Sources in Time
Sources in Time Ocular Cosmetics in Ancient Times JUAN MURUBE, MD, PHD lthough cosmetics, from no graphic written quotations with the proportions, the mixture had A Greek kósmesis (adorn), now regard to cosmetics. (The old terms various color tones and consistencies. refers to external products do not correspond to present termi- The black paste or mesdemet was used used to beautify the skin, hair, eye, or nology. For instance, antimonium to give shadow color to the upper and other parts of the body, cosmesis was was introduced by alchemists about lower lids, and to extend the outline of not the first objective of primitive eye four centuries ago, referring to the the inner and outer lid rims and the painting. The first aim of body painting Latin stibium, hence, the symbol Sb eyebrows (Figure 1). After the fourth in primitive cultures may have been to for antimony.) dynasty, it was common to extend the protect people from evil spirits, which A few centuries later, hieroglyphic eyebrows and the outer corner of the could enter their body through vulner- and phonetic script were developed lids to the temple. The black paste was able openings, such as the eyes. The in ancient Egypt, and from then on, probably different for rich and poor second aim was for medical purposes, abundant information about eye medi- people, as the antimony-based pastes to treat visible or nonvisible pathologies cines and cosmetics were recorded. were more expensive than the lead- in the eye (such as conjunctivitis, hor- The pharmacopoeia of Pharaonic based ones. deolum, corneal ulcer, white cataracts, Egypt was rich in liquid and pasty Most of these products came from loss of vision) or elsewhere in the ocular applications obtained from the Nile valley, Sinai peninsula and body.
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