Text.Penot.1594-01.O3r
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Source: Tractatus varii, de vera praeparatione et usu medicamentorum chymicorum, ed. Bernard Gilles Penot, Frankfurt am Main: Johann Feyerabend for Peter Fischer, 1594, sig. O3r–O8r = pag. 213–223 [BP.Penot.1594-01]
Summary: Penot discusses the historical quest for ideal laxative remedies that do not harm the body, highlighting the limitations faced by philosophers in achieving this goal. He praises Aloe for its mild effects but also acknowledges its potential harm, as noted by Galen, particularly for those with a hot liver.
Penot shares insights from his travels and studies, emphasizing his discovery that salts offer a versatile, effective, and pleasant remedy for various ailments without overburdening the body. He provides specific recipes using salts for treating conditions like dropsy, kidney stones, and menstrual suppression, arguing for the compound's efficacy in medicine.
Continuing, Penot elaborates on the advancements in medicine and alchemy, particularly noting the contributions of Theophrastus Paracelsus. He describes the process of enhancing the effectiveness of remedies through the extraction of tinctures and salts from substances like corals, pearls, and metals, suggesting that these methods facilitate easier and less burdensome treatment options. Penot acknowledges the historical existence of these arts, referencing ancient scholars and practices, and defends the contemporary application of chemical secrets in medicine, as exemplified by his esteemed colleagues.
Penot concludes by affirming the importance of exploring nature's secrets and the value of remedies derived from minerals, citing the increasing difficulty of treating contemporary diseases. He expresses gratitude to the professors for their support, dedicating his findings to them as a token of appreciation and urging the continuation of their favor. (generated by ChatGPT)
Text
A Iactis mundi fundamentis summorum philosophorum (doctiss[imi] professores) circa remedia laxatiua tria potissimum inuenire studium fuit: primo ne naturalem calorem à functione sua impedirent. Secundo ne interficerent. Vltimò vt cum opus fuerit sine periculo medicina in remotis partibus efficaciter [p. 214] ageret, & ab eis humores corruptos potenter pelleret. Verum nusquam hæc tria perfectè inuenire potuerunt quod non alicui corporis parti officiat. Quia corpora non æqualiter recipiunt actionem dosis: in raris, solidis, & condensis, & tamen frequenter accidit medicinam quibusdam salubriter administrari, alijs vero læthaliter. Philosophi inter remedia laxatiua summopere Aloem laudarunt:[m1] quia naturalem virtutem minimè corrumpit. Imo ipsa membra confirmare videut quod indies experientia comprobatur. Quamuis Galenus dissentiat (inquiens) nihil ex omni parte beatum. Etenim epati calido nisi prius aliquo conuenienti liquore eius siccitas coërceatur plurimum nocet.
Ego autem in meis peregrinationibus multis lucubrationibus vt po- [p. 215] steritati prodesse possem operam dedi, & vt à me aliquid leuaminis & solaminis haberet, & ne humana corpora tot & tantis crassis potionibus grauarentur. Hoc sæpius mecum disserui, quæ possem remedia quæ parum materiæ & multum formæ haberent omnibus ægritudinibus conuenientia, quæ citò, tutò & iucundè operentur excogitare. Nihil tandem certius, conuenientius, tutius, iucundius ægris, salibus esse reperi. Nam quo diu conseruatur diu cosneruat, & cum in rerum natura duo sint subiecta vnum mirabilitatis quod à præsenti instituto alienum est: alterum vero necessitatis de quo in præsentia nobis est sermo. Quid magis diureticum, diaphoreticum, catharticum sale? Hic est lapis quem Deus gratis largitus est. Exempli gratia hydropicum[m2] à crassis serosis humoribus pur- [p. 216] gare cupio vrinam quoque: Salis Tartari vitriolati[m3] scrup[ulum] j. accipio mellis rosati vnciam sem[is] vini enulati vncias ij. exhibeo, potiuncula grata summarumq́ue virium est:[m4] Estne aliquis qui calculo, mensiumq́ue suppressione laboret: Eundem salem accipiat in vini albi vncijs ij. tepide exhibeat, paulo post effectus soluetur. Idem sat si cum vna parte aqua cardui benedic[ti] parumq́ue vini in eadem dosi dederis copiosos sudores promouebit: si in hoc simplici tot & tantas virtutes deprehendimus, quid si plura coniungemus? Hoc igitur (viri laureati Magistri) admonitos vos velim. Cum capitis doloribus aut nephriticis opus fuerit, siue hydropico aut podagrico, mederi. Non vnicam herbam vt est saluia, Betonica, Maiorana, accipiendam, sed plures simul quæ tales morbos respiciunt & ita de reliquis [p. 217] ægritudinibus intelligendum exempli gratia catharticum parere cupio.
