There is also an oile made of sal nitri the which doth cui and disperse humors in the bellie it dischargeth the bladder of superfluous humours it preserueth health linguae nigrae calidaeque medetur it helpeth vlcers in the mouth vlcerâ—â— bus canis conuenit c. Sal petrae fusibills Salt peter is a certaine matter made of stones and is thus prepared Rec. Calcis viui q. v. and couer it two fingers high with water and stirre it well then let it stand 24. howres you shall finde vppon it a certaine skumme or skin the which is the salt which gather diligently with a scummer take of that salt and put thereunto a third part of pure oile of tartar and it will be fusible for this is the true salt peter this serueth also to the making of glasse and smaltes and is apt to cause all mettalles to melt and mixe with any alchimicall medicine and is of great vertue Colirium contra pustulas maculas pannas cataractas similes affectus oculorum quod visum acuit mirè conseruat REcip. Limature auri purissimi Ê’ ss Balsami Croci ambrae ana scru 2. Musci opij anae scru 1. tutiae extinctae nouies in vrina pueri Ê’ 1. tragaganthi sagapeni galbani stercoris lacertae ana Ê’ ss lapidis calaminaris vitrioli albi saccari candi aloes hepatica ana 1. scru Cortic myrobalan citrinaruÌ„ indaruÌ„ ana Ê’ i. Castorei Ossis sepiae ana ℈ ss fellis vulturis humani vrsini aquilae anâ—Ê’ ij make of all these a coliri with sufficient quantitie of the iuice of fennell rue and celandine of the which yee shall put two or three droppes in the corner of the eie In steed of that yee may vse many times this medicin the which hath a great vertue in all liuing creatures Rec. A glasse and fill it halfe ful of wine and set it in an Ant hill that they may creepe into the wine then distill them altogether or else let the antes stande in putrifaction 5. or 6. daies in the wine and straine them forth then distill it of the which essence yee shall put 2. or 3. drops into the eies It is most chiefly against cataractes redde and painful eies if the disease haue longe continued and hath fattie â—arnositie in the eie first yee shall put into the eie a litle burnt allome vntill the flesh be eaten away and then leaue A most excellent clister dispereing wind dryuing forth water against Hidropem asciten adiuncta timpanitâ— ascirrho iâ—cinorâ— REcip. the vrine of a sucking child â„¥ 10. and boile therein wheat the feede of fenel aniseed dyll ana â„¥ i. ss purifyed hony â„¥ i. fiat Clister Of the causes and reasons of spagiricke preparations of simple purgations HYpocrates in his booke de natura humana doth write that purging medicines doe drawe vnto them the humors which are vnnaturall in the body not by a common mingled quallitie but by the simillytude or property of the whole substance and an ingrafted famillyaritie Whose sentence Galen confirmeth against Asclepiadem and Erassistratum who thought that purging medicynes could not drawe any one humor but whatsoeuer they touched they could conuert turne it into their owne nature and so indifferently like leaches or boxes to draw the sharpe thinne humors as is most apt to purge rather then grosse and thicke But whereas al alterations are done either by force of heate or by driuing away the emptie or by a similitude of the whole substance that onely as Galen writeth is done with the Simâ—athiae of quallities or els with the likenes of the whole essence which things though I haue plainely shewed them yet they cannot be expressed with wotdes and the Greekes call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a propertie which cannot be declared So the Amber doth draw strawes and the loadstone Iron by which reason it is saide that Rhabarbe expelleth coller Agaricke fleame and Senna blacke choller although besides this peculier power of purging euery one of them haue a certaine generall facultie to drawe other humors which is to be iudged by the composition of many medycines with which we vse to purge diuers humors which alone would not suffice to purge by themselues if those simples did not worke together with naturall helpe to euacuate with a common force did prouoke the expulsiue power It is ment saith Galen that the simples mingled together doe agree and not differ in any thing Amongst these medicines some bee dygestiues of choller which cheifly euacuate yellow choller some of fleagme that euacuat fleame some of mellancholly which euacuate blacke choller and so forth of the other humors Therebe also other medicines which by the vaines of the inward partes and belly doe cast out the bloud it selfe which are called Jmpropriae seeing they bee poysons neither doe they alone purge but also destroye and kill as Galen witnesseth who telleth a historie of a certaine man that had found an herbe which firste toke awaye the blood of them that tooke it and then afterwarde the life also but those are to be reiected of al other for the true only euacuating of blood is done by opening of a vaine not by those medicines which by a certaine maligne and sharpe quallitie and deadly propertie doe eate the vaines and by alteration cast out the blood the treasure of life not without great violence of spirites and vexation of nature But of these purging medicines there are 3. orders or sortes The first malignaunt in which is a certaine vennamous power and substance except they be prepared as they ought among which are numbred of the roots these Eleborus niger turbith hermodactilus Esula Cucumeris agrestis Asarum Thymelaea Chamaelaea Among gumes scamonium Euforbium sagapenum Among fruits and seedes Colocynthis Lathyris Among stones Armenus Cyanus Which medicines if at any time they doe not purge as they should they doe the bodie much hurt as Galen writeth The second are more milder or gentle which are so called because they purge gentlie without any greife and they voide the hurtfull humors not of the whole body but of certain partes and soften the belly and do but litle decline from nourishing of nature which among herbes are theise Malua Mercurialis Violae Rosae Brassica Beta serum lactis purnes manna theribinthina cassia medulla which neede no other preparation then the common that they may be safly taken The third sorte are of meane among the which are Aloe Agaricus Cnicus Senna Amongst rootes Rhabarbari â—oliâ—odij Jridis raphani siluestris mechoacam Eupatorij mesuae Which last simples were lately found out and the roote of the former is all together like in force vnto the vitis ingrae All these are called Men because they euacuate only superfluous humors which are vnfit to norrish the body and that without great labor and cheifly if they be well prepared and their due
were yong againe There are diuers and sundrie preparations made thereof which here I do omit for breuity sake Of Siluer Cap. 2. SIluer which amongest all other metalles obtaineth the second degree of perfection is also temperat and doth some way emoulate the qualities of gold which Phisitions do minister against the same diseases especially against frensies and all melancholy greefes and to comfort the braine It is put into the Electuary of peatles laeticia Galeni aurea alexandrina and almost in all Antidotes wherein gold is vsed Neither is it otherwise prepared then after the manner of gold only that it is brought into thinne leaues and filinges But the spagerickes out of siluer itselfe draw an oile wherof 2 or 3 drops are giuen with water of Betony flowers sage or balme against the falling sicknes and all diseases of the braine as wee haue shewed and it is thus prepared Then Calcine fine coppell siluer with the oile of salt so often that it can not be brought into his body againe and thenwash the calx or powder vntill it bee sweet and reuerberate it out of the which thou shalt draw forth his proper salt in balneo then circulate it with the spirit of wine 15. daies in a pellicane to his perfect graduation the menstrue being seperated in balneo there remaineth in the bottom the oile of Lune fixed which is the best medecine for the aforesaid purposes Of Jron Cap. 3. THe ancient phisitions vsed Iron especially the scalles of steele to drye and a stringe and for that cause they quenched steele oftentimes in water whereby the water did gather a vehement force of drying which being dronke did cure the splene and the wine also wherein it is quenched doth helpe the chollike and disenterie is good for those that are troubled with choller and to strengthen weake stomackes as Aegneta and Actius haue learnedly written for Aâ—tius in his 14. booke reporteth that the scalles of steele brought into powder is giueÌ„ by it selfe vnto those that haue the splene especially to countriemen and such as are strong which kind of remedie is much vsed now a daies amongest Phisicions for the curing of the same diseases yet many of them condemne our mettalline remedies and conclude that they are to bee reiected as most venemous notwithstanding the ancient Phisitions haue drawen many inwarde medicines out of mettalles wherewith they helped many diseases as it may be seene Who then will disalow their due preparations and extractions of their quintessences Concerning Iron as it is not without byting so by spagyricall preparation it looseth his corrosiue qualities because there is a certaine sub till substance drawne out of it or els it is brought into oile which may be ministred inwardly with more safetee and with great profite against the same diseases because it may be suffered of the naturall heate and it wil also worke kindly vpon the bodie This Galen also doth testify in his 9. boke of the properties of simple medicines 42. chap. where he speaketh of the scalles of brasse all scalles saith he doe drie verie sore but they differ among themselues for some drie more some lesse because some are of a more grosse and some of a more thinne essence afterward he addeth but all flakes or scalles are strongly byting wherby it is euident that the matter of their substance is not thin but rather grosse for amongest those thinges which haue that quallitye that which is the thinnest is least byting The Spagyrikes therefore do draw out of Iron but especially of steele a most subtill substance which also with the fier of reuerberation they make thinner and thereof prepare crocus martis out of the which afterward they draw their oile which is a most excellent and no byting medicine against the Diarrheam lienteria Disenteria flux of the liuer a notable medicine for the stomacke and against all issues of bloud as well inward as outward if it be mixed with conserue of Roses or Comferie being prepared and confected after this manner Rec. the filinges of steele wash it often with salt water then afterwarde with fresh water then put thereon sharpe vineger that it may be couered foure fingers high let it staÌ„d certaine daies in the sunne powring on fresh viniger oftentimes that the filings may be made subtill This ye shall reuerberate a whole day in an open vessall vntil it be brought into a fine light red powder by the force of fire the which you may vse Then with his sharpe menstrue or the spirit of wine well prepared you may drawe easily forth his spirite whereof ye may make his oile whereof one drop is giuen in a conuenient decoction or mingled with some astringeÌ„t conserue to the vses afore said In this manner also is a lawdable medecine made out of Iron Calcine the filinges of Iron in a violent fire with the flower of sulphur vntill all the filings be come red and till the stinking earth be vanished away reuerberat this the space of a whole day and it will come to a very fine purple powder the which as I say before may be kept for your vse Balsamum martis VPon the filinges of Iron often washed with salt water powre sharpe vineger that it may bee couered four fingers aboue your filinges set it vpon warme ashes eight daies euery day stirring the matter and seperat the vineger which will be coloured red and powring on new vineger againe And that so long till the vineger be no more coloured red which being taken away take the powder that remained in the bottom and sub lime it with a like portion of sal armoniake the same sublimate yee shall returne againe so often vpon his feeces and sublime againe vntill they appear of the colour of a Rubie then cast all into scalding water that the salt may dissolue which done by and by put on cold water the feeces of Mars wil remaine in the botom like the calxe of gold powre away the water and power on fresh that the balme may bee made sweat In the aforesaid order you may make crocus veneris and balsamum veneris Of Coper Cap. 4. THe Phisitions doe vse copper diuersly prepared in their plasters and vnguentes for chi urgerie viz. For Emplastrum Apostolicum Nicolai Alexandrim and Viride aeris Emplastrum diuinum Nicolai Praepositi unguenium Apostolorum Auicenae and Egyptiacum Mesue All which do clense vehemently but not without some biting for they are sharpe out of the which notwithstanding by often washinges before they be mingled the sharpenes is taken away and they be made in manner of Epulotica medicines most apt to clense roâ—ten and hollow vlcers The Châ—micall phisitions prepare out of the said coper other medicines against the same diseases and to cure all eating hollow and rotten vlcers much more excellent which will worke without any byting or paine Calcine therefore your copper after the common manerthen out of
