the fit therefore let the lower parts be tyed hard and rubbed well and let her smell to sume made of burnt leather brimstone or feathers also oil of Amber may be put about her nostrils and three or four drops taken inwardly which is very excellent especially if you give it in Orange flower water Tobacco blown into the mouth or nose is very good or snuffe-Tobacco blown up into the nostrils And as these things must be applyed according as mentioned so you must use Musk or Civer and with a little Cotten put it into the Privities for as the Iron followeth the loadstone so doth the womb follow all sweet and delightful smells but shuns all odious scents You may also give her Aq. Hysterica Mother or womb-water two or three spoonfuls once in one hour it s to be had at every Athecaries and if with those things it abate not then give this Clister and apply Cupping-glasses upon her hips viz. Take of the herb Mercury Pelitory-wall Mugwort Peniroyal and Rue of each a small handful Caraway seeds Cummine seeds and Bayberries of each two drams boil all to a pint and an half and in the straining dissolve Hiera Picra and confect Hamech of each four drams they are both to be had at the Apothecaries and so administer remembring that it be retained some while but not too long Secondly when the fit is over care must be taken to prevent the return thereof which may be endeavoured by the ensuing things Let her take once in fourteen days season of the year and condition of body not forbidding half a dram Pil. Arabica with three or four drops of oil of Juniper-berries mixed therewith drinking Posset-drink and keeping warm that day And in the mean time keep a Plaister upon the Navel made with Gum Galbanum with two or three grains of Musk in a little wool or cotton in the middle And let this following powder be taken frequently one dram at a time made into a Bolus with syrup of Mugwort viz. Take Gentian roots white Ditany and Tormentil and round Birth-wort Chimelion Thistle Bayberries Juniperberries Coriander-seed prepared Aniseed mastick Bole-Armoniack Terra sigillata of each two drams bring them all to fine powder and mix them then powder also of the best Saffron two ounces and put to it and so take it as aforesaid Note That if the woman be with Child you must have a care of giving things too venturously inwardly but rather attempt the getting her out of the fit by your outward medicines for fear of miscarriage and use the midlest of those stinking things externally also One thing more which I would not omit that is a beneficial word to those who have husbands and can have the same that is that as soon as the party is out of her Fit to admit of carnal conjunction and that especially if the disease seem to come from retention of seed which may be known if the Patient be young of sanguine complexion merry chearful and spiritous when in the hearing of any discourse tending to lust diet high and live easie and having not had imbraces in that nature for some time c. I have been the larger upon this disease because I know it is common and very troublesome and obnoxious and hard to be totally cured And perhaps some who may be concerned therewith have taken many more medicines than these and that possible along time too and yet never the better to such and all others I would say that sometimes and in some cases multiplicity of medicines rat her hinder than further cure use these with prayer and thanksgiving according as you are directed they being principal and choice receipts and where you have so done if your desires are not satisfied in order to help you may know that God being rich in grace and of great compassion towards his poor creatures hath not left you destitute of further supply by helping some persons in such an Art as is capable to open the bodies of Minerals as well as Vegetals and Animals and I do affirm that this disease being of any standing is not totally to be cured by any other medicine but such as the Mineral Kingdom afford unto which most will subscribe and I have several times proved in which respect shineth the efficacy and worth of Chymical Preparations above and beyond Galenical medicines But that only by way of digression Secondly I come now to speak of the diseases in the Cavity of the Womb and in order I begin 1. Of the Inflamation of the Womb. Inflamation of the womb is a tumor or swelling in that part or some part thereof springing from blood that is shed into the substance thereof Signs 1. Swelling heat and pain in the region of the womb with a continual feavour 2. Suppression or diminution of the courses and their paleness or yellowish colour with pain in their coming forth 3. In the absence of them certain stinking and rotten stuff sweats through the vessels of the womb and bedews the water-gate wherein if search be made there will soon be a discovery of the disease For 4. The inward mouth of the womb will be found to swell to be drawn inward and subject to pain if touched and the veins of the womb will