begin of womens termes and flowers Of the Termes or Flowers of women in generall §. 1. THat these Termes of women be called the Flowers is for this cause viz. when it is séene that a trée bloweth then is it esteemed meete and conuenient to beare fruite and contrariwise the trée vnfruitfull which bloweth not except the Fig trée So is it likewise with women that all they that haue their Termes are fit and commodious to conceiue and beare children the which they that haue not their flowers or termes can neuer more accomplish Secondly the Latinists do cal these flowers Menstrua of the moneth and thus for they euery moneth or thirty dayes returne and come againe or for that they according to the course of the Moone that is because they appeare the first quarter of the Moone in young girles the second quarter in them that be somewhat bigger the third quarter in the middle sort the last quarter in aged women Whereby all expert Phisitions do obserue in each time that each age is to haue them to wit the yong people in the new and increasing Moone the old folkes in the decrease of the Moone in fine the health of all women dependeth especially in this necessary menstruall fluxe yea all her chastitie fruitfulnesse and welfare To the contrary if they do not at all auoid do flow too much vnorderly or be lothsome of colour then do they cause all miseries inclination to venery and many kind of sicknesses like as hereafter shall be taught Wherewith it is to be estéemed for no smal work of wonder that amongst all creatures that do liue and are of the female kind except certaine Apes only women are subiect vnto this fluxe and therefore haue the Philosophers many kinds of disputations which be here too long and néedlesse to be rehearsed But of the fountaine and matter of this blood it is with one consent concluded that it is a cold vndigested and grosse matter and the blood of the whole bodie the which through the foresaid veines is gathered together in the womb and is afterwards expelled in due time as a matter hurtfull and of no vse That this matter is also cold is by this perceiued that when it passeth away the woman féeleth a great cold ouer the whole bodie this happeneth after many fashions Of the Termes that be auoided ouer and aboue their naturall custome shall be hereafter spoken of with all their appertenances The women whose Termes auoide in two or thrée dayes are ridde of them with small trouble but if they endure long then will they be thereby very féeble The first auoidance of their Termes is commonly about the fouretéenth yéere the which signifieth that then their naturall séede beginneth to ripen that the haire and breasts beginneth to grow and they that be hote of nature do then get desire of the man for that the womans Termes be none other but a naturall séede which is not yet throughly ripe and that through his superfluitie of nature desireth to be expelled This course of the Termes or Flowers abateth about the age of fortie or two and fortie yeares or endureth sometimes vntill the fiftith yéere but very seldome vntill the sixtith yéere in which time women be still méete and fit for generation yet do these Flowers or Termes of women come sometimes sooner and sometimes later according to that the nature and complexion of the bodie is full of blood strong suffereth much labour is quiet and feeble It is also a common rule with all them that haue experience in naturall things that a woman which getteth not her flowers like as some which be hot drie by nature is barren and vnfruitfull and that for those causes that are discouered in the seuenth Chapter of the barrennesse of men and women although that it chanceth neuerthelesse but very seldome that such women do conceiue and beare This is also the natural custome that when a woman hath conceiued that then her termes do tary away for this blood is prepared for a sustenance vnto the child in the mothers womb like as also after childbirth the same to that end is turned into milke notwithstanding that it oftentimes happeneth that women with child auoide their Flowers or Termes after the old custome vntil the very day of birth as we shall hereafter somewhat intreate thereof but these women do bring small spare weake and not liuing children into the world because they haue bene depriued of the most part of their nourishment It is also contrary to the opinion of many women that she shall open a veine when she is halfe gone with child in case she be not full of blood and the veines not great therefore is not the same very vnaduisedly to be done Item in this flowing or course of womens termes there is another wonderfull nature and propertie to wit that so harmefull and venimous a matter in mans bodie without any hinderance yea for a great preferment of health may be retained and expelled The common experience bringeth with it and all learned do testifie the same that these womens termes do bring innumerable sicknesses with them and haue many infectious properties namely where the same happeneth to fall there groweth no fruite spoileth the vines the Must will be vineger the herbes wither the trées drie away iron rusteth and all mettals do darken and waxe dim the same being taken make a man madde and chiefly the dogges the Bées leaue their hiues if they be annointed therewith women when they haue the same then do they darken through their breath all bright looking glasses the aire wil be poisoned with them and children as it is said bewitched Now doest thou sée thou stout high minded man what a precious matter it is that thou hast in the beginning of thy birth and what the matter is that hath thee nourished This hath caused the auncient Poets to assimulate this fluxe vnto the warres saying that Mars is no son of the god Iupiter but of Iuno onely meaning by Iuno this menstruall fluxe And truly if this hurtfull propertie be likened to the warres then is it an expert and true similitude for what doth more spoile fruites vineyards Must herbes and trées than the warres what is there which taketh away and wasteth more iron how many bright harnesses be thereby darkened where beareth madnes more mastery where are men more like to mad dogs than in the wars how can the aire be more venimed than through the stinking dead bodies Here is now sufficiently spoken of this matter now we will procéede with our medicines How to preferre and moue the Termes or Flowers in women §. 2. FOr the first we will speake of the causes whereby the termes be detained the which be outward and inward The outward causes be sore labour hunger care great satnesse agues dropsies consumptions and some disease of the wombe The inward causes be a bad complexion of heate cold dryth or of moisture whereby the vertue expulsiue
