Otto Tachenius his Hippocrates Chymicus Discovering The Ancient foundation of the late Viperine Salt with his Clavis

thereunto annexed

Translated by J.J.V.
London Printed & are to be sold by W: Marshall at the Bible in Newgate street. 1690

TRANSLATOR TO THE READER.

THe Author of these Ensuing Discourfes, who is, as 'tis hoped, yet Living at Ve∣nice, hath his Name in an high degree of Merit amongst the Prime Physicians and Chymists of this Age; His knowledge in the Spa∣gyrical Art (in the judgement of those Emunct and Sagacious persons, who have Studied the Controversie betwixt Them) far exceeding That of Zwelfer, his Antagonist; who during this whole Treatife, goes under the name of the Re∣former, for the reason mentioned p. 2. The Tran∣slation it Self was not performed without Labour and Sweat, partly because the Editions which were made use of, one from Brunswick, the o∣ther from Leyden, were very unperfect and incor∣rect; partly also, because, The Author being more intent on Matter than Words, on Things than Expressions ('tis his own Apology, p. 4.) doth sometimes leave his Sense to be picked out by the Analogy of his Doctrine. If morose and su∣percilious Censurers shall object Impoliteness, So∣laecisme, Inept Cadencys and Cohaesions of Words and Sentences; Obscurities, length of Parenthe∣ses's,

and other flawes usually incident, or at least imputed to Translations: In bar to such Hy∣percriticks, I offer the particulars following, viz. That every Language hath its Idiom, which is not properly transferrable to another; That a Tran∣slator is no Paraphrast, but being limited to the Sense, and in great part confined to the Words of his Author, hath no allowable Liberty to make Excursions, or to add any explanatory Embellish∣ments to another Man's Work: It is his Province to write by the Copy before him (i. e.) to Vesti∣gate and Overtake the Author's Sense, and faith∣fully to render it; which I hope is here, not un∣happily performed; As for the Obscurity objected, The Doctrine it self must bear part of the Guilt (if any he) For That being Novel, or at least re∣trived from Antiquity, may not perhaps be so clearly and Apodictically explained in a Compendi∣um (which the Author intimates more than once) as to stop the Mouths of all Gain-sayers, though plainly enough (especially with the addition of the Clavis) to satisfie the Reasons, and convince the Judgements of Candid and Ingenious Readers. Lastly, Since 'tis an easie thing to be Witty in a∣nother Man's Labour, I shall conclude with the Poet,

Carpere vel noli nostra, velede Tua.
J. W.


PUBLISHER TO THE READER.
THis Book, as to the Translation of it, hath been sufficiently perused, justified, and approved by some of the most learned and experienced Chymists in and about this City: As to the Matter of it, it needs no other Commendation than the long since allowed and printed Observation and Approbation of the Roy∣al Society of England, in these words;

Philosophical Transactions, Aug. 16. 1669. Num. 50. page 1019.

OTTO NISTACHENII Hippocrates Chy∣micus Venetiis in 12o.

THis Author, though Printed two or three years ago, came not to our Knowledge, till now: He in his Tract endeavours to justifie the Ancients blamed by Zwelfer in his Pharmacopaea Augustana, for having committed several Faults in the preparation of a certain Salt

call'd Theriacal, because extracted out of Vi∣pers, and diverse other Ingredients composing Theriack; and having done this, he thence takes occasion to Treat of the Nature of Salts, especially of Alcalyes and Acids, which he, with some o∣ther Chymists, hold to be the first Principles of all mixt Bodies: And being perswaded that Hip∣pocrates was also of this opinion, and a great Chymist too, he Entitles His Book Hippocrates Chymicus.

Though the Salt Alcaly properly signifieth that Salt which is drawn out of the Ashes of an Egyptian Herb, named Kaly; yet Chymists take it in a larger Sense, and understand by that Word all the Salts, which, like that of the said Herb, draw and impregnate themselves with, Acid ones. To this Salt our Author refers almost all the Ope∣rations of Nature, and having examined its pro∣perties, relates divers, not Uncurious Observa∣tions concerning it.

For Example, That nothing pierceth so much as Alcalyes, and that therefore Nature hath sto∣red the Sweat of Animals so plentifully with it, for that the Ordure which continually gathers on the Skin, would soon stop the pores of it, if the Sweat were not furnisht with some efficatious Dissolvent to open and pierce Them; Whence he observes, that the best liquored Boots, and such as are Water-proof, will be quickly pierced by the sweat of Horses; adding, that though Riding-post, he had, to avoid that inconvenience, rubhed his Boots with a Vernice, which resisted even to Aqua Fortis, yet the Sweat of the Horses he rode on dissolved that fence after the second day of his Voyage.


Next, He holds it to be an error to use Spirit of Vitriol for whitening the Teeth, Experience shewing that from the mixture of an Alcaly and the Spirit of Vitriol, there results a yellow; and that there is an Alcaly, continually transpiring out of the Gums, as out of all the other parts of the Body; whence it must follow that the Spirit of Vitriol employed to rub the Teeth, when mixt with that Salt, must tinge them of the same colour.

Then he affirms, that Wood rotten hath no Al∣caly in it, and that it rots not, but upon the ac∣count of the exhaling of that Salt, Whence 'tis (saith he) That the Venetians to harden the Tim∣ber designed for building of Ships, sink it green in Water, and there leave it many years, which is the cause, That the Alcaly having been hin∣dred from exhaling, the Timber rots not, but becomes as hard in a manner as Stone.

We cannot pretermit taking notice, That this Author finds occasion in this Book to explain the way by which the Famous Turnheiser, a Ger∣mane Chymist made that celebrated Nail, half Gold and half Iron; which is shewed at Florence in the Repository of the Great Duke of Tuscany. 'Tis said, that That Chymist, having in the pre∣sence of that Prince, immersed in a certain Oyl, the one half of a Nail which appeared to be all Iron, that part which touched the Oyl, was in∣stantly found to be good Gold: Several persons having examined this Nail, and seeing the Gold and Iron, exceeding well conjoyned, were per∣swaded that it could not well be effected, but by a true change of one of those two Metals into the other; believing it impossible they could be So∣dered

together. But the Author of this Book maketh that a very easie thing, if the Iron be be∣fore prepared after a certain manner, which He teacheth; and He pretends, That That was the whole Secret of Turnheiser, the rest being nothing but Illusion; for after he had by that means So∣dered together a piece of Gold with half a Nail, He knew so well to give the colour of Iron to Gold, that Men believed that the whole Nail was of I∣ron; and having afterwards put this Nail into the Fire, and held it in the Oyl, to take off that colour, he made appear that Gold, which was hid before.


To the Most Serene and Mighty PRINCES, The LORDS
George William,
John Frederick,
Ernest Augustus,
Brethren.
By the Grace of GOD, DUKES of Brunswick and Lunenburg, &c. His Most Bonntiful LORDS.
POndering often in my Mind (High and Mighty Princes, and my Noble Patrons) the Great and many Favours which Your Grand and Prince∣like Liberality hath most Graciously heaped upon me, and thereby Eternally obliged me to Your Excellencies; I became solicitous and concerned in my thoughts, with what Veneration and Industry of Wit (answerable to the Obsequiousness of my Devoted mind) I might declare by some Testimony, at least, an endeavour of Gratitude for Your Benefits bestowed upon me. 'Tis the guise of Others in Dedicating their Lucubrations to Princes and Nobles, chiefly to concern themselves in Blazoning their Ge∣nealogies, and in Decyphering their Praises and Heroick Acts, in an high Method of Elegancy, thereby extolling them (as we say) with an open mouth to the Skies. But I (well knowing that the full-blown Elogies of Talkative Fame, do displease Your Excellencies, especially since glorious and me∣morable Vertue it self, for so many Ages backward (toge∣ther with Magnanimous Bounty) have flourished in the most August House of Brunswick and Lunenburg, and by God's

Blessing will ever flourist in the same) I, I say, waving there∣fore all such Proceedure do come only furnished with a gift not large, nor great (though you are worthy of both) nor glit∣tering with Gold, Silver, or Precious Stones, Ornaments which (Divine Bounty hath aboundantly replenished Your Highnesses withall, but) are denied to me, and persons of my condition: Mine is only a Paper gift, but extracted from the true Protochymick Art, which is most Ancient, and hath more in the Recess than it promises in the Front: Yea it is That, by which the uncreated Spirit, the Founder of the World d•d order and distinguish the (otherwise) confused Natures of things. Hereupon I perswaded my Self, that I could offer no gift more grateful to Your Highnesses, than a new work of this most Vetust, yet Wonderful and Necessary Science. A Work most curious in it self, which hitherto Envy hath forborne to restore, and to gratify the World with: For although the unconquerable Truth comes commended only by its own strength, and is sufficiently fortified by its proper and native Vigor (for nothing can subsist, which is not fir∣med in the very Foundation of Nature) and so enjoys this invincible Patronage; yet the plain Purity of my Writings being Dedicated to Your Eminencies, and thereby armed with so great Splendor, thus doubly strengthened, will appear more boldly in the sight of the World. Accept therefore (most No∣ble Princes) this Diminutive Gift for the bare Title's sake, and go on, if not entirely to love, yet somewhat to respect and favour,

VENICEthe Ides of May, 1666.

Your Highnesses most Devoted Servant, OTHO TACHENIƲS.


The PREFACE to the Courteous READER, And Lover of the Ancient Doctrine of HIPPOCRATES.
HIppocrates,* That bright-shining Light of Phy∣sick, did wrap up His Divine Oracles in Aenigma's, and with an Obscure Brevity, related his Precepts in all the parts of his Works; So that his Instructions and Apho∣rismes, by reason of their Obscurity, are wrested by Writers into diverse Senses; some of which Galen, with wonderful Skill and comely Order, hath digested into Chapters; but othersome, especially the Golden Book De Diaetâ, which is full of Mysteries, he hath left untouched. For the Divine Old-Man bequeathed Those only to the fol∣lowers of Chymistry; which Art was heretofore, and per∣haps in Hippocrates his time, called Natural Philosophy. For who can understand the rare sayings of that Old-Man, or comprehend the Soft Fire mentioned by him, unless he be well versed in this Occult Natural Philosophy of Hippocrates. Raimund Lully gives his Attestation hereto; for, says he,*Though a Logician may have as profound Wit, acquired, or natural, able to argue concerning outward things, yet he can never understand by any Reason grounded on Sense, how the Seed in the Earth doth germinate, in∣crease, and brings forth Fruit, unless, being assisted by experimental Learning, He first have made some progress in Our Natural Philosophy, rather than in That Sophi∣stical Wordy one, which Logicians do attain to, by sundry Phantastical suppositions and presumptions; who thereby, with the Prognostications of their sequels a∣gainst the force of Nature, do cause many Men pertina∣ciously to err, through an intoxicated Mind. But by our Mechancial Science, the Understanding is rectifyed in point of insight, and of true Mental Knowledge, by the force of Experience: Yea, Our Experiments are su∣perior to all phantastical Probations of Conclusions, and therefore admit not of Them, but do shew the way how all other Sciences may enter vigorously into the Under∣standing. Whence we further learn by Nature, that

Inward thing, That it is, and What it is; because by such Science the Understanding is freed from those superfluities and errors, which do ordinarily carry it off from the Truth, by reason of those presumptions and prejudices which are believed in the Conclusions. Hence it is, that Our Chymists have directed themselves through the path of every Science, to enter into all Experience by Art, according to the course of Nature in her Uni••cal Princi∣ples. For 'tis only Chymistry, which is the •lass of the true Understanding, shewing it how to feel and see Truths in a clear light, and therefore Tabula Smaragdina saith, By this kind of demonstration all Obscurity is banished and expelled from Man, &c.

Hippocrates points at the foundations of this most Anci∣ent Art,* in the beginning of his aforesaid Book.

All other living Creatures, says he, as well as Man, are constituted of Two principles, different in faculty, but concording, and joyntly fit for Use, Fire an Wa∣ter: Both of These together, are sufficient both for all other things, and also for themselves mutually; but ei∣their of them severally and a-part, is sufficient neither for it self, or any other, &c.

It is my purpose in this short Tract, to expose to View those two, hitherto Obscure Principles, to wit. This soft Fire and Coagulable Water, only out of a desire to propa∣gate Truth; which in this Age is wofully kept under by the Ha∣ters of Hippocratical Learning; not that I think it possible for any Men wholly to exinguish it, In regard it is Powerful, Impregnable, and Triumphant above all things in the whole World,* as Holy Writ also testifies; For Zorobabel says, Wine is strong, The King si stronger, Women strongest, but above all things, Truth beareth away the Victory; all the Earth calleth upon Truth; The Heaven praiseth it, it is always strong, it conquereth and liveth for ever∣more, &c.

I know many men according to the variety of their Disposi∣tions, [Obj.] will diversly censure me, for publishing That which Na∣ture hath decreed to manifest only to Philosophers; and Those too, •ugging hard after it; by Labour and Study.

For says Raimund,*Nature, my Lady and Mistress

appeared to me, and with Tears in her Eyes, bespake me thus; Alas! what shall I now do? endeavours are on foot to take away my Weapons and Instruments from me, and to plunder and discover my Secrets, &c. Whereupon I obliged my self to hide her Instruments and to preserve them from the hands of their enemies. These Instauments of Nature the profound Lullye, being so instructed by Hippo∣crates, keeps in the dark and points at them only in two Words, calling them Entia Realia.

So also Basilius Valentinus hides Them under the barbarous terms of Asa, and Phalaia: Yea, the same Mechanical In∣struments of Nature, which Hippocrates calls Fire and Wa∣ter, He elsewhere styles, Gladiatores:* And as Hippocrates did display them only to a few Disciples, after the manner of the Pythagoreans, under the operation of various Arts; so Basilius, following his Master,* chuses to represent them under the notion of Brewing of Beer, and other Rural Labours.

But Paracelsus despising vulgar Allusions, though con∣demned of Heresie by the Church, yet agrees with Hippocra∣tes in This most Ancient Learning, and holds forth the afore-said Instruments of Nature under the names of diverse*Spirits.

The rest of the Ancient Philosophers vailed the said Archi∣tectonick Instruments under the fained compellation of Re-bis (as if intimating two things) Hence the Rythme,

Est Re-bis in dictis rectissima norma figuris,
From Rebis, as two things,
The right Rule springs.
Others have notified and represented Them under other dis∣guises, &c.

I answer, [Ans.] That I was not without the deep consideration of these and many other things in my mind, yet (for a reason to be mentioned anon) I could by no means be diverted from my purpose; especially being perswaded, that therein I benefit the Common-Wealth, to which all of us owe the gratest part of our Fortunes: For in disphaying these Instruments of Nature, I do likewise exhibit a sure and certain Method, hitherto ob∣served by few, exclusive of all Ambages and Eallacies; so that for the future, This most Ancient, Noble, and Necessany Art of Chymistry may for ever be vindicated from the Calumnies and Barkings of Illiterate and Flagitious Persons, who are its •ude and ignorant Haters.


For what doth more frequently proceed from such Giant∣like mouths (not only against the afore-mentioned lights of the World,* but also against Those, who out of their zeal for piety and Freedom, have endeavoured by their assiduous labour and meditation to conquer those difficulties and dispel those Obscu∣rities, which the Ancients (worthy to be had in perpetual re∣membrance) have propounded) than the names of Apostates, Mountebancks, Empiricks, or Experimentalists (though this last Epithite they sparingly give; as not willing to men∣tion any thing of experience) Yea, they likewise threaten and crack amongst unlearned ones (a just Wonderment that so great Arrogance can be spent on so small a Subject) that they will shortly manifest to the World by their Pens, the Vanities of Chymistry, though they never yet knew what this Ancient Dame was,* nor had ever the honour to salute her, so much as at the Threshold. O how sorely do they mistake our Friend Galen, whose Followers, yet they profess themselves to be. For he teaches. That in every thing a Man must first be his Crafts-master, before he begins his Work. Assuredly there is a great difference between the Skill of making Experiments, and an habit of uttering vain and empty words. Of such Heraclitus said of old, It is not best to hide their ignorance; but 'tis fit (as Plutarch speaks) to discover it, and to endea∣vour to heal it.

Such Learned Men, who have not had their minds darkned by vain and prejudicate Opinions, have had far other thoughts of Chymistry:* For Mathiolus writes to Andrew de Blau, That no man can be an ordinary, much less a compleat Physician, who is not well exercised and versed in Chy∣mistry. But what need is there to alleage the Testimonies of Learned Men in the case? Nature it self fights for Her, which, without this Art, cannot produce so much as one grain of Seed; as shall be demonstrated: Hippocrates was very well skilled in this Ancient Doctrine, as will easily appear; Yea, He commends it to all the true lovers of Physick: Nay, without this Art the enemies and opposers of It would live like Bruit-beasts, not having an House to defend themselves a∣gainst the injuries of the Weather; for they would want Lime and Brick for building: neither would there be Glass for Win∣dows, nor Looking-glasses, or Spectacles, necessary helps

for Old-Mens eyes. Yea from whence could the least gain be expected? unless the melting of Minerals, and the separating of Metals had been found out by Chymistry? Were it not for This Art, Printing would fail, Nature of her self would ne∣ver bring forth Linnen, nor Paper, nor Ink to Write, or Print with; neither should we have any Colours, of which this necessary and noble Art hath produced an infinite number; for Cinnabar, Ultramarine, Blew, Minium, Cerusse, Pur∣ple,*Aurum Musicum, and the temperature of other Co∣lours, are the products of It: Yea, who can enumerate all the Benefits arising from this Art, for the use of Mankind? The whole Northern Region, as well as my own Country, owe much to this Art; for hereby is made a Drink out of Barley, which is called Ale, or Beer. Now Barley, as Galen teach∣eth, if it be a little boiled, causeth Windiness; if boiled to an higher degree, it occasions Obstructions. But our Ancestors being instructed by Hippocrates, through the help of this Art have excited the instruments of Nature in Barley it self, and have changed it into a new Seed, no longer called Barley but Mault. They boil this Mault after it is grinded, and again excite the inward Organs to Alteration, which action is called Fermentation, a Fervendo. After this manner, as Hippocra∣tes instructs us, is this most wholesome Drink made of It.

But what do I speak of Beer? The Juice of Grapes, of it self,* would never be made Wine, unless Art did concur to stir up the Organs in it to Operation. The like may be said of Bread,* which in the absence of this Art could never be compleated, unless the instruments of Nature in the Meal, by a proportionate degree of Fire and Water be excited from without? For when These be∣gin to act upon one another, for want of new matter, the Lump or Dough first sours, then by degrees it putrefies, and at last breeds Worms: But Art retards, or hinders the Operation of those Instruments by vehement Heat or Cold; and so the Work is perfected, and Bread made, which is so necessary for the Sustentation of Man's life.

Neither do Aliments alone stand in need of this Art, but also the most Wholesome and Effectual Medicines cannot be made without it, as amongst others, We may see in Treacle; for unless the infinite Instruments of Nature in the Simples, which make up that Compositum, be united by Fermenta∣tion, and so suffered to rest, it would be altogether useless.


For*Avicen says, That, That Medicine is of double Vertue which hath suffered Fermentation. For which cause the Inven∣tor thereof, being well skilled in Chymical Operations, adds Wine, that the Work may be more readily done. For all Natural things are transformed by Fermentation, as is plainly seen in the Juice of Grapes, in Brewing of Beer, and in Making of Bread.

But it is alleaged, [Obj.] though Reason and Truth it self do evi∣dence these things to be so; yet notwithstanding the Novelties which you introduce into Philosophy and Physick, and the Mi∣neral and Metalline Remedies prescribed by you, which are very contrary to Man's nature, and were unknown to Anti∣quity: These are the things which we implead and oppose.

I answer. [Ans.] It is an impossible thing to introduce Novelties into the World; but to perfect, alter, throughly to mix and compound things introduced already by the Creator, is very possible. This Hippocrates teacheth, and it is allowed to Art. So Flax or Hemp, by various alterations is made Paper: Grass by the like Alterations is changed into a Glove,* and also into Glew. The Juice of Flowers by a various Altera∣tion is made Honey; and Honey in like sort is changed into Hydromel, (i. e.) Mead or Methegline (a most pleasant Drink in Lituania, nothing inferior to Spanish Wine) and at length it turns to Vinegar, which is afterwards casily reduced to Elementary Water, Bread-corn by Alteration is made Hot-water, Sundry Simples gathered together and mixt in one, by Fermentation become Treacle. So, since Hippo∣crates his time, Cassia, Sena, Mechoacan, Cremor Tartari, and infinite other things are found out, which he made no mention of; which yet are not new, but only retrieved and brought forth into use again by long Study and Experience. So that we may boldly say with the Wise Man,*There is no new thing under the Sun. Whatsoever therefore the Followers of Hippocrates have handed out, and as it were Mid-wifed into the World, the same was from the beginning, though our eyes were not so clear-sighted, as to discover it. But Stephen Pas∣quier answers this Objection very Elegantly,

Dicitur esse novus, nobis Paracelsus, ob idque;
Crimen, in obseurum pellitur exilium.
At novus Hippocrates, novus est Chrysippus, &c ipsi
Romae Asclepiades, tempore quisque suo.
Qui nova damnatis, veteres damnetis oportet,
Aut ista nihil est in novitate novi.

Englished thus,

Some Paracelse of Novelty implead,
For which Judg'd Crime he erst was banished.
So Hippocrates, Chrysippus, and at Rome
Asclepiade too, were New, They'd all one Doom.
They who condemn new things, condemn the old,
Or else do both mis-judge, and are o'r bold.
As for Mineral and Metalline Remedies, neither these were not newly introduced into Physick, but were in use among the Ancients. For Treacle that most ancient Compound, is altoge∣ther Ineffectual without Chalcitis; Alkermes takes into its composition Lapis Lazuli, and Gold,* the perfectest and no∣blest of Metals. The same Mesue made Pills of the same stone of good use, in Melancholy and Madness; which latter Practitioners guild over with Gold or Silver.

At Vilna, the Metropolis of Lituania; I knew a Silver-Smith, a lusty Fellow, a Batchellor, unlearned,* yet of so hap∣py a memory, that in his own Mother Tongue, he could re∣peat almost word for word whatsoever he had once heard. This man from his youth to that very time, which was the 47th. year of his age, had accustomed himself daily to eat a little of the filings of Silver, as he was at work, and he firmly be∣lieved that the use thereof encreased his memory.

Emeraulds, Rubies, Jacinths,* do they not enter into va∣rious compositions, which we call Cordial ones?

Sulphur is daily prescribed in the Diseases of the Lungs,* and is praised by Dioscorides a very Ancient Writer.

Iron is commended by the Ancients in the Diseases of the Spleen, and we use it at this day with good success;* Mineral Waters were in great veneration among the Ancients, and we also have recourse to them every year in desperate cases.

But what will they say of Salt,* without which Man's Life cannot be sustained, and which we use every day in seasoning our Meat? Is that a new Invention? or had the Ancients no knowledge of it? yet it is excocted not only from the Sea, and from Fountains, but there are besides Mountains and Mines of native solid Salt, like Marble; out of which it is hewn, and grows again, like Stones in Quarries.

I my self have seen such in Valachia, and near Cracovia,

a greater Revenue arising thence to the King, than from any other thing; which yet cannot be called a Vegetable, nor an Animal; it must therefore needs be a Mineral.

So for external Remedies, The Ancients never composed their Oyntments, Plaisters, Collyries, and such like, with∣out Minerals and Metals.

Of Lead,* mix'd by Chymical Art, with Vinegar they made Cerusse for the Ʋnguent and Plaister, which is called White; of Lead is made Litarge, of which is made the Emplastrum Triapharmacum: All these were found out by the An∣cients.

Of Copper and Vinegar by the same Art is made Ver∣digrease,* which enters into the composition of the Egyptian Oyntment, so called from its Swarthy colour, the invention also of the Ancients.

But why do I spend time in mentioning these things, there is not an Old Woman in Italy, but will inveigh against the op∣posers of this Art? for without It, it is impossible for them to find out ony thing to Colour and Dye their Hair.

In a word, whatsoever Famous and Excellent thing is per∣formed by Art, it proceeds from the foundation of This Anci∣ent Philosophy; though men know this well enough, yet they are ashamed to speak it out.* The Old-Man, Hippocra∣tes, admiring at this stupidity and turning to his Followers, says (smilingly and with a low voice) The Divine Mind hath instructed men to imitate her Works; they know what they do, but are ignorant of what they imitate. They are Hippocrates his words. So that, Hippocratical Chy∣mists do not endeavour to produce new things, but to recal from Oblivion, Things approved by the Ancients.

It is further objected, That the strong Remedies of Quick∣silver, and Antimony do evince the ignorance of Chymists; The use of them being abominable,* and taken at Mouth, they oftenendanger Life.

As for the ignorane objected, I wonder not at it, for it is an Epidemical Disease in all Professions, and especially in Physick, which of necessity takes it original from this Ancient Art. This made*Hippocrates to say, That Physick was indeed the noblest of all Arts, but it was depretiated by

reason of the ignorance of those who practised it. 'Tis ignorance therefore which occasions all the Mischiefs in Phy∣sick; neither doth it raise greater envy any where, than amongst those who follow not the Chymical way of Practice, whose en∣vy sometimes appears in their looks: So that now a-days a Physician is ordinarily despised, and exposed to the Scoffs and Taunts of Facetious Wits: Oh, where is the Majesty where∣with Physicians did once shine amongst themselves? What's become of the esteem and brotherly respect one towards another, which*Hippocrates so much commends? In our age one Physician undervalues another, carping at what he says or does; yea, he quarrels at, and opposes (behind his back) That which he understands not; extolling himself amongst the ignorant Vulgar, for the sordid hope of a little Guin. If such persons by the help of our Furnaces, had learned that the Principles of Chymistry (i. e.) The Instruments of Na∣ture, according to Hippocrates, were the Foundations of Medicine, Physick had never been divided into so many Sects, as it is at this day. For now there is a Sect risen which di∣vides Physick into two parts, Chymical and Galenical, a∣gainst the mind of Old Hippocrates, who never mentioned but One, neither did Galen take notice of any such division. The opinions of Hippocrates and Galen seem too prolix to these men; for they are contented with a few Rules, and though ignorant of the instruments of Medicine, yet do pride them∣selves in being accounted and called the only Canonical Phy∣sicians by Old-Wives and Pl•beians. Galen, who was addicted to no Sect, yet most accomplished for Learning and Prudence, calls such men Servi, for He was willing to consult with all sorts of persons; Fisher-men, and men of the lowest rank, with rude and unskilful Plebeians (why then doth Sennertus in his Book De Consensu, chap. 4. impute This as a fault to Paracelsus) not only that he might escape the censure of Hippocrates (who also was not ashamed to ask questions of plain Countrey-men in the beginning of his Book of Precepts) viz. Ignorance, but also that he might be able to discern Truth from Falshood: For that quick-sighted person knew very well that nothing could happen more Calamitous to the Sick, than to lay credulity, presumptions, opinion, and uncertainties, as so many Syrtes and Quick-sands for the foundations of Physick. And though

in Galen's time Natural Philosophy, which now we call Chy∣mistry, was confined within a few mens breasts under an Oath of Scoresie, yet for the sake thereof He travelled over all Egypt, where that Art most flourished at that time; which shews the wonderful Curiosity and Diligence of the Man: for returning into his one Country, he distributed divers rare Medicines, which he there learned, among several Physicians, his Friends; That so they might be approved by their Experi∣ence. Thus he wrote of the wonderful efficacy of Fire and of Treacle to Piso, a Piece mst worthy to be read: And he high∣ly extols Aeschiros,* the Empirick, his Master, from whom he learned how to burn Crabbs.

Wherefore Galen's Praise remains entire, and He will al∣ways be accounted a most sagacious Person; To whom, as well as to Hippocrates, a Reverence is due, as to the beginners and producers of many, if not all Good Things.

So that Natural Philosophy (not styled Chymistry) ac∣cording to Hippocrates, is a most Ancient Science, being de∣rived from the Greek words 'Als, signifying Salt, and Cheo, to Melt: Hence came the word Alchymy, as much as to say, The Art of melting Salts. And 'tis rightly called so. For Nature herself can produce no fruit at all, unless the Internal Salts of the Seeds be dissolved in the Earth (as I shall Ocularly demonstrate:) And these once dissolved, do again act upon one another, and so arise into a Plant for its peculiar uses, and then they cease from their labour; for as Hippocrates af∣firms, One Spirit draws too, another thrusts from, both doing the same thing, and it inclines to either part (the Encreasing and Vegetating) and so they imitate the na∣ture of Man.

The Chymical Philosopher, instructed by Hippocrates, takes these Seeds thus brought by nature to Maturity, and in them considers those Two (Salts) the Organs of Nature, viz. Fire and Water; and by Art, he urges them to action, by melting the Salts according to Natures Law, as Alchymy teaches, and then a new thing is produced, which was not before; for Exam∣ple Bread, In This the Hyppocratist or Chymist again takes into consideration, the Instruments of Nature; which he fur∣ther assists by his helping-hand, melting the Salts; and imita∣ting Nature, he again brings forth a new Production, which

we call Vinegar: Now the Chymist observing that in this Vinegar the Fire doth exceed the Water (our Master teaching, That no Sapor should overcome by its proper faculty:) He therefore consumes the Acid part by its contrary, and again di∣vides the Fire from the Water, and so a new Production called Hot-water is generated, which afterwards by the occult help of Art, is fixed into an Alcaly; and so the Curious Hippocratilt goes on mixing and ulcering, till he obtains his intent: And at last he destroys both the Instruments or Faculties by repeated meltings of the Salts. And though hereby he may seem to ig∣norant Persons to have produced some New things, yet there is no such matter, for the things are most Ancient, only he melts and re-melts the Salts as often as the Laws of Nature will permit; which is not beyond the fourth Repetition, as* Learned Men with reason say. But of this enough at pre∣sent. Hippocrates shews that this repeated Fusion-melting, and Exaltation of Salts, honoured by the Ancients with the Title of Alchymy, hath place, not only in the Vegetable,* but also in the Mineral Kingdome; for, says he, Gold work∣ers do beat Gold, wash it, and melt it with a soft Fire, for it will not be made up with a strong.* By which say∣ing he discovers the ignorance and unskilfulness of Those, who write that Chymistry is exercised about the ignoble fusion of Metals and Minerals, as if these would be melted with a soft Fire; but the contrary is well known to such who have over∣seen either of them to be melted; for Gold requires not a gentle, but a very strong Fire; Wherefore the Philosopher doth not here understand this rude war of Operation, though he takes his be∣ginning from it; which he presently clears by a plain familiar example: Man, says he, doth thresh, wash, and grinde Bread corn, and baking it, he uses not a strong Fire to make it up in a body, but a soft and gentle one.

Wherefore the Fire of the Chymical Philosopher in the ex∣traction of Animals, Minerals, or Vegetables (called Small Elixirs by the Modernes) must be moderate. Hippocrates teaches, All things to be like which were unlike. But as soon as Fire exceeds the degree of being moderate, 'tis no longer the Philosophers fire, but the Artists; for then things are not advanced by the intervention thereof, but are altered thereby, as our Master teacheth in the fore-cited Book.


Whosoever therefore do apply themselves to the Fusion or Li∣quation of Salts, either with a gentle or a vehement heat, They all have their dependance on this Ancient Chymical Philosophy; So that such persons are in a gross and ignorant Mistake in the judgement of Hippocrates, who exclude A∣pothecaries from this Art. For when Pharmacopaeans do pound Vegetables, and wring out their Juice, then it is that they make a fusion of Salts, expelling and thrusting out the Exotick and Forrain, not being of one and the same temper (they are Hippocrates his words) but when they condense the melted Salts with Sugar into a Syrup, then they throughly mix and alter them; So 'tis, says Hippocrates, with the na∣ture of Man, all Arts communicating with humane Nature.

Wherefore if Nature do precede Art, and Art doth but imitate Nature, there is no man under the Sun, who hath not within himself, as it were a Chymical and Salt-melting shop; only the Canonical Physician, who bears an hatred to the opinions of Hippocrates, by reason of his ignorance of this Ancient Art, excepts himself, as being altogether unacquainted with this di∣vinely inspired Science. And by means of such Ignoramus's, Physick is accounted the meanest of all Professions, for it hath no foundation to build upon: Of such Ignorants, Seneca speaks. That they are always learning, but never attain to the knowledge of the Truth.

Hence it is that Galen in his rich Writings approves and com∣mends Hippocrates to us,* as the Guide and Author of all Good, which Epithites he frequently bestows upon him; there∣by eternizing and consecrating his Name to Posterity.

This so well grounded opinion of Galen, hath moved me, ne∣ver, as long as I live, to admit of any other Doctrine in Phy∣sick but that of Hippocrates, which I believe will be Coaevous with Nature it self.

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Otto Tachenius, HIS HIPPOCRATES CHYMICƲS.
The Occasion of writing the Ensuing Treatise.*
CHAP. I.
THe perfect knowledge of all Sciences is so diffi∣cult, that the Life of Man would sooner be at an end, than he can attain unto the compleat understanding of any one of them, (so as to be put beyond all dispute) by the help only of* Paper∣books. Socrates having made a through disquisition in∣to almost all Sciences, was then judged the wisest of men by the Oracle; when he openly professed, that he knew nothing at all: This the Preacher seems to confirm to us; I beheld, says he, all the Works of God,*that a man cannot find out the reason of the Works which are done under the Sun, and the more he labours to find it out, the further it is off; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it out. The Divine Hippo∣crates was not ignorant of this difficulty of obtaining knowledge in our Art of Physick, which made him inge∣niously to confess it in his* Epistles to Democritus: For, says he, though I am an old man, yet I am not arri∣ved to the true knowledge of Physick: And the same per∣son avers,*That our life is too short for the acquist of any
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one Science, from the very Foundation thereof. Hereupon he advises us, to honour and esteem those which have endeavoured to search out the hidden works of Wise Na∣ture;* adding withal, that no one of them could be justly blamed, though he were not able fully to find them cut. But it seems the Writer who reformed the Augustane or (Aus∣purgh) Dispensatory, was of another mind; his Book was printed at Tergow by William Vorhoven, A. D. 1657. Upon occasion of that Book, a few days since, my re∣spected Friend, John de Lanou, a Famous Bookseller of this City, asked my advice, whether I thought it worth his labor to Print it here, &c. 'Tis true, I had heard of the Title before, but I had never seen the Book, for I had not so much leisure as to spend my time in reading such Pieces: Nevertheless, upon that occasion, at spare hours I read it all over, and could not but take notice of, and wonder at that corrupt Custom (so familiar to him and others, against the direct Precept of Hippocrates) that whatsoever a man had honestly found out by great La∣bour and Study, and had commended it to Posterity in writing for the good of the Publick, the same should presently be traduced, defamed, and spurned at amongst the Ignorant Vulgar, not by force of Reason and Ex∣perience, but by monstrous Calumnies and Reproaches, that so (like Herostratus) they might procure some fame to themselves, by the ruine of other mens Credit. The Reformer of the Auspurgh Dispensatory treads in those steps, railing and declaiming not only against the Ancients, but the Moderns also; Followers of Hip∣pocrates and Galen, in such sort, that there is hardly an Arrow in the Quiver of Slander, which he shoots not at them. I had formerly instructed this Man in the way of making V•perine Salt, but under a Metaphorical dis∣guize (for I had denied to teach him in plain terms) and now he proclaims me for a Cheat,* and that I hin∣der by Imposture the making of it publick: I ingeniously confess, that here, at least in part, the Reformer speaks truth; for whatsoever made Physicians who were lo∣vers of Truth famous heretofore, the same things Im∣postors do craftily adulterate. Our Hippocrates was a∣fraid
Page 3
of such Cheats, which made him conceal his Anti∣pestilential Medicament, by which he had procured so much Honour to himself, and had happily and securely cured that Disease; as his Epistles do testifie.

Paracelsus did also dread Impostors, who by his won∣derful Art cured the (otherwise incurable) Contagions of the Body, as his Epitaph speaks; which may be seen graven on a stone at Saltsburge, in the Hospital of S. Se∣bastians.

In our dayes Lazarus Riverius feared the like Cheats, and for that cause he published his Specifique against Fea∣vors under a Metaphor. So Helmont very prudently vai∣led the Liquor which (with Paracelsus) he calls by a cor∣rupt Name Alcahest; which yet is not free from Adul∣terators; but instead thereof the Reformer substitutes Vinegar;* hereupon, being instructed by my loss, I be∣came my own School-master, and have often thought upon that Saying of Escheurenterus to Gratarolus, Thou knowest on easier terms the Sentence passed at Bononia, that he was proclaimed a Traytor to his Countrey, and worthy to be hanged, who first made a Filatory at Trent in Germany; which is an Engine whereby Raw Silk by Spindles is artificially drawn into Threads.

So that I have hitherto concealed That which might ennoble a Physician, being jealous, not without cause, lest by my sluggishness and neglect, it might fall into the hands of Impostors, and thereby the worthy and the unworthy should undergo the same Fate.

But the earnest importunity of this* Reformer hath caused me to select some things out of the heap of my Observations and Experiments (which I had designed only for my own use) and now to make them publick; yet still I keep to the Precept of†Hermes, That the Wisdom of the Author ought to be greater than his Book. But I must follow the Clew of inevitable Fate; and I undertake this labour the more willingly, that I may discover the right way to those that wander, and may bring back Straglers into it: As also, that those who have hitherto opposed this Art, might at length correct their mistakes, and begin to be wiser: And further also,
Page 4
that they who practise it, may assuredly understand that it is founded on the Principles of Nature; and so for the future may be delivered from the crafts and de∣ceits of Sophisters and Impostors. In this work, I mind more the Truth of the Cause, than the Ornaments of Elocution; for the speech of Truth, says Euripides, is plain, neither matters it therein what stile we use, espe∣cially since Cicero doth not require Eloquence in a Phi∣losopher, much less doth Celsus in a Physician: For as Plato saith,* when we dispute of things, the rudeness or the elegancy of words are not to be heeded, but only that satisfaction may be obtained, as to the Doctrine of the things themselves; neither have I inserted florid di∣sputings, or odious altercations, but whatsoever offers it self more occultly to the Senses, that, Experience being my guide, I have despoiled of its coverings, and have exposed the truth of things naked to the eyes of all be∣holders, so that every individual man may know it; for Truth loves brevity, not disputation. By this Com∣pass I have Steered: Draw near therefore, all ye Lovers of Truth, and you shall behold things (both admirable and pleasant) with your eyes, yea and handle them with your hands, which have hitherto stood remote from our sensation and knowledge. Now to the work it self.

CHAP. II.
Qui nimium properat, serius absolvit.
Or,

No more haste, than good speed.
THe* Reformer begins with a lofty Brow: Now, says he, let us come to the examination of the Salt of Treacle of the Ancients, whose preparation was so Childish and absurd, that their simplicity did no where more appear than about it, &c. And a little after, Animals only have Volatile Salt, and in a violent Calcination, leave commonly nothing behind them, save only Terra Mortua; yea, the rest
Page 5
of their absurdities are not to be passed over in silence,*in that they substituted Sal Armoniack in the place of Common Salt, not at all, as I perceive, understanding the matter, because all the Sal Armoniack is vanished into Air, and so there remains nothing to them, neither of the Vipers, nor of their added Salt. Thus. he.

But for my part I cannot see that the Ancients deserve to be accused of absurdity or simplicity in this thing, so as to incur the undue reprehension of the Reformer: so thet before we judge, we are to hear, and that both sides; and we ought to find out what the Sal Armoni∣ack of the Ancients was, and for what reason they sub∣stituted it in the room of Common Salt? and for what end? and wherein their offence lay? so as to merit the rash anger and bitter despight of this Reformer.

To make these things more plain, it is necessary that we dive into the secret nature of certain Salts,* in order to the examination and understanding of them, and of the differences between them, by accidents proper to them, and known to Sense, and that not by Logical and convertible Syllogismes, or imaginary Non-Entities, but by an Experimental and Natural History: I say then, and am ready to prove, that not Animals only have Volatile Salt, but, against the Opinion of this Reformer, that all Vegetables also have not a grain of fixed Salt by Nature, unless they acquire it by Ary. But first I will speak of things more known, proceeding after∣wards, by degrees, to those which are more occult. Pliny witnesseth, that Natural Sal Armoniack was in great use amonst the Ancients; It is found, says he,*in Africa, in the Country of Cirenia, till you come to the Ora∣cle of Jupiter Hammon in lumps, somewhat, long, and under the Sands. Diascorides confirms the same, that Sal Armoniack is praised from the Country where it is found. This Salt endures constant in the fire, being, af∣ter its manner, of a more Salt-acid relish, than our com∣mon Trencher-salt, as I shall shew, and therefore the Ancients found it more advantagious for Medicines, and for that cause have more commended it to us: But that which is brought to us is not in longish lumps, neither
Page 6
is it Natural, but is made by Art, viz. of the Natural, and of the Volatile Alcaly of Ammals, as the resolution of it shews, according to the Axiom of*Aristorle, for it is divided into an Acid Spirit of Salt, and also into a volatile Alcaly (all salt things are divided into two sub∣stances, viz. Alcaly, and Acid, as I shall shew by de∣grees) both which being separated, and again reunited, become the Sal Armoniack which it was before. The Acid part or Spirit, hath all the properties of that which is distilled from Common Salt; but the Alcaly is of the same nature with that which is sublimated from Mans Urine, only 'tis not so stinking: Whence I conjecture, that they chose Camels Urine, not Mans, for the com∣position:* For the Urine of Camels, as Pliny observes, is more profitable for Fullers, than the Urine of other A∣nimals, from whence there must needs be a richer Al∣caly; perhaps because they eat no Salt, as other Ani∣mals do, for common Salt doth not wash out, or cleanse;* therefore Nansicca, the Daughter of Alcinous, washed her Linnen in a Fountain on the Sea-shore, as Ho∣mer records.

But Artificial Sal Armoniack is made after the same manner as Sope; for Nature works alike in every thing, as*Hippocrates says, to wit, of the Acid part of Sal Ar∣moniack, and the Alcaly of the Urine of Camels (or of other Animals, 'tis all one) I have made the like Salt from the Alcaly of Soot, and the Acid Spirit of Salt, (for want of other) for the Urine doth dissolve the Salt by Maceration; and the Alcaly of the Urine, which o∣therwise in a few days would vanish,* here being delayed and stop'd, finds the Acid which it imbibes; and so of the Acid part of the Salt, and the Alcaly of the Urine, a new Artificial Creature is produced of a salt relish: But that which is not of the same nature, nor† accords with this new Salt, of its own accord is severed, and sinks to the bottom. The clear Salt liquor swimming at top they boil and scum, and again suffer the Faeces to settle, and at last coagulate it into a Cake. This is the Sal Armoniack which is brought to us, but it is not that which the An∣cients chose for Salt of Treacle, as the Reformer guesses;
Page 7
but that is the Natural which is found under the Sands (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) as Pliny shews in the fore-cited place, of which I shall speak more clearly in the Progress of this Work; but before I proceed, I must explain more fully what Alcaly is.

CHAP. III. Sal Alcaly, what it is.
IT is not my purpose here to deduce the matter,*ab ovp, as they say, or from the very Elements, but to manage a Demonstration concerning things Physical, Natural, Material, and known by our Senses. Know then, that Salt-Kaly is made of the Herb Kaly, coming in great quantity out of Egypt, which is there burnt whiles it is green, and so brought over to us, and is called by some Soda, and Alumen Catinum, but the right name is Sal-kaly. This Salt is not found in Natures three King∣doms, unless it be produced by Art, through the help of Fire; whence it is that this Virgin is said by the Ancients to have three Fathers, viz. Nature, Fire, and the Philo∣sopher.

This Sal-kaly, as other Salts, is part of the Compositum,* yet deprived of its seminal vertues, only it hath an ab∣stersive, Sope-like, and resolving property; and by rea∣son of this inanition, being as it were without form, it sucks up and imbibes all sorts of Acids, (the Ancients call it impregnation.) Hence it is that all Salts which do mortifie Acids are called by one general name, Alca∣lies, which are found not only in the vegetable, but also in the Animal and Mineral Kingdoms: And in these three, there are several sorts of them, viz. six'd, vola∣tile, manifest, occult, and of a middle nature, taken from parts of Animals which are to be demonstrated to the eye. But first I shall begin with that which is more known, which is found in a Flint, which considered, quatenus, a Flint, is thought by the unskilful to be under the Regiment only of one Rector; but the skilful
Page 8
Glass-men of Murano have observed, that though taken from its Native place, it weighs 100 l. yet it yearly ac∣quires 10 l. or* thereabouts, to its weight. Hence the Hippocratist learns, that Jovis omnia plena, yea that it re∣ceives nourishment from the ambient Air, but as soon as the External and Artificial Fire supervenes, then the skilful Operator sometimes converts it to Glass, and sometimes to Calx or Lime: So that the Hippocratical and Chymical Philosopher comprehends two different Fa∣culties in a Flint (being so instructed by his† Master Fire and Water so called, for the two reasons which constituted a Flint:) These Faculties the Chymists alter by the help of a due Fire, which alteration is called In∣cineration, for of its own accord it turns to a Powder, whence it is called by a common name, Calx or Lime.

In this Calx or Calcinated Ashes, the Chymist again comprehends the above-named Faculties, which for our better understanding, we will now once for all,* and at all times hereafter, call the Acid and the Alcaly from their effects.

Calx then, or Lime, hath two Salts, or (as Hippocra∣tes) two Faculties in it self,* the Acid, and the Alcaly, both most constant in the fire, and one contrary to the other; and when the Calx is sprinkled with water, then the Salts are dissolved, and act upon one another. The Alcaly sucks in, and acts upon the Acid, and this again assumes the Alcaly, not for the destruction of either, but for the Production and Generation of a new thing, and whatsoever they lay hold on in that Generation, not be∣ing too heterogeneous from their natures, is concreted with them into the hardness of stone; so one contrary is coagulated by another.

This knowledge of Calx, if the Reformer had learned out of Hippocrates, the Poor Man had never gone about the fixation of viperine Alcaly with Calx, as with a la∣mentable voice he declares in his Discourse concerning Salt of Treacle.* After the Hippocratist hath learned, that according to the Laws of Nature, Calx is petrified by contrary Faculties, then he reminds the Lesson of his Master and Instructer, viz. that like is to be dissol∣ved
Page 9
by like, and that not only in Artificials, but in Na∣turals, especially in Physick, and Humane Bodies, as will anon appear; for Arts do imitate Humane Nature:* they are Hippocrates his words, who also teacheth, That agreeable things adhere to one another.

CHAP. IV. Alcaly and Oyl are made Soap.
CAlx or Lime, as I have said, hath two different Fa∣culties, Acid and Alcaly: I have shewed before, that Alcaly hath at least a Soap-like and abstersive ver∣tue,* which Hippocratists have taught to extract and sepa∣rate by its like: Therefore Soap-men add to the Calx a factitious Alcaly, burnt out of Vegetables in a triple proportion, because it mortifies the Acid part in the Calx, and melts the other part by its like; wherefore they moisten a little the Alcalized Ashes, with which they cover over the unslacked Calx, and so leave them, until the Lime or Calx falls asunder, as a sign of mutual action; then they mix them together, and pour on water, that the Mass may become moister (according to the Rule, Salts act not unless they be dissolved) then with a sufficient quantity of water they extract the Lixivious Fiery Alcaly; (I call it Fiery,* because this boiling Lixi∣vium, or Ley, consumed in a moment a Drunken Man with his Woollen Cloaths, so that nothing of him was found but his Linnen Shirt, and the hardest Bones, as I had the Relation from a Credible Person, Professor of that Trade) which Fiery Lixivium they call Magistra, which is glutted with so much Alcaly, that an Egg will not sink in it. Of the same mixture is made also another Lixivium, less saturated, which will not bear up an Egg; with this last Lye (for certain reasons) in boiling of Soap, they first mingle Oyl or Tallow, (which is contra∣ry to Alcaly, as containing an occult Acid, as will ap∣pear by degrees) but they boil it with a soft fire till they wax white, then they add the Magistra in a triple pro∣portion
Page 10
to the Oyl or Fat;* and in biling, the Oyl and Alcaly are coagulated, till they are compacted into one Body, as contraries, and throughly mixed; For they ne∣ver consist together in the same, but are always altered; so that of necessity the things severed and produced from them, must be dissimilary in their nature. For out of the mani∣fest Alcaly, and the occult Acid in the Oyl, is produced a thing of a Neutral Nature of a salt relish; sometimes they make tryal of it by the tongue, if the taste be sweet, they add the Magistra, if it be biting, it must be boiled till it hath absorbed the Oyl; but if it be more than or∣dinarily pungent, then they pour in Oyl leisurely at dis∣cretion, as Hippocrates teacheth,*Spiritus unus trahit, al∣ter protrudit, &c One Spirit draws to, another thrusts from, but both do the same thing, and tend to either part, and so they imitate the nature of man. Sea-salt, because it is no vacuous and empty Body, as Alcalyes are, is not coagulated with fat, or Tallow into Soap, for it hath both its Faculties, not to be separated without difficul∣ty, as I shall shew hereafter: For which cause, Nausicca the Daughter of Alcinous washed her Linnen out of a Fountain on the Sea-shore, as Homer relates, 6. Odyss.

CHAP. V. The Composition, and Dissolution, or Destruction of Glass.
GLass is made of the same Flint, and the same Sal Alcaly, by the Rule of Contraries, but not the moist way, (as Soap) but by a dry and fiery Fusion and Liquation: For sometimes three, sometimes two parts at least of the Powder of Flints are mixed with one part of Sal. Alcaly (not of Acid, Trencher-salt) which by cor∣rosion slacks the Flint, and absorbs it in the fire of Fu∣sion. I say, part of the Alcaly sucks up the Acid which the Flint contains for Lime or Calx, and it swims a top of the slaked Flint,* and is called Axungia Vitri. The Fel Vitri, being another part of the Alcaly, makes a co∣alition with the Flint, and is saturated by it; and be∣cause
Page 11
they consist not in the same, as Hippocrates teaches, they both become a Pellucide Mass; then Artificers say, the Glass is baked: But the Alcaly swimming a top, and saturated with the Acid, that they scum off with an iron Ladle, and call it Fel Vitri, and cast it a∣way as unfit for Glass, for by the mixture it is changed into Salt; therefore Shepherds give it to their Cattle to lick, especially in places where Salt is dear; this, in moist weather, easily turns to a liquor, and then the Powder of Flints subsides of its own accord: The liquor by heat is coagulated into true common salt, as its Granulation, and also its Distillation shews; but the Bottom, or Eoex, is a Medicine not to be despised in difficulty of Urine, as also is Flint fired and slaked in water.

But this Water is sometimes prescribed without suc∣cess, especially when the Flint is less heated by its pro∣per heat, and that Diuretick vertuo ceaseth, which then perisheth and ceaseth, when the haat of the fire doth Alcalize the Flint (i. e.) when both Faculties go toge∣ther into one, for then it doth not reach to the Urinary places, by reason of its fixedness; yea, at that time it hinders and retards other things which provoke Urine, in as much as it troubles the digestion of the Stomach, (which is made by Acids) and appropriates it to it self.* Then the Ancients began to reduce Glass into Powder of Flints, by Extinction, into an Acid Salt, with good success.

This Reduction and Preparation which is purely Hippo∣cratical and very Ingenious,* the Reformer (like himself) calls sleight, unprofitable, inept, and by all means to be exploded, See, saith he,*how basely such Putative and Wordy Philoso∣phers do discover themselves, who are destitute of that Philo∣sophy which is true, and into what crrours they fall, discover∣able and derideable not only by those who throughly search the secrets of Nature, but even by Clowns and Rusticks, old Wives and Gossips: Glass this way prepared (as our Re∣former pungently goes on) cannot be given without danger and hazard to a sick man, though he be not presently sensible of it.

Page 12
But I will prove against the frivolous Objections and Grounds of this Reformer, that he who taught this Burning of Glass was in the right, and I will vindicate him from those Calumnies wherewith he is aspersed, e∣specially from this, That Glass this way prepared, cannot be given to the Sick without danger and detriment.*

Take then clear and transparent Glass, melt it with more Alcaly, like Glass, afterwards expose it to the moist Air, and you shall soon find the whole Glass to be resolved into water; your upon this a sufficient Acid, contrary to Alcaly, and the Powder of Flints will sub∣side.

This Powder is no longer Glass, but the Powder of Flints, which the Reformer abhors, and says, it cannot be given to the Sick without detriment,* forgetting that he himself commends the Powder of Flints to Queens for producing of Milk. The Ancients were not acquaint∣ed with this separating Art, (which was bestowed on Mortals from above) yet they had some hints of it by discourse; and therefore they began to extinguish or slake the Powder, or Flower of Glass, in Ashes of Bean∣stalks, whose Salt is of an Acid salt nature, as I shall shew by and by; they repeated the Extinction always with new Ashes,* and washed away the Powder of the Glass with water, so that every Extinction was the de∣struction of the Glass, or Aloaly; this they washed, and again extinguished, until the Bean-ashes had destroyed all the Alcaly, and had left an impalpable Powder. This is the Powder of Flints, as That before melted with Alcaly, and precipitated with Acid, which the Reformer thinks cannot be safely given at Mouth, so much as to Country people, though he commends it to Queens (as I have said) to procure Milk.

In this Preparation (which the Reformer out of his sloth and ignorance) calls sleight,* lies hid the profound knowledge of Natural things, as will appear by degrees, and the taking of it is not at all to be feared, as the Reformer falsly teacheth; But ignorant persons are of necessity subject to great fears.

Page 13
CHAP. VI.
Rumor sine Capite.
A Report without ground.
THere is a way reported and practised of drawing out the Diuretick Vertue from Calcined Flint, by the destruction of the Alcaly, (that is, by a rule contrary to the Alcaly) with Acid Spirits, after this manner; into Spirit of Salt, they put by piece-meal unslaked Lime, the Spirit is presently absorbed by the Alcaly of the Lime with great force and vehement ebullition, they draw forth the insipid Phlegm, and dissolve the Lime sa∣turated with the Acid Salt, they melt it with a gentle fire in a Crucible, straining it into a cold Mortar; when it is cold they beat it to Powder, (it then emitting fiery sparks) from which, with hot water, they elicite the saltness; this they purifie and coagulate, and again suf∣fer it of its own accord to run into a salt liquor, not unprofitable. But there are some Sophisters and Impo∣stors who give forth, that this Liquor is distilled in a Lembick, for they mix the foresaid Liquor with Calci∣ned and Powdered Flints in a fourfold proportion, and distil it with an open fire into an Acid Spirit, which by a wrong name they call Spiritus Calcis Basilii. Now let us see to what Original or Parent, we may ascribe the foresaid distilled Spirit.

First of all, the Spirit of Salt was absorbed and swal∣lowed up by the vitrifying Alcaly, and most constant in the fire.

Further, the Acid part of the Flint was separated by the water, and cast off under the covert of the Faces.

Thirdly, the fix'd Alcaly of the Flint or Lime drinks up the Acid Spirit of the Salt, and a Salt is made of the volatile Acid and most fixed Alcaly.

Fourthly, they mix this Salt with the Calcined Flints (i. e.) with the unslaked Lime, which abounds more with Alcaly than Acid, as I have shewed in Glass and Soap.

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And though this Mixture be urged with the strongest fire, what else can it distil forth than a volatile Acid? that is, the same Spirit of Salt which the Alcaly had ab∣sorbed and drunk up: Famous and Learned men have commended this Spirit in the Gout and Stone, as a singu∣lar Remedy, but the success hath not answered: But Basilius, ill interpreted and understood, wrote not to Impostors, and therefore he is wrongfully accused by them for a Cheat: Rightly therefore doth the Comoedian commend us, If thou be wise, make thy self ignorant of what thou knowest.

An Addition to this Examen.

By this Method (after you are once instructed in this Hippocratical Learning which I hold forth in this short Tract) you may in every Process,* as well Chymical as Medicinal, by ingenuity and discourse, discern, prove, and separate Truth from Falshood, without any expence or loss of time, so as no longer to be gulled by Decei∣vers and Cheats; yea, by the same method you may in your Operations, and in writing of Books, travel on perpetually the right way (without wandering) in this Natural, Chymical, True, and Ancient Philosophy, through all the three Kingdoms, Animal, Mineral, and Vegetable, as you will confess in the Progress.

CHAP. VII.
Qui bene distinguit, beue docet.
To distinguish well, is to teach well.
FOr our clearer light and understanding, it will be worth the while, before I proceed, to demonstrate to the Eye the difference of Alcalyes, and to shew what the contrariety, or the absorbing and imbibing of Acids is: There are, as I have said, several degrees and Spe∣cies of fix'd Salt-Alcaly, as of Tartar, which hath a singular priviledge, of Lime-trees, of Hazel, of all sorts of Oaks, and those which in the Forrests of Norway, Lituania, and Muscovy, are burnt out of green wood in∣to
Page 15
to Pot-ashes: Also all hot and Oily Herbs, as Rosemary, Laevender, Rue, &c. all of them, in a word, are contrary to, and destroyers of Acids, whose difference the follow∣ing Experiments shew.

Dissolve an ounce and half of sublimate Mercury (which by the* mixture is changed from Acid and Alcaly into Salt) into fifty ounces of common water di∣stilled: into a part of this clear solution, infuse by drops, yet somewhat quickly, the fixed Alcaly of Tartar (which is the Liquor of Tartar resolved of its own ac∣cord) this in a moment divides the Compositum, absor∣bing the Acid, and the Mercury presently goes to the bottom of a colour obscurely red.

From the Calcined Faeces, or Lees of Vinegar,* there is drawn forth with water, Alcaly of Tartar, which though produced out of the same Vine with Wine, yet it precipitates a•Mercury sparkling and splen∣dent.

But when the same Alcaly is Calcined by Art to a redness, then the same Mercury falls down like pounded Cinnabar.

The Tartar being burnt up, if you add the Calx, and draw forth the Alcaly with simple water, then the fall∣ing Mercury glisters like Gold; but extracted out of the Herb Kaly, it precipitates a Mercury, much more dark coloured than the former: The Lye, or Lixivium, which Soap-boilers call (Magistra) which consists of the Calx, and Alcaly of Oaks, yields Mercury darkly yel∣low.

There is an Alcaly brought out of Spain, 'tis not cer∣tain whether a simple or compounded one, which yet precipitates Mercury of a Tawney yellow co∣lour.

But when the same Mercury is precipitated with Al∣calyes of Cephalick Herbs, as of Rosemary, Lavender, &c. these indeed are Alcalyes, but not of Ashes, as the for∣mer, but much more volatile: These, I say, cast Mercu∣ry red and shining.

So Celandine hath a wonderful Alcaly (so that its fisth Essence (which yet I take to be the Gift of Hea∣ven)
Page 16
(i. e.) the Alcalized Liquor of this Spiritual Salt is praised,* not without a Mystery, by Paracelsus and Lully.• and it casts a most red Mercury. I once carelesly neg∣lected the small Vessel in which 'twas put, and caused it not to be washed, and about a Month after, at the top of the Liquor there appeared a Golden Flower, not unlike the Flower of Celandine, (it was chamfered in its Coalition, like Nitre) to the wonderment of the be∣holders.

These Examples do shew, that by how much Alcaly is fuller of Fire, the Mercury falls so much the darker, be∣cause that in the very instant of absorbing,* the Fiery Alcaly affects and flashes against its Sulphur like Light∣ning; but the further it recedes from Ignipotence, the Mercury falls the brighter: so that volatile Alcalyes, as of Soot, and of all Animals, from the aforesaid Soluti∣on, do precipitate Mercury of a white and snowy co∣lour; all which will more clearly appear in the Pro∣gress. So Mercury precipitated from the Balsam Sa∣mech, casts a snowy colour,* somewhat inclining to yel∣low; but if you pour on more than its Nature can bear, then it turns to a glittering colour.

But salt things, of what kind soever, do not precipi∣tate Mercury out of the above-named solution; yea, by how much the nearer they approach to the nature of Salts, so much the less they hurt Acids.

Examples follow.

Alcaly of Saltpeter, though its first Original be from Alcaly of Urine, yet with Sulphur being fix'd into Alca∣ly, (and therefore it tasts somewhat saltish) it somewhat disturbs the Mercury so dissolved, but doth not precipi∣tate it; but if you add to this Pulverised mixture, be∣fore it doth deflagrate, and leave burning, a certain fix∣ed and dried Alcaly (of Tartar) and keep it over a gen∣tle fire, then first it melts the Sulphur, and the pingue∣ous Acid of the Sulphur preparing for its flight, is gree∣dily imbibed or drunk in by the Alcaly, which is also pin∣gueous; as it happens in the preparation of Lac Sulphuris the moist way: The heat still continuing, the Nitre also is melted, whose sulphureous and inflamable part is asso∣ciated
Page 17
to its like, viz. to the Pinguedo of the Sulphur; yea it is greedily received in by the Alcaly (a middle part of which is sufficient, in respect of the Powders, as of*Nitre three parts, of Alcaly of Tartar two parts, of Sulphur one part) and so becomes Salt. In this Salt mass, each of the Sulphurs doth boil, or bubble up, and the fire continuing, and being increased, they take flame, which in the kindling, not enduring the narrow∣ness of place in the Salt, bursts out into the Air with a noise like Thunder: That these things are so, the Alea∣ly, which is sometime left behind, may inform us, espe∣cially when it is kindled not in a Concave, but in a plain place, and very leisurely; for then it is changed by the Acid Spirits into Salt, and doth not any longer precipitate Mercury. Hence by the way we may learn, that

This is the ground why Ceraunocryson, or Aurum Fulminans gives a crack, or loud noise.

I have elsewhere shewed that the Spirit of Nitre in Alcaly is made Nitre of Tartar.* Gold is almost all Sul∣phur (after its own sort and manner) as I have also ex∣perimentally demonstrated in its place; for which rea∣son it is not corroded by Acids. Gold therefore being dissolved in salt water of Nitre, Allum, and Sal Armo∣niack, or common Salt, if you pour in by little and lit∣tle (not all at once) a certain Alcaly, the Acid Spirit of the Nitre (for the Spirit of Allom or Vitriol in the distil∣lation of Aqua fortis doth not ascend) takes to it self a Body in the vacuous and empty Alcaly, and so becomes natural Nitre; but the sulphurous Nitre easily adheres (via humida) to the sulphurous* Gold, because of the si∣militude between them; and they are so throughly mix'd together, that by no art of Ablution they can be separa∣ted (i. e.) when the Acid of Nitre is imbibed by the Al∣caly, it is coagulated into natural Nitre, which finds the Sulphur in the dissolved Gold, and with it, as being of the same nature, to use Hippocrates's words, it receives coagulation, as I have shewed in Calx: But if you pour on more of the Alcaly, so that it exceed the degree of Nitre, then the Nitre also inclines and deflects to the
Page 18
nature of Alcaly, and it can no longer be called Aurum Fulminans, of which more anon. But to return from this digression.

So also Fel Vitri* contracts the same relish, becom∣ing Salt from the Acidity of the Flint, for it doth not precipitate Mercury at all.

Liquor of Talck (not Oyl, as the ignorant vulgar think, for it conceives not flame) stirs not Mercury at all; as neither do Salts from all Diuretick Herbs, as Bean-stalks, Broom, S. John's Wort, Rupture Wort, Net∣tles, &c. all these, I say, are Acid-salt, and do not pre∣cipitate Mercury from the said Solution; but when they are Alcalized by a quick flame or Fusion, then the Mer∣cury falls down reddish.

Hence it appears, that that most Learned Man of the Ancients, who taught us to extinguish red hot Glass in the Ashes of Bean-stalks, and not in its Salt, did rightly institute the burning thereof, and not according to the Doctrine of our unskilful Reformer, lest the Salt should unadvisedly assume the nature of Alcaly, of which I have spoken before in the fifth Chapter.

The salts of the Ashes of vulnerary Herbs, such as Bettony, Agrimony, Winter-green, Elatine, Star-wort, Sanicle, &c. all yielding a tart Salt, are therefore unfit for vitrification, and do not precipitate Mercury, which is of the same taste, as shall be shewed in its place: But all the aforesaid Salts, by the fire of Fusion, do change their nature, and become Alcalyes, are vitrified, and do precipitate Mercury of a sparkling colour: Hence Zoar upon Exodus observes, that Glass is made of any Ashes (i.e.) when they are reduced to Alcaly.

Common Salt doth not precipitate Mercury,* from the above-mentioned Solution; yea, although it be burnt a long time, and with a quick flame, it would never be∣come Alcaly, neither doth it change its nature by dige∣stion; wherefore it is the perfectest of all Salts, and by a singular priviledge is called by Helmont, The excellentest of Salts. So Salt of Vipers doth not precipitate Mercu∣ry, unless the Acid and the Alcaly be again separated one from the other, of which hereafter.

Page 19
Salt of Wormwood, being Acid-salt, doth not for that reason precipitate Mercury,* neither doth it absorb Spirit of Vitriol, as the Reformer teaches under the Title of Coagulated Spirit of Vitriol; but when it is Alcalized, it precipitates Mercury yellow, and then also it absorbs the Acid Spirit of Vitriol, and vitrifies.

Hence we learn, that in a fire stronger than the nature of the thing will bear, Salts will be fixed, and converted into a Neutral thing; wherefore many things are produ∣ced by the sole Regiment of Fire, not as if they were entirely generated anew, and brought forth to light for increase (as the vulgar, being ignorant of this Hippocra∣tical Learning, do suppose) but only by a simple altera∣tion of the Subject, as my Hippocrates shews;* and they also know, who have skill to make an Harmonious Con∣junction between the External and Internal.

So also, without the help of Fire, Salts are changed from their natural temper; as for example, mingle Li∣quor of Salt of Wormwood, not Alcalized, with Rose∣mary, and the Solution becomes milky, both of them being coagulated into a Neutral thing.

On this Foundation stands the Process of the Febri∣fuge Medicine of Lazarus Riverius,* hitherto known to few; but I shall crave leave a little more clearly to ex∣plain it, know then, that it is made of one only Sub∣ject representing Alcaly, and two Acids, all of them not having yet undergone the Fire, but by Exaltation so of∣ten repeated, till you see it again changed from black∣ness into a most white, volatile, artificial Salt, not un∣pleasant to the taste, to which afterwards the fourth Athleta is added (i.e.) Scammony, as appears in the Pro∣cess. But who can enumerate all the Metamorphoses which arise from the mixture of Salts; some of them assuming one form, some another, by their mutual mix∣tures, as Hippocrates teaches.*

It is to be observed, that Salt of Soot having its Ori∣ginal from the stock of vegetables, doth precipitate Mer∣cury from the aforesaid Solution white, spongy,* and light, as do the volatile Alcalyes of all Animals, as shall be said anon; but if they are converted into Salts, then the Mercury falls no more.

Page 20
Hence we may conclude, that almost all oily Herbs, and such as are counted hot and pingueous, do yield Sal Alcaly by a light and simple Incineration; to which if the Hippocratist renders its proper Pinguedo, by an hidden Coction, they are converted into an admirable Salt, which is then called by our Chymists (Elixir Parvum) and is of great* vertue in Physick, of which in its place. The salts of other Herbs do degenerate and turn into imperfectly Salt, or into Acids, and by a quick flame, or the fire of Fusion, are reduced into vitrifying Alcaly.

CHAP. VIII. The Founders Art doth further shew, that Alcalyes and Acids are absorbed.
ALl. Minerals, of what kind soever, having in them hidden Metalline Bodies, are joyned with Acids, (i.e.) Sulphur of several sorts, which do hinder the Metal from being purged from the impurity of the Mines. In this streight, it is needful to have recourse to Alcalyes, which do the work speedily: Reducing therefore the Mineral to Powder, they mix it with Alcaly, and melt it in a Crucible; the Fusion is accelerated by Nitre, which is kindled with the Sulphur, as part burns away, so part with the Tartar is turned into Alcaly; that Al∣caly absorbs all the Acid, with which otherwise all the Metal would fly away; but this way it easily goes to bottom, and that Artists call Regulus (i. e.) pure Metal, free from Sulphur, which again under a Probatory cup∣pell with Lead they further purifie, for which you may consult the Say-masters and Refiners, it being my intent to speak only of the Foundation of Salts.

I have told you,* that Metals are turned by Acid Mi∣nerals into Fume, which is manifest in Silver melted with Lead in an Earthen Pot made of Pot-ashes; put the Sulphur piece-meal into it, whose acidity as it flies away, it also expels the Metal, which you may gather up again with a moist Linnen Cloth spread abroad in the Chimney.