pox Likewise the fistula and all callowes matters Ex triapharmaco and the aforesaid precipitate is made a plaster which being put into the necke of the bladder with a waxe candle or small tent as it ought cureth the vlcers of it and taketh away the flesh without paine or danger The fixing water for the said turpetum is made ex Climia lapide Sedenegi lapide perlato marchasitarum sulphure rubicundo lacerta viridi rubra halinitro sale aluminoso this made after the manner of Aqua fortis among all waters of graduation this is the chiefest and verie fixing if any attaine vnto it truely Of mercury also are made other medicines for there is made of it being first prepared as it ought Amalgamy with gold which is put into a bolts head and closed with Hermes seall so being kept in a temperate fire 20. daies is brought to a yellowish fixed powder the signe of perfection is when it will not vapour away by force of fire neither be quickned againe in water This medicine is Diaphoretical and is ministred for the forenamed diseases specially to cure the pox onely by sweates There is also made of Mercurie a balme with the water of the calex of egge-shelles and tartar also a most excellent oile for fistulaes all vlcers and callosites this shall suffice to bee spoken of Mercurie so that this one thing being noted that the whole perfection of this medicine consisteth in the fixing and dulcifying of it Of Arsenicke Chap. 7. AMongest the corrosiue medicines which by the extreame sharpnes of heat do distroy our naturall heate or conuert it into fiery quallity and by their malignant nature dissolue the naturall moysture consume all the substāce of the bodie and cause putrifaction with stinche the Phisitions do accompt Arsenicke sandrake and orpiment and therefore do iudge the vse of those medicines very perilous in chirurgery nether by any meanes necessary because they are so venemous and contrary to our nature This they may verie well say if they knew not their true preparatiōs wherby they are made apt to cure many outward infirmities These medecines are said to be venemous for their maligne quallitie and sharpnes But that euil quallity consisteth in the spirit stinking aire or blacke smoake which it sendeth out with a small heate but the sharpnes is onely in the salt This venemous and blacke smoke when it is raised by natural heate doth weake the matter of the part corrupteth it oftentimes killeth as if one had dronke poison if it be not laide too farre from the principall partes specially the skin being wounded which happened to a certaine woman and Fernelius the chiefe of phisitions of our time witnesseth that he saw it seeing that maligne quality is in the blacke smoke it must be altogether fixed for by fixing as we said before in the chapter of mercurie all the venom is taken away from the spirites as from arsenicke mercurie orpiment others The sharpnes is taken away by extracting the salt which may be done by their proper washinges as wee haue before shewed by which reason arsenike shall not hurt but profit much in locall medicines for poisoned woundes the wolfe fistula canker and gangrena if it be dulie prepared fixed and sweetned Of which true preparation Dioscorides seemeth secretly to intreat of when as hee speaketh of that metalline sandaraca which in the beginning of the chapter he writeth to smell of sulfur It is giuen with mulsum to those that coughe out rotten matter and to those that are short winded it is verie well giuen in drinke with rosen It is verie hurtful to geue sandrake vnprepared when as Galen doth witnes it is of a burning quallitie vnto whose opinion Dioscorides also agreeth in the sixt booke 29. chapter of simples Therefore it will not be amisse or hurtfull to vse arsenicke or any other corosiue medicine being prepared in chirurgerie specially the preparation therof is thus sublime arsenicke 3. times with salt prepared and rubifyed vitrioll the scalles of Iron that yee may purge it which afterward yee shall fixe with salt peeter giuing fyer by degrees the space of 24. howres and it will be a masse whiter then snow Resembling the colour of pearles which yee shall dissolue in warme water to draw out his salt and there will remaine in the bottome a verie white powder which being dried ye shal fix with the like waight of olei inceratiuiex talco confecti and set it in a fournace of reuerberation on whole day then againe dissolue it in warme water that the powder may remaine white fixed sweet mhich in a moist place wil turne into a fat thicke oile like buter swaging paines for like as arsenike not prepared bringeth great paines and by the maligne qualities is poison so contrariwise by his fixing he looseth that and worketh without paine and is a profitable medicine for curing of poisoned woundes if 1. ounce of it be mingled with 2. ounces of oile of mirrha Many also sublime arsenicke 3. times cum calce fixa colchothare then dissolue it in aqua stigia fixatoria ac conueniente for that purpose distilling the water often from the feces thā reuerberate the caput mortuum which will come to a white powder fixed from which the alkalie is drawen out with the alchoole of wine and so is made sweete the vse of this is to cure fistulaes and cankers Of Sulphur chap. 8. SVlfur is the balme of the lunges which the Chimist doe 3. or 4. times sublime with colcothar to purge it from his impurities and make thereof many profitable medicines to cure asthmatis if sugar be mixed with it also of the flowers of sulfur and his proper menstrua Therebinthinat digested certaine daies in a drie heate there is drawne out a balme like to a rubine the menstrua being seperated there remaineth a verie red oile of sulphur which must bee circulated with vin◠distillato alcholisato and be this means is a balme drawne out of sulfur whereof 3. or 4 droppes is geuen with water of Isope to those that are short winded and spitte rotten matter It healeth all manner of woundes quickly c. Notwithstanding the auncient Phisitions seeme to haue thought that sulfure did only cure outward greefes that it had a drawing quallitie and was of a whot temperature and thin essence as Galen and Aegineta wrote and that it was good against venemous beastes specially against the Sea Turtle and Dragon either cast on drie or mingled yet Galen seemeth to allowe the vse of sulfurie waters by these wordes The bathes or drinking of sweet waters is very hurtfull to the sicke of the dropsie But of salte sulpherie and pitchie waters is very profitable Dioscorides writeth that sulfur eaten with a rere egge helpeth those that are shorte winded But the Spagirickes haue attained to many things vnknowne to the auncient Phisitions Finally of sulfur is also madeth sower
dropped into the eares the onely smell of this oile maketh the hart mery Oile of Hisope BEing dronke with some conuenient liquor it openeth all obstructioÌ„s of the brest it helpeth the shortnes of breath and cough being dronke with the sirope of vineger it expelleth tough and clammy fleme it killeth driueth forth wormes it hath the like operation if it be eaten with figges Oile of wormewood THIS oile is a profitable medicine against all paines of the stomacke that is oppressed with hot cholericke humors for it expelleth them partly by the stoole and partly by vrine and comforteth the stomacke likewise it purgeth all cholericke humors gathered together in the vaines and liuer The vse thereof helpeth the yellow iaunders and all obstructions of those partes It is profitable against windines and blastinges of the belly against paines and appetite to vomit and the wamblinges of the stomacke if it be mixed with oile of Aniseede and eaten in losenges or drinke it resisteth venome and killeth wormes being dronke and the belly annointed therewith it helpeth digestion purifyeth the bloud prouoketh sleepe and preserueth them in good temperature that vse it either with wine or some other conuenient thing it is profitable against the dropsie comforteth the liuer and hart and resolueth the milte if yee mixe with it 2. or 3. drops of oile of vitrioll it helpeth long sicknesses being often vsed in the morning with conuenient liquors it is very profitable for those that are waxen leane and are euill coloured in the face and bodie wormewood wine is verie fit to drinke it withall Oile of Rosemarie flowers THis oile is most commodious against all paines of the head proceeding of cold although it haue continued along time it comforteth the memorie and preserueth the sight it helpeth deafnes if it be dropped into the eares it openeth all obstructions of the liuer and milte and is profitable against the dropsie and yellow iaunders it breaketh wind and is profitable against the collicke and rising of the mother it is also good for those that haue dronke poison or that are infected with the pestilence if it be dronke with some conuenient liquor and sweat thereon It comforteth the hart and clenseth the bloud and maketh a man merieâ— to conclude it comforteth against all diseases of the bodie comming of colde and moist humors it helpeth the canker and fistula Oiles of seedes must thus be prepared TAke your seedes and beate or bruse them and lay them to steepe 2. or 3. daies in distilled water or wine then distill them with a refrigeratory with a gentle fire vntill all the oile be come forth the which ye shall seperate by a funnell Oile of Aniscede BEing dronk or eateÌ„ fasting in losenges in the morning it causeth a sweet breath is profitable for those that are short winded and cannot fetch their breath but with great paine it breaketh winde in the stomacke belly and guttes it breaketh fleme and causeth it to be spitte forth it increaseth nature it driueth forth poison by sweat it comforteth the breast and lunges it prouoketh vrine and breaketh the stone in the raines bladder it is good against the bloudy flixe and piles The nostrels being annointed therewith at night when ye goe to bed prouoketh sleepe and wood being annointed therewith wil not suffer mothes to breede there Oile of Fenell seede IT comforteth the affectes of the head It sharpneth the sight it helpeth the straitnes of the breast and horsnes of the voice it helpeth concoction dissolueth wind It breaketh the grauell and prouoketh vrine and the menstruall flux it openeth the obstructions of the liuer and milt and profiteth greatly against the dropsie and yellow â—anders being vsed with conuenient liquors or medicines Oile of commin seede IT is good against woundes in the splene and disperseth winde in the stomacke belly bowelles and matrix It helpeth the cough and shortnes of wind it is good against the fretting of the belly either taken by potion or glister It is profitable for those that haue the burning of vrine and cannot hold their water being dronke with water of ferne it helpeth digestion of grosse humours in the stomacke Oile of caraway seede THe vse of this oile is most conuenient against windines in the stomacke and helpeth digestion it prouoketh vrine and hath in manner all the vertues that are ascribed vnto aniseede Oile of Dill seede THe vse of this oile driueth away veÌ„tosity or windines asswageth blastinges and gripinge tormentes in the belly It staieth vomitting and the flux it prouoketh vrine it is auaileable against the suffocation and strangling of the matrix if the fume thereof bee receaued with a funnell at the lower partes it stayeth the yex or hicocke it healeth hollow and moist vlcers in the share or priuie partes it digesteth resolueth and swageth paines and ripeneth all rawe humors this oile may not be vsed too much inwardly for it diminisheth the sight and seede of generation Oile of Percelie seede THis oile openeth all obstructions of the liuer kidneis and prouoketh the menstruall flux if it be dronke with conuenient liquors it causeth appetite helpeth digestion and comforteth the stomacke It expelleth the stone and grauell in the mines and prouoketh vrine it is a good remedie against poisons it expelleth all blastings and windines it is good against the cough being taken with conuenient liquor Oile of the seed of Rue or hearbe grace CARDANVS writeth that this oile being dronke with wine it is of great vertue against poison for it causeth the patient to cast it foorth by vomite at the first time that it is taken And at the second it expelleth the other euill humors that are infected therewith And at the third time it cureth the patient and maketh him whole It helpeth all diseases of the eyes so that the apple of the eye be not perished if ye wash them with the water and droppe one drop of the oile into the eie being drunke it suffereth no poison to remaine in a man that day also beeing drunke it mitigateth the goute and dropsie comming of colde humours It restoreth all benummed members taken with the palsie if ye annointe them therewith Cardanus also affirmeth in his second booke De Subtilitate that there are certaine poisons the which do slaie onely with their touching against which poisons saith hee the best remedie is not to staie in any place vntill the hand waxe whote and often bathe the parts with warme water and annoint them with oile of Rewe YOur fruits and rootes must first bee beaten put them into a distilling vessel with as many gallons of distilled water as there are poundes of stuffe and so let them macerate 3. or 4. daies theÌ„ distil them with a refrigeratory as it is said afore Oile of Iuniper beries THis oile is profitable against griping paines or winde in the guttes and may
