The secrets of physick and philosophy
Subtitle: divided into two bookes: in the first is shewed the true and perfect order to distill, or draw forth the oyles of all manner of gummes, spices, seedes ... In the second is shewed the true and perfect order to prepare ... all manner of minerals
By: ... First written in the German tongue by ... Theophrastus Paraselsus [sic], and now published in the English tongue, by John Hester ...
Publisher: Printed by A. M. for William Lugger
Published: 1633
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 196
Subjects: Medicine; Formulae, receipts, prescriptions; Early works to 1800
Notes: Imperfect: preliminary leaf (half title?) wanting.

STC 19182.

Sudhoff 356, 184.

Pt. 1 is "a loose paraphrase, not a translation" of Duchesne's De exquisita mineralium, animalium, & vegetabilium medicamentorum spagyrica praeparatione & usu, perspicua tractatio. Pt. 2 probably is derived from Paracelsus. Cf. P. H. Kocher. John Hester, Paracelsan in Joseph Quincy Adams memorial studies, 1948, p. 629-630.

Earlier London editions (1575, 1580, 1596) were published under title: The key of philosophie. Also published anonymously in London in 1633 under title: A storehouse of physicall and philosophicall secrets.

STC (2nd ed.) 19182
Table of contents: title: (from t. p.) In the first is shewed the true and perfect order to distill, or draw forth the oyles of all manner of gummes, spices, seedes, roots, and hearbs, with their perfect taste, smell and vertues; title: In the second is shewed the true and perfect order to prepare, calcine, sublime, and dissolue all manner of minerals, and how ye shall draw forth their oyles and salts, which are most wonderfull in their operations, for the health of mans bodie.