CHymiatry, for so with the light change of one Letter it is more truly named than Chymistry, is a very Antient Art, and came, as other Learning, from the East by Egypt to Greece, and so to the Roman Empire, and sa­luting Africk, as Philosophy and Physick al­so did, it found kind Entertainment, and some Improvement in those Countries, e­specially in the times of some more Gene­rous Princes; Of which Progress in those parts the Arabick Articles prefixed to several Greek Terms of this Art, as Alambick, Al­chymy, are a sufficient Testimony. And it at all times, and in all places friendly served, and no-where opposed the received Princi­ples of Physick and Philosophy. For nei­ther indeed belongs it any more to the Of­fice of a Chymist, than of an Apothecary, to dispute or take cognizance of those to them superiour, and more comprehensive Facul­ties. But the Study of it hath been much [Page 2] more cultivated in later times, by reason of the opposition that Paracelsus, and some of his followers of like Fanatick strain, made unto the establish'd Practice of Physick, by colour of his pretended Chymical Principles. Followers, I say, of a Fanatick strain; for in their Contest against their Adversaries, they were not ashamed to practise their Master's Maxim, Si Dei deficit auxilium, Diaboli succe­dat: and sought to build themselves a name by raising a Babel of confused words, in­stead of a reformed Art of Physick, on the ruines of all true Christian Divinity, as well as Physick and Philosophy. Indignation as it should seem against this Innovator, who partly concealed his Tenets in the Smoak, as I may say, and partly endeavoured to il­lustrate them by the Fire of this noble Art, provoked many to follow him through both, and to attack him there whence his chiefest Strength and Confidence seemed to arise. So it came to pass, that whereas formerly the Generality of Physicians hardly knew what a Retort or Alambick did mean, There are few at this day who are altogether strangers unto the more useful Operations of this Art. And our Age seemed prone to receive with less opposition his Maxim, who was so bold as long since to say, Medicum non posse esse magnum, cui Chymia non sit magna. And not [Page 3] only in Germany, where this Contest first be­gan, but with us Chymiatry hath of late got some Reputation, notwithstanding the fierce oppositions of its obstinate Enemies, and is in far greater Esteem, and flourishes more than formerly, so that now its Contemners are forced, by reason of its fame, to pretend to know and understand something of it; and very many of its common Inventions, and Preparations heretofore accounted dan­gerous, and cried down for Poysons, are now every-where frequent in the Shops of Apo­thecaries, as well as Closets of Physicians. That excellent Purging Extract which is in truth the Catholicon Purgans Paracelsi, now universally used and commended, durst not appear in Italy under its Author's name, and keeps still the disguised Title of Ex­tractum Rudii, from the first Publisher of it in those parts. What more suspected than Antimony, what more frequently used at this day? If Vomiting, Purging, and Sweat­ing could cure all Diseases of more frequent incursion, it would bid as fair as any yet produced, to merit the name of an Univer­sal Medicine. For Purging, perhaps not many, besides that already named, excel the Pulvis Comitis, wherein it is a principal Ingre­dient: And there is extant a Preparation of it, that purges in an almost unpercepti­ble [Page 4] dose, sweetly and very effectually. Crocus Metallorum may perhaps vye with all other commonly known Vomits for use and effica­cy; yet are not our Chymical Closets with­out more safe, gentle and effectual. There is another Vomit known unto us no less powerful and effectual, though not yet in common use, which being more safe and familiar, may be administred both to Chil­dren and Ancient People, without danger or forcible straining. The Diaphoretick of Antimony needs not my Commendations, having commended it self to all men. Phy­sick hath advanced very little or nothing till its worthy Professors were either awakened or assisted by this Art; and considering, the great change it hath made in Medicine since Paracelsus's time, we can hardly hope it will make any further or more considerable pro­gress in our days, or attain its perfection to the cure of those formerly held incurable Diseases, Gout, Stone, &c. at any time, with­out the assistance of some choice Chymical-Preparations. If the Works of Paracelsus and his Followers (all of which may perhaps not unjustly deserve the name of Vexations, which he gave to one of his Treatises) have, according to the true Proverb, Vexatio dat intellectum, made so great Innovations in the Art and Practice of Physick it self, as well as [Page 5] in the Materia Medica, and produced some flashes of Light, like those that result from the Collision of Flint and Steel, in the Con­test betwixt Galenists and Paracelsians (as they lov'd to mis-call them, I mean our Chy­mists) what might not be hoped from a true Chymiatry, a friendly Association of Chy­mists in their true subserviency to Physicians.

