blacke neither doth it issue forth copiously although it be constrained If it arise through subtility and thinnesse of the blood then the blood is pure and cleare and the Flux is small If heate be mixed with it it shall easily be discerned in the Matrix and by other tokens and signes If cold be mixed with it it shall in like manner be observed and found out If the blood shall issue forth because it is liquid and thin the cause of this is the evill disposition and state of the body and the debility of the concoctions caused and ingendred by abundance of many moistures and winds or vapors inclosed and imprisoned in the Matrix But if you will have certaine knowledge of the humor constraining this unnaturall issue looke upon a linnen cloth sleightly coloured and dipped in the menstruous blood If the colour of it doth incline to rednesse you may know that the cause of the Fluxe doth proceed from blood If it bend toward Citrine or yellow colour from Choler if it incline to whitenesse from Phlegme But if it incline to a black colour you may know the cause of the Fluxe to arise from Melancholy What Fluxes are to be stopped Further you shall consider when as the Flux shall be tolerable and easie to be indured which doth not make the body leane nor weaken it but doth dis-burden it and make the same more light and nimble that such a Flux is inforced and moved by naturall vertue and power only expelling and voyding that which is superfluous in the blood and therefore such Flux and issue ought not to be restrained or stopped But if the contrary thing happen it is to be restrained and staied altogether lest it bring the Patient to cholerick Fevers because that blood being evacuated and exhausted Choler doth beare the whole sway and play the Tyrant and being freed from his bridle doth furiously vex and torment the Patient For blood as it is commonly said is the bridle of Choler But because also naturall colour is nourished cherrished with blood that flowing away it is necessary that a defect and decay of heat must follow and ensue and by that all the members and parts of the body to waxe cold the whole body to be debilitated and weakened the whole appetite to be taken away the concoctions to be hindred the Consumption and Hydropsie and also other most miserable diseases at the last to hasten after the same But because it is not sufficient to know the diversities of the diseases onely unlesse wee be resolved likewise of the fit and convenient cure of repelling them wee will hereafter also declare a few things of many which shall seeme to be the choisest and most speciall concerning the cure and remedy of these evills And as the Causes of these Fluxes and issues are inward and outward so the cure shall be inward and outward also The inward cure of unnaturall Fluxes And truely first of all if this unmeasurable or unnaturall Fluxe shall happen by some inward cause before all things the diet and use of all outward things shall be ordered and directed to a cold and dry temperature that blood may decrease and be diminished Therefore it will greatly profit to decoct and seethe all convenient and agreeable meats in Milke or Water in which Steele red-hot hath beene quenched and to eate Colewoorts boiled with Lentills or Beanes Or if it please you such a decoction shall first be prepared wherein other meats afterward shall be boiled Take Plantane-leaves flowers of Wool-blade or Lungwoort with the leaves of each one handful the roots of Symphytum or comfrey one ounce mingle them together and boile them with water or Milk in which burning Iron hath beene quenched straine it and squeise it out hard With this decoction all other meates may be prepared as Almonds Lentills Beanes the graine Milium Rice Amylum and the like things rosted flesh is to be preferred before sodden Also sauces may be prepared of the juice of Goose-berries Sorrell and Barberries to be mingled with other meats Let her abstaine from Spices and all things which are of a hot nature but specially from Saffron Let her drinke thicke red Wine allaied with water wherein Steele hath beene quenched It will likewise be profitable that Gold should oftentimes be extinguished and quenched in that Wine after it hath beene made red-hot in the fire Let her use no exercise but as much rest as may be Let her use much sleep let her wholly shake hands with Venus and flie from her as from a deadly poison Her belly being constipated and bound by reason of this continuall Fluxe shall be relaxed and unloosed with a gentle Clyster but thou shalt not by any meanes restraine and stop the Flux unlesse it shall induce and bring debility and feeblenesse lest thou oppose thy selfe against Nature of her owne accord expelling and voiding out superfluous things when thy resistance shall procure great evill When and how Fluxes are to be restrained But when necessity shall require then at last it will be convenient and profitable to binde and stop this Flux And first of all you shall use this powder of which you shall give one dram to be drunke at a time in water in which Gold heat red-hot hath bin quenched And the powder shall be thus prepared Take Terra Sigillata Carabe or Amber Succus Acacia of each halfe an ounce Hypocistis or Hypoquistidos Harts-horne washed and burnt the Runnet of a Kid or Hare of each two drams red Corrall prepared and beaten to powder one dram Gumme Arabicke Costus Sanguis Draconis Bole-Armeniacke prepared of each one dram and a halfe Comfrey flowers of Quinces the pills or rindes of Pomgranates of each one dram Pearles prepared one scruple Mumia halfe a dram Myrtles Olibanum of each one dram Lapis Haematites or the Blood-stone roots of the water-Lilly of each one dram and a halfe Mix them all together and let a powder be made of them Also you shall not unprofitably give this powder following to be eaten in an Egge Take Bole-Armenie prepared Terra Sigillata red Sanders Anthera of each one scruple and a halfe Rindes of Pomegranates Acorne-cups Nut-meg of each halfe a dram Mixe them and make a Powder Or let her use this Electuary morning and evening Take of the Antidote Athanasia Micleta of each one ounce old conserve of Roses one ounce and a halfe Rindes of Pomegranates Acorne-cups Nut-meg Corall prepared of each one scruple and a halfe Pearles prepared halfe a scruple Terra Sigillata halfe a dramme Sanguis Draconis Bole-Armenie prepared Lapis Hematites of each one scruple Temper them with syrup of Pomegranates as much as sufficeth and let an Electuary be made of it Adde to it if neede be Philonium Persicum one dram Moreover against Thirst Water wherein red-hot Steele hath beene quenched mingled with the syrup of Quinces and Pomegranates and with the juyce of Gooseberries and Acetosa simplex shall
