Culpeper's directory for midwives: or, A guide for women. The second part. Discovering, 1. The diseases in the privities of women. 2. The diseases of the privie part. 3. The diseases of the womb ... 14. The diseases and symptoms in children.

THE FOURTH BOOK OF PRACTICAL PHYSICK . Of Womens Diseases .

THE FIRST PART . Of Diseases in the Privities of Women .

THE FIRST SECTION . Of Diseases of the Privie Part , and the Neck of the Womb.

Chap. 1. Of the straitness and largeness of the Orifice .

THERE are three Diseases in this Part. The straitness , and the largeness , and the Yard of a woman .

The straitness is , when the cleft is so narrow , that it wil not admit of a man● Yard , or with much difficulty , it hinders childbearing ; and if it be from the first conformation , it is hard to be cured by Physick , but i● is enlarged , either by copulation , or by bring●ng forth of children . Somtimes it is from an ●lcer , or from astringent Medicines given unadvisedly , that they may appear to be Virgins , when they are not .

Somtimes the cleft is shut up outwardly , and there is only passage for the urin and the terms ; these women are called Atret●e , that is shut up● not bored , of which Chap. 3. Somtimes it is so close , that neither terms nor urine can com●●orth .

The contrary to this , is largeness of the cle●t , or when there are more holes then Nature hath usually , by often copulation or childbearing . This laxity or largeness causeth barrenness and falling out of the womb , as Hippocra●es sh●ws in the Nature of Women . And this makes women unpleasant to men .

This is cured by purging after childbearing , by Fomentations , Baths , Liniments of Allum water , and the Decoction of astringent Plants .

Take Com●rey roots , Bole , Sanguis Draconis● Pomegranate flowers , Allum , Mastich , Galls , each half a dram ; make a Pouder , and with steeled Wa●er make a Mixture , dip a Pessary therein . Or , Tak● O●ken leaves , Plantane , each half a hand●ul ; Com●r●y roots an ounce , ●om●granate pe●ls and flowers , Sumach , each half an ounce ; Allum an ounce , boy● them in water , and ●oment the privi●ies .

Somtimes in hard tr●vel , the space between the fundament and the p●ivie cle●t , ar● brok●n into one hole . Ero● shews the Cure o● i● . Som● pu● a long pie●e of All●m into the ●le●t . When ther● are divers passages in a womans priv●ties , it i● from the first conformation , when by Natur●● error the passage from the straight g●t goes to the womb .

Chap. 2. Of the Mentula , or Yard in a Woman .

THe Al●e or wings in the privities of a w●man● are of soft spungy ●lesh , like a Cocks comb in shape and colour ; the part at th● top is hard and nervous , and swells like a Y●rd in Venery , with much Spi●it . This pa●t sometimes is big as a mans Yard , and such wome● were thought to be turned into men .

It is from too much nourishment of the part , The 〈…〉 from ●he loosness of it by o●ten handling .

It is not safe to cut it off presently , but fi●st use The 〈…〉 dryers and discussers , with things that a little astringe , then gentle Causticks without causi●g pain , as burnt Allum , Aegyptiacum .

Take Aegyptiacum , Oyl of Mastich , Roses●W●x , ea●h half an ounce . If these will not do , the●●●t it off , or tie it with a ligature of Silk or Horse-hair , till it mortisie .

Aetius teacheth the way of amputation , he c●ls 〈…〉 10● . it the Nympha or C●itoris , between both the wings , but take heed you cause not pain ●r i●●lammation . After cutting , wa●h with Win● , with M●rtles , Bays , Roses , Pom●granate flow●●s ●oyled in it , and Cypress-nu●s and lay on an 〈…〉 Po●der .

Some excrescences grow like a tail , and fill the privities : they differ from a Clitoris , for the desire of Venery is increased in that , and the rubbing of the cloaths upon it cause lust , but in an excrescence of flesh , they cannot for pain endu●● copulation , but you may cut off this better then a Clitoris , because it is all superfluous .

Chap. 3. Of Atretae or Closures , and straitness of the neck and mouth of the Womb.

THey are three●old : it is either in the ori●ice , or the neck , or in the middle , it is alwaies huttful , either to copulation or the terms , or to conception and childbearing .

I saw one that had the first : the ori●ice was very little , onely fit to purge the terms , and receive seed , she conceived , and the Midwives discovered in time of childbearing , and the Chirurgion opened it , and she was happily delivered , but how the seed was spent into it , is not to be understood .

Lib de abd sana . & morb . cau . c●p● 78. Flesh or a membrane is from evil conformation , or a wound , or ulcer , of which Benivenius , 〈◊〉 and Hildanu● .

The ●le●t also may be closed by a wound o● ulcer , as in a woman who with the French ●ox had all eaten off , and it grew together after , only there was a little passa●e for urin .

This is , either when the sides grow togeth●● f●●m a● u●cer , or ●hen proud ●le●h ●●ops it u●● ●hich is somtimes in the French pox .

When it is in the privities , it is to be seen , but The Signs ●hen in the neck or ori●ice of the womb , it is not ●nown , but when the terms are to ●low , or when ●hey copulate ; and it is either broken by the ●orce of blood , or there is pain ; and being vir●ins , they are taken to be with child , for i● it ●ast long the womb swells , and the whole body is ●lewish .

These either hinder the term● from the neck ●f the womb , or from the veins of it . If in●lam●ation or ulcer was before , this disease may be ●uspected to be ; if there the closing be by the membrane the place is white , if by ●le●h , it is red , ●nd it is known by the touch , for the membrane ●s ●arder then flesh .

The inconveniences are great either in copulation , The Prognostick . conception or child bearing especially , for the child cannot get forth without hazard of it self or mother .

It is easier cured when it is from a membrane only , because it is easily cut or broken , that in ●he orifice of the womb is not to be cured , because the instruments cannot reach it .

Take away that which stops the passage , a The Cure . membrane that is outward is easily cut , but i● it be in the neck of the womb or be flesh , it is hard , for if the cut be large there is pain and b●e●ding , and the wound is hard to be cured , because the ne●k of the bladder is easily hurt thereby .

〈…〉 teacheth this operation in his Observations . And Hippocrates in his Book of Sterility sh●ws how a membrane may be taken away without cutting .

I●●●e●h grow fr●m an ul●●r a●t●r purging , use d●●ers and discussers , to dimi●i●● it : ●ith Fr●nkincense , Birthwort , Roses , Pomegranate flowe●s , 〈◊〉 My●r● , Aloes , &c. as in Chap. 2.

〈…〉 Som● think this disease may come from dri●●ss , but it is incredible . I● it come stom a hard tun or , soften and dissolve it with Butter , Oyl of swee● Almonds , Lillies , &c.

Chap. 4. Of Pustles and Roughness of the Privities .

ROughn●ss and Itching come from Pustles in the n●ck of the womb and privities ●ith scurff and swellings which i●ch and pain .

The Causes They are ●rom an adust humor mali●nant and sharp , which abounding evacuate themselves by th●se loo●e and moist parts , and there sti●king , exasperate the flesh , this is in the French pox .

The Sign● . They ●●c●are it themselves .

The P●●gnostick . It is stubborn , long , and in●e●tious to men , and hard to be cured .

The Cure . I● the adust sharp humors come from the whol● body , prepare with Bora●e , Fumitory , Succory , Endive and the lik● , then evacuate t●●m wi●h Senna● Epithymum , syr●p of Apples , Viol●●● , Roses , Catholicon , Consectio h●me●h , ●il●s of Fumitory , Tartar .

L●t ●lood i● there be ●ulness , first in the Arm , then in the Ankle , but if it be from the Fren●h pox , first u●e Guajacum and S●●●a and the like .

Foment the ●a●t often with a hot dec●ction o● 〈…〉 F●●i●ory , H●ps P●lli●●●y , o● u●e this Oyntm●nt . Take 〈◊〉 and Rose 〈◊〉 ●●ch 〈◊〉 ●●nce● ; S●l gem , N●●●r , Allum , ●ach thr●● dr●ms ; Sub●i●●●● a 〈◊〉 ●nd half , boy● t●●m ●o the third part , strain them , and add Verdigrease a ●●ruple : then use gentler means two daies after till the Pustles fall off and new flesh appear , and then use the Oyntment again .

Let the diet be to resist evil humors , of good ●uy●● , avoid salt sharp and ●our things .

Chap. 5. Of Condyloma in the neck of the Womb.

COndyloma is a tubercle or excrescens with heat and pain , for these parts are wrinkled , and when the wrinkles swell there is a Condyloma , somtimes it is without inflammation and s●●t , or with inflammation and hard . It is usual n the privities and fundament of such as have the French pox .

They are from a sharp malignant humor , The Causes which is alwaies in the Pox , and somtimes they follow hard clefts or chaps .

They are pain and burning , the skin is wrinkled , The Signs . and when they are many , they are like a bunch of Grapes

They are hard to be cured , if they are from The Pr●gnostick . t●e Pox first cure that , and then they often vanish of themselves .

A●ter general evacuations proper against the The Cure . Pox , use Topicks , first see if there be inflammation , and then abate pain● As , Take oyl of Lineseed and Ros●s , ●ach an ounce ; oyl of Eggs half an ounce , mix ●hem in a Leaden mortar . Or , Take P●ll●tor● , Mallows , Althaea , each half a handful ; Chamomil flowers two pugils , Lineseed and ●ae●ugreek , each half an ounce , boyl them , to a p●n●●dd oyl of Ros●s three ●unces , in●ect it w●th a Sy●ing .

If there be no inflammation , use driers and repellers , as Vervain , Ivy , Acacia , Pomegranate peels and slowers , for Baths and Fomentations , and after add Discussers , as Chamomile and Thyme .

If it be old and hard , first soften it with the same , and after thrice using them , ●se digesters and driers that are strong as a pouder , Take round Birthwort a dram , Savine , Hermodacts burnt ●ach two drams ; burnt Allum two drams , red Lead a dram , Chalcitis half a dram , sprinkle it upon the loose flesh .

Or , Take Aloes , Frankincense , Mirrh , each a dram ; Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar a dram and half , Allum two drams , rea Lead two drams , Galls half a dram , Turpentine , Oyl of Tar●ar , each a dram ; with Oyl of Roses and Wax , make an Oyntment .

This is very strong . Take Turpcmine an ounc● , Oyl of Nutmegs two ounces , red Lead two drams , Allum , Vitriol , each a dram ; Verdigreece , half 〈◊〉 dram , Sublimate a scruple , with Wax make an Oyntment , or of Balsom of Mercury .

Tetrab. 4 . ●●rm . l. 3. If Medicines will not do , the Ancients advise burning , of which see Aetius .

Chap. 6. Of Warts in the neck of the Privities and Womb.

THey are from a gross seculent and mal●gnant humor sent to the skin , and turned to a node .

The Signs . They are known by their shape : the malignant are known by their hardness , and heat , and blewness , fil●h and pain .

The Progn●s●●ck . They are often hard to be cured , because the pox is with them , and they are in a place to which Medicines are hard to be applied , and to continue .

The Myrmeciae are not cut off , but they leave a great ulcer , the Thymi and Clavi grow again . Acrochordones once cut , leave no root .

After Universals , and order of diet , either use The Cure . Medicines , or cut or burn them to discuss , then use Sage dried with Figs , Organ , Rue burnt , dry Savin , Frankincense , with Wine and Vinegar , or To be a skilful Physitian study my S●nnertus , Platerus , Riverius , Bartholinus , and Riolanus , of the last Editions . Snakes skins with Figs : these also dry .

These corrode , eat and burn , as juyce of wild Cowcumbers , with Salt , Milk of Figgs , Sheeps dung , Goats gall , with Niter , Aqua fortis , Spirit of Vitriol , Sulphur , Butter of Antimony . Take heed that you hurt not the parts adjacent , but defend them with Bole , sealed Earth , Rosewater and Vinegar : if you put the Corrosives into Nut-shells , change them twice or thrice in a day , and wash the part with a clensing Decoction , and then cut or burn .

Chap. 7. Of the Haemorrhoids of the Womb.

THe veins that end in the neck of the womb , often swel , like the Haemorrhoids : it is from gross blood that comes to these veins out of the time of the terms .

Inordinate flux of terms may occasion it , when The Causes t●●y slow out of the usual time , they grow thick , and cannot get out of the veins , but swel them .

They are to be touched , and with a Speculum The Signs . matricis to be seen . There is pain and bleeding without order : she is pale and lazy .

The Cure . Correct the blood , purge , and bleed in the arm to derive and revel , of which in the diseases of the womb .

If pain be , abate it by sitting in a Decoction of Mallows , Althaea , Chamomil , M●lilot flowers , Moulin , Lineseed , Foenugreek ; of which also make Fomentations and Oyntments , with Butter , Populeon , and Opium if there be pain .

Take Populeon , Oyl of Roses , and sweet Almonds , fresh Butter , each half an ounce ; Saffron a s●●●ple , with the yolk of an Egg , make an Oyntment . Or ,

Take Mu●ilage of Quinces , Althaea , ea●h half an ounce ; Oyl of Roses , and Hens gre●se , each a dram ; the yolk of an Eg , and Saffron half a dram , mix them in a leaden Mortar .

If pain be gone or abated , and they bleed not , use Dryers of Bole , Earth of Lemnos , Acacia , Ceruss , froath of Silver , Lead burnt and washed , long Birthwort , Allum , Verdigreece .

If they swell with blood , evaporate it , or ●oment with the Decoction of Mallows , Althaea , Pellitory , Chamomil flowers , Moulin Melilot , seeds of Line and Foenugre●k . If they do not good , open them by Fig leaves rub'd upon them , or by Horsleeches , of which Chap. 2.

If there be proud flesh , take it o●t , as is shewed .

If they bleed gently , l●t Nature alone to the work , for it is good , and ●rees from other diseases . If the flux be g●eat , and abate the strength , open a vein in the arm divers times , and do as in over slowing of the terms .

Question . How do the Haemorrhoids differ from the Terms flowing or stopt ?

Mercurialis saith , That though a flux of terms be immod●rate , yet it hath its periods , and is without pain , and makes not the body lean , but it is contrary in the Haemorrhoids . But this is not true , for the body is not made lean alwaies by the Haemorrhoids , nor do the courses keep their periods alwai●s .

Besides the pain which is almost alwaies in the Haemorrhoids , they differ in that the terms flow from the veins of the womb and its neck , but the Haemorrhoids are when the blood flows too much to the veins that nourish the privities , and there either sticks or is evacuated .

Chap. 8. Of Ulcers in the Neck of the Womb.

THey are seldome cured in the body of the womb , and they are simple and clean , or ●ordid and malignant .

Are a flux of sharp humors that lasts long in The Causes the Pox and Gonorrhaea . Corrupt afterbirths , and courses after child●earing detained , inflammations turned to imposthui●es● these are the internal .

The external are sharp Medicines , hard travail a reat child taken out by ●orce , violent le●hery , wounds , falls , strokes .

Are pain and constant biting that increaseth , Th● Signs . ●●●●cially in co●ulation , or when Wine or Hydr●mel is injected . You may also see it with a Speculum : also there is matter gentle or ●ilthy : if the ulcer go towards the bladder , they piss hot and often : there is pain in the roots of the eyes to the hands and fingers fainting , and a little ●ever somtimes .

Lib. 1. de morb . mulierum . The external Causes are to be related by the patient . If it be from the pox or Gonorrhaea , the signs of them will appear , of which Hippocrates .

The Prognostick . They are hard to be cured , because they are in a part fit to receive humors , soft and moist , and that hath consent with many parts . Hence are divers Symptoms : the great , old , and foul are worst , when they corrode , and are hollow , they are seldome cured ; they that may easily have Medicines applied to them , are easie●t cured .

The Cure . First , stop the flux of humors to the part , if it be either from the whole body , or any part . And amend the distemper of the womb , that it may neither breed nor receive bad humors . If the French pox be with it , resist that first .

If there be pain , first abate that , with Milk steeled , or with three whites of Eggs , and Mucilage of Fleabane , or an Emulsion of Poppy seeds . Or , Take Althaea roots an ounce , Dill seed two drams , Barley a pugil , Faenugreek and Lineseed , each an ounce ; Fleabane and Poppy seed , each half an ounce ; boyl them in Milk . Of which in pain of the womb .

In a foul ulcer , first use Clensers , as Whey , Barley water , Honey , Wormwood , Smallage , Orobus , Orris , Birthwort , Mirrh , Turpentine , Allum . As , Take new Milk boyled a pint , Honey half a pint , Orris pouder half an ounce . Use it hot often every day .

When that which was injected , is voided , wash with the decoction of Mallows , and put up this Pessary . Take Eruum and Lentils in pouder and Orris , each two drams ; with Honey . Or ,

Take Diapompholigos , with Frankincense , Mastich , Mirrh , Aloes , as the ulcer requires .

Or use Fumes . As , Take Frankincense , Mastich , Mirrh , Storax Calamite , Gum of Juniper , Labdanum , each an ounce ; make a Pouder , or Troches with Turpentine .

If there be suspicion of the French pox , add a little Cinnabar . In a very foul ulcer , and Aegyptiacum or Apostolorum , or a little Spirit of Wine . In a creeping corroding ulcer , with clen●ers mix cold , drying and astringent Medicines . Allum water , Plantane and Rose-water , with Pomegranate flowers boyled , and Pomegranate peels , and Cypress-nuts is also good , and with Aloes .

After clensing , fill it with flesh , and heal it up . As , Take Tutty washed half an ounce , Litharge , Ceruss , Sarcocol , each two drams ; with Oyl of Roses and Wax make an Oyntment .

Or smoak the privities with Mirrh , Frankincense , Gum or Juniper , Labdanum two drams in pouder , with Turpentine make Troches .

Or use Sulphur , or Allum Baths , and Plaisters .

Inwardly give vulnerary Potions . As , Take Agrimony , Burnet , Plantane , Knotgrass , each two pugils ; China three dram● , Coriander seed half a dram , Currans half an ounce , boyl them in Henbr●ath , give it ●wice a day : or give Turpentine and S●●ar ●●r a month , or a dram of Pills of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

If the body consume , give Asses milk , with 〈◊〉 of Roses for a month .

Chap. 9. Of Clefts in the Neck of the Womb.

THese are long ulcers that are ●inal , like those in the hands and feet in Winter , they eat o● the skin , and are somtimes deep , with hard lips , if old : somtimes they are dry , or somtimes bleed .

The Ca●ses They come from hard travel , when some pa●ts in the neck of the womb are broken by a great child , or violent copulation , or flux of sharp humors that stick in the parts , and corrode .

The Signs . If it be new , it is hidden somtimes and known in copulation , by pain and bleeding .

The Prognostick . The new are easier cured , then when they are old and callous .

The Cure . If they come from hard travel , make a Clyster of the Decoction of Roses , Plantane , Birthwort , Bole , Sanguis Draconis , Frankincense , or with the white of an Egg , a Pessary .

If from sharp humors : after universal Evacuations , use Topicks that bind without biting , ( if the clefts be not callous ) as Oyl of Linseed and Roses , with the yolk of an Egg , and j●yce of Plantane mixed in a leaden Mortar . Or ,

Vng. stpol ●onij apud G●l . Take Oyl of Roses eight ounces , stir it in a leaden Mortar , till it is black and thick , then put in the pouders of Litharge of Silver and C●russ .

If they are callous , make an Oyntment of oyl of Lillies , Marrow of a Deer , Turpentine and Wax : if they are malignant , cure them as ●●stula'es , of which in the C●apter following .

If there be itch or pain . Take Diapomp●olig●● , P●pul●on , ●a●h an ounce ; Sug●r of Lead , ●amphire , each a scruple ; make an Oyntment .

Let the diet be moist , of good juyce , Chickens , Veal , Kid , rear Eggs , Mallows , Bugloss , Borage : abstain from sharp and salt meats .

Chap. 10. Of Fistulae's in the Neck of the Womb.

MAny times there are ulcers in these parts , because they are soft , and easily corroded , and ●re hard to be cured .

Some of them are ●●rait , others crooked ; some 〈◊〉 others hollow .

If matter stay there , it corrodes and makes The Causes burroughs , and divides the parts , and makes a Callus , and when the matter is voided , the parts divided cannot unite .

It is known by the ●igure of the ulcer , there is The Signs . a callous lip , and thin evil matter , when it is pressed , flows out : there is no pain , except it reach a sensible part . Somtimes it reacheth the bladder , and then the urin comes forth at the fistula : somtimes the fundament , and then the dung appears in the Fistula .

A new Fistula is easier cured then an old and a The Prognosti●k . strait then a crooked : it is scarce to be cured in a cacochymical old body , and when it pierceth into the parts adjacent .

First use Universals , and good diet , then see The Cure . if it may be cured by Medicines , or better left to Nature to evacuate exc●ements thereby .

I● the last is best , use a palliative Cure , by often purging and sweating twice in a year , and injections an● strengtheners , and lay on a Plai●●er of 〈◊〉 .

If you hope for a Cure , after Universals , giv● drying vulnerary Drinks , of male Fern roots , Centaury , Agrimony , Bettony , Ladies-mantle , &c.

Then use Topicks ; fi●st dilate the orisice ( i● it be strait ) with a Spunge or Gentian ●oots , the● consume the Callus , but first make it soft wi●● Oyl of Lillies , Deer's Marrow , Tu●pentine and Wax .

Three things consume a Callus : Medicines , cutting and burning , there in a new strait Fistula , use Gentian , black H●llebore , Aegyptiacum , o● Vigo's Pouder with a Pencil . Or , Take Sublimate half a scruple , Rose or Plantane water six ounces , set it upon embers . If it be towards the womb , take heed of strong Medicines .

If it be callous and ●oul , burn it either by a Caustick or hot iron . These are good in the ou●ward part of the neck : then clense and heal .

Chap. 11. Of a Cancer in the Womb.

IT is seldom seen , and never cured : but here I shall speak of that in the neck of the womb , which is ulcerated , or not ulcerated .

It is from terms burnt , and hot burnt humors The Causes that are black , that flow thither ; it is after long ●●irrhous tumors , that have been immoderately softned . It is first not ulcerated , and when the humors are more corrupt , it is ulcerated .

The Signs . They are hard to be known at first , because it is a tumor without pain , and after there is a pricking in it , and a pain in the groyns , loyns , and bottom of the belly . The tumor is hard , blew , with blew stinking lipps When it is ulcerated , the Sym●●●●s are all worse , and there is a thin , bla●k , s●inking matt●r . Somtimes much blood t●at is dangerous , a gen●le ●eaver , loathing , t●●uble of mind , th● cheek● are red , from the vapo●s that fli● up from the womb .

It is hard to be cured , because mild Medicine● The Prognostick . are no●●el● , and strong● ex●sp●rate ; and the part mak●s it more hard , because it is neglected at the ●●r●t , and increa●●th .

〈◊〉 the ●hysitian p e●ent ulceration ; or if it The Cu●e . b●●o hi●d●● the incr●●s● of it , l●t diet be against m●l●n●hol● : p●●pare and purge mel●ncholy .

T●is Pouder for many d●ies given is excell●●t . Take Sm●r●gd●● Sap●irs , and E●st ●●z●arstone , e●ch a dram ; give every day three or four grains with S●abious or Carduus water .

Let the Topicks not be biting at ●irst . But fo●ent with Jay●e of Plantane , Nightshade , Purs●●ne , or use Diapompholigos . Or , Tak● j●yc●●f Plantane , Nightsha●e , Purslan● , e●●h two ounces ; Mu●ilage of Fleabane an ●un●e , O●l of Ros●● three ●ounces●●ti● them in ● leaden Mor●●r . Or , Take O●l of R●s●s , of Eggs , ●ach anounce and half ; Su●g●r of Lead a d●am , ●tir them in a leaden Mortar , then add Litharge , Cer●ss , each three drams ; Tutty a dram , Camphire a s●ruple . Or ,

Take j●yce of Nightsh●de six ounces , Tutty and burnt Lead e●ch two drams ; a●phire half a dram , ●●ir th●● long in a lead●n Mortar , and add pouder of ●rays●●h .

Inj●●t a Dec●ction of Crayfish : and i● p●in be grea● , 〈◊〉 with Mallo●s , Althaea , Wate●lil●ies , Co●i●nder , Dill , ●leabane ●eed , with Sas●roa in Milk ; or make a Catapl●s●e of the ●ame .

Some use Antimony , Arsenick , &c. which are good in other parts . But this cannot bear them .

A Noble woman had on the right side of her face an ulcerated cancer and when al the French , Italian , German , Spanish Phys●tians could no● cure her , a Barber cured her only with Chi●kens sliced thin , and laid on often every day .

Chap. 12. Of a Gangrene and Sphacel in the Womb.

SOmetimes the whole womb is gangrenated , and it is from the privities that receive many excrements apt to corrupt .

he Causes It is from an inflammation and ulcer not well cured , because the part hath many excrements , which easily quench the natural heat , and then the part mortifies .

The Signs . There is an usual heat in the neck of the womb , and a feaver with horror all over the body , then the colour changeth in the part , it is black and blew , without pulse or sense : when i● is cut or pricked , it stinks , and the strength decayes , and the heart faints .

The Prog●ostick● Aetius leth 1. c. 72. Nicol. Florent . ser. 6. tr● . math. de grad. in 9 . ●h●sis c. de e●i●● matri●● . It is very dangerous , and worse when it goes to the womb then outwards . Some have had the womb fall out , and have lived , which besides grave Histories .

We saw at Avinion in an old Noble woman . Anno 1635.

Stop the pu●re●action , take away that which is rotten , by s●arifying if you can , then wash with the De●●ction of Wormwood . Lupin●s , and with Aegyptiacum , and apply this Cataplasm . Take O●●bus and Beanflower , ●ach two ●un●es ; O●ym●● a pint , boyl them , add Lupine● , Wormwood , Aloes The Cure . and Mirrh .

Cut off the dead flesh , strengthen the principal parts , the heart , le●st the Spirits be infected with evil vapors that ●●ie up by the arteries .

Give Conserve of Borage , Bugloss , Gilliflowers , Diamargariton ●rigid Electuary of Gems frigid , Confection of Hyacinths● Syrup of Sorrel , ●omegranates , Borage ; and appl● Epithems to the heart , Vuierus cured a Noble woman aged twenty five , she had a pustle in her privities in the Dog-daies , from violent Lechery with her Husband , and she used a Cataplasm from a sill● Chirurgion , In obseruatio . and in a few daies it rotted , grew black , and mortified , and went towards the fundament very fast .

THE FOURTH BOOK . THE SECOND SECTION . Of the Diseases of the Womb.

Chap. 1. Of the Knowledg of the Temper of the Womb.

Lib. uterus muliebris . MARK Anthony Vlmus Physitian of Bononia , shews the temper of the womb : he saith that a beard in women shews that they have a hot womb , and hot stones : it comes with the beginning of the terms , and when the breasts swell , and is hard to be seen .

Aristotle saith , That some women have hairs in Lib. 3. de lust . ani. c. 11. their chin , when their courses stop , and when they have a hot womb and stones .

But there are more certain signs of heat . 1. When hard hair comes ●orth suddenly , thick , black , and long , and large about ; if they come forth slow , thin , soft , yellowish , and but few not spreading the womb is cold .

Also when the ter●s come forth at twelve years of age , it is a ●ign of a hot womb , and when they last long , the blood is red , hot , but not very much . In an old constitution they come later , and the blood is cold and waterish , and they end sooner . If it be hot and moist , they flow plentifully , and last till after fifty . If it be hot and dry , the blood is yellow , thin and sharp , and pricks the privities .

If it be cold and moist , the blood comes late forth , with difficulty , and it is whitish and thin . If it be cold and dry , the terms come forth very late , and with difficulty , and seldom continue till forty , and the blood is thick and little .

The third sign is from Lechery , for they who have hot wombs desire copulation ●ooner and more vehemently , and are much delighted th●rwith . They who are cold , do the contrary . The hot and moist are not tired with much Venery . The hot and dry have great lust , and a Frenzie if they want it ; but they are quickly ●ired , because there are but few Spirits . If it be cold and moist , they are not soon lecherous , and are ●asily satisfied ; and if they miscarry often , the womb is made colder , and they delight not in the sport : but copulation doth them good , and makes them more youthful . If it be cold and dry , they desire not a man in a long time , and take no delight , because the Spirits are few .

The fourth sign is from often conception , for the hot conceive often , and bring forth males or Viragoe's , if the seed of the man agree with it . The cold doth the contrary .

A hot and moist womb is very fruitful , if the man be wel tempered , and though he be old and weak , yet she will conceive by him : sometimes they have twins , or over do , and have a mole .

Hot and dry are fruitful , but not so much as the former .

Cold and moist , are hard to conceive , especially when they are in years ; when they are yong , and the seed of the man is hot and dry , they conceive males , but seldom wel shaped or healthful , and the woman while she is with child , is sickly .

A cold and dry womb is commonly barren , and if they conceive , the mans seed is hot and moist , they bring forth ●emales ; and if males , they are tall , and quickly look old .

Chap. 2. Of the hot Distemper of the Womb.

HEat of the womb is necessary for conception : but if it be too much , it nourisheth not the seed of the man , but disperseth its heat , and hinders the conception

The Causes This preternatural heat is from the birth somtimes , and makes them barren ; if afterwards , it is from hot causes , that bring the heat and the blood to the womb : from internal and external Medicines , too much hot meats , and drinks , and exercise .

The Signs . They are prone to lu●t , have few courses , yellow , or black , or burnt , or sharp , they have hairs betimes upon their privities ; they are subject to the headach , and there are signs of much choler , their lips are dry .

When this distemper is strong , they have few The Pr●gnostick . terms , and out of order ; they are ●ad and hard to flow , and in time they are H●p●●●ondria●ks , and for the most part barren ; and ●here is somtimes a Frenzie of the womb .

Use Coolers : so that they offend not the vessels , The Cure . that must be open for the flux of the terms . Therefore ,

Use inwardly Succory , Endive , Violets , Waterlillies , Sorrel , Lettice , Sanders , and Syrups , and Conserves made thereof . As ,

Take Conserve of Succory , Violets , Waterlillies , Borage , each an ounce ; Conserve of Roses half an ounce , Diamargariton frigid , Diatrionsantalon , each half a dram ; with Syrup of Viole●s or juyce of Citrons , make an Electuary .

Outwardly use Oyntment of Galens Cooler , Oyntment of Roses● Cerot of Sanders , Oyl of Roses , Violets , Waterlillies , Gourds , Venus navel to the back and loyns ; or make Cataplas●s of Barley meal , Roses poudered , Violets , Water-lillies , Sanders , with juyce or water of Plantane , Waterlillies , Succory Lettice , Oyl of Roses , Violets , Waterlillies .

Baths are good to sit in , and cooling ●omentations , and after let her take some of the Coolers mentioned . In great heat , use this cooling Pessary .

Take Opium a s●ruple , Goose grease two scruples , Eros . de p●ss . mulie . c. 7. Wax and Honey , each four scruples ; Oyl an ounce , whites of two Eggs.

This was from an opinion the Ancients had , that Opium was cold , but take heed of the using it too much , least the narcoti●k quality hurt .

Let the air be cool , her garments thin : let her meat be with Lettice , Endive , Succory , Barley : give no hot mea●s nor strong Wine , except it be wat●●ish and thi● ; rest is good both in body and mind : she m●st not co●ulate , but she may sleep much .

Chap. 3. Of the cold Distemper of the Womb.

THis causeth many evils , and barrenness .

They are contrary to those of a hot distemper ; The Causes cold air , rest and idleness and cooling Medicines●

The Signs . It is known by their not desire of le●hery , no● receiving pleasure in the time of copula●ion , when they spend their ●eed . The ter●s are fle●matick , thi●k and ●●im● , and flow not righ●ly● there is wind in the womb the seed is crude , waterish● with a Gonor●haea .

The Prognos●ick . It is the cause of obstructions and barrenness , and is hard to be cured .

The Cure . Use things proper to heal the womb , as this W●te● .

T●ke Galanga● , Ci●namon● Nutmeg , Mace , Cloves each tw● 〈◊〉 Ging●r , Cubeb● , Zedoary , ●ardamo●s , e●ch ●n ounce ; grains of Paradise , long P●pper , each half an ounce ; beat them , and put them i● six qu●rt● of ●ine for ei●ht daies , then add Sa●e , Min●s , Balm , Motherw●rt , eac● three handf●ls ; l●t them stand ●ight daies more , then pour ●ff the ●ine , and be●t the herbs and the Spi●es , and th●n pour on the Wine● and distil them .

Another . Take Cinnamon , Nutmegs , Cl●v●s , Mace , Ginger● Cubeb● , Cardamoms● grains of P●radise , ●ach an oun●e and hal● : Gal●n●al six drams , long ●epper ha●f an oun●e , Zedoary five drams , bruise them , and add six quarts of Wine , put them in a Cellar nine dai●s , daily stirring them ; then add Mints two h●nd●uls , then let them stand fourteen daies , pour off the Wine , and bruis● them , and then pour on the Wine again● and distil them .

Querce●an hath an H●sterick Ex●ract , a ●reater In phar . doc. restit . cap. 25. and a less ; use outwardly Fomentations , Baths● Baggs , of hot Roots , as Birthwort , Lovage Vale●ian , Angelica , Burnet , M●sterwort , Calamus , M●dder , Elicampane , Or●is , and Herbs , as Mugwort , Balm , Motherwort , Savin , Pennyroyal , Calamints , Organ , Dittany , Ma●joram , Rue , Bettony , Rosemary , L●vender , Sage , Stoechas●lowers , Seeds of Smallage . Parsley , Rue● Carrots , Anise , Fennel , Cummin , Lovage Parsley .

Anoint with Oyl o● Lillie●● Rue● A●gelica , Bays , Cinnamon , Cloves , M●ce , Nutmeg . Or , Take Labda●●m tw● ounces , Frankince●se Mastich , ●iquid Storax , ●ach half an oun●● ; Oyl of Cloves , Nu●megs , each hal● a scruple ; O●l of Lillies , Rue , ●ach an ounce ; with Wax make a Plaister .

A F●me . Take Fr●nkincense , Mirrh , Mastich , ●ach a dram ; Bayberries a dram and half , Labda●um two drams● S●●rax , Cloves● eac● a dram ; Gum Ar●bick and Wine make Troches , or Pessaries of ●he same .

Let the diet be warming , and the air , the meat ●f easie conco●tion , seasoned with Anise , Fen●el , Thyme . Avoid Milk-meats , and raw fruits .

Chap. 4. Of the moist Distemper of the Womb.

THis is ●ommo●ly jo●ned with a co●d distemper , a●d causeth b●rrenness , a●d 〈…〉 the same causes , as a cold distemper : for commonly cold things do moisten . It is commonly in women ●hat are idle .

The Signs They that have moist wombs , abound in courses , but they are waterish and thin , the privities are wet , they have the Whites , and desire not copulation much , and delight not in it , they ret●in not the seed ; and if they conceive when the child is big , they aborte or miscarry .

The Prognostick . If it last long , it is hard to be cured : if it be much , they conceive not .

The Cure . It is by Dryers , and things that cure the cold distemper are good again●● the moist : because all Healers have a drying power . Use sulphur Baths and in Injections : beware of ast●ingents , least the evil humors be stop● , and the disease i●creased .

Chap. 5. Of the dry Distemper of the Womb.

IN this the womb is hardened , of it self it is fleshy and soft , and moistned by blood fo● conception .

The Causes It is somtimes from the birth , or old age , when they are past childbearing : if it be from dr●ing causes , they are barren before they are old .

Diseases and Medicines dry the womb , as inflammations , feavers , and when blood flows no● to it , nor goes to the bottom of it , by reason 〈◊〉 the straitness of the veins , or obstructions , as i● Viragoe's , and such as never conceived : and i● they void any blood , it is f●om the neck of th● womb , and not from the bottom .

The Signs . They void little ●eed , and are ●low in Venery● the terms are few the mouth of the womb is dry , and they are slender of a dry constitution , their lower lip is alwaies chapt , and blackish red .

This dis●emper is hard to be cured in any part , The Prognos●ick . especially if it be old .

Use moistners as Borage , Bugloss , Mercury , The Cure . Mallows , Althaea , Violets , sweet Almonds , Pist●chaes , Pine nuts , Jujubes , Dates , Figs , Raisons .

Of which are made Syrups , Conserves , Emulsions , Candies &c.

Outward Remedies are made of the same , adding Time , Faenugreek seeds , Lillies , Branckurlin , Pellitory , &c.

Fomentations are made with Milk , and after bathing anoynt the region of the womb and the belly to the privities with oyl of sweet Almonds , Lilli●s , Lineseed , Jesamin , fresh Butter , Hens and Goose grease .

Let the Diet be moistning , the Air moist , the Me●t fatning , of much nourishment and small exc●ement , let sleep be a little longer then usual ; great labour , anger , sadness , fasting , do hurt .

Chap. 6. Of compound distempers , and first of cold and moist .

THere is seldom a simple distemper in the p●rt , and commonly there is matter which ●eeds it● it is usually cold and moist , which ga●he●s exc●ements of that sort , either in the whol●●●dy , or in the womb after the terms .

The Causes Are all things that breed cold and flegmatick humors in the whole body or the womb .

The Signs . They conceive not , and are of an ill habit of body , the terms seldom flow right , and they have somtimes the whites .

The Prognostick . It is harder to cu●e then a simple distemper .

The Cure . The cold humor is in fault , therefore prepare it with syrup of Mugwort , Mints , Bettony , Hysop , with a decoction proper .

As , Take Fennel roots an ounce , Valerian , Elicampane , Masterwort , each half an ounce ; Penny-royal , Mugwort , Motherwort , Nep , Marjoram , each a handful ; Rosemary and Sage flowers , each two pugils ; Siler Montane , Fennel Aniseed , Parsnep seed , each a dram ; boyl them : to ten ounces strained , add Sugar , syrup of Mugwort two or three ounces , Cinnamon water half an ounce , make a potion for three doses .

Then purge it with Agarick , Mechoacan , Turbith , and if other humots be mixed with flegm , add Senna and the like , or use Pills de tribus Aloephanginae , Mastich , of Hiera with Agarick , Sine quibus . Or , Take Agarick a dram and half , Senna two drams , infuse them in Mugwort water , to three ounces strained , add Diaphaenicon or Diacarthaemum tw● drams , strain and add syrup of Mugwort half an ounce , Cinnamon water half a dram .

