Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

by Roger Bacon (circa 1220 - 1292)

On the true and right Preparation of Stibium / to heal human weaknesses and illnesses therewith, and to improve the imperfect metals.

From Friedrich Roth-Scholt , Deutsches theatrum chemicum, !"rnberg# $dam %onathan Felsecker, &'(&.

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

Preface )ear reader, at the end of his *ract on +itriol, Roger ,acon mentions that because of the multiplication of the *incture that is made from +itriol, the lover of $rt should ac-uaint himself with the *ract )e Oleo Stibii. *herefore . considered that it would be good and useful that the *ract )e Oleo Stibii follows ne/t. $nd if one thoroughl0 ponders and compares these tinctures with one another, then . have no doubt that one will not finish without e/ceptional profit. 1et, ever0 lover of $rt, should mind alwa0s to keep one e0e on !ature and the other on $rt and manual labour. For, when these two do not stand together, then it is a lame work, as when someone thinks he can walk a long path on one leg onl0, which is easil0 seen to be impossible, +ale.

%oachim *anckivs )e Oleo $ntimonii *ractatus. RO23R.. ,$4O!.S $!25. Summi Philosophi 6 4hemici.

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

Stibium, as the Philosophers sa0, is composed from the noble mineral Sulphur, and the0 have praised it as the black lead of the 7ise. *he $rabs in their language, have called it $sinat vel $ inat, the alchemists retain the name $ntimonium. .t will however lead to the consideration of high Secrets, if we seek and recogni e the nature in which the Sun is e/alted, as the 8agi found that this mineral was attributed b0 2od to the 4onstellation $ries, which is the first heavenl0 sign in which the Sun takes its e/altation or elevation to itself. $lthough such things are thrown to the winds b0 common people, intelligent people ought to know and pa0 more attention to the fact that e/actl0 at this point the infinitude of secrets ma0 be partl0 contemplated with great profit and in part also e/plored. 8an0, but these are ignorant and unintelligent, are of the opinion that if the0 onl0 had Stibium, the0 would get to it b0 4alcination, others b0 Sublimation, several b0 Reverberation and 3/traction, and obtain its great Secret, Oil, and Perfectum 8edicinam. ,ut . tell 0ou, that here in this place nothing will help, whether 4alcination, Sublimation, Reverberation nor 3/traction, so that subse-uentl0 a perfect 3/traction of metallic virtue that translates the inferior into the superior, ma0 profitabl0 come to pass or be accomplished. For such shall be impossible for 0ou. )o not let 0ourselves be confused b0 several of the philosophers who have written of such things, i.e., 2eber, $lbertus 8agnus, Rhasis, Rupecilla, $ristoteles and man0 more of that kind. $nd this 0ou should note. 1es, man0 sa0, that when one prepares Stibium to a glass, then the evil volatile Sulphur will be gone, and the Oil, which ma0 be prepared from the glass, would be a ver0 fi/ed oil, and would then trul0 give an ingress and 8edicine of imperfect metals to perfection. *hese words and opinions are perhaps good and right, but that it should be thus in fact and prove itself, this will not be. For . sa0 to 0ou trul0, without an0 hidden speech9 if 0ou were to lose some of the above mentioned Sulphur b0 the preparation and the burning, as a small fire ma0 easil0 damage it, so that 0ou have lost the right penetrating spirit, which should make our

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

whole $ntimonii corpus into a perfect red oil, so that it also can ascend over the helm with a sweet smell and ver0 beautiful colors and the whole bod0 of this mineral with all its members, without loss of an0 weight, e/cept for the foecum, shall be an oil and go over the helm. $nd note also this# :ow would it be possible for the bod0 to go into an oil, or give off its sweet oil, if it is put into the last essence and degree; For glass is in all things the outermost and least essence. For 0ou shall know that all creatures at the end of the world, or on the last and coming <udgement of the last da0, shall become glass or a lovel0 ameth0st and this according to the families of the twelve Patriarchs, as in the families of <ewels which :ermes the 2reat describes in his book# $s we have elaboratel0 reported and taught in our book de 4abala. 1ou shall also know that 0ou shall receive the perfect noble red oil, which serves for the translation of metals in vain, if 0ou pour acetum correctum over the $ntimonium and e/tract the redness. 1es not even b0 Reverberation, and even if its manifold ,eautiful colors show themselves, this will not make an0 difference and is not the right wa0. 1ou ma0 indeed obtain and make an oil out of it, but it has no perfect force and virtue for transmutation or translation of the imperfect metals into perfection itself. *his 0ou must certainl0 know.

