The womans doctour, or, An exact and distinct explanation of all such diseases as are peculiar to that sex with choise and experimentall remedies against the same : being safe in the composition, pleasant in the use, effectuall in the operation, cheap in the price / faithfully translated out of the works of that learned philosopher and eminent physitian Nicholas Fontanus.

THE THIRD BOOK, OF Barrennesse, and such Diseases, as befall Women with Childe. (Book 3)

The first Chapter.

OF Barrennesse, both Absolute and Re∣spective.

PRovident Nature that she might contrive the continuation of Mankinde for a long time, if not in the Individuall, yet at least in the Species, hath im∣printed in those parts dedicated to genera∣tion, a vehement, continuall, and inex∣pressible

appetite to propagation: and thus by a due commixture of the womans bloud with the seed of the man, she formeth and fashioneth a Creature in the Matrix, which at a certaine, and appointed time, she sends forth into the world compleat, and perfect in its Conformation.

Wherefore in my Judgement, Concep∣tion is nothing else then a receiving of the mans seed in the Matrix, being exquisitely and proportionably intermingled, aptly retained, and fully perfected, and therefore by the rule of Contraries, we may affi••me Barrennesse to be a Depravation, or defect of these operations.

Barrennesse is either naturall, and ac∣quired from the first Elements of the Con∣formation, or introduced by sicknesse; or lastly Respective, namely in reference to the Man, or the Woman, the first is incu∣rable; for no Physitian can correct those errours, which Nature commits in the my∣sterious purpose of our generation; one of these errours is the straightnesse of those passages which lead to the Matrix, being sometimes so narrow that they hinder the right transmission of the seed into the vessells of Generation, or if it be injected, yet is it received with so much paine and

labour, that the Matrix doth neither concoct nor perfect it, another errour is the wide∣nesse of those parts, into which although the seed be duely ejaculated, yet it present∣ly slips out againe, because the capacity of the Matrix is too wide; the crookednesse of the vessells also may be another impedi∣ment; for we may many times meet with jesting errours, as I may call them, in the workmanships of Nature; thus in one bo∣dy a double Matrix hath been seen, in an∣other two hearts, in a third, the Spleen placed where the Liver should stand, and ma∣ny other such like recreations of Nature, as Realdus Columbus hath discoursed of them at large in his Anatomy.

The second kinde of barrennesse is that which is contracted by some disease; for whereas the seed is a certaine spirituall substance, generated of the purest part of the bloud, it is necessary that it should be concocted in a temperate wombe; but if the Matrix be too hot, it consumes the seed, as a little water thrown into a fire, is pre∣sently dryed up, and on the contrary, if it bee too moist and cold, the actions that are ordained for conception are weakned, and disabled, because cold is unprofitable, and uselesse for any function: it shuts up

the mouthes of the veines in the Matrix: it renders a woman averse from, and indi∣sposed to the pleasure of the Lawfull sheets; for a waterish seed cooles the Testicles, and makes them unapt to elaborate the seed, and make it fit to unite and mix with the mans seed; unto these impediments Hippocrates hath also added another which in his Apho∣risms he calls a thick Matrix.

From all which it is manifest, that the temperate Matrix is most fruitfull, namely that which obtaines a mediocrity, ap∣proaching to no excesse, either of an active or passive quality; by the universall Con∣stitution of the whole body, you may best discerne the temperature of the wombe, which is most fit for conception; for such women are fresh coloured, and of a rosie complexion, gentle of behaviour, affable in their cariage, merry and pleasant in their conversation, not dull and drowsie, and full of pensivenesse.

The third cause of barrennesse proceeds neither from the Nativity of the Patient, nor from any sicknes, but relates to the man, as for example; one and the same woman may have had Children by a former hus∣band, and yet no children by a second hus∣band, not because she is now barren, or un∣fruitfull,

but she is so called because of her husband, by whom she hath now no chil∣dren, the case is likewise the same on the mans part, respectively to the woman; but perhaps you will demand a reason hereof, I answer; because the proportion and tem∣perature of both the seeds, which ought to concur to generation, are contrary the one to the other; for the seed both of the man and the woman, if it be prolificall and fruitfull, will be of a white, and shine∣ing colour, not thin and waterish, but of a thick, and compacted substance, in sent like unto the flowers of the Dwarfelder tree, and being put into water, it will sinke to the bottome; but that which is unfit for generation will swim upon the ••op of the water, and is in all respects con∣••rary to the former; the man ought to be of a strong constitution, well set, full of ••uscles, and neither too slender, nor too ••hick; for those that are slender, are usual∣••y too weak to get childreu, at least such as are healthfull, strong, and lively, and those who are to grosse, are commonly of a cold temper, have a thin and slippery seed, and are more desirous of Venery, then able to performe it.

Barren men are commonly beardless, slow

in imagination, and dull in practise, be∣cause their seed is cold, and containes not any spirit to tickle, and warme their Phantasies, but they sit like images, and are sad, and insociable; on the contrary, hairy men, that have Testicles of an indiffe∣rent size, and a well concocted seed, are cheerefull, affable, ever frequenting the young company of Maids, and Virgins, be∣ing excited by the flagrancy of their eyes to Venereous dalliances, and lustfull specu∣lations.

After the same manner we must give judgement concerning women, which be∣sides the signes aforesaide, if they be bald, and harelesse in the privie parts, they are suspected to be barren; but if they be rough, and full of haire, it is a signe that they are fruitfull; the wiser sort of Physitians know, that much haire is an undeniable ar∣gument of much heat, and of the strength of that heat, which driveth out those fu∣liginous humours, whereof those haires are generated.

Those women that have black haire, are more apt for Venery, then any other com∣plexion, because they are hotter, and have their Courses in a more plentifull manner: which Courses, how conducible they are to

make her fruitfull, is manifest to any ordi∣nary capacity, because the menstruous blood is one of the Principles of our generation.

Other sorts of barren women must be re∣ferred to this Catalogue, as those that are luxuriant, and the whorish crew; the former, because by frequent coition their bodies become empty of seed, and if any at that time be ejaculated, it is not fit for generation, because Nature is not allowed time enough to elaborate and concoct it▪ and the latter sort conceive not, partly by reason that many, and various seeds are mingled together, and partly also by rea∣son of their frequent cohabitation with men, whereby the neck of the Matrix is made so slippery, that it cannot retaine the mans seed.

It will not be impertinent to enquire at what time women begin to have their Courses? I answer, that for the most part, they begin when the Virgin is twelve years of age, and end when she hath attained to forty five: and in all that intercourse of time women are held capable of children; but if any Auhors will affirme that women may conceive, before and after those fore∣named periods of time; we also affirme, that this is not ordinary, but very rare;

〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de menstru•• sanguine, in the chapter de ita & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Conceptione ad∣miranda, and he will straight demand, whither a woman can conceive without the Menstruum? I answer negatively: for when either Principle of Generation is defective, there can be no conception; if you still obtrude upon me, that many women have conceived without the Men∣struum, I grant it to be true; if you speak of the outward Menstruum, namely that, which we call their monethly Courses: but if you meane it of the inward, that is of that, which runneth out of the vessells into the Matrix for conception sake, you are deceived; for no woman can conceive without this inward menstruum; you will ask againe peradventure, can a woman conceive without pleasure? and whither it be absolutely necessary that the seeds should be intermingled, and that the man and the woman should both spend at one, and the same point of time? to the first I an∣swer, that they enjoy an unspeakable pleasure, although that conduceth little or nothing to conception; and to the se∣cond I affirme, that it is not necessary that they both spend at one time, although

I confesse that may facilitate, and much help conception, but that it is sufficient, if the seed be received into the Matrix, and rightly concocted; for there is in the wo∣mans seed, such an earnest, covetous, and greedie desire, to embrace, and be united with the seed of the man, that although the man spend after the woman, yet she sucks it in, and the conception is never∣t••••less•• perfect.

