Two treatises concerning the preseruation of eie-sight. The first written by Doctor Baily sometimes of Oxford: the other collected out of those two famous phisicions Fernelius and Riolanus — Briefe treatise touching the preservation of the eie sight

Two treatises concerning the preseruation of eie-sight. The first written by Doctor Baily sometimes of Oxford: the other collected out of those two famous phisicions Fernelius and Riolanus — Briefe treatise touching the preservation of the eie sight

Table of contents

To the Reader.

A breefe Treatise concerning the preseruation of the eye sight.

To preserue the sight by Medicines.

Inward Medicines.

A Treatise of the principall diseases of the eyes, gathered out of Fernelius and Iohn Riolamus Doctors of Phisicke

Of the Webbe of the Eye. Chap. 3.

Of the Hypopion or matter vnder the Cornea. Chap. 4.

Of Strabismus.

Of Amaurosis, or Gutta Serena, or Obfuscatio, starke blindnes, or Hallucinatio. Chap. 5.

Of Opthalmia, or infl•mation of the aduata, or coniunctiua. Chap. 6.

Of the suffusion of sight called Cataracta. Chap. 7.

Of the Aegilops or the lacrimall Fistula. Chap. 8.

Generall rules for the conseruation of the sight. Chap. 9.

A Collirium Democriti which doth cleare the sight and preserue the same.

Another that doth conserue the sight.

An excellent oyntment for the eyes.

To the Reader.

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IT is not vnknowne to the world, with what generall applause a certaine Treatise, concerning the preseruation [Page] of Eie-sight, written by Doctor Baylie, sometimes of Oxford, hach beene accepted; which by the happie experience of many, in the doubtfull cures of that kind, stands throughly confirmed. Being therefore vnwilling that a gemme of such worth should lie any longer hidden vnder the soile of Obliuion; and withall desirous to giue a more lustre vnto it, aswell for the ornament of it selfe, as for the good of the merchant: I haue now at length resolued to set it forth in the world, to the publique view and censure of the Time, newly and artificially polished [Page] with most notable Collections, out of those renowned Doctors, Fernelius, and Riolanus, written on the same Subiect. Peruse the booke, and make vse of it. If thou findest benefit by it, thanke God first, that hath made his goodnesse manifest to the world by his singular gifts bestowed on these most excellent men; next to the Authors themselues, for their great paines and studie taken for thy profit; and lastly to mee, for my goodwill and costes in the publishing of it. Farewell.

I. B.

A breefe Treatise concerning the preseruation of the eye sight.

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THe preseruation of the sight doth consist, partly in good order of diet, partly in vse of Medicines.

Concerning diet:Diet. some things hurtfull are to be eschued, and some things comfortable to the sight are to be vsed: wherefore they, which may chose their habitations, in this respect, may make election of aire cleare,Aire. declining to moderate heate and drynesse: cold and moyst aire, and thicke, misty, and rainy weather is hurtfull: it is best therefore to abide in dry places, from moory, marish, and watrish grounds and specially to prouide, that the site of the dwelling be not betweene the [Page] wet places and the sun:Windes. Dust. Smoke. Southerne windes doe hurt the sight: so doe low roomes: places full of dust and smoakie are noysome.

Meates.Meates are best which are easie to be digested, and which doe not stay long in the stomacke: amongest such a young Henne is greatly commended: so is Partridge and Pheasant. Rasis praiseth the young starne, and the quaile: so doe all writers the Doue both tame and wyld, but chiefly the wild Doue, which (as Zoar writeth) hath especiall vertue against the weakenesse of the sight, which commeth by defect of spirites, and the rather, if the same be sod with rape rootes, and turnep rootes: for it is accorded by all writers, that the turnep hath great faculty to doe good to the eies, and to preserue the sight. Crosse and slimy meates, and all water-foule are dispraised. Of small birdes, the martin, the swallow, the iay and pie, the witwall, the specht are noted very hurtfull to the sight: and albeit these birds are seldome, or not at all vsed of the better sort, yet common people happily may be compelled to eate them.Fish. No fish is accompted good: yet some fishes, which doe [Page] skoure in grauely-places, being sauery sodden with white wine, fenel, eiebright, sage, perslie, &c. may at some times be eaten: and so a little salt-fish moderately taken doth no great harme. Flesh sodden with fenell,Preparat [...] of meates eiebright, mintes, sage, &c. is reputed best; next are roasted meates; flesh fried with butter or oyle is to be reiected, th'entrals,Intrals. and feete of beasts are not so good, nor the braines for the most part, yet the braines of an hare, of a cony, and of pigeons,Braines. are said to quicken the sight.

Milke and all things made thereof are found by experience to induce dimnesse of sight: reare rosted, reare sodden,Milke. or poched egges are holesome,Egges. especially eaten with the powder of eiebright: fryed egges and hard are blamed.

Of sauces, veriuce, vinigar of wine,Sauces. and the iuce of limonds, are accompted best; Pomgranats, not so good.

Of spices,Spices. cinnamon is commended by Auicenna, as speciall good so the webbe of the eie, and for dimnesse of the sight: so is saffron; ginger, both inwardly taken, and outwardly applyed, doth singularly cleare the sight: cloues, mace, and nutmegs, and all three kindes of peppers, may be vsed. [Page] Suger is conuenient to condite things, but hony is better: [...]. no oyle is good, saue pile oliue called sallet oile, and that is better then butter.

[...] herbs.Albeit few raw hearbes in common vse for sallets are commended, except fenell, eie-bright, young sage, terragone, which are very good: yet these are to be avoided as most hurtfull, namely lettis, coleworts, cabbages, beets, spinage, purslane, buddes of dill, garlike, chibbols, onions, skallions, [...] &c. Gapers may be eaten: Oliues not so good: radish rootes, persnep rootes, are greatly dispraised: carrot rootes, the buds of asperage may be eaten, [...] Rape [...] Turnep. but the turnup or rape roote, and the nauew roote are aboue all other noted for excellencie to preserue the sight, and to that purpose many doe preserue with sugar these rootes, and eate them as sucket.

[...]uites. [...]eares. [...]pples.The most kindes of fruits are hurtfull to the sight: yet peares and the better kindes of apples, may be eaten with the pouder of eiebright, or with fenell seeds thinly incrusted with fine sugar: [...]igges. figs are very good, not onely for the sight, but also to open, scoure, and to clense the brest, liuer, stomacke and kidneies: [...]aisons. so are raisons, which [Page] haue a speciall property to strengthen the liuer: nuts are very evil,Nuts. for that they doe fill the head: the walnut more tollerable then the hasell nut, chestnuts are very windie, better friends for Ʋenus, then for the eies: dates are not commended, nor mulberies.Dates. Confects

Confectes made with fine sugar and thinly incrusted about with turnep seedes, and navew seeds, fenill seeds, anise seeds almonds, pine aple kernels, ginger, cinamon, the powder of eiebright, &c. are reputed as very good meanes to continue the sight: likewise in the preseruation of the sight, amongst other things, such drinkes,Drinkes. as are in common vse and accustomed, are to be allowed: therefore he that hath vsed to drink beere,Beere. may not forsake the same and so of ale.

And in this respect it is not amis at meate to drinke wine,Wine. for them which haue beene accustomed to the same: although wine in some affectes of the eies is forbidden, yet to preserue the sight, wine is not inconuenient, for the vapours of wine are drying, cleare abstersiue, and so doe consume and extenuate grosse and thick humours, so it be moderately taken. In this place I doe greatly commend their councels, which do [Page] prepare medicinable drinks with eiebright, [...]edicinall [...]inkes. and other things comfortable for the sight, to be vsed in the morning, and at meates, if the patient can well endure so to drinke the same: our authors herein are very ingenious, some addressing drinkes with one thing, and some with another.

