lib. 3 de sym caus cap. 4. Menstrua alba profluvium uteri as Galen This Disease hath great affinity with the Gonorrhea or the involuntary issue of natural seed called the running of the Reins And this Flux also proceeds from two Causes either too much cold or unatural heat and the differences of this Issue are very many as may appear by the colour of the Excrements which flow or issue which are sometimes red sometimes pale sometimes yellow sometimes black sometimes white and sometimes green sometimes thick and sometimes watery from Species may be gathered the quality of the peccant humour as for example If the Flux be of a red colour it declares that the issue flowes from the blood and is thereby caused If it be pale or yellow it denotes black Choler is the cause thereof if white it proceeds from flegm if it be thin and watery superfluous humours do abound in the Body But above all things be sure to know whether this Flux be a Gonorrhea that is an involuntary issue of the natural Sperm which is the running of the Reins the self same Disease being also incident to men as well as women and proceedeth in both Sexes from one and the same cause and that women as well as men do labour under the same Symptom But is general among women to call this disease the Whites though it be a Gonorrhea or the running of the Reins under which infirmitie many do a long time labour to the great wasting and Consumption of their Bodies the principal cause thereof proceeding either from immoderate excessive or unlawful Venery It is generally agreed that the lawful and proper cause of the Whites is too much superfluity of Excrements but as touching the place and manner where and how these Excrements are ingendered Authors disagree Some say the cause is a daily begetting of corrupt humours in the principal parts Others that it proceeds only from the Womb and Spermatick Vessels Others that it flows only from the Reins the Womb being not at all afflicted thereby But Galen plainly demonstrates 6. de locis affect loc 5. that the whole Body is affected with this Issue although it purge through the Womb and evacuate it self from the Reins and that this Disease is most incident to flegmatick and weak women It remaineth before we come to speak of the method of the cure of this infirmity that diligence be used as we said before to find out whether it proceed from a Gonorrhea that is a Running of the Reins or Flux of humane seed or not the knowledge whereof must be rather conjectural then to be demonstrated from any certain sign other then the Patients own relation But the flowing of the Seed is more thick and floweth in lesse quantity and is not so corrupt and of a whiter colour On the contrary the other Excrements are more thin do flow more abundantly are more filthy and putrified and are not alwayes of the same colour But to proceed to the manner of the Cure of this Disease Respect in the first place is to be had to the purging and cleansing of the whole Body and if the Disease be a Gonorthea and proceed of heat unlawfully or however gotten the Body must first be purged with Medicines appropriate to the Reins before you attempt in any wise to stop the same for which this following is very good An Electuary to purge the Reins Take Cassia newly extracted one ounce Rheubarb in powder one dram mix them together with syrup of white water Lillies a sufficient quantity to make it into an Electuary put this into a penny pot of White-wine or a little posset drink which comes first to hand stir it well together till it be all dissolved in the drink and so take it in the morning fasting and go about your business if you have any thing to do about two hours after take some broth or posset drink This Medecine you may take twice or thrice as you see occasion resting alwaies a day between Afterwards you may take every other day a dram of Trochis de Carabe in Plantane water You may also give the Patient every second or third day a dram of the filings of Ivory in Plantane water it is very good Sweating is also much commended in this case which may be thus done Take Barley water three ounces strong Wine two ounces give it the Patient very warm and so let her sweat Afterwards prepare a Clyster in this manner A Clyster for the Whites through heat or running of the Reyns Take Beets Violet-leaves and Night-shade of each one handful seeth them well together and take 12 Ounces of the decoction or boyled liquor which you please to call it and to it add Sugar 1 Ounce and a half Yolks of Eggs Oyl of Water-Lillies Oyl of Roses of each 2 Ounces Salt a dram and a half give this Clyster in the afternoon a little before meat A Confection for the same Take Comfrey-roots 3 Ounces Pompeon-seed Water-Lillies of each a dram Juyce of Liquorice 2 scruples Coral prepared Bolus Mirtle-seed Roses of each 10 grains Gun Traganth half a dram Syrup the Comphrey Roots cleave and slice them small and seeth them in Red Wine until they be so tender that you may beat them to grout or pap then pill the Pompeon-seeds and beat them together with the other things to fine Powder then incorporate them with the pap or grout made of Camphrey-Roots and then put to them Sirrup of Citron Pills and of Orenges as much as you please and then boyl them together to a Confection And take every morning a spoonful thereof before break-fast Conserves of Roses and Marmalade are exceeding good for this purpose either to be taken alone or mixt together with prepared Bolus and take thereof a dram at a time An excellent Sirrup for the same Take the Seeds of Purslain Lettice and Water-Lillies of each an Ounce prepared Coriander Water Lilly-Roots Dandelion Night-shade of each half an Ounce Camphire half a dram Dates chopt small 2 Ounces Rue-Seeds Mountain Mints parched Gomin of each 1 dram Steep the Dates 8 dayes in Vinegar then seeth them together in 2 quarts of water till half be wasted strain it and put to it 12 Ounces of the juyce of Quinces Sugar 36 Ounces and boyl them all together to a Sirrup and so clarifie them Of this Sirrup take 2 Ounces with 3 Ounces of Plantain water or Purslain-water This is an excellent proved Sirrup for this purpose Drinks and Waters good for this Disease Take Comphrey Roots and boyl them in water and drink thereof 3. of 4. Ounces at a time with Sugar Also water wherein the filings of Steel have been steeped and then Myrtle-seeds boyled therein is very good to drink for the same Simple waters good for this infirmity are the waters of Plantain Sorrel Purslain and Cithorie The decoction of Mallows and the Roots of Hollyhockles is also very good to drink for this Disease An
drinks as cleanse the Body and make good blood beware of fish and such moist meats and abstain from much motion of the Body Chap. VIII Of natural Conceptions HAving thus far treated of the diseases accidents and infirmities incident to the Menstrue and generative parts of Women we proceed to discourse of those things which pertain to the Conception and Birth of man in which thing the conservation and continuance of all mankind consists That to the generation of every man there is a necessity of a distinction of both sexes Male and Female and also of Conjunction of them both we have already declared But in what manner this admirable operation of nature is effected and brought to perfection Galen declareth who saith Gal. 1. sem 4. That in time of Copulation of the Male and Female the Seed of the Male is attracted into the Womb of the Female and is extended and dilated through all the parts thereof and is there by the natural heat and moisture of the Womb Coagulated into a massy substance before any of the Members be formed and afterwards nature as with an instrument forms and fashions the Veins Arteries Bones and other Members branching them all over the body then safely wrappeth them all up together in a Coat preserving them to the time of the perfect Birth if no mischance or accident intervene to the hinderance thereof which must be diligently endeavoured to prevent And to further the Conception for the procreation sake of mankind take these directions A Confection to cause fruitfulnesse in Man or Woman Take Rapes Ivory shaven Ashkeys Sesely Behen red and white of each one dram Cinamon Doronicum Mace Cloves Galingale long Pepper Rosemary flowers Balsom wood Blatiis Byzantiae Marjoram gentle Penny-royal of each two scruples Balm Buglas Citron pieces of each one scruple Spica Indiae Amber Pearles of each half scruple Sugar a pound decoct the Sugar in Malmsey and the other things and make them into a Confection use of it a little at a time A Powder for the same to be strewed on meat Take Nurmegs Cubebbes Ginger of each half a dram long Pepper Mastick Cinamon red Behen white Behen of each a Scruple mix them all together and make them into fine powder and strew of it a little upon the parties meat Another Confection for the same Take Honey three ounces Linseed Grains Ivory shaven of each one ounce Borrage three ounces Sugar 24 ounces Musk Amber of each half a scruple Cinamon two grains Cloves Mace of each one graine clarifie the Honey then incorporate the other things with it to make a Confection thereof and take of it as you please A Porionto further Conception in a Woman Take Wormwood Mugwort of each a handful Boyl them together in a quart of Goats milk till almost half be wasted and let the Woman drink thereof first and last every morning and evening a good draught A Bath for the same Take Penyroyal Mugwort Rue of each a handful Put them into a Bag and boyl them in rain-Rain-water a sufficient quantity to make a Bath boyl it well bathe therein twice a day and renew the Bath every third day use this for a good space You must understand as I said before that without the mutual conjuction of male and female the natural reception and coagulation of both their Seeds in the Field of generation the Womb there can be no natural conception and so consequently no birth so that if the impediment lie in either of the Vessels receiving or instruments giving then these Medicines prescribed do not work their effect till the obstructive causes be removed and of them you shall be sufficiently directed in the subsequent Chapter of barrenness and the causes thereof but if the Womb be clean and the Masculine Instrument proportioned thereunto so that the defect lie in some debility of nature let both parties make use of this Confection following and take of it in the mornings fasting and they shall seldom fail of their desires But take notice by the way I do not prescribe this to Maids nor Batchelors they have no use for it A Confection to further fruitfulness in Men and Conception in Women Take a Bores Stones Stags Pissel shaven small I ounce Bulls Pissel if you cannot get the other will do as well Sparrows Brains 50. or 60. yellow Rape Eringo Root and Satyrion confected Ivory shaven of each 3 Ounces and a half Cynamon Dates Indy Nut Kernels of each 2 Ounces Long Pepper Ginger Rosemary Flowers of each half an Ounce Seseli 1 dram Nettle-seed Cloves Safron Mace Galingale Cypress Roots Nutmegs Cassia wood Cucubes Doronicum Field Mints Peny Royal Spica Indiae Musk Amber of each one dram Make all these into a Confection with 4 pounds an half of white Sugar refined in Mint-water and take of it as before is directed and if you cannot easily get all the things yet refuse not the Medicine but make it with as many as you can come by Chap. IX Of Barrenness IT is granted amongst all men that the Generation of man-kind and also of all other Creatures is the most perfect work and the most excellent and most exquisite natural operation of all the works of nature Aristotle 2 Gen. Aâ—â—mal Galen de â—sâ— part 14.2 which Aristotle most elegantly sets forth and demonstrates That whereas it is impossible by the decree of nature that any animal or Creature should live alwayes or have an eternal Essence and being therefore for the continuance of the kinds of all Creatures as well bruit as rational that a continual Generation might be had and maintained the Sexes of male and female fitted to the act of procreation were ordained And from hence saith Galen it comes to passe that all Creatures are furnished with Instruments of generation fitting the quality of their Sexe and are indued with natural instincts prompting them to the use thereof Therefore we here take liberty to speak of this wonderful Operation of nature And to seek out the causes that hinder and prescribe meanes to further the Operation of the same partly for Dame Natures sake whose intent in hindred where this work is obstructed and partly for those Ladies sakes who are sometimes disconsolate being amongst the number of those that are accounted barren We intend not here to enter into the Philosophers Inquisitions nor the Physitians Lectures what is the forming matter which causes the birth in the Womb in what order how and in what time or how many dayes the several parts and members of the body are framed at what time God the Authour of all things and nature it self infuseth the living soul into the Conception or conceived body but our intention only is to speak of what belongs to Physick and not only to Philosophy to treat of those things which do impedite or hinder the perfection of conception For as the conception hath some contingency with every part of the body so the same may be
