to the force of the Seed for as Plants receive more from fruitful Ground than from the industry of the Husband-man so the Infant in more abundance receives from the Mother than the Father for first the Seed of both is heaped and fostered in the Womb and there grows to perfection being nourished with Blood And hence they will have it that Children for the most part effect their Mothers best for it proceeds from the nearness of Nature by a natural instinct because the Mothers forces were most employed about ' em For 9 Months and sometimes 10 she nourisheth the Child with her purest Blood then her love towards it newly born and the likeliness do clearly demonstrate that the Woman affordeth Seed and that Women do contribute more towards making the Child than Men. But in all this the Ancients were very much in an Error for the Testicles so called in Women do not afford any Seed but are true Eggs anulogous to those of Fowls and other Creatures neither have they any such Office as those of Men but are indeed Ovarium wherein these Eggs are nourished by the Sanguinary Vessels dispersed through them and from whence one or more as they are secundated by the Man's Seed separated and are convey'd into the Womb by the Ovi duces The truth of this is plain for if you boil them their Liquor will have the same colour Taste and Consistency with the white of Birds Eggs to say that they want shells is nothing at all for the Eggs of Fowls while â—hey are in the Ovary nay after they have fallen down into the Uterus have no shell And though when they are laid they have one yet that is more than a Fence which Nature has provided them against outward Injuries while they are hatched without the Body whereas those of Women being hatched within the body need no other fence than the womb by which they are sufficiently guarded And thus much for the clearing of this point also and now to the third thing proposed viz. Whence grows the kind and whether the Man or the Woman is the cause of the Male or Female Infant The primal cause is as is justly due in this and all other Causes we must ascribe to God the Ruler and Disposer of all things yet many things by his high Sufferance proceed in regular order by the Rules of Nature and are carried by their in-bred motion according to their usual and natural Course without variation tho' indeed by favour from on high Sarah conceived Isaac Hannah Samuel and Elizabeth Iohn the Baptist but these were to fulfil the Almighty's Decree nor since those times have the Prayers of the righteous been unsuccessful in obtaining Children but passing over such Supernatural and Extraordinary causes that have their peculiar effects I shall proceed to speak of things natural and common The Antient Physicians and Philosophers say that since there are two Principles out of which the Body of Man is made and which render the Child like the Progenitors and to be of one of the other Sex viz. Seed common to both Sex and menstrual Blood proper to the Woman only The Similitude say they must needs consist in the force of the Male or Female Seedâ— so that it pgoves like to the one or the other as more or less plenty is afforded by either but that the difference of Sex is not refered to the Seed but to the menstrual Blood which is proper to the Woman for were that force say they altogether retained in the Seed the Mans Seed being of a hotter quality than the Womans Male Children would be superabundant and none of the other Sex or very rarely would be propagated whereof the kind of the Creature is attributed to the temperament of the active qualities which consist in heat and cold and to the substance or nature of the matter under them that is to the flowing of the menstrual Blood Now the Seed say they affords both force to procreate and form the Child and matter for its Generation and that in the menstrual Blood there is both matter and force for as the Seed most helps the material Principles so likewise the menstrual Blood the potential Seed is saith Galen Blood well concocted by the Vessels that contain it so that Blood is not only the matter of generating the Child but also Seed in possibility that menstrual Blood hath both principles as matter and faculty of offering The Ancients say further that the Seed is the strongest efficient the matter of it being very little in quantity but that the potential or efficient faculty of it is very feeble wherefore if the material part or principle of Generation according to which the Sex is made were only say they in the menstrual Blood then would the Children be all or mostly Females as if the efficient force was in the Seed they would be all Males but that since both have operation in menstrual Blood Matter predominates in quantity and in the Seed Force and Vertue Deservedly saith Galâ—n the Child receives its Sex rather from the Mother than from the Father although his Seed do contribute something to the material Principles though more weakly But as for similitude although Imagination say the Ancients be of extraordinary force it is referred rather to the Father than the Mother as to the quality of the Seed at or for a short time after Copulation but continues not long so to do for that the Woman's Seed receiving faculty from the menstrual Blood for the space of Nine Months over-powers the Man's as to that particular because the menstrual Blood flowing into the Vessels rather cherishes and augments the one than the other from which it may be more easily conjectured that the Woman not only affords Matter to make the Child but force and vertue to perfect the Conception though the Womans Seed be fit Nutriment for the Man's by reason of the moisture and thinness of it being more fit to frame and make up Conception thereby for as soft Wax and moist Clay the Work-man can frame what he intends so say they the Man's Seed mixing with the Woman's as also with the menstrual Blood helps effectually to make the form and perfect part of Man but with all the respect deferance imaginable to the Wisdom of the Ancients we must needs say that their Ignorance in Anatomy has led them into many and great mistakes and their Hypothesis of the formation of the Embryo from a Commixture of Seeds and the Nutrition of it from the menstruous Blood being altogether false their Opinion in this case must needs be false also Therefore to conclude this Chapter we say that although a strong Imagination of the Mother may sometimes determine the Sex that is make it Male or Female according as her imagination is yet the main Agent in this case is the Plastick or formative Principle which is the Efficient in forming the Child that gives it this or that Sex according to those