Recip[e] Hellebori, Gratulæ Esulæ Elaterij scammeæ Rheubar, Senæ, Colochinti, &c.[m5] Iuxta sapientum pondera ex his fac extractum vt artis est, fæces combure reuerbera, fac lixiuium & ex lixiuio salem. Huius extracti vnciam j. accipe eius salis drachm[as] ij. misce probe fiat massa dosis pro maioribus scrup[ulum] j semis. Sal duabus de causis permiscetur, primo ne extractum digitis hæreat. Etenim medicin aomnis hærens digitis corpori noxia est. Sal autem cohærentiam impedit. Alterum est quod citius in stomacho dissoluitur penetrando obstructiones aperit.
Item si quis peste correptus est aëris vitio & non humoris:[m6] artemisiam accipe & ex ea salem para de quo drach[mam] j. vel scrup[ulum] j. in vino albo exhibe & [p. 218] per dimidiam horam, illico post eius sumptionem ægrotus ambulet deinde in lectum se recipiat: sudabit, euomet, aluum exonerabit, bis repete & cum Dei beneficio liberabitur: ista in medicins sunt inuestiganda, nequaquam per odium reijcienda minsve vnius in alterum conuitijs exporbanda. Quin potius studium nostrum in laudem Dei & proximi vtilitatem dirigendum:[m7] vt optimis remedijs nostram vocationem comprobemus, quo indies Medicina certior & excultior fiat.
Nos corallos margaritas aurum supra marmor terimus quo facilius naturalis noster calor earum rerum vim per venas diffundat quod minimè faciet ob caloris nostri imbecillitatem. Quod si ante tincturam salemq́ue elicere possumus in minori dosi exhibendo natura citius iuua- [p. 219] bitur minusve grauabitur, transitusque per vniuersum corpus facilior erit: Iccirco hac nostra ætate Deus hunc virum rerum naturalium peritissimum Theophrastum Paracelsum excitauit quo deperditas artes bellis ciuilibus denuo in lucem reuocaret. Non quod margaritarum corallorum siue metallorum solutio noua ars sit, aut quod antea non fuerit.[m8] Teste Arnaldo[,] Raymundo, Gebro[,] Zozimo, Isaco Hollando à quo Paracelsus illa tria principia principiata expiscatus est: qui ante Paracelsum annos quadringentos vixerunt hanc quoq́ue artem calluerunt. Quis obsecro Cleopatram[m9] aceto margaritam soluere suoq́ue}} amatori Antonio potandam tribuere docuit? (vt historiæ testantur) nisi quod eius tempore ars erat quæ bellis continuis sepulta est: Cur tu ô Archiater Felix[m10] feliciter tuum [p. 220] Antimonium stibiatum sine nausea, vllo absque periculo exhibes? sed qualis est hæc diagredij præparatio quam penes summum philosophorum illum doctorem N[icolaum] Stupanum vidi? Quanta pariter chymica arcana præstantissima apud excell[entissimum] G[asparum] Bauhinum extant quorum aliqua memoria teneo? Vos igitur (sacræ medicinæ professores) mirari quidem possum, imitari vero minime. Meminerimus rerum opificem certis temporibus certas ægritudines certos homines in sui honorem multorumq́ue hominum salutem excitasse diuinum Hippocratem[m11] (cui par nemo aut secundus tum in morborum cognitione ac remediorum) excellentissimum suscitauit, cuius opera etiamnum extant, Galenum quoque (quamuis Christo male senserit) de re medica optime meritum: Hoc nostro seculo Pa- [p. 221] racelsum cui ob variarum ægritudinum remedia adinuenienda quæ veteres ignorarunt, varia Dei dona tributa sunt: & si quis sanæ mentis est contemnet ea minime: omnia (inquit Apostolus) probate, quæ bona sunt tenete. Recordor equidem (ô viri professores doctissimi) iuramenti quo vobis in doctoratus gradum suscipiendo, astrictus sum, me nihil pro Paracelso amplius scripturum, & id religiosè obseruare animus est: Præsertim quod Paracelsi scripta doctissima meis commendationibus non egeant, sed quæ longo vsu assiduisq́ue laboribus ex naturæ penetralibus extraxi in publicum vsum proferre nemo est qui vetat. Imo iubet ille cui plura debemus quam hominibus. In voto stulto, potest & merito debet mutari decretum. Nonne & vestri collegij, Reipublicæq́ue orna- [p. 222] mentum Theodorus Zuingerus[m12] qui sui apud omnes ingens desiderium reliquit, mihi astipulatur: qui in sui theatri lib[ro] 3. volumine 20. dicit, eos qui spagyricos insectantur, inconsulto odio id facere, cum arcani naturæ scrutatores sint. Andernacus quoque de noua & veteri medicina (inquiens) remedia ex mineralibus elicita[m13] plus virium