits is by inflammability which prove better or worse according as they burn away more or less Some Chymists assert they have had such highly rectified Spirits of Wine that by burning would totally consume away that the flame would like the containing Vessel dry leaving neither Faeces nor Phlegm What difference is there betwixt Sulphur and Sulphureous Spirits excepting Fermentation and Distillation by which the subtile parts are separated from the more feculent but not in an ordinary Sulphureous Body seeing both take flame and burn alike T is true by Distillation the more refine parts are separated and the Sulphureous carry with them some Phlegm and a little Volatile Salt but that destroyeth not the Sulphureous parts as such which being the predominant Principle give denomination to the Liquor and differ not as to the Principle of Sulphur Volatile Saline Spirits as Spirit of Harts-horn Spirits of Sal Armoniac and all Spirits drawn from Animals as Spirit of Vipers c. consist of a volatile Salt dissolved in a little Phlegm with a very small quantity of Sulphur And that it dependeth on a Volatile Salt dissolved in Phlegm is thus Apparent Fill a small Vial with good Spirit of Harts-horn Sal-Armoniac c. let it stand without moving for about half a year you 'l find a Phlegm instead of a Spirit but the Salt all shot or Chrystallized to the sides of the bottle which Salt being dissolved in fresh Phlegm will become again Spirit of Harts-horn Besides you may make Spirit of Harts-horn thus yea as good as the shops will afford Take of the Volatile Salt shot
halitus or Ocre And afterwards saith Vitriol is resolvable into three Principles Salt Sulphur and Ocre but the Saline principle is only owing to the Germination in Air. But had the Docter considered how that Vitriol is found under ground where we cannot suppose a free access of air if any at all he would not have been so positive in his assertion For the Hungarian and Cyprian blew Vitriol is digged up near the Copper-mines the English Roman and German Vitriol which last partaketh of a little Copper lie near to Iron stones All which without exposing to the air will from their Marcasites yield their distinct sorts of vitriol And what should hinder the germination of vitriol under ground seeing that vitriol is but a Compound body of an acid Salt and sulphureous Earth The sulphureous Earth is but the Ocre or Terra metallica that Mater ferri vel Veneris which receiveth the Acid and determineth the same according to the Power of the Semen latent in the Earth which may as well convert the Acid of the Earth as the Saline particles floating to and fro in the air As for the dissolution of the Pyrites in water I shall easily grant that much of its saline part may be thus resolved especially whilst it is near its first succulency but thence see no reason to lay its Original upon the Air neither could ever find any of these spirits flying off from mineral waters which the Doctor calleth ipsum metallum vegetans for if so then certainly there might be by the help of an Alembick and Receiver such a spirituous substance preserved from fresh Spring-water which none that ever I heard of could obtain T is true some steams will fly off from mineral water as by our sense of smelling may be perceived but these Aporrhea are but some particles winding off and are the effect of fermentation or heat yet cannot be collected retaining the full nature of the mineral ingredient All mixt bodies are subject to change by internal or external ferments and by the active agile parts and motion many vapours as in insensible transpiration may fly off and enter the pores of other bodies or perhaps put on a new form but never could be found an essential spirit of Mineral water But by spirit perhaps the Doctor might mean Ocre for he tells us c. 7. that Ocre doth evaporate from our Baths and that spirit which flyeth off is a Metal and elsewhere will not allow Ocre to be a sulphureous Earth but a meer Metal merum ferri metallum est Lâ—st de font med c. 2. because after burning in the fire it may be drawn by the Loadstone But Gilbertus hath proved that not only Iron but many other things will answer the operation of the Magnet Non ferrum tantùm magnes à magnete attrahitur volvitur magneticè sed ferreae venae omnes lapides etiam alii ut fissiles Rhenani Andegavenses nigri quibus pro tegulis utuntur aliorumque colorum substantiarum plurimi si praeparati fuerint tum omnis argilla glis saxaque nonnulla atque ut planiùs dicam omnis terra firmior modò pinguioribus humidis corruptelis defoedata non fuerit ut lutum coenum And a little after Omnia magnete attrahuntur solis ignibus praeparata à recrementitio humore liberata Gilb. de mag lib. c. 17. Not only Iron and a Magnet which is but a more pure minera of Iron or finer Iron-stone may be drawn by a Magnet but Stones white Earth Potters clay yea all firm Earth in case the Excrements and putrid moisture are purged off by fire T is true the Operation betwixt the Magnet and Iron is great and consequently by how much the more of metalline parts of Iron there are in a mineral Earth by so much the more conspicuous is the Magnetism yet simple Earth after Calcination will though in an inferior degree shew the like effect But this leading me to the enquiry of a new subject I shall return to my proposed matter in hand Du Glos observ on the Min. wat. of Fran. p. 8. rightly telleth us That the first Beings or Embryo's of Mineral Salts are nothing else but vapours or juices unconcrete wholly vapourable And pag. 9. The Embryonate Salt in the Chalk-stones is a stony juice which mixeth it self with waters that pass between the beds and interstices of the stones in the rocks but is not easily discern'd in the waters impregnated therewith The Seminary of Alum and Vitriol is also necessary in the substances whence these sorts of Salts are drawn Waters current in their chanâ—els meeting with and dissolving them become a proper menstruum to unlock the Mineral Kingdom and according to the dissolved minera so Waters differ in their qualities Upon the variety of Salts and Mineral Earths dependeth variety of Springs For there are four sorts of Salt commonly known to us according to Dr. Jorden and others viz. Alum Vitriol Nitre and common Salt which others and perhaps with as great reason reduce to three Alum Vitriol and common Salt which last may be again divided into Sal gemma or fossilis Fountain-salt and Sal Marine because these three sorts partake near of the same nature and work almost the like effects Only the Sea-salt being dissolved in water hath lost many of its sharp points and consequently is not so penetrating as Sal fossilis from mountains and rocks of which according to most of our modern Authors the saltness of the Sea doth take its original An affinity betwixt these Salts Monsieur Lemery hath observed who aâ—so in his Cour. Chym. Remar on Salt-peter giveth us this Experiment When Salt-peter is boiled a long time in water and over a great fire some part of the spirits fly away and there at last remains nothing but a Salt like unto Sea-salt or Sal Gemma which serves to prove that Salt-peter is only a Sal gemma fuller of spirits than the other And if so then Salt-peter may be ranked under the other and make no different species of Salt From these Salts with which waters may singly or joyntly be impregnated to which for ought we can tell species of Salt as yet unknown to us may be added preying upon divers Minerals must needs depend great variety of Mineral waters As for the Calcarious salt asserted by Dr. Lister I suppose it to be but a kind of Nitre which is centered upon the Lapis Calcarius mentioned by Falopius de Therm Aq. c. 8. and by the seminary principle thereof doth become a stony salt discernable enough by some clear but cold petrifying Springs The variety also of Earths as white red or yellow Marle Clay Chalk or other mineral Earths may cause great variety as to the weight colour sediment smell c. more especially when there is a complication of many in the same water PART II. NOw I shall proceed to Enquire what are the Ingredients of Ilmington-Spaw first taking notice of
be thus described It is a fixed Salt which will make an Ebullition with an Acid and by taking off the Edges of its Particles will sweeten an Acid Liquor As for Mineral Waters Libavius giveth us this Notion Quae a simplici vulgari mera discedentes cum aliquo subterraneorum conspirant aut spiritaliter sunt tinctae aut mistae corporaliter Judicio Aquar Lib. 1. Cap. 1. viz. Waters that besides their own Nature have imbibed something of the quality or substance of some Subterranean Mine What are the Subterranea he afterwards telleth us Lib. 1 but Gab. Fallopius De Therm Aq. Cap. 8. ranketh them under Five Heads viz. Vapours Juices Metals Stones and Earth As for Vapours impregnating Waters in their Current I see no reason to make them a distinct Ingredient from the others Fallopius alloweth only Vapours to be found in Waters that are Poisonous Bituminous and Sulphureous yet of what kind soever they seem not to differ from the Evaporating Object as the Vapour of Water is but Water rarisied whose Particles recollected in a Receiver may appear again under the form of Water As Helmont Parad. 