[...]rinke [...]ade with [...]bright.The simplest and most written of, is with the herbe called of the Arabians Adhill, in Latine Euphragia, in English Eie-bright, of whose miraculous vertues in preseruation of the sight, [...]rnoldus [...] villa no [...] Arnoldus de villa noua hath written in these words: Eie-bright is good any way taken, either with meate, [...]he praise [...] eiebright [...] the sight. drinke or medicine, greene and dry, against all impediments of the sight, whereby the clearenes of the same may be obscured. And hee writeth thus of wine made with Eiebright, [...] which hee calleth Ʋinum euphragtatum. This wine (saith he) is made by putting the herbe in the muste or new wine, vntill the same wine become cleare to be drunke. By the vse of this wine, old mens sights are made young, it taketh away the impediments of the sight in all mens of all ages, especially in fat men, and such which doe abound with phlegme.

One (saith he) which was blind, and did [Page] see nothing in long time, by vsing this wine one yeare, was restored to his sight. The herbe is hot and drie, and hath by propertie of substance to remoue affectes of the sight.Eiebright taken in an egge. And so the powder of the herbe taken in an egge, or drunken in wine, doth vvonderfully performe the same. And there are yet aliue (saith hee) witnesses of good credit, which haue made proofe heereof in themselues, which could not reade without spectacles, but by vse hereof haue recouered their sight to reade small letters. And so Arnoldus concludeth, that nothing to doe good to the sight, is to be compared with wine made with eiebright. If the wine be too strong, he counselleth to allay the same with fennell water; and to that intention, you may also adde sugar.

In countries which for their common drinkes do vse wine and water, they alway do mingle things for the sight in wine, and not in water: for wine in truth is a fitter liquor to receiue the qualities and to carry the same to the eyes, then water: which thinges they do put in the muste, and so let it stand, vntill the wine be ripe, and ready to be drunken, and so do vse it.

Notwithstanding in other Countries [Page] which haue other vsuall drinkes,Eiebright may be vsed in beere, in ale, or meade the same things may be put in their common drinks, So some haue put them in ale, some in beere and some in meade, and no doubt but all these meanes are very good according to the vsage and disposition of the partie. So euen in this our Country they which either by vse or by constitution of body, may wel beare the drinking of wine, may well compound the same with things good for the sight others of hot complexions and drie, not greatly accustomed to wine, may of ale, beere, and meade make such drinkes, because in the North countries, ale and beere are the vsuall and common drinkes, and in some places, meade also is much vsed: therefore in mine opinion it is conuenient for most men, to make these drinkes with ale, beere, and meade, rather then with wine: and meade assuredly is a very conuenient thing for them which can well away with hony.

How Eie [...]ight wine may be vsed.Touching the direction of those which haue bin accustomed to drinke wine, I do nothing doubt, but that they may with out offence beare such drinks for the sight compounded with wine, to take a draught in the morning, especially if the allay the [Page] same with the distilled water of fenell, according to Arnoldus counsell. And for this purpose, choyse may bee made of very good white wine, and the thinges may bee mingled in the countries where the wine doth growe, notwithstanding in that our most vsed drinke with meat is ale, or beere,The vse of Eiebright ale, and of Eiebright beere. these are very conuenient to receiue these thinges for the sight, and absolutely better then wine, if yee like to drinke the same with meate: as our authors doe counsell. Which ale I thinke better to be made with grout according to the old order of brewing.Ale made with grout. And so the thinges for the sight may be sodden in the grout, or other way put in the drinke, when it is newly clensed,How to make Eiebright Ale and beere. & put into the vessell in which it is tunned to be kept that in the working of the drink in the vessel, the vertues and qualities of the thinges may be drawne and receiued into the same. When these thinges are compounded in meade,Eiebright meade. then the same are sodden with the honie, in such order as other herbes are sodden, when they make methegline.

I thinke it best to begin with the simplest order to compound ale or beere to each mans best liking with eiebright only, [Page] taking to euery gallon of the drink a great handfull of the herbe,The quantity of eiebright to the drinke. and bind it together, or put it in raw and thinne tinsell of silke, and so tie the same by a string to the tap of the vessell, that the herbe may hang in the middest of the drinke, not too low in the ground, neither to high in the barme, being put into the drinke when it is newlie clensed: let all worke togither vntill the drinke be cleare and ripe, to be drunken according to the common vse, and then ye may drinke of it at pleasure in the morning fasting, and at meate also if you will, and can well like thereof; and most men may like to drinke it, because this herbe doeth yeeld no vngratefull taste, but rather with a pleasant sapour doth commend the drinke. It were not amisse, to avoide windines, to euery handfull of the herbe to adde two drammes of fenell seeds,Fenell seeds. well dusted, and a little bruised. As I doe put this for more proportion to beginne with-all, that the stomacke be not at the first offended with the strangenesse: So after a time, yee may increase the quantitie, and put to euery gallon of the drinke, two handfuls of the herbe, wherein yee may best be directed by the taste, that the herbe shall [Page] yeeld into the drinke.Spices may be added. In the winter season yee may also adde some spices, as ginger, whole mace, a few cloues, nutmegs, cinnamon, and make as it were bragget ale: which drinke, besides that it doth preserue and cleere the sight, will also helpe digestion, clense and cut phlegme, and breake winde.

I can witnes,The effect confirmed by examples. that many by this simple composition of eiebright and fenell seeds, haue found great good for their sight, not onely to continue in good estate, but also that some haue found remedie against the dimnes and other impediments, growing in their sight. In truth once I met an old man in Shropshire, called M. Hoorde, aboue the age of 84. yeares, who had at that time perfit sight, and did read small letters very well without spectacles: hee told me that about the age of 40. yeares, finding his sight to decay, he did vse Eiebright in ale for his drinke, and did also eate the powder thereof in an egge three daies in a weeke, being so taught of his father, who by the like order continued his sight in good integrity to a very long age. I haue heard the same confirmed by many old men Rowland Sherlooke an Irish man, Phisition to Queene [Page] Marie, did affirme for truth, that a Bishop in Ireland perceiuing his sight to wax dimme, about his age of fifty yeares, by the vse of eiebright takē in powder in an egge, did liue to the age of 80 yeares, with good integrity of sight.Drinkes more compounded for the sight.

VVe do reade of many drinkes to preserue the sight, compounded not of eie-bright onely, but many moe thinges added: so some put to it sage, some veruaine, some celendine, and fennell seedes, anise seeds, & the forenamed spices: others elecampane rootes, iris, galengale, & cubebs, and in truth all these are greatly commended to preserue the sight, and may very aptly be put in drinkes for the sight: notwithstanding, for that we are now to deliuer a drinke for the sight, which may bee pleasing, and alowed with meates, mine opinion is, that the same ought to be made as simple as may be. For if Gallen in his 6. booke de sanitate tuenda, doth preferre the composition of the medicine termed diatrion piperiō, which hath fewest simples, because (as he writeth) that is soonest & with lesse trouble to nature digested:The most compound not alwaies best. surely the drinkes for the sight, which are compounded of fewest thinges, are most to bee [Page] commended, especially when we meane to vse the same with meate, as all our authors do coūsell vs. Wherefore, for my part at this time, I will onely aduise to haue for vse, either wine, or ale, or beere, according to each mans best liking, made as it is before prescribed with eiebright and fenell seeds, and to drinke of the same in the morning, or if it so like with meat, as other drinke.

It is holded better to drinke oft and small draughts at meat,Drinke often and small draughts. then seldome and great draughts; for so meat and drinke will better mingle, and the meat will lesse swimme in the stomake,Not best to begin the meale with drinke. which giueth cause of many vapours to the head. It is affirmed not good to begin the meale with drinke, but to eat somewhat before you drinke.

When you drinke wine if you meane to alay the same with water,When to mingle water with wine it is best to mingle to the wine fennell water, or eiebright water, and Montagnana doth counsell to doe the same some reasonable time before you do drinke, and not presently when you drinke, as commonly men doe.

Bread in our intention is to be made of fine flower of chosen wheat,Breade. alway leuened and salted somewhat more then common bread, well wrought, throughly baked, [Page] not new nor old, of about a day or two daies old.Past with fenil seeds. Vnleuened bread is not accompted good: and the bread is better, if fenell seeds be wrought with the past; to which purpose some do cause cakes to be made of some portion of the dowgh, in which they knead the powder of fenell seeds, and the powder of eiebright, and doe eate them in the morning, and after drink the eiebright drinke, and make that a breakfast.

