herein I shall be serviceable to all good women that shall well mind and seriously consider what I write 1. If the Courses stop by Conception or being with Child there is retained cominonly the natural complexion but others usually are pale and ill-coloured 2. The Symptoms which women with Child have at the first do daily decrease but in other stoppage of the terais by how much the longer the terms stop by so much the more the Symptoms increase mark it 3. In women with Child after the third or fourth moneth there may be perceived the situation and motion of the Infant by laying a warm hand upon the inferior belly in others there is a tumor to befelt but it is flegmatick not hard neither is it proportionable to the womb 4. If a wise and ingenious Midwife touch the inward mouth of the womb it will not be so close shut as it is in women with Child but rather hard contracted and full of pain 5. Women with Child are commonly merry and little disturbed but when terms are otherwise stopped they are sad and forrowful Cure Supposing the suppression of the the Courses by obstructions of the veins of the womb You may begin the Cure with Blood-letting if it do plainly offend either in quality or quantity only be advised where and when Then proceed to the use of these things one after another which are prescribed for the Cure of the Green-sickness but if their disease be so rebellious as not to give way to the former Remedies my advice then is that you Purge with this following Take Pil. Arabica which the Apothecary will help you to two scruples and of Oil of Amber four drops mixed with it be in your Chamber that day and drinking Posset as is ordinary in taking Physick Two or three days after make this medicine following of which give four ounces every morning the first thing and every night the last thing viz. Take Gromwell seed Aniseed Misselto of the Oak of each six drams Ditany of Creet and Cammomil flowers of each two drams Saffron and Cinnamon of each one dram beat what is to be beaten and steep all night in two quarts of good white wine in the morning boil it a little keeping it close cover'd then strain it and use it begging Gods blessing obtaining which undoubtedly it will answer expectations All these being principal receipts amongst the Galenical tribe But if these do not produce such effect as may be and is expected despair not for there is yet other things in our hands which is out of your reach being Chymical preparations that will undoubtedly reach and answer all intentions desires and purposes the blessing of God concurring And let not others through their Pride and Covetousness nor your self by your ignorance and wilfulness upon any account be kept from using those things that the God of all grace hath provided for you for a though slanderously by a vailed generation of men Chymical medicines are accounted and reported dangerous which is the great Bugbear with which they would fright people that so they might keep up their babble I do affirm I am willing at any time to justifie God bearing me witness that I never made or prepared a Chymical medicine in my life neither shall I but what hath been and may safely and without the least danger be given unto little Children And so I come 3. To the Immoderate flux of the Courses a disease which is not without detriment to many good women Womens monethly Courses being moderate in quantity and flowing in due season are natural but if they exceed in quantity or come too often or stay too long they are to be accounted immoderate and besides the intent of nature c. Signs are manifest by the definition however it s known by 1. Ill bearing of the Patient 2. Decay of strength 3. Want of appetite to meat 4. Indigestion of humors 5. Ill habit of body 6. Colour of the face like a dead Corps 7. Swelling of the legs and other most grievous maladies caused by decay of natural heat Cure It must begin by blood-letting in the arm not all at once but by degrees and so she must bleed plentifully as much as her strength can bear And if the Patient can bear the same a Vomit will be convenient especially if the party be prone or apt to vomit which may be done with warm water a pint and Syrup of Squiles two ounces tickling the throat immediately after with a feather After which let this following medicine be given every morning and every night the first and last thing Take the rind of four sower Oranges Bistort and Tormentil of each one ounce the outward rind of the Mulberry-tree two ounces Plantain and Sheepherds Purse of each a handful slice and bruise those things that require it and boil for a full hour in six pints of water then strain it and adde Syrup of Quinces four ounces the Dose is half a pint as aforesaid Outwardly apply a Plaister to the belly spread upon leather and bound on of the ointment called Vnguentum Comitisse it s to be had at the Apothecaries Let them drink Beer and Milk often wherein is quenched red hot Steel and before Diuner for sometime together let them