Take to one part of pearls or corals (made into fine powder) three or four parts of pure Tartar, and so much water as will dissolve the Tartar by boyling; put the corals, Tartar and water together into a glass body, which must stand in sand, and give it so strong a fire, that the water boyl in the glass body with the Tartar, and may dissolve the corals. (This solution may be done also in a clean earthen pot that is glased, and the evaporated water must be supplyed with other, as above was taught to be done with the metals.) The corals being dissolved, let them cool, filtrate the solution, and abstract all the moisture from it in Balneo, and there will remain a pleasant honey-thick liquor, which may be used in Physick either of it self, or else once more extracted with spirit of wine and purified, or else distilled, as you please.
The extract or Tincture is better than the liquor, and the spirit is better than the extract or tincture: and all three may well and safely be used; they strengthen the heart and brain; especially those which are made of pearls and corals, they expel the urin and keep the body soluble. Those of crabs eyes and of pearches and other fishes open and cleanse the passages of the urin from all slime and impurity, and they powerfully expel the stone and gravel in the reins and bladder.
N. B. The distilled spirit of corals being well rectified, is good for the Epilepsy, Melancholy, and Apoplexy. It expelleth and driveth out all poyson by sweating, because it is of a golden nature and quality, whereof in another place more shall be said.
If you take a like quantity of crude Tartar and of salt of Tartar, and dissolve it with clean water, and then evaporate the water still skimming it, till no skin more do rise, and then let it cool, there will shoot white crystals, which being distilled as common Tartar, they will yield a purer subtler and pleasanter spirit, than the crude Tartar doth, in all to be used as above hath been taught of the simple spirit of Tartar: therefore it is needless here to describe its use. Before you distill a spirit thereof, you may use them in stead of Tartarus vitriolatus for purging, they will cause gentle stools, and drive also the urin and stone, and are not unpleasant to take. The dose is from ℈ i. to ℥ i. in waters fit for your purpose. This salt dissolved with water purifieth metals (if they be boyled therein) and maketh them fairer then common Tartar doeth.
In the first part of this book I taught how to make such a spirit, but because the materials, which are to be distilled in that furnace must be cast upon quick coals, whereby the remainder is lost, and that also not every one hath the conveniency to set up a furnace that requireth more room than this here doth: therefore I will set down how it may be got with ease in this our present furnace, without the loss of the remainder, which is not inferior to the spirit it self. And it is done thus:
Make a fair white salt of calcined Tartar by dissolution, filtration and coagulation, pulverise that salt in a warmed morter, and add to it a fourth part of small pulverised crystal or flints or only of fine sand, washed clean, mix it well, and cast one spoonful thereof at once into your red-hot vessel (which must be made of earth) and so cover it, and the mixture as soon as it is red hot, will rise and boyl (as common Allome doth, when it cometh to a sudden heat) and yield a thick white heavy spirit; and when it ceaseth to come forth, then cast in another spoonful, and stay out the time of its settling, and then another part again, till all your mixture be cast in. When no more spirit goeth forth, then take off the lid from the distilling vessel, and with an iron ladle take out that which stayed behind, whilest it is yet red-hot and soft, and it will look like unto a transparent clear white fusible glass, which you must keep from the air, for it will dissolve in it, till I teach you what you are to do with it.
The spirit which came over, may either be kept as it is, or else rectified per arenam in a glass retort, and used in Physick; it is clean of another taste than the spirit of common salt or vitriol, for it is not so sharp; it smelleth of the flints after a sulphureous manner, and tasteth urin-like, and it is very good for those that are troubled with the gout, stone and Tisick: for it provoketh urin and sweat mightily, and (because it cleanseth and strengthneth the stomach) it also maketh one have a good appetite to his Victuals. What it can do else is unknown to me as yet, but it is credible that it may act its part in many other diseases, which is left free for every one to try. In my opinion (since the spirit of the salt of Tartar is good to be used of it self for the stone, and that here it is strengthned by the sand, which have the signature of the stone of the Microcosme) there is hardly any particular medicine, which can go beyond it, but I leave every one to his own opinion and experience. Externally used, it quencheth inflammations and maketh a pure skin, &c. The remainder, which I bid you keep, and looks like a transparent clear glass, is nothing else but the most fixed part of the salt of Tartar and flints, which joyned themselves thus in the heat, and turned to a soluble glass, wherein lyes hid a great heat and fire. As long at it is kept dry from the air, it cannot be perceived in it: but if you pour water upon it, then its secret heat will discover it self. If you make it to fine powder in a warm morter, and lay it in a moist air, it will dissolve and melt into a thick and fat oyl, and leave some fæces behind. This fat liquor or oyl of flints, sand or crystal may not only be used inwardly and outwardly of it self, but also serveth to prepare minerals and metals into good medicines, or to change them into better by Chymical art. For many great secrets are hid in the contemptible peble or sand; which an ignorant and unexpert man (if they were disclosed to him) would hardly believe: for this present world is by the divels craft so far possessed with cursed filthy avarice, that they seek for nothing but money, but honest and ingenious sciences are not regarded at all; and therefore God doth close our eyes that we cannot see what lyeth before them, and we trample upon with our feet. That worthy man Parcelsus hath given it us sufficiently to understand, when he saith in his book (containing the vexations of Alchymists) that many times a despicable flint cast at a Cow is more worth than the Cow; not only because that gold may be melted out of it, but also that other inferior metals may be purified thereby, so that they are like unto the best gold and silver in all tryals; and although I never got any great profit by the doing of it, yet it doth suffice me that I have seen several times the possibility and truth thereof, which in its proper place likewise shall be taught.
This liquor of flints is of that nature toward the metals, that it maketh them exceeding fair, but not so, as women do scowre their vessels of tin, copper, iron, &c. with ly and small sand, till all filth be scoured off, and that they get a bright and fair gloss: but the metals must be dissolved therein by Chymical art, and then either after the wet or dry way digested in it for its due space of time; which Paracelsus calleth to go into the mothers womb, and be born again: if this be done rightly, then the mother will bring forth a pure child. All metals are engendred in sand or stone, and therefore they may well be called the mother of metals, and the purer the mother is, the purer and sounder child she will bear, and among all stones there is none found purer than the peble, crystal or sand, which are of one nature (if they be simple and not impregnated with metals:) And therefore the peble or sand is found to be the fittest bath to wash the metal withall. But he that would take this bath to be the Philosophers secret Menstruum, whereby they exalt the King unto the highest purity, would be mistaken; for their Balneum is more friendly to gold by reason of its affinity with it than with other metals, but this doth easier dissolve other metals than gold. Whereby it is evident, that it cannot be Benard his fountain (Bernhardi fontina) but must be held only to be a particular cleanser of metals. But omitting this, and leaving it to the further practise and tryal of those that want no time nor conveniency for to search what may be done with it, let us take notice of the use of this liquor in physick, for which uses sake this book is written. That which hath been said, was only done to that end, that we may observe, that we must not always look upon dear and costly things, but that many times even in mean and contemptible things (as sand & pebles) much good is to be found.