After universal evacuations , use Pessaries . As , Take Mercury , bruise it and put it in a bag of white Silk , anoynt it with Butter or Honey of Roses .

Or , Take Benedicta laxativa three drams , Agarick two drams , Gi●h seed a dram , Pease meal six drams , with juyce of Mercury make Pessaries in a Sarsnet Bag. Or , Take Hiera a dram , Agarick ●alf a dram , ●dellium a dram , with Honey make a Pessary , or make it with pouder of Agarick● and Troches of Coloquintida , or give sweats of Cuaja●um , China and Sarsa , As ,

Take Guajacum a pound and eighteen ounces , in●a●e them in twelve pints of water twenty four hours , ●hen boyl them to the consumption of the third part , ●ive six or eight ounces ●ot in the morning , and le●●er sweat .

Pour water to the reliques and boyl them to ●he consumption of the third part for an ordina●y drink .

You may use China and Sarsa the same way , ●nd because in a decoction some strength is lost , ●nd so great a quantity is tedious for wom●n , ●ou may distill them and give a less quantity ●ith things proper for the womb .

As , Take Guajacum a pound , or Sarsa eight ●unces , Angelica , Elicampane , each an ounce ; ●ugwort two handfuls , Di●tany half a handful , ad ●x pints of water or wine , steep them two daies , then ●istill them , and give two ounces of the water .

Let her meat be roasted birds , hens , capons , ●artridges , mutton , sweet Almonds , Raisons , ●t her abstain from ●alt and sharp things .

If these sweats are unpleasant , give them in ●e third and fourth Chapter internal and exter●al . As , Take conserve of Marjoram , Rosemary , ●ettony , each two ounces ; of Balm an ounce , Dia●oschu dulcis , Diam●rgarion calid , each a dram ; ●ndied Eryngus and Citrons , each half an ounce ; ●ith s●rup of Mugwort make an El●ctuary , and use ●aths to 〈◊〉 in mentioned .

Drying Spaw-waters are good to drink , or to 〈◊〉 in .

Let the diet be as in Chap. 3. and 4. give the flesh of wild Mountain ●owl , Pigeons , Hens , Capons , Mutton , roasted and spiced and old wine , and let her exercise .

Of the hot and dry distemper of the womb with Choler .

Do as in Chap. 5. purge the Choler , whethe● it be from the whole body , or from the Liver , with syrup of Roses , Manna , Tamarinds , Rhubarb , Senna , &c.

Chap. 7. Of the ill shape of the womb , and first of the straitness of it and its vessels .

THis is a disease of evil conformation from nature , when it can be stretched out no further , this makes an abortion in the fourth or fifth month .

But it is wonderful in its natural shape when it wil stretch according to the proportion of the child , and after childbearing be as small as a● first .

Of straitness of the vessels of the Womb.

This is usual , and hinders the flux of the terms and conception , it is in the vessels of the womb , and of the neck thereof .

The Causes Are thick tough humors that stop the mouth● of the veins and arteries , these are bred of gro●● or much nourishment , when the heat of th● womb is so weak that it cannot attenuate the humors , these either ●low from the whole body o● are gathered in the womb .

Somtimes vessels are closed by inflammatio● or S●irrhus , o● other tumor . 3. They are stopt by astringen● Medicines . 4. By compression . 5. From a Scar or flesh , or a membrane that g●ows after a wound .

Stoppage of the terms shews straitness which The Signs . hi●ders conception : and this stoppage is known by crudities abounding in the body , which are known by their signs . Sometimes thick flegm comes from the womb , if there was a wound before , or the Secundine was pulled out by force .

Stoppage of terms from an old obstruction by The Prognostick . humors , is hard to be cured ; if it be from disorderly use of astringents , it is more curable : if it be from a Scirrhus or other tumor that compresseth or closeth the vessels , that cannot be cured , the disease is incurable .

Obstructions are taken away by the means The Cure . mentioned in the cold and moist Distemper of the Womb : ●le●m must be purged and she must be let blood , as in stoppage of the terms .

After Universals ; come to the obstruction with Medicines that move the terms : these take away the cause , as in the Chapter of the cold distemper of the Womb. Or ,

Take Asparagus roots , Parsley roots , each an ounce ; Madder roots half an ounce , red Pease half a handful , Pennyroyal , Calamints , each a handful ; Wall-flowers , Dill flowers , each two pugils ; boyl , strain and add syrup of Mugwort an ounce and half .

Or , Take Birthwort and white Dittany roots , ●ach ●n ounce ; Cos●us , Cinnamon , Galangal , each half ●n ounce ; Rosemary , P●nnyroyal , Calamints , B●t●ony ●●●wers , each a handful ; Anise and Fennel●e●● , each a dram ; Saffron half a dram , with ●i●e .

O● use Topi●ks , as , Take Mugwort , Mar●oram , Calamints , Mercury , Pennyroyal , each tw● hand●uls ; S●ge , R●semary , Bays , ●hamomil flowers , ea●h a hand●●l ; boyl them in water , fomen● the groyns and the bottom of th● belly : or let her ●it in a Bath up to the navel ; and then anoint about the groyns , with Oyl of Rue Lillies , Dill , &c.

Or use Pessaries and Fumes mentioned .

If straitness be from other diseases , cure them first .

Chap. 8. Of the opening of the Vessels of the Womb besides Nature .

THis is when there is great bleeding .

The Causes The vessels are opened preternaturally three waies , by Anastomosis , Diaeresis , and by Diapedesis , as in the lungs . Anastomosis is from much blood which the liver doth produce , and send out by the womb , as in some by the nose .

For the blood being thin , hot , cholerick and sharp , opens the mouths of the vessels , and causeth a flux .

Diaeresis is from much blood , when there is great motion , as when there is long copulation with a strong man that hath a great tool , or a hard travel , or abortion , a ●all or stroke ; also when sharp humors corrode , or sharp pessaries .

Diaped●sis is from the thinness of the vessels , and loosness , and the thinness of the blood , or from much moisture , or use of Baths .

The Signs . M●ch blood is a ●ign the vessels are open , you shall know the causes that open them thus . In Anastomosis the blood drops , and is th●n , and there are signs of much blood , or sharp and thin .

If there be a Di●er●sis , the blood flows more , and there are clodde●s and there were causes that broke the vessels , as sharp Suppositories .

Diapedesis is known , when the woman is of a thin and loose habit of body , the blood thin , or she hath used ●uch bathing .

If the vessels open from much blood in a sound The Pr●gnostick . body , there is less danger , and it is easier cured then in a Caco●hymy .

In an A●asiomosis give things that thicken The Cure . without slime , as Roses , Mirtles , Medlars , Services , Pomegranate peels and fl●wers , Sanders , ●oral , Harts horn , Cypress-nu●s .

In Diaeresis give things that thicken with slime ' as Comfrey , Plantane , Gum Traganth , whites of Eggs , Troches of Amber , Bole , Starch , Rice Quinces , Sanguis Draconis , Sarcocol , and Izing glass .

But because there are divers causes , and these dise●es are not cured but by taking them away ● we shall speak of them in the Chapter of immoderate Terms .

Chap. 9. Of a double Womb , the wanting of a Womb , and evil shape of the Womb , and strange things found in it .

Julius Obsequens sai●s that one woman had two w●mbs , and 〈◊〉 saith that a Maid had her womb in two parts , as in Bitches .

C●l●mbus saith that one wanted a womb , but Lib. 15. a●●●o . ●e● privities were as in other women , and part ●f the neck of it hung out .

Worms in the Womb.

Lib. de morb . mul. Hippocrates writes that worms are found in the womb . And Gynaecea writes , it is a sign tha● Nature is wanton , &c. And John de Tornamira writes , that he saw a Woman that had an intollerable itching in her womb from the Ascarides , he gave a Womb clyster of the Decoction of Wormwood and Hiera , and she voided many small worms , and was cured .

An Addition .

* Wheresoever foul humors stop in any part , it is no wonder if it breed worms , if other things agree which are required for the breeding of th●m .

Fat and hair found in a Womb.

Cent. obser. 5. obser. 49. William Fabricius mentions that in a dead woman the womb was taken out , and it weighed eighty seven pounds , and was full of divers humors ; in the middle there were hairs like yellow wool .

An Addition .

* This was by Magick , or a humor lay there fit to breed this strange matter , by preternatural heat .

Stones bred in the Womb.

Lib. 4. de morb . m●lier . ● . 11. Mercurialis doubts of stones being bred in it● but thinks it is clotted blood like stones .

But it cannot be denied which many worthy Lib. 5 . ●pid . Authors write . First Hipp●cra●es w●it●s that a Woman of sixty , after noon alwa●es was pain●d as one in travel , after she had eaten many leeks , she had one ●it worse then the rest , and she arose , and found somthing rough in the orifice of her womb , and she fainted , and another woman t●●●st in her hand , and took out a great stone , and the woman recovered .

E●ius also saith , Hard stones are bred in the Tetrab. 4. ser. 4. c. 98. womb s●mtimes , &c.

Ni●olas Flore●tine and Mar●●l●us Donatus say the same .

Chap. 10. Of the magnitude of the Womb increased , and first of the inflation of the Womb.

IN●lation is a stretching of the womb with wind , it called by some a windy Mole . See Ma●h . de grad. in 9. Rhasis . Mathew de gradibus : And Thadeus Dun lib. mis●el . c. 8.

This wind is from a cold matter , either thick The Causes or thin , contained in the veins of the womb , which overcom●s the weak heat of the womb ; it is gather●d there by cold meats and drinks , or flows from other parts . Cold air may be the cause also , if women that lie in , expose themselves to it . This wind is contained either in the cavity of the vessels of the womb , or between the tunicl●● .

There is a swelling in the region of the womb , The Signs . somtimes reaching to the navel , loyns and Diaphragma ; & as wind increaseth or decreaseth , it a●iseth or abateth , it is different from a Dropsie , because it is never ●●ollen so high .

And least a Phy●itian be deceived , and take it for a conception , observe the signs of women with child , for if one sign be wanting , you may suspect an in●lation ; also in in●lation the tumor in●reaseth and decreaseth , but in conception it still increaseth . Moreover if you strike upon 〈◊〉 belly , there is a noise , but not in conception .

It differs from a dropsie in the womb , for the● is not such heaviness , they move more easily ar● the belly is not so swelled , there were causes th●● bred wind , and things against wind do good .

It differs from a mole , for there is in that 〈◊〉 weight and hardness in the belly , and when the● move from one side to a●other , they feel a wei●● 2. de morb . mulier . that moveth which is not in this , of which Hippocrates . The feet and the face swells in the ho●low parts , the ●olor is bad , the terms stopt , the●● is short wind , &c.

If ●he wind is without the cavity of the womb● there is more pain and larger , nor is there a noi●● The Prognostick . because the wind is in a straighter place .

It is neither a lasting nor a deadly disease , i● well lo●k● after : if it be in the cavity of the The Cure . womb , it is ea●ier discussed .

Give Hiera , Diaphoenicon , with a little Castor● sharp Clysters that also expel wind : if it b● in travel , purge not till she be delivered .

Bleed not , because it is from a cold matter : i● it come after childbearing , and the terms were not sufficient after , and there is fulness of blood , open the Saphena .

After these , give things mentioned in Tympany , that respect the womb . As , Take Conser●● of Bettony , Ros●mary , each an ounce and half ; candied Eryngus , C●tron p●●ls candied , ●●ch half 〈◊〉 ou●c● ; Di●●yminum , ●Diagalangal , ●a●h a d●●m ; Oyl o● Anis●eds six d●●ps , with Syrup of Citrons , ma●e an El●c●●ary .

Or , Take Conserve of Ros●mary , ●alm , each three oun●●s ; candied Cit●ons and Oranges , each an ounce ; Diacyminum a dram● with Syrup o● Citr●●● make an El●c●u●ry .

Or give the Womans Aqua vitae , or this Take Angelica roots two ounces , Masterwort , Elicampane , Orange peels , each six drams , Calamints , Pennyroyal , R●e , Sage , Ros●mary , each a handful ; Cummin , Fennel , Aniseed , each half an ounce ; Juniper berries a handful , Zed●ary , ●alangal , Cubebs , each half an ounce ; with good wine distit them , give a spoonful or two . Apply outwardly a Cataplasm o● R●e● Mugwort . 〈◊〉 Dill , Calamints , Nip , Penn●r●yal , 〈◊〉 with Oyl of Rue● Cheir , Chamo●il , a●d make Ba●hs of the same , and baggs of Milium , S●lt● Chamomil ●●●wers , Melilot , Bayberri●s , Cum●●n , Fennel seed , or lay on a Plaister of Bayberries

Let ●l●sters to expel wind be put into the wom● . As● Take Calamints , Agnus castus , Rue , each h●l● a handful ; Aniseeds , Costus , Cinnamon , each two drams ; boyl them in wine for h●lf a pin● .

Apply a Cupping-glass with much flame to the breast , and over against the womb .

Use Sulphur-baths and Spaw-waters inward and outward , for they expel wind .

If it come from cold after childbearing , and she is not well purged by her terms , heat the womb , and purge , and give strong wine

Let the diet be hot , cutting and attenuating , The Diet. with things that expel wind , and little at a time .

Question● Whether the wind is in the cavity● when there is in●●ation of the Womb ?

It is so by experience , though some deny it , nor is there any cause why wind should not b● bred in the womb , as well as in any other part ; both by reason of the excrements that come thither , and the natural heat that turns them into wind : these also stretch the womb ( though it be thick ) as in dropsies and conception ; also the retentive and altering faculty of the womb is never idl● , so that when it receives diseased and un●ruitful ●eed , it suffers it not to corrupt , but turns Lib. de n●● . pueri . it into wind . As Hippocrates writes , When the w●●b is stre●●hed by wind from the belly , women thi●k they hav● conceived .

Chap. 11. Of the Dropsie of the Womb.

THey are also deceived , and think they are with child : when there is water that swel● the womb ; this is a D●opsie of the womb . This Ves . lib. 6. de corp. hum . Fab. Mar. Do. de hist. me . mira . l. 4. c. 21. water is either in the cavity o● between the co●ts of th● womb , o● in its vessels . ●●salius , Marcellus Donatus shew that water is in the cavity , for it doth not pre●ently by its plenty or quality , force its passage out , because the ori●ice is not alwaies open , and Nature gathers it by degrees , and is used to it .

Tetra . 6. 4. ser. 4 c●p. 79. A●tius ●aies , There are somtimes bladders of water in the womb . And Christopher Vega ●aith , that Leonora thought that she had gone six months , and then voided sixty bladders of water , and seven pieces of ●lesh , like that of the s●leen in membranes .

Lib. 4. obser. ●ent . ● . ob●●r . 5● . There is sometimes a Dropsie of the womb wi●h conception , as Schenki●s and William Fabri●ius ●aith of his own Wi●e .

The 〈…〉 A●e gathering of water from moistness mixed with the t●rm● , and from an evil sang●ifi●ation in the liver and ●●leen , f●om ●h●ir weakness , o● f●om errors in diet ; or from weakness of the womb , from hard travel , or often mischances , cold air or water , or whatsoever hurts the hea● of the womb .

Also stoppage of the terms doth cause gathering of water , for the water useth to be evacuated with them . Many take this for the only cause .

Somtimes the tunicles of the womb may be divided in some place , and water may be gathered between them .

Hippocrates saith , The terms are ●ewer , and The Signs . 1. De morb . mulier . cease before the time ; the bottom of the belly swells , and the papps are so●t without milk , and she thinks she is with child : by these you may know it is a Dropsie .

But because Doctors and Midwives are often deceived , you must distinguish this from other swellings .

When a woman is sound , and useth a sound man , the womb by degrees swells , and the child moves in its time , but often there is a Dropsi● with conception before or after ; therefore in a Dropsie the tumor is equal , according to the largeness of the womb and ●elly , and no● pointed as in a woman with child .

Secondly , i● the woman be in years , and hath not conceived before , and hath a good colour , it is a sign of a Dropsie rather then conception . If the tenth month be past , and the child moves not , nor the breasts swell , but are soft , say there is a D●opsie of the womb . Thirdly , in a true conception , women are b●tter after some months , and the Symptoms abate , but in a Dropsie they increase still .

It is distinguished from a mole by the weight in the bottom of the belly .

From an inflation● because the belly is st●etched in that , and sounds being striken , but is so●t in a Dropsie .

It differs from the Dropsie of the belly , because the face is pale or wane , in that from the distemper of the liver there is thirst , but in the won b●dropsie she is of a good colour , except the liver be also bad .

It differs from inflammation of the womb , for that is ●ith a constant feaver , and the Symptoms o● it , and ●rom other tumors which are harder , but in a D●opsie of the womb , if the belly be pre●●ed● it yi●ld● .

You shal know whether it be from the fault in the wo●b ●rincipally , or ●●om some other part , thus . I● t●e woman be of a good colour , and there were onely some diseases and causes that might hurt the womb● as abortion , hard travel , stoppage of terms , or too many of them , then the womb is chiefly affected ; but if there be signs of a distem●er in the whole body , or in the liver or spleen , a●d the colour is bad , it is by consent from other parts .

You shall kn●w whether the water be in bladde●s or in the cavity of the womb , thus : If you find the ori●ice o● the womb closed , and there is little pain , it is in the cavity , but if the ori●ice be open , and there is great pain , it is in bladders or without the cav●●y .

The 〈…〉 . If the humor in the womb be not corrupt , this disease is of long continuance , but may be easily cured : it is ea●ier cured in the cavity , then when it is in bladders , and between the ●unicles . A woman after conception having a Dropsie of the womb , her child di●th , and she is in danger .

The Cu●● . When it is fro● st●ppage of terms , and new , and the st●ength ●irm , open a vein in the legs , otherwise bleed not .

Purge according to the humor , with respect to the womb , as in Chap. 6. of a cold Distemper .

Then purge Water . Take Angelica and Madder roots , each half ●n ounce ; Calamints● Penny-royal , Mugwort , Lovage , e●ch a handful ; Savin a pugil , boyl them in wine , sweeten it with Sugar Or make Broaths with the same . Take Dianisum , Diagalangal , each half a dram ; Oyl of Aniseeds , Cloves , each five drops ; Sugar three ounces , make Rouls .

Inject into the Womb as in Dropsies . Take Asarum roots t●ree drams , Pennyroyal , Calamints , ea●h hal● a handful ; Savin a pugil , Mechoacan a d●am , Aniseed , Cummin , each half a dram ; boyl , ta●e six ounces strained , Oyl of Elder and Orris , each an ounce ; make a Clyster . Or use Pe●●aries . Take Agarick a dram , Coloquintida half a dram , Gni●ium ten grains , with Honey and Wool , make a Pe●●ary .

Make Fomentations and Baths of Danewort , Me cury , Elder , Pennyroyal , Organ , Chamomil-flowers , Ba●berries , wild Cowcumbers , Broom , Carrot , Rue seeds . And anoint after with Oyl of Elder , Danewort , Orris , with drops of Oyl of Ang●lica , Anise , Caraway .

S●lphur Baths are good , and those of Niter , o● the Plaister of Bayberries , or Snails to the bott●m of the belly . Vomiting and neesing break the bladders . Give Clysters at the fundament as in Dropsies . Take Mercury leaves , Danewort , Soldanella , Mugwort● Motherwort , each a handful ; Chamomil , Elder , Broom flow●rs , each a dram ; boyl and to ten ounces strained , add juyce of Beets , Mercury , Danewort , each six drams ; Boys urine an ounce and half , Hiera six drams , Honey half an ounce , make a Clyster .

Let the Diet be drying , as in Chap. 5.

Chap. 12. Of a Tumor in the Womb , from blood in its Veins .

THis disease makes Women think they are with child also : for blood long detained in the v●ins about the womb , stretcheth them outwardly , and twisteth them , and the veins in the substance of the womb are ful and stretched , and make it larger ; but when the terms flow , it falleth again , except there be a Cachexy or Dropsie .

This is onely from stoppage of terms , and is cured by provoking them .

Chap. 13. Of Inflammation of the Womb.

IF the blood that comes to the womb , get out of the vessels into its substance , and grow hot and putresie , it causeth inflammation , either all over , or in pa●t , before or behind , above or below , on the right or left side .

The Causes Blood is the immediate Cause , which is pure or mixed ; therefore the inflammation is either an Erysipelas , Oedema or Scirrhus , as flegm , melancholy , or blood abound . Blood is either sent to , or drawn by the womb ; by heat or pain● it is sent to it , when it aboundeth , or is hot or thin , and when the blood is moved by hot air , exercise , passions , as anger or hot diet .

The Signs . There is a tumor with heat and pain in the r●gion of the womb , with stretching and heaviness in the privities , and if you put in your ●inger , you 'l feel the heat , and the more pain ; there is a feaver somtimes called Lipyria , when there is cold without , and heat within . The tongue is dry and bl●ck , with watching , doting , to●●ing to and fro , the breasts are pufft up and pained . There is headach to the roots of the eyes , and a pain in the groyns , hips , midrif , pleura and shoulders : short wind , and like a Pleurisie , with loathing , vomitin● , hickets . The belly is bound , the pulse is small , and often and weak , but at first darting and quick . And Hippocrates ●aith , If the womb 2. De mor● . mulier . be in●lamed , the terms are stopt , and the neck of it is li●● a Spider● web with many small vein● , &c.

I● it be inflamed before , the pain is about the ●●bes , and the urin is stopt . If behind it is in the ●oyns , and the belly is bound . If it be inflamed in the bottom , the pain is towards the navel . If it be from pure blood , the Symptoms are less , if from choler stronger , the thi●st is more , the watching greater : if from melancholy , all are worse .

If it be all over the womb , it is dangerous , and The Prognostick . few escape it . An Erysipelas in a woman with child is deadly , because there is an abortion , and the Mother dies : the worse the Symptomes , the greater is the danger . And it is safer to discuss an inflammation then to ripen it : if it turn to a Schirrus , it is lasting , and makes 〈◊〉 Dropsie .

If it be not after abortion or a flux of blood , open a vein in the Arm , or cup and scarifie the The Cure . sho●lders . Bleed n●t in the foot , least you draw blood more to the womb ; but afterwards to derive , if it be from terms stopt , you may . Galen Gal 2. ad glau . c. ● . ●aith , You may divert the blood by bleeding in the arm , or cupping the breasts , and you ma● derive it by ●pening the ankle-vein , and cupping upon t e hips .

If there be choler● purge it with Syrup of Roses , Manna , Rhubarb , Diacatholicon ; and use not strong movers of the terms .

Use Alte●ers and Coolers , as Juleps and Emulsions , and provoke sleep , and if there be dotage , give Narcoticks .

A●ter Univ●rsals use Repellers and A●odynes . As , Take Housleek , Purslane , Letti●● , Venus-navel● Vine leaves , each half a handful ; boyl them in wine , add Barley meal two ounces , Pomegrana●e fiowers two drams , Bole a dram , with Oyl of Roses , ●ake a Pultis . Or , Take Diachylon simple tw●●unces , j●yce of Venus-navel and Plantane , each ha●f an ounce ; Oyl of Roses an ounce , Sugar of Lead a dram , make an Oyntment in a leaden Mortar .

Make Injections of the same Herbs , or of Milk and Rosewater . Or , Take Plantane , Ven●●-na●el , Lettice , each a han●ful ; re● R●ses two p●●il● , boyl , and ad Oyl of Mirtles an ounce , Ros●-vinegar half an ounce make an In●●ction .

Make Clysters of the s●me Plants in a small quantity , least they oppress the wo●b .

T●ke Al●haea roots an ounce , M●llows , Violets , Lettice , each a handful ; Nightshade half a handful , Violets , Roses , each a pugil ; sweet Pr●nes ten , Linseed half a dram , boyl them in Barley wat●r , to six ounces , ad Oyl of Roses three ounces , make a Clys●er .

An anodyne Fomentation . Take roots of Althaea , Mallows and Vi●lets , each a handful ; red Roses , Melilot , C●amomil flowers , each a pugil ; boyl them for a Fomentation .

Or use a Cataplasm of white Bread and Milk .

I● the progress dis●uss . As , Take pouder of Alth●ea roots an ounce , Chamomil and Meli●ot ●●owers , e●●h two drams ; Mugw●rt half an ounce , Barley and Bean flour , ●ach an ounce ; boyl them in sharp wine , add Hogs grease , Oyl of Chamomil and Lilli●● , ●●ch an ●unce ; make a Ca●aplasm .

If the inflammation turn to matter , ripen it . As , Take po●der of Altha a r●ots , Chamomil flo●●rs , M●lil●t● Lineseed , Fae●ugreek● each an ounce ; Figgs eight , boyl them , add yolk● of ●our Eggs , and ha●● a scruple of Sa●●ron , make a Pultis

A●●er it is ripe , break it by motion of the body , coughing , ne●sing , cupping , or by Pe●●aries . As , Take ●iggs an ●unce , Rue half a hand●ul , boyl them 〈◊〉 ad Honey and Leaven , each half an ounce ; Pigeons dung , Orris roots , each half a dram ; with wool make a Pessary .

A●ter it is broken , the pain abates , th●n cle●se and heal the ulcer as in Sect. 1. c. 8. of an ulcer of the womb . If it break about the bladder give an Emulsion of cold Seeds , Whey , and Syrup of Violets .

Let the diet be cool , with Barley water warm Abstain from Wine ; to the de●lination of the disease , let the belly still 〈◊〉 kept loo●e .

Chap. 14. Of a Scirrhus and Cancer in the Womb.

AN earthy matter left after an inflammation mak●s a hard tumo● called a Scirrhus , and s●mtimes it is without an inflammation It is a p●oper S●irrhus when there is neither sense nor p●n ; it is imp●oper when there is a little sense . It is so●times as big as a mans head ; somtimes Pa●●●us l. 23. c. 36. the whole womb is a S●inhus , s●mtimes onely p●rt of it .

The immediate Cause , is a thi●k earth● hu●or , The Cause● as n●tural melan●●oly● wh●n a thi●k humor is gathered in the womb , there is a Scirrhus without inflammation aforegoing ; this i● usual in melancholy women , and such as are no● clensed by their terms , or have the Pica or green-sickness , and are fifty years old .

Other humors somtimes breed a Scirrhus afte● inflammation , when cold astringents have been used disorderly , for then the humor is fixed to the part and hardned . The same may be from hot discussers , which send forth the thin matter in an inflammation , and fasten the thick .

The Signs . The tumor is to be felt , it yields not , and is without pain , the terms flow not at first , or very little , & afterwards there is a great flux of blood . If an inflamation went before , and the part is heavy and burdened , it is a sign of a Scirrhus . She is unweeldy , ●loathful ; and you may know from what humor , it is by the signs of the humors predominating in the body , and the part pained will shew you in what place it is .

The Prognostick . A Scirrhus easily turns to a Cancer . And when the terms are stopt , there is a Dropsie of the womb or belly . It is easier cured in the neck then in the womb it self .

The Cure . Moisten and heat the cold and dry humor , with Borage , Bugloss , Fumitory , Succory , Epithymum , Polypod● . Then purge with Polypody , Senna , black Hellebore , and the like . As , Take roots of Althaea , Lilli●s , e●ch two ounces ; Mallows , Vi●l●t● , Al●haea , Brankursine , each a hand●ul ; Mug●ort , Calamints , Chamomil flowers , each half a handful ; ●ae●●greek and Lin●e●d , each half an ●unce ; b●●l them ●or a Fomentati●n , or Bath , or to a Catap●asm , with Linesee● , Faenugreek , ●a h an ●unc● ; Fi●s six , Orris p●uder ●wo drams , Sa●●ron half a dram , Hen● grease and Oyl of sweet A●monds as much as is ●it .

Or , Take Bdellium , Ammoniacum , Galbanum , each as much as you please , beat them in a Mortar , with Oyl de Been and Lillies , add Mucilage of Faenugreek , Lineseed , Figgs , make a Liniment , or with wax a Plaister .

Or , Take Oyl of Capars , Lillies , sweet Almonds , Jesamine , each an ounce ; fresh Butter , Hens grease , Goose grease , each half an ounce ; Mucilage of Faenugreek , Althaea and Oyntment of Althaea , ea●h six drams ; Ammoniacum dissolved in wine an ounce , with wax make an Oyntment .

Make Injections thus . Take Bdellium dissolved in wine , Oyl of sweet Almonds , Lillies , Chamomil , each two ounces ; marrow of a Veal bone , Hens grease , each an ounce ; with the yolk of an Eg.

In a bastard Scirrhus , you may use healers and digesters better , and Ammoniacum , and hotter Fats .

Internal Medicines , are steel &c. of which in obstruction of the Womb , and Scirrhus of the Spleen .

As for diet , abstain from breeders of gross and slimy humors , and from hot dryers .

Cancer of the Womb.

What may be said of this , is said before , only a Cancer may seize upon the substance of the womb , but it is more usually in the neck of it .

Chap. 15. Of the displacing of the Womb ; and first of the Ascent of it .

WHen the womb falls out of the privities , it is called Procidentia uteri : this is ordinary , Eustach . rud. lib. 2. pract. c. 5. but the ascēt or going up of the womb is more unknown . Many grave Anatomists hold tha● the womb doth ascend , if sweet things are applied to the nose ; if to the privities , that it descend● if stinking s●ents come , the womb flies from th●● and it is to be seen by breathing altered , and by some meats that the womb greedily desires , and catcheth up .

Galen overthrows this opinion , and saith that 6. De lo. aff . c. 5. the womb doth move after a sort , and ascend , but it is very little , and not to be demonstrated ; nor can it arise to the stomach , it is tied with such strong ligaments to its place ; and when it falls out the ligaments are extended by moisture , and falling of it down . And there is no reason why the ligaments though loose or wet , it should go up so speedily , and come down again ; for● falling down is by degrees , and it is not soon brought up again . And though it be enlarged in conception , it is by degrees and equally , not suddenly in one side . Nor are the ligaments made very loose in conception , and the bottom of the womb is not tied , the ligaments being onely on the sides .

But this cannot be denied , which women affirm , that they feel a body or ball moving about the navel , and a Physitian or Midwife may feel it . Therefo●e let us enquire what it is , if it be not a womb . That body which you may feel stir , is the stones , and that blind vessel which Fallopius found out , which he compared to the great end of a Trumpet , called F●llopius his Trumpet . For the stones hang , and the body of the T●umpet is l●ke a pipe loose and moving , and when they are full and swell with corrupt seed and vapo●s , they move to and fro , and ascend as high as the navel . And the stones with the Trumpet make this round tumor of the womb , which is Antrop●g● . lib. ● . c. 34. felt in women , as Riolanus observes .

Whatsoeve● makes corrupt seed in the stones The Causes of a womā , and fils them ●th evil ●apors or wind , is the cause of which in suffocation of the womb ; for the cause is alike in both , only in suffocation the Symptoms are worse● because the evil vapors are then more freely carried by the veins arteries and nerves , and asilict the principal parts .

The woman and others may feel a round body , The Signs● and she ●indeth a pain at her heart , and short breath , without sleeping or doting , or other symptoms , and there we●e causes that disturbed the womb .

It is not dangerous , yet not to be slighted , for The Pr●gno●tick . it may turn to the strangling of the womb , when these evil vapors move to the noble parts .

Let the aim be at the corrupt seed , and vapors The Cure . which must be dis ussed and evacuated , as in suffocation of the Womb.

Chap. 16. Of falling out of the Womb.

SOmtimes it falls to the middle of the thighs , o● to the kne●s almost , or hangs a little out .

The womb changeth its place , when the The Causes ●igaments by which it is bound to the other parts ●re not in order . There are four , two above ●road and membranous that come from the Pe●iton●●um . and two ●elow that are nervous , ●ound and hollow . ●●●ide● , it is bound to the ●reat ves●els by veins and a●t●ri●s , and to the ●ack by nerves .

Now the place is changed when it is down another way , or when the ligaments are loose , and it falls down by its own weight , it is draw● on side , when the terms are stopt , and the vein● and arteries ●re full , those namely which go to the womb : if it be a mole on the one side , th● liver or spleen ca●se it , by the liv●● veins on the rig●t side , or the spleen on the left , as they are 〈◊〉 more or less .

I also falls down by the loosning of the par●● to which it is fastned , but how that can be , it is not clear .

1. 2. De morb . m●lier . Hippocrates saith , It comes from external caus● , as fr●m ●old of the ●ee● or loyns from leaping or fear , cutting of wood● or r●●ning d●wn a ●ill and the lik● these make the lig●●ents moist and loos● . Also it may be from cold after childbearing , getting into the wom● when the ●●rms flow , ●tting upon a cold stone , and the like .

Plate●us . Others say it comes from the solution of th● conn●xion of the sibrous neck , and the parts adj●●ent , and that is fro● the weight of the wom● descending : thi● we deny not . But then the ligaments must be loose or broken . But women in a d●op●e could not be said not to have the wo●● f●ll down , if it came only from loosness . B●● the ●ause in them , is the ●●ltness of the water● which dries more then it moistneth .

The Signs . I● there be ● little tumor within or without the pr●vities like a skin stretched , or a weight ●elt about the p●ivities , it is onely a descent of the womb : but i● there be a tumor like a Goose eg● and a hole at the bottom , there is at first a g●ea● pain in the parts to which the womb is ●astned● as the loyns , the bottom of the b●lly , an● the pr●viti●s , and t●e os s●crum , ●●om the stre●●hing 〈◊〉 breaking of the ligaments : but a little after the pain abateth , and there is an impediment in walking . Somtimes blood comes forth from the breach of the vessels , and the dung and urin are stopt , and a F●aver and Convulsion .

When it is new , it is easily cured , when old , it The Prognostick . is ha●d to be cured , but not deadly , onely it is troublesom and nasty . It hinde●s conception , and keeps terms f●om flowing orderly . If it be with ●ain , Feaver or Convulsion , it is deadly , especially in women with child . That which comes from corrosion of the ligaments● is dangerous .

First put it up before the air al●er it , or it be The Cure . in●●amed or swollen . Therefore fir●t give a Clyster to remove the excrements . Then lay her ●pon her ba●k wit● her l●gs abroad , and thighs lift●d up , her he●d down , and take the tumor in your hands , and thrust it in without violence .

I● it be swollen by alteration and cold , foment it with the D●coction of Mallows , Althaea , Lin● Foenugreek seed , Chamomil flowers , Bayberries , and anoint i● with oyl of Lilli●s , and H●●s grease . If th●re be an inflammation , put it not up yet . It Roder. ● cas●o . de morb . m●l . 1. 2. c. 17. may be ●righted in , by shewing of a red hot iron , and actin● as if you would burn it .

First , sprinkle upon it the po●der of Mastich , ●●●●kincense , and the like . As , Take Frankin●●ns● , M●st●●h , each two drams ; Sarc●col steept in Milk ● dram , Mummy , Pomegranate ●●●wers , Sang●i● Draconi● , each half a d●am .

Wh●n it is put up , let her lie with her leggs stretched , and one upon the other , for eight or ten dai●s , and m●ke a Pe●●●●● like a P●ar● of Cork o● Spunge put into the womb , dipt in s●arp ●●ne o● j●yce of Acacia , with pouder o● Sa●guis Draconis , Bole , Masti●h , or the Counte●ies Oynt●ent , with Galbanum and Bdellium .

Apply a Cupping-glass with great flame under the navel or paps , or to both kidnies , and lay this Plaister to the back . Take Opopanax two ounces , Storax liquid half an ounce , Frankincense , Mastich , Pitch , Bole , each two drams ; with wax ma●e a Plaister . Or ,

Take Labdanum a dram and half , Frankincense , M●stich , each half a dram ; wood Aloes , Cloves , Spik● , ea●h a dram ; Ash coloured Ambergr●ece four gr●i●● Mu●k half ● s●ruple , make two r●und Plaister● 〈◊〉 be laid on eac● side the Navel . Make a Fume of a Snail ski● falt●d , or of Garli●k , and let it be taken in by a ●unnel .

Use a●tringen●●omentations of ●ramble leaves , Pla●tane , Horstail , Mirtles , each two handfuls ; Wormwood two pugils , Pomegranate flowers half an ounce , bo l them in wine and water . Or inject this with a Syringe . Take Coms●ey roots an ounce , Snakeweed , Pomegranate flowers , each half an ounce ; Rup●●rewort two drams , Yarrow , Mugwort , each half an ounce ; boyl them in red Wine . Then use Sulphur Baths .

To strengthen the Womb : Take Harts-born● Bayes , ●ach a dram ; Mirrh hal● a dram , make a B●ud●r for two dos●s , give it with sharp wine . Or , Take Zedoary , P●rsnep se●ds , Crabs e●es prepared , ●ach a dram ; N●●m●g half a dram : give a dram in p●uder , but use astringents warily , lest you stop the courses , and cause worse mischief .

I● it fall out from ●●il h●mors that flow to the womb , and loosen the lig●unents , purge the body , and then ●se dryers , as the decoction of China , Sarsa and Guajacum .

To keep it in its place , make Roulers and ligatures , as for the Rupture , and use Pessaries into the bottom of the womb , that may force it to remain : of which Fran●is Rousset hath writ●en at Lib. de part●s caesar . sec. 6. cap. 3. & 4. large , and shews that they neither hinder conception , nor bring any inconvenience , nay that they help conception , and retain it , and cure this disease perfectly . And Gaspar Bau●inus confirms the same in his Appendix to Rousset .

You may use Circles or Balls instead of Pessaries . As , Take roots of wild Vine , make round Circles or Balls of them greater or less , as the Neck of the womb is . Then , Take Virgin● wax melted with white Rosin or Turpentine , dip the b●lls in till they are fit , put one into the neck of the womb , that will hold in being just fit : let it n●t be t●ken out till it fall out , and then put in another , if she be not ●●red .

If it gangrene and sphacelate , cut it quite off , Lib. de pa●e ●es . sec. 4. ● . 5. histo. 6. Ibid. s●ct . 4. ● . 5. if she fear cutting , take it off by ligature , of which Rousset who shews the way , and saies that it may be cut off without danger of life .

He tells also of the place where you must cut , and in Sect. 4. de partu Caesareo , where the ligature is to be made .

Let the diet be drying , and astringent , and glewing , as Rice , Starch , Quinces , Pears , green Cheese . Avoid Summer fruits : let the Wine be astringent and red .

