As for the first Furnace, it may be built greater or lesser as you please, a regard being had of the quantity of the Matter to be distilled, and also either round or square; either of Bricks, or by a Potter with Potters Clay. Now when the Diameter is of one span, viz. withinside, the height must be of four, viz. one from the bottom to the grate, another from the grate to the hole made for putting in of Coals, and two from thence to the top of the Pipe, which must at least go forth out of the Furnace one span, lest the receivers should by the neerness of the Furnace be heated. The Pipe also must have on the fore part a Diameter, answering the third part of the intrinsecal Diameter of the Furnace; also a little larger on the hinder part than the forepart. Let the grate be such an one, as may be taken out at your pleasure and made clean, being stopt by the Matter that is cast in and distilled: for it is easily stopt in distilling of Salts melted with the coals, whereby the aire is kept from coming to the fire, and the distillation by consequence hindred: Or let there be put into the Furnace cross-wise two strong iron bars, upon which lay four or five lesser, distant the one from the other the breadth of a finger, going a little out of the Furnace, by which when they are stopt, you may take them out with a pair of Tongs, and cleanse them from the burnt Matter, and then again put them into their own places: wherefore also the Furnace must on the fore part be open under the grate, that you may the better order the grate.
Also the grate must have above, a covering of Iron or Stone, with a hole in the middle thereof with a certain distinction, which is to be filled with sand, that the cover may the better and more fitly shut the hole, and prevent the exhaling of the spirits which by this means will, being forced, go forth thorow the Pipe into the receivers, after you have cast in the matter which is to be distilled.
Let the Receivers be made of glass, or of strong earth, which may retain the spirits, and such is the Waldburgick, Hassiack, Frechheimensian, Siburgic earth, &c. They are better that are made of glass, if they are to be had, and those especially which are made of strong and firm glass, which may be smoothed about the joints with a Smiris stone, and so fitted that they may the better be joyned together, and then they need not luteing (but how they shall be smoothed with the Smiris stone, and be fitted, shall be taught in the Fifth part, which treats of Manuals) because by this means they are joyned so close, that no spirits can go through the joynts: otherwise you must close the joynts with the best Lute, such as will not let the spirits exhale, which shall be taught in the Book treating of Manuals. The form of the recipient you may see in the delineation thereof. As for the quantity thereof, know that by how much the greater they are, so much the better they are, for then you need the fewer, but the more, by how much the lesser they are. Let the superiour orifice be larger than the inferiour, so that alwaies another receiver may with its inferiour orifice be joyned to it, and let the inferiour orifice have a Diameter of three fingers breadth, or thereabouts; I mean in case the Diameter of the Furnace be of one span. For a greater Furnace requires greater holes, as also orifices of the receivers, by which means a sufficient and due proportion of air may be given to the fire: or if the Diameter of the Furnace be more than a span, it must also have two or three pipes (which being considered together, should have a wideness answering the wideness of the third part of the Furnace, for so great a wideness, and so much air is required, if the fire burn freely and do its office) to which vessels of the aforesaid proportion must be applyed, that the fire be not choaked.
Now, the Figure that is annexed will teach the conjunction of the Receivers, as also their application to the Furnace. And, in the first place, the Receiver stands in a three-foot stool bored thorow in the middle, that the neck of the first Receiver may pass thorow, to which is applyed a dish with a pipe receiving the dropping Spirits: To the first there is joyned a Second, and to that a third, and so consequently (viz. near unto a wall or ladder) so many as you please. Let the upper Receiver, and indeed all the rest, be left open: To the lower as hath been said, is joyned a dish with a pipe, by which the distilled Spirits run down into another certain glass vessel added thereunto, which being filled, is taken away, and another is set in the place of it, because that is set under it without luting, and therefore may easily be changed. And if you please to distil any thing else, you may take away that dish with a pipe, and make it clean, and then joyn it close again (that no spirit may breath forth) to the neck of the lower receiver. And if that dish cannot be so closely joyned, that nothing exhale, pour in a spoonful of Water, for that doth astringe, neither doth it hurt the spirits, because in the rectifying it is separated.
These you need not make of glass, or of such earth as may retain the spirits, as hath been above mentioned; it is sufficient, if so be they be made of good common Potters earth, and be well glazed within, viz. of such a form and figure, as appears by the annexed delineation.
Yet you must chuse good earth that will endure the fire, for the lower pots are so heated by the fire, that they would be broken if they should not be made of good earth.
Now I will shew you in general the manner it self of distilling; as also, the manual necessaries in every distillation.