If you will extract a tincture out of peble-stones, for use in Physick or in Alchymy, then in stead of the white take a fair yellow, green or blew peble or flint, whether it hold fixed or volatile gold, and first with salt of tartar distill the spirit thereof; or if you do not care for the spirit, then melt the mixture in a covered crucible into a transparent, soluble and fusible glass, and in a warm morter make it into fine powder; put this powder in a long necked glass, and pour upon it rectified spirit of wine (it needeth not to be dephlegmed, it matters not if it be but pure) let it remain upon it in a gentle warmth, till it be turned red (the glass with the prepared peble or flints must be often stirred about, that the peble be divided, and the spirit of wine may be able to work upon it) then pour off the coloured spirit of wine, and pour on other, and let this likewise turn red: this pouring off and on must be iterated so often, till the spirit of wine get no more colour out of it. All the Tinctured spirit of wine put together, & abstract in a Balneum through a Limbeck from the Tincture which will remain in the bottom of the glass body like a red juyce, which you must take out and keep for its use.
This Tincture if it be made of gold, pebles or sand, is to be held for none of the least medicines, for it doth powerfully resist all soluble Tartareous coagulations, in the hands, knees, feet, reins and bladder; and although in want of those that hold gold, it be extracted but only out of common white peble, it doth act its part however, though not altogether so well as the first. Let no man marvel, that sand or pebles made potable, have so great vertue; for not all things are known to all; and this Tincture is more powerful yet, if first gold have been dissolved with the liquor of pebles before the extraction. And let no man imagine that this Tincture comes from the salt of Tartar (which is taken to the preparing of the oyl of sand) because that of it self also doth colour the spirit of wine, for there is a great difference betwixt this Tincture and that, which is extracted out of the salt of Tartar: for if you distill that of the salt of tartar in a little glass body or retort, there will come first a clear spirit of wine, then an unsavory phlegm, and a salt will remain behind, in all like unto common salt of tartar, wherein after its calcining not the least colour appeareth, and because none came over neither, it might be questioned where it remained then?
To which I answer, that it was not a true tincture, but only that the sulphur in the spirit of wine was exalted or graduated by the corporeal salt of tartar, and so got a red colour, which it loseth as soon as the salt of tartar is taken from it, and reassumeth its former white colour: even as it hapneth also, when the salt of urin, or of harts-horn or soot, or any other like urinous salt is digested with spirit of wine, that the spirit turneth red of it, but not lastingly, but just so as it falls out with the salt of tartar, for if by rectification it be separated again from the spirit of wine, each (viz. both the salt and also the spirit of wine) doth recover again its former colour, whereby it appeareth, that (as above said) it was not a true tincture. He that will not believe it, let him dissolve but ℥ i. of common white salt of tartar in ℔ i. of spirit of wine, and the spirit will turn as red of it, as if it had stood a long time upon several pounds of blew or green calcined salt of tartar; and if I had not tryed it my self several times, I should have also been of that opinion: but because I found it to be otherwise, therefore I would not omit to set down my opinion: though I know I shall deserve small thanks of some, especially of those which rather will err with the greater number, than to know and confess the truth with the less number. However, I do not say, that the supposed tincture of the salt of Tartar is of no vertue or useless; for I know well enough that it is found very effectual in many diseases: for the purest part of the salt of Tartar hath been dissolved by the spirit of wine, it being thus coloured thereby, and therefore that tinctured spirit of wine may very fitly be used. But as for the Tincture, which is extracted out of the prepared pebles, it is clean of another condition: for if you abstract the spirit of wine from it, though it also cometh over white, yet there remaineth a deep tinctured salt, whose colour is lasting in the strongest fire, and therefore may be counted a true Tincture.
This oyl or liquor of pebles is of such a condition, that it doth precipitate all metals which are dissolved by corrosives, but not after that manner as the salt of Tartar doth; for the calx of metals which is precipitated by this liquor; (because that the pebles do mingle themselves therewith) is grown much heavier thereby, than if it had been only precipitated with salt of Tartar.
For example, dissolve in Aqua Regia as much Gold as you please, and pour of this liquor upon it, till all the Gold fall to the bottom like a yellow powder, and the solution turn white and clear, which you must pour off, and edulcorate the precipitated Gold with sweet water, and then dry it (as you was taught to do with the Aurum fulminans) and you need not fear that it will kindle and fulminate in the drying, as it useth to do, when it is precipitated with salt of Tartar or spirit of urin, but you may boldly dry it by the fire, and it will look like yellow earth, and will weigh as heavy again as the Gold did weigh before the solution; the cause of which weight is, the peble stones, which did precipitate themselves together with the Gold. For the Aqua Regia by its acidity hath mortified the salt of Tartar, and robbed it of its vertues so, that it could not choose but let fall the assumed pebles or sand; on the other side, the salt of Tartar which was in the liquor of pebles, hath annihilated the sharpness of the Aqua Regia, so that it could not keep the dissolved gold any longer, whereby both the gold and the pebles are freed from their dissolver.
This edulcorated and dryed yellow powder put into a clean crucible, and set it between live coals, that it begin to be red hot, but not long, and the yellow will be changed into the fairest purple colour, which is pleasant to behold, but if you let it stand longer, then the purple colour vanisheth, and it turns to a brown and brick colour: and therefore if you desire to have a fair purple coloured gold, you must take it off from the fire, as soon as it is come to that colour, and let it not stand any longer, else it loseth that colour again.
This fair gold-powder may be used by the rich (which are able to pay for it) from ℈i to ʒss. in convenient vehicles; and in all diseases, where sweating is needful: for besides the provoking of sweat, it comforteth not only the heart, but also by the vertue of the peble it expelleth the stone in the reins and bladder (if it be not grown to the height of hardness) like sand together with the urine: so that it may be safely used as well to prevent, as to cure the plague, gout and stone.
How to make further out of this purple coloured gold a soluble Ruby for medicinal use, shall be taught in the fourth part: for in regard that it must be done by a strong fire in a crucible, it doth not belong hither, but to its proper place, where other like Medicaments are taught to be made.
If you will extract the colour out of this precipitated gold, then pour upon it (before it be put into the fire for to calcin) of the strongest spirit of salt, and in a gentle heat the spirit will dissolve part of the gold, which will be much fairer and deeper in colour, than if it had been done with Aqua Regia: upon this solution pour five or six times as much of dephlegmed spirit of wine, and digest both together its due time, then by the digestion of a long time, part of the Gold will fall out of the solution to the bottom like a fair white pouder, which may be reduced with Borax or salt nitre and Tartar; it is white like silver, and as heavy as other gold, and may easily get its colour again by the help of Antimony. The residue out of which the white gold is faln, viz. the spirit of salt mingled with the spirit of wine, must be abstracted from the Tincture, and there will remain a pleasant sowre liquor coloured by the gold, upon the bottom of the glass body, which is almost of the same vertue, which above hath been ascribed to other tinctures of gold. Especially this liquor of gold strengthneth the heart, brain, and stomach.
