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
and moysture in the womb Take Cinamon Cardamon Saffron Cloves Mace long Pepper Cypers Roots Nutmegs Cummin Lignum Aloes Cassia wood of each 1 scruple Cucubes Doronicum of each four scruples Musk Amber Balsom one dram fine Sugar 18 Ounces boyl the Sugar with the rest with Malmsey and Buglosse-water enough to make it into a Confection and take thereof about a spoonful going to bed and half a spoonful a little before Supper To dry a moyst and slippery womb Take Silver Mountain red Behen white Behen Ash Keyes shaven Ivory yellow Rape-seed of each one dram Cynamon Mace Cloves Galingale long Pepper Rosemary flowers Balsom wood Marjerom gentle Peny royal of each 4 scruples Balm Bugloss Citron peels of each 2 scruples Pearls 1 scruple Musk 2 grains white Sugar 24 Oun seeth these with Malmsey make thereof a Confection and use it as the other If there be any infirmity in the retentive faculty of the womb so that it cannot retain and keep the seed injected into it so as to come in thereby if the same be caused through overmuch coldness of that part as oftentimes it doth which the Woman her self may be sensible of whether heat or cold do most abound I say if cold abound and weaken the retent ivevirtue of the womb then you are to use such things as strengthen comfort and warm the same such are Amber Frankincense Mastick Cloves Lignum Aloes Nutmegs Sage and the like And in this case it is good to boyl Cypers Roots in the water and often bathe and wash the neck of the Matrix therewith And for this it is good to make a fume of Mastick strewed upon Coals and to receive the same into the Matrix below An Oyntment for the same Take the juyce of Roses of Pomegranates Cloves of each an Ounce Frankincense Hypocistis prepared Coriander Mastick Juyce of Sloes Iron Drosse of each one dram sealed Earth Starch of each one Ounce beat all these together to an Oyntment and annoint the privy members and womb often therewith But if the operation of the retentive faculty of the womb be impedited from performing its natural office through some distemper of heat then are such Medicines to be applyed as are cooling astringent and corroborating yet let them be tempered with some warm things The cold things to be used for this purpose are these burnt Harts-horn Amber Juyce of sloes Hypocistis burnt Muscle shells Bolus Dragons blood terra sigillata Pomegranate flowers and Pills Acorns and their Cups Medlars both fruit and bark of the Tree Services and Mirtle-seed of any of these simples you may make unguents Plaisters Confections and Electuaries or other Medicines as occasion shall require If any yet desire other Medicines they may use Plaisters and Pessaries and trochis for a fumigation of which here follows examples A Plaister to comfort the womb against barrenness Take Landanum 1 Ounce Storax Calamite half an Ounce Cynamon Cloves Lignum Aloes of each 1 dram Species Diambre Gallia Moscata of each half a dram Oyl of Spikenard Oyl of Lillies and Wax a sufficient quantity to make it into a Plaister or Cerot This Plaister may be applyed to the womb and quite down to the lower Region of the Abdomen and worn thereupon a long time For a Fame these Troches following may be taken Take of Mugwort a dram Mirrhe Benzoi-Storax Calamint of each half a dram Lignum Aloes 1 scruple Musk Amber of each 10 grains beat all these together to a Powder and with Oyl of Spikenard make Troches of it put some of it upon Coals and let the Woman receive the fume thereof through a convenient Instrument A Pessary for the same Take Mugwort Ditany Marioram of each 1 dram Aniseeds Rue Citron of each half a dram Species Galliae Moschatae one scruple Musk Amber Saffron of each 15 grains beat them all together into a Masse and make a Pessary thereof wrapped up in Linnen and put it up into the Matrix And now we have largely declared to you the external and internal causes of natural and accidental barrenness and sterility both in man and woman and the Physical both external and internal means to be used to remedy the same what else is to be done your own natural kindness must excite you to which if it be but dull we have given you sufficient Rules whereby you may quicken the same Some other things there are which the Physicians say do prefer fruitfulness by hidden quality as the stones of a Fox and the like but they are already declared and described in compound Medicines Physitians do likewise tell long stories about the time of the year what time is best for Copulation all agree the Spring is the most convenient time and fit for procreation for then the blood is in its vigour and in the heat of Summer it ought to be forborn altogether if possible but then Venus takes most pleasure to be jolly and to her girles then most