two ounces and an half Assa foetida Bistorta Tormentil of each three drams melt the Gums and then pound them altogether and make an ointment thereof and with this annoint the Kidnies and lower parts of the Body A Pessary for the same Take Assa foetida one ounce Mastick Frankinsense Myrtle seed Galingale Cypress nuts of each a dram beat them together very small and mix it with the oyl of Mirtles and make a Pessary thereof and put it up into the Matrix A Plaister for the descension of the Matrix to keep it from going any further out of the Body Take Rozen two ounces Frankincense Mastick Cypres gum of each half an ounce mix and melt them all together and put to it some oyl of Mastick so make it into a Plaister and apply it to the privities and wear it thereon Another Plaister for the same Take Mastick one ounce Frankincense half a dram Cypress nuts Galls Mirtle seeds of each one dram Pomgranate pills the blossoms thereof Turpentine of each one quarter of an ounce pound all that is to be pounded and mix them all together with turpentine and oyl of Mastick enough to make it into a plaister and spread it on a cloth to cover from the Navel to the privities and there wear it alwaies For the descention of the Matrix it is also good to take Date stones and beat them to powder and strew thereof on the place A Bath for the falling down of the Matrix Take Oken buds Medlar leaves Service leaves Cypress leaves topps of Ladies thistles each one handfull Sprigs of Mirtle Valerian wild Mints of each two handfuls bruise or chop them all small then put them in a bag and boyl it well in water and fit thereon in a Bath up to the Navel about an hour For pain in the Matrix through wind Take Turbith four scruples Ginger one scruple give it in Mugwort water or in the Decoction of Mugwort For the same and to prevent Miscarriages Take Carraway seed one dram Ameos Ginger Beaver cod of each one scruple steep the Carraway seed in Vinegar and dry it again and beat it to powder then mix it with the rest and give a dram thereof in Wine every morning for certain dayes together For the same Annoint the Belly with oyl of Lillies and oyl of Wall flowers For an Impostume in the Maetrix a Pessary Take Wax oyl of Violets of each half an ounce melt them together and then put to it juyce of Plantane Nightshade of each an ounce Camphire half a dram mix them all well together and dip a tent of Cotton in it and put it up into the Matrix An Injection to cleanse the Matrix Take Galls Lentils Pomgranate flowers Kneeholm seeds Roses Saunders of each a like quantity boyl them all together in water and strain it and inject the decoction into the Matrix with a Syringe For the same Take Hysop Wormwood and Honey of Roses and seeth the same in white Wine and milk and inject the decoction thereof A Bath to incarnate the flesh in the Matrix after it is clean sed from all uncleannesse Take Centory six ounces Ireos Comphrey Cassia roots Egrimony of each three handfuls Sarcocolla Gum dragon Dragons blood Mummy Hypocistis Frankincense of each one dram boyl them all together in a sufficient quantity of water till half be consumed and then put to it refuse of Iron prepared an ounce and a quartet then boil it a little longer and use this for a Bath Another for the same use Take Mallows Violet leaves Melilot Plantaine Lentils Fenegreeke Colewort buds of each three handfulls boyl them all in water unto the half and make a Bath of it as of the former A Pessary to mollifie the hardness and pain between the Navel and the Matrix Take Ducks grease marrow of Harts bones or Oxes marrow if you cannot get the other Neats feet oyl Bdelium yolks of rosted Eggs of each a like quantity Saffron two drams dissolve them together in Wine and temper therewith oyl of Lillies then dip a tent of linnen or Cotton therein and put it up into the place use it often this will asswage the pain and take it away For Cankers and Ulcers of the Womb a purging Potion Take Benedicta laxativa half an ounce Agarins one scruple Ginger Grains one scruple juyce of Fetherfew two ounces and a half mix them well together and give it the Patient two mornings together and then let let her govern her self as after purging Another Potion for the same to be used many dayes together to cleanse the Matrix Take Oxymel of Squils half an ounce Syrupus de Bysantijs Syrup of Vinegar of each three quarters of an ounce Lovage water Egremony warer of each an ounce Cicory water 2 ounces Let the Patient drink this in the morning early and sleep upon it fast four hours after it use it many daies together till the Urine become of a good colour and appear clean A Pessary for Ulcers in the Womb. Take oyl of Fetherfew flowers Saffron of each half an ounce oyl of Wall-flowers two ounces Sarcolla Mittha Opopanacum of each a dram Turpentine three quarters of an ounce Musk one graine White wax one ounce boyl them all together in four ounces of the juyce of Smallage till all the juyce be consumed then annoint a Pessary of Cotton therewith and put it up into the grieved place and refresh it oftentimes Cleanse the Body inwardly with Honey water and make afterwards this Pessary following renewing it four or five times a day Take Smallage Fetherfew Mugwort stamp them together and make a Pessary thereof and annoint it with Hierapicra Take also the juyce of the aforesaid herbs and wet a cloth therewith and lay it on the Back and Hips and lower parts of the Back bones An Injection for Ulcers in the Womb. Take Egrimony and seeth it in Barley water and mix with it clarified Honey or Honey of Roses and so use it Another more strong for the same Take Wine six ounces burnt Allum Verdigrease of each half a dram temper them together and let them stand infused in the Wine five hours and then inject it Another to dry the Ulcers Take Galls Pomgranate pills Pomgranate flowers Allom Egrimony of each a like quantity seeth them all together and strain out the decoction and inject it For a Vein broken in the Ulcer If there be any Vein broken in the Ulcer then mix some of these things with the former decoction as Dragon blood Mirrh Frankincense fine Bolus Saffron Hartwort Rose water or Plantane water A Bath for the Reins very good for Ulcers or Cankers therein Take Yarrow roots Valerian roots Smallage roots of each four handfuls Mirrh Oppopannacum of each one quarter of an ounce boyl them altogether in a sufficient quantity of fair water until a good part thereof be consumed then let the Patient sit therein up to the Navel Let the Patient in this Disease use such meats and
take five daies one after another filed Ivory a dram and a half in Fetherfew water and during that time let her sit in this Bath following an hour together morning and night Take wild yellow rapes Daucus Balsam wood and fruit Ash-keys of each two handfuls red Behen white Behen Broom flowers of each a handful Musk three grains Amber Saffron of each one scruple Boil all in water sufficiently but the Musk Saffron Amber and Broom flowers put them into the decoction after it is boiled and strained A Confection profitable against barrennes Take Pistacia Pingles Eringos of each half an ounce Saffron one dram Lignum Aloes Galingale Mace Gariophilata Balm flowers red Behen white Behen of each four scruples shaven Ivory Cassia bark of each two scruples syrup of confected Ginger twelve ounces white Sugar six ounces decoct all these well together in twelve ounces of Balm water and stir it well together then put to it of Musk and Amber of each half a scruple Take hereof the quantity of a Nutmeg three times a day in the morning an hour before noon and an hour after supper But if the cause of Barrenness in man or woman be through scarcity or diminution of the natural Seed then such things are to be taken as do increase Seed and incite and stir up Venery For this is good yellow Rape seed baked in bread young fat flesh not too much salted Saffron the tailes of Stincus and long Pepper are good prepared in Wine Let such parties eschew all sowre sharp doughy and slimy meats long sleep after meat surfetting and drunkennesse and as near as possibly you can keep your selves from sorrow grief vexation and care To encrease natural seed Generally these things following encrease natural seed and stir up venery and recover the Seed again when it is lost viz. Eggs Milk Rice boyled in milk Sparrows brains flesh and bones and all The Stones and Pissels of Bulls Cocks Bucks Rams and Bores Portages good to encrease natural Seed are such as are made of Beans Pease and Lupines cast away the first bitter broth of the Lupines and mix the rest with Sugar French Beans Wheat sodden in broth Anniseeds Fennel-seed Mustard seed Colewort seed and Nettle seed Roots good to increase the natural Seed Oynions stewed Garlick Leeks yellow Rapes fresh Ragwort roots confected Sugar confected Eringo roots confected Ginger Costus roots Sperage Thistle roots Radish roots Zedoary confected Assarabacca Of fruits Hazel nuts Cypress nuts Pistacia Almonds and Marchpane made thereof Spices commodious to stir up Venery are In general Cinamon Cardamome Galingale long Pepper Cloves Ginger and Saffron Assa foetida taken a dram and a half at a time in good Wine is very good for this purpose and so likewise is Dragagant Borax is also fit to be taken in like manner Of Compositions these Confections following are good to increase the natural Seed The Confection Dia Moscha Aromaticum rosarum Diambra Dianthos Diagalanga Tryon pipetion Dia margariton calidum Mithridate and especially the Confection of Diasatyrion but these are dear Lozinges or a Confection to increase the naturall Seed Take Ginger one dram and a half Almonds Pingles Pistacia of each one ounce Kernels of Indian Nuts Sysarum of each half an ounce Harts Pisle five drams Cinque-foiâ—e Palma Chriâ—â—i one dram and a half Galingale Cloves Cinamon Mustard-seed long Pepper yellow Rape seed white Behen of each one dram Onion seed Radish seed Rape seed Ashen keys of each two scruples sides of Stymus tails of Stymus three drams Borrage one quarter of an ounce Sugar two pound boil them altogether in Wine sufficient to make a Confection or Lozinges thereof and take about the quantity of a Nutmeg at a time Another for the same Take yellow Rapes Onions Sperage roots Mustard seed Radish seed Pingles Ash-keyes Eringo roots Satyrion Roots Costus Roots Ginger long Pepper Cresses seeds of each a like make all these into fine Powder and mix them well together and add to every Ounce of the Powder 3. Ounces of clarified Honey and therewith make it into a Confection take of this Confection about 3 drams at a time with a little Sugar and new milk For the weakness and debility of the yard of a man use this Oyntment Take Wax Oyl of Bever-cod Marjerom gentle and Oyl of Costus of each a like quantity make it into an Oyntment and put to it a little Musk and therewith annoint the yard and other members adjacent Another Oyntment for the same Take of Horse Emmers 3 drams oyl of white Sesamum oyl of Lillies of each one Ounce pound and bruise the Ants and put them to the Oyl and let them stand in the Sun 6 dayes then strain out the Oyl and add to it Euphorbium 1 scruple Pepper Rue of each one dram Mustard-seed half a dram â—et this again altogether in the Sun 2 or 3 dayes then annoint all the Instruments of Generation therewith Another for the same Take Oyl of Lillies 2 Ounces Oyl of Bever Cod 1 Ounce Euphorbium Pepper Mustard-seed of each 1 dram Muscus half a scruple mix them together unto an Oyntment and use it as the other Remedies against barrenness in Women through Cold. Care must be taken in this case to cleanse the womb from all excessive moysture and not to overcharge the stomack with meat and refrain from much sleep and not addict her self to anger nor sorrow neither if she can avoid it to use moderate exercise and stirring unless it be immediately after she hath bin helping her Husband to get a Child or endevouring to do it then let her rest from exercise and motion of the body at least 2 houres after it Let her abstain from eating of much fish milk or fresh cheese and from fat flesh and Vinegar these are obnoxious to the womb To cleanse the womb from moysture Take a potion prepared of Oximel of Squils or of Oximel compositum and Sirrup of Wormwood with a decoction of Annis Fennel Comin and Harts Tongue And afterwards take 1 dram of Pill benedicta once in 14. dayes and fast 5 houres after it A Bath for the same Take Storax Calamita Field Mints Asphalatus Annis Seseli Rue Balsame wood and fruits Behen red and white of each half 1 Ounce boyl all together in water and make a Bath thereof and let the party sit in it up to the navel Also use often to annoynt the parts about the womb with warm and drying Oyl such as Oyl of Spike Oyl of Elder and the like Another Bath for the same wherein the Woman may either bathe her whole body or sit in it up to the middle Take Mugwort Sage of each two handfuls Calamint Dittany of each half a handful Fennel Roots Sparagus Parsley of each one handful Bay-berries Juniper Annis Comin of each two drams mixe them and boyl them all in water and make a Bath thereof and use it as before is directed A Confection good against barrenness caused through too much coldness
of an Asses hoof or of a Horses if you cannot get the other and make a fume thereof and let the woman sit over it Basilium is good for the same to be used in like manner and so is likewise the fume of Laudanum and Galbanum A Bath to expel a dead Child Take ten handfuls of Mints and boyl them well in a sufficient quantity of water and let the woman sit therein up to the middle Chap. XV. Of hard Labour and means to procure easie Delivery THat all women should bear children with pain and sorrow was a punishment inflicted on them by God for the disobedience of the first Mother for which cause they undergo more anguish and peril in bringing forth then any other Creatures Yet nevertheless there may be many causes and accidents which render the delivery more dangerous and difficult in some then in others for which our purpose is here to prescribe some remedies A most excellent Plaister to strengthen women with child to wear all the time they be with child Take oyl Olive two pound four ounces red Lead one pound Spanish Sope twelve ounces Incorporate them altogether in an earthen pot and when the Sope cometh upwards put it upon a small fire of coals and continue it an hour and a half stirring it with an Iron or stick then drop a drop of it upon a trencher if it cleave not it is enough spread it on cloths or lay it on a board till it cools then make it up into Rolls it will last twenty years the older the better and when you have occasion to use it for this purpose spread a Plaister of it and apply it to the Backâ— and when you have tryed it you will give me thanks for it It is likewise good for the bloody Flux Running of the Reins or any weakness in the Back for any bruise to draw out a Thorn out of the flesh and easeth Cornes and is good for a strain and for the Head-ach being applyed to the Temples But to proceed when the woman with child begins to draw near her time then let her use such meats and drinks as nourish well but use no excesse of either but especially let her take care to keep her Body soluble for which and also to prepare the Body for an easy delivery this Bath is very good to be used A Bath good for women with Child when they draw near their time to procure easie delivery Take Holly-hock roots and leaves two handfuls Mallows Betony of each one handful Mugwort Marjoram Mints Camomile of each half a handful Linseed two handfuls bruise the Linseed grosly and put that together with the hearbs into two bags and boyl them well in water enough to