THESECOND PARTOFPhilosophical Furnaces:
Wherein is Described the Nature of the Second Furnace; by the help whereof, all volatile, subtle, and combustible things may he distilled; whether they be Vegetables, Animals, or Minerals, and that after an unknown and very compendious Way; whereby nothing is lost, but even the most subtle spirits may be caught and preserved, which else without the means of this Furnace is impossible to be done by Retorts or other Distilling Instruments.
The Distilling Vessel must be made of Iron, or good earth, such as can abide in the fire (whereof in the fifth Part of this Book it shall be taught) and you may make it as big or as little as you please, according as your occasion shall require. That of iron is most fit to be used for such spirits, as are not very sharp or corroding, else they would corrode the vessel: but that of earth may be used for such things, as shew their activity upon the Iron, and do make it to melt, as sulphur, Antimony and the like; and therefore you ought to have two such vessels,viz.one of iron, and one of earth, to the end that for both sorts of materials (corrosive or not corrosive) you may have proper vessels, and fit furnaces for their distilling, and that they may not be spoiled by things contrary and hurtful to them. The shape of the vessel is shewed by the foregoing figure,viz.the lower part of it somewhat wider than the upper part, and twice as high as wide; at the top having a hollow space between the two edges or brims, whereinto the edge of the lid may close and enter in an inch deep. The lid must have a ring or handle, by which it may be taken off and put on again with a pair of tongs. The lid must have a deep edge answering to the hollow space aforesaid. The lower part must have three knobs or shouldersthereby to rest upon the wall of the furnace; the form whereof is no other, than that of a common distilling furnace with a sand Copple; as the figure of it doth shew: but if you will not have the furnace, then it needeth no knobs or shoulders, if so be the distilling vessel be flat at the bottom, or else have legs, for to stand upon them: Beneath the edge of the vessel there comes forth a spout or pipe of a span in length, and one or two inches wide, and somewhat narrower before than behind, through which the spirits are conveyed into the Receiver.
See the fourth Figure before the first part, wherein the LetterA.represents the Furnace, with the Iron distilling Vessel fastned into it, whereunto a Receiver is applied.
B.The Distiller, with his left hand taking off the lid, and with his right hand casting in his prepared matter.
C.The external form of the distilling vessel.
D.The internal form of the vessel.
E.Another distilling vessel, which is not fastned to a furnace, but only standeth upon Coals.
When you intend to distil, then first make a fire in the Furnace, that the distilling vessel come to be very hot. But if it be not fastned to the Furnace, then set it upon a grate, and lay stones about it, and coals between, and so let it grow hot, and lay melted lead in the space between the two edges or brims, to the end, that the lid, when it is put on, may close exactly, so that no spirit can get through. This done, take a little of the matter you intend to distil, and cast it in, and presently put on the lid, and there will be no other passage left but through the pipe, to which there must be applyed and luted a very big receiver. As soon as the species cast in come to be warm, they let go their spirit, which doth come forth into the receiver: and because there was but little of the matter cast in, it hath no power to force through the lute, or to break the receiver, but must settle it self. This done, cast in a little more of your matter, cover it and let it go till the spirit be settled: continue this proceeding so long, until you have spirits enough: but take heed, that you cast in no more at once, than the receiver is able to bear, else it will break. And when your vessel is full, the distillation not being ended, then take off the lid, and with an iron ladle take out the Caput Mortuum; and so begin again to cast in, and still but a little at a time, and continue this as long as you please.
Thus in one day you may distil more in a small vessel, than otherways you could do in a great retort; and you need not fear the least loss of the subtile spirit, nor the breaking of the receiver by the abundance of the spirits: and you may cease or leave off your distilling, and begin it again when you list: also the fire cannot be made too strong, so that it might cause any hurt or damage; but by this way you may make the most subtile spirits, which is impossible to be done by any Retort. But if you will distil a subtil spirit by a Retort, as of Tartar, Harts-horn, Salarmoniack, or the like, you cannot do it without prejudice (though there were but half a pound of the matter in it) the subtlest spirits coming forth with force, seek to penetrate through the lute, if that be not good, but if that be good, so that the spirits cannot pass through it, then they break the receiver, because it cannot possibly hold such a quantity of subtle spirits at once. For when they are coming, they come so plentifully, and with such a force, that the receiver cannot contain them, and so of necessity must flye asunder, or must pass through the lutum; All which is not to be feared here, because there is but a little cast in at once, which cannot yield such a quantity of spirits, as to force the receiver to break: And when there comes forth no more spirits, and the former is settled, then more of the matter is to be cast in; and this is to be continued so long, until you have spirits enough. Afterward take off the receiver, and put the spirit into such a Glass (as in the fifth part of this book, amongst the Manuals, shall be discovered) wherein it may be kept safely without wasting or evaporating.