opportunities offer themselves But the most convenient and fit time for a Woman to conceive is immediately after her purgations cease for then the womb is cleansed from superfluous excrements and the most fit houre for conception is after meat and before sleep that she may sleep and rest after it Chap. X. Of monstrous and unnatural Conceptions IT followes now in order in the next place to speak something of Conceptions contrary to nature and unnatural Births which is called a depraved Conception For since it is the certain institution and intent of nature that Women should bring forth perfect man-kind and nothing else then it followes that whatsoever else is conceived in the womb besides man-kind the same is a vitious and depraved conception against the Rules and Lawes of nature Which though these vitious and unnatural Conceptions may be many wayes yet they may all generally be reduced unto one of these heads to wit Monsters Mola winde and water all which we often finde to be conceived and grow in the womb Of Monsters there is much written either historically fabulously or philosophically but that appertains not to our present intent or purpose And therefore the Philosopher in his Book of Generation 2 Phys 82.4 Gen. Animal and the causes thereof teacheth that a Monster is nothing else but a peccant vice of deficient nature whereby nature is impedited and hindered from effecting her end as it is in any Art when the Artist fails by reason of some defect in him that he cannot attain to accomplish his desired end And although these unnatural Births may happen many wayes yet all these errors of nature may be referred to the Diseases proceeding of evil composition as for example to the Disease in number as when a man is born with one eye one foot or two heads Of Diseases of magnitude the same the figure of the body demonstrates to the rest Gal de causis morb 7. which Doctrine Galen manifestly teacheth But the causes why Monsters are generated contrary
take one of these Pills following Pills for the Mola Take Galbanum 1 quarter of an Ounce Flowers of Mugwort St. Johns wort Assarabacca of each 1 scruple dissolve the Galbanum in good wine and make thereof 6 Pills of a dram and take one at a time in 4 dayes as before is directed A Bath for the same Take Mugwort Camomile Dill Holly-hock Roots Mallowes of each one handful Linseed Fenegreek Anniseed Fennel-seed of each one dram make a decoction thereof in common water for a Bath and let the Woman sit hot in it up to her breasts and after use this Oyntment for the same purpose Take juyce of Holli-hocks 2 Ounces Goosgrease Hens grease of each one Ounce Oyl of sweet Almonds of white Lillies of each half an ounce mixe them to an Oyntment and therewith annoint all the external parts against the fire Inwardly let her also take Dia calamint Trochis of Mirrhe and in a word whatsoever is good to provoke the termes and to drive forth the secundide and expell a dead Child the same is effectual for this Disease of which shall be spoken in the ensuing discourse of hard Labours We have now at large written of all special accidents and infirmities incident to the womb and parts of generation and given perfect directions for remedies for the same yet nevertheless though the humane seed may be received and contained yet a mischance may follow or otherwise a weak and feeble fruit that it cannot come to perfection and at last a difficult and hard labour are many if not most of the Daughters of Eve subject to whereby oft-times their lives are in danger thereby if not quite lost with the fruit and all therefore concerning these infirmities and what belongs to fruit-bearing Women and their delivery is the intended subject of the subsequent part of this Book and first of the debility or weakness of the child in its Mothers womb Chap. XII Of the weakness of Children in the Womb. SUch is the frailty of humane nature that the Child is subject to sickness even in his Mothers womb no great marvel then if men are all their lives encumbred with casualties when they begin with them even before they have a visible being the sickness of Children in the womb not being obvious to the eye is the more difficult to finde out but the signes to know it are these If the Woman have her termes much being with Child it must argue debility of the Child because his nourishment and sustenance is taken away from him If Milk flow from Women with Child its evident the Child is weak and not strong enough to draw his nourishment to him If a Woman with Child be afflicted with a strong and violent loosness there is great danger of a mischance But the strength or weakness of the Child depends on heat and cold under which are comprehended all accidents whatsoever If the Child be weak through immoderate heat and dryeth then