---
title: "On Medicine · De medicina"
author: "Celsus"
translator: "Walter George Spencer"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 23 of 34
url: https://scriptura.si/works/celsus-on-medicine/23/
cite: "Celsus, tr. Walter George Spencer, On Medicine · De medicina, section 23. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/celsus-on-medicine/23/"
---

# On Medicine · De medicina

*Celsus, tr. Walter George Spencer*

The best Roman account of medicine: diet, drugs and surgery, from the history of the art to the treatment of fractures.

> Latin: ed. Friedrich Marx, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0836.phi002, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Walter George Spencer, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0836.phi002.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (books, chapters and sections), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 23. Book VI · chapters 6–7

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/celsus-on-medicine/23/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/celsus-on-medicine/23/#p-N

[¶0] 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.

> Latin: 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.

[¶1] 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.

> Latin: 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⟨a⟩miniae 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 pluuia[ti]li coquitur, et arida haec medicamenta ex suco murti conteruntur.

[¶2] 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.

> Latin: 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⟨d⟩commodatur 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.

[¶3] 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.

> Latin: 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[a] appellabat, huc utile est: croci P. #1108 I; papaueris lacrimae, cummis, singulorum P. #1108 II; aeris combusti et eloti, murrae, singulorum P. #1108 IIII;

[¶4] 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.

> Latin: piperis albi P. #1108 VI. Sed ante leni, tum hoc inunguendum est. Id quoque eiusdem, quod sp⟨h⟩aerion 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⟨n⟩t haec: aeruginis P.

[¶5] 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.

> Latin: #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.

[¶6] 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.

> Latin: #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.

[¶7] 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.

> Latin: Caua uero ulcera commodissime implent ex is, quae supra posita sunt, sphaerion et id, quod Philalethus uocatur. Idem sp⟨h⟩aerion 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.

[¶8] 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.

> Latin: #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;

[¶9] 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.

> Latin: 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 ⟨s⟩phaerion 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;⟩

[¶10] 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.

> Latin: cadmiae elotae, cerussae, singulorum P. #1108 XVI. At si crassae cicatrices sunt, extenuat uel ⟨z⟩milion 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 ⟨e⟩mitti necessarium est, multaque aqua calida caput atque oculos fouere;

[¶11] 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.

> Latin: 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.

[¶12] 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.

> Latin: 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.

[¶13] 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.

> Latin: #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.

[¶14] 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.

> Latin: 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.

[¶15] 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.

> Latin: #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;

[¶16] 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.

> Latin: 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⟨s⟩ii, 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⟨qu⟩e 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.

[¶17] 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.

> Latin: 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.

[¶18] 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.

> Latin: Proprie etiam ad id componitur, quod dia crocu uocant. Habet piperis P. #1108 I;

[¶19] 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.

> Latin: 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.

[¶20] 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.

> Latin: 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.

[¶21] 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.

> Latin: 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;

[¶22] 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.

> Latin: 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 [id est et paralysi et mydriasi] 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;

[¶23] 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.

> Latin: quo minus alienum uidetur e⟨t⟩ recenti re et interposito tempore medicamentis quoque moliri deiectiones, quae ⟨om⟩nem 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 ⟨in⟩utiliter uti, quae uel cicatrices uel aspritudinem extenuant: quidam contrito semin⟨i⟩ portlacae mel adiciunt, eatenus ne id ex specillo destillet, eoque inungunt.

[¶24] 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.

> Latin: 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⟨err⟩ime 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.

[¶25] 7. 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.

> Latin: 7. 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 ⟨in⟩stilletur. 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[e] 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 ⟨c⟩erati 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.

[¶26] 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.

> Latin: 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, ⟨mi⟩sy 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.

[¶27] 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.

> Latin: 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⟨id⟩i sphragis ex dulci uino liquata, quae conpositio priore libro continetur.