The book of degrees, part 5 of 5

CHAP. VII.

BVt as concerning Spagyrical Doses, as in Alcohols, Balsoms, and other Magnalia's of that kind, take this rule: That their true use, and consequently their very foundation it self proceedeth from a Tincture, and is onely an Ephalatheral, or particular conjunction, the which you must consider of after this manner: That the Anatomy of the microcosme doth also consist in the very smallest drop of all. For every Spagyrical degree is a Tincture of its own virtue; and 'tis to be understood by every Physician, that in every drop (how many soever of them there be) so many entire Anatomies there be, both in the Microcosme, and in Elementated things. But that yee may know those kind of Doses, observe, that in the universal operation, there are onely three Divisions comprehended, viz the Elixir, the Essatum, and the Tincture: the Elixir's Dose i[…] in the sixth minute, but the Essatum's is in the fourth minute and half: But the Tincture it selfe consists or abides in the Centre. Hence likewise observe, that such like Extractions are to be judged of according to the body: For verily the body w[…]o its […] is an Equal Ares, and that same is the Aniadus in an Equal operation: Here also the Dose divides it self into Karenaes: but a Karena is the twenty fourth part of the smallest Drop, the which notwithstanding, cannot pass into a Quateraion, or Quarter part, unless it get some bigger body: But the temperature passeth out from that body, and exhibits its Dose according to Diaphinicy, or transparency. But that you may both find and judge of these things exactly, consider then colours, for as much as the colours discovers the Dose: the […] to in this […] the Karenae to be sought for, and not in the Qua[…]ity of the visible substance, for the virtue is scituated in the colour, and a i[…] out it there can issue forth no virtue.

CHAP. VIII.

MOreover, as touching Medicaments that are […], either by Art or Nature, what the Doses are which must be heeded in them, observe: Whatsoever undergoes a Reverberation, not transmutes its self in it[…]orm, is (as the ultimate matter of things) […] out even to the […], […] Grane. But it […] its form, it then ascendeth even unto the hundred and fourtieth, and so many Granes make[…]Spaan[…] every Dose is O[…]e Degree, the which we do even aboundantly […] very entrance of this Book, For as many Granes as are taken for a sufficient […] of a Disease, so many do likewise constitute and make one Degree […] in common calcined things, 'tis the hundred and thirty eighth drop, is a Dose: In A[…]e-calcined things, after their passing the Fulmen of an Athanar, the four and twentieth: In resolved sixt things, a scruple and ha[…] In coagulated things, a Golden Crown of […], In Alkalie[…], the ye[…] of an Egg is the weight: In transmuted things, […] our Countrey Beans: In […] without the grain In Waters, the Shell of a […]: In […] reduced from their first matter, the […] of the […] tree, or a drop of the Rosin thereof. In things transmuted from the first matter, the Locusta, or tender b[…]d of the Poplar: In all Corrosives, the equal, or just breadth of its place: In Precipitates, the weight of […] piece of money: In Liquors of the Earth the weight of the stalk wherein […] du[…]a h[…]ng[…]: In Liquors of the Water, half a Pomegranat. In the […]ereniabin of the Air, as it were the spirit of a […] breath: In Liquors of the Fire, Like the Frost-gr[…]nes, or Hoare-frost: From the […]ee of the Sea, One Kist From the Rosin of the Earth, a Kist and an half, From swimming creatures, an […] and […] half: Of H[…]uli, the bigness of a […]ra Nut. These are the Doses that proceed out of Fix things, and to be tho[…] are the Karenaes of Drops, and contain their own body without damage: For this […]use the Dose here is to be understood of Fix things.

CHAP. IX.

THose things which we have hitherto delivered concerning Doses, […] so very certainly comprehend all those things […] were necessary for universal Medicine; yet notwithstanding, however the case stands, 'tis certain that the Centre, and consequently, the Root its self is contained therein. But furthermore, let every Physician diligently consider, that […] knowledge, (which he ought studiously to employ, not for his own profit, but for the benefit of the sick) must proceed onely from the Spagyrical Art; but even in all his businesses he must act Ephall[…]her[…]ll. Albeit, all these things do require a well Experienced man, who (as the Proverb goes) hath not onely filled a sluggish and blind unprofitable He[…]d, but hath filled even the eye, and mind, and doth not minde himself onely, but even all […] con[…] sant: For all these, both thy […] and they make a Physician of thee, Forasmuch as the Archeus and its […]aphnaeu[…], and their whole off spring, […], and the rest, cannot be known by a […]ude and […] Physician; for whosoever will know such things, […] of necessity be well, and very perfectly […] in the […], and all the […] For 'tis be […] ful that a Physician do exercise his […] well in the mind, as in the external […] the Feet, the Eyes, and the Tongue do […] M[…]over, 'tis needful that the whole […] by the […] For believe me, in […] the […] culty, the power, and finally, […] and […] of Medicine.