Euacuation.As generally in the preseruation of health: so especially to continue the sight, it is conuenient that the body be obedient, and doe his office for euacuation accordingly: and if nature herein be slack, it may be procured with brothes made of loose herbes, as mallowes, violet leaues, mercury, ground sell, great raisons the stones taken out, damaske pruines and currants: and if neede be of more medicinall things, surely the same must be gentle: for as strong medicines, which make agitation of humors are not good to be vsed for this intention: so gentle medicines taken in due time, doe great good to the sight: which I doe leaue to the appointment and direction of a learned Phisition. Of all manner of euacuation, these which are done by vomiting [Page] are most hurtfull: so are fluxes of blood by the nose. And as belkes doe ease the stomacke, so much belking giueth occasion that fumes doe arise to the fore-part of the head, whereby the sight may be harmed.

Nothing is more hurtfull to health then fulnes.Fulnesse hurtfull. And he that will continue his sight good, must be carefull of ouer-plentifull feeding, and therefore must end his meales with appetite: and neuer lay gorge vpon gorge, but so feede, that the former meate may be concocted, before hee doe eate againe. It is best to make light suppers, and some-what timely.Vse of Venus. As modest vse of Ʋenus perfourmed in the feare of God in due time, when the meate in the stomacke is digested, and nature is desirous to be disburdened, is to be allowed: so immoderate and vnseasonable vse thereof, doth of all things most hurt the sight, and soonest induce blindnes: ouer-much watching is not good: very long sleepes are more hurtfull:Sleepe and watching. the meane sleeps of about vij. houres, are best: yet better to abridge the sleepe and to inlarge watching, then contrariwise: sleepe taken in the night is best, as most naturall, when externall aire doth not distract natures [Page] motion, and all externall things concurre to helpe sleepe, therefore the moe houres a man doth borrow of the day for sleepe, the worser. It is not good especially to this our purpose, to sleepe immediatly after meate: for two houres at the least ought to be put betweene meate and sleep. Best to begin sleep vpon the right side, and then to turne on the left side: to sleepe vpright vpon the backe is naught generally: to turne vpon the face worser for the sight.The Moone shine hurtfull to the sight. Care must be had that you sleepe not in a chamber, or any place in which the Moone doth shine.

Exercises.Exercises are needfull: the same best, after the belly hath done his office, that the excrements are a voided: otherwise by exercise vapours are stirred, and doe ascend more plentifully to the head.Writing after meate. All exercises must be done fasting, and none after meate. And I wish you might after meate for beare writing by the space of three houres: but if your course of life and calling will not so permit you, you may herein follow Montagnana his counsell, to write either standing vpright, or a little leaning and resting your head vpon your right or left cheeke: in no case to write bowing your selfe forward, [Page] and holding downe the head. When opportunity and time will serue, frictions with a rough linnen cloth are very good,Frictions. which are to be performed thus: first to rub the feete, the legges, then the thighes, the hips, the buttockes, ascending to the shoulders and necke with soft and long rubbings, euen vntill the partes begin to wax red. Amongst orders to remooue the weakenes of the sight, Auicenna writeth that the combing of the head is not of least force,Combing the head. which ought to be done euery morning fasting backwardes against the haire for it draweth the vapours out of the head, and remoueth them from the sight.Affections of the minde.

Mirth, ioy, and pleasantnes of the minde is good: a little anger doth not hurt: immoderate sorrow, fearefulnes, and all vehement affections are forbidden in all affects, but in this our case chiefly, as most hurtfull to the sight.

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To preserue the sight by Medicines.

THE order to preserue the sight by medicines, doth consist of things outwardly applied,Outward Medicines. & inwardly taken. Amongest outward medicines to preserue the sight, it is accounted a great secret, to smel much to marierum.The smell of marierū. So these things following, are sound very much to comfort the sight in staying the visible spirits from wasting: videlicet, Things comfortable to the sight. corall, pearle, the stone called Lapis Armenius, spectacles of Christalline or clear and pure glasse, greene & sky colours, to dip the eies in cold water, to which purpose, many haue cups made in the forme of an eie,Eie cups. called eie-cups: & to wash the eies with the waters or decoctions of eiebright, roses,Things put into the eies. and veruaine. Some other things are put into the eies to clear the sight, & to remoue impediments which do often grow there: to which purpose as approued very good & without hurt, the iuices & waters of eie-bright, of fenell, of veruaine, of marigolds, of pearlwort are greatly commended. And [Page] Montagnana doeth mention a certaine kinde of preparation of the iuice of fenell,A preparation of the iuice of fenell. singular good to preserue the sight from dimnesse, to take the iuce of fenell in the month of Aprill, and to put it in a vessell of glasse, with a long and narrow necke, and let it stand fifteene daies in the sunne, that it may be well dryed, then remoue the glasse softly, that you doe not trouble the residue, or grounds, and so powre it into another vessell: and to euery halfe pound of the iuice, put an ounce of chosen lignum aloes, beaten into fine powder,Lignum aloes. good for the sight. and let it stand other fifteene daies in the Sun. Then straine it twise through a thick cloth, and keepe the clearest in a vessell of glasse to your vse: you may drop a little hereof into your eies to cleare the sight. And some do distill this wood in a stillatory of glasse, and put the water thereof into the eies, and hold this for a great secret as miraculous to preserue the sight. And the same Montagnana doeth compound another medicine more abstersiue to remedie the dimnes of the sight, dissoluing in an ounce of the water of Rosemarie flowers,Sal gemma doth cleare the sight. two scruples of Sal gemma very finely powdered, and filtered, and counselleth to drop [Page] the same often into the eies; affirming by his experience, that it doeth so mightily cleare the sight, that suffusions are thereby wonderfully remoued, and especially moistures of the eies.

I am heere also in this place for the clensing and strenghtning of the eies especially to commend vnto you the frequent vse of old and cleere white wine, in which the Calaminar stone hath beene oftentimes extinguished: and likewise the pure liquor of good sugar-candy dissolued in the white of an egge, being hard rosted and the yolke taken out.

The vrine of a childe.Also our authors do commend the washing of the eies with the vrin of a childe, and sometimes to drop the same into the eies.A lie of fenel stalkes. And for this purpose also they do commend lie made of the ashes of fenell stalkes. Wee doe read in all our writers great commendations,A preparation of the liuer of a Goate for the sight. of a liquor of the liuer of a goate, prepared in manner following. Take the liuer of a male goat, not diseased, nor newly killed: and after it is well washed, pricke it in many places, and fill the same with graines of pepper, and infarce the liuer with the leaues of fennell and of eiebright, then rost it with a soft fire cleare, not smoakie, [Page] vntill it bee reasonably rosted: and in the time of roasting, receiue the liquor which doth distill, in a conuenient vessell, and apply the same to your vse.

Auicenna in his third fen. third booke and fourth treatise, cap. de debilitate visus, aboue all other things doth commend the medicine called collyrium de fellibus, Collyrium de fellibus for that it cleanseth the pores of the eies, cleareth and conserueth the spirits, mundifieth the moystures or waters of the sight: as you may reade in Auicenna in the foresaide place.

Inward Medicines.

MEdicins to be taken inwardly are in number many: but I thinke best at this time to mention a few, which are easie to be had, and as of great efficacy most commended: & of such the powder following is most simple:A powder for the sig [...] yet by experience aproued of such force that many, after their sight hath bin decaied, haue by the vse of it, receiued againe [Page] the same perfectly: the powder is thus made.

Take of the powder of eiebright foure ounces, of mace one ounce, mingle them togither, and take thereof the weight of three pence before meate.

Montanus in his 92. counsel giueth great praise to a sirup,A sirup for the sight. against the decay of the sight through the weakenes and dimnes of the same, which he compoundeth thus.

Take of the iuices of fennel, of each two ounces.

of veruaine, of each two ounces.

of roses, of each two ounces.