Plantane the lesser or Ribwoort Galls Psidia of each one dram Let all of them be mixed and incorporated with juyce of Plantane and Rue and let Pessaries be made of them Or else take unripe Galls burn'd quenched with Vinegar two drams Gumme Arabick halfe a dram Sanguis Draconis powder of the roots of Walwoort or Asse-eare Sumach Masticke Acorn-cups Hypocisthidos Acacia Harts-horne burnt Colophony Myrrh drosse of Iron of each one dram Camphire one scruple mingle and incorporate all together with the juyce of Knot-grasse Housleeke Night-shade Wormegrasse or Stonegrasse and of Plantane as much as sufficeth and let a Pessary be made of it Or otherwise Take the ashes of Egs-shels burn'd the shels of Crab-fish Sanguis Draconis Bole Armenie Oxe-dung dried of each two drams leaves of Silver or Gold most diligently beaten one dram Haire of Goats of Hares Cotton all burned of each halfe a dram temper them with the juyce of Rue and Plantane so much as may suffice and let a Pessary be made of it But if intemperate heate of the blood shall inforce the Fluxe If the Flux do arise from the heate of the blood how it is to be cured and shall ingender great thirst the diet shall be directed to a cold and dry temperature and the use of all outward things to be ordained and disposed of as they may strengthen and make the body prosper Let her drinke Water wherein red-hot Steele hath beene quenched mingled with syrup of Pomegranates And such an Electuary may first be prepared of which let her eate morning and evening and after meat a little morsell the bignesse of a Chesse-nut Take old conserve of Roses one ounce Diaolibanum two ounces red Corall prepared one dram Pearles prepared one scruple Cummin-seed infused the space of a day in Vinegar one dram and a halfe dry Mints foure scruples Olibanum two scruples Mastick Cypress-nuts roots of Bistort of each halfe a dram Spica Indica one scruple Let al things that are to be beaten to powder be powdred and let an Electuary gilded be made of them being tempered with syrup of Pomegranates so much as sufficeth Also she shall use these pills following five of them taken in the morning or three houres before supper the waight of a dram Take Frankincense Mastick Mumia Allom Harts-horne burn'd washed Cypresse-nuts Runnet of a Hare or Kid of each a dram Gumme Arabicke one dram mixe them and let a masse or lumpe be made wherewith pills may be formed with the juyce of the Thistle named Carduus Mariae our Ladies Thistle or white Thistle Here also Pilulae de Bdellio prepared with the juyce of a Leeke This Plaister prepared either in a hard or liquid forme after the manner of an Vnguent shall have great efficacy by annointing the woman with it before and behind Take oile of Masticke two ounces oile of Myrtles juyce of Mints red Roses of each one ounce powder of Mastick two ounces Cypressenuts Mumia Bistort Olibanum Myrtles red Roses of each two drams Chalk burnt Allom Galls Acorne-cups of each one dram Bole Armeniack Terra Sigillata of each halfe a dram white Waxe so much as sufficeth and let a Plaister be made of them After shee hath beene annointed with this Vnguent shee shall weare this Cere-cloth following continually laid before and behind upon her Take Masticke one dram and a halfe Ladanum Olibanum of each two drams Galls Cypresse-nuts Bistort Mumia of each one dram Myrrhe Galbanum Terra sigillata of each two scruples temper them with Oyle of Masticke and Wax so much as sufficeth and let a Cere-cloth bee made of it which being spred over white Leather must bee laid upon the woman before and behind afflicted with this unnaturall flux Hot Bathes do profit and availe in this case not such as consist of Brimstone but of Copper and Allome But if the flux of blood shall arise only from a cold cause then you must proceed altogether in the same manner as we have prescribed before in curing barrennesse engendered of a phlegmaticke humour CHAP. XI Of the the Causes and Cure of the stopping of the Termes BVt because in the former Chapter we have given instructions concerning the immoderate Fluxes and issuings of the Termes and of the Cure of the same The next thing is that wee should also speake a little concerning the retention and stopping of them For thereby many sicknesses and diseases are bred and ingendred if they be detained contrary to Nature nor doe not issue forth in such a quantity as they should every Moone in women well disposed in respect of age and constitution of body And we must understand that this happeneth by outward and inward Causes Outward causes of the stopping of the Termes Externall causes are the aire intemperately hot cold and dry meats over hot and binding whereby the humours are burned the body dried and concoctions are hindred also meats which are too cold congealing and freezing as it were the rest of the humours of the body by their coldnesse and letting them from issuing forth by restraining and binding them To these causes also these following doe pertaine too much watching immoderat fasting every unseasonable and sudden commotion or perturbation of the body as great anger sudden fury great sadnesse great lamentation over-much solitarinesse great labour any great diseases sharp fits a Quartane Fever paine of the Head the Fever Hecticke too much fatnesse issuing forth of the blood of the nostrils or any other member Vlcers and great Apostems Inward causes Inward causes are partly bred by the corruption of some humour and partly without the corruption of any humour Causes without the corruption of the humour are over-much heat coldnesse and drinesse For to those which are cholericke the humours are exsiccated and dried up through immoderate heat and therefore the Termes are stopped But to the melancholicke The corruption of the qualities the same thing happeneth by immoderate coldnesse and drinesse But when they happen without the corruption of the humour we must allege the qualities to be the cause and we may observe certaine signes from what quality they doe proceede and againe whether from a simple or a compound quality If they happen from coldnesse and drinesse the issue of the Termes is little the colour will be pale no desire of Venus the urine thin white and without any convenient subsidence or grounds in the bottome If they chance from hotnesse and drinesse the Termes will be few the colour redder the greater desire of Venus the urine thinne reddish but almost no subsidence or dregs in the bottome of it But for the most part this retention and stopping of the Termes The corruption of the humours doth happen by the corruption and fault of some humour as of Phlegme Choler and Melancholy but not of blood at all because they are onely retained and stopped through the other humours bearing sway in the blood Moreover common signes by which it is
judgement that it sendeth and committeth to Memory to be reserved as it were in a treasury or store-house and to be directed concerning his acts and effects 2. The Sensitive faculty The second vertue is the Sensitive faculty the which although we know that it is variable and diverse in respect of the senses yet we may understand that it is caused and effected in this manner The Animal spirit whose place of late we said to be in the braine proceeding from the interiour and inward little caves and ventricles of the braine The Animal Spirit doth forme and frame the senses by the mediation and assistance of certaine subtile and slender sinewes doth forme and frame the Senses and by his vertue through the ministry and furtherance of the sinewes directeth and transposeth sight to the eyes smelling to the nostrills hearing to the eares and tasting to the palate of the mouth which senses wee see onely to be numbred and nominated of the senses of the head The third is the Moving vertue 3. The Moving faculty ingendred and bred in the braine to whom it is said to be proper to move and give motion For as the Animal spirit disposeth and directeth the orders and properties of the senses The Animal spirit directs the motions as is before declared so by the benefit of the same facultie the motions also are directed by which the vertues and faculties of the Spirit are dilated opened and enlarged and are likewise conveyed and sent abroad to the other members But for the perfection and complement of all these vertues and faculties Spirit is necessarily required Spirit necessary for the perfection of the former faculties by whose benefit and