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
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-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-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
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
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
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
Men are wont to call that much rain or a great rain which continues a long time though it fall but slowly and leasurely or else if it suddenly fall upon the earth in great showers If any one shall be so curious as to ask what is the proper quantity and measure of the menstrual blood which nature ought duly to evacuate Hippocrates answers them That in a sound Woman Hip. 1. Lib. de morb mulier Pag. 313. and one perfect in health the moderate monethly Purgations ought to be about 20. ounces a very little more or lesse if they exceed very much that proportion or are much lesse then are the Courses diseased and disaffected But the certain quantity of the monethly natural purgations cannot so strictly be defined in all bodies because of the difference of the temperature the dyet habit constitution age and strength of Womens bodies it must necessarily be that some must have them more copiously then others but this definition might be taken to be of a Woman in perfect health but if the Flux of natural purgation be immoderate the party must needs be much afflicted therewith and thereby incur many other Diseases of some whereof mention is already made and partly of the causes thereof But we desire to be a little more copious Causes in discovering the causes of this distemper before we proceed to the method of the cure thereof The causes of this immoderate Flux Gal. 3. de Sym. Causis Cap. 2.5 Aph. Com. 58. are distinctly and accurately handled by Galen That The Termes as other Fluxes of blood do flow immoderatly for three causes First By reason of the faculty that recludeth the Vessel containing the blood as in the Flux of blood at the nose The second Because of the evil affection and ill disposition of the blood And the third By reason of some vitiousness or detriment in the Vessels themselves The first cause is by reason of the natural faculties which are foure The faculty attractive retentive alterative and the faculty expulsive All which faculties perform their operations Gal. 1. de fac Nat. according to their proper temperatures as Galen largely teacheth Therefore they are the cause of the menstrual Fluxes immoderation when these fuculties do not properly and duly exercise their functions and Offices As chiefly If the retentive faculty be too weak that it cannot retain the blood so much and so long as it should until its due time this is a special cause of the superfluous Flux which many times happens by reason of some ill distemper in the womb or Vessels either too much cold or moysture or both In like manner it comes to passe when the expulsive faculty too powerfully sends forth the blood in such quantity and at such times when by the Lawes of nature it should not and this also chiefly happens by reason of some ill distempers either in the Womb or Vessels proceeding of too much heat and dryness or both Another cause of the immoderate Flux of the Termes is the ill disposition or corruption of the blood and that after a twofold manner The first when the blood is so vitious that it corrodeth and corrupteth the Vessels wherein it is contained which is done when the blood is too thin hot or sharp and that by reason the temperature or ill dyer is mixed with superfluity of Flegme Choler or Melancholy which are offensive to nature and do provoke her to expel them A second cause is superfluity of blood distempered 4 Method 2. so that the Vessels cannot contain it but it breaks out and forces a purgation by reason of the abounding acrimonious humor thereof as Galen also makes mention Having now spoken of two causes of the immoderate Flux of the Termes we proceed to the third which is because of the viriousness of the Vessels and that consisteth in the too much hardness softness or smallness thereof And happens to come in youth in their first beginning and to others afterwards in progress of time And this happens to come thus to passe Too much softness of superfluity of moysture hardness of too much dryness and smallness of too much hunger or want of sustenance If this superfluous Flux proceed of too much blood Colour then the colour of the Termes will be pale and whitish if they come of Choler then the Flowers will incline to a yellow Colour If Melancholy be the abounding humour then are the Flowers of a blewish black or dark colour By which Colours you may judge of the abounding humour and provide a remedy accordingly to stop the excessive Flux thereof for which purpose we now come to prescribe many both internal and external meanes First Observe these Rules Beware of hot things If the Body be grosse and full of blood and humours that nature seems to expulse it this way stop it not suddenly unless there be danger of much weakness by it but gently purge and prepare the body first If the Body be very full of blood you may open the Basilica vein and seek to reverse it that way if it appear to come of Choler or if any other peccant humour abounds purge that humour with proper moderate Medicines mixing astringent and comfortable things amongst it Let the Woman abstain from all hard labour and all kind of slimey thin and waterish meat Vomits are good to stay the humour and turn their course that they flow not downwards Inwardly may be given Sirrups Electuaries decoctions Confections and the like A Sirrup to stay the immoderate Flux of the Termes Take Sirrup of Endive one ounce Sirrup of Purslain half an ounce the decoction of Egrimony and of Plantain 4 Ounces mix them together and make them into a Sirrup and so take it as you please An Electuary for the same Take conserve of Roses 2 Ounces of water Lillies one ounce of Pearl prepared and burnt Harts-horn each half an ounce Bole Armonick Terra Lemnia each half a scruple mix them together with syrrup of Plantain a quantity sufficient to make it into an Electuary A Bolus for the same Take Conserce of Roses half an ounce Philonium or Requies Nicholai two Scruples Mix them together and make a Bolus thereof This is not to be given but when extremity urges Avicenna amongst many other Medicaments of this nature commendeth the use of Vinegar which to some may seem strange it being the vulgar opinion that Vinegar is of a great opening quality Nevertheless Galen agrees with Avicen Gal. 1. de sim med cap. 18.19 who writeth of Vinegar that it is of an astringent quality and doth suppresse and stop fluxes of the blood Others contradict the same not approving of it in this case as hurtful to the Womb. And there being many other Medicines here readily prescribed it may very well be let alone A Powder to stay the immoderate Flux of the Terms Take Species tria santali Diarrhodon Abbatis each a dram Coriander two scruples and a half
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
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
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
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
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
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-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