roote of Mandragora making the people beléeue that they grow vnder the gallowes of the vrine of the hanged theeues hauing the forme of a man is knowne to all men Henbane is called of the Greekes Hyoscyamus and at the Apothecaries Iusquiamus which is almost as much to say as hogs beans and that by reason that this herbe is a deadly poyson for swine if they be not presently well washed and drinke much or do eate Creuets which haue a speciall operation against this poyson This Henbane is of three kinds the one hath red flowers and blacke seede the second hath yellow flowers and yellow seedes and are both by their very cold nature venimous the third hath white flowers and white seeds and is also cold to the third degree which of the Phisitions is very aptly vsed in some causes but if you cannot get the white then take the yellow and leaue the blacke You may make of the new seede a iuice which is dried in the sun but it may not be kept aboue one yeare When you haue taken this iuice then will it make one franticke and as he were drunken but by certaine medicines the same wil quickly away You must take therefore the milke of an Asse or in stead thereof Goats milk or Cowes milke Item Hony water is very good for it if he drinke much thereof when you are weary therof then cease and then drinke againe afresh Water wherein Figs were sodden is also very good for his Cucumber seedes or Pingles sodden in wine and so vsed are good for this purpose Item wine that is somewhat salted and tempered with Barrowes grease is also not ill Item there is very commodious for it Nettle seede Cicorie rootes white Mustard seede Cresses Radishes Onions or Garlicke any one of these taken with wine and then afterwards the patient laid to sleepe euen as one that is drunken Coriander is a knowne seede called in Latin Coriandrum and in Gréeke Corion or Corianon The learned haue diuers opinions of it Dioscorides writeth that it is cold but Galenus and his followers do reiect this opinion and saith that it is hote or at least somewhat warming And albeit this seede be somewhat venimous yet may the same easily be corrected to wit when it hath bene stéeped in Vineger and is dried againe and then may it be vsed in many medicins as you may find euery where c. Take prepared Coriander c. The nature of his venime is that when one eateth too much of this séede or drinketh too much of the iuice then will the head be thereby so out of frame as if a man were drunke it maketh one hoarse and as if he were dumb or if he speake yet are they but vnreuerent words In fine it is not without great danger for it hath bene often found that after the taking of the iuice death hath followed therefore it is good counsell that you vse of this a little and but seldome yea some will correct the Phisitions that daily vse this seede for strengthening of the head by reason that it is much contrarie to the head and noysome Now to take away the venim of this séede you are first to cause the patient to vomit and that with oyle called Irinum or in stead thereof with oyle of Oliues both of them taken with the warme decoction of Wormwood Also you may fry an Eg or two in this oyle and mixe it with pickle of salt fish and so drinke it or the pickle alone well salted Hen-broth or Goose-broth In like sort sodden wine mingled with ley are very good for it Nardus seeds or Nigella séeds called in Gréeke Melanthion and in latin Nigella by reason of his blacknesse There are foure kinds of it two blacke the which by reason of their pleasant smell are planted in the gardens another which groweth of himselfe in the fields the fourth sort is yellowish and hath no difference from the black kinds The nature of them all is hot and drie which maketh them venemous when one taketh too much thereof he is in danger of death And herein is a wondrous work of nature that contrariwise it resisteth poison and in old time by reason of his pleasantnesse was baked in bread For what diseases then this seed is good that is shewed and taught in moe other places Milke thistle This roote the Gréekes cal Chamaeleonta for that the leaues do alter their colour after diuers sorts according to the nature of the ground now black and then greene now blew and then yellow and into diuers other colours In latine this herbe is called Carduus Suarius that is Sowthistle for that it killeth hogs if they eate this herbe mingled with Barley meale In like maner it killeth Rats and Mice if they eate therof and drink not thereafter immediatly The Apothecaries call this herbe Cardopatium Because that this is hurtfull to the said beasts therefore cannot it be but hurtfull to men if they eate too much thereof And the same is manifested by his nature for that it is hot in the second degrée and drie in the third yet this roote is often vsed for many things and highly commended and that most of all against the venome of the Plague There are two sorts blacke and white Milkethistle both of one nature notwithstanding there is here to be noted that the blacke is to be vsed onely outwardly The Yewtrée do the Greekes call Smilax and the Latinists Taxus This tree is well knowne he groweth prosperously in cold and shadowie places for such is his nature That he is placed amongst the venims is not without cause for it hath bene tried that if bottels be made of it and the wine kept therein a certaine time it killeth a man In like maner doth the fruite of the same tree which groweth in Spaine Moreouer it is said that whosoeuer sléepeth vnder the shadow of this trée or vpon the leaues and specially vpon his blossomes must die for that the whole body will be thereby ouercooled that a man must die sodainly His leaues are not hurtfull for the wild beasts but onely for such beasts as do not chew their cud as the swine Horses Asses c. they are killed with it It is said also that if a copper naile be strooke into his stem or body then will his venome vanish away His smoake should kill Mice And his venome will also be taken away by the same meanes that hereafter is prescribed against the venom of Hemlocke where you may séeke and finde the same Wild Cucumbers and their iuice Elaterium whereof is so many times admonished that men must deale with it warily and vse but a very little at one time except it be in grieuous sicknesses as the Dropsie and such like the Gréekes do call this herbe Sicyagrion which is wilde Cucumbers for that the same are like to the tame Cucumbers When these wilde Cucumbers are ripe and softly handled or wroong then breake they open wherfore
Saunders Camfere and such cooling things like as also the Pomanders are commodious for these causes ordained in the discourse of the Plague When the patient is purged and the pain of the eyes be yet in the beginning then take like as is is oftentimes aduised at the first the brayed white of an egge and drop a drop thereof in the eye Take also milk of a young woman which hath a daughter sucking vpon her put it fresh into the eye or take two ounces of Rosemarie amongst it then beate the white of an egge and drop a drop or two thereof in the eye Some do take onely fresh water mixt with vineger and vse it as is rehearsed specially after bathing and haue thereby found great amendement This is also much praysed Take vnripe Grapes burne the same to ashes bruse them very small and blow somewhat thereof into the eyes it dryeth the running and doth driue away the rednesse Or take the slime of Fleawoort Quince kernels or Dragagant one quarter of an ounce the white of an egge well brayed womans milk that hath a daughter sucking half a drag tempered well if the paine be very great then draw out the slimes or muscilage with water wherein before Poppie heads haue béene sodden You may also vse Sieff de Rosis which followeth hereafter Take fresh Rose leaues halfe an ounce Saffron Spica of Indie Gummi Arabicum of each one quarter of an ounce beate all small and make cakes thereof with raine water and when you will vse them then take one dragme thereof and lay them to stéepe in the beaten white of an egge This is speciall good in the beginning of the hote Ophthalmia for it repelleth the matter backe it consumeth and asswageth the paine In like manner is this also following much commended