appear red and inflamed 5. Heat and pain sometimes in the Groin Privities Bladder strait gut and Loins according as sometimes one sometimes another part of the womb is afflicted Cure Cure consisteth in drawing back the course of the blood to the womb and diverting it another way that which is therein must be resolved and if the swelling tend to supperation it is to be furthered A Glister being given blood must be drawn from the arm and repeated twice thrice or four times according to the strength of the Patient and greatness of the inflamation you may also for revulsion sake rub and tie the upper-parts If the body seem to abound with evil humors Purge with Electuary Lenitive once taken every night Anoint outwardly with Galens cooling ointment and oil of Roses and use it as often as is necessary But because this disease comes not often and must be chiefly directed to as the eye seeth occasion I shall say no more it being a very dangerous disease and requires occular inspection and manual operation of the most ingenious Physician or Chirurgeon in which sad and dangerous disease as in others I offer the best of my knowledge and skill and sometimes means is successeful if the inflamation come to superation but then I have observed that usually Ulcers follow and then they commonly pine away with a lingring Feaver or fall into a Dropsie But Secondly Ulcer of the womb Although there may be an Ulcer of the womb without an inflamation following thereof as namely from any thing than may cause an erosion fretting or gnawing the substance thereof yet after a superared inflamation of the womb usually follows Ulcers and the signs thereof are these Signs 1. Pain or biting
of which I have in my custody which will assuredly by Gods blessing extinguish this disease totally and I have sufficiently proved the same in these last years which as I am willing to mention so also I am as willing to part withall for the good and benefit of poor creatures Look to this disease as timely as you may and many of those inconveniences that do attend it may be prevented But Seventhly Of the falling down of the womb When the womb loseth its natural situation and falls downward to the water gate the disease is termed the falling down or slipping forward of the womb except sometimes by its coming forth too far and by the distemper of the air this disease is more unhandsome and troublesome than mortal and besides hath only this ill conveniency that doth attend it it hinders conception Signs Signs whereby this disease is known are evident to the sense For 1. The womb is found sticking in the water-gate like a Hen or Gooses Egg. 2. It is attended with a perceivance with a weight pressing upon the water-gate especially when the Patient stands upright 3. When they sit or go to stool a vehement pain is felt about the privy parts and the hanch-bone 4. Urine comes away by little and little and makes the womb smart as it comes Cure A Glister being given to discharge from excrements and water being made to discharge the bladder the womb is to be restored to its proper place after this manner let the woman lie along upon her back with her things wide asunder and her knees drawn upwards then let her or another with her or their hands thrust her womb inwards and force it gently still upwards into the neck so as to turn it inwards as it goes till all is returned within the cavity of the belly which should contain the same But observe that if the womb-fallen be swelled so that it cannot enter the cavity of the belly the swelling must be in the first place removed which may be done with a decoction of Beets sprinkling it a little after with Vinegar and Salt the swelling being abated and the womb reduceable let it be anointed with Mucilage of Comfrey roots or with an infusion of Gum Tragaganth being anointed strew it with powder of Bistort root and Mastick beaten very fine and so put it up After it is replaced the woman lying in her bed a little bending with her thighs gently stretched out resting or being cross one another let her abide in this posture sometime and put in at the water gate a little Wool Cotton or spunge wet in red wine and use sweet scents to her nose and stinking to her privities And then every day let her take of this powder following one dram at a time in red wine forbearing for a time carnal imbracement and hard exercise Take Bislort roots in powder one ounce Mirtle leaves and Garden Parship-seed of each two drams shavings of harts-horn half an ounce red Coral two ounces mingle them being well powdered and take as aforesaid Observe of this disease you must not expect help suddenly and the more patience is required if it be caused as sometimes it is by the unskilfulness of Midwives and hardness of labour Notwithstanding I know the disease is curable and some have been holpen by a secret I have not long since attained unto together with some other things done and given as directions tending thereupon though in a bad case the womb coming