make a Bath for the woman to sit in up to the Navel when it is warm and let her sit upon one bag and hold the other upon her Navel And afterwards use to annoint the Belly Back and privities with this Salve following being warmed A preparative Salve to cause easy delivery in Child bearing women Take oyl of sweet Almonds of Lillies Violets of each-half an ounce Linseed Holly-hock roots Fenugreek Butter Hens grease of each one quarter of an ounce Quince kernels Dragagant of each an ounce stamp the seeds small and slice the roots and boyl them all together in rain water then take out the Muscilage and temper the same with the oyl then let the powned Dragagant and Hens grease boyl so long till the Muscilage be consumed then make thereof a Salve and annoint therewith as before is directed Another Ointment for the same Take oyl of sweet Almonds of Lillies of Violets each half an ounce Hens grease Ducks grease three drams mix them together with Wax as much as is needful to make a Salve and use it as the other With any of these Salves a woman is to be annointed about the parts before mentioned every day the space of five or six weeks before her time Now when the time of Labour is come then use any of these things which follow as the cause requires but above all things this powder following is most effectual An excellent Powder for women in travel with Child-bearing Take Dittany of Crete Penny-royall Aristolochia round each half a scruple Cinamon Saffron of each twelve grains Let them be all beaten into a fine powder and given in Wine or some convenient decoction as the decoction of red Pease of Penny-royal or of Parsley For outward Medecines there be many things used to be held to the privities as Egrimony with the roots to be held to the Matrix and immediately after the birth to be thrown away lest it draw down the Matrix also Henbane roots Polypody roots Bistorta are very good for the same Also take Polypody roots and Mallows of each a handful and a handful of Mugwort bruise them small and boyl them well and apply it moderately warm upon the Matrix and after the Delivery immediately take it away Some use to tie a Snakes skin about the Thigh but what vertue there is in that they know that have tryed it Bay-berries beat and applyed to the Navel are good to further the Birth but inwardly this Powder is commended Take Cinamon Mirrh of each half a dram make them into powder and give it with a little White-wine Another for the same Take Cinamon one dram Saffron half a dram Cassia wood Cassia pipes of each two scruples scrape off the uttermost black bark from the Cassia Pipes and make it all into fine powder and give it four or five times in the decoction of red Pease Pills for the same Take Mirrh Bever-cod red Storax of each half a scruple Cinamon Savin of each half a scruple make it into Pills with the decoction of red Pease and so give it Another for the same Take Mirth Costus red Storax of each half a dram Ammoniacum Savin of each half a dram beat them very small and give it in the decoction of red Pease use it three or four times If the throws be too weak or do not continue let all sweet savours as Musk or the like be kept from the woman in labour for that hinders throwes and holds back the Birth But to forward the Birth make this decoction Take Betony three handfulls Mugwort one handful Camomile Penny-royal Hysop of each one handful Linseeds two handfuls bruise the Linseed grossly and cut the hearbs small and put them all in a bag and boyl it well in Wine and water with this decoction foment the Matrix five or six times with a spunge and then annoint the place with the oyl of Wall-flowers even to the Neck of the Mother if it can be done with conveniency But if this help not then give her a good draught of this Potion following every two hours Take Mugwort Penny-royal Hysop of each half a handful Betony one handful boyl all these in a pint and a half of Renish Wine till the fourth part be consumed strain
of small Endive of Melons of Gourds of Pompeons Cucumbers and Lettice of which Pessaries may be made to use in the Womb but have a care you put a string to them to get them out again when you please A Syrup to take away the Obstructions in the Body which hinder the Terms Take Madder two ounces of the roots of Lovage Sperage Cypers and grasse each an ounce and a half Penny Mountaine and Balm of each two ounces Spica Indiae half a dram Licorice Currans Rosemary flowers and Stecados of each an ounce six ounces of Honey and nine ounces of Sugar boyl it into a syrup and take thereof two ounces at a time Another for the same Take two ounces of Madder Sperage roots Cypers roots and the roots of Butchers broom of each an ounce Valerian Sabine white water Mints and Penny-royal of each a handful Baulm two handfuls of Melon seed one ounce Licorice and Currans each half an ounce Honey and Sugar of each six ounces so make it into a syrup and take thereof about an ounce and a half at a time To provoke the Terms strongly Take the water of Smallage of Lupins Sperage and Fennel of each six ounces a dram of Cinamon a quarter of an ounce of Spica Indiae Ammoniacum and Oppopanacum of each a dram and a half Parsly seed Fennel seed wild yellow Rape seed and Carraway of each a quarter of an ounce Gromell seed and Agrimony of each a handful Galingale and Saffron of each half a dram the kernels of Quinces and Mallow seeds of each half an ounce Syrup of Violers two ounces boyl them all except the syrup in two quarts of Gourds water till the third part be wasted then strain it and mix it with the syrup of Violets and boil it with so much Honey as you see convenient then strew a little powder of Cinamon into it and Vinegar of Squils enough to make it sowrish then take of it in quantity as the former Common Sirups whith remove obstructions of the Terms are Syrup of Mugwort of Maiden-hair of Chicory with Rubarb and the syrup of the five roots these you may have ready made at the Apothecaries A Laxative to open the Body and purge superfluous humours Take Sene leaves Penny-royal and Madder of each a like quantity boyl them in white Wine take thereof about three ounces at a time fasting Another for the same Take Penny-royal Nep Southernwood Rue Centory and Hysop of each one handful Savin and Fetherfew of each one handful and an half Galingale a dram Cinamon and Madder of each one handful Mirrh a quarter of an ounce boyl them together in a quart of fair water till the third part be wasted take thereof two or three ounces fasting at a time Another Take Sperage Smallage Fennel and Parsly roots Carduus benedictus and Butchers broom of each an ounce and a half Annis Fennel and Carraway seeds of each a dram and a half Mugwort Penny-royal Mints Horehound Assarabacca and Fetherfew of each half a handful seeth them altogether in two quarts of water till half be wasted then strain it and mix therewith the syrup of the five roots of Calamint and Mugwort of each a like quantity and drink thereof in the morning and afternoon about two ounces Another to move the Terms Take Mints Balm Penny-royal Marjerom and Southernwood of each an handful Anni-seeds Fennel and Carraway seeds of each an ounce Polipody an ounce and an half Cicory roots an ounce cut the roots and herbs very small and boyl them all together in a quart of water till a third part be consumed then strain it and sweeten it with Sugar to your own likeing and take thereof as you please A Syrup to provoke the Terms Take four handfuls of Cicory roots take out the pith and cut them small and boyl them a good space in two quarts of White wine strain it and then boyl the decoction unto a syrup with Sugar and take thereof about two spoonfuls evening and morning A Trochis to move the Terms Take a dram and a half of Mirrh two drams and an half of Lupines Rue water Mints Comin Madder Elecampane roots Sagapenum Oppopanacum of each a dram make it into Trochis with the juyce of Mugwort and give half an ounce thereof in the decoction of Juniper berries made with water Wines good to provoke the Terms Wine of Elecampane roots of Marjerom gentle of the herb Rennet of Betony of Gellow-flowers and of Rosemary these are very good if the Patients Body be fitting to drink Wine otherwise discretion may direct you not to use it Confections good for this Disease are The Confection of Elecampane roots the Confection of Eringo roots Conserves of Pioney and Mirrh roasted in an Apple Pills to move the Terms Take the Pill Alephargine half a dram Aloes two scruples Savin in powder one scruple make in into Pills with the water of Mugwort and take half thereof at once these provoke the Terms and are safe without any danger Others for the same Take-Pill Alephargine half a dram pill Cochiae one scrupse mix them into five Pills and take them at once By the way heed is to be taken that these Medicines are not to be exhibited at such time as the Flowers do use to come or nature useth to send forth the menstrual purgations for at that time they may draw and turn the humors from the womb where nature would yent and purge it to some other parts of the Body to the impediting of nature and dammage of the Body but the whole Body being purged and cleansed then 't is a fit time to apply these Medicaments which may take away the intemperatness and remove the vices and obstructions of the Womb and Vessels purifie the crassious and corrupted bloud and extenuate the same out of the Vessels and briefly provoke the Terms To do which you see the ways and means are manifold partly simple partly compound partly internal and partly external to be administred and exhibited sundry wayes and for sundry reasons as the cause and necessity shall require to which we further proceed Pills to procure the Terms Take Musk and Mirrh of each four scruples Sterhas Madder Penny-royal Citron pills long Pepper Cassia wood Cassia pills Pioney seeds and Calmus of each three quarters of an ounce Spica Indiae half a dram make Pills thereof with the juyce of Mugwort whereof take a dram at once Thus far of inward Medicines to procure the Terms there are also many outward Medicines to be used if need require the first part whereof are Baths and Lotions which are partly natural as of the natural water of hot Baths and partly artificial which are prepared of congruent and fitting Medicaments A Bath or Lotion for the Terms Take of Camomile flowers of Mugwort Calamint Dictamnus of Crete Briony Savin of each one handful of Anniseeds Fennel seeds yellow Carrot seeds and Ameos of each an ounce mix them altogether and therewith make a Decoction in water
The use of these Lotions and Baths is twofold First to wash and Bathe the Thighs and lower parts of the Woman with the water decocted and secondly for the woman to sit in a Bath up to her middle The second sort of external medecines are injections or medecines to be injected into the Womb and Pessaries or Suppositories to be put into the Womb and remain there a space Suppositories are made of medecines wrapt up in wooll or bombast or some such like thing and so put up into the Womb and there a great while to be detained But alwaies remember that you tie a string thereunto put about the Thigh that it may again be taken out when you please A Pessary for the Terms Take the leaves roots and juyce of Mercury and make thereof a Pessary and apply it alone it may also be mixed with other Medicaments Pessaries of odoriferous things and Aromaticks are very good An Aromatick Pessary to draw down the Flowers Take of Gum Ladanum the best two parts of Belzoine and Mirrh of each one part of Musk one part mix the Aromaticks with oyl of white Lillies a sufficient quantity to make it into a fit form and so put it up Pessaries more strong in operation are such as are made of Coloquintida Briony Scammony and the like an example whereof take following A Pessary to move the Terms Take of Ox gall the juyce of Briony of each one ounce Pulp of Goloquintida two drams of Mirrh one dram make this into a Pessary as before is directed and so apply it In the third place outward means to be used are fumes and suffumigations and they are best to be made of odoriferous Aromatick things whereof take this example A Fumigation to procure the Terms Take Belzoinum Storax Calamint Mirrh Bdellium of each a dram These you may have at the Apothecaries Gallia Muscata Mes half a dram Libethum half a scruple Storax liquid or oyl of Spike perfumed a sufficient quantity to make it into Pills or Trochis This is to be put on a moderate fire that the fume may ascend and the Woman is to be so comodiously placed that she may receive the fume up into the Matrix through a vessel or funnel fit for that purpose which is to be made broad at that end next the fire that it may receive all the smoke and with a narrow neck like a funnel to inject the fume into the Matrix But these Fumigations as Hippocrates teacheth Hipp. 5. Apho. 28. use to cause the Headach Therefore the Woman ought to be well covered fortified with clothes that the vapours may be kept from ascending to the Head In the fourth place amongst the external Medicines unguents and plaisters are to be used and applyed to the Abdomina or secret places Letting of blood is also to be used in the Foot or else where as need requires us An Oyl good to bring down the Flowers Take oyl of sweet Almonds two ounces of white Lillies one ounce Oyl of Anniseed two drams Mixe them and therewith anoint c. it is very effectual for infirmities in those parts A Plaister to apply to move the Terms Take of Penny-royal Calamint Ditanny Mugwort of each one handful Cinamon Cloves Mirth Balsom of each a dam meal of Pease a pound mixe them with White-wine upon the fire and make thereof a plaister and apply it to the pundenda An Ointment for the same Take Mussilage of Fleawort and Linseed of each an ounce Butter Unsalted two ounces Hens grease Ducks grease Goose grease Marrow of Calves bones of each half an ounce Ammoniacum a quarter of an ounce oyl of Sesanum oyl of sweet Almonds of each five drams Wax sufficient to make it into a salve With this Ointment anoint the Body behind and before from the Navel downwards but not before you have used all other inward means and outward of Bathing letting blood Fumes Pessaries c. A Plaister for the same Take Confectio benedicta half an ounce Turbith a quarter of an ounce Nigella seed three drams clarified Honey enough to make it into a Plaister This Plaister is to be applyed over the Privities as before is directed If you perceive the Courses begin to appear then take this drink