suppression of the Terms is the weakness of the Women in general whereby the blood wanting power for Concoction runs to some other parts of the Body and so long as the Woman labours under that weakness the purgations are hindred if not altogether stopped But thus much may suffice for the Causes we shall now proceed to the Symptoms Prognosticks and Remedies to be used in the helping this infirmity Though outwardly no visible sign may appear but only the meer relation of the party afflicted yet the differrences thereof may be judged by the Causes and Accidents attending it and the part of the Body thereby afflicted Whether the whole Body be vitiated and diseased or the defect be in the Womb or Vessels as that the Mouth of the Womb be distorted and turned aside out of its due place or some other impediment there about or if there be a perpetual suppression of the Terms then it plainly shows such a Woman to be absolutely barren If the Obstruction come by weakness of the Vessels and expulsive power then that is perceived by immoderate heat great thirst a swift and strong pulse head-ach and many other signs of heat But if the cause thereof happen to be from cold then the Woman is dull drowsy and much given to sleepiness but without any thirst the pulse beats very slow and the Urine is of a loathsome colour If the Disease proceed from some inward cause it is discovered by the fatness or leanness of the party This Obstruction usually brings to the party afflicted not only barrenness but oftentimes the Falling-sickness Suffocation Swellings and Impostumes of the Womb and the other parts appertaining thereunto much dulness and drowsiness over all the Body Coughing difficulty of breathing the Dropsy detention of the Urine costiveness heaviness of mind pain in the Head and many other infirmities Now therefore to proceed to the Remedies to be administred for Cure of this infirmity it will be very fit and necessary in the first place to loosen the Belly which may be done by Glisters which dissolve wind and gently loose as thus A Glister for the stopping the Terms Take flowers of Camomile and Mugwort of each one handful Anni-seeds and Fennel-seeds each an ounce and make a Decoction thereof Then take of this Decoction a pound or a pint which you please three drams of oyl of Camomile and brown Sugar to make it a Glister so give it Hiera Piera is much coÌ„mended in these cases to purge the Excrements of the Vesicles and remove those grosse humours A proper Receipt thereof may be thus to provoke the Terms Take the Species of Hiera or if it be lawful for me to speak English and that 't is a hard matter to do of such ugly unsignificant words as purblind Physicians have devised Take four ounces of the powder of Hiera piâ—ra and mix it with honey of Roses or syrup of Roses a sufficient quantity to make it into a Bolus Also take of the same simple Species or plain powder of Hyera two drams that is a quarter of an ounce and mix it with a sufficient quantity of syrup of Betony that it may be made a Bolus Another Take three drams of solutive syrup of Roses and a sufficient quantity of the Decoction of Citron-seeds make it into a Potion or drink which you please take it immediatly after the Hiera Bolus before directed Another excellent is this Take of the powder of Hiera picra three drams of the Electuary called Lenitivum and Cassia newly drawn three drams mix it into a Bolus with fine Sugar Be pleased to give me leave to tell you what a Bolus is Turner for It is a tearm Physicians have caught by the end without sense or reason to fright you with Bolus is a Latin word and signifies as much in English as to say a mouthful or morsel or as much as one can swallow at once so that you may make it a Pill or Electuary which you please for you know both are to be swallowed Some do refuse the use of Cassia to be administred in such cases and condemn it but being well administred with Hiera piera it is very commodious for this disease The opening of a Vein or letting of bloud is very proper for this Disease if it appears that there be a plenitude or corruption thereof it is properly to be drawn from the lower parts of the Body Give me leave to be so modest as conceale that as the Foot sometimes from the Thighs and Venis Cubiti et ab utero you may imagine my meaning though I speak Latine but I say the superfluous blood must be drawn out and that downwards or else it will endanger to spoil the Body Sub matrice Ligature and binding of the Thighs is also requisite in this case and to keep the same bound to draw down the blood Also if the Veins in the Matrix be obstructed and stopt and the humour of blood abounds it is requisite that there be a Vein opened to take away the blood and that there be other means used to diminish the same as laxative and opening Medicines using abstinence and exercise as need requires but where no order nor abstinence is used never expect a good remedy But take it for a general Rule that at first you begin to provoke the Terms with gentle and lenitive moving Medicines afterwards if that do not the work proceed to stronger by degrees alwaies having due respect to the age and strength of the person For young and tender persons generally this is a gentle mover of the Terms syrup of Betony of Mugwort of honey of Roses the decoction of Betony and Hysop Ceterach Simples gently provoking and moving the Terms which are warm by nature are accounted these Smallage roots Fennel roots roots of Butchers broom of Parsly Madder Asarabacca Valerian and Elecampane The seeds of Lupines Sperage Parsly Smallage Annis Fennel Comin Of herbs these Cinquefoile Mugwort wild Mints Harts-tongne Marjerom Fetherfew Wormwood Juniper wild Time Lovage Maidenhair Southernwood and washt Turpentine Stronger Simples to provoke the Terms are Hemlock Rue Centory Savin Euphorbium Sagapenum Ammoniacum Mirrh Assa foetida Mustard-seed Celandine roots Coloquint Pepper black Hellebore Boras These with the former are to be used in powder Syrrup Juyce or Decoction but beware you be not too busie in medling with some of the last mentioned lest you repent it A Syrup to Concoct and prepare the humours to provoke the Terms Take Syrup of of Betony of Mugwort and Elecampane of each half an ounce of the Decoction of Hysop and Betony of each four ounces mix them together and so take it when you please Odoriferous things which provoke the Terms are Cynamon Cassia Lignea Costus roots Muscus Spica Indiae Spica Romana Gallia muscata and such like Fumes to be burnt to move the Terms are Oppoponacum Soponoria Frankincense Lignum Aloes and red Storax Things by nature cool which move the Terms are The seeds
naturally flies from stinking smells therefore as in the ascention or rising of the Mother you are to use stinking things to the nose and sweet to the Womb so contrariwise in the falling down or discention of the Mother you are to apply sweet perfumes to the Nose and stinking to the Matrix to the end the same may thereby be drawn up again into its due place For this Disease it is good to hold to the Nose Assa foetida galbanum old Woollen Clouts or Shooes burnt Hair or Feathers or such stinking things that may be gotten speedily And apply sweet odoriferous things to the Matrix beneath for which purpose this Powder following is very good A Powder to be used in the nature of a Pessary against the suffocation of the Matrix or fits of the Mother Take red Storax Lignum Aloes Cloves of each a dram Musk Amber of each half a dram Make them altogether into a Powder and then bind it up in a Cloth in the form of a Pessary and put it up into the Matrix Another for the same Take an Ounce of Oyl of Lillies Musk Saffron of each 3 grains bruise all well together and make a Pessary thereof with Wooll or Cotton and put it up into the place A Fumigation for this Disease Take Gallia Moscata Cassia wood Cynamon Time of each a like quantity mix these together and make a perfume thereof and let the smoke be received up into the Matrix through a tumel for that purpose If the Patient be a Maid a Husband is the best Medicine if she can get one but in case that cannot be then let her abstain from strong Wines and flesh meat and all such things as increase natural sperme And use letting blood such meats and drinks as are cooling and amongst the rest this Confection following is very good A Confection against the fits of the Mother Take Polipody Roots 6 Ounces Sene Violets Prunes Sebastins Dates Currans of each an Ounce and a half seeth these altogether in two quarts of water till half be consumed away then strain it out hard and infuse in the decoction while it is hot 6. Ounces of the Seeds of Fleawort till the Muscilage be drawn out of them then put to this decoction 24 Ounces of fine Sugar and take thereof once in 2 or 3 dayes and fast after it 6 hours Take silver Mountain Madder Penyroyal the innermost rinds of Cassia Pipes Pomegranat Kernels Piony Roots Calamy of each 3 drams Mulcus and Spica Indie of each half a dram make all these together into Pills with the juyce of Mugwort of these she may take a dram every day before Supper if she take not the Confection the same day It is also good for this Disease to open the Saphea vein in the foot and afterwards give the Patient a dtam of the Powder of Betony in Featherfew-water It is also good to anoint the Belly with the Oyl of Mastick and so much for this affliction of the suffocation or ascention of the Matrix we come next to speak of the discention or falling down of the same Chap. VII Of the falling down of the Womb. This is another great evil wherewith many poor Women labour and is of no small consequence and danger for as in some cases and for some causes the Matrix in some Women is drawn up and ascendeth out of its due place so on the contrary it sometimes descends downwards out of the Body This accident is caused sometimes by hard labour and heavy births falls bruises too much astringency in the body taking great cold violent sneesing overmuch stirring and the like It may likewise be caused by reason of ill humours predominant in the Body which fall down to the Womb forcing it out of its natural place and many times brings with it the Palsie and Falling Sickness as also Ulcers and Imposthumes in the Womb. If this Disease happen by means of any outward accident the Patient her self can best discover the cause thereof If it come from some inward cause then respect is to be had to the Constitution of the party whether she be lean or fat moystor dry and to the Symptomes the disease which causeth pain in the lower part of the Back-bone and also about the secret parts sometimes an Ague with it the Urine staies and the Body is astringent If the passage of the neck of the Womb bee smooth and open then it is not moved downwards but if it be stopped then be sure it is descended although it appear not out of the Body and if it do continue displaced any long time it will be very difficult if not impossible to reduce the same to its natural place again Now to seek Remedies for this Disease you must instead of applying sweet things to the Matrix as you were directted in the ascension of the Matrix or the fits of the Mother to draw it down you must now apply stinking things to the Matrix and sweet smells to the Nose to draw it up againe A Fume for the falling down of the womb Take Tormentil Bistort juyce of Sloes of each 3 drams Pomgranate pills the blossoms thereof of each a quarter of an ounce Assa foetida an ounce Mastick Frankincense Galbanum of each 2 drams and a half Cypress Nuts Galls Mirtle seed of each five drams stamp mix all these together strew thereof upon a red hot brick let the patient receive the fume thereof beneath Let it not come at her Nose but in the mean time let her smell to Musk Amber Violets and such sweet smells which draw up the Mother and cause it to ascend again Another for the same Take a stinking rotten addle Egg that a Hen hath sat on and dip Cotton in it and lay it upon the neck of the Matrix it causeth it to ascend again A Fume for the same by a Decoction Take Camomile Marjoram Carraway of each one handful Linseed one handful and a half boyl these altogether in water and receive the Fume thereof into the Matrix The vapour of Housleek bruised and laid on a hot brick is good for the same if there be heat or inflammation in the Matrix A Fomentation for the same Take Roses three ounces Mirtle seed Violet leaves Marigolds Fetherfew of each one handful Assa feetida five drachms bruise them together and tie them up in a bag and seeth them in red Wine and lay it upon the place after the vapour is received An Oyntment for the falling down of the VVomb Take the Ointment of Hollyhocks which is called at the Apothecaries unguent de Althea mix therewith some marrow of an Ox or other beast the grease of a Hen or Capon and some oyl and herewith annoint the neck of the Matrix and all the parts about it when you go to bed you may also make a plaister hereof and apply it all night as before Another Ointment for the same Take oyl of Myrtles of Lillies of Mastick of each
