The excellencie of the eye GOD hath created and framed the eyes with so great cunning , and set in them such maruailous excellencye and beauty , that iustlye they maye bee iudged the most perfect worke which is in our bodye , whether we consider the commodity of them , their vse in mouing , their place , their rampiers and defences , the matter whereof they are made , the beautye which is in their forme and shape , or the diuersitye of their colours Concerning their commodi●ye and vse , The vse and commoditie of the eyes . they are giuen vnto man principally to see therewith and to guide and direct him to the knowledge of God , by the beholding of his fayre and goodly workes , whereof we can neither haue knowledge nor institution by anye other sense , but by the eyes : as also to serue in the place of guiders , and leaders to the whole bodye . And by good right they haue such rule and soueraigntie amongest al the senses , and all other partes of the bodye , that those which are depriued of sight either by nature , or by any other mishap doe thinke them selues in great miserye . They coulde not haue beene placed more fitlye then in the highest part of all the body , The place of the eye . as it were in a most high tower , seeing they must serue as spies and watch-men to defende and guide all the other partes : wherevnto nature hath made moste cunninglye twoo hollowe places or troughes in the heade named of their roundnes orbitas .

The matter of the eies most excellent . COncerning the matter wherof the eies are made , it farre excelleth all other parts , whether wee haue respect to the membranes or partchement-like skinnnes , or to the humors , sinewes , vaines , arteries , muscles , or to the glandulous substance , and kernels whereof they are made . Now because the humours are thinne and moist , The vse of the membranes . nature hath giuen vnto them membranes or partchment skins which might fitlie keep them in their appointed place to the perfourming of their office , which by the searching of the Anatomistes haue beene noted to bee fiue in number . The first coat of the eie . The first is noted in Latine adnata , alba , adhaerem , coniunctiua , in English the white of the eye . This membrane or partchment skinne is verie thinne and slender , seruing to containe the eye in his circle or collet : whose beginning is from Pericranium , that is from the skinne which compasseth the the skull , and his ende is in the circle named Iris or the rainbow : this which is called Iris , what Iris is . is a circle in the eie representing manie diuers colours , the varietie and number whereof are not to be iudged to proceed from the humours but from the membrane called vuea . For the humors in all persons are alwaies of like colour , Humors are like in al men . but the circle named Iris is not so , because in some men it appeareth more blacke , in others more white or blew , according to the diuersitie of the colours which are in the membrane called vuea . It was named Iris , which in Englishe signifieth a Rainbow , bicause in it do appear such change of colours as are seen in the Rainbow . The second coat of the eie The second membrane or partchment skinne is named Cornea , that is , hornie , which is more strong and hard , resembling horn that is made thin & bright , euen such wherof Lanternes are made , from the likenesse wherof it seemeth to haue been named Cornea , that is horny . Now god hath so created it , that it should bee a surer defence to all the humors of the eies , & to help the light which the eies receiue into them , through whose middest it shineth & sendeth out the light euen as the candle which is in the Lantern , casteth his light toward the horn whereof the same is made . The horny membrane is not in euery place of the same nature This hornie membrane is not in euery part like vnto it selfe : for the former parte of it , which wee may and doe beholde : wherein the apple of the eie is placed and enuironned with Iris , or the Rainbowe , that part I say , is bright , & hath a through light , that so colours might haue the better passage and entertainment , but the hinder part of it is darke and verie thick & grosse , The errour of Arabians . which thing caused the Arabians to make it two membranes . We must marke and obserue that it is made of manie little skinnes , and as it were thinne barks , which take their beginning from dura mater , whiche is diuided into sundrie small skinnes . The vse and office of this membrane , is to make the eye round by compassing in all the humours of the same . The third coate . The third membrane or partchment skinne is vuea , which is in English like to a grape , being so called , because it hath in the outwarde parte the resemblaunce of a blacke grape when it is pressed , whose beginning is from the second skinne , compassing the braine , called pia mater , which after it hath enclosed the sinewe of sight , named neruur opticus , spreadeth abroade vnder the hornie membrane , ascending vnto the circle Iris , and yet inwrappeth not the whole eie . For when it is commed thus far , then leauing the hornie membrane it maketh the hole for the apple of the eie , and bendeth backward to the circle & large circumference of the cristaline humour , vnto which it cleaueth