out of the body as big as my fist and they no longer at ease than they went continually with a truss Therefore if those instructions shall fail that I have given you you may remember there is notwithstanding provision made for you through Gods goodness for your well-being Eightly Of the womb shut up or imperforated Virgins that have their wombs closed up are said to be imperforated like a Cask of liquor having no hole to put in a spicket Now the closure of the womb is wont to be in three places viz. In the inner mouth of the womb In the neck of the womb And In the outward mouth of the womb next the water-gate Signs This disease according as the place that is afflicted is more hard or more easie to be discovered If the closure or stoppage be in the outward orifice of the privity it is discerned by seeing and feeling If the closure or stoppage be in the mouth of the womb it is not discerned till the courses begin to break out for when the time of their monthly purgation is come pains and gripings are felt in the region of the womb at certain periods of time with a sense of weight yet no flux of courses follows Here note the conjecture will be more probable if the Virgin be of a good habit of body not troubled with obstructions The disease persevering their wombs swell so that maidens seem to be with child and sometimes their whole body swells and seems sometimes to be black and blew colour through the abundance of blood and untill I made a narrow inspection in these things I my self as well as several others have sometimes mistrusted some maidens honesty when there hath been no real occasion But if the closure or stoppage do possesse the neck of the womb it is perceived in the first carnal conjunction because it doth not admit the mansyard Note for a right and true understanding of this disease a skilful Midwife man or woman is required who by their hand can give a near guess thereof And some supposition there is of this disease when the mans seed doth plentifully slip away as soon as it is cast in though sometimes that is occasioned also through some preternatural humor abounding and having recourse to those parts causing the womb to be more moist than it ought to be thereby hindring it from retaining what it ought in order to conception to imbrace The closure or stoppage of the inner orifice of the womb is accounted uncurable by reason no instrument can reach the same howbeit it hath been attempted sometimes with good success But the other closures or stoppages are accounted curable and many have been holpen and afterwards been well imbraced by their husbands as other women conceived and brought forth Children But directions in this case you may not expect the chief cure lying in handy operation neither need you dread or fear the work it being of no great difficulty or danger being managed by a skilful Artist and the blessing of God concurring And so I have ended the diseases of the cavity of the womb And so I come now in the third place to say something of those diseases which are in respect of Conception breeding and bringing forth The first is Of Barrenness This word barrenness in this place is to be understood in a large and ample signification so as to comprehend all kind of impotency and every impediment of conception namely when a woman at such an age in which she
using remedies suitable and fitting which brings me to the cure c. Cure The cure consisteth in preservation for that which is past cannot be helped And The preservation from abortion or miscarriage hath two principal parts or heads The one concerning the woman before she is with child the other when she is with child Before the woman is with child all evil disposition of body which are wont to cause miscarriage must be removed as fulness of blood badness of humors and peculiar diseases of the womb c. Concerning all which advice must be taken of some able Doctor with suitable medicines for this would be too large a field for me at this time to walk or take a turn in But then When she is with child how to prevent her miscarriage I shall here insert that which may do good and be serviceable Besides then that medicine which I have already given for the stopping the overflowing of the courses which is excellent in this case being taken as is there directed I shall adâ—e Take Kermes berries and Tormentil and Bislort roots of each half an ounce Mastick two drams Date stones and shavings of Ivory of each one dram powder them and mix them into the form of an Electuary with syrup of Coral and then mix that with Conserve of red roses and Quinces of each two ounces take the quantity of a Chesnut three times a day morning at four a clock afternoon and at going to bed Hang an Aegle stone Jasper or Smaragds stone about the neck or a piece of Coral in Tiffany make a Plaister with those salves called viz. Emp. pro Matrice Contra Rupturum of each alike and apply it to the region of the share and loins and to the end that the woman may receive good and