This Book, though it brings news of a very great Increment to the Chymical Dispen­satory, and hopes to furnish the Chymiater with another Pillar of his Practice, nothing inferior to Antimony it self, is contented for the present only briefly to declare the occa­sion, and encouragements that have been given to its publication at this time, and to point at its force and use, reserving the fur­ther discovery of its Nature, till publick Te­stimony of its worth may embolden it to put off its disguise, and like that excellent Purgative Extract forementioned, own its true Name and Author. In the interim it is hoped, that the Ingenuous and Candid will neither impute it to Insolence nor Presump­tion in the Publishers, that they have appea­led to his Majesties Candor and Experience, and sought Protection against the Obloquy and Detraction of the Ignorant and Envious from his Soveraign Testimony.

And this is another Glory justly to be a­scribed [Page 6] to Chymiatry, and here seasonably to be remembred to the Honour of its Prepa­rations: That whereas Physicians of later times have withdrawn themselves from the happy and laudable practice of the Ancients, in Preparing and Administring their own Medicines; and laid not only the Charge and Trouble, but which is worse, the Care and Trust, wholly upon their Servants, or Apothecaries, as a Work below and unbe­coming their Profession: Kings and Princes have not been ashamed to inspect, but have also sometimes for their recreation put their hands to the Preparation of the more neat, noble, and precious Chymical Medicines, and not disdained to give them their names; and have thereby for the Honours done this Art in their own Times, and Dominions, propagated and perpetuated their Renown throughout the whole World, and to all succeeding Ages. Hermes, supposed the first Author of this Art, whence it hath been stiled the Hermetick, was not only a King, but, by consent of all Ages, hath been ac­knowledged for, and advanced to the Title of Trismegistus: which needs the favour of a candid interpretation to keep its significa­tion below the pride of Blasphemy, and hath left no higher for the peculiar stile of God, then Optimus Maximus. And now I have [Page 7] instanced in him, I will not descend to any inferiour Names, having more than suffici­ent cause to glory, and congratulate with this ancient, noble, and excellent Art, and its Favourers and worthy Professors, that his Majesty hath so far owned them and it; who, as he hath been very bountiful to all Ingenious Artists, hath no-where appeared more munificent, than in the reward he hath given to those who have presented him with any worthy Chymiatrical Preparations; and in the splendid Provision he hath made for the Entertainment of worthy Operators in this Art.

I shall not therefore need much Apology for my boldness in taking Sanctuary under the sacred Name of his Majesty, and entitling him to our Sudorifick, according to his gra­cious Concessions made in the behalf there­of.

