Mikrokosmographia a description of the body of man. Together vvith the controuersies thereto belonging. Collected and translated out of all the best authors of anatomy, especially out of Gasper Bauhinus and Andreas Laurentius. By Helkiah Crooke Doctor of Physicke, physitian to His Maiestie, and his Highnesse professor in anatomy and chyrurgerie. Published by the Kings Maiesties especiall direction and warrant according to the first integrity, as it was originally written by the author.

CHAP. XIII. Of the wombe or Matrixe.

THE womb cald Vterus, is by Aristotle called the Field of Nature, into which the seed as well of the woman as of the man, is partly powred partly drawne, to which accrueth the womans blood, that the newe off-spring of mankinde might be ingendred, nourished, encreased, and kept to the due time of birth. For the Naturall and vegetable soule which lyeth potentially in the seed, dif∣fused equally through the whole masse, must be produced into act; and it is so produced by the vertue & heat of the womb that receiueth the seed, and the forming faculty which potē∣tially consisteth partly in the seed of the man, partly in the nature of the wombe, and is cal∣led vis plastica, and so of both seedes mingled are framed and procreated equally together and at one and the same time all the parts of the bodye, vnderstanding their Spermaticall foundations and solid substance; but as for their sanguine foundations or proper Parenchy∣mata,

they are procreated at diuers times, as they sooner or later get nourishment and fire, that is spirit; and so those parts that are nearer to the Liuer are perfected before those that are more remote, and those first into which first the mothers bloud doth flow; that is, first the vmbilicall veine, wherefore that is first absolued in his fleshy substance, from which af∣terwards the bloud is led and conuayed into other parts.

It is called vterus properly in women, because it is hollow like a bottle, and as a bottle or bagge of leather is filled and distended with the Infant contained in it; Hippocrates calles it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; but most commonly the Grecians cal it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because it hath the last place among the entralles or inwards; also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, mater, or the mother, because it is the mother of the In∣fant, some call it vulua, but that is properly in Beastes, as Pliny witnesseth in the 37. Chap∣ter of his 11. Booke; it is called locus or rather loci, the place of a woman.

It is placed within the bodie [table 5. ^L table 8. ^P table 10. ^L] because the seede after it is cast into the womb, needed much heat to stirre it vp and to mooue it toward the delineati∣on of the parts. In the lower belly (not in the middle or supreme for that these two are compassed with bones and cannot be dilated according to the increase of the infant, but would haue stifled it by compression:) because this is easily dilated as the burthen increa∣seth, and in the lower part of it called the watercourse or Hypogastrium, partly because it should be no hinderāce to the nutritiue parts, partly for the more commodious begetting &

• ABCD The Peritonaeum reflected or returned backe∣ward, aboue and below.
• EF The gibbous part of the Liuer E. the caue or hol∣low part F.
• G The trunke of the gate veine.
• H The hollow veine.
• I The great artery.
• K The rootes of the Coeliacall artery which accompa∣nieth the gate veine.
• LM The fatty veine going to the coat of the kidnies.
• NO The fore part of both the kidneyes.
• TV The emulgent veines and arteries.
• aab The right vreter at the lowest a cut from a par which neare to b sticketh yet to the Bladder, be∣cause the bottome of the bladder is drawne to the left-side.
• c The left vreter inserted into the bladder neare to r.
• dd The spermaticke veine which goeth to the left te∣sticle marked with i.
• ee The spermatick veine which goeth to the left te∣sticle marked with i also.
• f The trunke of the great artery from whence the spermatical arteries do proceed.
• gh The spermaticall arteries.
• ii The two testicles.
• ll A branch which from the spermaticke vessels rea∣cheth vnto the bottom of the wombe.
• mm The leading vessell of the seed which Falopius cal∣leth the tuba or trumpet, because it is crooked and reflected.
• n A branch of the spermaticke vessel compassing the leading vessell.
• oo A vessell like to a worme which passeth to the wombe, some call it Cremaster.
• p The bottome of the wombe called fundus vteri.
• q A part of the right gut.
• r s The bottome of the Bladder whereto is inserted the left vreter, and a veine ledde from the necke of the wombe neare vnto r.
• t The necke of the Bladder.
• u The same inserted into the priuity or lap.
• x A part of the necke of the wombe aboue the priuity
• yy Certaine skinnie Caruncles of the priuities in the middest of which is the slit, & on both sides appeare little hillocks.

[illustration]

The Figures belonging to the Dugs or Breasts.

• αα The veins of the dugges which come from those which discending from the top of the shoulder, are offered to the skin.
• β The veines of the dugges deriued from those which through the arme-hole are led into the hand.
• γ The body of the dug or Breast.
• ♌♌ The kernels and fat betweene them. •••• The vessels of the dugs discending from the lower part of the necke called iugulum, vnder the Breast bone.

