De Medicina |
Translator: Walter George Spencer
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| 137 |
Arearum quoque duo genera sunt . Commune utrique est , quod emortua summa pellicula pili primum extenuantur , deinde excidunt ; ac si ictus is locus est , sanguis exit liquidus et mali odoris . Increscitque utrumque in aliis celeriter , in aliis tarde ; peius est i d quod densam cutem et subpinguem et ex toto glabram fecit . Sed ea , quae alopecia nominatur , sub qualibet figura dilatatur . Est et in capillo et in barba . Id uero , quod a similitudine ophis appellatur , incipit ab occipitio ; duorum digitorum latitudinem non excedit ; ad aures duobus capitibus serpit , quibusdam etiam ad frontem , donec se duo capita in priore parte committant . Illud uitium in qualibet aetate e st , hoc fere in infantibus .—Illud uix umquam sine curatione , hoc per se saepe finitur . Quidam haec genera arearum scalpello exasperant : quidam inlinunt adurentia ex oleo , maximeque chartam conbustam : quidam resinam terebenthinam cum thabsia inducunt . Sed nihil melius est quam nouacula cottidie radere , quia , cum paulatim summa pellicula excisa est , adaperiuntur pilorum radiculae ; neque ante oportet desistere , quam frequentem pilum nasci apparuerit . Id autem , quod subinde raditur , inlini atramento scriptorio satis est .
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4 Bald spots also are of two kinds. In both, owing to the dying of the surface pellicle, hairs are at first rendered thin, and then they fall out; and when the place is cut into, the blood which flows is thin and malodorous. Both kinds spread, in some quickly, in others slowly; the worse kind is that in which the skin has become thick, somewhat fatty, and quite smooth. But that which is named alopecia spreads without defined configuration. It occurs in the hairy scalp or in the beard. That again which is called from its shape ophis, commences at the back of the head, and without exceeding two fingers in breadth, creeps forward to the ears with two heads, in some even to the forehead, until the two heads join one another in front. The former affection occurs at any age, the latter generally in young children. The former scarcely ever terminates, such under treatment, the latter often by itself. Some scarify these bald patches with a scalpel; some smear on caustics mixed with oil, and especially burnt papyrus; some apply turpentine-resin with fennel. But there is nothing better than to shave the part daily with a razor, because as the surface skin is gradually removed, the hair roots become exposed; and the treatment should continue until a number of hairs are seen to be growing up. Following upon the shaving it is sufficient to smear on Indian ink. |
| 138 |
Paene ineptiae sunt curare uaros et lenticulas et ephelidas , sed eripi tamen feminis cura cultus sui non potest . Ex his autem , quas supra posui , uari lenticulaeque uulgo notae sunt ; quamuis rarior ea species est , quam semion Graeci uocant , cum sit ea lenticula rubicundior et inaequalior . Ephelis uero a plerisque ignoratur , quae nihil est nisi asperitas quaedam et durities mali coloris . Cetera non nisi in facie , lenticula etiam in alia parte nonnumquam nasci solet ; de qua per se scribere alio loco uisum operae pretium non est .—Sed uar i commodissime tolluntur inposita resina , cui non minus quam ipsa est aluminis scissilis , et paulum mellis adiectum est . Lenticulam tollunt galbanum et nitrum , cum pares portiones habent contritaque ex aceto sunt , donec ad mellis crassitudinem uenerint . His corpus inlinendum et interpositis pluribus horis eluendum est oleoque leuiter unguendum . Ephelidem tollit resina , cui tertia pars salis fossilis et paulum mellis adiectum est . Ad omnia ista uero atque etiam ad colorandas cicatrices potest ea compositio , quae ad Tryphonem patrem auctorem refertur . In ea pares portiones sunt myrobalani magmatis , cretae Cimoliae subcaeruleae , nucum amararum , farinae hordei atque erui , struthi albi , sertulae Campanae seminis . Quae omnia contrita melle quam amarissimo coguntur , inlitumque id uespere mane eluitur .
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5 To treat pimples and spots and freckles is almost a waste of time, yet women cannot be torn away from caring from their looks. But of these just mentioned, pimples and spots are commonly known, although that species of spot is more rare which is called by the Greeks semion, since it is rather red and irregular. Freckles are, in fact, ignored by most; they are nothing more than a roughened and indurated discoloration. Whilst the others occur only on the face, a spot sometimes also appears on other parts of the body; of that by itself I do not think it worth while to write elsewhere. But pimples are best removed by the application of resin to which not less than the same amount of split alum and a little honey has been added. A spot is removed by equal quantities of galbanum and soda pounded in vinegar to the consistency of honey. With this the part is to be smeared, and after the lapse of several hours, the next morning, it is washed off, and the place anointed lightly with oil. Freckles are removed by resin to which a third part of rock-salt and a little honey has been added. For all the above and also for colouring scars that composition is useful which is said to have been invented by Trypho the father. In this are equal parts of the dregs of bennut oil, bluish Cimolian chalk, bitter almonds, barley and vetch meal, along with white soapwort and mellilot seeds. These are all rubbed up together with very bitter honey, smeared on at night and washed away in the morning. |
| 139 |
Sed haec quidem mediocria sunt . Ingentibus uero et uariis casibus OCVLI nostri patent ; qui cum magnam partem ad uitae simul et usum et dulcedinem conferant , summa cura tuendi sunt . Protinus autem orta lippitudine quaedam notae sunt , ex quibus quid euenturum sit colligere possumus . Nam si simul et lacrima et tumor et crassa pituita coeperint , si ea pituita lacrimae mixta est , si ea lacrima calida non est , pituita uero alba et mollis , tumor non durus , longae ualetudinis metus non est . At si lacrima multa et calida , pituitae paulum , tumor modicus est , idque in uno oculo est , longum id , sed sine periculo futurum est . Idque lippitudinis genus minime cum dolore est , sed uix ante uicensimum diem tollitur , nonnumquam per duos menses durat . Quandoque finitur , pituita alba et mollis incipit esse , lacrimaeque miscetur . At si simul ea utrumque oculum inuaserunt , potest esse breuior , sed periculum ulcerum est . Pituita autem sicca et arida dolorem quidem mouet , sed maturius desinit , nisi quid exulcerauit . Tumor magnus si sine dolore est et siccus , sine ullo periculo est : si siccus quidem , sed cum dolore est , fere exulcerat , et nonnumquam ex eo casu fit , ut palpebra cum oculo glutinetur . Eiusdem exulcerationis timor in palpebris pupillisue est , ubi super magnum dolorem lacrimae salsae calidaeque eunt , aut etiam , si tumore finito diu lacrima cum pituita profluit . Peius etiamnum est , ubi pituita pallida aut liuida est , lacrima calida et multa profluit , caput calet , a temporibus ad oculos dolor peruenit , nocturna uigilia urget , siquidem sub his oculus plerumque rumpitur , uotumque est , ut tantum exulceretur . Intus ruptum oculum febricula iuuat . Si foras iam ruptus procedit , sine auxilio est . Si de nigro aliquid albidum factum est , diu manet : at si asperum et crassum est , etiam post curationem uestigium aliquod relinquit . —Curari uero oculos sanguinis detractione , medicamento , balneo , uino uetustissimus auctor Hippocrates memoriae prodidit : sed eorum tempora et causas parum explicuit , in quibus medicinae summa est . Neque minus in abstinentia et alui ductione saepe auxilii est . Hos igitur interdum inflammatio occupat , ubi cum tumore in his dolor est , sequiturque pituitae cursus nonnumquam copiosior uel acrior , nonnumquam utraque parte moderatior . In eiusmodi casu prima omnium sunt quies et abstinentia . Ergo primo die loco obscuro cubare debet , sic ut a sermone quoque abstineat ; nullum cibum adsumere , si fieri potest , ne aquam quidem ; si minus , certe quam minimum eius . Quod si graues dolores sunt , commodius secundo die ; si tamen res urget , etiam primo sanguis mittendus est , utique , si in fronte uenae tument , si firmo corpore materia superest . Si uero minor impetus , minus acrem curationem requirit ; aluum , sed non nisi secundo tertioue die , duci oportet . At modica inflammatio neutrum ex his auxilium desiderat , satisque est uti quiete et abstinentia . Neque tamen lippientibus longum ieiunium necessarium est , ne pituita tenuior atque acrior fiat : sed secundo die dari debet id , quod leuissimum uideri potest ex is , quae pituitam faciunt crassiorem ; qualia sunt oua sorbilia : si minor uis urget , pulticula quoque aut panis ex lacte . Insequentibusque diebus quantum inflammationi detrahetur , tantum adici cibis poterit , sed generis eiusdem ; utique ut nihil salsum , nihil acre , nihil ex is , quae extenuant , sumatur , nihil potui praeter aquam . Et uictus quidem ratio talis maxime necessaria est . Protinus autem primo die croci P . #1108 I , et farinae candidae quantum tenuissimae P . #1108 II , excipere oportet oui albo , donec mellis crassitudinem habeat , idque in linteolum inlin ere , et fronti adglutinare , ut conpressis uenis pituitae impetum cohibeat . Si crocum non est , tus idem facit . Linteolo an lana excipiatur , nihil interest . Superinungui uero oculi debent , sic ut croci quantum tribus digitis conprehendi potest , sumatur ; murrae ad fabae , papaueris lacrimae ad lenticulae magnitudinem ; eaque cum passo conterantur , et specillo super oculum inducantur . Aliud ad idem : murrae P . #1108 #1110; mandragorae suci P . #1108 I ; papaueris lacrimae P . #1108 II ; foliorum rosae , cicutae seminis , singulorum P . #1108 III ; acaciae P . #1108 IIII ; cummis P . #1108 VIII . Et haec quidem interdiu : nocte uero , quo commodior quies ueniat , non alienum est superinponere candidi panis interiorem partem ex uino subactam : nam et pituitam reprimit , et , si quid lacrimae processit , absorbet , et oculum glutinari non patitur . Si graue id et durum propter magnum oculorum dolorem uidetur , oui et album et uitellus in uas defundendum est , adiciendumque eo mulsi paulum , idque digito permiscendum . Vbi facta unitas est , demitti debet lana mollis bene carpta , quae id excipiat , superque oculos inponi . Ea res et leuis est et refrigerando pituitam coercet , et non exarescit , et glutinari oculum non patitur . Farina quoque hordeacia cocta , et cum malo Cotoneo cocto mixta commode inponitur ; neque a ratione abhorret etiam penicillo potissimum uti expresso , si leuior impetus est , ex aqua , si maior , ex posca . Priora fascia deliganda sunt , ne per somnum cadant : at hoc superinponi satis est , quia et reponi ab ipso commode potest , et , cum inaruit , iterum madefaciendum est . Si tantum mali est , ut somnum diu prohibeat , eorum aliquod dandum est , quae anodyna Graeci appellant ; satisque puero quod erui , uiro quod fabae magnitudinem impleat . In ipsum uero oculum primo die , nisi modica inflammatio est , nihil recte coicitur : saepe enim potius concitatur eo pituita quam minuitur . A secundo die graui quoque lippitudini per indita medicamenta recte succurritur , ubi uel iam sanguis missus uel aluus ducta est , aut neutrum necessarium esse manifestum est . Multa autem multorumque auctorum collyria ad id apta sunt , nouisque etiam nunc mixturis temperari possunt , cum lenia medicamenta