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-White-wine or a little posset drink which comes first to hand stir it well together till it be all dissolved in the drink and so take it in the morning fasting and go about your business if you have any thing to do about two hours after take some broth or posset drink This Medecine you may take twice or thrice as you see occasion resting alwaies a day between Afterwards you may take every other day a dram of Trochis de Carabe in Plantane water You may also give the Patient every second or third day a dram of the filings of Ivory in Plantane water it is very good Sweating is also much commended in this case which may be thus done Take Barley water three ounces strong Wine two ounces give it the Patient very warm and so let her sweat Afterwards prepare a Clyster in this manner A Clyster for the Whites through heat or running of the Reyns Take Beets Violet-leaves and Night-shade of each one handful seeth them well together and take 12 Ounces of the decoction or boyled liquor which you please to call it and to it add Sugar 1 Ounce and a half Yolks of Eggs Oyl of Water-Lillies Oyl of Roses of each 2 Ounces Salt a dram and a half give this Clyster in the afternoon a little before meat A Confection for the same Take Comfrey-roots 3 Ounces Pompeon-seed Water-Lillies of each a dram Juyce of Liquorice 2 scruples Coral prepared Bolus Mirtle-seed Roses of each 10 grains Gun Traganth half a dram Syrup the Comphrey Roots cleave and slice them small and seeth them in Red Wine until they be so tender that you may beat them to grout or pap then pill the Pompeon-seeds and beat them together with the other things to fine Powder then incorporate them with the pap or grout made of Camphrey-Roots and then put to them Sirrup of Citron Pills and of Orenges as much as you please and then boyl them together to a Confection And take every morning a spoonful thereof before break-fast Conserves of Roses and Marmalade are exceeding good for this purpose either to be taken alone or mixt together with prepared Bolus and take thereof a dram at a time An excellent Sirrup for the same Take the Seeds of Purslain Lettice and Water-Lillies of each an Ounce prepared Coriander Water Lilly-Roots Dandelion Night-shade of each half an Ounce Camphire half a dram Dates chopt small 2 Ounces Rue-Seeds Mountain Mints parched Gomin of each 1 dram Steep the Dates 8 dayes in Vinegar then seeth them together in 2 quarts of water till half be wasted strain it and put to it 12 Ounces of the juyce of Quinces Sugar 36 Ounces and boyl them all together to a Sirrup and so clarifie them Of this Sirrup take 2 Ounces with 3 Ounces of Plantain water or Purslain-water This is an excellent proved Sirrup for this purpose Drinks and Waters good for this Disease Take Comphrey Roots and boyl them in water and drink thereof 3. of 4. Ounces at a time with Sugar Also water wherein the filings of Steel have been steeped and then myrtle-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
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-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-Fethersew-water Balm water of each one Ounce and a half Benedicta laxativa one Ounce Sugar half an Ounce mix them and infuse them together one night then strain it out and use it as the other Have a care to use a good order of Dyet and such things as warm and dry boyl Sage Mints and Rosemary in her Portage and use to drink red Wine with steeled water To mundifie and cleanse the bad humours this Medicine following is very good Take juyce of Mints 4 Ounces Agarick one dram Ginger Roses of each 4 grains Manna half an Ounce steep the Agarick in the juyce of Mints a dayes and nights then put the Manna Roses and Ginger to it let it stand a while and dry against the fire and make it into Pills and take them Use this oftentimes for they gently purge and dry up the warty humors without pain or anguish A Plaister to remedy the corrupt humours Take Roses Cipers Nuts burnt Ivory Sandaraca of each 1 dram Rosen 3 Ounces boyl the Rosen in red Vinegar till the Vinegar be consumed then mix the other things with it and make 2 Plaisters of it and apply one to the back and the other to the womb Another excellent good Plaister to strengthen Women with Child that do not use to go out half their times Take Oyl of Quinces Oyl of Roses Oyl of Mints of each 1 ounce and a half Comphrey Blood-stone red Coral Sandaraca Date-stones burnt of each 1 dram mix it with a sufficient quantity of Wax to make a Salve thereof and with this annoint the Kidneys and Mother Chap. XIII Of Mischances and to prevent the same IT oftentimes comes to passe with women with
child as with the fruit upon a Tree which being young and tender hangs on brittle stalks and is easily blown off with every wind nay when it is come to its full growth and is stronger sometimes forcible winds bruises or blowes cause them to fall off but when they come to their perfect time of ripeness they fall of themselves So it is in this occult operation of nature many accidents sometimes happen to the Tree which bring the fruit to an untimely birth and oftentimes not without peril of the Womans life nature being dead in the Child that it cannot help it self whereas in those that are alive of their full time nature helps forward the birth the Infant it self striving to finde a way into the World This may be perceived by the breasts for if they be small weak and slack in Women with Child then is a mischance to be expected for then the Child wants