From the book
A Chymical Dictionary
Gerhard Dorn and John French · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordA saline liquor understood through its preservative action.
- In the bookPreservativa names medicines through the same broad aim of preventing corruption.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 30; facsimile PDF page 358.
Historical definition
Liquor salis is Nature’s balm, by which the body is preserved from putrefaction.
Meaning
The historical account makes preservation the defining action. Nature’s balm sustains a body against putrefaction; the entry does not specify a particular salt, concentration or way of preparing the liquor. Its bodily effect is the explanation supplied.
Use in the book
Preservativa names medicines through the same broad aim of preventing corruption. Liquor Mercurii concerns a balm in which healing power resides. The relation between preservation and healing helps organise these names without making their qualifying words interchangeable.
Places to read
- Liquor salisRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
- Liquor MercuriiA mercurial liquor defined as the seat of healing power.
- PreservativaRemedies classified through preservation from corruption.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 30; facsimile PDF page 358 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 358, Liquor salis