the Womb to prevent which the Woman must not sleep over-much especially in the day time nor feed riotously but exercise her self in Walking or moderate Exercises and often use Purgation and strong Glysters made of such Heâ—bs and Druggs that are hot and dry which will in a short time remove such Ostructions But a more dangerous cause of Barrenness than yet I have named are the Whites which are contracted by an inordinate Eurudition of the Excrementious Homourâ— collected through the Vitiousness of the Blood incident to Young and Old at such times as they are capable of Generationâ— and therefore the Cure must be hastned by reason that in short time it derides Art and renders Women inevitably barren occasioning Leanness Consumption Melancholy Dropsie falling of the Womb swooning Convulsions which renders it difficult and dangerous in long continuance tho' in the beginning it may be eaâ—ily removedâ— In the Cure of this let Phlebotomy or Blood-letting be avoided for as much as the bad Humour must be by no means recalled to defile the Blood the Disease it self being a sufficient weakning of the Body and Vital Spirits First then to discuss the Humour in order to its Expurgation Take two Ounces of Guaicum the like quantity of China and Lentilckwood boil them in Water and Honey drinking a pint fresh made each Morning Then to dry up to Contraction of the Vessels or Humour that lodged there take the Root of Filipendula beat it to Powder and drink it in White-Wine Morning and Evening As also for Astringents use Bones burnt and beat to Powder likewise the Ashes of Capons dung ejected after a long time steeping in fair Water The Patient must likewise avoid sleeping upon her Bâ—ck lest the Humour descend and contract in the Vessels of the Womb but let her be rubbed often to disperse them that they settle not in any one place Sometimes this occasion of Barrenness happens through the violent attraction of the Womb and then appears signs of afflictions of the Womb the Flux not being so great to cure which Suffumations are the most proper and those may be made of Frankinsence Laudanum Santalum or Mastick The Woman upon such occasion having great regard to her self that she take not Cold or proceed to intemperate Diet. Many Women there are whose violent Lusts contracts a heat that either destroys the Eggs or hinders them from being impregnated In this case 't is requisite to avoid hot Air soft lying hot Meats and Spice and requisite to bleed in the Basilick Vein purge moderately with Decoctum Epitaymi and Juice of Roses each two Drams and a half Whey half a pint mix them together and drinking them fasting in the Morning and so continue 4 hours after or for want of the former you may take Triphera Serasenica and Rhuburb of each half a Dram pulverized and mixed with 2 Ounces of Syrup of Roses Violets or Endive but the most excellent Restorative to cool and moderate the Temper in this case is Diet-drink made as followeth viz. Take Pistachia-Nuts and Eringo-Roots of each half an Ounce of Saffron a dram Lignum Alloes Gallinga Caryophillata Mace red and white Behen and Baulm Flowers of each 4 Scruples Shavings of Ivory Rind of Cassia each 2 Scruples Syrup of confected Ginger 12 Ounces white Sugar 6 Ounces add to these 12 Ounces of Baulm Water and set them over a gentle Fire permitting them to seeth then take it off suffer it to cool and put more Water to it stirring the Ingredient lastly increasing them with a Scruple and a half of Musk and Amber then strain out the Luquid part and boyl it up again into a Conserve of which let the Woman eat three times a day but not exceeding the bigness ef a Walnut at a time The times most convenient are Mornings Noons and Night and this let her continue till she finds her Body in temper Another occasion of Barrenness proceeds from the obstruction of those Vessels through which the Monthly Purgations flow in which case open the Basilick Vein and take from hence a moderate quantity of Blood after which take Hiera composita and Oppopanax of each half a Dram and a Dram of Syrup of Giliflowers make them into 7 Pills take them in the Morning and sleep upon them a considerable time then drink off half a pint of Sugared water and 3 hours after a portion of Syrup of Vinegar compounded For want of this take Syrup of Eupatory 3 quarters of an ounce Female Mugwort and Elecampane Root of each an ounce with Syrup of Vinegar a proportionable quantity mix them together and take them when made into an Electuary Morning and Evening to the quaatity of an Hazel-Nut at a time and if the Courses flow not within a short time after let a Pessary of Musk Amber Wood of Alloes and Ash-Keys of each â— Grains Saffron half a Scruple Hares Renet an ounce be put into the Womb Tent-wise and continue there for the â—pace of a day and it will remove the obstruction cause the Cources to flow and in short time render the Woman capable of Generation And thus Reader have I with much caution performed my promise in these particulars and the next thing I shall proceed to amongst other matters relating to the Mystery of Generation are the signs of Virginity c. CHAP. X. Virginity what it is in what it consists and how violated together with the Opinions of the Learned in the point of mutation of Sexes in the Womb during the Operation of Nature in framing the Body SEeing many ignorant People have boasted their Knowledge as to the first particular und some Virgins have undergone hard Censures through the ignorant Determinations of such as have taken upon them to discuss the matter I thought it altogether necessary to clear the Point that so for the future the Conceited might not be indulged in their vain Opinion nor by traducing others prejudice the Female Sex whose Vertues are frequently such as do not require our admiration but imitation Then since the mysterious Word Virginity has puzzled many to define it I mean the cause from whence it arises for the word barely in it self signifies the prime chief or best of any thing But as to the point in hand the main matter bears the following Construction It is observed by the curious searchers into Natures Secrets that in young Maids or Females in the Sinus Pudoris or in that place that is by some called the Neck of the Womb is that pendulous production vulgarly called the Hymen but more rightly the Claustrum Virginale and in French it is termed the Button de Rose or Roses-Bud for that it much resembles the Bud of a Rose expended or a Clove-Gilliflower from when it derived the Word Defloro to Deflower the Deflowering of Virgins because most are of opinion that the Virginity is altogether annihilated when this Duplication is fractured and dissipated by violence and that when it is found perfect and
Honour-dishonourable ways The propension and inclination of Maids to marriage is to be discovered by many Symtoms For when they arrive to Pubertyâ— which is usually about the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Year of their Age according to their respective Habits or Constitutions then their Menses or Natural Purgations begin to flow And the Blood which is no longer taken to augment their Bodies abounding incites their Minds and Imaginations to Venery External Causes also may promote and incite them to it for the Spirits being brisk and in a manner inflam'd when they arrive at this Age if they eat salt sharp things Spices c. whereby the Body becomes still more and more heated than the irration and proneness to Veneral Embroces is very great nay sometimes almost insuparable And a due use of these Enjoyments being deny'd to Virgins very often produces very dismal Effects as Green and Weasel-Colour short Breathings Tremblings of the Heaâ—t c. But if they happen to be married to their own Content those Afflictions vanish and their native Beauty returns more gay than before Nor is their eager gazing and desiring to associate themselves with Men a lesser sign that Nature prompts them to desire what she ordained their due of which being sometimes by obdurate Parents debarr'd in a lawful way they break the bounds of Modesty rather than endure such violent Agitations and Conflicts within themselves and so satiate their desires in unlawful Love The same may in all particulars be observed in young brisk Widows whom Death that Enemy of sweet Conjugal Love has separated from the Bosom of their Husbands At Fourteen years of age commonly the Menses in Virgins begin to flow and then they are capable of conceiving and so continue generally to Forty-four at what time for the most part they are no longer capable of Generation unless such as are exceeding healthful strong of Body and have used themselves to Temperance who have appear'd to be deliver'd of Children till Fifty five years but such Prodigies rarely happen altho' the Menses continue longer in some Women than in others but many times such Eflux proceeds not from any natural cause but by reason of some violent straining or other violence and doth oft endanger the Life of the Party And therefore young Men that Marry Women surmounting the Age aforesaid if they expect Children unless by Miracle must labour against the Wind Though if an old Man that is not worn out by Diseases and Incontinency Marry a brisk lively Lass there is hopes even to Threescore and Ten and some that are extraordinary lusty till Fourscore Hypocrates that Famous and Learned Physician is of Opinion that a Youth at Sixteen years or between that and Seventeen having much vital strength may be capable of getting Children and that force and heat of procreating matter continually increases till 45,50 and 55. And at the end of the latter begins to â—lag the Seed by little and little becoming unfruitful the natural Spirits being extinguished and the humours dried up and in general most Physicians at this day do observe-it but as to particulars as I have before mentioned it often happeneth otherwise nay 't is reported by a credible Author that in the Reign of Erecus King of Sweedland a Man was married at an Hundred years old to a Bride of Thirty and had many Children by her