following Take Mugwort Sene leaves and Penny-royal of each half a handful Cinamon half an ounce Mace three drams boil these altogether in three pints of good Wine until the fourth part be wasted boil it in a pot stopt close in boiling water otherwise called Balneo Mariae In the last place is to be used frictions or often rubbing of the Thighs and inferiour parts to draw the humour downwards Ligatures or binding the Thigh hard with a string Cupping glasses to be applyed to the Hips and Thighs and the inferiour parts both with scarification and without Let the sick party beware of all slimy meat and hard meat and from all salt cold binding things as are hard of digestion omit hatred sorrow and melancholinesse and alwaies in these cases begin with the mildest Medicines first of which you have sufficient before directed And thus far for the suppression or stopping of the Terms we proceed to the extraordinary Flux an evil also incident to Women and the remedies thereof Chap. IIII. Of the immoderate Flux of the Terms HAving hitherto fully declared the Symptomes Causes and Cure of that great Feminine infirmity the stopping or obstruction of the termes ' we provide now in order to treat of the immoderate Flux or overflowing of Womens courses which oftentimes brings to the party afflicted there with many other infirmities and great weakness and sickness pains in the back and stomack losse of appetite ill digestion and many other diseases as Dropsie Consumption and others This infirmity may and often times is caused by some fall blow thrust over-straining too much exercise over-heating the body and thereby making the blood thin and fluxible It is also caused by some unnatural and untimely birth breaking of a vein or some bruisings in the womb some vein there being broken or through some weakness in the retentive faculty and too much strength of the expulsive too much moysture and slipperiness in the Matrix Many suppose the immoderate Flux of the termes and the continual Issue of women to be one and the same disease but they are besides the Cussion for they are 2 several distinct diseases as Galen plainly teacheth for in the superfluous Flux of the termes blood only issueth as it useth to appear in the natural monthly purgations but only it flowes immoderately but in the issue or Flux of Women not only blood but various excrements sometimes watry and of another substance are evacuated The Termes or courses are said to flow immoderately after a twofold manner First when they flow excessively and beyond measure in a small time Secondly When this evacuation continues many dayes beyond its natural course and time And to this purpose writes Galen when he saith
Blood-stone washed one dram Shepherds purse two scruples fine Bolus half a dram Roses Corral of each half a dram Cinamon a quarter of an ounce make them all into a fine powder and mix them with Sugar as much as you please and take it in broth or strewed on meat Another Powder for the same Take fine Bolus one dram Terra sigillata two scruples Tormentil half a dram Shepherds purse a scruple Pearl prepared one dram Species de gemmis frigidis one dram and a half Pomgranates half a scruple Roses Saunders red Coral of each a scruple Sugar three ounces Mix them all together and make them a fine powder and give it as the other in broth or stewed meat An Electuary for the same Take Conserve of Roses six ounces Conserve of Burrage Buglas Balm of each an ounce Bolus prepared a dram Pearl prepared a quarter of an ounce of Rubies Jacinths Saphir each a Scruple Cinamon a dram mix these together and make an Electuary thereof Another Electuary to stay the Flowers Take Conserve of Roses three ounces Marmalade two ounces and half red Corral a dram Bolus prepared half a dram Blood-stone prepared two drams mix them all together with the syrup of Myrtles and make an Electuary thereof and take it as you please A Confection for the same Take Conserve of Roses three ounces Marmalade two ounces and a half Conserves of Burrage Buglas each one ounce Bolus prepared a dram and a half Pearl two drams and a half Tormentil two scruples red Saunders one dram mix them all together and make a Confection thereof with the Syrup of Myrtles The Confection of black Cherries and preserved Barberries are also very good for this use A tost of bread steeped in red Wine and Nutmegs in powder strewed thereon is very good Another for the same Take Tormentil and Nutmegs of each a like quantity Plaintain seeds half as much beat them all to powder and give it evening and morning with stale beer Red Corral taken every day before meales in Plantain water is also very good to stay the Flux For the same Take burnt Harts-horn and Nettle-seeds of each a like quantity and beat them to powder and take thereof a dram at a time in Plantain water and about a spoonful of the juyce of Yarrow Galingal chewed in the Mouth is also good A Clyster to stay the immoderate Flux of the Terms Take Fetherfew Balm Rue Scabious Rosemary flowers Southernwood Comin Bay-berries Cassia wood Cassia sistula of each a dram and an half Dill seed Anniseed each a handful and a half shaven Ivory two handfuls boyl them altogether by a mild fire in two quarts of water till half be consumed and then strain it out and take of this Decoction 12. ounces oyl of Sesanum Rue and Pepper of each half an ounce Indian Salt one dram Diacastore Confection of Bay-berries and Benedictaâ— of each three drams temper them all very well together and administer it very warm Thus far of such Medecines as are to be given inwardly we now proceed to external or outward applications of which there are divers but all ought to be of an astringent stopping quality such are Pessaries Unguents and Plaisters c. A Pessary to stop the excessive Course of the Terms Take Baulustes bark of Pomgranates Mirtles each half a dram mix them with a sufficient quantity of Honey and make thereof a Pessary and put it up into the Matrix There are also more liquid Medecines which may very commodiously be injected with a fit Instrument like Clysters An Injection to stay the Flux of the Terms Take Baulustes Pomgranate Pill Tragant of each a dram Comfrey four drams make a decoction thereof and mix it with four drams of the Juyce of Plantane and make an Injection thereof A Pessary for the same Take juyce of Plantane juice of Sloes and juyce of Pimpernel and make a Pessary thereof with Cotton A Cataplasme for the same or a Pultis which you please to call it Take Wormwood Knot-grasse Nights-shade of each a like quantity pound them together and strain out the juyce then temper with it Rye-meal a sufficient quantity to make it into the thickness of a Pultis and lay it all over the Belly from the Navel to the Matrix A precious salve to stay the immoderate Flux of Womens Courses Take Comin Carraway Rueseed Ameos Seseli and Gallia Moscata of each a dram and a half Rosin three drams oyl of Dill two ounces oyl Olive one ounce Lignum Aloes Cloves of each half a dram melt the Rosin in the oyl and temper the other things with it being beaten small into fine powder and incorporate them together by stirring until it become a thick salve Herewith anoint the Hips and Reins it is excellent to stop the superfluous flux of the Terms It is also good against vomiting and perbreaking and to expel wind being applyed to the Navel and Stomach Be sure to observe whether the woman abound with heat or cold and frame your Medicines accordingly if cold be predominant use such things as cause heat and are good to stop blood such are Frankincense Mastick Cipress nuts Sandaraca Laudanum Mirrh Storax Annis and the like If heat abound such things are to be prepared as are cold and astringent as cool and bind and such is the nature of these following Camphire the juyce of Sloes burnt Ivory Coriander Dragons blood Saunders Blood-stone fine Bolus Hypocistis the seeds of Kneeholm or Butchers broom call it which you will these seeds and also the decoction of the root are very effectual if you would know where to find the seeds look into the inside of the red berries thereof and there you shall be sure to find them but not before you have found the hearb for they grow together and the Kneeholme hearb is a common companion almost with every holly bush These are also cooling and astringent Mirtle seeds Galls Pomgranates flowers called Balaustes the seeds of Plantane of Melons Cucumber gourds and of Pompeons and the roots of Pimpernel Some are glad to eat what they can get yet ye must as near as ye can avoid what is hurtful Let the manner of dier be such as is nourishing and breedeth good juyce and is easily digested especially such as thicken the blood and hinder the fluxibility thereof as Birds those especially of the Mountains are highly commended if you can catch them Let their drink be astringent Wine or use to quench Steel in their drink or boyl therein the seeds leaves and roots of Plantane And thus much of the Flux of the Terms Chap. V. Of the Flux of the Womb or the Whites in Women WEe have already declared that the immoderate Flux of the monethly Courses and the Flux of the Womb or the white Menstrue Gal. 6. loc affe ad finem are two several Diseases as Galen plainly teacheth We proceed now to speak of the Whites or white Flux in women called by the Physicians Gal.
naturally flies from stinking smells therefore as in the ascention or rising of the Mother you are to use stinking things to the nose and sweet to the Womb so contrariwise in the falling down or discention of the Mother you are to apply sweet perfumes to the Nose and stinking to the Matrix to the end the same may thereby be drawn up again into its due place For this Disease it is good to hold to the Nose Assa foetida galbanum old Woollen Clouts or Shooes burnt Hair or Feathers or such stinking things that may be gotten speedily And apply sweet odoriferous things to the Matrix beneath for which purpose this Powder following is very good A Powder to be used in the nature of a Pessary against the suffocation of the Matrix or fits of the Mother Take red Storax Lignum Aloes Cloves of each a dram Musk Amber of each half a dram Make them altogether into a Powder and then bind it up in a Cloth in the form of a Pessary and put it up into the Matrix Another for the same Take an Ounce of Oyl of Lillies Musk Saffron of each 3 grains bruise all well together and make a Pessary thereof with Wooll or Cotton and put it up into the place A Fumigation for this Disease Take Gallia Moscata Cassia wood Cynamon Time of each a like quantity mix these together and make a perfume thereof and let the smoke be received up into the Matrix through a tumel for that purpose If the Patient be a Maid a Husband is the best Medicine if she can get one but in case that cannot be then let her abstain from strong Wines and flesh meat and all such things as increase natural sperme And use letting blood such meats and drinks as are cooling and amongst the rest this Confection following is very good A Confection against the fits of the Mother Take Polipody Roots 6 Ounces Sene Violets Prunes Sebastins Dates Currans of each an Ounce and a half seeth these altogether in two quarts of water till half be consumed away then strain it out hard and infuse in the decoction while it is hot 6. Ounces of the Seeds of Fleawort till the Muscilage be drawn out of them then put to this decoction 24 Ounces of fine Sugar and take thereof once in 2 or 3 dayes and fast after it 6 hours Take silver Mountain Madder Penyroyal the innermost rinds of Cassia Pipes Pomegranat Kernels Piony Roots Calamy of each 3 drams Mulcus and Spica Indie of each half a dram make all these together into Pills with the juyce of Mugwort of these she may take a dram every day before Supper if she take not the Confection the same day It is also good for this Disease to open the Saphea vein in the foot and afterwards give the Patient a dtam of the Powder of Betony in Featherfew-water It is also good to anoint the Belly with the Oyl of Mastick and so much for this affliction of the suffocation or ascention of the Matrix we come next to speak of the discention or falling down of the same Chap. VII Of the falling down of the Womb. This is another great evil wherewith many poor Women labour and is of no small consequence and danger for as in some cases and for some causes the Matrix in some Women is drawn up and ascendeth out of its due place so on the contrary it sometimes descends downwards out of the Body This accident is caused sometimes by hard labour and heavy births falls bruises too much astringency in the body taking great cold violent sneesing overmuch stirring and the like It may likewise be caused by reason of ill humours predominant in the Body which fall down to the Womb forcing it out of its natural place and many times brings with it the Palsie and Falling Sickness as also Ulcers and Imposthumes in the Womb. If this Disease happen by means of any outward accident the Patient her self can best discover the cause thereof If it come from some inward cause then respect is to be had to the Constitution of the party whether she be lean or fat moystor dry and to the Symptomes the disease which causeth pain in the lower part of the Back-bone and also about the secret parts sometimes an Ague with it the Urine staies and the Body is astringent If the passage of the neck of the Womb bee smooth and open then it is not moved downwards but if it be stopped then be sure it is descended although it appear not out of the Body and if it do continue displaced any long time it will be very difficult if not impossible to reduce the same to its natural place again Now to seek Remedies for this Disease you must instead of applying sweet things to the Matrix as you were directted in the ascension of the Matrix or the fits of the Mother to draw it down you must now apply stinking things to the Matrix and sweet smells to the Nose to draw it up againe A Fume for the falling down of the womb Take Tormentil Bistort juyce of Sloes of each 3 drams Pomgranate pills the blossoms thereof of each a quarter of an ounce Assa foetida an ounce Mastick Frankincense Galbanum of each 2 drams and a half Cypress Nuts Galls Mirtle seed of each five drams stamp mix all these together strew thereof upon a red hot brick let the patient receive the fume thereof beneath Let it not come at her Nose but in the mean time let her smell to Musk Amber Violets and such sweet smells which draw up the Mother and cause it to ascend again Another for the same Take a stinking rotten addle Egg that a Hen hath sat on and dip Cotton in it and lay it upon the neck of the Matrix it causeth it to ascend again A Fume for the same by a Decoction Take Camomile Marjoram Carraway of each one handful Linseed one handful and a half boyl these altogether in water and receive the Fume thereof into the Matrix The vapour of Housleek bruised and laid on a hot brick is good for the same if there be heat or inflammation in the Matrix A Fomentation for the same Take Roses three ounces Mirtle seed Violet leaves Marigolds Fetherfew of each one handful Assa feetida five drachms bruise them together and tie them up in a bag and seeth them in red Wine and lay it upon the place after the vapour is received An Oyntment for the falling down of the VVomb Take the Ointment of Hollyhocks which is called at the Apothecaries unguent de Althea mix therewith some marrow of an Ox or other beast the grease of a Hen or Capon and some oyl and herewith annoint the neck of the Matrix and all the parts about it when you go to bed you may also make a plaister hereof and apply it all night as before Another Ointment for the same Take oyl of Myrtles of Lillies of Mastick of each
