whether it be mans or womans for a cholerick woman after exercise and the use of hot meats will make higher coloured urine than a flegmatick man moreover she which hath a feaver or some other disease without doubt changes her urine in some respects according to the nature of the disease how is it then possible for to discover sex by the urine I must be brief but consider what is said and it is sufficient to convince that there is no certainty in it and it is but rashness for any to pronounce or others to expect any such thing by the urine 2. Concerning women with child I would not have you think but that my pains to discover the same by urine hath not been wanting but much and that I am not without those observations and tokens left by Authors to posterity but never yet could I answer my own desires herein yet I have several times divined by urine women to be with child and so it sell out but I must say that what I said nay further what ever any say in this case was and is but conjectural and there is no certainty nor knowledge thereof in urine which I demonstrate thus Although most times and in most persons with child the urine is altered indeed either in one respect or other yet we are to understand that the urine is not changed by the gravidity it self but only by the suppression of the courses which as it cannot be denyed may alter the urine by the reflux of blood and excrements into the veins But that same change of urine may appear in maids by the stopping of their courses yea or in other diseases that arise from the like suppression as also in obstructions of other internal parts so that urine will manifest here no proper or peculiar thing besides if the woman with child be sick the urine may be so changed by the violence of the disease that all the signs of being with child if there were any would be obliterate Certainly if such a thing could have been those famous Physicians whose works are the dictators to all pis Prophets would never have been deceived in their own wives in this case of being with child till it evidently appeared by the infants motion as they have left for the observation of Posterity however in other things the fathers of pis Lectures Now I know many will say I have carried mine and others waters and such and such a Doctor hath told me right and he can tell To this I only say so can and do I often but this I say it cannot barely be done by urine as before demonstrated and what other ways we have to conjecture by in such cases I would freely discover only fearing that the times and seasons for the discovery of such things are not yet come 2. Some are of the opinion that the Husband breeds his wives child a common error This is an error common only to England for ought ever I could read or understand and of all errors this seems most worthy to be laughed at that the husband should be thought to be sick and troubled with the same symptoms wherewith a woman with child is wont having not the same cause to procure it It is true women with child in the first moneth of their conception are wont to be troubled with very many and sundry symproms especially Cacochymick and impure bodies but observe this is not without some cause which usually is from the retention of the courses for seeing nature is wont to use that flux not only for the purging out of superfluous blood but of corrupt and vicious humors also such blood being retent and kept in they are likewise retained and that blood retained by reason of the smallness of the young one in the beginning of her gravidity is not all spent for the nourishment thereof doth putrifie and hath recourse either to the noble parts or at least anoys them with filthy vapors which it sends forth from whence arise the foresaid symptoms in the stomach intrails belly head and the whole body as vomiting loathing of meat unsatiable longing and lusting gripings dizziness of the head and such like seeing therefore the husband hath not in him the causes of these effects but his wife only it stands with reason that she only should be sick what if the husband be sick when his wife breeds a child I hope it is not a Contagious disease he is not infected by his wife no that distemper may happen through some default of his own body Indeed it is no new thing for husbands and wives to be sick together but it is a wonder and hitherto a thing unknown that gravidity or a womans being with child is a Contagious or catching disease and that not other women but men only whom nature hath freed from this kind of travel should be infected therewith Besides it is observed that the symptoms do not happen to all women or at least not all to every one and yet it often falls out that when the woman is in good health the husband is sick yea sometimes being many miles off but if he induce that by his wives being with child how comes it to pass that she continues well at the same time for observe this maxime in Philosophy That natural causes do sooner work upon the near than upon the remote subject And for that cause seeing the woman carries about her such noxious humors she should be sooner yea and more grievously sick I know something might be said of simpathy antipathy contagion fascination and such like trifles but if these things be so I Query why do not maids and widdows who are very often troubled with the like symptoms through suppression of their courses infect their bed-fellows and familiars seeing there is the same cause and sympathy with some of them But note and in this maxime I shew you one great natural cause why many being with and in the houses of those infected of the Plague this great Visitation and yet escaped themselves alone To cause a contagion Not only the efficacy of the agent but also a disposition and analogy in the patient is requisite I shall say no more in this case because by the very relating of it the absurdity of this error doth appear 3. Some are of the opinion that it is hurtful to change the linnen very often in time of sickness This error seems to me to spread most amongst the common people for they think that the sick by changing their linnen are weakned and enfeebled thereby which indeed is not true for it doth rather strengthen them and revive them only great care must be had in changing of the linnen that the party catch no cold for by long keeping of their linnen there are three inconveniencies do happen to the sick viz. 1. The transpiration of the body is hindred 2. Sweat and filth are kept in their shirts which do putrifie and contract an ill savour 3. The
