Of the Red Oil of Vitriol.
You are also to understand, how of the Colcothar by a Retortive Destillation, in a Chymical manner, a blood-like and most sowre Oil may be prepared. This Oil Laborators have judged more efficacious in the aforesaid Diseases than the Spirit, but that their judgment was erroneous. The vulgar Process of preparing it I think not to mention here; for every thing of moment is cited in manual Operation and diligent Inspection, also in convenient Instruments. As touching the Virtues you are first to understand, that it is a sowre thing, so far exceeding all sowreness, as nothing than it is more sowre. It likewise contains a corrosive nature, for which cause it had need be used circumspectly and warily, viz. not per se, but in a good Concordancy and suitable mixture, with respect to that against which it is exhibited. We will explain this by Example: The Viper is a Serpent most venomous, therefore of no use alone, but in Composition it is most excellently useful; for of it Treacle is made. The very same is also to be judged of this Oil, viz. That it is not to be used alone, but in a Composition suitable and fit, as of Treacle we have said. By reason of its sowrness, it profits a Stomach free from Choler and an Imposthume; but if either an Imposthume or Choler be present, it is manifest by Experience, that it hath no good effect. For the Imposthume is inraged by it, and exasperated by such sowrness, passeth into an unquiet matter. And if Choler be present, a mutual Ebullition and Strife is caused, no otherwise than as is seen between Aqua-fortis and Tartar, neither of which can remain or persist with the other. Therefore diligently and circumspectly consider, lest you erre to the damage of the Sick. In Composition this Oil is profitable for other Affects, as in all Fevers and want of Appetite, if given in the aforesaid manner, viz. in a good concordancy. There are many other Virtues said to be in this Oil, but Experience confirms few of them. I have seen and proved those to be egregious Lyars, who have boasted, that they could do Wonders with this Oil. It is true, it is useful in the Stone and Gravel, yet I have known no man cured by it. In all it doth something, but not to purpose: Yet in my Practice, in the Chapter of the Cure of Gravel, you shall find a Composition thereof, for this and other diseases. But as I said of the Corrosion of this Oil, used by it self, so I do also affirm, that the same Corrosion hath power of diminishing or breaking the Stone, and expelling Gravel; yet that is done with so great difficulty, as there is need of some other Invention, than hath hitherto been practised; for otherwise it may not safely be used. As much as any man hath gained by Experience, so much I allow of. This Medicine is new; wherefore it daily ought to be proved anew, and as oft as need is permixed with new Compositions.
But as to Chirurgery, of this Oil you are to note, It doth indeed excite great dolours, yet it inferrs present Health, even in the most difficult diseases. For in the Hereditary Scab of the Head, called Achores, it is so effectual, as it takes the same off in one whole piece, as a Man pulls off an Helmet from his Head. With this Oil the whole Head is to be anointed with a Feather, where it is hairy, for 3 daies continually; then expect its Operation. If you see it not sufficient, anoint it more often, according as the Scab shall be. The same Oil may also be co-tempered and mixed with Water of Selandine, and the Head often washed therewith. Yet he who would be healed, must not think that his Cure can be effected without dolour; for the condition of the Sick is the same as of a pregnant Woman, which brings not forth without exceeding great pain. So Meat, without pain, cannot be prepared for us; with dolour and sweat also we are freed from diseases. This way all Tetters, Scabs, and Itch, together with all other Vices of the skin, howsoever arising, are healed; and likewise the depraved Tentigo, by anointing herewith, is cured, and the Wolf and Cancer expelled and mortified; yet in this case you must diligently observe, if the Evil be very forcible (that the Venom so deeply penetrate, as the quick and sound flesh be in success of time like to be eaten away and fall off) to apply a good Oppodeloch for a defensive.
But in whatsoever estiomenous Ulcers, other Remedys be deficient, this Medicine yields relief, by reason of the degree it holds. It will not be improper to mix this Oil with some fat Unguent, and so apply it. This way it will cause less pain, but it is not so swift in operating: Dolour can by no means be avoided, no more than a Woman in Travel can be delivered without pains. The best, and most sublime way of preparing this Oil, is to destil it into spirit; so a very small weight will be sufficient in all the aforesaid diseases, which are then removed with little trouble.
These things I have found out by experience of the Red Oil of Vitriol, which in grievous diseases is an excellent and famous Medicine; for fetid and contagious diseases of this kind, as are the Scab, Itch, Tetter, Achores, and other like Affects, which are of affinity to the Leprosie, may be cured by this great Gift of Nature, which is here offered to the Physician, by which he may effectually cleanse and heal diseased men. There is not an abundance of Remedies of this kind, therefore I will carefully preserve this Oil, &c. for all other Coctures are nothing worth, nor do they remove these loathsome diseases, but with their fatness do cause them to be reincrudated and encreased.
Of the White and Green Oil of Vitriol.
It is worthy of consideration, that from crude Vitriol an Oil is destilled by descent, sometimes white, and sometimes green, according to the condition of the Vitriol. This Oil deserves a singular commendation; for since it is prepared of crude Vitriol, therefore it also contains the spirit of the same, touching which I have above treated. This Oil, made by descent, demonstrates by those its Virtues that it is an excellent and admirable Remedy for the before-mentioned internal diseases. The same Oil whether it be white or green, (but the green is better) if circulated and mixed with the above-commemorated spirit of Vitriol, is a certain and indubitate Remedy against the Falling-Evil, and all its species. But it is worthy your observation, that this disease is seldome so solitary, as not to have other Evils concurrent with it. Indeed, that such a concurrency is, is evidently manifest by all diseases. Hence it is now clear, that a Remedy against the principal Evil is not sufficient, but Secrets against concurrent symptoms are also required. For this cause in my Practise I have designed a peculiar Chapter of the Falling-Evil, not for the principal Remedy sake, which in this place is sufficiently described, but only for the understanding of those things, which concurr together with the first Affect. If other Accidents do not concurr together with the first Affect, there is no need of exhibiting other Medicaments than the principal, which is sufficient. Therefore, touching the green Oil, thus do ye: Graduate it to the highest, that it may be separated from its terrestreity and fæces, in Balneo first, afterward in dry Fire. So in Balneo the phlegm is taken away, and the terrestreity removed by dry Fire, and the spirit of the Oil only is collected, which in it self is circulated. Afterward you may make addition with spirit of Wine, but there is no need of adding more, if it be only to be used as a Primary Remedy, without Medication of coherent diseases.
It is to be given in Water of Pæony, alwaies before the coming of the Fit, whether it be frequent or seldome, &c. Therefore mind the Paroxisms. As soon as the spirit of the Oil finds out the center of the disease, then the Fit is pacified, and thenceforth waxeth more and more gentle. But when it exerciseth a power of Healing, it first of all excites a Vertigo sensible to the Sick, who notwithstanding do not fall nor foam, nor are shaken, or quake, nor deprived of reason, but are seized with a gentle sleep, and are much better presently. At length the Vertigo also ceaseth, and the sleep is ended; yet in the mean while the Medicine must continually be applied, several times reiterated, according to the condition of the Disease and Patient. This way the Cure is to be followed, and all things diligently administred. This belongs not to a drunken Physician, or Doctor Levite.