The Cure of the inclining of the Womb.

When it inclines to the side , after Universals , apply Cupping-glasses to the other side , and let her still lie on the other side ; and let the Midwife anoint her singer with Oyl of sweet Almonds , and draw it a little by degrees to the other side .

Chap. 17. Of the Rupture of the Womb.

FEw Physitians have seen this , I never read of any , but once I saw it , of which in my institutions , lib. 2. p●rt . 1. cap. 9.

Chap. 18. Of Wounds , and breaking of the Womb.

IT is seldom wound●d , by reason of the divers defences it ●●th ; but somtimes the ●hirurgions wound it in cutting out of the child : of which Hollerius , inter rara . no. 8. he speaks of a Woman with child in Paris , that her childs hand put forth at the n●vel , and was so in travel fifteen daies , and both child and mother were safe .

The Signs . It is evident , if it be made by the Chirurgion in cu●●ing out of a child ; and you may know i● by the place , if it come otherwise . There is blood and matter that flows out at the neck of the womb . There is more pain when it is in the ne●● of the womb , then when it is in the bottom .

The Prognostick . These wounds are cured , as appears by the Caesarean birth or cutting ; but they are dangerous , by reaso● of the strange Symptoms , and the consent of the parts .

The Cure . Use Consolidaters or Heale●s ; and if there be pain , Anodynes or Pessaries made of Wax candles dipt in Wound-oyntments . Or ,

Take Wax , Turpen●ine , Goose gre●se , Bu●●er , each a dram ; Honey , Deer's marrow , Oyl o● R●s● , Bulls grease , each two drams . Or , Take Fra●● kincense , Mastich , ●eruss , Galba●●um , each half an ounce ; mix them all with white ●ine , then ●d Po●ph●lix an ounce , and wi●h Wax and Oyl of Rose● , make an Oyntment .

Make I●j●ctions or Clysters for the wo●b , of the Decoction of round Birthwort , Cypr●ss boyled in steeled Water and sharp Wi●e , with a little Hydromel , Agrimony , Mugwo●t , Plantane , Roses , S●haenanth , Ho●ehound .

Chap. 19. Of Ulcers and rottenness of the Womb.

THough the neck of the womb be only s●bj●ct to ulcers , as we shewed ; yet the substance of womb hath been ulcerated , and it hath been observed to rot , when it hath fallen ●ut , and to fall away . * As we said of a Woman at A●inion , that after lived some time . And the Examples of Rousset shew that it may be safely cut off .

Also a ●hild dead in the womb● may cause an ulcer , as divers Histories witness in Albucasis , Li● d● pare ●es●● chir● c. 76. and Alexander Benedictus , Maurici●s , Cord●●us , and many others .

How th●se ulcers and rottenness of the womb are cured , is said in Sect. 1. cap. 8. where we sp●ke of Ulcers of the ne●k of the Womb , and Cap. 10. of Fi●●ulaes of the Womb.

Chap. 20. Of the Diseases of the Stones , and Vessels of Procreation in Women .

IT is appar●nt by Hi●tories w●itten by grave and lea●ned M●n , that the sto●es of women and there seed-vessels are many times grievously distempered , when the womb joyned to them is not . Somtimes water is gathered about the stones In append . ad Roussetum 2. de par. caesar . as Gaspar Bauhinus , John Schenkius write , and he hath another History Lib. Obser. 3 from John Heintz of a Maid , that desired a little before she died , that her body might be opened to testifie her innocency . In which besides other things remarkabl● , the stones were found swollen as big as a head of a young child ; blewish and spungie , much water came out of them , and that made her belly swel , and she taken to be with child : bu● the truth appeared , and her chastity testified .

THE FOURTH BOOK .

THE SECOND PART . Of the Symptoms in the Womb , and from the Womb.

Chap. 1. Of weakness of the Womb.

THERE are many Symptomes from the womb . Of those in the womb : the first is weakness , so that it cannot perform its actions .

The action of the womb is twofold , private and publick . By its private action it ●akes it nourishment of blood that comes to it . By its publick action , it serves for generation . If the private faculty be hurt , and the nourishm●nt not well made , there is a super●luous moisture , and then weakness without other fault of the organ or unity divided .

The first Cause is distemper , when the manifest The Causes qualities are changed , or when the natural heat is suffocated or dispersed ; or when the occult qualities are changed . Heat in the womb makes a hot distemper , if it be too much , by which the womb sucks more then it can concoct , this is not prope●ly weakness : but that distemper i● weakness , when the action is either not done , or weakly done . But cold rather makes weakness in the womb , by which it cannot make the sufficient quantity of nourishment , hence excremen●s are heaped up , and it c●nnot perform its actions . Also a moist distemper makes weakness , by which it can neither keep seed nor child ; it is also weak from loosness .

The Si●●s . Little desire of Venery , and no pleasure therin , argue weakness of the womb , flux of seed , often abortion , pain in the loyns and pubes , when the terms are coming ; ●arts from the womb , head-ach , Part. 1 . ●ect cap. 2. & 3. and the like .

The signs of a cold and moist distemper with or without matter , are already declared .

The Prognostick It is a great disease , by reason of the diver● Symptoms in women that have conception hurt . It is worst when it comes from dispersing and extinguishing of the natural heat .

The Cure . We have shewed how distempers of the womb are cured : but the dispersing of the Spirits and natural heat , is cured by things that hinder th● loss of Spirits , and strengthen the womb , as Spices , Cinnamon , Cloves , Nutmeg , Mace , Diacalaminth , Aromaticum ros●tum , Diaxilaloes , ros●ta Novella , Treacle , Mithridate . Outwardly by Oyl of Lillies , Nard , Lavender , and Astringents when the womb is loose .

Things that help the womb in the whole subs●●n●e , are in the Chapter of the cold and moist Di●●emper , as Aqua vitae for Women . Or this , Take Castor three ounces , Saffron two ounces , extract th●m si●gular , add to both Extract of Mugwort two o●nces , of Angelica a dr●m , Magistery of the mother of Pearl ● dram , Oyl of Cloves a s●ruple , of Angeli●● , and of Amber , and of Nutmegs , each half a scruple .

Let her ea● meat of much nourishm●nt , and drink good Wine .

Chap. 2. Of the Itch of the Womb.

THis is more in old then young wome●● and must be distinguished from the Frenzie of the womb : for here is only a desire to scrath the privities , so that they cannot sleep . Nor is it with desire of copulation , as in the fury of the womb .

It is a salt humor that is serous and adust that The Causes causeth it , that is sent to the neck of the womb , and the privities . How it comes there , I shew●d in Ulcers of the privities .

It is known by her relation , and often putting her hand to the privities .

The Prognostick . The Cure . It is more troublesom then dangerous , becau●● it hinders sleep .

First , purge the whole body , and if there a●● signs of plethory , and strength permits , bleed i● the arm . Then qualifie the sharp ●alt h●mors , with cold and moist means , and r●mov● them from the privities . Foment with a D●coction of Lettice , Plantane , Willow , Dock roo●s , and then anoint with Galen● Cooler . Or dip ● Pessary in this Oyntment , and put it in . O● , T●ke Allum , Nit●r , Sulphur , each six drams ; S●●phisager an oun●e , with Rose-vinegar and fresh Butter , make a Linimens .

If these wil not cure , use stronger , as the oyntment of Elicampane with Quick●ilver . Or , Take black Soap , Staphisacre , ●ach a dram ; qui●k Brimstone half an ounce , Quick silver two drams , wi●● Rose-vinegar and Hogs grease , make an Oyntment .

Let the me●t be of good juy●e , coolin● and moist●●ng . Take heed of Spices , sharp and salt meats .

Chap. 3. Of pain in the Womb.

THere is pain in the body of the womb wit● other diseases sometimes : as the Co●●ckpains woven in the bottom of the belly , and in the loyns and hips ; and is called the Pain of th● Womb. It is often in women with child , as the inflammation of the womb ; it is burning and beating , it binds the belly , and stops the urin .

The Causes Solution of unity is the Cause of all pains , and this is from the stretching of the womb and its vessels , or corrosion . Stretching is from wind , or clotted blood in the cavity o● it , and when Nature cannot expel it by reason of the straitness of the pa●t , there is pain .

Also pain is from stretching of the vessels be●ore the terms flow , when they are close , and the blood thick , and this pain is increased by external cold , especially after heat . Somtimes there is a gathering o● humors about the womb , when the terms ●●ow , and are ●oul , and they get into the membranes , and stretch them . The same may be from corrupt seed , that stretcheth the vessels .

Or from sharpness and corrosion in the neck ●f the womb , when sharp humors flow through it , and tw●tch it .

The pain is manifest , but let us look at the The Signs . ●igns o●●he causes . If it be from clotted blood , there was a flux of the same , and the pain is fixed about the ori●ice of the womb . If there were external causes , the patient will relate . If it be from seed , there is suffocation of the womb .

The greater the cause is , and the more vehement The Pr●gnostick . it works , the more is the danger .

If there be pain , and fear of fainting , look to The Cur● . that before the cause , with Anodynes and Narco●icks if need be .

If it be from wind● see inflation of the womb .

If i● be from clotted blood , di●●olve and eva●uate it , with hot and attenuating Medicines , made into Fomentations , Baths and Oyntmen●s . It is good to apply Treacle to the region of the womb , or put it in with Rue and Honey . Or give a Clyster to the womb , of Ru● , Foenugre●k s●ed , and Oyl of Rue and Orris . Or give 〈◊〉 and Cinnamon water .

If the vessels of the womb are not open enough for the terms . See in the stoppage of the terms .

If there be wind , make a Clyster thus . Tak● Mer●ury , Mugwort , Cal●mints , Pennyroyal , ea●h 〈◊〉 hand●ul ; Chamomil and Melilot flowers , each ha●● a hand●ul ; 〈◊〉 an● Line●eed , each an oun●e ; boyl them , in a pint strained , dissolve Hiera , Be●tdicta laxativa , each half an ounce ; ●a●e a Cl●●●●r . Give Mugwort , Zedoary water , Essence of Ca●●●r , Treacle , or ●omens Aqu● vit●e , of whi●h before .

Make a Clyster for the Womb , thus . Tak● Mugwort , Calamints , Bettony , each h●l● a hand●●● ; Gith , Cummin , Carrot , Aniseed● , ea●h a dram ; Spi●e , Schoenanth , Nutmeg , Cinnamon , e●●h 〈◊〉 dram ; boyl them in Wine .

Then fill an Ox bladder half full with Oyl of Lillies and Dill , and apply it to the belly .

Or , T●ke Oyl of Lillies , Orris , each an oun●e ; distilled Oyl of Angelic● a dram , Goose and He●s g●e●se , each half an ounce ; Muci●●g● of Lin● a●d Faenugreek seed made with Mu●w●rt w●●er , ea●h three drams ; seeds of Cummin , C●rr●ts , Carawa● , each a dram ; with W●x m●ke a soft Oyntment . O● , Take Pe●●itor● two hand●uls , Mercury a handful , beat them , add Chamomil flowers , Cummin , Anise , Carrot seeds , each a dram ; two yolks of Eggs and Oyl of Lillies , make a Cataplasm for the belly .

Apply Plaisters to the Navel , and Cuppin●glasses with great flame to the Region of t●e Womb ; or dry Fomentations of Oates Mi●ium , Anise , Cummin , Carrot seed in a Bag. A●d use Pessaries , as● Take Harts marrow , Turpentine , Wax , Goose grease , each ●hree drams ; Saff●on a dram , yol●s of Eggs seven , with Oyl of Lillies , m●ke Pessaries .

If the humors and wind is mali●nant , mi● Scorzonera , Bezoar seeds , and roots of An●elica , w●ter of Zedoary , Tre●cle , Mithridate , and the like in Suffocation of the Womb.

Chap. 4. Of the Diseases of Womb , that come from sweet scents and stinks .

THere is a particular Symptom in the womb which b●eeds great admiration , that it deli●hts ●n sweet scents , and is offended with stinks ; and it is certain , for if Musk , Civet , or the like , be but put to the nose of a woman that is subject to ●i●s of the Mother , they grow sick , and if the s●me be put to their privities , and stinks to the nos● , the ●it of the Mother ceaseth .

It is hard to give the reason of this , many wi●e Men have given their opinion● but they dis●gree among themselves , and ●atisfie me not , neither do I p●omise to satis●ie others . But it is probable to me that the womb is not delighted with scents , as scents , for the privities have no smelling , and the sen●e of ●melling doth not reach so ●ar : but the quality by which it is well or ill , is occult , and not to be explained , and not to be ●●parated from the odours .

If any ask what that quality is . I answer , the●e are many qualities in Nature that are hid ●rom our senses , and yet we cannot deny them , because we see their effects , as the quality in a Dogs nose , we cannot apprehend but the Dog perceives it .

But how these qualities come to the womb , is Quomodo u●erus ben● olentia r●cipi●t . by no other way but by the open way by the p●ivi●ies , by which Spirits get into the womb , and in the su●●o●ation of the womb ●weet thin●s p o●it , because they strengthen it by a peculiar quality to disperse the venemous air , and draw down Quomodo bene olentia hystericis noceant . the Spirits and humors . But if they be put to the nose● the womb consents by the Sympathy of the organ of smelling , and the brain with it .

This is by the nerves and arteries ; for the heart is presently refreshed with a sweet scent , because it presently pierceth into it being ●pirit●al , and there is a great consent of the womb with the brain and the smelling , as is seen by the tryal of barrenness , by a Fume from Hippocrates . 5. Aphor.

But we must observe that sweet scents are acceptable to all wombs , and stinks are not , but the same Symptomes are not in all women from them ; for they who have a womb of a good constitution with no evil humors in it , endu●e sweet things well , and delight in them , but they who are unclean , hate sweet things , and often 〈◊〉 into ●its by them , because while the womb is delighted with that sweet and hidden quality with which it hath a peculiar Sympathy , the evil humors that lie in the womb ( especially if there be any corruption from seed ) and the seed also are stirred , and when the Spirits flie up , the● take the bad humo●s with them , and send bad vapors to the heart which cause suffocation , and other Symptoms . But when the same scents a●e put to the privities , the womb is refreshed with them , and the Spirits are quiet● or move to the scents . And so the humors ( if there be any ) are still , or else move downward . But stinks on the contrary , by reason of their Antipathy with the womb , are voided by the Spirits , and so the humors move downwards , and o●ten the●e is an abortion thereby .

What is spoken of sweet scents , may be understood of all sweet things , and this our judgment in a matter so difficult .

THE FOURTH BOOK . THE SECOND SECTION . Of the Symptoms in the Terms , and other Fluxes of the Womb.

Chap. 1. Of the Flux of the Terms .

BY divine providence the blood which is voided every month is kept in when there is a child ; for if it be its nature , it is not ill , but onely superfluous , till they conceive , nor is it more an excrement then seed and milk .

The Terms commonly begin at fourteen , and then the hair appears on the privities , the breasts swell , and women begin to be lecherous ▪ and the ●lood can no longer stay in the veins , but breaks ●ut at the veins of the womb .

In some they begin at twelve , and they are ●ery lustful commonly , and of shorter lives : they ●on●inue till fifty ; in some till sixty , and then ●op . In some they begin at sev●n●●en or eigh●en . And in some they stop 〈◊〉 fifty , accor●ing to the variety of Nature and diet .

Nature doth not send ●ort● ev●ry 〈◊〉 what is ●●thered , but sta●es till the plenty o●●●nds , and ●oth only once in a month , otherwis● it would 〈◊〉 filthy and unpleasant , and hinde● co●●ep●ion . 〈◊〉 do they flow at one time in all ex●ctly , but 〈◊〉 are twenty two daies , or at most th●●ty be●●en the purgings .

In some they last three daies , which was usual 〈◊〉 the time of Hippocrates . In some four or five 〈◊〉 more , as their Liver is reater , or their diet is 〈◊〉 or lower .

Hippocrates saith , They should bleed but a pint 〈◊〉 half , or two pints : this is not alike in all , 〈◊〉 differs in respect of age and diet .

As for the quality , it must not be too thick no● 〈◊〉 thin , but of a middle substance , without sent a red colour , yellower in cholerick persons , in ●lancholick , black ; in flegmatick , whiter , and ●ust flow without any great Symptom .

The passages are the veins of the womb , being ●uble from the double branch on both sides it , 〈◊〉 Spermati●k and Hypogastrick , that they may 〈◊〉 superf●ui●ies from all parts .

And from this Description of a natural flux , 〈◊〉 may gather what is preternatural .

Question 1. Whether can a Woman conceive , that never had her Terms ?

They are called by some Flowers , because they go before conception , as flowers do befor● fruit ; but many have ●onceived that never 〈◊〉 their flowers , being hotter by Nature , as the 〈◊〉 d●ans that never have any flowers ; and Vir● goe's that use more exercise : but if these 〈◊〉 no more blood then wil nourish their body , th● are ●arren .

I● any thing abound , that is not required 〈◊〉 nour●●hment of the parts , and it so much th● Nature cannot endure it in the body , the wo● draws it to it when it hath conceived , to ma● up the child : of which herea●ter

Question 2. Whether menstruous blood is o●ly superfluo●s in quantity , or bad in respec● quality ?

Writers disagree about this . Some say i● bad in quantity and quality , and venemou●● the effects , as making Ivory obscure , and 〈◊〉 Looking-glasses , corrupting Wine , by a 〈◊〉 ●rom the body of a Woman that hath 〈◊〉 flower .

Others say they offend only in plenty : 〈◊〉 it were venemous , it could not be a whole mo● in the body , and it could not form the child , 〈◊〉 would Nature make milk of it .

Therefore menstrual blood onely offends quantity , and not in any mani●e●t or hidden q●lity . But it hath strange qualities when it is 〈◊〉 with bad humors , or is kept too long in body to be corrupted , and cause great Sy●toms ; but this is when it is mix●● with bad mors , or is out of its vessels , and so corrupts

Question 3. Of the ●ext of Aristotle 7. de hist. Animalium , c●p●● . and how it is to be underst●od ?

Aristotle writes thus , Constantly every month 7. De histo. ani. c. 2. ●ome have their Terms : but most in the third , as ●f he should say , Few women have their courses ●very month , but many have them every third ●onth . This is against Galen , and against expe●ience , for it is certain , that among six hundred women , scarce one hath them every third month . Therefore there is either an errour in the Greek Text , or in the Translation , or great Men do often 〈◊〉 which is probable , and so did Arist tle in this of Physick . Therefore it is in vain to defend their ●rrour .

Chap. 2. Of the Terms flowing too soon .

ORdinarily they begin at fourteen ; but many have had them sooner . A child of ele●en daies old had a bloody humor flowing from 〈◊〉 privities . Another of five years old had eve●y month a moderate flux . Fernel reports that Her. saxoni● vidit venetiis ser. 6. p●r● . 5. c. 1●6 . Girl of eight years old had the Terms : but these 〈◊〉 rare , and for the most part very lecherous , 〈◊〉 short lived .

Chap. 3. Of want and stopping of the Terms .

SOme Women have them not till eighteen or twenty . Some before , and then they stop for a time without , either giving suck , or being with child . Some have been without them three , five or seven months , and then they came agai● This is an evil constitution , or suppression of th●● which it ought to flow , from the fault of the blood and stoppage of the passages .

The Causes When Terms are wanting either blood is wanting , o● stopt . It is wanting , either be●ause it i● not made , or dispersed or turned to other use● , for nature being more sollicito●s to preserve the individual person , then to propagate the speci●s , spends 〈◊〉 in preserving of the person .

Blood is not made from divers causes , as a●e , cold constitution of ●iver , Heart , or a disease which distempers the ●●wels . Or often bleeding from great vessels , or ●●om having many issues , which take from the blood .

It is spent other waies , as before ripe age , an● when women are with child , or give suck , or i● hot Natures , and fat women , in whom it is tu●ned to fat . It is in vain to provoke Terms i● these .

There are other external evident causes of s●●●ping of the Terms , as too great labour , trouble●●adness , fear ; but these last do not only wast 〈◊〉 blood , but cool and corrupt it , and cause obs●●ctions , 6. Epid. s●● . 8. in ●ine . as Hippocrates speaks of Phatusa the 〈◊〉 of Pytheus .

The proper causes are , the straitness of 〈◊〉 passages , or evil conformation of the 〈◊〉 through which it should slow . Or the closin● the womb , of which we spake , but I speak 〈◊〉 of the ve●sels .

The usual cause of obs●●uction , is thick 〈◊〉 humors , f●om the blood too thi●k , or mixed 〈◊〉 melancholy which comes with it to the vei●● the womb , and stops them .

This thick blood comes from a cold distemper of the stomach , liver and spleen , from thick and gross food , and drinking cold water when the Terms flow . So thought Galen in his time Lid de venae s●c alversus erasistrat . of the Roman women that drank Snow-water● and had few or no courses●

Straitness is when the body of the womb is made thicker , either by Nature or other causes ; as a cold and dry , or hot and dry diste●per .

Thirdly , straitness is from compression of the vessels , by a Scirrhus or hardness of the parts adjacent , as the straight gut , or by the stone in the bladder , and the womb displaced .

Fourthly , the flesh may grow together by a membrane that grows to the vessels , or a ●●ar after a wound . Or after a mischance , when the veins annexed to the Secundine , grow so together , that they cannot be opened : of which in the first Question .

They are not the same in women and Virgins , The Signs . for blood stopt in Virgins , goes to and ●ro , changeth the colour , and brings Feavers , especially the white Feaver or Green-sickness .

But in women it goes more to the womb , and brings Symptomes , as loathing , vomiting , and Pica .

Galen hath other signs , as heaviness , a lazy 8. De loaff . c. 5. pain in the loyns , neck , and behind in the head , that reacheth to the roots of the eyes , from the sp●eading of the blood stopt through the whole body . This laziness is chie●ly in the thighs and leggs , by reason of the veins there consenting with the womb . And are of a green complexion , and hairy , with a beard , and shrill voice .

You may know women with child , from such a● want their Terms , only by p●●per signs . First the women with child keep their colour , but the other are pale and ill-c●loured ; they are merry , the other sad . 2. Their Symptoms daily grow milder , but in the other they daily grow worse . 3. You may feel the child move . 4. It is perceived in a month .

You shall know from what causes the Terms are stopt , thus . If the Liver be cold , there is no blood made that is superfluous , and there are signs of a ●old Liver , and you may know that blood is not sent to the womb , when there is no heaviness , pain , or tumor about the womb , the liver or spleen are stopt .

If it be ●rom flegm or melancholy , which is o●ten , there are signs of their abounding , as laz●ness , paleness , seldom pulse , crude urin .

Hippocrates saith , That if the Terms stop , ther● The Prognostick . Hippo. morb . mulier . Gal. 6. de lo. aff . c. 5. are diseases in the womb , tumors , imposthumes , ulcers and barrenness , and diseases in the whole body , Green-sickness , Leucophlegmacy , Dropsie , Vomiting of blood , Heart-ach , Cough . And the longer they have been stopt , the ha●der they are to be opened . If the blood stop● go out at the nose , it is good .

If it have great Symptomes , there is fear of Hippo. 5. apho. 23. death .

You must not give Medicines to move the Terms , to extenuate lean persons , nor to such as want blood , and have a weak Liver , but they must be sed high .

First see i● blo●d abound , and then ( a●ter a Leni●ive ) open a vein● and l●t that blood which C●m . in 6 . ●p●● . 3. ● . ●9 is in the veins , be drawn to the womb . Gal●● took th●ee ●ints of blood at three times f●om 〈◊〉 le●n wom●n , and cured her of an old stopping 〈◊〉 the Terms .

You must open the ankle vein● , the fir●t day the right , the next the left , four or five daies before the time . Or you may cup and ●●ari●ie the Leggs .

And bind the parts below , and rub them after general evacuation , opening of the Haemorrhoids doth hurt , and so do Issues , because they draw from the womb .

Hiera picra hal● an ounce , or Pills de T●ibus , o● Hiera simple are good first .

Then prepare , as ; Take water of Mugwort , 〈◊〉 Maidenhair , ●a●h three ●u●ces ; Syrup o●●he five Roots , and of Mugwort , each two ounces ; ma●e it for two doses . Or , Take op●ning Roots half an ounce , Madder , Burn●● , ea●h three ounces ; Mugwort , Bettony , Germand●r , Calamints , ●ach a handful ; red Pease half a handful● flowers of Bugloss , Dill , each a pugil : boyl and sweeten it with Sugar .

For flegmatick Bodies , take the Decoction of Guajacum , Sa●●aphras , Dittahy for fifteen d●●es without sweating .

Then evacuate with Agarick , Mechoacan , Turbith , Scammony , Coloquintida , bla●k Hellebore . As ,

Take Agarick two drams , infuse it in Mugwort●●ter two ounces , O●ymel an ounce , strain , and the E●tract of Michoacan a s●ruple . Or , Take op●nin● Roots half an ounce , Mugwort , Bettony , ●●ch 〈◊〉 pugils ; Senna ●●l● an ●unce , Agari●k two dra●● 〈◊〉 and Ani●●●d , each a ●●ru●●e ; 〈◊〉 ha●● a dram , R●s●mary flowers 〈◊〉 ●ugil , in●●●e 〈…〉 th●●e oun●●● an●●a●f , ●d S●rup of Senna ●n 〈◊〉 a●● hal●● 〈◊〉〈◊〉 h●l● a dram .

Or if they d●ink Wi●e . T●ke Tar●●th , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ea●h tw● d●ams ; Senna an 〈◊〉 a●● ha●● , Mai●●●hair , ●alm , R●s●mary , ea●● two pugils ; Cinnamon , Galangal , each a dram● hang them in Wine , give six ounces with half an ounce of Manna .

Or , Take Diaturbith with R●ubarb half an ounce , Mechoacan two drams , Agarick a dram , Diarrhodon● Cinnamon , each half a dram ; Steel prepared a dram , with Raisons make an Electuary● give as much as a Wall nut .

Or give Pills of Agarick foetidae , and so continue purging and ●reparing , if the matter be stubborn . Or , Take Agarick two drams , Mader a dram , with Syrup of Mugwort , make Pills . Or , Take Aloes three drams , de Tribus o●e dram , with juyce of Savin make Pills●

If the stomach is soul , give a Vomit , le●t it g●● into the veins .

Then give provokers of the Terms which are Par. 1. sec. 2. c. 2. hot and thin , about the time they used to flow : they are three degrees in strength , and many so●t● of Medicines are made of them .

A Pouder . Take Cinnamon a dram , Amb●r● s●ruple , Saffron half a scruple . Or , Take Trochu of Mirrh , of Wall●flowers , each a scruple ; Saffron five grains . Or , Take Castor , Pennyroyal , each a scruple ; with Wine or proper Waters .

Physical Wine . Take Madder roots an ounc● , Orr●s half an ounce , Balm , Pennyroyal , Mugwort● Rosemary , e●ch a handful ; Wall-flowers half a p●gil , Cinnamon an ounce , Galangal half an oun●● , with Wine : give four ounces .

Or , Take the D●c●ction of red Pease . Or , Take Smallage , Fennel roots , each half an ounce ; Mugwort , Bett●ny , Pennyroyal , Balm , each a handful ; red Pe●●e half an handful , Juniper-berries half a● ounce , 〈◊〉 all flowers a pugil , boyl and sweeten it . O● Take ●en ounces of it with thr●● ounces of Mugw●●● for three doses .

Quer●●tan commends this . Take Gromwels●eds , Anise , M●slet● of the Oak , each three drams ; Dittany a dram , Saffron a s●ruple , ●rui●● , and keep them twenty four hours in Wine then boyl●them : give f●●r ounces for three dai●s together .

Or make the Womans ●qua vi●●e . Or , Take Balm , ●tt●ny , Pennyroyal , M●●wort , N●p , Mothe●wort , Dittany , ●ach four handfuls ; Wine thirty pints , distil them , add three handfuls of each h●rbs , and distil them again , and ad Fennel seed , Calamus , Cinnamon , Cassia lign●a , Cardamoms , each half an ounce : distil them again .

Or give Syrup of Calamints● Mugwort . Or , Take water of Pennyroyal , Savin , Calamints , each four ounces ; Syrup of Mugw●rt ●●ur ounces , Cinnamon water an ounce : give it at f●ur times .

Rouls . Take Extract of Savin a scruple , of Angelica half a s●ruple , of Elicampane six grains , Oyl of Cinnamon five drops , of Cloves two drops , with S●gar dissolved in Balm wa●er . Or make an Electuary of Steel six ounces , Cassia lignea , Cinnamon , each two drams ; Cloves a dram , Raisons two ounces , with Sugar dissolved in M●gwort water .

Or , Take Troches of Mirrh a dram , Extract of Gentian and Savin , each a scruple ; ●astor half a ●●ruple , make Pills : give two scruples , or give every third day pills of Hier● .

Use outward Medi●ines , but p●ovoke not sweat ●y them .

Take Althaea and Lill● ro●ts , each two ●unces ; 〈◊〉 an ●un●e , M●ll●w● , M●r●ury , M●gwort , 〈…〉 M●therwort , Calamint● , P●nn●royal , M●r●●ram , Bay●●●●ach t●● ha●d●ul● ; flowers of 〈◊〉 ●●●●nder , Cheir● each a ●●ndful ; Faenugre●●● s●●d an ounc● , Juniper an● Bayberri●s , each ●alf a han●●●l : b●●l ●h●m in Water , 〈◊〉 wi●h ●p●●ges .

And then anoint with this . Take Oyl of Lillies an ounce , o● Lavender seeds stilled hal● a dram , Calamints and Gith pouder , each a dram ; Storax calamint a scruple .

To Virgins that must take no Pessaries , give Fumes , with the head defended ; they wil ●pen the mouths of the vessels , and cut thick humors .

As , Take Mirrh , Bdellium , Storax , each a dram ; Benzoin two scruples , Gallia mos●hata , ivet , each half a scruple ; with liquid Storax make Troches .

Then use Clysters and Injections into the Womb with Purgers . As , Take Calamin●s , Pennyroyal , each a handful ; Gith seed , Turbi●h , each a dram ; Coloquintida half a dram , boyl it in wine , inject it into the womb .

If it be hot a●ter it , inject the Decoction of Mallows with Milk or Barley water . And because the neck of the womb lies upon the strait gut , give Clysters . Take Lilly roots an ounce , Orris , Valerian , ●ach half an ounce ; Mercury two handfuls , Mugwort , Savin , each a handful ; Chamomil , Lavender flowers , each a pugil ; Caraway , Gith seed , each a dram : boyl , add Hiera and Be●nedicta laxativa , each half an ounce ; Oyl of Cheir two drams , Electuary of Bayberries half an ounce .

If she be no Virgin , put Mercury bruised in a Bag for a Pessary , with Centaury flowers . Or Garlick beaten with Oyl of Spike .

Begin still with the mildest , as Mugwort , Mercury , Pennyroyal , Marjoram , Rue ; and then add Mucilages and Juyces to loosen the womb● let ●ot Pessaries lie long , least they cause a Feaver .

If it be from a tumor , provoke not the Terms , but lo●k to the tumor .

Let diet be hot and attenuating of good juyce , with Parsley , Savory , Rosemary , Cloves , Cinamon . Little sleep and much exercise .

Question 1. Whether are the other Causes of stoppage of the Terms ?

Some say the blood going to other parts , is a cause , but it is rather contrary , and the suppression of Terms is cause of that ; ●or the veins of the womb are large enough to evacuate blood .

Others say the strength of the womb is a cause , which thi●kens the vessels , that they receive no blood . But the womb is made to receive it when it abounds .

Others accuse the strength , which is to be denied , but when it is so strong , that it is too hot or too dry , and will not receive the blood , and that is a sign of weakness . But there must be strength in the whole body , to cast out superfluous blood , or there will be other mischiefs .

Question 2. What Veins must be opened when the Terms are s●opt ?

Authors disagree in this , as Aetius and Galen , L. de sang . miss. cap. 11. 18. 19. who alwaies speaks of the ankle veins : and most are of his mind , being it is rational . For a vein opened in the arm , doth rather revel from the womb , then draw the blood to it ; but in the ankle , brings it to its place , and opens obstructions , and doth both lessen , and bring blood to the womb , and move that which is in the womb ●ixed .

Open the ankle therefore twice or thrice , rather Lib. de sang . mis. adver. ●r●sis . then the arm once . Therefore Galen commends Hippocrates that he opened a vein in the ankle in the Servant of Schimarg , though she had a Pl●thory●

But in other diseas●s of the womb , as inflam●ation dropping , or too many Terms , it is good to open a vein in the arm . The Saphena is opened by putting the foot in warm water , before and after .

Question 3. At what time must a Vein be opened against the s●●ppage of the Terms ?

Galen saith , It must ●e when Nature may be helped , be the blood moved : that is three or four daies before the usual time of their coming , as if she had them alwai●s in the ful of t●e Moon , and they have been stopt some months● bleed three or four d●ies before the full , to pu● n●ture in mind of her duty , and to make the blood run again .

Chap. 4. Of fewness of the Terms .

IT is when they flow less then they use or ought to ●low .

It is either from the blood , or in the expulsive The Causes faculty in the passages . As if blood ●e little , the Terms are few and slow , if the retentive faculty is weak , and the expulsive strong , they come at due time , but in small quantity . If the Terms are slow , the fault is in the quality of the blood being too thick . Also straitness of the passages may be a cause , for if they be not wide enough , the blood cannot flow f●eely .

The patient will tell the disease , but the cau●e The Signs . of it is to be found in the Chapter aforegoing .

Few Terms from little blood is not dangerous , The Pr●gnostick . if they be stopt from thick blood , there follow diseases : as Erysipelas , Scirrhus or Cancer .

See the Chapter aforegoing for the Cure , and The Cure . and if it be from thickness of blood , it is often cured by a general Purge for the whole body .

Chap. 5. Of Dropping of the Terms .

THis is a flux , and lasts long , and there is pain .

The blood flows not conveniently at the due time and manner , and the privities are alwaies wet , as when the urin drops .

Are from the blood and the passages of it , and The Causes the retentive faculty ; as when the blood is too thi●k and sharp , which stir up Nature to let it out , and because it stretcheth the membranes , the●e is pain . Also the weakness of the retentive faculty is a cause .

The women declare it , but if it be from thick The Signs . blood and sharp and strait passages , there is a s●●etching pain about the womb . If it be from c●udity of blood , and weakness of the retentive ●aculty , the blood flows without pain , and is not much ●elt .

It is troublesom to women , and if it last long , The Prognostick . The Cure . ●auseth ulcers and inflammations .

It is all in mending of the thick and sharp ●lood , and in opening the passages , which are ●he two chief causes of it , of which we spake at ●rge .

If blood be superfluous , loose it not , nor open the ankle-vein , lest you draw it more to the womb , but take away the Cacochymy .

If it be from weakness of the retentive faculty , strengthen the womb with dryers and ash ingents .

Chap. 6. Of the overflowin of the Terms .

IT is when it is too much or too long , and hur●s any woman , and brings diseases , but a certain proportion of bleeding is not to be de●ined ; but too much is lost when the actions are hurt .

The immediate Cause is the opening of the The Causes Gal. 3. de sympt . causis ● . 2. & 5. aph. com . 57. vessels , and the mediate cause is the blood in quantity or quality offending , or by its force or disorderly motion .

Vessels are opened by Anastomosis , Diapedesis , Diaeresis or ruption , or by Diaurosis or co●rosion . Anastomosis is from a moist distemper of the vessels● which loosneth the orifices , or from external causes , as Baths , hot and moist : or us● of Aloes .

The flux is seldom too great from a Diapedesis , for it is but a sweating through . Ruption is from plethory , when the Terms have long been stopped , and then break out , and when the bloo● is hot by air , baths , &c. The outward causes are falls , strokes , hard travel , great burdens lifted .

Erosion is from sharp blood or humor , or from Medicines that corrode , as Pessaries long kept . For this great flux is chiefly from the veins in the bottom of the womb .

The flux of blood is too great , when the The Signs . strength abateth , and Cachexy ●ollows , with paleness , swoll●n feet , and the blood that comes from the bottom of the womb , is blacker and ●lotted● That from the neck is redder and thinner .

The signs of the causes . If it be from mu●lr blood , there are signs of plethory , and it easily ●lotteth together . If the blood be sharp and chol●rick , it is putre●ied in the womb , you shal know waterish blood by its colour , and the signs of that humor abounding : and if you dip a clout in it , and dry it in the shade , you may see it . If the womb be too moist , such causes went before . If it be from breaking of veins , they will tell you of violence . If it be from corrosion , it is little and slow , somtimes pure , somtimes ●erous .

It wea●n●th the whole body , the liver and bowels , The Prognostick . there is swounding , the Whites , and paleness , and Dropsie somtimes : That which hath been long● is hard to be cured , and causeth death , and in an old woman it is deadly .

If there be fulness , abate the blood , and keep Indications it from flowing to the womb , revel it , r●p●l , cool and astringe it , that it may not flow so fa●● , and then amend the blood .

If it is from plenty of blood , open the Liver-vein The Cure . in the right arm ; bleed little and often because it makes better revulsion , and weakens not , open the Salvatella , if there be weakness , and cup Gal. 5. aphor. com . 50. ●he Back and Breast a●ainst the Liver , beneath ●he papps , where are veins from the womb : cup ●ot beneath , but in the shoulders , or back and ●rms with scarification , but sca●i●ie not under ●he brea●ts .

Bind and rub the a●●s and shoulde●s , and tem●er and thicken the sharp thin humors , with De●●cti●ns and Waters of Plantane , Purslane , Sorrel● Knotgrass , Shepherds-purse , Pomegranate-Syrup , and of dried Roses , Sorrel , Pu●slane , Coral , Conserve of Roses , Bole , sealed Earth .

If it be urgent , use Na●coticks , Syrup of Poppies , Treacle , Philonium , Laudanum .

If it still continue , it is fed with choler , there● fore purge it with Syrup of Roses , Manna , Rhubarb , Senna .

If it be fed with serous blood , help the ●eins that do not their duty , and the Liver , and sweat with China .

You must not provoke urin , but use astringents . To Cure al diseases Read my Sennertus , Platerus , Riveri●s , Bartholinus , and Riol●nus , of the last Edition . As , Take the juyce of Ass-dung , Syrup of Mir●l●s , each half an ounce ; Plantane water an ounce . Give it her , and let her not know what it is .