take old Conserve of red Roses one ounce with one dram of the powder of Egg-shells which said things not often fail sometimes do and then we must come to our higher Arcanums and specifical medicines with which I am provided and have cured many not only old in years but old inveterate fluxes to the praise of God I speak it The next thing is the Whites A woman is said to have the whites the woman-flux the flux of the womb or the white menstruals when excrementitious humors do flow from her womb either continually or at least without any certain order or course of time observed in their flowing being sometimes white and flegmatick sometimes pale or yellow sometimes greenish and waterish by the admixture of serous humors Also this disease is wont for the most part to seize upon grown women and those of riper years yet are not Virgins all free from the same so that some have done ill in affirming that such Maids as are troubled with this disease have lost their Virginity my reason is this If Virgins have the veins of their wombs so large that their wonted courses can flow through them why may not the whites drop out of the same passages seeing they are many times more thin and fluxive than the blood it self which is an experienced truth and daily Practice teacheth as much viz. That the most chast and perfect Virgins in the world have had this infirmity c. Signs The disease is easily known by the relation of the party and is oftentimes attended with divers symptoms c. 1. Paleness of the face 2. Want of appetite sometimes with fickness of the stomach 3. Short breathing and weakness 4. Swelling of the Eyes 5.
or cut without sense 6. It sends forth a stinking carrion-like smell In order to Cure In this most grievous and mortal disease because you are not proper subjects in these cases I must be silent only I have holpen you by the signs delivered that timely you may if fearing these things look out for help And let me tell you I am not without Authority to assure you that women have been cured of this disease sometimes the gangrenated place falling of it self by application of proper medicines and sometimes hath been cut off by suitable instruments and the womens lives saved the blessing of God concurting with both remedies and operation Sixthly Of wombs wind water-swelling or Dropsie of the womb It is a blowing up of the womb sometimes to a greater bigness sometimes less causing the belly to swell as in other Dropsies and being with Child Note There is a twofold Dropsie of the womb one from wind like unto that called Timpany another arising from a wheyish and watery humor answering to the Dropsie of the belly called Ascites Signs In laying down which looking upon it as very necessary I shall enquire into a threefold question 1. How this particular Dropsie of the womb may be known and distinguished from that of the whole body 2. How this particular Dropsie of the womb may be known and distinguished from a woman being great with Child And Thirdly How this particular Dropsie of the womb may be known and distinguished from a Mole In answering these three questions you may gather the distinct signs of this peculiar Dropsie of the womb subject only unto women 1. How may this particular Dropsie of the womb be known and distinguished from that Dropsie of the whole body Answ It is distinguished from an universal dropsie of the belly in that the womb-dropsie swells chiefly the lower part of the belly whereas the universal dropsie distends equally the whole belly in all the parts thereof Again in the womb-dropsie paleness and falling away of the flesh of the whole body are not so soon discerned as in the universal dropsie in which also for the most part there is evident thirst and driness of the tongue which are not found in the womb-dropsie Again in the womb-dropsie some wind breaks out of the womb by fits through the privities or else a little water comes away sometimes which evidently declares that wind or water are contained in the womb Quest How may this particular womb-dropsie be known and distinguished from a woman great with Child Many good women were deceived in this case these last two years and I am afraid more will be this year I speak to my own knowledge and have to several told them what after some time they would and not before imbrace for truth who at their reckonings expiring came furtherto enquire which trouble of enquiry if you mark I save you by what follows in answer to this question Ans When a woman is big with Child the swelling is not so even and depressed but it is sharp buncheth out and seems greater about the Navel than elsewhere Secondly In greatness with Child after some months women are for the most part somewhat better than they were but the dropsie of the womb the further it proceeds the worse it grows Thirdly In greatness with Child the child is manifestly perceived to stir after the third or fourth month which is not in the womb-dropsie Yet observe and this is that which deceived so many