As for such Animals as serve for the Kitchin, as Beef, Mutton, Pork, Hens, Geese, and such like, also Fishes and Birds, they need not much correction. Those of them that are a year old or more may be boiled with Water, Salt, Spice, Wine, and Vinegar,&c.the younger may be roasted on a Spit. These are not hurtfull to such men as are in health, if they feed on them and drink after it a good draught of good Wine or Ale, that so they may thereby wash down into the Stomach any such matters as might stay by the way in the Throat,&c.
If now any one would make use of venomous Worms, and Insects in Medicines (for sometimes they perform far more in Medicine than Vegetables can, as experience witnesseth) they are not to be adhibited without correction. But I do not here understand the Kitchin correction, which is done by Wine, Sugar, and Spices; but such an one as in which all the parts remain together, and are corrected and amended by the fieryMenstruum, and that without the addition of any other thing as we taught before. And being on this wise corrected, they do not onely safely conduce to a Medicinal help in desperate Diseases, but do also become of greater assistance and comfort to many a sick Person, and purchase to their Authours a greater honour. It is well known even to blind Bayards and Barbars what effects sometimes the great Earth-worms,Scarabæus’s,Cantharides,Asellior Pigs-lice, and suck like Urine provoking Insects do effect, being administred to the sick, crude, dried onely and so powdered; he that desires to procure a good quantity of Earth-worms, let him but thrust a stick into the Earth, and stir it to and fro thereby to disquiet the Worms, for they will presently guess that the devouring Mole is at hand, and will for fear creep by heaps out of the Earth, so as you may then easily take them. If any one loaths the Worms themselves, let him take that Earth which the Worms do cast out to the top of the ground, after a warm Rain in the Spring time, and is like small bunches; as if they should say, give us our lives for this Earth’s sake; and from thence you may extract an Essence, which will be as profitable to you as if you took us:N. B.TheMerulæor Blackbirds seeks after this Earth and carries it to her young ones lying in the Nest, which thing they would not do, did it contain no good in it, but would rather take the Worms themselves and carry them. A Dog which hath devoured many bones seeks out for some clean place to dung in, either on a smooth stone, or on the grass, as that he should say, This do I give you by way of thankfulness for the food which you have bestowed on me, keep it and use it according to your knowledge.N. B.The greatest Vertues of Animals are placed in their Excrements, and not in their flesh. Next the Excrements are the superfluities of the bodies, which (in men) are, the Hair, Teeth, and Nails: In Beasts, the Hairs, Teeth, Hoofs, and Horns: In Birds, the Claws, and Feathers,&c.And that theMayWorm frees from the Gout and Stone, See DoctourWierus, he hath written a peculiar Treatise of the Gout, and of the wandering or moveable pains of the Joints, and of the intrinsecal and hidden Scurvy, and other such like Diseases, and which are commonly accompted of as uncurable; all which he teacheth the removal of, by the means of theMayworms, or unctiousScarabæus’s. Nor indeed is it without ground, that there is sometimes more effected by such abject and contemptible Vermine, than by the most precious and highly esteemed Compositions and Vegetables: This now they do crude as they are, and uncorrected. But if the great Earth-worms, and principally their Enemies,viz.those black, smooth, and many footed Vermine, that suck from the Worms their Juice and Strength; and likewise those broad, and party-coloured, venereous small Vermine, which we have before mentioned (if all these I say) be corrected by the fieryMenstruum, they would not onely drive forth Urine, and the Stone, safely and without hurt, but would withal most notably strengthen the nature of Man, and be a great comfort to many debilitated Gallants. The greenScarabæus’s, theCantharides, and green Flies, being all of a venereal Nature, do (being corrected) not onely drive forth the Stone and Urine, but do also wonderfully shew their efficacy in the Feet Gout, wandring Gout, and other grievous Diseases which have already gotten deep rooting: But that black and slow creepingMayworm, or unctiousScarabæusdoth operate the most efficacious of them all, and may be plentifully enough had in the Months ofMayandJune. The whole knack of the business doth consist in this, that such Vermine be well corrected with the Liquor Alkahest, and so prepared before they be made use of. As for those great and hornedScarabæus’s, that live upon the Juice and Rosins of Nuts, Cherries, and Plums, and are wholly of a Balsamick Nature, if they be corrected, I do highly encourage the use of them both inwardly and outwardly,viz.when the internal and external Members are tormented with most vehement pricking Pains and Torments. As for Emmets or Ants they have a wholsome and efficacious Balsam, and are healers both of inward and outward Dolours. But the chiefest of them are those that live in Woods wherein are store of Pines, and Fir-trees, and do there feed upon the Rosins of the Trees, and do not as the others do, live upon leaves and grass, but do in the Summer Months store their little Holes with the small Grains of those Rosins for their Winter food. And this the Inhabitants of those Woods know full well, and doseek after it and sell it the Druggists instead of Mastick. For it answers to the Mastick that comes out ofIndiain efficacy, vertues, form, and odour, and haply we might not need that Gum, knew we but how to get and use this. There is great variety and plenty of such like Insects as these, which without all question may be of great use in medicine; but seeing they can’t be gotten in such plenty as the Vegetables and Minerals may be, the use of them is forborn, and rarely are they sought after. Nor indeed is it necessary to seek after and fetch from far, such things as we have present before our Eyes. The drift of my writing is this primarily, that I may demonstrate, that there are in the universalMenstruum, such vertues as are able to correct all venemous Animals, and deprive them of their Poisons, and to convert them into wholsome medicaments, for the honour and renown of it, was I even constrained to write these things. And as to its energetical Operation on venemous Minerals, it is sufficiently enough known, and doth most clearly appear even in its effect upon Antimony alone, the which being burnt twice or thrice with common Niter, is wholly deprived of its blackness, and cloaths it self with a most white colour, and becomes a Diaphoretick and an all-evil-resisting Powder. So is it too with Arsenick and Auripigment, those most vehement Poisons, which may be so changed in a few hours space, as that they may be taken afterwards into the Body without any hurt or danger, and will subdue and expel the greatest Poisons, though indeed there’s no necessity of making use of those venemous Subjects, seeing there is plenty enough of other means. ’Tis sufficient that we have shown, that Niter hath such notable vertues, as to be able to invert the venemous Nature of every Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral, and of transmuting the Poison into a wholsome Medicament. Now because the Animal vertues are more efficacious than the Vegetables, and that the Minerals exceed them both, therefore by good right are those Minerals of greatest use in medicine, which be most efficacious, most sweet, and most safe. But yet we would willingly have the Animals and Vegetables to retain their own dignity and station: And for the better discovery of the difference betwixt these, and that my Neighbour may be the better and more sincerely served, necessity doth even require a larger explanation. This therefore is generally to be observed, that by how much the riper the Minerals be (and so ’tis with the Animals and Vegetables) by so much the nearer they are to the Sun, and abide therein, so much the safer and securer may they be taken into the Body. All Herbs, Vermine, and Animals, that delight in a warm Air, and love to abide therein, are never infected or impregnated with so great a Poison as those are that delight rather in obscure, shady, and darksome places. ForNapellus,Mandragora,Cicuta, and such like Herbs are never, or at least most rarely, to be found in other than dark places that are shaded over. And so the most venemous Animals and Vermine, do most willingly take up their abode in holes of the Earth, in cold and darksome Dens; and by reason of the want of the warm Air remain venemous, and do necessarily hurt mankind. But being digested by the Liquor of fixt Niter, they deposit their venemous quality and become wholsome Medicaments. So then all the maturation of things consisteth in heat, but Poison consisteth in cold, witness Wine and the Fruits of Trees, the which being ripened by the solar heat, men may feed on them without hurt, but if they be eaten raw and unripe they corrupt their Stomachs. Now as we have said of Animals and Vegetables, the same is also to be understood of the unripe minerals and metals. By how much the unriper and cruder they be, so much the more do they hurt, and are unfit for the making of medicine. And as for metals, they do by little and little, and step by step go on towards their perfection, and end: Like as an Infant doth by little and little arrive to its highest degree of age. And as there is more to be found in a man that is arrived to man’s Estate than there is in an Infant, so is there in