Medicinal virtues and therapeutic properties in the ‘Triumphant Chariot of Antimony’ attributed to Basilius Valentinus

MEDICINAL VIRTUES AND THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES IN THE ‘TRIUMPHANT CHARIOT OF ANTIMONY’ ATTRIBUTED TO BASILIUS VALENTINUS. Lefas, Michalis M. Asias 75 11527 ATHENS GREECE Papadopoulos, G. The treatise called “Triumphwagen Antimonii” was first published in 1604 by Johann Thoelde. The claim of the editor that it was produced from the manuscripts of the great Benedictine monk Basilius Valentinus seems wholly without foundation and it is probable that it was compiled by Thoelde himself. According to the supposed Basil Valentine every tangible and visible thing has in itself, in a latent form, the ‘good’ or the ‘evil’, medicine or poison; by a series of alchemical operations the ‘evil’ or the ‘impure’ can be removed and so the medicine can be perfected. After this separation, the dose ought to be regulated and determined by careful observation of individual peculiarities of constitution, although, if properly prepared, such a medicine is not poisonous, even in large doses. Antimony, so prepared, acts gently on man’s vitalizing spirits, imparting to them the ‘Universal Spirit of Nature’, and insensibly restoring the whole organism to perfect health. So, this medicine can treat even the most severe internal diseases. The ‘Fire Stone’ which is prepared from Antimony, does not only cure the diseases of men, but also removes the imperfections of metals. In it, we can find mercury, sulphur and salt, the three great principles of health according to the author. The author attributes the remarkable capabilities of Antimony in Alchemy and Medicine, to the fact that it exhibits far more sympathetic affinity to the stars than any other metal or mineral. Besides preparation and uses of antimony, the treatise states some more general therapeutic principles, such those regarding the proper approaches to external vs. internal, or ‘fixed’ vs. ‘non-fixed’ diseases.