[illustration]

Table 8. sheweth the lower Belly, the Guts, being ta∣ken away, as also the Stomacke, the mesentery and some membranes, that the vessels seruing for genera∣tion may the better be discerned. Also the Breast or Dug of a woman excoriated, is here exhited.

[illustration]

TABVLA. VIII.

bringing forth of the fruite. The den or cauitie of the body wherein it is conteined is called Peluis, that is, the lauor or bason; so that it is compassed about as with strong rampires for defence, with the share bones before, the great bone behinde, and the hanch bones on ei∣ther side. I speake of the wombe vnburdened, for then the bottome of it reacheth not higher then the beginning of the great bone, neither toucheth it any thing but the right gut. [Tab. 5. ^K. Tab. 8. ^q.] vppon which it lieth, nor reacheth forward aboue the bladder; [tab. 5. ^t tab. 8. ^s] for it is placed betweene the bladder and the right gut, that backeward it might haue, as it were, a pillow (saith Galen in the first chapter of his booke de dissectione vteri, and and in the 14. booke de vsu partium and the 14. chapter) betweene it and the backebone, that it might not be hurt by his hardnesse, and before it a strong membrane, to wit, the blad∣der as a bulwarke to defend it.

Here we may see the glory of the ancient habitation or mansion house of mankinde, how that we are bred of a brittle & perishing substance betweene the excrements and the vrine, and must moulder againe into earth and dust, wherefore in the ruffe of our pride let vs seri∣ously consider of that saying of Plinie, Alas, how sottishly franticke is he, that imagines him∣selfe out of so meane and base beginnings, to be borne to pride; but to returne to our historie. The wombe is placed in the midst of the neather belly, that the body might be equally bal∣lanced saith Galen, and for that cause the lauer or basen is larger in women, from whence also they haue larger buttockes then men.

But as the burthen increaseth, the wombe in the vpper part which is the bottome, being loose and at libertie groweth vpward to the nauill [Tab. 10. ^l] and leaneth vpon the small guts, yea and fulfilleth all the place of the flankes when they are neere the time of their deliuerance. Neither then doth it so directly keepe the middle place of the belly, but lea∣neth either to the right hand or to the left, according to the diuersitie of the sexe of the in∣fant, although this be not perpetuall. Sometimes there falleth some part of the kal between the bladder and the wombe, and there causeth barrennes by the compression of the mouth of the wombe as Hippocrates conceited and expresseth in the 46. Aphorisme of the fifth section. It is knit partly by the very substance of it, partly by foure ligaments, wherof two are aboue, two below; but the bottome [Tab. 8. ^p] before, behinde and aboue it is adioyned to none of the adherent partes, but is loose free and and at libertie, that it might better bee distended in women with child, and in coition when the desire of conception is, might more freely moue, now vpward then downeward and open it selfe to the end of the yard, whence Plato in Timaeo calleth it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, a crauing creature (so saith Salomon The barren wombe neuer saith it is enough,) because in the conception it hath a kinde of Ani∣mall motion or lust to be satisfied; neither doth it onely moue it selfe in the lust of concep∣tion, but also it will in a manner descend or arise vnto any sweete smell and from any thing that is noysome: which is the reason that many women are so easily offended with the smel of muske or other perfumes taken at the nose, for that the wombe moueth vpward vnto them; and in the fit of the rising of the mother, we apply burnt feathers and such like noy∣some vapours to the nose to driue the wombe downeward againe, as also sweete and odo∣riferous suffumigations to draw it downeward to the owne naturall seate.

At the sides it is tyed to the haunch bones by membranous ligaments [Tab. 5. ^{OO Q Q}. tab. 10. ^{I K}. Tab. 9. fig. 4. ^IIII] arising as Galen saith in his 4. Book de vsu partium, and cap. 14. & in the 4. chap. of his Book de dissectione vteri, frō the Muscles of the loines; but we rather think (saith Bauhine) from the Peritonaeum, and may be compared to Bats wings. [tab. 9. fig. I ^EE] These Ligaments are wouen sometimes with fleshy Fibres (whereupon Vesalius and Arch∣angelus haue named them Muscles) by whose helpe they being distributed into either part of it the wombe is held stedfast. These Ligaments although they bee strong, yet are they some-what loose or laxe and softe, so that in no part there are found so laxe ligaments, the reason is, that they might better bee extended with the wombe, and follow it also in the motions without dilaceration; for the wombe when it is filled is large and wide, but after∣ward is contracted into the quantity of a Peare or a halfe-peny purse.

These Ligaments also, as Hippocrates and Plato in Timaeo haue written, like to Bridles do hold in the wombe, which yet notwithstanding rideth as a moored Ship in a Tempest betweene her Anchors, especially in barren women, sometimes vpward to the Liuer and Midriffe, and compressing them it bringeth a feare of suffocation; sometimes downward, bearing toward the hips, and causeth in them great paine, but especially it troubleth the left side, whence it is that we obserue that those women which beare vnprofitable burthens

[illustration]

The first Figure sheweth the wombe cut from the body, with the vessels which grow vnto it, the Testicles, the Bladder, and the Membranes: the necke of it is turned vpward, that the orifice of the bottome of the wombe may the better be perceiued; the bladder also is opened, that his cauity, and the insertion of the Vreters may better appeare.

