and white Behen and Baulm flowers of each 4 Scruples shavings of Ivory Rind of Cassia each two Scruples Syrup of Confected Giner twelve ounces White Sugar six ounces add to these 12 ounces of Baulem water and set them over a gentle Fire permitting them to seeth then take it off suffer it to cool and put more water to it stiring the ingredient lastly increasing them with a Scruple and a half of Musk and Amber then strain out the Liquid prt and boil it up again into a Conserve of which let the Woman eat 3 times a day but not exceeding the bigness of a Walnut at a time The times most convenient are Mornings Noons nad Nights and this let her continue till she finds her body in good temper Another occasion of Barrenness proceeds from the obstruction of the Courses in which case open the Basilick Vein and take from thence a moderate quantity of Blood after which take Hiera composita and Oppopanax of each half a dram and a dram of Syrup of Gilliflowers make them into â— Pills take them in the Morning and sleep upon them a considerable time then drink off half a pint of Sugered water and 3 hours after a portion of Syrup of Vinegat compounded for want of this take Syrup of Eupatory 3 quarters of an ounce Female-Mugwort and Elecampaine Root of each an ounce with Syrup of Vinegar a proportionable quantity mix them together and take them when made into an Electuary Morning and Evening to the quantity of an Hazel Nut at a time and if the Courses flow not within a short time after let a pessary of Musk Amber Wood of Aloes and Ash-Keys of each 2 Grains Saffron half a Scruple Hares Renet an ounce be put into the Womb Tent-wise and continue there for the space of a day and it will remove the Obstruction cause the Courses to flow and in short time render the Woman capable of Generation And thus Reader have I with much caution performed my promise in these particulars and the next thing I shall proceed to amongst other matters relating to the Mystery of Generation are the signs of Virginity c. CHAP. X. Virginity what it is in what it consists and how violated together with the Opinions of the Learned in the point of mutation of Sexes in the Womb during the Operation of Nature in framing the Body SEeing many ignorant people have boasted their Knowledge as to the first Particular and some Virgins have undergone hard Censures through the ignorant Determinations of such as have taken upon them to discuss the matter I thought it altogether necessary to clear the Point that so for the future the Conceited might not be indulged in their vain opinion nor by traducing others prejudice the Female Sex whose vertues are frequently such as do not only require our admiration but imitation Then since the mysterious word Virginity has puzled many to define it I mean the cause from whence it arises for the Word barely in it self signifies the prime chief or best of any thing but as to the point in hand the main matter bears the following Construction It is observed by the curious Searchers into Natures Secrets that in young Maids or Females that in the Secret place about the Sâ—mus Pudoris or rather by some vulgarly called the Neck of the Womb is that pendulous production by some called the Hymen but more rightly the Claustrum Virginale and in French it is termed the Button de Rose or Roses Bud for that it much resembles the Bud of a Rose expended or a Clove Gilliflower from whence it derived the Word Dâ—floro to deflower or the deflowring of Virgins because most are of opinion that the Virginity is altogether annihilated when this Duplication is fractured and dissipated by violence and that when it is found perfect and intire no penetratio has been made Also some learned Physicians are of opinion that there is no other Hymen or Skin expanded containing Blood in it which divers imagine in the first Copulation flows from the fractured expanse Now this Claustrum Virginale or Flower is as it were composed or consisting of 4 Caruncles or little Buds like Mirtle-berries which in Virgins are full and plump but in Women flag and hang loose and these are placed in the four Angles of the Sinus Pudoris joyned or held together by little Membranes and Ligatures like Fibres each of them situate in the Intresticles or Spaces between each Caruncle with which in a manner they are proportionably distended which Membranes being once delacerated denote devirgination and many curious Coxcombs prying into this Secret the first night of their Marriage and finding their Wives defective in this point have â—ver after held them in evil esteem concluding it happened thro' the effect of Copulation with some other who had been entertained in the Chambers of Venus Nay one I knew that upon this vain â—ancy took such conceit that he would never copulate with his Wife when to undeceive such Idiots it is affirmed by the Learned that such fracture may happen divers ways by accident as well as Copulation with man viz. by extraordinary straining violent coughing immoderate