Decoctions . Take Comfrey roots , Tormen●il , ●ach two drams ; Purslune , Plantane , each a handful ; boyl them● add to six ounces Syrup of Curran● , Quinces , Mirtles , each six drams : give● it at twice . Or , Take Syrup of Purslane , juyce of Ne●●les , each two ounces ; Purslane water four ounces , Troches of Amber , of sealed Earth , each a dram● Bloodstone half a dram : give two spoonfuls every day .

A Water . Take eight pin●s of Wa●er , ●i●h Starch , Barley meal , and Rise , dried Roses a handful , juyce of Yarrow , Plantane , each half a pin● ; Comfrey roots and all three ounces , Hors●ail , Bloodwort , each half a handful ; Pears , and Quinces , Pomegranate flowers , all Sanders , each half an ounce ; Mas●ich an ounce , distil them , and give tw● ounces , with half an ounce of Syrup of Roses or Purslane .

Electua●ies . Cons●rve of Ros●s two ounces Quinces an ounce and half●●roches of burnt Ivory ar● sealed Earth , each a dram ; Crocus Martis , B●le red Coral prepared , Mastich , each half a dram ; wi●● Syrup of Mir●les make an Electuary●

Po●ders . Take Mastich , red Coral prepared , ●ach a dram●●earl , Smarag●s prepared 〈…〉 a s●ruple ; Bloodstone half a s●ruple , B●le h●l● - dr●m , make a Po●der .

Michael Paschal cured many with this Pouder . L●b . de rat . m●●● . c. 55. Take two Eg●sh●ll● , burnt Frankince●se , Mastich , ●ach half an ounce ; Pearl , red Coral and Amber , ●ach two drams ; Bloodstone , Smaragds prepare● , ●●●h half a s●r●ple ; Barley ●lour tw● pugils , whites of four Eggs , with ●i●el●d Water make C●kes . Give from half a dram to a dr●m in pouder , with Trotter broath in the morning .

Or give every day a dram of the pouder of Ex p●●r●fores . to . Mulberry tree roots . Or , Take a plump Turtle drawn and pluckt , wash it in Rose●water and red Wine , put an ounce of Mastich in the belly of it , stick it on , and roast it , and bast it with Vinegar of Roses . Then put it into a glass close luted , to be dried in an oven ; then beat all of it to pouder . Give a spoonful with Plantane water , or an astringent D●coction . Anoint the bottom of the belly , ●eins and groyns , with the dropping of it .

Or make Rouls thus . Take Bole half a dram , Magistery of Coral a dram , Pearl prepared a scr●ple , Sorrel and Plantane seed , each half a dram ; Aromaticum rosatum , Traganth , each half a dram ; with Sugar dissolved in Plantane water , make Rouls .

In the use of cold As●ringents , take heed you s●op not the veins , and the heat be cooled . If these help not , use Narcoticks , a● Troches of sealed Ea●th , and Amber with O●i●m : these astringe also .

U●e no Pessaries , except the veins in the neck o● the wo●b be open . As , Take Sn●keweed , Tormentil , each half an ounce ; Pomegranate flowers , Plantane seed , each two drams ; Comfrey roots 〈…〉 Frankincense , Mastich , each a dram ; Ac●ci● , Sanguis Draconis , each two scruples ; Blood-stone , Starch , each a dram and half ; with the whi●e of an Eg , and Gum traganth dissolved in Rose water , make Pessaries with red Silk .

Womb-clysters . Take juyce of Yarrow , Solomons seal , each two ●unces ; Mucilage of Gum Arabick made in Plantane water two ounces , make a Clyster .

A Fume . Take Frankincense , Mastich , each two drams ; Mirtles , Labdanum , each a dram ; red Roses , Pomegranate flowers , each half a dram ; with Gum traganth make Tro●hes to be burnt .

Oyntments . Take Oyl of Mirtles , Quinces , each two ounces ; juyce of Plantane , Solomons seal , Horstail , each an ounce ; boyl the juyces away , ad Bole , Plantane seed . Mirtle berries , Ceruss , each half an ounce ; with Wax make an Oyntment . Or use the Countesses Oyntment to the loyns and pec●en .

Cataplasms . Take Quinces , Pears boyled in red Wine , add Bole , Mastich , Sanguis Draconis , Ac●cia , make a Cataplasm or a Cerot . Or , Take Sorr●l and Plantane seed , Purslane seed , Bole , Sanguis Draconis each two drams ; Frankincens● , Mastich , Mirrh , each three drams ; Turpentine an ounce , wi●h juyce of Plantane and Yarrow and Wax , make a Cerot after the juyces are boyled away .

Fomentations are better then Baths , for they make the humors flow more . Let them be astringent , and cool . Or wash the legs and hips in cold water . Lay Epithems to the Liver , Oyntments , Cerots , or Plaisters .

If choler offend , give Rhubarb and Cons●rve of Roses to evacuate the Cacochymy .

If blood flow from a vein broken , use Coral , Bole , Mirtles , Comfrey , Acacia , Hypocistis : or apply a Pultis of whites of Eggs , and astringent Pouders .

If it come from a vessel corroded , use stoppers and glutinaters that a●e slimy , as Dropwort roots a dram , with a rear Eg.

Let the diet be as the Physick is . In a flux from plethory , eat little , and that of little nourishment , and in other cases give things to close the vessels . Sleep long , and use little Venery , little or no exercise . An●er hurts , and other passions .

Question . Whether Frictions or Ligatures in the Legs may be made for Re●ulsion ?

Hippocrates and Galen are misconstrued in his 8. Book of Blood-letting , and they are not to be used in the flux of the Terms .

Chap. 7. Of the Terms flowing with pain and Symptoms .

THe Symptomes are pain in the loyns or thighs , head-ach , biting at the mouth of the stomach , pain in the belly and loyns , fainting .

They are as in suppression of Terms , but less The Causes vehement , and are in them that have not conceived . There is obstruction , thick and gross blood , that stretcheth the vessels , and the blood flows not orderly .

A little before the Terms , there is head-ach , The Sig●s . biting at the stomach , pain in the loyns , and bottom of the stomach , with beating at the heart , and ●ainting . When the pain is from thick blood , it comes forth in ●lodds , and the pain is worse be●ore . If it be from wind , it is sudden , and st●ies not in a place , and there is rumbling in the belly .

●he 〈◊〉 Take heed it tu●n not to the stoppage of terms , if it be neglected . It is greater in barren women and Virgins , then in those have had children .

●●e Cure . Take away the cause ; if they be thick humors , evacuate them after they are prepared : if sharp , temper them . These attenuate blood , water of Grass roots , Maidenhair , Decoctions of the opening Roots , Syrup of Maidenhair , o● the five Roots , Treacle , and the like in the stoppage of the Terms .

Against pain , ●se the Fomentations and Oyntments in the Chapter of pain of the Womb.

Chap. 8. Of evil discoloured Terms .

THis is called the Terms depraved by bad humo●s , and so they are voided .

The Caus●s Blood is foul , either from evil diet , or evil humors , or stoppage of it . The humors are flegm , choler , or melancholy mixed with it , and then the Te●ms are either pale , blew , green , or black and stinking● or white and flegmatick . They are so from a fault in the stomach . The pale and yello● are a●e from too great heat in the liver . The bla●k ar● from the spleen disordered .

〈◊〉 Si●●● . Tha● blood which is natural● is different f●om the b●d in colour and substance : it is like that ●f a new ●●ain sheep , no● thi●ker nor thinner , and ●he ●ad Terms come no●●e●sonably , but soon●● or later● of which Hippocrates . You may know Lib. de morb . mulier . by the colour what humor predominates , and by the sub●tance . The flegmatick and mela●choly are long in coming , and the cholerick waterish Terms come q●icker .

The more they di●●er from the natural s●ate , The Prognostick . the worse they are , black and stinking are worst . The matte●y are wo●st of all . If these flow seven , eight or nine d●ies , she is cured : if they ulcerate the womb , she is barren .

Hippocrates saith they must be purg●d and prepared The Cure . 5. Aphor. 36. with proper things , as we shewed in the distempers of the Womb. But take heed that you move not the Terms when you attenuate , for that wil melt the ●erous humors , and fix them more in the vessels : use neither Vinegar no● sharp things .

After purging , consume the reliques by sweat ; if choler be in fault that must not be sweated out , discuss it with warm Baths , and do so in melancholy . Use Pessaries , Fomentations and Fumes to the womb .

Give Treacle , Mithridate , or the Decoction of An●elica roots , if cold humors are the cause .

Chap. 9. Of Terms coming before their time .

THese shew an ill constitution . And it is a depraved excretion of the Terms that comes for the time often , f●r somtimes they fl●w sooner , or twice in a month .

The immediate Cause is hurt of the retentive The Causes and expul●ive faculty , so that the blood flows not or sooner or late● , or oftner : the cause why they come sooner , is in the blood that stirs●up the expulsive faculty in the whole body , or in the womb : somtimes all causes meet , the blood is too much , or too sharp and hot ; and if the retentive faculty in the womb be weak , and the expulsive strong● and of quick sense , it is sooner .

A fall , stroke or passion are the evident Causes .

The Signs . They will relate it : and the signs of the causes are these . If it be from much blood , there are the signs of plethory ; heat , thinness , and sharp humors are known by the distemper of the whole . The weakness of the retentive faculty , and loosness of the vessels is known from a loose and moist habit of body .

The Prognostick . It is not dangerous , but troublesom , and hinders conception .

The Cure . I● they come too soon from hurt in the faculty provoked by too much plethory . Let blood , use a spare diet , and much exercise . If it be from sharp blood , temper it by good diet and Medicines , as in the choleri●k distemper of the womb .

Use Baths of Iron-water , that corrects the distempers of the bowels , then evacuate .

If it come from the retentive faculty , and loosness of the vessels , correct the cold and moist distem●er with gentle astringents .

I● it be from a stroke or fall , cu●e it as the vessels opened are cured , of which before .

Chap. 10. Of Terms that come after their usual time .

VVHen they stay longer then ordinary , and return without order at no set time : the causes are little and thick blood , straitness of the passages , weakness of the expulsive faculty , and dulness . Either of these causes may stop the Terms , bu● if all meet , the disease is worse

For if blood be not bred in such a quantity , that it may prick Nature forward to expel it , the purging of it is di●●ered , till there be enough to stir up Nature to expel it . If thi●k humors are in the blood , the passages stopt , and the faculty weak , the Terms mu●t needs be disordered , and the purging of them differed longer .

If it be from want of blood , she hath either lived The Signs . poor in diet , or exercised too much , and she ●inds no inconvenience by the want of her Terms . If it be from gross slimy blood , there are signs of Cacochymy . The weakness of the faculty is known by the cold distemper of the womb .

It is not so dangerous as stoppage of the terms , The Prognostick . but it is bad enough in a plethorick or cacochymical body .

If little blood be , use a ●uller diet , and exercise The Cure . not . If blood be gross and foul , make it thin , and cut it , and after Preparatives , let the humors mixed therewith , be evacuated . It is good to purge presently after the Terms , and to use Calamints , and to purge often .

Also four or five daies before the Terms , sca●i●●e the ankles , and hold the feet in warm wa●●● , ●ub the legs , apply Cupp●ng-glasses without S●●●ification to the inside of the thighs , and use Fumes and Pessaries .

Anoin● the bottom of the belly with things to provoke the Terms . If there be a numness , use things against the Palsie .

Chap. 11. Of the Terms voided another way .

SOmetimes they come out at the nose , or are vomited up , or flow out by the Haemorrhoid 1. De morb . mul. 5. apho. 32. obser. medic . c. 15. Lib. 1 de affect . mulc . 7. veins . Hence Hippocrates saith that a woman that vomits blood , is cured by having her t●rms , or by a bloody flux . Somtimes they are pissed ●orth . Dodon●eus saies that they come out at the eyes like tears somtimes . Ama●us Lusitanus saith they will come forth at the Teats of the breasts , and at the navel , at the little finger , or ring-●inger every month , as Mercat●s observed thrice .

The Causes Are stoppage of the Terms from straitness of the vessels in the womb , or evil conformation of the womb .

The Prognostick . It is more troublesom then dangerous , and hinders conception . It is best when they come out at the nose , for it is a part that Nature useth to disburden her self by .

The Cure . First , bring the blood to the womb again , and abate it . Open the ankle-vein three daies before she begins to bleed . Or cup the thighs , or rub them . Or use Baths , Fomentations , Oyntments , Womb-clysters , Pessaries , and the like mentioned in Suppression of the Terms .

Chap. 12. Of the Whites .

IT is a ●oul excretion from the womb , white , and somtimes blew , or green , or reddish , no : at a set time , nor every month , but disorderly , longer or shorter . Before or after the Terms , and when they are stopt . Virgins seldom have this disease , and women with child have it somtimes .

It differs from the running of the reins ; for it is in less quantity , whiter and thicker , and at a greater distance . It differs from night pollution , which is onely in sleep with imagination of Venery .

The immediate Cause is an excrementitious The Causes humor , flegm , choler or melancholy . Somtimes it is like waterish blood . It is gathered in the whole body , or in the stomach , liver or spleen . For they who have crudities in the stomach , are subject to this disease . Somtimes the womb alone is distempered after often mischances , or when the womb is very cold and moist .

This matter flows through the veins of the womb , or of the neck of it , which use to carry blood , and Nature abuseth them to carry excrements , especially if they are bred in the womb .

The remote causes are whatsoever doth breed ●ad humors ; some have it after strong purges , or long bathing .

Somtimes they are pale , somtimes blew , red , The Differences . waterish and green : somtimes slimy , or cold , or sharp , or stinking . In young people it is reddish .

The face is discoloured , the urin thick , there The Signs . is loathing and heartach . If the humor be sharp and corrupt , there is a Feaver . If it be flegmatick and much , the ligaments of the womb are loose , and it falls out , thus Hippocrates , and there Lib. de natur . mulierum . are saith he swelled eyes , evil colour , and short breathing .

If it be not bred in the womb , the humor is from a Cacochymy . If it be from a fault in another part , the signs of that wil appear If it come only from the womb , there will be but little : if from the whole body , there will be more .

The Prognostick . It is often , long with little inconvenience , b●● it must be looked to , lest it be worse , for it o●●●● brings ulcers , Cachexy , falling out of the wom● , Consumption , Fainting , Convulsions , when the matter is sent to the brain or nerves . And the worse the humor is , the greater is the disease .

The Cure . It must not be suddenly stopt , lest it go to th● noble parts .

First , see whether it be from the whole body , or any pa●t , or from the womb it self . If fro● the whole body , which is often , make general evacuation , and turn the humors from the womo , and keep a good diet , lest they come again .

I allow not bleeding in the arm , if the Terms be stopt ; for they cause a Cacochymy , which admits no bleeding . Moreover the mass of blood may be made ●oul by them ; therefore find o●● whether it comes from Cacochymy or Plethory . And when it is most like to come from Cacochymy , bleed not .

Therefore if flegm abound , which is mo●● usual , after general purging , consume the relique● with Guajacum and Sar●a , and a drying diet , and by provoking urin , of which hereafter .

If sharp and cholerick humors abound , temper them with gentle astringents , as Succory , Endive , Sorrel , to prepare , purge with Rhubat● , Triphera Per●ica , aggregative Pills , and Pills 〈◊〉 Rhubarb . If it be melancholy , do as in melancholy .

If it be water , cure it as Galen did the Wife o● Boeth●s c. 8. ●ib . de prognost . ad P●sth .

If it be in the stomach , liver , or the like , prevent it from increase , and because it is most about the stomach , give a Vomit , but not too strong . Then strengthen the stomach with h●● and dry Medicines . If choler abound , the distemper is hot , and then cool it .

If it come from the womb , do as I shewed , f●om what cause soever it is : Baths are good to ●●acuate and divert , and strengthen , and take away a moist distemper , provided they are proper for the constitution .

Use Dryers and Astringents . As , Take Cons●r●e of red Roses four ounces , of Succory two ounces , r●d Coral , Snakeweed , Tormentil roots , Ivory , each 〈◊〉 drams● with Syrup of Mirtles make an Ele●●uary .

Or , Take red Coral , Bole , sealed Earth , each an ●unce ; Pearl prepared a s●ruple , Mastich half a dram , Cypress roots two scruples , Mace half a scriple , with Sugar of Roses as much as all , make a Pouder . Or , Take Diarr●odon a dram , Sander● a ●cr●ple , C●ri'ander two drams , Mastich , Coral , each a dram ; with Sugar make Troches .

But use not these Astringents , till the body ●e purged , least the waterish humors be stopt , and the belly swel : but you may use hot Dryers safe●y , as Trea●le , Mithridate , with Con●erve of Ro●es and Wormwood .

As , Take Conserve of Rosemary flowers an ounce , Diacorus two drams , Diarrhodon , Aroma●icum r●●a●um , each a dram ; red Coral prepared a dram and ●alf , Treacle two drams , with Syrup of Citron peels ●nal e an Electuary .

And least the womb be hurt with evil humors , ●nject the D●coction of Barley , Honey of Roses ●nd Whey , with Syrup of dried Roses . Or of ●ormwood , Mints , Motherwort , red Roses , Al●●m . And then use a Fu●e of Fra●kincense , ●●bdanum , Mastich , Sanders , Nutmeg , red Roses .

Avoid crude and moist things , and fish , mil● and all sweet meats , and ●alt . Forbear Suppe●● drink red Wine ; sleep and wake moderately 〈◊〉 not upon the back , least the loyns be heated , an● the humors sent to the womb .

Question Whether are Diureticks good in the Whites ?

Diureticks that provoke urin do also provok● the terms ; therefore the reliques of the humo●s would be carried by them to the womb , but these move the terms secondarily : but if the body be well purged , first they will not make the flux greater , but bring it out by urin .

Chap. 13. Of a Gonorrhaea .

THe running of the Reins may be in all women that are fit for a man , for it is the flux of natural seed . It is in men and women from the French pox , but when stinking humors do flow , it is not properly called a Gonorrhaea .

The Causes The chief Cause is the weakness of the retentive faculty , and the loosness and largeness of the seed-vessels : the causes of these are shewed in the Gonorrhaea of men .

The Signs . The women will declare it , and the greatness and the colour ; for if it be white and little and thick , and at distance , it is a true Gonorrhaea .

The Prognostick . If it continue , it brings a Consumption and barrenness .

The Cure . The Cure of Gonorrhaea and night pollution is P●act. 3. but I shall add this , if it come from plenty of seed . The Buds of the Salix o● Willow , 〈…〉 called the Closing of the Womb. 〈…〉 famous Physitians and Anatomists say 〈…〉 is a Hymen , which is the sign of Virginity . 〈…〉 they say a membrane wrinkled with 〈…〉 like Mi●tleberries , like the bud of a Rose half 〈…〉 hence came the word 〈◊〉

I think with the Ancients , that 〈◊〉 is something in these parts that distinguis●●●n Virgins from women , which is violated in the fi●●● copul●tion : many say they have it : and we may believe them . For it is certain that ●h●re is an alteration at first in Vi●gins which causeth pain , and bleeding which is a sign of Virginity .

But what this is , it is not yet known ma●i●●●●ly . Some say it is a nervous membrane , with small veins , which bleed at the first bout . Some say there are ●our Caruncles tied together with small membranes . Some have observed a fleshy Circle about the Nymphae with obscure little veins , which makes the membrane not to be nervous but fleshy .

To be short . I suppose it to be certain , that the part which receives the Yard , is not in them that have used a man , as in Virgins , nor is it alike in all ; and this hath caused the diversity of opinions in Anatomists . Moreover this is not found in all Virgins , because some are very lustful● and when it itcheth , they put in their finger , o● some other thing , and break the membrane : so●times the Midwives break it .

Question 2. Whether do all Virgins at the first bout , or Copulation , bleed ?

The Africans had a custom to shut the Bride Ex Leone Africano . groom and the Bride up in a Chamber , after they were married , till they prepared the Wedding-dinner . And an old woman stood at the door , to receive a bloody sheet from the Bridegroom , that she might shew it in triumph to all the guess , and that then they might ●east with joy . And if there was no blood to be seen , the Bride was to be sent home ●o her friends with disgrace , and the guess went ●adly home without their Dinners .

Some say from experience , that some honest Virgins have lost their Maiden-heads without bleeding , and that it is a certain sign of Virginity when they bleed , and when they do not , they ar● not to be censured as unchast . I hold that young Virgins will bleed but when they are in years , by reason of the long continuance of the terms , the parts are harder and larger ; and if the mans Yard be small , there is no necessity of bleeding . Or if the girl was wanton afore , and by long handling , hath dilated the part , or broke it , there is no blood after copulation . Therefore Deut. chap 22. the Law of Moses is taken for that which happeneth often , and for the most part . And there can be no more ga●hered f●om hence , but bleeding is an undoubted sign of Virginity . The same may be said of the African custom .

Question 3. Whether is the straitness of the privi●ies a sign of Virginity ?

The privities are straiter in some according t● age , habit of body , and other circumstances , and Virgins are straiter then women that have been at it . But I deny that straitness is a certain argument of Virginity . For after many acts of Venery , it may be made so strait by astringent Medicines● that Whores may be taken for Virgins ; as we shewed concerning a Wench that was married , and to appear a Virgin , she used a Bath of Com●rey roots .

Question 4 Wh●●her is Mi●k i● the breasts a sig● o● Virginity lost ?

Some say that there can be no milk in the b●easts , ti●l a woman hath conceived : and Virgins have neither the cause nor the end why milk is made . And the terms sto●t do rather co●rupt then turn to milk . And though there be alwaies in the breasts a faculty to make milk , yet doth it not shew its power , but upon an object , and for some end .

Some say that Virgins may have milk , and 5. Ap●or . 39● Gal. in com . urge this Saying of Hippo●ra●es , If any have milk wh●n she is neither with child nor breeding● th●ir ●erms are stopt . Galen is of the same opinion , and Lib. 3. anat c. 4● 〈◊〉 aphor●●● ib. 5. 39 though it be seldom , ●et he saith it is possible And Alexander Benedictus and Christopher de Vega saw it .

We shall not contradict Hippocrates and expe●ience , but there is a two●old milk . The one of Virgins . The other of those that have brought forth or conceived . The first is made of blood , that cannot get out at the womb , but goes to the breasts ; and this is nothing but a superfluous nourishment of the breasts , that turns milk by ●he faculty of the breasts , without the company ●f a man or conc●p●ion . T●e other is only when ●here is a child : of this milk it is true what Hip●●●rates Cit. lo. de mor● . mu●●er . writes , It is a certain sign of a Mole , when ●r●at b●ll●●d women ha●e no milk in their breasts . ●nd true milk in the breasts is a sign of a live ●hild in the womb .

These milks differ in respect of the blood , and diversity of the veins that bring it to the breasts , and though both are white , yet that of Virgins is thinnest , no● is it so much , nor so sweet ; this 1. De hist. ani. c. 12. may breed in the veins according to Aristotle , from the supers●uous nourishment of the breasts : and if Virgins have it , they are not to be termed ●nchast .

Chap. 2. Of the Green-sickness , or white Feaver .

THis is in Virgins fit for a man , it is call●d the Virgins disease , and the white Feaver , not that there is alwaies a feaver , but because their face is like people in a feaver . It is thus defined .

The Virgins disea●e , is the changing of the natural colour into a pale and green with faintness , heaviness of body , loathing of meat , palpitation of heart , difficult breathing , sadness swelling of the ●eet , eyelids and face , from depraved nourishment .

The Causes The first Cause is stoppage of terms . The next is the gathering of bad humors ; for when the way to the womb is stopt , the blood returns to the great vessels and bowels , and choaks thei● heat , and stops the vessels , and spoils the making of blood , and then there are crudities , which being brought to the habit of the body , cannot b● united perfectly to the parts● and cause a Cach●xy , which is the way to a Dropsie and Leu●ophlegmac● , and divers Symptoms . The caus●● of the o●structions of the vessels of the womb , are crude humors , and ●legmatick ●limy blood● from evil diet , and drinking o● vinegar , or eating raw corn , chalk , ashes , lime , earth , ●lay , and the like .

There is a pale and green colour , the face is The Signs . s●ollen , and the eye-brows in the morning after sleep especially ; the ankles swell , and the whole body is loose , and moist from much water : the l●ggs are lazy , the pulse is little and often , in the neck , temples and back . The heart beats , the breath is short when they go up stairs , they loath meat . Some have the Pica , or desire to eat absurd things . The terms are stopt , the Hypocho●dria are swollen ; somtimes they vomit , if vapors ●●ie to the head , there is thirst and headach ; and if melancholy be mixed , the animal actions are hurt .

These are not all in all people , but most are in most , and in some all .

It is often turned to a Dropsie . Some after The Prognostick . death have had a Scirrhus , hard liver : some die suddenly , the heart being oppressed . If the stomach be much afflicted , it is dangerous , and they loath meat much . If it come from the womb alone , it is easier cured .

It is best to begin in the Spring or Summer : The C●re . after a Clyster , open a vein the ankle .

Then heat the thick cold humor , and make it thin ; and●because it is too much to be purged at once , prepare and purge often , and mix atten●aters and cutters with your purges .

When the humors are above the stomach and Mesentery , it is good to vomit those that can easily vomit , and to give liver-physick , or spleen , or womb-physick , even as in Leucophlegmacy , ●ee the Chapter of Terms stopt . But in this disease , alwaies consider the liver , spleen and Mesent●ry , the obstructions of which are cu●ed with things mentioned .

At fir●● open the the obstructions of these pa●●s wi●h ●om●●ew things that provoke terms , and ●●ter ●ive more .

Thus : Take opening Roots an ounce , Madd●r , 〈◊〉 Orris , E●●●ampane , Citron p●els dried , Sar●●●●●●h h●lf an ●un●e ; Mugwort , Agrimony , ●●rm●nder , each a handful ; Savin two pugils , C●r●ham●s seeds an ounce , Senna two ounces , Me●hoacan , Agarick , each half an ounce ; St●●chas 〈◊〉 two pugils , Fennel , Aniseed , Galangal , each two drams ; b●●l them to a pint and half , sweeten it , a●d ad● Cinnamon water three dram● . Or infuse ●●em all with Sea-wormwood half a handful , common ●●●mwood two pugils . Or , Take Agarick , pills of R●uba●● , ea●h a dram ; Quercet●n's Pills of Tartar and of Amm●niacum● each half a dram ; Spike a s●ruple , Oyl of ●innamon th●ee drops , Extract of Wormwood half a scruple , make Pills : give a scruple an hour before meat . Or , Take juyce of M●rcury , clarified Honey or Sugar , each an ounce : add Gith seed , Senna , ●a●h two drams ; Mechoacan a dram , make a Mass : or give Conserve of Marigold flowers .

St●el is an excellent remedy after Preparatives , with proper Drinks or Ingredients . And i● the vessels of the stomach are stopt , give a Vomit , and then gross pouder of Steel .

If the Mesentery be stopt , Take Diarrhodon , Ho● laudat Mercatus . Diacurcuma , Agarick , each a dram ; C●rthamus seeds two drams , red Dock roots , C●rrot seed , each 〈◊〉 dram and half ; Cloves a dram , Steel prepared two ounces , with clarified Honey make an El●ctuary : give two or four drams . If she vomit , stop it not .

If the Liv●r be chiefly sto●t● let the St●●l be ●inely poudere● . And Take of it half a pound , add eight ounces of Wine in a glass , set it in the embers , stir it , and let it boyl twelve simmers , t●l you see it ●roath , and grow a little thick ; then pour the ●roath and all into another vessel : do thus four times , and then let it be gently boyled till it be thick as Honey . Then Take Parsley , Carrot seed , Diacurcuma , Diarr●odon , each a dram and half ; Cinnamon a dram , Steel so prepared six drams , with Honey make an Electuary : give three drams , or five after exer●ise .

If the Spleen be stopt ; Take Steel prepared a pound , wash it with Vine●ar , then strain it , and lay it on a clout , and add pouder of Cloves h●lf an ounce . Let them st●nd so a day and a night , then put them in a glassed vessel , ad ten ounces of white Wine● Diarrhodon , Harts tongue , Senna , and Capar ba●ks● then stir them , then set them in the Sun for a day , or in an Oven : do this ten daies , til the Steel be melted in the Wine , and little or nothing at the bottom . Give two ounces of this in the morning af●er purging and exercise .

Or , Take Steel prepared an ounce , Cinnamon , Aniseeds , each two drams ; Diamos●hu without musk a dram Sugar an ounce , make a Pouder , give a dram : drink white ●ine and Mugwort water aft●r it .

Ste●led Wine . Take Steel in poud●r three ounces , Cinnamon half an ounce , white Wine three pints : set them in a close glass eight d●ies in the Sun , stir them every day● Give six or eight ounces four hours a●ore dinner , for fifteen or twenty d●ies , and walk after it .

At first give a Steel-medicine to pr●pare . As , Take Steel filings four ounces , ●●t i● in an ir●n 〈◊〉 ●ibl● or Ladle , th●n cast it into two pints of water of H●ps , Grass , M●dder , Borage , or Spring-water : st●●in it , and do so ●●ven tim●s . Then Take so many ounces o●●●w Steel , and cast it into water as bef●re : strain and add Syrup of Violets , Borage , or 〈◊〉 of R●ses four ounces : give three ounces in the morning ●fter ex●rcise . Prepare thus three or four times and ●●en use stronger .

A●●e● Steel use S●orzonera st●●pt all night in Wine give 〈◊〉 the morning . This hath cured obstructi● 〈…〉

Mercatus . Bez●●r ●●one ●●ith Mercatus opens obstructions in my ex●erience , and reh●ts venom ; give six or seven g●●ins .

Steel is be●t Spring and Fall , purge , and exercise before and after it , that it may be better dispersed . Use Preparatives , Purges , and strengtheners often , and for a long time , and change the forms , least the patient loath them .

If water spread about the body , cool the body , and make it heavy . Use Sweats , as Baths natural or artificial , of Mugwort , Calamints , Nep , Danewort , Sage , Bays , Rosemary , Mercury , Ivy , Briony roots , Orris , Elicampa●e .

After pu●ging and opening obstructions , all the Sympto●●s wil vanish , if not , see for the Symptoms of the womb .

The Diet. Let the air be temperately hot . The meat of good juy●e and easie digestion ; pot-herbs and green f●●its must be avoided , fish , milk , lettice . Make S●u●e with Sage and Cinnamon . Drink Wine ; l●t bread ●e well leavened , with ●ennels●●d● drink no wat●● no● Broaths , at first and in the de●li●●tion of the disease , use exercise and V●n●ry . Let sleep be moderate .

Question 1. Whether may the woman in this Disease be allowed the absurd things they long for ?

They are Virgins or women with child that long for such things , Virgins must not be allowed them , as chalk , &c. for they will increase the disease .

Women with child must be pleased with fair wo●ds● to abstain from them ; but if the appetite wil not be allayed , rather grant them , then suffer an abortion or mark upon the child .

Question 2. Is motion and exercise good in the Green-sickness ?

They are better then idleness which heaps up crudities , they raise the languishing heat in the bowels , and help the nourishment to be distributed : therefore they are to be used before the disease be great , and in the declination they discuss the humors .

But use moderation , least you weaken the body , or choak them● First therefore use Frictions , then watching , then more exercise after convenient purging .

Question 3. Whether is Venery good for Maids in the Green-sickness ?

It is probable , and agreeable to reason and experience that Venery is good Hippocrates Hippocr . lib. de morb virg. bids them presently marry , for if they conceive they are cured . John Langius ●aith this disease comes in the ripeness of age or presently after . Lib. 1. epist. Venery heats the womb and the parts adjacent , opens and loosens the passages , so that the terms may better flow to the womb .

But if there be a great Cacochymy , take that away before she be married , and then Venery may do more then Physick . But use it not in the vigor of the disease , nor in weakness .

Question 4. Whether is Blood-letting good in this Disease ?

A Cachexy beginning with coldness of the whole body , seem to deny bleeding , and because the crude humors are in fault rather then blood . Lib. de morb . virg. But Hippocrates adviseth bleeding at the first .

If it be a new disease , and comes from stopt terms , and blood abound that is stopt , and not turned into another humor , you may boldly bleed , provided the strength permit , and the passages be open . But in an old disease when crude flegm abounds , bleed not , for it will increase the disease .

Chap. 3. Of Symptomes from the Womb , and Mother-fits in General .

IT is not to be expressed what miserable diseases women are subject to : both Virgins and others from the womb , and its consent with other parts . For when terms or blood are stopt , there are great Symptoms , and while they putrefie or get evil qualities ▪ the Symptoms are grievous , and almost unexpressible .

One woman may have divers Symptoms from the womb at the same time , when the seed and terms are mixed with other humors after they are corrupted , and there is more sometimes , and such noble substance as seed and terms being corrupted , are like poyson . Gal. 6. de lo. aff . c. 5.

The consent with other parts , is from likeness of parts , nearness , or connexion of vessels . And because the womb is membranous , it hath a great consent with the membranes and nerves . Also the parts adjacent are easily infected . And thirdly , it hath consent with all the body by veins , arte●ies and nerves .

It consents with the brain by the nerves , and membranes of the back-marrow : it cons●nts with the heart by the ar●eries , with the liver by the veins , which are great in the womb , and therfore the blood and bad humors go back to the ●●ver . It consents with the stomach by Anastomosis in the veins of the Mesentery , and by the arteries through foul humors and vapors go from the womb to the Mesentery and stomach .

It con●ents with the spleen by the arteries ; therefore many women that had not their terms enough in their youth , and have hot blood , are ●fter Hypochondriack , and a Physitian can scarce distinguish these diseases of the womb and spleen nor cure them severally .

It consents with the papps by veins and ner●es , and the heart , Diaghragma , head , brain , and all the org●ns of sense and motion ; with the liver , spleen , stomach , belly , mesentery , bladder , strait ●ut , back , hips , arms and legs , and causeth sym●toms . As Galen ●aith the mother or hysterical Gal. de lo. aff . c. 5. ●●●●ion is one name , but hath under it innume●●ble Symptoms .

Chap. 4. Of Suffocation of the Womb.

IN this they seem to be strangled . And there are so many Symptoms at once , that it is impossible to define it by one . Sometimes there is only short breath , sometimes the animal actions are hurt , the whole body is cold from a malignant vapor sent up from the womb .

The Causes The immediate Cause , is a vapor malignant and venemous , sent up by the arteries , veins and nerves that hurt the actions of the parts it goes to . This vapor is like air or wind , thin and little but very strong , to get presently through the whole body ; it chie●ly ascends to the gullet , and causeth choaking , as eating of Mushrooms , Hellebore , and other poysons . There is often short difficult breathing , with heart-ach , vomiting , and loathing . If the vapor go first to the heart , the motion of it ceaseth , and there is swounding , and she falls down . If it go to the brain , the animal actions are hurt .

When ●eed and terms corrupt in the womb , with other bad humors , they breed this evil vapor ; because they are the best substance , and the beginning of generation , they are worst when corrupted , especially seed to hurt the whole Gal. cit . 1. body .

Somtimes it is in women with child , when they have not their after pu●ging , but evil humors a●e le●t , and corrupt in the womb .

The chief cause of this humor , is in the trumpet of the womb and stones , the body of which is hollow and loose , the stones being in bladders , and have hollowness full of water , which in hyst●rical women is yellow and thicker then ordinary . Vesal . de corp. huma . Fabr. lib. 5. c. 15. This trumpet and the stones are often taken for the womb it self● when they are swollen with corrupt seed , and humors , and wind , and reach to the navel : of which in the Chapter of ascent of the Womb.

This disease is breeding sooner or longer , as the matter is more or less , somtimes corrupt humo●s lie still , and if they be stirred , they send a venom or vapor to the whole body : now in women subject to this disease , sweet s●ents to the nose , or taken in , or anger will move these huhumors and vapors .

They are according to the variety of the symptoms The Differences . and efficient cause , or venemous humors , for corrupt blood , especially seed , puts on another Nature .

That Suffocation is at hand , it appears by laziness , The Signs . weakness of the legs , paleness , sad countenance , and the motion of somthing like a ball in the belly , with noise like Froggs , Snakes , or Crows , so that some think it devillish . There is also belching , yawning , yexing , short wind , heart-beating , loathing , dulness , laughture at the coming of the fit , ●rom the vapor g●tting into the membr●ne of the breast , that tickle them : some cry , some both laugh and cry .

These Symptoms increase when the fit comes and the jaws are closed , that she seems to be choaked , and sense and motion is gone or depraved . Some have Convulsions , some h●ar what is done about them , but cannot speak , the ●ul●e i● less , the whole body is cold , and the eyes 〈◊〉 as if they were dead .

When the ●it declines , humors s●ow from the ●riv●●i●s , the gu●s rumble , the eyes open , the cheeks grow red , and the body warm , the animal actions return , and the patient sighs , and comes to her self .

It is known to be from corrupt seed , if the terms are in order , and short breath , and low voice , Suffocation and Convulsions , and all Symptomes are then more vehement , and at the end of the fit there flows a humor like seed out of the privities . It is from the terms if they be stopt , or flow not orderly , and if there be a dis●ase in the womb , it is neither from the seed no● the terms .

The Prognostick . 1. If there come swounding , or a great Convulsion , or quenching of natural heat , it is deadly .

2. Suffocation from corrupt seed , is more dangerous then that which is from the terms mixt with melancholick humors .

3. The longer it lasts , and the worse the symptoms , the more is the danger . It ceaseth in yong women when they begin to bear children .

4. The oftner the fit comes , the more you may ●ear the quenching of the natural heat by weakning of the heart often , and if she foam at the mouth , she dies .

The Cure of the Fit .

In the fit you must discuss the malignant vapors that riseth from the womb , and turn it f●om the principal parts , and you must evacuate the matter that breeds it , and prevent its return . Cal upon her loud , pluck the hairs of her privities and ears , make strong Ligatures and Frictions , cup the legs , and thighs , and g●oyns ; hold stinks to the nose , as Partridg-feathers , burnt hairs , Leather , Horn , Castor , Assa foetida , Galbanum , oyl of Amber , Rue , the warts on Horses legs dried , and the pouder upon coals burnt , makes a ●ume which if taken in the nose , suddenly raised them .

