_=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.