Thus we have declared unto you (with all possible observation of modest expressi∣ons) the Causes of barrennesse in gene∣rarall; and the signes of such men and wo∣m•••• that are un••ruitfull, by which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you may discerne the particular constitu∣tion of either sex.

It would be needlesse to set down any prognostick signes, because from a true consideration of the precedent notes, you may raise an unerring determination, whi∣ther the fault be in the man, or the wo∣man.

Let us now advance to the cure; we have said that there is a threefold kinde of barrennesse, Naturall, Respe••tive, and that which is contracted by force disease; that which comes from the Nativity of the Patient is incurable; but that which

is comparative in relation to the woman, or the man, may have help from artifici∣all administrations; for if the man or the woman be unfruitfull through an excesse of the first qualities, that intemperance must be corrected; how to bring this to passe, now heare and understand; if any man thoroughly knoweth how to cure that barrennesse, which comes by sick∣nesse, the same man will be able to particu∣larize every cause that introduceth un∣fruitfulnesse.

Now this barrennesse that happens by reason of some disease, must be cured by a distinct observation of the cause, where∣upon it hath dependance; if it proceed from an Ʋlcer, that Ʋlcer must be cured; if it arise from frequent coition, the in∣continent person must curb her, or his appetite; if the Ayre be a suspected cause, remove to another place; if any poyson hath got into the body, by the power and malignity whereof, the spirit which is in the seed is weakned, and dulled, you must prescribe remedies of Bezar stone, and ap∣ply such medicines to the privities, as have a faculty to resist poyson.

If the party be bewitched, as it often comes to passe, even by the malicious art

of the Devill, or his instruments, besides the ordinary help••, you must indeavour to subdue the evill with other meanes, as the learned Fernelius hath taught us in his booke de abditis rerum causis; for some diseases and remedies exceed the limits and boundaries of Nature.

If slendernesse be the cause of unfruit∣fullnesse; you must nourish and fatten the body with meats that yeild good juyce, and with moistning baths: and you must be carefull to avoid evacuations, and all other things, which weaken the strength, and exhaust the spirits.

If fatnesse hinder fruitfulnesse; the body must be extenuated, made lean, dried, and rub'd, and all other meanes must be used to dissolve and evacuate the thick juyc••s; the Patient must accustome her selfe to much exercise, refraine from anger, and all passions of the minde, and content her selfe with little spleen; for these things introduce leannesse, bring down the bo∣dy, and take away all grossenesse, and corpulency; for the same purpose also you may frequent the Bath, and hot houses, for sweating doth much extenuate a fat body. If the Affect be produced by an ex∣cesse of the first foure qualities, as we have

already intimated, that hot distemper must be corrected by a various administration of remedies, in contrariety to that ex∣cesse; first with a cold, and moist ayre, for in such cases, a hot ayre weakens our strength, and drawes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the naturall heat to the circumference, inflames, dissolves, and enervates the faculties of the Matrix, and because a hot distemper cannot long continue s••mple, and uncompounded, but in a short space associ••••••s to it selfe a dry distemper, therefore the aliments must be moyst to resist the increase of that drought, which is not cured without much trouble and difficulty, if it be once intro∣duced into the Matrix, which by Nature i•• a dry and nervous part; wherefore let her drinke be potentially moist, as small beer, or a decoction of burley, but enjoyn her an abstinence from wine, and all such meat•• as are spiced with cinamon, and Ginger.

Let her meat be of easie concoction and distribution, potentially cold, and moist, that is, cold and moist in their qualities, and operation, though they be actually hot when she eats them, it would be su∣perfluous to name them, having already sufficiently spoken of them in the prece∣dent

Chapter of a hot di••••••per in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and an inflammation in the Matrix.

It will be convenient to draw bloud from the basilick vein, in the right arme, and if the hot distemper be thecause, that the Patient hath not her Courses, cut a veine in her ankle.

Moreover you may prepare 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and moistning Juleps after this manner.

Take

• Syrup of Violets and 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, of each two ounces.
• Twelve ounces of Endive water.
• Six drops of Spirit of vitrioll, mingle them, or
• Take Syrup of borage, and Syrupe of pur selane, of each an ounce and a halfe.

A decoction of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, with cucumber, ci∣tru••, gourd, and melon seeds, of each a dram and a halfe, take a pint and a halfe of the decoction mingled with the Syrups, and let her drink it at three doses.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Purge 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to evacuate choler.

Take

• three drams of 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• A scruple and a halfe of citron seeds.

〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 a night in a sufficient quantity of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 two ounces and a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 straine and presse them, and to the liquor

add three drams of the Electuary Diaprun∣laxative. Halfe an ounce of Syrupe of Vio∣lets by infusion, mingle them, and give it in the morning.

Whey of it selfe is exceeding wholsome, or else you may thus compound it for your Patient.

Take

• an ounce of borage roots.
• Two handfulls of sorrell leaves with the roots.
• Endive and borage leaves, of each a handfull.
• Six drams of tamarinds.

Boyle them in a sufficient quantity of whey to a quart, and in the strained liquor infuse for a whole night

• Halfe an ounce of choise rubarb.
• Two scruples of Cinamon.

In the morning let them bubble a little over a gentle fire, and when you have prest them hard, add

• Three ounces of Syrupe of roses laxative.

Mingle them together for an Apozem.

Which is of most excellent vertue to cor∣rect the heat, and distemper of all the veynes, and principall parts; this Bath al∣so will be very effectuall to coole the body.

Take

• foure handfulls of vine leaves.
• The leaves of mallowes, violets, and en∣dive,

• of each two handfulls.
• A handfull and a halfe of bran.
• A handfull of salt.

Boyle them in a sufficient quantity of water to eight quarts, let her hold her feet in the strained water, two or three houres together.

You may likewise prepare fomentations of the hearbs aforesaid, and bath the pri∣vities, the Liver and the Reynes of the back; and afterwards you may make use of this oyntment.

Take

• two ounces of unguent. infrigidan∣tis Galeni.
• An ounce of Cerat. Sautal••n.
• Oyle of roses, and oyle of violets, of each halfe an ounce.
• Two drams of the powder of red corall.
• Halfe an ounce of vinegar of roses.

With a sufficient quantity of white wax, make an oyntment according to Art.

Take the liquor which is distilled out of Cockles, Snailes, or Frogs, mingle it with Saccharum perlutum, and give it her to drink, as a most effectuall remedy against this Disease.

A decoction of young Chickens boiled with prunes, and borage leaves, and taken every morning upon an empty stomack,

doth refresh the body▪ strengthen the spi∣rits, moisten the Matrix, cleanseth away the foulnesse that groweth in those parts, and very powerfully resists the causes of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

When unfruitfulnesse proceedeth from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cold distemper, you must observe a con∣trary method of cure, as for example.

The ayre must incline to hot and dry, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 must be also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hot and dry: and because this cold distemper is perpetually consociated with moisture, whereby cloudy and grosse vapours get into the Matrix, which is cold and ner∣vous, therefore it will be requiste to cor∣rect this coldnesse, to take away the moi∣sture, and to consume, and dissipate those windy vapours; from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you may ga∣ther, that this is a very frequent cause of barrennesse; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and so likewise are flatulent and windy humours; for they extreamely swell the Matrix, so that the se••d cannot be perfectly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 neither can the child be held fast by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

When you attempt the Cure, abstaine from Phlebotomy, unlesse it be preparative onely, to di••burthen the oppressed vessells; when the Patient is in the spring of her

yeares, and at the Spring of the yeare, least by taking away the bloud, the spirits should be wasted, the humours should be∣come more cold, and indigested, which otherwise, were not the bloud prodigally ••et out, might be seasonably ••••••octed, and this you may observe with the learned Fer••••liu••, to prescribe a Purge, before you open a veine in crude bodies, that the first region may be cleansed; if any man shall rashly proceed to a contrary course, doubtlesse with great disadvantange to the Patient, he shall pervert the right order of Nature: for when as he hath emptied the veines by Ph••ebotomy, he will fill them again with that filthy accumulation of corrupt humours, which they suck in with gree∣dinesse from the first places, and so he shall not lessen, but double the disease; the Purge may be made as followeth.

