conserue health Then againe put to thy Receyuer and increase thy fire by degrées as thou didst before so long vntil at the first there distill foorth a yealow oyle after that a red oyle the matters in the Matrat remaining drie and yet not throughly drie least the liquor which shall distil foorth doe smel of burning These things done take that most cléere water which came forth first of all in good plentie powre it vpon the feces remayning and make them to digest together by the space of 6. or 7. dayes at the heate of Baln-marie vntil the water be coloured and waxe yellow that is to say vntill it hath attracted the more fierie and oylie portion of the matter and the feces which shall remaine when they haue yéelded their whole tincture to the foresaid water reserue and kéepe apart to such vse as herafter shal be declared But if you think good you may reserue a portion of euery of the said liquors to such medicinable vses as is before shewed and vse the rest in the progresse of the foresaid worke and in the subsequent After you haue drawne the foresaid liquors that also which tooke last tincture from the feces thou shalt mixe them together that from thence thou mayest extract a farre more Elixir of life than the former and most precious procéeding in manner following When thou haste mixed the foresaid thrée liquors together thou shalt distil them by a Corrnute or by a glasse Allembic pretermitting al digestion vsing in other than the sayd mixture vse and follow the same way order which thou diddest before seperating the Elements and beginnings of liquors For thou shalt draw out of the first most cleare water which thou shalt reserue by it selfe namely at such time as thou shalt perceiue the receiuer to be darkened with a cloudie fume then chaunging the Receiuer and putting too fire as thou didst before thou shalt continue it so long vntil thou sée the liquor to issue foorth of yealow colour the which also thou shalt kéepe apart as thou diddest the former In the meane time while the foresaide distillations or seperations of Elements that is to say of the two beginnings Mercurie and Sulphur are in hand thou shalt calcine at a Reuerberatorie fire the Feces which thou reseruedst before out of the which being brought to ashes thou shalt extract salt according to Arte with thy first most cleare water the water seasoned with his Salt shal be mingled with the other two liquors which were reserued that so at the least out of a Tryangle thou mayest make a Circle O as Philosophers speake that is to say that out of those thrée seueral waters by circulation in a Pellican made according to Arte there may come foorth one essence and so by that meanes that great Elixir of life and admirable secret shal be made And not onely made but also by so short a way so easie and so well knowen to true Philosophers that they know thereby how and in what order to make Elixirs out of all things The vertues of this Elixir are vnspeakable both to the curing also to the preuenting of giddinesses in the head the Falling sickenesse Apoplexies Palsies madnes Melancholy the Asthma and diseases of the Lungs faintings and soundings traunces weakenesse of the stomach and of other parts consumptions procéeding of an euil disposition of the bodies passions procéeding from the gaule and such like heauie and lamentable griefes Certaine droppes onely of this being giuen in some conuenient breath and fitting for the sicknesse As for example against the Epilepsie with water of Peonie of Lillyes Connally or of flowers of the Linden trée Against the palsie with the water Mary goldes against the pestilence with the water of Goates beard or of water of Cardus Benedictus against the Asthma or Tissick with the water of Scabiose or of Fole-foote or such like Moreouer this Elixir is of force to restore and conserue our radial Balsam if fower or fiue droppes thereof be giuen in broath wine or other conuenient liquor But peraduenture thou wilt say that the preparation of this Elixir requireth too much labour is too tedious But it is much better and more necessarie to spend the time in things so admirable and of so great importance than about Medicines that are altogether vnprofitable And yet to serue euery mans turne I wil set downe the preparation of an other Eilxir more easie and peraduenture more pleasing to conserue health and to prolong life Another Elixir of life most easie to be made TAke the Rootes of Gentian slit in pieces and dryed with a gentle heate also the roote of the lesser Centaurie of each thrée ounces Galanga Cinimon Mace Cloues of each one ounce Flowers of Sage of S. Iohns woort of each two grypes with two fingers and a thumbe Of the best white wine 6. pound Infuse these in a glasse Matrate wel stopped by the space of eight dayes at a gentle fire of Balne-Marie Then let them be wel streined so distilled by a glasse Allembic in ashes til nothing remaine but drynesse Then powre the water distilled vppon the feces that from them thou mayest drawe away the whole tincture in a milke warme Balne-Mary Bring the Feces after the drawing away of the tincture into ashes which thou shalt put into Hyppocrates bag powring the said coloured water oftentimes vpon the ashes that it may draw vnto it the proper salt Giue of this Elixir the fourth part of a spoonefull in some conuenient liquor Vse it a long time It is a special remedie for all consumptions for the weaknesse of the stomache which it purgeth from tough and slimy humours which cleane to the same It stayeth the breeding of wormes and kéepeth the body in health Take of this twise in one wéeke and continue with it A Treacle-water for the head helping all paines of the same proper for the Apoplexie Epilepsie Palseyâ— and such like TAke of the rootes of Peony of Misselto of common Acorns or Cane of each thrée ounces Of ripe Iuniparberryes and of the séeds of Peony of each one ounce Of Cloues and Maces of each 6. drachmes Of Castoreum halfe an ounce Of the flowers of Stechados Mary-gold Rosemary Sage Lillyes coâ—â—ally of the Linden trée of each two grypes with two fingers and the thumbe Cut that which is to bee cut and beate that which is to bée beaten and infuse them by the space of 3. dayes by the heat of a hote Balne in white wine of the best 2. pound and with the waters of Peony Sage and of Mary-goldes of each one pound Then straning them hard To this liquor adde of Treacle of Alexandria ounces 4. of Anacardine confectionem Meâ—u one ounce and a halfe of Diamosch and Aromatici Gabriel of each halfe an ounce Stéepe or infuse these againe by the space of two or thrée dayes at the fire gentle of Blan M. Then straine them againe
and distil them vpon ashes to drinesse and thereof a Treacle-water will bée made A very smal spoonefull of this is sufficient to be giuen at once against the diseases before expressed Another Treacle-water cordiall and comfortable for the heart very good against al pestiferous effects therof vsed with great profite TAke of the rootes of Angelica of Cloues of Goates beard of Tormentil or Set-foyle of Bifolium or two-blades of Enula campans of each two ounces Of yealow Sanders and of the barke of the same of each one ounce and a halfe Of white Diptani of Scabiose of Rus of Goates beard otherwise called Méedwoort of each one handfull Of the Flowers of the lesse Centaure of S. Iohns-woort of Broome of Violets of Borage of Buglosse of Water-Lyllie of Red Roses of each a thrée finger gripe Put these into 3. pound of Malmesie infused by the space of 4. dayes set vpon the fire of Baln M. and the Iuice of Lemons the water Melissa Aeetouse and of Roses mingled with the sayd Wine of each one pound Then strayne them In the liqnor distrained put of Treacle ounces thrée of the confection of Hiacinth one ounce Of the confection Alchermes 6. drachmes Of Diamargarit friged Diatria Santali of each 3. drachmes of Diambre and Diacoral of each two drachmes of Saffron and Myrrhe of each halfe a drachme Infuse them againe by the space of two or thrée dayes at the same fire of Baln M. Then distil them to drinesse by fire of ashes and it will be a Treacle water But to make it the more effectuall the Salt must be extracted out of the feces which remaine according to arte and then mingeled with the foresaid water A water against Poysons and against all pestilentiall effects TAke of the Rootes of Angelica of the Carline-thistle of Set-foyle of the Barke of the Olibian Trée of each two ounces of Cardus Benedictus of Méede-woort called Goates beard of all the Sanders of each halfe an ounce the Treacles of Mythridate and the confection of Hiacinth of each 2 ounces the speces of Diamarg Frigid Camphor of each 2. Drachmes Let these be grossely beaten or brused put into a glasse Allembic powring thereon 3. pound of rectified Aqua vitae Then let them be digested in a vessel wel closed so distilled by ashes or a vaporous Baln This water is wonderfull effectuall against poysonful and pestilential effects The quantitie which must be giuen is halfe a spoonfull An excellent water to be giuen against Feuers burning and pestilentiall TAke of the rootes of Angelica Buglosse of Scorzonerae Acâ—â—y one ounce of the Treacle Alexandrine 2 ounces of the Iuice of Lemons clensed of the waters Fumetarie Gotes beard and Cardui Benedictus and of the lesser centaure of each ounces 4. Diamarâ—â— Frigid halfe an ounce Let these lye infused by the space of thrée or 4. dayes then let them be distrained and distilled Of the which let the sicke drinke 4. ounces and then being well couered in his bed he shal sweate more than ordinary Principall Remedies to ease the torments and extreame paines of the Goute TAke of the leaues of Missel which groweth on the Apple-trée cut or shred very smal halfe a pound the flowers of white Mulline of Chamomil of Lyllies of Wallwoort or Danewoort all the kindes of Poppey with their cases which containe the séed new gathered and before they be full ripe of each one gripe of the 2. fingers and the thumbe of gréene Frogs or in stéed of them the Ielly or sperme of Frogges which is to be found in standing waters in the Moneth of March one pound the séed of white Poppey brused 4. ounces of Crabbes of Crafishes shelles and all beaten or crushed together 20. in number of red Snailes and Earth-wormes both wel washed in good white wine of each 4. ounces of Badgers grease â—xe ounces of Sperma Ceti 4. ounces of the oyle of violets or water Lilly newly made 6 pound or if you wil in steede of these oyles take so much of oyle Oliue Put these into a glasse vessel for that purpose conuenient and close stopt set it in horse dung by the space of 7. or 8. dayes But if néed require more haste let them boyle in a Copper vessel ouer the fire by the space of two houres and then straine them strongly The which also you shalt doe if they stand in Horse dung to be digested Thou then shalt seperate the oyle from the watery part thereof according to arte to the which oyle thou shalt adde of Saffron 2. ounces of Camphyre hale an ounce Put all these into a glasse vessel and set them againe in Horse dung or in Balneo or in the Sunne by the space of 5. dayes and thou shalt haue a most excellent Balsam to asswage and qualifie all paines of the Goute and in the ioynts I wish that all Apothecaries would prepare this to be reary at al times for present vse for that they cannot appoint themselues of any thing better than this which my selfe haue found true by experience A plaister to helpe and easie all paines of the Goute TAke the marrow or pulpe of Cassia foure ounces of new Treacle the newer the better halfe an ounce The meale of Barley and Oates of each three ounces The crumbes of white breadâ— foure ounces of Cowe-milke two or thrée pound Let al these be sodden in the forme of a Cataplasme which thou shalt apply warme to the grieued parts It thou shalt adde one ounce of vitriol calcined and beaten into the pouder thou shalâ— make it much better Another Cataplasme TAke the distilled water of whyte Mulleyn and of Ferne of each halfe a pound of calcined vitriol as before one ounce and a halfe of Oate meale 4. ounces Of Saffron two 〈◊〉 make a Cataplasme A water against the paine of the Coute THis water following prepared in due time wil much auaile against the greatest paines of the Gout where there appeareth rednesse and much heatâ— Take of the distilled water of the sperme of Frogges of Hightaper of Ferne of each one pound and a halfe In these infuse Tuttie and Lytharge of each two ounces Vitriol calcined and Allum of each one ounce Let the grieued parts be moystened with linnen cloâ—â—es wet in the same applyed warme renuing the same diuers times Another excellent water against the Goute TAke of the Sope of Genua that which is white and good one ounce Of liquid Salt made to runne at a strong fire one ounce and a halfe of Vitriol one ounce of Acatia halfe an ounce Let them all boyle together in a pinte of Rose vinegar or of common vinegar With this liquor wash both the greiued partes An excellent playster which being layed vpon the knots and puffes of the Gout dissolueth them TAke of the oyle of Apple Missel of our description one or two pound warme it in a vessel at the fire béeing made warme put into it of shaued or scrapings of Sope 4.