et modice reprimentia facile et uarie misceantur . Ego nobilissima exequar . Est igitur Philonis , quod habet cerussae elotae , spodii , cummis , singulorum P . #1108 I ; papaueris lacrimae conbustae P . #1108 I I . Illud scire oportet , hic quoque omnia medicamenta singula primum per se teri , deinde mixta iterum adiecta paulatim uel aqua uel alio umore : cummi cum quasdam alias facultates habeat , hoc maxime praestare , ut , ubi collyria facta inaruerunt , glutinata sint neque frientur . Dionysi uero collyrium est : papaueris lacrimae combustae , donec tenerescat , P . #1108 I #1109; turis combusti , cummis , singulorum P . #1108 S ; spodii P . #1108 IIII . Cleonis nobile admodum : papaueris lacrimae frictae P . #1108 I ; croci P . #1108 #1109; cummis P . #1108 I ; quibus cum teruntur adicitur rosae sucus . Aliud eiusdem ualentius : squamae aeris , quod stomoma appellant , P . #1108 I ; croci P . #1108 II ; spodii P . #1108 IIII ; plumbi eloti et combusti P . #1108 VI ; cummis tantundem . Attalium quoque ad idem est , maxime ubi multa pituita profluit : castorei P . #1108 #1110; aloes P . #1108 #1109; croci P . #1108 I ; murrae P . #1108 II ; Lyci P . #1108 III ; cadmiae curatae P . #1108 VIII ; stibis tantundem , acaciae suci P . #1108 XII . Quod cum cummis quid hoc non habet , liquidum in puxidicula seruatur . Theodotus uero huic compositioni adiecit papaueris lacrimae combustae P . #1108 #1110; aeris combusti et eloti P . #1108 II ; nucleos palmularum combustos P . #1108 X ; cummis P . #1108 XII . At ipsius Theodoti , quod a quibusdam acharistum nominatur , eiusmodi est : castorei , nardi Indici , singulorum P . #1108 I ; Lyci P . #1108 #1109; papaueris lacrimae tantundem ; murrae P . #1108 II ; croci , cerussae elotae , aloes , singulorum P . #1108 III ; cadmiae botruitidis elotae , aeris conbusti , singulorum P . #1108 VIII ; cummis P . #1108 XVIII ; acaciae suci P . #1108 XX ; stibis tantundem ; quibus aqua pluuialis adicitur . Praeter haec ex frequentissimis collyriis est id , quod quidam cyc non , quidam a cinereo colore tephron appellant : amuli , tra cantae , acaciae suci , cummis , singulorum P . #1108 I ; papaueris lacrimae P . #1108 II ; cerussae elotae P . #1108 IIII ; spumae elotae P . #1108 VIII , quae aeque ex aqua pluuiali conteruntur . Euelpides autem , qui aetate nostra maximus fuit ocularius medicus , utebatur eo , quod ipse conposuerat : trygodes nominabat : castorei P . #1108 #1109 #1109; Lyci , nardi , papaueris lacrimae , singulorum P . #1108 I ; croci , murrae , aloes , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; aeris combusti P . #1108 VIIII ; cadmiae et stibis , singulorum P . #1108 XII ; acaciae suci P . #1108 XXXVI ; cummis tantundem . Quo grauior uero quaeque inflammatio est , eo magis leniri medicamentum debet adiecto uel albo oui uel muliebri lacte . At si neque medicus neque medicamentum praesto est , saepius utrumlibet horum in oculos penicillo ad id ipsum facto infusum id malum lenit . Vbi uero aliquis releuatus est , iamque cursus pituitae constitit , reliquias fortasse leniores futuras discutiunt balneum et uinum . Igitur lauari debet leuiter ante oleo perfricatus diutiusque in cruribus et feminibus , multaque calida aqua fouere oculos ; deinde per caput prius calida , deinde egelida perfundi : a balineo cauere ne quo frigore afflatuue laedatur ; post haec cibo paulo pleniore quam ex eorum dierum consuetudine uti uitatis tamen omnibus pituitam extenuantibus . Vinum bibere lene , subausterum , modice uetus , neque effuse neque timide , ut neque cruditas ex eo et tamen somnus fiat lenianturque intus latentia acria . Si quis in balineo sensit maiorem oculorum perturbationem quam attulerat , quod incidere is solet , qui manente adhuc pituitae cursu festinarunt , quam primum discedere debet , nihil eo die uini adsumere , cibi minus etiam quam pridie . Deinde cum primum satis pituita substitit , iterum ad usum balinei redire . Solet tamen euenire nonnumquam siue tempestatium uitio siue corporis , ut pluribus diebus neque dolor neque inflammatio et minime pituitae cursus finiatur . Quod ubi incidit iamque ipsa uetustate res matura est , ab his isdem auxilium petendum est . Haec enim ut in recentibus malis aliena sunt , quia concitare ea possunt et accendere , sic in ueteribus , quae nullis aliis auxiliis cesserunt , admodum efficacia esse consuerunt , uidelicet hic quoque ut alibi , cum secunda uana fuerunt , contrariis adiuuantibus . Sed ante tonderi ad cutem conuenit , deinde in balineo aqua calida quam plurima caput atque oculos fouere , tum utrumque penicillo detergere , et ungere caput irino unguento ; continereque in lectulo se , donec omnis calor , qui conceptus est , finiatur desinatque sudor , qui necessario in capite collectus est . Tum ad idem cibi uinique genus ueniendum , sic ut potiones meracae sint ; obtegendumque caput et quiescendum . Saepe enim post haec grauis somnus , saepe sudor , saepe alui deiectio pituitae cursum finit . Si leuatum malum est , quod aliquanto saepius fit , per plures dies idem fieri oportet , donec ex toto sanitas restituatur . Si diebus isdem aluus nihil reddit , ducenda est , quo magis superiores partes leuentur . Nonnumquam autem ingens inflammatio tanto impetu erumpit , ut oculos sua sede propellat : proptosin id , quoniam oculi procidunt , Graeci appellant . His utique , si uires patiuntur , sanguinem mitti ; si id fieri non potest , aluum duci , longioremque inediam indici necessarium est . Opus autem lenissimis medicamentis est , ideoque Cleonis collyrio quidam , quod ex duobus ante positum est , utuntur : sed optumum est Nilei , neque de ullo magis inter omnes auctores conuenit . Id habet nardi Indici , papaueris lacrimae , singulorum P . #1108 #1110; cummis P . #1108 I ; croci P . #1108 II ; foliorum rosae recentium P . #1108 IIII ; quae uel aqua pluuiali , uel uino leni , subaustero coguntur . Neque alienum est malicorium uel sertulam Campanam ex uino coquere , deinde conterere ; aut murram nigram cum rosae foliis miscere ; aut hyoscyami folia cum oui uitello cocti aut farinam cum acaciae suco uel passo aut mulso ; quibus si folia quoque papaueris adiciuntur , aliquanto ualentiora sunt . Horum aliquo praeparato penicillo fouere oculos oportet ex aqua calida expresso , in qua ante uel murti uel rosae folia decocta sint ; deinde ex illis aliquid inponi . Praeter haec ab occipitio incisa cute cucurbitula adhibenda est . Quod si per haec restitutus oculus in sedem suam non est eodemque modo prolapsus permanet , scire oportet lumen esse amissum ; deinde futurum ut aut indurescat is aut in pus uertatur . Si suppuratio se ostendit ab eo angulo , qui tempori propior est , incidi oculus debet , ut effuso pure et inflammatio ac dolor finiatur , et intus tunicae residant , quo minus foeda postea facies sit . Vtendum deinde uel his collyriis est ex lacte aut ouo , uel croco * * * uel cui album oui misceatur . At si induruit et sic emortuus est , ne in pus uerteretur , quatenus foede prominebit , excidendum erit , sic ut hamo summa tunica adprehendatur , infra id scalpellus incidat ; tum eadem medicamenta erunt coicienda , donec omnis dolor finiatur . Isdem medicamentis in eo quoque oculo utendum est , qui prius procidit , dein per plura loca fissus est . Solent etiam carbunculi ex inflammatione nasci , nonnumquam in ipsis oculis , nonnumquam in palpebris , et in his ipsis modo ab interiore modo ab exteriore .—In hoc casu aluus ducenda est , cibus minuendus , lac potui dandum , ut acria quae laeserunt leniantur . Quod ad cataplasmata et medicamenta pertinet , is utendum , quae aduersum inflammationem proposita sunt . Atque hic quoque Nilei collyrium optimum est : si tamen carbunculus in exteriore palpebrae parte est , ad cataplasmata aptissimum est lini semen ex mulso coctum ; aut si id non est , tritici farina eodem modo cocta . Pusulae quoque ex inflammatione interdum oriuntur . Quod si inter initia protinus incidit , magis etiam seruanda sunt , quae de sanguine et quiete supra proposui : sin serius quam ut sanguis mitti possit , aluus tamen ducenda est ; si id quoque aliqua res inhibet , utique uictus ratio seruanda est . Medicamentis autem h uc quoque lenibus opus est , quale Nilei , quale Cleonis est . Id quoque , quod Philalethus uocatur , h uc aptum est : murrae , papaueris lacrimae , singulorum P . #1108 I ; plumbi eloti , terrae Samiae , quae aster uocatur , tracanti , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; stibis cocti , amuli , singulorum P . #1108 VI ; spodi eloti , cerussae elotae , singulorum P . #1108 VIII . Quae aqua pluuiali excipiuntur . Vsus collyrii uel ex ouo uel ex lacte est . Ex pusulis ulcera interdum fiunt ; ea recentia aeque lenibus medicamentis nutrienda sunt , et isdem fere , quae supra in pusulis posui .—Fit quoque proprie ad haec quod dia libanu uocatur . Habet aeris combusti et eloti , papaueris lacrimae frictae , singulorum P . #1108 I ; spodi eloti , turis , stibis combusti et eloti , murrae , cummis , singulorum P . #1108 II . Euenit etiam , ut oculi uel ambo uel singuli minores fiant quam esse naturaliter debeant ; idque et acer pituitae cursus in lippitudine efficit et continuati fletus et ictus parum bene curati .—In his quoque isdem lenibus medicamentis ex muliebri lacte utendum est ; cibis uero is , qui maxime corpus alere et inplere consuerunt ; uitandaque omni modo causa , quae lacrimas excitet , curaque domesticorum ; quorum etiam , si quid tale incidit , notitiae subtrahendum . Atque acria quoque medicamenta et acres cibi non alio magis nomine his nocent , quam quod lacrimas moue nt. Genus quoque uiti est , qu om inter pilos palpebrarum peduculi nascuntur : pthiriasi n Graeci nominant . Quod cum ex malo corporis habitu fiat , raro non ultra procedit . Sed fere tempore interposito pituitae cursus acerrimus sequitur , exulceratisque uehementer oculis aciem quoque ipsam corrumpit .—His aluus ducenda est , caput ad cutem tondendum , diuque cotidie ieiunis perfricandum ; his ambulationibus aliisque exercitationibus diligenter utendum ; gargarizandum ex mulso , in quo nepeta et pinguis ficus decocta sit ; saepe in balineo multa aqua calida fouendum caput ; uitandi acres cibi , lacte uinoque pingui utendum , bibendumque liberalius quam edendum est . Medicamenta uero intus quidem lenia danda sunt , ne quid acrioris pituitae concitent , super ipsos uero peduculos alia , quae necare eos , et prohibere , ne similes nascantur , possint . Ad id ipsum spumae nitri P . #1108 #1110; sandaracae P . #1108 #1110; uuae t aminiae P . #1108 I simul teruntur , adiciturque uetus oleum pari portione atque acetum , donec mellis ei crassitudo sit . Hactenus oculorum morbi * * * lenibus medicamentis nutriuntur . Genera deinde alia sunt , quae diuersam curationem desiderant , fereque ex inflammationibus nata , sed finitis quoque his manentia . Atque in primis in quibusdam perseuerat tenuis pituitae cursus ; quibus aluus ab inferiore parte euocanda est , demendum aliquid ex cibo . Neque alienum est inlini frontem conpositione Andriae , quae habet cummis P . #1108 I ; cerussae , stibis , singulorum P . #1108 II ; spumae argenti coctae et elotae P . #1108 IIII . Sed ea spuma ex aqua pluuiali coquitur , et arida haec medicamenta ex suco murti conteruntur . His inlita fronte cataplasma quoque superiniciendum est ex farina , quae frigida aqua coacta sit , cuique aut acaciae sucus aut cupressus adiecta sit . Cucurbitula quoque inciso uertice recte a dcommodatur aut ex temporibus sanguis emittitur . Inungui uero eo debet , quod habet : squamae aeris , papaueris lacrimae , singulorum P . #1108 I ; ceruini cornus conbusti et eloti , plumbi eloti , cummis , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; turis P . #1108 XII . Hoc collyrium , quia cornu habet , dia tu ceratos nominatur . Quotienscumque non adicio , quod genus umoris adiciendum sit , aquam intellegi uolo . Ad idem Euelpidis , quod memigmenon nominabat . In eo papaueris lacrimae et albi piperis singulae unciae sunt ; cummis libra P .; aeris combusti P . #1108 I S. Inter has autem curationes post intermissiones aliqua prosunt balineum et uinum . Cumque omnibus lippientibus uitandi cibi qui extenuant , tum praecipue , quibus tenuis umor diu fertur . Quod si iam fastidium est eorum , quae pituitam crassiorem reddunt ( sicut in hoc genere materiae maxime promptum est ) , confugiendum est ad ea , quae , quia uentrem , corpus quoque adstringunt . At ulcera , si cum inflammatione finita * non sunt , aut supercrescentia aut sordida aut caua aut certe uetera esse consuerunt . Ex his supercrescentia collyrio , quod memigmenon uocatur , optime reprimuntur : sordida purgantur et eodem et eo , quod zmilion nominatur . Habet aeruginis P . #1108 IIII ; cummis tantundem ; Hammoniaci , mini Sinopici , singulorum P . #1108 XVI ; quae quidam ex aqua , quidam , quo uehementiora sint , ex aceto terunt . Id quoque Euelpidis , quod pyrron appellabat , huc utile est : croci P . #1108 I ; papaueris lacrimae , cummis , singulorum P . #1108 II ; aeris combusti et eloti , murrae , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; piperis albi P . #1108 VI . Sed ante leni , tum hoc inunguendum est . Id quoque eiusdem , quod sp haerion nominabat , eodem ualet : lapidis haematitis eloti P . #1108 I #1109; piperis grana sex ; cadmiae elotae , murrae , papaueris lacrimae , singulorum P . #1108 II ; croci P . #1108 IIII ; cummis P . #1108 VIII . Quae cum uino Aminaeo conterantur . Liquidum autem medicamentum ad idem conponebat , in quo era nt haec : aeruginis P . #1108 #1109; misy conbusti , atramenti sutori , cinnamomi , singulorum P . #1108 I ; croci , nardi , papaueris lacrimae , singulorum P . #1108 I #1109; murrae P . #1108 II ; aeris combusti P . #1108 III ; cineris ex odoribus P . #1108 IIII ; piperis grana XV . Haec ex uino austero teruntur , deinde cum passi tribus heminis decocuntur , donec corpus unum sit ; idque medicamentum uetustate efficacius fit . Caua uero ulcera commodissime implent ex is , quae supra posita sunt , sphaerion et id , quod Philalethus uocatur . Idem sp haerion uetustis ulceribus et uix ad cicatrices uenientibus optime succurrit . Est etiam collyrium , quod , cum ad plura ualeat , plurimum tamen proficere in ulceribus uidetur . Refertur ad Hermone m auctorem . Habet piperis longi P . #1108 I #1109; albi P . #1108 #1110; cinnamomi , costi , singulorum P . #1108 I ; atramenti sutori , nardi , casiae , castorei , singulorum P . #1108 II ; gallae P . #1108 V ; murrae , croci , turis , Lyci , cerussae , singulorum P . #1108 VIII ; papaueris lacrimae P . #1108 XII ; aloes , aeris combusti , cadmiae , singulorum P . #1108 XVI ; acaciae , stibis , cummis , singulorum P . #1108 XXV . Factae uero ex ulceribus cicatrices duobus uitiis periclitantur , ne aut cauae aut crassae sint . Si cauae sunt , potest eas implere id , quod sphaerion uocari dixi , uel id , quod Asclepios nominatur . Habet papaueris lacrimae P . #1108 II ; sagapeni , opopanacis , singulorum P . #1108 III ; aeruginis P . #1108 IIII ; cummis P . #1108 VIII ; piperis P . #1108 XII ; cadmiae elotae , cerussae , singulorum P . #1108 XVI . At si crassae cicatrices sunt , extenuat uel zmilion uel Canopitae collyrium , quod habet : cinnamomi , acaciae , singulorum P . #1108 I ; cadmiae elotae , croci , murrae papaueris lacrimae , cummis , singulorum P . #1108 II ; piperis albi , turis , singulorum P . #1108 III ; aeris combusti P . #1108 VIII . Vel Euelpidis pyxinum , quod ex his constat : salis fossilis P . #1108 IIII ; Hammoniaci thymiamatis P . #1108 VIII ; papaueris lacrimae P . #1108 XII ; cerussae P . #1108 XV ; piperis albi , croci Siculi , singulorum P . #1108 XXXII ; cummis P . #1108 XIII ; cadmiae elotae P . #1108 VIIII . Maxime tamen tollere cicatricem uidetur id , quod habet : cummis P . #1108 #1109; aeruginis P . #1108 I ; croci magmatis P . #1108 IIII . Est etiam genus inflammationis , in qua , si cui tument ac distenduntur cum dolore oculi , sanguinem ex fronte emitti necessarium est , multaque aqua calida caput atque oculos fouere ; gargarizare ex lenticula uel fici cremore ; inungui acribus medicamentis , quae supra conprehensa sunt , maximeque eo , quod sphaerion nominatur , quod lapidem haematitem habet . Atque alia quoque utilia sunt , quae ad extenuandam aspritudinem fiunt , de qua protinus dicam . Haec autem inflammationem oculorum fere sequitur , interdum maior , interdum leuior . Nonnumquam etiam ex aspritudine lippitudo fit , ipsam deinde aspritudinem auget , fitque ea alias breuis , in aliis longa et quae uix umquam finiatur .—In hoc genere ualetudinis quidam crassas durasque palpebras et ficulneo folio et asperato specillo et interdum scalpello eradunt , uersasque cotidie medicamentis suffricant ; quae neque nisi in magna uetustaque aspritudine neque saepe facienda sunt : nam melius eodem ratione uictus et idoneis medicamentis peruenitur . Ergo exercitationibus utemur et balneo frequentiore , multaque * oculorum aqua calida fouebimus ; cibos autem sumemus acres et extenuantis , medicamentum id , quod Caesarianum uocatur . Habet atramenti sutori P . #1108 I #1110; misy P . #1108 I #1109; piperis albi P . #1108 #1109 #1109; papaueris lacrimae , cummis , singulorum P . #1108 II ; cadmiae elotae P . #1108 IIII ; stibis P . #1108 VI ; satisque constat hoc collyrium aduersus omne genus oculorum ualetudinis idoneum esse , exceptis is , quae lenibus nutriuntur . Id quoque , quod Hieracis nominatur , ad aspritudinem potest . Habet murrae P . #1108 I ; Hammoniaci thymiamatis P . #1108 II ; aeruginis rasae P . #1108 IIII . Ad idem idoneum est etiam id , quod Canopitae est et , quod zmilion uocatur , et id , quod pyxinum et id , quod sphaerion . Si conposita medicamenta non adsunt , felle caprino uel quam optimo melle satis commode aspritudo curatur . Est etiam genus aridae lippitudinis : xeropthalmia n Graeci appellant . Neque tument neque fluunt oculi , sed rubent tamen et cum dolore quodam grauescunt et noctu praegraui pituita inhaerescunt ; quantoque minor generi s huius impetus , tanto finis minus expeditus est .—In hoc uitio multum ambulare , multum exerceri , lauari saepe , * * * ibique desudare , multaque frictione uti necessarium est . Cibi neque ii qui implent , neque nimium acres apti sunt , sed inter hos medi . Mane , ubi concoxisse manifestum est , non est alienum ex sinapi gargarizare , tum deinde caput atque os diutius defricare . Collyrium uero aptissimum est , quod rinion uocatur . Habet murrae P . #1108 #1109; papaueris lacrimae , acaciae suci , piperis , cummis , singulorum P . #1108 I ; lapidis haematitis , lapidis Phrygii , Lucii , lapidis scissilis , singulorum P . #1108 II ; aeris combusti P . #1108 IIII . Ac pyxinum quoque eodem accommodatum est . Si uero scabri oculi sunt , quod maxime in angulis esse consueuit , potest prodesse rinion , id quod supra positum est ; potest militare : id , quod habet aeruginis rasae , piperis longi , papaueris lacrimae , singulorum P . #1108 II ; piperis albi , cummis , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; cadmiae elotae , cerussae , singulorum P . #1108 XVI . Nullum tamen melius est quam Euelpidis , quod basilicon nominabat . Habet papaueris lacrimae , cerussae , lapidis As sii , singulorum P . #1108 II ; cummis P . #1108 III ; piperis albi P . #1108 IIII , croci P . #1108 VI ; psorici P . #1108 XIII . Nulla autem per se materia est , quae psoricum nominetur , sed chalcitidis aliquid et cadmiae dimidio plus ex aceto simul conteruntur , idque in uas fictile additum et contectum ficulneis foliis sub terra reponitur , sublatum que post dies uiginti rursus teritur , et sic †appellatur . Verum in basilico quoque collyrio conuenit ad omnes affectus oculorum id esse idoneum , qui non lenibus medicamentis curantur . Vbi non sunt autem medicamenta composita , scabros angulos leuant et mel et uinum ; succurritque et his et aridae lippitudini , si quis pane m ex uino subactum super oculum inponit . Nam cum fere sit umor aliquis , qui modo ipsum oculum , modo angulos aut palpebras exasperat , sic et , si quid prodit umoris , extrahitur , et , si quid iuxta est , repellitur . Caligare uero oculi nonnumquam ex lippitudine , nonnumquam etiam sine hac propter senectutem inbecillitatemue aliam consuerunt . Si ex reliquis lippitudinis id uitium est , adiuuat collyrium , quod Asclepios nominatur , adiuuat id , quod ex croci magmate fit . Proprie etiam ad id componitur , quod dia crocu uocant . Habet piperis P . #1108 I ; croci Cilici , papaueris lacrimae , cerussae , singulorum P . #1108 II ; psorici , cummis , singulorum P . #1108 IIII . At si ex senectute aliaue inbecillitate id est , recte inungui potest et melle quam optumo et cypr o et oleo uetere . Commodissimum tamen est balsami partem unam et olei ueteris aut cypri partes duas , mellis quam acerrimi partes tres miscere . Vtilia huc quoque medicamenta sunt , quaeque ad caliginem proxime quaeque ad extenuandas cicatrices supra comprehensa sunt . Cuicumque uero oculi caligabunt , huic opus erit multa ambulatione atque exercitatione , frequenti balneo , ubi totum quidem corpus perfricandum est , praecipue tamen caput , et quidem irino , donec insudet , uelandumque postea nec detegendum antequam sudor et calor domi conquierint . Tum cibis utendum acribus et extenuantibus , interpositisque aliquibus diebus ex sinapi gargarizandum . Suffusio quoque , quam Graeci hypochysin nominant , interdum oculi potentiae , qua cernit , se opponit . Quod si inueterauit , manu curandum est . Inter initia nonnumquam certis obseruationibus discutietur . Sanguinem ex fronte uel naribus mittere , in temporibus uenas adurere , gargarizando pituitam euocare , subfumigare , oculos acribus medicamentis inunguere expedit . Victus optimus est , qui pituitam extenuat . Ac ne resolutio quidem oculorum , quam paralysin Graeci nominant , alio uictus modo uel aliis medicamentis curanda est . Exposuisse tantum genus uitii satis est . Igitur interdum euenit , modo in altero oculo , modo in utroque , aut ex ictu aliquo aut ex morbo comitiali , aut ex distentione neruorum , qua uehementer ipse oculus concussus est , ut is neque quoquam intendi possit , neque omnino consistat , sed huc illucue sine ratione moueatur ; ideoque ne conspectum quidem rerum praestat . Non multum ab hoc malo distat id , quod mydriasin Graeci uocant . Pupilla funditur et dilatatur , aciesque eius hebetescit ac paene * * .—Difficillime genus id inbecillitatis eliditur . In utraque parte uero pugnandum est per eadem omnia , quae in caligine oculorum praecepta sunt , paucis tantum mutatis , siquidem ad caput irino interdum acetum , interdum nitrum adiciendum est , melle inungui satis est . Quidam in posteriore uitio calidis aquis usi releuatique : quidam sine ulla manifesta causa subito obcaecati sunt . Ex quibus nonnulli cum aliquamdiu nihil uidissent , repentina profusione alui lumen receperunt ; quo minus alienum uidetur e t recenti re et interposito tempore medicamentis quoque moliri deiectiones , quae omnem noxiam materiam in inferiora depellant . Praeter haec inbecillitas oculorum est , ex qua quidem interdiu satis , noctu nihil cernunt ; quod in feminam bene respondentibus menstruis non cadit .—Sed sic laborantes inungui oportet sani e iocineris maxime hirquini , si minus , caprini , ubi id assum coquitur , excepta ; atque edi quoque ipsum iecur debet . Licet tamen etiam isdem medicamentis non inutiliter uti , quae uel cicatrices uel aspritudinem extenuant : quidam contrito semin i portlacae mel adiciunt , eatenus ne id ex specillo destillet , eoque inungunt . Exercitationibus , balneo , frictionibus , gargarizationibus isdem his quoque utendum est . Et haec quidem in ipsis corporibus oriuntur . Extrinsecus uero interdum sic ictus oculum laedit , ut sanguis in eo suffundatur . —Nihil commodius est quam sanguine uel columbae uel palumbi uel hirundinis inunguere . Neque id sine causa fit , cum horum acies extrinsecus laesa interposito tempore in anticum statum redeat , cel errime hirundinis . Vnde etiam fabulae locus factus est , per parentes id herba restitui , quod per se sanescit . Eorumque ergo sanguis nostros quoque oculos ab externo casu commodissime tuetur , hoc ordine , ut sit hirundinis optimus , deinde palumbi , minime efficax columbae et illi ipsi et nobis . Supra percussum uero oculum ad inflammationem leniendam non est alienum inponere etiam cataplasma . Sal Hammoniacus uel quilibet alius quam optimus teri debet , sic ut ei paulatim oleum adiciatur , donec crassitudo strigmenti fiat . Id deinde miscendum est cum hordeacia farina , quae ex mulso decocta sit . Facile autem recognitis omnibus , quae medici prodiderunt , apparere cuilibet potest , uix ullum ex is , quae supra conprehensa sunt , oculi uitium esse , quod non simplicibus quoque et promptis remediis summoueri possit .
