Now, thou Sophister, behold Theophrastus Paracelsus, and consider how your Apollo, Machaon, and Hippocrates, natural Physicians, sought this Tincture for resisting Diseases, because all Physicians aim at long Life, and by this Universal, they, for the most part, obtained it, and that very efficaciously; and according to their own Arbitriment, named it the Tincture of Naturalists. For in all Medicine, what can be greater, than such a cleansing of the Body, by which every Superfluity in it, is totally eradicated, and transmuted? The Seed being found, all things are perfect. What profits the evilly founded purgation of Sophisters, since it removes nothing of that, which should be taken away? Wherefore the most excellent Foundation of a true Physician is, Regeneration of Nature, and Restoration of Youth: Then, that new Essence, expels all whatsoever is adverse to its self. For this Regeneration, the Powers and Virtues of the Tincture of Naturalists were strangely found out, and until our time used by true Spagyrists, and absconded as a Secret.
Of VITRIOL.
Nature generates a Salt, called Vitriol. This is a peculiar kind separated from all other Salts, possessing also Virtues different from them. Its Virtues are so many, and so famous, as of right they ought to be described in this Book. For, a perfect Cure of the Jaundice is latent in Vitriol, also of the Gravel and Stone in the Reins or Bladder, of all Feavers, Worms, Falling-sickness, &c. And in Constipations of the Body, it is a famous Deopilative: In the mean while of other Virtues in this Chapter to be mentioned, I here am silent. The Description of this is to be directed both to Medicine and Alchymy. For in Medicine, it is an excellent Remedy; in Alchymy it is profitable for many other things. But the Art consists in the Preparation of Vitriol for Medicine and Alchymy. For Vitriol crude, is no such thing. It is like Wood, of which all things may be made. It is profitable for Medicine of the Body; it profits also in Chirurgery, or External Diseases, as the Psora, Tetter, Hereditary Leprosie, and others; where all other Remedies are ineffectual, and as it were dead to the Disease. Vitriol assaults Diseases of this kind powerfully, and cures them fundamentally. Therefore the true Preparation of Vitriol is in a special manner to be known by Physicians. For its Virtues when crude are other, than when dissolved; and other when calcined, than when converted into a green, red, or white clear Oyl. This is the condition of it, that as often as it is reduced into another form, so often it is made a peculiar Arcanum.
This confounds all Apothecaries, and Writers, both Italians and Germans. For this part is such, as it alone per se can fill a fourth part of all their Shops, and cure Diseases proportionally. This being present, there is no need of so many Boxes, Pots, Glasses, &c. set all of a row, and disposed in order in Shops. It concerns a Physician, not to take care for so many Boxes, and Beyond-Sea Medicines, but to be circumspect, provident, and wise as a Virgin; since in such numbers of Vessels adulterate Remedies are for the most part contained. If he use the aforesaid circumspection, at his own doors he will find more choice Remedies, against all Diseases, than India, Egypt, Barbary, or Greece can afford.
Let every Physician follow this Basis, for it is now known even to plain Country-men, that meer Frauds are contained in those Boxes: Which, as they are for the most part of Wood, so are they that use them Wooden Doctors and Apothecaries: But like with like do very well agree.
Of the Species of Vitriol.
There are many Species of Vitriol, for they vary according to the Pits out of which they are taken. The common Probation of this is, as Coperas is proved upon Iron, but this is not true. The Genuine Probation is, that it be used crude against the Worms, in that manner as we will now explain; and accordingly as it expels Worms, so is it more or less excellent in Medicine. In Alchymy, another Probation by Cuprosity is more available; yet it may also be thus proved. If Vitriol change Iron into Copper, and that speedily, and the same be perfectly well gradated and soft under the Hammer, then is that Vitriol best in Medicine and Alchymy? For there is a Conjunction of Iron and Vitriol, where of Iron it makes Copper good and excellent. Of the best Vitriol the best Copper is made. Let no man wonder, that Copper can be made of Iron by Vitriol; for there is also this virtue in Nature, viz. that the Water of Borax makes Quick-silver of Lead. Also experience teacheth, that Cachymia’s transmute all Metals into other, no otherwise than as Vitriol changeth Iron into Copper. Nor is Vitriol, only the transmuter of one Metal into another, but there are also other things, which have like effect upon all Metals. The reason why we know not them all, is, because Sophisters pervert Arts for their private benefit, using them only to supply their Purse and Kitchin.
In Hungary is a River proceeding from Vitriol, or per se consisting of Vitriol, not coagulated into Crystals. If Iron be put therein, and left for its due time, it turns to a Rubigo, or Rust. If that Rust be melted by a Wind-Furnace, it is presently made pure and constant Copper, not convertible into its own Nature of Iron. There are infinite Mines of Vitriol found throughout Germany, all which cannot be described apart. Yet the aforesaid Probations are to be used both in Medicine and Alchymy. There is besides these another Probation (not profitable in Medicine, but in Alchymy only) and that is: If the Colcothar of Vitriol do from it self by Fire, give or yield Copper. If it give Copper, then in Medicine it is weak, but in Alchymy strong Vitriol. Likewise the Colours of Vitriol are to be observed: That which is all over blue, mixed with no other Colour, is not so good in Medicine, as that Vitriol, which is (as it were) parted, and all over filled with red and yellow Lines and Veins. What in the Air inclines to whiteness, is efficacious, and fit for the green and white Oyl of Vitriol: what turns to a redness and yellowness is more excellent for the red Oyl. There needs no more to be said touching the Species of Vitriol, than what is suggested by Probation; which every Physician and Alchymist should make, according to the use he intends it for. Lastly, this Probation is never fallacious. If mixed with Galls, or Oak-Apples, it makes good Ink, then it may be used in all Cases: But if it maketh an aqueous, or waterish Ink, that needeth many additions, it is not so good.