and reason thereof Let euery mans opinion bee free to himselfe I will without preiudice to any other briefely shew you my opinion I take it for granted that gold of all mixed bodies is most equall and temperate in the Elements and elementall qualities so that moysture with heat as agent drinesse with coldnes as patient and subiect to action are inseparably with naturall concordance perfectly ioyned Wherefore gold is respectiuely a body not only incorruptible in water fire ayre and earth and as it were an earthly image of eternitie but also most conuenient agreeable and as it were allied to and with the heart of man which of his hot moysture doth worke the vitall spirits and maintaine the arteriall beatings of the pulse in all parts of the bodie And this temperament of gold must bee considered two waies First as Scholers call it Arithmetically hence commeth the equalitie and equabilitie of qualities elementarie in the compact and solide body thereof not resolued into the permanent forme of potable liquor In this consideration it were very hard for learned Physitions that build so much vpon and presse authoritie to deny that gold hath and actiuely doth shew many great effectiue vertues seeing the Catalogue is so great of many notable and famous Physitions which extoll the effects thereof and at this day doe vse it so much as of gold quenched in wine boyled in broth giuen in limell or foyle in Conserues and Electuaries The hope and end thereof in all their intentions is to Corroborate and comfort the heart And this temperature in and of gold is habituate and coessentiall with the whole substance matter and forme in all the Elements both actiue and passiue And because not the materiall but the formal Essence is most operatiue and professor of the noble Elements fire and ayre from whence resulteth in an indissoluble bond heate and moysture so friendly agreeable to mans nature Therefore gold in his naturall coagulation and soliditie cannot so fully according to the inward power of his naturall efficacie and vertue shew and performe the effects thereof as being resolued opened and made potable that the Elements and elementall qualities may more freely both worke and be wrought vpon and be brought from their potentiality to actiuitie in application to the body of man For then the agent and formall vertues fire and ayre be predominant in their exaltation Whose propertie being communicated applied to with the spirits of our body is to refresh comfort strengthen the heart renew restore and increase the spirits by that wonderfull facultie and neere equalitie as it were brotherhood which it hath to them And this in the second consideration of the temperament of Gold Geometricall in that different respect as the other is called Arithmeticall In which that proportionate qualitie friendly and concordant to the heart and temperament of man and that complexioned moyst heate or hot moysture is preualent or predominant And one chiefe reason why Arnald before cited and very many others of vnreprooueable authoritie doe so much commend and with a reserued secrecie admire the excellent dowers of gold is that being made potable it restoreth augmenteth and preserueth that our humidum radicale and calidum innatum Naturall heate and moysture vnderstand them complexioned not distinct and so with respectiue possibilitie prolongeth life and keepeth backe old age I meane the sense of the defects and infirmities thereof If it be obiected that this exact temperature and equality Obiection of mixture in gold being supposed it cannot actiuely operate or worke any thing in mans bodie because as euery action commeth from or by meanes of some predominant qualitie so equalitie without disparagement keepes all in an vndefeazeable bond of an irresoluble compound I answer thus In cases where the intemperature or distemper of the disease or the degree thereof in some cases is not yet knowne the doctrine positiue and counsell of Physitions is to vse and administer temperate Medicines which shall not be offensiue manifestly to any qualitie but indifferent and allowable to all If this be done with good aduise and reason in such like case it must needs be far more consonant to reason and behoouefull to the patient to giue such a Medicine as is not only temperate by qualification but so prerogatiuely excellent therein that it cannot lose that temperature and the consequent efficacie thereof by the force of any thing consonant or dissonant Which is farre otherwise in all vegetables reputed equall in temperament because they are apt in some cases to cause dangerous distemperature in mans body Examples are plentifull But for instance take Manna it selfe reputed a very temperate laxatiue yet very easily it selfe turning into a hot Cholerick humour and encreasing the same and the distemperatures and diseases consequent thereupon according to the disposition and inclination of the body receiuing it Of which there is no feare in the vse of gold for the reasons aforesaid Therefore whether the Tenure be That Contraries be cured by Contraries hauing respect to the disease and the cause thereof the qualitie of the Medicine is remedy Or that like are conserued by their like with regard to the strength of the patient and comfort of the heart according to the doctrine of Hippocrates Gold as hath beene prooued must needs be in both intentions the fittest and most conuenient Medicine and remedy for diseases of what temper or distemper soeuer being aduisedly giuen specially being Philosophically opened resolued and made potable That there may bee a generall or vniuersall Medicine 4 The fourth reason is also prooued by consideration taken from the nature of the person diseased with reference to the disease For if the disease be strong like a heauie burden pressing the patient and the poore patient weake not able to beare out the Critical day of happy iudgement of issue of the maladie I aske in this case what ought to be done Certainly rather enable the body to the end of the Combate by comforting and strengthning the heart then vainly attempt to remooue the log and suffer him to sinke vnder the burden For not the Medicine but nature alone is the true physition curing all infirmities if she be not oppressed or that she be so releeued that strength in her be maintained It is not vnlike by comparison vnto the charge of sumpter Mules or Pack-horses which oft times vse to bee fed trauelling that they may endure to carry their burdens to the Inne not discharged vntimely of their packes And by this meanes they neede not be vnloaden at euery bayte but prouendred vnder their loads for the quicker dispatch So no disease is cured the strength not maintained but contrarily by perfect Methode the strength and power of the body is by degrees to bee restored and comforted that the disease may be both resolued and life maintained To this purpose did Arnaldus write in these words The only intention of ancient Physitions was to giue vigor and
strength vnto nature Who being strengthned performeth whatsoeuer is expedient And by this meanes they neuer did ouerthrow any man Therefore neuer cease to worke with Cordialls in administration of Physicke This is the counsell of Arnald Moreouer many diseases proceed from obstructions The fift reason of some viscous slymie and mucilaginous matter not separated in the vessels of concoction by their imbecillity either naturall or accidentall Therfore if this obstruent matter be subtiliated the obstruction shall thereby be taken away consequently both the disease and accidents of the disease cured Of such kinds of Obstructions besides other diseases many kinds of fevers doe arise burning rotten hectick pestilent c. Also many and dangerous sicknesses both hot and cold Against which though Medicine made of vegetables doe often very much preuaile yet because for the most part they be too weak and leaue no solide and lasting impression or contrariwise worke so violently and seldome without some offence scarce euer with such temper gentlenes and sincerity as is requisite Therefore that Medicine which being most temperate and equally graduated to the Elementall harmonie of mans body ought iustly to be preferred both before them and all of that kind For such one cannot by his coldnesse offend the complexioned parts nor by his heate the hot but by opening and so promotiuely taking away the Obstruction be equally certainly profitable to all Galen teacheth that the cause is to be takē away by finding out and applying the true contrary of euery alterable nature As to cure any disease coming of and depending on Obstruction is the dissoluing of matter obstruent opening the Obstruction This counsell we ought to follow in al such cases in opening that which is forcibly shut And then gentle and quiet