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6 Now the foregoing are subjects of minor importance. But there are grave and varied mishaps to which our eyes are exposed; and as these have so large a part both in the service and the amenity of life, they are to be looked after with the greatest care. Now directly ophthalmia sets in, there are certain signs by which it is possible to foretell the course of the disease. For if lacrima- tion swelling of the eyelids and a thick rheum appear all at once; if that rheum is mixed with tears, if the tears are not hot, but the rheum is white and bland, and the swelling is not hard, there is then no apprehension of a prolonged illness. But if lacrimation is profuse and hot, rheum scanty, swelling moderate, and that in one eye only, the case will be a prolonged one, but without danger. And that kind of ophthalmia is the least painful, but is seldom relieved before the twentieth day, and at times lasts two months. As it subsides, the rheum begins to be white and bland, mixed with tears. But if both eyes are attacked simultaneously, the duration may possibly be shorter, but there is danger of ulceration. Now rheum, when it is dry and sticky, gives rise to some pain, but subsides sooner unless ulceration is set up. If there is great swelling without pain and dryness, there is no danger; if there is dryness, accompanied by pain, there is generally ulceration, and at times the result is that the eyelid sticks to the eyeball. There is danger of similar ulceration in the eyelids or in the pupils when, in addition to great pain, the tears are salt and hot; or if, even after the swelling has subsided, there continues for some time a flow of tears mixed with rheum. The case is worse still when the rheum is pallid or livid, the tears hot and profuse, the head hot, and pain shoots from the temples to the eyes, causing wakefulness at night; in these circumstances generally the eyeball ruptures, and we must pray that there may be ulceration only. When the eyeball has ruptured inwards a touch of fever is beneficial. If the eyeball protrudes after rupturing outwards, there is no remedy. If something white has developed from the dark part of the eye, it persists for a long while; but if it is rough and thick, some vestige remains even after treatment. According to Hippocrates, the oldest authority, the treatment of the eyes includes bloodletting, medicaments, the bath and wine; but he gave little explanation of the proper times and reasons for these remedies, things of the highest importance in the art of medicine. There is no less help, often, in abstinence and clysters. Now at times inflammation seizes the eyes, and there is pain in them together with swelling, and there follows a flow of rheum, sometimes rather profuse or acrid, sometimes in both respects rather moderate. In such a case, rest in bed and abstinence are the chief remedies. From the first day, therefore, the patient should lie in bed in a dark room, and at the same time he should refrain even from talking; take no food at all, and if feasible not even water, or at any rate the least possible amount. If the pains are severe, it is better that he should be bled on the second day, but when urgent this may be done even on the first day, at any rate if the veins on the forehead are swollen, and if there is superfluity of matter in a robust patient. But if the attack is less violent, it requires less drastic treatment: the bowel should be clystered, but only on the second or third day. But moderate inflammation requires neither blood-letting nor clystering, it is sufficient for the patient to stay in bed and fast. A prolonged abstinence, however, is not necessary in patients with ophthalmia, for it may render the rheum thinner, and more acrid; hence some of the lightest kind of food should be given on the second day, such as seems likely to render the rheum thicker; for instance, raw eggs; in a less severe case, porridge also or bread soaked in milk. On the following days, according as the inflammation subsides, additional food may be taken, but of the same class; certainly nothing salted, or acrid, or likely to make the rheum thinner should be consumed, and nothing but water drunk. Such a dietetic regimen is exceedingly necessary. But from the first day, saffron 4 grams and the finest wheat flour 8 grams should be made up with white of egg to the consistency of honey, then spread on lint and stuck on the forehead, in order that by compressing the veins the flow of rheum may be checked. If saffron is not at hand, frankincense has the same effect. Whether it is spread on linen, or on wool, makes no difference. There should be smeared over the eyeball, of saffron as much as can be taken up in three fingers, of myrrh in amount the size of a bean, of poppy-tears the size of a lentil: these are pounded up in raisin wine, and applied on a probe to the eyeball. Another composition having the same efficacy is made up of: myrrh 0.33 grams, mandragora juice 4 grams; poppy-tears 8 grams; rose-leaves and hemlock seeds 12 grams each; acacia 16 grams; gum 32 grams. These applications are made by day; at night, in order better to assure sleep, it is not inappropriate to apply above the eye, the crumb of white bread soaked in wine; for this at once represses rheum, and absorbs any flow of tears, and prevents the eye from becoming glued up. If this application, owing to the great pain in the eye, seems oppressive and hard, eggs, both the white and the yolk, are poured into a vessel, a little honey-wine added, and the mixture stirred with the finger. When thoroughly mixed, soft well-combed wool is soaked in it and the wool then applied over the eyes. This is both a light application and one which by cooling checks rheum, yet does not quite dry it up, and so the eye is not allowed to become glued up. Boiled barley-meal, mixed with boiled quinces, is also a suitable application; nor is it inconsistent with the treatment, even to put on a pad of wool wrung as hard as possible out of water, if the attack is a lighter one, or out of vinegar and water, if it is more severe. The former applications are to be bandaged on, so that they do not fall off during sleep; the latter it suffices to lay one because it can be changed readily by the patient himself, and when it becomes dry, it must be wetted again. If the affection is so severe as to prevent sleep, for a time one of the remedies which the Greeks call anodyna should be administered, an amount the size of a vetch to a child, that of a bean to a man. For the eyeball itself there is no appropriate application on the first day, unless the inflammation is only moderate, for by such the flow of rheum is often stimulated rather than lessened. From the second day, even when the disease is severe, the direct application of medicaments is proper, when blood has been let or clystering applied, or after it has become evident that neither is needed. Now for this disease there are many salves devised by many inventors, and these can be blended even now in novel mixtures, for mild medicaments and moderate repressants may be readily and variously mingled. I will mention the most famous. There is then the salve of Philo, which contains: washed cerussa, spode and gum 4 grams each; poppy-tears toasted 8 grams. It is important to know that each of these ingredients should be pounded separately, than mixed together, gradually adding water, or some other fluid. Gum, amongst other properties, has this particular advantage, that when salves made of it have become dry, they stick together and do not break up. The salve of Dionysius consists of: poppy-tears toasted until they soften 4.66 grams, toasted frankincense and gum 2 grams each, and zinc oxide 16 grams. The salve of Cleon is quite famous: poppy-tears toasted 4 grams, saffron 0.66 grams, gum 4 grams, to which after being pounded is added rose juice. The same man prescribed another more active salve: scales of the copper which is called stomoma 4 grams; saffron 8 grams; zinc oxide 16 grams; lead washed and roasted 24 grams; with a like quantity of gum. There is also for the same complaint the salve of Attalus especially when the rheum is profuse: castoreum 0.33 grams; lign-aloes 0.66 grams; saffron 4 grams; myrrh 8 grams; lycium 12 grams; prepared zinc oxide 32 grams; a like quantity of antimony sulphide and acacia juice 48 grams. And when no gum is added it is preserved liquid in a small receptacle. Theodotus added to the above mixture: poppy-tears toasted 0.33 grams; copper scales roasted and washed 8 grams; toasted date kernels 40 grams; gum 48 grams. The salve of Theodotus himself, which by some is called achariston, is composed of: castoreum and Indian nard 4 grams each; lycium 0.66 gram; an equal amount of poppy-tears; myrrh 8 grams; saffron, washed white lead and lign-aloes 12 grams of each; cluster-shaped oxide of zinc, washed and roasted copper scales 32 grams each; gum 72 grams; acacia juice 80 grams; the same amount of antimony sulphide, to which is added rain-water. Besides the above, among the most commonly used salves is that which some call cycnon, others from its ashen colour tephron, which contains: starch, tragacanth, acacia juice, gum 4 grams each; poppy-tears 8 grams; washed cerussa 16 grams; washed litharge 32 grams. These ingredients likewise are compounded with rain-water. Euelpides, the most famous oculist of our time, used a salve of his own composition called trygodes: castoreum 1.33 grams; lycium, nard and poppy-tears 4 grams each; saffron, myrrh and lign-aloes 16 grams each; roasted copper scales 36 grams; oxide of zinc and antimony sulphide 48 grams; acacia juice 144 grams; the same amount of gum. The more severe the inflammation, the milder should the application be made, by adding to it white of egg or woman's milk. But if neither doctor nor medicine is at hand, either of the above, dropped into the eye with a little screw of lint prepared for the purpose, often relieves the trouble. But when the patient has been relieved and the discharge of rheum is already checked, any slight symptoms