In this manner all things, Vegetable, Animal, or Mineral, may be distilled in this Furnace, and much better, than by means of a Retort: especially such subtile spirits (as by the other way of distilling cannot be saved, but pass through the lutum) are got by this our way; and they are much better than those heavy oyles, which commonly are taken for spirits, but are none, being only corrosive waters. For the nature and condition of a spirit is to be volatile, penetrating and subtile, and such are not those spirits of salt, Vitriol, Allome and Nitre, which are used in Apothecary shops, they being but heavy oyles, which even in a warm place do not evaporate or exhale.
But a true spirit, fit for Medicinal use, must rise or ascend before the phlegm, and not after; for whatsoever is heavier than phlegm, is no volatile spirit, but a heavy spirit or (rather called) a sowre heavy oyl. And it is seen by experience, that the Apothecaries spirit of vitriol will cure no falling sickness, which vertue is ascribed to that spirit, and indeed justly: for the true spirit of vitriol performeth that cure out of hand. Likewise their spirit of Tartar (as they call it) is no spirit, but only a stinking phlegm or vinegar.
The way to make such true spirits, I will now shew, because much good may be done by them in all manner of Diseases. And this way of distilling serveth only for those which seek after good Medicines: but others which care not whether their medicines be well prepared or no, need not take so much pains as to build such a furnace, and to make their spirits themselves, for at any time they can buy for a small matter, a good quantity of dead and fruitless spirits at the common sellers and Apothecaries.
Hence it is no marvel, that now adaies so little good is done by Chymical medicaments, which of right should far out-strip all the Galenical in goodness and vertue. But alas! it is come to that pass now, that a true Chymist, and honest Son ofHermes, is forced almost to blush, when he heareth men talk of Chymical medicines, because they do no such miracles, as are ascribed unto them. Which infamy is occasion’d by none more, than by careless Physicians, which though they make use of Chymical medicines, (because they would fain be esteemed to know more than others) yet they do take greater care for their kitchen, than for the welfare of their Patients; and so buying ill-prepared Medicines of unskilful stillers, and withal using them undiscreetly(whereby they many times do more hurt than good to the sick) they lay such foul aspertions upon the noble Art of Chymistry.
But an industrious and accurate Physician is not ashamed to make his Medicines himself, if it be possible, or at least to have them made by good and well-exercis’d Artists: whereupon he may better rely, and get more credit, than one that knoweth not whereof, nor how his Medicine which he doth administer to his patients is prepared. But such wicked and ignorant men will one day fall short of their answer before the Judgment of the righteous Samaritan.
Hitherto I have taught, how to distil in general, and to get the subtle spirits. There remaineth now to describe what Manuals or Preparations are fitting for every matter in particular; and first,
To distil Vitriol, there needs no other preparation, but only that it be well viewed, and if there be any filth amongst it, that the same be carefully pickt out, lest being put together with the Vitriol into the distilling vessel, the spirit be corrupted thereby. But he that will go yet more exactly to work, may dissolve it in fair water, then filtrate it, and then evaporate the water from it till a skin appear at the top, and then set it in a cold place, and let it shoot again into Vitriol; and then you are sure that no impurity is left in it.
Now your vessel being made red hot, with an Iron ladle cast in one or two ounces of your Vitriol at once, put on the lid, and presently the spirits together with the phlegm will come over into the receiver, like unto a white cloud or mist; which being vanished, and the spirits partly settled, carry in more Vitriol, and continue this so long, until your vessel be full: Then uncover your vessel, and with a pair of tongs or an iron ladle take out the Caput Mortuum, and cast more in; and continue this proceeding as long as you please, still emptying the vessel when it is filled, and then casting in more matter, and so proceeding until you conceive that you have got spirits enough. Then let the fire go out, and let the furnace cool; take off the receiver, and pour that which is come over into a retort, and set the retort in sand, and by a gentle fire distil the volatile spirit from the heavy oyl; having first joyned to the retort the receiver, which is to receive the volatile spirit, with a good lutum, such as is able to hold such subtle spirits, the making whereof shall be taught in the fifth part of this Book, amongst the Manuals.
