the orgâ—ns of sense and motion with the liver spleen stomach belly mesentery bladder strait â—ut back hips arms and legs and causeth symâ—toms As Galen â—aith the mother or hysterical â—â—â—â—ion is one name but hath under it innumeâ—â—ble Symptoms Chap. 4. Of Suffocation of the Womb. IN this they seem to be strangled And there are so many Symptoms at once that it is impossible to define it by one Sometimes there is only short breath sometimes the animal actions are hurt the whole body is cold from a malignant vapor sent up from the womb The immediate Cause is a vapor malignant and venemous sent up by the arteries veins and nerves that hurt the actions of the parts it goes to This vapor is like air or wind thin and little but very strong to get presently through the whole body it chieâ—ly ascends to the gullet and causeth choaking as eating of Mushrooms Hellebore and other poysons There is often short difficult breathing with heart-ach vomiting and loathing If the vapor go first to the heart the motion of it ceaseth and there is swounding and she falls down If it go to the brain the animal actions are hurt When â—eed and terms corrupt in the womb with other bad humors they breed this evil vapor because they are the best substance and the beginning of generation they are worst when corrupted especially seed to hurt the whole body Somtimes it is in women with child when they have not their after puâ—ging but evil humors aâ—e leâ—t and corrupt in the womb The chief cause of this humor is in the trumpet of the womb and stones the body of which is hollow and loose the stones being in bladders and have hollowness full of water which in hystâ—rical women is yellow and thicker then ordinary This trumpet and the stones are often taken for the womb it selfâ— when they are swollen with corrupt seed and humors and wind and reach to the navel of which in the Chapter of ascent of the Womb. This disease is breeding sooner or longer as the matter is more or less somtimes corrupt humoâ—s lie still and if they be stirred they send a venom or vapor to the whole body now in women subject to this disease sweet sâ—ents to the nose or taken in or anger will move these huhumors and vapors They are according to the variety of the symptoms and efficient cause or venemous humors for corrupt blood especially seed puts on another Nature That Suffocation is at hand it appears by laziness weakness of the legs paleness sad countenance and the motion of somthing like a ball in the belly with noise like Froggs Snakes or Crows so that some think it devillish There is also belching yawning yexing short wind heart-beating loathing dulness laughture at the coming of the fit â—rom the vapor gâ—tting into the membrâ—ne of the breast that tickle them some cry some both laugh and cry These Symptoms increase when the fit comes and the jaws are closed that she seems to be choaked and sense and motion is gone or depraved Some have Convulsions some hâ—ar what is done about them but cannot speak the â—ulâ—e iâ— less the whole body is cold and the eyes 〈◊〉 as if they were dead When the â—it declines humors sâ—ow from the â—rivâ—â—iâ—s the guâ—s rumble the eyes open the cheeks grow red and the body warm the animal actions return and the patient sighs and comes to her self It is known to be from corrupt seed if the terms are in order and short breath and low voice Suffocation and Convulsions and all Symptomes are then more vehement and at the end of the fit there flows a humor like seed out of the privities It is from the terms if they be stopt or flow not orderly and if there be a disâ—ase in the womb it is neither from the seed noâ— the terms 1. If there come swounding or a great Convulsion or quenching of natural heat it is deadly 2. Suffocation from corrupt seed is more dangerous then that which is from the terms mixt with melancholick humors 3. The longer it lasts and the worse the symptoms the more is the danger It ceaseth in yong women when they begin to bear children 4. The oftner the fit comes the more you may â—ear the quenching of the natural heat by weakning of the heart often and if she foam at the mouth she dies The Cure of the Fit In the fit you must discuss the malignant vapors that riseth from the womb and turn it fâ—om the principal parts and you must evacuate the matter that breeds it and prevent its return Cal upon her loud pluck the hairs of her privities and ears make strong Ligatures