It falls out sometimes a certain palpitation or motion is perceived in the womb in this disease but it is distinguished from the moving of a Child thus The moving of a child is more even and equal the moving of a child is perceived in divers parts of the belly that motion felt chiefly in one part thereof the motion of the infant in greatness of child inlargeth it self weekly more and more and is to be caused by a warm hand or cloth more than ordinary Fourthly In women with child womens dugs swell but in the dropsie of the womb they sometimes are extenuated and become smaller if not they continue at one stay By these signs well heeded any understanding woman may give a near guess whether she be a true Mother and would have it saved or of no concernment and so would have it destroyed for as the Mother by her affection signified to Solomon whose child it was so this by its motion and other signs signifies of what linage or generation it is and so accordingly may be delt withall 3. Quest Is How the womb-dropsie may be known from a Mole or false-conception Answ That in a Mole women find a kind of heaviness in their wombs which is not so felt in womb-dropsie and when they lie on one of their sides they perceive the weight of the Mole to roul like a stone to that side Again in a Mole violent flux of Courses come sometimes by fits namely every third or fourth month which happens not in the womb-dropsie Again in a Mole the dugs swell and sometimes have milk which is not thus in a womb-dropsie I have been the larger in these things because I judge them worth your knowledge and are of a great concernment to you Now then if you by these signs and tokens find your selves to have the womb-dropsie at any time and are sure you are not with child for blood cries high then for the removal of it use these things following with prayer and supplication First then give this Vomit Take of the infusion of Crocus Metallorum one ounce syrup of Squils half an ounce mix them and give it in a morning warm drinking Posset sometimes after it c. A few days after give Pil. Arabicae half a dram oil of Juniper berries three drops mixed Let her swallow in them days between the Vomit and the Pills six Pepper corns every morning fasting After one days rest after the Pills take this following Take roots of Smallage and Madder of each two ounces Savin Feverfew Peniroyal Germander and Mother-time of each one handful Carraway and Carrots-seed of each half an ounce Saffron and Cinnamon of each one dram boil all together being sliced bruised and stirred as they require in mugwort-Mugwort-water three quarts to two quarts strain it add to the remaining part honey or Sugar sufficient to make it pretty toothsome the Dose is a quarter of a pint every morning fasting using exercise after it Drink every night going to bed a small glass of Doctor Stevens his water outwardly the belly must often be anointed with oil of Dill Rue Wormwood and Southernwood Glisters also are to be administred made of the decoction of Wormwood Peniroyal Rue Centaury in which Glisters dissolv two drams of Elect. Theriaca Diatessaron These things being duly used and the disease not overcome and expelled other things there are which you cannot be directed to the use of them being out of your Element yea and other medicines there are also some
in the womb or its neck 2. Voiding of snotty matter or quitter out of the womb 3. If the neck of the womb be the place afflicted then it is to be known by the parties hand the Midwives finger or genial embracements in which there will be troublesome pain 4. If the bottom of the womb have an Ulcer then the pain is felt about the share and the excrements flow most abundantly 5. If the Ulcer being single and benigne the quitter is little white and not stinking but if malignant and eating the quitter will be greenish lead colour coming away with great pain and stink 6. If it shall arise of the Lechers Pox Gonorrhs will usher it in or attend upon it and other tokens of that foul disease will appear Cure The Cure lieth in hindring the flowing of such humors as either beget or cherish the Ulcer to cleanse and heal the same Blood-letting in this disease is not requisite except an inflamation be joyned therewith Give therefore twice or thrice a week one ounce of Diacatholicon a known Electuary at night drinking Posset in the morning or broth made thin which is more proper But if the Patient be in such condition that she may and nothing forbid give in the first place a vomit of Crocus Metallorum one ounce syrup of Squils half an ounce which you may repeat at some times distance after either of which give this vulnery decoction Take Egrimony Burnet Knot-grass Plantain of each two handfuls Yarrow and Mugwort of each one handful China roots Birthwort roots Bislort roots of each half an ounce Lignum vitae two ounces boil all being shred pounded or sliced in three pottles of water to two pottles strain it and drink half a pint every morning and evening