2. hath observed Vapor reipsa nil aliud est Materialiter formaliter quam Atomorum Aquae in altum sublata Congeries To the same effect speaketh Libavius de Jud. Aq. Lib. 1. Cap. 6. Dr. Jorden On Natur. Bath and Min. Wat. Cap. 4. not content with what Fallopius hath done especially because New Minerals have lately been discovered as Calaem in the East Indies Rhusma and Terra Ghetta in Turky c. and perhaps future Ages may discover many more hath comprehended them under Seven Heads taking a Mineral for An inanimate Perfect Body bred in a Mine in the Bowels of the Earth His Genera are 1 Earth 2 Stone 3 Bitumen 4 Salts or Concrete Juices 5 Spirits 6 Mean or half Metals 7 Metals Of all which in as much as they cause Alterations in Waters I shall take a short Survey Brevity here beeng intended First Earth is a cold dry sluggish Body altogether effete in its vertue except when it containeth some active Principle such as a Nitrous Salt by which Fullers-Earth doth scour Cloth and Marle laid on Land doth cause Fertility or an Aluminous Salt such as is found near Scarbrough Spaw c. Vpon which account the Chymists rightly call Simple Earth Caput Mortuum or Terra damnata Water hereby may become turbid and muddy but not impregnate with any Vertue Secondly Stones by their Qualities of Cold Dryness and Stipticity come near that of Earth Yea as Dr. Jorden Cap. 4. hath hinted to us Stones in their simple Nature distinct from any other Ingredient are but as a Caput Mortuum and untamable by â—ire or Water 'T is true some Stones will melt others by Calcination turn as it were to Ashes but that is from a Heterogeneous Mixture of some Salt Metal c. And this may be concluded hence The more pure and free from Mixture Stones are by so much the more indissolvable by Water or the devouring flames of Fire as Diamonds Amiantus or Alumen plumosum Glymmer Saxum Arenarium all which stony Concretions will endure the Fire yea I suppose had we but a pure stony Body it would endure the washings of Water and the utmost degree of Fire Pliny Natur. Hist Lib. 36. Cap. 19. saith Amiantus lapis nihil igni deperdit Not only the Terra Damnata left after the Active Principles are drawn off in Distillation will endure the Fire but the Asbestum which is an Efflorescence of the Amiantus and many such like Stony Concretions I doubt not were they free from Heterogeneous Mixtures Stones then in their simple Nature yield no Vertue to Springs except whilst in their Primitive juices or Solutis principiis for then they may cause an Alteration as we may perceive by many cold petrifying Springs of which almost infinite Examples might be produced here in our own Country But when there is a mixture with a Minera then Stones by Fire or Water may soon suffer a Dissolution as Marcasites of Iron Copper Alum c. not only by fire may undergo a Change but also may communicate their Vertue to Waters having a proper Menstruum Thirdly Bitumina are either hard as Amber Carbofossilis or Liquid as Petroleum and Naphtha We find by dayly Experience that unctuous Matter or Oyls will not undergo a perfect mixture with Water yet by some Mineral juice may have its body so opened as to come floating with the Spring Water though in a confused Posture Yea saith Fallopius de Aq. Therm Cap. 8. It is sometimes so confused that a Separation from the Water is very difficult Instances of Bituminous Waters he giveth us as the River Lipparis in Cilicia which by its plenty will as it were anoint the Bodies of them that swim in it the Fountains of Mount Gibbus near Modena in Italy many Fountains likewise near Baia in Campania so also Springs at the foot of Vesuvius many also we read of in Saxony Swedland and at Avergne in France and of one famous in our own Country at Pitchford in Shropshire and that Bitumen is the predominant Principle in our Springs at Bath Dr. Jorden hath proved De Nat. Bath Min. Wat. Cap. 6 Fourthly Concrete Juices called Salts which are not only found in Waters but being dissolved make the Current Springs as so many Menstruums to unlock the Bodies of other Minerals The Species are usually reckoned Four viz. Alum Vitriol Nitre and Common Salt but as for the Number I shall not here dispute 'T is true different Salts will shoot by Chrystallization into several Forms as Vitriol and Alum into Glebas although these of Alum differ something from them of Vitriol Nitre into Stirias and Salt into Tesseras so likewise will other Species of Salt comprehended under these by reason of their Glebes and difference of Particles As for the Vertues of such Springs we must look to the Nature of the Ingredients and whether the Waters are not impregnated with several Mineras from whence there must needs follow great Variety in Mineral Waters That Salt Nitre Alum and Vitriol are Ingredients of Mineral Waters we have the Testimony of several Authors too many here to relate As Salt-Springs at Saltzburgh and Halstat and many other places in Germany the Salt-Springs in Tuscany and as our Springs at Droit-Wich and at Nant-Wich will testify Nitrous Springs we read of at Calestria in Macedonia in many places of Aegypt in many places in France mentioned by Du Clos Classe Second and Third and Nitrous Springs by Baccius De Therm Lib. 5. Cap. 6. Alum Springs are frequent in Tuscany and many other Places of Italy and also in Germany and in Spain with us at Okenyate in Shrop-shire and that famous Spaw at Scarbrough in York-shire Vitrioline Waters are also found although the truth thereof is questioned by Dr. Lister De Font. Med. Angl. Cap. 7. Instances of which Dr. Jorden de Nat. Ba.
Cap. 7. giveth us as that at Cyprus described by Galen where the Water is Green at Smolnicium in Hungary in Transilvania c in which saith he the very Body of Vitriol is found Besides the Testimony of Helmont Paradox 4. of Pauhont and Savenir two German Spaws and the Experiments of Dr. Simpson on our Scarbrough Spaw and as I shall prove of Ilmington Spaw As for the distinction of being vertually or by its quality contained I cannot allow of not finding any solid Reason how an Accident can be seperated from his Substance and remain Existent in another for I look upon that Rule as true Accidens non migrat a Subjecto in Subjectum Fifthly Spirits so called from their Volatility by fire that enter the Composition of Metals will not endure fusion by fire but easily fly off such as Quicksilver Auripigmentum Sandaraca Chrisocolla Cadmia which by some Authors are reckoned for Concrete Juices but by others for Spirits from their Volatility and Waters endowed with these kind of Ingredients are generally poisonous Agricola Lib. 1. 2. telleth us of waters betwixt Seburgh and Strapela that by their Malignancy will kill Fishes and other Animals that drink thereof Arsenical Waters we read of as at Circum in Thracia at Perant near Mompelier of many such waters Fallopius de Therm Aq. giveth us an account Now Dr. Jorden reckoneth some Waters that contain Quicksilver for wholesome waters as that at Serra Morena and La Nava in Spain Almagra and Toletum But if we consider how that Mercury is an Enemy to the Nervous Parts especially when unprepared how it abounds with Arsenical Particles before it is purisied we may much doubt of the wholesomeness of them yet I shall not dispute against the Possibility of the Thing So also are these from Sulphur very dangerous because they often partake of a Poisonous Minera These that partake of Cadmia are to be avoided because the Natural Cadmia is Poisonous and a strong Caustick Cadmia foffili Aquae infectae acres esse consueverunt Agricol de Natur. Eor Efflu ex Terra Lib. 1. Sixthly Mean or half Metals so called because they are fusible but not malleable like Metals as Antimony Bismuthum or Tin-Glass found in England and Germany These may be Ingredients to Mineral waters and for the Vertues of such we must look to the impregnating Object Seventhly Metals as Lead Tin Iron Gold Copper and Silver for Mercury from its Volatility by fire is reckoned by Dr. Jorden among Mineral Spirits These saith Fallopius de Therm Aq. Cap. 8. May be Ingredients in Mineral waters but telleth us that he never knew any Particular Spring in which Metals had their share But we have sufficient Testimony of Particular Springs that are impregnated with Metals Baccius De Therm Lib. 6. Cap. 3. giveth us an account of several waters that have preyed on Iron and several whose Vertue is from the Magnet which indeed is a better sort of Iron-stone Solinander De Font. Temperat Cap. 6. Instanceth divers Springs containing Metalline Ingredients as that impregnated with Copper at Baia in Campania and that at Luca called St. John's Bath with Lead as the Lead-Waters in Lotharingia with Iron as at Siena Verona and Luca. To which I might add our Chalybeat waters at Tunbridge Astrap and Scarbrough with our late found Spring at Ilmington The same Author telleth us that waters are found impregnated with Gold Silver Lead and Precious Stones although very rarely because of their Scarcity and the compact Substances of Pearls Multitude of Examples of Mineral waters we have cited by Dr. Jorden On Min. Wat. Nat. Bat. Cap. 10. to whom I may refer the Reader But it may be questioned how can Earth be reckoned as a Mineral and one of the foregoing seven Genera taking a Mineral for an Inanimate perfect Body bred in the Bowels of the Earth Answ Minerals are here taken in a large sense under which Earth is comprehended in as much as it is the Receptacle and Matrix of Subterraneous Conceretes whose Particles may also be communicated to water in its Current Stones also in this respect may be taken for Minerals Concrete Juices or Salts are reckoned as a Distinct Genus although as I shall hereafter prove that all Compound Bodies in the Animal Vegetable and Mineral Kingdome are made out of a Succus as their more immediate Matter from their Properties resulting from their peculiar texture of Parts Thus Salts are reckoned from their easy Dissolution in water and their reconcretion Bitumina from their burning and wasting by fire although they enter not the Composition of a Metal Sulphur will burn and wast by fire and is also often a Metalline Ingredient and is reckoned with Mercury c. among Mineral Spirits which are so called from their Volatility by fire although they enter the Composition of Metals Antimony and Tin Glass are accounted as half Metals because they are fusible but not malleable like Metals which are both Fusible and Malleable Mineral Substances I need not Apologize for the Vsefulness of Mineral Waters seeing they have been for several Hundreds of years in great Estimation The Romans we are informed by Baccius De Therm had their Baths in great request and for the greater splendor had many Magnificent Buildings erected at Rome And of the frequent Bathings of the Turks although only with pure Water Alpinus De Medic. Aegypt Lib. 3. Cap. 17. giveth us an Account I need not likewise relate the Superstition of the Ancients who when a Mineral Spring was found from the strangeness of its Effects soon dedicated it to some Saint or Deity because they made little Scrutiny into the Nature of Mineral Waters And since that Experimental Philosophy hath found favour in the world knowledge herein hath dayly encreased and for the Promotion hereof let us make enquiry into each Particular that at length we may arrive to Vniversal Conclusions In the Prosecution of my Design I shall observe this method and accordingly divide the following Treatise First To enquire into the Nature of Compound Bodies either in the Animal Vegetable or Mineral Kingdom under Minerals will fall in a Consideration of the Original and Difference of Glebes that chiefly give Essence to Mineral-Waters Secondly To make Experimental Essays into the Nature of Ilmington-Spring Thirdly After taking a short Survey of most Diseases incident to the Body of man as to their Causes or Original to enquire how far Ilmington-Spaw may conduce to their Cure and to preserve Health whilst entire But by the way take notice That whereas I made the Experiments on Ilmington-Spaw in a dry Season and was very careful and exact in the weight of the water which I have given Pag. 48 it may admit of a Variation not only in weight but be weakned in its Vertue in a wet Season when the Springs are rank by a mixture of Rain-water and also by the breaking in of any fresh Spring Hydrologia Philosophica OR An Account of
