The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700
Henry Powle (1630 - 1692)
Dictionary of National Biography entry: http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/22674?docPos=3 Other biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Powle Linked print sources: as Author (in assoc. with a ms or print source) - An account of the iron-works in the Forest of Dean, communicated by Henry Powle, Esquire.References in Documents:
Zernick, almost of
the
colour of Crocus Metallorum, or
some sorts of the Hæmatites. Given by Mr. Consul at
See a very good Account of the Iron-Mines, and
Iron- Works in the
PowlePhilosoph. Trans
actions. (a) a)
137
Iron, according to the use made of it, are
set down by
b)
b)
Mus. Metall
into Wyre; another, for a File; another, for a Chisel; ano
ther, for a Sword; another, for the Edge of a
Sword in par
ticular; and
the like. For the hardening of Iron for
Files; one of the Kings Farriers, upon my enquiry, com
mendeth this
following way.
Take Horse Hoofs or Rams
Horns, and hang them over
the fire till they drop
like Glew. Take also pieces of Leather,
and burn them black. Powder
them both, and put to
them stale Urine,
and Bay-Salt. Let them stand together;
the longer the better: at three or seven years end it will be
excellent. Case the Iron with this Mixture,
and give it a
strong heat, sufficient to fuse the Mixture, for
three hours;
and then cool it. The surface of this Iron will be as hard
as the hardest Steel, and will make excellent Files: but the
hardening reaches not to
the heart of the Iron.
Of Rusma (a brown and light Iron substance)
with ½ as
much Quick Lime
steeped together in Water, the
Women make their Psilothron, to take
off their Hair where
sover they please. There are
many Medicinal Preparations
of Iron or
Steel: But none, that I know of, equal to
the
Tincture made without Acids; especially in Obstructions,
and to strengthen
the Tone of the parts, as in Lienterick, and
other like Cases. Against all outward and inward Hæmorrhages, Quercetan
highly extols his Oleum Martis. A Tincture
of Steel made with White Wine, saith c) c)
Mus. Met
strong Cathartick. What he means, I know not.
Perhaps
he might find some such effect upon himself, from
that, as
one I know in this City, doth from Mithridate, which com
monly gives him a
Stool extraordinary. And another, upon
whom Marmalad hath the like effect.