restitution commeth of temperament to all distempered parts For whether the excesse were in heate or cold the spirits which were shut vp in prison now set at liberty are refreshed recouer their former vigor and health to the whole body If the blood saith Hippocrat be stopped in his course and the spirit with it it causeth chylnesse numnesse giddines losse or hinderance of speach heauines paine of the head convulsions after which follow many kinds of the falling sicknes which be accounted cold diseases In briefe it is most euident that only Obstructions be the cause of many and sundry diseases not only different but directly contrary each to other Therfore as one cause brought them in so may one Medicine expell them But pause a while It may be demanded how humors Obiection so exorbitāt abounding as they do in the bodies of many men shal be emptied from thence by the force of any medicine whose faculty is not to expel or purge by the common passage and whose intent is to be only strengthning and comforting the heart To which I answer It is true that in many diseases Solution the abundance of humors are such causes that except they be purged away in due and conuenient time and order it is scarse possible to hope for a sound recouerie in vvhich case if some gentle Purgation together vvith the administration of this vniuersall Medicine be vsed both the strength shall be better maintained sooner recouered and the disease ouercome Yet though no purgation be giuen but onely this vniuersall Medicine at times administred such is the vertue thereof that Nature it selfe being strengthned and comforted aboue the malice of the offending humors and the disease will expell the burden of those humors by the most conuenient passages which that case may require whether it be by siege vomit vrine sweate or other exitures For the Physition attending is not directer and Master but minister and seruant in fit administration vnto nature which being comforted and strengthned will helpe her selfe beyond all hope and conceit of man as hath bin often found to the admiration of the greatest Doctors which hitherto haue written and happeneth daily in our owne experience In all diseases the Physitions part is to promote the indeauour of nature to expel the offending humors by those passages which herselfe sheweth and directeth with discretion betweene criticall and symptomaticall euacuations and of the conueniencie of a few circumstances following the particularities of the disease Of this I could easily and plentifully bring many irrefragable and demonstratiue reasons but they may partly bee vnderstood by that which is already said and partly are written by diuers others graue and learned Authors Therfore I wil follow breuitie only set down a few lines out of that profound and singular Philosopher Raymund Lully who in the 32. Chapter of the Theorie of his Testament writeth thus Blessed be our glorious and omnipotent God who hath giuen mankinde knowledge and vnderstanding to ioyne and integrate the confused particularitie of all Medicines with one reall vniuersalitie by which all things be and continue rectified Therefore Sonne I warne thee if thou desirest to be a perfect Physition set not thy Practise on the particularities of Medicine or the particular intentions of Physicke because they be confused and at this day not sound nor perfect For nature cannot endure them by reason of their too much confusion but is best pleased or satisfied with and in one only Medicine Because there is but one Medicine truly curing all Infirmities and comforting the spirituall vertues and powers of life c. And a litttle after in the same He that knoweth how to reduce most particularities or vertues for the intention of Curing diseases vnto one vniuersalitie of subiect shall bee the most excellent amongst Physitions In particular Medicines vertues bee confused but in an vniuersall they bee reall vnited and actiue as the whole course of nature sheweth And this is Medicina Medicinarum superlatiuely by excellencie and prerogatiue the Medicine of Medicines And hee that hath such a Medicine hath a pretious gift of God For it is an incomparable treasure Thus far Raymund who though he there speake of that great and high Philosophicall secret yet he plainly witnesseth that there is in nature a vniuersall Medicine which whether it be made of gold or gold made of it It mattereth not much for either way it sufficiently proueth the excellent properties of gold most agreeable to mans nature which hauing thus farre prooued I will here end this first part of this Treatise Hauing thus vnto moderate and well tempered Iudgements for my intent and purpose in this treatise prooued that there hath bin and therefore may be a Panchresticall Medicine for which very many learned are either searchers themselues or witnesses of other mens happines in attaining the same yet because the peruicacie of some is such that against experiment and sense it selfe they will peraduenture consciously pretend the Impossibilitie maintaine the negatiue some againe though yeelding a possibilitie maintaining the affirmatiue wil fight in the shadow of one instance contending that thogh they granted it may
this That doing much good yet of malicious and vnshamefull persons it is ill spoken of as Princes oft times are Let these worldling slanderers disprooue that I say or prooue the contrary if they can If not then it is time they would be intreated if not for conscience sake yet at least for shame if they feare any to be silent hereafter though it were more for their honest account to recant in print These great cures performed realities things of fact often times in sundrie and distant places and sundry and diuers persons in sundry and different diseases done and performed to the great good of many and applaused by common attestation in all parts of the Realme and many parts beyond the seas This I say cannot be pocketted as not done nor so easily vilified by a fine phrase a little good Latine Substance or sence there is none in his writing it is meere froth and the deceitfull inside of a rotten Egge or worm-eaten nut good for nothing but to befogge the cleere light of a knowne truth and maintaine the inured practise of learned scolds Surely this is not White in any tongue Latine or Welch howsoeuer versified These testimonies for me which will daily increase shall lye and remaine to all posterities as honourable Trophies fixed in the hearts of vnderstanding and honest men when these stagie chartlets of theirs shall not be vouchsafed an honest eye or eare but cast by for wast paper to stop mustard pots or other base offices They are not able to produce one Instance of harme receiued by this Medicine Wheras contrary the chiefest most polychresticall and greatest magnified compositions whereof to speake truth at this day the right Ingredients bee not knowne and against which some learned Doctors haue learnedly written haue their Imputatiōs wherin the charge must bee either vpon the Medicine it selfe or vpon the Physitions Whose errors if themselues will not mend I will not excuse If obiection be made that all haue not recouered which haue taken this Medicine of mine but some haue died I confesse that is true But what then Old Age is irreuocable Many diseases also are either essentially incurable or preuent all power of Medicines either by the vehemencie or malignitie Morbi acutissimi or by the negligence of timely helpe Many also being easily to be cured at the first are made desperate and vncurable by errors either of Medicines directly hurtfull or at the least not helpfull to the intollerable weakning of the poore patient and triumph of the disease Also Hippocrates telleth vs that all diseases be not curable For the fatall and predestinate houre is ineuitable There resteth an vnknowne cause which is the vnsearchable counsell of God which wil not that all diseases shall be cured in al men Thus much concerning the second part we will now proceede to the third THE THIRD PART SHEWING THE VSE OF THIS POTABLE GOLD THat which Philip of Macedon father of Alexander the great said of gold That with it all Cities Citadells Castels Forts Fortresses and Bulwarkes howsoeuer by nature Art and munition thought impregnable might be assaulted laid open and conquered I may as truely but to better vse affirme of Aurum potabile that is of Gold made into medicine and reduced to the forme of a potable liquor that it doth assaile and oppugne all infirmities and inward diseases of mans body respectiuely curable as aforesaid That it also doth restore establish and confirme the vigor and strength of mans body with the naturall and vitall faculties thereof If it be duely and considerately administred with such care caution and iudgement as becommeth the