nourishment and pines and dies also impatiency or violent motion many times breaks the secundine and then the fruit falls away Signes of a mischance approaching are also pains of the Back-bone Belly and privities to prevent which let the Woman with Child beware sharp and bitter meats and drinks avoid much anger and violent motion and exercise use oftentimes to drink red Wine and keep the body soluble To do which if need require she may use the decoction of Mallowes Mercury and stew'd Prumes forbear Clysters and strong Medicines but if there be any great obstruction in the body then let her eat Cassia out of the Pipes or Cassia new extracted especially if the neck of the matrix have any issue or overmuch moysture then use a little Rubarb in powder mixed with the Cassia which without trouble or danger doth cleanse Flegme and Choler For to stay the slipperiness of the Matrix take Pomegranate Pills and pound them to powder grosly and boyl them in Oyl of Lillies and inject the same into the Matrix A Pessary excellent good for the same Take Mastick Mirrhe Gallia Muscata of each half a dram mix them with one ounce of Goos-grease role it up in Sheeps Wooll and put it up into the place An Oyntment to strengthen Women with Child Take Cypress Nuts Galls Myrtle-seed Juyce of Sloes Hypocistis of each half a dram Blood stone Amber Dragons blood Bolus of each one dram and a half reffuse of Iron half an ounce innermost Peels of Chesnuts one ounce decoct the reffuse of Iron a good while in Vinegar then beat them all together in a Morter to an Oyntment with 3 or 4 whites of Eggs and annoint the belly therewith 4 times a day Another Oyntment for the same Take Oyl of Nuts 4 Ounces Barrowes grease 1 ounce a half Cypres Nuts Mastick of each 1 dram and an half boyl them together gently the space of five houres and therewith annoint the Matrix Womb and Reins of the Back A Plaister for the same Take Dragagant Gum Bdellium of each 1 quarter of an oun Juyce of Sloes Frankincense Hypocistis Sandaraca of each one dram Bolus Dragons blood of each 1 quarter of an ounce wax half an Ounce Paper glew 2 ounces dissolve the glew in red Wine-Vinegar then temper them all together into a Plaister and apply it to the womb and privities For an Ague in Women with Child Take Barley meal Juyce of Sloes and Housleek what quantity you see convenient temper it with Vinegar and lay it upon the belly use it often this defends the Child from all accidents of an Ague To prevent miscarriage through wind Boil Cominseed in water and take three or four spoonfuls of that water with a dram of Mithridate twice a week Chap. XIIII To expell and drive out the dead Childe FOr the expulsion or delivery of a child that is dead the same Medecines that are prescribed to drive forth the unnaturall excrement called Mola and to provoke the Terms are good to be used But first be sure that the child is dead and do not go about to expel a live Child instead of a dead one which may be known by these signes If the Child be dead in the Womb then doth the woman feel great pain in the optick Nerves of her Eys and behind the Neck and on the Back-bone with great pain and anguish in her lower parts And the Burden alwaies falls to that side she lies on because the Ligaments of the Secundine have no power to hold it in one place the thickness of the upper part of the Belly sinks down and the woman feels much pain and cold about the neck of the Matrix Also if one hold a warm hand long upon the Belly and feel no stirring the Child is dead these are signs the Child is dead before it come to putrefaction But when it beginneth to stinke and putrifie which will be in three daies space after it is dead the woman will have a stinking breath stinking corruption issues from the Matrix and pieces of stinking flesh will at last be expelled from the Womb then means is to be used to clense the Womb of the dead Child and to preserve and strengthen the heart from the corruption of filthy sents ascending to it which may be done by this powder following Take white Diplamus one dram and a half Citron peels and seeds each half a dram Pearls prepared four scruples Coriander prepared a scruple Roses two scruples Sugar two ounces and a half make them all to fine powder and take thereof about a quarter of an ounce at once in drink Juice of Vervaine and Hysop drunk in Wine is good to expel the dead Child The innermost skins of the Maws of Hens and Capons washed in Wine and then dryed to powder and give thereof a dram in Wine broth or Rose water is good to expell a dead Child and the Secundine For the same take Betony and Rue of each a handful juyce of Salomons seal an ounce boyl it well in a pint of white Wine and strain it and give her to drink Linseed is very good for the same either to drink the decoction or Bathe therein Also take Mirth the quantity of a Hazle-nut stamped taken in Wine or Mugwort water is good for the same For women that are strong take about a spoonful of the juyce of Garlick with wine or Honey If a woman chance to miscarry through a fright or some such accident then take a Crab and stamp it and wring out the juyce and drink it with water of Mugwort Pills to expel a dead Child Take Trochis of Mirth one scruple Galbanum half a scruple make five Pills thereof with Penny-royal water Another for the same Take of the fruit of the Savine tree one quarter of an ounce Assa foetida Ammoniacum Madder of each half a dram make 11. Pills hereof and take one at a time three times a day morning night and at four of the clock in the afternoone A Fume to expel the dead Child Take some shavings
