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.

THE FIFT BOOKE, Wherein the Historie of the Infant is acu∣rately described, as also the principles of Generation, the Conception, the Conformation, the Nourishment, the Life, the Motion, and the Birth of the Infant, as neere as may be accor∣ding to the Opinion of Hippocrates.

The Praeface.

FInding this following discourse of the forming of the Infant in Lau∣rentius immediately following his History of the parts of Generation, and considering that it contained many things not only profitable but pleasant also, I thought good (gentle Reader) to make thee partaker thereof. And the rather I heere to perswaded my selfe, because at the first sight I conceiued that my selfe also in this my conception shold find pleasure. But it hapneth all otherwise with me then it is in naturall ge∣neration, where the infant is begotten in pleasure, though brought forth in paine. For this I assure thee was begotten with much paine & trauel, and if thy gentle hand help not in the birth, that also wil be very irksome. I know I shalbe taxed by some for hanging too long in this argument, but I also know that all the Authority blame hath, is frō the Authors therof. The subiect of our present discourse is the history of the Infant, of the Principles of his ge∣neration, his Conception, Conformation, Nourishment, Life, Motion and Birth. Verilie a knotty & snarled skaine to vnreele; a thicket, wherein he that hasteth with bold rashnesse * 1.1 and temerity shall offend & stumble at euery step; he that is diligent shall entangle himself, and he that is guided by blinde ignorance shall light vpon pits and bogs; so that it will bee impossible for any man that enters into these Listes fairely to acquite himselfe. The further he wadeth in this Riuer, the greater confluence of waters wil ouertake him, the deeper must he sound if he will finde the bottome.

We begin with the seed which is like the Chaos. Vpon which as the spirit of God moued whilst it was without forme; first to preserue it & after to distinguish it, so it is in this masse * 1.2 of seed; the Formatiue spirit broodeth it first. After as a Spider in the center of her Lawnie Canopy with admirable skil weaueth her Cipresse web, first hanging it by slender Ties to the roose, and after knitting her enter braided yarn into a curious net: so the spirit first fast∣neth the seed to the wombe with membranes and ligaments, after distinguisheth it into cer∣taine spermaticall threds which we call Stamina corporis, the warpe of the bodie. To these when the second principle which is the Mothers blood accrueth, it filleth vp their voyde distances and so amasseth them into a solid body, which euery day is nourished and en∣creased into all dimensions, furnished also with motion, sense and finally with a reasonable soule. Then as impatient of so close imprisonment, as vnsatisfied with so slender allowance, it instantly striues till this Little world arriues into the great.

After we haue thus perfected the History, we descend vnto the many and busie Contro∣uersies depending thereupon. These concerne the differences of the sexes, the Nature of * 1.3 the Seed with the maner of his excretion; the qualities of the Mothers blood, the accidents hapning vnto vs there-from, with the causes of the monthly euacuation of the same; the manner of Conception as well lawful, both simple, double & manifold, as illegitimate and Monstrous; the order and times of Conformation, not onely of the infant it selfe, but also of the membranes and vessels to which it is fastned; the Similitude of the children to theyr parents; the admirable effects of the Imagination; the causes of superfoetation, the maner & matter of the infants Norishment; the admirable Vnion and communion of the vessels of the heart; how he breatheth by Transpiration, not by Respiration; the works of his Vital & Animall spirits; his Scituation or position in the womb; and finally, the nature, differences times and causes of his Birth, togither with the consequences thereof. All these with many more falling in with our disputations we heere exhibit for their satisfaction whome they may concern, & who are more desirous to know them, then able of themselues to attaine thereto.

CHAP. I. What things are necessary toward a perfect Generation.

THE propagation of kindes, as it is made in the Elements by Transmutation, and in Mettals by Apposition, so it is in crea∣tures by Generation. But of Generation there are diuers ma∣ners. * 1.4 For some creatures engender without coition onely by affrication. Others quite contrary to the ordinarie course of Nature, by a reception of the instrument of the female. Some females also do engender within themselues without the help of the male. There are also some creatures which are engen∣dred onely by putrifaction without either male or female: o∣thers are sometimes bred out of putrifaction, other-whiles out of seede. But all these kinds of generation are maimed and imperfect, and therfore the * 1.5 creatures so procreated, are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vnbloodye and insectile crea∣tures, of which a man of worthy memory among vs, D. Muffet hath written a learned and * 1.6 curious discourse, which happely time may communicate vnto the world. The Generati∣on of man and of the perfect creatures is farre more noble, as whereto three things are al∣waies required; a diuersity or distinction of sexes, their mutuall embracements and copu∣lations, * 1.7 and a permixtion of a certaine matter yssuing from them both which potentially containeth the Idea or forme of the particular parts of the body, and the fatal destiny of the same, & this the Grecians call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

The distinction of the Sexes is especially necessary, because Generation is not accom∣plished but by seeds which must be sowne in a fruitefull ground, that is, shedde into such a place as wherein their dull and sleepy faculties may be raised and rowzed vp, which we call * 1.8 Conception, and afterward that which is thus conceiued, may be cherished, nourished, and so attaine the vtmost perfection of his kinde. But because man was too hotte to per∣forme this office (for his heate consumeth al in him and leaueth no remainder to serue for the nourishment of the infant) it was necessary that a woman should bee created (for wee will insist now onely in mankinde) which might affoord not onely a place wherein to che∣rish and conceiue the seede, but also matter for the nourishment and augmentation of the same. Both these sexes of male and female do not differ in the kinde as we cal it or species, that is, essentiall form and perfection; but only in some accidents, to wit, in temper and in the structure and scituation of the parts of Generation. For the female sexe as well as the male is a perfection of mankinde: some there bee that call a woman Animal occasionatum, or Accessorium, barbarous words to expresse a barbarous conceit; as if they should say, A * 1.9 Creature by the way, or made by mischance; yea some haue growne to that impudencie, that they haue denied a woman to haue a soule as man hath. The truth is, that as the soule of a woman is the same diuine nature with a mans, so is her body a necessary being, a first and not a second intention of Nature, her proper and absolute worke not her error or pre∣uarication. The difference is by the Ancients in few words elegantly set downe when they define a man, to be a creature begetting in another, a woman a Creature begetting in her selfe.

The second thing required to perfect generation, is the mutuall embracements of these * 1.10 two sexes which is called Coitus or coition, that is, going together, A principle of Nature whereof nothing but sinne makes vs ashamed. Neither are these embracements sufficient, vnlesse from either sexe there proccede a third thing, by which and out of which a newe man may bee generated. The effusion therefore of seeds (which are indeede the immedi∣ate * 1.11 principles of generation) is altogether necessary, otherwise it were not a generation, but a new Creation. These three things therefore must concurre to a perfect generation, a distinction of sexes, their copulation, and an emission of seede from them both.

CHAP. II. Of the Principles of generation, seed & the Mothers blood.

WHatsoeuer is generated (saith the Philosopher) is begotten out of somwhat and from somvvhat; else vvere it as vve said a nevv Creation no Generation; Wher∣fore * 1.12 the Ancients haue resolued that tvvo principles must concurre to genera∣tion, Seed & the Mothers blood. The seed is the principle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, the effi∣cient

or workman which formeth the Creature, and ex quo, that is, the matter whereof the spermatical parts are generated. The blood hath onely the Nature of a matter and passiue principle, (we therefore vse the Schoole words because they most emphatically expresse the thing) for out of this bloud the fleshy partes are generated and both the spermaticall and the fleshy are nourished. The Nature of both these principles is very obscure, which we will endeuour to make plaine on this manner. The Seed is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Latine semen, Genitura, betweene which Aristotle puts a nice difference, but Hip∣pocrates takes them promiscuously for the same. And so we wil call it Seed and Geniture, which we define. A body moyst, hot, frothy and white, consisting of the remainders of the last and perfect nourishment and the spirites mingled therewith, laboured and boyled by the vertue of the Testicles, and so made fit for the perfect generation of a liuing Creature. * 1.13 This definition doth fully and sufficiently expresse all the causes, the formall, the materiall, the efficient and the finall.