Take

• a dram and a halfe of the whitest agarick.
• Two drams of bastard Saffron seeds.
• A struple of Ginger.
• Halfe a dram of An••••••eeds.

Macerate them a whole night in a suffi∣cient quantity of marjor••m water•• to three ounces; in the morning presse them hard, and add

• ...

• ... Diaphenicon and Diaenicum, of each halfe an ounce.

Mingle them, and let her drink it in the morning.

If her body be not sufficiently open, give the same potion every third day, or else prescribe this Glyster following.

Take

• nine ounces of a mollifying deco∣ction made with marjoram and groundpine, or germander, of each a handfull.
• Diacarthamum and Diaphenicon, of each an ounce.
• An ounce and a halfe of honey of roses strained.

Mingle them, and make a Glyster.

When you have thoroughly purged the body, and taken away the cause, the parts must be strengthned, and the distemper must be corrected with these pills.

Take

• a dram of right lign. aloes beaten to powder.
• Two scruples of aloes rosat.
• Musk and amber, of each a scruple.

With a sufficient quantity of alkermes, make thirty five pills.

Let her swallow five of them, or fewer, every morning; they are exceedingly pro∣vocative, and withall they strengthen the braine, the heart, the liver, and the Matrix;

when the man and the woman intend con∣junction, let him anoint his yard with oyle of mastick, and wormewood mingled with a few graines of musk and civet; and let the woman also anoynt her privie parts therewith, as well within as without; for by this meanes there is raised a mutuall inclination to Venery, and the seed is re∣ceived with a greater pleasure, and is more duely retained and elaborated; rea∣son it selfe will convince us, that sweat∣ing remedies made of ebony, and Salsapa∣••illa will mightily help, and prepare the Matrix; for they expell the windy hu∣mours, strengthen the Matrix, and dissi∣pate the fuliginous and grosse vapours; naturall Baths are excellent for the same purposes, and so are Treacle, Mithridate, Alkermes, Aromaticum rosatum, Diarrhodon Abbatis, Diamargarit. calidum, and Diacin∣namomum; and lastly if you desire any sa∣tisfaction from our opinion concerning Issues, we answer, that they evacuate those cold and thick juyces which daily flow un∣to, and settle in the Matrix, and therefore, as we said almost every where, we affirme the use of them to be very expedient, and conducible.

CHAP. II.

Of the shapeless lump of Flesh called a Mola.

A Mola is an unprofitable and shapelesse lump of flesh, bred in the Matrix of the menstruous bloud, as the Materiall cau•••• thereof, according to the opinion of Ga∣len, in sundry places of his works.

He saith of the menstruous bloud, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such as is very thick and much hard•••• in the Matrix; but note, tha•• he doth no•• here exclude the seed of the man, for eve∣ry Physitian knowes that a M••la proceed from a mixture of the menstruum, and a corrupted seed; which indeed doth some∣what indeavour Conception, but cannot perfect it: neither is there any cause of wonder that such a lump of deformity should be fashioned in the wombe, seeing that severall kindes of monsters are bred there, according to, the variety of the hu∣mour, which floweth into the Matrix; he that would acquaint himselfe with the knowledge of these things, may read

Skenkius his Observatns, and the won∣derfull stories related by Marcellus 〈◊〉〈◊〉; if also he would search into, and examine the true cause of these things, let him read Laurentius his book of Anatomy.

But why doth this breed in the Matrix onely of a woman, and not in some other part? I answer, because, although the bloud may congeal••, and become clotted in the other parts of the body, yet it happ••••s so more frequently in the Matrix of a woman, then in any other part of ••er body, because the Matrix i•• as the common shoore of the body, where most of the excrements are exonerated.

But why doth a Mola breed in women onely? I answer, because women onely ••ave an abundance of this monstruum, more ••hen other Creatures, and that their bo∣••ies are full of grosse, thick, and tenaci∣••us humours, by reason that for the most ••art they use a moist diet, and abandon ••hemselves to a reproveable, and disor∣••••erly course of life. This Mola is of se∣••erall kindes; for sometimes it is waterish, ••ometimes windy and humorall, and ••ometimes againe 'tis ••••innie and bloudy; ••his last in the most ordinary, and all Phy∣••itians have granted it, this is that which

is most usually presented to our obser∣vation; and lastly, this is that which so often hath deceived women, who boasted themselves to be with childe, and were not, and their Physitians also who told them they were with child, when they were not.

Wherefore to avoid these common cou∣zenages, let us be circumspect in the knowledge, and right understanding of the signes which are a swelling, with a drawing back of the Hypochondriacall parts, the women grow leane, are full of paine, and very apt to long; the belly is bur∣thened, her back aketh, her breasts swell, and her Courses are stopped, and that at the beginning of her conception: but af∣terwards in processe of time, she seemes to have the Dropsey, her belly is so immode∣rately swelled; but you may know this from a Dropsey; for in that the belly sounds like a Drum: the woman feeles within a kinde of fluctuation, or waving motion, and if a finger be laid hard upon her belly, the print of it remaines.

A Mola is distinguished from a perfect conception, by three most certain signes, that is, by the motion, by the milk, and by the time that a woman beareth her

childe; in the motion, because there is a great difference between the motion of a childe, and the motion or stirring of a Mola, because the childe kicks, and turn∣eth about to all the parts of the bottome of the belly, but a Mola moveth like a Globe, now on the right side, and anon on the left; this also, if you presse down the womans belly with a gentle hand, re∣moveth from the place, and returnes not suddenly into it againe; and from the milke you may gather a never-failing signe, because the breasts swell all the time a woman is with childe; but in the other it happeneth otherwise; the time likewise affords a never-failing signe; for if the swelling of the belly continue beyond the eleventh moneth (which is the most con∣stant and certaine period of a womans Reckoning) and no signes of a Dropsie at that time appeare, you may warrant your owne confidence that she hath a Mola, but no childe in her belly.

This is a most dangerous disease; for many times a woman carries it in her wombe, the space of two or three yeares, and sometimes longer, insomuch that the naturall heat is suffocated therewith, moreover, in the expulsion of it, there is

no small danger, for many times it grow∣eth to such a bignesse, that it comes not away without extreame hazard of the wo∣mans life: for a great Issue of bloud en∣sueth, whereby the spirits being spent and exhausted, she waxeth feeble, wan and pale, and many times perisheth in the ve∣ry act of expelling it.

This evill hath a twofold manner of Cure; one Preservative, to prevent the Ge∣neration or breeding of the Mola, and the other curative, to destroy and bring it away, when it is bred; and this last is also two∣fold; for the first designe must be to ex∣clude it; and the second to save the wo∣man in the very act of excluding it.

The Preservation consists in a due ob∣servation of these things following; the ayre she lives in must be hot and dry, and the place healthfull, being scituate towards the East: let her keep a good diet, feeding upon meats that yield a whol∣some nourishment to the body, and such as are soone concocted, and distributed to all the parts: let her choice also be ra∣ther of hot, then cold meats, avoiding such as are fat, salt, and hardned with smoak, fish which breed thick, windy, and viscous juyces, are unwholsome for

her; she cannot desire a more wholesome drink then Wormewood. wine, or excellent generous French wine: her belly must be kept open and soluble; exercise must be used, and sleep refrained: angry chidings and cares of the minde must be moderated, and all such things forborne, as dry the bloud, and diminish the naturall heat.

In the next place prepare the thick, and grosse humours with Rhodomel, Syrupe of wormewood, Syrupe of mint, and the like, mingled with some convenient water, af∣terwards prescribe this Purge.

Take

• three drams of Sena,
• A scruple of Agarick Trochischt.
• A dram of the root Mechoaca.
• A dram and a halfe of anniseeds.

Boile them a short space in a sufficient quantity of pure water to three ounces: then straine and presse them, and the ••maining liquor add three drams of Dia∣••henicon. Mingle them, and let her drink it in the morning early.