the remedy is to purge the Mother of Choler for which this following is a convenient Medicine Take Conserve of Prunes half an Ounce three Ounces of whay of milk give it her in the morning and let her fast 5 houres after it Another for the same Take Cassia extracted out of the Cane one Ounce and put to it 4 Ounces of Sorrel-water or Barley-water and give it in like manner as the other Another safe but stronger Medicine both for the Mother and the Child is this following Take 2 Ounces of Manna and 3. or 4. Ounces of Whay mixed with it and use it as the other For the same you may also steep in the same quantity of Whay a dram of Rubarb one night and strain it out well or if you will take half a dram of Rubarb in powder in some whay Let the Woman use such dyet as is cooling and moystning as Barley-water Lettice and use Verjuice and juyce of Lemons with her meat Endive water Syrrup of Roses Endive succoury water are good in this case Forbear all things which provoke vomiting or which force Urine or blood Let the Woman 3 or 4 times every day cool and quench her thirst with Barley-water having half an Ounce of Syrrup of leaves mixt with it An external Medicine for this Disease if you feel great heat to abound may be this Take Citron water Violet water of each 6. Ounces Sorrel-water 12. Ounces Red Sanders burnt Ivory Sorrel seed of each one scruple Saffron half a scruple Vinegar 3 spoonfuls mix them all together and wet a Linnen Cloth in it and lay it on the privities and on the small of the back Take also one Ounce of Pompeon Peels Oyl of Roses Oyl of Water-Lillies of each one Ounce and a half Housleek one Ounce temper them all together and annoint the back and privities therewith 3. or 4. times a day But if the cause of weakness or debility of the Child in its Mothers Womb proceed from cold and moystness then are contrary medicines to be used of which these following are approved Take Buglosse water Saffron seeds Agarins Hermodactils of each 1 scruple Cynamon Ginger Roses Coriander prepared of each 4 grains steep them one night in the Buglosse water then strain it and drink it in the morning fasting Another for the same Take fethersew-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
breast Take Crums of white bread Barley meal Mustard-seeds Fennel and Holly hocks rosted under the ashes of each a like quantity pound them all well together and make a Plaister thereof with oyl of Camomile and apply it warm to the breasts For hardness and inflammation in the breasts through congealed milk A Pultis Take flowers of Mallowes Violets Celendine Daisies Cinquefoil of each 1 handful boyl them together in two quarts of water till it come to a pint then strain it and mingle it with Wheaten meal to the thickness of pap then put to it Hens grease or Hogs Lard and boyl it again to a Pultis spread it on a Cloth about the thickness of a finger and lay it morning and evening upon an inflamed sore breast Another for the same Take Bean meale Mints in Powder each 3 quarters of an ounce prepared Coriander Pease meal of each 1 dram Roses half a dram fresh butter 2 ounces Muscilage of Linseed one ounce Muscilage of Fenegreek 3 quarters of an ounce Sheeps Suet Ducks grease of each 1 ounce oyl of Turpentine half an ounce Saffron three grains temper them all together to a salve or oyntment and lay it upon the breasts For Tumors or swelling of the breast Take Purslain Plantain of each one handful Camomile Melilot of each one ounce Barley meal 4 ounces stamp the Herbs in a morter to a pap and then incorporate therewith oyl of Violets and Roses enough to make it a salve and lay it on the sore brests Another Medicine for swelling in the breasts much profitable and easie to be had Take a good quantity of Peach leaves and Rue and stamp them small and boyl them in water to a Pultis and lay it on the grieved place this will ripen the Imposthume and ease the pain A Plaister for the same Take Plantain Mallowes of each one handful Housleek 6 handfuls boyl them together till they come to be like grout then strain it and adde thereunto Oyl of Roses 3 ounces Camomile Melilot both beaten of each an ounce Barley meal 4 ounces Bdellium 1 quarter of an ounce dissolve the Bdellium in Vineger and then boyl them all together to the thickness of a Plaister and spread it on a Cloth and apply it to the grieved place For Impostumations in the breast Impostumations do breed oftentimes likewise in the breasts through the congealing of the milk and ill humours setling and putrifying there bringing with them the Canker Gangrene and such like griefs to the great anguish and misery of the Patient if not to death by reason of the tenderness of the place And many times it happens by reason of an obstruction of their termes which turns our cause of the superfluous