which remain may be got rid of by making use of the bath and of wine. Therefore when at the bath the patient should be first rubbed over gently with oil, especially over the legs and thighs, and he should bathe his eyes freely with hot water, next hot water should be poured over his head, followed by tepid water; after the bath he must take care that he is not harmed by cold or draught: subsequently he should use a diet rather fuller than had been customary for those days, whilst avoiding everything which may render the rheum thinner. He should drink mild wine, not too dry, and moderately old, taking it neither too freely nor too sparingly, so that, without causing indigestion, it may nevertheless induce sleep, and mollify the internal latent acrid humour. If at the bath the patient feels the trouble in the eyes becoming worse than before he entered, which often happens to those who have hurried on to this course of treatment whilst there is still a discharge of rheum, he ought immediately to leave the bath, take no wine that day, and less food even than on the previous day. Afterwards, as soon as the flow of rheum has subsided sufficiently, he may return again to the use of the bath. Nevertheless, from the fault of the weather, or of the patient's constitution, if on happens that for many days neither the pain nor inflammation is checked, and least of all the discharge of rheum. When this occurs and the affection is now established by reason of its long standing, recourse must be had to these same remedies that is, the bath and wine. For whilst they unsuitable early in the complaints because they can then irritate and stir up inflammation, yet in inveterate cases which have not yielded to other remedies, they are quite effectual, that is to say, in this as in other instances, when ordinary remedies have proved useless, contrary ones are beneficial. But beforehand the patient should be shaved down to the scalp, then in the bath he should foment both his head and eyes with plenty of hot water, next clean both with a little roll of lint, and anoint the head with iris ointment: and he should keep to his bed until all the heat so produced has ended, and the sweat which of necessity has collected in the head has passed off. He is then to take food and wine of the same sort as above, drinking the wine undiluted; and he must rest with the head wrapped up. For often after these measures a sound sleep, or a sweat, or a clearance of the bowel, terminates the discharge of rheum. If, as more often happens, the malady is in some measure relieved, the same regimen is pursued for a number of days until recovery is completed. If, meanwhile, the bowels do not act, clysters are given to relieve the upper parts of the body. But occasionally a violent inflammation breaks out with so much force as to push forwards the eyes out of their place: the Greeks call this proptosis, because the eyes drop forwards. In this cases especially, if the strength allows of it, blood is to be let; if that is impracticable, then a clyster and prolonged abstinence should be prescribed. The blandest medicaments are required; hence some use that salve of Cleon's which has been noted above, as consisting of two ingredients, poppy-tears and gum, but the best is the salve of Nileus, and this point is agreed on by all authorities. This salves consists of Indian nard and poppy-tears 0.33 gram each; gum 4 grams; saffron 8 grams; fresh rose leaves 16 grams, which are mixed up in rain-water or in a rather mild wine. And it is not out of place to boil pomegranate rind or melilot in wine and then pound it; or to mix black myrrh with rose leaves, or hyoscyamus leaves with the yolk of a boiled egg, or flour with acacia juice and raisin wine or honeyed wine; if poppy-tears too be added to these, they are rendered somewhat more active. Having prepared one of the above, the eyes should be swabbed with a small screw of lint, wrung out in a hot decoction of myrtle or rose leaves and then one of the salves placed in them. Furthermore, after incising the skin of the occiput, a cup is to be applied there. But if the eye is not restored into position by the above remedies, but remains pushed forward as before, it should be recognized that its sight is lost; and that the eyeball will harden or will be converted into pus. If suppuration shows itself in the corner nearest the temple, the eyeball should be cut into, in order that by letting out the pus, both inflammation and pain may be ended, and the coats of the eyeball may recede, so that the patient's looks afterwards may be less disfigured. There should then be applied either one of the above salves with milk or egg, or saffron, either by itself or mixed with white of egg. But if the eyeball has grown hard and is dead, but not converted into pus, so much of it is to be cut out as projects in an ugly fashion; for this purpose the sclerotic coat is seized with a hook, and the scalpel cuts under it; then the same medicaments are to be inserted until all pain has stopped. Use is to be made of the same medicaments for an eye which has first prolapsed, and then has split open in several places. It is also customary for inflammation to give rise to carbuncles, sometimes upon the actual eyeballs, sometimes upon the eyelids, either on the inner or on the outer surface of these. When this occurs, the patient should be clystered, the food diminished, and milk given as a drink, in order to mollify the acrid matter which is doing harm. As regards poultices and medicaments, what has been prescribed for inflammation must be used. And here again the salve of Nileus is best: but when the carbuncle is on the outer surface of the eyelid, the most suitable poultice is one of linseed boiled in honeyed wine, or, if that is not at hand, flour boiled in the same. Pustules are also an occasional consequence of inflammation. If this happens early during the first stage, the blood-letting and rest prescribed above should be even more strictly enforced; if later than the stage when blood-letting is possible, the bowels, nevertheless, should be clystered; and if anything should prevent this also, at any rate the regimen as to diet should be followed. For this condition also soothing medicaments are necessary, such as those of Nileus and Cleon. Also the salve named after Philalethus is suitable, consisting of: myrrh and poppy-tears 4 grams each; washed lead, Samian earth called aster, and tragacanth 16 grams each; boiled antimony sulphide and starch 24 grams each; washed oxide of zinc and washed cerussa 32 grams each. These are made up with rain-water. The salve is used either with white of egg or milk. From pustules ulcerations sometimes arise. These when recent are likewise to be treated by mild applications, generally by the same as I have prescribed above for pustules. That which is called 'dia libanu' is specially prepared for the above condition. It is composed of roasted and washed copper, and parched poppy-tears 4 grams each; washed zinc oxide, frankincense, roasted and washed, antimony sulphide, myrrh, and gum 8 grams each. It happens too that the eyeballs, either both or one, become smaller than naturally they ought to be. An acrid discharge of rheum in the course of ophthalmia causes this, also continuous weeping, and an injury improperly treated. In these cases the same mild applications mixed with woman's milk should also be used, and for food, that which is most nourishing and body-building. In every way any cause which may excite tears must be avoided, and anxiety about home affairs also, knowledge of which, if anything of that sort has arisen, must be kept from the patient. And acrid medicaments and sour food do harm in these cases, chiefly because of the tears which they excite. There is also a kind of disorder in which lice are born between the eyelashes; the Greeks call it phthiriasis. Since this comes from a bad state of health it seldom fails to get worse; but usually in time a very acrid discharge of rheum follows, and if the eyeballs become severely ulcerated, it even destroys their vision. In these cases the bowel should be clystered, the head shaved to the scalp, and rubbed for a good while daily whilst the patient fasts; walking and other exercises should be diligently practised; he should gargle honey wine in which mint and ripe figs have been boiled; at the bath the head should often be freely fomented with hot water, acrid food avoided, milk and sweet wine should be taken, with more drink than food. Medicaments administered internally should be bland lest they stimulate the acridity of the rheum; other medicaments too are put upon the lice themselves in order to kill them and prevent any more from being born. For this purpose soda-scum 0.33 gram, sandarach 0.33 gram and black bryony berries 4 grams are pounded up together, with equal proportions of old oil and vinegar, until of the consistency of honey. The preceding diseases of the eyes are treated with bland applications. Next come other classes which require a different treatment, and they usually originate from inflammation, but also persist after the inflammation has subsided. And first in some cases there is a thin discharge of rheum which persists; in these the bowel is to be clystered, and the amount of food somewhat reduced. And it is not inappropriate to smear the forehead with the composition of Andrias; this consists of gum 4 grams, cerussa and antimony sulphide 8 grams each, litharge heated and washed 16 grams. But the litharge must be boiled in rain-water, and the dry ingredients pounded up in myrtle juice. When the forehead has been smeared with this, a poultice is put on of flour mad eio a paste with cold water, to which is added acacia juice or cypress oil. It is also useful to apply a cup to the top of the head after making an incision, or blood may be let from the temples. The following ointment should be used: copper scales and poppy-tears 4 grams each; stag's horn calcined and washed, washed lead, and gum, 16 grams each; frankincense, 48 grams. This slave, because it contains horn, is called dia tu keratos. Whenever I do not name the kind of fluid to be added, I would have water to be understood. For the same purpose there is the salve of Euelpides, which he called memigmenon, containing poppy-tears and white peppercorns 28 grams each; gum 336 grams; roasted copper 6 grams. However, in the course of the treatment, after a subsidence of the disease, the bath and wine are of some service. In all cases of ophthalmia food that makes thin should be avoided, but especially in those who have had for long a discharge of thin humour. But if food which renders the rheum thicker comes to be disliked, which very readily happens with this kind of diet, recourse should be had to those foods which, in bracing up the bowels, do the same to the body in general. Again, ulcerations which do not heal after inflammation has ended, tend to become fungous or foul or excavated, or at any rate chronic. Such as are fungous are best repressed by the salve called menigmenon; those which are foul are cleaned both by the same and by that called zmilion. This contains: verdigris 16 grams; gum the same; ammoniacum and Sinopic minium 64 grams; some pound up these with water, others with vinegar, in order to make it more active. The salve of Euelpides also which he called pyrron is of use for this: saffron 4 grams; poppy-tears and gum 8 grams; roasted and washed copper and myrrh 16 grams each; white pepper 24 grams. But the eyes are first smeared with a mild ointment, then with the above. That salve of his which he named