and Frictions cup the legs and thighs and gâ—oyns hold stinks to the nose as Partridg-feathers burnt hairs Leather Horn Castor Assa foetida Galbanum oyl of Amber Rue the warts on Horses legs dried and the pouder upon coals burnt makes a â—ume which if taken in the nose suddenly raised them Apply sweet Scenâ—s to the priviâ—ies as Civeâ— Musk Gallia and Alâ—pta mosâ—hata or pouder of Cloves Or Take Storax calamita Benzoin each a dram Gallia moschata half a sâ—ruple make Troâ—hes with Gum Trâ—ganth and let the Fume be taken into the womb by a Funnel A Liniment Take Storax Benzoin each a dram Gallia moschata half a scruple Civet four grains liquid Storax half a scruple with Cotton put it into the womb Clysters to discuss wind draw down the matter Take the Carminative Dâ—coction a pint Electuary of Hiera six drams Benedicta laxativa an â—â—â—ce Oyl of Rue and Bayberriâ—s each a dram Use Womb-clysters and Pessaries to women that have known man Take Electuary of Hiera and Diaphaenicon each two drams Turpentine half an ounce Honey of Mercury an â—unce Castor halâ— a dram â—â—th Wool make a Pessary Oyl of Tin applied to the navel doth remove the sit Or Rue Castor and sneesing Pouders As Take white Hellebore halâ— a scruple long Pepper â—nd Ginger each half a dram or put Oyl of Amâ—â—â— into the Nose and Eâ—rs Apply to the Womb this Take Oyl of Rue â—aâ—s each two ounâ—â—s Cummin seed Câ—stâ—r dissolâ—â—â— in Vinâ—gar eâ—ch two drams with Wax make a 〈◊〉 Or use a â—lâ—â—sâ—â—r of â—â—lbâ—num Caâ—or and Aâ—â—a foetida A compound distilled Water Take Zedoary â—â—smp sâ—â—ds Lovage â—â—â—ts each two ounâ—â—s Mirrh Castor each half an oâ—nce Piony roots four ounâ—â—â— Misteto of the Oak gathered in the wain of the Moâ—n three ounces ad water of Motherwort four pinâ—s anâ— half Spirit of Wine a pint and half steep them eigâ—â— daies distil and give a spoonful with Tile-flower or Mugwort water or Oyl of Amber some drops Or Take Castor Mirrh Assa faetida each a sâ—ruplâ—â— Pepper half a scruple with syrup of Mugwort mâ—lâ— Pills give three The Cure out of the Fit First prevent the â—eed from corrupting in the womb and if it be corrupt evacuate it presenâ—â—y
the body and it could not form the child 〈◊〉 would Nature make milk of it Therefore menstrual blood onely offends quantity and not in any maniâ—eâ—t or hidden qâ—lity But it hath strange qualities when it is 〈◊〉 with bad humors or is kept too long in body to be corrupted and cause great Syâ—toms but this is when it is mixâ—â— with bad mors or is out of its vessels and so corrupts Question 3. Of the â—ext of Aristotle 7. de hist Animalium câ—pâ—â— and how it is to be understâ—od Aristotle writes thus Constantly every month â—ome have their Terms but most in the third as â—f he should say Few women have their courses â—very month but many have them every third â—onth This is against Galen and against expeâ—ience for it is certain that among six hundred women scarce one hath them every third month Therefore there is either an errour in the Greek Text or in the Translation or great Men do often 〈◊〉 which is probable and so did Arist tle in this of Physick Therefore it is in vain to defend their â—rrour Chap. 2. Of the Terms flowing too soon ORdinarily they begin at fourteen but many have had them sooner A child of eleâ—en daies old had a bloody humor flowing from 〈◊〉 privities Another of five years old had eveâ—y month a moderate flux Fernel reports that Girl of eight years old had the Terms but these 〈◊〉 rare and for the most part very lecherous 〈◊〉 short lived Chap. 3. Of want and stopping of the Terms SOme Women have them not till eighteen or twenty Some before and then they stop for a time without either giving suck or being with child Some have been without them three five or seven months and then they came agaiâ— This is an evil constitution or suppression of thâ—â— which it ought to flow from the fault of the blood and stoppage of the passages When Terms are wanting either blood is wanting oâ— stopt It is wanting either beâ—ause it iâ— not made or dispersed or turned to other useâ— for nature being more sollicitoâ—s to preserve the individual person then to propagate the speciâ—s spends 〈◊〉 in preserving of the person Blood is not made from divers causes as aâ—e cold constitution of â—iver Heart or a disease which distempers the â—â—wels Or often bleeding from great vessels or â—â—om having many issues which take from