blood thither And therefore if when there happens any swelling or anguish in the breasts in this case if the termes be stopt use all means possible to provoke them speedily if you mean to abate the swelling and pain and if the swelling increase then the Liver vein must be opened or the median And afterwards take oyl of Roses and Vineger and seeth a little Camomile therein and then dip a Cloth in it and lay it on the breasts four times a day refreshing it If the Impostumation in the breasts be caused of superfluity of blood the sign to know it is it causeth great pain in the breast redness and much beating If it proceed from Choler then is the pain more raging and the brest redder and yellowish with greater Agues and the Inflammation is hotter then that which proceeds of blood If Flegme be the ingendring cause thereof then the Tumor is but small the breast white the pain moderate and no Ague with it An excellent Plaister to consume and cleanse all swellings of the breasts and also of other members Take clarified Honey 6 ounces Barley meal 3 ounces and a half two yolks of Eggs Mirrhe Sarcocolla of each half a dram Honey of Roses 4. ounces oyl of Roses 3. ounces powder that which is to be powdered and boyl the Honey and the meal together till it be thick and then stir the yolks of Eggs amongst it and the other things and so make a Plaister of it and apply it to the grieved place When the Tumor or swelling comes to maturity and breaks then cleanse it with this Salve Take Honey the juyce of Smallage yolks of Eggs and Turpentine of each a sufficient quantity and make a Salve thereof and so apply it Or else use this Salve following with a tent of Lint Take Wheat-meal 3 quarters of an ounce clarified Honey and juyce of Smallage of each an ounce mix them all into a Salve and use them as hath been directed this is good to be used with a tent to cleanse any sore Fistula or Carbuncle But if in case the Tumor as many times it unhappily doth grow to a Canker or Fistula then must orher means be used to prevent the eating or spreading thereof the Patient must be purged of melancholy humours and avoid such things as ingender Choler and melancholy and to seek to prevent the increase of the same for which this drink following is very effectual Take Time 1 quarter of an ounce Polipody Sene each 1 dram Violets Seeds of Gourds Cucumbers Pompeons each 1 dram and a half Cynamon Rapeseed of each 1 scruple Hops 1 ounce boyl them all together in 8. ounces of water till half be consumed then strain it and take one ounce of this decoction in 3 ounces of whay of Goats milk and fast 6 houres after it Then use outwardly this Plaister following Take Fenegreek Barley meal of each two Ounces Mallows 3. handfuls Housleek 8 handfuls Oyl of Roses 6 ounces bray the Oyl of Roses in a Leaden Morter with a Leaden Pestle and seeth the Herbs in whâ—y till they be so tender you may beat them to a pap and mix the other things amongst them and boyl it again in 6 ounces of nightshade-Nightshade-water till it be consumed and so make a Plaister of it and first annoint the sore with Oyl of Roses and then lay the Plaister thereupon If the Canker corrode and spread abroad then take Barley meal 4 ounces Oyl of Violets oyl of Roses each three ounces Tutty prepared 2. ounces Blood-stone 1 ounce Bray the oyl of Roses with 4 whites of Eggs a good while in a Leaden Morter and likewise beat the Blood-stone in water of Lillies then temper them all together and dip small tents in it and lay them all on the sore Then take one ounce and a half of oyl of Roses prepared in a Leaden Morter as before and two ounces of the juyce of Nightshade 1. ounce of starch and an ounce and an half of Bolus mix and temper them all together in a Leaden Morter and therewith often annoint the breasts round about the Canker or Fistula A Plaister for the Fistula Take Mummey Bolus juyce of steel Frankincense Hipocistis Mastick of each 3 drams Acorn Cups Cipers Nuts Galls Isinglasse
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
Men are wont to call that much rain or a great rain which continues a long time though it fall but slowly and leasurely or else if it suddenly fall upon the earth in great showers If any one shall be so curious as to ask what is the proper quantity and measure of the menstrual blood which nature ought duly to evacuate Hippocrates answers them That in a sound Woman Hip. 1. Lib. de morb mulier Pag. 313. and one perfect in health the moderate monethly Purgations ought to be about 20. ounces a very little more or lesse if they exceed very much that proportion or are much lesse then are the Courses diseased and disaffected But the certain quantity of the monethly natural purgations cannot so strictly be defined in all bodies because of the difference of the