Dragagant Gum of each 1 ounce dissolve the Isinglasse in red Wine Vinegar and mix the other ingredients amongst it to a Plaister For Clefts or Chops of the Nipples Take Mutton or Lambs Suet as much as you please and after it is molten and clarified then wash it in Rose-water and therewith annoint the Nipples And thus much for the Diseases in the Breasts Chap. XVII Shewing means and Remedies for those Nurses that went milk Having already at large discoursed to you the infirmities happening by reason of superfluous or congealed milk and the evil accidents that attend the same with the means of their prevention and Remedy it is also convenient for their sakes who would be Nurses and cannot for want of milk to shew them some means to increase it where it is wanting Women given much to fretting or who are by nature lean and sickly having a bad digesture in stomach Liver cannot breed store of milk nor good milk also bad meats and drinks hinder the ingendring of milk therefore they ought to be forborn And women that would increase their milk let them eat good meats if they can get it and drink milk wherein Fennel seed hath been steeped If the woman be of a hot nature and full of Choler let her drink Barley water and Almond milk eat Lectice with her meat Burrage Spinnage Goats milk Cowes milk and Lamb sodden with Verjuice And avoid sorrow and anger as much as may be and comfort the stomach with the Confections of Anniseeds Carraway and Cominseeds and likewise use these seeds sodden in water Also take Anniseeds two drams and a half beaten and temper them with the broth of Coleâ—orts and drink it when you go to bed Also take Barley water and boyl therein green Fennel and Dill and sweeten it with Sugar and drink it at your pleasure If you would have an outward means use this Plaister following Take half an ounce of Deers suet and as much Parsley roots with the hearbs an ounce and a half of Barley meal three drams of red Storax and three ounces of oyl of sweet Almonds seeth the roots and hearbs well and beat them to pap and then mingle the other amongst them and lay it warm on the Nipples it increaseth milk Thus have I Counselled women of all sorts how to free themselves from all casualties the frailty of their nature subjects them to which when you finde the benefit of give God the glory and sin no more lest a worse thing sall unto thee FINIS AN APPENDIX TOUCHING The DROPSY THis being an infirmity under which many labour and few are cured thereof partly nay most by reason of their inability I thought it very necessary having this opportunity put into my hands to add this small Treatise of the Kinds Cause and Cure of Dropsies This Disease the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latins a water between the flesh and the skin and vulgâ—rly Hydrops or Hydropicus morbus the Dropsy or an Hydropical disease which name seems to have bâ—en taken from water which in Greek is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Avicenna defineth the Dropsy thus That it is a material sickness ingendred from a material outward and coâ—d cause and thereby either the whole Body or many parts and Members thereof do swell All Authors do not agree about it some call it a Disease and some place it among the Symptomes but they that are afflicted with it need not care by what name it is called so they were freed from it therefore I shall not stay upon the definition of it but proceed to directions for the Cure but be sure it is a laesion and depravation of the digestive faculty and unconcoction of the blood whereby the nutritive faculty is hindred and corrupted throughout the whole Body and the natural operation of the Liver impedited and this proceeds from a cold and moist humour that penetrates through the Body and swells the Members puffs up the Face swells the Feet and Leggs and the Cods of men destroys the natural complexion altering it into a whitely colour causeth great appetite to drink and little or none to eat stoppeth the Terms in women causeth retention both of Stool Excrement and sometimes hard Tumors about the Bowels and other parts This for the description or definition yet this Disease hath several degrees Kinds or Species One kind of Dropsy is called Anasarca and Hyposarca another Ascites and a third Tympania or Tympanites or in English Tympanies Conserve of Fumitory is not a miss to be used for cleansing of the blood in all kind of Dropsies at the beginning of them but to proceed first to this kind of Dropsy called Anasarca It is a waterish humour that lyeth between the flesh and the skin through all the Body causing a swelling and is known by pressing the flesh with ones finger the dint or impression thereof will remain a great while after the Pulse is slow the privie members swell and the party is subject to be afflicted with a looseness or scowring and bad digestion of meat which is the cause of it that it turns into flegm instead of blood If it be a woman it may be caused through retention or stopping of her Terms therefore all means possible is to be used to provoke and drive them down Let the Patient be purged with Pills of Rhabarb and to expel the water use this Confection following A Confection for the watery Dropsy Take Turbith half an ounce Hermodactyls one ounce wild Saffron seeds peesed three quarters of an ounce Ginger Cinamon Annisâ—eds of each one scruple Violets Sorrel seed of each one dram Sugar two ounces Honey of Roses four ounces boyl the Honey and Sugar together with Fumitory water until you may scum it clear then mix the rest with it and boyl it to a Confection take hereof half an ounce in a morning Another for the same Take Annis yellow Rape seed Spica Indiae of each one scruple Licoris Rhabarb of each one dragme Asarabacca half a dram Conserve of Marjorom one ounce Conserve of Roses three ounces Syrup of Quinces and Oximel a sufficient quantity to make it into a Confection Take hereof a dram in a morning Pills for the same Take Pills Aggregative two scruples Ammoniaci one scruple make it into six Pills with Oximel take two in a morning The masse of Pills before mentioned are prepared by the Apothecaries therefore do not startle that they bear no English name for they are more commonly known by those Titles In this Disease use abstinence from meat and drink as much as may be forbear drowsiness and lazinesse and addict your self to reasonable sweating and exercise Of another kinde of Dropsy called Ascites This Species of this Disease swelleth only the Belly and Leggs and the upper parts dry and the Belly swelleth like a Bladder and soundeth like a drum head or as the Belly of a rotten Sheep will do if you clâ—p your
lib. 3 de sym caus cap. 4. Menstrua alba profluvium uteri as Galen This Disease hath great affinity with the Gonorrhea or the involuntary issue of natural seed called the running of the Reins And this Flux also proceeds from two Causes either too much cold or unatural heat and the differences of this Issue are very many as may appear by the colour of the Excrements which flow or issue which are sometimes red sometimes pale sometimes yellow sometimes black sometimes white and sometimes green sometimes thick and sometimes watery from Species may be gathered the quality of the peccant humour as for example If the Flux be of a red colour it declares that the issue flowes from the blood and is thereby caused If it be pale or yellow it denotes black Choler is the cause thereof if white it proceeds from flegm if it be thin and watery superfluous humours do abound in the Body But above all things be sure to know whether this Flux be a Gonorrhea that is an involuntary issue of the natural Sperm which is the running of the Reins the self same Disease being also incident to men as well as women and proceedeth in both Sexes from one and the same cause and that women as well as men do labour under the same Symptom But is general among women to call this disease the Whites though it be a Gonorrhea or the running of the Reins under which infirmitie many do a long time labour to the great wasting and Consumption of their Bodies the principal cause thereof proceeding either from immoderate excessive or unlawful Venery It is generally agreed that the lawful and proper cause of the Whites is too much superfluity of Excrements but as touching the place and manner where and how these Excrements are ingendered Authors disagree Some say the cause is a daily begetting of corrupt humours in the principal parts Others that it proceeds only from the Womb and Spermatick Vessels Others that it flows only from the Reins the Womb being not at all afflicted thereby But Galen plainly demonstrates 6. de locis affect loc 5. that the whole Body is affected with this Issue although it purge through the Womb and evacuate it self from the Reins and that this Disease is most incident to flegmatick and weak women It remaineth before we come to speak of the method of the cure of this infirmity that diligence be used as we said before to find out whether it proceed from a Gonorrhea that is a Running of the Reins or Flux of humane seed or not the knowledge whereof must be rather conjectural then to be demonstrated from any certain sign other then the Patients own relation But the flowing of the Seed is more thick and floweth in lesse quantity and is not so corrupt and of a whiter colour On the contrary the other Excrements are more thin do flow more abundantly are more filthy and putrified and are not alwayes of the same colour But to proceed to the manner of the Cure of this Disease Respect in the first place is to be had to the purging and cleansing of the whole Body and if the Disease be a Gonorthea and proceed of heat unlawfully or however gotten the Body must first be purged with Medicines appropriate to the Reins before you attempt in any wise to stop the same for which this following is very good An Electuary to purge the Reins Take Cassia newly extracted one ounce Rheubarb in powder one dram mix them together with syrup of white water Lillies a sufficient quantity to make it into an Electuary put this into a penny pot of White-wine or a