habere vegetabilibus. Nam hodierni morbi veteribus longe sunt maiores & per consequens curatu difficiliores: siquidem cum mundo senescente omnia in deterius vergant. Iccirco velim nolim fateri cogor id quod etiam mecum grata posteritas negare haud poterit. In ipso Paracelso longe video meliora, proboq́ue quam in alijs authoribus: quæ nisi profiterer timendum esset, ne æternus Deus quantulacunque in me dona contulit, à me repeteret. Ic- [p. 223] circo (doctissimi atque excellentissimi viri) ingenuis meis conatibus pro humanitate vestra fauete: & munusculum hoc suo sale conditum vobis dedicatum, vt aliquod grati erga vos animi indicium boni consulatis: meque amore vestro prosequi pergatis, maiorem in modum rogo. Frankenthalij Kal[endis] Ianuarij 1594.
Apparatus
Marginalia
- ↑ In margin: Aloes laudatißima medicina.
- ↑ In margin: Hydrops.
- ↑ In margin: Tartari vitriolati.
- ↑ In margin: Calculus. Mensium suppreßio.
- ↑ In margin: Cathartici præparatio.
- ↑ In margin: Pestis curatio.
- ↑ In margin: Studium Medici quale.
- ↑ In margin: Ars Chymica fuit olim.
- ↑ In margin: Cleopatra.
- ↑ In margin: Felicis Plateri Antimonium purgans.
- ↑ In margin: Hippocratem.
- ↑ In margin: Theodorus Zuingerus.
- ↑ In margin: Remedia ex mineralibus.
Modern English Raw Translation
Upon the foundations of the world, the greatest philosophers (most learned professors) have primarily been concerned with three laxative remedies: firstly, that they do not impede natural warmth from its function. Secondly, that they do not kill. Lastly, that when necessary, the medicine can act effectively in remote parts without danger, and powerfully expel corrupt humors from them. However, they could never perfectly find these three qualities without causing harm to some part of the body. This is because bodies do not equally receive the action of a dose: in rare, solid, and dense substances, and yet it often happens that medicine administered healthily to some is lethal to others. Among laxative remedies, philosophers have especially praised Aloe because it least corrupts natural virtue. Indeed, it seems to strengthen the limbs, which daily experience confirms. Although Galen disagrees, saying that nothing is completely perfect. Indeed, for a hot liver, unless its dryness is first restrained by some suitable liquid, it is very harmful.
However, in my travels, through many studies, I have endeavored to benefit posterity, and that from me it might receive some relief and solace, and not burden human bodies with so many and such heavy potions. I have often discussed with myself what remedies, having little matter and much form, suitable for all ailments, which work quickly, safely, and pleasantly, I could devise. In the end, nothing is found to be more certain, suitable, safe, and pleasant for the sick than salts. For as long as it is preserved, it preserves, and in the nature of things, there are two subjects: one of wonder, which is foreign to our present institution; the other of necessity, which is our current topic of discussion. What is more diuretic, diaphoretic, cathartic than salt? This is the stone that God has freely bestowed. For example, to purge a dropsical person of thick serous humors, I take one scruple of crystallized tartar salt, one and a half ounces of rose honey, two ounces of wine from hellebore, and administer it; the potion is pleasant and of the highest strength. Is there anyone suffering from kidney stones or menstrual suppression? Take the same salt in two ounces of warm white wine, administer it, and shortly after, the effect will occur. The same, if given with a part of blessed thistle water and a little wine in the same dose, will promote copious sweating: if we discover so many and such great virtues in this simple substance, what if we combine more? Therefore, (laureate Masters), I would like you to be advised. When it is necessary to treat headaches or nephritic, dropsical, or gouty conditions, not just one herb, such as sage, betony, marjoram, should be taken, but several together that address such diseases, and so it is to be understood for other ailments, for example, when a cathartic is desired.
