The Archidoxes and Medico-Chemical Works of Paracelsus

until it is completely putrefied, which happens faster in one than in the other. After it has been putrefied, let it be placed in a cucurbit distilling vessel, and pour over it so much common burning water that it rises four broad fingers above it, and let everything that can ascend be distilled in sand. For everything ascends except the earth itself, the elements of which you will recognize from the colors, but yet let the burning water ascend first, afterwards air, next water, and lastly fire, and the earth will remain at the bottom. Regarding pure oils, however, it is to be understood that they do not need such putrefactions, but are to be distilled alone without addition, and afterwards their elements, as was said above concerning others, are to be separated, which are also recognized by their colors. The same must be done with liquid resinous substances, such as pitch, resin, turpentine, gum, and similar things. But those resins which exist as corporeal, such as sulfur, must first be prepared in this way.

How corporeal resins are to be dissolved.

Take sulfur very minutely ground, let this be cooked in double the amount of linseed oil into a liver-color, which you will grind, and having been enclosed in a bladder, you will place it in horse dung to putrefy for four weeks. Afterwards, let it be distilled through an alembic slowly over a naked fire. Air and water ascend first with diverse and pale colors; afterwards, with the fire increased, fire ascends, but the earth remains at the bottom. The colors appear pure, as the air is yellow: the water is like thick milk, so that it can hardly be distinguished from milk: the fire is like a burning ruby with transparency, and all fiery signs: the earth, however, is completely black and burnt. And with the four elements separated in this manner, each is perfect in its elemental complexion, and without mixture, just as was said above.

How herbs are to be separated.

Thus, also in herbs, the element of water is held the most, since they are cold, but where they are airy, that element predominates. Similarly, it is to be understood concerning fire. The separation of those elements is such.

Take sage and grind its leaves, afterwards place it into putrefaction, as was said before, from there you will distill through horse dung, and the element of fire will ascend first, for so long until the colors and the thickness of the water are changed: afterwards, earth will follow, and some part of it will remain at the bottom, which is indeed fixed. Distill this water in the sun for six days, and afterwards place it in a bath: then the element of water will ascend first, which is small, and is perceived by taste: after the color is varied, the element of fire ascends, until the taste is also altered: at length, the part of the earth is elevated upward, yet very small, which is found mixed with air at the bottom. The same is to be understood of airy and aquatic herbs, of which the air ascends first, afterwards water, and lastly, according to the process posited for sage, follows fire.