continuall motion as well the senses as the faculties are instigated and provoked to performe and finish their faculties and actions And they say that the Spirit is a certaine airy substance which continually exciteth and stirreth up the powers and faculties of the body to fulfill and accomplish their actions And indeed this Spirit is a certaine subtile body What spirit is ingendred by the force of heat because of blood flowing and streaming in the Liver attracted and drawne by breathing and the Arteries and afterward diffused by the veines to all the members quickning the bodies serving to promote and further motion by the meanes and aide of the nerves and Muscles But first this is directed and conduced to the Liver in this manner Heate remaining in the blood How naturall spirit is ingendred there is caused a certaine boyling in the Liver from whence a certaine fume or vapour issueth and proceedeth forth which eft-soones being purified by the veines of the Liver is changed and transmuted into a certaine airie substance and is called Naturall Spirit which purifieth and clarifieth the blood and afterward is sent and distributed to the particular and severall members Afterward the same Spirit is transferred and carried from the Liver by certaine veines to the Heart How vitall spirit is ingendred where by the motion of the parts of the Heart and a mutuall coagitation it is made more pure and is converted into a more subtile and finer Nature and beginneth to be Vitall and truely Spirit because is diffuseth and spreadeth it selfe from the Heart by Arteries to the members of the whole body and doth augment and further the vertue of Naturall Spirit And againe How Animal spirit is ingendred the same Spirit mounting and penetrating upward from the Heart through Arteries to the little caves and ventricles of the braine is there more exactly laboured and refined and is transmuted and altered into the essence and substance of the Animal Spirit Animal Spirit most pure which is most pure of all from whence streight-way it is sent and conducted againe by the organs and instruments of the senses to corroborate and strengthen those senses in some measure Although therefore it be the selfe-same one Spirit yet because of his divers offices and functions in divers parts Why the Spirit is called Naturall Vital Animal it is diversly taken and understood as in the Liver it is named Naturall in the Heart Vitall and in the braine Animal But we must not beleeve that this Spirit is the immortall soule infused into man of God Whether the Spirit be the Soule but it is onely the instrument and as it were the Charriot of the same The Spirit but the instrument or Charriot of the Soule For by the meanes alone of this Spirit the soule is conjoyned and united to the body neither yet also is there any perfect exercise of the soule without the ministry and service of this spirit which thing might easily be proved but that already this discourse concerning the faculties and Spirit hath beene overlong CHAP. V. Of the true Generation of the parts and the increase of the Feature according to the daies and moneths A little while after also a veine directed by the Navell A two-forked veine ingendred attracteth the grosser blood confused in the seed fit and convenient for nourishment whereby a two-forked veine is ingendred according to the forme of this Figure And these veines doe attract sucke and draw unto them the hottest the most subtile and purest blood of which the heart is ingendred in the membrane or skinne of the heart involving and lapping the same round about named in Latin Pericardium and the heart is fleshie What the Heart is and of a grosse substance by nature as is necessary for such a hot member But the notable and great veine Vena cava spreading out himselfe and penetrating into inward concavitie vault or privie-chamber of the right side of the heart deriveth and carrieth blood thither for the nourishment of the heart The unmoveable and still veine Also from the same branch of that veine in the same part of the heart a certaine other veine doth spring up named of some the unmoving or still veine in Latine Vena immota vel tranquilia so named because it doth not beat and move as other pulsive moving veines of the heart doe named in Latine Venae pulsatiles but lieth hidden being calme and still ordained and destinated to this office namely The office of the unmoveable and still veine that it should conduct and convey blood digested in the Heart unto the Lungs and Lights which veine is environed and lapped about for which cause it is named Vena arteriosa an arteried veine with two coats like unto the Arteries But in the concavity hollow of the left part in the heart a most great and notable pulsive or beating veine Aorta called Aorta doth spring up diffusing and sending abroad vitall and lively spirit by the blood of the heart into all the pulsive and moving veines of the body For as Vena cava is the originall fountain and spring of all the veines by which the body attracteth and draweth to it the whole nutriment of blood Even so
and Vallesian bathes with the waters of Embs so also sterility and difficulty of ingendring have very great help and succour by them whereby they are caused and increased as by an unconvenient diet by the permutation and change of accustomed aire by drinking of the water of Ice and by bathes Further barrennesse may be judged to proceede from the disposition and quality of the generative members For it commeth to passe that not a few infirmities and grievances doe happen to them by reason of which man and wife are not onely made impotent and barren but are unfit to dwell together husbands with their wives and wives with their husbands In which place the strictnesse and narrownesse of the mouth of the Matrix doth very much disprofit and annoy by which it falleth out that not only the Termes being stopped doe let and hinder generation but moreover also doe breed and bring forth very many other evills Againe when the secrets themselves are too wide or too strait and therefore are not convenient neither for conception nor generation Retention and staying of the Termes causeth the same thing which doth much distemper and molest the Matrix and suffocateth and choketh the seede cast forth into the wombe through abundance of evill humours Among women also they which are over man-like are not so apt for generation and among men those which are more effeminate and woman-like than is requisite For these women almost universally doe want the issuing forth of the Termes at their due seasons and also the nourishing humours And such men being intemperatly cold and moist cannot send forth seed possessed with a generative vertue Hitherto pertaineth both the weake and feeble attractive power of the Matrix and also the sudden alteration of the same For the attractive and expulsive vertue of the Matrix either too strong or weake doe equally cause the difficulty of ingendering Likewise the maladies of the Matrix tumours inflammations ulcers Apostemes the mouths of the veines named Acetabula being broken the Termes issuing forth immoderately or stopped and such like things doe afford and minister great occasion to the same difficulty Many also say the veines placed behinde the eares to wit which give way to the spirits which the braine communicateth and imparteth to the seed being cut asunder to be a cause to the same difficulty and debility of ingendering as Hippocrates admonisheth They affirme that the incision of the bladder doth bring the same which of it selfe it is deadly There are