wrinkled and raised up it is a sign all will be well But that the Event may exactly answer the Prediction it is necessary to consider what part of the Body the Disease possesseth for if it chance tâ— be the upper part that is afflicted as the Hend or Stomach then will it not so well appear by the Members which frequently are unconcerned with such Grievances but the lower part of the Body exactly sympathizing with them their liveliness on the contrary makes it apparent for Natures force and the Spiâ—it that have their intercourse first manifest themselves therein which occasions Midwifeâ— to feel the Genitals of Chilâ—â—en to know in what part the Grief is resident and whether Life or Death be portended thereby the Symptom being strongly communicated by the Vessels that have their intercourse with the principal Seats of Life CHAP. IX The cause of the Green-sickness in Virgins with its Symptoms and Directions for its cure Together with the chiefest occasion of Barrenness in Women and by what means to remove the Cause and render them fruitful THE former of these ill conveniences is too apparent in Virgins especially such as are of a Flegmatick Complexion evidently shewing it self by discolouring the Face in making it look green pale or of a dusky yellow which proceeds from raw undigested Humours nor only doth it appear to the Eye but sensibly afflicts such as it possesses with difficulty of breathing pains in the Head Palpitation of the Heart unusual beatings and small throbings of the Arteries in the Temples Neck and Back many times casting them into Fevers if the humour be very vitious also loathing of Meat and the distension of the Hypocondriack part by reason of the inordinate Efflux of Menstrual Blood to the greater Vessels and by reason of the abundance of humour the whole Body is often trouble with Swelling or if not at least the Thighs Legs and Ankles all above the Heels And also there is a weariness of the whole Body without any reason at all for it The Galenists say that this Distemper proceeds chiefly from the obstruction of those Vessels that are about the Womb occasioned by the abundance of gross viscid and crude Humours arising from the several inward causes but there are also outward causes which have a share in the production of it as taking cold on the Feet drinking of Water Intemperance in Diet and also the eating of things which are wholly contrary to Nature viz. raw or burnt Flesh Ashes Coals old Shoes Chalk Wax Nut-shells Mortar Lime Oat meal Tobacco-Pipes which occasion not only a Suppression of the Menses but likewise obstructions thro' the whole Body Therefore the first thing necessary to eradicate the Cause is Matrimonial Conjunction and such Copulation that may prove to the satisfaction of her that is afflicted for by that means the Menses will begin to flow according to their natural and due course and the Humourt being diffused and dispersed will soon waste themselves and then no more matter being administred to increase them they will vanish and a good temperament of Body will return but in case such a Conjunction cannot be had so soon as necessity requires then let the Damsel Blood in the Ankle and if she be about 16 you may do it likewise in the Arm though suffer her not to bleed overmuch especially if the Blood be good If the Diseases be of any continuance then it is to be eradicated by purgation preparation of the humour being first considered which may be done by the Virgins drinking Decoction of Guaicum with Dittany of Creet but the best Purge in this case ought to be made of Aloes Agrick Senna Rhubard And then for strengthning the Bowels and open obstructions Chalybeet Medicines are chiefly to be used The Diet must be moderate and sharp things as Vinegar c. be by all means avoided Aâ—d for the unobstructing of the Humour take prepaâ—ed Steel Bezoar-stoâ—e the Root of Scorzonera and Oyl of Chrystal in small Wine and let the Diet be moderate but in no wise let Vinegar be used therewith nor upon any other occasion And in so oâ—serving the Humours will be dilated dissipated and transfused by which means the Complexion will return and the Body be lively and full of Vigour And now since Barrenness daily occasions discontent and that Discontent creates Difference between Man and Wife or by immoderate Grief frequently casts the Woman into one or other violent Distemper I shall somewhat largely treat thereof Sterility proceeds from divers Causes but most commonly from some defect in the Organs of Generation Upon the Womans part it most commonly happens from the strict closure of the Mouth of the Womb which will not admit the Seed and sometimes from the straitness of the Share-Bone which denies entrance to the Penis Sometimes also from Ulcers or Excrescencies in the Neck of the Womb. To these may be added too much Fatness which sâ—raitens the passage of the Matrix Most of the Antients are of opinion that â—â—nception is hindred commonly by the Humidity and moisture of the Womb when by reason thereof it cannot retain the Seed or by bad Humours heaped up there and â—urrupting it or strange defect of the Menstrâ—oâ—s Blood But certain it is that it preceeds either from some Tumour Ulcer Excâ—escence or by some fault or other of the Womb Ovaria or Ovi-Ducts For if the Eggs are not impregnated with the Aura Virilis or Seminal Spirit there can be no Conception the Testicles of Women having no such Office as those of Men but containing Eggs analogous to those of Fowls and other Creatures Now if the Orâ—fice of the Womb be closed that the Seed cannot enter or rather the two Wings or Nymphae so â—ar that â—he Penis cannot pass the Neck of the Womb it must be opened by an Instrument and subject to this defect in Natâ—re are many Women especially in hot Countrys but most of all in Egypt where the Chirurgeons are forced with Silver Instruments to make way for the Instrument of Generation a thiug not altogether unpracticable in England In case the Neck of the Womb be so strait that the Yard cannot enter then is the case to be inquired into whether it be naturally so or proceed from some swelling or Schirrus either within or without and if such things appears it is for the most part incurable but if it be a natural straitness then sâ—pple it with a Tent dipped in Oyl of Roses and the white of Eggs and drink Camomile Posset sweetned with Sugar-Candy Morning and Evening and by the proportion thereof the Womb will in all parts distend or if it so happen in a young Woman Nature will increase the passage and time produce things fitting to their mutual Satisfaction but let no Man by violence endeavour to force the Passage lest he break the Vessels nay endanger the Bladder it self which has been broke with such violent Intrusion and so coft the Woman her Life If the