Apply sweet Scen●s to the privi●ies , as Cive● , Musk , Gallia , and Al●pta mos●hata , or pouder of Cloves . To be a skilful Physitian study my Sennertus , Platerus , Riverius , Bartholinus , and Riolanus , of the last Editions .

Or , Take Storax calamita , Benzoin , each a dram ; Gallia moschata half a s●ruple , make Tro●hes with Gum Tr●ganth , and let the Fume be taken into the womb by a Funnel .

A Liniment . Take Storax , Benzoin , each a dram ; Gallia moschata half a scruple , Civet four grains , liquid Storax half a scruple , with Cotton put it into the womb .

Clysters to discuss wind , draw down the matter . Take the Carminative D●coction a pint , Electuary of Hiera six drams , Benedicta laxativa an ●●●ce , Oyl of Rue and Bayberri●s , each a dram . Use Womb-clysters and Pessaries to women that have known man . Take Electuary of Hiera and Diaphaenicon , each two drams ; Turpentine half an ounce , Honey of Mercury an ●unce , Castor hal● a dram , ●●th Wool make a Pessary .

Oyl of Tin applied to the navel , doth remove the sit .

Or Rue , Castor , and sneesing Pouders . As , Take white Hellebore hal● a scruple , long Pepper ●nd Ginger , each half a dram : or put Oyl of Am●●● into the Nose and E●rs .

Apply to the Womb this . Take Oyl of Rue , ●a●s , each two oun●●s ; Cummin seed , C●st●r dissol●●● in Vin●gar , e●ch two drams ; with Wax make a 〈◊〉 Or use a ●l●●s●●r of ●●lb●num , Ca●or , and A●●a foetida .

A compound distilled Water . Take Zedoary , ●●smp s●●ds , Lovage ●●●ts , each two oun●●s ; Mirrh , Castor , each half an o●nce ; Piony roots four oun●●● , Misteto of the Oak gathered in the wain of the Mo●n three ounces , ad water of Motherwort four pin●s an● half , Spirit of Wine a pint and half , steep them eig●● daies , distil and give a spoonful with Tile-flower , or Mugwort water , or Oyl of Amber some drops . Or , Take Castor , Mirrh , Assa faetida , each a s●rupl●● Pepper half a scruple , with syrup of Mugwort m●l● Pills , give three .

The Cure out of the Fit .

First , prevent the ●eed from corrupting in the womb , and if it be corrupt , evacuate it presen●●y with Womb-clysters and Pessaries : then dispe●se the reliques , and strengthen the wom● . But ●ir●● give a general Purge that is gentle often , and use things that prevent the breeding of seed .

Strengthen with Plaisters and Oyntments to the region of the womb . As , Take liquid Storax two drams , Avens , Agnus castus seeds , Angelica , each half a dram ; Alipta moschata a scruple , Oyl of Nard , Lillies , and white Wax , make a● Oyntment . Or , Take Seeds of Agnus castus ● dram , all Sanders , each half a dram ; whit● Ros● pouder a dram , Tacamahaca a scruple , Amber t●● scruples , Alipta moschata half an o●nce , with Turpentine , Labdanum and Wax , make a Plaister . I● she be a Virgin , let her be married .

If it be from terms stopt , see in the Chapt●● of that .

This disease is neither from seed , nor blood● nor humors , if they be not corrupted after a peculiar manner . If it be from the womb diste●pered , give the In●usion of an ounce of Brion● root in white Wine on●e in a week , for a year 〈◊〉 bed time : or this Hyste●i●k Water .

Take Lovage roots , Piony , Angelica , Zedoar● , each an ounce ; Mis●eto of the Oak gathered in the wane of the Moon two ounces , Mints , Balm , Calamints , Bettony , each a handful ; Carrot , Parsnep s●●d , Castor , each half an ounce ; distil them in white Wine and water of Motherwort after eight daies infuson . Or , Take Briony , Valerian , Spignel , Ang●lica roots , each half an ounce ; Balm , Ca●amints , Pennyroyal●●ettony , each half a handful ; boyl them in Wine , add Syrup of Mugwort an ounce : give it a● thrice .

Vitriol of Iron one grain , with two grains of Sugar given in Wine some weeks , is excellent .

Or , Take Cummin seed , wild Parsnep seed , each ● dram ; give a dram in pouder . Or● Take Fae●●la Brioniae two drams , Cummin seed , Parsnep s●ed , ●●ch a dram ; Amber half a dram , Cloves two s●ru●les , Cinnamon a scruple , make a Pouder .

Pills . Take Castor a scruple , Assa faetida half ● scruple , Mirrh , Galbanum , Sagapenum ; each a ●cruple ; with Honey of Mercury make ●ills : take 〈◊〉 a s●●●ple or a scruple often . Or take Treac●e 〈◊〉 ●●●hridate .

Apply Plaisters or Lin●ments to the region of 〈◊〉 Womb , thus . Take old Treacle half an ounce , Agnu● castus seeds a dram , Oyl of Angelica and ●ummin seeds , each two drams ; with Plaister of ●●yberri●s . ●r make Oyntments of the same .

Quest●●● 1. What preterna●ural diseases is the 〈◊〉 of the Womb properly ?

●●me say it is a cold distemper in quality chan● , they say right , but coldness is not the chief ●●●●om . Others say it is respiration hurt , Syn●●● or Convulsion . But it canno● be defined by one Symptom . Fo● somtimes the animal actions are hurt , and there is a Megrim , Delirium , Convulsion , and sense and motion are gone .

Nor is it strange , that so small a vapor should bring such Symptomes , for it hath an occult venom Gal. 6. de lo. aff . c. 5. in it● which is strong , for it goes many waies , and to many parts .

Question 2. What is the true Caus● of the 〈◊〉 of the Mother ?

I say it is the malignant vapors that flie up from the womb : for it doth not work by a manifest 4. De lo. aff . c. ● . quality , but by a venom which Galen sait● is like that of a Torpedo , or Phalanx , or Scorpion , which are little in bulk , but do great mi●chief , being enemies to the vital spirits and hea● by which there is a coldness all over , and s●o● breath from the actions of the heart hurt . Fo● when the heart is hurt , or the vital Spirits , eithe● suffocated or corrupted , there are no good animal Spirits bred , and they not flowing to th● nerves and muscles , hinder the motion of th● breast . Also this malignant vapor is an enemy 〈◊〉 the animal Spirits , and makes doting and Co●vulsions when it gets to the brain .

The Cause of these vapors are corrupt se● and terms , for while they are in th●ir proper vesels , they change not their nature . And the se● is not alwaies pure but mixed with 〈◊〉 hum●● and the seed-vessels are sometimes 〈◊〉 a● distempered . Moreover the corruption 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the womb in a p●culiar manner : for as F●rr●● saith , The place from whence com●● life , is 〈◊〉 the breeder of the most deadly poyson .

Question 3. Is it good to give Wine in a ●it of the Mother ?

Hippocrat●● and Avicen quarrel about this . ● . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The fi●st allo●s wine because they are weak , and nothing sooner re●resheth● But Avicen is for water , and forbids flesh , for they increase seed and ●lood .

But in the time of the ●it wine is proper , and Avicen doth not speak of the ●it , but of the diet out of the ●it , when it comes from plenty of seed and blood ; nor will a little wine in the time of ●●e ●it get presently to the womb .

Chap. 5. Of the Frenzie of the Womb.

IT is a great and foul Symptome of the womb● both in Virgins and Widdows , and such as ●ave known man . These are mad for lust , and in●i●e men , and lie down to them , and it differs ●rom Salacity , because in that there is no Deli●ium .

It is an immoderate desire of Venery that ●akes women almost mad , or a Delirium from ●n iminoderate desire of Venery : it is without a ●e●ve● , and with heat , and tends to madness . ●here are degrees in it , for modest women have 〈◊〉 but will not for shame declare it , and die of ●onsumptions . Others will not conceal it , but ●eak their thoughts bawdily , and follow men , ●nd ●olli●i●e them shamelesly , as Hippocrates 〈◊〉 in his Book of Virgins Diseases .

The immediate Cause is plenty of hot and The Causes sharp seed against Nature , but next unto that ●hich is natural ; it is a little biting , swelling , and ●orcing Nature to let it out by leche●y . The brain is only hurt by consent● and the animal actions by an external error , or too vehement object . The part first affected , is the womb in the Nympha , which grows hot , and swells , but the Nymphae are not properly the seat of Venery , but the Clitoris , which was called by the same name anciently .

The heat and sharpness of seed , is from the heat of the womb that breeds it , from hot humo●● in the womb and hot blood .

The outward Causes , are hot meats spiced● strong wine , and the like , that heat the privities● idleness , pleasure , and dancing● and reading o● bawdy Histories .

The Signs . They find their lust to boy● at first , and so● shame will not declare it : they are sad and silent , and their eyes turn to and fro with lust , an● if any speak of Venety , they blush , and the puls● changeth , when th● brain consenteth , reason i● perverted , and modesty is overcome , then the● prate , are lustful , and angry ; somtimes they cr● or laugh without a cause : they follow men , an● sollicite them for copulation . Some will lie wi●● any one they meet .

The Prognostick . It is a ●ordid disease , curable at first , but if neglected , it turns to madness .

Th● Cure . Let Virgins that have it , before reason is subverted , be in company with chast Maid●ns , o● h● married . And be let blood to abate heat of blco● and sharpness of seed very often , there is no better remedy .

Then temper and evacuate the humors , if the● be adust , and there be madness● use strong●●

Then have a Bath of Lettice , Willow , Water-lillies , Vine-leaves , Purslane , Venus navel , red Roses , Violets , Waterlillies . Let her sit twice ● day in it , and not sweat .

To take away the sharpness of the seed , use Lettice , Violets , Waterlillies , and things that quen●h seed by a secret quality , as Agnus castus ●eed , Leaves and Flowers of Champhyre here●●●er .

As● Take leaves of Waterlillies , Agnus castus , Willow , each three handfuls ; Lettice , Purslane , Ve●●● navel , each a handful ; Lettice , Poppy s●ed , the 〈◊〉 great cold Seeds , each half an ounce ; Dill seed 〈◊〉 drams , Waterlillies a handful , Violets half a ●●ndful , beat them with juyce of Lemons , distil them ●●er twenty four hour , add to every pint a dram of ●mphire , give an ounce . Or , Take Agnus ca●●●ieaves , Rue , Willow , each two handfuls ; Mints , 〈◊〉 of Dill , each a handful and half ; Waterlillies ●●lf a handful . Agnus castus seeds , Hemp , Cori●●der , Lettice seed , each half an ounce : beat them , ●nd distil them with water , add a pint of juyce of Le●●ns , rectifi● it to half .

An Emulsion . Take Lettice , and white Poppy 〈◊〉 and the four great cold Seeds , each half an ounce ; 〈◊〉 of Lettice , Waterlillies , Willow , each four oun●s ; Syrup of Violets two ounces , Magistery of Co●●● dram .

An Electuary . Take Conserve of Waterlillies , ●●●lets , of Agnus ca●tus top●● e●●h an ounce ; of Ro●● h●lf an ounce , red C●ral Smaragds , e●ch a dram ; 〈◊〉 and Lettice candied , each an ounce ; with 〈◊〉 of Violets and Waterlillies , make an Electuary .

Or make Baths of the same . As , Take tops A●nus castus , Lettice , Rue , Waterlillies , D●l 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them , anoint with Oyl of Lillies , ●ngu●nt of Rose● , with Camphire af●●r that . Or lay a Plaister of Mercury and Marsh-lentils to the breast and loyns . L●y a Plate of Lead to the Back , and give a Pessary of juyce of Plantane , P●●slane , Gourds .

These that work by an occult quality , are fittest for numnesses that must not marry , but they that will marry must forbear them , because they cause bar●●nness .

Let diet be thin , and of little nourishment , no Eggs ; Beef is good , and fresh fish . Also Lettice , Purslane , Succo●y . Sleep little● think not of Venery , labour , and avoid idleness .

Question . Whether is Camphire cold or h●t , or doth it quench Venery ?

It is hot because it burns , flames , is thin , pie●ceth , is sharp and bitter . But it hath cold effects , as curing of burnes and inflammations , and h●● headaches : but this is from the likeness of th● substance , because it draws hot vapors to it , an● discusseth , as Linseed oyl that cures burnes . No● hath it a double substance cold and hot , that ma● be separated .

Exercit. 104. s●● . 8. Scaliger denies it by experience to quench V●nery , but if it be taken often , it doth : he t●ie● it but once .

Chap. 6. Of the Melancholy o● Virgins and Widdows .

IT is a D●liri●● with sadness , trouble and we●●ing , s●●times laug●ing , without a Feav●● It differs from others by the efficacy only of the efficient cause , for it hath divers pains besides ●●dness , especially on the left side , near the heart in the pap● this is by occasion at a distance .

The Cause is a melancholick vapor from a The Causes melancholick blood in the vessels near the heart , that infects the animal Spi●its , hurts the Fancy , and so the reason . For melancholick blood abounding in the vessels of the womb , comes back to the great arteries about the heart , by the arte●ies of the womb , and infects both vital and animal Spirits and causeth trouble of heart and de●●●ium , while this blood is quiet in the arteries , the●e is no vapor that riseth ; but when it is hea●ed or s●irred up by any cause , the arteries about the back and spleen beat more then ordinary , and the vapors arise and trouble the heart .

They a●e sad , and ●ull of thoughts , and trouble The Signs . at the heart , and cannot express their grief ; all things are tedious to them , they weep and l●ugh without a cause , they sleep little , and with trouble and ●ear : they have a pain on the left side , and somtimes the left breast ; their jaws are d●y , al which are the effects of a melaucholick vapor , and when that is discussed , all cease . If it be old , it turns to madness , and then they are 〈◊〉 silent , then p●●tlers , and think they see G●o●●s .

At first it is easier cured , but if it last long , and The Prognostick . ●●e ●esist not imagination , and will not rejoyce ●ith her Gossips , it is dangerous . They often despair and desire death , or hang themselves , or d●own thems●lves . If the manners are chan●ed , 〈◊〉 tu●●s to madness .

Observe what progress the disease h●th made . The Cur● . At first if blood be hot , o●en a v●in o●ten i●●●e arm , if the terms be not stopt : if they be , bleed in the ankle some daies before they use to flow .

Let her be merry , and prepare and purge melancholy , thus . Take Borage and Balm water , each three ounces ; Syrup of the juyce of Borage and Bugloss , each an ounce and half . Mix them for two Doses , repeat them somtimes . Then purge Mel●ncholy . As , Take Senna six drams , Agarick a dram and half , Borage flowers and Violets , each a p●gil ; ●itron peels two drams , infuse them in Rhenish wine for six hours , strain them , ad Syrup of Violets an ounce . Or , Take Scorzonera roots two ounces . Borage ●n ounce , Balm a handful , Senna four ounces , Agarick half an ounce , Citron peels six drams , Zedoary two drams , Cordial stowers a handful , add half a pint of the juyce of sweet-scented Apples , and of Rorage and Bugloss steep them two daie● , then strain them , ad Sugar and half an ounce of Cinamon , make a Syrup : give two or three ounces .

Also give Cordials , Confection of Hyacinths , Species Exhilerants , and Confection Alkermes to such as can bear it . Cure it as Melancholy , only the matter comes from the womb ; therefore still regard that it dry not the body too much , but use a moistning Diet.

Chap. 7. Of an Epilepsie from the Womb.

THis Falling-sickness is worst then from other causes , because there are greater symptoms , for that malignant vapor doth not onely fall into the nerves , but the veins and arteries .

The Causes The same malignant vapor that causeth suffocation , causeth this , for when it ascends by the veins or arteries , it begets other diseases : but when it gets to the nerves , or to the fountain of them , it causeth the Epilepsie . In some the whole body hath a Convulsion ; in others some part only , as the eyes , head , tongue● hand or leg , and the outward senses are diversly taken . Some see not , some hear not , some see and cannot speak , some dote , and think they see strange things : some cry out , and know not why . All loose the sense o● feeling .

If the vapor be n●t very malignant , they re●u●n to their work after the fit , as if they had not ●een ill .

It is known by what hath been said : for here The Signs . 〈◊〉 not only a Convulsion as in other Epilepsies , ●●t dive●s Symptomes as in Suffocation of the ●omb . They seldom ●oam at the mouth , because ●e brain is not so shaken as to cause ●oaming : ●or is the vapor so fixed in the roots of the ner●es , but they often do hear .

It is grievous , and hath grievous Sym●toms , The Pr●gnostick . ●ut it is not so bad as a true Epilepsie , and if you ●ve proper Medicines , it never returns .

The Cure of the Fit .

Use things as in Suffocation of the womb or ●ther-sits : as Rue and Castor are good against 〈◊〉

Also out of the sit , you must cure it as the Mo●● , using things that respect the womb and the 〈◊〉 As● Take Piony roots , S●orzonera , Misle●● t●● O●k , each half an ounce ; Polyp●dy of the 〈◊〉 an oun●e . Rue , Pennyroyal , Calamint● , each a 〈◊〉 Seseli , Pion● , Agnus castus seeds , each ●●dram● ; Carthamus s●eds br●ised half an ounce , 〈◊〉 of Rosemary , S●ge , S●aehas , Borage , e●ch two pugils ; boyl them to a pin● and half , strain and ad● juyce of Bettony , Yarrow , Mercury , Mug●●rt , S●n●a five ounces , Agarick , Epithymum , each half an ounce ; Rhubarb , Cloves , each two drams ; Ani●●● I ●nnel s●ed , each three drams : boyl , strain with S●gar , and half an ounce of Cinnamon , make Syrup give two ounces .

And these Pills twice in a week , a scruple o●● dram an hour afore Supper . Take Piony ro●●● , Senna , each half an ounce ; Mugwort , Botto●● Rue , Yarrow , each half a handful● boyl them , cl●rifie the Decoction , add juyce of Mercury an ounce . Aloes an ounce and half : let it settle , pour of the clea● add Rhubarb sprinkled with Cinnamon water 〈◊〉 drams , Agarick half an ounce , Mastich , Epil●p●● pouder , each half a dram ; with Syrup of Mugw●● make Pills .

To strengthen the Head and the Womb , and to mend its Distemper : Take Fecula o● Pim●● dram , of Briony , Amber , Misleto of the Oak , e●●● half a dram ; Bezoar stone , Mans s●ull , each a s●r●ple ; make a pouder , give half a dram with Scorzon●● or Tile flower water , or with Sugar make Rouls .

An ●lectuary . Take Conserve of Balm , Ti● fl●wers , Rosemary● Lilly co●vals , Scorzonera 〈◊〉 ●an●ied , each an ounce ; Diamosch● dulce a dra● pouder of Agnus castus seeds and Piony ro●ts , 〈◊〉 two drams ; with Syrup of St●●has .

Chap. 8. Of pain of the He●● from the Womb.

MAny ●●ins come from the Wom● , bu● 〈◊〉 chief and greatest are in th● Head , ●●●ver , or on one side , o● in the eyes .

Matter ascends to the membranes of the head The Cause● by the veins and arteries from the womb . It is a ●●po● or humor from blood and humors ; somtimes bad blood that is thin goes from the womb vessels to the great vessels , and gets to the head , & t● the membranes there , and causeth a stretching ulce●ated , or pricking , or beating pain , when it is carried through the arteries being ●ul of blood .

They think their head will be torn and the The Signs . membranes , and it is behind in the head , or when the terms flow , or ar● disordered , from consent with the womb . If it be from a vapor , there is no h●●viness , and it ceaseth presently : if from a humo● , there is heaviness .

Thes● pa●●s are great , and cause wa●ching . The Prognostick .

We have spoken of the headach , but here it is ●●om the womb ; therefore consider what humo●● The Cure . offend in the womb , and let them be purged , and the distemper of the womb amended , as w● shewed in the Distemper of the Womb.

There is also a pain in the loyns , because bad h●mors go from the veins of the womb and arte●ies to the great vessels , and so are sent by the ●●pill●● veins into the membranes , and stretch them , and cause pain : these humors must have ●●●per Purges .

●●●stion . In what part of the Head is the pain that comes by consent from the Womb ?

I● i● in the crown before and behind , but chiefly ●ehind , by reason of the joyning of the Back with the womb , for the womb is nervous , and ●o●s●nts ●ith the membranes of the brain , by the membranes of the ●arrow of the ●ack , and so ●erves ●uff●●●ith n●rves , ●i●her by communi●●tion of matter or pain , and because the original of the nerves is in the hinder part of the head , women are more pained there then men , because of the Womb.

Chap. 9. Of the Diseases of the Heart , and beating of the Arteries in the Back and sides from the Womb.

THe heart beats , and the arteries also , as we shewed in the Green-sickness , and it is by ●●il v●pors s●nt by the ●●teries to the hea●t from the womb , that a●ise from terms and evil hum●●● gathered in the womb : and this is known by ●ther Signs and Symptomes of a distempered womb .

The Cure . To discuss the malignant vapors from the heart , give Cordials as in Chap. 3. of palpi●●tion of the Heart ; as Aqua vitae , Cinnamenwater , and Epithems , Baggs and Liniments .

The arteries also beat with the heart , as i● Widdows on the lef● Hypochondrion and Bac● , where there is a great artery , and the artery th●● beats in the Back , is part of the great artery : they which beat in the Hypochondrion are the lesse● spleniti●k and mesenterick branches ; therefo●e the beating is mo●e in the Back then in the Hypochondrion , but both puls●tions come fro● the same cause .

The C●us●● The inflammation of the a●teries is the Cause of this beating , when evil humors are sent fr●● the womb i●to the great branches of the arte●●● and there b●●t● the heart being over-hot . Somtimes the motion of this artery is all the body over , and from a hot humor , the hot humors go to the heart , and cause a feaver , but because there is little putrefaction , it vanisheth presently . If the heat of the humors go to the brain by the arte●ies , there is madness . Some seek the cause in the v●ins , and say that the arteries suffer from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in them .

You m●y feel it wi●h your hand laid upon the The Signs . Hypochondrion , and there are signs of a distempered womb , and melancholy from the womb , if heat continue in the arteries , and go to the whole ●ody , it consumeth it .

It is seemingly a small disease , but it is not The Prognostick . ●ithout danger , because it comes from a bad cause , that weakens the bowels .

It is cured as melancholy from the womb , and The Cure . ●●opping of the terms , and as Hypochondriack melancholy from the womb which follows .

Chap. 10. Of the Diseases of the Spleen , and the Hypochondriack Disease from the Womb.

SOmtimes the Spleen and the Hypochondria suffer from the womb , so that you may doubt ●hat disease it is .

〈◊〉 from the womb by the arteries , the womb The Cause● 〈…〉 one from the preparing arteries , 〈◊〉 from the Hypogastrick a●t●ry . That from 〈…〉 goes almost to all parts of the 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 branches of the spleen : there 〈…〉 b●● blood is ●●ed in the womb , and 〈…〉 ●pwa●d to the 〈…〉 g●●● eas●●y from thenc● to the 〈…〉 ●●d t● the s●leen , and the parts adjacent in the abdomen ; and the sooner 〈◊〉 Nature useth to send bad humors to ign●●●● parts . These humors are gathered by suppre●●i●● of terms , which though they seem to be onel● 〈◊〉 the veins , yet they get to the arteries by their Anastomosis . Therefore those women that ●av● hot blood , and their terms flowed not orderly i● their youth , are splenitick and Hypochondria●● in their age .

The Signs . It is known by a pain in the left side and b●e●● to the throat , there is short breath , often 〈◊〉 the belly is bound : they are sad and sol●● When thin blood grows hot , there is in●●amation over all the body , and chiefly the ●ace which suddenly vanisheth , and there are othe● signs of Hypochondriacks . These cannot endu●● sweet scents to their nose .

The Prognostick . If it be not speedily cured , it turns to wor●● diseases , as the Scirrhus of the spleen .

The Cure . The blood is commonly too hot , therefore open a vein , especially when it is from the terms stopt . You may also open the Haemorrhoids● and then purge gently and often with Pills o● Tartar by Quercetan , of Ammoniacum of 〈◊〉 or Birthwort by Fernel ; or give Steel and things as in the Hypochondriack diseases , lib. 3. par. 5. and in the Chapter of Terms stopt , and Melancholy from the Womb.

Chap. 11. Of the Distemper of the Liver from the Womb , and of a B●ard growing by cons●nt from the Womb.

THe womb hath many and great veins mo●e then other parts . If then there be too much bl●●d in them , it easily goes back to the hollow ●ein , and choaks the heat of the Liver , and so the Liver is distempered according to the humor . It ●●eeds crude and fl●gmatick blood , which s●nt ov●● the body , causeth a Cachexy : and what dis●●ses come by the Liver , are by consent f●om the ●●mb , as in stoppage of the Terms and Green●●●kness .

Hippocrates speaks of a womans Beard in Pha●u●a 6. Epid. ●e● . 8. aph. 45. the Wi●e of Pythius , for hai●s have their be●inning and growth from the reliques of the 〈◊〉 of the noble parts , that is from the ex●●●mentitious part of the blood . And if terms be ●●●pt , and the vitious humors that use to be ●va●uated with them , are sent over the body , they ●●use divers diseases and Symptoms , and among ●he ●●st the body of a woman is made hairy , and ●●e hath a Be●rd , which is rare .

Chap. 12. Of the Diseases of the Stomach that come from the Womb.

S●metimes from consent with the womb , the app●tite 〈◊〉 lost , diminished , increased , or depraved , or there is Hictets , or vomiting , belching , pain , or heart-ach .

The Causes This is when malignant vapors , the way bei●● large , rise from the arteries of the womb , and g● to the co●liack artery , and through the Hypogastrick . And if they are hot , they cause thi●st ; 〈◊〉 cold , they hurt concoction , and many times ca●●● strong Symptoms from their malignity and 〈◊〉 qualities , whose causes are not known . Hence it is that women desire absurd things , as these v●pors get into divers parts of the stomach .

The Signs . You may know when the stomach is affected by consent from the womb , because the Symptoms abate and return again , when the vap●● comes to the stomach : there are also other signs of the womb distempered , and of the Spleen and Mesentery by the vessels , of which the matte● is sent from the womb to the stomach .

The Prognostick . The Symptomes are worse when they come from the womb , then when they come from the stomach first , nor are they curable , except the womb be first cured .

The Cure . It is to be directed to the womb and stomach● For if it come onely by consent , and there is n● disease by propriety , when you have cured the womb , the stomach-disease vanisheth of it ●el● , if you do but strengthen the stomach .

If the stomach be first aff●cted , look onely to that● Therfore first evacuate the humors that 〈◊〉 in the stomach , as we shewed in its 〈◊〉 with matter , or the humors will be infected 〈◊〉 the malignant vapors . A Vomit is here p●●per .

To ●elp the Womb , see for the 〈◊〉 and Su●●ocation , and for the Chapter of the D●stemper of the Womb with matter , then strengthen the Stomach , thus . Take Aromaticum 〈◊〉 a dram , Extract of Angelica half a scruple , O●l of Cloves , Cinnamon , ea●h fiv● drops ; with Sugar two ounces , make Roules . Or give Pills of Aloes and Mastich often .

THE FOURTH BOOK . THE FOURTH SECTION . Of the Symptoms which are in Conception .

Chap. 1. Of the desire of V●nery hurt .

THERE are two Symptome● in women about copulation . The first l●chery lost , when 〈◊〉 doth not willingly entertain ● man , or cannot long endu●e him , or if she endures , she finds little or no pleasure , no more then if she were outwardly handled . The other is too great lust as in Frenzie of the womb , when they cannot be satis●●●● by many m●● .

The Causes The defect of ap●etite in lust is f●●m 〈◊〉 ●eed , or when it is cold , or there wants 〈◊〉 the seed-vessels . The causes of want of ●eed 〈◊〉 lib. 3. p●r. 9. s●ct . 2. c. 1. Somtim●s it is 〈◊〉 ●●●l conformation of the ●eed-vessels .

Women discover this to their Husbands that The Si●● g● to the Physitians for counsel .

These women have not fruitful ●eed , and ther●●●e The Pr●gnostick . are barren .

For that see lib. 3. of Barrenness of men , where 〈◊〉 Liniments and Oyntments for the loyns and p●vities of women , but that ●●e may take m●re pleasure , let the man anoint the head of his yard ●ith Civet , or Hens gall , or the gall of a Pick●d .

Too much Lechery not of it self hinders con●eption , but wandering lust that follows lechery doth .

The Causes are the same with those of womb ●●enzie , as plenty of seed , sharpness , and commotion , sharpness of seed from hot meat , and Medicines that provoke lust , and sharp humors in the womb and seed .

Thus lust or lechery is abated by Medicines that extinguish the plenty of seed , and allay its s●●rpness .

Chap. 2. Of Barrenness , and want of Conception .

MAn or woman may be lustful , and copulate , and yet there may be no conception , or 〈◊〉 may conc●ive too many , as Twins , or more , 〈◊〉 have one ●onception after another , which is 〈◊〉 Su●er●●●t●tion , or 〈◊〉 conceives a Mole or 〈◊〉

Con●eption is of fruitful seed spent by a man , ●nd mi●ed with a womans s●●d to per●ection , for 〈◊〉 making of a child by the retentive and altering faculty of the womb ; hence it is necessary that both seeds be fruitful that is hot , ●ul of Spirits , and well tempered , and a fit subject for a Soul , and that both spend at a time , and there be mixed and retained together , to produce a child .

Also the sucking of the womb is necessary , and that it should lay it up and embrace it , so that there be no space between the seed and the womb . Somtimes the womb greedily snatcheth and emb●aceth the seed , but doth not keep it , bu● lets it come forth two or three daies after , or keeps it to no purpose , and brings it not to action , as in a false conception or mole . Moreover there must be blood in readiness to get the child , or be sprinkle it when it is first ●ormed , and to nourish it after .

Therefore if te●ms be wanting as in girls , o● be stopt , or gone as in old ●olk , expect no conception . If they flow not by reason of labor and too much exercise , the conception is not hindered , if there be but blood enough to form the child . Hence it is that women that are brought in bed , conceive again before they have their terms .

If all these be right , there is conception , otherwise she is barren , which is an impotency of the womb , that keeps it from sucking in of the seed , or from retaining , or from nourishing i● , and bringing it into act .

The Causes The first is impotency in copulation , from the closing of the womb , of which before : or oth●● evil conformation of the privities , or and ul●e● , or tumor in the ne●k of the womb . The seco●d is the breeding of unfruitful seed , from diste●p : of the vessels and stones , or too tender and delicate a constitution . In men at eighteen , in women at fourteen , and men seldom get children ●fter sixty , and women seldom bear them after ●●fty .

As for evil conformation to breed seed , some Faelix Plate . lib. 1. obser. tit. de vitalis motu● defect● . have wanted seed-vessels , or they were not in their places . Some women are barren by the first Husband , and have children by the second , because there must be a certain proportion between both seeds : and if they be wanting , they are barren , which proportion is hard to be explained , and almost impossible ; for we must not stay in the first qualities , for there are occult qualities in seed , by which they agree or disagree .

The third cause , is when the womb su●ks not in the seed , nor receives it in a right manner , as when the attractive faculty is hurt , or hindered by divers distempers of the womb , or when a woman hates her Husband .

Attraction is hindered by tumors or ulcers in the womb , or by its being displaced , as Hippocrate● : 5. Ap●● . 46. They who being too fat , and conceive not , the mouth of their womb is stopt up with the Cawl , and they conceive not till they are lean . But the more probable reason of not conceiving , is the matter of the seed turning into fat .

The fourth cause , is the retention of the seed hurt by a moist distemper , then the womb is weak and the fibres are loose , so that it cannot contract it self to retain ; and the seed by reason of its sliminess , cannot stick there . Also if the wo●b be too thick , not fleshy and ●o●t , and be not sp●inkled with blood , as it i● in some by birth , whi●● makes them barren , and in some after they ce●se to conceive .

If the orifice of the womb gape a●●●● 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and abo●tion , by which the fibres are loosned and weakned , and the retention of the seed hur● And if a woman after copulation cough , neese , cry out , dance , or be angry or frighted , the sam● may be .

The fifth cause of barrenness , is the hurt of the altering faculty , which brings in the form and act into seed ; for if there be not a due proportion between the womb and the seed , there is barrenness , as seeds are choaked in marsh●● ground , or die , or are burnt in dry and sand● ground : so mans seed is suffocated in a moist 5. Aphor. 52. ● womb , and dried up in a hot . Hippocrates speaks o● the 〈◊〉 proportion of the womb , as is ●it to cherish this or th●t seed , thus . Women that h●●e thick and cold wombs conceive not , and they wh●● womb is too moist , ●●r they quench the seed ; nor●● they conceive that have dry and burning wombs , for the seed is corrupted in them for want of nourishmer● , they who are of a mean temper between these are f●●●full .

The last cause of barrenness , is want of menstrual blood , which is necessary for the first formation of the child . Therefore Nurses that have much milk conceive , because the blood is carried to the breasts .

Therefore all these causes are reduced either to impotency in copulation , or distemper of the stones and seed-vessels , or evil conformation , or ● cold and moist distemper of the womb , which cannot attract , detain , and alter the seed ; somtimes ● hot and dry distemper that cannot nourish the ●eed● or from the enlarging of the orifice after childbea●ing , or from humors , or being displaced , or the straitness of the vessels , or want 〈◊〉 term● , or too many .

Hence we may gather , that barrenness is oft●● from a fault in the women then the men , for i● men there is nothing required but fruitful ●●ed spent into a fruitful womb . But women besides the meeting of their own seed , must receive , ●●i● , and nourish the ma●s ; and afford matt●r 〈◊〉 the forming of the child 〈◊〉 which divers accidents happen , and any of these will cause bar●n●ess .

Mark also in these kinds of causes , that some do not properly cause barrenness , but only hin●●nder conception for a time ; as the closing of th● womb , smalness of the privities , these do not ●●●ply cause barrenness .

Some bring other external causes , as eating Ioa. Anglicus c●pi de steril . 〈◊〉 heart of a Deer , or if she wear Jet about her , 〈◊〉 if Harts-tongue be hanged about her bed : if 〈◊〉 walk over the terms of another , or tread upo● them unawares , or anoint with them , or put 〈◊〉 jay●e of Mints into her womb .

Some are born so , from a fault in the womb ; The Differences . ●●●ers are not simply b●●●en , but in respect of the ●●n , and when they have another Husband ar● f●uitful . Some are barren till the constitution of th● womb be changed : some bring forth at first , and then by som● fault g●o● barren .

H●● sh●ll we know that a woman is barren ? The Signs .

●i●st , see if the fault be in the man or woman . Lib. 3. of Sterility in men . For women , see if ●●●y are apt to V●nery or not , or receive the yard ●●●ly . 2. Search if she hath good seed answer●●●● to the man , or whether she hath used quen●he●s of seed . You may know that she spendeth 〈◊〉 or no seed , if she h●th lit●le or no pleasur● 〈◊〉 the ●ct . Un●●uit●ul seed is ●nown by a 〈◊〉 in the womb , a cold and moist ●ist 〈◊〉 the signs whereof are mentioned ; a soul body shews the same , for good seed cannot be made of bad blood .

It is hard to find whether the two seeds have the right proportion , or the womb agree with the mans seed . Yet temperate with temperate are very fruitful , because they are both of a good constitution . But intemperate couples are barren ; but if one tempe● be good , it may mend the other , and she may conceive .

If it come from a Medicine that destroys the seed , she will tell . If inchantment be the cause , though they love , yet they cannot copulate , or whereas they loved each other , now they fal out without a cause .

Ask the woman how her womb doth attract , retain , and cherish the seed : if it have a tumor , or have matter or not ? Whether there be a natural hereditary imper●ection ? Enquire concerning her family , if many were barren , whether she hath had hard travel or abortion ? Whether the seed comes away presently after , or at a distance , after some daies ; if so , then the womans ●eed is unfruitful , or there is a distemper in the womb that keeps it from cherishing the seed .

If the terms be wanting● they are Viragoes , and have hair on their chins , or they are ●at , and seed turns into fat , or they are very lean because 5. Aphor. 59. they want blood .

Hippocrates proves Barrenness thus . Put ● Fume ( saith he ) under the Coats of a woman , and l●t her be close clothed about , and if the sc●nt com● t● the nose , she is not barren , and he bids you put Gar●●ck ●●ensed into the womb , and if she smel of it at the The Prog●●stic● . 〈◊〉 ●he is fruitful .

A natural bad disposition that causeth barrenness is not curable ; Hippocrates saith that barrenness 2. Prognos . 3. from ulcers is hard to be cured . A woman that conceives not from disagreement with her husbands constitution , by another husband , or in time may be cured , or some distemper that causeth sterility may be mended by Physick .

Take away the causes , amend the distemper of The Cure . the womb , whether with matter or without matter is to be mended , which causeth either no seed or that which is unfruitful , or not convenient . See Part 1. Sect. 2. Chap. 1.

The Medicines of an occult quality are best . As , Take Rocket seed , Silermontane , each half a dram ; Ivory shavings , Cinnamon , Nutmeg , each a dram ; Mu●k ( in such as may ) three grains , whi●e Sander● three drams , make a Pouder : give a dram with Wine .

Or , Take Species Diamoschu , Diambra , each a dram ; the matrix of a Hare , a Bores stones , and the ●ard of a Stag , each half a dram ; Nutmeg , Cinnar●on , Cloves , Rocket seed , wild Parsnep seed , each a dram ; Musk , Amber , each four grains ; with Sugar as much as all , give two drams in Wine .

A Confection . Take sweet Almonds , Pistach●es , Pine-n●ts , Hazel-nu●s , each an ounce ; Ci●ron peels , Ginger , Cloves , Cinnamon , each half a dram ● Rocket seed two dram● : give a spoonful at bed time .

Or make this March-pane . Take sweet Almonds four ounces , Pine , Pistachaes , Hazel-nuts , each two ●unces ; Diambra , Dian●oschu , each ● dram ; Ivory half a dram , Cinnamon half an ounce .

An Electuary . Take Conserve of Rosemary six ounces , Dogs stones candi●d two ounces , Or●bus , S●hi●k● rein● , B●res stones , Sows wombs , Deers pri●●ie● , Ivory , ●urnep seed , Fennel , Nettle seed , Rocket , Clary , wild Mustard , each two drams ; Pine-nuts , ●weet Almonds , each half an ounce ; Diamos●● dulcis a dram , Oyl of Nutmeg by expr●ssion two drams , with Syrup of Betony make an Electuary . Or use Triphera without Opium .