Take Hellebore, Gratia Dei, Euphorbium, Scammony, Rhubarb, Senna, Colocynth, etc., according to the weights of the wise, make an extract as is the art, burn the dregs, reverberate, make a lye, and from the lye make salt. Take one ounce of this extract, two drachms of its salt, mix well, let it be made into a mass, a dose for adults is one and a half scruples. Salt is mixed for two reasons, firstly, so that the extract does not stick to the fingers. Indeed, any medicine sticking to the fingers is harmful to the body. Salt, however, prevents cohesiveness. The other is that it dissolves quicker in the stomach, penetrating and opening obstructions.
Also, if someone is afflicted with the plague due to air pollution and not humor, take wormwood and prepare salt from it, of which take one drachm or one scruple in white wine, and have the patient walk around for half an hour immediately after taking it, then let him go to bed: he will sweat, vomit, purge the bowel, repeat this twice and with God's help, he will be freed: these are the things to be investigated in medicine, not to be rejected out of hatred nor to be disparaged with insults from one to another. Rather, our study should be directed towards the praise of God and the benefit of our neighbor: that we may prove our vocation with the best remedies, so that medicine becomes more certain and refined every day.
Continuing from where the previous passage left off, the author elaborates on the historical and contemporary advancements in medicine and alchemy, particularly emphasizing the contributions of Paracelsus. Here's the translation:
We grind corals, pearls, gold on marble so that our natural heat more easily spreads their power through our veins, which it would not do due to the weakness of our heat. If we can extract the tincture and salt before administering in a smaller dose, nature will be aided more quickly and burdened less, and the passage through the entire body will be easier. Therefore, in our age, God has raised up Theophrastus Paracelsus, a man most skilled in natural things, to bring back to light the arts lost to civil wars. Not that the solution of pearls, corals, or metals is a new art, or that it was not known before. As witnessed by Arnold of Villanova, Raymond Lull, Geber, Zosimos, and Isaac Holland, from whom Paracelsus derived those three principles he initiated, who lived four hundred years before Paracelsus and were skilled in this art as well. Who, I ask, taught Cleopatra to dissolve a pearl in vinegar and offer it as a drink to her lover Antony? (as histories testify) if not because that art existed in her time but was buried by continuous wars. Why do you, O Archiater Felix, successfully administer your antimony without nausea, without any danger? But what is this preparation of diagridium that I saw in the possession of that supreme philosopher, Doctor Nicolaus Stupanus? How many great chemical secrets also exist with the most excellent Caspar Bauhin, some of which I remember? Therefore, you (professors of sacred medicine), I may indeed marvel but cannot imitate. Let us remember that the creator of things has, at certain times, raised certain diseases, certain men, in his honor and for the salvation of many people: he raised the divine Hippocrates (to whom no one is equal or second both in the knowledge of diseases and remedies), whose works still exist. He also raised Galen (although he had a poor understanding of Christ) who merited well in medicine. In our century, Paracelsus, to whom various gifts were given by God for finding remedies for various diseases that the ancients did not know, and if anyone is of sound mind, they will not despise them: "Test everything; hold on to what is good," says the Apostle. Indeed, I remember (O most learned professors), the oath I took upon receiving my doctorate degree, that I would not write anything more for Paracelsus, and I intend to observe it religiously. Especially since Paracelsus's most learned writings do not need my commendations, but what I have extracted from nature's innermost parts through long use and continuous labor for public use, no one forbids me to bring forth. Indeed, He commands it, to whom we owe more than to men. In a foolish vow, the decree can and rightfully should be changed. Does not Theodorus Zwinger, an ornament of your college and the Republic, who left a great longing for himself among everyone, agree with me? He says in book 3, volume 20, of his theater that those who attack the spagyricists do so out of uninformed hatred, since they are explorers of nature's secrets. Andernacus also says about new and old medicine that remedies derived from minerals have more strength than those from vegetables. For today's diseases are far greater than those of the past and consequently more difficult to treat: as everything declines with the aging world. Therefore, whether I like it or not, I am forced to admit, which even grateful posterity will not be able to deny with me, that in Paracelsus himself I see and approve of better things than in other authors. If I did not profess this, I would fear that the eternal God might take back even the smallest gifts He has bestowed upon me. Therefore, most learned and excellent men, favor my humble efforts with your kindness, and consider this little gift, seasoned with its own salt and dedicated to you, as a sign of my gratitude towards you: and continue to favor me with your love, which I ask most earnestly. Frankenthal, the Kalends of January 1594.