All the volatile spirit being come over, which you may know by the falling of bigger drops, then take off the receiver, and close it very well with wax, that the spirit may not make an escape; then apply another (without luting it) and so receive the phlegm by it self, and there will remain in the retort a black and heavy corrosive oyl, which if you please, you may rectifie, forcing it over by a strong fire, and then it will be clear; if not, let all cool, then take out your Retort together with the black oyl, and pour upon it the volatile spirit, which in the rectifying went over first, put the retort into the sand, and apply a receiver, and give it a very gentle fire, and the volatile spirit will come over alone, leaving its phlegm behind with the oyl, which by reason of its dryness doth easily keep it. Thus the spirit being freed from all phlegm, is become as strong as a meer fire, and yet not corrosive. And if this spirit be not rectified from its own oyl, it will not remain good, but there doth precipitate a red powder after it hath stood for some space of time, and the spirit loseth all its vertue, insomuch that it is not to be discerned from ordinary water, which doth not happen when it is rectified. The reason of this precipitation is no other than the weakness of the spirit, which is accompanied with too much water, and therefore not strong enough for to keep its sulphur, but must let it fall: but after it is rectified by its own oyl, it can keep its sulphur well enough, because then it is freed from its superfluous moisture. However the red powder is not to be thrown away, but ought to be kept carefully; because it is of no less vertue than the spirit it self. And it is nothing else but a Volatile sulphur of Vitriol. It hath wonderful vertues, some of which shall be related.
Of this sulphur 1, 2, 3, 4. or more grains (according to the condition of the patient) given at once mitigates all pains, causeth quiet sleep; not after the manner of Opium, Henbane, and other the like medicines, which by stupifying and benumbing cause sleep, but it performeth its operation very gently and safely, without any danger at all, and great Diseases may be cured by the help thereof.Paracelsusheld it in high esteem, as you may see, where he doth write ofSulphur embryonatum.
This sulphurous Volatile spirit of Vitriol, is of a very subtle and penetrating quality, and of a wonderful operation; for some drops thereof being taken and sweated upon, doth penetrate the whole body, openeth all obstructions, consumeth those things that are amiss in the body, even as fire. It is an excellent medicine in the Falling sickness, in that kind of madness or rage which is calledMania, in the Convulsion of the Mother, calledSuffocatio Matricis, in the Scurvy; in that other kind of madness which is called Melancholia Hypochondriaca; and other Diseases proceeding from Obstructions and Corruption of the Blood: It is also good in the Plague, and all other Feavers: mingled with spirit of wine, and daily used, it doth wonders in all external accidents: Also in the Apoplexy, shrinking and other diseases of the Nerves, the distressed limb rubbed therewith, it doth penetrate to the very marrow in the bones; it doth warm and refresh the cold sinews, grown stiff: In the Cholick, besides the internal use, a little thereof in a clyster applyed, is a present help: Externally used in the Gout, by anointing the places therewith, asswageth the Pains, and taketh away all tumours and inflammations: It doth heal scabs,tetters and ring-worms, above all other medicines; it cureth new wounds and old sores, as Fistulaes, Cancers, Wolves, and what name soever else they may have: It extinguisheth all inflammations, scaldings, the Gangrene, dissipateth and consumeth the knobs and excrescencies of the skin. In a word, this spirit, which the wise men of old calledSulphur Philosophorum, doth act universally in all diseases, and its vertue cannot sufficiently be praised and expressed: And it is much to be admired, that so excellent a Medicine is no where to be found.
If it be mingled with Spring water, it doth make it pleasantly sowrish, and in taste and vertue like unto the natural sowre water of wells.
Also by this spirit, many diseases may be cured at home; so that you need not go to bathes afar off, for to be rid of them.
Here I could set down a way, how such a spirit may be got in great abundance for the use of bathing, without distillation, whereby miraculous things may be done, but by reason of the ungratefulness of men, it shall be reserved for another time.
This oyl is not much used in Physick, although it be found almost in every Apothecaries shop, which they use for to give a sowrish tast to their syrups and conserves. Mingled with spring water and given in hot diseases, it will extinguish the unnatural thirst, and cool the internal parts of the body. Externally it cleanseth all unclean sores, applyed with a feather; it separateth the bad from the good, and layeth a good foundation for the cure.
