FIrst, because experience is the Mother and chiefe Nurse of all wisedome, and that by it we are led and conducted to the end of perfection, I will in this my small Treatise take her by the hand, and as shee shall with the assistance of truth guide me, so both begin and finish this profitable labour which I hope shall be both to the glory of my God, and the generall profit of my dearest belo­ued Country.

Know then all to whom this (al­most insupportable) infirmitie of Blindnesse is burdenous and heauie, [Page] that it hath two great and eminent enemies, Ignorance and Negligence, and by them it is often made desperate and curelesse, which otherwise would either not be at all, or if hapning, yet rest within the easiest compasse of speedy cure and preuention.

To you Mothers then and Nurses [...]. (for you are the first caretakers of chil­dren) I direct my first admonitions, because from you (when you prooue the least remisse and carelesse) doe pro­ceede the greatest errors, let mee ear­nestly perswade you by all meanes to beware of suffering your children to take colde in any part, especially on their heads by sitting with them long bare-headed, whether by the fire, in the Sunne, or in the open ayre, especi­ally whilst they are in their swadling cloathes, or in the tender time of their Infancie; a fault much too common amongst Nurses, and a negligence so offensiue; that the defect of blindnesse comming therby, the disease is hardly [Page] or neuer to be cured: For the mould of the head not being then closed, the least offence of colde striking the braine, bringeth sodaine and present blindnesse, which defect found, ere the cause be discerned, Ignorance pre­sently giues out, that such children were borne blinde: But I affirme it is nothing so, and for proofe thereof call to witnesse mine experience, which I will shew in a few instances.

First, being in a place where my practise was knowne, there came to mee two women, within very fewe houres the one of the other, and brought to me two very sweet Babes, one nineteene weekes olde, the other one and twenty, both which had very cleare and faire eyes, in all outward semblance, but absolutely so blinde, that no blindnesse could be greater: Then I tolde the Mother of the first childe, that questionlesse in mine opi­nion her childe had taken colde whilst it was in the swadling-cloathes, to [Page] which the Mother made present an­swere, that I had spoken truth, affir­ming that her Nurse (within fiue or sixe dayes after her deliuerance) had sate by the fire with the childe bare­headed so long a time, that shee tooke offence thereat, and making her dresse vp the childe, the very next day after she found that her childe was blinde, which she was most certaine had seene very perfectly before.

Then came the other woman with her childe, and I said to her as to the first, and shee likewise consented with mine opinion, and onely affirmed, that she was assured her childe did see per­fectly a moneth or fiue weekes after it was borne.

Not long after this there came vn­to me (and one M. Surfleet, a very skil­full Occulist) another woman with a childe in the same manner, which child was not aboue foureteene weeks olde, and both our opinions were (as of the former) that colde was the only [Page] cause of the disease, and shee agreed with vs shewing circumstance, to leade her thereto; and onely affirmed that of her certaine knowledge her childe did see perfectly eight or nine dayes after it was borne.

Now it was M. Surfleets absolute opinion, that in these cases there was no cure in Art: but for mine owne part I a little dissent therein, and doe allow all vertuous industry to be ap­plied; because it cannot bring the dis­ease to a worse end then it is already arriued, and may by Gods blessing re­call that strength and vigour to the member offended, which may restore that which was but a little put by, not vtterly forsaken; whereas to cease from all manner of application, were to em­brace a distrust somewhat to neere al­lied to desperation.

When therefore this infirmity shall The [...] happen, and proceede of the causes before-said (which is easie to be known by argument, and the characters be­fore [Page] mentioned (I would haue you thē carefully to rub and chafe the childes head cōtinually with warme cloathes, and to keepe it in a temperate warme­nes. Then take Eyebright (or red Sage if you cannot get Eyebright) Wood-Bettony, or Garden Bettony, Fenel (or Fenell-seed) and of the Fenel or Fenel-seed a double quantity to either of the other two; stamp them & straine them, then infuse them in strong Ale, as to a quart or three pints of Ale, one small handfull of Eyebright or Bettony, and a double quantity of the Fenell: and of this let the Nurse drinke for the space of twenty, or foure and twenty dayes together, and if it be too strong for her, let her alay and temper it with fine Sugar or well clarified honey, and doubtlesse (by Gods permission) if any helpe at all be left in Nature, this will restore it, otherwise the expence of greater charges will be but the losse of your further labour. And herein by the way let me aduise you to remēber [Page] to gather these hearbs (if it be possible) in May or Iune, & hauing dried them in the shadow, preserue them for your vse all the yeare following, thē hauing occasion to vse them, beat them in a Morter to fine pouder, then searse it, & A [...] to one draught of new Ale, infuse of each of these seueral powders as much as you can well take vpon a sixe pence; but of the Fenell a better quantity, all being compounded together. Now if you haue not the hearbs prouided at this especiall season, then know that in case of extremity, you may gather thē at any time, & vse them as was first of all prescribed, at least euery morning and euening if not at other houres.

