The clear Oyle of Mastick, and Frankincense

Take of Frankincense or Mastick powdered small, as much as will serve to fill the third part of a Retort (which must be coated) upon which pour a sufficient quantity of spirit of Salt, taking heed that the Retort be not filled too full, or else the spirit when it boyles, flows over it, then place it in sand, and give fire by degrees, and there will first come out some phlegme, after which a clear transparent oyle together with the spirit of salt, which must be kept by it self, after this a certain yellow Oyle which must be received by it self, and last of all there follows a red Oyle, which altho’ it is not to be cast away, yet it is very unlike to the first, serving for outward uses, and to be mixed with Oyntments and Emplasters, for it doth wonderfully consolidate, and therefore good in new and old Wounds. The first being well rectified, is in its subtilty, and penetrating faculty not unlike to spirit of wine, and may profitably be used inwardly and outwardly, viz. in cold affects, but especially in the stiffness of the Nerves, caused by cold humors, upon which follows a contraction; but then you must first rub the member contracted with a linnen cloath, that it may be well warmed, into which then the Oyle must be chafed with a warm hand. For it doth do wonders in such like affects of the Nerves.

After the same manner may Oyles be made out of all gumms. The red, tenacious and stinking Oyles of Tartar, Harts-horn, Amber, &c. distilled after the common way by retort are also rectified with spirit of salt so as to become transparent and to lose the Empyreuma contracted by distillation.

Now the cause of the blackness, and fetidness of these kind of Oyles, is a certain volatile salt which is to be found as well in Vegetables, as certain Animals, which is easily mixed with the Oyle, and makes it of a brown colour. For every volatile salt whether it be of Urine, Tartar, Amber, Harts-horn, and of other Vegetables and Animals, is of this condition and nature, as to exalt, and alter the colours of sulphureous things, and that either for the worse or for the better: but for the most part it makes Oyles thick, black and stinking, as you may see in Amber, Harts-horn, and Tartar. The cause therefore of the blackness, and fetidness of these Oyles being known we may the more easily take heed thereof in distilling, and being contracted, correct them again by the help of spirit of Salt. For all volatile salt hath contrariety to any acid spirit, and on the other side, every acid spirit hath a contrariety with all volatile salts, that have the nature of salt of Tartar. For metals that are dissolved with acid spirits are as well precipitated with spirit of Urine, or any volatile salt as with the liquor of salt of Tartar; which shall be more at large declared in the second part.

The volatile salt therefore is by the mortifying acid spirits, as of Salt, Vitriol, Allom, Vinegar, &c. deprived of its volatility, and is fixed, by which means being debilitated it forsakes its associate which was infected with blackness by it: it is necessary that we should proceed after the same manner with these fetid Oyles, viz. as follows.

Take any fetid Oyle of Tartar, Amber, &c. with which fill the fourth part only of a glass Retort, and upon it pour by drops the spirit of salt; and it will begin to be hot, as it is used to be, when Aqua fortis is poured on salt of Tartar; wherefore the spirit is to be poured on it by little and little, and by drops for fear of breaking the glass: Now the signe of the mortification of the volatile salt is, when it ceaseth to make a noise, and then no more is to be poured on, but set your Retort in sand, & give fire to it by degrees, as is used to be done in the rectifying things of easie elevation: and first of all will go forth a certain stinking water, after which comes a transparent clear, and odoriferous Oyle, and after that a certain yellow, clear, and also well smelling Oyle, but not so as the first, wherefore each must be taken a part by changing the receivers. Now these Oyles become more grateful than those fetid ones of the shops. For these Oyles retain their clearness, and fairness, the cause of their fetidness, and redness being taken away by the spirit of salt. In the bottom of the Retort remains the black volatile salt with the spirit of salt, from whence it may be sublimed into an odoriferous salt resembling salt armoniack in tast. The spirit of salt is also deprived of its acidity, and coagulated by the volatile salt, and is like tartarum vitriolatum, appointed also for its uses, as shall be spoken in the second part, of the spirit of Urine.

After the same manner also are rectified other Oyles, which by length of time have contracted a clamminess, as are Oyle of Cinnamon, Mace, Cloves, &c. with the spirit of Salt, if they be rectified by Retort, for then they acquire again both the same clearness, and goodness, as they had when they were newly distilled.

Here I must make mention of a certain error of Physitians, not only of ignorant Galenists but Spagyricks, committed in the preparations of some Chymical medicaments. For many have perswaded themselves that Oyle of Tartar, Harts-horn, &c. having lost its stink, is a Medicine radically taking away all obstructions; but this must be taken with a grain of salt. For some have rectified these kinds of Oyles by calcined Vitriol, and by that means have somewhat made them lose their Empyreuma, but with all their Vertues; which others observing have conceived that the fetidness thereof is not to be taken away, because the Vertue of them is thereby lost, as if the Vertue consisted in the fetidness thereof; but that is a very great error, because fetidness is an enemy to the heart and brain, and in it is no good. But this is granted, that they that take away the fetidness of those Oyles mortifie the vertues of them. But thou sayst, How then must we proceed in taking away their fetidness without the loss of the vertues? Must they be rectified by the spirit of salt? as even now thou taughtest. R. No, for although I said that Oyles might be clarified with spirit of salt, yet it doth not follow that my meaning was, that that clarification was the mending of them: This is only a way of clarification, whereby they become more grateful; and it is not to be slighted, a better being unknown. But how they are to be rectified from their fetidness and blackness, without the loss of their Vertues, and to be made more noble, doth not belong to this place, because it cannot be done by this Furnace: I shall refer the reader therefore to the second part, where it shall be shewed, how such spirits are to be rectified without the loss of their vertues, which being so prepared may well be accounted for the fourth Pillar of Physick. And these things I was willing at least for information sake to shew you, not to offend you, and that because I was moved with pity, and compassion towards my neighbour.

The Quintessence of all Vegetables.

Pour upon Spices, Seeds, Woods, Roots, Fruits, Flowers, &c. the Spirit of Wine well rectified, place them in digestion to be extracted, untill all the essence be extracted, with the Spirit of Wine; then upon this Spirit of Wine, being impregnated, pour the best Spirit of Salt; and being thus mixed together, place them in Balneo to digest, untill the Oyle be separated, and swim above from the Spirit of Wine, then separate it with a separating glass, or distill off the Spirit of Wine in Balneo, and a clear Oyle will ascend; for if the Spirit of Wine be not abstracted, then that Oyle will be as red as blood; and it is the true quintessence of that vegetable, from whence by the Spirit of Wine it was extracted.