Honour-dishonourable ways The propension and inclination of Maids to marriage is to be discovered by many Symtoms For when they arrive to Pubertyâ— which is usually about the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Year of their Age according to their respective Habits or Constitutions then their Menses or Natural Purgations begin to flow And the Blood which is no longer taken to augment their Bodies abounding incites their Minds and Imaginations to Venery External Causes also may promote and incite them to it for the Spirits being brisk and in a manner inflam'd when they arrive at this Age if they eat salt sharp things Spices c. whereby the Body becomes still more and more heated than the irration and proneness to Veneral Embroces is very great nay sometimes almost insuparable And a due use of these Enjoyments being deny'd to Virgins very often produces very dismal Effects as Green and Weasel-Colour short Breathings Tremblings of the Heaâ—t c. But if they happen to be married to their own Content those Afflictions vanish and their native Beauty returns more gay than before Nor is their eager gazing and desiring to associate themselves with Men a lesser sign that Nature prompts them to desire what she ordained their due of which being sometimes by obdurate Parents debarr'd in a lawful way they break the bounds of Modesty rather than endure such violent Agitations and Conflicts within themselves and so satiate their desires in unlawful Love The same may in all particulars be observed in young brisk Widows whom Death that Enemy of sweet Conjugal Love has separated from the Bosom of their Husbands At Fourteen years of age commonly the Menses in Virgins begin to flow and then they are capable of conceiving and so continue generally to Forty-four at what time for the most part they are no longer capable of Generation unless such as are exceeding healthful strong of Body and have used themselves to Temperance who have appear'd to be deliver'd of Children till Fifty five years but such Prodigies rarely happen altho' the Menses continue longer in some Women than in others but many times such Eflux proceeds not from any natural cause but by reason of some violent straining or other violence and doth oft endanger the Life of the Party And therefore young Men that Marry Women surmounting the Age aforesaid if they expect Children unless by Miracle must labour against the Wind Though if an old Man that is not worn out by Diseases and Incontinency Marry a brisk lively Lass there is hopes even to Threescore and Ten and some that are extraordinary lusty till Fourscore Hypocrates that Famous and Learned Physician is of Opinion that a Youth at Sixteen years or between that and Seventeen having much vital strength may be capable of getting Children and that force and heat of procreating matter continually increases till 45,50 and 55. And at the end of the latter begins to â—lag the Seed by little and little becoming unfruitful the natural Spirits being extinguished and the humours dried up and in general most Physicians at this day do observe-it but as to particulars as I have before mentioned it often happeneth otherwise nay 't is reported by a credible Author that in the Reign of Erecus King of Sweedland a Man was married at an Hundred years old to a Bride of Thirty and had many Children by her but looked so freshâ— that such as knew him not took him not to exceed half that Age. In Campania where the Air is temperate serene and calm Men of 8â— Years usually Marry young Virgins and have Children by them which argues that Age in Men hinders not Procreation unless they be exhausted in their Youth and their Members shrivelled up If any ask why a Woman is sooner Barren than a Man I answer The Cause is the natural Heat which is more predominant in the latter than in the former for since a Woman is more moist than a Man as her Monthly Purgations do most evidently demonstrate as also the softness of her Body 't is also apparent that he doth exceed her in Native heat and as for that heat it is the chief thing that concocts the Humours into good and proper Aliment which the Woman wanting grows fat when a Man by reason of that heat melts his fat by degrees and his Humours are dissolved but by the benefit thereof they are elaborated into Seed And this may for the better Confirmation of what I proposed be added That the Woman generally is not so strong as a Man nor so wise and prudent nor hath so much reason nor is so ingenious in contriving her Affairs whereby the Faculties are hindred in their Operation And so I conclude my Assertion CHAP. II. General and Particular Rules laid down by Learned Physicians how to proceed in getting a Male or Femalâ— Child and of the Embryo and perfect Birth and the fittest Season for Copulation WHen a young likely Couple have enter'd the holy state of Wedlock and are desirous of mutual Enjoyment for Generation sake which is the chief end for which Wedlock was ordained and rather covet to be bless'd by one Sex than another let them know first for certain that the success of such things depends upon Divine Providence tho'secondary Causes must be active instrumental therein and those are especially two First the Genital Humour which is brought by the Arteriae Preparantes to the Testes in the form of Blood and there Elaborated into Seed by the Seminifical Faculty resident in them To which may be added the Appetite and Desire to Copulation which fires the Imagination with unusual Fancies or by the sight of a brisk charming Beauty whose wit and liveliness may much incite and more inflame the Courage But if Nature be enfeebled then are there fit Artificial Remedies to restore it viz. Such Meats as most conduce to the affording such Aliment as proves to make Seed abound and restore the Decays of Nature that the Faculties may freely operate For as dung and good manuring restores ground that is worn out and heartless even so seasonable and proper Diet operates to the restoâ—ing the faint heart weak Spirit coldness and driness of the Genital Parts and reduceth the weakness of the Nerves to their Temperament and removes Impediments obstructing the Procreation of Children Then since Diet may and will alter the evil state of the Body to a better it iâ— necessary that such as are subject to Barrenness should eat such Meats only as tend to render them fruitful and among such things as are inducing and stirring up thereto are all Meats of good Juice that nourish well make the Body lively and full of Sap of which faculty are all hot moist Meats for according to Galen the substance of Seed is made of the pure concocted and windy superfluity of Blood from whence we may conclude there is in many things a poweâ— to accumulate or heap up Seed as also to aâ—gment it and other things of force to