from those kind of hearbes being drie or greene some put on the water colde some hot and so let it stand certaine daies stirring it often the which is not amisse then distill it by a filter vntill it bee cleere and vapor it away in Balneo vntill it bee drie then calcine it againe and dissolue it in some conuenient liquor and then congeale it againe and this yee shall doe vntill it be white as snow the which by often calcining and dissoluing may be brought christalline whereof one graine is of more force then fixe of the first De salibus purgantibus per tussim THe salt of Hipericone or saint Iohns wort certaine affirme to bee highly commended and approued in the pluresie giuing the patient in warme wine so much as will goe into halfe a hasell nutshell A certaine singular phisition in the pluresie gaue as much of this salt as he cold hold betweene the ende of his fingers in malmsie and God is the witnes that the patient was cured by it the like vertue hath the salt of Polipodij De salibus purgantibus per vrinam AS much as a man may hold betweene the end of his fingers of this salt was giuen with warme wine vnto one that could not make water and he was presently deliuered as Leo Suauius writeth Salt of Woormewood THis salt is geuen in maner in all diseases or sicknesses with profit but especiallie in the pestilence it is profitable against all obstructions of the â—iuer and kidneis it prouoketh vrine it helpeth the dropsie and water betweene the skinne and the flesh proceeding of a salt cholericke humor and is profitable against the yellow iaundies it prouoketh sweat it helpeth and driueth forth from the inward partes the poxe Feiguarzen and such like diseases It comforteth the stomacke purgeth waterish bloud gathered together in the vaines and liuer causeth good digestion and slaketh the griping paines and blastinges in the bellie being vsed with conuenient liquors or medicines it mundifieth all foule sores if it bee strowed thereon or mixed with conuenient liquors or vnguents Sal Gentiane This salt is profitable against all feuers it openeth and purgeth all obstructions of the bowelles it prouoketh menstrua and vrine being dronke with conuenient liquors Sal Gratiolae This salt is effectuall against the dropsie Sal Anonidis This salt diminisheth the stone and prouoketh vrine is profitable against the strangury Sal Raphani This salt hath the aforesaid vertues Sal Genistae This salt breaketh the stone and prouoketh vrine Sal Stipitum Fabarum This salt helpeth the difficultie of vrine and breaketh the stone Sal Iuniperi This salt of Iuniper is of a piercing nature and hath the aforesaid vertues De salibus purgantibus per vterum THis salt doth prouoke womens termes This salt also prouoketh menstrua purgeth the womb and helpeth the suffocation of the matrix Sal Chelidoniae Take the rootes of celandine cleane scraped and not washed q. v. stampe them well in a stone morter then digest them 24 howres with the spirit of wine in Balneo theÌ„ powre it out without pressing and vapour away the said spirit in Balneo and in the bottom will remaine a yellow tincture or powder the which profiteth much in prouoking of womens termes the dose is about ℈ i. in white wine or other conuenient liquor De salibus purgantibus per sudorem THis salt is verie profitable against the pox or such like diseases either to be vsed inward or outward it prouoketh sweate mightily if it be mixed with diaphoreticall medicines The salt of Scabious hath the like vertue in prouoking sweat De salibus dolorem sedantibus TAke the bloud of an old Hart or Stagge being yet warm and distill it in Balneo with a gentle fire vntill all the fleme be come away then change the Receauer and set thy vessell in sand and augment the fire and there will comâ— forth both oile and salt the which will hange round about the glasse the which must be mixed with the oile Yee shall note that the stinking smell of the oilemay be taken away by often washinges in warme water afore yee mixe it with his salt This oile swageth all paines of the gout if ye annoint the partes therewith Sal sanguinis humani THe salt of the bloud of a man and a goate is made in the same order the which haue great vertue to helpe the raines bladder and all diseases of the articular partes as Chiragra Gonagra and Podagra A composition of saltes that seperateth fleme TAke hisop penirial ana â„¥ ss OriganuÌ„Ê’ ij fenel seed â„¥ ss Caraway seed Ê’ ij licorice â„¥ i. Salis vsti â„¥ vj. Salis absinthij Ê’ ij salis Iumperi totideÌ„ cinamomi ouÌ„ i. ss piperis longi Ê’ vj. carda momum granorum paradisi cariophilorum ana â„¥ ss Gingiberis â„¥ i. misco fiat puluis Sal perigrinorum TAke sails nitri fusi salis gemmae ana â„¥ i. galangae macis cubebaruÌ„ ana ℈ i. fiat puluis The dose is foure or sixe grains in the morning fasting vpon a peece of bread this comforteth the stomake maketh good digestion and preserueth the bodie from putrifaction the vse of this salt being at the sea will preserue from vomitting An addition to that salt to preserue the bodiâ— in health TAke of the aforesaid salt so prepared â„¥ iij. Alcoolis vini exiccati lb. ss extrahatur alcali of the which take Ê’ ij put thereunto kist vnum liquor is granorum Iuniperi mixe them the dose is 1. or 2. gr in wine ye shall not adde any other thing vnto this lest the vertue of the salt be spoiled this salt was of great estimation with Hermes trimigistes to preserue the bodie in health Balsamum vrinae the which through the great vertues it hath deserueth to be called Catholicum and is made thus TAke the vrine of yong Children aboute the age of 12. yeares that hath dronke wine for certaine moneths if it be possible the same putrify in Balneo or dung a philosophers yeare then distill it with a gentle fire in sand being also luted the which ye shall note diligently the fleme ye shall put vpon the feces 4. times then the last water keepe close shut the which is white and stinking and therfore ye may giue it both tast and smell with sinamom and sugar the feces that remained in the bottom being blacke yee shall sublime by degrees of fire and you shall haue a most precious salt the which some affirme will dissolue gold siluer other mettalles some philosophers call it their menstrua The vertues of this Balsamum vrinae are infinite and may rightly be called Catholicum remedium because it hath maruellous vertues in all maner of diseases and doth nourish nature wonderfullie by his similitude and not by contrarietie It cureth the dropsie prouoketh
and perish with the violence of fier vppon the test or cople which happeneth vnto them as the earth in them is found to be lesse pure and their temperature not so good As it hapneth vnto Iron through the impure earth whereof there is great store in it But when as gold alone cannot bee consumed with anie fierie heate as Aristotle saith and looseth nothing of his waight though it bee burned or tried of necessity it must haue a most pure earth and well compact with his water whereby it commeth to passe that his earth doth hold and let his humor that it vapour not away and contrariwise the humour defendeth the earth that it butne not as saith Agricola which commeth to passe as others do affirme because of a most subtill moist and drye that hath not any impuritie mixed By this reason gold according to the nature of thinge is purer then other mettalles and surmounteth them in price because it is the most simple and purest mettall and furthest from imperfection of elementes by reason of his forme So Pliny saith vnto one thing which is golde nothing decayeth by fier as the Poet also saith and as appeareth by that aforesaid By this we may gather that amongest all mettalles gold is not onely the brightest but most temperat and perfect in respect of which all other mettalles may worthely be called vnperfect For nature alwaies tendeth to perfection that is to the making of golde which alone amongest mettals is called perfect for no agent naturall as the Philosophers say ceaseth from worke in his owne matter neither is seperat but with putting on some forme in that matter Therefore so long as the agent is ioyned to the matter or worketh vpon the matter that is said to be vnperfect for the perfection of any thing is not but by putting on of forme For so much then as in all mettalles there is a certaine viscous water which the Chimistes Philosophers call quickesiluer because of the likenes which is put in place of the matter and that which they call sulphur by like similitude of the agent or inducer of form in that matter no mettall can bee called perfect but that froÌ„ which the sulphur is separated But because other mettalles haue their sulphur mixed in the matter whereby they are killed made blacke calcined and burned which happeneth vnto them onely by that dry exhalation that is the sulphur because it is a matter apt to be set on fire for that cause they be altogether called vnperfect But on the contrary part because onely golde is altogether without this sulphur which the affinitie of gold and quicksiluer by it selfe doth sufficieÌ„tly declare For as Pliny writeth all things swimme vppon it but gold which alone it draweth vnto it By this meanes it is free from corruption both in the fier out of the fier Of right therefore it alone is called perfect and formed according to the first and true intention of nature and complete because it is come to the vttermost end wherein it is complete and pure because the agent is not mingled with the matter but is seperat from it To this purpose writeth Aristotle Met. 3. cap. vltimo speaking of mettalles wherefore saith he they conteine earth in them and are all burned because they haue a drye exhalation But gold alone of all the rest vseth not to be burned But Aubertus not content with these reasons will answeare what so euer hath attained an essentiall forme of necessity must bee perfect But all mettalles haue their substantial forme No man will deny saith he except it be some blockhead ashes blower and by that meanes hereupon concludeth that all are perfect But it is easy enough for vs to answere this obiection For those thinges which perseuer in their nature are called perfect in their kinde through their substantiall forme but some continue by nature in their kinde which notwithstanding are made perfect by some meanes through their substantiall forme to the which their is a certaine motion and end but because they are carried to another later essentiall forme which altogether finisheth the matter it selfe and maketh it complet therfore they are called vnperfect so long as they remaine vnder that first forme in respect of the later to the attaining whereof they do endeuor themselues But if no accompt be made of that later forme but they be considered onely in themselues they are truely perfect in that their kinde through their essentiall forme as that kinde doth require This all men see in the generation of egges in which there is a certaine determined motion in the getting of his substantiall forme which doth so remaine But because those egges are by nature ordeined to this end not to remaine vnder that forme but to bring forth a byrde and so is made the begetting of the latter substantiall forme Therefore egges are called vnperfect vnder the forme of an egge but it is a perfect thing after the bringing forth of a birde for that is the last ende of egges This is likewise to be iudged of mettalles which albeit they haue in their kinde gotten an essentiall forme yet can they not be called perfect in respect of gold which alone is said to bee perfect vntill they come to that last perfect end that is to the perfection of golde and become golde And like as in the generation of the Embrio there is comparison of the vegetable soule to the sensible and of the sensible to the rationall and not as formes so other imperfect mettalles are in respect of gold Therefore the Chimisticall Philosophers haue worthily deuided the mettalles into perfect and vnperfect For although the difference of mettalles be in the forme it selfe yet shall it not be properly the difference of the kindes as the difference of man and horse but shall be taken more properly of the matter his partes that is according as it is digested or vndigested complete or incomplete seeing those are altogether of one proper matter But indigest and incomplete is spoken in respect of gold But whereas Aubertus judgeth Iron more noble then golde because it serueth more to the vse man I thinke he shall neuer perswade any Phisitions be they neuer so vnlearned which rather desire to catch gold then Iton But I suppose there is suffâ—ciently spoken touching the excellencie and perfection of gold and because we said that mettalles are of one proper matter although not in all alike digested herein consisteth the point of the question therefore we must now come to seeke out that matter of mettalles The Philosophers make two causes of mettals as also of all other mixed bodies The one generall and far of which is taken of the elements as of the first causes of all things of which they coÌ„sist as of most simple are resolued againe as into most simple The Peripatecians contende against the Stoickes that onely the qualities and vertues of the elementes doe passe one into another and
