The Chemical Writings of Brother Basilius Valentinus: The Treatises of Heinrich Eschenreuter (1717) - Page 20

The Third Little Treatise.

This comprises six principal medicaments for the human body derived from minerals and gemstones, and also how herbs and roots should be used in medicine.

The First Medicament against Scurvy original: Scorbutum, or for the unwholesome Scharbock Scharbock is an archaic German term for scurvy, a disease resulting from vitamin deficiency that was often treated in early modern medicine through mineral "essences.".

Take one ounce of the best Antimony A woodcut symbol depicts a circle with a cross on top, representing Antimony, a metalloid often used in "cleansing" medicines. and two quentin A quentin (or dram) was a historical measure of weight, approximately 4 grams. of Vitriol A woodcut symbol depicts a circle with a cross inside, representing Vitriol, which refers to various metallic sulfates used for their astringent properties.. Let this be fused A woodcut symbol depicts a square containing a cross, representing a crucible or the intense heat of a melting furnace. into a mass in a pot, and let it stand in flux original: Schmeltz for so long until you see, when you take some out, that it appears blood-red. Then you can take it out; crush it very small in an iron mortar, and put it into a well-sealed vessel. Upon this, pour two pounds of Spirit of Wine A woodcut symbol depicts a stylized letter V with a loop, representing Spirit of Wine, or high-proof distilled alcohol. and set it in the furnace A woodcut symbol depicts a peaked hut-like structure, representing an Athanor, a furnace designed to maintain a constant, steady heat over many days.. Let it stand for twelve, fourteen, up to sixteen days and nights; then you will see that it will all become blood-red. Then you can take it out and pour the red Spirit of Wine A woodcut symbol depicts a stylized letter V with a loop, representing Spirit of Wine. again through blotting paper Used here as a primitive filter to remove any remaining solid sediment., and thereafter pour