Pensiveness and sadness 6. Several pains as the Head Heart c. Cure Omitting Blood-letting in this case the first thing is to cleanse the body of the peccant humors and therefore give this following Vomit in the first place viz. Infusion of Crocus Metallorum one ounce Syrup of Squils half an ounce mixed and give it in a morning fasting blood-warm give Posset and keep warm after it c. The next day save one take this Purge Rosin of Jalap ten grains Cinnamon in fine powder half a scruple mix them and take it in a little Chicken broth and drink of the broth afterwards take it in a morning After this all those things spoke of in the immoderate flux of the Courses may be given unto which I shall only adde a decoction made with Lig. vita Sassafras China and red Rose-leaves sweetned with syrup of Coral Quinces or Spearmint of which let her take daily half a pint for a moneth together But possible some good woman or other may judge my pains in this disease might have been spared many having had it for many years without hurt or danger to such I would say not without dammage for though in one respect this disease may be called good because not attended with danger of Death yet observe it may be accounted bad yea a very bad and stubborn disease forasmuch as the flux of evill humors having once taken this course is very hardly turned out of its channel because the womb is the draught of the whole body so that if this infirmity get head it may and commonly doth bring many other Evils upon the Patient viz. 1. Barrenness 2. Falling down of the womb 3. Exulceration 4. Cachexia or evil habit of body 5. Dropsie 6. Consumption c. And therefore having those Evils attending it I think it concerns me to endeavour to remove it as other diseases to which purpose I have as for the rest made provision of other things if those directed to shall fail And so I pass to the next and that is Rage or Madness from the Womb. Womb-fery is a sort of madness arising from abundance of Seed being Acrimonious and hot transcending the bounds of Nature thereby causing a vehement and unbridled desire of carnal imbracement which desire dethrones the rational faculty so far that the Patient utters wanton and lascivious Speeches c. Signs may easily be gathered by what is said but because it is wont to discover it self gradually by little and little I shall briefly relate its progress in the beginning whilst the party injoys their understanding they are more sad and silent than ordinary but sometimes with a wanton rowling eye and ruddy countenance especially when mention is made of matters belonging to bodily lust for then both Breath and Pulse changeth which hath occasioned sometimes some whispers from me to compose themselves to some inclinable to this infirmity Afterwards when the disease is exasperated they begin to scold weep and ever and anon to fall out laughing they speak many things without time and reason out of which no certain sign can be gathered A while after they repent of their solly until another fit take them by reason of the inordinate motion of the peccant matter which observes no certain period in its fermentation c. Cure The cure of this disease tends to correct the hot distemper of the bowels especially of the womb and the blood and seed likewise to evacuate the sharp humors and seminal matter offending In order thereto let blood pretty plentyfully and reiterate the same if the person be plethorick or abounding with blood then give this Purge Take of the Pill Lapis Lazuli half a dram oyl of Amber mixed therewith four drops make it into several Pills and take them in a morning fasting drinking Posset-drink after it according as usually is done in taking Physick give this twice a week for a moneth together and in the mean time let the party take of this following Electuary twice a day when she takes no Pills viz. Take Conserve of the flowers of Water-Lillies Violets and Agnus Castus of each one ounce Conserve of Roses and Lettice of each two ounces Coral prepared half an ounce Syrup of Violets enough to make it into a body Whey drunk often and plentifully is good in this disease and Issues made in the thighs and legs But in regard of the immediate cause seeing the evacuation of the sharp and corrupted seed may cure this disease my further advice is that at the beginning of the disease before the Patient begins manifestly to rave or in the space between her fits when she is pretty well to marry her for so the womb being satisfied and the offensive matter contained in its Vessels being emptied the Patient may peradventure be cured but if the party cannot so conveniently be married or her condition bare not that estate all lawful means must be used by rubbing or tickling by a skilful Midwife that so an evacuation of the over abounding Sperm may be And if still this disease continue you may understand other things are to be done with expedition and therefore as for others so for this I am not with some secret Arcanums and Specifical medicines tryed and experienced to several effectually to my content as well as those concerned both in mony Credit and Honour few reaching this disease but my self as well as the other madness which men also are liable to c. But then next Is the Mother-fits or Womb-sickness When seed and menstrual blood are retained in women besides the intent of nature they putrifie corrupt and attain a venomous quallity from which according to Galens Doctrine vapours are elevated and carried to divers parts of the body occasiâ—ning several Symptoms the chief going under the name of Mother-fits the womb sometimes being elevated also The signs such as shew the disease approaching and such as shew the disease strengthned 1. Signs that shew the disease approaching are these 1. A noise in their lower belly 2. Belching or inclination to Vomit 3. Wearinesses yawnings and stretchings 4. A sad look pale face Secondly Signs of the disease strengthned 1. A sense of strangling as if they had swallowed a great morsel and it stuck in their throat 2. Stoppage of breath and suffocation increased 3. In conclusion all their vital and animal actions are deprived diminished or abâ—â—â—â—d 4. And from hence springs Ravings Convulsions and other grievous symptoms but this disease being pretty well known by almost every old woman I shall say no more as to the signs but come to the Cure which is double 1. In the Fit 2. Out of the Fit Cure In the fit those vapouts which cause it are to be discussed and drawn back from the part affected the humors contained in the womb which send up these vapours it would be well if we knew which way must be voided and the womb if removed out of its proper seat restored to the same again In