The leaues of the herbe eiebright of each M. S.

of endiue, of each M. S.

of celendine. of each M. S.

boyle the herbes in two pints of water vntill the halfe be spent: then straine it hard, and mingle the iuices with the decoction, and with sugar according to art make a sirup, which is to be kept in a glasse vessell. You may take two ounces of this sirup in the morning fasting. In windy bodies hee maketh the sirup thus,

Take of fenell seeds, of each iij. ounces.

of anise seeds. of each iij. ounces.

[Page]of the herbs of eiebright of each M. iij.

of veruaine, of each M. iij.

of rose-leaues, of each M. iij.

of celendine. M. j.

of rhue. M. j. S.

boile these in water vntill halfe be consumed: straine it harde, and with sugar siruppize the decoction: both these sirups are excellent good to defend the sight from dimnesse.

Mesue in his booke called Grabadin, An excellen [...] electuary [...] preserue the fight. writing of the diseases of the eies, aboue all other medicines extolleth an electuary vnder the name of Humaine, as hauing noble vettues to perserue the eies, and to continue the visible spirites in their clearenesse, which he compoundeth thus.

Take the herbe called Adhil, that is

eiebright, ounces, ij.

fenill seeds, Drams. v.

mace, of each Dra. j.

cubebs, of each Dra. j.

cinamom, of each Dra. j.

long-peper, of each Dra. j.

cloues. of each Dra. j.

beate all into powder, searse it, then take of good hony clarified, lib. j.

[Page]of the iuice of fenill boyled and clarified, one ounce.

of the iuce of Rhue

of Celendine

both boiled and clarified, of each halfe an ounce.

boyle all to the height of an electuary, and then put to it the powders according to art, and so reserue it in glasse vessels. You may take hereof the quantity of Dra. iij, in wine as Mesue writeth: If wine seeme too hot, you may allay it with fenill water, or with Eiebright water: it must be taken in the morning fasting: and you ought to forbeare the taking of other things, by the space of three houres, and so at night, but then you must make a light supper, and sup the more timely.

Distilled [...]aters.Where in this little Treatise mention is made of distilled waters, I wish the same to be artificially done in stilli tories of glasse, that the qualities of the herbes may remaine in the distilled waters. And therefore I doe not allow of the common maner of distilling in stillirories of lead, by the which the watry parts onely are drawne.

FINIS.

A Treatise of the principall diseases of the eyes, gathered out of Fernelius and Iohn Riolamus Doctors of Phisicke

[Page]

AS the Eyes are of a delicate and soft nature, so ar they by the most light occasion offended, as by smoak, by dust, and the Sunne beames: so the north winde, and vapours rising from minerals doe hurt the eyes. But this peculiar property the eyes haue, that they congeale not because they are of a fiery property, and doe consist of an airy fatnes.

The eyes are subiect to euery kinde of disease, Simeler, Organical, and commune as the similer parts doe labour with euery distemprature, with an hot distemprature, as often as they are offended with smoake, or dust, which offence proceeding from an outward cause, is properly called Taraxis, rednes of the eyes is more like vnto Phlogosis, then Phlegmon because they arred without [Page] tumor. A cold distemprature doth dull the sight. A moyst doth dilate the pupill: A dry distemprature doth either shrinke vp the whole eye, or the pupill thereof is dryed or extenuated, as it hapneth in extreame old age, or by the immoderate vse of venerie. From thence Pthisis, and an Atrophia hapneth of the eye: I call that Pthisis which is an extenuation of the pupill, or apple, and becometh more angustior, and streyter, and more obscure: but that is an Atrophia, when the whole eye is consumed for want of nourishment. And as the Instrument doth suffer diseases of number, of magnitude, of situation and conformation, (I say) conformation in the figure, Meatus, and Asperitie, for it is a disease in magnitude, as often as the eyes are more great, and more standing forth then they should, for the lesser eyes are best, because the visible vertue being coacted and drawne togither is greater then when it is dispersed, and is least subiect to outward iniuries: from whence it doth happen, that those which by nature haue small balls or apples of the eye, haue their sight most sharpe, I meane not those which haue it so by accident, as if they be extenuated by immoderate venerie, [Page] for then thinges seeme to be greater then they are: to this may be referred Enchanthis, and Rhinas, for they are the contrary of the same kinde. Encanthis is an excrescence of the same flesh which is in the greater Cantho, but Rhinas is when the same caruncle being eroded and eaten, doth appeare as it were hanging forth. To diseases of number, doe appertaine Suffusio, which is commonly called the Cataracte, which is an humor concreate betweene the Cornea, and the Vuea: in like manner, the web called Pterigium and Onix or Vngula and Hipopion. The web is a neruose membrane, which according to diuers men, doth proceede from the great corner vnto the apple, and sometimes at length doth couer the whole eye. Onyx or Vnguis is a Cicatrix from some vlcer, which is referred to the likenes of a nayle. Hypopion is a certaine Pus, collected vnder the Cornea, which doth succeed a suppurated inflammation & Chemosi, Hyposphagmati bloudy and suggillat eyes, such as are when some veine is opened, broken, or gnawne, the bloud waxeth blewe and liued:

To diseases of Site or situation doth appertaine Ecpiesmos, which is, when the whole [Page] ball hangeth forth, which hapneth by the Muscles relaxed, which muscles do obuolue the opticke nerue, which disease may be called Prolapsus oculi, although Paulus doth cal it Proptosin, when the Cornea being eroded or eaten, the Vuea doth hang forth, of which Proptoseos there are diuers names, for first when the vuea doth hang forth, because it appeareth like vnto the head of a Flie, it is called Myocephalos, but when it doth increase more, and doth represent Acinum vuae, it is called Staphiloma, when it doth more increase, and the eye is starke blinde and hath the likenes of the head of a nayle, it is called Clauus, but either affect is Morbus in situ, but the first is of the whole eye, the latter of one onely part, that is of the vuea. Diseases of conformation are, when the naturall figure of the eye is peruerted, as in Strabismo or conuulsion, Midriasei or dilatation of the ball: also diseases in Ʋia, as a sodaine obstruction of the Opticke nerue, which is called Hamarosis. The Sicke seeth nothing at all, when notwithstanding no cause appeareth in the eye, the tunicles of the eyes ought to be light, terse▪ and fayre are sometimes exasperated with an inward and outward cause, as with smoake and dust.

[Page]The eyes do suffer most often common diseases, as vlcers, and tumors against nature, first phlegmon, which is called Opthalmia, that is knowne by tumor, inflamation, rednes and paine.

The vlcers do manifest themselues by itch, by paine and Saines, but not also the Adn [...]ta, but also the Cornea is sometimes vlcered, and whether it bee vlcered, wee may easily know by this signe: There doth appeare a white spot in the black of the eye, with the signes aforesaid: and when the Coniunctiua is vlcered there doth appeare as it were a red spot in the white of the eye: But first, I will set downe the manner of curing of those diseases, and then I will speak of the Symptoms.

The precept of Plato in Charmide is familiar with Galen. Euen as it is in vaine to cure the diseases of the head without consideration bee first had of the whole, so rashly to prescribe remedies to the eyes, except we first consider of the head, where is the originall both of the eyes and the fountaine of all diseases which come by defluxion.

Therefore first of all the body is to bee purged with pillulis lucis maioribus in a cold [Page] cause, and in an hot cause, with pil. lucis minoribus, or with Sena and Agarick which shall bee boyled in a decoction, or with the distilled waters of Fenel and Eyebright, with which vehicles the purgatiue vertue is carried to the eyes: and consider that the Agarik doth especially profit the braine, and the Senna the eyes.

The opening of a veine in hot diseases is profitable, but not in cold, yet the common people do hold an opinion that bloud-letting doth weaken the sight, for it draweth the animall spirits and so doth weaken their force, because the vapour of bloud or the naturall spirit is the matter of the vitall spirit, as heere of the animall: for the eyes ought to be fiery and full of Animall Spirit.