If her Courses be stopped, cut a veine in her ankle; Leeches also may be applyed to the Hemorrhoids, but with caution and warinesse, least thereby you more and more weaken such women, whose bodies ••re full of raw and indigested humours,

afterwards you must purge her body again, with a scruple of extract. Catholic. and as much of mass. pillul. faetidar and lastly, pre∣scribe an Apozem, or Decoction to cut a••un∣der, and evacuare the grosse and tough humours, to provoke urine, to open the obstructions of the Matrix, and to bring down the Courses: all which vertues meet together in this Composition following.

Take

• the roots of smallage,
• ...Eryngos,
• And Fennill, of each halfe an ounce.
• The ba••ke of the root of the Caper,
• And Tamarisk tree, of each two dram••.
• The leaves of penniroyall, and birthwort, of each a handfull.
• Germander, Maidenhaire, Balm, of each halfe a handfull.
• Ten drams of S••na.
• Three drams of agarick trochischt.
• A dram and a halfe, or two drams of Epythymum.

Boile them all according to art, in a suf∣ficient quantity of water, wherein stee•• hath b••en infused to a quart: when yo•• have strain••d, and with a strong hand pre•• out the liquor, add

• Three ounees of ••yrup of roses.

Mingle them, and make an Apozem, o••

Take

• the roots of Butchers broome,
• ...Aparagus,
• Polypody of the oak,
• And fennill, of each halfe an ounce.
• The leaves of Penniroyall,
• And motherwort, of each a handfull.
• A dram and a halfe of annise seeds.
• The flowers of Violets, Rosemary, and Borage, of each as many as you can take up between your thumb and two fingers.
• An ounce of raisins of the Sun.

Boyle them in a sufficient quantity of ••arley water to a quart. In the strained li∣quor infuse for a night

• Ten ounces of Sena.
• Three drams of the whitest agarick.
• Two drams of the best rubarb.
• A dram of Epithymum.

In the morning let them buble once, or twice, and then to the liquor which ••ou presse out, add

• Syr. Byzantin.
• And Syr. de eupatorio, of each an ounce.

Mingle them and make an Apozem.

Of this, or of the former let her take ••wice in a day the quantity of three ounces or a week together, once in the morn∣ing, and the second time at foure a clock 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the afternoon.

Excellent Lozenges may be made of the species Diamosch. and Diacinnamomum, or you•• may compound them with Treacle, Mi∣thridate, and Bezoar stone.

When the Mola hath obtained some growth, if it be waterish, it must be brought away with such simples, as have a facul∣ty to purge out waterish humours; or if it be windy, you must prescribe such me∣dicines, as are of a known, and approved vertue to strengthen the Matrix, and to expell winde; and Carminative glysters in such cases will be very convenient; so al∣so will plaisters and fomentations applyed to her privie parts: but that which is humorall, skinny and bloudy may be overcome with the same remedies as are set down at the beginning, against the stoppage of the Courses.

When Nature indeavours to expell this unprofitable burthen, and an issue of bloud ensueth thereupon, with fainting and swounding fits, then you must be di∣ligent to strengthen the Patient with broths made of the flesh of Capons, and Partridges, and with such things as will stay the bloud, and refresh the exhausted spirits; such as are Chalybeated wine, Su∣gar of Pearle, Corall, &c.

You will object that wine cannot be seasonable, because by the heat thereof it makes the bloud thin, and makes it more apt to flow away in greater measure by opening the passages, rather then it can any way help to stay it. I answer, it is not guilty of this mischiefe, if it hath a reddish Tincture; for if good Claret wine be chalybeated, as hath bin said, besides that it nourisheth the body, it is also a binder; for it comforteth the spirits, and refresheth the whole body, which ver∣tues must needs be profitable for, and wel∣come unto a Creature, who is hourely subject to faint and swound, and although it might provoke the bloud to flow, yet a greater good must be preferred before a small inconvenience, and therefore give her wine to refresh her spirits, which will be more to her advantage, then the issue of bloud can be to her prejudice, for she may perish suddenly in one of those sits, but the flux of bloud may be restrained by degrees.

Note that foure things require an absti∣nence from wine. First, an inflammation of the bowells. Secondly, a vehement paine in the head. Thirdly, a Phrensie. And fourthly, a burning Fever in a crude

disease; and of this opinion was Galen, as appeares in his first book ad Glauconem, and the 14. chapter. Moreover the Patient should be refreshed with the choicest meats, and then the Mola should be disposed to come forth by softning and loos••ning fomenta∣tions, made of a decoction of marishmallowes, mallowes, motherwort, Mercury, Birthwort, Sage, Hyssope, Calamint, the seeds of line, marishmallowes, fenugreek, camomile, melilot, and rosemary; in this you may dip a clout, and bath her privie parts.

But if the bloud come not away, rub her legs, and apply drie Cuppinglasses to the calfes of her legs, and binde most pain∣full ligatures about them; and in a word make tryall of all such remedies, as will draw down Nature, the humours, and the Mola to the lower parts.

CHAP. III.

Of Womens Longings.

WOmen are sometimes so extrava∣gant and preposterous in their ap∣petite, that they refuse wholsome meat, and long after coales, chalke, a piece of

an old wall, starch, earth, and the like trash, which they devoure as ravenously, as a hungry Plowman will winde downe a good bag-pudding.

Now perhaps you may also long to know the cause hereof, which is no other then the menstruous bloud, especially if it be retained about the middle of their time, and grow corrupt; for the child in the wombe is nourished with the sweetest part of the bloud, and the other part re∣maining which is vitious, filthy, and dreggish, noisome exhalations, especially in the middle moneths arise from it, and in such a manner contaminate all the up∣per partts, that the worst things are ve∣hemently desired, and the most wholsome refused; the signes are apparent from the depravation and irregular temper of their stomack.

This Disease is hard to cure; yet not so much in respect of the disease it selfe, as of the subject wherein it is generated, which is a woman with childe; now we know that such women must be warily, and religiously dealt withall, and unlesse it be in extreame necessity, their bodies ought not to be purged. By this una∣voidable abstinence the disease is increased,

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and the bad humour, being long retained in the body, becomes daily more and more corrupt, by the tetrous exhalations which ascend up from the pollutions of the Matrix: therefore having first appointed a strengthning, and drying dyet, you must indeavour to rid away that humour, with Syrup of roses solutive, and afterwards when the body is cleansed, and free from the humour you may prescribe a gentle Purge of Rubarb, which hath both a purg∣ing and a strengthning faculty; for if we may adventure our beliefe to the asserti∣ons of the best Physitians, Rubarb may be safely given to old men, infants, and women with childe; and Fallopius in his booke of purging Simples, and in the chapter where he speaketh of Rubarb, saith, it dries up all superfluous moisture con∣tained in the vessells of the Matrix, it is a gentle cleanser, it strengthneth the Heart, and the stomack by its astringent faculty, neither need you to entertaine the vaine feares of some, who suspect that the bit∣ternesse thereof may destroy the childe, for the taste of it is not horrible to na∣ture, and besides the bitternesse quickly vanisheth.

There remaines another doubt to be an∣swered;

namely, whether it be more pro∣per and advantagious to prescribe an in∣fusion of Rubarb, or to give it in the sub∣stance? I answer, that it purgeth most in the substance, or body of it, expelling the humours by siege, which it doth not in an infusion, at least not so powerfully, because then it evacuates onely by the purgative vertue which is in it, and of the same opinion is the Author before named.

CHAP. IV.

Of a bad stomach, proceeding from Vo∣miting.

IT is a known truth, that most dange∣rous, direfull, and pernicious Symp∣tomes invade women with childe, from which also forsaking of meat, and Vo∣miting doe afterwards follow, all which things proceed from those noysome and foggy exhalations, which are distributed into the severall parts, from the corrup∣tion of the bloud; for whereas there is a sympathy, and consent between the sto∣mack and the Matrix, when any poyso∣nous, or malignant vapour ascendeth from

the latter, it immediately invades, and overcomes the stomack, which being weak∣ned in the conflict, or indeavour to re∣sist, and keep out those vapours, the fun∣ctions of it are depraved, it refuseth all comfort or nourishment, or if at any time it admit any, 'tis no sooner swallowed, but vomited up againe; these are the signes of this disease, and to cure it, pro∣ceed according to the Method following. In the first place prescribe a cleansing po∣tion.