immediately to Water or to a Succus transformed by the Seminal principle into the proposed Object But shall only instance some particulars leaving a further prosecution to another's enquiry Dr. Sharrock giveth us a Catalogue of Plants that would grow and encrease by simple water in a Glass-bottle as Mints Sedum multifidum Pennyroyal Bugle Prunella Water-cresse Scordium Marsh-mallows Nummularia c. Sedum multifidum in a month encreased in weight half a Scruple Scordium as much in a fortnight Dorias his Woundwort in six weeks gr 13. Bugula in less time gr 15. Water-cress in a month gr 25. Ranunculus in 6 weeks half a Scruple Periwincle as much Prunella Brooklime and most of the sorts of Mint got weight proportionably Shar Veget p. 102. For experiment sake I took several small young slips of Mint diligently weighed which I kept in Glasse-bottles of fair water the space of Twelve weeks as the water wasted I poured on fresh at the end of which time I weighed each Plant for every Slip was now become a Plant with large roots and branches and found the former weight of several of them to be tripled but the least of them doubled Famous are the Experiments of Mr. Boyle I caused said he my Gardiner to dig out a convenient quantity of good Earth and dry it well in an Oven to weigh it to put it in an Earthen Pot almost level with the surface of the ground and to set in it a selected seed he had from me of Squash which is an Indian kind of Pompion which grows apace this Seed I ordered him to water only with Rain or Spring water c. and a little after giveth us the account of it from his Gardiner I have weighed the Pompion with the Stalk and Leaves all which weighed Three Pound wanting a quarter then I took the Earth baked it as formerly and found it just as much as I did as first which made me think I had not dryed it sufficiently then I put it into the Oven twice more after the Bread was drawn and weighed it the second time but sound it shrink little or nothing Boyle Scep Chy. He giveth us also another Experiment from the same Gardiner in these words To give you an account of your Cucumbers I have gained two indifferent fair ones the weight of them is Ten pounds and a half the branches and the roots weigh'd Four pounds wanting two Ounces and when I had weigh'd them I took the Earth and baked it in several small earthen Dishes in an Oven and when I had so done I found the Earth wanted a pound and half of what it was formerly yet I was not satisfied doubting the earth was not dry I put it into an Oven the second time after the Bread was drawn after I had taken it out and weighed it I found it to be the same weight So I suppose there was no moisture left in the earth Neither do I think that the Pound and half that was wanting was drawn away by the Cucumber but a great part of it in the ordering was in dust and the like wasted Famous is also that Experiment of Helmont Who took of earth dryed in an Oven 200 pound put it in an earthen vessel and moistened it with rain-water and planted in it a Willow tree of Five pounds weight this he kept and watered with rain or distilled water to prevent an addition of fresh earth he covered the vessel with a plate of Tin full of holes At the end of Five years he dug up and weighed the Tree and found the Tree computed with the leaves fallen off in four Autumns to weigh 169 Pounds and about three Ounces and the Earth in which it was set to want only about two Ounces so that 164 pounds and upwards was the encrease by Water Had this Tree or other Plants encreased by simple water been distilled undoubtedly there had been found the same principles with others of the same Species that sprung in open Gardens or Fields Water we see by these Experiments was disguised by the Plastick virtue of the Seeds into various formes as it is evident by the Experiments of Mr. Boyle One of the Vegetables cherished only by water having obtained a competent growth I did for tryal sake cause to be distilled in a small Retort and thereby obtained some Phlegm a little Empyreumatical Spirit a small quantity of adust Oyl and a Caput mortuum which appeared to be a Coal I concluded it to consist of Salt and Earth And a little after The water I used to nourish this Plant was not shifted or renewed I chose Spring water rather than rain-water because the latter is a kind of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 containing steams of several bodies wandring in the Air and a certain spirituous substance c. Scept Chym. p. 112. Here are the Chymical Principles extracted from a Subject whose matter before transmutation was Water That Water is the material Principle for the growth and encrease of Vegetables may be collected from these observations viz. Rain-water or Dews refresh the fading Herbs That flooding of grounds causeth fertility That Grass cut down by the want of a supplemetal Succus soon withereth That exceeding Droughts have caused Famines and that the Corn of Aegypt dependeth on the overflowing of Nile And truly whence is the lustre of the Fields bedecked with flowers but from Water transformed into this or that Species according to the Idea of the semen or Archeus for according to the Plastick or Formative power Water is changed into roots stalks leaves yea to make the glorious Lilly As Vegetables so Animals receive their growth and sustenance immediately from Water or else mediately viz. From Herbs Flesh c. which is but Water metamorphized and run through former alterations An Ox feedeth on grass or plants viz. Water transformed thereto a Man feedeth on the flesh of the Ox whose material Principle is but Water transformed into a Plant thence into Flesh by divers fermentative alterations of the Ox and now farther according to the ferments of Man But to shew more particularly how that Water or at least a succus is necessarily requisite to the nutrition of every Animal Aliment taken into the stomach before it is fit for nutrition is turned into Chyle which is a Succus from whence blood then Chyme to be assimilated into each part As for example Bread or Flesh eaten by a man is by concoction turned into a fluid Chyle by the ferment in sanguification the Saline and Sulphureous parts work upon each other and turn the Chyle into Blood out of which a succus is separated and by the innate ferment of each part assimilated thereto What is Flesh but a Leffas or watery succus first turned into Grass Corn c. and at length by succeeding alterations by ferments shaped into Flesh And the more probable it is seeing that the Flesh Blood Urine or Milk of Animals by bare distillation is turned for the greatest
yield a Phlegm and a Sulphureous Spirit and yet all from the Sap as the more immediate matter So that here was but one thing in common viz. Matter indeterminate to this or that Species As the Leffas terrae is converted into Grass so Grass into Chyle Blood and after various Alterations into the Flesh of a Brute whose flesh may be converted again into Chyle Blood and parts of a Man that did eate of that Brute and by the corruption of the humane Carcase is turned again into Earth which may by Nature be again converted into Water as well as by Helmont's Alkahest and so pass over a new Stage The parts of this Brute distilled would yield the Chymical Principles yea the Aristotelian so far as they are consistent with truth as may be easily seen by the Distillation of the Horns Hoofs Flesh and Blood of Animals In all which changes we shall find One ultimate result viz. Matter indeterminate to any One particular Species I shall easily grant That a Body may be made out of Spirit Salt Sulphur Phlegm and Earth or of Salt Sulphur and Mercury according to others yet these are but Elementa secundaria seeing they admit of a farther Resolution as well as a Tree or any compound body admiteth a Resolution into these That cannot be accounted for a First Element which deriveth its Original a Priori as from the configuration disposition motion or quiescence of the particles of Matter not only mixed bodies but others more simple assigned for Principles by Sects of Philosophers may be derived To instance in Particulars How that the parts of Matter free from cohesion and as it were in fluore with perpetual motion make Water that the opace gross fixed parts of Matter make Earth the agile Spherical Particles in a raped motion make Fire c. would be beyond my intention Only thus much we find by experience That in generation and corruption there is One ultimate result from all compound bodies which Aristotle rightly called materia prima out of which all Natural bodies are first made and at last resolved into As for example take a Plant such as Mint Pennyroyal Bugle Nummularia c. by a Chymical Analysis it may be resolved into Spirit Salt Sulphur Phlegm or Water and Earth or according to some Chymists that look a