CHAP. I.
Of the QUANTITIES afforded by several Plants calcined in gross.
T is the part of a Physician, knowingly and artificially to use and govern Nature. And therefore by every likely Method, to inspect the State and Properties of all sorts of Bodies. One Method, is that I have taken in the foregoing Experiments; sc. by mixing them with several Menstruums or Liquors: whereby we may be assisted to judge, both of the Kinds and the Proportions of Principles in any Body; and of the manner of their Mixture in the same.
Another is by Calcining them; or, as it were, by mixing them with the Fire, a potent and almost universal Menstruum. I shall here only set down some Tryals for an Essay, upon Plants; chiefly noting, The different Proportions of their Lixivial Salts. Of these Tryals, some were made upon the whole Plant, or some Portion of it wherein several Parts are mixed together: And others, upon some one Part of a Plant distinct from the rest. All of them answering to such Queries, as may seem proper to be proposed.
Query 1. As first, Whether Trees or Herbs and Bushes, quantity for quantity & cæteris paribus, yield the most Lixivial Salt?
For this I took Ash-Barque and Rosemary of each ℔j. The latter yielded 5 Scruples; the former but 32 Grains; which is three times less. I took also the same quantity of the Barque of Black-Thorn, and of Agrimony. The latter yielded 5 Scruples and 6 Grains; the former, not above 1 Scruple and 5 Grains; which is four times less.
Although the Barque of a Tree be compounded of Pithy and Lignous Parts; yet to answer the Query exactly, the Wood of these Trees should be taken with the Barque, that there may be some portion of every Part of the Tree, as well as of the Herb.
But thus far the Experiment is conclusive, That the same quantity of Lixivial Salt, doth not always follow the same Generical Tast. For the Barque of Ash and Rosemary, are both equally Bitter; and the Barque of Black-Thorn and Agrimony are both Astringent and Bitter.
Quer. 2. Whether any Plant growing in a Garden or the Field, doth not yield a lesser quantity of Lixivial Salt, than another of the same kindred growing on the Sea-Coast; and with what difference?
For this, I took Garden and Sea-Scurvygrass, of each ℔j. The former yields 2 Drachms and 1 Scruple; the latter, being well washed, 9 Drachms, which is more than 4 times as much. The like may be tryed upon others.
Quer. 3. Whether the same Specifick Plant affords more Lixivial Salt, being only dryed, and then calcin’d, or after it hath first been distilled, it is then dryed and calcin’d?
For this, was taken ℔j of Mint only dryed and then calcin’d; and another first distilled. The former yielded ½ an Ounce and ½ a Drachm of Salt; the latter, 5 Drachms and a Scruple; which is almost ⅕ᵗʰ more. This also should be tryed on other Plants.
Quer. 4. How far the proportion follows the different Tasts of Plants? The first Experiment, relates to the same Tast in several Plants; this, to several Tasts. And so,
Of Majorane, which is Aromatick, ℔j affords but one Scruple of Lixivial Salt; which is but the 384ᵗʰ part of the whole pound.
Of Oak-Barque which is Astringent, ℔j yields ½ a Drachm of Salt; or the 256ᵗʰ part of the whole.
Of Liquirish, which is sweet, ℔j yields about the same quantity. But Anise Seeds ℔j yields 2 Scruples or a 192ᵈ part.
Of Sorrel, which is sower, ℔j yields one Drachm, or the 128ᵗʰ part.
Of Garden Scurvygrass, which is Hot, ℔j yields 2 Drachms and ½ a Scruple; or the 59ᵗʰ part.
Of Mint, which is Hot and Bitter, ℔j yields 5 Drachms and a Scruple, or the 24ᵗʰ part.
Of Sea Scurvygrass, which is Salt, ℔j yields 9 Drachms and a Scruple or 28 Scruples; which is near 1/13ᵗʰ part of the whole. A greater proportion of Salt, than in any other Plant upon which I have hitherto made Tryal: Or even in Tartar it self. Yet is it not a Marine, but true Lixivial Salt: as is evident, both from its Taste; and in that it maketh an Effervescence with Spirit of Salt; which Sea-Salt will not do.
For the Experiment to be fully adequate to the Query; the Tryals should be made, either all on Trees, or all on Herbs; all on Roots, or all on Stalks, &c. Yet thus much is evident, That Sorrel yields Thrice as much as Majorane; Sea-Scurvygrass, Eight and Twenty times as much: Mint, Five times as much as Sorrel; and Sixteen times as much Majorane, &c.
Quer. 5. How far the Proportion follows the Faculties of Plants? And so, it appears, that
Majorane, a Cephalick, hath a greater Proportion of Volatile Parts, than any of the Plants above mentioned, and so far, is more agreeable to the Animal Spirits, and Genus Nervosum.
Agrimony,[76] an Aperient, yields above Five times as much Lixivial Salt, as Majorane. Yet much less than many other opening Plants which are stronger.
Mugwort (℔j) yields two Drachms and two Scruples; or above half as much more as Agrimony. So that this Plant, though it hath no considerable Taste, and in that respect promiseth but little; yet yielding a good quantity of Lixivial Salt, seems no contemptible Medicine to subdue those Acidities which either by causing Obstructions, or immoderate Fermentations, frequently disorder the Female Sex.
Mint, yieldeth still a greater quantity; and is therefore, partly for the same cause so excellent a Stomachick: And Rosemary,[77] which is appropriated both to the Head and Stomach, yieldeth a midle quantity of Salt; more than the chief Cephalicks, and less than the chief Stomachicks.
Common Mallow (℔j) yields 5 Drachms and 2 Scruples. i. e. the 23ᵈ part of the whole. So that this Plant, though of a very mild Taste, yet yields more Salt than Mint it self a Bitter Plant. Whereby it no longer seems strange, that a Plant of so soft a Taste, should be very Diuretick, and so evidently affect the Reins.
Rhubarb (2 Ounces) yieldeth scarce any fixed Salt, so for as can be judged by the Taste of the Ashes, not more than a Grain or two. So that its Salt is, in a manner, wholly volatile; and thereby apter to operate upon the Bilious parts of the Blood; which contein a far greater proportion of Volatile Salt, than do the Serous.
Of the Caput Mortuum or meer Earth, it is observable, that it was near ½ an Ounce or ¼ᵗʰ part of the whole; Which is almost Six times as much as the Caput Mortuum of Common Dock: and much more than that of any other Root I have yet calcin’d. Whereby it seemeth probable that Rhubarb looseth much of its Volatile Part, and therefore of its Virtue, before it comes to our Shops.
Sena (℔j) yields 4 Scruples and ½ of Salt; or the 85ᵗʰ part.
Jalap (℔j) yields but one Drachm and 15 Grains, or 102ᵈ part.
Colocynthis (℔j of the Pulp) yields an Ounce and half of Caput Mortuum, which is almost all Salt. Yet allow half an Ounce of the Salt, and Earth to be wasted in filtring &c. the remaining Ounce is no less than 1/16ᵗʰ part of the whole. Which is more than in any of the above named Plants, except the Sea-Scurvygrass.