THE Practical Distiller.
CHAP. I.
In which we Treat of the Art of Distillation in general, together with the Ʋtensils thereunto belonging.
FIRST, We think it convenient to define the word Distillation, and then to shew the use thereof; the word Distillation imports no more than a dropping down by little and little; but the use and end thereof, is in the first place to Extract the Spirituality from bodies, when macerated or open'd by Fermentation; so that we may truly say this Art is for changing of gross and thick bodies into a thin and Spiritual Nature, by which Action the pure Effluvia are separated from the more terrene, Faetid, and impure Faeces; and that only by the help of heat; they being thereby resolved into a Vapour, are elevated to the Helm, where they are in part condensed by the cold, which is fully accomplished, [Page 2]as they run out of the Beck into the Worm, through the Refrigerating Tub, and so become clear and lucid: This is the end of Distillation in general; but in Particular, 'tis to be considered in a threefold respect, sc. Distillation, Rectification, and Extraction; Distillation is a converting of bodies (as before defined) into Water, Oyl and Spirit; Rectification is a reiterated Elevoriation, by which the before mentioned are separated from their more hidden and internal Impurities; and the Spiritual, Essential humidity, from the more Phlegmatick and Aqueous: And Extraction is by the help of some pure Spirit to draw forth that virtue out of bodies, which otherwise would not so easily admit of Maceration, or of being so overcome, as to be brought into Spirituallity: Now in bodies very compact, this is best performed by Cohobation, which is a returning the Liquor upon the body whence Extracted, and Distilling it off again; which must so often be repeated as till you've obtained the desired Virtues; these being sufficient to accomplish all that is to be expected from a Distiller, and indeed to make the Art compleat, and the Discourse thereof full, seeing we intend not to speak of any thing but what is pertinent thereunto, we shall referr those who desire to know the Nature of other Operations, to our Chymicus Rationalis, where they are fully and amply handled, and so passing by the use and Definition of this Art, we shall now come to the Practick.
In which we find that it requires a great many Conveniences, as a fit Work-house, proper Stills, Coppers, Backs, Instruments and Materials, all [Page 3]which, to be rightly managed, require several hands, if any considerable draught of Goods is intended to be made, so from hence we may conclude that this Art is not rightly to be carried on without a considerable large Fund, but when so managed 'twill repay the Owner, or Master with considerable Interest; which is the reason that many of them get such plentiful Estates, at which none ought to grudge, seeing 'tis got with such just gain, and that the Golden Cap is obtained by hard Labour: And besides, there's a Proverb in England, win Gold and wear it; and why therefore may not these enjoy the same, seeing nothing is more laborious than this Art, when rightly followed; and what they thereby obtain, we may, as it were, say, is got out of the Fire: but before we proceed particularly to give every one the Knowledge of these Profits, we shall speak of the necessaries whereby we are inabled to go to work, otherwise without them we may be sure there'll be none at all.
First, As to the Work-house, we best esteem it when something spacious, at least 16, 18, or 20 Foot in breadth; and 24, 26, 28, or 30, in length; especially, where you design to work considerable quantities. The manner of Erecting the Carcase, with the proportionable height, and way of covering it, we shall leave to the Ingenuity of the Work-man, to whom it belongs, and give you our opinion of the accomplishment of what is required in it: Thus, at the utmost end we advise that a Copper be set up, after the manner of the Brewers; except you design to prepare [Page 4]your Liquor in your large Still, which will be somewhat troublesome, and indeed a great hinderance to business, if you intend to work it off twice a day, as usually is done: Now by your Copper you must have your Mashing Tub, to mash in; and under that large Receivers, and over upon the Rafters you may have a Cooler; and again under the Coolers large Backs, one for the stronger Wort, the other for the smaller; and so order'd, as that it may run into either; now from these large Backs, you must convey Leaden Pipes unto Receiving Backs for Stores, and from your store ones to the Wash-backs, which ought always to be placed opposite to your great Stills, for the more ready filling of them; now this conveyance is very convenient, from Back to Back; for by this means you may always be supplied with Wash; and especially if you command it by the turning of a Cock, otherwise you must make use of a strong Cork with a string above it, that so you may pluck it out when you please. Now these Backs, as they are set into the Earth, must be well daubed about with temper'd Clay, or put in a thin Bed thereof; for this is said to preserve them tight and warm: these must have Cove [...] above with a Leaf to fold up upon occasion; an [...] upon a defect of Backs, you may make use o [...] large Oyl Fatts, so order'd; you must have a Bra [...] or Wooden Pump to put into the Backs, and so wit [...] a Spout fastned with a Broom therein, to keep th [...] Wash from running over, and the other end a [...] the Still you would fill, you may at any tim [...] easily perform it; your Spout being movable fro [...] Still to Still.
In hanging your Stills you must observe, to place them on the same side that your Copper is on, that so your Backs may be the better ranged together without Confusion; let them be as near the end as they'll possibly stand; and let two stand together, that so one Flew may serve for the Conveyance of both their smoaks; and in the first place you must observe to place them so, as that the lower end of the Worm may be 14 Inches from the ground, that so a Can may freely be placed under, and taken away when full: 'tis better an Inch too high than a quarter of one too low; and for proportioning your Still to any height, you must let in your Ash-hole into the ground; which in length and breadth must be proportionable to that of the Still; for one of six Barrels ten or twelve Inches in breadth is sufficient; and for one of Eight or ten Barrels, it must be Twelve or Fourteen at the least; the which are two very good Sizes; the length must be proportioned according to the Grate and Door, somewhat sloping for the more easie commanding the Ashes. And having proceeded thus far, you must observe not to make the Fire place too broad; your Grate must be made of thick heavy Bars, exactly out, of an even length, the ends somewhat flatted upon flat bars, and broad, flat bars must lie even with their upper edges, that so the Shovel, Slice or Rake may not jam in them, although they lie loose, to be taken in or out upon occasion as any of them melt off: the broad flat Bars must be continued right one to another, even to the mouth of the door; and the door must be of Iron, as the Brewers [Page 6]Coopers are; let your mouth and fire place be built all of broad Tiles, for these better bear the fury of the Fire than Bricks: And when your Fire place is of its proper height, and at one end a convenient sloping hole left for the Fire to play up in, let your Still be placed upon the Brickwork, in such a way as that it may have a Current for the Liquor to run out of the Cock; and upon tryal let it be closely work'd upon to the bottom, that so the Fire may only play at the Flew; and observe to place your Cocks through the Wall, that so the Liquor or Wash may run out into the proper receiving Backs, without annoying the Still-house. Let there be a Wheel-vent made to receive the smoak and flame, at least five, six, seven, or eight Inches, as your still is in bigness which taking the Fire throws it round the Still and brings it into the great Flew or Chimney 'tis generally ordered, that the Wheel-vent shoul [...] go with the Sun; but if you hang two Stills to [...]gether, which is the right way, then let the on Vent go to the right and the other to the lef [...] that so both may the easier meet in the gre [...] Flew; or you may continue their divisio [...] to what height you please by a Brick on the ed [...] between them. The Wall of your Stills must g [...] with an exact round, and be carried up only t [...] thickness of a Brick. Between the Angle of t [...] two rounds, let flat Bars be fastned two or th [...] like a Ladder, that so you may go up to s [...] when the Still is full; as also to cleanse it up [...] occasion. When your Work is carried up [...] high as the upper Nails in the Still, then co [...] [Page 7]your Vent, by carrying on your Work sloping 'till you come to the narrow place of the Still; let the edge of your Work be round, that so, if any Liquor fall on the slope, it may the easier drop away; your work above being well secured all round with plain Tiles and a good bed of Mortar, then you must cover your Still all round with a course Canvass, or Hop-Sack, in order to keep the Walls from cracking, and the Fire tighter or more closely in; which must also be exactly Plastered and White-limed over: Your Still being thus hung and finished, we shall now come to consider the placing of the Worm-Tub.
Now in this you must observe to set it on a Wall made of Brick with some Timber in it, which must be covered with a round board like the Curb of a Well, the better to keep it from sinking, the board must be the exact compass of the bottom of the Tub, but the Wall something less, that so a Can may the better stand before it: And here you must observe these Rules, First, That the upper end of your worm stand so that the Beck or Nose of the Head may easily go into the same without the least Obstruction, and shut in so close, as easily to be luted; Secondly, that your Worm-Tub must stand upright, leaning neither one way nor another; otherwise the Liquor will hang in the Worm; Thirdly, to try whether the Worm be upright, that you may put a Pint or a Quart of VVater in the same, and if it comes all out of the lower end, then may you assure your self 'tis true; which being regarded you can't miss of setting your Tub aright.
Moreover, we approve best of those Helms, which have a large Pewter Crane Neck, proceeding from the upper Center of the Head into the Worm, for two Reasons; the one is because the Spirits come sweeter through this sort than that of the Copper; the other is, that if the Wash should rise into the Head, yet will it not so readily come over to foul the Worm. Lastly, you must have two or three loops or ears in the upper part of your Head to tye a Rope, that so by the help of a Pully you may the easier lift off the same: This Still Head, and Worm-Tub are exactly described in Fig.
Thus having shown you the manner of hanging the Still, setting the Worm-Tub, &c. And also given demonstration thereof to your Eye, in the Figure; we shall now come to shew the way of preparing things fit to be therein Distilled; as also the manner of working the same.
Now the Basis or Grounds for Distillation may be comprehended under these six heads: First, Ale, and Liquors Brewed and prepared from Malt, by any way of Extraction or drawing forth whatsoever: Secondly, All things, that are to be Brewed and Distilled from Molasses, Sugar and Honey, either with or without Tilis: Thirdly, All those, which are or may be made from Fruits, Berries and Flowers of the English growth, as, Cyder, Perry, and Artificial VVines: Fourthly, Those of Foreign Fruits, as, Raisins, Figs, Primes, Tamarinds, or others, that either may by Art be Brewed, or will give a Spirit by Fermentation: Fifthly, All kind [Page 9]of Foreign VVines, and their Lees: Sixthly, all kind of Herbs whatsoever, either with or without Addition.
These being sufficient to demonstrate all that can be said in the Art, are laid down, to the end, that you may the better conceive of, and comprehend what is to be spoken thereof, in the particular ways of Working: We shall now begin with the First Head, that of Malt.
In which there are various ways of Working, one Brewing it into sound Ale and Beer, which is the best, and letting it come to Age and Strength before Distilled; others Brewing it without any Boyling or Hops, bringing the three Liquors together into their Wash-Backs, and so Ferment and Distill; others Ferment Malted Wheat and Malt, and so Distill; and others are for Protuberating and bursting Corn by boyling of it, and then Fermenting and Distilling it; all which shall be treated of apart: And first of Brewing sound Beer, because from thence the best and truest Aqua Vitae's are made.
As to Brewing we have given you our opinion in our Cerevisiar [...]i Comes, which in short is, that by Decoction the destructive Gass must be taken out of the Water, and then to be cool'd in, which is, that some of it must be cold, and as much put on the Malt as will serve for mixtion and commixtion; and then pouring on as much warm Liquor as you intend to make use of in that Mashing; then rowing up well, and letting it stand its due time, to draw it into the Receivers, and so to proceed, as directed in the before-cited [Page 10]Book; only you are to observe, that if it should not be fully rich of the Malt, to Distill it as soon as 'tis well wrought, for fear it should flat, and so great part of the Spirit should be lost; but if it be very Strong and well Brewed, you may keep it to what Age you please, before you Distill it. The way to Distill it will be shown hereafter.
The second is the general way made use of by all the Distillers; the way whereof, though laid down in the precited Book, shall be here again repeated, because this may come into the hand of those, which that may not, and because we design in this to make the Art compleat and entire. First, you are to heat your Water a little above Blood warm, i.e. between Blood-warm and scalding hot, they say, that if you boyl your Liquor you make it hard, and so 'twill not take out the virtue of your Malt, but we know to the contrary, for if the Liquor is so boyled, as that only the Gass may evaporate; little or no Consumption being made, it is by that means made more mellow, and will extract more virtue out of the Malt, if in a good temper put thereto, and then the Malt being in a Mash-Tub, add so much Liquor to it as is just sufficient to wet it, and this is called Mashing; then row or stir it up very well with two or three pair of hands, stiffly for half an hour together, till 'tis all mixed in every part; then add in what quantity of Liquor you think fit; but the stiffer you Mash, the better it is; then strow it all over with a little fresh Malt, and let it stand an hour and a quarter, or [Page]
The greal Still for Low Wines.
The Worme out of the Tubb.
Let this Worm baing set into the Wormtubb be so vpright not inclining to the right or left hand, but so y t water being put in it may run out to a drop.
- AA the Ash hole;
- B The Fire place;
- C The body of the Still;
- D the Head;
- E the entry of the Crane neck;
- F the Joyning of y e nose thereof to the Worme;
- G the Worme tubb;
- H the Can;
Place this Figure before Chap: I in page. 11.
[Page] [Page 11]thereabouts; then let it off into its Receivers, and Mash again with fresh Liquor, and let it stand about an hour, rowing it up, as before said; so a third time: And some will Mash a fourth time, which then must not stand above half an hour: but we say that three times are sufficient; the fourth being so poor and very small indeed, that 'tis fitter for Small-beer for very poor People, than for a Distillation; unless 'tis used instead of Liquor for other Mashings on fresh Malt. Now some very Ingenious Persons Boyl their Liquor and Cool in, the which we well approve of.
Now every Wort that comes is pump'd up out of the under Back into the Cooler, there to Cool; and then from the Cooler into the Wash-Backs, there to remain 'till all the three Worts come together. By the way observe, that you neither Hop nor Boyl, as for Beer; now when they are down in the Backs, and in a proper coolness and fit to be set; then add good Yeast enough to work it very well, as for Ale; and as the Yeast rises up beat it down again, and keep the same all in; and let it work three, four, or five days, according to the season of the Year, Temperament of your Back, when set, and Judgment of the Distiller.
If a Back be set either too cold or too hot, 'tis thus holpen, by adding either hot or cold Liquors, to bring it unto a good temperature; in the Winter time, in extream cold weather when it flats and goes backward, and will come to no good Head; you may again promore it's [Page 12]Fermentation by adding some of those things prescribed in that of Molàsses: Now if you can exactly know the time of the Wash's being come, then you may take off your thick Yeast, to set other Backs with: But if not, then must you take with you these signs, sc.: the working it self down flat, and then the thick Yeast sinking to the bottom, that so what lies on the top will be but a kind of an hoary or Yeasty Head: You must observe that your Wash be neither sowre nor sweet, but in a Medium between both; for't will then be most profitable for Distillation; but some say, that being taken in its highest Curle, before it begin to flat, and the Yeast and all Stilled, it gives the most Spirit; the way whereof will be also hereafter shown.
The third we call the Dutch way, because mostly used in Holland and Germany, which is, the Fermenting of the Corn; which to do, you must proceed thus; Take fresh ground Malt, made of Wheat, Barley, or Buck Wheat, &c. and put it into the Oyl Tubs before described, pouring thereon as much cold Water, as will serve for mixtion and commixtion, and then also pouring as much warm Water, as will suffice for making the mixture moist and thin, also warm; for it must be neither hot nor cold, but in the Medium between both; which being done, and well rowed up, mix therewith some new Barm, and cover it with its Cover and Cloth very warm; which being exposed to the Heat will in a short space begin to Ferment; therefore you are not to fill your Vessels, above three [Page 13]quarters full; this you must leave until Fermented, and the mixture descends, which for the most part will be on the third or fourth day; and then is it ready for Distillation; but 'tis generally experienced by those which are not used to this way, that the Malt being put into the Still Cakes and burns to the bottom, to the destruction both of the same, and Low-wines, which come off with a burnt taste; which to prevent, there are two ways; the one is to press forth the Liquor from the Grains, and to Distill the same; the other is by our new Invention, which will be shown hereafter; for we saw that all our Experiments made in a boyling Bath did not in the least burn; but that all the Low-wines came off very sweet and luscious in taste, and pleasant in smell.
The Fourth and Last, is the Glauberian way, which is thus; First you must after this manner prepare your Corn, whether Barley, Rie, Oats, or Wheat; sc. steep it in sweet Water for some days, then place it, that it may sprout after the same manner as Corn is Malted for the making of Beer; turn it well for a certain time, lest it be corrupted by too much heat; then when it is well sprouted, spread it abroad, that it may presently cool, and 'twill never sowre.
But if you would use it presently, then take as much of it as your Destillation will require, and in a Kettle full of Water, boyl it so long, till the Grains are broken, then pour it into a Wooden Vessel, and when it is luke-warm, add to it the fresh Dregs or Grounds of Beer, and let it Ferment; when it has fermented enough, which is [Page 14]usually at the end of two or three days, then Brandywine is made in a common Still, by Destillation from that Corn; what remains in the Still will serve to feed Oxen, Cows, Hogs, or other Cattle.
But the Brandy-wine which proceeds from thence must be Rectified, as the way is; and by this means 'tis render'd more sweet and grateful to the relish, than any other Brandy made of Corn: the Reason is this, That all Bread Corn, of which Brandy-wine ought to be prepared, if it be put to Ferment presently after softening, is necessarily in the Still, by boyling, reduced into a Pap, and so being corrupted by adustion produces a stinking Brandy-wine.
But this protuberating and burst Corn cannot be burnt, and therefore makes good Brandy.
Now 'tis observable that that Brandy made from Wheat-Corn, is the most near of any other from any Grain whatsoever to that of Gallia.
Let thus much at present suffice concerning Corn, because the distinct rules of bringing it into Low-wines, Proof Spirits, and rectified goods, will be laid down in their proper places; we shall therefore now proceed to the second, Head; sc. Molasses, Sugar, and Honey.
As to Molasses, you need to do no more, than down with it into the Backs (seeing for promise-sake we must open so many truths) and add thereto three or four times its weight of Liquor, prepared as in the second Head; i. e. to every Hundred of Molasses thirty six, forty, or forty six Gallons of Liquor; according as you [Page 15]will have it small or rich of the Molasses; for you must observe, that the stronger it is, the longer 'twill be before it comes to Fermentation; and this, if it be not well Fermented, will yield but poorly, i. e. very little quantity of Spirits; therefore is it abundantly nicer to be wrought than that of Malt; and especially in these cold Climates; for you must observe to set your Back at once in a good temper; being not so well to be holpen by hot or cold Liquors, as that of Corn; and you must have good store of Yeast, or Ferment to Head it well at once, or else it will not come on; but if you use Wash instead of Water and Tilts, the Grounds of very Strong Beer, will help its Fermentation on so, that abundantly less Yeast will serve; and you must observe, that it stands, especially in the Winter time, in a very warm place; and if in the second day it should not begin to come well on, the which it will not, if set either too hot or too cold; then you must have ready by you a Pot of very strong Mustard, with a Horse-Raddish and good Onion, and the value of an Egg, or two of these must be cast in; you may dip the Onion and Horse-Raddish in the Mustard; and this will highly prom [...]te its Fermentation; especially if you add a Ball of Whiting; Tartar or Argill is not to be despised in the Doctrine of Fermentation; for 'twill give a secret and sure internal one, yet when a Back is in too high a Foam, 'twill kindly flat it: In all this you must observe, that Experience must be your chief guide; for tho' we discover true things, yet several accidents may occur, wherein this [Page 16]Mistress may and will be your best help: For you must know that when it is truly Fermented, you must take it in the right nick, neither too high nor too flat, neither too sweet nor too sowre; for by any extream, you may lose of your quantity of Spirit, as well as by the want of due Fermentation; therefore if a Back of Molasse [...] have not yielded you Spirit enough, let it cool sit to set again, and then add in a few Gallon [...] of fresh Treacle, stir them well together, and Ferment with Ale Yeast and a ball of Whiting, as before, and so draw a second time. Ingeniou [...] Reader! make not strange of this working over of Molasses a second time, seeing it hath been often done; and we are credibly informed by a Person of Ingenuity, that in Barbados and those Islands where the Sugar Canes are in large quantity, they take the Molasses, foul Sugars, and their Canes, and Ferment them together with remains of the former Distillation, and upon a defect of Fermentation they cast in some Wood-Ashes newly made; together with some live Coals. He farther said, that when it is almost brought to its height in Fermentation, they add five Gallons more of Molasses, and then stir and Ferment, as before, and then again five Gallons, always keeping it in Fermentation, and with other reiterate additions, proceed until it is very rich of the Molasses: But if so, than are they in this Case beholding to their Climate for the heat, which helps on their Fermentation for here that would not be performed under a long and tedious time, therefore we shall omit it but as for the using their remains we much [Page 17]because it carries with it so strong an Hogo; the way of bringing it into Low-wines, Proof Goods, and Rectified Spirits will be shown in its proper place.
Honey must be mixed with four, five, six, seven, or eight parts of warm water, and dissolved; and then to the Solution you must add Ferment, as was spoken concerning Malt, which afterward must be left covered in some heat for to be Fermented; being fit for Distillation when it comes to wax hot. Now know that too great a quantity of Honey makes a very slow Fermentation, viz. Of some Weeks or Months; wherefore for acceleration sake we advise, that a greater quantity of Water be added; although otherwise it yields plenty of Spirits, but ungrateful; which therefore we would have no body to Distill, as being unprofitable, unless any one know how to take away the ungratefulness thereof; which will be more largely shown in the Chapter of Rectification: Low-wines, Proof goods, and Rectified Spirits, may be made from those Meads described in our Britannean Magazine of Wines; and most excellent and flavorous Spirits they are indeed: Moreover as to what concerns Sugar, it may be performed by what is laid down of Molasses and Honey; and therefore being needless to repeat it, we shall pass on to another Head.
Now as to Cyder, Perry, and Artificial Wines, together with such Liquors as may be made from English growths, according to the general way commonly known, as also that already [Page 18]they being well Fermented, and by Age come to be ripe and fine, there is no difficulty to obtain there from a generous Spirit. Note, that Cyders yield but little quantity of Spirit, let them be made never so fine by age; therefore 'tis requisite that you again open them, and bring them to a fresh Ferment, and then they will yield plentifully; also when they are declining, prick'd, ropy or flat, it is requisite that they be again helped into a Fermentative State, by such additions as will measurably revive them; sometimes Whites of Eggs and Flour will do it; or some Alkalisated Calx; and if not, then must you proceed to your common way, and Ferment, by which, and warmth, new Cyder may be so brought, as in five, six, or seven days it will be fit to be Distilled; and so of the rest. Now among many fine Goods excellent Stuff may be made from sound Fruits, especially Cyder, that so with small additions good Brandies may be made; therefore why should we contemn the perfect knowledge of Molasses and Cyder-Spirits, seeing by a little Industry great things may thereby be performed: But what is here said being sufficient for all kind of Fruits, seeing the Doctrine of Fermentation is elsewhere more largely laid down; passing this by we shall come to the fourth Head.
Raisins, Figs and other Foreign Fruits, may either be stamped in a great Stone Mortar, or put down whole into your Backs, adding warm Liquor to them, as in the second Head of Corn, and as the Back is fit to be set, add thereunto [Page 19]your common Ferment, and with a due heat they will kindly come forward, and as the Fruit arises at the top, you may beat them down again; but if they work not kindly in the second or third day, then you may add in a Ball of Whiting, or a small portion of Calx Vive or Argell, not forgeting the helps before mentioned. We also have seen excellent effects from Chrystals of Tartar: For thus we have made most excellent Wines, according as is touched at in our Britannean Magazine. Now as soon as they are fully Fermented, which will sometimes be a day sooner than at other times, you may Distill them, their Juice being either prest out, or the Fruit put into the Still, as we in our Tryals have sometimes done; but then we have observed often to take off the Head, and stir them, till ready to Boyl, for fear they should Cake: But if you make use of our new Invention mentioned in the Distilling of Corn, you save all this trouble: The manner of bringing these into Low wines, Proof goods, and Rectified Spirits, will be described in its proper place.
Now as to Foreign Wines and their Lees, 'tis by us observable, that the former being well Fermented and become fine and generous, will give so noble a Spirit in Distillation, that we highly doubt whether a pint thereof may be got amongst all the Brandy Merchants in England; and because their Basis may be sold in Foreign Parts at a greater price, than when Distilled; their usual way therefore is to Distill such Wines, as will not keep the year about without [Page 20]roping or turning sowre, or such as are small and defective, in comparison to what they are at other Vintages, wherefore we conceive that most Brandies are made such Years, as are wet and cold, so that the Fruit of the Vine, or Grapes are not for want of the bounteous or friendly raies of the Sun brought to their true maturity; from whence only proceed the richness and fragrancy to the Wine; for thereby only is the Specificated Sulphur brought forth apparently in its Genuine Nature: Now what Nature doth not perform, they endeavour to supply by Art, sc. by stumming of them, bringing them by an Artificial heat into a strong Fermentation; and to give savours, they often use the Tincture or Essence of appropriated Herbs; and being fine or fined by Glass, they rack them off for Sail; concerning which Brewing of Wines, there is no Nation that useth it more than the Dutch; for altho' in France they generally buy the smallest prised Wines, new and rough, yet by their sweets, and Perfumes do they bring and advance them to a considerable price: And these also thus managed give a very good and pleasant Spirit or Brandy; being at all times fit for Distillation; but that Spirit drawn from the Lees will not by far be so pleasant, as this from the Wines, altho' both out of one and the same Cask, as will be shown hereafter; therefore passing this by here, we shall come to show the way of ordering Lowwines and Lees, which is thus:
You must add to your Lees as much warm Liquor as will dissolve them, and then with Stum and warmth, or the common Ferment, bring them into Fermentation, and if thick, you may press out the moisture, and Distill it: But in the Viniferious Countries they mix small, new, and other decayed Wines therewith, and so bring them into Fermentation with some other small addition of Liquor, and then Distill them. So that it is from these mixtures that the Violet, Rasberry, and other pleasant tastes proceed: For as the Ingenious Glauber saith, the Juice of Grapes is nothing else but a sweet Salt, which by Fermontation becomes more Tart; nay indeed more sowre, as its Invisible, Vital, and Internal Spirituality hath its more volatile particles exhausted; but seeing we have more largely treated of Savours in the Chapter of Rectification, we shall omit it here, and proceed to the last Head.
The Fermentation of Herbs is to be considered in a twofold respect, sc. either as they are worked per se by a common Ferment; or by Sugar and Honey; per se is when the Herb, Flower or Berry, is bruised in a large Wooden, or Alabaster Mortar, with a Wooden Pestle, and then warm Liquor, or Water poured thereon, and the Ferment or Yeast added sufficient to stir it up or quicken it so as to bring it into a true and perfect Fermentation: By Sugar or Honey is, as you Distill from the Herb its Juice in a cold Still, to which, being put in a convenient Vessel, you add Herbs, Fruits or Flowers, well bruised, and to every Gallon of Liquor a [Page 22]Pound, two, three, or four of Sugar or Honey, as you will have it in strength; then being stirred well together, let them be covered close and warm; and let them stand till they Ferment, work, froth and flower, and smell very fragrant, and become fit to Distill; and if occasion requires this Fermentation may be promoted by some of the precited Fermentatives. Observe that if you work roots either of these ways you must slice them thin before you put them in.
Thus have we run through these six Heads, in which is comprehended all that is needful to be treated of concerning Fermentation, only we think it requisite to add these following rules, First, That in all things that are to be wrought by Fermentation, the whole mixture must be well united; Secondly, That the Back must be temperately set; Thirdly, That you must add a convenient quantity of Yeast or Ferment, and keep them warm: All these must be diligently weighed, and accurately observed, if ever you intend to exalt your materials to the desired end; concerning which you shall hear what the famous Radolphus Glauber saith, Where he speaks of the defects in Fermentation; the which be says sometimes proceed from too much cold, or hot Water put in, or the Vessels not being well covered, by which means the cold Air is let in, whence the Fermentation is hindred, and consequently the Distillation of the Spirit; for by the help of Fermentation the burning Spirit of the Vegetables is set at liberty, without which it cannot be done: Also the Distillation is hindred by too much [Page 23]haste, as well as by too much delay; for if you begin to Distill before the time, viz. Fermentation not being yet perfected, you shall have but few Spirits; wherefore also the better part is, by many that are unskilful, cast to the Swine, but without any great loss, if the matter were Malt; because that Swine are fed therewith: but not so if other Vegetables were the matter of the Distillation: Also too much slowness where the Matter begins to be sowre before it be Distilled, yields very few Spirits, that which often happens whilest Herbs and Flowers, &c. are out of Ignorance left in Fermentation three, four, five, or more Weeks, before they be Distilled; for the greatest part of the Spirit is then turned to Vinegar, which would not be so very ill done, if so be these men knew how to Clarifie the remainders, and turn it into Vinegar, that nothing thereof might be lost; for the Vinegars of Herbs, Flowers, Seeds and Roots are not to be contemned. And so often times (a thing to be lamented) the better parts, if they be Spices, and Precious things, is lost.
The matter of the Distillation, and other choice things, as Seeds and Herbs are cast away with loss; wherefore for Admonition sake, I was willing to add such things that the Operators may have an opportunity to consider the matter a little more profoundly with themselves, or at least of learning the Art of Distilling from Country Men, who do not suffer their Malt to Putrefie, grow Sowre or Mouldy, before they fall upon their Distillations; but presently Fermentation being made (the third or fourth day) begin their Distillation. Which we shall now come to treat of, and first of bringing them into Low-wines.
