Fridrichstadt Leisure, or the Chemical Tantalus

elaborations, the number of which cannot be counted, much less can precepts or rules be prescribed for them. What happens in common Chemistry, in the practice of which we experience how the preparations of medicines vary, even if the apparatus is made according to the received method prescribed by Chemistry reduced to the form of an art, yet a different outcome succeeds and happens than what Chemistry reduced to the form of an art proposes. To reduce Chemistry to the form of an art is the same as if someone were to try to wash an Ethiopian white.

Since, therefore, this Chemistry, bound by no precepts and no rules (the Chemical Lexicon alone, Beguin's Tyrocinium alone are sufficient), is desired among the requirements of the Medical art, I therefore address you, most excellent Lords, since today all efforts are to remedy the deficiency in Medicine, that you might also apply hand and mind, so that thus by the success of time, beyond common officinal preparations, we might obtain better medicines of more present aid according to the principles of more solid Chemistry. For experience proves that irregular operations in Chemical matters have yielded more excellent experiments. Robert Boyle, that great English Chemist, experienced this in his labors, that experiments are untrustworthy. The whole of Chemistry reduced to the form of an art does not possess a single cordial or one restoring strength in a weak patient. How vain that boast is concerning sweet Essence and potable Gold, the latest review of the Observations of the Curious Journals of the Halle Academy, Centuries V & VI, teaches. All those things which are written about potable Gold are mere dreams, fallacies, impostures; we do not deny that potable gold is given, but the mode by which that fallacious Chemistry reduced to the form of an art prescribes preparing it is not worth a hollow nut. How miserable the tincture of Antimony teaches is known: it is nothing less than a tincture of Antimony. All those medicines which are composed from Antimony according to its prescription do not deserve the name of medicine. Those which are elicited from metals are of the same bran. Those which they elaborate from Mercury, such as sweet mercury calomel, are most present poisons, which we lack with greater advantage than we possess. I will say nothing now of the tincture of Moon Silver and Corals, as they are described according to Chemistry reduced to the form of an art and that kind of refuse.

Our Europe abounds in the number of Colleges, Academies, and Societies,