Collyrium

In eye care, a collyrium is a lotion or liquid wash used as a cleanser for the eyes, particularly in diseases of the eye. The word collyrium comes from the Greek κολλύρον, eye-salve.

The same name was also given to unguents used for the same purpose, such as unguent of tutty. Lastly, the name was given, though improperly, to some liquid medicines used against venereal diseases.

Pre-modern medicine distinguished two kinds of collyriums: the one liquid, the other dry. Liquid collyriums were composed of ophthalmic powders, or waters, such as rose-water, plantain-water, that of fennel, eyebright, etc, in which was dissolved tutty, white vitriol, or some other proper powder. The dry collyriums were troches of rhasis, sugar-candy, iris, tutty prepared and blown into the eye with a little pipe.

The Sunan Abu Dawood reports, “Prophet Muhammad said: 'Among the best types of collyrium is antimony (ithmid) for it clears the vision and makes the hair sprout.'”^[1] Maimonides^[2] (12th century Egypt) mentions the use of this eye salve.

References

1. ^ Sunan Abu-Dawud (Ahmad Hasan translation). Book 32, Number 4050. http://www.muslimaccess.com/sunnah/hadeeth/abudawud/032.html. 
2. ^ Hilchot Shabbat 18:2

•  This article incorporates content from the 1728 Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain.
• "Collyrium". Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. 2nd ed. 1989.

This medical treatment-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: History of medicine Eye stubs Medical treatment stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую Synonyms: Eye-water, wash or lotion for the eyes Gene Gene the Dancing Machine Goodfellas (album) Look at other dictionaries: Collyrium — Col*lyr i*um, n.; pl. E. {Collyriums}, L. {Collyria}. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Med.) An application to the eye, usually an eyewater. [1913 Webster] || …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English Collyrĭum — (v. gr.), 1) sonst ein trocknes, längliches od. rundes Augenmittel, aus auflösbaren Substanzen; 2) jetzt äußerliches Augenmittel, bes. Augenwasser (s.d.); 3) Stuhl od. Mutterzäpfchen …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon Collyrĭum — Collyrĭum, Augenschminke der Griechen und Römer, wahrscheinlich identisch mit dem von den Frauen im Orient noch jetzt angewendeten Kochl (Kohol), das aus Spießglanz dargestellt und als schwarze Salbe auf die Augenbrauen und Wimpern aufgetragen… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon Collyrium — griech., in der alten Medicin eine Arznei in Zapfenform in die Oeffnungen des Leibes gebracht; später äußerliches Heilmittel für das Auge …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon collyrium — [kə lir′ē əm] n. pl. collyria [kə lir′ēə] or collyriums [L < Gr kollyrion, eye salve (in form of a tablet) < kollyra, loaf of coarse bread, loaf shaped tablet] any medicated preparation for the eyes; eyewash …   English World dictionary collyrium — noun /kəˈlɪɹɪəm/ a) A lotion or liquid wash used as a cleanser for the eyes; an eye salve. Democritus collyrium is not so sovereign to the eyes as this is to the heart [...]. b) Loosely, any product applied to or around the eyes; kohl. [...]… …   Wiktionary collyrium — noun (plural collyria or iums) Etymology: Middle English collirium, from Latin collyrium, from Greek kollyrion pessary, eye salve, from diminutive of kollyra roll of bread Date: 14th century eyewash 1 …   New Collegiate Dictionary collyrium — /keuh lear ee euhm/, n., pl. collyria / lear ee euh/, collyriums. eyewash (def. 1). [1350 1400; ME < L < Gk kollýrion eye salve] * * * …   Universalium collyrium — Originally, any preparation for the eye; now, an eyewash. [G. kollyrion, poultice, eye salve] * * * col·lyr·i·um kə lir ē əm n, pl ia ē ə or i·ums an eye lotion: EYEWASH …   Medical dictionary Collyrium — A local eye medication, i.e., eyewash. Abrus, Achyranthes, Albizia, Argemone, Bocoonia, Boerhaavia, Caesalpinia, Capsicum, Codiaeum, Coleus, Elilia, Eugenia, Gouania, Ipomoea, Isotoma, Lantana, Luffa, Malachra, Manihot, Mimosa, Ocimum, Phaseolus …   EthnoBotanical Dictionary 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”