Page 21
Another Experiment to prove that Metals are carried off by the Acid Mineral, is, that Cement,* which is called Regale, which is made of common salt, and Powder of Bricks, with which they stratifie or spread over Gold Money bound in with Copper: In this Cement the Gold, without Fusion, dismisses the Copper, and toge∣ther with the Acid Spirit of Salt, vanishes to smoak, which yet carries off with it something of the Gold; but when the Acid Spirit, being loaded with the Gold, assays to pass through the Earthen Covers, the Gold is precipitated, and sticks to the Covers,* whiles the Spirit corrodes them, which are afterwards pounded together with Quick-silver and water: This recollects the Gold, and restores it to his Master, when it is separated from it through Leather.

As Minerals bearing Metals are precipitated into Regu∣lus, the same way is Regulus of Antimony precipitated (i. e.) with Tartar and Nitre, because the Alcaly of Tartar imblbes the Acid Sulphur from the Antimony, and segre∣gates the pure Regulus.

Antimony is also melted with common Salt, but the Acidity of this latter doth corrode the Antimony in the vehemency of the fire, and it is raised into bubbles, and so less Regulus falls. These examples concerning preci∣pitation the dry way, may suffice.

So any Alcaly being dissolved in water (which is call∣ed the moist way) as it always drinks up the Acid, it also cleanses Salt-peter from every Acid, which therefore the ablest Physicians do chuse for a great cooler in the Quinzey; for which reason it is called Sal Prunellae. A certain dull Fryar hearing Sal Prunellae to be commanded by Chymists, came by night to a skilful Apothecary, and demanded of him whether this Sal Prunellae. were extracted out of Sloes, or Garden Plums; yet these are the men who would be accounted by vulgar Ideots and silly women, the only Regular Practicioners: I say, they boil*Nitre in Alcalized Lye, till a drop stands on cold Iron like Suet; then they set it aside in a cool place without pouring it into any other Vessel, and in a night suffer it to concrete into most clear and pure
Page 22
Flakes, which the next morning they wash off; for the Alcaly hath drunk up all the hurtful and impure Acid from it, as it happens also in mans body, as Hippocrates shews in his first Book of Diaet.

CHAP. IX. The Prerogative and Priviledge of Alcaly of Tartar.
I Have mentioned already, that amongst the fixeder sort of Alcalyes, Salt of Tartar is endued with a singu∣lar priviledge; for though it be an heavy Body, terre∣strial, impure,* and mixed with filth, yet being digested with any Metal whatsoever, in a due space of time, it turns it into running Mercury. Having experimented this, I affirm it for a truth to convince the incredulous; but if any refuse to believe it, I am not much solici∣tous.

A Friend of mine endeavouring to obtain Tartar from generous, mature, and clear Wine, did elicit and draw forth the Spirit, and suffered the Phlegme to exhale; the remainder being thick as a Syrup, he permitted to concrete in a cold place, into Pellucid Tartar, which he burnt; and as the custom is, with common water ex∣tracted the Alcaly, which he suffered to run down into a Liquor of its own accord. A sudden occasion of∣fering it self, that he was to go to Rome with a certain great man; to the end that the precious Liquor might not be lost in the interim, he commanded his Servant to preserve it in a Vessel which he appointed and shewed him for that purpose; his Servant, by a mistake, poured it into a Neighbour• Vessel, like the former, in which Silver was which had been dissolved in Aqua fortis, to which Sal Armoniack sublimated and dissolved in distil∣led Vinegar (begun for another work) had been added: My Friend returning after nine Months, and seeking for the Liquor of Tartar, he found the Cucurbite into which his Servant was injoyned to put it, quite empty: The Servant answering, that he had poured it into a Neigh∣bour•
Page 23
Vessel, looking there, he found not the Liquor, but dry Earth (nine Months exsiccated) which he touch∣ed with his Rod,* and a great part of the running Mer∣cury discovered it self; at that time he could not be∣lieve that running Mercury could be made out of per∣fect Metals, being so perswaded, according to the Axiom, That it is easier to make, than to destroy perfect Metals, which made him neglect the Experiment, imagining in himself, that the Mercury had fallen into the Vessel by some chance. But at length he learned out of Basilius Valentinus, that Salt of Tartar hath this priviledge above all other Salts.

The ingenious Helmont hath confirmed this Experi∣ment in these words; I have found, says he,*that the Cru∣dity of Saturn is dissolveable by the fat of fixed Salts, and that the parts of the Compositum are so divided, that it suf∣fers Silver to run crude.

There came then to my mind a strong Lixivium, wherewith old women boil Litarge to black their hair (of which Porta also makes mention in his Magia Natu∣ralis) into which I dropped Spirit of Vitriol, and pre∣sently the Alcaly suffered the Metal to run into a white Powder, which I reduced into Lead; by which means, I knew for certain, that Alcalyes do invisibly contain and hide in their Bowels Calcined Metals.

This Experiment being made, Helmont goes on, say∣ing, That calcined things are most sharp, but they are dulce∣rated with dissolved Sal Armoniack and putrified Tartar; (i.e.) they are turned into running Mercury, which is not any longer tart or biting, as Calcined things are, but in∣sipid to the taste.

I return now to the Salt of Tartar, which in form of Liquor was poured into the Cucurbite, in which was Sil∣ver corroded by Aqua fortis, with Sal Armoniack: All these changed their nature into Neutral Salts, different from their former state; so the Silver made no more any shew of Silver, of which*Basilius de Tartaro.

Durch, &c. By my Spirit they take revenge, and break (or dissolve) all Metals. For as all Sublunary Bodies (Expe∣rience being witness) do consist of two things, Acid and
Page 24
Alcaly (as I shall mechanically shew in this Tract) the same may be said of Silver: from this Silver the Alca∣ly of Tartar, by due digestion and coction, hath ab∣sorbed so much of the Acid Sulphur,* as was sufficient for the Mercury in the state of Silver (now it being se∣gregated and divided from it) for its constancy; into the place of Mercury, succeeds the Alcaly (Philosophers call it Adulterium) which it imbraces from the Silver; and therefore loseth its form and beauty, and changeth its nature, so that it is melted even with the gentlest fire, as Lead or Sal Armoniack mix'd with the Calx of Flints,* and it is called by Crollius, Luna Cornea, because it may be cut with a Knife like Horn. This Luna Cor∣nea, though it be washed an hundred times with hot water, and* melted with a swift Flux from Tartar and Nitre, yet it is impossible to Separate them one from the other, unless in Balneo Saturni, in which that of the Sil∣ver which remains, returns to pure, but the Salts, with the Lead, into dross and Litarge; which also again, by simple Fusion, is reduced into Lead; but the dross, which were Salts, are hurried into Element together, with the Sulphur of Silver, which they had absorbed.

CHAP. X. That the Bodies of Alcalyes are Vacua, proved by examples.
WHerefore Salt of Tartar is a Medium,* wherein not only Metals, but Minerals also do revive and obtain, as it were, a Resurrection, though by Art, and a strong fire, they seem quite destroyed. Pour Spirit of Vitriol, drop by drop, upon dissolved Salt of Tartar, till the hissing noise cease; reduce the Liquor into Chrystals, or dry it all up, and you shall find a Salt, ha∣ving the nature of Vitriol, it provokes vomit, and being superbibed, purges by Stool, as white Vitriol is wont to do:* It is mingled with Nitre and Quick-silver, 'tis subli∣mated into red, to which add common Salt, and it be∣comes a Corrosive Sublimate; it is distilled per se as Vi∣triol:
Page 25
The whitish Mucilage subsiding in the bottom, is the same Faex, which in dissolved crude Vitriol, by the affusion of Salt of Tartar, falls down black: It endures the fire, and resisteth fusion, as the Colcothar, or Caput mortuum of Vitriol, which yet without the affusion of Spirit of Vitriol was easily melted: That fixed Salt is Vi∣triol Regenerated, called by the Writers of the Rudiments of Chymistry, Tartarus Vitriolatus, and Ʋniversale digesti∣vum. It is made much more excellent and perfect from crude Vitriol dissolved in water, and Liquor of Tartar poured upon it, until it cease to be troubled, which point of Saturation is not found without difficulty, for if it exceed but one drop, it turns the mixture either in∣to Vitriol or Alcaly, of which my Hippocrates,*Nunquam simul in codem consistunt; coagulate the clear Liquor in∣to shining Chrystals: This is more Noble than the for∣mer, because in distilling the Vitriol, the violence of the fire elevates the Liquamen of the Copper, and mixes it with the Spirit, so that it become troublesome to the Stomach. But in this simple way, the Alcaly consumes only that most simple Natural Acid, which corroded the embrionated Metal in its Flux. This is that simple Acld, agreeable to our Nature, in Acid Fountains, refreshing the Drinkers, and acceptable to the Stomach, though ta∣ken in great quantity; of this I determine to speak briefly; yet*Paracelsus relates, that in a Village called Veltin in Helvetia, there is a Fountain, the like whereto is not to be found in the whole World.

So also Spirit of Nitre reassumes a Body in Salt of Tartar, and becomes cold natural Nitre,* conceiving flame, and is a Remedy for the Quinzey, which other∣wise being separated are Caustick,* as I have shewed in Aurum Fulminans. If you add Spirit of Salt to the same Salt of Tartar, then, after Coagulation, it becomes com∣mon Salt, as it was before it was turned by a strong fire into Spirit; and therefore, since the Acid Spirit of Salt by solution returns to Salt, we may cease our wonder∣ment, why amongst all Acid Spirits, no other dissolves Gold, but that of Salt? because that by Corrosion it re∣assumes the Nature of Salt, even as the water common∣ly,
Page 26
called Aqua Regia, which without Salt touches not the Gold at all.*

The same Salt of Tartar, if it hath imbibed Vinegar distilled from Wine, is made common Tartar of Wine, having all the properties thereof, excepting only that in humjdo it doth more easily melt: Cleanse this Regene∣rated Tartar, by solution, from all its impurity, and af∣terwards distil it with a strong fire through a Glass re∣tort placed in Sand, and you shall obtain an Oyl, and bitter Liquor, as that which is elicited from crude Tar∣tar, yet the Oyl somewhat resembles the goodness of the Wine, of which the Vinegar was made. 'Tis almost incredible to be spoken,* that distilled Vinegar should contain in it an occult fatness, and yet it is very true; but Salt of Tartar hath not this pi••guedo, for it is fixed and tryed in the fire. At Rome, from one Ounce of this Regenerated Tartar, I drew forth six Drachmes of Oyl, of an Orange colour, and grateful smell; but at Venice, a pound scarce afforded me one Drachme, and that black, coloured, and stinking: I say, it is even incredi∣ble, that in Vinegar, not only the qualities of the Wine, but of the Country where it grows, should manifest themselves. From what hath been said, it appears, that Acids do attract Alcalyes at their pleasure, and rule o∣ver them as they lift.

In like manner it reduces Oyls, either distilled or ex∣pressed, into their first Elements; for they being mixed in a just proportion (i.e.) to satiety with Salt of Tartar, and digested afterwards out of a Glass retort placed in Sand, one Moity returns Oyl, the other Moity is wa∣ter. Again mix this Oyl with new Salt of Tartar, as a∣bove, repeat the distillation, and you will see all the Oyl converted into water, a little Earth being left with the Tartar, which you shall know increased in weight; so that Oyl, which otherwise is wholly inflamable, here you may find turned into odoriferous water; and a∣gain distilling this water out of a Glass, you will ex∣tract Aqua Ardens, which again, with Salt of Tartar, re∣turns to Alcaly, and afterwards into Elementary water, like that which remained in the Glass.

Page 27
There were two pound of the remaining Salt of Tar∣tar in the Retort, which I laid upon an Iron Board or Slate, that it might run into a pellucid Liquor: I di∣stilled all the Humidity out of the Retort placed in Sand, and breaking the Vessel,* I again dissolved in the Air the Salt, which was in the bottom, upon the Iron Slate (which is not prejudiced at all) which is done in about forty hours space, and there remained nothing on the Slate besides a little slimy Faex. I again distilled the Liquor, encreasing the fire, as before, till nothing came forth, either dropping or smoaking, and I again dissol∣ved the same Salt, having broken the Retort, on the I∣ron Slate; I renewed these Operations twelve times, and all the Salt of Tartar was turned into the Element of water: I gathered up the Faeces which were left each time on the Slate, and I extracted all the saltness from the distilled water, with which I made the same Process, as before; so that all the Salt of Tartar, as the Vine∣gar, Oyl, and Aqua Ardens, were turned into insipid water, and Terra Mortua, of no savour or smell; which Earth and Water, a little before, seemed Caustical. 'Tis a wonder to consider, what becomes of this Fiery Vital power and vertue, both of the Oyl, Vinegar, and Aqua Ardens, as also of the Salt of Tartar; yet this vertue or form persisted constant in the fire, until the reduction into the Elements; I now call it the Rector, for our clearer understanding of it, of which more particularly in its place: You may call it as you please, either Fire, Form, Archeus, 'tis all one to me; All are like, though they appear unlike, as Hippocrates affirms.* If the Refor∣mer had had any knowledge of fixed Alcalyes, he had never prescribed to Podagrical persons Oyl of Venice Soap, for whatsoever of Oyl distils from Soap, is like that from Brick, and contains nothing of Alcaly: so also, they who dissolve the Body of Soap, and say, that it is good for gouty diseases, are in a great mistake; the taste may be an Omen of their disappointment which is found manifestly salt; for it doth not precipitate Mer∣cury from the above-mentioned solution.

Wherefore the Alcaly of Tartar seems to bear a re∣presentation
Page 28
of the Philosophers Chaos, wherein they say their Mercury hath a Resurrection; of which Para∣celsus. The Regeneration,* says he, and Renovation of Me∣tals is thus made, as man returns to the Earth whence he was first taken, and so shall be again Regenerated at the last day: So also Metals may again return to Mercury (of which they w•re first derived) and be dissolved with it, and r•-become Mercury; and again by fire (which also shall judge the World) be re-produced and clarified. This way (as he goes on) are stones Regenerated,*and also special tinctures of Silver and Gold. Thus far Paracelsus. In the mean while, I would not advise any man to perswade himself, that Salt of Tartar, after whatsoever manner prepared, is the Catholick Chaos of the Philosophers, though Me∣tals in it may return-into running Mercury. 'Tis enough in short to have advertised this.

But I am enjoyned silence by Harpocrates, concerning fixed Salt of Tartar,* lest I should be injurious to the curious disquisitions of Learned men, who have spent much labour and pains to attain the full knowledge thereof, it being a Medium giving vivification to many things.*Basillus, Paracelsus, and others, have taken great notice of it, who have stript it of its cloathing, and have chosen it for a Dissolver, seeing it doth illuminate and vivifie its objects, almost after the same manner, as the fixed Alcaly of Herbs extracts from Calcined Flint ano∣ther, and like Alcaly, which it is not possible to elicite by any other sapour, than by its like; and it makes it much more powerful, and turns it into a nature truly fiery; so that we ought to make our progress from things known to things unknown, as Aristotle rightly adviseth.

This is that which John Baptista van Helmont makes a noyse about,*Learn, says he, a dissolvent, which is always the same, and you have attained the inward Essences of things,*which he proves by an example, demanding, why Lapis Ossisragus fix'd, not Calcineable, should cure a broken bone taken by the mouth, and yet not the Stone, or the Gout? I answer this Worthy Man thus, that the ridiculous Al∣cakest of the Reformer, and the secret solvent, are no∣thing
Page 29
but Vinegar distilled from Aerugo.* And although it corrodes the Osteocolla Stone, yet the Stone by the corrosion acquires the properties of Vinegar; whence it comes to pass, that it reaches not to the Urinary pla∣ces, but is presently precipitated in the Stomach, as hereafter shall be demonstrated to the eye.

Wherefore hitherto, Salt of Tartar hath plaid its part in its mean dress, but when it is dispoiled of its Gar∣ments by the hand of a Philosopher, so as to appear in its naked, lucid, and resplendent form, then it reduces the things which are committed to it, into the same, or a matter like it self (I remember having once prescribed Crabs Eyes, so dissolved,* to a Woman in a long Quoti∣dian Ague, which could not endure Physical Potions, a Timid Canonical Physician then present, interrupted me, saying, it was a Mineral, and full of danger) and be∣cause it is without form, as all Alcalyes are, it assumes the form of that with which it is united (for Sal Tartari is a middle thing between a Mineral and a Vegetable, and therefore easily comprehends the nature of them both) and so goes forward. Thus much is sufficient to have pointed at the differences of fixed Alcalyes.

CHAP. XI. Concerning the Volatile Alcaly of Animals.
AS fixed Alcalyes do absorb all Acids, and according to the nature of the Acid are changed into Salt, as I shewed above; so also the Volatile Alcalyes of all Ani∣mals, from whatsoever parts of them extracted, are likewise turned into Salt, imitating the property of the Acid;* and as Urino contains a Volatile Alcaly by the ferment of putrefaction, so do Sweat, Blood, Flesh, and Bones of all living Creatures, by a diverse ferment, every one according to the vertue, innate to the place. And as I have shewed the intrinsick difference of fixed Alcalyes with Mercury sublimate resolved, and the singular Prero∣gative of Salt of Tartar, so touching these Volatile Al∣calyes,
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I will go on to demonstrate in my progress, their peculiar priviledges and endowments. The Alcaly of all Animals, of Urine, of Blood, of Sweat, (yea of the Stones of all Animals) of Serpents,* of Frogs, &c. do praecipi∣tate a white Mercury out of the aforesaid solution, so that by this Mechanical Method, you can discern no dif∣ference, and by consequence this Alcaly is not of a Salt taste, as the Reformer presuming on his own opinion, hath taught; for Salt things, as I have shewn, do not praeci∣pitate Mercury out of the aforesaid solution, but it re∣ceives a form, according to the property of the Acid, as will more clearly appear in the progress.

The Ancients took notice of this fundamental and spe∣cifick difference (which they call Occult.)* I say, they ob∣served, that Volatile Alcaly drinks up as much of Sal Ar∣moniack as is sufficient for its constancy and saturity, for artificial Sal Armoniack, so that the Alcaly of Urine and the Acid part of the aforesaid Salt, do so strictly embrace one another,* that per se, they cannot be separated, for the Salt of Urine, in the torture of the Fire, seeking to escape, carries away with it the A∣cid part, which it had absorbed, and they are both subli∣mated together into artificial Sal Armoniack.

Now, that Common Salt, either Ours, or the Armo∣niack of the Ancients, hath an Acid part, communicable out of the Fire; is proved by this Experiment; viz. Drop Liquor of Tartar upon Salt, when it is resolved, and in a few moments, you shall see the earthy part to be separated,* and the Alcaly of Tartar to embrace the Acid, of which more plainly hereafter: So, without the Art of Distillation, the Ancients essayed to associate the Alcaly of Vipers with Natural Sat Armoniack.

Wherefore the Ancients, after they had observed out of Hippocrates the occult difference of Volatile Alcalies (of Animals) and the Acidity of Common and Cireniack Salt,* under the name of Faculties, they began to strati∣fie Vipers with Natural Sal-Cireniack or Armoniack, as Pliny saith, in the place before-cited (as they saw, con∣cerning Urine and Salt) to the end that the Alcaly of Vi∣pers might imbibe as much of the Acid Salt,* as might
Page 31
suffice, for stopping its voluntary flight. This Composi∣tion, not altogether without cause, they then called Sal Theriacals, Salt of Treacle; because they had learned, the Flesh of Vipers to be good against many poisons (yea by such an ingenious Viperine Decoction, I have more than once cured the French Pox in Curious Per∣sons) and consequently by reason of its seminal and mu∣mial Ferment, that the Alcaly of Vipers, must contain the same Faculty.

This Contemplation of the Ancients is unworthily charged by the Reformer with childishness and absurdity; He himself, being much more absurd,* as not under∣standing the memorable Inventions of our Ancestors. And whereas he casts in their Teeth, That they had not the Art of Purifying. That indeed is true; but they are not therefore to be calumniated, nor detracted from, in point of Honour, much less to be scoffed at, for so my Master advises. Some Ages hence, perhaps this Reformer will be laughed at, for writing such absurd thiugs in his Time; for occasion will not be wanting many thousand years hence, to find out, and learn nower and better things; Because Nature discovers not her secrets all at once,*neither are they exposed promiscuously to the view of all, but are, as it were shut up in her innor Chappel, of which this Age brings forth, one thing; the Age following•, another. But let Us hear my Hippocrates speaking much more modestly of this thing; Tis an unworthy thing,*to blame any one of them for not finding•, all, are rather to be commend∣ed, for seeking and enquiring after.

These things being praeviously understoods, let us now consider, What excellence and prerogative, the Viporine Sals of this Reformer hath, above the Inventions of the Ancients, which yet, They prepared by an easte Ope∣ration; but He, with great charge, labour, pompous ostentation and triumph.

The Alcaly of Vipers (under that Title, Pharm. f. 486.) distilled out of a Retort, drinks up the Acid Spirit of Common Salt, which I have shewed, with Alcaly ad∣ded, to be separable, without the Art of Distillation:* from that Conjunction (i. e.) of the Acid Salt. and the
Page 32
Alcaly of Vipers, is made Comon Salt. If we urge this Common Salt with Fire of Sand, it will be elevated in∣to Artificial Sal Armoniack, as having all its properties; which is proved by this Experiment.

Mingle the Powder of Salt of Tartar (i. e.) the Fixed Alcaly of Tartar, with an equal part of the Viperine Salt of our Reformer,* distil this Mixture in a Retort, placed in Sand, and you shall presently see the Alcaly of Vipers to ascend by the neck of the Retort; because the Fixed Alcaly of Tartar apprehends and catches the Acid Salt; then the Alcaly of Vipers, willingly leaves her Acid Companion, whilest it is forced to fly away by Heat. Do the same with Common Sal Armoniack, and you shall find no difference; and therefore what the Ancients did with the Body of Salt, That the Refor∣mer performs (with greater labour and cost) with the Spirit of Salt; and if the Ancients Sal Viperirum be of no use, as he says, surely His, hath the same property.

But when,* That Alcaly is expelled with Salt of Tartar from the Common Sal Armoniack, then you will have the pure and dry Spirit or Alcaly of Urine, which the Reformer most foolishly calls Salt Spirit of Sal Armoni∣ack; as he also with the same sottishness, calls that Vine∣gar, which he distilled from Meal mixed with Sal Armoni∣ack, out of a Retort. The Acid Spirit of Sal Armoni∣ack, adding withal this gross mistake, These two Spirits out of Sal Armoniack,*the Acid and the Salt (though both of them contain not a drop of Sal Armoniack) though produced out of one Subject, yet are contrary one to another, and being joyned together, destroy one another; wherefore let the Apothecaries carefully distin uish between the Salts and Acids. But the Reformer informs them ve∣ry grosly concerning Tastes, yea he presumes to teach them; that, which he is ignorant of, himself; witness, amongst many other things,*Aqua Mindereri, for the Hearing.

For this Water hath Urine and Vinegar for its Founda∣tion, which-mixture the Reformer doth not only dis∣allow, as believing, without further enquiry, That the Salt and Acid, are destreyed by one another; being igno∣rant,
Page 33
that the destruction of one, is the generation of an∣other. Thus he huggs his own opinions as the Ape doth her Apelings, but also he asperses a worthy Man with reproach and calumnies, who hath candidly communi∣cated his experiences for the Publick good; notwithstand∣ing which, the Reformer (after his manner) thus scrib∣bles in his Appendix: Besides many other Absurdities,*I see Vinegar and Ʋrine to be poured on, which are pla•nly contrary one to another; for the Ʋrine of Animals distilled, yields a sharp Saline spirit, which is a destroyer of all Acetous spirits. Thus he.

Hitherto I have demonstrated, that the Volatile Salt of Urine is by no means Salt, but Alcalizate, and there∣fore being mixed with Acid, from them both, there a∣rises a balt tart Sapor; wherefore from the mixture of the Volatile Alcaly of Urine, and Distilled Vinegar (which two do never concrete,) there is made a distillable, salt, and most piercing Liquor, I question whether any thing be more subtle in nature (of a simple mixture) for an old Obstruction, For which cause the most Ingenious Min∣dererus rightly, and with good Judgment,* commends and prescribes it for Thickness and Difficulty of Hearing; be∣cause it is salt as Sweat is, as shall be proved, and in regard of its Symbolicalness and congenious nature thereunto, this Distilled Salt and Volatile Water, pervades the mem∣brane of the Tympanum; yea it is willingly admitted into it. I said this Spirit was Salt, which is proved by experience, for it doth not precipitate Mercury, from the often named Solution, as other salt things do not, which according to Galen's opinion do cut, attenuate, and discuss the ex∣crements, they dry, they support and strengthen Nature, and that in a rude lump of Salt, why may not then this most subtle Spirit be also Salt? Wherefore let the Skilful judg, whether the most Learned Mind rerus be not un∣worthily worthily blamed by Impostors. The Reformer under∣stood Hippocrates but ill, who says,*That a Physician using veason for his guide, will never enviously calumniate another, for thereby he betrays the weakness of his own mind. Now let 〈◊〉 consider Salt of Tartar, which drinking up the Acid, •ad stparated it from the Alcaly of Vipers, and remained
Page 34
in the Retort, they call that (but improperly) Caput mortuum, especially that from common Sal Armoniack, from whence the Spirit or Urine hath been extracted. That Caput Mortuum is a compound of Acid and Alcaly, and will be doubtless of a salt relish, like the Viperine Salt of this Reformer, and common Sal Armoniack, as hath been said and shewed; and for confirmation thereof I will repeat another Experiment.

Dissolve the said Caput Mortuum in water; cause the foe∣ces to go to the bottom, and coagulate the clear liquor with a gentle heat to a Siccity, and with Bole Armoniack in a four-fold proportion, mix it into a very fine powder; urge this with a naked Fire, from a Glass Retort luted, into a great Receiver, and the Acidness of the Salt, which found a body in the Alcaly of Tartar, by the power and heat of the fire is put to flight, but in the greatness of the heat, it flies not alone, because being absorbed by the fixed Al∣caly, it carries off with it the fixed Salt of Tartar, so that from the Acid and Alcaly being mixed, and urged with a violent fire, there is extracted a Spirit Semi-Acid-Salt, which, as it is an artificial product from a various mix∣ture, doth not precipitate Mercury from the aforesaid so∣lution; yet it is not of it self unfit for Medicine, as nei∣ther for destroying certain Minerals; but one Operation being finished, part of the Tartar returns into the element of Water, and the Acidity of the Sal Armoniack, from the other part of the Tartar, cloaths it self with a new body, which is again sublimated and separated.

It may be demanded,* why in this place a Spirit is eli∣cited from the fixed Alcaly of Tartar and the Volatile Acid, whereas above from the Alcaly of Flints, and the Acid spirit of Salt, it succeeds not? To which I answer, that the Acrimony of the Salt of Tartar, in a fire, not very vehement, returns quite to nothing, as I have shewed elsewhere; and for this cause, with its associate, it is easily elevated into Spirit, but the Alcaly of Flints, is more fixed, which before it flies, is rather, with its ad∣junct, turned into Glafs.

Page 35
CHAP. XII. How Volatile Alcaly is generated in an Animal, and the parts of it.
I Have said in the Examination of Mind•rerus his water, that* Sweat (by the Natural Proto-Chymist) is made Salt, as is also every compound of Acid and Alcaly, U∣rine not excepted; which this Operation shews.

Take that Lye, wherein foul Linnen Shirts have been steeped and washed, not boiled, put this Lye into a Glass of a long, narrow, and equal neck, set to a Limbeck at least carelesly, and place it in a digesting Bath or Sand, and in a few days you shall see the Alcaly of Sweat to ascend, yet not stinking, as That which is sublimated from Urine. This Alcaly could not be seperated from Sweat, unless its Salt relish were divided,* which consists of Acid and Alcaly, both Volatiles, as I have shewed in Mindererus his Water, and elsewhere; so that the Lye is a Fixed Alcaly, absorbing the Acid part of the Sweat in the Heat of Digestion, and the sugitive Alcaly being di∣vided from it, goes to top and a cold place.

I once observed, as I was travelling post,* this Salt, Volatile, Fat, and (therefore) penetrating and resolv∣ing Sweat; how, although my Leggs were armed with Boots made of the choicest Leather, and well waxed, so as to admit neither Rain not Water; yet the Sweat of the Horses, exhaling like a Vapour, had penetrated them, as it also happened to my Companions of good note: To avoid this inconvenience, I invented an Oynt∣ment, like Vernish, which in other cases could resist Aqua fortis, and then in a second Journey, for the first days, I found less inconvenience; but the days following, the Sweat had not only penetrated the Ver∣nish, but had plainly dissolved it, as far as the Vapour of it reached.

Hence I learned, That Sweat was therefore made
Page 36
Salt by Nature, that it might resolve the filth in living Bodies, which here and there was coagulated in them.

But how the Sweat of all Animals, and whatsoever doth insensily exhale from them, yea of which the Ani∣mal consists, doth acquire Saltness. I shall explain a little more clearly, only for the sake of this Viperine Salt, whose Acidity, as it is occult, so the Saltness of it is more subtil and grateful.* I profess my self to be the In∣ventor thereof, though Momus fret never so much; which the following Epistle shews: And though for Lu∣cre of a little Gain in this Age and Theatre of the World, some unskilful men, and ignorant of Natures in∣struments, and of this Hippocratical Doctrine, have appeared, who obtrude, I know not what, on the unwary and unexpert, to the Prejudice of my Name, yet I now give the Read•r to understand, that, which I have not discovered to any man living hitherto, save by this publique Writing.

Mareus Aurelius Severinus wisheth prosperity and good success to Otho Tachenius, a great Studier of Nature and the Hermetical Art.
The Epistle.
THe confidence which I alwayes had in your friendship and good will, I now really experiment: For my desire to hav: some of your Viperine Sult, being scarce signi∣fied to you, you presently satisfied me therein; for which I re∣turn you many thanks. I wish some chance would happen, that you might pass over the Fordye Adriatique to the flou∣rishing Parthenope, it would be neither unuseful nor un∣profitable to you. Besides, that choice Matron, whom you visited in her blindness at Naples, from that very day hath impatiently longed for you; wishing that the hinder ances of your intended Voyage were removed; but because you have sent me a Viperine gift, I will requite you with another of the same kind, I mean a Volume of the Nature, Poyson, and Medicinalness of the Viper, printed for me at Padua by
Page 37
the Famous Printer Paul Frombottus, who upon the sight of this Letter, will diliver one to you in my Name; and he will give it to you the more freely, if you, shewing a wil∣lingness to communicate the useful observations,* which you have long made, of this Viperine Salt, do b•take your self to the Famous John Rhodius, my special Friend, the Corrector of the Press; who, if need be, can add them, to the end of the Work. I wish also, you would add some preparation and de∣scription of this Viperine Sale of your own. I have her with inserted the preparation of Volatile Salt, out of Johannes Vep∣serus. Pray tell me how far you approve it, and continue to love me, as I do you: For I desire nothing more at Naples, than to enjoy the hopes of such a felicity as your Conversation and Company would afford. Here you would find a Liberal Har∣vest; Farewel.

From Naples the Ides of May, Anno Dom. 1650.

The Illustrious Matron, the Wife of Capicius Regens, to whom you gave your Viperine Remedy, Salutes you.

BUt to what end should I produce the Testimonies of Learned Men, this present Writing sufficiently de∣clares, that this Salt, with all its requisites, was not so much as dream'd of by this Reformer, before I acquaint∣ed him with It, as I could shew by his own Letters to me, but that I am willing to consult his Credit: yet unless he produce other Foundations of Art and Nature, than he hath hitherto done, he will never come to the know∣ledg of this Salt: No more will men of a far higher Order and Rank than himself, however they boasting∣ly and ambitiously word it out, and pretend to be able to attain it.

As Urine and Sweat, so also Blood,* whilest it is yet hot and reaking may be commixed with Lye, and Alcaly be subli∣mated from it; but when the same Blood, without the Lye, is distilled out of a Retort, with the Fire of Sand, then in the Caput Mortuum it leaves much Salt, somewhat
Page 38
fixed:* The Alcaly precipitates Mercury from the often∣narned Solution into a white Powder, but the Salt, doth not: Hence 'tis manifest, that as the Lixivious and Fixed Alcaly drinks up the Acid from the Blood, so the Ve∣latile Alcaly of the Blood catches also it's Proper Acidi∣ty, which is Volatile too, and in the Regiment of Fire, they are both fixed into a Salt, as will more clearly ap∣pear in the progress.

But least a New Truth should procure me New Envy, I think it worth my Labour, before I go on, to demon∣strate, that Hippocrates was not ignorant of the Foun∣dations of this Salt: For he in his Golden Books of Diet hath these words,*All living creatures as well as man, are constituted of two things, different in Vertue, but agree∣ing in Ʋse, Fire and Water, both of these together are suf∣ficient, both for all other things, and for themselves, but each of them apart, is neither sufficient for it self, nor any other thing, &c. Thus he,

My Master and Philosopher, hath brought these two Faculties on the Stage, Fire and Water, in whose Bow∣els all* things are contained, which are necessary to perfect generation and transmutation.

A while after he adds, that this is no culinary fire, for he says, men thresh, wash, and grind Corn, and being baked in a hot Oven, they use it; with a sirong fire it is not made up in its Body, but with a soft and gentle one; what this soft fire in all things is, will appear in the pro∣gress.

CHAP. XIII. The occult Acid is made Manifest
IN a sound Stomach there is lodged a Volatile and never failing Acid;* by the help of which, Aliments, which are all full of Volatile Alealy,•none exocpted (as I shall shew hereaster) are transmutedo and runed, into Chyle or Juice, first Sourish, and afterwards by little and
Page 39
little into Salt (i. e.) mature: whether the Stomach hath this Acid of it self, or elsewhere, it is not my present Enqui∣ry, though a certain Writer intimates the sormer: 'tis suffi∣cient for me plainly to demonstrate that there is such an Acidity, first by Authority, then by experience.

Hippocrates says, In long loosness of the Intestines,*if Acid belching supervene, which was not before, 'tis good. The meaning is, that Acidity returning to the Stomach, it changes the food into Chyle, or Vital Juice, then ne∣cessarily Health returns.

Hence all seasonings and sauces for Meat, to sharpen our appetite, are Acid; as Juice of Lemon, Pom∣granate, Orange, Verjuice, Tartar, Unripe Grapes, and the like, all which notwithstanding differ much a∣mong themselves; of which, to avoid Prolixity, I will not now dispute. See Chap. 10.

To recover this Maidity, when it is lost in Diseases,* the Ancients appointe•, Api• Sirrups, of Vinegar and Sugar; of Vinegar mixed with Water, and the like, that by their means, the Weak Stomach might be resreshed, and the Aliment, though taken in a small quantity, might not immediately putrify; which yet is taken notice of by few, especially of those who persuade themselves, that Putrefaction and Chylification are the same things.

There was a certain man of the n••• Sect, and in his own accompt, no mean Person, who forbad Juice of Lemmon upon pain of death, to one 〈◊〉 of a Feaver, who exceedingly desired sharp things, as i• it were too crude; but he prescribed simple Syrrup of Vinegar. I could not but admire that he should allow Vinegar boiled with Sugar, for an alterative, but not Juice of Lem∣mous, in his Meat: He Answered with a loud Voice, that Julip of Vinegar was made of Water and Sugar. Our Hippocrates speaks of such a Physician,*If he doth not know the constitution from the beginning, and that which predominates in the Body, be can never prescribe that which is good for a sick man. Now this Acidty, being oppressed by a long Disease, returns to the Stomach, either of its own accord, or by the Skill of an ingenlous Physician.

Page 40
But that we may have some knowledge of this Acidi∣ty by Experience, Let an healthy Man drink a draught of Milk fasting, and let him presently vomit it up a∣gain, and he shall perceive the Acidity with his Tongue, and shall see the Milk vomited up, half curdled, as if Vinegar had been poured on it; (almost the like Acidity, is commonly found in Nature,* by an helping hand, which in a Glass turns all the Aliment in four or fire hours space, by the help of a gentle heat, from 〈◊〉Acid Salt into a Lacteous Chyle: a pleasant spectacle 〈◊〉 behold, which I can ocularly demonstrate to any who desire to see it; but in this place for some reasons I for∣bear.) By the help of this obscure, though grateful Acidity, the Viperine Alcdly is compacted and gathered together for its proper uses.

But no Sapor doth curdle and coagulate Milk, but that which is Acid: Now it 〈◊〉 p•••ormed three man∣ner of ways,

1. In the Healthy Stomach of all living Animals, Milk is not simply coagulated by the Acid, but in the very coagulation, it is necessarily impressed with the the Vital Vertue of the very Animals, which though it consists in the Acid, yet it differs from every other Acid, and then it is chylified and received for nourishment:* So in a Dog, i• assumes the Nature of the Dog, &c. the handling 〈◊〉 which Hippocratical Doctrine,* being not proper for this place, I do only point at it.

2. In the Stomach of Sick Animals, the Milk is in∣deed sowred, but not impressed with a Vital Character; wherefore the Acidity becomes putrefactive, which nourisheth not, but increaseth the Disease.

Hence my Hippocrates in some Feavors (not in all,* as some would have it) forbids the use of Milk.

3. Milk is coagulated by manifest Acids, and by all of them, either of the Mineral sort and Class, as are Acid Fountains, Vitriol in substance, Spirit of Vitriol, of Sulphur, of Salt, of Nitre; or it is coa∣gulated in one only part of the Animal (i. e.) the Sto∣mach,* and in no other; which is a sign that the per∣ceptible Acidity is not admitted into the other parts:
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but if it creep into them by chance, it becomes the o•use of Diseases and Death, wherefore Acidity lodges at least in all Healthy Stomachs, which, because it generally coagulates Milk, it is called by Dioscorides,*Coagulum, and commonly in Italy Conaglio: yea the Stomach of all Birds, have the above-said Acidity so strong and in so great quantity, that unless they frequently cat Sand or pieces of Bricks, whereby to restrain the super-abounding Acidity, the said Acid would slide down from the Stomach and trouble the other Digestions, whence they would fall into an Atrophy and never grow fat: or else it is coagulated by the Juices of Vegetables; as of Lemmons, Oranges, Bar∣beries, Vinegar, and what ever else tastes Acid and Sharp: Milk also sowres of its own accord (as do other Juices, as well of Vegetables as Animals, when they incline to putrefaction, yea nothing can putrify or be generated anew,* unless this Acidity do proceed) and then it is also coagulated, and the Whey sepa∣rated, which carries off with it the occult Volatile Al∣caly, by means of which it doth refrigerate, as shall be shewed in its place.

Both these faculties are latent in good and sound Milk, and therefore they cause an occult Saltness therein; which is the reason, that Salt of what kind soever, either Natural or Artificial, never hurts Milk; yea sublimate Mercury it self, being a compound of the above-named Acid, Minerals (i e.) Vitriol, Nitre, and Salt (whose Acidity being suckt up by the Quick∣silver,* as by Alcaly, is changed into a very excel∣lent Salt) doth Milk no hurt at all. Hence it ap∣pears, that Salt things do indeed dissolve mucilagi∣nous compounds, but destroy not harder and more compact Bodies, as will be more plainly manifested in the Sequel.

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CHAP. XIV. The Precedent 〈◊〉 Illustrated by the Resolution and Composition of the Stone.
I said in the foregoing Chapter, that the percepta∣ble, or manifest Acidity,* out of the Stomach, was the cause of Diseases; which assertion, the Composition of the Stone doth confirm, which for greater Illustration, I will now Mechanically resolve, and again compound. Take a Stone, cut out from the Bladder, or coming voluntarily from the Reins, (a drachme or two is sufficient) put it into a Glass Retort new and clean (let not the Stone be beat to Powder, but of that bigness, that it may not stick to the Neck of the Retort) put the Retort into Sand, set too a new and clean Receiver, urge it with a moderate Fire; First of all an Alcaly, like Urine, yet of no smell, will drop into the Receiver, and a little after, you shall see the more fixed part of the same Alcaly to be sublimated in the Neck of tho Retort: mix both those Spirits, the Liquid and the Solid, and keep them diligently in a Glass Vessel, stopped with Wax, For if it be open, they vanish to Air, of which Hippocrates, taken part it is not sufficient, either for it self,*or any other.

In the Retort when it is cooled, you shall find the pieces of Stone in the same form as they were put in, yet so light and friable, that if you touch them but lightly, with your finger, they fall to powder, (as dead carkasses in Roma Subterraneâ) upon which entire pieces, if you again pour the Alcaly reserved from the stone, or else other Alcaly of Urine, presently it hardens, as it was before; which is a signe, that the Alcaly, in the aforesaid cadaver, finds an occult Acid, which may absorbe it; for unless it finds the Acid, it abides not alone in the open Aire, but according to its nature, would vanish away, Because being severed,
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they are sufficient neither for themselves, nor any other; as Hippocrates teacheth.

Hence we learn, That the Stone (for Example) is not congealed, neither in the Bladder nor in the Reins, unless by the Alcaly of Urine, or the Alca∣ly of the place, and the Acid unduly, unproperly, and by mistake, falling down from the Stomach, and there being degenerated, the Acid and the Alcaly, being joyned there, must needs concrete into a Masse, as I shall every where plainly shew) and they lay hold also on that which is not much different from their Nature; which, together with these two, un∣dergo coagulation, as I have said in Calx or Lime, and daily experience also witnesseth.*

Hence Red Stones are congealed by a little Blood, which falls down in the same place from the Acid, out of the eroded vein; wherefore they are more friable and brittle; but the other Stones, having muci∣lage joyned to them, are whiter and thporefore hard∣er. This is that, which my Hippocrates most skilful in Chymistry, doth proclaim. These things are thus brought to pass by Divine necessity, yet they know not what they do, but every thing fulfils his destined fate: which is, as if he had said, both these Spirits or Fa∣culties, being joyned together, in whatsoever place,* must of necessity concrete and congeale, but being severed, they effect nothing in Nature, neither can they subsist, being neither sufficient for themselves or other things, as my Doctor says. So that, manifest Acidity without the Stomach, in whatsoever place it be, is Morbous and Inimicous to Nature.

This Doctrine of the Old man is most true, for it is daily observed in practice, that Stones do concrete all vacuities of the body, wheresoever the Acid being out of its place, by mistake meets with the Alcaly, as in the Lungs, the Liver, the Vena porta, the Ureters, the Intestinum Colon, and the Bladder of the Gaul: which is against the most Aoute Galen,* who teaches, That the Stone is generated in the Bladder and Reins only by heat: wherefore the Stone of all Animals
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(of which we now speak) hath nothing in its Com∣position, but Acid and Alcaly, both Volatile, as also Blood or Mucilage; but when it is coagulated in the Bladder of the Gaul, then it lays hold of that bit∣terness which it meets there;*some going hither, some thither, and being throughly mixed amongst them∣selves, &c.

Hence we may learn, of what Vertue in dangerous Diseases, the Water tempered with or poured upon the Stone which is found in the Gaul of an Hedg∣hog, may be; which yet some ignorant Practicioners do mightily extol: 'tis a wonder they are not afraid of this Stone, as of an igneous or fiery nature, since it is better from the Gaul, which hitherto they have not observed. If the ablution of this Stone were good for any thing, furely one drop of the Gaul of the meanest Fish, were much better then twenty Ablutions thereof.

Wherefore from the coagulation of the Stone, it now appears, how far Lithon-Tribon, Cantharides, the Blood of an Hare, of a Fex, and the like, have hitherto profited in the Stone; so that Paracelsus right∣ly judges, that the Stone (and the Knotty Gout) are coagulated like Tartar, by two Faculties, according to the Doctrine of Hippocrates (i. e.) the Acid and the Alcaly; it also coagulates with it some foeces, which by chance it finds there; and Galen witnesses against himself and his followers,*The cause being known, 'tis easy to find the remedy; and therefore whatsoever of the Stones of Crabs, of Lapis Judaicus, of Flints, of the Stones of Carpes, of Perches, and the like, being in Powder, or dissolved in Vinegar, is taken at the mouth for the Stone, it indeed imbibes the Antecedent cause of the Co∣agulum (i. e.) the Acid as I have shewed; but it doth not abate or diminish the Stone, when it is once coagulated. So also Salt things, by reason of their Acid part, do hinder the concreteing of the Stone, in as much as they consume and drink up the Alcaly of the Urine, so that the Acid roving up and down the Body, can find no Alcaly wherewith to associate or be coagulated; but Salt
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things do not dissolve the Stone, when it is already con∣created.

But that common Salt doth imbibe and absorbe into it self the Alcaly of Urine, and other Alcalyes of Animals, as I have shewen above in the preparation of Sal-Armoni∣ack, so I will now further demonstrate by another expe∣riment.

'Tis known, That the flesh, of whatsoever Animal, is preserved by common Salt, which in a few days runs down there-from into a Salt Sanguineous Liquor: Boil about a pound of this Liquor, and scum it, and put it into a Glass Retort, and with a gentle fire, draw forth all the moisture; lastly, cover the Retort with sand, increasing the fire, then the Alcaly of the flesh will be elevated in∣to the neck of the Retort (like the Alcaly of Urine;) which the common Salt had absorbed and drawn out from the flesh; only by a few days maceration and steeping; after the same manner, the Salt which we eat, must needs con∣sume and drink up the superfluous Alcaly (gathered toge∣ther here and there in the Gavities or Ventricles (as Hip∣pocrates says) which is unfit for Transpiration; reason it self dictates this, and experience beareth witness thereto; for Alcaly by an easy process is sublimated out of Urine, and the Soa-salt remains, as it was eaten, in the bottom,* the same way as I just now shewed, concerning the Salt Liquor of Flesh.

Hence we may gather, That Salt is bestowed on Mor∣tals, as a necessary support of Health and Life.

'Tis plain from our antecedent Discourse,* that by a Me∣chanical necessity, the Stone is not dissolved, unless by a middle Sapor between Acid and Alcaly; This Sapor is changed into Urine, of great Strength, and grateful to the intestines (as hath been said) and it ought to be sub∣til, that it may pass up and down and pervade all free∣ly. If you will call this way of dissolving, either by its contrary, or by its like, you do not much mistake, for the Alcaly if it dissolves, 'tis done by its like; the Acid, if it destroys, 'tis done by its contrary: Who (of what Sect soever) besides Hippocrates,* could have unfolded this Riddle to us, wherefore Galen
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commends Him, not without Cause, as* our Director in Physick, and an excellent Master in the whole course of our Life.

There is also a Specifick Remedy, known to few, which in young people fully and perfectly takes away the Stone of the Blader,* without relapse, and elder persons may also take it at Mouth, without any inconvenience. I would willingly communicate it, if I were not afraid of Impostors; but chance here more prevails then reason: The Asthma and Epilepsie, are also perfectly cured by the same Remedy.

CHAP. XV. A Thing unheard of, and admirable, yet most ancient, discoursed of.
I Have already declared, That the Acidity in the Sto∣mach, I have also shewed, That the Stone, Urine, Sweat, and Blood, are Salt. I have also shewed, how the Salt or Sapor taste is divided with fixed Alcaly, that so the Alcaly may be freed from the Acid; now it is my part, to shew, how, Urine, Sweat, and Blood, &c. do acquire this Salt Taste? All Aliments, and whatsoever doth nou∣rish, have but a little of the Acid, and much of Volatile Alcaly (as hereafter will be more clearly shewed) (i. e) as much Acid as will bind up and restrain the Alcaly, that it vanish not away (for alone it is not sufficient for it self) as I have formerly noted out (of Hippocrates) the Acidity of the Stomach acts upon that Alcaly;* of these two Sapors is made a Salt-Juice, which being impressed with that Acid Vital Character, is called Chyle: This pas∣seth not through the Mesaraicks, neither is it admitted thereunto, unless it put on (after its own manner) a Salt Taste (i. e.) a mature one; otherwise it will be un∣grateful and troublesome to the inward parts; and so, the Acidity of the stomach, vivifies the Chyle, that it may be made fit for nourishment.

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Hence it is, that my*Hippocrates saith; As the Sto∣mach nourisheth, heateth, and cooleth in Animals; so doth the Earth in Vegetables, which sounds thus; That the Stomach is the President of all Actions which hap pen in the Body, for the sake or by means of Vital Acid alone lurking there. I think there is no need,* that the Urine of great Drinkers and Toss-pots (who by reason of the quan∣tity, they swallow, do piss every hour, especially, if it be Watery Rhenish Wine, which they drunk) should pass through all the Channels and Ducts of the Veins, for then it would come forth tinged; but their Urine, though like in colour to simple Water, is notwithstanding Salt, like That which is produced from moderate drinking; which the Alcalizate Lye proveth, as I have shewed concerning Sweat: On the other side, the Urine of dying men, though they make it, in a little quantity, and tinged to, yet it altogether wants Saltness, and also Alcaly,* (besides the common; if they take any in their Meat:) where∣fore of necessity that Saltness must be generated from the Impression of the Vital Acidity, having it's place in the Stomach; which forsakes dying men by degrees.

By this observation, 'tis as clear as noon-day, that the Vital Instrument, in sound animals, (wherewith the Aliment is impressed, before it glides from the Pylorus, lest it should putrify,* as I have said out of Hippocrates) is Acid, wherewith the Chyle, in the very Stomach (re∣presenting an Egg, or grain of Seed,) must be made Salt. In one word, Chyle is made Salt, by and with the Acidity of the Stomach, and the Alcalizated Aliment; So is also the Urine Salt for the same Cause (even of those who never tasted any Salt) their flesh and bones,* yea the very excrements of the Belly are Salt, yet the Alcalye hereof, though it be an hundred times Rect••ed, in a few hours, is again changed into That, which it was, by means of the Ferment of the Place, or of this hid∣den Acidity, lurking and abiding there; whence We learn, that the Alcaly of every thing,* doth contain and keep and preserve the occult Acid (imperceptible to sense) of the Animal, or else of that part, whence it was taken. for which: Cause Paracelsus, being illuminated in the
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A• cient Hippocratical Science, and after him, the Famous H•lmont, have specificated a Liquor for the Stone,*L•ndus (by reason of the Symbol, or the Ferment of the place, which it may be lawful for me, to intimate;) (So the Viperine Alcaly, having an Alexipharmacal property (after its manner) is restrained from flight by the above-named and declared Acid, and it is celebra∣ted in very many Diseases, especially in the Feet-Gout, Jovnt-Gout,* and its species, (whose pain, as Paraeus first hath observed with unspeakable benefit and advan∣tage) is not without occult Poyson) to which, in an exigent, I add a little powder of Sena, of Hermodactiles, and of Cremor Tartar,*ana a Scruple;) but it goes through all the passages of Man's body, in an occult Saline form, like Sweat; but when it finds a more Acid Sapor in the Cavities, Articles, and Joynts, then it relinquisheth its proper Acid, and imbibes that more potent, dolorous, and burning One: after the same manner, as it happen∣eth in Corals dissolved in Vinegar; on which, if a more Acid liquor be instilled, as of Vitriol, or Sulphur: This associates it self to the Corals, and neglects the Vinegar, as is well known to every puny Apothecary (see also the necessity of Precipitation,*Chap. 28.) But when the Acid is not alcalized into Salt before it passes through the Meseraicks, and by chance is received and entertain∣ed within, creeping even to the Blood, it waxes soure, and presently there follow Feavors and Pleurisies; for the Blood, sent forth at that time, concretes into clotts, because the abounding Acid, drives the Alcaly together, as I have shewed in Milk. In this case our Ancestors have found out Specifick Remedies for the Pleurisy, friend∣ly to the Stomach (where they resist not nor hinder Digestion) which abound with Volatile Alcaly, that they may restrain and consume the Acid, such as are, Goats-blood,* Juice of Wild-Succory, the Peezil of a Stagg, or Bull, the Seeds of Carduus, and the like, which are prescribed at this very day with good success, especially after Letting-blood, the blood being now soured in the Veins; for then the aforesaid Remedies do easily absorb That which remains, after the same manner as
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I have shewed concerning Crude Vitriol precipitated with Liquor of Tartar, for one only drop of either Sapor ex∣ceeding the other, turns the whole mixture either into Alcaly or Acid; so one drop of the Acid, if it enters in∣to the blood, causes a Disease. Hence it appears that Health consists in a very narrow point, which is a tem∣perament, ad justitiam, or ad pondus, as Galen speaks,*Which we rather suppose and imagine, then that •• really is. Hence* also that of Hippocrates, Bodies advanced to their full vigor, stay not there, but as weighed in an equal bal∣lance, turn down to the contrary sid•.

By what hath been said, the reason is manifest, why Vitriol exsiceated, performs vital actions, with blood, sweat, urine, or execrements, as it may be drawn to some certain Object, of which I 〈◊〉 on purpose to speak in this place, least I should exceed the bounds of a Compendium.

Wherefore the Vital Instrument, or Seminal Vertue, (call it as you please) in all ••ings, is Acidity, either hiel∣den, or manise••. Th••••••tue resides manifestly in the Stomach, but in the 〈◊〉 members obscurely, as*Hip∣pocrates witness••n. 〈◊〉, says He, hath more than one Ventricle, all the Mu•cl•s hav• their Ventricle. Now it is the office of the Stomach to change one thing into another, by the help of the two faculties (i. e.) the innate Acid, and the acquired Alcaly, for so we are to understand this, as my Hippocrates enjoynes, saying,*Men cut wood with a Saw, one draws to, another thrusts from, so also is the nature of Man. So that the aforesaid Acid (which I have shewed to be occult in Milk) assumes the Alcaly in the Aliments, and whatsoever is not repugnant to its own nature, it coagulates it with it self, and increaseth into a bulk which is vulgarly called Nutrition, but by my Master, Natural Labour, saying,*Man cannot be healthy, unless he Labour, but it is meet and fit that a Physician throughly know the force of Labours, both of the Natural and also of those which are done by force; and which from them prepare Flesh for augmentation and growth, as upon the Authority of Hippocrates I have given rude Examples in Lime and Sope; but these
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things being obscure, by reason of their brevity, in the following Chapters, I shall more largly explain, discovering every thing particularly, which here are but generally propounded, That you may know Nature to be alike in every thing, as the Venerable*Pythagoras, with my Hippocrates, doth teach.

Since therefore, whatsoever is put into the Stomach, ought to be changed into a Salt Volatile, and the Chyle is not proportionated, but by reason of some Error, from within or without, hath more or less of Acidity, as we see in Drunkards, who sometimes vomit up what they drink in, of an Acid taste; then,* the im∣portune Acidity, creeping through the Meseraicks, becomes unfit (according to Hippocrates) for Aliment, and for the Subsequent Ventricles, and then, the whole Body falls into an unequal heat, and because the Ali∣ment is disproportioned, it must of necessity be unfit for Exhalation,* as Hippocrates again teaches in the fore-cited Book, Of necessity, says he, those things which are severed and produced from it, must be unlike, &c.

Whence we say, that the Pores are obstructed, and transpiration hindered; and then a Feavor, or other Disease, must necessarily follow. Hence every Disease, according to Hippocrates, doth generally consist, either in matter coagulated, or in matter more or less dis∣solved; and it differs according to the quality of the taste or sapor, of which he reckons an infinite number, in his Book of Old Medicines,*and in his Aphorisms, Sowre Belchings, which were not before, comming on sowre and estinking ones, is a good sign; he means not in every loose Disease; for Example, In the Flux of the Bel∣ly, Acidity is deficient in the Stomach, and in those Persons where it is, there happens a Flux, or loosness of the Intestines from too much Salt Sapor, which Sapor doth at least dissolve those things, which are but lightly and gently concreted; yet it is never pernicious, but is overcome by Milk alone, because Milk is easily mixed and washed off with Salt things: But if the Acid and Alcaly are proportioned with a due heat, in every Ventricle, like adhearing to like, with∣out
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any strife or variance. This is called San•ty,* and so Smegma Sope is perfected and coagulated, which also it self, if it be disproportioned, becomes Mor∣bous, and must be dissolved by its like; and again, by its contrary (as I have shewed above) it must be re∣duced and recocted for Sanity, and be coagulated into Salt.

'Tis enough to have hinted at these things belonging to this matter, concerning the rise and generation of Volatil Salts in the Animal Family, unless any man shall object, that Volatile Salts are therefore made be∣cause we eat Salt things; which I have shewed before to be impossible, by reason of the fixedness of Salt; yea Salt is found in Urine, as it was eaten, being unchanged in its Form and Nature, and without the least Al∣teration, as may be easily experimented (i. e.) viz. by the inspissation of Urine, and afterwards by its Calcination, Solution, and Coagulation, where Salt is found granulated; as also, Men live on the Alps of simple Milk alone, whose Urine notwithstand∣ing, is not destitute of Acid and Alcaly, which though concreted in the sorm of Salt, yet it is not granulat∣ed as Sea-salt, but of a Cubical form; nor doth it endure constant in the Fire, but the Alcaly, with a gentle heat, forsakes the Acid, as Experience doth de∣clare.

CHAP. XVI. A return from the former Digression, to the Mecha∣nical Demonstration of Alcalyes.
I have shewed the way of Extracting Alcaly out of Sweat, so also out of Urine, out of Blood, out of the flesh of all Animals; I have also declared that Alcaly, with the Acid is changed into Salt, not only in the Stomach, but in all the Ventri∣cles, of which*Hippocrates reckons an infinite num∣ber;
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and when that Salt hath done its work, then together with its dissident or contrary (i. e.) with the un∣ctuous excrements,* it transpires; and is carried off into Elements, as it happens in all sublunary things, and I have shewed in Fixed Salt of Tartar and Oil (and shall afterwards do it more plainly) and also in Artificial Sope, which after it is made, and hath ser∣ved for use, will return into Water and Earth; which transpiration and reduction to Earth, ad orcum, will more manifestly appear by Examples.

Let any one drink,* or but lightly taste, a lit∣tle Vitriol of Mars, and presently his Tongue wax∣eth Black, seeming to swell, as if it were furred with Velvet, whose Pores, are always turged with the Exhalations Occultly Salt, which either are mingled with Spittle, or vanish into Air; so that as soon as ever the Acidity of the Vitriol of Mars perceives the hidden Alcaly in the Spittle, in a trice, it sepa∣rates the Colcothar, which sticks to the Tongue and makes it Black. But least you should think I speak of incredible things, behold an Ocular Demonstra∣tion.

Dissolve Vitriolum Martis in fair Water, into the clear Solution, instill by drops the fixed Alcaly of Tartar, (i. e.) the Liquor of Tartar, then the•ol∣cothar falls obscurely greenish.

Alcaly
Cel•ndine
Lavender
Wormwood
Rosemary
Volatile urine
Sweat
Blood
Vipers.
Praecipitates dissolved Vi∣triolum Martis of a
Yellow
Green
Orange
moredarkthen
Salt of Tartar
Darkly green
Brighter
Obscurer
Colour.
Salt of Bean-stalks, troubles it into a Yellowness, and after an ho•rs rest, elevates O•re from the bottom: Common Salt, as being the perfectest of all Salts, is mixed with Vitriol; So also Mercury sublimate, being an
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artificial Salt, and also all Acid things, do not precipi∣tate Vitriol.

Wherefore only Alcalyes do precipitate Vitriol, enclin∣ing to black at bottom, but they are not found fixed in a living Animal; but are only Volatile, and being perpe∣tually compact with the Acid, after they have served for use, do exhale from us, and transpire with the Acid un∣der an Occult-Salt-Sapor, which will more clearly ap∣pear.

The whole body of Man, as long as he lives, is Expirable and Conspirable, as Hippocrates first observed, and what∣soever expires, is occultly Salt; but this Salt evaporates not only to the External Surface of the body, but the greatest part of it falls down to the intestines; which is thus proved.

Drink Vitriol of Mars, dissolved in water, and you shall see the excrements of the Belly tinged either black or green, after the same manner, being precipitated by the inward Alcaly; as I have already declared by experi∣ment: but in the External habit of the body, dissolved Vitriol is not precipitated by the Effluviums of Salt, there∣fore it passes in greater quantity, to the Intestines; So neither is the Urine tinged black, for the Colcothar is pre∣cipitated before the liquor is hurried to the Mesaraicks; so that of necessity it must remain in the Bowels.

If therefore the greatest part of the Excrements pass to the Bowels, being designed by Nature for Expulsion, It is sometimes by mistake detained in undue places by the Bonds of Coagulation, or to speak according to Fernelius Language in the First Region of the Body, and then of necessity it must be furthered in order to Expulsion, by some Loosning Medica∣ment; So that it seems not to me,* that all Loos∣ning Medicaments are to be disallowed in Diseases, as some think, neither are they alone sufficient to pro∣cure health and recovery, as the greatest part of Phy∣sicians do believe and practice, against the Tenent of Hippocrates.

But it may be demanded why Acid Fountains car∣rying Iron, make not the Tongue Black, as well
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as the Excrements of the Belly? That happeneth, be∣cause the Natural Acid Spirit corroding the Vein of Immature Iron, being mixed with Water, is not sa∣turated, but prevailes in the Compositum; and the Fountain being drunk off in the very Act of Corro∣sion, there is not then time given for Praecipitation in the Tongue; but as soon as the grateful Acidity is carried to the Stomach, then the Colcotar falls, or is praecipitated from the Alcaly, which flowes to the dissolved Iron, for defect of one faculty and ex∣cess of another, and whatsoever of Mucilage they catch in that Coagulation, they constrain into their own Nature; as I have above-shewed in the Concretion of the Stone, by the Authority of Hippocrates, and in a rude Example in slacked and dissolved Lime. This Coagulum is called by Physicians Obstruction.* The Acid or the Alcaly may now and then exceed in it; so the Stomach repugne not, which is the president of all Actions, as*Hippocratcs teaches; or if the Acid Wa∣ters touch the place (which pass not beyond the Dia∣phragma, a thing to be noted) they without doubt destroy it: I said that Acid waters are to be drunk in the very Action of Corrosion; (i. e.) they are to be taken from the living Fountain, for if they flow down a little from it, then the Action ceaseth, and the Acid Spirit being spent and consumed by the unripe Iron, grows faint, and with the Solution is praecipitated into Ocre, which affords not a Black (for it is not prae∣cipitated with Alcaly) but a yellowish bottom, as it hap∣pens to all Vitriol, passing through and carrying Iron. A Physician of the Canonical Sect, having learned well to quarrel out of Aristotle, a few years since, caused Water out of a Fountain, corroding a Vein of Iron, to be brought from the Country about Trent, to a Noble Senator of this City, being Hypochondriacal, who fear∣ing lest the Corroding Spirit would exhale, command∣ed the Water to be filled in Glass-jars of a long Neck, and Oil to be poured a-top, and so to stop their Mouths with Wax, and to bind them with a Bladder, rejoy∣cing by this subtle Device, as it were, to have impri∣soned
Page 55
the Spirit of the Fountain, which he looked upon as Spirit of Wine: yet notwithstanding to such men as these, though they are ignorant of the Instruments of Medicine, God so permitting, we entrust and com∣mit our Lives, Fortunes, Wives, Children and Fa∣milies.

Hence the bold, though ingenious,*Helmont crys out, That a Physician is now adays a rare thing in Europe. This man if he had been truly versed in Hippocrates his School, and had read over the Book of Nature, he had never so shamefully discovered himself, neither would Physick, the Noblest of all Sciences,*be accounted the meanest: I say he might have known, that the Acidity doth not exhale, but only by its Action on the Iron, grows weak, and then exhales not, but both of them go to bottom in the form of Faeces, which is called Ocre: neither can I sufficiently admire the vani∣ty of some pratling Boasters, who with the same stu∣pidity, hold forth the distilling of a Fountain,* and di∣vineing by the bottom; so Rich men are sent away emp∣ty, and without advantage or benefit.

The Spaw Water is much more Acid, and though it corrode a Vein of Iron, yet it retains a certain Acidi∣ty, and therefore it permits it self, and is capable to be carried to another place.

The Renowned Fame of this Fountain, about ten years ago, moved a Noble Vicentine, curiously to en∣quire into the Nature of this Fountain, for his own healths sake; to whom I briefly described its proper∣ties, and for what Diseases it was good, being at that time with the Most Illustrious George William, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburge; though afterwards I went into Low Germany. The Noble Man being returned home, by chance related to a Physician of that City, what I had said concerning the Fountain; whereupon he wrote a long Letter, under pretence of Advice, to the Famous and Excellent Theodore Konerdaig, the Dukes Learned and Chief Physician, which he sent unsealed to the Dukes own Hands, and in the Margent my Name was Inserted, that it might easily be read by
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him viewing the Letter;* the Duke reading it, and dis∣daining so mean a Fellow, asked me, whether I knew who wrote it? I denying it; 'Tis well, says he, that thou art Despised and Reproached by the Vulgar, read it and hand it to Mr. Konerdaige, that he also may know who Wrote it.

The Incomparable Prince gave no ear to Backbiters, but carryed himself, as if he had never read their Re∣proaches. The whole Contents was nothing but Ca∣lumny and Railing;* wherein he accused me, for bring∣ing in a new Philosophy; which Reproaches, savouring of nothing but a malignant mind, and stupid ignorance, let them go as they came.

But to the Matter, As Vitriol, and all Waters, containing dissolved Iron, are praecipitated into a black bottom, so also, the Acid Spirit of Vitriol it self, although it be rectified, retains the Liquamen of the Metal, on which, if the purest Alcaly be poured, it is praecipitated indeed, but not into a Black, but in∣to Colcotar,* constant in the Fire; wherefore they that use this Powder for Whitening the Teeth, are much mistaken: 'tis true, it strengthens the Gums, but it dies the Teeth, with a most tenacious Yel∣lowness, as Vitriol it self makes them Black; for per∣petually and necessarily something of moisture doth exhale from us, filled with Alcaly, which also about the Cavities or Alveoli of the Teeth, precipitates Col∣cothar out of the aforesaid Spirit, which sticks to the Teeth, and makes them Yellow.

CHAP. XVII. Ʋpon Occasion of Vitriol, the Salts of Vegetables are more exactly and throughly considered.
I Have formerly told you, 'That neither Acid nor Salt, nor any other Sapor, doth overcome and destroy Vitriol, but Alcalyes alone, but the Juice
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of unripe Galls, falls in with Vitriol,* and makes a coalition therewith into black, destroying and absorbing the Aci∣dity thereof; and therefore this Juice is to be reckon∣ed amongst Alcalyes; after this manner, Ink, and all Black Tinctures are made: yea, when the Acidity of the Vitriol is not, to sufficiency, combibed by the Al∣caly of Galls; which comes to pass, when the Galls are too ripe, and are washed by the Rain; then the Alcaly doth expire, as it happens to all Vegetables, of which hereafter in its place; then the Vitri∣ol erodes and eats out the Cloth, and it becomes as rotten; whence the Vulgar say,*La robba e brusada, nella tinta. So also, Letters written with Ink, boil∣ed with the aforesaid Galls, do wax pale, because the prevalent Acidity of the Vitriol, consumes the weak Alcaly of the Galls, being washed with the Rain, after the same manner as any Acid Spirit spread upon a Writing, presently destroys the Black Colour (i. e.) the Alcaly, which another fixed Alcaly doth again recover and reduce. So if you write with Water, wherein Vitriol of Iron hath been dissolved, when it is dry, no sign of of any Writing will appear,* but if you smear over the Writing with a simple in∣fusion of Galls, in a moment the Alcaly of the Galls makes the Writing Black, which by a powerful Acid or A∣qua fortis, is presently blotted out, viz. The Alcalyes being consumed by the Acid. Again, smear over the Paper with fixed Alcaly, this will again consume the Acid, and the Writing will re-appear. By what hath been said, it appears, that Vitriol doth not dye Black, un∣less its Acidity hath been absumed by some Alcaly or other.

But that the Alcaly of Galls may be made more perfect, anoint them over, at least with some Fat,* or with some Oil, the hidden Acidity of which enters into the Galls, being placed in a pot, in a slow Fire of Ashes, leave them there till you see the Galls become Blacker, but not so as to be reduced to Coals; then their Alcaly will be more fit for Colouring, and an Ounce of such burnt Galls, doth more than a
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pound of others; yea it colours of it self, because the Acidity of the Fat, by the Fire, hath acted upon its Alcaly.

Very many Vegetables do abound with the like Volatile and Occult Alcaly,* as the greater Housleek, Sage, Rinds of Pomgranates; all which do spend and absume the Acid of the Vitriol, and cause the Colcotar to be much less black.

A certain Prince of great Renown, an Enquirer into the Mysteries of Nature, wondered much, when he heard that a certain Gentlewoman of the Nursery in his Court, had taken by Mouth, Rinds of Pomgranates (which are uni∣versally judged to be Adstringent) which yet provoked the Courses in her, which had been stopped some Months: To whom, when I declared the copious Alcaly, where∣with these Rinds do abound, and that the stopping of the Menstrua did arise from that Morbous Acidity, which the Alcaly of the Rinds had absorbed, it ceased his won∣derment.