sweetning it with a little honey c. It is also excellent in this disease to drink often warm milk with Sugar of Roses and a little honey mixed therewith There are several other things in order to cure this disease as Injections Cataplasms Ointments c. But because they are to be used and altered as there is occasion which I must not lanch into here I must omit this being work wherein we cannot direct with Pen as we may by Tongue at delivery of our medicines upon a most strict examination and therefore I pass that and come to Thirdly Of a Scirrhus of the Womb. It is a hard tumor without pain bred of thick blood and hardned in the womb Signs of such a swelling bred in the womb are 1. A hardness felt in the region of the womb and heaviness also 2. A sense of some weight bearing down especially when the sick woman stands as though the womb would fall into the water-gate which is not felt when they sit or lie down 3. There is no feaver nor pain wherein it differs from an inflamation or if any it is very small c. But now I know the question will be how shall this disease be known for a Mole or false Conception For general satisfaction in this cafe I aiming at your better judgment and information concerning your selves Observe 1. That this tumor or swelling usually is brought by womens taking cold or drinking cold things when they have their Courses flowing 2. In a Mole if the courses flow they flow disorderly but in this disease they keep their order And 3. In a Mole a womans dugs strout with Milk but in this disease they are extenuated and lessened Cure Bleeding in this case first in the arm then the foot and afterwards with leeches upon the Hemorrhoid veins will be necessary and profitable ordering him when and place where discreetly Then purge three days in one week with these Pills following The first day Take Pil. tapis lazuli half an ounce oil of Amber three drops make them into Pills and swallow them in a morning expecting them to work The next Dose Take Pil. lapis luzuli two scruples oil of Juniperberries four drops And the next Dose Take Pil. Arabica two scruples oil of Assafoetida four drops c. In the mean time the Patient may freely drink a little Mul'd Sack or burnt White-wine only let the spice used be Cinnamon to refresh and comfort her after which to make an issue in one or both legs will be convenient Outwardly you must anoint with this following ointment Take of the gums called Bedellium Ammoiacum and Galbanum of each equal quantities dissolve them with a gentle heat in Vinegar then strain it unto which put oil of Lilies sweet Almonds and Roses of each equal Mucilage of Fenugrick-seed extracted with White-wine one ounce or two according as the quantity you make Hens Gooses and Ducks fat each equal Hogs-grease a little Wax and Turpentine as much as will suffice use it with well and tender rubbings in with a pan of coals These things being used in time and order doubtless by Gods blessing will prove succesfull Other things there are if these fail which as they are too high for you to make so beyond your capacities to administer therefore I pass this and come in the next place which is Fourthly Of the Cancer of the womb A Cancer is a hard swelling of the body or neck of the womb which resisteth the touch and causeth a vehement pain as it were pricking and cutting the part affected and if it be ulcerated it sends forth matter and quitter sometimes yellow sometimes black and stinking Signs It may be known by the definition of the disease before rehearsed and no other signs adjoyned only we for full satisfaction sometimes make use of a womb-perspective instrument made on purpose for our use in such and some other cases of this nature Cure This disease is accounted incurable being so you may not easily be perswaded of help and cure though you are offered the same Some persons to get monies in hand will promise any thing Being therefore so dangerous a distemper I shall forbear any instructions to you concerning this only drinking of whey a good quantity pretty often with two or three drops of Spirit of Vitriol in every draught hath been found effectual after purging and bleeding is necessary A palliative cure therefore only is expected to which end and purpose and to give ease of that cruel pain I am not without medicines but I dare not say positively they will cure this disease perfectly especially if an Ulcer preceded or that be ulcerated Danger being here and daily advice being requisite of either an able Chyrurgion or Physician I rest it here and pass to Fifthly Mortification or Gangrenation of the womb A gangreen is the corruption or mortification of a part beginning c. Signs these Signs of the beginning of a gangreen are 1. An unusual heat felt about the part 2. Horror and trembling upon the Patient 3. Languishing and quick beating pulse 4. Often faintings and swooning 5. The neck of the womb is discovered to be soft lead-colour black and carrion-like and may be prickt