little posset drink which comes first to hand stir it well together till it be all dissolved in the drink and so take it in the morning fasting and go about your business if you have any thing to do about two hours after take some broth or posset drink This Medecine you may take twice or thrice as you see occasion resting alwaies a day between Afterwards you may take every other day a dram of Trochis de Carabe in Plantane water You may also give the Patient every second or third day a dram of the filings of Ivory in Plantane water it is very good Sweating is also much commended in this case which may be thus done Take Barley water three ounces strong Wine two ounces give it the Patient very warm and so let her sweat Afterwards prepare a Clyster in this manner A Clyster for the Whites through heat or running of the Reyns Take Beets Violet-leaves and Night-shade of each one handful seeth them well together and take 12 Ounces of the decoction or boyled liquor which you please to call it and to it add Sugar 1 Ounce and a half Yolks of Eggs Oyl of Water-Lillies Oyl of Roses of each 2 Ounces Salt a dram and a half give this Clyster in the afternoon a little before meat A Confection for the same Take Comfrey-roots 3 Ounces Pompeon-seed Water-Lillies of each a dram Juyce of Liquorice 2 scruples Coral prepared Bolus Mirtle-seed Roses of each 10 grains Gun Traganth half a dram Syrup the Comphrey Roots cleave and slice them small and seeth them in Red Wine until they be so tender that you may beat them to grout or pap then pill the Pompeon-seeds and beat them together with the other things to fine Powder then incorporate them with the pap or grout made of Camphrey-Roots and then put to them Sirrup of Citron Pills and of Orenges as much as you please and then boyl them together to a Confection And take every morning a spoonful thereof before break-fast Conserves of Roses and Marmalade are exceeding good for this purpose either to be taken alone or mixt together with prepared Bolus and take thereof a dram at a time An excellent Sirrup for the same Take the Seeds of Purslain Lettice and Water-Lillies of each an Ounce prepared Coriander Water Lilly-Roots Dandelion Night-shade of each half an Ounce Camphire half a dram Dates chopt small 2 Ounces Rue-Seeds Mountain Mints parched Gomin of each 1 dram Steep the Dates 8 dayes in Vinegar then seeth them together in 2 quarts of water till half be wasted strain it and put to it 12 Ounces of the juyce of Quinces Sugar 36 Ounces and boyl them all together to a Sirrup and so clarifie them Of this Sirrup take 2 Ounces with 3 Ounces of Plantain water or Purslain-water This is an excellent proved Sirrup for this purpose Drinks and Waters good for this Disease Take Comphrey Roots and boyl them in water and drink thereof 3. of 4. Ounces at a time with Sugar Also water wherein the filings of Steel have been steeped and then Myrtle-seeds boyled therein is very good to drink for the same Simple waters good for this infirmity are the waters of Plantain Sorrel Purslain and Cithorie The decoction of Mallows and the Roots of Hollyhockles is also very good to drink for this Disease An
taken quite away hindred or impedited or depraved as it happens in all other actions and motions of the body If Conception be quite taken away in a Woman so that she can never conceive this affection is called barrenness or this may be called a barren Woman which you please But if a Woman do conceive sometimes though rarely and seldom this is a weak and diminutive conception or the conceiving faculty is feeble and diminutive And to this kind of debility and weakness may be referred abortive and untimely Births when the Woman doth conceive but through weakness cannot bring the conception to the due time of the birth There is also a depraved conception when in the Womans Womb is contained some unnatural conception as Monsters Mola or superfluous unshapen flesh water wind or the like filling up the Womb and receiving the form of a conceived substance the causes and Remedies of these we shall proceed to declare The holy Scripture makes mention what reproach and how odious and detestable a thing barrenness was accounted in the antient times there was hardly any greater defamation to a woman so that Rachel could cry out to her Husband for Children or else her life lay on it rather then bear the reproach of barrenness and some Women have preferred their Maids to their Husbands so that the Child might be reputed theirs to take away their blemish of barrenness but you will find few Women of that mind now a dayes Therefore we come to speak of the causes of this grief which the Physitians do account many and divers Hippocrates accounteth the principal causes of barrenness to be these Hippoc. lib. de sterilitate if the mouth of the Womb be disterred and turned aside out of its place contrary from the pudenda if the mouth of the Womb appear too big or more wide then is convenient or if the mouth of the Womb be fallen down or hang out below the pudenda then is such a Woman unfit for conception these are therefore great causes of barrenness Many other are the causes of barrenness sometimes more sometimes lesse as Galen excellently teacheth The head and principal beginning of the invention Gal. 3. de Symp. Caus and finding out of all causes which bring hurt or are obnoxious to the faculties of the body is no other but the knowledge of the meanes whereby these faculties perform their actions in the time of health and soundness of body And whereas it hath been already declared that to produce any natural conception there is a necessity of conjunction and carnal copulation both of the man and woman therefore it ought first to be made manifest that the cause of barrenness may be through some defect in the man or in the woman and sometimes in both Although at this time our intent is only to treat of such Diseases as are incident to Women yet nevertheless since the Women have in this case a great interest and a dammage too if the fault be in the man because they may help their Husbands defect and in so doing pleasure themselves if they finde the imperfection to lie in him we shall not praetermit it And again since there is a necessity of the Copulation of man and woman or else there can be no generation and that they be both furnished with fit Instruments for that purpose as the man with the yard stones and seed the woman with Pudenda testes You may easily know what I mean the womb seed and menstruous blood Then all reason tells you that if there be any disaffection or defect in nature in any of these members or parts belonging to this work the fruitfulness and conception must necessarily be either impedited diminished or quite taken away Barrenness in men Few Women do complain of this fault One cause of barrenness on the mans part which is of all Authours condemned is penis longus or the overmuch length of the yard by reason whereof the seed is refrigerated and taketh cold in the passage of the yard before it can be injected from the stones into the womb But although this be a general received reason Avicen lib. 3. tract 1.8 amongst almost all Philosophers yet it may seem vain and suffer contradiction for the seed passing through the Conduit or channel of the yard is cherished and kept hot by the pudenda of the woman so that it seems impossible that it should take cold in the passage but rather the contrary that the long penis is most fit and commodious to further and perfect the Conception by injecting the seed into the inner parts of the womb which is done without any interval or space of time And also contradictive to this Opinion is the relation of Averroes which is credited by Aristotle and other good Philosophers That a certain Maid conceived with Child by standing in a Bath where some seed of man had been cast the Womb drawing the same into it by its natural magnetick attractive faculty which draweth and attracteth to it self the seed of man as the Loadstone draweth Iron But whereas many will have it that the too long yard is unfit for conception This is the worst fault in womens account so there are others on the contrary that affirm the short penis to render men unfruitful and that to be as bad if not a greater fault then the other And this is the more probable reason that the short penis may be more defective then the long one because it cannot so well inject the seed into the inner parts of the womb But to speak freely neither of these causes either of the length or shortness of the yard can be firm reasons of the barrenness or fruitfulness of man or to cause barrenness in the man since it is confirmed by experience of both parts that have had plenty of Children But a greater reason of barrenness in the man may be some vitiousness or defect in the yard as if the same be oblique or crooked if any of the ligaments thereof be distorred or broken whereby the wayes and passages through which the seed should flow be corrupt stopped or vitiated or some Disease or imperfection be either in the proper or in the vicious parts thereof Another cause of barrenness by the defect of the yard is too much weakness and tenderness thereof so that it is not strongly enough erected to inject the seed into the womb for the strength and stifness of the yard very much conduces to conception by reason of the forcible injection of the humane seed into the womb A second cause of barrenness of men may be some natural vice or laesion in the stones Gal. 14. usu part 1. de sem 11 16. if they are so made by nature that they cannot exercise their gift properly in producing seed The stones may be the cause of barrenness by reason of their evil composition or accidents and distempers or continual solution The stones may labour
De Morbis Foemineis THE Womans Counsellour OR The Feminine Physitian MODESTLY Treating of such occult accidents and secret Diseases as are incident to that Sex which their too much modesty too often to their sorrow causes them to conceal from others for a Remedy whereof they are here taught to be their own helpers especially in these particulars Of barrenness and Abortion of natural and unnatural Births of the suppression of the Termes the immoderate Flux thereof and other infirmities Dicere quae puduit Scribere jussit With a brief Appendix touching the Kindes Causes and Cures of Dropsies and Tympanies of all sorts Translated out of Massarius de morbis Mulier By R. T. φιλομαθης 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 London Printed for John Streater and are to be sold by the Booksellers in London 1657. To the Reader Courteous Reader I Am now to write to two Sexes both Masculine and Feminine This Treatise is composed useful for both Men and Women for men who are English Students in the excellent works of nature the knowledge of Physick who want some English subject of this nature there being nothing of it yet extant And this Authour comming to my hands almost worn out with the Canker of Time I have bestowed the pains to new dresse and revive with many additions there being no subject more useful To the Feminine Gender Women of all sorts be they Maids Wives or Widows what private and occult infirmities they are subject to are here described with their causes and Cures Those that are or intend to take on them the honourable practice of Midwives may be instructed in some difficulties that will happen in their Offices whereby they may be helpful to those they undertake I mean not the Theorical part of a Midwives Office and Duty what appertains to that they are sufficiently and excellently directed by that late deceased and yet living English Apollo Mr. Culpepper in his Midwives Directory and here followes the practical part directing what means is to be used in any accident there or that followes or precedes Child-birth I have bestowed the pains plainly to English the Receipt of every Medicine in words at length and not in figures that every one may understand them and thereby over modest Maids and VVomen may help themselves in many private infirmities which oftentimes they languist under and will not discover Then make use hereby as you have occasion and as you finde the Benefit give God the prayse who hath given power to his weak Creatures the Herbs of the Field to be your helpers and preservers which is the desire of R. T. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A TABLE OF THE Contents of the Chapters OF Womens Diseases in general The Introduction Chap. 1. Of the Menstrue or Termes C. 2. Of the suppression or stopping of the Termes Chap. 3. Of the immoderate Flux of the Termes Chap. 4. Of the Flux of the Womb or the Whites Chap. 5. Of the Fits of the Mother or suffocation and drawing up of the Matrix Chap. 6. Of the falling down of the Womb. Chap. 7. Of natural Conceptions Chap. 8. Of Barrenness Chap. 9. Of monstrous and unnatural births C. 10. Of the unnatural fleshy Conception in the Womb called Mola Chap. 11. Of weakness of Children in the Womb. Chap. 12. Of Mischances and to prevent the same Chap. 13. To expel and drive forth a dead Child out of the womb Chap. 14. Of hard Labour find meanes to procure easie Delivery Chap. 15. Of superfluity of milk and other accidents happening after the Birth as sore breasts Chap. 16. Meanes and Remedies for Nurses that want milk Chap. 17. Of Dropsies and Tympanies an Appendix THE WOMANS COUNSELLOUR The Introduction Chap. I. Of Womens diseases in generall THis being a Subiect which too much modesty or indeed as it is simple folly of many of the female Sex hath hindred them from attaining to and others to fill their purses have and do still endeavour to conceale But the want thereof being much and the benefit great to save the health and sometimes the lives of many poor women whom God made as like himself as he did the greatest Queen in the world is the cause of bringing this so much necessary work to every ones capacity And to treate peculiarly of the Diseases and Infirmities incident to women which as they want a particular Treatise so they require a peculiar and proper Cure Hipp. I. de morbis mul. 331. as Hippocrates at large teacheth For the women do much differ from the men from their beginning and therefore do labour under and suffer many Diseases peculiar and proper only to that Sex which men can never surfer neither are they incident to them Wherefore Is it not requisite to call such infirmities womens diseases and for them to instittute not only a proper Treatise but a special Cure Neverthelesse it hath been and perhaps still is contended against by some learned and famous men who would account this Treatise needlesse and seem to averre that there is no such vast distinction to be used between the Male and Female but their Diseases having only respect to the Sex may be cured by one and the same general method And this indeed may be true in some common and generall Diseases usual to both sexes but in such infirmities as appertain only to the women and are not at all contingent to the men their falsity plainly appears And therefore Galen Hippocrates Dioscorides and many others have taken the pains to write whole Commentaries meerly upon the Diseases of women but yet their works are much incused by the corruption of time though full of much variety of speech gravity and excellency of Learning This Treatise of the Diseases of women is so occult intricate and difficult to perform that there is nothing to be found in all the Cabinets of nature or secrets of the medicinal Art more abstruse and difficult The causes of this are many as Hippocrates numbers them in his Book Hipp. de morbis mul. pag. 331. De morbis mul. pag. 131. The first cause is that women carry Diseases a long time about them and root it in them and yet are either voluntarily or foolishly ignorant thereof either they do not know or else are so superfluously modest as they will not discover the same until time and necessity too late to their pain teaches them to know them by experience And from hence it followes that their Cure is not onely difficult but oftentimes their Diseases are incurable The second cause Hippocrates numbreth to be this That a great many women that are troubled with some secret Disease and do well know the same yet are so shamefac't and modest as rather to suffer under the same than to communicate their minds to the Physician Whereas he that wears the shoo best knows where it wrings and amongst other Causes the information of the Patient discovers to the Physician the knowledge and so consequently the Cure of
the Disease may be the easier effected Now the Physician being destitute of that help by reason of the silence of the women the knowledge of the Disease is the more hard to find out and consequently the Cure more difficult This also may be added for a third cause the too much verecundity or timidity of the Physicians dealing too carelesly with the women being too shamefac'd or bashful to deal plainly with them and to inquire of them diligently and perfectly the causes of their infirmities and also absconditos locos suos attingere tractare which is necessary and needfully required Of which negligence Hippocrates doth much reprove and reprehend many Physicians who do not accurately and carefully study to search out and understand the true Causes of womens Diseases without the knowledge whereof their going about to Cure them is rash and indiscreet But to passe by these Causes which are of no small moment it will not be amiss to add another that the ignorance of Midwives not knowing the internal secret parts of nature nor how to exhibite in word or outward remedies may cause to the women difficult and hard labours From all which is consequently gathered that the Causes finding out the matter and knowledge of womens Diseases containeth in it many secrets and great difficulties But these difficulties carry with them and comprehend in themselves a recompence of jucundity and profit For what is more delightful to man than to understand so great secrets and mysteries of Nature And what can be more profitable to a Physician than to finde out and know the way and manner of curing and helping the infirmities and diseases of women For since that the infirmities which do most frequently afflict miserable women are very many most acute and grievous in so much that their complaints may be heard almost continually from the very Womb certainly Physicians in the study of their Cure shall not only gain great esteem and honour but much profit This therefore induceth me to render this Treatise plainly in the English tongue that the women themselves may be their own Physicians The first thing therefore here intended to be handled is of the Conception of man and therein the first thing to be noted is the distinction and difference of the Sexes of man and woman without which no Conception can be had nor the Course of nature maintained of which that it may be fully and perfectly understood by you we shall speak plainly I say therefore as the Philosophers teach that all things whatsoever that are have a twofold ens or being some ingenerative incorruptible eternal as Intelligences and Heaven others generative corruptible and momentary as these inferiour Elements and those things which consist of the Elements Although the Elements as to the whole are ingenerative and incorruptible neverthelesse according to the parts they are generated and corrupted and are subject to continual transmutation But the Cause thereof is the materia prima or first matter which alwaies desires new forms as the Phylosophers in their Physicks every where teach But to let passe all other circumstances Gal. 14. cap. 11. Galen tells you there was a man so studious in the secrets of Nature as to seek if it were possible to be immortal and bring immortality upon the Body But the materia prima or which if you will call it God himself knew this to be unlawful and this Galen sufficiently declareth Gal. 1 cap. 1. For that which consisteth of Arteries Veins Nerves Bones and Flesh is the compound of Nature and therefore is subject to corruption for the Frabricatum or building of Nature is a plain way yet impossible to bring a man to immortality his structures are subject to fall The greatest of Cities and the wisest of men be their Counsels never so great or their people never so many and their wisdom and their providence never so much time will bring them all to nothing Therefore the workes of Nature are wonderful as that as one dies another lives and instead of one another succeeds and by that Rule you may call nature to be immortal but this is no other but the continual Generation of mankind Gal. 6.7.14 3 De usu part so teacheth Philosophy and so the learned write There is no part of the Body but is necessary to be used and competent to the protection of life as the Brain the Heart the Liver the Eyes the Nose the Ears but if we should particularly instance the primum mobile of Nature we must then speak of the four principal parts which carry a distinction between the Male and the Female and are the preservers and continuers of mankind I 'le presume so much modesty as to give you these tearms in the old tongue Turner my meaning cannot be unknown 't was lawfull for Ovid to write what he would not speak and you may know my meaning the parts following which we must treat of are the maintainers and continues of the World before the confusion of Babel called pudenda testes utert You know my mind if you do not his in English such things as have the best sense of feeling Of this which we said before we intend only to discriminate the Sexes without which no Generation can be had in any Creature whatsoever without the perfect mixture of Male and Female And therefore Aristotle in all his works Arist. de gen c. 2 counted the Earth to be the Mother of all Creatures the Sun the Father and begetter of them so saith likewise Plato and all others that the Man and the Woman consist of two Elements of the Sun and Moon the Father and begetter to be the Fire or Sun the woman or conceiver to be the Earth or Moon of which the whole World is built and consists As the Macrocosmus or great world consists Turner and is properly supported by the Sun and Moon which are the male and female of the same great World so the Microcosmus Man by the woman which is the Moon of the man and the Earth of the Microcosmus and the field of his generation products the continual generation of mankind To speak of the differences of Sects and parts between man and woman would take up a Volume in Philosophy beyond our present intention which intends only the infirmities incident to the Moon of the man or that Creature which we call a woman Something may be said how the Sun and Moon of the Microcosme or the man and the woman differ in parts and nature Philosophy largely teacheth it but we say no more but only they differ in Faculty For the Man or the Sun of the Microcosme hath a power or faculty to ingender in another that is in the Moon but the woman hath also a faculty in power of generating or bringing forth in her self by the help of the Sun her husband without which mutual conjunction no Generation can be had I hope you have wit enough to know