Also if it be rectified first, some metals may be dissolved with it and reduced into their Vitriols, especially Mars and Venus; but this is to be done by adding common water thereunto, else it will hardly lay hold on them. The way of doing it is thus.
Take of your heavy oyl, just as it came over,viz.together with its phlegm (but that the Volatile spirit be drawn off from it first) as much as you please, put it into a glass body together with plates of copper or iron, set it in warm sand, and let it boyl until that the oyl will dissolve no more of the metal, then power off the liquor, filtre it through brown paper, and put it into a low gourd glass, and set it in sand, and let the phlegm evaporate until there appear a skin at the top, then let the fire go out, and the glass grow cool; then set it in a cold place, and within some days there, will shoot fair Crystals; if of Iron, greenish; if of Copper, then something blewish; take them out and dry them upon filtering paper, the remaining liquor, which did not shoot into Vitriol, evaporate again in sand, and then let it shoot as before; continue this proceeding, until all the solution (or filtred liquor) be turned to Vitriol. This Vitriol is better and purer than the common; for it yieldeth a better Volatile spirit, and for that reason I did set down the way how to make it. There may also be made a good Vitriol of both these metals by the means of ordinary yellow brimstone; but because the making of it is more tedious, than of this here set down, I think it needless to describe its preparation in this place.
Dissolve the shavings or filings of silver with rectified oyl of Vitriol, adding water thereunto, but not so much as to Iron and Copper: Or else, which is better, dissolve calcined silver, which hath been precipitated out of Aqua fortis either with Copper or salt water; the solution being ended pour it off and filtre it, and drop into it of Spirit of urin or Sal armoniac, as long as it doth hiss, and almost all the silver will precipitate again out of the oyl, and so there will fall a white powder to the bottom; This precipitated silver together with the liquor pour into a phiall-glass, set it to boyl in sand for twenty four hours, and the liquor will dissolve again almost all the precipitated silver-calx and become blew thereby. Then pour off the solution (or liquor) and filtre it through brown paper, and abstract the moisture till a skin arise at the top; then in a cold place let it shoot to Vitriol. With the remaining liquor proceed further, as above in the preparation of the Vitriol of Iron and Copper hath been taught.
By this way you will get an excellent Vitriol out of silver, which from 4, 5, 6, to 10. grains used only of it self, will be a good purge, especially in diseases of the brain.
If you have a good quantity of it, that you may distill a spirit thereof, you will get not only an acid (or sowre) but also a volatile spirit, which in the infirmities of the brain is most excellent; that which in the distilling remains behind, may be reduced again into a body, so that you lose nothing of the silver, save onely that which is turned into spirit.
Moreover, the acid (or sowre) oyl of common Vitriol, doth precipitate all metals and stones of beasts or fishes; also pearls and corals, they being first dissolved in spirit of salt or of Nitre, and maketh fair light powders of them (which by the Apothecaries are called Magisteries) much fairer than by precipitation with salt of Tartar is done, especially of corals and pearls, such a fair glistering and delicate powder is made; and likewise also of mother of pearl, and other shels of snailes, that it giveth as fair a gloss to them, as the fairest oriental pearls have; which way hath not been made common hitherto, but being known only to few, hath been kept very secret by them, as a singular Art. Such Magisteries commonly were precipitated out of vinegar only by salt of Tartar, which for lightness, whiteness and fair gloss are not comparable at all to ours: But if instead of the oyl of Vitriol you take oyl of sulphur, then these powders will be fairer than when they are done by the oyl of Vitriol, in so much, that they may be used for painting for a black skin.
Having made mention of Magisteries, I cannot forbear to discover the great abuse and error, which is committed in the preparing of them.
Paracelsusin his Archidoxes teacheth to make Magisteries, which he calleth extracted Magisteries: but some of his disciples teach to make precipitated Magisteries which are different from the former.Paracelsusis clean of another opinion in the preparing of his Magisteries, than others in the making of theirs: doubtlessParacelsushis Magisteries weregood cordial living medicines, whereas the other are but dead carkases, and although they be never so fair, white and glistering, yet in effect they prove but a gross earthy substance, destitute of vertue.