For the making of which you must observe two things; the first is, that in all things, which are Liquid, as Beer, Cyder, &c. you must put your before described Pump into the Back in which it is, directing your Spout to that Still which you design to charge; and let one hand Pump and another pair of hands row up, that so the bottom may come into the Still, and when filled so high as the upper Nails, let down your Head on the Still; but put not the Beck or Nose as yet into the Worm; for Reasons hereafter expressed; then, the Still being charg'd, proceed to the making of your Fire, which is best of Coals or dry Cleft-Wood, and very strong, until it begins to boyl, as a pot going over; then must you set the Pipe of the Head into the Worm, and as it begins to drop and run a small stream into the Can, then immediately must you throw damping under the Still, which is, the Ashes that fall under your Grate and kept wet for that end, for if you should not do so, it would boyl over into the Worm, and so stop and foul the same; and having proceeded thus far, your Still being in a good temper, you must begin to lute all fast with a Paste made of Whiting and Rie-flower: you must exactly lute round the Neck of your Still, and by so doing you will keep in that Breath, in which is the Spirit; and as you have pasted the Neck, so must you also paste the Pipe and Worm, wherein it goes; that is to say, exactly to close the Joint: You must also observe so to govern your Fire, that you bring your Still to work so, as that the Stream may run the bigness [Page 25]of a large Goose or Turkey Quill; and being thus brought to work, it must be continued till all the strength is off, and what runs is a stinking Flegm; thus are you to proceed in your first Extraction, the second shall be shown hereafter.
As to the other thing which is to be observed, it is in the Distilling of those things, which are not pressed forth from their Corporiety; but thick and thin must all go into the Still together; and this generally will Cake, although you take all the care you can to stir it before it works; by which means we have known the bottom of a New Still burnt out; which to prevent, as we have done in our tryals, you must observe, that in making your Still, two Inches above the turning, and just even with the closure of the Brick-work, you must have your Still turned with a very large Verge, and exactly hammer'd for the upper part to shut in, which must be proportioned round up, as in other Stills, with a Neck exactly fit for the Head, on which you must place two Rings, just opposite one to another, that so at any time upon occasion it may be easily lifted off, to which Verge you must fit a very strong Iron Hoop, the upper part of which must have three strong Rings in it, that so upon occasion a Rope may be fastned to it; to the under part you must lace or brace on your container, which must come within two or three Inches of the bottom, as also within two Inches of every side; then place your hoop on the Verge, and charge your Still, the Corporiety will be therein received, and the Liquor will pass to fill up the vacancy; then shut down the Shoulders of your [Page 26]Still, and lute fast with a Paste made of Calx Vive and Whites of Eggs, or fine Flower and Sand, or thick well boiled Starch and Sand: Let down your Head, but you must not yet put the Nose into the Worm, but make a good Fire, as you were before directed, and so cause your Liquor to boyl and before it works great part of the Wild Gass or unruly Spirit will go off invisibly, as much indeed as can be expected, except your Liquor had been decocted and cooled in: Now as the Beck, Nose, or end of the Pipe begins to drop, you must put it into the Worm and lute fast, as before directed, as also the Neck of the Stills and your Still being brought to work, you must in all things proceed in the Extracting your Low-wines, as before laid down in the first Observation: and this also is to be Noted, that some Malt, Grain, and Fruits will in the begining run off a Can, two, or three of Proof Spirit, and then it generally runs long: Others sometimes runs not at the beginning so fully Proof, and yet will yield indifferently well. Thus your Low wines being Distilled, you let them lie ten or fourteen days, to enrich themselves; for in that time they get by lying, and some think that if they lie longer they lose, as also Proof Spirits, except they lie very warm: But however they may, as we have found by experience, be so order'd, as that they may be the more mellowed, and better themselves thereby. These rules being sufficient for the Extracting all kind of Low-wines, and the more especially, if you make Use of our curious Invention, before described, [Page 27]for that by it these benefits will accrew; First you are not troubled; with the moving, stiring or rowing your matter in the Still; Secondly you need not fear your Still's being burnt, or your Wines getting any adustion or Evil Tang, for they will come over sweet, pleasant, and fragrant; Thirdly and Lastly, you have this advantage, that you may remove the shoulders of your Still, and fasten a Rope in the Iron Hoop, and by means of a Pully lift your matter at once out, which may be received into a Coule and bore away; and the Wash let out the common way; and if your matter be either Wheat or Barley, the Grains, though they have been in the Still, will be very good Food for Cattle or Swine. Note that after this method, only using a Tin-pan made fit for the Verge, and an Inch or two of vacancy between, whereby to put in the Water, may you have an Artificial Balneum for rectifying your Spirits. We shall now proceed to the second Extraction, which is thus;
Take two or three Cans of Water, put them into your Still, and a small handful of Salt; and charge your still with Low-wines to a convenient height; let down your Head, and give Fire; then put your Beck into the Worm, and gradually proceed till all is over; the which you may know by the weakness of that which comes.
Observe. You may also use a small portion of some Herb, which hath a proper Signature with the Vine: And it is a general custom among the Distillers, in order to make their Spirits hot, strong, and fiery in the mouth, to use Spanish [Page 28]Grains, which are sold by the Druggists, which do accomplish their end; but with little other advantage to the Spirit: Therefore do we reject it, tho' a thing so much practised, seeing more agreeable and pleasant ways are easily to be found. Now we shall reveal one thing more, which will be helpful to the Distiller, which is, in taking away part of the gross Sulphur, from whence much of the Evil Tang proceedeth; and 'tis thus: Take a pound of Wool, wash it exceeding clean, and dry it, and with a loop hang it in the Head of the Still, in which the oleous parts, ascending, will be insorbed; and when the Operation is over, wash clean, dry, and keep it for the like service: Having thus finished the second Extraction, we think it not amiss to show what quantity of Low-wines, Proof goods, and fine Spirits may be Extracted from a Quarter of Malt.
You must know, that in the first place, 'twill make about Fifty Gallons, or something more than three Barrels of Wash, which in the first Extraction will make thirty two, thirty four, or thirty six Gallons of Low-wines; and these if you let them lie, will in the second Extraction yield eleven or twelve Gallons of Proof Spiri [...] nay sometimes (through the goodness and richness of the Malt) thirteen; especially if in the second Extraction you add some Water into th [...] Still; which in the third Extraction we count i [...] truly Proof lose not many Gallons in a Tun.
Note also, the English receive their Low-wines, Proof, and Fine Goods in Cans; but the Dutch [Page 29]object against this way, saying that it is disadvantageous; because the Spirit is exhausted through the Magnetick or Attractive, property of the Air; therefore they place large receiving Vessels their full height or more in the Ground, so as to place thick boards over them, in which they have two holes; the one for a Funnel to receive the Low-Wines or Proof Goods; the other to put in an Hand-Pump, to Pump them out when they please; which indeed is very commodious, not only for the Reasons mentioned, but also because the Still may be set lower, (a Funnel requiring not so large a space or height, as a Can) whereby it may be the better and easier commanded.
Thus having run through what was promised in this Chapter, we shall here conclude the same, and pass on to Rectification.
CHAP. II.
Wherein we shall Treat of Rectification in general, as also of those Mediums, by which 'tis best performed, so as to make excellent Stuff, and Artificial Brandies.
IN the former Chapter we treated concerning the way of erecting a Work-House, as also of proper Utensils thereunto belonging, together with the way of making Low-wines, and Proof Spirits, so that we shall here come to that of Rectification, showing how far we can advance in making excellent Stuff, and Artificial Brandies; concerning the possibility of which we shall first give you the Opinion of that famous Radolph Glauber, P. 1. pag. 57. Where he mentions the difference of Malting: The difference of Malt, by reason whereof it yields better or worse Beer, and Spirit consists for the most part in the preparation thereof; for being made after the Vulgar way it retains its taste; wherefore it can't yield good Spirit, nor good Beer, which is observed by very few; wherefore they could not draw forth good Spirit out of Corn, but such as savours of the taste and smell of the Malt; which is not the fault of the Corn, but of the Artificer, not operating a-right in the Preparation of his Malt in Distillation and Rectification: For if it were prepared a-right in all things Corn yields a very [Page]
A smaler Still for Rectification
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The Common Alimbeck wherein small quantityes of Waters are drawn
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[Page] [Page 31]good Spirit, not unlike to that which is made out of the Lees of Wine, in taste, odour, and other virtues. Which Art although it be not known to all, yet it doth not follow, that it is impossible. To which Opinion we can the more freely assent, seeing that we, by our former experienced tryals, which were about five years ago, at which time we had a good quantity of our Percipiolum of Tartar by us, have made most excellent Wines and Artificial Brandies from the chief Heads before mentioned: Concerning which Tartar, we have many Mysteries to write; but for obligation sake must reserve some of them; as being assisted therein by a Glauberian; but however we shall lay the thing before your view by repeating the words of the Famous Author. P. 2. pag. 139. ‘Take white or red Tartar (for both of them being well mundified, are as good one as the other) dissolve it in Water, and separate all its gross Sulphur, by a certain precipitating matter. This impurity abiding in the Water, is to be separated from the precipitated Tartar; by pouring out the Water, the which (Tartar) remains in the bottom like a Snowy Sand, and is to be well purged by reiterated washings with Water, so long until (all the impurities being well separated) the Powder it self becomes like to the white Snow. He also adds that this may be so highly exalted as to be associable to Gold; but the knowledge of a matter Precipitating Tartar is not easie to be attained to, without which it will never suffer it self to be precipitated and purged; 'tis an hard [Page 32]thing to find, but he that knows it, it renders him all his labour facile and easie. Any impure Tartar, whether it be white or red, may be so wash'd in one or two hours space and so Purged, that (losing nothing save its Faeces) it will become most white, and much more apt for many Operations. These make such fine Spirits of Wine without any violent Distillation, that those Spirits added to Water will make good Wines, if you again add in the depurated Tartar.’ You may also see, what he further says in P. 2. pag. 59. and P. 1. pag. 292.
Now if you cannot attain to this Tartar, you must endeavour so to prepare your Spirits, as that they may be sweet and pleasant, though something different in taste from those of the Vine, which taste proceeds from the signature of that specificated Sulphur, from whence the Spirits are prepared, which geneous Nature will preserve what in her lies to the utmost Iliad; but strong Savours come from the violence of Fire and Adustion; so that the fault is not to be ascribed to Nature, but to the Ignorance of the Artificer; seeing such the same will happen, even from the Products of the Vine; therefore the skillful one must first bereave them of this taste and smell; and then he may easily introduce such others, as have a measurable Homogeniety and Affinity to the Vine; this, and this only, is the great business of Art, and the Artificial Preparation we would point forth; for (as we 've elsewhere said) if Spirits were thus Stilled, so as to get an ill Tang, they must again be bereaved thereof, [Page 33]which is not accomplished till your Spirits are brought in a manner as free from taste as Water, only Fiery and Spiritual; whereby much of the gross Sulphur, from whence the adustion, and consequently ill Tang, proceeds, is cast off, and separated; we mean as to its domineering qualities. The like may be done to great content even on Rum, which is the strongest in smell and taste of all the Vinor Spirits, drawn from Vegitable Concretes: Which taste, we are well satisfied comes not so much from the Internal Natute of the Concrete, as from their rough Preparation of the same; sc. their so often using the remains and reliques of Sugar and Canes; seeing that by pure Salts and great Quantities of fresh water, they are cleansed therefrom, as a Leper is, when cleansed from his defilements, and brought to a sweet and pleasant Spirit; which said sweetness cannot by all the Art imaginable, be equally produced from some other Spirits; seeing those that proceed from the Vinor Root it self are not equally indued with Fragrant, Rich, and Sweet Effluviums.
For one Simple is naturally sweeter than another; ex. gr. All sweet Wines will naturally yield sweet Spirits, and clear Wines yield abundantly sweeter Spirit than those made from the Lees, although proceeding from one and the same vessel; for Claret Wine gives by much a sweeter Spirit than the Faeces or sediment thereof, there being therein a more gross and feculent Sulphur, the which corrupts their simple sweetness, [Page 34]which chiefly is to be preferred; wherefore do we esteem the Glauberian way of Distilling, laid down in the fourth Head; because the Low-wines and Proof Spirits come off from thence abundantly sweeter than those from Wash: And, as the Author says, P. 1. pag. 159. may in all things be made to taste like natural Brandy.
Objection But some may say how can this possibly be so sweet as that drawn from pure Wines, seeing that you but even now said that those gave a sweeter Spirit than that drawn from the Lees?
But in Answer to these; We will not compare them with those drawn from pure Wines but with such as are drawn from Vinor Roots of a more inferiour Nature, and especially from the Lees; because these having their adustion on them, are apt to get a stronger smatch, being exposed to the Fire, than such Spirits will, which are already worked so pure, that in the Rectification they will only suck out the Volatile, Sulphureous and pleasant parts, as is evident in this. If those Lees, from whence you have drawn your Spirits, be afterward Fermented, and then again Distilled, they will yield but little quantity of Spirit, and that deficient in its flavour; so [Page 35]that 'tis evident, that there is a difference of Magnetical attraction and violent Distillation, the one bringing up only the Homogeneous parts, and the other sending off the more gross with the Volatile ones; and yet more if the Spirit you use is already sweet and pleasant, and the Argel by Art separated from all its impure and terrene Faeces, as before mentioned: and again we see a considerable difference in such Spirits, as are purified by such Salts, as will Magnetically attract their impurities and Aquacities; so that their Spirituality is separated, and then Distilled; from such Spirits, as are worked and rectified through the body of Salt in the Still; for altho' these may in some measure rob them of something, yet again they also add something of the Nature of that Salt, whence rectified, and therefore can't be so pure as the former; seeing they are worked by a simple intention, their impurities being gone before they come into the Still.
You have a clear example in this, that whereas Bay Salt is used in the common Method of Rectification, Bay leaves, Orrice, Ginger, Mugwort, Prunes, Pellitory, all Spice, Tamarinds, Clary, &c. Yet are not these Spirits by far so pleasant, as those, which are thus prepared.
Take of pure Indian Peter; and white Tartar, of each a Pound, the best Yellow Sulphur half a Pound, and being finely powder'd and mixed together, you may with a red hot Iron fire them, and when they will burn no more, melt them well in the fire, and when cold, pour them out into a Mortar, and pulverize [Page 36]them very fine immediately, or else they will Magnetically attract the Air, and so not easily admit of pulverizating; these forthwith put into a Glass, and pour thereon two quarts of high proof Spirits, such as you would bereave of their smell; and put them into a cold place for four or five days, remembering to shake them twice or thrice a day, then Filter them through a Cap-paper or Filtre, and draw off two third parts by Distillation in Bal. Mariae; and so have you your Spirit again, but of a wonderful pleasant taste and smell, far above the former; although no Herbs are as yet added; and tho' this at the first appearance may not seem to you a thing of profit; yet it carries with it in its demonstration such great truths as will confirm not only the Nature and Difference of these being so wrought, but also the possibility of meliorating and bettering such things as are not drawn from the Products of the Vine; and its profits may also hereafter be considerably discerned; but in all this here is hitherto our mishap; that we are forced to be beholding to the Products of Foreign Lands, whenas the thing, which must answer the grounded intention of this business, must proceed from something, which is a proper Product of this Land; or else how should we supply our selves with good wares in time of difficulty; and therefore leaving all Foreign things, as Tartar, Wine-Lees, Chrystals, Verdigreese, or any Vitriol of Venus, &c. although we know that something from these, if rightly prepared, may be performed, as well [Page 37]as from common Sulphur or Sea Salt, and such others as are aptly made, for the great business of Rectification; nay, we say from the Stone Parietes, or natural Vitriol of Mars, being opened by the fixed Salts contained in Hermaphroditical ones, from whence proceeds a pleasant Earth which to our knowledge is very homogeneous to Viner Spirits; for by it we are able before men of understanding to prepare better Stuff than hath hitherto been usually done; although Concentrated Vinegar is not to be despised, if so imbodied, as to preserve its Tartness in its Vitality; especially if the Spirits are so Distilled as to retain their sweet flavours; for as we have elsewhere said, from the tart and sweet, together with the predominance of the Specificated Sulphurs, come the different flavours unto Viner Spirits; for if the sweet hath the predominance, with the flavours of the Rhinal soyl, then the violet taste is evidently discernable: but from the red mold of France, the tart gives the Rasbery taste; and these again mixing give neutral and other pleasant flavours, whose difference is easily discernable by curious palates, although it cannot be so exactly compared to what 'tis most like in flavour, seeing so many curious ones are intermixed; many things of this Nature might be said, seeing Nature is so bounteous and large in her gifts; even to the filling of many Sheets, and that with profit too to the Reader; but we must be forced to omit many things, least the Treatise should swell too big, wherein we design to be as concise and compact [Page 38]as may be; yet we think it needful to stir up the minds of the Ingenious to the search of that, which by Trials may to their great content be measurably attained; for we know that Spirits prepared from the Products of this Land may be much bettered; for as we see 'tis no difficult matter to take the Garments off a poor man, and to give him richer; so is it the same in this Case, if we have a true knowledge of the Fountain of Nature; and if it is really so, as the Ancient Philosophers testifie, ‘sc. that in the Mineral Kingdom by help of the first Ens or Seed of Metals they can transmute all the impure ones into vendible Sol and Luna; why then may not the true Spagyrist by help of the Universal Vegetable Seed take off the drowsie Nature of Saturn or Spirit of Barley, or the Airy Nature of Jupiter, or Spirit of Fruits, and bring them into that friendly one of Venus, and the Sun, to which the Vine belongs; seeing the possibility of Transmutation is by the most Pregnant Wits of this Age believed?’ And there is hardly any one, that pretends to any thing of Art, but will argue for the same; and there have been given such undeniable demonstrations of its verity, that we think it an impossibility that any reasonable man should at this time of day doubt thereof; neither indeed have they the least cause concerning this of meliorating and bettering Spirits, for if the Ingenious and Lovers of Art, and others that are unskilful in the ways of working, will but take the Method we [Page 39]prescribe, they may in time therein become prompt perficients, because we labour what in us lies, to encourage them to supply their own defects, &c. which to do, let them thus proceed.
Your Proof Spirits being well prepared, or measurably bereaved of their Maltish taste, then charge therewith your Rectifying Still with a Can or two of Water according to their quantity, and take any sort of Herb you best like with your prepared Salt, and tie them up in a bag (called a Rectifying bag) and throw it into the Still, lute all fast, and gently and warily draw off your Fine Goods. You must be very cautious of Fire and Candles, especially where there is any breaking out of fume; least they should Fire, and so do a great deal of mischief, for this Reason Rectification is abundantly more dangerous than drawing Low-wines; therefore be not too hasty, but proceed warily and moderately, and govern it so that the stream may not run above the bigness of a large Crow Quill, or at most a small Goose one; and you must observe not to let it run off too long; for the latter part of your Spirit will be apt to carry some of the ill savour with it to the great detriment of the former; therefore let them be saved apart; the first for Brandies, the latter to be again Rectified so as to Fire Gunpowder, and then it may be used in Varnishes, or else it may well serve for some Compound Waters. Now to know when all the Spirituality is come over, you must proceed thus. [Page 40]Take a Taster of that which runs in the left hand, and a lighted Candle in the right, throw it upon the Neck or Head of the Still at work, immediately putting the Candle thereunto, and if it fires and burns you may proceed, otherwise your Operation is at an end. Now your first fine Spirits must be allayed into Proof or the strength of Brandy with Liquor, for the which some make use of this following Water; They take Calx vive, and mix a small proportion of Sassafras with it, and being put in a Tub they pour Spring Water thereon, and so letting it settle till very clear, then make use of it; but we are for making our Liquor by Distilling it through some Azural Salt; for then it freely mixes without the least bubble, or white speck, and seeming Precipitation, and being brought to Proof, it may be a little tinged with the Tincture of Saunders; and 'twill not be a miss, if you add a small portion of Spices in a bag, as Cinamon, Broad-Mace, and Nutmegs; and then have you good Saleable Wares, especially if your Proof Spirits were truly prepared, and from a good Basis.
Now if this tryal, although Good Wares, doth not in all things answer your expectation, then proceed to a second or third, sometimes with one sort, and sometimes with another, and in greater or lesser quantity; nay you may mix two Species together, and so proceed in your Tryal till your end is answered; for your experiments will be little loss or cost to you, seeing if you proceed not irregularly, your Goods will be nevertheless [Page 41]vendible; especially if you observe but the rules laid down.
But least some should object and say that those high Preparations mentioned, as Spagyrical, which Art we understand not, are not easie to be obtained, and so the Art of Rectification must remain wholly hidden unto us: In Answer to this, we must be forced to say that it proceeds not from any deficiency in the Rules contained in this writing, but from a sluggish neglect of their heedful observation, and of putting them into use: for have we not named besides the Lees of Wine, and what proceeds from that root with the Viner Heiggs, &c. and others which you count Spagyrical, things of such a degree as any one may conceive, as Bay Salt, Bay Leaves, Orrice, &c. And to those already named, we will add Cherries without the Stones, Arsmart, Pepperwort, the Herb Scarleae, the Blackberry, first made into Wine, as directed, as also Wheat Corn; for from thence proceed most excellent flavours, as we know by large Experience; therefore accept of our plain and kind Communication, and by a few tryals you may hit the profitable truth; especially if you over Dose not the Spirit with the Herb; for do we not see how a few drops of the Oyl of Cinamon, Cloves and Mace, being dropt into Sugar and cast into Wines, alter their taste, especially if some Essence of Ambergreese is added, as may be hereafter more largely shown in the next Impression of our Britannean Magazine of Liquors; we also see that the Elder-flower cast into well [Page 42]decocted Mead, makes it just like Wine made of the Apian or Muskadine Grape: All which presidents make clear the Art of Rectification, so that enough and more than enough is said of this Nature; seeing the diligent hand must by trials obtain that, which may greatly redound to the satisfaction of the searcher; for doth not Solomon say, the diligent hand makes rich, which may be understood in Knowledge as well as Substance, since that he preferrs Wisdom and Understanding before all the Riches and Glory of this World: saying, that Kings and Princes must come and throw down their Crowns and Scepters before it: And how can any man be said to excel another, if he have not some gifts above him, and a Practical knowledge in that, of which the other understands nothing? but into this part must every man enter by his own self-labour, and uncessant seeking and knocking, until Divine Providence through his perseverance opens it unto him: For we can neither lay, nor yet think of any Limitations in this Case; but as to what we have written we think it sufficient for any rational Genius to make enlargements on; and the more especially seeing we have shown the Preparation of Powers and Essential Salts in the second Head, in the fourth Chapter, sc. of noble specificated Powers; as also in the third Head touched at the Office of our Sal Panaristos, which will perform on Wines and Spirits all that the Artist can desire; nay, even to the Superlative degree; and yet the radical Product of England; therefore did we [Page 43]in our first Part Metaphorically describe the Actions of the Planets, in order to set forth this thing, and to show that the Universal Spirit may have its pure Effluviums so concentrated, as to be brought into a Corporeal or Bodily Form; this is that, when so prepared, which hath power to transmute one Nature into another; and as Vulgar Venus will Cloath Pale-Faced Sol with a deeper and more beautiful Garment, so will our Chaos of Mars and Venus mentioned in the Preface of our Chymicus Rationalis, or rather our Vitriol of Venus and Mars Philosophical, be a Medium for the exalting of Spirits into a purer Nature; and how can it be otherwise, seeing the Vine is under the Signature of Venus, and the Juice thereof, hath only from thence its sweet Salt; but this hath the Virtue of all the Planets Concatinated into a pure sweet and Chrystaline Salt, the very Key to the Golden and Lunar Magnet, and other such perfect ones, which by their internal purities will magnetically attract and separate Impurities from other beings; and so doth this the Flegm and gross Sulphur in Spirits, (which being stirred up by the Fire, cause their Nauseous smell and taste, and sometimes faetid, especially if burnt,) and so brings them to a more perfect state; but this cannot be so properly called a Transmutation of form, for that is a changing out of one kind into another; as an Alteration or Melioration, from a more inferiour to a more superior degree; but seeing the Original of this Salt together with its Office is shown in the [Page 44]fourth Chapter, sc. that of Powers, we shall thither referr you for it, and come to show what remains, as pertinent to be treated of in this following part of the Chapter, sc. The true way of preparing Simple Waters and Spirits; such we mean as have no more than the Spirit and one single entire Herb in them; because in many cases 'tis convenient to have their single Virtues perse, especially where they are expected to operate according to their Simple Virtue, all laid down in the lesser or least Composition, sc. three Gallons or one.
Of Waters.
Aqua Anisi Simplex,
or, Simple Aniseed Water.
Composition the least.
TAKE of Artificial Brandy, one Gallon, Aniseeds bruised twelve ounces, put them into the like Alimbe [...]k des [...]ried in Fig. 3 and in Balmeo Distill off the fine Spirit, S. A. then take two quarts of the Water cleansed by Calx vive, Aniseeds bruised four ounces, and in a cold Still, Distill off something more than a quart, in which Water gently dissolve on the Embers, [Page 45]twelve ounces of fine white Sugar, and when cold, therewith allay and dulcifie the Spirits, already refined, and so is the Water prepared.
Aqua Cardamomi Simplex, or, Simple Cardamom Water.
Composition the least.
Take of Brandified Spirits one Gallon, Cardamom seeds one pound, Operate in all things as in the former; likewise prepare a Syrup, as there directed, with which dulcifie and allay.
After this way may be prepared the Water from most Seeds, as Caraways, Daucus, Sweet-Foenil seeds, &c. The which we shall not repeat, seeing their preparation is one with this, and their Virtues to be understood after the [Page 46]same manner: Therefore I shall proceed no further therein, but come to Herbs.
Aqua Cardami simplex, or, simple Garden Cress-water.
Composition the least.
Take of Brandified Spirit one Gallon, Garden Cresses fresh gathered, half a peck, macerate them in your Alimbeck three days, and then Disti [...] into fine goods S. A. Also from the Herb per s [...] in the cold Still Distill the cold Water, to every three pound of which, you must add one poun [...] of fine Sugar, the which dissolve therein, and then therewith allay and dulcifie the Spirit let it refine and so is it prepared.
‘This Water helps to expectorate and raise tough Flegm, destroys Worms, and is good against the Yellow Jaundice, and any Poiso [...] whatsoever, but it is more appropriated [...] Men than Women, because 'tis hurtful to the Faetus.’ Now Nasturtium, or the Her [...] Cresse common may be worked in all things like this, whose Virtues, as 'tis said, were among the Persians esteemed so great, that when from home they eat no other meat, to revive their Spirits.
Aqua Menthae simplex,
or, simple Mint-Water.
Composition the lesser.
Take of Brandified Spirit, three Gallons, Mints gathered in their right signature, and gently dried, eight Handful; macerate them three days, and then Distill in Balneo, S. A. and with the Distilled Water of the Green Herb made in a cold Still, with the same preparation, as before directed, dulcifie and allay.
This Water heats the Stomach, and prevents Vomiting, two or three spoonfuls being taken as occasion requires. Observe, that by this Rule you may make many other Waters; as Bawm, Angelica, Wormwood, &c. Being gathered in their prime, and gently dried; and you may proportion them to your Brandified Spirit, more or less in quantity, according as you will have your Waters weaker or stronger of the Herb. And you must also observe the Nature of the Herbs, for one is abundantly stronger than the other, for an handful of Wormwood will go farther than two or three of some other Herbs: now in making your Wormwood-water we advise you not to take the Water made from a cold Still, but that which comes from the Distillation of the Oyl, and to every quart thereof add two ounces of Ginger and one of Orrice, and Distill again in a cold Still, and then with [Page 48]what quantity of fine Sugar you please, gently dissolved upon the Embers, you may allay and dulcifie. As to their virtues, they shall be here omitted, seeing 'tis plainly to be conceived, that they contain the virtues of the simple Herb, and all other that can be attributed to any other preparation of this kind: And as to their more exalted preparations and Virtues, they are treated of more at large in the Chapter of Powers.
Aqua Violae Tricoloris Simplex, or,
simple Hearts-Ease-Water.
Composition the least.
Take of Artificial Brandy one Gallon, Hearts. Ease, in the prime, sc. when seeded, being gently dried, one pound and a half, put them into your Still, and let them macerate three days, then Distill in Baln. into fine Goods, S. A. You may allay and Dulcifie as before directed, either with their own Syrup, or Syrup of Violets.
Its Virtues. ‘Tis an excellent Cordial, far above any other, for such as are faint and weak in the French Pox, also for Fevers, Measles, or Small-Pox; and for Agues, Convulsions and Falling-Sickness; the Aegyptians highly esteemed of this for Epilepsies; but we know that this Water is good for those, that have weak and inflamed Lungs, Consumptions, &c.’
Aqua Raphani Simplex, or, Radish Water Simple.
Composition the lesser.
Take of Brandified Spirits, three Gallons, of Garden Radish fresh gathered, clean washed and sliced, six pound; macerate three days with Mustard and an Onion, and then Distill in Balneo. S. A. You may allay with the cold distill'd water of Arsmart, and dulcifie with Syrup of Marsh-Mallows, and then let it become fine, and so is it prepared.
