Page:Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus Vol I (IA cu31924092287121).djvu/218

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The Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus.

cases, provided only it be carefully employed, is marvellous and celestial^[1]; and on that account, therefore, not to be revealed to unworthy persons.

↑ For example, the red Mercury of Gold constitutes a good medicament for the cure of wounds and of the plague, that is, if it be reduced to a precipitate to prevent vomiting. This is accomplished by the upward separation of its laxative part. For in every preparation of gold the chief point is to remove superfluity from it. In the plague there is no necessity for purging. Gold, however, is a laxative, a tonic, and an astringent. Take it away; preserve the rest. The medicaments for the plague are divided into those used for the accidentia and those adapted for its cure. Understand concerning the cure that the spirits of gold and of gems are the best medicines whereby all plagues, wheresoever located in the body, are most successfully healed. The principal is gold; the second are gems, for gems are tonics and preventives. It should at the same time be remembered that all sores are, as far as possible, to be cured from within. For this reason there is no more excellent medicine—speaking of vulnerary potions - than is internal Mumia. No wound is properly healed from without. Internal Mumia is the perfect curative. Otherwise, there is no more sublime incarnative than gold itself.—Fragmentum de Peste.

[1] For example, the red Mercury of Gold constitutes a good medicament for the cure of wounds and of the plague, that is, if it be reduced to a precipitate to prevent vomiting. This is accomplished by the upward separation of its laxative part. For in every preparation of gold the chief point is to remove superfluity from it. In the plague there is no necessity for purging. Gold, however, is a laxative, a tonic, and an astringent. Take it away; preserve the rest. The medicaments for the plague are divided into those used for the accidentia and those adapted for its cure. Understand concerning the cure that the spirits of gold and of gems are the best medicines whereby all plagues, wheresoever located in the body, are most successfully healed. The principal is gold; the second are gems, for gems are tonics and preventives. It should at the same time be remembered that all sores are, as far as possible, to be cured from within. For this reason there is no more excellent medicine—speaking of vulnerary potions - than is internal Mumia. No wound is properly healed from without. Internal Mumia is the perfect curative. Otherwise, there is no more sublime incarnative than gold itself.—Fragmentum de Peste.

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