hands in order by Gods blessing to cure the most inveterate diseases which probably might have been also communicated only chymical operation is required in most of them 4. To further your ability to do Only to know is not so commendable nor so sufficient as to do also in order thereunto I humbly offer you supplies to help you 1. To compound medicines 2. To direct medicines 3. So supply others with medicines 1. In order to help you in the composition of medicines I do not only tell you such a Mineral such a Vegetable such an Animal is good for such and such a disease but I discover unto you how they must be ordered compounded or mixed and with what and when as also the several quantities both of the one and the other that so the medicine may not be defective but compleat to all intents and purposes whereunto a medicine is applyed or administred 2. In order to help you to a direct medicine It would be little or no advantage especially in some particular medicines for you to understand the making of such and such a good medicine if withall you were not able to give directions as to the taking of the same as what dose must be given what time it must be given and how it must vary at what time in what disease or to what person with the observations that ought to be both before and after the takeing thereof therefore in this regard also I have not been wanting but have annexed to the receipts what ought in order to their taking be observed or taken notice of 3. In order to supply others with medicines besides the delight that most Ladies and Gentlewomen have in looking into Physick and medicines I doubt not but also charity is as a spur unto many that so they may not do something to please their senses only and in some measure serve themselves but to to help and redress the griefs and maladies of their poor neighbours which are not able to help themselves other ways Those noble spirits may here be further furnished in order to such a good work which to provoke unto if my small mite shall be found concerned and they receive good thereby I should be glad and rejoyce Thus courteous Ladies and Gentlewomen I have in a plain stile without Eloquence or Complement that not becoming such a work Apologized unto you it is all I shall say in the case at this time only I beseech you to pardon me in respect to the subject being necessary weighty inrespect to the method being easie though plain in respect of the language being as sober as the case would allow in respect of the brevity being full though short in some particulars and to accept of the pains of him who as now in this case so at all times and in all cases is ready to assist and serve you In testimony of which I subscribe my self Your humble Servant and ready helper in time of need N. S. WOMENS DISEASES DISCOVERED AND Their CURE offered GOD was wonderful in the Creation but most wonderful in the Creation of Man and out of him Woman Man being the most curious piece and woman no way inferiour in that being made compleat like unto man save only with some difference in both respecting generation which parts in women as they are distinct and peculiar so they are accompanied with distinct and peculiar diseases of which I treat And those are called womens discases which come from the defect of that part distinct from men viz. the Womb the Mother or Matrix which was appointed by God to be the field of Nature to receive the seed of man and woman for the procreation and continuation of mankind the parts of it are two Os uteri the mouth and fundus the bottom of the womb In figure it 's like a pear or Cupping-glass having no distinct cell as the womb of beasts have It is framed of two membrances the external springeth from the Perisonleum the internal is full of small holes where the womb covers the Intestinum rectum and by those small holes the course or menstrual blood issueth For noâ—tishment it hath both veins and arteries springing from the Vasa preparantia ramus hypogastricus and from Hâ—pâ—gastricae The sinews appertaining to 〈…〉 from the sixth conjugation and are small It hath also four Ligaments 〈◊〉 above and two below the two uppermost are loose and soft that they might admit dilatation with the womb when a woman is with child or constriction when she is not The two lowermost are nervious round and hollow and go down to the groyn by the production of the Peritonceum fortified by the Glandules and this causeth that pain that women sometimes feel after conception in the inside of the thigh And by these vessels arteries veins and nerves the womb hath consent with all the rest of the body occasioning as Democrâ—â—us to Hippocrates by letter signifies six hundred miseries and innumerable calamities of which we shall briefly treat passing what might be said concerning the adjuncts viz. Cunnuâ— Testicles or stones of women they having such things as well as men only differing in situation quantity frame substance temperature c. Having therefore given you a definition of the womb