and it becomes of interest to learn its composition, which 

 happily has been recorded. 



Elixir Vitae Guarinonii. 



Cinnamon 10 drachms. 



Ginger 5 do. 



Zedoary 4 do. 



Nutmeg 3 do. 



Elder-root 2 do. 



Calamus 1 do. 



Dissolve in a decoction of lemon-juice mixed with strong 



spirits of wine. A half pint before meals, the moon in 

 Cancer, Leo or Virgo. 



Guarinonius was delighted at the opportunity of visiting 

 Italy as it permitted him to fulfil a vow to thank in person 

 the inventor of his Elixir, who was no less than the wooden 

 statue of the Madonna di Loretto. This highly-revered image, 

 carved by St. Luke and brought by angels from Bethlehem 

 with the Casa Santa, is still exhibited to the faithful, 

 "and in a curled white wig looks wondrous fine.'* 



The Virgin of Loretto had appeared to the physician in 

 a dream and dictated the composition of the all-healing con- 

 coction; perhaps the surmise may be hazarded that the "be- 

 loved physician" St. Luke, the sculptor of the statue, was 

 the original discoverer. The religious fervor of Dr. Guari- 

 nonius was also manifested by his repairing at his own ex- 

 pense the 'oratory of Saint Notburga which had been con- 

 structed in her honor out of her little bedroom in Castle 

 Rottenburg, where she had lived nearly 400 years before. 

 This pious act was accomplished in 1600; the peasant Saint 

 is still highly venerated in the Tirol, her remains being pre- 

 served in a little chapel on the borders of the beautiful 

 Achensee., 



On his return to Prague, Guarinonius, now called "Doctor 

 Elixirabilis," assumed a conspicuous place by founding at 



109 



