LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS, LUPUS VULGARIS, TUBERCULIDS AND TUBERCULOSIS OF THE SKIN: TREATMENT WITH GOLD COMPOUNDS

Gold, the favorite metal of mankind, formed a part of many formulas of the early alchemists. Years of experimentation were spent in investigating various elements designated by cabalistic signs, in the hope of producing this precious metal synthetically. It also formed an important ingredient in the various "elixirs of life." Paracelsus1 stated that the mingling of the rose-colored blood from the lion and the glue from the eagle forms the philosopher's tincture for which men without number have sought.Dalton2 interpreted this mystic preparation as follows:We should remember that "lion" is one of the cabalistic synonyms for gold, and the "eagle" one of those for tin. If gold be dissolved in nitro-muriatic acid, evaporated and heated and the product dissolved in water, it forms a solution of the terchloride of gold. This was probably the alchemist's "rose colored blood from the lion." On the other hand, protochloride