temperature the dyet habit constitution age and strength of Womens bodies it must necessarily be that some must have them more copiously then others but this definition might be taken to be of a Woman in perfect health but if the Flux of natural purgation be immoderate the party must needs be much afflicted therewith and thereby incur many other Diseases of some whereof mention is already made and partly of the causes thereof But we desire to be a little more copious Causes in discovering the causes of this distemper before we proceed to the method of the cure thereof The causes of this immoderate Flux Gal. 3. de Sym. Causis Cap. 2.5 Aph. Com. 58. are distinctly and accurately handled by Galen That The Termes as other Fluxes of blood do flow immoderatly for three causes First By reason of the faculty that recludeth the Vessel containing the blood as in the Flux of blood at the nose The second Because of the evil affection and ill disposition of the blood And the third By reason of some vitiousness or detriment in the Vessels themselves The first cause is by reason of the natural faculties which are foure The faculty attractive retentive alterative and the faculty expulsive All which faculties perform their operations Gal. 1. de fac Nat. according to their proper temperatures as Galen largely teacheth Therefore they are the cause of the menstrual Fluxes immoderation when these fuculties do not properly and duly exercise their functions and Offices As chiefly If the retentive faculty be too weak that it cannot retain the blood so much and so long as it should until its due time this is a special cause of the superfluous Flux which many times happens by reason of some ill distemper in the womb or Vessels either too much cold or moysture or both In like manner it comes to passe when the expulsive faculty too powerfully sends forth the blood in such quantity and at such times when by the Lawes of nature it should not and this also chiefly happens by reason of some ill distempers either in the Womb or Vessels proceeding of too much heat and dryness or both Another cause of the immoderate Flux of the Termes is the ill disposition or corruption of the blood and that after a twofold manner The first when the blood is so vitious that it corrodeth and corrupteth the Vessels wherein it is contained which is done when the blood is too thin hot or sharp and that by reason the temperature or ill dyer is mixed with superfluity of Flegme Choler or Melancholy which are offensive to nature and do provoke her to expel them A second cause is superfluity of blood distempered 4 Method 2. so that the Vessels cannot contain it but it breaks out and forces a purgation by reason of the abounding acrimonious humor thereof as Galen also makes mention Having now spoken of two causes of the immoderate Flux of the Termes we proceed to the third which is because of the viriousness of the Vessels and that consisteth in the too much hardness softness or smallness thereof And happens to come in youth in their first beginning and to others afterwards in progress of time And this happens to come thus to passe Too much softness of superfluity of moysture hardness of too much dryness and smallness of too much hunger or want of sustenance If this superfluous Flux proceed of too much blood Colour then the colour of the Termes will be pale and whitish if they come of Choler then the Flowers will incline to a yellow Colour If Melancholy be the abounding humour then are the Flowers of a blewish black or dark colour By which Colours you may judge of the abounding humour and provide a remedy accordingly to stop the excessive Flux thereof for which purpose we now come to prescribe many both internal and external meanes First Observe these Rules Beware of hot things If the Body be grosse and full of blood and humours that nature seems to expulse it this way stop it not suddenly unless there be danger of much weakness by it but gently purge and prepare the body first If the Body be very full of blood you may open the Basilica vein and seek to reverse it that way if it appear to come of Choler or if any other peccant humour abounds purge that humour with proper moderate Medicines mixing astringent and comfortable things amongst it Let the Woman abstain from all hard labour and all kind of slimey thin and waterish meat Vomits are good to stay the humour and turn their course that they flow not downwards Inwardly may be given Sirrups Electuaries decoctions Confections and the like A Sirrup to stay the immoderate Flux of the Termes Take Sirrup of Endive one ounce Sirrup of Purslain half an ounce the decoction of Egrimony and of Plantain 4 Ounces mix them together and make them into a Sirrup and so take it as you please An Electuary for the same Take conserve of