using remedies suitable and fitting which brings me to the cure c. Cure The cure consisteth in preservation for that which is past cannot be helped And The preservation from abortion or miscarriage hath two principal parts or heads The one concerning the woman before she is with child the other when she is with child Before the woman is with child all evil disposition of body which are wont to cause miscarriage must be removed as fulness of blood badness of humors and peculiar diseases of the womb c. Concerning all which advice must be taken of some able Doctor with suitable medicines for this would be too large a field for me at this time to walk or take a turn in But then When she is with child how to prevent her miscarriage I shall here insert that which may do good and be serviceable Besides then that medicine which I have already given for the stopping the overflowing of the courses which is excellent in this case being taken as is there directed I shall adâ—e Take Kermes berries and Tormentil and Bislort roots of each half an ounce Mastick two drams Date stones and shavings of Ivory of each one dram powder them and mix them into the form of an Electuary with syrup of Coral and then mix that with Conserve of red roses and Quinces of each two ounces take the quantity of a Chesnut three times a day morning at four a clock afternoon and at going to bed Hang an Aegle stone Jasper or Smaragds stone about the neck or a piece of Coral in Tiffany make a Plaister with those salves called viz. Emp. pro Matrice Contra Rupturum of each alike and apply it to the region of the share and loins and to the end that the woman may receive good and benefit she must rest her self and keep her self as quiet as possible she can both in her body and mind also she must abstain from genital imbracements c. Moreover this I have observed that by the best and highest graduated means that could be gotten sometimes miscarriage will not be prevented without blood-letting therefore sometimes to some persons to prevent from this evil blood-letting is absolutely necessary yet I dare not say but I have holpen many without bleeding by some secret Arcanums and specifical medicines safe to be taken that my industry in the Art of Chymistry hath made me master of God blessing my endeavours But thirdly of hard child-birth Hard travel in child bearing is such as keep not the due and ordinary laws of nature taking up longer time than ordinary and accompanied with more vehement pains than are usual and other more grievous symptoms Signs Hard travel is known both by the childing woman and by the assistants but especially by the Midwife 1. If the woman continue longer time than ordinary in labour as two three four or more days whereas a truly natural child-birth ought to be accomplished within the space of twelve or twenty four hours at farthest 2. It s a sign of a hard labour if the womans pains be weak and are long before they return and that more especially if her pains be more about her back than privities 3. If the woman be weak and the child weak moving slowly or be either too fat or too lean usually there are hard labours or be crooked also 4. Sometimes hard labour is occasioned by the diseases of the womb 5. Sometimes from the greatness and false situation of the child and 6. Sometimes also hard labour may be guessed at if the water flow from the woman or part of it before its true time which ought but immediately to proceede the birth for this signifies that the after-birth is stronger than ordinary which can hardly be broken c. Cure In pity to poor women in this case though occasioned by sin I shall lay down some choice and excellent observations and medicines in order for their good not at this time at all medling with any directions to or manual operation of the Midwife The observations are these 1. Let the woman lay off all her rings yea and those that are about her also 2. Let her forbear eating any thing that is astringent or binding especially at that time 3. Let her endeavour to be as chearful and lively as possible she may for sleepiness and sottishness do slacken the endeavours both of mother and child 4. Let her also keep her mind free from fear passion sadness anger wroth c. 5. Let her have a Midwife of whom she hath a good conceit and let no woman be about her that there is the least cause or suspicion of prejudice or non-affection 6. Let her not stir unseasonably nor agitate or move to and from unduly fearing it may prevent the child issuing in a fitting posture 7. Let her have her husband if she require or desire it to come into the room to her as often as the man may be rightly constituted and the nature of the work will permit I do not know whether a man kissing his wife at that time have any vertue in it or no but this I know for a certain truth that many good women some I could name have suffered abundantly in this case yea and some so much that their lives have been lost thereby for being denied this priviledge they dying if not undelivered yet not till all is gone and spent that should afterward revive and comfort her and she nearer to the grave than a bed I lay down this the rather because there hath been such evident good success upon the mans presence in several deliveries even immediately that it 's a pity it is not if serviceable to the woman wisely and discreetly put in practice no oftner And besides because I know no substantial reason or ground either from Scripture History nor nature why a man rightly and duly qualified should