BOOK FIVE

The power of Antimony. The inscrutable powers of Antimony.

In the same volume, Fragments, book 3, On Long Life, chapter 6, page 167, he says:
Just as Antimony purges Gold, so it also purges the body. For it contains within itself that Essence which leaves nothing impure in the pure: nor is there anyone so skilled in the writings of the Archidoxa The Archidoxa (Greater Secrets) is one of Paracelsus's most influential works on the "Spagyric" or alchemical preparation of medicines., or so distinguished a Spagyrist term: Spagyrist (an alchemist who prepares medicines by separation and recombination), who can fully investigate the strengths and powers of Antimony. For in its Prima Hyle term: First Matter/Hyle (the fundamental substance of the universe before it takes specific form) Antimony is so exalted and predestined among the minerals of the element of water, that its entire strength, power, and virtue have not been diminished or swallowed up by any watery flood like other growing things; thus, in all these things, Antimony stands far superior.

In its predestination, it behaves such that it accommodates itself to celestial influences, with none of its power or endowment diminished or weakened. Therefore, among all minerals, it holds the praise of the highest Arcanum term: Arcanum (a secret, powerful medicinal essence or "great mystery"). It purges itself, and along with itself, others. But if nothing good is found in the subject The "subject" refers to the person or material being treated., it transmutes an impure body into a pure one, as is known concerning leprosy: which is entirely proven through Spagyric practice. Preparation of Antimony. But so that we may teach how to prepare its virtues, which have been hidden for a long time—of which a single letter is more excellent than all the books of your profession—it must be known that it should be handled in such a process that it is not dissolved in its own form. For its form is its Arcanum, which must be driven through a Retort term: Retort (a glass vessel with a long neck used for distillation) without any caput mortuum term: caput mortuum (literally "dead head"; the dregs or useless residue left after distillation), and led through to the third Cohob term: Cohobation (the process of repeatedly distilling a liquid back onto its residue to increase its potency). Thus prepared, the Dose is 4 grains, as it is by itself, taken in the Fifth Essence term: Quinta Essentia (the purest, most concentrated medicinal extract) of Lemon Balm. Dosage of Antimony. The Archeus term: Archeus (the internal "alchemist" or vital force within the body and earth that directs growth and healing) of the earth can add no more to it.

Now we turn to the Paracelsian preparation, where he says thus: (Volume 6, book 1, On Indigested Minerals, treatise 1, page 169.)
The virtues of Antimony are found in cases of skin-spots original: "Morphea"; localized skin discolorations., Leprosy, Elephantiasis A chronic skin condition causing thickening of tissues., wounds, and ulcers.

The preparation for types of leprosy is this: Take 1 pound of the best ground Antimony; 4 pounds of very strong distilled Vinegar; half a pound of white raw Tartar term: Tartar (potassium bitartrate, a byproduct of winemaking used as a chemical agent). Reduce it to a fine powder for the vessel of a Vial, distill it through a retort, and a red oil will come forth. Note: Antimony sometimes undergoes a different process.

For if another disease is cured with it, a different preparation is always required, just as one is for wounds, another for leprosy. And so on for the rest.