Spoonful of Sugar: Medicinal Preparation in the Domestic Sphere

Glauber, Johann Rudolf, 1604-1670.
The Works of the Highly Experienced and Famous Chymist, Johann Rudolf Glauber.
London: T. Milbourn, 1689.
Figure I-IV.
Ebling Library call number WZ250 G551W 1689

Once plants were gathered, they were prepared by several tools. Early common tools that aided this purpose include the mortar and pestle which assisted in grinding and mixing substances. A retort device aided in the distillation of substances.  Here Glauber’s illustration demonstrates how to construct a furnace where, “…flowers are sublimed, and spirits distilled speedily, and in great quantity.”

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