I do not deny, but that good medicines may be extracted out of pearls and corals, for I my self also do describe the preparations of some of them; but not at all after such a way as theirs is. For what good or exalting can be expected by such a preparation, where a stony matter is dissolved in corrosive waters, and then precipitated into stone again? Can its vertue be increased thereby? surely no, but rather it is diminished, and made much the worse thereby. For it is well known, that the corrosive spirits (no less than fire) do burn some certain things; for not all things are made better by fire or corrosives, but most of them are absolutely spoyled by them. Some perchance will say, that such preparations of Magisteries are onely for to be reduced into a finer powder, that so much the sooner they may perform their operation. To which I answer, that pearls, corals, and other things of the like nature, if they be once dissolved by corrosive waters, and then precipitated and edulcorated, never or hardly can be dissolved again by acid spirits. Whence it is evident that by such preparations they are not opened or made better, but rather closed or made worse. And we see also by daily experience that those Magisteries do not those effects, which are ascribed unto them. By which it appeareth clearly, that to the Archeus of the stomach they are much less grateful than the crude unprepared corals and pearls; whose tender essence being not burnt up by corrosives, do oftentimes produce good effects. For our Ancestors have ascribed unto corals and pearls, that they purifie the impure and corrupt blood in the whole body, that they expel Melancholly and sadness, comforting the heart of man, and making it merry, which also they effectually perform: whereas the Magisteries do not. And this is the reason, why unprepared corals, pearls and stones of fishes have more effect, than the burnt Magisteries. For it is manifest and well known, that the abovesaid diseases for the most part do proceed from obstructions of the spleen, which obstructions are nothing else, but a tartarous juice or a sowre flegme which hath possessed and filled up the entrals, and coagulated it self within them. By which obstruction not only head-ach, giddiness, panting of the heart, trembling of the limbs, a spontaneous lassitude, vomits, unnatural hunger; also, loathing of victuals; then cold, then hot flushing fits, and many more strange symptomes are caused; but also a most hurtful rottenness and corruption is introduced into the whole mass of blood, from whence the leprosie, scurvey, and other loathsome or abominable scabs do spring.
Of which evil the onely cause (as hath been said) is a crude acid Tartar, from which so many great diseases do rise.
This to be so may easily be proved; for it is notorious, that melancholick folks, hypocondriaques, and others do often cast up a great quantity of acid humor, which is so sharpe that no vinegar is comparable to it, and doth set their teeth on such an edge, as if they had eaten unripe fruit.
What remedy now? take away the cause and the disease is taken away. If you could take away the peccant matter by purgings, it would be well, but it remaineth obstinate and will not yield to them. By vomit it may be diminished in some measure. But because that not every one can abide vomiting, it is therefore no wisdome to turn evil into worse. Shall then this tartar be killed and destroyed by contraries, which indeed in some sort may be effected; as when you use vegetables or animals, whose vertue consisteth in a volatile salt: such are all species or sorts of cresses, Mustard-seed, horse-radish, scurvy grass, also the spirit of Tartar, of Harts-horn, and of urine and the like, which by reason of their penetrating faculty pass through all the body, finding out the Tartar thereof, destroying the same, as being contrary unto it; and in this combat two contrary natures is kindled, a great burning heat, whereby the whole body is throughly heated and brought to sweating; and whensoever by these contraries a sweating is caused, there is always mortified some of this hurtful Tartar. But because that of that acid humor but a little at a time can be mortified and edulcorated by contrary volatile spirits, and that therefore it would be required to use them often, for to kill and expell all the Tartar; and because also (as hath been mentioned before) a strong sweat always is caused by every such operation, whereby the natural spirits are much weakened, so that the patient would not be able to hold out long thereby, but by taking away of one evil, another and greater one would be occasioned.
And therefore such things must be offered to that hungry acid humour, by which the corrosive nature thereof, may be mortified and grow sweet, with that proviso nevertheless, that those things be such as are not contrary or hurtful to the nature of man, but grateful and friendly, as are corals, pearls and crabs eyes,&c.
For amongst all stones none are more easily to be dissolved than Pearls, Corals, Crabbs-eyes, and other stones of fishes.
But the truth of this,viz.that every corrosive is killed by feeding upon pearls and corals, and thereby can be made sweet; and besides, how a sowre coagulated Tartar, by the help of corals or pearls may be reduced to a sweet liquor (a pleasant and acceptable medicine to the nature of man) which never can be coagulated again by any means, shall be afterwards proved and taught when I shall come to treat of Tartar.
Now in tartareous coagulations and obstructions of the internals proceeding from the predominancy of an acid humor there is no better remedy, than to give the patient every morning fasting from ℈ss. to ʒ i. (more or less, according to the condition of the patient) of red corals and pearls made into powder, and to let him fast two or three hours upon it, and so to continue daily until you see amendment: By this means the hurtful acid humor is mortified, and dulcified by the corals and pearls, so that afterwards it may be overcome by nature, whereby the obstructions are removed, and the body freed from the disease.