what I mean by the Sun and the Moon that I may not be forc'd to English one thing twice and if you be Men or Women then know that by the Sun I mean the Man and by the Moon the Woman which if she be a whore I cannot help it That 's an Eclipse to the microcosmical Sun And as these two differ in Sex so they differ in Nature and in the several Faculties of Nature and Members belonging to procreation and Generation of Creatures accomodated the one to the other but if you will take the distinction Aristotle he calleth them in Women Pudenda and uterus and in Men Testes and Membrum virile Testes signifies properly witnesses and a man without such witnesses will have bad success in his cause Turner if women be of the Jury And therefore the first Mover and Maker of all things knew it necessary to have a procreation of Mankind for the continual supply of the World which should be as well Male as Female and therefore he made the Woman and fitted her answerably to be accomodated to receive the Instrument of the Microcosmical Sun the Man necessarily fitting one to the other for the Act of generation and this was the cause why 't was thought not fit the Man should be alone for if he had been so the World had ceased in him and 't was not only sufficient to make a Man and a Woman so and furnish them with Instruments proper to conjunction and copulation but also that as well in the Man as in the Woman there should be a desire and magnetical attraction to the Act of copulation by a sympathy between themselves or else the very Act it self would be abhorred and the species of humane Generation frustrate and come to nothing by an abhorrency of the Act it self naturally as it is whereby the intention of Nature would have fallen to the ground and one Man and one Woman onely been made in vain Therefore the sagacity of Nature to cause propensity in both Sexes to the Act of Generation for procreation sake endued both with a reciprocal pleasure and delight in the Act of Coition it self And this propensity and pleasure is not ordained in men and women only but in all other Animals to maintain a continual succession of generations amongst them as appears by the great fierceness and earnest desire of all Creatures to this Act of which the Philosophers largely write but we passe it as not pertinent to our present intent and come to speak of the menstrual or monethly Courses by the natural constitution whereof all women are more or lesse weak or strong diseased or sound more or lesse able and meet for Conception according to the species or degrees thereof Chap. II. Of the Menstrua or Terms ARistotle delivers Arist 1. de gen Anim. cap. 19. that the Menstrua is an Excrement and in proportion as the Seed of man and that they happen to Women at the same age as the men begin to have Seed And that the humours of the Terms are purged forth by Nature as superfluous and unprofitable therefore they may be comprehended under the general notion of an Excrement the principal use thereof is for generation sake which is the first Institution thereof the Birth desiring a copious matter for nutriment The Terms generally begin in all Women The time about the fourteenth year of their age about which time also Men begin to have Seed and both men and women change their voice and are subject to many other mutations in their Bodies And they cease as the same Philosopher writes about the 50th year seldome longer continuing The time of their flowing is not in all alike for some have these purgations but one day others two three and four dayes according to the age and temperament of the Woman For sometimes they flow more and sometimes lesse sometimes longer sometimes shorter In women that are sound of body they moderately flow two or three dayes if any longer or shorter time that Woman is sickly or barren And so much for the Terms in general we will proceed now to speak of the suppression or stopping thereof Chap. III. Of the stopping or suppression of the Terms WHereas by the institution of Nature it is necessarily provided that all Women should haâ—e their monethly natural purgations by reason of the temperature of this Sex and many other causes but if they be supprest or stopt there followes to that Woman much peril and many sicknesses but on the other side if they have their purgations according to the law of Nature it keeps them in health and preserves them from many Diseases The Causes The Causes of the suppression of the Terms or diminishing of them are principally four The first is the vitiousness of the Womb and of the Vessels pertaining thereunto The second is the vice or corruption of the blood The third the viciousnesse of the whole Body The fourth and the last are the viciousness and the Faculties of the Body to which all other causes may be referred First therefore the Terms are supprest or diminisht by reason of the Womb and the Vessels belonging thereunto by which the Terms ought to be purged if therefore the Womb labour under any Disease which may be many as that if the substance of the womb be too hard or too thick otherwise then is agreeable to Nature that causes a stopping of the Terms that must be brought to a better habit with fit medicaments and used in time for a convenient remedy Secondly there doth happen Diseases of intemperateness which are various simple and compound some with matter and some without matter under all which the Womb may labour partly by Nature and from the Birth and partly growing in time against Nature as hardnesse and thicknesse of which we have spoken Of these Causes the Simple are cold and dry the Compound hot and dry both which may stop the Terms cause the Womb to grow thick and hard destroy the blood and impedite the natural purgation Then there are Diseases of intemperatenesse with matter as Inflammations Swellings Tumours and Cancers against Nature Then there are other Diseases as Ulcers Fistulaes Imposthums and the like which the Womb is subject to which also impedite the Terms The second cause of the suppression of the Terms is corruption of blood which may be either too thick or too glutinous by reason of the vicious thickness of the humours the Diet and many other causes frequently happening The third Cause which causes Women many times not to have their Purgations at all is the viciousnesse of the whole Body that it sends not blood sufficient to the Womb for this matter to be digested of the humour inclining to other parts of the Body either caused by ill Diet or too much exercise as often happens in some rustick Women whereby their temperament becomes too hot and dry almost inclining to the nature of men Another Cause of the
Men are wont to call that much rain or a great rain which continues a long time though it fall but slowly and leasurely or else if it suddenly fall upon the earth in great showers If any one shall be so curious as to ask what is the proper quantity and measure of the menstrual blood which nature ought duly to evacuate Hippocrates answers them That in a sound Woman Hip. 1. Lib. de morb mulier Pag. 313. and one perfect in health the moderate monethly Purgations ought to be about 20. ounces a very little more or lesse if they exceed very much that proportion or are much lesse then are the Courses diseased and disaffected But the certain quantity of the monethly natural purgations cannot so strictly be defined in all bodies because of the difference of the temperature the dyet habit constitution age and strength of Womens bodies it must necessarily be that some must have them more copiously then others but this definition might be taken to be of a Woman in perfect health but if the Flux of natural purgation be immoderate the party must needs be much afflicted therewith and thereby incur many other Diseases of some whereof mention is already made and partly of the causes thereof But we desire to be a little more copious Causes in discovering the causes of this distemper before we proceed to the method of the cure thereof The causes of this immoderate Flux Gal. 3. de Sym. Causis Cap. 2.5 Aph. Com. 58. are distinctly and accurately handled by Galen That The Termes as other Fluxes of blood do flow immoderatly for three causes First By reason of the faculty that recludeth the Vessel containing the blood as in the Flux of blood at the nose The second Because of the evil affection and ill disposition of the blood And the third By reason of some vitiousness or detriment in the Vessels themselves The first cause is by reason of the natural faculties which are foure The faculty attractive retentive alterative and the faculty expulsive All which faculties perform their operations Gal. 1. de fac Nat. according to their proper temperatures as Galen largely teacheth Therefore they are the cause of the menstrual Fluxes immoderation when these fuculties do not properly and duly exercise their functions and Offices As chiefly If the retentive faculty be too weak that it cannot retain the blood so much and so long as it should until its due time this is a special cause of the superfluous Flux which many times happens by reason of some ill distemper in the womb or Vessels either too much cold or moysture or both In like manner it comes to passe when the expulsive faculty too powerfully sends forth the blood in such quantity and at such times when by the Lawes of nature it should not and this also chiefly happens by reason of some ill distempers either in the Womb or Vessels proceeding of too much heat and dryness or both Another cause of the immoderate Flux of the Termes is the ill disposition or corruption of the blood and that after a twofold manner The first when the blood is so vitious that it corrodeth and corrupteth the Vessels wherein it is contained which is done when the blood is too thin hot or sharp and that by reason the temperature or ill dyer is mixed with superfluity of Flegme Choler or Melancholy which are offensive to nature and do provoke her to expel them A second cause is superfluity of blood distempered 4 Method 2. so that the Vessels cannot contain it but it breaks out and forces a purgation by reason of the abounding acrimonious humor thereof as Galen also makes mention Having now spoken of two causes of the immoderate Flux of the Termes we proceed to the third which is because of the viriousness of the Vessels and that consisteth in the too much hardness softness or smallness thereof And happens to come in youth in their first beginning and to others afterwards in progress of time And this happens to come thus to passe Too much softness of superfluity of moysture hardness of too much dryness and smallness of too much hunger or want of sustenance If this superfluous Flux proceed of too much blood Colour then the colour of the Termes will be pale and whitish if they come of Choler then the Flowers will incline to a yellow Colour If Melancholy be the abounding humour then are the Flowers of a blewish black or dark colour By which Colours you may judge of the abounding humour and provide a remedy accordingly to stop the excessive Flux thereof for which purpose we now come to prescribe many both internal and external meanes First Observe these Rules Beware of hot things If the Body be grosse and full of blood and humours that nature seems to expulse it this way stop it not suddenly unless there be danger of much weakness by it but gently purge and prepare the body first If the Body be very full of blood you may open the Basilica vein and seek to reverse it that way if it appear to come of Choler or if any other peccant humour abounds purge that humour with proper moderate Medicines mixing astringent and comfortable things amongst it Let the Woman abstain from all hard labour and all kind of slimey thin and waterish meat Vomits are good to stay the humour and turn their course that they flow not downwards Inwardly may be given Sirrups Electuaries decoctions Confections and the like A Sirrup to stay the immoderate Flux of the Termes Take Sirrup of Endive one ounce Sirrup of Purslain half an ounce the decoction of Egrimony and of Plantain 4 Ounces mix them together and make them into a Sirrup and so take it as you please An Electuary for the same Take conserve of Roses 2 Ounces of water Lillies one ounce of Pearl prepared and burnt Harts-horn each half an ounce Bole Armonick Terra Lemnia each half a scruple mix them together with syrrup of Plantain a quantity sufficient to make it into an Electuary A Bolus for the same Take Conserce of Roses half an ounce Philonium or Requies Nicholai two Scruples Mix them together and make a Bolus thereof This is not to be given but when extremity urges Avicenna amongst many other Medicaments of this nature commendeth the use of Vinegar which to some may seem strange it being the vulgar opinion that Vinegar is of a great opening quality Nevertheless Galen agrees with Avicen Gal. 1. de sim med cap. 18.19 who writeth of Vinegar that it is of an astringent quality and doth suppresse and stop fluxes of the blood Others contradict the same not approving of it in this case as hurtful to the Womb. And there being many other Medicines here readily prescribed it may very well be let alone A Powder to stay the immoderate Flux of the Terms Take Species tria santali Diarrhodon Abbatis each a dram Coriander two scruples and a half