The humidity, heate, frothinesse and whitenes do make the forme. The seed is moist * 1.14 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is in Power and Consistence: and therfore Ctesias Physitian to King Art••xerxis was deceiued, who thought that the seed of an Elephant was so dry that it wold become like vnto Amber; but it is necessary it shold be moyst, as wel that it might be moul∣ded by the efficient, as also because it must contayne the Idea or specificall forme of all the * 1.15 particles. Hot it is, that it might produce those formes, for cold entreth not into genera∣tion vnlesse it be by accident. It is frothy by the permixtion of the spirits and by their mo∣tion; * 1.16 whence it is that the Poets call Venus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as if shee were made of the froth or foame of the sea; and therefore seede when it is auoyded soone looseth his magnitude, be∣cause the spirits which houed it vp do vanish; whereas phlegme and other mucous matters keepe their bulke because they haue little spirites in them. It is white, because it is boy∣led in the Testicles and the spermaticall vessels whose inward superficies is white, as also because it containeth in it much ayre and spirits: and therfore it is but a vaine thing which Herodotus reporteth of the seed of Negroes or Blacke-Moores, that it is black.

The matter of the seede is double, the ouerplus of the last nourishment and spirits. That * 1.17 ouerplus is bloud, not altered and whitned in the solid parts as the Antients imagined, but red, pure and sincere, deriued to the Testicles and the preparing vessels from the trunke of the hollow veine through the spermaticall veines. And hence it is that those men who * 1.18 are very immoderate in the vse of Venus, auoyde sometimes bloody seede, yea nowe and then pure blood. Of this minde also is Soranus and therefore it is, sayeth he, that the An∣tiēts called those that were of a kindred Consanguineos. i. of the same bloud, because the seed is made of bloud, which phrase we also at this day retayne. The other matter of the seede is that which maketh it fruitfull; to wit, those Spirites which wander about the body; these * 1.19 potentially conteine the Idea or forme of the particular parts (for they are ayrie and moyst easily taking any impression) and passe through the spermaticall arteries to the mazey ves∣sels of the Parastatae and the Testicles. There they are exquisitly minglled with the bloud, and of two is made one body, like as of that admirable complication of the spermaticall veine and arterie is made one vessell.

This double matter of the seede Hippocrates expresseth by the names of fire and water, * 1.20 for so he sayth sometimes, that the seed is fire, sometimes he calleth it water. It is firie by reason of the spirites which haue in them an impetuous violence or nimble agility, whence also it is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 semen turgens, swelling seede. In respect of the blood which is the corpulency or bulke thereof, it is called aqueum watery. Both these Hippocrates in his Booke de diaeta in one sentence: legantly expresseth, where he sayth, The Soule creepeth into man being made of a mixture of fire and water: By the Soule he meaneth the Seed, which * 1.21 therefore in other places he calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is Animated: by Fire hee meaneth the spi∣rits and the in-bred heat which is commonly called Innatum calidum; by Water he meaneth the Alimentary moysture which is bloud. The fire sayeth hee moueth all things through and through, the water nourisheth all things through and through. In respect therefore of this double matter the seede carrieth the nature of both the principles of generation; of the materiall in respect of his crassament or thicke body out of which as out of their pro∣portionable matter the spermatical parts are generated; of the efficient and of the forme in respect of the spirits wherewith it is fulfilled. I sayed that the seed was called an efficient * 1.22 and formall principle, because the efficient and the forme are two actors in respect of their different operations, though indeede and trueth they are but one and the same. For the

forme being diffused through the matter, maketh it to be that which it is & no other thing, and it is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the species, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the act: but considerit as it affecteth, moueth, dis∣poseth and worketh the matter into a proper and conuenient habitation for it selfe, and then it carrieth the nature of an efficient. The seede in respect of his bodie yssueth onelie from the vessels; but in respect of his spirits which wander vp and downe and through all, it may be sayde to yssue from all the parts of the body. This therefore is the double matter of the seede, blood and spirits.

The Efficients and authors of the seede are onely the Testicles, for the power called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, * 1.23 that is, of making seede, we attribute first of all and originally to the testicles. To the spermaticall vessels secondarily per 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, by influence and irradiation from the testicles.

The last part of the definition designeth the small cause of the seede, to wit, the genera∣tion of a liuing creature, and the nourishment of the testicles. And thus it appeareth how this definition of seede is accomplished euery way and compleate. * 1.24

Furthermore, seede is of two sorts whatsoeuer the Peripateticks prattle to the contra∣ry, one of the male, another of the female; because in both sexes there are by Nature ordai∣ned * 1.25 Organs or instruments for the preparing, boyling and leading thereof; as also the same causes of pleasure and delight in the spending or euacuation. But yet the seede of the male is the first principle of generation and more actiue or operatiue; the Females the second * 1.26 and lesse operatiue, yet they are both fruitfull and powerfull for procreation, but neyther of them auaileable without the helpe of the other.

Hippocrates in his first Booke de Diaeta maketh mention of a double kinde of seed in both * 1.27 sexes, the one strong & hot, the other weaker and colder. The first he calleth semen masculū or male seede, the other semen foeminium, or female and foeminine seede: out of the diuers mixtion whereof, and as they ouercome one another, hee thinketh that a male or foemale creature is generated. And thus much for the first principle of Generation, vvhich is Seede.

CHAP. III. Of the Mothers Blood, the other principle of Generation.

THE other principle of our Generation is the Mothers Blood, to which we * 1.28 ascribe the Faculty of suffering onely, and not of dooing, that is to say, it is onely a principle which is wrought vpon by the seed, but itselfe worketh not in the generation of man.

Of this blood are the Parenchymata of the bowels made, as also the flesh of the Muscles; with this as well the spermaticall as the fleshy parts are nourished, doe en∣crease * 1.29 and attaine their seuerall perfections. This bloude wee thinke is of the same nature with that which at certaine times euery moneth is purged out by the wombe, in which re∣spect Hippocrates first called it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, the Menstruous or monthly bloode. The Nature of this blood entangled in a thousand difficulties we will make plaine by this definition. The Menstruous blood is the excrement of the last Aliment of the fleshy parts, * 1.30 which at certaine times and by standing periods is in a moderate quantity purged by the wombe, but originally ordained for the Generation and Nourishment of the New crea∣ture. This definition expresseth six heads concerning the menstruall blood: the matter, the Efficient cause, the vniuersall time, the particular time, the quantity, the wayes of euacu∣ation, and the vse which hath the nature of the finall cause.

The matter of the menstruous blood is the ouer plus of the last Aliment. For in the na¦ture of woman there is a superfluity more then she spendeth for many reasons. First, be∣cause her heate is but weake, and cannot discusse or euaporate the reliques lifte after the parts are satisfied; secondly because of the softnesse and loosenesse of their flesh; whence it is that a womans body is scarsely perspirable, that is, in respect of men they sweate but lit∣tle. Thirdly, by reason of their course of life and order of diet. For they eate more moist meates, they vse bathing oftner, they sleepe more, and in a word their life is more sedentar•• and idle, at least they vse lesse exercise; for these reasons a woman among all creatures is followed with these monthly euacuations.

