The practice of physick in seventeen several books wherein is plainly set forth the nature, cause, differences, and several sorts of signs : together with the cure of all diseases in the body of man / by Nicholas Culpeper ... Abdiah Cole ... and William Rowland ; being chiefly a translation of the works of that learned and renowned doctor, Lazarus Riverius ...

Chap: 17: Of Epiphora.

THe word Epiphora signifieth any Defluxion into any part. But through custom it is used espe∣cially for the defluxion of a thin Rhewm from the Eyes; hence it is called involuntary wee∣ping, which flows dayly from the corners of the Eyes.

For the producing of which Humor flowing preternaturally there is an evil disposition in the part from whence it cometh, and in the part receiving it: the part that sends this humor is the Brain, which when it is too hot, or too cold gathereth a watery Humor, and so sends it to the inferior parts, which are fit to receive it: The part receiving is the Glandle or Kernel by the great corner of the Eye, and the Caruncle upon the corner; the thinness, or thickness, or other weakness of which parts causeth that they easily entertain the humors that flow thither. Therefore an Epiphora happeneth often in an Egylops, a Lachrymal Fistula, a Rhyas, and Encanthis, because the superfluous humors use to be easily received into the parts affected.

This humor is carried from the Brain into the corners of the Eyes, somtimes by the internal Veins, somtimes by the external, as we shal shew you hereafter by their proper signs.

But the Humor which maketh an Epiphora, is somtimes cold, and brings no other inconvenience, but only defluxion, somtimes it is salt and sharp, and causeth pain, heat, and redness, and exulcera∣tion of the Eyebrows.

There need no signs to be given of Tears, they are visible. It wil appear by what hath been said whe∣ther they are cold or hot, and sharp. But we must distinguish whether they come by the internal or external Vessels. When by the internal, there is pain in the inside of the head, and somtimes violent neesing. But if they come by the external without the Skul. The Vessels of the Forehead and Tem∣ples are stretched, and the head seems to be bound about and astringent means, outwardly applyed do help.

As to the Prognostick; New Epiphora's coming from outward causes are easily cured, especially in youth: but old, and in old men very hardly. They which proceed from other diseases, as Aegy∣lops, Fistula Lachrymalis and the like, have their Cure with the diseases whence they came.

The Cure of this Disease consists in taking away the defluxion, and strengthening the part recei∣ving.

You must take away the defluxion with Evacuation of the humor offending, revulsion, derivation, and strengthening the part from whence it cometh.

The Peccant humor which is a Water superfluous in the Brain, must be evacuated with bleeding and purging.

Blood-letting is not good in a cold distemper of the Brain, except there be manifest signs of ple∣thory or fulness; but in a hot distemper, when the humors are very sharp, it is very good, and you may use it twice or thrice if need be.

You may purge by Potions, Apozemes, Pills, and the like, which you may proportion to the condition of the Patient.

Make a revulsion of the humors flowing by Cupping-glasses often applied to the shoulders, by Ve∣sicatories to rai••e blisters behind in the Neck, or with Cauteries to the hinder part of the Head, and Issues in the Arms.

In a stubborn Epiphora, a Vesicatory applyed to the fore-part of the Head doth wonders; as Forestus sheweth, Obs. 11. lib. 11. concerning an Old Woman who had sore Eyes, weeping and mat∣tery,

with great pain and itching, and could by no means be Cured, that with applying a Plaister of Cantharides with Honey and Leaven to her head being shaven, he perfectly Cured her.

Rondeletius saith, That a Cautery applyed to the Commissura, doth more good than when it is used to any other part.

For Derivation, use Leeches behind the Ears; and Masticatories every morning.

But least the Humors once evacuated should breed again, the Brain must be strengthened and dri∣ed; and if it be too cold, you may use al our Remedies prescribed in the Cure of the cold Distemper of the Brain. But if it be too hot, those things which we prescribed in the Cure of a hot Catarrh; especially such as respect the Brain most, are here to be used.

While the former Medicines are used, you must apply Topicks to the part receiving; and first if the Humor comes through the external veins, apply Astringents to the Forehead and Temples: and if the Defluxion come from a sharp hot Humor, use the following Cataplasm.

Take Bole-Armenick, Dragons Blood, Pomegranat Flowers, and Mirtles, of each one dram and an half: Accacia and Hipocistis of each one dram: Frankinsence and Mastich of each two scruples: Red Roses one pugil: Pouder them and mix them with the white of an Egg and a little Vinegar, make a Cataplasm, which spread upon a Cloth and apply to the Fore-head and Temples, and renew it as fast as it groweth dry.

If it come of a Cold Humor, apply this following Cerat.

Take of Frankinsence and Mastich of each one dram and an half: Gum Anime, Tacama∣hacca, and Blood-stone, of each one dram: Gum of Juniper two scruples: Turpentine and Wax as much as will serve turn: make a Cerat.

But you must apply Astringent and Drying Medicines to the part affected: which are thus made.

Take of Tutty prepared one dram: Sarcocol half a dram: Frankinsence and Mastich of each a scruple: Spicknard six grains: make Troches, which being mixed with the white of an Egg, or the juyce of Quinces may be applyed to the corner of the Eye. Or,

Take Tutty prepared in a fine Rag, and tye it with a string, and put it in sharp Wine, and with this often wash the Eyes. Or,

Take Tutty prepared, Egg shells poudered, the best Aloes, of each one dram: tye them in a Rag and make a little Ball which steep in Fennel-water, and squeez the Ball often into the Eyes.

Only Aloes poudered and made into a Ball (as above) and put into Rose-water, is very good. Or,

Take Aloes, Cypress Nuts, Frankinsence, Mastich, Myrrh, of each two drams: Tutty pre∣pared, and Sarcocol, of each one dram and an half: Sanguis Dragonis, Barberries, Sumach, red Roses, of each one scruple: Pouder them finely, and with Fennel-water make a Colly∣rium.

In a Hot Defluxion this is excellent.

Take of white Troches of Rhasis without Opium, Sarcocol, Lycium or Box-thorn, Acacia, Olibanum, of each one dram: the stones of Myrobalans calcined, of white and red Coral, of each half a dram: Pearlhalf a scruple: as much of the juyce of Pomegranats boyled to half, as will make a Collyrium.

If Redness be joyned with it, this following is profitable.

Take of the seeds of Sumach bruised one scruple: hot Plantane Water one ounce: macerate them a while, then press them strongly, and put of Rose, Eyebright, and the Waters of the white of an Egg well beaten, of each half an ounce: Sugar Candy finely poudered and strained with a little water, one scruple: Make a Collyrium.

Lastly, Those Medicines which were prescribed for an Old Ophthalmy, are good in this Disease.