notwithstanding he is answered by vs before the saith it can not congeale because it is of an airy substance But the vapor which we concluded out of Aristotle to be the next matter of mettalles who will not confesse to be airy in respect of water and notwithstanding who will denie but it may coÌ„geale then I confesse that quicksiluer is airy and therefore many Philosophers iudge it not to be a mettall but onely in Power but I do call it so to bee airy that it sendeth forth a most grosse vapour which by colde congealeth as may bee seene in Mercurie â—uâ—limat and many other his preparations wherein he sendeth forth his smokes and vapors but not so aâ—rye but they will grow thicke But what will you say to those vnpâ—rfect mettalles which as wee before said in examination do flâ—e away into smokes and vapors what finally shall wee thinke of their matter and forme brought to nothing will you not confesse the grosse vapour which wee call quicksiluer to bee the matter of them when at the last mettalles are reduced againe into it But Aubertus alledgeth this out of Aristotle those thinge which perteine vnto water if they conteâ—ne â—n them â— o â— aâ—re then water they can not congeale as oâ—le and quicksiluer But the matter of 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 to be â— rought to a hardnes otherwise they couâ—â—â— not put on the forme of mettalles ther fore their matter can not bee quicksiluer for so much as it can not congeale to hardnes But this argument is no more effectuall then the former For he setteth downe as graunted that which he hath not by any means prouâ—d and which we haue alreadie denyed for we graunted vnto him that quicksiluer was of an aâ—rie substance but that it cannot therfore congeale wee deny when contrary to his minde we haue shewed his vapors do congeale And truly Aubertus doth not deny but by art it doth harden but hee thinketh that neither by art or nature it may congeale into mettalle in hardnes or forme as thoughe to thinke were to demonstrate a thing Therefore he denyeth quicksiluer to be the matter of mettalles the cause which he alledgeth that it is of an airy substance is of no force For wee haue showed out of Aristotle that it is a vapour of an airy substance in respect of water and neuerthelesse the next matter of mettals Therefore airy thinges are to bee distinguished for such as are altogether and simply airy because of the predominant matter cannot be coagulated neither by heat or by cold because their airie moisture cannot bee dryed vp the earth wâ—nting by which reason also they swimme vpon the water witnesse Aristotle as oile and are easily set on fire because it is matter of fire as oile it selfe and wooddes which swimme vpon the water except ebenum which is more earthly as by his waight may be iudged but quicksiluer is neither set on fire neither matter of fire but most contrary vnto it like water neither is it light but ponderous that in it the souÌ„dest boddies of all mettalles will swimme vpon golde onely except for the great affinitie of them both whereby it appeareth that it is of an other substance then simply aire like oile Therefore to the similitude of this quicksiluer the next matter of mettalles the Chimicall Philosophers haue said that this quicksiluer is ingendred of a strong commixtion of the first matter of all mettals that is of a moist viscous incombustible humour incorporat with a subtill earth equally and strongly mixed by small partes in the minerall caues of the earth Vnto this wise nature because the matter bringeth not it selfe to effect ioyneth his proper agent that is sulphur which is nothing else then a certaine fatnesse of the earth engendred in the proper mines and by temperat decoction thickned that it may turne the quicksiluer by digestion and concoction into forme of mettall Therefore this sulphur is to the quicksiluer as the man to the woman and as the proper agent to the proper matter Not that this quicksiluer and sulpur as some foolishly thinke are found by themselues in their nature in the mines but that these are alreadie mingled by nature and by longe concoction brought into the nature of earth And this truly is the neâ—rest matter of mettalles as in the generation of man meate is neerer matter then the elements the blood neerer then meate and the sperme neerer then blood it selfe and at last by apt digestion the matter receiueth the shape of a man So when as it is said that mettals are first made of the foure elements as of their generall and first matter the same order kept it is necessarie that of those elements come vapours of vapours a slimie water which is yet a neerer matter theÌ„ the vapors lest by defending Aristotle Aubertus may thinke mee to gainsay my selfe and heauy mingled with a subtile sulphureous earth which is called quicksiluer of which as of a neerer matter by meane of the mixture and working of the outward sulphur is made gold or other mettall according to the great or lesser digestion of nature For as the Philosopher writeth Metaph. 6. when any thing is said to be made of another either an extreme perfect is made of a meane and vnperfect as of a childe a man or else an extreme of extreme as aire of water but let vs returne to our Aubertus He writeth that sulphur also can not bee the matter of mettalles But let vs heare by what reasons he doth proue it Sulphur saith he according to Aristotle is ingendred of a hot drie and vnctuous breath but mettals are ingendred of an other breath hot and moist and a litle vnctuous Truly a goodly but sophisticall argument by which he goeth about to proue his purpose by the opinions which he hath already impugned Let him therefore remember that he before hath affirmed against Aristotle that breath was not the matter of mettalles and now he doth confesse that mettalles are ingendred of breaths Therefore he speaketh against himselfe that he shall not neede my refutation hee addeth to proue his opinion that sulphur waxeth soft with moisture like salt and that mettalles are molten only with strong fire but of a false antecedent can not follow a good consequent For by no meanes is sulphur dissolued into water but by heat is molten like leade and this should our searcher of thinges vnder ground first haue tryed then to affirme so boldlâ—e that which is false Therefore that dart may be bent against him wherewith hee supposed to haue wounded â—he Chimistes Also he saith that sulphur is of an airy and fiâ—ie substance and therefore can not bee increased or congealed But I haue afore shewed the contrary wherfore he is not to looke for any other answeare of me because he hath neither reproued my argument neither made any demonstration of his opinion by firme reasons But this one thing sufficeth that all wise Chimistes do affirme that this which
that cum acida muria being prepared and Alcolisated you shall according to art draw forth his greene spirit in Balneo vntill the menstrua be no more greene seperat it in Balneo and that which remaineth dissolue in a moist place and it will come to a cleere oile which must bee circulated with vini dulcedine that it may take awaye all the sharpnes of the menstrua and then you shall haue a most excellent medicine to heale all the aforesaid vlcers if it be mingled with butter Out of coper also calcined and reuerberated with the proper menstrua of vitrioll that it may bee couered 10. fingers there is drawne a cleere blue vitrioll they being circulated together in Balneo 15. dayes And then the menstrua being seperated by distillation in ashes This vitryoll of coper being made sweete with conuenient washings rubisied by calcination is good to cure all maling vlcers and to take a way the hardnes if it be put into a fistula that is hardned with a tough skinne and to take away all prowd flesh without paine it helpeth the flesh that groweth in the neck of the blather if it be mingled with any conuenient plaster and put in as it ought to be with a wax candell Misi chalcitis Calcanthum vulgare Sory and the rest of that sort may in like maner be prepared to cure all maligne vlcers very effectually to clense all fistulaes without byting or paine for by these meanes they shall loose their corrosiue quallitie burning nature or strength Of Leade Chap. 5. LEade is of a cooling quality as Galen saith in his 9. booke of simples and therefore it is good for hollow cancred and rotten vlcers either by it selfe or mixed with certaine other thinges whereof Ceruse and red lead are made by art which the phisitions vse against the inflaÌ„mation of the eies when they would refrigerate drie repell or binde therof they make their vnguentes with colde waters They are also put into vnguentum album rasis citrinum diapompholygos it is put also into plasters called by their names as of ceruse and red lead These are destitute of all maner of byting and the phisitions vse them to close vp vlcers withall Many do vse onely a plate of leade to drie vp vlcers other some vse burnt lead which doth more effectuallie drie vp vlcers and is more coÌ„modious for those that are rebellious according to Galén his iudgement But by this praeperation following which is better it is made more excellent to dry and heale all maner of maligne woundes and inueterat vlcers which preparation is made after this maner following Take lead well calcined out of the which with distilled vineger Alcalisated and prepared as it ought to bee yâ—e shall draw out the essence in Balneo and this ye shall do so often times vntil all the lead be dissolued and by these meanes let it be purged from his leprosie and all impurities Then seperate the menstrue in Balneo and that which remaineth in the bottom of the vessal dissolue againe in Alcoole vini tartarisato and circulate all together certaine daies to take away the sharpnes of the menstrue and by these meanes you shall make of lead a most sweete sugar and temperat most friendly to our nature seruing for many infirmities This in a moist place is dissolued into oile a most excellent medicine to heale all maner of maligne vlcâ—rs in short space Of the same is made a most precious balme against the paines and inflammations of the eies so that it be first well dulcifyed prepared The like ye may make of tinne whereof among the old phisicions there was no vse that I knowe of Moreouer you may so deale with tucia litarge the true cadmia spodium and pompholix all which may be well prepared made so gentle that without any byting they will take away the spottes and ouergrowinges of the eies asswaging the inflamacions and great paines of the same curing all vlcers without paine and close them vp Balsamum saturni TAke the aforesaid salt of lead being dulcerated with the spirit of wine and circulat it 15. daâ—es then seperat the menstrue by distillation and put on fresh and circulate it againe putting thereto a fittewaight or quantity of the salt of tartar cristalline and you shall haue a balme sweeter then sugar which will meruellously preuaile against all maligne vlcers and diseases of the eies The making oile of lead told me of a learned D. of Germanie TAke leade calcined and set it in a strong fier to vitrifie then beate it to powder and draw away his essence with distilled vineger as is shewed afore then vapor away that viniger vntill it come to the thicknes of hony then while it is hot put it into a retort of glasse and distill it with a gentle fire vntill ther appeare certaine white fumes then chaÌ„ge the receauer and augment the fier according to art vntil all the fumes be come forth the which is the oile of satuâ—ne This ye shall rectify many times the which is thus to be vnderstoode Calcine dissolue vapour and distill as ye did afore but if it happen that all the matter be not dissolued ye shall take that powder that remained in the bottome of your matters and drye it in a crusible then grinde it on a stone and dissolue it in fresh vineger and distill and vapour as afore is said then if thou wilt make another oile thereof to beautify the face and to drye vp olde vlcers and to distroy fistulaes Take the said powder after the oile is distilled from it calcine it and dissolue it with fresh vineger and vapour it away to the thicknes of honye then let it coole and one part will turne to salt being very white in the bottome the oile will be yellow and swim on the top the which yee shall power of into another glasse for it is the sweete oile of saturne the which if one drop be put into faire water it wil be turned like milke the which is vsed to beautify the face and is called lac virginis Then if yee will vse the salt that remained in the bottome to bewtify take the quantity of a small nut and dissolue it with the iuice of lemondes and there with annoint the face slightly Also if yee rectify the said oile in Balneo there will come forth an aqua vite more stronger then of wine the which serueth to dissolue gold after it is throughly calcined that being done there will remaine in the bottome of the glasse a white matter hauing an oile swimming thereon of a yellowish coloure the which being dronke is singular good against spasmus and sincope The first oile not being rectifyed is good to whiten scares cicatrises against burnings and noli me tangere and herpes The rectifyed oile is good against cancres and such like sores This salt is by nature cold and drie and is vsed with good successe in