And herein is an excellent obserua­tion to be obserued, that the vnskilfull practitioners in this Art (who taking these desperate cures in hand) and not looking to y ^e tendernes & delicacie of the eie, wil only apply sharp medicines (causing a tormēt & pain wher no pain is necessary) which is not only cōtrary [Page] to the charitable rules of Art, but vt­terly offensiue to all good mindes to behold any creature (especially weake Infants) so vnmercifully afflicted by these vnskilfull and hard-hearted tor­mentors, and so much the rather, in as much as their cruelty is extended vp­on the eye, being a member most quicke, & of greatest sence and feeling.

HAuing shewed the imperfecti­ons generally happening vnto Infants, with their preuentions and cures, I will now proceede to the more substantiall diseases of the eyes, and such as indeede are incident to all people of all ages, of which the most principall and most dangerous is that [...] which is called the Catarack, being a thicke, slymie and tough filme, bred and ingendred foure elements within [Page] the eye, eyther naturally by the fluxe of grosse and euill humors, or acci­dentally by the means of some stroke, bruse or wipe vpon the eye, by which the member being offended, puts forth that ill and naughty substance, whereby the sight is not onely hinde­red and impaired, but also wholely ta­ken away, and depriued of all worthy vse and benefit.

To speake then generally of the Ca­tharack, [...] you shall vnderstand that there be sixe seuerall kindes thereof, as first the hazell coloured Catharack, the Catharack of the colour of the skie, the grayish Catharack, the blacke Catharack, the white Catha­rack, and the yellowish greene Ca­tharack; and of these the three first are curable, and the latter three vtterly incurable.

Now for as much as there may be a [...] failing in the true knowledge, and dis­cerning of these Catharacks, that you may be better enabled to iudge which [Page] is curable and which is incurable; you shall vnderstand, that if the Patient grieued with any of these Catharacks, shall be able to discerne or perceiue the glimmering or shining, either of the Sunne, fire, flame or candle-light, that then questionlesse all such Catha­racks are curable, and by Art to be holpen (the Practicioner hauing knowledge in the same) but if he can­not discerne any such brightnesse, and that all things seeme blacke, clowdie, and without any apprehension of shi­ning, then be assured that all such are vtterly incurable, and a man may both saue the consumption of his purse, and the torment of his body.

As for those which are curable, they [...]. are to be cured by the Catharack nee­dle, the demonstration of which is [...]edlesse here to be exprest; because [...] Artist or Professour in this Art, ought or should be ignorant in the true vse thereof, and to set downe in imperfect words, a thing of such ex­quisite [Page] perfection, whereby ignorance may be imboldened to aduenture on that which is farre beyond his cun­ning, were to giue courage to that from which my vttermost endeuours doe daily seeke to disswade them, and therefore let euery good man be care­full not to meddle with the needle, till experience and long practise in mat­ters of like nature, haue made him an absolute Master in the true vse of the needle.

After the Catharack is couched, or taken away with the needle (by a skil­full Practicioner) the Patient must be exceeding carefull of himselfe, that by no meanes hee take any colde, for the least colde which shall enforce him to sneese, cough, or otherwise to straine any of the opticke nerues or members, will sodainly make the Catharact to rise againe, and so bring on a mischiefe much greater then at the beginning; and therefore by all meanes the Pati­ent must be contented to lye muffed [Page] and warme for eight or nine dayes, till all such danger be auoyded.

Now for the preuention of these Catharacks, that they may either not grow at all, or beginning to grow, that they may be taken away long ere they come to any dangerous issue, as also to preuent both the danger and torment, which cannot but necessarily depend vpon the vse of the needle; I would wish all sorts of persons of what sexe or age so euer, whether old, young, or of middle estate, as soone as they shall perceiue their sights to decline or grow dimme without any paine, or much extraordinary wate­ring, then to vse this powder hereafter following, in such sort as you shall finde it prescribed.

