There is no one that can deny that Antimony is the most excellent of all vomitives, wherefore, so many and so various preparations have been invented by Physitians for the taking away of the malignity thereof; whereof I have shewed some, together with the use thereof in the First and Second Part of this Book, where alwaies one is better than another; yet notwithstanding ’tis confest, that Antimony reduced into Glass, is sufficient to purge the Stomack and Bowels from all corrupt Humors, and that without all danger, (being rightly administred) as well by vomit as by stool, by which means many grievous imminent Diseases are not only prevented, but also presently are cured.
But you infer, that this is yet a crude and imperfect preparation, and therefore not so safe. To which I answer, that Antimony that purgeth, needeth no preparation, for if all the crudity thereof were wholly taken away by fixation, it would no more cause vomiting or stools; wherefore the aforesaid glass of Antimony is not to be feared, because it is not dangerous, but may safely be given to Children that are one or two years old, but not in form of a powder, but in infusion or extraction of its chiefest vertue made with honey, sugar and wine, sweet or sowre. After which manner being given, it attracts from all the bowels all vitious humours, and evacuates them as well upward as downward, without danger; of which thing elsewhere more at large. Let him that useth the aforesaid Cups, infuse one or two ounces of wine, and set them a whole night in some warm place, and the wine will attract from the glass so much as doth suffice it, which afterwards being drank in a morning, doth perform the same as an infusion made with the powder of Stibium; and this is a more delicate way than the other, because a Cup is sent to the Patient that he may infuse in it the space of a night, two or three spoonfuls of proper wine, placeing it in some warm place, which he may drink up blood warm in the morning, with a due ordering of himself afterwards: Which, in my judgment is a more delicate way, being made with ones one wine, and ones one hand, than that tedious way of potions, both large, bitter, and nauseous. And this Cup may oftentimes be used, and if at length the wine should not attract sufficiently, the Cup with the wine is to be set in seething hot water for a little time, that the wine might the better attract, and work, when need shall require. Now he that gives such kind of Cups to others, must instruct them concerning the ordering, and administring of the same. One Cup is sufficient for the Master of a Family, with his whole Family for all the daies of their life. It is not to be used by all, and every one, and in all Diseases indifferently, but only by those that are strong and young; and where the principal parts are not hurt. Cups may also after another way be covered over with Glass without Antimony, as follows.
Sublime Auripigmentum in a Glass or Earthen Gourd; and take the gallant golden coloured Flowers thereof, which being after a peculiar manner melted, yield a red and most beautiful Glass almost like an Oriental Ruby, which being broken in pieces, may be used in stead of an Ornament; but this is more soft, and brittle, than Glass of Antimony. This Glass, or those Flowers of Auripigmentum, which are not yet reduced into Glass, do notably glaze the aforesaid Cups with a red beautiful Colour.
He therefore that will vitrify the aforesaid Cups, must first heat them red hot in a Fire made with Coals; and being thus hot, dip them in the aforesaid melted Flowers, and being taken out thence, put them under an earthen, or iron red hot vessel, and there let them cool which do perform the same things as those which are said of the Antimonial Cups.
These Cups are not dangerous, as to be feared, because as Antimony is corrected by calcination, so Auripigmentum is by sublimation: from which, if all the malignity be taken away either by Fire, or by nitre, the vomitive vertue is taken away, as afterward shall be demonstrated more at large in these five parts, when they shall come forth again with enlargements, viz. what purging things are, and how they put forth their vertues, a consideration being had of their malignity.
There are also other ways of vitrification, and indeed very fine, and most desireable by all, if they should be communicated; but because it is not now my purpose to treat here of mechanical things, but only of some particular vitrifications of vessels belonging to our furnaces, I am resolved to omit them at this time, and make an end of these things. I am resolved, God willing, to set forth these parts more corrected, and in a larger manner, where many excellent things now omitted for some reasons, shall be published, and communicated.
Wherefore I will now put an end to this fifth part, where although I might have added something that is singular concerning artificial furnaces, yet because time will not now permit, it shall be deferred to another time and place, where we shall treat further of the examining, trying and separation of metals: For the best way of melting of metals in a greater quantity hath not yet been known: And although they that deal in minerals perswade themselves of the perfection of their art, yet I can demonstrate an easier, and more compendious way of melting of metals in a shorter time, in a greater quantity, and with less costs and pains. Of which more at large elsewhere, wherefore (Courteous Reader) be contented with these things, and if I shall see that these few things shall be acceptable to thee, I will sometime hereafter for thy sake and to thy profit communicate wonderful secrets which the world will not believe, and which hitherto are hid, either out of envy or ignorance.
FINIS.