ounces let them be well stirred together with a spattle vntil the oyle and Sope bée wel incorporated together After this put thereto Venis Ceruse and Lytharge of each 2. ounces euer mingling and stirring them with a spattell of Vitriol calcined til it be red and pouldred one ounce Of 〈◊〉 halfe an ounce When any of the aforesaid things are put in stirre it wel til it come to a conuenient thicknesse for a playster which thou shalt apply to the knots it helpeth not onely these but also of callous and hollow vlcers and pockes An excellent water to the same effect TAke Vnsâ—ickt-Lime let it lye in Spring water fiue 〈◊〉 sixe dayes that thou mayest draw out the Salt Let the water be foure or fiue fingers aboue the Lyme Of this water take 3. pound in the which thou shalt quench a red hote plate of Stéele twelue times and oftener After this thou shalt put therein of burnt copper brought into pouder 3. ounces of Cinabar halfe and ounce Let them stand by the space of foure or fiue dayes in which time the water will be of a gréene colour by meanes of the inward vitriol of the burnt copper This water is an excellent remedy to qualifie and alay suddenly all manner aches and paines A remedy to dissolue the Stone AFter some conuenient gentle purgation let the patient grieued with the Stone take one little spoonefull of this poulder following which not onely openeth the conduits prouoking vrine but also diminisheth and hindereth the growing of the Stone Take of the kernels which are in Medlars Gromel called Milium Solis the séedes of the great Burre Saxifrage Hollyhock Auis séedes Fennel-séedes of each thrée drammes of Christall stones and of Tartar fix drammes of the stones which are called commonly Crabbes eyes halfe an Ounce of the Salt of ground Furze one drachme of Cinamon one Ounce and a halfe of Violated Suger two Ounces and a halfe mingle these and make a poulder This poulder being taken let the partie drinke vpon it a little wine Iuniperated or of this water following Take of the rootes of Eryngium of ground Furze and of the fiue rootes apertiue of each one Ounce of the barke of Lemons one Ounce and a halfe of the foure greater cold séedes of the séedes of Mallowes and Hollihock of each thrée Ounces of the séedes of Saxifrage of Gromel of the greater Radish of the Burdock and of ripe Iunipar Berries of each Drachmes six of Askakeng Berries twenty in number of Iuiâ—bes six couple of Dictam of the flowers of Broome of Saint Iohns woort of Betonie of the greatest Mallow of each two gripes with the thomb and two fingers of liquirice two ounces and a halfe of the wood of Caffia one Ounce beate and poulder that which is to be pouldered and let them be stéeped or infused in water of siluer wéed called wilde Tansey and of Parietory of the wall of each one pound and a halfe of the best white wine two pound and that by the space of foure daies in Bal. M. hote and then let it be strongly strained Into the liquor put of the Species of Diatragaganthum Frigidum and of the Trochiscks of Alkakenge without Opium of each one Ounce Let them be digested againe at the fire of Baln Mar by the space of one or two dayes and let them be distilled by a glasse Allembic according to Art This water also taken by it selfe alone câ—â—teth and thinneth grosse matters and clenseth the raynes and sucking-vaines and the bladder from the stopping of sand and grauel and frâ—eth them from grosse humours Of this water by it selfe alone the dose to be giuen at one time is two Ounces with some conuenient syrrup An other excellent water against the Stone TAke the Iuice of Radish of Lâ—â—tâ—ns of each one pound and a halfe of the waters of Betonie of wild Tansey of Saxifrage of Veruaine of each one pound of Hydromel and of Malmesey two pound In these liquors mixed together infuse by the space of foure or fiue dayes at a gentle fire of Baln Mar Iunipar Berries ripe and newe gathered being bruised thrée Ounces of Gromel of the séede of the Burdock of the greater Radish of Saxifrage of Nettels of Onions of Anis of Fenel of each one Ounce and a halfe the foure cold séedes the séedes of great mallowes of each six drachâ—â—es the species of Lithontri the Electuarie Duis Iustini Nicolai of each halfe one Ounce the Calxe of Egge-shels Cinamon of each thrée Drachmes of Camphore two Drachmes Let all againe be well distrained and then distilled by ashes Two ounces of this water taken doth wonderfully clense the Counduits prouoke vrine and wil breake and expell the Stone To this if you adde his proper Salt or one scruple of the extract of Betonie it will be a more effectual remedy The conclusion of this Treatise ALchymie or Spagyrick which some account among the foure pillers of medicine and which openeth and demonstrateth the compositions and dissolutions of all bodies together with their preparations alterations and exaltations the same I say is she which is the inuenter and Schoole-mistresse of distillation For Alchymie vseth seuen workes which are as it were certaine degrées by which as it were by certaine necessary instruments she ordereth and finisheth the transmutations of things By transmutation I meane when any thing so forgoeth his outward forme and is so changed that it is vtterly vnlike to his former substance and woonted forme but hath put on another forme and hath assumed an other essence another colour another vertue and another nature and properly As for example when linnen rags are turned into paper metall into glasse skins or leather into glue an hearbe into ashes ashes into Salt Salt into water and Mercury so moueable into a fixed body as into Sinabar and poulder The seauen degrees of working are these mentioned before in the Practise 1 Calcination Which is the bringing of any thing to ashes 2 Digestion Is a dissoluing of that which is thick into thinne to be purified 3 Fermentation Is a mixing of kindly matter for multiplication or the kindly seasoning or leauining of a thing 4 Distiliation Is an extraction of a liquor from a body by heate 5 Circulation Is to rectifie any thing to a higher perfection 6 Sublimation Is the lifting vp of moyst matter to make it more pure and dry 7 Fixation Is to make that which is flying to abide with his body Beside these there are diuers other workings as DissolutioÌ„ is to dissolue yâ— which is grosse Putrifaction is the meane to generation Exaltation is euaporation of the impure humour Rectification is a reiterated Distillation to perfection CoagulatioÌ„ is the congealing of moisture CohobatioÌ„ is a repetition of Distillation by which the liquor distilled is powred vpon the feces and distilled againe Distillations are diuers according to the diuersities of reasons maners and of subiects whereupon arise sundry differences of distillation The first difference is taken
salt they dissolue againe with common water or with the proper water thereof which is better distilled from it before the Incineration of the matter that they may make the same cleane and pure and as cleere as Christall For they dissolue manie times they fylter and coagulate not to the vttermost poynt of drynesse but drawing out onely of that water twoo thirde partes and more by the pipe of the Alembick they afterward remooue the same from the fire that â—he salt therein contained and set in a colde place may growe into a christalline Iâ—e which is the most pure salt of the matter without all doubt This salt must be gathered together and separated with a woodden spoone And if there remaine any parte of the water let it bee vapoured againe and then putte into a vessell to stand in the colde ayre where will bée coniealed a christalline residence anew which must be seperated againe ouer and ouer so many times vntill more it can growe into a Iellie or Ise These kinde of Isâ—e recidences are the true beginning of Salts vital and qualified with admirable vertues And this salt hath in it still the other twoo substantiall beginnings Sulphur and Mercury For from the same the mercurial and sulphurous beginning the one swéete and vnctuous the other sharpe and Etheriall may yet bée drawen by a skilfull workeman the more fixed parte namely that of Salt remaining still in the bottome Saltes haue their corporall Impurities but the spirituall Balsam which lyeth hidde in them is the Chymicall salte knowen to a fewe Some of these Salts are bytter as wormeâ—ood some swéete as sugar some sharpe as vitriolls sower as Quinces or grapes by whose balsame they are nourished â—ostered and conserued These salts haue diuers spirites some resoluing some coniealing And as they haue diuers spyrits so do they worke sundrie and admirable effects CHAP. X. Wherein is prooued that the naturall and originall moysture in Saltes is not consumed by calcination but that the very formes do lye hidde in that constant and vitall beginning THe Naturall and originall moysture with the which Saltes are replenished as is aforesaid is not consumed with the force of fire and by Calcination For it shall be here shewed that all the more forcible tinctures and impressions and the property of things together with their most potent qualities and powers as tastes odours colours with the very formes themselues such like are concluded and do lie hid in that firme constant vitall beginning For the truth whereof I will deliuer vnto you certaine demonstrations oftentimes prooued and confirmed by my owne experience One I learned of a friend which lodged at my house who was the first Inuentor therof Another I receiued froÌ„ a most learned famous Polonian a skilfull Physitian aboue 26. yeers since This man was so excellently and phylosophically skilfull in the preparing of the ashes out of al the parts of any maner of plant with all the Tinctures and Impressions of all the parts of the plant and would in such wise conserue all their Spirites and the Authours of all their faculties that hée had aboue thirtie such plants prepared out of their ashes of diuers sorts conteyned in their seuerall glasses sealed vp with Hermes seale with the tytle of each particular plant and the propertie thereof written vpon the same So as that if a man desired to sée a Rose or Mary-gold or any other flower as a red or white Poppey or such like then would hée take the glasse wherein the ashes of such a flower was inclosed whether it were of a Rose a Marie-golde a Poppey a Gilly-flower or such like according as the writing of the glasse did demonstrate And putting the flame of a Candell to the bottome of the glasse by which it was made hote you might sée that most thinne and impalpable ashes or salt send foorth from the bottome of the glasse the manifest forme of a Rose vegetating and growing by little and little and putting on so fully the forme of stalkes leaues and flowers in such perfect and naturall wise in apparant shew that a man would haue beléeued verily the same to be naturally corporeat whereas in truth it was the spirituall Idea indued with a spirituall essence which serued for no other purpose but to be matched with his fitting earth that so it might take vnto it a more soly body This shadowed Figure so soone as the vessell was taken from the fire turned to his ashes againe and vanishing away became a Chaos and confused matter When I had séene this secret endeuouring with al my might to attaine to the same I spent much time about it but yet lost my labour But as touching the demonstration following I affirme vpon my faith and credite to be most certaine and haue often proued and experimented it by my selfe may easily be done by any man The Lord de Luynes Formentieres a man of great account both for his learning and office being noble and of all men singularly beloued long since departed this life with whom in his life time I conuersed with great familiaritie This noble man 〈◊〉 very great paines to search and finde out the most excellent secrets of nature but specially those which appertained either for the preseruatioÌ„ or for the restoring of health And séeking long to find such remedies for that he had languished in a crazed body a great while without any helpe and was iudged by Physitians to be past cure he was at the last holpen and wonderfully restored to health by one only Lossenge of a certaine Chymical electuary of great vertue which the Lady de la Hone a most noble and wise matrone gaue vnto him This Lossenge prouoked him to easie vomit by which he cast vp from his stomacke all impurity tough and discous like the whites of egs diuersly coloured in great quantitie by which hee was restored to health againe to his great ioy and comfort Hereupon he greatly desireth to know this secret the which he not onely obtained at the hands of that noble Lady but some others also no lesse vertuous by his own endeuour afterwards the which he vsed both for his owne health also for the good of others as need required in the way of Christian charity This man coÌ„ming out of France in the time of the ciuil wars conuersing with me applyed his mind to extract Salt out of mettals that thereby he might prepare a remedy against the stone dissoluing it with christall This Salt being mixed with the lye made with ashes of 〈◊〉 mettals by often powring warme water vpon the same drawing it through too and againe as women are wont to make their coÌ„mon lye shewed a proofe of his essence included in the lye after this maner The lye being strained through a Filter oftentimes very well clensed was put into a vessell of earth hauing a narrow bottom and a wide mouth which is called a Terime And