Its Virtues. ‘'Tis an excellent Lithontriptick bringing off Gravel, and provoking Urine, it dissolves Cluterated Blood and expels it; 'tis good in old Coughs, attenuating gross humours in the Chest; it kills Worms, and expels them, it provokes the Terms, and gives ease in the Cholick, 'tis good for Women after Delivery, to help to expel the Secundine, and also to prevent from Feverish Symptoms; in brief its Virtue is such, as that it may be safely Administred in Melancholick, Splenetick and Scorbutick Diseases: Its Dose is one, two, three or four Spoonfuls according to the Age and strength of the Patient.’
Aqua Sabinae Corticis simplex, or,
Savine Water simple.
Composition the least.
Take of Brandified Spirit, one Gallon; of the Bark of Savine six ounces, macerate three days and Distil S. A. You need not dulcifie it, nor allay it: ‘For 'tis mostly designed for washing of Ulcers, either Scrophulous or Cancerous, for abating Inflammations and dissipating Nodes and Tumors; 'tis seldom or never given inwardly, without it be to provoke the Menses, or to expel the dead Foetus; then the Dose is half a Spoonful, or Spoonful in White or Rhenish-Wine, sweetned with Sugar.’
Having laid down these Examples, we shall not insist upon any more of this kind, seeing they are sufficient to show you the Preparation, not only of Seeds, Herbs, Flowers, Roots, and Barks; but also of Berries and Spices, and others of the Vegetable Kingdom: We shall in the next place show you the way of Perfuming them, and then proceed to those of an higher order, sc. Spirits.
The way to perfume them.
Take of the Sulphurated Spirit of Wine mentioned in the Chapter of Rectification three pound, [Page 51]Jessamine Flowers half a pound, Honey Suckle Flowers four ounces, Orange Flowers, or the fresh Pill two ounces, macerate twenty four hours, and Distil in Balneo, S. A. And to the Spirit that comes over add Ambergreese four scruples, Musk two scruples, which being cut small, put them into a Bolthead, Seal them Hermetcally, and digest with a very gentle heat 'till dissolved; the which put in Bottles, with stone stoppers for use.
The manner how, is to add such a quantity to the Waters, as you will have them in strength of the Perfume.
Of Spirits.
Spiritus Salviae, or, Spirit of Sage.
TAKE of Artificial Brandy three Gallons, Sage in its blossom, prime, and chief signature, twelve pound, macerate them for three days, and then Distil as long as goodness comes; Then take six or eight pound of fresh Sage, and Distil as before: and with fresh Sage six pound repeat a third time, carefully preserving the first Gallon that comes; and what comes more you may reserve for another Operation, to use instead of Brandy.
Its Virtues. ‘'Tis one of the greatest friends that the Female Sex have, amongst all the single Concretes in the Vegetable Kingdom; for 'tis prevalent in opening of all Obstructions, it cleanses the Blood, provokes the Menses, closes the Matrix, and makes them Fruitful; and very excellent, when with Child, to keep them from miscarriage: Its general Virtues are for quickning the Senses and memory, strengthening the Sinews and Nerves: and therefore good in Apoplexies, Palsies, and Convulsions; nay, should we be particular in every point of its Virtues, we might fill a whole sheet therewith: This Spirit makes Excellent Sage Beer or Wine, an ounce thereof being put into a quart of either. But when you take the Spirit alone in drops, the dose is from twenty to sixty, according to the Age and Strength of the Patient, in a Glass of either.’
Spiritus Cochleariae, or, the Spirit of Scurvey-Grass.
Take of Scurvey-Grass, in June or July, Herbs, Flowers, and all; bruise it well in a large Marble Mortar, and put to every Peck one Pound of Honey, and a little Bay Salt, and let them Ferment two or three days in a cold Cellar; for in a warm place much of their Crasis will be lost; which consists in a Volatile Salt, then cram these into your Still as close [Page 53]as ever you can, and pour upon them of th e best Aethereal Spirit of Wine, enough only to moisten them; clap on your Still, and Distil all with a very slow fire; it can't be too gentle, therefore in this be very careful; and what comes over first will be the true Spirit of Scurvey-Grass, you may proceed by a second Repetition, and then to every Gallon of this Spirit add a pound of its own Seeds or Flowers, and Distill again: And be sure in these Operations you observe to take no more than the high Spirit. Now for the remaining Spirit in the Still, you must put to it a quantity of decripitated Bay-Salt, and Distill as long as it comes Proof; with which you may begin your next Distillation with fresh Scurvey-Grass, proceeding as before. This is the true and best way, to prepare the right Spirit of Scurvey-Grass. To make it Golden and Purging, we referr you to our Clymicus Rationalis.
Its Virties. ‘'Tis proper in the Scurvey, Dropsie or Jaundice, &c. which we shall not here repeat, seeing we have spoken thereof in its proper and genuine Preparation, so that of Powers. The Dose is from thirty to Fifty Drops according to the Age and strength of the Patient.’
Spiritus Lavandulae, or, Spirit of Lavander.
Take of Brandified Spirit three Gallons, of Lavander Flowers twelve pound; Oyl of Salt per deliquium two pound, macerate in a gentle [Page 54]warmth ten or twelve days, then Distill in Bal. as long as goodness comes, in which macerate one pound of the Oyl of Salt per del. and eight pound of fresh Flowers, and Distill, as before: Lastly Rectifie from six pound of Flowers per se, and so it is prepared.
Its Virtues. ‘'Tis excellent for all Diseases of the Head, as, Megrims, Epilepsies, Convulsions and Calentures, as also for violent and inveterated Head-Achs, here it is a Specifick; it is prevalent in fortifying the Animal Spirits, and good in the Cholick, Strangury, and Dysentery, the over much Flowing of Womens Terms, and all other Fluxes of Blood. The Dose and manner of Administration is as the former.’
Observe, after this way is prepared the Spirit of Rosemary, but seeing we have at large showed its right and genuine Preparation in Chapter the fourth, together with its virtues and use, we shall omit it here.
Spiritus Angelicae, or, Spirit of Angelica.
Take of Angelica in its right signature, as much as you please, pound it in a large Stone Mortar with a Wooden Pestil, and putting it into your Still, cover it over a Fingers breadth with pure Brandified Spirit, and with a piece of Leaven, let it macerate three or four days; then Distill as long as goodness will come; repeat this a second time with fresh Herbs; then to every Gallon of Spirit add of Spanish Angelica [Page 55]Roots sliced thin two pound, and rectifie therefrom; the fine Spirit you must reserve for use, and the other may serve for a new beginning.
Its Virtues. ‘'Tis very prevalent against all Poison, and Infectious corrupted Airs, the Pestilential Fever or Plague, it carries off the Venom by Sweat and Urine, and insensible Transpiration; it comforts the Heart and Vital Spirits, and therefore excellent to be used by such as are bitten with any Venomous or Mad Beast whatsoever: 'tis powerful in opening the Obstructions of the Liver or Spleen, bringing down the Terms, and expelling the Secundine. The Dose is from one Scruple to three, in a Glass of Spanish or Rhenish Wine.’
Spiritus Croci, or, Spirit of Saffron.
Take of the best English Saffron one pound, of Malaga Sack a Quart, Honey half a pound, Chrystals of Tartar four ounces, let the Chrystals of Tartar be beat very well with the Saffron in a Mortar; then put it into a Glass, and add in your Honey and Wine; lute all fast, and in a gentle heat let them Ferment and macerate ten, twelve, or fourteen days, the longer the better; then take off the blind head, and add in three Quarts of the Sulphurated Spirit of Wine, put on its Helm, with a proper recipient, being truly adapted, lute all fast, and Distill in Balneo; the two first Quarts will be the true Spirit: Observe from what remains with fresh Spirit of [Page 54] [...] [Page 55] [...] [Page 56]Wine, you may draw the Extract, which though small in quantity, yet virtuous.
The Spirits Virtues. ‘'Tis an excellent Cordial, Fortifying the Vital, Natural, and Animal Spirits; 'tis a great Preservative in time of Plague; 'tis beyond all the cooling Cordials in England for Measles and Small Pox, for it strengthens the Heart, it opens Obstructions and heals the Phthisick, it brings breath when almost gone, and 'tis said to prolong Life; if you wash the Face with it, mixt with Rose Water, in the time of Small Pox, and Measles, it preserves the Face and Eyes from being hurt thereby: The Dose is from ten to twenty, and from twenty to sixty Drops in some Cordial Julep, or Wine, as the Patient best likes.’
Spiritus Dauci, or, Spirit of Daucus.
Take of Wild Carrotseed twelve pound, beat them small, put them into your Still, and add thereunto of the Sulphurated Spirit of Wine three Gallons, of Mevis Sugar three pound, macerate them for ten or twelve days; and then Distill off one half, the which preserve for Spirit; the other half may be run off for fresh beginnings. You may if you please put it all together on fresh Seeds, and make another Reiteration.
Its Virtues. ‘It is a Carminative, breaking and consuming Windiness, good in the Gripes and Cholick, Fits of the Mother, provoking the Terms: in fine, 'tis good in the Strangury, Dysury, Gravel and Stone, and provokes Urine. The Dose is from thirty to sixty [Page 57]Drops, proper at all times for such as are subject to the forementioned Diseases, but principally when mostly therewith assaulted.’
Thus (Reader) have we laid you down examples sufficient for the making of simple Waters and Spirits, so that if you have but an ordinary Genius, you may arrive to what you desire therein; and if you can't attain to the Art of Distillation by these plain rules and precepts contained in this Book, then do we highly doubt, whether you'll ever be able to attain it, but by Ocular Demonstration; therefore our advice is that you should apply your self to some honest Distiller, for you may learn more of him in six Weeks time, than in years by your own Study and chargeable operations, and therefore count it a considerable favour, if such an one will be thy Friend; yet have we done here to our utmost to serve you, and according to our twenty years experience have left nothing deficient, not so much as a tittle: If you proceed therein Secundum Artem Distillationis, which is impossible to be delivered in writing, Experience must be the chief Mistriss herein, and as you proceed so, we doubt not of prizing our Labours, which are committed to the World for the benefit of such as are groaping, as we may say at Noon day for satisfaction therein; but here if you clear your sight, you will discern a small Lamp burning, by the which you may open the Chest to the choicest Mysteries thereof.
I have described all the necessary Stills and Furnaces in their several Figures, so that we shall now proceed to the next Chapter, in which will [Page 58]be laid down all the necessary Waters, that will fully supply the Distiller with what may be desired of him for publick Sale.
CHAP. III.
In which we shall give you the Composition and way of preparing of Aqua Vitae, and other rich Cordial Waters, in their greater and lesser Pondus, stated from the greatest Authority of Art.
THE Receipts here prescribed derive their Foundation from the best Masters in Europe, sc. German, Dutch and English, &c. that have Master-like treated hereof; so that we have been at no small pains, to compare and then compute their differences, thence taking such a M [...] dium, as that the subsequent prescriptions may well serve for either; nay, indeed much beter than some others extant; for in the firs [...] place the exact quantity of the Spirit is ment [...] oned, and in the second the just Pondus an [...] quantity of all the Ingredients, even to a Grain Now as to the first 'tis very convenient and helpful to the young Practitioners in this Art, seeing they may be mistaken in that general term, Ta [...] Proof Spirit what sufficeth; and so take either to [...] much or too little, and thereby destroy the ha [...] monious [Page] [Page]
A bolt head for a Receiver
- AA the Ash hole
- B the Fire place
- C C the body of y e Alimbe [...]
- d d the Flews of the Furnace
- e A pipe to fill y e still
- ff the joynt
- G the Head for Fleg [...] and Oyle,
- H the joyning of the Rpe to the Receiver
- I the Receiver
- h h ii the Coolor to Refrigerate y e Spirits
- K the pipe through w ch. y e Spirits Ascend
- NN the Helm for their Condensation
Place this Figure before Chap III in pag. 59.
[Page 59]flavours of their Waters: so is also the second, for many Grains in a Composition, where various things are named, will amount to Scruples and Drachms, and so make a considerable alteration, especially in such as are prescribed for Physical uses; in the which we ought to be very cautious, that so their virtues may answer the Prescriber's end. Now having given you to understand the reason, why we have stuck so close to this Method, sc. for its exactness, from whence superiority proceeds; what remains, as convenient to be treated of in this place, is only to mention the Measures, and then go on to the Receipts themselves: As to the Measures, the Dutch use Cans, Stopes, Small Cans, Pints, Half-pints and Muddikeys: The English Cans, Gallons, Quarts, Pints, Half-pints, and Quarter-pints; the Dutch-Can is six Stopes, and three Stopes are exactly two English Gallons, so that their Quarts, Pints, Half-pints, and Quarters are abundantly bigger than the English; but finding the English Can generally to be four Gallons, which exactly make six Stopes, which is the same with the English Can, we shall divide our measure thus, into Cans, Half Cans, and Quarter-Cans; which is to be understood four Gallons, two Gallons, and one Gallon; this the English may compute by their Gallons, and the Dutch by their Cans; so that neither need to be in any Labyrinth. Now by the way you are to observe, that in the following common Waters, that a Tun of Proof Spirits will make near a Tun and a half thereof. That is, by help of the sweets and allays.
Aqua Vitae.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of Strong Proof Spirit four Cans or sixteen Gallons, Aniseeds bruised one pound eight ounces, three drachms, twelve Grains, and adding a Can of Water as advised in Rectification, Distill into fine goods, or as long as it comes pleasant: If it should be above Proof you may allay it, the way how will be shown hereafter.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three Gallons, or ¾ of a Can, Aniseeds bruised four ounces, four drachms; and Distill into fine goods, as before directed, S. A.
Aqua Vitae. A second Prescription,
and Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen Gallons, Aniseeds two pound, Caraway Seeds, Coriander seeds, ana. four ounces; distill into sine goods S. A.
Composition the lesser.
Take of high Proof Spirit three Gallons, Aniseeds nine ounces, six drachms, Caraway Seeds, Coriander Seeds, ana. one ounce, one drachm; distill them into fine goods, S. A.
Y-worth. 'Tis the manner of the Dutch to colour these Aqua Vitae's with Alkanet Root, or Turnsole, which is Linen Rags died Red; their manner is thus: They take a quart of Aqua Vitae, and of either of these four ounces, Musk and Ambergreese, ana. grains fourteen or sixteen, or more or less, as they will have it in strength; they stop it close in a Bottle, setting it in a gentle. Warmth, and then draw off the Tincture, the which, when cold, they add in such quantity to their Aqua Vitae's, as they would have them in height of Colour. But the London Distiller uses Gilly-Flowers, Roses, Poppy, Sanders, or any of them severally, what sufficeth, and infuses them in Aqua Vitae, or Proof Spirit, till the Tincture be drawn out; then decants the Spirit, and reserves it (close stopt) for use; which is to tinge or colour your Aqua Vitae's upon occasion; the proportion may be about eight ounces to one Gallon, or what more or less you think sufficient to answer your expectation: If you add in a little fine Sugar, 'twill not be amiss.
Its Virtues. ‘'Tis an excellent Carminative, for two or three spoonfuls being drank will expell Wind in the Bowels or any other parts of the Body; a spoonfull thereof being taken [Page 62]in any Paroxism with as much Water, relieves or helps the Patient; being also very proper for such as are weak and faint, through obstructions to be taken Mornings.’
Aqua Vitae aurea secundum Glauber: or,
Glauber's Goulden Aqua Vitae.
Composition the least.
Take of high Proof Spirit, drawn from the aurified Salt, spoken of in the Chapter of Rectification, one Gallon, to which add Flowers of the Lily of the Valley twelve ounces, red Roses, Cinnamon, Mace, Cardamums, Burrage, Rosemary, Sage, Lavender, ana. half a pound, Ambergreese and Musk, ana. two, three or four scruples, let all these Flowers be fresh gathered, and being in the Vessel with the dried Spices, let them macerate for ten or twelve days, then distill: If you cannot get fresh Flowers, you must even content your self with dried ones; but the fresh gather'd would be better, if they can be had.
Y-worth. ‘This is an incomparable Aqua Vitae, and may safely be used in all sickness of the Body whatsoever, and most profitable where the vital Spirits, Heart and Brain want to be strengthen'd. The Dose is from half a spoonful to two spoonfuls at most, as occasion requires. And this being taken in case of necessity, or as [Page 63]some illness presents, you may easily discern how far its virtues surpass other Aqua Vitae's.’
Aqua Anisi, or, Aniseed Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of good Proof Spirit sixteen Gallons, Aniseeds bruised seven pound, eight ounces, seven drachms, eight grains, distill into strong Proof Spirit, and then dulcifie with white Sugar seven pound, eight ounces, seven drachms, eight grains, S. A. [Addition] of Aniseeds and white Sugar, ana. seven pound, eight ounces, seven drachms, eight grains, or what is sufficient to answer your end, as you'll have it stronger or weaker of the Seeds and Sugar.
Composition the Lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three Gallons, Aniseeds bruised one pound, and a half, then distill into strong Proof Spirit, and dulcifie it with white Sugar one pound, and a half, [Addition] Aniseeds, white Suger, ana. one pound, and a half.
Y-worth. ‘This is an excellent Water to strengthen the Stomach, Breaking, Cutting and Expectorating tough Phlegm, helping the digestive Faculty, giving ease and strengthning in the Phthisick or shortness of Breath; it abates wind in the Stomach, Bowels and other parts of the Body; and therefore proper for such as give [Page 64]suck, to be taken to the quantity of half an ounce, to prevent Wind, which sucking Children are so subject to.’
Aqua Angelicae, or, Angelica Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of high Proof Spirit sixteen Gallons, Angelica Roots two pound six ounces, and a Qr. or Angelica Herb green, eleven pound and a half, Aniseeds one pound, nine ounces, six drachms, slice the roots thin, or bruise them and the Seeds; then distill into fine Goods, and dulcifie with white Sugar eight pound. [Addition] Caraway Seeds, Coriander Seeds, ana. four ounces, six drachms and a half, Calamus Aromaticus, Zedoary, ana. six ounces and a half, Aniseeds, Cassi, Lignea, ana. half a pound, four ounces and a half, Angelica Root, twelve ounces and a half, or Herb Angelica three pound three ounces, one drachm and a half, white Sugar four pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of high Proof Spirit three Gallons, Angelica Roots six ounces, six drachms, or Angelica Herb Green two pound, four ounces, Aniseeds four ounces, seven drachms, slice the Roots thin, or bruise them and the Seeds; then Distill into fine goods, and dulcifie with white Sugar a pound and a half. [Addition] Carawayseeds, Coriander Seeds, ana. seven drachms and a half, Calamus [Page 65]Aromaticus, Zedoary, ana. eleven drachms, fifteen Grains, Aniseeds, Cassia Lignea, ana. two ounces, three drachms, thirty Grains, Angelica Roots two ounces, three drachms, Grains thirty, or Herb Angelica nine ounces, four drachms, Grains thirty, white Sugar twelve ounces.
Y-worth. ‘This is an excellent Cardiack, wonderfully strengthning the Heart, Stomach, and inward parts; 'tis a great Counter-poison and Preservative against the Plague, Measles, Small-Pox, and other Pestilential and Infectious Diseases. The Dose is from half an ounce, to an ounce.’
Aqua Absinthii, or, Wormwood-Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen Gallons, Aniseeds bruised one pound, eight ounces, three drachms, Grains twelve, Wormwood common, leaves and Seeds, stript and dry, three pound, six drachms, Grains twenty four; Distill them into fine goods, S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar eight pound. [Addition] Cinnamon, Cubebs, ana. six ounces, two scruples, Grains eight; sweet Foenil-seeds, Aniseeds, ana. twelve ounces, three drachms, Grains six; Cloves, Caraway seeds, Nutmegs, ana. four ounces and a half, two drachms Grains six; Wormwood dry one pound, white Sugar, three pounds, twelve ounces.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three Gallons, Aniseeds bruised four ounces, seven drachms, Wormwood common, Leaves and seeds, stript and dry, ten ounces and a half; Distill them into fine Goods, and dulcifie with white Sugar one pound and a half. [Addition] Cinamon, Cubebs, ana. one ounce, one drachm, grains forty five, sweet Foenil seeds, Aniseeds, ana. two ounces, three drachms, grains thirty, Cloves, Caraway seeds, Nutmegs, ana. seven drachms, grains thirty, Wormwood dry three ounces, white Sugar twelve ounces.
Y-worth. ‘This Water stops Vomiting, and provokes a good Appetite; it consumes and expells wind, and strengthens the Stomach; wonderfully fortifying such as are of a cold and moist Nature, and Constitution; it diverts Melancholy, and prevents many of those Vapours, which otherwise would ascend to the Head for its disturbance; it easeth Gripes, and destroys Worms. The Dose is the same with Aniseed-Water.’
Aqua Melissae, or, Bawm-Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirits sixteen Gallons, Bawm dry four pound, twelve ounces, four drachms; Aniseeds one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; Distill into fine Goods, and dulcifie with white Sugar eight pound. [Addition] [Page 67]Garden Thyme, Penny-royal, ana. five handfuls, Cardamums three ounces, grains thirty; sweet Foenil seeds, Aniseeds, ana. twelve ounces, six drachms, grains thirty; Bawm dry one pound, nine ounces, four drachms; Nutmeg, Ginger, Calamus Aromaticus, Galingal, Cinamon, ana. six ounces, three drachms, grains fifteen.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three Gallons, Bawm dry thirteen ounces and a half, Aniseeds four ounces, seven drachms; Distill into fine Goods, and dulcifie with white Sugar a pound and a half. [Addition] Garden Thyme, Penny-royal, ana. a small Pugil, Cardamums four ounces and a half; sweet Foenil-seeds, Aniseeds, ana. two ounces, three drachms and a half; Bawm dry four ounces and a half; Nutmeg, Ginger, Calamus Aromaticus, Galingal, Cinamon, ana. one ounce, one drachm and a half, grains fifteen.
Y-worth. ‘This is highly esteemed for Womens Diseases, especially in Hysterick Passions, Vapours and Fits of the Mother; it shows its prevalency in comforting Women in the difficulty of Travail, not only strengthning the Heart, whereby they are enabled the better to bear their pain; but also promoring a more quick and safe Delivery, in which Case the Dose may be one ounce or two.’
Aqua Menthae, or, Mint Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of high Proof-Spirit sixteen gallons, Spearmint dry four pound, twelve ounces, two drachms, grains five, Aniseeds best one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; and Distill into strong Proof-Spirits, and then dulcifie with white Sugar eight pound. [Addition] Spear-Mint dry, Aniseeds, ana. one pound, twelve ounces, seven drachms, Calamus Aromaticus six ounces, three drachms, grains fifteen, white Sugar four pound, four ounces.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof-Spirit three gallons Spear-Mint dry, four ounces, two drachms, grains five, Aniseeds four ounces, seven drachms; Distill into fine goods, and dulcifie with white Sugar one pound and a half. [Addition] Spear-Mint dry, Aniseeds, ana. four ounces, seven drachms; Calamus Aromaticus, one ounce, two drachms, one scruple, grains five, white Sugar twelve ounces.
Y-worth. ‘This Water is an excellent Cardiack, Lienick, Splenetick and Stomachick, helping Concoction, and taking the Water off the Stomach; it prevents sowre belchings, and hath a specifick virtue against Vomitting; The Dose is from three drachms to seven or eight.’
Aqua Rosmarini, or, Rosemary Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of good Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, Rosemary stript and dry, three pound, Aniseeds, one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; Distill into fine goods, and then dulcifie with white Sugar, five pound. [Addition] Sweet Foenil seeds, Cinnamon, ana. twelve ounces, six drachms and a half; Aniseeds, Rosemary dry, ana. one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; Carawayseeds, three ounces, one drachm and a half, Spearmint dry, three handfuls, white Sugar four pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of high Proof Spirit, three gallons, Rosemary stript and dry, nine ounces, Aniseeds four ounces, seven drachms; Distill into fine goods, and then dulcifie with white Sugar, half a pound. [Addition] Sweet Foenil seeds, Cinnamon, ana. two ounces, three drachms and a half; Aniseeds, Rosemary dry, ana. four ounces, seven drachms; Carawayseeds, four drachms and a half; Spearmint dry, a competent quantity, white Sugar twelve ounces.
Y-worth. ‘Rosemary Water is an excellent Cephalick and Stomachick; for it comforts the Brain, revives the Senses, easing violent pains of the head; it strengthens the Stomach, and is good against the Diarrhoea, Dysentery or Irish Flux, as also the Strangury, [Page 70]or difficulty of making Water: It may be safely Administred these three ways, sc. one ounce and a half to be drunk, given in a Clyster, or injected into the Yard.’
Aqua Limoniarum aut Aurantiorum, Limon, or, Orange Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of good Proof Spirits sixteen gallons, Limon or Orange Pills dry, three pound, Aniseeds the best one pound, nine ounces, five drachms, bruise the Pills and seeds, and then Distill into fine Spirit, and dulcifie with white Sugar eight pound. [Addition] Caraway seeds six ounces, four drachms, Aniseeds, Limon Pills dry, ana. one pound and a half, five drachms, grains six, white Sugar four pound: In the like manner and quantity you may make your Composition with Orange Pills dry.
Composition the lesser.
Take of good Proof Spirit three gallons, Limon or Orange Pills dry, nine ounces, Aniseeds the best four ounces, eight drachms; bruise the Pills and seeds, and then Distill into fine Spirit, Secundum Artem, dulcifie with white Sugar one pound and a half. [Addition] Carawayseeds, one ounce, three drachms, grains fifteen; Aniseeds, Limon Pills dry, ana. four ounces, seven drachms, white Sugar twelve ounces: In the like manner, and quantity you may make your Composition with Orange Pills dry.
Y-worth. ‘This is a great strengthener of the Spirits, Natural, Vital and Animal, and [Page 71]by its fragrancy is very refreshing to the Stomach, breaking away wind; 'tis also a good Cordial restorative, opening Obstructions, and, being indued with a Balsamick Virtue, heals inward defects. The Dose is from three drachms, to six.’
Aqua Majoranae, or, Marjoram Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons; sweet Marjoram dry, four pound, thirteen ounces; Aniseeds, one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; Carawayseeds, six ounces, three drachms, grains fifteen; Calamus Aromaticus nine ounces, five drachms; bruise them, and Distill into fine goods, then dulcifie with white Sugar what is sufficient, Secundum Artem. [Addition] Cinnamon eight ounces, Cloves three ounces, one drachm and a half; Limon Pills dry four ounces, six drachms and a half; Sugar four pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons, sweet Marjoram dry, fifteen ounces; Aniseeds, four ounces, seven drachms; Carawayseeds, one ounce, three drachms, grains five; Calamus Aromaticus, one [...]nce, seven drachms; bruise them and Distill into fine goods, S. A. and then dulcifie with white Sugar, one pound and a half. [Addition] Cinamon one ounce and a half; Cloves, four drachms and a half; Limon Pills dry, seven drachms and a half Sugar, twelve ounces.
Y-worth. ‘'Tis good against the Infirmities of the Liver and Spleen, and shortness of Breath; 'tis a great Corroborater and strengthner of the inward parts. The Dose is from three drachms to six.’
Aqua Meliphylli, or, Balsamint Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of good Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, Balsamint dry, three pound, three ounces, one drachm and a half, Aniseeds best one pound and a half, one ounce, five drachms, Carawayseeds six ounces, three drachms; Limon Pills dry, twelve ounces, six drachms and a half; bruise them that are to be bruised, and then Distill into strong Proof Spirit, and dulcifie with white Sugar eight pound, S. A. [Addition] Sweet Foenil, Cinnamon, ana. eight ounces, Nutmegs, four ounces, six drachms and a half, Sugar four pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of good Proof Spirit three gallons, Balsamint dry, nine ounces, four drachms and a half; Aniseeds best four ounces, seven drach [...], Carawayseeds one ounce, one drachm, Limon Pills dry, two ounces, three drachms and a half; bruise them that are to be bruised, and then Distill into strong Proof Spirits, and dulcifie with white Sugar, one pound and a half, [Page 73] S. A. [Addition] Sweet Foenil, Cinnamon, ana. one ounce and a half, Nutmegs seven drachms and a half, Sugar twelve ounces.
Y-worth. ‘This is a good Stomachick and Carminative. The Dose six or eight drachms.’
Aqua Caryophyllorum, or, Clove Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of high Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, Cloves one pound, Aniseeds one pound, nine ounces, five drachms, Distill into fine goods, and then dulcifie with white Sugar, eight pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of high Proof Spirit three gallons, Cloves three ounces, Aniseeds four ounces, seven drachms; Distill into fine goods, and then dulcifie with white Sugar one pound and a half.
Y-worth. ‘This Water is esteemed very good for helping Digestion, breaking Wind, opening the Urinary passage and provoking Urine; for fortifying the Vital Spirits, and the Heart, the fountain thereof. The Dose is from two, to four drachms.’
Aqua Cinnamomi Communis, or, Cinnamon Water Common.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, Cinnamon the best, eight pound, Aniseeds, one pound; Distill into fine goods, and then dulcifie with white Sugar twelve pound, S. A.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons, Cinnamon the best one pound and a half, Aniseeds three ounces; Distill into fine goods, and then dulcifie with white Sugar, two pound, four ounces.
Aqua Cinnamomi Propria, or, Cinnamon Water Proper.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of good Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, Cinnamon the best, and large, sixteen pound; Distill into fine goods: Then take white Sugar twenty pound, Rosewater six pound, six ounces, three drachms, make them into a Syrup, and dulcifie therewith, [Page 75] S. A. [Addition] Musk and Ambergreese, ana. two scruples, grains eight, white Sugar Candy instead of common white Sugar qu. sat. e. S. A.