benefit she must rest her self and keep her self as quiet as possible she can both in her body and mind also she must abstain from genital imbracements c. Moreover this I have observed that by the best and highest graduated means that could be gotten sometimes miscarriage will not be prevented without blood-letting therefore sometimes to some persons to prevent from this evil blood-letting is absolutely necessary yet I dare not say but I have holpen many without bleeding by some secret Arcanums and specifical medicines safe to be taken that my industry in the Art of Chymistry hath made me master of God blessing my endeavours But thirdly of hard child-birth Hard travel in child bearing is such as keep not the due and ordinary laws of nature taking up longer time than ordinary and accompanied with more vehement pains than are usual and other more grievous symptoms Signs Hard travel is known both by the childing woman and by the assistants but especially by the Midwife 1. If the woman continue longer time than ordinary in labour as two three four or more days whereas a truly natural child-birth ought to be accomplished within the space of twelve or twenty four hours at farthest 2. It s a sign of a hard labour if the womans pains be weak and are long before they return and that more especially if her pains be more about her back than privities 3. If the woman be weak and the child weak moving slowly or be either too fat or too lean usually there are hard labours or be crooked also 4. Sometimes hard labour is occasioned by the diseases of the womb 5. Sometimes from the greatness and false situation of the child and 6. Sometimes also hard labour may be guessed at if the water flow from the woman or part of it before its true time which ought but immediately to proceede the birth for this signifies that the after-birth is stronger than ordinary which can hardly be broken c. Cure In pity to poor women in this case though occasioned by sin I shall lay down some choice and excellent observations and medicines in order for their good not at this time at all medling with any directions to or manual operation of the Midwife The observations are these 1. Let the woman lay off all her rings yea and those that are about her also 2. Let her forbear eating any thing that is astringent or binding especially at that time 3. Let her endeavour to be as chearful and lively as possible she may for sleepiness and sottishness do slacken the endeavours both of mother and child 4. Let her also keep her mind free from fear passion sadness anger wroth c. 5. Let her have a Midwife of whom she hath a good conceit and let no woman be about her that there is the least cause or suspicion of prejudice or non-affection 6. Let her not stir unseasonably nor agitate or move to and from unduly fearing it may prevent the child issuing in a fitting posture 7. Let her have her husband if she require or desire it to come into the room to her as often as the man may be rightly constituted and the nature of the work will permit I do not know whether a man kissing his wife at that time have any vertue in it or no but this I know for a certain truth that many good women some I could name have suffered abundantly in this case yea and some so much that their lives have been lost thereby for being denied this priviledge they dying if not undelivered yet not till all is gone and spent that should afterward revive and comfort her and she nearer to the grave than a bed I lay down this the rather because there hath been such evident good success upon the mans presence in several deliveries even immediately that it 's a pity it is not if serviceable to the woman wisely and discreetly put in practice no oftner And besides because I know no substantial reason or ground either from Scripture History nor nature why a man rightly and duly qualified should not have and injoy that priviledge at convenient seasons to visit his wife as in any other dangerous sickness or distemper Weigh what I say well before you judge 8. Let her keep her breath and retain her strength till the right and true time of travel comes This I intimate because there have been many I have known some that have suffered upon this account especially young women who think they are bound and that it is their wisdom to do as the good wives bid them and its common amongst them though but stragling degenerate and wild pains to bid them stop their mouths hold their breath and strain downwards whereas indeed such pains should be let pass without such observation and the woman not put to spend her spirits and strength till it may do her good viz. when the water is complete and judged ready to or hath broke then let her strive and strain what she is able and not before fearing if she do when that time comes her strength and spirits may be impaired and for want thereof the child may not immediately follow the water and
