The other metals also, if they be not first made soluble by salts or spirits, can perform either none or but very small operation, unless it be Zink or Iron, which being easily soluble, are able to work without any foregoing dissolution, as hath been shewn above, when we treated of the oyl of vitriol. But that the sharp spirits are the cause of that operation, may hence be perceived, and made manifest; that although you take ℥ ss. of quick-silver and pour it down into the stomach, yet it would run out again beneath, as above it was poured in. But if it be prepared with spirits or salts, then but few grains of it will work strongly, and the more it is made soluble, the stronger it worketh; as you may see when it is sublimed from salt and vitriol, that it groweth so strong thereby, that one grain doth work more than eight or ten grains of Turbith Mineral, and three or four grains thereof would kill a man, by reason of its mighty strength. Also it worketh extreamly, and much more than the sublimate, when it is dissolved in spirit of Nitre and crystalized, so that you cannot well take it upon your tongue without danger. Which some perceiving, evaporate the _Aqua fortis_ by a gentle heat from it, so that the _Mercurius_ remained yellow, which in a smaller dose wrought more than the red, from which the spirits were quite evaporated. And they used it only externally, strewing it into impure sores, for to corrode or fret or away the proud flesh, not without great pain to the patient: but also without distinction of young or old gave it inwardly for to purge; which is one of the most hurtful Purges that can be used. For this evil guest, however he be prepared, cannot leave his tricks, unless he be reduced into such a substance, as that it never can be brought back to a running Mercury, for then much good can be done in physick without any hurt or prejudice to the health of man, whereof perchance something more shall be said in another place. I cannot omit for the benefit of young innocent Children, to discover a great abuse. For it is grown very common almost among all that deal in physick, that as soon as a little child is not well before they know whether it will be troubled with worms, or with any thing else, they presently fall upon Mercury, supposing that in regard it hath no taste, it is so much the better for to get the Children to take it for to _kill_ the Worms.