Nature viz. raw or burnt Flesh Ashes Coals Old shoes Chalk Wax Nut-shels Mortar Lime Oat-meal Tobacco Pipes c. which occasion not only a Suppression of the Menses but likewise obstructions through 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 Humours being 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 this best Remedy cannot be had so soon as necessity requries then let her be let Blood in the Ankle and if she be about 16 you may likewise do it in the Arm but let her bleed but sparingly especially if the Blood be good If the Disease be of any continuance then is it to be eradicated by Purging Preparation of the humour being first consider'd 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 Agarick Senna Rhubarb And for strengthing the Bowels and opening Obstructions Chalibiat Medicines are chiefly to be used The Diet must be moderate and sharp things be by all means avoided And for the freeing of the Humour take Prepared Steel Bezoar Stone the Root of Scorzonera 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 observing the Humours will be dilated and dissipated 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 in the next place treat thereof Of Barrenness In times past before Women came to the marriage Bed they were first searched by the Midwife and those only which she allowed of as fruitful were admitted I hope therefore it will be thought a needless labour to shew how they may prove themselves and turn the stony ground into a fruitful soil Barrenness is a deprivation of life and power which ought to be in the seed to procreate and propagate for which end both man and woman were made Causes of Barrenness It is caused by overmuch heat or cold that drying up the seed and making it corrupt this extinguishing the life of the seed making it watrish and unfit for Generation It may be caused also by the not flowing or over-flowing of the Courses by Swellings Ulcers and Inflammations of the Womb by an excrescence of flesh growing about the mouth of the Matrix by the mouth of the Womb being turned unto the back or side by the grossness and fatness of the body whereby the mouth of the matrix is closed up by being prest with the Omentum or Caule and the matter of the seed is converted into fatness Or if she be of a lean and exhaust body to the World she proves Barren because though she doth conceive yet the fruit of the Womb will wither before it comes to perfection for want of nourishment Aetius and Sylvius ascribe one main cause of Barrenness to compel'd copulation as when parents enforce their daughters to have Husbands contrary to their liking therein marrying their Bodies but not their Hearts and where there is a want of Love there for the most part is no Conception as appears in Women which are deflowred against their will Another main cause of Barrenness is attributed to the want of a convenient moderating quality which the Woman ought to have with the Man as if he be hot she must be cold If he be dry she must be moist But if they be both dry or both moist of constitution they cannot propagate and yet simply considered of themselves they are not Barren for he or she which before was as the Barren fig-tree being now joined with an apt constitution becomes as the fruitful Vine And that Man and Woman being every way of a like constitution cannot Procreate I will bring Nature it self for a testimony who hath made Man of a hotter Constitution than Woman that the quality of the one may moderate the quality of the other Signs of Barrenness If Barrenness does proceed from overmuch heat she is of a dry body subject to anger she hath black Hair quick pulse her purgations flow but little and that with pain she Loves to play in the courts of Venus But if it comes by cold then are the signs contrary to those even now recited If through an evil quality in the Womb Make a suffumigation of red Storax Myrrh Cassia wood Nutmeg Cinnamon and let her receive the fume of it into the Womb covering her very close and if the odour so received passeth through the Body up into the Mouth and Nostrils of her self she is fruitful But if she feels not the fume in her Mouth and Nose it argues Barrenness one of these ways that the Spirit of the seed is either through cold extinguisht or through heat dissipated If any Woman be suspected to be unfruitful cast natural Brimstone such as is digged out of the Mine into her Urin and â—f Worms breed therein of herself she is not barren Prognosticks Barrenness maketh Women look young because they are free from those pains and sorrows which other Women are accustomed to bring forth withall Yet they have not that full perfection of health which fruitful Women do injoy because they are not rightly pâ—rged of the menstruous blood and superfluous seed the retaining of which two are the principal cause of most Uterine Diseases Cure First the cause must be removed and then the Womb strengthened and the Spirits of the seed enlived If the Womb be over-hot Take Syrrup of Succory with Rhubarb Syrrup of Violets Endive Roses Cassia Purslain Take of Endive water Lillies Borage flowers of each a handful Rhubarb Myrobolans of each 3 Drams with water make a Decoction add to the straning of the Syrup Laxative of Violets one ounce Syrup of Cassia half an Ounce Manna 3 drams make a potion Take of the Syrup of Mugwort one ounce Syrup of Maiden hair 2 ounces water of Succory Borage Fennel of each 3 ounces Pulv. Elect Triasand one dram make a Julep Take Pru. Solut. Elect. Ros Mesuae of each 3 drams Rhubarb one Scruple and make a Bolus Apply to the reins and privities fomentations of the juice of Lettice Violets Roses Mallows Vineleaves and Night-shade Anoint the secret parts with the cooling unguent of Galen If the power of the seed be extinguisht by cold Take every Morning two spoonfuls of Cinnamon water with one Scruple of Mahridate Take Syrup of Calamint Mugwort Bettony of each one ounce water of