place and at present proceed to unravel other Mysteries of Nature CHAP. III. The reason why Children are often like their Parents and what the Mothers Imagination contributes thereto whence grows the Kind viz. Whether the Man or Woman is the cause of the Male or Female Childâ— c. THAT if a Woman in the Act of Copulation afford most Seed her likeness will have the greater impression upon the Child but if on the contrary then will follow the contrary effects or if a proportionable quantity proceed from either then will the Similitude depend upon either Lanctantius is of Opinion That when a Man's Seed falls on the left side of the Womb a Male Child may be gotten but by reason it is the proper place for a Female there will be something in it greatly resembling a Woman viz. It will be fairer whiter and smoother not very subject to have Hair on the Body or Chin long lank Hair on the Head Voice small and sharp and the Courage feeble and arguing yet further he says that a Female may perchance be procreated if the Seed fall on the right Side but then thro' extraordinary heat she will be very large boned full of Courage indued with a big Voice and have her Chin and Bosom hairy not being so clear as others of the Sex subject to quarrel with their Husband when married for the Superiority c. In case of the similitude nothing is more powerful than the Imagination of the Mother for if she conceive in her Mind or do by chance fasten her Eyes upon any Object and imprint it in her Memory the Child in its outward Parts frequently has some representation thereof so whilst a Man and Woman are in the Act of Copulation if the Woman earnestly he hold his Countenance and fix her Mind thereon without all peradventure the Child will resemble the Father nay so powerful is its Operation that though a Woman be in unlawful Copulation yet if fear or any thing else causes her to fix her Mind upon her Husband the Child will resemble him tho' he never got it The same effect according to the Opinion of the Learned proceeds from Imagination in cause of Warts Mold spots Stains Dashes and the Figures of strange things tho' indeed they sometimes happen thro' frights or extravagant Longings Many Women there are that seeing a Hare cross them when great with Child will through the strength of Imagination bring forth a Child with a hairy Lip Some Children again are born with flat Noses wry Mouths great blubber Lips and ill shaâ—ed Bodies and most ascribe â—he reason to the strange conceit of the Mother who has bâ—sied her Eyes and Mind upon some ill-shaped or distorted Creatures therefore it greatly behoves all Women â—ith Child to avoid any monstruous sight or at least to have a stedfast Mind not easily fixed upon any one thing more than another And this Opinion Pliny confirms in his 7th Book of natural things and the 12th Chapter The famous Sir Thomas Moore likewise conâ—irms it and discants merrily on a Passage of his times wherein a Person having divers Children would own none but one that was like him when in the end it proved by the asseveration of the Mother that all except that were of his own begetting but whilst another Man was mounted in his Saddle she fearing that he would come and detect her in the Act had her Imagination so fixed on him that as she conceived the similitude could proceed from no other cause wherefore it is apparent that likeness can confirm no Child to be a lawful Fatheâ—'s own Yet in manners wit and prophension of the Mind daily Examples teach us that Children are commonly of the same condition with their Progenitors and of the same nature but there is much in this whether venery be used with great or weak desire for many are less inclined to it and not so hot and consequensly not so desirous of Copulation but rather decline it unless Civility to their Wives cause them to compliance therein and then they procâ—â—d fainting and drowsily whence it happens that the Children fall short of the Parents nature wit and manners and hence it is that wise Men frequently beget stupid sloathful Children of feeble Minds because they are not much given to these delights But as I said on the contrary when the Progenitors are not in venerious Actions and do liberally abundantly employ themselves therein it oftentimes happens that the Children are of the same desires manners and actions of the Mind with thâ—ir Parents And thus much for the first point now I shall proceed to the second which is to shew what share each of the Parents have in begetting the Child c. And first we will give the Opinion of the Ancients about it Though it is apparent say they that the Seed of Man is the chief efficient and beginning of Action Motion and Generation yet that the Woman does afford Seed and effectually contributes in that particular to the Procreation of the Child is evinced by strong reasons In the first place Seminary Vessels had been given them in vain and genital Testicles interverted if the Woman wanted Seminal excessence for being Nature doth nothing in vain therefore it must be granted that they were made for the use of Seed and Procreation and fixed in their proper places both the Testicles and Receptacles of Seed whose nature and force is to operate and afford fruitful vertue to the Seed and to prove this there needs no stronger Argument say they than that if a Woman do not use Copulation to eject her Seed she oftentimes falls into strange Diseases as appears by young Widows and Virgins A second reason they urge that although the Society of a lawful Bed consist not altogether in these things yet it is apparent that the Female Sex is not better wonâ— and appear more blithe and jocund than when they are often satisfied this way which is an inducement to believe that they have greater Pleasure and receive more Contenâ— than a Man For since by Nature much Delight accompanies the Ejectionâ— by breaking forth of the swelling Spirit and the â—â—iffness of the Nerves in which case the operaâ—ion of the Womans part is double she suffering both ways even by ejection and reception whereby she is more recreated and delighted in the Veneral Act. Hence it is say they that the Child more frequently resembles the Mother than the Father because the Mother confers the most towards its Generation And they think it may be further instanced from the great love they bear them for that besides their contributing Seminal matter they during the time they are in the Womb feed and nourish the Child with the purest Fountain of Blood which Opinion Galen confirms by allowing the Child to participate more of the Mother than the Father and refers the difference of the Sex to the influence of menstrual Blood but the reason of the likeness he attributes