Take

• three drams of Elecampane roots
• The leaves of wormewood, and
• Century the lesse, of each halfe a hand∣full.

Boile them in a sufficient quantity of whole barley water to a pint, and a halfe, to the strained liquor add three ounces of honey of roses strained, mingle them for a Potion; against the next morning prepare this purge following.

Take

• three drams of rubarb.
• Two scruples of agarick Trochischt.
• A dram of annise seeds.

Macerate them a whole night in a suffi∣cient quantity of mint water, to two ounces and a halfe; in the morning presse them hard with all your strength, and add

three drams of the Electuary Diaphenicon; if she cannot take down a Pu••ge, let her swallow these Pills following.

Take a dram of the mass. of Pills de Hi∣era cum agarico.

Make nine pills, and guild them.

The next day following, give her this strengthning mixture, which doth not purge at all, and eve••y morning let her eat the quantity of a Nutmeg.

Take

• Elecampane roots candied,
• Marmalade of Quinces, of each an ounce.
• Halfe an ounce of Conserve of red Roses.
• Foure scruples of aromat. rosat. in powder.
• Two scruples of mastick in powder.

With a sufficient quantity of Syrup of mint make a Confection.

After the use of these things, make this plaister following, and lay it to her sto∣mack.

Take

• ...lignum aloes,
• Yellow Sanders,
• And the round Cyperus, of each two drams.
• ...Galangale, mace, cloves,
• And calam. aromat. of each a dram.
• Common wormewood, roman wormewood,
• Spikenard, dried mint,
• ...

• Of each as much as you can take up be∣tween your thumb and two fingers.
• ...Mastick,
• ...Storax calamitu.
• Red Corall, of each two scruples.
• ...Amber,
• Musk, of each a scruple.
• Pure ladanum,
• Turpentine, of each an ounce.
• Foure ounces of white wax.

Make a Masse; whereof let him take a sufficient quantity, and spread it upon lea∣ther, and lay it to her stomack.

Bisket steeped in muskadine is excellent good for her: because it refresheth the spirits, and mightily strengthneth the sto∣mack.

CHAP. V.

Of a Pain in the Belly, the Passion of the Heart, and of sounding Fits.

VVOmen with Childe doe often feele a pain in their bellies, and this also proceeds from winde, and the malignant vapours aforesaid: neither are the swound∣ing Fits, or the Passion of the heart pro∣duced

by any other causes, because the heart when it is shaken with this fuligi∣nous, and grosse spirit, doth frequently stretch, and contract it selfe, and endea∣vouring to expell the evill which annoyes it, it falls into an inordinate and strange motion, like unto trembling.

Under these diseases the woman lan∣guisheth, is full of feares and frights, prone to despaire, subject to faint, can obtaine no sleep, but wasteth away daily, and waxeth leane and meager.

To take away her paine, you may ad∣minister such remedies, as will expell the winde, and strengthen the bowell; of which sort you may furnish your selfe with plenty above, in the chapter of a cold distemper, and windy humours in the Matrix••

You may likewise anoynt the stomack with this oyntment following.

Take

• an ounce of unguent. Altheae.
• Oyle of wormewood,
• Oyle of Camomile,
• And oyle of rue, of each three drams.
• The powder of lignum aloes,
• ...Mastick,
• ...Wormewood,
• And both sorts of Corall, of each a dram.
• ...

• Halfe a dram of aromat. rosat. in powder.
• Six drops of oyle of annise seeds.

With a sufficient quantity of yellow wax, according to art make an oyntment.

This, or the like fomentation may like∣wise be very usefull.

Take

• halfe a dram of elecampane roots.
• Two drams of lignum aloes.
• The leaves of Rue,
• ...Motherwort,
• ...Sage,
• ...Wormewood,
• Mint, of each a handfull.
• ...Mastick,
• Cloves, of each two drams.

Boile these Simples in a sufficient quan∣tity of water to three pints, and prescribe the strained liquor for a fomentation.

After the use of the fomentation, clap to the stomack the caul of a sheep newly kil∣led. In Spaine the greatest persons, and those the wisest also, take hot bread from the oven, afterwards they soake it in Muskadine, and having sprinkled upon it the powders of red and white corall, and aromat. rosatum, they lay it to the heart: others instead thereof use Treacle, Alkermes, and Confect. Hiachytorum, to all which may be added, if the evill yield not

to the remedies aforesaid, a little bag to be worne upon the left pap, and made after this manner following.

Take

• two drams of lignum aloes.
• Bezoar stone,
• ...Muske,
• Red corall, of each a dram.
• Red and yellow Sanders, of each two scuples.
• The Specie Diamosch.
• And Diambr. of each a scruple and a half.

With a piece of red taffata and cotton make a quilted bombast for the use aforesaid.

Mingle cordialls with her drinke; and cordiall conserves, as for example.

Take

• two ounces of conserve of red roses.
• Two drams of alkermes.

Macerate them a night in two pints of plantane water, and red wine, in the morn∣ing straine it thorough Hippocrates his sleeve, that is a woollen bag, and give her now and then the quantity of a small wine glasse.

If these remedies overcome not the dis∣ease, apply an exceeding great Cuppinglasse to the heart; by the force whereof the win∣dy vapour will evaporate; for although Glysters doe draw back the humour from the affected part, yet in reference to great

bellied women you ought to suspect the event of them, because they raise too great a disturbance by provoking nature down∣wards, and many times cause abortive∣nesse; yet if the paine be insupportable, then inject carminative glysters, and omit all bitter ingredients, as Hiera, benedicta Laxa∣tiva, or Scammoniata; but to prevent all errour, prescribe this following.

Take

• a handfull of mallow leaves.
• The flowers of melilot,
• The tops of Dill, of each halfe a handfull.
• Two drams of fennill seeds.

Boile them in a sufficient quantity of barley water to nine pints, to the strained liquor add

• two ounces of Syrup of roses Laxative.
• An ounce of red Sugar.

Mingle them, and make a glyster. Or

Take

• the flowers of melilot.
• And mallowes, of each a handfull.
• Annise and Fennill seeds, Of each two drams.

Boyle them in a sufficient quantity of broth, made with an old Cock to nine ounces, to the inward liquor add

• ...Calabrian Manna.
• And red Roses, of each an ounce and a halfe.
• ...

• An ounce of oyle of rue.

Mingle them, and make a glyster.

It might doe much good, if you gave her a draught of balme water in the morning, in which water you may steep lignum aloes the space of a night, and afterwards put to the strained liquor a sufficient quantity of Syrup of mint; for this expells the winde, cleanseth away the phlegme, and powerfully strenghthens the stomack.

You must frequently and laboriously rub her lower parts, tye ligatures about them, and apply Cuppinglasses to them, if there be no imaginable cause to feare abortivenesse, but if there be the least suspicion of that, omit all such applications as may procure a revulsion of the bloud, nay, let me give you this caution absolutely to fo••beare them, unlesse she be taken with desperate trembling and fainting fits, or swounding, in the spring time too, when her spirits re∣quire them.

You must cause her Basilick veine to be opened, if she be young, fleshy, and strong, for this Remedy, besides that it letteth out the thick, dreggish, and black blood, it refresh∣eth the childe also, and the heart is sweetly, easily, and safely delivered from that bur∣thensome humour, which did oppresse and almost overwhelme it.

CHAP. VI.

Of a Cough in Women with Childe.

MOst certaine it is, that great-bellied Women, by reason of their being with childe, have not sometimes a free vent for their crude and indigested aliments, ei∣ther by Stoole, or by Urine, or by any other Emunctories of the body; these be∣ing unduly kept in the body putrifie, wax hot, and communicate noysome fumes, and vapours to the spiritous parts, which by their clamminesse, thicknesse and sharpnesse, together with the bad quality that is in them, gripe, and twitch the Wo∣man, and force her to cough.