This my opinion of the abuse of Magisteries and the good use of Corals I could not conceal, although I do know for certain, that it will take but with few, in regard that it will seem very strange to most. However, happily there may be some yet, that will not be unwilling to search into the truth, and to consider further of it, and at last will find this not to be so strange, as it seemed to them at the first: but he that cannot believe or comprehend it, may keep to his Magisteries.
And if it seem so strange unto any, that corals or pearls made into powder shall be concocted in the stomach, and so put forth their vertue, what will you say then, if I do prove, that even whole pearls, crabs eyes, and corals being swallowed, are totally consumed by the Melancholy humor, so that nothing cometh forth again among the excrements? and which is more, even the like may be said of hard and Compact metals, as Iron, and Speaucer or Zinck: But this must be understood only of those that are of a Melancholick constitution but not so in others,viz., those that are of a sanguine, and those that are of a phlegmatick constitution, to whom such like things are seldom prescribed. For I have seen many times, that against obstructions, to strong bodies there hath been given at once from ℈ss. to ʒ i. of the shavings or filings of Iron, and they found much good by it, yea more help then by other costly medicines of the Apothecaries, whereof they had used many before, but to no purpose, by reason whereof their excrements came from them black, just as it useth to fall out with those that make use of medicinal sowre waters, which run through iron mines, and thereby borrow a spiritual mineral vertue.
Now if those filings of iron had not been consumed in the stomach, how come it that the excrements are turned black? so then it is sufficiently proved, that even a hard unprepared metal can be consumed in the stomach: and if so, why not as well soft pearls and corals?
Which is also to be seen by children, that are troubled with worms, if there be given unto them 4, 6, 8. to 12. or 16. grains of the finest filings of steel or iron, that all the worms in the body are killed thereby, their stomach and guts scowred very clean, and their stools also turned black. But this must be observed by children, when the worms are killed, and yet remain in the guts (because that the iron in a smal quantity is not strong enough for to expel them, but only make the body soluble) that a purge must be used after, for to carry them out; for else if they do remain there, others will grow out of their substance. But to those that are more in years, you may give the Dose so much the stronger, as from ℈ i. to ʒ i. that the worms also may be carryed out, they being better able to endure it than little children, and although sometimes a vomit doth come, yet it doth no hurt, but they will be but so much the healthier afterward.
And thus Iron may be used, not only against worms, but also against all stomach-agues, head-ach, and obstructions of the whole body, without any danger and very successfully, as a grateful or very acceptable medicine to Nature; for after a powerful magnetical way it doth attract all the ill humors in the body, and carrieth them forth along with it. Of whose wonderful vertue and nature, there is spoken more at large in my Treatise of the Sympathy and Antipathy of things. Which some Physitians perceiving and supposing by Art to make it better, they spoiled it, and made it void of all vertue: for they taking a piece of steel, made it red-hot, and held it against a piece of common Sulphur, whereby the steel grew subtle, so they did let it drop into a vessel filled with water; then they took it out, and dryed it, and made it into powder, and used it against obstructions, but to no effect almost; for the Iron was so altered by the sulphur, and reduced to an insoluble substance (which ought not to have been so) that it could perform no considerable operation: But if they had made the steel more soluble (whereas they made it more insoluble) than it was of it self before, then they had done a good work: for he that knoweth sulphur, doth know well enough, that by noAquafortisorAqua Regisit can be dissolved; and how could it then be consumed by an animal humor?
Hitherto it hath been proved sufficiently, that in some men, especially in those that are of a Melancholick constitution there is an acid humor, which can sufficiently dissolve all easily soluble metals and stones: and that therefore it is needless to torture, and dissolve pearls, corals and the like with corrosive waters before they be administred to patients: but that the Archeus of the stomach is strong enough by the help of the said humors to consume those easily soluble things, and to accept of that which serveth his turn, and to reject the rest.
But it is not my intent here, that this should be understood of all metals and stones; for I know well, that other metals and stones (some excepted) before they are duly prepared, are not fit for Physick, but must be fitted first, before they be administred or given unto patients.
For this relation I made only for to shew, how sometimes good things (though with intent to make them better) are made worse, and spoiled by those that do not make an exact search into nature and her power.
