The works of the highly experienced and famous chymist, John Rudolph Glauber

by Johann Rudolf Glauber

The Quintessence of all Metals and Minerals.

Dissolve any metal (excepting Silver, which must be dissolved in Aqua fortis) in the strongest spirit of Salt, and draw off the flegme in Balneo; to that which remains pour the best rectified spirit of Wine, put it to digesting, untill the Oyle be elevated to the top as red as blood, which is the tincture, and quintessence of that metal, being a most Precious treasure in medicine.

A sweet and red Oyle, of Metals and Minerals.

Dissolve a Metal or Mineral in spirit of Salt, dissolve also an equal weight of salt of Wine essentificated; mix these dissolutions, and distill them by retort in a gradual heat, and there will come out an oyle sweet, and as red as blood, together with the spirit of Salt; and sometimes the neck of the retort and receiver will be coloured like a Peacocks tail with divers colours, and sometimes with a golden colour.

And because I would without any difference comprehend all Metals and Minerals under one certain general process; let him that would make the essence of silver take the spirit of nitre, and proceed in all things as was spoken of the other metals. Concerning the use of these essences, I need not speak much thereof; for to him that knows the preparation shall be discovered the use thereof. Concerning the corrosive oyles of metals and minerals, seeing they cannot be described by any one process, it will be worth while to set down what is peculiar to each of them, as followeth.

The Oyle, or Liquor of Gold.

Dissolve the calx of gold in the spirit of salt, (which must be very strong, or else it cannot dissolve it) but in defect of the strongest spirit thereof, mix a little of the purest salt-peter; but that oyle is the best which is made with the spirit of salt alone. From the gold dissolved abstract half the solution, and there will remain a corrosive oyle, upon which pour the expressed juice of lemons, and the dissolution will become green, and a few feces fall to the bottom, which may be reduced in melting. This being done, put this green liquor in Balneo, and draw off the flegme: that which remains take out, and put upon a marble in a cold moist place, and it will be resolved into a red oyle, which may safely, and without danger be taken inwardly, curing those that are hurt with Mercury. But especially it is commended in old ulcers of the mouth, tongue, and throat, arising from the French pox, leprosy, scorbute, &c. where the oyl of other things cannot be so safely used. There is not a better medicine in the exulceration, and swelling of the glandules, in the ulcers of tongue and jaws, which doth sooner mundify, and consolidate. Neither yet must we neglect necessary purgings, and sudorificks, for fear of a relapse, the cause not being taken away.

Neither will there any danger follow, whether it be given inwardly, or used outwardly, as in the accustomed use of other medicaments, and gargarisms; for it may daily, and truly without all danger be used at least three times with a wonderful admiration of a quick operation.

Oyle of Mars.

Dissolve thin plates of Iron in rectified spirit of salt, take the solution, which is green, of a sweet tast, and smelling like fetid sulphur; and filter it from that filthy and feculent residence: then in a glass gourd in sand, abstract all the humidity (viz. with a gentle fire) which will be as insipid as rainwater, because the iron by reason of its dryness, hath attracted all the acidity to it self: but in the bottom will remain a mass as red as blood, burning the tongue like fire: it takes away all proud flesh of wounds, and that without all danger. It is to be kept in a glass close stopt from the air, lest it be resolved into an oyle, which will be of a yellow colour. But he that desires to have the oyle, may set it on a marble in a moist Cellar, and within a day it will be resolved into an oyle, which will be in colour betwixt yellow and red: It is a most excellent secret in all corroding ulcers, fistulas, cancer, &c. being an incomparable consolidator, and mundifyer. And it is not without profit mixed also with common water to wash the moist, fetid ulcers of the leggs; which cause tumours, by being applyed warm like a bath, for it dryes, and heals suddenly, if withal Purges be administred. It cures also any scab. That red mass (being yet unresolved) being put on the oyle of sand, or flints (of which in the second part) makes a tree to grow in the space of one or two hours, having root, trunk, and boughs: which being taken out, and dryed, in the test yields good gold, which that tree extracts from the earth, i. e. from the flints, or sand. Thou mayst if thou pleasest, more accurately examine this matter.