minerals and metals that have in long success of time attained to their maturity. And forasmuch as in them may be found, most safe, sweet, and efficacious Medicines, I have deemed it necessary briefly to detect their dignity and degrees, and shew the Ladder as it were, or Scale, wherein the metals stand in order, and how by their signature that perfection which they have gradually arrived unto, may be known. I do resemble the mines of metals to a Tree, thus,Saturnis the Root,Marsthe trunk or body,Jupiterthe bark that covers the Tree over,Mercurythe Juice that sticks between the bark and the trunk,Venusthe green leaves,Lunethe flower, andSolthe fruit. The ancient Physicians or Naturalists, compared the seven principal metals with the seven Planets, the which comparison squares notably well with them. For the Planets and Metals have a mutual correspondency with each other. The Chymists ascribe Lead toSaturn: Tin toJupiter: Iron toMars: Copper toVenus: Quick-silver toMercury: Silver toLune: and Gold toSol: And even as the Planets do excel one the other in brightness, vertues, and other things; even so do the metals, and this their nature informs us of, and their different signature demonstrates. Verily when the ancients would mark out to us a perfect thing, they described it under the form of a round Circle: And by how much imperfecter the thing was, by so much the less rotundity did they give unto it. The Character of the Sun isSol,viz.a Circle with a point in the midst: The Circle denotes the Golds perfection, the point in the middle of the Circle signifies the Original of perfection. The sign of Silver or the Moon was thisLuna: which consisteth of two half Circles, and tells us of its half perfection: So is it with the other signs, and signatures of the other metals. How much the nearer they approach to a roundness, so much the nearer are they to perfection, and so on the contrary. The Sun being the noblest amongst all the Stars, doth also yield and make the noblest metal,viz.Gold, the which is likewise to be observed of the other metals. But by how much perfecter the metals be, so much excellenter are the medicaments that proceed therefrom.Saturnor Lead, is not much profitable for the inward use of the body, except it be in the Plague, and in other most hot Diseases. Being outwardly applied it dries up the moist affects of the body, and moist Ulcers, and healeth heat and all the external affects arising thencefrom.Jupiteror Tin is somewhat hotter thanSaturn, but yet is withal very dry.Marsor Iron is hot and dry.Venusor Copper is hot and moist.MercuryorArgent viveis hotter and moister.Luneor Silver is of a midling heat and moisture.Solor Gold is at length of temperate heat and moisture. If now any good thing be made our of Gold, it corroboratesthe heart as being the most noble member of the body of man. And so in like manner, Silver doth the brain:Argent vivethe Liver: Tin the Lungs: Iron the Gall: Lead the Milt or Spleen: and Copper the Reins. Thus have the ancient Philosophers and Physicians distributed the metals and distinguished them, the which I leave as I find it, though perhaps some of them may yet admit of another distinction. But so long may they remain (as they are) untilEliasthe Artist, shall by his coming release us of our Errours. Amongst the Minerals Antimony is the chiefest, in whom the Vertues of all the Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, are collected and concentrated into one, as its signature declareth. For the Philosophers have signed it with a round Sphere (by which the Earth is deciphered) and on it a cross put, and is without doubt for this reason, because the Earth never produced any fitter Subject for medicine, and this is attested by all true Chymists, as may be read in their Writings; but especially inBasil Valentine’s triumphant Chariot of Antimony, being a Treatise he wrote in honour of this Mineral. The same thing doth that Philosopher testifie, saying, common Gold and Silver doe not effect it, but their first Ens does it. Now that Antimony is the first and true genuine Ens of Gold, is not onely testified by all the Philosophers, but also daily experience it self witnesseth the same, from whence it is as clear as Noon day, that Antimony is rarely to be found in any other places but in Gold Mines, nor is there (besides) any Antimony but what is pregnant with Gold, but yet some Antimony contains more Gold and other some less. Nay farther, amongst the very Veins of Gold it self is Antimony often met with, and may therefore undeservedly be stiled an unripe Gold. I my self have seen a piece of golden Vein, which was digged out of the Gold Mines, and contained some pounds weight, in one side there was pure Gold, mixt with the hard Flint, on the other side was a black Vein of Antimony. There is a place inGermanycalled Gold Granack, nigh which in theSudetisMountains calledFichtelbergby theGermans, was found heretofore much Gold, but now at this day is there digged out onely Antimony, cleaving on to the hard Flints and Rocks. And herewithal is immixed a golden Marquesite, which being separated therefrom, and prepared after a due manner, becomes a most excellent Medicament, of which we shall hereafter make mention. Further, had we not this testimony of a daily experience, yet have we the witness of the true Alchymy, which doth most assuredly affirm, that true Gold may by the help of Art be extracted out of Antimony. Nay more, this incomparable Art, doth not onely perform this,viz.of bringing Antimony to the true ripeness of Gold, but doth also so change the Gold (by extracting its Soul) that it is no more Gold, but is plainly indistinguishable from anyRegulusof Antimony both as to the form, volatility, nature, and properties of the same. And although an infinite number of men will contradict these sayings of mine, yet shall they never draw me from this my opinion, for I believe but what my Eyes have seen. One Eye-witness is of more value than ten hear-say ones. Such as do gainsay these things, do build on no other foundations save such as they have gotten by reading or hearsay, and what will not at all correspond with experience. Well, I will remain stable in my opinion and in very truth demonstrate, that there is no subject to be found in the nature of things, that may be preferred in Medicine, before Antimony, so that it be but duely brought into its true Essence. I confess that whilst it is crude and as yet unprepared, it is a mere Poison, and the use thereof is accompanied with a great deal of danger. And such as do use the common glass of Antimony, and other Medicaments made thereof after a rude manner, and so hurt the sick, must impute the blame to themselves and not the Antimony.
I have mentioned in myMiraculum Mundi, and in my first part of mySpagyrical Pharmacopœa, the preparation of a Medicine out of Antimony, and have called it aPanacæa. This now out strips the capacity of very many rude and ignorant men, to whom it seems unlikely and impossible, that a Medicine of such wonderfull efficacy should lie hidden in so contemptible and base a thing as to deserve such a Title as aPanacæa: but especially seeing some unskilfull men, have instead of it, administred to the sick crude Antimony, and by saying it is myPanacæahave with a wicked boldness deceived men, and have hereby brought anOdiumand contempt amongst very many men, upon this true Medicine of mine. Amongst these is that faithlessFarnerusnone of the least, yea rather is more eminent or standard-bearer to the rest, and such a one as may rightly be termed the blot and scandal too of other men. For my part, he that lists may persecute Antimony with as much hatred as he pleaseth. But whereas I have already praised it, and the thing doth withal concern my Neighbour’s profit, I could not omit yet farther to magnifie and exalt it with greater praises, and in very deed confirm this truth,viz.that such a Medicine may be made thereout of as I have described, and therefore every one that judgeth of the truth without prejudice must confess, that there is not a better, an effectualler, or a more harmless medicament, and purchasable by a meaner price, insomuch that both rich and poor may enjoy the same, if so be it be but prepared and used as it ought. But that he who is studious after good medicaments may withal see, that I have not spent my labour altogether on Antimony, but on other Subjects too, I will adjoin the description of the preparation, use and efficacy of other Subjects, and will take care for the preparation of those medicaments for the benefit of mankind, and of the sick, and for the distribution of them amongst the needy. For by this means shall I satisfie my conscience and shall not be accused thereby of burying the Talent given me, out of envy and hatred to my Neighbour. And whoever he be that hath any good thing, let him make it common, and being moved with pity and commiseration become serviceable unto his Neighbour. But if he neither hath, nor knoweth ought better, let him desist from contemning this, and omit despising the things he is ignorant of. And let him not deprive the miserable poor sick people of such things as himself cannot give, that so he may remain an honest and pious man. But as touching the Medicaments, which are here treated of, they are indeed but few, however they are such as may next God be safely confided in.
I have formerly written of preparing aPanacæaof common Antimony, and taught its way of making. But whereas the description is dispersed in divers tracts, and is obscurer thereby, and haply one man may not have all those Treatises, I have judged it expedient to repeat that description in this place, and to mention it in this Treatise.