conclude if the flux be inordinate many diseases will ensue and without remedy the Blood together with the native heat being consumed either cachectical Hydropical or paralitical diseases will follow Cure The cure consisteth in three particulars First in repelling and carrying back of the Blood Secondly in correcting and taking away the fluxibility of the matter Thirdly in corroborating the veins and faculties For the first To cause a regression of the Blood open a vein in the Arm and draw out so much blood as the strength of the Patient will permit and that not together but at several times for hereby the spirits are the less weakned and the retraction so much the greater Apply cupping-glasses to the Brests and also to the Liver that the reversion may be in the Fountain To correct the fluxibility of the matter Cathartical means moderated with Astrictories must be used If it be caused by Erosion or sharpness of blood consider whether the Erosion be by salt Flegm or adust Colour If by salt Flegm Prepare with syrup of violet Wormwood Roses Citron pills Succory c. Then take this purgation following Take Myrobolans Chebul half an Ounce Trochisks of Agarick one dram with Plantain water make a decoction add thereunto sir rosat lax 3 Ounces and make a potion If by adust Choller prepare the Body with Syrrup of Roses Myrtles Sorrel Purslain commixt with water of Plantain Knotgrass and Endive Then purge with this potion Take Rinds of Myrobolans Rhubarb of each one dram Cinnamon 15 Grains infuse them one night in Endive water Add to the straining pulp of Tamarind Cassia of each half an Ounce Syrup of Roses one Ounce make a potion If the blood be watrish and unconcoct as it is in Hydropical Bodies and flows forth by reason of the tenuity and thinness to draw off the Water will be profitable Purge with Agarick Elaterium and Coloquintida Sweating is proper in this cause for by it the matter offending is taken away and the motion of the blood is carried to the outward parts To procure sweat use Carduus water with Mithridate or the decoction of Guaiacum Sassafras and Sarsa-parilla the Gum of Guaiacum also doth greatly provoke sweat Pills of Sarsa-parilla taken every night going to bed are worthily commended If the blood flows forth from the opening or breaking of a vein without any evil quality in its self then ought only Corroboratives to be applied which is the last thing to be done in the cure of this inordinate flux Take of Bole Armoniac one Scruple London Treacle one dram old conserve of Roses half an Ounce with syrup of Myrtles make an Electuary Or if the flux hath continued long Take of Mastick 2 drams Olibani Troch de Carabe of each one dram Balaustiorum one Scruple make a pouder with Syrup of Quinces make it into Pills take one always before Meals Take Lapidis Haematitis Triti of each 2 Scruples Specierum Triasantali one Ounce Troch de Carabe de scoria ferri Coral Frankincense of each one Scruple fine Bole one Scruple beaâ— these to fine Powder and with Sugar and Plantain water a sufficient quantity make Lozenges Asses Dung is well approved of whether taken inwardly with Syrâ—p of Quinces or applied outwardly with Steeled water Galen by coâ—veâ—ing the juice of it through a Metrenchitâ— into the Womb four days together cured this immoderate Flux which no ways else couâ—d be restrainâ—d Going to bed let her take one Scruple and a half of Phiâ—onii Romani in a wafer make Suffumigations for the Matrix of Maststick Frankincense burnt Frogs not forgetting the hoof of a Mule Take of the juice of Knot grass Comfrâ— Quinces of each one Ounce Camphire one Dram dip silk Cotion therein and apply it to the placâ—s Take of Oyl of Mastick Mâ—râ—les Quinces of each half an Ounce fine Bole Troch de Carabe Sanguinis Draconis of each â—ne Drâ—m Wax and Vinegar a sufficient Quantity make an Unguent apply it both beâ—ore and behind Take of Plantain Shepherds Purse red Rose leaves of each one Handful of Goats and Asses Dung dryed of each one Ounce and a half Acatiae Hypocistidos of â—ach one Ounce and a half dryed Mâ—nt one Ounce Bean-Meal three Ounces boyl all â—hese in Plantain water and maâ—e of it two â—laisters apply one bâ—fore and the other behind If the blood flows from those veinâ— which are terminated in the neck of the Matrix then it is not called the overflowing 〈◊〉 the Terms but the Emerhoids of the Womb 〈◊〉 Yet the same Cure will serve them both onlâ— the instrumental Cure will a little differ foâ— in the Uterine Emorhoids the ends of thâ— veins hang over like little Teats or Pusheâ— which must be taken away by incision and theâ— the veins closed up with Aloes fine Bolâ— burnt Allom Troch de Terra sigil Myrrhâ— Mastick with the juyce of Comfrey and Knoâ—â—grass laid Plaister-wise thereto The Air must be cold and dry all motioâ— of the body is forbidden Let her Meat 〈◊〉 Pheasant Patridge Mountain-Birds Coney 〈◊〉 Calf's Feet c. And let her Beer be miâ—â— with the juyce of Pomgranates and Quinces CHAP. IV. Of the Weeping of the Womb. THe weeping of the Womb is an unnatuâ—â— flux of blood coming from the Womâ— by drops or after the manner of Tears causâ—â— violent Pains in the same keeping neither â—â—riod nor time By some it is referred unâ—â— the immoderate Evacuation of the Coursâ— yet they are distinguisht in the quantity aâ— manner of their flowing in that they flow copiously and freely In this continually tho' by little and little and that with great Pain and Difficulty wherefore it is likened unto the Strangury The Cause is in the faculty instrument or matter In the faculty by being enfeebled that it cannot expel the blood and the blood resting there makes the parts of the Womb grow hard and stretcheth the vessels from whence proceeds the pain in the Womb. In the instrument by the narrowness of the Passages Lastly It may be in the matter of the blood which may offend in too great a quantity or in an evil-quality it being gross and thick that it cannot flow forth as it ought to do but by drops The Signs will best appear by the Relation of the Patient Hereupon will ensue pains in the head stomach and back with inflammations suffocaâ—ions and excoriations of the Matrix If the strengeh of the Patient will permit â—irst open a vein in the Arm rub the upper â—arts and let her Arms be corded that the â—orce of the blood may be carried backward Then apply such things as may laxate and â—olify the stretching of the Womb and asâ—wage the sharpness of the Blood as Cataplasms â—ade of Bran Linseed Fenugreek Meliâ—ote Mallows Mercury and Atriplex If the â—lood be viscous and gross add thereto Mugwort Calamint Dictam and Betony And let her take of Venice-Treacle the quantity of a Nutmeg with Syrup of Mugwort every morning Anoint the places with Oyl