Masticatoria, without doubt, doe profit to the deriuation of the humor from the braine, but your errhina are hurtfull, especially the stronger sort, because they draw to the part affected, for there is great affininity of the nostrils with the eyes: there is also a manifest foramen, from the eye into the nostrill, whose opercle or couer is a litle lacrimall flesh. But some man may say Aerius doth prescribe errhina: I answer those [Page] are the lighter sort, neither is the disease as yet confirmed, but now beeing confirmed and the humor fixed and not flowing, Cupping glasses adplied to the shoulders doth pluck back the fluxe from the eyes, euen as a Seton, and Cautier, in Inio Iohn de Ʋigo doth apply behind the eares bloudsuckers and Ʋesicatorium, as

Vesicatorium.

Recip. Fermenti acris one ounce.

Cantharidum et Seminis Synapi, one dramme.

Mixe them for a Ʋesicatorium.

There Fernelius willeth to apply a cautier, and doth giue a reason that from thence a branch from the iugular vaine springeth and doth runne through to the Optick Nerues.

As often as the veines of the forehead do swell, they shew the fluxe to bee externall and the tumor to descend from the pericoranium from whence springeth the coniunctiua, which fluxe is profitably stayed with some adstringent frontall, such as in this maner may be prepared.

Recip. Emplast. contra rupturam desiccatini rubri an. one ounce.

Malax them with oyle of myrtles or roses, and spred it vppon lynnen and make a [Page] frontall, which apply all ouer the forehead: or,

Recep. Farinae volatilis an ounce & a halfe. boli armeni et Sanguinis Draconis ana. two drammes.

Worke them well together with the white of egges and oyle of roses, and make a frontall as before. Also topicall meanes applyed to the head are not to bee neglected.

For this is a generall precept, as often as diseases come by defluxion. we must not onely respect that part that is offended but also that part that sends it. Beside a thinne humor is to bee ingrost and made thicker, and the laxe wayes are to be made straiter: this last prescribed frontall is most excellent, but first cephalicall thinges and such as respect the head must be remembred.

The vse of Eyebright wine doth confirme and strengthen weak and ill affected eyes or the powder of Eyebright as,

Recep. Euprasiae,

Feniculi dulc. ana one ounce.

Cum duplo Saccharo, take of it after meales or,

Recep. Coriandri praeparat. one ounce.

Euphrasiae et feniculi an. halfe an ounce.

[Page] Cinamomi. one dramme.

Macis. two scruples.

With the double weight of Sugar make a powder to be taken out of a spoone after meales, if you please you may boyle the iuyces of Fenel and Eyebright with hony and make a confection: of which take morning and euening the quantity of a Walnut.

For generall thinges outwardly to bee applyed, I will prescribe two Colliriums, the one in hot diseases to be prescribed in the beginning of the fluxe, that it may bee repelled, the other in the state and declination of hot diseases, and in cold also, they may at all times be vsed, the first Colirium shall be after this manner.

Recip. Muccaginis Semi. Psyl [...]. et Cydoniorum, extractae in aqua Rosarum, vel plantaginis, an. halfe an ounce with two ounces.

Of the same water make a liquid Colirium: it is commonly made with the white of a new laid egge, being wrought together with Rosewater or Plantain water: a Colirium to resolue is made in this manner.

Recip. Muccaginis faenugreci extracted with Eyebright water or Fenel water an. [Page] one ounce make a Colirium, or with two ounces of the same water make a Collirium liquidum: a litle of the Muscilage is to bee prescribed because it doth quickly grow sower.

And now I aske whether your Colliriae are to bee distilled into the eyes as hot as may be suffered? as it liketh Scribonius: or cold as it pleaseth Mesue, or luke warme according to Galen: But in my opinion they are to be instilled luke warme, vnlesse the affect do require some other thing, for in eyes that be exceedingly inflamed and burning, wee drop it in cold; but in very cold affects wee droppe it in very warme, otherwise meanely warme doth alwaies serue the turne.

Now to proceed to cure those diseases whereof wee haue already spoken: euery distemperature is cured by his contrary: as eyes that bee inflamed and ouer-hot, shall be cooled with the dayly washing of them with cold thinges, or with the waters of Roses and Plantaine: but if the distemperature be cold, we warme the eyes with putting in the waters of Eyebright, Fennell, Rue, Celendine, washing them often therewith: if the eyes bee ouer-moist wee dry [Page] them if wee macerat tutia in those waters, as for example.

Recip. Tutiae one dram.

Infuse it in eyebright water two ounces, make a Collirium if the eyes be ouer dry we humect them by instilling womans milk, or with a fotus of mallowes, holy hocks and violets: But if some matter be ioyned with the distemperature, let it bee resolued with a Collirium of the Muscilage of Fenugreeke extracted in the aforesaid waters; or wash the eyes with the decoction of Fenugreeke, with a sponge, or boyle a bag being filled with Fenugreeke in water, and apply the bagge to the eye warme: hitherto we haue spoken of the Similer disease, now we will speake of organicall, and first of diseases of magnitude.

If the eyes shall be greater or lesser then they should be from their first conformation, all remedies are vnprofitable: if they happen so by accident, as by some fluxe from the braine, all the body is often to be purged, the moist eyes are to be dryed, we must looke to the head that is ouer-moist with Cephalicall thinges. Also Cautiers must be applyed to dry vp the offending humor: we must apply for Topicall, linnen [Page] dipt in the water of Rue, Celendine, or Eyebright, and the infusion of Tutia, or the bagge filled with Fenugreeke, or of the same Hydroticall Decoction of the infusion of Tutia make a Collirium.

Encanthis groweth whiles the bloud doth more abundantly flow to the caruncle for nourishment, which being turned into the same substance groweth greater then it ought to doe: sometimes it is so great that it hindreth the eye lids to be shut: it is burnt with gold, or els with a burning iron, or els cut off, or when it doth surmount it is bound with a thread, after it is softly bound vp, and after being destitute of nourishment, the excrescence doth fall away of its owne accord. Our ancient Phisitions called this kind of remedy Anabronchismon, if the sick bee of a delicate constitution and shall refuse the Chirurgery, let the excrescence be eaten away with burnt Alum or with oyle of vitriol: but it must be diligently corrected with rosewater or milke, for the exquisite sense of the part. In the meane time while these things are a doing, wee must defend the eye with some defensure to auoid the offence of a fluxe. Rhyas doth oftentimes succeed [Page] Epiphora if the Caruncle be plainely eaten it admitteth no cure: but if some part bee onely eaten, the flesh may bee regenerated by applying incarnatiues as tutia, aloes. thus, or infuse the same in succo granatorum, and being strained instill it by drop meale into the greater corner of the eye. But perhaps you will say wil you mixe adstringents with your incarnatiues, such as is the iuyce of Pomegranets? which is altogether forbidden by Galen: least the dry excrement should be retained in the part. But hitherto of diseases of magnitude: now follow diseases of number.

Of the Webbe of the Eye. Chap. 3.

Pterigium gooweth by the defluxion of thick and grosse humors, beeing soft and white in the beginning. Dioscorides doth commend a Collirium of Snailes, they are to bee burned whole, and the pouder to be mixt with honny, the pouder of the cuttle bone or the pummis stone may bee also mixed with honny as before; If you would haue it stronger, mixe a little salt Armoniac, but first foment the eye with a decoction [Page] of Fenugreeke. Aetius vseth to burne Plantaine seed, and addeth to the pouder mirhe, and also the scales and flowre of brasse, but wee should apply no mettals to the eyes, except it be first burnt and washed, for by the burning and washing, the sharpnes and biting quality is remoued, and so it doth raise no fluxe, of which our cheefest care should bee. Also wee may vse oyle of vitriol, but it must bee well corrected with milke: but yee shall note that a great and inueterate web can be cured by no meanes but by Chirurgery: such are those that couer the whole ball and black, of the eye: webs grosse and thick, black: and which do affect the temples, by consent are in no hand to bee medled withall.