Composition the lesser.
Take of good Proof Spirit three gallons, Cinnamon the best and large, three pound; Distill into fine goods: Then take white Sugar, three pound, thirteen ounces, Rosewater one pound, three ounces, one drachm, make them into a Syrup, and dulcifie therewith, S. A. [Addition] Musk and Ambergreese, ana. grains nine, white Sugar Candy instead of common white Sugar, qu. sat. S. A.
Observe, In respect that Musk for some causes may give offence to the receiver; 'tis requisite to omit the use thereof in some of your Water of this kind, to serve for such particular uses.
Aqua Cinnamomi Nostra, or, Our Cinnamon Water.
Y-worth. Take of our Spiritus Vini Sulphurat. one gallon, (for when you make such rich Cordial Waters, 'tis best to make use of such Brandified Spirits, as the Spirit of Malt, or any other, bereaved of their ill Tang and Hogo, and then impregnated with an Azural Salt and Sulphur of a Vinor Nature) of the best Cinnamon in small powder, one pound, four ounces, [Page 76]Sugar half a pound, Chrystals of Tartar, four ounces; let them infuse therein ten days, or the longer the better, and then Distill into High Proof Spirits; and thus have you the true Spirit of Cinnamon, most proper for any Physical use whatever: But to allay it into a Cordial Water, you must proceed thus.
Take of fresh Cinnamon half a pound, Spring Water three Quarts, put them into your Alembick with its Refrigeratory, and Distill over; and what Oyl comes will sink to the bottom, the which you may separate; and then to every Quart of this water add of Loaf Sugar one pound, and over a gentle warmth dissolve it; and so with this you may allay your Spirit to Proof, or what height you please.
Aqua Seminum Foeniculi dulc. or, sweet Foenil seed Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, sweet Foenil seeds, eight pound, Carawayseeds six ounces, three drachms, Aniseeds one pound, nine ounces, five drachms, Distill into fine goods, and then dulcifie with white Sugar eight pound. [Addition] Sweet Foenil seeds eight pound, Caraway seeds six ounces, three drachms, grains fifteen, Aniseeds one pound, nine ounces, five drachms, Cinnamon twelve ounces, six drachms and a half, Cloves three ounces, one drachm and a half, Sugar four pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons, Sweet Foenil seeds one pound and a half, Carawayseeds one ounce, one drachm, Aniseeds four ounces, seven drachms; Distill into fine goods, and then dulcifie with white Sugar one pound and a half. [Addition] Sweet Foenil seeds one pound and a half, Carawayseeds one ounce, three drachms, grains five, Aniseeds four ounces, seven drachms, Cinnamon two ounces, three drachms and a half, Cloves four drachms and a half, Sugar twelve ounces.
Y-worth. This Water takes off Stomachick Loathings, and creates an Appetite, strengthening the Tones, imbibing sharp humours, and expelling Wind. The Dose is from half an ounce to an ounce and half.
Aqua Calendularum, or, Marigold Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, Marigold Flowers new gather'd, pick'd clean, three pecks and a quarter; bruise them, sweet Foenil seeds, Aniseeds, ana. one pound; Distill into fine goods, and dulcifie with white Sugar eight pound. [Addition] Cinamon, sweet Foenil, ana. half a pound, Caraway, Cloves, ana. three ounces, one drachm and a half, Marigolds three pecks, ¼, Sugar four pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons, Marigold Flowers, new gather'd, and pick'd clean, ¾ peck, or what more sufficeth; bruise them; sweet Foenil seeds, Aniseeds, ana. three ounces; Distill into fine goods, and dulcifie with white Sugar, one pound and a half. [Addition] Cinamon, sweet Foenil, ana. one ounce, four drachms, Caraway, Cloves, ana. four drachms [Page 79]and a half; Marigolds qu. s. e. Sugar twelve ounces.
Y-worth. 'Tis a wonderful strengthner, and as great a Preserver against any Infection whatsoever. The Dose is an ounce or two in the morning, especially when contagious Diseases do reign.
Aqua Seminum Cariu, or, Caraway Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of high Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, Caraway seeds three pound, Aniseeds one pound, Rosemary dry six ounces, three drachms, Limon Pills dry, Cloves, ana. four ounces, six drachms and a half, Distill into fine goods, S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar eight pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of high Proof Spirit three gallons, Caraway seeds nine ounces, Aniseeds three ounces, Rosemary dry one ounce, one drachm; Limon Pills dry, Cloves, ana. seven drachms and a half; Distill into fine goods, S. A. and then dulcifie with white Sugar one pound and a half.
Y-worth. This Water hath been found very good for such as have been oppressed with cold and moist Stomachs, as also for such as have been subject [Page 80]to Wind in the Bowels; for it warms, comforts, and strengthens. The Dose is from three to six drachms.
Aqua Nucum Moschatarum, or, Nutmeg Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, Nutmegs two pound, Aniseeds one pound, bruise them, and Distill into fine goods, S. A. and then dulcifie with white Sugar, eight pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons, Nutmegs six ounces, Aniseeds three ounces, bruise them, and Distill into fine goods, S. A. and then dulcifie with white Sugar one pound and a half.
Y-worth. This Water chears the Spirits, Natural, Vital, and Animal; it sweetens the Breath, and is a good Carminative and Diuretick. The Dose is the same with Caraway Water.
Aqua Lavendulae, or, Lavender Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of high Proof Spirit sixteen gallons; Lavender Leaves dry, four pound, twelve ounces, six drachms and a half; Lavender Flowers dry, three pound, three ounces, one drachm and a half; Mace, twelve ounces, six drachms and a half; Nutmegs one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; Lavender Cotton dry, three pound, three ounces, one drachm and a half; Staechados, twelve ounces, six drachms and a half; bruise them that are to be bruised, and Distill into Proof Spirit, S. A. dulcifie with white Sugar sixteen pound, or what less sufficeth.
Composition the lesser.
Take of high Proof Spirit three gallons, Lavender Leaves dry, fourteen ounces, three drachms and a half; Lavender Flowers dry, nine ounces, four drachms and a half; Mace, two ounces, three drachms and a half; Nutmegs, four ounces, seven drachms; Lavender Cotton dry, nine ounces, four drachms and a half; Staechados, two ounces, three drachms and a half; bruise them that are to be bruised, and Distill into Proof Spirit, S. A. Dulcifie with white Sugar three pound.
Aqua Lavendulae Composita, or, Lavender Water Compound
Distiller. Take Flowers of Lavender, Lily of the Valley, ana. twenty four handfuls; Piony, Tillia, Flowers of Rosemary, ana. half an handful; Sage, Cinamon, Ginger, Cloves, Cubebs, Galingal, Calamus Aromaticus, Mace, Misseltoe of the Oak, ana. one drachm and a half; Piony Roots, one ounce and a half; of the best Wine what sufficeth; Infuse them in the Wine two days, and then Distill in Bal. Mariae.
Y-worth. ‘'Tis good for such, as have the Mercurial Property abounding, and are troubled with dulness of Spirit, as also against Faling-sickness, Convulsion Fitts, and Infirmities of the Brain. The Dose is from one to three drachms.’
Observe, Here is no quantity of Spirits given, because the Distillers have a usual way in this thing to go by their own Experience; that is, they'll make them no richer of the Herbs, Seeds, and Spices, than as they'll answer their cost in the Sale; therefore they sometimes put two or three Cans more, than we prescribe; nay, and omit one half of the Ingredients; only observing, that according as the Water is called, to let that Herb, Seed, or Fruit, to have the predominance of the flavours; so that they go more by Custom than by Book; but for our part we don't in all things approve of this, for we love true Prescriptions, though the Waters be something [Page 83]thing the dearer, and so to unite sound Theory and Practice together.
Aqua Salviae, or, Sage Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons; great Sage dry, four pound, twelve ounces, six drachms and a half; Red Sage dry, three pound, three ounces, one drachm and a half; Lavender Flowers, Sage Flowers, ana. one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; Lavender Cotton dry, Southern-wood dry, ana. twelve ounces, six drachms and a half; Nutmegs one pound; bruise or beat them, as is most proper, and then Distill into fine goods, S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar sixteen pound, or what sufficeth.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons; great Sage dry, fourteen ounces, three drachms and a half; Red Sage dry, nine ounces, four drachms and a half; Lavender Flowers, Sage Flowers, ana. four ounces, five drachms; Lavender Cotton dry, Southern-wood dry, ana. two ounces, three drachms and a half; Nutmegs one ounce; bruise or beat them, as is most proper, and then Distill into fine goods, S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar three pound.
Aqua Salviae Composita, or, Sage Water Compound.
Distiller. Take Sage, Marjoram, Thyme, Lavender, Epithymum, Bettony, ana. one ounce, Cinamon, half an ounce; lreos, Roots of Cyprus, Calamus Aromaticus, ana. one ounce; Storax, Benjamin, ana. one drachm and a half; infuse them four days, in four pound of Spirit of Wine, and then Distill in Balneo.
Y-worth. ‘'Tis good for such as are cold and Phlegmatick, to revive the Spirits, and fortifie the digestive faculty, as also against oppressive Vapours, that disturb the Microcosm. The Dose is from two drachms to an ounce.’
Aqua Caryophillatorum, or, Avens Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of good Proof Spirit, sixteen gallons; Avens Roots, six pound, six ounces, three drachms, grains five; Orrice Roots, Nutmegs, Yellow Sanders, Mace, ana. three ounces, one drachm and a half; Lignum Rhodium, Saffron, Storax, Benjamin, ana. one ounce and a half, grains fifteen; Angelica Roots four ounces, six drachms and a half; Limon Pills Green, twelve ounces, six drachms and a half; sweet Foenil-seeds, Aniseed, ana. one pound, nine ounces, [Page 85]five drachms; Cloves, two ounces; Roman Wormwood, Mint dry, ana. four handfuls and a half; Red Roses, Staechas Flowers, ana. six handfuls and a half; sweet Marjoram, Balm, Burnet, Thyme, all dry, ana. nine handfuls and a half; Alkermes Berries, three ounces, one drachm and a half; bruise them all that are to be bruised; and Distill into Proof Spirit; S. A. and then dulcifie with Syrups thus made: Take Rosewater, six pound, six ounces, three drachms, grains fifteen; white Sugar sixteen pound; boyl it to a Syrup hight, then strain it, and put it on the Fire again, adding thereto Confection of Alkermes, six ounces, three drachms and a half; Syrup of Gilly-Flowers, one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; Ambergreese (dissolved in Rosewater) four scruples, grains sixteen, let these boyl a little, till they be incorporated with the Syrup, and so keep it for use.
Composition the lesser.
Take of good Proof Spirit three gallons, Avens Roots, one pound, three ounces, one drachm, two scruples, grains five; O [...]rice Roots, Nutmeg, Yellow Sanders, Mace, ana. four drachms and a half; Lignum Rhodium, Saffron, Storax, Benjamin, ana. two drachms, grains fifteen; Angelica Roots, seven drachms and a half; Limon Pills green, two ounces, three drachms and a half; sweet Foenilseeds, Aniseeds, ana. four ounces, six drachms; Cloves, three drachms; Roman Wormwood, Mint dry, ana. q. s. Red Roses, [Page 86]Staechas Flowers, ana. q. s. e. sweet Majoram, Balm, Burnet, Thyme, all dry, ana. q. s. e. Alkermes Berries, four drachms and a half; bruise them all that are to be bruised, and Distill into Proof Spirit, S. A. and then dulcifie with Syrups thus made: Take Rose water one pound, three ounces, one drachm, two scruples, grains fifteen; white Sugar, three pound; boyl it to a Syrup hight, then strain it, and put it on the Fire again, adding thereunto Confection of Alkermes, one ounce, two drachms, one scruple, grains ten; Syrup of Gilliflowers, four ounces, seven drachms; Ambergreese (Dissolved in Rose-water) grains eighteen, let these boil a little, till they be incorporated with the Syrup, and so keep it for use.
Y-worth. ‘This water is a very great Cordial, Exhilarating the Spirits, strengthning and comforting all the inward parts; it not only preserves against the Consumption, but also strengthens and revives those that are in it. The Dose is from one to six scruples, according to the age and strength of the Patient.’
Rosa Solis.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons; Cinamon the best, twelve ounces, six drachms and a half; Cloves, three ounces, one drachm and a half; Nutmegs, Ginger, Cara-way [Page 87]seeds, ana. six ounces, three drachms; Marigold-flowers, Aniseeds, ana. one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; bruise them, and Distill into strong Proof Spirit, S. A. Then add to the Distilled Water, Liquorice Spanish, one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; Raisins of the Sun, brown Sugar, ana. eight pound; Red Sanders, six ounces, three drachms; bruise the Liquorice, and Raisins, stir them well together, and let them stand twelve days, then being clear it may be drawn for use.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons, Cinamon the best, two ounces, three drachms and a half; Cloves, four drachms and a half; Nutmegs, Ginger, Caraway-seeds, ana. one ounce, one drachm; Marigolds, Aniseeds, ana. four ounces, seven drachms; bruise them, and Distill into strong Proof Spirit, S. A. Then add to the Distilled Water, Liquorice Spanish, four ounces, seven drachms; Raisins of the Sun, brown Sugar, ana. one pound and a half; Red Sanders, one ounce, one drachm; bruise the Liquorice and Rasins, stir them well together, and let them stand twelve days, then being clear it may be drawn for use. [Addition] Add to the Spirit half as much as the rule of every particular Ingredient therein expressed: And instead of Sanders, give it the Tincture of Roses, Gilliflowers, or Poppies, S. A.
Y-worth. ‘'Tis esteemed an excellent Water for strengthning the Stomach, expelling Wind, and fortifying the Sanguifying Faculty. The Dose is half an ounce.’
Ros Solis Proprius.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of high Proof Spirit, sixteen gallons; Ros Solis gathered in due season, and clean picked, six pound, six ounces, three drachms, two scruples, grains five; Juniper Berries, four pound, twelve ounces, six drachms and a half; Sassafras rooted with the Bark; Caraway-seeds, ana. six ounces, three drachms, two scruples, grains five; Marigold-Flowers, one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; Aniseeds, two pound, six ounces, three drachms and a half; bruise them that are to be bruised, and Distill into fine Goods, S. A. Then take hereof ten pound, three ounces; add thereto of Aqua Pretiosa, dulcified, one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; Liquorice bruised, one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; and then dulcifie with white Sugar, sixteen pound: If you add none of the aforesaid Water, then instead thereof, take Musk, one drachm and a half, grains six; Ambergreese, four drachms and a half, grains eight; colour it with the Tincture of Gilliflowers and Roses, what is sufficient, S. A.
Composition the lesser.
Take of high Proof Spirit three gallons, Ros Solis, gathered in due season, and clean pick'd, one pound, three ounces, one drachm, two scruples, grains five; Juniper Berries, fourteen ounces, three drachms and a half: Sassafras rooted with the Bark; Caraway-seeds, ana. nine drachms, two scruples, grains five; Marigold-Flowers, four ounces, seven drachms; Aniseeds, seven ounces, two drachms and a half; bruise them that are to be bruised, and Distill into fine goods, S. A. Then take hereof, one pound, twelve ounces, four drachms and a half; add thereunto of Aqua Pretiosa, four ounces, three drachms, dulcified; Liquorice bruised, four ounces, three drachms; dulcifie with white Sugar, what sufficeth: If you add none of the aforesaid Water, then take instead thereof Musk, grains eighteen; Ambergreese, grains twenty four; colour it with the Tincture of Roses, or Gilliflowers, what sufficeth, S. A.
Y-worth. This carries with it all the Virtues of the former; being also powerful in opening Obstructions, relieving decayed Natures, and giving help in the Falling sickness. The Dose is from two to six drachms.
Aqua Stomachica minor, or, Stomach Water the lesser.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of good Proof Spirit sixteen gallons; spearmints dry, Lovage Roots dry, Aniseeds, ana. one pound, nine ounces, six drachms; Calamus Aromaticus, Ginger, sweet Foenil-seeds, Imperatoria Roots, Wormwood dry and stript, ana. twelve ounces, seven drachms, two scruples; Caraway and Coriander-seeds, ana. nine ounces, five drachms; Cummin-seeds, Cloves, ana. four ounces, six drachms and a half; bruise them that are to be bruised; and then Distill into strong Proof Spirit, S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar, eight pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of good Proof Spirit three gallons, Spearmints dry, Lovage Roots dry, Aniseeds, four ounces, seven drachms; Calamus Aromaticus, Ginger, sweet Foenil-seeds, Imperatoria Roots, Wormwood dry and stript, ana. two ounces, five drachms; Caraway and Coriander-seeds, ana. one ounce, seven drachms; Cummin-seeds, Cloves, ana. seven drachms and a half; bruise them that are to be bruised; and then Distill into strong Proof Spirit, S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar one pound and a half.
Aqua Stomachica major, or, Stomach VVater the greater.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons; Calamus Aromaticus, nine ounces, five drachms; Guajacum green Bark, Avens Roots dry, Galingal, ana. six ounces and a half; Citron Pills dry, Orange Pills dry, white Cinamon, ana. four ounces, seven drachms, grains fifteen; Wormwood common dry, Wormwood Roman dry, Spearmint, Rosemary tops, Costmary, Sweet Marjoram, wild Thyme, all dry, ana. three ounces, one drachm and a half; Nutmegs, Cinamon, ana. four ounces, four drachms; Cubebs, Cardamums, ana. two ounces, three drachms, grains fifteen; Sweet Foenil-seeds, Coriander-seeds, ana. eight ounces; Aniseeds two pound, six ounces, three drachms; bruise all that are to be bruised; and then Distill into strong Proof Spirit, S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar, sixteen pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three Gallons; Calamus Aromaticus one ounce, seven drachms; Guajacum green Bark, Avens Roots dry, Galingal, ana. twelve ounces; Citron Pills dry, Orange Pills dry, white Cinamon, ana. one ounce, one [Page 92]drachm, two scruples, grains five; Wormwood common dry, Wormwood Roman dry, Spearmint, Rosemary tops, Costmary, sweet Marjoram, wild Thyme, all dry, ana. four drachms and a half; Nutmeg, Cinamon, ana. six drachms; Cubebs, Cardamoms, ana. three drachms, two scruples, grains five; sweet Foenil-seeds, Coriander-seeds, ana. one ounce and a half; Aniseeds, six ounces, one drachm; bruise those that are to be bruised; and then Distill into strong Proof Spirit, S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar, three pound.
Aqua Stomachica Nostra, or, Our Stomach VVater.
Y-worth. Take, Spirit. Vini Sulphurat. mentioned in the Chapter of Rectification, ten gallons; of Gascoigne Wine, one gallon; mix them together, and digest in the Still with a gentle warmth twenty four hours; then add in of Ginger, Galingal, Nutmegs, grains of Paradise, Cloves ana. four ounces; Aniseeds, sweet Foenil-seeds, Carawary-seeds, Hearts-Ease, ana. eight ounces; Sage, Mint, Red Roses, the Flowers of the Lily of the Valley, ana. ten ounces; Thyme, Pelitory, Camomil, Lavender, Avens, ana. four large handfuls; Spanish Angelica Roots, Zedoary, Snake Root, ana. five ounces; Musk and Ambergreese, ana. five scruples; put on the head, and lute all close, and let them remain with a gentle warmth, twenty four hours more; and then Distill into high Proof Spirit, S. A. To every [Page 93]gallon of this add ten ounces of our Potestates Rosmarini, and a pound and a half, of the Syrup of Rasberies, or Black Cherries, and let it refine, S. A.
Its Virtues. ‘'Tis a great Preservative against all Pestilential and Infectious Diseases, powerfully corroborating and strengthning the Stomach; being indued with such salutiferous Virtues, as that it will really perform as much as any other Stomachick what ever. The Dose is from two, to four drachms.’
Usquebaugh.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit, sixteen gallons; Aniseeds, one pound, nine ounces, five drachms; Cloves, three ounces, one drachm and a half; Nutmegs, Ginger, Caraway-seeds, ana. six ounces, three drachms; Distill into strong Proof Spirit, S. A. Then add to the Distilled Water, Liquorice Spanish, Raisins of the Sun, ana. three pound, three ounces, one drachm and a half; bruise the Liquorice and Raisins, and then dulcifie with brown Sugar, eight pound; stirr them well together, and so let it stand ten days, and then (being fine) draw off, and keep it for use.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons; Aniseeds, four ounces, seven drachms; Cloves four drachms and a half; Nutmegs, Ginger, Caraway-seeds, ana. one ounce, one drachm; Distill into strong Proof Spirit, S. A. Then add to the Distilled Water Liquorice Spanish, Raisins of the Sun, ana. nine ounces, four drachms and a half; bruise the Liquorice and Raisins, and then dulcifie with brown Sugar one pound and a half; stirr them well together, and so let it stand ten days; and (then being fine) draw it off, and keep it for use.
Irish Ʋsquebaugh.
Y-worth. Take of strong Canary Sack a Quart, the best Tent one Pint, Aqua Vitae, one gallon; put them into a Glass Vessel, adding thereunto Raisins of the Sun, choice and stoned, two pound; Dates stoned, and the white skin thereof pulled out, two ounces; Cinamon grosly powdered, two ounces, four good Nutmegs bruised, of the best English Liquorice sliced and bruised, one ounce; stop the Vessel very close, and let them infuse in a cold place six or eight days; then let the Liquor run through a bag (called Manica Hypocratis) made of white Cotton.
Ʋsquebaugh Royal.
Y-worth. Take of Aqua Vitae Glauberis; three gallons; Muskadine one gallon; Raisins of the Sun stoned, seven pound, Figs one pound and a half; Dates stoned, and the white skins pulled off, seven ounces; Cinnamon eight ounces; Nutmegs three ounces; Cloves, broad Mace, ana. one ounce; English Liquorice, twelve ounces; let them infuse in a cold place for twenty days, in a Vessel close stop'd; and then let them run through an Hypocrates Sleeve: Bottle it up carefully, adding thereunto of the Syrup of Quinces, and Syrup of Limons, ana. four ounces; of the well tinged Powers of Saffron, two ounces; let it refine it self, and keep it close stop'd. [Addition] Powers of Musk and Ambergreese, Tincture of Pearl, ana. drops twenty: So doth it become excellent, and vitally fragrant.
‘This is a most famous and excellent Liquor fit indeed for such as its Name and Superiority belongs unto; it is a most estimable Jewel for such as are inclined to Melancholy, to drink now and then a quarter of a Spoonful thereof; 'tis so great a Stomachick, that it helps the digestive faculties, prevalent in Surfeits, and the defects of the Lungs, as Phthisick, Consumption, causing expectoration; in brief 'tis equal to any Cordial Spirit whatever, for fortifying the Natural, Vital and Animal Spirits. The Dose is from two, to six spoonfuls at the most.’
Aqua Bezoartica, or, Bezoar Water.
Prescription the first, Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of the Leaves and Root [...] of Celandine, twenty one handfuls; Rheu, six handfuls; Scordium, twelve handfuls; Dittany of Creet, Carduus Benedictus, ana. nine handfuls; the Roots of Zedoary, Angelica, ana. two ounces, two drachms; the inward Pill of Citron and Limon, ana. three ounces, six drachms; Clove-Gilliflowers, eight ounces, four drachms; Red Roses, Centory Flowers, the least, ana. one ounce, four drachms; let those be bruised, that are to be bruised, and cut that are to be cut, and put them into the proper Vessel, and pour on them of the best Spirit of Wine, and Malaga Wine, ana. ten Quarts, one Pint; let them all steep three days, adding Vinegar of Cloves, and Juice of Limons, ana. six pound; and let them be Distilled in Baln. in a large Glass Cucurbit with its proper Helm, and Recipient. [Addition] Cinamon, two ounces, two drachms; Cloves, one ounce, seven drachms; Venice Treacle, two ounces, two drachms; Camphire, four drachms; Troches of Vipers, three ounces; Mace, one ounce and a half; the Wood of Aloes, six drachms; Yellow; Sanders, one ounce, one drachm, the seeds of Carduus Benedictus, six ounces; the Kernels of Ci [...]rons, two ounces, two drachms; [Page 97]the Modus of its preparation is either to digest these with the former, and Distill them over together at once, or else after the first part is Distilled to add to the Liquor this addition, and Distill a second time in B. M. with a most gentle Fire; and after you have removed a third of the Aereal Spirit, you may Cohobate the rest two or three times, to get the virtue of the Ingredients out; your Liquors you may add together, and let it refine according to Art.
Composition the lesser.
Take of the Leaves of the great Celandine together with the Roots thereof, three handfuls and a half, Rue two handfulls, Scordium four handfulls, Dittany of Crete Cardius, ana. an handful and half, Roots of Zedoary and Angelica, ana. three drachms, the outward Rind of Citrons and Limons, ana. six drachms, the Flower of Wall Gilliflowers, one ounce and a half, Red Roses, the lesser Century, ana. two drachms, Cloves, Cinnamon, ana. three drachms, Andromachus's Treacle, three ounces, Mithridate, an ounce and half, Camphire, two scruples, Trochies of Vipers, two ounces, Mace two drachms, Lignum Aloes, half an ounce, Yellow Sanders, one drachm and a half, the Seeds of Carduus, one ounce, the seeds of Citron, six drachms; cut those things that are to be cut, and let them be macerated three days in Spiritus Vini Glauberis, and Muskadine, ana. three Pints and a half, Vinegar of Wall Gilliflowers, and the Juice of [Page 98]Limons, ana. a Pint; let them be Distilled in the Glass Vessel, before described in B. Observe that after something more than one half of the Liquor is Distilled off from either of these two Compositions, then the remainder in the Vessel must be strained through a Linnen Cloath, and gently evaporated to the thickness of Honey, which is called the Bezoar Extract.
Y-worth. We think it convenient to hang in the neck of the Alembick, Pearl prepared, white Amber, ana. three ounces, Orientall Bezoar and Ambergreese, ana. six scruples, and when the preparation is over, what remains may be added to the Extract; then do both Spirit and Extract obtain a Nature something agreeable to the name, and doubtless the Virtues are more powerful, being an excellent Sudorifick, Alexipharmick and Antifebritick, and prevalent against all Pestilential and infectious Diseases: 'tis not in vain said of it, that i [...] resists Melancholly, and chears the Spirits, comforting such as are in a languishing Nature or Consumptive; the Dose is from one drachm, to an ounce, in Scordium or Honey-Suckle-water, first in Mornings and last at Nights: but for such as are afflicted with Fits let them take it in the time of the Paroxism.
Aqua Mathiae, or, Doctor Mathias his VVater.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of Lavender Flowers three gallons, pour on them of the best Spirit of Wine [Page 99]ten or twelve gallons, the Vessel being closely stopped, let them macerate in a gentle heat, or in the Sun for the space of seven days, and then Distill in an Alembick with its refrigeratory, and you have a Spirit of Lavender, to which add Sage, Rosemary, Bettony, ana. three handfuls, Burrage, Bugloss, Lilies of the Valley, Cowslips, ana. six handfuls; let the Flowers be fresh and seasonably gathered, and macerated in a gallon of the best Spirit of Wine, or rather Spiritus Vini Glauberis, and mix it with the aforesaid Spirit; adding thereunto the Leaves of Bawm, Motherwort, Orange-Tree, newly gathered, the Flowers of Staechados, Oranges, Bayberries, of each three ounces; and after they are digested three days, let them be Distilled again; to which add of the outward Rind of Citron, and the seeds of Peony, ana. two ounces, two drachms, Cinnamon, Nutmegs, Mace, Cardamums, Cubebs, Yellow Sanders, Lignum Aloes, of each one ounce and a half, the best Jujubes the Kernels taken out, one pound and a half; let them digest twenty one days, then strain the Liquor from the drugs, to which add prepared Pearl, six ounces, prepared Emrald one drachm, Ambergreese, Musk, Saffron, Red Roses, Sanders, ana. three ounces; Yellow Sanders, Rinds of Citrons dried, ana. three drachms let all these Species be tyed in a Silken bag, and hang'd in the foresaid Spirit.
Composition the lesser.
Take of Lavender Flowers one gallon, Spirit of Wine three gallons, prepare it as before directed; then take the Flowers of Sage, Rosemary [Page 100]Bettony, of each a handful; Burrage, Bugloss, Lilly of the Valley, Cowslips, of each two handfulls; the Flowers being truly gathered and macerated in a gallon of the Spiritus Vini Glau [...]eris, must be added to the Spirit of Lavender as the former, together with the Leaves of Bawm, Motherwort, Orange Tree, newly gathered, the Flowers of Stechados, Oranges, Bayberries, of each an ounce; and so digest and Distill as before directed; then add the outward Rinds of Citron, six drachms, the seeds of Peony husked, six drachms; Cinnamon, Nutmegs, Mace, Cardamums, Cubebs, Yellow Sanders, of each half an ounce, Lignum Aloes one drachm, the best Jujubes, the Kernels taken out, half a pound: Digest and prepare as the former; to which Liquor add of prepared Pearl, two drachms, prepared Emrald, one scruple, Ambergreese, Musk, Saffron, Red Roses, Sanders, of each an ounce, Yellow Sanders, Rinds of Citrons dried, of each a drachm; let these Species be tyed in a Silken bag, and hanged in the foresaid Spirit. [Addition] The Essence of Musk and Ambergreese, ana. Drops twenty, the Mel of Black-cherries, and of Rasberries, ana. five ounces, the Syrup of Quinces, two ounces, so let it refine S. A.
