The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony. 173 



cooling effect, being far more potent in 

 this respect than is ordinary vinegar ; it 

 stops gangrene and heals cancerous 

 wounds by outward application, if it be 

 made into an ointment with Soul of 

 Saturn. It also soothes and relieves 

 inflammation, when mixed with endive 

 water to which sal prunella has been 

 added. The activity of inflamed blood 

 is also soothed thereby. At the time of 

 plague the vinegar (one spoonful) is a 

 wonderful preventive, and extracts the 

 poison from the boils, if applied as an 

 ointment. For this purpose it should be 



ticulars, which will enable you to carry out the directions of 

 Basilius more perfectly. To six pounds of Antimony you 

 require fourteen pounds of distilled water ; the success of the 

 next distillation is ensured by placing the alembic so that its 

 spout is immersed in water (see p. 174), else more than one- 

 half of the spirit of Antimony will be lost. When, after the 

 distillation of the water, the fire is quickened, you should 

 keep it up for three days and three nights ; then let it cool, 

 and mix that which is sublimed with fresh Antimony ; resume 

 the process again for three days and three nights, and so a 

 third time. If you convert the vinegar into a tincture with 

 some more ore of Antimony, you will have the tincture 

 which Basilius calls the balmof_life. Did men only know 

 the mysteries which lie concealed therein, I know not 

 whether any other operation upon Antimony would be 

 attempted. Verily, this contains them all. 