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
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
Oyntment for the same called Unguentum sandalinum Take red Sanders 2 drams and a half yellow Sanders 1 dram and a half Roses 3 drams Fine Bolus a quarter of an Ounce burnt Ivory a dram Camphire half a dram white Wax an Ounce Oyl of Roses 3 Ounces Melt the Wax first amongst the Oyl then temper the other things amongst them and make them into an Oyntment This Oyntment is not only good to annoint the secret parts for this Disease but also to cool the inflammations of the Kidnies Liver and Stomack and all other parts being annointed with it A Salve for the same Disease Take Oyl of Roses Oyl of Mirtles Mastick of each half a dram shaven Ivory a scruple Camphire 2 grains pound that which is to be powned and with a little Wax make them into a Salve with this annoint the Reins and Kidnies it is excellent good for the whites Another Confection very good for the same Take ripe Black berries or bramble berries which you will call them and boyl them unto a Confection either with Honey or Sugar and take there of every day as much as you please this you may make when the Black-berries be ripe and keep it in a readiness by you all the year it is also good for any soreness or swelling in the throat and for inflammations in the mouth A Powder also excellent for the same Take the young buds of the Blackberry Bush and the Berries thereof dryed pound them and drink a dram thereof twice a day in red wine You may gather the green buds when the branches first spring and keep them dry by you and gather the Berries too when they be ripe if you be not afraid to prick your fingers keep them dry by you and when you have occasion beat them to powder and take them in red Wine as before is directed You that will not regard this Medicine because it is too cheap may let it alone for them that will there be Medicines enough to be had to fit your turns if you think the vertue consists in their dearness and I do not desire to hinder those that can furnish you with them but those that will make use of this will finde it worthy their acceptance But if in case this Disease issue from some cold cause it will not be then amiss to use this Medicine following For the Whites Take the Seeds of Arch Angel or dead Nettles in powder about a dram at a time in red Wine Confected Aniseeds is also very good for this Disease and not improperly may be given in either case this following Another for the same or Reds Take 4 spoonfuls of red Rose-water a new-laid Egge a peny worth of white Sugar Candy in powder and a Nutmeg grated incorporate all these and beat them well together and drink it last at night going to bed You may also if the Issue be sharp so as to cause pain and soreness use an Injection or Pessary A Pessary for the whites in Women Take some Whites of Eggs and beat them well in red rose-Rose-water and make it into a Pessary with some Cotten or linnen Cloaths wet in it and so put it up into the Matrix alwayes remembring to tie a string to it to pull it out again when you please If the Whites flow from the abundance of superfluous humours it will not be unnecessary to endeavour to evacuate the same through the skin by using often frictions or rubbing of the whole body first gently and then more hard by which means the humours may be purged through the skin And to use unctions is also very good if necessity urge of Oyl of Camomile of sweet Almonds or the like so that of all sorts of remedies you have here your choyce and therefore we shall proceed to another Chapter Chap. VI. Of the fits of the Mother or suffocation or drawing up of the Matrix MAny Women sorely labour under this Disease it hath great affinity with the Syncope passion and the Disease called Epilepsia or the Falling Sickness and that because of the Sympathy that is between the heart and the brain and the Matrix This happens to Women through several causes Oftentimes when there is an obstruction or stoppage of the Termes which do burthen the Brain and Matrix with bad humors Sometimes by reason of the retention of their natural Seed as in Widows and old Maids for this retention causeth wind to ascend and ill vapors from the Matrix to the Diaphragma or Midrif and there stoppeth the passage of the breath it often therefore troubleth such as have been used to have carnal Copulation and afterwards are constrained to want it and therefore saith Galen it doth most frequently trouble Widows Likewise the overmuch retention of the Seed causeth it to putrifie and send up ill vapours to the head causing many troublesome accidents as drousiness dulness giddiness pains in the head sometimes madness it self shortness of breath and panting of the heart The Complexion alters into a sandy colour swarthy or yellow pale and sometimes redness of the face or eyes When they are thus taken with this evil distemper they begin to gnash their teeth and immediately lose their speech by reason their breath is stopt and sometimes it is so violent that neither breath nor pulse nor life can be discerned but lie as if they were dead which is the worst condition of all for the breath cannot be retained but death will ensue for breath is the life of the body without which no Creature can live This accident also happens through some sudden fright and some sorrowful newes or sad accident suddenly happening or some sorrow or grief whereby melancholy prevails and overcomes the body It may likewise be caused by