in the womb or its neck 2. Voiding of snotty matter or quitter out of the womb 3. If the neck of the womb be the place afflicted then it is to be known by the parties hand the Midwives finger or genial embracements in which there will be troublesome pain 4. If the bottom of the womb have an Ulcer then the pain is felt about the share and the excrements flow most abundantly 5. If the Ulcer being single and benigne the quitter is little white and not stinking but if malignant and eating the quitter will be greenish lead colour coming away with great pain and stink 6. If it shall arise of the Lechers Pox Gonorrhs will usher it in or attend upon it and other tokens of that foul disease will appear Cure The Cure lieth in hindring the flowing of such humors as either beget or cherish the Ulcer to cleanse and heal the same Blood-letting in this disease is not requisite except an inflamation be joyned therewith Give therefore twice or thrice a week one ounce of Diacatholicon a known Electuary at night drinking Posset in the morning or broth made thin which is more proper But if the Patient be in such condition that she may and nothing forbid give in the first place a vomit of Crocus Metallorum one ounce syrup of Squils half an ounce which you may repeat at some times distance after either of which give this vulnery decoction Take Egrimony Burnet Knot-grass Plantain of each two handfuls Yarrow and Mugwort of each one handful China roots Birthwort roots Bislort roots of each half an ounce Lignum vitae two ounces boil all being shred pounded or sliced in three pottles of water to two pottles strain it and drink half a pint every morning and evening sweetning it with a little honey c. It is also excellent in this disease to drink often warm milk with Sugar of Roses and a little honey mixed therewith There are several other things in order to cure this disease as Injections Cataplasms Ointments c. But because they are to be used and altered as there is occasion which I must not lanch into here I must omit this being work wherein we cannot direct with Pen as we may by Tongue at delivery of our medicines upon a most strict examination and therefore I pass that and come to Thirdly Of a Scirrhus of the Womb. It is a hard tumor without pain bred of thick blood and hardned in the womb Signs of such a swelling bred in the womb are 1. A hardness felt in the region of the womb and heaviness also 2. A sense of some weight bearing down especially when the sick woman stands as though the womb would fall into the water-gate which is not felt when they sit or lie down 3. There is no feaver nor pain wherein it differs from an inflamation or if any it is very small c. But now I know the question will be how shall this disease be known for a Mole or false Conception For general satisfaction in this cafe I aiming at your better judgment and information concerning your selves Observe 1. That this tumor or swelling usually is brought by womens taking cold or drinking cold things when they have their Courses flowing 2. In a Mole if the courses flow they flow disorderly but in this disease they keep their order And 3. In a Mole a womans dugs strout with Milk but in this disease they are extenuated and lessened Cure Bleeding in this case first in the arm then the foot and afterwards with leeches upon the Hemorrhoid veins will be necessary and profitable ordering him when and place where discreetly Then purge three days in one week with these Pills following The first day Take Pil. tapis lazuli half an ounce oil of Amber three drops make them into Pills and swallow them in a morning expecting them to work The next Dose Take Pil. lapis luzuli two scruples oil of Juniperberries four drops And the next Dose Take Pil. Arabica two scruples oil of Assafoetida four drops c. In the mean time the Patient may freely drink a little Mul'd Sack or burnt White-wine only let the spice used be Cinnamon to refresh and comfort her after which to make an issue in one or both legs will be convenient Outwardly you must anoint with this following ointment Take of the gums called Bedellium Ammoiacum and Galbanum of each equal quantities dissolve them with a gentle heat in Vinegar then strain it unto which put oil of Lilies sweet Almonds and Roses of each equal Mucilage of Fenugrick-seed extracted with White-wine one ounce or two according as the quantity you make Hens Gooses and Ducks fat each equal Hogs-grease a little Wax and Turpentine as much as will suffice use it with well and tender rubbings in with a pan of coals These things being used in time and order doubtless by Gods blessing will prove succesfull Other things there are if these fail which as they are too high for you to make so beyond your capacities to administer therefore I pass this and come in the next place which is Fourthly Of the Cancer of the womb A Cancer is a hard swelling of the body or neck of the womb which resisteth the touch and causeth a vehement pain as it were pricking and cutting the part affected and if it be ulcerated it sends forth matter and quitter sometimes yellow