many other throughout Germany and Italie do vse the spirit and oile of vitrioll for the curing of the falling sicknesse the stone and asthma with great ease and meruellous profit And Dioscorides speaking of vitrioll saith thus it killeth the broad wormes in the bellie ʒ i. of it being taken inward Being dronke with water it helpeth against the poyson of toadstooles and dissolued in water dropped into the nose purgeth the head By this it doth sufficiently appeare that so great a venemous quallitie is not in Mercury sublimat by meanes of vitrioll much lesse it is to be thought of commō salt Finally if so great malignitie were in it by meanes of the salte or vitrioll because it carrieth vp the spirites with him this malignitie also would be in Mercurie precipitat for the strong water wherwith it is made is compounded of the spirites of vitrioll and salte with the which also the phisitions make their precipitate which many of them doe minister without further preparation which albeit through his great sharpnes by meanes of the spirits inclosed in the strōg water it purgeth the bodie violently yet it is well knowen vnto many learned men at this day that it doth not hurt as the sublimat doth This malignity therefore in the sublimat commeth by how much the more it is made subtill and stronger by exaltation and flyeth with a small heate but in the precipitate it is not so for it is mortifyed and so fixed with that philosophilall fier the strong water that it will suffer great heat neither can that maligne aire be sent vnto the hart if it containe any which by nature is easily assaulted with all poysons because that the naturall heat cannot cause the precipitate to fume which no violence of fier can cause to vanish away as by certaine experiences is approued the fixing therefore of his spirit is the true preparation that either taken inward or applied outward cānot hurt the which many go about to do sundry wayes I speake of them which seeke his preparation onely for phisicke which think by powring on the water twise or thrise vpō the feces which they call caput mortuum and so distill it againe that the true preparation of so great a medecine may be attayned but they are not a little deceaued specially because they are not carefull to take away his corrosiue or else know not how to do it for truly Mercury precipitat can neuer be a sufficient profitable medicine so long as the corrosiue quality taken of the strong water is ioyned with it which is not taken away as many suppose with common washings but with farre other preparations and dulcifyinges which beyng vnknowen no perfect thing can be wrought therefore ye mustworke after this order following specially for the making of turpetum that wonderfull medicine Rec. Calcis terrae pellucidae fixae Talcum well calcined the which calcination shall be shewed in another place of each one pound make of them a strong capitall lye in the which ye shall boile one pound of Mercury first fiue times sublimed euery time quickened according to art the space of 7. howers and so shall ye attaine vnto the perfect purging of Mercury and the beginning of true fixing to all workes for these calces are so fixing that with sublimations reiterated vppon them at the length the mercury shall be fixed This mercury so prepared dissolue with regali foetido and proper menstrua dissolue also by it selfe ʒ iij of the mercury of Antimony well prepared and ℥ i. of gold purged by antimony according to art All these dissolutions put into a bodie of glasse and the vessell will be darkned or clowdy set that glasse in an Athenor giuing thē soft fire vntil they wax cleare then increase the fire and distill away the water by alimbecke from the feces till they bee drye powring on the water againe vpon the dead head four tymes then put on new fixing water that the matter may be couered 4 fingers set that to digest 2. or 3. dayes then distill it twise or thrise vppon the feces and toward the end giue it fier of sublimation that those thinges which are not truely mortifyed may rise and be exalted which must be kept a part for they serue not for our purpose then take the dead masse and bring it to powder and put it in a scaruell stirring it the space of 12. howres in the second degree of the fire in a fornes of reuerberation vntill it come to the rednesse of a Salamander out of the which ye shall drawe all the sharpnes and venom on this manner Rec. Of the sleume of vitrioll and allome ana lb. ij fs distilled vineger lb. ij calcis terrae nostrae pellucidae ae fixae ℥ 4. sulis corneoli cristallint ℥ i. whites of egges 20. distill all these by alimbeke twice vpon the feces put three pound of this water to one poūd of the powder of Mercury prepared as afore and distiil it away from the feces in alimbeke 4. times and the last time distill it vntil the feces be dry This done grind your powder vpon a stone powring to it againe new fixing water distill it againe foure times as before Then you shal fixe and make sweate thy mercurie by distilling from it the Alchooli vini fiue times putting on fresh euery time This the chyminicall phisitions call precipitate or turbith minerall by cause it purgeth grosse and slymie humours eight graines of this is giuen with conserue of Betony and aqua theriacalis to cure the pox due purgations being vsed before With two drammes of the extract of wild cucūbers one dramme of the extract of Hermodactiles ℈ ss of this precipitat is made a mixture whereof halfe a scruple is mingled with two drammes of aquae theriacalis and is giuen for the gout 4. or 5. times according to the age and hardnes of the disease and the strength of the sicke bodie in the spring Autumne For without any greefe it doth meruellously purge the sharpe excrements and draweth them out of the ioyntes For to cure the dropsie there is made this composition which doth purge the sharpe excrementes and strengthen the nutritue parts Rec. Of this precipitat aforesaid ℈ i. the extract of alhandall and Elaterium ana one scruple a halfe of the extraction of Elebori nigri well prepered and Rhuberbe ana one scruple the essence of red corall and yellow sanders ana 2. scruples spiritus vitrioli i. scruple olei mafliichini and cinamomi ana halfe a scruple mingle thē with the powder of cubebes and the muslage of gumme tragagant and make it into pilles The dose is from halfe a scruple to one scruple it must be geuen twice in a weeke if their strength will beare it If it be mingled with Diaphoreticall thinges it onely prouoketh sweates and by that meanes helpeth also many diseases mingled alone with butter it cureth cankered and eating vlcers specially that come of the
oyle by a bell which is a very profitable remedie for the teeth and cureth also cancered vlcers Of Vitriolle Cap. 9. GAlene and Aegineta asâ—irmeth that vitrioll dooth moste effectually preserue moyst flesh if it be powdred with it Dioscorides also writeth that the same drunken with water helpeth against the poyson of Tode stooles and for outward greefes it is put into Emplastrum Diachalcites to cure vlcers The later Phisitions make an oyle of vitrioll for the fallinge sickenesse and other diseases where of Matheolus and manie other moe make mentione But wee make many medicines of vitrioll as his spirite a sweete and sower oyle his Colcothar Salte and Oker The spirit is driuen foorth by the ix alimbeke powringe on againe all waies the liquor vpon the dead head and circulating it in Balneo 8. daies this is profitaable against the falling sickenesse but the fleme beeing seperated from the redde Colcothar by force of fire there is drawne out a sower oyle which is made sweete by circulating it with the spirite of wine and is giuen with succâ—â—ie water or with Ptysane in rotten agues for with the sowrenes it driueth away rottennes as the sirope of the iuice of Lâ—mondes doth and putteth away obstructiones with the subtilite of the partes Wherefore it is verye effectuall to helpe the obstructions of the bowels liuer and splene sometime a fewe dropes of it are mingled with the conserue of the flowers of Succorie and is a medicine of a pleasaunt taste to quench immoderate thirst yet the ignoraunt fay that this medicine is sharpe and therefore to be reiected but those good men are farre deceiued for it being well prepared is sweetish and the iuice of Lemones the vse where of is allowed in Phisicke is much sowrer then it as with the which Perles are dissolued and vessels of tinne eaten thorowe and that iuice giuen alone would hurt the stomacke as much as the oyle of Vitrioll but mixed with sugar it restraineth with his sowrenes the rottennes of burning feuers the malignite of Pestilent agues which thing also oyle of vitriol doth without hurt of the stomacke not by it selfe but mixed with conuenient thinges as many Spagiricke Phisitions at this day haue experimented who also in outward causes vse the vnsauery and sweetned Colcothar to dry vp vlcers and to stanch blood Of Antimoni Cap. 10. NOt onely for outward greefes but also for inwarde are medicines made of Antimoni The chymical Phisitions drawe out of it a most excellent medicine which they call the tincture of antimoni for they minding to try the force of Antimoni in mans body feared not to seeke out the secrets of it especially when they perceiued it to bee the greatest purger of gold and that it could driue away all impurities By which meanes they labour to seeke out the qualities of Antimoni that they might prooue whether it would worke the same effect in purging of mans body as it was euident to worke in the purging of golde at the length they obtained their desired purpose and found out the great excellencie of this medicine both to restore renue the body of man specially to cure the Mophew the Dead euill the Wolfe and all maligne vlcers for that tincture purgeth black bloud and all other viscious humors without any manifest euacuationes but onely by corrections of ill humors Let no man thinke that I speake of Vitrum Antimonij which many vnskilfull doo vse now a daies with great danger it is a noy-some medicine which by his sharpenes prouoketh the expulsiue power and purgeth both vpwarde and downe-warde with great vexation the which I can by no meanes allowe For all diseases are not cured with violence but with fitte and conuenient purgations For as Hipocrates saith 1. Aphori if such things be purged as ought to be purged it doth helpe and they beare it easily if not contrariwise But all true Philosophers therfore auoide these vitrifications and not seeke their medicines or tinctures in them vse therfore this method following Rec. The purest part of Antimoni that is his Mercury and subline it 3. times that nothing remaine in the botome so shall ye haue all his sulfure with his proportionate mercury which is called the true Lilly this digest in a reuerberatory being closed with hermes seale in degrees of the fire vntill it wax white and afterward there appeare the collour of a Rubine Out of the which with Alcoole glaciaâ— Cornioli that it may bee couered 8. fingers you shall drawe out the precious tincture which ye shal circulate in a Pellicand to his perfect graduation and fixing It is fixed also Cum terra muria and with washings the alkaly is drawne foorth and there remaine the white flowers of Antimoni which do strongly mooue sweate if you giue 3. â—s of them with water of Cardus Benedictus a most excellent medicine for intermitting feuers For outward greefes there is drawne out of Antimoni a very reade sulfure with tartar and niteâ— or onely with a lye made of quicke lime and ashes and many waies an oyle is drawne out all which are profitable to cure festered vlcers these shall suffise to be spoken of vs for the preparations of metalline thinges of the which God willinge wee will intreate shortly in an other booke more plainer Of the true preparation of Gemes and precious stones Cap. 11. OF sundry stones are made sundry healthfull medicines cheefely out of precious stones which of all Phisitiones are though according to the propertie of the whole substance according to their quality do take away sounding doo with stand corruption to strengthen the hart defend it from all kinde of poison By reason where of Electuariae Analepi Nicolai Myrep Diamargarit Antidotumâ—e gemmis confectio ex Hiacinth Alkermes are prescribed vnto sicke persons in pestilent diseafes and continuall burning feuers Into which are put Perle Saphires Smarages Granates Iasintes Sarda that is Corneola Iasper and Corall which kinde of stones may be worthely said to excell the rest both for their temperance and for their great cleerenesse which are neither lost nor spoiled by any heate of fire for the onely fixation of their spirites which may bee sufficientlie perceiued in them for which cause in manie respectes they may bee compared with golde for the cure of diseases Amonge the rest they be called precious stones euen as gold among all other metalles is called the most precious And although the quallitie of these stones are cordiall yet euery one hath his proper and peculier vertue to cure sundry diseases The Saphire being drunke dooth speciallie helpe them that bee stunge with a Scorpion The lacent also doth helpe wounds of venamos beastes and causeth sleepe The Smarage not onely drunke but also hung about the necke helpeth melancholie diseases and striueth against the falling sicknes as it were against an enemie The Iasper either hung about the necke that it may touch the mouth of the stomacke or else