N. B. Sometimes there comes over with the spirit of wine a little red oyl, which the strong spirit of salt hath separated from the spirit of wine, and it is impregnated with the Tincture of Gold. It is an excellent cordial, few are found like unto it, whereby weak people decayed by sickness or age, may be kept alive a long time, they taking daily some drops of it, who else for want of the humidum radicale, would be forced to exchange their life for death.
Here some body may ask, whether this Tincture is to be counted or taken for a true Tincture of Gold; or whether there be another better to be found?
To which I answer, that though many may hold it to be such, and I my self do call it so here, yet that after due examination it will not prove to be such: for although some vertue is taken from the gold by this way, yet it doth still keep its life, though it be grown weak and pale, because it can so easily recover its former sound colour by a contemptible mineral: if its true Tincture or soul were gone from it, surely an inferiour mineral could not restore it to life, but of necessity there would be required such a thing for to do it, which hath not only so much, as it hath need of for it self, but hath a transcendent power to give life unto dead things. As we may see by a man or any sensible beast, that if they have lost their vigor by adversities, in that no life more is perceived in them, yet by medicines fit for the purpose, they may be refreshed, and brought to their former health, so that their former disease appeareth no more in them: but if their soul be once gone, the dead body can by no medicines be restored unto life again, but must remain dead so long, till he in whose power it is to give and to take life, have mercy upon it. So likewise it is to be understood of gold, when its colour is taken from it, and yet its life is left, which by the help of Antimony, being its medicine, as also by the help of iron or copper can be restored unto it, so that it recovereth its former fair colours, so that you cannot see at all, that it ailed any thing before. But if its life be gone from the body, it is impossible for any ordinary metal or mineral to restore it to life, but it must be done by such a thing, which is more than Gold it self hath been: for even as a living man cannot give life unto a dead man, but GOD must do it who hath created man; so Gold cannot restore to dead Gold, the life which hath been taken from it, and how could it then be done by an unfixt mineral? But there is required a true Philosopher for to do it, such a one as hath good knowledge of gold and its composition.
Now as we heard that like cannot help its like, but he that shall help, must be more, than he that looks for help from him: Hence it is evident, that the Tincture, whose remaining body (from which it is taken) is still gold, can be no true tincture; for if it shall be a true tincture, it must consist in its three principles, and how can it consist therein, the body from whence it came being yet alive, and possessing invisibly all its three principles? How can a mans soul be taken from him, and yet the body live still? Some will say, that for all that, this may be counted a true tincture, although the body still remain gold, and have kept its life: even as man may spare some blood out of his body, which though it will make him somewhat pale, yet he liveth still, and the lost blood may be supplyed again by good meat and drink. But what lame and senseless objections are these? Who would be so simple as to think, that a handful of blood may be compared to a mans life? I believe no wise man will do it. Although life goeth forth with the blood, yet the blood is not the life it self; else the dead could be raised thereby, if a cup full of it were poured into a dead body; but where was such a thing ever heard or seen? With such groundless opinions some did presume to censure the truth, set down in my treatise de Auro potabili vero, saying, Geber and Lullius were also of opinion, that a true tincture can be extracted out of gold, the same nevertheless remaining good gold: but it may be asked, what it hath lost then for to yield a true Tincture, since it remained good gold? Here no body will be at home for to answer I doubt. What are the Writings of Geber or Lully to me? What they have written I do not despise, they were highly enlightned and experienced Philosophers, and would defend their writings sufficiently, if they were alive: and what I write, I am also able to maintain.
Do those men think, that the writings of Geber and Lully are to be understood according unto the bare letter? shew me a tincture of gold which was made by the writings of Geber or Lully? if it were so, then every idiot or novice, that could but read Latine, would not only by their writings be able to make the Tincture of gold, but also the Philosophers stone it self, whereof they have written at large; which doth not follow, because it is seen by daily experience, that the most worldly learned men spent many years, and have been at vast charges, and taken great pains, and studied in their books day and night, and found not the least thing in them.
Now if such Philosophers were to be understood literally, doubtless there would not be so many poor decay’d Alchymists. Therefore the writings of such worthies are not to be understood according to the letter, but according to the mystical sense hid under the letter.
But because the truth is eclipsed in their books by so many seducing and sophistical processes, there will hardly any man be able to pick it out from so many seducements, unless a light from God be given to him first, whereby he may be able so to peruse the dark writings of those men, that he know how to separate the parabolical speeches, from those that are true in the letter it self: or if an honest Godly Chymist by the grace of God in his labours do hit upon the right steps, and yet do doubt, whether he be in the right way or no, then by reading of good and true Philosophers books, he may at last learn out of them the firm and constant truth: else hardly any ones desire may be obtained out of their books, but rather after the pretious time spent, means and health wasted, a man shall be forced to fall a begging at last.
In like manner, if the true tincture be taken from Copper, the rest is no more a metal, nor by any Art or force of fire can be reduced to a metallical substance.
N. B. But if you leave some tincture in it, then it may be reduced into a brittle gray body, like unto iron, but brittle.
Take of that gold calx (which was precipitated with the oyl of sand) one part, and three or four parts of the liquor of crystals or of sand, mix the gold calx in a good crucible with the liquor, and set this mixture into a gentle heat, so that the moystness may evaporate from the oyl of sand which is not easily done; for the peble or sand, by reason of their dryness keep and hold the moystness, and will not let it go easily; it riseth in the pot or crucible, as borax or Allome doth when you calcine them; therefore the crucible, must not be filled above half, that the liquor together with the gold may have room enough, and do not run over the pot: and when it riseth no more, then strengthen the fire, till the pot be red-hot. The mixture standing fast, put a lid upon it, which may close well, that no coals, ashes, or other impurity may fall into it, and give it so strong fire in a winde furnace, that the liquor together with the gold calx may melt like water; keep it melting so long, till the liquor and gold together be like unto a transparent fair ruby, which will be done in an hours time or thereabouts; then pour it forth into a clean copper morter, let it cool, and then make it into powder, and pour spirit of wine upon it for to extract, which will look like unto thin blood: and will prove more effectual in use, than the above described Tincture.