TO cure the Catharack of what nature so euer, which beginneth to grow, or to preuent the en­creasing or blindnesse, which pro­ceedes from the same; as soone as you shall perceiue the first offence, vse this drinke, and be sure you shall finde the vertue and great perfection thereof: for it will not onely take away mis­chiefe bred, but preuent the breeding and growth of mischiefe; and if casu­alty happen not, doubtlesse olde age may bring a cleare sight to the last mi­nute; for it not onely giueth strength to the weake eye, whether the weake­nesse proceede from any defect of the braine, or other disturbance of humor or inflamation, but also fortifieth it [Page] against all other infirmity, which may any way annoy or trouble it, as my daily experience hath found to my owne particular satisfaction, and ma­ny good mens comforts: the substance of which excellent receit, is this which followeth: Take of the powder before rehearsed in the first Chapter, and in such manner prepared and gathered as is there spoken, together with the houres, times, and quantities, as is there set downe, onely with this diffe­rence, that whereas there the Nurse is appointed to vse it for the benefit of the childe (the medicine working from a secondary meanes, as from the milke▪ which the Infant sucketh) here the party must as the Nurse vse it him­selfe for his owne profit, and not faile but morning and euening to take it, and the newer that the drinke is (in which the powder is infused) the bet­ter it is, for it will enforce a man soo­ner to belch and breake winde vp­ward, which is much anailing in this [Page] cure, because the ascending of the fume purgeth and worketh great ef­fect in the eyes, which the rather to en­crease, you shall when the fume and winde ariseth, keepe your mouth close, and with your fingers stop your nosthrils, that as neere as you can the whole fume may assend into the head and eyes: whereby it comes that your newe Ale or bottell Ale is thought most soueraine to be vsed with this powder: but where neither bottel Ale nor new Ale is to be gotten, if then you vse to eate the same quantity of powder (before rehearsed) dry with­out any moysture, it is also very auaile­able. Neither must you faile morning nor euening after the taking of this powder (whether dry or in drinke) but to walke at least an houre after vp and downe, that the medicine may worke both the sooner, the better, and with more efficacie, neither neede this walking vp and downe be limitted to any certaine place of speciall retiring, [Page] but may very well serue for the dis­charge of any outward or inward bu­sinesse, as your affaires shall moue you: neither neede you to stand too strictly vpon the quantity, but after the vse of it a little space, then either to en­crease or diminish the quantity, as you shall finde your stomack apt, and able to receiue it.

Some may imagine because these simples are so little curious, that there­fore they may carrie but little vertue: but let not such folly deceiue thee, for they are all of most singular worth and vertue, especially for the eyes, in so much that the Auncients affirme, that the Serpent which is the subtillest and wisest of all creatures, as soone as hee waxeth olde, and findes his sight be­gin to faile him, presently he goes to the roote of the Fenell, or to the leafe, according to the season, and eate­ing thereof, hee findes present ease and redresse of his infirmity. And of like nature is your Bettony and the [Page] rest, so that no penne can write too much of their vertue, nor any tongue too highly extoll the praise of this ex­cellent compound, being vsed in such sort as is already prescribed, for other­wise the abuse of any thing turnes the greatest vertue to the greatest vicious­nesse. And thus much of the Catha­racks and their cure.

HAuing spoken of Catharacks whether naturall or accidentall, and of the cures thereof, I will now proceede to other accidentall wounds or hurts in the eyes, as are pricks with thornes, kniues, needles, or any other sharpe-pointed instru­ment, strokes with the eares of cornes, stubble, bryers, or any other bruise or wipe in the eye, which when at any time they shall happen, be most dili­gently [Page] carefull (of what age or sexe so euer thou be, whether young or olde) not to apply any sharpe or coroding medicine thereunto, either waters, powders, or other compounds which are of hot, fretting and sharpe nature: but rather follow mine aduise herein, and as soone as you shall receiue any of these mischances, presently get one of wholesome and sweet breath to blow into your eye, to coole and as­swage the paine thereof (for much good shall be found thereby) and be sure that the party so blowing, haue not eaten Garlick, or taken Tobacco any small space before, for they en­flame and make hot the breath, and so asswage not but encrease your tor­ment, whereas it should bee coole, sweet, and wholesome breath, which should mollifie and make lesse the paine you suffer; this done, take the white of an egge, and beate it to oyle, and dipping fine round pleagants of flaxe or soft towe therein, as broad as [Page] an English shilling; apply it to the wounded eye, and renue it as it drieth, and this will not onely draw away the corrupt or brused blood, but also cleanse and coole the eye in such man­ner, that the cure will be made more safe and quickly; or if this cannot be had, take Parsly and sweet butter, and beate and mixe them well together, and so apply them to the eye, and it will worke the same effect as the for­mer, whereas to apply any sharper me­dicine, whether water or powder, it is great ods that you not onely loose that which is already wounded, but also perish the sound one also, and so loose the benefit, of the most comfor­tablest sence which man enioyeth. If this asswage not the paine, and giue case according to your expectation, then take white-bread crummes finely grated, and of the best new milke, and boyle them together till they be thick, then apply it to the eye luke-warme, and so renue it once in sixe or eight [Page] houres at the first dressing, and after in tenne or twelue houres, as the eye shall amend, and there is no doubt but the cure will soone be brought to that per­fection which your owne heart can desire.