AND NOW WE PROCEED TO THE MANUAL LABOUR, AND THUS THE PRACTICA FOLLOWS. *ake in the !ame of 2od and the :ol0 *rinit0, fine and well cleansed $ntimonii ore, which looks nice, white, pure and internall0 full of 0ellow rivulets or veins. .t ma0 also be full of red and blue colors and veins, which will be the best. Pound and grind to a fine powder and dissolve in a water or $-ua Regis, which will be described below, finel0 so that the water ma0

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

con-uer it. $nd note that 0ou should take it out -uite soon after the solution so that the water ma0 con-uer it. $nd note that 0ou should take it out -uite soon after the solution so that the water will have no time to damage it, since it -uickl0 dissolves the $ntimonii *incture. For in its nature our water is like the ostrich, which b0 its heat digests and consumes all iron9 for given time, the water would consume it and burn it to naught, so that it would onl0 remain as an idle 0ellow earth, and then it would be -uite spoilt. 4onsider b0 comparison 5una, beautiful clean and pure, dissolved in this our water. $nd let it remain therein for no more than a single night when the water is still strong and full of Spirit, $nd . tell 0ou, that 0our good 5una has then been fundamentall0 consumed and destro0ed and brought to nought in this our water. $nd if 0ou want to reduce it to a pure corpus again, then 0ou will not succeed, but it will remain for 0ou as a pale 0ellow earth, and occasionall0 it ma0 run together in the shape of a horn or white horseshoe, which ma0 not be brought to a corpus b0 an0 art. *herefore 0ou must remember to take the $ntimonium out as soon as possible after the Solution, and precipitate it and wash it after the custom of the alchemists, so that the matter with its perfect oil is not corroded and consumed b0 the water.

THE WATER; WHEREIN WE DISSOLVE THE ANTIMONIUM, IS MADE THUS: *ake +itriol one and a half =alii >. lb.? Sal armoniac one pound, $rinat =alii $lun? one half pound / Sal niter one and a half pound, Sal gemmae =alii Sal commune? one pound, $lumen crudum =alii 3ntali? one half pound. *hese are the species that belong to and should be taken for the 7ater to dissolve the $ntimonium.

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

*ake these Species and mi/ them well among each other, and distill from this a water, at first rather slowl0. For the Spiritus go with great force,, more than in other strong waters. $nd beware of its spirits, for the0 are subtle and harmful in their penetration. 7hen 0ou now have the dissolved $ntimon0, clean and well sweetened, and its sharp waters washed out, so that 0ou do not notice an0 sharpness an0 more, then put into a clean vial and overpour it with a good distilled vinegar. *hen put the vial in Fimum 3-uinum, or ,alneum 8ariae, to putref0 fort0 =al.i four? da0s and nights, and it will dissolve and be e/tracted red as blood. *hen take it out and e/amine how much remains to be dissolved, and decant the clear and pure, which will have a red colour, ver0 cautiousl0 into a glass flask. *hen pour fresh vinegar onto it, and put it into )igestion as before, so that that which ma0 have remained with the faecibus, it should thus have ample time to become dissolved. *hen the faeces ma0 be discarded, for the0 are no longer useful, e/cept for being scattered over the earth and thrown awa0. $fterwards pour all the solutions together into a glass retort, put into ,alneum 8ariae, and distill the sharp vinegar rather a fresh one, since the former would be too weak, and the matter will ver0 -uickl0 become dissolved b0 the vinegar. )istill it off again, so that the matter remains -uite dr0. *hen take common distilled water and wash awa0 all sharpness, which has remained with the matter from the vinegar, and then dr0 the matter in the sun, or otherwise b0 a gentle fire, so that it becomes well dried. .t will then be fair to behold, and have a bright red color. *he Philosophers, when the0 have thus prepared our $ntimonium in secret, have remarked how its outermost nature and power has collapsed into its interior, and its interior thrown out and has now become an oil that lies hidden in its innermost and depth, well prepared and read0. $nd henceforth it cannot, unto the last <udgement, be brought back to its first essence. $nd this is true, for it has become so subtle and volatile, that as soon as it senses the power of fire, it flies awa0 as a smoke with all its parts because of its volatilit0.