The residue from which the Tincture is extracted, must be boyled with lead, and precipitated and driven off as you do oares, and you will get the remaining gold, which went not into the spirit of wine; but it is very pale and turned like unto silver in colour, which if it be melted by Antimony, it recovereth its former colour without any considerable loss in the weight. How the melting in crucibles, and boyling of the remaining gold is to be done, shall be more punctually set down in the fourth part; I know several other fine processes, for to extract the colour easily out of gold; but because the gold must be first made fit for it by melting in a crucible, and that it is not pertinent to speak of that operation here in this second part, therefore it shall be reserved for the fourth, where you shall be informed at large, not onely how to prepare Gold, Antimony and other minerals, and make them fit for extraction, but also how to reduce them into a transparent, soluble and fire-proof Ruby (which are none of the meanest medicines) and as it was done here with the gold, so you may proceed likewise with other metals and minerals for to extract their colours. And therefore being needless to describe each metals tincture by it self, all the processes of them shall be disclosed in one, viz. in that of gold. The book would grow too big, if I should describe them severally, which I count needless to do. Let this suffice for this Second part, that we have taught, how to extract out of the gold its colour after a common way. Which indeed are good medicines, but for ought I know of no use in Alchymy. But he that seeketh to have a true Tincture out of gold, let him endeavour first to destroy the gold by the universal Mercury, and to turn the inside outward, and the outside inward, and proceed further according unto art, then the soul of gold will easily joyn it self with the spirit of wine, and come to be a good medicine, whereof more in my treatise de auro potabili is handled. If one know the Chalybs of Sandivogius, which is well to be had, he might with little labour quickly get a good medicine: but because we shew our selves still ungrateful children unto God, therefore it is no marvel, that he withdraweth his hand from us, and leaveth us in errors.
Many more profitable things, as well in Alchymy, as in medicine, may be compassed by the oyl of sand; as for example, to make fair painting colours out of metals, which abide in all elements: Also to frame all sorts of transparent hard stones out of crystal, which in beauty are like unto the natural, yea fairer sometimes; also how to make many fair Amauses or Enamels and the like profitable arts: but they belonging not to this second part, shall be reserved for the fourth, where all such shall be taught very punctually with all the circumstances thereunto relating.
How by the help of this liquor to make trees to grow out of metals, with their colours.
Take of the above described oyl made of sand, pebles or crystals as much as you please, mix therewith a like quantity of the lixivium of Tartar, shake both well together, so that the thick liquor may not be perceived in the lixivium, but be throughly incorporated therewith, both being turned to a thin solution, and then your water is prepared, wherein the metals do grow.
The metals must be first dissolved in their proper corrosive Menstruums, and the Menstruum must be quite abstracted from thence again, but not too near, that the calx of the metal may not grow red-hot, whereby its growing vertue would be taken from it. Then take it out of the little glass-body, and break it in pieces about the bigness of a pulse, and put them in the above described liquor in a cleer bright glass, that the growing of the metals may be discerned through it; and as soon as the prepared metals are taken out of the glass body, they must be kept from the aire, else they lose their growing vertue. Therefore thus dry they must be broken in pieces, and laid in the bottom of the glass (wherein the liquor is) a fingers breadth one from another asunder, and must not be laid together on a heap. The glass must stand still in a quiet place, and the metal will presently swell in it, and thrust forth some bulks, out of which branches and twigs do grow, so finely, that one shall admire at it; and let none think that this growing serveth only for to please the eye, for some special thing is hid in it; for all sand or pebles, although they be white, invisibly containeth a hidden tincture or golden sulphur, which none without experience will be able to believe; for if for a time you digest the pure filings of lead in it, there will gold come to stick to the outside thereof (which gold may be washed off with water) and the lead will look as if it were gilded. Which gold came from no where else but from the sand or pebles, although they were white and clear, so that it could not be perceived in them. It sheweth also its meliorating vertue, when the metals do grow therein, and for a certain space of time are digested therewith. For it may be seen apparently, that the metals in the growing do increase from this liquor, and attract what is for their turn; which hence also may be perceived, that when but as much as the bigness of a pea groweth therein, it will grow twice or thrice as big, which is worthy to be considered of. Also the pebles or sand-stones are the natural matrixes of metals, and there appeareth a great sympathy between them, especially between the unripe metals and them; as if nature should say to such raw or unripe metals, return into your mothers womb, and stay there the due time, till you have attained there to perfect ripeness, for you were taken thence too soon against my will. Further, out of this liquor there may be made a good borras to reduce the metals thereby. There may be made also with this liquor fair glased and firm colours upon earthen vessels like unto Porcellan or China. Also by boyling it with water, a tender impalpable snow-white earth may be precipitated out of it, whereof there may be made vessels like unto Porcellan.
Many other useful things may be brought to pass thereby in mechanical businesses, needless here to relate.
Also the unripe and volatile minerals may be fixed and ripened thereby, so that not only they may be the fitter to be used in Physick, but also the volatile gold and silver contained in them may be saved thereby, whereof more in the fourth part.
N. B. Hither belongs also the process of the spirit of lead, Virgins-milk and Dragons blood.
Out of urine or salt Armoniack, a powerful and penetrating spirit may be made several wayes, which not only is to be used in phisick for many diseases, but is also found very useful in mechanical and chymical operations, as followeth.
Take of the urine of sound men living chast, gather a good quantity together in a wooden vessel, let it stand for its time to putrefy, and distil a spirit thereof, which afterward in a great glass retort with a wide neck must be rectified from calcined tartar, and still that which cometh over first, may be saved by it self, and so the second and third also, the strongest may be used for the preparing of metallical medicines, and the weaker for a medicine alone by its self, or else mingled with fit vehicles: The salt which in the rectification cometh over with the strongest spirit; may be put to the weakest, to make it the stronger, or else it may be saved by it self in a good strong glass.
But because the spirit of urine is tedious to make, therefore I will shew, how to get it easier out of salt Armoniack. The preparation is thus.
Take of salt armoniack, and lapis calaminaris, and make each by it self into powder, and then mix them together, and cast of it into the red hot vessel at once no more than ℥ ss. or ℥ i. Unto the vessel there must be applyed a great receiver: for this spirit goeth with such a force and power, that it were impossible to distil it in a retort without danger or loss, for I broke more than one receiver with it, before I did invent this instrument. The spirits being well setled in the receiver, cast in more of your mixture; this continue so long till all your matter is cast in; then take off the receiver, and pour the spirit into a strong glass, which must be well closed at the top, but not with wax and a bladder, because it softeneth the wax, and doth penetrate through the bladder; but first stop it with paper, then melt Lacca or sulphur, and pour it upon it, so that it come to be very well closed, and then it will not be able to exhale, or thou mayst get such glasses made, as in the fifth part shall be taught, for to keep all the subtle spirits in them, for more security sake. And this spirit, if no water have been mixt with it in the receiver, needeth no rectifying: but he that will have it stronger yet, may rectify it by a glass retort, and so keep it for use.
And this is the best way to make a strong spirit out of salt armoniack: the same may be done also, by taking of filed Zinck, instead of lapis calaminaris: also by adding of salt of tartar, salt made of the Lee of wood ashes, unquencht lime, and the like: but the spirit is nothing near so strong (although all those things may be done with it, that are done with the former) as that which is made with lapis calaminaris or Zinck.