NExt to these accidental wounds in eyes, we will proceede to the red furious eye, which is trou­bled with a sharpe, scalding, and fret­ting rhewme, ouerflowing and annoy­ing the same. And here you shall vn­derstand, that for these eyes in diuers cases, there are good & certaine cures to be wrought, especially if you haue a good Practicioner in the same: But now a-dayes there are so many wilfull and vnskilfull dealers with this Art, that many by their ignorance are [Page] made blinde, which otherwise might enioy the benefit of their sight to their liues end, nor doth this blindnesse fall vpon them as the Parrot climbes (lento pede) by leasure or with slow steps, but sodainly and quickly, as within two or three houres or little more at the vttermost, which that you may the better perceiue, and thereby the better auoyde their ignorance, I will by in­stance shew you how many vnfortu­nate Patients are made blinde.

First, when the grieued Patient comes to the vnskilfull Practitioner, [...] and desires his helpe, presently (igno­rance being his guide) he opens a veine in the temples of his head, and ano­ther veine vnder the eye, close by the nose, and also a third in the roofe of the mouth, or vnder the tongue, which blood is no sooner taken away, but presently blindnesse insueth, as hath beene experienced by diuers, as name­ly a yong Gentlewoman of little Sno­tynge in Norfolke, and one Iames Feyld [Page] of Broughton in Huntington Shiere, both which, after the taking of their blood, fell instantly blinde within two houres after, albeit both their sights were reasonable good before, onely afflicted with some little paine, and the suspition of dimnesse, nor was the blood which was taken from the latter much; for it was no more then was receiued into two little cupping-glas­ses placed on his necke, and yet not­withstanding presently he fell blinde, nor could euer after be cured: and in like sort vnto these, one Goodman Fletcher, dwelling in a little Towne neere Bourne in Lincolne Shiere, ha­uing some small impediment in his eyes, and comming to an ignorant Practicioner, had a veine opened in his temples, and another by his nose, but the blood was no sooner receiued, when as the sight was vtterly lost for euer. And as these, I could cite a world of others, were not the circumstances too tedious, and the rehearsall need­lesse [Page] for our present purpose; onely this I collect from these instances, that euery man troubled with these infir­mities, should be exceeding carefull in making election of his Artist: and euery Artist religiously carefull not to exceede his knowledge, or meddle with the taking away of blood, or weakening the eye by any applicati­on, then which there cannot be a grea­ter mischiefe; for assuredly all these in­euitable blindnesses happening to the parties before recited, might haue beene auoyded, and the sight certain­ly both fortified and preserued, had they vsed the meanes onely which here I will set downe, without any other aditions of greater torment.

Whosoeuer therefore shal be trou­bled in his eyes with the infirmities be­fore said, I would first wish him either by his owne dyet, or the counsaile of the learned Physitian to keepe his bo­dy soluble: Then take of white Co­peris, and of Bolearmoniack, of each [Page] the quantity of a good French Pease, and beate them to very fine powder, then take of raine water (if it may be got) or snow water; or for want of them fine cleare running water, the quantity of a quarter of a pint, and put it into a glasse violl suteable to the quantity, and then adde to it the pow­der of the Coporis and Bolearmoni­ack, and shake and mixe them very well together till they be incorporate, then dipping a fine feather in this wa­ter, wash your eyes therewith mor­ning and euening, if your occasions draw you not abroad into the ayre, for then it will offend and make your eyes smart too violently, so that in that case when you must trauaile, you may then spare your morning dres­sing, but by no meanes the euening when you goe to rest. Now if at the first dressing you finde the water be too sharpe and biting, so as you can hardly endure the torment, then you shall alay it by adding to a little more [Page] water, or a little more of the Bolear­moniack, prouided that you make it not too gentle, for to take away all sence of smarting, is to take away all force, and strength of vertue.