In the first place, let there be some burning Coals put in, which afterwards must be covered with more until the Furnace be full almost to the pipe, which being done, let not the uppermost cover be laid over its hole (that the heat and smoak may pass that way, and not thorow the pipe, and receivers, which will thereby be red hot; and this will be a hindrance to the distillation) until the fire be sufficiently kindled, and the Furnace be throughly hot; then cast in, with an Iron ladle, of the matter prepared for distillation as much as will cover the Coals, which being done, stop the Furnace very close, by pressing down strongly the upper cover upon its hole or sand, which is put in the lower part of the hole, being a place made for that purpose. Now let him that casts in any thing thorow the middle hole, presently stop it with a stopple of stone, and that very close, for by this means all those things which were cast in, will be forced, after the manner of a thick Cloud, to break forth through the pipe into the receivers, and there to condense themselves into an acid spirit or oyl, and thence to distil into the dish set under, through the pipe whereof they do yet distil down further into another glass receiver. The Coals being burnt out, and all the spirits being come forth, you must cast in more Coals, and more materials, until you have got a sufficient quantity of Spirits. In this way of distilling, you may at your pleasure cease, and begin again without any danger.
When you will make clean the Furnace, you need do nothing else, then draw out the Iron bars that lye on the cross bar, that the Caput Mortuum may fall down, which afterwards may be taken away with a Fire-shovel, which being done, you must put in the bars again, and lay them on the cross-bars as before, upon which you must cast burning Coals, and upon them others, until there be enough, then on them all, being well kindled, cast your materials.
When you go to make clean the receivers, and to begin to distil another thing, you need not remove them, but only pour pure Water into them, viz. by their upper receiver, by the descending whereof the other are purified.
And by this way, not only out of Vegetables, and volatile Minerals (incombustible) but also out of fixed Metals and Stones, spirits, oyls, and flowers, are drawn forth wonderfully, easily, and in good quantity, which otherwise could never have been done by the vulgar art of distilling.
Now, in this Furnace are distilled only such materials, which being distilled, yield an incombustible humidity, as common Salt, Vitriol, Allom, and other Minerals and Metals, each of which doth yet require their peculiar manuals, if operated upon.
Now, because this Furnace doth not serve for every matter, because the materials to be distilled are cast upon burning Coals, which are things Combustible, I have determined in the second part to give another, viz. a lesser, unlike to this, yet convenient to distil all combustible things that are endued with volatile spirits, as Tartar, Harts-horn, Amber, Sal Armoniack, Urine, &c. There are, by the help hereof, made most subtile, volatile, sulphureous spirits of Salts, and Minerals, as of common Salt, Vitriol, Allom, Nitre, Antimony, and of all other Minerals and Metals, which otherwise, without this Furnace, could not have been made, with which spirits, wonderful things are performed in Medicine and Alchymy, as in the Second Part shall be demonstrated more largely.
Now I will shew you a way to make other Receivers belonging to the first Furnace, and indeed, such as are more fit for some Operations, as the former were more fit for others: wherefore let him that will operate, chuse these, or the other, as he pleaseth.
As therefore the former being erected upwards by a wall, or ladder, by which means the spirit might ascend from one into another so long, until being refrigerated and condensed might again drop downward into the dish that is annexed thereto: so these are a contrary way set and placed collateral in a vessel filled with cold Water to condense the spirits, by which means you need not so many receivers; also they must not be fashioned like the former, as to be open above, and below, but only above like pots that serve for boyling: but this you must observe, that by how much the deeper and larger they are, by so much the better they are.
Also you must joyn them together by the help of earthen pipes, being so distinct, that the spirits may be kept back, being yet hot (and not refrigerated) from passing out of one into the other, but being forced through the middle of the separation of the pipes, may go to the bottom of every receiver, and thence arise by another pipe into another receiver that hath a double cover like the former, where again descending to the cold bottom, remain refrigerated and condensed. Now three or four of these are enough (whereas of other, thirteen or fifteen are required) a regard being had of their Greatness.
You may see the figure of these receivers, as also their joyning together by the annexed delineation. Now, for the most part, one is sufficient for him that distils a few things, especially if the matter be not pretious, and then let one crooked earthen pipe at least be joyned, one arm with the pipe that goeth forth of the Furnace, the other with the Receiver, but so that it go into the receiver downwards, even to the middle thereof, and then you need not shut the orifice of the receivers, for it is no great matter if somewhat evaporate, viz. if the matter to be distilled be not pretious. And by this way may new spirits and new flowers be made every hour, with the help of one Furnace, and one recipient, but with this caution, that for every new distillation, the recipient be washed with Water before it be put to the pipe; which being put to, you may then cast your species into the Furnace; and this do till you have a sufficient quantity of spirits.