not have and injoy that priviledge at convenient seasons to visit his wife as in any other dangerous sickness or distemper Weigh what I say well before you judge 8. Let her keep her breath and retain her strength till the right and true time of travel comes This I intimate because there have been many I have known some that have suffered upon this account especially young women who think they are bound and that it is their wisdom to do as the good wives bid them and its common amongst them though but stragling degenerate and wild pains to bid them stop their mouths hold their breath and strain downwards whereas indeed such pains should be let pass without such observation and the woman not put to spend her spirits and strength till it may do her good viz. when the water is complete and judged ready to or hath broke then let her strive and strain what she is able and not before fearing if she do when that time comes her strength and spirits may be impaired and for want thereof the child may not immediately follow the water and
least hurt This then â—s clear that women with child may purge and bleed safely and advantagiously but herein when where and what be advised c. 7. Some are of the opinion that gold boiled in broth is a great cordial and good for women in child-bed and to cure consumptions Gold without doubt is of great vertue and excellency yea the noblest the most solid fixt of all metals compacted and of an almost indivisible union in its substance and therefore though it may be very choice and excellent in curing diseases being such as is aforesaid which shews it to be compounded of salt sulphur and mercury brought to the highest degrees of digestion yet being soused as boiled in broth or taken in substance the broth cannot take any vertue from it only possible some dross it being so very compact as it can be dissolved with no fire nor boiling neither can the digestive heat of the stomach and the moisture of imperfect chile in any wise alter the solidity of this noble metal supposing no broth nor liquor in the stomach analogous to Aq. Regia Therefore those who would have the vertues of gold for their help must desire the help of an ingenious chymist who is able to open the body thereof separate and bring him into such a medicine as is nearer to be reduced into its old body I hope I have said enough 8. Some have wrong opinions about their choice of â—urses Gentlewomen and others that nurse not their children themselves are very difficult usually in their choice of a nurse and herein they are not to be blamed but commended for a good nurse makes a thriving child and she ought not only to be diligent in her attendance but be young well be haved of good constitution using a good and wholsome diet and to abstain from venery But in this case I have observed two things which I think ought not to be so enquired after as they are and therefore I shall endeavour their refutation 1. Whether the nurses milk be old or no and how long she hath given suck c. supposing the milk not to be so wholsome for a new-born child and therefore sometimes prefer a nurse that is elder which hath but lately given suck before one that is young if she hath given suck longer and herein they err for the woman being young and qualified for such a work ought to be preserred far before the more elder though she have given suck longeâ— seeing that every day the breasts of nurses do afford new milk because every day new milk is made and hath the same causes of generation after five years which it had the first month for seeing that the milk doth participate of the nature of its material and efficient cause is generated out of these causes only if the nurse be healthful and free from care anger and sorrow of mind and seed on good and wholsome meats there is no doubt but she gives always good and wholsome milk for the milk doth partake of the nature of the bloud of which it is made but in a healthful body nourished with wholsome meats good bloud is always made and of good bloud is not wont to be made bad and unwholsome milk if the body be in health nor can giving suck it self alter or viciate the milk forasmuch as nature ordains nothing that is evil and it would be ill for the child every day the nurses milk were made worse by giving suck When therefore occasion is offered I chusing a nurse let only her constitution healthfulness and age be considered 2. It is supposed by many that a boys milk is fittest for a girl and a girls for a boy and therefore this is another enquiry supposing the boys milk is hotter and therefore fittest for the girl and contrariwise that the girls milk is cooler and so fittest for the boy Two things against this 1. They suppose amiss that a female is always colder than a male whenas experience testifies that some women are hotter than some men nor can a cholerick woman without censure be judged to be colder than a flegmatick man However 2. They erre in supposing the childs sucking can change the temper of the milk for seeing as we have said the nature of the milk doth sollow the nature of the efficient cause and of the meats of which it is made what can the child do against these for while it sucks it cannot by contact alone change the constitution of the mother therefore as I have said before enquiry of these natures may be spared and other things minded and enquired after as is already specified And thus have I by Gods assistance finished what I intend at this time leaving the answering of several questions or resolving several queries viz. What Sex with child of and whether with child or no Concerning longing twins and hair lips c. till another season Read Consider and Judge with a Spirit of Wisdom Meekness Sobriety and Fear And so for this work as for all other good things Gloria Deo tribuanda non nobis Christian Reader Providence having disposed me a former Wise that was very unhealthful occasioned my study and search into womens diseases the advantage of which as then so often since successefully tryed moved me to this Publication Having also experimental Remedies externally applyed for the perfect curing of worms deafness infirmities in eyes defectnessâ—◠〈◊〉 and ruddy or pimply faces if curable which the p 〈…〉 know before hand By N. S. FINIS