And I am assured that unto all loyal and ingenuous Spirits, his Majesties Pleasure in this particular to them declared, which we have therefore caused to be printed, and pre­fixed unto this Paper, will be abundant Sa­tisfaction, as well as sufficient Authority for this our Practice. And if it would not seem a derogation from His, to seek Ornament or Protection from other names, We might alleadge the Care of the wise Venetian, not [Page 8] disdaining after this manner to provide for the true Preparation of some Chymiatrical-Medicines, and that dangerous one in parti­cular of Mercury sublimate, as well as that excellent Antidote we call the Venice Treacle: By which they provide Wealth to them­selves, with Health to their Subjects. Nor doth the Grand Seignior think it below his care to make Provision of the Natural Bal­sam, nor of his Government, to prevent de­ceit in those that gather the Medicinal Earths in his Dominions, to appropriate a stamp un­to them, which have thence the names of Terrae Sigillatae. And it were to be wished, that for the better obviating the frequent Mischiefs that arise from the use of perni­cious, dangerous, or at best dubious Medi­cines, daily published without Licence, Di­rection, or Approbation of the Learned, by Ignorant and obscure persons, that there were some Publick Test, whereby the true Arcana of the Sons of Art might be tryed, and upon proof of their worth, might re­ceive just Testimony and Encouragement; and the Spurious Preparations and Sophi­stications of Impostors be decryed and dam­ned, as they deserve. Nor are we without Presidents of this Care in the most Illustrious Persons: Galen was appointed to prepare Treacle, as he had been instructed by Deme­trius [Page 9] the Physician, by the Emperour Antoni­nus. And to Tiberius Caesar after-ages were obliged for that excellent Composition cal­led Hiera Pacchii, which the Author compo­sed with his own hands, and kept secret all his life, and bequeathed, with a Book of Directions for its use, by his last Will and Testament, as a most precious Legacy to that mighty Emperour; Propter crebros fuc­cessus in vitiis difficillimis, as I find it com­mended in the words of Scrib. Largus.

These Examples being above all Excep­tion, may help in some part, as I hope, to justify our Chymiater against that too well received Maxime, Medici est praescribere, non operari. And if my Authority be not suffi­cient to bring this Axiom into Reputation, That they who will not work in Physick, ought not to live by it; I will appeal to the uncon­testable Reason and Authority of that Princely and Heroick Physician and Philo­sopher, thus expressed by him; Rerum ipsa­rum cognitio vera ê rebus ipsis est: ex Libris (solis discere) periculosissimum: And if I may have leave to interpose my Judgment in a thing wherein the Health and Lives of Men are so highly concerned, as well as Credit of Physick, nothing seems more necessary and conducible thereunto, than for the Colledg of Physicians to imitate that practice, on far [Page 10] less weighty grounds introduced into other Corporations, to make none free of their Body, but who have served seven years Ap­prentiship to some learned Physician, and who have been well vers'd in Botanicks, Drugs, and all Medicinal Materials, and Chirurgical and Chymical Operations. Me­thinks it should not be remembred without blushing by some, with what Confidence the young Druggist, arm'd and provided with no other Ammunition than of the most com­mon, frequently used and prescribed Drugs, which he drew out of his Hawking-Bag, encountred them in the face of a Parliament, presuming more on their Ignorance than his own Skill: Nocumenta Documenta. Sure I am the operating Chymiater hath much more advantage by his commendable Industry o­ver the unpractised Prescriber, by the know­ledge he thereby necessarily acquires of the natures of Herbs, Drugs, &c. anatomized by the Fire, and of his Medicines extracted out of them, or compounded of them, and thence of Diseases, and their Cures. The Instance lately given by Tachenius of common Water, commended by a great Physician for a Cordial, will for ever silence what can be pretended to the contrary. For want of this Skill it was that the excellent Heurnius durst not use Oyl of Aniseed in the Colick, which [Page 11] he cured with its Decoction. He that will take the pains to read Tachenius his Hippo­crates Chymicus, shall thence learn the reason, with many other forcible Arguments, pro­ving the necessity of Practick Chymiatry. I am perswaded that at this day after so long Practice and Experience, I shall not need to make any long defence of our Chymical Me­dicines against those obsolete and antiquated objections, or scandals rather, with which the ignorant Vulgar are deterred from their use, to the great damage of their own health, and of Physick it self, as well as the Expe­rienced Physician. The Ingenious and Learned, who are well vers'd in both Pra­ctices, will, I am confident, not only allow willingly that some Ornament and Assist­ance may accrew unto the noble Profession of Physick by the Chymist, but readily sub­scribe to his Impartial Judgment, who ha­ving faithfully examined, and judiciously weighed what could be said on both sides, concluded that the right Practice of Chy­miatry was the highest Perfection of Phy­sick, and the noblest way of practising Phy­sick was by Chymical Medicines.