I hope this my admonition will not be taken ill, because my aim was not vain-glory, but only the good of my neighbour.
Now let us return again to Vitriol.
The Ancients make mention of a sweet and green oyl of Vitriol, which doth cure the falling sickness, killeth worms, and hath other good qualities and vertues besides: and that the Oyl is to be distilledper descensum. To attain unto this oyl the later Physitians took great paines, but all in vain: because they did not understand at all the Ancients about the preparing of this oyl, but thought to get it by the force of fire, and so using violent distillation, they got no sweet oyl, but such as was very sowre and corrosive, which in taste, efficacy and vertue, was not comparable at all to the former.
However they ascribed unto it (though falsely) the same vertues, which the ancients (according to truth) did unto theirs. But daily experience sheweth, that the oyl of vitriol as it is found ordinarily, cureth no falling sickness, nor killeth worms, whereas this Philosophical doth it very quickly. Whence it appeareth, that the other is nothing like unto the true medicinal oyl of vitriol, neither is it to be compared to it.
I must confess indeed, thatper descensumout of common vitriol, by the force of the fire, there may be got a greenish oyl, which yet is not better than the other, because it proveth as sharp in tast, and of as corroding a quality, as if it had been distilled through a Retort.
Those that found out this oyl, asParacelsus,Basilius, and some few others, did always highly esteem it, and counted it one of the four main pillars of Physick. AndParacelsussaith expresly in his writings, that its viridity or greenness must not be taken away or marred (which indeed a very little heat can do) by the fire, for (saith he) if it be deprived of its greenness, it is deprived also of its efficacyand pleasant essence. Whence it may be perceived sufficiently, that this sweet green oyl is not to be made by the force of the fire as hitherto by many hath been attempted, but in vain.
And it is very probable, that the ancients, which did so highly praise the oyl of vitriol, happily knew nothing of this way of distilling, which is used by us now a days: for they only simply followed Nature, and had not so many subtle and curious inventions and ways of distilling.
But however it is certain, that such a sweet and green oyl cannot be made of vitriol by the force of the fire, but rather must be done by purification, after a singular way; for the Ancients many times understood purification for distillation: as it is evident, when they say, distill through a filtre, or through filtring paper: which by us is not accounted for distillation, but by them it was.
However, this is true and very sure, that a great Treasure of health (or for the health of man) lyeth hidden in Vitriol: yet not in the common, as it is sold every where, and which hath endured the heat of the fire already; but in the Oare as it is found in the earth, or its mine. For as soon as it cometh to the day light, it may be deprived by the heat of the Sun of its subtle and penetrating spirit, and so made void of vertue; which spirit, if by Art it be got from thence, smelleth sweeter then musk and amber, which is much to be admired, that in such a despicable mineral and gross substance (as it is deemed to be by the ignorant) such a royal medicine is to be found.
Now this preparation doth not belong to this place, because we treat here only of spirits, which by the force of fire are driven over. Likewise also, there doth not belong hither the preparation of the green oyl, because it is made without the help of fire. But in regard, that mention hath been made of it here, I will (though I kept it always very secret) publish it for the benefit of poor patients, hoping that it will do much good to many a sick man.
For if it be well prepared, it doth not only cure perfectly every Epilepsie or Convulsion in young and old; and likewise readily and without fail killeth all worms within and without the body, as the Ancients with truth ascribed unto it; but also many Chronical diseases and such as are held incurable, may be happily overcome and expelled thereby, as the plague, pleuresie, all sorts of feavers and agues, what ever they be called, head-ach, collick, rising of the mother; also all obstructions in the body, especially of the spleen and liver, from whenceMelancholia Hypochondriaca, the scurvy, and many other intolerable diseases do arise: Also the blood in the whole body is by the means thereof amended and renewed, so that the Pox, Leprosie, and other like diseases proceeding from the infection of the blood are easily cured thereby: Also it healeth safely and admirably all open sores and stinking ulcers turned to fistula’s in the whole body, and from what cause so ever they did proceed, if they be anoynted therewith, and the same also be inwardly used besides.
Such and other diseases more (which it is needless here to relate) may be cured successfully with this sweet oyl; especially, if without the loss of its sweetness it be brought to a red colour; for then it will do more then a man dare write of it, and it may stand very well for aPanaceain all diseases.