[illustration]

The second Figure sheweth the wombe, with his vesselles parted from the Membranes and the bladder.

[illustration]

The third Figure sheweth the womb freed from al the vessels ex∣cepting the spermaticall vessels, where also the forme of the Trumpet is omitted.

[illustration]

The fourth Figure sheweth the wombe cut out of the bodye, and thicknesse of his coates in a woman with childe, and the cleft of the lap or priuity dilated or laide open.

[illustration]

TABVLA. IX.

[illustration]

FIG. I.

[illustration]

IV.

[illustration]

III.

[illustration]

II.

• A. The bottome of the wombe laide open without any Membrane.
• BB. The necke of the wombe turned vpward.
• CD. A part of the bottome of the wombe like the nut of the yard, swelling into the vpper part of the necke of the wombe, in the middle whereof the o∣rifice appeareth.
• EE. A Membrane knitting the wombe to the Perito∣naeum, and holding together the vessels thereof.
• F. The left testicle.
• G. The spermaticall Veine and Artery.
• H. A part of the spermaticall vesselles reaching vnto the bottome of the wombe.
• I. One part of the vessels comming to the Testicle.
• * A vessell leading the seede vnto the wombe.
• K. The coate of the testicle with the implication of the vessels.
• L. The cauity of the bladder opened.
• M. The insertion of the Vreters into the bladder.
• N. The Vreters cut from the Kidneyes.
• O. The insertion of the neck of the bladder into the lap or priuity. The second Figure.
• a a. The spermaticall Veine and Artery.
• b b. Branches distributed to the Peritonaeum from the spermaticall vessels.
• c The bottome of the wombe.
• d The necke of the wombe.
• e Certaine vessels running through the inside of the wombe, and the necke thereof.
• ff Vessels reaching to the bottome of the wombe produced from the spermaticall vessell.
• gg The Leading vessel of seed called Tuba the trum∣pet.
• hh A branch of the spermaticall vessell compassing the trumpet ii. The Testicles.
• kk The lower Ligaments of the wombe, which some call the Cremasteres or hanging Muscles of the wombe.
• l the lap or priuity into which the cremasteres do end
• m A portion of the necke of the bladder.

[illustration]

The third Figure.

• aa. The spermaticall vessels.
• bb. A branch from these spermaticall vessels to the bottome of the wombe.
• cc The bodie or bottome of the wombe.
• d The necke of the same.
• e The necke of the bladder ending into the necke of the wombe. ff. The testicles.
• gg The leading vessels, commonly though not so wel called the eiaculatory vessels.
• hh The diuision of these vesselles, one of them deter∣mining into the hornes at double kk.
• ii The other branch ending in the necke, by which women with childe auoide their seede.
• kk The hornes of the wombe.

[illustration]

The fourth Figure.

• AB. The bosome of the bottome of the wombe, at whose sides are the hornes.
• CD. A line like a suture or seame, a little distingui∣shing that bosome.
• EE. The substance of the bottome of the wombe, or the thicknesse of his inward coate.
• F. A protuberation or swelling of the wombe in the middle of the bosome. G. The Orifice of the bottome of the wombe. HH. The coate or second couer of the bottome of the wombe, comming from the Peritonaeum. IIII. A portion of the Membranes which tye the womb. KK. the beginning of the necke of the womb. L The necke of the Bladder inserted into the necke of the wombe. m the Clitoris in the toppe of the priuite. n The inequality of the priuity where the Hymen is placed o the hole or passage of the priuity in the cleft. p The skinny caruncle of the priuity.

do especially complaine of greefe, paine, and gnawings in the lefte side, sometimes it bea∣reth more downward, as in lustfull passions, and nowe and then compressing the necke of the bladder, it causeth strangulation.

But we must vnderstand that the wombe is not like a gadding creature that moueth out of one place into another, relinquishing her proper place, but is onely vnequally extended and againe re-called or drawne backe into it selfe from that extension, as when vppon the retention of the menstruall courses, there groweth a plenitude, and so a distension of the veines and ligaments (for these ligaments as we sayde, haue fleshy fibres, and are therefore

somewhat musculous, and so subiect to some distention) and if it descendeth any thing at all it is but a very little; but when it is drawne vpward to the bottome of the stomack, that hapneth by reason of the conuulsion of the vessels, which is somtimes from repletion, som∣times from inantion; not that the wombe is a liuing creature, or hath voluntary motion, or ariseth it selfe aboue the stomacke.