But you must note, that Artificial Vitriol of an Azure colour,* (which is falsly called (Cyprus Vitriol) doth not become black, with Galls, though they be burnt, but with Rinds of Pomgranates it tinges obscurely Yellow: Now it is made of the spangles or thin flakes of Copper, by Spirit of Sulphur, or of common Vitriol; both which in a cold place, are Coagulated into somewhat long-angu∣lar little stones, hardly dissolvable, and unfit for Distil∣lation, because it wholly wants that Cupreous Sulphur. This, with Urine, waxeth Green, and with the Alcaly of Urine, is cast into an Azure bottom, which by Fusion re∣turns to Copper.

So also Verdigrease (as proceeding from ripe Copper and Vinegar) doth not wax black with Galls,* but becomes of a light red or Spadiceous colour, and, by the Refor∣mers leave, I know, and have experimented, that no∣thing but Vinegar will be distilled from thence, because the remaining Caput Mortuum, after Distillation, by the fire of Fusion, is reduced to pure Copper, of which more hereafter.

Whence it appears, that burnt Brass, with tosted Galls,
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produceth not a black tincture, as Alexius of Piedmont pro∣mises, with which process the Women of this Country do wonderfully vexe themselves, that therewith they may black their hair; for as far as this composition tingeth any thing, it ownes that Vertue to the tosted Galls;* the burnt Brass contributing nothing thereunto.

But Cyprus Vitriol, is truly Hermaphroditical, richly furnished with natural Acidity, and Cupreous Sulphur;* for which reason it is always moist, and never of it self con∣ctetes into small stones, wherefore it very easily grows black with Galls; which is a sign, that it partakes of the Nature of Venus and Mars (for Vitriol of Venus, without Mars, doth not grow black with Galls, as I have shew∣ed.)

For Iron and Copper, are of affinity one to another, as Male and Female. This Secret (sayes Basilius) you may take no∣tice of, but conceal, for it is of great use. This Vitriol,* dis∣solved in water, is of a Tawney colour, if burnt Brass be dissolved in it, or flakes of Copper, or Iron, then it con∣cretes into little stones, and becomes vendible, but infe∣rior to that which is Medicineable.

The White Vitriol which comes from Gosloria and that also from Carinthia,* doth participate indeed of Mars and Venus, but are not rich in natural Acidity, for which rea∣son they very slowly wax black with Galls, a drop of this Solution, mixed with Galls, and falling on Paper makes a Party-coloured Iris, after it is dry.

But Romane Vitriol, which abounds with Iron,* though poor in Spirit, yet it colours quickly, because of the Iron; So Artificial Vitriol, which is made of the fileings of Iron,* with Spirit of Vitriol or Sulphur, doth tinge most readily; and therefore Dyers, for want of Sweet Vitriol, do add fileings of Iron to the Humid, and by consequent the sharp which it doth Corrode, and so the Vitriol is Dulcified.

So also Crocus Martis (which is made of artificial Vitriol, burnt in a covered Crucible, till it be red) being dissolved with Spirit of Salt: and digested with Spirit of Wine,* ac∣quires a golden colour; and becomes a noble Medicine. One drop alone of this Solution in half an ounce of the De∣coction or Extract of Galls, becomes perfectly black;
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pour out this black, and wash the vessel with clean water, and the Ablution will be of the colour of an Amtihyst; A drop of the former, on Paper, after it is dryed, of its own accord represents divers colours, as a Peacocks tail, curious to the eyes of the beholders.

Whilest I was busied heretofore about these curious ex∣periments, I perceived my fingers to be tingedwith a Pur∣ple colour, as it happens from Gold dissolved in Aqua Regia: and the tincture endured for some days; This Ba∣silius calls Sanguis Veneris & Martis, The blood of Venus and Mars, and commands us, not without reason, to ob∣serve it accurately, and to conceal it.

Gold corroded by Aqua Regia, and coagulated into the shape of Vitriol,* doth tinge the fingers, as I have said, of a Purple colour; and with the infusion of Galls, the li∣quor becomes like yellow Amber, with which, if with a liberal hand you dawb over Paper, after it is dryed, it shines as Varnish.

Silver corroded in Aqua Fortis,* of Nitre, and Alome, with an infusion of Galls, doth not change its nature; if you write on Paper with this mixture, after two days every black letter, is, as it were compassed with a Silver and shining list, which cannot be without Alcaly: Hence this rare Man may understand why the Ancients Metapho∣rically called Gold the Male, and Silver the Female: A drop of this Solution, if with a large hand it drop on Paper, after the silver lift it draws and makes another of a Ches∣nut colour, a pleasant Spectacle, as if it were so painted on purpose: So also, Tinn, and Lead, being reduced in∣to Salt or Vitriol,* with the juice of Galls, as also with Alcaly of any sort, yields a white bottom (i. e.) the Al∣caly of the Galls drinks up the Acid, and the Metal goes to bottom; but not so in Gold, nor Silver, nor Cop∣per, &c.

Quick silver dissolved by Acid things,* and re-coagu∣lated with the aforesaid juice of Galls, waxeth but slow∣ly Yellow, imitating Gold; which is to be observed.

Wherefore of the seven Metals, being dissolved by Acids, Iron and Silver, with Galls, do tinge of a black colour: Yea, Silver doth the same without Galls, and the black∣ness
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appears after the Acid Spirits are spent. Other Me∣tals, though dissolved and re-coagulated, do shew as if they were Vitriol, but perform not the actions of Vi∣triol.

Find out the cause, if you can, for it is not unpleasant to discover it.

A Semi-acid-Salt Spirit, Distilled from the Caput Mor∣tuum of Tartar and Sal Armoniack,* was mixed with Bole Armonick, of which above. This Spirit, with juice of Galls was greenish in a moment; From which I learned, that the Bole Armonick did necessarily contain in it imma∣ture Copper-seed, which the soresaid Spirit catcht away with it in the torture of the Fire; I call it a Copper∣seed, for Vitriol made of Copper, with Spirit of Vitriol, being precipitated with juice of Galls, appears of the same green colour, as I shewed above: but when it is made of common Bole-Armonick, then it is black.

Whence it is clear, that the Volatile Salt, or the Al∣caly of Galls, or of Pomgranate Rinds,* or of Vulnerary Herbs, do not dye of a black colour, unless with Iron, dissolved in an Acid Mineral.

There is another observable thing, that a pure Acid na∣tural Spirit, cannot be extracted or acquired by any man; for being Distilled from Vitriol, however rectified, it ne∣ver forsakes the Liquamen of the Metal; neither can it be precipitated from it, by any Alcaly, after the com∣mon way; for in these it cloaths it-self again with a new body, and returns to what it was, as I have shewed in its place, yet Paracelsus doth praise that Acid Spirit, which is found near the Village Veltin in Helvetia, as in some sort pure, as I have elsewhere observed.

Add hereto, the Counterseit, which the Reformer boasts for Magistery of the Seed of Kermes, which yet is nothing else, but the Alcaly of Allum;* which sucked up the Occult Acidity, from the very grains, for fear of a Vacuum, inasmuch as it lost its own proper Acidity in the Alcaly of Tartar.

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CHAP. XVIII. Pass we now out of the Mines (Ʋnder-ground) into a plea∣sant Garden, to the more hidden Volatile Alcalyes of Ve∣getables.
ALl Vegetables,* as well as Animals, have Vital In∣struments, which they make use of, for their en∣crease and propagation. The prevailing Acidity therefore lies sleeping in the Seed (as in an Egg, or in a Stomach) with a little Alcaly, for its sustentation, and with the specifick Rector (of which elsewhere) but when it is cast into the earth, it is dissolved by Humidity, and excited by Heat: The Acid, as being igneous, begins to act upon the Al∣caly, to which the Humid also comes, and the Rector, by the assistance of Heat, informs it: So invisibly, the A∣cid assumes the Alcaly, and the Alcaly again swallows up the Acid, they tend to each side, as Ferments do, yea they cease not,* till they have finished their several and prefixed Courses for their proper ends; one Spirit draws, another protrudes, as Hippocrates in the fore-cited place.

So that, the Humidity of every Vegetable, contains Acid and Alcaly; in some, the Alcaly predominates, in others the Acid: The Acid is most known, but the Al∣caly yet known to few; which I will now demonstrate to the Eye, in the sweet expressed juice of Grapes, as most known; wherein, the first days the Rector is Dormant, who, a while after, applying the Mechanical Organs, the Acid begins to Corrode the Alcaly, and This absorbs the Acid; and so there happens a vehement Contention and Fight, which from the Heat or Boyling is called Fermentation, which lasts till the Acid, as Victor, hath overcome the Alcaly:* In this Fight both the Faculties (or Tastes, or Sapors, Instruments, Mechanical or Archi∣techtonical, call them as you please, or else the Arche∣us, or Innate Heat &c.) undergo a great overthrow, there being made a mighty slaughter, the Acid being swallow∣ed
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up, destroyed, and enfeebled by the Alcaly, both mu∣tually fall in a mutual embrace into a Cadaver (in re∣spect of Wine) which is called Tartar.

If you Distill this Tartar out of a Retort,* the Acid is ex∣cited by Heat, and begins again to act upon the Alcaly; and This likewise on the Acid, and so a new Fermenta∣tion begins, for which you must use a very slow fire, and though the Receiver be great, yet the incondensible O∣dor of the Fermentation (which Helmont calls Gas) is perceived a far off; yet at last, the Alcaly overcomes the Acid, and doth plainly absorb it, and both of them, for the greatest part are fixed. The Liquor and Oyl in the Receiver are Saturated and Impregnated with Volatile Alcaly, which is of excellent use of it self, yet known to few. If you again re-infuse the Distilled Liquor and the Oyl upon the Caput Mortuum, then the Volatile Alcaly, which the Liquor did contain, is drunk up by the Acid in the Caput Mortuum, and becomes fixed, but that which then re-distills out, will be of greater Affinity, to the Element of Water, and so of less efficacy. But the Re∣former here, as every where else, grievously mistakes;* for he says, That Common Spirit of Tartar, which is not rectified from its remaining Caput Mortuum, is by no means to be accounted for pure Spirit of Tartar.

From this his Rectified Spirit of Tartar (and out of his own insipid Brain) he compounds a Medicine,* truly la∣mentable, which he calls, A mixture of Three, from the Spi∣rits of the Minerals.

First, The Volatile Alcaly in the Tartar, is Saturated with the Acid of the Sulphur of Antimony; That he calls the Tartarized Spirit of Antimony, if by chance, some of the Volatile Alcaly, do yet remain, what doth he then? He mortifies it with Vinegar from Verdigrease, and the Acid of Vitriol; whence this hurtful, though artificial and unprofitable Composition, consists of Elementary Water and Vinegar; this mixture the Ancients called Posca, to which the Reformer adds nothing, but the stinking smell of Tartar. But the Spirit of Tartar, being prudently Di∣stilled by an Hippocratist, is not Acid, but somewhat bit∣ter, and full of Volatile Alcaly; on which, if you poure
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Spirit of Vitriol, it waxeth hot, that you can hardly hold the pot in your hands; which is an evident sign, that the Acid of the Vitriol hath drunk up the Alcaly of the Tartar; as it happens when water is poured on Lime, and as in the slacking and heating of Lime, the Salts dye, and it degenerate into a Neutral; the same is to be un∣derstood of Spirit of Tartar, with whatsoever Acid it be mixed; so my Master Hippocrates teaches.

I return now,* whence I digressed (i. e.) to the Chymical Fermentation of Wine, for whose sake, the Tartar fell to the bottom, as a Cadaver; But the Acidity spread through the Liquor, hath dominion over it, and doth de∣fend it, and is called Wine, the Acidity whereof, is grate∣ful to the Palate, because of the Alcaly, with which it is joyned, and tempers the Acid, till at length the Acidity, weary of the Alcaly, or excited again by Heat, strives to overcome the Alcaly, and so a new and insensible fight begins, and the Wine foures more, and is called by a common name, Vinegar: from which if the Acidity be separated in a Limbeck,* and the bottom burnt by fire, then the Alcaly is found out of that Tartarous bot∣tom, though it seem impossible to some, to find Al∣caly in so great an Acidity; yet it is true, and it is That which the Philosopher means, when he says, That it is impossible there should be any matter, under which there should not be some form.

Pour or superadde Distilled Acid on this Alcaly, and evocate the watery flegme, having the smell of Aqua Ardeus, or hot water, then from the Acid and the Al∣caly, you shall have a re-generated Tartar, which out of a Retort, yields a fat Oyl, and a bitter Water, full of •olatile Alcaly; out of the Phlegme, through a Phyal of a long Neck,* evocate the Fat burning watery part, which we call Aqua vitae; the other part is elementary water; the Fat re-assumes the Al∣caly, out of which again, extract the Elementary Wa∣ter, and repeat this operation, and the whole sub∣stance of Wine passes into Water and Elementary Earth, void of all taste and smell.

Hence it appears, that the Juice of Grapes hath
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preserved the Alcaly, and the Acid (in which the Re∣ctor doth inhabit) in various hazards, and several al∣terations, even unto its last annihilation.

CHAP. XIX. An untrodden Path discovered.
THat which I have spoken in the precedent Chap∣ter concerning the Juice of Grapes, the same is also to be understood of the Juice of all Vegetables; for in them all there is Acid and Alcaly, more or less, as Hippocrates and Experience also shew; but with this difference, that in those Vegetables, which we call Cold, the Alcaly doth predominate, and they are not fermentable, unless by the help of an outward Acid, or being excited by heat; but in those which are hot, the Acid prevails, and therefore they are easily fermentable, as in the Progress will appear. Also the Alcaly of some Vegetables is nearer to fix'd, and therefore it joynes in with Acid Minerals;* as I have shewed in Galls, in the greater Housleak, in Rinds of Pomgranates, &c. The Alcalyes of others, are much more delicate, so that Acid Minerals do present∣ly absume them, in as much as they are nutritive and fit for the digestion of Animals, which consists in a milder Acidity: of which sort are Winter-green, Sa∣nicle, Bettony, Fole-foot, &c. Which therefore are called Vulnerary Herbs, whose Alcaly restrains and hinders the injust Acidity vising in the Stomach, as it lessens it also in wonuds, because all Acidity out of the Stomach, is hurtful, morbous, and accompanies putrefaction, which the Vulgar call heat, from the effect, for it causes a Fea∣vour, and putrefies Wounds; many skilful Chyrurge∣ons have taken notice of that Acidity in wounded men, as the beginner of heat and putrefaction, and have there∣fore forbade them the use of Wine, and not without cause, least the subtle and evaporable Acidity of the Wine should encrease the Disease, I say, the Alcaly of
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these is not discovered with Acid Minerals,* but be∣cause they themselves are Nutritive, therefore the said Alcaly associates it self with its similary Nutritives, and with gentler Acids, than Minerals. As for Ex∣ample, Dissolve a drachm of Sal Saturni (made with Distilled Vinegar, for that resists not the Digestion of Animals) in about three Ounces of Distilled Water, which hath no Volatile Alcaly) of Rosemary, Lavender, Rue, &c. Suffer the Lees to settle: This Solution be∣ing sweet in taste, contains Occult Lead; drop the clear Juice of the foresaid Vulnerary Herbs, into this clear Solution, and it presently grows as white as Milk, which is a sign that the Alcaly of the Herbs absorbs the Acid from the Lead, which falls by degrees.

For as fixed Alcaly, praecipitates Mercury, and Alca∣ly, nearer to fixed, praecipitates Vitriol, as I have shew∣ed before: so also here, a milder Alcaly requires a milder Examen.

Paracelsus, first observed That hidden Alcaly of Herbs, and it is probable that by the like Examen he took notice of their several minute degrees; he had taken notice, that in wounds, putrefaction came from Aci∣dity, and from thence, arose feavorish heats, and corruptions of Wounds; he also first prescribed Vul∣nerary Potions, and did happily restrain the said Aci∣dity and putrefaction,* and called the Herbs Vulnerary. And though John Taugaultius, a French Man, and Gabriel Fallopias, an Italian, both famous Physicians, and excellent Chyrurgeons, do condemn and endea∣vour to explode Vulnerary Potions in the Cure of Wounds, affirming, that by their heat they inflame, and extenuate the Blood, and excite its eruption from the Wound; yet though simple Vulnenary Medi∣dicaments are not known to every Chyrurgeon, and and are prescribed without distinction and knowledge of their degrees (for all cannot attain this pitch of Sci∣ence) nevertheless Experience shews,* that the aforesaid Potions are useful; with which, also Paracelsus cured the Ulcers of the Lungs, (as Histories witness,) and also the Hectick Feavor (as I have also experimented) which
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is an universal and inept Acidity, and that of the solid parts, which in one word, we call Heat, and which, the aforesaid Alcalys do more readily absorb and consume, than Milk; as I have shewed in its place, and the cure it self demonstrates.

Therefore Vulnerary Potions are not to be rejected, but used with good Success, in the curing of Wounds.

Many of the accuratest sort of Chyrurgeons,* and Phy∣sicians have taken notice, that Acid•ty is the cause of Heat and Pain; as also that burnt Harts-horn absumes in it self Vinegar, and other Acids of all sorts, whence it comes to pass, that it is given with good success in Feavors, in a great dose, from half an ounce, to an ounce, in any cooling water, containing Volatile Al∣caly; For, as they have observed to their great joy, that the said burnt Harts-horn, absorbs and imbibes the Acid Volatile Salt from Vinegar, so it takes away the Acidity accompanying several sorts of Feavors.

Besides Vulnerary ones,* there are also more Occult and Volatile Alcalys in Herbs, which we call Cooling, as Lettice, Purslane, Colts-foot, Endive, and its species; whose Alcaly, is very Fugitive, and is found, not on∣ly in their Juices, but also in their Waters carefully Di∣stilled: Whence we may learn, that such Herbs being dryed, are of no value, because their Alcaly hath eva∣porated.

So also the Distilled water of Frogs-Spawn (the whole Spawn with Patience is elevated in è Balneo into a pure water, the black and dry Grains or Specks,* being left behind, which are not to be rejected) doth abound with Occult Volatile Alcaly, and doth presently precipitate Lead out of the aforesaid Solution, more readily, and copiously, than any other cooling water: This water is much to be esteemed in many diseases, arising from a peculiar Acidity: I have known a desperate Hemorrhage from the Womb, happily cured by it, in as much as at first it sucks up the Acidity of the Blood, afterwards it restrains and expels it.

Also this water applyed to the grieved part in the Feet-Gout, presently asswages the pain, in as much as it mor∣tifies
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and alters the Acrimony: But when the pain is more violent, then the Acidity is in greater quantity and vigor, and the Volatile Alcaly consuming the cause of the pain,* then must needs, be more manifest, for it indubitably takes away the pain; whence we learn, that the cause thereof proceeds from Acidity, if otherwise, the principal indications are to be taken from things helpful and nocent, as Avicen teaches.

Foolish therefore, and almost Frantick, is the opini∣on of certain Canonical Physicians; who, against the Doctrine of Hippocrates, out of ignorance do fear, and perswade the simple, that a greater mischeif is occa∣sioned by undertaking to Cure by contraries, and by endeavouring to repel the Catarrh, by such Simples.

For Hippocrates shews, that Volatile Alcaly is empty and void, and that it takes away all pain of the Feet-Gout, (I mean not the knotty and coagulated Gout) all Arthritick,*Nephritick, Sciatick, and such like pain, in a very short time, if it be but outwardly applyed, in as much as it presently imbibes and assumes (being impatient of Vacuity) the Acidness, which is the cause of the pain.

But not only waters, Distilled from cooling Herbs, but also common water both of Wells and Rivers, contains an Occult Alcaly, by means whereof it nourishes Animals and all Plants; Red hot Iron, quenched in water, acquires strength thereby, as Hippocrates teaches in the fore-cited Book, and daily Experience shews; for Iron hath too much of the Volatile Acid, whence it readily passes into Scoria and Rust, but when the Acid is imbibed by the Alcaly, then it is made more compact, and resists more; therefore Cutlers of Knives and Swords, anoint their work with shavings of Horns, heating their blades till the shavings melt, and thus they draw the Al∣caly out of the Horns, and their blades become stron∣ger. hence it is, that such as pass by their shops, do sometimes perceive the stinking smell of burnt Horns. But it is easily proved, that an Occult Alcaly is in com∣mon simple water, by the fore-mentioned solution of Sal Saturni, which presently grows white thereby: So, if
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Silver be dissolved in Aqua Fortis, and you add simple water to the Solution, it presently waxes white as Milk, but when the same water hath been distilled, then the Alcaly, doth not ascend, neither doth the Solution of Silver grow white any longer thereby. For which cause John Baptista Porta, advises Water to be twice, or thrice distilled, for a Tree of Silver and Mercury,* which the Vulgar foolishly call the Philosophers Tree: So also Water distilled from Cephalick herbs, doth precipitate neither Silver nor Lead from the above-named Solution; For these, as I have said, contain not Alcaly in their Juices; So that the Water, distilled only, from cooling Herbs, as also common water not distilled, do contain a Vola∣tile Alcaly; by means of this Alcaly, Water doth nou∣rish: Hence Lactantius saith, From Water are all things;* which, before Hippocrates, Thal•s Milesius, also knew, perhaps by the benefit of this Art, as Laertius witnesseth in his Life; So the Ancient Hermes, Water, saith he, is susceptible and producible of Nutriment in Men, and other creatures: And without Water, Nature operates not, &c.

Now because our discourse is fallen upon Cooling Wa∣ters, I shall not pass over in silence the abuse of Rose Water, which is said to cool, but it is disproved by this Experiment.

At Venice, Rose-water, as commonly all other wa∣ters, are distilled out of a Copper Vessel (sometimes lined within with Tinn, though oftentimes the Tinn, for age, is worn away.) This Water is prescribed to Chil∣dren, because it kills, and expels Worms, and some∣times provokes Vomitting, which Operation, and Ver∣tue, is Vulgarly ascribed to the Rose-water, whereas Rose-water is not simply cold, but of a temperate na∣ture, as containing an occult and insensible Acidity,* which is unseparable from it, never leaving it, till it be annihilated; but in flowing through a Copper Limbeck, its Occult Acidity abrades and takes off certain Atomes from the Copper, which are invisibly mixed with the wa∣ter; if you would discover or separate the Copper, drop into a little quantity of this water, one or two drops, of the Alcaly of Urine, and presently all the water turns
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Green, because the Acidity of the water doth more greedily catch the light Alcaly, more similary to it than the Metal, which therefore by little and little, subsides into a greenish bottom; Then the same water, doth no longer provoke Vomit, nor kill Worms, but will be like That which is Distilled through Glass Vessels; but melt the green bottom with Borax, and then it returns to Cop∣per again.

Neither is this Occult Nutritive Alcaly found only in Vulnerary and Cooling-herbs,* but in all Pot-herbs whatsoever, which are therefore desired by the Stomach, abounding with Acidity. This Alcaly is the cause that such as eat boiled Cabbage or Coleworts, before a fit of Drinking, are seldom inebriated, for the Alca∣ly of this Herb, as it moderates the inebriateing A∣cidity of the Wine in the Stomach, so it absords and consumes That in the Glass.

But why certain simples do specifically Cure some Di∣seases,* as the Juice of Yarrow, the Haemorrhoides; Fu∣mitory, the Jaundies; Butchers Broom, the Distem∣pers of the Urine; Guajacum and Sarza, the French-pox, and the like; and wherein all the Faculties of Purging simply do consist; it would be tedious to declare in this place, let it suffice to have given some small hint of it, at least in this Writing, wherein, even against my will, I have been inforced to disco∣ver Salts hitherto [Objection.] Occult.

But I hear some whispering an Objection, that I endeavor to shew the Volatile Alcalyes of Vegetables with dissolved Lead, whereas all Salt things do also precipi∣tate Lead from this Solution (as we have confessed be∣fore) but with this difference that the Lead falls down with the Salt in the form of a Powder: Distil the clear swimming upon the top, and you will have Vinegar, which carryed the dissolved Lead, but it falls from the Vinegar, because Salt hath a greater affinity with Vinegar than Metal; but mix the Alcaly of the Herbs, or rather drop the Juice of the aforesaid Herbs into that Solu∣tion of Lead, then it doth not hastily fall down in form of a Powder, but becomes as a Pultiss: Distil
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the supernating Liquor, and then you shall draw from it, not Vinegar, but an Insipid Water; which is a manifest Argument, that the Alcaly hath suckt up the Acidity.

How much Light this Hippocratical Doctrine may give to a Physician,* as well in compounding Medicines (that one ingredient hinder not another, yea the Vertue of Simples may by this Knowledge be wonder∣fully exalted) as in Curing Diseases, let those judge who know how to distinguish Tastes and Sapors, and moderately to invert and vary them, which at present I shall only demonstrate in that one Example of the Nettle, which being fresh and moist, stings and blisters,* but dryed, astringes, and stops blood: the Juice there∣of is coagulated in dissolved Lead, into a Black Gob∣bet, which again in fixed Alcaly is presently diluted into an obscure, but penetrable colour; whence we learn, that dryed Nettles boiled in Alcalizate Lye (yet sweet as they call it) do hinder Gray and Hoary Hairs, if every day they be kembed with them; with Vitri∣ol, it again concretes into yellowish clots, which, with the Spirit of the same Vitriol, are again dissolved into a clear and pellucid Liquor. Such, I suppose, were the hidden vertues of Roots, and the differences of Shrubs, of which Solomon speaks, which he learned from the wise Ar∣tificer of all things, in his Disputation from the Hyssop to the Cedar of Lebanon; for it is not credible, that He unne∣cessarily discoursed of first Qualities, and of Elementary Degrees, which our Botanicks boast to measure, as it were, with their tongues: of These it cannot be said, that they are, hidden vertues.

This is the meaning of that Speech of Arnoldus de villa Nova (though on other accounts, his Works want cor∣rection) Where Simples are at hand,*'tis deceit to use Com∣pounds: Whilest I heretofore applyed my Self to this study, I was much assisted by that Eminent and Skilful Botanick, and diligent Apothecary, Johannes Mar•a Fero, of this City, who, with singular Care and Study, gather∣ed together all sorts of Vegetables, to whose Industry I do owe very much, and accordingly I render him my real and hearty thanks.

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By the help of this study, I have also found out a Compound Powder,* equivalent to, if not exceeding, the vertue of Chinella, in a Quartan, as they can wit∣ness, who have bought, and used it, in order to their Health.

CHAP. XX. The Spiritual Representation of Plants.
OUt of what hath been spoken and declared, we may discover the foundation, on which the Spiritual Re∣generation of Plants ought to be built, of which Querce∣tan speaks in his Book against Anonymus, which he said he had seen at a certain Cracovian Physicians, who knew how to prepare the ashes of every plant so Elegantly, and how to preserve their Spirits (the Authors of their Vertues) so Exactly; that, having above thirty of them in several Glass Vessels, Seal'd with Hermes's Seal, if any one asked to have a Rose, or a Marigold shewed him, then he would put the bottom of the Vessel, wherein was the Rose-ashes (and the like of any other Flower, which he was to shew) to the Can∣dle, to warm it a little, and then that fine and impalpable Ashes of it self, would represent the evident form of a Rose, encreasing and growing by degrees, manifestly exhibiting the fi∣gure of a living florid Rose, which shadowy representation, when the Vessel was removed from the heat, would again re∣turn to ashes. This Secret, says he, I sought after with great study, but could never attain it.

But this Spiritual Resuscitation of Plants, seems not so difficult to the Hippocratical Philosopher, especially when it is prosecuted,* not with a violent, but a soft fire, therein imitating Nature, as our Master teaches. I have invented a way for it, which yet by reason of the in∣commodity of this place, for such kind of Studies, I have not confirmed by Experience: yet for the sake of the Curious, I will here set it down.

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I have Ocularly demonstrated out of Hippocrates, that Acid and Alcaly, the Architectonick Instruments of Na∣ture, are in all sublunary things; These, when they are not subjected to the Artificer, but left to the government of Nature alone, then That subject encreaseth and grows strong, as the meanest Flint declares, of which I have spoken in his place: If then it encreaseth and grows, of necessity the Acid, and* Alcaly must have something, which directs their Operations to their proper ends.

This, I elsewhere call the Rector, give it what name you please, provided we understand the thing; for I shall not quarrel about words. These Three, Hermes, that most ancient Philosopher, calls Body, Spirit, and Soul;* So that these Three are latent in that Terrene Receptacle, which represents to us the figure of a Seed.

Let half a pound of this Seed, for instance of Poppy, from a full flower or head, be gathered in ••ir weather, which you must keep in a temperate place till the next Spring, then in the Evening, observe the clearing of the Sky, whether it promise a fair Night, for the Night must be fair wherein the Seed is to be exposed on a large board of Glass, with the edg turned up, that it fall not down, and placed in a Meadow or Garden full of divers Flowers and Herbs (for unless the soil be fruitful, the Dew will be but barren) In the Morning before Sun-rising, you must carefully take away the Seed, now moist with Dew, from the Glass-Board, and put it into a Phyal,* fit for that purpose, having its mouth close sealed with Wax, and so keep it, least the Dew should evaporate (which is very light by reason of the Spirits) these Spirits in the following Chapter I shall shew*, being occultly Acid and Volatile, yea being the hidden Food of Life; with which the Dew is so impregnated in the Air, that when it is in∣cluded in an Egg-shell, and put upon a* Spear placed obliquely, then the Egg is lifted up by the heat of the Sun, to the top of the Spear (as*Hildebrand teacheth) but that the said Dew may be sucked up by the Seed: After∣wards in a clear Night, re-expose the said Glass-board with the Seeds, into the aforesaid Meadow, that it may re-attract and draw in the Dew, which you must also a∣gain
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seal up in the aforesaid Phyal, before Sun-rising, that it exhales not; so the Seeds by little and little, by means of the Dew suck'd in, will begin to swell and be turgid, the Acid and Alcaly, acquiring strength from the Dew, and Heavenly Influences, which the Rector will then begin to direct. Let this setting out, and taking in, of the Seeds, be so long repeated, till the Signs of Germination and Vitality do appear. In the interim, whilest these things are a doing, you must, in the same Meadow, stretch and spread abroad clean Linnen-cloths, on wooden-sticks, and so gather the Dew on them, and wring it out, keeping it in a Glass Vessel well stopped, which in its Settling, will afford or depose some Faeces (from the small dust flying up and down in the Air): of this pure Dew, pour as much on the Seeds, as may be about an Inch above them, and so place them, in a Va∣porating Bath (for*Raimund teacheth, That what Na∣ture doth, by the heat of the Sun and Stars, the same it will do by the heat of Fire, provided it be so ordered, as not to ex∣ceed the motive and informative Vertue, which is in the matter of the Celestial Insluences) stopping the mouth of the Glass with melted Sulphur: The Acid and Alcaly, in the Hu∣mid and Calid, then begin to act upon one another, and so they will be freed from the Earthly body of the Seed, in which they were included; and in the space of a few days, this natural Composition, will wax Green at the top (as it happens to Stagnant Waters, in shadowy places, by the ambient heat of the Summer.) Under this Green Film, is the union of the Faculties perfected, which I have shewed to be Volatile, and together with the Rector,* unseparable from the Acid (being immortal per se) which union may be called Confermentation.

The Receptacle, or body of the Seed, will be a dead Substance, which in a few days will suck up the Viridity, (i. e.) the Bubbles of Fermentation, with the Superfluous Liquor (as we see in Pools, growing green at top) and by little and little, it is turned into a most fine Powder, like Ashes, when it is come to a ripeness. This Vessel, being warmed (so doubtless Quercetan saw it) the Levity of the Dew, being Confermented with the Rector, and
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the Faculties of the Seeds, will represent the image of I•oppy.

The mouth of the Vessel, if it be melted with Glass, I judg, will never decay, and because the Practick part doth not attain to, nor follow the Speculative, word for word, there is therefore need of a Skilful and Ingenious Operator. Hitherto, as I have said, I never had a fit place at Venice, to make this tryal, nor ever shall, for want of fruitful and pure Dew, which is here troubled by the continual steaming of*Halinitre (as the Walls of all the Houses shew) with which, the very Dews being also subtle exhalations (as Aristotle teach∣eth, and our own experience confirms) are mixed, and so they fall down mix'd again,

Such a shadowy Regeneration of things, was hid by Paracelsus (being illuminated in this Natural Hippocrati∣cal Doctrine) under the Vail and Metaphor of the Gene∣ration of Man, whom, certain Grandees of Physick,* being ignorant of this Doctrine, understanding litteral∣ly, judged him, as an Impious Man, to Banishment.

I add, that in the whole School of Philosophy, there is nothing, though never so diligently sought for, which doth more lively demonstrate to us the Mystery of the Resurrection, than these proper instruments of Nature, being cleansed from their Refuse, by an Hippocratist, and again conjoyned, re-united, and re-produced, if the said Mystery be at all demonstrable by Natural things.

CHAP. XXI. A Summary Rehearsal of what hath been spoken.
THe Alcaly, and the Volatile Acid, in the family of Vegetables, are burnt together by Fire, into a Fixed, or a truly Alcalizate Salt.* The way is indeed promised by the Resormer in his Mantissa Hermetica, in lofty words, but no where to be found; in the mean
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time, he finds fault with those Salts, whose ashes are burnt with Sulphur; and he blames Hartman, as a bad Writer,*and says that nothing can be more fo•lishly taught, than to mix Alcaly Salts, with Acids (as if he himself had not taught to mix the Alcaly of Vipers, with the Acid Spirit of Salt; as also the Spirit of Vitriol, with the Alcalizate Salt of Wormwood,* under the title of Coagu∣lated Spirit of Vitriol: and again, in his Appendix f. 100. he extolls, such mixed Salts, with great Praises) and a little after he again admits Ashes to be calcined with Sul∣phur: When uncertainty is the Mistriss, what can be chosen?

Know then, that no Vegetable hath any fixed Salt, of what kind soever, unless it be burned with actual Fire; So that the Acid, in burning, may act upon, and ap∣prehend the Alcaly,* and likewise the Alcaly on the Acid, as I have shewed in Juice of Wine, and its Tartar: As may be seen in rotten Wood, though you reduce it, ne∣ver so carefully to Ashes, in what fire soever, you will never get Salt out of it; for the Acid, and the Alcaly, being both Volatile, are already absumed by the Air, and have left nothing but an unprofitable Cadaver behind, but if it be burnt before Putrefaction, then you may obtain your desire.

Wherefore our chief care and labour in this Work, must be,* that the Herbs may be fresh, and not withered; for then, in burning, the innate Humidity, when it boils up, doth dissolve the Acid and the Alcaly, which, being dissolved, do act mutually one upon another, and one apprehending the other, they are both fixed, accord∣ing to the property of the Concrete: But that part, which flies away with the flame, and was not catched by the Acid, turns into Soot, from whence, you may by an easy Method, draw forth Volatile Alcaly, but never Fixed Salt, yet by ingenuity it is reduced to a Con∣sistency.

This action deserves to be called Fermentation, for both the instruments of Nature are changed into one Arti∣ficial, which, as in the Sope-makers and Glass-makers Art, is turned with the Acid, its contrary, into a Neu∣tral thing; so also it happens in Man's body, when it is
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administred, with its contrary, by a prudent and Hip∣pocratical Physician; for it is the same Operation,* as our Master teaches.

Take Green Wormwood for an Example, when it is green, fet fire to it, and kindle it in a Chimney, or open place, but take great heed that it doth not flame out, tis enough to turn it only into Ashes, which, after the burning, put in an Earthen-pot, large, and low, or also upon an Iron-plate, the edges turned up, and Coals being kindled under it in a Wind-furnace, that the Vent-hole, or Por∣tal, as need requires, may be either opened, or shut: Stir these Ashes with an Iron Spatule continually, till they be very white, and then lay them in a Linnen-bagg Acuminated (or if there be but few, on Acuminated Pa∣per) and pour on Common Water, which as it runs through it, being pregnant with Salt, is called a Lye; coagulate this strained Lye in an Iron Frying-Pan (not greased in the Kitchin) with a quick Ebullition, and make it up into a Lump, and when it is as thick, as Honey, continually stir it with a Spatule, and it will be dryed into a grey Powder, which presently put into a Pot not glazed, the mouth of the Wind-furnace being stopped, and cover it with small Coals, mixed with their powder, and leisurely heat it, scarce to Brunity, or Browneness, but not that it may melt, then cool it, and put the Salt, into a Glass Vessel, that it may be dissolved in a sufficient quantity of Water; stir it oftentimes with a Woodden∣stick, then suffer the Solution to rest, two or three days, and when it is clear from the Lees, without much stir∣ring, pour it out, and in a Leaden, or Glass Vessel, placed in Sand, suffer the Water to exhale, without Bubbles, till a Saline-Cuticle grow a-top; then remove the Vessel, and the next Morning, gather together the shining grains of Salt, which you must swiftly wash in clear water, and then dry: put again the remaining Lye, in the Sand, that the water may exhale, as before, un∣to the Cuticle. Both these Salts are to be kept together, in one Vessel, which being prepared after this manner, do resemble the Crasis and Disposition of their Concretes. The rest of the Lye, being of the taste of Urine, and of a stinking smell• is to be left to wash Glasses.

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This is the easy and natural way of preparing Salts of Vegetables, which do never melt of themselves, nor are of an ungratesul taste: A Pound of these Ashes, will yield near four ounces of the purest Salt; but four pound of the Ashes of dried Herbs, will scarce afford an ounce of Salt.

Alcalyes,* out of Vegetables, are made after the same manner, of which yet some are easily turned into Liquor, for they are empty, and therefore desire to be satiated from the Air; as I have hinted above in the Occult Aci∣dity of the Air, which may suffice.

The Reformer teaches, that the ashes are to be boiled, and the Lye thickned to Siecity,* and afterwards commit∣ted to the melting fire, without discretion; So, in the place of the Vegetable Salt, there always comes an emp∣ty and caustick Alcaly; for the Salt of Wormwood, in its Fundamental Point, is of the Acid Salt, and not purely fixed, as I have shewn; but if it suffer Fusion, then both Tastes or Sapor act upon one another, and are fixed into an Alcaly, as it happens in all Acid Salts made by Art; wherefore from the Regimen of Fire alone, things are altered, and they change their Name, Vertue and Effi∣cacy. This is the cause, that the vertues of Salts, pre∣pared by ignorant Persons,* are never equal, viz. when they are Alcalyz'd, they are commended by the Unskil∣ful (for example, Salt of Wormwood) to have done good in the Collick (which then came from Acids, which had been drank) but when it is prepared from Salt-Acid, and Vo∣latile to boot, by the Skilful, 'tis good for the Stomach, and against Old Obstructions, and is then the Basis in the Cachectique Powder of Quercetan.* The cause is ascribed to Noxious Humours; So, many Salts, are made fixed, if they be managed with a due Heat, and with all Requi∣sites, as the Subject can bear, which otherwise were Vola∣tile; for the fixation of Blood requires one kind of Heat and Instruments;* the fixing of Nitre, and Arsenick, ano∣ther; when the whole Nitre, by Odor only, is turned to Earth, it requires another Tractation; when Mer∣cury of it self, doth as it were grow fixed, there is need of another Fire, and Vessel; there are other Requisites,
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when Antimony and Sulphur are fixed; So also there is a∣nother operation of Salts, which are all Volatile, as I have shewed in Rotten Wood.

This is the reason,* why the wife and prudent Senators of Venice, do cause the Timber, of which they make their Ships of War, while it is green, to lye under water ma∣ny years, in their gallant and well-provided Arsenal, least the Air should penetrate it, and by this means, un∣der the water, it becomes almost as fixed and as hard, as stones.

But if it begins to be quailed in the Air, before it be watered, then they must burn it a little, that the Acid and Alcaly, may be melted together, and as it were incrustrated; and so it will endure many ages and never rot: In like manner those pieces of Timber are incrustra∣ted, which are rammed into the Earth for Foundations of great Buildings, least they should rot.

The Gardeners in these Islands do reduce their Herbs, being dryed, in the Air or Sun, to Ashes, and sell the ashes on their Words and Credit to the Apothecaries: who, find∣ing they can get little, or no Salt out of them, do blame the Gardeners, alledging they were naught; Their an∣swer is, that in Transporting the Ashes, the Sea-water hath robb'd them of their Salt: many do easily believe this Excuse, being ignorant of any other cause.

But when fresh Vegetables are reduced to Ashes,* as is done in L•tuania, Scandia, and Muscovy, for Pot-ashes, then, in the Igneous Ebullition, the Acid and Alcaly appre∣hend one another, are melted and fixed together. But when they are urged with a melting fire, as the Reformer teacheth, then they change their Nature, and are turned into Vitrifying Alcaly, as*Zoar hath observed: which yet was not much less fixed in the Concretes, before they passed through the fire; which again by Inversion, doth not only put on Volatility, but is also reduced into Ele∣ments, as I have shewed in the Alcaly of Tartar.

But if Alcalyes, be boiled with their proper Distilled Oyls, in a just proportion, observing a due time, with an artificial and occult Circulation, and in a fit Vessel, they afford Ens Mirabile. So Oyl of Cinnamon,* being
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absorbed, by its proper Alcaly (being deprived of its Vestiments) effects in the Palsy, and such like Diseases, as much as can be hoped from it; Oyl of Tartar, being Volatile and Fat, with its proper Alcaly, in a just propor∣tion, is made Sope.

When the Reformer heretofore had been informed by me,* by word of Mouth, of this example of Tartar, he presently boils the Alcaly of Vipers, with Oyl of Tartar, being of a diverse Nature, after a Rural fashion, and with little heed, which, by Coction in a Glass of a long neck, with the Alcaly, acquired the consistence of Sope, yet he blames me for my Friendly Information, in a very long Letter, Saying, The Oyl of Tartar, you advised me to pour on, became like very Pitch, and that so thick, when it was cold, that a man may cut it; So that I perceive you deceived m•. 'Tis true, I heard from your mouth before, that the preparation of this Salt, would give great light to Chy∣mistry, &c. This great Naturalist had not so much Salt (as we say) in his Brains (though he writes and serib∣bles of Salt) as to enquire into the necessary cause of this Inspissation, but presently calls that, which he un∣derstands not,*A Cheat, and an Imposture. But like, as he hath observed the cause of this Inspissation, which is known even to the Vulgar, and to all those who make Sope; even so with the same heed he hath observed the Things, which he Reforms.

Hearken therefore to me, All Oyl, and also all Pingue-Does or Fatts, have an Occult Acid, on which the Al∣calyes act, and consume it, otherwise Sope could never be made: for the distilled Oyl of Olives, doth corrode and dissolve Silver insensibly, when it is cast on it but a short space, which would not be, unless Acidity were in it; the remainder being thick, better preserves Iron from Rust, in as much as the aforesaid Acid hath been ta∣ken away by Distillation, and is turned, by a strong fire, into a Coal Alcalized, which is plain to the Eye, by the affusion of any Acid Spirit. This is the reason, why the Chief Armourers and Overseers of the Arsenal of this Fa∣mous City, before they Oyl their Armour, cause the Oyl to Evaporate at a gentle Fire, almost to the half.

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So the common People in sharp Pains (proceeding or∣dinarily from Acidity) desire to be annointed withthe Oyl which burns before Images,* and That asswages their Pain. This Relief, the Superstitious People of Greece, attribute to the Image, before which the Lamp burns; But the true cause is, the Spissitude in the Lamp, loses its more subtil Acid part by the flame, and so being de∣stitute thereof, it grows impatient, and desires to be Saturated with a new Acid, and finding That in the grie∣ved part, it draws it out, and unites it, to it self; and so the Grief either wholly ceases, or is at least mitigated and abated.

The Vulgar believe,* that Old Oyl is as good as Bal∣sam, because the Oyl of a Hundred years old in the Castle of Breschia, eases many from their pains, arising from Acidity; in which Oyl, by reason of its antiquity, the Alcaly hath in part mastered the Acidity, hence at-last it grows very musty; So Venerable Antiquity prescribes Old Oyl in Compositions for External use.

For the same reason, rotten Apples do cool,* more than boiled ones; which therefore we call, Anodynes.

Fresh Butter hath more Alcaly than Acid, and there∣fore it cooles more than Oyl; Hence Schola Salerni, Le∣nit, & humectat, solvit sine Febre, butyrum.

Butter mollifies, moistens, and dissolves, yet without a Feavor; for this cause, it is not coagulated in the Milk,* unless the Milk be sowred before, and if in making or Churning of Butter, fixed Alcaly be cast in, which con∣sumes the Acid, the Butter will never come; for the Acid must coagulate the Alcaly.

So also Alcalized Salts do easily flow, and are dissolved in the Air, but as soon as Acid is poured on them, to overcome the Alcaly, they harden, and are coagulated.

Sulphur, in its Fat hath an hidden Acidity,* and is most readily dissolved, not only in Oyl, but also in Alcaly, but never in that which is manifestly Acid, though it be most powerful; but if it be fired under a Glass Bell, then its hidden Acidity is turned to Smoak, which is compacted into a most Acid Juice, and the Alcaly which erst did friendly embrace the Sulphur, now is destroyed by It,
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and a new production is made, different from the for∣mer.

But Sulphur is praised by Dioscorides, in the Diseases of the Lungs; though some say, it is the Anima thereof, un∣derstand, when it is evacuated by an Hippocratist, and fixed into insipid and milky Earth, then it becomes im∣patient of Innanition, and again desires to be satiated with its like: Wherefore it greedily attracts, and absorbes the putrefactive Acidity of the Lungs, which is firmly believ'd to descend from the Head, but without this preparation, it is found altogether unprofitable, for those Diseases, as the Enquirers after Truth, by Nauseating experience, do daily find. This earth is then called by the Skilful,*Lac Sulphuris, and that worthily, for it performes ma∣ny things, which Crollius hath mentioned under its Ti∣tle.

Moreover, Distill also Vinegar (in which I have shewed, that there is Fat Oyl, and Aqua Ardeus) drive the dry Faeces out of the Retort, and there will come forth Acid, and Pingueous Oyl, reduce the Coal left into Ashes, from These, Elicite the Alcaly, by common Water, which again imbibes, and absorbs its own Vinegar: out of the Phlegm is made Aqua Ardeus.

From the Alcaly, and the Acid, you shall have rege∣nerated Tartar, so there are All, in all things (i. e.) you shall every where find the Acid and the Alcaly.*

Camphire (about which, it is strongly disputed, whe∣ther it be hot or cold:) is a Volatile Alcaly, furnished and saturated by Nature,* with its proper Fatness, as I have shewed, like things may be done by Art; for it imbibes into it self the stinking and corroding Acidity of Aqua Fortis, which Suffocates by its very Smell, and with it, makes a Mock-shew and resemblance of Oyl; but not with a benign, sweet, and grateful Acid (as, Vinegar, and other Acid Juices) which is to be marked: After the same man∣ner, Camphire, given at Mouth, doth presently attract to it self that Malign, inwardly Venemous, Stinking, Cor∣roding, and Suffocating Acidity, which in Acute Disea∣ses, doth range through all the Veins, and torments the Patients without intermission; whereby the Vital Spirit is
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made purer, chearfuller, and acquires strength, which Avicen, amongst Practicioners, first observed; whence he rightly commends, and calls it,*A Treacle against hot Poysons; The Vital Spirit, says he, acquires Subtilty, and exceeding Sprightliness, and Vivacity, from It, and therefore it chears and comsorts, even in spight of that Vulgar Proverb, Castrat por Nares, Camphora odore Mares.

(i. e.) Smell'd Champhires dose,
Castrates by th' Nose.
I add this, in regard all that I have known,* employed about purifying of It, from its Dreggs, by Sublimation, both at Venice, and Amsterdam (they are called Resina∣tores) whose houses, smelled of nothing, but Camphire, are most Salacious, Procreative, and full of Children, as, if you will not believe their own Confession, their nume∣rous Off-springs may evince.

Camphire so dissolved in Aqua Fortis, and precipitated, or rather reduced, with plain Simple water, is made Soap, wherewith Womans hands being annointed, and afterwards washed with water, it takes away that rough∣ness which exasperates the Skin, and makes them soft, and as white as Milk; a singular Ornament for the Fe∣male Sex; for our* Master teaches; That the care of the Sound and Healthy is to be also undertaken, fox Comeliness and Beauties sake.

As the Alcaly of Camphire drinks up nothing,* but Aci∣dity alone; So also doth Antimony, being destitute of its proper and innate Acidity, which consists in a subtil ve∣nemous Exhalation, not at all weighty, as its Glass or Powder, called Mercurius Vitae, doth shew, out of which with Acid Wine (its like, but not, with Sweet) is Ex∣tracted a Poyson, which the Stomach abhors, and there-there this Wine taken at Mouth, with great violence is rejected from and by the Vital parts, both by Vomit and Seige; and by accident, it sometimes Cures the Diseases of the first Region. Hence Helmont,*As long as Antimony provokes Vomit, 'tis no remedy for an Honest Man.

But when, That Poyson is expelled out of the Antimony
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either by the flame of the fire, or by kindled Nitre (of which, I have spoken in its place) then the Alcaly of Antimony is again Saturated with the aforesaid Acid Spi∣rits, which yet,* coming from flame or Nitre, are not proper to Antimony; So that in a few days space, out of the Air, It draws an Aliment, like it self, as I have shewed in a Flint, which, out of the Air, extracts a nourishment like it self, not like the life of a Dog; So, That, which erst did gently provoke Sweat and Urine, now, like the very Glass of Antimony it self, moves Vomit; Wherefore the flame, as also the Acidity of the Nitre, as they are not Poysons, so they are not proper to the Antimony, now dispoiled and evacuated; and so the Antimony, being re∣duced to Alcaly, and rob'd of all taste or sapor, which they call Diaphoretick, if it finds any Venemous thing in Man's body, it attracts it, and is Saturated by it (For Na∣ture rejoyces in its like Nature) retaining it, and rejoycing therein, more then if it wandered up and down in Man's body: Wherefore that empty and Diaphoretick Antimony, profits nothing in Diseases, unless when They are accom∣panyed with some Acid Poyson, either occult, or mani∣fest, as in the Plague, burning Feavors, Petectriales, or Spotted ones; and in diverse inward Ulcers, in what place soever they be; the venemous exhalations of which, being absorbed by the Antimony, then the Pores do open of their own accord, and the Antimony becomes Diaphore∣tick, otherwise not: Hence Basilius says, That this Pow∣der is of great force,*to Cure many old Ʋlcerated Diseases, &c. (i. e.) whose Acidities are putrefying and escarotick or cor∣roding, for These, this Powder imbibes and destroys, and hereby, as I have said, the contraction of the Pores is en∣larged and relaxed (this action, the Vulgar call, Ex∣siccation, for which cause it is also an Ingredient into that Plaister, which Paracelsus calls, by a barbarous Name, Oppodeldock. But what this Absumption, Imbibition, Pre∣cipitation, or Exsiccation are? and how they are effect∣ed? I shall again Ocularly demonstrate anon, when I speak of the properties of Iron) and though Pearls, Corals, and other Cordials, do also absume the Acidities, arising about the Heart; yet These are not putrefactive, neither
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joyned with an hidden Venom; So that, it is one kind of Acid, which, emptyed and Alcalized, Antimony doth imbibe:* another kind, that Pearls Attract, in the Palpitration of the Heart: another, which Crabbs Eyes draw forth in Wounds and Bruises: another, attracted by Goats-blood, in Pleu∣risies: another, by Iron, in Obstructions and Loosnesses: another by the Volatile Alcalyes of Vegetables in Hecticks; another by thd Bezoar Stone, when rich men fall into a Swoon (I say rich men,* for unless the proportion of this precious Stone, which is very dear, be correspondent to that Acidity, which is hateful to Nature, it is given in vain. Hence Crato says, he never observed any good from it, though it were frequently given; which I perswade my self to be true, especially it being prescribed by Grains, as Books perswade: The skilfullest Practicioners of this City, have observed this Defect, as well as Crato, who there∣fore perscribe Western Bezoar, not that it is better than the Eastern, but because it is cheaper, and therefore it is given in a greater Dose. For it is commonly believed, to provoke and expel Sweat, which effect yet it doth not produce, unless it hath first consumed the Morbous Acidity (as*Hercules of Saxony, a Physician of note, hath observed) for this Stone is considered by them (as many other Sim∣ples) to act upon the Body, as a Wedg driven by a Bee∣tle, not remembring, that, the Extraneous Sapor, being consumed by the Stone (or its like) the contraction of the Pores is enlarged, and then the whole Body transpires of it self, as old Hippocrates teaches: the truth of whose doctrine, is confirmed by a fly falling into the Eye, whose lids are presently with great violence contracted, not that the Fly contracts them, but the Sense abhors a Forreign Inmate; but as soon as the Fly is taken out, the Eye-lids are again gently relaxed.) I say, it is one sort of Acidity, which Paracelsus his Libium doth consume, in the Dropsy; another, which the Spiritual Salt of Tar∣tar destroyes, in Hypocondriacal Melancholy, and all other Diseases of the Spleen: another, that Ostiocolla doth waste, in the rupture of Bones; another, that Co∣rals, with their specifick Alcaly, destroy and absorb in the Gonorrhaea, &c. But the aforesaid Simples, do not
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imbibe (nor so much as enter into) the proper,* innate, and manifest Acidity of the Stomach (as I have shewed) whereby it Concocts, and changes the food into an Acid Vital Juice, which is to be admired. Hence it appears, every Acidity, or Aura (call it as you please) expects, and willingly entertains its convenient Compar and Fel∣low (as I have erst shewed in the Earth of Carinthia, eva∣cuated of Vitriol) wherewith it delights to be altered, absorbed, and transmuted, and one disturbs not the course or province of another: Hence Man hath obtained the Name of the Microcosm, and*Hermes says, The things which are in the Superior, are also in Inforior Bodies. These are the foundations of Physick, according to the nature of Man, as its inventors first found it out, and judg'd it, an Art worthy to be ascribed to God, and it hath been so ac∣counted, as the* Old Man teaches; for, says he, in the cited place, It is not Siccity, Humidity, Heat, nor Cold, &c. but Sapors, which he there reckons up, These, my*Hip∣pocrates shews, to be in the Cavities and Ventricles, say∣ing, That Man's Body hath many Ventricles (or Sapors) as they can witness, who are solicitous to know them (he means only Chymical Philosophers, for by and by, he subjoyns) of all the aforesaid things, there is none visible and conspicuous to the Eye: Wherefore they are called obscure by me, not that they remain always so; and do ever fly from our understanding, but, as much as is possible, they may be un∣derstood and known. For it is possible (to Chymical Hip∣po•ratical Philosopher) as far as the Nature of the Sick, doth assist in the consideration, and as far as the natures of the Enquirers, are fit for that purpose: For with much la∣bour, and no small space of time, they are known and exhi∣bited to the Eye. For those things which escape our bodly Eyes, are comprehended by our Followers, by the eyes of their minds, so far he.

Many of these things, by the Authority of Hippocrates, I have clearly demonstrated to the Eye, as much as the brevity of a Compendium will allow, but not to the Intent, that every Hippocratist should imprudently practise or prostitute this Doctrine to,* and before the Unskilful; Our Master vehemently forbids That, saying, It seems best to
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me, that they who undertake to speak of this Art, should dis∣course only of those things, which are known to the Vulgar, not enquiring into any other, but the Diseases, to which they are usually Obnoxious: which is as much as to say,* if thou record other things, besides the four Exerementitious Humours, to be the cause of Diseases, and does not pre∣tend to expel them with their Concomitants and Atten∣dants, the same way that others do; thou shalt be called a Fugitive, an Emperick, and a Paracelsian: Since there∣fore, our Master was afraid of Plebeian ignorants, an Hippocratist should often ruminate on that saying of the Comedian, Quodscis, nescis.

To make no further Digression, Out of what hath been spoken, we may conclude, how meet it is, that all Alcalyes, without Acids, should be empty and inanous bodies; for fixed Alcaly, saturated with fixed Acid,* is made Petrous, as I have shewed in Lime; but when It undergoes a melting heat, then they pass into Glass.

The same fixed Alcaly, boiled to maturity with an Occult Pingueous Acid, the Humid-way, is made Sope.

So fixed Alcaly, mixed with Acid Spirit of Salt, is made Common Salt, having all the properties thereof: So also fixed Alcaly, with the Acid of Vitriol, is made Vitriol, which is called Tartarum Vitriolatum; and though Writers affirm, that the Acid of Sulphur, per Campanam,* doth not differ, from the Acid of Vitriol, yet it is not true; but, as all Acids do retain and preserve the pro∣perties of their seed, even unto the very Elements, as I have shewed before in Wine, so doth this Acid Liquor; for when it corrodes a natural Body, as Sand (for Exam∣ple) having not yet undergone the fire, then out of It, is sublimated natural Sulphur: Wherefore nothing in the world dies, but all things are transmigrated and changed, as*Trismegistus rightly determines: and Lucretius also, All things into their own bodies are dissolved,*nothing by Nature is to naught resolved. Fixed Alcaly, with the Acid Spirit of Ni∣tre, is turned into Frigid Nitre, conceiving Flame, and is a Remedy for the Quinzey.

The same Alcaly, with the Acid Spirit of Wine, is made Tartar of Wine, as I have above largely shewn.
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After this sort, says my Master Hippocrates, doth Na∣ture also proceed, which turnes the Aliments, replenish∣ed with a Volatile Alcaly, with and by the Acidity of the Stomach,* first of all into Chyle manifestly Acid, and in the subsequent Ventricles, the Alcaly is coagulated, according to the property of the Occult Acid, which the Cavities contain within themselves; So the Alcaly of the Excrements of the Belly, though it be an hundred times rectified, is troubled of its own accord, as I have shew∣ed in its place: An Odorous smell is inseparable from the Alcaly of Urine; the Alcaly of the Sweat of a sound Man, doth not stink; so there is a different coagulation of the Stone, as I have shewn in its dissolution and con∣cretion. That Acid is different, which hardens the Al∣caly in the Bones; another, in the Blood; another, in the Veins; another, in the Hair; and another must ne∣cessarily be in the Nails (Reason it self dictates so much) for otherwise every thing would be generated of every thing; So also Sope made with Oyl, differs from That made with Axungia, and this again from that, made with Tallow or Suet. All the Muscles (says*Hippocrates) have their proper Ventricle; intimating, that every Specifick Co∣agulation, doth also require a Specifick Coagulator, which though he be Occult, yet, by Mechanical neces∣sity, he must needs be Acid; as I have evidenced in Oyl, Suet, Milk, &c. otherwise, nothing at all in the Uni∣verse would be Coagulated; For the things, which have been spoken (says my Doctor) none of them can be seen with the Eye (i. e.) none can understand my Writings,* unless he be versed in this Chymical, and Salt-fusory Art.

Wherefore Hippocrates found out those things, which, by a grateful consent,* are subject to the Empire of Art and Nature; On this Foot he places the unmovable Foun∣dations of Learning, and from these he hath deduced all Mechanical Progresses, and Explications of Causes, so firmly, that if all Paper Books, with their Authors, were lost; yet by this Method, out of the Great Book of Nature, they may be all again retrieved.

Hence it appears, how many Fables have been ascribed to this worthy Man, which he never so much as dream'd
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of, yea many things, published under his name, suit not with his Profound Wisdom, so that if he were alive a∣gain, he would be ashamed to own them.

The permixture and alteration, which I have demon∣strated in fixed Alcalyes with Acids, the same also* my Hippocrates would have to be understood, of the Volatile Alcalyes of Animals, for, the Volatile Alcaly of any Ani∣mal whatsoever, being saturated with the Acid Spirit of Variol, assumes the nature of Vitriol; but, not having the Colcothar of Iron, it is precipitated, by juice of Galls, into a bottom of a Purple Colour, like to White Vitriol, of which above.

Out of what hath been spoken, 'tis as clear as Noon∣day, that the Spirit, is the Vehicle and lodging place of the Soul, and the Bond joyning Soul and Body; which I shall also shew by the following Experiments.

For the same Volatile Alcaly, of what Animal soever, with Spirit of Nitre, is made natural Nitre, conceiving Flame, and is melted in the fire, like ordinary Nitre; The same Alcaly, I say, with Vinegar, is made Tartar, which is wholly Distilled into a Salt liquor, as I have shewed in Mindererus his Water; the same may be said of other Acid Juices; for as fixed Alcalyes are vacuous and empty bodies, so are also the Volatile ones of all Animals, whose preparations the Reformer indeed teaches, which yet is very inane and empty, as all Alcalyes are. Hence my Hip∣pocrates, moved to a smiling laughter, pleasantly says,*They know not what they do, but they obey their destined fate. Where∣fore the Alcaly of Vipers, being a vacuous and empty bo∣dy, is saturated by the Reformer (as empty) with great labour and cost, with the Acid Spirit of Salt,* and what else, I pray, but Common Salt, can issue from it? Be∣hold the Cheat and Imposture, which the Reformer hath at last found out, with so much labour, of which triumph∣ing before the victory, he thus scribbles, Whosoever thou art, never think there is any other way of Fixing; having spoken this, by and by he•recants,* saying (with a low voice) If yet there be any Man, who hath greater Experience in these Operations, I give him occasion, for the Publick good, that, what he hath Experimented herein, he would not suffer
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to die with him. Alas poor Man! why not? but go too, Let us comply with his desires, he hath made a fair Ora∣tion, and no doubt deserves a Statue from the Common-Wealth of Physick,* for having so politely distinguished the Acid from the Salt, for the benefit of Apotheca∣ries.

CHAP. XXII. A Childish Opinion Discovered.
I Will briefly now run over the Acids,* which the Re∣former teaches, as contrary to Salts, which Doctrine yet, with many others, I find to be false, and full of Ignorance;* as shall be demonstrated by Fire, keeping to the Terms usually received (for Fire is here the publick Professor and just Judge; Logick hath no such way of distinguishing, for That only handles true Sciences al∣ready found out, and propounds Methodically, and clear∣ly and profitably to treat of what is to be known, in eve∣ry knowable thing. But I have before distinguished the Tastes or Sapors of Salts, as much as was necessary for the understanding of this present Compendium. Let there be made a Powder of Nitre,* and Common Salt, Ana, four Ounces, and two Ounces of Allum, to which add Simple Water, as much as is sufficient for the solution of the Salts (which act not, undissolved) and you will ob∣tain a Salt Liquor, to which add two Drachms at least, of Leaf-Gold, mingle the Gold with the Salts, and boil them in a glazen pot, to Siccity: towards the end, encrease the fire, till it affords a smell like That of Aqua Fortis, so the saltness of the mixture erodes the Gold: Dissolve the white Mass in a pot, with Common Water, let the Solu∣tion rest in the Glass Vessel, till the Faeces of the Salt do subside: when it is clear, pour it out by inclination; to this clear solution, instil by drops, some fixed resolved Alcaly Ex. Gra. Liquor of Tartar, which presently absorbs
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the more subtil Acid Spirits, and the Gold presently falls of a Purple colour: In this Operation, the Salt hinders not the Acid Spirits, as the Reformer teaches, but the Al∣caly of Tartar, consuming the Acids, destroys the Com∣positum.

The same way, but with great force, distilled water of Nitre and Allum, in which Common Salt hath been dis∣solved,* dissolves Gold, for if the Salt were not dissolved in water, it would not corrode the Gold: Wherefore Salt doth not destroy the Acid Aqua Fortis, neither in the dry, nor moist way, but adds Vigor to it, like to Sal Armoniack; Hence Basilius, What is found in the Eagle, is also to be met with in me.

Hence it appears, that Gold is not dissolved, but by Salts, but why the Acid Spirit of Salt doth dissolve It, I have elsewhere shewed, viz. by corroding the Spirits, it returns to That, which it natively and originally was, viz. into Salt.

CHAP. XXIII. Obscure things, made manifest.
I Will shew another Experiment, very pleasing to the Eye, manifesting, that Salts are not contrary to Acids.

Take three pound of dryed Vitriol,* two pound of Nitre, fix ounces of the Flowers of Common Sulphur, and five pound and a half of Common Salt, and Powder of Bricks, as much as is sufficient (least the Salts should be melted with the Sulphur:) Let there be six pound of this last powder, mingle the small powders exactly, and distil the water, at least out of Sand, put Gold Money into this water, without rectification premised, and in a few hours hours in a warm place, you will see the water tinged with a Golden colour (by occasion of this Tin∣cture,
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It comes to my mind, that not without great la∣bour, by the help of Fire, and much Diligence, a Vo∣latile Alcaly (of which I have elsewhere spoken) ascend∣ed of a grateful smell, so rare and light, that it can scarce be perceived by the touch, sometimes of a grey, sometimes of a white colour, of a Salt taste, biting the Tongue, and so subtil, that, without the irritation by fire, in an open Vessel, of its own accord, it evaporates to Air; whereas of it self it remains constant in fire: I say, by the property of this Alcaly, Gold, Silver, Quick-silver, Chrystal, &c. are made truly potable, so that, it is not only impossible, they should return to their bodies; but moreover they are so freed from the bonds of Co∣agulation, that we may freely dally with them, &c. But these, and the like, being not proper for this place, I willingly pass them over.) Pour out the aforesaid wa∣ter, and super-adde other, and again distil it in a hot place, till the water be sufficiently tinged; mix and shake the tinged waters together in another Phyal, and into that water put plates of Silyer, first cuppelled, then the water tinged with a Golden colour, presently grows Black, and in a few moments, all the Silver is invisibly dissol∣ved, and all falls into a black Calx, which the Skilful in the Art, without contradiction, call Gold: But observe, that water not tinged by Gold, dissolves not, no nor any way affects the Silver.

Hence*Basilius de Argento, I have devoted my Soul, my Spirit, and my Body to my King.

Wash the Gold-money, and you will find it something paler, but to have lost little or nothing of its weight: This Experiment is worthy of consideration, but when the aforesaid powders are distilled with a naked Fire, and open, more of the dust of Bricks being added, then it draws forth no Tincture, but wholly dissolves all the Gold: I say, this Experiment (though it seems useless, yet is pleasant, and of great consequence) doth not succeed without Salt: So that Salt doth not hurt these Acid Spirits.

So also simple Aqua Fortis of Nitre and Allum,* or Vi∣triol, corrodes not, nor dissolves Crude Antimony; but
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add to this water, so much fused Salt (i. e.) clean and finely powdered, as it can dissolve,* Superfuse This water on the Antimony, only grosly pounded, like the grains of Millium, and presently, with a gentle heat, it acts on the Antimony, and corrodes the Regulus of it; on which presently pour cold water, and you will see the Sulphur seperated, which swims a-top of the water, like Pitch.

But mark, that at one operation, you should dissolve not above two drachms, or there-abouts, for in a grea∣ter quantity, the Sulphur is also corroded by the water, and turns to Faeces. Dulcify this Sulphur with cold water, and it will look like the Common, only a little greener. This separation also succeeds not without Salt; so that Acids are not hurt by It.

Of this Sulphur, adding two simples,* you may make an Oyl, with which, if you annoint the Back-bone, Hand-wrists, soles of the Feet, one hour before the fit, you may cure all intermitting Tertian Agues and Fea∣vors.

This Sulphur is the Basis of the Artificial water, where∣in if Silver be dissolved, it precipitates the greatest part of it, into a black Calx, which Aqua Fortis afterwards will not touch.

If Chrystal be coemented with the same Sulphur, as also Crude Antimony, marked with red Spots,* mix'd with a little Orpiment and powdered, it acquires the colour of a Ruby, but take heed of the wind, for that will make it chink, and crack, or break.

This is that Sulphur of Antimony, which*Helmont ad∣vises us, to extract, scarce different from the Common in sight, only it is a little more greenish; how much this Sulphur avails in the Dropsy called Tympanitis, They, who having used it, know, as well as I: yea, I firmly maintain, that*Rulandus his Balsam is elicited from this Sulphur: Helmont goes on, make, says he, Cinnabar, I know many do much disquiet themselves with this Operation, but I will now openly and clearly discover it. Melt this Sulphur of Antimony in an Iron spoon, with a gentle Fire, when the Sulphur is melted, of which let
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there be E. C. an ounce and a half, add about six drachms of Mercury, a little over, or under, 'tis no great mat∣ter (for the Sulphur receives as much as it can mortify) mix them continually with an Iron Spatule, till they be cooled, reduce the Mass into Powder (which many fire or kindle with live coals, that the superfluous Sulphur may deflagrate) put this powder into a Retort of a large neck, (I say large, lest it be stopped by the Cinnabar ascending) and by degrees Distil it from Sand; then, that which is superfluous, either of the Mercury or Sulphur, runs down through the neck of the Retort; which gather up,* then encrease the fire, that the Cupple may be hot, and the Cinnabar will be elevated; when all is cold break the Retort, reduce the Cinnabar to Powder, which you must seven times more sublimate per se, in a fit Glass Ves∣sel, or Retort, and you shall have your intent. By the same way,* Common Cinnabar is also made, but without re∣petition of the Sublimation.

Helmont here purposely concealed,* that it must not be Common Mercury, but That taken from the very body of Antimony.* To what purpose is this superfluous in∣dustry (Let me whisper this word to Our Chymists) when as the same Cinnabar is Sublimated, after Distillation of Butter of Antimony, unless Mercury of Antimony, be here required.