and moysture in the womb Take Cinamon Cardamon Saffron Cloves Mace long Pepper Cypers Roots Nutmegs Cummin Lignum Aloes Cassia wood of each 1 scruple Cucubes Doronicum of each four scruples Musk Amber Balsom one dram fine Sugar 18 Ounces boyl the Sugar with the rest with Malmsey and buglosse-Buglosse-water enough to make it into a Confection and take thereof about a spoonful going to bed and half a spoonful a little before Supper To dry a moyst and slippery womb Take Silver Mountain red Behen white Behen Ash Keyes shaven Ivory yellow Rape-seed of each one dram Cynamon Mace Cloves Galingale long Pepper Rosemary flowers Balsom wood Marjerom gentle Peny royal of each 4 scruples Balm Bugloss Citron peels of each 2 scruples Pearls 1 scruple Musk 2 grains white Sugar 24 Oun seeth these with Malmsey make thereof a Confection and use it as the other If there be any infirmity in the retentive faculty of the womb so that it cannot retain and keep the seed injected into it so as to come in thereby if the same be caused through overmuch coldness of that part as oftentimes it doth which the Woman her self may be sensible of whether heat or cold do most abound I say if cold abound and weaken the retent ivevirtue of the womb then you are to use such things as strengthen comfort and warm the same such are Amber Frankincense Mastick Cloves Lignum Aloes Nutmegs Sage and the like And in this case it is good to boyl Cypers Roots in the water and often bathe and wash the neck of the Matrix therewith And for this it is good to make a fume of Mastick strewed upon Coals and to receive the same into the Matrix below An Oyntment for the same Take the juyce of Roses of Pomegranates Cloves of each an Ounce Frankincense Hypocistis prepared Coriander Mastick Juyce of Sloes Iron Drosse of each one dram sealed Earth Starch of each one Ounce beat all these together to an Oyntment and annoint the privy members and womb often therewith But if the operation of the retentive faculty of the womb be impedited from performing its natural office through some distemper of heat then are such Medicines to be applyed as are cooling astringent and corroborating yet let them be tempered with some warm things The cold things to be used for this purpose are these burnt Harts-horn Amber Juyce of sloes Hypocistis burnt Muscle shells Bolus Dragons blood terra sigillata Pomegranate flowers and Pills Acorns and their Cups Medlars both fruit and bark of the Tree Services and Mirtle-seed of any of these simples you may make unguents Plaisters Confections and Electuaries or other Medicines as occasion shall require If any yet desire other Medicines they may use Plaisters and Pessaries and trochis for a fumigation of which here follows examples A Plaister to comfort the womb against barrenness Take Landanum 1 Ounce Storax Calamite half an Ounce Cynamon Cloves Lignum Aloes of each 1 dram Species Diambre Gallia Moscata of each half a dram Oyl of Spikenard Oyl of Lillies and Wax a sufficient quantity to make it into a Plaister or Cerot This Plaister may be applyed to the womb and quite down to the lower Region of the Abdomen and worn thereupon a long time For a Fame these Troches following may be taken Take of Mugwort a dram Mirrhe Benzoi-Storax Calamint of each half a dram Lignum Aloes 1 scruple Musk Amber of each 10 grains beat all these together to a Powder and with Oyl of Spikenard make Troches of it put some of it upon Coals and let the Woman receive the fume thereof through a convenient Instrument A Pessary for the same Take Mugwort Ditany Marioram of each 1 dram Aniseeds Rue Citron of each half a dram Species Galliae Moschatae one scruple Musk Amber Saffron of each 15 grains beat them all together into a Masse and make a Pessary thereof wrapped up in Linnen and put it up into the Matrix And now we have largely declared to you the external and internal causes of natural and accidental barrenness and sterility both in man and woman and the Physical both external and internal means to be used to remedy the same what else is to be done your own natural kindness must excite you to which if it be but dull we have given you sufficient Rules whereby you may quicken the same Some other things there are which the Physicians say do prefer fruitfulness by hidden quality as the stones of a Fox and the like but they are already declared and described in compound Medicines Physitians do likewise tell long stories about the time of the year what time is best for Copulation all agree the Spring is the most convenient time and fit for procreation for then the blood is in its vigour and in the heat of Summer it ought to be forborn altogether if possible but then Venus takes most pleasure to be jolly and to her girles then most opportunities offer themselves But the most convenient and fit time for a Woman to conceive is immediately after her purgations cease for then the womb is cleansed from superfluous excrements and the most fit houre for conception is after meat and before sleep that she may sleep and rest after it Chap. X. Of monstrous and unnatural Conceptions IT followes now in order in the next place to speak something of Conceptions contrary to nature and unnatural Births which is called a depraved Conception For since it is the certain institution and intent of nature that Women should bring forth perfect man-kind and nothing else then it followes that whatsoever else is conceived in the womb besides man-kind the same is a vitious and depraved conception against the Rules and Lawes of nature Which though these vitious and unnatural Conceptions may be many wayes yet they may all generally be reduced unto one of these heads to wit Monsters Mola winde and water all which we often finde to be conceived and grow in the womb Of Monsters there is much written either historically fabulously or philosophically but that appertains not to our present intent or purpose And therefore the Philosopher in his Book of Generation 2 Phys 82.4 Gen. Animal and the causes thereof teacheth that a Monster is nothing else but a peccant vice of deficient nature whereby nature is impedited and hindered from effecting her end as it is in any Art when the Artist fails by reason of some defect in him that he cannot attain to accomplish his desired end And although these unnatural Births may happen many wayes yet all these errors of nature may be referred to the Diseases proceeding of evil composition as for example to the Disease in number as when a man is born with one eye one foot or two heads Of Diseases of magnitude the same the figure of the body demonstrates to the rest Gal de causis morb 7. which Doctrine Galen manifestly teacheth But the causes why Monsters are generated contrary
to the intent of nature Gal. lib. de hist Phil. lib. 5. plai Ph. 8. are not fully agreed upon by all Galen or rather Plutarch sayes thus Empedocles teacheth That Monsters are created if the seed be too much or too little too much spread abroad or seperated if it be void or injected by inordinate motion or because something is added detracted transposited or inflamed or if the womb be distorted the Vessels corrupted or the formative vertue be deficient or do abound these things hinder the natural conception and due operation of nature Chap. XI Of the unnatural fleshy Conception in the womb called Mola THis unnatural Matter sometimes happens to grow in the wombs of Women that have no Copulation with men and causeth the Belly to arise and all signes to appear as though they were with Child their Termes staying the Breasts grow hard they lose their appetite or stomach to meat their complexion groweth pale and sometimes they may feel a stirring about the Matrix as if they were with Child yet nevertheless they bear no Child which have this mola ingendred in them Of this writes Aetius Aetius lib. ult and Avicen who saith that it is a certain hard substance sometime found to spread it self throughout the whole Matrix Aristotle teacheth that this Mola is nothing else Lib. 4. Gen. Hin Cap. 7. but a certain peece of flesh conceived and ingendred in the womb of a Woman and he reciteth a story of a certain Woman that brought forth a lump of flesh which they called Mola And hereunto Galen also plainly consents Gal. 14. usu part 17.14 Meth. 13 who affirmeth that this Mola is a peece of unprofitable deform'd flesh which is ingendred in the Womb of a Woman without the Copulation with a man as a Hen hath Eggs without a Cock. But now a Question may arise whether the cause of this unnatural Mola proceed from too much heat or too much cold or too much blood For Avicen teacheth Avic fen 21.3 trait 2. cap. 18. that besides the multitude or superfluity of blood there is a vehemency of heat wherein the blood is concocted and thereby the flesh acquires a form But this Aristotle seems to contradict who manifestly writeth that the Mola is no otherwise bred then of impure and imperfect concoction and that it hath its Original from the defect and imbecillity of natural heat And Averroes confirms that the cause is nothing else but debility and weakness of nature corruption of digestion and losse of the last concoction and certainly that rude and deformed flesh called Mola is ingendred of crudities This groweth in the womb in two kinds like a peece of flesh putrified without form or figure resembling rather a peece of spongeous blood wind water then right flesh which hindereth the expelling of the termes and being mixed with the natural seed it groweth sometimes to a hard substance It is also ingendred of superfluous blood and the concourse of tough and unconcocted humours which make the belly swell up as if the Woman were with Child This is an ill accident and putrifieth and spoileth the Matrix breeding there oftentimes Ulcers and Imposthumes Dropsies unnatural Fluxes or some such like infirmities bringing death if it be not well regarded to be prevented The sighes whereby they that labour with this unnatural Masse may be known from Women with Child are generally these The first is motion for this burthen moveth not as Children do because there is neither life nor sense in it But it may move by accident according to the motion of the woman and the ponderousness thereof but that is no true motion The Belly of Women which labour with this unnatural Masse is harder then the Belly of women with Child and will not so easily move from one place to another as theirs that be with Child The Woman that hath this Mola is also more melancholy then those that are with Child and their hands and feet more feeble this Masse also sometimes falleth from one side to another A Woman with Child at nine moneths end is delivered thereof but they go two 3 or 4 years sometimes all their life-time with this burthen For the cure of this Mola Hippocrates before all others prescribes the most perfect method The first means to be used is cleansing and purging of the whole body The second is to mollifie loosen and open the Vessels and ligaments of the Womb wherewith the Mola is bound and fastned there The third is to stir up and strengthen the expulsive faculty whereby this burden may the more easily be expelled from the Womb. All Physicians do agree that this disease cannot be cured without great difficulty and sometimes not at all yet nevertheless meanes must be used and first of all purgation whereby the Belly may be lenified and amongst all other Medicines Hiera obtains the chief place for its molifying and purging quality the better if it be mixed with Cassia as in this manner Take Species of Hiera simplex Cassia new drawn of each 1 dram mix them into a Bolus with Sugar A Sirrup for the same Take of Oximel simplex one Ounce decoction of Betony of Motherwort Mints Peny Royal of each 4 drams mix them together and make a Sirrup thereof but before you take it take this Bolus and Confection following A Bolus Take Conserve of Maidenhair two drams Species of Dia calamint 1 scruple mix them and make a Bolus thereof to be taken before the Sirrup A Confection for the same Take Species Diambre Diacalam of each half a dram Sugar 2 Ounces make a Confection thereof with White-wine and take it before the Sirrup An excellent potion for this Disease Take Elect Diaphen Hiera Diacol of each half a dram Mel. Ros Sol. 4. drams decoction of Betony of Mugwort of each a sufficient quantity to make a potion let the Patient in this Disease abstain from cold and moyst meats and use this potion following which mollifies the Masse or Mola and expels the humors that cause or increase it Take St. Johns Wort Savin Rosemary Field Mints Lovag Mugwort Peny Royal Madder of each one handful Fennel Squinant Parsley seed Calmus Galingale of each 1 dram Hors-radish Roots 4 Ounces boyl them all together in a good quantity of water to make a potion and take thereof every day 3. or 4. Ounces mixing therewith about a quarter of an Ounce of this Trochis following A Trochis Take Cynamon Mirrhe of each 2. drams and a half Rue Savin Field Mints Peny Royal Madder Sagapenum Opopanacum of each 1 dram Cardamum Juniper-wood Rosemary of each 1 dram a half dry them all to powder make Troches thereof and use it as above is directed Also for this Disease this following is a cheap and ready Medicine Take 3 Ounces of warm Fetherfewwater every morning fasting for two moneths together and fast 4 houres after it And every fourth day during the time she drinketh the water let her