The Quintessence of all Metals and Minerals.

Dissolve any metal (excepting Silver, which must be dissolved in Aqua fortis) in the strongest spirit of Salt, and draw off the flegme in Balneo; to that which remains pour the best rectified spirit of Wine, put it to digesting, untill the Oyle be elevated to the top as red as blood, which is the tincture, and quintessence of that metal, being a most Precious treasure in medicine.

A sweet and red Oyle, of Metals and Minerals.

Dissolve a Metal or Mineral in spirit of Salt, dissolve also an equal weight of salt of Wine essentificated; mix these dissolutions, and distill them by retort in a gradual heat, and there will come out an oyle sweet, and as red as blood, together with the spirit of Salt; and sometimes the neck of the retort and receiver will be coloured like a Peacocks tail with divers colours, and sometimes with a golden colour.

And because I would without any difference comprehend all Metals and Minerals under one certain general process; let him that would make the essence of silver take the spirit of nitre, and proceed in all things as was spoken of the other metals. Concerning the use of these essences, I need not speak much thereof; for to him that knows the preparation shall be discovered the use thereof. Concerning the corrosive oyles of metals and minerals, seeing they cannot be described by any one process, it will be worth while to set down what is peculiar to each of them, as followeth.

The Oyle, or Liquor of Gold.

Dissolve the calx of gold in the spirit of salt, (which must be very strong, or else it cannot dissolve it) but in defect of the strongest spirit thereof, mix a little of the purest salt-peter; but that oyle is the best which is made with the spirit of salt alone. From the gold dissolved abstract half the solution, and there will remain a corrosive oyle, upon which pour the expressed juice of lemons, and the dissolution will become green, and a few feces fall to the bottom, which may be reduced in melting. This being done, put this green liquor in Balneo, and draw off the flegme: that which remains take out, and put upon a marble in a cold moist place, and it will be resolved into a red oyle, which may safely, and without danger be taken inwardly, curing those that are hurt with Mercury. But especially it is commended in old ulcers of the mouth, tongue, and throat, arising from the French pox, leprosy, scorbute, &c. where the oyl of other things cannot be so safely used. There is not a better medicine in the exulceration, and swelling of the glandules, in the ulcers of tongue and jaws, which doth sooner mundify, and consolidate. Neither yet must we neglect necessary purgings, and sudorificks, for fear of a relapse, the cause not being taken away.

Neither will there any danger follow, whether it be given inwardly, or used outwardly, as in the accustomed use of other medicaments, and gargarisms; for it may daily, and truly without all danger be used at least three times with a wonderful admiration of a quick operation.

Oyle of Mars.

Dissolve thin plates of Iron in rectified spirit of salt, take the solution, which is green, of a sweet tast, and smelling like fetid sulphur; and filter it from that filthy and feculent residence: then in a glass gourd in sand, abstract all the humidity (viz. with a gentle fire) which will be as insipid as rainwater, because the iron by reason of its dryness, hath attracted all the acidity to it self: but in the bottom will remain a mass as red as blood, burning the tongue like fire: it takes away all proud flesh of wounds, and that without all danger. It is to be kept in a glass close stopt from the air, lest it be resolved into an oyle, which will be of a yellow colour. But he that desires to have the oyle, may set it on a marble in a moist Cellar, and within a day it will be resolved into an oyle, which will be in colour betwixt yellow and red: It is a most excellent secret in all corroding ulcers, fistulas, cancer, &c. being an incomparable consolidator, and mundifyer. And it is not without profit mixed also with common water to wash the moist, fetid ulcers of the leggs; which cause tumours, by being applyed warm like a bath, for it dryes, and heals suddenly, if withal Purges be administred. It cures also any scab. That red mass (being yet unresolved) being put on the oyle of sand, or flints (of which in the second part) makes a tree to grow in the space of one or two hours, having root, trunk, and boughs: which being taken out, and dryed, in the test yields good gold, which that tree extracts from the earth, i. e. from the flints, or sand. Thou mayst if thou pleasest, more accurately examine this matter.

Oyle of Venus.

Spirit of Salt doth not easily work upon Copper, unless it be first reduced into a calx, and that after this manner. Take plates of Copper made red hot in an open crucible, quench them in cold water, and they will cleave into red scales: then the remainders of the plates make red hot, and quench as before: do this so often, till thou hast got a sufficient quantity of the calx; which being dryed, and powdered, extract with the rectified spirit of salt, in sand, until the spirit of salt be sufficiently coloured with a green tincture, which you must decant, and filter; and then abstract from it the superfluous moisture, that there may remain a green thick oyle, which is an excellent remedy for ulcers, especially such as are Venereal, being applyed outwardly.

Oyle of Jupiter and Saturn.

Neither are these two metals easily dissolved in the spirit of salt, yet being filed, are dissolved in the best rectified spirit of salt. But the operation is performed better with the flowers of these metals (the preparation whereof shall be hereafter taught.) Take therefore the flowers, upon which in a gourd glass pour the spirit of salt, and presently the spirit will work upon them, especially being set in a warm place; filter the yellow solution, and abstract the humidity, until there remain a yellow heavy oyle, which is proper against putrid ulcers.

Oyle of Mercury.

Neither is this easily dissolved with the spirit of salt: but being sublimed with vitriol, and salt is easily dissolved. Being dissolved, it yields an oyle very corrosive, which must be used with discretion, wherefore it is not to be administred, unless it be where none of the other are to be had. For I saw a woman suddenly killed with this oyle, being applyed by a certain Chyrurgeon. But this oyle is not to be slighted in eating ulcers, tetter, &c. which are mortified by it.

Oyle of Antimony.

Crude Antimony that hath never undergone the fire, is hardly dissolved in spirit of salt: as also the Regulus thereof; but the Regulus being subtilly poudered, is more easily wrought upon, in case the spirit be sufficiently rectified.

