The Mystery and Romance of Alchemy and PharmacyThompson, C. J. S. (Charles John Samuel)
History
The Mystery and Romance of Alchemy and Pharmacy
Thompson, C. J. S. (Charles John Samuel)
Alchemy; Medicine, Magic, mystic, and spagiric; Pharmacy -- History
Celsus—Roman pharmacy—Methods of administration—Antidotes—Grecian
remedy for hydrophobia—Chemical bodies and drugs employed
by the Greeks and Romans—Dioscorides—His work on _materia
medica_—Ancient method of collecting opium—Preparation of wool
fat—Drugs used in Pompeii and Herculaneum _pages_ 39-46
CHAPTER VI.
ALCHEMY—THE ALCHEMISTS.
Origin of the term chemistry—Practice of the hermetic science
by the Egyptians—Al-Chindus—Geber—Rhazes—Merlin—St.
Dunstan—Albertus Magnus—Vincent de Beauvais—Raymond
Lulli—Arnauld de Villeneuve—Roger Bacon—Antonio
Quainer—Discoveries made by the early alchemists—Eck—John
Baptist Porta—Cornelius Agrippa—Dr. Dee—Symbols of the
alchemists _pages_ 47-63
CHAPTER VII.
THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE.
Alchemical research—Its objects—Supposed composition of the
Philosopher’s Stone—Claimants to the discovery—The theories of
Rhazes, Merlin and Bacon—Bacon’s definition of alchemy—Ripley’s
process—The Elixir of Life—The theories of Paracelsus—His
secret elixirs—Elixir Vitæ _pages_ 64-71
CHAPTER VIII.
THE BLACK ART AND OCCULT SCIENCES.
The antiquity of magic—Early magicians and wise men—Variety
of forms practised—Oneiromancy—Theurgy and Goetry—Historic
dreams—Necromancy—Methods of evocation—Chiromancy—Origin
of the practice—Astrology—Its antiquity—Famous astrologers
_pages_ 72-78
CHAPTER IX.
THE ART OF FORETELLING.
Influence of the planets and signs of the Zodiac—Casting
horoscopes—Methods of divination—Crystal
gazing—Dactylomancy—Pyromancy _pages_ 79-82
CHAPTER X.
BLACK MAGIC.
Practice of magic by the early alchemists—Demonology—Initiation
of novices—Taking the oath—The ceremonial—Perfumes
employed—Composition of the incense used—Black magic by
burning—Witchcraft—Methods of practice—Trial of the Duchess
of Gloucester—The “evil eye”—Apparitions in the sky—A
witches’ Sabbath—Appearance of the devil—Origin of the word
“witch”—Their initiation and pact _pages_ 83-89
CHAPTER XI.
SUPERSTITION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON MEDICINE.
Origin of incantations and charms—The cure of disease by poetry
and music—Ancient theory of the cause of disease—Precious
stones as remedial agents—Influence of the planets on
herbs—Survival of old superstitious customs—The “coral
and bells”—Sympathetic powders—Curing by touch—Empirical
nostrums—The doctrine of Signatories—Ancient superstitious
practices _pages_ 90-97
CHAPTER XII.
LOVE PHILTRES.
Composition of philtres—Roman love philtres—Law
against their use—Greek Love philtres—Ingredients
employed—Botanomancy—“Water of Magnanimity” _pages_ 98-101
CHAPTER XIII.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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