[L.] Gold. Used in the names of several preparations containing or resembling gold, as aurum fulminans (= FULMINATE of gold), an explosive precipitate obtained by adding ammonia to a solution of auric chloride; aurum mosaicum or musivum, bisulphide of tin, known also as bronze-powder, used by statuaries, house-painters and paper-stainers; † aurum potabile, ‘drinkable gold,’ gold held in a state of minute subdivision in some volatile oil, formerly in repute as a cordial.
a. 1500. E. E. Misc. (1855), 4. Pynaculs alle of aurum, Clene gold alle and summe.
1681. trans. Willis’ Rem. Med. Wks. Aurum fulminans, or thundering gold.
1794. J. Hutton, Philos. Light, etc., 213. Aurum fulminans may be heated to a certain degree without exploding.
1652. Ashmole, Theat. Chem., 208. Bice, Vermillion, Aurum Musicum.
1822. Imison, Sc. & Art, II. 325. Aurum Musivum is used by Japanners.
1644. Quarles, Judgm. & Mercy (1646), 61. It [Povertie] is a sicknesse very catching … and the best Cordiall is Aurum potabile.
1678. Phillips, Aurum potabile, a Medicine made of the body of Gold it self, totally reduced, without Corrosive, into a blood-red, gummie or Hony-like substance.