of Lilies Roses â—inseed sweet Almonds and Calf's Marrow Make injections of the Decoctions of Mallows Mercury Linseed Groundsel Mugwort Fenugreek with Oyl of sweet Almonds Sometimes it is caused by a wind and then Phlebotomy is to be omitted and in the stead thereof take Syrup of Feverfew one Ounce Honey of Roses Syrup of Staechas of each half an Ounce water of Calamint Mugwort Betony Hysop of each one Onnce make a Julep If the pain continues take this Purgation Take Specierum Hâ—erae 1 Dram Diacatholicon half an ounce Syrup of Roses laxative 1 ounces with the Decoction of Mugwort and the four Cordial Flowers make a Potion If it come thro' weakness of the Faculty let that be Corroborated If thro' grosness or sharpness of the Blood let the quality of it be altered as I have shewn in the foregoing Chapter Lastly If the excrements of the Gut be reâ—ained provoke them by a Clyster of the Decoction of Camomile Betony Feverfew Mallows Linseed Juniper-berries Cuâ—â—in-seed Anniseed Melilot adding thereto of Diacatholicon half an Ounces Hiera Picra two Drams Honey Oyl of each one Ounce Salniter a Dram and a half The Patient musâ— abstain from salt sharp and windy Meats CHAP. V. Of the false Courses or Whites FRom the Womb proceeds not only the menstruous blood but accidentally many other Excrements which by the Antients are comprehended under the Title of RHOVS GVNAIK AIOS which is a distillation of variety of corrupt Humours through the womb flowing from the whole Body or part of the same keeping neither course nor colour but varying in both Cause The Cause is either promiscuously in the whole body by Cacochymia or weakness of the same or in some of the parts as in the Liver which by by the inability of the Sanguifficative faculty causeth a generation of corrupt blood and then the matter is reddish sometimes in the Gall being sluggish in its Office not drawing away those cholerick Superfluities which are ingendred in the Liver and the matter is Yellowish Soâ—etimes in the Spleen not defecating and cleansing the blood of the dregs and excrementitious parts and then the matter flowing forth is blackish It may also come from Catarrhs in the Head or from any other putrified or corrupted Member But if the matter of the Flux be white the cause is either in the Stomach or Reins In the Stomach by a Phlegmatical and Crude matter there contracted and vitiated through Grief Melancholly and other Distempers For otherwise if the matter were only Pituita crude Phlegm and no ways corrupt or vitiated being taken into the Liver it might be converted into blood for Phlegm in the Ventricle is called Nourishment half digested But being corrupt tho' sent unto the Liver yet it cannot be turned into Nutriment for the second Concoction cannot correct that which the first hath corrupted and therefore the Liver sends it to the Womb which can neither digest it nor repel it and so it is voided out still keeping the Colour which it had in the Ventricle The cause also may be in the Reins being over-heat whereby the Spermatical matter by reason of its thinness flows forth The external cause may be moystness of the Air eating of corrupt Meats Anger Grief Slothfulness immoderate Sleeping Costiveness of body The Signs are extenuation of the body shortness and stinking of breath loathing of meat pain in the head swelling of the eyes and feet melancholly humidity flows from the Womb of divers colours as reddish black green yellow white It differs from the flowing and over-flowing of the Courses in that it keeps no certain periods and is of many Colours all which do degenerate from blood Prognosticks If the Flux be Phlegmatical it will continue long and be difficult to Cure yet if vomiting or the flux Diarrhaea happeneth diverting the humour it cures the Disease If it be Cholerick it is not so permanent yet more perilous for it will cause clifts in the neck of the Womb and sometimes make an excoriation in the Matrix If Melancholick it is most Dangerous and Contumacious yâ—t the flux of the Emerhoids administers Cure If the matter flowing forth be reddish open a vein on the Arm if not apply Ligatures to the Arms and Shoulders Galen glories of himself how he cured the wife of Boctus labouring of this Disease by rubbing the upper parts with Crude Honey If it be caused by a distillation from the brain take Syrup of Betony Staechas and Marjoram Purge with Pil. coch sine quibus de Agarico make Nasalia of the juice or Sage Hysop Betony Nigella with one drop of Oy1 of Cloves and a little silk Cotton Take Elect. Dianth aromat rosat diambre diamosci dulcis of each one Dram Nutmeg half a Dram with Sugar and Betony water make Lozenges to be taken every Morning and Evening Take Auriae Alexandrinae half a Dram at Night going to Bed If these things help not use the Suffumigation and Plaister as they are prescribed If it proceeds from Crudities in the Stomach or from a cold distempered Liver take every morning of the Decoction of Lignum Sanctum Purge with Pil. de Agarico de Hermodact de Hiera Diacolocynthid Foetida Agrigative Take of Elect. Aromat Ros two Drams Cytron-peels dryed Nutmeg long Pepper of each one Scruple Diagalanga one Dram Santali Albi Ligni Aloes of each half a Scruple Sugar six Ounces with Mint-water and make Lozenges of it Take of them before Meals If with Frigidity of the Liver there be joyned a repletion of the Stomaâ—h Purging by Vomit is commendable For which take three Drams of the Electuary Diasaru Galen allows of Diuretical means as of Apium Petrosilinum c. If the matter of the Flux be Cholerick prepare the Humour with Syrup of Roses Violets Endive Succory Purge with Myrabolanes Manna Rhubarb Cassia Take of Rhubarb two Drams Anniseed one Dram Cinnamon a Scruple and a half infuse them in six Ounces â—f Prune-broth Add to the sâ—raining of Manna one Ounce and take it in the Morning according to Art Take Spâ—cierum Diatrionsantalon Diatragacant Frig. Diâ—rrhod Abbatis Diacydonit of each one Dram Sugar four Ounces with plantain-Plantain-water make Lozenges If the Clyster of the Gall be sluggish and do not stir up the Faculty of the Guts give hot Glisters of the Decoction of the four mollifying Herbs with Honâ—y of Roses and Aloes If the Flux be Melancholious prepare with Syrup of Maiden-hair Epithimum Polypody Burrage Bugloss Fumetary Hart's-Tongue and Syrupus Bysantinus which must be made without Vinegar otherwise it will rather animate the Disease than Nature for Melancholly by the use of Vinegar is encreased and both by Hippocrates Sylvius and Avenzoar it is disallowed of as an Enemy to the Womb and therefore not to be used inwardly in Uterine Diseases Purgers of Melancholy are Pilulae Fumariae Pilulae Indae Pil. de Lapide Lazuli Diasena Confectio Hamech Take of stamped Prunes 2 Ounces Senna 1 Dram Opithiâ—um Polipody