also many things which being taken doe properly procure sterility and barrennesse as Camphire Hemlocke and other herbes and roots like unto these and all things which offend and hurt the braine kidnies and testicles being the principall members of generations Hitherto also belongeth many other things Externall causes as over much repletion emptinesse immoderate exercises intemperate heat deadly cold Likewise Theophrastus doth attribute a certaine peculiar force to some waters to cause sterility For the most part diversity of complexions hath the superiority among the causes when man and wife doe want the due temperature of the qualities But where they shall be mixed yea but little they shall be able to ingender more easily Old age also of it selfe in men and women doth hinder generation through the defect of humours although it be found by experience as yet that many men being threescore and ten or foure-score yeeres of age have begotten children Lastly there is also a great cause of sterility which happeneth by the witchcraft of Witches Let it suffice to have spoken these things concerning the evident and knowne causes of barrennesse Signes of barrennesse Moreover there are many signes whereby the difficulty of conceiving or begetting children may be noted and observed The first are to be taken from the constitution and habit of the privie members as if they be diseased with any corruption or defect or be too large or too strait and narrow they are knowne not to be apt and fit for generation The seed also is unfit if it be too hot or too cold which thing they say may not onely be observed by the colour of the urine but also of the substance of the same Also many judge of sterility and fruitfulnesse by the habite and colour of the body that the women which are of a pale colour are supposed to be also more moist than others If they be more moist they are not so apt to retaine and cheerish the seed This experiment following is put in practice of some When they goe about to make a triall concerning the unfruitfulnesse or fertility of any one they poure the urine of the party on Barley If this sprout out within tenne daies they acknowledge it for a signe of fruitfulnesse if it doe not they acknowledge it for a certaine argument of sterility and barrennesse But others pouring the urine upon Huskes or Bran if they see wormes to be bred and ingendered in it doe observe a signe of barrennesse from that Hippocrates doth counsell us to search out this thing by fumes made underneath so that if a fume being used underneath be perceived above by smelling the woman being close covered about the lower parts then hee saith it may be thought to be a signe of fruitfulnesse because the secret members are not strict and narrow If it be not perceived by smelling at the nostrills he saith it is a very certaine note and signe of the strictnesse and narrownesse of the Matrix and so consequently of barrennesse Some would have the same thing to be found out by annoynting the corners of the eyes with liquid oyntments so that if the oyntments of some kindes of colours being laid upon the corners of the eyes doe not change the colour of the spittle then it should be a signe of constipation and stopping and therefore of barrennesse also because the eyes are members communicating with the seede because they quickely sinke downe and waxe hollow when it is immoderatly sent forth and dispersed Some old women likewise have their signes by which they observe whether the greater sterility or unfruitfulnesse be in the husband or in his wife for they sprinkle two hand fulls of Sage laid severally by themselves with urine one of them with the urine of the man and the other with the urine of the woman and they say that the handfull which shall wither first is a testimony of barrennesse of the party with whose urine it was sprinkled and watered They receive the same experiments also by Beanes and Barley that whose part doth sprout first in him or her they thinke there is most fertility and fruitfulnesse Further wee must consider here also that fruitfull women and such as are apt to ingender children doe sooner seeme to be old in the outward habite of body than those which are barren and fruitlesse also they waxe leane sooner and become weake notwithstanding they live more healthfull in their old age than they which never
medicines mixed together a certaine waight taken of them as the counsell of a skilful Physician shall direct you Namely the Electuary Diaphaenicon Electuarium Indum Pillulae de Rhahabarbaro and Pillulae Agregativae Afterward superfluous humours being sufficiently purged the nature and habite of the Matrix shall be strengthened with this medicine following Take of the Species or Simples of the confection of Diatriasandalon two drams the scrapings of Ivorie Viscus Quercinus the powder of a Bulls Pissle of the Matrix of a Hare of each two drams white Sugar halfe apound Let it be dissolved with Rose-water and let the confection or receit be made in morsells Or otherwise Take conserve of Roses halfe an ounce of Borrage of the flowers of the water-Lilly of Buglosse of each three drams the Species of Diarrhodon Abbatis Diatriasandalon Aromaticum Rosatum of each one scruple Pearles Powder of precious Stones scrapings of Ivorie Viscus Quercinus of each halfe a scruple Let all these kindes be dissolved with a sufficient quantity of syrup of Roses and make a mixture of them and an Electuary gilded All these things orderly performed let her wash in the bathe following which may be prepared in this manner Take of the both kindes of Mallowes Mater violarum or Violet plants red Roses water-Lilly Quince-leaves of each one handfull Fenegrek common Salt Roach-Allome of each two drammes Let all the herbes be shred in pieces very small and being inclosed in a bag let them boile in the water in which the woman must sit This bathe may be used every yeere for there are foure weeks together But so often as shee shall come forth out of the bath shee must take the waight of a Filberd-nut of the cordiall Electuary before prescribed Also let her make this Fume underneath for her wombe after her bathe Take of all the Sanders of each one dram and a halfe Styrax Calamita two scruples Amber sixe graines red Roses Water-lilly-flowers Violets of each one dram Let them all be beaten together with Rose-water and let Trochiskes be made with them Also it shall not be unprofitable to annoynt the loynes and Matrix sometime with the oyntment of Gallen or with the oyntment named Vnguentum Sandalinum Likewise shee may use Pessaries in the night in this sort prepared Take Marrow of the legge of a Calfe Braine of a Hart Butter made of Cowes milke the Fat of a shee Goate seede of the herbe Mercury of each halfe an ounce Acacia Hypoquistidos red Sanders Styrax liquida Horne of a Hart burned of each halfe a dram Let them be incorporated with oyle of Roses and cleane wooll and let Pessaries be made with them CHAP. IV. Of the cure of barrennesse if it proceed from superfluous bloody humours of the Matrix BVt because sterility and barrennesse is not only ingendered of Phlegme and Choler abounding but is also bred of overmuch blood and sometimes also other superfluous or corrupt humours are mixed with the same we must first see by the signes of Vrine which of those humours doe abound If you shall finde that blood alone is abounding then such a diet shall be appointed which may diminish blood and minister small nourishment unto to it If you shall perceive cholericke humour to be in it you shall order your diet to a cold temperature If Phlegme