Philosophers which with one consent say Ignis azoc tibi sufficient Let Fire and the Matter suffice thée This onely Balsam is the vniuersal medicine to defend and conserue health if it be giuen with some conuenient liquor to the quantitie of one or two graines Great and admirable is the vertue thereof to restore our radical Balsam the which wée affirme to be the Medicine of diseases euen by the common consent of al Physitians But our Lullie and other Phylosophers are not content with this but procéeding further do dissolue the forsaid Phylosophical Sulphur in a conuenient portion of the spirit of wine rectified to perfection as afore and suffer them to be vnited and very well coupled together by way of Circulation in a Pellican Hermetically stopt or closed and within fewe dayes the water is made azure like or Celestial which béeing distilled is of force to dissolue gold and doth reduce it into the true Calxe of the Phylosophers into a precious liquor which itterated circulations and distillations can also passe by the necke of the Allembic or by Retort In the which working if thou procéede as thou shouldst thou shalt be able to separate from gold already phylosophically dissolued and animated thy phylosophical dissoluing which wil continually serue for newe dissolutions For very little is lost in euery dissolution And so thou hast the true potable golde the vniuersal Medicine which neuer can bée valued béeing inestimable nor yet sufficiently commended After the same manner thou shalt make the dissolutions of Pearles and of pretious stones most general remedies and deseruing to be placed among the chiefe if they bée dissolued after the order and manner aforesaid with a natural dissoluing Remedies I say which can much better confirme and strengthen our nature than if according to the common manner they bée onely powdred and searced as is wont to bée done in those our common preparations and cordial powders But some paraduenture wil say that these kinde of preparations are too hard or such as they vnderstand not or at least care not to vnderstand But this is a vaine obiection to preuent for excuse of their ignorance the difficultie of these preparations and the protract al time when as the thing is neither difficile nor long to them which know how to take it in hand These things are not to bée estéemed nor labour is to bée spared to attaine so excellent precious medicine which in so little smal a dose as in the quantitie of one or two graines can worke so great and wonderful effects which bringeth great commendation and honour to the Physitian and to the sicke perfect health and vnspeakable sollace and ioy But to conclude I wil say with Cicero in his Tusculans There is no measure of seeking after the truth and to be wearie of seeking is disgrace wheÌ„ that which is sought for is most excellent CHAP. VI. The way to prepare and make the Balsamick Medicine out of all things BY the foresaid preparation of sulphur Balsamick vegetable which wée haue before taught faithfully plainly and manifestly it is easie to vnderstand after what manner the same Sulphur may bée extracted out of euery mixed body In the wich bodie that I may summarily gather al things together there is first found a liquor without al odour or rellishing taste which is called Phlegme or passiue water Then commeth a liquor which hath taste colour odour and other impressions of vertual qualities which is called the Hercurial liquor And after that commeth foorth an oylie liquor which floteth aloft and conceiuing flame which is called Sulphur After the extraction of these thrée seueral moystures there remaineth nothing but ashes or dry part out oâ— the which ashes béeing wel calcined Salt is extracted with his proper Phlegme messhing oftentimes and powring water warmed vpon the foresaid ashes put into Hypocrates bagge and repeating this so often times til you perceiue a Salt water to come which hath a brinish taste after the same manner as women are woont to make their lye-wash This béeing done let the moyst be distilled and the salt wil remaine in the bottome The which salt notwithstanding in this first preparation is not made cleane enough nor sufficiently purified Wherefore the same distilled water is to be powred vp againe that the Salt may againe bée dissolued in the same the which so dissolued filter it or straine it through a bag oftentimes as afore til it be most cleare then coagulate it at a gentle heate And after this maner thou mayst extract a Salt cleare pure out of al vegetable ashes Vppon this Salt being put into an Allembic powre al his mercurial sharpe water let them be digested by the space of one or two dayes in the gentle heate of the Balme and then let them be distilled by ashes and so the water wil distil forth without taste or rellish Because whatsoeuer it contained of the volatile Salt wil reside in the bottome with his per fixed salt Goe forward therefore in thy working as before I taught thée concerning the wine Or if thou wilt not worke so exactly meshe vp againe al the mercurial liquor and make it passe through the foresaid Salt which wil take into it al that vitriol impression which that water shal haue and the water or liquor shal haue neither rellish nor taste but shal be altogether like to common water But if thou adde so much that the volatile part doe excéed the fixed that is to say that there be more of the volatile than of the fixed the which thou shalt easily know by waight because it wil be increased thréefold or by trial vpon a red hote copper or Iron plate when this matter béeing cast vppon the same vapoureth and passeth away in smoke then thou must sublime it and it wil become the Sal Aâ—moniack of the Philosophers so it pleaseth them to cal this matter which wil bée cleare and transparant like pearles Vppon this powdred matter thou shalt powre by little and litle the oylie liquor purified and thou shalt boyle this matter that of volatil it may be fixed againe Neuerthelesse that which shal be fixed shal be of nature more fusible than waxe and consequences wil more easily communicate with spirits and with our natural Balsam when it is seperated from his passiue water and passiue earth which are vnprofitable Both which matters the Phylosophers cal the passiue Element because they containe no propertie in them neither doe they shew forth any action And thus a body or nature is made wholely homogenical simple albeit there are to bée séene thrée distinct natures the which notwithstanding are of one or the same essence and nature And so a body shal bée compounded exactly pure out of those three hypostatical beginnings namely salt Mercurie and Sulphur The which Sulphur in some part is answerable to truely simple and Elementarie fire Mercurie to Ayre and to Water in like manner most
tittle of Apothecaries professing that and yet follow the Trade of Marchandise and not of honest and good men which are dilligent in their Arte to whom this our labour pertaineth and to whom these our studies and admonions are dedicated for the health of many and for their praise and profite The auncient Physitians and men of the best sort delt more warily and prouided better for themselues had this arte in great honor and therefore in their owne houses they prepared medicines with their owne hands And wée also for our owne partes would bee loath that some of our secrets should bee cast before these Hogges and therefore wée commonly prouide that they bée prepared in our Laboratorie at home by a kilfull workeman whome wée direct and appoint for that purpose Not that wee might make thereby the greater gaine to our selues but for the honour and praise of the Arte and to our friends good the which all those know that know vs and haue receyued the benefite from vs. But for this time these shall suffice For the Patterne of Furnaces and glasses apt and méete for Distillation buy Maister George Bakers Booke our Countryman And if thou be desirous to procure glasses of all sortes for this Arte thou mayst haue them at the Marchants hand which sell such in their houses néere the Poultery in London THe winde Furnace must haue a hole beneath one foote déepe inwarde and one foote and a halfe vpward and at that height a grate shall be layed wherein the coales of fire must lie Also at that height make another mouth where at thou shalt put in the saide coales of fire and aboute the same raise vp the walles round about ten Inches in height and there also lay two barres of Iron to set the Panne vppon either for Balneum Mariae or for a dry fire To make thy nourishing Balnâ— TAke chopt Hay and water and put it into an earthen Pan then set ouer it a Trencher with a hole in the middest to answere the bottome of the glasse which must come within two Inches of the water Concerning Hermes Seale and the making of diuers closiers of glasses FIrst thou shalt know that of all fastnings or closing vp of Glasses that no vâ—pours nor spirits goe foorth the Seale of Hermes is most noble which is done in the manner following First make a little Furnace with the Instruments belonging It must haue a grate in the bottome to make fire vppon In the middst of the Furnace shall be a hole to put in the ende of a narrowe necked Glasse so that the third part of the glasse be emptie And if the hole of the Furnace be greater then the glasses necke close vp the hole with claye on euery side round about so as the mouth of the glasse haue some libertie Let thy fire be as farre from thy glasse as thou canst and when thy coale fire is readie put the Glasse néerer and néerer by little and litle till the mouth of thy glasse waxe red as it were ready to melt Then take the red hote tonges and therewith wring or nippe the toppe close together whereby it shall be so closed as if it had no vent 〈◊〉 or came so closed out of the Glasse-makers shoppe But take héed when you haue so done that you pull it not too suddenly out of the fire least the sâ—dden colde cracke the glasse and marre all Therefore abate it by little and little and not at once And when thou wilt open the glasse take a thridde dipt in brimstone or waxe and wind it 6. or 7. times about the necke of the glasse where thou wouldest haue it to breake and set it on fire with a small waxe candle and when it is burnt powre a drop or two of cold water vpon it and it will crack in the saâ—â— place that thou maist take it off Concerning the maner of making Lutes wherewith to close glasses THe ordinary Lutes wherewith to stop vessels of glasse against faint vapours are these Take quick lyme beaten to â—oulder as fine as may be and searsed temper it with the white of egs Or else mix wheat flower with the white of egges spred them vpon linnen cloath and wrap it diuers times about the mouth or ioynts of the glasse Other Lutes called Lutum Sapientiae made for the defence of stronger vapours either to parget and lute the body of the glasses or to stop their mouthes or loose their ioynts which are to be wrought cleare smooth and without knots or bladders in maner following Take potters earth with a forth part of shorne floxe added to the same an eigth part of white ashes with a forth part of dry horse-dung All these wel beaten together with an yron rod. This is the right composition of Lutum Sapientiae There be that doe adde to this composition the poulder of brick and of the scales beaten from yron finely searsed And for the more conuenient drying of vessels so luted and fenced you shal bore certaine holes in a wodden forme into the which put the neckes of thy glasses that their bottomes and bodies may be dryed the better Another most excellent Lute for the like incloser is made of glasse and Vermilion of each like quantitie pouldred and searsed then incorporated with vernish and a little oyle of Linséede and making the whole like a soft poultesse which is to be spread on a fine linnen cloath wrap it about the mouth ioynts of the glasses and so suffer them to dry in the Sunne Which albeit it is a long worke yet it is most sure For this will serue against the strongest vapours that are Also to compound a Lute wherewith to make your Fornace that it may not riue or chap take chalke and potters clay and a quantity of sand wrought together with wollen 〈◊〉 and horse-dung incorporated as afore Thus courteous Reader I haue shewed thée such secrets in this Art as neither Quersitanus Isacus Hollandus nor any other Phylosopher haue before published in print to my knowledge but haue come to my hands in paper and parchment copies If thou be industruous doest tread the right Hermetical path thou shalt by the meanes of these helps so plainly set before thine eyes without Hieroglyphicks and Riddels to do thy selfe and thy countrey good Thus wishing to thée as to my selfe good successe in all thy godly indeuours I commend them and thée to the Lord. FINIS Genesis 1. 2. Eccle. 3. 19. Acts 17. 28. 1. Thess 5 23 Heb. 4. 12. Gen. 1. 16. Wisd 11. 17 2. Pet. 3. 10. 13. Apoc. 21. 5. Psal 14. 1. Rom. 1. 20. Col. 2. 8. Gen 30. 37. Iob. 9. 26. 28 37. 38. 39. 2. Cron. 9. 2 Mat 12 4. Eccle. 38. Luke 14. verse 5. Num. 11. 29. Lact. lib. de Ira Dei cap. 10. Plin. lib. 2. cap. 7. Sen. lib. 4 de benet cap. 7. Thomas lib 9 super 2. lib. de coelo Plato in Timaeo Gen. 1. Metaph. 5. Cap. 1. 1. Thes 5. 23. Heb. 4. 12. Lib. de remed 7. cap. 3 Lib. colleâ— 15. Lib. 2. de virtute simp medi. ad Eutrapi Tetr 1. serm 2. cap. 43. 4. 6. Ter. â— serm 1. cap 24. In lib. de metho meâ—â— cap. 9. Li. de medidica cap. 30. Ter. 1. Ser. 2. Cap. 156. Cap. 157. Cap. 161. Lib. 7. de re medica Coll lib. 15. The Heauen of Philosophers Venus and Mars are Copper and Iron The greene Lyon Sol and Lana Gold Siluer Lib de Aurora Lib. de sâ—â—â—â—bus Hip. lib. de Antiq maedicina All things naturally loue Salt Salt the Balsam of nature Salt hath life in it is animal Salt is also vegetal Salt the original matter of pearles and corall Salt the fier of nature The effects of Salt in the earth The effects of Salt in the aier Salts minerall Salts of diuers kinds Stirring waters Nature accordâ—â—h with nature Salt is fusible Salts may be extracted out of metalls A Figure of the Trinitie Phree distinct natures in Salt Two salts appeare in the 〈◊〉 of salt-peter Two flying parts of salt-peter Sulphur of Nature The Mercurial part of salt-peter The cause of ferment is sowernesse Vitriolis of the nature of Copper The spirit of Vitriol fixeth Mercurie Body soule and spirit A practise A good purgation of bad humours Gold tryumpheth in earth in aier and in fire The incorruptibilitie of gold maketh it the best Medicine to helpe a corruptible body The wonderful effects of potable gold Bathes and waters artificial The Chymical ministries Balsam is in euery thing The spirit of wine The Christal of Tartar The good effects of the spirit of wine B. M. signifieth Balneum â—arie A Balsam Radicaâ— Potable gold 1. Phlegme 2. Mercury 3. Sulphur 4. Salt Elements passiue Actiue Elâ—ments A Medicine particular and general 〈…〉 Crude wines breede the stone Helleborâ— poisonfull Transplanting of herbs helpeth their nature Obiection Answerâ— Galen Lib. 13. Method Syrach 38. 4 A Dissoluing water Copper is red without and greens within Narcotical is Stupefactiue Taste odour and colours Salt of 2. sorts Salt defined Salt and earth Sulphur and Fire Mercurie Ayre and Water Mercurie a moyst actiue Sulphur the meane to ioyne salt and Mercurie Three natures in one Salt causeth Vicers in the body Saltes of diuers sortes Mercurie is properly extracted from leaues Sulphur out of Seedes Salt out of wood and rootes A mixture of the 3. beginnings Salt the root of the other beginnings Bitter things doe purge Salt extracted out of bitter things Salt in vrinâ— Purgers Dissoluing liquors Dissoluing liquor Dissoluing spirits Obiection Answere The spirit of vitriol and his vertue A remedy against feauers Obiection A remedy to stoppe fluxes The fixing of quick-siluer Mercurie of the Phylosophers The right spirit of Vitriol good against the falling euil A remedy for Gangrena eating vlâ—ers Water for the Ophthalmie Water to ease the gout A remedy against obseruations and to breake the Stone Gangrena â—ured Causes of the Stonâ— Sal-Armoniac a coagulator and a dissotuer The cause of dogge-like appetite Choller rustie yeallow and greene The Philosophical cause of Meteors c. The cause of madnesse Phrensie and such like Salts of diuers kinds in mands body The stopping of the pores procureth sicknesse Spirit of wine The water of 2. degree Mercurie An Oyle Sulphur Fyer The Feces Salt Earth A most precious Elixir Hippocrates bagge is like the bagge where through Hypocras runneth