fast , staying the waterishe humour that it should not couer & burie al the whole crystaline humour . The vse . The outward part of it is blacke , to the end it might gather and heape vp in it self , the glittering beames , and that the diuers kinds of colours might be thereby better vnited , receiued , and conioyned . For as it is the propertie of white to scatter abroade , so is it the nature of blacke to gather together . Diuers coloures in the eyes . And touching the innermost part of it , it is indued with many colours , that by seeing manie colours we might the better iudge of them , and bee able to distinguishe one from another when they are offered to our sight . Otherwise , if it had been died but with one colour onelie , then all thinges which our eies doe behold , woulde haue seemed to haue been of this onelie colour : euen as wee see a greene or red glasse maketh all things appeare greene or red . Furthermore , this change and diuersitie of colours refresheth the weried eies in such sort , that before we haue viewed and looked on a thing diligentlie , we stay our eyes for this purpose , that the spirites of sight may as it were , retire themselues to this diuersitie of colours as to a place of recreation and comfort . This membrane named vuea is soft , least it might hurt the crystaline humor , wherefore v●ea is soft . and found directlie set to the said humor , that the light might haue more free entrance , and that by his darknesse the passage of the colours might not bee stopped : it is nourished with the veines & arteries of the hornie membrane . The apple of the eie . Now that which is seen on the hole or centre of the eye like vnto a black pricke , is named the apple of the eye , by the which we see : and albeit it doth appeare blacke , yet is neither it nor any thing vnder it black , but thorowlie cleere and bright . The 4 coat . The fourth membrane is named in Greek amphyblestroides , which in English signifieth a casting net , which taketh his beginning from the sinew of sight called ner●us opticus , whose coate is stretched foorth , and wouen like to a net of manie veines and arteries , which it receiueth from the membrane vuea , both for his nourishment and life , and for the glassie humor wherewith it is clothed on the hinder part . The 5. coa● The fift is called Arachnoides , because it resembleth the Spiders webbe , which is in greeke arachne , whose beginning as som think is from Pia mater , but as others affirme , from the crystalin humor to wit , from the superfluous matter & excrement of the same . His vse is to enwrap the said humor in all the former parte . Ambrose Pare . Ambrose Pare reporteth one most excellent commodity of the same : that it serueth to the cristaline humor , as a glasse to behold , so that it is vnto it as Lead , whereby it falleth out that the diuers sorts and kindes of visible things which are sent from any part of the obiect , that is from the thing which is offered to our sight , may bee retained in the saide humor by such a coniunction , and linking of each to other , as we see in a looking glasse that is made of glasse and Lead , which hath force and power to stay the outwarde face and image from passing through , but holdeth them as it were gathered on a heap in the vppermost part of it .

COncerning the humors whereof the eie is made , the first called aqueus , 1. The waterish humor . that is , the waterish humor , because it is not vnlike water setled in the formost part of it , betweene the hornie membrane and that which is called Vuea , and some part of the crystaline humor . It hath the fi●st place that it may bridle and stay the raging colours which come vpon it , The vse of the humor and that the hornie membrane should not presse down that humor which filleth almost that part of the eye . Celsus . Celsus hath obserued that betweene the waterish and cristal humor , ther is a place as it were emptie , being onely filled with bright shining spirite , wherein the Cataracts are engendered , as we will shew in the proper place . There is a further commoditie of this humor to keepe by his moysture the crystall humor , 2. The christalin humor . from too much drinesse . The second humor is the Crystall , so tearmed , for the resemblaunce it hath vnto Crystall in whitenesse and shining , to the ende it might more easilie receiue the diuersitie of colours , The place and vse . as wee see onely white doth . His seat is in the middest between the waterish and glassie humor , not onlie ministring nourishment and moysture , and so preseruing from drinesse , but also to helpe and preserue the same , and to moderate & appease the rage of spirites and colours , The forme of it . which might hurte it . The fashion of it is rounde , which more easily resisteth outwarde iniuries : for this figure is hardlie hurt , because it hath no corners . It is true that the roundnesse of it is somewhat pressed and pinched before and behind , but so that therby it remaineth more sure and stedfast in the place , whiche was harde to bee done in a round figure . Againe by this compression , the colours of such things as we see are retained without any dispearsing on either side , whiche they must of necessitye haue done , if the figure & shape had been perfectly round . It receiueth norishment from the glassie humour , Howe it is nourished . by the helpe of the little veines & arteries which it imparteth vnto it . And it is necessarily required that the glassie humour shoulde make white the blood before it passe to the Cristall humor : for if it wer nourished with pure blood whiche were not white as it is necessarily required . It is giuen to the eie as the first instrument of sight , and therefore it is in it as a little cleer Cristall glasse . And albeit the other humors do so shine , that the light may passe through them as it doth thorow water or glasse : notwithstanding they haue no light of themselues as hath the Christallin humor , This humor hath light of itselfe . which coulde not receiue the light whiche it receiueth outwardly , if it were not partaker of the same within , & so partaker that it agreed naturallie with the same . And to proue that it is the first instrument of sight thus it is plain , that after it shall be taken out of the eie , It is the first instrument of sight . & laide vpon anie thing written or imprinted , it sheweth the letter twofold greater then it is in it selfe : and from this obseruation it is supposed that men learned the vse of spectacles . Inuention of spectacles . The thirde is the glassie humour , 3. The glassie humor . so called because in his substance and colour it is like cleare shining glasse when it is melted : it is hollow in the middest to the ende it might keepe the Cristallin humor whereunto it is in place of a cowshin , as the waterie humor is placed in the former part of the eye : The place of it . so is this in the hinder part for this purpose , that it may represse and keepe in subiection somtimes the furious spirites which come vppon the Cristallin humor . How it is nourished . It is nourished by meanes of the veines & arteries which spring from the membrane called of the fourme of a casting net , Amphiblestroides , The greatnes of it . the greatnesse hereof is threefolde , exceeding both the other membranes .

AL the forenamed parts ioyntly together , do make and frame the eies in the fashion of a Pyramis , that is , Pyramis . of a sharpe steeple , whose point turneth inwarde to the bottome of the circle called orbita . But if we consider euerie part thereof seperated from the muscles , we shall finde them to bee in forme and shape rounde , which is commonly called sphaericall , Sphaere . which is the most excellent and perfectest shape of all others , both in regarde of the easie and swifte motion of it to the right hand , or to the left , vpward or downward , and in respect it most easilie resisteth all outwarde and forrein iniuries .

Atrophia opthalmou is an affection of the eye when al the parts of it are leaner and slenderer than they ought , Definition . and the whole eie smaller and lesser then naturallie it should be , wherupon there appeareth an hollow deepenesse , it being sunck downe within the circle , and the sight being darkened & dimmed in such sorte , that the thinges whiche they looke vppon doe see me much greater then they are . This affection differeth from Pthisis , Difference of Atropbia and Pth●sis . that is the consumption of the eie , because therein is onelie a diminishing of the apple of the eie , and not of the whole eie . The inward causes are the flowing vnto it of sharp and thin humors , continuall teares , sharp feuers , sadnes , Causes . old ache , great ache in the head : the outward , a greatstroke , troublesome cares watching . Micropthalmos . Micropthalmos , that is the pincking eie is , when any one hath from his birth so little eies , that they seeme scarcelie opened , albeit they are not suncke downe within the circle more than they should bee , whereunto it is not expedient to apply anie medicine , sith nature cannot be amended . But to speake of curing the leane eie in regard of generall remedies , Cur● . exercise is heere first of all necessarie , then rubbing of the head and face , and washing of it , and closing the eye-lids to rubbe the eye gentlie with the fingers . The Patient must vse to eate good nowrishing meate , and drinke wine if it bee pleasant . Hee must not meddle with his houshold affaires , but commaunde them to be kept from his eares . Concerning particular remedies , suche are most commended which be gentle , & asswage payne , as fomentations of warme water with a spounge , to vse common milke warme , or womans milke , Contrarietie of opinions P. Aeginet● . dropping it into the eye , to auoid all sharp biting medicines which may prouoke weeping . Notwithstanding P. Aeginet● vsed this R 〈◊〉 ʒ i crocomag . ʒ iiij . crociʒ ij . erug . ʒ i. stamping them in water , & so framing them fitlie for his purpose . But it hath beene well obserued , that hee did not this to procure teares , neither to drie as such remedies would do , but rather as it were by tinckling and pricking of it a little , to bring and draw thither the humors and spirits and more plentifull nowrishment : which thing is also vsuallie done in other leane partes when they rub , and apply sharp medicines vnto them , pricking also & beating them , to the end they may drawe to them more store of spirits & blood . Neuerthelesse Celsus reiecteth the aforesaid medicines which cause teares .

