This Oil of Gold, orAurum Potabile, is of much greater force in all those Diseases, in which the simple spirit of salt is conducible, because the Oil of salt hath double the strength of the spirit, and also diffuseth its virtues much better, by reason of the Gold which is anatomized in it; the which, because it is of a hot and dry property, agreeth very well with the Oil of salt, whose nature is hot and moist: and hence it effectually resisteth all Corruption which may arise in the humane body.
Besides, the Virtues which the spirit of salt, and especially the Oil of Gold prepared with it, manifest both within and without the body; it is an egregious preservative against Drunkenness,Spirit of Salt, a Remedy against Drunkenness.which is the root of many Diseases, and the gate by which many evils enter: For strong Wine or stale Beer being drank, suffer nothing in the stomach, because it cannot restrain their subtile spirit, which presently flieth up into the Head, and disordereth and confoundeth all the senses. But if in the drinking, a little spirit of salt be mixed with the Wine, it openeth the Orifice of the stomach, and suffers not the spirits to fly upward, but restraineth and bindeth them, also mitigateth and represseth that unnatural Thirst, which otherwise the Wine causeth in excessive drinkings: Nor doth the Wine, which is mixed with spirit of salt, so easily hurt the Liver; for as the spirit of wine heats and inflames the Liver, so the spirit of salt corrects and cools it. Add that the spirit of salt permits not the liquor to lie lurking in the stomach, but presently casteth it out by Urine: and the sooner the superfluous Wine is cast out of the body, the less hurt it can do. But this is to be understood of the spirit of salt well rectified, and subtilly prepared.
In short, I might sooner want Paper to write, than matter to express what good the spirit of salt coagulated can do, being taken in drink; I have said enough for the present; in myVegetable WorkI will more fully discourse of this matter, in which I now acquiesce. Whatsoever I have here written of a Medicine against all Sea-faring Diseases, and of the concentration of Corn and Water, against Hunger and Thirst; as also of the most efficacious use of Spirit of Salt, against Drunkenness, and of the melioration of Wine, Beer, Water, and other Drinks, is built upon the pure foundation of Truth, which Experience it self will sufficiently testifie; with which I put an End to this Discourse.