Take washt Ceruse prepared Sarcocolla Dragagant Licium Acatia pils of Pomegranates and Frankincense of each one dragme Pearles Opium of each halfe a scruple and the iuice of Pomegranates which is very cleare as much as is néedfull for to make cakes or troscisces thereof when you will then vse thereof Then lay a dragme thereof to stéepe in Rose water this hath a constringent vertue it drieth cooleth all hot humours but when the paine is at the most then temper among the foresayd medicines two or thrée graines of Opium or of Sieff album called Sieff Rasis Take washt Ceruse one ounce Gummi Arabicum halfe an ounce Opium Dragagant of each halfe a dragme this must you bruise verie small and temper it with the well brayed white of an egge and womans milke Take also the iuice of Fennell well scummed one ounce and a halfe Aloe two dragmes and a halfe a leafe of well beaten gold temper them well and afterwards put vnto it the waight of seuen graines of Frankinsence dissolue them in good white wine and mixe them all togither with Fennell and Rose water you must drop of this water twise a day in the eyes Item take good Aloe stéeped in the iuice of Fennell put thereto the waight often graines of Frankinsence burning therein kindled at a candle vse it as afore Other waters moe Take Rose water fower ounces quench therein glowing gold afterwards put thereto Aloe Frankinsence Masticke Litharge of siluer of each one drag let it séeth vntill a third part be consumed afterwards straine it through a cloth and vse it as it is néedful Item take Dragon bloud Aloe Sarcocolla of each halfe a dragme Saffron Camfere of each halfe so much prepared Tutia one quarter of an ounce bruise it very small and temper amongst it wine of Nutmegs fower ounces and as much Rose water also let it séeth in water in a glasse vntill about thrée parts be consumed it drieth and healeth without any danger Item take Aloe Tutia hony Rue Fenegréeke Fennell seeth it in wine it is especiall good for all ouerhote eyes This water following is also verie appropriate for the same disease Take prepared Tutia one ounce prepared Bloudstone one dragme Frankinsence Mastick Pepper of each a scrup Fennell water Eyebright water of each one ounce Rose water and Violet water of each two ounces old fine wine thrée or fower ounces put it into a glasse and let it séeth in water euen to the halfe afterwards straine it through a cloth A salue Take the iuice of Rue of Framboyes oyle of Mirtle of each one ounce let it boyle vntil all the iuice be sodden away then wring it through a cloth and set it againe vpon the fire mixe amongst it prepared Saphire halfe a dragme Iacint one scruple Antimonie one dragme burnt Copper one scruple prepared Tutia thrée dragmes let it seeth softly with the foresayd fire put thereto thrée dragms of Waxe be it more or lesse accordingly as you desire to haue it hard wherewith annoint the eyelids This swageth the paine stayeth all defluxions in the eyes and taketh away the cause of them wonderfully In running and ouermoyst eyes take Myrrhe halfe a dragme Bloudstone one dragme the vppermost sprigs of Framboyes and of the Rose trée of each one ounce seeth them togither in a glasse in water vnto the halfe afterwards straine it forth through a cloth and drop at least fower times a day one drop in the eyes Secondly the forehead and temples of the head are oftentimes or at least against the euening to be annointed softly with the iuice of Roses But if this rheume be but in his increasing or in Statu which is at the highest then may he very fréely put therein all the foresayd things and chiefly womans milke which is much commended for this also temper Dragagant amongst it and drop in them In like manner take prepared Tutia Camfere of each a scruple tēpered with halfe an ounce of white wine It drieth and swageth all paine This is also very good Tutia tempered in Fennell water in water of Celendine of Rue of Verueine and in Rose water and a gal of a Pickerell or a Partridge put thereto and the same kept in a Copper vessell vntill it be to be vsed or take prepared Tutia one quarter of an ounce white Amber one drag Fennell and Rosewater of each foure ounces take also washt Ceruise one quarter of an ounce prepared Sarcocolla Dragagant Opium of each half a drag Gummi Arabicum Saffron of each halfe a scrup This being altogether beaten as smal as may be temper it with raine water and let it drie And when as you will vse it mixe it with womans milke Here is to be noted that raine water for all paine of the eyes is very méete for that it is subtile But whensoeuer this Ophthalmia cometh to abate then may bathing be vsed or that which is more sure séeth Cammomill Melilot in water and make a spoonge wet therein wringing it out a little and so hold it warme vpon the eye and when it is cold to make it warme againe Or take fresh Wormwood Lycium Fenegréeke of each two ounces Sarcocolla one
be growne or crept into them as fleas or earwigs The same doth also the iuice of Wormewood of Lupins of Caper roots Coriander roots which haue therein an especiall property and also the iuice of gréene nut shels some do decoct in wine a little Hellebore and so drop it therein But if these maladies may otherwise be cured then is the vse of these rootes to be omitted Item take burning nettles stampe them and straine out the iuice put it into the eares and giue him to eate of the root it will help immediatly Take Aloe halfe an ounce Coloquint Agaricus of each half a drag beate them togither and temper them with hot water bruse them and vse as aforesaid Take a slice of well tosted bread hold it to the eare then wil the wormes fleas earwigs and such like come out or hold the eare wherein the wormes be on the vapor of hot new milk then do the wormes créepe after the vapor of the said milke Another Take one quarter of an ounce of Wine Hony and oyle of Roses of each thrée drag temper them together with the brayed whites of two egs make cotton moist therein and stop the eare therewith lye about an houre on that side afterwards pluck it suddenly out then will the worme hang vpon it the same doth also the wooll steeped in hony Item set a great boxing cup or glasse on the eare then will it be drawne out whatsoeuer is within it Obstruction or stopping of the Eares through inward and outward causes §. 7. IF the eares be stopt and thereby the hearing hindered the same must procéed either through an inward or outward cause The inward cause may be some tough slime or moisture wormes growing in them congealed bloud matter impostumations excrescence of flesh warts and such like Outward causes are if there come any thing into them whereof we will speake seuerally Do now these obstructions procéed of excresceÌ„ces warts and such like which one cannot see nor come at with the hand then is it taken to be incurable as contrariwise if it may be seene it may very well be cured the which is committed to the Chirurgians otherwise the oyle of Bay Oxe gall Hemp oyle are very good each vsed apart If then the stopping be through slime matter or any other vncleannes mollifie it with oyle of bitter Almonds or drop hony water warme into it two dayes together and oftentimes vse the one in stéed of the other afterwards take a warme tile sprinkle it with wine couer it with a cloth lay the eare vpon it to the end that the matter may runne out For this is also good Goats gall tempered with oyle or Scorpion oyle for the stopping with wormes you haue heretofore in the sixth § the remedies If any thing be gotten into the Eares from without §. 