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Terra Sigillata, Sealed Earth
Ortus Sanitatis, Beck, 1517
Several types of Sealed Earth with Arabic inscription
Metallotheca Vaticana, Mercati, 1719
Metallotheca Vaticana, Mercati, 1719
A number of varieties of 'Sealed Earth'
Museum Wormianum, Olao Worm, 1655
Museum Wormianum, Olao Worm, 1655
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A number of types of Sealed Earth. The right illustration is specifically Terra Sigillata prepared from Lemnian Earth and includes Arab and Turkish types in the top 2 rows, Florentine in the 3rd row, Bohemian in the 4th, Silesia (Central Europe) in the 5th, and Laubacenses in the bottom row. (Museum Museorum, Valentini, 1704)
Mineralogical Name:
Hydrated Aluminium Silicate
Parts used:
Sealed Earth was prepared of Earths from various locations, apparently sometimes from White Earth and sometimes from Red Earth. That of Lemnos was prepared by mixing with Goats Blood, then sealing in the form of round discs like coins. Thus, white Lemnian Earth may have been used but appeared red due to the blood. Versions were prepared from Lemnia, Samia, Melia, Silesia, Germany, Turkey, and elsewhere, with that of Constantinople often regarded as best.
Earth of Lemnos and Sealed Earth were used very similarly; Sealed Earth was generally regarded as stronger against Poison.
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Sweet
Hydrated Aluminium Silicate
Parts used:
Sealed Earth was prepared of Earths from various locations, apparently sometimes from White Earth and sometimes from Red Earth. That of Lemnos was prepared by mixing with Goats Blood, then sealing in the form of round discs like coins. Thus, white Lemnian Earth may have been used but appeared red due to the blood. Versions were prepared from Lemnia, Samia, Melia, Silesia, Germany, Turkey, and elsewhere, with that of Constantinople often regarded as best.
Earth of Lemnos and Sealed Earth were used very similarly; Sealed Earth was generally regarded as stronger against Poison.
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Sweet
Uses:
1. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Poison, Plague, Putrefaction, Pestilence, Malignant Fevers
-‘all kinds of Malignity and Venom’
-venomous Bites.
-'powerfully promotes sweat' (Salmon)
-‘Nicander informs us that it is a special antidote to lethal Poisons’ (Lexicon of Alchemy, Rulundus).
2. Astringes to Stop Leakage:
-Diarrhea and Dysentery.
3. Moves the Blood:
-‘It powerfully dissolves congealed blood’. (Salmon)
4. Settles Wind, Stops Spasms:
-‘Experience has confirmed it oftentimes to cure the Falling Sickness [Epilepsy]’. (Salmon)
5. Externally:
-applied to venomous bites, and malignant wounds
DOSE:
1–3 grams
1–3 grams
Main Combinations:
Combinations are similar to the other Earths, which see.
Cautions:
Not used in constipation
Main Preparations used:
Not used in constipation
Main Preparations used:
Salmon, Seplasium:
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In Arabic it is called Terimachtrin; in Latin, Terra Sigillata; in English, Sealed Earth.
Salmon listed 8 types, based on their origin: 1. Turkish or Constantinopolitan 2. Chia 3. Eretria 4. Lemnian 5. Melia 6. Samia 7. Selinusia 8. Strigensis The Turkish, Byzantine, Constantinopolitan and Silesian called Terra Silesiaca and Sphragis are ash-colored, and these are intended when Terra Sigillata are called for. They dry, bind, resists putrefaction and poison, dissolve congealed Blood, comfort and strengthen the Head, |
Heart and Stomach, dilate the Blood vessels and promotes Sweat.
Used chiefly for Plague, Epidemics, Spotted Fever, Purple Fevers, Measles, Small Pox and other malignant Fevers. Also for venomous bites of Snakes. It is also very good for Diarrhea and Dysentery and all types of Bleeding. Used internally and externally for malignant Wounds, sharp, running and corroding Ulcers (usually skin cancers). Dose to 1 dram. Terra Lemnia, the Lemnian Earth was also Sealed and was called Sigillum Lemnium. It came in red and ash-colored varieties and has similar virtues. |