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.
Dry collyriums were pastilles 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.