sneezing stopping of Urine and violent motion of the Vessels inforcibly sending down the humours which pressing for passage break the Ligatures or Membrane so that the intireness or fracture of this thing commonly taken for the Virginity or Maiden-head is â—o absolute Sign of dishonesty tho' certain it is that in Copulation 't is more frequently broke than otherwise Once at an Assize held for the County of Rutland a young Man was put upon Tryal of life and death which Tryal was founded upon an indictment for forcing a Virgin when after divers questions asked and the Maid swearing positively to the matter naming the time place and manner of the Action it was upon mature Deliberation resolved that she should be searched by a skilful Chirurgeon and two Midwives who were to make their report upon their Oaths which after due Examination they accordingly did affirm that the Membranes were intire and unfractured and that it was their Opinion for that reason that her Body had not been penetrated which so far wrought with the Jury that the Prisoner was acquitted and the Maid afterward confessed she swore against him out of revenge because he had promised to marly her and then declined it And thus much concerning Virginity and now I shall proceed to the second particular which is Reader to shew you the Opinions of divers learned men to relation to Natures operation in changing Sexes in the Womb. This Point is of much necessity by reason of the different Opinions of Men relating to it Therefore before any thing positive can be asserted it will be altogether convenient to recite what has been delivered as well in the negative as the affirmative And first of the first Severius Plinaeus who argues for the negatives writes thus The Genital parts saith he of both
difficulty in the delivery the best way is to search for the feet and thereby draw it forth but if the latter the Secundines may be put back with a gentle hand and the Child first taken forth Another matter is note worthy viz. If the Secundines be far advanced so that it cannot be put back and the Child follow it close then are the Secundines to be taken forth with much care as swift as may be and laid aside without cutting the entrail that is fastened to them for by that you may be guided to the Infant the which whether alive or dead must be drawn forth by the Feet with all expedition tho' it is not to be acted unless in case of great necessity for in other cases the Secundine ought to come last As for a dead Child in drawing it forth let these Directions be carefully observed by the Chirurgion viz. If the Child be found dead with its head foremost the danger is the greater and more difficult will be the Delivery for it is an apparent sign the Womans strength begins to fail her and that the Child being dead and wanting its inbred forced can be no ways assisted to its delivery wherefore the most certain and safe way is for the Chirurgeon to put up his left hand sliding it as hollow in the Palm as he can into the neck of the Womb into the lower part thereof towards the Feet and that between the Head of the Infant and the Neck of the Matrix when having a Hook in the right-hand couch it close and slit it up above the left-hand between the Head of the Child and the flat of his hand fixing in it the bone of the Temple towards the Ear or else in the hollow of the Eye or for want of conveniently coming at these in the occipital Bone observing still to keep the left hand in its place with it gently moving and stirring the Head and so with the right-hand and Hook draw the Child forward admonishing the Woman to put forth her utmost strength still drawing when the Womans pangs are upon her The Head being drawn forth he must with al speed slip his hand under the Arm-holes of the Child and take it quite forth giving these things to the Woman viz. A toste of fine Wheat bread in a quarter of a pint of Ipocrass Wine Now the former Application and Endeavour failing and the following Medicines will not inable the Woman to cast forth the Birth you may proceed to Instruments after another manner First when the Woman is in her bed let her receive the insuing potion hot abstaining from all manner of Meats and rest till she feel the Operation which is this Take blue Figs to the number of 7 cut them in pieces adding to them Fenegreek Mother-wort and Seeds of Rue of each 2 Drams water of Peneroyal and Motherwort 6 ounces of each boyl them till one half be consumed and having strained them again and Trochischs of Mirrh a dra and of Saffron 3 Grains sweetning the Liquor with loaf-Loaf-sugar and spicing it with Cinnamon Having rested upon this let her labour again as much as may be and if she be not yet successful make a Suffumation of Castor Oppoponax Sulpher and Assa Faetida of each half a Dram beating them into Powder and wetting them with the juice of Rue till they become stiff then burn them upon Coals so that the Smoak or Fume may only come to the Matrix and no further If these effect