Oyntment for the same called Unguentum sandalinum Take red Sanders 2 drams and a half yellow Sanders 1 dram and a half Roses 3 drams Fine Bolus a quarter of an Ounce burnt Ivory a dram Camphire half a dram white Wax an Ounce Oyl of Roses 3 Ounces Melt the Wax first amongst the Oyl then temper the other things amongst them and make them into an Oyntment This Oyntment is not only good to annoint the secret parts for this Disease but also to cool the inflammations of the Kidnies Liver and Stomack and all other parts being annointed with it A Salve for the same Disease Take Oyl of Roses Oyl of Mirtles Mastick of each half a dram shaven Ivory a scruple Camphire 2 grains pound that which is to be powned and with a little Wax make them into a Salve with this annoint the Reins and Kidnies it is excellent good for the whites Another Confection very good for the same Take ripe Black berries or bramble berries which you will call them and boyl them unto a Confection either with Honey or Sugar and take there of every day as much as you please this you may make when the Black-berries be ripe and keep it in a readiness by you all the year it is also good for any soreness or swelling in the throat and for inflammations in the mouth A Powder also excellent for the same Take the young buds of the Blackberry Bush and the Berries thereof dryed pound them and drink a dram thereof twice a day in red wine You may gather the green buds when the branches first spring and keep them dry by you and gather the Berries too when they be ripe if you be not afraid to prick your fingers keep them dry by you and when you have occasion beat them to powder and take them in red Wine as before is directed You that will not regard this Medicine because it is too cheap may let it alone for them that will there be Medicines enough to be had to fit your turns if you think the vertue consists in their dearness and I do not desire to hinder those that can furnish you with them but those that will make use of this will finde it worthy their acceptance But if in case this Disease issue from some cold cause it will not be then amiss to use this Medicine following For the Whites Take the Seeds of Arch Angel or dead Nettles in powder about a dram at a time in red Wine Confected Aniseeds is also very good for this Disease and not improperly may be given in either case this following Another for the same or Reds Take 4 spoonfuls of red Rose-water a new-laid Egge a peny worth of white Sugar Candy in powder and a Nutmeg grated incorporate all these and beat them well together and drink it last at night going to bed You may also if the Issue be sharp so as to cause pain and soreness use an Injection or Pessary A Pessary for the whites in Women Take some Whites of Eggs and beat them well in red Rose-water and make it into a Pessary with some Cotten or linnen Cloaths wet in it and so put it up into the Matrix alwayes remembring to tie a string to it to pull it out again when you please If the Whites flow from the abundance of superfluous humours it will not be unnecessary to endeavour to evacuate the same through the skin by using often frictions or rubbing of the whole body first gently and then more hard by which means the humours may be purged through the skin And to use unctions is also very good if necessity urge of Oyl of Camomile of sweet Almonds or the like so that of all sorts of remedies you have here your choyce and therefore we shall proceed to another Chapter Chap. VI. Of the fits of the Mother or suffocation or drawing up of the Matrix MAny Women sorely labour under this Disease it hath great affinity with the Syncope passion and the Disease called Epilepsia or the Falling Sickness and that because of the Sympathy that is between the heart and the brain and the Matrix This happens to Women through several causes Oftentimes when there is an obstruction or stoppage of the Termes which do burthen the Brain and Matrix with bad humors Sometimes by reason of the retention of their natural Seed as in Widows and old Maids for this retention causeth wind to ascend and ill vapors from the Matrix to the Diaphragma or Midrif and there stoppeth the passage of the breath it often therefore troubleth such as have been used to have carnal Copulation and afterwards are constrained to want it and therefore saith Galen it doth most frequently trouble Widows Likewise the overmuch retention of the Seed causeth it to putrifie and send up ill vapours to the head causing many troublesome accidents as drousiness dulness giddiness pains in the head sometimes madness it self shortness of breath and panting of the heart The Complexion alters into a sandy colour swarthy or yellow pale and sometimes redness of the face or eyes When they are thus taken with this evil distemper they begin to gnash their teeth and immediately lose their speech by reason their breath is stopt and sometimes it is so violent that neither breath nor pulse nor life can be discerned but lie as if they were dead which is the worst condition of all for the breath cannot be retained but death will ensue for breath is the life of the body without which no Creature can live This accident also happens through some sudden fright and some sorrowful newes or sad accident suddenly happening or some sorrow or grief whereby melancholy prevails and overcomes the body It may likewise be caused by reason of some strong and violent Cold which may so draw the breath and pulse inwardly that no feeling or sense thereof outwardly appears but this case is not so dangerous as the other But to proceed to Remedies when this Disease commeth suddenly speedily cast cold water on her face and give her cold water to drink Let another Woman dip her finger in some sweet smelling odoriferous Oyl as Oyl of Lillies of Cloves or of sweet Almonds mixed together and gently rub the neck of the womb and Matrix and that will draw the Matrix downwards If it be a married Woman her Husband may give her a present remedy which lest it offend the Maids pudoris gratia I leave it in my Authours own Language Si maritus ungat penem suum cum oleo gariophillorum admixto parum olei Amygdal dulc ad Caliditatem prioris temperandum Cum uxore coeat Matrix subito descendet it is a speedy Remedy You must have a care to keep away all sweet and pleasant things from the Patients nose and apply stinking things thereunto and on the contrary anoyne foment and fume the Matrix with sweet Aromatick things For the Matrix is drawn and attracted to sweet things and
but that seems a digression from this intention But amongst all causes of barrenness in a Woman in the instruments of generation it is certain that the greatest is in the Womb for the Wombe is the field of generation and if this field be corrupt and not well disposed it is in vain to expect any fruit let it be never so well tilled and sown for the Womb is subject to many diseases and thence it followes that it may be often unfit for generation distempers many are subject to it as over much heat and over much cold Women whose Wombs are too thick and cold cannot in any wise conceive because coldness extinguisheth the natural heat of the humane Seed Another cause of barrenness may be immoderate moisture of the Womb which destroys the Seed of the man as Corn sown in ponds and marshes A third cause of barrenness of the Woman is over much dryness of the Womb so that the humane Seed perisheth for want of nutriment and becomes as Corn sown upon stones or sandy ground A fourth cause of womens barrenness is the immoderate heat of the Womb which scorcheth up the Seed of man as Corn sown in the drought of Summer for immoderate heat hurts all the parts of the Body and no Conception can live or be nourished in that woman Many other may be the distempers which the Womb is subject to that may render it unfit for Conception and be the cause of barrenness as when unnatural humors are ingendred in the Womb too much flegm Tympanies worms wind water or any such peccant humour abounding contrary to nature But amongst all other causes which produce fertility or barrenness to a woman the monethly Terms are greatly to be respected as hinderers or furtherers thereof if they come not in due order it must necessarily cause barrennesse of that woman to follow but of them we have already spoken and given directions how to promote and further the same But having sufficiently spoken of the causes of barrenness in man and woman we shall methodically proceed for procreation sake to lay down such remedies as may naturally serve to prefer generation and hinder accidental barrenness in either But if in men the cause be and that in the shortness of the penis I cannot help that the women must in that case help themselves as well as they can of any too long there is seldom any complaint A woman may also have some other accidentall causes which may hinder her conception as sudden frights and anger fear grief and perturbations of the mind too violent exercise or stirring after Carnal copupulation leaping dancing running or the like If the cause of barrenness be in the man through over much hear in his Seed the woman may easily see that in receiving it If the nature of the woman be too hot and by that cause she is unfit for Copulation it may appear by these Signs Such a woman whose cause of barrenness is by reason of too much heat she hath her Terms or Flowers very little and they are mixt with some yellownesse such a woman is very hasty and Chollerick quick witted and crafty thirsty and desirous after Carnal Copulation her pulse very swift Some say that by these signes you may know where the fault lies whether in the man or the woman Sprinkle both Urines of the man and of the woman upon a Lettice leave and that which dries away first is unfruitful Also take five Wheat corns seven Barley corns and seven Beans put them all into an earthen pot