reason of some strong and violent Cold which may so draw the breath and pulse inwardly that no feeling or sense thereof outwardly appears but this case is not so dangerous as the other But to proceed to Remedies when this Disease commeth suddenly speedily cast cold water on her face and give her cold water to drink Let another Woman dip her finger in some sweet smelling odoriferous Oyl as Oyl of Lillies of Cloves or of sweet Almonds mixed together and gently rub the neck of the womb and Matrix and that will draw the Matrix downwards If it be a married Woman her Husband may give her a present remedy which lest it offend the Maids pudoris gratia I leave it in my Authours own Language Si maritus ungat penem suum cum oleo gariophillorum admixto parum olei Amygdal dulc ad Caliditatem prioris temperandum Cum uxore coeat Matrix subito descendet it is a speedy Remedy You must have a care to keep away all sweet and pleasant things from the Patients nose and apply stinking things thereunto and on the contrary anoyne foment and fume the Matrix with sweet Aromatick things For the Matrix is drawn and attracted to sweet things and
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
drinks as cleanse the Body and make good blood beware of fish and such moist meats and abstain from much motion of the Body Chap. VIII Of natural Conceptions HAving thus far treated of the diseases accidents and infirmities incident to the Menstrue and generative parts of Women we proceed to discourse of those things which pertain to the Conception and Birth of man in which thing the conservation and continuance of all mankind consists That to the generation of every man there is a necessity of a distinction of both sexes Male and Female and also of Conjunction of them both we have already declared But in what manner this admirable operation of nature is effected and brought to perfection Galen declareth who saith Gal. 1. sem 4. That in time of Copulation of the Male and Female the Seed of the Male is attracted into the Womb of the Female and is extended and dilated through all the parts thereof and is there by the natural heat and moisture of the Womb Coagulated into a massy substance before any of the Members be formed and afterwards nature as with an instrument forms and fashions the Veins Arteries Bones and other Members branching them all over the body then safely wrappeth them all up together in a Coat preserving them to the time of the perfect Birth if no mischance or accident intervene to the hinderance thereof which must be diligently endeavoured to prevent And to further the Conception for the procreation sake of mankind take these directions A Confection to cause fruitfulnesse in Man or Woman Take Rapes Ivory shaven Ashkeys Sesely Behen red and white of each one dram Cinamon Doronicum Mace Cloves Galingale long Pepper Rosemary flowers Balsom wood Blatiis Byzantiae Marjoram gentle Penny-royal of each two scruples Balm Buglas Citron pieces of each one scruple Spica Indiae Amber Pearles of each half scruple Sugar a pound decoct the Sugar in Malmsey and the other things and make them into a Confection use of it a little at a time A Powder for the same to be strewed on meat Take Nurmegs Cubebbes Ginger of each half a dram long Pepper Mastick Cinamon red Behen white Behen of each a Scruple mix them all together and make them into fine powder and strew of it a little upon the parties meat Another Confection for the same Take Honey three ounces Linseed Grains Ivory shaven of each one ounce Borrage three ounces Sugar 24 ounces Musk Amber of each half a scruple Cinamon two grains Cloves Mace of each one graine clarifie the Honey then incorporate the other things with it to make a Confection thereof and take of it as you please A Porionto further Conception in a Woman Take Wormwood Mugwort of each a handful Boyl them together in a quart of Goats milk till almost half be wasted and let the Woman drink thereof first and last every morning and evening a good draught A Bath for the same Take Penyroyal Mugwort Rue of each a handful Put them into a Bag and boyl them in rain-Rain-water a sufficient quantity to make a Bath boyl it well bathe therein twice a day and renew the Bath every third day use this for a good space You must understand as I said before that without the mutual conjuction of male and female the natural reception and coagulation of both their Seeds in the Field of generation the Womb there can be no natural conception and so consequently no birth so that if the impediment lie in either of the Vessels receiving or instruments giving then these Medicines prescribed do not work their effect till the obstructive causes be removed and of them you shall be sufficiently directed in the subsequent Chapter of barrenness and the causes thereof but if the Womb be clean and the Masculine Instrument proportioned thereunto so that the defect lie in some debility of nature let both parties make use of this Confection following and take of it in the mornings fasting and they shall seldom fail of their desires But take notice by the way I do not prescribe this to Maids nor Batchelors they have no use for it A Confection to further fruitfulness in Men and Conception in Women Take a Bores Stones Stags Pissel shaven small I ounce Bulls Pissel if you cannot get the other will do as well Sparrows Brains 50. or 60. yellow Rape Eringo Root and Satyrion confected Ivory shaven of each 3 Ounces and a half Cynamon Dates Indy Nut Kernels of each 2 Ounces Long Pepper Ginger Rosemary Flowers of each