The Vitrum is more easily, but most easily of all the flowers are dissolved, being such as are made after our prescription a little after set down. Neither is Butyrum Antimonii (being made out of sublimed Mercury, and Antimony) any thing else but the Regulus of Antimony dissolved with spirit of salt; for sublimed Mercury being mixed with Antimony, feeling the heat of the fire, is forsaken by the corrosive spirits associating themselves with the Antimony, whence comes the thick Oyle; whilest which is done the sulphur of Antimony is joyned to the Quick-silver, and yields a Cinnabar, sticking to the neck of the Retort; but the residue of the Mercury remains in the bottom with the Caput Mortuum, because a little part thereof doth distill off: And if thou hast skill thou mayst recover the whole weight of the Mercury again.

And these things I was willing the rather to shew thee, because many think this is the oyle of Mercury, and therefore that white powder made thence by the pouring on of abundance of water they call Mercurius vitæ, with which there is no mixture at all of Mercury, for it is meer Regulus of Antimony dissolved with spirit of Salt, which is again separated, when the water is poured on the Antimonial butter; as is seen by experience; For that white pouder being dryed, and melted in a crucible yields partly a yellow Glass, and partly also a Regulus, but no Mercury at all.

Whence it doth necessarily follow that that thick oyle is nothing else but Antimony dissolved in spirit of Salt. For the flowers of Antimony being mixed with spirit of Salt, make an oyle in all respects like to that butter which is made of Antimony, and sublimated Mercury, which also is after the same manner by the affusion of a good quantity of water precipitated into a white pouder, which is commonly called Mercurius vitæ: It is also by the same way turned into Bezoardicum mineral, viz. by abstracting the spirit of Nitre, and it is nothing else but Diaphoretick Antimony.

For it is all one whether that Diaphoretick be made with spirit of Nitre, or with Nitre it self, viz. corporeal, for these have the same vertues, although some are of opinion that that is to be preferred before the other; but the truth is, there is no difference. But let every one be free in his own judgment, for those things which I have wrote, I have not Writ out of ambition, but to find out the truth.

Now again to our purpose, which is to shew an oyle of Antimony made with the spirit of salt.

Take a pound of the flowers of Antimony (of which a little after) upon which pour two pound of the best rectified spirit, mix them well together in a glass, and set them in sand a day and night to dissolve, then pour out that solution together with the flowers into a retort that is coated, which set in sand, and first give a gentle fire, untill the flegme be come off, then follows a weak spirit with a little stronger fire, for the stronger spirits remain in the bottom with the Antimony: then give a stronger fire, and there will come forth an oyle like to the butter of Antimony made with sublimed Mercury, and is appropriated to the same uses, as follows.

The flowers of Antimony, White and Vomitive.

Take of this butter as much as you please, upon which in a glass gourd, or any other large glass pour a great quantity of water until the white flowers will precipitate no more; then decant off the water from the flowers, which edulcorate with warm water, and dry with a gentle heat, and thou shalt have a white pouder.

The Dose is, that 1. 2. 3. 8. 10. grains be macerated for the space of a night in wine, which is to be drank in the morning, and it worketh upward and downward. But it is not to be given to children, those that be old, and weak, but to those that be strong, and accustomed to vomiting. When at any time this infusion is taken and doth not work, as sometimes it falls out, but makes the Patient very sick, he must provoke vomiting with his finger, or else it will not work, but make those that have taken it to be sick, and debilitated even to death. We must also in the over much working of these flowers drink a draught of warm Beer, or rather of warm Water, decocted with Chervil, or Parsly, and they will work more mildly. But let not him that is able to bear the operation thereof any way hinder it, for there is the greater hope of recovering his health thereby, for they do excellently purge choler, and evacuate flegme in the Stomack, being humors that will not yield to other Catharticks; they open obstructions, resist the putrefaction of the blood, the causes of many diseases, such as are Feavers, Head-aches, &c. they are good for them that are Leprous, Scorbutical, Melancholical, Hypochondriacal, infected with the French-Pox, and in the beginning of the Plague. In brief, they do work gallantly, and do many things.

After the taking of them, the Patient must stay in his bed or at least not go forth of his house, for to avoid the aire, or otherwise they may be mistrusted.

And because of their violence they are feared, and hated, I shall in the fourth part of this Book for the sake of the sick set down such as are milder, and safer, such as shall work rather downward than upward, causing easie vomits, which also thou mayest give to children, and those that are old without danger, yet some respect being had of the disease, and age.

The flowers of Antimony diaphoretical.

The foresaid flowers if they be cast into melted Nitre, and be left a while in melting, are made fixt, so as to become Diaphoretical, and lose their Cathartical Vertue. The acid water being separated from the flowers, if it be evaporated, leaves behind the best spirit of salt, serving for the same or such like uses again.

Of the External use of the Corrosive Oyle of Antimony.

This oyle hath been long used by Chirurgions, for they have with a feather applyed it to wounds almost uncurable, to separate impurities, for the acceleration of the cure, that afterwards other medicaments being applyed may the better operate. But it is better if it be mixed, with spirit of Salt, for they are easily mixed and it is made more mild thereby, and the too great corrosive faculty thereof is mitigated. Neither is there any other besides the spirit of Salt, with which this oyle can be mixed, unless it be the strongest spirit of Nitre, for the weak spirit of Nitre precipitates the butter of Antimony, as you may see in the preparation of Bezoardicum Minerale. But the strongest spirit of nitre dissolving this butter, makes a red solution of wonderfull Vertue in Chymistry, of which we are not to treat in this place; and if this be drawn off again by distillation, it leaves behind the first time a fixed Antimony, and Diaphoretical, which otherwise must be drawn off twice, or thrice, viz. if it be weak, and not able to dissolve the butter without precipitation.

Now this Bezoardicum is the best, and safest Diaphoretick in all diseases that require sweat, as in the plague, French pox, feavers, scorbute, leprosy, &c. if it be given from 6. 8. 10. to twenty grains in proper vehicles; it penetrates the whole body, and evacuates all evil humours by sweat and urine.

The Oyl of Arsenic and Auripigmentum.

As the spirit of salt doth not easily work upon Antimony by reason of the abundance of crude sulphur, unless it be reduced into flowers, in the preparation whereof, some part of its sulphur is burnt; so also Arsenic and Auripigmentum are hardly dissolved with spirit of salt, unless they be reduced into flowers, and the spirit of salt be very strong, which may be able to work upon it. These may be distilled by retort like Antimony into a thick heavy oyl; which being used in cancrous eating ulcers, exceeds that of Antimony in mortifying, mundifying, and purging those evils. After the same manner may corrosive oyls be made out of all the realgars being ordained for outward uses.