Or use Baths , In●essions , Fomentations , ●umes , and Baths after terms for five da●es .

Take Briony , Masterwort roots , Mercury , Mugwort , Pennyroyal , M●rjoram , Bays , Sage , Motherwort , Juniper-berries and tops , make a Bath .

Or use Sulphur Baths of Allum , Niter , Bitumen , these do much good .

A Fume . Take Labdanum , Storax cal●mi●e , Benzoin , ●ach two drams ; wood Aloes a scruple , Musk six grains , with infusion of Traganth made in Rose-water , make Troches .

Make Pessaries of green Mercury and Motherwort . Or , Take Mastich , Storax liquid , each half an ounce ; Balm , Nep , Mercury , each a dram ; Cloves , Nutmeg , each half a dram ; Civet half a scrup●e , with wax make a Pessary . After Baths and Fumes , anoint the Pecten and Navel with this . Take Oyl of Keir half an ounce●oyl distil●ed of M●rj●ram a scruple , of Cloves half a scruple , of Nutmegs by expr●ssion a dram , S●ora● liquid two drams , Civ●● and Musk , each six grains ; with wax make a Lini●●●t . After bathing , let her have a Bag upon her belly of Balm , Calamints , Mints , Motherwort , and Wine . Let her wear Plaisters upon her loyns and Perinaeum , till the week before her Terms . As , Take th● Plaister for the Mother an ounce , S●●rax liquid , Caranna , each two drams ; Gallia m●●chata half a dram , Oyl of Cloves half a scruple , of Nutmegs by e●pression a dram , with Oyl of Keir mak● a Plaister . If the Womb be too loose and slippery , use Clysters of juyce of Me●cury , with Honey Baths , Pessaries , Fumes , and other astringents Topicks that strengthen .

If the mouth of the womb gape , make a Decoction in Wine of Mirtles , Mastich , Wood-Vines , Olives , Wormwood , Cypress roots , Com●●ey , Snakeweed , Cinquefoyl , red Rose , Pomegranate flowers , foment the privities : or with pouder of Mastich , Frankincense , Allum , Wood-Aloes , make a Fume .

Other diseases are to be cured as before s●ewed .

Let it be to increase seed , of much good juyce . The Diet. In the time of copulation , avoid passions , anger , sadness , fear . Let love be invited , and if it burn , there wil many Spirits fli● to the womb and privities .

Chap. 3. Of Barrenness for the time , and conceiving seldom .

SOme conceive the seventh , eighth , or ninth year after wedding : some presently , but not after the first any more , or not in many years after .

If Vi●gins marry af●re fourteen , they conceive 〈◊〉 or if the constitution of the womb be bad , The Causes o● the seed . Some conceive not from the disagreement of seeds , til their constitution be changed .

They who want terms , or have them disorder●● , or are sickly , seldom or never conceive with The Signs . ●●ild , or have had hard travel , or a dead child . S●me are weakned , so that after the first child , they have no strength to conceive .

All these will be related : whether she be married too soon , or had hard travel , or aborted , or had a dead child , or a mole . If these were not , The Prognostick . the seed and womb have not a just proportion with the mans , but it may be altered by age .

If the womb be much hurt after travel , or any thing turn in it , or broken , they seldom conceive a gain . And if a woman marry at a ripe age , and have no remarkable disease , and conceive not presently , she is not to be accounted barren , because some private indisposition hinders conc●ption , The Cure . which after may be altered , and she may prove fruitful .

A woman that mar●●es too young , after she hath once conceived , and then ceaseth , must use Venery sparingly , til she grow older , that she may recover the strength she lost in her first travel . And if a woman marry at ripe years , and conceive● not by reason of the driness of her womb , let he● use Baths , Fomentations , and emollient Pessaries . If she conceive not from weakness , strengthen the womb , and let her not use Venery often .

If Virgins be sick from seed retained or terms● let them marry . But if there be a fault in the liver or spleen , or the whole body , that may be increased by Venery , it is better that they be cure● before they be married . And if they cannot b● cured , let them not be married .

If the womb be distempered by birth or a disease , cure it as in diseases of the Womb : if it b● from a Mole or flux of blood , cure it as it ha●●● and shall be shewed .

If it be from a dead child , first clense it wit● juyce of Mercury , and then put Treacle or Mithridate dissolved into the womb , or with a Pessary , or give them outwardly .

Chap. 4. Of Conception , and forming of the Child .

COnception is an action of the womb , after fruitful seed both male and female is received , mixed and nourished , & its strength is stirred up to do its office . Seed and Coema differ , seed is that which comes from both male and female , but Coema is that which is mixed of both , and is called Conception which produceth a child .

This Conception is presently when two seeds meet in the womb , in less then seven hours after they are spent , if the heat of the womb preserve them , for Nature is not idle a moment , but presently fals to conformation . Therfore Hippocrates Lib. de genit . ●aith that the beginning of Conception is to be reckoned from the day that the seed is retained , and if she conceives not from the weakness of the seeds or womb , the seed wil fal out in seven daies for Hippocrates ●aith , That Conception and aborti●n Lib. de s●ptim . parti● . are judged in the same time , as a disease , health , and death are judged . And Arist●tle ●aith , ●f seed r●mains within till the seventh day , there is certain 3. De hist. ani. ● . 3. Conc●ption .

As for Formation , the Soul lying in the seed , ●nakes its own house , for all acknowledg a ●●rming faculty , and you must then suppose there is a ●ubstance from whence this faculty flows . And ●hough Aristotle ●aith that seed is a living crea●ure in power ; not that there is not the e●●ence ●f the Soul in the seed , and that it is not a living ●●eature in respect of the first act , but because 〈◊〉 not come to the second act , for wan● of ●it 〈◊〉 which being perfected , it hath the second act and all its operations , which for defect of organs , it cannot produce .

There are divers opinions of the time of Formation , they are best that say the membranes a●e first made , which wrap the child with the navel vessels , by which it is joyned to the Mothe●s womb , and receives nourishment for the child . Then all other parts are made sooner or later , a● the child requires for dignity or necessity .

We intend here to speak of womens diseases . Therefore there are three things required for the Formation of a child . 1. Fruitful seed from both parents , in which the Soul remains that hath a ●orming quality to make its own habitation . 2. The Mothers blood is required to enlarge the child to perfection . 3. There is required a good constitution of the womb to nourish the seed , and stir the concealed force . If these three be right , there is a child that is ●ound and perfect , that will be born : but if any of these be wanting , there are Twins are more , and other faults of which in order .

Chap. 5. Of the Generation of Twins , and many Children .

NAture hath ordained that a woman shoul● con●eive but one child● in these and oth●● Countri●s especially , and that every year ; yet in many pl●ce● s●e hath more , one had five at every birth , twenty at four lyings in . A Mar●●ret the Countess of Holst●rne , in the time of th●●mperor H●nry the seventh , had three hunder●● sixty four at one labor . And another Count●● in the time of Fred●ri●● the eleventh , had ●iv● hundered and fourteen children at once , being Boys : these are so seldom , that they seem incredible .

I speak nothing of the Causes of such monst●uous The Caus●s productions , but of Twins , or Three , or Four . It is certain they are got at one time : and this differs from Superfoetation , which is at many times . And you must not impute it to the divers Cells of the womb , for women have no such Cells , but onely a Line that divides the le●t side from the right ; but it comes from the division of the seed into divers parts , and the least forming force in the side is compleat , and makes a child of every part of it . And because the cavity of the womb cannot admit so many parts of seed , being no bigger then a Bean ; and if it do admit them , how can the seed be divided at one copulation into so many parts ? I suppose that such women have naturally a larger womb , so that much seed is divided . A●d as Twins are begot at the same time , so they have but one Placenta , or part tha● receives the navel-vessels of both , but they have their several Coats .

It is hard to know whether a woman have conceived The Sig●● . Twins , onely thei● belly is not even , but divided with seams and wrinkles ; and the weight is commonly greater , and the motion is not one nor alike .

If a woman have two children , a●d be weak , The Prog●ostic● . ●●e is in danger in her travel . Twins of one Sex ●●e mo●e lively th●n of both Sexes . And one is 〈◊〉 exp●●ience we●ker and shorter lived then the 〈◊〉

Chap. 6. Of Superfoetation .

IT is seldom that a woman hath many children at divers copulations , but it is so sometimes , and is called Superfoetation , that is a new conception after a former . Though Hippocrates writes , 5. Aphor. 15. That the mouth of the womb after Conception is so shut , that you cannot put in a Needles point , yet a woman with child may take such pleasure after , that she may a little open the womb to receive seed again , and draw it in , which may form another child .

The Causes Therefore the Cause is the pleasure the woman hath , which opens the womb again to attract seed . And it is necessary that the seed received , be in its proper membrane , and peculiar receptacle .

The Differences . These come somtimes sooner , somtimes later , somtimes the same day or the following , sometimes longer after . Somtimes they have a third Superfoetation , so that they have two living children , and one mischance .

The Signs . It is known only by the motion of the infant , when it is conceived long after the first .

The Prognostick . It is dangerous for the Mother , for fear of abortion , and for loss of much blood by two births at no great distance of time .

The Cure . It is best to leave the whole work to Nature , and women ought to take heed of Superfoetation ; therefore after they have conceived , let them meddle no more .

Chap. 7. Of the ill Formation of the Child .

IN the Formation of the child , there are divers Symptoms . 1. In the weakness of the child . 2. The parts are more or ●ewer , to which you may refer Hermaphrodites . 3. The parts are greater or less , as Dwarss or Gyants . 4. There is some part out of place or shape , as Histories ●●ew abundantly .

You must ●ind the Causes in the seeds , terms , The Causes womb , and error in Formation : the cause of these is the action hurt of the forming faculty . This is not alwaies from it self , but from the unfitness of the ma●ter , and fault in the place which kee●s it from the intention : for actions of active things are not but in a disposed patient . Somtimes there is an extraordinary cause , as imagination , when the Mother is frighted , or imagineth strange things , or longeth vehemently for some mea● which if she have not , the child hath a mark of the colour or shape of what she desired , of which there are many Examples .

But I doubt whether all errors in Formation , depend together upon the imagination ; for the Spirits and humors are troubled by the passions of the mind , and so slow ●o●ceable imm●d●ately to the womb or other part , and this disturbes the Author●● sent●ntia . ●●rming faculty in its work . Also the forming ●●culty being overcome with plenty of humo●s 〈◊〉 wanting Spirits that are gone another way●●ay by ●hance make an ill shape ; therefore the ●●ssions of the mind are the first causes of ●rrou● 〈◊〉 Formation , and imagination ●●lps by 〈◊〉 up the appetite . These are the common errors of formation .

Others are dete●minate errors , not simply from the imagination by the pallions which have no determination to such a thing ; but no other cause can be besides the imagination , but how she directs the forming faculty for the producing of such effects , it is hard to be understood , but there must be some imagination and the forming faculty , that it may impart the species sent from the external senses to the forming faculty .

And this is the cause of the consent of the upper and lower faculties : for the ●oul is the same in the whole body ; and every where ●itted with the same faculties , but it doth not exercise all in all parts , but by the proper determinate organs ●● instruments .

And though the child hath its ●oul , yet while it is in the womb , it depends upon the ●oul of the mother , as the fruits partake of the life of the tree while they are upon it , therefore it is probable , that whatsoever moves the faculties of the ●oul in the mother may move the same in the child : Hence it is that while the forming operateth in the seed and womb of the mother , if any species be sent to the imagination of the mother which she strongly receives , it may make an impression upon the child , yet every imagination cannot make this impression , but that which makes a great admiration or terrour in the mother when the forming faculty is at work , as when she beholds one with six fingers , she brings forth the like , or when sh● produ●eth hair wh●●e it should no● be , or the l●●eness of a beast in an● limb , or when she ●eeth any thing cut or divided with a Cleaver , she brin●s ●orth a divided part o● a Hare-lip .

Chap. 8. Of a Child turned into Stone .

JOhn Albosius Doctor at Senon , and Sim●on Prov●nch●r of Lingo Physitian of Senon writ of of this in French and Latin .

I shall give my opinion with others .

Two things are to be observed in this wonderful history , first why the Child in the time of tra●ail being dead in the womb did not stink as is usual , or kill the mother suddenly , or was not ●ast out by degrees being rotten ? secondly by what force the child was turn'd into Stone ?

For the first , The mother lived twenty eight years after she had this Child , therefore it is not credible that the womb was so cold that it might hinder putre●action , as some think . It seems more probable to me , that these questions explanation depend upon one principle , for the cause that made the stones hardness , kept the child from putre●action , but what that is , it is obs●ure .

Many fly to the efficien●y of the fi●st qualities , others to driness , others to coldness , others to both . I acknowledg heat , cold and driness to be helping causes for b●eeding of Stones in mans body , but the chief cause is a Stone breeding juyce , or spirit , of which I have spoken at large .

The principles of generation were weak in this child and impure , and this stone-breeding ●●●ce was mixed with the blood in the humors , hence it is that it was not born alive , as in a wole bred in the womb , which women have ●i●l they a●e old and die with it , and yet it s●i●●s 〈◊〉 no more then stones bred in most parts . But there is but this History of such a Birth .

Chap. 9. Of a Mole .

IT is ●lesh and a mass without bones or bowels , gotten of an imperfect conception instead of a child . The Latins cal it a Mole from the weight , because it is troublesom to women , as a Milstone in Latin called Lapis molaris .

The Differences . Somtimes it is unshapen flesh without bones , only ful of veins , with a skin over it , and nothing within , but like the Parenchyma of the bowels . Pet. Salius diu . in annot. in altimarum . Somtimes it is membranous and ●ib●ous , without shape . Somtimes it is long , round , or like a quary of glass , or like a brute beast Some have brought forth three Moles like mens ya●ds .

Some are like congealed blood , or the Placenta of the womb , into which the navel-vessels are inserted ; some grow and are nourished , and some have an obscure sense . Somtimes they are sent out alone , somtimes with● or before the child , of which there are many Histories . Some bring ●orth Monsters for Moles .

The Causes It is from the error of the forming ●aculty , but the Cause of that is obscure . I suppose it is from both seeds , when the forming faculty is weak , and the seed little and not good , and overcome by much blood , and can make onely veins and membranes , and not a whole child . Somtimes 〈◊〉 is in Widdows onely from their own seed and blood .

A Mole is sooner bred when the blood is impu●e , and unfit to nourish , and is made when they copu●●te in the flowing of the terms that are unclean . It is ●either from heat nor cold principally , but from the error of the forming faculty .

They are hard to be known before the fourth The Signs . month , then they are known by such as can distinguish between the motion of wind and a child ● . If a woman turn from side to side , it ●alls like a stone to that side she lies on , and is heavy . If it have any motion , it is trembling and beating , with constriction and dilatation like a Spunge . If after the time that the child should move , there be no motion , and the belly swells , and there is no sign of a Dropsie , it is a sign of a Mole .

Thirdly , in women with child , there is milk about the fourth month , but in a Mole the breasts swel , but there is no true milk . 4. They are more pained and faint , and have more pain in their back and groyns .

If it be with a quick child , it is hard to be known , but it is known by its weight in the womb , which she perceives when she gets up to walk or moves from side to side ; some are then strong and well coloured .

It hurts the womb and whole body ; if it be The Prognostick . divided , it is less dangerous : when it is soft , it is cast out the third or fourth month . Somtimes it ulcerates or tears the womb , and causeth great bleeding . Some have been cast out or drawn out Fabr. cent. 2. obs. 55. without danger : some grow old with them in , ●nd find no inconvenience but the weight .

To prevent , take heed of Venery in the terms , The Cure . o● before the terms , or when the body is foul or ●●st●ucted , or the womb .

When it is , take it away presently with thin●s ●●●t ●●nd fo●th a dead child . Hippo●rates shew●th 1. De morb . mulier . the ●●●e in few wo●d●● First ●oment the whole

Therefore if she be plethori●k , let blood largely in the foot at divers times .

Then purge often with strong Physick . Tak● Althaea , Lilly roots , each half an ounce ; Althaea , Mercury , Pellitory , Brank●rsine , each a handful ; To Conquer all In●irmities Study my Sennertus , Platerus , Riverius , Bartholi●us and Riolanus , of the last Editions . Chamomil , Melilot flowers , each half a handful ; F●●nugreek and Lineseed , e●ch six drams ; boyl them in Broath to a pint , add sweet Butter , Oyl of sweet Almonds , Lillies , each an ounce ; make a Clyster , repeat it often .

M●ke Baths , Liniments , Fomentations ( then move the terms ) with Dittany , Birthwort , Briony , &c. Take Briony , Birthwort , ea●h half an ounce , Asarum two drams , Rue , Savin , Mugw●rt , Dittany , Pennyroyal , Motherwort , each a h●ndful ; Elder and Chamomil flowers , ●ach half a handful ; Line and Faenugreek seeds , each half an ounce ; boyl them to a pint , ad Hiera an ounce and half , Troche● of Alkandal a dram , Oyl of Ru● and Keir , each an ounce and half ; make a Clyster , of the residents mak● a Cataplasm for the belly .

Or this Pessary . Take Troches of Mirrh , G●lbanum , Opopanax dissolved in wine , each two drams ; Sowbread roots a dram , white Hellebore half a dram , with juyce of Rue .

F●b . cent. 2. obs. 52. If these wil not do , let the Midwise take it out with her hand , if it be half rotten .

Or leave it to Nature which doth it in time .

To s●op the flux of blood after a Mole is taken out , use things against overflowing of the Terms . As , Take Plantane , Shepheards-pu●s● , Brambles , Oa● leaves , r●d Roses , e●ch a hand●ul ; boyl them in steeled Water , then take B●rley bran t●o ounces , Pomegranate flowers , Cypress-nuts , P●megran●t● p●els , red Ros●s , Comfrey roots in p●uder , ea●h an ounce ; Frogs burnt , Bole● Sanguis Draconi● , ●ach half an ounce ; with the Decoction aforesaid , and a little Vinegar , make a Cataplasm for the Region of the womb . Take away pain with Anodynes mentioned in pain of the Womb : keep up the strength with meat of good juyce .

Question . Whether a Mole may be without the company of a man , and without his seed ?

To speak freely of this which many doubt , I suppose that many are made of a weak mans seed mixed with the womans seed , and much blood . But Histories confirm that Widdows ha●e had them without mans seed , but not of the shape with the others . And being voided , they melted being in the air into water .

I think Virgins cannot have them but from wantonness , or in sleep they may spend their seed ; but because it is weak , and the blood necessary for formation , neither is drawn by the womb , nor flows to it of its own accord , as it doth in those that have had children , and the vessels of the womb in Virgins are straiter then in Widdows , and others that have had children . Therefore though the seed of Virgins flow into the womb , yet they cannot have a Mole for want of blood , which is necessary for the forming of the same . This is to be understood of Moles which are not vital , for vital Moles that have some life , cannot be got in Virgins or Widdows without the seed of a man .

Chap. 10. Of Monsters .

HIstories tell us of many Monsters brought forth by women . We spake of worms , S●ct . 2. Chap. 8. They are like Toads or Mice ●ar . 7. cap. 12. l ij . or Fi●● . Gordonius saith it is usual in Lumbardy . Lycosthones saith , and others also , that Serpents Dogs , and other Monsters with parts like brute beasts have ●een brought forth .

In appen . Franc. Ros. de par. c●esa . Gaspar ●auhin speaks of one Anne Troperim , which 1575. brought forth two Serpents with her child , in Harvest hot weather ; she had d●u●k water in a Brook in a Wood near Basil , whe●e she thought she drank the Spawn of a Serpent , for a little after that , her belly swelled , and three ●onths after she was big with child , and the Serpents grew as the child did . Her belly was so big that she carried it in a swathing Band. She was delivered at last of a lean male child , and ( because they suspect Worms or Snaks from the knawing and strange motion she felt that year ) they put a bason of milk under her , and when they expected an afterbirth , out came a Serpen● , which she saw , and perceived another coming forth , they were an ell long , and as thick as a childs arm . Thus Ba●●hin and he speaks of others if you please to peruse him .

A Monster is that which is either wholly or in part like a beast , or that which is ill shaped extraordinary .

The Caus●s Histories witness , that a Monster may be f●om humane seed , and the seed of a beast : It is seldom , for the forming faculty doth not erre of itself , but is seduced by the imagination , or frustrated of its ends , ●rom a fault of the Spirits , the heat or matter . Therefore imagination is the ●ause of Monsters . For Histories mention that w●men with child , by beholdin● men in viza●ds , have brought forth Monst●rs with horns , and ●eak● , ●nd ●loven feet , The s●me is when Spiri●s or heat , seed or blood are weak or little .

And though Doctors cannot cure Monsters , yet they are to admonish women with child not to look upon Monsters , and to strengthen their Spirits and heat , and to keep the seed and blood ●ight , and not to allow copulation in time of their terms , least any monstrous Birth should be f●om much and impu●e blood .

Chap. 11. Of false Conception , and Swelling .

FAlse Conception or Gravidation is when the terms are stopt , and the belly swells , and there are signs like those of a true Conception : then they think themselves with child , and as Hippocrates saith , They believe not to the contrary till ten months are past .

The causes , are wind in the womb , or water , C●●s●e . p. 1. 〈◊〉 2. c. 10. 〈◊〉 matter , or thick ●●egm .

These are bred f●om sickly seed ret●ined , u●on whi●h N●ture works in vain : or from a fault in the terms tha●●or●upts the seed , and breeds bad h●mor● . The like appears in Virgins when they begin to have thei● terms , but it is discovered by pain .

The terms flo● not as in a true Conception , The Signs . but in this there is pain of the head , loyns , belly , ●nd groyns , of which Hipp●crate● ●aith thus ; 2. Prorrhe● . They ha●● a false Co●ception with●u● terms 〈◊〉 wit● a 〈◊〉 bell● ha●e the headach , and th●re 〈◊〉 ●ill● in their breasts , bu● what is ●●ke water , and 〈◊〉 little . Moreove● the belly swels sooner then 〈◊〉 t●ue Conc●ption ; their colour changeth , 〈◊〉 fac●●nd ●eet s●ell● th●y loath meat , ●ain●● and have a depraved appetite . The surest sign is the time of childbearing being past .

The Prognostick . They are commonly barren , or have ulcers in their privities .

The Cure . It is cured by evacuation of the matter in the womb with proper Medicines , as in the Chapte● of the Distemper of the Womb with matter , and of inflation of the Womb and Drop●ie .

THE FOURTH BOOK . THE SECOND PART . THE FIFTH SECTION . Of the Government of Women with Child , and preternatural Distempers in Women with Child .

Chap. 1. Of the signs of Conception .

IF she keeps the ●eed , it is a sign she hath conceived , and a man may know that the seed is kept . If he find in Copulation that his Yard is is sucked and drawn by the womb , and the privities are not moist . And if she per●eives little or no ●eed ●o come forth again , and grow chill and quiver , 〈◊〉 perceive a ●witching in h●r womb , from the ●reat delight : and the mouth of the wo●b closeth , ●nd the 〈◊〉 stop .

But they are deceived , when they count or reckon from the stoppage of the terms . For some have their terms twice or thrice after they have conceived , and some have them all along without hurt .

The chiefest sign of C●nception , is when there is at first loathing of meat , pewking Pica , or preternatural appetite and vomiting . And when they hate that they earnestly affected , or ●aint when they think of them .

About the fourth month , the child moveth , which is not in a Mole the breasts after that swel with milk , and the last are the surest signs . From the face and urin there is no certainty .

Aphor. ●2 . & ibi . 4● . Hippocrates teacheth us to know whether it be a Male or Female ; If she be with child of a Boy , sh● is better coloured , but pale if of a Girle . And Boy● lie on the right side , and Girls on the left in the womb .

Chap. 2. Of the Government and Diet of Women with Child .

THe Diet is , either for such as are sound , or as have diseases .

Aphor. 12. As for the air , Hippocrates saith , If there be a wet warm winter with Southernly winds , a dry spring with Northern winds , they who conceive in the spring abort upon any small occasion . Or if they bring forth , their children are weak and sickly , o● die . Let her avoid all evil s●ents , as of Rue , Penny-royal , Mints , Castor , and Brimstone . Some ca●not bear sweet scents , let them not-look upon ●●●rible things , nor hear great noise of Guns .

Let meat be easie of concoction ; let her e●● Quinces to strengthen the child , or sweet Almonds with Honey , sweet Apples , Grapes . Let her abstain from sharp meats , very bitter or salt , and things that can provoke terms , as Garlick , Onions , Olives , Mustard , Fennel , Pepper , and all Spices . In the last months , Cinnamon is good , Summer fruits are naught for her , and all Pulse . When the child is bigger , let her diet be more , for it is better for women with child to eat too much then too little , least the child should want nourishment .

Let her drink moderately of clear Wine , not exercise too much , nor dan●● , nor ride in a Coa●h that shakes her ; let her not lift any great weights in the first and last months . In the ninth month let her move a little more , to dilate the pa●ts , and stir up natural ●eat .

Let her abstain from Venery in the first months , least there be a Mole or Superfoetation , or the child be hurt , but she may use it moderately in the last .

She may bathe in the last months , once in a week to loosen the privie parts . Let her avoid anger , sorrow , fear , and too much mirth .

Let her sleep rather then to be watchful . Let the belly be kept loose in the first month , with Prunes , Raisons , or Manna in Broth. And let her use Medicines to strengthen the womb and the child .

An Electuary . Take Conserve of Borage , Bugl●ss and red Roses , each two ounces ; of Balm an ounce , Citron peels , and Chebs Myrobalans candi●● , each an ounce ; Extract of Wood-aloes a s●ruple , Pearl prepared half a dram , red Coral , Ivory ●ach 〈◊〉 dram ; precious Stones , each a scruple ; candied N●●me●s two drams , with Syrup of Apple● and Quinces , ma●e an Electuary .

Rouls . Take Pearls prepared a dram , red Cor●● prepared and Ivory , each half a dram , precious ston●● ea●h a scruple ; yellow Citron peels , Mace , Cinnamon , Cloves , each half a dram ; Saffron a scruple , Wood-aloes ●alf a s●ruple , Ambergreece six drams , with six ounces of Sugar dissolved in Rose-wa●er , make Rou●s .

Apply strengtheners to the navel : of Nutmegs , Cl●ves , Mace , Mastich , Coral made up in bags , or a Toast in Malmsey sprinkled with pouder of Mints .

Chap. 3. Of the Cure of Women with Child in General .

THey have divers chronick and acute diseases : as Feavers , Pleuri●ie Quinzies , or inflammation of the Bowels , of which Hippocrate● 5. Aphor. 31. ( If a Woman with child have an acute disease , it is deadly ) There is a double danger . 1. In respect of the Feaver which Galen ●aith wil be continual . 2. In respect of the want of nourishment Valer. l. 1. obser. ●ol . com . ad lib. 5. a●h . 30. for the child . For if a woman with child be fed , the Feaver increaseth . If ●he have an Apoplexy , Epilep●ie , Convulsion , Cramp , she cannot bea● it out● But acute diseases are not alwaies deadly in women with child .

They have sometimes intermitting Feavers , Coughs , from which they hardly are freed be●ore they are delivered .

Question . 1. Whether must Women with child use a sparing Diet ?

Gal. ●it . lo. I● you give her a Diet at a long distance , the child will be starved . If you give her a ●ul diet , and often the feaver will endanger both mother and child .

Therefore be moderate , and add somthing to the diet which the mother loveth before the feaver , for the childs sake , and for the feaver . Abate the diet in the first months● let the diet be little in the middle and last months , let it be larger .

Question . 2. Whether may a Woman with Child be let blood ?

Hippocrates ●aith , If a woman with child be let 5. Aphor. 50. bl●od , she will miscarry , and if the child be older the sooner . This is to be understood of great bleeding , which was pints in his time , but now we go by ounces .

Therefore if bleeding be required in a feaver , or the like , and the woman with child be in strength , you may boldly let blood upon these ●onditions . 1. That you take not nourishment frō the child , let it be a little , and you wil t●ke more , do it the second time , least you weaken . 2. Open not the foot nor the Basilica , but the M●diana . 3. Before you bleed , strengthen the child by applications to the navel . And if they abort Amat . Lusit . c. 5. cur. 27. rod. á cast . 3. de morb . mul. in a feaver , you must impute it rather to the vio●ence of the feaver , then to the bleeding , and you u●●d the necessary help for preserving the mother . But it is safer in the first then in the last months , ●e●●use the child needs a further diet .

You may also open a vein in a woman with ●hild , ●hat hath no disease to prevent abortion , ●hen there is much blood , in the fourth or fifth ●●n●h , especially if they have no feaver , and are ●●rong . As Celsus ●aith , A strong C●ild , and a Lib. 2● c. 10. 〈◊〉 old man , and a healthy woman with child , may be sifely let blood . And Hippocrates forbids b●eeding only , least the child should want nourishment .

Question 3. Whether m●y● a Woman with Child be purged ?

You must not give strong Purges , least thei● force which moveth the humors , should reach t● the womb , and cast out the child . Therefore you must not purge women with child in all diseases , nor at all times , but only in the fourth month ti● the seventh , and that sparingly . And if the matter 4. Aphor. 1. swell and abound , as Hippocrates shews . Fo● the danger from the turgent matter is easily avoided thereby : for it will be purged with more ease , then when it is fixed and quiet . 1. Therefore onely purge in an acute disease . 2. From the beginning of the fourth onely to the end of the si●th● 3. Use no vehement Medicine , no● very bitter , as Aloes which is an enemy to the child , and opens the mouths of the vessels ; no● Co●oquintida , nor Scammony , nor Turbith , but use Cassia , Manna , Rhubarb , Agarick and Senna : but Diacydonium purgans is best with a li●tle of the Electuary of the ju●ce of Roses .

If there be a chronick di●ease , she may also be purged safely , especially if she be used to it , and strengtheners be applied to the navel .

Question 4. Whether purging or bleeding is most dangerous for a Woman with Child ?

We s●●wed in the last Question the necessity of purging and its danger by the great motion of humors , which if i● reach to the womb , causeth abortion , because it causeth pain in the belly , and provokes the te●ms . But bleedin● di●●urbs the humors less , nor doth hurt any way , but by taking nourishment from the child● And this you need not fear , if there be too much blood . There●ore pu●ging is more dangerous then bleeding .

Question 5. Wh●ther is it lawful to cause an Abortion to preserve the Mother ?

A Christian may not cause an abortion for any cause , for it is wicked● and the Gentiles in Hipp●crates his time never allowed it , they would not hinder Conception , much less would they destroy it when made . Nor must the mo●her be p●eserved by the loss of the child , For we must not do evil , that good may come thereby .

But if to preserve the mother , the Physitian purge or bleed , and the abortion follow , the fault is not the Physitian that intended it not , but in the weakness of Nature and of the child , and is better to preserve the mother , then by neglecting the lawful means , let both die . Also the dead child must presently be thrown out .

Question 6. Whether are Clysters , Diureticks and Swea●s prop●r for a Woman with Child ?

Though women deny Clysters to them , yet if they have been used to them , they may be given in a 〈◊〉 quantity , such as only molli●ie and sup●le , no● do th●y more hurt th●n Lenitives .

Di●●eticks or things that provoke urine , are ●●t safe , because they p●ovoke the t●●ms . You 〈◊〉 not give g●ntle Sweats , for Nature will re●●ive strength by the castin● off of her enemies . ●ou may use Alterers th●t are proper , as this Syrup . Take the juyce of unripe Grapes about the beginning of September three galons , add Pom●●itrons or Lemons bruised hal● a pound : boyl them 〈◊〉 they are soft , and strain them , and with half a pou●● of Sugar make a Syrup .

Chap. 4. Of the Symptomes that befal Women with Child in in the first months .

THey are loathing of meat , Pica , or evil appetite , pewking , vomiting , belly-ach , flux of the belly , tooth and headach , giddiness .

These all come from the stoppage of the terms , especially in a Cacochymy or evil juyce : for it goes to the stomach , and so to the head . Fi●st , 5. Aphor. 45. ●●ey loath meat , which Hippocrates ●aith is a sign of Conception . And this is when the child takes the purest blood , and leaves the impure , which gets into the mouth of the stomach , and insects it , and hence comes the loathing of some sorts o● meats .

Sometimes this ceaseth of it self ; but if there be danger of a Consumption in the mother , le●● the child should be in danger for want of food , give a gentle Vomit or Stomach-pills , with thing● that strengthen the Stomach . As , Take Co●ser●● of red Rose● half an ounce , of Bettony an ounc● , p●●served Quinces three dram● , Aromaticum 〈◊〉 half a dram , Pearl prepared half a scruple , 〈◊〉 Syrup of green Ginger and Quin●es , make an E●●ctuary .

Anoint the stomach with oyl of Mastich , 〈◊〉 Quinces , Wormwood , Mirtles , &c. Give 〈◊〉 and powerful things with 〈…〉 roasted rather then boyled .

Pica is when they desire strange and absurd things , as coals , ashes , &c. as she that longed for her husbands flesh , and though she loved him very well ; she killed him , eat part , and poudered up the rest . Of this disease we spake in the third Book .

Juyce of yong Vine-●eaves with syrup of Quinces , is good against this , or the water that drops in May from the Vines . This keeps the child from suffering by the mothers appetite .

Or this Spirit . Take Citron peels , Oranges , P●●ny roots as much as you please , add Malmsey , di 〈…〉 them some daies , then beat the roots and peels , ad more Malmsey , and distil them .

The third is loathing and vomiting , from an evil vapor or humor in the stomach from blood retained . If vomiting gives her ease , stop it not , but leave it to Nature , it wil cease after a month or two . If it be with trouble , give a gentle Vomit , or strengthen the stomach , or give a little Rhubarb .

The fourth is pain of the belly , f●om wind and humors about the womb that go to the guts , discuss them as in Chap. 3. of the Colick . Avoid moist Fomentations , give Cinnamon water , or spiced Wine .

The fifth is a loosness which must be suddenly stopt , least it cause an abortion . First , give a Hippocr . 5. Apho● 34. ●entle Clenser and strengthener , ●s Rhubarb with ●●●up of Roses solutive , then Quinces at the first course at meals ; and Rice , Starch , Almonds , Con●●●●e of Rose● , Quinces . Apply to the navel a Pul 〈…〉 of Quinc●s , Mastich , Nutmegs , Mace , Cloves .

The sixth is the toothach , from a sh●rp humor ●●om retention of the terms that goes to the r●ot 〈◊〉 some tooth , and hurts the membranes . It ceaseth commonly of 〈◊〉 self , yet if it be great , use a Plaister of Mastich and Tacamahacca to the temples , and hold in the mouth the Decoction of Fern root● , Cinquefoyl , Snakeweed , Sage , Mulberry ba●●● &c.

The seventh is headach , when the vapors f●om the terms stopt , ascend and twitch the memb●ane● of the brain , it must be repelled and abated with Lenitives , of which in Lib. 1. Part 3. Sect. 1. Cap 3. of Headach .

The eighth of the Megrim , from the vapors disturbing the Spirits that go to the head by the veins and arteries , or by the gullet . If it cease not , discuss vapors , and strengthen the brain inwardly and outwardly as in Vertigo .

Chap. 5. Of the Symptoms in Women with Child in the middle months .

THey are cough , heart-beating , fainting , watching , pain in the loyns and hips , and bleeding .

1. The cough is from a sharp vapor that comes to the jaws and rough artery from the ter●s , or from a thin part of that blood gotten into the ●eins of the breast , or falling from the head to the breast . This endangers abortion , and strength ●ails from watching ; therefore purge the h●mors that f●ll from the head to the breast , with Rhubarb , Agari●l● , and strengthen the head as in a C●tarrh , and giv●●●eet Lenitives , as in 〈◊〉 Cough .

2. Palpitation of he●●t and fainting , is f●●m vapors that go to it by the ●rteries , or f●om bl●●● that aboundeth , and cānot get out at the womb , but ascends and oppre●leth the heart . Use Cordials as in Syncope inwardly and outwardly .

If it be from too much blood as in Plethory , open a vein .

3. Watching is from dry sharp vapors that trouble the animal Spirits . Then use Frictions , and wash the feet at bed-time , and give Syrup of Poppies , dried Roses , Emulsions of sweet Almonds , and white Poppy seeds .

4. There is pain in the loyns and hipps from the weight of the child , or from the terms stopt , or growth of the child that stretcheth the ligaments of the womb and parts adjacent ; if there be Plethory , bleed . If it be from weight of the child , hold it up with swathing Bands about the neck .

5. There is flux of blood at the womb , nose , o● Haemorrhoids from plenty , or from the weakness of the child that takes it not in , or from evil humors in the blood , that stir up Nature to send it forth . Also the vessels of the womb may be broken or torn by motion , fall , cough , or trouble of mind . This is dangerous , of which Hippocrates 5. Ap●● . 60. saith , The child cannot be well , if it be from blood only , there is less danger , so it ●lows by the veins of the neck of the womb for it takes a●ay Plethory , or take not nourishment from the child .

If it be from the weakness of the child that draws it not , abortion often follows , or hard travel , or she goes beyond her time . If it slow by the inward veins of the womb , there is mo●e dang●r by the openness of the womb . If it come f●om evil blood , the danger is alike from Cacochymy which is like to fall upon both . If th●r● be Plethory , open a vein warily , and use astringents . As , Take Pearls prepared a scruple , 〈◊〉 Coral two s●ruples , Mace , Nutmeg , ea●h a dram ; Cin●●mon hal● a dram , make a Po●der , or with Sugar , R●u●s : or give this Pouder in Broath . T●k● red Coral a dram , Pearl half a dram precious ston●● , ea●h half a scruple ; red Sanders half a dram , Bo●● a dram , sealed Earth , Tormentil roots , e●ch two s●ruples ; with Sugar of Roses and Manus Christi , 〈◊〉 Pearl six drams , make a Pouder .

You may strengthen the child at the navel● I● there be Cacochymy alter the humo●s , and ( if you may ) evacuate . You may use Amulets in the hands , and about the neck . In flux of Haemorrhoids , beware of the pain . Let her d●ink hot Wine with a roasted Nutmeg .