So haue we seene in a generall, or by and by after a generall convusion of the whole body, those vessels so conuelled that the wombe hath pressed vppon the parts next vnto it, those vpon the midriffe, the midriffe vppon the lungs, the lungs vp euen to the throate; so that some haue thought the partie to bee possessed of the foule fiend; some that would make themselues wiser, and should by right haue had more wit, haue sayd that the mother rose into the throate. But Hippocrates in his Booke de articulis, hit the nayle right when hee sayed; that the wombe of it selfe changeth not much his place, but is drawne by other parts. Yet sometimes what with the waight of the Infant, what with the difficulty and vi∣olence of the birth, the ligaments are so relaxed that the bottome of the wombe falleth downeward into the lappe: sometimes also the necke is turned and it hangeth forth of the priuities like a yarde betwixt their thighes, that it must be taken away by the Chyrurgion, or fall of it selfe when the ligaments are putrified, as we shall hereafter haply more particu∣larly declare in our Treatise of the accidents of the womb in a work of Chyrurgery, which now gloweth and sparkleth vpon the anuile.

For it is not to be doubted (say diuerse both Greekes and Arabians, beside some experi∣ence also of our owne times) but that a woman may liue without a wombe, because there is no necessity of it for the preseruation of the particular or indiuiduall nature, but onely for the propagation of the kinde.

The necke of the wombe is tyed to the neighbour parts but not on euery side; at the sides it groweth to certaine membranes, and by their mediation is loosely tyed to the Peri∣tonaeum; backward it fastneth to the great or holy-bone, and to the right gut with very thin fibres and a little fat on which it lyeth all along his passage, and aboue the lap groweth into one with the fundament to which it is before vnited; so that sometimes when the funda∣ment is vlcerated a little within, the excrements haue been seene to fall out at the lappe. Before, it is tyed to the necke of the Bladder. [tab. 8. ^t table 9. fig. 1. ^o fig. 4. ^L] And because the necke of the womb is broader, part of it is tied to the sharebones by the helpe of mem∣branes arising from the Peritonaeum; hence it is that in inflamations of the womb there fol∣loweth a Tenesmus, which is a vaine desire or dolorous offer to the stoole, and the strangu∣rie: and so much of the vpper ligaments of the wombe.

The lower Ligaments of the wombe [table 8. ^{o o} tab. 9. figure 2. ^K] of which Vesalus ma∣keth no mention, are likewise two, which Laurentius cals 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; Columbus, processus vte∣ri; Varolius, the hornes of the wombe: but indeede they are certaine neruous productions, round like to earth wormes, reddish, and hollow especially in their end, like vnto the husky∣membrane, which cauity is sometimes found to be filled with fat. These Ligaments pro∣ceede on either hand from the sides of the womb [table 8. at ^p table 9. at ^c] and in their be∣ginning or originall they touch the leading [table 8. ^{m o} table 9. figure 2. ^g] vesselles of the seede; thence they rise vnto the leske, and are carried through the production of the Peri∣tonaeum, as the spermaticke vesselles of men, and passe through the Tendons of the oblique muscles of the Abdomen. This production beeing dilated, when also the inward coate whereof it consisteth is first broken as in hard bargaines of trauell it often hapneth, there falleth to Women as to Men a rupture of which they are cured by Ligature after sec∣tion.

To these after they are out of the Abdomen, are ioyned fleshy fibres comming from the hanch-bones, which make certaine small muscles called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Latine suspensores that is hangers vp of which Vesalius maketh no mention. These in women haue no communi∣nion with the Testicles, albeit in men they haue, because they adioyne to the spermaticall vessels.

These Ligaments aboue the share-bone [table 9. figure 2. ^l] do degenerate into a broad and sinewy slendernes (mingled as it were with a membrane which toucheth and inuesteth the fore-part of the share-bone) vppon which the Clitoris cleaueth and is tyed; in so much that being neruous and therefore of most exquisite sence, from his attrition lustfull imagi∣nations are communicated to these Ligaments, and from these to the vesselles leading the seede: although their vse also is, to hold the wombe suspended least it fall out of the lappe

• ...

• ... A, B, C. The inner part of the Peritonaeum.
• E E. The embowed part of the Liuer.
• F F. The Stomacke.
• G, H. That part of the Collicke gut which runneth vnder the stomacke.
• I, K. The Membranes by which the wombe adhereth to the bones.
• L. The womb ascending as high as to the Nauell.
• M, N. Coates arising from the Peritonaeum, which compasse the Testicles, the vessels and the forepart of the vvombe, and make the outward coate of the same.
• O. The fore-part of the necke of the wombe.
• P. The place of the bladder.
• Q. The Vrachus, a Ligament of the bladder.
• R R. The vmbilicall arteries.
• S. The Nauell.
• T. The vmbilicall veyne cutte from the Liuer.

[illustration]

Table x. sheweth the portrature of a woman great with child whose wombe is bared and the Kel taken away, that the stomacke, the guttes and the wombe might bee better seene.

