Chap. 23. Of the Eyes.
THe general mention we shall make of the Eyes is but short.
When the Eyes being touched are manifestly hot, ve∣ry quick and swift in motion; when men whose Eyes are afflicted stare nimbly about and seldom hold their Eyes still, when the Veins in the Eyes are large and red, the Eyes are afflicted by heat.
If the distemper of the Eyes arise from cold the Signs are contrary to these. When they are offended by moisture they are alwaies full of moisture, and the par∣ty weeps against his will, but if by driness they appear hard and dry, in all they must be helped by a moderate use of things contrary to the Humor offending, I say moderate because of their tenderness which endures no violent Medicines.
Culpeper.
- 1. If the Eyes be afflicted by heat, 'tis no matter whether driness or moisture accompany it, as one of them alwaies doth, I commend unto you the distilled Water of Loos-strife (you may find the Description of it and the place where it grows, in my English Physitian) to wash your Eyes with.
- 2. If it come of cold, Eyebright water is better.
- 3. If Cataracts, Pin and Web, or the like grow over the Sight, do not go about to eat it off with corroding Medicines, as the Duncical practice of some Physitians is, for take notice that the Film which offendeth is not of a thickness in all places, and then your mother wit will teach you that you may eat asunder the Tunicle of the Eye in one place before you have eat away the Film offending in another: Therefore in such cases make an Oyntment with Chelondine (otherwise called Sul∣lendine) and Hogs Grease, or an Oyl with the same Herb and Sallet Oyl, and anoynt your Diseased Eye with it.
These special Rules you shall not twice in your Age find to fail, therfore esteem them as Jewels.
