_Of the Preparation of Gold, and its Dissolution into most tender
Atoms apt for vivification and profitable application to
Medicinal use._
Gold doth not by any way more easily admit of being turned into most
tender and most subtil Attomes than by this following.
Dissolve pure Gold in _Aq. Regia_, and being dissolved pour thereto
as much of the Water of Tartar as is sufficient: So the clear Gold,
and clothed too with a golden Colour, will precipitate it self to the
bottom of the Vessel, nor will it be a darkish Powder, as ’tis wont to
be if precipitated by _Lixiviums_ or by the Spirit of Urine: But it is
light and tender, and shews in brightness like little golden Stars,
yea becomes so very tender and subtil, that it swims as ’twere in the
Water and settles to the bottom exceeding leasurely, and is thereby so
much worthier than all other _Calxes_ of Gold how subtil soever they
be, that they may be accompted of (if compared with this) but onely as
a gross Earth; whereas these shining golden little Stars are made so
tender and so subtil, as that they may easily discover and demonstrate
their Vertues in medicinal use very notably, by the help of other
things, and by being dissolved sundry ways.