8. THese things are of two sorts as it also happeneth that the one child doth put peason smal stones or cherrie stones into the eare of another the other be soft things as water Fleas Earewigs and such like If this happen then is not the same to be slept vpon or delayed for thâ—â—e things require helpe and aduice with all spéed for there is great danger imminent especially if that which is cropen therein be of any bad nature for of that commeth great paine and consequently great sicknesse For this accident first one of these foresaid Oyles is to be dropped therein afterwards to bath and to sit there a good while moue néesing and to hold in the breath for to driue out whatsoeuer is in the eares but if this will not helpe then is the same to be done with manuall operation with instruments But if that which is gotten in be liquid and soft as water then vse oile againe and bend the necke alwaies towards the side of the disease and exercise your selfe with leaping and iumping and if so be that it come not out thereby then indeuor your self againe to néesing Also you may often cleanse the eare with an eare picker couered with wooll or with a peece of a spunge or to tye the pith of Elderne wood at a thrid and so to thrust it into the eare or through a little pipe let the moisture be sucked out the which in like manner may be done with the woormes One may also hold the eare ouer the vapor of hote wine wherein Cammomill Linséede Annis séedes and such like are decocted But if fleas or wormes be gotten into them they do raise great paine through their iumbling especially the fleas for the which take a Taint and annoint it with a little cleauing salue made of Turpentine and Rosin to the end that the fleas being fast thereat may remaine hanging at it and so be drawne out If this cannot be effected then vse that which is heretofore described in the 6. § of the wormes in the eare and wherewith they be to be destroyed Of the diminishing of hearing §. 9. THe diminishing of hearing may procéede of many sundrie occasions the outward causes are these strong fumes vnexpected vehement and sudden noise as when the thunder striketh one oftentimes hath bene seene that some thereby haue lost their hearing and haue bene starke deafe In like manner the South wind doth also cause it by reason that it filleth the braines with moisture whereby the sense of hearing is inféebled What now concerneth deafenesse and the diminishing of the hearing thereupon do all learned men first conclude That if we be borne with it or that it continue the space of two yeares that there is no hope at all left for to cure the same and if the same do procéede of any moisture water matter or other cause whereby the hearing is weakened that may be knowne by these meanes ensuing Take a spunge make it very drie and warme bind it in a double linnen cloth and when you go to bed lay it vnder the eare if you then in the morning see the cloth spotted then may you well adiudge that there is some matter in the eare whereby the hearing is hindered but if the cloth be cleane and faire then dependeth it on another cause If that this disease do then come through heate yet without any impostumation the which thereby may easily be discerned if the patient complaine of no heauinesse but much rather of lightnesse in the head the heate perceiued in the féeling may well abide cold things and hote things very ill where this is found and perceiued then to take away the great heate is first to be endeuored and to drop those things ensuing into it lukewarme The oile of Roses oile of Violets oile of water Lillies temper them together or vse each alone Item take a Pomegranate wring out the iuice put vineger and oile of Roses vnto it of each a spoonefull powned Frankinsence one drag and a halfe let it séeth a litle and droppe it therein Take the water of Lettice the water of a cut Vine mixe them together or vse each alone
béen sayd before mixe Well water with the iuice of Pomegranates or wine likewise the decoction of Barley mixed with Sugar cleanseth the mouth The water of Sage healeth all exulcerations if the mouth be renced oft therewith Also in a hot cause are very good all fruits that are sower cold astringent being chewed as Medlars Mulberies Choke peares Quinces Seruices Framboies and such like especially if they be not ouer ripe Also the iuice of Vine leaues and sower and tart herbes may be vsed for gargarismes But if these gentle remedies do no good then purge the patient as the cause requireth as before hath often béen shewed But bicause this is for the most part caused through heate he is to be purged with Cassia sower Dates or with the Electuarie of Roses afterwards open the veine vnder the tong or those that appeare on the inside of the lower lip which is very commodious for all hot infirmities of the lips If sucking children be troubled with it then is the nurse to be fed with cooling things for by the alteration of their milke they are easily restored to health againe for this purpose is the oyle of Sulphur very good as well in yong children as ancient people but there are many common things that are altogither as good as that Item take the yellow seedes of white Roses blossomes of Pomegranates Starch burnt Iuorie milke of Lentils Purslaine séedes Coriander Sene huskes of each a like much and a little Camfere make a powder of them and rub the vlcer easily therewithall or hold it in thy mouth with vineger of Roses Rose water and oyle of Roses Item for this hot exulceration thou shalt take the water of Shepheards purse of broad Plantaine of Roses and of Purslaine of each two ounces the iuice of Mulberies hony of Roses of each one ounce mixe them wel togither and gargarise with it often Item take Gals Pomegranate blossomes and Cypers nuts of each one ounce Roses white Bryer two dragmes Acorne cups halfe an ounce beate them grossely and boyle them in water and wash thy mouth with it When by these meanes the paine is somewhat abated then mixe fresh butter with hony of Roses and annoint the place therewith this mayst thou well account one of the best remedies Or stampe a fower Pomegranate with the pils wring it out hard and adde as much hony to the iuice let them séeth togither vntill it be thicke If thou wilt haue it stronger adde the third part of beaten Acornes with it The application of boxing cups is also very meete and fit for it and if the patient be ful of bloud then is the head veine to be opened But if the blisters be white then is the patient to be purged with Diaturbith or with their pils following Take Species Hiera Picra two dragmes Species medicaminis turbith two dragmes and a halfe Coloquint halfe a dragme make pils thereof with wine take of them one dragme or one dragme and a halfe at once It is also very good to rub them with hony and salt but these things following are more in vse and more fit for this purpose Take Allum one ounce boyle it in Plantaine water you may also put Plantaine leaues vnto it and wash the mouth often therewith Take hony of Roses warme water a little Allum halfe as much vineger as water vse it as before it is very good Take Roses one ounce a halfe Plantaine one ounce burnt Allum halfe a dragme Mirtle seedes halfe as much Pomegranate blossomes and pils of each one scruple let them seeth well togither vse it as the other Item take one pinte of water and a good peece of Ireos cut small and asmuch Allum hony