It may be asked: why lapis calaminaris, Zinck and unquencht lyme, calcined tartar, salt of potashes, fixed salt nitre or the like things prepared by the fire, must be added unto salt Armoniack, and whether it be not as good to add some bolus, or other earth (as usually is done to other salts) and so to distil a spirit of it? To which I answer, that there are two sorts of salt in salt Armoniack, viz. a common acid salt, and a volatile salt of urine, which without mortifying of one of them, cannot be separated: for as soon as they feel the heat, the volatile salt of urine carrieth the acid salt upwards, and they both together yield a sublimate, of the same nature and essence with common salt armoniack which is not sublimed, onely it is purer than the common. And no spirit would come over from it, if it should be mingled with bole, brick, dust, sand, or any other strengthless earth, and so distilled, but the whole salt as it is of it self (leaving its earthy substance behind) would sublime thus dry: but that it falleth out otherwise with the lapis calaminaris (which is also like an earth) so that a separation of the salts is wrought thereby, and a volatile spirit cometh over; the reason is, that the lapis calaminaris and Zinck are of such a nature, that they have a great affinity with all acid things, and do love them, and are loved by them likewise (whereof some mention hath been made in the first part) so that the acid salt sticks to it in the warmth, and uniteth it self with it, and the volatile salt is set free, and distilled into a subtle spirit; which could not have been done, if the acid salt had not been kept back, by the lapis calaminaris or Zink. But that a spirit is distilled off by addition of fixed salts; the reason is that fixed salts are contrary unto acid salts, and (if they get the uperhand) do kill the same, and rob them of their strength, whereby those things which are mixed with them are freed from their bond: and so it falls out here with salt armoniack, that when by addition of a vegetable fixed salt, the acidity of the salt armoniack is killed; the salt of urine, which formerly was bound therewith, gets its former freedome and strength, and being sublimed turns into a spirit. Which could not have been done, if common salt had been added to the salt armoniack instead of salt of tartar; for the salt of urine would thereby (as by a far greater enemy) be killed and kept back, so that it could yield no spirit. I thought fit to give notice hereof to the ignorant (not for those, who knew it before) and to the unknowing it will do much good, and that they may have a light for other labours: for I have many times seen, and see it still by daily experience, that the most part of vulgar Chymists, whatsoever they do (having got it either by reading, seeing, or hearing) they hurle it over like botchers, and are not able to give any solid reason, why this or that must fall out in such or another manner, not labouring to find out the natures and conditions of salts, minerals, and other materials, but contenting themselves onely with the Receipt, saying this or that Author hath written so, and therefore it must be so, whereas many times such books are patcht up out of all sorts of authors. And those that stick to so many books, will hardly ever come to get any good, but are led out of one Labyrinth into another, spending their life miserably in watching and cares: but if they would first seriously consider things, and learn to know nature, and then take their work in hand, then they would sooner attain unto true knowledge; and so much of this matter by the way. I hope that he that hath been in error will be pleased with it, and the knowing will not grudge to have it imparted to the ignorant.
That which remains after the distillation is done, is also good for use; if the addition have been of salt of tartar, a melting powder may be made of it, to reduce metals. Of lapis calaminaris or Zinck, yields per deliquium a clear, white, and heavy sharp oyl, for the sharper part of salt armoniack, which did not turn to spirit, hath dissolved lapis calaminaris, and is almost of the same vertues for external use in Chyrurgery with that, which above in the first part which was taught to be made out of lapis calaminaris, and spirit of salt, save only that this in the distilling doth not yield so strong a spirit as the other, but onely yields a sharp sublimate.
Of the use and vertue of the spirit of salt Armoniack.
This spirit is of a sharp penetrating essence, and of an airy, moist, and warm nature; and therefore may with credit be used in many diseases, 8, 10, 12. (more or less) drops thereof used in a convenient vehicle, do immediately penetrate all the body over, causing sudden sweating, opening the obstructions of the spleen, and dispersing and expelling many malignities by sweat and urine, it cureth the quartane, collick, the suffocation of the Matrix, and many more diseases.
In brief, this spirit is a safe, sure, and ready medicine for to disperse and expel all tough, gross and venemous humors. Also, this spirit acteth his part externally, quenching all inflammations, curing the Erysipelas and Grangrene; it allayeth the pains of the gout, clothes being dipt in it and applyed: and although it draw blisters, it matters not; laid to the pulse, it is good in ardent feavers, it asswageth swellings and pains; disscusseth congealed blood, helpeth strained limbs, and benummed nerves: onely smelled unto, it cureth the megrim, and other Chronical diseases of the head: for it dissolveth the peccant matter, and evacuateth it through the nostrils; it restoreth the lost hearing, being externally laid on with a little instrument fit for the purpose. Also in the obstructions of womens courses applyed by a fit instrument in a spiritual way, openeth presently, and cleanseth the womb, and maketh women fruitful, &c. Mingled with common water, and held in the mouth, asswageth the tooth-ach, proceeding from sharp humors which are falln in the teeth. A little of it applyed in a glister, killeth the wormes in the body, and allayeth the colick.
This spirit may also further be used to many other things, especially by means thereof many pretious and effectual medicaments may be made out of metals and minerals, whereof some shall be described as followeth.
N. B. There is yet another matter, which is found every where and at all times, and is to be got by every one without distillation and charges, and is as good for the abovesaid diseases, as the distilled spirit, and if all men knew it, there would not be found every where so many sick people, nor so many Doctors and Apothecaries.
To distill a blood red oyl of vitriol by the help of the spirit of urin.
Dissolve Hungarian or other good vitriol in common water, and let it run through a filtring paper, pour of this spirit upon it so much, till all the green be vanisht, and the water be made clear, and a yellow sulphur be settled: then pour off the clear, and the rest which is muddy, pour together in a filtrum, that the moisture may run off, and the earth of the vitriol remain in the paper, which you must dry, and distil to a blood-red oyl, which will open the obstructions of the whole body, and perfectly cure the epilepsie. The clear water must be evaporated dry, and there will remain a salt, which being distilled, yields a wonderful spirit. Before it be distilled, it is a specificum purgans, whereof 8. 10. 12. to 24. grains taken, may safely be used in all diseases.