The preparation doth for the most part consist in the Calcination by Niter, which corrects and changeth the venome and immature Quality of the Antimony. Then afterwards the pure part is extracted by Spirit of Wine, and becomes a tender and spadicious (or light-red) Powder, and can effect those things, which I do here ascribe unto it. It may be taken in a morning before you eat, either in Wine, Ale, or some hot Broth, or in a soft poached Egg, or roasted Apple, and fasting some hours after it untill its operation be finished. The Dose is ¼ or ½ of a Grain, or 1, 2, 3, or 4, Grains at most for one time, regard being had to the Age and Disease, concerning which, the well minded Reader will find more written, in the first part of thisSpagyrical Pharmacopœa, and in myMiraculum Mundi, but yet I will here likewise annex it for the benefit of the sick.
This Universal Medicine may safely and without any kind of danger be used in all the natural Diseases of new born Infants, as well as in those of years, and strong people, and may be used I say without any danger, and in so small a dose as may not move in any one either a loathing or a nauseate, as these large Cup-fulls of the common Potions are wont to do when they are drank down. For that dose exceeds not 1, 2, 3, or 4 Grains at the most, and may most easily be taken down in a spoonfull of warm Broath, Wine, Ale, Water, or Milk, as the necessity of the sick requires. For if this prescribed dose be observed, it operates after an invisible manner, and strengthens the radical Moisture, and purgeth and expelleth out after a wonderfull manner, every hurtfull thing (by little and little) out of the whole body, if it be daily used, (or every second or third day) once each day according as the condition, or necessity of any one requireth. It defendeth every body from all hurtfull Causes and Diseases, and admits not the least venomous Air, but if the Dose be augmented, it doth also display its vertues, by a visible operation, and drives out by Sweat and Urine, or Spittle, sometimes upwards and downwards, every noxious thing, and operateth even as you will have it, according as your dose is either more or less, and as your Disease needeth. A dose that is very small and void of any visible operation, is wont to heal many Diseases, yea and the greatest part of them. But some Diseases there be which have deep rooting, and do therefore require a visible operation, forasmuch as they cannot be expelled with a small and invisible operating Dose. Every one therefore that prepareth and administreth this Medicine, must accurately observe this direction, that so (having regard to the Disease) he neither exceed nor come short in the administration of this Medicament, but by a right using of the same, he may obtain praise and glory.
But that the whole matter may be the better and more clearly apprehended, I will set down the use of the said Medicine, according as my self have experienced it, in the most grievous Diseases, that so the sick may be instructed and helped, and the less Errours committed.
In the Plague and other raging burning Diseases, and contagious Feavours, this Medicament doth (next God’s help) preserve every one that takes it daily, in this proportion,viz.to Infants ½ a Grain, to those of a midling Age, 1, 2, or 3, at most. But if any one be infected by either of those Diseases, then the dose is to be doubled according to the parties age, or trebled, that the sick being well covered may sweat. If one time sufficeth not to free him of this Disease, the dose of the said Medicine may be repeated the day following, or the third day, and so is it to be proceeded on with, till the Disease being weakened is cast forth.
This way of preservation and curing is not onely to be observed in the Plague, but in all contagious Diseases that assaults with heat or cold, and in all kind of Feavers whatsoever. The sick need not any other Medicaments, for this is powerfull and effectual enough; provided you pray seriously therewithal, that it may (by the help of God) drive away that abominable and detestable Disease the Plague, and the pricking paining Pleurisie, with the other Feavers. Nay farther, there is no Medicament, no not of the best that performs what this can.
In the Epilepsie, or Convulsions of Children, of whom a great Number destitute of such help die, thisPanacæais a most experienced and certain remedy for them, and is to be administred to a little Infant presently after its Birth, the quantity of the ⅛ part or ¼ part of a grain, in a little Milk, or else in some warmed fresh Butter, and is to be repeated again the third and eighth day following. But if it should be so, that after some days, weeks, or months, the fits do again come, then let your Dose be somewhat stronger if the Child needs it, and be so often reiterated untill the Disease be wholly subdued and carried off. I do most highly commend this Medicine to all Mothers, for that abundance of Infants (otherwise healthfull and sound enough are without any help, snatched away by the violence of Death. And here the error of some Physicians deserves to be taxed, who administer to the poor little Babes, whole Glassfulls of the Water of Pearls void of all kind of Virtue. Also the Powder ofBezoarStone either with, or without the Water, together with the infusion of such like unprofitable things.
Such Men as are of riper years, may daily use the Dose of one, two, or three grains, and it will profit them. If not daily then may they repeat it every third or fourth day at least, and so continue untill the Disease being subdued pass away: ’Tis needless for them to use any other kind of thing, onely to observe this direction,viz.that day that they do use this Medicament, let them shun the cold Air, and abstain from Food three or four hours at least.
In the Leprosie, and other like detestable Diseases of whatsoever name they are called by, and in every kind of Scabbiness, there is not to be found any Remedy, whereby those affects are more easily and without any trouble or labour, taken away better than this, which never fails your hoped event, provided the sick be so strong as to brook the Cure.
In that detestable and venemous Disease of Whoredom usually called the French Pox, there is nothing can be administred safer and securer than this Medicament, if the Dose be but so much augmented, as not onely to cause Sweat strongly, but also to provoke Vomits and Stools; and you are so long to go on with using this Medicine every other day, untill the Sick be well, which may be in some eight or fourteen days.
He that is overwhelmed with the Dropsie, may take one Dose every Day, and forbear eating (for some hours after the use of this Medicine, (the which is necessary to be done in other Diseases also) but let him that takes it so as to work strongly, proceed gradually from one grain to two,&c.untill it causeth a kind of nauseate (but without vomiting) in as big a Dose as is needfull, and as the Patient can well bear. Which being thus done, the Dose is afterwards to be lessened one or two grains, and the lessening to be continued untill all the Water be cast forth by Sweat, Urine, and Stool, and the Sick become as healthy as he was before. Nor is there any reason why any one should doubt of radically taking away this Disease, (except it be plainly deplorable or desperate) by this myPanacæaonely, forasmuch as experience demonstrateth it more clear than the Noon-day Light.
In the Gout (a Disease accounted by the common Physicians for incurable, as well as the Leprosie and Dropsie) doth this Medicament perform wonderfull things, and doth effect more in a short space of time than any one would either imagine or believe, provided it be rightly administred. For it doth in a short time draw back the affluence of noxious humours, and brings them forth out of the Body after an invisible manner; so that, Day after Day, the pains do by little and little remit and abate, the tumours lessen, and the Fit becomes more tolerable, comes the slower, and at length vanisheth for altogether. As for the Dose, you are to observe the same instructions that we gave you but now for the Dropsie,viz.that you daily make the same addition unto one grain so long till you cause a nauseate (but no vomit) and then must you again lessen it one or two grains. The Patient must do thus daily on a fasting Stomach, (and keep himself warm and abstain from Food four hours, after the use of this Medicament) as long as need shall require. Haply the things which I here mention, will meet with many incredulous Men, and such as will not believe it possible, for such a Disease as hath been hitherto esteemed incurable by almost all Men, to be rooted out by the aforesaid Medicament; the Opinion of such Men I confess that I cannot take in bad part, forasmuch as even I my self was but a few years since (before I had experienced the wonderfull efficacy of this Medicament) of the very same Opinion. But after my experience had taught me to judge otherwise I do truly and faithfully affirm, that this Disease is in no wise incurable, but may (provided it be not too inveterate, and that the strength of the Sick, either through old Age, or Debilities, hinder not the Medicines operation, or that God himself withdraws not his own blessing) by a good and sutable Medicament, be, if not radically rooted out, yet for the greatest of it expelled. Now it is not to be thought, that he who useth thisPanacæamay be at his choise to live as he list,viz.either soberly, or to stuff his Stomach daily with hurtfull and forbidden Food, and to swallow in Wine as he pleaseth. No such matter, such Men err most hugely, for even the Philosophers Stone it self, that is, the so much famed rooter out of Diseases would not help there. For whatsoever those most excellent Medicines do mend in the Fore-noon, and correct, the After-noons Surfeiting and Gluttony, and the so large excess of Meat and Drink, will again destroy and corrupt. Nor is there any room for the Opinion of those Men that think to be freed of this Disease, by a bare Abstinence from Wine: No, this Disease comes not always from drinking of Wine, for it is most evidently known, that sometimes even the poorest of Men that never drank Wine are afflicted with this Disease. And therefore the fault is not wholly to be imputed to the Wine. Every kind of repletion or overfilling whether with too much Wine or Ale, may procreate and encrease a Disease, but that is not the onely or sole cause. For there are many other causes, from whence this Disease is wont to arise. Verily, often being wrathfull doth most vehemently disturb the Family, as it were, of the internal Bowels. Lust, and an often use of Venery (which is the usual attender and follower of Drunkenness) doth vehemently enervate and debilitate the strength of the body. From hence nature being enervated and debilitated, is not able to expell out of the body the copious relicts and excrements, remaining of the too much abundance of meat and drink, and therefore those excrements abiding in the body and exercising their powers without controll, do produce most grievous Diseases. For that part which nature is weakest in, there doth the Enemy make his first attempt, according to the usualGermanProverb, every one climbs over the Hedge in that place where it is lowest. The same doth for the most part fall out in the procreation of this Disease,viz.when the body is loaden and filled with overmuch Food and Drink, for the body being overwhelmed with overmuch Wine, and then an immoderate coition or act of venery presently following thereon, doth most exceedingly weaken the body. For nature being by this means weakned, hath not strength enough to expel those remaining excrements, which soon get Head, to the great hurt and detriment of the whole body, and do make themselves a fixed seat, the which is to be well headed in this Disease.