not your desire then this Emplaister is very fitly to be applied viz. Take of Galbanum one ounce and a half Colocynthis without Grains 2 drams the juice of Motherwort and Rue of each half an ounce and 2 ounces of Virgin Bees-wax bruise and melt them together spreading them as a Scere cloath to reach from the Navel to Os Pubis spreading likewise to the flanks at the same time making a convenient pessary of Wooll closing it in a bag of Silk and dipping it in the concoction round Birthworth Savin Colocynthis with Graines Staves Acar black Elebore of each a dram and of Rue a little sprig or two These things failing and the Womans life in danger let the Chirurgeon use his Instruments to dilate and widen the Womb to which purpose the Woman must be set in a Chair so that she may turn her Crupper as much from its back as is convenient drawing up her Legs as close as she can but spreading her Thighs as wide as may be or if through her weakness it appear more convenient that she be laid upon the Bed with her Head downwards her Buttocks raised and her Legs drawn up as much as can be a what time the Chirurgeon with his Speculum Matricis or his Apertory may dilate or widen the Womb and draw out the Child and the Secundines together if it be possible after which the Womb must be well washed and anointed and the Woman laid in her Bed comforted there with Spices pleasant Meats and Cordials This course must be taken in the delivery of all dead Children likewise with Moles Secundines or otherwise false Births that will not of themselves come forth in due season or if the Instruments aforesaid will not sufficient widen the Womb then other Instruments as the Drakes Bill and long Pincers ought to be used If it so happen that any Inflamation Swelling or concreet Blood be contracted in the perputium of the Matrix under the Film of those Tumours either before or after the Birth where the matter appears thinner the Midwife with a Pen-knife or incision Instrument may Lance it and press out the corruption healing it with a Pessary dipped in Oyl of Red Roses If at any time through cold or some violence the Child happens to be swelled in any part or have contracted a watry Tumour yet if it remain alive such means ought to be used as are least injurious to the Child or Mother but if it be dead that Tumour must be let out by incision to facilitate the Birth It often happens that Children come with their Feet foremost and the Hands dilating themselves forth the Hips in such a case the Midwife must be well provided of necessary Oyntments to stroke anoint the Infant with thereby to help its coming forth lest it return again into the Womb before it can be drawn forth holding at the same time both the Arms of the Infant close to the Hips that so the Child may issue forth after its own manner but if then it prove too big then the Womb must be well anointed The Woman may likewise take sneezing powder to cause her the more to strain and at the same time those that attend may gently stroke down her Belly to make the Birth descend and keep the Child when advanced from retiring back Sometimes it falls out that the Child coming with its Feet foremost has its ARms exended above its Head the which so happening the Midwife must not receive it in
flat and hang it about the Womans Neck so that it may reach the pit of her Stomach and it will draw the Womb upward or keep it in its place that it shall not fall down or give the Child occasion to seek for untimely passage CHAP. XXV Of the Washing of Woman after Delivery with Directions how to make them FOR the first Wash take a good handful of young Charvil boil it in 2 pints of water which having done add to it a spoonful of Honey of Roses and let the Midwife use it at her discretion and it will draw down the Purgations heal and cleanse the afflicted part There are some that use Milk instead of Water affirming that it greatly mittigates the pain but by those whom Experience has taught better it is rejected this having been used eight days the second wash may be made Take Province Roses moist if you can but if not the dry Cakes put them in a little linnen Bag and boyl them sufficiently in half a pint of Water and half a pint of White Wine and use it as the former for other eight days viz. The liquid part being well straine The third and last wash must be made of the decoction of Province Roses decocted in a pint of VVhite VVine and a quarter of a Pint of Mirth-water and used only four days CHAP. XXVI An Astringent for Women when occasion requires as also Directions for a Cere-Chath and how to cleanse her before she rise TO make an Astringent take Pomgranets Roach Allum and Galls of each 2 ounces Knot Grass a handful of Province Roses four ounces the Rinds of Cassa and Pomgranets each 3 ounces of Scarlet-berries of Spermaceti one ounce The waters of Roses Mâ—â—â—n and Burnet of each one ounceand a half white VVine and water of the Smiths Forge of each a quarter of a Pint then take two little baggs about