little higher or to more remote Principles into Salt Sulphur and Mercury seeing that Spirit and Earth are but Products of the other three Yet all these as Dr. Sharrock by the encrease of Vegetables in pure Water and the foregoing Experiments have proved are but Water transformed And although Water is necessary to Nutrition and that all Aliment before assimulation to its Substance must be converted into a Liquid yet Water cannot claim the Property of a First but Secondary Element seeing that Water it self is convertible into the Substance of Animals Vegetables and Minerals as these are by Van Helmont's Experiment into Water So that the Ultimate result in all Corporeal transmutations will be Matter the only constitutive Principle from which according to the Plastick Power of the Semen or that Divine Impress stamped at first by God Almighty that is the Formative Cause in Concrete Bodies is produced the difference of Species and Individuals Which bringeth me to consider how cometh the Variety of Animals Vegetables and Minerals and the Difference of Waters that our Soil doth afford PAR. I. SECT 2. BY the History of the Creation we find that God created the Heavens and the Earth but first created Matter out of which He afterwards made bodies different according to their kind For as Divines tell us quoting S. Augustine Quod caelum terra appellatum est materies erat confusa quaedam de quâ mundus qui duabus maximè partibus caelo scil terrâ constat digestis Elementis acceptâ formâ fabricaretur Aug. lib. imperf ad literam de Genesi cap. 4. That which was called Heaven and Earth was a confused matter out of which the world that doth chiefly consist of two parts Heaven and Earth by digestion of the Elements and putting on a form was made And a little after telleth us In principio fecit Deus coelum terram id est materiam quae caeli terrae formam capere posset quae materia terra invisibilis incompleta erat id est informis luce carens profunditas quae tamen quoniam moventi operanti artifici subjecta esset propter hoc ipsum quod cedit operanti Aqua etiam nominata est The making of the Heaven with its proper form was the work of the second day Gen. c. 1. v. 8. The making of the Seas and the Earth with its vegetables was the work of the third day v. 13. So that the Heavens and Earth mentioned v. 1. must be understood only of the matter or the dark abyss on which the Spirit of God moved in order to posterior formation And indeed the next following words intimate as much to us The Earth was without form and void This undigested Lump of matter the Ancients called a Chaos as we may see by Hesiod in his Theogonia by Apollonius in Argonauticis lib. 1. lin 496. who there speaketh to the same effect that Ovid metamorph lib. 1. Ante mare terras quod tegit omnia coelum Vnus erat Which are excellently rendred by Mr. Sandys thus The Sea the Earth all covering Heaven unfram'd One face had Nature which they Chaos nam'd An undigested lump a barren load Where jarring Seeds of things ill-joyn'd aboad I might cite also many more Heathen Philosophers and Poets which I shall pass by only taking notice of their Opinion concerning the Seminal principles of Bodies lodged in that undigested lump of Matter All which I suppose received their opinions from the writings of Moses from whom we are taught that God created all things but some he made actually existent other things he left to be produced by the Seminal Principles which He planted in the Chaos or confused Matter As we may see by Gen. 2. v. 5 God made every plant of the field before it was in the eartb and every herb of the field before it grew viz. the semina of vegetables which by the primitive Fiat so soon as the Matter was digested into form were set on work and brought forth according to the formative vertue of the latent seeds The Waters brought forth Creatures abundantly after their kind the winged Fowl after his kind the Earth brought forth the living Creature after his kind Cattel and creeping things and Beast after his kind and of the dust of the ground made He Man Upon all which we find a Divine Impression stamped or Generative faculty by which they might be fruitful and multiply The Earth before Adam's transgression brought forth of its own accord grass and herbs for the Use of man which we may well believe to be from latent Seeds which now are more manifestly requisite to
and saline concretions do come from a succus which is afterwards congealed into a hard substance may be concluded from Animals that are found enclosed in stones such as a Toad in the midst of a Stone a petrified Fish a Spider in Amber so also Fljes Worms Ants c. For Stones and Minerals whilst in solutis principiis or in succo may environ an Animal as a petrifying juice doth a piece of wood which being congealed will be as a coat of defence to preserve them from putrefaction as Gilbertus speaking of Amber hath well described it Mollis primùm viscosa materia fuit quare muscas vermiculos culices formicas in frustulis quibusdam comprehensos tumulatos aeternis sepulchris relucentes continet Qui omnes in liquidum cùm primum efflueret involârunt vel irrepserunt vel inciderunt Gilb. de magnete lib. 2. cap. 2. Upon such like considerations Helmont might well conclude one Common Salt indifferent to which species it should be determined but not void of Qualities as Dr. Lister urgeth who assigneth an Acid liquor sliding through the veins of the earth for the Original of all Salts Quocirca notandum est Sal quoddam existere hermaphroditicum metallorum quod defectu nominis Esurinum sive Acetosum re nomine vocari coepit Generale equidem ad omnia metalla accommodabile adeoque si non primam velut remotissimam eorundem materiam putare placeat saltem est metallorum scundina quibuslibet metallis congenialis Helm parad 3. The second argument against one chief Salt out of which others are formed is taken from the Pyrites which saith Dr. Lister cannot perfect its Vitriol under water But the making of vitriolum Martis or Veneris doth evince the contrary For Vitriol being but a Mineral Salt that hath preyed on and combined with a Metal as with Iron or Copper the Menstruum may be aqueous if there be a convenient quantity of Salt therein to incorporate with the dissolved part of metal In making vitriolum Martis water added to oyl of Vitriol doth only weaken the Menstruum that the more soluble parts of Iron may be dissolved and incorporated with the saline parts of the liquor for were the Menstruum too corrosive it would insinuate into the body of Mars and make an impure Salt or Vitriol of Iron His arguments against the possibility of the Esurine salt dissolving a vein of Iron suppose no distinction betwixt the crudity and maturity of the minera Although Aqua fortis or spirit of Nitre will not dissolve Ocre nor the Haematites yet either will strongly ferment with filings of Iron or the more maturate parts of Mars Although the Haematites be a sort of Iron-stone and Ocre be the Terra metallica yet thence it will not follow that the Menstruum for Iron are the Menstruums for the Haematites which many times is soft and like clay and the Ocre a meer metalline earth For Bodies must have their proper Dissolvents which may undo the fast and hard contexture of some Bodies but leave untouched the softer compages of others Witness an Aluminous liquor will corrode a bar of Iron but leave safe and sound a piece of cloth as Dyers daily find by experience So also by the testimony of them at the Alum-works a Lee made by the decoction of the calcined minera of Alum is boyled in a leaden Cistern which it leaveth uncorroded but a furnace of Iron or a plate thereof put into the boyling liquor is soon torn to pieces So likewise Aqua fortis will corrode a bar of Iron but leave entire a ball of soft Clay As this Esurine Acid doth prey upon a vein of Iron it doth incorporate with the more pure metalline parts and make a Neutral Salt To the effecting of which a long tedious delay is not requisite for we find by the making of vitriolum Martis the saline parts of the Menstruum do soon insinuate themselves into the pores of the metal Whence Helmont Constat martis vitriolum sale Esurino embryonati sulphuris vena non ferro ferri quam sal esurinum adhuc volatile lambendo corrosit in quo corrosionis actu fit aliqualis dissolutio ipsius venae coagulatio sive fixatio salis volatilis Helm Parad. 4. To the difference of Salts then in the bowels of the earth these three things do concur 1. An Esurine Acid 2. Water to convey this Acid to an appropriate Glebe 3. a Mineral Glebe As Water impregnate with this Acid runneth through the subterrestrial Channels and meeteth with a glebe of Alum Nitre Marcasites of Iron or of Copper c. so it is determined to this or that specifick Salt whether Alum Nitre Sal Gemma Vitriol of Iron or Copper The Esurine Acid thus coagulated into Salt may by the subsequent streams of water or by a free Current of the same bring along with it some particles of the mineral salt either floating or dissolved in it the more indeed in case the Minerals are in solutis principiis or their Succulencies If water floweth from a Nitrous glebe it giveth a cold spring as many there are in England if from an Aluminous glebe and bringeth some of the salt thereof and thereby is the more able to prey on an occurrent minera of Iron it yieldeth fontes â—eidulos or Spaw-waters such as Scarbrough Spaw Barnet and Epsom waters c. all which Aluminous waters though Chalybeat work by Siedge If the Esurine Acid prey chiefly on a minera of Iron the water will be most what Diuretick and colour the excrements black such as Tunbridg Astrap and Stallbridg Waters among which that near Ilmington in Warwick-shire may be accounted the principal no water in England being a stronger Chalybeat as I shall hereafter prove If water wherein is this Esurine Acid meet with no Mineral glebe as of Iron Copper c. it remaineth only a sower brackish water which with Galls will strike no Purple Of this sort there is one famous near Chesterfield in the County of Derby the salt of which by Chrystallization and Evapoâ—ation is of an irregular figure and not a Calcarious Nitre or common Salt as Dr. Lister would have most of our medicinal Fountains to consist of But against what hath been said concerning the Esurine Acid meeting with Marcasites of Iron or Copper and being by them converted into a Vitrioline salt which may give essence to some Springs Dr. Lister de font med Ang. c. 7. opposeth himself telling us that mature Vitriol is not to be found in any of our medicinal Waters and that he cannot credit Helmont who saith that by distillation he found Pauhont and Savenir two German Spaws to contain a Vitriol of Iron His Reasons are intimated to us Pyrites qui in aere in merum vitriolum c. The Pyrites or Marcafite in open air is turned by its proper germination into a meer vitriol but under water doth as it were dissolve into a spirit sulphureous