but looked so freshâ— that such as knew him not took him not to exceed half that Age. In Campania where the Air is temperate serene and calm Men of 8â— Years usually Marry young Virgins and have Children by them which argues that Age in Men hinders not Procreation unless they be exhausted in their Youth and their Members shrivelled up If any ask why a Woman is sooner Barren than a Man I answer The Cause is the natural Heat which is more predominant in the latter than in the former for since a Woman is more moist than a Man as her Monthly Purgations do most evidently demonstrate as also the softness of her Body 't is also apparent that he doth exceed her in Native heat and as for that heat it is the chief thing that concocts the Humours into good and proper Aliment which the Woman wanting grows fat when a Man by reason of that heat melts his fat by degrees and his Humours are dissolved but by the benefit thereof they are elaborated into Seed And this may for the better Confirmation of what I proposed be added That the Woman generally is not so strong as a Man nor so wise and prudent nor hath so much reason nor is so ingenious in contriving her Affairs whereby the Faculties are hindred in their Operation And so I conclude my Assertion CHAP. II. General and Particular Rules laid down by Learned Physicians how to proceed in getting a Male or Femalâ— Child and of the Embryo and perfect Birth and the fittest Season for Copulation WHen a young likely Couple have enter'd the holy state of Wedlock and are desirous of mutual Enjoyment for Generation sake which is the chief end for which Wedlock was ordained and rather covet to be bless'd by one Sex than another let them know first for certain that the success of such things depends upon Divine Providence tho'secondary Causes must be active instrumental therein and those are especially two First the Genital Humour which is brought by the Arteriae Preparantes to the Testes in the form of Blood and there Elaborated into Seed by the Seminifical Faculty resident in them To which may be added the Appetite and Desire to Copulation which fires the Imagination with unusual Fancies or by the sight of a brisk charming Beauty whose wit and liveliness may much incite and more inflame the Courage But if Nature be enfeebled then are there fit Artificial Remedies to restore it viz. Such Meats as most conduce to the affording such Aliment as proves to make Seed abound and restore the Decays of Nature that the Faculties may freely operate For as dung and good manuring restores ground that is worn out and heartless even so seasonable and proper Diet operates to the restoâ—ing the faint heart weak Spirit coldness and driness of the Genital Parts and reduceth the weakness of the Nerves to their Temperament and removes Impediments obstructing the Procreation of Children Then since Diet may and will alter the evil state of the Body to a better it iâ— necessary that such as are subject to Barrenness should eat such Meats only as tend to render them fruitful and among such things as are inducing and stirring up thereto are all Meats of good Juice that nourish well make the Body lively and full of Sap of which faculty are all hot moist Meats for according to Galen the substance of Seed is made of the pure concocted and windy superfluity of Blood from whence we may conclude there is in many things a poweâ— to accumulate or heap up Seed as also to aâ—gment it and other things of force to
to the force of the Seed for as Plants receive more from fruitful Ground than from the industry of the Husband-man so the Infant in more abundance receives from the Mother than the Father for first the Seed of both is heaped and fostered in the Womb and there grows to perfection being nourished with Blood And hence they will have it that Children for the most part effect their Mothers best for it proceeds from the nearness of Nature by a natural instinct because the Mothers forces were most employed about ' em For 9 Months and sometimes 10 she nourisheth the Child with her purest Blood then her love towards it newly born and the likeliness do clearly demonstrate that the Woman affordeth Seed and that Women do contribute more towards making the Child than Men. But in all this the Ancients were very much in an Error for the Testicles so called in Women do not afford any Seed but are true Eggs anulogous to those of Fowls and other Creatures neither have they any such Office as those of Men but are indeed Ovarium wherein these Eggs are nourished by the Sanguinary Vessels dispersed through them and from whence one or more as they are secundated by the Man's Seed separated and are convey'd into the Womb by the Ovi duces The truth of this is plain for if you boil them their Liquor will have the same colour Taste and Consistency with the white of Birds Eggs to say that they want shells is nothing at all for the Eggs of Fowls while â—hey are in the Ovary nay after they have fallen down into the Uterus have no shell And though when they are laid they have one yet that is more than a Fence which Nature has provided them against outward Injuries while they are hatched without the Body whereas those of Women being hatched within the body need no other fence than the womb by which they are sufficiently guarded And thus much for the clearing of this point also and now to the third thing proposed viz. Whence grows the kind and whether the Man or the Woman is the cause of the Male or Female Infant The primal cause is as is justly due in this and all other Causes we must ascribe to God the Ruler and Disposer of all things yet many things by his high Sufferance proceed in regular order by the Rules of Nature and are carried by their in-bred motion according to their usual and natural Course without variation tho' indeed by favour from on high Sarah conceived Isaac Hannah Samuel and Elizabeth Iohn the Baptist but these were to fulfil the Almighty's Decree nor since those times have the Prayers of the righteous been unsuccessful in obtaining Children but passing over such Supernatural and Extraordinary causes that have their peculiar effects I shall proceed to speak of things natural and common The Antient Physicians and Philosophers say that since there are two Principles out of which the Body of Man is made and which render the Child like the Progenitors and to be of one of the other Sex viz. Seed common to both Sex and menstrual Blood proper to the Woman only The Similitude say they must needs consist in the force of the Male or Female Seedâ— so that it pgoves like to the one or the other as more or less plenty is afforded by either but that the difference of Sex is not refered to the Seed but to the menstrual Blood which is proper to the Woman for were that force say they altogether retained in the Seed the Mans Seed being of a hotter quality than the Womans Male Children would be superabundant and none of the other Sex or very rarely would be propagated whereof the kind of the Creature is attributed to the temperament of the active qualities which consist in heat and cold and to the substance or nature of the matter under them that is to the flowing of the menstrual Blood Now the Seed say they affords both force to procreate and form the Child and matter for its Generation and that in the menstrual Blood there is both matter and force for as the Seed most helps the material Principles so likewise the menstrual Blood the potential Seed is saith Galen Blood well concocted by the Vessels that contain it so that Blood is not only the matter of generating the Child but also Seed in possibility that menstrual Blood hath both principles as matter and faculty of offering The Ancients say further that the Seed is the strongest efficient the matter of it being very little in quantity but that the potential or efficient faculty of it is very feeble wherefore if the material part or principle of Generation according to which the Sex is made were only say they in the menstrual Blood then would the Children be all or mostly Females as if the efficient force was in the Seed they would be all Males but that since both have operation in menstrual Blood Matter predominates in quantity and in the Seed Force and Vertue Deservedly saith Galâ—n the Child receives its Sex rather from the Mother than from the Father although his Seed do contribute something to the material Principles though more weakly But as for similitude although Imagination say the Ancients be of extraordinary force it is referred rather to the Father than the Mother as to the quality of the Seed at or for a short time after Copulation but continues not long so to do for that the Woman's Seed receiving faculty from the menstrual Blood for the space of Nine Months over-powers the Man's as to that particular because the menstrual Blood flowing into the Vessels rather cherishes and augments the one than the other from which it may be more easily conjectured that the Woman not only affords Matter to make the Child but force and vertue to perfect the Conception though the Womans Seed be fit Nutriment for the Man's by reason of the moisture and thinness of it being more fit to frame and make up Conception thereby for as soft Wax and moist Clay the Work-man can frame what he intends so say they the Man's Seed mixing with the Woman's as also with the menstrual Blood helps effectually to make the form and perfect part of Man but with all the respect deferance imaginable to the Wisdom of the Ancients we must needs say that their Ignorance in Anatomy has led them into many and great mistakes and their Hypothesis of the formation of the Embryo from a Commixture of Seeds and the Nutrition of it from the menstruous Blood being altogether false their Opinion in this case must needs be false also Therefore to conclude this Chapter we say that although a strong Imagination of the Mother may sometimes determine the Sex that is make it Male or Female according as her imagination is yet the main Agent in this case is the Plastick or formative Principle which is the Efficient in forming the Child that gives it this or that Sex according to those