shall abound in it you shall direct the temperature of your diet to drinesse For it shall come to passe that that superfluitie of what humour soever it shall be may by little and little be prepared for a convenient purgation But because the meanes is not commonly knowne to purge blood from those aforesaid humours when it is mixed with them it is to be inquired for of skilfull Physicians we will only prosecute that in this place which pertaineth to the diminishing of the abundance and superfluity of bloody humours Therefore when it is knowne and evident that abundance of blood doth hinder conception in women let first the veines of the Anckle be opened in both the feete and let a just quantity of blood be taken away Which done a bathe shall be prepared of such herbs as doe incline to cooling and refrigeration After the bath the woman ought to use these Lozenges or little Cakes Take Cinamome seede of Mercury red Roses Scrapings Pearles prepared of each one dram red Corrall prepared powder of precious Stones of each two scruples all the sorts of Sanders halfe a dram Sugar halfe a pound Let the Sugar be dissolved in Rose-water and let all things be decocted and boiled untill the Rose-water be wasted away which being done let one ounce of conserve of Roses be added to it and all things being mixed together let gilded Lozenges or little Roundells be made in such sort as they ought to be Likewise an Electuary very commodious profitable for this use may be prepared in this manner of which let her take the quantity of a Filberd-nut alwaies before meat Take of conserve of Roses one ounce of Buglosse Borrage of each two drams of the species or simples of Diatriasandali of Diarhodon Abbatis of each three drams Let these Ingredients be tempered together with syrup of Roses and let them all be incorporated together and let them be gilded with the leaves of Gold so much as may suffice and let an Electuarie be made of them Also it shall be a profitable thing that shee should be bathed with a decoction made with these Simples following made in raine-water or in water wherein steele hath beene often quenched Take red Roses Galls Sumach the seed of the greater Plantane with the leaves Comfrey of each halfe a handfull Terra Sigillata Bole Armeniacke Roch Allome of each halfe an ounce Also a powder may be made of the Simples before prescribed and may be boiled in the aforesaid water in which a cloth sometimes doubled together being dipped and moistened may be laid very warme upon the loynes and privie parts Also this Plaister following being warme in the same manner may likewise be laid upon them Take Muske sixe graines Citrine Sanders red Roses of each halfe a dram oyle of Roses one ounce and a halfe Mingle them and make a plaister of them CHAP. V. Of the Cure of sterility proceeding from a melancholy humour IF a melancholike humour abounding shall be the cause of sterility and barrennesse First of all a diet must be appointed declining from the qualities of this humor to that which is hot and dry Care and sadnesse must be banished away and mirth joy must be procured as much as may be but sorrowes and pensivenesse are to be omitted so much as is possible Then the superfluous humor shall be prepared and mollified for purgation with this syrup following Take syrup of Acetosa de radicibus two ounces syrup of Fumitary one ounce of the waters of Harts-tongue and Mugwoort of each two ounces Let these be mingled and made Aromaticall with Cinamome and let there be made a cleare syrup of them Or
Waxe and Hens grease so much as is sufficient and make an ointment of them Let such a water be made for the same purpose A Water Take Anâ—s figges five ounces Indian-nuts the Fishes named Scinci brought from beyond the Seas the taile of the Fish named Lacertus sweet Almonds Pine-apple-kernells Rocket-seed of each one ounce Vrtica the roots of both the kindes of Satyrion Hermodactili Peper long and blacke of each two ounces Muske one scruple the best white Wine wine sublimated of each one equall Measure Let them all be mixed and infused and haxing beene set out to the Sune fouretene daies let them be distilled If you will use this water take halfe an ounce with one ounce of the Electuary Diassatyrion and drinke them mixed together morning and evening very hot Also these Pills are approved taken in the evening Take of the seede of Rocket Radish stone-Parsley Pills Vrtica Satyrion of each one dram stones of a Fox pissle of a Bull of each two drams the taile of the Fishes named Scinci and the Fishe Lacertus of each one dram braines of Cocke Sparrowes Drakes Cocks Pigeons of each halfe an ounce Peper Galangal long-peper of each a dram and a halfe roots of both kinds of Satyrion halfe an ounce Euphorbium Castoreum of each one scruple Let all be beaten to powder let them be incorporated with Hony and let Pillls be made of them Take the quantity of two or one dram Another Electuary for the same purpose to be taken morning evening Another Electuary the quantity of a Chesse-nut shall be prepared in this manner Take Satyrion-rootes halfe a pound Dates foure ounces Mints Ginger candi'd or green-Ginger Iujubae of each three drams Let all things be mingled together and sodden in Sheeps-milke and pounded in a Morter as is accustomed which being done afterward take Cock-stones stones of a Weather or of a Bull or of a Goat Let those things be decocted in Sheeps-milk with a little fresh Butter and the yolkes of two Egges let them be dried in a Pipkin on the fire orderly After which things take clarified Hony two pound and a halfe of the Sugar named Tabarzeth as much as sufficeth Let all these things be decocted in due order and these powders following be mingled with them being boiled take the Pissle of a Bull of a Goat Rocket-seed of each one dram and a halfe Galangal Zedoaria of each one ounce Cinamome Ginger long-peper seed of the Ash-tree of each six drams seed of Mercury seed of Mallowes of each halfe an ounce the pith of the Indian Nut Pine-apple-kernells cleansed sweet Almonds of each one dram Let all these things be brought to a powder and let them be mixed to the decoction before prescribed and let an Electuary be made of them And now also let these things be sufficient to have beene spoken concerning medicines to be received inwardly for the cure of barrennesse sterility CHAP. VIII Of the Suffocation and choking of the Matrix and of the causes and cure of the same IT remaineth also to speak a few things hereafter concerning the most especiall diseases of the Matrix which have greatest force to procure and cause sterility and also to hinder conception and generation such as are principally the Suffocation and Precipitation or falling downe of the Matrix the immoderate issuing of the Termes and the stopping of the same But we will speake first of the first What the suffocation of the Matrix is Wee say that the Suffocation of the Matrix is not naturall but that it is a forced and constrained ascending and rising up of the Matrix or Mother towards Diaphragma or the Midriffe whereby it commeth to passe that the passages of the aire are stopped the Lungs and Arteries of the heart being pressed and thrust together and the Lungs is prohibited and barred from amplifying and inlarging it selfe as it should which passion proceedeth from windy and divers vapors arising from corrupt matter And by this sicknesse the breathing is hindred the braine is molested the Heart is restrained of his free liberty the Lungs is crowded together the senses and motions doe cease the Spirits are intercepted the members of the body doe