Take ℔ i. of salt armoniack made into powder, and as much of salt of tartar, mix both together by the help of a lye made of tartar, or only with common water, so that all come to be like a pap, and cast in one spoonful thereof at once, into the distilling vessel, then cast in more till you have spirit enough.
N. B. The salt of tartar may also be mixed dry with the salt Armoniack without any lye or water, and so distilled: but it is not so good, as when the mixture is tempered with lye or water: for if it be cast in dry, the spirit will come over in the form of a volatile salt: but if the mixture have been moistened, then most part thereof will come over like a fiery burning spirit: In like manner also the mixture of Lyme and salt Armoniack may be tempered moist, and it will yield more spirit than if it be distilled dry.
It may be asked: why lapis calaminaris, Zinck and unquencht lyme, calcined tartar, salt of potashes, fixed salt nitre or the like things prepared by the fire, must be added unto salt Armoniack, and whether it be not as good to add some bolus, or other earth (as usually is done to other salts) and so to distil a spirit of it? To which I answer, that there are two sorts of salt in salt Armoniack, viz. a common acid salt, and a volatile salt of urine, which without mortifying of one of them, cannot be separated: for as soon as they feel the heat, the volatile salt of urine carrieth the acid salt upwards, and they both together yield a sublimate, of the same nature and essence with common salt armoniack which is not sublimed, onely it is purer than the common. And no spirit would come over from it, if it should be mingled with bole, brick, dust, sand, or any other strengthless earth, and so distilled, but the whole salt as it is of it self (leaving its earthy substance behind) would sublime thus dry: but that it falleth out otherwise with the lapis calaminaris (which is also like an earth) so that a separation of the salts is wrought thereby, and a volatile spirit cometh over; the reason is, that the lapis calaminaris and Zinck are of such a nature, that they have a great affinity with all acid things, and do love them, and are loved by them likewise (whereof some mention hath been made in the first part) so that the acid salt sticks to it in the warmth, and uniteth it self with it, and the volatile salt is set free, and distilled into a subtle spirit; which could not have been done, if the acid salt had not been kept back, by the lapis calaminaris or Zink. But that a spirit is distilled off by addition of fixed salts; the reason is that fixed salts are contrary unto acid salts, and (if they get the uperhand) do kill the same, and rob them of their strength, whereby those things which are mixed with them are freed from their bond: and so it falls out here with salt armoniack, that when by addition of a vegetable fixed salt, the acidity of the salt armoniack is killed; the salt of urine, which formerly was bound therewith, gets its former freedome and strength, and being sublimed turns into a spirit. Which could not have been done, if common salt had been added to the salt armoniack instead of salt of tartar; for the salt of urine would thereby (as by a far greater enemy) be killed and kept back, so that it could yield no spirit. I thought fit to give notice hereof to the ignorant (not for those, who knew it before) and to the unknowing it will do much good, and that they may have a light for other labours: for I have many times seen, and see it still by daily experience, that the most part of vulgar Chymists, whatsoever they do (having got it either by reading, seeing, or hearing) they hurle it over like botchers, and are not able to give any solid reason, why this or that must fall out in such or another manner, not labouring to find out the natures and conditions of salts, minerals, and other materials, but contenting themselves onely with the Receipt, saying this or that Author hath written so, and therefore it must be so, whereas many times such books are patcht up out of all sorts of authors. And those that stick to so many books, will hardly ever come to get any good, but are led out of one Labyrinth into another, spending their life miserably in watching and cares: but if they would first seriously consider things, and learn to know nature, and then take their work in hand, then they would sooner attain unto true knowledge; and so much of this matter by the way. I hope that he that hath been in error will be pleased with it, and the knowing will not grudge to have it imparted to the ignorant.
That which remains after the distillation is done, is also good for use; if the addition have been of salt of tartar, a melting powder may be made of it, to reduce metals. Of lapis calaminaris or Zinck, yields per deliquium a clear, white, and heavy sharp oyl, for the sharper part of salt armoniack, which did not turn to spirit, hath dissolved lapis calaminaris, and is almost of the same vertues for external use in Chyrurgery with that, which above in the first part which was taught to be made out of lapis calaminaris, and spirit of salt, save only that this in the distilling doth not yield so strong a spirit as the other, but onely yields a sharp sublimate.
This spirit is of a sharp penetrating essence, and of an airy, moist, and warm nature; and therefore may with credit be used in many diseases, 8, 10, 12. (more or less) drops thereof used in a convenient vehicle, do immediately penetrate all the body over, causing sudden sweating, opening the obstructions of the spleen, and dispersing and expelling many malignities by sweat and urine, it cureth the quartane, collick, the suffocation of the Matrix, and many more diseases.
In brief, this spirit is a safe, sure, and ready medicine for to disperse and expel all tough, gross and venemous humors. Also, this spirit acteth his part externally, quenching all inflammations, curing the Erysipelas and Grangrene; it allayeth the pains of the gout, clothes being dipt in it and applyed: and although it draw blisters, it matters not; laid to the pulse, it is good in ardent feavers, it asswageth swellings and pains; disscusseth congealed blood, helpeth strained limbs, and benummed nerves: onely smelled unto, it cureth the megrim, and other Chronical diseases of the head: for it dissolveth the peccant matter, and evacuateth it through the nostrils; it restoreth the lost hearing, being externally laid on with a little instrument fit for the purpose. Also in the obstructions of womens courses applyed by a fit instrument in a spiritual way, openeth presently, and cleanseth the womb, and maketh women fruitful, &c. Mingled with common water, and held in the mouth, asswageth the tooth-ach, proceeding from sharp humors which are falln in the teeth. A little of it applyed in a glister, killeth the wormes in the body, and allayeth the colick.
This spirit may also further be used to many other things, especially by means thereof many pretious and effectual medicaments may be made out of metals and minerals, whereof some shall be described as followeth.
N. B. There is yet another matter, which is found every where and at all times, and is to be got by every one without distillation and charges, and is as good for the abovesaid diseases, as the distilled spirit, and if all men knew it, there would not be found every where so many sick people, nor so many Doctors and Apothecaries.
Dissolve Hungarian or other good vitriol in common water, and let it run through a filtring paper, pour of this spirit upon it so much, till all the green be vanisht, and the water be made clear, and a yellow sulphur be settled: then pour off the clear, and the rest which is muddy, pour together in a filtrum, that the moisture may run off, and the earth of the vitriol remain in the paper, which you must dry, and distil to a blood-red oyl, which will open the obstructions of the whole body, and perfectly cure the epilepsie. The clear water must be evaporated dry, and there will remain a salt, which being distilled, yields a wonderful spirit. Before it be distilled, it is a specificum purgans, whereof 8. 10. 12. to 24. grains taken, may safely be used in all diseases.