Instrument of Generation The Clytoris is a substance in the upper part of the Division where the two Wings concur and is the Seat of Veneral Pleasure being like a Yard in Scituation Substance Composition and Erection growing sometimes out of the Body two Inches but that rarely happens unless thro' extream lusâ— of extraordinary accident But to proceed this Clytoris consists of two spongy and skinny Bodies containing a distinct Original from the Pubis Bone the Head of it being covered with a tender skin having a hole or passage like the Penis or Yard of a Man tho' not quite through in which and the bigness it only differs from it The next thing in course are the fleshy Knobs and the great Neck of the VVomb And these Knobs are behind the Wings being four in number much resembling Mirâ—le Berries being placed in quadrangle one against the other and in this place is incerted to the Orifice of the Bladder which opens it self in the Fissure to evacuate the Urine for securing of which from cold or the like inconveniency one of these Knobs are placed before it and shuts up the passage The Lips of the VVomb that next appear being separated disclose the Neck thereof in which two things are to be observed viz. The Neck it self and the Hymen but more properly the Claustrum Virganale of which I have before discoursed But the Neck of the Womb is to be understood the Channel that is between the aâ—oresaid Knobs and the inner Bone of the Womb which receives the Penis like a Sheath and that it may the better be dilated for the pleasure of Procreation the Substance of it is Sinewy and a little Spongy and in this Concavity are divers Folds or Oâ—bicular Plights made by Tunicles wrinkled like an expanded Rose in Virgins they plainly appear but Women that have been used often in Copulation they are extinguished so that the inner side of the Wombs Neck appears smooth and in old Women it becomes more hard and grisly And now note that although this channel be sometimes writhed and crooked sinking down yet in the time of Copulation Labour or the Monthly Purgations it is erected and extended which over Extention occasioneth the great pain in Child-Birth The Hymen or Claustrum Virginale is that which closes the Neck of the Womb being as I have â—efore cited in the Chapter relating to Virginity broken in the first Copulation its use being rather to stay the untimely Courses in Virgins than to any other end and commonly when it is broke in Copulation or by any other accident a final quantity of Blood flows with some small pain passing Hence it is observed that between the duplicity of the two Tunicles which constitute the Neck of the Womb there are many Veins and Arteries running along and arising from the Vessels descending on both sides the Thighs and passing into the Neck of the Womb being extreamly large and the reason of their largements is for that the Neck of the Bladder requires to be filled with abundance of Spirits thereby to be extended and dilated for its better taking hold of the Penis great heat being required in some notions which becoming more intense by the act of frication does consume a considerable quantity of moisture in supplying which large Vessels are altogether necessary Another cause of the longness of these Vessels there is viz. By reason of the Menses have their way through them which often occasion Women with Child to continue their Purgations for altho' the Womb is shut up yet the passage in the Neck of the Womb through which these Vessels pass are open In this cause there is further to be observed that as soon as you penetrate the Pudendum there appears two litâ—le Piâ—s or Holes wherein is contained an Humour which by being expunged in time of Copulation greatly delights the Woman CHAP. XIV A Description of the Womans Fabrick the preparing Vessels and Testicles in Women as also of the Deferent or Ejaculatory Vessels IN the lower part of the Hypogastrion where the Hips are widest and broadest they being greater and broader thereabouts â—han those of Men which is the reason they have likewise broader Buttocks then Menâ— is the Womb joyned to its Neck and is placed between the Bladder anâ— strait Gut which keeps it from swaying or rowling yet give it liberty to stretch and dilate it self and again to contract as Nature in that cause disposes it Its figure is in a manner round and not unlike a Gourd lessening a little and growing more acute toward one end being knit together by its proper Ligaments its Neck likewise is joyned by its own substanceâ— and certain Membranes that fallen it to Os Sacrum and â—he Share-bone As to its largeness that much differs in Women especially the difference is great between such as have born Children and those that have born none In substance it is so thick that it exceeds a Thumbs breadth which after Conception it is so far from decreasing that it augments to a greater propotion and the more to strengthen and conâ—irm it it is interwoven with Fibres overthwart strait and winding and its proper Vessels are Veins Aâ—teries and Nerves and amongst these are two little Veins which pass from the Spermatick Vessels to the bottom of the Womb and two larger from the Hypogastricks which visits both the bottom and the Neck the Mouth of these Veins piercing as ' far as the inward concavity The Womb hath also two Arteries on both sides the Spermatick Vessels and the Hypogasticks which still attend or accompany the Veins and besides these there are divers little Nerves knit and intwined in the form of a Net which extend throughout even from the bottom to the Pudenda themselves being chiefly placed for sense and pleasure moving in Sympathy between the Head and Womb. Now it is to be farther noted that by reason of two Ligaments that hang on either side the Womb from the Share-bone and piercing through the Peritonaeum and are joyned to the Bone it self that the Womb is movable upon sundry occasions often falling low or rising high as for the Neck of the Womb it is of an exquisite feeling so that if it be at any time ouâ— of order by being troubled with a schirous brawn over-fatness moisture or relaxation the Womb is subjected thereby to Barrennessâ— In those that are with Child there frequently stays a most glutinous matter in the entrance to facilitate the Birth for at the time of Delivery the Mouth of the Womb is opened in a strange manner to such a widenes as is conformable to the bigness of the Child suffering an equal dilation from the bottom to the top As for the Preparatory or Spermatick Vessels in Women they consist of 2 Veins and 2 Arteries not differing from those in a Man but only in their largeness a manner of insertion for as to â—heir number there are so many Veins and the like proportion of Arteries as
in Men the right Vein issuing from the trunk of the hollow Vein descending and the lift from the Emulgent Vein and on the side of them two Arteries which grows from the Aâ—rta As to the Longitude and Latitude of these Vessels they are narrow and shorter in Women than in Men only observe where they are wrinkled or crumpled they are more wreathed and contorted than in Men as shrinking together by reason of their shortness they may by their looseness be the better stretched out when occasion requires it And these Vitals in Women are carried with an oblique course through the lesser Guts to the Testicles or Stones but are in the mid-way divided into two Branches the greater going to the Stones constituting the various or windy Body and wonderful Inoculation the lesser Branch ending in the Womb in the side of which it disperseth it self and chiefly at the higher part of the bottom of the Womb for the nourishment thereof and that part of the Courses may purge through these Vessels and seeing the Testicles in Women are seated near the Womb for that cause the Vessels fall not from the Peritonaeum neither make they such Passages as in Men nor extend themselves to the share-bone The Stones in Women commonly called the Testicles perform not the same Actions as Men's they are also different in their scituation magnitude temperament substance form and covering As â—or the seat it is in the hollowness of the Abdâ—men neither are they external pendulous but rest upon the Muscles of the Loyns that so they may be contracting the greater heat by more fruitful their Office being to contain the Ova or Eggs which being impregnated by the Man's Seed ingender Man yet they differ from those of Men in figure by reason of their lesness and flatness at either end not being so round or oval The External Superficies being likewise more unequal appearing like the composition of a great many knots and kernels mixed together there is also another difference in their substance they being much more soft and plyable loose and not so well compacted Their magnitude and temperament being also different for they are much colder and lesser than those in Men as for their covering or inclosure it likewise differs extreamly for as Men's are wrapped or covered in divers Tunicles by reason they are externally Pendulous and subject to divers injuries unless so senced by Nature â—o Womens Stones being internal and less subject to casualty are covered with one Tunicle or Membrane the which though it closely adhere to them yet are they likewise half covered with the Peritonaeum The Deferent or Ejaculatory Vessels are two obscure Passages one on either side nothing differing from the Spermatick Veins in sustance rise they do on one part from the bottom of the Womb not reaching from their other extremity either to the Stones or any other part but shut up and unpassable adhering to the Womb as the Colon does to the blind Gut and winding half way about the Testicles are every way remote to them yet tho' they touch them not they are tied to them by certain Membranes resembling the Wings of a Batt or Flutter-Mouse through which certain Veins and Arteries passing from the end of the Testicles in these beginning or may be termed here to have their passages proceeding