CHAP. XXIV. Nocuments are Documents.
HItherto in those Operations,* which are all persorm∣ed by Acids and Salts, it no where appears, that they destroy one another; now let us proceed to the Rhapsody of the Reformer, which he proudly calls Man∣tissa Hermetica, as we are told in his own Book, Where the true preparation of Mercury Sublimate and Corrosive is,*(as he says) presented to us. Good Wine needs no Bush, as the Poet says, why he adds, True preparation to the
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Title, I see not. I suspect, that after his accustomed manner, he hath a mind to cheat us with fair words; but let us do the best we can to prevent it.

Mercury (says he) is rightly sublimated with Salt and Vitriol ('tis a wonder he did not fear, lest the Salt should destroy the Acidness of the Vitriol) but because he found it so Writ by others, at length he adds, That the Vitriol must be warily Calcined, lest it be deprived of its Acid Spi∣rlt. He thinks he hath advised some great matter here, as also by telling us, That the Sublimation must be twice, or thrice repeated, with new powders of Salt and Vitriol. But why, and to what purpose, this repeated Sublimation with new Powders? for Mercury, being once saturated with the Acid Spirits, what needs any Reiteration of the labour? especially if it be true (as it is most true, in Nature) That all things are governed by certain Numbers, Weights, and Measures, according to that of the Poet.

Est Modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines,
Quos ultra citra{que} nequit consistere rectum.
(i. e.) A mean, and certain Limits, all things bound,
Beyond, or this side, which, the right's not found.
So that the nature of Mercury, once saturated with Acid Spirits, hath absorbed and imbibed, as much as it can bear, and as much as it wants, from its first Subll∣mation, and though it be re-sublimated afterwards, and hundred times, either by it self, or with new powders, yet it stil remains the same Sublimated Mercury: So that, to reiterate the labour, is to make havock of the Pow∣ders, and to lose time.

This is that, which the wise Man says in the Proverbs,*Ealse Weights and deceitful Ballances, are an abomination to the Lord.

I know the way of Sublimating Mercury, is coveted by many, because they fear, That which is Sold up and down, is mix'd with Arsenick, which, as a dange∣rous Drugg, ought not to be added to Mercury in its
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Sublimation, by reason of subtil Poyson, which it breaths forth in Sublimating, and choaks the Operators: I can shew, that 'tis a subtil Poyson, by the danger I have experimently found in it, my self.

For heretofore,* when (by the perswasion of Johannes Agricola) I essay'd to sublimate Arsenick so often, that at length it might remain fixed in the bottom of the Ves∣sel, for at that time (out of my eager desire after Know∣ledge) I feared neither Smoaks, Vapours, nor any o∣ther danger: After many Sublimations, when I opened the Vessel, I suck'd in a breath so sweet, so grateful and benign to the Palate, that I even admired it, as having never felt the like before; but after half an hour, I per∣ceived my stomach to be contracted and to ake, with a convulsion of all my Members, I breathed with diffi∣culty, I pissed Blood, with incredible Heat; suddenly after, I was taken with the Collick, and wholly cramped for the space of an hour and half; being recovered by Milk and Oyl, I was indifferent well, yet a slow Feavor, like a Hectick, stuck by me all the Winter, which I cu∣red by Decoction of Vulnerary Herbs, and eating the tops or buds of Cole-worts and Colly-flowers, boiled tender in Water, and seasoned with juice of Oranges, Oyl, and a little Salt; yea I did so covet this meat, that I could scarce restrain my Appetite, till Supper and Meat-time: and by these Remedies, I grew perfectly well.

But in spight of the danger, there are some, who can burn pure Tinn into Powder,* which, by no Vulgar Art can be again reduced to Tinn, as other Metals; yet with Arsenick, it is made Scoria, part of which, by a singular Skill,* becomes pure Silver. Sigismund Wan, a Citizen of Wondsied in Voitland, knew and practised this Art of Se∣paration, to his great benefit;* for in the year 1464 he built and endowed a Famous Hospital there, which, as Gasper Bruschius relates, is this day to be seen with the Epitaph of the Citizen aforesaid. Now that Silver may be made out of Tinn, with Arsenick,*Clavius proves in his Apology against Ernstus; to whom I refer you. So much for Arsenick, for the sake of the Curious.

I now return to Mercury, whence I digressed, which is sublimated in this proportion:

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Take of Mercury or Quick-silver 280 pound (so much one bundle weighs, as it is brought out of Hydria in Sheep∣skins) of Mercry Sublimated, twenty pound; of Com∣mon Salt, and Salt-Peter, ana 200 l. of the reserved Caput Mortuum, fifty pound; of Vitriol Rubified 400 l. All these must be severally reduced to Powder, under a Mill-stone which is to grind them, turning round and standing upright.

The mixture is made after this sort;* The Quick Mer∣cury and the Sublimate, must first be mingled with a part of the Common Salt, and of the Salt-petre; and although the Salts be dry, yet, by this Mixture, they become moist; so the Mercury, in being mixed with the said Powders, dies: then add the other part of the Salts, proceeding to mix them with an Iron Instrument, till the Mercury appear no where, quick: This Mixture is very moist, to which if you have a mind to add Rubi∣fied Vitriol (which is very dry) it consumes the Humidity in a moment, and they become altogether as hard as stone: wherefore instead of the aforesaid Vitriol, you must add the Caput Mortuum, either reserved from the first Sublimation, or from Aqua Fortis, 'tis all one, so the Mixture becomes moderately dry, which then, you must agitate through a Sieve: afterwards you may con∣veniently mix the fifted Powder, with the Rubified Vitriol. Thus the Mixture is made, with which, fill sixteen great Glass Vessels (let the fourth part of them be empty) place them on Stillatories, and you will sublimate Mer∣cury out of the Ashes (but not with an open fire, as the Reformer dreams) in four little Furnaces, each of which may hold four Vessels; set Limbecks to the Vessels, at least loosly, with their Receivers: Let the fire be slow for twenty four hours, in that time, the Salts will dissolve the Mercury, and in the Operation it smells like Aqua Fortis, which hurts the Lungs, yea it almost strangles those that suck it in (as the smell of the Vault at Puteoli near Naples, doth, a Dog) after twenty four hours the smell ceases, and then the Mercury begins to be Sub∣limated (gather up the Aqua Fortis, which is fortified by the other Powders, and serves for the precipitation of
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Mercury) continue that heat, till you see the Mercury seperated at top from its Caput Mortuum, in form of a Cake, which commonly happens about the fifth day, if you have not erred in the Operation. When all is cool∣ed, by reason of the great weight of the Sublimate, the Glass Vessels will break of their own accord (you must gather up the pieces by themselves, for they have some Sublimate, which you may scrape off, wherewith at another time, running Mercury may be mortified:) Take heed of the Ashes, lest it falls through the chinks upon the Cakes, which they curiously take off, with both hands, and lay aside (they call them loaves) of which every one, will weigh about Twenty five pound, or there∣abouts, according to the capacity of the Vessel, which held more or less of the Mixture; So that of 280 l. of the live Mercury, and 20 l. of the Sublimate, you may ga∣ther 380 l. of the Sublimate.

Now the live Mercury, thus encreaseth in weight, Eighty pound, not from the Acidity of the Rubified Vi∣triol, as the* Reformer thinks, which he therefore says, must be warily Calcined, but only from the Common Salt; which I prove thus.

Let the same Mercury be Sublimated,* with the same proportion of Nitre and Rubified Vitriol, without Com∣mon Salt, then the Mercury ascends Red, and acquires no∣thing of weight, or of the Corrosive.

So also,* if the same Mercury be precipitated with Aqua Fortis from Nitre and Vitriol, then it waxes shining Red, and acquires no further weight: The cause is, because the Sulphureous Nitre, elevates the sulphur of Vitriol; which do joyntly act, at least upon their like (i. e.) up∣on the External Sulphur of the Mercury, and so it can en∣crease nothing at all in weight, nor assume a Corrosive Vertue.

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CHAP. XXV. Minerva Treated.
NOw, That, Vulgar Mercury, hath a Sulphur, ex∣ternal and separable from the effence of Mercury,* besides the testimonies of Geber, and other wise Men, Experience also shews (the furest School-Mistriss, both here, and every where) by this Operation:

Put clean and pure Mercury into a Glass of a plain bot∣tom and very narrow mouth: boil it in Sand, first with a slow and moderate, afterwards, with a stronger fire, to that degree, that Mercury may endeavour to ascend; which, if it happen by a simple motion, cause it to subside again. This way, without the addition of any thing, but Ex∣ternal fire, it is precipitated shining Red, like That,* which was precipitated with Aqua Fortis, out of Vitriol and Nitre; and it neither gets, nor loses in its weight, in as much as the small portion, if its proper Sulphur hath mortified and rubified it: as I have shewed in Aqua Fortis from (Sulphureous) Nitre. For it is the property of Sulphur, to rubify Mercury, as I have also demonstrated in the preparation of Cinnabar; which also gets nothing in weight; which our Chymists must attentively consider, for it is of concernment.

Mingle this red Precipitate (either made per se, or o∣therwise, of whatsoever condition) with Common Salt, urge this Compositum with a moderate fire, and then it will be elevated into a Sublimate Corrosive: neither doth the Salt here hinder the Acid Sulphurs, yea, without Salt, it would never be made Sublimate Corrosive, out of red precipitate, neither would the Mercury encrease in its weight. So, That precipitate, which Crollius calls Turbith Minerale, in as much as it is made with Spirit of Vitriol or Sulphur, is not red, because little of the Sul∣phur of Vitriol is elevated, without Nitre, in the Distilla∣tion;
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but because of the affinity and symbol which it hath in acting, upon the Sulphur of Mercury, it grows Yel∣low, and hath acquired no weight, after the aluminous taste is washed away with hot water.

The strength and Vertues of all the aforesaid Precipi∣tates are equal, they provoke Vomit, corrupt the Gumms, and, taken often, do cause the Execrable Fty∣alism. Hence Helmont,*As long as Vulgar Mercury can be revificated, 'tis no good Man's Remedy. For as all Me∣dicines, are Poyson in reference to us, and not to the Excrements; assaulting us, rather than Diseases: So also is the Vulgar precipitate of Mercury. Hence That of my*Hippocrates, No Physician can primise Health, by prescribing the assuming of Laxatives.

And although many affirm, That Mercury precipitated per se, without the addition of Corrosive, doth mightily pro∣voke Sweat, and for that reason cures all Feavors, as well continual, as intermittent, and six or seven times given, wholly cures the French-Pox; yet it is not true, but, as I have said, by reason of its Sulphur, though it be dili∣gently handled the common way, yet it remains the same Mercury still. And although Sulphur, with great ingenuity and Art, be separated from it, yet, not enduring a Vacuum, in a small space of time, it regains new, like the former,* as our Master teacheth, A-part, it is suffi∣cient neither for it self, nor any other: Nay, besides Expe∣rience, Geber confirms it, and other learned Men. Hence the Author of the Book called Aureum Seculum,*Very ele∣gantly; S•turn, his Grand-father, out of meer anger, again changeth it into what it was before; and therefore this Spirit hath obtained the name of Multiformous and of Mercury. Those that have passed through these painful labours,* know this to be true. But when it is regene∣rated and resuscitated out of Silver, or any other per∣fect Metal, and also cleansed, as much as is necessary, and, with his requisite, precipitated to a Redness, it becomes a Medicine not to be despised; which provokes neither Stool nor Vomit, unless in an undiscreet dose: yet, it is not the Aurora of the Philosophers, though, as it were, Rain-bows, Peacocks-tails, with sundry ad∣mirable
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colours, appear in the sides of the Glass,* and in the matter it self, after the same sort, as it happens in Sulphureous Steel, whiles it is under the hand of the Workman; neither let any Man believe, that this Pre∣cipitate is that Pana•aea, which*Crollius saw at Michael S••ndivoius's (whose name he expressed in his Preface, with great Letters, here and there, in these words,

Apud Magnum aliquem, cui in aeternum bene sIt,*Cum primis egregium Helioc Antharum, bor Ea•em, nunc in Christo quiescentem cujuSmodi, IENtis DenI{que} consueVerunt la∣t•tare tempOrum curnIcVliS:) because it is not by the first Universal matter, reduced to its first matter; But what the first matter of the Philosophers is, besides Hip∣pocrates, Ov•d also doth indigitate,*Tempus edax re∣rum, (i. e.) the first matter in time doth consume, what∣soever is produced in or from it: Hence the Ancients Fabled, that Saturn did devour his own Sons, as the Venerable Pythagoras doth witness; All Secrets (says he) are in Saturn (i. e.) in the most Ancient and first Matter: Of which enough at this time.

Wherefore, the External Sulphur in the Mercury is the cause of Vomit and Salivation, and not the Corro∣sive Spirits, with which it is Precipitated or Sublimated;* which the inunction with Quick silver it self proves, which is not perceived by the Taste, but the most Acid Sulphur of Mercury, as I have shewed, first pierceth the Skin, after the manner of Acids, Then it creeps to the Ventricles, or cavities of the Muscles, which in healthy Men are turgid and full of Spirit, for so they are called by Hippocrates;* Then the second, or at least, the third day, Those who are anointed, either whole, or sick (for now tis all one, to the Mercury) begin to languish; the Tortor abides in the Anointing, until at length,* in all the Ventricles it doth disorder, alienate, and destroy the Occult Acid and Alcaly, or the faculties (as my Hippocrates speaks) which I have shewed to be, and to operate there, That vene∣mous Acidity of the Sulphur of Mercury, absorbs the Al∣caly of the Ventricles, and makes its fellow, otherwise Occult, with most strong Poyson, more Acid, and ma∣nifest; So one faculty is extinguished, and the Acid, mul∣tiplyed
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tiplyed by Poyson, goes on in working, and acts Retro∣grade: and, resolves, as Causticks do, all the Aliment in∣to a putrid Mash: This, the Vital Vertue or Nature, (call it as you please) endeavouring to expel by fit pas∣sages, it partly dissipates it by Sweats, partly, by its purging faculty, it expels it by Stool, with great gripe∣ings; Whence it appears, why many who have been Cured by Salivation, after a long space of time, Relapse into their ancient Diseases, 'tis because the Malignant disposition is still left in the Body.

This Occult,* but Venemous Acidity of Mercury doth primarily then hurt the Teeth and Gums; for as all Sul∣phur hath an Occult Acid (as I have shewed before per Campanum) so Mercury hath an Occult Venemous Sul∣phur,* which doth precipitate and rubify it with a gen∣tle, but constant, Fire (like Common Sulphur) which, I have demonstrated above, not only by fire, in an Ex∣periment, but also by the authority of Geber.

Now all Acids, especially Putrefactive ones, do offend the Teeth, and Gums (as the Scurvey shews) and dis∣solve the Nerves: then the Blood sowres there, and pu∣trefies, becoming more stinking than a Jakes, with such a Contagion, that the Lips, by touching it, contract Ul∣cers, and the Cheeks ulcerate within; and this happens not only from its External Unction, but also the live Mercury, taken often, in a small quantity, by the mouth, performs the same thing, as Experience shews, and Ron∣deletius and Platerus have also observed. Of this sort are the Pills of live Mercury called Barbarossae: The old Ver∣ses of Mathesius suit herewith;*

Terram Mercurij, producta Metalla Veneno:
Esse ferunt, verum est, nil nisi virus, habet.
Metals produced with Poyson full, Men say,
Are Mercury's Soil, which Venom de display.
Hence it appears, what we are to think of, that Sul∣phur, which, at this season, in the mouths of some No∣bles
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of this Court (Fear not your Teeth in the case) un∣der the credulous pretence of a fine, sweet, and Vital Steam, or Aura gives forth a sad, filthy, truculent, and stinking Smell. In such cases my Hippocrates says, with a loud voice, Ʋnskilfulness is an evil Treasure, &c.*

Hence we may see the reason, why Gold-guilders, and they which suck in the steam of Mercury, do often in pro∣gress of time, either tremble, or are cramped in their Joynts; but that I may not be too Prolix, I pass over these things in this place.

Wherefore I have observed,* That Mercury regenerated out of Silver, or other perfect Metals, although boiled a whole year, with a different fire, in the above-named Phyal of a plain bottom, yet it can be precipitated per se, in no degree; and therefore this regenerated Mercury, must needs want that external Sulphur, as appears by Mechanical necessity; in the want of which Sulphur, it may move Sweat, and sweetly perform its Operations, Reason, and Experience confirming as much: But by great Judgement it being divided into its essential parts, and re-conjoyned with new and perfect Sulphur, Then it becomes the subject of all Wonder:* as H. C. Agrippa says in his Scale of Ʋnity, but because it is not my purpose now to treat of it, unless only as it serves for Vulgar use in Phy∣sick, I will keep my self within my bounds.

It appears then, that neither Vitriol, nor Sulphur, of what kind soever, do add either Corrosive Vertue or weight to Mercury; as the Reformer would make us be∣lieve, saying, That therefore Vitriol must be warily Calcined, last the Spirits should perish. For Mercury in Sublimation wants Them not, but only its Humid Sulphur; which, as I have said, is elevated by the Spirit of Nitre; and they both conjoyned, do act at least on the external Sul∣phur of the Mercury. But if it be urged with a stronger fire, it arises into a red Powder, not Corrosive, which Huserus and Crollius believed to be the Aroanum Coralli∣num of Paracelsus, but they understood not his meaning, but were mistaken in their opinion; but when Common Salt is added to Vitriol and Nitre, then the Mercury is dissolved deeper, by reason of the Salt sapor, and the
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Sublimate, grows white, becomes Corrosive, and en∣creaseth in Weight. And here also, doth not the Acid acquire strength by the Salt? so far is it from destroying it.

So also the Caustick water distilled from Vitriol, or Allum and Sal•p•tre, which is called Aqua Fortis, acts at least about Sulphur; and unless the Acid Sulphurous Spi∣rits, are in part washed away, or are put to flight by the fire, they are Coagulated, with the Mercury, into an Aluminous body, Astringent, and Corrosive.

This Corrosive Mercury, our Reformer would have to be mixed in the Plaister of Froggs,* with the Mercury of Vigo; An Absurdinvention, says he, that Mercury can be mortified by Spittle: As if Johan. de Vigo knew not the Corroding of Mercury, who was the Inventor of that Vul∣gar Precipitate, from him now called Vigo's Prec p•tate. He, I say, made an Emplaister to mitlgate the pains of the Joynts, arising from a Virulent Pox, perswading himself, that Mercury was the true Alexipharmick of this Disease, but he mingled the live Mercury with things, easing Pains, and sometimes with good success; where∣fore he advised to mortify the Mercury with Spittle and Oyl of Bayes, which is done in a moment, and after∣wards to mix it with the other Ingredients.

This Mortification of Vigo,* the Reformer laughs at, and perverts that excellent Man's Text and meaning, adding Reproaches and Calumnies to boot; and in stead of quick Mercury, he teaches to add Corrosive, with∣out any Alution, or encreasing the fire to expel the Spirits; but whilest it is yet a Liquor, he enjoyns Fat and Oyl, to be super-added, as if the Corroding Acid, would die in the Fat.

Hence it appears, that the Reformer of the Auspurgh Dispensatory, hath not so much as a spark of distinguish∣ing Judgement. Surgeons, to consume Proud-flesh, mix the Precipitate Mercury of Vigo, which is commonly sweet in Taste, with Fats and Oyntments, not that the Corrosive Vertue may be destroyed, but that it may not sall off.

So then, if the precipitate of Vigo, being sweet, and
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insipid to the Taste, mixed with Oyntment, cats up the flesh, surely This Caustick and corroding one of the Ro∣former doth exulcerate, and in the place where it ought to asswage Pains, it raiseth new ones.

This is the Artifice, which our Reformer instructs us in, to whom I may well apply that of Plautus.

Ibo ad medicum: at{que} ibi me Toxico morti dabo.
I will to the Physician hye,
That by his Poyson, I may dye.
But Sublimate Mercury doth revive, when its corrode∣ing faculty is taken from it: This, Antimony doth, and also Alcalyes. This Antimony, simple Aqua Fortis doth not dissolve, by reason of the Sulphur mix'd with it,* as I have shewed above, but, Salt being added, it presently acts upon it, and separates its Sulphur, that it swims a∣top, like Pitch. This in the moist way.

So also in the dry way, mingle Antimony with Mer∣cury sublimate, which I have demonstrated to be Salt,* and presently the Saline Spirits desert the Mercury, and corrode the Regulus of Antimony; but when the Spirits are driven out of the Retort; they run down Saturated with the dissolved Regulus, in the form of Butter, which if it be washed with cold water, the powder of Antimony falls small, rare, light, and very white,* unfitly called Mercurius vitae. But when this Ablution is made with hot water, then it turns Yellowish, and is called Pulvis Al∣gerotti.

But the same Butter, if it be dissolved in Spirit of Nitre, which again by reason of its similitude with Sulphur, doth again corrode Sulphurous and dissolved Antimony, and is abstracted by Cohobation, and afterwards appli∣ed to the Fire: then (after its manner) it remains constant or fixed; and begins to be called Bezoar Minerale,* a Cure for great Diseases. But the Mercury, being freed from the Corrosive, representing Metalline Alcaly, is
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saturated by the Acidity of the Sulphur of Antimony, which is also Metalline,* and they both constitute an Occult Salt thing, which by the encrease of the fire, is elevated into Cinnabar; and this again, with a lighter Alcaly, is re∣duceable into running Quick-silver, as I have shewed in its place.

So that, Gold is not dissolved, without Salt, in Acids, as neither is Antimony nor Mercury it self; wherefore Salt doth not destroy Acids, nor on the contrary. La∣borious Minerva hath discovered This Mystery, which few hitherto have been able to attain unto.

In fine, Salt, if it were at any enmity, either Occult, or Open, with Acids, it would surely be made manifest in the Butter of Antimony alone, which is so sensible a thing, that if but one drop of water fall into it, present∣ly the Acid Spirits do associate themselves with the water, and the dissolved Antimony, grows white; but cast com∣mon Salt, either natural or artificial, or other salt things, and that in quantity, into the said Butter, and it will not be moved nor troubled at all; so far is it from being destroyed thereby.

CHAP. XXVI.
Dicta cum Factis componit.
Words and Deeds compared.
BUt if any Acid be destroyed, that comes not to pass, by reason of the Salts,* as I have said, but the Alcalizates, or those of affinity with them, and It is changed into another nature, according to the difference of the Acid; as for example, The Reformer teaches, how to prepare Crocus Martis, which he calls Aperitive, with Acids, I approve his way in it. He also teaches to prepare another Crocus, which he calls Astrin∣gent, in Flame only; not considering, that the flame of
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fire is also Acid; so that This latter Crocus must needs be like the former, you may call it Astringent, or Aperitive Crocus; according to the effect it works. All inflamable things communicate Acidity to the flame, as Wood, Shrubs, Herbs, &c. The Reformer braggs that this in∣flamable Acidity, is the Acid spirit of Sal Armoniack,* and in this place he plainly is ignorant of it.

It may seem to many, that I speak a Paradox, when I say; that the flame of the fire is Acid: I am so far from Recanting it, that I further affirm, Fire comes near∣est to the nature of Salt, consisting of Alcaly and Acid;* for which cause it is biting, sharp, acetous, subtilly cutting, piercing, pure, incorruptible, incombustible,* and is that which preserves from Corruption. Now as in Salt, I have separated the Acid part, so I shall shew, by this Experiment following, that it is separable also in Flame.

Lead with Acid dry Wood is burnt into Minium, but 100 l.* of Lead, after it is turned to Minium, makes 110 l. I demand how the Minium gets 10 l. in weight? certainly no∣thing had been added to it, but the flame only: The flame therefore assumed a body in the Lead, and this bo∣dy, which encreased the Lead from the flame, is of an Acid taste, as the following experiment proves.

Distil, out of a Glass Retort, with an open sire, some of the self same Wood, with which you burnt the Lead, and there will extil a Liquor, of an Acid raste; which,* out of the Retort in form and manner of flame, embra∣ces the Lead, and is mixed with it, and fixed into Alcaly.

Melt again the Minium into Lead, and there will be only 100 l. as before, so that the ten pound gained, was neither Minium nor Lead, but the Acid expelled from the Wood. But This not being of the nature of Lead, is not Colliquated with it, and because it is not sufficient for it self singly, as Hippocrates says, in the reducing the Lead, it flies into Element, as I have shewed before concerning Salt of Tartar, Oyl, Vinegar, &c.

This artificial Alcaly out of Lead, being turned into Minium, with fire and vegetable Acid; or the same Lead
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with Mineral Acid,* made Litarge, if you boil it with Oyl and Fat, then the Alcaly acts upon the Ocoult Acid of the Fat, after the manner of the Alcalyes: and the Acid again upon the Alcaly, and so they are coagu∣lated in a Neutral thing.

Thus is made the Emplaister,*Triapharmacum, as also That of Cerusse and others of the like sort, as I have shewn in Sope, the cause of whose inspissation, was hi∣therto unknown to the Reformer, as appears by his Epistle to me, to wit, That the Oyl of Tartar, with the Alcaly was inspissated like Pitch (as Chap. 21.) And he writes thus to Apothecaries, That these are boiled, ac∣cording to Art. But among Metals, there is none that doth more readily associate with fixed Acid than Lead: For according to the species of the Acid, it changes its form, as I have said of Alcalyes. The steam of Vinegar turnes It into white Ceruss; Acidity in flame, into red Minium;* by the Acid of Sulphur, fire being added, 'tis turned into black; with Acid Minerals impure and mix'd, 'tis-turned into a double Litarge; with the Acid of yel∣low Clay, 'tis burnt into Glass of a box-like colour; with the Acid of black Clay, into a swarthy vitreous co∣lour, as the Glass-men know; For which cause, Melters and Refiners of Metals do honour it very much, because it absorbs all sorts of Acids, and clears the Metal from all spots.

The Ancients have observed, that all inflamations in living creatures, arise from Acidity (*Hippocrates attest∣ing the same; In Man, says he, there is Acid, bitter, most Acid, and hundreds of other things, which according to their quantity and strength, have various faculties:) For which cause they devised several Oyntments and Plaisters of Lead;* That they might take away that Acidity; and the oftner those foresaid Unguents are changed, the sooner is the Acid consumed, and the Distemper cured. This consumption of the Acid, in condescention to the oapacities of the Vulgar, we call re-frigeration, in as much as it mortifies the cause of Heat.

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CHAP. XXVII. A further Probation, that there is Acidity in Flame.
REverberate whole Corals in an open fire,* twelve ounces (for example.) for six days and nights (the fire serves the Skilful for distilling Spirit of Vitriol) and you will find fifteen-ounces (i. e.) three ounces encreased, and turned into a most fine powder; this encrease, is nothing else but the Acid from the flame, which dissolves the Corals, and is coagulated and fixed with them, after the manner of Acids, into Salt. If you poure distilled Vinegar on this Salt, it doth not send forth Bubbles, as it otherwise happens in Corals, not reverberated; for they are sa∣turated with Acid, and it dissolves Them into a pellucid Semi-Acid Liquor, which though transparent, and co∣lourless, yet it hath a Latent Sanguineous Redness, which, the affusion of Spirit of Vitriol, in a moment makes ma∣nifest. 'Twas neither the Vinegar, nor the Spirit of Vi∣triol,* which introduced this redness; for then, the Mix∣ture would be always red, when the Magistery of Corals is prepared the common way: wherefore of necessity, this redness must be secretly Latent in the Coral, and by the help of Fire be produced to maturity: of which I shall now forbear to speak more, 'tis enough that, contrary to the sleepy Doctrine of the Reformer, I have shewed, that Acid hath not destroyed this Salt, and that, Tincture of Corals, abides constant in the fire, which you may by ingenuity separate, and it will commend and praise it self.

So, place the Regulus of Antimony,* being elevated in∣to Flowers; E. C. twelve ounces, on the floure, or hearth, of the Glass-mens Oven, or Furnace, in a large fit Earthen Vessel, well covered, lest the flying Ashes should fall into it, and remove it far from the Eye where
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the flame plays, that it be not melted; so let it stand eight days, afterwards draw the Vessel nearer to the Eye, every fifth day a little, until about the fiftieth day, then you will find the Flowers of the Regulus fixed into a small, light, and most white powder, and encreased by two ounces, by the Acidity drawn from the fire, which pierced the Earthen Vessel, without hurting it, after the manner of Spirits.

This Regulus, was erst melted, with a gentle fire, now it resists (even Antimonial) Fusion, unless it be urged with quick blowing Bellows, then the Acid Spirits return, from the fire, to their Elements, and you will find twelve ounces of Regulus, as I before shewed in Lead.

In like manner, deal with Crude Antimony, and it will part with its Volatile Acid Spirits, and assume other more fixed ones from the fire, and is turned into a white powder, like Antimonium Diaphoreticum, of greater ver∣tue, in Physick, then that which is burnt with Nitre: the reason is, that here, so much of the Sulphur doth not deflagrate with the Nitre, but it is here fixed, by its proper Regulus, by the fire, which this Mechanick shews: Boil Antimony in simple water, let it be mixed with three parts of Nitre, and by turns kindled, and calcined, in that Ebullition,* the Nitre (from the Sulphur of Antimony being burnt to Alcaly) dissolves the Sulphur of the An∣timony, which is now fixed (as the boiling or bubbling Alcaly of Tartar doth dissolve common Sulphur, for Milk, as Crollius hath it:) sprinkle Vinegar on this So∣lution, being filtrated, warm, (and you shall perceive the Odor of the Sulphur) which presently is drunk up by the Alcaly, and the Sulphur falls into a white, small, rare,* light, and spongy Powder, which you must wash: A drachm of this, given with Vinegar, in the Plague is more worth than an ounce of that which is not boiled nor dissolved.

Hence it appears, That the Sulphur of Antimony, which elsewhere deflagrates with the Nitre, here is fixed by its proper Regulus by the Fire, in the above-named Vessel, and so becomes more perfect, so that there is Acidity in the flame of Fire, which I have shewed to be
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imbibed by Corals, and Antimony, as well as Lead, and so by Iron it self, which with this, and all other Acids, is with fire turned into Rust. So that there is no difference, betwixt that Crocus Martis,* which is made either with manifest, or Occult Acids; both of them are either binding or loosning.

CHAP. XXVIII. The ways and necessities of Precipitation discovered.
THere are Varieties of Opinions amongst Writers, concerning the Properties and Operations of Iron, and how, and by what manner, it performs them in Man's body,*Sennertus gives us a Catalogue of them, but few of them have hit the Mark, by reason of their ignorance of Hippocrates his Doctrine.* I will therefore shew how It adstringes and how it loosheth.

Iron doth manifestly bind, and consequently it streng∣thens the Stomach and neighbour parts. Therefore it is good in the Dysentery, Lientery, Diarrhaea, and all Laxative diseases, &c. But I hear some object, that Iron Medicaments provoke the Terms in Women, and re∣store the defects of the Liver, and Spleen, and so do rather Loosen than Bind? Lanswer (not as that Cano∣nical Physician, who asserted, That the stones of Crabbs, were a Mineral, and therefore an enemy to Nature:) but my answer is from the works of Nature, in which I have demonstrated out of*Hippocrates, That these things must needs so happen by Divine necessity; To wit, that there is often observed to wander up and down in us, a certain dissolved Salt, the Generation whereof, I have shewed before in its place, It consisting of Acid and Alcaly Com∣pounded, less agreeing among themselves, and unfit for Transpiration and Sweat. This, by reason of the in∣equality of the Sapors, doth not obey Purging Medi∣cines,
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as Experience shews: Call this, if you will, an Humour truly excrementious, lodging either in the first, or in the last region of the Body, produced either by the Womb, Liver, Spleen, Reins, Sweet-bread, Mesentery, or Stomach; as to this point, 'tis all one. Iron then being taken, which as I have shewed Mecha∣nically, doth easily imbibe all Acids, presently, That Noxious Liquid-Salt, or Excrementitious Humour, runs hastily to the Iron, and adheres to it, that it may dis∣solve it, and so that Saline Excrement, according to the kind of the Sapor, whiles it sticks to the Iron, and cor∣rodes it, is coagulated (as we have seen it, with the Acid of Vitriol to be turned into Vitriol, with the Acid of Wine into* Rust: So also it happens in Copper, which, if Vinegar corrode, it becomes Verdigrease; if the same Copper be corroded by Spirit of Vitriol, it becomes Vi∣triol of Venus; Consonant to this Doctrine is, what I have formerly Ocularly demonstrated concerning Alcalyes and Acids) but sithence It cannot be assumed into Aliment, therefore it is purged by Stool,* with the dissolved Iron, of a black colour; which colour ariseth, when the Acid Salt, corrodes the Iron, and the Alcaly precipitates it into Colcothar, as I have shewed above in its place.

But when Iron is drank,* dissolved in an Acid Liquor, but grateful to the Stomach, The same Liquors being ta∣ken, and throughly admitted, the Iron presently, being unfit, as I said, for Aliment, is separated from the Acid, by the Vertue of the Alcaly in the Mixture; In which Segregation the aforesaid Salts or Humours flow to the Iron, and adhere to It, as we see it happens to Silver dissolved in Aqua Fortis, if thin Plates of Copper be cast into the Solution, then presently the Acidity of the Aqua Fortis deserts the Silver, and corrodes the Copper, and the Silver adheres to the Copper,* as a compact Powder. Again, put a thin plate of Iron into the Solution, which is now greenish from the Copper, and the water pre∣sently leaves the Copper, and corrodes the Iron, and the Copper adheres to the Iron, whiles the Vitriolate water of Goslarla corrodes the Iron, then the Copper falls from the water into the place of the Iron, which contained the
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Vitriol unripened, this red powder, melted in the fire, turns to Copper: This Precipitation, many learned Men (but ignorant of Hippocrates his Doctrine) have believed to be the transmutation of Iron into Copper): even so Mechanical reason and necessity also do Dictate, that it must be in Man's body, especially, since Nature is alike in every think, as the Old man speaks. For unless the ex∣crementitious Humour were of a certain Semi-acid Nature and Taste, the Iron would not be dissolved in the body into a green or black mash, as we daily see, that it is, and I have also shewed in its place. And unless the Ex∣crements be so tinged, Iron is unadvisedly given, for it finds not a fit Humour to dissolve it; and in that case, Iron is Astringent,* though the Aperitive Crocus Martis of the Reformer had been taken by the Mouth. The same thing is to be understood of Acid Spirits, as of Vitriol, Sul∣phur, Glass, and Salt, for These, if they find not a wan∣dering Alcaly in the body of Man, an enemy to Vitality, and therefore Morbous (which the Acid Spirit may re∣ceive into it self) they do more hurt than good, for then by their over much Acidity they infect the neighbour Ali∣ment of the Stomach, and make it unfit for Nourishment. A Physician of Rome, a friend of mine, Anno Dom. 1656, in the time of the Plague, used Spirit of Sulphur, in quan∣tity, for a Preservative, who thereupon became* Arthri∣tical, and was afterwards restored by the Alcaly of Ani∣mals, as I have elsewhere shewed, concerning the Feet-Gout. For the Alcaly imbibes the Acid, wanderingly di∣spersed over the the body, which was the cause of Dis∣ease and Pain in the Ventricles, not being accustomed to things manifestly Acid; for so*Hippocrates teacheth. If any one prescribe Acid meats inconsiderately and without choice, they do no good.

On this principle of Precipitation, was the Golden Nail of the great Duke of Florence made; which Ferdinand the first of happy Memory, graced with this Testimony, which is to be seen with the Nail at Florence.

Mr. Leonard Turneisser in my sight and presence,*turned an Iron Nail heated in the fire, and immersed in Oyl, into Gold; done at Rome the 20th. day of November after Dinner:
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Such Nails, I have also, in Sport, sometimes made, with my own hands, but such as deal in Metals the vulgar way, think it altogether impossible that Gold and Iron should Conglutinate; and therefore they firmly believe, that This Nail is really changed out of Iron into Gold, and that which confirms their belief, is, that Gold doth not adhere to Iron; yea Gold melted, corrodes It in a moment, and turns it into Rust*. But Gold is con∣nected with Iron, by means of Precipitation, as I have said, on the same reason and ground, for which Iron precipitates Copper: Cut then an Iron Nail into two parts, moisten the end, at least with Spittle, and presently touch that part with Cupreous Vitriol, and in the very punctum, the extremity of the Iron, waxeth red, and hath now acquired the nature of Copper;* Now Gold is easily associated to and with Copper; and so fit a Guspe, or point made of Gold to this Cupreous Iron; and with Borax and Golden Solidature or Soder (which is made of* Copper money, a little Silver and Gold melted at the Eye is better) melt it after the accustomed manner, in a fitting Coal-fire, and then you shall have the Golden Nail so much spoken of. Turneisser tinged this Nail with Ferrugo, wherewith he hid the Gold, and so (without doubt offered it to that great Prince, to handle with his hands, which being so disguised, the Skilfullest person, that is, would have judged to be Iron. And then heating it by the fire, and dipping it in a certain Oyl (as the Testimonial says) and washing away the Ferrugo, the Gold appeared. This was the Artifice, if it be worthy of that name.

But let us return to Iron, which taken at Mouth, frees from Obstructions arising from the aforesaid Excrement, and so becomes Aperitive by accident,* in as much as it absorbs that coagulating wandering Acidity, proscribed by Nature, yet of it self, it is still Astringent; wherefore it is Aperitive by a specifick and appropriate Vertue, but it Binds by a second quality.

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CHAP. XXIX. Nux Cassa.
Shell without Kernel.
I Have declared, that Copper is turned by Vinegar into Aerugo, or Verdigrease. This the Reformer advises us to Distil,*I remember (says he) that I have made men∣tion of a certain secret Menstruum, which hitherto the Canine envy of some Malignant and Ingrateful Fools hath caused me to keep socret, amongst my other Arcana's;*but now leaving the revenge of all injuries wrongfully offered, by what hand soever, to God, being pressed on by a good conscience, and the benefit of the Publick, I am resolved to publish it, on which the great∣est of Remedies do depend, at their main Pillar: What will our Princely Doctor now reach us? Spirit of Venus, and an hidden Menstruum, which for unworthy Mens sake (who can forbear laughing!) he determined to conceal. Oh unskilful Rudeness! who would ever have expected from him, such a great and liberal Contribution, for the pub∣lick good, unless he had told us so himself?

O Curas hominum, O quantum est in rebus inane!
O curious Study and vain Care,
Of Men, that vain and empty are?
'Twas more than a hundred years since, that Basilius Valentinus published this Distillation of Vinegar (in a Book, which he calls, A Manuduction to Physick, Written in the Germane Tongue, and Reprinted at Frankfort by Luke Iennis, An. 1625. in Quarto) under the Title of The true Solution of Pearls. The Reformer borrows it from him, suppressing the Author's Name, for there it is word
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for word,* and this he boasts, not only for an Ʋniversal Solvent, but (seigns it also to be his own Invention, and inscribes it, Our Spirit of Venus) for the Liquor Al∣cahest; So that, not without a fatal Prediction, John Fre∣derick Bauz, prefixed the Reformer's Name before the Dispensatory, with an Anagramme worthy of him, as may be there seen.* But the Reformer adds without blush∣ing; This most excellent Spirit is not only of great vertue in Physick, as being highly Curative of Epileptick, Apoplectick, Hysterical, and Hypochondriacal Distempers, being duly and lawfully exhibited; but is as the Liquor Alcahest, and not as other Acid Spirits, who suffer and are destroyed by Solution, and so are turned into another Ens, &c. I could wish Basilius, when he taught us how to distil this Vinegar, had been afraid of Impostors, as Hippocrates, Paracelsus, and others were. Then the Reformer had never obtruded This, for the Liquor Alcahest, nor had loaded it with so many Encomiums, thereby deluding the World. He advises us to buy this Vinegar at any rate, adding these Vain-glorious and Magnificent words; Enjoy Courteous Reader,*this Secret, and let me continue in thy good grace, for my faithful Communication of it. In good time? draw near all ye inquisitive ones, behold a great Secret ma∣nisested' never so much as dream'd of before? But Na∣ture laughs to see such lyes held forth for truths: There are some, who, without any great labour, time, or ex∣pence, do distil a like and much more powerful Liquor out of Lees of Vinegar, into a great Receiver, which yet they proclaim not for Alcahest.

Let us therefore take notice of the Subject from which the Reformer distils this Wonderful Solvent, which, with a worthy Name, he appropriates to himself, and calls it Our Spirit of Venus.

It is Aerugo or Verdigr•ase, which is thus made, thin Copper plates are put into Mother of Wine, when it is sowre; this Acidity corroding the Copper, is coagulated with it into Salt, as it happens to every Acid by Corro∣sion, as I have Ocularly demonstrated in Lead and Coral: The Reformer mundifies this green Salt with Distilled Vi∣negar, from which surely nothing but Vinegar can be
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distilled, as Basilius in the fore-cited place, doth ingeni∣ously confess; as it happens to Spirit of Vitriol by cor∣roding Copper, it becomes Vitriol; from which, if you distil it, you can extract nothing else but the same Stag∣ma or Spirit of Vitriol, which you poured on it, accor∣ding to the Old saying, Nihildat, quod in se, non habet: Melt the remaining Caput Mortuum or Faeces, in a Pipkin, adding thereto a little Nitre and Tartar, then the Copper returns to Copper, as it was before it was changed with the Vinegar in Verdigrease. This is the Secret and my∣sterious business the Reformer out of his over-flowing Liberality, is willing to communicate for the Publick good, and perswades us to buy at any rate, saying, Enjoy, Reader, this Secret, &c. Away with this Cheating,* which even the Vulgar do deride, not believe? Men know well enough, that Secrets are not to be revealed, but in Para∣bles, Allegories, Metaphors, and such like Disguisings; So H•ppocrates advises, and both He and Venerable An∣tiquity doth the same: Speak not (says the Wiseman) in the ears of a Fool, for he will despise the Instructions of thy mouth. So Johannes Picus in his Book of the Dignity of Man, Pythagoras, Plato, Boetius, Macrobius in Scipio's Dream, Cornelius Tacitus, &c. All of them, with one Mouth, affirm that Secrets are not to be divulged, that so unworthy men may not be partakers of them.

But go to? may we not use Vinegar simply distilled with less labour and charge? since it is one and the same thing? Do not the Writers of the Elements of Chymistry teach us to prepare Salt of Pearls and Corals with Distilled Vinegar? and afterwards to wash it? which yet is found to be unprofitable, in as much as the Acids are coagulated with the Solution, as I have often shewed before.

But to contract all in a few words, The Vinegar and Spirit of Venus of our Reformer, are nothing but water impregnated with an Acid Volatile Salt, which, if it corrodes any thing, 'tis presently Coagulated, which af∣terwards by combustion is fixed into Alcaly.

Wherein now doth the Magistery of Corals and Pearls of the Reformer exceed That which the Rudiments teach? What Prerogative one hath above the other,
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we may learn from Spirit of Vitriol and Sulphur, which precipitates both; the reason whereof is, that the more potent Acidity apprehends the Solution, and in it under∣goes Coagulation, and therefore encreases in weight, neither can you fetch it back,* but by a violent fire.

Is it so indeed? doth our Reformer so satisfy God,*his Neighbour, and the Truth? as he affirms in his Animad∣versions? Are these the Inventions taken from true Reason and Experience, hitherto seen, and observed by none else, for the comfort of Mankind? As he boasts in the Preface of his Appendix.

Was Haerus so to be deluded? to whom he promises in his Epistle Dedicatory, to discover what he knew not, to wit, to rectify the Genuine and usual method of compound∣ing Medicines, and to free it from Errors, lest the People should be put to the loss of their Money and Health,*but that they may live more happily. To wit, by proclaiming Vi∣negar for Alcahest.

Are these the things, Which leaving his necessary busines∣ses he published to the People with so great labour, as his Epilogue speaks?

This Reformer being drunk with his own Vinegar, cants out Wonders, Our Spirit of Venus (says he) Extracts an Adstringent Tincture from Flings of Steel. News indeed! as if all Vinegar with Iron filed, did not grown Red? 'tis known* to do so to all Blacksmiths. In his Mantissa Her∣metica, a little before he teaches, that he can prepare Adstringent Crocus most exactly by Revorberation alone, with∣out the mixture of any other thing: Now, to procure Cre∣dit to his Vinegar, he grants both: What is this, but im∣patiently and foolishly to play the Trifler, yea to pretend to teach the contrarieties of Salts and Vinegar, and yet to know neither.

Page 119
CHAP. XXX.
Exitus Acta probat.
The End crowns the Action.
OUt of a desire of Knowledge, I red the Pharmacopaea Regia, Writ by our Reformer, out of a vain itch for Glory, but full of many Absurdities. He promises to Kings a Narcotick Sulphur of Vitriol, under the Title of Laudanum; but it amy be truly said, of it,* The King escaped by the help of Fate, and not of the Narcotick Sulphur of Vitriol, which is no where found in the whole Book of Receipts: So also he promises to Queens a Ludus Praeparatus to beget Milk, which yet he never saw or knew: Hence came the common Proverb, Mentiris ut Medicus. This Sulphur of his, and that Ludus Praeparatus, change not their Soil, nor pass beyond the Seas; they like well the place of their Nativity, and love not to stir further, viz. then the brains of the Reformer.

So in his splendid Appendix to his Pharmacopaea Regia, almost in all his Compositions, we have these Pompous words, Magisterium Nostrum Solubile. An Ostentation so vain, that it would raise laughter in Heraclitus himself, which yet is nothing else,* but Pearls and Corals corroded with Vinegar, as is known to every Fresh-water Physi∣cian. But he himself undervalues and laughs at the long Receipts of Writers; but who ever saw or read longer than those in his Pharmapaea Regia? who,* more Inelegant ones? Take that Compositum for an example, which, by a specious Title, he calls Pilulae Regiae, where Opium pro∣duces all the effects which he promises. To what pur∣pose then is the corroded Gold, which, being Simple, hath no affinity with Opium, the ground of the Pills; of these Homer sings,

Page 120
Pharmaca mixta salubria multa, & noxia mul•a.
Of mixed Druggs, some hurtful are, some good.
Truly the huddling together of Simples, made by un∣skilful hands,* do infatuate and destroy Princes, and causes the nick of the Cure time, which in a moment passes away, to be spent in uncertain conjectures. I shall add but this one thing.* I advise you to avoid Receipt-mongers as much as Juglers, who do boast of their Prodigious Compositions, and so Huckster and make Merchandize of our Diseases, and as it were, cast lots for our Lives: I say it is impossible, or at least very difficult, to determine any thing certainly, unless only Putatively and Conjectu∣rally, as I have shewed in the Nettle only. But as of∣ten as simple things do not effect what was desired, then its is that they want Composition, as I have clearly shewed in Vulnerary Potions, in Tinctures and Inks; and I will yet further evidence by this one example: Take two parts or pugils of Juice of Sage, of Vitriol of Mars one part or pugil, both of these mixed, do suddenly grow black, for the Occult Alcaly of the Sage doth absorb the Acid of the Vitriol; In an hour the Acid, as it is a Mine∣ral, doth conquor the feeble Alcaly of the Vegetable, and the Compositum waxes green: To which add further, three parts of Vitriol, then it assumes not a black colour (as might in reason be thought) but the Alcaly then consumes at least the subtle Acid as turns the Vitri∣ol into Ocre, as it happens to It, when the Spirit by little and little decays; but whither do I digress, seeing I know that what cannot be changed and altered, is to be born?

But the Reformer doth perpetually commend such Compositions,* saying, That both the Sick and Physicians too, would be in an happy case, if such Medicines which are truly Royal, were at hand, and yet of so small a price, that they may be vsed by the poor, &c.

Now to you therefore, O ye Ingenious Pharmacop•ans, do I direct my speech, I beseech you to cast up the ac∣compt, and to judge (not of many unprofitable and la∣borious
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Compositions, which if they were all at hand and in readiness, the whole City of Auspurgh would scarce contain them, but only of the distilling of this Vinegar from Verdigrease for corroding Coral, for if you reckon up the Vessels and Instruments of Art requisite for the pur∣pose, with the Time which is to be spent in it, where will there a poor man be found that can be at such ex∣pence? but if this and such like artificial Compositions be dispensed and sold for a small price,

Tunc labor in damno est, crescit mortalis egestas.
Then our Labour procures Loss,
And Poverty becomes our Cross.
But if I should longer insist on all the gross and Erroneous Opinions of our Reformer which are scat∣tered here and there, I might swell a Volume, which may be plainly seen in his first Syrup.* This, as others, was invented by the Ancients, that it might be Administred to every individual person, and so be in readiness and at hand in Shops; but seeing many persons can hardly endure the smells, e∣specially of Spike, without belching and turning of the Stomach, yea they resist Digestion, as appears in Meats seasoned with Spice, who do destroy the ferment of the Stomach; Hence the Ancients com∣mend simple Food as most wholsome. For this cause,* even for this Syrup, they chose Pontick Wormwood as less Odorous, and boiled it in old Wine, toge∣ther with Spike, that the Odor, together with the Spirit of Wine (to which it is easily associated) might wholly be expelled and gone; which, the addition of Juice of Quinces shews; for unless This had been the Intention of the Ancients, instead of this Syrup, they had used Quince-Wine and Wormwood-Wine, as we may* see in Dioscorides. They preserved the remain∣der with Sugar from an hoary Vinew, and thickned it into a Syrup.

So also sundry sorts of Wines, mixed together and drunk, as is usual in Feasts and Banquets, do not only create trouble and labour to the Rector in Man (which I shewed above, Chap. 15. out of
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*Hippocrates, hath his seat in the mouth of the Sto∣mach) to unite them, but moreover do easily In∣ebriate Men, and by tender Persons are sometimes violently cast out by Vomit;* but when the Juices of the same Grapes (though Multiformous and Va∣rious) are united together by Fermentation, then from and by diverse Rectors, one wholsome drink is made, not offending the Stomach; even as Trea∣cle is made out of diverse simples, co-united by Fermentation, over which, one only Rector doth Predominate: Hence It is commended by Avicen, as of wonderful Vertue, as I have noted in my Preface.

But since it is none of my Intent to discover Peb∣bles in the Sea-shore (as the Proverb is) where there is such an infinite number of them, especially not being delighted with this kind of Writing, it is against my Genius to insist any longer on these Trifles, and therefore I will now withdraw my Pen and Hand.

This is the Stress of the Matter, The Reformer came to act his Part on the Stage before he knew That Nature did act alike in every thing.

Now for a Conclusion, a word or two to our Friends in their ears; the Acid doth inform the Al∣caly; with These, the ancient Foundations of Old Phy∣sick and of the Viperine Salt, do absolutely agree in a perpetual Concord and an immutable Similitude,*(as I have shewed to those that uderstand me aright) from the decree of Nature it self, and out of the Doctrine of my Hippocrates, by the most Harmoni∣ous and Mechanick Reason, and the highest necessity.)

My pretended Friend endeavouring heretofore to learn this consent of Nature and Art by examples, and not being able to do it, he rages like a mad Dog, and bites all that come near him; prefe∣ring himself far before others, as appears throughout all his Writings; So every Bird likes his own note best, neither is any thing more unjust than an unskilful Man, (as Tirence speakes) Who thinks nothing well done,*but what he does himself.

FINIS.

AN INDEX Of the Experiment 〈◊〉 other Remarkes 〈◊〉 in HIPPOCRATES CHYMICƲS AFOREGOING, Fitted to the several Pages.
A
ACids diverse to be diversly taken away, Page 85.
Acid retains the property of Seed, p. 87.
Acid, its diversity in the Body, p. 88
Acids, not contrary to Salts, p. 90.
Acids, all offend the Teeth, p. 102
Acid Fountains, why they make not the Teeth black, p. 53
Acid Waters, when to be drunk, p. 54
Acid destroyeth Black Co∣lour, p. 57
Acids forbidden to wounded Men, p. 65
Acids expel and put to flight Metals, proved by ex∣perience, p. 20
Of Acid Spirits only spirit of Salt dissolves Gold, p. 25
Acid in a sound Stomach, p. 38
Acid Juices differ one from another, p. 39
Acids, their Ʋse and A∣buse p. 113
Acid and Alcaly in Lime of Flints, p. 8
Acid Coagulating Milk, threefold, p. 40
Acid and Alcaly in Milk, p. 41
Acid and Alcaly in Lime, p. 8
Acid, out of the Stomach, Morbous, p. 41
Acid and Alcaly Volatile in the Stone, p. 44
Acid of the Stomach, and Alcaly of the Aliments pro∣duce a salt Chyle, p. 46
Acids more sharp, Precipi∣tate Bodies dissolved in an A∣cid

Liquor less sharp, p. 48
Acidity, the Vital Instru∣ment in all things, p. 49
Acid, manifest in the Sto∣mach, p. 49
occult in other members, p. 49
Alcaly is a Vacuum in Na∣ture, p. 87
Alcalyes fixed, their Mu∣tations with Acid. p. 87
Alcalyes 〈◊〉, their Mutations with Acid, p. 89
Alumen catinum, the same with Saltcaly, p. 7
Alcaly fixed, its Degrees and Kinds proved by diverse Experiments, p. 14
Alcaly fixed of Tartar, p. 14
Alcaly fixed of Vinegar, p 15
Alcaly of T•rtar and Lime, p. 15
Alkaly of the Herb Kaly, p. 15
Alcalyes of Oak and Lime, p. 14, 15
Alcaly of Cephalick herbs, p. 15
Alcaly of Celandine, p. 15
Alcaly of Flesh, p. 45
Alcaly and Sea-Salt in Ʋ∣rine, p. 45
Alcaly of every thing pre∣serves the Occult Acid p. 47
Alcaly of Vipers commend∣ed in the Feet-Gout, p. 48
Alcalyes their diversity dis∣covered from the precipitation of the Colcothar of Vitriol of Mars, dissolved in Water, p. 52
Alcaly fixed, not found in living Animals, p. 53
Alcaly of Galls made more perfect by Oyl, p. 57
Alcaly Volatile like Al∣caly of Galls, abounds in some Vegetables, p. 58
Alcaly in Vinegar, p. 64
Alcaly in Vulnerary Herbs, proved by Experiments, p. 66
Alcaly Occult in Rain, and Well-water, p. 68
Alcalyes Occult in Cooling Herbs, p. 67
Alcaly and Acid Volatile of Vegetables by fire burnt into fix'd Salt, p. 75
Alcaly Volatile in Soot, p. 76
Alcaly of Salt-Petre, p. 16
Alcalyes invisibly hide cal∣cined Metals, p. 23
Alcaly of Herbs draws forth a like fixed Alcaly from Flints, p. 28
Alcalyes turned into Salt, imitating Acids, p. 29
Alcaly of Animals, p. 30
Alcaly Volatile of Blood, p. 37
Alexius his Secret, p. 59
Aliments have little Acid, and much Volatile Alcaly, p. 46
Alcahest of the Reformer is distilled Vinegar. p. 28, 29.
Antimonium Diaphore∣ticum, how good? and for what? p. 84
Antimony, its Sulphur, p. 90
Antimony is fixed by the Acid of Fire, p, 110
Animals have a Volatile Salt, p. 5

Antimony, its Emetick force p. 83
Antimonium Diaphoreti∣cum made Emetick, p. 84
Argentum Potabile, p. 90
Arsenick, a subtil Poyson, p. 96
Arthritick person from the use of Spirit of Sulphur reco∣vered by Alcalyes, p. 113
Aurum Potabile, p. 92
Aurum Fulminans from the solution of Spirit of Nitre, not of Salt, p. 17
Apples rotten, Cool, p. 81
B
BLood of Venus and Mars, Page 60
Blood by one drop of Acid made Morbous, p. 49
Balsam of Sulphur of Ru∣landus, p. 93
Balsam of Samech, p. 16
Bezoar Minerale, p. 105
Butter of Antimony, p. 105
Butter fresh hath more Al∣caly then Acid, p. 81
Bezoar stone, its use, p. 85
Black Colour, its founda∣tion, p. 61
C
CAlx or Lime, what? Page 8
Calx petrified by contrary faculties, p. 8
Calx, its bastard Spirit of Basilius, p. 13
Camphire, what? p. 82
Camphire with Aqua Fortis makes a Mock-shew of Oyl, not so with Vinegar and other Acid Juices, p. 82
Camphire absorbs the peccant Acid in the Body, p. 82
Camphire its workers sala∣cious, p. 83
Camphire helps the rough∣ness of the skin, p. 83
Cementum Regale, p. 21
Cinnabar Common, p. 21, 23
Cinnabar of Antimony, p. 94
Corals, its •ncture, p. 109
Corals encreased in the Fire, p. 109
Contraries coagulated by Contraries, p. 8
Coagulum, what? p. 41
Chrystaltinged with the co∣lour of Rubies, p. 93
Crocus Martis aperitive, p. 106
Crocus Martis, p. 59
D
DIurectickness in a Flint, Page 11
Diuretick from a calcined Flint, p. 13
E
ELixir Parvum, p. 20
Emplaister of Frogs with Mercury, p. 104

Empla•sters prepared of Lead, p. 108
Epistle of Aurel. Severinus to the Author, p. 36
F
FEbrifuge Oyl, p. 93
Febrifuge of Riverius, p. 19
Fel vitri, p. 18
Fermentation how perform∣ed, p. 63
Fire, its flame Acid, p. 107
It comes near to the nature of Salt, p. 107
Fire and Water in a Flint, p. 8
Fire changeth the Regiment, and alters the vertues of things, p. 78
Fire, its various necessity, p. 78, 79
Fire, when strong, changeth the nature of Salts, p. 19
Fire and Water contain all things necessary for Generation, p. 38
Flint taken from its natu∣ral place, grows, p. 8
Flint, its Powder, as made by the Ancients, p. 12
G
GOld calcined the dry way, Page 90
Gold calcined the moist way, p. 91
Gold not dissolved but by Salt things, p. 91
Gold, its Tincture, p. 91
Gold called Aurum Pota∣bile, p. 92
Gold adheres to Iron by the help of Copper, p. 114
Gout, its pain from Acid, p. 48
its Remedy, p. 68
Glass, how made, p. 10
its Axungia, what? its Fel, p. 10, 11
its Burning, p. 11
Glass burnt, not Hurtful, p. 12
Glass, its Resolution, p. 12
H
HErbs have an Occult Nu∣tritive Alaly, p. 70
Harts-horn burnt imbibes Acidity, p. 67
Hemorrhage of the Womb, its Remedy, p. 67
Hectick Feavor cured with Vulnerary Potions, p. 66
I
IƲlip of Vinegar, made of Water and Sugar, p. 39
Inke, its foundation, p. 57
Iron Astringent, p. 111
Iron provokes the Terms, p. 111
Iron changed into Copper, p. 112, 113
Iron Cpens and Binds, p. 114
Iron, why subject to Rust, p, 68

Iron, how it grows stronger? p. 68
L
LAc Sulphuris Antimonii, p. 110
Lac Sulphuris, p. 82
Latarge out of Lead, is Pre∣paraton, p. 108
Lye for Sope, its making and force, p. 9, 10
Letters writ with Ink, why afterwards Pale? p. 57
Liquor Acid, changes A∣liments included in a glass in∣to Chyle, p. 40
Ludus Preparatus, p. 119
Luna Cornea, p. 24
Lead encreased in the flame, p. 107
its encrease in the Fire is from Acid, p. 107
Lead delighted with Acid, p. 108
it absorbs Acids of all sorts, p. 108
Lead cools the Heart, p. 108
Lead, p. 60
Lungs ulcered, cured by Vulnerary Potions, p. 66
Like dissolved by like, p. 8, 9
M
MErcurius Sublimatus, its Reduction, p 105
Mercurius Vita, p. 105
Mercury Sublimate, doth not coagulate Milk, p. 41
Mercury, p. 60
Mercury out of Silver, p. 23
Metals, one Frecipitates another, p. 112
Metal, its Precipitation by Alcaly, p. 20
Minium, its Preparation, p. 107
Minerals are all associated with Acids, p 20
Milk not Coagulated, but by Acidity, p 40
Materia Prima, p. 101
Medicaments Solutive, not to be dissolved in Diseases, p, 53
Menstrua their Obstruction from Acid, p. 58
Mercury Sublimate, p. 94, 95
Mercury Sublimate Com∣mon, p. 97
Mercury Sublimate sweet, reddish, p 98
Mercurius precipit. Com∣munis, p. 98
Mercury praecipit. per se, p. 99
Mercury praecipit. per se, becomes Sublimate Corro∣sive, p. 99
Mercury praecipit. its Ver∣tues, p. 99
Mercuries Acid•ty hurts Teeth and Gumms, p 102
Mercury of Metals is not praecipit, per se, p. 103
N
NAil of Gold, p. 113
Nitre, its regeneration p. 25

Nettles, green and dry, its different effects? p. 71
O
OCre, what? p. 55
Odors, many resist Di∣gestion, p. 121
Oyl is made Salt, p. 79
Oyl Olive hath Acid in it, p. 80
deprived of its Acidity, it helps Pains, p. 81
Oyl old, why musty? p. 81
Oyl turned into Watrer by Salt of Tartar, p. 26
Oyl made Strongwater, p. 28
Oyl of Sope like that of Bricks, p. 27
P
POx French cured by a De∣coction of Vipers, p. 31
Pomegranate Rinds provoke the Terms, p. 58
Paracelsus his Coralline Se∣cret, p. 103
Panacaea of Michael Sen∣divogius, p. 101
Pl•urisy, its Remedy, p. 48
Plants their Regeneration, p. 72, 73
Posca, of the Ancients, what? p. 63
Protochymist dwells in the Stomach, p. 47
Powder Antipodagrick, p. 48
Q
QƲinzey, its Remedy, p 21
Quartan, its Remedy, p. 72
R
REgulus Antimonii, p. 21
Rector, what? p 27
S
SIlver separated from Tin, p. 96
Silver, p. 60
Silver consists of Acid and Alcaly, p. 24, 44
Stone, its Analysis, p. 42
Stone, its regeneration, p. 42
Stone, how generated in the Body, p, 42, 43
Stones, Red, whence? p 43
Stones concreter every where in the body, p. 43
Stones remedy, an Hedge-Hogs or Histrixes stond how far good for it, p 44
Stones other Remedies ex∣amined, p 44
Stone, its true Remedy p. 45
Stone, its remedy out of Pa∣racelsus and Helmont, p. 48
Story of Sal Prunella, p. 21
Sage, its Juice grows black with Vitriol of Mars, p. 120
Salt of Treacle of the An∣cients examined, p. 4, 5
Sal Armoniack natural in use among the Ancients, p. 5

Sal Armoniack natural, its Properties, p. 5
Sal Armoniack Ours, what? p. 5, 6
its constituting parts, p. 6
the manner of making it, p. 6
Salt Common doth not wash, p. 6
Salt Kaly whence made, p. 7
Sal-Kaly, is not, unless made by Art; its Vertue and Pro∣perties, p. 7
Sal-Alkaly, what; where found, p. 7
its Multiplicity, p. 7
Sope, its making, p. 9
Sea-Salt with Oyl is not made Sope, p. 10
Salt of Vipers of the Refor∣mer is Common Salt, p. 31
Salt of Tartar fix'd with Acid spirit of Salt, is Subli∣mated into Spirit, p. 34
Salt of Vipers, its Inven∣tor, p. 36
its foundation known to Hip∣poerates, p. 38
Salt things do not curdle Milk, p. 41
Salt, as 'twas eaten, found in Ʋrine, p. 51
Salt of greater affinity to Vi∣negar than Metals, p. 70
Salt of Wormwood, its Pre∣paration, p. 77
Salts Precipitate not Mer∣cury, p. 16
Sal Fulminans, p. 17
Salts fr•m Diuretique herbs are Acid-salt, p. 18
They Precipitate not Mer∣cury, p. 18
being Alcalized with a quick Flame, they Precipitate Mer∣cury, red, p. 18
Salts from Vulnerary herbs are Acid-salt, and do not Pre∣cipitate Mercury, p. 18
in a melting Fire they change their Natures, and become Alcalyes, which Precipitate Mercury sparkling and glitter∣ing, p. 18
Salt, Common, the per∣fectest of Salts, and never made Alcaly, p. 18
Salts of Vipers, p. 18
Salt of Wormwood, Acid∣salt, p. 19
it is Alcalized with a strong fire, p. 19
Salts, their Nature chang∣ed without fire, p 19
Salt of Soot, p 19
Salt of Tartar, its Prero∣gative, p. 22
it converts any Metal into run∣ning Mercury, p. 23
it is a Medium in which both Metals and Minerals do re∣vive, p. 24
it is a Medium between a Mi∣neral and a Vegetable, p. 29
it is turned into Simple Ele∣ment, p. 27
Salt Common, its Regene∣ration, p. 25
Sal-Armoniack Artificial, p. 30
Salt Common and Armo∣ninck,

have an Acid commu∣nicable out of the Fire, p. 30
Soda, the same with Sal Kaly, p. 17
Specifick Remedies, p. 70
Spirit, the Vehicle of the Soul, p. 89
Spirit of Venus, p. 115
its Preparation examined, p. 115
Spaw Water, why Tran∣sportable to other places, p. 15
Spirit of Vitriol Acid, re∣tains the Liquamen of Me∣tals, p. 56
Spirit of Vitriol makes the Teeth yellow, p. 56
Spirit Minerals, p. 61
Sulphur, how good for Dis∣eases of the Lungs, p. 82
Sweat proved to be Salt and Pinguous, p. 35
Sweat, how excited, p. 85
Sulphur rubifies Mercury, p. 99
Sulphur of Mercury an ex∣ternal Poyson, but not the A∣cid, by which it is sublima∣ted, p. 102
Sulphur of Vitriol Narco∣tiqu•, p. 119
Sulphur hath an Occult A∣cid, p. 81
T
TIn, p. 60
Tartar, how Genera∣ted, p. 63
Its spirit, p. 63
Its spirit, not Acid, but bit∣terish, p. 63
Its Regeneration, p. 26
Tympanitis, its Remedy, p. 93
V
VInegar, how made, p. 64
Vinegar distilled, made fat Oyl, p. 26
Verdigrease yields Vinegar. p. 58
Vinegar Julep made of Wa∣ter and Sugar, p. 39
Vegetables, their Humid hath Alcaly and Acid, p. 62
They have not sixed Salt by nature, p. 5
Vitriol in Substance coagu∣lates Milk, p. 40
Vitriol of Mars separates the Alcaly from the Acid, p. 53
Taken inwardly it tinges the Excrements, p. 53
Vitriol makes the Teeth black, p. 56
Vitriol of Cyprus True, p. 59
False, p. 58
Vitriol white, p. 59
Romane, p. 59
Vitriol of Mars Artificial p. 59
Vitriol, its Regencration, p. 24
Vulnerary Potions diminish the Acid, p. 65
First given by Paracelsus, p. 66

Ʋrine of Drunkards passes noi through all the Ducts of the Veins, p. 47
Ʋrine of healthy men salt, p. 47
Ʋrine of dying men, not salt, p. 47
Ʋrine of men living only on Milk, hath Acid and Alcaly, p. 51
W
WIne turned to Water and Elementary Earth, p. 64
Wine, what, and how made, p. 64
Wood fixed, p. 79
Wood, rotten, yields no Salt, p. 76
Water called Aqua Regia, without Salt, doth not touch Gold, p. 26
Water of Frogs-Spawn a∣bounds with much Alcaly, p. 67
Water distilled, differs from that undistilled, p. 69
Water of Roses causes Vo∣mit and kills Worms, p. 69
Water of Roses not altoge∣ther cold, p. 69
Water of Roses hath an oc∣cult Acid, p. 69
Water of Mindererus, for the Hearing, p. 32
FINIS.


OTTO TACHENIƲS HIS CLAVIS To the Antient Hippocratical PHYSICK, OR MEDICINE: Made by Manual Experience in the very Foun∣tains of NATURE.

WHEREBY, Through Fire and Water, in a Method unheard of be∣fore, the Occult Mysteries of Nature and Art are Unlocked and clearly Explained by a Compendious way of OPERATION.


Senec. Epist.
A man can never more torment the Envious, than by applying ones self to Virtue and Glory.

LONDON, Printed for Will. Marshal, at the Bible in Newgate-street, 1690.

Where is likewise sold Coke's Marrow of Chirurgery, Anatomy and Physick. As also his Observations of English Bodies, of Eminent persons, in desperate Diseases.



To the Serene and Mighty Prince, the Lord CHRISTIANƲS ALBERTƲS By the Grace of God, Heir of Norway, Duke of Sleswick, and Holsatia, Stormar, and Dithmarsh, Earl of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst, His very good Lord.
IT was the custome of the First Philosophers (Most Serene and Mighty Prince) that what∣soever Secrets of Things, or Mysteries of Nature, they found out, they would imme∣diately impose Divine Names on them; and so, as much as they could, hide them from the Vulgar; or else they would relate them under disguised Words, Forreign and unusual Terms, Allegories, Aenigma's, and Metaphorical Spee∣ches, either because they feared the offence of the Unskilful Multitude, or else being perswaded, that those Abstruse things would meet with no approbation, if they were easily understood.