[illustration]

TABVLA. X.

(like as the Cremasteres in men doe suspend the Testicles) to strengthen and corroborate it, as well because of the great burthens it carries often and long, as of the strong throwes in the birth, and the humours which doe flow thither out of the whole body, which doe not onely moysten the part, but also might very well relaxe it. Finally by how much these Li∣gaments haue more fleshy fibres wouen into them, by so much do they sayth Pinaeus more leane to the office of muscles, helping the voluntary attraction of mans seede out of the necke into the cauity of the wombe.

The figure of the wombe is round [table 8. P tab. 9. figure 1. ^A figure 2. ^C] that it might bee the more capacious, and lesse obnoxious to iniuries; aboue, it is somewhat depressed [table 9. figure 3.] like the bladder, excepting the tops of it which they call the hornes. For in woemen with child, as in the bladder so in the womb, the bottome is long and the necke narrow; but in those that be not with childe the bottome is no broader then the necke. So∣ranus and out of him Falopius likneth it to a pressed cupping glasse, both for the forme and also for the manner of attraction; for the seed of man cannot attaine vnto the bottome of the wombe vnlesse it be drawne. Taking it together with the necke it is very well compa∣red by Archangelus, Laurentius, Pinaeus, and Bauhine to a Peare. [table 9. fig. 3.] For the bot∣tome downward directly from the corners becommeth narrower by degrees euen to the beginning of the necke, which is like a long and round passage, yet so as that the bottome

is of a figure most like vnto roundnes as wee see in a good fayre Peare, whose bottome is round and bottle fashion.

The magnitude of it is not in all women alike, but differs according to the age, body, and impregnation or burthen. In Virgins that are growing it is small and lesse then the Blad∣der; but in women growne it is greater; so in those that vse not mans helpe, and in old wo∣men because they are dryed and withered, it is but little, (that it may the lesse trouble the neighbour parts) and thicke, not much broader then two fingers; and in length scarce euer so long as three (I meane the bottome,) seldome reaching aboue the share-bone and the bladder. In ful growne women it is greater, (yet those that haue neuer conceiued are much like to virgins) because there is present vse of it; and after a woman hath bred in it, it remai∣neth during the strength and ability of their age somewhat larger then when shee was a growne Maide, yet not aboue a handfull. In a woman with child it is increased into all di∣mensions, for the larger it is stretched the thicker it groweth. It hath two sorts of parts, sim∣ple, and compound.

[illustration]

Table II. the first figure sheweth the wombe of a wo∣men with childe opened in the length, that the after birth cleauing thereto might be seene.

[illustration]

The 2. figure sheweth the after birth separated from the wombe.

[illustration]

The 3. the coate wherein the vrine of the Infant is re∣ceiued.

[illustration]

The 4. figure sheweth the Allantoides and the Amnion opened, with the naturall scite of the Infant according to the common receiued opinion of Anatomists.

[illustration]

The 5. figure sheweth the coates or couerings of the In∣fant according to Vesalius, especially the membranous bladder which receiueth the vrine of the Infant.

[illustration]

TABVLA XI.

[illustration]

FIG. I

[illustration]

II.

[illustration]

III

[illustration]

IV

[illustration]

V

[illustration]

Fig. 1.

[illustration]

Fig. 2. 3. 4.

[illustration]

Fig. 5.

• ABCD. The back part of the womb cut into foure parts.
• E. A part of the necke of the womb.
• FF. Veines and arteries compassing the neck of the wombe.
• G. A certaine fleshy substance gro∣wing to the outward coate, called the cake or the liuer of the womb, because of his manifold vesselles. This ministreth bloud vnto the In∣fant by the nauill.
• H H. The outward couering of the Infant in the wombe which they call Allanto des.
• a a. 2. The distribution of the vessels.
• K K 2. The fleshy cake of the after∣birth.
• LLL 3. The outward coate of the In∣fant opned, to the backside wher∣of cleaueth the afterbirth which some thinke is the Allantoides.
• M 3. The inside of this outward coat
• N 3. Vesselles produced out of the cake or liuer of the womb, making the nauill of the Infant.
• * The insertion of the vessels which make the nauill.
• OO 3. The inner coate of the Infant yet whole, which they call Amnion
• P 4. The outside of the Allantoides.
• Q 4. The inside of the same.
• R 4. The cake liuer, or after-birth.
• S T 4. The vessels ioyning into one at T.
• V V 4. The outside of the Amnion.
• X X 4. The inside of the same.
• Y 4. The vmbilicall vessels inserted into the nauill of the Infant.
• Z 4. The Infant as it sitteth doubled in the wombe.
• A. The outward coate of the Infant cut length wise.
• B. The inner coate or Amnion yet whole.
• C. A soft and thin membrane like a bladder, leading out the vrine tho∣rough the nauill; this keepeth the vrine of the Infant whilest it is in the wombe.