dignitie of a rationall Physition For as the Captaine of an Army hauing any peculiar exploite in hand neglecteth no meanes either by Military Discipline or Engines of warre to accomplish his intended purpose so is the Physition likewise bound to doe And as the clandestine enemy which lieth in Ambush and appeareth not in sight is much more dangerous then he that commeth in open face so likewise many of our internall diseases whose malignitie lurkes in the inward parts are more difficultly cured then those which manisest the vttermost of their malice And as in this age both Armour and other Artillery for the seruice of warre are farre different from those of former times so that it were ridiculous now either in offensiue warre or defensiue to relinquish our Ordnance of all sorts because in comparison they are but late inuentions and to trust to the ancient military instruments seruiceable among the Romans in those daies Euen so the capitall diseases of this age being for the most part Complicati Morbi whereas olim they were simplices will hardly be extirpate if we ouercuriously do persist in the prescript rules and method of antiquitie and tye our selues only to their Medicines seeing that daily experience doth teach vs that they performe not the effects promised and therefore are for the most part administred fruitlesly Seeing therefore the indeuours of this age being inforced thereunto by defect of those medicines haue likewise added vnto Art and haue inriched the same with other materials medicinable not formerly retained in common vse or the same by more artificiall preparation haue exalted into a higher virtue Were it not madnesse the validitie of the same being sufficiently experienced to relinquish those of a higher nature and to vse triuiall and fruitlesse medicines Let the Souldier make conuenient vse of the Sword Dagger Helmet Target Pike and such like for they haue beene of long antiquity but withall let not Musket Saker Mineon Cannon be neglected because they are new inuentions in comparison of the other And let vs likewise approue and retaine in vse Electuaries Syrups Pills Powders and whatsoeuer else by long approbation is pertinent to the expulsing of malignant humors the causes of maladies yet let not the virtues acknowledged by all antiquity to be insident in gold be least regarded which virtues do actually appeare in potable gold Euery graduated Physition is tied by solemne oath as also by integrity of conscience not to neglect any thing tending to the recouery of his patient But to vse all manner of effectuall medicines either new or old whether of their owne inuentions or of other mens labours being approued to be secure and not nauseous not reiecting the same vpon any priuate consideration either of preiudice or malice But leauing this digression to the intent that euery body whom it shall concerne may make the best vse reape the full fruition of all benefits which they can expect by this so profitable and extraordinary gift of God although they cannot at all times haue the assistance and directing aduice of a learned Physition to prescribe and order the administration thereof which were to be wished I will here in this last part of this Treatise endeuour to helpe that defect and teach the method manner and rules how and in what diseases and passions it may most profitable be
administred Which though by many the letters sent me before in this discourse set downe as also by the histories of many cures by my selfe and others therewith performed it be reasonable plaine yet I will draw it into a more distinct and orderly deliuery according to the good will and meaning I haue That by a generall helping medicine a most generall and vniuersall benefite may be reaped Therefore be it knowne that the vse of this medicine is generally twofold answerable to the two generall ends of Practicke Physicke One to preserue the present health The other to recouer it beeing broken or lost by curing the Diseases and rooting out the causes thereof THE VSE OF POTABLE GOLD in preseruation of health ALL the Physitions and learned men both before in my first printed booke and here in this alledged as also almost innumerable others whose names I omit to auouch for breuitie agree in this That Aurum Potabile is the best Medicine and most profitable Instrument for the conseruation of health in all kinde of complexionable temperaments That it partly suppresseth and suffereth not luxuriously to bud shoot out and bring their fruit vnto ripenesse any seedes or latent rootes of sicknesses lurking in mans body whereunto any pronenesse or aptitude hereditarie or otherwise accidentall make them obnoxious That it reduceth to mediocritie inordinate distemperatures either in excesse or defect That it refresheth vigorateth and strengthneth the heart restoreth and increaseth the vitall spirits aduanceth the force and and generation of good blood multiplieth geniture seede and habilitie of prolification in both sexes banishing sterility preuenting abortions and prouiding quicke easy and safe deliueries in childbed suppresseth the infirmities of age preserueth the vigor of youth It were vnnecessary to heape arguments in confirmation hereof being in it selfe so authentically warranted by famous authors and manifestly witnessed by many experiences Particularly it is a preseruatiue against the Falling sicknesse the Apoplexie Leprosie Plague Dropsy Cancer Gout Stone and all manner of feuers in all ages and sexes And in some it expelleth or rather enableth the body to expell by conuenient and most naturall passages the antecedent matter or humors from and by which any diseases depending vpon such materiall causes might spring and so by preuention preserueth health But it is to be knowne and obserued that this Medicine The first forme of gold though made of one body yet is reserued and vsed in three formes and consistences which not being knowne there may be much mistaking and errour in the vse and administration thereof First when the gold is dissolued in the proper menstruall or instrumentall water this water is distilled away from the dissolued gold vntill it be in the bottome in the forme or consistence of a liquid gum or hony deepely coloured as Raymund Lully cals it most vnctuous To which the spirit of wine is then put and by solution thereof tincted very red and deepe coloured That tincted spirit of wine is gently decanted or powred off and so reserued by it selfe in a glasse And is called the Physicall Tincture of gold And may so in small roome and with no burden bee caried whither any man please And this we call the first forme Take one ounce of this tincted spirit mixe it with The second forme 16. ounces of generous wine or if you please of any other liquor And this being so mixed is called that Potable golde of which so often mention hath beene hitherto made One or two spoonfuls of this at one time and sometimes a whole ounce I accustome to giue in such cases and Diseases as aforesaid The third forme is this and thus made That tincted The third forme red spirit of wine in which the dissolued gold is taken vp from the white feces or residence is put into a fit glasse body with a head And with a gentle heate of a Balneum the spirit is drawne off vntill the substance in the bottome of the glasse be dry Then doe I put on fresh spirit of wine setting it in digestion certaine daies In which time it will cast off an other residence This processe is reiterated and at euery such solution and distillation the feculent residence must be separated from the pure vntill it leaue no residence at all Then is it called the Quintessence or Essence of God which I doe vse to administer in the quantity of 2. or 3. or more graines and doe dissolue it in some appropriate liquor or other mixture conducent So that any that is desirous to make vse of this my Medicine may haue either the Potable gold or the Tincture of gold or the Essence of gold or all and apply them in all manner of needfull vses as occasion shall require They therefore that shall take it for preseruation may vse it in the simplest least curious order fashion That is to take of the Aurū Potabile one or two spoonfuls together fasting and in bed if they may else in the morning after they be vp the oftner the better Vse giues instruction from that common Indication aforesaid A Iuuantibus et nocentibus c From things that helpe and hurt euery one is directed Therefore whosoeuer after twice or thrice taking hath found benefit thereby he may proportion himselfe in moderate increasing or diminishing the dose or quantitie according to his owne hability and constitution For in increasing the quantitie of this there is no danger so it be within any bounds of mediocritie not exorbitantly exuberatè which is farre otherwise in all or most part of other simples and compositions whether meerely Medicaments or Midicamentall nutriments as are Oximel Saffron Methridate Treacle all Cordiales and Purges whatsoeuer Also a conuenient time to take it especially in those that haue weake stomacks will be one houre or two before dinner or supper or after supper at bed time for it doth both helpe digestion and procure sleepe according as the circumstances shall require or suffer In precaution of Lunarie Diseases such as haue their exacerbations fits according to the quarters changings full of the Moone as Epilepsies Defluxions inordinate Menstruals and such like The rule is for this last to take it neere the time of course In the other 3. 