The compleat midwife's practice enlarged in the most weighty and high concernments of the birth of man containing a perfect directory or rules for midwives and nurses : as also a guide for women in their conception, bearing and nursing of children from the experience of our English authors, viz., Sir Theodore Mayern, Dr. Chamberlain, Mr. Nich. Culpeper ... : with instructions of the Queen of France's midwife to her daughter ... / by John Pechey ... ; the whole illustrated with copper plates.

THE COMPLETE MIDWIFE. Her Practice Enlarged.

The serious and most choice Secrets of Madam Louyse Bourgioes, Midwife to the Queen of France; which she left to her Daughter as a Guide for her: And also for the Practice of all discreet Midwives, to prevent all dangerous Mistakes in a work of so high Concern∣ment; necessary to be known by all Child-bearing Wo∣men, and others.

IN the Year 1630. a young Lady whom I was wont to bring to bed, passing by my house, came in to me, and told me, that she was four Months gone, and that she perceived the Infant to stir; about a Month after, she came to see me, and told me that she was in much pain, for that she had not per∣ceived the Infant to stir in two days, and that therefore she believed that it was dead, by reason of a certain very great Fright which she had had; for at the time that she was frighted, she perceived the Child to move, but after that never; and her belly began by little and little to wax less; and about three weeks after she had that reflux of milk that Women use to have that lie in; when this was gone, she had no grievance; yet seeing her often, and knowing her to be big with Child, she asked me my advice, to know what she should do. Whereupon I asked her, if any ill vapours rose up into

her mouth? she told me no. If she had not lost her appetite? she answered, that she never had a better in her life; her heart was light, her body in good temper, so that there was nothing that troubled her but an appre∣hension she had, that the Child was dead: whereupon I made her try all means to make the Infant stir; but she notwithstanding felt nothing, only she perceived that something did heave a little upon the operation of the Remedies, which was nothing but the Matrix, which being now distempered and grown cold, did as it were answer the hot Remedies, testifying thereby some good which it received thereby. I advised her to be patient, and to wait Nature's leisure, which is provi∣dent enough of it self; telling her that I had seen an in∣fant which had lain a long time in the womb without budging, which for all that was not dead, although you could not perceive in the woman any thing, but the signs of a dead Child. I had oftentimes brought the Lady to bed, and she still had very good Delive∣ries, and very sound Children, of a good colour, so that I believing her to be of a sound constitution, thought that if the Infant were dead, Nature, which was very strong in her, would expel it in time convenient, and that she should not be forced, not having given any testimony of defect; resolving also, when her Reckon∣ing was out, if then Nature shewed it self weak, that we would consult her Friends and Physicians. Many of her Friends told me, that they doubted that she was deceived in thinking her self to be with Child; to which I answered, that they might be confident that it was so. In brief, she was brought to bed, sixteen weeks after the fright which she had. Now here ari∣seth a great doubt, whether the Child died at the hour of her being scared, by reason that it did not move in all that time? A reason that the Child was not dead,

may be, because that the Gentlewoman had not her milk till within three weeks after; and yet I cannot but think that it died at the same time; for certainly, by that fright the vital spirits were ravished from it, and the blood of the Arteries retired to the heart of the Mo∣ther, not being distributed to the Infant, but at the good pleasure of Nature; the course of which being stopped, it retired to its first source, through which the Child suffering a suffocation, gave a violent mo∣tion; and now, after the fright, was come to her self, and that Nature would have returned to finish her work, she was not deceived, because the vital fa∣culties of the Infant were extinct; and, notwithstand∣ing all this, the Mother not ceasing to restrain the menstrual blood as she was accustomed; that finding it self stopped, and still increasing without that use made of it that was wont, it made a reflux to the Breasts, which flowed down again in five or six days; for the Infant coming to decrease in the womb, now way was made for them, which came not down for all that, but in the Delivery and after; which was in this man∣ner: At the end of the sixteenth week after the fright, she had pains in the night, she thinking to endure them well enough 'till morning, in the morning caused me to be sent for. I came to her, finding with her a Phy∣sician, and sundry others of her acquaintance. The Physician that expected me, had ordered a Clyster to give it her if I thought it to the purpose; I found her pale, cold, and yet in a sweat, with so little pulse, that I esteemed her dead; I touched her, and found she had been in Travail, which had been too long neglect∣ed, I called presently for a plain silver dish, into which I squeez'd the juice of half a Citron, and set it upon a Chafing dish of coals; being warmed, I caused her to take it; this restored Nature a little, and stirred up her

pains, and then I assisted her; notwithstanding some of the waters ran down: After her first throw, the legs and thighs of the Child came forth: Now finding the Infant to be dead, and seeing that she was troubled with no more throws, I was afraid of drawing it forth, for fear it might be rotten: I did give her a Clyster without moving her, the force of which bringing the Child away, she was delivered of a dead Infant, all over of a leaden colour, without any ill vapour; the Secondine sound and fair as you shall see, her purga∣tions as clear as could be, and she had as good and as happy a Lying in, as any woman in the World; all which time she had not the appearance of any Milk at all. Hence we may admire the effects of Nature, which are wonderful! But in such cases Women must be sure in due time and place; for if a Woman do resist her pains, and doth not put her self in a right posture, she runs a great hazard of her Life.