from the corners of the Womb to the Testicles and are accounted the proper Ligaments by which the Testicles and Womb are united and strongly knit together and these Ligaments in Women are the Cremesters in Men of which I shall speak more largely when I come to describe the Masculine parts conducing to Generation CHAP. XV. A Discourse of the use and Action of the several Parts in Women appropriated to Generation c. THE Externals commonly called the Pudenda are designed to cover to great Orifice and that to receive the Penis or Yard in act of Coition and give passage to the Birth and Urine The use of the Wings and Knobs like Mirtle-berries are for the security of the Internal parts â—hutting the Orifice and Neck of the Bladder and by their swelling up cause Titulation in those parts and also to obstruct the unvoluntary passage of the Urine The Action of the Clytoris in Women is like that of the Penis in Men viz. Erection And its outer end is like the Glans of Penis and has the same Nature and as the Glans in Man is the Seat of the greatest pleasure in Copulation so is this in Women whence 't is called Amoris dulcedoâ— and AEstreum Veneris The action and use of the Neck of the Womb is also equal with that of the Penis viz. Erection occasioned divers ways First in case of Copulation it is erected and made strait for the passage of the Penis to the Womb Secondly whilst the passage is repleated with Spirit and vital Blood it becomes more strait for embracing the Penis as for the convenience of Erection it is twofold First for as much as if the Neck of the Womb was not erected the Yard could have no convenient passage to the Womb. Secondly it hinders any hurt or damage that might ensue through the violent Concussion of the Yard during the time of Copulation As for the Vessels that pass through the Neck of the Womb there Office is to repleat it with Blood and Spirit that still as the moisture consumes by the heat contracted there in Copulation it may by those Vessels be renewed But their principal business is to convey Nutriment to the Womb. The Womb it self has many Properties attributed to it as first Retention of the secundated Egg which is properly called Conception Secondly To cherish and nourish it till by the help of Nature it has framed the Child and brought it to perfection And then it strongly operates in sending forth the Birth when the time of its remaining there is expired dilating and spreading it self in a wonderful manner And indeed is the Field of Man's Generation being designed for no other purpose and so aptly removed from the Senses that nothing of Injury can proceed from thence retaining in it self a power and strength to operate and cast forth the Birth unless by accident or the like it be rendered deficient When to strengthen and enable it besides the helps of Nature sundry Remedies are to be applied by skilful hands Direction For which shall be hereafter mentioned The use of the preparation Vessel is this The Arteries convey the Blood to the Testicles where part of it is spent in the nourishment of them and the Production of those little Bladders which do in all things resemble Eggs through which the Vasa Preparentia run and are obliterated in them And as for the Veins their Office is only to bring back what Blood remains from the uses afoâ—esaid The Vessels in this kind are much shorter in Women than in Men by reason of their nearness to the Stone which defect is yet lengthned and made good by the many
cause Erection as Hen-Eggs Pheasants Woodcocks Gnatsappers Thrushes Blacâ—-Birds young Pigeons Sparrows Partridge Capons Almonds Pine-Nuts Raysons Currants all strong Wines moderately taken especially those made of the Grapes of Italy but Erection is chiefly caused and provoked by Satyriumâ— Eringoes Cresses Erysimum Parsnips Artichoaks Turnips Rapes Asparagus Candid Ginger Gallinga Acorns bruised to Powder and drank in Muscadel Scallions Sea Shell-Fish c. All these though excellent Restoratives will not have present Operation but you must use your self to them for a considerable time or else you will reap little or no benefit by them The Act of Coition being over wherein the force of Imagination is certainly very prevalent in the causing of the Child to be of this or that Sex the Woman say tbe Antients must gently repose on her right side with her Head lying low and her Body sinking down that by sleeping in that posture the Cells on the right side of the Matrix may prove the Place of Conception in which is the greatest force of Generative heat which it the greatest Inducement to Procreation of Male Children and rarely fails to answer the expectation of those that experience it especially if they keep themselves warm and without much motion leaning for the most part to the right and drinking a little Spirit of Saffron and Iuice of Hysop in a Glass of Mallaga oâ— Aligant when they lie down and rise for the space of a Week Now the fittest time say they for the Procreation of Male Children is when the Sun is in Leo and Moon 's Signs is Virtigo Scorpia or Sagitarius This Order will they also have observed for a Female Child by lying as aforesaid on the left side and strongly fancying a Female in the time of Procreation especially if the Woman drink the decoction of Female Mercury four days from the first day of Purgationâ— the Male Mercury both Herbs so called having the like Operation in case of a Male Child for the Juice or Decoction of these Simples are of forceâ— the one to purge the right and the other the left side of the Womb and thereby open the Recepticles making a way for the Seminary of Generation And the best time to Copulate for this Sex is when the Moon is in the wane and the Sign in Libra or Aquarius for when they will be of a most gentle affable temper very fair and perfect in all their Members Avicenna an Author of good repute describes the time of Procreation thus When saith he the Menses are spent and the Womb is cleansed which is commonly in five days or seven at mâ—st if a Man lie with his Wife from the first day she is purged to the fifth she will concoive a Male but from the fifth to the eighth day a Female and from the eighth to the twelfth a Male again But after that number of days peradventure neither distinctly but both in an Hermaphrodite In a word They that would be commended to their Wedlock actions and be happy in the fruit of their Labour must observe to Copulate at distance of time not too often nor yet too seldom for both these hurt Fruitfulness alike for to eject immoderately weakens a Man and wasts his Spirits and too often causes the Seed by long continuance to be ineffectual not Manly enough And thus much for the first general particular from whence I shall proceed to the second which is to give the Reader to understand how the Child is formed in the VVomb and what accidents it is incident to how nourished and when brought forth Certain it is there are various Opinions concerning this mâ—tter therefore I shall for the satisfaction of the Curious lay down the Opinions of the â—â—aâ—nedâ— as thus Man consists of an Ovum or Egg impregnated in the Ovaria or Testicles of the Womanâ— by the more substile part of Man's Seed but there is a forming Faculty Vertue in the Seed from a Divine and Heavenly Gift it being abundantly endued with Vital and Etherial Spirit which gives shape and form to the Embryo so that all the parts and bulk of the Body which is made up in the space of many Months and is by degrees framed and formed into a decent comely Figure of a Man do consist in that and are adumbrated thereby On which holy David contemplating fell into his Divine Rapture and Admiration expressed in Psal. 138. I will praise thee O Lordâ— because I am wonderfully mad Thy Works are wonderful My Soul searcheth and knoweth it right well Thou knowest all my Bones whâ—n I was fashioned in the secret place and when I was wonderfully formed in my Mothers Womb. Tâ—y Eyes beheld me yet unmade and in thy Book were all my Members written which day by day were fashioned Thy Knowledge is wonderful unto meâ— whereby I was made I cannot understand it c. And Physicians that have narâ—owly contemplated Man's Nature constitute four different times wherein this Microâ—m or little World is framed and perâ—ected in the Womb. The first is immediately after Coition and is said to be perfected in the first Week if no Eflux happen which sometimes fall out through the slipperiness of the Matrix or Head thereof that shifts over like a Rose-bud opening on a sudden by reason of some cold distemper or over-weariness in Travel The second time of forming is constituted when Nature and the force of the Womb by the use of her own inbred forces and Virtue makes a manifest mutation in the Conception so that all the substance seems Congealed Flesh and Blood which happens about the 12 and 14 day after Copulation and though this Concreation or Fleshy Mass abound with hot fiery Blood yet it remains undistinguishable without form of figure and may be called the rough draught or Embryo and well likened to Seed which is sown in the Ground which through kindly Heat and Moisture grows up by degrees into a perfect form either in Plant or Grain or as when a Potter Fashions a Vessel out of a rude Lump of Clay The third time to make up this Fabrick is set when the principal Parts shew themselves evidently and perspicuously as the Heart from whence proceeds the Arteries the Brain from which the Nerves proceed like many small Thâ—eads running through the whole Body and the Liver whose Office it is to separate the Bile from the Blood brought to it by the Vana Portae The two first are the Seeds and Fountains of Life that nourish and support each part of the Body in framing which the Faculty of the Womb is busied from the time of Conception to the Eighteenth Day of the first Month. But lastly which time reacheth to the 28 or 30 th day the outword parts are seen exquisitely elaborated and distinguished by Joynts and then the Child begins to grow and pant from which progress of days by reason the Limbs are divided and the whole frame is perfectâ—â—t is no longer held an imperfect Child