4. or 5. daies before the new and full Moone If it be desired for the more particular appropriating of this Medicine to any particular cause to take it not so simply of it selfe but mixed Then let such either by their owne knowledge or the appointment of some experienced Physition mixe it with some specificall water decoction extraction or otherwise formed Medicine according to the necessitie of euery particular cause and occasion Or with some compound water approoued for that Disease or Polychrestall to the same and others in neighbourhood and linke of causes to it THE VSE OF AVRVM POTABILE IN SVNDRY INFIRMITIES THe diseased person that shall vse this Medicine may take it in the same proportiō or
experimentally found be vnited and naturally inclosed Secondly whereas the originall of most diseases 2 The second reason springeth from that which the Physitions call Intemperies that is a distemperature being especially in the first qualities hot cold moist or drie there is no reason to the contrary but that one Medicine being without excesse or defect in equall harmonie of all qualities most temperate and also powerfull in operation may bee sufficient for the collection qualifying and rectifying of all and euery such distemper Such a like body is gold which notwithstanding it be compounded of the foure Elements yet is this in prerogatiue aboue all other naturall bodies endowed with an exact temperament and equalitie of the compounding Elements and Elementall qualities Euery one to the other three and all foure to and among themselues by exact naturall equalitie and perfect mixture are so compounded to the perfection of this body that it constantly persisteth in the fire without diminution From this proportionall mixture of Elements resulteth a temperament of supreme mediocritie whereupon that our learned and famous countryman Roger Bacon calleth Gold the meane betweene the foure first qualities Seeing therefore by Gods gift in the creation it consisteth of so true an adequation and subtile temperament this must needs appeare and shew it selfe operatiuely in consequent effects vpon those first qualities and be powerfull against all distemperatures whether hot or cold moyst or dry or any their combinations First allaying and bridling any excesse therein and so by degrees and succession ouercomming the whole discord and restoring mediocritie of temperament betweene all So that the generall Axiome or Rule of great Hippocrates is here magnified That Diseases are cured by Medicines contrarie to themselues For the meane betwixt two extremes is no lesse contrarie to both and either of them then one extreme to an other and more powerfull in reduction by how much it is more habituall and fixed in the vnspotted mediocritie and equalitie Let this be vnderstood of gold dissolued and made potable otherwise it is not operatiue vpon those distempered qualities in one kinde or other The third Reason concerneth the temper of the bodie to bee cured Death saith Galen doth alwaies 3 The third reason follow the vnmeasurable or excessiue distemperatures of the Heart So likewise doe Diseases For all parts of the bodie languish with the Heart Let vs therefore consider a little the Emperie of the Heart in mans bodie how by his owne heate and vitall spirit it raigneth ouer and in all parts of the bodie Let vs also take into consideration the distemperature of other parts making impression vpon the Heart and so are causes of languishment and death VVhich beeing on either side certaine then it must also bee true that if golde administred doe restore integritie of temperament to the Heart the other parts and members of the bodie shall also receiue comfort strength restauration and finally life to the whole bodie VVherefore the first office of euerie good Physition is to haue speciall regarde to maintaine and vphold the spirituall functions of his diseased patient which all haue their originall from the heart For if he suffer them to quaile and ouer much to bee deiected all Cordialls will then come vnseasonably That admonition is iust and necessarie First strengthen and comfort the Heart then apply for the Disease if neede be for oft times the Heart being well corroborated the Disease imminent vanisheth But some will aske how gold so hard solide and compact and therefore indigestable by any strength of mans stomacke can passe from thence to the heart and strengthen comfort rectifie and restore it conconsidering that these and such like faculties come to it by the plentie of pure cleere and subtill spirits of the blood which cannot be made of any thing not digested both in the Stomack and Lyuer and therefore not of gold In answer whereof I say that long and daily obseruation hath confirmed that many things naturally are effected by the hidden and specificall properties of some things whereof no vnderstanding of man can giue a certaine and vndisputable manifest cause or reason We see the affinitie of natures betweene Iron and the Lode-stone and the pointing of this to the North Pole Of which kinde there be infinite exemplarie instances Neither doe the most learned Physitions and best Philosophers so well agree vpon the reasons of those Purging Medicines which they call Electiue as appropriate specially to one humour and diuers others to some speciall part of the bodie yea and to some speciall diseases but that a great part of them doe flie to these hidden and specificall properties some in the same some in other termes In which ranke if wee marshall gold what Lieuetenant will chide He certainly must be some ouerweening man that will question these noble vertues of gold that hath read so many notable and famous Authors for that affirmatiue assertion part whereof I haue cited in my other booke being but one Rank of a whole Armie Here I will only trouble the Reader with a few lines out of that famous Physition and excellent Philosopher Arnald Gold altereth the euill condition of mans body clenseth and reneweth it The vertue of many things may come neere the particulars of the operation hereof but no one performe it all But potable gold alone is it which worketh these miraculous effects this is not subiect to corruption but is agreeable to the Complexion and temperament of man It doth neither heate nor coole nor moysten nor dry but is temperate in all temperature and exceedeth all things in durabilitie It helpeth a cold stomacke and giueth courage to Cowards and fearefull hearts It helpeth the passions of the Heart It is good against Melancholy It comforteth naturall heate and tempereth the same neither may any thing be compared to it or supply the stead thereof The vertue thereof is manifest in the substance of it It clenseth and clarifieth by reason of the naturall heate it hath It giueth high and supreame temperament aboue all other things by reason of the great temperament of it selfe and beeing it selfe most durable it causeth continuance and durabilitie according to naturall possibility in other things and preserueth mans body And because it is like to the Complexion of mens bodie therefore if it be prepared as it ought it will ioyne and incorporate thereunto But all the secret is in the preparation of it which the wise Philosophers haue concealed It confirmeth and keepeth sound the substance of the Heart and preserueth it and clarifieth the substance of the spirits and sendeth good blood to the skin and with a light and easie abstersion preserueth beauty as in youth Thus he writeth as also in other places of this Author you may reade many admirable effects and vertues of gold both solide and potable How gold is so powerfull a Cordiall and so generall a Medicine is held a very difficult question to finde the cause