We call the matter of this bloud an Excrement, not that it cannot bee assimulated or is of a hurtfull or noxious quality like an vnprofitable excrement, but because the quantitie thereof redoundeth after the flesh of the parts is satiated and filled, and is returned into the veines and thence as an excrement vomited out by Nature offended with an vnprofitable

burden, for there is a satietie euen of that which is good. And this is that affluence and refluence Hippocrates speaketh off, that tide of the blood sometimes flowing, again ebbing sometimes. For when the veines strut with fulnesse the hot flesh draweth the bloud vnto it, which, when that attraction is satisfied and ceased, ebbeth againe into the vernes. This * 1.31 blood therefore is laudable and Alimentary, and as Hippocrates writeth in his first Booke de morbis mulierum, floweth out red like the bloud of a sacrifice and soon caketh if the wo∣men be sound.

The veines being fulfilled with these remaynders of the Aliment, and burdned with the * 1.32 wayght of the blood whose quantity onely is offensiue vnto them, they solicite Nature to excretion. Nature, being alwayes vigilant for her own behoofe, and a true louer and che∣risher of herselfe, by the expelling faculty which she hath alwayes at her command driueth out these reliques. For as a man that hath lost one or both his legges, if hee continue that fulnesse of dyet which hee vsed before, is often solicited with a great issue of blood by the siedge, because the liuer sanguifieth as much as it was wont, which yet there wants one part or more to consume it euen so and after no other manner is this menstruall euacuation ac∣complished; by Nature not being able to dispose of that plenty which by the Liuer is mini∣stred.

But because Nature doth all her businesses in order and therefore prescribeth lawes vn∣to * 1.33 herselfe, she doth not endeuour this excretion in euery age, at all times, nor euery day, but at set times and by determined periods, which shee of herselfe neither anticipateth nor procrastinateth; that is, doth not either preuent or foreslow vnlesse shee be prouoked and hastned before her time, or else hindered or interrupted at her owne time. These Natural times are either vniuersall or particular. The Vniuersal time, all men do accord, beginneth for the most part in the second seauen yeares, that is at 14. yeares olde, and endeth the sea∣uenth seuen, that is at 49. or 50. Now the reason why this bloud floweth not before the 14. yeare is this, because both the vessels are narrower, and beside the heate ouercome with the aboundance of the humour cannot expell the reliques, which after it hath gotten more strength it is able to maister and driue as it were out of the field. Adde hereto that in the first yeares a great part of the bloud is consumed in the growth of the body; and beside before the woman is fit to conceiue, Nature doth not bestow this matter of the menstruall blood vpon her.

Now at the second seauen yeares the heate begins to gather strength, to burst foorth as * 1.34 the Sunne in his brightnes, and to rule in the Horizon of the body; from which heate doe proceede as necessary consequencies, the largenes of the wayes and vesselles, the motions and commotions of the humours, their subtilty or thinnesse, and finally the strength of the expelling faculty. At that time men begin to grow hayrie, to haue lustfull imaginations and to change their voyce; womens Pappes begin to swell and they to thinke vppon hus∣bands. After the fiftieth yeare the courses cease, because the heate being nowe become more weake is not able to engender any notable portion of laudable bloud, neither yet if * 1.35 there be any such ouerplus, is able to euacuate or expell the same; you may adde also, that Natures intention and power of procreation beeing determined; it is no more necessary that there should be any nourishment set aside.

Concerning the particular times of this monthly euacuation, Aristotle is of opinion that it cannot be precisely set downe, and almost all learned men herein consent with him. Not∣withstanding * 1.36 it is reasonable, we say, to think that Nature hath set and determined motions and established lawes, albeit wee are ignorant of them: for who was euer so neare of Na∣tures counsell but that he might in some things erre, in somethings be to seek. These times knowne to herselfe shee keepeth immutable and inviolate, vnlesse either the narrownes of the wayes or the thicknes of the humour doe interrupt her, or else shee bee prouoked by the acrimony of a corroding quality in the bloud, or by some other outward prouocatiō; to poure them forth before her owne stinted and limitted time. Once therefore euery mo∣neth she endeuoreth at least, this menstruall excretion, sometimes in the full of the Moon sometimes in the waine; and in those women which we cal viragines, that is, who are more mannish, for three dayes together, in others that are more soft, idle and delicate, such as Hippocrates in his first Booke de diaeta calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, waterish women, for a whole seuen-night. And againe, in the first Section of his sixt Booke Epidem. In women that are waterish the courses continue longer. In those women that are of a middle and meane disposi∣tion they continue foure dayes; and these we cal Particular times.

The quantity of this monthly euacuation cannot be defined. For as Hippocrates obser∣ueth * 1.37 in his Book de natura muliebri, the blood issueth more freely or more sparingly accor∣ding to the variety of their colour, temperament, age, habite and the time of the yeare. Those women which are fayre and white haue such aboundance of humour, that it issueth diuerse wayes; contrary to those are browne and swart skins which are commonly drier. In moderate and meane tempered women the quantity of the courses is about two Hemi∣na, that is 18. ounces which is Hippocrates his proportion.

The wayes ordayned for this euacuation are the veines of the womb and the womb it * 1.38 selfe. The veines do run from the Hipogastrick and spermatick branches to the bottom & necke of the wombe; by the veines of the necke of the wombe it issueth in those women which are with child, by the other in virgins and such as are not conceiued, but not per dia∣pedosim, that is by transudation, but per anastomosim, that is by the opening of the orificies of large and patent veines.

Now if it be asked why the blood is purged through the womb; I answere, it is done by a wonderfull prouidence of Nature, that the bloud being accustomed to make his iour∣ney * 1.39 this way, it might after conception presently accrew for the nourishment and genera∣tion of the Infant.

Hence we gather the finall cause of the menstruous bloud (which was the last poynt in our definition) to be double, the generation of the parenchymata or substances of the bowels * 1.40 and the flesh, as also the nourishment and sustentation of the Infant as well whilest it is in the mothers wombe, as also after it is borne into the world. For howe should the seede conceiued atteine either nourishment or increase vnlesse this bloud should be disposed in∣to these wayes wherein the Infant is conceiued. Afterward when it is born, the same blood returneth by knowne and accustomed waies also into the pappes and there is whitned into milke to suckle it. And this we take to be the nature of the second principle of our genera∣tion, the mothers bloud or the monthly courses.

CHAP. IIII. Of Conception.

THese two principles of Generation, Seede and the Mothers bloud are not at one and the same time auoyded in coition, because the spermaticall and the * 1.41 fleshy parts are not at one and the same time delineated. But if the generati∣on goe rightly on, first both sexes doe affoord fruitfull and pure seedes which are poured out into the wombe as it were into a fertil field. Afterward when the filaments or threds of the solide parts are lined out, then the bloud floweth thereto as wel for the structure of the parenchymata or substāces of the bowels, as also for the nourish∣ment of the whole embryo or little Infant.

The man therefore and the woman ioyned together in holy wedlocke, and desirous to raise a posterity for the honour of God and propagation of their family; in their mutual im∣bracements * 1.42 doe either of them yeeld seede the mans leaping with greater violence. The woman at the same instant doth not onely eiaculate seede into her selfe, but also her womb snatcheth as it were and catcheth the seede of the man, and hideth it in the bottom and bo∣some thereof.