of Roses 2. spoonfuls let it boyle away two fingers bredth In fine whensoeuer Phlegma is cause of the vlcers then must drying and astringent remedies be vsed Cypers nuts barkes of the Frankinsence trée Frankinsence Masticke and although one should mixe these warme things with others that are cold and astringent as Gals Pomegranate pils Roses Mirtle séeds such like yet is not that any errour at all but rather a helpe Also of these things following may gargarismes be made or little bals with the iuice of Peares or Quinces to hold in the mouth There is in the seuenth Chapter and fourth § a water described for the eyes beginning Take broad Plantaine water with Verdigrease and Dragons bloud This may you vse if the sore run much and were very vncleane for it drieth and healeth much Take Plantain water boyle therein grosse beaten Myrtle séedes This cleanseth the sores and cureth them Conserue of Roses held in the mouth long doth cleanse the same Oxycraton that is wine water and vineger mixed together is also very good If this exulceration of the mouth procéed of Melancholy then shalt thou purge as followeth Take Currans one ounce Burrage flowers and of Buglosse Epythimus and Sene of each one drag boyle them in water wherein Mirobalani Indi and Chebuli of each halfe an ounce haue bin stéeped and decocted giue thrée or foure ounces therof in the morning In like manner may you purge with Hiera Ruffi you shall also vse a gargarisme made with Currans and Annise séedes and mixed with honie Hereafter do diuers good things ensue for the infirmities of the tongue that are also very good for this present purpose Of the swollen Almonds §. 2. IT chanceth also sometimes that in these infirmities the Almonds or the pallet in the throate do exulcerate of this pallet shall hereafter especiall mention be made But for the tumor of the Almonds and other exulcerations in the throate are these remedies following ordained Take a quart of red wine Roses thrée M. peeles of two Pomegranates foure Gals grosly beaten Licorice halfe an ounce Currans two dragms boyle them together vntill the fourth part be wasted before thou doest adhibite this wash thy mouth with a cloth dipped in wine then vse it warme if it be with any exulceration then adde honie of Roses vnto it and wash it euery day fiue or seuen times Aqua Iohannis THis water is very good and effectuall to gargarize withall both in blisters and vlcers Take Sulphur vife red Mints Allume Sugar of each half an ounce Mastick Frankinsence of each two drag Pieretrum halfe a dragme Aqua vitae thrée ounces beate all what is to be beaten and temper them together Take Allume Sugar of each halfe an ounce boyle them together in Plantaine water mixe it with the iuice of Mulberries wash the mouth therewith it asswageth the swelling dryeth and healeth The same doth also the sirupe of Mirtle séedes and of the iuice of Nutshels that hereafter are described In like manner also Milke and the iuice of Lettice each by it selfe If the throate be exulcerated within then take Frankinsence Sandaraca Masticke of each one drag red Stirax halfe a dragme beate them together and receiue the fume therof at the mouth oftentimes
the iuice of sowre Quinces two ounces of red and white Saunders prepared Coriander red Corrall and Roses of each one quarter of an ounce Wormewood halfe a handfull wherewith you may foment and put the decocted herbs in a bag and so apply them to the stomacke Of the debilitie of the stomacke through drought §. 7. WHeresoeuer is any weakenes of the stomacke caused through drought whereof hath béen spoken at the first it causeth great thirst drought of the tongue and falling away of the whole bodie as also contrarywise they finde ease when they finde moyst things In this disease is the patient to drinke Milke and Barly water for the same do coole moysten and cause the body to increase againe In like manner he is also to be fed with moystning herbs as Lettice Mallowes and such like also with Veale Lamb Riuer fish Egs drest with Wine are also good for him for that they yeeld good nourishment Item there be very good and commodious Pullet broths drest with cooling herbs Capon waters Marchpanes and other things moe which before in the Consumption or Phthisi in the second part the fifth Chapter and 22. § and afterwards in the sixt part of the Ague Hectica are expressed all which be prepared for to moysten He shall also oftentimes bathe before meales and after meales but a good while after His drinke must be small Wine Rest is good for him and much motion is hurtfull he is further to rule himselfe in all things as for the Consumption and as is taught for the Ague Hectica But in case there strike great heate into it then vse the salue of Roses and Saunders the cooling salue Galeni oyle of Roses of Violets and waterlilies and such like But this plaister following is highly commended Take new sliced Gourds Purslaine and Willow leaues of each two ounces white Saunders one quarter of an ounce Camfer one drag Rose water as much as is néedfull temper them and lay them vpon the stomack you may lay also a bladder of cold water vpon the stomacke But this is héere to be noted that the cooling things must be laid vpon it in such manner that the places adiacent about it to wit the Midriffe the Liuer and the Milt may not thereby be harmed and lose their naturall action for which it is also aduised that when the same is perceiued that the same place be annoynted with warme oyle Of the skalding in the throate and of the hartburning §. 8. ALthough this hartburning be caused diuersly yet neuerthelesse doth the same come alwayes for the most part through heate or through ascending vapors through strong Wine dronken Spices fat meates and such like against which these things insuing are to be vsed to wit conserue of Betonie Gillofloures and the wine of both these also the first stomachicall medicine described aboue in the 5. § Item Marmalade and preserued sowre Peares Some do hang about their neck for this disease the herbe Agrimony Other do hold in their mouth the stone in the Carps head Other do eate fiue or sixe Peach kernels or bitter Almonds vpon it c. of which euery one may choose that which liketh him best Of Inappetencie or lost appetite and whereby it may be remedied §. 9. OF all the foresaid debilities of the stomacke like as also in all diseases incident vnto it the Appetite commonly is taken away except the infirmitie of the vnnaturall hunger Yea there is sometimes such loathing of meates therewith that they cannot abide to smell them The causes thereof are diuers the first is heate wherein the patient hath very small desire to eate but great list to drinke with drouth of the toong and loathing of all warme things If it be mingled with Cholera then is there alwaies bitternes with it with a wambling Or if so be that there be any Phlegma with it then doth the patient alwayes finde some kinde of brackishnes in the mouth Secondly this may also be caused through cold whereby the constringent vertue and taste of the stomacke are destroied These are the signes small thirst much spettle and other filth about the mouth of the stomacke the patient doth féele heauines or pinching Other whiles he parbraketh some Phlegma be it sweete or sower he shall feele it in the mouth All warme things are welcome vnto him cold things go against his stomacke This disease may also be well caused by eating too much cold fruit or by drinking of water Thirdly the hot Agues do also