using remedies suitable and fitting which brings me to the cure c. Cure The cure consisteth in preservation for that which is past cannot be helped And The preservation from abortion or miscarriage hath two principal parts or heads The one concerning the woman before she is with child the other when she is with child Before the woman is with child all evil disposition of body which are wont to cause miscarriage must be removed as fulness of blood badness of humors and peculiar diseases of the womb c. Concerning all which advice must be taken of some able Doctor with suitable medicines for this would be too large a field for me at this time to walk or take a turn in But then When she is with child how to prevent her miscarriage I shall here insert that which may do good and be serviceable Besides then that medicine which I have already given for the stopping the overflowing of the courses which is excellent in this case being taken as is there directed I shall adâ—e Take Kermes berries and Tormentil and Bislort roots of each half an ounce Mastick two drams Date stones and shavings of Ivory of each one dram powder them and mix them into the form of an Electuary with syrup of Coral and then mix that with Conserve of red roses and Quinces of each two ounces take the quantity of a Chesnut three times a day morning at four a clock afternoon and at going to bed Hang an Aegle stone Jasper or Smaragds stone about the neck or a piece of Coral in Tiffany make a Plaister with those salves called viz. Emp. pro Matrice Contra Rupturum of each alike and apply it to the region of the share and loins and to the end that the woman may receive good and benefit she must rest her self and keep her self as quiet as possible she can both in her body and mind also she must abstain from genital imbracements c. Moreover this I have observed that by the best and highest graduated means that could be gotten sometimes miscarriage will not be prevented without blood-letting therefore sometimes to some persons to prevent from this evil blood-letting is absolutely necessary yet I dare not say but I have holpen many without bleeding by some secret Arcanums and specifical medicines safe to be taken that my industry in the Art of Chymistry hath made me master of God blessing my endeavours But thirdly of hard child-birth Hard travel in child bearing is such as keep not the due and ordinary laws of nature taking up longer time than ordinary and accompanied with more vehement pains than are usual and other more grievous symptoms Signs Hard travel is known both by the childing woman and by the assistants but especially by the Midwife 1. If the woman continue longer time than ordinary in labour as two three four or more days whereas a truly natural child-birth ought to be accomplished within the space of twelve or twenty four hours at farthest 2. It s a sign of a hard labour if the womans pains be weak and are long before they return and that more especially if her pains be more about her back than privities 3. If the woman be weak and the child weak moving slowly or be either too fat or too lean usually there are hard labours or be crooked also 4. Sometimes hard labour is occasioned by the diseases of the womb 5. Sometimes from the greatness and false situation of the child and 6. Sometimes also hard labour may be guessed at if the water flow from the woman or part of it before its true time which ought but immediately to proceede the birth for this signifies that the after-birth is stronger than ordinary which can hardly be broken c. Cure In pity to poor women in this case though occasioned by sin I shall lay down some choice and excellent observations and medicines in order for their good not at this time at all medling with any directions to or manual operation of the Midwife The observations are these 1. Let the woman lay off all her rings yea and those that are about her also 2. Let her forbear eating any thing that is astringent or binding especially at that time 3. Let her endeavour to be as chearful and lively as possible she may for sleepiness and sottishness do slacken the endeavours both of mother and child 4. Let her also keep her mind free from fear passion sadness anger wroth c. 5. Let her have a Midwife of whom she hath a good conceit and let no woman be about her that there is the least cause or suspicion of prejudice or non-affection 6. Let her not stir unseasonably nor agitate or move to and from unduly fearing it may prevent the child issuing in a fitting posture 7. Let her have her husband if she require or desire it to come into the room to her as often as the man may be rightly constituted and the nature of the work will permit I do not know whether a man kissing his wife at that time have any vertue in it or no but this I know for a certain truth that many good women some I could name have suffered abundantly in this case yea and some so much that their lives have been lost thereby for being denied this priviledge they dying if not undelivered yet