sphaerion has the same effect: washed haematite stone 4.66 grams; 6 peppercorns; washed zinc oxide, myrrh and poppy-tears 8 grams; saffron 16 grams; gum 32 grams; these are pounded up in Aminean wine. For the same purpose he prepared a liquid salve, containing verdigris 0.66 gram; roasted antimony sulphide, shoemakers-blacking, and cinnamon 4 grams each; saffron, nard and poppy-tears 4.66 grams each; myrrh 8 grams; roast copper 12 grams; ash of aromatic herbs 16 grams; 15 peppercorns. These are pounded up in dry wine, then boiled in 750 cc. of raisin wine until of uniform consistency. This is rendered more efficacious by age. Excavated ulcerations, too, are most readily replenished with flesh by the compositions mentioned above, sphaerion, and that called Philalethus. Sphaerion is the best remedy for old-standing ulcerations, and those that are difficult to heal. There is also a salve, which whilst efficacious in many ways seems to be specially so in the case of ulcerations. It is said to have been invented by Hermon. It contains: long pepper 4.66 grams; white pepper 0.33 gram; cinnamon and costmary 4 grams each; shoemaker's blacking, nard, casia and castoreum 8 grams each; gall 20 grams; myrrh, saffron, frankincense, lycium and cerussa, 32 grams each; poppy-tears 48 grams; lign-aloes, roasted copper and oxide of zinc 64 grams each; acacia, antimony sulphide and gum 100 grams each. Scars resulting from ulcerations are liable to two defects, they are either depressed or thick. If depressed, new flesh may be grown by applying that salve called sphaerion, or that named Asclepios, which contains: poppy-tears 8 grams; sagapenum and all-heal 12 grams each; verdigris 16 grams; gum 32 grams; pepper 48 grams; washed oxide of zinc and cerussa 64 grams each. But thick scars are thinned either by the smilion, or by the salve of Canopus which contains: cinnamon and acacia 4 grams each; washed oxide of zinc, saffron, myrrh, poppy-tears and gum 8 grams each; white pepper and frankincense 12 grams each; roasted copper 32 grams. Or the pyxinum of Euelpides, which consists of: rock-salt 16 grams; ammoniacum used for incense, 32 grams; poppy-tears 48 grams; cerussa 60 grams; white pepper and Sicilian saffron 128 grams each; gum 52 grams; washed zinc oxide 36 grams. However, the best for elevating a scar seems to be: gum 0.66 gram; verdigris 4 grams; dregs of saffron 16 grams. There is also a class of inflammation in which, if the eyes swell and become tense with pain, it is necessary to let blood from the forehead, and to foment the head and eyes frequently with hot water; also to gargle, using a decoction of lentils, or the cream of figs; to apply as an ointment acrid medicaments, such as have been noted above, especially that named sphaerion, and that containing haematite stone. There are also other salves of use for softening trachoma of which I am just going to speak. Now this condition generally follows inflammation of the eyes; sometimes it is more serious, sometimes less so. Often too, as the result of trachoma, inflammation is set up, which in its turn increases the trachoma, and sometimes lasts a short time, sometimes long, and then it is scarcely ever terminated. In this class of affection, some scrape the thick and indurated eyelids with a fig-leaf and a rasp and sometimes with a scalpel, and every day rub medicaments into the under surface of the eyelid; such things should only be done when there is marked and inveterate hardness, and not often; for the same result is better attained by dieting and proper medicaments. Therefore we shall make use of exercise and frequent baths, and foment the eye-lids freely with hot water, and the food we give will be acrid and attenuating, and the medicine the salve called caesarianum. This contains: shoemaker's blacking 1.33 grams; antimony sulphide 1.66 grams; white pepper 1.33 grams; poppy-tears and gum 8 grams each; washed oxide of zinc 16 grams; antimony sulphide 24 grams. And this preparation will do for all kinds of eye-inflammations, except such as are relieved by bland remedies. That called after Hierax is also efficacious for trachoma. It contains: myrrh 4 grams; ammoniacum used for incense 8 grams; copper filings 16 grams. For the same purpose there are also those called respectively Canopite, smilion, pyxinum, and sphaerion. But when none of these made up medicaments is at hand, then goat's bile or honey of the best is suitable enough for the treatment of trachoma. There is a kind of dry inflammation of the eyes called by the Greeks xerophthalmia. The eyes neither swell nor run, but are none the less red and heavy and painful, and at night the lids get stuck together by very troublesome rheum; the less violent the onset of this kind of trouble is, the less readily it is terminated. In this lesion there is need for much walking, much exercise, frequent bathing, sitting in the bath and sweating, and much rubbing. The food should not be too flesh-making, neither is acrid food suitable, but a mean between the two. In the morning, when it is plain that all food has been digested, it is not inappropriate to gargle with mustard, then next to rub the head and face for a considerable time. Again, a most suitable salve is that called rhinion. It contains: myrrh 0.66 gram; poppy-tears, acacia juice, pepper and gum 4 grams each; haematite stone, Phrygian and Lycian stone, and split stone, 8 grams each; roasted copper 16 grams. The salve pyxinum is also fitting for this same purpose. When the eyes are scabrous, which mostly occurs at their angles, the rhinion slave noted above may do good; that one may also serve which contains: copper filings, long pepper and poppy-tears 8 grams each; white pepper and gum 16 grams each; washed oxide of zinc and cerussa 64 grams each. Nothing, however, is better than that named by Euelpides basilicon. It contains: poppy-tears cerussa and Assos stone, 8 grams each; gum 12 grams; white pepper 16 grams; saffron 24 grams; psoricum 42 grams. Now there is no drug called psoricum, but some copper ore and a little more than half as much oxide of zinc are pounded up together in vinegar, and this is placed in an earthenware jar and covered over with fig-leaves and is buried underground; after twenty days it is taken up, and again pounded, when it is given this name. It is generally agreed that the salve basilicum is suitable for all affections of the eyes which are not treated by bland medicaments. But when such compositions are not at hand, honey and wine relieve the scabrous angles of the eyes; in this and in dry ophthalmia relief is afforded by soaking bread in wine, and applying it over the eyes. For since there is generally some humour which is irritating either the eyeball itself, or the eyelids, by this application any humour on the surface is drawn out and any near at hand driven back. Again the eyes tend at times to become dim from ophthalmia, but also apart from that, on account of old age, or other weakness. If the disorder is owing to the remnants of an ophthalmia, the salve called Asclepios is of service and that which is composed of saffron dregs. Also there is a special preparation for this purpose called dia crocu. It contains pepper 4 grams; Cilician saffron, poppy-tears and cerussa 8 grams each; psoricum and gum 16 grams each. But if the eyes are dim from old age or other weakness, it is good to anoint with best honey, cyprus oil, and old olive oil. The most suitable unguent, however, is made of balsam one part, and old olive or cyprus oil two parts, and three parts of the sharpest honey. Here too those applications are suitable which were noted just above for dim vision and previously for thinning scars. If anyone finds his eyes becoming dim he must walk and exercise a great deal; also bathe frequently, and in the bath he is to be rubbed all over, especially, however, on his head, with iris unguent, until he sweats; and he should then be wrapped up, and not uncover, until after reaching home the sweating and heat have passed off. Then he should take acrid foods which will make him thin and some days afterwards gargle with mustard. Cataract also, which the Greeks call hypochysis, sometimes interferes with the vision of the eye. When it has become long established it is to be treated surgically. In its earliest stages it may be dispersed occasionally by certain measures: it is useful to let blood from the forehead or nostrils, to cauterize the temporal blood vessels, to bring out phlegm by gargling, to inhale smoke, to anoint the eyes with acrid medicaments. That regimen is best which makes phlegm thin. Again, even the relaxation of the eyes which the Greeks call paralysis is not to be treated by any different regimen or by any different medicaments. It is sufficient to explain just the kind of lesion it is. It happens then sometimes in the case of one eye, sometimes of both, from some blow, or from epilepsy, or from a spasm, by which the eyeball itself is violently shaken, that it cannot be directed at any object, or be held at all steady, but with no reason it turns now this way, now that, and so does not even afford a view of objects. The malady the Greeks call mydriasis is not very different from the above. The pupil spreads out and is dilated, and its vision becomes dimmed and almost lost. This kind of weakness is most difficult to relieve. Both of these paralysis and mydriasis are to be countered by all the same prescriptions as mistiness of the eyes, but with a few alterations such as the addition sometimes of vinegar, sometimes of soda, to the iris unguent for the head; while honey is sufficient for the eye inunctions. In the case of mydriasis, some patients have been relieved by the use of hot water, some without any obvious cause have suddenly become blind. Some of these after seeing nothing for some time have suddenly regained vision following a profuse stool. Hence it seems not inappropriate, whether in a recent case or in one of some standing, by the use of medicaments to force stools in order to drive downwards all noxious matter. There is besides a weakness of the eyes, owing to which people see well enough indeed in the daytime but not at all at night; in women whose menstruation is regular this does not happen. But success sufferers should anoint their eyeballs with the stuff dripping from a liver whilst roasting, preferably of a he-goat, or failing that of a she-goat; and as well they should eat some of the liver itself. But, we may also use with advantage the same remedies which dry up scars and trachoma. Some add honey to pounded purslane seed until the mixture no longer drops from the end of a probe, and with it anoint the eyeballs. The same exercises, baths, rubbings, and gargles are also to be used for these patients. All the foregoing disorders arise within the body; but a blow from without at times so inures the eye that it is suffused with blood. Nothing is then better than to anoint the eyeball with the blood of a pigeon, dove, or swallow. There is some reason for this, because the vision of these birds, when indicate from without, returns after an interval to its original state, most speedily in the case of the swallow. This also has given rise to the fable that the old birds restore the vision by a herb, when it really returns spontaneously. Hence the blood of these birds most properly protects our eyes too after an external injury, and in the following order: swallows' blood is best, next that of the pigeon, and the dove's is the least efficacious, both as regards the birds themselves and us. In order to relieve inflammation, it is not unfitting to apply a poultice over the injured eye. The best salt from Ammon, or some other salt, is pounded, and oil gradually added until it is of the consistency of strigil scrapings. Then this is mixed with barley-meal which has been boiled in honey wine. But it is easy, after looking through all that medical practitioners have written, for anyone to see that there is scarcely any one of the eye disorders among those included above which it may not be possible to clear up by simple and readily procured remedies. |
