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COLLYRIA, or EYE-WATERS.

Eye-waters have been multiplied without number, almost everyperson pretending to be possessed of some secret preparation for thecure of sore eyes. I have examined many of them, and find that theyare pretty much alike, the basis of most of them being either alum,vitriol, or lead. Their effects evidently are, to brace and restore trietone of the parts: hence they are principally of service in slight inflam-mations, and in that relaxed state of the parts which is induced by ob-stinate ones. Camphor is commonly added to these compositions; butas it seldom incorporates properly with the water, it can be of little use.Boles, and other earthy substances, as they do not dissolve in water, arelikewise unfit for this purpose.

Collyrium of Alum.—Take of alum, half a drachm; agitate it welltogether with the white of one egg.—This is the Collyrium of Riverius. It.is used in inflammation of the eyes, to allay heat, and restrain the fluxof humours. It must be spread upon linen, and applied to the eyes ;but should not be kept on above three or four hours at a time.

Vitriolic Collyrium.—Take <-f white vitriol, half a drachm; rose-water,six ounces. Dissolve the vitriol in the water; and filter the liquor.—This, though simple, is perhaps equal in virtue to most of the celebratedcollyria. It is an useful application in weak, watery, and inflamed eyes.Though the slighter inflammations will generally yield to it, yet in thoseof a more obstinate nature the assistance of bleeding and blistering willalways be necessary.—When a strong astringent is judged proper,double or triple quantity of the vitriol may be used. I have seen a solu-tion of four times the strength of the above used with manifest advantage

Collyrium of Lead.—Take acetated ceruse and crude sal ammoniac,of each four grains. Dissolve them in eight ounces of common water.—Forty or fifty drops of laudanum may be occasionally added to thiscollyrium.—Those who chuse may substitute instead of this the colly-rium of lead recommended by Goulard ; which is made by puttingtwenty-five drops of his Extract of Lead (i. e. water of acetated litharge)to eight ounces of water, and adding a tea-spoonful of brandy.—Indeed,common water and brandy, without any other addition, will in manycases answer very well as a collyrium. An ounce of the latter may beadded to five or six ounces of the former, and the eyes, if weak, bathedwith it night and morning.

CONFECTIONS

I

Confections containing above thirty ingredients are still to be foundin some of the most reformed dispensatories. As most of their inten-tions, however, may be more certainly and as effectually answered by afew glasses of wine, or grains of opium, we shall pass over this class vfmedicines very slightly.

Electuary of Catechu, commonly called Japonic Confection.—Takeof catechu, three ounces; tormeutil root, nutmeg, olibanum, of each twoounces; opium, dissolved in a sufficient quantity of Lisbon wine, adrachm and a half; simple syrup and conserve of roses, of each fourteenounces. Mix and make thetn into an electuary.—Tins supplies the