deny to doe their office whereby it falleth out that faintings of the faculties of life doe happen sudden swoonings doe overwhelme the diseased and sometime doe deprive them of life the Heart being suffocated for which effect it is supposed that it is therefore called in Latine Suffocatio The Causes We cannot say that there are any other causes of this Malady but the stopping of the Termes contrary to the course of Nature or corrupted seede or else other depraved and evill humours inclosed in the Matrix being dissolved into winds vapors and so forcing the Matrix to be heaved and lifted upward The signes of this disease are two-fold The Signes one of the sickenesse present by the fit which is present the other of the disease to come taken from the tokens of the fit to come But the tokens of the present sickenesse taken by the Present fit are these signes The women doe hardly fetch their breath Signes of the present fit the Pulse of the Arteries is seldome their hands are continually laid upon their belly above the Navell for to depresse and keepe downe the Matrix rising upward the habite and forme of the body is bending downward the colour is pale when you speake they make no answer the understanding is quicke and lively without any voyce at all there is no motion of the body and indeed nothing else but a similitude of present death But whether life doth remaine still in the body or not in this extreme passion of the present fit we may finde out by these experiments and trialls Let feathers or cleane wooll be put to the mouth of her which is afflicted with this grievous fit the which if they be blowne away or at least be moved it shall be certaine that there is life remaining in the body Moreover it shall be a more certaine thing to place a glasse full of water upon her breast for life remaining as yet must needs thrust and extend it selfe out and so moving of the water must follow Or else a cleane and smooth looking-glasse is to be put to her mouth and nostrills and if life be not departed you shall see the glasse stained by the hot breath Which experiment seemeth to be most probable of all Some doe declare that a certaine woman was afflicted with this fit three whole daies and nights and at last to have returned to her selfe being supposed to have beene dead Wee have seene the same thing to have happened in some women for one naturall day that is foure and twenty houres together through suffocation of the Matrix Signes of a future fit But these signes goe before a fit which shall follow that is to say paine of the head dimnesse of the eyes a continuall
panting of the heart shortnesse of breath distemperature of reason because of vapours mixed with the spirits a debility and weakenesse of all the members cold sweates continuall paine in the wombe And indeed evill humours retained and increased in the wombe doe cause and breed all these things partly neere unto it partly removed farther from it which distemper and molest the braine and other members of the body by stopping and intercepting naturall heat proceeding from the heart untill they suffocate and destroy all the senses at once and also the strength and forces of the body But in the cure of the present fit of this sicknesse first you shall mingle Salt with Vinegar The cure of the present fit in the suffocation of the Matrix and shall rub the uttermost parts of the members of the body I meane the soles of the feete and palmes of the hands and pulses of the armes afterward binders being tied neere unto the secrets the hips and hammes you shall apply cupping-glasses neere unto the place without Scarification Afterward you shall apply to her nostrills all things which being burnt have a strong and stinking savor as Castoreum Assa Foetida Feathers Haire Leather Horne Hooses of Horses or Kine or such like things For these things stirre up and move the Animal spirit being as it were asleepe which by and by inforced with such a stinking favour making haste to come to the braine by the nerves and instruments for the purpose doth stirre up the motive facultie in the same Moreover this motion by the great force of this strong savour commeth to the heart with the Animal Spirit where both of them together doe repaire vitall spirit in the same being oppressed and as it were laid asleepe At last all of them joyned together doe oppose themselves against the Matrix rising up towards the Midriffe and stir up the expulsive force of it so that the corrupt humours being expelled which are in it the Matrix may fall downe and give more roome and space unto the superiour vitall Organs or Instruments In this case the dung of a Horse fed with Oates boiled in the best Wine drunke very hot is very much approved Also halfe a dram of the confection Diacastoreum taken in broth made of a Hen. An Vnguent Likewise such an Vnguent may be prepared wherewith her secrets may be annoynted inwardly which suffereth this swooning Take Muske one scruple Gallia Muscata one dram Oile of Lillies two ounces Temper them and make an Vnguent Suffumigations also being thus prepared Suffumigations from which a fume may ascend up to the nostrills will profit in this case Take Castoreum Galbanum dissolved in Vinegar of each halfe an ounce Brimstone one ounce Assa Foetida one dram If you prepare these Fumes or Trochiskes you shall confect them with Oile of Castoreum But if you would use them with Vinegar you shall put pure and cleane wooll into her nostrills dipped in Vinegar in which these powders are dissolved or you shall apply it outwardly to them But if this deadly malady shall proceed from the Termes being retained in the Matrix or from corrupt seede it may be cured in the same manner as wee will declare in the Chapters following But if the cause of this disease shall come from cold it will be the wisest course to use hot bathes when due purgation hath beene performed such as are the bathes in that part of Germany which is named Helvetia A certaine diet and order of bathing being prescribed and set downe of a skilfull Physician because that water doth consist of much Brimstone and some Allome it sooner resolveth dispelleth and driveth away cold heateth the Matrix and comforteth all other Members and parts of the body of a woman CHAP. IX Of the Precipitation or falling downe of the Matrix of the causes and cure of the same THe Precipitation of the Matrix is the departure and digression of the Matrix from her naturall place into some other place or the comming forth and outward appearing of it through the privities This hapneth either by a fall blow or some other vehement hurt or through wind inclosed in the Matrix or corrupt humours or by the intemperate moistnesse putrefying the ligaments and binders of the same or else through difficulty and painfulnesse of Aborcement or the birth and negligence of Midwives or by violent extraction and pulling forth of the Secundine whereby it falleth out that the ligaments and stay-bands of it are broken and the Matrix is throwne downe suddenly to issue forth This removing of the Matrix is caused in a diverse manner that is to say toward the right or left side or lower and into the fore-part and hinder part of the body But although the causes of these diseases may easily be judged and discerned by these things going before yet they may as yet be divided into outward and inward Outward causes are Outward Causes falling blowes or strokes some hurt lifting of some thing which is of great waight swift running leaping dauncing unseasonable riding all immoderate exercise and such things as are like unto them Also long sitting