Penny-royal Feverfew Hysop Sage of each 2 ounces make a Julep Take Oyl of Anniseed one Scruple and half Diacymini Diacalaminthe Diamosci Diagalangae of each one dram Sugar 4 ounces with water of Cinnamon make Lozenges take of them a dram and half twice a Day two hours before Meales Fasten cupping-glasses to the hipps and belly Take of Stirax Calamint one ounce Mastick Cloves Cinamon Nutmeg Lig. Aloes Frankincense of each half an ounce Musk 10 Grains Amber-greese half a Scruple with Rose-water make a Confection Divide it into four equal parts Of one part make a Pomum Odoratum to smell on if she be not hysterical Of the second make a Mass of Pills and let her take three every night Of the third make a Pessary dip it in Oyl of Spikenard and put it up Of the fourth make a suffumigation for the Womb. If the Faculties of the Womb be weakened and the life of the Seed suffocated by overmuch humidity â—â—owing to those parts Take of Betony Marjorum Mugwort Penny-royal Balm of each one handful Roots of Asrum Fenel Ellecampane of each two drams Anniseed Cummin of each one dram with Sugar and Water a sufficient quantity of which make a Syrup and take three ounces every other morning Purge with these Pills following Take of Digridion two grains Specierum de Castorei one scruple Pil Foetid two scruples with Syrup of Mugwort make six Pills Take Spec. Diagemmae Diamosci Dâ—ambrae of each one dram Cinnamon one dram an half Mace Cloves Nutmeg of each half a dram Sugar six ounces with Water of Feverfew make Lozenges to be taken every morning Take of the Decoction of Sarsaparilla and Virga Aurea not forgeting Sage which Agrippa wondering at the operation of hath honour'd with the Name of Sacra Herba a holy Herb And it is recorded by Dodonaeus in his History of Plants Lib. 2. Cap. 77. That after so many Egyptians were dead the surviving Women that they might multiply the faster were commanded to drink the Juice of Sage Anoint the Genitals with Oyl of Anniseed and Spikenard Take Mace Nutmeg Cinnamon Styrax Amber of each one dram Cloves Laudani of each half a dram Turpentine a sufficient quantity make Trochisks to smother the Womb. Take the Roots of Valerian and Ellecampane of each one pound of Galangale two ounces Origan Lavender Marjoram Betony Mugwort Bay leaves Calamint of each three handfuls with Watâ—r make an incession in which let her sit after she hath had her Courses If Barrenness proceeds from Driness consuming the matter of the Seed Take every day Almond-milk and Goats-milk extracted with Honey Eat often of the Root Satyrion condited and of the Electuary of Diasatyrion Take three Weathers Heads boyle them until all the flesh comes from the bones then take of Mellilot Violets Cammomile Mercury Orchis with their Roots of each an handful Fenugreek Linseed Valerian Roots of each one pound Let all these be decocted in the aforesaid Broth and let the Woman sit in the Decoction up to her Navel Also take of Deers Suet half an ounce Cows Marrow Styracis liquideae of each two drams Oyl of sweet Almonds two ounces with Silk Cotton make a Pessary Make Injections only of fresh Butter and Oyl of sweet Almond If Barrenness be caused by any proper affect of the Womb the Cure is set down in the Second Part. Sometimes the Woman proves barren when there is no Impediment on either side except only in the manner of the Act As when in the Emission of the Seed the Man is quick and the Woman too slow whereby there is not an Emission of both Seeds at the same instant as the Rules of Conception require according to the opinion of the Antients Wherefore to take away this Inconvenience Mulier preparari ac disponi debet molli complexu lascivis verbis oscula lasciviora miscenda If this doth not suffice before the Act of Coition foment the private parts with the Decoction of Betony Sage Hysop and Calamint and anoint the Mouth and Neck of the Womb with Musk and Civet The Cause of Barrenness being removed let the Womb be corroborated as follows Take of Bay-berries Mastick Nutmeg Frankincense Cypress Nuts Laudani Galbani of each one dram Styracis liquid two Scruples Cloves half a Scruple Ambergreece two grains Musk six grains then with Oyl of Spikenard make a Pessary Take red Roses Lapidis Haematitis White Frankincense of each half an ounce Sanguis Draconis fine Bole Mastick of each two drams Nutmeg Cloves of each one dram Spikenard half a scruple With Oyl of Wormwood make a Plaister for the lower part of the Belly Let her eat often of Eringo Roots condited and Make an Injection only of the Juice of the Roots of Satyrion The aptest time for Conception is instantly after the Menses are ceas'd because then the Womb is thirsty and dry apt both to draw the Seed and to retain it by the roughness of the inward superficies And besides in some the mouth of the Womb is turned unto the back or side and is not placed right until the last day of the Courses Excess in all things is to be avoided Lay aside all Passions of the Mind Shun Study and Care as things that are Enemies to Conception for if a Woman conceives under such circumstances how wise soever the Parents are the Children at the best will be but foolish because the animal Faculties of the Parents viz. the Understanding and the rest from whence the Child derives its Reason are as it were confused through the multiplicity of Cares and Cogitations Examples hereof we have in learned Men who after great study and care instantly accompanying with their Wives often beget very foolish Children A hot and moist Air is most convenient as appears by the Women in Egypt which usually bring forth three or four Children at one time CHAP. X. Virginity what it is in what it consists and how violated together with the Opinions of the Learned about the mutation of Sexes in the Womb during the Operation of Nature iâ— framing the Body THere are many ignorant People that boaâ—â— of their Skill in the knowledge of Virginity and some Virgins have undergone harâ— Censures through their ignorant Determinations And therefore I thought it highly necessary to clear this Point that the towering Imaginations of conceited Ignorance may be brought down and that the Fair Sex whose Vertues are so illustriously bright that they both excite our Wonder and command our Imitation may be freed from the Calumnies and Detractions of Ignorance and Envy that so their Honours may continue as Unspotted as they have kept their Persons Uncontaminated and free from Defilement Virginity in a strict sence does signifie the Prime the Chief the Best of any thing which makes men so desirous of marrying Virgins imagining some greater pleasure to be enjoy'd in their Embraces than in those of Widows or such as have before been lain withal Tho' not many years ago a very