Spices, seeds or flowers being extracted therewith and digested and distilled, the essence of them will come over with it, in the form of a red oyl.
If you pour it upon calx of copper, made by often heating the Copper red hot and quenching it again, it will extract within an hours time a fair blew colour, and having dissolved as much thereof as it can pour it off and let it shoot in a cold place, and you will get a fair sky coloured vitriol, a small quantity whereof will cause strong vomits; the rest of the vitriol remaineth a blew oyl, good to be used in ulcers.
If you take common crude tartar, and pour of this spirit upon it, and set it in digestion, the spirit will extract a blood-red tincture, and if the spirit be abstracted from it, there will remain a pleasant red oyl, of no small vertue and power.
This spirit also dissolveth crystals and other stones, they being first dissolved, precipitated and reduced to impalpable powders, turning them into oyles and liquors, good to be used in Alchymy and Physick.
Any metal being dissolved in an acid spirit may be precipitated better and purer therewith, than with the liquor of the salt of tartar; for Aurum fulminans which is precipitated with it fulminateth far stronger than if it were done with oyl of tartar.
R. Some juyce of Lemon and mix it with the solution of gold, before it be precipitated, and then not all the gold will precipitate, but some of it will remain in the solution, and in time many small green stones (not unlike unto common vitriol) will appear; which in a small dose will purge all noxious humors.
If you dissolve silver in Aqua fortis, and pour so much of this spirit into it till it ceaseth to make a noise, some of the silver will precipitate in the form of a black powder, the rest of the silver remaineth in the liquor: the phlegm abstracted from it in Balneo, till it get a skin at the top, and then set into a cool place, there will grow white crystals in it, which being taken out and dryed are a good purge in madness, dropsie, feavers and other diseases, safely and without danger to be used to young and old. The rest of the liquor which did not crystallise may be extracted with spirit of wine, and the fæces being cast away the extraction will be pleasanter. The spirit of wine abstracted from it, there will remain a medicine of no small value in all diseases of the brain.
Boyl sulphur or Antimony made into powder in a Lixivium of salt of tartar, till it turn red, and pour this spirit upon it, and distill gently in a Balneum, and there will come over a fair tincture with the volatile spirit, silver anointed therewith will be guilt, though not lastingly. It serveth for all diseases of the lungs.
Dissolve Antimony or sulphur in the liquor of pebles or sand, coagulate the solution to a red mass; upon this mass pour spirit of urin, and let it extract in a gentle warmth. The spirit being coloured red, pour it off, and pour on other spirit, let it extract likewise, and this you must iterate so often, till the spirit will extract no more tincture; then pour all the extracts together and abstract the spirit of urin from it in Balneum through a limbeck, and there will remain a blood red liquor, and if you pour upon this spirit of wine it will extract a fairer tincture then the former was, leaving the fæces behind, and this tincture smelleth like garlick: and if it be digested three or four weeks in a gentle warmth, it will get a very pleasant smel, like unto the yellow prunes or plums: and if it remain longer yet in digestion, it will get a smel not inferior to musk and ambar; This tincture having been digested a long time, and got several smels, is not only notably by the fire increased in pleasantness of smel and taste, but also in vertue: for so many and various sweet smels are perceived in it, that it is to be admired, which variety and exaltation proceedeth only from the pure and ripening spirit of urin, for there is hid in it a fire, which doth not destroy but preserve and graduate all colours, whereof in another place more shall be said.
N. B. Betwixt the spirit of urin and the animal and mineral Copper there appeareth a great sympathy; for it doth not only love copper above all other metals, and mingleth easily with it, and maketh it extraordinary fair, and of good use in Physick, but it prepareth it also to such a medicine, whereby all venerous sores (both by inward and outward use) how deep so ever they took root in the blood, without the use of any other medicaments, are perfectly cured; it maketh fruitful and barren, according as it is used; it cleanseth the matrix, hindreth the rising thereof, and miraculously furthereth womens courses that have been stayed, above all other medicaments of what name soever.
If this spirit be mingled with the volatile (but not corrosive) spirit of vitriol or common salt there will come a salt out of it, which is inferior to none in fusibleness, and useful both in Alchymy and Physick.
N. B. The liquor of the salt Of tartar, and the spirit of wine do not mix without water, this being the mean partaking of both of their natures, and if you add unto it spirit of urin it will not mingle but keep its own place: so that these three sorts of liquors, being put in the same glass, and though they be shaked never so much will not incorporate for all that: the liquor of the salt of tartar keepeth to the bottom, next to it will be the spirit of urin, and on the top of that is the spirit of wine: and if you pour a distilled oyl upon it, that will keep uppermost of all, so that you may keep four sorts of liquors in one glass, whereof none is mingled with the other.
Although this be of no great profit, yet it serveth for to learn thereby the difference of spirits.
Take Harts-horn, cut it with a saw into pieces, of the bigness of a finger, and cast in one at a time into the aforesaid distilling vessel, and when the spirits are settled, then another, and continue this until you have spirits enough: and the vessel being filled with the pieces that were cast in, take them out with the tongs, and cast in others, and do this as often as is needful. The distilling being finished, take off the receiver, and pour into it dephlegmed spirit of wine, which will cleanse the volatile salt: pour the oyl with the spirit and volatile salt through a filtring paper made wet first and lying in a glass funnel, and the spirit of wine together with the spirit of Harts-horn and the volatile salt will run through the paper, and the blackish oyl will stay behind, but it must quickly be poured out, else it will pass through after them. The spirit together with the volatile salt rectifie through a retort, and the best part of the spirit will come over together with the spirit of wine and volatile salt; and when the phlegme is coming, take of the spirit, which is come over, that the naughty phlegm may not come amongst it; keep it well, for it is very volatile, the oyl may be mingled with salt of tartar, and rectified by a glass retort, and so it will be clear; if you will have it fairer, you must rectify it with spirit of salt.
The first, which is done with salt of Tartar, is of more vertue; it cureth the Quartane, and provoketh sweat extremly, cureth all internal wounds and pains, which were caused by falls, blows, or other wayes: 6, or 8. 10, to 20. drops of it taken in wine and sweated upon it in the bed. The spirit is very good for all obstructions of the whole body, from ℈ ss. to ʒ ss. therefore taken in a fit vehicle, provoketh urine, and forceth down womens courses, it cleanseth the blood and maketh sweat mightily. In the Plague, Pox, Leprosie, Scurvy, Melancholia Hypochondriaca, malignant Feavers, and the like where sweating is necessary, it proveth a rare medicine.