of that composition the which pouldred he prescribeth to be taken in a reare egge to the quantitie of halfe a spoonefull fasting in the morning The effect whereof he sheweth in these words No man can sufficiently commende the worthines of this medicine for the helping vertue which it hath in colde distemperatures correcting raw humors for the which cause it helpeth the collicke and doth gently loosen the belly Hée describeth also other saltes which loosen the bellie which drawe fleame from the head with other helpes besides And into one composition hee appointeth to be put of cléere dryed salt 144. dragmes In the which composition hee added of the flowers of Câ—amamil of Coniza of mountaine Calamynt of the roote of the mountaine Eringium of Origan of Sylphium of Pepper of each a thirde parte The which Ingredients put to the quantitie of the salt aforesaid come nothing neere to the quantity therof He appointeth another composition of Salte where to thirtie ounces of parched salt hee appointeth a farre lesse dose of Hysope of wilde Tyme of Cummine the continuall vse wherof hée appointeth in stéede of common salte not onely for to make the meate sauory but also for medicine For saith he who so vseth the same continually shall at no time be troubled with any disease It helpeth headache it quickeneth the sight it cleanseth the brest from fleame it maketh good concoction in the stomacke and purgeth the kidneys Hereby it appeareth that the auncient Physitians did not only vse Salt but also that they made choyse of the best and most cleare sort the which also they dryed and parched with heate of the fire to make it the more forcible to helpe in all obstructions For Salts are of that power that they take away all manner putrifaction and corruption of wormes and doe put away the originall of other vices and diseases and do amend them The which being so what other thing can be found out for the conseruation of life and health or for the expulsion of all diseases more profitable Actuarius also describing certaine purgatiue Salts doth giue vnto them great efficacie in helping and easing sundry diseases and 〈◊〉 preuenting many sicknesses â—yrepsius describeth moe then twenty sundry Salts And among their compositions hée calleth one the Apostles Salt the which preserueth the sight to a very great age clenseth the lunges from tough fleame preuenting coughes and inlarging the breath Another composition hée attributeth to Saint Luke the Euangelist which is almost of the like vertue the which the Priestes of Aegipt as he saith vsed for fulnesse that they might be the more fitte to apply themselues to their studies being also of force to remedie sundry diseases Marcellus Empiricus discribed two maner of purging Salts Many other authors might be alleaged as Gregorius Theologus Plinius Secundus and others which haue giuen great commendation to the vertue of Salts whose wordes for breuities sake I omit CHAP. IX Concerning the extractions of Salts out of all things and Chymicall calcinations and incinerations knowne to the ancient Physitians and vsed in Medicine THere are some which contemne and deride our Artifice coÌ„cerning the extractions of Salts But no wise man will speake against the thing which he knoweth not For the auncient Physitians haue vsed calcinations like vnto ours as may appeare by the wordes of Oribasius when he maketh mention of the Calcination of Tartar and of the feces of vineger put into an earthen potte close pasted or lated For he saith that the matter which is to be calcined being fast luted in a potte and set ouer the fire to be baked so long vntill it waxe white Alchimically Plinius Secundus vsed the ashes of beastes and foules as most singular and familar remedies All the auncient writers speake of a little bird like a Wrenne which is called Regulus Troglodites and haue taught that the same being brought into ashes is singular remedie for the Stone Also they say that glasse calcined and burnt into ashes hath the same effect And many of our later Physitians doe vse the ashes of a spoonge drunke in white wine for the cure of the Broncoceles which is a disease arysing from the throates kernells of some called the Hermis of the throate This they prescribe to be drunke for the space of one whole Moone which is a most certaine experience Aelius propoundeth many and sundry remedies which they of olde time vsed which being calcined and dissolued into ashes according to the coÌ„mon fashion of Chymists he most highly estéemed as secrets of excéeding price His words are these It is said that it harts horne be burnt and washed it cureth the disentery Fluxe and the spitting of blood and is giuen with great profit to them that haue the Iaundise being giuen in the quantitie of two spoonefulls And in another place he saith Some burne the clawes of Swine and giue the ashes to those that are tormented with the collicke in drinke Other some say that Asses hooues burnt drunke daily doe cure the falling sicknes Againe he saith All burnt bones haue power to driue away to dry vp but more especially mens bones Much more might be brought out of Aetius concerning these things to proue that they of olde did vse calcinations and ashes in diuers and sundry maladies Albeit all ashes in generall so farre forth as they containe in them their proper Salt haue power in them to dry vp to clense yet neuerthelesse they retaine in them some property of that matter out of the which they are extracted And this agreeth with that which Aegineta teacheth saying Ashes haue not exactly one temperature but do differ according to the difference of the matter which is brent And therfore the ashes of sharp things as of Oakes or Holme do binde very much and do stoppe the eruption of bloud without any other thing But the ashes of more sharp things as of the figge and Tythimal or spurge are more sharpe and cleansing Oribasius wryteth in like manner sauing that he procéedeth further For he plainely teacheth the Chymicall extraction of salt out of such ashes speaking thus Ashes saith hee haue in them partly that which is Earthie and partly that which is fumie and these partes are thinne and the ashes steeped or infused in water and strayned do passe through together that which remaineth being earthie and weake and without byting is made hotte hauing put of his force in the watering or infusion And thus Oribasius calleth the separation of the actiue from the passiue earthie which he calleth infirme or weake but the Chymists the deade and damned earth Seperation All whatsoeuer our more skilfull Chymists of this age could adde vnto the Calcinations and Iâ—cinerations of the more ancient is this one thing that out of such kinde of Ashes whereof Oribasius maketh mention they drawe out the whole water and drye it vp and that which remaineth in the bottome being impure
when the said vessell had stood without the windowes in the cold aire by the space oâ— one night it grew into an Ise through the cold of the winter The window being opened earely in the morning and the lye clensed there appeared a méere and firme Ise wherein there appeared a thousand formes of mettalls with all the parts thereto belonging as leaues stalkes and rootes being very plaine and apparant to the eye of the beholders in such sort as no man could but acknowledge them to be mettals When the noble man beheld this and gazed vpon it as on a miracle he hastily ranne vnto me and spake to me in the words of Archymides crying I haue found come and see And when I came into his worke-house I tooke the Ise and brake of 〈◊〉 good péece which I handeled so warily that it might not melt with the warmth of my hand and carryed it to men of great woorth which dwelt with vs in that Citie who beholding the Ise affirmed most constantly that they were mettalls and did no lesse maruaile then I my selfe did wondering what it should intende and from whence and how so excellent a thing coulde procéede out of Nature wée all calling to minde this sentence of holie writ Remember man that thou art Ashes and to Ashes againe thou shalt returne considering that the forces of such things do lye hydde and abide in their ashes from whence the Resurrection of our Bodies is most assuredlie to bée expected This gallant experiment being afterwards oftentimes by mée wrought rightly performed by Art brought also to my minde that History wherof I spake before concerning a Poleland Physitian the which when I saw I stroue and endeuored all that I coulde with meditation and practice to bring it to passe And first I thought vpon the reasons how so excellent a woorke might be finished and what it was that gaue forme so perfectly to a Rose or to any other Plant according to the verie life with all the Naturall colours thereto belonging in a moment occasioned through a light heate I say I had diuers and sundrie cogitations with my selfe how this thing might bée And amyddest these thoughts and as I was busied in other woorkes I perceiued that the forme and figure of a thing is included in his salt without any colour and that there are no other colours in water then waterie that is to say white And further that the mettalls in that I sée should be deuoid of all colour sauing waterie and white by reason that the Ethereall and Mercuriall spirites Vaporous and sulphurous do vanish away by their assation and calcination in the Sunne-shine from the which spirits the colours doe arise as is to be séene in Salt Niter which al beit whyte in shewe yet put into a close Lembic and set ouer the fire in sande to be fixed it sendeth foorth his flying spirits euen through the harde bodie of the Alembic of sixe hundreth seuerall colours and cleaning to the vttermost part of the vessell like volatile meale Séeing therefore there lye hid so many sundrie colours in Salt-peter which is a fatte salt of the earth there is no doubt but that the like Saltes also are contained in all other things which containe in them their proper colours also drawen out of the power of the earth which shew foorth themselues in theyr due season by the industrie of Art Thus after long deliberation had with my selfe I fullie resolued to make tryall hereof And first I tooke one whole simple being in this perfect vigor and strength in the spring time hauing fulnesse of Iuice and impressions of vitall tinctures which natures are included in the spirites of Saltes This simple I say I determined to beate in a marble morter with his stalkes leaues and flowers together with the rootes and so to reduce it into a Chaos or confused masse to put it into a vessell of glasse closed with Hermes seals and so to remaine to be digested macerated and fermented a conuenient time out of the which at the length I might 〈◊〉 those thrée principles Salt Sulphur and Mercurie to separate them according 〈…〉 preseruing with all diligence the spirtes out of their mercuriall and sulphurous liquor actiue separating the Elementall water passiue whereby is extracted out of the drie Feces artificially calcined a Salt brought to the puritie of Christall which is a most white ashes and most full of life Then after this I would put to this Salt by little and little his Mercuriall liquor which I would distill from it that I might conioyne with the fixed salte the volatile armoniac which is included in that liquor and from whome the liquor borroweth his whole force which I perceyued to be deteyned and swallowed vp by the fixed salte for so nature imbraceth nature and like reioyceth with the like as salt with salte These things thus finished that is these saltes being vnited together againe then would I adde by little and little the sulphurous essence which I would bring into earth soliate that is to say the most simple essence full of all vitall Tinctures and properties But wanting leysure to go forward in this course I haue not as yet attayned the vndoubted experience of this so noble a secrete whereof I will make proofe and assaye if God permit when occasion shal be giuen For séeing it is a matter in nature and hath bene alreadie done there is no doubt but that it may be done againe by other diligent woorkemen Neyther doe I thinke that there can be a more ready way of working prepared than that which I haue already spoken of and which is knowen and familiar to true Philosophers and Chymists For this course obserued euery thing wel wrought hath his most effectual and actiue vertues and vital qualities But some other better learned and more exercised in Chymical philosophy then my selfe can more readily sée this thing and looke further into the workemanship who hauing better leysure may make trial of this working and finde out in very déede the truth and certainty of the artifice Wherunto if any man by his industry do attaine let him not kepe the secrete to himselfe alone but let him bestow the same vppon men of good parts for the which benefite they shal stant bounde foreuer For albeit it is a matter more pleasant to beholde then profitable yet it openeth and awaketh the drowsie eyes of the more witty and learned sort of men to beholde and take in hande for greatter and more profitable things for mankinde who afterwarde wil guide into the right way the blinde and such as doe erre through ignorance and wil steppe the mouthes of euil tongued and malicious men CHAP. XI Concerning the visible bodies of the Elements IT now resteth that somewhat â—ee saidâ— concerning the visible Bodies of the Elements which of all things as wel of Mineral as of Vegetable and Animal doe alwayes appeare to be two the one drye the other moyst