And whereas the vertues of many Sim­ple Medicines lie not in their whole forms, or substances, but in many are divers in di­vers parts, and those not separable by other [Page 12] than Chymical Instruments and Operations, as their Spagyrick Anatomy doth manifest: The care of the skilful Chymist is to sepa­rate what is contrary, and retain only what is proper to effect his curative intentions without danger, and with the least offence to his Patients. And to make use of the Words, and therein of the Testimony of an Impartial Author; He separates the unpro­fitable, improper, gross, and terrestrial, that he may make his Medicines efficacious, ac­ceptable, and durable. It is meer Igno­rance, or Malice, which is worse, and both wilfully affected, if any at this day pretend that Chymical Medicines are violent or dangerous. For first, as to the intent of the Chymist, it is plain, his purpose, endeavour, and labour is not to prepare violent and dangerous Medicines, but to render those crude and violent ones, which are admini­stred by others, less hurtful, dangerous, vio­lent, and offensive. And there is no reason to imagine that he who studies and attains to make the malignant, hurtful, dangerous, violent Medicines, used by others, benign, profitable, safe, acceptable, and prides him­self so much therein, should administer them of contrary qualities. Neither in those ca­ses, wherein the urgency or obstinacy of the Disease requires strong Medicines, are the [Page 13] Chymical prepared, more dangerous than crude and unprepared, which are prescribed by others of necessity, who have no better, unless borrowed from the Chymists.

In the next place, As there's no ground either from the intention or operation of the Chymist, to asperse his Medicines with the odious Epithete of dangerous or violent, but thence it is manifest that they deserve ra­ther the quite contrary commendations: so neither can this be attributed to them from the consideration of the matter of their Me­dicines: for crude Hellibore, Colloquintida, Scamony, Euphorbium, &c. used by the An­cients, were rather more dangerous and vio­lent, and not more effectual than their Ex­tracts and other Preparations now in use with our Chymiaters. Witness the Purga­tives above commended, wherein the most forcible Medicines are daily used, without any bad accidents, but what may more just­ly be imputed to the Physician, or Physick it self, than to the Chymical Preparation, Medicine, or Operator.

If we proceed further, and examine the Principles according to which the Chymia­ters compose and dispense their Medicines, we may appeal to that decisive Judgment, long since made by one, who was through­ly experienced in both ways, and who can­not [Page 14] not be justly excepted against by either, in these words; Principia Chymica Galenicis, qui elementa tantum cognoscunt incognita, magis ad Medicinam attinent quam elementaria.

Hither I might transcribe many things to this purpose, discussed by that Renowned Chymiater Otto Tachenius in his late Con­tests with Zwelfer and others, Correctors of the Augustan Dispensatory, wherein it doth manifestly appear, how necessary the right knowledg of those two Chymical Principles of Acid and Alchaly is unto the right Prepa­ration and Dispensation of Medicines; which cannot be attained without Chymical Ex­periments and Operations. For want of which Skill, Learned Men, not altogether ignorant neither of Chymistry, may run in­to very great mistakes. But I refer my self in this particular to that worthily above-commended Chymiater, whose Works now (the Jewels of private Cabinets) will I hope shortly be as common and familiar in the Learned Chymiatrick World, and as useful to the cure of some yet formidable Diseases, by the skilful application of those Principles to their Remedies, as the Fire and Water, whereunto he well resembles them. But I cannot dismiss this Learned Witness of the usefulness of Chymical Principles and Lear­ning, without producing his Testimony gi­ven [Page 15] to the Antiquity of them, which he as­serts to have been the same with the Fami­ly of Aesculapius, for his skill in Physick ac­counted a God amongst the Greeks, derived into publick notice by the Works of Hippo­crates, who for his profound Learning hath obtained the Title of the Divine. And to the Apostacy made by the Galenists from his Principles, to the more narrow and gross of the Elements, we may justly ascribe the non-proficiency of Physick and Philosophy it self from those times until ours, where­in some Learned Men as it were against the prescription of the Galenists, have again en­deavoured to introduce his Acid, Alchaly, bitter, sowre, [...]; and instead of their Fire, Air, Water and Earth, Hot, Cold, &c.

