Sal Mercurii

Salts solvents and liquid preparations · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. A salt name locally identified with intoxicating spirit of wine.

In the book. Vinum correctum is referred to the alcohol of wine.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 41; facsimile PDF page 369.

Historical Definition

Sal Mercurii is the spirit of wine that causes drunkenness.

Meaning

The identification can surprise readers who expect Mercurii to require ordinary quicksilver and sal to require a familiar solid salt. The dictionary’s actual gloss is spirit of wine, distinguished by its attributed intoxicating effect.

Use in the Book

Vinum correctum is referred to the alcohol of wine. Together the entries show why a compound headword must be read through the local explanation, rather than reconstructed from each word in isolation.

Places to Read

Vinum correctum. A wine preparation referred to alcohol of wine.

In This Edition

The historical equivalence is retained exactly. It is not corrected to an assumed mercury salt solely on the basis of the Latin-looking name.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 41; facsimile PDF page 369 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary (1650), s.v. Sal Mercurii; 1650 facsimile PDF p. 369; compare Vinum correctum

See also. Vinum correctum