These seedes thus cast and drawne into the bottome of the wombe are out of hand ex∣quisitly mingled, otherwise sayeth Hippocrates in his Book de Naturapuert, they are neither nourished nor animated together. And if any man, sayth he in his first Book de diaeta, do de∣ny that the Soule is mixed with the Soule, let him be held for a dotard. Now by the Soule hee meaneth the Seed, as we haue sayed before. This mingling of the seedes is the first work or indeuour of Nature in generation. And presently after the seeds are thus mingled, the * 1.43 womb, which is the most noble and almost diuine Nurse, gathereth & contracteth it selfe, and that I may vse the words ofthe Arabians is so corrugated that ther is no empty or void place left therein. And this it doth as being greedy to conteyne and to cherish, we say to Conceiue the seed. Moreouer, least the geniture thus layd vp should issue forth againe, the mouth or orifice of the wombe is so exquisitly shut and locked vp that it will not admit the poynt of a needle. Then the wombe rowzeth and raiseth vp the sleepy and lurking power of the seeds, and that which was before but potentiall, it bringeth into act. This action of the womb we properly call Conception, the Grecians 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and it is a Vi∣rification * 1.44 of fruitfull seede to make a creature, depending vpon a proprietie of the body of the wombe.

Hippocrates in his Booke de Principijs, and the fift Aphoris: hath left vnto vs some signes * 1.45 of Conception. Some also doe gather signes of Conception out of all the parts almost of the body. We thinke a woman hath conceiued, if in the confluence of their seedes there runneth a chilnesse or light horror through her whole body; or if she perceiue her womb to contract it selfe; if she receiue the seede of man with delight and it yssue not from her a∣gaine, if the inner mouth of the womb be exquisitely and perfectly snut; if she haue a light and wandering paine about her Nauell or Hypogastrium, which we call the Water course; if her monthly courses do stop vnvsually; if her Paps grow hard, do swell and haue paine in them; if she be not so fit for, or desirous of Venus combats; if she suddenly grow mery and as suddenly againe sad beyond her accustomed manner; finally, if shee haue a loathing of her meate, and vse to cast in the morning after her bodye is a little stirred. But vvhether a * 1.46 woman be conceiued with a man or a woman childe it is very hard to iudge. Notwithstan∣ding, we may thus make coniecture out of Hippocrates in the 48. Aphorisme of the 5. Sec∣tion. She that goeth with a manchilde is well coloured, she that goeth with a woman child is swarthy or pale coloured. Againe, in the same place Male children are born in the right side, Females in the left; & in the 38 Aphorisme of the same Section. If she haue conceiued a male the right pap will swell, if a female the left: but all these signes are rather coniectu∣rall then carry any certainty with them.

CHAP. V. Of the Conformation of the Parts.

THE Generatiue faculty which before lay steeped, drowsie, and as it vvere intercepted in the seede, being now raised vp by the heat and inbred propri∣ety of the wombe breaketh out into acte, as raked Cinders into a luculent flame. Then that noble and diuine builder setteth vpon her worke, & buil∣deth her selfe a habitation fit for the exercise and performance of all hir fun∣ctions. * 1.47 But because she could not performe this so great a worke without an organ or In∣strument, she vseth the spirit, wherewith the froathy seede swelleth, as hir Painter or drawer to score out and delineat•• all the particular parts. This spirit walketh through the vvhole body of the seede, and diffuseth it selfe into euery part and portion thereof. This spirite is he which maketh the parts Homogenie, that is, gathereth all the particles of a kinde toge∣ther, extendeth them, and as a glasse maker holloweth or boreth them by blowing into thē. To this spirit Aristotle imputeth the Ordination, the Segregation, the Concretion, the * 1.48 Densation, Rarefaction, and Contraction of the matter of the parts. This Galen in his se∣cond Booke de Semine, calleth the framing Artizan, the begetter or the former of the parts of man. And Mercurius Trismegistus saide well, that it was the spirite which viuifieth or * 1.49 quickneth euery forme in the whole world, dispensing and gouerning all things according to the proper worth of each particular.

The spirit therefore is the first and immediate instrument of the soule, disporting it selfe in the bulke of the seede, and like a cunning Painter shaddowing out first with a rude Pen∣sill the conformation of all parts both Similar and Organicall, the forme and Idea whereof it conteineth in it selfe, afterward it addeth the liuely colours, beautifying and pollishing euery one in their due order.

This whole worke of conformation that admirable Hippocrates, as Galen witnesseth in his first Booke de Semine, distinguisheth into foure times. The first time is that, wherein the * 1.50 seeds mingled doe yet retaine their own forme which he calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for then there is no∣thing to be seene but the seede coagulated or sammed together, and couered as it wer with a fi••me. The second time he calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, wherein there is a certaine rude adumbration of the parts, and as it were a fleshy masse. The third, wherein a man may see the represen∣tation of the three principall parts, the Braine, the Heart, and the Liuer, together with the first threds and as it were the warp of all the spermaticall parts, and this constitution of the creature he calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The fourth and last time wherein there is a persect separation, discretion and description of all the parts, and then he calleth it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the childe or the Infant. This surely is an excellent distribution, but for those that are rude such as wee intend to informe a great deale too darke and obscure. We will therefore endeuour our selues more manifestly to shew vnto you the whole processe of Nature in the conformati∣on of a man, and in what order all the parts are at first orderly delineated.

Whilst the spirit, the instrument of the soule, beginneth to work vpon the masse of seed which to see to is vniforme, but indeed full of Heterogeny or different parts; First of all it

seuereth the parts which are vnlike one another; the thinner more noble and better furni∣shed with spirits it hideth within; the thicker, colder and clammier which most part are sup∣plied by the mothers seede, it compasseth about the former. At these cold and viscidparts of the Seede it beginneth the conformation, for of them it maketh membranes, and streat∣cheth * 1.51 them out in breadth according to Natures vse and intent, shewing therein her admi∣rable prouidence. For with these as it were with defences the more noble part of the seede is walled about and secured; the inward spirites concluded or imprisoned which otherwise because of their tenuity would easily vanish. Adde farther, that if the membranes had not first beene made, the tender Embryo and the principall partes thereof would haue suffered offence from the hardnes of the wombe.

For euen as God in the great world hath separated the fire from the earth by the inter∣position of water and ayre, so in the Microcosme or Little world, the Nature of manimita∣ting the grand Architect hath separated the Infant from the wombe by the interposition of these membranes. But the Nature of these membranes is not all one in Beastes and in men. For in Beastes, especially such as haue hornes, we haue obserued three membranes * 1.52 called Chorion, Amnion, & Allantoidem. That we call Chorion cleaueth wholly to the womb by the interposition of the vmbilicall veines and arteries, and in this membrane are to bee seene those Cotyledones wouen of a fleshy and spongy substance. The second membrane called Amnios is thinner then the former, this compasseth round about the Creature and is thought to bee the receptacle of the sweate. The third is called Allantoides, because it is much like that we call a Haggas pudding, for it doeth not encompasse all the Creature but only from the Breast-blade to the Hips, and may be compared to a girdle or broad swathe, and is sayed to contayne the vrine of the creature whilest it is in the womb. In a man there are onely two membranes to be found, the first and the second called Chorion and Amnios. * 1.53 The Chorion is neruous and strong, & encompasseth the Infant roūd whence haply it hath his name, either because it compasseth it as a circle or crowne, or because it is foetus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the conceptacle of the Infant, or because it supplyeth nourishment vnto it, for somuch 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 foundeth.