After the same manner you may make spirits out of all kind of horns and claws of beasts: but since by reason of their ill smel the use of them is not liked of (though in several heavy diseases, as in the fits of the mother and Epilepsie, they do admirably well:) therefore I will acquiesce. However it is worth observing, that the spirit made of mans hair is not to be rejected in metallical operations, for it dissolveth common sulphur, and reduceth it into a milk, which by further ripening may be turned into blood, the like whereunto no spirit is able to do. The same spirit may also of it self, without addition of sulphur be fixed into a ruby; but that which is ripened with sulphur is the better; and if it be brought so far by the fire, that it have lost its stink, and be made fixed than it will be able sufficiently to pay for the pains and coals bestowed upon it.
N. B. Hither belongeth the Process to pour dissolved metals upon filed hartshorn, and so to distil them.
Ambar yeildeth a very pleasant oyl and of great vertue especially the white Ambar: the yellow is not so good, and the black is inferior to this; for by reason of its impurity it cannot be well used inwardly; and there cometh over also along with it a volatile salt and an acid water, which must be seperated; the water (for ought that I know) is of little vertue; the salt if it be sublimed from the salt of Tartar and purified, is a good diuretick, and in the Stone and the Gout, may successfully be used both inwardly and outwardly. The oyl if it be rectified, especially that which comes over first, is an excellent medicine against the Plague, Epilepsy, rising of the Mother and Megrim, 6, 8, 10, to 20. drops being taken thereof at once, and the nostrils also being anoynted therewith for to smell to it; and it is to be observed, that when it is rectified with spirit of salt, it proveth much clearer, than done by it self without addition: but if it be rectified with salt of tartar, it is of much more vertue, though it fall not so clear, as that which is done by spirit of salt.
N. B. If it be rectified from a strong Aqua Regia having before once already been rectified with spirit of salt, it will turn so subtle, that it is able to dissolve iron or copper in some sort, and to reduce them into good medicines; and in this second rectification by Aqua Regia all will not come over, but part of it will be coagulated by the corrosive water, so that it turneth thick, like unto mastich, which in the warmth is soft, and may be handled with owns fingers like wax, but in the could it is so hard, that it may be broken and made into powder, and glistereth like gold.
Of the soot, which is taken from Chimneys, where nothing is burnt but wood, there may be distilled a sharp volatile salt and a hot oyl. The salt is in vertue not unlike unto that which is made of harts-horn or ambar, and it quencheth inflammation, from what cause so ever it do proceed: The oyl may without rectification externally be used very successfully for all loathsome scabs, and for a scald head, &c. But if it be rectified, as hath been taught to be done with the oyl of Tartar, of Ambar, and of Hartshorn; then it may safely be used inwardly, as the above written oyls are used; for it doth as well as these, yea better in some special cases.
Boyl the soot in common watter, till the water turn blood red (urin is better than water) and set this solution (being in an earthen pot) in winter time into the greatest frost so long till all in the pot be frozen into one piece and turned white: then break the pot and the ice, and in the midst thereof you will find the hot oyl unfrozen and liquid in colour like blood, which is not much inferior in vertue unto that which is distilled, yet afterward it may be rectified, and so exalted in its vertue, when you please, and it is to be noted, that this separation doeth only succeed in the greatest frost and cold, and not else.
Of honey there may be made a subtle spirit and a sowre vinegar, if it be mingled with twice as much of pure calcined sand and so distilled; and it falleth much better yet if it be made with the flores of Antimony, which were taught to be made in the first part, whereby the spirit is increased in its vertue, and its running over hindred thereby; and so distilling it, there will come over a pleasant spirit, a sharp vinegar and some red oyl also, which must be seperated: the spirit after the rectification inwardly used is good in all diseases of the lungs. It openeth and inlargeth the Breast, strengthneth the Heart, takes away all obstructions of the Liver and Spleen; it dissolveth and expelleth the Stone, resisteth all putrefaction of the Blood; preserveth from, and cureth the Plague; all Agues, Dropsies, and many other diseases, daily used from ℈ j. to ʒ j. taken with distilled water proper for the diseases: the sower vinegar coloureth hair and nails as yellow as gold: it cureth the itch and scabs of the skin; it cleanseth and healeth old and new wounds, they being bathed and washed therewith.
The red oyl is too strong to be used of it self, it may be mingled with the subtle spirit which came over first and so used, and the spirit will be exalted thereby in its vertue.
In the same manner as hath been taught of honey, there is also made a spirit and oyl of sugar, viz. adding pure sand to it; or (which is better) of the flores of Antimony, and then according to the rules of Art one spoonful after the other of this mixture cast in, it will yeild a yellow spirit, and a little red oyl, which after the distillation must be digested in Balneo so long together, till the spirit have assumed the oyl and be turned thereby very red in colour; it needeth not to be rectified, but may daily be used either by it self, or with such vehicles as are proper for your purpose; in all it is like in virtue unto that which was made of honey; yet this of sugar is more pleasant than the other; it reneweth and restoreth all the blood in man, in regard that it received great vertue from the diaphoretical flores of Antimony; and this spirit may fitly be used in all diseases, it can do no hurt, neither in cold nor hot diseases; it doth help nature mightily, and doth so much good, that it is almost beyond belief. Especially if for a time it be used daily from ℈ j. to ʒ j. The residue of it is black, and may be kept for the same use again, viz. for an addition to other honey or sugar, or else you may sublime it again into flores in the furnace described in the first part, or in the furnace described in the fourth part of this book, with an addition of iron or tartar, or salt nitre, reduces it into a Regulas, &c.
If you mix sugar with red corals made into powder and distil it, there will besides the spirit come over a blood-red tincture like a heavy oyl, which is to be joyned with the spirit by digestion in Balneo, and it will be as vertuous as that which was made with Antimony diaphoreticum. It doth perfectly and lastingly cure the epilepsie in young and old; it cleanseth the blood from all filth, so that the Leprosie together with its several species may be cured thereby, &c. Its use is the same as was taught above of the Antimonized spirit of sugar.
Take sweet Must or juice of grapes, as soon as it is squeezed out, boyl it to the consistency of honey- and then mix it with sand, corals, or (which is better) with flores of Antimony, and so distill it, and it will yield such another spirit as that which is made of honey or sugar, only that this is somewhat tarter than that of honey. With honey, sugar and the juice of grapes, several metals may be dissolved in boyling and so prepared and made up into divers medicaments, both with and without distillation, after the same manner as was taught above with tartar: for honey, sugar, and the juice of grapes, are nothing else but a sweet salt, which by fermentation and addition of some sower thing, may be changed into a sower Tartar, in all like unto that which is gathered in the wine vessels. There may be made also a tartar out of cherries, pears, apples, figs, and all other fruit, yielding a sweet juice; as also of rye, wheat, oats, barley and the like, whereof in the third part more shall be said.