I might answer 1. That any simple Spring-water drank in a large quantity will purge by its own weight for as it lyeth heavy upon the stomach and intestines it oppresseth Nature whence the Peristaltick motion is excited to expell that which infests and is burdensome and if the water doth much oppress the stomach before it pass through the Pylorus vomiting is the effect according to Dr. Willis In vomitu fibrarum motricium spasmus ab alteris earum finibus viz. sinistris incipiens statim violentus impetuosior factus totam stomachi â—avitatem simul collectam valdè coarctatam versus sinistrum orificium corripi illac evacuari cogit Cujus ratio est quoniam si quid valde incongruum ac naturae infestum stomacho insederit illud non ordinariâ viâ per intestina ut per anum expellatur circumferri verum exitu propiori excerni debet Willis Pharm ration sec 2. cap. 1. de vomitione parag 5. The same reason he giveth for purging by Stool only by a contrary motion of the Stomachical and intestinal fibres from a less irritation which motion is continued usque ad anum We cannot say then that this Water is purgative by its Minerals as I shall more evince when I speak of its Essential parts For 2. If this Spaw water as such were Cathartick then it must have the same effects on all persons allowing a proportionate quantity according to the Constitution of the Party but that it is not Experience testifieth For many find great Costiveness hereby but a great Secretion by Urine Yea I have known some persons that have ventured upon five Pints for the first Dose to begin their Water-course yet instead of a Purge found their Excrements to come off in blackish hard Scybala 3. To whom this Water becometh a Cathartick they must be either of a weak constitution soon opprest by a large quantity of water or else whose bodies abound with sharp humors as Scorbutick persons c. all-sufficient to produce a Diarrhoea or loosness by a long irritation of the fibres whence the Peristaltick motion being once excited Nature as through its common Sink expelleth its peccant matter For if according to Dr. Willis not only the succus Pancreaticus and Bilis but the serous humors also in their natural Crasis by Contraction of the tunicles squeezed out of the intestinal Glandules to make the common Ductus slippery and irritating the fibres do promote Purgation much more then according to Sylvius when the Saline Principle becomes too much exalted To which I might add a fourth Cause why this Spaw should become to some persons and at some times a Cathartick viz. an Inclination to a Lask whether it be from a Pravity of Humors Obstructions of the Vessels Viscera c. Besides that Alum is an Acid as I have already proved and also is a Cathartick both which properties are not to be found in this Spaw comparatively more than in ordinary Spring-water I observed also that the Excrements of those that drank this water were turned blackish which is a consequent to the taking of Chalibeat Medicines but not to the drinking of Aluminous waters For farther tryal I took about two Quarts of this water and after Evaporation set it to Chrystallize but could not find any Salts shot to the sides or bottom of the vessel I therefore evaporated it ad siccitatem and found left a reddish white powder upon which I dropped spirit of Harts-horn but it made no ebullition or effervescence but with an Acid did make a great ebullition with fumes quite contrary to Alum which maketh a plain effervescence with spirit of Harts-horn but with an Acid stirreth not which proveth that an Aluminous Salt is not found in this Spaw Because oyl of Vitriol and spirit of Nitre mixed together cause a great effervescence and from thence spirit of Nitre is concluded upon by Dr Grew in his Tractate of Experiments to be a Subalkalizate Acid because also that spirit of Nitre and Mercury presently boyl up it put me upon Enquiry Whether a Nitrous liquor was the Menstruum to the Mineral of this spaw-Spaw-water But by the way I shall propose one Paradox taken notice of by Dr. Simpson Hydrol. Essay p. 142. quite contrary to the received opinion of vulgar Chymists viz. That Nitre as Nitre or before it hath suffered the force of fire is not an Acid. For if Nitre were an Acid then it being put into boyling milk would curdle it that it will not Experience teacheth yea no more than Sal Gemma neither of which do become acid until they have undergone a fiery Tryal whose spirits drawn off will soon curdle milk Which seemeth to confirm that opinion of Monsieur Lemery before mentioned viz. That Nitre is only a Sal Gemma fuller of spirits than the ordinary fossile Salt because when the spirits of Salt-peter by boiling over a strong fire are fled away there remaineth only a Salt resembling Sea-sa lt That Nitre before its particles are acuated by the stress of fire is not acid may hence appear because it will make no Ebullition with a Lixivium of Salt of Tartar nor any other Alkali which any Acid will do And the ordinary way of making Fixatio Nitri by putting a burning coal into the Crucible or Mortar wherein is Nitre proveth That when the volatile parts are fled off as may be perceived by the great detonation Salt-peter is become a plain Alkali salt Neither for my part can I approve of Schroder's Definition of Salt-peter Sal Nitrum est sal sulphureum seu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 salso amarum ex terrâ pingui excoctum I know it may be urged that Salt-peter yeildeth Red fumes or vapours when its spirits are drawn over the Helm which seem inflammable and sulphureous and that Nitre flung upon burning coals will burn most vehemently and with great noise and that the strength of Gun-powder proceedeth from the Elastick force of Nitre its spirits taking their Explosion from the inflammation To which may be answered That Sulphur is the chief Principle of â—nflammability but This I deny to be in simpâ—e Nitre For about Nitre in a Crucible or earthen pot make Ignis Rotae or the most vehement fire that can be yet the Nitre without an addition of Sulphur shall not take flame and burn which must have been a necessary Consequent were Inflammability appropriate thereto Let but a small quantity of Sulphur be added as that of a burning coal c. with great impetuosity the volatile parts fly off even as a great wind that increaseth the flame of combustible matter but of it self is not capable of accension so Nitre by its volatile parts like bellows doth blow up the sulphureous parts of a Coal that are the principle matter of Flame Were these Volatile parts inflammable then once accended like other combustible matter in a sufficient quantity they would totally waste But in fixing of Nitre it is observed that as the
burning coals waste so the flame decays but by putting on fresh coals the flame is renewed and so until all the volatile parts of Nitre are gone as Monsieur Lemery well observed App. Cour. Chym Remar on fix Nitr p. 83. As for the Red vapours yeilded in Distillation they are not without Sulphur capable of flame and the sudden Explosion thereof in Gun-powder is from the quick accension of Charcoal and Brimstone to which doth concur the flatulent Explosion of the volatile parts of Salt-peter in a rapid motion Arguments against any sulphureous principle of Salt-peter might also be taken from the Whiteness of the flame when mixed with Sulphur and from its cooling Quality which is contrary to the effect of a sulphureous body Upon farther Tryal I could not find Nitre to be any Ingredient in this Spaw For in the whole Anatomy of this Water by Evaporation Distillation Crystallization c. I could not find the least footsteps of Nitre much less any of its Salts shot into its usual Styria's Besides the Powder left after Evaporation sheweth its self to be far different from a Nitrous salt as I shall hereafter prove But observing this Water after its being exposed to the open air for some time either stagnating at the Spring-head or else as it is set in open vessels hath a blewish Cremor swimming on the top or surface of the Water much resembling waters that stand long upon sulphureous bogs I began to enquire whether this might not be a Sulphureous Spring like that at Knarsbrough c. By an Analysis of this Water into its Principles not one grain of combustible Sulphur is to be found In its Distillation in close stopped vessels the Water that first comes over is insipid it will not strike a Purple by an addition of Galls so neither will the Spring-water when its Ocre is precipitated by being long exposed to the open air neither will any Sulphureous Smell of the distilled Water strike the Nostrils What remains in the bottom after Distillation and also the Sediment precipitated after long stagnation I tryed with burning Coals and a red hot Iron but could not perceive the least flagration Now were there any Sulphur I mean as to the body thereof it would shew its self a combustible matter on the Top after stagnation like the mare Asphalticum and in Italy the Springs at Maiamum Sassalo and at the foot of Vesuvius with many more mentioned by Dr. Jorden nat Bat. c. 6. to which I may add that famous Rivulet spoken of by Agricola Sulphureâ Nar albus aquâ Nar is white with its sulphureous Cream Agr. de natur cor Effl. ex ter l. 2 Or else the Sulphur must subside with the Vitrioline Ocre of this Spring for as the Water letteth fall its vitrioline Ocre so