a quarter of a yard long and half a quarter broad boyl them in the Waters with the Drugs or Simples in them and in a new glazed Pipkin and use them successively as occasion requires To make an exceeding convenient Searcloath to ease the pain and reduce the Body into good temperament Take Virgins wax 8 ounces Spermaceti and Venice Turpentine well washed in Rose and Plantane water of each an ounce and a half adding to them whilst they are melting an ounce of white Lead of Venice pulverized and having by the operation of the Fire well mixed them together spread them Plaisterwise upon a Cloath fit to cover the Belly as far as it is convenient some of this you may lay upon the Nipples having first anointed them with Oyl of Acrons of Spermaceti and it will allay the inflammation and much strengthen them To cleanse a VVoman before she rises Take a considerable quantity of bitter Almonds peel them bruise them well and make them into a Past with the Yolk of an Egg and Powder of Grise put the Past into a bag of Shamy and dip it in black Wine tempering it well and use it upon the place where the Sear-cloaths have been laid and after that wash the said places with black Wine wherein Orange flowers have been steeped and it will cleanse these parts to admiration CHAP. XXVII How to expell the Chollick from Women in Child-Birth and the violent Griping that attend the first Delivery THese Pains frequently afflict the Woman no less than the pangs of her Labour and are by the ignorant taken many times the one for the other sometimes again they joyn Forces and happen at the same instant which is occasioned by the crudy matter in the Stomach contracted through indigestion and whilst such a Pain lasts the Woman advanceth nothing towards her Travel to expel the fits of the Chollick therefore Take two ounces of sweet Almond Oyl and an ounce of Cinnamon-water with 3 or 4 drops of Spirit of Ginger and let the Woman drink it off and if this work not your desire make a Glyster of Cammomile Baum leaves Olive-Oyl and new Milk concocting the former in the latter and having strained it very well administer it as 't is usual in such cases nor are Fomentations proper for dispelling wind amiss If the pain prove the griping or fretting of the Guts continuing long after Delivery or if it happen upon the Courses descending by reason of the smallness of the Veins which convey the Blood into the Matrix which often befalls Women lying in of their first Child wherefore it is altogether convenient to use such a Remedy at such a time as may eradicate the cause for the future and above all I recommend this most approved one used with success by many Noble Women Recepe Of the Root of great Camfory a dram Nutmegs and Peach-Kernels of each two scruples yellow Amber and Amber grease of the former a dram and the latter a scruple bruise them together and give them the Woman as soon as she is layed down in two or three Spoonfuls of White-wine but if it so happen that she be feverish then let it be in as much warm Broth. CHAP. XXVIII The approved Receipts for hindring the Monthly Flux in Women with Child also to cause Women that are fearful and subject to Abortion to contain the Birth Together with preparatory Ointments to be used before the time of Delivery and Directions for staying or preventing Vomiting much incident to Women with Child TO hinder the Superfluity or Eflux dangerous to VVomen far gone with Child Take the Oyl of Roses Virgins-wax juice of Male Knot-grass of each 3 ounces Bolearmonick Crocus Martis of each six drams melt them and bruise them till they become plyant and capable of being spread Plaster wise and when the Flux descends lay it to her Loyns whilst she lies in the bed Or to the same effect you may take Crocus Martis a dram Knot-grass juice 4 ounces rose-Rose-water and Vinegar of each one ounce adding to them the white of an Egg and apply them cold upon a Linnen Cloath to her Loins IOf the VVoman be fearful of containing the Birth and reject to Abortion Take the Roots of Tormentile and Snake-weed of each an ounce and a half Joubertus Astringent Powder Mirtle-berries Psida Pomgraner Flowers of each six drams Dragons-blood and Spong-Bedeguar of each half an ounce Frankincense and Mastick of each 3 drams Nutmeg and Cloves of each half a dram common Pich six ounces Cinnamon a dram Venice Turpentine washed in the juice of Shepheards purse 2 ounces of Ship Pitch 3 ounces Virgin-wax two ounces melt and well imbody them till they become pliable to be spread Plaister-wise and apply the Plaister upon Leather to the Reins To make an Oyntment exceeding useful before Delivery Take the Oyls of white Lilly Roots and Cammomile each 4 ounces new Hogs-Seam strained and fresh Butter of each an ounce and a half Muscilage of the Seed of Fenegreck extracted in mugwort-Mugwort-water 2 ounces the Powder of round Billwort Roots and Saffron of each two drams Wax an