Besides this Medicament doth resist all the obstructions of the Milt and Liver, (which corrupt the Blood, and stir up most grievous Diseases, as the Scurvy, Joynt-Aches, Erisipelas, continued Headachs, weakness of the Limbs, a Stinking Breath; and in Women a suffocation of the Matrix, a suppression of the Months, panting of the Heart, Swounings, the Lipothimy, and many such known, and unknown Diseases) far more efficaciously than all other Medicaments do. All these aforementioned Diseases are healed by the said Medicine, being taken oftner or seldomer every Week according as the Disease is, and you will see wonderfull effects produced.
I commend also this Medicament to all those that employ themselves in Surgery, that they respect it as the chiefest Remedy that they can get. For being daily given in a small Dose to those that are wounded, it heals all new wounds in the Flesh, without the assisting help of any vulnerary potions, and external applications of Emplaisters that are compounded of so very many simples. For it withholds all Symptoms, and advanceth healing even from the very bottom, and so to the external parts, and doth also consolidate; but this is to be understood of those wounds in which are no hurt or broken bones, for as for these the manual Art is requisite, which may again set the Bones in their due order and place. Likewise deep Stabs are to have Tents used to them according as the Chirurgeons order is to apply them. But no external thing need to be used besides, save onely the Patients own Urine and Salt-Water, wherewithall the wounds are to be washed, and after washing, tobe covered with pure or clean Linnen, that the coldness of the Air hurt them not.
But if wounds be dangerous and over great, then may also be applyed some vulnerary Balsam, and Plaisters made of the Flores of Minerals and Metals, and done up with Wax, Turpentine, and Oil: (Such Emplaisters I have taught the composition of in my other Writings.) So that there’s no need of so many Oils, Unguents, Emplaisters, and such like, to be applyed to new wounds, if this medicament of mine be daily administred to the wounded Patient.
This medicine doth operate even to admiration in open Fistulaes, rotten and stinking Ulcers, nor is there any need of outward remedies, save haply some Mineral Balsam to keep the Ulcer clean, and some Plaister made of common Wax and Turpentine to keep off the cold Air. For this Medicament doth begin its healing even from the very bottom, and carries it on very successfully even to the outer Skin, and doth throughly consolidate and perfectly cure all Ulcers, without any other external remedies than aforesaid.
Having then well considered these things, and that every one cannot prepare the prescribed Medicine, and yet very many may be found that would willingly partake of the same; It seemed good unto me to adjoin this admonition, that they that know how to prepare it, be entreated not to count it burthensome, but rather being moved by a Christian compassion, readily make such as are ignorant of the manner of preparing it, partakers of the same; And not to mind wholly their own profit, according to the custome of this perverse world, and the scraping up of store of wealth, but to be well content with an honest and just reward for their charges and labour which they have bestowed. And forasmuch as the often spoken of Medicament, if sent abroad either in a Liquid form, or in the form of Powder, into other parts, cannot be in due manner used by every body, because an Error may easily be committed in the measuring of Drops, and in weighing of Grains, and so more or less be given. I have therefore deemed it very necessary to reduce it into Pills, that so the less Errors may be committed in its administration; and one Pill weighs one Grain, and two Pills two Grains, and so on; so that the Patient needs neither to measure or weigh, but onely to use them as the disease requires, and as I have before prescribed, 1, 2, 3, 4, or more Pills at one time.
These now are the principal Vertues of myPanacæamade of Antimony. As for the rest that are besides these, and are (for brevity sake) omitted, they may be easily understood and known by every Judicious man, from the before described circumstances. I do therefore yet again testifie, that all the things that I have ascribed to this Medicament, yea far more than they, can be done and effected thereby, if it be rightly prepared and administred; And principally, if the Name of God be seriously invoked. For prayers and a trust in God do strengthen every Medicine, and make it happy by his benediction, though the wicked will neither believe it, nor hearken thereunto. Indeed some Medicament may, by God’s permission, restore one (without prayers) to his former health; And so may Bread allay hunger without giving thanks, and this we see daily done amongst the unreasonable Creatures: But this enjoying of the gifts of God is bestial, and not humane. But this now is truely Christian-like when (in our diseases) the help of God is invoked, and then after that, the Medicine used. And this way of using of Medicaments is necessarily accompanied with an happy event. But if thou wouldest perswade thy self, that every Disease, how inveterate soever, may, by the help of this Medicine, be certainly removed without any difference, thou extreamly errest. For we speak here of those Diseases, natural Remedies are able (by God’s help) to heal. For sometimes Man’s inward bowels or parts, are so stuffed and obstructed with gross humours, that they cannot be freed by even the most efficacious Medicaments. Sometimes the Lungs and Liver are almost wholly corrupted, e’er the true place of healing is sought after. And who, I pray, is able to restore the things that are lost? For Man’s inward bowels and principal members do not again grow, being once lost, as the Crab’s shells and Spider’s feet that are broken off and lost, doe. Farther, sometimes God inflicts a disease upon a Man, whom he will not suffer to be cured. Such like Diseases as these cannot be taken away with natural remedies. With God all things are possible; who alone is able to bring help and remedy in such kind of diseases, whensoever pleaseth him? but besides him alone none can help. There are therefore some incurable diseases, which cannot be cured by anyPanacæa, yet not the Quartane, Leprosie, Gout, Epilepsie, and Dropsie, as most men think, though Experience (or the being put on trial) should witness the contrary. And although that all humane diseases be, in process of Years and Ages become worse, and more troublesome, and doe, together with the augmentation of sins, encrease; Yet the most bounteous God hath also bestowed thus much, that there are more and more efficacious and natural Remedies to be found out (by the Divine instinct) by diligent men.