take away the appetite Fourthly impostumes of the stomacke of the liuer and of the milt which be not without an Ague These may be perceiued by swelling and paine of the same parts whose remedies are taught in the description of the selfe-same members Fiftly this is also caused through a tough slimie matter which lieth in the mouth of the stomacke and there doth take away the appetite The signes of them are these if one do cast vp againe all that he hath taken be it sower swéete hot cold like as Oliues such like And albeit they do remaine in the stomacke yet do they make great paine and dissension Sixtly there appeereth a certaine debilitie of the retentiue power in the flesh in the small veines in the muscles and other members whereby as behooueth they cannot draw their nourishment vnto them so that the stomacke may also thereby beare the lesse meate The signes whereof are these the patient is méetely desirous of meate but when the same is set before him then can he eate but very little of it Seuenthly it is sometimes caused for that melancholie very slowly or nothing at all hath his course towards the mouth of the stomack which was woont there to excitate appetite to meate which may well be perceiued hereby if he be giuen to eate sower meates by which meanes the appetite partly returneth againe The cause may also be wormes whereof shall be spoken hereafter Ninthly it may well happen for that the Melancholie too abundantly runneth towards the mouth of the stomacke whereof the signes be vomiting of melancholike humors sowernes of the mouth black colour of the face debilitie of the stomacke and hart The tenth cause is when women begin to beare whereof the signes be sufficiently knowen Eleuenthly the ouerhot time and aire may likewise cause the same like as doth also excéeding cold and much watching which causes and signes may be learned of the patient and demanded of them that do tend him Twelfely through great vexations of the mind as anger sorrow care anguish great ioy desire of Venerie which cannot be obtained as well as that which may be obtained Thirteenthly this lost appetite may be caused through any corruption in the stomack which may be perceiued through stench of the breth or through the ordure This is also otherwhiles caused by reason of the scowring called Diarrhaea with intolerable stench There be also many mo causes but the abouesaid shall be sufficient vnto vs for
not so sure that one may stedfastly beléeue them for example it is adiudged that those women which beare a boy haue the right breast sooner hard and round than the left but experience teacheth the contrary and so it is with all the other signes wherefore it séemeth superfluous to spend any time in this behalfe but because we are now come to the conception of mankind we will speake of the symptomes and signes which are perceiued in the women with child Of those things which commonly appeare in women with child §. 3. THose that haue conceiued a man child are for the most part better of colour lustier nimbler of their ioynts and lesse troubled in the bearing than of a maiden child they haue also a better appetite to their meate they do féele the most burthen in the right side in which place they also perceiue the first motion and stirring of the child the pulses be on the right side more stronger and swifter than on the left When they rise from sitting then do the lift vp themselues with the right hand the right eye looketh more liuely than the left and in going they commonly set their right foote forwards But when they beare a maiden child then iudge all the foresaid signes to the contrary they are paler leaner more pensiue and more troubled in the bearing The man child stirreth lower in the mothers bodie and as the common opinion is most of all in the right side The legges and places do otherwhiles swell It is also affirmed that if milke be dropped on her vrine it should swimme on the top Likewise if she beare a sonne then perceiueth she on the 40. day the milke to come into her breasts with a kind of tickling And when she is with child with a daughter she findeth the same about the 90. day Aristotle neuerthelesse acknowledgeth and diuers more that this as we haue sayd before is not alwayes certaine but with the motion in the right or left sides of a man or maiden child it seldome hapneth to the contrary as may appeare in beasts which at one time commonly do beare two yong ones as Goates Sheepe c. At what time and in what maner the child groweth in the wombe §. 4. ALbeit this concerne no Phisicke but is rather a worke of nature than any part of our science yet doth our methode require that we should shew in what time and also how the child doth increase and grow in his mothers bodie First there is also as hath bene sayd before a great difference betwéene boyes and girles to wit the man child receiueth both forme and life much sooner than the maiden child yet the perfect fashioning of a man or maiden child is in manner as followeth In the first sixe dayes the séede doth swell like to a bladder full of wind or a windy egge nine dayes after that doth this bladder draw bloud vnto it whereby in twelue dayes the liuer the heart and the braines are so euidently formed that they seuerally may be séene and perceiued about the 27. day It is called of the Grecians Embryo or Foetus that is a fruite whereof afterwards a perfect man is formed the other members are fashioned within 18. dayes following so that the summe of all this time amounteth to 4◠dayes in which space the life is for the most part also receiued although the child by reason of his weaknesse séeme rather to be still than to moue euen to the 90. day When as now vnto this number which maketh in all 135. dayes is added as much more then saith Hippocrates you haue the true time of the birth which is iust nine moneths counting thirtie dayes for euery moneth but as we haue said before al things are longer deferred with a girle than with a boy for they commonly be not borne before the tenth moneth Secondly some suppose that if a man child be borne in the seuenth moneth as it otherwhiles befals that the fruite was perfectly formed at the first in 30. dayes and began to liue and moue in the 40. But a maiden child borne in the 7. moneth receiueth her perfection in 35. dayes and beginneth to stirre about the 60. day and both of them are perfected in a 100. dayes but a man child which hath bene borne vntill the ninth moneth that getteth his perfect forme in 45. dayes and stirreth about the 100. day is borne into the world about the 300. day But the maiden children are fully fashioned about the 60. day they stir about the fourescore day and are brought into the world about the 279. day The cause why men children are sooner fashioned in the mothers wombe is because the séede and the right side wherein they be conceiued are hotter Thirdly we reade that in the first moneth the conception should be nought else but a collection of bloud in the second moneth a forming of the bodie in the third moneth a perfect body in the fourth moneth the nailes do grow in the fift moneth it getteth the perfect signes of a man or a woman child in the sixth moneth do the veines beginne to appeare in the seuenth moneth doth the marrow grow in the bones in the eight moneth are the bones hardened and strengthened in the ninth moueth doth it get a full proportion of man or woman and prepareth it selfe for birth Albertus Magnus in the ninth booke and fifth Chapter De Animalibus sheweth diuers more diuisions of the kinds and concludeth with these words following That which the Phisitions do write of this matter is not sufficiently approoued and they are not alwayes found to speake the truth These are the words of the foresaid Albertus Now that this is true appeareth by the difference of the foresaid computations It differeth also sometimes according to the health and debilitie of the parent whereby the fruite of necessitie is gouerned and is brought into the world sooner or later wherefore it may iustly be said that in this matter no certaintie may be found The order of diet for women with child §. 