ounce and a half melt them over a gentle Fire and having strained forth the suplist part anoint and supple the Womans Thighs Hips and Matrix therewith In case of Vomiting or Nauseating which too frequently befalls young Childing Women Take a Cere-cloath sprinkle it with Galbanum Powder of Cloves and Maâ—â—ick them covering it with linnen or silk in the form of a Stomacher apply it to the Stomach renewing it as the scent decays CHAP. XXIX A Pomatum for Midwives to anoint their hands with when they are about their Office as also the Womb of the Woman to be Delivered Excellent Applications to straighten and strengthen the Womb after Delivery AMongst the many Excellent Pomatums or Oyntments for Midwives Hands and anointing the Womb or Child to render the Birth easie I recommend this as chief viz. Take of Hemp seed Oyl an ounce and a half half an ounce of Castor Oyl Galmoschate half a scruple of Laudanum a scruple with a gentle fire make them into an Oyntment and attribute it to the use beforementioned To contract the Womb after Delivery Take the Leaves of Startwort and Mirtle of each 3 ounces Green Medlars Pruans and wild Pears of each 8 or 9 ounces the Stomachs of 3 Cocks fresh killed and newly taken out all which distill and dipping Cotten into the water issuing from them make it into the form of a Pessary and put it into the Womb where let it continue a considerable space To strengthen the Womb take of Borrage and Violet flowers each a handful Dittany of Creet an ounce Wood Sorrel a handful Honey of Roses half an ounce Maiden-Hair an ounce boyl them in White-wine and Inject the Liquid part into the Womb the woman taking soon after it this potion viz. Of Fennel and Bugloss Roots with Cicora ana take two ounces boy them in 24 ounces of White-wine to the consumption of two parts adding afterward Fennel water and Cicory water of each 3 ounces boyling them again till a 5th part of what remains be consumed and of this let her drink an ounce at a time continuing so to do Morning and Evening for 10 days CHAP. XXX To keep the Milk from Curdling in the Breast or to dry it up most approved Receipt as also to increase Milk IF the Milk be subject to Curd in the Breast past doubt in will contract pains or disorder there as well as in the Child that draws it forth wherefore to prevent it so doing Take the Roots of Althea half a pound boyl them in White-wine Vinegar strain them through a fine Seive adding to the liquid part Bean flower one ounce powder of Rue and dried Mint of each a dram Oyl of Mastick two ounces boyl them again till they come to the thickness or plyableness of an Oyntment To dry up the Milk take Honey newly taken from the Bees dissolve it in water and often wash the Breasts therewith or take the Juice of Speremint and Shepherds Purse of each half an ounce mix them and sweeten them with a little of the aforesaid Honey and drink them in the morning with the Broth of a Hen or Chicken Or she may take of the Oyl of Violets 3 ounces the juice of Mint and Paisley a like quantity an ounce of white-wine Vinegar Rose water two ounces boyl them over a gentle fire to the consumption of the juice adding a little wax to make them into an Oyntment and anoint the Breast therewith or for want of these take Elder tops Sage and Mint of all of them a handful boil them in Spring water loft and lay them to the Breast If the Woman be scarce of Milk and for the benefit of the Child she would increase it Let her take the Decoction of Fennel and bath her Breast therewith mixing the juice of Oak-Apples and at the same time take inwardly this following powder viz. Of Anniseeds Fennel seeds and Cummin seeds of each 2 drams beaten Ginger half an ounce of both sorts of Pepper two drams of Coral a dram of Christal and Cinnamon each a dram the Seed of Daucia a dram Silver Moâ—tanus one ounce and a half Cardamons and long Pepper of each a dram and a half of Seselcos half an ounce the Seeds of Sesamum one ounce of White-poppy one ounce mingle and dry them till they are all capable of being beaten into a powder one dram of which the Woman must take at a time Morning and Evening in a broth made of Red Colwarâ—s anointing her Breast the mean time with an Oyntment made of Venice Turpentine Vinegar of Roses and Bees wax of each an equal proportion CHAP. XXXI For a Pain in the Breast immediately upon Delivery or the Fissure TAke new Bees-wax two ounces Nut Oyl half an ounce Rape seed Oyl the like quantity as the latter when melting the Wax add the Oyls temper them well together to the thickness of a stiff Oyntment or Salve and spread them upon a cloth fit to cover the Breast and apply it with extraordinary success In case a Fissure happen in the Breast take of the Powder of Gun-Arabick one ounce Rose-water and Aqua vitae of each an ounce prepare them by beating them together till they are of an apt thickness then seeth them over the Fire and when cool apply them Plaister-wise to the Fissure or for want of these take Unguentum Rosarum and anoint the place grieved applying upon it a Poltiss of Ground Juice CHAP. XXXII The Cause of the