It happened some few years ago, that an honest man’s child, of about some ten years old, had its Tongue perforated with many Exulcerations, which pained it very much day and night. To cure which, the Parents spared for no costs nor pains, and consulted with divers of their neighbouring Physicians, but they used all their Labour and Skill to no purpose, for the Exulcerations daily encreased with much pain, and grew worse and worse; and the poor child, being destitute of all help, wasted away. Then, at last, they called me to advise with them, and having told me how many, and otherwise famous Physicians, could not by all the labour and pains they bestowed for full two years do any thing to the purpose, but had at last left the poor child destitute of help and succour. I seeing the effect, considered that this was nothing else but a Corrosive Catarrh arising from infected bloud, which did so possess the Tongue, and perforate it, and was the cause of this burning, eating, and cancrous effect, and so hitherto refused any kind of healing, and gave the Parents such an answer, that in my opinion there was no better way to meet with this evil, than by some purging Minerals, which were capable of working, upon even the fix’d humours, and of bringing them away, and that to be done principally by an Antimonial Vomit. The Parents assented to my opinion, and requested me to begin the cure, the which I did, and first I gave a small Dose of my AntimonialPanacæa, not doubting but that it would stir up one Vomit at the least; but yet it fell out otherwise, for there succeeded no sensible operation at all: The following day I gave again the same Dose, but without any sensible operation too, but yet nevertheless all the pain vanished,and the Child could again move its Tongue, and use it, and also ask’t for Meat, which it had not done in a year before, but was forced to be content with Broths, because its Tongue could not brook any solid food. The third day I administred the same Dose again, and so the Exulcerations began to be consolidated, and all the whole Tongue was throughly healed in eight days space, insomuch that there scarce appeared any place where it had been ulcerated; and the Child daily grew better and better, its natural Colour returned, the which drew all that knew it into admiration as well as my self. By this Cure that I have told you of, the vertue and efficacy of myPanacæadid farther manifest unto me what I knew not before to be in it, nor should ever have believed it, (had I not perceived a manifest operation)viz.that the Bloud should, by the help of so little Medicine, which was not in all above six grains, be able in such a short space of time to effect so much; And afterwards I perceived the same effects in other Diseases likewise, and found that the daily use of this Medicine did not onely shew its operation upon the Tartar in the Reins and Bladder not as yet coagulated, but did by little and little lessen the already hardned Sand and Stone, and in length of time expell it: And did also in success of time resolve and root out even Podagrical inveterate humours.
But thus much may suffice to have been spoken of the common AntimonialPanacæa. This namePanacæahath made some envious men stare, and such as judge this Medicament unworthy such a name, seeing it is prepared out of so vile a subject, and doth withall sometimes (when too unskilfully handled) stir up vehement Vomitings, which is not the property of aPanacæato do. That I may answer such, I say, that the namePanacæadenoteth such a Medicament as may profitably be administred in all Diseases, the which thing thePanacæaof Antimony is also wont to doe as daily experience testifies. But as for its being taken out of such a vile and (by many brethren in ignorance) despised subject, that doth not at all derogate from its Name, provided that the Medicine thence drawn performs those things that are spoken of it. Pray what broughtDavid, that contemptible Shepherd, unto a Kingdom? was not he of a low name, and low birth: the same is to be understood of this Medicament. It is its most noble efficacy and operation hath given it this name, and not its vile birth, nor contemptible nativity and abject form. Neither is this any lett thereunto,viz.that it is prepared out of a mean subject, and such a one as the ignorant contemn and despise, and which (before its preparation) was a Poison; for the Poison is now transmuted by the help of Art, and of the fire, into a wholsome Medicament, and the more strong operation thereof, such as to cause vehement Vomits, is not to be imputed to the Medicine it self, but unto the abuse of it. For so the best Wine and most fragrant Spices, are a poison to such as do abuse them. Abuse may turn the best Medicine into Poison; and Art and Fire, both can and usually are wont to turn Poison into a Medicament. That which I have often spoken, I do here again repeat, and call God and the Truth to witness, that I never met with any subject, that might with more profit be transmuted into a wholesome Medicine, than the vile and contemptible Antimony; The which I will take care to see it prepared ready for the Poors use: And as for the Rich, to them I commend the Golden Purple-colouredPanacæa, which hath the same efficacy as the former has, but herein differs from it,viz.it operates more gently, and is less sensible in the operation, and may be far more safely administred unto Infants and old Men, and may be doubled in the Dose. Some few years since, many men of high and low degree have by the help of this Medicine been freed, not onely from the Gout, but from other grievous and inveterate Diseases: Nor have I ever heard since the time I have prepared it, for my Neighbours benefit, that the use of it wanted some good effect: Nor is there any cause to fear offending by the abuse or excess thereof, as is in the vulgar Antimonial Medicament. But this Golden Medicine will rarely stir up Vomiting in the sick, unless a due measure be by a wanton abuse exceeded, or the Dose too much enlarged. For this reason I will hereafter have by me, for such as need the same, this Golden Medicine, in the form of a Purple Powder, and the common Antimonial (because that it being like a red Powder may be easily counterfeited, and so ill-prepared Antimony may chance to be sold to the sick instead of aPanacæa) shall be ready made up in Pills, and in that form onely, each of which shall contain one Grain, that so being ready weighed the sick that use them may receive no detriment by weighing and so taking them. These now may be used by such men as are of a midling age, or elder; but to those that are Infants, and aged, and weak persons I commend the Golden, as operating more gently and safely. The AntimonialPanacæamade up in a Pillular form, may be most exceedingly profitable in those longEastandWest-IndiaNavigations, in which the Souldiers and Mariners are so extreamly troubled with the Scurvy, and debilitated thereby, and yet have so little benefit or help from the Medicaments which they carry with them. Now this Medicine is able so far to help them, as that they may make their Navigations with a more courageous and more cheerfull mind. For I have not hitherto met with any subject in the whole nature of things, that can oppose it self with greater efficacy against all the corruption of the bloud, and oppilations of the inward members, than this Medicine; the which both Souldiers and Marriners may have with them, it being not very dear, nor easily corruptible, and so make use thereof in necessitous Cases. There is not to be found in the whole World a more commodious and more wholsome Medicine, as well for the Marriners that sail for many Months in the vast Ocean, as for the Souldiers lying in Camps, that undergo troubles and discommodities of all sorts, and lead a disorderly life. And therefore if Chyrurgions that be in Ships and Camps were furnished with this Medicament, they would verily preserve the lives of many Marriners and Souldiers, and would with one onely Ounce, which is of no great price, out of which may some Hundreds of Doses be made, easily effect far more than with a whole Chest full of such Medicaments as are but of small virtue. If a Physician or Chyrurgion, that follows the Camp, had by him some Ounces, he would preserve the Lives of many Thousands of men, which would otherwise miserably perish. It is a Medicine of easie carriage, and as easily kept, which is a thing deservedly to be accounted of, seeing it much concerneth him who is a Commander, to have at hand some present remedy for his Souldiers that are usually oppressed with the Plague, Scurvy, Dysentery, malignant Feavers, and other such like diseases, with which whole heaps of them perish, as Flies do in a cold season. This incomparableMedicine doth easily resist all those diseases. Upon this account I will have ready by me for time to come, good store of this Medicament, and such as need the same may seek it from me, and be made partakers thereof. I will perform the office of a good Christian, who being not born onely for himself, but for his Neighbours too, ought to be helpfull unto them, even as the hand helps the hand, and one member helps another, the which thing verily every one should necessarily (and well worthy is it to be) observe more carefully.