moysture And as all Phylosopers doe write with one consent it is an vniuersal medicinable body whereunto all the particularities of medicines are reduced and infused For this cause it is as it were a fineth nature or essence a most thinne soule most purgatiue much resisting for a very long time putrifaction or corruption freed from al mortal concretion a celestial and simple substance of the Elements brought to to this spiritual nature by Chymical sublimation And yet for al this we affirme not that this medicine is altogether incorruptible for as much as it is made and consisteth of natural things Neuerthelesse it is brought to that subtiltie thinnesse and simplicitie spiritual that it séemeth to containe nothing in it that is Heterogenial or vnkindely whereby it may be corrupted whereby also it commeth to passe that being giuen to the sicke it preserueth them a long time in health And for this cause the Philosophers haue had this in so great estéeme and haue wholy addicted themselues to seeke and search out the same not to make themselues rich by turning imperfect metals into gold and siluer when as many of them willingly embraced pouertie but rather to heale the diseases and sicknesses of men and to defende and preserue their liues in long health without griefe vnto the time which God hath appointed But leauing this great mysterie which very fewe attaine vnto I wil in charitie and good wil deliuer here vnto thee an easie prescription how to make certaine waters of great vertue which I found written in the Latine tongue in an auncient coppy seruing to kéepe the body in health and to deliuer it from many infirmities which I thought good here to insert as very pertinent so this Treatise which concerneth as you haue heard the vertue of Minerals Take of Aqua vitae distilled with red Wine lib. 4. Of burnt Salt lib. 2. Of dead Sulphur lib. 2. Of white Tartar z. 2. Of the coales of Flaxe which groweth in Abella a Towne of Campania in Italie z. 3. Of Salt Peter z. 4. Beate al these into fine pouder seare them and being mingled together powre on them the aforesaid Aqua vitae and so put the whole masse to distillation The Vertues of the Distillation THe first Distilation hath vertue of a Balsam to conserue both flesh and Fish from putrifaction It clenseth the face from all freckles and spots clearing the skinne and making if fairer It cleanseth the body from Itch and Scabbes and dryeth vp the teares and watrinesse of the eyes The second distillation expelleth impostumations and superfluities of the body fasteneth the téeth which are loose and taketh away the windinesse of the Liuer The third taketh away a stinking breath and purgeth tough flegme out of the Stomach and whatsoeuer is not wel digested The fourth expelleth blood which is congealed in the body The fifth healeth and taketh away from man the faling sicknesse The sixt distillation helpeth al paines about the throate The seuenth cureth the paine of the Goute The eight is an excellent Balsam which sée thou kéepe well The ninth distillation comforteth and preserueth the Liuer if a little gold be dissolued therein After euery of the former distillations the feces must be beaten and searced as in the beginning Another Water by which a Phisitian may worke wonders TAke the fylings of Siluer of Brasse of Iron of Leade of Steele of Gold the summe or froth of Golde and of Siluer and of Storax so much of all these as the abilitie of the man can wel affoorde put these the first day in the vrine of seuen yeares of age the second day in white Wine made hote the third day into the Iuice of Fennel the fourth day into the white of an Egge the fifth day into womans milke which giueth a boy sucke the sixth day into red wine the seuenth day in seuen whites of Egges Then put all this into a cupel and distil it with a soft and gentle fyer That which is distilled kéepe in a Siluer or golden vessel There cannot bée spoken enough in the praise of this water It cureth all sortes of Leprosie and wonderfully clenseth the body It maketh youth to continue long Vse it to thy comfort and to the good of thy neighbour CHAP. XVIII Shewing by what remedies sicknesses are to be cured IT is alleaged out of the authoritie of Hypocrates and Galen that contraries are cured by contraries But hée which affirmeth that contraries are cured by contraries hée shall neuer easily finde out a remedie for sicknesse neither was this Hypocrates meaning as shall bée shewed anon It is out of question that sicknesses doe arise from the disagrement of the beginnings and so often as those beginnings doe decline from their temper which is then called a distemperature and the one being seperated from the consort of the other taking vp his standing by himselfe procureth sicknesse For when it is not in mixture with the other which being ioyned together do maintaine concord they then make warre vpon the body without any stoppe or let I speake not here of simple and bare qualities but of the very essences wherein are those powers and faculties whereof Hypocrates speaketh which preserue the health of their Balsam or to restore it when it is lost Seing therefore the séedes and properties both of health and of sicknesses lye hid in the essences it followeth that they are to be cherished with essences and not with qualities The which essences forsomuch as they are méere acting spirits they are to be repelled with spirits not with bodyes which are not like them or which are contrary to them But it is obiected that al things consist of Elements therefore our bodies also If then the Element of ayer do suffer and be out of course in vs shal the same be holpen with the Element of earth Why then haue Phisitians so fewe remedies against the pestilence Is it because there are none at al I confesse when God wil punish hée taketh away the vertue from remedies and medicines That is not the cause I meane the want of remedies but because ignorant Phisitians know not the causes of the pestilence and therefore dâ—e not rightly prouide to preuent the same For séeing they oppose against the pestilence comming of the corruption of the Ayer a medicine taken from earth water or ayer or from the earth hauing a watery original what maruayle is it if there follow no effect thereof when as they doe not driue away those things which are to bée mixed together but those things which doe easily agrée and are gathered together For how can the heauen and the earth bée mingled together to helpe the distemperature of the Heauen betwéene the which there is so great distance as there is betwéen diuisible and indiuisible as Plato spake Therefore celestiall things are to be mingled with celestial things waterie with waterie and earthie with earthie and not contrariwise otherwise there can be no agréement Consider wel
that Heauen Aier Water and Earth are in vs but yet a certaine thing also farre more excellent namely a certaine supernatual body which conserueth all other things in their temperature whose strength retaineth all other things in their office whereas imbecilitie and defect suffereth them to be out of course What then is to bée done in this conflict but to cherish and vphold in his vigor and strength that supernatural bodie that is to say the Balsam of nature that al other things subiect thereunto and to whom it giueth life may by the meane thereof be continued in their estate firme and sound But with what things shall the imbecilitie and defect thereof be restored but with things of the same likenesse Doth Oyle increase by putting water therein Doth not one enemie put another to flight euen as one friend helpeth another Al sicknesses come hereof in our bodie in what soeuer they be seated because the Balsam of nature and life doe there decay and decrease What else then is to be done but to helpe our weake friend Hypocrates sayth that hunger is a sicknesse For whatsoeuer doth put a man to paine deserueth the name of sicknesse whatsoeuer then asswageth hunger is a remedie for this sicknesse such is al maner of food wherewith that sicknesse is cured Therefore according to the opinion of Hypocrates foode is a remedie But wherefore are meates and drinkes saâ—de to bee medicinal remedies but because they haue natural properties agréeing with the Balsam of nature not contrarie wherby the weakened forces and strength are corroborated and the defect thereof restored After the same manner drinke alayeth thirst Why and how commeth this to passe but onely hereof because as nourishment is all one with that which is nourished so thirst is al one with the humour wanting or with drinke Hereby wée sée how wrong their iudgement is which apply contraries to contraries to strengthen nature that it may frée it selfe from sicknesse Which nature if shée should séeke helpe for an enemie she must néedes fall into a greater perrill than if she were to try the combate onely with sicknesse And yet for all this wée reiect not the saying of Hypocrates that contraryes must haue contrarie remedies that is to say by the taking away of the diseasefull impurities and by the repairing of the strength and natural Balsam not by calefaction or refrigeation by humestation or exsiccation not by abstersion incision attenuation by such other like too common familiar so Galen But we are of Hypocrates minde that hunger is cured by meate thirst with drinke repletion with euacuation emptines with refection labour with rest and rest with labour The which of some are not vnderstood as they are expounded of Galen who applyeth those contrarieties to those bare qualities whereof Hypocrates speaketh séeing a medicine is nothing else then an apposition of those things which are desired an ablation of those things which doe too much abound according to the sound opinion of Galen here But Hypocrates aymeth at a further matter in that he would haue the disease qualified driuen away by giuing strength to nature against the enemy which nature being the onely Physitian and curer of diseases is to be holpen with such things as are like to the diseases that so sicknesses and the passions oâ— sicknesses may be mittigated euen as hunger and thyrst are recreated asswaged by those remedies which they gréedily desire But hostile things that are enemy contrary are not desired but such things as are a friend and familiar For who wil giue to his hungery son when he asketh bread a Scorpion Therefore like and fitting liquors and nourishments are to be giuen which may procure to nature desired rest For remedies which come out of the same fountaine and out of the same familie which are agréeing and fitting in likenesse are to be ministred For the thyrsting spirits of feuers are to be recreated with syrups with sugars with pertisan alone or with wine because they are not of the same family and affinitie with them therefore neither familiar friends nor kinsmen but with those tart liquors which are begotten of the same linage which are spiritual not corporal as are those former of the which it certaine drops be offered to him which is a thirst they wil by and by slake his thirst and presently bring such thirsty spirits to their rest After the same maner watchings paines burning heares and such like are cured For when the spirits are thirsty that is to say when they desire any thing like to themselues which is wanting they wil neuer be appeased nor at rest vntill they haue obtained that which they desire and haue supplyed their want Wherefore they are rightly called by Hypocrates contraries and by Hermeticall Physitians remedies of like sort For they are Similies which are drawen from the â—ame anatomie of nature contayning like properties tinctures and rootes And on the other side they are contraries because they supply the defects and doe satisfie the desires with friendly fulnesse appeasing the spirits and their fitting impurities séeking to consume them or to take them away Therefore these phrases of spéech in natures anatomie albeit they séeme different and repugnant one to the other yet in good consent and agréement they are receiued and admitted That is to say that contraries haue contrary remedies like to their like But to returne to our beginning that is to say to the elements or to those thrée hypostatical formal principles of bodies namely Salt Sulphur and Mercurie which is a liquor for so much as vpon them all grieuous diseases for the most part doe depend inso much that a coÌ„mon pestilence flying in the outward aire cannot inuade a man but it must make a breach and assaile one of these Therefore thou shalt not doe more foolishly if to helpe him which is grieued with a mercurial sicknesse thou vse a remedie taken out of Sulphur then if thou shouldest mingle oyle with water which two wil neuer be mixed or vnited And in like sort thou shalt labour in vaine if thou goe about to helpe Sulphurus sicknesses with a Mercurial medicine or to put away salt sicknesses with the help of others For these wil neuer agrée together and being so vnlike one to the other they wil neuer be ioyned in one to heale and cure the bodie except they be knit in a friendly peace and vnion by that supernatural ethereal body that is to say by the Balsam which is common to al things Hée therefore which is sick of Mercurie must be holpen with mercurial remedies as the Epilepsie and the Apolexi are to be holpen with vitriolated remedies taken from water And hée which wil help sulphurus sicknesse must vse sulphurus remedies and sicknesses proceeding of Salt with medecines taken from Salt So thou shalt be taught by reason and experience that things of like sort wil agrée be cured with their
not only that dry minerall water which is also called Hydrargire and Quick-siluer is called Mercurie but also euery water or actiue liquor endued with any vertue is also for the excellencie thereof called Mercurie The which Mercurie as we haue said may bée likened to either Element that is to say to Ayre and to Water to Ayre because when it is put to the fire it is found almost nothing but Ayre or a vapour which vanisheth away This if you please you may call a moyst actiue And it may bée compared to water also because it is running and so long as it continueth in his owne nature it is not contained in his owne listes but in the limmits of another which according to Arictotle is the definition of moyst These thrée beginnings I say are found in all bodyes as internal and necessarie substances for the composition of a mixt body For seeing the foresaid Mercurial volatile and spirituall humiditie cannot easily be conioyned with the earthie corporeat and fixed part by reason of that great difference and contrariety of either of them it is necessarily required that there should bée a meane and indifferent partaking of either that is as wel of the spirituall as of the fixed to conioyne both in one And this indifferent meane is Sulphur or oile which holdeth a meane betwéene that which is fixed and that which is flying For oyles are neuer so quickly so easily and so wel distilled as are waters because the substance of Sulphur or of an oylie bodie is tenax and retentiue and therefore most apt to combinde the other two to effect a good perfect and equal mixture To make the matter more plaine by example For as a man can neuer make good closing morter of water and sand onely without the mixture of lime which bindeth the other two together like oile and glue so Sulphur or the oily substance is the mediator of Salt and Mercurie and coupleth them both together neither doth it onely couple them to death but it doth also represse and contemperate the acrimonie of Salt and the sharpnesse of Mercurie which is found to bée very much therein Much like to the coniunction which the Spirite and quickening moyst radical maketh betwéene the soule and incorporeat substance and the body which very much differeth from the same Thus then it appeareth after what manner these thrée natures may consist in one together and so to be made a mixed and perfect bodie For as salt by it selfe a lone cannot bring this thing to passe euen so neither these two fluxible and mouing humors cannot without Salt by their nature compose a firme fixed and solyd body Moreouer