Chap. 6. Of the Symptomes that are in the last months .

FIrst , the urin is stopt from suppression of th● ne●k of the bladder . Let her then lie d●wn● and let bladder be fomented with a Bag of P●llito●y , Par●ley roots● M●llows , Lineseed , and the like , o● use the C●theter .

2. The belly is bound from a hot & dry live●● when the child d●●ws all the moisture to it , 〈◊〉 the guts . Let her then use Moist●ers , 〈◊〉 Butter , M●llows , Borage in Broaths ; or take Clysters in a small quantity .

3 The veins appear in the hips and leggs a● varic●ns on●ly , then keep them from walking● and let th●i●●eet be laid upon a stool .

4. The l●ggs swell from ●erous blood , but thi● goes away with the a●terbirth , and is the signs 〈◊〉 a female child ; but if she cannot walk , foment ●ith a Lye made of Vine branches and Wine , or with a Decoction of Organ , Penn●royal , Chamomil , Calamints . Or ,

Take Bean and Lupine flour , each tw●●unces ; Tartar an ounce , Pigeons dung half an ●unce , with ●eeled water and juyce of Coleworts , make a Pultis . R●b and wash the feet with salt water in which Ch●momi● , Organ and Dill were bo●led .

5. The skin of the belly is cle●t with stretch●ng after the fourth month ; therefore use loosning Limments to keep off deformity , as marrow of Veal , and Sheeps legs , Oyl of sweet Almonds , Hens grease .

6. The water gathered in time of being with ●hild , between the membranes that hold the ●hild , comes forth too soon , because the membranes are broken by leaping or a con●usion . This makes difficult birth , for that water was to moisten the parts , Therefore let her keep a good diet , and strengthen the ●hild inwardly and outwardly .

Chap. 7. Of Weakness of the Child .

THis is either from weak seed or little nourishment or bad , and causeth many diseases in the child .

To hinder abortion and death of the child , know rightl● the weakness , as Hippocrates saith , 5. Ap●o . 53. They that will abort , have first breasts that ●al away , which i● from want of nourishment in the common vei●s of the womb and breasts . Hipp●crates 5● Ap●●r . 5● . ●ath a se●ond sign● which is this● I● a W●man with Child hath much milk flowing from her breast , her Child is weak . 3. If the terms flow often , the Hippocr . 5. aph●r . 56. nourishment is taken from the child . 4. A mother often and long being sick , shews that her child is weak , because her blood is not good , and the bad humors with the blood go to nourish the child which makes him sick . 5. When the mother hath a flux of the belly , the child is weak . 6. Whē it begins to move , and is scarce felt , it is weak .

If it be from these causes , take them away , and strengthen the child ; first ●eed the mother high with meats of good juyce , and sweet Almonds steept in Honey , Raisons , Quinces , outwardly thus . Take Malmsey three pints , dissolve it in oyl ●f Nutmeg● by expr●ssion half an ounce , add pouder of Cloves , Rue , each half an ounce ; Rose , Sage , Mar●oram , Penny●oyal water , each a pint ; Aqua vitae three ounces . Dip Spunges in it , and apply them under the le●t breast , to the arm-pits , hams , pulses , soles of the feet , and when they dry , wet them again .

Chap. 8. Of Crying in the Womb.

CHildren have somtimes cryed in the womb , as Fabricius saith in his Epistle to his Brother James Fin●el , and W●inridi●k of Monsters , writes thus , In this City of Bressa a child was heard to cry in the womb three daies before the travel ; when he was a man , he was mis●rable with poverty and dis●as●s , till he died . Andreas Libavi●● writes the same , and others .

Some sa● it portends evil to the Mother , or Child , or Countrey .

Th●●auses It is a v●ice by the expulsion of the air th●ou●h the ●ough arte●y , and some air may in the c●vities from vapors or Spirits , as in eggs when chickens pip in them . And if the child have a rough artery , lungs and breasts which are the organs of breathing ●ound , and the child is strong , there is no hinderance but it may utter a voice . But somthing whatsoever it is , must stir it to make this noise .

THE FOURTH BOOK . THE THIRD PART .

THE SIXTH SECTION . Of Symptoms that happen in Childbearing .

Chap. 1. Of Child-bearing in General .

WHEN the child can no longer be contained in so small a place , being grown , and requiring mo●e nourishment , it ki●ks , and b●eaks the membranes and Ligaments that h●ld it , and th● womb by an expelling f●culty , sends it forth with great straining● and this is called ●ravel .

It is either natur●l or not natural , legitima●e or illigitimate . The natural is when the child ●omes with the head forward and heels upwards , with his hands and arms to his thighs , and so the other parts easily follow , then the Amnios is broken , and the water that was laid up in time of being with child flows forth , and moistens the passa●es , then the child with more force breaks the Acetabula , from which the Secundine is separated , and the other membranes are broken , and the blood flows into the cavity of the womb , and the child gets out by the expulsive faculty with such force , that it seems to fall rather then be expelled , and the bones of the privities must needs be divided .

That which follows the birth is above humane capa●ity , namely the transmutation of the navel vessels , and lungs , and heart in the infant , and why Nature ordered it , of which Galen elegantl● in the 15. Book of the Use of Parts , and 6. Chapter .

There is also a legitimate birth , when it is acco●ding to the Law of Nature , and an illegitimate , when it is before or after the time .

Hippocra●es saith that a birth in the seventh Lib. de s●ptim . p●rcu . month is vital and legitimate . And it is sooner f●om the strength of the faculty and matter ●it for formation , yet it is commonly weak , except the ●eventh month be compleat .

Of the eighth month Hippocrates ●aith thus , None live● that is born in the eighth month , because i● cannot bear the two affliction● to follow , but the reason of the Arithmeticians is better , that say an even month is imper●ect .

The ninth and tenth month are the best , as Lib. de natura pueri . Lib. Sapient . c. 8. Hi●p●crate● ●aith ; A child is born in ten months at t●e f●rthest , and so ●aies the wisest Salomon . Some say that a child may ●e born in the eleventh month , and Peter Apponensis was so born ; and some say they have been born in the fourteenth and fifteenth month : but rare things are not to be counted the Law of Nature .

Generally Physitians agree with Hippocrates , though some dissent .

Chap. 2. Of Abortion .

IT is the exclusion of a child , not perfect nor living , before legitimate time . This time is defined Lib. de c●rnib . by Hippocra●es , Whosoever conceiveth , doth it within seven daies , but they are properly abortions that come before the seventh day ; and though some are in the fifth and sixth month that have lived , y●t that must not d●rogate from the common Law of Nature .

Some differences of Abortion are from the time and bigness of the child . For that which is cast out , is little and round , without distinction of members at first , like a Grape . Somtimes as long as a ●inger , and members may be distinguished . And somtimes the child is almost perfect .

The Causes The immediate Cause , is the expulsive faculty sti●red up , and that is done by three means from Galen , from the weight , bigne●s and pain . 3. De natur● f●c . ●ap. 12. There are more causes which we shal place in two Ranks . The first is of the manner of the causes that provoke the expulsive faculty . The other is that which ●indeth out these waies by all the causes .

The expulsive f●culty is first provoked by the child being weak , either from evil seed , or being dead . The child is weak for want of food , and from the mothers diseases , either in her whole body , or in the womb , or parts adjacent that consent , as Feavers , Inflammations , Fainting , Convulsions , Pain , Vomiting , Neesing . Cough that move the Spirits and humors● and shake the child and stir up Nature to expel it .

Also straitness of the womb causeth Abortion , by which means it cannot contain a great child . Al●o shortness of the navel-vessels , which Fabricius first observed .

The outward Causes , are cold air after hot and moist , which gets into the womb , and provokes it , and hu●ts the child . The Astrologers Cent 2. obs. 50. add the malignant aspects of the Stars : also too much or too little meat . Great watchings , purging , and flux of blood by the womb and Haemorrhoids . Also violent motion , as leaping , carrying of burdens , strokes on the belly or ba●k . Also passions , as anger , fear , sorrow .

Also bleeding , purging , fasting , ●mel of brims●one or ashes , hoofs burnt , or stink of the snu●● of a candle .

If the breasts be less , or much milk flow from The Signs . them , or she feel much and often pain about th● belly or loyns , that go to the Pubes and Os sac●um , with a de●ire of thrusting forth in the womb . If the child change its place , and if it f●l lower when it was in the middle of the belly , there is fear of miscarr●ing .

It is dangerous alwa●●s , because it is with violence , The Pro●nos●i●k . there are also great Symptoms : they are in l●●s danger that have already brought forth a ●hild ; ●●●refore the ●irst is most danger●us , and 〈◊〉 mou●●s of the vessels ar● to●n , and they commonl● become barren . Abortion is mo●t dange●o●s in the sixth , seventh and eighth month , be●●●se th● in●ant being ●●eater , ●●useth greater pain , and breaks the Ligaments worse .

To preserve from Abortion .

Consider the constitution before she is with child , and prevent every cause . If it be like to come from Plethory before Conception , open a vein , and after Conception in the fourth or ●i●th month , in the arm .

I● it be from Cacochymy , purge the whole body , and purge the womb with Pessaries , and streng●hen it , of which in the cold and moist distemper of the Womb

If she have conceived , open a vein before the time she used to abort ; i● there Cacochymy purge gently at times . If there be a cold distemper of body by flegm that hurts the womb , give the d●coction of China or Sar●a , with strengtheners of the child

Avoid the external Causes of Abortion , and if they have done hur● , help it presently . L●t n●t the belly be bound ; if the child be weak , ●●move the causes of weakness , and strengthen i●● Use things that strengthen the womb and child , as Coral as Kermes-berries .

Or , Take Magistery of Coral a dram , Pearl p●●pared half a dram , Ivory shaved a dram , Ma●●i●● half a dram , grains of Kermes a dram , Manus ●●risti with Pearl two drams , make a Pouder . I● th● Abortion be at hand , and the pains increase , give this Pouder with a rear Eg Or , Take Con●●r●● of red Roses two drams , red Coral a●● Ma●●i●h , ●●●h a scruple ; give i● presently .

Use the ●ounte●●es Oy●tment outwardly to the Loyns , R●ins , P●c●●n and Perinaeum . Or , Take Oyl of Roses , Mirt●es , Ma●●i●h , Q●inces , ea●● two ounces ; Oyl of Mints an ounce , Bdellium 〈◊〉 in Vinegar , liquid Storax , each two ounces ; Oyl of Nutmegs by expression a dram , with Wax make an Oyntment . Of the same with Pitch , Rosin , Colophony , you may make P●aisters . Let her hold a Loadstone in her hand , or tie it to her navel , or wear an Eagle stone under her arm-pits , or Coral , Jaspar , Smaragds , Diamonds . If these will not keep the child up , you must give over A●●ringents , and use Leni●ives .

Question . Whether the straitness of the Womb , is the Cause of Abortion ?

Hippocrates 1. de morb . saith , That the Womb Lib. de super . lib. de steril . may cause Abortion , if they be windy , thic● , great , 〈◊〉 little : and he shews in another place that Abortion may be from the straitn●ss of the womb . And in another place he saith , I● a woman in the 〈◊〉 De nat. ●ac . c. ●2 . third , ●ourth or fifth m●nth mi●●arry , often , a●● at the s●me time , it is because the womb wil not stretch . And Galen confirms the same , and i● st●nds to reason , for natural birth is when the womb cannot contain the child for its growth . Th●r●for● i● it be ●●eternaturally too little , it i● the cause o● Mor●●on . And though N●ture hath made the womb ●o hold the child , yet i● i● be not made large enough , it cannot ●●ntain it ; so the stomach i●●●mtim●s so strait , that it cannot hold an indi●f●●ent quantity of me●t , as others can .

Chap. 3. Of the Signs of Natural Birth , and the manner and Government of such as bring ●orth .

AT her tim● of her b●in● t● be deliv●red , l●t ●er tak● h●●d of ●st●ing●n●s and thic●n●●s , but let her eat meat of easie concoction , and o● good juyce , and sit every fourth day in a h●t Bath . Of Mallows , Foenugreek , Linseed , Mugwort and Chamomil flowers ; and after let h●● back , loyns● belly and privities be anointed wit● the Mucilag● of Althaea seed , and Oyl of Lillies● and let th● child b● st●engthened .

But when ●●e hath pains from the navel to the groyn● , and in the back , then the ligaments a●● vessels are broken , by which the child grow● 〈◊〉 the womb . And because the womb violently strains to discharge it ; the membranous ●ib●es are extended , and commonly there are very great pains , and throws , or the child will not be born , and it is an evil sign when throw● cease , because the expulsive faculty is weaken●d . And let not the Midwi●e provoke throws till the time .

When the membranes are broken , the water flows out , that comes from the urin and sweat o● the child , first little , then more , then wate●ish blood , and the ori●ice of the womb begins to open to let out the child● And before this time , you must not provoke throws . Then let the Midwi●e put her ●inger into the ori●ice of the womb , and she shall perceive somthing round and hard as an egg . Let her not lie on her back flat , but with her back up , that she may breathe more freely .

After the child is born , you must press the blood in the navel-vessels towards the navel of the in●ant , and take heed that you loose not mu●h blood in cutting off the ●●vel-string , for it ha●● destroyed weak children , and you must l●bo●●o 〈◊〉 out the S●●u●dine with the child : & i● it b● in the womb , anoint your hands with ●a●m oy● , ●nd ●u● them i●to the womb , and ●etch i● out .

Chap. 5. Of Natural hard Travel .

THough Child-bearing since Eves sin is ordained to be painful as a puni●hment thero● , yet sometimes it is more painful then ordinary .

The first is from the mother , and the expulsive The Causes faculty . 2. From the Child . 3. From the passage , . From the mother , as when the womb is weak , and the mother is not active to expell from weakness or diseases or want of spi●its , 5. Aphor. 55. of which Hippocrates .

It is from the birth when there are twins or more , and both strive to go forth at a ●ime , or if the child stick to a Mole , or be so weak that it cannot break the membrane , or if it be too big all over , or in the head only , or if the Navil vessels are twisted about his neck .

It is from the passages when the membranes a●e thick , the ori●ice too strait , and the neck of the womb is not open sufficiently , as in such as Fabric . cent. 3. obs. 57. labour of the first child , or are very fat . The passages are pressed and straitned by tumors in the adjacent parts , or when the bones are too fi●m and wil not open , then the mother and child a●e both in danger , or when the passages are not ●●●ipp●ry , or when they are broken too soon by reason of the thin membranes , or the water flows ●●●th sooner then it ought .

You may know ha●d Travel by ●●int throws , The Signs . that come at a great distance . And you must consider all things concerning the mother , womb ●●d child .

The Prognostick . In hard Travel , the mother and child are in danger , and the Perinaeum sometimes breaks with the skin from the privities to the Arsehole . If a woman be four daies in travel , the child scarce escapes .

The Cure . All things that move the terms are good to make easie delivery , As Myrrh , white Amber in white Wine or Lillywater , two scruples or a dram . Some give a drop of oyl o● Amber in Vervain water , or a scruple of mineral Borax , or half a dram , but begin with gentle things , as a spoonful of To Cure al diseases Read my Sennertus , Platerus , Riverius , Bartholinus , and Riolanus , of the last Edition . Cinnamon water . Or , Take Cassia Lignea , Dittany , each a dram ; Cinnamon hal● a dram , Saffron a scruple , make a Pouder , give a dram . Or , Take Borax mineral a dram , Cassia Lignea a scruple , Saffron six grains , give it in Sack . Or , Take Cassia Lignea a dram , Dittany , Amber , each half a dram● Cinnamon , Borax , each a dram and half ; Saffron a scruple , give half a dram .

Or give some drops of oyl of Hazel in convenient liquor , or two or three drops of oyl of Cinnamon in Vervain water , some prepare the secundine thus : Take the Navel string and dry i● in an Oven . Take two drams of the pouder , Cinnamon a dram , Saffron half a scruple , with juyce of Savin make Troches , give two drams , or wash the S●●urdine in Wine , and bake it in a pot , then wash it in Endive water and Wine . Take half a dram of it , long Pepper , Galangal , each half a dram ; Piant●ne and Endi●e seed , each a dram and half , La●ender seed four scruples , make a pouder .

Or , Take Labdanum two drams , Storax ca●ami●e , ●e●●●in , each half a dram ; Musk and Ambergrease each six grains ; make a pouder , or Tro●●●s for a ●●me , o● use pessaries to provoke the bi●th . T●ke Galb●nu● 〈◊〉 in Vine●●● an oun●● , Myrrh two drams , Saffron a dram , with oyl of Orris make a Pe●●ary . An Oyntment for the Pecten and Navil . Take oyl of Keir two ounces , juyce of Savin an ounce , of Leeks and Mercury , ea●h half an ounce , boyl them to the consumption of the juyce , add Galbanum dissolved in vinegar half an ounce , Myrrh two drams , Storax liquid a dram , round Birthwor● , Sowbread , Cinnamon , each half a dram ; Saffron a scruple , with Wax make an oyntment .

Also neesing provoke the birth and Amulets , 5. Aphor. 35. As a Snakes skin about her middle , the Aegle-stone bound to her thigh .

If weakness be the cause , refresh her with Leui len● . de oc . nat. mir . lib. 4. c. 12. Wine and sops to the nose , Consect . Alkernies , Diamose . Diamarg .

If there ●e twins , let the Midwife order them with her hands , and help the foremost .

If the passages be not slippery , use an emollient Fomentat●on , and oyl of sweet Almonds , Hens or Ducks grease , &c. If the belly be bound give a Clyster or Suppository .

When medicines wil not do it , break the membrane Aetius ●etra . 4. cip . 23. with the ●ingers dipt in oyl , or cut them .

When the Child is stil ●orn , let the M●dwife ●hew Spices and blow in its mo●th , or drop Aqua vitae in it , or anoynt it with Honey .

Chap. 6. Of a vitious disorderly birth , or difficulty preternatural .

IF the head come not forth first , and the hands and ●eet are upwards there is an ill birth . Th● Causes

Hippocrates reckons two causes , the largeness Lib. de nat. pu . of the womb , and disorderly motion of the mother from pain , also the thickness of the membrane , which when it cannot break with the head , it attempts to do with the feet and hands .

The Signs . The midwife may perceive in what figure the child comes forth .

The Prognostick . All disorderly coming forth is dangerous to mother and child , but there is least danger when both ●eet come forth , this is called by the Latins Partus Agrippin●s .

The Cure . Let the Midwife reduce it into the cavity of the womb when it comes not forth right , and place it right .

When the feet cannot be thrust upwards , let the Midwife fupple the parts with oyl , and take hold of the arm and help it , and give neesings .

Let her alwaies labor to put the child in a right posture by moving it with her hand , or taking the mother from the bed , and compose her in such a posture as may bring the child into a right posture , and that soon .

Chap. 7. Of a slow Birth .

THis is when the child is longer coming forth then ordinarily , ●f this Massa writes that a Venetian Matron conceived of a husband ●pis●●l . to . 2 29 . ●pis . of seventy years of age , and brought forth a child in the ●i●teenth month blind and without hands which lived five months . Cardanns writes C●●sil . 85. ad ch●ist . 〈◊〉 that his father said he was born in the thi●teenth month , and Mercurialis writes thus . That it was never seen or written that a woman had a live chi●d f●ur years in her belly , &c. but these are rare and miraculous .

The cause is the weakness of the seed , and want of heat in the womb , which makes the expulsive ●aculty weak .

Chap. 8. Of a Child dead in the womb .

WHen at the time of Child-birth , there is pain and breaking ●orth of water , which ceaseth presently without delivery , the child remaining in the womb , then the mother or the child dies , or both .

When the travel is vehement from divers causes , The Causes they may also cause no birth , for either the more she may lose her strength and the child not come forth , or both may die .

And if the child be weak and move little , or the mother may be weak and the child great , the travel is hard and both die , or if the child come not forth in a right posture .

Or if the passages are ill proportioned , as Fabri . cent. 1. obs. 64. & 67. when the bones of the Pubes do not give way , or when there is Schirrhus , or other tumor that straitneth the passages● there is no delivery .

Or the child dies by a disease for want of nourishment , or a fall , stroak , or leap , or passion in the mother .

Search if the child be living or dead , for if it The Signs . be dead it wil hurt the mother by rotting , and if the mother die and child be alive , take it out before the mother be buried .

A child is known to be dead if the mother and Midwi●e perceive no motion , nor is it raised by any strengtheners given , and when the mother moves from side to side , i● moves like a stone , o● when the face and lipps of the mother are pale , and her extream parts livid : and the breasts that were plump , are fallen ; her breath sttinks , water and stinking matter flows from the womb ; there is a Feaver , horror and fainting , or Convulsion ; or if the Secundine come forth before the child .

The Prognostick . If a dead child be not presently taken out , the mother is in great danger : there are great Symptoms , and strange diseases , of which see Francis Rousset and others .

The Cure . When the child comes not forth in time ; and is alive , it must be taken out by the Midwife or Chirurgion by cutting the belly and womb , of which in the Chapter following . If it be dead , you must drive , or take it out before it stinks , either by Medicines or Chirurgery .

The Medicines are such as stir up the expulsive faculty , but they must be stronger then before , because the motion of the child ceaseth , as Take Savin , round Birthwort , Troches of Mirrh , Castor , each a dram ; Cinnamon half an ounce , Saffron a scruple : give a dram with Savin-water .

Or , Take Borax , Savin , Dittany , each an ounce ; Mirrh , Asarum rooes , Cinnamon , Saffron , each half a dram ; make a Pouder , give a dram .

Purge first , and put her in an emollient Bath , and anoint about the womb with Oyl of Lillies , sweet Almonds , Chamomil , Hens and Goose-grease .

Foment to get out the child with a Decoction of Mercury , Orris , wild Cowcumber , Staechas , Broom flowers . Then anoint the Privities and Loyns with Oyntment of Sowbread . Or , Take Colaquiwida , Agarick , Birthwort , each a dram ; make a Pouder , ad Ammoniacum dissolved in Wine , Ox gall , each two drams ; with Oyl ●f Keir make an Oyntment .

Or this Pessary . Take Birthwort , Orris , black Helleb●re , Coloquintida , Mirrh , each a dram poudered ; add Ammoniacum dissolved in Wine , Ox gall , each two drams . Or make a Fume with Asses hoof burnt , or Galbanum or Castor , and let it be taken in with a Funnel .

If these wil not do , use Chirurgery . It is done Lib. 6. c. 23. te●rab . serm. 4. cap. 23. with the hand only , or with instruments , of which Aegineta and Aetius .

Charles Stephens shews how to use the hand without instruments . When you know the child is dead ( saith he ) place the woman in the best posture , and tie her so very fast , &c. see the rest .

John Bauhin takes the same course out of Lib. 5. cap. 2. de disectpart . corp●re huma . Schenks Observations . And because the strength ●aileth , refresh her , and abate pain , cherish the torn parts , and prevent Symptoms .

To take away pain , and strengthen the parts , foment with the Decoction of Mugwort , Mallows , Rosemary , Wormwood , Mirtles , St. Johns-wort , each half an ounce ; Sperma Ceti two drams , Deer's suet an ounce , with Wax make an Oyntment . Or , Take Wax four ounces , Sperma Ceti an ounce , melt them , dip Flax therein , and lay it all over the belly . In some Coun●●ies women will not permit these , but leave all to God .

Chap. 9. Of the Caesarean Birth .

THe belly and womb are cut sometimes to take out the child , and this is called the Caesarean Birth , and they that live are called Caesars . It is done in three cases . 1. When the child is dead , and the woman liv● . 2. Wh●n the woman is dead , and the child alive . 3. When both mother and child are alive .

This is seldom , because either Medicines do it , or it is taken out by other Chirurgery , or the Enchirid. consul . modic . pag. 188. work is left to Nature . Mathias Cornax hath a History of one that carried a dead child in her belly four years , it was taken out by cutting the womb and belly , and the mother lived , and conceived with child after : she fainted not at the time , and the wound grew together without stitching ; and her terms after came in good order , and she had a lusty Boy till the 2. of June . The Surgeons that had cut her afore were sent for , and the old orisice was open , and the mother and the women present , would not yeild to the second cutting . Therefore her strength failed , and the Chirurgion took out a compleat child , but it was dead .

There are more Histories of live children cut Plin. lib. 7. hist. nat. c. 90. out of their mothers bellies being dead . And Roderick a Castro saith that an infant cannot live in the mothers womb being dead , except it be taken Rod. â castro . lib. 4. de morbis mul. c. 1. A●gen . lib. 5. epit . 2. 11. out at the very time of her departure , or while there are vital Spirits , because when the motion and life of the mother cease , the life of the child also ceaseth : yet is his Argument of no force , because the child hath its proper Soul , and if it be wel , it may live a while in the womb without bene●it from the mother , as it doth when it is delivered . But take heed it be not suffocated in the womb , and keep the mothers mouth open , and let the Midwi●e never move her hand from the privities , till the Chirurgion have taken it Lib. ● . de dis●●● par● . co● . ●●●m . c 1. out : and you may know that the child is alive , when the mother is dead by its leaping . Charles Step●ens shews the way of taking out a dead child .

When a live child is cut out of the belly of a live mother , it is done onely least the mother or child , or both should die .

And this may be done , and both preserved alive , which is plainly demonstrated by Francis Rousset in his Book of this subject , so that there is In 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . no doubt of it . For first he shews the necessity of the operation , and next the possibility of it , shewing that the muscles of the belly , the Peritonaeum and womb may be cut without hazard of life .

Thirdly , he confirms by History what he proved by reason , and shews that many wounds of the muscles in the lower belly , Peritonaeum and womb have been cured .

Fourthly , he propounds many more dangerous cases then the Caesarean Section , which were not deadly in themselves . And then he shews the manner of the operation , and how it is to be done . Therefore have recourse to his works , if thou wilt learn it .

THE FOURTH BOOK . THE SEVENTH SECTION . Of the Government of Women in Child-bed , of the Diseases that come after Travel .

Chap. 1 Of the Government of Women in Child-bed .

PRESENTLY after she is delivered , labor to make the Afte●birth follow , of which in the Chapter following , then compose her in bed , and give her good food . Let the air be temperate , rather hot then cold . Let her beware of cold that it get not into the womb , it will cause torments and inflammations .

If travel be hard , anoynt the belly and ●ides with oyl of sweet Almonds , Lillies , and warm Wine .

Let her meat be of good juyce and easie concoction , Hen broath , and Chickens , and Capons , Kid , Mutton , Veal , let her drink thin wine i● there be no feaver , or Cinnamon boyled in water , the first daies drunk warm : Let there be no noise about her , and let her not rise too soon , avoid passions least the humors be stirred and ●●ll into some part .

If sh● cannot or wil not suckle her child , turn the milk from the breasts by repellers under the Arm-pits , as Unguent of Roses , Cerot of Sande●s , dissolved in vinegar , and to the breasts apply a Cataplasm of Bean and Orobus flour with Oxymel , or foment the breasts with the decocti●n of Mints , Dill , Smallage ; or lay the leaves bruised upon them .

Before she goes forth , let her bath with a decoction of Lilly roots , Elicampane , Mug●o●t , Agrimony , Borage , Rosemary , Chamo●il flowers , Staechas , Faenugreek , Lineseed , Citron peels .

Chap. 2. Of the Secundine or Afterbirth , or a Mole that is left after Child-bearing .

THese stick in the bottom of the womb , or like a ball to another part , the mouth of ●he womb being open or closed .

It is not safe to cut the A●●erbirth from the The Causes Navel till both be come forth , therefore draw i● out without breaking of the Navel string , this i● retained because it grows to the sides of the womb , or is swollen by hard travel , or because the Navel string is broken by the infants straining : or from cold air got in , or from a fright● or from her not having throws fit to exclude it● or because she is impatient and wil not continu● in a due posture .

The Signs . The Midwife wil declare it , and the purgation is not , the belly swels , there is a feaver , and heaviness , and pain in the belly ; there is a stink an● loathing from stinking vapors , difficult breathing , Suffocation and Convulsion .

The Prognosti●k . Many die from the retaining of it if it canno● come forth , when matter flows from the womb there is hope that they wil rot and come away in sixty daies .

The Cure . First let the Midwife draw it gently with he● hand , and use sneesing , then burnt Partridge feathers to the nose , and Goats hoofs , as in th● suffocation of the womb .

Then use things that expel a dead child , Di●tany , oyl of wood Her●cleon after Preparatives . Or , Take Marjoram , Chervil , Pennyroyal , each a handful ; Savin half a handful , Anise and Fennel seed , each half a dram ; Lovage and Parsley roots , each three drams ; boyl them in water for thr●● draughts . Or , Take Dittany , troches of Myrrh , Borax , each half a dram ; Saffron , Castor , each a scruple ; make a Pouder . Or , Take round Birthwort , two scruples , Myrrh a scruple , make a Pouder give it in Wine .

Make Pessaries of Mugwort , Mercury , Sage , Orris in pouder with oyl of Keir . Or , Take round Birthwort , Savin , Briony , Ox gall and Hon●y , and make a Pessary .

The stronger are of the Decoction of wild Cowcumber , Coloquintida , Staphisager , Hellebore , Honey , and gall of an Ox.

Fumes are made of Cassia lignea , Nard , Mugwort , Savin , Pennyroyal , Dittany . Or , Take Mirrh , Castor , Galba●um , each half a dram ; Opopanax , Cinnamon , each a dram ; with Honey make Troches for to be burnt .

Then ●oment the Belly with the Decoction of those Plants . Or , Take Lupine meal an ounce , pouder of Wormwood half an ounce , Mirrh , Rue , ●ach three drams ; with Ox gall and Honey make a C●taplasm .

If it come not forth , give a Womb-clyster of the Decoction of Sage , Mugwort , Mercury , Calamints , Pennyroyal .

If all fail , inject things to suppurate into the womb , and let it be turned to matter , and come out by degrees , and inject strengtheners into the womb .

Of the Mole lef● after Childbearing .

You may know it by the signs of a Mole mentioned , she hath no ease after travel , there is pain in the navel , back and groyns , and much clotted blood comes away , and yet she hath no ease● the Cure is mentioned before in the Mole .

Chap. 3. Of the Purgation after Childbearing diminished or detained .

THis is not alike in all women , for in some women the blo●d is fresh : in others it is waterish , cholerick , or melancholick . And som● bleed more then others , according to the constitution and Countrey . It is either not at all , o● too much , or too little .

The Causes When they are stopt or lessened , the vessels ar● too strait , or the blood flows another way , or i● is too thick , or the vessels of the womb are pressed from its position : the blood is drawn away by passions , fear , or goes hastily to the brea●●s .

The Signs . The just quantity is not to be de●ined : when it is stopt , the belly swels , the pain is in the b●ttom of the b●lly and groyns ; there is chilness and a feaver after it , ●ainting , weak , swi●t , unequal pulse ; there is ●oot● in the urin . Somtimes the belly is inflamed , or she voids blew or black clodds of blood .

The Prognostick . It is bad of it self to have any thing left after Childbearing , and worse if it staies long , and Gal. 1. epid . com . 3. t● 21. grows melancholick : therefore it is a cause of many diseases .

First , endeavor to evaeuate the blood from the The Cure●● womb by Frictions , Ligatures and Cupping ; i● they will not do , open a vein in the foot .

Then open the pass●ges with external and internal means● anoint the Belly with loosning Oyls , or foment thus . Take Lilly roots , Birthworts , Briony , Angel●ca , each half an ounce ; Mercury , Mugwort , Pennyroyal , Savin , Calamints , each a handful ; Tansey , Chamomil and Elder fl●wers , each half a handful ; Faenugreek and Linseed , each two drams ; bruise them grosly , and put them in a bag , and boyl them in Water and Wine : lay it to the privities and bottom of the belly .

Give emollient Clysters ; and if some daies are pa●● , purge with Agarick , Rhubarb , Senna . Or , Take Lilly roots , Al●haea , each half an ounce ; Birthworts two drams , Pellitory , Mercury● Althiea , each a handful ; Calamints . Chamomil , Elder flo●ers , each two pugils ; Faenugreek and Lineseed , each two drams ; boyl them , to ten ounces strained , ●dd O●l of Dill , Lillies , each an ounce , Hiera simple half an ounce , Oyntment of Sowbread three drams make a Clyster .

Or give Pessaries that provoke the Terms .

Give things to melt and attenuate the blood . As , Take opening Roots three drams , Bettony , Maidenhair , Endive , Schaenanth , each two pugils ; Anise , Fennel seed , each a scruple ; red Pease a spoonful : boyl them to a pint and half , add Cinna●on water two drams , Syrup of the five Roots three ●●nces : give four ounces .

Chap. 4. Of too great a flux of blood after Childbearing .

THat is too much which makes weak .

It is blood abounding which ha●● been The Causes g●thered nine months in the womb .

It is thick , or spends the Spirits , and weakens . The Signs There is loathing of meat , pain the Hypochondria , belly-ach , weak and often pulse , dark sight , noise in the ears , fainting and Convulsion .

It is dangerous when long , and with fainting The Prognostick . Hippoc. 5. aphor. 55. and Convulsion . Therefore observe the pulse , least she die suddenly .

See what strength she hath , and stopt it not ●●ddenly . I● it be not very g●●at , order a diet of The Cure . ●oas●ed Hens basted with red Wine , or Pomegra●●e , of Sta●ch , Almonds , Rice , Quinces , Con●●●ve of Roses , steeled Water , and make Revul●●ns : use gentle things , and strengthen the loose ●●●●ges .

Anoint the belly with oyl of Roses , Mirtles , cup under ●he breasts and sides without scari●ication . Apply a Cataplasm of red Roses , Bole and Ros●-water to the Liver .

Then use stronger , and give a higher diet o●ten in small quantity , and give Syrups to stop blood . As , Take old Conserve of Roses two ounces , of Tormentil an ounce , of Quinces without speci●● half an ounce , Bole , red Coral , each half a dram ; with syrup of Currans and Coral , make an Electua●y

Anoint the belly with the Oyntment of the Countess , and other Astringents ; or use astringent Fomentations : or let her take into the womb a Fume of Mastich , Frankincense , red Roses , &c.

Then open a vein in the arm , and let blood by degrees . See Sect. 2. Chap. 6. of overflowing of the Terms .

Chap. 5. Of the Pains after Travel , and torments in the Belly .

THese are not in the body , and bottome of the womb , but in the vessels and membranes by which the womb hangs , and that goes to the sides and belly .

The Causes They are from a constant labor in travel , when the bottom of the womb is pricked to send forth from cold air let into it , or clotted blood detained , or sharp blood sticking to the womb , and pricking it .

The Signs . They are in the womb it self , you m●y know i● they came from cold by what hath been done , & clotted blood will manifest it self .

The Prognostick . They we●ken much , and are very troubl●som , therefore they must be abated .

The Cure . First , take away the cause , or abate the pain , and make that which hurts the womb fit to be evacuated by these Pills .

Take Cinnamon a dram , Saffron a scruple , Dia●ymini , Diagalangal , Zedoary , each half a dram ; make a Pouder , give a dram in Pennyroyal or Cinnamon water .

Or , Take of Cummin seed steept in Spirit of wine and dried again a dram , Ameos s●eds and Ginger , each half a dram ; Cinnamon a scruple , Castor half a scruple , make a Pouder . If she faint , ad Cordial Waters . As , Take Diacyminum a dram , Diamargariton frigid , Citron pe●ls , Zedoary , each half ● dram ; make a Pouder .

If she be cholerick , or the humor thin and sharp , cure it as a Colick from Choler . As , Take Syrup of Violets , Borage , each an ounce ; Mucilage of Quince seeds made with Violet water half an ounce water of Borage , Scorzonera , each two ounces : give it at twice .

Extenuate the humors , and loosen the passages outwardly . Take Bean flour , Faenugreek and Linseed , each an ounce ; Chamomil flowers and Cummin seeds , each half an ounce ; boyl them in Oyl of Lillies for a Cataplasm .

You may sume the womb with Decoctions of Herbs .

Chap. 6. Of the tearing of the Vulva to the Arse , and coming forth of the Womb , Inflammation , Ulcer , Suffocation , and falling out of the Fundament .

THe tearing i● in hard travel , when the mothe● Par. secti● 1. c. 1. is tende● , and the child great , of which ●●for●●

The womb comes forth from the violent extraction Par. 1. sect. 2. cap. 15. of the child or afterbirth , when the ligaments are stre●ched . The Cure is mentioned , but you must not hinder the after flux by astringents , let her therefore rest , and lie one her back , with her ●eet drawn up , with Sweets to her nose , and stinks to the womb , so the womb will be retained , and the flux continued ; after this is past , you may use Astringents .

If there be inflammation from hard travel , hinder not the af●er-flux of blood by Coolers .

If it turn to an ulcer , let the after-flux flow , and then cure it .

Suffocation after childbearing , is from the ●●inking after-blood , which sends up stinking vapors which kill many . It is cured by Friction of the leggs , Ligatures and Cupping with Scarification , applying stinks to the nose , as Castor , Partridg●eathers burnt , Rue . And applying Sweets to the privities .

You must cure the ●alling out of the Fundament from straining in Delivery , as formerly shewed .

Chap. 7. Of Watching , Doting , and Epilepsie of Women in Child-bed .

THese are from the motion of the blood a●d hu●ors● when the after-blood flows n●t kindly● and there is a ●eaver , of which in ●●e 〈◊〉 Book . And from vapors sent from the 〈◊〉 there is an Epilepsie , which is cured by R●v●●sion o● vapors and humors downwa●d● and ●●●fect Evacuation of the a●ter-blood , which done , all these Symptoms cease .

Chap. 8. Of the Swelling of the Womb , Belly , and Feet after Childbearing .

IT is commonly from cold gott●n into the womb , and the belly sometimes swells , as if there were another child .

It is cured by hysterical or mother Fomentations , or with the skin of a new ●lain sheep , and hard wine , if in travel they keep a bad diet , or drink too much , the humors go into wind , and if they fall into the legs they swel , then take heed of much drink : and after the flux is past , make Evacuation with things that expel wind . As , Take C●leworts and Chamomil , each as you please : boyl them in Wine , and ●ome●t the parts . Or , Take Wormw●●d , S●uthernwood , Bettony● Calamints , Organ , Chamomil flowers , Anis●eds , Rue , Caraway , as much as will s●rve for a Fomentation for the feet .