life A spoonfull of Aurum Potabile was giuen him by those about him hee not knowing what they gaue him And after one houre an other spoonfull and a while after the third spoonfull By this meanes he continued long in a sweat and within two daies after was restored to health THese also whose names are vnder written haue all in their extremitie of sicknesse receiued Aurum Potabile from my Lord Bishop and are well recouered But hetherto I haue had no conference with them Howbeit it is most certaine that by meanes thereof they were recouered from sundry dangerous Infirmities Robert Moore Master of Arts of this new feuer Reuben Hamme gent. the like The wife of Mr. Armwood in the forest of the like The wife of Mr. Cotton of Roche Court. The wife of Iohn Hawkesworth cured of a strange disease whereof shee had long before languished Richard Peckham Tho. Beale about one hundred yeares of age and recouered of this new ague and is yet liuing Edward Searle of Northampton gent. hauing long languished of this new ague Nicholas Prior. Anthony Langford I Doubt not but that these Testimonies so warranted being but a few exemplarie proofes of very many will satisfie any vnderstanding and honest reader I intend not with a whole Calender or endlesse Catalogue and with tedious reading of the same thing often done to weary the reader Else I could easily inlarge this Roule It being certaine that there is scarce any one Shire or Lordship in England from whence I haue not bin sent vnto for my potable gold with which Noblemen gentlemen and persons of other rankes haue bin diuersly cured and releeued in their necessities of their healths Apparent it is that it neuer hurt any profited all though all haue not recouered We must herein euer acknowledge the vnreuealed ordinance of God not to bee controlled by any Art or Industrie of humane Remedies I desire therefore the patient Indifferencie of all Readers to consider and fauourably to Interpret these my proceedings For I acknowledge and confesse that in ordinary Cures performed no Rationall Physition ought to print the Calender of his successes except in some cure and peculiar case which seldome happening may be a light and Instruction to others though many haue sought fame thereby which was farre from my intent and purpose But the necessitie of vindicating my integritie and the well knowne truth of the effects of my potable gold haue made that necessarily voluntarie which before I neuer entertained in priuate consultation For good wine needs no Bush or Signe And these be the motiues why I offer this small assay I hope not wearisome to be read and obserued beeing a short mention of some persons and Diseases which haue receiued present helpe by the vse of this so maligned Medicine my potable gold I say a short mention not of all nor the greater part nor in any neere proportion of number to the totall For some will not consent to bee named and some specialties may not be diuulged And in some respect I am not very forward of mine owne nature to enlarge the malice of my traducers by publishing some Cures which cannot please them to heare of Thus farre forth concerning other mens testimonies I will proceede to mine owne practise AS the brighter the Sunne is the more apparent be the shadowes caused by solid thicke duskish bodies so the more excellent famous the glorie is that is atchieued by things wel faithfully performed the more it is spurgald with the kicking heeles of Enuie As this is true in all actions and commercements of this life so it hath notoriously and lauishly bin practised against me in my proceedings At the very first this corroding spite sparing no man this malicious detraction enemie of truth set vp their whole rest in such fashion as they could to demolish my faire building But truth that precious daughter of time hath now vndertaken the quarrell that will say nill they shee must and will preuaile against their furie and maintaine her quiet nauigation notwithstanding any gustes or stormes from their dry and waterlesse Clowdes And to the intent that euery vnpartiall vnpreiudiced and Intelligent reader may the better vnderstand the cause of these Impressions and the state and first force of this controuersie which hath now enforced the publike attestation of the vertues of this Medicine I will as briefely and sparingly as may be by one or two Instances declare the first originall cause SIr Adolfe Cary a worthy knight nobly descended being not well sent for a Physition of great name fame who gaue him such Medicines as he thought fit one being a Purgation which did not only clense the first veines but wrought somewhat forceably Within short time after the disease was discouered to be the small Pocks But by the vnseasonable revulsion and indraught of that so strong Purgation as I thinke and peraduenture by some other neglect nature failed in the sufficient expulsion of the pustules Also those exitures which appeared shortly after sunke againe or as we commonly say went in Hereupon the Patient fell into that extremitie that the eminent perill of his life could not be hid so that all they that were about him despaired vtterly of his recouery Wherefore they sent to his brother to call hastily for the Doctors best accquainted with the state of his body which were two Who missing them both neither knowing where to seeke either of them and being very sensible and heauy for his brothers desperate case by chance met with me in the way intreats me to accompany him to his brother then lying dangerously sicke But I hearing the names of those Doctors was vnwilling to goe being loth to giue offence also that gentleman was at that time vtterly vnknowne vnto me whereby the rather I excused my selfe He replied that I was sufficiently knowne to him by a friend of his whom I had cured and therefore instantly persisted that in so honest and necessary and iust a cause I would not refuse him I consented went with him and being then euening I visited the sicke gentleman his brother and found him in a most deplorable state without sleepe or any other rest raging and rauing He tooke a spoonfull of my Aurum potabile with which he presently became quiet of a more cheerefull countenance and fell into a gentle sleepe After one houre I gaue him an other spoonfull after which he spake aduisedly said he was much comforted so sleept again sweat naturally al his body ouer And which was the best signe the Pocks or Pustuls did againe come out plentifully I attended him all that night at fit seasonable times gaue him my medicine sometime pure of it selfe sometimes mixed with broth or other cōuenient liquor The next morning one of his first Doctors comming finding me there with his patient tooke that for his occasion to raile on me in vnseeming termes To whom it was answered that I was
vnwillingly and almost compulsiuely brought thither by the neerest of blood to the sick gentleman with no lesse intreaty then others But these Physitians were so far from conferring with me cōcerning the further health of this patient whom they then found in very good case that they both ioyned and would not bee quiet before they had rid me thence contrary to the will of the patient and of those that were present In what case and state I both found and left this gentleman you haue hard After my departure what cooling or astringent or otherwise qualified Syrupes or Electuaries or other forme of medicine they gaue him all that day I know not But this I know that the next night he relapsed into the same cruell and desperate accidents in which I formerly had found him and from which I had restored him peraduenture he fell into this relaps for want of that my medicine so powrefull in strengthning the heart and expelling poyson from it For doubtlesse the exitures being stopped and the poyson returning from the outward parts of the body whither nature had expelled it to the heart the same accidents must needes returne Such relapses are most dangerous because both the infection is stronger and the body weaker And so it appeared in this noble gentleman by this his vntimely death Then did these Physitions vnder whose hands he died bethinke themselues of some stratageme to avoid the imputation imminent One of them therefore hastneth to the Court where he publisheth excuse of himselfe and accusation of me And further causeth me to bee cited to the Colledge of London Physitions and with the eloquence of Tertullus very stoutly accuseth me as culpable of the death of this gentleman Where I acquited my selfe and maintained my innocency by foure lawfull witnesses seruants and attendants of their late Master the deceased knight Who with one consent and contestation dilated That I came to their said Master lying in his last and extreame pangs rauing after the exitures of the small pocks were striken in That after I had with carefull and diligent attendance all that night administred my potable Gold vnto him as aforesaid the extremities of his passions and grieuousnesse of accidents were much eased and abated he more quiet and in better sense and that the Pustules of his diseafe did againe plentifully breake out by which meanes he was respectiuely