And this way of distillation serves especially for the trying of the natures and properties of many and divers Minerals, such as yield in the fire spirits and flowers. For it would be too tedious in every new distillation to apply a new and distinct receiver: as also many studious of the Chymical art would quit their study, being able to make by retort but one tryal in a day. And no wonder if expences, and loss of time should deter many.
Now here there is no need of many Retorts, nor of luting them, nor of receivers, and such like superfluous things; neither is there here required the constant presence of the operator, the observation of the regiment of fire, the neglect whereof would otherwise endanger the loss of the retorts and receivers, and by consequence the loss of labour. These and such like tedious things are not here to be cared for, because it is sufficient only to cast the Matter upon the coals, and cover the Furnace, and then presently go forth the spirits, and flowers of the same kind with their mineral: of which when thou hast got a sufficient quantity, thou must draw out the Iron bars, upon which the coals lye, that they may fall down, and be taken away; and whilst the Furnace is yet hot, to put in the Iron bars again, and upon them to lay fresh coals, which then will of their own accord be kindled with the heat of the Furnace. In the mean time you must take away the receiver, and make it clean and set it to again, or if you had rather put another clean one, viz. for the new distillation of another Matter.
And by this way, divers things may be in the space of one hour distilled, and sublimed, viz. in a small quantity. But he that will distil, or sublime in a greater quantity, let him take three or four pots that the spirits may pass from one into another, that nothing thereof be lost. Here needs not (as I said before) the continual presence of the operator, for he may be gone, cease, or repeat as he please, because the work is without danger of breaking the retorts, and receivers.
He that knows the use of this Furnace, may do many things in a short time with little cost. For any one may do more by the help thereof in one hour, than in the common way in twenty four, by which way also there is a great saving of coals, because ten pound of coals will do more this way than a hundred the other. As for example, he that will try, shall make a pound of spirit of Salt in one hour with three, four, or five pounds of coals; whereas after the other way are required fifty of sixty pounds, and at least twenty or thirty hours time, viz. in the common way by the help of retorts: which is indeed very tedious.
Also by this way may be made the flowers or minerals, and metals, in a great quantity, very easily, and in a short time without great cost, so as that in one hours space, with three or four pound of coals may a pound of the flowers of Antimony be made. And this is no small help to the Physitian, and Chymist.
Moreover this furnace being once built, endures for many years, and being broken is easily repaired.
And by this way you shall need only materials to be distilled, no retorts and receivers are in danger, by which means much cost is saved.
Besides the aforesaid ways, I have yet another, and that more compendious, viz. of distilling, and subliming, and more easy, by which means in a very little time, an incredible quantity of spirits of Salts, and flowers of Minerals, and metals may be made; which I shall refer till another time, because for the present I have said enough.
Now I do not doubt, but diligent Chymists will follow my steps, and find out those things which are unknown to me. For it is easier to add to things found out, than to find out things unknown.
The construction therefore of the furnace being in my opinion clearly shewed, there now follows the manner of distilling, and subliming with it.
Although haply, and contrary to my hope any obscurity should be met withal, yet one process will explain another: and the diligent operator, and searcher of Nature shall without doubt, by his practise attain the effect after the same manner as I have prescribed: which together with the blessing of GOD, I heartily wish all pious Chymists, Amen.
The reason why I enter upon the spirit of salt, before I say any thing of the spirits of vegetables, is this, viz. because it is even the chiefest, which can be made in this furnace: for few exceed this in strength and vertues; wherefore I also have given it the preeminency. Neither is there any of the acid spirits, about which the Chymists hitherto have been more busied, than this, wherefore also it is of all, of greatest price, &c. for some have mixed salt with potters clay, and have made this mixture into little balls, which they have to get the spirit, forced by retort in a very strong fire: some have mixed salt with bole, some with the powder of tyles, others with burnt Allume, &c.