not till all is gone and spent that should afterward revive and comfort her and she nearer to the grave than a bed I lay down this the rather because there hath been such evident good success upon the mans presence in several deliveries even immediately that it 's a pity it is not if serviceable to the woman wisely and discreetly put in practice no oftner And besides because I know no substantial reason or ground either from Scripture History nor nature why a man rightly and duly qualified should not have and injoy that priviledge at convenient seasons to visit his wife as in any other dangerous sickness or distemper Weigh what I say well before you judge 8. Let her keep her breath and retain her strength till the right and true time of travel comes This I intimate because there have been many I have known some that have suffered upon this account especially young women who think they are bound and that it is their wisdom to do as the good wives bid them and its common amongst them though but stragling degenerate and wild pains to bid them stop their mouths hold their breath and strain downwards whereas indeed such pains should be let pass without such observation and the woman not put to spend her spirits and strength till it may do her good viz. when the water is complete and judged ready to or hath broke then let her strive and strain what she is able and not before fearing if she do when that time comes her strength and spirits may be impaired and for want thereof the child may not immediately follow the water and
womb Cure These things in wisdom may be given and administred that are propounded to help a hard labour and expel a dead child to which I shall adde this which hath proved very successeful Take of the tops of green Lovage stamp them and strain out the juice with a little Rhenish wine add thereto ten drops of oil of Juniper berries and so give it sweetned with syrup of Bawm But sometimes so it is that without the hand of a skilful operator this disease cannot be moved therefore I advise not long delay before such an one in such a case be made use of the consequences that attend this distemper being dangerous which will be the ready way of cure they doubtless being provided with some specifical remedy to help also in the case 6. Of immoderate flux of child-bed purgations The immoderate flux of child-bed purgations is not to be estimated from the quantity or the time of continuance because that in divers natures ages and courses of life it is very different But from the ill-bearing of the woman and her weakness there-from arising c. Signs Signs immoderate flux of child-bed purgations is known as hath been said from the strength of that woman that is dejected through the exhaustion of her spirits that issue with the blood as also from 1. The blood being much clotted 2. The Patients loathing of Meat 3. Being pained under her short-ribs and feeling a distention of her belly 4. Her pulse is weak and frequent 5. Her sight is dimed and she hath a noise in her ears 6. She is subject to swooning and Convulsions These symptoms concurring and agreeing look out for help speedily for delays in this case are very dangerous Cure Observe let her eat a thickning diet as Panadies Gellies Rice Calves-foot broth Pears and Quinces boiled roasted flesh and not boiled Let her have plenty of meat but a little at a time let heâ— drink be water wherein steel or gold is quenched or in which a little Mastick is boiled Let her superior parts be rub'd and bound Let her bathe her hands in hot wine in which a little Alkermes is mixed and let her belly be moderately well swadled These things being observed but expectations not answered besides what is said before in the immoderate flowing of the courses which is good here you may give this Take blood-stone four scruples powder of Bole-armoniack red Coral prepared Pearls of each one dram seed of Plantain Coriander prepared and grains of Sumach of each two scruples mix all being reduced into fine powder of which let her take one dram with a decoction made with Knot-grass and Sheepherds purse sweetned with syrup of Quinces Let her have a Plaister laid all over her belly made with Vng Comitissa These things being administred and the flux not abated you ought with all imaginable care diligence and speed seek out for further advice and supply from them who are masters of higher and powerfuller medicines in this case And because I writ for the good and benefit of all my good Country-women as also because I have found these things worthy of my observation you may take notice touching the sleep of a woman in this case that while the blood flows plentifully the woman must not be suffered to sleep for many by that means are taken away because the natural heat retiring inwards increaseth the flux But if sleep in such a case cannot be avoided then take this counsel that some body be there by her all the while frequently feeling her pulse and marking and observing her breath 7. Of suppression