of Man consisteth in the Soul the which although subject to Passion by reason of the gross composture of the Body in which it has a temporary confinement yet it is immortalâ— and cannot in it self corrupt or suffer change it being a spark of the Divine Mind and a blast of Almighty Breath that distinguishes Man from other Creatures and renders him Immortal and that every Man has a peculiar Soul it plainly appears by the vast difference between the Wit Judgment Opinion Manners Affections c. in Men. And this David observes when he says God hath in particular fashioned the Hearts and Minds of all Men and has given to every one it s own Being and a Soul of its own Nature Hence Solomon rejoyced that God had given him a happy Soul and Body agreeable and suitable to it It has caused many disputes amongst the Learned especially Philosophers in what part of the Body the Soul chooses to reside and some have given their Opinion that its residence is in the middle of the Heart and from thence communicates its self to every part which Solomon in the Fourth of his Proverbs seems to assert when he says Keep thy Heart with all thy diligence because Life proceedeth there from but many curious Physicians searching the Works of Nature in Man's Aâ—atomy c. do give it as their Opinion that its chief Seat is in the Brain from whence proceed the Senses Faculties and Actions diffusing the operation of the Soul through all parts of the Body whereby it is enlivened with heat and force but it doth communicate particular force to the Heart by Arterieâ— Carotides or sleepy Arteries that part upon the Throat the which if they happen â—o be broke or cut cause Barrenness and if stopped an Apoplexy for there must necessarily be some ways thro' which the Spirits Animal and Vital may have intercourse and convey Native Heat from the Soul For although the Soul is said to reside in one place it operates in every paâ—t exercising every Member which are the Souls Instruments by which she manifesteth her power but if it so happen that any of the Organical parts are out of Tune the work is confused as it may appear in case of Idiots Mad-men c. Though in some of them the Soul by forcibly working recovers her supernatural vigour and they become right after a long dispondency of Mind and in some it is lost in this Life For as Fire under Ashes nor the Sun obscured from our sight by thick Clouds afford not their full lustre so the Soul overwhelmed in moist or faulty matter is darkned and Reason thereby overclouded and altho' Reason shines less in Children than in those that are arrived to maturity yet no Man must imagine that the Soul is an Infant and grows up with the Child for then would it again decay but it suits it self to the weakness of Nature and the imbecility of Body wherein it is placed that it may the better operate And as the Body is more and more capable of receiving its influence so it shews its self in its proper lustre having force and endowments at the time it enters the former Child in the Womb for the substance of it can receive nothing less and thus much to prove that the Soul comes not from the Parents but is infused by God And the next thing now to be handled is its Immortality and thereby I shall demonstrate the certainty of its Resurrection That the Soul of Man is a Divine Ray infused by God I have already made apparent and now come to shew you that whatever immediately proceeds from him must participate of his Nature and from thence consequently be as immortal as its Original for although all other Creatures are indued with Life and Motion yet want they a reasonable Soul and from thence 't is concluded that Life is in their Blood and that being corruptible they perish and after their expiring are no more But Man being indued with a reasonable Soul and stamped with the Divine Image is of a different nature and though his Body be corruptible yet his Soul cannot perish but must when it is expelled its Earthly Tabernacle return to God that gave it either to receive reward or punishment now that the Body can sin of it self it is impossible because wanting the Soul it cannot act nor proceed to any thing either good or evil for could it do so additional Sins might be accumulated even in the Grave but 't is plain that after Death there is a cessation fox as Death leaves us so Iudgment finds us And St. Iohn in the Fifth Chapter of his Gospel tells us That the hour shall come that all that are in the Grave shall hear his Voice and they that have done well shall come forth to the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil to the Resurrection of Condemnation And Holy Iob in the 14 and 19 Chapter speaking to the same purposes says For I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth And though after my Skin Worms destroy this Body yet in my Flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for my self and mine Eyes shall beâ—old and not another though my Reins be consumed within me By this 't is plainly proved that the Soul is made of immortal Essence incapable of Death having a place assigned it after its separation from the Body till the day of the general Resurrection not in the Grave but in a Mansionâ— prepared by the Almighty for its Reception and that through the mighty working of him that is able to subdue all things to himself it shall again enter the same Body that was laid down tho' the dust thereof be scattered to the â—our Winds of Heaven nay such force and vigour shall it have that it shall as it were take up the Body for Iob positively says I shall rise out of the Earth at the last day c. Which being applicable to the future Tense may be meant two waysâ— I shall or will rise plainly foreseeing the Reâ—urrection he claimed it as the promise of his Creator Nay so far were the Heathens by the Light of Nature from doubting the Immortality of the Soul thaâ— Plato in his Phaedro thus reasons viz. Whaâ— consists out of Elements says he is Immortal and can never dye The Soul is not made oâ— Elements nor of created matter but came froâ— God and therefore it cannot dye c. Theâ— may it be without difficulty granted thaâ— the Body which has been a long Companion of the Souls will once again enjoy it never more to be separated for the Bodâ— at the Resurrection shall be incorruptible and so as far from a capacity of perishing any more as the Soul made so by him that first created it For St. Paul speaking of the Resurrection saith He shall change our vile Bodies and make them like his glorious Body The consideration of which makes