Oyl of Lapis Calaminaris.

Take of the best yellow or red Lapis Calaminaris very subtilly powdered, as much as you please, and pour upon it five or six times as much of rectified spirit of salt, mix and stir them well together, and do not leave them long unstirred, but ever and anon shake the glass with the materials; and this do oftentimes, or else the Lapis Calaminaris will grow together into a very hard stone, which can be dissolved no more, and is prevented by the aforesaid often shaking: and when the spirit of salt will dissolve no more thereof in frigido, set the glass in warm sand so long, until the spirit be tinged with a most yellow colour, which then decant, and pour on fresh, and again set it in digestion to extract, and do not forget to shake the glass often. The solution being finished filter it, and cast away the residue of the terra mortua. Afterwards set the solution in sand, and give fire, and almost three parts of the spirit of salt will go over insipid, which is nothing but the flegme, although the spirit was never so well rectified; the reason whereof is the most dry nature of lapis calaminaris, to which the spirit of salt is very friendly, and therefore very hard to be separated from it. For I never knew any mineral or metal (beside Zinck) which exceeds lapis calaminaris in dryness. At last when no more flegm will go over, let all things cool; which being done, take out the glass, and thou shalt find a red thick oyl, as fat as oyl olive, and not very corrosive; for that spirit of salt being almost mortified with the lapis calaminaris is deprived of its acidity. This oyl is to be kept from the air; or else within a few dayes it attracts much air which it converts into water, and thereby becomes weakened.

This Oyl is of wonderful Vertue, being used as well inwardly as outwardly. And I wonder that in so long a time there hath been no body, who hath operated in lapis calaminaris and described the nature thereof, seeing it hath in it a golden sulphur (of which thing in the fourth Part) for if the terrestreity thereof were separated from it artificially, pure gold would be manifested therein; now the greatest part thereof is volatile, and immature, and cannot easily be reduced into a body in melting, wherefore hitherto that stone hath not been esteemed of by Chymists, but to the wise was alwayes pretious, &c.

The use of the Oyl of Lapis Calaminaris.

If it be given from 1. 2. 3. drops to ten, and fifteen with sutable vehicles, it purgeth the dropsy, leprosy, gout, and other noxious fixed humors not yielding to vegetable Catharticks, of which more at large in the second Part of the spirit of urine and salt of tartar. It serves outwardly for an excellent vulnerary balsome, the like to which can scarce be shewed, not only in reducing old corrupt wounds, but also in those that are green, for it doth powerfully dry, mundify, and consolidate.

It is also used in houshold affairs, for birdlime being dissolved in it, yields a certain tenacious matter serving to catch birds, mice, &c. about the house or in the field. For it is as permanent in the heat of the Sun, as in the cold of Winter, wherefore it may be used at any time of the year; all small animals stick to it if they do but touch the matter.

A ligature or string smeered therewith, and bound about any tree prevents the spiders from climbing up thereon, and other kinds of insects that are noxious to the fruit; a thing worth taking notice of.

This oyl is not by the pouring on of water corrupted, neither is it precipitated, as that of Antimony: wherefore it is useful for many things. Common yellow sulphur boyled in it, viz. in a strong fire, so as to be dissolved in it, swims upon it like fat, is thereby purified and made as transparent as yellow pellucid glass, and a better medicine than those common flowers of sulphur: it serves also for other uses, all which to relate here it would be too tedious.

This oyl being mixed with clean sand, and distilled by retort in a fire that is very strong (otherwise the spirit of salt will not leave the lapis calaminaris) yields a most fiery spirit, the lapis calaminaris remaining in the bottom of the retort.

This spirit is so strong, that it can scarce be kept; it dissolves all metals, and all minerals (excepting silver and sulphur) wherefore by the help thereof many excellent medicaments are made, which cannot be made with the common spirit though never so well rectified, which although it be often rectified, yet it is not without flegm, which cannot be separated from it by the power of rectification, so well as with lapis calaminaris.

This spirit doth perform many things in medicine, & alchymy, as also in other arts, as you may easily conjecture; but here is not opportunity to speak more of these things, yet for the sake of the sick I shall add one thing, to which few things are to be compared; the plain & short process whereof I would not have thee be offended at. And it is this, viz. mix this spirit with the best rectifyed spirit of wine, digest this mixture some while, and the spirit of salt will separate the spirit of wine, and will make the oyl of wine swim on the top, the volatile salt being mortified: and this oyl is a most incomparable cordial, especially if with the said spirit of wine, spices have first been extracted, and with the said spirit of salt, gold hath been dissolved. For then in the digestion of this mixture, the oyl of wine being separated, attracts the essence of the cordial species, and of other vegetables, being extracted before with the spirit of wine, as also the tincture of gold, and so by consequence a most efficacious incomparable and universal medicine for all diseases, fortifying the Humidum radicale, that it may be able to overcome its enemies; for which let praise and glory be given to the immortal God for ever who hath revealed to us so great secrets.

Of the Extrinsecal use of the spirit of Salt in the Kitchen.

I said before that instead of Vinegar, and verjuice it may be used, as also instead of the juice of Limons, now it remains that I shew you how it is to be used, and that indeed as well for the sake of the healthy as the sick.

Let him therefore that will dress a pullet, pigeons, veal, &c. in the first place put a sufficient quantity of spices, of water, and butter, and then as he pleaseth a greater, or lesser quantity of spirit of salt: and by this means fleshes are sooner made ready being boyled, then that common way; an old hen though the flesh thereof be old is made as tender as a chicken by the addition of this spirit: but he that will use it instead of the juice of Limons with rost meat, must put into it the pill of Limons for preservation sake, because it preserves it. It is used instead of verjuice by it self alone, or mixed with a little sugar, if it be too acid.

He that will stew beef, and make it as tender as kid, must first dissolve in it tartar and a little salt before he wets the flesh therewith, and the flesh will not only be preserved but made tender thereby: but to keep flesh a long time you must mix some water therewith, and with weights press down the flesh, that it may be covered with the pickle: for by this means flesh may be preserved a great while.

After the same manner may all kinds of garden fruits be preserved, as cucumbers, purslain, fennel, broom, German capers, &c. and indeed better than in vinegar. Also flowers, and hearbs may a long while be preserved by the help thereof, so that you may have a rose all the winter.