Now for as much as not any of these eyes thus afflicted with these sharpe & scalding rhewmes, are voyde of much sorenesse, rawnesse, and bloo­dinesse about the lids and closures of the eyes, and especially at the two ex­treamest corners of the same, It shall therefore be meete for you for the cure of the same, to take of the thickest and best Creame you can get, and be­smeare and spread it all ouer the bot­tome of a copper or brasse Panne, Ket­tell, or Bason, leauing it of a very rea­sonable thinnesse: then take another vessell of little lesse quantity, and fill it full of strong new made vrine or chamber-lie; then take the brasse ves­sell in which the Creame is spread, and whelme it ouer the vrine (yet so as it may not touch the vrine) and let it [Page] there rest the space of nine or tenne dayes, then take it off and gather the Creame from the bottome of the ves­sell, and putit into a glasse, and keepe it close; with this oyntment, anoynt all the rawe places of the eye lids eue­ry night when you goe to bed, and it will not onely take away the rawnesse and smarting, but also dry them vp and skinne them: and herein you must obserue to let the oyntment come as little into your eye as is possible, for it wil cause smarting, thogh otherwise it doth not further hurt. And thus much of the red furious eye, which is trou­bled with a hot scalding rhewme.

THere is another sort of red eyes, which are full of contagion and grosse humors, and though not [Page] altogether so moyst as the former, yet fully as painefull and troublesome; for the inflamation is more violent, and the rhewme almost as sharpe. These kinde of sore eyes are very curious to be healed, for the party that is trou­bled therewith, hath euer for the most part a very strong and corrupt breath, which is so nourished and fed by the euill humors that accompany the dis­ease, that it is very difficult, and re­quireth both much Art and care in the reformation.

Hee therefore that is troubled with The [...] these enflamed fierie and corrupt eyes, let him first purge his body well, ei­ther with purgation, glyster, or vo­mite, according to the abillity of the party which is diseased, and in this ad­ministration of Physicke, I doe aduise euery man that is carefull of the health of his owne body, not to take any but by the aduise either of the reuerend Doctor or learned Physitian, and not to relie on the audacious boldnesse [Page] of ignorant Professours, for in these dayes there are a world of Empericks and Mountebanks, which will take vpon them to giue Physick, whose skill (God knowes) can neither discerne nor iudge the true nature of the most or­dinarie simples; therefore let euery man that loues himselfe, flie to the protection of the best, for it is best cheape, and brings with it the best safety; for none are more costly then the ignorant, because they hold great gaine a great aduancement to their glory and reputation, reckoning not with the good they haue done, but the profit they haue receiued.

There are another sort of Profes­sours, who because they haue some in­sight in some of the liberall Arts, think they may as liberally deale with this particular Art, and thereupon will vn­dertake to giue Physick, yet not for your money but vertues sake (as they pretend it) yet when you haue recko­ned with their Apothicaries, and sum­med [Page] vp their billes and extrauagant charges, as a bushell or two of corne, Hens, Capons, Chickens, and other such like gifts of gratuity (which can­not but euer accompany a thankfull nature) you will finde that the coun­saile of a truly learned and worthy Physitian had beene more easie, more cheape, and a million folde more a­uailing for your health and preserua­tion: Therefore as before I said, after the greeued party hath purged and made cleane his body by the aduise of learning and experience, he shall then take the water of Copporis and Bole­armoniack, which was at large set downe in the former Chapter, and with it dresse and wash his eyes in such sort (morning and euening) as was there declared, and with the same cautions, limits, and obseruations, as was there expressed. And if the eye­lids (as before said) shall grow rawe, sore, or bleared, he shall then with the oyntment of Creame (mentioned in [Page] the last Chapter) annoynt them there­with in the same manner, as hath like­wise beene mentioned, without alte­ration or augmentation.

Now for as much as the distilling down of the rhewme into those weake parts of the eyes, is both the greatest nourisher of the disease and infirmity, and also the greatest cause of the paine and anguish: to stay the fluxe thereof, and to make the member more apt, and fitter to receiue cure; you shall take halfe a handfull of Bay-salt, and spreading it before the fire, dry it ex­ceedingly, then hauing a little bagge of linnen cloath ready; put the salt so dried into the same, and being of a reasonable warmenesse, apply it to the nape of the necke in the hollow part, next to the iuncture of the head; and there let it rest the space of foure and twenty houres, and then renue it, and apply to another in the same manner: and thus doe once in foure and twenty houres till ease be found, and that the [Page] rhewme cease to oppresse you, which questionlesse will quickly be effected, if any true care be taken.

