Iliaster primus

Body disease and historical medicine · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. The first human Iliaster described through life and its balsam.

In the book. Balsamum is associated with preserving bodies from putrefaction.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 27; facsimile PDF page 355.

Historical Definition

Iliaster primus is the term of life, life itself, or the balsam of life in a human being.

Meaning

The definition offers three related expressions rather than only one. The term of life, life itself, and its balsam describe the first Iliaster from different angles. “Term” is retained because the source does not explain whether a limit, duration or appointed course is intended in every use.

The human setting is explicit. This entry belongs with the four human Iliastri announced under the first Iliaster definition.

Use in the Book

Balsamum is associated with preserving bodies from putrefaction. Iliaster secundus turns to life through elements, tertius to life through quintessence, and magnus or quartus to the mind or soul caught into another world. Those differences give the sequence its structure; primus should not be assigned the whole fourfold account by itself.

Places to Read

Balsamum. A preservative substance described in both bodily and external forms.

Iliaster. First matter organised through three principles, four elements and a further human fourfold account.

Iliaster secundus. The second human Iliaster associated with elemental life.

In This Edition

The modernised definition keeps all three expressions and leaves their relation open to the author’s fuller discussion.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 27; facsimile PDF page 355 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary 1650, s.v. Iliaster primus

See also. Balsamum; Iliaster; Iliaster secundus; Iliaster tertius; Iliaster magnus