But neither may we allow ignorant or envious persons to decry strong and vehe­ment Medicines, or Chymiatry which pro­duces, or Chymiaters who apply them in such cases wherein they are necessary, And the Galenists with one consent acknowledge those of the Shops not to be effectual: for as this cannot be denied, that some Chymi­cal Medicines or Preparations are the only ones, from which it can be hoped that some stubborn and otherwise incurable Diseases can be removed and subdued, being suffici­ently testified of hundreds of Persons by [Page 16] such means relieved, though not always vi­olent, who had been given over after Con­sultation; So that Axiom of the ancient, eloquent and learned Celsus, must in all Ages stand and justifie [...] [...]he Learned Galenist or Chymist in the use of violent Remedies in de­sperate cases; Nil refert an satis tutum prae­sidium sit, quod unicum.

And here give me leave by the way, can­did Reader, to assure thee, that not only Sir Walter Rawleighs Diaphoretick of Mercury, the Treasure of some private Closets, but other Preparations of that Metalline Spirit, may be made without any addition of Salts or other Corrosives (for he is benign, and good with the good, as bad with the bad) which will powerfully sweeten the Blood, and cast off the impurities of the Body by Sweat, and other Operations. And of the truth of this, if need were, we might pro­duce irrefragable Testimony; and leave it to thy own judgment to estimate what ex­cellent Effects may be hoped from so pow­erful a Medicine. I need not tell thee what Paracelsus boasted of his Aquila, nor what others have sought and hoped to effect by it, in most desperate malignant Diseases. The frequent use, and too frequent abuses of the known and common Preparations of it, shew how useful and grateful a Medicine it [Page 17] would be when made truly benign by the Preparation of a happy Operator, who knows to bind this hitherto incorrigible and un­governable Fugitive to the Laws of true Medicinal Operation. If what we now bring thee be accepted, we will not long de­tain thee from a fuller discovery of this, and some other choice Jewels of our Chymiatrical Dispensatory, which we have long sought, and now hope, if we meet with favourable acceptation in these our first Fruits, to have occasion and encouragement to make pub­lick, for the common good and honour of Physick and Physicians.

But here the candid Reader will be plea­sed to observe with me, that Chymiatry hath introduced many gentle and familiar Medi­cines, by a right use whereof, those Dis­eases have been and may be cured, which have been vainly attempted with the more forcible Remedies. And it is ignorance of the ancient Hippocratick Physick and Chy­miatry is the cause, that unto this day in some Diseases, as the Pox, &c. not only vio­lent, but dangerous, yea horrid Remedies, are yet in use, and poor Patients have re­course in Corners unto such Practitioners, whose Medicines torment them more than their Diseases, and yet delude their Expecta­tions of perfect Cures with deceitful Pallia­tions. [Page 18] To the Hippocratick (and not Ga­lenick Elementary Principles of Hot, Cold, Dry, Moist, &c.) we are beholden for the Advancements our Age hath made in Cure of some Diseases, to which the most violent and destructive Remedies have been former­ly applied; because how desperate soever, they were then the only known Means sup­posed to be effectual. He that desires an Infiance of this needs only call to mind what Disease it was for which crude Mercury hath been prescribed to be taken in great quan­tity by the Mouth, and compare that despe­rate one, and other violent Medicines pre­scribed in printed Books in that, and such miserable cases, with the late familiar, easy, and almost contemptible Remedies of our studious and ingenious Countryman. Thô Envy hath depriv'd the World of many of these, and is the cause that noble above-commended Chymiater hath not yet pub­lished his Viperine Antidote, appropriated by him to the cure of Venerial, and the like Diseases, in the most choice and tender Bo­dies, yet are there Instances enough of such powerful, and yet benign Remedies, as are sufficient Testimonies to vindicate Chymia­try from being guilty of the use of violent Remedies to desperate Diseases. And we hope this Royal Sudorifick we now commend [Page 19] unto thee, will, when gotten into know­ledg and esteem, tend very much to the Re­putation of this Art, quite take away the use of dangerous Mercurial Preparations, and equalize the best Antimonial, the choice Treasures of some Chymiatrical Closets; for which hope I have, besides Experience, good Reason and Authority of the most Learned Chymiaters.