Y-worth. This is a most excellent Cordial, wonderfully strengthning the principal faculties, good in Epilepsies, Convulsions, Palsies and all Diseases of the Nerves; 'tis also excellent good to wash the wound bitten by any Venemous Creature, or to bath any grieved part; the Dose inwardly, is from one drachm to three, either per se, or in Wine.
Aqua Scorbutica, or, French's Scorbutick VVater.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of the Leaves of Garden and Sea Scurvey-grass, picked and cleansed, of each eighteen pound, let them be bruised and the Juice pressed forth, to which add the Juice of Brook-lime, Water cresses, of each one pound and a half, of the best White-wine, three gallons; thirty six whole Limons cut, of the fresh Roots of Briony, twelve pound, of the fresh Roots of Horse-Raddish, six pound, of the Bark of Winteran, one pound and a half, of Nutmegs, twelve ounces, let them be macerated three days and then Distilled.
Composition the lesser.
Take of the Leaves of Garden and Sea Scurvey-grass, picked and cleansed, of each six pounds, let these be bruised and the Juice pressed forth; to which add of the Juice of Brook-lime, Watercresses, of each half a pound, of the best Whitewine eight Pints, twelve whole Limons cut, of the fresh Roots of Bryony four pound, the fresh Roots of Horse-Raddish two pound, of the Bark of Winteran half a pound, Nutmegs four ounces; let them be macerated three days, then Distill: [Addition.] Syrup of Mustard two ounces, Syrup of Elder three ounces, Tincture of Corall and Milk of Pearl, of each Drops forty, mix them S. A.
Y-worth. This is a most excellent Anti-scorbutick not only good in the Scurvy, but also prevalent in the Jaundice and other refractary Diseases. The Dose is from half an ounce to two ounces, first in a Morning and last at Night.
Aqua Aperitiva, or, a Carminative opening Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take Roots of Eringo, Vipers-Grass, Fern, the greater Centaury, of each one ounce and a half, Roots of Foenil, Barks of Capparis, Tamarisk, Ash, of each one ounce, one drachm, Barks of Citrons, seven drachms and a half, seeds of Carduus Benedictus, Cichorie, of each one ounce and a half, seeds of Endive, Cresses, Citrons, Scariol, of each six drachms, Polytricon, Adianthum, Ceterach, Dodder, Scolopendria, Bettony, Endive, of each four handfuls and an half; tops of Thyme, Epithymum, Hops, Flowers of St. John's Wort, Broom, Borage, Bawm, of each three handfuls, small Raisins, three ounces, Cinnamon four drachms and a half; Spec. Dialacc. one drachm and a half, Water of Carduus Benedictus, Hops, Scolopendria, Paul's Bettony, of each three pound, Rhenish-wine, seven pound and a half; let them stand two days in a warm place, in a Vessel close stopp'd, afterward Distill them in Balneo.
Composition the lesser.
Take Roots of Eringo, Vipers-Grass, Fern, the greater Centaury, of each half an ounce, [Page 103]Roots of Foenil, Barks of Capparis, Tamarisk, Ash, of each three drachms, Bark of Citrons two drachms and a half, seeds of Carduus Benedictus, Cichory, of each half an ounce; seeds of Endive, Cresses, Citrons, Scariol, of each two drachms, Polytricon, Adianthum, Ceterach, Dodder, Scolopendria, Bettony, Endive, of each a handful and a half; tops of Thyme, Epithymum, Hops, Flowers St. Johns Wort, Broom, Borrage, Bawm, of each one handful; small Rasins, one ounce, Cinamon, one drachm and a half; Spec. Dialacc. half a drachm; Water of Carduus Benedictus, of Hops, of Scolopendria, of Paul's Bettony, ana. one pound, Rhenish Wine, two pound and a half; let them stand two days in a warm place, in a Vessel close stopp'd, afterward Distill them in Balneo. [Addition] Aqua Vitae Glauberis, two pound; the Juice of Goose-berries, two pound, or in place thereof Goose-berry Wine, made as prescribed in our Brit. Magazine of Liquors; the Juice of Black-berries, half a pound, the Juice of Buckthorn Berries, six ounces, Cinnamon and Nutmegs, ana. two ounces, Sugar half a pound; let it be prepared Secundum Artem.
Y-worth. Tis a prevalent Water to open the Obstructions of the whole Body, especially of the Liver, Spleen and Mesentery: The Dose is from two drachms, to six or eight, two or three times a day.
Aqua Vulneraria, or, VVound VVater.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take Plantain, Rib-wort, Bonewort, Wild Angelica, Red Mints, Bettony, Agrimony, [Page 104]Sanicle, Blew-Bottles, White-Bottles, Scabius, Dandelion, Avens, Honey-Suckle Leaves, Bramble buds, Haw-thorn buds and Leaves, Mugwort, Daisie Roots, Leaves and Flowers, Wormwood, Southern-wood, of each four handfuls; boyl all these in two gallons of white-wine, and as much Spring water, till one half be wasted; and when it is thus boyled, strain it from the Herbs, and put to it two pound of Honey, and let it boyl a little after; then divide this into two parts, the one part head with common ferment, and let it ferment for three days, then add into every Quart thereof, a pound of Aqua Vitae Glauberis, and Distill into high Proof Spirits, S. A. [Addition] Cinnamon, Lignum Aloes, of each four ounces, Mirrh, Aloes and Saffron, of each one ounce, then perfume and colour, as in other precious Waters, and dulcifie with Syrup of Cinnamon, and Syrup of Poppies, of each three ounces; and lastly, add in of Laudanum Liquidum, four drachms, Tincture of Coral six drachms; let it resin S. A.
Y-worth. 'Tis not only excellent for such as are wounded, but also for those that are subject to internal bleedings; it mortifies the Corrosive, Acid, and Saline juices, so sweetens and thickens the Blood; the Dose in such a case is, from half an ounce, to an ounce and half, according to the Age, Strength and Constitution of the Patient, every three hours; as also every two hours, for three days together, for such as are subject to Vomitting of Blood. The first Water made by decoction is very famous in curing Wounds, Impostumes and Ʋlcers; such cures have been done by it that few may credit it; it first gives ease in a very short time, and then perform the cures, if not so far [Page 105]declined, as that the highest Specificks, will not prevail: For inward wounds you must take this with the other; but this Mornings and Evenings, four or five spoonfuls at a time, and that all times of the day. If the Wound be outward it must be washed therewith, and Linen Cloaths wet in the same be applyed thereto. Note that the Herbs herein contained must be gathered in their true Signature, as also in the Month of May.
Aqua Mariae, or, the Ladies Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take Sugar Candid, four pound, Canary Wine, one pound and half; Rosewater, one pound, boyl them well into a Syrup to which add Aqua Caelestis, eight pound, Ambergreese, Musk, ana. one drachm, grains twelve; Saffron one drachm, Tincture of Coral (saith Dr. Boylwharfe) one ounce, Yellow Sanders infused in Aqua Caelestis, hereafter described, one ounce; Distill or make a clear Water, S. A.
Composition the lesser.
Take Sugar Candy one pound, Canary Wine six ounces, Rose-water four ounces, make of these a Syrup, and boyl it well, to which add of Aqua Imperialis, two Pints, Ambergreese, Musk, of each eighteen grains, Saffron fifteen grains; Yellow Sanders infused in Aqua Imperialis, two drachms; [Addition] Aqua Preciosa, hereafter expressed, half an ounce, the Tincture of Coral, Bezoar, and the aucrified Sulphur of Antimony, ana. two drachms, refine and unite, S. A.
Y-worth. 'Tis very good against the Plague, and [Page 106]all Pestilential Diseases, and an excellent Counterpoison; it strengthens the Spirits, and is prevalent against fainting and swooning fits; it is good against most cold Diseases of the Head, Brain and Stomach, and principally for Men, but not so good for Women, unless the Musk and Ambergreese be left out. The Dose is a spoonful or two, first in the morning, and last at night going to Bed.
Aqua Anticolica Nostra, or, Our VVater against the Colick.
Composition the greater.
Y-worth. Take of Daucus, or wild Carrots, twelve ounces, Aniseeds, eight ounces, Cumminseeds, three ounces, two drachms; Cinnamon four ounces and a half; Mace, Cloves, Nutmegs, ana. seven drachms, Galingal one ounce and half; Calamus Aromaticus dried, two ounces and a half, the dried Rind of Oranges and Limons, ana. six ounces, Galls and Grains, ana. one ounce, two drachms; infuse these by way of Fermentation, for twelve days in the fragrant Wine of Camomile Flowers five gallons; Elder-wine a gallon and half; then pour on five Gallons of Proof Spirit, and draw into high Proof, or fine goods; dulcifie with white Sugar four pound: [Addition] Apricocks, Centaury, Agrimony, Adonis, of each half a pound; Palma Christi, Hart-wort, Lavender of each six ounces; Yarrow and Zedoary, of each four ounces, white Sugar four pound, Tinctura Anodyna, or Laudanum Liquidum, four unces, refine S. A.
Composition the lesser.
Take of Daucus, or wild Carrots, four ounces, Aniseeds, two ounces, five drachms, one scruple; Cumminseeds one ounce, two scruples; Cinnamon one ounce and a half; Mace, Cloves, Nutmegs, ana. two drachms, one scruple; Gallingal half an ounce; Calamus Aromaticus dried, seven drachms the dried Rind of Oranges and Limons, ana. two ounces, Galls and Grains, ana. three drachms, one scruple; infuse these by way of fermentation for twelve days, in fragrant Wine of Camomile Flowers, one gallon and a half; Elder-Wine half a gallon; then pour on a gallon and half of Proof Spirit; and draw into high Proof or fine goods, dulcifie with white Sugar, one pound, four ounces, [Addition] Apricocks, Centaury, Agrimony, Adonis, of each two ounces, five drachms, Palma Christi, Heart-wort, Lavender of each two ounces, Yarrow and Zedoary, of each one ounce, two drachms, grains fifteen; white Sugar one pound, six ounces, Tinctura Anodyna, or Laudanum Liquidum, one ounce, two drachms, two scruples, refine, S. A.
Its Virtues. It is not only good against the Colick, but also oppression of wind in the Stomach and Bowels, how offensive soever it be, and the more especially if you dilate it in a little cold Distilled Water of Yarrow, and sweeten it with the Syrup of Poppies, and drink it as a Cordial; in which Case you may take half a Pint at two draughts, with an hours intermission: 'tis most excellent also for the Gripes in Sucking Children, being taken to the quantity of a spoonful, or spoonful and ha [...]f in Breast Milk.
Aqua Nostra in Vermes, or, Our Worm-Water
Composition the greater.
Y-worth. Take of Hellebore, Savin, Broom Flowers and tops, ana. a Peck, pour thereon the Water of Tansie, Rue and Peach Flowers, ana. two gallons, adding thereunto Sugar, five pound, and with the common ferment, let them ferment five or six days; then take of Worm-seed bruised one pound, Wormwood tops and seeds six handfuls, Peach Flowers three handfuls; the fine shavings of Harts-horn a pound, strong Proof Spirit ten gallons, Distill into fine goods, and dulcifie with white Sugar, eight pound; [Addition] Agrimony, Cedar, Elecampane, Garlick, Mustard, Nettles, Harts-tongue Leaves, ana. an handful, Aloes bruised, six ounces, Christals of Tartar, half a pound; fine Sugar six pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of Hellebore. Savin, Broom tops and Flowers, ana. a quarter of a peck, pour thereon of the water of Tansie, Rue and Peach-flowers, ana. four Pints, adding thereunto Sugar, one pound four ounces; and ferment, with the common ferment five or six days: then take of wormseed bruised, four ounces; Wormwood tops and seeds two handfuls, Peach flowers a large Pugil, the fine shaving of Harts-horne four ounces; strong Proof Spirit two gallons and ahalf; Distill into fine goods and dulcifie with white Sugar two pound; [Addition] Agrimony, Cedar, Elecampane, Garlick, Mustard, Nettles, Harts-tongue Leaves, ana. half a Pugil or a small Pugil, Aloes, bruised one ounce and ahalf; Chrystals of Tartar, four ounces, fine Sugar one poundand a half.
Its Virtues. 'Tis prevalent against all kind of Worms both in Young and Old; for being Dilated into a Cordial with the Syrup of the three first Herbs, it becomes a Medicine, not to be surpassed by any thing short of a specifick: The Dose is from half an ounce, to an ounce, according to the Age Nature and condition of the diseased: you must observe to take it seven mornings together fasting.
Aqua Nostra Convulsiva, or, Our Water against the Convulsion.
Coposition the greater.
Y-worth. Take of Black-cherries bruised, with their Kernels two gallons; of the Flowers of Lavender, nine handfuls; White-Mustard seeds bruised three ounces; mix them together and put some ferment to them, and let them ferment for five or six days, then add two gallons of our Sulphurated Spirit of Wine, or rather Aqua Vitae Gla [...] beris, and Distill into fine Spirits according to Art.
Then take of Ros Vitrioli (which is the water that Distills from Vitriol, in the Calcination thereof) six quarts, Misseltoe of the Oak, and Paeony, ana. two ounces, two drachms; of Rue three handfuls, Juniper Berries three ounces, Bay-berries an ounce and a half, Camphire an ounce, Rhubarb sliced two ounces and an half, Cats Blood two pound, Spirit of Turpentine three ounces, digest ten days, and then Distill in Balneo Mariae; you may mix this with the former in equal parts, [Addition] Bawm, Dean-wort, Capers, Coffee, Hearts-Ease, Mastick, Bright-wort, St. John's Wort, Spicknard, Rosemary and Valerian, ana. six handfuls fine Sugar eight pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of Black-cherries bruised with their Kernells four Pints, of the Flowers of Lavender two handfuls and a half; white Mustard seed bruised six drachms; mix them together, and put some ferment to them, and let them ferment for five or six days; then add of our Sulphurated Spirit of Wine, or rather Aqua Vitae Glauberis, four Points, and Distill into fine Spirits, S. A.
Then take of Ros Vitrioli three Pints, Misseltoe of the Oak, Paeony, ana. four drachms, one scruple, grains ten; Rue one handful and a half; Juniperberries, half anounce, two drachms; Bay-berries, three drachms; Camphire, two drachcms; Rheuburbisliced, five drachms; Cats-blood, half a pound; Spirit of Turpentine, six drachms; digest ten days, and then Distill in Balneo Mariae; you may mix this with the former in equal parts, [Addition] Bawm, Dean-wort, Capers, Coffee, Hearts-Ease, Mastick, Bright-wort, St. John's wort, Spicknard, Rosemary, Valerian, ana. one handful and a half; fine Sugar, two pound.
Its Virtues. 'Tis excellent for the weakness of the head, not only good against Convulsions, but also for Vertigoe's, and most Disseases of the superior region; it strengthens the Sinews, and expells wind out of the Head and Stomach-giving powerful relief in Hypocondriack and Hysterick Passions; 'tis a prevalent help for Children that have Convulsive Fitts, and especially if given in a few drops of our Essentia Crani-humant, spoken of in our Chymic. Rational. The Dose is from a drachm to two, and from thence to an ounce, or an ounce and half; according to the Age and strength of the Patient.
Thus (Reader) I have given the Basis and foundation [Page 111]of such Waters, as hitherto have not been so plainly published; that so they may be of some advantage to such, as languish under the burthen of Diseases, for want of their pretious Virtue; for whose benefit we shall yet proceed, as follows, first, of
Aqua Preciosa, or, Precious Water.
Composition the greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, of the Roots of Enula Compana, Avens, Angelica, Cyprus, Calamus Aromaticus, Sassafras, ana. eight ounces, Zedoary, Galingal, ana. six ounces, three drachms; Cassia Lignea, Lignum Rhodium, Yellow Sanders, ana. four ounces, six drachms and a half; the dry Pills of Citrons and Oranges, ana. nine ounces, four drachms; Cinnamon white, Nutmegs, Mace, Ginger, ana. eight ounces, the choicest Cinnamon, two pound; Cloves, Cardamoms, Cubebs, ana. three ounces, six drachms; sweet Chervile-seeds, Basil-seeds, ana. five ounces, three drachms; Coriander-seeds, sweet Foenil-seeds, ana. one pound; Aniseeds two pound; bruise them and Distill into Proof Spirits, and then dulcifie with white Sugar, twenty four pound, S. A. and let it stand till it be fine, then draw it off, and add Musk, one drachm, two scruples; Ambergreese, six drachms, two scruples, then let it clear, and draw it off for use.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons; Roots of Enula Campana, Avens, Angelica, Cypress, Caamus Aromaticus, Sassafras, of each one ounce and a half; Zedoary, Galingal, ana. one ounce, one drachm; Cassia Lignea, Lignum Rhodium, Yellow, Sanders, ana. six drachms and a half; the dry Pills [Page 112]of Citron and Orange, ana. one ounce, six drachms, grains fifteen; Cinnamon white, Nutmegs, Mace, Ginger, ana. one ounce and a half; Cinnamon best, six ounces; Cloves, Cardamoms, Cubebs, ana. six drachms; sweet Chervile-seeds, Basil-seeds, ana. one ounce, one drachm; Coriander-seeds, sweet Foenilseeds, ana. three ounces; Aniseeds, six drachms; bruise them, and Distill into strong Proof Spirit, and then dulcifie with fine white Sugar, four pound and a half; S. A. Let it stand till it be fine, then draw it off, and add Musk, grains eighteen, Ambergreese, one drachm, grains twelve, then let it clear, and draw it for use.
The Syrup for dulcifying the water is thus to be made.
Take Apricocks, Quinces, Cherries, English Currants, of each what sufficeth, all full Ripe, and of equal weight, when they are thus prepared as followeth.
Prepare the Quinces and Apricocks, take out the stones and Kernels, and slice them very thin; stone the Cherries, and bruise them and the Currants; then lay them in a flat bason or pan thus: A lane of Fruit of a fingers thickness, and then a lane of white powder Sugar of like thickness, and so proceed in order, lane upon lane, till all be laid into the bason; then pour on good Aqua Vitae, gently, till all be covered therewith, and so let it stand two hours, then bruise, or posh them all together, and press out the Juice as dry as possibly you can through a thick linnen bag; then take the Juice, and let it stand till it be settled clear, which Juice, by a gentle Exhalation in a hot bath, boyl up to a Syrup height, according to Art, and keep it for use; To every eight pound of the Spirit put a pound of this Syrup, and when it is clear draw it off for use.
Y-worth. Tis a rare and excellent Water for such as are inclined to Melancholy; for it strengthens the Heart, revives the Spirits, preserving and comforting the Sences, and will demonstrate its vertue, in the time of Contagious Diseases, as Plagues and malignant Feavers. The Dose is from two Drams to an Ounce.
Aqua Carminativa, or Wind-water.
Composition the Greater.
Distiller. Take of strong proof Spirits 16 Gallons, Enula Campana roots drie, Aniseeds, of each one pound nine ounces & five drachms, Cyprusroots, bark of the roots of Bay-tree, or as much leaves, Sassafras with the bark, Cinnamon white, of each nine ounces, four drachms, two scruples, and five grains, Calamus-aromaticus, Orange pills drie, of each 6 ounces and 3 drachms, Clary, red Mint, Calamint, Elder-flowers, Camomile-flowers, of each eight ounces, sweet Fennel seeds, Carraway-seeds, Angelica-seeds, of each six ounces and three drachms, Coriander-seeds, Cardamums, Cubebs, Grains of Paradise, Cloves, and Ginger, of each four ounces, Pepper long and white of each two ounces, bruise them all grosely, and distill into sine Goods S. A. and then dulcifie with white Sugar sixteen pound, and draw it off for use when it is perfectly clear.
Composition the Lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons, Ennula-campana-roots drie, Aniseeds, of each four [Page 114]ounces and seven drachms, Cyprus-roots, bark of the roots of Bay-tree, or as much leaves, Sassafras with the bark, Cinamon white, of each one ounce, six drachms, and fifteen grains, Calamus-aromaticus, Orange-pills drie, one ounce and a drachm, Clary, red Mints, Calamint, Elder-flowers, Camomile-flowers, of each an ounce and an half, Sweet-Fennel-seeds, Caraway-seeds, Angelica-seeds, of each one ounce and a drachm, Coriander-seeds, Cardamums, Cubebs, Grains of Paradise, Cloves, and Ginger, of each six drachms, Pepper long and white, of each three ounces, bruise them all grosely, and distill into fine goods S.A. then dulcifie with white Sugar three pound, and draw it for use when it is perfectly clear.
Aqua Sudorifica, or Water to procure Sweat.
Composition the Greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit 16 gallons, Butter-bur-roots drie, three pound, three ounces, one drachm and an half, Valerian (common) roots, Aniseeds, of each one pound and an half, one ounce, and five drachms, Vincetoxicum-roots, Sassafras-roots with the bark, of each twelve ounces, six drachms and an half, Angelica herb dry, Carduus Benedictus, Great-Valerian herb and roots, all dry, Scordium, of each, one pound, three ounces, one drachm and an half, Cowslip-flowers, Marigold-flowers, of each, one pound, Juniper-berries, two pound, bruise them all, and distill [Page 115]into fine goods S. A. and then dulcifie with white Sugar sixteen pound.
Composition the Lesser.
Take of Strong Proof Spirit three gallons, Butter-bur-roots dry, nine ounces, four drachms and in half, Valerian (common) roots, Aniseeds, of each four ounces seven drachms, Vincetoxicum-roots, Sassafras-roots with the bark, of each, two ounces, four drachms, and an half, Angelica herb dry, Carduus Benedictus, Great-Valerian herb and roots all dry, Scordium, of each, three ounces, four drachms and an half, Cowslip-flowers, and Marigold-flowers, of each three ounces, Juniper berries, six ounces, bruise them all, and di [...]ill into fine goods, S. A. and then dulcifie with White Sugar three pound.
Y-worth. This Water is very excellent in pro [...]king Sweat, the Patient drinking an Ounce thereof, [...]d then to be covered close in bed; by which means [...]iny Disseasysdea's will be dissipated and carried off, and [...]e Spirits and Body strengthened.
Aqua contra Crapulam, or Surfeit Water.
Composition the Greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, Juniper berries, three pound, three ounces, one drachm and an half, Enula Campana roots dry, one pound, nine ounces, and five drachms, Calamus aromaticus, Galingale, of each six ounces, [Page 116]and three drachms, Wormwood, Spearmint, and Red-Mint all dry, of each four ounces, Caraway-seeds, Angelica-seeds of each three ounces, one drachm and an half, Sassafras-roots with the bark, and White Cinamon, of each four ounces, six drachms and an half, Nutmegs, Mace, Cloves, and Ginger, of each, one ounce and an half, two scruples, and five grains; Red-Poppy-flowers, six pound, six ounces and an half, Aniseeds four pound, bruise them all, and distill into fine goods S. A. and then dulcifie with white Sugar sixteen pound.
Composition the lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons, Juniper berries nine ounces, four drachms and an half, Ennula Campana roots dry four ounces and six drachms, Calamus-aromaticus, and Galingale, of each an ounce and a drachm, Wormwood, Spearmint, and Red-Mint all dry, or each six drachms Carraway-seeds and Angelica-seeds, of each four ounces and an half, Sassafras-roots with the bark, white Cinamon, of each seven drachms and an half, Nutmegs, Mace, Ginger, and Cloves of each two drachms and fifteen grains, Red-Poppy-flower sone pound three ounces and an half, Aniseeds, twelve ounces, bruise them all, and distill into fine goods, S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar three pound.
Y-worth. This Water is not only good for Surfeits, but also for Feavers, Agues, and Obstructions, and all others, wherein a sharp and Acid ferment too much affects the Blood. The Dose is from half an ounce to an [Page 117]ounce. If in this Dose you mix two or three drachms of [...] Spiritus Mundus, and drink it two or [...]hree times a day, it will cure most Plurisies without [...]mae-section.
Aqua contra Scorbutum, or Scorbutical Water.
Composition the Greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit, sixteen gallons, Horse-radish-roots drie three pound three ounces one drachm and an half, Enula-Campana-roots drie, Aniseeds, of each one pound nine ounces and five drachms, Water-cresses, Winter-cresses and Garden-cresses, Taragon, Balsamint, Scurvy-grass (garden) Wormwood, Brook-lime, Trefoile (water,) Sweet-Chervile, of each nine ounces and an half two scruples and five grains, Arsmart twelve ounces six drachms and and half, Mustard, Bank-cress, Rocket, Radish, of the seeds of each, four ounces six drachms and an half, Citron-pils, Orange-pils dry, Cinamon white, and Mace, of each six ounces three drachms and fifteen grains, bruise them all, and then distill into fine goods S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar sixteen pound or what sufficeth. For use take seven parts of this Spirit, and one part of the Juice of Limmons (or more) mingle them together, and dulcifie with white Sugar what sufficeth.
Composition the Lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons, Horse-raddish-roots [Page 118]dry nine ounces four drachms and an half, Enula-Campana-roots dry, and Aniseeds of each four ounces and six drachms, Water-cresses, Winter-cresses, Garden-cresses, Taragon, Baisamint, Scurvy-grass (garden) Wormwood, Brook-lime, Trefoile (water) and Sweet-Chervile of each one ounce six drachms and five grains, Arsmart two ounces three drachms and an half, Mustard, Bank-cress, Rocket, Radish, of the seeds of each seven ounces and an half, Citron pils, Orange-pils dry, Cinamon white, and Mace, of each one ounce one drachm two scruples and five grains, bruise them all and then distill into fine goods S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar three pound: For use take seven parts of this Spirit, and one part of Juice of Limmons (or more) mingle them together and dulcifie with white Sugar, what sufficeth.
Y-worth. This Water is excellent for purifying the Blood and for carrying off the Scorbutick Acidity, by way of mortification; for it sweetens the same all one, as Spirit of Wine doth the Spirit of Salt; The Dose for such is from two to six drachms, twice or thrice a day.
Aqua contra Pestilentiam, or Plague-Water.
Composition the Greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, Butter-bur-roots dry one pound nine ounces and five drachms, garden and common Valerian-roots both dry, Angelica-roots, Imperatoria, Gentian, Enula-Campana, Snake-grass-roots of each nine ounces and an half two scruples and five [Page 119]grains, Contrayerva, Zedoary, and Galingale, of each six ounces three drachms and fifteen grains, Rue-leaves dry, white Horehound, Scordium, Carduus-Benedictus of each eight ounces, Elder-flowers, Lavender, and Mace of each four ounces, six drachms and an half, Citron-pils dry, Juniper-berries of each twelve ounces six drachms and an half, Green Walnuts with the husks one pound nine ounces and five drachms, Venice Treacle, and Mithridate, of each three ounces one drachm and an half, Aniseeds (best) two pound six ounces three drachms and an half, Camphire an ounce and an half two scruples and five grains; Distill into fine goods S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar sixteen pound.
Composition the Lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons, Butter-bur-roots dry four ounces and seven drachms, Garden and Common Valerian-roots, both dry, Angelica-roots, Imperatoria, Gentian, Enula-Campana, Snake-grass roots, of each one ounce and in half two drachms and five grains, Contrayerva, Zedoary, and Galingale, of each one ounce one drachm two scruples and five grains, Rue-leaves dry, White-Horehound, Scordium, Carduus Benedictus, of each one ounce and an half, Elder-flowers, Lavender, and Mace, of each seven drachms and an half, Citron pills drie, Juniper-berries of each two ounces three drachms and an half, Green Walnuts with the husks, four ounces and seven drachms, Venice Treacle, and Mithridate, [Page 120]of each four drachms and an half, Aniseeds best seven ounces two drachms and an half, Camphire two drachms and fifteen grains, distill into fine Spirit S. A. and dulcifie with white Sugar three pound.
For Ʋse, let the party infected take of this Water one Ounce mingled with warm Posser drink (or any other water proper in that case) and be kept warm, and sweat well thereon.
Aqua nostra contra Pestilentiam, or our Plague-Water.
Y-worth. Take of Spanish Angelica Roots half a pound, English Angelica leaves, Rue, and Sage, of each three handfuls, Long Pepper, Nutmegs, and Ginger of each one ounce and an half, Venice Treacle and Mithridate of each four ounces, Malaga Wine two quarts, Aqua Vitae Glauberis one gallon, digest twenty daies, and then distil into fine Spirit S. A. [Addition] Contrayerva, Virginia Snake root, and Zedoary of each three ounces, the Powers of Vipers four ounces, Camphire one ounce, Syrup of Wine Vinegar one pound, with which refine down after distilled.
This Water is an incomparable preservative in, and against, the Plague, Small-Pox, Measles, and all Pestilential and Contagious Diseases; Two Spoonfuls being taken three or four times a day as a Cordial: 'Tis good also for all cold Stomacks, want of Digestion and the like.
Aqua Florum, or Water of Flowers.