I know it is needless to tell you the place or situation of it all knowing that I come now to speak of its diseases and cures Observe therefore with me a threefold division of the womb viz. The Vessels Body of the womb or cavity Parts serving for the noblest act of generation Each of these three have their several diseases First From the distemper of the vessels of the womb and the preternatural causes Come 1. Chlorosis or Green-sickness 2. Stoppage of the Courses 3. Immoderateness thereof 4. The Whites 5. Rage or madness of the womb 6. The Mother fits Secondly In the body or cavity of the Womb are 1. Inflamations 2. Ulcers 3. Scyrrhus 4. Cancer 5. Gangrene 6. Dropsie 7. Falling down 8. Shutting up thereof These hindring generation but by accident Thirdly The diseases which are in respect of conception generation breeding and bringing forth are 1. Barrenness 2. Acute and chronical diseases of women with child 3. Abortion or miscarriage 4. Difficult bringing forth 5. A dead child 6. Secundine or after-birth retained 7. Immoderate flux-blood 8. Suppression of blood 9. Acute diseases of women in child-bed Of all which in order and as plain and brief as may be only I must premise three things First that you may not expect to have me so large as to give you an account of these diseases in a general way as their differences causes signes prognosticks c. only the definition of the disease the signes and cures thereof and that the most principal thereby informing your judgements as to do your selves right which is the end of my writing Secondly That you may not expect this Book to be stuffed with multiplicity of receipts or needless medicines but the
principal of the Galenical Art so far as Authors make manifest and I have proved Thirdly Neither may you expect these Arcanums specifical medicines spake of to be at this time made manifest or publick having reasons sufficient to the contrary besides that many of them are Chymical preparations and none of them made without fire and the help of Chymical utensils or vessels but shall reserve them as yet to my self only alwayes ready either to give or sell such quantities and at such prizes as the persons may be capable to give and the medicines deserve And indeed they are very cheap considering their efficacy which things I was more than ordinary concerned to study being my medicines hitherto though acknowledged to be very excellent choice yet complained of by some for their dearness which although I have now endeavoured to remedy yet not so far as to detract from the worth of the things These persons complaining not considering the great charge trouble excellency and worth of Chymical preparations above others but thinking hard of giving four six or ten shillings for a small bottle of some Spirit Tinct Elixar or other medicine not examining who is the greatest gainer whether they that furnish them possibly with three four five perhaps six quarts for the same money or we they only making it by decoction c. we by calcination sublimation liquation salification precipitation purification so separating the pure from the impure administring only the most pure part of any Mineral Animal or Vegetable they both together yea not only so but the best many times lost by their way of compounding or if not so yet the body of the thing being not opened according to Chymical Art doth not operate effectually But of this no more here Having thus premised I come now to the business it self and I begin with these distempers of the vessels of the womb and the first is Chlorosis or Green-sickness and according to promise I shall observe this method viz. 1. To give you the definition of the discase or tell you briefly what it is 2. To give you the most principal common signes of such and such diseases thereby helping your judgments that you may look for Cure 3. To give you some choice and notable Receipts in order to Cure that disease you find your self to lie under or are creeping into In all of which God direct my Pen in writing and cause you to be humble and sober in reading 1. Then the Chlorosis or Green-sickness it is also called the White feaver the Virgins disease the white Jaundies c. and may be defined thus An evil habit of body from the obstructions of the Veins of the Liver Spleen Mesentery and especially the womb whereby the whole passage of blood is hindred which abounding in Virgins when they begin to have their Courses and being hindred by its natural course by those obstructions turns to the upper parts and oppresseth the Heart Liver Spleen Midriff and other parts destroying natural heat and bringing evil concoction in the bowels and is known by these signs following 1. The face and all the body is pale and white and sometimes of a lead colour blew and green 2. Swelling face and Eye-lids especially after sleep the legs also soft and loose especially about the Ancles 3. Heaviness and idleness in the whole body 4. Difficult breathing especially when they move themselves or go up a