The Seventh BOOK

CHAP. I.

BVt a[…] for those thing[…] foresaid Degrees into a composition, every Receit must be directed and brought to that pass, as to have virtues Equal with the Disease; from hence therefore you may observe, that in composing of Receipts, Simples alone by themselves are too too weak, and not sufficient enough; this being truly so, tis expedient that the Physician be so instructed, as exceedingly well to know, and that very readily, the reasons thereof, thus, viz. One and the same Arcanum is many times distributed into three hundred Herbs, more or less, all which if thou bringest into One, then at length it becomes a perfect, and consequently, an Entire Arcanum: Forasmuch as every perfect Medicament is an Arcanum, the which sort I teach in the Book of the Original of Diseases, and the Nature of things; and do moreover demonstrate it to you by this Example: Even as there are almost above two hūdred kinds of Fevers, and yet 'tis but one and the same Feaver throughout them all. From which you are to consider, that the cure itself thereof, is to be in like manner, distributed into so many kinds; for as often as there is a kind or species of a Disease, so often is there, on the contrary, a simple for it: From hence two kinds of Physicians do arise, one kind is of Natural, the other of Experimental Physicians. In this Book therefore, there is nothing so worthy of consideration as that alone, viz. That the virtue and efficacy of those things pass into an Arcanum, and that as often as there is a Disease, so often may there be an Arcanum, and that nothing at all be done in the several kinds and species, unless haply the Naturalist hath a most thorough understanding what the acting, or prevalenty on both sides, viz. of the Disease, and of the Simple, i[…].

CHAP. II.

MOreover, this is to be observed, that this manner of composition consisteth in the virtues onely, viz. that they be made perfect and entire, for Centaury drives away Feavers, and so in like manner doth the Alhuginous N[…]ctar, so likewise doth Harmel the lesser, and so do many more besides them: But yet verily in the well-composing a Receit tis necessary that these virtues be brought into one, viz. that as many Simples at there are framed by Nature against Feavers, may all of them be converted and contracted into one Arcanum, and this then at length is an Arcanum against Feavers. Even thus also is it in other Diseases, even after the same manner are the degrees of diseases to be considered thus: The Composition proceeds out of the Doses, that is, out of the virtues. Besides, in the Palsey, Lavender is a most chief Magistery, and so likewise Bawm is one, but yet is lesser then that other. Moreover, it comes to pass in another case, and that even in the Palsey it self, that Bawm is better then Lavender, and is much more powerfully virtuous. Hence it often falls out, that one and the same simple may in one and the same disease, help […] man, and not another: Sometimes also it may take away something from the disease, and yet not cure all the wh[…]le disease: For in the Palsey even Gold it self (if you administer it rightly) is a Medicine; so is Viticella, or white Br[…]ony, Betony, Masore[…], and many others, For sometimes B[…] being taken is profitable, & sometimes not: sometimes if you use Castor, it helpeth; but use it at another time, and it will not profit at all: Sometimes Pepper availeth, when all the r[…]st are defective. Oftentimes also, when Pepper […] too weak, the Oile of Sulphur being, administred, helpeth: Furthermore it happenet[…] sometimes, that Fa[…]n[…]sse[…] being made use of, are profitable, all the others being used in vain. You must therefore know, that the virtues of Arcanums are chiefest of all to be sought after, as well in the Palsey, as in […] diseases, and neither the Heat, o[…] the Cold, but onely that natural, inbred property sprung from the I[…]a[…]er.

CHAP. III.