half an Ounce Seseli 1 dram Nettle-seed Cloves Safron Mace Galingale Cypress Roots Nutmegs Cassia wood Cucubes Doronicum Field Mints Peny Royal Spica Indiae Musk Amber of each one dram Make all these into a Confection with 4 pounds an half of white Sugar refined in Mint-water and take of it as before is directed and if you cannot easily get all the things yet refuse not the Medicine but make it with as many as you can come by Chap. IX Of Barrenness IT is granted amongst all men that the Generation of man-kind and also of all other Creatures is the most perfect work and the most excellent and most exquisite natural operation of all the works of nature Aristotle 2 Gen. Aâ—â—mal Galen de â—sâ— part 14.2 which Aristotle most elegantly sets forth and demonstrates That whereas it is impossible by the decree of nature that any animal or Creature should live alwayes or have an eternal Essence and being therefore for the continuance of the kinds of all Creatures as well bruit as rational that a continual Generation might be had and maintained the Sexes of male and female fitted to the act of procreation were ordained And from hence saith Galen it comes to passe that all Creatures are furnished with Instruments of generation fitting the quality of their Sexe and are indued with natural instincts prompting them to the use thereof Therefore we here take liberty to speak of this wonderful Operation of nature And to seek out the causes that hinder and prescribe meanes to further the Operation of the same partly for Dame Natures sake whose intent in hindred where this work is obstructed and partly for those Ladies sakes who are sometimes disconsolate being amongst the number of those that are accounted barren We intend not here to enter into the Philosophers Inquisitions nor the Physitians Lectures what is the forming matter which causes the birth in the Womb in what order how and in what time or how many dayes the several parts and members of the body are framed at what time God the Authour of all things and nature it self infuseth the living soul into the Conception or conceived body but our intention only is to speak of what belongs to Physick and not only to Philosophy to treat of those things which do impedite or hinder the perfection of conception For as the conception hath some contingency with every part of the body so the same may be
but that seems a digression from this intention But amongst all causes of barrenness in a Woman in the instruments of generation it is certain that the greatest is in the Womb for the Wombe is the field of generation and if this field be corrupt and not well disposed it is in vain to expect any fruit let it be never so well tilled and sown for the Womb is subject to many diseases and thence it followes that it may be often unfit for generation distempers many are subject to it as over much heat and over much cold Women whose Wombs are too thick and cold cannot in any wise conceive because coldness extinguisheth the natural heat of the humane Seed Another cause of barrenness may be immoderate moisture of the Womb which destroys the Seed of the man as Corn sown in ponds and marshes A third cause of barrenness of the Woman is over much dryness of the Womb so that the humane Seed perisheth for want of nutriment and becomes as Corn sown upon stones or sandy ground A fourth cause of womens barrenness is the immoderate heat of the Womb which scorcheth up the Seed of man as Corn sown in the drought of Summer for immoderate heat hurts all the parts of the Body and no Conception can live or be nourished in that woman Many other may be the distempers which the Womb is subject to that may render it unfit for Conception and be the cause of barrenness as when unnatural humors are ingendred in the Womb too much flegm Tympanies worms wind water or any such peccant humour abounding contrary to nature But amongst all other causes which produce fertility or barrenness to a woman the monethly Terms are greatly to be respected as hinderers or furtherers thereof if they come not in due order it must necessarily cause barrennesse of that woman to follow but of them we have already spoken and given directions how to promote and further the same But having sufficiently spoken of the causes of barrenness in man and woman we shall methodically proceed for procreation sake to lay down such remedies as may naturally serve to prefer generation and hinder accidental barrenness in either But if in men the cause be and that in the shortness of the penis I cannot help that the women must in that case help themselves as well as they can of any too long there is seldom any complaint A woman may also have some other accidentall causes which may hinder her conception as sudden frights and anger fear grief and perturbations of the mind too violent exercise or stirring after Carnal copupulation leaping dancing running or the like If the cause of barrenness be in the man through over much hear in his Seed the woman may easily see that in receiving it If the nature of the woman be too hot and by that cause she is unfit for Copulation it may appear by these Signs Such a woman whose cause of barrenness is by reason of too much heat she hath her Terms or Flowers very little and they are mixt with some yellownesse such a woman is very hasty and Chollerick quick witted and crafty thirsty and desirous after Carnal Copulation her pulse very swift Some say that by these signes you may know where the fault lies whether in the man or the woman Sprinkle both Urines of the