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Hactenus in oculis ea * * reperiuntur , in quibus medicamenta plurimum possint : ideoque ad aures transeundum est , quarum usum proximum a luminibus natura nobis dedit . Sed in his aliquanto maius periculum est : nam uitia oculorum intra ipsos nocent , aurium inflammationes doloresque interdum etiam ad dementiam mortemque praecipitant . Quo magis inter initia protinus succurrendum est , ne maiori periculo locus sit . —Ergo ubi primum dolorem aliquis sensit , abstinere et continere se debet ; postero die , si uehementius malum est , caput tondere , idque irino unguento calido perunguere et operire . At magnus cum febre uigilia que dolor exigit , ut sanguis quoque mittatur ; si id aliquae causae prohibent , aluus soluenda est . Cataplasmata quoque calida subinde mutata proficiunt , siue feni Graeci siue lini siue alia farina ex mulso decocta e t recte etiam subinde admouentur spongiae ex aqua calida expressae . Tum leuato dolore ceratum circumdari debet ex irino aut cyprino factum : in quibusdam tamen melius quod ex rosa est proficit . Si uehemens inflammatio somnum ex toto prohibet , adici cataplasmati debent papaueris cortices fricti atque contriti , sic ut ex his pars dimidia sit , eaque tum simul ex passo mixto decoquatur . In aurem uero infundere aliquod medicamentum oportet , quod semper ante tepefieri conuenit , commodissimeque per striglem instillatur . Vbi auris repleta est , super lana mollis addenda est , quae umorem intus contineat . Et haec quidem communia sunt medicamenta : uerum est et rosa et radicum harundinis sucus , et oleum , in quo lumbrici cocti sunt , et umor ex amaris nucibus aut ex nucleo mali Persici expressus . Conposita uero ad inflammationem doloremque leniendum haec fere sunt : castorei , papaueris lacrimae pares portiones conteruntur ; deinde adicitur his passum . Vel papaueris lacrimae , croci , murrae par modus sic teritur , ut inuicem modo rosa modo passum instilletur . Vel id , quod amarum in Aegyptia faba est , conteritur rosa adiecta ; quibus murrae quoque paulum a quibusdam miscetur uel papaueris lacrimae aut tus cum muliebri lacte uel amararum nucum cum rosa sucus . Vel castorei , murrae , papaueris lacrimae pares portiones cum passo . Vel croci P . #1108 #1109 #1110; murrae , aluminis scissilis , singulorum P . #1108 #1109; quibus dum teruntur paulatim miscentur passi cyathi tres , mellis minus cyatho , idque ex primis medicamentis est . Vel papaueris lacrima ex aceto . Licet etiam compositione uti Themisonis , quae habet castorei , opopanacis , papaueris lacrimae , singulorum P . #1108 II ; spumae Lyci P . #1108 IIII . Quae contrita passo excipiuntur , donec cerati crassitudinem habeant , atque ita reponuntur . Vbi usus requiritur , rursus id medicamentum adiecto passo specillo teritur . Illud perpetuum est , quotienscumque crassius medicamentum est quam ut in aurem instillari possit , adiciendum eum esse umorem , ex quo id componi debet , donec satis liquidum sit . Si uero pus quoque aures habent , recte Lycium per se infunditur , aut irinum unguentum aut porri sucus cum melle aut centauri sucus cum passo aut dulcis mali Punici sucus in ipsius cortice tepefactus , adiecta murrae exigua parte . Recte etiam miscentur murrae , quam stacten cognominant , P . #1108 I ; croci tantundem ; nuces amarae XXV ; mellis sex cyath i ; quae contrita , cum utendum est , in cortice mali Punici tepefiunt . Ea quoque medicamenta , quae oris exulcerati causa componuntur , aeque ulcera aurium sanant . Quae si uetustiora sunt et multa sanies fluit , apta compositio est , quae ad auctorem Erasistratum refertur : piperis P . #1108 #1109; croci P . #1108 #1109; murrae , misy cocti , singulorum P . #1108 I ; aeris combusti P . #1108 II . Haec ex uino teruntur : deinde ubi inaruerunt , adiciuntur passi heminae tres et simul incocuntur . Cum utendum est , adicitur his mel et uinum . Est etiam Ptolemaei chirurgi medicamentum , quod habet : lentisci P . #1108 #1109; gallae P . #1108 #1109; omphaci P . #1108 I ; sucum Punici mali . Est Menophili ualidum admodum , quod ex his constat : piperis longi P . #1108 I ; castorei P . #1108 II ; murrae , croci , papaueris lacrimae , nardi Suriaci , turis , malicori , ex Aegyptia faba partis interioris , nucum amararum , mellis quam optumi , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; quibus cum teruntur adicitur acetum quam acerrimum , donec crassitudo in his passi fiat . Est Cratonis : cinnamomi , casiae , singulorum P . #1108 #1109; Lyci , nardi , murrae , singulorum P . #1108 I ; aloes P . #1108 II ; mellis cyathi tres ; uini sextarius ; ex quibus Lycium cum uino decoquitur , deinde his alia miscentur . At si multum puris malusque odor est , aeruginis rasae , turis , singulorum P . #1108 II ; mellis cyathi duo ; aceti quattuor simul incocuntur . Vbi utendum est , dulce uinum miscetur . Aut aluminis scissilis , papaueris lacrimae , acaciae suci par pondus miscetur , hisque adicitur hyoscyami suci dimidio minor quam unius ex superioribus portio , eaque trita ex uino diluuntur . Per se quoque hyoscyami sucus satis proficit . Commune uero auxilium aduersus omnes aurium casus iamque usu conprobatum Asclepiades conposuit . In eo sunt cinnamomi , casiae , singulorum P . #1108 I ; floris iunci rotundi , castorei , albi piperis , longi , amomi , myrobalani , singulorum P . #1108 II ; turis masculi , nardi Syriaci , murrae pinguis , croci , spumae nitri , singulorum P . #1108 III . Quae separatim contrita , rursus mixta ex aceto conteruntur , atque ita condita , ubi utendum est , aceto diluuntur . Eodem modo commune auxilium auribus laborantibus est Poly idi sphragis ex dulci uino liquata , quae conpositio priore libro continetur . Quod si et sanies profluit et tumor est , non alienum est mixto uino per oricularium clysterem eluere , et tum infundere uinum austerum cum rosa mixtum , cui spodi paulum sit adiectum , aut Lucium cum lacte aut herbae sanguinalis sucum cum rosa aut mali Punici sucum cum exigua murrae parte . Si sordida quoque ulcera sunt , melius mulso eluuntur , et tum aliquid ex is , quae supra scripta sunt , quod mel habeat , infunditur . Si magis pus profluit , et caput utique tondendum est et multa calida aqua perfundendum , et gargarizandum , et usque ad lassitudinem ambulandum , et cibo modico utendum est . Si cruor quoque ex ulceribus apparuit , Lycium cum lacte debet infundi , uel aqua , in qua rosa decocta sit , suco aut herbae sanguinalis aut acaciae adiecto . Quod si super ulcera caro increuit , eaque mali odoris saniem fundit , aqua tepida elui debet , tum infundi id , quod ex ture et aerugine et aceto et melle fit , aut mel cum aerugine incoctum . Squama quoque aeris cum sandaraca contrita per fistulam recte instillatur . Vbi uero uermes orti sunt , si iuxta sunt , protrahendi oriculario specillo sunt ; si longius , medicamentis enecandi , cauendumque ne postea nascantur . Ad utrumque proficit album ueratrum cum aceto contritum . Elui quoque aurem oportet uino , in quo marrubium decoctum sit . Emortu i sub his uermes in primam partem auris prouocabuntur , unde educi facillime possunt . Sin foramen auris conpressum est , et intus crassa sanies subest , mel quam optimum addendum est . Si id parum proficit , mellis cyatho et dimidio aeruginis rasae P . #1108 II adiciendum est incoquendumque , et eo utendum . Iris quoque cum melle idem proficit . Item galbani P . #1108 II , murrae et fellis taurini , singulorum P . #1108 #1109 #1109, uini quantum satis est ad murram diluendam . Vbi uero grauius aliquis audire coepit , quod maxime post longos capitis dolores euenire consueuit , in primis aurem ipsam considerare oportet : apparebit enim aut crusta , qualis super ulcera innascitur , aut sordium coitus . Si crusta est , infundendum est oleum calidum , aut cum melle aerugo uel porri sucus , aut cum mulso nitri paulum . Atque ubi crusta a corpore iam recedit , eluenda auris aqua tepida est , quo facilius ea per se diducta oriculario specillo protrahatur . Si sordes haeque molles sunt , eodem specillo eximendae sunt : at si durae sunt , acetum et cum eo nitri paulum coiciendum est ; cumque emollitae sunt , eodem modo elui aurem purgarique oportet . Quod si capitis grauitas manet , attondendum ; idem leniter * sed diu perfricandum est , adiecto uel irino uel laureo oleo , sic ut utrilibet paulum aceti misceatur ; tum diu ambulandum , leniterque post unctionem aqua calida caput fouendum . Cibisque utendum ex inbecillissima et media materia , magisque adsumendae dilutae potiones ; nonnumquam gargarizandum est . Infundendum autem in aurem castoreum cum aceto et laureo oleo et suco radic ulae corticis , aut cucumeris agrestis sucus additis contritis rosae foliis . Inmaturae quoque uuae sucus cum rosa instillatus aduersus surditatem satis proficit . Aliud uiti genus est , ubi aures intra se ipsas sonant ; atque hoc quoque fit , ne externum sonum accipiant . Leuissimum est , ubi id ex grauidine est ; peius , ubi ex morbis capitisue longis doloribus incidit ; pessimum , ubi magnis morbis uenientibus maximeque comitiali praeuenit . Si ex grauidine est , purgare aurem oportet et spiritum continere , donec inde umor aliquis ex spumet . Si ex morbo uel capitis dolore , quod ad exercitationem , frictionem , perfusionem gargarizationemque pertinet , eadem facienda sunt . Cibis non utendum nisi extenuantibus . In aurem dandus radiculae sucus cum rosa uel cum suco radicis ex cucumere agresti ; uel castoreum cum aceto et laureo oleo ; ueratrum quoque ad id ex aceto conteritur , deinde melle cocto excipitur , et inde collyrium factum in aurem demittitur . Si sine his coepit ideoque nouo metu terret , in aurem dare i debet castoreum cum aceto uel irino aut laureo oleo ; aut huic mixtum castoreum cum suco nucum amararum ; aut murra et nitrum cum rosa et aceto . Plus tamen in hoc quoque proficit uictus ratio , eademque facienda sunt , quae supra conprehendi , cum maiore quoque diligentia ; et praeterea , donec is sonus finiatur , a uino abstinendum . Quod si simul et sonus est et inflammatio , laureum oleum coniecisse abunde est , aut id , quod ex amaris nucibus exprimitur , quibus quidam uel castoreum uel murram miscent . Solet etiam interdum in aurem aliquid incidere , ut calculus aliquodue animal . Si pulex intus est , conpellendum eo lanae paulum est , quo ipse is subit et simul extrahitur . Si non est secutus aliudue animal est , specillum lana inuolutum in resina quam glutinosissim a maximeque terebenthina demittendum , idque in aurem coiciendum ibique uertendum est : utique enim conprehendit . Sin aliquid exanime est , specillo oriculario protrahendum est aut hamulo retuso paulum recuruato . Si ista nihil proficiunt , potest eodem modo resina protrahi . Sternumenta quoque admota id commode elidunt , aut oriculario clystere aqua uehementer intus conpulsa . Tabula quoque conlocatur , media inhaerens , capitibus utr imque pendentibus ; superque eam homo deligatur in id latus uersus , cuius auris eo modo laborat , sic ut extra tabulam emineat . Tum malleo caput tabulae , quod a pedibus est , feritur ; atque ita concussa aure id quod inest excidit .