in good temper And that the next day when the said Physitions had excluded me and giuen him their mixtures all things turned to their old course he to his former extremities and so died His Maiestie also had commanded 4. honourable persons to be present at the Colledge in the hearing and debating of these actions now in question that is the right honourable the Lord Kneuet Sir Henry and Sir Philip Cary knights brethren of Sir Adolph deceased and Sir William Godolphin knight who finding it fully proued how I found him in the agony of death how I left him in good temper how the other Doctors receiued him in very good case for that disease how they left him dead truly reported the whole matter to the Kings Maiestie as indeede it was What his Maiesties censure then was herein and on whom he would lay this imputation of his death may easily be coniectured out of the manifestations of the cause Also those two worthy brethren meere strangers to me at that time liuing in honourable account and place so generously and vertuously that none dare entertaine any sinister thought against their sinceritie nor opinion that they will for any respect whatsoeuer be induced to report any vntruth for me nor any other are alwaies ready to giue further satisfaction if any as yet be not sufficiently perswaded of these proceedings Reason it selfe in one maine ground of Physicall indications doth teach vs that à iuvantibus et nocentibus from such things as helpe and such things as hurt a most inuincible argument is drawne and concluded Is it not a generall rule with all Physitions to continue the vse of those things which haue manifestly releeued and profited the patient if there be no necessarie exception and to fly and for beare the vse of those which haue hurt or done no good Nature teacheth brute beasts to seeke shadowed and coole places in the heat of sommer because their sense findes ease and refreshing by the shaddow and hurt and annoyance by the parching sunne Apparant it is that my Potable gold did euen miraculously refresh helpe profite and comfort this diseased gentleman of whom this question first grew For his vnderstanding was thereby recouered quietnesse rest and sleepe procured naturall and healthfull sweating caused and the poyson of his disease driuen from the center and heart whereby the pustules and exitures did againe appeare and come forth All arguments and signes of good estate and temper in that disease did appeare as portending a perfect recouerie On the other side whatsoeuer the Medicines administred by these two other Doctors were before or after my comming I know not But most certaine it is that whatsoeuer they gaue or howsoeuer they handled the matter much hurt succeeded euen the greatest mischiefe that may happen to a languishing patient For all the concourse of his former grieuous direfull and mortall symptomaticall accidents returnes with double strength when his heart and vital spirits were not able to resist The striking in againe of the exitures rauing wrestling and which only remained to conclude the tragedie Death it selfe the last of all lines that man can draw and a true line to draw and direct vnderstanding men to the true cause of his death These circumstances compulsarily wrung from me be sufficient for the euidence of this verity to all men that will not maliciously spurne against apparant truth But my traducers doe still spiderlike sucke poyson in stead of hony and force themselues to an vnnaturall vomit of these humors against this medicine truly of gold and truly potable In which bitternesse if they did not still persist against their owne science conscience regard of vertue and veritie wounding many honest hearts with false suggestions against my good name and the innocuous worthinesse of this Medicine and defrauding many poore languishing soules of the vse and benefite thereof I would and surely gladly would for their sakes haue forborne the narration and report of this true storie Which I am by them compelled to publish for my Apologie MIstres Cicely Boulstred a worthie gentlewoman Extreme vomiting and virgine attending in neere seruice our gracious Queene in good fauour and account fell sicke and had greiuous passions Vnto whome diuers of the most famous Physitions of the Colledge were called Who with great care and their vtmost skill sparing no cost as was fitting in such a place administred all kinds of conducing Medicines both Cordials and other respectiuely to the cause of her disease and passions both such as be ready in the shoppes as others by some singularitie of
preserued MAster Foxton in Red Crosse streete had his wife Dead birth in the like case and in greater danger by reason of the childe in her body being dead THe like Foetus mortuus or dead birth the wife of Dead birth Master Castle of Hatfield Peuerell in Essex had carried in her body three daies neither could she be deliuered by any helpe vntill shee tooke the Aurum Potabile THe wife of Master Harde dwelling vpon Saint Peters Hill in London was deliuered of a dead Dead birth childe yet neuerthelesse she was still full of intollerable paines Whereupon the wife of M. Fitzgarret Esquire neere dwelling gaue vnto her of my Aurum Potabile the next day after her deliuery of that childe at 9. of the clocke in the morning And the same day at 2. of the clocke in the after noone shee was deliuered of an other dead childe and then presently recouered THe wife of Mast Iohn Bingle of the Exchequer was Perill of Childbirth in her trauell in great peril of death vnto whom a graue gentlewoman there present at her labour gaue of my Aurum Potabile with which helpe both shee and the childe were saued THe Lady and wife of Sir Iohn Pretiman knight Burning feuer in Childbirth being in childe-bed fell into a burning feuer also she could take no rest nor sleepe And other very violent passions she endured She was not willing to take any manner of Medicine Only Aurum Potabile shee tooke and was quickly restored to health THe wife of Mast Edmund Kingstone of Glocester Burning feuer and bloody flux in Child-bed shire being in childe-bed had a burning feuer and with it a bloody flux She was throughly cured by the same meanes which the Lady Pretiman vsed AN other gentlewoman of the same Countie Feuer and scouring in Childbed the wife of Christopher Blackewell was by the same meanes cured of a feuer with an excessiue scouring lying in childbed THe wife of Master Iohn Sherington of London Preseruation of Aborte Marchant being with childe had many passions and euident causes to make her feare abortion or miscarrying Beeing therefore aduised thereunto she tooke of my Aurum Potabile daily a proportionable quantitie and went out her full time receiued Gods blessing in the safe deliuery of a faire childe Whereby it appeareth that this Medicine hath diuers vertues and faculties As in case both to promote the birth where it is stayed be the birth aliue or dead as also to stay and preuent abortion of miscarrying vnto the full time and periode of the naturall birth which in the power of the Medicine is but one That is the onely comforting strenghtning and enabling of nature to promote and performe her owne actions which way soeuer is most fit for the safety health of the body as in other cases before hath beene obserued And not only profitable to each mother in all those former causes but to the infant also as shall appeare by one Relation which here followeth THe wife of Master Richard Browne Esquire Perill in Childbirth dwelling in the Blacke fryers was long in labour of childbirth and in great danger notwithstanding she had two midwiues with her A certaine gentlewoman and neighbour being then present perswaded to send for some of my Aurum Potabile and to giue it her One Midwife said she had better meanes to giue her But when all meanes fayled and small hope of life remained then was my Aurum Potabile sent for And after it was twice administred vnto her she was safe deliuered of a liuing and well liking childe God be praised The next day following The new borne Infant in danger the same gentlewoman and neighbour came to visite the mother and childe finding the childe in the Midwiues lap not well but languishing and ill The Midwife desired of this gentlewoman some of the Aurum Potabile for to giue the childe It was then asked whether she who had denied it vnto the mother the former day would now giue it vnto so yong an infant The Midwife answered that hauing seene the admirable effect thereof the day before she doubted not of successe in the childe She gaue it therefore vnto the childe mixed with breastmilke and the childe presently amended If therefore such yong infants which skantly haue seene the light of the Sun and haue brought from the mothers wombe their infirmities and not