The store-house of physical practice being a general treatise of the causes and signs of all diseases afflicting human bodies : together with the shortest, plainest and safest way of curing them, by method, medicine and diet : to which is added, for the benefit of young practicers, several choice forms of medicines used by the London physicians / by John Pechey ...

CHAP. XXV. Of the Cancer of the Cornea.

AS Cancers are wont to happen in all Parts of the Bo∣dy, so also they sometimes grow in the Eyes.

A Cancer of the Eye, is either occult or ulcerated: An occult is called a Cancerous Tumor; when it is ulce∣rated, it is called a cancerous Ulcer; in both there is an unequal hardness, and a leaden and livid Colour, great and pricking Pain, especially about the Temples, the Veins appear swoln like a Varix, in the Tumour, and in the Neighbouring Parts, sharp Blood frequently flows our, when the Cancer is ulcerated; and the Pain is very much exasperated by Medicines, that are never so little heating.

This Disease is incurable, both in the Eye and in other Parts of the Body when it is rooted, unless it be irradi∣cated by a Chirurgical Operation.

Two sorts of Cures are proposed by Authors, viz. a true one, and a palliative.

The true one can be performed only by Chirurgery, the palliative Cure, which mitigates the Symptoms, is per∣form'd by Evacuations and convenient Topicks. But first of all, a cooling and moistning Course of Diet must be ordered, afterwards Blood must be drawn from the Part opposite to the Eye affected, and Leeches must be ap∣plied behind the Ears of the same side, and to the Hemor∣rhoidal Veins, if they are any whit swelled: Cupping-glasses must be also applied to the Shoulders, and other sorts of Revulsions must be used.

Purging, and the prepara••ion of the Humours by Po∣tions, Apozems, medicated Brothes, and the like must be frequently prescribed: But above all, Black Hellebore rightly prepared, or the extract of it; for an incipient Cancer has been cured by using of it twice or thrice.

These Remedies hinder the influx of the Humours into the Eyes, and much lessen the Pain and other Symptoms: But Topical Remedies, such as are described in the Chapter of an Ophthalmia to ease pain, do also much good, especially Collyria made of Mucilages, of the white Troches of Rhasis, of Tutty prepared, and with the Water of Roses, Night-shade and Plantane.

The following Water is excellent for washing the Eye.

Take of the Roots of the greater Figwort, and of Herb-Robert, each two handfuls, of Ribwort, Night-shade, Borrage, Bugloss, Purslain, Eye-bright, Betony, each one handful, of green Frogs, and of the white of Eggs, each number seven, of the Seeds of Foenugreek and Quinces each one ounce; the Roots and Seeds must be beat, and the Leaves cut; then pour upon them of Rose-water and Eye-bright water, each one pint: mingle them, and distil them in a leaden Still.

The Flesh of Pullets eases the Pain much, and some say this Disease has been cured by this Remedy only.

A Lady that had an ulcerous Cancer upon all the right side of her Face a long while, and had used various Me∣dicines that were prescribed by Italian, French, German,

and Spanish Physicians, was cured by a Barber by this common Remedy. He cut Chickens into thin and broad Pieces, and applied them often in a day to the Part affected.

Lastly, The true Cure of a confirm'd Cancer can only be perform'd by the Extraction of the Eye, which Fabri∣cious Hildanus says may be safely and successfully done; and he describes at large the manner of Extirpation, and all the Circumstances of it in his Observations.