5. WHen God hath endued a woman with his gracious blessing that in the state of wedlocke she should conceiue with child then let her take héede that she cast not away the gift of God voluntarily by some great misdiet but that she acknowledge the goodnesse of God and liue in such sort that by her diet the conceiued fruite be not onely not harmed but cherished and strengthened and fall not into any mishap or mischance whatsoeuer To this end we will at this present prescribe certaine rules first a woman conceiued shall alwayes contend to be loose in body for the which she is to eate euery morning before breakfast some ripe stued Prunes especially if she be bound Also she is to beware of all manner of néedlesse labour of leaping dauncing vomiting coughing much venery and especially presently after meales also of great sorrow frighting feare anger and such like Neither may she bathe her selfe vnlesse
in the morning early for a strengthening halfe an ounce of confected Calmus Likewise Aromaticum rosatum Rosata nouella and conserue of Roses tempered with powder of Masticke and with Mints water being drunken If it be needfull for to purge then is one to vse the former purgations without giuing any stronger thing This ensuing is also very commodious Take the iuice of red Mints foure ounces Agaricus one dragme let it stéepe together two dayes and two nights then temper Ginger and Roses therewith of each foure graines Manna halfe an ounce let it stand drying in the warmth afterwards make pilles thereof and vse them oftentimes for they purge the watery humors without any anguish Now for to remedie the venemous matter for which you haue hereafter thrée kinds of applications Take Roses Cipers nuts burnt Iuorie and Sandaraca of each one dragme Rosin thrée ounces but you are to seeth the Rosin in red Vineger vntill that the Vineger be spent afterwards temper the other ingredients amongst it and make two plaisters of it one quarter and a halfe of a yard long and lay the one behind and the other before vpon the place of the Mother One more forcible Take oile of Quinces of Roses and of Mints of each one ounce and a halfe Comfrey Bloodstone red Corall Sandaraca and burnt Date stones of each one dragme Waxe as much as is néedfull for a salue annoint therewith the place of the Mother and of the kidneyes both these haue so strengthened the fruit in sundry women that they haue fully borne the same which accustomed to lie in too soone of all their former children Thirdly take the water of Tassell and water of Knotgrasse of each sixe ounces water of gréene Cipers nuts or their decoction foure ounces the iuice of Sloes burnt Iuorie and Roses of each one dragme Frankinsence Sandaraca and Colophonie of each one dragme and a halfe the iuice of Quinces sixe ounces temper them well and make a cloth wet therein eight double and so lay it warme vpon the backe Of mischances or vntimely birthes §. 9. THis vntimely childbirth or mischance may befall at any time without any difference after that women haue conceiued as when the séede is not yet come to any perfect shape or when the fruite hath some members but yet before it come to be a perfect child or is brought into the world before the due time being not throughly borne or when it is violently or otherwise expelled And it fareth therewith as it doth with the fruits of trées when they begin first to bud and to fashion then do they hang on brittle stalkes so that otherwhiles they may be blowne off and spoyled with a small wind but being waxen greater then is there to come greater force of windes or otherwise before they will fall off lastly when they be waxen very ripe and seasonable then do they fall off of themselues In like manner doth it also happen with the conceiued séed or fruite which is at the first so weake and tender that if a woman chance to leape to fall or to labour hard the séede receiued is thereby diuers times eiected Wherefore also betwéene foure and seauen moneths she may purge most safely and vse phisicke if néede require for before the foure and after the seuen moneths must she forbeare it if possibly it may be for then it is perillous But to returne to our purpose We haue shewed before that if a woman hath retained humane séed the space of seuen dayes that it is a token of conception but if it vade or auoyd within seuen dayes then do the learned call it Effluxionem which is an effluence or running out But if so be that they detaine it any longer time and this effluence chance within fortie dayes then is it an Abortus that is a mischance and within this time of fortie dayes do most mischances happen Thus if a boy be conceiued and voyd away within fortie dayes then is there none other shape to be seene thereof but in case it be cast into cold water there doth it make shew as a small bladder and making it open then is the fruite found in it as a great Cricket with all his seuerall members and likewise also the humane member And if a maiden child conceiued chance to auoide or passe away within thrée moneths then can no direction or token be seene for that it consumeth in the water but in case that it do come to the fourth moneth then may some direction be séene thereby but it soone consumeth and passeth away for that as we haue said before the girles receiue their perfect fashion much later than the boyes as also they be borne for the most part in the tenth moneth But when they be now come both into the world the girles grow much faster than the boyes and also do come sooner to their time of generation and leaue off much sooner especially they that get many children one after another The causes of these mischances or vntimely births do the learned alleage to be of many sorts which may neuerthelesse be comprehended in foure principall articles viz. of outward causes which procéed of the conceiued fruite when the Matrix hath any kind of disease or if the humane séed be of no good disposition Amongst outward causes be these leaping running wringing and chiefly in lying together bathes anger sorrow feare trembling loud calling strong labour surfetting of meate and diureticall things as Fennell Parsley séed and all other things which expell the stone All hot spices as Ginger Galingall Cinnamome Annis and such like Item all that purgeth violently as Aloe Epithymus Coloquint Scamony and Euphorbium In like maner all scouring or laxes the bloody flixe or the fluxe of the termes The same may also happen if a woman haue any strange lust or longing which she cannot come at or get it and moe other such like causes whereof we haue spoken before whereof it is better to be silent than to disclose the same Also the conceiued fruit otherwhiles falleth downewards before her limited time whether it be for that it is sicke or dead or for that it remaineth not with the face towards the backe with the hands vpon the eyes and the elbowes vpon the knées as the naturall situation of it is Likewise also if the fruite through any disease of the parents be infected whether in the séed or otherwise wherewith also the fourth cause is approoued But if the conceiued séede find any disease in the Matrix be it whatsoeuer sicknesse or disease that it will then must the fruite inherite it This reason following is also occasion of an vntimely birth to wit when a woman is much and vnmeasurable leane conceiuing she will very seldome haue full birth but if the Mother be excéeding leane whence the fruite must sucke or draw his nourishment then will it be inféebled or diseased and constrained to passe away as hereafter shall be more ampler sayd and taught
