Vulgar Mercury cannot be dissolved like the former metals with tartar and water, without any foregoing preparation; but must be sublimed first with salt and vitriol, or crystallised with _Aqua fortis_, and then it may be dissolved by boyling with tartar and water, and reduced into a balsame, like other metals, but is not to be used inwardly, unless it be digested a sufficient time, so that its fierceness be allayed: Externally it may safely be used in all desperate, especially venereal sores, and it is a very effectual and profitable medicine for them. But most of all it doth serve for Alchymy, although few do know this guest, because he will not be seen by every one. The spirit which comes over from it by distillation, is an admirable thing not only in physick, but also in Alchymy: yet you must take heed, that instead of a friend, you do not harbor a great enemy: for its force and vertue is very great and powerful. _How to make a Tartarised spirit of Gold and Silver._ Gold and silver also can by no means be dissolved with tartar in a wet way: but in a dry way adding its helper to it, it will easily dissolve, which doth not belong hither; but if you will draw a spirit of it, then the gold and silver must first by dissolving and coagulating be reduced to crystals, and then dissolved with purifyed tartar and water, and of Gold you will get a yellow solution, and of silver a white inclining unto green, which being reduced to the consistency of honey, may be used safely and without fear. The solution of Gold doth loosen and keep the body open; it effectually strengtheneth the stomach, heart, lungs, and liver, and other principal members: and that of silver purgeth very forcibly, according to the quantity given, like another purge, but without harm or danger, so that in all diseases where purging is necessary, it may be used safely from ℈ i. to ʒ _ss._ but that of gold is used in a smaller quantity: and both the liquor of gold and of silver may very successfully be used externally: but because for external uses inferiour metals will serve the turn, it is needless to use costly things thereto.