Bellies swelling after Delivery and how to prevent it or Cure it if it happens Certain it is and Experience teachetâ— often that many Women have their bellies swelled after Delivery as much almoâ—â— as before and this happens through too much neglected carelesness in not having regard to foment them as also to apply things convenient to the privities by which means polite windiness and Vapours enter and contract in the hollow Concavities Veins and Arteries the latter of which they enter by insensible ways Now to prevent it take Origanum Night shade and Mastick of each a scruple Sagapenum a dram mix them together and make them into 7 Pills take them all at once and after them drink to the quantity of a quarter of a pint of the water of white Lillies viz. of the Flowers In câ—se it be already come let her take half a pound of Spanish Figgs the Meal of Barley and Beans fine sifted four ounces of each two ounces of well burnt Brick pulverized Cyprus Nuts one ounce boyl them in as much water of the Smiths Forge as will suffice to bring them to a thickness then spread them upon a Linnen Cloath and apply them to the Belly twice or thrice and it will retire to its wonted smallness CHAP. XXXIII Of Inflammations in the Breast and its Cures THE Inflammation of the Breast is no other than the hard swelling acâ—â—ompaâ—â—ed with a shooting pain as also a bâ—ating and redness and is mostly caused by the abundance of Blood drawn or sâ—â—wing
in small Wine and let the Diet be moderate but in no wise let Vinegar be used therewith nor upon any other occasion And in so observing the Humours will be dilated dissipated and transfused by which means the Complexion will return and the Body be lively and full of vigour And now since Barrenness daily occasions discontent and that discontent creates difference between Man and Wife or by immoderate grief frequently easts the Woman into one or other violent Distemper I shall somewhat largely treat thereof This defect comes divers ways but most commonly through the defect of the Genitals Vessels Blood or Menstrum and of these I shall discourse in their order and then proceed to mention other matters Relating to the same subject The defect then in the Genitals frequently happens in Women through the strict closure of the mouth of the Womb which by that means denies the Seed entrance or through the narrowness of the parts or share-bone that will not admit the Yard entrance or many times by reason of some Ulcers of excrecencies in the neck of the Womb to which may be added the defect of the Seed by reason of some Distemper in the Generative Vessels which the Woman may perceive by the little or no satisfaction she receives in the act of copulation sometimes again Children are wanting when the Woman being too young her Courses are not come down or that she is so old they cease to flow For t is the opinion of the Learned that when the Courses are wanting the Man labours in vain and further it may be attributed to the want of Seed when there is not a due proportion of either Party or when by reason of some cold moist Humours flowing into the Womb it loseth it's attractive force and cannot draw the Seed to its proper place or station Now if the Orifice of the Womb be closed that the Seed cannot enter it must be opened by incision or rather the two wings or Nymphae which many times extend themselves over the Clytoris so far that the Yard cannot pass the neck of the Womb and subject to this defect in Nature are many Women especially in hot Countries but most of all in Egypt where the Chyrurgeons are forced with Silver Instruments to make way for the Instrument of Generation a thing not altogether unpracticable in England In case the neck of the Womb be so strait that the Yard cannot enter then is the case to be inquired into whether it be naturally so or proceed from some swelling or Schirrhus either within or without and if any such thing appears it is for the most part incureable but if it be a natural straitness then supple it with a Tent dipped in Oyl of Roses and the white of Eggs and drink Chamomile Posser sweetned with Sugar-Candia morning and evening and by the operation thereof the Womb which is of a reaching quality will in all parts distend and give way to the Instrument of Generation or if it so happen in a young Woman Nature will increase the passage and time produce things fitting to their mutual Satisfaction but let no man by violence endeavour in attempting Copulation to force the Passage lest he break the Vessels nay indanger the Bladder it self which has been broke with such violent Intrusion and so cost the Woman her life If the neck of the Womb be ulcerated or any Excresenses happen there which equally hinder Copulation then may they be known by the pain and shooting upon the least compressure and the issuing forth of putrid Humours and sometimes Blood if the Ulcers be great and the Terms flow the Water hot pains arising in the fore part of the Head and oftentimes they