and pisse thereon and let it stand seven daies if they begin to sprout the party is fruitful if they rot then barren be it man or woman Another way to know whether a woman be fruitful Take Mirth red Storax and some such like odoriferous things and make a perfume thereof which let the woman receive into the neck of the Womb through a tunnel if the woman feel the smoke ascend through her Body to her Nose then she is fruitful Another experiment for the same Take Garlick and beat it and let the woman lie on her Back upon it and if she feel the sent thereof to her Nose it s a sign of fruitfulnesse But I could tell you a more infallible rule for either the man or woman to find out where the fault lies but they are too apt to learn it without teaching therefore I passe it by If the barrenness be proceeding from a hot cause then take these directions Let such beware of hot air and hot dwellings if they can and that they use not too hot cloths about the sinews and parts of the Womb. Let them avoid hot meats I speak now to women hot Spices strong Wine fat meats warm hearbs use not over much watching lye not much on the Reins and Kidneys and as much as possibly may be eschew great labour anger heaviness and all such motions as disturb the mind and use moderately cooling things as thus To further Conception and take away barrenness proceeding of hot causes Take oftentimes Conserve of Roses cold Lozinges made of Dragagant the Confections of Triasantali and use to smell to Camphire Rose water and Saunders It is also good to breathe the Basilica or Liver Vein and take out four or five ounces of blood and then take this purge A Purge against Barrenness through heat Take Electuarium de Epithymo de succo rosarum of each two drams and a half whey of milk four ounces mix them well together and take it in the morning fasting sleep after it about an hour and an half and fast four hours after it and then drink a good draught of Whey about an hour before you eat any thing Another for the same Take water Lilly water four ounces Mandrogara water one ounce Sassron half a scruple beat the Safron to powder and mix it with the waters and drink them warm in the morning use this eight daies together Pills against Barrenness Take Broom flowers Smallage Parsley seed Comin Mugwort Fetherfew of each half a scruple Aloes half an ounce Indy Salt Saffron of each half a dram beat mix them all well together put to it five ounces of Fetherfew water warm stop it up close let it stand and dry in a warm place and thus do two or three times one after another Then make each dram into 6 Pills and take one of them every other day before supper all the while the said Potion is used and afterwards when the drink is done take one of these Pills every third or fourth day And after that Potion proceed with this purging Medecine following Take Conserve Benedicta lax one quarter of an ounce de Psillio three drams Elect. de Succo rosarum one dram mix them together with Fetherfew water and drink it in the morning betimes About three daies after the Patient hath taken this purge let her be let blood four or five ounces in the Median vein in the right foot And then
and moysture in the womb Take Cinamon Cardamon Saffron Cloves Mace long Pepper Cypers Roots Nutmegs Cummin Lignum Aloes Cassia wood of each 1 scruple Cucubes Doronicum of each four scruples Musk Amber Balsom one dram fine Sugar 18 Ounces boyl the Sugar with the rest with Malmsey and Buglosse-water enough to make it into a Confection and take thereof about a spoonful going to bed and half a spoonful a little before Supper To dry a moyst and slippery womb Take Silver Mountain red Behen white Behen Ash Keyes shaven Ivory yellow Rape-seed of each one dram Cynamon Mace Cloves Galingale long Pepper Rosemary flowers Balsom wood Marjerom gentle Peny royal of each 4 scruples Balm Bugloss Citron peels of each 2 scruples Pearls 1 scruple Musk 2 grains white Sugar 24 Oun seeth these with Malmsey make thereof a Confection and use it as the other If there be any infirmity in the retentive faculty of the womb so that it cannot retain and keep the seed injected into it so as to come in thereby if the same be caused through overmuch coldness of that part as oftentimes it doth which the Woman her self may be sensible of whether heat or cold do most abound I say if cold abound and weaken the retent ivevirtue of the womb then you are to use such things as strengthen comfort and warm the same such are Amber Frankincense Mastick Cloves Lignum Aloes Nutmegs Sage and the like And in this case it is good to boyl Cypers Roots in the water and often bathe and wash the neck of the Matrix therewith And for this it is good to make a fume of Mastick strewed upon Coals and to receive the same into the Matrix below An Oyntment for the same Take the juyce of Roses of Pomegranates Cloves of each an Ounce Frankincense Hypocistis prepared Coriander Mastick Juyce of Sloes Iron Drosse of each one dram sealed Earth Starch of each one Ounce beat all these together to an Oyntment and annoint the privy members and womb often therewith But if the operation of the retentive faculty of the womb be impedited from performing its natural office through some distemper of heat then are such Medicines to be applyed as are cooling astringent and corroborating yet let them be tempered with some warm things The cold things to be used for this purpose are these burnt Harts-horn Amber Juyce of sloes Hypocistis burnt Muscle shells Bolus Dragons blood terra sigillata Pomegranate flowers and Pills Acorns and their Cups Medlars both fruit and bark of the Tree Services and Mirtle-seed of any of these simples you may make unguents Plaisters Confections and Electuaries or other Medicines as occasion shall require If any yet desire other Medicines they may use Plaisters and Pessaries and trochis for a fumigation of which here follows examples A Plaister to comfort the womb against barrenness Take Landanum 1 Ounce Storax Calamite half an Ounce Cynamon Cloves Lignum Aloes of each 1 dram Species Diambre Gallia Moscata of each half a dram Oyl of Spikenard Oyl of Lillies and Wax a sufficient quantity to make it into a Plaister or Cerot This Plaister may be applyed to the womb and quite down to the lower Region of the Abdomen and worn thereupon a long time For a Fame these Troches following may be taken Take of Mugwort a dram Mirrhe Benzoi-Storax Calamint of each half a dram Lignum Aloes 1 scruple Musk Amber of each 10 grains beat all these together to a Powder and with Oyl of Spikenard make Troches of it put some of it upon Coals and let the Woman receive the fume thereof through a convenient Instrument A Pessary for the same Take Mugwort Ditany Marioram of each 1 dram Aniseeds Rue Citron of each half a dram Species Galliae Moschatae one scruple Musk Amber Saffron of each 15 grains beat them all together into a Masse and make a Pessary thereof wrapped up in Linnen and put it up into the Matrix And now we have largely declared to you the external and internal causes of natural and accidental barrenness and sterility both in man and woman and the Physical both external and internal means to be used to remedy the same what else is to be done your own natural kindness must excite you to which if it be but dull we have given you sufficient Rules whereby you may quicken the same Some other things there are which the Physicians say do prefer fruitfulness by hidden quality as the stones of a Fox and the like but they are already declared and described in compound Medicines Physitians do likewise tell long stories about the time of the year what time is best for Copulation all agree the Spring is the most convenient time and fit for procreation for then the blood is in its vigour and in the heat of Summer it ought to be forborn altogether if possible but then Venus takes most pleasure to be jolly and to her girles then most opportunities offer themselves But the most convenient and fit time for a Woman to conceive is immediately after her purgations cease for then the womb is cleansed from superfluous excrements and the most fit houre for conception is after meat and before sleep that she may sleep and rest after it Chap. X. Of monstrous and unnatural Conceptions IT followes now in order in the next place to speak something of Conceptions contrary to nature and unnatural Births which is called a depraved Conception For since it is the certain institution and intent of nature that Women should bring forth perfect man-kind and nothing else then it followes that whatsoever else is conceived in the womb besides man-kind the same is a vitious and depraved conception against the Rules and Lawes of nature Which though these vitious and unnatural Conceptions may be many wayes yet they may all generally be reduced unto one of these heads to wit Monsters Mola winde and water all which we often finde to be conceived and grow in the womb Of Monsters there is much written either historically fabulously or philosophically but that appertains not to our present intent or purpose And therefore the Philosopher in his Book of Generation 2 Phys 82.4 Gen. Animal and the causes thereof teacheth that a Monster is nothing else but a peccant vice of deficient nature whereby nature is impedited and hindered from effecting her end as it is in any Art when the Artist fails by reason of some defect in him that he cannot attain to accomplish his desired end And although these unnatural Births may happen many wayes yet all these errors of nature may be referred to the Diseases proceeding of evil composition as for example to the Disease in number as when a man is born with one eye one foot or two heads Of Diseases of magnitude the same the figure of the body demonstrates to the rest Gal de causis morb 7. which Doctrine Galen manifestly teacheth But the causes why Monsters are generated contrary