and liquid which they thinke best to be thus prepared Rec. The pure and best liquid Mummia Alcoolis vini ana 1. pouÌ„d mixe them well together in a glasse and digest it in warme horse dunge or Balneo 12. daies afterward distill it as it ought reiterating the distillation twise againe then digest it againe 20. daies and distill it the third time then leaue thy glasse in the heat of dunge or Balneo till there be 2. essences perceiued one of a golden colour and the other white let these essences bee taken forth and circulated with his like menstrue in a Pellican many daies alwaies separatinge the feces and the impure from that which is subtill and pure and so with reiterating his digestions and rectifications you shall haue a most excellent medicine of this is giuen euery month in the full moone I. Scrup to them that haue the falling sicknesse it dooth mittigate that disease and driueth it away for it is his proper Alexipharmacum also it purifieth the bould Rec. The newest and best Mummia and cut it small then put it into a glasse with a long necke powring thereon the menstrua of Oliues and close it with Hermes seale then putrifie it a month that there may bee a solution then open the vessel and put it into a cucurbite of glasse and set in Balneo the vessell being open that the Mercurie maye flie away which it will doo with an incredible stincke and there let it remaine tell there come foorth no stincke and that all the Mummia be dissolued that which is dissolued put into another vessell and digest it in Balneo againe vntill it come to a thick oile and fatty like sirope of a duskish colour That being done circulate all with the spirit of wine in Balneo 20. daies then seperate the spirit and in the bottome will remaine a redde and sweete oile hauing the vertue of all naturall balmes which dooth greatly helpe all venemous and pestilent diseases Take of the Mummia so prepared 2. ounces of the best Alcoole vini 2. pound circulate them a moneth then distill awaie the menstrua per alimbicum then againe let it digest in a vessell closed with hermes seale and reiterat it 3. times as is aboue said vntill the matter abouesaid do altogether loose the nature of his bodie and become a tincture which truly doth excell with such a quickning power that there is no part wherevnto it doth not pearce No vlcer or any corruption which it doth not cure if ye giue euery day twice for a certaine time foure or fiue graines of it with a conuenient decoction Of the essence of mans scull Chap. 2. MAny learned men haue written that the scull of a man not buried is by a certaine propertie profitable against the falling sicknes for which cause I thought it not amisse to set forth the true preparation of it for I do not thinke that there is anie of the learned that doubteth but this medecine rightly prepared and brought into a thinne essence will be a great deale more effectuall and profitable to cure those diseases chiefly if you do dilligently consider the essence of the sicknes his causes and the remedie thereof therefore I will intreat of the preparation of which 1. scruple will profite more then a whole scull dried and beaten to powder whose essence is thus drawne out Rec. the scull of a man that hath not bin buried and beat it to powder and put it into spiritu vini saluiati so that it may be couered 6. fingers and set it to digest in Balneo 14. daies being close stopped then distill it in a retort according to the maner of aqua fortis then powre on that liquor vpon the feces or caput mortâ—â—m againe but first grind the feces then putrify it 8. daies distil it as at the first and that do 3 times than circulat all together certaine dayes that being done then seperat the menstrua and in the bottom thou shalt find the essence of the scull coagulated of which yee shall geue halfe a scruple with the water of the flowers of lintre in the fit and before the fit Or prepare it thus seeth the scrapinges of a scull that hath not bin buried with the spirit of Mellissa or Betony boyled powre that decoction by it selfe and againe powre on more fresh till there remaine no more force in the scull then vapor away all that water in Balneo and it will remaine in the bottom coagulated the which it shall resolue againe and vapour and coagulat so long till the matter remaining in the bottome may be sublimed with a most easie fire This sublimat doth helpe much them that haue the falling sicknes and looseth the belly aboundantly without any trauell or molestation Of Viperis Chap. 3. GAlen and other great phisitions haue taught vs many thinges out of Andromacus touching the preparation of vipers and their vertue for the cure of the leprosie which they had proued chiefly that it purgeth the whole body by the skinne out of whose flesh the head and taile being first cut of which are the most venemous partes and haue litle flesh in them being boyled in a pot with faire water dill salt and putting thereto stale wheaten bread they made pastillos the which is also put into theriakle Out of vipers also you shall make a most notable medecine against the leprosie plague and all venemous woundes in this maner In the moneth of Iune take 4 or 6. vipers of the which yee shall cast away the taile and the head and pull away the skinne and the intralles but cut the flesh in small peeces and put it in acucurbit of glasse 3. or 4. daies in the vapor of Balneo or of moist dung to driue forth the sweat But take heede ye receaue not the air of that fume which is corrupted venemous through the vapors of the vipers which being done powre vpon it the spirit of wine Alcolisati terebinthinati solutiui ana that it might bee couered 8. fingers high digest them in a vessel closed with Hermes seale in Balneo or moist dung twelue daies vntill all the flesh of the vipers be dissolued in the aforesaid menstrua then powre of the said menstrua from his feeces and vapor it away in Balneo and it will be coagulated like a iellie vpon the which powre againe spiritum vini cariophillatum circulat them in a pellicane 10. daies then seperat the menstrua and the flesh of the vipers wil remaine excellently prepared essentificated with the which mingle vpoÌ„ a gentle fire oleum anethi cinamomi ana 1 scrup a halfe essentia croci margaritarum ana 1. scrup then with the muslege of gum tragagant make it in pilles or if yee will make pastillos after the olde manner with drye wheaten bread 1. scrup of this medicine is giuen against the leprosie the plague and all other venemous diseases Of the skin
of vipers and of other serpentes being dryed and prepared according to art is made a powder that helpeth very much against the woundes made by beastes or serpentes if it be laied thereon also to cure all cankers maligne vlcers Of the preparing of hornes and cordiall bones muske ciuet and castoreum Chap. 4. BOnes are either burnt or sodden with their conuenient liquor that out of them with the spirite of wine may be gotten the pure essence the which will bee done in the same order as we haue written of before in the preparing of a mans scull therefore thus shalt thou drawe out the essence of the bone of the Hartes hart which by a certaine likeliehod of substance doth strengthen mans hart and is cheiflie profitable against the paines of maÌ„s hart fincope his preparation differeth from the aforesaid because it is to be drawen with the spirit of Celandine alcolisated with his proper menstrua The hartes horne is vsed in stead of that bone for the said diseases whose essence is draweÌ„ forth with Hipericonis alcoole which is giuen vnto young children that be sicke of the wormes The horne of the Vnicorne which is the chiefest of al you shall prepare in the same order it defendeth the hart and driueth away all poisons it is good against pestilent difeases his proper menstrua is Alcoole melissae Ebur or Iuerie is also thus prepared whose vertue is to defend the strength of the hart and to helpe conception Out of Muske is also drawen a certaine precious essence cum vini spiritu terebinthinato as with his proper dissolution which doth strengthen and confirme the languishing partes and helpeth the weakned powers in like sort may you draw forh the essence of zibet In the like manner is the essence of Castoreum drawne forth of the which one drop is giuen with great profit in the decoction of the flowers of rosemarie sage and betony against tremblinges conuulsions or crampes and all diseases of the sinewes it is also applyed outwardly in conuulcions chieflie if it come of fulnesse and not of emptines and then that which is contained in the sinues contrarie to nature must be purged being dronke with water of penyryall it prouoketh womens termes and casteth forth the after burthen and it doth correct opium which is otherwise deadly The preparation of oiles out of fattes and greases Chap. 5. THe Chimistes doe draw oile out of the fat of all liuing thinges with a most gentle fire in the which is found a greater power to extenuate dissolue and supple then in the onely fatte not prepared because they be made more thinner subtiller which opinion Galen confirmeth 11. simpl where he intreateth of Castoreum furthermore saith he because it is of the subtill partes therefore it is more auaileable then the other things which do both heate and drie as it doth hee addeth that those mâ—dicines which consist of more subtil partes are more forcible then they which be of thinner although they haue both like facultie because they penetrat and goe deeper into the parts to which they be laied on chiefly if the partes be thick as the sinowy parts be I thinke there is no man if he way these wordes of Galen which will not allow these extractions both of oiles and essences which we vse and commend the vse of them in phisicke In this manner are oiles drawne out of the fat of men of the brocke of beares of wolues of hartes cattes eeles capons geese duckes calues hogges and of all Marrowes which do all resolue and supple and are good to cure many diseases Out of Butter is drawne an oile in the same order the which is Anodinum for the saide vses and to cease all paines Out of waxe is made an oile to resolue attenuate and is profitable against all colde greefes of the sine wes and is made thus Take one pound of yellow wax and melt it then powre it in sweet wine wring it out with your hands then melt it againe powre it into the same wine and this doe 4. or fiue times then put it into a retort with an halfe pouÌ„d of calcined allome and a handfull of sage and distill it with a gentel fire and there wil come forth a grosse thick oile and white the which if it bee rectifyed three times it will be perfect cleere and will congeale no more The vertues of oile of wax experimented by Monsure le counte de Shenaus his brother Monsure de Argenteaw in the warres in France This oile is of a temperat nature to be vsed either into the bodie or outward and may be vsed with out all danger it taketh away the paines of the gout if yee annoint the partes therewith it comforteth hard sine wes and ioynt aches the sciatica choppes in the lippes breast handes or feete and woundes burninges either with fire or water if ye annoint therewith and lay thereon a plaster of the same being put into the eare with black wool it helpeth deafnes it staieth haire from falling It is also good against the winde collicke and prouoketh vrine if ye vse to drinke euery morning Ê’ 1. with malmesie it preuaileth against the stitch in the side if yee drinke thereof and annoint the parts therewith To be short it helpeth against all manner of infirmities as hath bin diuers times prooued Of sundrie partes of liuing thinges Chap. 6. SVndrie profitable remedies are taken out of diuers parts of sundry beastes which neede verie little preparation notwithstanding are to be reserued in shoppes for the great vertues they haue in healing for the Riuer Crabbe being calcined to a white ashes is commended against the biting of a mad dogge The eies of Crabbes calcined in a reuerberatorie are giuen with good successe to them that are troubled with the stone and expelleth all obstructions of the bowelles of which we haue spoken of before against Aubertus The water of earth wormes distilled is profitable against the dropsie and to kill wormes in children and being bouÌ„d quicke vppon a panatâ—tio they profit much The water of cowe dung gathered in May is good against the dropsie and to cure all canâ—erd vlcers The powder of the worms called mille peduÌ„ is good against affectes of the eies Cattes pisse distilled against deafnes The bones cheiflie of a wolfe dryed and brought to powder helpeth the disease in the ribbes stitches and prickings Water of swallowes against the falling sicknes Water of the spawne of frogges to repell and stay all fluxes of bloud and rednes of the face Coaguluâ— le poris dronke with Hidromell against the falling sicknes Cerâ—aine litle bones which are found in the sorefeete of the hare prouoke vrine mightily if the powder bee giuen with white wine Orsepiae is with good successe giuen against the said diseases The powder of the liuer of frogges dryed is very well taken against the comming of the fit of a feuer especially the quartane Neither wil I let