Next this Antimonial Medicine, in the form of Pills, and the GoldenPanacæa(of a Purple Colour) follows, myNepenthes, or Anodine medicament, allaying all Pains, and is made of correctedOpium, extract of Saffron, and the Volatile Sulphur of Vitriol. Every one knows thatOpiumis stupefactive and soporiferous, because so much mention is made of the correcting and preparing it, and the way, described by many, of so doing; For they well perceived, that it being sometimes imprudently administred, did not onely cause sleep, but brought also the brother of Sleep too,viz.Death, insomuch that the sick being cast into an everlasting sleep, could not be awakened any more, (for it is a praise-worthy Medicament, and such an one as will beget credit enough;) and therefore they not knowing how to take away this Poison, did bend their studies thereabouts more and more, to correct theOpium, and to tame the venomous force it had. Therefore they dried it throughly, and reduced it into Powder, and dissolved it with Spirit of Wine or Vinegar, and extracted it, and by distillation abstracted theseMenstruums, and brought the extractedOpiumto the consistency of Honey, and thereto admixed a certain portion of the best Saffron, wherewith they endeavoured to tame and correct the venomous quality of theOpium. Others mixed that Powder with Oil of Anniseeds, Liquid Storax, or extract of Saffron, (which are Simples that will procure Sleep withoutOpium) and made it up in a Mass, and accounted it a most excellent confection, as being every-where hitherto in the Apothecaries Shops, and used by the Physicians with good success, sometimes in many deplorable diseases: And is even to this day (and deservedly too) in use, for there could not be found a better and more safe one. But now forasmuch as a better and safer way is found out, ’tis but just to admit of this, and omit the other which is not so good. Since the time that I knew the use of the Universal Dissolvent, or moist and cold Fire, I found out and corrected many Subjects by the help of the same. And amongst others, I dissolvedOpiumin the Liquor of Niter after my way, and prepared it, and perceived wonderfull effects therein, but especially when I adjoined to it the Volatile Sulphur of Vitriol, which is of it self an excellent and incomparable Somniferous Anodine, allaying all Pains with a wonderfull success. I also hereunto added the Essence of Saffron, a wonderfull strengthener of the Heart.Opiumbeing uncorrected, is a vehement Saturnine stupefier, which doth by its immoderate stupefying property constringe as it were and choak the Vita faculties, insomuch that the often using the same make men pale, and to sleep (for the most part) with their mouths and eyes open, and they can hardly be awakened before the operation thereof be over: And therefore many do deservedly abhor the use of the same. The adding of the Oil of Anniseed and Saffron, may in some sort restrain the cruel rage of it, but cannot throughly subdue it; But yet even this may be done with ease, when being reduced unto Powder, it be dissolved with the Volatile Spirit of Vitriol, instead of the Spirit of Wine or Vinegar, and so strained through a Paper, and precipitated with the contrary (or different nature) Liquor of Niter, and be washed with common Water, be dried and prepared into a Mass with the Essence of Saffron, in which operation the Narcotick Sulphur of the Vitriol adjoins it self to theOpium, and this is far better, and corrects it by its sulphureous and acid Spirit. But that the Spirit of Vitriol is most fit for this effect, I will shew the well-minded Reader. The common Vitriol doth, for the most part, consist of a Sulphureous Salt, and of an Earth containing Iron or Copper. But when it is distilled by the Fire, the Spirit of the Salt carrieth up with it a Volatile and Sulphureous Spirit out of theMars; the which being precipitated with somewhat that is of a contrary nature, affords you a subtile Narcotick Sulphur, very little in quantity, but of a most wonderfull efficacy, the which I have made mention of in the Second Part of my Furnaces. But if now there be added to the Calcined Vitriol an equal weight of Iron filings or Iron cinders, such as are smitten off from the red-hot Iron on an Anvil, and half a pound of Salt-peter, and a water be distilled out of these matters thus conjoined, the Spirit of Niter will bring over a great portion of the Spirit ofMars. This Volatile Sulphureous Spirit is to be separated from the Corrosive Spirit by rectification, and to be distilled into a Receiver that has in it a little fair water. This Volatile rectified Spirit, and not that corrosive one that was left behind in the rectification, is to be used for the dissolving and correcting of theOpium. And although that many diligent Chymists have before now understood somewhat of this Narcotick Vitriol, as I my self did, yet we have done but little as to the preparation thereof. But at length when on a certain time I had added Filings of Iron to Calcined Vitriol, to distill thence from anAq. Fortis, my Retort being very red hot, did by chance break, so that the matter fell out into the fire, out of which proceeded so sulphureous a fume, and so much, and so filled all the Laboratory that I could not stay in the Room; therefore I took the live Coals out of the Furnace, as speedily as possible I could, because of the suppressions and difficulties (of breathing) which that Spirit overwhelmed me as it were withall, and hardly got my self out of the Laboratory-door, but having got a little fresh Air, I presently came to my self again, and perceived that the whole House was filled with the fume, and therefore to let it out, I opened all the windows and doors of the House. When I had thus done, presently hapned another danger, for the burning Coals that I had pulled out of the Furnace, had kindled the other Coals that were next them; There being danger of fire, and that I might prevent it (being destitute of water, and in the night-time hapning) I ran to the rest that were sleeping in the Chamber, to get them to arise and fetch water, and to help me quench the fire. But they slept so exceeding soundly, that though I called and did my best to awaken them about quenching the fire, yet was I forced to go about it my self, and do it as well as I could. Having quenched it, away go I into the Chamber to see what they were doing of, and I found them all oppressed with a most heavy sleep, yea and the sweat dropped from all their faces, though it was Winter-season. Whenit was light they awoke and arose, to whom I told the danger I was in, and that I could not awaken them. They all of them confessed that they dreamed that they were oppressed with some heavy thing, so that they could not stir themselves. From this mischance, learned I two things, the first is this,viz.that in Vitriol and Iron lay hid an highly Narcotick Sulphur: The other was this, what the cause is that some Men but especially melancholy Men do in the Night Dream, that they are so oppressed with some thing, and yet cannot be awakned. For the Sulphureous martial and saturnine Vapours which cast the Brain and Heart into such straits, and do bind as ’twere the vital Spirits with a Cord, do cause such Dreams. This breaking therefore of my Retort, discovered to me an excellent Medicine, and the Disease subject to the same, so that there is nothing so evil out of which some good doth not sometimes spring up. I judged it worth my labour, to gratifie those that are studious in Medicine by adding to the aforegoing things, this story, hoping it will not be a thing tedious to any. Besides this is worthy of consideration, that hapned to one of the Children sleeping in the same case, whose head was much troubled with phlegminess, but the Catarrs were so dissolved and loosened by the efficacy of this fume, that it was ever after of a sound head. From hence did I conjecture that there was more to be found in the Sulphur of Vitriol than can be believed, and this did I conjoyn with the correctedOpium, by the often use of which Medicine, I have freed many Children from the Epilepsie or Convulsions, and found besides that it was most exceedingly profitable for old Men, and such as were of riper years; But with this proviso, that my AntimonialPanacæabe first administred, to those of a midling Age, and my goldenPanacæato Infants and old Men, which being premised or first used, this most excellentNepenthes, can by so much the better and more commodiously display its virtues. By this Medicine all internal pains, a disquiet mind, and light-headedness in Fevers, are allayed, a quiet and gentle sleep procured, the Winds and Gripes of Infants and elder Men, that afflict their Bellies and Intestines are driven away, a good ingeny and chearfull mind is procured, all wild and unquiet Spirits that molest the Heart and Brain are restrained and laid a sleep: The vital Spirit being overcome and suppressed with corrupt humours is reduced to its former liberty, and the lost strength and vigour of the Body so happily restored, that a most evident help is presently perceived, and principally if theOpiumbe well corrected by the help of the volatile Spirit of Vitriol. It may likewise be profitably corrected by the fix’d Liquor of Niter, extracted with Spirit of Wine, and be reduced into an Essence. But if this correction be made by the acid Spirit, it is better and more profitable, than that made by fixt Niter. For in correcting it by the fixt Niter, the corrected Essence is to be extracted by Spirit of Wine, which makes the powers of theOpiumtoo volatile and penetrative, the which thing we seek not after in this place, being it is far better, that theOpiumlets upon his enemy leasurely and not too strongly; and this experience sufficiently testifies the necessity of. This most excellent medicine is one of the four Cardinal Pillars, whereon the whole fabrick of medicine is built. The AntimonialPanacæais a most excellent and safe purge, most fit to drive out all the evil humours out of the whole Body. The goldenPanacæais the best and most excellent Diaphoretick and Sudorifick. But the correctedOpiumand vitriolate Sulphur is the most eminent Anodine and Somniferous Medicament.
