This sulphurous Volatile spirit of Vitriol, is of a very subtle and penetrating quality, and of a wonderful operation; for some drops thereof being taken and sweated upon, doth penetrate the whole body, openeth all obstructions, consumeth those things that are amiss in the body, even as fire. It is an excellent medicine in the Falling sickness, in that kind of madness or rage which is called _Mania_, in the Convulsion of the Mother, called _Suffocatio Matricis_, in the Scurvy; in that other kind of madness which is called Melancholia Hypochondriaca; and other Diseases proceeding from Obstructions and Corruption of the Blood: It is also good in the Plague, and all other Feavers: mingled with spirit of wine, and daily used, it doth wonders in all external accidents: Also in the Apoplexy, shrinking and other diseases of the Nerves, the distressed limb rubbed therewith, it doth penetrate to the very marrow in the bones; it doth warm and refresh the cold sinews, grown stiff: In the Cholick, besides the internal use, a little thereof in a clyster applyed, is a present help: Externally used in the Gout, by anointing the places therewith, asswageth the Pains, and taketh away all tumours and inflammations: It doth heal scabs, tetters and ring-worms, above all other medicines; it cureth new wounds and old sores, as Fistulaes, Cancers, Wolves, and what name soever else they may have: It extinguisheth all inflammations, scaldings, the Gangrene, dissipateth and consumeth the knobs and excrescencies of the skin. In a word, this spirit, which the wise men of old called _Sulphur Philosophorum_, doth act universally in all diseases, and its vertue cannot sufficiently be praised and expressed: And it is much to be admired, that so excellent a Medicine is no where to be found. If it be mingled with Spring water, it doth make it pleasantly sowrish, and in taste and vertue like unto the natural sowre water of wells. Also by this spirit, many diseases may be cured at home; so that you need not go to bathes afar off, for to be rid of them. Here I could set down a way, how such a spirit may be got in great abundance for the use of bathing, without distillation, whereby miraculous things may be done, but by reason of the ungratefulness of men, it shall be reserved for another time. _Of the vertue and use of the corrosive oyl of Vitriol._ This oyl is not much used in Physick, although it be found almost in every Apothecaries shop, which they use for to give a sowrish tast to their syrups and conserves. Mingled with spring water and given in hot diseases, it will extinguish the unnatural thirst, and cool the internal parts of the body. Externally it cleanseth all unclean sores, applyed with a feather; it separateth the bad from the good, and layeth a good foundation for the cure.