dissolueth the stone in the raines and prouoketh vrine The last liquor that is redde maketh the heare yellowe as golde if ye wash it there with diuers times It taketh away spots in the eies and is thus made Take pure honie 2. pouÌ„d and distil it in a glasse that containeth 2. gallons with a gentle fire in sand till it changeth colour then change the receiuer increase the fire a little vntill all the fumes be come foorth the which will afterwarde turne into a redde liquor which some call the oile ex leonardo Phiorauanti There is also a quintaessence or burning spirit made out of honie the which hath the vertues and quailities that the spirite of wine hath in all pointes and may be vsed in steede therof some affirme that this quintaessence or spirite of honie will dissoule golde being firste calcined and circulated therewith certaine daies It dissolueth like wise any kinde of iewell that is put therein It healeth woundes with greate speede if ye wash them therewith It helpeth againste the cough cattar and paines of the milte it cureth spots in the eies and preserueth the sight It is affirmed that one vsinge this essence 40 daies was cured of the Palsie and fallingesicknesse also this quintaessence beeing distilled 20. times with perfect pure siluer calcined it wil restore the sight vnto those that are in manner blinde The extraâ—ction of liquors out of plantes flowers seedes and rootes Cap. 3. PVt Celandine brused into a glasse cucurbit well stopped set itto digest 15. daies in warm dung then distil it with a gentle fire vntill the feces remaine drie the which ye shall stampe powâ—ring there on the element of water before distilled that iâ—t may be couered 4 fingers theÌ„ stop the glasse putrifie it 8. daies in Balneo after distill it againe giuing fire by degrees til ther come forth no more spirits in this 2. distillation thou shalt haue the water aire the fleme if ye wil ye may seperate by Balneo which reserue then calcine the feces that remaine which imbibe with the fleme reserued puttifie it in Balneo and distill it per alembicum vntill the matter appeare in white stones the which by often solutions and coagulations with his proper water become cristaline and so the earth shall remaine well purified which although it be white notwithstanding containeth his fire and inward tincture vpon this put on your 2. first elementes before reserued and circulate al together in Balneo till the oile appeare and swim vpon which is called the true essence endued with infinite quallities In like manner ye may attaine the true preparations of Melissa sage and Valerian and all other hearbes In that manner ye may prepare the oyles of flowers but the herbes and flowers which yeeld small quantitie of oyle must be cut or stamped small and then put it into a glasse mixing with them if they be drie faire water distilled But if they be moist or waterish ye shall put them in a glasse alone close stopped and set them in the sunne or some warme place to macerate vntill ye see the oile swimme vppon the toppe the which ye shall power foorth and making it warme ye may seperate it by a funnell or conuenient instrumente Some vse to take those herbes and flowers thus macerated and distil them in a vessel of copper with a refrigeratory and after seperate the oile ye shall note that what vertue the herbe is of the oile is of the same but much more forcible subtile Oyle of Time his vertues THree or 4. droppes being drunke with aqua mulsa helpeth the painefull cough shortnes of breath clenseth the brest and ripeneth the fleme it prouoketh vrine expelleth the secundine and dead fruite from the maâ—rix in diâ—â—olueth clotted and coÌ„gealed bloud within the body being vsed with Oximell and a little salte it purgeth toughe and clammie fleme and sharpe cholerike humours and corruption of the bloud It preuaileth against blastings and winde in the bellie and stones being often vsed it preuaileth against melancholie diseases and the goute the smell of this oile is profitable for those that are toubled with the falling sicknesse Beeing put in to a hollowe tooth it taketh away the paines presentlie Oyle of sweete Margerom THis oile being often vsed with other conuenient medicines is most profitable for those that are fallen into a dropsie and cannot make water but with great difficultie It preuaileth against winde and gripings in the belly and prouoketh neesing it is comfortable against all paines of the heade and restoreth smelling beeing lost if it bee put into the eare nostrels it is good against poison and the stinging of Scorpiones Oyle of Sage THis oile dissolueth congeled bloud within the body cureth inward woundes and bruses comming either of a stripe or fall It prouoketh vrine and expelleth grauell comforteth the hart and head that is greeued with cold humours it is profitable for women with child because it closeth the matrix and comforteth the childe it is profitable for those that are troubled with the gout palsie or weakenes of the sinewes if ye mixe it with oile of waxe annoint the partes therewith it helpeth the cough and openeth obstructions of the liuer and swageth paines in the side beeing drunke with wormewood wine it is profitable against the bitings of venemous beastes for it cleanseth the sores and healeth them if it be put into vnguentes fitte for that purpose Oyle of Peniriall THis oile being drunke with conuenient liquors proueketh Menstrua and bringeth foorth the after burthen the dead fruite and vnnatural birth It prouoketh vrine and breaketh the stone especially in the kidnes being taken with conuenient siropes it clenseth the lunges and breast from al grosse and thicke humors beeing taken with aloes and honie it preuaileth against crampes and contractions of the sinewes being dronke with water and vineger it stayeth the inordinat desire to vomit gnawing paines of the stomack and is profitable against the biting of venemous beastes the annointing of the temples and nostrelles with this oile is profitable against the falling sicknes and taketh away the swimming paines thereof and is most profitable for those that haue a colde and moist braine it slaketh the paines of the gout the fume of this oile being receaued at the lower partes with a funnell is profitable against windines and blastinges and also against hardnes stoppings of the matrix Oile of Mintes THis warmeth and strengtheneth the stomacke and dryeth vp moist and superfluous humors gathered in the same and causeth good digestion it stayeth vomitting being dronke and annointing the stomacke therewith and killeth round wormes being often vsed it helpeth the griping paines of the collicke and stayeth the menstruall fluxe being either eaten or dronk with some conuenient medicine it easeth women which are much troubled with harde and perillous trauell in childe birth It helpeth deafnes if it be
haue the palsie and is profitable for those that are vexed with the splene not only dronke but also annointed therewith The true order to prepare and make oiles out of Rosens concreat liquors and gummes Chap. 4. THis oile is distilled with a geÌ„tle fire in Balneo and is most pure cleer some distil it in fand or ashes putting therto a haÌ„dful of salt a litle aqua vitae some put to it for euery lb. of turpentine â„¥ iij. of sifted ashes to keep the matter froÌ„ running ouer This oile is most profitable against cold diseases of the sinewes against asthma difficultie of breathing if ye drinke thereof Ê’ ij euery morning it preuaileth against grosse humors gathered together in the breast it ceaseth the paines of the collicke it helpeth chappes in womeÌ„s breastes and woundes it taketh away the crampe it helpeth deafnes and prouoketh vrine Oile of Frankensence THis oile is distilled as afore is said in sand with a gentle fire according to art vntill all the substance be come forth the which will be both oile and water the which yee must seperate by a funnell the water is good against winde in the stomacke if it be dronke it helpeth all chappes and chilblaines and such like either in the hands or feete if ye wash them therwith and annoint them with the oile against the fire and straight waies put on a paire of gloues it helpeth the white scall if yee wash it therewith also all maner of scabbes laying thereon morning and euening a cloth wet in the same it dryeth vp vlcers sores the oile is most precious against woundes in all partes of the body because it preserueth from putrefaction and alteration and taketh away paines if ye ioine the wound close together and lay this oile warm heron The first oile that commeth forth is cleere and preserueth the handes and face being annointed therewith it is also most profitable against all colde diseases inwardly if yee geue thereof Ê’ i. with conuenient liquors it dissolueth all tumors and aches comming of colde it taketh away the blacknes of any bruise being new done in two or three houres by continuall annointing the place so fast as it dryeth in Oile of Succinum or Amber STamp your amber small distill it in a retort with the powder of flint stones giuing it fire according to art vntill all the substance be come forth the which will bee both water and oile and a sal armoniacke the which wil hange about the Receauer the which keepe as a precious iuell then seperat one from another the oile is good against all affectes of the head comming of colde moist humors it helpeth the resolution of the sinewes the Apoplexia the falling sicknes and being put into the nostrelles when they fall it will recouer them presently it preserueth a man from poison and pestilent aires if yee annoint the nostrelles therwith it is good against diseases of the raines and bladder it dryueth forth grauell and prouoketh vrine if it be dronke with conuenient liquors it helpeth the collicke choking of the matrix being annointed therewith it bringeth forth the fruit and causeth faire deliuerance if it be dronke with conuenient liquors it strengtheneth and comforteth all the powres of the bodie it consumeth superfluous humors Oile of Masticke THe Apothecaries of â„¥ 4. of Mastike lb. i. of the oile of vnripe Oliues with â„¥ 4. of rosewater do make an oile which the Phisi ions prescribe to cure the lienterie and vomitting and to strengthen the stomacke and liuer which preparation is accounted ridiculous vnto those which out of lb. i. of mastike by their art draw â„¥ 10. of most pure oile whereof two droppes taken either with wine or broth or applied to the grieued place will profit more to cure the aforesaid diseases then lb. i. not of mastike but oâ—iues rather which our Phisitions I know not by what reason do vse now adaies wherefore yee shall prepare your oile in this manner Take of pure mastike lb. i. put it in a glasse with distilled water and aqua vitae of each alike so that it may be couered 4. fingers high then lute it close and set it in warme dung to putrify certaine daies afterward distill it in sand giuing fire by degrees and first there wil come forth with the menstruâ— a yellow oile the which keepe by it selfe then augment the fire and there will come forth a redde oile then at the last there will come forth a thicke blacke oile smelling of the fire the which ye shall circulate with the spirit of wine seperated from the first and then distill it againe and thou shalt haue a perfect oile profitable for outward griefes especially for his piercing force whereby it doth refresh all the members it strengtheneth the stomacke it helpeth concoction and inflations of the bowels it mollifyeth and asswageth their sorenes It comforteth and strengtheneth all the sinewes also the first yellow oile is geuen with wine or his proper decoction for the same diseases and to stoppe reumes if ye feare his fyrie heate after the aqua vite is seperated ye may wash it with rose water or faire water distilled and so ye shall make an excellent medicine against diuers infirmities Philippus Hermanus writeth that this oile is of a most subtill nature and stoppeth the menstruall flox and all other flixes being vsed with conuenient medicines either inward or outward it is good against falling downe of the fundement if ye annoint the parts therwith and put theÌ„ into their naturall place it is also profitable against the rupture in yong children it healeth woundes it fasteneth the teeth if yee annoint the gummes therewith Oile of Mirrha TAke pure mirrha â„¥ vj. and put thereto â„¥ xij of the spirit of wine set it in warme dung 6 daies then seperat the menstrua and the tincture or oile will remaine in the bottom This oile hath the vertues of naturall balme and preserueth all thinges from putrefaction that is annointed therewith Also the face being annointed therewith in a bath or stoue is preserued in youthfull state a long time it healeth woundes quicklie it helpeth foule stinking vlcers it helpeth those that are deafe it helpeth the paines of the mother if it be annointed therewith This oile dryeth and consumeth all accidents after child birth being dronke it maketh a sweete breath and helpeth the cough and shortnes of winde it helpeth the stitch in the side and all other inward diseases if ye drinke Ê’ ij thereof it stayeth haire froÌ„ falling If any be troubled with a feuer let them annoint all their bodie therewith and lay them downe to sweate and they shall be cured it taketh away the stinch of the armepittes if ye annoint the partes therewith in a bath or stoue being mixed with wine and the mouth washed therewith it fasteneth the teeth and gummes when ye will vse this oile to preserue