though it cannâ—t weâ—â— be perceived her face looks red and shâ— hath a forewarning of her fit Yet it is not denied but that a Sincope may be joyned with this suffocation Lastly it is distinguisht from the Lethargy by the pulse which in the one is great and in the other little Prognosticks If the disease hath its being from the corruption of the seed it foretels more danger then if it proceeded from the suppression of the courses because the seed is concocted and of a purer quality than the menstruous blood and the more pure being corrupted becomes the more foul and filthy as appears in Eggs the purest nourishment which vitiated yield the noisomest savour If it be accompained with a Sincope it shews nature is but weak and that the spirits are almost exhaust But if sneezing follows it shews that the heat which was almost extinct doth now begin to return and that Nature will subdue the disease Cure In the Cure of this Affect two things must be observed First That during the time of the Pararoxism Nature be provoked to expel those malignant Vapours which binds up the Senses that she may be recalled out of that Sleepy Extasie Secondly That in the the intermission of the Fit proper Medicines be applyed to take away the Cause To stir up Nature fasten Cupping-glasses to the Hips and Navel apply Ligatures to the Thighs rub the Extream parts with Salt Vinegar and Mustard Cause loud Clamours and Thundrings in her Ears Apply to the Nose Assa-foetida Castor and Saga-penum steeped in Vinegar Provoke her to Sneeze by blowing up into her Nose the powder of Castor white Pepper Pellitory of Spain and white Hellebore Hold under her Nâ—se Partridge Feathers Hair and Old Shoes burnt and all other stinking things for evil Odours are an Enemy to Nature Hence the Animal Spirits do so contest and strive against them that the Natural Heat is thereby restored The Brain is so opprest sometimes that we are compel'd to burn the outward skin of the Head with hot Oyl or with a hot Iron Sharp Clysters and Suppositories are available Take of Sage Calamint Hore-hound Feverfew Marjoram Bettony Hysop of each one Handful Anniseed half an Ounce Coloquintida white Hellebore Sal. Gemmae of each two Drams boyl these in two Pound of Water to the half Aâ—d to the straining Oyl of Castor two Ounces Hierae Picrae two drams and make a Clyster of it Or take of Honey boyled two Ounces Euphorbij half a Scruple Coloquintida four Grains white Hellebore two Grains Salt one Dram make a Suppository Hippocrates writeth of a Hysterical Woman which could not be freed from the Paroxism but by pouring cold water on her Yet this Cure is Particular and ought to be administred in the midst of Summer when the Sun is in the Tropick of Cancer If it be caused by the râ—tention and corruption of the Seed at the instant of the Paroxism let the Midwife take Oyl of Lillies Marjoram and Bays dissolving in the same two grains of Civit and as much Musk let her dip her Finger therein and put it up into the Neck of the Womb tickling and rubbing the same The Fit being over proceed to the curing of the Cause If it arise from the suppression of the Menses look the Cure in page 105. If from the retention of the Seed a good Husband will administer Cure But those which cannot honestly purchase that Cure must use such things as will dry up and diminish the Seed as Diacyminum Diacalaminthes c. Amongst Botanicks the Seed of Agnus Castus is well esteemed of whether taken inwardly applied outwardly or received as a Suffumigation It was held in great honour amongst the Athenians for by it they did remain as pure Vestals and preserved their Chastity only by strowing it on the Bed whereon they lay and hence it had the Name of Agnus Castus given to it as denoting its effects Make an issue on the inside of each leg a handful breadth below the knee Make Trochisks of Agarick two scruples wild Carrot-seed Ligni Aloes of each half a scruple wash'd Turpentine three drams with Conserve of Anthos make a Bolus Castor is of excellent use in this case one dram of it being taken in White-wine or you may make Pills of it with Mithridate and take 'em going to Bed Take of white Briony Root dried and cut after the manner of Carrots one ounce put it into a draught of Wine placing it by the Fire and when it is warm drinking it Take Myrrh Castor Assafoetida of each one scruple Saffron and Rue-seed of each four grains make eight Pills and take every Night two at your entrance into Bed Galen by his own Example Commends unto us Agarick pulveriz'd of which he frequently gave one scruple in White-wine Lay to the Navel at bed-time a head of Garlick bruised fastening it with a Swathing-Band Make a Girdle of Galbanum for the Waste and also a Plaister for the Belly placing in one part of it both Civet and Musk which must be laid upon the Navel Take Pulveris Benedict Trochisks of Agarick of each two drams Mithridate a sufficient quantity and so make a Pessary and it will purge the Matrix of Wind and Flegm Foment the Natural parts with Sallet Oyl in which hath been boiled Rue Feverfew and Camomile Take of Rose-leaves one handful Cloves two scruples quilt them up in a little Cloth and boil them in Malmsie the eighth part of an hour and apply 'em to the mouth of the Womb as hot as may be endur'd but let not the smell come to her Nose A drying Diet must be observed the moderate use of Venus is commended Let her Bread be Anniseed Brisket her Flesh-Meat rather roasted than boyled CHAP. VII Of the Descending of falling down of the Mother THe falling down of the womb is a relaxation of the Ligatures whereby the Matrix is carried backward and in some hangs out in the bigness of an Egg Of this there be two kinds distinguish'd by a Descending and a Precipitation The descending of the womb is when it sinketh down to the entrance of the Privities and appears to the Eye either not at all or very little The precipitation is when the womb like a Purse is turned the inside outward and hangs betwixt the Thighs in the bigness of a Cupping-glass Cause The Cause is external or internal The external cause is difficult Child-birth violent pulling away of the Secondine rashness and inexperience in drawing away of the Child violent coughing sneezing falls blows carrying heavy burdens The internal Cause in general is over-much humidity flowing unto those parts hindring the operations of the womb whereby the ligaments by which the womb is supported are relax'd The Cause in particular is referr'd to be in the retention of the Seed or in the suppression of their Monthly Courses Signs The Arse-gut and the Bladder oftentimes are so crushed that the passage of both the Excrements is hindred If the