For every sweet liquor of vegetables, if it be turned inside out, by fermentation may be changed to a natural sowre tartar; and it is utterly false, that (as some do suppose) only wine yields tartar, which by daily use made of it by those that have very hungry stomachs (like Woolves) indistinctly together with the nourishment went into the limbs, and there turned to a stony matter. If this were true, than in cold Countries, where no wine groweth, men would not be troubled with the Gout or Stone; the Contrary whereof is seen daily: though I must confess, that among all vegetables none yeildeth more than the vine, the concurrent acidity being the cause thereof; for it turneth the sweetness into tartar; for the sowrer the wine is, the more tartar it yieldeth; and so much the sweeter, so much the less tartar. By this discourse an industrious Chymist may easily come to know the original nature and properties of tartar, and in default of wine, how to make it out of other vegetables; common salt or the salt of tartar may be distilled with honey, sugar, or sodden wine (sapa) and it will yield such strong spirits, that metals may be dissolved with them, and they are not to be despised in Physick and Alchymy.
Out of oyls made by expression (as oyl olive, rape oyl, wallnut oyl, hempseed oyl, linseed oyl, and the like) there may be distilled a penetrating oyl, useful both out wardly and inwardly, which is done thus: Take common potters clay not mingled with sand, frame little bals of it, as big as a pigeons or hens-egg, burn them (but not too strong) to a hard stone, so that they may attract the oyl; and when they are no more quite red-hot, but pretty hot, then throw them into oyl olive which is the best; let them lye in it, till they be quite full and drunk of the oyl, which will be done in two or three hours (some cast them red hot into the oyl, but amiss, because the oyl contracts thence an Empyreuma) then take them out, and cast in one or two of them at once into your distilling-vessel made red-hot, and let it go; and within a while after cast in one or two more, and continue this till you have oyl enough. If the vessel be full of the bals, take them out with the tongs or ladle, that you may proceed without let in your distillation, and in this manner you need not fear the breaking of your retort or receiver, or the burning of your oyle. The distillation being performed take off your receiver, pour the oyl that came over into a glass retort, and rectify it from calcined Allome or Vitriol, and the Allome will keep back the blackness and stink, and so the oyl will come over clear, which must be yet rectified once or twice more with fresh calcined Allome, according to the intensness of penetrating which you look for; that which cometh over first, ought still to be caught by it self, and you will get a very fair, bright and clear oyl, which is very subtle; but that which cometh after is somewhat yellow, and not so penetrating neither as the first; and therefore it is but for external use to extract flores and herbs therewith, and to make pretious balsams for cold and moyst sores. Also you may dissolve with it Amber, Mastick, Myrrh, and the like attractive things, and with Wax and Colophony reduce it to a plaster, which will be very good in venemous sores and boyls, for to attract the poyson, and to heal them out of hand. If you dissolve in it common yellow sulphur made into powder, you will get a blood red balsom, healing all manner of scabs, and other like defects of the skin; especially when you add to it purified verdegrease, and in hot sores Saccharum Saturni, which in a gentle heat and by continual stirring about do easily melt and mingle therewith. It needeth not to be done in glasses, but may be done in an ordinary earthen pot or pipkin.
The first and clear is of a very penetrating nature: some drops thereof given in some Aqua vitæ, presently stays the collick, proceeding from winds that could not be vented; as also the rising of the mother, the navil being anointed therewith: and a cold humour being faln upon the nervs, whereby they are lamed; if you do but anoint them with this oyl, and rub it in with warm hands, it will quickly restore them, and therefore in regard of its present help, may well be called Oleum sanctum. If you extract plates of iron or copper with this oyl, it will turn deep red or green, and is a soveraign remedy for to warm and dry up all cold and watery sores. It consumeth allso all superfluous moisture in Wounds and ulcerous Sores, as also all other excrescencies of the skin: it healeth tettars and scald-heads, and other like defects proceeding from superfluous cold and moisture. You may also dissolve in it Euphorbium and other hot gums, and use them against great frost, for what limb soever is anointed therewith, no frost how great soever can do it any hurt. The balsames made with gum or sulphur may be also distilled by a retort, and in some cases they are more useful than the undistilled balsame.
In the same manner may be distilled also the oyl of wax, the use whereof is in all like unto the former; and for all cold infirmities of the nerves, this is found more effectual yet than the former.
Out of stones which are found in grapes, there may be distilled a sowre spirit, which is a certain and specifical remedy for the stone in the kidneys and bladder, and also for all pains of the gout. It is not onely to be used internally, but also externally, wetting clothes in it, and applying them to the places affected, and it will asswage and drive away the pains.
To reduce sulphur into a sowre spirit or oyl hath been sought hitherto by many, but found by few. Most of them made it in glass-bells, but got very little that way; for the glasses being quickly hot, could not hold the oyl, so that it went away in a smoak. Some thought to get it by distilling, others by dissolving, but none of all these would do the feat. Which is the reason why now-adayes it is found almost no where right, and in the Drugsters and Apothecaries shops they usually sell oyl of Vitriol instead of it, which by far is not to be compared in vertue to the oyl of sulphur. For this is not onely of a far pleasanter sowre taste, but in efficacy also much exceeds the other. And therefore being of so great use both in Physick and Alchymy, as in all hot diseases, mingling the patients drink therewith, till it get a pleasant sowre tast, for to quench the intolerable drowth, to strengthen the stomach, to refresh the lungs and the liver: Also externally for to cure the gangreen: Also for to Chrystallise some metals thereby, and to reduce them into pleasant vitriols, useful as well in Alchymy as Physick: I thought good to set down the preparation, though it be not done in this our distilling furnace, but in another way by kindling and burning it as followeth.
Make a little furnace with a grate, upon which a strong crucible must be fastned resting on two iron bars, and it is to be ordered so that the smoak be conveighed (not above by the crucible, but) through a pipe at the side of the furnace: the crucible must be filled with sulphur even to the top; and by a coal-fire without flame be brought to burn and kept burning. Over the burning sulphur, a vessel is to be applyed of good stony earth like unto a flat dish with an high brim, wherein is alwayes cold water to be kept, and whereunto the burning sulphur doth flame: which thus burning, its fatness consumeth, and the acid last is freed and sublimed to the cold vessel, where it is dissolved by the air, and in the form of a sharp oyl runs from the hollow vessel into the receiver, which must be taken off sometime, and more sulphur supplyed instead of that which hath been consumed, to the end that the sulphur may still burn in the crucible: and beat with the flame to the cold head: and within few dayes you will get a great quantity of oyl, which else by the (campana) glass-bell in many weeks could not have been done.
N. B. Such a sowre spirit or oyl may also be got by distillation together with the flores, viz. thus: If you take pieces of sulphur as big as hens eggs, and cast them one after another into the hot distilling vessel, a sowre oyl together with flores, will come over into the receiver, which must with water be separated out of the flores, and the water abstracted from it again in a cucurbit, and in the bottome of your glass body you will find the oyl, which in vertue and taste is equal to the former, but you get nothing near so much in quantity by this way, and if you do not look for the oyl, you may leave it with the flores, which by reason of their pleasant acid taste are much toothsomer to take than the ordinary ones.