Roses 2 Ounces of water Lillies one ounce of Pearl prepared and burnt Harts-horn each half an ounce Bole Armonick Terra Lemnia each half a scruple mix them together with syrrup of Plantain a quantity sufficient to make it into an Electuary A Bolus for the same Take Conserce of Roses half an ounce Philonium or Requies Nicholai two Scruples Mix them together and make a Bolus thereof This is not to be given but when extremity urges Avicenna amongst many other Medicaments of this nature commendeth the use of Vinegar which to some may seem strange it being the vulgar opinion that Vinegar is of a great opening quality Nevertheless Galen agrees with Avicen Gal. 1. de sim med cap. 18.19 who writeth of Vinegar that it is of an astringent quality and doth suppresse and stop fluxes of the blood Others contradict the same not approving of it in this case as hurtful to the Womb. And there being many other Medicines here readily prescribed it may very well be let alone A Powder to stay the immoderate Flux of the Terms Take Species tria santali Diarrhodon Abbatis each a dram Coriander two scruples and a half
lib. 3 de sym caus cap. 4. Menstrua alba profluvium uteri as Galen This Disease hath great affinity with the Gonorrhea or the involuntary issue of natural seed called the running of the Reins And this Flux also proceeds from two Causes either too much cold or unatural heat and the differences of this Issue are very many as may appear by the colour of the Excrements which flow or issue which are sometimes red sometimes pale sometimes yellow sometimes black sometimes white and sometimes green sometimes thick and sometimes watery from Species may be gathered the quality of the peccant humour as for example If the Flux be of a red colour it declares that the issue flowes from the blood and is thereby caused If it be pale or yellow it denotes black Choler is the cause thereof if white it proceeds from flegm if it be thin and watery superfluous humours do abound in the Body But above all things be sure to know whether this Flux be a Gonorrhea that is an involuntary issue of the natural Sperm which is the running of the Reins the self same Disease being also incident to men as well as women and proceedeth in both Sexes from one and the same cause and that women as well as men do labour under the same Symptom But is general among women to call this disease the Whites though it be a Gonorrhea or the running of the Reins under which infirmitie many do a long time labour to the great wasting and Consumption of their Bodies the principal cause thereof proceeding either from immoderate excessive or unlawful Venery It is generally agreed that the lawful and proper cause of the Whites is too much superfluity of Excrements but as touching the place and manner where and how these Excrements are ingendered Authors disagree Some say the cause is a daily begetting of corrupt humours in the principal parts Others that it proceeds only from the Womb and Spermatick Vessels Others that it flows only from the Reins the Womb being not at all afflicted thereby But Galen plainly demonstrates 6. de locis affect loc 5. that the whole Body is affected with this Issue although it purge through the Womb and evacuate it self from the Reins and that this Disease is most incident to flegmatick and weak women It remaineth before we come to speak of the method of the cure of this infirmity that diligence be used as we said before to find out whether it proceed from a Gonorrhea that is a Running of the Reins or Flux of humane seed or not the knowledge whereof must be rather conjectural then to be demonstrated from any certain sign other then the Patients own relation But the flowing of the Seed is more thick and floweth in lesse quantity and is not so corrupt and of a whiter colour On the contrary the other Excrements are more thin do flow more abundantly are more filthy and putrified and are not alwayes of the same colour But to proceed to the manner of the Cure of this Disease Respect in the first place is to be had to the purging and cleansing of the whole Body and if the Disease be a Gonorthea and proceed of heat unlawfully or however gotten the Body must first be purged with Medicines appropriate to the Reins before you attempt in any wise to stop the same for which this following is very good An Electuary to purge the Reins Take Cassia newly extracted one ounce Rheubarb in powder one dram mix them together with syrup of white water Lillies a sufficient quantity to make it into an Electuary put this into a penny pot of White-wine or a little posset drink which comes first to hand stir it well together till it be all dissolved in the drink and so take it in the morning fasting and go about your business if you have any thing to do about two hours