it becometh effete in its vertues But as no Oyl nor Bitumen so neither Sulphur will mix per minima with Water its parts being heterogeneal to these of Oyl or Sulphur whence there can be no mixture unless by a ferment The Compages of the Water then being dissolved and by letting fall its vitrioline Ocre becoming effete and insipid the Sulphur must have shewâ—d it self by a combustible Cream or Sediment had any been there as to its body It may be then Queried What maketh this Cream on the top after stagnation and what is it that giveth a strong Odour to this standing Water Answ A blewish skin or Cremor is common to all Vitrioline or other Mineral waters and to all waters that stand long upon a Bog which skin taken off and put upon burning coals giveth a fetid smell But as I have said before Mineral Sulphur as to its body is not here How comes then this fetid smell Waters may yeild a sulphureous Cream and smell two ways First when a bituminous matter issueth forth with the Spring-water as in the Springs about the Mare Asphalticum at Averne in France at Pitchford in Shropshire and at many places as we are informed by Agricola de nat eor Eff ex ter lib. 1. and 2. For the Watery and Oyly parts being heterogeneal there can be no perfect Union whence the Oyl must either subside or else turn to a Cream at the top Or secondly Waters may get a sulphureous Cream and Smell by putrefaction For Waters but more especially Mineral by standing in the air let fall their ingredients and cast up sulphureous particles to the top Because the Air by its ferment dissolving the Compages of Water doth generate a Sulphur de novo as in long standing Ditch-water or else doth cause the particles of Embryonative Sulphur or Sulphur in fieri to swim at the top for combustible or Mineral Sulphur I cannot find in this Spaw as of water standing on Bogs or black moorish ground So that this Water exposed to the air may by a putrefactive ferment generate a sulphureous Cream de novo or else cast up its Embryonative Sulphur all-sufficient to cause the Cream and Smell which it hath got from the Marcasites of Iron or Vitriol that are the main Ingredient in this Spaw as I shall anon prove And that Marcasites of Vitriol do contain an Embryonative Sulphur take that Conclusion deduced from Experiments by Dr. Simpson That the Marcasites of Vitriol and Alum have an Embryonative Sulphur connatural with them produced out of the same Mineral Seed for instance the Sulphur crust separated by calcination of the Alum-stone and in the Vitriol Marcasites I find that putting them into the fire they burn of a blew flame and have a sulphureous smell in both these the Sulphur is really answerable to the common Sulphur or Brimstone Hydrol. Ess p. 61. But by way of Objection there is an usual Observation that may seem to prove the common Mineral Sulphur and not an Embryonate to be in this Spring in case Marcasites of Iron do concur to the making up of this Spaw viz. many Iron-stones contain a plain Brimstone as may clearly be discerned by the naked eye by the fetid smell and blew flame in burning them at the Forge or Iron Mills Answ Although there is found many times among Iron-stones a plain Brimstone yet we have no Demonstrations to conclude that it is here But suppose that it should be among the Marcasites that are chiefly concerned to the effecting this Mineral Spring yet Sulphur whether in its own proper Earth or Mineral veins must have its proper Menstruum in order to its Dissolution Now an Alkalizate Salt and not an Acid is the proper Menstruum to open the body of Sulphur that it may shew it self a part but a Lixiviate Salt I cannot perceive to be the Menstruum to unlock the Minera of this Spring for then must the Sulphureous part have plainly manifested it self by tinging of Silver and combustible Cream neither of which are here apparent And besides Lixiviate liquors are unâ—capable of dissolving Iron for Mars partaketh most what of an Alkali Salt upon which account Chalybeat Preparations wherein the Body
upon the mixture both became Purple The mixture with the Sal Chalybis turned more to a blewish but that of the Spaw more to a redish Purple much resembling fair water mixed with a little Syrup of Damask Roses The dissolution of the Sal Chalybis in fair water and the Spaw-water had the same taste as near as Art could imitate Nature A small variation in Colour and as little as may be in taste may well be allowed by reason of the redish Oker contained in the Spaw that upon stagnation of the Water will subside which must needs cause it to incline something more to a right Purple and to be something more styptick than the solution of vitriolum Martis containing none of this red Oker Neither can it be expected that the Spaw-water after its Oker is fallen should be of the same colour with a solution of Sal Chalybis For the Oker that falleth is not a simple Earth but carrieth with it a great deal of the Mineral and Saline parts for in so much as the Oker falleth the Water looseth its Tinging property yea degenerates from a Mineral water and at length becometh effete in its vertue By addition of more Galls to the Solution of Sal Chalybis and to the Spaw-water both began to turn to a dark and at last to a black inky Liquor Then I poured into each a few drops of spirit of Vitriol and both returned to their pristine clarity then I instilled upon each a few drops of oyl of Tartar per Deliquium and again they became muddied but with spirit of Nitre both became clear again From whence I infer a Similitude betwixt this Spaw-water and a Solution of Sal Chalybis or Vitriol of Iron being alike in their vaâ—riation of Colours Precipitation and reduction to Clarity again But before I shall proceed to more Experiments to prove a farther Similitude betwixt this Spaw-water and vitriol of Iron I shall speak something as a Rationale Why these have alike Precipitation Variation and Reduction which may farther illustrate an Affinity betwixt them from the forementioned Experiments Why there is some difference in colour betwixt a Solution of sal Chalybis in fair water which inclineth to a Blew and this Spaw-water I mean when Galls are added to both which inclineth more to a Purple as I said before is from the red Ocre in the spaw-Spaw-water For all Natural vitriol containeth in it a terra Metallica whose Colour may be changed into a brown black c. according to the different Analysis of Vitriol by fire But before any Chymical Preparation of this Spaw-water its Oker is red as may appear by the Stagnation of the water to them that make Inspection at the Spring-head Now if we look into the Nature of the thing we shall scarce find any or no difference betwixt the Spaw-water and a Solution of vitriol of Iron For Blew and Purple are but a Black in a remiss degree for proof hereof I could cite the Tryals of experienced Authors all-sufficient to confirm the Assertion But instead thereof take one or two Observations First that Blew and Purple do only differ by addition of a little Red Take a Blew as Indy-blew c. ground into a fine powder which being divided into two parts add to one part a little Vermilion finely powdered and it giveth a Purple by reason that the Blew and the Red particles do refract their rays intermixtim which cannot be distinguished but by good Microscopes If this be the result from dry Powders much more then and farther from distinction when Bodies are in fluore and the Particles of one implexed and insinuated into the Pores and interstices of the other Secondly That Blew and Purple are but a remiss degree of Black take this Observation to the present business By an addition of a small quantity of Galls to the Spaw-water and also to a Solution of vitriol of Iron doth arise a Purple and a Blew inclinable to a Purple even so it doth in making of Ordinary ink when to a solution of Vitriol there is made an addition of a small quantity of Galls a Purple is the Result but by addition of more and more Galls it turneth to a Black or inky Liquor So that Blew or Purple is but a medium to a Black for the same thing by variation in its quantity maketh both But let us suppose a difference in colour betwixt the Spaw-water and a Solution of sal Chalybis yet that will rather prove a different Position of the Parts of Matter causing a different refraction of Light than a Difference in the Nature of the Subjects For the same Thing by altering the modification of its Particles may alter its Colour So Syrup of Violets by instillation of a little Oleum Tartari per Deliquium changeth from a Blew to a famous Green A few drops of spirit of Nitre instilled on a considerable quantity of this mixture or on fresh Syrup will change it into a Carnation Red. But neither of these Liquors had any resemblance of Red or Green before the Mixture Divers changes in colour I could instance made by instillation of clear Liquors upon a Decoction of Logwood c. and by mixture of Tinctures By the frequent practice of Dyers we are informed that the same thing viz a Decoction of Glastum will produce a Green from a Yellow and a Russet from a Red only by a previous preparation with Alum Yea I could produce a Liquor I have got from a vegetable which Experiment I lighted upon by accident whilst making some scrutiny into Colours that by instillation of another Liquor as clear as rock-water will strike an excellent Scarlet which colour seemeth not to have the least footsteps in the ingredients before they are mixed Many such like Observations I question not may be found by Tryal on mixtures yea for ought I know to compare with our Bow-dye without the least recourse to Chochineel But this being to dive â—nto the Dyer's Trade I shall only take notice from such Experiments That Colour dependeth more on the Texture of Parts differently reflecting the Light than from a difference in Matter So that a Blew or Purple will be no Material difference betwixt a Solution ef Salt of Mars and this Spaw-water with Galls added to both And that this Oker is the main occasion thereof may be hence concluded I made a Solution of English vitriol in fair water which with a small quantity of Galls did strike a Purple very near as deep as this Spaw-water but let vitriol be distilled and reunite all its parts except the Colcothar and with fair water and Galls you shall fail as to the former Purple and in all vitrioline Solutions with Galls may be observed The more Terra Metallica the deeper the Purple When Galls are added to this Spring-water and also to a Solution of Sal Chalybis an Alteration in Colour as I said before and an inky smell doth also ensue The reason hereof is