hill or stairs 5. Palpitation of the heart and beating of the Arteries of the Temples 6. Often great Head ach sometimes before and sometimes behind according as from whence vapors ascend 7. For the most part a swift Pulse 8. Sleep very sound sometimes till noon 9. Loathing wholsome Meat covering that which is not convenient to be eaten 10. Stoppage of the monthly Courses which shews the disease to be at the height Now to help you in the Cure of this discase consider it lieth in three things chiefly viz. In opening obstructions in correcting the distemper of the bowels and in strengthning the same which to do I advise you to use these ensuing medicines 1. Give this Purge in a morning with those common observations which are used in taking Physick Take Rosin of Jalap ten grains Diacatholicon and Conserve of red Roses of each half an ounce Crem Tartar twenty grains Salt of Mugwort four grains mix them altogether and give this Bolus upon the point of a knife c. The next thing is Bleeding and concerning the place observe this That if the body abound with gross and evil humors you then take the arm first if not the foot only remember that when the lower veins are opened it be done toward the full of the Moon when the Courses use to come down or if they have not yet appeared when the party is most afflicted Soon after her bleeding make this medicine and administer it every morning the first thing causing her to exercise after it for several mornings together the quantity of three ounces forbearing meat or drink for two or three hours the medicine is this Take of the filings of Steel four ounces Eryngo roots and Elicampane of each one ounce and half flowers of Broom Rosemary Betony and Epithimum of each half a handful red Coral and shavings of Ivory of each six drams Cloves Nutmegs Cinnamons Saffron of each two drams White wine six pints Steep these things being bruised or beaten in the wine for eight days keeping it close stopt and in a gentle heat in hot water or embers then strain it and use it as aforesaid And in the mean time supply her with Conserve of Mugwort the quantity of one ounce once a day before Supper with six grains of Crem Tartar and by Gods blessing the Cure will be performed but if not then we must come higher to Diuretical and Diaphoretical medicines which never fail Such of which I am alwayes provided with for the good and benefit of all which Arcanums and Specifical medicines are not at this time to be made publick no not to the Sons of Art And so I conclude my discourse concerning the Green sickness only my advice further is that the Parents of such persons as have this disease or others who are concerned would prudently and timely provide marriage for them much of the Cure of this disease lying in Carnal Copulation as experience hath and doth teach every day more or less the vessels of the womb becoming thereby much enlarged c. 2. Stoppage of the Terms or Courses The terms are said to be stopped when in a woman ripe of Age which gives not Suck and is not with Child there is seldom small or no evacuation of blood by the womb which useth to be every moneth Signs are manifest but because it comes either from natural or preternatural causes I shall lay down some distinguishing signs whereby you may discern whether they stay from being with Child yea or no or from some other preternatural cause and
Pensiveness and sadness 6. Several pains as the Head Heart c. Cure Omitting Blood-letting in this case the first thing is to cleanse the body of the peccant humors and therefore give this following Vomit in the first place viz. Infusion of Crocus Metallorum one ounce Syrup of Squils half an ounce mixed and give it in a morning fasting blood-warm give Posset and keep warm after it c. The next day save one take this Purge Rosin of Jalap ten grains Cinnamon in fine powder half a scruple mix them and take it in a little Chicken broth and drink of the broth afterwards take it in a morning After this all those things spoke of in the immoderate flux of the Courses may be given unto which I shall only adde a decoction made with Lig. vita Sassafras China and red Rose-leaves sweetned with syrup of Coral Quinces or Spearmint of which let her take daily half a pint for a moneth together But possible some good woman or other may judge my pains in this disease might have been spared many having had it for many years without hurt or danger to such I would say not without dammage for though in one respect this disease may be called good because not attended with danger of Death yet observe it may be accounted bad yea a very bad and stubborn disease forasmuch as the flux of evill humors having once taken this course is very hardly turned out of its channel because the womb is the draught of the whole body so that if this infirmity get head it may and commonly doth bring many other Evils upon the Patient viz. 1. Barrenness 2. Falling down of the womb 3. Exulceration 4. Cachexia or evil habit of body 5. Dropsie 6. Consumption