sometimes black and stinking Signs It may be known by the definition of the disease before rehearsed and no other signs adjoyned only we for full satisfaction sometimes make use of a womb-perspective instrument made on purpose for our use in such and some other cases of this nature Cure This disease is accounted incurable being so you may not easily be perswaded of help and cure though you are offered the same Some persons to get monies in hand will promise any thing Being therefore so dangerous a distemper I shall forbear any instructions to you concerning this only drinking of whey a good quantity pretty often with two or three drops of Spirit of Vitriol in every draught hath been found effectual after purging and bleeding is necessary A palliative cure therefore only is expected to which end and purpose and to give ease of that cruel pain I am not without medicines but I dare not say positively they will cure this disease perfectly especially if an Ulcer preceded or that be ulcerated Danger being here and daily advice being requisite of either an able Chyrurgion or Physician I rest it here and pass to Fifthly Mortification or Gangrenation of the womb A gangreen is the corruption or mortification of a part beginning c. Signs these Signs of the beginning of a gangreen are 1. An unusual heat felt about the part 2. Horror and trembling upon the Patient 3. Languishing and quick beating pulse 4. Often faintings and swooning 5. The neck of the womb is discovered to be soft lead-colour black and carrion-like and may be prickt
or cut without sense 6. It sends forth a stinking carrion-like smell In order to Cure In this most grievous and mortal disease because you are not proper subjects in these cases I must be silent only I have holpen you by the signs delivered that timely you may if fearing these things look out for help And let me tell you I am not without Authority to assure you that women have been cured of this disease sometimes the gangrenated place falling of it self by application of proper medicines and sometimes hath been cut off by suitable instruments and the womens lives saved the blessing of God concurting with both remedies and operation Sixthly Of wombs wind water-swelling or Dropsie of the womb It is a blowing up of the womb sometimes to a greater bigness sometimes less causing the belly to swell as in other Dropsies and being with Child Note There is a twofold Dropsie of the womb one from wind like unto that called Timpany another arising from a wheyish and watery humor answering to the Dropsie of the belly called Ascites Signs In laying down which looking upon it as very necessary I shall enquire into a threefold question 1. How this particular Dropsie of the womb may be known and distinguished from that of the whole body 2. How this particular Dropsie of the womb may be known and distinguished from a woman being great with Child And Thirdly How this particular Dropsie of the womb may be known and distinguished from a Mole In answering these three questions you may gather the distinct signs of this peculiar Dropsie of the womb subject only unto women 1. How may this particular Dropsie of the womb be known and distinguished from that Dropsie of the whole body Answ It is distinguished from an universal dropsie of the belly in that the womb-dropsie swells chiefly the lower part of the belly whereas the universal dropsie distends equally the whole belly in all the parts thereof Again in the womb-dropsie paleness and falling away of the flesh of the whole body are not so soon discerned as in the universal dropsie in which also for the most part there is evident thirst and driness of the tongue which are not found in the womb-dropsie Again in the womb-dropsie some wind breaks out of the womb by fits through the privities or else a little water comes away sometimes which evidently declares that wind or water are contained in the womb Quest How may this particular womb-dropsie be known and distinguished from a woman great with Child Many good women were deceived in this case these last two years and I am afraid more will be this year I speak to my own knowledge and have to several told them what after some time they would and not before imbrace for truth who at their reckonings expiring came furtherto enquire which trouble of enquiry if you mark I save you by what follows in answer to this question Ans When a woman is big with Child the swelling is not so even and depressed but it is sharp buncheth out and seems greater about the Navel than elsewhere Secondly In greatness with Child after some months women are for the most part somewhat better than they were but the dropsie of the womb the further it proceeds the worse it grows Thirdly In greatness with Child the child is manifestly perceived to stir after the third or fourth month which is not in the womb-dropsie Yet observe and this is that which deceived so many It falls out sometimes a certain palpitation or motion is perceived in the womb