To these desperate Remedies in many cases, as of Gravel in the Reins in ancient Bodies, &c. the Mineral Waters may be ac­counted, but none can with any great cer­tainty prescribe them, who are not able to judge of the Diseases and Waters appropri­ate to them by true Chymiatrical Principles, and such know so well to prepare Mineral Waters at home, that they shall not need to go so far, or pay so dear for them, who may properly expect relief from them; of this we have many witnesses, for whom we ma­ny years since prepared such as were not inferiour to the German Spaw. And we are assured there are amongst our Worthy Chymiaters at Home, who know to prepare and accomodate such Remedies to the Age, Temperature and Distempers of their Pa­tients, that their Charge, and Travel, and other hazards of Life and Health, weak and diseased Persons must needs incur in [Page 20] such Journeys, being considered, I hope I shall be excused for this reflection upon them as dangerous, and in some sense desperate Remedies, to which Patients are oft con­demned for want of knowledge in Chymia­try.

I conclude this Discourse with that Pas­sage which I find in a Learned and Indiffe­rent Physitian, treating of the Subject we have now in hand, who casting the Errours (made on both sides) off from the Noble and Excellent Art, on to the base and ig­norant Intruders on both Parties, as he just­ly adorneth the learned Practisers with that glorious Eulogie, given them by the Ancients [...], so he excludes not the Chymist from the honour of being some finger in that hand of God, but ingenuously acknow­ledges, and almost unto sense demonstrates the necessity of Chymical Preparations, saying, the Chymist is that to Physick, which the Cook is to food. Neither would I be un­derstood to reflect on the Learned Galenist or Chymist; but hope it will be no blasphe­my to say of those, who trust to those Pra­ctisers, ignorant in Chymiatry, they had need to take heed that when God sends them Physick, the Devil send them not an ignorant, as well as unlicensed Physitian: But for the sake of such to condemn and endeavour to [Page 21] exclude the Chymiater, were as absurd as for the slovenliness of some ignorant Cooks to pretend a jealousie of all, and turning them out of the Kitchen, to reduce us to a necessity of eating raw Meats like Salvage Beasts, or more Salvage Men.

Thus far, Courteous Reader, I have thought fit and necessary to advise thee concerning the nature of Chymical Medicines in general, and to prevent as much as I can, all preju­dicate Opinions, that might deter thee from the use of our Royal Sudorifick on that accompt.

Now, give me leave to inform thee of the Virtues and use of it in Physick; and the man­ner of its Application and Operation. I need not tell thee of what great force and esteem other Sudorificks are, especially that of An­timony; how that, and some others have been prescribed as great Andidotes not only against simple Agues and Feavers, but against Pestilential ones and the Plague it self, for Cleansers and Sweetners of the Blood, for Resisters of Poyson, Resolvers of Noxious Humours, Openers of Obstructions; in which Faculties and Virtues it is not behind, but equal, if not superior to the most and best Sudorificks, such as are Aurum fulminans, potable Gold, made thence, Powder and [Page 22] Magistery of Pearls, which may better ap­pear by the Cures that have been done by it in the Diseases which require Sudorificks, and others which are here set down for thy instruction, and the manner how in every Disease in particular it is to be used and ap­plyed.

This Sudorifick hath been by experience found to be more particularly appropriated to some Diseases, and namely for the pre­vention of Madness, Small-Pox, Rickets, Scurvy, Gravel, Stone, Gout, Rheumatism, by some taken for a running Gout; Apoplexy, Palsey, Worms: in all which cases it is to be taken at the full and new of the Moon. It prevails also very much to the cure of those Diseases, and of many, if not all kinds of Agues, all Surfeits, especially on Fruit, Para­litick trembling, weakness thence proceeding, Black & yellow Jaundice, Fluxes of the Womb. There is hardly a better Remedy for Worms, French-Pox, &c. Epilepsies or Falling-Sickness, Cancers and Ʋlcers are holpen by it; but in [...]se last it will be needful for the Patients to have recourse to the Publisher hereof for special Directions, according to the several conditions of the Diseased, & their Distempers.