the blood It is spent other waies as before ripe age anâ— when women are with child or give suck or iâ— hot Natures and fat women in whom it is tuâ—ned to fat It is in vain to provoke Terms iâ— these There are other external evident causes of sâ—â—â—ping of the Terms as too great labour troubleâ—â—adness fear but these last do not only wast 〈◊〉 blood but cool and corrupt it and cause obsâ—â—ctions as Hippocrates speaks of Phatusa the 〈◊〉 of Pytheus The proper causes are the straitness of 〈◊〉 passages or evil conformation of the 〈◊〉 through which it should slow Or the closinâ— the womb of which we spake but I speak 〈◊〉 of the veâ—sels The usual cause of obsâ—â—uction is thick 〈◊〉 humors fâ—om the blood too thiâ—k or mixed 〈◊〉 melancholy which comes with it to the veiâ—â— the womb and stops them This thick blood comes from a cold distemper of the stomach liver and spleen from thick and gross food and drinking cold water when the Terms flow So thought Galen in his time of the Roman women that drank Snow-waterâ— and had few or no coursesâ— Straitness is when the body of the womb is made thicker either by Nature or other causes as a cold and dry or hot and dry disteâ—per Thirdly straitness is from compression of the vessels by a Scirrhus or hardness of the parts adjacent as the straight gut or by the stone in the bladder and the womb displaced Fourthly the flesh may grow together by a membrane that grows to the vessels or a â—â—ar after a wound Or after a mischance when the veins annexed to the Secundine grow so together that they cannot be opened of which in the first Question They are not the same in women and Virgins for blood stopt in Virgins goes to and â—ro changeth the colour and brings Feavers especially the white Feaver or Green-sickness But in women it goes more to the womb and brings Symptomes as loathing vomiting and Pica Galen hath other signs as heaviness a lazy pain in the loyns neck and behind in the head that reacheth to the roots of the eyes from the spâ—eading of the blood stopt through the whole body This laziness is chieâ—ly in the thighs and leggs by reason of the veins there consenting with the womb And are of a green complexion and hairy with a beard and shrill voice You may know women with child from such aâ— want their Terms only by pâ—â—per signs First the women with child keep their colour but the other are pale and ill-câ—loured they are merry the other sad 2. Their Symptoms daily grow milder but in the other they daily grow worse 3. You may feel the child move 4. It is perceived in a month You shall know from what causes the Terms are stopt thus If the Liver be cold there is no blood made that is superfluous and there are signs of a â—old Liver and you may know that blood is not sent to the womb when there is no heaviness pain or tumor about the womb the liver or spleen are stopt If it be â—rom flegm or melancholy which is oâ—ten there are signs of their abounding as lazâ—ness paleness seldom pulse crude urin Hippocrates saith That if the Terms stop therâ— are diseases in the womb tumors imposthumes ulcers and barrenness and diseases in the whole body Green-sickness Leucophlegmacy Dropsie Vomiting of blood Heart-ach Cough And the longer they have been stopt the haâ—der they are to be opened If the blood stopâ— go out at the nose it is good If it have great Symptomes there is fear of death You must not give Medicines to move the Terms to extenuate lean persons nor to such as want blood and have a weak Liver but they must be sed high First see iâ— bloâ—d abound and then aâ—ter a Leniâ—ive open a veinâ— and lâ—t that blood which is in the veins be drawn to the womb Galâ—â— took thâ—ee â—ints of blood at three times fâ—om 〈◊〉 leâ—n womâ—n and cured her of an old stopping 〈◊〉 the Terms You must open the ankle veinâ— the firâ—t day the right the next the left four or five daies before the time Or you may cup and â—â—ariâ—ie the Leggs And bind the parts below and rub them after general evacuation opening of the Haemorrhoids doth hurt and so do Issues because they draw from the womb Hiera picra halâ— an ounce or Pills de Tâ—ibus oâ— Hiera simple are good first Then prepare as Take water of Mugwort 〈◊〉 Maidenhair â—aâ—h three â—uâ—ces Syrup oâ—â—he five Roots and of Mugwort each two ounces maâ—e