This membrane like a soft boulster or pillow susteyneth and supporteth all the veines and the vmbilicall arteries; for it was not safe that the vesselles of the Infant issuing out of his Nauill should go so long a iourney naked without defence. In them are not as in br•••••• * 1.54 beastes those Cotyledones or knubbes like the Teates of the Breast, but onely a fleshy masse made of infinite branches of veines and arteries wonderfully implicated or wouen togither and filled vp with blood which supplyeth the place of these Cotyledones. The later writers call it the cake or Liuer of the wombe, and some orbicularem affusionem the round affusion. Whose vse is as another Liuer to prepare and boyle the bloud for the nourishment of the Infant. We do rather call this round and red body like the orbe of the Moone when it is at the full, which cleaueth onely to one part of the wombe and doth not wholly encompasse the Infant; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Sweete-bread of the wombe, and doe assigne vnto it that vse that the Sweete-bread hath in the lower belly, to wit, safely to support and as a pil∣low * 1.55 to beare vp the vmbilicall vesselles diuersly sprinkled through the Chorion. But it may be demanded why an Infant hath not those acetabula or Cotyledones to tye the Chorion firm∣ly to the wombe as it is in beastes: happely because a woman doth not bring forth so ma∣ny young as beastes doe; or because the wombe of a beast swelleth more outward, and therefore could not beare their burthen vnlesse it had beene fastned with stronger tyes.

The other coate which immediatly encompasseth the Infant, from the softnes and thin∣nes thereof is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Lambs-skinne: others call it the shirt, and the Arabians ••∣bigas. * 1.56 It is loose on euery side vnlesse it be at the place of the cake, where it groweth so fast to the Chorion that it can hardly be separated; and this coate receiueth the sweate and they∣rine from whence the Infant hath no small help, for it swimmeth as it were in these waters or is couched in them as it were in a bath: beside, it maketh the birth more facile and easie * 1.57 because it moystneth the orifice of the wombe and maketh it more slippery.

These coats growing one to another seem to make but one couering, which the greels call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Latines secunda or secundina, either because it issueth last out of the * 1.58 womb in the birth, or because it is a second habitation for the Infant, the womb being the first, we call it commonly the after-birth.

The inner or more noble part of the seede being secured by these membranes or coat, more bloudly vndertaketh the forming of the parts. At that time therefore the spirite wa∣keth

through the whole body of the seede, and because there are two faculties assistant to the procreating faculty, that is to say, the Changing and the Forming: therefore first of all the seede is altered or changed and disposed, then almost in the same instant the first threds of the spermaticall partes are together and at once skored or shaddowed out with rude lines.

Then are to be seene three bubbles or cleare drops such as the raine rayseth when it fal∣leth into a riuer, which are the rudiments of the three principall parts, & beside a thousand * 1.59 strings which are the warp, as it were, of the vessels and the spermaticall parts. So that it is very likely that those oracles of Hippocrates in his first Booke de diaeta, and in his Book de lo∣cis in homine are most true, where he sayeth, that all the parts are inchoated or begun toge∣ther, but doe not appeare neither are perfected at once but by degrees. But at what time whether the fift or the seauenth day, all these begin to be figured, hee only the Creator who * 1.60 maketh the Infant knoweth, and none else. Yet if we will relye vpon Hippocrates authority or vpon our owne experience, which is very tickle, we may say, That the seauenth day the seede hath what soeuer the body ought to haue, that is as I interpret it; the seuenth day doe ap∣peare the rudements of all the spermaticall partes, which also your eye may discerne if you cast the masse into fayre water and then diligently view it These foundations of the sper∣maticall * 1.61 parts being thus layed, euery one is after accomplished in their owne order, first those that are most noble and most necessary, as the three principall partes, the Brayne, the Heart and the Liuer, and the vessels to them belonging, nerues, arteries and veines. The veines are propagated from the Liuer euen to the Chorion, and to the same membrane are deriued arteries from the Iliacall branches, and doe ioyne with the mouths of the vessels of the wombe, so that these vmbilicall vesselles by which the Infant draweth his breath are the of-spring of more inward vessels contrary to the common opinion of the vulgar Ana∣tomists.

The harder and more solide parts are figurated together, but not together perfected. * 1.62 For of the bones some are sooner perfected some later. The ribbes, the lower iaw, the smal bones of the eares, the patell or choler bones, the bone hyois, are all bones euen from the first originall. The bones of the arme, the legge and the thigh haue their heads imperfect and meerly gristly; the bones of the vpper iaw, of the hands, of the whole spine & the rump are nothing else at the first but gristles.

The cause of the more speedy forming or perfecting of any part is to bee referred to the * 1.63 vse thereof, that is, to the necessity of the finall cause; and therefore the ribbes because they make the cauity of the Chest are at first made bony, least otherwise the bowelles should be compressed. The lower iaw was very necessary instantly after the birth of the Infant for his sucking and other motions. The small bones of the eares that they might resound the better needed be dry and hard. The patell or coller bones were necessarily made strong at the first, because they tye the arme and the shoulder blade to the trunke of the body; as al∣so the bone hyoids to establish the toung. And thus may we make estimation of the other parts; in the delineation whereof the forming quality perpetually laboureth, neuer resting * 1.64 till it haue made an absolute separation and description of them all. This is performed in male children the thirtiteh day, and in females the 40. or the 42. day. So sayth Hippocrates in his Booke de Natura pueri, and de septimestri partu. A woman child hath her conformati∣on at the farthest the two and fortieth day, and a man child at the farthest at the thirtieth.

This is the first conformation of the Infant made onely of the body or substance of the seede, which the creature exceedeth not in magnitude. For sayeth Aristotle in his seuenth Booke of his History of Creatures and the third Chapter, if you cast the Embryo into cold water it will not appeare bigger then a great Pismyre; but I, sayth Laurentius, haue often seen an Infant of 40. dayes old, as long as a mans little finger.

There is another conformation of the Infant of the other principle of Generation, that * 1.65 is of bloud, of which the fleshy parts are framed, as the spermatical are of seed. This bloud floweth through the vmbilicall veine, which is a branch of the gate veine filling the emptie distances betweene the fibres.

But whereas there are three sorts of flesh; that which groweth to the bowels they call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; that which adhereth to the fibres of the muscles they call absolutely flesh; and * 1.66 the third is that which is proper to euery particular part. This threefold flesh we say is not generated together and at once but in order: first the Parenchymata, next the flesh of the * 1.67 particular partes, and last of all the flesh of the muscles. Of the Parenchymata the first that

is formed, is that of the Liuer, because the vmbilicall veine first powreth out the bloode thereinto; then the Parenchyma of the heart, then those of the other bowels. And this is the manner and order of the conformation of the infant, and of all the parts thereof.

CHAP. VI. Of the Nourishment of the Infant, and how it exer∣ciseth the Naturall Faculties.

AS in the workes of Art men do proceed from that which is lesse perfect to that which is more perfect; right so is it in the works of Nature. Wherfore the tender Embryo liueth first the most imperfect life, that is, the life of a * 1.68 Plant which we call the Vegitatiue life. Afterward growing vnto further strength, it attaineth the life of an vnreasonable creature which we call the Sensatiue life, and last of all the most perfect life of a man when it is endu∣ed with a reasonable soule. This Aristotle teacheth in his first Booke de Generatione Anima∣lium where he saith, the Infant is not made a liuing Creature and a man together. But we must * 1.69 vnderstand that this progresse in perfection commeth not by reason of the forme, because that is simple and cannot be diuided, but by reason of the matter, that is, of the Organes, which that noble forme and first acte vseth for the accomplishment of second Acts as wee call them, and all the functions.