occasion gentle Fevers And these Obstructions of Generation happen divers ways as from external causes viz. Rash Physick hard Labour or excessive Copulation from internal causes as the Corruption of the Secundine the Courses too long retained or obstructed heat and overflowing of the Urinal Vessels Virulent Gonorrhaeas Pox Inflammation turned into Apostume Humours flowing from divers parts of the Body and setling there all which must be duely considered Now some are in the outward part and may be the easier come at and external plications as are most convenient applied thereto but those that cannot be come at must be cured if possible by injection the best injection in this case is as follows viz. Break four Eggs and take the Whites only the which beat with an equal quantity of Rose-water mingled with Plantain-water Litherage of Gold Camphire Bole-Armonick Ceruse of each a dram half a dram of Green Copperas all which well beaten dissolved and mixed together strained through a fine Cloath and with a Syrringe inject it Morning and Evening till the grief cease and if it smart that it cannot be well endured you may sometimes inject warm Milk to cleanse the puttified matter Others there are that are not so violent and therefore admit of any easie Cure nâ—t being so deep known by a putrid Greenish matter that flows from them To cure this take Water wherein Barley has been boiled Honey of Roses new Milk and Sugar with the decoction of Lentils and after them gentle Astringents must be applied Some again are sordid having much contagious Humour flowing from them to cure which stronger Medicaments must be applied others there are that eat into the Flesh having a green Contagion flowing from them to cleanse which Aloes and Wormwood concocted in white Wine are most requisite Another sort of Ulcers there are which appear long cating away the skin from off the Neck of the Wood and are discerned by the Blood and pain the occasion immediatly upon the concression appearing in the Neck of the Womb much like Chilblains occasioned by ill lying extraordinary Venery by violent inflammation or flux of sharp humours The best cureafter a gentle purge is an astringent Glyster and after that to anoint them with the Grease that fryes out of a Ladle often used in a Kitchen when it is held to the fire mixed with an oyntment called Pomarum if the defect be in the Seed through tenderness of age in the Woman so that her menstrual Blood not coming down flow not to it then the best remedy is convenient diet moderate exercise and temperate Air together with patience in the main till nature in process of time operates so effectually that all things appear and conspire to mutual satisfaction If the Woman be stricten in years and it cease to be with her after the Custom of Women that is her Courses are stayed which in some happens sooner and in some later and between 44 and 55 with all them unless strong preparatives viz. an Extraordinary diet easie longing and moderate exercise restore them those Woman must despair of further Generation for as the learned in this Art frequently observe where there is neither Buds nor Blossoms there can to no Fruit. If any obstruction happen in the Vessels of Generation
that the Seed has no free passage then the cause must be enquired into and this often happens the which is known by the small desire to Venery and the little or no pleasure or satisfaction received thereby a settling in the Courses and a slimy Fâ—â—gmatick matter mixed therewith as also by their inordinate flowing occasioned by the plenty of humours collected in the Womb which by reason of the abundant of windy Vapours contracted therein causes obstruction to which may be added the cruditie and wateryness of the Seed which debars the pleasure in ejection and from hence it is that sudden paleness arises in the face c. To remedy this the party must alter her Diet not eating any cold raw Flegmatick substance but rather such things as are apt to stir up Cholerick hot humours in the Body as Anniseeds or Carraway-seeds in her Bread Store of Peniroyal in her Broth let her likewise each morning for a week together make a Posset in which she must boil the Roots of Birthwort Angelico Sage Rosemary Cinamon and Burrage The takeing the Male Herb Mercury Dittany Centaury Marygolds Cubeds Safron Mugwort and Clovegilly-flowers of each a handful boil them in white Wine and eject the Concoction by little and little at sundry times as the cold or obstruction can be perceived Anointing the Belly and Reins of the back one day with Oyl of Cinamon the next with Oyl of Nutmeg or Mace and the 3d. with Oyl of Myrrh and so continuing to do for a month together When the Woman lies down Nature will be wonderfully restored and recover such force as to remove to Obstructions Barrenness is likewise caused through want of due proportion of Seed in either party to remedy which let their Diet be such as I have prescribed in the former part of this Book Chap. II. Many there are