It preserves also wine, if a little be mixed therewith. A little thereof being mixed with milk precipitates the cheese, which if it be rightly made is never corrupted, being like to such cheese as they call Parmesan. The whey of that milk dissolves Iron, and cures any scab being washed therewith.

With the help of spirit of salt is made with honey, and sugar a most pleasant drink, not unlike to wine. There is made also of certain fruits with the spirit of salt a very good vinegar like to the Rhenish vinegar. Such and many more things, which I will not now divulge, may be done with spirit of salt.

And thus have I in some measure taught the use of the spirit of salt, which I would not have you take as if I had revealed all things; for, brevities sake, as also for some other reasons I have silently passed over many things. Neither do I know all things my self: but those things, which I do know, I have so far declared that others may from thence have hints of seeking further. He that would describe all, and every power and vertue thereof, had need to write a whole volum, the which is not my purpose at this time to do, but may perhaps be done another time. There shall also be shewed in the second part of this book, some secrets which may be prepared by the help of this spirit: as how it may be dulcified to extract the tincture of gold, and of other metals, leaving a white body, which tincture is a medicine not to be slighted. Wherefore now seeing it is manifest how great things this spirit can do, every one will desire a good quantity for his houshold uses, especially seeing most excellent spirits may be made after an easie and short way.

How an acid spirit, or vinegar may be distilled out of all vegetables, as hearbs, woods, roots, seeds, &c.

First put a few living coals into the furnace, then put upon them the wood that is to be distilled, that it may be burnt: out of which whilst it is burning goes forth the acid spirit thereof into the receiver, where being condensed it falls down into another receiver, resembling almost common vinegar in its smell, wherefore also it is called the vinegar of woods.

And after this manner you may draw forth an acid spirit out of any wood, or vegetable, and that in a great quantity without costs, because the wood to be distilled is put but upon a very few living coals, and upon that another, for one kindles the other; and this spirit requires no more charges than of the wood to be distilled; which is a great difference betwixt this, and the common way of distilling, where besides retorts, is required another fire; and out of a great retort scarce a pound of spirit is drawn in the space of five or six hours; whereas in ours in the space of one day, and that without any cost or labor may be extracted twenty or thirty pound, because the wood is immediately to be cast into the fire to be distilled, and that not in pieces, but whole. Now this spirit (being rectified) may commodiously be used in divers Chymical operations, for it doth easily dissolve animal stones, as the eyes of Crabs, the stones of Perches, and Carps, Corals also and Pearl, &c. as doth vinegar of wine. By means thereof also are dissolved the glasses of metals, as of tin, lead, Antimony, and are extracted, and reduced into sweet oyles.

This vinegar being taken inwardly of it self doth cause sweat wonderfully, wherefore it is good in many diseases, especially that which is made of Oak, Box; Guaiacum, Juniper, and other heavy woods; for by how much the heavier the woods are, by so much the more acid spirit do they yield.

Being used outwardly it mundifies ulcers, wounds, consolidates, extinguisheth, and mitigates inflammations caused by fire, cures the scab, but especially the decoction being made of its own wood in the same. Being mixed with warm water for a bath for the lower part of the body, it cures occult diseases of women; as also malignant ulcers of the leggs.

This spirit therefore deserves some place in the shops, i. e. it is unjustly rejected in the shops, seeing it is easie to be made. In distilling of wormwood and other vegetables, there remaines in the bottom of the furnace ashes, which being extracted with warm water yields a salt by decoction, which being again dissolved in its own spirit or vinegar, and filtred, doth by the evaporation of the flegm, being placed in a cold place pass into a Crystalline salt, which is of a pleasant tast, not like unto a lixivium, nor unto other salts that are dissolved in the air. This salt is also more efficacious (being reduced into Crystals by its proper Spirit) than that which is made by the help of sulphur, or Aqua fortis, and oyl of Vitriol, and otherways which Chymists, and Apothecaries use.

The spirit of paper and linnen cloath.

Pieces of linnen cloth gathered, and got from Sempsters being cast into the furnace upon living coals, yield a most acid spirit, which tingeth the nailes, skin, & hair with a yellow colour, restores members destroyed with cold, is good in a gangrene, and erysipelas if linen clothes wet in the same be applyed thereto, &c. The same doth spirit made of paper, viz. of the pieces thereof.

The spirit of silk.

After the same manner is there a spirit made of pieces of silk, which is not so sharp as that which is made of linnen and paper, neither doth it tinge the Skin, but is most excellent in wounds as well old as green, and it makes the Skin beautiful.

The spirit of mans hair, and of other animals, as also of horns.

Out of horns also, and hair is made a spirit, but most fetid, wherefore it is not so useful, although otherwise it may serve for divers arts: being rectified it comes clear and to be of the odour of the spirit of urine. It dissolves common sulphur, and yields a water, that cures the scab in a very short time.

Now for this business, shreds of woollen cloth undyed may serve, being cast in a good quantity into the furnace. Pieces of cloath dipt in this spirit and hanged in vineyards, and fields, keep out Deer and Swine from coming in, because they are afraid of the smell of that spirit, as of an huntsman that waits to catch them.

The spirit of vinegar, honey, and sugar.

He that will distil liquid things, must cast red hot coals into them, as for example into vinegar in the furnace, or if it be honey, or sugar, let them first be dissolved in water, by which means they will be drank up by the coals, which being therewith impregnated, must afterwards at several times be cast into the furnace, and be burnt; and whilst the coals are burning, that which is incombustible comes forth. And by this means you may distil liquid things in a great quantity.

Vinegar which is distilled this way, is of the same nature, as that which is distilled in close vessels.

But honey and sugar that are distilled after this manner, are a little altered, and acquire other vertues: but how they shall be distilled without the loss of their volatile spirit shall be taught in the second Part. Also after this manner may all liquid things being drunk up by living coals be distilled.

Of the use of distilled vinegar many things might be said, but because the Books of all the Chymists treat abundantly thereof, I account it needless to repeat what they have writ. Yet this is worth taking notice of, that the sharpest vinegar hath a great affinity with some metals, which may be extracted by the help thereof; also dissolved, and reduced into medicaments; yea, many things may be made with the help thereof, as the books of all the Chymists testify.