Some perhaps may demand, why doth this Coughing happen in the last months? the answer is obvious; namely, because in those moneths a greater plenty of excre∣ments are lodged in the body, then were ac∣cumulated at the first.

The cause of the Cough, according to Hippocrates, is a viscous, thick, and tough humour, impacted in the Pipes of the Lungs; which humour sometimes also, thorough

that consent which is between the Matrix, and the Chest, invadeth that part, and raiseth a Coughing: and these are set down as the true signes of this evill.

As for the Prognosticks, you must know that a Cough befalling a woman with childe is a bad Symptome: seeing that by the least stretching, and shrinking the Co∣tyledons or vessells of the wombe, are many times loosned, yea sometimes burst asun∣der, and from thence comes abortivenesse.

The Cure is perfected with sweet wine, mild beere, and the frequent use of a Ptisan. sharp, sowre, and cold things must be avoid∣ed; meats also must be forborne which breed a thick nourishment, and are hard to digest; vehement evacuations likewise are not good; wherefore having given or∣der for the observation of a good Diet, pre∣scribe some gentle, lenifying medici••es to provoke her to spit, as manna, Syrup of roses laxative, Diacnicu, and the like.

These things being administred, proceed to Electuaries, and expectorating medicines, and especially to this Apozem following.

Take

• an ounce of cleansed Barley.
• The roots of Aristolochy,
• Licoras scraped, of each two drams.
• The leaves of Asarabacca.
• ...

• ... Nettles,
• White Maidenhaire, of each a handfull.
• Two drams of raisins pickt.
• The flesh of Dates.
• Fat Figs, of each three drams.

Boyle them in a sufficient quantity of water, to two pints, and to the strained li∣quor, add

• Two ounces of Diacodium.

Mingle them, and make an Apozem, or

You may prescribe Lozenges after this manner.

Take

• a dram of the species Diatragacanth. frigid.
• ...Diaireos,
• Poppy seeds, of each a scruple.
• Two ounces and a halfe of Sugar dissolved in rose water,

according to art make them into Lozenges.

Then prescribe this Conserve.

Take

• Conserve of red Roses,
• Elecampane candied, of each an ounce.
• Conserve of Violet flowers,
• Rosemary flowers, of each halfe an ounce.
• Two drams of meale of beanes.
• A dram of Diaireos.
• Ten graines of Sulphur.

With Syrup of Coltsfoot make a Conserve.

Meale of beanes, according to Galen, doth

cleanse and mundifie the Chest, digests and crude spittle contained in the pipes, and makes it easie to be excerned; bean∣flower water is exceeding good for the Lungs, especially if she drinke it with Sy∣rupe of Maydenhaire, or Oxymel Scilliticum; the same faculties hath the distilled waters of red Poppies.

The yolke of an egg taken in the morn∣ing with Sugar, and the oyle of sweet Al∣monds is a most incomparable remedy, and hath done good to thousands.

Anoynt her Breast with this Oyntment, which is good to prepare the crude, and thick matter which stops her pipes.

Take

• an ounce of the oyntment of marish mallowes.
• The axungia of a hen
• Of a Duck, of each halfe an ounce.
• Oyle of sweet Almonds,
• Oyle of Violets, of each two drams.
• Ten graines of Saffron.

Mingle them, and according to art make an oyntment; heat it when you use it, and anoynt the whole region of her Chest therewith.

CHAP. VII.

Of the swelling of the Legs in Women with Childe.

FRom the same cause, namely from abun∣dance of phlegme, and c••ude humours, especially in the last moneths, proceed the swelling of the legs, face, and eye-browes, and when I have told you that the flesh of the whole body groweth soft, and that she looketh white and wan in the face, I have discovered unto your consideration the signes of this disease.

Women in this condition cannot be re∣stored to perfect health till she be delivered: yet may we not delay our helps, least a worse evill happen unto her; for whereas the legs and feet are outward parts, and at a great distance from the fountaine of heat, they are quickly affected with cold, and mortified through the abundance of crude humours, which many times settle in them.

You may securely, speedily, and gently ac∣complish the cure by strengthning and dis∣••olving remedies.

In the first place therefore provide a bath with chalybeated water, Saltpeter, Sulphur, Wormewood, Stechaz, Rosemary, and Camo∣mile: in this liquor let her wash her lips, her thighes, her legs, and her feet, and when she washeth them, let her also rub them soundly.

If her flesh grow very soft and lank, so that you feare a mortification, apply this Poultis following, which will exceedingly comfort her.

Take

• two handfulls of Wormewood,
• Meale of Vetches,
• Meale of beanes,
• Meale of barley of each an ounce and a halfe.
• An ounce of Bran.

With a sufficient quantity of oxymel, and a brine made with lemon pills, according to art make your Poultis.

If the coldnesse of the part be such, that you feare a gangreen, there is nothing will more certainly prevent it then Scarifi∣cation: for by this meanes the part is ven∣tilated, and preserved from putrifaction.

Strengthning remedies must sometimes be exhibited to expell the winde, yet you must administer them with a good diet, consisting of drying, and corroborating

things, as Treacle, Mithridate, and other drying confections and powders, Diacinna∣monium, aromaticum rosatum, Diarrhodon Abba, tis, unto which we may well adjoyne a de∣coction of China and Salsaparilla with a lit∣tle stick of cinamon, and a few annise seeds.

Note that these remedies may properly be accommodated to the cure of the disease, called the Ʋterine Flux, which happens sometimes to women when they are ready to lye down, by reason that there is an excessive abundance of humour in their bo∣dies, or else because the childe in their bel∣lies is very large and great.

CHAP. VIII.

Of Costiveness in Women with Childe.

THe inner part of the humour being spent upon the nourishment of the childe in the womans belly, the dregs grow hard, and when Nature striveth to cast them out by a strong and vehement in∣deavour, the Matrix suffers a compression, by which compression the childe is offend∣ed, the Cotyledons are loosened, and many times the woman miscarrieth, and the child proves abortive.

The belly must be sollicited, but not with glysters, because they hurt the childe, especially if it be grown to some bignesse, but with Suppositaries made with hogsgrease, and five or ••xgraines of Diagry••ium; for these will irritate.

Her meat should be of a moistening and mollifying quality, as mallow, and borage leaves eaten with butter and Sugar; fat pot∣tage also is good for her, in which, if she complaine of no torments, you may boyle polypoda, sena and prunes.

Manna above all other things is in pre∣sent case to be preferred: and next to it we commend Syrup of roses laxative, and Sy∣rupe of Violets made with a frequently ite∣rated infusion.

Sometimes you may prescribe this Julep.

Take

• the waters of borage,
• Fumitary, of each eight ounces.
• Three ounces of Syrup of Violets.

Mingle them, and make a Julep.

Forbeare the use of sharp medicines, for they worke with an unnecessary vehemence, and not seldome cause Abortivenesse.

Unto this disease we adjoyne a loosenes, which hapneth, when women are of a cold constitution, and full of crudities, or when they have a weake belly: Some∣times

also it happens by their inordinate Longings, when they wish for a greater va∣riety of dishes then they are able to con∣coct; for then many times what they have so greedily devoured passeth down into the guts without digestion, and causeth a loos∣nesse through the weaknesse of the retentive facultie.

We have learnt from Hippocrates to ac∣cou••t this among the dangerous diseases; for in the fifth brok of his Aphorismes he hath these words: If a woman with childe be troubled with a great loosnesse, 'tis to be feared that she will miscarry, and note well the reason hereof: for when she is thus afflicted, the good and the bad goe away together, the childe is defrauded of its due nourishment, and so perisheth.

You must presently strive to stay the loos∣nesse with binding and thickning meats, as quinces, rubarb, beer wherein steele hath been often infused; or else you may pre∣scribe this Potion following.

Take

• a handfull of plantane leaves.
• The seeds of flux wort.
• The seeds of Sumach, of each a dram.