the Womb to prevent which the Woman must not sleep over-much especially in the day time nor feed riotously but exercise her self in Walking or moderate Exercises and often use Purgation and strong Glysters made of such Heâ—bs and Druggs that are hot and dry which will in a short time remove such Ostructions But a more dangerous cause of Barrenness than yet I have named are the Whites which are contracted by an inordinate Eurudition of the Excrementious Homourâ— collected through the Vitiousness of the Blood incident to Young and Old at such times as they are capable of Generationâ— and therefore the Cure must be hastned by reason that in short time it derides Art and renders Women inevitably barren occasioning Leanness Consumption Melancholy Dropsie falling of the Womb swooning Convulsions which renders it difficult and dangerous in long continuance tho' in the beginning it may be eaâ—ily removedâ— In the Cure of this let Phlebotomy or Blood-letting be avoided for as much as the bad Humour must be by no means recalled to defile the Blood the Disease it self being a sufficient weakning of the Body and Vital Spirits First then to discuss the Humour in order to its Expurgation Take two Ounces of Guaicum the like quantity of China and Lentilckwood boil them in Water and Honey drinking a pint fresh made each Morning Then to dry up to Contraction of the Vessels or Humour that lodged there take the Root of Filipendula beat it to Powder and drink it in White-Wine Morning and Evening As also for Astringents use Bones burnt and beat to Powder likewise the Ashes of Capons dung ejected after a long time steeping in fair Water The Patient must likewise avoid sleeping upon her Bâ—ck lest the Humour descend and contract in the Vessels of the Womb but let her be rubbed often to disperse them that they settle not in any one place Sometimes this occasion of Barrenness happens through the violent attraction of the Womb and then appears signs of afflictions of the Womb the Flux not being so great to cure which Suffumations are the most proper and those may be made of Frankinsence Laudanum Santalum or Mastick The Woman upon such occasion having great regard to her self that she take not Cold or proceed to intemperate Diet. Many Women there are whose violent Lusts contracts a heat that either destroys the Eggs or hinders them from being impregnated In this case 't is requisite to avoid hot Air soft lying hot Meats and Spice and requisite to bleed in the Basilick Vein purge moderately with Decoctum Epitaymi and Juice of Roses each two Drams and a half Whey half a pint mix them together and drinking them fasting in the Morning and so continue 4 hours after or for want of the former you may take Triphera Serasenica and Rhuburb of each half a Dram pulverized and mixed with 2 Ounces of Syrup of Roses Violets or Endive but the most excellent Restorative to cool and moderate the Temper in this case is Diet-drink made as followeth viz. Take Pistachia-Nuts and Eringo-Roots of each half an Ounce of Saffron a dram Lignum Alloes Gallinga Caryophillata Mace red and white Behen and Baulm Flowers of each 4 Scruples Shavings of Ivory Rind of Cassia each 2 Scruples Syrup of confected Ginger 12 Ounces white Sugar 6 Ounces add to these 12 Ounces of Baulm Water and set them over a gentle Fire permitting them to seeth then take it off suffer it to cool and put more Water to it stirring the Ingredient lastly increasing them with a Scruple and a half of Musk and Amber then strain out the Luquid part and boyl it up again into a Conserve of which let the Woman eat three times a day but not exceeding the bigness ef a Walnut at a time The times most convenient are Mornings Noons and Night and this let her continue till she finds her Body in temper Another occasion of Barrenness proceeds from the obstruction of those Vessels through which the Monthly Purgations flow in which case open the Basilick Vein and take from hence a moderate quantity of Blood after which take Hiera composita and Oppopanax of each half a Dram and a Dram of Syrup of Giliflowers make them into 7 Pills take them in the Morning and sleep upon them a considerable time then drink off half a pint of Sugared water and 3 hours after a portion of Syrup of Vinegar compounded For want of this take Syrup of Eupatory 3 quarters of an ounce Female Mugwort and Elecampane Root of each an ounce with Syrup of Vinegar a proportionable quantity mix them together and take them when made into an Electuary Morning and Evening to the quaatity of an Hazel-Nut at a time and if the Courses flow not within a short time after let a Pessary of Musk Amber Wood of Alloes and Ash-Keys of each â— Grains Saffron half a Scruple Hares Renet an ounce be put into the Womb Tent-wise and continue there for the â—pace of a day and it will remove the obstruction cause the Cources to flow and in short time render the Woman capable of Generation And thus Reader have I with much caution performed my promise in these particulars and the next thing I shall proceed to amongst other matters relating to the Mystery of Generation are the signs of Virginity c. CHAP. X. Virginity what it is in what it consists and how violated together with the Opinions of the Learned in the point of mutation of Sexes in the Womb during the Operation of Nature in framing the Body SEeing many ignorant People have boasted their Knowledge as to the first particular und some Virgins have undergone hard Censures through the ignorant Determinations of such as have taken upon them to discuss the matter I thought it altogether necessary to clear the Point that so for the future the Conceited might not be indulged in their vain Opinion nor by traducing others prejudice the Female Sex whose Vertues are frequently such as do not require our admiration but imitation Then since the mysterious Word Virginity has puzzled many to define it I mean the cause from whence it arises for the word barely in it self signifies the prime chief or best of any thing But as to the point in hand the main matter bears the following Construction It is observed by the curious searchers into Natures Secrets that in young Maids or Females in the Sinus Pudoris or in that place that is by some called the Neck of the Womb is that pendulous production vulgarly called the Hymen but more rightly the Claustrum Virginale and in French it is termed the Button de Rose or Roses-Bud for that it much resembles the Bud of a Rose expended or a Clove-Gilliflower from when it derived the Word Defloro to Deflower the Deflowering of Virgins because most are of opinion that the Virginity is altogether annihilated when this Duplication is fractured and dissipated by violence and that when it is found perfect and