take one of these Pills following Pills for the Mola Take Galbanum 1 quarter of an Ounce Flowers of Mugwort St. Johns wort Assarabacca of each 1 scruple dissolve the Galbanum in good wine and make thereof 6 Pills of a dram and take one at a time in 4 dayes as before is directed A Bath for the same Take Mugwort Camomile Dill Holly-hock Roots Mallowes of each one handful Linseed Fenegreek Anniseed Fennel-seed of each one dram make a decoction thereof in common water for a Bath and let the Woman sit hot in it up to her breasts and after use this Oyntment for the same purpose Take juyce of Holli-hocks 2 Ounces Goosgrease Hens grease of each one Ounce Oyl of sweet Almonds of white Lillies of each half an ounce mixe them to an Oyntment and therewith annoint all the external parts against the fire Inwardly let her also take Dia calamint Trochis of Mirrhe and in a word whatsoever is good to provoke the termes and to drive forth the secundide and expell a dead Child the same is effectual for this Disease of which shall be spoken in the ensuing discourse of hard Labours We have now at large written of all special accidents and infirmities incident to the womb and parts of generation and given perfect directions for remedies for the same yet nevertheless though the humane seed may be received and contained yet a mischance may follow or otherwise a weak and feeble fruit that it cannot come to perfection and at last a difficult and hard labour are many if not most of the Daughters of Eve subject to whereby oft-times their lives are in danger thereby if not quite lost with the fruit and all therefore concerning these infirmities and what belongs to fruit-bearing Women and their delivery is the intended subject of the subsequent part of this Book and first of the debility or weakness of the child in its Mothers womb Chap. XII Of the weakness of Children in the Womb. SUch is the frailty of humane nature that the Child is subject to sickness even in his Mothers womb no great marvel then if men are all their lives encumbred with casualties when they begin with them even before they have a visible being the sickness of Children in the womb not being obvious to the eye is the more difficult to finde out but the signes to know it are these If the Woman have her termes much being with Child it must argue debility of the Child because his nourishment and sustenance is taken away from him If Milk flow from Women with Child its evident the Child is weak and not strong enough to draw his nourishment to him If a Woman with Child be afflicted with a strong and violent loosness there is great danger of a mischance But the strength or weakness of the Child depends on heat and cold under which are comprehended all accidents whatsoever If the Child be weak through immoderate heat and dryeth then the remedy is to purge the Mother of Choler for which this following is a convenient Medicine Take Conserve of Prunes half an Ounce three Ounces of whay of milk give it her in the morning and let her fast 5 houres after it Another for the same Take Cassia extracted out of the Cane one Ounce and put to it 4 Ounces of Sorrel-water or Barley-water and give it in like manner as the other Another safe but stronger Medicine both for the Mother and the Child is this following Take 2 Ounces of Manna and 3. or 4. Ounces of Whay mixed with it and use it as the other For the same you may also steep in the same quantity of Whay a dram of Rubarb one night and strain it out well or if you will take half a dram of Rubarb in powder in some whay Let the Woman use such dyet as is cooling and moystning as Barley-water Lettice and use Verjuice and juyce of Lemons with her meat Endive water Syrrup of Roses Endive succoury water are good in this case Forbear all things which provoke vomiting or which force Urine or blood Let the Woman 3 or 4 times every day cool and quench her thirst with Barley-water having half an Ounce of Syrrup of leaves mixt with it An external Medicine for this Disease if you feel great heat to abound may be this Take Citron water Violet water of each 6. Ounces Sorrel-water 12. Ounces Red Sanders burnt Ivory Sorrel seed of each one scruple Saffron half a scruple Vinegar 3 spoonfuls mix them all together and wet a Linnen Cloth in it and lay it on the privities and on the small of the back Take also one Ounce of Pompeon Peels Oyl of Roses Oyl of Water-Lillies of each one Ounce and a half Housleek one Ounce temper them all together and annoint the back and privities therewith 3. or 4. times a day But if the cause of weakness or debility of the Child in its Mothers Womb proceed from cold and moystness then are contrary medicines to be used of which these following are approved Take Buglosse water Saffron seeds Agarins Hermodactils of each 1 scruple Cynamon Ginger Roses Coriander prepared of each 4 grains steep them one night in the Buglosse water then strain it and drink it in the morning fasting Another for the same Take Fethersew-water Balm water of each one Ounce and a half Benedicta laxativa one Ounce Sugar half an Ounce mix them and infuse them together one night then strain it out and use it as the other Have a care to use a good order of Dyet and such things as warm and dry boyl Sage Mints and Rosemary in her Portage and use to drink red Wine with steeled water To mundifie and cleanse the bad humours this Medicine following is very good Take juyce of Mints 4 Ounces Agarick one dram Ginger Roses of each 4 grains Manna half an Ounce steep the Agarick in the juyce of Mints a dayes and nights then put the Manna Roses and Ginger to it let it stand a while and dry against the fire and make it into Pills and take them Use this oftentimes for they gently purge and dry up the warty humors without pain or anguish A Plaister to remedy the corrupt humours Take Roses Cipers Nuts burnt Ivory Sandaraca of each 1 dram Rosen 3 Ounces boyl the Rosen in red Vinegar till the Vinegar be consumed then mix the other things with it and make 2 Plaisters of it and apply one to the back and the other to the womb Another excellent good Plaister to strengthen Women with Child that do not use to go out half their times Take Oyl of Quinces Oyl of Roses Oyl of Mints of each 1 ounce and a half Comphrey Blood-stone red Coral Sandaraca Date-stones burnt of each 1 dram mix it with a sufficient quantity of Wax to make a Salve thereof and with this annoint the Kidneys and Mother Chap. XIII Of Mischances and to prevent the same IT oftentimes comes to passe with women with
child as with the fruit upon a Tree which being young and tender hangs on brittle stalks and is easily blown off with every wind nay when it is come to its full growth and is stronger sometimes forcible winds bruises or blowes cause them to fall off but when they come to their perfect time of ripeness they fall of themselves So it is in this occult operation of nature many accidents sometimes happen to the Tree which bring the fruit to an untimely birth and oftentimes not without peril of the Womans life nature being dead in the Child that it cannot help it self whereas in those that are alive of their full time nature helps forward the birth the Infant it self striving to finde a way into the World This may be perceived by the breasts for if they be small weak and slack in Women with Child then is a mischance to be expected for then the Child wants nourishment and pines and dies also impatiency or violent motion many times breaks the secundine and then the fruit falls away Signes of a mischance approaching are also pains of the Back-bone Belly and privities to prevent which let the Woman with Child beware sharp and bitter meats and drinks avoid much anger and violent motion and exercise use oftentimes to drink red Wine and keep the body soluble To do which if need require she may use the decoction of Mallowes Mercury and stew'd Prumes forbear Clysters and strong Medicines but if there be any great obstruction in the body then let her eat Cassia out of the Pipes or Cassia new extracted especially if the neck of the matrix have any issue or overmuch moysture then use a little Rubarb in powder mixed with the Cassia which without trouble or danger doth cleanse Flegme and Choler For to stay the slipperiness of the Matrix take Pomegranate Pills and pound them to powder grosly and boyl them in Oyl of Lillies and inject the same into the Matrix A Pessary excellent good for the same Take Mastick Mirrhe Gallia Muscata of each half a dram mix them with one ounce of Goos-grease role it up in Sheeps Wooll and put it up into the place An Oyntment to strengthen Women with Child Take Cypress Nuts Galls Myrtle-seed Juyce of Sloes Hypocistis of each half a dram Blood stone Amber Dragons blood Bolus of each one dram and a half reffuse of Iron half an ounce innermost Peels of Chesnuts one ounce decoct the reffuse of Iron a good while in Vinegar then beat them all together in a Morter to an Oyntment with 3 or 4 whites of Eggs and annoint the belly therewith 4 times a day Another Oyntment for the same Take Oyl of Nuts 4 Ounces Barrowes grease 1 ounce a half Cypres Nuts Mastick of each 1 dram and an half boyl them together gently the space of five houres and therewith annoint the Matrix Womb and Reins of the Back A Plaister for the same Take Dragagant Gum Bdellium of each 1 quarter of an oun Juyce of Sloes Frankincense Hypocistis Sandaraca of each one dram Bolus Dragons blood of each 1 quarter of an ounce wax half an Ounce Paper glew 2 ounces dissolve the glew in red Wine-Vinegar then temper them all together into a Plaister and apply it to the womb and privities For an Ague in Women with Child Take Barley meal Juyce of Sloes and Housleek what quantity you see convenient temper it with Vinegar and lay it upon the belly use it often this defends the Child from all accidents of an Ague To prevent miscarriage through wind Boil Cominseed in water and take three or four spoonfuls of that water with a dram of Mithridate twice a week Chap. XIIII To expell and drive out the dead Childe FOr the expulsion or delivery of a child that is dead the same Medecines that are prescribed to drive forth the unnaturall excrement called Mola and to provoke the Terms are good to be used But first be sure that the child is dead and do not go about to expel a live Child instead of a dead one which may be known by these signes If the Child be dead in the Womb then doth the woman feel great pain in the optick Nerves of her Eys and behind the Neck and on the Back-bone with great pain and anguish in her lower parts And the Burden alwaies falls to that side she lies on because the Ligaments of the Secundine have no power to hold it in one place the thickness of the upper part of the Belly sinks down and the woman feels much pain and cold about the neck of the Matrix Also if one hold a warm hand long upon the Belly and feel no stirring the Child is dead these are signs the Child is dead before it come to putrefaction But when it beginneth to stinke and putrifie which will be in three daies space after it is dead the woman will have a stinking breath stinking corruption issues from the Matrix and pieces of stinking flesh will at last be expelled from the Womb then means is to be used to clense the Womb of the dead Child and to preserve and strengthen the heart from the corruption of filthy sents ascending to it which may be done by this powder following Take white Diplamus one dram and a half Citron peels and seeds each half a dram Pearls prepared four scruples Coriander prepared a scruple Roses two scruples Sugar two ounces and a half make them all to fine powder and take thereof about a quarter of an ounce at once in drink Juice of Vervaine and Hysop drunk in Wine is good to expel the dead Child The innermost skins of the Maws of Hens and Capons washed in Wine and then dryed to powder and give thereof a dram in Wine broth or Rose water is good to expell a dead Child and the Secundine For the same take Betony and Rue of each a handful juyce of Salomons seal an ounce boyl it well in a pint of white Wine and strain it and give her to drink Linseed is very good for the same either to drink the decoction or Bathe therein Also take Mirth the quantity of a Hazle-nut stamped taken in Wine or Mugwort water is good for the same For women that are strong take about a spoonful of the juyce of Garlick with wine or Honey If a woman chance to miscarry through a fright or some such accident then take a Crab and stamp it and wring out the juyce and drink it with water of Mugwort Pills to expel a dead Child Take Trochis of Mirth one scruple Galbanum half a scruple make five Pills thereof with Penny-royal water Another for the same Take of the fruit of the Savine tree one quarter of an ounce Assa foetida Ammoniacum Madder of each half a dram make 11. Pills hereof and take one at a time three times a day morning night and at four of the clock in the afternoone A Fume to expel the dead Child Take some shavings