any part yee must first hold it ouer the â—ume of nettels boiled in faire water vntill the pores bee open then drie it well and annoint it with this oile and it will preserue it long time in youthfull state Oile of Galbanum THis gumme must first be dissolued in distilled vineger and then distilled in a retort with a gentle fire this oile is most profitable against inwarde bruses and crampes and shtinking of sinewes being dronke with oile of mirrha it is good against venome being either dronke or shotte into the body with venemous arrowes also dronke in the same order it prouoketh womens termes and deliuereth the dead fruit the fume of this oile being receaued at the lower partes worketh the same effect Also the fume of this oile being taken at the mouth helpeth the rising of the mother being layd to the nauell it causeth the matrix to stay in his naturall place the fume of this oile is profitable against the falling sicknes if ye annoint the nostrelles therewith In this maner ye may make oile of labdanuÌ„ opoponax sagapenum Amoniacum and such like which doe soften the knots of the gout and doth mightily dissolue the hardnes of the liuer splene and other members if they be distilled all together or taken euerie one by himselfe according to the method prescribed Oile of Egges SOme make this oile by distillation of the yolks of egges some by stirring them in a pan ouer the fire after they be sodden hard The water of egges being distilled taketh away scarres and spottes in the face or other places The oile comforteth against all paines it helpeth woundes by gunshot it preuaileth much against burninges and scaldings either with fire or water or powder it maketh haire blacke if ye annoint it therewith it slaketh the paines of the hemeroides if yee annoint them therewith often times The yolkes of egges being distilled with as much white wax is most precious to heale woundes and bruses for it resolueth them with great speede the stomacke being annointed therwith causeth good digestion and comforteth it meruellouslie The true preparation of certaine oiles which are commonlie vsed in Apothecaries shops to be applied outwardly FOr outward medicines you shall best draw forth the hole strength of roses violets nymphaea white popie henbane and Mandrake with oile oliue which are commonly vsed in shoppes all which do quench inflamations and great heates asswage hot swellinges strengthen and thicken the member stoppe fluxes helpe madnes and prouoke sleepe if you vse this method following Oile of Roses TAke oleum omphacinum and wash it with common water distilled diuers times then purify it in Balneo vntill it leaue no more feces then take lb. j. of this oile so prepared of red roses the whites being cutte off and brused in a stone morter lb. j. ss put them into a glasse and set it to putrify in warme dung twelue daies being close luted theÌ„ presse forth the oile and put in fresh leaues as afore is said and putrify it againe and this ye shall doe three or foure times and so shall ye haue a perfect good oile in like sort shall you make all other cooling oiles for topicall medecines very well So is oile of Quinces and myrtilles made which refrigerat and astringe and are applied to the stomacke liuer braine and weake bowelles and also to the fundement In like manner are oiles made of Camomill and Lilies which doth strengthen the sinewes moderat resolue and swage aches but these are made with ripe sweet oile prepared as afore Of mintes wormewood lentiscus and others after the same order are oiles made with oleum omphacinum which being annointed doth moderatly warme the stomacke and strengthen the other partes and helpe concoction but first they are prepared with their proper water and astringent wine and must be clensed from all feces in Balneo certaine daies as is afore said But if any man will warme attenuat and digest the more strongly by these oiles let him take like portions of oile purifyed in Balneo and the spirit of wine Out of baies and such like beries ye may make oile if ye digest them the space of a moneth in warme dung and then presse them forth serua They are good for all colde greefes of the braine or sinewes and disperse winde But all these oiles of hot quallities will be much better if they be drawne onely with the spirit of wine in Balneo without any addition of other oile as Galen 1. simp cap. 15. Although it doth easilie inflame yet it doth not so quickly heate vs for through his grose and slimie substance sticking fast to that it first toucheth and therfore indureth long vpon all things wherewith it is annointed neither is it extenuated or digested of the aire about it or easily made to passe into the bodie Of artificiall saltes and their properties Chap. 1. THe vse and profit of saltes that are drawen out of simples by calcination are in maner as great in phisicke as the rocke or common salt is which daily and in general serueth to mans releefe for when from simples a grosse fleme is taken awaye which in troth hindereth their operation how much more woulde they performe their operation if they were conuerted into a spirituall matter which by long distillations and filtrings is caused that they may change by a certaine manner into a firye matter therefore it is not to be doubted that when the simples be conuerted into a salte and the element of fire hath in no such wise dominion in them but that they pierce sooner and may performe their proper action that such a heape or companie of diuers simples shall not neede besides in the composition of remedies for such salts haue certaine properties the which other purgers being distilled want for euerie salt saith Theophrastus Paracelsus purgeth but the distilled waters of the purgers lacke or haue not the same propertie because his salt is not ioyned in the same so that I suppose a great tartnes or sharpnes consifteth in them all The manner and fashion to prepare these saltes are diuers according to the opinion of the Authors Some will the hearbes to be gathered in their due time and distill away the water in Balneo then calcine the feces and with their proper water draw forth the salt the which yee shall calcine in a fornace of calcination and dissolue it againe and congeale it and this ye shall do vntill it be white as snowe the which afterward by a workeman may be brought christalline These saltes called alkalye must be kept in a glasse close stopped because the aire will soon resolue them which happeneth especially to those that are made of hearbes those substances which possesse and haue more quantity of eile and the subtiller Some calcine them slightly some more some lesse some make their salte with their owne water distilled from the hearbes some with raine water distilled
vrine and menstrua that are suppressed it resisteth corruption it cureth the plague and sundrie feuers as pestilential tercians quartanes and quotidianes it withstandeth vomitting There is no doubt but that al these vertues are contained in this blessed Mumia for that we see the effect in crude vrine for it moueth vrine and menstrua it cureth tumors the dropsie it helpeth the paines and wind in the gutâ—es collicke it is profitable against the feuer tercian quartan quotidian and against the plage and pestilent feuer it is a remedy if it be dronke 15. daies together with safron or certaine graines of this powder following whose wonderfull vertues daily experience doth shew as well in curing as preuenting as hath bin proued in the time of the pestilence Take Maces laied to steepe in vineger 24 houres ouÌ„ ij caÌ„phir ouÌ„ ss Manus Christi made with dissolued perle oile of cinamom ouÌ„ iiij beat them in fine powder and keepe it to thy vse Vrine also breaketh the stone in the raines and bladder it dissolueth the obstructions of the liuer it cureth the iandies it purgeth the lunges and killeth wormes with diuers other vertues which ye shall find written in a booke called Vrinarum probationes Iodoci Wilichij the dose of the essence is from ouÌ„ i. to ouÌ„ ij with sugar cinamom of the crude vrine yee may drinke greater quantitie Paracelsus writeth a great arcauÌ„ of vrine and calleth it Rebisola and sal cristalline the which cureth the iandies take the vrine of a yong child as a fore and boile it in a glasse or stone vessell and skum it cleane then put it in a glasse and set it in a moist place certaine daies and in the bottom ye shall finde certaine stones â—f salt congealed the which are called Rebisola and are of a wonderfull vertue against all obstructions of the body The feces remaining in the bottom after the vrine is quite boiled away being calcined white and dissolued in a conuenient distilled water and congealed againe into a most white powder is a most approued experiment against all outward greefes of the eies if it bee put therin twice a day Rec. Euphrasiae faeniculi rutae chelidoniae veâ—benae betonicae ana m. i Rosmarini m. ss semen feniculi anisi carui sileris montani ana ouÌ„ ss Calami aromatici Ê’ vi thurismirrhae aloes ana Ê’ ij aque rosaruÌ„ lb ij aque rutae vini odorati ana lb i. vrinae pueri lb ss let them stande together foure daies and then distill them in a glasse and therewith wash your eies Also yee shall hange in this water a fine linnen cloth wherein is the powder of white amber or succinum or else put in the powder it selfe Also it would bee good to wash their feet in the morning with the decoctioÌ„ of betonye and sometime to take the fume of Xyloaloes in the eies the which is a present remedy against Opthalmia Of common salt THere are founde three sortes of saltes the one naturall which is a meane mineral called sal gemmae or stone salt the which is found in mountaines in the prouince of Calabria and in Spaine in the I le of Iuiza whereof there are diuers medicines prepared the second is artificiall as is made in Cheshire and diuers other places by boiling it The third kinde is made in the sand by extreame heate of the sunne but the most pleasantest and well relished salt is that which is boiled on the fire for it is pure and white neuerthelesse the salt of the mountaine is of more vertue in phisicall causes for if it be calcined 40. dayes and then dissolued in the quintessence of honie it is of such vertue that it will in maner reuiue a man that lies speechlesse if yee giue him a spoonefull thereof to drinke also this salt being made in a pultus with branne and oile and applied warme helpeth many griefes Also a decoction of sal geÌ„mae with wine and oile being giuen in a clister is most profitable against pains of the head the sciatica and paines of the raines and likewise is profitable for those that are troubled with a carnositie in the yard for by nature it preserueth all thinges from putrefaction also this salt being often calcined dissolued congealed may be vsed in meates in stead of common salt for it procureth an appetite causeth digestion killeth wormes with diuers other vertues Also it may be made fusible in this order Rec. lb. i. of sal geÌ„mae and 2. ounces of tartar calcined one ounce of sal nitri and boile them in distilled vineger vntil it be drye then grind it to powder and boile it with as much faire water vntill it be drie and this ye shall doo so often vntill it remaine like an oile in the bottome for as soone as it feeleth the aire it will turne to water This oile doth retaine all volatill spirits is called of the Alchemistes their susible salt It helpeth in manner all kind of vlcers if ye touch them therewith in short time L. F. Oleum salis Rec. coÌ„mon salt lb. 3. terrae luteae lb. 6. salis nitri purgati ouÌ„ i. ss mixe them well together distil theÌ„ in a retort of earth as ye would do aqua fortis vntil all the spirits be come forth the which ye shall rectify in sand vntill all the fleme be separated from the spirites This oile being mixed with oile of verbascum and annointed taketh away the paines of the gout and dissolueth hard swellinges It quickneth a man it consumeth water betweene the flesh and the skinne it driueth away the falling sicknesse it profiteth against the dropsie and feuers if three or foure droppes be dronke with aqua vitae Sal nitri THis salt is a kind of salt of vrine the which is taken forth of the earth by art and is verie profitable against many infirmities and worketh two contrarie effectes the first is that it cooleth greatly as yee may see in sommer when the weather is most hot how that for to coole their wine presently they take sal nitri and mixe it with water and therin shake or moue their bottelles of tinne or glasse being full of wine presently it waxeth as cold as Ise also laid vppon the tong it cooleth maruellouslie To the coÌ„trary if ye drink the waight of Ê’ i. it will heate the bodie maruellouslie Also a water made of sal nitri and roch allome according to art is of such an extreme heat that it wil dissolue siluer copper Iron steele and all other sortes of mettalles presently into water Moreouer being mixed with cole and sulfur it maketh gunpowder Also sal nitri being calcined 30. daies with as much tartar and circulated with the spirites of wine mixed with the spirites of cinamom ginger and cloues it will bee a most rare medicine to cure the Etisie and dropsie such like diseases Oleum salis nitri