CHAP. I. Of the Fertility and Sterility of Women .

BY that is meant their Aptitude to Engender by Congress : by this , their Incapacity from any default whatsomever . The prime Signs , or Conditions reckoned to Fruitfulness , are a right Frame and Conformation of the Womb , with all its Parts and Pendicles , the due Disposition , and Temperature thereof ( as also of the whole , seeing none but the Sound , and Healthy should Marry ) a Just Age withall , made commonly , from 12 , or 14 years to 50 : Better from 18 , or 20 , to 40 , or 45. Or rather during the Monthly Courses ( called therefore their Flowers , as Indicating Fruitfulness ) which as they have a gradual encrease with the Age to a Stans , and a like decrease till they cease , so their prime time is held the prime for Marriage , for plenty of most Vigorous and Elegant Children ; securest from Abortion , from Difficult or Deadly Labour . Yet some are found Fertile before Courses , and others who never saw any : whence some deny them to be any Sign , or Cause of Fecundity , or special Provision of Nature , more than other things : Or yet to nourish the Infant .

The Blood of the Courses they make good , and laudable ( though many have believed it Venemous , and the Infant conceived at that time badly Constitute , and to die soon : Yea have attributed Monstruous Effects to its touch and Vapour : Making Cocatrices of Women , dispersing their Poison through the Air like them ) alike almost with the rest in the whole Body , and ( when right ) of a florid bright colour , and smelling like Marigolds : Which yet haply ever recedes from its Natural State , during that Menstruous Fermentation , differing much , from what is before , and after , and gets whiles also a most noisom Smell , from a mixture of Putrid Humours , it s too long Stagnation , or then the Taint of the Pass , whence any Malignity it hath .

Its Evacuation beside must be Regular , breaking out once a Month , and mostly about the presence of the Moon , ( which some make the Cause of this Periodick appearance , as others the Providence of Nature , a Plethory , or Fermentation from an Occult Quality ) whence its name of Lunatick Disease , both in young Virgins , and elder Women : And likely when fuller , all things being then more turgid : yet the Ancients held the new Moon to purge Virgins , the old , the more aged mostly , but some of both purge every day indifferently ,

It must then also continue ( distilling from the Womb by drops , or leasurely , without interruption ) for two or three dayes mostly , yet whiles four , in some also six , yea in some even to the eighth : though yet this Evacuation may , and does return ofter , or more seldom : continue thus , longer , or shorter time : Vent in less or larger Dose : Break out also , and end differently : for the different Climate , Temperament , Dyet , Exereise and the like . But enough of this for the purpose in hand . The Vent of Perfumes up through the Womb , to the Mouth and Nostrils , is made a sure Sign of Fecundity : And shews a right Disposition of these Parts , and their due Commerce with the Head , by Nerves and Animal Spirits . Hence ,

Sterility must proceed , from a vicious Conformation ( or the Organick Faults ) of the Genitals ; as the Astriction , Obstruction , Coalescence , total or partial Closure of the Sheath , or inner Orifice , by any Viscid Humour , Tumor , Excrescence , Erosion , Callosity , Cicatrice , Membrane and the like : Their Obliquity also , Distortion , Compression , or what else marrs the free and thorough Perforation of the Yard , and direct Evibration of the Seed into the Cavity of the Womb .

From their Intemperature also , as when too Hot and Dry , but chiefly too Cold and Moist , in a Soft , Lax , Pituituous Constitution of the whole Body , by Nature , or any wise adventitious . In Cacochymick , Pituitous , Serous Diseases also : Spaits of Whites , or other Filth , discharged therein , as the common Sink of the Body ( so oft observed with Barrenness , and the most frequent cause thereof ) which does so Moisten , Relax , and Lubrify its Inner Orifice , that it cannot retain the injected Seed , or ( being irritated by the annoyance of such Stuff ) must quickly open , and let all pass . The like happens , when the Womb is Infirm , Soft , Lax in its Natural Constitution , or rendered so by a too lavage use , Abortion , or painful Labour .

Sterility arises moreover , from an universal Intemperature , as in Hydropick , Leprous , Hectick , Pocky , Scrofulous , and others the like Cachectick , Plagueful , Ruinous Constitutions , and so much the rather , as the more noble Parts are Impressed , and Vitiated .

By one , or other of these , are some long time made Barren , who at length Bear : The Fault being mended , the Impediment removed , a finer Health and Temperament recovered ; by Age , a better Government , and other Industry : though it were the Interest of a Common-wealth , men did refrain such Matches , or any else , seen otherwise notably Faultish : Whence comes no Off-spring , or such as is very Worthless , Crooked , Dwarfish , Feeble , Sickly , unfit for all use , and service . But the Love of Money is the root of all Evil .