it our and put to it half a dram of Saffron and amongst each draught put half a dram of one of the powders before mentioned Also this following is very good to quickn the throwes Take half a dram of beaten Amber and give it in water of Lillies or in the decoction of red Pease An excellent Medicine to procure easie delivery in women Take Pippins cut them in thin slices and fry them with oyl of sweet Almonds and eat thereof in the morning and at four a clock in the afternoon use it constantly a matter of five or six weeks before your time till you are brought to bed and mix some oyl of sweet Almonds and Sperma coeti together and annoint the Belly and Matrix once every day therewith warm or oftner if you can conveniently Another for the same Take Hysop Vervaine Betony of each one handful stamp them small and strain them in good stale Ale and let the Patient drink a good draught thereof it gives present help To expel the Secundine or after-Birth The Secundine or after-Birth is that skin or caule wherein the child is formed and wrapped up till the time it break forth to the Birth doth or at least ought to come away immediatly after the Birth of the child But sometimes it remains behind and causeth great peril to the woman and many ill accidents as Agues stinking breath pain of the Head Swooning and the like if it be not expelled It commonly remains behind when the woman hath had very hard labour and is thereby grown so weak and feeble that nature hath not strength enough to drive it forth she must therefore have some comfortable things given her to strengthen and comfort her heart as Dia margaâ—iton and Manus Christi ' then let her rest a little and if the Secondine do not follow annoint the Belly and parts adjacent with oyl of Lillies and oyl of Elder flowers and use such things as are directed for the delivery of a dead child as Corn flowers given in Lilly water also Garlick half an egg-shell full of the juyce thereof given in honeyed water doth expel the dead child and after-birth as before hath been prescribed To ease the After-throws Take Spikenard and Squinant of each one quarter of an ounce boyl them together in a good quantity of Mugwort water till half be consumed and drink thereof two or three times Also to asswage the pain make a Cawdle with Malmsey or some other good Wine and put therein yolks of Eggs and Cinamon and so give it For the fame take Triphes à magna half an ounce Saffron half a dram Mace a scruple and give this at twice in warm Wine To stay the excessive flood after the Birth The Remedies before prescribed for the asswaging of the excessive Flux of the Terms in women be also very good for this Disease and for all Women in Child-bed yet nevethelesse take this Confection following A Confection for an excessive flood in Women lying in Child-bed Take Conserve of Piony one Ounce Conserve of Roses one ounce Conserve of Burrage Bugios Balm of each half an ounce prepared Bolus half a dram prepared Pearls 1 dram Cynamon 1 dram and a half mix them all together and make a Confection thereof For the same use this Powder following Take Bolus prepared Pearls of each one dram sealed Earth 2 scruples Tormentil half a dram Shepheards Purse 1 scruple Species de gemmis frigidis 1 dram and a half Roses Corral Sanders of each one scruple Cynamon 2. scruples and a half Sugar 3 Ounces mix them all well together and take it with Hen-broth Lozinges very effectual for the same Take Blood-stone 1 dram and a half red Coral one dram Tormentil Trochis de Sodio of each half a dram scraped Ivory burnt Hartshorn of each 1 scruple Pearls prepared 4 scruples fine Bolus 2. scruples Shepheards purse red Sanders of each a scruple Cynamon 1 dram Sugar six ounces wash the Blood-stone in Plantain-water and make a Powder or Lozinges thereof Chap. XVI Of the superfluity of Milk and other accidents happening after the Birth EXcessive abounding of the milk after a Woman is delivered if it flow more than the Child can grow there oftentimes ensues Imposthumes and other Inflammations and distempers in the breasts for Remedies whereof use these prescriptions following The Patient must eat and drink but moderately and avoid all such things as ingender much blood use means to dry and take away the superfluous blood as Rue and wild Rue with the seeds Basil and stampt together if one take every day a quarter of an ounce the same is very good to dry up the milk To dry up the milk Take Rosen a good quantity and temper it with Cream and lay it luke-warm over the breasts For the same Take 8 ounces of Honey and two pints of water boyl them well together and scum it and dip therein a threefold Cloth and lay it on the breasts and when it is cold renew it again Also for the same take one dram of Saffron and 8 ounces of Malmsey wet a Cloth therein and lay it on the breasts as aforesaid Also take Garden Mints stamp them and mix them with Oyl of Roses and use it as the other For a Plaister to dry up the milk take bean meal oyl of Roses and red Vinegar a sufficient quantity to make a Plaister and apply it to the breasts For clotted or congealed milk in the Breasts Let Women keep sobriety in eating and drinking and use moyst meats that may ingender subtile milk Mints Saffron and Cynamon is good to be used in their meats Take grated bread new milk and Oyl of Roses of each a like quantity seeth them together to a pap and lay it warm upon the breasts For congealed milk and pain in the Brests Take Cork and burn it to ashes and temper it with oyl of Roses and a little Vinegar and therewith annoint the breast A Salve to dissolve congealed milk in the Breasts Take Deares Suet 3 quarters of an oun liquid Styrax 1 oun Wormwood Cummin Dill-seeds of each 1 ounce oyl of Wormwood Ducks grease of each 1 ounce and an half Saffron one scruple make an oyntment or Plaister hereof and apply it to the breasts For milk congealed with Inflammation in the breasts Take a quantity of the muscilage of Fleawort Fenegreek and Purslain seeds of each a like and make an oyntment thereof wieh wax and annoint the breasts therewith Also for the same take Chickweed and lay it warm upon the breasts Also beat oyl of Roses and Vinegar of Roses together and lay it on the breasts If the Woman hath taken some extreme cold then take this following especially if there be an Ague with it take Camomile Melilot Fennel seeds Anniseeds Dill seeds Fenegreek Linseeds Southernwood Ginger Bazil beat them together and with oyl of Camomile make a Plaister of it and apply it to the breasts A good Plaister to dissolve hard knots in the
breast Take Crums of white bread Barley meal Mustard-seeds Fennel and Holly hocks rosted under the ashes of each a like quantity pound them all well together and make a Plaister thereof with oyl of Camomile and apply it warm to the breasts For hardness and inflammation in the breasts through congealed milk A Pultis Take flowers of Mallowes Violets Celendine Daisies Cinquefoil of each 1 handful boyl them together in two quarts of water till it come to a pint then strain it and mingle it with Wheaten meal to the thickness of pap then put to it Hens grease or Hogs Lard and boyl it again to a Pultis spread it on a Cloth about the thickness of a finger and lay it morning and evening upon an inflamed sore breast Another for the same Take Bean meale Mints in Powder each 3 quarters of an ounce prepared Coriander Pease meal of each 1 dram Roses half a dram fresh butter 2 ounces Muscilage of Linseed one ounce Muscilage of Fenegreek 3 quarters of an ounce Sheeps Suet Ducks grease of each 1 ounce oyl of Turpentine half an ounce Saffron three grains temper them all together to a salve or oyntment and lay it upon the breasts For Tumors or swelling of the breast Take Purslain Plantain of each one handful Camomile Melilot of each one ounce Barley meal 4 ounces stamp the Herbs in a morter to a pap and then incorporate therewith oyl of Violets and Roses enough to make it a salve and lay it on the sore brests Another Medicine for swelling in the breasts much profitable and easie to be had Take a good quantity of Peach leaves and Rue and stamp them small and boyl them in water to a Pultis and lay it on the grieved place this will ripen the Imposthume and ease the pain A Plaister for the same Take Plantain Mallowes of each one handful Housleek 6 handfuls boyl them together till they come to be like grout then strain it and adde thereunto Oyl of Roses 3 ounces Camomile Melilot both beaten of each an ounce Barley meal 4 ounces Bdellium 1 quarter of an ounce dissolve the Bdellium in Vineger and then boyl them all together to the thickness of a Plaister and spread it on a Cloth and apply it to the grieved place For Impostumations in the breast Impostumations do breed oftentimes likewise in the breasts through the congealing of the milk and ill humours setling and putrifying there bringing with them the Canker Gangrene and such like griefs to the great anguish and misery of the Patient if not to death by reason of the tenderness of the place And many times it happens by reason of an obstruction of their termes which turns our cause of the superfluous blood thither And therefore if when there happens any swelling or anguish in the breasts in this case if the termes be stopt use all means possible to provoke them speedily if you mean to abate the swelling and pain and if the swelling increase then the Liver vein must be opened or the median And afterwards take oyl of Roses and Vineger and seeth a little Camomile therein and then dip a Cloth in it and lay it on the breasts four times a day refreshing it If the Impostumation in the breasts be caused of superfluity of blood the sign to know it is it causeth great pain in the breast redness and much beating If it proceed from Choler then is the pain more raging and the brest redder and yellowish with greater Agues and the Inflammation is hotter then that which proceeds of blood If Flegme be the ingendring cause thereof then the Tumor is but small the breast white the pain moderate and no Ague with it An excellent Plaister to consume and cleanse all swellings of the breasts and also of other members Take clarified Honey 6 ounces Barley meal 3 ounces and a half two yolks of Eggs Mirrhe Sarcocolla of each half a dram Honey of Roses 4. ounces oyl of Roses 3. ounces powder that which is to be powdered and boyl the Honey and the meal together till it be thick and then stir the yolks of Eggs amongst it and the other things and so make a Plaister of it and apply it to the grieved place When the Tumor or swelling comes to maturity and breaks then cleanse it with this Salve Take Honey the juyce of Smallage yolks of Eggs and Turpentine of each a sufficient quantity and make a Salve thereof and so apply it Or else use this Salve following with a tent of Lint Take Wheat-meal 3 quarters of an ounce clarified Honey and juyce of Smallage of each an ounce mix them all into a Salve and use them as hath been directed this is good to be used with a tent to cleanse any sore Fistula or Carbuncle But if in case the Tumor as many times it unhappily doth grow to a Canker or Fistula then must orher means be used to prevent the eating or spreading thereof the Patient must be purged of melancholy humours and avoid such things as ingender Choler and melancholy and to seek to prevent the increase of the same for which this drink following is very effectual Take Time 1 quarter of an ounce Polipody Sene each 1 dram Violets Seeds of Gourds Cucumbers Pompeons each 1 dram and a half Cynamon Rapeseed of each 1 scruple Hops 1 ounce boyl them all together in 8. ounces of water till half be consumed then strain it and take one ounce of this decoction in 3 ounces of whay of Goats milk and fast 6 houres after it Then use outwardly this Plaister following Take Fenegreek Barley meal of each two Ounces Mallows 3. handfuls Housleek 8 handfuls Oyl of Roses 6 ounces bray the Oyl of Roses in a Leaden Morter with a Leaden Pestle and seeth the Herbs in whâ—y till they be so tender you may beat them to a pap and mix the other things amongst them and boyl it again in 6 ounces of nightshade-Nightshade-water till it be consumed and so make a Plaister of it and first annoint the sore with Oyl of Roses and then lay the Plaister thereupon If the Canker corrode and spread abroad then take Barley meal 4 ounces Oyl of Violets oyl of Roses each three ounces Tutty prepared 2. ounces Blood-stone 1 ounce Bray the oyl of Roses with 4 whites of Eggs a good while in a Leaden Morter and likewise beat the Blood-stone in water of Lillies then temper them all together and dip small tents in it and lay them all on the sore Then take one ounce and a half of oyl of Roses prepared in a Leaden Morter as before and two ounces of the juyce of Nightshade 1. ounce of starch and an ounce and an half of Bolus mix and temper them all together in a Leaden Morter and therewith often annoint the breasts round about the Canker or Fistula A Plaister for the Fistula Take Mummey Bolus juyce of steel Frankincense Hipocistis Mastick of each 3 drams Acorn Cups Cipers Nuts Galls Isinglasse
Dragagant Gum of each 1 ounce dissolve the Isinglasse in red Wine Vinegar and mix the other ingredients amongst it to a Plaister For Clefts or Chops of the Nipples Take Mutton or Lambs Suet as much as you please and after it is molten and clarified then wash it in Rose-water and therewith annoint the Nipples And thus much for the Diseases in the Breasts Chap. XVII Shewing means and Remedies for those Nurses that went milk Having already at large discoursed to you the infirmities happening by reason of superfluous or congealed milk and the evil accidents that attend the same with the means of their prevention and Remedy it is also convenient for their sakes who would be Nurses and cannot for want of milk to shew them some means to increase it where it is wanting Women given much to fretting or who are by nature lean and sickly having a bad digesture in stomach Liver cannot breed store of milk nor good milk also bad meats and drinks hinder the ingendring of milk therefore they ought to be forborn And women that would increase their milk let them eat good meats if they can get it and drink milk wherein Fennel seed hath been steeped If the woman be of a hot nature and full of Choler let her drink Barley water and Almond milk eat Lectice with her meat Burrage Spinnage Goats milk Cowes milk and Lamb sodden with Verjuice And avoid sorrow and anger as much as may be and comfort the stomach with the Confections of Anniseeds Carraway and Cominseeds and likewise use these seeds sodden in water Also take Anniseeds two drams and a half beaten and temper them with the broth of Coleâ—orts and drink it when you go to bed Also take Barley water and boyl therein green Fennel and Dill and sweeten it with Sugar and drink it at your pleasure If you would have an outward means use this Plaister following Take half an ounce of Deers suet and as much Parsley roots with the hearbs an ounce and a half of Barley meal three drams of red Storax and three ounces of oyl of sweet Almonds seeth the roots and hearbs well and beat them to pap and then mingle the other amongst them and lay it warm on the Nipples it increaseth milk Thus have I Counselled women of all sorts how to free themselves from all casualties the frailty of their nature subjects them to which when you finde the benefit of give God the glory and sin no more lest a worse thing sall unto thee FINIS AN APPENDIX TOUCHING The DROPSY THis being an infirmity under which many labour and few are cured thereof partly nay most by reason of their inability I thought it very necessary having this opportunity put into my hands to add this small Treatise of the Kinds Cause and Cure of Dropsies This Disease the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latins a water between the flesh and the skin and vulgâ—rly Hydrops or Hydropicus morbus the Dropsy or an Hydropical disease which name seems to have bâ—en taken from water which in