All the volatile spirit being come over, which you may know by the falling of bigger drops, then take off the receiver, and close it very well with wax, that the spirit may not make an escape; then apply another (without luting it) and so receive the phlegm by it self, and there will remain in the retort a black and heavy corrosive oyl, which if you please, you may rectifie, forcing it over by a strong fire, and then it will be clear; if not, let all cool, then take out your Retort together with the black oyl, and pour upon it the volatile spirit, which in the rectifying went over first, put the retort into the sand, and apply a receiver, and give it a very gentle fire, and the volatile spirit will come over alone, leaving its phlegm behind with the oyl, which by reason of its dryness doth easily keep it. Thus the spirit being freed from all phlegm, is become as strong as a meer fire, and yet not corrosive. And if this spirit be not rectified from its own oyl, it will not remain good, but there doth precipitate a red powder after it hath stood for some space of time, and the spirit loseth all its vertue, insomuch that it is not to be discerned from ordinary water, which doth not happen when it is rectified. The reason of this precipitation is no other than the weakness of the spirit, which is accompanied with too much water, and therefore not strong enough for to keep its sulphur, but must let it fall: but after it is rectified by its own oyl, it can keep its sulphur well enough, because then it is freed from its superfluous moisture. However the red powder is not to be thrown away, but ought to be kept carefully; because it is of no less vertue than the spirit it self. And it is nothing else but a Volatile sulphur of Vitriol. It hath wonderful vertues, some of which shall be related. _The Use and Dose of the Narcotick sulphur of Vitriol._ Of this sulphur 1, 2, 3, 4. or more grains (according to the condition of the patient) given at once mitigates all pains, causeth quiet sleep; not after the manner of Opium, Henbane, and other the like medicines, which by stupifying and benumbing cause sleep, but it performeth its operation very gently and safely, without any danger at all, and great Diseases may be cured by the help thereof. _Paracelsus_ held it in high esteem, as you may see, where he doth write of _Sulphur embryonatum_. _Of the Use and Vertue of the volatile spirit of Vitriol._