Take of Cantharides one ounce,Asellior Hog-Lice two ounces, put into a Glass, and pour upon them three ounces of the Spirit of Niter, and dissolve the Vermine in a gentle heat, that they may be reduced into Water, which will be in few hours, or else leave them in a Cellar for some days and nights, and they will be dissolved as well as in the heat. Afterwards add to this Solution three ounces of Earth-worms and leave them yet for some days more in the Cellar. When they are all dissolved strain them through a fine Linnen Cloth, put in a Funnel of Glass, that the Solution may be separated from the Fæces, which if many, squeese well the Cloth with your Fingers, that the whole Solution may be separated from the Fæces, then throw away the said remaining Fæces. And to the Solution that you strained through the Funnel into the Glass, pour the Liquor of fixt Niter by little and little, and so long untill all the ebullition shall have ceased, and a thorough precipitation be made. All things thus done, separate the Liquor by pouring them off from the Vermine, and coagulate it, that it nay be again made Salt Peter, and be usefull for more occasions. Wash your precipitated Vermine well with common Water, thereby freeing them from all saltishness, and dry them in a gentle heat, that they may be reduced into a pillular form, or into an Electuary: The which medicament may be most safely and without all danger used in the Stone, of the Bladder and Reins, being given from one, two, four, six, eight, and twelve grains at most, according to the condition of the Sick: For it brings forth the Urine and the Sandiness and Tartar; that is, as yet uncongealed, and not lumped together in the Reins and Bladder. If any one desire to have them shew their Virtues more strongly, he may then extract the dissolved, precipitated, washed, dryed, and corrected Vermine with some burning Spirit of Saxifrage, Parsly, Juniper berries, Ash, or such like Stone expelling Herbs, that so there may be yet again a separation of Fæces, and the Spirit may draw unto it self the purest Essence. This Spirit being separated by a gentle heat in a B. leaves in the bottom an Essence like a red Balsam, which is far sweeter, profitabler, and pleasanter in the forenamed Diseases, than it was before the extraction, when in the form of Powder, Pills, or Electuary.N. B.If a venereal Medicine be to be prepared out of the Earth-worms, then the Cantharides andAselliare to be omitted, and an half part of those venereal Vermine, which are in the Summer Months in Gardens, and adhere to old Seats, and old Walls in abundance, to be added to the Worms, and to these is to be added one fourth part of a Stags Pizzle and all to be prepared after that manner we have taught and prescribed. The Worms are to be gathered at such a time as the Earth first opens it self after the cold Season, and may be dig’d out, that so you may have the Worms before they creep forth out of the Earth, and have enervated each other by their coition, for when they are thus gotten they are endued with wonderfull virtues, and are far more efficacious than theybe afterwards. These Worms being dissolved, precipitated, and well washed with common Water; if they are yet once extracted by the burning Spirit of Satyrion, Hop, or Sparagus-roots, and reduced into a sweet Essence, do become a present and effectual Medicament against impotency.
All Diuretick and principally Earth-worms being maturated and corrected, have a power to strengthen the venereal faculty. But the correcting of them must not be after the usual Kitchen way of Women, where Wine, Sugar, Spices, and such like things are added to correct any subject by. No, but it is to be done by the benefit of Fire, after a Philosophical manner, without the addition of any other things, not with the Kitchen Fire, but with that Philosophical, moist, vaporous, digesting, altering, penetrating, ripening, amending, conserving, and in one degree always abiding Fire, the which is to be sought after in Niter. Great is the errour that is committed in the decoctions of Vegetables, when Herbs, Flowers, Seeds and the like are boiled in some Liquors, as Water, Wine, Ale, and the like, and being boiled the decoction is given the Sick to drink, as if it had extracted all the virtues of the Herbs; nor is it in the mean time considered that in such decoctions, the penetrating and effectual Spirit, and sweet Oil vapoured away with the water into the Air, and yet may this be easily smelt, for the Vapour that goes out in such boilings is always endued with a sweeter Odour than the remainder left behind is, and which they use in Medicine, and this can be denied by none. Why I pray are the Waters in the Shops, where abundance of them are used, and sold, wont to be distilled now, not any more in a B.per se, but for the most part, in a Copper Still with common water added, to prevent burning too; of which waters it is likewise said, that they are as good as those that be distilled in a B.per se, without Water, and this is agreeable to truth: For in the distillation, the most subtil moisture of the herb onely rising up, and the common Water (as being the heavier) stays behind in the bottom of the Still, and therefore they have a certain sign in the distillation of the said waters,viz.when the ascending water, tasts no more of the distilled herb: Then do they desist from farther operating, and cast away the remaining herb with the water in the bottom. But such whose study it is to make sweeter and more efficacious Waters, do take the water which came off in the distillation, and pour it upon more of the fresh herb, and do again distil it, and draw off the most pure part of the herb, and make their Water more efficacious, which way of preparing the Waters of Herbs, is good and profitable. Besides every one knows, that the Spirit and Oils of Vegetables, are to be distilled by a Copper Still by the apposition of a great deal of Water, as we have taught in the first part of thisPharmacopœa: It is therefore manifest, that the common decocting of herbs in water is of no value, and that the best part vanisheth away into the Air in boiling, and that the less sweet, and most efficacious part alone remains behind. Some skilfull Cooks know this full well, and never put in the Spices into the Pot to boil, but let the flesh be first boiled, and already set at the Table, by which they take care of losing the best Odour of the Spices by boiling them. If you go by the Ale-Brewers when they are boiling the Hop, and the Houses of the Apothecaries, you shall meet with a far sweeter fragrancy, and what doth more comfort the heart, than what remains behind, and is given men to drink? And this cannot be otherwise, by the fore alledged reasons, for the chiefest and best part go away in boiling. Therefore I do here again repeat what I said before, and do affirm, that that Decoction which is done in the cold by the universal fiery Water, is to be preferred far before that otherway. Now it is sufficiently enough known that the greatest part of the food we eat, whether Flesh, Fish, or Pulse, are wont to be boiled in the Kitchen by the help of Water to preserve them from burning, that thereby they may be the better digested and concocted by the Stomach. And why are not medicaments prepared after the same manner? Now though in the decoction of Flesh, Fish, and Pulse, there goes off some of the vertues of the same, yet that is a matter of no great moment, for the remainder is what stuffs the Stomach from whence the body may get its nourishment. But in medicinal decoctions, no such great quantity is to be administred, but a little of them given to the Sick to drink of; and therefore they must necessarily have their vertues left in them, and not be deprived of them by decoction, and yet this Curtation of theirs cannot be shunned when the decoctions are done over the fire with common water in open Vessels. This way therefore of mine, by the fiery Water is far to be preferred before that other way. For in this decoction there can’t be lost so much as the least vertues of the herb or Animal, seeing it is done in the Cold. But all abide together, in the watery or fiery Water, are ripened, bettered, and changed into medicine, and must necessarily be transmuted, whether they will or not. There is no way for the vertues to go off as is in that other decoction, where the most noble vertues vanish away in the Air. Therefore this digesting, conserving, ripening, and amending Fire and Water ought to be highly esteemed by the Physicians, wherewith they may prepare their medicaments, or at least for the preparing of some few good ones which cannot else be gotten, as is apparent in Diureticks, which being so inverted by this Philosophical water, do not onely afterwards expel Urine, and the Stone, and all things pertaining thereunto; but do also corroborate, even as all things that have a hot subtil and penetrating Nature whether simples or compounds are wont to do: Insomuch that they do not any more cause torments and pains by a forceable expulsion of Urine and the Stone, but do gently and sweetly stir up to a casting them out, and do withal strengthen and conserve the virile Nature: But contrarily those immature and crude Simples, do by their Crudity and Wildness hurt, and not onely expel Urine, but even stir up pains. This discourse and proposed matter, concerning the watery Fire and fiery Water (by the benefit of which venomous Vegetables, Animals and Minerals may be (as I have taught) turned into wholsome medicaments) will haply create in many some disagreeable Cogitations, and may seem to them as if it were a strange thing, that I should call the Liquor of fixt Niter, and the Spirit of corrosive Niter, fiery Waters, and watery Fires, whereas there is in them no apparent visible Fire. Well, to remove this Scuple from their minds, I do in the first place judge it expedient to demonstrate that Niter is no other than a mere Fire; For put but Niter on a live Coal, and ’twill all flie up and burn away in the Air; this now is evidently seen in Gun-powder, in which the Salt-peter is together with those other added matters discharged all ofit into the Air. Niter being brought by Calcination to a fixity or constancy in the Fire, or else by distillation to a corrosive Water, hath not for all this lost its fire, but hath it as yet perfectly with it self. And that this is true is hereby cleared,viz.that both those Liquors the fixt and the corrosive