This Tincture whether with or without gold, made out of the red salt, is one of the chiefest that I know to make, if you go but rightly to work, and prepare it well; for it purifieth and cleanseth the blood mightily, and provoketh also powerfully sweat and urine; so that it may safely and with great benefit be used in the Plague, Feavers, Epilepsy, Scurvy, in Melancholia Hypochondriaca, in the Gout, Stone, and the several kinds of them; as also in all obstructions of the Spleen and Liver, and in all diseases of the Lungs, and it is to be admire that of such a hurtful thing such a good medicine can be prepared. Therefore it would be much better to prepare good medicaments of it, to restore the poor diseased to health therewith, than to destroy with it those that are whole and sound.
I know a Chymist, that spent much time and cost to search this poysonous dragon, thinking to make the universal medicine or stone of the ancient Philosophers out of it. Especially because he saw, that so many strange changes of colours appeared, whereof mention is made by the Philosophers when they discribe their medicine and the preparation thereof.
The Dragons blood, Virgins milk, Green and Red Lyon, Black blacker than Black, White whiter than White and the like, more needless here to relate, which easily may perswade a credulous man as it hapned also unto him. But afterward he found, that this subject in which he put so much confidence, was leprous and not pure enough, and that it is impossible to make that tingent stone of it, for to exalt men and metals, and so was glad to be contented with a good particular medicine and to commit the rest unto God.
And so much of that poysonous dragon, gunpowder: but that there is another and more purer dragon, whereof the Philosophers so often made mention, I do not deny; for nature is mighty rich, and could reveal to us many arcana by Gods permission: But because we look only for great honor and riches, and neglect the poor, there is good reason why such things remain hidden from wicked and ungodly men.
To make spirits and flores of Nitre and Coals.
If you distill Nitre (well purified from its superfluous salt) mixed with good coals, the Egyptian Sun bird doth burn away, and out of it doth sweat a singular water, useful for men and metals. Its burnt ashes are like unto calcined Tartar, and for the purging of metals not to be despised.
To make flores and spirits of flints, crystals or sand, by adding of coals and salt nitre to them.
Take one part of flints or sand, and three parts of Linden coals, with six parts of good salt nitre mixed well together, and cast of it in, and the combustible sulphur of the flints will be kindled by the piercing and vehement fire of the salt nitre, and maketh a separation, carrying over with it part thereof, which it turneth into spirits and flores, which must be separated by filtring. The spirit tasteth as if it had been made of salt of Tartar and flints, and is of the same nature and condition; and the remaining Caput Mortuum also yieldeth such an oyl or liquor in all like unto that, and therefore its condition is not described here, but you may find it where I shall treat of the spirit made of salt of tartar by adding of flints.
To make a spirit and oyl out of Talck with salt nitre.
Take one part of Talck made into fine powder, and three parts of Linden-coals, mixe them with five or six parts of good salt nitre, cast in of that mixture one spoonful after another, and there will come over a spirit and a few flores, which must be separated as hath been taught above concerning flints.