Commonly in all fat soyles or clayie grounds, especially in the white, there is found a kinde of stones, round or oval in form, and in bigness like unto a pigeons or hens-egg, and smaller also,viz.as the joynt of ones finger, on the outside black, and therefore not esteemed when it is found, but cast away as a contemptible stone. Which if it be cleansed from the earth, and beaten to pieces, looks within of a fair, yellow and in streaks, like a gold Marcasite, or a rich gold Oare, but there is no other taste to be perceived in it, then in another ordinary stone; and although it be made into powder, and boyled a long time in water, yet it doth not alter at all, nor is there in the water any other taste or colour, than that which it had first (when it was poured upon the stone) to be perceived. Now this stone is nothing else, but the best and purest Minera (or Oare) of Vitriol, or a seed of Metals; for Nature hath framed it round, like unto a vegetable seed, and sowed it into the earth, out of which there may be made an excellent medicine, as followeth.
Take this Oare or Minera beaten into pieces, and for some space of time, lay or expose it to the cool air, and within twenty or thirty days it will magnetically attract a certain saltish moysture out of the air, and grow heavy by it, and at last it falleth asunder to a black powder, which must remain further lying there still, until it grow whitish, and that it do taste sweet upon the tongue like vitriol. Afterward put it in a glass-vessel, and pour on so much fair rain water, as that it cover it one or two inches; stir it about several times in a day, and after a few days the water will be coloured green, which you must powre off, and powre on more fair water, and proceed as before, stirring it often until that also come to be green: this must be repeated so often, until no water more will be coloured by standing upon it. Then let all the green waters which you poured off, run through filtring paper, for to purifie them; and then in a glass-body cut off short let them evaporate till a skin appear at the top: then set it in a cold place, and there will shoot little green stones, which are nothing else but a pure vitriol: the remaining green water evaporate again, and let it shoote as before: and this evaporating and Crystallising must be continued until no vitriol more will shoote, but in warm and cold places there remain still a deep green pleasant sweet liquor or juyce: which is the true sweet and green oyl of Vitriol, and hath all the vertues above related.
But now this green oyl further without fire may at last (after the preparing of many fair colours between) be reduced to a blood red, sweet and pleasant oyl, which goeth far beyond the green both in pleasantness and vertue, and is in comparison to it like a ripe grape to an unripe: Hereof happily shall be spoken at another time, because occasion and time will not permit me now to proceed further in it. And therefore the Philo-Chymical Reader is desired for the present to be contented with the green oyl, to prepare it carefully, and to use it with discretion; and doubtless he will get more credit by it, and do more wonderful things then hitherto hath been done by the heavy corrosive oyl.
Of this green oyl, there may be taken from 1. 2. 4. 8. 10. or 12. drops at once, according to the condition of the patient and the disease, in fit Vehicles, in Wine or Beer, in the morning fasting, as other medicines are usually taken: Also the Dose may be increased or lessened, and as often reiterated as the disease shall require.
This Oyl expelleth all ill humors, not only by stoole and vomits, but also by urin and sweating, according as it doth meet with superfluities; and this very safely, and without any danger at all; whereby many diseases radically or perfectly may be cured.
Let no man wonder that I ascribe such great vertues unto this oyl, it coming from such a despicable stone, and its preparation requiring no great Art or paines, as those intricate deceitful processes do, that are every where extant in books quite filled up with them. And it is no marvel, that men are in love with such false and costly processes; for the most of them do not believe, that any good is to be found in things that are not in esteem; but only make great account of dear things, far fetcht, and requiring much time and paines for to be prepared.
Such men do not believe the word of God, testifying,That God is no respecter of persons, but that all men that fear and love him, are accepted of him. If this be true (which no good Christian will doubt) then we must believe also, that God created Physick or the matter of Physick as well for the poor as for the rich. Now if it be also for the poor, then certainly such will be the condition thereof, that it may be obtained by them, and easily prepared for use. So we see that Almighty God causeth not only in great mens grounds to come forth good Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, for the curing of the infirmities of mankind, but that the same also are found every where else. Whereby we perceive, that it is also the will of God, that they shall be known by all men, and that he alone, as the Maker of all good, may be praised and magnified by all men for the same.
I doubt not but that there will be found self-conceited scoffers, that will despise this so little regarded subject, as if no good thing could be made of it, because they could find nothing in it themselves. But be it known to them, that neither to me nor them all things have been discovered, but that yet many wonderful works of Nature are hidden to us: and besides that I am not the first that writ of Vitriol and its medicine. For the Ancients, our dear Ancestors, had always Vitriol in very great esteem, as the following Verse doth prove.