man and of the woman upon a Lettice leave and that which dries away first is unfruitful Also take five Wheat corns seven Barley corns and seven Beans put them all into an earthen pot and pisse thereon and let it stand seven daies if they begin to sprout the party is fruitful if they rot then barren be it man or woman Another way to know whether a woman be fruitful Take Mirth red Storax and some such like odoriferous things and make a perfume thereof which let the woman receive into the neck of the Womb through a tunnel if the woman feel the smoke ascend through her Body to her Nose then she is fruitful Another experiment for the same Take Garlick and beat it and let the woman lie on her Back upon it and if she feel the sent thereof to her Nose it s a sign of fruitfulnesse But I could tell you a more infallible rule for either the man or woman to find out where the fault lies but they are too apt to learn it without teaching therefore I passe it by If the barrenness be proceeding from a hot cause then take these directions Let such beware of hot air and hot dwellings if they can and that they use not too hot cloths about the sinews and parts of the Womb. Let them avoid hot meats I speak now to women hot Spices strong Wine fat meats warm hearbs use not over much watching lye not much on the Reins and Kidneys and as much as possibly may be eschew great labour anger heaviness and all such motions as disturb the mind and use moderately cooling things as thus To further Conception and take away barrenness proceeding of hot causes Take oftentimes Conserve of Roses cold Lozinges made of Dragagant the Confections of Triasantali and use to smell to Camphire Rose water and Saunders It is also good to breathe the Basilica or Liver Vein and take out four or five ounces of blood and then take this purge A Purge against Barrenness through heat Take Electuarium de Epithymo de succo rosarum of each two drams and a half whey of milk four ounces mix them well together and take it in the morning fasting sleep after it about an hour and an half and fast four hours after it and then drink a good draught of Whey about an hour before you eat any thing Another for the same Take water Lilly water four ounces Mandrogara water one ounce Sassron half a scruple beat the Safron to powder and mix it with the waters and drink them warm in the morning use this eight daies together Pills against Barrenness Take Broom flowers Smallage Parsley seed Comin Mugwort Fetherfew of each half a scruple Aloes half an ounce Indy Salt Saffron of each half a dram beat mix them all well together put to it five ounces of Fetherfew water warm stop it up close let it stand and dry in a warm place and thus do two or three times one after another Then make each dram into 6 Pills and take one of them every other day before supper all the while the said Potion is used and afterwards when the drink is done take one of these Pills every third or fourth day And after that Potion proceed with this purging Medecine following Take Conserve Benedicta lax one quarter of an ounce de Psillio three drams Elect. de Succo rosarum one dram mix them together with Fetherfew water and drink it in the morning betimes About three daies after the Patient hath taken this purge let her be let blood four or five ounces in the Median vein in the right foot And then
to the intent of nature Gal. lib. de hist Phil. lib. 5. plai Ph. 8. are not fully agreed upon by all Galen or rather Plutarch sayes thus Empedocles teacheth That Monsters are created if the seed be too much or too little too much spread abroad or seperated if it be void or injected by inordinate motion or because something is added detracted transposited or inflamed or if the womb be distorted the Vessels corrupted or the formative vertue be deficient or do abound these things hinder the natural conception and due operation of nature Chap. XI Of the unnatural fleshy Conception in the womb called Mola THis unnatural Matter sometimes happens to grow in the wombs of Women that have no Copulation with men and causeth the Belly to arise and all signes to appear as though they were with Child their Termes staying the Breasts grow hard they lose their appetite or stomach to meat their complexion groweth pale and sometimes they may feel a stirring about the Matrix as if they were with Child yet nevertheless they bear no Child which have this mola ingendred in them Of this writes Aetius Aetius lib. ult and Avicen who saith that it is a certain hard substance sometime found to spread it self throughout the whole Matrix Aristotle teacheth that this Mola is nothing else Lib. 4. Gen. Hin Cap. 7. but a certain peece of flesh conceived and ingendred in the womb of a Woman and he reciteth a story of a certain Woman that brought forth a lump of flesh which they called Mola And hereunto Galen also plainly consents Gal. 14. usu part 17.14 Meth. 13 who affirmeth that this Mola is a peece of unprofitable deform'd flesh which is ingendred in the Womb of a Woman without the Copulation with a man as a Hen hath Eggs without a Cock. But now a Question may arise whether the cause of this unnatural Mola proceed from too much heat or too much cold or too much blood For Avicen teacheth Avic fen 21.3 trait 2. cap. 18. that besides the multitude or superfluity of blood there is a vehemency of heat wherein the blood is concocted and thereby the flesh acquires a form But this Aristotle seems to contradict who manifestly writeth that the Mola is no otherwise bred then of impure and imperfect concoction