EVen thus also is it in […]e Falling-sickness, in which likewise the[…] are […] species o[…] of the […], the […] exhibit even so many species […] the […] kness, one whereof is the […] availeable […] another time. Likewise […]ome of these are profitable to some persons, […] and are so sat from […], that being used, they bring […]am[…]g[…]: As for instance, those that are cured by […] are cured by Corrals, […] of the Stag[…] Hears) other by Vi[…] and much like. Therefore we here deliver upto your understanding the principal sound […], upon, which, whosoever, of what is wholly-solid, you […], well not e[…]sily tumble downs that is to say, You […] above all things know that Archeus of Nature very well, both in the Microcesm, and also without, that is the Anatomy of both, even as I do abundantly enough […] in the Anatomy of the world, and […]f Di[…]eases: […] doth grow up, and proceed […] and solid […] action of every sound and persect Physician, and to which he may […]ely must, as to a […] And […]ontimes there are many things that are one […] profitable to […] Disease, and […] ther while altogether unprofitable and […] The […] is to proceed thereoutof, and is to be made on […], […] all those several[…] the Whole […], together with all the kinds of the same, be on every side gathered into one Arcanum, This done, all the kinds of the disease are comprehended in that one Compound: For as we said before how many kinds or species of diseases there be, so many simples are there also, From whence it necess[…] a […] who would make a […] things, must (by A[…]atomy) […] o[…]ds of diseases and […] and may deservedly […]ee […] or inventer of Experi[…], and […] al[…]e hewed, where we sa[…], that there […] of Physici[…], viz. Natural[…] and […] kn[…]w[…] now to turn his […] the stroke of the Part: Bu[…] the […] upon his own Composition […] by that Rule himself […]th pres[…]ed, and it almost in […], like unto him who knows how to […] W[…], […] how to […] or dress the Vineyard, and yet notwithstanding doth not everth[…] as well as he that […] d[…]ess it very neatly […] thing we will […] thi[…] third Chapter and […] true […] Foundation of […] as well th[…] experi[…]ed, […].

CHAP, IV.

[…] matte[…] in hand th[…] way which […] and […] in Plantane, and in many […] hundred: Bu[…] hath […] in the […] this Herb, sometimes that, doth heal more speedily, or more slowly, according as its Endowment is by nature: therefore tis here worthy noting, that look how many Diseases or Accidents (for so they call them […] are in Surgery it self, even so many species or kinde are there on the other hand, So in like manner is i[…] as in reference to times and leas[…]s, viz. One season delays the […]ne for a time: Another admits of help even presently, upon which account 'tis well worth your observation, that the true, and consequently the perfect cure of every wound, do the necessarily require either four and twenty hours, or e[…]n three dayes, or in m[…]st great wounds, nine dayes: But if that time, (viz as much of each as we have mentioned) doth not suffice to the cure. What then must I say? Verily nothing else can be from hence concluded, but that even the Receit it self was not so well composed, as it ought to have been; for […] things thes[…] that hasten a cure in the space of onely one day and night: […]me also there are that require even a whole month, t[…]e, but other some there are that pass over a […] time before they cure. All and every of which tis […] that you bring together into One, if you would […] a wound according to each of the afore-pr[…]hed I […] then it will […] certainly so come to pass, In like manner are the some times to be regarded in Vlcers and Apostthumes.

Even such also is the state of Laxative[…] which whatsoever is to be compounded, (besides those which wee have treated of very briefly in the former books is be understood on this wise, viz. That all the Laxatives, how many soever of them there be, are but even onely one Laxatives and do purge by the species, or kinds, and not in the least as related to the Complexions. the like is to be judged of in Comfortatives, and the others. Moreever, I suppose it sit to add hereunto (for 'tis worthy your highest observation) this also, viz that there are some simples, which do, as […] their virtues, most nearly touch and attain unto universality: out of which simples, put case four or five, all and every the virtue may be contracted and brought into one. But yet it doth not therefore follow[…] that 'tis thus in all the Simples: for as much as there are even amongst these not a few abject boughs, a[…] I may so call them, which being they are of themselves of no pre sit at all, would, if made use of in the Receipts, make an ill-proportioned, and consequently a needless somewhat, as it were an Abo[…]tive, in them Here therefore I do thus conclude with this opinion; viz. that it becomes him who would both be called, and truly be a perfect Physician) well to distinguish those more-principal and chief simples of nature from the unprofitable boughs, as I call them, of the same, lest that neglecting these things, or not well understanding them, […]e frames, as is wont to happen, a certain confused Cha[…] of Receipts.

CHAP. V.