Composition the Greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, and put it into a wide-mouth'd-pot (or other Vessel) stop'd very close; take these several Flowers following, in their Seasons, and being clean pickt, put them to the Spirit in the Pot, viz. Cowslips, Woodbine, Stock-Gilli-flower of all the three sorts, Damask-Roses, Musk-Roses, Sweet-Briar-flowers, Lillium Convallium, Jasmine, Citron-flowers, Orange-flowers or their pils dry, Tilliaflowers, Garden-Limmon and wild Thyme-flowers, Lavender, Marigold, Chamomile, Mellilot, and Elder-flowers, of each twelve ounces six drachms and an half; being furnished with all your flowers as above, when you would distil them, add thereunto Aniseeds three pound three ounces one drachm and an half, Coriander seeds one pound nine ounces and five drachms, bruise the seeds, 'twere also best to bruise all the flowers, as you put them up into the Spirit, for the more orderly working; Distil into fine Spirit S. A. then add to the distin'd water, Roses, Gilly-flowers, and Elder-flowers, of each one pound nine ounces and five drachms; after twelve days Infusion it may be drawn off, then dulcifie it with white Sugar sixteen pound, and being fine it may be drawn for use.
Composition the Lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons, put [Page 122]it into a wide-mouth'd Pot (or other Vessel) stopt very close, take those several flowers following in their seasons, and being clean pickt put them to the Spirit in the Pot; viz. Cowslips, Woodbine, Stock-Gilli-flower of the three sorts, Damask-Roses, Musk-Roses, Sweet-Brier-flowers, Clove-Gillyflowers, Lillium-Convallium, Jasmine, Citron and Orange-flowers, or their pils dry, Tillia-flowers, garden-Limmon and Wild Thyme-flowers, Lavender, Marigold, Chamomile, Mellilot, Elder-flowers, of each two ounces three drachms and an half; Being furnished with all your flowers as above, when you would distil them add thereunto Aniseeds nine ounces four drachms and an half, Coriander seeds four ounces and seven drachms, bruise the seeds, and 'twere also best to bruise all the Flowers, as you put them up into the Spirit, for their more ord erly working, Distil into fine Spirit S. A. then add to the distiled water, Roses, Gilli-flowers, Elder-flowers, of each, four ounces, and seven drachms; after Twelve days Infusion it may be drawn off, then dulcifie it with white Sugar three pound, and being fine, it may be drawn for use.
Y-worth. This is a great Cordial for strengthening and refreshing the Spirits, and therefore proper for those who are troubled with Hypocondriack Melancholy. The Dose is from one drachm to five, according to the Age, Strength and Condition of the Patient
Aqua Frugum, or Water of Fruits.
Composition the Greater.
Distiller. Take of strong Proof Spirit sixteen gallons, Juniper-berries six pound, six ounces, three drachms and fifteen grains; Quince and Pipping-pairings both dry, of each three pound, three ounces, one drachm and an half; Limmonpils, Orange-pils dry, of each one pound, nine ounces and five drachms; Nutmegs, six ounces, three drachms, and fifteen grains, Anisceds, three pound, three ounces, one drachm and an half, Cloves three ounces one drachm and an half; Distill into fine Spirit S. A. To the Spirit add Strawberries, Rasberries bruised, of each eight pound, stir them well together, and after ten daies, it, being clear, may be drawn off; then dulcifie with Syrrup made as is taught in Aven's Water, and so let it stand till clear, and then draw it off for use.
Composition the Lesser.
Take of strong Proof Spirit three gallons, Juniper-berries one pound, three ounces, one drachm, two scruples, and five grains; Quince and Pippingpairings both dry, of each nine ounces, four drachms and an half; Limmon-pils, Orange-pils dry, of each four ounces and seven drachms, Nutmegs one ounce, one drachm, two scruples and five grains; Aniseeds nine ounces four drachms and an half; Cloves four drachms and an half; Distill into fine Spirit S. A. [Page 124]To the Spirit add Straw-berries, Ras-berries bruis'd, of each one pound and an half, stir them well together, and after ten daies, it being clear may be drawn off, Then dulcifie with Syrrup made as is taught in Aven's Water; and so let it stand till it be clear, and then draw it off for use.
Y-worth. This is a great Carminative, expelling Wind, good in Surfeits and Fevers, it abates Thirst: The Dose is from one drachm to five, in some proper Vehicle, or dilated to a Julip.
We having thus run through the Prescriptions of such which are varied into a greater and lesser Composition, we shall add some Observations, and then proceed to lay down some particular waters that are purely for the use of such as would supply the defect of an Apothecary when not near &c.
You are first to observe, that in the distilling of these Waters, you must not make use of the Wool in the Head; for that will be apt to suckand drink in too much of the Oleous part, and so considerably destroy the vertues of the waters; and altho there will often come over a white thick shadowary Oyle towards the latter end, by which the pure fine Spirits are troubled and made thick, yet we say, that this may be thus prevented; Take a fine Holland-Cloath, and rub one side of it very well with Black-Lead, and bind the side so rub'd inwardly towards the end of the Worm, and this will keep the thickness back, as Experience demonstrates.
But as to Rich and Costly Waters you need not draw so long, and yet no loss; for what remains [Page 125]being Fermented will give a very good Spirit for other beginnings; and altho in every Receipt the way to colour, perfume, and dulcifie the same, is shewed, yet the Distiller, as seldom regards it, as he doth the quantity of Spirits to the Pondus of Herbs and Spices, for they are led by that rule, which will return most Profit into their Pockets; their general way is thus, they make a Syrup with ordinary Sugar, and too too often Treacle, having first decocted Brasil, Sanders, or the like to colour the same, and then strain the whole through a Canopy, and so add it to the water, to allay and dulcifie; one of their Prescriptions is thus,
For Red Water.
Take of Spring-water one gallon, or rather of the purified Liquor for allayes, of Red Sanders one pound, Brasil half a pound; decoct these in the water, closely stopt on the Embers so long, until you obtain all the Tincture from the Wood, then the wood is strained out, to which quantity of water you add six or eight pound of Treacle, or course Sugar, and let it gently simper, then Clarifie with the whites of ten or twelve Eggs, and strain it through a fustian Canopy; this you add to twenty or thirty gallons of common Aquavitae, more or less, according as it is in strength, and you would have it in sweetness, then to fine it, 'tis usual to take Flower and the Whites of two or three Eggs, and with a spoonful or two of Yeast you beat them well together, adding thereunto a scruple of Musk, and ten grains of Amber-grease, [Page 126]and put them in a small bag, the which you let hang by the Bung-hole into your Liquor, and in fourteen days it will be fit for sale: Now these following Simples, are generally made use of for colouring your Liquors withal, viz. Reds, with Rose leaves, Poppie leaves, Clove-Gilli-flowers, Turnsole, Root-Akanet, Coachenele, Juices, Cherries, Rasberries, Mul-berries, and Black-berries: For Yellows, Safron, Turmerick, and Yellow-Sanders; But seeing we must colour this way, we think it convenient to add our Opinion concerning the same; which is, if you use Woods, whether Brasil, Sanders, &c. that you decoct them in the cold distil'd water of the herb, appropriated to the Water, or else in cold distil'd Rose-water, twenty four hours on gentle Embers, and then strain forth, and add of fine clean Sugar, boyle up and Clarifie: with a sufficient quantity of Whites of Eggs, & so let it pass through the Canopy or Fustian-sleeve, and then add it to the Waters you intend to Dulcifie; and as for the Perfumes you add in, it is best that they be ground very well in a Mortar with some of he Spirits, and then added; or else let them be dissolved, in it (close luted) in a gentle heat, and then added to the Quantity; otherwise your waters will want that smell to Perfume them, which only radical Dissolution obtains. Now for tender Leaves, as Poppies, Roses. &c. you had best also to take out their Tinctures, by some of the Spirit in a Vessel (close luted) in Balneo, which you must repeat so often till they remain pale, the which you must add to your Quantity with your Sweets; and that you fine it with. Let your Fruits and [Page 127]Berries be separated from their stones, and strained so as that they may not be broken therein, for then it will make the pleasant Juice bitter; to these so prepared you may add your Sugar, and proceed as hath been directed S. A. by such Variations as Experience must prompt you in; thus have we [...]id down what is sufficient for any reasonable and Industrious person to build his practise on, so that what remains is only to give you the Prescriptions of those Rich and Costly Waters promised.
Aqua Mirabilis.
Take Cloves, Cubebs, Galingale, Mace, Nutmegs, Cardamums, and Ginger, of each two drachms, the Juice of Salendine one pint, Spirit of Wine two pints, White-wine six pints, Infuse all these, twenty four hours, and then distill off four [...]ints by an Alembick.
Y-worth. This is of Admirable Force and Ver [...], to preserve the body from the Apoplexy, and all Diseases of the Nerves, it is very good against the Pals [...], Co [...]vulsion and Cramp, as also for cold stomacks. The Dose is from two drachms to half an ounce.
Aqua Mirabilis Nostra.
Y-worth. Take Cloves, Galingale, Cubebs, [...]ace, Cardamums, Nutmegs, and Ginger of [...]ach three drachms; Balm, Sage, Betony, Bug [...]oss, and Cowslip-flowers, all gathered in their [...]ime, of each one handful, the Juice of Salendine [Page 128]one pint and and half, Aqua vitae Glauberis three pints, the Wine of Black Currants two gallons, digest twenty four hours, and distil off one gallon in Balneo Mariae.
This hath all the Vertues of the former in Superiority, more Cordial, thence wonderfully strengthening the Heart, Stomack, and principal Vessels; and therefore by us often, called, Aqua Coroborans: The Dose is the same with the former.
Dr. Stephens's Water.
Take of Gascoign-wine two gallons; Ginger, Galingale, Cinamon, Nutmegs, Grains, Ani-seeds, Fennel-seeds, and Caraway-seeds, of each two drachms; Sage, Red Mints, Red Roses, Thyme, Pellitory, Rosemary, Wild Thyme, Camomile, and Lavender, of each two handfuls; beat the Spices small, and bruise the herbs, letting them macerate twelve hours, stiring them now and then; Distil by an Alembick or Copper-still with it's Refrigeratory; keep the first quart by it self, and the second by it self. N. B. that the first quart will be the hotter, but the second the stronger of the Ingredients.
Y-worth. It is very Excellent in strengthening the Heart, fortifying the Spirits, relieving languishing Nature. The Dose is from one drachm to two.
Aqua Imperialis.
Take of the Rind of Citrons and Oranges dried, Nutmegs, Cloves, and Cinamon, of each four [Page 129]ounces; the roots of Flower-de-luce, Cyprus, Calamus Aromaticus, Zedoary, Galingale, and Ginger, of each one pound; of the tops of Lavender, and Rosemary of each four handfuls, the Leaves of the Bay-tree, Marjoram, Balm, Mints, Sage, Thyme, the Flowers of White and Damask-Roses, of each one handful, Rose-water eight pints, the best White-wine two gallons, bruise what must be bruised, then Infuse them all twenty four hours after which Distil.
Y-worth, This Water strengthens and Corobo [...]ates the Heart, and is therefore Good for such as are subject unto faintings, swoonings, and Palpitations of the Heart, and is a preservative against Apoplexies. The Dose is from one drachm to three.
Aqua Celestis.
Take of Cinamon, Cloves, Nutmegs, Ginger, Zedoary, Galingale, Long pepper, Citron pill, Spicknard, Lignum Aloes, Cubebs, Cardamums, Calamus Aromaticus, Mace, Ground-pine, Germander, Hermodactyls, Tormentil, White Frankincense, the pith of Dwarf Elder, Juniper-berries, Bay-berries, the Seeds and Flowers of Motherwort, the Seeds of Smallage, Fennel and Anise, the Leaves of Sorrel, Sage, Felwort, Rosemary, Marjoram, Mints, Penny-Royal, Stechados, the Flowers of Elder, Red and White Roses, of the Leaves of Scabious, Rue, the lesser Moonwort, Egrimony, Centory, Fumitary, Pimpernel, Sowthistle, Eyebright, Maiden-hair, Endive, Red Saunders, Aloes, of each four ounces, pure Amber, the best Rhubarb, [Page 130]of each four drams, dried Figs, Raisins of the Sun, Dates stoned, sweet Almonds, Grains of the Pine, of each two ounces, of the best Aqua vitae to the quantity of them all, of the best hard Sugar two pound, of white Honey one pound; then add the Root of Gentian, Flowers of Rosemary, Pepperwort, the Root of Bryony, Sowbread, Wormwood, of each an ounce. Now before these are distill'd, quench Gold being made Red hot oftentimes in the aforesaid Water; put therein Oriental Pearls, beaten small two pound, and then distill it after twenty four hours Infusion.
Y-worth. This is a very good Cordial Water, prevailing against Malignant & Pestilential Feavers, & a great restorative to such as are in Consumption, it comforts the Heart, and revives drooping Spirits; 'tis very hot in Operation; you must not exceed half a drachm for the largest Dose without the Advice of a Physitian; In Feavers mix it with cooling Juleps.
Aqua Nostra Multifera Virtutum, or our Water of Many Virtues.
Y-worth. Take Pawme, Sage, Bettony, Buglosse, Cowslips, all gather'd in their prime, of each a handful, Motherwort, Bay Leaves, of each a handful and half, Marygold-flowers two handfuls, flowers of Rosemary, Lavender, Lillies of the Valley, Rosa-solis, of each four handfuls, the Juice of Salendine two pound, Saffron two ounces, Lignum Aloes an ounce and half, Turmerick four ounces, [Page 131]Spirit of Wine six Quarts, digest all six days, and then distil in B. S. A.
This Water is excellent in the Diseases of the Head, Breast and Heart, Liver and principal parts, fortifying the Faculties, and strengthning Nature, as far as can be expected from simple Cordial Spirits, without being enriched with some Mineral Sulphurs, the which will be shown in our Spagyrick Phylosophy Asserted, and Spagyrick philosophies Tryumph. Now by the way observe, that most of these Waters or Spirits, are too strong to be taken alone, Nature not loving to ride in fiery Chariots, 'tis best therefore that they be dilated and reduced into Cordials, the way by which 'tis performed, will be shown in our Medicina rationalis.
Crollii Aqua Theriacalis Camphorat. Or Crollius his Treacle Water Camphorated.
Take of Andromachus his Treacle ten ounces, the best Myrrh five ounces, the best Saffron one ounce, Camphire four drams, mix them together, then pour upon them of the best Spirit of Wine [...]wenty ounces, and let them stand twenty four hours in a warm place, then distill them in Balneo with a gradual Fire; Cohobate the Spirit three times.
Y-worth. This Water is of Excellent Virtue against the Pestilence, and other Feavers; 'tis a very good Counter-poyson, and good for those that have been bit by any Venemous Creature, or such as have the French Pox; for it drives forth all virulent Humours [Page 132]from the heart, and is a great Cordial. The Dose is from half an ounce to an ounce.
Aqua Composita contra Scorbutum, or a Scorbutical Water.
Take of the Leaves of both sorts of Scurvy Grass, being made very clear, of each twelve pound; let these be bruised, and the Juice pressed forth; to which add the Juice of Brooklime, Juice of Water Cresses, of each a pound, of the best white Wine sixteen Pints, twelve whole Lemmons, cut; of the fresh Roots of Briony eight pound, of the fresh Roots of Horse-radish four pound, of the Bark of Winteran one pound, of Nutmegs eight ounces; let them macerate three days, and then distill S. A.
Y-worth. This Water is Excellent for the Scurvy, with all the Symptoms that attend the same, 'twill radically cure those that are not too Rebellious in a Month or six Weeks time, if you take two Spoonfuls thereof in a Morning and Evening.
I could indeed inlarge my self with various other Prescriptions, but I think it needless, seeing you have here what is sufficient to accomplish any Distiller; nay peradventure more than ever you may have occasion to make; so that others of a more Superior and Higher Order will be superfluous; as to such as have a desire to know more, thinking them necessary in their Medicinal practice, let them resort to our Medicina Rationalis, where [Page 133]they shall find them under the head of such Diseases as they are appropriated to: And for those that would be curious and have variety of chargeable Prescriptions, let them apply themselves to the London Dispensatory, and other Authors wherein they are prescribed: But as to such as desire the healing Virtues of one single Cordial which hath been found for many years to supply the place of many others, such we advise to our Spiritus Prophe [...]ticus Imperialis, treated of in our Spagyrick Philo [...]phy asserted; for this indeed is various ways to be [...]dered, and that to such an advantage, as that it [...]swers all that can be desired from any thing of this Nature; and therefore for the good of such as languish under deplorable Diseases we thought it [...]quisite to give its Virtue and Use: First of the Spirit, and then of the way of dilating it into a Cordial.
Spiritus HEADrophelacticus Imperialis, or the Antipeleptick HEADowers, Soveraign for all the Diseases of the Head, Womb-Fits, sudden surprisals, and infectious Diseases, being a general Cordial for all Diseases incident to the Body.
As to its Preparation, 'tis given in our Spagyrick, Philosophy Asserted.
Its Virtues in General.
This is a great Cordial, truly helping Nature, in [...]rdly or outwardly applyed, and is of admirable benefit [Page 134]to poor fainty drooping Spirits and weak Nature, and a great Reliever and Comforter of Old Aged people, Strengthning and Comforting the Heart and Stomach, prevalent against Wind, Chollick, Gripes, Yellow Jaundice, Cough and Colds, and such like Distempers: And also Bruises, and Contusions, wither'd and benumbed Members and Cramp; 'tis efficacious against Cold, moist Diseases of the Head, Stomach and Heart; as Apoplexies, Falling Sickness, Palsies, Trembling, Head-ach, Megrim, Vertigo, Carus, Lethargy, Sleepiness and Dimn [...]s [...] of Sight, cold Rheums, Catarrhs, Rhumatisms, Old Aches of the Back and Loyns, stinking breath; as also good against Convulsions.
Its Use and Dose.
For any Bruise, Squatt, Aches, or weak and decayed parts, you must dip a Cloath therein, and lay it four or five times double on the part, and at last having repeated this three or four times bind it fast thereon: For the Diseases of the Face and Head, you must annoint your Face and Temples, and take the savours up your Nostrils; For Rickets in Children, it must be applyed as well outwardly as inwardly, chasing the grieved part with the clear Spirit before the Fire? Dipping a Scarlet cloath in it, and laying it on the part affected, repeating of it as often as occasion requires, and swathing from the Arm-pits to the Groins with a Linnen Swath: For weak and pained Limbs the same Method is to be observed as before.
'Tis also an Excellent preserver for dead Bodies; for if you wash the dead over with it two or three times, and then strike over all the body with our double Spiritus [Page 135]Odontugiasus, it preserves the same a [...]iderable while, without being embowell'd; and more [...]cially if you afterward apply to the Mouth, Stomach, [...]el, and bottom of the belly some of our Elixer [...]oprietatis Helmontii with a Spunge, by which [...]bod the dead shall be not only preserved, but also kept [...] giving the least Annoyance or Evil Smell to any [...] shall come a near it; or the least infection, although [...] died of an infectious Disease; for if you repeat the [...] of these three or four times, the poysonous Venom [...] be totally mortified. Now of what moment [...]ht this be in preserving people in the Family, [...] the Chambers are kept sweet, and the person, [...] ever so gross, from purging, as experience ma [...] [...]sts. Thus having given you its External uses, [...] shall now proceed to the Internal ones, Viz. as [...] dilated into a Cordial.
[...]dialis Nostra Generalis; or our General Cordial.
Take Spiritus Prophelacticus Imperialis, well tin [...] with Pilula Nepenthe nostr. one pound, the [...]grant Wine of Camomile Flowers, Yarrow and [...]cus two pound, Mel Vegetabile qu. sa. e. to Dul [...] it into a Cordial; to which add of the Radi [...] Tincture of Gold, Bezoar, and the Milk of [...]s Eyes, of each Gutt. 20. shake them well [...]ther, then let it stand and settle, and decant [...] clear, so is it prepared.
[...]his Cordial is in many Cases as profitable unto the [...] as their Food, especially for weakness, Faintness, [Page 134] [...] [Page 135] [...] [Page 136]and violent Illness, that seize on people, for this will (if design'd for Life) measurably fortifie and strengthen the Vital, Natural and Animal Spirits; it cherisheth the prinoipal Organs, and makes them better to perform their Office in the preparing of good Juices; for it agrees with the Callidum Innatum, or Sulphur, as well as with the Humout Radicalis, or Mercury; it stirs up the digestive Faculties, and so not only prevents from being surfeited, but also Relieves from Surfeits, when Contracted; and therefore may it properly be esteemed as a rich Treasure in Families; it comforts both Young and Old; 'tis good in oppressions of Wind and Cholick, expelling the same from the Stomach and Bowels, and is also good for the Strangury and Gravel, &c.
There is not yet known or Practised by a more Excellent Medicine, both for safeness pleasantness and speed, to expell the painful Gripes in Children, whether with or without a Looseness, which are so incident to these poor Babes, that thousands die thereof, as we may see by the weekly Bill of mortality; therefore let such as have Children subject to Wind, or as are so themselves, make use thereof; and in few Minutes they shall find the comfortable Relief thereof; and indeed so will such as are subject to fainting and painful Diseases: 'Tis very prevalent not only to prevent Fits in Children, but also to relieve such as have them; In fine, its almost imparallel'd Virtues are such, as that we could fill pages therewith,; but however shall here omit them, seing we have been more large in the precited Book, which God willing shall ere long see the Light; seeing it may be of such publick Service in the distinguishing of the Nature of truly prepared Medicines from the common slops.
The Dose of this Cordial is from a pap Spoonful to three or four Ordinary Spoonfuls, according to the Age, Strength and Condition of the Patient; and that as often received as is requisite, which must at least be three, and sometimes five or six times a day, when the Patient takes little Food or Rest.
Thus (Courteous Reader) have we with painful Labours passed through the Garden of Distillation, in which the various Flowers are to be gathered, which may be found profitable to you; the which indeed was the end of our undertaking it; that you may see the Nature and difference of Waters, even of the first, second and third order; and that you may not be deficient in any thing, which may be said to appertain to this Art, we shall stretch forth our hand in the following Chapter, and show you the True and Genuine way of preparing of Vegetable Powers, &c.
CHAP. IV.
Treatis concerning Vegetable Powers, Oleosum's and Essential Salts.
POwers are by such a preparation only obtained as will indue them with the Strength, Force and Quality of that Conc [...]at, whence they are prepared, that is to say, the virtuous one; for the three Principles must be united and brought to a Volatile Spirit, and here we observe, that the Abstersive Nature proceeds from the fixed Salt, the Specifick from the Sulphur and the spirituality from the Mercury; for these being in union you have the true Essentiality of the Concreat, which according to the various Preparations is more or less exalted, for if 'tis done by the help of Urinous Spirits, it may as well be called an Oleosum as Powers, and especially if the Alkalie, contained in the Concreat, be not radically Volatized, for here is the difference between an Oleosum and Powers, as they are generally prepared, the First is that, wherein Ʋrinous Spirits are most predominant, and is made fragrant by the Vinor together with Aromatick Oyls added in the Preparation; but in the Latter the Vinor fragrancy is essentially predominant, and what Volatile or Alkalizated Spirits are therein, they are so invisible as not to be discerned; but in the Preparation of both we observe one grand defect, which is, that although they are both spiritual, and if Distill'd [Page]
Place this Figure before Chap IIII in pag. 139.
[Page] [Page 139]still'd, contain many Volatile Particles of the Oyls and Spirits, insorb'd by the hidden fermentative Action of the three, yet the more solid and substantial part of the Body and Oyl is not Elivated into the Spirit; as is plainly evident in this, that there is a great quantity of Oyl and fixed Salts remaining in a ponderous Form at the bottom of the Cucurbit after the Operation is over; and the more especially if you put quantity sufficient to make Powers of; that is to say, a fourth, third or half part of the Pondus of the whole, and yet more, if united with their fixed Salt, which cannot be truly volatilized till it hath received in three or four times its weight of Essential Oyls, as will be hereafter more largely shown; but now in defect of this you must learn to prepare Oyls, as we have mentioned in our Answer to the 10th. Query of the Learned Dr. Boylewharfe in our Spagyrick Phil. Asserted; that is to say, they must be bereaved of their internal water and floating Earth, so that they will readily dissolve in and unite with Water or Spirit of wine, this is repeated because that book may not come into the hands of those that this doth; and further, we say, that Oyls may be thus very easily prepared by Art, so as to cast forth their combust Earth, and as it were, an insipid Faeces, when as without the same twenty Rectifications shall not so readily perform it; and in this 'tis yet more dubious, seeing the Oyls by the heat of the Fire will be converted into a Combust Earth, remaining in the bottom of the Vessels; and although Oyl of Vitriol, Aqua-Fort, and such like Corrosives may revive part thereof, yet we look upon the Oyl to be considerably [Page 140]exhausted not only in Pondus, but also in Vertue; when as that which hinders their union by a genuine Preparation is not above a tenth part; and tis observeable that these Oyls will then unite with a fourth, third, or half Pondus of any truly rectified Spirit: But to perform this, is not for the Head-wise Chymists, but for such indeed whom Experience hath made Heart-wise, seing Nature must first graduate them with her hidden Diaploma, which indeed is our Uniter and Reconciler of Extreams; and that we may hint how it is performed, Observe, Let the highly purified fixed Alkalie of any Concreate be herein dissolved, and then pour in what quantity you please of its own Essential Oyle, digest and supply it with oyle until the Alkalie is partly reversed from its Saline into a Sulphurous Nature, and elivated into one Body, with the oyle, then pour on this the fixed Salt of Sal Anat. Lyb. and that will immediately precipitate all the gross parts, digest three, four, or five daies, or until the oyle will dissolve in Water or Spirit of Wine as aforesaid, the which you may every day try; this is one good step toward the Preparation of noble Powers and Oleosums, and without it twill be impossible ever radically to unite the whole body of the oyle with the Spirits, whatever some may vainly and falsly pretend, or ever to have the vertue of the fixed Salt elivated into the Spirit, much more once ounce of the Body brought up into some gallons of the same; so that the pretence that is in the World of saying, that the Spirit is united with the fixed Salt, is a grand abuse imposed on the Age by Pseudo-Spagyrists: for the fixed Salt, Oyl, and Spirit [Page 141]cannot by any way be united or reconciled, but by this Medium; neither can these be obtained in their full and Essential Vertues without the benefit of its exaltative Power: therefore let the Ingenious observe our words, and receive them for their Profits, as given forth; not regarding the Quacking-noise, of those who put forth so many Tables fill'd with the vertue of their Powers and Essential Spirits, from thence drawing their Superiority to others, therein saying, that they are impregnated with their fixed Salts; when alas! tis impossible, that the Spirit should be either therewith united, or thereby exalted until truly Prepared and Volatilized, as hath been said; the which we are very well satisfied these men connot Perform; for altho their pretences are never so great abroad, of doing general service, yet when we truly consider the thing, we know that their Ambition would be such as to expose the Volatile Salt of Tartar, or any other fixed Alkalie to Sale, seeing the greatest Philosophers have laid thereon so great an applause, in so much that any rational man will believe it to be a Medicine fit and able to serve the publick; but this is not to be obtained from them, neither abroad nor at home, altho one would give ten times its weight in Gold for an ounce thereof; we could never yet obtain one drachm of it, altho we have made their intimate Acquaintance our friend in this Case, and therefore we shall but esteem of their noise, as Rattles to deceive or please Fools and Children; but however leaving this we shall come to show under how many heads Powers and Oleosums may be properly stated, which we shall only name, and so [Page 142]orderly proceed to Treat thereof; under the first we Comprehend
Potestates per Hermaphroditicum Salem Ammoniacum, or Powers by the help of a prepared Sal-Armoniack: And under the second, Potestates nobilissimae succedaneae Specificae per salem Tartari Volatilem; or, Noble Succedaneous and Specifick Powers: And under the third, Potestates verae & arcanae per salem nostrum Panaristos, or the true essential and genuine Powers. Now these are the three heads, under which may be comprehended all that can be said of Powers, we shall begin with the first, they being easiest to be prepared.
Now seeing that every one cannot obtain the Volatile Salt of Tartar, neither will some indeed spend their time or money after it, but would rather accept of easie things; for the sake of such we shall first describe those which are made by the help of the said Sal-Armoniack, and how the said Sal Armoniack is also to be prepared.
Those which are made by the help of the said Sal-Armoniack; are of a noble and cleansing nature; the which they borrow from the Hermaphroditical Salt, that is radically united with the Oyl and Spirit, and this in part supplies the want of the Volatile Salt of Tartar, and enriches the Powers far above those that have no Salt in them; for this Preparation, to perform it well, is no small part of the Chymical Art; and there be many of those who pretend to succedanous Keys, that cannot [Page 143]not do it; for the Urinous Spirit must first be bereaved of its faetor or stink, and secondly radically united with the Vinor and Oleous ones; the way to bereave it of its faetor is thus, take of pure Red-Wine two pound, and filtre exactly through a double Cap-paper, put it in digestion for seven days, pouring on now and then four or five ounces of Spirit of Wine distil'd from rich Aromaticks, and as it begins to smell very fragrant, put in a pound of common Sal-Armoniack that hath been dissolved in the distilled waters of Aromatick-spices, exactly filtred and again boiled up into the body of Salt; which being therein dissolved you must feed it as before with the Aromatick Spirit, adding thereunto of the Essential Oyl of Cinamon Guaiacum, and Sassaphrax, of each half an ounce, and by a very gentle heat bring it to a dryness; the which Salt remove, and carefully preserve, for tis of an inestimable value.