Againe, for the staying of the rhewme, if you vse to take of the Cop­poris water (before said) and there­with wash your eyes, the temples of your head, and behinde your eares, suffering the water to dry in, and not to be wipte away, it is of great vertue and efficacie, for it not onely stayeth the rhewme, but is also very soueraine against the head-ake, and all paines of that nature, as tooth-ake and the like; and it safely healeth both the watry eye, which smarteth sometimes, and itcheth other sometime, as also all other eyes that are enflamed.

Now if it so fall out (as in great cau­ses and corrupt bodies it may easily doe) that these things before prescri­bed, worke not in all points according to your expectation, then you shall for refuge flie to this receite which hereafter followeth, and doubt not [Page] but by the grace of God you shall with much safety and contentment a­riue at the full end of your purpose.

You shall take a quarter of an ounce of Cantharides, & lay them to steepe in the best wine vinegar, for the space of foure or fiue houres; then take yel­low Treate or greene Treate, or any sticking plaister, and spread it on a lin­nen cloath plaisterwise, so as the quan­tity may be deuided into three plai­sters; then take the Cantharides, and on each plaister lay some of them, then lay one of the plaisters to the nape of your necke, and to each wrist of your arme another, and doe this at night when you goe to bed, taking great care that you binde the plaisters so fast, that they by no meanes fall away, vntill you remoue them (which would be the next morning) then when you haue taken them off, you shall see bli­sters (which the violence of the salue will raise) and those you shall presently let out, making the water euacuate, [Page] and with the same plaister without the Cantharides heale the sores againe; then vse the first water as afore-said, and no doubt by Gods grace but the cure will be soone finished.

This last receite is sharpe and pain­full, and therefore I would not aduise any man to vse it, but onely in cases of extremity, and where the cure is tedi­ous and doubtfull.

THere is another sort of sore eyes vvhich proceede of a colde rhewme, & they are best knowne by their exceeding much moystnesse and continuall weeping, putting the Patient to no paine more then priuate vexation; it is a disease of great dan­ger and difficulty, and by most pro­fessours [Page] of the Art held almost incu­rable; yet certes, it sildome or neuer bringeth blindnesse, onely the trouble and noysomnesse is much worse then the danger, and therefore I would wish euery one in this case, not to tamper too much with their eyes, or try the experiment of many medi­cines; for that may bring blindnesse perforce, onely I would haue them vse the bagge of dried salt, in such manner as hath beene before declared in the former Chapter, for assuredly where it failes, other medicines will but worke other worse imperfections.

Now for the other sort of sore eyes, which beginning to growe dimme and darke, present to the party grie­ued a double obiect; making euery single thing he looks on, appeare as it were two, or a double body; you shall for the cure thereof take the powder of Eyebright, Bettony, &c. mentioned in the first Chapter, and either drinke it with new Ale, bottell-Ale, or the [Page] like; or else eare it dry, as hath beene formerly declared in the third Chap­ter, with the same obseruations and cautions; and questionlesse there is no doubt of most speedy and easie cure, as experience hath found out, and I doubt not but all men shall finde to their benefit and comfort.

THis disease which is called the Pin and Web in the eyes, are lit­tle white spots in the eyes, which growing in or neere vnto the sight, doth by processe of time encrease and weare away the sight, leauing the par­ty altogether blinde and incurable; which to preuent, and take away these spots ere they come to the height of mischiefe, you shall take a little Eng­lish honey, and a fewe Dazie leaues or rootes (according to the season) and [Page] hauing stampt and strayned the leaues or rootes, mixe with it the honey, then adde to them a little womans milke, and mixe and incorporate all well to­gether, then at night when you goe to bed; and likewise in the morning when you rise, drop a drop or two thereof into your eyes; and thus doe for the space of a week or thereabouts, and by the grace of God the cure will be finished to your comfort: also if to this receite you adde a little of the iuice of the true ground Iuie, which by some is called Tunhoofe or Ale­hoofe; you shall finde it very auaile­able, especially in great and dangerous cures, for it is more sharpe and strong then the other, and worketh his ef­fects with more strength and violence.

DIuers imperfections doe happen to the eyes by meanes of the small Pocks, either to olde or young persons, especially when the maister Pock setteth in the eye, or in both the eyes (as it often happeneth) for cure whereof many doe vse to ad­minister sharpe biting waters, but in so doing, they take not away the ble­mish, but the sight for euer, therefore by no meanes meddle with those co­roding medicines, but rather vse these gentle receites hereafter mentioned.

