Chalybeate Ale.
Take filings of needles half a pound; roots of Bittersweet 1 pound, mash them well together in a marble mortar, and put them into a bag for 4 gallons.
Thus a physician of good note was wont to order it; and to these may be added Sassaphras, Juniper-berries, each 2 ounces, dried Worm-wood 2 handfuls.
Let half a pint be drank twice a day, with moderate exercise; to mend to poverty of the blood, and break through obstructions.
You may Chalybeate any sort of Ale by this easy process.
Take filings of steel 1 pound, White Tartar 4 ounces; beat them in a (not brass) mortar, pouring on by little and little juice of lemons, as much as needed to bring it into a mash; after it hath remained 12 hours, tie it up in a rag, and put it (with the other ingredients) into 4 gallons; and let it all ferment together.
Thomas Fuller
Pharmacopeia Extemporanea 1710