The apologie, or defence of a verity heretofore published concerning a medicine called aurum potabile that is, the pure substance of gold, prepared, and made potable and medicinable without corrosiues, helpfully giuen for the health of man in most diseases, but especially auaileable for the strenghning [sic] and comforting of the heart and vitall spirits the perfomers of health: as an vniversall medicine. Together with the plaine, and true reasons ... confirming the vniversalitie thereof. And lastly, the manner and order of administration or vse of this medicine in sundrie infirmities. By Francis Anthonie of London, doctor in physicke.

THE VSE OF AVRVM POTABILE IN SVNDRY INFIRMITIES.

THe diseased person that shall vse this Medicine, may take it in the same proportiō or dose, as formerly is set downe, or somewhat greater or lesse, ac∣cording to the condition of the partie, and state of his Dis∣ease. Commonly one spoon∣full of the Aurum Potabile is giuen at one time: or sixe 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 Es∣sence of gold is very fitting and conuenient for very yong infants but newly borne, in any Disease what∣soeuer, 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 Po∣tabile 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 intermissiue∣ly, 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 passi∣ons, diminishing of the Disease, and recouerie of strength.

It may be giuen at al times, most commonly in the morning fasting, or an houre before repast. Likewise after meate to preuent a surfet. For it helpeth digesti∣on, and preuenteth sicknesses following such repleti∣ons. To procure sleepe it is giuen at bed-time; or if ne∣cessitie 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 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 passi∣ons: sometime by a milde and gentle sweat ensuing, sometimes by vomit, and reiection of malignant vis∣cous humors: also by plentifull euacation of vrine, as also by restraint thereof, where the retention is weake. And though sildom, yet somtimes by a loose∣nesse 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 Medi∣cine.

Let thus much suffice, for the simple, or very sim∣ply mixed vse of this Medicine. But although in this forme taken and vsed, it giueth great furtherance to∣wards the curing of any malady, as by many particu∣lar experiments hath beene related, in which sildome times any addition of peculiar effect hath beene ad∣ministred: 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, conueni∣ent, 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 pla∣ces, 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 where∣of 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 distil∣ling

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. Neuer∣theles seeing that, both that Medicine of Raymund Lul∣ly, 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 constituti∣on, 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 mix∣ture 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 pro∣uident 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 here∣unto 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, extre∣mitie 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 Me∣dicine of mine. And yet many things may be appro∣priately 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 to be administred. Sometime the body hath neede by vrine or sweat to be releeued: which both, although this Aurum Potabile doe in sort per∣forme 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 expe∣dient. 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 neg∣lected. Other things pertinent, I referre to the discretion of them, whome it shall concerne.

Notes

• The dose.
• How oft.
• When to be giuen.
• Effects.