The simple parts are the Ligaments of which we haue spoken; membranes, veines, arte∣ries and nerues, of all which the wombe is compounded. The compound parts are foure, the bottome, the mouth, the necke, and the lap or outward priuitie. The membranes are two, one outward another inward, whose nature and property it is to be able to be exten∣ded or streatched, and againe contracted and gathered together. The vtter [table 9. figure 4. ^HH table 5. ^OO Q Q] which is called the common membrane and is neruous, is the thickest of all membranes that come from the Peritoneum: wherefore it is strong and growes to the wombe on both sides and is doubled, inuesting it for more safety and strength. The in∣ner [Table 9. Figure 4. ^EE Table 11. Figure 1. ^ABCD] or proper is double, but yet so ioyned that they can hardly bee distinguished but in exulcerations; betweene which as betweene the coates of the stomacke there are placed fleshy fibres; which they that say the wombe hath but one coate, doe not call a coate but the very substance of the wombe, when indeed both these and the outward make the substance of it together membranous, thight, & com∣pact; that when the burthen is encreased they may bee dilated, and after the birth may bee contracted again; but by reason of this inner or proper membrane it is fleshy or very thick that it might haue heat to cherish the seede and the Infant; and beside it is porous, that it may be extended according to the increasing of the burthen. Wherefore it exceedeth in thicknes all other coates of the belly, neither doth it alwayes keepe the same thicknes sayth Galen in the 8. Chapter of his Book de dissectione vteri: for in youth it is small and also the

[illustration]

Table 12. wherein the after-birth to∣gether with the vmbilicall vesselles are exhibited.

[illustration]

TABVLA XII.

[illustration]

FIG. I.

[illustration]

FIG. II.

• AAAA 1. The fleshy cake or liuer of the wombe made to strengthen the vessell.
• BBB 1. 2. The membrane called Amnios.
• CC 1. The vmbilicall vessels couered as it were with a gut.
• D 1. 2. The vmbilicall veine and the two vmbili∣call arteries.
• EE. The membrane called chorion.
• FFF. The branches of the veines and arteries dis∣persed through the chorion.
• GG. 2. The coniunction of the vmbilicall vessels as they are encompassed with their coate, re∣sembling a gut.

thinner, but after the courses begin it growes in thicknesse as in magnitude, as also it de∣creaseth both in magnitude and thicknesses when Women leaue to conceyue and theyr courses stay. For the beginning and end of their courses is, when they begin and cease to be sit for conception. So when the time of the courses is at hande, it growes thick and som∣what tumified, as being watered or dewed with the humidity of the bloode which floweth vnto it. Againe, the oftner a woman hath conceiued the thicker it is.

Moreouer, in the time of conception it is thicke and softer and growes thicker as the conception encreaseth, beeing thickest of all at the time of the birth. Yet Galen seemeth to say otherwise in his Booke de dissectione vteri, and the 8. chapter, and the 14. Booke of the vse of parts, and the 14. chapter (which opinion of his many follow) albeit it is against himselfe a little before where hee sayth; that it groweth thicke when the courses come be∣cause of blood; now we know that the greater the infant growes, the more bloode accru∣eth vnto the wombe.

And indeed by Dissection we are taught, that about the time of deliuerance and in the last

[illustration]

FIG. II.

[illustration]

The first Figure sheweth an Infant of 14. dayes olde, in which all the parts are exactly delineated.

• A. The Infant.
• B B. The vmbilicall vessels meeting together.
• C C. The diuarication of the vmbi∣licall Vesselles, thorough the Chorion.
• D D D. The Coate called Amnios.

[illustration]

The second figure sheweth an abortiue Infant, which was auoided the xxv. day after conception, being depriued of blood to nourish it, because the vmbilical vessels were broken. The magnitude of that infant is perfect∣ly described.

month it becommeth two Fingers bredths thicke, and that not onely in one place but eue∣ry where, especially toward the higher part of the bottome or soale in which the vessels of the wombe did meete, and to which the after byrth called the secundinae doe adhere; for as we saide before after the conception it encreaseth in all kinds of dimensions til it be vnbur∣dened. For from the plentifull confluence of blood, because of the many veines and Arte∣ries scatterly dispersed through his coates, his substance becomes fleshy, fungous, spongy, and diuisible into many shels or huskes like a Bezoar stone, or after the manner of mush∣rumme, that it might containe the greater quantity of blood and spirits or the life and nou∣rishment of the Infant, and beside the heate beeing encreased it necessarily draweth more vnto it, and so it tumifieth and is distended, but after the byrth when the confluence cea∣seth, it returneth to his former both magnitude and thicknesse. For if it neuer gathereth that carnosity and softnesse the woman neuer conceyneth. But if it sometimes do not ga∣ther it, then is she for that time fruitlesse, whence it is that we see some women which haue conceyued to become fruitlesse for a space, and after fall to bearing afresh.