Sterility happens likewise , from the Womans Disgust , and Satiety of the Venereal Embrace ; or her dulness , and insensibility therein : Whence the Orifice bides shut against the Yard : Which else ( while eager upon it , strenuously and naturally Tickled , and Roused therein ) applyes to it , delightfully opens , and raveningly attracts the mans Seed ( which is then sufficiently darted into the Recesses of the Womb ) emits also her own : Whence Conception readily follows long Abstinence , in case the charges be not doubled .

These are held the prime Natural Causes of Womens Barrenness , for of Divine we speak not ( which yet may haply oft times take place ) nor yet of Diabolick , or other hid Causes .

The Cure lyes in removing these Causes , as every Obstruction of the entry chiefly : and thus separation , or apertion is to be made of any Coalescence or Closure of the Genitals , ( outward or inward ) by Incision , Potential Cauters , or Corrosives : The Wound after kept open with Tents armed with Cicatrizing Medicines .

The Tumors in these parts must be resolved , and discussed : Or else suppurated , and dressed , according to their nature , and Situation : Chiefly careful against Corruption , or Cancer may readily ensue thereupon .

If the Sheath happen naturally more strait , a Blade would be matched accordingly ; ( for some are more big , such , men of lesser Stature are said to have , as these with a big Nose , well hained , the Dull , Stupid , Fatuous ; ) means may also be used for its dilatation : But this proves rare , only in young Girles , and they enlarge in time ; or these of small Stature , bad Conformation ; Or the Elder , and is incurable : otherwise the Genitils conforms to any Yard .

The Compression , Distortion , Obliquity , or Dislocation of the parts , can only be helped , by the Womans apt Posture in the Congress .

The natural Laxity of the Womb , is Cured by Medicines gently Astringent , Aromatick , and Warming ( chiefly extern , in any Form ) as is that also , from excess of Venery , returning withall by degrees to a Moderation .

When its Laxity and Softness arises from a Pituitous , Cacochymick , ( or otherwise depraved ) Constitution of the Body , there must be Evacuations , Purgations ( as well for the whole Body as these parts ) with a proper Regimen , and what Remedies else are effectual , to alter , correct and quite root out that Dyscrasy or Intemperature .

The other Indispositions also , Causes and Impediments , must likewise be applyed to for amendment , or removal : And according to their different Natures , and Indications , and to all due Intentions : Still adding the Uterin Medicines .

CHAP. II . Of Conception .

IT follows Fertility upon Venerial Embrace of Man and Woman , the Emission , or Immission , and special Commixture , of both their Seeds , into the Womb ( although some instance Conceptions without it ) whence springs the same in Kind , which holds with Intemperature , and Defect of Nature .

That the Woman hath Seed ( though much controverted with some the Learnedst Physicians , and Philosophers , who allow her neither a liquid Seed nor the Egg , but would have her as the Field only , into which the Mans Seed is committed , and takes growth : Just as the Plants and Herbs ) is clear from her Testicles , Seminary Vessels , and Organs , every way framed , and fitly disposed , for preparing thereof . From the Fellowship also , of the Womb , and Spermatick parts , with the other principal parts of the Body , by Nerves , Arteries , Veins , whence is brought plenty of Seminal matter ( Confluences also , and Combinations of the Spirits ) and stored up in these Vessels : And found also elaborate into a white Liquor , or Seed in their Testicles : and which they feel emitted in Coition , with a most pleasureful Tickle and Delight ( for the most part more then Men ) haply even in the first Congress ( scarce without some Annoyance ) and without which no Woman could ever Conceive , whatever some pretend of being forced , and made with Child , without any Oblectation or discharge of Seed : beside that gelded Female Bruits ( for it were ugly and Cruel , to Geld Women which some are said to have done ) are ever incapable of Conception . Women get moreover , the very same Symptoms with men , after Coition , as Sadness , Lassitude , trouble of Sight , Dulness , Submission , Satiety , or Cessation of Lust , and the rest . There is added , the express Image of some Mothers in their Infants ( which yet some make to depend solely from the Imagination ) a mixture beside of Members from both the Males and Females , where diverse Kinds Copulate : the Scripture also speaks of the Womans Seed as a thing chiefly necessar to Generation .

The Mans Seed likely , far excels in active Principles , Vertue , and Force of Procreation ; being far finer , and more Spirituous : as appears from its more perfect Elaboration , more powerful Ejaculation , brighter Colour , a more vehement Action , Emission , and Discharge : The mans warmer and most Vivace Constitution .

