4B. Opthalmics



Opthalmics are medicines appropriated to the Eyes.

Aphorisms on Opthalmics, collected by Culpeper, (Composita, 1656):
  • Medicines appropriated to the Eyes, are of two sorts, such as are appropriated to the visive Spirit, and such as are appropriated to the Eyes themselves.
  • The best Medicines for the eyes perform their office (as Physicians say) by a hidden quality.
  • As for the constitution of the Eyes, seeing they are most exact in sense, so they will not lightly bear the least inconvenience; therefore every thing is not proper for the eyes, which sharpens the sight by attenuating.
  • But even in external things you must have a special care that they be not too hot, nor too sharp, nor hurt by hardness, biting nor viscosity.

Warming Opthalmics

                       Rue
                       Elecampane
                       Betony
                       Mace
                       Chebulic Myrobalan

Fennel seed
Marjoram
Vervain
Valerian

Warming Opthalmic Compounds

                       Confectio Humain
                       Triphala
                       Eyebright Wine

Electuary for the Eyes
Electuary of Pope Innocent
Cooling Opthalmics

                       Eyebright
                       Celandine

Barberry juice
Calamine (topical)
Cooling Opthalmic Compounds

                       Pills of Washed Aloes
                       Pills to Clarify

Triphala
Ointment for the Eyes

Medicine Which Preserve the Sight

                       Asparagus (eaten)
                       Eyebright (chewed)
                       Fennel seed
                       Clove
                       Partridge brain

Turnip
Betony
Chebula preserved (chewed)
Nutmeg



Compounds to Preserve the Sight

                       Eyebright Wine
                       Wormwood Wine
                       Vinegar of Squill (gargled)

Rosemary Wine
Rue Wine
Confectio Humain


Western Classification

2. Secondary Faculties
a. Aperients
b. Attenuaters
c. Inciding Medicines
d. Attenuaters of Congealed Blood
e. Lenitive
f. Purifying
g. Cleansing
h. Carminatives
i. Antispasmodics
j. Rarefying
k. Resolvent
l. Emollients
m. Drawing
n. Repellents
o. Astringent
p. Hemostatic
q. Anodyne
r. Narcotics & Hypnotics
s. Strengthening
t. Glutinate
u. Suppuratives
v. Expel Pus
w. Sarcotics
x. Incarnative
y. Corrosive
z. Cicatrizing
3. Tertiary Faculties
a. Sudorifics and Diaphoretics
b. Febrifuge and Antipyretic
c. Alexipharmic
d. Cordials and Cardiacs
e. Diuretics
f. Lithontriptic
g. Emmenagogue
h. Lactagogue
i. Aphrodisiacs
j. Increase Semen
k. Expectorant
l. Anti-tussive
m. Arthritic Medicines
n. Vulnerary
o. Emetics
p. Masticatories & Sternutatories
q. Anthelmintic
4. According to Part
a. Cephalic
b. Opthalmic
c. Cardiac
d. Pectoral
e. Stomachic
f. Splenetic
g. Hepatic
h. Nephritics
i. Uterine
j. Nervine
k. Arthritic