after take some broth or posset drink This Medecine you may take twice or thrice as you see occasion resting alwaies a day between Afterwards you may take every other day a dram of Trochis de Carabe in Plantane water You may also give the Patient every second or third day a dram of the filings of Ivory in Plantane water it is very good Sweating is also much commended in this case which may be thus done Take Barley water three ounces strong Wine two ounces give it the Patient very warm and so let her sweat Afterwards prepare a Clyster in this manner A Clyster for the Whites through heat or running of the Reyns Take Beets Violet-leaves and Night-shade of each one handful seeth them well together and take 12 Ounces of the decoction or boyled liquor which you please to call it and to it add Sugar 1 Ounce and a half Yolks of Eggs Oyl of Water-Lillies Oyl of Roses of each 2 Ounces Salt a dram and a half give this Clyster in the afternoon a little before meat A Confection for the same Take Comfrey-roots 3 Ounces Pompeon-seed Water-Lillies of each a dram Juyce of Liquorice 2 scruples Coral prepared Bolus Mirtle-seed Roses of each 10 grains Gun Traganth half a dram Syrup the Comphrey Roots cleave and slice them small and seeth them in Red Wine until they be so tender that you may beat them to grout or pap then pill the Pompeon-seeds and beat them together with the other things to fine Powder then incorporate them with the pap or grout made of Camphrey-Roots and then put to them Sirrup of Citron Pills and of Orenges as much as you please and then boyl them together to a Confection And take every morning a spoonful thereof before break-fast Conserves of Roses and Marmalade are exceeding good for this purpose either to be taken alone or mixt together with prepared Bolus and take thereof a dram at a time An excellent Sirrup for the same Take the Seeds of Purslain Lettice and Water-Lillies of each an Ounce prepared Coriander Water Lilly-Roots Dandelion Night-shade of each half an Ounce Camphire half a dram Dates chopt small 2 Ounces Rue-Seeds Mountain Mints parched Gomin of each 1 dram Steep the Dates 8 dayes in Vinegar then seeth them together in 2 quarts of water till half be wasted strain it and put to it 12 Ounces of the juyce of Quinces Sugar 36 Ounces and boyl them all together to a Sirrup and so clarifie them Of this Sirrup take 2 Ounces with 3 Ounces of Plantain water or purslain-Purslain-water This is an excellent proved Sirrup for this purpose Drinks and Waters good for this Disease Take Comphrey Roots and boyl them in water and drink thereof 3. of 4. Ounces at a time with Sugar Also water wherein the filings of Steel have been steeped and then Myrtle-seeds boyled therein is very good to drink for the same Simple waters good for this infirmity are the waters of Plantain Sorrel Purslain and Cithorie The decoction of Mallows and the Roots of Hollyhockles is also very good to drink for this Disease An
naturally flies from stinking smells therefore as in the ascention or rising of the Mother you are to use stinking things to the nose and sweet to the Womb so contrariwise in the falling down or discention of the Mother you are to apply sweet perfumes to the Nose and stinking to the Matrix to the end the same may thereby be drawn up again into its due place For this Disease it is good to hold to the Nose Assa foetida galbanum old Woollen Clouts or Shooes burnt Hair or Feathers or such stinking things that may be gotten speedily And apply sweet odoriferous things to the Matrix beneath for which purpose this Powder following is very good A Powder to be used in the nature of a Pessary against the suffocation of the Matrix or fits of the Mother Take red Storax Lignum Aloes Cloves of each a dram Musk Amber of each half a dram Make them altogether into a Powder and then bind it up in a Cloth in the form of a Pessary and put it up into the Matrix Another for the same Take an Ounce of Oyl of Lillies Musk Saffron of each 3 grains bruise all well together and make a Pessary thereof with Wooll or Cotton and put it up into the place A Fumigation for this Disease Take Gallia Moscata Cassia wood Cynamon Time of each a like quantity mix these together and make a perfume thereof and let the smoke be received up into the Matrix through a tumel for that purpose If the Patient be a Maid a Husband is the best Medicine if she can get one but in case that cannot be then let her abstain from strong Wines and flesh meat and all such things as increase natural sperme And use letting blood such meats and drinks as are cooling and amongst the rest this Confection following is very good A Confection against the fits of the Mother Take Polipody Roots 6 Ounces Sene Violets Prunes Sebastins Dates Currans of each an Ounce and a half seeth these