The first Menstruum of the modern Philosophers.

First, one must take Vitriol, cinnabar, and saltpeter, an equal amount of each, one pound of each, and let aqua fortis be made as is customary in an earthen retort with its receiver, beginning with a small fire, and then increasing it until it no longer distills; then after all the water has distilled, give it a strong fire, as is customary for the acute waters of the philosophers, and the spirits of the minerals will enter into their water, and we call this water SS. Vitriol; Saltpeter; ♃. Cinnabar; afterwards, take this water, that is to say, one pound, and into this pound of water put half a pound of cinnabar, which is signified by ♃, and place it for one night in a bain-marie with its autinotoire

and by day it is distilled by ashes until it comes to pass that the cinnabar becomes white hairs which will begin to sublime, and once again new cinnabar must be added, half a pound, and at night let it digest in a bain-marie, and by day it is distilled as above, and this regimen must be done five times, and a good quantity of it must be made.

Item, this menstruum must be divided into two parts: one to subtilize the calcined perfect bodies, and the other part must be taken and rectified; and if there were ten pounds, add five of well-rectified spirit of wine sharpened with salt of tartar, or of quintessence it will be better; and the vessel must be held in the hands until the fury of the waters be appeased and the mixture and conjunction of the mineral and vegetable together be made, which is