Others using a more compendious way have made salt to flow in a retort, which hath a pipe both in the upper, and hinder part; by the uper pipe of which they have dropped in cold water, to elevate the ponderous spirits of the salt, but by the hinder they have blown with Bellows, to force the spirits into the retort: and this way is not altogether to be slighted, yet it hath this inconveniency, that in process of time the retorts are broken that they can no longer retain the salt, and so the distillation is intercepted. Some have attempted it with Iron retorts, but by this means the spirits have been deaded, because they easily set upon the Iron, whence instead of spirit they have had flegme. And such, and other tedious wayes of distilling they have invented; and by the best of them indeed they could scarce distill one pound in 25. or 30. hours space with 50. 60. or 100 pound of coals; this being the reason, because the salt is very little wrought upon, and therefore it is that few ever had the spirit right and good, whence also the vertues thereof have been unknown.
And this therefore I was willing to make known, that it might appear, what price this spirit hath hitherto been of, and how easie, and abundantly, and with what little cost, it may after my new invented way be made.
It is said above, that the materials may in this way of distilling be immediately cast into the fire; yet this must be wisely understood. For although some of the species may without any preparation be immediately cast into the fire, yet it doth not follow that all and every one of them must: for in some of them we must use our discretion, as in the distilling of salt. For if the salt be immediately cast into the fire, it will not only yield no spirits, but will leap so long upon the coals, until it find a descent to the lowest part of the furnace: Now this may be prevented divers wayes; and first indeed after this manner: Dissolve salt in common water, then quench burning coals with this water, that they may be impregnated with the salt, which afterwards set on fire in the furnace: but you must first cast in other burning coals, upon which you must cast those that are impregnated with salt untill the furnace be full, as is above said: and while the coals burn, the salt is resolved by the force of the fire into spirit.
Now you must observe that he that distils spirit of salt after this manner, must make choice of glass receivers, because the spirit whilest it is hot, penetrates by reason of its wonderful subtilty, those that are earthen. And this spirit is of a most grateful taste. But in defect of glass receivers, I shall shew you another way wherein you may use those that be of earth.
Mix salt, and vitriol or allome together, grinding them very well in a Morter (for by how much the better they are ground, the more Spirit they yield.) Then cast this mixture into the fire with an Iron Ladle, viz. so much of it as will be sufficient to cover the coals, and then with a great fire the spirits come forth into the receivers, where being coagulated, they distill down into the dish, and thence into another receiver. And if thou knowest how to work aright, the spirits will like water continually run out thorow the pipe, the thickness of a straw; and thou mayest easily every hour make a pound of the spirit. Now the reason why thou shalt by this way have more spirits than by the other, is this, viz. because the vitriol and allome, which is mixed with the salt, makes it flow quickly, by which means it is prevented from falling down through the coals to the lower part of the furnace, but sticking to the coals is almost all of it turned into spirits. The Caput Mortuum, which is reddish, easily falls with the ashes through the grate, and can no more be distilled, but yields by excoction a white fixed salt, which serves for the flowing of metals; and being dissolved in warm water serves also for a glyster against the Worms, which it kills, and purgeth also the Bowels.
Thou wilt object, that the spirit made after this manner, is not the true spirit of salt by reason of the mixture of vitriol and allome, but mixed, and compounded. I answer; There can by this way distil no spirit of vitriol, or allome, being that which I often tryed, casting vitriol or allome into the furnace, where I received no spirit at all; the reason of this is, because these spirits are far more heavy than the spirit of salt, neither can they ascend so great a heighth, viz. of three spans, but are burnt, whence unless the flegme, nothing distils. Wherefore the spirit of salt that is made after this manner is not mixed, but pure and meer spirit of salt, of the same tast and vertue as that is of, that is made by it self; because in this furnace the spirit of allome and vitriol, cannot be made unless a pipe go out of the furnace neer the grate, as you may see by the delineation of the furnace, for otherwise it cannot be made; besides, these spirit are better, and more truly taught in the second part. And if it be granted that somewhat together with the spirit of salt comes forth (which is yet impossible) what hurt I pray you comes from thence either in the solution of metals, or medicine? wherefore the spirit made after this way is not to be suspected. Yet I will satisfie the incredulous, and will shew him another way without the addition of allome or vitriol, for the distilling of that spirit, but that will be in the second part of this Book, where I will teach you the furnace, by which is made spirit of Nitre, Aquafortis, and amongst combustibles, the Oyles of vegetables, and Fats of animals and other things which cannot be made by this: and by this way I will satisfie those, who are not pleased with the former.
Now for want of glass receivers, we are forced to use earthen, but these cannot retain the spirit of salt made after the aforesaid wayes, in which case I could indeed discover a certain little manual, by vertue of which the aforesaid spirit may be received even in a great quantity in earthen recipients: but for certain causes I shall here be silent, and shall refer it till the edition of the second part. Let it suffice therefore that I mentioned such a thing, wherefore omitting that, I shall proceed to shew you the vertues, and use of this spirit, as well in Alchymy, as in Medicine, and other Mechanical Arts.