in this disease but it is distinguished from the moving of a Child thus The moving of a child is more even and equal the moving of a child is perceived in divers parts of the belly that motion felt chiefly in one part thereof the motion of the infant in greatness of child inlargeth it self weekly more and more and is to be caused by a warm hand or cloth more than ordinary Fourthly In women with child womens dugs swell but in the dropsie of the womb they sometimes are extenuated and become smaller if not they continue at one stay By these signs well heeded any understanding woman may give a near guess whether she be a true Mother and would have it saved or of no concernment and so would have it destroyed for as the Mother by her affection signified to Solomon whose child it was so this by its motion and other signs signifies of what linage or generation it is and so accordingly may be delt withall 3. Quest Is How the womb-dropsie may be known from a Mole or false-conception Answ That in a Mole women find a kind of heaviness in their wombs which is not so felt in womb-dropsie and when they lie on one of their sides they perceive the weight of the Mole to roul like a stone to that side Again in a Mole violent flux of Courses come sometimes by fits namely every third or fourth month which happens not in the womb-dropsie Again in a Mole the dugs swell and sometimes have milk which is not thus in a womb-dropsie I have been the larger in these things because I judge them worth your knowledge and are of a great concernment to you Now then if you by these signs and tokens find your selves to have the womb-dropsie at any time and are sure you are not with child for blood cries high then for the removal of it use these things following with prayer and supplication First then give this Vomit Take of the infusion of Crocus Metallorum one ounce syrup of Squils half an ounce mix them and give it in a morning warm drinking Posset sometimes after it c. A few days after give Pil. Arabicae half a dram oil of Juniper berries three drops mixed Let her swallow in them days between the Vomit and the Pills six Pepper corns every morning fasting After one days rest after the Pills take this following Take roots of Smallage and Madder of each two ounces Savin Feverfew Peniroyal Germander and Mother-time of each one handful Carraway and Carrots-seed of each half an ounce Saffron and Cinnamon of each one dram boil all together being sliced bruised and stirred as they require in mugwort-Mugwort-water three quarts to two quarts strain it add to the remaining part honey or Sugar sufficient to make it pretty toothsome the Dose is a quarter of a pint every morning fasting using exercise after it Drink every night going to bed a small glass of Doctor Stevens his water outwardly the belly must often be anointed with oil of Dill Rue Wormwood and Southernwood Glisters also are to be administred made of the decoction of Wormwood Peniroyal Rue Centaury in which Glisters dissolv two drams of Elect. Theriaca Diatessaron These things being duly used and the disease not overcome and expelled other things there are which you cannot be directed to the use of them being out of your Element yea and other medicines there are also some
womb Cure These things in wisdom may be given and administred that are propounded to help a hard labour and expel a dead child to which I shall adde this which hath proved very successeful Take of the tops of green Lovage stamp them and strain out the juice with a little Rhenish wine add thereto ten drops of oil of Juniper berries and so give it sweetned with syrup of Bawm But sometimes so it is that without the hand of a skilful operator this disease cannot be moved therefore I advise not long delay before such an one in such a case be made use of the consequences that attend this distemper being dangerous which will be the ready way of cure they doubtless being provided with some specifical remedy to help also in the case 6. Of immoderate flux of child-bed purgations The immoderate flux of child-bed purgations is not to be estimated from the quantity or the time of continuance because that in divers natures ages and courses of life it is very different But from the ill-bearing of the woman and her weakness there-from arising c. Signs Signs immoderate flux of child-bed purgations is known as hath been said from the strength of that woman that is dejected through the exhaustion of her spirits that issue with the blood as also from 1. The blood being much clotted 2. The Patients loathing of Meat 3. Being pained under her short-ribs and feeling a distention of her belly 4. Her pulse is weak and frequent 5. Her sight is dimed and she hath a noise in her ears 6. She is subject to swooning and Convulsions These symptoms concurring and agreeing look out for help speedily for delays in this case are very dangerous Cure Observe let her eat a thickning diet as Panadies Gellies Rice Calves-foot broth Pears and Quinces boiled roasted