But there is yet another vinegar, of which there is often mention made in the books of Philosophers, by the help whereof, many wonderful things are performed in the solution of metals, the name whereof the ancients have been silent in; of which I do not here treat, because it cannot be made by this furnace; but I shall treat of it in another part; yet so that I incur not the Curse of the Philosophers.

How spirits may be made out of the salt of tartar, vitriolated tartar, the spirit of salt tartarizated, and of other such like fixed salts.

As many Chymists as there hath been, almost all have been of the opinion that a spirit cannot be drawn out of salt of tartar, and other fixed salts. For experience hath taught that by retort little or no spirit can be drawn from thence, as I had often experience of before the invention of this furnace: the reason of which thing was the admixtion of sand, earth, bole, pouder of tiles, &c. for to prevent the flowing of the salt of tartar, being by this means dispersed. But this is done through the ignorance of Authors, who have been ignorant of the properties of salt of tartar. For a stony matter, as sand, flint, bole, &c. being mixed with salt of tartar, feeling the heat of the fire, and being made red with the same, is joyned to it most closely, so as no spirit can be drawn from thence, but become a most hard stone. For sand, and such things that are like to it, have so great an affinity with the salt of tartar, that being once united can scarce ever be separated. Yet it may be made by Art by the addition of pure sand, or flint, because the whole substance of the salt of tartar may be turned into a spirit in the space of one or two hours, as shall be taught in the second part, and it excells all other medicaments in vertue, in curing the stone, and gout. And if by the regiment of art there be left any Caput Mortuum in the distillation, it hath, being dissolved in the air, a power to putrify metals being prepared, and mixed with it, in the space of few hours, so as to make them become black, and to grow up like trees with their roots, trunks, and boughs, which by how much the longer they are so left, become the better. Of calx of lead being subtilized, and of salt of tartar may be made a spiritus gradatorius of wonderful vertues as well in Medicine as Alchymy. There is made of the Caput Mortuum, per deliquium a green liquor which doth wonderful things; whence it is proved, That Saturn is not the lowest of the Planets; enough to the wise.

And so is the Lac Virginis, and the Philosophical Sanguis Draconis made.

Sometimes there is found a certain earth, or bole, which hath no affinity with tartar, which being mixed with salt of tartar yields a spirit, but very little. But in this furnace may all fixed things be elevated, because the species not being included in it, but dispersed, being cast upon the fire, are from the fire elevated through the aire, and are being refrigerated in the recipients again condensed, which cannot be so well done by a close retort.

He therefore that will make the spirit of the salt of tartar, need do nothing else than to call the calcined tartar into the fire, and it will wholly come over in a spirit: but then there are required glass recipients, because those that are earthen cannot retain it.

And this is the way whereby most fixed salts are distilled into a spirit by the first furnace. In the second furnace (viz. in the furnace of the second Part) it may be done better, and easier, where together with the preparation shall be taught the use thereof.

The spirits, flowers, and salts of Minerals and stones.

By this way spirits may be raised from any mineral or stone, and that without the addition of any other thing: yet so as that the minerals, and stones, as flints, Crystal, talk, lapis calaminaris, Marcasite, Antimony, being ground be with an Iron ladle cast upon the coals, and there will arise together with a certain acid spirit, some salt and flowers, which are to be washed off from the recipients, and filtred, and the flowers will remain in Charta bibula, or filter for the water together with the spirit, and the salt passeth through the filter, all which may be separated, rectified and be kept by themselves for their proper uses. Now this you must know, that you must choose such minerals which have not been touched by the fire, if you desire to have their spirit.

How minerals, and metals may be reduced into flowers, and of their vertues.

Hitherto the flowers of metals, and minerals have not been in use, excepting the flowers of Antimony, and sulphur, which are easily sublimed: for Chymists have not dared to attempt the sublimation of other metals, and fixed minerals, being content with the solution of them with Aqua fortis, and corrosive waters, precipitating them with the liquor of salt of tartar, and afterward edulcorating, and drying them; and being so prepared they have called them their Flowers: but by Flowers I understand the same matter which is by the help of fire without the addition of any other thing sublimed, and turned into a most subtile pouder, not to be perceived by the teeth or eyes, which indeed is (in my judgment) to be accounted for the true flowers; when as the flowers which others make are more corporeal, and cannot be so well edulcorated, but retain some saltness in them, as may be perceived by the increase of their weight, and therefore hurtful to the eyes, and other parts.

But our flowers being by the force of the fire sublimed by themselves, are not only without saltness, but are also so subtile that being taken inwardly presently operate, and put forth their powers, viz. according to the pleasure of the Physitian. Neither is their preparation so costly as the others.

Metals also, and minerals are maturated, and amended in their sublimation, that they may be the more safely taken; but in other preparations they are rather destroyed, and corrupted, as experience witnesseth: Now how these kind of flowers are to be made I shall now teach, and indeed of each metal by it self, whereby the artist in the preparation cannot erre, and first thus.

Of Gold and Silver.

Gold and silver can hardly be brought into flowers, because many are of opinion, that nothing comes from them in the fire, especially from Gold, although it should be left there for ever: which although it be true, viz. that nothing comes from gold in the fire, although it should remain there a long time, and from silver but a little except it have copper or any other metal mixed, which yet vapours away but by little and little.

Which I say although it be so, yet they being broken and subtilized and scattered upon coals, and so dispersed, may by the force of the fire and help of the air be sublimed, and reduced into flowers.

Now seeing the aforesaid metals are dear, and of a great price, and the furnace with its recipients large, I would not that any one should cast them in, especially gold, because he cannot recover them all; but I shall to those that desire to make these flowers shew another way in the second part, whereby they may make them without the loss of the metal; to which I refer the reader. For this furnace serves for the subliming of metals, and minerals, which are not so pretious, the loosing of part whereof is not so much regarded. And thus much is said to shew that gold, and silver, although fixed, may be sublimed. Now other metals may more easily be sublimed, yet one more easily than another, neither need they any other preparation but beating small, before they be cast into the fire.

Flowers of Iron and Copper.

