The Sixth Part of the Books and Writings of the Noble and Highly Learned Philosopher and Physician Paracelsus

twice as much Sulphuris Vivi native/living sulfur, mix it well, and place it in a well-luted crucible in an Athannar furnace for sustained heat for four hours so that the sulfur is entirely burned away. Afterward, wash the remainder clean of dregs and sulfur and let it dry. Place this stone-lime into an Aquafort nitric acid and proceed with it as we have indicated before regarding metals; thus, the stones compare themselves to the metals: just as pure gems that are neither white nor gray compare themselves to gold, and the white, blue, or gray ones compare to silver. Afterward, the base stones compare themselves to the other metals: Alabaster to lead, marble to iron, pebbles to tin, and Dufft vapor/fumes to mercury, etc.

The separation of the oily substances follows this: these are all oils and wood-roots, seeds, fruits, and the like, which have a burning nature and are inclined to burn. This happens in two ways: one concerning the oily bodies, and one concerning the pure oils. Regarding the oily bodies, it is as follows: Take the body, crush or saw it—however you are able—into the smallest pieces, bind it in a cloth, and place it in horse manure for the time it takes to become entirely rotten, for one decays sooner than another. Once it has decayed, pour plain distilled wine into a flask over it until it covers it by the breadth of four fingers, and distill through sand everything that comes out. There, all elements except earth come over, which you should recognize by the colors. Yet, let the distilled wine come off first. First air, then water, then fire; earth remains at the bottom. But you should understand this regarding pure oils, that they do not require Putrefaction rotting process, but are to be distilled without additions. There, the colors indicate the distinction

of the elements, as we have recounted regarding the others. And in this way, it is to be understood regarding the resinous substances, which appear in liquid substance, such as pitch, resin, turpentine, gum, and the like. But those that are corporeal, such as sulfur, should first be prepared for this, and as follows.

First, take the crushed sulfur and let it boil with linseed oil in a double amount into an Epatic liver-like substance. Crush this and let it rot in a vessel for four weeks in horse manure. Afterward, distill through an Alembic distillation head in a naked fire gently. Thus, air and water come over first with pale colors. Afterward, increase the fire, so fire comes over, and earth remains at the bottom. Thus, the colors show themselves clearly: the air is pale yellow; the water is like thick milk, as there is no other recognition than that of milk; the fire is glowing like a ruby, with all fiery indications; and the earth is black and burned. And since the four elements are separated there, each is perfect in its elemental complexion and without mixing, as we have recounted.

And just as the water element is found most in herbs that are cold, so if they are airy, the airy element predominates. Likewise, the same is noted of the fire, and this occurs as follows:
Take sage, crush it, and let it putrefy rot as has been spoken of regarding the blisters. Afterward, distill it through the Ventrem Equi horse belly; horse manure. First, the element of fire goes over until the colors and thickness of the water change. Then earth follows, and some part remains at the bottom, which is fixed.