of child bed purgations The good and happy success of child-bearing doth especially depend upon the convenient and orderly flux of the courses or child-bed purgations seeing the impurities which have been collected in the veins of the womb during the nine months time of the womans belly-bearing are wont to be avoided by these evacuations but if they be suppressed wholly or diminished infinite dangers and calamities arise thereby As Acute Feavers and Quinsies Phrenzies and Pluresies Madness and Melancholy Inflamation of the Lungs c. Signs This suppression is manifest of it self but as I told you concerning their immoderateness is not to be estimated from the quantity or time of continuance because c. as there is shewed so here I would have you to note that the diminution thereof is not to be judged by the quantity that comes away because some women have more superfluous blood and some less But the perfect knowledge as in the other contrary case so in this is gathered from the supervenient symptoms such as these 1. A smelling of the belly 2. A pain possessing the nethermost part of the belly the loins and groins 3. Redness of the face and difficult breath 4. Perturbation of the eyes and shivering fits 5. Feavers and fainting fits 6. Stomach sickness sometimes and loss of appetite Cure It consisteth in provoking the menstruals from which purpose though those things are special good before-mentioned in he stoppage thereof yet it s to be observed they are not here to be given in respect of the different state of the Patient In this case therefore Glisters appropriated to the disease are convenient and are in the first place to be made use of make one thus Take Marsh-mallow roots and Water-lilly roots if you can get them otherwise the other of each one ounce long and round Birthwort of each three drams leaves of Mallows Marsh-mallows Pelitory Mercury of each one handful Linseed and Fenugreek seed of each half an ounce flower of Camomil and Elder of each half a handful boil all in Posset drink to a pint then strain it and in the liquor dissolve oil of Dill and Lilly of each one ounce hiera simplex half an ounce and so give it And let her thighs be rubbed downwards and the toes of her feet be tied fast till they ake again and if need be let Cupping-glasses be fastned to her groins and hips and scarrification if need require If these things fail she must have a vein opered about the knees thighs or foot or leeches applyed to the Hemorrhoids If the feaver forbid not there may be given Troches of Myrrh one dram powdered with a little whiâ—e-wine If there be a feaver this decoction hath been used successefully viz. Take French Barley one handful Liquorish half an ounce Schenanth one dram and a half boil all in Posset-drink to a pint which makes three doses one in the morning another about ten a clock and the other about 4. in the afternoon taking a little burnt-wine cold with burnt Cinnamon wherein is dropped three or four drops of spirit of Sulphur Purgation also sometimes in this case as it is necessary so may be used but with great caution but certainly a medicine may be had in this case that answers all intentions c. 8. Of after-pains or gripings after child-bearing Gripings do so frequently betide women in child-bed that very few women
principal of the Galenical Art so far as Authors make manifest and I have proved Thirdly Neither may you expect these Arcanums specifical medicines spake of to be at this time made manifest or publick having reasons sufficient to the contrary besides that many of them are Chymical preparations and none of them made without fire and the help of Chymical utensils or vessels but shall reserve them as yet to my self only alwayes ready either to give or sell such quantities and at such prizes as the persons may be capable to give and the medicines deserve And indeed they are very cheap considering their efficacy which things I was more than ordinary concerned to study being my medicines hitherto though acknowledged to be very excellent choice yet complained of by some for their dearness which although I have now endeavoured to remedy yet not so far as to detract from the worth of the things These persons complaining not considering the great charge trouble excellency and worth of Chymical preparations above others but thinking hard of giving four six or ten shillings for a small bottle of some Spirit Tinct Elixar or other medicine not examining who is the greatest gainer whether they that furnish them possibly with three four five perhaps six quarts for the same money or we they only making it by decoction c. we by calcination sublimation liquation salification precipitation purification so separating the pure from the impure administring only the most pure part of any Mineral Animal or Vegetable they both together yea not only so but the best many times lost by their way of compounding or if not so yet the body of the thing being not opened according to Chymical Art doth not operate