and that it hath its Original from the defect and imbecillity of natural heat And Averroes confirms that the cause is nothing else but debility and weakness of nature corruption of digestion and losse of the last concoction and certainly that rude and deformed flesh called Mola is ingendred of crudities This groweth in the womb in two kinds like a peece of flesh putrified without form or figure resembling rather a peece of spongeous blood wind water then right flesh which hindereth the expelling of the termes and being mixed with the natural seed it groweth sometimes to a hard substance It is also ingendred of superfluous blood and the concourse of tough and unconcocted humours which make the belly swell up as if the Woman were with Child This is an ill accident and putrifieth and spoileth the Matrix breeding there oftentimes Ulcers and Imposthumes Dropsies unnatural Fluxes or some such like infirmities bringing death if it be not well regarded to be prevented The sighes whereby they that labour with this unnatural Masse may be known from Women with Child are generally these The first is motion for this burthen moveth not as Children do because there is neither life nor sense in it But it may move by accident according to the motion of the woman and the ponderousness thereof but that is no true motion The Belly of Women which labour with this unnatural Masse is harder then the Belly of women with Child and will not so easily move from one place to another as theirs that be with Child The Woman that hath this Mola is also more melancholy then those that are with Child and their hands and feet more feeble this Masse also sometimes falleth from one side to another A Woman with Child at nine moneths end is delivered thereof but they go two 3 or 4 years sometimes all their life-time with this burthen For the cure of this Mola Hippocrates before all others prescribes the most perfect method The first means to be used is cleansing and purging of the whole body The second is to mollifie loosen and open the Vessels and ligaments of the Womb wherewith the Mola is bound and fastned there The third is to stir up and strengthen the expulsive faculty whereby this burden may the more easily be expelled from the Womb. All Physicians do agree that this disease cannot be cured without great difficulty and sometimes not at all yet nevertheless meanes must be used and first of all purgation whereby the Belly may be lenified and amongst all other Medicines Hiera obtains the chief place for its molifying and purging quality the better if it be mixed with Cassia as in this manner Take Species of Hiera simplex Cassia new drawn of each 1 dram mix them into a Bolus with Sugar A Sirrup for the same Take of Oximel simplex one Ounce decoction of Betony of Motherwort Mints Peny Royal of each 4 drams mix them together and make a Sirrup thereof but before you take it take this Bolus and Confection following A Bolus Take Conserve of Maidenhair two drams Species of Dia calamint 1 scruple mix them and make a Bolus thereof to be taken before the Sirrup A Confection for the same Take Species Diambre Diacalam of each half a dram Sugar 2 Ounces make a Confection thereof with White-wine and take it before the Sirrup An excellent potion for this Disease Take Elect Diaphen Hiera Diacol of each half a dram Mel. Ros Sol. 4. drams decoction of Betony of Mugwort of each a sufficient quantity to make a potion let the Patient in this Disease abstain from cold and moyst meats and use this potion following which mollifies the Masse or Mola and expels the humors that cause or increase it Take St. Johns Wort Savin Rosemary Field Mints Lovag Mugwort Peny Royal Madder of each one handful Fennel Squinant Parsley seed Calmus Galingale of each 1 dram Hors-radish Roots 4 Ounces boyl them all together in a good quantity of water to make a potion and take thereof every day 3. or 4. Ounces mixing therewith about a quarter of an Ounce of this Trochis following A Trochis Take Cynamon Mirrhe of each 2. drams and a half Rue Savin Field Mints Peny Royal Madder Sagapenum Opopanacum of each 1 dram Cardamum Juniper-wood Rosemary of each 1 dram a half dry them all to powder make Troches thereof and use it as above is directed Also for this Disease this following is a cheap and ready Medicine Take 3 Ounces of warm Fetherfewwater every morning fasting for two moneths together and fast 4 houres after it And every fourth day during the time she drinketh the water let her
it our and put to it half a dram of Saffron and amongst each draught put half a dram of one of the powders before mentioned Also this following is very good to quickn the throwes Take half a dram of beaten Amber and give it in water of Lillies or in the decoction of red Pease An excellent Medicine to procure easie delivery in women Take Pippins cut them in thin slices and fry them with oyl of sweet Almonds and eat thereof in the morning and at four a clock in the afternoon use it constantly a matter of five or six weeks before your time till you are brought to bed and mix some oyl of sweet Almonds and Sperma coeti together and annoint the Belly and Matrix once every day therewith warm or oftner if you can conveniently Another for the same Take Hysop Vervaine Betony of each one handful stamp them small and strain them in good stale Ale and let the Patient drink a good draught thereof it gives present help To expel the Secundine or after-Birth The Secundine or after-Birth is that skin or caule wherein the child is formed and wrapped up till the time