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

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Several poor and common 5aborers, when the0 have prepared the $ntimonium thus, have taken one part out, to take care of their e/penses, so that the0 ma0 more easil0 do the rest of the work and complete it, *he0 then mi/ed it with one part Salmiac, one part +itro =alii. !itro, alii. *itro?, one part Rebohat, to cleanse the 4orpera, and then proceeded to pro<ect this mi/ture onto a pure 5unam. $nd if the 5una was one 8ark, the0 found two and a half 5oth good gold after separation9 sometimes even more. $nd therewith the0 had accomplished a work providing for their e/penses, so that the0 might even better e/pect to attain to the 2reat 7ork. $nd the foolish called this a bringing into the 5unam, but the0 are mistaken. For such gold is not brought in b0 the Spiritibus =alii. Speciebus?, but an0 5una contains two 8ark gold to the 5oth, some even more. ,ut this gold is united to the 5unar nature to such a degree that it ma0 not be separated from it, neither b0 $-uafort, nor b0 common $ntimonium, as the goldsmiths know. 7hen however the <ust mentioned mi/ture is thrown onto the 5unam in flu/, then such a separation takes place that the 5una -uite readil0 gives awa0 her implanted gold either in $-uafort or in Regal, and lets herself separate from it, strikes it to the ground and precipitates it, which would or might otherwise not happen. *herefore it is not a bringing into the 5unam, but a bringing out of the 5una. ,ut we are coming back to our Proposito and purpose of our work, for we wish to have the Oil, which has onl0 been known and been ac-uainted with this magistr0, and not b0 the foolish. 7hen 0ou then have the $ntimonium well rubified according to the above given teaching, then 0ou shall take a well rectified Spiritum vini, and pour it over the red powder of $ntimon0, put it in a gentle ,alneum 8ariae to dissolve for four da0s and nights, so that ever0thing becomes well dissolved. .f however something should remain behind, 0ou overpour the same with fresh Spiritu vini, and put it into the ,alneum 8ariae again, as said before, and ever0thing should become well dissolved. $nd in case there are

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

some more faeces there, but there should be ver0 little, do them awa0, for the0 are not useful for an0thing. *he Solutiones put into a glass retort, lute on a helm and connect it to a receiver, also well luted, to receive the Spiritus. Put it into ,alneum 8ariae. *hereafter 0ou begin, in the !ame of 2od, to distill ver0 leisurel0 at a gentle heat, until all the Spiritus +ini has come over. 1ou then pour the same Spiritum that 0ou have drawn off, back onto the dr0 matter, and distill it over again as before. $nd this pouring on and distilling off again, 0ou continue so often until 0ou see the Spiritum vini ascend and go over the helm in all kinds of colours. *hen it is time to follow up with a strong fire, and a noble blood red Oleum will ascend, go through the tube of the helm and drip into the recipient. *rul0, this is the most secret wa0 of the 7ise to distill the ver0 highl0 praised oil of $ntimonii, and it is a noble, powerful, fragrant oil of great virtue, as 0ou will hear below in the following. ,ut here . wish to teach and instruct 0ou who are poor and without means to e/pect the 2reat 7ork in another manner9 not the wa0 the ancients did it b0 separating the gold from the 5una. *herefore take this oil, one lot, @ancient weight unit used for the weighing of gold and silver coins - about &/(A poundB eight lot of Saturn calcined according to art, and carefull0 imbibe the oil, drop b0 drop, while continuousl0 stirring the cal/ Saturni. *hen put it ten da0s and nights in the heat, in the furnace of secrets, and let the fire that this furnace contains, increase ever0 other da0 b0 one degree. *he first two da0s 0ou give it the first degree of fire, the second two da0s 0ou give it the second degree, and after four da0s and nights 0ou put it into the third degree of fire and let it remain there for three da0s and nights. $fter these three da0s 0ou open the window of the fourth degree, for which likewise three da0s and nights should be sufficient. *hen take it out, and the top of the Saturnus becomes ver0 beautiful and of a reddish 0ellow colour. *his should be melted with +enetian ,oreas. 7hen this has been done, 0ou will find that the power of our oil has changed it to good gold. *hus 0ou will again have subsistence, so that 0ou ma0 better e/pect the 2reat 7ork. 7e now come back to our purpose