Take of the filings of Iron or Copper, as much as you please, cast them with an Iron laddle upon burning coals, viz. scatteringly, and there will arise from Iron a red vapour, but from Copper a green, and will be sublimed into the sublimatory vessels. As the fire abates it must be renewed with fresh coales, and the casting in of these filings be continued, until you have got a sufficient quantity of flowers, and then you may let all cool. This being done take off the sublimatory vessels, take out the flowers, and keep them, for they are very good if they be mixed with unguents, and emplasters: and being used inwardly cause vomiting; therefore they are better in Chirurgery, where scarce any thing is to be compared to them. Copper being dissolved in spirit of salt, and precipitated with oyl of vitriol, edulcorated, dryed, and sublimed, yields flowers, which being in the air resolved into a green balsom, is most useful in wounds and old putrid ulcers, and is a most pretious treasure.

Flowers of Lead and Tin.

You need not reduce these metals into small crums, it is sufficient if they be cast in piece by piece, but then you must under the grate put an earthen platter glazed, and filled with water, to gather that which flows down melted, which is to be taken out, and cast again into the fire, and this so often until all the metal be turned into flowers, which afterwards are again, the vessels being cold, to be taken out, as hath been said of the flowers of Mars and Venus. And these flowers are most excellent being mixed with plaisters and oyntments in old and green wounds, for they have a greater power to dry, than metals calcined, as experience can testifie.

Of Mercury.

This is easily reduced into flowers, because it is very volatile, but not for the aforesaid reason, because it leapes in the fire, and seeks to descend. And if you desire to have the flowers thereof, mix in first with sulphur that you may pulverize it, and cast it in mortified. And if you cast into a red hot crucible set in the furnace, a little quick Mercury, viz. by times with a ladle, presently it will fly out, and some part thereof will be resolved into an acid water, which is to be preferred before the flowers in my judgment; but the rest of the Mercury drops into the receiver. But here are required glass vessels, because the aforesaid water is lost in earthen. And this water without doubt doth something in Alchymy: It is also good being applyed outwardly, in the scab, and venereal ulcers.

The flowers of Zinck.

It is a wonderful metal, and is found in the spagyrical anatomy to be meer sulphur, golden, and immature. Being put upon burning coals doth suddenly fly away wholly; it is inflamed also, and partly burns like common sulphur, with a flame of another colour, viz. golden purple: and yields most gallant white, and light flowers.

The use.

Being given from 4, 5, 6, grains to 12, they provoke sweat wonderfully, and sometimes vomit, and stools, according to the offending matter. The vertues thereof being externally used are also wonderful, for there are not found better flowers, for they do not only speedily consolidate fresh wounds, but also old, such as always drop water, in which cases they excell all other medicaments. For they are of such dryness, which hath joyned with it a consolidating vertue, as that they do even things incredible. They may be used divers ways, as to be strewed by themselves, putting over them a stiptick plaister, or being brought into an unguent with honey to be put into wounds; which unguents in deep wounds may be boyled to a hardness for the making of small suppositories, which are to be put into the wounds, which must afterwards be covered with some plaister, and preserved from the air. Being applyed after this manner they cure fundamentally, being mixed with plaisters also they do wonderful things.

If they be mixed with rose, or rain water, so as to be united together, and afterwards some of this mixture be sometimes every day dropt into red eyes that water, yielding not to other ophthalmicks, do restore, and heal them.

These flowers being taken up in lint and strewed upon those places of Children that are galled with their urin (those places being first washed with water) heal them quickly. They heal also quickly any excoriation which is contracted by lying long in any sickness, and is very painful, if they be strewed thereon.

These flowers also are more easily dissolved in corrosive waters, than other metals, and minerals, neither doth the spirit leave them in the fire, but an insipid phlegm only distills off, leaving a fat and thick oyl, as is above said concerning the lapis calaminaris, being ordained for the same uses, but more efficacious then that. Which spirit if it be by the violence of fire driven forth, is of so great strength, that it can scarce be kept. And not only spirit of salt, but also Aqua fortis, and Regia may after this manner be exalted, so as to be able to do wonderful things in the separation of metals; but here is not place for these things, they shall be spoken of in the fourth part.

But you need not make flowers for this work, because crude Zinck doth the same, although the flowers do it something better: whence it appears that a metal contracts a higher degree of dryness in sublimation.

Flowers of Antimony.

There is no difficulty to make the flowers of Antimony, for Chymists have a long time made use of them, and because their preparation was tedious, they were not sold at a low rate.

Wherefore there was no body willing to attempt any thing else in them, because they were used only for vomiting; the dose whereof was from 1. 2. 3. 4. grains to 8. and 10. in affects of the stomack and of the head, as also in feavers, plague, morbus gallicus, &c. Neither is it a wonder if Chymists tryed no farther in them, for we see that there are found men in these days who perswade themselves that there is nothing which was not found out by the learned ancients, can be found out in these days, and if there were any thing to be yet found out it was found out already by them. But this opinion truly is very foolish, as if God gave all things to the ancients, and reserved nothing for them that should come after. Neither indeed do they understand nature in their operations, which works incessantly, and is not wearied in her labours, &c. But however it is manifest that God hath revealed things in these times which were hid from them of old, and he will not cease to do the same even to the end of the world.

But to return to our purpose again, which is to shew an easier way of making the flowers of Antimony, whereby a greater quantity may be had, as also that they may serve for other uses.

Take of crude Antimony poudered as much as you please, and first make your furnace red hot, then cast in at once a pound of Antimony, or thereabouts, viz. scatteringly upon the coals; and presently it will flow, & being mixed with the coals by the force of the fire will be sublimed through the air into the receivers like a cloud, which will there be coagulated into white flowers. Note, that when the first coals are burnt up, more must be put in to continue the sublimation, and those must be first kindled before they are put in, lest the flowers be by the dust of the coals arising together with them discoloured, and contract thence a gray colour: but it matters not if you will not use them by themselves to provoke vomiting, because there is no danger thereby, for that colour comes only from the smoake of the coals, wherefore you need not be afraid of them. But let him that dislikes this colour, first kindle the coals before he put them into the furnace, and then he shall have white flowers. Also you must not shut the middle hole through which the coals, and Antimony are cast in, that thereby the fire may burn the more freely: for else the flowers of the superior pots will be yellow and red, by reason of the sulphur of the Antimony, which is sublimed higher than the regulus. Now you may by this way make a pound of the flowers with 3. 4. or 5. pound of coals. It is a little that goes away from the Antimony, viz. the combustible sulphur, which is burnt, all the rest going into flowers. You must have a care to provide a sufficient quantity of subliming pots by reason that a large space is required for the sublimation of the flowers.