Boyle them in a sufficient quantity of red wine, to a pint and a halfe, to the strained liquor add

• ...

• Srrupe of Comphrey.
• Syrupe of Quinces, of each an ounce.

Make a Potion.

Boile, or steep annise seeds in her drinkes and apply the same fomentations, oyntments, and plaisters, as we have already commend∣ed unto against Vomiting.

But if the excrements be slimy, putrified, and stinke, you must not neglect the use of Rubarb gently rosted, and of myrobalans slightly rosted; for these doe not onely purge, but they binde withall, and strengthen the parts. Sometimes you may exhibit Philonium Persicum, Requiem Nicholai, or Pill. de Cynoglossa, but with a sober caution; the quantity is a scruple, or at the most but two scruples, and that when the other things have proved unsuccessefull, and also when the strength of the Patient will al∣low the taking of them.

CHAP. IX.

Of the flowing away of Bloud from the Matrices of women with Childe.

ALthough we made mention of this dis∣ease in the first booke, where we treated

of the immoderate flowing of the Courses; yet we conceive it may be worth our la∣bour, and the Readers thanks to add a few things, which in the Chapter aforesaid, were purposely omitted by us.

Bloud then floweth immoderately from the Matrix, either when the lips thereof are unlockt, or when the vessells are open, or lastly, by transcolation.

The inward cause of these symptomes is an extreame heat, or thinnesse in the bloud; which either eats asunder the ves∣sells, or rarefies the tunicles thereof; the outward causes are all those things which have a power to make thin, to heat, to open, to rarefie, and to subtilize the bloud; as immoderate cares of the minde, long watch∣ings, a continuall use of hot meats, as dishes pepperd and spiced: also drinking too much wine; yet you may exhibit a glasse of Claret wine in a moderate quantity, to refresh her spirits, provided that no Fever be suspected, and that her Matrix be not inflamed.

The signes of this evill are manifest; for the spirits are deficient, the heat is dimi∣nished, the face groweth pale, the feet swell, the strength decayes, the meat is forsaken, and no sleep can be obtained.

The danger of this Flux is unknown, I suppose, to few women; for seeing that our naturall heat hath its chiefe, and sole perseverance in the bloud, the losse of that bloud in an immoderate quantity, must needs exhaust the spirits, weaken the body, and at length when the naturall heat is almost extinguisht, and the sanguificati∣on is depraved, there will undoubtedly su∣pervene either a Dropsey, or a Consumption.

When you begin the Cure, keep the Pa∣tient in a darke roome, and let the ayre be cold and dry; or if naturally it be not so, make it so by art; her meat should be po∣tentially cold, thick, and binding: as the flesh of Partridges, and sheeps-feet, or sheeps-heads, or broths made of them; pease beanes, quinces, Services, and the like, are not unwholsome for her, and for her drinke, let it bee beere, or water wherein steele hath often been quenched.

Let her bloud immediately to divert the humour, but in what part, there is indeed a great controversie among the Physitians about it; but to promote the Revulsion of the humour, if the Patient be strong enough, we tye ligatures about her legs, and boldly open a vein in her arme; or if she be very strong, we apply ••uppinglasses

wi••h scarification to her shoulders.

When the veine is opened, give her thick∣ning Syrups, as Syrup of poppies, Myrtles, quinces, or Syrupe of restharrow; Juleps al∣so made with the disti••led waters of plan∣tane and roses, and mixt with the Syrups aforesaid, will be convenient for her, or you may mingle Conserve of roses, or Con∣serve of acacia with Bolearmenick, and the Trochisch. de Carabe, which will be an ex∣cellent mixture to thicken, and stay the bloud; but however forget not to prescribe this Purge.

Take

• two scruples of Rubarb gently boyled.
• Ten grains of the myrabolans called chebule.
• Syrup of dried roses, or
• Syrupe of sowre Pomegranets, halfe an ounce.
• Three ounces of plantane water, or a de∣coction of tormentill root••.

Mingle them, and make a Potion.

Procure some sleepe for her with Opiates, as Athenasia, Requies, Nicholai, Philonium Persicum, new Treacle, or Philonium Roma∣num; yea with pills de Cynoglossa, or foure or five graines of Opium: all these things doe wonderfully thicken the bloud, straighten the passages, fatten the body,

concoct the bloud, provoke sleep, and therefore are very proper for women thus affected. Note that the Opium restraines, and stops all superfluous evacuations, sweat excepted, which it provokes; besides, by inviting sleepe it refresheth the body; for by sleep the aliment is soonest concocted, the naturall heat retiring to the inward parts, whereas when the Patient waketh, the heat is distributed and diffused all over the outward parts.

Lay this plaister which followes the oyntment to the reines of her back, and with the oyntment anoynt her privie parts, and the region of her Kidnies.

Take

• the powder of Cyprus Nuts.
• The roots of Comphrey,
• Bistort, of each two drams.
• Red Sanders,
• Red Corall,
• ...Bolearmenick,
• Mastick, of each a dram.

With foure ounces of Ʋnguentum Comitis∣sae make an oyntment.

After the oyntment apply this Plaister, as was said above.

Take a pound of loom, and beat it to pow∣der, with ten drams of gum-arabick tosted by the fire, and the whites of foure Egs,

incorporate them, and make a plaister.

CHAP. X.

Of water flowing away from the Ma∣trices of women with Childe.

MOst certaine it is, that Women with Childe by reason of their depraved appetites, and continuall intemperance in their diet, abound with crude and uncon∣cocted juices, which nature not knowing how to digest, nor being able to expell them by her monethly Courses, are accu∣mulated in a large measure, pollute the bo∣dy, and introduce a cold distemper, from whence that water comes, which is the in∣tended subject of our present discourse; they who live a sedentary and an idle life, are very obnoxious to this disease; in such women this waterish humour comes away at the Matrix, cold to the touch, slow in motion, slimy in substance, and white to the eye, and voide of all manner of sharp∣nesse; these women look pale, their skin is lanke or loose, they are lazy, and loath to use any exercise, they are troubled with winde, and loud rumblings in their bel∣lies.

Account this is a difficult Cure: especially when it happens in the last moneths, when we dare not administer convenient reme∣dies, fearing to destroy, or hurt the childe; because such kinde of remedies dissolve, and exhaust the spirits, and when the body is extreamely weakned, they precipitate the Patient into a Dropsey, which is scarce cu∣rable; or else she miscarries by reason that the retentive faculty is too much weak∣ned by excesse of moysture.

You must therefore indeavour the cure by a drying Diet, as Bisket made with annise seeds, and with flesh meat rather rosted then boiled; forbid windy meats, salt meats, such as breed a thick juice, and yield too much moisture; almonds, chesnuts, pine ker∣nells, and boyled rise are very wholsome, all hearbs and fruit, beside quinces and medlars, are unwholsome.

For her drinke, give her binding red wine, or wine wherein steele hath been quenched: for this comforts the spirits; a decoction of china and Salsaparilla may be profitable, because it dries up the descend∣ing moisture, and cleanseth the body from it, this potion following will doe her much good.

Take

• two drams of Cyprus nuts.
• ...

• The leaves of wormewood,
• ...Mint,
• Red roses, of each halfe a handfull.
• The seeds of quinces,
• Services, of each two drams.
• Parcht rise,
• Mastick, of each a dram.
• Halfe a dram of gum dragon.

Boile them in a sufficient quantity of water, wherein steele hath been quenched, to two pints; to the strained liquor add

• Syrup of dried roses,
• Syrup of the juyce of quinces, of each an ounce.
• Halfe an ounce of honey of roses.

Mingle them, and make a Potion.

Let her take three ounces of it early in the morning; it evacuates the waterish hu∣mour, and not onely strengthens, but also bindes the parts, dryeth the Cotyledons, and retaineth the childe in the Matrix, that it come not into the world before its due time; after the Potion, the next day lay this Plaister to her privie parts.

Take

• two drams of Loadstone beaten to powder.
• ...Spikenard,
• ...Mastick.
• Red corall, of each a dram.
• ...