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

where we left it earlier. $bove 0ou have heard, and have been told to distill the Spiritum vini with the Oleum $ntimonii over the helm into the recipient as well as the work of changing the Saturnum into gold. ,ut now we wish to make haste and report about the second tinctural work. :ere it will be necessar0 to separate the Spiritum vini from the oil again, and 0ou shall know that it is done thus# *ake the mi/ture of oil and wine spirit put it into a retort, put on a helm, connect a receiver and place it all together into the ,alneum 8ariae. *hen distill all the Spiritum vini from the oil, at a ver0 gentle heat, until 0ou are certain that no more Spiritus vini is to be found within this ver0 precious oil. $nd this will be eas0 to check9 for when 0ou see several drops of Spiritu vini ascend over the helm and fall into the recipient, this is the sign that the Spiritus vini has become separated from the oil. *hen remove the fire from the ,alneo, though it was ver0 small, so that it ma0 cool all the sooner. !ow remove the recipient containing the Spiritu vini, and keep it in a safe place, for it is full of Spiritus which it has e/tracted from the oil and retained. .t also contains admirable virtues, as 0ou will hear hereafter. ,ut in the ,alneo 0ou will find the blessed bloodred Oleum $ntimonii in the retort, which should be taken out ver0 carefull0. *he helm must be ver0 slowl0 removed, taking care to soften and wash off the 5ute, so that no dirt falls down into the beautiful red oil and makes it turbid. *his oil 0ou must store with all possible precaution so that it receives no damage. For 0ou now have a :eavenl0 Oil that shines on a dark night and emits light as from a glowing coal. $nd the reason for this is that its innermost power and soul has become thrown out unto the outermost, and the hidden soul is now revealed and shines through the pure bod0 as a light through a lantern# %ust as on %udgement )a0 our present invisible and internal souls will manifest through our clarified bodies, that in this life are impure and dark, but the soul will then be revealed and seen unto the outermost of the bod0, and will

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

shine as the bright sun. *hus 0ou now have two separate things# ,oth the Spirit of 7ine full of force and wonder in the arts of the human bod0# $nd then the blessed red, noble, heavenl0 Oleum $ntimonii, to translate all diseases of the imperfect metals to the Perfection of gold. $nd the power of the Spiritual 7ine reaches ver0 far and to great heights. For when it is rightl0 used according to the $rt of 8edicine# . tell 0ou, 0ou have a heavenl0 medicine to prevent and to cure all kinds of diseases and ailments of the human bod0. $nd its uses are thus, as follows#

AGAINST PODAGRA or GOUT .n the case of gout one should let three drops of this Spiritu vini, that has received the power of the $ntimon0, fall into a small glass of wine. *his has to be taken b0 the patient on an empt0 stomach at the ver0 moment in time when he sense the beginning or arrival of his trouble, bodil0 ailment and pain. On the ne/t da0 and afterwards on the third da0 it should also be taken and used in the same wa0. On the first da0 it takes awa0 all pain, however great it ma0 be, and prevents swelling. On the second da0 it causes a sweat that is ver0 inconstant, viscous and thick, that smells and tastes -uite sour and offensive, and occurs mostl0 where the <oints and limbs are attached. On the third da0, regardless of whether an0 medicine has been taken, a purging takes place of the veins into the bowels, without an0 inconvenience, pain or grief. $nd this demonstrates a great power of !ature.