better remedy Then temper and evacuate the humors if theâ— be adust and there be madnessâ— use strongâ—â— Then have a Bath of Lettice Willow Water-lillies Vine-leaves Purslane Venus navel red Roses Violets Waterlillies Let her sit twice â— day in it and not sweat To take away the sharpness of the seed use Lettice Violets Waterlillies and things that quenâ—h seed by a secret quality as Agnus castus â—eed Leaves and Flowers of Champhyre hereâ—â—â—er Asâ— Take leaves of Waterlillies Agnus castus Willow each three handfuls Lettice Purslane Veâ—â—â— navel each a handful Lettice Poppy sâ—ed the 〈◊〉 great cold Seeds each half an ounce Dill seed 〈◊〉 drams Waterlillies a handful Violets half a â—â—ndful beat them with juyce of Lemons distil them â—â—er twenty four hour add to every pint a dram of â—mphire give an ounce Or Take Agnus caâ—â—â—ieaves Rue Willow each two handfuls Mints 〈◊〉 of Dill each a handful and half Waterlillies â—â—lf a handful Agnus castus seeds Hemp Coriâ—â—der Lettice seed each half an ounce beat them â—nd distil them with water add a pint of juyce of Leâ—â—ns rectifiâ— it to half An Emulsion Take Lettice and white Poppy 〈◊〉 and the four great cold Seeds each half an ounce 〈◊〉 of Lettice Waterlillies Willow each four ounâ—s Syrup of Violets two ounces Magistery of Coâ—â—â— dram An Electuary Take Conserve of Waterlillies â—â—â—lets of Agnus caâ—tus topâ—â— eâ—â—h an ounce of Roâ—â— hâ—lf an ounce red Câ—ral Smaragds eâ—ch a dram 〈◊〉 and Lettice candied each an ounce with 〈◊〉 of Violets and Waterlillies make an Electuary Or make Baths of the same As Take tops Aâ—nus castus Lettice Rue Waterlillies Dâ—l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them anoint with Oyl of Lillies â—nguâ—nt of Roseâ— with Camphire afâ—â—r that Or lay a Plaister of Mercury and Marsh-lentils to the breast and loyns Lâ—y a Plate of Lead to the Back and give a Pessary of juyce of Plantane Pâ—â—slane Gourds These that work by an occult quality are fittest for numnesses that must not marry but they that will marry must forbear them because they cause barâ—â—nness Let diet be thin and of little nourishment no Eggs Beef is good and fresh fish Also Lettice Purslane Succoâ—y Sleep littleâ— think not of Venery labour and avoid idleness Question Whether is Camphire cold or hâ—t or doth it quench Venery It is hot because it burns flames is thin pieâ—ceth is sharp and bitter But it hath cold effects as curing of burnes and inflammations and hâ—â— headaches but this is from the likeness of thâ— substance because it draws hot vapors to it anâ— discusseth as Linseed oyl that cures burnes Noâ— hath it a double substance cold and hot that maâ— be separated Scaliger denies it by experience to quench Vâ—nery but if it be taken often it doth he tâ—ieâ— it but once Chap. 6. Of the Melancholy oâ— Virgins and Widdows IT is a Dâ—liriâ—â— with sadness trouble and weâ—â—ing sâ—â—times laugâ—ing without a Feavâ—â— It differs from others by the efficacy only of the efficient cause for it hath divers pains besides â—â—dness especially on the left side near the heart in the papâ— this is by occasion at a distance The Cause is a melancholick vapor from a melancholick blood in the vessels near the heart that infects the animal Spiâ—its hurts the Fancy and so the reason For melancholick blood abounding in the vessels of the womb comes back to the great arteries about the heart by the arteâ—ies of the womb and infects both vital and animal Spirits and causeth trouble of heart and deâ—â—â—ium while this blood is quiet in the arteries theâ—e is no vapor that riseth but when it is heaâ—ed or sâ—irred up by any cause the arteries about the back and spleen beat more then ordinary and the vapors arise and trouble the heart They aâ—e sad and â—ull of thoughts and trouble at the heart and cannot express their grief all things are tedious to them they weep and lâ—ugh without a cause they sleep little and with trouble and â—ear they have a pain on the left side and somtimes the left breast their jaws are dâ—y al which are the effects of a melaucholick vapor and when that is discussed all cease If it be old it turns to madness and then they are 〈◊〉 silent then pâ—â—tlers and think they see Gâ—oâ—â—s At first it is easier cured but if it last long and â—â—e â—esist not imagination and will not rejoyce â—ith her Gossips it is dangerous They often despair and desire death or hang themselves or dâ—own themsâ—lves If the manners are chanâ—ed 〈◊〉 tuâ—â—s to madness Observe what progress the disease hâ—th made At first if blood be hot oâ—en a vâ—in oâ—ten