place and at present proceed to unravel other Mysteries of Nature CHAP. III. The reason why Children are often like their Parents and what the Mothers Imagination contributes thereto whence grows the Kind viz. Whether the Man or Woman is the cause of the Male or Female Childâ— c. THAT if a Woman in the Act of Copulation afford most Seed her likeness will have the greater impression upon the Child but if on the contrary then will follow the contrary effects or if a proportionable quantity proceed from either then will the Similitude depend upon either Lanctantius is of Opinion That when a Man's Seed falls on the left side of the Womb a Male Child may be gotten but by reason it is the proper place for a Female there will be something in it greatly resembling a Woman viz. It will be fairer whiter and smoother not very subject to have Hair on the Body or Chin long lank Hair on the Head Voice small and sharp and the Courage feeble and arguing yet further he says that a Female may perchance be procreated if the Seed fall on the right Side but then thro' extraordinary heat she will be very large boned full of Courage indued with a big Voice and have her Chin and Bosom hairy not being so clear as others of the Sex subject to quarrel with their Husband when married for the Superiority c. In case of the similitude nothing is more powerful than the Imagination of the Mother for if she conceive in her Mind or do by chance fasten her Eyes upon any Object and imprint it in her Memory the Child in its outward Parts frequently has some representation thereof so whilst a Man and Woman are in the Act of Copulation if the Woman earnestly he hold his Countenance and fix her Mind thereon without all peradventure the Child will resemble the Father nay so powerful is its Operation that though a Woman be in unlawful Copulation yet if fear or any thing else causes her to fix her Mind upon her Husband the Child will resemble him tho' he never got it The same effect according to the Opinion of the Learned proceeds from Imagination in cause of Warts Mold spots Stains Dashes and the Figures of strange things tho' indeed they sometimes happen thro' frights or extravagant Longings Many Women there are that seeing a Hare cross them when great with Child will through the strength of Imagination bring forth a Child with a hairy Lip Some Children again are born with flat Noses wry Mouths great blubber Lips and ill shaâ—ed Bodies and most ascribe â—he reason to the strange conceit of the Mother who has bâ—sied her Eyes and Mind upon some ill-shaped or distorted Creatures therefore it greatly behoves all Women â—ith Child to avoid any monstruous sight or at least to have a stedfast Mind not easily fixed upon any one thing more than another And this Opinion Pliny confirms in his 7th Book of natural things and the 12th Chapter The famous Sir Thomas Moore likewise conâ—irms it and discants merrily on a Passage of his times wherein a Person having divers Children would own none but one that was like him when in the end it proved by the asseveration of the Mother that all except that were of his own begetting but whilst another Man was mounted in his Saddle she fearing that he would come and detect her in the Act had her Imagination so fixed on him that as she conceived the similitude could proceed from no other cause wherefore it is apparent that likeness can confirm no Child to be a lawful Fatheâ—'s own Yet in manners wit and prophension of the Mind daily Examples teach us that Children are commonly of the same condition with their Progenitors and of the same nature but there is much in this whether venery be used with great or weak desire for many are less inclined to it and not so hot and consequensly not so desirous of Copulation but rather decline it unless Civility to their Wives cause them to compliance therein and then they procâ—â—d fainting and drowsily whence it happens that the Children fall short of the Parents nature wit and manners and hence it is that wise Men frequently beget stupid sloathful Children of feeble Minds because they are not much given to these delights But as I said on the contrary when the Progenitors are not in venerious Actions and do liberally abundantly employ themselves therein it oftentimes happens that the Children are of the same desires manners and actions of the Mind with thâ—ir Parents And thus much for the first point now I shall proceed to the second which is to shew what share each of the Parents have in begetting the Child c. And first we will give the Opinion of the Ancients about it Though it is apparent say they that the Seed of Man is the chief efficient and beginning of Action Motion and Generation yet that the Woman does afford Seed and effectually contributes in that particular to the Procreation of the Child is evinced by strong reasons In the first place Seminary Vessels had been given them in vain and genital Testicles interverted if the Woman wanted Seminal excessence for being Nature doth nothing in vain therefore it must be granted that they were made for the use of Seed and Procreation and fixed in their proper places both the Testicles and Receptacles of Seed whose nature and force is to operate and afford fruitful vertue to the Seed and to prove this there needs no stronger Argument say they than that if a Woman do not use Copulation to eject her Seed she oftentimes falls into strange Diseases as appears by young Widows and Virgins A second reason they urge that although the Society of a lawful Bed consist not altogether in these things yet it is apparent that the Female Sex is not better wonâ— and appear more blithe and jocund than when they are often satisfied this way which is an inducement to believe that they have greater Pleasure and receive more Contenâ— than a Man For since by Nature much Delight accompanies the Ejectionâ— by breaking forth of the swelling Spirit and the â—â—iffness of the Nerves in which case the operaâ—ion of the Womans part is double she suffering both ways even by ejection and reception whereby she is more recreated and delighted in the Veneral Act. Hence it is say they that the Child more frequently resembles the Mother than the Father because the Mother confers the most towards its Generation And they think it may be further instanced from the great love they bear them for that besides their contributing Seminal matter they during the time they are in the Womb feed and nourish the Child with the purest Fountain of Blood which Opinion Galen confirms by allowing the Child to participate more of the Mother than the Father and refers the difference of the Sex to the influence of menstrual Blood but the reason of the likeness he attributes
wrinkled and raised up it is a sign all will be well But that the Event may exactly answer the Prediction it is necessary to consider what part of the Body the Disease possesseth for if it chance tâ— be the upper part that is afflicted as the Hend or Stomach then will it not so well appear by the Members which frequently are unconcerned with such Grievances but the lower part of the Body exactly sympathizing with them their liveliness on the contrary makes it apparent for Natures force and the Spiâ—it that have their intercourse first manifest themselves therein which occasions Midwifeâ— to feel the Genitals of Chilâ—â—en to know in what part the Grief is resident and whether Life or Death be portended thereby the Symptom being strongly communicated by the Vessels that have their intercourse with the principal Seats of Life CHAP. IX The cause of the Green-sickness in Virgins with its Symptoms and Directions for its cure Together with the chiefest occasion of Barrenness in Women and by what means to remove the Cause and render them fruitful THE former of these ill conveniences is too apparent in Virgins especially such as are of a Flegmatick Complexion evidently shewing it self by discolouring the Face in making it look green pale or of a dusky yellow which proceeds from raw undigested Humours nor only doth it appear to the Eye but sensibly afflicts such as it possesses with difficulty of breathing pains in the Head Palpitation of the Heart unusual beatings and small throbings of the Arteries in the Temples Neck and Back many times casting them into Fevers if the humour be very vitious also loathing of Meat and the distension of the Hypocondriack part by reason of the inordinate Efflux of Menstrual Blood to the greater Vessels and by reason of the abundance of humour the whole Body is often trouble with Swelling or if not at least the Thighs Legs and Ankles all above the Heels And also there is a weariness of the whole Body without any reason at all for it The Galenists say that this Distemper proceeds chiefly from the obstruction of those Vessels that are about the Womb occasioned by the abundance of gross viscid and crude Humours arising from the several inward causes but there are also outward causes which have a share in the production of it as taking cold on the Feet drinking of Water Intemperance in Diet and also the eating of things which are wholly contrary to Nature viz. raw or burnt Flesh Ashes Coals old Shoes Chalk Wax Nut-shells Mortar Lime Oat meal Tobacco-Pipes which occasion not only a Suppression of the Menses but likewise obstructions thro' the whole Body Therefore the first thing necessary to eradicate the Cause is Matrimonial Conjunction and such Copulation that may prove to the satisfaction of her that is afflicted for by that means the Menses will begin to flow according to their natural and due course and the Humourt being diffused and dispersed will soon waste themselves and then no more matter being administred to increase them they will vanish and a good temperament of Body will return but in case such a Conjunction cannot be had so soon as necessity requires then let the Damsel Blood in the Ankle and if she be about 16 you may do it likewise in the Arm though suffer her not to bleed overmuch especially if the Blood be good