FOr the sake of all these things, the Illadus is placed in Anatomy; and even as Codoquintida, Turbith, Hermodactils, Lazuli, Thereniabin, &c. do in their operations separate themselves, even so the Iliadus doth in like manner, forasmuch as it […]ottein[…]th both Ana[…]mies, separate it self: therefore neither Choler, nor Phlegme, nor Blood, nor Melancholy are to be considered of for the sake of Purgation; for in purging the Blood onely, there are even above Forty things that present themselves to our observation, thus also is it in other things: 'tis therefore necessary, that the Number proceeds forth from Anatomy, and not from the Humors: and here also is to be known, that it is not so behoveful for a Physician to be learned herein, so as to know what he both would and ought to purge, but he is onely to consider and regard this, […] self with the Anatomy of the Disease, and […] against it, […]ence it follow[…], that that […]ly […]s to be Ev[…]cuated, […]ich i[…]ary in An[…] and […]t[…]th as if it […]n ene[…]y. For the th[…]ng is […]or […] successful in pu[…]ging according to […]at seem[…] g[…]d to the Physician, but according to wha[…] is plea[…]ature her self, as being o[…]e t[…]at will not fol[…] as the […] to the Rule, an[…] not the […]ule to the […] the Physi[…]ian must so […] tha[…] thing, and not attempt […] the aforesaid […]um[…]rs, as Chole[…] and […] let upon that onely w[…]ch […] although all virtues are d[…]v[…]ded amo[…]gst […] and there is not one that i[…]ctly wh[…]le and […] it self, like as we have […] for […]ne heals Wounds, another heals he […], a hard […]es […]leers, a […]th the […] and some […] S[…]ns: all which doth proceed out of a […]sed, and in some sort mangled property […]f nature, whi[…] is thus out in pieces, so that […]t hath not in it self any entire virtue; for a […]ue and perfect Corso[…]ation ought not onely to […] and W[…]unds, but also […] and Syrons, and […] whatsoever […] of that kind: But be[…]ause the vir[…] vided, […] in this case, another in that; th[…]efore the Physician ought to be […] the[…]in, that to be may again contract th[…] dispersed v[…]tue, […] and th[…]e divided, into […] things […], but in all other virtues. […] must perfectly adjoin to every […] Anatomy, after that manner in which it[…] Matrix as […] composed; from whence it is here to be observed, that the Virtue cures the whole kind of the Disease, in w[…]ic[…] a perfect Anatomy doth withall consist.

CHAP. VI.

EVen as therefore we have mentioned concerning Anatemies, viz. that they are necessary in the rule of Composition; even so furthermore the doctrine of the process is to be noted: For seeing that man is a Microcosme, he may fitly be compared to the four Anatomies, of the which that Anatomy which is displeased, and treacherously seeks the entrapping of the rest, beareth Rule. This Anatomy therefore is the […], and that in this sense as follows: In Minerals, these Anatomies do consist of the four Matrixes of the Elements; therefore in Consortatives, that which amongst others is the smallest virtue of all, must be taken in the first; the fourth kind of Thereniabin in the second, Cheiri in the third and Saphirica Granata in the fourth; all which, if they are composed into one, or if the whole virtue of every Matrix be joined together, then at length it becomes a medicine, even as the Aniadus requires: For when those four do come together, then it is a perfect Anatomy against that disease, and is then an Aniadus, […] unto the […] of nature, and doth thinketh […]: for in the […] of all these things 'tis behoverful that the […] entire A[…], the which cannot possibly be by any means accomplished, but by the […] Composition for as much as the Liquor […] Nature, and its virtue that the u[…]huntest after, consisteth herein.

CHAP. VII.

BVt because the efficacies of the virtues are already demonstrated, thou shalt likewise observe, that nature hath also a kind of appetite and desire: for alone that it be made the whole Ares (alias, afore the whole Ar[…]s be made) the Archeus bears in himself by his own Ilech some enmities against the Microcosme; and is on such wise to be understood, as a man in whose esteem one woman is ba[…]e; but another is not so in the least, and yet there is in both of them one and the same thing: Now this is not within the Physicians consideration; for wheresoever the Archeus […]eigns aloathing, and hateth its own nature and proper work, therein the Physician (as being its servant) cannot bridle that Arch[…]ical […]b[…]minating: therefore as touching the manner of Composition, 'tis necessary to know, that it oft-times happens, that the Ar[…] willing to admit of the composing its Anatomy by one thing, but by no means by another: and that manner of Composition is to be known by the Spagyrical Degrees; for if the Archeus be but therein overcome, that is, in its own Ilech, then 'tis just as a man that is […] pleased with a woman but when she's adorned with gay and sine coloured Apparel: For this is evidenced by Philosophy, that Arcanaes are ordained for no other thing, but to use such an ornament and trimness to the Archeus; and therefore it oft-times doth not per[…] any power of operation even in Arcanaes, unless it hath some defect in it selfe before. So then in these aforesaid instructions, the force and efficacy onely, both of the Archeus, and also of the Arcanum, is to be under stood.