iâ—â—â—e arm if the terms be not stopt if they be bleed in the ankle some daies before they use to flow Let her be merry and prepare and purge melancholy thus Take Borage and Balm water each three ounces Syrup of the juyce of Borage and Bugloss each an ounce and half Mix them for two Doses repeat them somtimes Then purge Melâ—ncholy As Take Senna six drams Agarick a dram and half Borage flowers and Violets each a pâ—gil â—itron peels two drams infuse them in Rhenish wine for six hours strain them ad Syrup of Violets an ounce Or Take Scorzonera roots two ounces Borage â—n ounce Balm a handful Senna four ounces Agarick half an ounce Citron peels six drams Zedoary two drams Cordial stowers a handful add half a pint of the juyce of sweet-scented Apples and of Rorage and Bugloss steep them two daieâ— then strain them ad Sugar and half an ounce of Cinamon make a Syrup give two or three ounces Also give Cordials Confection of Hyacinths Species Exhilerants and Confection Alkermes to such as can bear it Cure it as Melancholy only the matter comes from the womb therefore still regard that it dry not the body too much but use a moistning Diet. Chap. 7. Of an Epilepsie from the Womb. THis Falling-sickness is worst then from other causes because there are greater symptoms for that malignant vapor doth not onely fall into the nerves but the veins and arteries The same malignant vapor that causeth suffocation causeth this for when it ascends by the veins or arteries it begets other diseases but when it gets to the nerves or to the fountain of them it causeth the Epilepsie In some the whole body hath a Convulsion in others some part only as the eyes head tongueâ— hand or leg and the outward senses are diversly taken Some see not some hear not some see and cannot speak some dote and think they see strange things some cry out and know not why All loose the sense oâ— feeling If the vapor be nâ—t very malignant they reâ—uâ—n to their work after the fit as if they had not â—een ill It is known by what hath been said for here 〈◊〉 not only a Convulsion as in other Epilepsies â—â—t diveâ—s Symptomes as in Suffocation of the â—omb They seldom â—oam at the mouth
And Take of it half a pound add eight ounces of Wine in a glass set it in the embers stir it and let it boyl twelve simmers tâ—l you see it â—roath and grow a little thick then pour the â—roath and all into another vessel do thus four times and then let it be gently boyled till it be thick as Honey Then Take Parsley Carrot seed Diacurcuma Diarrâ—odon each a dram and half Cinnamon a dram Steel so prepared six drams with Honey make an Electuary give three drams or five after exerâ—ise If the Spleen be stopt Take Steel prepared a pound wash it with Vineâ—ar then strain it and lay it on a clout and add pouder of Cloves hâ—lf an ounce Let them stâ—nd so a day and a night then put them in a glassed vessel ad ten ounces of white Wineâ— Diarrhodon Harts tongue Senna and Capar baâ—ksâ— then stir them then set them in the Sun for a day or in an Oven do this ten daies til the Steel be melted in the Wine and little or nothing at the bottom Give two ounces of this in the morning afâ—er purging and exercise Or Take Steel prepared an ounce Cinnamon Aniseeds each two drams Diamosâ—hu without musk a dram Sugar an ounce make a Pouder give a dram drink white â—ine and Mugwort water aftâ—r it Steâ—led Wine Take Steel in poudâ—r three ounces Cinnamon half an ounce white Wine three pints set them in a close glass eight dâ—ies in the Sun stir them every dayâ— Give six or eight ounces four hours aâ—ore dinner for fifteen or twenty dâ—ies and walk after it At first give a Steel-medicine to prâ—pare As Take Steel filings four ounces â—â—t iâ— in an irâ—n 〈◊〉 â—iblâ— or Ladle thâ—n cast it into two pints of water of Hâ—ps Grass Mâ—dder Borage or Spring-water stâ—â—in it and do so â—â—ven timâ—s Then Take so many ounces oâ—â—â—w Steel and cast it into water as befâ—re strain and add Syrup of Violets Borage or 〈◊〉 of Râ—ses four ounces give three ounces in the morning â—fter exâ—rcise Prepare thus three or four times and â—â—en use stronger Aâ—â—eâ— Steel use Sâ—orzonera stâ—â—pt all night in Wine give 〈◊〉 the morning This hath cured obstructi◠〈…〉 Bezâ—â—r â—â—one â—â—ith Mercatus opens obstructions in my exâ—erience and rehâ—ts venom give six or seven gâ—â—ins Steel is beâ—t Spring and Fall purge and exercise before and after it that it may be better