What precise chemical constituents occur in the Eyebright beyond tannin, mannite, and glucose, are not yet recorded. In Iceland its expressed juice is put into requisition for most ailments of the eyes. Likewise, in Scotland, the Highlanders infuse the herb in milk, and employ this for bathing weak, or inflamed eyes. In France, the plant is named _Casse lunettes_; and in Germany, _Augen trost_, or, consolation of the eye. [177] Surely the same little herb must have been growing freely in the hedge made famous by ancient nursery tradition:-- "Thessalus acer erat sapiens proe civibus unus Qui medium insiluit spinets per horrida sepem. Effoditque oculos sibi crudelissimus ambos. Cum vero effosos orbes sine lumine vidit Viribus enisum totis illum altera sepes Accipit, et raptos oculos cito reddit egenti." "There was a man of Thessuly, and he was wondrous wise; He jumped into a quick set hedge, and scratched out both his eyes; Then, when he found his eyes were out, with all his might and main He jumped into the quick set hedge, and scratched them in again." Old herbals pronounced it "cephalic, ophthalmic, and good for a weak memory." Hildamus relates that it restored the sight of many persons at the age of seventy or eighty years. "Eyebright made into a powder, and then into an electuary with sugar, hath," says Culpeper, "powerful effect to help and to restore the sight decayed through years; and if the herb were but as much used as it is neglected, it would have spoilt the trade of the maker." On the whole it is probable that the Eyebright will succeed best for eyes weakened by long-continued straining, and for those which are dim and watery from old age. Shenstone declared, "Famed Euphrasy may not be left unsung, which grants dim eyes to wander leagues around"; and Milton has told us in _Paradise Lost_, Book XI:-- "To nobler sights Michael from Adam's eyes the film removed, Then purged with _Euphrasy_ and rue The visual nerve, for he had much to see." [178] The Arabians I mew the herb Eyebright under the name _Adhil_, It now makes an ingredient in British herbal tobacco, which is smoked most usefully for chronic bronchial colds. Some sceptics do not hesitate to say that the Eyebright owes its reputation solely to the fact that the tiny flower bears in its centre a yellow spot, which is darker towards the middle, and gives a close resemblance to the human eye; wherefore, on the doctrine of signatures, it was pronounced curative of ocular derangements. The present Poet Laureate speaks of the herb as:-- "The Eyebright this. Whereof when steeped in wine I now must eat Because it strengthens mindfulness."