to the bottom and by their mutual conflict or ferment having broken off and dulled the edges of each others Particles and combined together do become a Neutral Salt Some Authors have asserted That from a Tartarum vitriolatum put into a Retort by the force of fire may be drawn off a spirit of vitriol again as if the Salts clasping together had not as it were destroyed each others pristine texture of parts by breaking off and dulling the edges of the saline Particles Nevertheless Experience proveth That what is drawn over the Helm from Tartarum vitriolatum is not a spirit like the oyl or spirit of vitriol at the first For the Taste and Operation of it plainly sheweth that the Alkalizate salt of Tartar hath almost wholly taken off its Acidity yea I think I might positively affirm That it is an impossibility from these Neutral Salts such as Tartarum vitriolatum vitriolum Martis c. to restore an Acid to its pristine lustre and efficacy I said before when the Acid and Alkalizate Bodies are mixed in a proportionate quantity together For the Acid in too great a quantity dissolves and destroys all these Coagula that it made with the Alkali when mixed in a small quantity Whilst these Contraries are proportionate the Alkalizate Particles maintained their part against the Acid so that both lay fixed and free from motion but by addition of more Acid its strength is increased so as to scatter and dissolve the Coagulation And this may be seen as I intimated before by instillation of spirit of Vitriol upon this Spaw-water or a Solution of sal Chalybis with Galls wherein the vitrioline parts of the Water with the Galls make coagula but by addition of more spirit of vitriol or other Acid are scattered that the Liquor becomes again clear The same reason is when the Alkali is too strong for the Acid it destroys and expells the acid particles floating in the Liquor and maketh them unable to bear up a conflict So also when Milk is curdled by an Acid the Acid hath entered the Cheesy part and lost its motion but upon the pouring on of more Acid the Cheesy part will be precipitated but at last the Coagulation will dissolve away and quite disappear Many Instances I might produce which I shall pass by seeing they allow the same Rationale As in the making of Tartarum vitriolatum the Salts combine and work themselves into a Neutral Salt so also in this Spring-water where by an Esurine acid Salt acuating the Water is made a Solution of the Minera of Iron whose Alkalizate parts combined and clasped with the Esurine acid Salt are become a Neutral Upon the instillation of a contrary Salt whether volatile or fixed Alkali the Salts presently make an assault upon each other and by their closing together and taking off their edges by the ferment become a third or Neutral Salt In the conflict or duel they thrust forth and partly leave the Mineral body dissolved by the Esurine Acid which precipitates to the bottom and carrieth down with it some of the Salts of the Menstruum For more than a Colcothar must be here separated because of the ebullition following an instillation of Acids thereon But least that it should be imagined that there may follow a fermentation by instillation of Acids because of the Alkali added to make a Precipitation but not belonging to it as a Mineral Water we must consider that a precipitation may be made besides that by droping thereon or mixing contrary Salts out of mineral Water three ways 1. by exposing to the air which causeth a putrefactive ferment the Mineral parts will subside 2. by heat as in boiling distilling c. the Ocre falls 3. by motion ab extra as by carriage c. The Powder thus precipitated did with Acids make a great ebullition which could not be from any Salts not belonging to it as a Mineral Wherefore the Sediment thus precipitated is not a simple Colcothar but with the Colcotar do fall some of the Salts of the Menstruum for by pouring on fresh water and dulcifying the Sediment a Salt is extracted from the Colcotar that may by Evaporation Chrystallization c. be brought to a dry body and exactly answereth sal Chalybis as to its Operation Experiments and Effects I distilled a considerable quantity of this Water in a Glass Retort and Receiver closely luted to it The first Water that came over the Helm I found by taking off the Receiver to be insipid which would not with Galls Balaustia flowers Avens Bistort roots c. like vitrioline waters strike a Purple Then I distilled off more insipid Water but to the sides of the Retort when cooled I found sticking a redish powder like that I found by Evaporation the Residue of the Water in the Retort by Evaporation ad siccitatem yeilded more Upon this Sediment dryed I let fall a few drops of spirit of Nitre of Vitriol oyl of Sulphur per Campanam and Aqua fortis an ebullition with a great effervescence did immediately follow But upon instillation of oyl of Tartar per Deliquium spirit of Harts-horn or other Alkalizate Liquors not the least ebullition or efferverscence could be perceived From which Experiments as also from the former may follow these two collateral Conclusions First That this Spaw like other Mineral Waters by the precipitation of its Ocre or Sediment doth lose its tinging Property with Galls and also is weakened in its Operation And although some of the Salt yet remain dissolved in the Water after the falling of the Sediment its former vigour and efficacy is decayed for by so much the Water hath let fall of its Ocre and Sediment which as I proved before is not a simple metallick earth but doth carry down with it some of the salts of the Menstruum by so much the water is weakened and by the falling of more Sediment groweth weaker and weaker in its Operation Secondly from the ebullition and effervescence of Acids poured upon this Powder left after Evaporation or precipitated by Motion Heat or Air but upon instilling of oyl of Tartar or other Alkalizate Salts no fermentation follows I conclude that the Salt in this Powder is rather Lixivial than Acid although it be as I have hinted before a Neutral Salt from the combining of the Esurine Acid in the Water and the Alkalizate part of Iron yet like Tartarum vitriolatum or vitriolum Martis it inclineth much to an Alkali And whereas an Ebullition and Effervescence followed the instillation of Acids on the precipitated Sediment like as upon vitriol of Iron or Tartar vitriolated c. and that an effervescence and ebullition follows the pouring of oyl of Vitriol on filings of Mars in the making of sal chalybis and the oyl of Vitriol upon the Tartar in making Tartarum vitriolatum both which Compositions like the sediment of this Spaw will strongly ferment with Acids I conclude it is highly probable that this Spring when
first it becomes a Mineral water which is whilst the Esurine Acid preyeth on the minera of Iron is hot but by long running through a Colander of earth or gravel loseth its heat and becometh almost a cold Spring Almost I said for by comparing the water of this Spaw with other ordinary Spring-water but especially with a Rock-spring a sensible warmth may be discerned And that the Effervescence is scarce over at the Spring-head may be gathered from the Sparkling of the Water in a glass like bottled Sider newly emptied and as I have it by good information doth much resemble the German Spaw-water sealed up in bottles and brought to Leyden and several places in the Low-countries I took about a Pint of Ilmington Spaw-water fresh from the Spring-head into which I let fall a few drops of Oyl of Tartar per Deliquium which made a white Coagulation dispersed through the whole body but so small that it was scarce discernable I then made a Solution of sal chalybis with fair water upon which I droped some oyl of Tartar and found a Coagulation in it exactly like the Spaw-water with oyl of Tartar The coagula in both by an addition of spirit of Vitriol were dispâ—rsed but by Alkali's were reduced c. Now it may be questioned How come Alkali Salts as oyl of Tartar c. to make these Coagulum's when as spirit of Vitriol or other Acids cause no Alteration Answ There are two sorts of ordinary Menstruums for Bodies Ordinary I say because I must except Paracclsus's Sal circulatum and Helmont's Liquor Alkahest the grand Solvents of Bodies into their first Principles First Menstruums impregnated with acid Spirits or Salts whether they be Natural Acids such as the Juice of Crabs the sowr juice of Plants the Acid of Marcasites of Iron Alum c. or Artificially made from natural Salts as spirit of Vitriol sp of Sulphur per campanam c. Secondly Menstruums endowed with Alkalizate Salts either fixed Alkali's as salt of Tartar Wormwood c. or volatile as spirit of Urine Harts-horn or of the horns and hoofs of Animals Sage c. Some add a Third sort of Menstruum viz. a vinous Spirit which is the common Menstruum for making of Tinctures and Extracts because it is apt to imbibe the sulphureous Principle from Compounds But for my part I take a vinous Spirit not as a distinct Menstruum from the two former For spirit of Wine is nothing but an oyl highly advanced by its volatile Salt with a small quantity of Phlegm The quantity of oyl is manifest by its inflammability for good rectified spirit of Wine once kindled will almost totally consume In Distillation the volatile Salt implexed in the sulphureous parts striving to get free doth tear and divide them until they be rarified into a Spirit to which is added a little phlegm for the better seperation of the Salts fermenting and exalting the oyl Now chiefly for its volatile Salt spirit of Wine is the Menstruum in making the Tinctures and Extracts of Senna Rhubarb Aloes Mirrh Saffron Hellebore and of all dry Roots Seeds Flowers