dispersed Use Preparatives Purges and strengtheners often and for a long time and change the forms least the patient loath them If water spread about the body cool the body and make it heavy Use Sweats as Baths natural or artificial of Mugwort Calamints Nep Danewort Sage Bays Rosemary Mercury Ivy Briony roots Orris Elicampaâ—e After puâ—ging and opening obstructions all the Symptoâ—â—s wil vanish if not see for the Symptoms of the womb Let the air be temperately hot The meat of good juyâ—e and easie digestion pot-herbs and green fâ—â—its must be avoided fish milk lettice Make Sâ—uâ—e with Sage and Cinnamon Drink Wine lâ—t bread â—e well leavened with â—ennelsâ—â—dâ— drink no watâ—â— noâ— Broaths at first and in the deâ—liâ—â—tion of the disease use exercise and Vâ—nâ—ry Let sleep be moderate Question 1. Whether may the woman in this Disease be allowed the absurd things they long for They are Virgins or women with child that long for such things Virgins must not be allowed them as chalk c. for they will increase the disease Women with child must be pleased with fair woâ—dsâ— to abstain from them but if the appetite wil not be allayed rather grant them then suffer an abortion or mark upon the child Question 2. Is motion and exercise good in the Green-sickness They are better then idleness which heaps up crudities they raise the languishing heat in the bowels and help the nourishment to be distributed therefore they are to be used before the disease be great and in the declination they discuss the humors But use moderation least you weaken the body or choak themâ— First therefore use Frictions then watching then more exercise after convenient purging Question 3. Whether is Venery good for Maids in the Green-sickness It is probable and agreeable to reason and experience that Venery is good Hippocrates bids them presently marry for if they conceive they are cured John Langius â—aith this disease comes in the ripeness of age or presently after Venery heats the womb and the parts adjacent opens and loosens the passages so that the terms may better flow to the womb But if there be a great Cacochymy take that away before she be married and then Venery may do more then Physick But use it not in the vigor of the disease nor in weakness Question 4. Whether is Blood-letting good in this Disease A Cachexy beginning with coldness of the whole body seem to deny bleeding and because the crude humors are in fault rather then blood But Hippocrates adviseth bleeding at the first If it be a new disease and comes from stopt terms and blood abound that is stopt and not turned into another humor you may boldly bleed provided the strength permit and the passages be open But in an old disease when crude flegm abounds bleed not for it will increase the disease Chap. 3. Of Symptomes from the Womb and Mother-fits in General IT is not to be expressed what miserable diseases women are subject to both Virgins and others from the womb and its consent with other parts For when terms or blood are stopt there are great Symptoms and while they putrefie or get evil qualities the Symptoms are grievous and almost unexpressible One woman may have divers Symptoms from the womb at the same time when the seed and terms are mixed with other humors after they are corrupted and there is more sometimes and such noble substance as seed and terms being corrupted are like poyson The consent with other parts is from likeness of parts nearness or connexion of vessels And because the womb is membranous it hath a great consent with the membranes and nerves Also the parts adjacent are easily infected And thirdly it hath consent with all the body by veins arteâ—ies and nerves It consents with the brain by the nerves and membranes of the back-marrow it consâ—nts with the heart by the arâ—eries with the liver by the veins which are great in the womb and therfore the blood and bad humors go back to the â—â—ver It consents with the stomach by Anastomosis in the veins of the Mesentery and by the arteries through foul humors and vapors go from the womb to the Mesentery and stomach It conâ—ents with the spleen by the arteries therefore many women that had not their terms enough in their youth and have hot blood are â—fter Hypochondriack and a Physitian can scarce distinguish these diseases of the womb and spleen nor cure them severally It consents with the papps by veins and nerâ—es and the heart Diaghragma head brain and all