volatile one being mixt together, do deposit that nature they got from the Fire, and do return to their form, or Saltpeter nature. Hence may it be manifestly proved that both these Liquors as well the fixt one as the acid Spirit may and ought to be called fiery Waters, seeing that they do in very deed demonstrate their fiery vertues. For they do yet retain their Fire, and do melt all things and reduce them into Water, whatsoever you put into them. This demonstration I hope is a sufficient satisfactory testimony to such as have any understanding though not so well skilled in the light of nature. But that I may yet meet with the most unskilfull of men, who are for the most part wont to measure by their most unskilfull fancy, such things as are to them wholly unknown, and that I may set it most clearly before their Eyes, that the said Waters are mere true Fires; I would perswade them that for trial of the truth they would put one little drop onely or one small piece of a Grain upon their Tongues, and see whether or no they will not in less than a moment of time find, and say that that Fire is hidden in the Water, and is just as if their Tongue had been touched with a Coal of Fire. But if they would see the very flame it self, they may coagulate or concenter either both or either Liquor, either by Antimony orLapis Calaminaris, by which all Corrosives do chiefly love to be concentred, and to put off their adjoined Waters. Therefore when you have a mind to see a flame pour upon your concentrated acid Spirit, or on your fixt Liquor of Niter, the pure Spirit of Wine, and what is separated from all Phlegm: By which pouring on, the hidden Fire of the concentrated Niter, will forthwith manifest it self, and will kindle and burn up the Spirit of Wine. If he would yet farther try the truth of this thing, let him fix Niter byRegulus Martis, and coagulate it into a fiery Mass, and keep it in a strong earthen Vessel well shut, that so the Air enter not therein, and that the Fire may remain so long hidden as he pleaseth. Now if he would have it grow hot, let him pour in a little water into the Vessel, which done the hidden Fire will become presently manifest, and make the Vessel so hot, that it cannot be held in ones hand: By how much the more the Water is that is poured thereupon, so much the hotter the Vessel becomes, so that by the too much effusion of water, there is danger of the Vessels breaking into Pieces. A mean therefore is to be observed in the pouring water on, if you would have your Vessel endure the longer, and give a lasting heat. This secret doth not onely teach the Miracles of Nature, but is likewise profitable for such as journey in the Winter Season, whether in a Wagon, or a Ship, day and night, in exceeding cold Weather, for by the help of such a Vessel may they heat themselves. For if they have a Vessel containing about one or two Pounds of this concentrated Fire, it will keep heat for 24 hours: And so in case of necessity such as Journey may have with them greater and more Vessels, and not be scantied of this Fire. And if in the extremity of cold they want water, they may heat the Vessel by stirring up the same Fire with their own Urine. How vile soever this secret appears, yet lies there in it a great mystery, and what is serving to true Philosophy, and in which such a fire lies hid as was buried by the Priests, mentioned in theMaccabees, and after some hundreds of years again digged out and found. For such a kind of Fire being fenced against the access of the Air, remains uncorrupt for 100, yea a thousand years, and this verily is a thing most worthy of diligent consideration. We have by what has been said sufficiently demonstrated that fixt Niter is a mere Fire, and that it manifests it self so to be whensoever any one is so minded as to try. The acid Liquor doth the same, and hath a far different nature and property from the fixt Niter, the which nevertheless doth also produce to light its occult Fire according as the Artist pleaseth, and is on this wise done. Dissolve in it Iron orLapis Calaminaris, and draw off the moisture by Fire,N. B.You shall have nothing else come over or evaporate save onely a sweet water void of all tast, and the fiery part will concenter it self in the Iron or in theLapis Calaminaris, and become a fiery and dry Earth, the which being preserved against the ingress of the Air, will remain dry, nor will it ever change it self into water. This fiery Spirit thus concentrated in this Earth is so burning hot, that if it be put to the Tongue in no bigger a piece than a Hempseed, it will burn it just as if you had touched it with an hot Iron. And if you would have fire thereout of, pour in some Spirit of Wine, and you shall see the flame break out: But if you would warm your self with that heat, as we before spake of in the fixt Niter, then put in a few drops of water, which done, the hidden and concentrated Fire will become manifested (as in the fixt Niter) and continue a long while, if there be not too much water poured thereupon. If you would quench your Fire and have the Vessel cool, then shut it, and if you would have it again hot, then open it and pour on a little water. Thus therefore shalt thou have this Fire most ready for thy use whensoever thou hast a mind to employ it. So then all these things do most abundantly confirm that the acid Spirit of Niter is a cold and hidden fire, for if you put into it a little piece of Iron orLapis Calaminaris, it will make the glass so hot, that you cannot hold it in your hand. We hereby learn that from this Original do the Baths arise, and is thus. When an acid mineral Spirit joins it self in the Mountains to some Fountain of sweet Water, and doth together therewithal pass through some Mines ofLapis Calaminaris, or Iron, it becometh so hot that it breaks out like water heated in a Copper. Nor are Baths any where to be found save in Mountains, and in places that abound withLapis Calaminarisor Veins of Iron, as may be seen in many places, but especially in that ofAquis Granum, where the most curious or bravest Baths of allEuropeare found to be, and the Mountains that lie round it do abound with Iron, andLapis Calaminaris. But as concerning those other profitable and gallant Secrets, that lie hidden in this concentrated Fire, ’tis not expedient to speak of them here. We have revealed to you enough already, and he that learns nothing hencefrom, shall have nothing, nor is it given him of God to know the unsearchable properties of this Fire, and to open the Gate of true Philosophy and Hermetical Medicine. Here then the Son of Art sees what a concentrated Fire is able to effect, and how its many vertues are as yet impeded by reason of the Earth, (consisting of the IronCalaminaris, and Antimony) wherein it is includedand hindered from answering the event that may be hoped for from it. For an impure body is able even to make a pure Soul inhabiting in it, ignoble and impure, yea and plainly to kill it; and this may be understood as well of Men as Minerals. Now it may be easily conjectured what such a pure Soul, and which is separated from all Fæces is able to do. Things incredible and almost Divine may be effected by such a Fire. The Fire of common Wood and Coals, if concentred will perform things wonderfull. But I pray what then will the concentred Fire of the Sun do, which is a thousand times purer than that. Next after God, is the Sun, next the Sun the Fire of Coals and Wood, is of all things in the whole World, the most noble. Were it lawfull openly for me to declare my opinion of the Fire for the rude and unskilfull to understand, I should enlighten many a dark Corner. For the Elementary Sun, which bestows upon the whole World all Light, and all Life, is nothing else but the Garment and Covering as it were of the omnipotent God. If then the Garment and Covering be so noble, so efficacious, and so potent, in its Essence, how great then is and ever will be the Majesty of God, that Eternal Light and Center of all Lights? We cannot so much as look upon that Garment,viz.the Sun without hurting our sight, nor search out its wonderfull virtues and properties by all our speculations, and as I may say, Philosophations. Why then are Men so foolish to speak, and think so lightly of God, and yet know nothing of him? Hence is it that almost every one feigns to himself a peculiar God, and worshippeth and adoreth him, which horrid impiety, the true and onely God abominates. The Ancient Physicians attributed the round fiery Sphere that hath its rise from God, unto the Sun, and figured it out by the sign of perfection,viz.a Circle with a prick in the middle, whereby the Center is deciphered. But seeing that in all things, the Center is far more noble and excellent than the circumference it self, which hath its birth from the Center, but the circumference it self doth by so much the more differ from the Center, and is more unequal to it, by how much the farther off it is from it: And contrariwise, is to be judged so much the equaller to it, by how much the nearer it approacheth thereunto: What then shall the prick in the Sun be, seeing that the Sun it self being but as the circumference to that point, be such a most noble and excellent Essence? What name shall we call that point by? To whom is it lawfull thus to do, (viz.to describe that name) in this perverse World? I even constrained, though against my will, to forbear farther discoursing thereabouts, and to refer it to my Treatise of the concentrating of the Heaven and the Earth. But thus much I say, that our Terrestrial Fire which we daily make use of, is the first degree of that Ladder whereby we ascend to God, so as to comprehend (or lay hold on) this omnipotency, to perceive and search into it, to Love, Fear, Worship, and at last to see and be rendred (through Divine Grace) partaker of the Divine Majesty: Seeing then that the common Fire and which every body knows is as I will yet again say, the first degree in that Scale or Ladder, whereby we may ascend to God and his Mysteries, and yet the property thereof is so much unknown unto us: What I pray shall we think then of the second and third degree, the which we know nothing of, though we think our selves to know so much. I do therefore affirm here, and that boldly, that our knowledge is as nothing, and there is not one amongst many thousands that knows the second, (much less the third) degree. But haply hereafter I shall speak and demonstrate more things of this nature.