Then take Oyster-shells, wash them very clean, dry them, and Calcine them to an exceeding white Calx, the which power very finely, and sift through a fine sieve; then take of this, and the highly purifyed Sal-Armoniack, of each a like quantity, mix them well together, and put them into a Retort, and pour thereon twice their weight of the Alkalizated Spirit of that Concrete, whence you intend to make your Powers, and by degrees of fire distil to dryness, the spirit that comes over you may rectifie from a proportionable Quantity of dryed herbs, spices, or seeds, from whence you make your Powers or Oleosum; and then unite [Page 144]three pound thereof with half a pound of Essential Oyl by two or three Cohobations; or if your oyl is prepared as before directed, you may only shake them together and they shall be united; or in defect of this, you may do it by digestion, by adding in three or four ounces of our Common Reconciler, or Vegetable-preserving-Salt; and so have you an Oleusum or Powers superiour to any as yet by others exposed to sale, being not only indued with the middle nature of the Concreate, but also an Abstersive Vertue, as will be seen more at large hereafter; for what is here said in general is sufficient to signifie unto you the preparation and nature of those Powers and Oleosums prepared by the Hermaphroditical Sal-Armoniack; we shall therefore proceed to the Particulars and first of,
Potestates Cinamomi, or the Powers of Cinamon.
Take of the aforesaid prepared Sal-Armoniack one pound; of the highly Alkalizated Spirit of Wine four pound, Distil and Unite, as before directed; then Rectifie from Cinamon one pound moistned with a little Oyle of common salt run per del. in a strong B. M. and Cohobate two or three times upon the Cinamon, by which means its Vertue will be obtained, put this upon a pound of fresh Cinamon, and Cohobate as before, repeat this a third time, and your Spirit will become very rich of the Cinamon; now on the Cinamon that remains pour good Spirit of Wine, and extract the Tincture [Page 145]as long as any will come, add these Tinctures together, and put them into a Retort, and call off; 8/4; gently dry the Extract; the Cinamon that remains after Distillation must be gently dryed and Calcined into Ashes, the which, while so warm as to be handled, must be put into a Cucurbit pouring thereon the before mentioned Spirit, call'd over by making the Extract, put on a blind head and digest three days, decant the clear, and if after that you think any Spirit remains in the Ashes you may call it off by Distillation, and then with Distil'd Rain-water extract the Salt from the Ashes in the Cucurbit, the which exactly filtre, evaporate and Christallize; Now add your two Spirits together, and then take the Salt and extract, and grind them together with six ounces of the Oyle of Cinamon, put them into a large Retort and pour your Spirits on them, Distil off and Cohobate three or four times, and lastly return your spirit back, adding in of our Common Reconciler four ounces, digest four days, decant the clear, and so are the Powers prepared.
Their Vertues.
They are prevalent in Vertigoes, Palsies, Apoplexies, deprivation of Sense, Frensies, Madness, inveterate pains of the Head, Megrims, sudden Coughs, Colds, and difficulty of Breathing, they not onely comfort the Head and Brain and refresh the Sences, but also cheer the Heart, resist Poyson and revive the Spirits, being a powerful Medicine in Palpitations, Faintings, Swoonings, and Sickness at the Heart and Stomack, good against a stinking [Page 146]Breath, Indigestion and want of Appetite, and other the like Defects: They are good for vomiting and spitting of Blood, and excellent for weak and consumptive People.
They are also prevalent in the Cholick, Griping of the Guts, Wind, Pain of the Stomack and Spleen, Iliack Passion, sharp and corroding humours in the Bowels, and all other pains whatsoever; they cure a Diarrhea, Dysentery and Lientery, the flux of the Liver, over-flowing of the Terms, and Whites in Women.
Their use and manner of being Taken.
For Fits or any Diseases that suddenly approach, take thirty or forty drops in a glass of spring-water sweetned with a little Sugar, anointing the fore-head and temples therewith and forcing the savours up the nostrels, but for weakness and fluxes, let forty drops be drank in a glass of Tent two or three times a day, observe by the same rules are made the Powers of Sassafras, and all such woods, as will yield an Essential Oyle by Distillation, all of which are more noble in vertue, than any of their common Prescriptions hitherto Dispenced. The price ten shillings an ounce.
Potestates Menthoe, or the Powers of Mint.
Take of Mint, gathered in the right signature in a clear day, what quantity you please, let them be chop'd very small or rather pounded in a great stone Mortar, and put them into a large Tunn or Oyle-fatt, as is ordered for Distillation, and pour [Page 147]thereon new Wort or rather Mead sufficient to cover them at least an hands breadth; either of which must be blood-warm, head them well with yeast, and let them work as we have ordered in our first part of Distillation, and after five days distil with a large Refrigeratory into Low-wines; the which pour again upon a fresh quantity of Mint gently dryed [the herbs are best to be hang'd in a bag as described figure the second, for so they will get no ill tangue] and distil into proof goods; then add fresh herbs as before, and distil a third time, which is called Rectification; but in this we advise you to put in a Can or two of water to keep the body of your Still from burning, as is usual in Re [...]ification, then rectifie from Christallized Salt of Tartar, and unite it with purified Sal Armoniack, and again rectify from the herbs in a large Cucurbit with its glass Helm, and so the Spirit becomes rich, pure, vital, strong, and fragrant of the Herb; take of this, three pound, of the oyl of Mint six ounces, and unite as directed in the generals. Observe that if Essential oyls are rectified from mortified Bay-Salt, they may be brought to unite in equal pondus with the Spirit.
VIRTUES.
These Powers are superior to any of this nature hitherto extant, and wonderfully fortify the Spirits, exhilerate the mind, strengthen the stomack, and provoke Appe [...]ite, stays the Hiccough and Vomiting, and stops the fury of cholerick Passions; their like prevalency is also seen in stopping the Flowers and Whites; externally the [Page 148]Temples being bathed with them eases the Head-ach and cures Watry-eyes, strengthening weak sinnews, and being internally taken and externally applyed, are a Counter-poyson against the venom of Serpents: The Dose is from twenty to forty Drops in Mead, Wine, or rather some cordial Julep made from it's distil'd water or Syrrup: The Price is Twelve pence an ounce.
Potestates Melissoe, or the Powers of Bawm.
Let your Bawm be gathered in its right signature and ordered in all things as was said of Mints, only tis best to add in the Fermentation a little fixed Niter, because the oleous part is not so easily manifested, as in some other herbs, and you may make use of Sugar instead of Honey, in your fermenting, as we have directed in that of the fermentation of flowers, herbs, and seeds by Sugar; but you must observe that after tis brought into Proof-goods, you must rectify at least four or five times before you Alkalizate it or unite it with the purified Sal Armoniack, and then you may proceed in all things, as in that of Mint; for the making of Vegetable Powers, is rather a common place than bare receipt.
VIRTUES.
These are a great Comforter of the Heart, good against cold and moist stomacks, and thence help Concoction, they imbibe evil Fume, and so not only open the Brain, but [Page 149]also strengthen and refresh the same, they ease the Tooth-ach, powerfully purifying the Blood in the King's-evil, Scurvey, Dropsy, Gout, Jaundice and Worms, they expel Poyson and the Plague, and cure the biting of Mad-dogs; they so wonderfully fortify the vital and natural Spirits, that a certain Author says, they are endued with renovating virtue, even to restore Old Age to a withful strength; but whether so or not, we can't say, but this we know, by Experience, that they revive the most melancholy person into a wonderful cheerfulness, and are also excellent, being externally used, for hard swellings and the Gout, and to bath grieved parts: The Dose is from fifteen to thirty Drops, sometimes forty, according to age and strength, in a glass of Ale, Mead or any fragrant wine, you may give them thrice a day; the price is fourteen pence an ounce.
Potestates Sambuci Succinatoe, or the Powerful United Spirit of Elder Essentificated with Amber.
Take the Berries when ripe, and pick out the stalks and green ones, and with a large press, as for Apples, press out their Juice, cask it up with a little bay-salt and sweets or stumme, and in a warm place cause them well to ferment; you may let them have some age, and then refine down with Izing-glass and rack of, so you will have a noble Wine as you were show'd in the first part; then on the cheese or berries that remain you may pour rain or spring-water, and press a second time, and boyl the Liquor half an hour, and then putting it [Page 150]into the receivers let it stand till about blood-warm, and to every gallon add a pound of Sugar, stir them well together, and with Ale-yest set it as you do a Back, and after five days distil with a Refrigeratory into Low-wines, Proof-goods, and Rectified Spirits, by the third extraction, then take fresh berries and fill an Earthen-pan therewith and after the bread is drawn set them in the Oven, and then press forth their Juice, to every pound of which add a pound of six-penny-sugar, and boyling it into a Syrrup, clarify it with Whites of Eggs, then to every gallon of the said Wines, add a pound of the said Spirit, and two pounds of the Syrrup or Sweets, and let them ferment, but observe to row them well together as you put them in, and so will you have a Noble Wine Royal of Sambucus, endued with noble Virtues, as we have said in our first part; now this must be again distil'd into Low-wines and proof Spirits, and then rectifyed from the flowers, seasonably gathered, until it is a Sulphur wholy inflamable; it will be yet the purer, if you rectify it from its own salt drawn from the Ashes of the Wood burnt: now that Salt volatilized, and an Oyl drawn from the dry wood, and these three united was formerly our Powers, but to succinate it, proceed thus: Take of the best Amber three pound, and distil in a Glass retort by the degrees of Fire, separate the Spirit from the Oyl, and rectify the Oyl from spirit of Salt or A. R. as we have shown in the Chapter of Oyls in our Chym. Rational. and then from the dryed wood of Elder macerated with Bay-salt in a large Refrigeratory, and so you have a noble transparent Oyl, the which reserve 'till [Page 151]hereafter; now the Spirit and Salt of Amber you must mix with equal parts of purifyed Sal Armoniack, and by means of the aforesaid Oyster-shells force them into a Spirit, which being rectifyed is in it self a most noble Medicine, and being united with common Tartarisated Spirit of Wine, will perform more than that which is made from the flowers of Sal-Armoniack sublimed from common Salt, both in its Philosophical use in drawing Tinctures, as also in its Medicinal virtues: now take of the aforesaid Spirit of Elder seven pound, of the succinated Spirit of purifyed Armoniack, even now taught one pound, and of the aforesaid Oyl of Amber twelve ounces, and of our Common Reconciler six ounces, shake them well together and they shall be united, and digesting four days, decant the clear, and thus are the Noble Succinated Powers of Elder Prepared.
Observe, I thought it convenient to give this at large for two Reasons, the first is, that if the shell of the Berry is fermented, instead of relieving the Animal Faculties, it will toxicate the brain like Man-drake or Hen-bane; the second is, the Oyl being hard to prepare without our Sal Panaristos, therefore have we added the Oyl of Amber, which Magnetically attracts it out of the wood; we have seen the Effect of the former by such who have made the Spirits by fermentation, without expressing the Juice; therefore have we given this caution.
VIRTUES.
This is a most excellent and praise-worthy Medicine, far beyond that set forth in onr Britanean Magazine of Liquors, both sor internal and external uses, 'tis prevalent for most Diseases incident to the Body, especially for agues and feavers, surfeits, pains in the head or back, vomiting, gripes and looseness; 'tis a safe and powerful Medicine in the jaundice, scurvey, and dropsy, gout and stone, and several other diseases, as will be seen by its Ʋse and Dose.
In all Acute Diseases you may take from forty to fifty drops every three hours in a glass of Sack mull'd with Cinamon, and sweating plentifully in Bed thereon, wonderful Relief will be found, for the offending Matter will be carryed off by sweat and urine.
In Pestilential diseases, such wherein the mass of blood is Corrupted, as small-pox, swine-pox, measles, &c. you must take it five or six times a day in a glass of sack posset-drink, wherein safron is braid, and so the Venom will be carried from the heart, and the vital spirits be strengthened, and as the disease begins to abate, purge two or three times with the Golden-spirit, to carry off the Reliques of the same.
For Gripes and tormenting pains of the Wind, Cholick, Strangury. and want of Rest, make a Brandy Caudle and as it is fit to drink put in at least sixty drops, sweat well in Bed and admirable Relief will be found.
For the Phthisick, shortness of Breath, Consumption, Dropsy, Scurvey, and Stone in the Bladder, you must take forty drops every six hours in the juice of baked Turneps clarified, and as much of its own syrup as will serve to make it into a Cordial, whose use must be continued until Relief is found; this also does excellent well in the Gout, and for Ricketty, Consumptive Children; as also for sprains, bruises and squatts, only let the spirit without any mixtion be externally used, and chaff the grieved part therewith.
In fine, its Vertues are so excellent, that we advise all Sea faring-men never to be without some bottles of it, for twill not only preserve them from such Diseases as are incident to them, as Scurveys, Calenture, Loathings, Gripes, &c. but also ease and cure them of the same, being taken in Water sweetned with its own Syrrup, or a little Sugar, in which Cases the ordinary Dose is from thirty to sixty drops, according as the strength and Age of the Patient is: The Price of our first Powers of Elder, is one Shilling the Ounce-bottle, but of these, one shilling and six pence.
Observe, Mine is only to be had at my house, because there is a nameless Bill put forth by one Andrew Sowle, who hath made use of most of my words out of my receipt given in our Britanean Magazine, and therefore I thought it convenient to signifie that I cannot own his Spirit, much less his proceedings, seing tis great imprudence in him to ascribe to himself that which his Experience can't demonstrate the hundredth part of.
Potestates Rosemarini, or the Powers of Rosemary.
Take the Leaves of Rosemary gathered in the right signature and dryed, and put them into a large Matrix, and cast thereon four or five handfuls of fine Calx vive and gently stir them together, if your quantity is large it must be more, even a third part of the weight of the herb, then pour thereon rain-water, distil'd from its Feces, after forty days putrifaction, and distil off about two thirds, and you will have a Low-wine very pregnant and strong of the herb, then take the like quantity of Rosemary and put it into the distil'd rain-water, just enough for the water to cover, and putting on a blind head decoct it Thirty hours in Balneo, let this be put blood-warm upon an other quantity of Rosemary-leaves, flowers and all, and the aforesaid Low wines already distil'd off, and adding a pound of Sugar to every gallon, stir them well together, head them well with Yest and let them ferment five days, distil again a second time into Proof-goods, and adding fresh Rosemary with a little Bay-salt bring it into rectified Spirits, and a fourth time make it fine by Rectifying from fresh herbs and equal parts of the Oyl of its own fixed Salt run per del. Tartar, or any other fixed Alkaly; then unite two pound of this with one pound of the highly purifyed Sal Armoniack by the help of the aforesaid Calx, and add this to a gallon of the aforesaid prepared Spirit, put it into a great Cucurbit and fill as [Page 155]full as you can with flowers, and let it stand close luted in the Sun for five days, then put on the Alembick with its Receiver and distil, and you will have a volatile, subtil, and fragrant Spirit, which quantity being united with a pound of the Oyl, as was directed in the other Powers, you have the true Powers of Rosemary.
Their Virtues.
This indeed is a Medicine of praise-worthy Virtues, for superiour to the slop Hungarian Water sold, being prevalent against most Diseases of the head, stomack, heart, womb, or any other viscera, it may be applyed to any disease of the head, especially Apoplexy, Epilepsy, Convulsions and Vertigoes, the weakness of Nerves, Head-ach, hardness of Hearing, and dimness of Sight, it comforts the Head and Brain, refreshing the Animal Spirits, and clearing the Vital ones, therefore good against all palpitations, faintings, swoonings, and fits of the heart, neither doth it forget to do its part toward the natural Spirits, for it opens the obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, Womb, and so cures Agues, Feavers, Scurveys, Jaundice and several other Deseases as will be seen by its Ʋse and Dose.
For any of the aforesaid Diseases, you must take from Twenty to thirty drops, three or four times a day in a glass of Mead or Wine, that is, an hour before each meal; but for the Gripes of the Guts, Cholick, Oppression of Wind, or sharp Acrimonious Humours in the Spirits or Bowels, you must take sixty drops in a glass of muli'd Sack in the Paroxisins, repeating it every three hours 'till relief [Page 156]is found; For Agues you must take the largest dose an hour before the fit, and soundly sweat thereon; 'tis also good to be given thus in mull'd Wine both before and after Delivery to facilitate the Birth, and to ease Afterpains: It is Observable to us that it is an health-preserving Medicine, keeping People lively that take it: But for Old Aches, the Gout, Rheumatism, pains and weakness of Sinews and Nerves, the Palsy and Cramp, violent Head achs, and dimness of sight, you must externally strike the grieved parts therewith two or three times a day, taking the savours up the nostrils; if you wash the face therewith tis an excellent Cosmatick, clearing and beautifying the Skin, The Price is Twelve Pence an Ounce.
Observe, thus may be prepared the Powers of Peniryal and others.
Potestates Cochleariae, or the Powers of Scurvey-grass.
Take Scurvey-grass-wine, the Preparation of which is shown in our Britanean Magazine of Liquors or else in place of that, take Scurvey-grass in May, June or July, when it is in its flowers, and stamp it in a stone Mortar, and put it into a large Tun, and pour thereon as much Liquor bloodwarm in which Molasses or Honey is dissolved, as will just cover them, head them well with Yeast, and set them to ferment, and after four days distil into Low-wines, and Proof-spirits: Observe that the Fermentation is promoted by an Onion dipt in strong Mustard, and a Ball of Whiting cast in, [Page 157]this will bring a Tun of Molasses-goods forward when defective in working; Argell does well to give an internal Ferment, it also moderates and flats a Tunn when too violent; now being brought into Proof-goods, you must take Scurvy-grass, which hath been compressed with Christals of Tartar or Salt, Hony or Molasses in a close Tub smeered over with Barm, but no Liquor must be put to it; and having stood three days in a cold place, for in a warm one we have observed that much of the Crafis will be lost, which consists in a Volatile Armoniack, put it into your Distil as full as you can cram, and then pour thereon the aforesaid Aireal Spirit, for tis far superiour to Spirit of Wine which too too many use, enough to cover or moisten them just to the top, close the Head of your Still very exactly, and let your Recipient be so, as that no Air may come in; give it for the first day a ferment in the still, and the second distil, but as it begins to work, you must damp your fire very close, for it must come but softly, so let it run as long as any goodness comes; you must repeat this Operation a second and third time with fresh Grass, and if you add in a little Volatile Salt of Tartar, or Sal Anotasier Lybianus, and have a Peuterhead you may distil, and receive a part as long as it runs all fire; the after running you may save for afresh beginning: Observe, when you think that you have too much flegm in the Still, you may add a quantity of decripitated Bay-salt, and so will it be deflegm'd: the way to make the Spirit purging is shown in our Chymicus Rationalis; but for the Powers proceed thus; take Scurvy-grass and [Page 158]smeer it over with new Mustard, and lay a lay of that and another of Scurvey-grass-seed, so continue str. sup. str. and smeer up the uppermost also with Mustard, ferment with Water and Salt, and distil into Essential Oyl, the way is shown in our Chymicus Rat. then being separated unite one pound of this with six pound of the Spirit, according to the way directed in other Powers; and so are they Prepared.
Their Virtues.
These Powers are abundantly surpassing in virtue any other preparation of Scurvy grass whatsoever, and as I formerly told you, they were originally prepared by me in Holland,and presented to both Ʋniversities, which for goodness, strength, and pleasantness of Tast were allowed to stand parallel with, nay some were of Opinion that they clearly out striped those of the greatest Pretenders in Europe, the Modus Operandi of which I never so plainly before communicated; but I have now done it on purpose to be serviceable to the Ingenious, and to destroy the use of that sophisticated Spirit sold, which is made in six or eight hours time, with a little Malt Spirit and Scurvey grass, made burning and sharp in Tast with Horse-radish, but this Spirit is not to be valued; for tis impossible to take out the specifick virtue of the Grass without an higher exaltation; and the reason why the sick are often disappointed in their Expectation is this, the slight preparation that many Pretenders make, for the Grass will not so easily give forth its central Virtue, for this, when truly obtained, hath an excellent effect in relieving from many Diseases, and principally the [Page 159]Scurvey, because the herb hath a signature against the Disease, it helps the Liver, Spleen, and other Viscera in their Defects; it fortifies the vital Spirits and gives Circulation to the Blood, its internal texture being made up of a Volatile Armoniack and Vinor Essence united with a vital medicinal Crasis, and as the Learned Physicicians allow, as well Modern as Ancient which that worthy Mrs. Experience daily confirms, there is no herb in the Vegetable Kingdom of a more Specifick Virtue in curing the Scurvey, than the aforesaid Scurvey-grass, for tis a great Abstersive and so dissolves and dissipates congealed humours, for by its Alkalisated nature it opens and mundifies, and by it's Vinor are the Venoms imbibed and destroyed, so by its carrying off all the Saline trude humours which are the Original Cause of the Scurvey, whether proceeding from living in crude moist and foggy Airs, where the Sea-damps are, or from raw sowr fruits, or exceeding Salt Fish or Flesh, as is plainly demonstrated by the incident of the Diseaseupon Seafaring-persons, especially such as use long Voiages, it sweetens the blood; this Spirit doth not only cure this Disease in all its Symptoms, but also prevents it from approaching in such as take it for prevention sake, therefore in brief, what we have to say is, that it is indued with virtue to give Sanity to the principal Faculties, and is a certain specifick both at Sea and Land where this popular Disease Reigns; as also in Camps and Armies against the Chillbane and Rot, which are usually there, by which men dye as Chore-sheep.
Their Ʋse and Dose.
For the Scurvey, Jaundice, Dropsy, Consumption, Ph [...]hisick, or shortness of Breath, these Powers may be used at all times, the oftner the better, The Dose is ten, twenty, thirty or forty drops according to the Age, Strength, and Constitution of the Patient, in a glass of Wine, Beer, Tea, or Coffee, as best liked, The Price is one Shilling an Ounce.
Now according to these Rules you may make any Vegetable Powers, therefore we shall omit instancing such as depend on common places, and come to give a description of such as are Compound.
Potestates Emundantes, or our General Cleansing Powers.
Take of Venice-Turpentine four pound, Tartarizated Spirit of Wine the like quantity, and put them into a large Retort, distil, and there will ascend a Spirit and fragrant Oyl, as we have shown in making the Essential Oyl of Turpentine in our Chymicus Rationalis; the Oyl must be made Aireal by Rectifying several times from Bay-salt, as is also there shown; the Spirit you must pour on Frankincense, and Mastick of each two ounces, Aloeshepatic, Date-stones, Laudanum, Castor, the Roots of Bettony, and Elecampane of each one ounce and an half, Cardamums, Cloves, Nutmegs, Ginger, [Page 161]Galingal, Cubebs, Calamus Aromaticus, Lignum Aloes, Yellow-Saunders, Zedoary, Pepper, Spicknard, Lawrel-berries, Smallage-seeds, Mug-wortseeds, Sweet-fennel-seeds, Ani-seed, Sorrel-seeds, of each two ounces and an half, the Flowers of Brasil, red and white Roses of each three ounces, Germander, Tormentil, Juniper-berries, Agrimony, Centory, Fumitory, Pimpernel, Dandelion, Eye-bright, Feverfew of each two ounces, Rhubarb three ounces, dryed Figs, Raisons, Sweet Almonds of each four ounces, Virgins Hony six pound, Mevis Sugar ten pound; to these add of our Fermentative Salt three ounces, and being close luted digest in the heat of Horse-dung twenty daies in the Vessel described fig. 4. Then take out, and clapping on an head with its Receiver lute all fast and distil in B. 'till all is over that will ascend, which first will come in a white Spirit, secondly more deep, and thirdly a yellowish-red with some floating Oyl, which fragrant Spirit and Oyl preserve and unite with the aforesaid Etherial Oyl of Turpentine; Observe you may remove your Vessel out of the B. into a Sand or Reverberatory Furnace, and by degrees of fire force over all that will come, which will be a stinking Flegm with some fetid Oyl, the which may be rectifyed from Spirit of Salt, as we have taught in our Chymicus Rationalis, and so it will become fragrant and fit to be united with the Medicine; then take of Musk, and Ambergreece three ounces, Safron four ounces, Camphire three ounces, and Cohobate in B. two or three times till united, and lastly force all over till dry in the Bottom; the subtil Spirit carefully preserve, [Page 162]out of the faeces that remains in the bottom, you must extract the Tincture with highly Rectified Spirit of Cinamon, as long as it tinges the Spirit, all which said Tinctures put together and Filtre; and putting it in Baln. adapt a Receiver, lute close and call off two thirds, the which may be put away for other uses; then evaporate the Flegm unto the consistence of an Extract, the which add to your Medicine, and digest with three ounces of fine Sugar till united, and if any thing precipitate, decant the clear, the which carefully pre [...]er [...] for use.
VIRTUES.
These Powers are a noble Medicine, carrying a superiority of Virtue with them, answering all that is attributed to the Powers of Turpentine, the Stone powers, and others; but if you esteem of Cantharides, Hog-lice, and dryed Toads distiled by violence of Fire, and then rectified and united, you may take them for me, and I'le administer these, altho we confess that if these were dissolved by the volatile and genuine Spirit of Tartar, or having respect to Glauber in his prescription for the Stone, which is prepared by his wonderful Sal Mirabilis, much might be expected therefrom; for we know that a Toad, altho so great a poyson, may by these be so prepared, as to deserve the name of an Arcanum in the Plague, far above any hitherto known in the World; but this being treated of in its proper place, shall be omitted here, and so proceed to speak on of the excellent virtue of these Powers, which indeed are profitable in many Diseases, especially in the Strangury, or difficulty of making Water, Stone, Gravel, Sand, or Sline, and [Page 163]such offensive things which obstruct the a Ʋrinary passage; they open Obstructions and highly provoke Ʋrine, being very profitable in all kind of Fluxes, excellent in Fevers, Agues, Jaundice, Scurvey, Leprosy, and all foulness and corruption of Blood; externally used, they cure new and green Wounds, tho in the Nerves, Old Aches, Ʋlcers, tho never so rebellious; they are excellent for Noli-metangere's, and Plague-soars, Impostumes and Fistula's, they case the Gout, and are helpful in Rheumatisms, Palsy, and weakness of Members; they are good in the Hemmorrhoids or Piles, and many other Diseases, for they will perform all that can be expected of a Medicine short of succedanous ones.
Their Way of being Taken.
You may take from fifteen to twenty drops, mornings only i [...] a glass of Rhenish-wine sweetned with the Syrrup of Marsh-mallows, but strong Constitutions may take thirty or forty: For external uses, where any grief is, you must bath the part till relief is found; for Sore-eyes, or those that have a Pearl, you must drop in a drop once in two days; but for Wounds and Ʋlcers you must dip a pledge therein and apply it with some proper Plaister:
The Price is 2 s 6 d an Ounce.
Potestates Nepenthoe, or our Annodyne Pain-easing Powers.
Take Poppies gathered in their right signature, and in a cold Still, Distil the Water therefrom, then take fresh Poppy-leaves, and putting them into a [Page 164]Matrix strow them over with Calx vive, after the same manner as directed in making Potestates Rosmarini, distil off about 5/8 thereof, ferment with Sugar, Distil into Low-wine, and from fresh flowers rectify into Proof-goods, and by reiteration into fine Spirits; then take a large quantity of Poppyseeds, which by Art must be macerated, and so distil into Essential Oyl, then take of the best Thebian Opium and with the aforesaid Spirit extract all the Tincture, and make an Extract as before directed, and to every three pound of the Spirit you call over, add one pound of the aforesaid purified Sal Armoniack, and a pound of the prepared Calx of Oyster-shells, and macerate them together with the Faeces of the Opium that was left of the Extract, put them into a retort, and by violence of fire, force over all that will come, the which preserve, and the Faeces that are in the Retort, set in a cold moist Cellar to run per deliquium, the which exactly filtre and Christallize, and you will have a noble Opiated Salt, take the whole quantity of this Salt, and of Cinamon ten ounces, Nutmegs, Cloves, and broad Mace of each four ounces, macerate them and put them into a Retort, and pour the aforesaid Spirit on them, and distil in B. to dryness, then take this Spirit so prepared and aromatized, and equal parts of the first Spirit, put them together, and add in the Extract, and Camphire one ounce, of the Narcotick Sulphur of Venus six ounces, and of the aforesaid Essential Oyl eight ounces, digest till united, which will easily be if you proceed by Cohobation, and Digestion as before directed.
These are wonder-working Powers and perform more than we are willing to put upon them; being far above any Liquid Laudanum hitherto extant to the World, and more prevalent in any Disease to which that is attributed; for by this method is the Opium well corrected and brought to a safe and pleasant Medicine, prevalent against Spitting of Blood, Catarrhs, Fluxes of any kind, Terms, Whites, and Gonorrhea's, as also in Restlesness, Watchings, and Fevers, Melancholy, Frensy, Epilepsy, Convulsion, and Fits of the Mother, Plurisy, Vomiting, and Cholick; there is hardly a better Remedy to be found for any violent Pain or Restlesness in the Body, whatever vain Applauses too too many fill Books with, who make as if one Medicine should be Ʋniversal against all Diseases; but our Knowledge of Nature hath learned us so much the contrary, that we have a perfect abhorrence against this canting way, however our limitations being given in other Writings, we shall omit it here: The Dose is from three to five, from thence to twenty Drops in some Cordial Julep, according to the strength of the Disease, and Age and Constitution of the Patient. The Price is 2 s. 6 d. an Ounce.
Potestates Baccarum Juniperi, or the Powers of Juniper-berries.
