CHAP. VII. Of the Chalazion, or Hail-stone, and the Hordeolum, or Barly-corn of the Eye-lids.
THe Chalazion is a round and cleer pimple, which growes upon the upper eye-lid;* 1.1 it is also moveable, and may be stirred this way and that way with your singers. The Latines call it Grande, for that it resembles a hail-stone. Another pimple not much like this growes sometimes upon the verges of the eye-lids above the place of the hairs. It is termed Hordeolum, by reason of the similitude it hath with a barly-corn. The matter of these is contained in its proper cist or skin,* 1.2 and therefore is hardly brought to suppuration. At the first beginning it may be resolved and discussed: But when as it is once grown and concrete into a plaster or stone-like hardness, it is scarce curable. Where∣fore it is best to perform the cure by opening them, that so the contained matter may slow or be pressed forth. If the pimple or swelling be small, then thrust it through with a needle and thread, and leave the thread therein of such length, that you may fasten the ends thereof with a little of the emplaister called Gratia Dei, like glue to the forehead, if it be on the upper eye-lid; or to the cheeks, if on the lower. You must draw through a fresh one every second day, as is usually done in chirurgical setons: For thus at length the swelling will be destroyed, and made plain.