• Two ounces of oyle of quinces.
• Six drams of white wax.

Mingle them and make a Plaister.

A gentle laxative Decoction cannot be inconvenient, and therefore we shall here set down that which hath often purchased sweet ease to the Patient, and credit to our selves.

Take

• a handfull of plantane leaves.
• A pugill of red roses.
• Foure drams of rubarb.
• Two drams of agarick trochischated.
• ...Mastick,
• Spikenard, of each a scruple.

Macerate them together in two pints of water, wherein steele hath been infused up∣on hot coales, the space of six houres; af∣terwards set them upon the fire, and when they begin to bubble, presse out the liquor with a strong hand, and add to it.

• Two ounces of Syrup of Fumitary.

Mingle them according to Art.

Give her every other morning fasting three ounces of this decoction; for it gent∣ly strengthens the parts, diverts the wate∣rish humour from the Matrix, and with much benignity evacuates it.

When the woman is almost ready to be in labour, a wheyish or waterish humour

floweth leasurely, and by degrees from the Matrix, either because of some dilatation of the Membranes, in which the childe is enwrapped, or else because those membranes are burst asunder; and although it de∣scend leasurely, yet a large quantity comes from her; if this happen when she is in la∣bour, suspend all helps of art, for it is a good omen that she will be safely deli∣vered; but if it should fall out in the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eigth moneth, in which there is, or may be a feare of miscarrying, then may you properly and securely ad∣administer those things, which we even now prescribed.

If you demand from whence that abun∣dance of waterish humours doth come, which floweth before she is in Labour? I an∣swer from the Membrane, or skin called Ammion, which is fastned to the Childe, and from the other called Chorion, in which two skins, the urine of the Childe is so long reserved, till the fulnesse of time be accomplished, in which it should be borne; at which time seeking by instinct of nature, for a greater proportion of nourishment, it kicks, and teares these membranes, out of which when a large plenty of waters have run, it comes forth into the world.

CHAP. XI.

Of Acute Diseases, befalling Women with Childe.

WOmen are preserved both from the threatnings, and also from the In∣vasions of those Diseases whereunto they are subject by a threefold kinde of Reme∣dies: by Diet, by Phlebotomy, and by Purg∣ing, or to speake more properly, by being purged.

But the two latter are the more difficult, according to the opinion of Galen, who in this hath the concurrence of Avicens judge∣ment also; you must know, saith he, that every disease of repletion, or the malice of a complexion is not cured by his contra∣ry, but sometimes by a good regiment of health; wherefore if it be a slight disease, it will be cured of its own accord; for the••e is no kinde of disease so fierce, saith Galen in his book of Diet, which is not ta∣med by it; but yet a moderation must be observed; for they who are neere their time, and looke every day to be in labour, want a larger proportion of nourishment,

because the childe is big, and should they be defrauded of this mediocrity, they would perish by the cruelty of an acute disease; wherefore here lies all the diffi∣culty to prescribe a convenient and fit Diet for such women; for should you allow them meat and drinke suitable to the con∣dition of women who are not with childe, you should destroy the childe: and should you, out of a regard to the preservation of the childe, be more liberall and indul∣gent to their appetites, this condescension would espouse you to another errour, for hereby you might cherish the cause of the disease; let her therefore be fed with meats that are of easie concoction and distributi∣on, and prohibit her the use of thick, sharp, sowre, bitter, and windy meats, that are hard to digest.

Having prescribed a good Diet, you must consider whether it be expedient she should be let bloud. Valesius sets down the reasons on both sides, and for the Negative he alleadgeth an Aphorisme in Hippocrates, running to this sense; if a woman with childe be let bloud, she miscarries▪ and the rather, if the childe in her wombe be big; because the childe is thereby defrauded of its aliment. Secondly Galen saith, Physiti∣ans

ought not to be busie in offering helps, or strong remedies to women with childe, nor any exquisite manner of Diet; here you must understand Phlebotomy say they; therefore it must from Galens words be con∣cluded inexpedient. Thirdly, if any eva∣cuation be a cause of abortivenesse, as a flux of the belly, or a loosenesse, as Hippo∣crates in another Aphorisme affirmeth, how much more will the opening of a veine be a cause, by meanes whereof the aliment is taken away from the childe. Fourthly, a Fever kills the childe, by wasting the spi∣rits, and drying up the bloud with the ve∣hement heat thereof; therefore so also will phlebotomy kill the childe by exhausting the spirits, and consuming the bloud.

But all these reasons to my understand∣ing are of no weight, no moment, no va∣lidity, seeing that it is most certaine, that the very impregnation, or being with child doth forbid phlebotomy, in respect of it self, yet not as one of those principall scopes which withstand it, but of those which in∣dicate and advise to a sober and due celebra∣tion of it; wherefore when a woman sick of an acute disease must be let bloud, yet must she bleed lesse then the affect and the plenitude require, because of that indica∣tion,

which is taken from the childe in her wombe; for her gravidation, or being with childe ought to be reputed as a Symp∣tome which wasts the spirits, because her bringing forth the childe is a kinde of eva∣cuation.

To the second I answer, that Galen in that place meanes nothing else, but that Physitians should counsell their Patients to avoid intemperance, because women with childe admit not of the least degree beyond a medioicity.

To the third I answer, that it is not al∣wayes true that abortivenesse followeth up∣on any large evacuation; and therefore it should not onely have beene said, but prov∣ed by the Interpreters of Hippocrates; for wee see that it followes not upon hunger, or emptinesse, unlesse it be diuturnall, nor from a loosenesse, unlesse it be immoderate, nor lastly, from phlebotomy, if a veine be opened in the arme, wherefore, that I may con∣clude, I conceive Hippocrates did intend on∣ly to prohibit the cutting of a veine in the ankle, but not in the arme: for I confesse, if a veine in the ankle be cut, the bloud is drawn in abundance to the Matrix, and so may strangle, or choake the childe, and cause abortivenesse: the like also doth any

vehement and exorbitant Purge.

Wherefore if an inflammation be pre∣sent, we affirme that a woman with childe may be let bloud without any danger of abortion: yet with this condition, that she be first well nourished with meats of good concoction and quick distribution, and that a small quantity onely be taken away, least the spirits should be empaired either for the present, or the future. More∣over I like not the cutting of the Basilick veine, because it much exhausts the bloud, and may cheat the childe of his nourish∣ment. Lastly, I counsell you to apply strengthning, and nourishing things to the navell before you cut the veine, as unguen∣tum Comitissae, or Emplastrum stomachichum, or fomentations made of wormewood, roses, mastick, lignum aloes, quince seeds, and Claret wine: and whilest she is bleeding, let her hold cold water in her mouth, or cold beer, that if perhaps she begin to faint, she may swallow it, and preserve her selfe from swounding.

But what shall be said concerning Purges, which consist of hot ingredients, and as Galen and Averroes contend, disturb and hurt the childe. I answer, all purging me∣dicines are not of that quality; wherefore

we may safely prescribe manna, sena, tama∣rinds, rubarb, and cassia, omitting such simples as have any participation of vehe∣mence; and we confidently aver, that Hippocrates must be understood in this sense, where he saith, women with childe must be physickt or purged, if the matter be turgid, in the fourth moneth unto the seventh; because the childe in the wombe is likened to the fruit upon a tree, which as at first they fall down by any slight mo∣tion, and afterwards stick faster to the tree, but when they are full ripe fall of their own accord; so the childe; wherefore if you will prescribe any physick, follow the dire∣ctions of Hippocrates, and exhibit it between the fourth and the seventh moneth, be∣cause then there is a firme connexion be∣tween the Membranes, and the Cotyledons.

If you desire exactly to know these middle moneths? I answer, they are the fifth, the sixth, and part of the seventh.

If you object the words of Galen, who saith that a child three months old is strong, and able to resist the injuries of physick. I answer, that he reckons the end of the third to be compleat, not till the fourth moneth be begun, concerning which argument the learned may consult the Epistles of Mainendus.