altogether in two quarts of water till half be consumed away then strain it out hard and infuse in the decoction while it is hot 6. Ounces of the Seeds of Fleawort till the Muscilage be drawn out of them then put to this decoction 24 Ounces of fine Sugar and take thereof once in 2 or 3 dayes and fast after it 6 hours Take silver Mountain Madder Penyroyal the innermost rinds of Cassia Pipes Pomegranat Kernels Piony Roots Calamy of each 3 drams Mulcus and Spica Indie of each half a dram make all these together into Pills with the juyce of Mugwort of these she may take a dram every day before Supper if she take not the Confection the same day It is also good for this Disease to open the Saphea vein in the foot and afterwards give the Patient a dtam of the Powder of Betony in Featherfew-water It is also good to anoint the Belly with the Oyl of Mastick and so much for this affliction of the suffocation or ascention of the Matrix we come next to speak of the discention or falling down of the same Chap. VII Of the falling down of the Womb. This is another great evil wherewith many poor Women labour and is of no small consequence and danger for as in some cases and for some causes the Matrix in some Women is drawn up and ascendeth out of its due place so on the contrary it sometimes descends downwards out of the Body This accident is caused sometimes by hard labour and heavy births falls bruises too much astringency in the body taking great cold violent sneesing overmuch stirring and the like It may likewise be caused by reason of ill humours predominant in the Body which fall down to the Womb forcing it out of its natural place and many times brings with it the Palsie and Falling Sickness as also Ulcers and Imposthumes in the Womb. If this Disease happen by means of any outward accident the Patient her self can best discover the cause thereof If it come from some inward cause then respect is to be had to the Constitution of the party whether she be lean or fat moystor dry and to the Symptomes the disease which causeth pain in the lower part of the Back-bone and also about the secret parts sometimes an Ague with it the Urine staies and the Body is astringent If the passage of the neck of the Womb bee smooth and open then it is not moved downwards but if it be stopped then be sure it is descended although it appear not out of the Body and if it do continue displaced any long time it will be very difficult if not impossible to reduce the same to its natural place again Now to seek Remedies for this Disease you must instead of applying sweet things to the Matrix as you were directted in the ascension of the Matrix or the fits of the Mother to draw it down you must now apply stinking things to the Matrix and sweet smells to the Nose to draw it up againe A Fume for the falling down of the womb Take Tormentil Bistort juyce of Sloes of each 3 drams Pomgranate pills the blossoms thereof of each a quarter of an ounce Assa foetida an ounce Mastick Frankincense Galbanum of each 2 drams and a half Cypress Nuts Galls Mirtle seed of each five drams stamp mix all these together strew thereof upon a red hot brick let the patient receive the fume thereof beneath Let it not come at her Nose but in the mean time let her smell to Musk Amber Violets and such sweet smells which draw up the Mother and cause it to ascend again Another for the same Take a stinking rotten addle Egg that a Hen hath sat on and dip Cotton in it and lay it upon the neck of the Matrix it causeth it to ascend again A Fume for the same by a Decoction Take Camomile Marjoram Carraway of each one handful Linseed one handful and a half boyl these altogether in water and receive the Fume thereof into the Matrix The vapour of Housleek bruised and laid on a hot brick is good for the same if there be heat or inflammation in the Matrix A Fomentation for the same Take Roses three ounces Mirtle seed Violet leaves Marigolds Fetherfew of each one handful Assa feetida five drachms bruise them together and tie them up in a bag and seeth them in red Wine and lay it upon the place after the vapour is received An Oyntment for the falling down of the VVomb Take the Ointment of Hollyhocks which is called at the Apothecaries unguent de Althea mix therewith some marrow of an Ox or other beast the grease of a Hen or Capon and some oyl and herewith annoint the neck of the Matrix and all the parts about it when you go to bed you may also make a plaister hereof and apply it all night as before Another Ointment for the same Take oyl of Myrtles of Lillies of Mastick of each
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
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
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-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