Urine doth flow forth it is white and thick and the Midriff is molested the loyns are grieved the Privities pained the Womb sinks down to the entrance of the private parts or else comes clean out Prognosticks This Grief possessing an old Woman is cared with great difficulty because it weakens the Faculties of the Womb and therefore tho' it be reduced into his proper place yet upon every little illness or indisposition it is subject to return and so it is with the younger sort if the Disease be inveterate If it be caus'd by putrifaction in the Nerves it is incurable Cure The Womb naturally being placed between the strait Gut and the Bladder and now fallen down ought not to be put up again until the faculty both of the Guts and Bladder be stirred up Nature being unloaded of her Burthen let the Woman be placed on her back in such sort that her legs may be higher than her head let her feet be drawn up to her hinder parts with her knees spread abroad The mollifie the Swelling with Oyl of Lillies and sweet Almonds or with the decoction of Mallows Beets Fenugreek and Linseed When the Inflation is dissipated let the Midwife anoint her hand with Oyl of Mastick and reduce the Womb into its place The Matrix being put up the situation of the Patient must be changed let â—er legs be out at length and laid together set Cupping-glasses to the brests and navel Boyl Mugwort Feverfew red Roses and Comfery in red Wine and foment the places therewith Make a Suffumigation for the Matrix of Castor Assafoetida Frankincense and Mastick Take Sandarache Olibani Cypress Nuts of each three drams Mastick Styrax Frankincense of each an ounce fine Bole one dram with Oyl of Myrtles and Wax make two Plaisters apply one before and the other behind Take of red Roses Pomegranate Pills Acorn-cups Myrtle-berries of each two ounces Medlar-leaves Sage Rue Origan Comfery Wormwood of each a handful and a half boyl all these in water and make an Insession Move sweet Odours to the Nose and at her coming out of the Bath give her of Syrup of Feverfew one ounce with one dram of Mithridate Take Ladam Mastick of each three drams Galbani half an ounce Styracis two drams make therewith a Plaister for the Navel Then make Pessaries of Assafoetida Saffron Comfrey Mastick adding thereto a little Castor The practice of Pareus in this case was to make them only of Cork in figure like a little Egg covering them over with Wax and Mastick dissolved together fastening to it a thrâ—d and so to put it up into the Womb. The present danger being now taken away and the Matrix seated in its natural abode the remote cause must be removed If the Body be Plethorick open a Vein Prepare with Syrup of Betony Calamint Hysop and Feverfew Purge with Pil. de Hiera cum Agaric Pil. de Colocyn If the Stomach be oppress'd by Crudities unburden it by vomiting Sudorifical Decoctions of Lignum sanctum and Sassifras taken twenty days together dries up the superfluous moisture and consequently suppresseth the cause of the Disease Let the Air be hot and dry and your Diet hot and attenuating Abstain from Dancing Leaping Sneezing and from all motion both of body and mind Eat sparingly drink not much sleep moderately CHAP. VIII Of the Inflammation of the Womb. THe Phlegmon or Inflammation of the Matrix is a Tumour possessing the whole Womb accompanied with unnatural heat by obstructions and gathering together of corrupt Blood Cause The Cause of this Affect is suppression of the Months repletion of the whole Body immoderate use of Venus often handling of the Genitals difficult Child-birth vehement agitation of the Body falls blows to which also may be added the use of sharp Pessaries whereby not seldom the Womb is inflamed Cupping-glasses also fastened to the Pubes and Hypogastrium draw the Humours to the Womb. Signs The Signs are Aguish humours pains in the head and stomach vomiting coldness of the knees convulsions of the neck doting trembling of the heart sometimes there is a straitness of breath by reason of the heat which is communicated to the Diaphragma or Midriff the Brests sympathizing with the Womb are pained and swelled Particular Signs If the fore-part of the Matrix be inflamed the Privities are grieved the Urine is supprest or flows forth with difficulty If the after part the loyns and back suffer the Excrements are retained If the right side the right hip suffers the right leg is heavy slow to motion in so much that sometimes she seems to hault And so if the left side of the Womb be inflamed the left hip is pained and the left leg is weaker than the right If the Neck of the Womb be affected the Midwife putting up her Finger shall feel the mouth of it retracted and closed up with a hardness about it Prognosticks All Inflammations of the Womb are dangerous if not deadly and especially if the total substance of the Matrix be inflamed Yet they are less perilous if they be in the Neck of the Womb. A fâ—ux of the Belly foretells Health if it be natural for Nature works best by the use of her own Instruments Cure In the Cure first let the humours flowing to the Womb be repell'd for effecting of which after the Belly hath been loosened by cooling Clysters Phlebotomy will be needful Open therefore a Vein in the Arm and if she be not with Child the day after strike the Saphena on both Feet Fasten Ligatures and Cupping-glasses to the Arms and rub the upper Parts Purge lightly with Cassia Rhubarb Sena Myrobolans Take of Sena two drams Anniseed on scruple Myrobalans half an ounce Baâ—ley-water a sufficient quantity make a Decoction dissolve it in Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb two ounces Pulp of Cassia half an ounce Oyl of Anniseed two drops and make a Potion At the beginning of the Disease anoint the Privities and Reins with Oyl of Roses and Quinces Make Plaisters of Plaintain Linseed Barley-meal Mellilot Fenugreek Whites of Eggs and if the pain be vehement add a little Opium Foment the Genitals with the Decoction of Poppy-heads Purslain Knot-grass and Water-Lillies Make Injections of Goats-Milk rose-Rose-water clarified Whey with Honey of Roses In the declining of the Disease use Insessions of Sage Linseed Mugwort Penny-royal Horehound Fenugreek Anoint the lower parts of the Belly with Oyl of Camomile and Violets Take Lilly Roots and Mallow Roots of each four ounces Mercury one handful Mugwort Feverfew Camomile-flowers Melilot of 〈◊〉 half a handful bruise the Herbs and the â—â—â—ots and boyl them in a sufficient quantity of Milk then add fresh Butter Oyl of Camomile Lillies of each two ounces Beaâ—-meal a sufficient quantity make two Plaisters apply one before and the other behind If the Tumour cannot be removed but â—ends to suppuration Take of Fenugreek Malâ—ow-Roots decocted Figs Linseed Barley-Meal Doves-dung Turpentine of each three â—rams Deers Suet half a dram Opium