CHAP. VIII.

MOreover, that we may also speak something of the Consolidative Anatomy, by what means it is to be composed, and how all the virtues are therein, 'Tis to be noted, that here the whole greater Author is to be taken together, that is to say, That which is not brought forth out of one matrix onely, but out of four: the like may be said also of Tartar; because they do separate themselves thereout of, not so much the Incarnatives of […]acture, as the Consolidative of wounds, & finally a perfect Consolidation of other […] of what kind soever: But every one of them refer to their proper part, according to the distribution of the Anatomy. For every part cures that which lyes under its Anatomy; But, […] that the parts are separated, it is a general Consolidati[…] for all Chiurgical diseases; for, in that one thing […] minerals ([…]) together: the which is to be observed with the highest diligence by all the studious of medicine. Of such a […] which doth likewise […] of the f[…] Matrixes, and […]nteines in it self […] Myseries of every […], there […], and are to be made […] so many kindes of diseases. And ve[…]ly […]ag[…]alia's of Nature which I may […] are likewise yet […] 'tis not necessary, so often […] Anatomy […] the afore […] they are all comprised by themselves.

CHAP IX.

BVt in a composition, all the Incarnatives ought to proceed out of Mercury. So likewise all Laxatives, Mundificatives Conservatives & whatever belongs hereto; that the Ares may be conserved entire, in the condition of a Balsam. Moreover, whatsoever doth either comfort or a[…]uate and quicken or prolong, ought to be made out of Sulphur. Besides whatever is to perform the office of either incarnating, or […]rrecting, or consolidating that which is once open, 'tis necessary that it be made out of a Mercurial-Salt. Vnder these three therefore are comprehended the cures of all diseases; For every cure is compounded of these three […]s (if in the Eyes, 'tis necessary that it be this Mercurial-Salt; Likewise in the loosning or opening […] needful (for the conservation of the Balsam) that it be done by the mercury of a body. But whatsoever is besides these, is all done by the operation of Sulphur. But whosoever hath brought the Anatomy of these three into their proper Ilech, he hath such in Arcanum, that he hath not at all any need of any other medicine, so much needlesse is it for him, after that he hath once obtained this, to search into the Theorical, or Physical part afterwards.

And albeit that this demonstration, such as it is, be haply some what obscure to those that do every where give out themselves by the name of Physitians, and therefore unprofitable to them in their reading it; Yet we value not that at all, nor will we vouchsafe them any other answer, but that they must hold us excused, by reason of their own unskilfulnesse. Therefore whatsoever we shall either write, or in any other manner deliver, hereafter, be it such or such as it is, We dedicate it to those they call Artists; whose very shoes (as the Proverb goes) the unlearned Medicinal Faculty is not worthy to wipe. But in the mean time, I do entreat the younger Students in Medicine, that they be not troubled at that obscure writing, not be affrighted, not despaire because thereof; but let them rather studiously apply themselves to the search of Spagyrical Arts; Wherewith being instructed, they will abundantly perceive the […]eason, and withall the foundation of this our writing. Besides, let not any one here judge us, as if we pretended to our own power and strength onely, (alias, by the report of the men of our own family, and as if they were) without any help of complices, without any aid and assistance of others. For truely I do think, and I verily dare to affirm, that those that wrote against me the little book, entituled Laudanum San[…]lum, neither understood themselves, nor those from whom they have received, in time, all they have. These men having raised against me with their feeble […]isles) which I am so far from being […]ed at, as that, in plain truth, […]. Yet notwith[…] A[…]gu[…] the jud[…]ment […]. Verily I do […] Auth[…]i[…]y […] the A[…]ents, […] self […] exactly d[…]ied. And […] we think […] and […] onely they, but also all thei[…] moment, […],

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