Greek is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Avicenna defineth the Dropsy thus That it is a material sickness ingendred from a material outward and coâ—d cause and thereby either the whole Body or many parts and Members thereof do swell All Authors do not agree about it some call it a Disease and some place it among the Symptomes but they that are afflicted with it need not care by what name it is called so they were freed from it therefore I shall not stay upon the definition of it but proceed to directions for the Cure but be sure it is a laesion and depravation of the digestive faculty and unconcoction of the blood whereby the nutritive faculty is hindred and corrupted throughout the whole Body and the natural operation of the Liver impedited and this proceeds from a cold and moist humour that penetrates through the Body and swells the Members puffs up the Face swells the Feet and Leggs and the Cods of men destroys the natural complexion altering it into a whitely colour causeth great appetite to drink and little or none to eat stoppeth the Terms in women causeth retention both of Stool Excrement and sometimes hard Tumors about the Bowels and other parts This for the description or definition yet this Disease hath several degrees Kinds or Species One kind of Dropsy is called Anasarca and Hyposarca another Ascites and a third Tympania or Tympanites or in English Tympanies Conserve of Fumitory is not a miss to be used for cleansing of the blood in all kind of Dropsies at the beginning of them but to proceed first to this kind of Dropsy called Anasarca It is a waterish humour that lyeth between the flesh and the skin through all the Body causing a swelling and is known by pressing the flesh with ones finger the dint or impression thereof will remain a great while after the Pulse is slow the privie members swell and the party is subject to be afflicted with a looseness or scowring and bad digestion of meat which is the cause of it that it turns into flegm instead of blood If it be a woman it may be caused through retention or stopping of her Terms therefore all means possible is to be used to provoke and drive them down Let the Patient be purged with Pills of Rhabarb and to expel the water use this Confection following A Confection for the watery Dropsy Take Turbith half an ounce Hermodactyls one ounce wild Saffron seeds peesed three quarters of an ounce Ginger Cinamon Annisâ—eds of each one scruple Violets Sorrel seed of each one dram Sugar two ounces Honey of Roses four ounces boyl the Honey and Sugar together with Fumitory water until you may scum it clear then mix the rest with it and boyl it to a Confection take hereof half an ounce in a morning Another for the same Take Annis yellow Rape seed Spica Indiae of each one scruple Licoris Rhabarb of each one dragme Asarabacca half a dram Conserve of Marjorom one ounce Conserve of Roses three ounces Syrup of Quinces and Oximel a sufficient quantity to make it into a Confection Take hereof a dram in a morning Pills for the same Take Pills Aggregative two scruples Ammoniaci one scruple make it into six Pills with Oximel take two in a morning The masse of Pills before mentioned are prepared by the Apothecaries therefore do not startle that they bear no English name for they are more commonly known by those Titles In this Disease use abstinence from meat and drink as much as may be forbear drowsiness and lazinesse and addict your self to reasonable sweating and exercise Of another kinde of Dropsy called Ascites This Species of this Disease swelleth only the Belly and Leggs and the upper parts dry and the Belly swelleth like a Bladder and soundeth like a drum head or as the Belly of a rotten Sheep will do if you clâ—p your
hand thereon that 's not unknown to every Clown then wonder not at this And if the sick person stir from side to side the water may be heard forcibly to stir about the skin is stretched out so that it receiveth no dint or impression of ones finger as in the other kind of Dropsy the Pulse is small wanting vigour of heat to cause motion and the original of all is the weakness and debility of the Liver that it cannot exercise its natural faculty of concocting the meat and drink into blood but unnaturally altereth the moisture thereof into water This kind of Dropsy may come sometimes from overmuch heat of the Liver as well as cold If it proceed from hot causes the Urine the Patient avoids is little and that of a very high red colour some spots like little stones appearing in it the party suffereth intolerable thirst and the more he drinks the more he desires drink but it quencheth not his flames no more then Brimstone and Oyl will quench fire This Disease is dangerous and oftentimes breaks up the root or at best strikes near at it But for means which God hath given to be used while time is take these following A Syrup for the Dropsy through heat of the Liver and to quench the thirsty desires of the Patient in that disease Take Endive four handfuls Maiden hair Harts tongue of each one handful Fennel seed Parsley seed of each half an ounce Spica Nardi Spica Romani of each a quarter of an ounce make a decoction hereof and then boyl it up to a syrrup with a sufficient quantity of Sugar The Body of the Patient in this Disease is much subject to costiveness or binding of the Belly purging therefore with Clysters Pills and Potions are requisite to be used in this case and to endeavour to open the obstructions of the Liver and strengthen the same To purge with Rhabarb or the syrup thereof once a week is very good for this purpose drink Wormwood Beer or Wine and use also this gentle purging Potion A purging Potion for the dry Dropsy Take the flowers of Burrage Violets Fumitory each half an ounce Licoris Jujubes Currans Wormwood each one quarter of an ounce Prunes eight or ten Spikenard one dram boyl them altogether in Whey strain it and then infuse therein one night half an ounce of the shells of yellow Mirobalans so strain it for a Potion Clysters are also very necessary and profitable for this Disease and amongst others these following are very commendable A Clyster for the Dropsie Take Bloodwort Camomil St. Johns wort or each one handful boyl them in well fair water then take twelve or sixteen ounces of the decoction and add to it Salt one dram three ounces of Sallet oyl and half a dram of Hiera picra or Caffia extracted mix them together for a Clister and give it warm For the same another Clister more loosening Take Mallows Holly-hocks Peers Camomile Herb Mercury of each one handful boyl these herbs well in water or in broth of Tripes or other pottage made of fresh flesh take 16 ounces of the decoction and thereunto add Sallet oyl Salt Hiera picra or Cassia and Benedicta laxativa of each half an ounce wherewith mix the decoction and give it for a Clister very warm If there be any pain or griping in the Belly which windeness too often causeth then use with the Herbs before mentioned an ounce of Anniseeds Fennel seeds and Carraway-seeds altogether grosly beaten or the quantity of an ounce of either of them severa◠which you can get Thus for Costiveness and Obstructions in this Disease on the contrary sometimes the Patient is subject to scowring and a red flux with it for which use these means following Give to the Patient the Conserve concocted roots of Cicory Juyce Marmalade of Quinces Trochisk and Conserve of Barberries with Vinegar and such other things as are binding and cooling in operation For this Dropsy and all other kinds and also for the Green sicknesse too these Pills following are excellent Take of the Masse of the Pill of Hiera with Agarick one dram and a half of the Pill of Opopanax three drams of the extract of Rhabarb of Gentian root of Centory the lesse each one dram Steel prepared four drams the root of Aaron prepared Tartar vitriolated each two scruples Chymical oyl of Wormwood one scruple oyl of Cinamon of Cloves each six drops Syrup of the Five roots a sufficient quantity to make it into Pills make of every dram hereof six Pills let the Patient take two hereof every morning and as many at four a clock in the afternoon and drink after it a draught of Wormwood-Wine or Ale stirring or excercising after it the space of an hour To provoke and expel the Urine is very requisite in this Disease for which these things following are very good Take Rue St. Johns wort Penny-royal Sage Marjoram Wormwood Licoris Anniseeds Fennel roots Elecampane roots of each one quarter of an ounce boyl them a little in a quart of White-wine and take thereof three ounces morning and night For the same Take a head or two of Garlick and a handful of St Johns wort boyl them together in a pint of White-wine till a third part be wasted strain it and drink three or four spoofuls thereof at a time morning and evening The roots of great Fern boyled in White-wine and drunk the Wine I mean not the roots is verygood for this purpose This Decoction following is also good for the same Take the roots of Nettles Parsley Fennel Elecampane Licoris Asarabacca of each one dram boyl them a little in a quart of White-wine and drink thereof as of the former Outwardly for this Disease may be used Pultisses Unguents and Plaisters such as dry and expel wind and do strengthen and mollifie the Belly and lower parts for which purpose this Plaister following may effectually be used Take Coloquint Holly-hock seeds Diagridion Aloes Mirth Mallowes roots Béellion of each one dram and a half Ireos three drams Mallows seeds wild Cucumbers Cardamome Euphorbium of each three drams Boreas Salgem of each one quarter of one ounce mix all these and incorporate them well together with Goose grease Ducks grease Calves suet and Hoggs suet as much as is sufficient to make them into a Plaister or salve and apply it all over the Belly For the same is good to temper the Salve of Bay-berries with Cowes or Goats dung and use it as the former For the swelling of the privy members in this Disease this Salve following is to be used Take Annis Fennel and Comin seeds beaten small together of each one ounce and a half Bean meale Ebalus the juyce of Elder leaves and Wine a sufficient quantity to make it a Salve or Pultis and lay it on the Belly and privities For the same Take Barley meale Cypress roots Sheeps dung Borax and Bolus of each a like quantity beat them together and make a Plaister
thereof with Hoggs grease or Goose grease and apply it to the Belly and privities The oyl of Camomile and Rue mixed together is a very good Ointment for the dropsy Take notice also by the way that Sweating and Bathing in hot dry Baths is very effectual for all kind of Dropsies Of the kind of Dropsie called Tympanies There are three sorts of Tympanies the one called Aqupsa or the watery Tympany or Dropsy of which we have already treated A second called Ventosa or a Dropsy or Tympany of wind of which we now proceed to speak which is caused more of wind then water and thence deriveth its name and in this Disease the Belly swelleth up very high and the Navel starteth out the Belly is very hard and soundeth if one thereon clap his hand There is another Species called Carnosa by which may be understood fatnesse of the Belly or as some say gorre Bellies but it is in plain English a fleshy Tympany or fleshy swelling no way dangerous at all but Maids Bellies are much subject to this Tympany and for their Cure the best is mother Midwife and therefore I say no more of it but leave it to her discretion But for the Cure of the Ventosa or windy Tympany or Dropsy use these Rules following Avoid all windy meats eschew cold and keep warm use also Sweating and use the Confection de Baccis Lauri be moderate in Dyet and use exercise Use also these Conserves or any of them as Conserve of Elder leaves Betony Gilly-flowers Rosemary Fennel Annis Comin or the like A Suppository for the same Take Salgem Rue Bever-cod Euphorbium Nettle seed of each one dram mix it with about three ounces of decocted Honey and thereof make Suppositories Use to annoint the Belly with hot Oyles such as are oyl of Dill oyl of Rue Costus and Bay-berries A Plaister for the same effectual Take Goats dung or Sheeps dung dryed twelve ounces roots of wild Cucumbers roots of Ebulus of each two ounces Barley meal 12 ounces steeled Vinegar four ounces boyl it all well in sharp Lee and make thereof a Plaister which apply warm to the Belly or any part of the Body swelled with wind to open the Pores and draw out the same A Clister effectual for the same Take Ireos Hysop Smallage Rue Barefoot of each one handful Annis Fennel Ameos Bay-berries of each half an ounce boyl all these very well in clean water then take of this Decoction twelve or sixteen ounces according to the strength of the Patient and add to it clarified Honey and oyl of Rue of each one ounce and a half and stone Salt one dram so make it into a Clister and administer it A Syrup for the Dropsy Take green roots of Ireos or in English Flowerdeluce and yet that name is not quite English neither twenty four ounces cut them in pieces and infuse them three days in Well water as much as will onely cover them stirring them twice a day then strain that water from them reserve it in a clean pot add the like quantity of fresh water to them doing as you did before then strain the second water and mix both together and boyl it with Sugar a little and then add thereunto Scabious and Mayden-hair of each one handful Sperage roots Fennel roots and Ireos roots of each half a handful peeled Melon seed Gourd seeds Cucumber seeds peeled Pompeon seeds Purslane seeds Cicory Endive and Lettice seed of each one quarter of an ounce Fennel Annis Sperage and Smallage seed of each half a dram Millet and Winter Cherries of each three drams fat dates and figs of each six Licoris and Madder of each five drams boyl all together to the wasting of half and then strain it and boil up the decoction to a syrup with Sugar of this syrup give about an ounce at a time and sometimes more and to strengthen the Liver steep therein a quarter of an ounce of Rhabarb Also for the Dropsy these syrups are good to be used as syrup of Wormwood of the Five roots of Maiden-hair and Betony and Wines compounded with Wormwood Egremony Calamint Cinamon odoriferous seeds and things of the like nature Abstain from all excesse and use such meats and drinks as are of a drying heating attenuating nature easy of digestion forbear new sweet Wine or drink and in all things use measure for therein consisteth the greatest virtue FINIS