1. 1 I have spoken of those lesions which affect the whole body and require the aid of medicaments; now I come to those which customarily occur only in particular parts, beginning with the head. In the head, then, when the hair falls out, the principal remedy is frequent shaving. Ladanum mixed with oil, however, is some help in preserving it. I am now referring to the falling out of hair after illness; for no kind of remedy can be given to stop the head of some people from becoming bald through age.
1. Dixi de is uitiis, quae per totum corpus orientia medicamentorum auxilia desiderant: nunc ad ea ueniam, quae non nisi in SINGVLIS PARTIBVS incidere consuerunt, orsus a capite. In hoc igitur capillis fluentibus maxime quidem saepe radendo succurritur. Adicit autem uim quandam ad continendum ladanum cum oleo mixtum. Nunc de is capillis loquor, qui post morbum fere fluunt: nam quominus caput quibusdam aetate nudetur, succurri nullo modo potest.
2. 2 But the condition is called porrigo, when between the hairs something like small scales rise up and become detached from the scalp: and at times they are moist, much more often dry. Sometimes this happens without ulceration, sometimes there is a localized ulceration, and from this comes sometimes a foul odour, sometimes none. This generally occurs on the scalp, more seldom on the beard, occasionally even on the eyebrow. It does not arise only there is some general bodily lesion, so that it is not entirely without its use; for it does not exude from a thoroughly sound head. When there is present some lesion in the head, it is not disadvantageous for the surface of the scalp to become here and there corrupted, rather than for the harmful material to be diverted thence to another part of more importance. Hence it is more beneficial from time to time to clear the scalp by combing, than to repress the disorder altogether. But if this condition is too troublesome, which may happen when a discharge of humour has set in, and especially if this is malodorous, the head is to be shaved often, after which one of the mild repressants is applied, such as soda in vinegar, or ladanum in myrtle oil and wine, or bennut oil with wine. If there is little benefit from these measures it is permissible to use stronger ones, whilst bearing in mind that, at any rate when the disease is of recent origin, this is not a good thing.
2. Porrigo autem est, ubi inter pilos quaedam quasi squamulae surgunt haeque a cute resoluuntur: et interdum madent, multo saepius siccae sunt. Idque euenit modo sine ulcere, modo exulcerato loco, huic quoque modo malo odore, modo nullo accedente. Fereque id in capillo fit, rarius in barba, aliquando etiam in supercilio. Ac neque sine aliquo uitio corporis nascitur neque ex toto inutile est: nam bene integro capite non exit.—Vbi aliquod in eo uitium est, non incommodum est summam cutem potius subinde corrumpi quam id quod nocet in aliam partem magis necessariam uerti. Commodius est ergo subinde pectendo repurgare quam id ex toto prohibere. Si tamen ea res nimium offendit, quod umore sequente fieri potest, magisque si is etiam mali odoris est, caput saepe radendum est, dein id super adiuuandum aliquis ex leuiter reprimentibus, quale est nitrum cum aceto, uel ladanum cum murteo et uino, uel myrobalanum cum uino. Si parum per haec proficitur, uehementioribus uti licet, cum eo ut sciamus utique in recenti uitio id inutile esse.
3. 3 There is also an ulceration, called sycosis by the Greeks from is resemblance to a fig; a sprouting up of flesh occurs. That is the general description: but there are two subordinate species; in one the ulceration is indurated and circular, in the other moist and irregular in outline. From the hard species there is a somewhat scanty and glutinous discharge; from the moist the discharge is abundant and malodorous. Both occur in those parts which are covered by hair; but the callous and circular ulceration mostly on the beard, the moist form, on the other hand, chiefly on the scalp. In both it is good to apply elaterium, or pounded linseed worked up in water, or a fig boiled in water, or the plaster tetrapharmacum moistened with vinegar; also Eretrian earth dissolved in vinegar is suitable for smearing on.
3. Est etiam ulcus, quod a fici similitudine sycosis a Graecis nominatur: caro excrescit. Et id quidem generale est: sub eo uero duae species sunt: alterum ulcus durum et rotundum est, alterum umidum et inaequale. Ex duro exiguum quiddam et glutinosum exit, ex umido †sumplus et mali odoris. Fit utrumque in is partibus, quae pilis conteguntur: sed id quidem, quod callosum et rotundum est, maxime in barba, id uero, quod umidum, praecipue in capillo.—Super utrumque oportet inponere elaterium aut lini semen contritum et aqua coactum aut ficum in aqua decoctam aut emplastrum tetrapharmacum ex aceto subactum; terra quoque Eretria ex aceto liquata recte inlinitur.
4. 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.
4. 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⟨s⟩t, 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.
5. 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.
5. 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 [mane] 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.⟩
6. 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.
6. 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 [in] finito diu lacrima cum pituita profluit. Peius etiamnum est, ubi pituita ⟨pal⟩lida 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[n] 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⟨e⟩re, 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⟩.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
#1108 II; spodii P. #1108 IIII; plumbi eloti et combusti P. #1108 ⟨V⟩I; cummis tantundem. Attalium quoque ad idem est, maxime ubi multa pituita profluit: castorei P.
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.
#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 ⟨q⟩uid 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.
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.
#1108 VIII; cummis P. #1108 XVIII; acaciae suci P. #1108 XX; stibis tantundem; quibus aqua pluuia[ti]lis adicitur. Praeter haec ex frequentissimis collyriis est id, quod quidam cyc⟨n⟩on, quidam a cinereo colore tephron appellant: amuli, tra⟨c⟩antae, acaciae suci, cummis, singulorum P. #1108 I; papaueris lacrimae P. #1108 II; cerussae elotae P. #1108 IIII; spumae elotae P.
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.
⟨#1108⟩ VIII, quae aeque ex aqua pluuia[ti]li 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;
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.
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.
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.
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 [id est balineo et uino]. 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 ⟨in⟩flammatio 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 pluuia[ti]li, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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⟨u⟩c quoque lenibus opus est, quale Nilei, quale Cleonis est. Id quoque, quod Philalethus uocatur, h⟨u⟩c 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.
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.
#1108 VI; spodi eloti, cerussae elotae, singulorum P. #1108 VIII. Quae aqua pluuia[ti]li 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;
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.
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;
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.
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, [eius] notitiae subtrahendum. Atque acria quoque medicamenta et acres cibi non alio magis nomine his nocent, quam quod lacrimas moue⟨n⟩t.