Hippocrates of Coos, treading in the same steps, that Divine and Venerable Old-man, and deser∣vedly Chief in this most Famous Art (in whose Praises the Ancients, and all Neotericks have suf∣ficiently Expatiated) shews the hidden Founda∣tion of this Noble Science, in these words. If

there be any thing Divine in Diseases, the know∣ledge and fore-sight also of That is to be sought af∣ter, if a Man would approve himself a good and admirable Physician. But what that Divine Thing was, he no where clearly discovered, nay, he Studiously and of purpose concealed it, expresly affirming, that nothing ought to be spoken or pub∣lished in this Art, save what was known to Plebei∣ans. On which account, Physick was heretofore esteemed Sacred, and the gift of God, so that all the Ancients were of opinion, that It could hardly be attained unto by Humane Understandings, be∣cause the Foundations thereof seemed so abstruse, hidden, and admirable, that They were not to be found out by the strength of Nature; And al∣though, heretofore, and in all Ages, Men of great account for acuteness of Wit, and Skill in Physick, have Illustrated Its Doctrine, yet there is no∣thing extant in their Writings in clear and express words, neither can any thing be culled out from thence, but what is sullied with Obscurity: They all endeavouring as much as they could, more to eclipse and darken It: Neoterick Physicians who succeeded them, in Writing, Disputing, and de∣siring to encrease this Art, have falne to pieces amongst themselves, and contemning that Di∣vine thing in Diseases, rail at one another, and are divided into several Sects; neither doth the Division cease to this very day: For one desires to be styled a Chymist or Methodist, another a Gale∣nist, a third a Dogmatist or Canonist, so that this most Noble Ancient Hippocratical Medicine, which is but One, is now, not only rent into ma∣ny Sects, but is also overcharged with an infinite number of Books, by which a lover of, and en∣quirer

after Truth, is not only confounded, but must needs be over-whelmed: There being such a vast Ocean of Them, and so great a variety of Writers, subtilly spinning out their Arguments pro and con.

In the mean time, I was always of opinion that That before-mentioned short Sentence of Hippocra∣tes was to be deeply weighed, and the rather, be∣cause that Famous Man, whom Antiquity did al∣most reverence as a Deity, comprehended that great Supellex and Furniture of Things which he had in his mind, in short and concise Aphorismes and Speeches. Excited therefore by my respect and love to Him, I began to Investigate what that Divine thing was; for without the Plenary know∣ledge of It, the Art of Cureing Diseases would always be Mutilous, and only Inchoative, never fully and absolutely compleat in all its parts.

Some there are who do accuse those men of Im∣pudence, and do also Contumeliously reproach them, who do their utmost to restore and under∣prop Sciences (delivered indeed by the Ancients, but now almost worn out by age, and Adultera∣ted besides) or else who do endeavour to add to them, or illustrate them: moreover they labour to Degrade such persons from the first Knowledge of things, and so to dis-inherit them from their possession of ancient Learning; by whose Calum∣nies the Enquirers after Truth, are deterred and led out of the right way.

If the ancient Philosophers had taken this course to reproach the Labours and Studies of Those that went before them, they had never pierced into the inward knowledge of Nature, but the Truth in many Sciences would as yet have been buryed

in Obscurity, and very few would have attained to any light in the Secrets of Nature.

But since Those Philosophers were pleased with another way and manner of Study, not being de∣terred or taken off from their honest Labour by the tongues of Revilers, but rather more earnest∣ly applying themselves to their Disquisitions and Studies; so that almost in every age, some one or other Art and Science was hatched or else re∣trieved, and from small beginnings, promoted to great encrease.

Semblably, why may not I more clearly open the sense of Hippocrates? That so the Ancient and Noble Science of Physick, and Method of Cures may receive an advancement? why may it not be lawful for me to Contemplate that divine, abstruse and admirable Thing, as well in Diseases as Remedies? and to restore It from Darkness to Light? Let the Tongues of Slanderers be si∣lent, let them not blame me, that being but a Puny, I first of all bear the Lamp to all that seek for Truth, in this Argument. Let all such Flies and Cantharides be packing, for as the One pitches on the slourishing Corn, and the Other fly into the sweetest Oyntments; so these foolish and sloathful Calumniators cease not to detract from the labours and manners of other men, perswading themselves that they shall catch much Honour and Glory, by fishing for it in the disgracing of others.

Avaunt such Thorny Medickes; Let them con∣tinually go a begging, and spend their time in collecting raw Receits, reformed neither by Rea∣son, Method, nor Judgement; which, Hippocrates disapproves and proscribes in the very entrance

into this Art, as unsafe, because not understood. Experiment, says he upon this account, is fal∣lacious: Neither let them Object to me, this my Institution, as a new and unprofitable piece, whereas indeed It is most Ancient, and found most true by solid Experience, not that I am so vain and insolent, as to boast my self to be the Author of It, I only profess my self to be its Interpre∣ter and Explainer.

These things I determined to do in a Book by it self, and therefore I pre-emitted my Hippocrates Chymicus, which Book seem ed necessary for the demonstration of the Subsequent Doctrine by known Examples. But now, seeing Malign Ig∣norance raigns in Our Art, I think it better to change my Resolution, and to reduce into this Compendium, what and how much of Divinity is in Ancient Medicine, as also in Natural Phi∣losophy, and in all things; All which shall be dis∣cussed, for the sake of the Prudent, in this Little Book.

I determined, Mighty Prince, and my graci∣ous Lord, to Dedicate this my grand Endea∣vour to You, not with an intent to Blazon the Genealogy of Yours and Your Ancestors most August House, that be far from me, for I know that all Adulation doth displease Your Highness; but because You are a Favourer of hidden Scien∣ces, and of all admirable Things, and especially a Patron of the Muses: which evidently appears, not only by that flourishing Academy which you have lately erected, but furthermore by those great Largesses and Stipends, wherewith you have endowed its choice Members, and learned Professors, out of Your incredible Clemency and Fa∣vour.

To which may be added Your Highnesses singular Courtesy, Bounty, and Benevolence, ex∣tended towards Me in particular, your poor Cli∣ent, the last year; and also that unspeakable Benefi∣cence, which Your Father, of happy Memory, a few years since, shewed towards me, which you by a rare Example have also doubled and out∣done: Which consideration alone had been suffi∣cient to have obliged me to make this Dedication to Your Self, and so to hang up this little Table on the publick Altar of Immortality, not only that my Writings may hereby speak to the whole World, but that I might manifest the symbol of a grateful mind, and might testify and profess my observance of You.

Be pleased therefore, Great Sir, favourably to accept of that admired Divine Thing of Hippocra∣tes, anciently adorned with somany Trophies, now consecrated to Your Mighty Name, and let it find a place there, whither the Messengers of a grate∣ful mind are wont to be admi••••, which, as I supplicate with that humility which becomes me, So I also beseech Almighty God from the bottom of my heart, long to preserve Your Highness in safe∣ty and prosperity; so prayes

VENICE the Ides ofNovember, 1668.

Your Highnesses most devoted TACHENIUS.


THE PREFACE TO THE COURTEOUS READER And Lover of the Ancient Hippocratical MEDICINE.
IN the Inquist after the hidden Causes of Things, how prone Men are to erre and to be mistaken, without the help of True Experiments, it easily appears by that common, and in this age, Epidemical Complaint (which I my self do also think not altogether groundless) concerning the inconsiderate edition and multitude of New Books; partly, beeause the rash publication of the Writings of Sciolists and vain Persons, is of it self odious, partly also, because such a multiplicity of raw Pamphlets doth prejudice even our common Scanties, and takes off the minds of many from Reading the Books of the Ancients, which are full fraught with accurate Wisdom and Instruction: whence probably it may come to pass, that the Studies of the Ancients, in en∣quiring after Truth, may be less esteemed and regarded by us. And if any one demand, why do I then publish this pre∣sent Tract? A piece Composed with no Maturity of Judg∣ment, but thrust forth in great haste and temerity; and consequently, in no wise to be compared, in point of Ʋse∣fulness, with the Mouuments of the Ancients. To him I answer, There are two Causes, which moved me again to put Pen to Paper, and to emit to publick view this Piece of Ancient Medicine, First, in the Year 1666, I Printed the necessary Opinions of the Old Philosophers, under the Title of Hippocrates Chymicus, and there shewed by clear Arguments deduced from Exerience, p that Fire and Water

in essence, root, and property, ought to be esteemed the Pri∣mordial Principles of all Things (since the Divine Old Man Hippocrates in his first Book of Diaet treats of the same, after the manner of the Pythagoreans, wittily enough, yet most obscurely, perhaps fearing the ridiculous censure and inept confutation of such as the Austrian and Norinberg Doctors of Physick, and their foul mouthed companions, who are craftily busied with their Rustick Muse, only about the barks and outside of things) because in finding out the secret and hidden Causes of things, These appear to be more power∣ful, then all probable Conjectures and Vulgnr Placits of Philosophers; and I did it, for no other end and purpose, but out of a desire to know the Truth, which every honest man should cordially embrace; so Aristotle Teaches in the first Book of his Ethickes, Chap. 4. It is better, says he, yea, it is our Duty, so Truth may be secured, to al∣ter and cancel our own Opinions and Decrees. Now whosoever shall Read and rightly Ʋnderstand the Books of the Ancients, will unden ably confess, that I have as well in my Hippocrates Chymicus, as in this little Book, spo∣ken the Truth, and that I have discovered Natural Princi∣ples and Rare Mysteries in a clear Vein of Speech.

In demonstrating of these things, I have observed the or∣der of Geometricians, who from the least point and most easy foundations, do gradually ascend to matters most great and difficult, by which an ingenious mind at length climbs even above the Stars: So also, The Ancient Hippocrati∣cal Medicine and the Method of my Science, in a convenient order, first, shew things less rare, yea, things most com∣monly known, and ascending from them by degrees, It ex∣hibits things more choice and excellent. So Hermes from an Egg, Hippocrates from Arts, Morienus from a Gar∣ment, Basilius from Ale, Cosmopolita from Colours, &c. at length in an admirable manner; as well in the Great as Less World (for there is the same Reason in both) have unlocked the Closets and Secrets of Nature, that so the Principles, Reasons, and Causes of Things may be clearly seen, as it were in a Looking-glass.

By this my private, plain, and safe method, many Learned Men (whom I shall not name for fear of exposing them to

the ridiculous Censure of the Deans and their Fellows) being addicted to the Study of this Ancient Philosophy, have confessed that they have reaped much benefit; for in this my way, they have found that saying of Pythagoras, Na∣ture is in every thing alike, to carry with it not a coun∣terfeit and disguised, but a sincere and infallible Truth.

But since it is an old Calamity amongst Men, that Vertue is always oppressed by violence, but Vice and Falshood, like froth and scum, swims a-top in the impure pot of this World; so also some have endeavoured to defame my Hip∣pocrates Chymicus, which is supported by Ancient Au∣thority, Experience and Reason, and to dispoil it of its Vertue and Truth, by mutilating words, and perverting Sentences; that so they might not only cast dirt in the Face of Ancient Medicine, but also be found falsaries and committers of the crime of Defamation against Law and Right.

To prevent this wile, and to apply some remedy to this crafty machination, it was altogether necessary for me to meditate and resolve upon a new Edition of the Ancient Truth; for I began to think with my self, that Young Stu∣dents might reap much more benefit from my Doctrine, if what had been maliciously changed, perverted and castrated, might come forth more entire and corrected; so that this is the second cause why I again set forth this part of Ancient Me∣dicine, which I have Adorned and Confirmed with ma∣ny excellent Experiments and Reasons, drawn from the Ancient Fountains of Nature; And I have moreover so clearly explained the causes of things, that for the future no man in his right wits can reasonably impugne my Prin∣cipal Foundations of the Truth. So that Students, who love the Truth (of whom I hope there are many) may be much assisted by this Isagoge and Manuduction.

There is no doubt but virulent envy, the inseparable com∣panion of Vertue, will object it to me as a crime (as it did heretofore, first, because I shewed the sincere way of sublimating of Mercury; which Calumny was heard by me not without laughter, but that offence is to be par∣doned to such Jejune Interpreters of Nature, and their Re∣pentance to be hoped for: and secondly, because in the 28

Chapter of my Hippocrates Chymicus, I taught the way of conglutinating Gold and Iron) I say, it will be imputed to me that I now discover and bring to light, things hi∣therto secret and concealed. But do you not, for this, rashly, and without throughly weighing my cause, condemn the guilt∣less, for it becomes a Judge to hear the Reasons on both sides of the Parties, betwixt whom he is to give Sentence: If it seem a fault that I have exhibited the Truth of Hip∣pocratical Medicine, hitherto unknown to all of you, na∣kedly before you, yet be not presently enraged, nor cast forth reproachful speeches against me, but first of all consider, whether it having been sullyed with false receits and im∣postures, comes not now forth, nearer to the clear Truth, then remoter from it? and next, whether its lustre be not more encreased than diminished? By means whereof, perhaps in a fitter season, she her self will give thanks to her Fosterers and Refiners, neither will she deny them her Patronage against the Crafts and Frauds of Impostors, nor with-draw her defence from them against the fierce darts of ignorance, least the former, like wild beasts, en∣vying at another mans good, and the latter enraged and hood-winked by it own blindness, should any longer contu∣meliously and petulantly break in upon the pleasant Gar∣dens and promising Crop of this Ancient Hippocratical Me∣dicine; and so tread down and lay waste the praise-worthy Labours of such Wise Men as have gone before us.

Tis in vain for them to terrify me with their bug-bears, I scorn all their endeavours; for I have chosen Truth for my faithful and powerful Protectress, which shall now come forth and appear in open view, not as fools do in licentiousness of revenge, repelling force by force, but with the rod of reason and modesty, it shall smite and scourge such foolish detractors, that they may repent of their simplicity and folly, and hereafter be ashamed to snarle at, or bite this Ancient Hypocratical Medicine with their livid and im∣pure mouths and teeth. It is thy part, Courteous Reader, to stop the mouths of such Barretors, furiously railing against me, and to bridle their lying and reproachful tongues, lest they should glory in their own wickedness, and all the day long their heart should meditate unrighteousness, and their

tongue devise mischief, like a sharp Razor, and love evil more than good, and so rashly accuse and condemn others, according to the Psalmists words. But how easily their in∣credible stupidity and ignorance may be, and is, obviated by me, by means of this Ancient Hippocratical Medicine, there are no better witnesses then those Noble and Worthy Persons amongst whom I live, and am daily conversant with. And as the Rock breaks and repels the surging waves which assault it (it self, remaining unmoveable) so it becomes me patiently to hear, and at the same time to contemn and dispise the reproaches and non-sensical objecti∣ons of unskilful ones, without any perturbation of mind, and without any bitterness and wrath.

For on the 28th day of August, 1668, having received a Book, though Licensed and Approved, yet full of ri∣diculousness and folly; a few days after (my health requi∣ring it) I went on a sudden to Millaine, to that Illustrious Person, The Lord Marquess Fiorenza, a Noble Senator of that City, and I compleated this Hippocratical Do∣ctrine in my Chariot on the way; yea, I had published it compleat, before the last of the Calends of November, the same year (I mean as compleat as the nature of the ar∣gument required) unless the censure of the Inquisitors had retarded my purpose; which I think fit, gentle Reader, to acquaint thee with. Favour me therefore, if thou art in thy right mind, and remember Hippocrates his Advice, which is, not to divulge or make known any thing, but what is within the Ken and Cognizance of Rusticks and Plebei∣ans. Farewell.



Otto Tachenius HIS KEY To the Ancient HIPPOCRATICAL LEARNING.
CHAP. I. Acid and Alcaly, the most Ancient Principles of Things, what they are?
TO know things is to know them by their Causes, as Aristotle Teaches in the first of his Physicks. Now the Causes are Matter, Form, and Efficient; Mat∣ter is that, of which a thing is made, for in Nature there is no thing which is not made of some pre-existent and sub∣ject matter; Form, which gives being or esse to the thing, and by which the thing receives its name, is it self invisible; the Efficient Cause is that, which moves the matter to its proper end.

Hippocrates reduces all these three Causes into two necessary and sufficient Principles, calling them Fire, and Water: Raimund calls them Entia Realia;*Basilius Pugiles, and in another place, Gladiatores; others stile them Lis and Concordia; Attraction, and Repulsion; Rare∣faction

and Condensation;*Male and Female, &c. But I, for the clearer knowledge and explanation of them, do call those two Principles of Hippocrates, Acid and Alcaly, because all things in the Universe are made up of those two Universal Principles, as I shall gradu∣ally shew by Experience, (so is also, that one only Medicine or Physick of the Ancients) To which yet a third doth Inseparably adhere: Hence arose Sal, Sul∣phur and Mercury, the Three Principles of some Phi∣losophers, and rightly to, as will more clearly appear in the progress. These two, either perpetually burn in Love one towards another, or else are at perpetual va∣riance, are multiplied, and one is contrary to the other; so that the death of one is the life of the other, and that which one produces another destroys; that so from this another more noble thing may again arise.

Hence it is, that Hippocrates with good Reason af∣firms, That these two Elements Fire and Water, or Acid and Alcaly, can do all things, and that all things are in them. From the Acid do proceed two Mascu∣line Qualities, to wit, Hot and Dry, from the Alcaly, as many Female ones, viz. Cold and Moist, all flow∣ing forth for the generation of mixed bodies, for which reason they do concur and are commixed. The two greater Lights do preside over those two as Principle Elements. The Sun, is the Author of the Fire of Nature, and the Moon, the Mistris of Humids. Matter or Hyle is therefore called the Principle of all things, because all things in an invisible manner, are generated of Fire and Water. From those two is made up the innate Ca∣lid of all things, which Hippocrates says, is very much in them, as they increase; the matter will be most clear when we shall speake not only to the ears, but to the eyes also.

Page 3
CHAP. II. Acid, the most Ancient Principle, as being Spiri∣tual, is not subjected to the Sensure or Judgement of the Senses.
MY Hippocrates Chymicus, in the 10th and 18th Chapter, shews in Wine and Tartar, that the Fire of Hippocrates, the formal Principle of things, can be separated by no Analy∣tick Destruction, nor by any Ingenuity of Art. This the Prince of the Academicks calls Forma. The Anci∣ents (as also the sacred Philosopher) calls it Light,* and Sulphur from its Similitude, because that (like Sulphur) it manifests it self to be both occultly Acid, and also pinguous; to This they gave the first place, styling it the Vital and Masculine Spirit, because in it, the seeds of all things are contained (though impercep∣tibly as to our senses:) for we must confess that all things do consist of insensible principles, as Lucretius speaks Lib 2. and all things have their original from it, and there is nothing produced in the whole world, but by it, it hath its seat in the Air;* because the Wind carries it in its belly; and the Father of it, says Hermes in Parva Schedula, is the Sun, whence the lofty wit∣ed Lullius in Testament. Chap. 67. We, says he, with many others, call it the Child of the Sun, for first it was generated through the influence of the Sun, by Nature, without the help of Science or Art: And therefore Aristotle called the Sun the Father, and the Earth the Mother of all Vegetables; because the Sun impregnates the Earth with its vivifying heat; which afterwards is turned into natural heat, and this is mul∣tiplied by the help and assistance of the heat of Fire, &c. Hereupon afterwards, it was styled by the Phi∣losophers themselves, The Son of Fire;* as appears by Bernard de Tresne in his third part, who calls Gold most
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pure Fire So that if Gold be Fire, and Fire the Child of the Sun; and This, the Vital Spirit, which the Wind carries in its Womb, as Hermes witnesses; then without doubt these three must be Brethren and all Chil∣dren of the Sun.

And as the Sun in the Firmament of Heaven, is judg∣ed by Wise Men, to be incorruptible, constant, and perpetual, and by its Author is endewed with so ma∣ny Embellishments, that Himself is said to have placed his Tabernacle in it; for which cause it is called the Form of Forms, or the Acid of Acids (though it be not acknowledged for such by the Vulgar, as neither is Gold) or the Ʋniversal Form, which in the work of generation infuses all Natural Forms, and the seeds of all things into disposed matter; for every individual thing hath hidden in it a spark of this Light of Na∣ture, or Acid, whose Beams do Occultly influence the Seed with an Active and Moving Vertue.

So also Gold, being the Off-spring of the Heavenly Sun, is incorruptible, constant, and perpetual, of an entire Form, or a perfect Acid, and fixed, though, as I said before, it be not owned as such by the ignorant Vulgar: For unless it were a fixed Acid,* how could the say∣ing of Philosophers be verifyed and fulfilled: That which is perpetual makes things perpetual, and that which is fixed makes things fixed. And therefore in the beginning Light was created over the Universe and contracted into this Body, being endowed with a vivifying Vertue and secret Faecundity; I call it an entire or compleat Acid fixed and constant, which yet as Raimund saith, will make the empty Brain of one who hath seen nothing in Philosophy, nor is ever like to see, to be altogether sottish and stupid, Yet in my Hippocrates Chymicus, I have demonstrated the Acidity of Gold, by two familiar Examples, which I shall now again recite out of my late Hippocrates, for a solid con∣firmation of the Truth, and the shame of all Zoilusses and Detractors; for if you dip the end of an Iron Rod in Gold melted or put to fusion, the Iron in a moment will be turned into Scoria, or rust, as if it
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were burnt with kindled Sulphur;* now unless Gold were Occultly Acid and pinguous. as common Sulphur is, it would never corrode Iron. Those superficial and vain Writers, who are enemies to the Doctrine of Hip∣pocrates, cannot comprehend this fixed Acid, who had rather seem wise, than be so; much good may their vain applause do them: I envy them not, for they know no other Acid, but that which they dream to distill from Copper, which they falsly call Spirit of Ve∣nus; because, out of sloth, they deny that there is a fixed Acid in Nature; as if That in Copper were Vo∣latile.

Secondly, The purest Gold is dissolved in Aqua Regia, instill Alcaly of Tartar into the Solution, which will drink up the Acid Spirits, even of the Gold it self (my Hippocrates Chymicus, Chap. 7. shews the Reason, viz. Because the Alcaly of Tartar embraces the Nature, e∣ven of Metals themselves) and the Gold so drunk up, falls into a Powder of a Yellow Colour. Croll us teach∣eth this Preparation in his Cordial; so doth Beguinus, under its proper Title Corannocryson:* In this slight Pre∣paration, Gold hath acquired a Fulminating or Thun∣dering force, because its Sulphur, being of its own Nature, acetous (to use the words of Sendivogius) is associated with Artificial Nitre, which association is made in the Alcaly of Tartar, in the very moment wherein it is poured into the Aqua Regia, containing the dissolved Gold. The manner how this is to be done, is laid down in Hippocrates Chymicus, Chap. 7. (for those things which have been spoken elsewhere, and rightly by others, I will not unnecessarily repeat;) so that Gold, unless it were Acid and Pinguous,* as common Sulphur is, would never perform Sulphurous Actions with Nitre, as common Sulphur doth, with the same Nitre for Gunpowder.

If then the Sun, according to Hormes, be the Fa∣ther of that Vital Spirit, which dwells in the Air, and Gold and Fire are its Brethren, the Sons must necessarily partake of the quality,* dispositions and pro∣perties of the Paren̄t; so that it must needs follow by
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Reason and Authority (Experience also a stipulating thereunto) that the Vital Spirit of ours, the Child of the Sun, as also Gold and Fire are Acid and Pingu∣ous; wherefore Acid and Pinguous is a most Ancient Principle, the Life and Fountain of all things: Writers give It several Names, as Fire, Sun, Gold, Spirit, Sulphur, Form, Humid, Calid, Dry, and many o∣ther Appellations, all which are Synonymous, signify∣ing the same thing, but in different respects diversifyed into several Names: But I both here and elswhere, call it Acid.

This Acid doth occultly lurk in all Seeds, because of its self it is a most peaceable and quiet thing, in regard Nature hath implanted more of Alcaly than of Acid in every Compositum (except Sulphurs) and therefore it moves not unless it be excited, as we see plainly in Dough of Bread; which being excited by a very little Acid Ferment, and by Heat, is mov∣ed; and from that Heat and Motion the Acid is mul∣tiplied; and unless it were bridled and restrained by a heat, exceeding the inward (i. e.) by Artificial Fire, it would proceed to Vitality and produce Worms. Hence it appears, That Natural Fire, is quite another thing then Artificial; and that these Two differ much from one another:* for the Natural or Soft Fire, ac∣cording to Hippocrates (as I have shewed in Dough) doth Impregnate, Cherish, Infuse Strength, and doth semblably perform all things in its Lesser World, which the Sun, its Parent, doth in the Greater World: Hence we may observe,* That the proud Name of Microcosme, doth not belong onely to Man, for every Seed, e∣very Worm, every Member, says Hippocrates, hath its Ventricle, and may be therefore called a Micro∣cosme. But Artificial Fire is an enemy to all Gene∣ration, it lives upon Prey and Rapine, it fubfists by others Ruins, being the Destroyer of Life, and Enemy of Nature.

Wherefore from the Sun, as from a Fountain, Na∣tural, Acid, and Vital Light do flow forth; which, in reality are both one, only distinguished by their Of∣fice;
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for it is the Office of the Acid, to pierce into the inwards of Nature, whereas Light doth only dis∣cover the externals of things however the Beams of the Sun do operate both: So that the Sun is the first Natural Organ, by whose Access and Recess all the Operations of Nature are variously governed, intend∣ed and remitted. Hence the Ingenious Cosmopolita, If there were not a Vegetable power in Sulphur (that is a Pinguous Acid, and Child of the Sun) Water would never be Coagulated into Herbs. If therefore the Acid, flowing from the Sun, be infused into Matter (as for Example, Mineral) presently it receives the determi∣nation of the Nature and the Vertue of the Mineral.

The like may be said of other Animals and Vegeta∣bles too, as Lully speaks; and because this Natural A∣cidity is coupled with all Matter in the World, it hath therefore the Name of Mercury given it by the Wise. And though the Eyes of the Vulgar do daily be∣hold this multiplication, and also incorporation of the Natural Acid; yet they do not understandingly consider it. Take the Mine of Salt-petre at Padua,* for an Exam∣ple, which is now exhausted, but in Five or Seven years time, will be filled again, for the Earth is its Nurse, as Hermes testifies; whence it is, That this Spirit assumes a Body in it, and becomes inflammable Nitre.

But I have a greater thing to speak off, There's an Island in the Tuscane Sea, commonly called Little Elbe,* containing twenty Italian Miles in compass, very Rich in Iron, from which, that Metal hath been dug out for many ages, and is so to this day; so that not on∣ly the Mountains there, but the two Islands also must needs have been dug through and exhausted; yet ne∣vertheless Iron once dug forth in twenty years, renews again, and now more and better than formerly, because the Alcaly, or Mother of the Mineral there, is again exsaturated from the Vital Fountain; and takes the de∣termination of Metal, so becomming Iron. Also the evacuated Mine of Vitriol in Carinthia,* first being expo∣sed to the free and open Air, and afterwards covered for some years, is again replenished; so that Calid most
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acutely Teaches, That the Roots of things are in the Air.

If these things are so, as Experience proves them to be True, why should not the Acid flowing down from the Sun into the Matter of a Flint,* be multiplied in It, and be hardned into the fixation, constancy, and sicci∣ty of the Flint? Since every individual hath treasured up in it a spark of the Nature of Light, by whose Beams the Body will be multiplied, as my Hippocrates Chymicus shews, Chap. 3. and afterwards, when the Flint by Artificial Fire is turned into Lime, or Calx, its Acid doth not therefore perish, which, since it is fixed by External Fire in Vegetables, as I shall shew anon, why may it not be so also in a Flint?* So that it is a sot∣tish thing to deny, that there is Acid in Lime: but these are vain Arguments and Subjects, forged in empty Brains: wherefore leaving such false Conjectures, I turn my self to the Lovers of Truth.

CHAP. III. Alcaly, what it is? and how it is made, both by Nature, and by Art? and whence it had that name?
AS in the former Chapter I have shewed out of Hermes, and by Experience, That the Sun is the Father of Acidity, now in this Chapter I will also demonstrate our of the same Hermes and the same Experience, That the Moon is the mother of Alcaly; and as the Acid doth not discover it self but to the Natural Philosopher, so also Alcaly comes not forth to view or light, unless it be detained by the Acid, which she loves: And first, I will alledge the Operations of Nature, and afterwards will Mechanically demonstrate how Art doth ape Them in her Imitations.

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Thales, Heraclitus, Hesiod, Hermes, as well as Hippo∣crates, have affirmed, That Water is the first matter of all things; The Writer of Genesis seems to be also of the same mind: For all water is of a feminine nature, because it contains and cherishes in it self the Seeds of things, and clothes it self with various figures. In the Macrocosm 'tis made sometimes Wine, sometimes Vinegar, some∣times Aqua Ardens, Caustick, Oyl, &c. In the Micro∣cosm, 'tis sometimes Choler, sometimes Milk, Sweat, Blood, Urine, &c. The root of all these is water, and that cold, which from the beginning was endued with a tenuious Acid or Light, that so it might be fitter to re∣ceive the form of mixed Bodies; for so, Fire is easily mixed with Fire, Light with Light, Water with Water; for unless it had been endued with this slender Light from the beginning, the Vital Spirit had never been able to as∣sume a body in it: For our better understanding, I now call that little body Alcaly, Experience so directing me, See Hippoc. Chymicus chap. 19.* The way which Nature useth in preparing that Alcaly, is taught us by that No∣ble Polonian, the Ingenious Cosmopolita, in these clear and express words, When Rain falls, says he, it takes from the Air, that Vertue of Life (which in the Chapter afore-going, I have shewed to be the Acid Spirit) and con∣joyns it with the Salt-nitre of the Earth, because the Salt∣nitre of the Earth, is like calcined Tartar, by its Siccity, drawing the Air to it self, which Air in it is resolved into wa∣ter. Such a force of Atraction hath that Salt-nitre of the Earth, which also was Air,* and is conjoyned with the fat∣ness of the Earth; and by how much the more plentifully the Sun beams do then affect it, so much the greater quantity of Salt-nitre is made, and by consequence a plentifuller crop of Corn is produced; and this is done day by day. Thus far He, whose single Testimony, culled out from many others, is a sufficient authority for me to affirm, That the Acid Vital Spirit in the fatness of the Earth, by the Sun-beams, is fixed into Alcaly, which again covets to be saturated with the Acid Vital Spirit from the Air into Salt, which there is called Nitre of the Earth; the reason thereof will more clearly appear in the progress. Hence it is, that he
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says, in another place, That this Spirit hath a Sister (Alca∣ly) which it loves,*and is again loved by it, for it is to it as a Mother. What can be more clearly held forth for the pre∣paration of Alcaly, out of the Acid Vital Spirit by the O∣peration of Nature? I add, That if this Spirit be shot down out of the Air upon the Earth by Rain, then it must necessarily fall down also on the Water, and the same Sun-beams, which by Reverberation do fix it on the Earth into Salt-nitre of the Earth, do in like manner fix it in the Water,* if not into Salt-nitre, yet at least into Na∣tural Alcaly; with which all waters do abound, except such as are distilled from Cephalick Herbs: the reason whereof you may see in Hippocrates Chymicus, chap. 19. and in some places they fix it into Sea-Salt, other where into Vitriol, and sometimes into Mineral, according to the disposition of its Mother; as I have also shewed out of Lully, in the fore-going Chapter.

Upon this foundation proceeds the spiritual representa∣tion of Plants,* concerning which, see Hippoc. Chym. chap. 20. If any one doubt of, or desire to know its Inven∣tor, let him consult and weigh this Ancient True Phi∣losophy, and the sincere Studier of Natures Secrets, maugre the Brawls of Scolding Detractors, will soon ob∣tain his desire.

As concerning the Ignorant, either Allowers or De∣tractors, who write without any sure foundation, I am not solicitous about them; for I know that Calumny (which is not in a Man's own power to avoid) leaves a guilt on him that casts it; He, against whom it is directed, being innocent and faultless: Nay, nothing is more plea∣sing to an Honest-man, then to undergo Reproaches for love of Vertue; for it is undergone in this case, with In∣credible Pleasure and Alacrity, and being never long-lived, It again returns of its own accord without any la∣bour to its Author: But to return,

That Alcaly is found in the Earth,* Experience confirms by the Extraction of it, because a Volatile Alcaly is drawn and sublimated out of Earth, which hath not yet attain∣ed any constancy; whence, not enduring to be solitary and alone, it strives to avolate into the Air.

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So, That nourishing Alcaly is made out of Water,*Paracelsus proves by the accretion of a Flint in a Phyal∣glass; for water is the Liquor and Root of all things, as Hippocrates witnesseth in his Books of Diet: Fire,* says he, moves all things, but Water nourishes all things. Hence Lactantius, Water is all things: Democritus also was not ignorant of the Vertues of Water, who therefore affirmed that Truth was hid or immersed in a Well: So Hermes, Water is susceptible and producible of Nutriment in Men and other things, and without Water, Nature operates not: See Hippoc. Chym. chap. 19.

For confirmation of my Assertion, let us hear the No∣ble Cosmopolita; Nature, says he, knows how to produce fruits in the Earth, out of Water, and from the Air to sup∣ply them with life: Which is as much as to say, unless lus sifter (i. e.) Alcaly, were in water, which this Spirit loves, it would not subsist of it self, because it cannot be alone, as Hippocrates informes us; and by consequence, it would produce nothing, but return into its own Soyl and Coun∣trey.

Hence it is that Hippocrates again says, De Naturâ pueri: many things do happen out of a few, because all things produced on the Earth, do Extract a more copious ver∣tue from the Earth, than they brought with them from their Parents or Originals: 'Tis the same thing which C•smopolita said before for the generation of Alcaly, to which he adds Water, coagulated by the force of Vo∣getable Sulphur into Herbs; where it is to be observed, That unless this Spirit or Sulphur (call it as you please) did find something in Water, which it loved, assuredly it would never enter into it, and would coagulate no∣thing; for if Water, by the force of Vegetable Sulphur, be coagulated into Herbs; the same Water by the vertue of Mineral Sulphur, must be coagulated into Minerals: and in like manner the same water by the help of Animal Sulphur into Animals: whence of necessity it must be Nutritive, if it ought to undergo Coagulation elsewhere.

So that Common Water is that Catholick and Univer∣sal Wine, which Animals,* Vegetables and Minerals do drink, each of them after their own peculiar manner.
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And therefore to deny that Alcaly is in Water, is to fight against the gravest Authors, against Reason, and against Experience. And they which in like sort deny Water to nourish, gain nothing but universal Scorn for their la∣bour; but let us hear Hippocrates speaking in his First Book of Diet, against those who deny water to Nourish, and to be Coagulated by the vertue of Sulphur into Minerals, Vegetables, and Animals, yea into Humane Bodies them∣selves, seeing Nature acts every where alike. In those, says he, where Fire is overcome by the presence of Water, some call such persons Sottish, others Amazed Ones, Stupids or Dolts; which Temper is a certain duller species of Madness: Such persons do Weep and Wail, when no man troubles or strikes them; they fear things not to be feared, and are sadned at things not at all belonging to them, and do imagine such things as Wisemen would never do.

Wherefore it is good to Purge such troubled Brains with Hellebore, provided Anticyra have enough to do the Feat: Thus speaks Hippocrates against those who deny that Wa∣ter doth Nourish.

Hitherto I have demonstrated out of the Shop of Wise Nature, how the Child of the Sun, being Reverberated by the Sun-beams, is fixed into Alcaly, and how That Alca∣ly doth again incessantly Attract the Child of the Sun, and so they are both condensed together. To this Natural Operation, I will now subjoyn That which is Artificial, that it may appear how Venerable Antiquity did endea∣vour to imjtate Nature as near as was possible.

Art therefore takes Vegetables of all sorts, Wood, Shrubs, Chips, Loppings, Leaves, &c. all green and fresh (whose moisture here is instead of Rain:) if it be Wood, young Shrubs, or Loppings, which are made use of, They may be burnt in the open Air, or in a Chim∣ney, and so without flaming out, be reduced to Ashes, lest that which we seek for, should return by the motion into Air, or its own Country. If they be Herbs full of Juice, they may be burnt to Ashes in a fired and lighted furnace (Fire here is instead of the Sun Beams, which reverberates the Acid of Vegetables into Alcaly) which, afterwards are agitated with a
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quick flame in a reverberating Furnace, fit for this purpose, till they begin to threaten fusion; a sure Argument that the Acid is shut up in the Alcaly, and then they are called Alcalizate or Pot-ashes;* out of these Ashes, by means of Common Water Salt, is elicited by Lixivation; then the Water is exhaled, till the Siccity remains, which is called, Fixed Arti∣ficial Sal Alcaly: This Salt, having almost lost its form, remains for the greatest part a Vacuum; and therefore being impatient of inanition, it again desires to be saturated with the Acid into Salt, that it may fulfil the course of Nature; as I have shewed before out of Cosmopolita. And as Nature doth incessantly and daily infuse an Occult Vital Acid out of the Air into the Alcaly made by her, both of which do afterwards (the heat of the Sun concocting them) gradually rise up into Corn and Fruit; so also, Art,* in imita∣tion of Nature, doth impregnate her prepared Alcaly, lest it should wax barren, with an Occult Acid; an for Example, Oyl, Fatness, &c. and by a continual heat doth by little and little digest them, till it as∣surge into Sope of a Salt taste; or else it mixes it with things more fixed, either White Sand, or Powder of Flints; which mixture, being agitated in a stronger Fire (viz. of Fusion) rises up to Glass,* which must needs be of a Salt taste, because it is made of the Acid of Flint and Fixed Alcaly; yea, Alcaly saturated with so much Acid, as to make it sufficient for it self, is turned into Salt; and if the Alcaly be not saturated with Acid enough to dissolve or slack the Flint, then the Alcaly overcomes the Acid, and the Glass attracts Humidity from the Air, by means of the empty and thirsty Alcaly, and so chinks and is broken. Hence Zoar says, That Glass may be made out of any Herb, viz. when it is Alcalized, as my Hippocrates shews, Chap. 4th. and 5th.

These things being understood; we are again fur∣nished with Arguments against Those who deny,* That there is a Fixed Acid in Nature; and as, when the Al∣caly exceeds the Acid, the Glass chinks, and contracts
Page 14
flaws, so becoming useless; so also (as I have shewed above out of Hippocrates) those persons in whose Brains Water exceeds the Fire, do become so stupid and dull, that by reason of their darkning humidity, they can perceive no Fixed Acid in Nature.

Now Glass is destroyed by the same Fixed Alcaly of which it is compounded and made;* a Position contrary to Those who deny, That there is no Alcaly like to Ni∣tre; then which, nothing can be spoken more absurd.

But tis no wonder, If slight Doctors produce light Argumenrs. Therefore let more parts of Alcaly than of Glass be melted together into one lump,* which, being exposed to the Air, is wholly resolved into Li∣quor; for out of what Glass is made, into That, and by That, it must needs again be resolved; as Aristotle rightly Teaches. Pour Mineral Acid drop by drop on this Li∣quor, until the hissing noise cease, and the Alcaly be saturated into a Salt taste or sapor, and the pow∣der of Flints sinks to the bottom. Such Endimions, who think themselves never secure, sometimes think that this powder, taken by the Mouth, doth generate Milk; and sometimes they imagine it, though taken the same way, to be a very pernicious thing.

Our Ancestors tell us the way of making this pow∣der, viz. That Red hot Glass should be quenched in the Ashes of Bean Stalks; which speech, though it be not improper, yet it is laughed at by the enslaved and mancipated rout; because they do not first teach how to make a Lie for the quenching or extinction of Glass: as if Rhasis had not expresly taught us, That the Sayings and Writings of Philosophers are always to be understood according to the possibility of Na∣ture, and not according to the simple sound of the Words; for to take notice of every minute thing, to such as are Skilful in an Art, would be too long and tedious. Now the Word Quench, doth neces∣sarily presuppose Liquor, as clearly appears out of Rhasis: but my Answer is this, That the Sayings of Philosophers are hardly understood by those, who like vain persons, seek for praise in Critical Glosses, having
Page 15
been never enformed in the Operations of Nature, but have spent their time in collecting Receipts here and there, and Those not well understood: And this may be the cause, why it is not given to Plebeians and Vul∣garists, to distinguish Things; as will more clearly ap∣pear hereafter.

After that Art in imitation of Nature, hath extracted Al∣caly out of Vegetables, it presently judges,* that Al∣caly must also necessarily lie hid in the Mineral Fa∣mily; especially since Nature is alike in all things: where∣fore It begins to burn and calcine Flints, with a naked Fire, until part of the Aliment be wasted (as it did in the Family of Vegetables;) but not being able, by simple Water, to extract Alcaly out of them, when they are calcined, because the Fixed Acid perished not in the calcination, but again apprehended or catch'd hold of its Sister, viz. Fixed Alcaly; and so both of them were concreted into a rocky substance: therefore she begins to mingle Lime with three parts of the Alcaly of Vegetables, that so the Acid of the Flint,* with two parts of Alcaly, might assume a Neutral Na∣ture, and by the help of the third part of Vegeta∣ble Alcaly, one part of the Alcaly of Flint might be elicited; for like hath an easy ingress into like, as Hip∣pocrates teaches, de locis in homine; and so, that most powerful Alcaly for making of Sope,* hath been extract∣ed out of the Family of Minerals, as is more largly declared in my Hippocrates Chymicus, Chap. 3. and 4.

Moreover, the word Alcaly,* is not new or lately vain gloriously introduced by Me; but it was invented heretofore by Philosophers and Mysterious Sages, for the distinction not only of Things, but of Salts, work∣ing in a way contrary to Acids. For Alphidius, an An∣cient Philosopher, in his Book Entituled, Aurora Con∣surgens; Chap 12. of Mineral Things, saith, As Sal Al∣caly is extracted from unslaked Lime, or Pot-ashes, or from Calcined Tartar it self, by means of a convenient moisture, untll nothing remains of sharpness; so also our Salt, &c. The same thing is affirmed by Senior, a grave Philo∣sopher and Studier of this Ancient Science, De tribus∣lunae
Page 16
imaginibus. These things, with what I have before alledged out of the ingenious Sendivogius, may suffice to prove, That Salt of Tartar, of unslaked Lime, and of Pot-ashes, and such as are of the like Nature, are rightly called Alcalys by the skilful; and are indeed such (and not meerly Salts, as some sottish Doctors do insipidly affirm:) For as the Natural Alcaly of Sendivo∣gius attracts to its self, out of the Air, a Spirit Occult∣ly Acid to our senses (let it suffice to have hinted this once for all) is impregnated by it, and they both as∣surge into Crops of Corn and Fruit; so also these Ar∣tificial Alcalys, being empty, are impregnated with all sorts of Acids, as the Artificer pleases; and when they are saturated, they take their determination from the Acid, according to the property and nature of the innate Calid, as I shall anon shew mechanically: So that it is not sufficient to dream, that Alcaly of Tartar is purely Salt, but it becomes us to lay down the clear and demonstrable grounds of this Doctrine, other∣wise it will obtain no credit in the School of Truth, but will be proscribed and hissed out, as a wicked and illusive thing.

Let me now produce a Clause out of Botanicks, con∣cerning the Herb Kaly; for they call the Salt of this Herb Alcaly, and commend it for Vitrification; neither did I ever read that Sea-salt, or Pit-salt, were ever used for making of Glass or Sope; because they have been found by experience to be saturated and impregnated with Acid, and not empty; so that, They can imbibe nothing, but their own proper Acid; yea, they dif∣ficultly let go or part with their own Acid: and un∣less the Alcaly did absume in it self the Fixed Acid part of the Flint, Glass could never be made; which is proved by the supernatant fatness, which is no longer Alcaly,* but called Fel vitri, which is unfit for Vitrifica∣tion; for This being saturated with Fixed Acid, from the Flint; by reason of its Saltness, represents the na∣ture and appearance of Trencher Salt, and therefore is onely good to be given to Horses and Cattel to sharpen their Stomachs to their Fodder, where Salt is very
Page 17
dear. And so, the Salts, which absorb the Acid, are called Alcalys by the Ancient Philosophers (and such they are) to distinguish them from that common Trenchet Salt which we eat: In like manner, I shall also call them Alcalys, having Authority, Reason, and Experi∣ence on my side (let Momus's bark never so much; wherefore in a Flint, constant in the Fire, and fixed there dwells Alcaly and Acid, a Lesson, which the Dean and their Fellows never yet Learned; but I shall de∣monstratively shew that the Acid in the Flint is made Glass, and again, that out of the Alcaly of the same Flint is made Sope; and both those Principles by Alcaly alone, are divided into two diverse substances, very necessary for Humane use; and unless there were Hals and Cheo (i. e.) melting of Salt, whence Alchymy hath its name, men must necessarily want both Sope and Glass; see the Preface to my Hippocrates Chymicus.

Wherefore the Acid of Flint,* which of it self is of difficult Fusion, doth animate the vacuous Alcaly, which is of easy Fusion (for unless the Alcaly were vacuous, it could not imbibe the Acid of Flint) and both These by colliquation, turn into a dark Mass, which by rea∣son of Fermentation, of its own Nature casts forth, a Salt froth, which being separated, is called by the Skilful Fel vitri. The Mass by little and little is clarifyed in∣to transparent Glass, so that, That which erst was a Vegetable, is now by the Spirit, or Soul of the Flint, turn∣ed into a Mineral, and a rocky or petrous disposition and nature (i. e.) Glass: which consideration is of great weight, For the Soul of the Flint goes forth and en∣ters into the Alcaly (as the Pythagorians speak) or the Vegetable Soul goes forth and re-assumes the Mineral Nature, and the Vegetable is animated with a Rocky Indoles, so that for the future, no Fire or Acid Li∣quor can overcome or hurt it; whence Raimund whis∣pers to his followers, Take away its Soul, and restore it to it agains and though the operation of which he speaks, is not properly concerning vitrification, yet it is of no loss, value, since Nature in every thing is alike; as I shall shew in this Book, to the Prudent and Lo∣ers
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of Truth: as for the prophane Vulgar, which nei∣ther is, nor will be capable of the Study of this An∣cient Medicine, I matter them not; I study to please but a few, for that which pleases the many, is not without suspicion; and it is the Advice of Pythagoras, to follow the fewest, if walking in a right path.

So that Alcaly is as the Female, in respect of the Ac•d (the Child or Male of the Son) and is its Sister,* which it loves, and is reciprocally loved by it, as Cos∣mopolita speaks; moreover, it is as the Moon, which is impregnated with Light and Vertue by the Child of the Sun, whence the Moon is the Mother, as Hermes, and after him, other Interpreters of Natures Recesses and Secrets have phrased her; for they call their Al∣caly Luna. So that the Anonymous Revealer of Natures Mysteries, says rightly, The heat of the Female answers to the Terrestrial heat, whilst it putrifies, cherishes and pre∣pares the seed; but the Fire implanted in the seed, being the Child of the Sun, disposes the Matter, and informes it, so disposed.

If then the Alcaly receives, putrefies and cherishes the Acid (the Child of the Sun, that This again may arise into a new and clarifyed Body (as I have shewed in Glass) it must necessarily perform the Office of a Mo∣ther, and so be vacuous; if otherwise, it must be im∣pregnated by the Child of the Sun, as Hermes and Ex∣perience witness. Hence Hippocrates, in his first Book of Diaet, sighing at and lamenting the ignorance of Those, who amongst their fellows boast themselves Wise, Men, says he, know not how to consider and inferre obscure things out of such as are manifest. Therefore to distinguish It from the Acid of Common Salt,* it is called Alcaly, not only by Philosophers, but also by Mechanical Glass Men and Sope-boilers. If therefore Alcaly be vacuous, and Acid an imbiber, as I have shewed, How, and by what reason, can the Alcaly of Tartar be proclaimed to be purely Salt? and how can it be approved for such? Surely so to affirm, is meerly a monstrous thing, and an old Wives Tale, full of fil∣thy ignorance; invented and approved only by shallow
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heads, but exploded and derided by the intelligent and learned. Beware therefore, O ye lovers of Truth, of such couzening Chapmen, the matter is far otherwise then those boasters do vain-gloriously pretend. To Me they can do no harm, but I write this for the sake of young and unwary beginners, that they may not give up themselves to false Doctrines, which would lead them out of the way; but that they may know for the fu∣ture whom to avoid, I conclude therefore, with Hip∣pocrates, That all things in the world are constituted of Fire and Water, or of Acid and Alcaly; of these Two Instruments, all things in the Ʋniverse are made up (as al∣so is the Ancient Physick of our fore-fathers) in which yet a Third is inseperably included; which is therefore hinted to us, under the name of Sal Philosophorum:* whence They called all bodies compleatly mixed of Acid and Alcaly (viz. when the Fire did not overcome the Water, nor on the contrary) Salt. Hence arose that saying, In the Sun and in Salt, are all Natures Productions: yea, all the Grace, Ornament, Delight and Conten∣tation of Humane Life could not be expressed in a fitter word, and therefore delightful Elegancies, which of∣fend none, are called Sal•s, nay, the appellation of Graces is also given to it Hence St. Paul, Col. 4. Let your speech be always savory, seasoned with Salt, admnistring grace, &c. And the Scripture, not without Reason, often takes Salt for an Emblem of Wisdom, intimating there∣by, that the fundamental Knowledge of the Nature of Salt, and of its composition of the Two Instruments of Nature, is of great Moment. If therefore determinated Common Saline Matter, viz. Alcaly, being informed by the Acid or Child of the Sun, as well in Scripture as in Moral Philosophy, be called Salt, and the de∣nomination of Salt be given to it alone, why should any defraud the highest Masculine, being innocent, and which may be likened to the Sun, and rob it of its proper Name: Receive therefore from me the Salt of Wisdom, and beseech the Lord to give you all, the Spirit of discerning, for no age is too late to learn Truth and good Manners. Let Old Age blush, which
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cannot amend it self, yet scorns to learn; for my part I am willing to insinuate and to be complaisant (as Caesar was) that Men may attain to a better Un∣derstanding. Hearken therefore attentively, and give ear to the difference betwixt vacuous Sal Alcaly and Common Salt, which Wise Men, by reason of its per∣fect mixture, have compared with the Sun.

CHAP. IV. Trenchar-Salt, or the Salt which we eat, how much it differs from Vitrifying and Sa∣ponary Alcaly?
The Praise and Renown of Trenchar-Salt is spread over the whole world;* so that in Apologizing for it, I undertake as it were the defence of the Sun, a∣gainst a swarm of Flies, endeavoring to ecclipse its Light: Salt, because it is so necessary an Element for Mortals, that Mans Life cannot be sustained with∣out it, therefore Nature exhibited it to us, brought to full perfection, and requires not from us (as in our other Acquist) any Ustion, but only that we dry it from its aqueous Humidity; whether it be Sea Salt or Salt from Pits. Principles, equally poized, do con∣cur to its mixture, which is made in Natures Shop; so that venerable Antiquity hath determined, All Na∣tures Perfections to be in the Sun and Salt; and it is called by Helmont, and that on good ground, the Chief of Salts, and is the Armoniack amongst them all; yet notwithstanding it is praised from the Countrey, whence it comes, as Dioscorides hath it: See Hippo∣crates Chymicus, Chap. 2.

But the Fame of Alcaly hath not yet reached to all People,* because Essentially and Corporally it appears not in Nature, unless it be made by Art and Ustion, as well in the Animal as Vegetable and Mineral King∣doms;
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yet with this difference, that some Minerals, not equally mixed, contain more of Alcaly than Acid; Sul∣phur, Gold, and Meat-Salt being excepted, which have more of Acid, as I have shewed. Hence it is, that the Ancients have Writ, that this Virgin hath three Fa∣thers, viz. Nature, Fire, and the Philosopher: but here we must Note, that no man by the art of Ustion, in any one of Natures Kingdoms,* can prepare any Alcaly ab∣solutely Pure (i. e.) deprived of all mixture of the Acid whatsoever; he that seeks to do it, will lose his labour. Whence Cosmopolita, Burn, says he, Sulphur from incom∣bustible Sulphur, and from its Soul, whose Grain and Fer∣ment, indeed Mercury hath in it, as much as is suffici∣ent for it self; but make, that it may be sufficient for o∣ther things too.

Enough now hath been spoken for the convincing of Those that deny the principles of this Ancient Art, viz. That Mercury hath no Sulphur separable from it: 'Tis altoge∣ther vain, what some Masters and Writers of Vanity have thought (says Geber) for I have seen that It doth emanate from it, &c. Experience also confirms the same.

Common Salt is of a Salt-acid taste (i. e.) the Acid is prevalent in it, therefore it is incorruptible (if the Salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?) Hence being moderately mixed with Meat, it conciliates a grateful taste to them, and excites Appetite.

Sal-Alcaly is contrary to a Salt-Acid taste; hence if it be mixed, though but moderately, with Meats, it gives them an unsavory taste, and blunts the Appetite.

Common Salt, by reason of its Acidity, preserves Flesh and Fish a long time from Putrfaction, and draws out and attracts from them the Volatile Alcaly, which by a Retort is again easily separated, as Hippoc. Chymic. tea∣ches Chap. 14.

On the contrary Sal-Alcaly doth consume the Acid, and promotes Putrefaction. Common Salt doth imbibe nothing of Acid, and therefore being dryed from its A∣queous Humidity, and cast into Butter of Antimony, it disturbs it not; Sal Alcaly being dryed, and cast into the
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fame Butter of Antimony, is so far from not disturbing it, that in an instant it quite destrovs it; because it drinks up the Acid Spirits, and the Antimony falls into a white Powder.

Common Salt being mixed with the Quadruple of Bole Armonick, and distilled with an open Fire, yields an Acid Liquor.

Sal Alcaly mixed and distilled with the like quantity of Bolus with an open Fire, yields a bitterish Liquor, by reason of the Bolus, Insipid and Aqueous per se, as Hippoc. Chymic. shews Chap. 10.

In this place I desire the equal Reader to take notice, That the Process concerning the making Volatile Salt of Tartar,* inserted into the last Edition of the Reformer, I had almost said Deformed Auspurgh's Dispensatory, f. 247, was stolen out from my above-named 10th. Chapter of Hippocrates Chymicus: And after they had stript it of things unknown to them (as I can shew) what further? they mutilate the Text, then load it with Calumnies, pervert Sentences, and prove manifest Falsaries. God Almighty curb such Plagiary, Falsified, Stoln, and Deformed Labours, which darken the minds of the Studious. In that fore-cited 10th. Chapter, I did Experimentally De∣monstrate, That all things did consist of Eire and Water, and that Water was the Basis and Root, not only of Sweet and Insipid, but also of Igneous Vertues, and of Caustick things, as of Aqua Fortis, Alcalyes, Salts, Oyls, Vine∣gars, Hot Waters, and of all things, in which the Acri∣mony of Fire doth prevail. I say, Water, and that cold, is the root of all those things; for Nature impresses the Vertues of Her things upon a moist Element; Wherefore Moisture is the first Subject of Nature, upon which Her first Labour is spent, as I have shewed in the Third Chap∣ter of this Book, and hereafter will make clear by plain and evident Examples. I say, for this end my Hippocra∣tes Chymicus in the fore-cited place, reduced many things; as also Alcaly of Tartar by Solution and Coagulation, into Simple Elementary Water, of no Taste or Smell; but Fire, and the Child of the Sun (for whose sake the Dance is made in that Operation) returns to its own
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Country, and that for this Cause, That Man may not find out the work that God doth, Eccles. chap. 3. v. 2. See also Hippoc. Chymicus Chap. 18. These Surreptitious Doctors have not only stoln out this my Labour, Sweat, and Travel, to advance their own Praises, but have al∣so essayed to reproach the Author with infinite Calumnies, and to suppress the Truth; yea, they boast that this Sim∣ple Elementary Water is Volatile Salt of Tartar in these Rhodomontado words:

And by this means at length, Courteous Reader, thou mayst be sure, That the Vertues of Salt of Tartar have passed through the Lembick, and That, thou hast, in succinct words, received a great Secret, destinated to thy own and neighbours Health, which use happily.

Consider, Friendly Reader, whether any thing could be more plausibly devised by their Mightinesses? What? to rob an Author, and afterwards to Defame Him? and then to depress and detract from the clear Truth? and that they may procure Fame to themselves amongst their Com∣panions, with a lofty Brow to Venditate most Simple Wa∣t•r for Volatile Salt of Tartar, not only to the prejudice of ones Neighbour, but to the reproach of Physick it self; which would certainly be the Noblest of all Arts, unless it were thus treated by such ignorant Brains which are dar more vacuous and emptie than Alcaly. Loe, this is the cause why now it is reputed the vilest and meanest of Arts by the Vulgar. What Candid Person, Ingenious Rea∣der, can be pleased with such Actions, or gull'd with Pre∣scriptions stuffed with manifest Vanities, under the pretence of Physick? Heretofore, he that taught Falsities was ac∣counted Infamous and a Knave: Hence Cicero speaks, Pro Roscio, A man may easily be deceived by a Knave. Their Brain is pre-possessed with so many Absurdities, that they have lost their Remembrance, and have forgot, That Water drawn from Alcaly of Tartar is most Simple; neither are any of those Vertues radicated in it, contained therein, which Raimund, Basilius, Hollandus, Helmont and others Ascribe to Volatils Salt of Tartar. Doth this Water which you have so Distilled from Alcaly of Tartar, dissolve a Metal, or at least the Stones of Crabbs, by a true Solu∣tion?
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Can only four drops of this your Distilled Water, taken by the Mouth, augment the Vital Spirit when it is weak, with incredible Vigour? To which I add, that Vo∣latile Alcaly may be made, not only from Tartar, but from all Cephalick Herbs, which contain Alcaly in their Ashes (i. e.) without Clavellation. So a Friend of mine extracted Volatile Alcaly out of Lillye Convallye, which was very Restorative: Yea, I my Self have prepared the same (of no less Efficacy in dissolving) from the outward Rinds of Walnuts. But, Basilius, Hollandus, Helmont, and others do extoll Alcaly of Tartar, because it easily is conjoyned to and makes a Coalition with Fire of its own nature: Yet these ridiculous Masters do ungratefully rail upon Helmont too, as well as other Learned Men, falsly accusing Him, for not discovering the way of Prepara∣ring this Salt: But what need have your Masterships of Helmont's help? Since ye your selves are sure that the Vertues of Salt of Tartar have passed through the Lembick, and that you have obtained a great Secret? Why do you reproach a Man who hath faithfully shewed you the right way? as I have done in my Hippoc. Chymic in three places, and also in this Tract; clearly discovering the Preparation of this Alcaly; which, if you do not understand, yet do not Revile, but rather blame your own ignorance, and after∣wards apply Cupping-Glasses, and a sharpe Suppository, left your envious Bowels should burst asunder.

But nothing is more ridiculous than that which is whi∣spered into the ears of his Followers in the same Text, I am induced by this motive to reveal this to thee, lest I should seem to be enviously affected against many Writers of our Age. Plautus would say to such a man Aplauda es nequior, Neither is that less Jocular or Ridiculous, which (in the above-cited place) they demand, viz. that the cu∣rious Investigations of Learned Men, for which they have taken pains, should be openly and plainly discovered to such Masters of Vanity, who know not how to distinguish Water from Salt? as if it were not sufficient that Quid pro quo were often enough prescribed to poor Patients, but that they themselves must likewise have an occasion ad∣ministred to Adulterate and Defame the Inventions of
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Philosophers? Do they not know that Hippocrates forbids it in express words, and allows us to divulge only those things which are known to Plebeians? For they do not understand the force and meaning of my words: Take this my Reduction of Alcaly of Tartar into Water, for an Example, they presently, among the Unskilful, Vaunt This to be Volatile Alcaly; and do moreover commend it for a Cordial with their vain yet swelling words. By These, and the like Fables, studious Young-men are im∣posed upon, under pretence of Truth, because they are Licensed and Approved by the Lofty Magnifique Deans and Professors of Physick: Innocent Youth is easily per∣swaded that Truth lyes in the bottom of such Trifles, not knowing any more than their Masters how to di∣scern Truth from Falshood. But what effect such and the like things can have in an Art, is manifest by daily Expe∣rience; so that it is grown, and not without cause, a common Proverb, Mentiris ut Medicus: Which therefore of all the Philosophers, would take pains to instruct such an Indocile, Quarelsome, and Sluggish Rout? he can∣not do it without doing great Wrong to himself, and con∣tracting an indelible stain of Infamy to his Credit. Leave∣ing therefore these processes, which come not forth upon the Stage without the laughter of Learned Men; I convert my speech to the Studies of Truth, and do affirm, That the Ancient Scienceof Physick doth not consist in com∣piling of Processes and Receipts here and there surrpeti∣tiously taken up,* and perhaps also but ill understood (of which Personhs the Proverb speaks true,

Cum Charta cadit, tota Scientia vadit.
He that for their Knowledge looks,
Finds it not i'th'r Head, but Books.)
But in the true Understanding and Knowledge of Things by their Causes, as Aristotle hath rightly taught, l. 1. Physic. For he that knows Things by their Causes, is not only said to have Experience, but to know and comprehend Them perfectly. This
Page 22
is the Foundation of the Ancient Physick; and although, all Receipts with their Exscribers, Subscribers, and Ap∣provers, were utterly lost and perished, yet this An∣cient Science would remain unmoveable; whose foun∣dation I have faithfully discovered in my Hippoc. Chy∣micus, by familiar and common Words and Examples; but such putative and empty Doctors, by reason of the blindness of their minds, cannot reach to it (I call it blindness, seeing all Knowledge is Light, and Igno∣rance, Darkness) as being long since excluded from the Knowledge of the Truth: Enough now concern∣ing this disguised Elementary Water. There are many such like trifles packed together in the fore-named Di∣spensatory, which do not only cast a blot upon Noble Physick, but do also redound to the Ruin of our Neigh∣bour; Things ill got, because not understood, will be as badly spent. But these things requiring a Volume by themselves, I shall forbear further speaking of them at present, and return whence I digressed, Common Salt doth not wash out filth, therefore Sope cannot be made of it. Hence it was, that Nausicca the Daugh∣ter of King Alcinous, washed her Linnen out of a Fountain in the Sea-shore, as Homer notes, 6. Odyss. which Aristotle rightly refers to the perfect mixture of this Salt, for seeing it hath no vacuity in it (as Al∣caly hath) it can receive nho filth into it self.

Sal Alcaly is vacuous, and by consequence imbibes filth, and Sope is madeof it; because it absorbs the Occult Acid in the Oyl and Fat, which by a flow Concoction are converted together into Sope, of a Salt taste, as my Hippoc. Chymicus hath it.

Common Salt fortifies and strengthens living Flesh, it cures the Scab, Mangy, and other Diseases of the Skin, as the Sea-fishers can witness; yea being mixed with Oyl, it cures Scalds.

Sal Alcaly doth mortify and putresy living Flesh, as Potential Cauteries do witness; and the History also shews, that it putresyed a whole living Man in a mo∣ment, as it is mentioned in Hippocrates Chymicus, Chap. 4.

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Common Salt with Sand, passes not over into Glass, because it is saturated with Acid.

Sal Alcaly, with Sand, it melted into Glass, because being destitute of Acid, it receives into its Bowels the Acid of Flint, and by Fusion, becomes of a Rocky Nature; as I shewed before.

Common Salt, makes Nitre impure, Sal Alcaly, cleanses Nitre from all impurity, as my Hippoc. Chy∣micus teaches, Chap. 8.

So we Read in Holy Scripture, every Sacrifice should be seasoned with Salt, but no mention at all is made of Alcaly there.

So that it is manifest, from the Circumstances a∣bove-mentioned, That Meat Salt, or Common Salt; the Child of the Sun, and the Chiefest of all Salts, differs very much from Inane and Vacuous Alcaly; which therefore I have set one against another, that it may appear to the Learned and Curious, that there is not a grain of Salt in those great Bodies of Innovators, who contend, That Sal Alcaly is a Salsum, and so do igno∣rantly perswade their unskilful followers: For there are no more Salts in the Universe, than Acid and Alcaly; Acids are infinite, all which have one only Alcaly for their foundation, in which they subsist, and are incor∣porated, as I shall Ocularly demonstrate in the 6th. Chapter: So that all Salts, and all Things which are in the World, may, by an easy method, be re∣ferred to Acid and Alcaly; therefore it will not be a miss, yea pleasant and acceptable, before I proceed, to subjoyn the Preparation of Medicinable Salts.

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CHAP. V. The Preparation of Medicinable Stals.
HAving shewed before, That there is nothing in the Universe, but Acid and Alcaly, of which Two, Na∣ture composes all her works; to which yet a Third doth also inseparably adhere, as by degrees will be manifested: I shall now proceed to confirm my Proposition of Me∣dicinable Salts, and to shew, what they are; because I have not found Their Nature hitherto described by any Man, and therefore I think it worth my Labour, to transfer the True way of their Preparaton, out of my Hippoc. Chymicus Chap. 21. to this place, which will likewise declare their Essence, and Nature. Most Wise Nature, in the 3. Chap. shews us the way, how het Spirit of the Air is coagulated and fixed, to wit•, by Fire and Water (i. e.) by the Sun Beams and by Rain, for unless they both concur, the Spirit returns to its Original; which They find to be True, who en∣deavour to prepare Salts out of dry Simples, for, in dry∣ing, the greatest part doth exhale; and by how much the dryer they are left, the less quantity of Salt is procured from them; least of all, yea nothing, from rotten Sticks and Wood; which though with great Care you reduce into Ashes,* yet you can elicite no Salt from them; but on the contrary, the fresher and newer they are burnt, a greater quantity of Salt, will be extracted there-from. Therefore, for the Prepara∣tion of Salts, our principle Care and Study should be, That the Herbs be fresh (see Chap. 3.) for then, in con∣cremation the innate Acid apprehends the Alcaly, and the Alcaly absorbs, or sucks up the Acid, and they are both fixed according to the property of the concrete; but from that part (which flies away with the flame,
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and, not being sufficiently bound in by the Acid, goes to Soot) you may easily extract Volatile Alcaly.

Let Green Wormwood be the Example, Take This, green as it is, and burn it in a Chimney or open Place (but Fumitory, or such like Juicy Herbs, may be cast Green and Fresh, into a Red Hot Furnace, and the Mouth-hole be shut, that it catch its Flame:) flaming out is to be hindered as much as we can, for it is sufficient that it be turned into Ashes, though but black; which Ashes are further to be Caloined in a large Earthen Pot, and low, or upon a large Iron Plate, of a lifted up edge; Coals being kindled under, in the Wind Furnace, to the end that the little Door may be opened or shut, as there is need: The Ashes are always to be stirred with an Iron Spatule, till they be very white. Note that the process made this way is and must be more Sweet and Benigne, than that mentioned, Chap. 3. in the Preparation of Alcaly; for There the Ashes are stirred and agitated with a quick flame, which are therefore called, Clavellated, or Pot∣ashes; but here the Fire must not touch the Ashes, but they must be spread on a large Iron, or Earthen Plate, or Table, which must not enter the mouth of the Fur∣nace (see the Contents of my Hippoc. Chymicus, in the above-cited Chapter.) Lay the Ashes on a Linnen Acumi∣nated Bag, or, if there be few of them, on Acuminated Paper, and pour Common Water on them, which, running through them, being pregnant with Salt, is cal∣led a Lixivium, or Lye; Coagulate this strained Lye, with a quick Ebullition, in a Frying Pan, not greased in the Kitchin, and make it up into a Mass, which, when it begins to thicken like Honey, you must con∣tinually move with a Spatule, and it will be dryed up into a Grey Powder, which you must presently lay in a Pot not Glazed, with a Cover, (the little Door of the Wind Furnace being stopped) and cover them with Small Coals, mixed with the Powder of the same Coals; leisurely heat it, unto Brunity, not making it Red Hot, or melting it; when all is cooled, put the Salt into a Glass Vessel, and dissolve it in a sufficient quan∣tity
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of Water, stirring it between whiles, with a Wooden Stick, till the whole be dissolved: afterwards let it rest for two or three dayes, when it is clear, pour it forth from the Lees, without much stirring, and in a Leaden or Glass Vessel placed in Sand, suffer the Wa∣ter to exhale without bubbles, till a Saline Cuticle ap∣pear: Then remove the Vessel, and the next morning gather up the Splendent Grains of Salt, which are to be washed with clear Water, with a quick motion, and dryed; put the remaining Lye again into Sand, that the Water may exhale, as before, unto the Cuticle. Both these Salts are to be kept together joyntly in one Vessel. It is to be observed, that Salts this way sweetly prepared, do resemble the Crasis of their Con∣cretes, the rest of the Lixivium being of an Urine-like taste and stinking smell, is to be lest for washing of Glasses. This is the easie and natural way to prepare Salts of Vegetables, which do never melt of themselves, neither are of an ungrateful taste; for they are com∣pounded of their proper Acid and Alcaly by Concre∣mation: A pound of These Ashes yields almost four Ounces of the purest Salt, but four Pound of the Ashes of dry Herbs will scarce afford one Ounce of Salt.