It is worth while, to speak of the power, and vertues of this excellent spirit; what other Authors have clearly described, I shall here pass over, and refer the Reader to the Writings of those Authors; touching only on some few of which they said nothing.
The Spirit of salt is by most accounted a most excellent medicine, and safely to be used, as well inwardly as outwardly: It extinguisheth a preternatural thirst in hot diseases, abstergeth and consumeth flegmatick humours in the Stomack, exciteth the Appetite, is good for them that are hydropical, have the Stone, and Gout, &c. It is a menstruum dissolving metals, excelling all other therein: For it dissolveth all metals and minerals (excepting silver) and almost all stones (being rightly prepared) and reduceth them into excellent medicaments. It doth also many excellent things in mechanical arts.
Neither is it to be slighted in the kitchen, for with the help thereof are prepared divers pleasant meats for the sick as well as for those that are in health, yea and better than with Vinegar, and other acid things: and it doth more in a small quantity, than Vinegar in a great. But especially, it serves for those Countries that have no Vinegar. It is used also instead of Verjuice, and the juice of Lymons. For being prepared after this way, it is bought at a cheaper rate than Vinegar or juice of Lymons. Neither is it corruptible as expressed juices are, but is bettered by age. Being mixed with Sugar it is an excellent sauce for roast meat. It preserves also divers kinds of Fruits for many years. It makes also Raisins, and dryed Grapes to swell, so as to acquire their former magnitude again, which are good to refresh a weak Stomach in many diseases, and serves for the preparing of divers kinds of meats of Flesh and Fish; but you must mix some water with the spirit, or else the Raisins will contract too much acidity. This spirit doth especially serve for making meats delightfully acid; for whatsoever things are prepared with it, as Chickens, Pigeons, Veale, &c. are of a more pleasant taste than those which are prepared with Vinegar. Beef being macerated with it, becomes in a few dayes so tender, as if it had been a long time macerated with Vinegar. Such, and many more things can the Spirit of Salt do.
As many Distillers as hitherto have been, have been ignorant of a better way to distill Oyles of Spices, Woods, and Seeds, than by a vesica or alembick, with a great quantity of water. And altho’ they may also be made by retort, yet there is a great deal of care required, or else they contract an Empyreuma; wherefore that way, by a still, is alwayes accounted the better, which way indeed is not to be slighted, if you distill Vegetables of a low price, and such as be oleaginous; but not so in the distillation of Spices, and of other things that are of a greater value, as are Cinnamon, Mace, Saffron, &c. which cannot be distilled in a gourd still without loss, because then there is required a great quantity of water, and by consequence great, and large vessels, to which something adheres, wherefore we lose almost half, which is not to be so much valued in vegetables that are oleaginous, as in Annisseed, Fennel, and Caryoway-seed, &c. But the loss made in the distilling of dryer and dearer vegetables, as of Cinnamon, Lignum Rhodii, Cassia, is evident enough, and by consequence not to be slighted. Neither can it be, that all things can be distilled that way, for a good quantity by coction acquireth a gummy tenaciousness, which cannot ascend with the water. But that this way for the future may be prevented, I will shew another way to distill the Oyles of Spices, and other precious things, which is done with spirit of salt, whereby all the Oyle is drawn forth without any loss, the process whereof is this, viz. Fill a gourd with Cinnamon or any other Wood, or Seed, upon which pour so much of the spirit of salt, as will be sufficient to cover the wood, then place it with its Alembick in Sand, and give it fire by degrees that the spirit of salt may boyl, and all the Oyle will distill off with a little flegme; for the spirit of salt doth with its acrimony penetrate the wood, and freeth the Oyle that it may distill off the better and easier. And by this way the Oyle is not lost by the addition of that great quantity of water in those great and large vessels, but is drawn in lesser glass vessels with the addition of a little moysture. Distillation being finished the spirit is poured off by inclination from the wood, being again useful for the same work. And if it hath contracted any impurity from the wood, it may be rectified: but the residue of the spirit which remains in the wood ye may recover, if that wood be cast into the aforesaid furnace upon burning coals, by which means it may come forth again pure, and clear: and by this means we lose none of the spirit of Salt. And after this way by help of the spirit of Salt, are drawn forth Oyls of dearer Vegetables together with their Fruit, which cannot be done by a still.
There are made also by means thereof Oyles of Gumms and Rosins, clear, and perspicuous.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.