AGAINST LEPROS *o begin with the patient is given si/ drops on an empt0 stomach. $nd arrange it so that the unclean person is alone without the compan0 of an0 health0 people, in a separate and convenient place. For his whole bod0 will soon begin to smoke and steam with a

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

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stinking mist or vapor. $nd on the second da0 his skin will start to flake and much uncleanliness will detach itself from his bod0. :e should then have three more drops of the medicine read0, which he should take and use in solitude on the fourth da0. *hen on the eighth or ninth da0, b0 means of this medicine and through the bestowal of )ivine merc0 and blessing, he will be completel0 cleansed and his health restored.

AGAINST APOPLE!IA OR STRO"E .n the case of stroke, let a drop of the unadmi/ed tincture fall onto the tongue of the person in need. $t once it will raise itself and distribute itself like a mist or smoke, and rectif0 and dissolve the struck part. ,ut if the stroke has hit the bod0 or other members, he should be given three drops at the same time in a glass of good wine, as previousl0 taught in the case of Podagra. AGAINST H DROPE OR DROPS .n the case of drops0 give one drop each da0 for si/ da0s in a row, in $-ua 8elissae or +alerianae. On the seventh da0 give three drops in good wine. *hen it is enough. AGAINST EPILEPSIA, CATALEPSIA, # ANALEPSIA. .n case of the falling sickness, give him two drops at the beginning of the Paro/ismi in $-ua Salviae, and after three hours again two drops. *his will suffice. ,ut if further s0mptoms should occur, then give him two more drops as above. AGAINST HECTIC .n case of consumption and deh0dration, give him two drops in $-ua +iolarum the first da0. On the second da0, give him two more drops in good wine.

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

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AGAINST FEVER .n cases of all kinds of hot fevers, give him three drops in a well distilled St. %ohnswort water or 4ichorii at the beginning of the Paro/ismi. 3arl0 in the morning on the following da0, again give him three drops in good wine on an empt0 stomach. AGAINST PEST .n the case of pestilence give the patient seven drops in a good wine, and see to it that the infected person is all b0 himself, and caused to sweat. *hen this poison will, with )ivine assistance, do him no harm. FOR THE PROLONGATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A HEALTH LIFE.

*ake and give at the beginning and entr0 of spring, when the sun has entered the sign of $ries, two drops9 and at the beginning with 2odCs help, be safe and protected against bad health and poisoned air, unless the incurred disease was predestined and fatall0 imposed upon man b0 the $lmight0 2od. ,ut we now wish to proceed to the Oleum $ntimonii and its Power, and show how this oil ma0 also help the diseased and imperfect metallic bodies. *ake in the !ame of 2od, ver0 pure refined gold, as much as 0ou want and think will suffice. )issolve it in a rectified 7ine, prepared the wa0 one usuall0 makes $-uam +itae. $nd after the gold has become dissolved, let it digest for a month. *hen put it into a ,alneum, and distill off the spiritum vini ver0 slowl0 and gentl0. Repeat this several times, as long and as often until 0ou see that 0our gold remains behind in fundo as a sap. $nd such is the manner and opinion of several of the ancients on how this oil ma0 also help the diseased and imperfect metallic bodies.