upon the cold earth or cold pavement long-tarrying in cold water over-much and often drinking of cold water Also the violent breaking forth of the child the hard and painfull birth the rashnesse of the Midwives the violent extraction of the Secundine often coughing great crying out vehement sneesing The disease Tenasmus binding the body and all these things do minister occasions to the Matrix to fall downe Inward Causes The inward causes are long stopping of the Flowers with whose weight the Matrix being pressed downward doth suddenly descend and fall downe the ligaments and binders thereof being oftentimes broken in sunder Also humours inclosed in the same wind enforcing it and removing it from her place Likewise over-much humidity and moisture putrefying and corrupting the ligaments or tying-bands and by that infection enforcing it to issue forth The signes of this disease are not unlike to the causes Signes The party will easily rehearse the signes of the outward causes Whosoever is grieved with this disease But the inward signes are to be considered according unto the removing of the Matrix For if it bend toward Diaphragma or the Midriffe without any strangling or choking wee may perceive that the woman doth feele paines and heaving above the Navell to feele a round lumpe like a Globe in her belly to fetch her breath and wind very short and quicke as though her bowells were swiftly crushed together with the hand a dimnesse of the eyes paine of the head loathing of meat and often belchings going before and accompanying it sometimes also a sound of the belly being heard especially when as the removing from her place shall arise from wind inclosed in the same But if it shall fall downe to the lower parts then many paines shall be about the kidnies loynes and secret members and a round
that meanes the Matrix will both be drawne backe and also retained and held still being reduced into her proper place But that the Matrix being reduced and brought into the wombe may remaine and continue there nor suddenly fall downe againe it must be strengthened according to these precepts and rules following First let the woman lie a whole day upon her backe after the reducing of the Matrix into her proper place But the next day let her sit in a bathe boiled with these herbes about the space of one houre Take red Roses Myrtles seede of Sumach A Bathe leaves of the Medler-tree of a Service-tree the bark of an Oke Acornes Origanum Sage Rue Comfrey of each a handfull let them all be mixed and beaten together and let a decoction or bathe be made with them in raine water or in water in which burning-iron hath beene quenched When she commeth out of the bathe let her drinke this powder boiled in Wine very hot Take Rue Mugwoort of each halfe a handfull Castofeum two drams mingle them and make a powder of them Then take the best white Wine so much as sufficeth straine it and to the straining adde two drams of Mithridate And let a hot Potion be made of it Afterward the secrets are to be Fomented and bathed nine daies together and likewise Pessaries are to be used A Plaister And the tenth day this Plaister following spread upon white Leather shall be laid to the lowest part of the belly and to remaine there for some weekes together But let the Cerot or Plaister be made in this manner Take Frankincense Masticke Opopanax Turpentine Galbanum Serapium Rosine of the Pine-tree Styrax liquida Colophonie of each two drams yellow wax three drams temper them together and let a Cerot be made with them Or else Take Galbanum halfe a dram Gallia Muscata one dram Cloves halfe a dram Rosine of the Pine-tree and Colophonie so much as sufficeth mixe them and let a Cerot or Cerecloth be made of them We let passe here of set purpose nor without great cause something in this Cure which is onely knowne to the learned and skilfull which may be demanded of them so often as neede shall require Further you shall consider that when the aforesaid sicknesse shall arise from cold wind or over-much moistnesse of the Matrix that you must proceede altogether in the same manner which wee have prescribed and set downe before discoursing of the windie and waterish false conception named Mola I say concerning a Tympany and Hydropsie CHAP. X. Of the superfluities of the Termes and of the Cure of the same EVen as the Termes may be stopped contrary to the course of Nature so they may issue forth too immoderately contrary to the custome of Nature and as by them being stopped so by them flowing abundantly many diseases are caused unto women as Hippocrates doth advise us But as the naturall issue of the Termes which otherwise we call the Menstruall The unnatural issuing forth of the Termes or monthly purgation should issue forth every Moone naturally in women being well disposed in body and age I say from the third or fourth day after the new-Moone untill the eighth day although in this case there be many differences of ages complexions and disposition of body so wee say that issuing forth of the Termes not to be naturall which passeth beyond that time And we say that this doth happen two waies that is outward and inward Causes The outward causes are these Externall Causes as if some little veine be broken in the mouth or necke of the Matrix through immoderate exercise or some hurt chancing unto it as over-lifting stroke fall violence or exulceration Also some such like thing may be caused by aborcement and hard birth and also by the ulcers or fores of the Matrix Notwithstanding it happeneth sometime that Fluxes and issues are found to be in women conceived with childe every moneth yet they are never the weaker by them neither doe they substract or withdraw any nourishment from the Infant Inward causes are to be judged and discerned from Nature it selfe or from the blood Internall Causes From Nature when shee being strong doth expell the blood or being feeble and weake cannot hold or retaine it For the blood when it is too hot or sharp or over cold and thinne againe when by idlenesse immoderate meate and drinke too much nourishment is afforded to the blood Moreover certaine signes doe happen Signes of the Causes by which it may certainly be found out whether they come from an outward or inward cause If the Flux happen from an outward cause as from a veine being broken through some immoderate exercise by some hurt or fall then the colour of the blood will be red at the first but by and by blackish or blacke If it issue forth straight-way it will appeare in his naturall colour but being retained sometime in the Matrix it will issue forth with an ugly and thicke colour if it shall remaine there long it will be altogether full of corrupt matter But if the blood shall issue forth because of ulcers and sores of the Matrix First it will be cleare and thin but by by it wil be ful of filthy matter without all colour If the strong and mighty force of Nature doe expell it then it will be done without paine that also the body is alleviated and eased by it because Nature voideth no more of that which is ingendred but that which is superfluous either in quality or quantity If it shall happen by defect of retentive vertue it will issue forth by drops by little and little and disorderly without any intermission and the woman which shall be affected and afflicted with this issue shall waxe pale leane and very feeble in all her members but the blood doth retaine still his naturall colour and flowing abroad it doth not burne bite or molest with any paines But the cause of this Flux for the most part doth happen to women having passed beyond the fiftieth yeere when as their Termes doe generally depart away When it chanceth to young women oftentimes it h ppeneth by vehement and grievous fits of a Tertian Quartan Ague and paines of the head For these things doe dissipate and drive away Naturall vertue and power and do easily bring upon them such a Flux and immoderate issue If it proceed and be caused by intemperate heate or acrimony and egernesse of the blood the issue doth burne bite inflame and corrode the entrance and mouth of the Matrix The woman pained with this passion doth endure intolerable thirst and her lips are grieved with chaps bred and caused by most sharpe and hot vapours of the blood fuming and steaming upward Most grievous dolours and paines are felt in the niples of the Dugs by reason of the affinity and fellowship that they have with the Matrix The blood resembleth the colour of Saffron and is