From Commixtures however of both Seeds ( justly coapted in Quality and Quantity , warmly Bedded in a well disposed Womb , closely Conserved and Cherished therein ) arises a most noble Fecundity , excellent Crasis and Contemperation into one Spirituous Body , ( the too great Aquosity , and coldness of the Womans , being excellently compensed , by the too great heat and Spirituosity of the Mans ) towards Prolification and Efformation of an happy Embryo ( chiefly a Male ) the marvellous Structure of so many parts , and consummate Habitation of the Soul : And that partly , by means of the innate Warmth , and Spirits ( the Animal before others , the far more Noble and Numerous whence the Seed is chiefly Foecundat ) and partly by the benign dewy Warmth , Moisture , and vivid Ferment of the Womb : Partly also , by the adventitious , irradiant , or Influent Spirits , like the warm Rayes of Heaven ; whereby the Ferment of the Womb , is far more Vigorously exalted .

There are ( beside this true Conception ) Aequivocations of the Womb , False and Monstruous Conceptions , as Wind , ( which some have discharged copiously from the Womb with marvellous noise after a full reckoning , and some time of Travel , and sharp Pains , in great expectation and appearance also of a Child , and no small work about the Delivery ) store also of Water , whiles mixture of both , ( called Dropsies of the Womb ) bags full of Corrupt Matter , Moles , Fishes , Mice , Frogs , Worms , Brute Animals , and other Monstruous and Anomolous Brood conceived and enclosed in the Womb : Varioùs Examples of which are found with Physitians , Writers of Observatitions , here and there also with Historians . Among these comes Natures Transgressions , or By-works , which are either Monsters in sex , as Hermophradites : Or in Conformation , and that either as to Figure , having the Face of a Dog , Ape , Swine ; or ill set Parts , as when the Eyes are in the middle front , the Ears behind , the Nostrils on the side : and in Number Redundant , as double Bodies , Hands , Arms , Feet , Fingers , 6 , 7 , three Testicles ( to which may be added the plenteous Number of Births at once ) Or then Deficient , wanting Arms , Fingers , Feet , Nose , Tongue , Ears , or other Members : Yea , a Marvel , but the Birth shall be pitifully overgone , with one or other Hereditary Disease , and that either as to its Similar Constitution , and Intemperature , Scorbutick , Scrofulous , Goutish , Hectick , Cachectick , and the like ( which some impute to Copulation the time of the Courses ) or its Organick , and Conformation : the Deaf , Dumb , Blind , Mutilous , produceing the like , ( though such must also have been born so , else they beget Children perfect as others ) all which proceeds according to Causes , and Principles of Nature ( ●heologues hold them remarkable Instances of Divine Vengance , or Manifestations of the Works of God ) partly , from a Vicious seminal Matter , Or , the Ineptitude , Insufficiency , and Imperfection , of its Particles , Principles , Spirits , Vertues ; an injust Proportion also , bad Figuration , incongruous Adaptation , or Disposure : and partly from a bad Disposition of the Womb , the Apposition of depraved Impure Juyces , Courses , Whites , or other vile Excrements ; whereby the Geniture is altered , and spoiled , the true Conception marred , or then ( in place of Nutrition , or Food of Life ) the Embryo receives the aliment of its Intemperature , Monstrosity , and Ruine : Partly likewise ( and principally ) from the Ineptitude , Defect , or Excess , Inordination and Errata's of the Influent , or Animal Spirits : through the Irradiations also of which , their inusual Emotions , and Determinations , from Mothers most strong Imaginations ( which works wonders in them , not only at the moment of Conception , but after when big , yea not long before the Labour ) the Impressive force is made highly conspicuous , marvelously altering the Infant ( now already formed ) and marking upon it , ( as it were Wax ) this and the other Form , Figure or Sculpture ( blemishes also or Spots ) as of Figs , Straw-Berries , Cherries ( in their proper , and vive Colours , yea flourishing in their Seasons ) or other things she tossed in her mind , vehemently greened for , and obtained in her Fancy only ; the Idaa's , or Representations , being assumed by a greedy Fancy , or Imagination , exactly represented in the Brain , and impressed upon the Animal Spirits , and Arterious Blood , and therewith convoyed to the Womb , and upon the Young , and directed on in the Circulation toward this , or that particular part ( yea the very same part of it was touched in the Mother with any thing ) which being tender and soft , easily receives : And should make big Women wary of entertaining , or musing more deeply , such Imaginations , or fixedly beholding ugly Pictures , Images , Monstruous , or Frightful things , either with pleasure or abomination , the time of Conception , or Gravidation : Whence Whites are said to have born Blacks : some entire Parents also Mutilous Children : yea some , horrid Monsters .