c. And therefore having those Evils attending it I think it concerns me to endeavour to remove it as other diseases to which purpose I have as for the rest made provision of other things if those directed to shall fail And so I pass to the next and that is Rage or Madness from the Womb. Womb-fery is a sort of madness arising from abundance of Seed being Acrimonious and hot transcending the bounds of Nature thereby causing a vehement and unbridled desire of carnal imbracement which desire dethrones the rational faculty so far that the Patient utters wanton and lascivious Speeches c. Signs may easily be gathered by what is said but because it is wont to discover it self gradually by little and little I shall briefly relate its progress in the beginning whilst the party injoys their understanding they are more sad and silent than ordinary but sometimes with a wanton rowling eye and ruddy countenance especially when mention is made of matters belonging to bodily lust for then both Breath and Pulse changeth which hath occasioned sometimes some whispers from me to compose themselves to some inclinable to this infirmity Afterwards when the disease is exasperated they begin to scold weep and ever and anon to fall out laughing they speak many things without time and reason out of which no certain sign can be gathered A while after they repent of their solly until another fit take them by reason of the inordinate motion of the peccant matter which observes no certain period in its fermentation c. Cure The cure of this disease tends to correct the hot distemper of the bowels especially of the womb and the blood and seed likewise to evacuate the sharp humors and seminal matter offending In order thereto let blood pretty plentyfully and reiterate the same if the person be plethorick or abounding with blood then give this Purge Take of the Pill Lapis Lazuli half a dram oyl of Amber mixed therewith four drops make it into several Pills and take them in a morning fasting drinking Posset-drink after it according as usually is done in taking Physick give this twice a week for a moneth together and in the mean time let the party take of this following Electuary twice a day when she takes no Pills viz. Take Conserve of the flowers of Water-Lillies Violets and Agnus Castus of each one ounce Conserve of Roses and Lettice of each two ounces Coral prepared half an ounce Syrup of Violets enough to make it into a body Whey drunk often and plentifully is good in this disease and Issues made in the thighs and legs But in regard of the immediate cause seeing the evacuation of the sharp and corrupted seed may cure this disease my further advice is that at the beginning of the disease before the Patient begins manifestly to rave or in the space between her fits when she is pretty well to marry her for so the womb being satisfied and the offensive matter contained in its Vessels being emptied the Patient may peradventure be cured but if the party cannot so conveniently be married or her condition bare not that estate all lawful means must be used by rubbing or tickling by a skilful Midwife that so an evacuation of the over abounding Sperm may be And if still this disease continue you may understand other things are to be done with expedition and therefore as for others so for this I am not with some secret Arcanums and Specifical medicines tryed and experienced to several effectually to my content as well as those concerned both in mony Credit and Honour few reaching this disease but my self as well as the other madness which men also are liable to c. But then next Is the Mother-fits or Womb-sickness When seed and menstrual blood are retained in women besides the intent of nature they putrifie corrupt and attain a venomous quallity from which according to Galens Doctrine vapours are elevated and carried to divers parts of the body occasiâ—ning several Symptoms the chief going under the name of Mother-fits the womb sometimes being elevated also The signs such as shew the disease approaching and such as shew the disease strengthned 1. Signs that shew the disease approaching are these 1. A noise in their lower belly 2. Belching or inclination to Vomit 3. Wearinesses yawnings and stretchings 4. A sad look pale face Secondly Signs of the disease strengthned 1. A sense of strangling as if they had swallowed a great morsel and it stuck in their throat 2. Stoppage of breath and suffocation increased 3. In conclusion all their vital and animal actions are deprived diminished or abâ—â—â—â—d 4. And from hence springs Ravings Convulsions and other grievous symptoms but this disease being pretty well known by almost every old woman I shall say no more as to the signs but come to the Cure which is double 1. In the Fit 2. Out of the Fit Cure In the fit those vapouts which cause it are to be discussed and drawn back from the part affected the humors contained in the womb which send up these vapours it would be well if we knew which way must be voided and the womb if removed out of its proper seat restored to the same again In