If the Diseases be of any continuance then it is to be eradicated by purgation preparation of the humour being first considered which may be done by the Virgins drinking Decoction of Guaicum with Dittany of Creet but the best Purge in this case ought to be made of Aloes Agrick Senna Rhubard And then for strengthning the Bowels and open obstructions Chalybeet Medicines are chiefly to be used The Diet must be moderate and sharp things as Vinegar c. be by all means avoided Aâ—d for the unobstructing of the Humour take prepaâ—ed Steel Bezoar-stoâ—e the Root of Scorzonera and Oyl of Chrystal in small Wine and let the Diet be moderate but in no wise let Vinegar be used therewith nor upon any other occasion And in so oâ—serving the Humours will be dilated dissipated and transfused by which means the Complexion will return and the Body be lively and full of Vigour And now since Barrenness daily occasions discontent and that Discontent creates Difference between Man and Wife or by immoderate Grief frequently casts the Woman into one or other violent Distemper I shall somewhat largely treat thereof Sterility proceeds from divers Causes but most commonly from some defect in the Organs of Generation Upon the Womans part it most commonly happens from the strict closure of the Mouth of the Womb which will not admit the Seed and sometimes from the straitness of the Share-Bone which denies entrance to the Penis Sometimes also from Ulcers or Excrescencies in the Neck of the Womb. To these may be added too much Fatness which sâ—raitens the passage of the Matrix Most of the Antients are of opinion that â—â—nception is hindred commonly by the Humidity and moisture of the Womb when by reason thereof it cannot retain the Seed or by bad Humours heaped up there and â—urrupting it or strange defect of the Menstrâ—oâ—s Blood But certain it is that it preceeds either from some Tumour Ulcer Excâ—escence or by some fault or other of the Womb Ovaria or Ovi-Ducts For if the Eggs are not impregnated with the Aura Virilis or Seminal Spirit there can be no Conception the Testicles of Women having no such Office as those of Men but containing Eggs analogous to those of Fowls and other Creatures Now if the Orâ—fice of the Womb be closed that the Seed cannot enter or rather the two Wings or Nymphae so â—ar that â—he Penis cannot pass the Neck of the Womb it must be opened by an Instrument and subject to this defect in Natâ—re are many Women especially in hot Countrys but most of all in Egypt where the Chirurgeons are forced with Silver Instruments to make way for the Instrument of Generation a thiug not altogether unpracticable in England In case the Neck of the Womb be so strait that the Yard cannot enter then is the case to be inquired into whether it be naturally so or proceed from some swelling or Schirrus either within or without and if such things appears it is for the most part incurable but if it be a natural straitness then sâ—pple it with a Tent dipped in Oyl of Roses and the white of Eggs and drink Camomile Posset sweetned with Sugar-Candy Morning and Evening and by the proportion thereof the Womb will in all parts distend or if it so happen in a young Woman Nature will increase the passage and time produce things fitting to their mutual Satisfaction but let no Man by violence endeavour to force the Passage lest he break the Vessels nay endanger the Bladder it self which has been broke with such violent Intrusion and so coft the Woman her Life If the
Neck of the Womb be ulcerated or any Excresenses happen there which equally hinder Copulation then may they be known by the pain and shooting upon the least compressure and the issuing forth of putrid Humour and sometimes Blood of the Ulcer be great and the Menses flow the Water hot pains ariâ—ing in the fore part of the Head and oftentimes they occasion gentle Fevers And these obstructions of Generation happen divers ways sometimes from external Causes viz. Rash Physick hard Labours or excessive Copulation and sometimes from internal as the Corruption of the Secun-line the courses too long retained or obstructed heat and overflowing of the urinal Vessels Virulent Gonorrhaeas Pox Inflammation turned into Apostume Humours flowing from divers parts of the Body and settling there all which must be duly considered Now some are in the outward part and may be the easier come at at and external Applications as are most convenient applied thereto but those that cannot be come at must be cured if possible by injection the best injection in this case is as follows viz. Break four Eggs and take the Whites only the which beat with an unequal quanty of Rose-water mingled with Plantain-water Litherage of Gold Camphire Bole-Armonick Ceruse of each a Dram half a Dram of Green Copperas all which well beaten dissolved and mixed together strained through a fine Cloth and with a Syrringe inject it Morning and Evening till the grief cease and if it smart that it cannot be well endured you may sometimes inject warm Milk to cleanse the puâ—rified Matter Others there are that are not so violent and therefore admit of any easie Cure not being so deep known by a putrid Greenish Matter that flows from them To cure this take Water wherein Barley has been boiled Honey of Roses new Milk and Sugar with the Decoction of Lentils and after them gentle Astringents must be applied Some again are sordid having much Contagious Humour flowing from them to cure which stronger Medicaments must be applied Others there are that eat into the Flesh having a green Contagion flowing from them to cleanse which Aloes and Wormwood concocted in White-wine are most requisite Another sort of Ulcers there are which appear long eating away the Skin from off the Neck of the Womb and are discerned by the Blood and pain they occasion immediately upon the Concression appearing in the Neck of the Womb much like Chilblains occasioned by ill lying extraordinary Venery by violent inflammations or flux of sharp Humours The best cure after a gentle Purge is an Astringent Clyster and after that to anoint them with the Grease that fries out of a Ladle often used in a Kiâ—chen when it is held to the Fire mixed with Unguentum album or Pomatum If the defect be in the Seed through tenderness of age in the Woman than the best Remedy is convenient Diet moderate Exercise and temperate Air together with patience in the Man till Nature in process of time operates so effectually that all things appear and conspire to mutual satisfaction If the Woman be stricken in years and the time of breeding Children be past which in some happens sooner and others later according to their several Constitutions but generally between 44 aud 45 unless strong Preparatives viz. an Extraordinary Diet easie Lodging and moderate Exercise restore them those Women must despair of furâ—her Generation For as the Learned in this Art frequently observe where is neither Buds nor Blossoms there can be no Fruit. If Sterility be occasioned by Obstructions in the Vessels which it often does then the cause must be enquired into and this often happens the which is known by the small desire to Venery and the little or no satisfaction received thereby a settling in the Courses and a slimy Flegmatick Matter mixed therewith as also by their inordinate flowing occasioned by the plenty of Humours collected in the Womb which by reason of the abundance of windy Vapours contracted therein causes Obstructions To which may be added a cold Flegmatick Constitution and from hence it is that sudden paleness arises in the Face c. To remedy this the Party must alter her Diet not eating any Cold Raw Flegmatick substance but rather such things as are apt to stir up Cholerick hot Humours in the Body as Anniseeds or Carraway-seeds in her Bread store of Penniroyal in her Broth let her likewise each Morning for a Week together make a Posset in which she must boil the Roots of Birthwort Angelico Sage Rosemary Cinamon and Burrage The taking the Male Herb Mercury Dittany Centaury Marygolds Cubebs Saffron Mugwort and Clove-Gilliflowers of each a handful boil them in White-Wine and eject the Concoction by little and little at sundry times as the cold or obstruction can be perceived Anointing the Belly and Reins of the Back one day with Oyl of Cinnamon next with the Oyl of Nutmeg or Mace and the third with the Oyl of Myrrh and so continuing to do for a Month together When the Woman lies down Nature will be wonderfully restored and recover such force as to remove the Obstructions Many there are that conceive Barrenness is frequently caused by Inchantation but those Opinions are altogether frivolous and vain If the Womb be defective in its Retentive Faculty Men frequently labour in vain in such a case the Woman must avoid Sorrow Anger or much Sleep Eating new Cheese Milk and raw Food especially Lettice Edive Spinage Beets Nuts Cherries Purslain Onions Garlick and the like they all being hurtful to Generation Nor must she drink nor use Vinegar nor eat the Fat of Meat too frequently but the Womb must be cleansed from the over abundant moisture with the Decoction of Hearts-Tongue an Herb so called Cummin Fennel and Anniseed and strengthned with the Syrup of Wormwood and for a gentle operative Purge in this case take half an Ounce of Laudanum Bees-wax Sheeps Suet and Agarick of each a like quantity melt and bruise them after which make them up into little Pills and take three in a Morning and next to them take of this Conception to the bigness of an Nutmeg viz. The shavings of Ivory Ash-keys yellow and wild Rape-Seed Siler Montanus with red and white Behen of each one Dram Cinnamon Galinga Longâ—Pepper Cloves and Mace Balsam-wood Rosemary Flowers Blatiae Bezaria Gentle Marjorum and Penny-royal of each 4 Scruples Balm Bogloss Cittern Reils of each 2 Scruples Pearl dissolved or beaten to Powder one Scruple Musk two Grains White-Sugar one Pound and an half briuse them and seeth them over a gentle Fire in as much Malmsey as will make them into a Confection This Confection is indeed a most singular and approved one in all cases of Barrenness where cold or obstructions of the Vessels do accasion weakness in the Womb. Other causes of Barrenness there are when the Woman grows fat as we have said before so that the Caul swelling and bearing beyond its bounds with its fatness obstructs the Passage into