observed that the retention of the Termes is caused by the corruption of some humour are these namely most great paines from the Navil even to the privities and about the Kidnies loynes and hips continuall paines but most often paines of the head and also cold sweats many infirmities and griefes of the eyes because of their affinity and fellowship with the Matrix a painfull heavinesse of the eye-lids the colour pale much sadnesse often refusing of meate appetite slow weakenesse of the members and heavinesse of the whole body But here also concerning the quality of the humors very great differences are noted and observed as shall be made manifest in the discourse following If the cause be from Phlegme If the cause of the stopping of the Termes come from phlegme what be the signes and what be the cures the woman waxe pale the eyes doe become blewish the eye-browes doe swell cold is felt in the bottome of the Matrix thick and stinking humors doe issue from it white Termes doe drop from them the vrine is plae like unto Milke thicke and grosse substance is found in the bottome But where this cause shall be observed and found first the diet shall be directed and ordered to a hot and dry temperature Next that cold matter shall be mollified and prepared for purgation with this syrup following Take Chamaepitis Germander Origanum Rosemary Penny-royall Savine water-Mints Calamint wild Mints Thyme of each one handful leaves of Sena one ounce rootes of Ruscus or Butchers Broome Sperage Parsley stone-Parsley wild Radish Madder Valerian of each one ounce a halfe Iuniper-berries foure ounces Agarick two drams seede of the Nettle of the wild Carrot Ameos Anise Fennel Costus of each halfe an ounce and a halfe Let all things be mixed and beaten together and sodden in three pound of running-water to the wasting away of halfe of it let them be strained and to the straining adde Sugar so much as sufficeth let it be spiced with two drams of Cinamome and let a syrup be made and let three ounces be taken at a time Or let another such digestive be made Take Oximel compound three ounces water of Mugwoort and Bawme of each foure ounces and a halfe let it be spiced with one dram of Cinamome let a Potion be made of them to be taken at three draughts Then the matter being prepared for purgation shall be purged with this potion following A Potion Take fat Cassia and extracted with the decoction of Germander one ounce and a halfe Dodder Liquorice Polipodium Raisins Venus Haire of each halfe a handfull Cassia extracted Electuarium Indum of each three drams syrup de radicibus sine Aceto one ounce temper them and with the broth of red Cicers let a potion be made and let the quantity of it to be taken be two ounces If they had rather use Pills than this Potion they shall use these Pills take of Masses or Lumps of Pilulae foetidae Agregativae of each halfe a dram Pills Diagridion three graines mingle them with syrup of Mugwoort and let pills be made of them of which nine shall be taken at a time Or else this Powder to be taken in the broth of Cicers or in Whey shall be prepared in this manner Take of the best Turbit one dram A Powder or foure scruples Ginger halfe a dram Sal gemma six graines Saffron two graines Cinamome three graines Sugar two drams mixe them and let a powder be made of them Or they may use this potion following Take Benedicta Laxativa Electuarium Indum of each two drams Diacassia three drammes temper them with Bawme-water and Mugwoort-water so much as sufficeth Morsells Or let such purging morsells be made Take red Roses Ginger Cinamome of each three drams Sanders white and red of each one dram Hermodactyli Esula of each three drams Turbit foure drams Diagridion two drams Masticke one scruple white Sugar one pound Let all these things be dissolved in water of Mugwoort and let a confection be made in morsells and give foure drams at a time Or they may use this infusion following An Infusion Take Agarick halfe an ounce Ginger two scruples Sal gemma halfe a scruple let them be infused in three ounces Adde to them Oximel Squiliticum one ounce let all these things be infused twelve houres afterward let them be strained and squeised out and also spiced and made sweete with Cinamome and Sugar so much as sufficeth and let a potion be made of it the superfluous matter being sufficiently purged the next thing is that such a bathe be prepar'd in which the woman which is purged may sit A Bath Take Savine Calamint Origanum Bawme Feverfew wild-Mints Penny-royall Melilot Camomile of each two handfulls Celandine Pucedanum Horehound worme-Wood of each one handfull Bay-leaves Lavander Mercury Rosemary Ozymus flowers of the Elder-tree of each three handfulls Marish-Mallowes with the roots foure handfulls Mugwoort six handfulls rootes of Valerian two pound let all these things except the Mugwoort be beaten together and being put in a bagge let them boile in water and let a bathe be made of them And when shee commeth out of the bathe let her be annointed with this oyntment following under the Navell and about the loynes take oile of Lillies of sweet Almonds Marrow of the legge of a Calfe one ounce Muscilage Marish-Mallowes Fenegrek Line-seed of each one ounce Wax so much as is sufficient mingle them being beaten and let an Vnguent be made of them This being done let her drinke one spoonfull of this powder following with a convenient portion of the former decoction and afterward lying downe in her bed let her take her rest Take the best Cinamome rindes of Cassia Fistula of each halfe an ounce Cassia lignea three drams Saffron one dram a halfe Aristolochia rotunda Asarum Calamus Aromaticus rinds of the roots of Capparis Costus Dittany roots Tormentill of Eringus Lacca of each foure scruples Chamaepitis Germander Bay-leaves Origanum Penny-royall Ginger Calamint Thyme seeds of Broome of wild Rue of Daucus wild Cresses Hyssop Nigella or Gith Ameos Anise Fennell Bay-berries Serapinum of each halfe a dram Sugar equall to all in waight mixe them together and let a powder be made of them If shee cannot well away with this powder in this manner then let a confection be made in morsells after this manner following of which let her alwaies eate after the bathe Take of the aforesaid powder without Sugar one ounce and halfe a pound of white Sugar Let the Sugar be dissolved in the former decoction or in Mugwoort-water so much as sufficeth and let a confection be made in morsells In this cause proceeding from Phlegme all hot bathes consisting of much Brimstone are approved such as are bathes of Badina a City in Germany But if the woman shall not be able to use the bathe prescribed let her take foure handfulls of the aforesaid sorts of herbes let her boile them