Sulphur most néedes bée had as a Glue without the which the Mercurial liquor wil be swallowed vp by the drinesse of the terrestrial Salt and through the violence of the heate of the fire which by the Sulphur is contained But the Mercurial humour is as it were the chariot of the other two seruing to penetrate and to make the mixture easie and spéedy If there bée any man which through obstinacie or blockishnesse of wit doth not well conceiue and vnderstand this let him beholde and consider of the blood which is in mans body how in the same the whaye is as a chariot or mediator and combiner of the other two beginnings together as may appeare by the preparation and separation thereof Very fitly wée may vse this example in this place And hereafter by infallable and euident demonstration we wil shew after what manner the other two beginnings beside the whaye which supplyeth the place of Mercuries are in blood When Salt is predominate and beareth the swaye it produceth so many kinds of diuers Vicers and many other diseases beside that portion of salt which passeth through the reines and bladder by Vrines In like maner we haue already shewed how Sulphur or the oilie part is in the same blood This sulphur being exalted it causeth sulphurus exhalation as inflamatiōs from whence come so many kindes of Feauers So Mercurial sublimations raise Rheumes and Catarres with other diseases Mercurial Chymistes determine that there are sundry kindes of salt which as they are found apart in nature s◠also in all mixt bodyes That is to say common salt which the Sea by his secret 〈◊〉 pypes doth conuey through the earth Salt gemme also Allum whereof there are diuers kindes Vitriol Salt-Armoniac and Salt-Niter which men commonly call Salt peter Among these salts two are flying and are mixed with liquors after an insensible manner that is to say Niter Salt-Armoniac of nature Niter doth participate of sulphur and of the oylie liquor of things Armoniac partaketh of Mercurie or of the Mercurial humour of things And these foresaid salts which are found both in earthie and metallick substances are deriued through the benefite of rootes into hearbs plants and trées which because they are alwayes in the earth they retaine the nature most chiefly of fixed salt And after the same manner the nature of fixed salt is to bée sought for in rootes In flowers also and in leaues there is great store of the other two flying Salts which béeing such they easily vanish away and come to nothing when the flowers and leaues doe wyther and waxe dry But those plants and hearbes which take their nourishment from fixed salt are alwayes kept flowrishing and gréene and therefore they doe the more strongly resist the fainting heate of Sommer and the morifying cold of Winter Moreouer their Rootes standing déepe in the ground they doe the more easily withstand all external iniuries And when the Spring commeth and the Sunne sendeth foorth his heate entring into the signe of Aries piercing the earth with his quickning beames hée stirreth the same and causeth her to open her bosome out of the which at the last shée powreth foorth abundantly those two liquid beginnings whereof wée haue spoken before The liquor or Mercurial vapour which is lifted vp through the Rootes with Salt Armoniac of a volatile nature by a certaine wonderfull manner of nature◠distilling and ascending into the trunke vnder the barke at which time trées may easily bée disbarked raiseth vp quickeneth and adorneth with gréene leaues trees and plants now hanging downe their heads and halfe dead And the other kinde of volatile salt Nitre-sulphurus mixed with the more volatile sulphur and oyle of nature doth cloath and decke the whole earth euery wherewith sundry sorts of most beautiful flowers And yet wée must not thinke héereupon that one vaporous liquor which procéedeth out of the earth is not partaker of the other séeing the Mercurial liquor is not without his sulphurus nor the sulphurus without his Mercurial And this is the cause why in the vegetable nature wée doe sée that some doe put out their leaues and flowers sooner than other some Nature therefore hath most wisely distributed those beginnings into all things And experience doth teach that somethings doe partake of this
may be seperated in such wife that the same Salt Armoniac being extracted the same liquor will be made swéete and potable and the Salt remaine by it selfe the which being againe mixed with spring water or with any other liquor deuoid of taste it wil make the same sharpe That same sharpnesse or Salt Armoniac spirituall is not onely found in Vitriol but also in common Salt in Niter yea in Sulphur also it selfe as also in all things For that sharpnesse is that very same which coagulateth Sulphur which is plentifully found therein For without it Sulphur will not cleane vnited but would be running as are other oyle-like liquors The same Salt Armoniac of nature is manifested vnto vs by that extraction of sharpe oyle which is drawen out of Sulphur whose nature is farre different from that of the said Sulphur For it is so farre from taking fleame that contrariwise it is a hinderance to gun-poulder not-suffering it to be inflamed with the touch of fire as is said already The same liquor doth dissolue pearles and coral no lesse then doth the iuice of Limons of Barberies or any other of that nature the which power it hath by the dissoluing vertue of Salt Armoniac of nature which is in it The like and by the same reason doth Vineger performe For Wine as is saide afore partaketh of the nature of Vitriol more then any other vegetable and containeth much of the foresaide sharpe Salt of nature He which doth exactly consider these things shal readily and out of true grounded reasons dissolue the question concerning the true and natural qualitie of Vineger which question hath troubled many of the most learned Piysitians For the dissoluing vertue which appeareth to be in Vineger euen in this that when clay or earth is put into it it wil as it were boyle argueth that the nature thereof is altogether hote Others on the coâ—trary part denying Vineger to be colde appoint it as a chiefe remedy to extinguish and represse external Inflamations Also by the taste which they affirme to bee the effect of coldnesse they conclude that Vineger is colde But they can very easily end this controuersie which haue the perfect knowledge of the nature of Salt Armoniac which Vineger containeth mat For this Salt is the true cause of dissoluing vertue But because the â—ame Salt is of force to coagulate spirits and to dissolue bodies therefore it is effectual and a singular remedy against both inward and outward inflamations For it doth coagulate the Niter Sulphurus exhalations which stirreth vp those inflamations For such heates and feauerous passions doe procéed out of the spirits onely either Niterous or Sulphurus arysing out of the Saltâ—Niter Sulphurus or tartarus of our body and lifted vp into euaporations which cause such vnkindly heates The which coÌ„meth not so to passe when the same spirits be as yet bound together and lye as it they were buried in their proper bodies or tartarous feces But if thou wilt yet knowe more manifestly the corrosiue force and inflaming heate of the saide spirits consider the strong waters which are nothing else but the spirits of Niter and Vitriol which thou shalt sée will dissolue siluer or any hard metall But if thou put but one onely ounce of siluer to one hundred pound waight of Vitriol and Niter as they are in their owne nature and body yet they will neuer be able to dissolue it It is therefore manifest that such violent forces and operations are onely in the spirits seperated euaporated and dissolued from their body the which forces thou shalt by no safer meanes take away and suppresse then if the same spirits bée againe incorporated and coagulated And this is performed by that Salt Armoniac sharpe of nature which is in Vineger as also in other things which haue sharpnesse But peraduenture there are some which now thinking that wee haue killed our selues with our owne swoord will inferre vpon the same example by vs alleaged that such essences prepared by Chymists are all for the most part spiritual and therfore by consequence are more violent remedies then is fitting for nature to beare and therefore cannot be giuen with safetie I would haue those which make this obiection to be in this wise answered That the reason is not all one and therefore the conclâ—sion not good For it we take the spirit of Vitriol or of Salt-Péeter which indéed are spirits partaking of the terrestrial fire yet neuerthelesse they may bee so swéetened and mingled with broathes or other conuenient liquor that they wil be very familiar to nature grateful sauory and gentle and not without great vertue and efficacie The iuice of Limons giuen by it selfe alone into great plenty can hurt the stomack For the which cause our maner is to mingle it with some liquor or with sugar and to bring it into a syrup or Iulep no lesse profitable then pleasing to the stomack But the vertue of the spirit of vitriol is better knowne at this day and commended of the most approued Physitians of diuers countries then that the ignorant can detract any thing from the dignity and praise thereâ—f It is reported very credibly that in France it is much vsed and commended for the effects it hath to extinguish burning feauers And not without iust cause for it is a most singular remedy not onely against feauers but also against many other contumacious sicknesses as hereafter in due place shal be shewed but it is fit that no other presume to administer it then such as are expert Phisitians not Emperikes and such as try conclusions by killing men Furthermore the sharpe spirit drawen out of Niter alone or Sulphur among the metallick Salts is of the same nature and property For these doe auaile no lesse then the other to extinguish feauers of what kind soeuer by their coagulatiâ—e vertue whereby they doe tame subdue and coagulate those Sulphurs and burning spirits of our body Moreouer there are other some which iudge vs worthy of much reprehension because we said afore that one and the selfe-same sharpe Salt Armoniar hath both vertue to dissolue and also to congeale which being effects contrary cannot procéed from one and the same cause according to the common opinion of Phylosophers To this we answere that as we haue spoken it so we will maintaine it And therefore we say againe that this Salt Armoniac sharpe of nature whereof we speake can both dissolue bodies and also which is more to be maruailed at congeale spirits yea and which is yet more wonderfull euen in the middest of fire it can congeale And concerning dissolution it shall not be necessary that we proue this because it is well known to persons of very meane skill And now to say somewhat for the ignorants sake The spirit of Vitriol or of Sulphur or of sower Niter wel prepared and seperated from all terrestreitie doth dissolue corall and pearles By which dissolution an excellent
remedy is made to stop the fluxes hepatic Lienterie and Dyssenterie where the liuer hath néed of spéedy corroboration But they must necessarily be prepared according to Art But now time and reason perswadeth vs that we say somewhat concerning the contrarie faculty of this sharpnesse which is contrary to the other coagulating effect To doe this little wit and lesse labour wil serue For they which are but meanely séene in the Spargerick Art and haue bene Chymists a very short time or if they be but common Apothecaries they know this and haue séene it in the preparation of quicksiluer whose liquor and running nature no exterior coldnesse no Elementall frost how great soeuer the same be congeale or fixe But if it be sublimed with Vitriol onely meanely calcined it will come to passe that Mercury or quick-siluer which desireth his coagulation as his perfection by a certaine magnetical vertue draweth into it selfe that Sulphur or that Salt Armoniac sharpe of nature by the benefit whereof of running it is made solid and firme so as thou maiest easily handle it Being brought into this forme it is commonly called Sublimate But to make it yet more perfect those which are careful and skilfull workmen reiterate their sublimations adding to this new Vitriol that by his Salt Armoniac of nature it may be impregnated And thus at the last it becommeth solid and cleare as any Christal Venis-glasse Spargeric Phylosophers can so dispoyle againe this Mercurie so prepared of his coagulation or of his sharpe Salt Armoniac of nature that he shal returne to his former state and of fixed shal become moueable and running But he is now perfectly clenâ—ed and is now no more commoÌ„ Mercury or Hydrargyre but the Phylosophers Mercury And now if the foresaid water be exhaled or vapored that there may remaine nothing but a sharpe liquor like vnto the spirit of Vitriol thou shalt haue a liquor more excellent then any Vitriolated spirit and truly spiritual And so in stéede of a great poyson which was mixed with Mercurie which was then nothing but a certaine terrestrial corrosiue fire thou shalt now haue the true spirit of Vitriol whose greater and better part vaporeth away is consumed and lost if it bee extracted according to the common manner with that great and violent fire by Retort This spirit prepared after the saide manner excéeding good and a special commaunder of the Epilepste if it be administred by a skilful Physitian not by an Emperick with proper and conuenient liquor And this is one tryal of the vertue of coagulating Mercury The same coagulating force of his doth manifestly appeare in those preparations which are called precipitations which are made with the sharpe spirits of Vitriol and of Sulphur by the meanes whereof it may be brought into a poulder which cannot be easily done by fire But that it may appeare that this coagulating power of Armoniac of nature is not oâ—ely vppon Mercurie ouer whome it can exercise this power but nothing at all vpon the spirits Niter Sulphurus of our bodies with the which quick-siluer hath no simpathy or conuenience we wil shew it by a certaine other manifest demonstration and the same most true as shall appeare to them which will try it And in the same experiment I wil also teach a very excellent remedy against Gangrena and all sorts of cankerous Vlcers if any bee loth to take it inwardly into the body because of the vrine ingredient Take the vrine of a boy betwéene the age of ten and sixtéene which drinketh wine in good quantity let it be depured according to Art Adde hereunto of Romane or Hungarian Vitriol for by these the operation wil be the better I say of the Vitriol twise so much Put it to digestion in Balneo Mar which is moyst by the space of fixe or eight dayes in one or in seueral glasse Allembicks For there is required much matter This digestion being ended thou shalt increase the fire of Balne til the water 〈◊〉 