that conceive Barrenness is frequently caused by inchantation but those opinion s are altogether frivolous and vain If the Womb be defective in attracting the Seed ejected Men frequently labour in vain in such a case the Woman must avoid Sorrow Anger or much Sleep Eating new Cheese Milk and raw food especially Lettis Endive Spinage Beets Nuts Cherries Purstain Oynions Garlick and the like They all being hurtful to Generation nor must she drink nor use Vinegar nor eat the Fat of Meat too frequently but the Womb must be cleansed from the over abundant moisture with the decoction of Hearts Tongue a Herb so called Cummin Fenel and Anniseed and strengthned with the Sirup of Wormwood and for a gentle opperative Purge in this case take half an ounce of Laudanun Bees-wax Sheeps Suet and Agarick of each a like quantity melt and bruise them after which make them up into little Pills and take 3 in a morning and next to them take of this conception to the bigness of an Nutmeg viz. The shavings of Ivory Ash Keys Yellow and wild Rape-seed Siler Montanus with red and white Behen of each one Dram Cinaman Galinga Long-pepper Cloves and Mace Balsam-wood Rosemary Flowers Blatiae Bezaria Gentle Marjorum and Pennyroyal of each 4 Scruples Balm Bogluss Cittern Reils of each two Scruples Pearl disolved or beaten to power one Scruple Musk two Grains White-Sugar one pound and a half bruise them and seeth them over a gentle fise in as much Malmsey as will make them into a Confection This Confection is indeed a most singular and approved one in all cases of Barrenness where cold or obstructions of the Vessels do occasion weakness in the Womb. Other causes of Barrenness there are when the Woman grows far so that the Caul swelling and bearing beyond its Bounds with its fatness obstructs the Passage into the Womb to prevent which the Woman must not sleep over much especially in the day time nor feed riotously but exercise her self in walking or moderate Exercises and often use Purgation and strong Glysters made of such Herbs and Drugs that are hot and dry which will in a short time remove such Obstructions But a more dangerous cause of Barrenness than yet I have named are the Whites which are contracted by an inordinate Eurudition of an excrementitious Humour collected through the Vitiousness of the Blood incident to Yonng and Old at such times as they are capable of Generation and therefore the Cure must be hastned by reason that in short time it derides Art and renders Women inevitably barren occasioning Leanness Consumption Melancholly Dropsie falling of the Womb swooning Convulsions which renders it difficult and dangerous in long continuance though in the beginning it may be easily removed In the Cure of this let Phlebotomy or Blood letting be avoided for as much as the bad Humour must be by no means recalled to defile the Blood the Disease it self being a sufficient weakning of the Body and vital Spirits First then to discuss the Humour in order to its Expurgation take two ounces of Guaicum the like quantity of China and Lentick-wood decoct them in Water and Honey drinking a pint fresh made each morning then to dry â—p the Contraction of the Vessels or Humour that lodged there take the Root of â—ilipendula beat it to powder and drink it in White-wine Morning and Evening as also for Astringents use Bones burnt and beat to powder likewise the ashes of Capons Dung ejected after a long time steeping in fair water the Patient must likewise avoid sleeping upon her Back lest the Humour descend and contract in the Vessels of the Womb but let her be rubbed often to disperse them that they settle not in any one place Sometimes this occasion of Barrenness happens through the violent attraction of the VVomb and then appears signs of afflictions of the Womb the Fiux not being so great to cure which Suffumarions are the most proper and those may be made of Frankinsence Laudanum Santalum or Mastick the Woman upon such occasion having great regard to her self that she take not cold or proceed to intemperate Diet. Many women there are whose violent lust contracts a heat that destroys the Seed and renders it incapable of coagulating and mixing with the Blood which very sparingly on such occasions flow from the several parts to the womb In this case 't is requisite to avoid hot Air soft lying hot Meats and Spices and requisite to bleed in the Basilick Vein and Purge moderately with Electuary hâ—m de Epithijmo and juice of Roses each two drams and a half Whey half a pint mix them together and drink them fasting in the morning and so continue 4 hours after or for want of the former you may take Triphera Sarasenicia and Rhuberb of each half a dram pulverized and mixed with 2 ounces of Syrup of Roses Violets or Endive but the most excellent restorative to cool and moderate the Temper in this case is a Diet drink made as followeth viz. Take Pistacho Pingles and Eringoes of each half an ounce of Saffron a Dram Lignum Alloes Gallinga Caryophillata Mace red