Betweene these membranes run Fibres (saith Galen in his 14. Booke de vsu partium, and the 14. chapter) of all sorts, because it must draw and reteine the seede and expell the bur∣then; the fleshy fibres make the proper parenchyma or flesh of the womb; that so the heate may be encreased for conception: by which also it may be, as by muscles the voluntary mo∣tion of the wombe in drawing the seede into his cauity (as a Hart draweth a Snake out of the holes of the earth by drawing in his breath at his Nosethrils) & embracing it afterward is accomplished; haply also they haue another vse (saieth Archangelus) to thrust out some recrements of the wombe, which cannot be cleansed by the sole compression of the Mus∣cles of the Abdomen.

But in those that are somewhat gone with childe, the trebble kinde of spermaticall Fi∣bres do appeare more manifestly, the right are inwarde which draw the seede, they are but few because the seede is brought euen to the very mouth of the wombe by the yard. The oblique are in the middest and are most and most strong, that they may retaine that which is conceiued till the due time; the transuerse are outward very strong also, because of the force that is necessary in the deliuerance.

The veines and arteries which passe through the coates of the wombe are twofold, for two veins & two arteries are led thither from the spermatical [Ta. 8. ^ll. Ta. 9. fig. 1. ^H fig, 2 ⁱⁱ. fig. 3. ^bb] vessels, so many also from the Hypogastrical, which run vpward from below; [tab. 9. fig. 2, ^•. Tab. 11. fig. 1, ^FF] that from all parts of the body as well below it as aboue it, blood might be ministred vnto it; for they bring not Aliment onely to the wombe, but also to the infant, as also they serue to emptie the whole bodye in the menstruall purgation. But the the veines are greater then the arteries.

The one of these which proceedeth from the spermaticall and discendeth from aboue, is disseminated through his whole bodie especially through his bottome, to bring alimen: vnto it, yet the ends of the vessels which are carried into the left side are vnited & become one with the ends of the vessels which are distributed in his right side, that so the right side (for this is Galens opinion, in his 14. Booke de vsu partium, and the 9. Chapter) may take to it selfe some small portion of whaey humidity, which may by his acrimony stirre vp his ac∣tion and procure pleasure; as we see the whaey humors that are gathered vnder the skinne if they be heated, they stirre vp itching and a kinde of pleasure withall. By this veine also the chiefe part of the menstruall blood, especially in women but not with childe, dooth flowe foorth.

The other Veine ariseth from the Hypogastricall braunch of the hollowe Veine at the sides of the great bone about the share; it is the greater and ascendeth by the sides of the necke vnto the middest of the wombe, where it mingleth it selfe with the former. This is distributed partly through the bottome of the wombe, partly through the necke of it. But the vessels that passe through the bottome, are alwayes vnited (which saith Fallopius, Ana∣tomists haue much neglected) by some branches, and that eyther without the wombe or in his substance: without the wombe, the boughs of the vpper vein are ioyned with the small branches of the lower at the necke of the womb [Tab. 9. fig. 2, ^e, with ^h] where on both sides there are many vesselles, and those notable ones finger-fanged or placed like crosse Fin∣gers, and being vnited doe passe into his substance and end or open into the cauity, which Anastomoses or inoculations of veines are more conspicuous in women with childe, and those whose courses do slowe or are neere vpon it. But if they be not vnited, then from the

lower veine some branches are carried vpward, to be planted in the bottome.

The branches of this Hypogastricall veine being entred the substance of the wombe do mingle themselues with the vpper braunches proceeding from the spermaticall, and the mouths or extreamities of them reach vnto the inner cauity of it, and are called Cotelydones and Acetabula, to which in the conception the Liuer of the wombe or the after birth doth cleaue, from whence the infant receiueth aliment through the vmbilicall vesselles, and by which it is tied to the wombe. Through these, there arriueth more blood at the wombe then is necessary for the nourishment thereof all the while the Woman is childing, that when conception shall happen to bee, there may bee some quantity of the Mothers blood at hand which is one of the principles of generation; as also that when the infant is begotten and doth encrease, it may not want aliment according to that proportion it stan∣deth in neede of; all which blood after the infant is brought into the world, returneth back to the breasts and there is turned into milke.

At other times, because it is more plentifull then the womb it selfe requireth, therefore it is like a superfluity excluded euery month, and if it bee reteined it will corrupt and indu∣ceth many passions called Hystericae, which we call fits of the Mother, which yet are oftner procured by seed reteined and corrupted then by blood. With this blood also other excre∣ments conteined in or amongst the blood and a whole heape of humors are purged som∣times in three dayes space, sometimes they flow longer, and commonly at the new moone the younger sort haue them, the elder in the full of the moone; which therefore wee note, because when in Maidens the courses are stopped and they know not well when the time, of their euacuation should be, we should apply our remedies either in the end of the olde

[illustration]

TABVLA XIII.