Woods and Barks For by addition of volatile Salts the Extracts are stronger than when made with spirit of Wine only Having this premised I may return to the Question thus That upon the mixture of Acid and Alkalizate Salts they ferment and close together in a Neutral Salt as I have already intimated and forsake or rather thrust forth the Metalline Body dissolved and buoyed up in the Menstruum which with some of the Salts of the Liquor falls down to the bottom The Salts combined together and floating up and down in the Menstruum with some of the Mineral body as yet unprecipitated do represent these Coagula even as oyl of Tartar poured upon a solution of Vitriol made with fair Water causeth a separation of the Metalline and Colcotarine Parts subsiding to the bottom and Coagulums of the contrary Salts for a time buoyed up in the Menstruum So oyl of Tartar with Ilmington Water maketh a white Coagulum because it combineth with the Esurine Acid of the Water But the Curdling is very small because of the small quantity of Acid that doth free and as it were unsheath it self from the minera of Iron or is yet lodged in the pores of the Water and is not as yet fixed and joyned to the Alkalizate part of Iron To try what figure the Salt bore that was contained in this Water I took about two or three Gallons of the Water and evaporated it ad siccitatem At the bottom and sides of the vessel I found a redish white Powder which I dulcified with warm Water And there was left behind an insipid Earth like red Ocre or Colcotar The Water I filtred evaporated and then set to chrystallize which yeilded a Salt of an irregular figure it was of a palish colour but as to its operation answered vitriol of Iron It being asserted by some Authors but the Truth thereof I much question That many Mineral Waters will loose in Weight by carriage by loss of Spirits as They say or rather if at all I suppose by an Aporrhea Mineralis I filled a glass bottle with this Spaw-Water and stoped it up close at the Spring-head where I weighed it with an exact pair of Scales After four or five Miles carriage I tryed and found it continue the same weight After it had stood a day or two by examination I found the weight not at all diminished so that by this way nor by Distillation could I find any volatile spirits wherein the vertue of this Water consists The Bottle thus stoped I kept for a fortnight and then could perceive the Sediment just begin to fall to the bottom But in another Bottle carried with This and left open to the air I found great part of the Sediment fallen in twelve hours Which confirms my former Assertion viz. That not only Heat Motion by carriage c. but the Air also precipitates its Sediment Upon Tryal I found that the Water out of which the Ocre was fallen would not tinge with Galls but the Water kept close stoped for a fortnight did with Galls readily strike a Purple and so would more or less until the Terra Metallica was all fallen To sum up then that which hath been laid down I may say of this Spring as Helmont said of the German Spaws Pawhont and Saveâ—ir Distillavi aliquando serio Savenirium Pauhonteum sanè non tantum mineralium catalogum imo nil quicquam in iis offendi praeter Aquam fontanam vitriolum ferri Helm paradox Quar. de aq Spad So in this Spring the Acid Salt with which the Water is impregnated doth in its passage through the subterrestrial channels meet with a Minera of Iron which it partly dissolves and bringeth along by its Current to the Spring-head And by a Fermentation betwixt the Esurine Acid and the Metalline Parts of the Minera is made a vitriolum
saliens efformatur idemque calore vitali praeditus est priusquam per pulsum cietur atque ut in illo ab illo Pulsatio incipit ita tandem in ultimo mortis articulo in eodem deâ—â—nit Which I suppose gave occasion to Dr. Glisson in his Anat. Hep. Cap. 35. to assert That the blood was generated and moved by the heart but the heart and blood were originally by the Vivifick spirit or juice which remaineth in the blood after its first production and is the cause of its future generation seeing that the Womb by its heat doth excite the Vivifick Spirit of the Seed and put it in action which frameth the Seminal Matter into the structure of an Animal So that the Quickening Spirit making the first blood and heart of an Embryo he supposeth it still to perform the same office according to that Axiom Idem quà idem semper facit idem Against this Opinion Diemerbroeck Anat. Lib. 2. Cap. 11 doth oppose several Arguments and endeavoureth a Confutation thereof and concludeth from his Reasons That the Blood is generated after and by the Heart and not by the Vivisick spirit which saith he inhering in all parts of the body quickens and disposeth them to their proper functions So that he concludeth of a Ferment in the Heart The Learned Dr. Willis telleth us Natura posuit in corde fermentum eujus instinctu seu occursu sanguis impetuosè effervescit ac velut in flammam accensus de ferment cap. 5. And in his Exercitation de Accens sang Vitalem sive flammeam animae partem in corde pulmonibus sedem praecipuam quasi imperialem habere putemus So that he avoweth the Ferment of the Heart to be the main Cause and Seat of the Flamma vitalis or the Soul 's vital flame But whether it be in rerum naturâ may be questioned Variety of Opinions there are about the Motion of the Heart the immediate instruments of its Motion are agreed upon to be the Fibres but then what sets these Fibres in motion is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the main Query or thing sought after Some like Dr. Lower suppose the motion of the heart to depend upon the influx of Animal Spirits into the Nerves and Fibres which make a Contraction as in other Muscles Others suppose it to depend on the Dilatation of the Blood in the Ventricles of the Heart Others like Franciscus de Le Boe Sylvius think to go a middle way and make it depend partly on the Influx of Animal Spirits and partly on the Dilatation of the Blood Others to depend on a Materia Subtilis that subtile Matter supposed to be in continual motion and to move all Bodies more or less according as it hath more free or difficult passage through the Pores of them Others suppose the heart not to move the blood neither the heart to be moved by the Animal Spirits nor by a subtile Matter but by the Vivifick Spirit residing in the blood and is the cause of its Generation But Maurocordatus not approving the above-recited Opinions supposeth the motion of the heart to depend on the respiration of the Lungs and the respiration of the Lungs to depend on the motion of the heart as if the Heart and Lungs did put their help in hand to each others Motion To run through each Opinion apart and to recite the Reasons laid down for confirmation thereof would be too tedious and beyond my proposed Subject I shall therefore lay down some Experimental Observations as Mathematical Data and see what Collateral Conclusions about Sanguification and Motion of the Heart may be thence deduced 1. Observ I took out the Hearts of two young Puppies about a Fortnight old and cut off their Nerves to prevent all influx of Animal Spirits and separated the Coherent Parts I cut open the Ventricles of one of the Hearts and let out all the blood therein contained The Hearts I exposed to the open Air upon a cold Trencher which did continue beating with a regular Systole and Diastole as long as warmth continued When their Motion had almost ceased I breathed upon them and perceived their motion recruted by the warmth of the breath When their motion again began to abate by pouring on warm Water I renewed the same Thus they continued until the Natural Heat was totally expired which was near upon Three Quarters of an Hour after the first exposing out of the Body to the Air. The like Effect I found upon the Hearts of Frogs Tortoises and several young Animals Yea I cut out the Heart of a young Puppy and of a Frog and divided them into several pieces I observed a Motion in a Systole and Diastole for some Minutes to continue in each part thus separated and that the pricking them with a Needle did much excite decaying Motion 2. Observ A Girl about Fifteen years of age by a Pen-knife had an Artery cut asunder in the Wrist of her hand With convenient Applications by a Chyrurgion the Blood was stoped but in his absence the Girl had plucked off the Eschar so that presently followed a great effusion of blood from the Artery At the return of the Chyrurgion with whom I was also called I perceived that she had lost almost the whole mass of Blood of her body In the time of her bleeding which was the greatest part of a Day her Friends about her had given her Sack and Caudle to keep up her decaying strength At our coming we found That which the Artery sent forth did more resemble the Caudle then Blood and so it had been for some hours by the relation of her Attendants for it was so pale and watery that it would notting a Handcherchief red Her Pulse notwithstanding had small remission I administered to her Cordials with Spirits to buoy up declining Nature but before the Chyrurgion stoped the Blood she died which was about One Quarter of an Hour after our arriving thither To this I may adjoyn a like observation related by Dr. Lower de Cord. motu cap. 2. the Sum is thus A Youth about sixteen years old bled for two days without intermission or ceasing The occasion of it is not mentioned His attendants and friends gave him broth to refresh and recruit his Vitals which he eagerly supped down His flux of blood now and then thereby increased but at length the whole Mass was almost evacuated That which run out was pale and watery neither of the Colour nor Nature of blood but was more like the Broth administred which he drank much of The flux so continued for a day or two but the Heart in the mean time retained its Pulsation At last the flux was stoped the Party recovered his health and became a stout strong fellow This he relateth from a Physitian of Credit 3. Observ Dr. Lower in the forecited Chapter giveth us an Experiment of his own He drew out of the jugular vein of a Dog about half of his blood injecting the