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7 So much, then, for those classes of eye disease, for which medicaments are most successful; and now we pass to the ears, the use of which comes next to eye- sight as Nature's gift to us. But in the case of the ears still a somewhat greater danger; for whereas lesions of the eyes keep the mischief to themselves, inflammations and pains in the ears sometimes even serve to drive the patient to madness and death. The makes it more desirable to apply treatment at the very beginning, that there may be no opening for the greater discovering. As soon, therefore, as the pain is first felt, the patient should fast and keep quiet; the next day, if the pain is still severe, the head should be shaved, and after it has been anointed with hot iris unguent, covered up. But great pain with fever and sleeplessness require also that blood should be let; if anything prevents this, the bowels are to be moved. Hot poultices also, frequently changed, are of service, whether composed of fenugreek or linseed or other meal boiled in honey wine, and sponges also wrung out of hot water, applied at intervals, are appropriate. Then, when the pain is relieved, iris or cyprus unguent should be spread around the ears; in some cases, however, the rose unguent is more advantageous. If severe inflammation entirely prevents sleep, there should be added to the poultice half its quantity of toasted and pounded poppy-head rind, and this should be boiled down with the rest in diluted raisin wine. It is desirable also to pour some medicament into the ear, and this should always be made lukewarm beforehand; and is best dropped in from a strigil. When the ear is full, soft wool is applied over it to keep in the fluid. And these are the medicaments generally used for this purpose: but also there is rose oil and arundo-root juice and oil in which worms have been boiled, juice expressed from bitter almonds or from peach-kernels. But the compositions for relieving inflammation and pain generally employed are: castoreum and poppy-tears in equal amounts, pounded together; then to these there is added raisin wine. Or poppy-tears, saffron and myrrh in equal quantities pounded, while rose oil and raisin wine are dropped in by turns. Or the bitter part of the Egyptian bean pounded up with rose oil added; with these some mix a little myrrh or poppy-tears, or frankincense in woman's milk, or the juice of bitter almonds with rose oil. Or castoreum, myrrh and poppy-tears, equal parts, with raisin wine. Or saffron 1 gram; myrrh and shredded alum 0.66 gram of each; ;whilst this is being pounded there is slowly added to it 125 cc. of raisin wine, of honey rather less than 40 cc., and this is one of the best remedies. Or poppy-tears in vinegar. Themison's compound may also be used; it contains: castoreum, opopanax and poppy-tears 8 grams each, buckthorn scum 16 grams. These are pounded and made up in raisin wine, until they have the consistency of a wax salve and are so preserved. When required for use, this composition is again stirred with a probe whilst adding raisin wine. The rule is general, that when a composition has become too thick to be dropped into the ear, some of the fluid with which it was made up is added until it become sufficiently liquid. If again the ears have pus in them as well, it is proper to pour in boxthorn juice by itself, or iris unguent or leek juice or the juice of a sweet pomegranate warmed in its rind, to which a little myrrh is added. It is useful to mix together myrrh of the sort called stacte 4 grams; the same amount of saffron; 25 bitter almonds; of honey 250 cc.; these are pounded together, and when they are to be used, are warmed in a pomegranate rind. The medicaments which are compounded for ulcerations of the mouth are equally healing for ulcerations of the ear. If the disease is of longer standing, and much matter is discharged, the composition said to have been invented by Erasistratus is suitable: pepper 0.66 gram; saffron 0.66 gram; myrrh and cooked antimony sulphide 4 grams each; roasted copper 8 grams. These are pounded up in wine, and when the mixture has become dry, 750 cc. of raisin wine are added, and are boiled up with it. When it is to be used, wine and honey are added to these ingredients. There is also the medicament of the surgeon Ptolemaeus, which contains: mastich 0.66 gram, oak galls 0.66 gram, omphacium 4 grams; and pomegranate juice. There is the very active remedy of Menophilus, which consists of: long pepper 4 grams; castoreum 8 grams; myrrh, saffron, poppy-tears, Syrian nard, frankincense, pomegranate rind, the embryo of an Egyptian bean, bitter almonds, and the best honey 16 grams each. These are pounded together with the addition of very sour vinegar until of the consistency of raisin wine. The prescription of Craton is the following: cinnamon and casia 0.66 grams, boxthorn juice, nard and myrrh 4 grams each, lign-aloes 8 grams, honey 125 cc., wine half a litre. The lycium is first boiled in the wine, and the rest added. But when there is much pus, and the odour bad, verdigris scrapings and frankincense 8 grams each, honey 85 cc.; vinegar 170 cc. are boiled together. For use, it is mixed with sweet wine. Or equal weights of shredded alum, poppy-tears and acacia juice are mixed together, and to these is added of hyoscyamus juice less than half the quantity of each one of the above; and these are pounded together and diluted with wine. Also hyoscyamus juice is sufficiently beneficial by itself. A general remedy for all ear cases, and one approved by experience, was composed by Asclepiades. This contains: cinnamon and casia 4 grams each; flowers of round cyperus, castoreum, white pepper, long pepper, cardamomum and bennut, 8 grams each; male frankincense, Syrian nard, fatty myrrh, saffron, soda-scum, 12 grams each. These are pounded separately, then mixed with vinegar and again pounded, and so preserved; when for use they are diluted with vinegar. In the same way a general remedy for all ear disorders is the tablet of Polyidus, dissolved in sweet wine, the prescription for which is given in the last book. But if there is both a discharge of matter and a swelling, it is not unfitting to ash out the ear with diluted wine through an ear syringe, and then pour in dry wine mixed with rose oil, to which a little oxide of zinc has been added, or boxthorn juice with milk, or polygonum juice with rose oil, or pomegranate juice with a very little myrrh. If there is also foul ulceration, it is better to wash out with honey wine, and then pour in some one of the compositions described above which contain honey. If there is a great discharge of pus the head is to be shaved, and hot water poured freely over it, also the patient should gargle with the same, walk until tired, and take food sparingly. If there is bleeding from the ulcerations, boxthorn juice should be poured in mixed with milk, or with water in which rose leaves have been boiled, with polygonum juice or that of acacia added. If flesh has formed over the ulcerations and there is a malodorous discharge, the ear should be washed out with tepid water, then that composition poured in which contains frankincense, verdigris, vinegar and honey; or honey boiled with verdigris. Copper scales also pounded up with sandarach may be instilled through a tube with advantage. When maggots have appeared, if they are near the surface, they must be extracted by an ear scoop; if further in they must be killed by medicaments, and afterwards care taken that they do not breed. White veratrum pounded up in vinegar serves for both these purposes. The ear should also be washed out with a decoction of horehound in wine. By this procedure dead maggots will be driven forwards into the outer part of the ear, whence they can be readily withdrawn. But if the ear-passage has been narrowed and thick matter collects within, honey of the best ought to be introduced. If this does not help, there must be added to 65 cc. of honey 8 grams of verdigris scrapings; they must be boiled together and so used. Iris root with honey has the same efficacy. So also has galbanum 8 grams, myrrh and ox bile 1.33 grams each, and of wine a sufficient quantity to dissolve the myrrh. When a man is becoming dull of hearing, which happens most often after prolonged headaches, in the first place, the ear itself should be inspected: for there will be found either a crust such as comes upon the surface of ulcerations, or concretions of wax. If a crust, hot oil is poured in, or verdigris mixed with honey or leek juice or a little soda in honey wine. And when the crust has been separated from the ulceration, the ear is irrigated with tepid water, to make it easier for the crusts now disengaged to be withdrawn by the ear scoop. If it be wax, and if it be soft, it can be extracted in the same way by the ear scoop; but if hard, vinegar containing a little soda is introduced; and when the wax has softened, the ear is washed out and cleared as above. When the heaviness of the head persists it should be shaved; the head rubbed over gently and for some time with castoreum to which either iris or laurel oil has been added with either of which a little vinegar has been mixed; then the patient must take a long walk, and after the rubbing his head is to be fomented with hot water. And the food should be of the lightest and of the middle class, and the drinks especially diluted; he should occasionally gargle. Further, the ear should be syringed with castoreum mixed with vinegar and laurel oil and the juice of young radish rind, or with cucumber juice, mixed with crushed rose leaves. The dropping in of the juice of unripe grapes mixed with rose oil is also fairly efficacious against deafness. Another class of lesion is that in which the ears produce a ringing noise within themselves: and this also prevents them from perceiving sounds from without. This is least serious when due to cold in the head; worse when occasioned by diseases or prolonged pains of the head; worst of all when it precedes the onset of serious maladies, and especially epilepsy. If it is due to a cold, the ear should be cleaned and the breath held until some humour froths out from it. If it arises from disease and pain in the head, the prescriptions as to exercise, rubbing, affusion and gargling should be carried out. Only foods that make thin are to be used. Into the ear radish juice should be dropped with oil of roses or with the juice of wild cucumber root; or castoreum with vinegar and laurel oil. Also veratrum is pounded up for this purpose in vinegar, then mixed with boiled honey, and a slave made of it and introduced into the ear. If the noise begins without these reasons and so causes dread of some new danger, there should be inserted into the ear castoreum in vinegar or with either iris oil or laurel oil; or castoreum is mixed with this together with the juice of bitter almonds; or myrrh and soda with rose oil and vinegar But in this case also, there is more benefit from regulation of the diet, and the same is to be done as was prescribed above, with even greater care. And, besides, until the noise has ceased the patient must abstain from wine. But if there is at the same time both ringing and inflammation, laurel oil should be freely inserted, or the oil expressed from bitter almonds with which some mix myrrh or castoreum. It happens also occasionally that something slips into the ear, such as a small stone, or some living thing. If a flea has got in, a little wool is introduced in which it becomes engaged and so is extracted. If it does not come out, or if it is some other creature, a probe is wrapped round with a little wool, soaked in very sticky resin, especially turpentine resin, which after being passed in the ear is there twisted round; for that will certainly catch it. If it is some inanimate object, it is to be withdrawn by an ear scoop or by a small blunt hook slightly bent. If these are ineffectual it is possible to extract it by means of resin as above. Also if a sneezing fit is induced, this easily moves it away or a forcible injection of water through an ear syringe. Again, a plank may be arranged, having its middle supported and the ends unsupported. Upon this the patient is tied down, with the affected ear downwards, so that the ear projects beyond the end of the plank. Then the end of the plank at the patient's feet is struck with a mallet, and the ear being so jarred what is within drops out. |