The Archidoxes and Medico-Chemical Works of Paracelsus

Nature of effect.

The other way of separation is of the pure from the impure in the four elements, namely in this way. After the elements have been separated from one another, they have a coarse substance still; for that reason, another separation of such separated elements follows. Wherefore we wish to declare the practice of all these. For first it must be known that the Fifth Essence of things is to be separated and extracted in this way: that the elements from the bodies are not subjugated in the nature of the Fifth Essence, but are left with them. And so it can tinge the elements, either more strongly or more lightly. This must be understood thus, that the powers for that reason do not perish in the elements, when the predetermined element, that is, the Fifth Essence, is extracted, which is likewise itself elemental and separable as to the elemental form, but not as to diverse natures, as is clear concerning the Fifth Essence.

There are 10 practices of separation.

Through such separations, all elemental infirmities can be cured from one simple thing, namely in this way, if those predestinations fight against them, as we posit concerning predestinations. Thus, we have sufficiently uncovered the beginning of the separations, wherefore we must hasten to their practice, the variety of which is tenfold: One, of Metals; the second, of Marcasites; the third, of Stones; the fourth, of Oily things; the fifth, of Resins; the sixth, of Herbs; the seventh, of Meats; the eighth, of Juices; the ninth, of Glasses; the tenth, indeed, of Fixed things.

3 modes of separation. Ratio of solving metals.

For these separations of the elements, there are three ways held: one by Distillations; the second by Calcinations; the third by Sublimations. All exercises contribute to this, such as the applications of the hands to the fire, and labor, and other necessary things which will be placed in the following.

On the Separations of the Elements from Metals.

Aqua fortis for the solution of metals.

For the separation of the elements from metals, there is need of the best instruments, labor, diligence, along with the experience of the art, and the aptitude of the hands for this work.

First, make aqua fortis literally "strong water," i.e., nitric acid in this way.

Take saltpeter, vitriol, and alum in equal parts, which you shall distill into aqua fortis. You shall pour this again onto its dregs, and distill it again in glass. In this aqua fortis, clarify silver, and afterwards dissolve sal Ammoniac in it. These things having been completed, take the metal reduced into plates, and resolve it in the water, that is, in the same water; finally separate by the bath of Mary a water bath or double boiler; pour it out again, repeat this 10 times, until oil is found in the bottom, from Sol the Sun, i.e., gold or gold it is brownish-yellow, from Luna the Moon, i.e., silver it is azure, from Mars iron it is red and very dark, from Mercury it is white, from Saturn lead it is livid and leaden, from Venus copper it is green throughout, and from Jupiter tin it is yellow.