CHAP. VI.
Quæry, Whether or no the Stomach may not be so help’d as that it may be able to dissolve and consume Gold as well as Iron and Copper.
For answer I say, yes. And forasmuch as the most thin filings of Iron and Copper, being given any one to drink, are digested and consumed by the natural acidity of the Stomach, or are by dissolution there turned into Vitriol, which (said Vitriol) doth vehemently stir up the Body by Vomit, and by Stool (according to the quantity of the exhibited Metals) and killeth the Worms both in old and young folks, and casteth them forth, and coloureth the very Excrements as black as a Coal; hereby evidently demonstrating, that being dissolved and consumed by the Stomach, it hath brought out, together with it self; the slain Worms; Any body may easily conjecture that the Acidity of the Stomach was sufficiently strong to set upon the two aforesaid Metals, being of a Salt nature, and of an easie Solution, and to reduce them so far as to cause them to display their hidden Vertues. But now the Stomach is not endued with so strong an Acidity, as to be able to set upon and dissolve Gold and Silver, being Metals as ’twere void of Salt, and admitting no Solution there. Hereupon it usually happens, that they being used inwardly in Medicine, do come away with the Excrements in such form as they were administred in. Thence do the unskilfull conclude (but falsly) that there are no Vertues in Gold and Silver, because that being brought into a most subtile Powder, and administred to the sick, they are notwithstanding destitute of any kind of Vertues. The reason why they do not operate at all is, because the Acidity of the Stomach is not sufficient enough to work upon them, and to stir them up to operation. But being dissolved by Acid Spirits, viz. the Gold by Spirit of Salt, and the Silver by Spirit of Niter, they doe evidently shew their Vertues in Medicine, being inwardly taken, and do purge the Body no less than Copper and Iron doe, and do withall colour the Excrements black, and kill the Worms both in old and young: Neither indeed will any find a more present remedy for killing the Worms, which do ofttimes destroy many Infants and Children destitute of any kind of help, than the Vitriol of Gold and Silver, about which shall be written a peculiar Chapter anon.
But forasmuch as the dissolved Metals, but especially Gold and Silver, do by their ungratefull savour offend the Palate, and dye the Tongue and Lips of a black Colour; Men do abhor to use them, although they might be very helpfull in Medicine: But however these discommodities may be prevented, by rendring the said Metals acceptable to the Palate, and so ordering them as that they shall no more Colour the Lips, but evidently shew forth their Vertues, and perform great matters in Medicine. This now may be done divers ways, some whereof shall be here described and declared.