The first life of the creature whereby it liueth from the very beginning of the Concepti∣on, is the most simple; and is maintained without that which wee properly call Nourish∣ment. And indeede what neede was there of Nourishment or restauration where there was no exhaustion or consumption of the parts? The Embryo at first hath sufficient to che∣rish it selfe out of it owne heate, and by it owne inbred spirit. But after the parts are distin∣guished * 1.70 and delineated, then presently it beginneth to be nourished and encreased, yet is not this nourishment of the same kind with that which the infant enioyeth after it is ariued into the worlde. For then it sucketh Aliment by the mouth, but whilst it is in the wombe it receiueth it onely by the Nauell, whatsoeuer Democritus and Epicurus say. And that did Hippocrates not obscurely intimate, when he saide in his Booke De Alimento, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. that is, The first Nourishment is the Nauel through the Abdomen. After it is borne it swalloweth into the stomacke meats of all kinds, before (saith Hippocra∣tes in his Booke de Natura puert) it draweth onely of the purest bloode from the Mother, * 1.71 which is transfused into the Liuer. The Infant after it is borne maketh manifolde changes and alterations in the Aliment: first Chylification, then Sanguification, lastly perfect Assimu∣lation which is the third concoction. When the infant draweth pure bloode, it giueth not thereto any forme or fashion, but only a perfection and temper like vnto itselfe. Wherfore we ascribe to the infant not Chylification nor Sanguification, but onely the third concoc∣tion which is the particular Nourishment of the singular parts. The manner of this thirde and onely concoction in the infant conteined in the wombe, is thus.

The infant being tied by the mediation of vessels and Membranes to the Mothers womb, draws the purest of her blood through the mouths of those vessels inoculated one into ano∣ther after a wonderfull manner. This blood thus drawn is powred into the body of the Li∣uer * 1.72 through the vmbilicall veine, which is a branch of the gate-veine, and reacheth to the Fissure of the Liuer, yea you may often in dead bodies followe a probe out of it into the small veins of the Liuer: Here the blood is more and more perfected, afterward the thicker and more crude part is distributed through the roots of the Gate-veine into the stomacke, the spleene and the kidneys, the excrements and reliques wherof by the Splenick & mesen∣terick branches are abligated into the cauity of the guts, and there are by degrees gathered together, and in their abode are so dried that they become thick and blacke. The purer and better concocted part of the bloode is conueyed into the trunke of the hollow veine, from * 1.73 which it is diffused through the whole body by the veins, as it were by smal riuerets. But be∣cause the blood is not without his whey, which serueth to weft it through the smal Veines, therefore the whey hauing performed that his office is partly spent in sweate by the habite of the body, partly it is drawne by the Kidneys, and so transcolated through the Vreters or Vrine vessels into the bladder. For the conteyning of which sweate and Vrine, Nature ap∣pointed the Membrane called Amnios. Yet we must not thinke that the Infant pisseth his * 1.74 vrine into this Membrane by the priuities, but it is conueyed thereinto thorough the Vra∣chos, which is a long and bloodlesse Canale or pipe lengthened from the bottome of the Bladder vnto the Nauell. Neyther hath it any Muscle thereto belonging, because in

the Infant no time is vnseasonable for the auoyding of these excrements; whereas when we auoide our vrine, we haue Muscles at the roote of the yard, to stay or to further that e∣uacuation that it might not be performed but in conuenient time, and at our best leisure as before is saide.

CHAP. VII. How the Infant exerciseth his vital Faculties.

THE Infant also liueth in the wombe farre otherwise then hee liueth after he is borne; for neither is the Chest distended and contracted, because hee * 1.75 draweth not his breath by his mouth, neither doth hee engender any vitall spirits because he draweth them from his Mother: neither lastly dooth hee neede the motion or worke of the Heart or the Lungs, but the heate of the perticular parts is cherished, preserued and refreshed onely by Transpiration and the pulsa∣tion of the Arteries.

This different life hath also a different structure, substance, and vse of the vitall organes, which because it hath not beene knowne to any of the Anatomists of this our age; albeit it was first of all discouered by Galen in his sixte and fifteenth Bookes of the Vse of Partes, though obscurely, we will endeuour to make it as manifest and plaine as possibly we can.

In the Basis of the heart, that is, in the broad end, there appeare foure notable vesselles, * 1.76 two in the right ventricle, the Hollow veine, and the Arteriall veine, and two in the lefte, the great Artery, and the venall Artery. The vse of these after we are borne is this. The * 1.77 Hollow veine which gapeth with a wide mouth into the heart, powreth the bloode into the right ventricle as it were into a wide Cisterne, there it is reboyled and attenuated as well for the generation of vitall spirits, as also for the nourishment of the Lungs. A parte therefore of it swetheth through the middle wall betwixt the ventricles into the left ventri∣cle. Another part is carried by the arteriall veine into the thin, rare, and spongy substance of the Lungs. The Venall Artery leadeth into the left Ventricle the aer which wee breath in, prepared before in the Lungs where it is mingled with the blood, of which permixtion the vitall spirits are generated. This spirite the heart driueth into the trunke, and so into * 1.78 branches of the great Artery. In the infant before birth all these things are otherwise, and afarre other vse is there of all the vessels.

For the hollow veine doth not poure this streame of blood into the right ventricle, be∣cause neither the Lungs stand in need of attenuated blood, being at that time all of thē red, thicke, and immooueable, neither is there any generation of vitall spirits. The venall arte∣ry leadeth not the aer into the left ventricle, because the infant doeth not breath by the mouth, but onely hath vse of Transpiration. The great Artery receiueth no vitall spirites from the heart, but by the vmbilicall arteries: and therefore the Arteriall veine dooth not the office of a veine but of an Arterie, for it carrieth onely vitall spirits, but no bloode. A∣gaine the venall artery doth the office of a veine, containing onely thick and hie coloured blood for the nourishment of the Lungs. But because there was no passage from the Hol∣low veine to the venall Artery, Nature ioyned these two vessels (which doe but touch one * 1.79 another) by a large and round hole through which the bloode hath free passage from the Hollow veine, to the venall Artery.

To this hole she hath also set a thin and cleare Membrane like a couer, which shoulde giue way to the blood rushing out of the Hollow vein, but should prohibit it for returning againe thereinto. As also that by means of this Membrane, the hole after birth when there is no more vse of it, might sooner bee souldered vp, hauing a principle of consolidation so neere and ready at hand. And because the arteriall veine and the great artery were distant a little space each from other, she hath ioyned them by a third pipe or Canale of the Na∣ture of an artery running aslope betweene them, that so the vital spirite might passe freely from the great artery into the arteriall veine.

This is that admirable vnion of the vessels of the heart in the infant vnborn, to wit, of the * 1.80 hollow veine with the venall artery, and of the great Artery with the arteriall veine; but the shutting vp and resiccation of these vessels within a few dayes after the birth, that is indeed beyond all admiration. For that large hole vvhereof vvee spake, is so closed that there re∣maineth no footsteps or signe of it. As for the third arteriall pipe or Canale, vvithin a fevv daies it vvithereth and shrinketh together, and at length it grovveth so small that no man would beleeue there vvere any such thing.

Hence it may bee concluded that the Infant in the wombe draweth his mothers spirites by the vmbilicall arteries, and liueth contented onely with the pulsation of the arteries, not at all needing the help or motion of the heart.

CHAP. VIII. Of the motion and scituation of the Infant in the wombe, which are Animall faculties.