Take a prety quantity of white Su­gar-candie, or else some of the thun­der-bolt stone, or for want of both a peece of the Cuttell-bone which the Goldsmithes doe vse, and hauing bea­ten any of them, and searst it to as fine [Page] a powder as is possible; with a small quill blowe some of it into the offen­ded eyes, & it is a most certaine cure.

For those eyes which are troubled with little wormes, like those in mens hands but smaller, causing an extreame itching in the eyes, so that some rub them with their hands, some with clothes, and some with a peece of silke, all which is both vnwholesome and offensiue (for they should not be rub­bed at all) because any rubbing doth prouoke the rhewme to distill and set­tell to that part: and much touching or handling of the eyes, causeth both tendernesse and sorenesse; which to preuent and to kill those wormes which annoy you, you shall take the Copporis water before mentioned, and with it wash your eyes morning and euening, and compell your selfe to sneese as much as is possible, and it is a present cure.

FOr such eyes as are troubled with filmes or thinne scummes, grow­ing and spreading ouer the sight, you shall take the marrow of a Goose wing, and Ginger beaten and searst to a very fine powder, and mixe them ve­ry well together, then with a quill take vp a good drop thereof, and put it in­to the eye which hath the filme; and thus doe euery morning when you rise, and euery euening when you goe to bed, or for want of this you may vse the powder of the thunder-bolt stone before spoken of, in such manner as hath beene before recited, and it is a cure both safe and certaine.

Now if any man shall happen ei­ther by shooting in a Piece, or by o­ther casuall meanes to receiue any hurt [Page] in his eyes, either by the burning of the Gunpowder, or by hauing the same blowne into his eyes, or if they be offended with the rust of the Peece, shiuers or such like, you shall present­ly get one that hath a good sight, and a nimble stedie hand, and taking a fine quill, make it as sharpe as a needle, and with the same let them picke out the spots, cornes, or shiuers, and wipe them cleane away with the fine tassell of a Handkerchiefe, then wash it with faire running water, and fine Sugar-candy well mixt together, and dropt gently into the eye, and the cure will soone be finished.

IF any man of what age or degree so euer, shall by going in the darke, or other casualty, rush vpon the lat­ches of dores, bolts, nailes, or the like, [Page] or by thrusts with cudgels, foyles, or blowes with cat goe far, thorn, billets, or the like, receiue any blow or stripe vpō the eye, or haue the eye-ball thrust out, so that it lye vpon the cheeke; you shall then first put vp the eye into the place, where before it was; and doe it with great lenitie and gentlenesse, then with a cloath stay the eye so pla­ced for the space of two or three houres; then take whitebread crums finely grated and new milk, and seethe it till it be thick, and so apply it warme to the eye; or for want of it Parsly and Butter, as hath beene before declared; but by no meanes any sharpe waters, or smarting medicine, and the cure will in few dayes be finished.

THe sight is weakned two wayes, that is to say, either naturally, or accidentally; if naturally, it is by meanes of olde age, weakenesse of the braine, or else by the ouer-flowing of grosse and vnwholesome humors, if accidentally, then it is by the meanes of ill diet; the vse of naughty applica­tions, disorder in exercise, wounds, rushes, bruses, and the like.

Now that you may know when your sight declineth & waxeth weake, whē [...]. obserue euer that when you see better farre off then neere hand (as when you looke on a booke or the like) that then your sight beginneth to wayne, also such eyes as doe neuer runne, but are alwayes dry, they are weake eyes, and very subiect to Catharacks: againe, if the eyes be cleare as glasse, but yet troubled, and that the sight of the eye [Page] doth shake and quiuer like the needle of a Diall, holding a continuall mo­tion without ceasing, such an eye is al­so a weake eye, and declining.

Now for the cure of any of these imperfections (for they are all natu­rall) there is nothing more soueraine then the powder mentioned in the first Chapter, being prepared and vsed as is there set downe.

As for those weakenesses which come by accident, they are euer to be cured by their contrary, as if any pro­ceede by ryot and disorder, they must be amended by temperance, if by vio­lent labor, then by moderate exercise: if by ill applications, then by whole­some receites, and if by wounds, then by wholesom salues, to any of which if you adde the benefit of the Coporis water before specified, the cure will be much sooner finished.

