The strained ley, of which mention is made by Paulus, was probably the same as the calx colata of Cælius Aurelianus. (Tard. Pass, v, 1.) It appears to have been an impure preparation of potass with the addition of some lime. It is the same, we suppose, as the πρωτόστακτον mentioned in the [Third Book] of this work. The calx colata would seem to have been identical with the Vienna paste now used in the treatment of varix. A composition for burning the eyelids, mentioned by Jesu Hali, contains lime, prepared beans, nitre, and sal ammoniac, formed into a paste with the water of soap and pure myrrh. Jesu, however, does not much approve of this method of treatment.
SECT. X.—ON LAGOPHTHALMOS OR HARE-EYE.
Those persons are said to have hare-eyes who have the eyelids drawn upwards. This complaint arises either naturally or from the cicatrix of a wound, and this may have occurred spontaneously, or from the operations of the suture or burning (as just mentioned) having been improperly performed; in which case even a moderate relief can only be accomplished when the eyelid is sufficiently thick. For we must divide the cicatrix, and having separated the lips with a tent, use bandages until the cure is completed, avoiding such things as are very desiccative, and having recourse to those which are fatty and relaxing, such as the juice of fenugreek poured on the part, and the ointment prepared with four ingredients called basilicon, applied on a tent.
Commentary. See Celsus (vii, 7); Aëtius (vii, 71); Albucasis (Chirurg. ii, 13); Avicenna (iii, 3, 3, 12); Haly Abbas (Pract. ix, 20); Rhases (Cont. ii, 4.)
Celsus directs us to make a lunated incision below the eyebrows, the horns of the incision being turned downwards, and care being taken not to wound the muscles. A tent or pledget of lint is to be put into this incision to prevent the edges of it from uniting. This simple operation is described in nearly the same terms by Aëtius, Albucasis, Avicenna, Haly Abbas, and Rhases.
Fabricius ab Aquapendente informs us that the operation had fallen into disuse in his time. It is now sometimes practised. See Scultet, (Arsen. de Chirurg. Tab. xxxiv, 8.)
SECT. XI.—ON THE SUTURE OF THE UNDER EYELID, AND THE BURNING OF IT BY MEDICINES.
The under eyelid is subject to the same complaints from the ciliary hairs as the upper; for, when larger than natural, it is everted; and it is subject likewise to phalangosis and distichiasis. We must, therefore, perform the operation of the suture in the same manner as for the upper eyelid, but in an inverted order, beginning with the lunated incision on account of the obstruction occasioned by the blood, and then making the veruted. But the under-incision is to be omitted altogether, because the lower eyelid, by its natural weight, is readily everted. The rest of the treatment to be completed as in the suture of the upper eyelid, except that the extremities of the ligatures are not to be glued to the forehead. If in this case the patient is averse to an operation, and prefers burning by medicines, you have already got a description of this process.
Commentary. This section requires no commentary.