Presently set on a head with a receiuer and distill the water And the same which first commeth forth is an excellent Ophthalmick water for the eyes The second something more sharp then the former is excellent good to asswage the paines of the Gout Thus goe forward brging the heate of the Balne or else by hote ashes vntill the matter in the bottom of the Alembic remaine like vnto hony The which afterward thou shalt put into an yron vessel and putting fire vnder it stirre it continually with an yron spattle that it cleane not too this thou shalt continue so long vntil all the liquor is vapored away and that there remaineth onely the Salt of Vitriol and of the vrine dry in the bottome and in a certaine masse This being pouldred put it into a cornute wel luted hauing a wide receiuer wel closed that the spirits issue not forth Then put to a vehement fire such as is néedful for the making of strong water or the spirit of Vitrioll But the fire must bee moderated by degrées vntill it come to the highest degrée as Art requireth And then at the last you shall sée the receiuer filled euery where with white spirits which in that great heate will be congealed as it were into Isâ—-â—ickels hauing all bout the body of the receiuer much like vnto the hayse or white thréedes which in time of frost are congealed out of foggy mistes and doe hang vpon the trées These are the spirits of the Salt which through the vehement heate of the fire are thus formed This Ise may be kept after the maner of Salt Niter Wherof if thou giue one scruple or halfe a scruple in broath wine or other conuenient liquor it will shewe it selfe an excellent remedy against all obstructions of the Liuer and of the spleene it prouoketh vrines and is also a special remedy against the Stone The same Ise being brought into water for it will easily be dissolued is a principal remedy for Inflamations and Gangrenas which very sodainly it extinguisheth Out of this so faire and noble experient euery true Phylosopher and Physitian will take occasion of séeking and searching further then the common sort are woont and so he may more certainly finde out the causes of stones congealed which are ingendred of the same salts or tartarous matter in diuers parts of our body He will also haue more quick insight into many other diseases which come by the coagulation of the foresaid sharp and Vitciolated spirits or else of the euaporations of other most sharpe spirits from whence Inflamations and gouty paines with swellings doe spring by the inward vertue of the thickened spirits aforesaid These things being thus knowne a remedy wil easily be found to mittigate and to dissolue such calculous and stony matter if we marke and consider diligently where that sharpe vertue lyeth hidden and wherein also the coagulatiue propertie of the said spirits are Also
by intemperate life by a naturall disposition by the thicknesse of the skinne or by such like occasions then it cannot be but that such bodies shal be subiect to many other diseases than those whereof we haue spoken before It is also to bée remembred in this place that in all these euaporations ordinarie exhalations somewhat of our substancetying nectar of life or of our radical Balsam doth also breathe away The which breathing if it be gently and sparingly and without all manner violence and force but by a certaine voluntarie continuance and naturall then our age is prolonged in the meane time declining to extreame old age by little and little vntill al our water of life or radical oyle which continueth the lampe of our life be consumed But if the sayd exhalation or breathing bée violently and suddenly enforced as it commeth to passe in burning feauours and in many other sicknesses faintings passions and most vehement motions of the spirits of our body then our life shall be preuented before age Haereupon commeth the vntimely and in some sort the violant death of many and yet the cause of such violence comming from an internal occasion And because it is very pertinent and necessarie that wée rightly vnderstand those things which wée haue now spoken concerning the natures of the contents in vs that is to say of the enforcings moystenings and out-flowings and so much the rather because by them wée come to the knowledge of our â—pirits and of our radicial moysture or nectar of life and also to the causes of the conseruation prolongation destruction and abreuiation of our life I wil therefore now declare them all by an example whereby euery one which wil giue eare may come to the perfect knowledge of those things And yet wée doe not much estéeme presumptions probable reasons or authorities but wée wil ground our demonstration vppon the very senses themselues that those things which wée speake may bée both séene and felt And if so bée any bée so farre deuoyd of shame that hée will yet obstinately contradict vs we will say to him as sometime Aâ—errho said One experience is more of value than many reasons Experience cannot bée without sense he which denieth sense is worthy to haue no vse of sense And forasmuch as Aristotle sayd that the foundation of all demonstration is in sense Who is hee that dare gainesay it Therefore wée wil take Wine againe for an example forsomuch as wée vsed the same before In which wine how apparantly and manifestly doe such separations and excrements appeare to bée made And this it doth by his owne proper nature that the more easily the nature of either of them and of both may manifestly bée knowen by this Analogie and resemblance which it hath with our blood For by the clensing of wine wée know the vitall Anatomie of our blood and by the same it will appeare which are our natural spirits ethereal as also which is our natiue heate and radicall moysture which two doe vphold our body and defend our life and of whose helpe either of them haue néede forasmuch as that radicall moysture is the foode and nourisher of heate and this same heate subsisteth by the benefite of that moysture Thus these two replenished with spirit and as it were knit together are spred and diffused through the whole body By this same example the difference betwéene nourishing vital humiditie and that which is vnprofitable and excremental wil plainly appeare Furthermore it wil appeare which be moyst and which be dry in that kind of moystures which are outflowing and which of them are hurtful to our nature and which profitable By which anatomie of blood the reader willing to learne shal profit more as I thinke because we referre those foure humors whereof they make blood one to the very same and doe by a certaine analogie and resemblance compare it therewith But to come to the 〈◊〉 Therefore when the wine is prepared the clusters of grapes are crushed in the wine-presse first and the skinnes and kernels with the stalkes are throwne away Then the vnprofitable clensings and excrements being partly by mans industrie and partly by the nature of the wine it selfe being reiected the wine is powred into caskes and vessels In these digestion being made by his owne force it seperateth and purgeth forth together those seculent and more grosse superfluities This done the wine is all most perfect and fit for drinke and nourishment That first artificiall preperation of wine which is made by the expression and separation of the Vintners doth after a certaine manner represent vnto vs the preparation of wheate in the which separation the chaffe and the branne being taken away the rest is grouÌ„d into meale that it may be more fit for nourishment Euen so in like maner in our mouthes first preparation of the flesh is made from the bones or such like And the expression or grinding is made with the mouth and téeth then after due chewing the meate is sent down into the stomach This is the first resembled preparation of our nourishment with that first preparation of wine and wheate and that which is put into our stomach answereth that wine which at the first is put into vessels the meale which is ground Therefore after this there is another working in the stomach by nature For whatsoeuer the stomach receiueth it concocteth and digesteth yea all kind of meates mixed together like wine in his caskâ— or any other kind of drinke made of hony fruites barley or of water wherein diuers things are sodden The stomach therefore is that vessell of nature wherein not only the matter put into it is concocted and digested but also it is the same which seperateth the tartarous feces and whatsoeuer is excremental therein by such passages and vents as nature hath prouided to that end At the length after much purifying the blood is clensed being the red fountaine and the original of the spirits of our life euen like as wine which throughly fined is preferred before all others which serue for the nourishing and restoring of our life But let vs now procéede 〈…〉 Out of this artificial wine with the hâ—â—pe of gentle fire by circulatorie vessels as they terme them is extracted a fire of nature which attendeth the radical moysture namely a water of life wholy fiery and ethereal a quintessence altogether spiritual and almost of an incorruptible nature After the very same manner through the benefite of nature and by Circulation which is made by the heate of the Heart and of the Liuer there is generated and extracted in vs that quickening fire accompanied and nourished with his proper vnctuous humour and radical which is the water of life and true and quickening Nectar the quintessence and almost the ethereal spirit the incorruptible vpholder and conseruer of our life This also here by the way commeth to be noted in the operatioÌ„ of the foresaid wine which is also
worthy the marking and admiration namely that two or thrée fiery coales and no moe put vnder a large vessel or chaldrone which may containe sixe gallons will heate the same wine and will procure the spirit of wine to distill when as by that small heate a much lesse portion of water cannot bée made blood warme But which is more to bée maruailed at and obserued when the same spirit of wine doth passe through the Colunrina as they terme it namely by very long cunduites and pipes of brasse reforsed fit for this distillation it doth so heate them as also a whole pipeful of cold water-besidâ— and farâ— enough from fire in the which the saide pipes are moystened that a man may scarce handle them The which is to bee attributed to the great heate which the spirit of wine giueth to the colde water passing through the foresaide pipes For when all the spirit of wine is distilled forth although thou put vnder the saide vessell a much more vehement fire yet thou shalt féele the heate of that water in the vessel contained to bée extinguished and cooled The which should put vs in minde what is the next cause and original of natural or connatural heate in vs for this heate is stirres vp in vs by the continual circulation of the quickening spirit of our blood When all this water of life is at last distilled forth by a certaine internal external and violent heate or else vtterly wasted by progresse of time then doth appeare the extinction of that quickening heate and cold death insueth But to returne to the matter After the extraction of the true Aqua-Vitae or spirit of wine which is the whole purity of those thrée substantial beginnings whole liquor representeth Mercury whose flame which it readily conceiueth sheweth the Sulphurus nature and the excéeding strong taste declareth the spirit of Salt Armoniac there remaineth great plenty of â—â—eame or of Mercurial water which as yet containeth some quantity of spirit of wine But the last remainder is no better then vnprofitable water which soone corrupteth in like manner after the extraction of the water of life which is truly spiritual from out of our blood there remaineth in our body that moyst and moystening liquor which is partly nourishing and partly excrementall as is saide afore Lastly there remaine ouer and aboue the former the Feces Tartarous residences and Niterus Sulphurus matter which containe many stinking Impurities as also greate plentie of Salt The impurities doe sufficiently shewe the impurities in the eyes and filthy stinkes out of the nosthrils where as diuers oyles are distilled out of the said feces by vehement fire And out of the very feces there is extracted Salt if they be calcined and the same is also fixed with his proper fleame as we haue shewed afore in the working of the same vegetable This Salt is made Volatil with Salt Armoniac flying contained in his own spirit or water of life procéeding as we haue already shewed In like sort in blood beside that spirit of life and Mercurial liquor which two may in very déede be seperated from blood it selfe and shewed to the eye after conuenient digestions in the heate of Balne Mary which resembleth the heate of nature that it may the better and more easily appeare how the same heate and the same nature in vs maketh the same seperations and operations I say beside those two a certaine soft consistence like liquor wil reside in the bottome wherein thou shalt finde many impurities to be séene and smelt if the same matter be dryed vpon a fire of ashes proportionable to the heate of a feauer and no greater This Niter-Sulphurus stinke is that which manifestly causeth in vs fiery meteors as wel in the vpper as in the inferiour part of the body and which bringeth forth innumerable passions and paines beside as is already shewed afore So also by the force of the fire Sulphurs and oyles thick and gluing like pitch may be seperated out of the feces and tartar of blood no lesse then out of wine so offensiue with stinke as thou art not able to abide the odour thereof whereof how many diseases may arise in our bodies euery man may easily coniecture This done there wil remaine ashes out of which a Salt is extracted the which by the vertue of the Salt Armoniac of nature may be made Volatil and the very same which Lullie calleth the greater Lunarie for the imitation of the vegetable work This worke is very admirable by which the true Numie the vniuersal Medicine and the true Balsam conseruing and restoring nature is made And this is the true and vital anatomie of blood which by manifest demonstration we haue shewed that it hath a great analogie proportion and resemblance with wine when as a true Phylosopher as wel out of the one as out of the other sauing that the one requireth greater artifice knoweth how to seperate waters of life méerely spirituall which are saide to be very forcible and strong and beside these Mercuriall liquors which are as wel profitable as hurtful which are also moystening and finally which knoweth how to extract vapors and exhalations fuming which are called out-flowings Now therefore if so be in wine which we easily vse to nourish our bodies and the same pure and cleare after the seperation of the spirit thereof we sée and behold so many vnkindly things and so impure how many more grosse impurities I pray you shall we finde in the Lées of wines cleaning to the caskes and in the grosse residence of the same They which knowe and vnderstand that great and excéeding blacknesse of wine lées which is manifestly to be séene in the calcination thereof and the sepreation of his spirit and of his oyle red blacke and stinking which is done by destillation they I say can giue cleare testimony and credibly informe what a great stinke there is in the Sulphur thereof and how great the acrimony and byting sharpnesse is in the same tartar or lées by reason of the Salt which is extracted out of the same and the oyle which is made by the resolution of the same Salt of tartar And trust mée in the feces of the same wine there are found beside the things already spoken those matters which are more grosse impure and stinking as they wel knowe who to calcine them into ashes which they call clanelated are compelled to goe out of the Cities into the fieldes and places further off by reason of their excéeding infection and stinke with the which they are wont to infect the places néere adioyning What maruaile is it then as is shewed afore if in our blood after the seperation of the true spirit there are found so many vnkindly tartarous stinking and Sulphurus impurities But what maruaile I say if more and greater impurities and stinkes are to bee found in diuers of the Heterogeneal parts of the Chylus or best matter digested in the stomach for nourishment from whence