ought naturally to be capable of conception and using the company of a man doth not conceive Here note four things 1. That a woman in her genital imbracements ought conveniently to receive the mans seed into her womb 2. That she ought to retain the same for a convenient season 3. That she ought to cherish and preserve the same in her womb And 4. That she afford fitting materials from the Embrio or first-conception and duly to augment the same as need shall require Now if the woman receive not the seed if she retain it not if she preserve and cherish it not if she nourish it not so as to increase and grow these are impediments to conception and therefore for your sakes for whom I write I will not spare to give you the signs of barrenness according to these four sorts of causes propounded because in what I do in this particular I aim at the good of others as well as my self 1. Therefore I have told you that a woman in her genital imbracements ought conveniently to receive the mans seed into her womb Signs Hindring of reception of the seed is not hard to be discovered for observe it is occasioned by 1. Tenderness of age as also over elderly state 2. Evil constitution of those parts which border upon the womb viz. 3. When women halt or have crooked leggs their Crupper-bone deprest or are over fat 4. Hatred between man and wife and so I may bring in crooked conditions as well as crooked leggs Look to it women 5. Particular diseases also may hinder the reception of seed as tumors ulcers obstructions closures or stoppage and these may be known by search of the genital parts by an ingenuous man or woman skilled to that purpose Secondly I have told you that she ought also to retain the seed for a convenient season Signs here are evident the woman being sensible thereof Having a very moist and slippery womb c. But the next head will explain this And because that requires more exquisite search and knowledge I pass this and come to 3. I have also told you that a woman ought to cherish and preserve the seed in her womb the causes therefore of corrupting the seed in the womb thereby hindring its nourishment and cherishment are four 1. A cold distemper of the womb 2. A moist distemper of the womb 3. A hot distemper of the womb 4. A dry distemper of the womb The true and general signs of each of which I shew you 1. A cold distemper of the womb is hereby known 1. The woman longs not after carnal imbracements and feels little pleasure therein 2. Her face is soft whitish and cloudy 3. Her feeling is dull about her share loins and thighs 4. She voids thin and crude seed and with little pleasure 5. Her courses are stopped or come very sparingly being pale and discoloured and keep no constant orderly time c. 2. A moist distemper of the womb is known 1. By the lax flagi and soft habit of the womans body 2. Her much spitting and waterish stomach 3. Frequent and almost continual flux of whites 4. Plenty of courses also but thin and watery 5. No appetite to fleshly conjunction 6. Heaviness of her loins apt to miscarry and plenty of urin c. Thirdly A hot distemper of the womb is known 1. By the manly and strong habit of the womans body 2. By a ruddy countenance and black hare both of head and eye-brows 3. She is frequent disposed to be angry and thirsty 4. Her urin little and courses few but sharp doing sometimes dammage to the secret passages 5. Their privities itch and they are prone to carnal imbracements and suddenly void their seed Fourthly A dry distemper of the womb is known 1. By the small quantity of the courses 2. Drying itching and chopping of the mouth of the womb 3. Little excretion of seed in genital imbracements 4. Trouble sometimes arising from overmuch carnal conjunction as also leanness If the seed be corrupted and barrenness caused by witchcraft all other signs will be absent which are wont to declare the natural and manifest causes of barrenness there will be likewise some alienation of minds between the married couple of which neither of them can give any handsome account neither can either of them but seldom shoot forth their seed and when they do it is not without labour and difficulty Diet or poison that extinguish seed if they have been taken may come to knowledge by diligent questioning of the woman and those that usually are about her Lastly Malignant diseases such as are of power to extinguish the seed as Leprous Manginess the Whores Pox and such like are known by their proper signs Note that those couples who are of one constitution and so consequently if not altered by means their seeds both thick or both thin both hot or both cold have seldom children Now to know whether a woman be naturally barren is a certain hidden disposition and very difficult to unfold Authors have left many ways to try yet finding no certainty in them I was resolved to have past them in silence but considering that some might wish otherwise upon the reading hereof