In like manner if there be suspition of a Catarhact beginning, and there be also a web that is white and soft, we must abstain from thinges eating, because they generate and increase the Catarhact. Aetius & Celsus doe shew Chirurgery, and especially Paulus Aegneta in his 6. booke and Cha 28. where he doth shew a double kind of cure; the first, that the web be stretched once with a thread, & then with a launcet [Page] to be excoriated; the second, to make a passage with a needle that may containe a thread or setam (which is the bristle of an hogge) and so hanging with the thread the web shall be cut with the bristle about the apple as it were with a saw, and that which doth remaine about the lachrimall, shall with the launcet be cut away.

Of the Hypopion or matter vnder the Cornea. Chap. 4.

Because that Hypopion followeth to Hyposphagma, that is, eyes that are bloudy by meanes of some veine being rupted, or open, which is also called Aimalops, because in this affect all thinges seeme red: therefore the bloud-shotten eyes must be quickly lookt vnto, least by neglect it growe into a leady colour, and then doth suppurate and degenerate into Hypopion, for that hapneth to the eye that hapneth to the skin by some blowe, and groweth when corrupt matter is in great aboundance, so that it doth occupie halfe the blacke of the eye, or shineth through the horny coate, which couereth the whole apple of the eye: this [Page] affect may rise not onely of an vlcer, but also of great payne in the head, or inflamation in the eye that is corrupted, and besides inflamation, it may grow from aboundance of humors which doe breake open the mouthes of the veines: also, or stroake or falls may make the bloude disperse and flye abroad, which turneth to suppuration ad Pus when it is out of their proper vessels. To preuent the inconueniences, the patient must forthwith be let bloud in the arme, and in the temples, and in the corner of the eyes: if it be possible also we must vse cupping glasses vpon the shoulders, and such medicines as may stay inflamations: afterwards, we must vse such medicines as doe resolue and asswage payne, such as these.

Recip Cadmie one ounce.

aeris vsti. halfe an ounce.

Rosarum siccar. foure drammes.

Croci. one dramme.

Folii. one dramme.

Lapidis Sus. one dtamme.

Mirrhae two drams.

Gummi six drams.

Beat them with sweet wine, and vse them with an egge. Also a Collirium ex Thure called Diolibanum.

[Page]Recip. Thuris.

Cerusae an. one ounce and a halfe.

Cadmia

Pompholigis.

Terrae sanctae.

Amili.

Gummi an. six dramms

Opii. two drammes.

Squam aeris one ounce.

Tragacanth. fiue dramms.

Let this be framed with rayne water, Or this.

Recip. Croci, Aloes, Mirrha, an. one dramme, Ʋini three drams, Mellis six drams.

Let the Saffron be dissolued in wine, then let it be mixt with hony, and kept in a glasse vessell, with which, twise or thrise a day annoynt the eies.

If these medicines and remedies doe not preuaile, then we must trye another way: let the patient be set in a conuenient place, hauing one to stay his head behind, then let the Chyrurgian hold his with one hand with the instrument called Speculum oculi, described in Parcus Chirurgery, and with the other hand, with the point of a launcet he shall neatly and cunningly scarifie the [Page] horny tunicle, vntill he come to the corrupted and slimy matter, which he shall make to auoide by little and little: After this worke ended, he shall vse repercussiue medicines, and medicines auoyding and ceasing paine, as the white of an egge beaten with rose and plantain waters, and then apply the remedies which shal be set down for vlcers in the eyes, which be clensing, increasing flesh, and closing vp: Moreouer the Chyrurgian must be very carefull least flesh grow in the incision of the Membrain, which will bring both hurt, and also deformity to the partie; to preuent which, this Collyrium is much availeable, and also commended, and doth also preuent inflammation.

Recip. Gummi. Arabic. six drammes.

Spodii. foure drammes.

Thuris.

Mirrhae.

Acatiae.

Spicaenard.

Squamae aeris.

Opii an. two drammes.

With rayne water bring them to a perfect forme, and then make them into small [Page] trociskes, and when you will vse them, wet them in the white of an egge with rose and plantaine waters.

Of Strabismus.

Strabismus is an euill motion of the Muscles, mouing the eyes, or a conuulsion of the eies, which if it be vnnaturall is vncurable, and that which commeth by accidents, is hardly or neuer to be cured, vnlesse perhaps it be in infants: for the eye, for examples sake, being conuulsed, is reduced ad leuam Rasis, and Auicen doth commend the bloud of a Turtle to be instilled: also the pye is eaten with profit, and the powder thereof is referred into a Collyrium: some suppose that the head of a Bat being burnt and powdered; others commend the head of a Swallow taken by insufflation.

Of Amaurosis, or Gutta Serena, or Obfuscatio, starke blindnes, or Hallucinatio. Chap. 5.

Amaurosis is commonly an hindrance to the whole sight, without any appearance at all in the eye, for the apple appeareth sound and vnchanged, onely the Neruus opticus is stopped: this disease is vncurable, because there are no remedies therefore: [Page] wherefore as yet the humor being not setled as Aetius doth testifie, that he saw one that did recouer the sight, onely with the applying of cupping glasses with scarification. Remedies are not to be neglected, often purgation with pils of Iod, with Trochisks of Alhandall, Hydroticks, Masticatoria, and also vehement Errhina are not to be neglected, for in this onely affect of the eyes they doe good, the braine must be dryed with a cappe fit for the same, cautiers must be applyed at the roote of the eare, for that cause remembred by Fernelius, and in Inio for reuulsion, beware you forget not to vse cupping glasses. When the eye is exasperated, annoynt it with fresh butter, aed instilling therein womans milke, also the muscilage of philium, of quinces, of fenugreek, and of tragagant are to be applied, let the Muscilage be drawne in the decoction of Mallowes, Holy-hocks, Violets &c. Aetius doth much commend this salue.

Recip. Croci. one dramme.

Mirrhae one dramme.

Piper. gran. 15.

Spicaenard. two scruples.

Succi feniculi sixteene drams.

[Page] Ammoniac.

Thimiamat two drams.

Mellis six ounces.

When they are all beaten finely, powre into them the Iuyce of Fennell, then beate them againe vntill they be dry, afterwards pur the hony vnto them, and keepe this salue in a brasen box for your vse,: before you vse this salue, you must haue a fomentation of Sea water hot, wherein dip a sponge and often bath the eyes, also a Cucupha or cap prepared as followeth.

Recip. Flor. lauendula.

Stacados.

Hysopi.

Beton.

Camomil. an. p. 1.

Ros. rub. p. 2.

Calami aromat.

Ligni Aloess

Ciperi an. one dramme.

Fol. lauri.

Maioramau p. 1.

Nucis muscat.

Rad. ireos.

Cinamoni an. two drams and a halfe.

Gariphil. one dramme and a halfe.

Stiracis cal. one dramme.

[Page] Ambrae griseae. gran. 6.

Musci gran. 4.

Beat all these to fine powder, and therwith make a cap quilted, or quilt bagges, and apply to the head.

This electuary is commended to comfort the stomach, and to preuent the ingendring of grosse phlegme in the braine.

Recip. Cinamom. opt. 1 dram, 1. scruple.

Gariophil.

Ligni Aloes.

Maceris an. halfe a dram.

Zinzib. halfe a scruple.

Anisipul. one scruple.

Make all into powder, and take the equall waight in suger to them all, and with wormewood water make into tables the weight of three drammes, they are to be vsed in the morning three howers before dinner. I haue forborne to prescribe topicall meanes, which haue little or no vse in this case, because the originall default is not in the eye.

Of Opthalmia, or infl [...]mation of the aduata, or coniunctiua. Chap. 6.