in Men the right Vein issuing from the trunk of the hollow Vein descending and the lift from the Emulgent Vein and on the side of them two Arteries which grows from the Aâ—rta As to the Longitude and Latitude of these Vessels they are narrow and shorter in Women than in Men only observe where they are wrinkled or crumpled they are more wreathed and contorted than in Men as shrinking together by reason of their shortness they may by their looseness be the better stretched out when occasion requires it And these Vitals in Women are carried with an oblique course through the lesser Guts to the Testicles or Stones but are in the mid-way divided into two Branches the greater going to the Stones constituting the various or windy Body and wonderful Inoculation the lesser Branch ending in the Womb in the side of which it disperseth it self and chiefly at the higher part of the bottom of the Womb for the nourishment thereof and that part of the Courses may purge through these Vessels and seeing the Testicles in Women are seated near the Womb for that cause the Vessels fall not from the Peritonaeum neither make they such Passages as in Men nor extend themselves to the share-bone The Stones in Women commonly called the Testicles perform not the same Actions as Men's they are also different in their scituation magnitude temperament substance form and covering As â—or the seat it is in the hollowness of the Abdâ—men neither are they external pendulous but rest upon the Muscles of the Loyns that so they may be contracting the greater heat by more fruitful their Office being to contain the Ova or Eggs which being impregnated by the Man's Seed ingender Man yet they differ from those of Men in figure by reason of their lesness and flatness at either end not being so round or oval The External Superficies being likewise more unequal appearing like the composition of a great many knots and kernels mixed together there is also another difference in their substance they being much more soft and plyable loose and not so well compacted Their magnitude and temperament being also different for they are much colder and lesser than those in Men as for their covering or inclosure it likewise differs extreamly for as Men's are wrapped or covered in divers Tunicles by reason they are externally Pendulous and subject to divers injuries unless so senced by Nature â—o Womens Stones being internal and less subject to casualty are covered with one Tunicle or Membrane the which though it closely adhere to them yet are they likewise half covered with the Peritonaeum The Deferent or Ejaculatory Vessels are two obscure Passages one on either side nothing differing from the Spermatick Veins in sustance rise they do on one part from the bottom of the Womb not reaching from their other extremity either to the Stones or any other part but shut up and unpassable adhering to the Womb as the Colon does to the blind Gut and winding half way about the Testicles are every way remote to them yet tho' they touch them not they are tied to them by certain Membranes resembling the Wings of a Batt or Flutter-Mouse through which certain Veins and Arteries passing from the end of the Testicles in these beginning or may be termed here to have their passages proceeding from the corners of the Womb to the Testicles and are accounted the proper Ligaments by which the Testicles and Womb are united and strongly knit together and these Ligaments in Women are the Cremesters in Men of which I shall speak more largely when I come to describe the Masculine parts conducing to Generation CHAP. XV. A Discourse of the use and Action of the several Parts in Women appropriated to Generation c. THE Externals commonly called the Pudenda are designed to cover to great Orifice and that to receive the Penis or Yard in act of Coition and give passage to the Birth and Urine The use of the Wings and Knobs like Mirtle-berries are for the security of the Internal parts â—hutting the Orifice and Neck of the Bladder and by their swelling up cause Titulation in those parts and also to obstruct the unvoluntary passage of the Urine The Action of the Clytoris in Women is like that of the Penis in Men viz. Erection And its outer end is like the Glans of Penis and has the same Nature and as the Glans in Man is the Seat of the greatest pleasure in Copulation so is this in Women whence 't is called Amoris dulcedoâ— and AEstreum Veneris The action and use of the Neck of the Womb is also equal with that of the Penis viz. Erection occasioned divers ways First in case of Copulation it is erected and made strait for the passage of the Penis to the Womb Secondly whilst the passage is repleated with Spirit and vital Blood it becomes more strait for embracing the Penis as for the convenience of Erection it is twofold First for as much as if the Neck of the Womb was not erected the Yard could have no convenient passage to the Womb. Secondly it hinders any hurt or damage that might ensue through the violent Concussion of the Yard during the time of Copulation As for the Vessels that pass through the Neck of the Womb there Office is to repleat it with Blood and Spirit that still as the moisture consumes by the heat contracted there in Copulation it may by those Vessels be renewed But their principal business is to convey Nutriment to the Womb. The Womb it self has many Properties attributed to it as first Retention of the secundated Egg which is properly called Conception Secondly To cherish and nourish it till by the help of Nature it has framed the Child and brought it to perfection And then it strongly operates in sending forth the Birth when the time of its remaining there is expired dilating and spreading it self in a wonderful manner And indeed is the Field of Man's Generation being designed for no other purpose and so aptly removed from the Senses that nothing of Injury can proceed from thence retaining in it self a power and strength to operate and cast forth the Birth unless by accident or the like it be rendered deficient When to strengthen and enable it besides the helps of Nature sundry Remedies are to be applied by skilful hands Direction For which shall be hereafter mentioned The use of the preparation Vessel is this The Arteries convey the Blood to the Testicles where part of it is spent in the nourishment of them and the Production of those little Bladders which do in all things resemble Eggs through which the Vasa Preparentia run and are obliterated in them And as for the Veins their Office is only to bring back what Blood remains from the uses afoâ—esaid The Vessels in this kind are much shorter in Women than in Men by reason of their nearness to the Stone which defect is yet lengthned and made good by the many