I shall set down three ways that whoever is so disposed may try them and accordingly speak 1. Hypocrates saith if a woman conceive not and thou wouldst know whether she will conceive or not let her either receive some fume or put the body of Galbanum softned at the fire tied up in silk with the threed to make fast about the thigh or Garlick if she smell or her head or mouth smell of the same thing she is pronounced fruitfull Note It must be done at night and the tryal to be next morning Secondly Amatus Lusitanus commends this following as a most true sign he takes a drain of a hairs runnet which dissolved in warm water he gives the woman to drink being in a bath of hot water and fasting if the woman do then feel pains in her belly he saith she is fruitful if not that she is barren Thirdly others commend the urine of the woman to discover and manifest this doubt using it thus being put into a convenient vessel steep Barley therein which Barley if it grow within ten dayes they count it a sign of fruitfulness if not of barrenness and some do pour the water upon Bran or Fenugreek and take it for a note of barrenness if any worms breed there And these be all to this purpose Those that have an occasion and are disposed to try they may without dammage danger or any great charges But sometimes it so happens though the woman most usual that the man is the reason of non-conception or generation which we shall diligently consider and lay down some manifest tokens of discovery for it would be in vain in that case to prescribe medicines and directions to the woman she being not the proper subject Barrenness proceeding from the man for
I must not favour my own sex no further than it may be with conveniency may be known 1. By the diseases of the genital parts as inability to raise his yard want of seed swelling of his stones running of the reins c. 2. By his being faint hearted and womanish by nature and be slow in casting forth his seed and that be cold 3. If he want a beard and have little or no lust to carnal imbracements and perceive very little pleasure therein These are signal tokens and discover unto us barrenness in the man as well as the other in the woman I come now to the curative part only I must mind you of this that you may not expect here variety of medicines according as the disease proceeds from this or the other cause which the signs aforesaid discover no that would be too large but only such a medicine as is suited and fitted in order to this business for all sorts of barrenness only in that barrenness from the wombs closure it to be understood something else is to be done there before the medicine be used Cure Take Eryngus roots and Satyrion of each four ounces Ameos seed Rocket seed Water cresses seed of each two ounces Filbert-kernels Pine-kernels and Pislachios of each one ounce two pair of the stones of a Bore-pig Mace Cinnamon Cloves and Ginger of each two drams beat bruise and slice as they ought to be and then put them into a pottle of Muscadine mixed with a quart of old Sack cover it close and let it boil softly to the loss of a quart strain it and let the woman drink a quarter of a pint three times a week going to bed and in the morning following let her company with her Husband and observe that as soon as her husband is passed from her she immediately cross her legs putting a warm cloth next her body and lie a full hour afterwards and never to taste her husbands benevolence in that nature but of those mornings which follow after the drink Many more directions are to be given in this point only necessary it is that the parties may be known because directions of this nature must be varied as there may be occasion either in the one or the other And certainly if women were so wise as to admit or look out there are but few that are barren but might by Gods blessing be holpen thereby we hope to bring joy to Parents and a better life of love between party and party which sometimes occasions great differences or at least clouds happiness for the general tone is Give me Children or else I die And herein I speak the more confidently because never yet any one failed of cure that came to me upon this score that were willing diligent and patient in taking my medicines whereof that aforementioned was ever one and observing those rules and directions that I laid before them Secondly Of acute and chronical diseases of women with child the acute and chronical diseases of women with child are the same in essence or nature and have the same signs with the like diseases in women not with child or in men wherefore I must not run out here to the signs of those diseases that are incident to women with child or to speculate there upon they being to be found else where But although the signs as aforesaid either in the one or the other differ not yet the cure of the aforesaid diseases in women with child doth remarkably differ in point of Diet and Physick and especially those two grand remedies blood-letting and purgation