so linked one with another and befriended that one cannot continue without the other but death must presently insue Yea there is also none other thing that giueth shape in the beginning to all liuing bodies and afterwards causeth them to increase to the houre of death but this naturall heate which is borne with vs. This is the onely cause of all working and it is knowne that all that groweth and increaseth yea also all herbes and plants wust haue their nourishment thereby and each according to the right propertie of his nature which giueth to each thing according to his néed both moisture and dreuth but how were it possible that the same may be concocted and altered for the sustenance and increase of mans bodie if there be no naturall warmth with it This naturall warmth doth maintaine all health and consumeth all bad humors it consumeth also meat and drinke whereby all inward parts do receiue their power and strength and also are made apt to do all things whereto they were created The hardned skin will be mellowed and made thin through this naturall heate all wounds and vlcers be brought to naturall matter it swageth the paine it looseth and softeneth all contracted sinewes Item this naturall heate is that which causeth the wounded head to heale and freeth it from all his heauie accidents drieth the moisture of the same expelleth all corrupted bones and taketh away the venime of all corroding vlcers This naturall warmth doth warme all frozen members it helpeth all diseases of the Matrix and priuities c. The same naturall heate doth heale all broken bones But how may that be better séene than by dayly examples which we haue daily before our eyes and as it appeareth in old folkes for it is seene that how much the naturall heate abateth in them so much the weaker and the more incurable do they waxe of all diseases and most manifestly in the dying where it is cleerely séene that how much the more the naturall heate doth abate so much the nearer is death at hand Therefore must héed alwayes be taken that it be kept in his naturall being for if so be that the same be too great or too small in any body then can follow none other but heauie sicknesses and at length death it selfe The like may be séene in the Palsie and in the Plague Therefore we wil here discouer certaine things which sustaine this naturall heat and do increase and strengthen the same and afterwards shew what is to be vsed against vnnaturall heate First there be certaine spiced wines Claret wines Hypocras wines and such like commended for it but they must be vsed with prouidence to the end that according to the qualitie of nature and of the age they may be prepared that they heate not ouermuch for that the right nature of wine is that it being moderatly drunken doth preserue and sustaine the naturall warmth and strengtheneth the powers of men The same doth also Elecampane wine and confected Nutmegs vsed morning and euening after meate The conserue of Rosemarie doth warme all those which be halfe dead But what néed is it to write so largely thereof séeing there is no sicknesse which cometh through cold described in all this booke wherein hath not bene taught how this weake natural heate might be holpen Hereafter also shall be spoken of the Phlegma and by that meanes also of cold and what is to be done for these cold diseases where further aduertisement may be sought for Of vnnaturall heate §. 1. IN all hote diseases which haue bene discouered hitherto be means euery where declared wherewith this vnnaturall heate might be quenched and slaked But we will here not onely alledge the passages where the same is taught but also declare what may be méete for it For this are sundrie things described as the cooling salue Galem the salue of Roses the salue of Saunders and the Pomade For this is also good the Poplar salue all which you may mixe as you please or vse each alone In like manner these oyles following as of Poppie heads of Roses of Violets and of water Lillies which do coole more than the oyle of Roses or oyle of Violets For an outward application take the water of Corne Roses and of Nightshade of each two ounces sealed earth and fine Bolus of each one dragme Camfer ten graines temper them all together and lay it vpon the forehead or where the heate is One may vse inwardly the conserue of Buglosse of Burrage of water Lillies of Violets of Cicorie of red and white Roses confected Cherries and conserue of Barberries Item confected rootes of Cicorie Framboys confected Peaches which one may vse in all hote sicknesses and Prunes that be confected Item fresh Cassie is very necessary in all vnnaturall and sharpe heate The sowre Dates do coole and purge very mildly and they do also quench the thirst The simple things be Lettice Endiue Cicorie and bread that is stéeped in cold water Fishes Limons Oranges Pompeons Melons sweete wine Peares Apples and Cherries c. These foresaid things are not only to be vsed in hote sicknesses but also to take them moderatly being in health in hote times There is also a sirupe made of the iuice of Oranges of sowre Pomgranates of white Roses and of Sorrell the which do coole much in time of the Plague and in all pestilentiall sicknesses which do inflame the heart and the stomacke The sirupe of Roses laxatiue doth especially coole all heate of Agues likewise also the sirupe of Veriuice of Violets of Endiue and of Vineger In like manner also Oxycraton Oxysacchara Iulep of Roses and of Violets the honie of Roses hath a méetly cooling nature therefore the same may also be vsed in hote Agues When the patient desireth to drinke in great heate then be some of these foresaid sirupes to be tempered amongst it for which the sirupe of Violets of Burrage and of Roses be the most principall if the same be tempered with well water or any cooling potion The same doth also fresh well water alone Item Barly water or Henbroth dressed with Endiue watred wine Henbroth with Sugar and Barly and the water of Larks spur drunken thrée or foure times a day these beforesaid do take away the vnnaturall heate whether it be in the Plague or in any other hot agues Take water of Larks spur and of Buglosse of each two ownces Cicorie water one ounce drinke twice thereof morning and euening it strengtheneth and cooleth also the heart in all hote things Take a handfull of Raisins stampe them to pap and powre vpon it eight ounces of water of Buglosse Cinnamome one dragme then wring it thorow a cloth and afterwards take it or giue it to drinke with Almond milke But if so be that some vnnaturall heate do assaile you without any speciall sicknesse then is this ensuing to be vsed for it Take a blacke Cockrell of a yeare old chop it aliue one part from another take the