Chap. 9. Of Vomiting , Loosness , Belly bound , and not holding of urin in women in Child-bed .

THey ●a●● up crude and i●dig●sted meat somtime● , from weak●●●s of the stomach by consent from the womb , or from the humors that Hipp. 1. de nat. mulier . 〈◊〉 to the ●●●mach , from the parts near the womb , when the after flux doth not ●low , they somtimes vomit blood , or when it is disordered . For the blood not getting out , goes to the great veins and liver , and in its hollow part , by plenty and sharp it opens the veins , and it gets into the stomach . Sometimes a vein is broken from hard travel .

Hip. 1. It is bad , of what cause ●oever it comes : for de morb . mulier . the strength will ●ail , and there will be no ma●●er to make milk of● if the food be vomited . If other humors , they may cause a feaver by their motion . If blood be vomited from a vein of the liver broken or opened , a Dropsie is to be feared ; therefore stop it , whatsoever it be in this case . If it be of the meat , give that which will be easily digested , that oppress not the stomach which must be strengthened .

If bad humors are vomited up , stop it not so soon , but ●lense with gentle Medicines , and ●pen the way by stool .

In vomiting of blood make Revulsion to the lower parts by rubbing , cupping them , or bleeding in the ham or ankle , and provoke the after-flux .

The flux of the belly is dangerous if it be great , for it weakneth , and threatneth to bring a Dysentery , or Tenesmus● or Needing . Nor is it safe to stop it presently , least you stop the after-flux with it . If it be from food not well concocted , let her keep a better diet , and let the stomach be strengthened outwardly . If this will not do , give internal remedies , so that they help the stomach● and hurt not the womb , as the Decoction of Ba●ley , Syrup and Honey of Roses . Give Clysters ●lso to temper the sharp humors● and ●len●e .

Or give Syrup of Roses , Pulp ●f Tama●inds , or Rhuba●b . And A●●ingents of Roses , Pl●ntan● , Torment●l , Quinces , Coral , and the like . If they be wholly stopt , the belly must not be bound . But first give Rhubarb and Astringents outwardly , and provokers of Terms .

Also the belly is bound in women in childbed , then give a Suppository of Soap or Honey , and after four or five daies , give emollient Clysters , and Manna or Ca●●ia .

If they cannot hold their urin after hard travel , use a Bath of Bettony , Sage , Bayes , Rosemary● Pennyroyal , Organ , Stoechas , and presently after anoint with this . Take ●at Puppy-dogs ●oyled in Oyl of Worms , Lillies , and Foxes till the flesh fall from the bones , then take the Fat , and add Frankincense , Stora● calamite , Benzoin , Opopanax , Mace , each a dram ; Oyl of Nutmegs by expression ●alf a dram , with Goose grease and Wax make an Oyntment .

Chap. 10. Of the Wrinkles of the Belly after Child-bearing , and mending of the largeness of the Privities .

AFter the ●ourth month , Women prevent wrinkles by carrying a clout upon the belly● dipt in Oyl of sweet Almonds , Jesamine , Oyl of Lillies , to loosen the skin , that it may stretch better without cle●●s .

If the belly be alreadly wrinkled . Take Sheeps 〈◊〉 Goats ●●et , Oyl of sweet Almonds , each an ounce ; Sperma C●●● two drams , with Wax make an O●ntment . After the flux is past● add O●l of 〈◊〉 T●●rabi● . 4 ●●rm . 4. or R●s●s , or make Aeti●s his Cataplasm .

Chap. 11. Of Feavers and acute diseases in Women in child-bed .

THey have oftē cōtinual Fevers . The ●●●st is th Feaver of milk about the fourth or third day from the motion of the blood from the womb to the breasts ; it is not of many daies and continuance , and is not dangerous .

But take heed you mistake not a putrid ●eaver for a milk-●eaver , for labour and pain somtimes inflame the humors , and cause putr●●action , and though the Symptomes appear not the next day after delivery , yet there may be the beginning of putre●action from the heat of the humors in ●ravel● especially if the after-flux be stopt , from which time you must count the beginning of the diseases . For a feaver cannot be long concealed , nor the motion from travel last long : therefore it is probable the motion is ceased , and the ●eaver comes of another cause , which I shal decla●e presently .

The Causes They are the sto●page of the after-flux , or the diminishing of it , or the ●oul humors that were gathered in the time of being with ch●ld , and stirred ●n travel . Too great purging of the af●e●blood or Lochia signifies Cacochymy , or a Feaver that will come long after travel . If the Lochia Hipp. 1. epid . tex. 21. ●low not in due time , or be stopt , then the blood and ●oul humo●s go back to the great veins and liver , and make a putrid Feaver , or inflame those parts .

The Signs . A Feaver from milk comes the fourth day , and t●ere is heaviness ●f back and shoulders , and the Lochia flow wel , if not , there is the sign of a ●●ver . If the humors putri●ie in the womb● there is ●oul stinking matter voided , the belly is swollen , and is pained when touch● . If the feaver be not from milk , and the Lochia ●low , it comes from bad humors , especially if when she was big with child● she kept not a good diet .

A Feaver from milk is without danger , and The Prognostick . ceaseth the eighth or tenth day : that which comes from suppression of the Lochia or after-flux , is dangerous and often deadly , except there follow a flux of the belly . If black stinking matter ●low from the womb , they escape If the feaver come from a Cacochymy before Delivery , it is worse , because it argues much humors , which Nature cannot discharge by the after-flux , and the strength is dejected by hard travel .

A Feaver from milk , requires only good diet , The Cu●●● and sweating must not be hindered , for it cures . That which is from stoppage or diminishing of the Lochia , must be cured by provoking the after-flux , or by another evacuatiō instead of it : as purging , bleeding in the ●oot to provoke the flux or by ●carifying of the thighs and legs , after cupping , while the time is , that the after flux should ●e not afterwards . For if that time be past , if ●●rength permit , open a vein in the arm , & bleed plentifully .

For purging : some purge them in a Pleurisie after the seventh day , but beware by reason of Valer. lib. 5. obs. 10. merc . 4 de morb . m●l● c. 11. the weakness after travel , and because Purges may hinder the after flux , which is dangerous , it is good to evacuate onely by the womb ; but if the flux of blood cease , and Nature would pu●ge somthing from the womb , you may give a gentle Purge of Rhubarb , Cassia , Manna , Syrup of Roses , Senna .

Alterers are thus to be ordered . Avoid too cold and sharp things , le●t the evacuation by the womb should de di●●urbed by cold things .

Let it be thin the first daies of lying in , then T●● Diet. thicker , and so increasing , take heed of too much drink , especially of cold drink .

Question . What Veins are to be opened in women that lie in , and have a Pleurisie ?

They have Symptomatical ●eavers ; also from in●●ammation of the Pleura , Jaws or Liver , because some of the ●oul humors are sent to some private part , and makes an inflamation to which the ●eaver is joyned , and the causes are as before mentioned .

If there be a Pleuri●ie , she is in great danger . The question is whether she must bleed above or below , I say thus . First , this ●eaver is not properly Symptomatical , but primary , and hath the inflammation its associate , while Nature sends part of the matter to the Pleura or other part .

Secondly note , that Nature is in an er●or while she sends the vitious humors , which she should expel by the womb to the Pleura .

Thirdly note , that the vitious mo●ion of Nature is not to be helped therefore , which should be done if you should presently open a vein in the arm ; but the blood is to be voided by the womb , which is Natures way .

Fourthly , i● the Pleuri●ie be not abated by o●ening a vein in the a●kle for revulsion , but the Symp●oms continue or increase , you must not continue to open the veins beneath , because they evacuate not from the part affected , which is ne●ess●ry in such a dangerous disease . It is a sign that the matter is fastned to the part , that it cannot again be brought to the womb by revulsion . Therefore then you may open a vein in the arm on the same side , to evacuate and derive the blood from the part or there about , or she will be in danger of death .

And fear not , that Nature will be taken from her ordinary motion towards the womb thereby , for the vein that was opened in the foot , prevented that : and if you fear any danger , you may prevent it by Frictions and cupping of the leggs , while you let blood in the arm .

And you may give Clysters , that may cause the humors moving upwards , to come down , and loosen the passages of the womb , that blood may flow out the better .

As , Take Pellitory of the Wall , Mallows , Althaea , red Coleworts , each a handful ; Chamomil●●owers half a handful , Faenugreek and Linseed , each half an ounce ; boyl them in Water , to a pint strained , add lenitive Electuary an ounce , Diacatholicon or Cassia half an ounce , Oyl of Violets two ounces , make a Clyster .

If the Feaver abate , and the time of the flux of the Lochia be past , give a gentle Purge .

Cure the rest as an ordinary Pleurisie , onely take heed that while the after-flux lasts , you give no binding Medicine .

Also she may have a Quinzie while she lies in , while the vitious matter flows to the jaws . The ●ure of which bleeding is to be done as in the Pleuris●e , but the rest is to be done as in the Quin●●ie .

And if the Liver be inflamed by the motion of the humors to it , you must bleed as in the Pleurisie and Quinzie . Yet it is not so needful in the arm as in the Pleuri●ie , by reason of the greater distance of the Liver from the arm , for the Pleura and the breast are nearer , and consent more with the arms , but the vein in the leg● is near to the hollow vein , as the distribution of the upper veins to the arms .

The rest of the Cure of the inflammation ●f the Liver , is in Lib. 3. onely observe that you must not use too great Coolers or Binders in women in Child-bed , but things that are of thin parts , least the flux called Lochia or after-blood , should be stopped .

THE FOURTH BOOK . THE THIRD PART . Of the Diseases of Womens Breasts . THE FIRST SECTION . Of Diseases of the Breasts .

Chap. 1. Of the increased number of Breasts , and gr●atness extraordinary .

THOUGH Nature hath ordained Card. l. 8. c. 43. de r●rum variet Cabrol . obs. 7. two in all women : yet some have Breasts like men : others have had two on each side that had milk .

The figure of the Breasts is round pointed at the nipple a little , it ought not to be soft nor hard , and of an indifferent bigness , and it is better they be indifferent , though th●y hold not so much milk , least they be subject to C●n●ers and in●lammations , and when they are too big , they have not a temperate heat .

The Causes of over-great Breasts , is much blood , and the ●●●ength of heat attracting and ●onco●ting it ; these are remote causes , but the immedi●te cause is the la●geness of the passages and loosness , which is in the first conformation , and furthered by idl●ness , much sleep , and few terms , and often handling of the Breasts by whi●h the blood and the heat is drawn to the Breasts .

It is easier to keep them from growing great , The Cure . then to abate them when too big : with good diet and Topicks that repel by cooling , and binding and drying . As , Take Mirtle leaves● Horstayl , Plantane , Mints , red Roses , each a handful ; Pomegranate flowers two pugil● : boyl them in red Wine and Vinegar , and with a Spunge apply it to the breasts● and let it dry : or apply Hemlo●k bruised with Vinegar . Or , Take pouder of Com●r●●roots two drams , Pom●granate flowers , red R●●●s , Frankincense , Mastich , each half an ounce ; ●●●ley ●●our , red Oakre , each an ounce and half ; with Rose-wat●● , the white of an E● , and ● little Vineg●r make a Cataplasme . These may be laid to the Breasts , and under the arm-pi●s , to astringe the vessels , and hinder the blood from flowing to them .

Hemlock , Henbane , and other Narcoticks are forbidden , because they weaken the natural heat and hinder the breeding of milk .

Dryers and Discussers are good in women t●at have great Breasts after weaning , to consume the moisture . As , Take Bean and Orobus meal , each tw● ounces and half ; Com●rey roots in pouder half an ounce , Mints three drams , Wormwood , Chamomil fl●wers an● Roses , ea●h two drams : boyl , and add two ounces of Oyl of Mastich , make a Cata●lasme .

The Breasts are too little , when the flux of blood to the Breasts , is hindered , diminished , intercepted , revelled , or turned another way , or when the blood is not drawn by the Breasts , as in a dry Liver-famine , much labour , or in watchings , feavers , and other diseases that consume the body . The same is when the radical moisture of the Breasts is con●umed .

You must remove the cause that breeds it , and ●●ten friction wil attract blood , and foment with warm water , in which Emollients have been boyl●d with white Wine , and then anoint with Oyl of sweet Almonds , or of Indian-nuts .

Loosness of the Breasts is cured by astringents .

Chap. 2. Of Swelling of the Breasts with Milk .

VVHen the milk carrying veins are too full , the Breasts swell all over , or in ●a●● , and are pained by stretching and red Som●●●es the milk congeal●th , and is a hard Tu●●● .

●h● cause is abundance of milk or blood that ●●kes it , or the weakness of the child that cannot ●u●k , o● because he is weaned .

I● o●t●n ●●●seth without remedies . Somtimes 〈◊〉 is an in●●●mmation , or the milk hardens to a 〈◊〉

You must hinder the breeding of much milk , The Cure . of which hereafter , and consume that which is bred ; in women that give suck , the child will draw them , or a Puppy . Or use a Glass to su●k with : they which wil not give suck , may use this . Take Barley meal of Lentils , Althaea roots , Chamomil flowers and Mints , each half an ounce ; Agnus castus seeds two s●ruples : boyl them in Wine , ad a little Vinegar , Oyl of Dill two ounces , make a Cataplasme .

Chap. 3. Of Inflamation and Erysipelas of the Breasts .

SOmtimes the tumor in the Breast is inflamed from blood , for though plenty of milk cau●e an inflammation , blood is the immediate cause , for milk as it corrupts and grows hot , increaseth pain , and so the blood staying in the fmal capillar veins , being out of the vessels , is hot , putrid and inflamed . There are other causes , as strokes● falls , straitness of cloaths , and other hurts of th● Breasts .

A hard and red swelling shews inflammation The Signs . with beating pain , and a Feaver .

These inflammations are commonly withou● The Prognostick . danger , but because the Breasts are so loose , and have many kernels , and little heat , they turn to Cancers and Scirrhus .

If you fear a great flux of blood that will increase The Cure . the inflammation , let blood in a plethorick b●dy . But if it come from stopping o● th●●●rms or after flux , first open the vein in th● ankle , and s●arifie the leggs , then ( if need be ) ●pen the arm .

If bad humors coming to the Breasts , nourish the inflammation , give a gentle Purge of Manna , Senna , and the like . If the blood be too hot , or mixt with hot humors that help the motion o● the blood . Use Alterers , as Lettice , Endive , ●urslane , Plantane , Waterlillies , and the like . To be a skilful Physitian study my S●nnertus , Platerus , Riverius , Bartholinus , and Riolanus , of the last Editions .

Use Repellers after these , but such as are weak and not too cold , as a clout dipt in Water and Honey , with Oyl of Roses applied to the breasts . Or● Take Lettice , Purslane , each a handful ; red R●s●s half a handful : boyl them in Water , add Vi●●gar two ounces , make an Epithem .

Or● Take Nightsh●de , Lettice , each a handful : b●yl them , stamp them , and ad B●rley meal two oun●s , pouder of Chamomil flowers half an ounce , Oxym●l , Oyl of Roses , each a dram ; make a Cataplasm .

When the beginning of the inflammation is past , ad Discussers with your Repellers . As , Take white Bread crums , Barley flour , each an ounce and h●l● ; Bean and Foenugreek flower , each half an ounce ; pouder of red Rose● and Chamomil flowers , ●●ch two drams : boyl them , add Rose-vinegar an ●unce , Oyl of Roses and of Chamomil , each an ounce ; make a Cataplasm .

At length use only Dis●ussers . A●● Take Bean 〈◊〉 and of Lupines , and of Faenugreek , and 〈◊〉 and pouder of Chamomil flowers , each an ounce ; ma●e a Cataplasm .

If the matter grow hard , use Emollients and 〈◊〉 As , Take Mallow● a handful boyl 〈◊〉 till they are soft , add pouder of Lineseed , 〈◊〉 a●● Chamo●il flowers , each an ounce● boyl them 〈◊〉 add O●l of J●sam●●e ●n ●unce , ma●e a 〈…〉

I● it tend to Suppuration , lay a Plaister of 〈…〉 Or , Take Mallows and Althaea , each half a handf●l : boyl them till they are s●●t , stamp them , and ad pouder of Althaea roots two ounces , pouder of Line and Faenugreek seeds , each a● ounce ; Leaven half an ounce , ad Oyntment of A●thaea two ounces , make a Cataplasm .

When t●ere is matter , and the imposthumes breaks of its own accord , it is well , otherwise open it with a Lancet or some sharp Medi●ine , and let out the matter , and then clense it thus . T●ke Turpentine , Honey of Roses , each an ounce ; Mirrh a scruple . The ulcer will be hard to be cured , except you dry up the milk in the other Breast , by reason of much blood that will flow thither to breed milk .

Question . Whether the Inflammation of the Breasts be from blood alone , or from milk also●

The inflammation and swelling in women in Child-bed upon their Breasts , is from the a●●lux of too much milk , and it is with redness and pain , and beating or pulsation : and it is not only from blood , for tumors ( as in other parts ) a●e seldom pure or unmixed , but there are other humors with it . Therefore it is certain , that when blood is drawn by heat or pain , or comes of i● self to the Breasts , and begins to corrupt , the milk also may be corrupted .

Of the Erysipelas of the Breasts .

This Erysipelas is from fright or ang●r , and i● turns presently to a Phlegmon , and is cured as the inflammation of the Breast .

Lay no cold astringent Repellers , or f●t things● but things that sweat , as Harts-horn , seal●d Earth , Carduus must be given with El●er water● to discuss the thin blood that causeth the inflammation . Apply outwardly hot a Pledg●t dipt in Elder-water .

Chap. 4. Of the Ocdema of the Breasts .

THis flegmatick tumor is in cachectick women that hav● the white Feaver ; it is cold and white , and pits , because the part is loose and spungie .

Are a loose tumor , almost insensible of pain , The Signs . and the ●inger laid on , leaves a pit . It is larger when the terms are at hand , and abateth when they are past .

If it come from a Cachexy , and a disease of The Prognostick . the womb , it is dangerous : but it commonly ends by resolution , or dissolved .

The Cure is by dry and hot means ; and if it The Cure . is from a Cachexy or want of Terms , they must first be removed : then use Topicks that discuss , and ●●solv● , and strengthen , let them be but temperately hot , least you discuss the thin , and leave the thick , which will cause a Scirrhus .

Make therefore Fomentations of a Lixivium of Vine and Colewort ashes , and Sulphur , or a Decoction of Hysop , Sage , Organ , Chamomil-flowers . Then anoint with Oyl of Chamomil , Lillies , Bayes . Or , Take Barley flour four oun●●● , of Lineseeds , Faenugreek , Dill , Chamomil flo●●●s , each half an ounce ; A●thaea root● an ounce , with Oyl of Chamomil and Dill make a Cataplasm .

Chap. 5. Of the Scirrhus of the Breasts .

IT is a hard tumor without pain , from mel●ncholy gathered in the veins that flows to the Breast ; or it is thick flegm dried . Sometimes both humors are mixed together , or more , which makes a bastard Scirrhus . And if burnt humors abound most , it turns to a Cancer : and if melancholy be most , it is not a Scirrhus , but a Cancer .

There are two signs of a true Scirrhus , hardness The Signs . and want of pain , if it be fixed . I● is somtimes white , somtimes black or blew , as the humor is . If it be a bastard Scirrhus , there is heat and pain ; and if they increase , it turns to a Cancer , and the veins grow blew about , and begin to swell .

The bigger and the harder it is , the more hard The Prognostick . it is to be cured . If hairs grow upon a Scirrhus , it is incurable , and it easily turns to a Cancer .

After Universals , and the Cause is removed The Cure . from the womb , or the whole body , let the containing cause be softned , made thin , and discussed . But beware of two things . First , that the thin parts be not discussed by too hot medicines , and the thick left , for so it will be incurable , and as hard as a stone . Secondly , that you ●erment not the matter by moistning Emollients , so that it turn to a Cancer .

The Ancients either used none , or a dry●ng or a moistning Medi●ine only . You must either use Moistners and Emollients with Digesters by turns , or mixed . Insti● l. 50. p● . 1 . ●●c . 1. c. 6.

●oment with the Decoction of Mall●ws , Alth●●● , Foenugreek and Lineseed , B●ank-ursine , and Chamomil ●lowers● Then anoint with Oyl of sweet Almonds , Chamomil , Hens grease , Veal marrow , Oyntment of Alth●●a . Or apply this Cataplasm . Take Alth●ea , Mallows , Brank-ursine , Fennel tops , each a handful ; boyl them soft , stamp them , ad Barley and Bean flour , Linseed , pouder of Althaea roots , Chamomil flowers , each an ounce . Or lay on the great Diachylon Plaster , and that of ●rogs . Then sprinkle Wine upon a hot stone , and let the Fume be received . And apply a Plaster of Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar .

If it be a bastard Scirrhus● you may fear a Cancer . Then after Universa●s and bleeding , take away the disposition of the bowels that breeds black humors .

If you fear a flux of humors , use oyl of Roses , and juyce of Plantane ; and if there be heat , stir them first in a Leaden mortar , till they change their colour , then add Ceruss , Litharge , each three ounces , with Wax make an Oyntment .

Chap. 6. Of the Glandles or Kernels in the Breasts being swollen , or of the Scrofula and Struma in the Breast .

CElsus saith the Struma and Scrofula in the Breast , are rare .

It is from a thick humo● , flegm or melancholy . The Causes Struma is with pain sometimes , and and is like a Cancer , or seems to turn to a Cancer , but continues many years at a s●and● But let the cause 〈◊〉 ●at it will , it ●omes f●om stoppage or disorder of the terms , by reason of the great consen● of the womb with the Breast .

The Glandles or Kernels are to be felt , though The Signs . not before , there is one great unmoveable tuumor , and the rest are small .

It is hard to be cured for two causes : the ea●thiness The Prognostick . of the matter , and the deep lying of it . They which are near the skin , are easily dissolved .

After purging and bleeding , use Emollients The Cure . and Discussers that are strong , as in Scirrhus . Take Orris roots three ounces , boyl them in Oxym●l , stamp them , add Turpentine , Oyntment of Althaea , each three ounces ; Mucilage of Faenugreek seed an ounce .

Or , Take roots of Althaea two ounces , Briony-roots an ounce , Orris roots half an ounce : boyl them soft in white Wine , stamp them , add Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar , and Bdellium dissolved in Wine each an ounce ; with Pitch and Wax make a Plaster . If it cannot be discussed , suppurate or cut it , but this is troublesom and dangerous .

Chap. 7. Of the Cancer of the Breasts .

HIppocrates saith , That an occult Cancer is better 6. Aphor. 38. not cured then cured ● for if cured , they pr●sently die , but if not , they live long . Many women have lived long with good order of diet having a 〈◊〉 3. obs 87. Cancer , as if they had no disease , so saith W●lliam Fabricius , and that if the Cancer be not ulcerated , they may live forty years without pain : and if you lay on Emol●ients and Suppuraters , they die in half a year .

The Breasts are spungy and loose , and therefore The Causes Cancers breed often there , but the Cause is from the womb , when they are of a hot and dry constitution with burnt blood , and when the terms st●p , and then the humors flie to the womb and and m●ke a Cancer , either with , or without a tu●or as●regomg .

A Cancer that ●r●seth of it self , is hard to be The Signs . discerned at first : for it is like a little tubercle no bigger then a pease , and grows up by degrees , and spreads out roots with veins about it . And when the skin is eaten through , it is a stinking ulcer , and the lipps are hard , and the matter black .

It is hard or never cured , because the black humor The Prognostick . that causeth it , is very troublesom , and hath a peculiar malignity , which is fermented , and made worse with Emollients and Suppuraters , which loosen the vessels , and dilate them , so that the humor flows easier to the part , and the corrupt humors get easier to the parts adjacent , and infect them .

A Cancer not ulcerated , is to be let alone , by The Cure . the counsel of Hippocrates . But let blood , and purge melancholy often . But use no Topicks that may rot or provoke the part , but things that by experience take away pain ; as Nightshade-water , Snails boyled and Frogs in Oyl and with ashes of Frogs made into an Oyntment , or Medicines of Lead .

As , Take Oyl of Roses two ounces , juyce of Nightshade berries an ounce and half , Ceruss wash●d , Sugar of Lead , each a dram ; Pompholygos half an ●unce , mix them in a Leaden mortar , till they a●e thick .

Or use Craysi●h ashes , and the ashes of the inward ward rind of an Ash-tree , or Herb Robert .

Lib. 2. de cur . vul●●r . c. 3. Cent. 3. obs. 87. Arcaeus teacheth how to cut them out , and then burn the part , if they be deep and ulcerated . But Fabri●ius shews that you must burn after to consume the reliques , and stop the blood : after it is ●lensed ; Take Herb Robert , Verbascum or Moulin , Scabious , Caprifolium , or Honeysuc●les , Di●● , Mans grease , each equal parts : burn them , take three ounces , and with six ounces of Nightshad● water in ● Leaden mortar mix them .

After cutting out the root , purge melancholy often , and provoke terms or Haemorrhoids , least it return .

Give Treacle , Mithridate● with juyce of Bo●age , Sorrel , Craysish broath , and Asses milk .

This Water is good against all Cancers . Take Moulin roots , Clowns all-●●al , each two ounces ; Ant. Cha●maet●us . Dropwort , Ceterach , Herb Robert , Agrimony , Tormentil , Scabious , Avens , Fl●xweed , each a handful ; Nettle seed three drams , Elder and Rosemary-flowers , each a p●gil ; boyl and sweeten it with Sugar . Foment , and wa●h the Cancer with one part of it , and let the dreggs be applied as a Pultis .

Fuchsius his blessed Pouder . Take white Arsenick that shineth not like glass an ounce , poud●r it ; pour Aqua vi●ae upon it , and pour it off , add fresh Aqua vitae every third day for fifteen daies . Then Take roots of great Dragons gathered in July or August , sliced and dried in the wind , two ounces . Thirdly , ●ake bright clear Soote of the Chimney three drams , make a Pouder . Keep it close ●●opt in a glass , the older the better , use it not till after a year .

For a palliative Cure , keep it from increasing , and take away pain with this Wate● Take Scr●phularia roots and Herb Robert , each a handful ; Lambs-tongue , Nightshade , Bugloss , Borage● Pur●●ane , E●ebright , ●●ttony , each half a handful ; a F●og , and two whites of Eggs , with Quince seeds and Faenugreek● each an ounce ; Rose and Eyebright●ater , each a pint ; distil them in a Leaden still .

Use not Cancers as other ulcers , for Emolli●nt● , Lib. 6. c. 30. Healers and Drawers exasper●te and kill wi●● gre●t pain .

Chap. 8. Of Ulcers and Fistulaes of the Breasts .

AFter Universals , dry up the milk , and if the Breasts hang down , bind them up , that the humors flow not down , and move not the arm on that side . Then clense it with the Docoction of Rhapontick , Zedoary and Ag●imony . Heal thus : Take strong W●●e six quarts , Rhois Obsonior●m , Cypress-nuts , each four ounces ; green Galls two ounces : boyl them to the consisten●e of Honey . If you fear a Fi●tula , enlarge the orisice , and take away the Callus , and heal it as an ordinary ulcer .

Chap. 9. Of straitness of the passages of the Breasts .

VVHen the veins and arteries are not wide enough to contain blood to be turned , there is no milk .

They are stopt by thick humors , as the vessels The Causes of the womb are , the cause is the stoppage of the terms , or hard tumors in the Breasts that stop or press .

When the nip●le hath no hole for the child to suck , it is from the birth , or a wound or ●●ar after an ulcer .

The Signs . There is little milk , and the Breasts pine . If the Breasts swell , and milk cannot be suckt out , the fault is in the papps , or the veins of milk .

The Prognostick . An obstruction from gross humors may be cured . If it be from a Scirrhus or Scar after an ulcer , it is incurable , and so is the nipple born without a hole .

The Cure . If it be from thick 〈◊〉 or blood , atten●ate it with proper things , as Fennel , Dill , P●rsley , Aniseeds , Pease , Rocke● feed , or Earth-worms made into Cataplasms o● Fomentations . Often rubbing of the Breasts , opens the milk-ve●s .

Chap. 10. Of strange things bred in the Breasts .

HAirs , stones and worms have been found in the Breasts . A worm breeds from put●id blood , and is like a hair ; the same may be in the ●ald . Rons●eus miscel● 〈◊〉 10. Lib. de occult . na. mira . c. 12. back and navel , as I shewed . And a good Author writes● that a woman pained in her breasts , could not ●e e●●ed till im●osthu●nes broke , and wor●s c●me forth .

Levinus Lemnius ●●w stones that grew in the Breast .

Chap. 11. Of the Diseases of the Nipples .

THey are either wan●in● , or lie hid one or both● which hinders giving suck . If it be from the birth , it is searce cured ; as also when the Nipple is eaten off by an ulcer .

When they come forth first , use a sucking instrument , Amatus Lusit . curmed . cens . 5. cur. 31. and then apply Puppy-dogs to suck .

If there be no hole from birth , or ulcer healed , it is incurable : i● it be a little , often sucking will enlarge it .

The cle●ts in the Nipples is an usual evil , and causeth great pain in Nurses ; and if it continue long , it turns to foul ulcers , and they cannot give ●●ck .

To prevent this evil , in the two last months of being with child , wear two cups of wax over the Nipples with a little Rosin .

They are cured thus with Oyl of Wax , Mir●les , Oyntment of Lead , Tutty . Or , Take Tut●y prepare● a scruple , Allum ●alf a dram , Camp●●ire six grains , with Capons grease and Oyntment of R●●●s , make an Oyntment . Or ,

Take Pomatum an ounce and half , Mastich a ●●●uple , pouder of Gum ●r●ganth and red Roses , ●●ch half a scruple . Or ,

Take Oyntment of Lead , Pomatum , each half an ●●nce ; Frankincense , Bole , each half a scruple : mix them .

When the in●ant is to suck , wash the Breasts ●●rst with whit● Wine and Rose-water .

That the child may suck without pain to the ●oman , let her have a Tin or ●●lver Nipple , and ●●ver it with the pap of a new killed Cow , and let the child suck that .

THE FOURTH BOOK . THE THIRD PART . THE SECOND SECTION . Of the Symptoms of the Breasts .

Chap. 1. Of want of Milk , and not giving of suck .

THERE are many C●uses of want of milk , either there is little blood to breed it , or the milk making faculty in the breast that makes milk , is not right , or the instruments for blood-making are distempered .

Somtimes the matter is consumed by a s●aver or fasting , when they loath meat , or from care or labour , evacuations , sweats , or loose belly . Or from weakness of the infant that cannot draw hard . Also sadness , fear , and the like , may hinder blood from flowing to the breasts .

Milk is wanting when the breasts are flaggie , The Signs . and swell not , and little milk is sucked out . The signs of the causes , thus If it be from the liver , there will be signs of its distemper : if from great eva●uation , that is known : the fault is known to be in the breasts , if as oft as they lie in , they have no milk and the breasts are ●●●al and wrinkled ; or if Medicines to keep down the breasts , have been applied , she will tell you : or if it be from weakness of the child or passions of mind .

The inconvenience is little to the Nurse , but The Pr●gnostick . g●eat to the child ; therefore get another Nurse , or ●ure her .

To breed milk , give t●●ngs that breed much The Cure . and good blood , of easie concoction . Medicines to b●eed milk , are Fennel roots and all green , and thin●s that heat , and are not very dry , which a●e few , but in●inite are they that hinder milk , as things hot and dry , and cold things .

These increase milk , roots of Smallage , seeds of Parsl●y , Dill , Basil , Anise , Rocket , Earth-worms washt in juyce of Fennel and d●ied , or burnt in a Ans. Boetius delap . & gem . l. 2. c. 229. pot a dram , or two fasting for some mornings , or Cr●st●l or Milk-stone a dram .

Compounds are : Take green Fennel , Parsley , each a handful ; Barley two pugils , red Pease half an ounce : boyl them , and with Sugar swee●en them , or in Chi●ken broath . Or ,

Take green Fennel six drams , Barley two pugils , boyl them in broath , and strain them . Or , Take Fennel seed six drams , Anise a dram and half , Rocket seed half a dram : give a dram or two in Broath .

Or , Take Cows Udder sliced , dry it in an Oven , and pouder it . Take half a pound of it , Anise , Fennel seed , each an ounce ; Cummin seed two ounces , Sugar four ounces , make a Pouder .

Hot Fomentations open the breast , and attract blood , as the Decoction of Fennel , Smallage , or stampt Mints applied . Or , Take Fennel and Parsley green , each a handful ; boyl and stamp them , a●●arley meal half an ounce , Gith seed a dram , Storax calamite two drams , Oyl of Lillies two ounces , make a Pultis .

A Dropax and Synapisme , or Plaister of Mustard , are good if often changed .

Chap. 2. Of too much Milk .

THis is when much blood flows to the breasts , and the mother will not give suck , or weans the child , for the infant cannot suck it as fast as it breeds , when there is much blood , and good breasts that can make Milk .

If Milk be kept , and cannot be su●ked out by The Prognostick . the child , there are swellings , inflammations , Arist. 7. de hist. ani. c. 12. pains , curdlings , and corruption . Children that suck much , if they be full bodied , have a Convulsion .

The fi●st coming of Milk is not to be stopt , The Cure . but when there is more then the child can suck , it is abated with a slender diet of little nourishment , as Barley , Pot-herbs water . By letting blood , or cupping , or by Repellers to the veins under the arms , above the breasts .

Mints , Calamints , Smallage , Agnus castus , Coriander , Hemlock : to abate Milk , Mints and Smallage are doubted .

Compounds . Take Smallage , Mints , Mallows , Mercur. Plat. Dioscor . dissentiunt . each a handful ; Faenugre●k , Cummin seed , each half an ounce ; Chamo●il , Melilot flowers , each a pugil ; boyl them , and foment , add a little Wine , or make a Pultis of them with Bean flour and Oxy●el . Or , Take Cummin seed , boyl i● in Vinegar , and with a Spunge foment .

They which will not give suck , let them foment with this Decoction . Take Mallow● , ●ays , Fennel , Smallage , Parsley , Mints , each half a handful ; anoint after with Oyl Ompha●ine . Then Take Turpentine washed with Wine and Rose-water three ●unces , Eggs two or three , Saffron a scruple , with Wax make a Plaister , with a hole in the middle , repeat it alwaies before Supper .

If you fear inflammation by too great a flux of Milk , repel with a Cataplasin of Lettice , Wa●e●lillies , Poppies , Housl●●k . Or , Take Turpentine washt with Mint water three ounces , Cummin seed , Orris , Mints , each half an ounce ; Saffron ●s●r●ple , with Wax make a Cerot .

Chap. 3. Of Curdling , and other faults in the Milk .

IF it stay long in the breasts , the thin evapo●●tes , and the thick remains , and hardens the ke●nels ; hen●e are hard ●●●ors , because the ●●eesie part of the Mi●k is apt to harden . Somtimes Milk is too thi●k or too thin , sharp , ●alt , ●he 〈◊〉

The tumor from Milk curdled , is known by The Signs . the plenty of Milk retained that make clefts , and pain , and little tumors .

If curdled Milk be long in the breasts , it easily The Prognostick . turns to an impos●hume and inflammation .

To hinder curdling . Take pouder of Mints , The Cure . Coriander seed , each two ounces ; Oyl of Dill an ounce , with Wax make a Liniment . Or , Take Oyl of Mints , Chamomil , Dill , Rue , each an ounce .

To dissolve curdled Milk ; Take Fennel root● , Eryngus , each an ounce ; Mints a handful , green Fennel half a handful , Aniseed a dram : boyl them to a pint , add Syrup of the two Roots and Oxym●l , each two ounces .

Foment with the Decoction of Fennel , Dill , Southernwood , Chamomil , Melilot flowers , Fenugreek , Lineseed , Parsley seed , Smallage , or stamp them , or Mints with Butter , and apply it . If it be hard , Take Mints , Coleworts , Bran , each a handful : boyl them in Vinegar , and apply them .

Or , Take juyce of Smallage , Dill , Coleworts , each a handful : boyl the● soft , and bruise them , ad pouder of Mirrh , Orris , each two drams ; Saffron a dram , Oyl of Rue an ounce , Vinegar an ounce and half , make a Pul●is .

Chap. 4. Of Milk coming forth at wrong places .

MIlk hath been known to come forth with 〈◊〉 obser● 〈◊〉 apellae . 〈◊〉 L●●r . 〈◊〉 l. 7. 11. the urin , or by the womb , by which passage is the doubt ; the short way is from th● breast veins to the Epigastrick veins , from the Epigastrick to the Hypogastrick , and so to th● womb , rather then from the Pap-veins to the breast-veins , and so to the Hypogastrick , and so to the Womb.

Chap. 5. Of strange thing coming forth of the Breasts .

SOmtimes matter comes forth of the Nipples Schenkius lib. 2. ex obs●rva● . Bauhini . Amat . Lusit . ●ent . 2. cur. 21. when they have long ulcers , and a●ter the ulcer is healed , it ceaseth .

Somtimes the terms have come forth of the breasts at set Periods , of which Hippocrates ; When blood comes forth at the Nipples , there is madness . Amatus Lusitanus knew two Noble women that were so , and not mad . And Hippocrates doth not speak of the Terms , but of oth●r blood that is hot , and flies to the hot , and causeth madness , and part of it goes to the breast , and causeth pain and inflammation , whi●h shews madness at hand .

It is cured by opening the Saphena in the foot The Cure . to ●evel the blood .

Chap. 6. Of the change of colour in●the Nipples , and pain of the Breasts .

THe change of colour in the Nipples , is not a s●gn of the loss of Vi●ginity , for they are blew in them that give suck ; bla●● in old women ; and in them that have k●own Venery , it is natural , and red a● a Strawberry . Now because ther● i● a great cons●nt b●tween the womb and breas●s , if the womb 〈◊〉 ●i●●emp●red , the ●ipples a●● 〈◊〉

The pain in the breasts , is from stretching by much milk , and inflammation : or from corrosion and twitching , from sharp matter , as in the Cancer and other Ulcers .

The cause of the pain is known from the distemper . If it be from much milk , it is a gentle pain . If from inflammation , it is stronger . If from a Cancer , it is very great .

How these pains are cured , is shewed in thei● Chapters .