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

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*ake, in the !ame of 2od, ver0 pure refined gold, as much as 0ou want and think will suffice. )issolve it in a rectified 7ine, prepared the wa0 one usuall0 makes $-uam +itae. $nd after the gold has become dissolved, let it digest for a month. *hen put it into a ,alneum, and distill off the spiritum vini ver0 slowl0 and gentl0. Repeat this several times, as long and as often until 0ou see that 0our gold remains behind in fundo as a sap. $nd such is the manner and opinion of several of the ancients on how to prepare the gold. ,ut . will show and teach 0ou a much shorter, better and more useful wa0. +i . that 0ou instead of such prepared gold take one part 8ercurii Solis, the preparation of which . have alread0 taught in another place b0 its proper process. )raw off its air0 water so that it becomes a subtle dust and cal/. *hen take two parts of our blessed oil, and pour the oil ver0 slowl0, drop b0 drop onto the dust of the 8ercurii Solis, until ever0thing has become absorbed. Put it in a vial, well sealed, into a heat of the first degree of the oven of secrets, and let it remain there for ten da0s and nights. 1ou will then see 0our powder and oil -uite dr0, such that it has become a single piece of dust of a blackish gre0 colour. $fter ten da0s give it the second degree of heat, and the gre0 and black colour will slowl0 change into a whiteness so that it becomes more or less white. $nd at the end of these ten da0s, the matter will take on a beautiful rose white. ,ut this ma0 be ignored. For this colour is onl0 due to the 8ercurio Solis, that has swallowed up our blessed oil, and now covers it with the innermost part of its bod0. ,ut b0 the power of the fire, our oil will again subdue such 8ercurium Solis, and throw it into its innermost. $nd the oil with its ver0 bright red colour will rule over it and remain on the outside. *herefore it is time, when twent0 0ears =sic? have passed, that 0ou open the window of the third degree @*he alchemical ovens had small openings at different heights, b0 means of which the heat was regulated.B *he e/ternal white colour and force will then completel0 recede inwardl0, and the internal red colour will, b0 the force of the fire, become e/ternal. Deep also this degree of fire for ten da0s, without increase or decrease. 1ou will then see

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0our powder, that was previousl0 white, now become ver0 red. ,ut for the time being this redness ma0 be ignored =is of no conse-uence?, for it is still unfi/ed and volatile9 and at the end of these ten da0s, when the thirtieth da0 has passed, 0ou should open the last window of the fourth degree of fire, 5et it sta0 in this degree for another ten da0s, and this ver0 bright red powder will begin to melt. 5et it sta0 in flu/ for these ten da0s. $nd when 0ou take it out 0ou will find on the bottom a ver0 bright red and transparent stone, rub0 colored, melted into the shape of the vial. *his stone ma0 be used for Pro<ection, as has been taught in the tract on +itriol. Praise 2od in 3ternit0 for this :is high revelation, and thank :im in 3ternit0. $men.

ON THE MULTIPLICATION LAPIDIS STIBII. *he ancient sages, after the0 had discovered this stone and prepared it to perfect power and translation of the imperfect metals to gold, long sought to discover a wa0 to increase the power and efficienc0 of this stone. $nd the0 found two wa0s to multipl0 it# One is a multiplication of its power, such that the stone ma0 be brought much further in its power of *ransmutation. $nd this multiplication is ver0 subtle, the description of which ma0 be found in the *ract on 2old. *he second multiplication is an $ugmentum -uantitatis of the stone with its former power, in such a wa0 that it neither loses an0 of its power, nor gains an0, but in such a manner that its weight increases and keeps on increasing ever more, so that a single ounce grows and increases to man0 ounces. *o achieve this increase or 8ultiplication one has to proceed in the following manner# *ake in the !ame of 2od, 0our stone, and grind it to a subtle powder, and add as much 8ercurii Solis as was taught before. Put these together into a round vial, seal with sigillo :ermetis, and put it into the former oven e/actl0 as taught, e/cept that the time has to be shorter and less now. For where 0ou previousl0 used ten =alii thirt0? da0s, 0ou ma0

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

now not use more than four =alii ten? da0s. .n other respects the work is e/actl0 the same as before. Praise and thank 2od the $lmight0 for :is high revelation, and diligentl0 continue 0our pra0ers fir :is $lmight0 8erc0 and )ivine blessings of this 7ork and $rt as well as :is granting 0ou a good health and fortuitous welfare. $nd moreover, take care alwa0s to help and counsel the poor. LAVS DEO OMNIPOTENTI

$F%&%'$

Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimony

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