As for matter of diet a more fuller and larger diet may be allowed unto a woman with child under a disease than to others and that in regard of the infant yet care must be taken also that the diet do not exceed so as to heighten and augment the feaver however remember that errour in this point which is in point of fulness is the more tollerable for recovery is chiefly to be expected from the strength of the mother and child As for bleeding and purging they are allowable and frequently practised by me and many other ingenious and sober Doctors with very great and satisfactory success the errour about it I refute at the latter end of my book and therefore here shall only say further That the time when and the quantity which are the things of enquiry in this case for at sometimes there may be more blood taken than at othersome and so likewise at some times there may be a bigger Dose given than at other some But in these cases I shall be silent because I would not incourage any woman whatsoever to these things without the advice of a sound judicious and conscientious Doctor fearing they miscarrying they should endeavour to hide and wrap their action in that nature and attribute their sin upon that occasion to this little book of mine which I writ for contrary ends and purposes viz. their good happiness and advantage in this life But then thirdly of abortion or miscarriage Abortion or miscarriage is the bringing forth of an imperfect or unripe child and consequently a child dead in the womb is not counted an abortion till it be excluded so whether a live or dead child be brought forth not being ripe nor having attained to the just term of growth which it ought to have had in the womb it is to be termed an abortion or miscarryed child Signs The signs of present abortion are manifest of themselves but such as go before abortion or miscarriage and do prognosticate the same are these 1. An unusual heaviness of the loins and hips 2. A lothness to stir with loss of appetite 3. Shivering and shaking coming by fits 4. Pain in the head especially about the roots of the cyes 5. A straitning of the sides and of the belly above the Navel 6. The flaging or failing and extenuation of the Dugs 7. Plenty of milk roping from the dugs voluntary argues miscarriage 8. Frequent pain and almost continual about the reins and loins reaching toward the share with a certain endeavour of going out or pressing down of the womb And observe in this latter sign flowing from the womb if any pure blood or wheyish matter or water follow the aforesaid pains and endeavour of coming out miscarriage is not far and at that time notice being taken the situation or posture of the child is changed for whereas it lay high and possessed the middle of the womans belly like a Sugar-loaf bearing out it is now gathered round like a foot-ball and rowled down towards the water-gate and then sometimes though not alwayes there follows grievous symptoms as shivering trembling palpitation of the heart swooning and abounding in bleeding c. I have been the larger upon those signs because I would willingly instruct women for their good for by these truly and wisely observed miscarriage and all those dangerous consequences which attend it may be prevented by timely
are free from them more or less Signs are needless be felt sufficiently and demonstration thereof from the women Cure According to Authors ought to be varied according to those several causes producing this troublesome affliction and therefore say they sometimes these gripings come from plenty of blood its thickness sharpness too much clotted and the narrowness of the vessel through which it is to pass forth the womb endeavouring new expulsion stirreth up pain Furthermore they say these gripings are caused by winds or by cold received into the womb and sometimes gripings be caused by a sharp cholerick humor each of which requiring a different cure I am not here to dispute with Authority as to the causes of these gripings only this I do conceive that the ill affection of the Archeus of those parts at that time ushers in both the cause and the effect so that one only medicine as I have several times proved upon different constitutions and parties hath been sufficient to remove and that suddenly those troublesome pains by Gods blessing but that medicine being of a Chymical preparation it would signifie nothing unless to the Sons of Art to whom I write not now however that I may not leave you destitute no more in this than in other cases I shall give you a receipt or two which have been found to many of force and efficacy in this case and indeed are pertinent thereunto Having given her therefore oil of sweet Almonds new drawn three ounces with one ounce and an half of syrup of Violets And administred a Glister made with milk Camomil flowers and the yolks of eggs let her take of this powder viz. Take Date and Peach kernels of each half a dram Nutmegs four scruples powder of Dâ—amargaritum Calidum two drams Aniseed