CHAP. IX. Of the Eye. lids fastened or glewed together.
SOmetimes it commeth to passe that the upper eye-lid is glewed or faste∣ned to the under, so that the eye cannot be opened, or so that the one of them may sticke or bee fastened to the white coat of the eye, or to the * 1.1 horny. This fault is sometimes drawne from the first originall, that is, by the default of the forming faculty in the wombe (for thus many infants are born with their singers fastened together, with their fundaments, privities and eares un∣perforated) the eye in all other respects being well composed. The cause of this af∣fect somtimes proceeds from a wound, otherwhiles from a burn, scald or impostu∣mation, * 1.2 as the breaking of the small pox. It is cured by putting in a fit instrument, & so opening them; but with such moderation, that you touch not the horny coat, for otherwise it would fall out. Therefore you must put the end or point of your probe * 1.3 under the eye-lids, and so lifting them up (that you hurt not the substance of the eie) divide them with a crooked incision knife.
The incision made, let the white of an egge beaten with some rose-water be put into the eye; let the eye-lids be kept open, yea let the patient himself be carefull that he often turne it upwards, and lift it up with his fingers, not onely that the medicine may bee applyed to the ulcer, but also that they may not grow together againe. In the night time let a little pledget dipped in water, and that either simple, or where∣in some vitrioll hath bin dissolved, bee laid thereon. For thus you shall hinder the eye-lids from joyning together againe. Then on the third day the parts or edges of the eie-lids shall be touched with waters drying without biting or acrimony, that so they may be cicatrized. But if the eye-lid adhere to the horny coate at the pupilla or apple of the eye, the patient will either bee quite blind, or very ill of sight. For the scarre which ensues will hinder the shapes of things from entring to the crystalline