taken them by misdiet or misorder doe finde releefe by this Medicine as also women in their conception and in time of their deliuerie and afterwards lying in childbed as is euidently set downe in particularitie Euen in this only case it meriteth that account that no Lady or gentlewoman of accompt should at any time bee vnfurnished thereof for the benefit of themselues and their infants in case of necessitie seeing that no Medicine is more powerfull more secure more pleasing to take SIr Lewis Lewknar knight in the yeare of our Lord 1611 fell dangerously sicke with a cōtinuall burnīg The Plague or Pestilence feuer vehement passions He sent for two famous Physitions of the Citie of London which followed and plyed him sixe daies with al the conducible remedies they could deuise but without any successe For they neither eased his passions nor abated the burning heate and furie of the feuer So that the patiēt euery day waxed worse worse at the last an Aposteme appeared in his groyne a true token in such a disease of a pestilent and contagious infection which at that time though not since was very hot in London Thereupon these Doctors excused themselues in that they were tied to the attendance of diuerse noble persons whom they were loth to infect And therefore were compelled to bid him farewell And accordingly left this worthy gentleman to wrestle with this disease for the cure of which they were waged and by conscience thereunto tyed and his trust in them was reposed They hauing thus taken their leaues I was sent for not knowing the disease which could not long hide it selfe hauing such manifest tokens Yet I thought it against both charity and honestie now being with him to forsake him And therefore resolued by the grace of God with some powerfull and strong Antidote to expell the poyson from his heart and afterwards to proceede for his further recouery as occasion should be ministred To which purpose I first gaue him sixe graines of my Essence of gold mixed appropriatly After which in a small time he began to sweate which continued all that night and a great part of the next day The next night and so euery day for 4. daies more I gaue againe the same Medicine in the same quantity which caused abundant sweating whereby both the malignitie of the feuer and the vnnaturall heate was exceedingly abated the Aposteme which was risen very great did daily decrease and at last quite vanished only with a certaine sticticke plaster outwardly applied Thus he was cured
to be administred Sometime the body hath neede by vrine or sweat to be releeued which both although this Aurum Potabile doe in sort performe yet in some cases it is to be helped If a fluxe be caused in the nether ventricle vnto which a Medicine receiued at the mouth cannot speedily penetrate then a clensing and astringent Glister will be expedient If sleepe be wanting that necessarily must be regarded And although this Medicine doth for the most part by a secret proprietie therin procure sleepe yet if neede be let other helps be adioyned Blood letting in conuenient time must not be neglected Other things pertinent I referre to the discretion of them whome it shall concerne THE CONCLVSION OF THIS TREATISE HAuing thus ingenuously plainly and fully as I hope satisfied all indifferent and vnpartiable Readers of the cause of this discourse concerning the generall and extraordinarie effects of this Medicine and of the three kinds thereof of my vse in administration thereof in all Diseases sexes ages and circumstances together with the libertie and cautions in further extent and mixture with other Medicines I now returne in the Conclusion vnto such Readers to whome I haue and euer shall deuote consecrate and dedicate all my studies labours and industrie commending vnto you the right construction and generous acceptance without any sinister detortion of my good and vnspotted intendements not retorted against my traducers with any malicious virulence but extorted by meere compulsion for the necessary challenge and defence of my good name oppugned by two Doctors though neuer expugnable by them nor the laudatorie versifiers chaunting pro formâ absque materiâ Let them enioy the glory of their Eloquence or rather loquence with ill applyed Phrases I desire none other contentment in this question then the publike testimony of a constant truth Truth will surely liue preuaile flourish It is like the gentle and sweete Marierome manifoldly excellent for many vertues Which but rubbed in the hand yeeldeth an excellent sent comfortable to all senses Of which hearb it is written that if swine be enforced with full sent of open nostrels to take the smell it is mortall to them and causeth them to die Surely this is a secret in Nature that a thing so good in it selfe and so agreeably helpefull to good men should by the malice or brutishnesse of a Swinish nature be accounted poyson This is a true Embleme of my Medicine which being helpfull to all hurtfull to none yet there are found such as professe hatred to the very name thereof and so turne that generall preseruatiue to their priuate poyson of rancor But herein that common rule of Philosophy is not vnfitly analogised vpon them Nutriens conuertitur in naturam nutriti et non contra The nourishment is cōuerted into the nature of the body nourished but not contrarily So likewise the enuious man whatsoeuer hee beholdeth with his malicious Eye though extraordinary good of it selfe yet hee conuerteth it to his owne peruerse disposition which is euill As may well appeare in the Bee and the Spyder this sucking poyson and the other hony out of the selfe same flower Let all these things be considered by the indifferent and Iudicious Reader and with equall ballance let him peise truth with falsehood sinceritie with deceit not inclining either to hatred or adulation but with free minde and integritie of conscience let sentence be pronounced Among good men there ought to be good dealing It may peraduenture bee that some doubts may bee mooued or cauilling allegations against the tract of this Treatise in some point or other but surely such as will be vtterly vnprofitable to the sicke patient who is to be releeued by healthfull Medicine and not by subtilitie of Argument Wherefore if I should endeauour to answer euery friuolous and idle obiection I should both abuse the Reader and thinke mine owne time euill spent Some few things I desire to admonish the Reader First fauourablie to construe and interpet the intent of these my proceedings not rashly vpon any mans words or writings to condemne the verity of this matter now in question Also if any thing in this Treatise be contained which seemeth not answerable vnto euery mans capacitie or iudgement that such person would be pleased first to admonish mee thereof by priuate letters or otherwise that I may in those doubts yeeld him satisfaction before hee doe publikely oppugne the truth Furthermore if these things to some seeme of small moment I humbly intreate them to produce better in place for the vse of the languishing patient prouided alwaies that it bee no lesse approued by time and experience and in the mean time whilest wee liue in expectation thereof let the Common-wealth receiue benefit by this without their let or preiudice AN APPENDIX RESERVED FOR THE IVDICIOVS READER IT is generally well knowne that Mathew Gwinne in the Preface of that his Invectiue booke against me did in most instant manner sollicite the Kings Maiestie for the suppression of this Medicine my Potable gold His Inducements and motiues were in these words Tolluntur vnà Medici c. The Physitions of this Citie the Chyrurgians and the Apothecaries will all decay and in manner be subuerted if this one vniuersall Medicine of Anthony doe preuaile He enforceth the same as yet further Let your Maiestie establish this least the Archytectonicall order of the Physitions for I doe produce his owne words the Polychrest all order of the Chyrurgians the honest learned wealthy order of the London Apothecaries be either confused or vtterly confounded by the Intrusion of those who prepare Medicines Chymically How vniust this petition is and how preiudiciall vnto veritie it selfe and vnto true Art whereof the Apothecaries haue but a shaddow who seeth not If God hath granted vnto this our age an extraordinary blessing more seruiceable for the health of man and much more auaileable then all other Medicaments hitherto retained in cōmon vse ought it to be exploded by the practitioners in Physicke or to be reiected of the patient in his vtter distresse because the like lucre and gaine doth not to them aforesaid redound as by other drugges ordinarily prescribed Was that elect Vessel mentioned in holy writ iustly scourged and vtterly silenced because by his words and admonition the