Some may object and say, What is one Sudorifick better than another? which if they do, it matters not, sith every knowing man [Page 23] will easily discern, that such understand not the difference of well and truly prepared Medicines, from those that are basely sophi­sticated, nor the great variety of different Humours and Distempers requiring very different Resolvers and Correcters, upon whose Operation many times Sweat succeeds by the power of Nature helped by proper digestives, Correctives or Resolvents, much different in themselves though generally known by the names of Diaphoreticks or Su­dorificks or Cordials. Witness that renowned modern Chymiater in his Hippocrates Chymicus, Pag. 132. It is one sort of Acid which a va­cuous and Alcalizate Antimony doth imbibe; Another which Pearls in the Palpitation of the Heart; Another that Crabs eyes in Wounds and Bruises; Another that Goats blood in Pleurisies; Another that Iron in Obstructions and Loof­ness; Another that the Volatile Alcalies of Ve­getables in Hecticks; Another that the Bezoar-stone in Faintings of rich men; I say of rich men: for if the proportion of the Stone to the Acid be small, in regard of the price of the Stone, it is prescribed in vain: For the common opinion is, and they do say, that it expells Sweat, which yet happens not, unless it have first consumed the morbous Acid; for they consider this Stone to act in the Body as a Wedge driven by a Beetle, not observing, that the Forraign Sapor being [Page 24] consumed by the Stone, or the like, the contra­ction of the Pores is released, and then the whole Body is transpirable of it self, as Hippocrates hath taught—. I say also, there is another Acid which the Lilium of Paracelsus doth imbibe in the Dropsie; Another which the Spiritual Salt of Tartar in the Hypochondriack Melancho­ly, and all other Diseases of the Spleen; and an­other the Osteocolla in the fractures of the Bones. And lastly, it is another Acid which Corals with their Specifick Alcali do imbibe in the Gonor­rhea, &c.

A learned Physician in his Treatise of the Gout lately printed, discoursing of the power­ful Operations of a certain Mercury rightly applyed in that Disease, and particularly of the knotted sort deemed incureable, accor­ding to the Verse of the Poet Ovid, generally vouched to the dishonour of Physick, ‘Tollere nodosam nescit Medicina Podagram;’ And instancing in a person quickly and perfectly cured thereby, of a knotted Gout; gives us one Experiment accidently made on his own body, whereby not only the difference of the Mercurial Diaphoretick from all others in its working, but some­what of its transcendent power when rightly prepared, is fully made out; which I hope will not seem too tedious, if I transcribe it hither, for the Readers better [Page 25] satisfaction about the different powers of Sudorificks: He relates there, that some years before he published that Book, whilst he viewed the Mines of Cinaber in Transylva­nia, and observed the way the Miners there used, for extracting the living Mercury from the Oar, by pounding and mixing it with Coals grosly beaten, standing there in Earthen Vessels, his whole body from the heat of that place, and fumes of the Mercury, did break out into sweat, whereby a swelling, which the Physitians call a Ganglion, suppo­sed to come from the straining of a sinew, which had risen on his left hand some years before, and was then grown up to a great body, and had almost deprived that part of its motion, and to which he had in vain ap­plyed the most commended Remedies, was taken away, the matter of it being first dif­fused over all the back of his hand during his sweat, and a little after, within the space of two days quite dissipated into the Air, and utterly disappeared; and that he was in that manner perfectly cured of that swelling.

If any Person of Honour, Learning, Phy­sician, or other, desire further satisfaction in the Nature, Preparation, or Ground of the Vertues ascribed to this Medicine, he may be attended, and further informed upon request.