Page 142 - The Grotesque Children's Book

power has collapsed into its interior, and its interior thrown out and has now
become an oil that lies hidden in its innermost and depth, well prepared and ready.
And henceforth it cannot, unto the last judgement, be brought back to its first
essence. And this is true, for it has become so subtle and volatile, that as soon as it
senses the power of fire, it flies away as a smoke with all its parts because of its
volatility.

8. Of the Astragalus admix one-third fine Oil, and two-thirds fine Sulphur
Tinct, set seven or eight hours upon the fire, simmering till it become stiffened as
a chewy spittle with the mass at the Bottom and the Syrup at the top.

9. Admix Syrup of the Astragalus two or three drops in a cup of honey
and warmed wine, not eating nor drinking one hour nor aft.

If no mistakes have been made in the admixing, then assured the
Coughing shall be restituted.

Translator’s Note. Coughing Cure. Robert Boyle seems to have found
this very cure, for something very similar to this cure can be found among his
writings. The note in step 3 “forty (read: four)” would baffle a careful chemist
like our Dr. Valerius. Do you mean four, or do you mean forty? I would think
life could hang on the balance from a mistaken guess.

Exhibit B

Exhibit B. A sign in the window of apothecary Curro Meraviglia: “New wonder drug
Marrubio -- the hairy herb! Cures coughs, soar throghts [sic] and vile spittel. Now in
miraculous pill form. Only 30 denari per box. We deliver.” Submitted as evidence in the case
of Doctor Ludovico Valerius in the poisoning of the Duchess de’ Medici on October 19, 1587 at
Villa Medici in Poggio a Caiano.

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