THE Soule being an 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or act of an Naturall organicall body, doeth not nor cannot performe her functions without a conuenient organ or in∣strument. Wherefore in the first monethes the tender Infant by reason of * 1.81 the weaknes of the Brayne and softnesse of the sinewes is not able to moue his members. But when the bones begin to gather strength, and the nerues, membranes and ligaments, which before were full of a mucous and slimy humour begin to dry, then the Infant kicketh and moueth.

The first beginning of this motion sayeth Hippocrates in his Booke de Natura pueri, and de morbis Mulierum, is in Male children at the third moneth, in Females at the fourth: so * 1.82 that there is a certaine and definite proportion of the conformation and the motion of the Infant, and a double time comming betweene them. Male children therefore because they haue their conformation the thirtieth day doe mooue the ninetieth, now the 90. day maketh vp the third moneth. Females because they haue their conformation the two & fortieth day, they are mooued the hundered and twentyeth, which fulfilleth the fourth moneth.

This motion of the Infant is not Naturall but voluntary, as beeing perfourmed by the helpe of the Muscles contracting themselues. The muscles are contracted because the * 1.83 Soule so commaundeth. This commaundement is carryed by a corporeall Spirite and conuayed thorough the Nerues; which Spirte is daylie generated in the Sinus of the Braine or in his substance of the Vitall, which the Infant receiueth from the vmbilicall Ar∣teries.

To this moouing faculty wee must also referre the scituation or position of the Infant in the wombe. For so Hippocrates in his Prognostickes referreth the position or manner * 1.84 of lying of the sickeman, eyther prone that is downeward, or supine that is vpward or on either side, to the weaknes and strength of the mouing faculty.

The Naturall scituation of the Infant is thus described by Hippocrates in his Booke de Natura pueri. The Infant as he is placed in the wombe hath his hands at his knees, and his head bent downe to his feete. Wherefore he sitteth in the wombe crumpled, contracted or bent * 1.85 round, holding his knees with his hands and bending his head betweene them, so that each eye is fixed to the thumbe of either hand, and his nose betwixt his knees.

This Figure though it bee not exquifitely the meane or middle position as wee call it, that is so Naturall as that all the partes are in their due position; yet it commeth nearest thereunto, and therefore is neither paynfull nor wearisome to the Infant; and for the mo∣ther * 1.86 very conuenient because thus the Infant taketh vp the least roome, and beside riseth not so high that it should presse or beare vp the midriffe or the stomacke, as we see in some women vvhen their burthen lyeth high they are short breathed and much more vnvvealdy * 1.87 as vve vse to say.

Moreouer this position is most fit for the easie birth of the Infant, for lying thus vvith his head betvvixt his legges, vvhen he seeketh meanes to get out, he is sooner turned vvith his head dovvnevvard to the orifice of the vvombe, vvhich manner of trauell is of all other the easiest and most secure, both for the Infant and the mother, as shall better appeare in the next Chapter.

CHAP. IX. The exclusion or birth of thr Childe.

THE tender and soft particles of the Infant being now all perfected and esta∣blished hee becommeth euery day greater and hotter, and requireth more nourishment, and being now not contented onely with transpiration, desi∣reth and striueth after a more free vse of the ayre.

Now when as the mother is not able to supply vnto the Infant either the ayre whereby it liueth in sufficient quantity through the narrow vmbilical arteries, or other

nourishment by the vmbilicall veines, whereby it might be supported and refrigerated, the Infant then as it were vndertaking of himselfe a beginning of motion, striueth to free him∣selfe from the prison and dungeon wherein he was restrayned; kicking therefore hee brea∣keth the membranes wherein he was inwrapped, and arming himselfe with strong violence maketh way for his inlargement with all the strength and contention that he may.

This contention and distention the wombe ill brooking, and besides being ouer burthe∣ned with the waight of the Infant now growne, striueth to lay downe her loade, and with * 1.88 all her strength by that expulsiue faculty wherewith she is especially furnished she rowzeth vppe her selfe, and with violence thrusteth her guest out of possession of his true inheri∣tance.

Thus the ioynt strife and as it were consent betwixt the Infant and the wombe bringeth to light a new man, not vppon his feete, nor side-long, but as diuine Hippocrates hath fore∣shewed * 1.89 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is head-long, so be his out-gate be naturall. The reason is, because the vpper parts which hang vpon the nauel string as at the beame of the ballance, do ouer∣way the neather.

Furthermore, this strife and contention of the Infant and the wombe is assisted by the voluntary endeuor of the woman in trauell, which is by drawing in her breath and by that meanes bearing down the midriffe: adde hereto the skilfull hand of the heads-woman or Midwife as we cal them, for she setteth the woman in a due posture or position of parts, receiueth the Infant gently which falleth from betwixt her knees, directeth it if it offer it selfe amisse; and finally draweth away as easily as is possible the after-birth which stayeth behinde.

Here Galen in his 15. Booke de vsu partium, breakes out into an admiration of the Im∣mortall * 1.90 God; for the mouth or orifice of the womb, which in the whole time that the bur∣then was carried, was so exquisitly closed vp, nowe enlargeth it selfe to that extent that the body of the Infant passeth through it.

This birth hath no certaine or limitted time in man as in other creatures, but hapneth vncertainly at any time of the yeare: the reason is, because other creatures haue set times of copulation, but man because the propagation of his kinde was most necessary; is not tyed to any time or season, but left to the liberty of his appetite and guidance of his discretion. * 1.91 Adde hereto; that other creatures in their coitions are glutted and more then satisfied: man (I know not how) hath his appetite encreased euen in the fruition of that which hee affec∣teth. Other creatures vse alwayes one and the same manner of diet, which may be a bry∣dle and restraynt: Man wandreth wantonly through infinite varieties of viands and delica∣ces whereby he is goaded and prouoked to intemperate lust. I forbeare to speake of the power of those fancies, lustful imaginations and passions wherby euery houre as by so ma∣ny furies he is racked and tormented: all which we know are of great auaile to alter the bo∣dy of man.

The times of the birth of man are the 7. 8. 9. 10. and eleuenth monethes. The seauenth * 1.92 moneth is the first time, because before it an Infant cannot be borne aliue into the world, neither indeede is such an exclusion properly called a birth, but an abortment. The elea∣uenth moneth is the last time and vtmost limit, which whosoeuer exceedeth, is deceiued in the time of her conception, and the Cat we say hath eaten her marke. The middle months are the nine and the tenth.

By a moneth we meane with Hippocrates that which they call mensis solaris, that is to say * 1.93 thirty dayes. Nor that birth which we cal Septimestris, or Nonimestris, or Decimestris, each fulfill seauen or nine or ten whole and compleate monethes: for wee knowe that there is a great latitude of the seuenth and tenth moneth, so that the Infant that is born in the begin∣ning or middle or end of the seuenth month is truely called partus septimestris. The begin∣ning * 1.94 of the seuenth moneth Hippocrates designed in his Booke de septimestri partu, where he sayeth that those Infants which wee call septimestres are brought into the world within an hundred and fourescore dayes and a peece of a day. The end of the seuenth month hee limitteth in his Booke de principiis, where he sayth that the Septimestris partus is circumscri∣bed within thirty weekes, that is two hundred and ten dayes; for 7. times 30. amounteth to that number.

The Infants called Octimestres, that is, such as are borne the eight moneth do neuer liue, vnlesse happely in Egypt, because the heauen and the soyle are there most gentle and be∣nigne. The birth at nine moneths is most legitmate and to Nature most familiar. In the

tenth month trauell is not so vncouth, in the eleuenth most rare.