handicraftsmen employed about that idoll of Diana were likely to lose some part of their vsuall lucre and gaine I hope it is not vnlawfull in this case to compare profane with sacred actions Nay rather contrariwise If this vniuersall Medicine shall approoue it selfe by daily experience to be vniuersally effectuall then being retained in vse both Physitions Chyrurgions and Apothecaries will the rather be accepted of and the more reuerenced Neither will that three-fold order bee either confused or confounded herewith but rather confirmed and better setled in generall account For if these three when they shall be called to the sicke patient would at their entrance as the ancient Ethnick Senators vsed to doe when they entred the Senate house for consultations of the Weale publike shake off aemulation Enuy and ouermuch desire of filthy lucre then the Physition should finde in this Medicine such helpe in desperate Diseases as both he and his languishing patient should reioyce at the fruites thereof The Chyrurgians likewise in some case of theirs as in Faintings Swoundings Convulsions Crampes and where sleepe and rest are wanting whereby great feeblenesse and deiection of Spirits doe ensue should then make perfect experience and tryall of what validitie this Medicine is Then also the Apothecarie should lose no part of his honestie of his learning nor of his substance and riches hauing by him this Medicine as a last refuge for the releefe of his forlorne patient The Apothecarie is carefull to haue in euery corner of his shoppe diuers and sundrie contemptible drugges loathsome to most men now in this age of ours My desire is not to detract any thing from them in their gaine or skill but rather to adde thereunto and the behalfe of the Common wealth vnto whom I doe here dedicate consecrate and offer all these my labours and whatsoeuer else is in my power FINIS
dose as formerly is set downe or somewhat greater or lesse according to the condition of the partie and state of his Disease Commonly one spoonfull of the Aurum Potabile is giuen at one time or sixe The dose or eight droppes of the Tincture of gold mixed in some appropriate liquor and of the Essence of Gold two or three graines Where necessitie shall require these doses may be doubled or more as of the Aurum Potabile two or three spoonfull vnto a full ounce of the Essence foure graines or sixe Of the Tincture in like respect Also in some persons greatly debilitated and not able well to retaine a small quantity is first to be attempted and then by degrees increased as by former examples may plainly appeare Also this Essence of gold is very fitting and conuenient for very yong infants but newly borne in any Disease whatsoeuer being ordered in this maner Take one graine of the Essence dissolue it in one or two spoonfull of brestmilke or in some distilled water as shal be fitting giue the childe part of that mixture at the first after a while giue it more This is securely giuen the third or fourth day after the birth so is likewise the Aurum Potabile in a small quantitie and mixed with some other liquor not with milke neither must the childe sucke within two houres after lest the wine in the potable gold should curdle the milke These administrations are to be giuen intermissiuely How oft sometime euery second third or fourth houre as the present case shall require vntill of the operation appeare with good signes the abating of the passions diminishing of the Disease and recouerie of strength It may be giuen at al times most commonly in the When to be giuen morning fasting or an houre before repast Likewise after meate to preuent a surfet For it helpeth digestion and preuenteth sicknesses following such repletions To procure sleepe it is giuen at bed-time or if necessitie vrge in any other houre of the night or day being effectually a true Anodine of contemperation without stupefaction not narcoticke The Effects of this Medicine corroboration of Effects the heart restauration of the vitall spirits decaied and enfeebled which apparantly is manfest by quiet and sweete sleepe most commonly following as also by mitigation of paine and appeasing of violent passions sometime by a milde and gentle sweat ensuing sometimes by vomit and reiection of malignant viscous humors also by plentifull euacation of vrine as also by restraint thereof where the retention is weake And though sildom yet somtimes by a loosenesse of the belly but very oft by staying inordinate fluxes And euery of these functions though contrary some one to other are directed and performed by the meere motion of Nature it selfe being strengthned vigorated and enabled by the virtue of this Medicine Let thus much suffice for the simple or very simply mixed vse of this Medicine But although in this forme taken and vsed it giueth great furtherance towards the curing of any malady as by many particular experiments hath beene related in which sildome times any addition of peculiar effect hath beene administred yet because of the great varietie difference and diuersitie of dispositions natures places diseases times and countries and because prescription ought not to preiudicate the skill and iudgement of all men Therefore to supply these differences I doe leaue free to the iudgement and discretion of euery rationall experienced Physition to administer this medicine with any kind of Waters Liquors Syrups Conserues Electuaries or other medicines simple or compound such as they shall vpon good grounds and experience know or iudge most appropriate specificall conuenient and agreeing to the present circumstances of the disease nature quality of the patient necessity of his state We giue no prescript of Method or limitatiō of proceedings vnto Physitions they being present know what is needfull what requisite in order time and place what in each respect is to be done what to be left vndone But where a competent Physition is not at hand as in Country villages or such like places there some admonition or direction is expedient It is well knowne among learned men what effect efficacy and force is attributed to that Medicine which is called Vniuersall in that high degree whereof writers make mention that it performeth great and admirable effect not only vpon mans body but also vpon Mettals as appeareth by these words of Raymund Lully The quintessence of gold after distilling away of the instrumentall water will remaine in the bottome of the glasse very pure and separated from all impurity thicke in the consistence of hony or of gumme deepely coloured and very vnctuous greatly auaileable both for Medicine of many body as also of Mettals But this Medicine of ours hath his preparation onely pertinent to the vse of man Neuertheles seeing that both that Medicine of Raymund Lully and this of mine haue all the virtue incident vnto them deriued from gold and from the forme thereof as from one fountaine and foundation therefore it will not be impertinent to prescribe the same vse and manner of administring of this medicine of mine which Raymund doth vnto his For if the agent cause be one in them both the manner of vse may also be the same He prescribeth a speciall vse in these words Mixe this Essence of gold in a quantity of white wine when you will giue it to a Phlegmaticke constitution especially in the Winter season If to a Cholericke giue it in faire water to a Melancholike in broth wherein mutton is decocted If he be of a Sanguine complexion in cleare white wine And this shall be a preuention against infirmities and their bodies shall be rectified against the distemper of the season If you giue this medicine to those that are sicke let the mixture be more effectuall of the Medicine Neither be thou greatly troubled saith he to know the perfect state of the disease For nature it selfe is wise and prouident by her owne instinct and hath inuested to this stone being dissolued sufficient virtues to rectifie that which is amisse in nature My sonne this medicine is powerfull both against hotte diseases and cold naturall and accidentiall c. These words and other hereunto tending Raymund setteth downe which we out of our experience haue found to be answerable to this our intent Neuerthelesse wee acknowledge that sometimes extraordinary symptomes doe occurre which threaten present danger of death if they bee not speedily preuented As is extreme heate extremitie of cold great thirst lacke of sleepe inordinate fluxes and such like All which by the good pleasure of God are mitigated and asswaged by this only Medicine of mine And yet many things may be appropriately added hereunto pertinēt for the expulsing of euery Disease Therfore if the patiēt haue a repleate body that necessity require some euacuation to bee made gentle not violēt purges fitting the humor offending are