Take Specierum Diambrae Diamosci Dulcis Diacalamenti Diacinnamomi Diacimini Troch de Myrrha of each 2 drams Sugar one Pound with Bettony water make Lozenges Take of them two hours before Meals Apply to the bottom of the belly as hot as may be indured a little bag of Camomile Cummin and Melilote boyled in Oyl of Rue Anoint the belly and secret parts with Vnguentum Agrippae and Vnguentum AREGON mingling therewith Oyl of Ireos Cover the lower parts of the belly with the plaister of Bay-berries or with a Cataplasm made of Cummin Camomile Briony Roots adding thereto Cows and Goats dung Our Moderns ascribe a great vertue to Tobacco water distilled and poured into the Womb by a Metrenchyta Take of Baum Southern wood Organ Wormwood Calamint Bay-leaves Marjoram of each one handful Juniper-berries 4 drams with water make a Decoction Of this may be made Fomentations Injections and Insessions Make Pessaries of Styrax Aloes with the Roots of Dictam Aristolochia and Gentian Instead of this you may use the Pessary prescribed pag. 130. Let her take of Electuarium Aromaticum Diasatyrion and Eringo Roots condited every Morning The air must be hot and dry Moderate exercise is allowed Much sleep is forbidden She may eat the flesh of Partridges Larks Chickens Mountain-birds Hares Conies c. Let her drink be thin Wine CHAP. XI Of the Mola or False Conception THis disease is called of the Greeks MVLE and the cause of this denomination is taken from the load or heavy weight of it it being a Mole or great lump of hard flesh burdening the Womb. It is defined to be an inarticulate piece of flesh without form begotten in the Matrix as it were a true Conception In which definition we are to note two things First in that a Mole is said to be inarticulate and without form it differs from Monsters which are both Formata and Articulata Secondly it is said to be as it were a true Conception which puts a difference between a true Conception and a Mole which difference holds good three ways First in the Genus in that a Mole cannot be said to be animal Sâ—condly in the Species because it hath no humane figure and bears not the Character of a man Thirdly in the Individuum for it hath no affinity with the Parent either in the whole Body or any Particle of the same Cause About the cause of this affect amongst learned Authors I find variety of Judgements Some are of opinion that if the Womans seed goes into the Womb and not the Mans thereof is the Mole produced Others there be that affirm it is ingendred of the menstruous Blood But if these two were granted then Maids by having their Courses or through nocturnal polutions might be subject unto the same which never any yet were The true cause of this fleshy Mole proceeds both from the Man and from the Woman from corrupt or Barren Seed in the Man and from the menstruous Blood in the Woman both mixed together in the Cavity of the Womb where Nature finding her self weak yet desiring to maintain the perpetuity of her Speâ—ies labours to bring forth a vitious Conception rather than nonâ— And so instead of a living Creature generates a lump of â—lesh Signs The signs of a Mole are these The Months are supprest the appetite is depraved the brests swell and the Belly is puffed up and waxeth hard Thus far the signs of a breeding Woman and of one that beareth a Mole are all one I will now shew you how they differ The first sign of difference is taken from the motion of a Mole it may be felt to move in the Womb before the third Month which the Infant cannot Yet that motion cannot be understood of any intelligent power in the Mole but of the faculty of the Womb and of the seminal Spirits diffused through the substance of the Mole for it lives not a life animal but vegitative in the manner of a Plant. Secondly in a Mole the belly is suddenly puft up but in a true Conception the belly is first retracted and then riseth again by degrees Thirdly the belly being prest with the hand the Mole gives way and the hand being taken away it returns to the place again But a Child in the Womb though prest with the hand moves not presently and being removed returns slowly or not at all Lastly the Child continues in the Womb not above Eleven Months but a Mole continues some times four or five Years more or less according as it is fastened in the Matrix I have known when a Mole hath fallen away in four or five Months If it remains until the Eleventh Month the legs wax feeble and the whole body consumes only the swelling of the belly still increaseth which makes some think they are Hydropical though there be little reason for it for in the Dropsie leâ—s swell and grow big but in a Mole they consume and wither Prognosticks If at the delivery of a Mole the Flux of Blood be great it shews the more danger because the parts of nutrition having been vitiated by the flowing back of the superfluous humours whereby the natural heat is consumed and then parting with so much blood the Woman thereby is so weakned in all her facultâ—es that she can hardly subsist Cure We are taught in the School of Hippocrates that Phlebotomy causeth abortion by taking away that nourishment which should sustain the life of the Child Wherefore that this vitious Conception may be deprived of that vegetative sap by which it lives open the liver vein and then the Saphena on both feet Fasten Cupping glasses to the loins and sides of the belly which done let the Uterine parts be first Mollified and then the expulsive faculty provoked to expel the burden To laxate the Ligatures of the Male Take Mallows with the roots 3 handfuls Camomile Melilote Pellitory of the wall Violet leaves Mercury Roots of Fennel Parsley of each 2 handfuls Line-seed Fenugreek of each one pound boyl them in water and let her sit therein up to the Navel At the going out of the Bath Anoint the Privities and Reins with this Unguent following Take oyl of Camomile Lillies and sweet Almonds of each one Ounce fresh Butter Labdani Ammoniaci of each half an Ounce with the Oyl of Lineseed make an Unguent Or instead of this may be used Unguentum Agrippae or Dialthaea Take of Mercury Roots of Althea of each half a handful Fol. Branchae Ursinae half a handful Lineseed Barley-meal of each 6 ounces boyl all these with Water and Honey and make a Plaister Make Pessaries of the Gum Galbanum Bdelium Ammoniacum Figs Hogs-suet and Honey After the ligaments of the Mole are loosed let the expulsive faculty be stirred up to expell the Mole for effecting of which all Medicaments may be used which are proper to bring down the Courses Take Troch de Myrrha one Ounce Castor Aristolochia Gentians Dictam of each half an ounce make a
