Source edition
Hippocrates. Oeuvres complètes d'Hippocrate, Vol. 9. Littré, Émile, editor. Paris: Baillière, 1861
Source data
A Digital Corpus for Graeco-Arabic Studies · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This medical work outlines the practical treatments and surgical procedures for various eye diseases and vision impairments in antiquity. Rather than focusing on theoretical philosophy, the text provides a concise, step-by-step guide for medical practitioners. In the first part, the author discusses methods to treat discoloration of the eyes that leads to visual impairment, detailing surgical interventions such as purging the head, cauterization, and scraping the eyelids. The subsequent chapters describe more advanced surgical techniques, including the excision of eyelids, treatments for scabies and night blindness, and even the removal of fluid through trepanation of the skull. Finally, the work concludes with dietary and lifestyle recommendations to manage epidemic ophthalmia. Through these diverse methods, the text presents a comprehensive approach to ancient ophthalmic care, ranging from invasive surgery to daily preventative regimens.