CHAP. III . Signs of Conception .

ASsurance of Conception from the beginni●g , though necessar , is hard , becau●e of the different Conditions , both of one Woman in this Case from another , and of the same Woman at different times : The likeness also , of many of the Signs , to these may attend the Simple Suppression of the Courses , and some their other maladies : whence the boldest guessers are oft times most shamefully mistaken , who made themselves and others full sure of the matter . We shall however recite the Signs held most Essential , and Common : some whereof may be presently perceived , and while the Conception is in making ; others , some while after , and when it is already made : Which ( if they concur in the Woman , and succeed to others accordingly in order , after Congress , and with the Signs of Fertility ) readily holds . As her great Itch and Lust to Coition her most grateful and Voluptuous Tickle therein , without which Women does not so readily and easily conceive : A light Shivering of the Body after , as after Pissing : retention of the Geniture : And this ever gave all Bearing Women who observed it a certainty of their Conception , and ever also the exact time , while they felt their Genitals dry after Congress , and nothing flow from them : Whence also such never missed of their Reckoning , who otherwise computing from the first stop of their Courses , have gone very far wrong . There is beside , a close firm Connivance , ( though others speak of some light one only ) and most exact closure of the inner Orifice , at least the first Months . There is also , a Constriction , or solid Contraction of the Womb ( to the same Constitution almost as when empty ) for a near , and most close Comprehension , and warm Embracure of the Geniture : whence is felt a kind of Contraction , like a Convulsive motion , or Cramp in the Vulvâ , and bottom of the Belly , with a pain hereof when pressed : a starting also of the Navel

There succeeds ( instantly also in some ) various Vexing Symptoms ( more gentle whiles at the first , sorer afterwards , when the Conception likely hath taken a Seat in the Womb ) as great Litherness , Hebetude and Drousiness , Heart-burnings , Yexings , Belchings , Yaunings , Reachings , long Spittings , Vomitings long time , sorest in the Morning : She turns Duamish , loses her Appetite , Cares not for Venery , Nauseats and abhors some particular Meats she loved , Greens for things strange , absurd , and noxious : Takes Tooth-ach , Head-ach , Giddiness , Dimness of Sight , Pains in the roots of her Eyes , Palpitations of the Heart , Swoonings ( yea some have Convulsions , Epilepsies , Ravings ) her Courses also stop , which before were orderly : Her Breasts extuberate , turn hard and painful ( chiefly about the return of her Courses ) the Niples are very dark coloured , more large and tumid , the Circle Brownish : She hath pains in her Loyns and Thighs ; her Belly flatts , she becomes slender , thin , of an ugly Complexion , a lean Ghastly Visage , all Mouth and Eyes : Turns Blea beneath the Eyes , which are Hollow , Turbid , and Dull , with large Yellowish Whites , the Veins very spectable , ( chiefly under the inferior Eye-lid ) And other Cachectick like Symptoms , which yet likely must befall the Cacochymick mostly , the more delicate , or these of a more Inordinate Dyet : Being hard if Nature should allow no big Women her Health , which she hath not denyed to the very Beasts : And some have that their most Healthful time . Some take a sure Signe from an unusual wratkfulness , familiar to them at that time , and their marvelous proclivity to Anger . No Signe or conjecture can be had from Urins however constitute ; sith that , they touch not the parts which serve to Generation , nor hath any Communion with them ; though some glory not a little in this , whom yet Experience does shamefully confound . Many other Signs and Experiments are brought but seem vain and fabulous .

Great Prudence , and Caution is necessar to such Prognosticks , for many Abortions have been procured , Women and Infants have suffered through Mistakes and Rashness ; especially in drugging the Belly big with Child , as if Hydropick , Tumid through Stagnating Courses , or otherwise False : Nor must Women be still trusted in the matter , some being Feigned and False ; many very uncertain .

The distinctive Signs of Conception , and suppressed Courses are , that here ( otherwise then with the Conception ) the longer they stop , the worse dayly grows the Symptoms : The Women most part are Sad , and Pensive : Of a far worse Complexion : The Tumor also is Soft , Oedomatous , Equal ; and hath not Infant-like Situation , Circumscription , or any Motion : Neither feels the inner Orifice so exactly shut , but rather hard , contracted , and some wise painful .