from things out of which a moisture or liquor may be drawne For after one maner Hony after another Sulphur after another Wine after an other Waxe after another Turpentines and Gimmes as Mastic Euphorbum Styrar and such like after another Salts after another Hearbs after another Rootes after another many seedes are to be distilled The second difference is taken from the diuersitie of the liquor distilled For waters are otherwise extracted then are oyles As for example out of Hearbes Rootes Flowers and seedes which are not dry but growing waters are extracted by simple distillation without the admixture of any other liquor But out of Rootes Hearbes Flowers and séedes which are dry and odoriferus the floating oyles are not extracted without the meanes of some water or other liquor as a helpe The third difference dependeth vpon the matter and fashion of the vessels Vpon the matter for one vessel is of earth another of brasse another of lead another of glasse Vpon the fashion also for there is one maner of distillation by an Allembic another by a Cornut another by a Matrat and another by a Pellican and so of others The fourth difference is by the site and placing of the vessell For if it be by a right Cucurbit which hath a head with a pipe or beake or whether it be inclining or crooked we call such distillations by ascent or when the neck of one Matrate or cucurbit is put into the neck of another that is to say whē the vessels by concourse are so ioyned together that one taketh in the mouth of the other and the same by a diuers position and by these most commonly are distilled those things which doe hardly ascend and haue small store of iuice Many things also are distilled by discent that vessell which containeth the matter turned the wrong way and put into the other the which manner of working is called by Discent and is contrary to that which is by Ascent By Discent are distilled Ceates and sundry kinds of fat wood as Giraiacum Iunipar and those of rosen sort The fifth difference is by the degrees of fire which are foure the first second third and fourth The first is soft and gentle such is the fire of Balne M. or of vapour the second is of ashes the third is of sand or of the dust of yron that falleth from the Smithes hammer in his worke at the Stythée The fourth is of bare fire By the first and second degrée of fire we distill by Ascent by the third and fourth we distil by concourse and Discent Thus oyles are distilled out of Salts as out of common Salt out of Vitriol and out of such like But before you begin to distil be sure that you dissolue putrifie But because mention is made before of Digestion and Fermentation I will shew you plainly how by these two meanes you may extract out of Roses a most Fragrant water of life and so excellent that one droppe thereof shall giue a swéete sent and odour to a great quantity of common water and wil also make the the same most profitable and swéete Therefore take Roses gathered it 〈…〉 when there is neither raine nor 〈◊〉 vppon them but tarry till the Sunne with his beames hath 〈◊〉 and taken away that humiditie Gather then of them a good quantity and then bruise or beate them in a stone 〈◊〉 or else thou shalt put them into a small bonlet of oake and shalt with diligence presse them in with thy hands in such sort that the vessell may bee stuffed ful almost to the toppe Then stoppe and close it vp that Digestion may more easily bee made and set in a wine seller by the space of one moneth or longer if néede require vntill thou shalt perceiue that the foresaide matter haue the odour of tart wine whereby thou shalt knowe that the Fermentation is perfected and so long it must at any hand bee delayed vntill the foresaide signe doe appeare These things thus finished take to thée the fourth or fifth part of the Roses Fermented according to the greatnesse of thy vessel which necessarily must be such as the Chymicall Distillars doe vse wherewith they extract their oyles and Aqna-Vitae the which indéede are large and of Brasse rather then of Lead furnished with their refrigeatories as they terme them which being full of water the spirits made thick through cold are more easily and commodiously drawen forth Taking I say that portion of Fermented Roses distill them according to the wonted maner That done seperate the feces remayning which subsist in the bottome of the Allembic and put so much of the Fermented Roses aforesaid into the same vessell and power vpon them the water extracted before distilling altogether againe vntill there appeare diuers thy vessell as well closed as may be as is said afore Gather againe the dryed feces the which it thou wilt thou maiest reserue with the former feces and put the same quantity of the foresaide Roses into the Allembic which thou diddest before vpon which againe thou shalt power all the distilled water And this thou shalt doe so often vntill thou hast distilled all the said fermented Roses These things orderly done thou shalt take all the distilled water and shalt distill onely the twelth part thereof with a gentle fire in a vessell with a long neck or Matrate or in such a one as Aqua-Vitae is distilled which is the quantity of all the spiritualls almost As for example if thou haue twelue pound of water thou shalt onely extract one pound which wil be very odoriserus most swéete and spiritual as ready to take flame as is that which is extracted out of wine This water if thou wilt yet make of greater vertue thou maiest rectified againe But the rest of the water which shal remaine in the bottome of the Allembic will be more fragrant and better then that which is distilled after the cōmon maner whereinto also thou maist conuey his Salt and insert it by bringing the foresaid feces to calcination meshing the same oftentimes through Hypocrates sléene or bagge with water whereby it shal more easily draw vnto it and retaine that Salt After the same maner also thou maiest draw waters of life out of violets and other flowers and especially out of them which are hote and odoriferus as Rosemary Sage Betonie and such other like which are better and more effectuall against sicknesses then if they be made according to the common order The least quantity hereof will worke wonderful effects If our Apothecaries would acquaint themselues with these Concoctions Fermentations and Digestions and vnderstand them aright in their workings immitating nature after a certaine maner they should be able to effect diuers commendable and profitable preparations Yea it is not fitting the Apothecary alone to know these things but for the Physitian also the commander and director of the Apothecarie if he respect his humour and the health of his patient But these things
blood draweth his first beginning of his composition That tartar or lées is of the blood which cleaueth to the vessels of the bowels Now the feces of the Chylus are nothing else but that huge heape of excrements of diuers sorts which are in that nourishment existing in diuers parts of the body And when those Niter-Sulphurus and tartarous impurities cannot by nature be digested ouercome and expelled they stuffe the bowels they are made the seminarie and store-house of most grieuous sicknesses so that if we will confesse the truth we must of necessity say with great Hipocrates that sicknesses haue both their séedes and also their rootes in our bodies the which most euidently appeareth by the foresaide comparison of wine and blood The which standeth vpon apparant and sensible foundations and not vpon doubtfull figments and Imaginations And as we sée in the spring times when nature putteth forth her flowers that the lées of wine are mixed with the wine it selfe and doe trouble it and oftentimes corrupt it and that as in the excéeding heate of the Sommer Sunne the more hote Sulphurus part of the same wine that is the spirit may and is woont to vapour away whereof followeth the corruption of the same wine euen so also about the same seasons and times the feces and tartarous heape mixed with our blood doth at the last peruert and corrupt it hereof commeth the occasion and multiplication of sicknesses For the spirit of blood being disprearced and seperated both by external and also by internal heate it must needes bée corrupted to the which corruption arising of the said causes the cause of many sicknesses is rather to be referred then to those bare simple qualities of hote and cold dry and moyst As therefore we haue taught in the seperation of the true spirit of wine which resembleth the celestiall and spiritual Nectar of our life many impurities thereof doe manifestly appeare euen so and after the very same sort it fareth with wheate with fruits and with meates and drinkes prepared of them and generally with all other vegetable things procéeding after the same maner as we haue said concerning wine For they haue no light proportion with our blood according to this saying We are nourished with those things whereof we consist which thou maiest aptly turne and say we consist of those things wherewith we are nourished But the one partaketh of the other or of this or of that more then of the other as for example of the spirit of the Mercurial liquor of Salt of the feces of the stinking vnprofitable excremēts which is the reason that out of this or that more commendable kinde of meate the more worthy and commendable blood is generated Therefore to adde one example more in stéed of a surplussage of waight let it not be forgotten that out of Hydromel Cider Ale or such like kind of drinkes out of their feces the same preparations and seperations as wel of a commendable liquor as of feces may be made after the same maner as we haue before shewed to be done concerning wine and that the beginnings and heterogeneall and vnnaturall parts may in the same sort be extracted out of these as out of that other To conclude thou maiest with better successe learne the beginnings of sicknesses by making a comparison betwéene the preparation and seperation of those things which giue nourishment vnto man and our blood then if according to the cōmon maner thou haue recourse to the humours bare qualities and so to séeke out and discerne the causes originals of sicknesses by a certaine witty contemplation rather then by that which is more true and infallible Thus we haue thought good to set down these things by way of anticipation concerning the exact and internal anatomy of humours concerning also the artificiall examining of them both that thereby it might appeare from whence the natural impressions of things the infallible causes of diseases are to be sought as also that the true Philosophers Physitians may vnderstand thereby the way to cōpound prepare and administer artificially medicines and remedies which now we intend to shew euen according to the order and method of the Dogmatickes So as wée thinke it not good vtterly to reiect the olde nor wholy to followe the newe but to restore the old forme of composition of Medicines increased and amended with many of our inuentions experiments and compositions for the publique good and for the health of the sicke as also for the instruction of some ignorant Physitians An Elixir of our description A wonderfull remedy to cure inueterate and almost desperate diseases and to conserue health and to prolong life as followeth TAke of the roote of Zedoary of Angelica of Gentian of Valerian Tormentil or Setfoyle Goates beard Galanga the wood Aloes and citrine or yeallow Sanders of each thrée Ounces Of Baume of red Mint Maioran Basil Hysope Germander Chamepithis of each halfe a handfull of Lawrell Berries Iuniper of the séedes Peony of Seseli or Comin of Anis of Mugwoort of Cardus-Benedictus of each two ounces the barke of Citrine of Missel of the oake and of all the Mirabolans of each one Ounce Cloues Cinamum Mace Ginger Cubebs Cardamony Pepper long and round Spikenard of each one ounce and a halfe Aloes Hepat Myrrhe Olebanum Mastic of each sixe Drachmes The flowers of Rosemary of Sage of Stechados of Mary-golds of Saint Ihons woort of centaury the lesser of Betonie of the Linden tree of each so many as yée can gripe with two fingers and the thumbe at twise of the flowers of Chicory commonly called Suckary of red Roses and of Buglosse of each one gripe in like sort onely of gruat hony and of white Suger of each one pound Of Aqua-Vitae after the best maner rectified ten pound Cut that which is to be cut and beate that which is to be beaten All these things being put into a large Matrat and close stopt that no breath come forth set in horse-dung meanely hote by the space of eight or ten dayes to putrifie Being putrified let them be hard and well pressed or strained and put the liquor distrained into an Allembic and distill it by a Cornute at aconuenient fire The first water which commeth forth from the distrained liquor wil be most cleare kéepe it by it selfe for it is precious Thy Receiuer being of glasse must be of good receit and must be passing wel closed with the Cornute by the necke that the least vapour come not forth And when the Receyuer beginneth to bée darkened and to be filled with white spirits thou shalt increase thy fire by degrées a little and a little according to arte vntil the said whited spirits appeare no more Then take away the Receiuer that thou mayst put by it self that water which commeth foorth the second time and kéepe it wel it is called the mother of Balsam being very profitable to roote out many sicknesses and to