Now besides these defects already spoken of, there is another as grosse as any, and exceeding frequent amongst [Page] all young wiues, maydes, and women of each degree and quality, and that is the wearing of Mastick patches or plaisters on the temples of their heads; which howsoeuer pride for fashion sake, or care for health sake doe pro­duce, yet can nothing be more hurt­full or noysome: some will say they weare them for the head-ake; some for the tooth-ake: yet I affirme except your eyes be too exceeding moyst and dropping, you cannot vse any thing more hurtfull; for if the eye bee dry and doe not water, then the staying of that comfortable moysture which should quicken the eye, weakens it and the strength being taken away which should preserue it, there doth not fol­low Disease but Blindnes, and there­fore let this my Caueat warne you if you will preserue good fights, to cast away those playsters, and in steade thereof onely take running water and wash the temples of your head there­with, and behinde your eares, and [Page] wipe not the water away but let it dry of it selfe and thus doing euery mor­ning, it will take away all head-ake and tooth-ake, and stay the Rewme and o­ther griefes, for which your Masticke patches, and Gumme playsters were vsed; for beleeue me it neither addeth Beauty to the face, nor health to the Body, but on the contrary taketh a­way all strength from the eyes and bringeth blindnes euer too earely, as I haue found by experience, and for bet­ter proofe I will repeate vnto you one true instance.

There was a young woman dwel­ling in Downham in Norfolke, which was troubled much with the head-ake, and sending for aduice (as she thought to the skilfull) was directed to take one of these plaisters, and to weare it on her temples, but presently it tooke away her sight in fewe houres after, yet it cured her head-ake, now if this plaister had beene applied to the nape of the necke, and not to the temples, [Page] it had preuailed, and no euill had en­sued. The plaister which she applied was compounded of wine vinegar, a Rose-cake, an egge rosted hard, and Commin-seede; all which ingredience are good if they had beene applied to the right place; but being misplaced on the temples, it drew away the strength of the eyes, and brought blindnesse. Therefore I aduise euery [...] for [...] one that is troubled with the head-ake or the like, onely to take a little strong wine vinegar, and a little oyle of Spike, and to mixe them very well to­gether, and then to bathe therewith those parts where the paine is, and it will not onely giue ease to the paine, but also adde strength and comfort to the eyes, as I haue found by most cer­taine and infallible experience.

There is another defect to which I must giue a great Caueat, and especially to all you Schoolemasters & Schoole­mistresses which haue the charge of young Children, bee they Boyes or [Page] gyrles; that in any case you obserue and note well the strength or weake­nes of your Schollers eyes: and where you finde imperfection or imbecillitie in the sight, there by all meanes to ab­staine from forcing them to looke on very small Prints, or to sowe on very fine Samplers, or in curious workes, especially blacke workes, for they are not onely hurtfull and bring ex­ceeding much weaknes to the eyes, but also the more they striue and en­deauour to beholde the obiect they looke on, the more hurt they doe to their eyes, and the weaker their sight groweth, Therefore in these cases where you see such weake sights be­sides reforming the faults before said, you must prouide for them large brim'd Hats to shade their eyes, for they haue not any greater enemy then the light: and also you must giue them of the Powder (mentioned in the first Chapter) to drinke in such sorte as is there prescribed.

WHosoeuer is troubled with any inflamation in his face, whether it bee plaine red which is heate, or pumples and red pu­stuls which is corny or vniuersally o­uer all the face pimples and pustuls both red and purple, which is called the rich face; let him knowe that all such inflamations, besides the noy­somnes and vnseemelinesse thereof, it is also hurtfull and troublesome to the sight, therefore for the Cure of such an Infirmity, let him take running wa­ter, and roch Allome, and put them together into a Glasse or violl, and by shaking and tossing, symbolize and in­corporate them so as the Allome may be wasted, then at night when you goe to bed, take a fine Napkin and wet it in [Page] the water well and apply it to your face, and let it there lye till the water soake in and dry on your face, and then renew it, and doe thus as oft as you shall thinke good; and with all ab­staine (asmuch as you can) from strong drinkes and hote Wines, and the cure will be more speedy; Now if the cure proue slowe, you shall take of Brim­stone, of large Mace, of Goose-grease or Capons-grease, of each alike, and mixe and temper them well together, then put them into a gally pot and with this oyntment, annoynt your face as oft as you shall thinke good, and doubt not but the cure will be ve­ry speedy and certaine: but if you find that this inflamation proceedeth from the liuor onely; if then besides these outward applications before said, you take the aduice of a learned Physitian, and now and then purge your body, there is no doubt but your face will be as cleare and well complectioned as it was before.