CHAP. XI.
Proceeding now to Metallick fixed Salts, Mercurial volatile and most subtil Spirits, let us see what they are able to effect in Medicine. And first let us speak of Antimony, as the Radical Juice of all Metals.
Recipe of the Minera of Antimony finely pulverised one Pound, of our secret Sal Armomiack six or eight half Ounces; which diligently mixed put into a coated Glass Retort, which set into a Distillatory Furnace, and apply a Receiver thereto, ministring Fire leisurely according to Art, that the Glass be not broken. In distilling first of all ascends a little sowrish Water, then (the Retort being hot) a thick Oil fat and yellow, in which is contained the most excellent Mercury of Antimony, which you may thence thus separate.
Upon the yellow Oil distilled, pour common Water, which Water will draw to it self the Salts, and precipitate the Mercury, like a yellow ponderous and shining Calx, which being edulcorated and dried, will be an Universal Purger. Its dose is very small. I use no more than a quarter of a Grain, which (saving your Reverence) gives me 3, 4, or 5 Stools: but to a robust man I give half a Grain, a whole Grain, and sometimes two Grains. Note: If a larger dose be given, this Mercury excites vomiting also, though very gently. If you would render it Diaphoretick, you must thence abstract rectified Oil of Vitriol. Then this Mercury of Antimony, which before was liquable as Wax, becomes altogether fixed and unmeltable; and then you may give of it from 1, 2, 3, to 8, or 10 Grains, which indeed move not Seidges, but provoke Sweat without weariness to the Patient, and performs the Office of a blessed Medicine against all Diseases, where Sweat is needfull. Reduce the Caput Mortuum taken out of the Retort to Powder (the finer the Powder is the better your Work will succeed) and having put it into a Phial pour Spirit of Wine upon it, mix them by a continued stirring and shaking of the Glass (for otherwise it turns it self into an hard stony Mass) and in Balneo digest it for a natural Day. Thence the Spirit of Wine will acquire a red Colour, which pour off, and repour on fresh Spirit, which also permit to extract as much as it can. Then with gentle heat of Balneo, abstract the Spirit of Wine from the Tincture, which will reside in the bottom like a red Salt. Which Salt is so great a Treasure in Medicine, as exceeds all estimation. For it passeth through the whole Body like Fire, and consumes Diseases, as Fire burns up Wood. For according as it finds any defect in the Body so it operates, expelling Sweat and Urine, purging out all malignant and noxious Humours of the whole Body, and highly purifying the Blood, so as I believe no more noble Tincture and Salt than this can be extracted out of Antimony. Its dose indeed is very small, but of great efficacy, insomuch as using but half a Grain of it you will find a most evident Operation. Therefore, if a Master of a Family provide for himself but one Drachm of this Medicine, he may by the help of that for the space of one whole year not onely preserve himself and family from many Diseases, but also defend himself and them from all other Affects every where prevailing. Therefore let GOD have the Praise of it.