A second Observation of a Woman that had been in Travail nine days.

BEing called to the Labour of a Woman that had been in Travail nine or ten days, of whom there was little hope; I went, and there found the Woman almost dead, her eyes open and fixed, her nose shrunk in, her breath smelling like a Charnel-house; and she took nothing down into her stomach, that she did not instantly vomit up again; she had drunk up above two pints of water in an hour, and by her bed, there was a whole sea of those things that she had vomited up. They gave her cold water, and the yolk of an Egg sometimes, though it came up again at the same in∣stant. She felt no pain of the Infant, but finding her Womb was open and her waters beginning to come down: I found that she had been in Travail; only Nature was oppressed, and had not had any good as∣sistance,

so that the Infant was retired back again, which stifled the Mother, and provoked her vomiting. Upon which, I gave my advice, and though I thought my self come a little too late, yet I resolved to do what lay in the power of my Art; and therefore I re∣solved to give her a good strong Clyster to awaken Nature, and to bring the Infant lower, which did ac∣cording to our hopes; afterwards to drink a small quan∣tity of Rhubarb-water which stayed with her; a little after, I gave her the Yolk of an Egg, which stayed with her also, causing her to drink nothing but Rhu∣barb-water; and at every hour's end, I gave her the Yolk of an Egg, which did also stay with her; by this time, Nature began to strengthen it self, and the pains of the Infant came again; and in less than two hours, after the Clyster and other nourishment given, when I saw her pretty well, and that Nature strove to expel the Infant, I gave her half a dram of Confection of Alkermes in a little Wine; and a little while after I caused her to take another Clyster, into which I put a little Hiera, and a little Benedictum, which finished the work; for she was then delivered of a very lusty Child, which lived about two days: I came thither a∣bout noon, and she was brought to bed before nine at night. I wrote this thus particularly, to let you know that oft-times for want of knowing where the mischief lies, the Remedies are misapplied; and indeed a Wo∣man Travailling in the ninth Month, ought chiefly to be succoured with Clysters.

Of a Woman here in Town that bare her Children ele∣ven months, and could not be Delivered.

BEing called to a Woman in this Town, that thought her self three months and a half gone, which is one of the Terms of time, wherein common∣ly the Moles and False-births are delivered; having

then some loss of blood and pain, I was sent for, and judged it to have been some imperfect Conception, and therefore I used all means to assist her; yet could she not expel it, for all these long pains: Whereupon finding some strange apprehensions in her, I wondered; for, in all the time of my Practice, I never knew such a thing as that dangerous in my life. But I after∣wards found this apprehension to come from a certain accident that had happened to a Sister of hers, who being with Child, carried it very well to the end of the ninth month; at the end of which she began to be in pain, as if she would have cried out: the pains were great and long, which they were not at all astonished at, by reason that it was her first Child, yet were not these pains accompanied with any signs of Labour, as, the opening the exterior orifice of the Womb: And they continued thus for the space of two days and two nights. Many medicines were used to facilitate the birth, but to no purpose; and now she felt not the Child stir any more. And now it was concluded, that she had mistaken her time; and now being at rest for four or five days, and growing weary of the City, she went into the Country, and being returned without ta∣king notice that she had received any harm, she was taken with the same pains as before, which continued a day and a night, and then ceased as before. This was adjudged to be certain pains of the Colick; after this, she endured one month longer in her former e∣state, which was now the eleventh month compleat; at the end of which she felt some little pain like throws, which presently affected her heart; upon which she was laid upon her bed, and they brought her Wine; but at the very instant she died, without having any time to call for assistance: Seeing her dead, they per∣ceived upon the right side of her belly a very black

mark about the breadth of a Dollar; being opened, they found the Child all putrified. Hence we must observe, that in Women that are big with Child, who have frequent pain, and nothing coming forth, the Matrix that should open, rather shuting it self closer, whether it be at the time or no, you must make for them clysters that expel wind, which are to be reitera∣ted as occasion requires; which Rule if it had been observed in this Woman, she, nor the Fruit of her Womb, had not perished in that manner.

Of the common opinion, that a Woman seven months gone, ought to walk very much; and of the Acci∣dents that happen thereby.

