Water of Emperor Constantine for the Eyes

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Emperor Constantine (Salmon)

Preparation:

Mix together, put into a sealed glass vessel and sit in the Sun for 1 month, stirring once daily. Then strain and keep for use.

Function:

Clears Heat, benefits the Sight

Use:

1. Poor or Failing Eyesight
2. Heat or irritation of the Eyes

Dose:

2–3 drops in the Eyes, twice daily “rubbing it in well”.

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

Some added Sugar Candy (2 drams), Verdigris, Sal Ammoniac (8 grains each).

Comment:

‘Take of the same water four or five drops in your Eyes morning and evening, and with this continuing a certain space, it will cause the Sight to come again as ever it was before–This I know is an excellent Water for the Eyes, for it clears them marvelously. I know one that could not thread a needle without spectacles, which put not past two or three drops of the same Water in his Eyes at Night, and the next morning the same Party did see well to thread a needle without spectacles’.

Salmon relays the story of how this formula came into being, and was already 200 years old when he wrote of it: “This very liquor restored the Ernperor of Constantinople his sight, Anno 1438. (When he was at the Synode of Ferara, with Pope Eugenius 4) which was before lost, being ordered by a Council and Consultation assembled of the wisest Physicians of all Italy”.

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