to the intent of nature Gal. lib. de hist Phil. lib. 5. plai Ph. 8. are not fully agreed upon by all Galen or rather Plutarch sayes thus Empedocles teacheth That Monsters are created if the seed be too much or too little too much spread abroad or seperated if it be void or injected by inordinate motion or because something is added detracted transposited or inflamed or if the womb be distorted the Vessels corrupted or the formative vertue be deficient or do abound these things hinder the natural conception and due operation of nature Chap. XI Of the unnatural fleshy Conception in the womb called Mola THis unnatural Matter sometimes happens to grow in the wombs of Women that have no Copulation with men and causeth the Belly to arise and all signes to appear as though they were with Child their Termes staying the Breasts grow hard they lose their appetite or stomach to meat their complexion groweth pale and sometimes they may feel a stirring about the Matrix as if they were with Child yet nevertheless they bear no Child which have this mola ingendred in them Of this writes Aetius Aetius lib. ult and Avicen who saith that it is a certain hard substance sometime found to spread it self throughout the whole Matrix Aristotle teacheth that this Mola is nothing else Lib. 4. Gen. Hin Cap. 7. but a certain peece of flesh conceived and ingendred in the womb of a Woman and he reciteth a story of a certain Woman that brought forth a lump of flesh which they called Mola And hereunto Galen also plainly consents Gal. 14. usu part 17.14 Meth. 13 who affirmeth that this Mola is a peece of unprofitable deform'd flesh which is ingendred in the Womb of a Woman without the Copulation with a man as a Hen hath Eggs without a Cock. But now a Question may arise whether the cause of this unnatural Mola proceed from too much heat or too much cold or too much blood For Avicen teacheth Avic fen 21.3 trait 2. cap. 18. that besides the multitude or superfluity of blood there is a vehemency of heat wherein the blood is concocted and thereby the flesh acquires a form But this Aristotle seems to contradict who manifestly writeth that the Mola is no otherwise bred then of impure and imperfect concoction and that it hath its Original from the defect and imbecillity of natural heat And Averroes confirms that the cause is nothing else but debility and weakness of nature corruption of digestion and losse of the last concoction and certainly that rude and deformed flesh called Mola is ingendred of crudities This groweth in the womb in two kinds like a peece of flesh putrified without form or figure resembling rather a peece of spongeous blood wind water then right flesh which hindereth the expelling of the termes and being mixed with the natural seed it groweth sometimes to a hard substance It is also ingendred of superfluous blood and the concourse of tough and unconcocted humours which make the belly swell up as if the Woman were with Child This is an ill accident and putrifieth and spoileth the Matrix breeding there oftentimes Ulcers and Imposthumes Dropsies unnatural Fluxes or some such like infirmities bringing death if it be not well regarded to be prevented The sighes whereby they that labour with this unnatural Masse may be known from Women with Child are generally these The first is motion for this burthen moveth not as Children do because there is neither life nor sense in it But it may move by accident according to the motion of the woman and the ponderousness thereof but that is no true motion The Belly of Women which labour with this unnatural Masse is harder then the Belly of women with Child and will not so easily move from one place to another as theirs that be with Child The Woman that hath this Mola is also more melancholy then those that are with Child and their hands and feet more feeble this Masse also sometimes falleth from one side to another A Woman with Child at nine moneths end is delivered thereof but they go two 3 or 4 years sometimes all their life-time with this burthen For the cure of this Mola Hippocrates before all others prescribes the most perfect method The first means to be used is cleansing and purging of the whole body The second is to mollifie loosen and open the Vessels and ligaments of the Womb wherewith the Mola is bound and fastned there The third is to stir up and strengthen the expulsive faculty whereby this burden may the more easily be expelled from the Womb. All Physicians do agree that this disease cannot be cured without great difficulty and sometimes not at all yet nevertheless meanes must be used and first of all purgation whereby the Belly may be lenified and amongst all other Medicines Hiera obtains the chief place for its molifying and purging quality the better if it be mixed with Cassia as in this manner Take Species of Hiera simplex Cassia new drawn of each 1 dram mix them into a Bolus with Sugar A Sirrup for the same Take of Oximel simplex one Ounce decoction of Betony of Motherwort Mints Peny Royal of each 4 drams mix them together and make a Sirrup thereof but before you take it take this Bolus and Confection following A Bolus Take Conserve of Maidenhair two drams Species of Dia calamint 1 scruple mix them and make a Bolus thereof to be taken before the Sirrup A Confection for the same Take Species Diambre Diacalam of each half a dram Sugar 2 Ounces make a Confection thereof with White-wine and take it before the Sirrup An excellent potion for this Disease Take Elect Diaphen Hiera Diacol of each half a dram Mel. Ros Sol. 4. drams decoction of Betony of Mugwort of each a sufficient quantity to make a potion let the Patient in this Disease abstain from cold and moyst meats and use this potion following which mollifies the Masse or Mola and expels the humors that cause or increase it Take St. Johns Wort Savin Rosemary Field Mints Lovag Mugwort Peny Royal Madder of each one handful Fennel Squinant Parsley seed Calmus Galingale of each 1 dram Hors-radish Roots 4 Ounces boyl them all together in a good quantity of water to make a potion and take thereof every day 3. or 4. Ounces mixing therewith about a quarter of an Ounce of this Trochis following A Trochis Take Cynamon Mirrhe of each 2. drams and a half Rue Savin Field Mints Peny Royal Madder Sagapenum Opopanacum of each 1 dram Cardamum Juniper-wood Rosemary of each 1 dram a half dry them all to powder make Troches thereof and use it as above is directed Also for this Disease this following is a cheap and ready Medicine Take 3 Ounces of warm Fetherfewwater every morning fasting for two moneths together and fast 4 houres after it And every fourth day during the time she drinketh the water let her
Blood-stone washed one dram Shepherds purse two scruples fine Bolus half a dram Roses Corral of each half a dram Cinamon a quarter of an ounce make them all into a fine powder and mix them with Sugar as much as you please and take it in broth or strewed on meat Another Powder for the same Take fine Bolus one dram Terra sigillata two scruples Tormentil half a dram Shepherds purse a scruple Pearl prepared one dram Species de gemmis frigidis one dram and a half Pomgranates half a scruple Roses Saunders red Coral of each a scruple Sugar three ounces Mix them all together and make them a fine powder and give it as the other in broth or stewed meat An Electuary for the same Take Conserve of Roses six ounces Conserve of Burrage Buglas Balm of each an ounce Bolus prepared a dram Pearl prepared a quarter of an ounce of Rubies Jacinths Saphir each a Scruple Cinamon a dram mix these together and make an Electuary thereof Another Electuary to stay the Flowers Take Conserve of Roses three ounces Marmalade two ounces and half red Corral a dram Bolus prepared half a dram Blood-stone prepared two drams mix them all together with the syrup of Myrtles and make an Electuary thereof and take it as you please A Confection for the same Take Conserve of Roses three ounces Marmalade two ounces and a half Conserves of Burrage Buglas each one ounce Bolus prepared a dram and a half Pearl two drams and a half Tormentil two scruples red Saunders one dram mix them all together and make a Confection thereof with the Syrup of Myrtles The Confection of black Cherries and preserved Barberries are also very good for this use A tost of bread steeped in red Wine and Nutmegs in powder strewed thereon is very good Another for the same Take Tormentil and Nutmegs of each a like quantity Plaintain seeds half as much beat them all to powder and give it evening and morning with stale beer Red Corral taken every day before meales in Plantain water is also very good to stay the Flux For the same Take burnt Harts-horn and Nettle-seeds of each a like quantity and beat them to powder and take thereof a dram at a time in Plantain water and about a spoonful of the juyce of Yarrow Galingal chewed in the Mouth is also good A Clyster to stay the immoderate Flux of the Terms Take Fetherfew Balm Rue Scabious Rosemary flowers Southernwood Comin Bay-berries Cassia wood Cassia sistula of each a dram and an half Dill seed Anniseed each a handful and a half shaven Ivory two handfuls boyl them altogether by a mild fire in two quarts of water till half be consumed and then strain it out and take of this Decoction 12. ounces oyl of Sesanum Rue and Pepper of each half an ounce Indian Salt one dram Diacastore Confection of Bay-berries and Benedictaâ— of each three drams temper them all very well together and administer it very warm Thus far of such Medecines as are to be given inwardly we now proceed to external or outward applications of which there are divers but all ought to be of an astringent stopping quality such are Pessaries Unguents and Plaisters c. A Pessary to stop the excessive Course of the Terms Take Baulustes bark of Pomgranates Mirtles each half a dram mix them with a sufficient quantity of Honey and make thereof a Pessary and put it up into the Matrix There are also more liquid Medecines which may very commodiously be injected with a fit Instrument like Clysters An Injection to stay the Flux of the Terms Take Baulustes Pomgranate Pill Tragant of each a dram Comfrey four drams make a decoction thereof and mix it with four drams of the Juyce of Plantane and make an Injection thereof A Pessary for the same Take juyce of Plantane juice of Sloes and juyce of Pimpernel and make a Pessary thereof with Cotton A Cataplasme for the same or a Pultis which you please to call it Take Wormwood Knot-grasse Nights-shade of each a like quantity pound them together and strain out the juyce then temper with it Rye-meal a sufficient quantity to make it into the thickness of a Pultis and lay it all over the Belly from the Navel to the Matrix A precious salve to stay the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses Take Comin Carraway Rueseed Ameos Seseli and Gallia Moscata of each a dram and a half Rosin three drams oyl of Dill two ounces oyl Olive one ounce Lignum Aloes Cloves of each half a dram melt the Rosin in the oyl and temper the other things with it being beaten small into fine powder and incorporate them together by stirring until it become a thick salve Herewith anoint the Hips and Reins it is excellent to stop the superfluous flux of the Terms It is also good against vomiting and perbreaking and to expel wind being applyed to the Navel and Stomach Be sure to observe whether the woman abound with heat or cold and frame your Medicines accordingly if cold be predominant use such things as cause heat and are good to stop blood such are Frankincense Mastick Cipress nuts Sandaraca Laudanum Mirrh Storax Annis and the like If heat abound such things are to be prepared as are cold and astringent as cool and bind and such is the nature of these following Camphire the juyce of Sloes burnt Ivory Coriander Dragons blood Saunders Blood-stone fine Bolus Hypocistis the seeds of Kneeholm or Butchers broom call it which you will these seeds and also the decoction of the root are very effectual if you would know where to find the seeds look into the inside of the red berries thereof and there you shall be sure to find them but not before you have found the hearb for they grow together and the Kneeholme hearb is a common companion almost with every holly bush These are also cooling and astringent Mirtle seeds Galls Pomgranates flowers called Balaustes the seeds of Plantane of Melons Cucumber gourds and of Pompeons and the roots of Pimpernel Some are glad to eat what they can get yet ye must as near as ye can avoid what is hurtful Let the manner of dier be such as is nourishing and breedeth good juyce and is easily digested especially such as thicken the blood and hinder the fluxibility thereof as Birds those especially of the Mountains are highly commended if you can catch them Let their drink be astringent Wine or use to quench Steel in their drink or boyl therein the seeds leaves and roots of Plantane And thus much of the Flux of the Terms Chap. V. Of the Flux of the Womb or the Whites in Women WEe have already declared that the immoderate Flux of the monethly Courses and the Flux of the Womb or the white Menstrue Gal. 6. loc affe ad finem are two several Diseases as Galen plainly teacheth We proceed now to speak of the Whites or white Flux in women called by the Physicians Gal.