CHAP. VI. That the Seminal Vertue of all things is Acid, and that Acids lead Alcalyes ad Lubitum, and that every Acid Liquor is a Solution of Acid-Salt in Elementary Water.
I Have shewed before that Water would be coagulated by the force of Vegetable Sulphur, into That, of whose Determination Sulphur was: It is the property of Sulphur to be Occultly Acid and Pinguous, as I have shewed in Chap. 2. which in Vegetables is always Volatile.

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Take therefore eitheir Wood, or Meal (whose Spirit these Magnifick Ridiculous Masters do proclaim and approve for Acid Spirit of Sal Mrmoniack) or any simple Vegeta∣ble, whatever it be; yea, or the very grains of Kermes, and Distil through a Report the Pinguous Acid Liquor, which is called, andis, Sulphur of the Grains of Kermes; or any other Vegetable •• which their Masterships hitherto were ignorant of) upon this Liquor pour alcaly of Tar∣tar (which answers to Water, the Fire being taken away, as my Hippoc. Chymic. teaches Chap. 10.) till the Strepitus cease; strain this Compositum through Paper, and dry it up by degrees into the consistency of Honey, and the Tartar of the Grains of Kermes, or, as some call it,*The essential Salt, will concrete in it when it is cold: But if you desire to turn it into Pure Salt, heat it in a Pot not Glazed, scarce to Brunity, only that the exceeding Pin∣guousness may deflragrate; or else put it into a Retort, and distil the Oyl from the empty Cuppel: Dissolve the black Mash with Common Water, let the Solution rest for three days, till it be clear, then poure it out leasure∣ly, and in a Glass Vessel placed in Sand, Exsiccate it to the Cuticle, and the next morning you may collect a Salt of the same Vertue, that the Acid, which you poured on the Alcaly, was off; so that the Alcaly is brought to the will and pleasure of the Alcaly•

As the Acid Liquor distilled from the Grains, doth Im∣pregnate the Alcaly with its Vertue, which from thence receives its determination, so that it may be called, and is Salt of grains of Kermes; So also poure distilled Vinegar on the same Alcaly, as much as it can imbibe (i. e.) to Saturity; which you may know when the Strepitus cea∣seth, and the smell of Vinegar breaths out: Coagulate the Impregnated Alcaly to Siccity, and though the Vi∣negar was distilled and the Alcaly of Tartar most Pure, yet the Coagulum is very Impure, Sordid, and Black, by reason of the Pinguousness of the Vinegar; which being separated, doth therefore catch or conceive Flame. Dis∣solve this black Mass in clear Water; let as much as is dis∣solved, rest for three days, then separate through Paper, the Pure from the Impure; dry the Pure again, as before,
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and you shall have Regenerated Tartar;* Distil this out of a Retort, as we do Tartar of Wine, and it will afford an Oyl, more or less Fetid (according to the quality of the Wine, of which the Vinegar was made;) and a bitterish Liquor, such as Common Tartar is wont to yield. The Faces, or Caput Mortuum, unless by the vehemency of the Fire it be turned to Glass, yo•• must again dissolve in clear Water, and strain and coagulate it into true Alcaly of Tartar,* as if it were left of the Common; So that the same Alcaly of Tartar being Impregnated with Acid Sul∣phur from the Grains of Kermes, follows the nature there∣of, and becomes Salt of grains of Kermes;* and the same Alcaly Impregnated with Vinegar, imitates the nature of the Vinegar, and performs that which Tartar of Wine doth; like as a Woman, who being Married to a Man, loses her Father's Name, and takes that of her Husband: For Nature is alike in all things, as Pythagoras, and af∣ter him, Hippocrates have taught. But I have a greater thing in my mind; yet before I come to it, I must repeat some Experiments out of my Hippocrates Chymicus. Distil therefore out of a Retort, with an open Fire, Common Salt with four parts of Bole Armonick; all of them first re∣duced into a fine Powder (it will succeed more happily if they be mixed and blended together, for then they will easily fall through the Sieve) poure the Acid Liquor which comes forth, on the Pure Alcaly of Tartar, till the Strepitus cease and the Alcaly be Impregnated;* Exhale this Mixture in a Glass Vessel, with a gentle heat, or else at the Sun, until the Film or Cuticle concrete a-top, and the next morning, when all is cooled, you shall have splen∣dent grains of Common Salt; So that the spirit of Salt in the Alcaly of Tartar returns into true Common Salt.

As you have done with Common Salt,* so in like manner do with Nitre, whose spirit in the Alcaly of Tartar be∣comes true Nitre, conceiving Flame, and is a Remedy for the Quinzey; see Hippoc. Chym. Chap. 21. So also an Acid Spirit is elicited from Allum, with which let the alcaly of Tartar be so far impregnated,* as above-said, till the hissing cease; which Liquor in a soft Fire is coa∣gulated into Allum; so that the Acid Spirit, not only of
Page 29
of all Vegetables, but of all middle sort of Minerals, re-asumes a body in the Alcaly, and becomes the same thing, from whence the Acid Spirit was drawn forth. But the Acid of Sulphur, becomes not Sulphur in the Alcaly, because it hath lost its terreous pinguousness by the Flame; but it is sublimated into True Sulphur, with Sand or Flints ground to Powder, for it finds in them That to which it may associate it self and overcome it, as Hippoc. Chymicus shews, Chap. 21.

These Experiments do evince the Truth of That, which is laid down in the 1. Chapter, viz. That the Spirit of the World, or Child of the Sun, is Acid and Pinguous; and that this Pinguousness or Sulphur doth participate of a third, which, as I have shewed in the said first Chapter, doth inseparably adhere to Fire and Water; which I will now more clearly demonstrate in Vitriol, and in the Anatome thereof; wherefore it is vain, ignorant, and against all Truth, what they scri∣ble, viz, that Acids do not prevail over Alcalys, nor draw them hither and thither, as they please.

To convince such vain Talkers, distill the Spirit.* out of dryed Vitriol, the common way, which is Acid Sulphureous, which you must rectify, or distill once more, out of a Retort, placed in an empty Cuppel; on which pour on leisurely, so much of the Alcaly of Tar∣tar, till the hissing and ebullition cease, (for if you pour it in hastily, they will both grow hot, by rea∣son of the fiery Nature in both Subjects:)* exhale the superfluous, Insipid, and Aqueous Humour, till you see the appearance of a growing Cuticle. (Here you must observe, that if both the Alcaly and the Acid were not first sufficiently diluted, before their Conjunction, at their very first Meeting and Coalition, the White Pow∣der of Vitriolated Tartar will fall, and there will be no Chrystalline Grains produced:) Then remove the Vessel from the heat, and set it in a cold place, and in the morning you shall find Shining Grains arising and re∣sembling the form of Vitriol, because the Acid Spirit hath drawn the Alcaly to its own pleasure (i. e.) into the form of Vitriol. This White Vitriol, they call Vi∣triolate
Page 30
Tartar, but I call it Regenerated Vitriol, what∣soever the ignorant multitude do murmur to the con∣trary: for the Acid of Flint in the Alcaly is rege∣nerated into a Pellucid, Frangible, Rocky Substance, which afterwards neither Fire, nor any Acid Liquor can destroy; as I have shewed in its place concerning Flint; and shall shew hereaster, concerning Coral.

The Occult Acid of Oyl, in the Alcaly, is regenerated into Pinguous Salt Sope.

The Acid of Grains of Kermes in the same Alcaly, be∣comes the Son of Kermes (i. e.) Salt.

The Acid of Common Salt in the same Alcaly becomes a Salt of the same Nature.

The Acid of Nitre in Alcaly, becomes True Nitre, conceiving Flame, and is a remedy for the Quinzey. The Acid of Allum in Alcaly, becomes True Allum; The Acid of Wine in Alcaly becomes Tartar, and all the other Acids, are regenerated in Alcaly their Mo∣ther: Why should not then the Acid of Vitriol, rege∣nerated in Alcaly,* be called regenerated Vitriol? Is it be∣cause it is not blackned with Gauls, as Vitriol of Iron is; or because it cannot be distilled as Common Vitriol may, as some foolishly give forth; but why will you fantasti∣cally put a force upon Nature from those Accidents which are not common to all Vitriol? Surely that Wise Mistriss doth little esteem not only the contumelies of venemous Tongues, but she doth as much under∣value the old doting Fables of Wordy Doctors, who refuse to learn. Attend therefore diligently, that you may be informed, That, as I have shewed a little before of Acids; They bring Alcalyes to their will, so it must needs happen here: For when Natural Acid hath by chance corroded immature Iron, then they are both co∣agulated into Vitriol of Iron; which being mingled with Juice of Galls, yields a black colour, by reason of the Iron, and not by reason of the Acid. And when the same Natural Acid hath by chance corroded immature Cop∣per, then they are both coagualted into Vitriol of Cop∣per; which, though mixed with Juice of Galls, grows not black; yet it is, and is also called both by the Skil∣ful
Page 31
and Unskilful, Vitriol. That Natural Acid drawn forth by Distillation, when it hath corroded Iron, is co∣agulated again into Vitriol of Iron, of a green colour.

The same Acid when it hath corroded Copper, they are both coagulated into Vitriol of an* Azure colour.

So the same Acid, when it hath corroded Alcaly of Tar∣tar, they are both coagulated into Vitriol of a White co∣lour, which is nothing else but regenerated Vitriol, as my Hippocrates shews Chap. 17. Which Book I would wish you to read over before you rail against the Works of Nature.

But why your Common Vitriolate Tartar cannot be distil∣led,* I will now clearly demonstrate; That Natural Aci∣dity, which hath corroded Iron, being Healthful, Grate∣ful, and Precious, is sought after by many, but found by few; I say, This is attempted to be extracted out of the corroded and immature Metal, by Art, and the help of Fire in Distillation; but seeing it cannot never be alone (as Hip. de Diaet. hath taught) it easily carries off with it is like (i. e.) the Immature and Volatile Metalline Sulphur, be∣cause the wind carries both in its womb, and it becomes Common Spirit of Vitriol, Austere and Corrosive, by reason of the inseparable immature Metalline Sulphur mix∣ed with it.

This Common and sourish Liquor of Vitriol, however rectified, yet contains in it the Sulphureous Liquamen of the Metal, upon this ground that it can never be alone, as in the progress will clearly appear. If this Spirit, or Li∣quor, be poured on Alcaly of Tartar, untilthe noise cease, The Alcaly is impregnated, but not with a Natural, but a Metalline Acid, the Aust erity of the immature Metal∣line Sulphur, having the dominion; and so a Son is be∣gotten, which must needs resemble the properties of his Father (i. e.) be fixed and constant in the Fire. Lo, here your Doctorships may see the reason why your Vitri∣olate Tartar cannot be Distilled? For in that instant of Coition, when the more powerful is embraced by the Al∣caly, The third, because it is weal•, is strangled and slain; as will appear by little and little to the Reader. This is That, which the barren approvers, with those which went before them, were hitherto ignorant of.

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I do call (together with the company of Ancient Phi∣losophers) This Son of Metalline Sulphur,*Regenerated Vitriol, because it hath laid down its Iron, or Earthly Bo∣dy, and shines again, re-produced in a brighter form.

Wherefore the soul of the imperfect Metal, hid in the fowre Acid Spirit, forms to it self a Fixed Body in the Al∣caly of Tartar; Whence it clearly appears, That the Spirit is the Vehicle of the Soul, and the Vinculum, binding Soul and Body together; which in the subsequent Discourse will more evidently appear to the Studious Lovers of the Truth.

Let us now hear Basilius Valeminus, speaking of this Two-fold Spirit of Vitriol (not to mention mine own Ex∣perience) in His Book called,*Repetitio Lapidis Magnis, in these words, And that you may understand Vitriol, says he, you must know that it hath two Spirits, a White and a Red; the White is white Sulphur, the Red is red Sulphur; He that hath Ears to hear, let him hear; And let him diligently mark and forget it not, for it is a dissicult saying, and every word is of great weight; the White Spirit of Vitriol is Acid, amiable, very grateful to the Stomach, like Nectar to the Bowels, and profitable for Ʋniversal Concoction; but the Red is much more Acid, and more weighty than the White, and therefore requires a longer time to be extracted by Distillation. Hitherto Basilius. He that desires more, let him consult the cited place, the words are of great weight, and for good reason cited and transcribed here.

If therefore the composition of Vitriol be of the Natu∣ral Acid, amiable, and of a sweet smell, like Nectar to the Inwards; in which no sensible biting is perceived by the Tongue, but a spiritual and grateful Acidity (Let B•filius, Acid Waters, and Experience, be all witnesses) and of Immature Sulphureous Metal, which Two cannot possibly be severed by Distillation; for the Natural Acidi∣ty, which is highly Volatile, ascends not without its Com∣panion, the Acid Sulphur of the immature Metal, because it cannot b• alone, as I have shewn out of Hippocrates, and have also learned by experience; it remains there∣fore that it must be catch'd by crafty hands, and that in a fit time too, when it is asleep.

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There are many private ways, which the Studiers of Natures Secrets may take to procure this grateful and much sought for Acid, which though many, yet all con∣duce to one end, as Geber rightly observes; yet This way is not to be despised, though the ignorant do contume∣liously charge it to procure vomiting, and raise many o∣ther Symptoms. Ah unhappy Patients! what Ministers of Nature have you got? I speak not to deaf ones, as being uncapable, but to you who love the Truth, I de∣vote and offer this my work.

Dissolve then Vitriol of Iron (I say of Iron, which hath no smell of Copper; if This cannot be had, prepare That as Nature her self shews the way, Hippoc. Chymic. Chap. 28. For That which is Artificial, of the Distil∣led Acid of Vitriol and Iron, will not serve here;* see Hippoc. Chymic. Chap. 17.) The Roman is the best; Instill into this clear Solution, the purest Alcaly of Tartar, which presently attracts and consumes the Natural Acid; The Acid and Alcaly do not wax hot in this Con∣junction, as before in the Common Preparation of Vitri∣olate Tartar; because the Fire, or the Sulphur of the Immature Metal covets the Fire, and for the greatest part is separated from the Natural Spirit, as by degrees I shall Mechanically demonstrate ad oculum. If this Com∣position seem to thee too thick, so that the Immature Metal cannot fall down, dilute it with Water, and it will the sooner fall. Let it not be tedious to thee, to find the Moment of Saturation, which after the first Filtra∣tion will easily follow; or if the Alcaly do overcome the Acid, it produces no other inconvenience, then the loss of time in digestion, That the Immature Me∣tal may subside (see Hippoc. Chymicus Chap. 10.) Exhale leasurely, unto the Cuticle, the clear Liquor placed in a Bath of Dew in a Glass Vessel (being acuminated un∣der or in the bottom, to the end, that if there be any of the Immature Metal, it may be separated in the heat at the bottom) and when 'tis cold, you shall find Splendent Chrystals, which do neither heat nor turn the stomach, as Common Vitriolate Tartar doth; for they have not the Sowre and Corrosive Sulphureous Liqua∣men
Page 34
of the Immature Metal, and therefore are much to be prized in Physick. Lo here the Rudiments out of the Hippocratical and Pythagorical School, which are enough for the Ingenious; neither is it lawful to discover All plainly; These and many other Things are to be reserved for Our followers: Concerning the Ver∣tues of this Vitriolate Tartar, see Crollius, and you will act securely: I say no more, for it shews it self to be a most powerful Hercules.

'Tis true indeed, That one Ounce of this Vitriolate Tartar, requires at the beginning about three Ounces of Alcaly, because first it mortifies the Immature Sulphur of the Metal, and afterwards draws forth the Natural Acid. An Example of which Operation I have given Chap. 3. concerning the Lixivium of Sope-boilers, viz. where Vegetable Alcaly doth first mortifie the Acid of the Calcined Flint, which is unfit for the Lye, and doth concrete it into a rocky substance,*for contraries are Coa∣gulated by contraries; and afterward the same Vegetable Alcaly doth elicite and draw forth from the Calcined Flint a most powerful Alcaly, because like is dissolved. draw• and joyned to its like; The same Action is also per∣formed in this our regenenerated Vitriol (or Vitriolate Tar∣tar, call it as you please) yet with this difference, That the Alcaly of Tartar is turned with the Immature Me∣tal into its Coagulum; and afterwards it absorbs the Natural Acid; which difference is to be observed, be∣cause it is useful. See also Hippoc. Chymicus Chap. 3. and 4. where the Example of Sope is not without Cause pro∣pounded, nor is it to be thought useless, as heedless peo∣ple think. This our Vitriolate Tartar is not constant in the Fire, but for the half Volatile, according to the pro∣perty of the Father which begat it, whereas on the con∣trary the Common Tartar remains constant in the Fire, by reason of the Metalline Sulphur, which the Alcaly had imbibed, and therefore it is not Volatile or Distilla∣ble, because it hath not got the Metalline Soul, which per∣severes in Fire,* as I have above likewise shewed.

If therefore Spirit of Common Vitriol be informed with the Soul of Copper or Iron, 'tis no wonder if being
Page 35
poured on these Two perfect Metals, it dissolves Them, and with Them, make a counterfeit shew of Vitriol; for, like is easily joyned to like, fire to fire, water to water Spirit of Vitriol, being distilled, delights in Sulphur; and in its like in Mars and Venus, it is pleas'd with it, it pierceth into their Bowels, it dissolveth both Metals. and again assumes a body, and with Them, resembles Natural Vitriol. But having no Dominion over Them, it cannot perfect the said Metals, because it hath no more than is sufficient for its own sustentation; for if you again separate the Acid from the said Metals, by Distillation, the same Spirit of Vitriol will return as you poured it on, neither perfecter nor better, and the re∣maining Caput Mortuum is melted into the same Copper, that it was, before it was dissolved, or into Crocus Mar∣tis, if it had dissolved the Iron without any alteration; neither doth it come forth better, or worse then other Crocus's, however prepared, as I have shewed, and shall further shew; for Nature is the same in every thing, as both Pythagoras and Hippocrates have taught.

If therefore Spirit of Vitriol make an impression on Copper, by means of Sulphur (as I have shewed) and yet can take away nothing of the Vertue of the Copper, either by Maceration, or Solution, Coagulation and Distillation; much less can other Acids, of what kind soever? It is both admirable and pleasant throughly to search into this Matter, for it is of great concern∣ment, as to the Common-wealth of Medicine, so also to all Virtuosi, and to the Numerous, the Famous, and in our times, the Flourishing Company of Apothecaries.* make therefore Aerugo, or Verdigrease, of thin Plates of Copper with Recent Grapes, thin Webs of Linnen or Silk being interposed, adding thereto whatsoever pleases you, in the rude way of operation, Vinegar, •V;rine, (of Women doubtless, otherwise it would not bear the Name of Venus,) tAllum, and Nitre. The Deans of the Austrian and Norimberg Colledge, with the other Approvers, do affirm, That this miscellany doth not, in time wax sowr, yea that the Acid vapour of the ingre∣dients cannot pass through the thin web to the body of
Page 36
the Copper to corrode it, but if this can savour (I will not say of Truth) but of Probability, let the Skilful judge: How Aerugo is made, Dioscorides Teaches right∣ly, and without fraud, Five Masterless Theeves and Robbers, fighting under the gross Banner of Ignorance, do assault a frail Female, (let modest youth take no∣tice, that this chaste bashful Female is clad with a thin Vail, that she may not appear naked in the sight of Five such Souldiers) who for a long time makes a stout resistance; but seeing Hercules himself cannot long with∣stand Two, she at last is made a prey, and with one of the Robbers (i. e.) Vinegar, as I shall shew, she is turn∣ed into biting Aerugo, imitating the nature of the Acid. This Matter is called by our Ancestos Green Aerugo, but it hath not been called by the Name of Vitriol, be∣cause it hath not the properties of Vitriol; and there∣fore they called it Aerugo, to intimate that the Five Robbers altogether had not the force or power to ex∣tract the least Vertue from the Copper, or of altering it in the least point,* but only of corroding its Corpo∣reity; for they have no dominion over It, neither do they return the richer from It: And though there be many that do boast of such a thing, yet their boast∣ing is vain; for it is established by the Decree of the great Creator, that the more noble should not dege∣nerate into the less noble, or the better, into the worse, and so pass into the servile form of a slave.

Wherefore Copper (or if you will, Venus) is now turn∣ed into Verdigrease biting and rough, and is dissolved in Distilled Vinegar (out of which it was made) and a∣gain is Congealed into Verdigreese, the Faeces being re∣jected, &c.* This purged Aerago or eroded Brass, is distilled with an open Fire out of a plated Retort, and afrerwards is rectified out of Sand. Lo here, Thou Mystes of Nature, This is that Spirit of Venus, and ase∣cret menstruum, as Alcahest (see Hippoc. Chymic. Chap. 29.) which the Deans and Doctors of the Austrian and Norinberg Physick, with their Fellows, do adore for the Son of Venus, of whom Epictetus sayes well, Many are word-wife, not deed-wise. The pro•city and filthy licen∣tiousness
Page 37
that Venus is accused of by the many, but vain clamours of false witnesses, viz. that It admits of Five Lovers in one Act, hath drawn Philosophers not only to the admiration, but even to the unbelief thereof; unless they had also known, That in the Court of Accusation, a multitude of Witnesses is many times loathsome, and suspected by the Judges; especially since they are not ignorant, that in Nature Love is so far from admiting Five, that it endures not a Third; whence it is, That they rather give sentence against the Accusers, and say, That as Venus upon Examination, notwithstanding the false Imputations of her Accusers, is found chaste and constant to one Male; so it may likewise happen, that any man may grow Famous from such Accusations, as many have done, who were otherwise unknown. 'Tis known to be True, That indeed Venus is Lascivious,* and that she ad∣mits every Male, (that is all, Acids as well Occult as Manifest, as Vinegar, Oyl, Suet, Sugar, Honey, &c. I say, they all wax green with Copper) without any difference into her Imbraces; so that all Males are hot in Love (i. e.) wax green) with Her. But (witness Al∣caly, the Mother of Natural Things) She is never ra∣vished with the delight of any of them, to a del quium, but only with her own Brother. But that this discourse may appear more clear, we will setch the Doctrine of it a little higher, viz. That the Acid of every Ve∣getable, drawn forth either by Fermentation on Di∣stillation, or Expression, whether it be Occult or Ma∣nifest, if it be poured on the Alcaly of Tartar, doth in∣form the fame Alcaly, with the Soul of That, from whence it was taken; and it is made a Salt of the same Acid Nature, as I have shewed in the beginning of this Chapter, by the Graines of Kermes (in which the Deans with their Fellows deny, that there is any Acid (i. e.) any Seminal Vertue) and by Meal (out of which They boast they can distill Acid Spirit of Sal Armoniack• see also Hippoc. Chymic. Chap 2. and the end of Chap. 17.

So also Vinegar of Wine, distilled and cast upon Al∣caly of Tartar, to fatiety, is Coagulated into Tartar,* and 〈◊〉 of the same Nature with the Wine from whence
Page 38
the Vinegar was taken. This Tartar, if it be distilled out of a Retort, with Fire of Sand, or an open Fire, there comes forth a fat Oyl and bitterish Liquor; as in the Distillation of Common Tartar.

I have also shewed the same thing,* in the beginning of this Chapter, concerning Nitre, concerning Salt, con∣cerning Allum, and also concerning Vitriol; for all Acid Liquor joyned with Alcaly, doth impregnate it with the Soul of that Body from which it was reduced, and forms a Body to it self ad Lubitum, (i.e.) like its own proper Nature.

Let us see now,* for a Tryal of the Verity and Glory of Noble Physick whether That Vinegar Distilled from Verdigrease (which they do so solicitously endeavour to keep from the Examen of Learned Men) be the Legiti∣mate Son of Venus, or no?

I have shewed, That Acid is the one only Spirit of the World, and the Child of the Sun, which is not found naked upon the earth, but refusing to be alone, It assumes Matter, wherewith it dwells, encreaseth, regerminates, and is multiplied, sometimes as the Artificer pleases, for his proper ends. This when it falls on the seed of Cop∣per (that I may so speak) it cloaths it self with the Nature of Copper in a long and laborious work; There∣fore it is not separable from Copper it self, unless by the total destruction of the Copper, as the example of Salt of Tartar in my Hippoc. Chymic. Chap 10. doth shew; for carrying in it, the least Odor of a Metalline Nature, it cannot descend to the Nature of Vegetables, And the same Spirit falling upon the Seed of a Vine, Clothes it self there with the indoles of the Vine, and in like man∣ner cannot ascend to the Nature of Minerals; as I have demonstrated out of Lully, and by Experience: yea it is not separated from the Disposition or Indoles of the Vine, unless, being dissolved or loosned from its Body by Nature and Art, it return to the Element of Air, whence it came, as Hippoc. Chymic. in the fore-cited 10. and 18. Chapters shews. The same is also to be understood of Salt, of Vitriol, of Nitre, and of all the Things in the World; for this cause, because Art cannot create Seeds;
Page 39
he that boasts he can do it, Cosmopolita proves him to be a Deceiver; so that every Spirit, either Occultly or Manifestly Acid, hath but one only Soul within it, with which, it being inseparably joyned, doth constitute the Form of That Body, in which it determines to dwell; from which, wehn it is extracted, and again instilled upon a new Alcaly; and is absorbed by it, it takes upon it the like Body, wherewith it was cloathed before, or from whence it was first extracted, but that Body somewhat clearer; an Infallible Argument, That a Spirit either Occultly or Manifestly Acid, is the Vehi∣cle of the Soul, and the Bond uniting Soul and Body to∣gether: And unless the Spirit of all Things in the Uni∣verse were Acid, it could not invisibly carry in its Belly or Womb the Aima or Soul of the Body; as Hermes and Experience Teach.

Let us now return to the Child new born, which the Sworn Servant of Venus have lately begun to nomi∣nate and to commend for the Son or Spirit of Venus, peremptorily also affirming, That, This hath drawn mighty Vertues, from his Mother or Copper; but they con∣sider not, that the Vertues of Things, as also the force of Purgatives, do confist in their Soul; which I have shewed in the first Chapter, to be a Child of the Sun,* and to be inseparably joyned to the Spirit of that Thing, both which do constitute that Eximious Vertue, which is in Copper: which Spirit ought again to manifest it self in Alcaly, if it did flow in an Acid form. as I have experimentally shewed to the Eyc, concerning other Spirits, and concerning Alcaly of Tartar. Let us now proceed to Experience, and to make Trial of this Acid, and Rectifyed Spirit of Venus, saturated to Susliciency,* with Alcaly of Tartar, as I have formerly taught con∣concerning Salt, Vinegar, and Distilled Nitre; (i. e.) Thus, Pour so much of This Spirit on the Alcaly of Tar∣tar, till the hissing cease (near upon equal parts) suffer the abounding, or exceeding Flegme to exhale, or if you will, distill it carefully to Siceity (distill that Flegm from an high Glass in Balneo, and there will come forth Aqua Ardens, see Hippoc. Chymic. Chap. 18.)
Page 40
and you shall sind regenerated Tartar of the same Nature, Condition and Property, that That was, which was a∣bove generated from Vinegar of Wine; for it is the very same; for if it hid any thing of the Nitre, the Allum, or the Copper hid in it, as they ignorantly give forth, they would all be manifested in the Alcaly of Tartar; as I have Mechanically shewed above. But it must needs be, that This Spirit can have no other Instruments but distilled Vinegar, since it can only make a Body of Tar∣tar for it self: Whence this Spirit hath been presently known by Philosophers,* not for the Immortal Son of Venus, or as Alcahest, but for the True Genuine Brother of Vinegar of Wine; and that not Spurious neither, as my Revilers and Reproachers have published to the World, but the Legitimate Son of the Vine, which hereafter will count it an impious thing to be reviled by unskilful Masters; Therefore in this regeneration, He was willing again to discover himself to the Curious, and to the Lovers of Truth, for the True and Natural Brother of Vinegar of Wine (i. e.) for Distilled Vinegar. Now that nothing may be wanting to this Enquiry, but all doubt taken away, viz. that This Spirit, which they dream to be the Child of Venus, hath acquired no Constancy, no Immortality, or excellent Vertues from the Copper, nor that it is, as Alcahest, as the Deans with their Fellows do cant, you may learn by this Experiment. Take this regenerated Tartar (to wit, from the Imaginary Spirit of Venus, and the Alcaly of Tartar) distill It out of a Re∣tort, as you did before, and there will extil an Oyl of a loathsome smell, together with a bitterish Water; as I have shewed a little before from regenerated Tartar, out of simply Distilled Vinegar: Out of what hath been spoken, it appears, that whatsoever is distilled from the Alcaly of Tartar, which is impregnated with Distilled Vinegar (i. e.) the bitterish Water, Aqua Ardens, and the Oyl, taking Flame, the same thing is distilled from Alcaly of Tartar, impregnated with fained Spirit of Venus, to wit, bitterish Water, Aqua Adrens, and Oyl taking Flame:* and so, That Spirit of Venus, since it hath all the Properties and Operatious of Vinegar, is
Page 41
nothing else, nor never will be, than distilled Vinegar, Witness Aristotle and Experience. But leaving this puny, vain, and futile Society, to please themselves in their foolish Detrectings, I convert my Speech to you, O ye fa∣mous Lights of the World, That you may judge of the Truth herein, not that I would trouble you, to vindi∣cate it from the fained and rash Contumelies of such cla∣morous Reproachers, since it appears out of Pliny, That when Frogs croak more than ordinary, it is a sign of a Tempest ensuing: supposing then, but not granting, that one drop of Acid contains only the 8200 part of the Eximious Vertue of Copper, I say, this so small part, ought yet under the heat of Fermentation, to extend it self, and to regenerate, if not in Vegetable Alcaly, yet at least in Metalline, as the order of Fermentation elsewhere shews; so that it would turn, though not much, yet a small quantity of the Metalline Alcaly, into Copper, no otherwise, then the Vertue of Acid Vegetables, and the mid-sort of Minerals doth transmute Alcaly of Tartar into a Salt of its own proper Nature, as I have before said and proved; but as the Antecedent and their Premises are false and favour of gross ignorance, so is the Consequence. Again, supposing, but not granting, That Vinegar did carry off with it, such eximious Ver∣tues from Copper (as they unlearnedly and without truth affirm) yet I could never find, eithe ramongst Philosophers or Physicians, that It was assumed within the Body, but whatsoever was got from the Copper was always used outwardly for Chirurgical Operations. And although mighty Vertues might be drawn forth and distilled out of Copper by Vinegar, which I have shewed to be im∣possible, why is not the same Eximious Vertue drawn forth, with less labour, out of immature Copper, since it is easier to go one Mile, than two? Why should my regenerated Vitriol, prepared from Crude Vitriol of Mars, procure monstrous Vomitings and Suffocations,* is if you draw forth such Eximious Vertues from mature Cop∣per by Vinegar; to which you subjoyn these losty, but most false words, This most praise-worthy Spirit, is not only of great use in Physick, seeing in highly Cures and Re∣lieves
Page 42
the Epilepsy, Appolexy, Histerical and Hypochondri∣atal Listempers, but is as the Liquor Alcahest, and not as other Acid Spirits, which by Solution do suffer and are destroyed, and so turned into another. ens: See Hippoc. Chy. mic. Chap. 29.

Now let the Reader, who loves the Truth, judge, whether any thing could have been devised more sottish, than to affirm That the regenerated Vitriol of Philosophers educed from an Immature Mine of Iron, is pernicious and deadly, when we see, that every year some Myriads of Men do drink, even in great quantity, Acid Waters, saturated with Immature Iron and Natural Spirit, and that with great benefit and advantage; and also That the great Imaginary Vertue, extracted with Vinegar out of Mature Copper (if there were any such) is a Panacea. I may very aptly apply hither, That of Plau∣tus, nothing can be more foolishly, sottishly, or falsly spoken.

It remaines that we bring That most praised Spirit of Venus, which they fay is as Alcahest, by dissolving some Body unto an Examen.

Now Alcahest is described by Helmont to be an Exi∣mious Liquor,*(a)ti be got by the Art or Labour of So∣phia(b.)which doth not only resolve every visible Body into its first Matter,(c.)but is moreover Immortaland In∣corruptable(d.)it putrifies Nature, and takes away all Diseases(e.)but it is not given to putative and empty Doct∣ors, but to well Lined and rich Ʋnderstandings(f.) So Helmont: Now let the equal Reader Judge, whether this praised Vinegar of these Prateing and Wordy Doctors, which is Distilled from Copper be alike in Vertue to Alcahest? Truly, if this their foolish Assertion were profoundly examined, and laid before the Eyes of the Readers, it would move Nauseousness and Indignation; and therefore I shall discover their Vanity by Experi∣ence alone.

Dissolve then at least one Drachm of Red Powdered Corral,* in This Vinegar, which they proclaim to be the praised Spirit of Venus; dry the Solution in a Bath: In like manner dissolve another Drachm of pounded
Page 43
Corals, in Vinegar simply Distilled,* which likewise Ex∣siccate in Balneo: Diligently gather up those Powders, and weigh them severally in a Ballance, and you shall find the dissolved and dryed Corals to be increased half a Drachm, as well by the Spirit of Venus (which They count as Alcahest) as by the Vinegar Vulgarly Distilled: So that the Corals have imbibed as much Acid Salt from the counterfeit Spirit of Venus, as from the Distilled Vi∣negar. Whence it again appears,* That This shews it self to be Vinegar; because it is so indeed, and not the Liquor Alcahest; as the lofty Doctors would impose upon rude and ignorant people.

Again, They urge, That this praised Spirit of Venus, doth dissolve Pearls without bubbles, and leaves the cor∣tices untouched. Truly this may seem a wonder to Men altogether unskilful in the Art of Physick, and who ne∣ver learned the Rudiments thereof; but methinks it should seem a trivial and sleight thing to the Deans, and the rest of the Approvers. For what ordinary, or mean Physi∣cian can be ignorant, that Vinegar simply Distilled, doth perform the same thing (though in a longer tract of time) if you cast whole Pears into It;* and therefore your spirit of Venus which you account as Alcahest, will not cease to be distilled Vinegar.

But why the skins, or pellicles of Pearls are not dissol∣ved by either of the Vinegars, the reason is, Their fatness and unitive glew, the feat of the Child of the Sun, which is proper and familiar to all Crustaceous Creatures, to Fishes, and the Membranes of Animals; The counter∣feit Son of Venus, however extolled by vain Approvers, doth never touch this Glew in stones of Crabbs, Pearls, &c. it hath no access to them, it is Leprous in compa∣rison of them, and therefore is not admitted to the Prince∣ly-Seat unknown to Ideots.

But why Vinegar doth corrode the Medulla of Pearls, of the afore-said stones and Corals, &c. The cause is, That Nature hath put least part of Acid into most things (as I have shewed in the second Chapter) which least part, unless it be multiplied by Art or Nature, is easily sup∣pressed, by the more powerful; I will give an Example in
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the afore-said dissolved and dried Corals, in which there is the least portion of Natural Acid, which being oppressed by the counterfeit Spirit of Venus is made subject to It; hence they are encreased in weight.

Again, Dissolve these dried Corals in some water, either Distilled, or common clear water; let the Solution rest, that the Turbid may subside (which they improperly call Faces) which nevertheless you must separate, and drop into the clear Solution a little of the spirit of Vitriol of Sulphur, which overcoming the counterfeit Spirit of Ve∣nus, not by its Acidity, but the Nobleness of its Soul, cast out the Vinegar (which they call Spirit of Venus) from its seat and place, and doth assume the possession of the Region of the Spirit of Vitriol, and with the Corals repre∣sents the form of curdled Milk; but the Counterfeit Spi∣rit of Venus being now expelled by the more Noble, is di∣luted and sticks to the supernatant water, and is min∣gled with it.

Wash both these Coagulums as much as you may, and dry them severally in brown Paper, and you shall have Ma∣gistery of Corals, equal in weight, as well from the coun∣terfeit Spirit of Venus,* as from the Vinegar simply distilled, because it is the same.

But take that water so washed from the Corals, in which, as I have said, the counterfeit Spirit of Venus, or some simple distilled Vinegar was diluted (if you have otherwise warily poured on the Spirit of Vitriol, for if you have carelesly, and without judgment powred on more than the Coral will imbibe, it will not swim a∣top; but I suppose the affusion was skilfully made) and instill into it Alcaly of Tartar, till the Motion of E∣bullition cease; exhale the abounding Water in a Glass Vessel placed in Sand, and you shall find regenerated Tar∣tar, as I have shewed above, from the Counterfeit Spi∣rit of Venus, or Vinegar, simply distilled, imbibed in Al∣caly of Tartar, for it is the same, by this infallible Ar∣gument, That in the Corals dissolved and dryed in a Bath, there remained only half a Drachm of Acid Salt from the feigned Spirit of Venus. That Acid Salt being sepa∣rated from the Corals, by Spirit of Vitriol, cannot be alone;
Page 45
wherefore it guards it self again in Elementary Water, as in his Mothers lap, and diffuses it self in her; and be∣comes again Counterfeit Spirit of Venus. And unless Ele∣mentary water did contain Occult Alcaly in its belly, A∣cid Salt could not inhabit in it; because that alone it is not sufficient for it self: as Hippocrates hath taught us, De Diaeta. Simple distilled Vinegar performes also the same thing; so that it now appears; even to the most unskil∣ful-in Physick, that this most celebrated Spirit of Venus, here and every where, is nothing else, and savours of no∣thing else, but Distilled Vinegar, whatsoever Bugbears its Adorers would fright us with. And although Crollius, Be∣guinus, and other Writers of the Elements of Chymistry, in express words do call it, Solvent Vinegar, from whom the process of this Vinegar is stoln word for word, as my Hippoc. Chym. shews Chap. 29. Yet This poyson of Igno∣rance hath infected, not only Austria, but almost all upper Germany; witness these unskilful Approvers and their soolish Partizans with their Rythmes. It would be no wo∣der, if, as the Romans of old, so Magistrates now, would eject out of their Cities and Common-wealths, such Har∣lotry Collegiates, and such a Nest of Bablers, who do scrible of things unknown, even to themselves, to their Neighbours hurt. Low Germany is yet free from this Con∣tagion, so is Italy and France, and for the future, I hope by this Antidote they will be preserved.

Now, Why Vinegar distilled from Verdigrease,* in a small quantity, doth more powerfully dissolve Corals, than That which is distilled the vulgar way? I have shewed the reason before, viz. that it happens, because Vinegar distilled the common way, is as yet diluted with much Water; but the Elementary Water is evaporate from That, which is distilled from Aerugo, by gradual Exha∣lation, no otherwise than in the distillation of Green and Humid Vitriol, for then the Acid Salt being long in the Liquor, would be very weak; but when the humid (which they call Phlegm) hath by degrees exhaled and evapo∣rated before distillation, the Acid Salt must needs be more powerful and strong in a lesser quantity of water; for Light by how much more contracted, by so much the
Page 46
more efficacious. This distilled Spirit of Vitriol, if it a∣gain corrode any thing, either Iron, or Copper, and be coagulated with it, and again be re-distilled from it, the Liquor indeed returns Acid of the same nature, but much more subtle, because that in all Coagulation, every Salt or Saline Spirit loses of its Radical Humid (what that is, I shall shew anon) when of necessity it must lay down its Earth (the Vulgar call it its Faex) and so the Lumen must be more contracted. But from the repeated Coa∣gulation and Distillation, It returns more watery; and at last returns to Elements; as I have Mechanically shewed in Alcaly of Tartar (for Example) in my Hippoc. Chymic. Chap. 10.

After the same manner and fashion, Counterfeit Spirit of Venus, by repeated Solution, Coagulation, and Distil∣lation, re-passes into Elements; for as often as it dis∣solves Corals, or any other thing (I began with Corals and will end with Them) and is afterwards Coagulated and Exsiccated with the same Corals, so often it lays down its Earth or Alcaly, and as much Earth as it lays down, so much Acid Salt the Corals do drink up, be∣cause this cannot be alone, and the Vinegar becomes so much the more Aqueous, and by repeated labour, at last returns to Element (i. e.) into Insipid Water; but the Earth and Acid Salt gave weight to the Corals, which also pass out of them by repeated Distillation, and go to their own Country, after the same manner as I have shew∣ed concerning Wine in Hippoc. Chymic. chap. 18.

Now that Vinegar or Spirit of Vitriol, poured on Cop∣per,* and re-distilled, do return Acid; but from the Al∣caly of Tartar, Insipid and Aqueous, the reason is, be∣cause Alcaly being a Vacuum, saturated it self with Acid Salt which dwelt in the Aqueous Liquor; whence the Acid Salt converts and transmutes the Alcaly into its own na∣ture. But Copper is not a Vacuum, for the Acid, or Form of Copper doth overcome its Alcaly, and there∣fore it doth not absorb Acid Salts; and though they act, and are busie about It, and do erode its body; yet they can make no impression of any of their Form or Vertues, nor can they destroy It, because Copper hath obtained a
Page 47
constant Soul from Nature, or to speak in Plautus's Phrase it hath Acid in its breast.

Again,* They demand why Vinegar is re-distilled from Copper, even as it was poured on, but from Lead Insi∣pid? Although I am almost ashamed to handle This, or the like Childish Question, yet being moved with com∣miseration towards those unskilful and sluggish Doctors, hoping that this my present answer may be for their fu∣ture amendment, I shall willingly repeat my former an∣swer; I told you that Copper hath a prevailing Acid, whence it is that it resists not only Vinegar, and the Coun∣terfeit Spirit of Venus, but also all Acid Minerals; but Lead hath obtained but a very little particle of It by Nature, and therefore it imbibes every Acid, in hopes of Perfecti∣on (that I may so speak) as I have shewed in Alcalyes. This is the cause why Lead is similitudinarily called by Philosophers, The first matter of Metals, or the Alcaly of Metals, in respect of other Metals, which are more or less richer in Acid. Gold is most Acid, and therefore most perfect, as I have shewed in the 2. Chapter. See how easily I have extricated my self out of these great Difficul∣ties!

Some of Ours may wonder why I spend time in a mat∣ter so plain, for Basilius Valentinus an Age ago hath taught us how to prepare this Vinegar out of Aerugo, in juventure, and he called it not by the name of Spirit of Venus,* but Vinegar (for he knew well (so do not the Deans and their Fellows) that it was established by the decree of the Su∣pream Creator, That the more excellent Nature, should not degenerate into the worser) which is proved by the remaining Faex or Caput Mortuum left in the Retort, af∣ter the distillation of this Vinegar, which, with Borax, by an easie Fusion returns into Copper; an evident Argument That Copper lost none of its Substance, or excellent Ver∣tue (as they say:) See more in my Hppocrates Chymicus, chap. 29.

For conclusion of this Chapter, I repeat, That what∣soever the World hath, is begot, preserved, and multi∣plied by the Acid Spirit, either Occult or Manifest, to which it owes its All; And That the Soul dwells in the
Page 48
Acid, and is inseparably bound to it; and that the Body, or Alcaly, is informed according to the property of the Acid Spirit. If therefore Nature be alike in every thing, and Art doth imitate Nature, as Pythagoras, Hippocrates, and Experience teach, it must needs follow, That when the Acid Spirit of Vinegar, distilled from Verdigrease, hath corroded Corals, and hath been absorbed by Them, and coagulated with them, then the Corals will be endued with the properties and conditions of Vinegar; not that the in∣nate Acid, or Form of Corals doth perish, but only is suppressed by a more powerful Acid, as I have shewed be∣fore in the Magistery. If therefore your celebrated Spi∣rit of Venus, lawfully and duly (as they say) exhibited (though they never yet shewed the way) helps Hip∣pochondriacal, Epileptical, and Hysterical Distempers, &c. the Magistery of Corals (which with a proud and swoln breast, they call Our Soluble Magistery) made with Spi∣rit of Venus, must needs perform much greater things? if otherwise, the Spirit must animate the Body, to whom it is joyned; as I have hitherto clearly and experimen∣tally shewn, and shall hereafter shew.

But as their Spirit of Venus lawfully and duly administred, is the best to season a Vinegar Vessel, so also it hath, and will always retain the nature of Wine-Vinegar, till it become like Alcahest.

But our Master Deans, with the rest of their Colledg-Company, out of the treasure of their Liberality, have lately discovered to us a great Secret, which had lain hid to this very day;*viz. That their Counterfeit Spirit of Venus helps the Tooth-ach: neither could we learn it out of Dioscorides his History of Vinegar, unless it had been discovered to the World in a Dream, or by hidden Re∣velation: But as Vinegar doth dissolve Corals, so it scours off, and takes away the hardned Mucus or Filth about the Teeth, that the Gums may be again united to the Teeth; for sound and sharp-pointed Gums admit not Pain, but when they are forced to recede by Filth, and the Teeth are never so little denudated or bared, pre∣sently upon the solution of a continuum, the Blood sours, putrefies, and is coagulated there into an hard Faex (which
Page 49
some, but improperly, call Tartar) which Faex, when it is abraded or taken off with Vinegar, or Spirit of Salt, or else with an Instrument of Iron, presently the Teeth find relief.

And thus you have, O ye sincere lovers of Truth, the entire Tragoedy, the Rise and Overthrow of this Cele∣brated Spirit of Venus, which, with all its Eximious Ver∣tues, cannot cure the slothfulness of these Approvers and Subscribers; so that it happens to them, as to those mens Children, who hire other mens Farms; for They seeing their Fathers (they themselves being yet but Children) gathering in the fruits, and commanding the labourers, do presently conclude the soil is theirs, and so are very Jocund: but when they grow up, and understand that there was nothing Theirs, but the labour of Tilling the Ground, then their Mirth is turned into Sorrow. Even such are these men, and as we read in Sendivogius, what∣soever the Alchymist would have out of Sulphur, it ended in a snuff, the same happens to these Deans with the other Approvers; Whatsoever Eximious Vertues they would have from Copper, 'tis still naught but Vinegar.

CHAP. VII. That no Matter can be so destroyed, but It will remain under some Form or other.
I Shewed in the fore-going Chapter, that Acids do draw Alcalyes to their own properties, and that Both are changed into Salts. But those which are not fully Alca∣lyes, when a noble Acid supervenes upon them, their in∣ternal Acid is indeed abated, but not so wasted or de∣stroyed, that any other new thing can be Regenerated out of it.

I will now proceed to prove by the following Argu∣ment, and that Mechanically, That all Alcalyes do, after a sort, retain of the Form, with which the Mixta were saturated, before they were reduced by Fire, into Al∣caly;
Page 50
of which see Hippoc. Chymic. Dissolve half an ounce of Sublimate Mercury, in fifty ounces of Common Water, distilled, or at least a drachm of Sublimate in twelve ounces of Water. Into a part of this clear Solution, in∣still by drops, but with a quick infusion, fixed Alcaly of Tartar in the form of Liquor, or (as they call it) Oyl of Tartar per deliquium; which in a moment separates and absorbs the Acidity, for the greatest part, from the Mercury, and the Mercury falls into the bottom of the Vessel, in the form of Powder obscurely Red. This Ope∣ration is called by Apothecaries, and their Operators, and by all Lovers of Physick, Precipitation; which name I shall also retain and use.

Out of the Faeces of distilled Vinegar, burnt into Ashes, Alcaly of Tartar is elicited by water, and though It be produced out of the same Vine with Wine, yet it Preci∣pitates Mercury, dissolved as before, sparkling and splen∣dent.

But when the same Alcaly is calcined to Redness with a moist fire, then the same Mercury falls like pounded Cinnabar.

To the Tartar being burnt, if you superadd the Calx, and extract the Alcaly with Simple Water, the Mercury is Precipitated Rutilant. Calx of it self, doth not Preci∣pitate Mercury so dissolved, since it is Salt from Acid and Alcaly; and they who against Experience do deny the saltness of Calx, are to be reckoned in the number of Fools. But if the Liquor of Mercury afore-spoken of, into which a piece of Calx hath been injected, be suffered to rest for some hours, so long until the Acid, which contains the dissolved Mercury, can suppress That in the Calx, then indeed Mercury is forced to fall by little and little, and to stick round about the Calx, like Minium; a de∣lightful spectacle to Curious Eyes.

Alcaly extracted from the Herb Kaly, being incine∣rated, doth Precipitate Mercury much more obscure than the former.

The Lixivium, which Sope-Masters call Magistra, which consists of Calx and artificial Alcaly, yields Mer∣cury darkly Yellow.

Page 51
Out of Spain there is brought an Alcaly (whether Sim∣ple, or Compound, is uncertain?) yet it Precipitates Mercury of a Tauney colour: These Examples concern∣ing Fixed Alcalyes (for Sope, and Glass) which do ad∣mit Reverberation in Ashes neither do easily perish from an acute Flame, may suffice; I will add certain Alcalyes in Physick, which do not bear sharp reverberation in Ashes, unless they be mixed with the former; And These are made of the Herbs called Cephalickes, as of Rosemary, La∣vender, Rue, &c. all Hot, and of a Grateful Smell. I say, all these are indeed Alcalyes, but not fusible in Ashes, for they easily fly away, and are therefore Medicinal. All these, be they never so many, do cast Mercury so dissol∣ved into a Reddish shining Powder.

So also Celandine affords Alcaly, or Precipitates Mer∣cury most red, so that John Isack Holland doth not unskil∣fully, but excellently and learnedly speak, He that knows not Salts, will never perform any thing in Art.

All the foresaid Alcalyes, as well those burnt by a sharp Flame for Sope and Nitre, as the Medicinal ones, from Ce∣phalick Herbs, do Precipitate Mercury so dissolved (as I have said) of a different colour, a manifest Argument, that their Form is not totally consumed by the Fire, but that they preserve some properties of their Simples, from whence they were extracted; as Geber says, Salt retains the property of that thing, from whence it had its Original: To which the Experience, which I have shewn, bears witness.

Heretosore I was of opinion, that the difference of Co∣lours in Sublimate Mercury, dissolved as before, and Pre∣cipitated by Alcalyes, did proceed from the Fire, acting more or less upon the Alcaly, but at length, by frequent Experience, I have found my mistake; for day to day, and night to night sheweth Knowledge we are not all born Masters, nor can we all be Lullies; but Age, frequent Use, and Experience do manifest the Truth. I have ob∣served that Hippocrates, and Galen also, being better in∣formed, did Conrect, their Errors; so that it is no shame for me, a slow witted Person, to amend the mistakes committed in my youth especially, seeing had not Fore∣runners,
Page 52
from whom I might excerp any thing, as they have, who seek for Glory in gathering together Receipts; niether had I any other guide, save the fountain of all Vertue: so that I have bolted out the Truth (by immense Medi∣tation and Labour, and not a little Expence) from the fountain of Nature, by my own Industry: Wherefore to demonstrate the constancy of Forms, be it known to you, That I can find no better nor shorter way, than that which I have shewed by the alterations of Mercury, upon the affusion of Alcalyes. For when I endeavour to declare the Forms, with the same labour, the Precipita∣tion of Mercury doth voluntarily offer and discover it self; which yet running, being dissolved in Aqua Fortis, up∣on the affusion of Alcaly of Tartar, is precipitated into a colour obscurely Yellow.

All the aforesaid Precipitated Powders of Mercury, are of a Caustick and Corrosive Property, because the Mer∣cury assumes the nature of that thing with which it is first mixed; and the Caustickness is not wasted off by any Artifice, but by fire alone, as Hippocrates Chymicus shews.

In like manner, Mercury dissolved in Aqua Fortis, and evaporated to Siccity, the Fire being encreased, that the bottom of the Vessel may be Red-hot, is made a most Red sparkling Powder, and is called in Physick, the Precipitate of Vigoe, because Johana de Vigoe, a Chyrur∣geen of great Fame, was the Inventor of it; on which Red and sparkling Powder,* if you pour Alcaly of Tartar, and leave it for an hour, in a warm place, the whole Powder will become obscurely Yellow, because the Al∣caly hath in part absorbed the Caustick Acid left by the Aqua Fortis.

The Vertue of this red and sparkling Precipitate, is strong∣ly, and almost without any biting Pain, to absume and cat up the thicker Sordes of Ʋlcers, Callous, proud Flesh, Imposthumations in the Fundament, and other like Ex∣crescencies. Yea, it cures all Sordid, Putrid, Mattery, Callous Shingles, sometimes alone, sometime mixed in Plaisters, or Unguents, as necessity requires.

The same Johannes de Vigoe, made a Plainster of Quick-Mercury
Page 53
with many other Anodine Ingredients, to miti∣gate the Pains of the Joynts, arising from an inveterate Lues Venera, with happy success; which to this day retains the Author's Name, and is called, Vigo's Emplaister of Froggs with Mercury.

So that Johannes de Vigo hath delivered to us, Two Medicaments made of Common Quick-Mercury, one Escarotick and Deterging, the other Anodine and A∣swaging Pains. He, and with him the whole Senate of Chyrurgeons, intimating thereby, That Anodines are whol∣ly contrary to Escaroticks, yet nevertheless, out of Am∣bition, Ignorance, or both, They pervert the Text and Meaning of this worthy Man, proving themselves Fal∣saries in the Law against Him (whose Defence I now take upon me) and they do moreover deride him for Teaching, that the Mercury is to be quenched with Oyl of Bayes according to Art, and with Spittle; but as out of gross Ignorance, leavened with Insincerity of mind, they have mutilated and defamed my Hippocrates Chymi∣cus; so also they have suborned a Sense quite contrary to the intention of the Author;* for He boiles this love∣ly Couply, live Mercury dissolved in Aqua Fortis with Vipers Grease and Oyl, till the Aqueous moisture he spent; affirming and giving out, that in boiling, this Caustick is dulcified and made sweet, which is contrary both to Expe∣ence and the manifest Truth.

Now if you desire to have it sweet, 'tis enough to ex∣tinguish it with Oyl and Spittle, according to the An∣thor's Meaning; or else take sweet Mercury, as it s sold in Apothecaries shops, for neither of them are touched by Alcalyes, because they have nothing of acuteness in them, as I shall anon Mechanically shew.

I shewed a little before, That Quick-silver, or Live Mercury (call it as you please) dissolved in Aqua Fortis, and precipitated with Alcaly of Tartar, doth fall in an obscurely Yellow colour, the Alcaly for the most part absorbing from it the Acid Caustick impressed on it by the Aqua Fortis. But in This Plaister, the Mercury dis∣solved in Aqua Fortis, is seethed with Axungia of Vipers, to the consumption of the Aqueous Humid, and the Mass
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becomes of a Grey colour; upon which Mass if you pour Alcaly of Tartar, in the space of half an hour, you shall see the Alcaly penetrating the Fat, to consume the Acid Corrosive left by the Aqua Fortis; and so the Mer∣cury to be obscurely Yellow, after the same manner, as it happens in Mercury, and simply dissolved in Aqua Fortis Precipitated according to Vigo's mind. And therefore Mercury so dissolved, and boiled with Axungia, becomes not sweet at all, as the foolish Doctors falsly say, but it remains corrosive, even by their own confession; for they affirm, That Mercury dissolved in Aqua Fortis, by boyl∣ing in Axungia, becomes sweet; yet afterwards they con∣fess, that Imposthumations, Putrid Flesh, and the like, are consumed by it; which two Assertions are diametrically contrary one to another: This is that which made Hip∣pocrates to break forth into a smiling laughter, and to say, They know not what they do. From their Fruits there∣fore, and Works, you shall know them (i. e.) the Works of Fire prove true Fire, and Mercury consuming Impo∣stumes is true Precipitate, because it performes the Ope∣rations of Mercury Precipitate, as I have shewed by their own Confession, and also by the affusion of Alcaly; for they are both obscurely Yellow, as well the Red Preci∣pitate of Vigo, as This boiled with Grease or Axungia.

Truly the condition of Mortals is to be lamented, whilest Physick, which is the Noblest and Famouselst of all Sciences, in our days, is suffered to be directed by Stupid Ignorants, and for this reason it is justly proclaimed the meanest of all Arts.

Do not our Ancestors, those shining Lights of Learn∣ing, teach us, That Terrestrial Mercury is as the Coe∣lestial? And those things which are in the Superior, are also in the Inferior World? And to what Planet Mercury is joyned (i. e.) to what Vertue it is united, it takes upon it the nature of the same, since it is pregnant with the seeds of all things.

Johannes de Vigo did consider Terrestrial Mercury, as Caustick,* whence by the advice of his Predecessors, he joyned It with an Earthly Planet, whose Vertue was Fiery and Caustick; it embraced the nature of This, and
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became Caustick, according to the Doctrine of the An∣cients, and is called the Precipitate Mercury of Vigo.

The same Vigo wanted a Terrestrial Anodine of Mercury, whence also, following the fame Doctrine of the Anci∣ents, he joyned it with Anodine things, viz. Greases, or Suets, Cyles, Froggs, whose nature it assumed, and be∣came Anodine.

So that Mercury takes the form of That, by which it is dissolved, and it is mingled with it, as I have shewed clearly enough, concerning the Alcalyes of Vegetables He that hath Ears to hear, let him hear.

Hence it appears, That the Inventor of the Precipitate, and also of the Anodyne Plainster (whether it were Vigo, or any one else, it is not my part to enquire in this place) was not only a Man of Experience, but an Understan∣der also of the Causes of Things, and consequently a Wise Man; So that it is a piece of frivolous and absurd Ignorance, and Fanatick Dotage, to go about to reform actions of knowing Persons: Out of my pitty to such Undertakers, I shall do them the best service to bury this their insipid Discourse, in perpetual silence, lest they should be exposed to the laughter and derision of Fresh∣Water Apothecaries, yea of the Vulgar it self: I wish they would learn hereafter, what they know not, before they babble forth their Scurrilities against the Truth, and the Ancient Hippocratical Doctrine of Physick. At this game I confess you are superior to me, for you know how to paint and set forth the fooleries of men, so neatly, that in this art I must needs lay down the Bucklers. But that your disease may not be Chronical, pray have a care how you often vomit out such things?

Moreover Mercury Precipitate, now made Caustick by the Aqua Fortis, for consuming Putrid Flesh, as all Skil∣ful Chyrurgeens acknowledge, may be mixed, as Exigency requires, with any Oyntment. To what purpose then is this Anodine composition with Precipitate? especially in Countries where Vipers grease is sold dearer than Gold? whence this Grease is not only mixed with the Precipitate against the intent of the Inventor, but moreover is odi∣ous and troublesome to Apothecaries (especially since
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Hogs-grease will do as well with precipitate) as also un∣profitable to the Sick.

You have now heard, O ye Truth-respecting hearers, on what ground this Plaister of Froggs, with Mercury, hath been reformed. It is your part, to judge whether that ingenious Person, John de Vigo, deserves to be con∣tumeliously Reproached for this? And, whether That barren, insipid, and truthless Doctrine be to be suffer∣ed, which Rails against both the order of Nature, and also the wise institutions of our Ancestors? by which, hopeful Youth in tender years being seasoned, the Poyson of Ignorance and Unskilfulness grows up with them, and so the wound becomes Incurable. But these things, were not of so great moment, if the Health of Man were not endangered thereby; for they prescribe to the Sick, Simple water for Cordial, Vinegar for an Epi∣leptick Remedy, Causticks for Anodines; Poyson of Cop∣per for a wholsome Medicine. Sick and weak Persons can hope for no Cure from such men, but only a foolish profusion of their money, and at length the loss of their lives to boot: Let them then avaunt, and be packing to the farthest Garamantes, with their Spirit of Venus, and their Gounterfeit receits; Let them not trouble the Civil World; Let them there weep, like Women, since here they have not acquitted themselves like Men.

Order now requires,* that I should shew what Mercury Sublimated is? since I have laid That down, as an Instru∣ment in the examen of of Alcalyes? How It is Prepared, Hippoc. Chym. shews chap. 29. Where observe, that Vi∣triol Rubefied, or Calcined to Redness, is not added, to encrease the weight of the Mercury (as these magnifick Masters with their Partizans, do suppose) for then it would not be calcined to the highest Red, but to White∣ness only, as is done in the distillation of Vitriol, whose Caput Mortuum, left after distillation of the Spirit, is most fit for this purpose; and therefore-we need not its Spirit to add weight to the Mercury) but it is added, that the Sulphureous Nitre might apprehend the Sulphur of the immature Metal, lying hid in the Rubefied Vitri∣ol; as I have shewed before; and so by their joynt-forces
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they may dissolve the Mercury. This is the reason why Rubefied Vitriol is required. But the quantity is Qua∣druple in respect of the Salts, because These are of easie fusion in the Fire, from the which by Rubefied Vitriol, they are preserved: see more in Hippoc, Chymic, in the fore-cited chapter.

The same Mercury once sublimated, needs not again be re-sublimated with new Powders, as the unskilful Ap∣provers think, because it doth not put off or depose the Acid Spirits once absorbed, so as to stand in need to re∣assume the same from new Powders: and suppose that it were sublimated an hundred times with new Powder, yet it would never become purer, as they falsly affirm; the reason is, because this way the External Sulphur is not separated, neither doth Suscipere magis velminus, al∣though (Legitimately, as they fay) a thousand, yea an hundred thousand times it be resublimated; And the word Legitimately in this place, doth discover their gross igno∣rance, and stands for no other use, but to be nausceous to the understandings of Wife-Men; but it receives as much as is enough for its saturation, as they know well, who have sometimes dissolved Mercury in Aqua Fortis; which if it be not sufficiently Powerful, the Gram of Mercury remains untouched and quick, because it could not imbibe That which was not; and on the other side, the water could not dissolve it, because it wanted Acid Salt. Truly this word (Legitimate) with this (purer Mercury) and the rest of their false Receits may well e∣nough be discarded and abandoned even by the Puniest Apothecaries,* But when sublimate Mercury is freed from the Acid Spirits by Vegetable Alcaly, and is fetched back quite from the Retort, then indeed it may be mixed with new Powders, and again sublimated; which way the Deans with their fellows are yet ignorant of: yet neverthe∣less it would not become more pure and splendant, because in its first sublimation it neglected all that, which was not of its own nature in the Faeces and Caput Mortuum: but it would come over and return in less quantity, because it would return to Elements by frequent sublimation and revivification, as I have shewed above concerning Alcaly
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of Tartar, concerning Spirit of Vitriol, and concerning Vinegar: see Hippoc. Chym. chap. 10.

This foresaid mixture of Mercury with Rubefied Vitriol, Nitre, and Salt, if you sublime it, not by little and little, but in great haste, and more than is fit, the Mercury will concrete, in the top of the Caput Mortuum, into lucid and great Chrystals, like Nitre, and not inferior to a Dia∣mond in lustre, which these Babblers vaunt for a great Secret, and affirm it to be The purest Mercury. For whom the speech of Mercury in Sendivogius may well be applied, That 'tis natural for him to laugh at fools; which Disease, as Cardan says, they may easily Cure without a Cudgel, by eating Hens brains, the Testicles of Doves and Tor∣toises, and by drinking a little White-wine Vinegar every day: If Cardan had had any knowledge of this child of Venus (newly born to these Obstreperous Doctors) per∣haps he would have preferred it before Vinegar, since duly exhibited, it cures Epileptick and Melancholy persons, wit∣ness the Physical Doctors of the Austrian and Norimberg Colledge. In the interim let their humours be purged with black Hellebore, would all Anticyra had enough of it; Let them drink Capon-broth, and smell to the flowers of Nymphaea, which, with their grateful smell do mighti∣ly chear nhe spirits of the Heart; and engrave Aristotle in a Topaze, walking Tempe. Hitherto Cardan, to which I add, that unless these overwise Doctors, with their fel∣lows had approved and owned this child of Venus; the simplest man alive would never have believed there was ever any such thing. But so, I communicate to you, this great Artifice gratis.

To conclude therefore, I affirm, that neither Mercury sublimated, or precipitated, ill handled with Vipers∣grease, and mortified in Aqua Fortis, and also mixed with Alcalyes, and Revivificated with a naked fire out of a Re∣tort, and by consequence, weak and frail, as Alcalyes, nor no other Matter, can be so destroyed, but it will still shew something of its Form.

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CHAP. VIII. That Acid doth both Destroy and Perfect, and that the Fire, the Sun, and Acid have the same Vertues and Powers.
I Have shewed in the beginning, Chap. 2d. both by Authority and Experience, That Nature ••th endued Seeds with the least part of Acidity, because of them∣selves they receive Increase, and are multiplied; as ap∣pears manifestly in a grain of Corn, the quantity of whose natural Acid, is computed to be the 8200. part, in re∣spect of its Body, as the Sages of Natures Mysteries teach us: But if it be macerated with any mollifying Humour, with the addition of a convenient Heat, the innace spark of its Acid, is excited, which doth so di∣stend and enlarge it self, that it seems evidently to be moved out of its place, and by this Expansive Motion it doth compress and overcome its Sister, whom it loves, (i. e.) as well the Alcaly of its own body, as That which it drew from the Water, and turns It into its own Nature) that is, into Acid: I call this motion, as both the Vulgar and Philosophers do, Fermentation; so out of Barley, which according to Hippocrates, is of a cold na∣ture, there is made not only a temperate, but an in∣ebriating Drink, called Ale, or Beer; out of which, by the Art of Distillation, there is elicited Aqua Ardens (which, before Fermentation, was not in the Barley) no∣thing inferior to Spirit of Wine, yea though it be inflamable, as Hippoc. Chymic. shews chap. 18. but the innate Acid is multiplied, either of its own accord, or by Art, viz. by the addition of its like Acid, which by reason of its si∣militude is easily admitted (like being pleased with like) and which, by a common name we call Ferment; but if we would excite that small portion of Acid, innate in the
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Grain, by an Acid, not of the same nature but having a mineral Soul; as for Example, by the Acid of Vi∣triol, Nitre, Salt, or the like, then the more generous and Potent would surpass the weaker, and would choake it, which not enduring the yoke of Tyranny, would be quite destroyed and converted into nothing.

So a Pearl possesses, in respect of its body, the 8200. part of innate most precious Acid, upon which, if there supervene a more powerful Acid, taken from another fa∣mily, vsz. from Vinegar distilled from Aerugo (which they ridiculously call a Secret Menstruum) and doth ex∣ercise Tyranny over it, The Rector in the Pearl is sup∣pressed, and that clear and precious light, the Child of the Sun, is slain, which would willingly have relieved the Vital Lumen of the Sick, unless it had been unjustly subjugated by the Vinegar from Verdigrease, that is, the false Spirit of Venus. Pearl therefore, so dissolved, can do no good, unless the weak Stomach of the Patient can subdue and conquer that Acid Salt (as I have before shewed in magistery of Corals) left there by the Vinegar. For as Vinegar distilled from Verdigrease, doth rule over, and subdue the vital light of Pearls, 'tis so in Diseases, viz. The Vital light is suppressed by the more Potent Morbous Acid (as Hippocrates says, De veteri Medicina) which if it be imbibed, as the Acid by the Alcaly, or if it be diluted and separated from the affected place, the Vital light soon recovers: see Hippoc. Chymic. chap. 21. Hence arose that Famous saying, which is no less true in Philosophy, than in Divinity; The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom; which is as much as to say, Do thou not destroy Acids by Acids, against the command of the most High, but sweetly and lovingly cherish them, so shalt thou be Wise, as saith our Lord himself; a grain of Corn falling upon loose and spongy earth (not upon that which is hard bound, which depresses even the innate light (and therefore must be plowed and turned up) is there dissolved and loseth its exterior shape, yet its innate light suffers not, but in its own time produceth fruits like it self; neither is it dissipated, because the Suns Child doth extend it self in spongy earth, and embraces its Sister
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Alcaly, which it loves, which being impregnated, attracts Nourishment from That, of which both of them do con∣sist, and so both of them together produce fruits like them∣selves. This natural Operation and Process is the fear of the Lord and the beginning of Wisdom.

But when a grain of Corn is cast into Fire (i. e.) into a more powerful Acid, not agreeable to its own Nature, but taken from another family, or into Sulphurous earth, or into Counterfeit Spirit of Venus; then is there commit∣ted a sin of Disobedience against the command of God; and the Grain, as well in Matter as Form, is corrupted, dissipated, and made unprofitable both for Generation and Fermentation; as I have before shewed in Pearl dissolved in Vinegar: so the fear of God, is not regarded, and in∣stead of the beginning of Wisdom, there grows up the be∣ginning of Folly; where we may observe,* that as the A∣cid innate in the Grain, doth act by Fermentation, and multiply it self, either in vertue or number; so also Fire, which is Acid, inflamed, doth act as ferment; and never gives over, till it finds something on which it might act, after the manner of ferment, or might make it like, or equal to it self.