But why the seuenth month and the ninth should bring forth liuing Infants not the eight, the Pythagorians do refer to the power and efficacy of Numbers, the Geometricians to the duplicated proportion of the conformation and the motion, and the triplicated proporti∣on * 1.95 of the motion to the birth. The Astrologians refer it to the diuerse and different Aspects of the Planets and Stars. But these are meere toyes.

The Physitians vppon better grounds haue found out certaine and established rules of Nature and her ordinary Circuites and Returnes, which vnlesse she be interrupted or pro∣uoked, she neuer either hasteneth or foresloweth. Wherefore seeing the infant in the se∣uenth * 1.96 month becommeth perfect, not wanting any accomplishment of his parts, if at that time he haue strength sufficient, he breaketh the Membranes and worketh out his passage, liuing and suruiuing because he is perfect, especially if it be a male childe.

But in the eight moneth if he be borne, albeit he haue the perfection of his parts, yet he suruiueth not, because he is not able to endure two instantly succeeding afflictions (as we call them) or contentions; for the seuenth month being now perfected he laboureth sore and striueth for his enlargement. If therefore being weakened by that strift he againe re∣turne to labor before he be refreshed, it is impossible he should hold out or suruiue so great expence of strength and spirits but must needs sink and faile.

Furthermore, at the eight moneth the Infant doth not liue, because he commeth after * 1.97 the day of birth which should haue been in the seauenth month, and before the day which is to be the ninth.

Whereupon we gather, that some euill accident hath betided him, which eyther hath hindred his birth the seauenth month, or preuented his stay till the ninth. But because these things are somewhat obscure, we referre you for further satisfaction to the Controuersies * 1.98 next ensuing, wherein we will labour to assoile not onely this difficulty, but also all others which may arise concerning the difference and temper of the Sexes, the Nature and Effu∣sion of the seede, the quality and causes of Excretion of the Mothers bloode, the Lawful∣nesse and Errors of Conception, the manner and time of Conformation, the Growth and encrease of the Infant, and how it exerciseth the Naturall, Vitall and Animall Functi∣ons; and finally, concerning the Nature, Differences, Times, and Causes of the Birth:

Notes

• * 1.1

  The argumēt of the Booke following.
• * 1.2

  The maner of the Infantes production outof the seed
• * 1.3

  The Contro∣uersies con∣teined in this Booke.
• * 1.4

  The propaga¦tion of kindes diuerse.
• * 1.5

  Insecta Anima∣lia.
• * 1.6

  D. Muffet.
• * 1.7

  Three things required to perfect gene∣ration.
• * 1.8

  1 Distinction of sexes.
• * 1.9

  A barbarous conceite.
• * 1.10

  2. Copulation
• * 1.11

  3. Emission of seede.
• * 1.12

  Two princi¦ples of gene∣ration.
• * 1.13

  A perfect de∣finitiō of seed.
• * 1.14

  The formall cause. Ctesias his er∣ror.
• * 1.15

  How moyst.
• * 1.16

  Why hot. Why f••othy.
• * 1.17

  The material cause double bloud.
• * 1.18

  Soranus. Why kinsmen are called consan∣guinei.
• * 1.19

  And spirits.
• * 1.20

  Hippocrates. How seed is firie. How watry.
• * 1.21

  A hard place of Hippocrates explained.
• * 1.22

  How seed is both an effi∣cient and ma∣teriall cause.
• * 1.23

  The efficient cause of the seede.
• * 1.24

  The finall cause.
• * 1.25

  Seede of two sorts. Of the Male.
• * 1.26

  The Female.
• * 1.27

  Two kinds of seeds in both sexes.
• * 1.28

  What partes are made of this blood.
• * 1.29

  Menstruall putgations.
• * 1.30

  A definition of the courses
• * 1.31

  Hippocrates ex¦pounded.
• * 1.32

  The efficient cause of the courses.
• * 1.33

  The vniuersal time of the courses, and the reasons thereof.
• * 1.34

  Why the cour¦ses flow ••••. 4. yeares old.
• * 1.35

  Why they stay at 50.
• * 1.36

  The particu∣lar times of the courses. Aristotle.
• * 1.37

  Hippocrates.
• * 1.38

  The wayes of the courses.
• * 1.39

  Why nature purgeth the bloud throgh the wombe.
• * 1.40

  The finall cause of the menstruous bloud double
• * 1.41

  The order of the accesse of the principles
• * 1.42

  Hippocrates ex¦pounded.
• * 1.43

  Conception what it is.
• * 1.44

  An action of the wombe.
• * 1.45

  The signes of Conception.
• * 1.46

  Of a man and of a Woman∣child.
• * 1.47

  The spirite is the workman
• * 1.48

  Aristotle.
• * 1.49

  Mer. Trismegist
• * 1.50

  The Confor∣mation diui∣ded into four times.
• * 1.51

  First the mem¦branes.
• * 1.52

  In Beastes 3.
• * 1.53

  In men two. Chorion.
• * 1.54

  Why in wo∣men the Coty¦ledones are not found.
• * 1.55

  The vse of the cake.
• * 1.56

  Amneios.
• * 1.57

  His vse.
• * 1.58

  The after∣birth.
• * 1.59

  The founda∣tions of the parts are layd at once.

  3. bladders. Hippocrates.
• * 1.60

  The 7. day the parts are deli∣niated.
• * 1.61

  What parts are first for∣med.
• * 1.62

  Their order.
• * 1.63

  The causes of this order.
• * 1.64

  At what times the conforma¦tion is accom∣plished.
• * 1.65

  The second conformation from the bloud.
• * 1.66

  3. sorts of flesh.
• * 1.67

  The order of this conforma¦tion.
• * 1.68

  Three kindes of life.
• * 1.69

  Aristotle.
• * 1.70

  Two kinds of Nourishing
• * 1.71

  One only ac∣tion in the nourishment of the Infant.
• * 1.72

  The true way how the In∣fant is nouri∣shed.
• * 1.73

  The extre∣ments of the Infant where bestowed.
• * 1.74

  The vse of the Vrathus.
• * 1.75

  The dissimili∣tude of the life of the In∣fant before & after birth.
• * 1.76

  Galens won∣derful Obser∣uation.
• * 1.77

  The Vse of those Vessells after birth.
• * 1.78

  The vse of the vessels before the Infant is borne.
• * 1.79

  How the Ves∣sels of the hart are vnited.
• * 1.80

  The wonder∣full resiccatiō of the passa∣ges after birth
• * 1.81

  Why the In∣fant moueth not the first 3. months.
• * 1.82

  When the mo¦tion begins. Hippocrates.
• * 1.83

  The Infants motion vo∣luntary.
• * 1.84

  The scituati∣on of the In∣fant.
• * 1.85

  The natural scituation. Hippocrates.
• * 1.86

  Figura media what it is.
• * 1.87

  The reason of the position.
• * 1.88

  The causes of a womās deli∣uerance.
• * 1.89

  In what man∣ner the Infant is borne.
• * 1.90

  Galens admira¦tion at the prouidence of God.
• * 1.91

  The time of trauel vncer∣taine.
• * 1.92

  The time of mans birth.
• * 1.93

  Hippocrates.
• * 1.94

  Septimestris par¦tus what it is.
• * 1.95

  Why the In∣fant borne the 7. month sur∣uiueth.
• * 1.96

  The Physitiās reasons.
• * 1.97

  Why the viii. month the in∣fant liuethnot
• * 1.98

  The subiect of the Con∣trouersies fol∣lowing.