[illustration]

The first Figure sheweth an Infant of 14. dayes olde, in which all the parts are exactly delineated.

• A. The Infant.
• B B. The vmbilicall vessels meeting together.
• C C. The diuarication of the vmbi∣licall Vesselles, thorough the Chorion.
• D D D. The Coate called Amnios.

[illustration]

FIG. II.

[illustration]

The second figure sheweth an abortiue Infant, which was auoided the xxv. day after conception, being depriued of blood to nourish it, because the vmbilical vessels were broken. The magnitude of that infant is perfect∣ly described.

Moone, or in the beginning of the new.

Finally, the other part of the lower veine is inserted into the necke of the wombe, [Tab. 9. fig. 2, ^e] whether if too much blood be brought by the spermaticke vessels whilst the wo∣man is with childe, it is exonerated not by the orifice or mouth of the wombe, but by the Anastomosis or inoculations of the veines into the neck of the same. Wherefore by these veines are some women with childe euacuated which haue plethoricall and ful bodies and so more affluence of blood in the first months after their conception then is required for the nourishment of the Infant, and not by the bottome of the wombe as otherwise in maides and women the menstruall blood vseth to bee purged; otherwise the Infant would be choaked with the aboundance of bloud and the orifice of the wombe must necessarily be opened, which would bring a danger of abortment.

That which we haue sayed of the veines wee must say of the arteries which accompany them, whose vse also is in those that be not with childe to encrease the heat of the womb, to bring vnto it spirit and vital bloud, together with vital faculty and heat, and by their mo∣tion to ventilate or breath the in-bred heat, to stir the bloud and so to preserue it from pu∣trifaction. But whether in the time of the courses the arteriall blood bee also euacuated, we ingenuously confesse our selues to be ignorāt saith Bauhine, sure we are that from these forenamed vesselles or that which is called the lap or priuy veine, there are carried certaine small veines and arteries to the lap and the hillocks or Caruncles thereof.

The nerues of the wombe though they bee small yet are they very many, implicated or couched one within another like a net, that they may confer exquisite sence vnto it. To the higher part of the bottom of it, they come from the termination of the branches of the sixt coniugation which go vnto the roots of the ribs. To the lower part of the bottom and to the neck, from the marrow of the loyns and the great bone, (whence is that admirable con∣sent between the womb and the head especially the backpart of it) that feeling those things that are troublesome, the expelling faculty might be prouoked, and pleasure also conceiued in coition, (therefore about the lower parts they are more plentifull) as also the motion of the wombe wherein it draweth and imbraceth the seed of the man quickned and strength∣ned. For there are certaine fleshy fibres in the wombe as wee haue shewed already, which are in stead of small muscles. And thus far of the simple and similar parts of the wombe or matrix, now followeth the compound or dissimilar.

Notes

• Lib. I. de gener. Animal. Cap, 2.
• The forming Faculty.
• How all the parts are for∣med at once.
• The names of the wombe.
• The scituati∣on & the rea∣sons thereof.
• A remem∣brance for proudmen.
• Pliny.
• Where it gro∣weth.
• A cause of bar¦rennes. Hippocrates.
• The connexi∣on.
• The wombe a very creature
• Plato. Salomon. Prou. 30. 15. an obseruati∣on of the v•••• of sweet and stinking •••••• for women.
• Of the condi∣tions of the ••••es of the wombe.
• The quantity of the wombe Simily.
• A good obser¦uation for wo¦men.
• How the womb moo∣ueth.
• A strange case like a posses∣sion in Mary Glouer of Thames 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Hippocrates.
• The cutting out of the wombe.
• The tyes of the neck of the wombe.
• A good obser∣uation for women.
• The lower li∣gaments. Laurentius. Columbus. Varolius.
• The rupture in women how caused.
• The Vses of the ligaments
• The Figure of the wombe.
• Like a Peare.
• Archang. Laur. Pinaeus.
• The composi∣tion of the wombe. The similar parts of it. Membranes.
• The duplica∣tion of the in∣ner membrāe.
• What is the substance of the wombe.
• How it increa¦seth or decrea¦seth in thick∣nes.
• Why women who haue con¦ceiued leaue bearing for a time, & after fall to it a∣gaine.
• The Fibres of the wombe.
• Comparison.
• Archangelus.
• The sperma∣ticall fibres of the wombe.
• The Veynes & arteries of the wombe.
• The veine frō the spermati∣call.
• Galen.
• A cause of pleasure.
• The Veine from the Hy∣pogastricall.
• Acetabula and Cotelydones what they are
• The menstru∣all purgation.
• An obseruati∣on for the pro curing of the courses
• The other part of the Hi¦pogastrical veine.
• How and by what wayes women with child haue their courses.
• Of the arte∣ries of the wombe. Their vse.
• The nerues of the wombe.
• The cause of the conse••t betweene the wombe & the head A cause of pleasure.