So that whatsoever is dissolved in an Acid, out of its own family, or more powerful than its innate Acid, pre∣sently its weak Acid is suppress'd, and being dissolved, it must needs take upon it the nature of the Dissolvent; for the Acid in dissolving, is coagulated and imbibed by the innate Alcaly of the Thing, and the weight of the same Thing is encreased by the dissolvent Acid; as I have shew∣ed above concerning the counterfeit Child of Venus, act∣ing upon Corals; and in my Hippoc. Chymicus, concern∣ing Sublimate Mercury. I say, they all encrease in weight from the External Acid, which to the utmost of its pow∣er doth suppress and kill the Internal; and that not on∣ly in the Via humida, as I have shewed, but in the Sicca, fiery, and burning way. An Example whereof may be seen in the following Experiment.

Lead, to the weight of 100 Drachms,* being burnt in a reverberatory flame of dry Wood into Powder, which is very Red (for the weak Acid of the Lead is suppressed
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by the imperious Acid kindled Flame) and it loses the name of Lead, and the Figure too, and again puts on a fiery Colour, and is called from its shining Redness, by means of the mastering Acid, Minjum. Weigh this in a ballance, and you shall find the Minium encreased ren drachms from the kindled Flame; for as in the moist way, Corals dissolved in salse Spirit of Venus, and coagu∣lated, do receive an augmentation; so also Lead, in the dry and fi•ry way, is encreased and augmented from the Acid in the flame; Hippic. Chymic. chap. 26. For there is the same reason in both, which, the Deans with their Fellows cannot comprehend; and that makes them cry out, That the encrease of ten drachms in the Mini∣um, doth not proceed from the Acid out of the kindled flame, but from the Air. What do your Doctorships say? From the Air! whether will ye go? strait to Anticyra, I advise you, with the company going before you for your Cure. For Philosophers say, that Air is Natures Sieve, through which Vertues and Influences are trans∣mitted, and that it is impatient of a Vacuum, no ways condensable of it self, but an immortal and most subtil Fume, kindled from the heavenly Fire, &c. I have shewed before, that in It, the Sun's Child doth inhabit, which, assumes not a Body, unless with his beloved Si∣ster; The authority and experience both of the Old, and also the Modern true Philosophers bear witness hereun∣to: So that the Air being most subtil and incondensible of it self, can add no weight to the Minium.

The Air it self, is neither light nor heavy, neither is it compressed of its own accord, but by some force, in the barrel of a Gun, from which it again breaks out by force: we see the same thing in that Glassy Organ, which is called a Weather-glass, the Air indeed is compressed in it, by Cold, but is again rarefied and dilated by Heat. If therefore the Air, in a cold season, did add weight to the Minium, it would make it lighter in an hot: But Mi∣nium weighs alike in all Seasons; so that it is not the Air that gives weight to the Minium.

But supposing, though not granting, that the Child of the Sun, dwelling in the Air, did assume a body in
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the Minium; yet this would not be, but in some years space; as I have shewed in the Matrix of Nitre and Mines of Vitriol. But Minium, newly drawn out from the Fur∣nace and as yet hot, weighs as much as it will do some years after; so that the Child of the Sun, neither hath a∣ny Tabernacle in the Minium, nor gives any weight to it.

The Air being impatient of a Vacuum, as I have shewed by the authority of Philosophers, is always filled with an Aqueous Humour, which in the cold presently con∣cretes to Water. Take a familiar houshold example, when we drink cold things in the hot Summer-time, out of a Glass, as soon as the Glass is filled with the cold Li∣quor, presently it is troubled, because the Aqueous Va∣por, dispersed through the Air, is condensed by the Cold, and sticks there, in so great quantity, that some∣times drops do fall down: Here they wonderfully lift up their Crests, and cry aloud rejoycingly, Now you are catched; This is that Aqueous Vapor, which is attracted by the Mi∣nium out of the Air, and adds the weight to it; but soft and fair, Your Aqueous Vapor doth concrete in Cold, and again rarefy in hot Weather, which your ridiculous and childish Experiment proves, viz. The Caput Mortuum of Vitriol (i. e. the Faex of Vitriol; out of which the Spirits by one single distillation, have been drawn) being exposed to the Air, is again saturated with Spirit of Vitriol; which, if it be distilled, doth again yiold Spirit.

Lo, O Curious and Truth-loving Reader, This is their Proof (that as the Caput Mortuum of Vitriol is again satia∣ted with Spirit in the Air; so also Minium drawn from the Furnace, is saturated out of the Air with weight.) which is both Childish and Ridiculous; and, as I have shewed all the rest to be false, and ill understood, so I shall like∣wise demonstrate This to be most false, and least of all understood by the whole Colledge of Guessers.

For if Vitriol have once undergone the tyranny of a quick Fire, the Child of the Sun acts no more upon it, than it doth on an Egg boiled, for the hatching of the Chick: Now burnt Vitriol doth attract from the Air by reason of its driness, because it is without moisture, not the Acid
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Spirit of Vitriol, but an Aqueous Vapor; which, when the Vitriol grows hot, either by the Sun, or by Fire, a∣gain flies into Air, as it is the property of all Water. For if that Caput Mortuum could again re-assume the na∣ture of Vitriol in the Air, that Famous Distiller of Spirit of Vitriol at Amsterdam, who furnishes not only near the third part of Europe, but also all Ships, and both the Indies therewith, yearly expending many thousands of pounds upon it; if it being once Distilled and Exposed to the Air, would again become Vitriol, he would have luck in a Bag, as we say: but as it is false, that the Caput Mortuum of Vitriol returns to Vitriol, so it is also an untruth, that the Aqueous Vapor adds weight to the Mi∣um; which I prove by this Experiment.

Take at least an Ounce of Minium, such as is common∣ly sold, and in a Glazed Earthen Vessel, large and low, put it for a Night in a Bakers hot Oven, or else expose it to the Noon-day Sun; whose heat as it doth exiccate not only the Humid Minium, but also dries up Marishes, Lakes, and Rivers; so in like manner it would expel the Humidity of the Air, if there were any in the Minium: but the same weight of Minium which was put in, is also drawn forth from the Oven, or heat of the Sun; so that That which gives weight to the Minium, is not the Child of the Sun, nor the Air, nor Water; therefore, against the absurd prateing of the Deans and Approvers, it must needs be the Acidity in the kindled Flame, which, as the false Spirit of Venus exer∣cising tyranny over the Debile Acid in the Medulla of Pearls, or in Coral, adds weight to Them, so also the Acid kindled in the Flame, which by its tyrannical power and force doth keep down and suppress the Debile Acid in the Lead, is fixed into Alcaly, rules over it, and gives weight to it; Hippoc. Chymic. Chap. 26.

We may learn from hence, that if the Reader (who∣soever he be, enquiring after the truth, in those infinite doubts, which in long Art do daily occur) should have recourse to these Denns and their Associates, what profit could he get thereby? Surely none, which plainly appears, by that counterfeit and lamentable piece of Science, which they had forth to the whole World; for they call Simple
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Water Volatile Salt of Tartar, and moreover judge it an in∣comparable Cordial. Besides, with what pompous and swel∣ling Words, do they shamelesly adorn it? and commend it to their poor Neighbours, and to the Sick? as I have shewed above in the Chapter of the Difference of Salts, in their own Words there quoted: They say also, That Vinegar Distilled is the Son of Venus, that Acid is not in Graines of Kermes, that Gold is not Fixed and Constant in the Fire; that Mercury corroded with Caustick Water is made sweet by boil∣ing with Vipers Grease; that Minium acquires weight from the Air; and infinite other absurdities, which I shall anon discover. Fye for shame, defile not Youth, with these fooleries and falsities: Dispute not de Lana Caprina, and after the dispute ended, you silence your Opponents in a matter of no value, and gain nothing but an em∣pty puff of breath: And then in your silence, Truth, as the Philosopher says, though unsought for, will come to light, if she may. But, leaving these Jejune Interpre∣ters of Physick, who proceed to the Practick Part, as the Ass to his fodder, not knowing to what he lays his Lips; I shall go on to prove, that there is Acid in Fire, by This, no less Noble, than profitable and pleasant Example.

I shewed before, That the Salts of Vegetables do pre∣serve their forms untouched from Common Fire, and that they illude the violence thereof, either more or less: And if such a power be in Vegetables, must not the Mineral family attain a degree thereof, more or less perfect? To make this out, Let Flint be the Example,* which is most constant in the Fire, and Corals (the Red are always to be chosen) less constant: A Flint (the White is to be chosen) is corroded by no Acid Liquor, no not by Aqua Fortis it self; because it hath obtained a Tem∣perament equal to its Nature (i. e.) it hath got so much Acid, as in a just Ballance can satisfie and saturate its Alcaly; for if never so little Alcaly did superabound, the Exter∣nal Acid would find an easie ingress; so that a Flint can be dissolved by no Acid, no not by the false Son of Venus, in regard of the equal and perfect mixture of the Acid and Alcaly.

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But Corals, not being enriched by Nature, with so much Acid, as can saturate their own proper Alcaly, are therefore less Constant; whence it come to pass, that if you pour any manifest Acid on Them, presently it corrodes them; and such a quanty of the Acid is im∣bibed by them, till it be brought to an Aequilibrium with the Alcaly, and thereupon the dissolved Corals be en∣creased in weight, as I have shewed before in Magistery prepared the common way.

A Flint burnt in the Fire, as it receives not Acid and Humid Liquors, so it is neither encreased nor lessened in its weight from the Acid Flame of the Fire, be∣cause Acid, which may avolate, doth not superabound in it; nor is the Alcaly thirsty, which might imbibe the Acid Salt of the Corals, or Aqua Fortis, 'tis only the Nutritive Glew which dies; which in Pearls and Crabs Eyes (as I have shewed) is like to thin Pellicles or Co∣verings, which are not dissolved by the false Spirit of Venus, because they are Pinguous. But Corals duly burnt, (in the Flame either of Coals or Wood) do en∣crease in weight, because there is an overplus of the thirsty Alcaly in them, which could not be saturated by their proper Acid: hence it is, that they easily ad∣mit the External, either humid or kindled in Flame, and so far, by means of the received Acid, they encrease in weight; as I have shewed before in Magistery.

Flint burnt in Fire, till it chop and gape, becomes Cau∣stick, and turns living or dead Flesh into rottenness.

But Corals in like manner burnt or calcined in the Fire, till they chop, do not affect either living Flesh or dead, because they become a Powder almost insipid.

Flint burnt, until the Glew (i. e.) the Aliment dies, is called Calx or Lime,* which, being yet fresh, grows hot with Water poured on it, and its Acid Acts upon its powerful and proper Alcaly; and they are both turned into a stony or petrous substance, which coagulates with it, whatsoever it layes hold off.

Corals duly burnt for six days and nights,* till the Ali∣ment die in a flame of Wood, or Coals, do increase in weight; they grow not hot upon the affusion of Wa∣ter,
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because they have not so much Acid, as will suf∣fice for a mutual Action or Combate, neither is it coa∣gulated into a stony substance.

Out of Flint, Calcined with Vegetable Alcaly, is ex∣tracted a Lixivium, which boiled with Suet or Fat, be∣comes Sope.

If Alcaly of Vegetables be added to Calcined Corals, The Alcaly extracts from them the Acid drawn from the Flame, and the Corals fall into a White Insipid Powder. Pour Distilled Vinegar on Calcined Flint, and the Vi∣negar dissolves its Alcaly with bubbles and hissing.

But if you pour the same Vinegar on these Calcined Corals, they are wholly dissolved, without either bub∣bles or noise, because being saturated for six days and nights by the Acid Flame, they are no longer Thirsty: on which Solution, pour True Spirit of Vitriol, which (as I have shewed before) doth keep down the weaker Acid of the Distilled Vinegar, and associates to its self the Alcaly of Corals; but the Fire, or Life of the Co∣rals is united with the Vinegar, and so the whole Composition is Red. This Redness is the Life of Corals, according to Paracelsus, which you may learn to se∣parate by the Midwifry of your helping Hand, and you shall have a Cordial not to be despised; of which Plato forbids me to speak any more in this place: See Hippoc. Chymic. Chap. 27.

As the Life, or the Acid of Flints, is White, or Dark Colour, or Green, intended according to the innate humid, as Vitrification shews; so of Red Corals it is spark∣ling, which difference of Colours and Vertues proceeds from their first Seed, which Art cannot effect; if any one pretend to it, he is a Lyer. But to bring the Seeds to Maturity, that they may produce the Fruits, this is a priviledge granted to Philosophers, not to Ideots.

So that our Calcined Corals become not a Calx,* be∣cause they have not the properties of Calx, as the ri∣diculous and putid Flock of vain Doctors do ignorantly affirm; for Corals are as murh esteemed by the Indians, as Indian Pearls are by us: Wherefore Corals and their Bo∣dies (as all other Jewels, which take their forms from
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the Limpid Fountains of the Heaven and the Sun) are made of the purest Drops,* impregnated with Coelestial Influences; hence it is, that they contain many and ex∣cellent Vertues in them, which, if any one desire to draw forth, he must approach nearer, and open the locked doors, otherwise than by begging Receipts (and Those ill understood) as it were from door to door, or by pre∣scribing quid pro quo to the Sick, or by a petulant ble∣mishing of the Truth, by raging and unheard off Male∣dicence. But the Ignorant Vulgar hath this sottish pro∣perty, that what it doth not understand at first reading, That it contemns and loads with foetid Calumnies; And yet herein it judges it self not Ignorant, but very Wise; but by this very thing they manifest their folly to the truely Wise, when to their own followers they would-seem to be Wise; for 'tis a wretched thing, in endeavouring to procure a Name to ones self, to be exposed, as a Ridicle, to all understanding Persons.

The Martigenous Hornets provoke and challenge the Eagle. Take notice, Brethren of the woful Combate.

Having hitherto proved that Acid doth both destroy and also perfect,* it is a Subject agreeable to this Chapter, to treat of the Destruction of Iron: That Iron differs from all other Mettals, it appears by its terreous Principles, whence the Acid thereof, wanting its Sister Alcaly, dwels in an earthly most inconstant matter; wherefore it va∣nishes of its own accord, or its innate Acid is easily op∣pressed by an external Acid superveneing: and so the whole substance of Iron is turned to rust. Hippocrates took notice of this Volatile Acid of Iron, hence he teaches in his Tract De Diata, that when it is quenched in Water, it acquires Strength; because the Light Alcaly in the Water, is a True Comforter of the Light Acid in the Iron: and Cutlers do strengthen It with the Al∣caly of Animals, which is also Volatile, as Hippocrates Chymic. shews, Chap. 19. For this cause Aristotle the 4. Meteorol. not without Reason, makes a difference betwixt Iron and all other Metals. Gold, says he, Silver, Brass, Tyn, Lead, Quick-silver, belong to Water; but Iron to the earth: and Galen says, 4. de Facult, Simplic. Medi∣cament.
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That Iron is a terreous and crass Body, &c.

So that the Acid degenerating or dying of its own ac∣cord,* or being separated by the stronger, there remains only the terreous principle (as Hippoc. Chymic. shews of Al∣caly of Tartar Chap. 10.) which by the Ancients and by Pra∣cticers of Physick, as Dioscorides witnesseth, is called Rust.

This Rubigo is also prepared by Art, out of the dust or fileings of Iron, when the sharpest Vinegar is poured on it, and it is dried in the Sun, and again afterwards dipped in Vinegar and dried; then it must be washed with common water and dried; and so kept powdered and small.

And as Vinegar, so also all sorts of Acids,* do turn Iron into Rubigo; yea Gold it self doth occultly and presently turn that Acid into Rust, as I have shewed Chap. 2.

Hence we see the Cause why Gold cannot be conglu∣tinated with Iron, unless it first assumes a Cupreous Na∣ture, as Hippoc. Chymic. boldly shews, Chap. 28. concern∣ing the Golden Nail; for the Truth offends none,* but those that hate it.

The Lord Anbert, a Noble man of France, in his Natural and Moral History of the American Islands, proves by Eye Witnesses, that the Ʋnicorn is not a four-footed Ani∣mal,* but a Fish, that hath an Horn growing in his Fore∣head; yet he grievously offended, not the Lovers of Truth, but those only who made a Monopoly of those Hornes: so I never read that Moralists, or Politicians did envy the Truth, though Hoarse Grass-hoppers chirp against it, and the Cuckows subscribe and approve their Note. He that is affraid of the Truth, is not perfect; for an Adept, or one compleatly Wise, should fear nothing. For which Cause, I was always willing, that my Hippoc. Chymic.* should speak the Truth out and not conceal it, not fearing, a∣ny thing nor respecting either the friendship or hatred of any Sect; but that it should give things their proper Names, not being solicitous either to offend or please: in imitation of Thucydides, who perceiving the Writings of Herodotus to be in great esteem, I had rather, sayes he, displease by speaking the truth, than please by relating Fa∣bles; because by displeasing I gain, but by pleasing I hurt. But I return whence I digressed. This most ancient Rust of
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Iron,* that it might be more pleasant to the Eye, the Curious began to burn it in an acute Flame, into a small Powder, and from its fair redness, they call it Crocus Martis.

But use, age, and experience, being our daily Instru∣ctors, they observed, That This is a long and tedious way of turning Iron into Rust by the aspersion of Viner gar; therefore they burnt the dust or Filings of Iron in an acute Flame, the acidity whereof being set on fire, they found they could make more of this light and rare red Powder in a day, than they could do with Vinegar in a month; so that they rejected the long and tedious, and took to the quicker way of operation: This Powder they called Crocus Martis from its redness.

So that Filings or Scobs of Iron, or its Natural or Arti∣ficial Rust, either with Vinegar eroded, and afterward reverberated in the Flame,* or else without Vinegar by Flame simply, or with Vinegar from Aerugo, or False Spirit of Venus, being converted into a red Powder or Li∣quor (for it is all one) and taken by the Mouth, have a strengthening Vertue, so that They are good for the Stomack and for a Loose Liver, for Dysentericks and Lientericks, and all moist or praehumid Diseases; for Womens Flux, for the Gonorrhaea, or incontinency of Urine, and all so∣lutive Distempers. And the same Iron performs also con∣trary operations, for it opens great praehumid Livers and their Obstructions, it promotes Womens Terms (so that it hath restored some Girles (I say not all) who were dis∣coloured by paleness, to their Health and Beauty;) and therefore both Philosophers and Phisicians do unani∣mously teach, that Iron of it self doth both open and bind: Experience also shews as much, which is, and ought to be accounted the Best School-mistriss to us all.

It wants not therefore the suspicion of fraud or igno∣rance, when men shall passionately, yet weakly affirm, That Iron, from its single preparation, is either astringent or aperitive: They should live and die in their ignorance for me, unless sick persons were in danger to be ruined thereby: Learn therefore, not from Me, who have al∣wayes undervalued vain applause, but from the Giver
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of all good, for frequent experience, and the compa∣ny of dexterous Philosophers, and true Practicioners are more to be believed than either an handful of Calum∣niators, or a multitude of such, who are ignorant of the Instruments of Physick.

Now they who commend Iron in all Diseases,* and do prescribe it in every Dropsie, in the Schirrhus of the Liver, in an inveterate Jaundice, especially joyned with a Eeavor, in Hypochondriack Melancholy, or in Diseases of the Sto∣mach. They do it not, without the extream Peril of the Patient; 'Tis true, Iron is very good for great Li∣vers, loosned with moisture, and tumid, but when they are hardened to a Schirrhus, it is so far from dissolving it, that it rather confirms it, and by consuming its Acid pro∣ducer, drives it to a Lapideous hardness; so that Iron either.* Filed or any other way turned to Rubigo, hath been always commended by sure Evperiments, for great and swoln Livers, but never for dissolving a Schirrhus. So Ferreous and Acid Waters are good to attenuate the Spleen, and to open all Obstructions of the lower part of the Belly, arising from Morbous Acid, as yet fluid; as Hippoc. Chymic. shews by clear Experiments, Chap. 16. viz. by consuming the Acid humour, by corroborating the Fibra's, and by contracting Them when loose; that so the inbred heat might arise more strong in the corro∣borated member, and may digest, that which remains: so that they who commend Iron in the dry and acid Di∣seases of the Liver or Milt, and do there either fraudulently or ignorantly call it Aperitive, cannot escape the brand either of Ignorants or Impostors. For Iron administred against the aforesaid Indications, as I have shewn, then indeed it wants not a deletery Vertue, as Avicen teaches well; for it excites the gripings of the Intestines, dryness and roughness of the tongue, siccity of the Body, costive∣ness of the Belly, and pains of the Head; because it doth consume not only the manifest Ferment of the Sto∣mach, but also the occult Acid of the other Bowels, and sucks up the Vital Seed; but the quantity of it being small, viz. the 8200 part of its Body, 'tis no wonder if upon the taking of Crocus Martis (though it should be A∣peritive,
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as they ignorantly babble) the Disease become more vehement, to the destruction of the Patient. And in that Case they blame the Apothecary-behind his back, as if he had mistook the Box, and so detract from his ho∣nesty without Cause.

But if they will not hearken to an old faithful Admo∣nition, and to my Experience, but pertinaciously resist good Counsel, it may chance to come to pass, that at last daily Experience and the Death of their Patients, will in spight of their teeth enform them of the Truth.

Otherwise the World would be filled with far fetched, ill understood, false and dubious Receits; and the diligent Observations of our Ancestors would be lightly esteemed: and so a new, unskilful; ambiguous, costly, speculative, infinite, and groundless way of Physick, would take place; which under the disguise of false Words and deep Learning, would be entertained by Ideots; who not knowing the Vertues of Things, hotly contend amongst themselves, and rail one at an other, not only about Aperitive or Astringent Iron, but about many other things; some of which I have spoken of, as much as the nature of the Argument and the good of my Neighbours require: So also by uncertain Conclusions and vain Opinions they re∣vile the Wits of the Studious, and to the hurt of their Neighbour, and the infamy of the Art, they approve and subscribe to Lying Fables: And not at all studying the Truth, they boast themselves to be great Doctors; who yet never will attain to Science, because they follow the herd, that went before, and think they have already attained it, as Seneca rightly speaks; but to return to the matter.

Dioscorides handles Iron two manner of ways, either preparing Ferrugo out of it, or extinguishing It in Water or Wine: yet to both the Preparations, he ascribes an Astringent Vertue; he doth not call the one Astringent and the other Aperitive. For when Iron opens, it comes from the specifick Acid, degenerating in the body, which Na∣ture could not receive into nourishment, and therefore, by reason of its Acid taste, it rushes to the Iron; so the Bowels being strengthened by degrees, Nature expels That
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together with the detained excrements by stool. Hence Helmont says, that Iron doth open by a specifick and ap∣propriate Vertue, but it binds by a second quality: so that neither of the Vertues of the Iron, do proceed from the absence or presence of its Mercury (which they boast, but without Truth, that they can extract from it) but from the attraction of the specifick Acid in the Morbous Bodies, as Hippoc. Chymic. shews, Chap. 16. and 28. Thi∣ther I refer the Reader, that I may not clog him with the repetition of things there spoken.

But we may grant, that they can as well extract Mercury from Iron, as Eximious Vertues from Copper: These Vanities are, and always were, nausceous to Me, as well as to the World and the Sick; for they have no foundation in Nature: so that they, and their Masters, are to be banished from the society of good Men; whilest on the other side, I deal with the Doctrine of Truth and the most Ancient Science, which the Ancients found to be agreeable to the Nature of Man, and thought wor∣thy to be ascribed to God, as the School of Truth yet thinks, as Hippocrates hath it, De Veterum Medicina; for He there teaches, that as there is a manifold Acid in the Macrocosme, so also in Mans Body. And in his Book de Arte, every Acid hath its proper Ventricle, which yet the vocal and wordy Colledge is ignorant of, and there∣fore he adds, as they know who study these things; but seeing it is easier to steal blind Receits and to approve them, to suppress Truth and to load It with Calumnies, then to learn the knowledge of the Ventricles of Mans Body, 'tis no wonder, that They are ignorant of the Instruments of Physick, who have no regard to the Ventricles; For if, says the Old Man, they do not know the Constitution from the beginning, and that which is predominant in the body, they cannot prescribe that which is good for a Sick Man. Lo here the Cause, why Crocus Martis being Aperitive in the hands of superficial and ignorant Doctors, becomes A∣strictive, and Vice Versa; because they are ignorant of their proper Instruments: and in the method of Curing, know not how to apply Active things to Passive, because they have not the knowledge of Ventricles, or Sapors:
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neither did they ever learn Them out of Hippocrates, of which my Hippoc. Chymic. doth discover very many.

This is the reason, why, as I said before, they come to Practice, as the Ass to his fodder, not knowing to what he extends his Lips, but only as far as his exterior sen∣ses, without understanding, by seeing and tasting, do draw him to his meat. But why do I insist on the decrees of Philosophers, deduced and drawn down from Nature it self, since I have to do with such Persons, who ne∣ver so much as dreamt of the Verity and Excellency of the Art of Physick. Therefore they are to be instructed by Examples, taken out of the Shop of Wise Nature.

Observe then, That in the Stomach and Milt of a sound Animal, there dwels a Vital Acid proper to the Milt, but when That Acid doth degenerate into an unusual taste, or sapor, all the neighbouring parts are also contaminated; and presently the pores are contract∣ed, and the Body, which was transpirable in health, now ceases from action; hence the Milt swels from the mo∣tion of the Ferment, which will not obey purging Me∣dicines, as experience shews: Now Iron taken at mouth, is good for that Ferment and prae-acid Taste, by which the Milt is lessened or dried (call it which you will) but not by reason of the Aperitive force of the Iron, but that Acidity there detained, doth in a special manner love the Iron, as a thirsty Man doth Beer. Let Sil∣ver dissolved in Aqua Fortis be an Example.

Aqua Fortis, hath the smell and property of Sulphur of Iron, because it is made of Sulphurous Nitre, Vi∣triol or Allum; whence by reason of the likeness between them, it loves Copper and Iron, as I have above Me∣chanically shewed: Now as in the Stomachs of Ani∣mals, the hungry Acid desires to be satisfied with its like, and That like (i. e.) food, it dissolves and is de∣lighted with it; 'tis just so in the Matrocosme: For Exam∣ple, The Acidity of Aqua Eortis, is as an empty Stomach, which desires to be satisfied; Silver being given it for food, it dissolves it, and is pleased with it; but when you cast in a Physical Drug (as I may so call it) into this Solution, I mean Copper, with which, for the si∣militude
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between them, it is more delighted than with the Silver; presently it deserts the Silver, and again dis∣solves the Copper, and the whole Solution becomes green.

It must needs be so also in the Body of Man, since Nature is in every thing alike, as Pythagoras, and since Him, Hippocrates have taught us.

Again, If you put Iron into Aqua Fortis (which here is as the Stomach or Ventricle) impregnated or loaded with Copper, in regard Copper is of harder Solution and Concoction than Iron, the Water presently leaves the Copper and dissolves the Iron.

And although Aqua Fortis hath already deposed Silver and Copper, yet its Acidity and Property hath still do∣minion over them, until they are freed by a melting Fire; which is to be observed by Our Friends, for it is else where of great use.

But it is objected by such, as are ignorant of this Common and Ancient Order and Consent of Nature, and who out of their small Skill, go about to overthrow the Hippocratical Verity, That I put my Sickle into ano∣ther Mans Corn and Harvest; as if it were a shame for me to know, That which all men should or ought to know in an Art; or, as if. They were the only famous Philosophers, who compile together Surreptitious and ill understood Receits, without the knowledge of the Causes of Things. And as Silver and Copper were troublesome to the Stomach of Aqua Fortis (that I may so speak) which is better, when it is cured with Iron: so also this Morbóus Forrain Ferment, or Humour (call it which you please) being consumed by the Iron, The Ventricle of the Milt and the neighbour parts become botter affected. Take therefore at mouth Stomoma (i. e.) Steel, or its Crocus, either Astringent or Aperitive, with which that Acid Ferment hath a greater agreement than with the Milt; and therefore it hastily rushes in, pervading its Pores from the Ventricle of the Milt to the whole Stomach,* that it may associate it self with the assumed Iron, which by that Acid Forrain Ferment is dissolved into a Black or Green Fax, according to the property of the Acid;
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as the Excrements of the Belly do testify: and if this Acid be not totally consumed by the Iron, at one turn, it is repeated so often, till the Milt shew some signs of its Exiccation; so the Anima of one ens (i. e.) the Fer∣ment of the Disease, enters into the Iron, and the A∣nima of another goes out, because the Acid, or Anima of the Iron, which constitutes the Iron, goes forth, (Hence Crocus Martis is called by Horatius, Sterilis Ru∣bigo) that the Acidity of the Disease might again enter in, according to the Doctrine of the Pythagoreans. For Nature acts in the Microcosme by the same Instruments as in the Macrocosme: For the Ancients have taught us, That it is every where alike.

Here Ideots and Destroyers of Hippocratical Medicine, will object, That I place a Disease in the Ventricle of the Milt, and yet give Iron by the Mouth? How then can the Morbous Acid come or reach from the Milt to the Iron? as they have also written concerning burnt Harts∣horn: Which Objection is not worth the answering, for one Fool may raise more Questions than an hundred Wise Men can answere; but sithence these sluggish Doctors never understood This out of Hippocrates his Sixth Book de Morbis Popularibus; out of pitty to them I will shew them the place; for he there says, that the whole Body as long as Life is in it, is perspirable and penetrable; see Hippoc. Chymic. Chap. 16.

But when the Milt or Liver is gone to a Schirrhus, then indeed the Steel, by consuming the Faber or Operant, would more harden the Bowels, though the Aperitive Crocus Martis of all these Subscribers be never so much taken by the Mouth. He that desires to know more of Iron, let him read Hippocrates Chymicus in the fore-cited Chapter.

So that the Acid, which Iron consumes in the Body of Man, differs very much from the false Spirit of Venus, and from all other Acids in general, because it is a spe∣cifick; and to be found in no other place: for if Iron be not wholly dissolved by It in the Body, the Excrements of the Belly are not tinged into a Black or Green Co∣lour; and then indeed Iron doth Astringe, though the
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Aperitive Crocus of these Innovators be administred, as Hip∣poc. Chymic. in the fore-cited Chap. doth experimentally shew: so that Acid is also a Specifick, which burnt Harts∣horn drinks up, in some Feavors; which the sluggish Approvers do judge must needs pass through the intestines to the place affected, and to the seat of the Feavor; if o∣therwise it ought to consume the Acid there generated and detained: They understand not what Hippocrates teaches in the fore-cited place, that the whole Body in Living Per∣sons is permeable, and that a Spirit Acid, more Acid, or most Acid, is the Cause of Diseases, &c. and that it is fer∣mentable, and so flows as well through the Pores adex∣tra by diaphoresis or gentle sweat (as appears in the Crisis) as it goes and rushes to the Intestines unto the Harts-horn, as I have shewed concerning Steel; pro∣vided it find a convenient and specifick Acid in the Bo∣dy. Truly this is a rural clownish Doctrine, and wor∣thy the Approvers; for if Mediciues must needs pass out of the Stomach to the Seat of the Disease, through the Pores, then the Sweat and Urine would wax Red from the Crocus Martis, especially their Aperitive Crocus. Bezoar in Swoonings, doth not pass through the Mem∣branes of the Stomach to the Heart, nor doth it re∣turn from thence, for consuming the Lypothymick Acid: Neither doth Ostiocolla travel to the broken Bone, that it may prohibit or absorb the Specifick Acid there; neither doth the Stone of a Crab go to the Wound; nor doth a grain of Opium taken at Mouth, for the Head-ach, pass up or ascend to the Head. They are ig∣norant, that the Subtile Argute Judge, and equal Weigher of all things (which distinctly knows the Seminal Ver∣tue, not only of Medicines, but also of all other things besides; and accordingly doth either embrace, segregate, or neglect It:) dwels in the Stomach, as I shall shew by Experience, Authority, and Reason, in the fol∣lowing Chap. wherefore this indecent kind of ignorance is to be hissed out of the School of Hippocrates and out of Common Life too, To instruct Block heads, as Lucian says, is a greater and nobler Secret, than the very Philosophers Stone; for it were to transsorm the
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understanding, and to make Dolts and Stupid Persons, Teachable.

CHAP. IX. That Acid and Alcaly in Animals is the innate Calid and Radical Humid.
HAving discovered the Properties and Essences of Things, the Rise, Progress, and Death of Seeds, both Theoretically and Practically, by the two Instruments of Nature, viz. Acid and Alcaly: Now the Nature of my Argument requires, that I dis∣course some things concerning the Nature of Animals, very necessary for this work, and that I make them plain by clear Examples.

Now, as from the beginning, I have chosen the Anci∣ents for my Guids, so for the future, I shall respect them, as my Deities; and shall not stir an hairs breadth from the Truth, for fear or favour of any Man: but amongst the Ancients I chuse chiefly in all things to fol∣low Hippocrates, He being to Discourse of Animals, chuses Man as the Noblest of all, saying in his Book of Diet, The Soul of Man is increased in Man, but in no other, and likewise the Soul of other great Animals, &c. The Di∣vine meaning whereof, he gives us in the foresaid Book of Diet, in a Learned and Profound Interpretation; where also he proposes the Universal Generation of all Things, and the Nature of Seeds; which my Hippoc. Chy∣mic. explains according to his meaning: All Things, says he, in the same place, both Animals and Man himself, consists of two Principles, differing indeed in Faculty, but a∣greeing in Ʋse, viz. Fire and Water: Both these together are sufficient both for all other Things and for themselves mutal∣ly; but either of them apart is sufficient neither for it self, nor for any other;* and a little after in the same Book, Omit∣ting; other Animals, I shall speak of Man, a Soul creeps into Man, having the mixture or temper ament of Fire and
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Water; Fire adorns all things which are in the Body, and can move all things, but Water nourishes all, and through all; because for a need it abounds with Alcaly: as I have shewed before by evident Examples, by which a solid substance is concocted by inspissation; against the opinion of these gain sayers: but the Fire, of which the Old Man speaks in this place, is not culinary Fire, as he shews in the same Book: Man, says he, Threshes, Washes, and Grindes Bread-Corn, and after it is baked in the Fire, he uses it, but with a strong Fire in its Body; it is not made up, but with a soft and gentle one; so that it is a soft Fire, which adorns and moves all things, which in the 2 Chap. of this Book, and here and there besides, throughout the whole Book, I have shewed by many Examples to be Acid; and here∣after shall likewise further shew.

So that Fire and Water, or Acid and Alcaly (call them which you will) is that Balsam, which is given to Bodies for Salt, That they putrefie not; and in very deed it is Salt, as Hippocrates Chymicus shews from the 12 to the 16 Chapter; and it will more fully appear in the progress. This is that innate Calid, which old Hippoc. says, doth abound in things that grow, Aph. 14. S. 1. because it is fermentable and expirable; and, from aliment taken in like it self, it doth incessantly re•erminate; therefore rea∣son perswades that it very much must want Aliment: by which Aphorisme he intended to shew, that unless the innate Ca∣lid (i. e.) Fire and Water in Animals, especially grow∣ing ones, being very Volatile, were restored by its like, the strength of the Body would soon decay. Hence that saying, Ʋbifames, laborandum non est, &c. Now that which is its like, is not that External Body of Flesh or Bread, which we touch, since Man lives not only by Visible Bread, but by the innate Calid of the Aliments; which as soon as ever it is embraced by the Stomach, even before it be heated there, presently the strength of the Body is repaired.

This innate Calid is also in Lettice, so that the Acid of the Stomach after it is consumed by the Aliment, and is passed into Radical Humid or Moisture, immediately the Stomach Contracts it self, and the whole Body Languishes
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for want of It. Hence ariseth Hunger and Appetite of Food, so that an hungry Man, though he be weak∣ned by long Fasting or by Labour, yet upon the taking of Food or Drink, yea of one Cup of Wine only, he finds himself immediately refreshed; and that, before the Food begins to be chylified; because the deficient Acid is restored by That which was in the Meat, Drink, Bread or Wine, though imperceptibly, as to our out∣ward Senses. Whence Hippoc. says, Aliment is that, which is turned into Spiritual Vapours; by such as these the Vital Spirits, which are the Authors of the Active, are nou∣rished. For as I shewed before, That as every Acid Spirit carries the Anima inseparably in its belly, and gets dominion over that body, into which it is infused; immediately forming it according to its own nature, as I gave examples, chap. 6. in Spirit of Salt; which being poured into Alcaly of Tartar, presently forms to it self a Saline Body, agreeable to its own Nature, and becomes Salt; and Spirit of Vinegar, or Distilled Vinegar, in the same Alcaly of Tartar, forms to it self a Body, adaequate to its proper nature, and becomes Tar∣tar of Wine: The like may be said of Vitriol, and other Acids: So also the Acid of the Stomack of a Man, when it lays hold on Bread, or any nourishing thing, over which it may have dominion, it doth turn and trans∣mute it into Chyle, and afterwards into humane flesh: and the Acid of a Dogs Stomack converts the same Bread into Dogs Flesh, as we are daily taught also by other Living Creatures; because Nature works by the same Instruments in them all: as I have shewed in the begin∣ning of this Chapter out of Hippocrates, in these follow∣ing words: The soul of Man is increased in no other, but in Man, &c. and from the same things of which it con∣sists; and though Bread be fermented and Acid, as most Aliments are, either more or less; yet the Acid in the Stomack of a Man, though of it self weak, hath yet a vitality joyned with it; whence it can obtain dominion over the same: As Vinegar gets dominion over and suppresseth the Acid innate in a Pearl; and Aqua Fortis subdues the Acid in Silver, so also the Vital Aeidity
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of the Stomach subjugates the Acid Ferment of the Bread and other Aliments, and bears such rule over them, as to convert and change them into its own nature: For ex∣ample, When a man eats a Capon, the Acid of his Sto∣mack overcomes the radical moisture of the Capon, and being predominant over it, transforms it into its own nature; on the contrary, if a Capon, or a Fish, could, or did eat a Man, his Vital Acid in the Stomack, over∣powers and kills the radical moisture left after death in mans flesh; which then becomes the flesh of a Capon.

Now that there is a Radical or Vital Moisture remain∣ing in a Dead Carcass, appears by the Worms, which will infallibly breed there; and likewise by the growing of the nails and hair: And this not only Paracelsus, but many other curious Enquirers into Natural Things, have obser∣ved. And unless there were a Radical Moisture remaining in Flesh, and in all Aliments, fit and sufficient nourishment could not be suppeditated to the Living; especially to those, who are growing and encreasing: witness Flesh and Fish salted and dried in the smoak, which have less Radical Moisture than when they were fresh or new; for much of it is eaten up by the Salt (as Hippoc. Chymic. shews chap. 14.) and therefore they nourish less than if they were fresh. Wherefore Acid or Soft Fire, is to be found as well in the Vegetable and Mineral, as in the Animal Family; and it is That, which adorns every thing which is in the World; even as Water is That, which nourisheth it, as Hippocrates rightly speaks. I say, by the presence of this Fire and Water, both which do constitute the Ra∣dical Moisture (as I shall shew) immediately before Chy∣lification, is the Acid of the Stomack enlightned and re∣freshed; in regard it is more or less in all Aliments (as also in other things) as experience shews. There is more radical humidity in one new-laid Egg, than in an whole Pot full of Coleworts; more in one Cup of Wine, than in an whole Bucket of Water. Wherefore Acidity, being deficient in the Stomack (as Hippoc. Chymic. in the pla∣ces fore-cited plainly shews) is restored by the Radical Moisture of Aliments; but chiefly and most of all, by that Gelestial Food dwelling in the Air; for This is the Seed of
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Life, without which neither Man, nor other Animals, or any Vegetable can attain to Generation or Life; for that Spi∣ritual Food or Attraction of the External Air, which by often breathing we suck in, doth so much conduce to the Life of Animals, that it hath caused not only Philo∣sophers, but also Plebeians to admire at it: Neither hath Nature Artificially placed her Bellows in the neighbour∣hood of the Heart, onely to cool it, as the Vulgar think, &c. but also that by their frequent Venti∣lation they might suck in the Aethereal Aura, by whose afflatus and in-breathing, the aforesaid Acid is re∣paired, and doth uncessantly regerminate. For, as the Ingenious Cosmopolita shews before in the Third Chapter, as the Rain receives That Vertue of Life, and by the Sun Beams joyns it with the Alcaly of the Earth; so also the same Vertue of Life is attracted into the Microcosme by Inspiration, and is fixed by the Solar Beams of the Heart into the Alcaly, or Radical Moisture of Animals; as I shall by and by Experimentally shew:

This is the True Ancient Learning and Doctrine of Hip∣pocrates, concerning the Soft Fire Adorhing Bodies, which will always hold in despight of Rabious Maledicence, as He testifies in his Book de Carnibus, as well as Cosmc∣polita; saying to the same sense, I will also deliver my O∣pion, That which we call Calid seems to me to be immortal, and to understand all Things; to Adorn, See, Hear, and Perceive all Things, both present and future; the greatest part whereof in the general Perturbation of all Things, retired into the supream Appartiment; which the Ancients seem to me to have called Aether: The other part, obtaining the lowest place, is called Earth, Cold and Dry, undergoing many muta∣tions, wherein there is yet much Calidity: What can be spoken more clearly for the Radical Moisture of Things? For That which Cosmopolita shews in the Macrocosme (see Chap. 3.) the same things according to Hippocrates, are to be understood in the Microcosme; For Mans Body, unless it were required by that Immortal Calid, both by Ali∣ments, and also by Inspiration, being Cold and Dry, would undergo many changes, and at length would crum∣ble to nothing before our Eyes, even as the flame of a
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Candle, when the Wax or Tallow is spent, or when it is blown out by the Wind; yet it doth not wholly pe∣rish, as 'tis Vulgarly thought, and as it seems; but be∣ing destitute of its Pabulum, is plucked from it, and so is scattered abroad and vanishes into Air, which is the Abysse and Universal Receptacle of the Lights and Spiri∣tual Natures of the Material World; as Raymund hath it, and as the Text of Hippocrates in his Book de Car∣nibus doth a little before explain. Wherefore the chief Fewel and Food of Life, is supplied out of the Air to all the three Kingdoms: Hence the Ancients said, Jovis om∣nia plena; and Cosmopolita affirms, that the hidden Food of Life is in the Air, which as I have shewed, assumes a Body to it self, in an agreeable and consentaneous root and subject.

Wherefore Innate Calid and Radical Humid differ much one from another, That is wholly Solar and Occultly Acid and Oily, but This is more Corporeous, Constnat, and Saline; That is of a Superior Order, This, of an Inferior; in which is that Country, where Man takes a Wife to himself, as Cosmopolita speaks in his Tract de Sulphur; and it is the Hell, whether Plato is said to have hurried Preserpina; and Cores, her Mother, imploring Jupiters aid for her Redemption, was answered, That she might return, if she had tasted nothing in Hell (i. e.) unless that Celestial Spirit, the Child of the Sun, had not been absorbed by the Alcaly, but as yet had dwelt free in the Air, then she might have easily returned; but she had tasted Grains of a Pomegranate in Elisium (i. e.) in Pleasure; for which Reason she could not return, till six Months were expired (i. e.) till the Pomegranates were consumed; and then Proserpina returns to her Mother, as the Light of a Candle doth to its Source or Country, as I said before. So that They are deceived, who con∣found Innate Calid and Radical Humid in all the Three Families; for they differ no less amongst themselves, than Aqua Caustica doth from Mercury, in which it takes a Body, as appears by the falsified or counterfeit Emplai∣ster, unjustly ascribed to John de Vige. For in mixt Bo∣dies, the Radical Morstar• is the Seat and Food of the
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Celestial Fire, and its Bond uniting it to the Elementary Body: but that Igneous Vertue, is the Form and Soul of mix'd Bodies: more clearly thus, The Spirit being ei∣ther occultly or manifestly Acid, is the Seat and Band which ties the Soul to the Body. Let us then do as Nature doth, whom Art ought to imitate as her Guid in all Things; or otherwise we shall never become Compleat Servants to Nature.

Let Elementary Water be an Example, which being impregnated with the Child of the Sun, that is, with Ce∣lestial heat, falls upon the Radical Moisture or Alcaly of a Vine, and is imbibed by it, and so becomes the same thing with it, as I have shewed in the Second and Third Chapter.

I shall also give an Example in the Counterfeit Spirit of Venus, which from the beginning was Simple Water, which being impregnated with Celestial Calidity, fell up∣on the Radical Humid of the Vine; This in undergoing many Mutations, by Reason of the aforesaid Calid, having a power in it self from Nature to multiply it self, is brought to Maturity, and becomes a Grape, whose Aqueous Juice, being pregnant with Celestial Calid and Radical Humid (These Two beginning Action and Passion one with another) it comes to pass, that from their Mutual Action and Re-action, it conceives Heat (see Hippoc. Chymic. Chap. 18.) whence it is said to be Fermented, and it becomes Wine, in which the heavenly Calid overcomes the Radical Humid; and if This at length gain strength, it becomes Vinegar: with this Vinegar and Lees of Wine, now soured, Copper is eroded; which so eroded (as Dioscorides rightly teaches) becomes Ae∣rugo; from which by Distillation, Vinegar, is again drawn forth; which unskilful Persons by a false Name call Spirit of Venus, as I have exactly shewed in its place. This Vinegar is nothing else but Water impregnated with Acid Salt from the Principle of the Vine, and it is the Seed and Radical, Humid of its innate Celestial Fire: now specificated by the Vine (for being pure, it doth not ex∣pose it self to be handled by the impure hands of Igno∣rants, or of the Vulgar) and it is called by a common
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name Vinegar: And as the Heavenly Calid had from its first beginning its Seat in the Alcaly of the Water, and afterwards was multiplied in the Vine: Hence also it hath retained the Name of its Original, which it keeps also inviolate in Copper, to the shame of the Norim∣berg and Vienna Doctors and their Colleagues. So that Vi∣negar shall again be an Example to us of the Celestial Calid I say, let This be satiated with Alcaly of Tartar, till the Ebullition and Strepitus cease; in that Ebullition The Spirit binds and unites the Heavenly Fire with the Terr estrial Body (i. e.) with Alcaly: Alcaly in this place represents the Radical Humid, in which the Hea∣venly Calid is bound; and after the Alcaly (i. e.) the Matrix hath received a due Proportion, it casts forth and ejects the rest, to use Cosmopolita's words.

If you would have Proserpina return to her Mother, then distil this Tartar, and there will come forth an Oil and Water which is bitterish by reason of the Oil, the Oil is that Pinguous, by which it was made Vinegar: a∣gain imbibe this Oil and Water in Alcaly, and distil it, as before, and instead of the Oil there comes forth in∣sipld elementary Water; and so Water in the beginning is impregnated with Coelestical Calid, and afterwards 'tis changed by Fermentation into Grapes, then into Wine, then into Vinegar; at length 'tis made Salt in its Mother Alcaly, which is turned into Oil, and at last (as I have said of the Light of a Candle, and of Proserpina) it re∣turns to its Mother (i. e.) to Aether, as Hippocrates spoke a little before. So that the root of the thing, re∣turns into Elementary Water, viz. into that which it was, before it was foecundated with the Indoles of a Vine, by the Child of the Sun: So also the Capu Mortuum which is left, is nothing else but the Alcaly of Tartar, in which the same Spirit inhabites, which I have shewed in Vinegar, but in a way more constant; therefore I shall call it in this place Radical Hun•d, which also by repeated Distillations returns into empty Earth and simple Elementary Water, as Hippoc. Chymio. teaches Chap. 10. Thus the saying of Hermes and others is ful∣filled, That nothing in the World dies, &c.

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The absurd Collegiates (as appears by one of their Society) do venditate and boast this Simple Elementary Water, to be a Cordial in desperate Diseases, as I have said above, Chap. 4. but with what advantage to Phy∣sick, let honest Men judge. Wherefore that Igneous and Oily Vertue is the matter of Humid and Calid in mixed Bodies, dispensed into these Inferiora, by Supe∣rior Natures, without which the Earth would again be vacuous and inane; but the Aqueous Humor is the immediate Keeper and Cabinet of that Igneous Spirit incarcerated in the Seed, which abides there so long, till by adventitious heat it be promoted to Generation in a fit Matrix. And as I have shewed in Alcaly with Acid, so also the Radical Humid in every mixt Body, is the Shop and Hearth of Vulcan, into which that im∣mortal Fire flows, and wherein it is kept; which is the first Mover of all the faculties of the Individuum: and because it is the Child, and as it were Vicar, of the Sun, I conclude with Raimund, and by the authority of Hippo∣crates de Carnibus, that it acts all things in every lesser world, which the Sun doth in the greater.

These things being premised,* let us now see where the Seat of this Radical Moisture in Man is? which without intermission doth catch and absorb the Child of the Sun, or Proserpina. From the scituation and effectual Vertue of the Sun, we may inferr, that it supplies the place of an Heart to the Universe; for Life flows down into all parts from the Sun, in regard Light is the Vehicle of Life; yea it is the Fountain and next Cause, which in∣spires Life into Things, excepting only the Soul of Man, which is a Beam of super-coelestial uncreated Light.* Now as the Sun in the Macrocosme supplies the place of an Heart, and inspires Life into Things; so also the Heart in the Microcosme must supply the place of the Sun; if these Things are True, as they are most True and Ve∣racious, which Hermes hath left us, In his Tabula, viz. That Superior Bodies are as inferior ones, and Vice Ver∣sa: Therefore the Vital Spirit, or Coelestial Calid at∣tracted by the Lungs, and as it were sifted through a Sieve, passed directly to the Heart, where Proserpina is
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embraced and detained by the Radical Humid, and there acquires a Body as I above observed out of Hippocrates de Carnibus: and I have noted the same thing also con∣cerning Caustick Water with Mercury, and concerning Vinegar with Alcaly of Tartar: And as Phlegme, or E∣lementary Water, which is the Root of Aqua Fortis and Vinegar, is not coagulated with Mercury, neither with Alcaly, but exhales from heat, and returns into Ele∣mentary Water, as I have shewed; so also the Phlegme and Elementary Aqueous Vapor, which we inspire and suck in with the C•lestial Calid the Child of the Sun must needs again by Expiration return to Water, as every Plebeian knows and is forced to confess: But the Saline Nature of Aqua Fortis is fixed with Mercury, as the Sa∣line Nature of Vinegar into Alcaly with Corals; so also Proserpina, or the Child of the Sun, by Inspiration at∣tracted by the Lungs to the Radical Humid, which hath its Seat in the Heart, is detained there, and is wrought and fixed by the Radii and heat of the Heart (after its manner) into Alcaly, or Radical Moisture: which there∣upon by the same Heat and Pulse, or Protrusion is dif∣fused through the whole, and inspires Life, Actions, and Faculties into Things and Members (for Hippocrates hath said in his fore-cited Book de Carnibus; That It Ʋnder∣stands, Sees, Adorns, Hears, and Perceives all Things: See also the end of the fore-going Chapter.) And as It performs several Actions, so it hath obtained several Names; for in the Eyes it sees, in the Tongue it Tastes, in the Fingers it Touches, &c. And as I have shewed that Acid and Alcaly do constitute Ferments, so also Radical Humid and innate Calid, as well in a Grain of Corn, as in Mans Body, do perform Vital Actions, and therefore may not unfitly be called,* The Vital Fer∣ment; for it flows and is diffused from thence into all the Members of the Body: And as that Vital Spirit or Child of the Sun, is multiplicative (that I may so speak) of it self in the Stomach or Ventricle of a Grain of Corn (which is the 8200 part of its Body, as the deep Sages of Natures Mysteries have observed) and from the su∣per-abounding stock of its Wealth, may wax sour, and
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be made Ardent and inflameable Water: So also This in Mans Stomach doth regerminate, is multiplied, it sours after the manner of Ferment, and like Aqua Ardens doth illuminate the whole humane Body with vivid Heat and Colour; and because it hath the Operations of Fire,* therefore it is called by Hippocrates, a soft Fare; having its Seat in the Stomach. For as the Sun, the heart of the World, doth uncessantly send this Spirit to the Aether, which contains all Things which the World hath in it self; lest the Frame of the World should fail: so also the Heart doth unintermittently send this Spirit to the Aether of the Microcosme (i. e.) to the Stomach, which contains in its Cavity or Venter all Things which the Microcosme hath; and therefore Natures Myxtae have gi∣ven it the Name of Multiventrous Spirit of Mercury. Now because It flows all the days of our Life, and vanishes by reason of the volatility and frailty proper to the Nature of Animals, especially growing ones, as Hippoc. Chymic. demonstrates, Chap 12. It is therefore necessary that It should be repaired by Congruous Food (for we are nourished by the same Things of which we consist) which doth acquire in the Stomach a beginning of volatileness from the fore-said Spirit of the Animal himself; a Species whereof that Spirit was from the beginning (so Meat in the Stomach conceives Ferment from within, as Raymond in his Theory.) Hence of necessity, Bread and Water in the Stomach of a Man, become Humane Aliment; and the same Bread and Water in the Stomach of a Dog, be∣come Canine Aliment, &c. because the Vital Acid of Animals, and the Acid Occult in Aliments, are by Digestion and Concoction turned into Radical Humid: All these have fetch'd and deduced their Original from the Child of the Sun: But the specifick Acid Vertue in the Aliments is overcome by the Vital Acid dwelling in the Stomach of Animals; as the Acid seated in a Pearl, is subdued and brought under by Vinegar; but Aliment doth not fall down from a sound Stomach, till it hath attained the end of Ferment (as I have shewed by many Examples in the 6 Chap. For Nature is alike is all Things) (Hippocrates, the Authority of the Ancients, and Experience, proving the same (hi(i. e.)) till it
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hath attained the Foundation of Vitality and Volatility; for since the Radical Humid of all Animals is Vola∣tile, as it is also the very Shop of Vulcan; it is requi∣site, that whatsoever is laboured and wrought out there, should be also frail and volatile. Hence the Flesh of all Animals, Blood, Urine, Sweat, Stones, Sand, Gravel, Schirrhus's, Tophus's. &c. and whatsoever and Animal can generate, do not resist, but are destroyed from their former State and annihilated by Fire, or else are re∣duced into an insipid Calx, as Bones, or into a mor∣dicant Calx, as the shells of Eggs, of Oisters, and the like. &c. But that all These before spoken of, were Occultly Salt, before they were burnt, we may be con∣vinced, not only by the Reason aforesaid, and by the Authority of Hippocrates, but moreover also, by our School Mistriss, frequent Experience: For which, that I may not cloy you with Repetitions, see Hippoc. Chymic. from Chap. 12. to the 16. For whatsoever is distilled from an Animal, by the help of Fire, there goes forth from it a Liquor, pinguous Oil, and flying Alcaly, but the Acid, which bound up the Alcaly in this tyrannical Operation, returns with Proserpina to her Mother, which you may again fetch from thence by Art and subtile Hands, as I shall shew anon: But the Caput Mortuum, even from the hardest Bones, is left vacuous and empty, except Blood; which whilst it is by degrees reduced to a Coal by a gen∣tile Fire in a Retort; then out of it by Common Water is elicited a portion of Salt; but the greatest part is turned into Fugitive Alcaly, not very much stinking: a plain argument, that in the Blood there is a greater part of Occult Acid (binding in the Alcaly, that with a Light Fire it may not fly away) than in the Bones or other parts, Hippoc. Chymic. Chap. 12.

But that it is Salt (viz. a Composition of Alcaly and Acid) the Solution of Sublimate Mercury doth prove;* for being cast into It it doth not precipitate It as Al∣caly, as above Chap. 7. But the part, which is distil∣led from the Retort, is fugitive Alcaly,* and precipi∣tates Mercury of a White Colour, and in to a small spongy Powder. Add fixed Alcaly to Ʋrine, a little coagulated
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to the consistence of Hony, that the Alcaly may imbibe the Acid Salt which Man eats, Distill it through a Limbeck, and it will emit a flying Alcaly, having the stinking smell of the Urine from the Ferment of Putrefacti∣on.* Urine doth not acquire this putrefactive Ferment in Artificial Putrefactions, as those Deans with their wild Colleagues do imagine, but in that very moment when the Serum passes through the Reins, as through a Syringe; but for want of a Name, I call it Ferment of Putrefaction, to distinguish it from other Ferments; for Alcaly of Sweat doth not stink, as that of Ʋrine doth: neither doth That of Bones nor Horns, but hath a fresh smell, which these vain-glorious Artists, hitherto were ignorant of, though my Hippoc. Chymic. hath taught them it; yet they never understood it: for That Book as it sets forth the difference of fixed Alcalyes and the constancy of Forms by the Precipitation of Sublimate Mercury dissol∣ved; so it distinguisheth the Permanency of the Forms of Volatile Alcalyes by the Ferments acquired in their Native Places; because the same Form walks pari passu to the Fire with them even unto the very Eliments, viz. The Form of the same thing, from which they were taken, as Geber and Experience do witness, as I have above clearly shewed. By this we see the reason, why Alcaly and Viperine Radical Humid, or the Alcaly of other Animals, passing through Actual Fire, as I have said, doth retain the Form of the Animal, whence it was taken, undestroyed; but as the Alcaly or Mother, or first Matter of Metals (which I have before demon∣strated) is variously agitated by the unskilful multitude in Acids and Causticks, and Calx's of Things, not agree∣able to its Nature, with which they oppress and destroy its internal Form, and the spark of Acid Metaline Light, so that it cannot be encreased or multiplied (as I have shewed in a Grain of Corn) so also I find the first Fae∣minine matter of Alcaly of Vipers to be miserably tossed and debased by unskilful Sciolists, sometimes with Calx, sometimes with most Acid Spirit of Salt (see Hippoc. Chy∣mic. Chap. 3. and 11.) Things contrary to its Nature; so that the spark of Light or Internal Form of the Viper,
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which ought by a gentle Fermentation to be en∣creased and multiplied, by these Violators of Nature is almost wholly destroyed and annihilated, in like sort as the light of a Pearl remains oppressed and slain by Their Celebrated Spirit of Venus. And as a skilful Artist, taking Nature for his Guide, can multiply the form in Mother of Metals, so also the same Artist, by the same Guide, can multiply the Form in the Mother or Alcaly of Vipers. I have shewed, how wise Nature, by her working, doth perfect Radical Humid for the Family of Vegetables, on which Antiquity hath superstructed Artificial Humid with good success. I have also shewed out of Hippocrates de Carnibus, the method and way that Nature useth in the preparation of Radical Humid in the Animal Family; in imitation of which, I have made the Artificial, not de∣parting an hairs breadth from the Natural Operation.

Hence it will appear to all in general, and every indi∣vidual Man in particular, both present and to come, against the opinion of Calumniators, That This Invention of mine, may be truly and without fraud called Radical humid by Art, as well as Salt of Vipers;* for it consists of the Alcaly of Vipers (which, as I have above evinced by Experience and the Authority of Geber, to act the Wo∣man, as in Minerals and Vegetables, so also in this Animal Classis it is wholly of a feminine nature, and hath in it an Occult Viperine form) and of the Child of the Sun; or coelestial Calid, not as yet corrupted; which since it can∣not be alone, is received into and detained in the Alcaly of Water, until it be fermented into Salt (i. e.) into the degree of the perfection of its Nature: Thus you have my mind. For an Example of this Salt, my Hippoc. Chymic. chap. 10. holds forth the way, whereby with Alcaly of Tartar, Vitriolate Tartar may be made out of a Crude Minera of Vitriol of Mars; and it shews also, That Nature is in all things alike, and truly it discovers a great thing. But these barren and unfruitful pretenders to Physick, by reason of the caecity of their minds, are not capable of the evident truth; yea They scarce know the things which are before their eyes; for in Acid Fountains they see not the Child of the Sun diluted by
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providen Nature in Water, which never falls; and by flowing by an immature Vein of Iron, it licks and affects it with a sweet Acidity, and aftr it hath flowed down a little it waxes yellow, as Hippocrates Chymi•us shews, chap. 16. An evident argument that the Celestial Spi∣rith flaggs in its action, when seed fails, no otherwise then as Proserpina, having enjoyed her pleasure, returns to her Mother; yet notwithstanding it suffers not it self to be taken by polluted hands, but to intelligent per∣sons, it manifests it self even whilest dormant and asleep: Wherefore there are many wayes conducing to this end which are very craggy and obscure to Detractors: But what ingenious Man would not try the same with crude Natural Vitriol of Mars? Unless perhaps he be afraid of the frequent solution, long digestion, and judicious coa∣gulation.

Behold here, all ye Candid Assertors of Physical Light, how the first Faeminine matter of Alcaly of Vipers, by a Triumphant and Solemn Marriage with the Child of the Sun, is exalted into the Nature of Salt; whose Marriage is celebrated in the House of Nature, to use Cosmopolita's words; against which, for these twenty years (whilest I have made my abode in this Country) Dogs have barked, Ravens have croked, and unheard of cla∣mors have been made; which I despising, do yet live to triumph over and contemne my Adversaries; but if I had died, some would have accounted those things as Prodigies and Omens of my Death. Oh how much paper have these Grammatical Masters spent about this mat∣ter? what slanders, what infamatory Libels, how ma∣ny Calumnies and filthy Reproaches, have these uncivil Decl aimers against the Works of Nature, vomited forth into their own laps? As for my Self, I have chosen Truth for my faithful Defendress, which though it may be oppressed and exercised with great weight and bur∣den amongst Men, yet it is impossible that it should be wholy extinguished, in regard it is powerful, in∣expugnable, and triumphant above all things in the World, as my Preface to Hippoc. Chymicus proves out of the Holy Scripturs. Therefore I entertain with delight,
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the contempts of Pheb•ians, for I can scarce find filth or dirt enough to stop the Mouths of such evil Speakers. I know, that 'tis the part of a fool to contend with un∣skilful persons about things which they understand not, or to think to get any credit, by teaching them; but on the contrary, a Wise Man will silently consider the times, places, and customs of the Ruling Men with whom he is conversant; and besides, he will confide in just actions, and then cheerfully expect an equal event; for hereby accrews great glory and emolument: Let Helwigdidrick be a late Example (I speak not reproach∣ingly, for we should say nothing but good of the dead or of the absent) what stone did not he turn hereto∣fore, together with his Associates, against the Experi∣mental Truth? which was a stranger and unknown to Them all? what did they not infuse into the Vulgar a∣ganst my conversation? (as if that were at all to the purpose) but I derided all the actions of these dancing Camels (to speak proverbially) as knowing, that 'tis the common refuge of vain and wild heads, when they want reasons to oppugne the Truth, to catch at any opportu∣nity to blemish ones manners, as my Answer published in the year 1656 under the Title of Eccho may witness. These furious Deans,* with their foul-mouthed Col∣leagues, and their antecedent herd, do commit the same e∣vil at this day; but the best is, they are All Judges conta∣minated with filthy ignorance, and are unjust witnesses, yea falsaries in the Law; as I have hitherto clearly pro∣ved. All whose Writings, as well past as present, though by foolish diligence compacted into a great Volume, yet they are not sufficient to bear down Tachenius, who is supported by the Truth. But these Idlers do but waste their golden and irreparable time in these employments, in thus exercising their lying Genius's, and in fruitless blotting of Paper; Their labour both formerly and here∣after shall be in vain, for if a generous Horse regards not the Barkings of following Curs, I shall as little esteem my present or future Opposers, either single or altogether; you know my meaning, for I live and con∣side in just actions; but enough of This: To return, In
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Vitriol there is an Acid most grateful to, pleasant, and desired by humane nature, as Paracelsus and Experience say: This Acid, because it cannot be alone, associates it self with the immature Metal, and with It grows into a Saline Body; free or separate It, and it will be worth your labour; for there lurks in It an Arcanum for the Epilepsy, of which the ingenious Crollius speaks: Paracilsus attributes many Vertues to the volatileness of Spi∣rit of Vitriol,*in curing the Ep lepsy; but I could never see any of Them: neither did ever any man affirm to me, that he could cure a confirmed Ep•lepsy, only by Vulgar and simply prepared Spirit of Vitriol. Thus far He. Therefore, for the reasons hinted before, it cannot be elicited by Distil∣lation, as all Candid Operators witness; for this cause, the Searchers into the Secrets of Nature have tried ano∣ther way, which I should willingly have declared in this place, but that I have experience, That 'tis a foolish thing to expose ones self to Ignorants and to the Vulgar, for what they praise is blame-worthy, what they think is vain, what they speak is false, what they disapprove is good, what they allow evil, and what they extol infamous; as I have hitherto proved by clear Examples. Neither doth an Arcanum lie hid in the said Volatility only for the Epi∣lepsie, but also for the Suffocation of the Matrix, for the Palpitation of the Heart, and for the Corroborati∣on of the Spirits, Brain, Heart, and of the whole Indi∣viduum; since it is the Child of the Sun, and the Twin∣brother of our Vital Spirit. But of This I have said e∣nough. I return now to the Vacuous Alcaly of Vipers, which is ill treated by the company of Vulgar pretended Chymists.

As we do not give a Scorpion, or a Piece of Wood, to those that are hungry, and ask for Bread; neither do we give Oil mixed with Gaul to such as are thirsty; but we exhibite to them similary and consentaneous Ali∣ments, of the same family of which the hungry person consists, as Hippocrates teaches: So also the Alcaly of Vipers, being vacuous, hungry, and thirsty, must be sa∣tisfied with That of which it consists, not with Calx or Spirit of Salt, as unskilful Writers give out; for I have
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shewed in the 3. Chapter of this Tract, That Nature doth so, and she is every where alike. And if the Alum∣nus and Scholar of Truth in his Operations shall imi∣tate Her, he can never go out of the way, as by and by will appear by a clearer Example: But here I would have all Readers to take Notice, that as all Remedies, proceeding from Animals are weaker for Mans use, than Those that come from Minerals; so we are here to un∣derstand, that Alcaly of Vipers possesses a specifick Form, and is impregnated with Natural Acid supervening, and under a convenient heat of Digestion, it is ripened into one excellent Body: The same Alcaly indeed may arise more efficacious, by reason of its Masculine adjunct, yet it cannot ascend beyond the boundary before alledged out of Raymund; so that the Remedies taken from the Mineral Family, are found to be much more perfect in the Epilepsie, Asthma, Stone, and most Coagulated Dis∣eases (Hippoc. Chymic. Chap. 14.) in as much as their Radical Humid is found by Experience to be more con∣stant.

Now Those in general are called Coagulated Diseases,* who from Immature Acid, flow from the Stomach to the other Shops of Digestion, and are Coagulated there, or if in these very Shops, through the degenerating of the Occasional Cause, the Acid become more power∣ful, then it suppresses the Innate, and presently the Pores are contracted, and it undergoes Coagulation with the Alcaly of the place, according to the property of the Member; as I have above shewed out of Hippo∣crates. And as in the Macrocosme there dwels an Occult Food of Life in the Air, which because it contains all things which the World hath, is therefore called a Multi∣ventrous Spirit; we must also understand the same in the Microcosme: So that in the Air of Mans Stomach, there inhabits a Multiventrous Spirit, which contains in it what∣soever a Man can do, or hath; as I have shewed out of Hippocrates in his Book de Carnibus. If therefore any of This Spirit, dwelling in the Stomach, shall suck in a more Acid Air of a strange and forraign taste or smell, not agreeing to its own Nature, which it cannot through∣ly
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change into Mature or Salt, and it falls into another Shop of Digestion, where Concoction, and Alteration pro∣ceed more sweetly than in the Stomach, then presently the more powerful suppresses the weaker, and they are both Coagulated into a forrain Indoles; whence the in∣dwelling Spirit rages, and as it were disdains, the Member waxes hot, and doth not Concoct its proper Aliment, from whence a Disease is manifestly produced; after the same manner, as when Vinegar suppresses the indwelling Rector of a Pearl, and doth so weaken It, that it loses the form and shape of Pearl; as I have elsewhere clearly shewn.