Take of Juniper-berries twenty or thirty pound, or what Quantity you please, pound them small, and putting them into a Tub pour thereon Rainwater, adding thereunto an handful of Bay-salt, and so let them stand ten or twelve days, and then distil in a Copper-still with a Refrigeratory, so [Page 166]that pure Oyl will ascend with Water in good quantity; and when the Liquor and Berries are taken out of the Still, if you press through an hairbag, filtre and evaporate, you shall find good quantity of Extract, and yet the more, if they have had a ferment by some Gummous and Vinor Nature; the Water that comes over, must be separated from the Oyl by a separating glass, and then distil'd over again with resh Berries and Calx vive, as directed in other Powers, and so brought to Low-wines, Proof-goods, and Rectified Spirits, by adding in fresh Berries to enrich the same; Now some talk of drawing the Calcin'd Salt out of the Berries, but we, as an Operator, tell you that the Quantity will be so insignificant, as not to be worth your fire and time spent about it, as upon Tryal you will find; if it is to cleanse your Spirit, Salt of Wormwood, or Tartar will do the same: But to talk of Volatilizing this, or any other fixed Alkaly in a whiff, is stuff; for 'tis not to be performed under Ten Weeks or Three Months, and that by the hand of a Skilful Philosopher, and then only by essential Oyls, and so it takes on it the tast and smell of that Oyl by which it is Volatilized, and hath all the Power, Strength, and Force of the Concreat, so that it is no matter what the Alkaly is, and therefore have not Stark [...] and Helmont in vain called Tartar the publick Family of Alkalies; but we will not teach you here such difficulties, but advise you to the Hermaphroditical Salt before described, one pound whereof is to be united with two of the Spirit by Distillation, then that with a gallon of the other Spirit, and a [Page 167]pound of the Essential Oyl, as directed in other Powers, so are they prepared being tinged by their own Extract.
These Powers are of great Service in the Cholick, Gripes, Oppressions of Wind, and Gravel in the Kidneys, Ʋreters, and Bladder, they not only ease violent pains, but also open the Obstruction of parts, they prevalently provoke Ʋrine, comfort the Stomack, Bowels, and all the Viscera, the vital Spirits receive the Benefit thereof, It is a general Custom in Holland, when the Child is troubled with Oppressions of Wind, for the Mother whilst the Child is sucking, to drink of the Powers or Spirit of Juniper, by which the Child is Relieved; what shall I say more than this, we know that the Powers are indued with all the virtue of the Juniper-berry, let it be by what manner so ever prepared, so that we leave the rest to the discretion of the Ingenious: The Dose is as of other Powers from fifteen to forty drops, in a glass of Beer, Wine or Mead, for complicate Diseases they may be variously mixed with other Powers, and principally for violent pains, with our Potestates Nepenthe. The Price 1 s. an Ounce.
Now by these Rules may be made the Powers of any Berries whatsoever, nay from what is here said and laid down, you may comprehend whatever belongs to Vegetable Powers: And as to Ʋrinous Powers, their Preparation, Use, and Dose, is described in our Chymicus Rationalis, and Spagyrick Philosophy Asserted, under the Title of Oleosums and Powers, so that it would be but fruitless Repetitions to Insert them here.
Potestates Cosmeticae, or our Beautifying Powers.
Take of Bean-flowers five handfuls, Nants Brandy two quarts, digest them fourteen days in the Sun, and Distil; then add thereunto of the Roots of white Lillies gently dryed, Aron-roots, Fenugreek, Contra yerva, Virginia Snake-root, of each four ounces, Spurge three ounces, Pimpernel, Rosemary, and Celendine of each, two ounces, Camphire one ounce, and Distil S. A. Then take of this one pound, of the Oyl of Talk described in our Chym Rat. two ounces, Digest them till united, and so are the Powers prepared.
Their Virtues and Ʋse.
These being Externally used are powerful in taking off all enormities of the Skin, wonderfully beautifying the same, and by the right use thereof Freckles, Sun-burn, Pimples, and Scurf will vanish, they make the Skin so truly Smooth, and Beautiful, that Wrinkles and Old Age are hardly discernable: But observe that you clean the Face well before you use it, you may either rub your face with it alone, or mixed with White wine, which you please. The price is from one to five Shillings an Ounce, according as it is exalted with the Oyl of Talk.
Potestates Mercurii, or our Powers of Mercury.
The Preparation hereof we have faithfully discovered in our Chym. Rat. under the Title of the Oyl [Page 169]of Mercury, together with their Virtue; being most prevalent in the Scurvey, Gout, Pox, Leprosie and Itch; but we think it convenient to add, that they are also an excellent Cosmetick, taking off Tetters, Herpes, Scabs and Pocky Eruptions, and for persons that are very Tarony, they are necessary to be used before our Potestates Cosmeticae: Spring-water proceeding from a good Chalk well, is as good a Vehicle or Dilative as can be, therefore we need not prescribe another. The Price is 7 s. 6 d. an Ounce.
Now having given the gradual Preparation of several noble Medicines, in our Chym. Rat. and largely explained the Specifick in our Spagyrick Phylosophy's Tryumph, we shall thither refer you for your Satisfaction, and we are almost perswaded, that you will not think your Money, Labour and Time in reading them lost: But that you, if you put your hand to the plow, and come experimentally to know and witness the Misteries therein contained, will then only value them according to their deserved Merit; so leaving the whole to your judicious Consideration, hoping that this at present will suffice concerning Powers of this order, we shall now proceed to touch at those in general which are of a more superiour one, sc.
Potestates Nobilissimae Succedaneae & Specificoe per Salem Tartari Volatilem, or Noble Succedaneous Specifick Powers.
As to these Succedaneous Powers, we shall first speak thereof in general, and then more particularly show their Preparation: In the first place you must make the Spirit by Fermentation, and the Essential Oyl by Maceration and Distillation, as hath been ordered in other Powers, and the fixed Salt by the Fire of Conflagration and Calcination, and let it be purified by Distillation, Filtration, Evaporation, Christallization, and another gentle Calcination, with perpetual Motion, and then a reiterated Dissolution and Congelation, that so it may be purified by Decoction, stiring up the internal fire, whereby the intermixed Attoms of corruptible defilements will be separated, which by no other way can be performed: Now your Salt being brought to this degree, you may through it purifie your Spirit by Distillation, whereby the same will be better deflegm'd than otherwise can be accomplished; for the Salt drinks in the grosser sulphureous parts therein contained; as is plainly evident by the Spirit's being bereaved of its strong Tast more at once, and also of its Flegm, than otherwise at many times; then you may Rectifie it from fresh herbs, and so it gets a friendly, pleasant, vital Tast thereof; now tis observable, that altho the Salt drinks in the Flegm, and robs the [Page 171]Spirit of its grosser Sulphur, by which 'tis made very pure, yet it communicates to the Spirit but very little of it's own fixed nature; for as Experience daily demonstrates the Saline, Abstersive qualities of the Alkalie will not pass into the Spirit till Volatilized; and as hath been already hinted in the beginning of this Chapter, they are not to be elivated but as they are radically united with their Essential Oyls, and Volatile Spirits, by means of the Dispositio media, and that in such a way as the Salts must thereby have swallowed up enough to assatiate their thirst, the which is called Pondus naturae; and this is performed by humidations and exications, or by succesful feeding, and as that ever worthy George Starkey saith, they must be dried by the Air, and moistned by the Fire, and Ferment of Nature, so by a gentle Decoction brought to a total Volatility, the which may either be distilled into a Spirit, or sublimed into a Salt, as you please; But we say that you need not proceed so high; for when all the Principles are so united as readily to dissolve under an highly Alkalizated Spirit; then by Distillation you will have the flavours brought over very rich and fragrant, and a sweet Balsam remain behind, the which you must deflegm very carefully, and by Digestion unite with the Volatile Spirit: and then you have not only an Oleosum and Powers, but also the Essence of that Concreat, whose Virtues are so noble, that they really will perform as much as can in Reason therefrom be expected as you shall see more at large in the following Preparation, &c.
Potestates Abscinthii, or the Powers of Worm-wood.
Take Worm-wood gathered in its proper signature, rich and full of Seeds, what quantity you please, let it be somewhat gently dried, chop'd small, and then put into a Tub with water and Salt, (as directed in other Powers) then distil therefrom the Essential Oyl, remove and separate by a Separatory, and the Oyl carefully preserve: N. B. the Water will serve to macerate fresh Worm-wood to which, being put into the Still, you may add the former Oyl, and distil again, by which means you will not only get the larger quantity of oyl, but the same will also be purer and richer of the Essential Virtues of the Herb; Now the remaining herbs may be dryed in the Sun and then burnt to Ashes in a Chimney; or for brevity sake, let dry Worm-wood which hath not been distilled, be burned (the which will yield the greatest quantity of Salt) which calcined Ashes put into a large Hypocrates sleeve, and hang the same over a large Funnel, wherein is placed a double Cap-paper, and gently pour on the Ashes distilled Rain-water about blood-warm, and so the saline water will pass through the bagg and be received by the Funnel, from thence filtre into the under Receiver, and become very pure; you must observe to cast on fresh Liquor as long as any saltness comes out of the Ashes, and when they will give no more, place your Receiver in a Sand Furnace, give fire and [Page 173]continue the same until the whole is evaporated off to a dryness; then remove and put into a Calcining pot in a Wind-furnace, and with a small Iron rod keep stirring until it is throughly glowing hot; then remove, and when cold put them on a Marble, or Glass made for that purpose, set it in a cold Cellar, and let run per del. the which again filtre and Christallize, and so is the true Salt of Wormwood Prepared; which is excellent for the destroying Acidities in the Body, and stopping Vomitings of any kind, But to exalt it, the Essential oyl must therewith be spagyrically united, as we have before said, which in plain terms is performed by adding in our Dispositio media or Reconciler of Extreams, what this is we have briefly intimated in our Spagyrick Phylosophy Asserted, together with its Preparation, but more fully and amply in our Spagyrick Philosophy's Triumph, Trifertes Soladini and Ignis Astralis Adeptorum; the which (God willing) shall see the Light, they being preparing for the Press. Now take of this Salt one pound, of the Essential oyl two or three pound, and of our Red Wine Q. S. E. to elixerate, and then by a secret fermentative Coction, like the heat of the Sun in Aries, the Compound will be changed into a third Nature, neither saline nor sulphureous, but white and creamy of a saponary consistence, which nevertheless is no common Sapo, but Philosophical; for we say that it is not sufficient to unite the salts and oyls by a bare association of parts, but by a radical union, they entring into each others profundity: Now when the Circulation is so far performed as that the Alkaly hath drank in three times its weight of [Page 174]oyl, and none swim on the top, then pour thereon the pure Alkalizated Spirit of Worm-wood, and draw off, and you shall have a volatile burning Spirit, very fiery with the oyl, which is more noble Powers than any hitherto extant, altho it hath not yet a third part of the Exaltation of its virtues; for after the Spirit is over you have an insipid Flegm, as also a noble tinged Balsam, the which you must by Circulation unite with the former; and so by another Rotation you have the true Powers of Worm-wood.
Whose Virtues are so many, as that we shall not here insert them, but refer you to the Famous Radolphus Glauber, the Worthy Starkey, and Renowned Helmont, and that mighty Chymical Monarch Paracelsus, and so proceed on to show the way of making the Essential Salt, that being most advantagious to the curious Artificers in Liquors.
Whose Preparation Helmont expresly says, may be Performed in three Months by his hidden Circulation without Water: And we say, that as the aforesaid Elixeration is performed, being again dissolved in its own Menstruum, by a gentle decoction, the whole will be converted into a Christalline Salt, a small part of the oyl only excepted, which will be turned into a Rosinary Gum, distinct from what is Salified, which said Salt contains the Vita media and whole Crasis of the Vegetable; for by this way of Union they contract from each other a wonderful Virtue; for from the Salt proceeds, the Abstersive, and from the Oyl, the Balsamick [Page 175]and Vital Nature, both Contributing for the performing real Cures; this is that Salt of Worm-wood, which Helmont says, is a true Specifick for the curing all kind of Feavers; Now what we further observe in this Salt is, that it hath a communicative Ferment to all Herbs: for their macerated Tinctures being taken out (as we have shown in our Chymicus Rationalis) and Digested therewith in a Chicken heat, 'twill all in about twelve or fifteen days be converted into a Christalline Salt, thus the Tincture of Worm-wood exalts its own Salt, and so the like of other Vegetables: Nay moreover by this way you may have a Salt of such herbs, as will not by Distillation yield their Essential Oyls, as Hellebore, Jallop, Briony, Elecampane, and many others, nay even from Safron, and many things of a more gummous nature. Let this of the Essential Salt of Worm-wood suffice, seing therein are laid down rules sufficient for the making as many more as you please; it being rather a common place than single Receipt, for as Starkey and Helmont say, in the learning of one, you learn to make all.
Now the way to know the goodness and true Preparation of this Salt is thus, in the first place 'tis very sweet and fragrant, smelling strong of the Essential Oyl, whence made, without having the least urinous scent: Secondly, 'twill readily dissolve in water, without making the same muddy; and boyl up again without the least loss of Virtue: Thirdly, 'tis totally Volatile, as is evident in this, that being cast upon a Red-hot plate of Iron, it will fume all away, without leaving the least grain [Page 176]of Faeces, and give a Comfortable refreshment to the Brain, prevalent in Epilepsies and Convulsions, &c. awakening the Brain, and relieving from many stubborn Diseasie Ideas, and refreshes the Animal Spirits, superior to the best Aromatick used in fumigation, nay it may be brought over by Distillation, and then is it not only an Antidote it self but also hath Power to correct all Vegetable Poysons, and at the same time to advance their Medicinal Virtues: For by the means of this you may command a Salt from Opium, which is a wonderful Arcanum for Feavers, Agues, and tormenting Pains; the like from Hellebore for Melancholy, Madness, and lingring Feavers, for thus by knowing these Salts you have a true Key whereby you may command Nature's choicest Specifick Medicines, which are shut up in the most Virulent and Poisonous Vegetables.
These are those Salts instanced in our Brit. Mag. where we said that fixed Salts, burning Spirits and Essential Oyls must be United, Distilled, and Cohobated, until brought over in a Balsamick Spirit, which being imbodied into an Essential Salt plainly manifests its Calidum innatum, or drying enriching Sulphur, which gives Life and Sulphurous Fatness, durable, lasting, and substantial Virtues to Wine, exalting both its Tast and Smell; thus the Salt or Essence of Worm-wood will make rich Wormwoodwine; the like will that of Mint, Bawm and Angelica, &c. It also gives Fermentation thereunto and makes pure Wine indeed, like that refined from its Lees, giving it such qualities as deserve the highest Commendations, as we could by undeniable [Page 177]Reasons in Philosophy prove, nay more than this, it exalts Spirits, giving them the tast and flavour of the herb, and makes Powers without any more difficulty.
The manner of its being used is thus, Take an ounce thereof, and in a gentle heat dissolve it in a Pint of the Wine, which you intend to enrich, and then with two or three ounces of Sugar, cast it into what quantity of Wine you please, as you will have it smaller or richer in Tast, Smell, and Vertue; but for Spirits, take these Salts, and pour upon them, of the said Spirit, and then digesting in a gentle heat, the Spirit by refusion or pouring off, as often as it is tinged, will extract the whole Tincture of the Vegetables, leaving the Salt behind robbed of the same, from whence it may be gathered, that the Salt and Tincture are centrally distinct, tho they have centrally wrought each on the other; this Tincture you may add into your Spirits, and so will they thereby be truly enriched; Thus from Clary you may obtain the most noble Preparation, that hath hitherto been used among the Exalters of Wine; and so of others. For which Communication you ought to be thankful unto the great Creator, who hath given me a tenderness of mind you-ward, and not despise the Instrument, who is yet inclined to your further Service by proceeding to the third Head, sc.
Potestates verae & Arcanae per Salem Nostrum Panaristos, or The true Essential and Genuin Powers of Bodies.
The Sal Panaristos being Prepared, as we have laid down in our Spagyrical Pharmacopaea, as also in our Ignis Astralis Adeptorum, and exalted by its Volatile Spirit, it becomes a Menstruum, as it is distilled over with the Magical Gold, so powerful, that it dissolves and opens the Texture of Bodies, either in the Vegetable, Animal, or Mineral Kingdom, and brings them over the Helm in their distinct Principles; and altho they are by it reduced to their first matter, yet it scorns to contract Unity with any body but its own, tho never so highly purified: (hence as that worthy George Starkey saith) its Transmutation is as impossible, as the washing the Blackamore white, wherefore by all the Adepts 'tis called Homogeneous and Immortal; Now this being distilled off from a Vegetable, as before said, until it is totally Volatile, and the Liquor again separated there-from, and the Principles of the Vegetable reunited by digestion in a gentle, heat equal to that of the Sun in Aries, and so brought to a Salin-Sulphureous and Balsamick Quality, endued with the full power, force and virtue of the Concreate, whence prepared; one Grain thereof contains more Virtues than a whole Ounce if Administred inits Crude Nature, tho but simply indued with [Page 179]the Concreat's virtue without any addition whatsoever; and therefore not improperly called the true Essential and Genuin, or purely Natural and Proper Powers; yet in virtue abundantly superior to any other preparation whatsoever; being that wherein Glauber, Starkey and Helmont so much Gloried, the last highly commending the first Ens of Cedar thereby prepared, thereunto attributing virtues sufficient to preserve long Life; and his Elixer Proprietatis as a Balm to defend against Corruptions and Death: and altho we cannot boast, that we have in all things prepared Helmont's Alkahest, yet in this we are very confident, that we know the Matter whence it was prepared, and have seen and made a Salt therefrom, which stands parallel with what Glauber attributes to his Sal Mirabilis, having made some experiments by it, especially in taking off the ill tangue of Malt Spirits, which have answered so far above our expectation, as that we could do no less than give it the name of Sal Panaristos; for being so much superior to others we thought it not unworthy of the Superlative Degree.
And you may observe that this Salt carries with it an Universal Tendency, having obtained its Virtue from superior and inferior Beings, for as we formerly said, the three first Principles are Christallized in the three last by means of that fire, which (as Sandivogius saith) burns up three, and leaves one, which is the Diamond-like powder the true fixed Nitre of the Wise, and doubtless [Page 180] Paracelsus's Sal Enixum, and Glauber's Sal Mirabilis, this performing all that can in reason be to them attributed; the manner of whose preparation we could freely communicate in words at length, were we but satisfied that the fulness of time was come, for the revealing such Secrets; but however from hence proceeds the Key, for the true Preparation of all Arcana, and principally Powers, Tinctures, Essences, Quintessences, and Elixers, particular and universal Medicines, according to the exaltation of the Specifick Sulphur in the one, and the degrees of Purity and Universality in the other, even to a Magoreum; for it carries with it Universal Principles, even such as exalt bodies, nay it contains those Airy and Nitrous ones, by which they are caused to vegetate and multiply; and therefore have we not improperly called it the Mercurial Life, which conveys the Solar Virtues into the Lunar Matrix, he therefore that knows this Airy Life, the nourisher of Beings, and how to concatinate its pure Effluvia, so as to make them corporeal, may boldly depend that he knows the Nature of that by which Transmutation of Form is made, especially if he is acquainted with the Vinum rubrum Philosophicum and its Spirit; for as Hermes saith in Chao generali cap. 19. fol. 268. num. 14. The chiefest cleansing of our Mercury is, by the help of Wine to deprive it of its Saturnal Form and Darkness, that so it may become clear and pellucid like a Christalline Transparent Salt: which Salt is impossible to be made, but by the help of the said Wine; [Page 181]and this Wine is also very difficult to be obtain'd; witness Basilius Valentinus in p. 310. where he speaks of the true Spirit of Wine by which the Tincture of Sol is extracted, and without which there can be no true Aurum Potabile; but (saith he) few men know how a true Spirit of Wine is made, much less can it's property be wholy found out: for tis indued with such a strange one, as not to be prepared by any new invented ways, for Nature hath an irrevocable Law; therefore tho this hath been sought after by many, yet it hath been found by very few; Its qualities are such as to declare its Excellency; for it must be subtil, penetrating, without any Phlegm, Pure, Aerial and Volatile, so that Air in a Magnetick quality may attract it; therefore it had need to be kept close in; 'tis of a penetrating and effectual Operation, and its uses are several; for without it you cannot obtain any true Specifick Medicine; and 'tis by this that we prepare the Powers before described; and therefore we thought it necessary to insert this, that if this Aqua-vitae be truly rectified and lighted, then the Mercury and Vegetable Sulphur separate, and that Sulphur, being a meer fire, burns bright, and the tender Mercury betakes himself to his wings and flies to his Chaos; therefore shall we conclude concerning this with the words of Basilius, where tis said, He that can shut up and catch this fiery Spirit may boast, that he hath gotten a great Victory in the Chymical Battle: Now what remains is to show the harmonious [Page 182]Familiarity and Love that there is in Wine with Mankind and Gold.
Wine doth not only allure the Spirits of man to show forth their greatest Activity, but also Comforts the same; for (as Helmont saith) the Spirit of Wine is soon Converted into the Arterial Blood, it also obtains the Tincture of Sol, or that true Aurum Potabile, which expells Melancholy and Sadness and rejoyces man's heart; restoring the Diseased unto Sanity: now Basilius calls man (or you may understand it, the Ʋrinous Classis; because he says that he that drinks Wine converts it into the same in a more noble form, yea even into a clear Salt, which makes fixed things volatile, as in p. 283.) Wine, and Gold three Stones, Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral; saying, that he who hath them may boldly depend that he hath the Stones of the Ʋniversal, abundantly talked of, but the true Nature thereof little known; but we also say, that besides the three Principles, Urinous or Microcosmical, therefore called Animal, which by the help of Salt, unite Sulphur, so as to bring it into Azoth, or an Exalted Lunar Oyl, the Vegetable is discerned as they're separated from the Volatile Corruptions of the nethermost waters, and purified by the Servant of Nature, so as to flow forth into a pure Vinor Spirits, and the Mineral as the Wine is put into a glass, by means of the Gold runs not over, as the famous John Grasseus alias Cortalasceus saith, but Coagulates into Laton, which is the true Magical Gold or Leo rubus and [Page 183] Blood of the Red Lion &c. you have three Universal Stones, Medicinal, Angelical and Transmutative, Medicinal, as 'tis brought to a Quintessence, and diluted into an Aurum Potabile; Angelical, as this Red Stone is again Volatilized into a glorified, yellowish, purple Oyl, and that again imbibed by more of the rubified Quintessence, by which 'tis made yet more highly Spiritual, penetrating all things; and Transmutative, as the said Rubified Quintessence is melted and fermented with common Gold, so as to be brought to exalt imperfect Metals. These are the three Triumphant Stones of the Wise-men, or Universal, most Universal, Cabalistical, Elixerating Tinctures for Men and Metals; called by some the Triune Stone, because proceeding from one matter or root, sc. That general Chaos described by all the Philosophers, containing a spermatical Essence of all created beings, the Book of Wonders, and Looking-glass of Nature, wherein so many misteries may be discerned, that we dare not here discover them, because time and place are too short; therefore shall desist from speaking any further of it, and come to show some Excellent virtues of our Sal Panaristos, not only in preparing those things by which Liquors are exalted, but also in exalting them itself.
The things prepared by it, principally for this use, are Tartar, Sulphur and Venus, altho it dissolves all tangible Bodies, yet we shall here describe no more than what is pertinent to the discourse, sc. for the meliorating and exalting these [Page 184]Spirits; at Tartar we have already you may remember largly touched, but however we once more tell you, that all Salts for this use must be Calcined with a very strong fire; especially Tartar, Sulphur and Venus; or else you shall not obtain any radical melioration by them; but the ingress must be such as that any Spirit of Wine may extract its Tincture; but you must know that the Ancients had a two-fold fire, sc. the Culinary, which by its sharp flames Corrodes and Calcines Bodies, bringing them to Fixity, but indeed 'tis after such a way, as that the Volatile and Active Parts thereof go away in smoak or fume, learn therefore to catch that the which you may, if you know but that, Vulcan, which was husband to Venus, yet consecrated to the use of the chast Vesta; 'tis indeed a Christalline, Pure, or Liquid Fire, yet abundantly more sharp, penetrative and Corrosive than the former; for it radically dissolves and preserves those, which the other will not touch, if it doth not destroy it by the fury of its flames, and altho we cannot be without it, yet happy is he that knows the other, seing that by it we are able to perform the great business of Art and desire of the Artist; for in plain Terms, 'tis through this that we are able to Volatilize the sweet Colcothar of Venus radically fixed, and then to distil and bring it all over the Helm, the Sulphur being separated from the Mercury, which is then called the Element of Fire of Venus, and is an excellent Arcanum for meliorating Wines and Vinor Spirits, being therein [Page 185]diluted; you must also know the Office of our Sal Panaristos, and by it to reduce common yellow Sulphur into a red fiery stone which then will meliorate Wines, like that of the Sulphur of Venus; and if you put a little thereof into a Cask of Wine, the Wine acquires a grateful Tast and Odour, and will be so consolated, as not easily to admit of changing or perishing, which otherwise so often happens to Wines, especially such as have not had their exalted maturity by the benevolent Raies of Sol, this Solar or Lunar Salt doth not only measurably supply this defect, but also enrich and meliorate Spirits; for having prepared your Magnet, we shall give you the use of it in sweetning of Spirits.
Take of any sort of ill smelling Spirit or Brandy made from Corn, one part, of pure spring water two parts, mix them together, that so the stinking and ingrateful Savours may diffuse themselves into the added water; having so done, you must again free this Brandy thus tempered with the water by putting your Magnet thereinto, and so will you draw therefrom all the stinkingness, and 'tis then just as if you had washed that Wine, and rinsed off all it's filth, without any charge or difficulty; for the Magnet or exalted Salt desires not to contract friendship with any Impurity. N. B. It remaining the same as before, being freed from its flegm; so that this Work is neither chargable nor difficult; therefore the principal business is to be Master of such a Salt, [Page 186]the virtues whereof are known by Experience, because some years ago we have prepared it, and are now again preparing of it, altho at present the quantity that we have by us is very inconsiderable, as having lost above two pound three ounces of it by the misfortunate breaking of a glass, in a considerable Tryal, for which great loss we often lament our unhappy mischance; seing we might have been more wary in making smaller Tryals, but this we shall pass by, hoping that Providence may in due time multiply our Stores; if not, we must learn to be content, submitting our will to the Divine Pleasure, who distributes of his Riches and Gifts in his own time, and there is no obtaining of it by force, 'tis his own free Gift, so that if it is not again bestowed on us, we may say with Helmont, God Almighty knows for why, he hath given the Goat so short a Tail; peradventure we use not the Tallent bestowed upon us aright, for we are convinced in our conscience, that had we applyed it the genuin way, it might have been helpful to hundreds that languish, &c.
We having run through what is necessary to be treated off, as to this Part, shall Conclude the same; only we think it Convenient to add this following and general Head, Containing as it were, a Summary of our Labours, being an Answer to the Request of a Person of Worth, which is as follows.
IN Answer to your earnest Desire I have given you the Heads of my Books Printed and those ready for the Press; First, you have our Britannean Magazine, or Assays to Artificial Wines, which (God willing) we intend suddenly to Correct and Enlarge with Experimental Additions: Secondly, Cerevisiarii Comes, or the Art of Brewing, Containing the Grounds thereof proved and demonstrated by sound Philosophy: Thirdly, Chymicus Rationalis, or the Chymical Art rationally stated and demonstrated by a short, but effectual, Course, containing the Heads of the chief Medicines so highly valu'd: Fourthly, this said Treatise which is the Art of Distillation Compleat, to which is added the Doctrine of the Nature and Preparation of Vegetable Powers: Fifthly, Spagyrick Philosophy Asserted, or the true Physical Principles demonstrated by way of Answer to that Learned Dr. Boylwharf, in which the Foundation and Preparation of true Specificks are so delivered, as easily distinguishable from those pretended [Page 188]to be such by the Pseudo-Chymists, a Work highly necessary, and as much desired, and therefore (God willing) as soon as may be shall see the Light: Sixthly, Speculum Morborum, in which you may see various Opinions concerning the Original of Diseases, and also discern the true Nature thereof: Seventhly, Medicina Rationalis, or the whole body of Physick rationally stated upon a new Hypothesis; containing not only the Original and Definition of Diseases, but also their Cure: Eighthly, Historia nova de Thesauro Britannioe interno Celato, or a new History, containing the yet undiscovered Mysteries of Englands Gloay and unspeakable Riches, which may be obtained by the true advancing of its Vegetables and Minerals, by a multiplying and concentrating the Universal Spirit: Ninthly, The Magicians Magazine, or the Wise-man's Storehouse, containing the chief and profitable Heads of all the Voluminous Writings of the Ancient Philosophers: Tenthly, Our Ideas of Divine and Natural Things, being a Philosophical Discourse of the Macro, and Microcosmical [Page 189]World; all which shall be hastned with what possible speed can be; so that I hope in the mean while you will accept of what is done, for that our Resolutions are to improve our Talent according to the Abilities given, and that for the Benefit of such, as prefer realities, as they are delivered: For we can truly say in what we have done, we have cleared our Conscience towards the Sons of Art, as for my rewards, I expect it at the Final End, if I persevere in Christian Duties, only to be the Sentence of Well done thou good and faithful Servant; Hence forth is prepared for thee a Crown of Bliss. Amen.