of each an Ounce prâ—pare them by beating them together till they are of an apt thickness thâ—n seeth them over the Fire and whâ—n cool apply â—hem Plaister wise to the Fissure or for want of these take Unguentum Rosarum and anoint the place grieved applying upon it a Pultis of Ground-Ivy CHAP. XXXII The cause of the Bellies swelling after Delivery and how to prevent it and cure it if it happens CEâ—tain it is and experience teacheth often that many Women have their Beâ—lies swelled after Delivery as much almost as before and this happens through too much neglect and carelesness in not having regard to foment them as also to apply things convenient for the Privities by which means windiness and vapourâ— enâ—er and contract in the hollow coâ—câ—vities Veins and Aâ—â—eries the latter of which they enter by insensible ways Now to prevent it take Origanum Nightâ—shade and Mastick of each a Scruple Sagavâ—nâ—m a dram mix thâ—m together and make them into 7 Pillâ— take them all at once and after them drink the quantity of a quarter of a pint of the water of wâ—â—â—â— Lillâ—â—s viz. of the Flowers In case it be come alâ—eâ—dy let hâ—r take â—alf a pound of Spanish Figs thâ— Meâ—l oâ— Barâ—â—y and Beans finely sâ—sâ—â—â— 4 â—unces of â—ach 2 〈◊〉 â—f wâ—ll burnt brick pulverizâ—d Sâ—râ—ps of Nâ—â—s an â—unce boyl thâ—m in as much wâ—â—er of the Smiths Forge as will suffice to bring them to a thickness then spread them upon a Linnen cloth and apply them to the Belly twice â—r thrice aâ—d it will retire to its wonted smallnâ—ss CHAP. XXXIII Of the Inflamations in the Breast and its Cure THE Inflamation in the Breast is no other than the hard Swelling accompanied with a shooting pain as also a beating and redness and is mostly caused by the abundance of Blook drawn or flowing to the Breast and sometimes but rarely it is occasioned by the suppression of the Menses the Hemorrhoids or some bruise received by a blow or the like and is known by a certain redness and burning heat causing the whole body to be feaverish and out of order To cure it then first let the Diet be comforting moistening and of good nourishment as the Broth of Pullets Capons Cocks Chickens Veal c. wherein Indive Borage Purslain or Lettice has been boyled and if she can get it let the VVoman drink Iuice of Pomegranets but for want of that Barley-water wherein Annisâ—eds have been boyled but let her refrain drinking of VVine and strong Liquors as likewise hot Spices and if she find any Obstruction in her excremental Evacuation let her take a softning or mollifying Glyster and sleep at seasonable times as much as she can Another way to remedy it is by diverting the Humours which may be done by rubbing the Body in all adjacent places letting Blood in the Foot Scarification in the Legs or Vesicatiories applied in those places especially if the Menses are stupped or ready to come down if not it is requisite to bleed in the Arm. But if what has been mentioned prevail'd not to remove the Humours make a Cataplasm of the Leaves of Mellilot and Night-shade each half a handful and when boiled in Spring-water add to them Bean-meal two Ounces Oyl of sweet Almonds and Oatmeal of each an Ounce and apply them to the Breast observing so to do before thâ— Breast be exâ—raordinarily inflamed CHAP. XXXIV A Tumour in the Breast its Cause and Cure OF Tumours there are several sorts but first of the Flagitous Tumour the cause of which proceeds from a thick and unnatural Vapour arising from the Menstrual Blood which is retâ—ined or corrupted in the Matrix and that again occasioned by the suppressions of â—he Courses or when Naâ—ure is defective in discharging them into their proper place and due time as also from corruption of humoâ—rs whereby are ingendered â—vil Vapours and their passing by insensible ways causes the Breast to swell or distend as if it were a true swelling and is known by a shooting pain and disorder of â—he Heart by reason of the Wind that oppresseth it the lest Breâ—st being for the most part more swelled than the right communicating pains to the Arms and Shoulders aâ— likewise the Ribs on the same side â—he Breast being white and shining sounding like a Drum if touched gently and swelled in all parts alike To cure â—his as also the windy Tumourâ— you must order the Woman to observe a modâ—ration in Diet that thereby Câ—udities may be avoided and all such things as contract windy Humours in the Veiâ—s suffering â—er to drink water wherein Cinnamon and Anniseeds have been boiled as also the Rind of Cittron and then let hâ—r observe to take such things as are proper â—o provoke the Courses in doing which she will find the Humours abate then let her take Celandine Camomile Ground-â—ill and Ground-Juice stamp them and boil them in White-wine and in so doing you will ease the pain and restore the Breast As for Disease and Accidents incident to young Children there are but few Women of any experience but are skilful in cutting and ordering them wherâ—fore for breviâ—â—es sâ—ke I shall pass them over and prâ—ceed to Anatomize the Genitâ—l parts in a Man that one thing remâ—ining necessary in this Treatise as also to instance what Men and Women ought to marry â—hat their Islue may be Fair Healthful and Prosperous CHAP. XXXV The Anatomy oâ— the Organs of Generatiâ—n in Man THE Yard which is called in Latin Penis à Pedendo because it hangeth without the Belly â—s an Organical part made of Skin Tendons Veins Arteries Sinews and great Ligâ—menâ—s and iâ— long round and on the upper siâ—e flartish seated uâ—der â—he Ossâ— Pubis and destin'd by Nâ—ture partly for making of Water and pâ—rtly for coâ—veying the Seed into the Matâ—ix To which end there open â—nâ—o it small Pores through which the Seed passes into it â—rom â—he Vesiculae Seminales and alâ—o the â—eck of the Vesiâ—a Vrinaria which pours out the Urine in making of Wâ—ter Besides the common pâ—rts as the Cutâ—cle the Skin and the Membrana Carnosa it hath in these proper or internal parts as â—he two Nervous Bodies the Septum the Uâ—ethra the Glans four Muscles and the Vessels The Nervous Bodies so called are surrounded with a thick white Nervous Membrane but their inner substance is spongy consisting chiâ—fly of Veins Arteries and Nervous Fibres interwoven together like a Net And when the Nerves are repleat with Animal Spirits and the Arâ—eries with hot and spirituous Blood then the Penis is distended and becomes â—rect but when the Influx of the Spirits ceases then the Blood and remaining Spirits are absorded by the Veins and so the Penis becoâ—es limber and flaggy Below these Nervous Bodies like the Vrethra and whenever the Nervous Bodies swell it swells also The Muscles of the Penis are â—our two shorter arising from the Cexendix and sâ—rving its Erection and are therefore