difficult greater Regard must be had then at other times And first of all the situation of the VVomb and her posture of lying must be cross the Bed being held by those that are Strong to prevent her slipping down or moving her self in the operation of the Man-midwife or Chyrurgeon her Thighs must be put asunder as wide as may be and so held whilst her Legs bends backward towards her Hips her Head leaning upon a Bolster and the Reins of her Back supported after the same manner her Rump and Buttocks being lifted up observing to cover her Stomach Belly and Thighs with warm Linnen to keep them from the Cold. The Woman being in this posture let the Operator put up his Hand if he finds the neck of the Womb dilated and remove the contracted Blood that obstructs the passage of the Birth and having by degrees gently made way let him tenderly move the Infant his hand being first anointed with sweet Butter or a harmless Pomatum and if the Waters are not come down then without any difficulty may they be let forth when if the Infant should attempt to break forth with the head foremost oâ— cross he may gently turn it to find the Feet which having done let him draw forth one and fasten it to a Ribbon then put it up again and by degrees find the other when bringing them as close and even as may be and between whiles letting the Woman breathe urging her to strain in helping Nature to perfect the Birth that he may draw it forth and the better to do it and that his hold may be surer he must fasten or wrap a Linnen Cloth about the Childs Thighs observing to bring it into the World with it's Face downward In case of a Flux of Blood if the neâ—â— of the Womb be open it must be considered whether the Infant or the Secundiâ—â—s come first which the latter sometimes happening to do stops the Mouth of the Womb and hinders the Birth to the endangering both the Woman and Child but in this case the Secundine must be removed by a swift turn and indeed they have by their so coming down deceived many who feeling their softness supposed the Womb was not dilated and by this means the Woman and Child or at least the latter has been lost The Secundines removed the Child must be sought for and drawn forth as has been directed And if in such a Case the VVoman or Child dye the Midwife or Chyrurgeon is blameless because they did their true endeavour If it appear upon enquiry that the Secundine comes first let the VVoman be delivered with all convenient Expedition because a great flux of Blood will follow for then the Veins are opened and upon this account two things are to be considered First The manner of the Secundines advancing whether it be much or little if the former and the head of the Child appear first it must be guided and directed towards the neck of the VVomb as in case of Natural Births but if there appear any diffâ—culty in the Delivery the best way is to search for the Feâ—â— and thereby draw it forth but if the latter the Secundines may be put back with a gentle hand and the Child first taken forth But if the Secundine be far advanced so that it cannot be put back and the Child follow it close then are the Secundines to be taken forth with much care as swift as may be and laid aside without cutting the Entrail that is fastned to them for thereby you may be guided to the Infant which whether alive or dead must be drawn forth by the Feet with all Celerity tho' it is not to be acted unless in Case of great Necessity for in other Cases the Secundine ought to come last And in drawing forth a dead Child let these Directions be carefully heeded by the Chyrurgeon viz. If the Child be found dead with its Head foremost the Delivery wâ—ll be the more difficult for it is an apparent Sign the Womans Strength begins to fall hâ—â— and that the Child being Dead and wanting its Natural Force can be no ways assisting to its Delivery wherefore the most certain and safe way is tor the Chyrurgeon to put up his left Hand sliding it as hollow in the Palm as he can into the Neck of the Womb and into the lower part thereof towards the Feet and that between the Head of the Infant and the Neck of the Matrix when having a Hook in the right Hand couch it close and slit it up above the left Hand between the Head of the Child and the flat of his Hand fixing it in the Bone of the Temple towards the Eye or for want of convenient coming at these in the oceipital Bone observe still to keep the left hand in its place and with it gently moving and stirring the Head and so with the right Hand and Hook draw the Child forward Admonishing the Woman to put forth her utmost Strength still drawing when the Womans pangs are upon her The Head being drawn forth he must with all speed slip his hand under the Arm-holes of the Child and take it quite forth giving these things to the Woman viz. A Toast of fine Wheat Bread in a Quarter of a Pint of Hippocrass Wine Now the former Application and Endeavour failing when the Woman is in her Bed let her receive the ensuing Portion hot and rest till she feel the Operation which is this Take blue Figs to the number of Seven cut them in pieces adding to them Fenugreek Mother-wort and Seeds of Rue of each five Drams water of Penny-Royal and Motherwort of each six Ounces boyl them till one half be consumed and having strained them again add Trochisks of Myrrhe a Dram and of Saffron three Grains sweetning the Liquor with Loaf-Sugar and spicing it with Cinamon Having rested upon this let her Labour again as much as may be and if she be not yet successful make a Suffumation of Castor Opoâ—anax Sulphur and Assafoetida of each half a Dram beating them into Ponder and wetting them with the Juice of Rue until they become stiff then hum them upon Coals so that the Smoak or the Fume may only come to the Matrix and no further If these effect not your Desire then this Emplaister is very fitly to be apylied viz. Take of Galbanum an Ounce and a half Colocynthis without Grains Two Drams the Juice of Motherwort and Rue of each Half an Ounce and two ounces of Virgins Bees wax bruise and melt them together spreading them as a Sear-Cloth to reach from the Navel to Os Pubis spreading likewise to the Flanks at the same time making a convenient Pessary of Wool closing it in a Bag of Silk and dipping it in a Concoction of round Birthwort Savin Colocynthis with Grains Stavesaker Black Hellebore of each a dram and of Rue a little â—sprig or two But these things not having the desir'd success and the Womans danger increasing