fit to lay them down for a rule to such as are desirous of self-preservation And indeed for want of due observance divers Diseases afflict Child-bearing Women nay the Child is frequently lost or if it come to a perfect Birth proves sickly and disordered through the evil Homoursâ— that are derived to it through the Mothers misobservance In the first place then the Woman with Child ought to choose a Temperate Air not infected with Fogs arising from Marshes Ditches Ponds Lakes or Rivers and not to go abroad in too hot nor too cold Weather nor when the South wind blew strong for that Wind above all others disturbs and disorders Women with Child oftentimes causing Abortion And next to it the North Wind is hurtful causing Catarrhs Coughs and Rheums which opening the Body causes the Woman to bring forth before her time In short if any evil Vapour be drawn in during Pregnancy causes divers Diseases In caâ—â— of Diet she ought to be very cautious in chusing such Meats as create wholsom nourishment all Meats that are moderately dry being taken so to do and let her observe not to fast immoderately for that renders the Child sickly and weak and often for want of nourishment constrains it to be born before its time nor on the other hand must she be too gluttinous for that again stuffs it and causes â—t to swell beyond its natural bounds All Meats either too hot or too cold and moist are to be avoided as Salads Spices Meats and the extraordinary use of their Meats which makes the Children come forth oftentimes without Nails which is a sign of short Life The most wholsom Meats in this case are Pidgeons Turtles Larks Partridges Pheasants Veal Mutton or any such Meat that is of good Juice and contributing to kindly Nourishment as also such Fruits as are sweet and often Digestion as Cherries Pears Damsons c. but let her avoid such things as subject her Body to windiness Her Longings if extravagant she must restrain at least as much as in her lies not eating any thing that is filthy or contrary to Nourishment nor let her sleep immediately aâ—ter Meâ—l and not at all in the day-time if she can avoid it the Night being preferable in such cases when she may sleep her fill so it exceed not nine hours Her Exercise ought to be moderate for violent motion either in walking or otherwise molests and disturbs the Womb Riding in a Coach especially upon the Stones or in un-even way the last three Months are dangerous as also extraordinary Sounds Noises and above all the Ringing of the Bells and discharging the Guns Laughing Crying or immoderate Anger or any other Passion is extreamly hurtful nor in the first four Months after Conception ought she to lie with her Husband for as much as the Act of Copulation moves and shakes the Womb and consequently the Fruit therein causes the courses to descend She must likewise in the 6th and 8th month abstain but in the 7th and 9th it is not forbidden but rather to be encouraged by reason as Physicians affirm it opens the Passage and thereby facilitates the Birth and the better to help it the Woman ought to take such things as may keep her Body soluble as Syrups and other loosening Matters as may help Nature in its Operation especially let her observe when she grows any thing big to lay aside her Busk and go loose that the Child may have free Scope for two Reasons First That it may not be hurt and Secondly That being unrestrained it may come to its full growth CHAP. XIX Further Considerations how Women ought to govern themselves during Pregnancy 'T IS further to be observed that after Delivery the Breasts frequently grow extream large and swell over-much to prevent which and to avoid the danger of too much Blood which cause curdled or curdy Milk so that from the effects thereof divers Diseases arise in the Breast so soon as the Woman perceives her self with Child let her wear about the Neck a small Necklace of Gold or Steel or a small ingot of the latter to hang between her two Breasts fomenting her Breasts a quarter of an hour every Morning with Water distilled from Sage Perewinkle Ground-Ivy being Blood-warm In her fourth Month when the motion is great and her Belly swells big she may swath it with a Swath-band anointed with Pomatum or the like to make which I shall give Direction and in so doing she will keep it smooth and free from wrinkles as also from hanging down like a Tripe after Delivery Receipt Take of the Gall of Kid and of a Sow of each 3 ounces of Capons grease and Goose-grease of each one ounce and a half and having melted them put thereto a quarter of a pint of Water after which strain them through a Linnen-Cloth into fair Water casting it to and fro therein till it be white at what time add to it the Marrow of a Red Deer one ounce and lay it in Red Rose-water 12 hours after the expiration of which you may use it in anointing the Swath as aforesaid as also the Belly If the Ingredients aforesaid cannot be gotten then the following Lineaments is effectual though the former is better viz. Make of Mutton-Suet adjoyning to the Kidneys and of Dogs-Grease each two ounces Whale-Oyl an ounce and of sweet Almond-Oyl the like quantity wash them well after they are melted together in the Water of Germander or new White-wine and anoint the Belly therewith or the Swath-band ordained to suppoâ—t it But for such as are not desirous to anoint their Bellies they may use the following Bathe or Concoction Take of all the sorts of Mallows and of Motherwort each two Handfuls Lilly-roots the White ones to the weight of Three Ounces Melilot and Camomile of both Two Handfuls Lime-seeds Quince-seed and Fenn-greek seed Three Ounces proportionable of each boyl them in Spring-Water and bathe therewith If the VVoman during her pregnancy feels but little motion in her VVomb let her make a Quilt as followeth and bind it upon her Navel and it will greatly strengthen the Infant viz. Take the Powder of Roses Red Corral and Gillyflowers of each Three Ounces Mastick a Dram and of Angelica-sâ—eds two Drams Two Grains of Amber-greese and one of Musk all which being well beaten put them into a Linnen Bag expanded and quilted that they may be in every part of it placing it upon the Navel CHAP. XX. Rules to be observed upon a VVoman lying down and her Delivery c. HAving thus far proceeded in what as I highly conceived is necessary to be known by the Professors of this Art I shall gradually proceed to what remains And first to inform the Reader what is necessary to be observed upon the Womans lying in order to her Delivery The hour according to computation of time and the disposition of the Body approaching let the Woman send for a skilful Midwife not delaying so to do but rather too
more than ordinary to increase the Milk by degrees which must be of no continuance but draw off either by the Child or otherwise In this case likewise let her have Coriander or Fennel-seed boiled in her Barley-Broath but by any means for the time specified let her abstain from Meat If no Fever trouble her she may drink now and then a small quantity of White Wine or Claret as also Syrup of Maiden-hair or other Syrup that is Astringent taking it in a little water well boiled And after the Suspicion of a Fever or fear of Contraction of Humours in the Breast she may be nourished more plentifully with the Broath of Pullets Capons Pidgeons Mutton Veal c. which must not be till after eight days from the day of Delivery is over at what time the Womb unless some accident hinder has purged it self it will then likewise be expedient to give her cold Meats sparingly that so she may be enabled to gather strength she during the time resting quiet and free from disturbance not sleeping in the day time if she can avoid it If there happen any obstruction in the evacuation of the Excrement a Glyster may be administred to help the defect made after the manner following Receipt Take of both the Mallows and Pelletory of the Wall a handful of each Cammomile and Mellylot Flowers of each a handful Anniseeds and Fennel-seeds of each two Ounces boil them in the decoction of a Sheeps-head and take of this three quarters dissolving in them of common Honey and course Sugar two Ounces of each and of new fresh Butter two Ounces strained well and administer it Glisterwise but if it operate not to your mind then may you take an Ounce of Catholicon CHAP. XXIII What ought to be done to the Child when newly born with divers other matters relating thereto THE Navel of the Child having been before recited the Midwife must cleanse the Infant not only in the Face but likewise the whole Body anointing the Groin Hips Buttocks with Oyl of sweet Almonds or Oyl of Roses to make the Skin supple and close the Pores thereby to exclude the penetration of the Air and strengthen the Members nor would it be amiss if she should take the decoction of Roses or Rose-cakes and Red-Sage decocted in White-wine and bathe the Child therewith the decoction being blood-warm The Infant being thus well anointed or suppled and well dâ—ied wrap it up warm and give it a spoonful of Sugar and Mallago or a scruple of Mithridate or Venice-Treacle dissolved in half a spoonful of Canary and after it a little Cardus water observing to bathe or anoint it each Morning as aforesaid If the Child have extream throws immediately after it comes into the World it must be rubbed with Juice of Pellitory or the Decoction into which fresh Butter is melted or for wanting of that Spinage-Juice with Hogs Grease applied to the Navel with new-layed Eggs mixedâ— or cemented with Nut Oyl laying them likewise to the Navel or you may administer a Glister made of Milk the Yolk of an Egg and a small quantity of Sugar which will undoubtedly ease the pain Now some Children are born of evil constituted Parents or are defective thro' the evil nourishment the Woman