Wherefore the vivid and manifest Acid, if by mistake it fall from the Stomach, and pass to the Oeconomy of the Bowels, immediately, as forrain and more powerful, it subdues the feeble Operator of the place, and takes the Province to it self; causing either Collick pains, or ma∣king the Belly either loose or costive, or working such like disorders in the Intestines; which I think better, to a∣void Prolixity, to omit in this place, for they require a distinct Tract by themselves. I have only endeavoured to deduce necessary Arguments in this matter, from thence to discover the folly of Those, who have learned to do nothing else but to defame and revile the Truth, which is unknown to them.* Now this vivid and manifest Acid (of which I now speak) must not be understood to be a certain Fluid Liquor, which as the vulgar speaks, descends as a swist Torrent, but it is also a vital thing, called by Hippocrates, Aura Levis; by Virgil, Igneus Vigor; by Ho∣ratius, Divina Aura; of it self wanting a Body, but not enduring to be alone (as Hippocrates says, de Diaeta) it incor∣porates it self with Meats and Drinks, and informs Them into the Vital Aliment of the Body, which takes in that Food. Hence again, Hippocrates in his first Book de Diaeta, The Soul of Man is excreased in Man, and in no other, and the like of other great Animals.* Now this Aura by Irradi∣ation alone persects its work, but a forrain Aura mixed with it, as Water with Water, Fire with Fire, is alone sufficient to be the cause of Diseases, as our Master teaches de veteram Medicina, because it can easily alter the in∣bred
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Operator (for every Male hath its Ventricle) which being altred, presently the Digestion of the place is disturb∣ed,* and the very Aliment, otherwise Vivid, is p••verted into a Mucous Ind•les, according tothe property of thē diseased and affected Member; just as the Occult Sulphurous Odor of Orpiment doth die and denigrate Sal Saturni, though far distant from it, after this manner, Write with Sac∣charum Saturni dissolved in Water, that Writing will not be seen upon the Paper; place that written paper in the Frontispiece of any Book, then have ready an Humid Sul∣phurous Odor, which is made of unslaked Lime and Orpi∣ment, both first severally pounded, and afterwards mixed together; pour Water on this Powder, and make a Lixi∣vium, with which you moisten another Paper, and place it at the end of the same Book; shut the Book, and the next morning you shall find the Writing to appear obscure∣ly black, because the Sulphureous Odor of the Orpiment, being excited by the Alcaly of the Lime, hath pierced through the whole body of the Book unto its own sub∣ject.*In like sort (says Hippocrates, de Diaeta; The nature of Man doth operate, with which all Arts and all Artifices do communicate. For if the Operator and Causes of that glewish matter called Synovia in the joynt of the Foot (for Example) were so disposed to receive the vitiated Aura of the Stomach, as Sal Saturni is to entertain the Aura inquinated by the Odor of the Sulphur of Orpiment, then indeed the Aura of the Stomach, being tinged with a forrain Odor, would also inquinate the Synovia in the joynt of the Toe; and this is done only by Odor, that I may so speak, from whence ariseth pain in the joynt of the Foot, which from the place is called Podagra, or the Foot-gout; and immediately the Aliment, otherwise vi∣vid, is perverted into a Mucous Indoles, &c. as I said but now.

This kind, after the manner of the Ancients, Hippocra∣tes in general called Divine, and hath enjoyned every one to take notice of and observe, That if there be any Divine Thing in Diseases, we should have special re∣gard to that, if ever we would be good and admirable Physicians.

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Now that Divinum of Hippocrates is the Occult,* Ar∣duous, Obscure, Hidden, Cryptical and Admirable Fer∣ment in all the Ventricles, both of the great and lesser World; which cannot be seen with the eyes, neither can it be perceived by any outward sense, but only 'tis known by its effect, and that not without much labour, and no little expence of time; but I have shewed it to be the Child of the Sun, Chap. 2. For whatsoever doth escape the sight of the bodily eye, the eye of the Understanding doth, and can reach it; as in His book of Preccpts.*

This arduous and obscure Ferment hath so crazed the Brains of the Deans, and their Collegiats, though they think they were solid, strong, and well grounded in Art, That they do altogether dislike that Divinum. as a certain piacular thing, (which my Hippoc. Chymic. ce∣lebrates both in Diseases and Remedies) and they are also ignorant how to distinguish new things from old, latter from former; which the fourth in order of the Vienna Professors, a scurrilous and dicacious prater, doth con∣fess, viz. that he is amazed to find that it should be trea∣ted of by learned men, as being manifestly false and foo∣lish; but he Dreams waking, as the Proverb is.

But our Galen (even when he was old, deriding such mens madness) together with many other fa∣mous Men, had It in great esteem, and (with Hippo∣crates) consesses in his 2. Book of the Differences of Feavors, Chap. 27. That It is placed in a certain secret affection, and that it doth inhere in the very parts, saying of intermittent Feavors, It ceases not to bring abcut the Circuitus of their Fits, as long as the Disposition, in the generating part, is preserved: whence it appears, that in that place he fetches the Cures of Feavors a little higher than he doth in his Books of Method and in his First Book of Art to Glaxcoe; affirming, That the correction of this Disposition, is the principle scope of the Cure; and in the same book, Where heat overcomes the matter, it is called increment. He means nothing else, but what my Hippoc. Chym. hath more clearly explained (for the sake of the studious, viz. Ferment, either occult, or manifest, which speaking to Plebeiasn, he calls heat, and Alcaly mat∣ter;
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for if heat do overcome, it must needs have domini∣on over the Matter or Alcaly, as I have abundantly proved by all examples both in the great and lesser world; and then (sayes Galen) Heat is encreased not only in Feavors, but also in all other Diseases and Matters, as I have before shewed in Barly, a seed of the Macrocosme; and now shall likewise shew even ad oculum in Paronychia (i. e.) (and imposthumation under the root of the Nails) a seed of the Microcosm. Now Paronychia, the Mistress or Queen of almost all Diseases, is an Igneous Tumour; so called from the most Acute pain accompanying it; the like whereof is hardly to be found amongst Men; it arises in the root of the Nails (i. e.) in their Ventricle, when the Occult Ferment is by mistake There made manifest and soured; in that very moment the vivid Aliment is perverted, the neighbouring parts are disturbed, and sometimes the Bones themselves are eroded.

But this Disposition is corrected by a more powerful A∣cid descending from a perfecter Family, which can subdue the inflamed Ferment of the Microcosme: For before the Tumour be opened, it must be anointed over, and the whole Nail too, with Acid of Sulphur, as it is gathered Ex Campana, which by reason of its thickness they call Oil, when this Unction causeth pricking and itching a little in the part affected, in that very moment you may observe the corruptive Disposition to be corrected, because the more powerful Anima gets dominion over the weaker, no otherwise than as counterfeit Spirit of Venus subjugates the Occult Acid in a Pearl. Do but wash your Finger with this warm Water, and it is enough. I would have disco∣vered many more of these things, for the benefit of my Neighbours, as also a pleasant, safe and delightsome Re∣medy for the Lues Venerca it self, unless I had been every where prevented by the deep Wisdom of the Vienna Pro∣fessors.

I know Learned Men, not a few, have by long use and experience taken notice of things, that do eradicate certain Dispositions; but by reason of the multitude of Ig∣norants in this woful age, which, with one mouth would raile against them (I am almost ashamed to speak it) they
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are afraid to publish Them, because they exceed the un∣derstanding of Gregarious and Talkative Medicks.

So the Vulgar Country People by proper Antidotes (i. e.) such as specifically destroy some Dispositions, or do restrain, absorb, or overcome the Acid and Ferment of the place) do sometimes Cure not only Feavors, but many other Diseases, without Purgation premised; whereby Old Women do sometimes disgrace, even the most able Physicians, and do counterfeit their Art; so Hippocrates teaches in his Book de Affectionibus, If Pa∣tients seem to have no need of Pharmaca, give them Medica∣ments in Drink, by which the Feavor may be either changed or may abate.

My Hippocrates Chymicus, with Galen and Hippocrates, give many Examples of this Correction (as the former calls it) of Transmutation (as the latter) of Dispositions; which being Cryptical, Abstruse, and Magnetical Works of Nature, and besides are the Foundations of the Physick of our Predecessors, The Deans and their Colleagues have indeed read them, as appears, but being above their reach, and above Priscians Grammar Rules, they could not understand Them, as appears by their reproachful can∣ting; for therefore they asperse them, as not having learned to consider obscure things from manifest, as Hippocrates plea∣santly derides them, L. 1. de Diaeta. But if this Spiritual Operation be to be derided,* then surely, whole Nature, and the profound Science of True Physick will be also counted ridiculous. For whatsoever Nature works in the greater or lesser world, she always begins and ends it in a Spiritual manner; for the Creator hath given her no other Instruments to work withal: Out of a small Seed of Hemp or Flax, there ariseth a Plant, which having first undergone many vexatious Alterations, at length is made a Sail, by the help whereof, and by the blowing of the Winds, Men are carried up and down the World. This Action, from the beginning to the end, proceeds Spiritually, like Cryptography, as Hippocrates Chymicus shews in the fore-cited place. And also Mans Nature it self, of Bread only and simple Water, doth not only frame for it self the Body, which we touch, but also
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the Optick Spirit of incomprehensible Tenuity.* None but the Norimberg and Austrian Collegiates and their fellows, would ever have called this Operation of Nature inept, Circum-foraneous, and Mountebank-like. So in the very Science of Physick, neither Rhubarb, Senna, nor Agarick, &c. (their innate Spirit being taken away) can any longer disturb Mans Body; neither, in their full strength, if they could be given to a Carkass of a Man (the Spirit being gone) would they purge It. So that whatsoever is in Medicine, besides the Clamours of the Deans and their Colleagues, like Cryptography, it pro∣ceeds Spiritually; for we must needs confess, that all things do consist of insensible Principles, as Lucretius says, Lib. 2. Moreover one weight or parcel or Galls, and a fourth part of that weight of Vitriol (though neither of them black) yet being joyned together with an Aqueos Liquor,* by reason of the innate Spirit, do wax black, because the Alcaly of the Galls doth suck up the Aoid Spirit of the V•triol, and the immature Iron is diluted into Ink, which is in use amongst Kings, Learned nad Unlearned, yea Plebeians themselves: Yet all these, when they han∣dle this Cryptick and hidden Colour, brought thus to light, are accused by these lofty Deans and their Owl∣light Companions, as Circumforaneous and Juglers.

Truly they use their Tongues ill, but their Ink worse. But to make an end, I conclude with Lucretius, That both Learned and Unlearned must needs confess, That whatsoever the World hath, is produced of Cryptical and hid∣den things; Only these talkative Praters, to evidence to the whole World that they are vain and empty Bodies, without Spirit, do laugh at these Works of Nature, to∣gether with their Instruments. They are a company of light, ungrateful, and ludicrous Birds, which I leave to be fed upon by such hungry Stomachs as de∣sire them; and so I return whence I digressed. The Aura of the Stomach, being endued with a forrain o∣dor, can creep to the joynts of the Foot (as the Aura of Common Sulphur can reach Sal Saturni, though far di∣stant from it, as I have experimentally shewed) and there it can so trouble the inhabiting Spirit, that the
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Aliment of the place waxes sour, and pain arises, which from the place is called Podagrick. But of what Species this Acidity is, so tinged by the strange or forrain Aura, Mans understanding cannot comprehend: Whence Hip∣pocrates in Fraeceptionum libello, By reason diverse attri∣butes, sometimes Diseases stay a longer while. So that for the particulur Cure, That which is contary to these pains lies hid in the specifick Alcaly, which thirsts after such an Acid; as I have shewed concerning Iron for the Spleen, and concerning Ostio Colla, &. (see Hippocrates Chymic. Chap 28.) But for an external Remedy I have some∣times seen the most vehement pain to have been mitiga∣ted by warm Water of Frogs Spawn,* which is rich of Volatile Alcaly, as Hippoc. Chymic. hath it, Chap. 19. Tonzelius also, in his Exegesis hath the same, only adding Allum. This Aura, if it creeps to the Reins, and there suppresses the presiding Spirit, whatsoever it lays hold on,* it coagulates with the Alcaly of Urine, into the shape of a Stone: the same also happens in the Bladder, in the Liver, in the Vena Porta, in the Lungs, in the Vesicle of the Gaul, and in all the Shops of Digestion, in which there is found a fluid Nature. For the way, see Hippoc. Chimic. Chap. 14. Stones are preternaturally generated after the same manner, not only in Men, but also in certain Animals, and their parts; and the same Acid which had coagulated them (the order being chang∣ed) doth again dissolve them, as Dame Nature shews in Stones of Crabs; which yet are not Morbous to the Crabs, but arise from their very first Constitutions. I also keep by me Stones taken out of the Kidneys of Cappons, and out of the Gauls of Oxen. There are some, which can shew some taken from Their Bladders and Reins.

So also there is preternaturally bred a stone found in the Gaul of an Histrix or Hedghog,* which such Fablers, who are ignorant of the nature and causes of things, do mightily commend; especially Those, who would be accounted by Old Wives and the ignorant Vulgar Canonical Physicians: Whereas the Learned know, That Hypocrati∣cal Medicine is but One, which needs be distinguished but into Internal and External; whereas these Men, out of
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their ignorance have parted it into diverse Sects, as my Hippoc. Chymic. hath it in the Preface. I return to the stone growing in the Hedghogs Gaul, to which they ascribe many imaginary Vertues; And out of meer simplicity which is not to be endured in Physick) do affirm, that it is of singular Vertue above the stones of all other Animals; grounding their opinion, on this weak argument, because it is bitter to the taste, not considering that it contracted the bitter tast from the Gaul, part of which hath undergone coagulation with Acid and Alcaly, after the same manner, as the stone of the Kidneys, is many times red from the Blood, and That of the Bladder is white, by reason of the Mucilage mixed with it, which the Bladder doth exsude. For whatsoever the coagulating Acid and Alcaly, do lay hold of in hasty coagulation, being thrust forth from the Vital Regiment, and doth not much receede from the na∣ture of them both, they take It into their society; just as Lime moistened with Water, again becomes a stony or pe∣trous coagulum with things mixed with it, as daily experi∣ence shews. Hence it is, That Hippocrates de Diaeta laments, That Men are ignorant how to know, or collect obscure things from manifest. But why, I pray,* is not the stone found in the Gaul of an Oxe, of the same Vertue with that in an Histrix or Hedghog? since in other cases, nothing comes from an Oxe, which is not good for Mans use? The rea∣on is plain, because it is more common. The Deans and their Colleagues do commend the Hedghogs stone, by this just, as wise, as powerful, reason; If it were not of great vertue, Noble Men would not buy it at so great a rate. Fie upon it! do your mighty Masterships so expose your selves to the laughter of the Vulgar? What, are Great and Noble Men the proper Arbitrators and Judges of Phy∣sick in our days? And if they were, yet it is no new thing to approve Distilled Vinegar for the Son of Venus, and Elementary Water for Cordial, and out of meer Ignorance to commend and dedicate It to them for a great Treasure in Physick, and to swear that they are good for our Neighbours Health; whereas they do but appear so, but are really for his destruction. But the multitude of Followers procures no patronage to lies,
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though unhappy Mortals are apt to obey and follow gowned sloth and ignorance.

But how came Great Persons to know that the Vertues of this Stone were so excellent, seeing they cannot be learned, but by the knowledge of their Causes, and by manifold Experiences; witness Hippocrates de Lege. But Noble Men, or very few of them, study either, and therefore they must needs by a kind of adoption suck in this their knowledge from such vain Fablers, to whom they subscribe, and who make great but empty vaunts of their Skill in Physick; for they know not how to distin∣guish Vinegar from Salt, as I have proved, as clear as the Sun.

Away therefore with these trifles, which redound so much to the detriment of the Noble Art of Physick, and the misery and damage of ones Neighbour. Such Me∣dicasters are so full of vanities (witness the reformed and vulgarly applauded Auspurgh Dispensatory) that the Name of a Physician is now become the reproach of the Pople, and the jeer of Comoedians; and unless this sordid unskil∣fulness and miserable ignorance be laid aside, I am a∣fraid the day is at hand, that Physicians must turn Country Plow-men. To which doughty principle and design the supplanting of the Ancient Physick of Hippo∣crates, and the defaming of the memorable Doctrine of our Predecessors (God so permitting) will not a little contribute. But to return, at length they pour Water on the Stone, leaving it there so long till it grow bitter; which is done in a short space of time, especi∣ally •f the Stone be new and fresh; for if it hath been washed oftentimes before, then it must be steeped a longer time in the Water. This Ablution they after∣wards prescribe to the Sick,* whose taste is bitter and its vertue heating.

Here Zacutus jestingly and smilingly says, In intense Feavers it is not good to be given, for it mightily heats, in∣slames, and provokes thirst, although it be mixed with cold Cordials, and at last it provikes Sweat (after great trouble straits, and with much ado) and removes obstructions by rea'¦son of its bitterness. The meaning is, that Later angui∣in
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herba, for highly to heat, to inflame, and to pro∣voke thirst, are accidents proper in Malignant (so cal∣led) Feavors which properties if they proceed from the Ablution of the Stone, being drunk, as Zacutus testifies, then certainly it is far from taking them away, as our Mr. Deans and their Collegiates do promise.

But let us hear Dioscorides, who ascribes the same Ver∣tues to the Gaul of Animals, which our great Doctors do to the Ablution of their Stone. The Gaul, says he, is bitter, sharp and heating; and therefore the Ablution of the Stone is bitter from the Gaul, because it hath the same Vertues with the Gaul, if we believe Dios∣corides. But we will prescribe this Ablution to great Men, in Maligne and Perillous Diseases, say our Mr. Deans and their Fellows. Why I pray? because it costs dear, ergo, &c. Oh sottish Society! The shame and detriment of Great Men, That it is bitter from the Gaul, the hasty ablution shews, as I said before; and there∣fore if this Stone be Aperitive simply for its bitterness, it must of necessity be granted, That one drop taken from the Gaul of the meanest Fish, is of more avail for opening of Obstructions, than ten Ablutions of this Stone, because the Gauls of all are sharp and hea•ing, witness Dioscorides: see also Hippoc. Chymic. Chap. 14.

But 'tis a mad thing to imagine, that this Stone is bred thus in the Gaul, and that it contracted not its bitter taste therefrom. Sope is boiled and made out of Alcaly and Oil, and becomes a Body of a Salt taste and white, because no forrain thing enters into it: To which, if you add, in boiling, Juice of Beet, it acquires a Green Colour; and if Gaul were likewise added to that Juice, the Sope must needs be bitter.

So the Stones of the Kidneys are of a Red Colour, by reason of the Blood which transudes or soaks thither by little and little out of the Veins, by reason of the Mor∣bous Acid, and entering into the Coagulum tinges and dies the Stones. The Stone of the Bladder is White, by reason of the Slime found in the Bladder; and shall not the Stone bred in the Gaul of an Hedghog or Histrix, acquire a bitter taste from the Gaul? And shall it not also
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draw from it, its heating faculties? Why I pray? doth it draw the Cause of the Disease or no? Let us see there∣fore how this happens.

'Tis clear that the Loadstone draws Iron to it,* only by Odor, as the distance, through which it draws it, proves; The Radical Humid, or Natural Acid of the I∣ron, being very frall, exhales of its own accord, as Hippoc. Chymic. shews Chap. 19. out of Hippocrates. For unless the Acid of Iron were of this sort, it could not be killed by the Stomach of Animals; and by conse∣quence the filings of it, taken by the mouth would do no good. The Loadstone is the Mother of Iron, which perceives the smell of her Son; because she loves him; but not being sufficiently satisfied with the smell of It, for that cause it attracts and allures Iron to it; as I have shewed concerning Aloalyes and the Mother of things.

But Rubigoe,* or Crocus Martis, though that be also the Son of the Magnete, yet it is neglected by it, because its Soul or Acid, is departed from it; and therefore his Mother doth not perceive his smell and odor: Hence it is called by Horatius, Sterilis Rubigo. And by how much the younger and newer the Load-stone is, by so much the more strongly and vigorously it draws; but the A∣blution of it doth not do so: Now as the Ablution of the Magnete doth not attract Iron, so neither doth the Ablution of the Histrixe's Stone draw the Cause of the Dis∣ease? no not although it were the Mother of a certain Morbifick Cause, hitherto un-named.

Whatsoever, attracts any thing from afar off, as the Magnete doth Iron, it attracts it for loves sake, and it always attracts its like; and as Vegetable Alcaly draws Alcaly of Lime for making Sope (for this is a true at∣traction and of a thing like it self) so we have seen that Gold is attracted (yea plainly is dissolved and dies, I say dies, because the Cadaver stunk) by the Mother Alcaly, and this is the Magnete of Albertus Magnus drawing Gold to it (which words a certain foolish Doctor taking in a literal sense, turned into a jeer) for so saith Bernar∣dus in the fourth part of his Book, The Fountain is to it as the Mother; she draws the King and not the King
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her: This was Paracelsus's meaning, when he said, that the Magnete (extinguished in Oil of Mars, that is,* Gold dissolved in the strongest Metaline Alcaly, its like, then to acquire a ten times greater Vertue) is encreased ten times in his force. For unless there were a consent of things, and a mutual natural Love amongst them, Nature could not subsist; or if it should be interrupted a while; the frame of Nature in a short space of time would be wholly ruined; for the Son onely would be left in a small quantity, neither would he encrease, or be multiplied; so that there is no discord or disagreement in Nature, as some have taught, but whatsoever is done is done in love; for Nature of her own Genius, doth chiefly cover and desire to be in the bottom of the Ele∣mentated Body, in which she operates, by strengthening its Natural heat and Prolifick Vertues, because it is pervious to all Bodies, as Great Raymund witnesses; which Doctrine and Attraction of Natural Love, I shall de∣monstrate by the following Experiment in a Mettaline Example (since our present discourse is of Metals) that it may appear, Nature to be alike in every thing.

Take an Ounce of Silver dissolved by Aqua Fortis; coagulate this Solution into a Saline Powder, and cast this Powder upon Lead melted in the Fire, but not very hot nor quite cold, and in the eighth part of an hour, The Acid Salt of the Aqua Fortis deserts the Silver and corrodes the whole quantity of the Lead, as much as it had lost of the Silver (i. e.) an Ounce, because it performes the Office of Metaline Alcaly in Artificials; it draws and is saturated with the Silver, which by a probatory Cupple returns again to Light Many Learned Men have admired this Experiment, for they have drawn out an Ounce of Silver from the Lead, and have found the Powder of the same form and weight, as they cast it on; whence they doubted in their opinion, whether it were the same Powder of Silver, which they cast on; from which they could gain much, if the way how the Powder might be refunded into the Body could be found out. But as the Loadstone draws Iron, so also Saturn (the Alcaly in Artificials) draws Luna; and when the thirsty Salt of the Aqua Fortis, wanting
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Aqueous Humidity, cannot be alone, it attracts so much Lead, as it had lost of Silver. These and the like Operations and Attractions, which I have explained by illustrious Examples, both in my Hippoc. Chymic. and in this Book, have been perhaps erst exploded, because the Metampsychosis of the Pythagoreans hath not been understood.*

On this foundation, the Stone also of the hairy Ser∣pent, newly found out, is attractive; Kircher describes it, in his Book intitled, The Magnetick Kingdom of Nature, I have plenty of this Stone by me, and to apply it to the bitings of mad Dogs, to which it sticks strongly for a∣bout eighteen hours; and I applied it to another Girl, hurt by a mad Dog, for seven days and nights, and yet the Ablution of this Stone had not done the feat, whatsoever these upstart Doctors do babble. And as the Magnete of all the Things and Metals in the World draws nothing but Iron, and is delighted with its Spirit, (neg∣lecting the Rubigo) and the Stone of the hairy Serpent, rejoyces to attract the Odor of the Poison, infused by the venomous bitings, but it doth not attract Arsnick, Wolfs-bane, nor any other Poison; so also Jasper draws an Exotick Spirit, which makes an Impetus in Mans Bloud. I have known sometimes Eyes troubled with a Suffusion of Blood,* to have been cured the next morn∣ing, upon a Jasper Stone being bound to the neck at night. But as the Ablution of the Magnete doth not draw Iron, nor the Ablution of the Serpents-stone, Poison, nor That of Jasper, the Spirit making the assault, from the Blood; so neither doth the Ablution of the Hedghogs or Histrixes-stone draw out any Malignity from Humane Bodies; so teaches Galen in his First Book of Natural Faculties, Chap. 14. Whatsoever things says he, do draw forth the Poison of Serpents, or Weapons; These do shew forth the same Vertue, that the Load-stone hath, but the Ablution of the Magnete shews no such Faculty, and why then should the Ablution of the Porcupine or Hedghogs-stone? so that these are meer Dreams and Old Wives Fables, impo∣sed upon Great Men. It were better for such dreamers, and for the Art of Physick too, if they did philosophize with
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the Spade, as Lucian jeeringly speaks of one who was about to dig the ground.

I have said, That the Magnetick perceives Iron at a distance from it, and attracts it by its odor only, pro∣vided it be taken out of its Native Oil, for otherwise where it grows, it attracts nothing, because there, in its Native Place, there is no want of the Odor of Iron.

The Island Elbe is fruitful of Lead-stones, yet it was never seen nor heard off, that it did incommode Ships passing by, nor injure the Needle of the Compass, be-because the Mother Magnete is there saturated with Spi∣rit of Iron; so also the Stone of the hairy Serpent, being saturated with the Odor of the Poison which it drew from the biting of the Mad Dog,* receives not beyond its measure, it neglects the rest, and spontaneously falls from the Wound; so that this Stone, according to Ga∣lens sense, hath an Attractive Faculty with the Magnete, but no such Faculty is found in the Hogs-stone, and therefore, sayes Galen, it hath no Magnetick Vertue: so that it is clear, that whatsoever is devised against the dangerous Diseases of Great Men from the Abluti∣on of this Stone, hath no existence, but in the Brains of the Inventors, but sinks down into a meer Nulli∣ty, and a dark Chymera of ignorance.

But when it is given in Powder, then without doubt, like other Stones, it would attract any Acid agreeable to its Nature; as Crabs Eyes draws forth that other Acid which putrefies the Wound: A Sponge-stone, the Acid which Coagulates the Struma: The Stones of Perch∣ce, the Acid of Urine in the Strangury; Bezoar-stones, the Lypothymick Acid, ar••ng about the heart; The Stone Ostio Colla, That Acid which hinders the Conglutina∣tion of the Bone, &c. All these aforesaid do imbibe the Specifick Morbous Acid.

So also the Hedghog or Histrixes S•ones, taken by the Mouth, would imbibe its Specifick Acid, which was yet never described or taken notice of by any of these Approvers.

But what that Specifick Acid is, which I have spoken
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of,* and which is the Cause of Diseases, it cannot be explained in words, as my Doctor says, De Veteri Me∣dicinae; who after he had demonstrated that the Cause of Diseases was Acid, yea and most Acid; he goes on in these words, There is none of them can be seen or known by our Bodily Eyes, and therefore they are called by Me Obscure; not that they alwayes remain so, and exceed our understandings, but because they are not found out, but with much labour and in a long time; for those things which are above and beyond the sight of our Bodily Eyes, The same may be reached and fetched in by the Mental Eyes (viz. of us Chymists.)

Hitherto Hippocrates, his meaning is, that we must gradually ascend from known things to unknown, as my Hippocrates Chymicus shews, which doth proceed as it were by steps, from Artificials to the Fabrick of Hu∣mane Nature; for as I have shewed, that the Acid of Iron, though it be scarce perceived by the sense, and is found no where but in Iron, being of a singular kind, yet the Loadstone perceives It and attracts it even at a long di∣stance; so also there are many, yea infinite Acids in Mans Body, some of which are made by the degenera∣tion of the Morbous Cause, which are not perceived, nor attracted, by other then their own proper Magnetes; as the Morbous Acid in the Spleen is attracted by no other thing but the Rubigo of Iron; the Morbous Acid gene∣rating The Struma, is perceived and drawn forth by no other (that I know of) but a Sponge-stone. They may be called Magnetes, because they scent and attract the fore-said Spirits, as the Magnete doth Iron; and unless the aforesaid Acid Spirits were in readiness, and were smelt or scented by their Magnetes, they would not be attracted nor absorbed by Them: So Gold is inodorous to our senses, yet it is smelt even afar off, by its own Mag∣nete or Mother, for she draws the King, says Bernhard, and not the King her Upon which occasion of Occult Odors, a convenient opportunity is offered to me to speak of the manifest Odors of things,* for, as I have shewed, that the former come from Acid; so I shall also experientally shew, that these latter also proceed from Acid or Ce∣lestial
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Calid: Odors are quiet and at rest till they be rouzed up or stirred; and they are stirred, as soon as a proper and consontaneous Humid acts upon the Odorous thing; for then its Odor is presently spread far and near, more or less stinking or sweet, according to the Se∣minal Vertue of the innate Calid: which Paradox, be∣fore I proceed, I shall make plain, by clear Examples, taken out of the Shop of Nature.

Lime is inodorous of its self, but when it is dissolved in simple Water, for the building of Walls, the Acid acts upon the Alcaly, and on the contrary. This Action and Commotion diffuses and scatters a smell not agreea∣ble to Mans Nature; and therefore before a Man can dwell safely in an House, newly built, a yeare time had need pass over, in which time the Action of the Humid upon the Acid will be at an end.

Barley also of it self is almost of no smell, but when its Meal is boiled and fermented for Beer; that is when the constituting parts do begin to act one upon another, then they afford an inebriating smell; which though it be not noisome, yet it so disturbs the Spirits, that it preju∣dices the Memory. A Grape hath little smell, but the Juice expressed under the Action of Fermentation, yields a smell afar off; so doth Bread under the Action of Fer∣mentation (i. e.) when the Humid acts upon the Galid, or the Acid on the Alcaly.

Acid Fountains themselves, yet bubbling forth in their Native Soil, do expire a most grateful Odor, because the Agent it self is a Celestial Acid, friendly to Mans Na∣ture.

So Vinegar, when it corrodes any thing, as Coral, for Example, smells more strongly than when it was at rest.

Amber is pinguous and of a most sluggish smell,* you can scarce tell that it gives forth any smell at all, be∣cause its Calid or Acid is the least part in respect of the Radical Humid or Alcaly; but when it is stirred up and excited by Solution, with a just proportion of Odors and convenient Fat, v. g. Zibeth (the purer and sincerer it is,*
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the more acute and ingrateful is its smell) then the tor∣pid 〈◊〉 of, the Amber, being excited by the Zibeth, begins to act upon the Humid, and upon that Action there ariseth a most sweet smell; as for Example, Pound ten Grains of Amber, and three Grains of Zibeth in a Mortar, and the Amber presently melts; upon which, for encreasing the Acid, instil a drop or two of Juice of Lemmons, and by this means you will have an unguent of an admirable suavity, which rubbed upon the Skin yields an incredible Odor.

So Musk,* by how much the purer and simpler it is, it smells strong indeed, but 'tis a bad scent, or at least not a very good one; but when it is dissolved with some drops of Ardent Spirit of Rosos, which I have pro∣ved to be Acid, 'tis to be admired what a feagant smell it will afford. Three Graines of this Musk so dissolved, being added to the aforesaid Solution of Amber, and Zi∣beth, you will hardly find a more odoriferous thing; but I have shewn, that the harsh smell of Lime, Beer, &c. is noxious to many Men, so also this sweet smell is an enemy to many both Men and Women: Those that are troubled with Uterine Distempers, or Diseases of the Lungs, cannot endure it; which Diseases, according to Hippoocrates proceed from Acidity;* for when the smell, though sweet qu reaches from the Nose to the Womb, presently the Dormant Morbous Acid, which is in the Womb, is excited by meanes of the Ferment, for like hath an easie ingress into like, as Fire to Fire; as we see in a Candle newly blown out, whose pinguous fume easily takes flame again, which is nothing but kindled fume; for also Diseases of the Womb are more easily excited and 〈◊〉 by Odors which are fermentable:* which fer∣mentation in the Womb, may again be allayed and over∣come by those Odors which are stronger, and prevail over those which are excited, as the greater flame o∣vercomes and extinguishes the less, and the less Light is put out by the greaten; as I have before clearly de∣monstrated in Acid Minerals, which overcome Those of Vegetables, and These again do suppress Those of Ani∣mals:
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So also Womb, diseases being excited by suaveo∣lent, Odors, begin to ferment and to boil up with great violence; and These again are suppressed and killed by graveolent things, In Physical Practice, it is observed, that the Matrix, of its own Nature, at the smell of sweet things, is turned upwards or downwards, if the same sweet Odor be applied below; if then it be elevated up∣wards, and its capacity be blown up, and distended by flatulent vapours excited in it, then the Diaphragma is straitned; which being compressed by much wind, hin∣ders Respiration and Speech, so that the Patient is at Deaths door; for a Cure in this case all sweet-smelling things are carried out of the Chamber (lest their smell should arrive at the Nostrils of the Sick Woman) and they are applied to the Vulva of the Matrix, that by the sweetness of the Odor it may return down again; (which arises from hence, that the Womb is delighted with and greedily turns it self to sweet smelling things:) and Odors are applied to the Nose, which by their ve∣hemency may over-power, or wholly kill the, sweet Odor attracted, (as I have a while ago shewed of A∣cid Liquors) as Assa Foetida, Castoreum, Oppoponax, Sa∣gapenum, Oleum Petrae, Oleum Tartarl Distillatam, and the like; or else such things as being drawn in and smelt to by the Nose, can mortifie the inward sweet Acid of the Ferment by its contrary,* and these are Volatile Alcalyes absorbing the suave-acid Odors of the Womb: As for Ex∣ample, the smoak of things burned, taken from the Ani∣mal Family, for they being burned, do breath forth no∣thing but Volatile Alcaly, which is destructive to and a consumer of Acids. But Women (led rather by super∣stition than reason) chuse Partridge Feathers, and Goats Horns (perhaps, because taken from Salacious Creatures) Hairs, Leather of Old Shoes, or Urine of a stinking Chamber Pot, all expiring Volatile Alcalyes (which I have shewed to be contrary to and destructive of Acid Fermentation) the least part of which Odors being at∣tracted by the Nostrils, presently the Sick Woman re∣vives, and begins to be better, because the Uterine
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Ferment is restrained by its contrary; for Fermentable Odor, as it is easily mixed and makes Ebullition with its like; so by its unlike, it ceases from the Ebulliti∣on. This is the meaning of that of Hippocrates, De Diaeta; when he says, out of Pythagoras his School, He that believes not one Soul to be mixed with another, is besides him∣self.

The smell of a Rose is acceptable to some, but per∣nicious to many; hence a Rose is said by Pliny to be of an Angust Odor, Lib. 21. Chap. 41. I knew an honest Citizen of this place, who, as often as he scented a Rose, though afar off, his Breast was not only griped and strait∣ned, but he was troubled with a Coryza many days after.

Syrup of Roses solutive, inconsiderately taken by the Mouth,* how often hath it caused Deliquia's, or Swoon∣ings? especially in such Women whose Noses are quick∣scented; yea, it hath caused their Bowels to tremble inwardly, as Practicioners have observed.

There are some who cannot digest the Herb Selenum, some that cannot concoct Spices, but resist their con∣coction by continual belchings: All which things my Wise Master observing, advises those who practice Phy∣sick, Aph. 28. Sect. 5. In this manner, The smell of A∣romatical things draws the Muliebria, and it would often be good for other things too, unless it occasioned the heaviness of the Head; where we must observe out of Columella, Lib. 12. chap. 20. That he takes Odors, and Aromata for the same things. Hence Lucret•us speaks of himself, I per∣ceive diverse Odors of Things, yet I could never see them com∣ming to the Nostrils, Lib. 1. chap. 60. Our Acute Galen com∣prehending all these things in his Book, De Victus Ratione, thus concludes, Odours do both good and hurt; which Sen∣tence of Galen, I have a little before shewed to be exactly True in Uterine Diseases, as the Female Sexe can testi∣fie. For Fermentable Odour, which all Aromaticks do expire, and which is multiplied by Fermentation, hurts many; and on the contrary, Alcalizate Odour, and That which is excited from the burnt parts of Animals,
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because it is destructive of the Ferments, profits and does good to many; as we see by daily experience and use; so that every smell is to be distinguished and redu∣ced to its proper Classis. This was Hippocrates his mean∣ing de Virginum Morbis, 'Tis not possible (says he) to know the Nature of Diseases (if they are knowable by Art) unless a Man knew Nature in indivisibility, from which in the beginning they were distinguished.

All these things being considered, it appears, why Venerable Antiquity hath prescribed to us for a weak and languid Stomach, that compound Inodorous Medi∣cine, called Syrup of Wormwood,* that it might be of use to every individual? This, because it is made up of sim∣ples, as of Pontick Wormwood, which is of an Aro∣matick and Astringent Taste, of Roses, Indian Spike, most Odorous Plants, of Old Wine, of Juice of Quin∣ces likewise binding, and Sugar, therefore they com∣manded them all to be boiled in an Earthen Vessel being open, That so the Volatile Spirit of the Old Wine might carry off the Aromatick Odors, both of the Spike, as also of the Wormwood and Roses; and so the Odors, as Galen says, can do no hurt to those, who otherwise are not able to bear them (words in my Hippocrates Chymicus Chap. 30. either not understood, or malig∣nantly changed) and their Syrup may help a weak Sto∣mack, not by the Odorous Spirit of Wine, but by a mo∣derately Astringent Faculty. This is the reason why such a Syrup was found out, as the Text witnesses: From whence we learn the deep Judgment and diligent Observation of our Predecessors in compounding of Me∣dicines, and why they appointed this Syrup to be Ino∣dorous? See for this the Tetras of Quercetan, consult all Practicioners, and the Truth of the thing will appear; which, by how much the more it is oppressed, by those that hate it, so much the more gloriously it triumphs and treads down falsity under her feet. For it is not e∣nough, out of meer ignorance to condemn the memo∣rable Observations of the Ancients faithfully made, by long study and many watchful lucubrations, and so trans∣mitted
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to us, and farther by unusual clamours, without any known reason and cause to Reform them; defaming also all such who tread in their steps: but Men had need to demonstrate the contrary, if not by Authority and Experience, yet at least by reason; otherwise all their ridiculous and inept approbations, together with their absurd clamours, will not only be judged to be false and vain, by Wise and Understanding Persons; and there∣fore worthy to be sent packing from whence they 〈◊〉 but will also be reckoned by the Vulgar amongst futile and sordid devices and fogeries and the highest levities; for so indeed they are. 'Twas never read in the Wri∣tings either of the Old or New Interpreters of Nature, that They taught, That Distilled Vinegar was Celebrated Spirit of Venus, or was as Alcahest; That the Poison of Copper, extracted by Vinegar, was an Epileptick, or Hysterick Remedy; That Elementary Water was Vola∣tile Salt of Tartar, and a Panacaea for disperate Dis∣eases; or That Corals, which both by Wise Men and by Ideots too, are reckoned amongst Gemmes; should be compared to Common Corrosive Calx, and pronounced unuseful; or That the Vinegar distilled from Meal was Acid Spirit of Sal-Armoniack; or That Minium could condense the Air into a Ponderous Body; and many hundreds more of such falsities, destructive to Man∣kind, and worse than the dotages of frantick Persons; which besides the corruption of good manners, can hard∣ly be read without tediousness: such things I say, and others like them, were never taught by our Ancestors, and yet though they are found most false, by Experi∣ence, Reason, and Authority, and to be to the detri∣ment of Physick and Mankind: nevertheless They are approved and cryed-up by our fore-said Magnifick Do∣ctors. Hence it is, that Aristotle in a passion commands. Sciolists, to dip their Pens in their Minds, before they do it in Ink, least one inconvenience being granted, a thousand false conclusions do follow: As not only the Studiers of Ancient Physick do find to their great detriment, but Physick it self (and that which is more to be lamented, the Sick)
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suffers under such things, as manifestly appears in the Sy∣rup of Wormwood, which the Ancients appointed to be made without any smell, that it might be given for an Astringent to every individual; as clearly appears by the Reasons and Experiences just now alleaged: but These men, against the institutions and precepts of Medicine, yea against the order of Nature her self, do mixe it with Aromatized Spirit of Wine and that most odoriferous, and do so prescribe it, being induced thereunto, by this false and vain opinion, That Odors are good indif∣ferently for all, both Men and Women. But with what fruit or profit they so think, Let Practicioners speak, and let those judge who have but the Spirit of a Man in their Breasts, and who have ever seen the Female Sexe troubled with Uterine Distempers. I confess in a pedantick slavish Writer, this error were tolerable, and need only simple correction; but it is an abominable wickedness, and not to be endured in the Deans and their Colleagues, who sore at such High things, and boast that they can teach others Skill, themselves being in the mean time ignorant of the common and safe way of healing, prescribed by Galen, as I have shewed. For if, the Ancients (whom they insult over) could find out Syrup of Worm∣wood, and Syrup of Quinces, as we see in Dioscorides, what difficulty had it been for them to add odoriferous Spike and Roses, if Odors and Spirit of Wine had been useful in this Compound? It appears by this, that They knew well a Dog from a black Sheep (to speak prover∣bially) and could distinguish things, that smelt of Garlick, of the Hogsty, of the Sow and Goat mixed together. I have sometimes admired, why not only Hippocrates enjoyned that we should only speak of Those Things, which are known to Plebeians, but that Ar∣nold, Holland, and many others have so industriously concealed the Ancient Foundations of this Art? Yea, heretofore It was confined only within the Family of Aesculapius; but my wonder ceases, when now adays I see the Truth judged, condemned, and cast out of doors, by Those who are bound to advance it, for their
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Neighbours good; and this not by choice of Doctrine or Science, but by a meer fit of foolish temerity, be∣fore they understand the cause of the matter, as I have evidenced in this whole Tract from the beginning to the end very copiously; not by opinion only, as South∣sayers do, but by clear Reasons, Authority, and Ex∣perimental Operations. Wherefore let such Putative and Insipid Doctors be hissed out of the Theatre of Wis∣•om, and cast forth unto their sluggish Colleagues, together with their emendicated and inept Receits, ill •nderstood and falsly approved; That so the Ancient and True Hippocratical Physick, the Noblest of all Arts, may be redeemed from the contempt of the Vulgar, and by degrees may recover its Ancient estimation and lustre.

Take therefore in good part,* O ye Curious Readers and Lovers of the Ancient Truth, this my Clavis, which I sincerely and faithfully offer to you, by the help where∣of you may unlock and open the Ancient Cabinet of Hippocratical Medicine. Sluggish Doctors, who by their ulcerous, yet reforming Doctrine, do endeavour to per∣vert Natures order, and to hinder the progress of Hip∣pocratical Physick, to their Neighbours detriment, are conversant in thick darkness, far from the Light of Truth; who not being able to get out from thence by their own strength, do study how to lacerate and revile the fame of their Predecessors, yea the works of Nature it self, that they may obtain a Name and Praise amongst such as are like themselves. 'Tis wonderful to consider, how far this mad rage of evil speaking hath extended it self (by occasion whereof the unshaken Wisdom of the An∣cients shines forth with greater lustre, and the fundamen∣tal Verity and Excellency of the most Noble Hippo∣cratical Physick doth the more appear:) so as laying a∣side all modesty, Men dare petulantly to rise up against the minds of Hippocrates and Galen, yea against the Truth it self, against Experience and the Law of Nations, and openly, to their perpetual shame, to extol, subscribe,
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and approve, miserable fooleries and false receits, to the damage of their Neighbours and their Posterity.

Wherefore let the unprejudiced Reader weigh with an equal ballance and indifferent mind, This Ancient Do∣ctrine of Truth, and Firm Foundation of our Fore-Fa∣thers, which are laid and established in my Hippocrates Chymicus and in this Comment upon it, according to their mind and opinion; and then I doubt not but he will pass an equal Sentence: for he will find all my Expe∣riments deduced from the same Fountains from whence the Venerable Ancients and the more Novel Interpreters of Natures Secrets have drawn Theirs, and therefore in no fort •allacious; yea he will find a necessary connexi∣on of Causes amongst themselves, so as some depend on others, the last on the first, the inferior on the supream, the less on the greater, the weak on the stronger, ac∣cording to the Wise Series of Nature; and that all things are increased, preserved, and destroyed by mutual com∣mutation, digestion, and sermentation; and again how they •ise up into new beings before our eyes, as saith Hippocrates de Diaeta. And as I have shewed Mechani∣cally, that such things must infallibly be in the Macro∣cosme;* so I have concluded by just reason according to the Opinion of the Ancients, and by evidence of Ex∣periments, that they must be so in the Microcosme; so that Diseases are caused by this method, and by the same method they are cured, since Art imitates Nature, and Nature Art, according to Hippocrates; whose An∣cient Doctrine, underpropped by the firm Principles of Fire and Water, I hope as long as I live, to defend by my self alone, against all unjust invasions and assaults; for in doing hereof, I shall not need in a meretricious way, the assistance of many flattering woers, as the de∣stroyers of this Noble Medicine do.

But if any Man accuse the Inelegancy of my Stile it shall not trouble me at all; I give leave to every Ig∣norant Fellow to bark, prate, and raile; for I sear not the buzzing of such Hornets: indeed for their greatness and multitude they are terrible, but their Stings are out,
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and let them do what ever they will or can, yet they shall never get the victory.* Let me tell thee this one thing, O Man; such as thou art, so think thy self to be; and as far as thou art remote from the turpitude of Things, stand at the same distance from the Licentiousness of Words; and moreover, speak not that falsly against ano∣ther, which, when it is answered, may cause thee to blush.* I know how to defend my self (to speak without boasting) as well as another, yea I know how to re∣turn opprobrious speeches to others, if I so pleased, and would indulge my self that liberty. But here, friendly Reader, I conclude, since my Book may not justly be extended to a greater Iength; but hereafter I shall speak to thee in a graver Tone.

FINIS.
Shew me better, if thou canst (before thou carp at mine) and I shall give thee thanks.

THE INDEX Of the CHAPTERS contained in this CLAVIS.
ACid and Alcaly the most Ancient Principles of Things, what they are? Chap. 1. Page 1.
Acid as being spiritual, is not subjected to the Censure of our Outward Senses; Chap. 2. p. 3.
Alcaly what it is, and how it is made, both by Nature and by Art, and whence it hath its Name? Chap. 3. p. 8.
Meat or Common Salt, how much it differs from Vitrifying and Saponary Alcaly? Chap. 4. p. 16.*
The Preparation of Medicinal Salts; Chap. 5. p. 24.
That the Seminal Vertues of all Things is Acid, and that Acids draw Alcalyes as they please; and

that every Acid Liquor is a solution of Acid Salt in Elementary Water; Chap. 6. p. 26.
That no Matter can be so destroyed, but it must remain under some form; Chap. 7. p. 49.
That Acid doth destroy and perfect; and that Fire, the Sun, and Acid, have the same powers: Chap. 8. p. 59.
That Acid and Alcaly in Animals is the Innate Calid and Radical Humid: Chap. 9. p. 78.

THE INDEX: Containing the PRINCIPAL EXPERIMENTS and other Observable Things, Which occur in the CLAVIS AFOREGOING.
Note, That the four pages, viz. p. 15. p. 16. p. 17. p. 18. of the Clavis, being by mistake doubled over, what occurs in the first of either of them is marked with an Asterisk* annexed to the Fi∣gure; as p. 15*, and so in the other three.
A
ACid and Alcaly, their effects page 2
Acid the producer of Calidity and Siccity in mix'd Bo∣dies, p. 2
Acid contains the Seeds of all things imperceptibly to our senses, p. 3
Acid hath its Seat in the Air, p. 3
Acid hath the Sun for its Fa∣ther, p. 3.
Acid the Son of Firé, pag. 3.
Acidity of Gold, proved by Ex∣periments, p. 4.
Acid and Pinguous, The most Ancient Principles, the Life and Fountain of all Things, p. 6
Acid is Occultly latent in all Seeds, p. 6.
Acid Natural and Light are

one, only they differ in their offices, p. 6
Acid Natural, 〈…〉Merc••y, its multiplicate on pro•ed by Examples, p. 7
Acid in a Flint perishes not after it is turned into Lime, p. 8
Acid, Natural and Light, flow from the Sun as their Fountain, p. 6
Acid, the Vital Spirit fixed in Alcaly, p. 9, 10
Acid fixed, affirmed to be in Nature p. 13
Acid and Alcaly, produce all things in the Ʋ••verse, p. 15
Acid Spirits, their changes recorded, p. 30
Acid Natural, its quantity in a Seed, p. 59
Acid of Pearls suffocated by a Forraign Acid coming to it, p. 60
Acid is coagulated when it dissolves, p. 61
Acid or Ferreous Waters their use, p. 71
Acid Vital in the Milt, p. 74
Acid Fountains yield a most grateful smell, p. 111
Acid, absuming Iron in the Body, differs from Acid in the general, p. 76
Acid, which burnt Harts∣horn imbibes, in some Fea∣vers is a Specifick, p. 77
Acid of the Stomach, turns the Aliment into Chylep. 80
Acid Occult in the Blood, p. 89
Acid most grateful to Mans Nature in Vitr••l, p. 94
Acid 〈◊〉 co•rupts the Acid of the Stomach, p. 96
Acids diverse, diversly at∣tracted, proved by Experi∣ments, 108, 109
Acid Ʋterine sapors absorbed by several things, p. 113
Air cannot add weight to Mi∣nium, p. 62
Air impatient of a vacuum, p. 62
Air supplies all the Three Kingdoms with the Fewel and Food of Life, p. 83
Alcaly, how produced by Na∣ture, p. 9.
Alcalyes the producer of Hu∣mid and Frigid in mix'd Bodies, p. 2
Alcaly appears not, unless de∣tained by the Acid, p. 8
Alcaly in Water, p. 10
Alcaly Volatile in the Earth, p. 10
Alcaly Nutritive in Water, p. 11
Alcaly Artificial, p. 13
Alcaly with Oil made Sope, p. 13
with Flint made Glass, p. 13
Alcaly made Salt p. 13
Alcaly of Calcined Flint, p. 15*
Alcaly for Sope, p, 15*
Alcaly what? p. 15*
Alcaly whence? p. 16*
Alcaly commended for make∣ing

in Glass, but not 〈…〉, p. 16*
Alcaly and Acid in Flint, p. 17*
Alc•ymy, whence derived, p. 17*
Alcaly made Glass, p. 17*
Alcaly is the Female in re∣spect of Acid the Male Child of the Sun, p. 18*
Alcaly called Luna, p. 18*
Alcaly receives, putrifies, che∣rishes, &c. Acid the Suns Child, p. 18*
Alcaly of Tartar, p. 18*
Alcaly so called, to distringuish it from Common Salt, p. 18*
Alcaly informed with Acid, the Child of the Sun, cal∣led Salt, p. 15
Alcaly unknown to most Men, p. 16
Alcaly not in Nature corpo∣rally, p. 16
Alcaly Artificial, never pure without Acid, p. 17
Alcaly contrary to a Salt A∣cid Taste, p. 17
Alcaly, why it promotes pu∣trefaction, p. 17
Alcaly absorbes Acid Spirits p. 18
Alcaly Distilled in an• open Fire, gives forth a bitter Liqu•r, p. 18
Alcaly Volatile of Lilly con∣valy p. 20
Alcaly why it received Filth p. 22
Alcaly its effects, p. 22, 23
Alcaly not a Salsum, p. 23
Alcaly and Acid, all things in the World may be refer∣red to them, p. 23
Alcaly attracted and led as it pleaseth the Acid, p. 27
Alcaly of Tartar made Sal-Kermes, p. 28
Alcaly of Tartar made Tar∣tar of Wine, p. 28
Alcaly of Tartar made Com∣mon Salt, p. 28
Alcaly regenerated with Ni∣tre into Allum, p. 28
Alcaly made Vitriol, p. 29
Aloahest what? p. 42
Aloalyes retain something of the Form with which the Mixta were saturated, pro∣ved by Experiments, p. 49
Alcaly of Vinegar, p. 45
Alcaly its Form not who•ly consumed by the Fire, p. •1
Alcaly of Vegetables 〈◊〉 the Acid from Calcined Corals, p. 67
Alcaly of Mans Blood, p. 89
Alcaly of Metals, p. 90
Alcaly of Vipers, p. 91
Alcaly of Ʋrine, p. 90
Alcaly of Sweat doth not stink as Alcaly of Ʋrine, p. 90
Alcaly of 〈…〉 it retains the Form of Ani∣mals understroyed, p. 90
Alcalu•〈◊〉 Odor, 〈…〉 from the 〈…〉 burning parts of Animals, is destructive of 〈◊〉, p. 114

Amber, p. 111
Acid the Seat of the Soul, p. 47
Aqua Fortis loves Copper and Iron, p. 74
Aromaticks do all yield a Fermentable Odor, p. 114
Art imitates Nature, p. 12
Aura Vitalis, p 96
Aura, the cause of Diseases, p. 96
Aura of the Stomach, being mixed with a Forraign O∣dor, can penetrate even to the Joynts of the Toes, p. 101
Air contains the Sead of Life, p. 82
Alcalyes Medicinable, p. 51
B
BAsilius, his Pugiles and Gladiatores p. 1.
Barley having no smell of it, self, becomes odoriferous, p. 111
Bread and Water made a Body, p. 100
Bread and Water made Spirit, p. 101
C
CAlid innate, its differ∣ence from Radical Moisture, p. 83
Cause Efficient what? p. 1
Cause coagulating Water in Herbs, p. 7
Calid what? p. 82
Cephalick Herbs afford a Vo∣latile Alcaly p. 20
Contraries coagulated by con∣traries, p. 34
Corals dissolved in Vinegar encrease in weight; p. 43
Coral its Magistery p. 44
Corals dissolved by any Acid, p. 66
Corals encreased in weight by the Fire, p. 66
Corals their Life, Redness, p. 67
Corals Calcined are not Calx, p. 67
Corals their Tincture, p. 67, 68
Crocus Martis made with melted Gold, p. 5
Crocus Martis Natural, p. 68
Crocus Martis Artificial, p. 69
Crocus Martis, its inventi∣on, p. 70
Crocus Martis made by the help of Fire, p. 70
Crocus Martis, opens and binds, as it is prepared several wayes, p. 70
Crocus Martis, whom it hurts? p. 71
Crocus Martis, whom 'tis good for? p. 71
Crocus Martis, It tinges the Excrements of the Belly, p. 75, 76
Why called Sterilis Rubigo, p. 76
Cryptography, how performed, p. 97
Copper is not destroyed by A∣cid Liquors or Vapors, p. 36
Copper made Green by all A∣cids, p. 37

Copper hath Acid prevailing, p. 47
Copper precipitates Silver, dissolved in Aqua Fortis; p. 74, 75
Copper dissolved in Aqua For∣tis, precipitated by Iron, p. 75
D
DIseases Coagulated what? p. 95
Diseases of the Womb, easily excited by Odors, p. 114
Diseases excited and caused by sweet smells, are cured by stinking ones, p. 112
E
Experience, who is said to have? p. 21
F
FIre why called soft? p. 88
Fire in Man, soft and Acid, p. 79
Flesh Salted hath less Radi∣cal moisture than when it is Fresh, p. 89
Fermentation what? p. 59
Ferment of the Stomach doth change the Radical Moi∣sture of the Aliments, p. 80, 81
Ferment of Putrefaction, p. 90
Form what? p. 1.
Fermentum Vitale, p. 87
Fire, Acid, and Pinguous, p. 6
Fire, Sun, Gold, Spirit, Sulphur, Form, Humid, Calid, Dry, &c. are Sy∣nonymous, p. 6
Fire Natural differs from Artificial, p. 6
Fire Natural its effects, p. 6
Fire, an inflamed Acid, p. 61
Fire Beaut fies all things in the Body, p. 78
Flint not encreased by flame, p. 66
Flint its Powder from Glass, p. 14
Flint made Alcaly, p. 15*
Flint not corroded by any Acid, p. 65
Flint made Caustick in Fire, p. 66
Flint burnt called Lime, p. 66
Flint how differs from Corals, p. 65
G
GOld is an Acid perfect, fixed constant, p. 4
Gold called Aurum Fulmi∣nans, its preparation, p. 15
Gold Acid and Pinguous, p. 5
Gold, because most Acid, is the most perfect of Metals, p. 47
Gold turns Iron into Crocus or Rust, p. 69
Golden Nail p. 69
Gold and the Sun in the Fir∣mament compared, p. 4
Glass its Fel not good to made Glass, p. 19

Glass its Fel, shews like Common Salt, p. 16*
The usefulness of its Fel, p. 16*
What its Fel is? p, 16*
Grape of it self inodorous, made to give a strong smell, p. 111
Glass may be made of any Herb, p. 13
Why it crackes, p. 13
Its Resolution into a Li∣quor, p. 14
Its Destruction by the An∣cients, p. 13
How it is made? p. 16*
H
HƲnger whence? p. 79, 80
Hippocrates his Prin∣ciples, called by this Au∣thour, Acid, and Alea∣ly, p. 2
Hyle or Matter, why called The First Principle of all Things? p. 2
Humid Radical, its Seat in Man, p. 86
'Tis Volatile in all Ani∣mals, p. 89
I
INk its foundation and way of making, p. 110
Iron what? p. 68
Iron why it acquires strength, being quenched in Water, p. 68
Iron both Aperitive and A∣stringent of itself, p. 70
Iron unduly given, hath a deletery Vertue, p. 71
Iron two wayes of precipitat∣ing it, out of Dioscori∣des, p. 72
Jasper Stone its Vertues, p. 108
L
LIme contains Acid, p. 8
Lime is Salt, and doth not precipitate Mercury, p. 50
Lime inodorous of it self, when it diffuses an Odor hurtful to Man? p. 111
Load stone, p. 106
It is the Mother of Iron, p. 106
Its Child, rust, p. 106
by how much the purer, so much the more attra∣ctive, p. 106
Load-stone of Albertus Mag∣nus attracting Gold, p. 106
Load-stone quenched in Oil of Mars, encreases dou∣ble in Vertue p. 107
Load-stone plentiful in the Isle Elbe, p. 109
Load-stone its Vertue like that of the Serpents-stone, p. 109
Lead hath little Acid, p. 47
Lead called the First Matter of Metals, p. 47
Lead, its weight increased in Fire, p. 62
Like easily mingled with like,

dissolved and attracted by its like, p. 9, 34
M
MErcury takes the form of that by which it is dissolved, p. 55
Mercury Caustick mixed with Ointments, p. 55
Mercurius Sublimatus, p. 56
once sublimated needs no se∣cond sublimation, p. 57
Mercury sublimate, or per∣cipitate its revivification, p. 57
Mercury reduced to Elements, p. 57
Mercury, a caution to be used in its Sublimation, p. 57, 58
Mercury of Mars, p, 72, 73
Medicine but one, p. 102
Microcosme a Term not pro∣per onely to Man, p. 6
Mixture yielding an wonder∣ful smell, p. 111, 112
Musk; p. 112
Man, whence he lives, p. 79
Moisture Radical remains in Dead Carkasses, proved by Experiments, p. 81
Moisture Radical of all Ani∣mals is Volatile p. 89
Moon the Mother of Alcaly, p. 18*
Moon why called Mother, p. 18*
Matter what? p. 1
Mars, his Root in the Air, p. 7
Mercury precipitated, ob∣scurely Red, p. 50
Mercury its properties, p. 52
Mercury its Caustickness, how to be taken away, p. 52
Mercury precipitate of Vi∣goe, p. 52
Mercury extinguished with Oil and Spittle is Sweet, p. 53
Mercury precipitate Cau∣stick, p. 52
Mercury absumes the Na∣ture of that to which it is joyned, p. 54, 55
Mercury made Anodyne, Anodynes being added to it, p. 51
N
NAture hath given more Alcaly than Acid to all Compound Bodies, except Sulphurs, p. 6
Nature acts after a Spiritu∣al manner, p. 100
Nitre, its Root in the Air, p. 7
Nitre, its quantity, whence it depends? p. 9
Nitre of the Earth, p. 9
P
Pot-ashes, p. 13
Pearls dissolved in Vi∣negar,

not good, p. 60
Paronychia what? p. 99
Plants how spiritually resusci∣tated, p. 10
Principles of Hippocrates, p. 1.
Proverb, Mentiris ut Me∣dicus whence? p. 21
Purging Medicines whence they have their force? p. 39
They loose their Vertue when their innate Spirit is washed off, p. 101
Principles Three of Chymists, whence, p. 2
Pearls their Pellicles not dis∣solveable by Vinegar or Spirit of Venus, p. 43
S
SOul of Man what? p. 86
Simples dry, yield little Salt, p. 24
Stone of the Reins is Red, from the Blood. p. 103
Stone, its Original, p. 102
Stone of the Bladder, why white, p. 103
Stones of Crabs are not Mor∣bous, p. 102
Stone in the Gall of an Hedg∣hog, p. 102
Its Vertues, p. 103
It is bitter, p. 103
Its use, p. 103, 104
Stone in the Gall of an Oxe, p. 103
Stone of the Reins why Red, p. 101
Stone of an Hairy Serpent, p. 109
It doth not attract all Poy∣son, p. 109
Sal Philosophorum a Medi∣um between Alcaly and Acid, p. 15
Salt Common compared to the Sun, p. 16
Its necessity, p. 16
It is the chiefest of all Salts p. 16
'Tis of a Salt Acid taste, Why it preserves Flesh from putrefaction, p. 17
It imbibes no Acid, p. 17
It gives an Acid Spirit, p. 18
Salt, which to be preferred be∣fore other? p. 17
Salt of Tartar Volatile, its process refuted, p. 18
Salt Common washes not a∣way filth, and therefore cannot be made Sope, p. 24
Why it admits not filth, p. 24
Its Vertues, p. 24, 25
Salt in general an Acid and Alcaly p. 23
Salt Alcalyes their preparati∣on requires fresh Herbs, p. 24
Salt of Wormwood its prepara∣tion p. 25
Salt of Vegetables its prepa∣ration, p. 26
Salts Artificial, p. 38
Salt of Mans Blood, p. 89
Salt of Vipers, of the Author,

what? p. 91
Saturn attracts Luna, p. 107
Sol and Luna govern Acid and Aloaly, p. 2
Spirit of Venus, p. 36
Spirit of Venus a counterfeit Panacea and Alcahest, p. 41
Sun, why called by Aristotle Father, and Earth the Mother of all Vegetables, p. 3.
Sun in the Firmament called Acid of Acids, p. 4
Sun its effects, p. 6
Suns Child Acid and Pingu∣ous, p. 29
Suns Child assumes not a Body, but with his Sister, p. 62
Sun and Heart compared, p. 86
Spirit of Vitriol Acid Sulphu∣reous, p. 29
Spirit It contains the Sulphureous Liquamen of Metals, p. 31
Spirit the Vehicle of the Soul, p. 32
Spirit of Vitriol twofold, p. 32
Spirit occultly or manifestly Acid, the Vehicle and Bond uniting Soul and Body to∣gether, p. 39
Spirit of Vitriol with Corals makes a counterfeit shew of curdled Milk, p. 44
Spirit of Vitriol returns more subtil after coagulation with Metals, p. 46
Spirit of Vitriol Volatile, the Suns Child and Brother of our Vital Spirit, p. 94
Sulphur, Sol, and Salt have more Acid than Alcaly, p. 17
T
TArtar of Graines of Kermes, p. 27
Tartar of Wine regenerated, p. 28
Tartarus Vitriolatus, p. 29, 30
Tartar Vitriolate cannot be distilled, p. 31
Tartarus Vitriolatus of the Author, p. 33
Tartar Vitriolate of the Au∣thor, not fixed, p. 34
Tartar Artificial, p. 37
Tartar Vitriolate of Alcaly of Tartar and crude mine∣ra of Vutriol of Mars, p. 91
V
VInegar its Pinguedo con∣ceives flame, p. 27
Vinegar dissolv•s Corals, p. 42
Vinegar from Aerugo why more sharp than the simple, p. 45
Vinegar from Copper returns more Acid, not from Al∣caly, p. 46
Vinegar returns insipid from Lead, p. 47
Vinegar cleanseth, p. 48
Vinegar what? p. 84

Vinegar destroyed, p. 85
Verdigrease, the way of make∣ing it, p. 35
Vener is Spiritus, examined, p. 38
Venus Spirit with Alcaly, made Tartar, p. 39
Veneris Spiritus dissolves Co∣rals and Pearles, p. 42, 43
Venus Spirit counterfeit, dis∣covered from its very rise, p. 40, 84
Vitriol its root in the Air, p. 7
Vitriol of Venus, grows not black with Juice of Galls, p. 30
Vitriol of Mars doth, p. 30
Vitriol of Venus its colour, p. 31
Vitriol of Mars its colour, p. 31
Vitriol white, p. 31
Vitriol Artificial of Mars and Venus, p. 34
reduced p. 35
Vigoe his Plaister of Frogs with Mercury, p. 53
Vitriol, why added in the Sublimating of Mercury, p. 56
Vitriol its Caput Mortuum exposed to the Air, impreg∣nated with a new Spiritu∣al Humidty, p. 63
Vitriol its Caput Mortuum not regenerated in the Air into Vitriol, p. 64
Ʋnicorn not a four-footed A∣nimal, but a Fish, p. 69
W
VVAter the first mat∣ter of all things, p. 9
Water of a Feminine Na∣ture, p. 9
Water the root of many things, p. 9
Water called Alcaly, p. 9
Water, Catholick Wine, p. 11
Water nourisheth all things, p. 11
Water Elementary contains an occult Alcaly, p. 45
Water nourisheth all in the Body, p. 78
Water of Frogs Spawn rich in Alcaly, takes away in∣flamations of the Gout, p. 102
Wood rotten, void of Lixi∣vious Salt, p. 24
FINIS

An Advertisement concerning the ERRATA.
In regard the Translator could not at all attend the Press during the whole time of the Impressi∣on, several mal-punctations and literal mistakes have happened, which are left to the Rea∣der's candor and ingenuity to amend with his pen: But the Errata which do most affect the sense, are these which follow:

In HIPPOCRATES CHYMICƲS.
PAge 15 l. 7 read in for into; p. 14 l. 10 r. command for commend; p. 16 l. 7 r. it ran into Chrystals as Nitre, for, it was chamfered in its coalition as Nitre; p. 17 l. 20 r. In Alcaly of Tartar is made Nitre, for in Alcaly is made Nitre of Tartar; p. 20 l. 34 r. in a Test, for in an Earthen Pot; p. 21 l. 10 r. the Covers of the Test, for the Earthen Covers; p. 21 l. 5 r. allayed, for bound in; p. 22 l. 27 and 34 r. Neighbour Vessel, for Neighbours Vessel; p. 23 l. 22 r. to fall for to run; p. 27 l. 3, l. 7, l. 9, l. 13, r. plate for slate; p. 39 in margine r. c. 6. for l. 16. p. 40 l. 10 r. from Acid into a Lacteous Salt Chyle, for from an Acid Salt into a Lacteous Chyle; p. 41 l. 18 r. precede for proceed, p. 42 l. 22 r. apart for part; p. 43. l. 33. r. in all vacuities for all vacuities; p. 44 l. 14 r. bitter for better; p. 45 l. 32 r. with all its strength, and is grateful, for of great strength, and is grateful; p 46 l. 15 r. there is acidity in the Sto∣mach, for the acidity in the Stomach; p. 48 l. 2 r. Liquor for dissolving the Stone with Ludus, for a Liquor for the Stone Ludus; p. 52 l. 30 adde more dark; p 56 l 21 r. spirit for powder; p. 67 l. 28 dele e; p. 70 l. 23 r. simples for simply; p. 73 l. 30 r. as in for in; p. 75 l. 18 r. Homun••∣lus for man; p. 78 l. 17 dele of the; p. 76 l. 34 r. constancy for consistency; p. 78 l. 32 r. things for salts; p. 79 l 37 dele their; p. 84 l. 23 r. petechiales for petectriales; p. 83 l. 2 r one acidity alone, for acidity alone; p. 85 l. 34 r. lilium for libium; p. 88 in margine r. mumial for mumail; p. 90 l. 5 r. Acid and Salt for Acid from Salt; p. 102 l 14 r. Campanam; p. 108 l. 3 dele the; l 5 r. into for in; p. 113 l. 18 r. Nitre for Glass; p. 118 l. 30 r. impertinently for impatiently.

In the CLAVIS.
IN the Epistle r. favourer for feavourer; p. 3 in margine r. Sun for Son; p. 11. l. 27 r. is coagula∣ted for as coagulated; p. 13 l. 4 dele comma, after Salt; p. 18 l 3 r. Sun for Son; l 35 r. Acids imbiber for Acid an imbiber; p. 24 l. 31 r. apluda for aplauda; p. 28 l 2 r. Salts for Stals; p. 27 l. 25 r. Acid for Alcaly; p. 25 l 7 r. catch not flame, for catch its flame; p. 31 l 17 r. can for can∣not; p. 33 l. 24 r. covets the bottom for covets the fire; p. 36 l. 33 r. luted for plated; p. 38 l. 9 r∣educed for reduced; p. 40 l 4 r. had for hid; p. 54 l. 6 r. Mercury simply dissolved in Aqua fortis, and precipitated, for Mercury and simple dissolved in Aqua fortis precipitated; p 58 l. 9 r. to whom for from whom; p. 59 l. 26 r. which though it beinflameable, is yet Acid, for yea, though it be inflameable; p. 66 l. 15 r. coals for corals; p. 83 l. 22 r. Pluto for Plato; p. 33. l. 14 r. mystae for myxtae; p. 97 l. 1 r. muscle for male; p. 98 l 39 r. ferment, viz. Acid, for viz Ferment either, &c. p 102 l. 6 after attributes insert (i. e.) various Acids; p 107 l. 9 after Son, insert, of the Sun; p. 109 l. 3 r. magnet for magne••k; l. 5 r. soil for Oil; p. 115 l. 7 r. indivisibili for in∣divisibility.