The flowers that are prepared after this way, are sold at a lower rate, so that one pound thereof is cheaper, than half an ounce of those that are made after the other manner. Also they are safer, as being made with an open free flame of the fire, for they do not provoke vomit so vehemently; moreover the flowers of the lower pots are not vomiting, but diaphoretical, as if they had been prepared with nitre, for thus they are corrected by the fire: And by this way at one and the same operation divers flowers of divers operations may be made, for the flowers of the lower pots are diaphoretical, of the middle a little vomitive, but of the uppermost vehemently vomitive. For by how much the more they have endured the fire, by so much the better are they corrected; from whence the diversity of their power proceeds. Wherefore each of them are to be kept by themselves, and the uppermost for plaisters or butter, or oyl, and those to be made sweet or corrosive thereby; The middle for purging, and vomiting, but the lowermost for sweat, being more excellent than Bezoardicum Minerale, or Antimonium Diaphoreticum made with nitre. Truly I do not believe that there is an easier way of making vomiting, and diaphoretical flowers, than ours. Now for the use of them, you must know that those that are vomitive are to be administred to those that are strong, and accustomed to vomit: but to Children, and old Men with discretion, as hath been said above of the butter of Antimony: but those that are diaphoretical may be given without danger to Old and Young, to those that are in health, and to the sick; in any affliction that requires sweat; as in the Plague, Morbus Gallicus, Scorbute, Leprosy, Feavers, &c. The Dose of them is from 3, 6, 9, 12, grains to 24. with proper vehicles to sweat in the bed; for they do expel as well by sweat, as by urine, all evil humours. And because they that are vomitive are in a greater quantity than those that are diaphoretical, and not so necessary as these, and there may be many more doses out of them; it is necessary to shew you how those that are vomitive may be turned into diaphoretical; and that may be done three wayes; the two former whereof I have before shewed concerning the butter of Antimony made of flowers with spirit of salt, the third is this, viz. put the flowers in a crucible covered, (without luting) lest any thing fall into it, so set them by themselves in a gentle fire, that they melt not, but be made only darkly glow for the space of some hours; then let them cool, for they are become fixed and diaphoretical. Although they had before contracted some yellowness or ash-colour, yet by this means they are made white, fixed, and diaphoretical. Also these flowers are used in stiptick plaisters by reason of their dry nature, with which they are endued.

Also they are melted into a yellow transparent glass, neither is there taught an easier way of reducing Antimony by it self into a yellow transparent glass, where crude Antimony is first sublimed, and being sublimed is melted into glass.

This sublimation serves instead of calcination, by the help whereof 20 pound are more easily sublimed, than by the help of the other one pound is brought into calx.

Neither is there here any danger of the ascending fumes, because when the Antimony is cast into the fire you may be gone, which is a safe, and easy calcination, whereas the common way requires the continual presence of the artist stirring the matter, who also takes out the matter when it is once grown together, and grinds it again; by which means he hath much to do, before the matter come to a whiteness; but by our way, the matter is at the first time made sufficiently white, and more than by that common way of calcination and agitation. I suppose therefore that I have shewed to him that will make glass of Antimony, the best, and hitherto unknown way; which being taught, I hope there is no man will hereafter like a fool go that tedious way of the Antients, but rather follow my steps. For by this way may any Physitian, most easily be able to prepare for himself vomitive and diaphoretical flowers, and also glass of Antimony per se.

Of those Flowers may be made oyls both sweet and corrosive, and other medicaments, as hath been above said of the spirit of salt, and shall afterwards be spoken in the Second Part.

Let him that will make Flowers of the Regulus, fairer than those which are made of crude Antimony, cast it being poudered into the fire, and in all things proceed as hath been said, and he shall have them, &c. for they are easily sublimed. Now, how the regulus is to be made after a compendious manner, you shall find in the Fourth Part. The scoriæ also are sublimed, so as nothing is lost. But he that will make Flowers that shall be dissolved in the aire into a liquor must add some calcined tartar, or some other fixt vegetable salt, and he shall have Flowers that will be dissolved in any liquor: but he that will make red Flowers as well those that are diaphoretical, as those that are purging, must mix iron, and he shall have Flowers like to Cinnabar: Let him that desires green, mix copper, if purple, lapis calaminaris.

And thus out of any mineral may be made Flowers whether it be fixed, or volatile; for it is forced to fly on high being cast into the fire. And these may be used diversly in Chyrurgery, in plaisters and unguents; for they dry, and astring potently, especially those that are made of lapis calaminaris. Neither are they to be slighted that are made of the golden, and silver marcasite. Those that are made of arsenic & auripigmentum, are poysonous, but are useful for Painters. Arsenic & auripigmentum being calcined with nitre, and then sublimed, yield Flowers that are safely to be taken inwardly, expelling all poysons by sweat and stool: For they are corrected two wayes, viz. first by the nitre, secondly by the fire in the subliming: they are not therefore to be feared, because that Arsnick was poysonous before the preparation thereof. For by how much the greater poyson it was before preparation, so much the greater medicine afterwards.

The Flowers of sulphur are taught in the Second Part, although they may also be made by this furnace, viz. the natures and properties thereof being known by an expert Artist, or otherwise it is burnt.

So also stones being prepared are brought into Flowers, and many other things, of which we need not say any thing, only let him that pleaseth make tryal thereof.

And now I suppose I have made plain, and shewed you clearly how distillation is to be made in this our first furnace; wherefore I will now end. He therefore that understands and knows the fabrick of the furnace (which he may understand by the delineation thereof) and the use thereof, will not deny but that I have done a good work, and will not disapprove of my labour.

And this is the best way of distilling, and subliming incombustible things. In the Second Part you shall find another furnace in which are distilled combustible things, as also most subtil spirits, &c. The first furnace serves also for other uses, as the separation of metals; of the pure from the impure; for the making of the central salt, and of the humidum radicale of them all. But because it cannot be done after the aforesaid way, by which things are cast into the fire to get their flowers, and spirits, but after a certain secret Philosophical manner, by the power of a certain secret fire, hitherto concealed by the Philosophers (neither shall I prostrate that secret before all); It is sufficient that I have given a hint of it for further enquiry, and have shewed the way to other things.

FINIS.