Opthalmia is properly an inflamation of the Adnata or Coniunctiua, which is known by rednes, payne, heat, and stretching out: [Page] when there is rednes without tumor, especially by some outward cause, as by dust and smoake, it is properly called Taraxis: when the white of the eye is so swollen vpon the blacke, so that a kinde thereof appeareth to hang forth, it is then called Chemosis: some affirme it to be Chemosis when the Membrain coniunctiua is higher lifted then the Cotnea, as if this were in an hole, which besides the rednes and heat causeth the eye-lids to be turned, so that they cannot couer the eye: contrary to this is Phimosis, when by some great inflamation the eie-lids doe stick fast each to other, and cannot be opened, but the hurt which they receiue is but an accident in this disease. Epiphora, is generally taken for a suddaine streame of humors in any part. As Pliny calleth epiphoram vteri or ventris, notwithstanding it is properly vsed for the affect in the eies: when with great inflamation great quantity of humors flow vnto them all these aforesaid affects do accompany each other: the causes are the recourse of bloud, choler, flegme, and melancholy, but most commonly bloud & choler: the generall oure for this disease doth consist in bloud-letting, diet, purging by the aduise of a learned Phisition [Page] because Opthalmicis Diarrheam superuenire bonum est, we must not omit to vse cupping glasses vpon the Shoulders with scarification which wilbe good for reuulsion, also an Astringent frontall to intercept the fluxe, if it seeme to be outwards. In the beginning a repellent Collyrium to hinder the generation of Phlegmon which must be framed of the muscilage of phillium and of quinces, and then a resoluing Collyrium of the muscilage of fenugreek, being well washed from its byting quality. Abstinence from wine, in the beginning is very necessary, yet in the declination wine may be permitted euen as a bath of sweet water, to contemperate the bloud, is at the beginning denied, least it should cause the humor to shed, and increase the defluxion. If the inflamation do continue the muscilages beforsaid shalbe drawne in the water of poppy, or in a decoction thereof, adding thereunto a little camphire or opium, and apply to the eie this cataplasme. Take of sodden apples iiij. ounces, and with the white of an egge and womans milk, make a cataplasme: you must be carefull to renew these medicine least they dry ouer fast, and so cause heate: not long after vse this Collyrium.

[Page]Recip. Gummi arabici

tragogant ana one dram.

cerusa lota halfe a dram.

opij gran, iij.

Dissolue all with the white of an egge and womans milke that giueth suck. In the declination of this disease this may be vsed. Take of the muscilage of fenugreek, and quince-seed drawne in rose-water, and eiebright-water ana. one ounce and a halfe, in which dissolue sarcocoll in the milke of a woman that giueth suck two drams; aloes lot. one dram; mirh halfe a dram: and so make an eye-salue; and where there is any great itching, or rather where the inflammation commeth of fleagme, this is a most singular Collirium.

Recip. tutia prep.

aloes lota ana. halfe a dram.

sarcocol.

myrrha ana. halfe a scruple.

sacchar. cand. one dram.

vitriol. albi halfe a scruple.

aqua ros.

aqua faniculi ana. two ounces.

Boyle them altogether a little while in a viol-glasse, and then drop thereof into the eie. Some commend this Collirium in all [Page] inflamations of the eies, to take snayle with the shells, and to beate them with a little salt, and thorow an hypocras bagge to let the water thereof distill, which being cleare put thereof into the eies. It sometimes falleth out by vnaduised applications, which doth coole and beate back, or else by some inflamation, that the naturall heate is extinguished and choaked, and therevpon ensueth a worse inflamation, then any of the aforenamed, which is a sphacelosous opthalmia, which doth depriue the eie of naturall temperature, doth make it corrupt and vtterly perish, which disease Galen in his introduction calleth grangrena opthalmon the gangren or mortification of the eie: when this happneth wee must haue recourse to proper remedies for gangrens, chaunging them as the state of the disease and the part shall require.

Of the suffusion of sight called Cataracta. Chap. 7.

Hypochyma or Cataracta is an heape of superfluous humors made thick betweene the coate Cornea and the humor crystalloydes or crystallinus, directly vpon the apple [Page] of the eie, swimming aboue the aqueus humor in that place, which Celsus doth affirme to be voyd and empty: it hindereth the sight, or at the least the discerning of such things as are before our eies. Fernelius appointeth the place of it betweene the membraim Vuea and the Cristallin humor: The difference thereof is borrowed from the quantity or quality; from the quantity, when it is whole, couering all the compasse of the apple of the eie, in such sort that the patient cannot see any thing, sometimes it doth couer onely halfe the apple of the eie or some part of it, either aboue or beneath, or in the midst, in such manner that that onely part of the thing before our face can be discerned, which is placed against the part of the eie, which is affected: Some there are that doe contend and affirme that this suffusion is no disease, but an outward moysture collected before the pupil, or apple of the eie, which humidity seeing that it is a substance doth not seeme to be a disease, because it is a quallity, and is placed vnder the predicament of quality: but to leaue an ouer curious questioning, whether it be a disease, or quality, we will proceed to the cure. Now to proceed in order to [Page] the cure: first you must purge the braine, with pils that are proper for that purpose, and giue them to the patient, the day before you begin your cure: then the next day following, about nine of the clock in the morning, the patient yet fasting, (prouided that the cataract be ripe, and confirmed) cause him to sit ouert: vhart a stoole, in ryding fashione, and sit on the same stoole face to face, and make the parient to hold his sound eie closed with his hand, and in that sort charge him to sit steadfastly without starting, or stirring in any-wife: let another also stand behind him, and hold his head very stedfast: this done, first with your owne hand lift vp the ouer-eie-lid, and then with thy other hand put in thy needle, made for that purpose in at the greater corner of the eie, and finely trilling the tunicle called saluatella, or saluatrix, writh alwaies thy finger to and fro, till thou touch with the point of thy needle the corrupt water, which is indeed the cataracte: and then begin by little and little, to remoue that water from before the sight, to the corner of the eie, and keepe it there with the point of your needle; the space of three minuts of an houre, and then remoue your needle easily [Page] from it, and if it happen to rise againe, bring it back the second time: but this you must beware of, that when the needle hath touched the catarract, you doe not writh it about with your fingers to and fro, till it be set in his place before named, but to draw it thither gently, and when you haue it there, trill the needle about vntill it hath gathered the water about it, and then pull it out: when this is done cause him to shut close his eie, and apply therevpon a plaster of flaxe, and the white of an egge, and cause him to lie in his bed nine daies together, remouing the plaster three times in the day, and so many times in the night, without any other stirring of it, and prouide also that hee lie in a very darke place, and let him be kept in a thin diet, as reare egges and white bread: and if hee be young, and of strength, let him drinke Barly water, but otherwise let him drinke small ale, and wine delayd with water, for truely too much nourishment would offend, in procreating too much bloud in the eie, which is very hurtfull in the beginning of the cure. When the ninth day is past, let him arise and wash his eies with faire cold water, and hee shall inioy his sight by the helpe of GOD. [Page] euen as well as hee had it before.

Of the Aegilops or the lacrimall Fistula. Chap. 8.

Betweene the nostrills and the greater corner of the eye riseth an Aposthume, which the Grecians do call Aegilops, that is, oculus Caprinus a Goats eye, because that Goats are subiect to this disease, wee call this disease, Fistula lacrimalis. This Aegilops may happen through euery humor, yet neuerthelesse it happeneth most often through fleagme, seldome through bloud, but seldome or neuer from choller or melancholly: the flegmatick humor continually flowing by the flesh of the lacrimall corner to the nostrils, and sometimes vnder the same flesh being there detained, doth putrifie and breaketh out into a fistulous vlcer, from whence certaine doe imagine that Aegilops happeneth alwaies from fleagme; and by bloud also this disease is wont to bee excited, but not so often as with fleagme: but it is sufficient to know that this lacrimall fistula happeneth from some virulent humor and that which is corrosiue.