RExis is taken generally for the seperation or dissolution of any fleshlie part without a wound : Diuers vses of this worde rexis . notwithstanding Galen placeth it amongst the particuler affections of the eies , Definition by Galen . affirming it to bee a cutte or wounde made by a stroke or anie other cause in the bottome of the eye , which sodainely diuiding asunder the membranes or partch mentlike skinne , Definition by G●l●a . the humours which gouerne the sence of sight are poured out , and scattered abroad The causes are round strokes vpon the eye , a fall from an high place , a violent motion , Causes . stretchynge , and enlarging of the membranes , which being broken are not able to containe the humours in their naturall place , whereupon it commeth to passe that all the eie bursteth , Cure . and the humours flowe out . It cannot be cured considering the humours are issued forth , and the membranes remaine d●ye , albeit that some will constantly aduouch the aforesaid humors may be engendred againe . For proose of their speache they bring the triall which hath bene made on a pigeons eyes , The humors lost may be restored in a Pigeon . whereof they crushed forth the humors , which neuerthelesse in fifteene dayes they haue found recouered and restored , and the eyes as plaine and sound as before , which I am able to testifie that I haue seene , but it is not not hath not beene proued true in any man . A strange historie in Galen . In deede Galen reporteth a historie not ordinary , but rather incredible of a yong boy which being pricked directly vpon the apple of the eye , the waterish humour issued forth sodainly , by meanes whereof the apple of the eye remained much lesse , and the horny membrane stood forth with wrincles notwithstanding all this he was healed hauing perfect sight afterwards the humour beeing againe engendred which had before flowed out and perished . Waterish humour is an excrement . Which thing might befall to the waterish humour because it is nothing els but an excrement of the nourishment which is in the Christalline and not any part of seede as the glassye and aforenamed Chrystalline are , whose decay in this respect is desperate and vnrecouerable . For my part I haue sene much of the waterish humour issue forth when the needle hath bene plucked forth , which was thrust in to take away the cataracts , Waterish humor may be restored . and afterward in short time the eye hath beene as full great and faire as at the beginning : which yet could not be if all the humors were lost . Therefore the Chirurgian shal be contented with asswaging the paine , Cure . which he may accomplish partly by generall remedies as bloudletting , cuppings on the shoulders to preuent inflamation and flowing of humours , partly by particular remedies , and before all othe●s with this eye salue of most singuler vertue & easie to be prouided , An excellent easie medic●n . which is the bloud of a pigeon hot , wherein dipping a linnen cloth lay it on the eie , and the rest of the cure is so to bee ordered as the accidents shall require .

Definition . Synchisis is a breaking or cutting of the eie comming by a stroke or of it self , in the innermost membranes with a dispearsing or ouerturning of the humours , and alteration of the apple of the eie , which in the beginning standeth foorth largely , but in the end is made lesse then nature affoordeth it : the humours of the eie in like maner possesse not their naturall place , neither keepe their appointed order , but are carryed hyther and thither , and mingled together ( as we say ) hand ouer head . This maladie ariseth after a great stroke or inflammation of the membrane named Vuea , Causes . because some part in it is broken . Those are more easilie cured , who are most easilie cured . which haue the apple of the eie onelie made broder retaining still his colour and figure , then such as haue it rent , and as it were cut asunder . The cure must be in this order . Cure . If the intermedling and confusion of humours came by a stroke , first let the corrupt blood be quicklie taken away , then fill vpp the eie with blood of a Turtle or Pigion verie hot , and vppon it lay a Stupe ( as it is commonlie named ) of linnen cloth , or wooll wetted in the white of an egge and oyle of Roses beaten togeather , continuing the vse of it by the space of two dayes or more if neede require it . Or the thirde day yo● must vse a fomentation dropping into the eye warme milke , or womans milke , and afterwarde apply this medicine made of the yokes of egges hard rosted , mingled with hony and a little saffron to cleanse the part . In the rest of your cure , you shall haue in redinesse proper medicines for such accidents as may happen .