one dram Cinnamon two scruples Saffron ten grains Sugar the weight of all the rest make all into a very fine powder and give thereof in wine twice or thrice a day two drams at a time Anointing her belly two or three times with oil of Dill Camomil and Rue of each alike doing of it so that no cold may be taken 9. Of acute diseases of women in child-bed What we said before touching the acute diseases of women with child we may now repeat touching the acute diseases of women in child-bed being of the same essence and signs with the like diseases in women which are not with child Now those acute diseases are for the most part continual feavers both essential and also symptomical which accompany inward inflamations c. Yet there is a peculiar sort of feaver which almost befalls all women in child-bed which is called by them the feaver of their milk which is wont to befall them about the third or fourth day after they are brought to bed when the milk begins to encrease in their breast and for the satisfaction of those who know not and desire to know It ariseth from the reflux of blood from the womb to the dugs and the motion and agitation thereof which kind of feaver needs not any medicine because usually within three or four days viz. about the ninth day after her delivery it is finished by sweat and from this consideration it is that I always where it may be perswade all women in this case never to rise till the tenth day after being brought to bed danger then being over As for signs and cures as to this head the one is needless being the same with other persons and the other being dangerous and the hourly advice especially in some cases and attendance of the Doctor needful together with those various symptoms that do arise you may not expect from me here not but that I am willing to direct but the consequences ensuing diseases in this case administrations being not legal are so dangerous and pernicious that if I did subscribe in that nature yet it must be with no encouragement to the use of them without advice for these and such like reasons I forbear intimating any remedies in this case and you may not blame me remembring that sins of omission are less than sins of commission yet that you may see I am willing to enlighten your judgment and inform you as far as I may accept and seriously view these few and weighty observations An acute disease befals a child-bed woman either in the beginning or in the middle or in the end of her lying in Now mark If it happen in the beginning and the woman be plentifully purged there must be no other evacuation blood-letting is forbid Nature being rightly and conveniently about her operations But if the child-bed purgations be suppressed or flow sparingly if there be necessary occasion the inferior veins may be opened and a pretty good quantity of blood taken away because at that time the child-bed purgations of blood ought by the appointment of nature to be plentiful Next If an acute disease happen in the middle time of her lying in there is to be considered whether the Morbifick matter be contained in one particular place or whether it be dispersed through the veins and whether the woman hath been conveniently purged or not in regard of quantity If the disease proceed from matter scattered abroad as in feavers and the woman not fully purged the lower veins may be opened having two good indications one is the Morbifick matter will thereby be diminished and the other is her natural flux or purgations provoked But if the woman have been sufficiently purged yet if the disease get ground and the natural evacuation be not sufficient for the disease the inferior veins must be opened notwithstanding and so much blood must be taken away as is convenient and the disease may require And so the further from her delivery or the more dayes or weeks from her labour if there be a necessity from any diseases or feavers either essential or symptomical the more boldness may be in bleeding and that especially if the patient be surprized with any particular acute disease as the Plurifie Inflamation of the Lungs Quinzy and the like and so much concerning blood-letting to women in child-bed The next observations will be concerning Purging comprehended in these following maxims While the child-bed purgations do naturally flow a purge is never to be administred fearing a diverting of nature from her business But if the child bed purgations be not kindly consider whether their fault consist in quantity or quality If they offend in quantity so as to be too little the woman being not purged sufficiently or not at all as it were After all other remedies fit to procure these purgations have been given in vain and the Morbifick matter appear digested ten or twelve dayes being past since her being brought to bed according to the more or less urgency of the disease she may be purged gently but no strong Physick must be given her If her child-bed purgations offend only in quality so that a white flux or some other