[Page]As concerning the cure, at the first beginning we must presently vse repellents, such as is rose-water and the white of an egge well beaten together, or with oyle of roses mixt with vineger: which oyle must be boyled to the consumption of the vineger: then adde thereto a little milke: wee must be carefull that none of the oyle stick to the eye, for to that part it is very biting: or apply thereto Halica boyled in vineger and beaten well together, for it doth not onlye help them in the beginning, but after they alter into Apostume; and doth breake them and pierce euen to the very bone: or a medicine framed of these, glaucium, saffron, and the iuyce of Pellitory of the wall, but the medicine must be oftentimes changed. I, saith, Trallianus, haue hindered these Aegilops as yet not growne to matter by the vse of these things that they neuer came to suppuration: or the place is to be anointed with a Collyrium which doth vehemently stupifie; and least the matter should happen to be cold we take bdellium dissolued in vineger with oyle of Roses which may be mixed therewith, or Ammoniacum and the iuyce of fennel, or snailes with their shells; sometime with Aloes and [Page] sometimes with Myrhe mixed, and so apply it. In the meane time wee must ordaine a diet of such meate as is of good nourishment, and containing but few superfluities, as are Chickins, Hens, Partriges, Fesants, Doues, Larkes, new laid Egges, Raisons and sweet Almonds: let his drinke be Hydromell or wine delayed with water: for diuersion of the humor flowing, the humerall veine of that side in the arme must be cut, or some other diuersions with cupping glasses, or frictions and ligatures must bee vsed: also the humors abounding, digested and prepared, must be auoided with hiera piera, or hiera logodion, or with pilles of cochia, or by clysters and sharpe Suppositories, neither will one purgation suffice, but diuers and often reiterated: but if the disease doe continue, wee must vse topicall meanes and such as are discussiue. Paulus commendeth ruta Satiua cum lixiuio, framed of Ashes and lime: indeed in the beginning it is somwhat biting: but afterward it is most gentle and doth penetrate vnto the very bone. Alexander Trallianus doth shew an approued medicine which is the inward membrain of the reede, that which we find about the knots, and mixe it with [Page] honny and apply the same, changing the same foure times a day: when the place is well clensed and purged, dip a spunge in mulsa and foment it: this aforesad menbrain of the reede may bee applyed by it selfe or else.

Recip. Staphisagriae, two drammes. Ammoniaci in aceto dissoluti, halfe an ounce, mixe them and apply it.

An other.

Recip. Mellis puri,

Aloes hepat. an. two ounces.

Myrrhae, one ounce.

Croci, halfe a dramme.

Aquae. lib. 2.

Boyle all at a gentle fier, to the consumption of the one halfe, and in that decoction being hot infuse a new peece of sponge, and with the same clense the sore, and then bind a soft peece of sponge wet in the same liquor, and it will worke a wonderfull effect, as hath often beene proued.

An other medicine.

Recip. Succi foliorum lilii vel radicum eius. foure ounces.

Ʋiridis aeris vsti, one ounce.

Mellis puri, three ounces.

Olei nucum, Cerae q. s.

[Page]Boyle all to the consumption of the iuyces, and make an oyntment, of which put it in cum licinio or tent, as is fit. I will describe an other medicine which doth not onely cure the Lacrimall fistula, but all other Fistulas.

Recip. Centauri minoris.

Aristolochiae rot. an. aur. 1.

Mirrhae aur 3.

Aluminis.

Gallae an. aur. halfe.

Ireos.

Sarcocollae

Seif memitae an. aur. 1.

Viridis aeris. one scruple.

Mixe all with hony and make an oyntment. When the bone is foule, we vse an actuall cautier, and touch the bone through a Canula, which cautier must be either of brasse or siluer, and being artificially applied, will cure the fistula: (I, sayth the Author, haue wrought with the Cautier, as aforesaid, and haue had very good successe.

Generall rules for the conseruation of the sight. Chap. 9.

[Page]Whosoeuer doth desire to preserue his sight, let him take heed of the inequality of the ayre, of fire, smoake, winde, immoderate Coiture, much labour, superfluous weeping, drunkennesse, ouermuch sleepe, especially in the day-time vpon meat, immoderate watchings: Let them also auoid meates that doe ingender vapours, such as Cabbidge, Coleworts, Onions, Garlick, all sharpe thinges, and Salt, sallets, beanes and peason, all fat thinges, whether they be of flesh, or of oyle, all thinges of hard digestion must be auoided, and all thinges that are vaporous. Medicines that doe conserue the sight, some are abstersiue and clensing, and meanely temperate, such as are Fennell, and a Collirium of the same, Succus memitae, and Eiebright of its owne property: some there are which doe preserue the eyes by altering, or warming, by cooling, moistning, or drying, some preserue the sight by lenifying the asperitie, and other thinges, by other meanes, of which we will speake afterwards.

[Page]

A Collirium Democriti which doth cleare the sight and preserue the same.

Recip. Succi faeniculi depurati lib. halfe.

Boyle it a little in a vessell of brasse, and let it remaine a while til it haue a residence, then add two ounces of pure hony, and boyle it againe at a gentle fire with ten or twelue leaues of good gold, then straine it, and put it into a violl of glasse, stopping the mouth thereof very close, then set it in the sunne, powring it from vessell into vessell, taking alwaies away the residence, and put thereof into the eyes: some doe add thereunto the gall of a Cocke, the quantitie of two drammes.

Another that doth conserue the sight.

Recip. Tutiae Alexandrinae praep.

Antimoniipraep.

Lapidis haematitis.

Ossis sepiae marinae abluti.

aeris vsti.

Cortieum aeris.

Aloes, folii, croci, an. partem

Ʋnam.

[Page] Piperis.

Macropiperis.

Salis ammoniaci an. partem. halfe.

Margaritarum.

Myrobal. cheb.

Spumae maris.

Clymiae aureae.

Saccari.

Musci, caphurae an. partem quartam

1. Let it be very finely beaten and ground vpon a marble diuers times, vntill it be a very fine powder, of which put into the eyes.

The eyes of a Crowe hung about the neck, strengthneth a weake sight, and doth preserue the eyes: the roote of swines grasse or knot grasse dryed in the decrease of the Moone, and hung about the neck, doth also conserue and strengthen the sight, neither doth it suffer them to be inflamed. Also take the leaues of Rue, of Roses, Fennell, Eiebright and Celendine, of each equall parts, distill them all togither, and put a little of this water into the eyes, for it is the best Collirium for clearing of the eyes, for the conseruation and comfort of the sight: and it must be made in the spring-time. Also longe Comings and frictions of the head [Page] doth diuert and turne away the vapours that doe offend the sight: also it is good to behould greene thinges, and the skies: Cleare spectacles are also very good. Moreouer fill the hollownes of the hand in the morning with cold water, and with the same wash open the eies: Also a nutmeg beaten with hony and eaten in the morning doth preserue the sight: also your Mirobalans Condite doe the same.

An excellent oyntment for the eyes.

Take Auxungia recens two ounces, steepe it in rose water for six howers space, afterwards wash it againe in white wine twelue seuerall times, for the space of six howers more, then add thereto of Tutia praep. and in fine powder one ounce, Lapis hematites well washed one scruple, Aloes lota et pul. gr. 12. margaritarum gr. 3. mix it, and with a little water of fennell make an oyntment, whereof put a small quantity into the corner of the eyes.

FINIS.

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Information about this book

Title statement

Two treatises concerning the preseruation of eie-sight. The first written by Doctor Baily sometimes of Oxford: the other collected out of those two famous phisicions Fernelius and RiolanusBriefe treatise touching the preservation of the eie sight

Baley, Walter, 1529-1592.

Edition statement

1616

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Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A01822

ID [STC]

STC 1196

ID [STC]

ESTC S114909

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99850131

ID [PROQUEST]

99850131

ID [VID]

15317

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A01822)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 15317)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 822:06)

Source

— Two treatises concerning the preseruation of eie-sight. The first written by Doctor Baily sometimes of Oxford: the other collected out of those two famous phisicions Fernelius and Riolanus, Briefe treatise touching the preservation of the eie sight, Baley, Walter, 1529-1592., Fernel, Jean, 1497-1558. aut, Riolan, Jean, 1538-1605. aut.

Extent

[6], 62, [2] p.

By Ioseph Barnes [i.e. G. Eld], for Iohn Barnes [in London],. At Oxford :: 1616.. (An edition, with additions, of: Bailey, Walter. A briefe treatise touching the preservation of the eie sight.) (Actual printer's name and publisher's address from STC.) ("A treatise of the principall diseases of the eyes, gathered out of fernelius and Iohn Riolamus [sic] Doctors of Phisicke" has caption title.) (Final leaf is a blank.) (Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library.)

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