effectually But of this no more here Having thus premised I come now to the business it self and I begin with these distempers of the vessels of the womb and the first is Chlorosis or Green-sickness and according to promise I shall observe this method viz. 1. To give you the definition of the discase or tell you briefly what it is 2. To give you the most principal common signes of such and such diseases thereby helping your judgments that you may look for Cure 3. To give you some choice and notable Receipts in order to Cure that disease you find your self to lie under or are creeping into In all of which God direct my Pen in writing and cause you to be humble and sober in reading 1. Then the Chlorosis or Green-sickness it is also called the White feaver the Virgins disease the white Jaundies c. and may be defined thus An evil habit of body from the obstructions of the Veins of the Liver Spleen Mesentery and especially the womb whereby the whole passage of blood is hindred which abounding in Virgins when they begin to have their Courses and being hindred by its natural course by those obstructions turns to the upper parts and oppresseth the Heart Liver Spleen Midriff and other parts destroying natural heat and bringing evil concoction in the bowels and is known by these signs following 1. The face and all the body is pale and white and sometimes of a lead colour blew and green 2. Swelling face and Eye-lids especially after sleep the legs also soft and loose especially about the Ancles 3. Heaviness and idleness in the whole body 4. Difficult breathing especially when they move themselves or go up a hill or stairs 5. Palpitation of the heart and beating of the Arteries of the Temples 6. Often great Head ach sometimes before and sometimes behind according as from whence vapors ascend 7. For the most part a swift Pulse 8. Sleep very sound sometimes till noon 9. Loathing wholsome Meat covering that which is not convenient to be eaten 10. Stoppage of the monthly Courses which shews the disease to be at the height Now to help you in the Cure of this discase consider it lieth in three things chiefly viz. In opening obstructions in correcting the distemper of the bowels and in strengthning the same which to do I advise you to use these ensuing medicines 1. Give this Purge in a morning with those common observations which are used in taking Physick Take Rosin of Jalap ten grains Diacatholicon and Conserve of red Roses of each half an ounce Crem Tartar twenty grains Salt of Mugwort four grains mix them altogether and give this Bolus upon the point of a knife c. The next thing is Bleeding and concerning the place observe this That if the body abound with gross and evil humors you then take the arm first if not the foot only remember that when the lower veins are opened it be done toward the full of the Moon when the Courses use to come down or if they have not yet appeared when the party is most afflicted Soon after her bleeding make this medicine and administer it every morning the first thing causing her to exercise after it for several mornings together the quantity of three ounces forbearing meat or drink for two or three hours the medicine is this Take of the filings of Steel four ounces Eryngo roots and Elicampane of each one ounce and half flowers of Broom Rosemary Betony and Epithimum of each half a handful red Coral and shavings of Ivory of each six drams Cloves Nutmegs Cinnamons Saffron of each two drams White wine six pints Steep these things being bruised or beaten in the wine for eight days keeping it close stopt and in a gentle heat in hot water or embers then strain it and use it as aforesaid And in the mean time supply her with Conserve of Mugwort the quantity of one ounce once a day before Supper with six grains of Crem Tartar and by Gods blessing the Cure will be performed but if not then we must come higher to Diuretical and Diaphoretical medicines which never fail Such of which I am alwayes provided with for the good and benefit of all which Arcanums and Specifical medicines are not at this time to be made publick no not to the Sons of Art And so I conclude my discourse concerning the Green sickness only my advice further is that the Parents of such persons as have this disease or others who are concerned would prudently and timely provide marriage for them much of the Cure of this disease lying in Carnal Copulation as experience hath and doth teach every day more or less the vessels of the womb becoming thereby much enlarged c. 2. Stoppage of the Terms or Courses The terms are said to be stopped when in a woman ripe of Age which gives not Suck and is not with Child there is seldom small or no evacuation of blood by the womb which useth to be every moneth Signs are manifest but because it comes either from natural or preternatural causes I shall lay down some distinguishing signs whereby you may discern whether they stay from being with Child yea or no or from some other preternatural cause and