it break forth to the Birth doth or at least ought to come away immediatly after the Birth of the child But sometimes it remains behind and causeth great peril to the woman and many ill accidents as Agues stinking breath pain of the Head Swooning and the like if it be not expelled It commonly remains behind when the woman hath had very hard labour and is thereby grown so weak and feeble that nature hath not strength enough to drive it forth she must therefore have some comfortable things given her to strengthen and comfort her heart as Dia margaâ—iton and Manus Christi ' then let her rest a little and if the Secondine do not follow annoint the Belly and parts adjacent with oyl of Lillies and oyl of Elder flowers and use such things as are directed for the delivery of a dead child as Corn flowers given in Lilly water also Garlick half an egg-shell full of the juyce thereof given in honeyed water doth expel the dead child and after-birth as before hath been prescribed To ease the After-throws Take Spikenard and Squinant of each one quarter of an ounce boyl them together in a good quantity of Mugwort water till half be consumed and drink thereof two or three times Also to asswage the pain make a Cawdle with Malmsey or some other good Wine and put therein yolks of Eggs and Cinamon and so give it For the fame take Triphes à magna half an ounce Saffron half a dram Mace a scruple and give this at twice in warm Wine To stay the excessive flood after the Birth The Remedies before prescribed for the asswaging of the excessive Flux of the Terms in women be also very good for this Disease and for all Women in Child-bed yet nevethelesse take this Confection following A Confection for an excessive flood in Women lying in Child-bed Take Conserve of Piony one Ounce Conserve of Roses one ounce Conserve of Burrage Bugios Balm of each half an ounce prepared Bolus half a dram prepared Pearls 1 dram Cynamon 1 dram and a half mix them all together and make a Confection thereof For the same use this Powder following Take Bolus prepared Pearls of each one dram sealed Earth 2 scruples Tormentil half a dram Shepheards Purse 1 scruple Species de gemmis frigidis 1 dram and a half Roses Corral Sanders of each one scruple Cynamon 2. scruples and a half Sugar 3 Ounces mix them all well together and take it with Hen-broth Lozinges very effectual for the same Take Blood-stone 1 dram and a half red Coral one dram Tormentil Trochis de Sodio of each half a dram scraped Ivory burnt Hartshorn of each 1 scruple Pearls prepared 4 scruples fine Bolus 2. scruples Shepheards purse red Sanders of each a scruple Cynamon 1 dram Sugar six ounces wash the Blood-stone in Plantain-water and make a Powder or Lozinges thereof Chap. XVI Of the superfluity of Milk and other accidents happening after the Birth EXcessive abounding of the milk after a Woman is delivered if it flow more than the Child can grow there oftentimes ensues Imposthumes and other Inflammations and distempers in the breasts for Remedies whereof use these prescriptions following The Patient must eat and drink but moderately and avoid all such things as ingender much blood use means to dry and take away the superfluous blood as Rue and wild Rue with the seeds Basil and stampt together if one take every day a quarter of an ounce the same is very good to dry up the milk To dry up the milk Take Rosen a good quantity and temper it with Cream and lay it luke-warm over the breasts For the same Take 8 ounces of Honey and two pints of water boyl them well together and scum it and dip therein a threefold Cloth and lay it on the breasts and when it is cold renew it again Also for the same take one dram of Saffron and 8 ounces of Malmsey wet a Cloth therein and lay it on the breasts as aforesaid Also take Garden Mints stamp them and mix them with Oyl of Roses and use it as the other For a Plaister to dry up the milk take bean meal oyl of Roses and red Vinegar a sufficient quantity to make a Plaister and apply it to the breasts For clotted or congealed milk in the Breasts Let Women keep sobriety in eating and drinking and use moyst meats that may ingender subtile milk Mints Saffron and Cynamon is good to be used in their meats Take grated bread new milk and Oyl of Roses of each a like quantity seeth them together to a pap and lay it warm upon the breasts For congealed milk and pain in the Brests Take Cork and burn it to ashes and temper it with oyl of Roses and a little Vinegar and therewith annoint the breast A Salve to dissolve congealed milk in the Breasts Take Deares Suet 3 quarters of an oun liquid Styrax 1 oun Wormwood Cummin Dill-seeds of each 1 ounce oyl of Wormwood Ducks grease of each 1 ounce and an half Saffron one scruple make an oyntment or Plaister hereof and apply it to the breasts For milk congealed with Inflammation in the breasts Take a quantity of the muscilage of Fleawort Fenegreek and Purslain seeds of each a like and make an oyntment thereof wieh wax and annoint the breasts therewith Also for the same take Chickweed and lay it warm upon the breasts Also beat oyl of Roses and Vinegar of Roses together and lay it on the breasts If the Woman hath taken some extreme cold then take this following especially if there be an Ague with it take Camomile Melilot Fennel seeds Anniseeds Dill seeds Fenegreek Linseeds Southernwood Ginger Bazil beat them together and with oyl of Camomile make a Plaister of it and apply it to the breasts A good Plaister to dissolve hard knots in the
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