flesh and not boiled Let her have plenty of meat but a little at a time let heâ— drink be water wherein steel or gold is quenched or in which a little Mastick is boiled Let her superior parts be rub'd and bound Let her bathe her hands in hot wine in which a little Alkermes is mixed and let her belly be moderately well swadled These things being observed but expectations not answered besides what is said before in the immoderate flowing of the courses which is good here you may give this Take blood-stone four scruples powder of Bole-armoniack red Coral prepared Pearls of each one dram seed of Plantain Coriander prepared and grains of Sumach of each two scruples mix all being reduced into fine powder of which let her take one dram with a decoction made with Knot-grass and Sheepherds purse sweetned with syrup of Quinces Let her have a Plaister laid all over her belly made with Vng Comitissa These things being administred and the flux not abated you ought with all imaginable care diligence and speed seek out for further advice and supply from them who are masters of higher and powerfuller medicines in this case And because I writ for the good and benefit of all my good Country-women as also because I have found these things worthy of my observation you may take notice touching the sleep of a woman in this case that while the blood flows plentifully the woman must not be suffered to sleep for many by that means are taken away because the natural heat retiring inwards increaseth the flux But if sleep in such a case cannot be avoided then take this counsel that some body be there by her all the while frequently feeling her pulse and marking and observing her breath 7. Of suppression of child bed purgations The good and happy success of child-bearing doth especially depend upon the convenient and orderly flux of the courses or child-bed purgations seeing the impurities which have been collected in the veins of the womb during the nine months time of the womans belly-bearing are wont to be avoided by these evacuations but if they be suppressed wholly or diminished infinite dangers and calamities arise thereby As Acute Feavers and Quinsies Phrenzies and Pluresies Madness and Melancholy Inflamation of the Lungs c. Signs This suppression is manifest of it self but as I told you concerning their immoderateness is not to be estimated from the quantity or time of continuance because c. as there is shewed so here I would have you to note that the diminution thereof is not to be judged by the quantity that comes away because some women have more superfluous blood and some less But the perfect knowledge as in the other contrary case so in this is gathered from the supervenient symptoms such as these 1. A smelling of the belly 2. A pain possessing the nethermost part of the belly the loins and groins 3. Redness of the face and difficult breath 4. Perturbation of the eyes and shivering fits 5. Feavers and fainting fits 6. Stomach sickness sometimes and loss of appetite Cure It consisteth in provoking the menstruals from which purpose though those things are special good before-mentioned in he stoppage thereof yet it s to be observed they are not here to be given in respect of the different state of the Patient In this case therefore Glisters appropriated to the disease are convenient and are in the first place to be made use of make one thus Take Marsh-mallow roots and Water-lilly roots if you can get them otherwise the other of each one ounce long and round Birthwort of each three drams leaves of Mallows Marsh-mallows Pelitory Mercury of each one handful Linseed and Fenugreek seed of each half an ounce flower of Camomil and Elder of each half a handful boil all in Posset drink to a pint then strain it and in the liquor dissolve oil of Dill and Lilly of each one ounce hiera simplex half an ounce and so give it And let her thighs be rubbed downwards and the toes of her feet be tied fast till they ake again and if need be let Cupping-glasses be fastned to her groins and hips and scarrification if need require If these things fail she must have a vein opered about the knees thighs or foot or leeches applyed to the Hemorrhoids If the feaver forbid not there may be given Troches of Myrrh one dram powdered with a little whiâ—e-wine If there be a feaver this decoction hath been used successefully viz. Take French Barley one handful Liquorish half an ounce Schenanth one dram and a half boil all in Posset-drink to a pint which makes three doses one in the morning another about ten a clock and the other about 4. in the afternoon taking a little burnt-wine cold with burnt Cinnamon wherein is dropped three or four drops of spirit of Sulphur Purgation also sometimes in this case as it is necessary so may be used but with great caution but certainly a medicine may be had in this case that answers all intentions c. 8. Of after-pains or gripings after child-bearing Gripings do so frequently betide women in child-bed that very few women