has unadvisedly taken during her Pregnancy which occasions the Child to be much afflicted with flegmatick Humours to expel which you may lay the Child on one side and then turn him to the other for laid upon the Back it is subject to Suffocation or Strangling by the ascent of the humour the Belly must above all things be kept soluble causing thereby the Infant to aviod the Blood kept in the Intrails from the time of its being in the Womb by giving it a small quantity of Suppository of black Soap mixed with fresh Butter to take away the Acrimony of it after which immediately let the Infant take a spoonful of Syrup of Violets which will oblige the Flegm to pass down but if heat be defective add to the Syrup half the quantity of Oyl of sweet Almonds bathing the Belly and Stomach of it as often as it is undressed If it happens that the Child's Cods be of Wind the Child must be gently moved to and fro and the Cods anointed with Oyl of Mirrh giving it the liquid of Anniseeds boiled in small Drink if they be swelled or extended with Water rub and chafe the Skin with fresh Butter and the Water will sweat out But what is more to be regarded than any other thing is the chusing a good Nurse for upon that choice depends the thriving or not thriving of the Child and in such cases these things ought to be regarded viz. Observe that she be not dull-sighted sqnint-eyed or have down-casts looks that she be not consumptive or subject to Fits that her Breath is pure that so no noisome Vapour be conveyed to the Lungs of the Child that she be not affected with Bloaches Boils Blains or that she or her Husband were never afflicted with the French Disease that she be not given to excessive Drinking or Gluttony nor in the least subject to Epilepsie or falling Evil. For the Nurse being in a manner the second Mother to the Child it drawing from her good or evil humours especially care must therefore be taken that the Nurse be good conditioned moderate in Meat and Drink wakeful and vigilant not fretful nor subject to passion that her Milk be clean and sweet flowing sufficiently her Breasts well fixed and large nor over fleshy nor she over fat and above all that she be not too desirous of carnal Copulation by which means the Milk will be rendred unwholesome Having thus far proceeded in these affairs I shall through God's blessing lay down divers necessary matters for the preservation of Childing Women and Infants thereby to prevent the hazard and loss which too often happens in such cases CHAP. XXIV To know the exact time of Delivery by signs that precedes it and how to cause the Woman to retain the Birth IN the buâ—iness of Generation nothing is more to be regarded by the Woman than the time of her Conception and Quickning that thereby she may be enabled to be exact in the time of her Delivery every natural Delivery being at the end of 9 Months especially if at the time or near it the Woman is wont to have her natural Purgations or at that time fall out with the full or new Moon Nay tho' a day or two before or aâ—ter for these things so falling out not only hasten but faciliate Delivery and the knowledge of this must extend to the Woman for many reasons First that she may prepare and dispose her self for so great a task Secondly for that at such a time divers Maladies are incident to her nor can their cause be penetrated into unless those things be well known c. Now one thing necessary the better to inable the Woman to understand it is the time of her natural
Courses for in case she have forgot or by not rightly understanding their natural Efflux or is puzzled therein by reason of some unnatural retention or extraordinaâ—y evacuation she may rectifie her Judgment by these directions viz. From the Age of 14 to 21 Women have their Coursesâ— according to the most natural Courses in the New Moon from 21 to 30 in the first Quarter from 30 to 37 or 38 in the full Moon and from that time to the time they cease in the last Quarter Beside what is before-mentioned she will be made sensible of the approaching time by pain in her Groin Thighs the small of her Belly the lower part of her Navel together with swelling and hardness in the said places shivering and quaking through out the body as if possess'd with an Ague and suddenly after with flushing heat feebleness and lassitude small Sweats on the Face and flushings of the blood there and her body will be in a manner restless she shall perceive the Child move downward with more force than ordinary and a bloody Water will distil from the inferior parts in case of these Fore-runners she may be assured her time is at hand when as she must not delay sending for her Midwife whose Office 't is to order her to the best advantage directions for which I have already given for wonderful it is that Nature has so well ordered her works that the Matrix opens not unless upon some Extraordinary Casualty before the time prefixed and not till then do these signs appear But appearing they ought to be much regarded if the Woman desire her own safety and the preservation of the Child In case the Woman be subject to Miscarriage or to come before her time let her take Mint Roses Marjorumâ— of each a small handful Saâ—fron â—nd Musk of each three Grains bruise thâ—m togethâ—r put them in a Bag flat and hang it about the Woman`s Neck so that it mâ—y reach the pit of her Stomach and iâ— will draw the Womb upward or keep it in its place that it shall not fall down or give the Child occasion to seek for unâ—imely passage CHAP. XXV Of the Washing of Women after Delivery with Dirâ—ctions how to make them FOR the first Wash take a good handful oâ— young â—hâ—rvil boil it in two pints of Water whiâ—h having done add to it a spoonful of Honey of Roses and let the Midwife use it at her discretion and it will draw down the Puâ—gations heal and cleanse the affâ—icted part There are some that use Milk instead of Water affiâ—ming that it greatly mitigates the painâ— bâ—t by those whom Experience has taughâ— better it is rejected this having beâ—n used eight days the second wash may be made Take Province Roses moist if you can but if not the dry Cakes put them in a little Linnâ—n Bag and boil them sufficiently in half a pint of Water and half a pint of white Wine and use it as the former fâ—r the other eight Days viz. The liquid part being well strained The third and last Wash must be made of the decoction of Province Roses in a pint of white Wine and a quarter of a pint of Mirrh Water and used only four days CHAP. XXVI An Astringent for Women when occasion requires as also Directions for a Cere-Cloth and how to cleanse her before she rose TO make an Astringent Take Pomegranates Roach-Allum and Galls of each Two Ounces Knot-Grass a handful of Province Roses four Ounces the Rinds of Cassia and Pomegranates each threâ— Ounces of Scarlet berries and Spermaceti of each one ounce The waters of Roses Myrrh and Burnet of each one ounce and a half White-wine and Water of the Smiths Forg of each a quarter of a Pint then take two little Bags about a quarter of a yard long and half a quarter broad boyl them in the Waters with the drugs of Simples in them and in a new glaz'd Pipkin and use them successively as occasion requires To make an exceeding convenient Sear-cloth to ease the pain and reduce the Body into a good temperament Take Virgins Wax 8 ounces Spermaceti and Venice Turpentine well washed in Rose and Plantine Water of each an ounce and a half adding to them whilst they are melting an ounce of white Lead of Venice pulverized and having by the operation of the Fire well mixed them together spread them Plaister-wise upon a Cloath fit to cover the Belly as far as it is convenient some of this you may lay upon the Nipples having first anointed them with the Oyl of Acorns or Spermaceti and it will allay the Inflammation and much strengthen them To cleanse a Woman before she rises Take a considerable quantity of bitter Almonds pell them bruise them well and make them into a Paste with the Yolk of an Egg and Powder of Grise put the Past â—nto a bag of Shamy and dip it in black VVine tempering it well and use it upon â—he place where the Sear-cloths have been â—aid one after that wash the said places with black VVine wherein Orange flowers have been steeped and it will cleanse these parts to admiration CHAP. XXVII How to expel the Cholick from Women in Child-Birth and the violent Gripings that attend the first Delivery THese pains frequently afflict the VVoman no less than the pangs of her Labour and are by the Ignorant taken many times the one for the other sometimes again they joyn forces and happen at the same instant which is occasioned by the crudy Maâ—ter in the Stomach contracted â—hrough indigestion and while such a pain â—asts the VVoman advanceth nothing towards her Travel to expel the Fits of the Cholick therefore Take two Ounces of sweet-Almond Oyl and an Ounce of Cinnamon Water with three or four drops of Spirit of Ginger and let the Woman drink it off and if this work not your Desire make a Glyster of Camomile Baum Leaves Olive Oyl and new Milk boiling the former â—n the latter and having strained it very well administer it as 't is usual in such cases nor are Fomentations proper for dispelâ—ing mind amiss If the pain prove the griping or fretting of the Guts continuing long after Delivery or if it happen upon the Courses descending by reason of the smalness of the Veins which convey the Blood into the Matrix which often befalls Women lying in of the first Child wherefore it is altogether convenient to use such a Remedy at such a time as may eradicate the cause for the future and above all I recommend this most approved one used with success by many noble Women Receipt Take the Root of great Camfry a Dram Nutmegs and Peach Kernels of each two Scruplâ—s yellow Amber and Amber-Grease of the former a Dram and the latter a Scruple bruise them togethe and give them the Woman as soon as she is lay'd down in two or three Spoonfuls of White-wine but if it so happen that she be Fevâ—rish then let it be in as much warm Broth.