IT is a common error among Midwives, which is not to be passed by, that a Woman with Child, when she hath gone seven Months of her time, is to walk much: Upon a conceit that exercise is very pro∣per for her; for that, they say, doth loosen the Child from the reins, and facilitates the Birth. I confess, as to facilitating of the Birth, it may something avail; only I must add this also, that it is better to draw a∣way the Child than to break it; and moreover it is better to be something longer in Travail, than to in∣curr two or three evils which ordinarily happen; the first is, that the Child in the end of the seventh month, doth make certain endeavours to free it self from the belly of the Mother; and without doubt his first en∣deavour is to turn himself in the belly of the Mother; for the Infant turns himself a good while before the time of Labour; and therefore, I say, Exercise is very dangerous: The first reason is, because by pushing downward the belly is dilated, and especially in such as carry their Children low; and besides, oft times the head drags down all the body of the Womb, and

loosens the ligaments in such a sort, that after Deli∣very it can hardly be put into its place again. Be∣sides, the Children having their heads between the bones of the Mother, by much walking of the Mo∣ther, they come to be bruised, so that the Infants do many times dye, and no man is able to give a cause why; for the branches of veins which are for the nou∣rishment of the brain open in an instant, letting out the blood which is contained in them; and when the corruption is ingendered, there follows immediately Feavers, and corruption of the Infant: At other times, Women coming to sit upon a hard seat, do bruise the head of the Infant, which causes like accidents; and in all these accidents, none but the Midwife is to blame, unless the belly it self be spoyled. This, they say, is the fault of the Nurse, who did not apply remedies fit to restore the fault. I must confess that remedies do much avail to the recovery of the aforesaid malady, and do much avail to the healing of that disease; but, to restore it to such an estate as it was in before, I say it is a thing impossible for medicines to perform: For the skin which is once separated, cannot be closed again without a scar. I would now not only blame those that assist them, but, by putting the actions of people before them, shew them where lies the fault, and what reason I have so to do: I must confess that false accusa∣tions have made the most able Midwives timorous; for they lye liable to so many causes of detraction, that all that are either but indifferent good, or else not good, are all accused alike, if any thing fall out a∣miss with the Patient, as if they were the absolute cau∣ses of the evil, or that it lay absolutely in their power to hinder it. It happens also many times, that a Mid∣wife worthy of that name, doth deliver a woman from death, and yet in the place of much praise, she incurs

many times much blame; so that they are often∣times constrained (to avoid the scandal) to advertise them of their ill procedures, and to give place to those that know not how to do things with that sweet∣ness and judgment. The fault is no where but in the ignorance, scandal, and ingratitude of Women toward those of this Calling. Besides, there are a company of young Women, that because they have had one Child, do give themselves a great deal of liberty to talk of these things. Cries one, I like not these Midwives that handle me; I will change mine, cries another, for that trick also; so that many out of a kind of fear have a greater desire and will to be complacent than to do well; and so sitting with their hands before them, entertain their Patients with dis∣course; who for all that feeling their pains, are con∣strained to thrust forward, upon which the head of the Infant coming first, for the most part the womb serves for a Head-band, which comes forth before it; where∣as, might the Midwife be permitted to touch the Pa∣tient, they might put back the Womb, and prevent many accidents that happen in Lyings-in, which hap∣pen sometimes to be a total relaxation of the Matrix; of which when the Women complain to their com∣placent and flattering Midwives, they reply; why, Mistress, you know I did not touch you; and besides, I am not in fault if you have been touched: This is the fruit of their reproaches. You will say, there are a∣bundance of Countrey-women that the Midwife never touch at all, and they do not know scarcely, whether a Woman lye in, or no, unless they see the Infant ap∣pear. But they are not free from the Disease whereof I speak; for I have seen so great a company of them, that I have been afraid to behold them. This comes, say the Midwives, because they touched them not, and

that it is occasioned, either because the Infant is too big, or they say, it is a burstness, or the coming down of the great gut; the most subtile put up a Clew of Thred, the others a Ball of wax, which easeth a little while, but comes out again every hour.

Of a Child which they thought sick of the Epilepsie, occasioned by the sickness of the Mother, and of the cause.

ONE day there came to me a Gentle-woman, to desire me, that I would give her something for her Daughter that was sick of the Mother: When her Mother related what she ailed, I desired to see her. I saw her, and she had in one hour two several fits, which was an affrightment, attended with very much yawning, after which she remained in a very great weakness; all which time the mouth of the Child was drawn more to one side than the other; the eyes when she was out of the fit were open, and fixed in one place; I inquired of the Mother, at what age her daughter came to be first troubled with it; who answer'd, that she had been in this Town somthing more than a year; and that before that time she was never troubled with any such thing: I gave her the best Counsel that I could; and first of all I bid her to carry her again to the place where she was first nursed: using some few remedies that were convenient; which prospered so well, that, after she came thither, she had but one fit, though she had them so frequently before. Of this no other cause can be given, but that the air of the place where she lived for that year being thicker then that where she was nursed, caused in her a stirring of the humours, with which the mother was continually afflicted, she being disposed naturally to that kind of disease.

Of a young Woman, who being struck upon the belly by her Husband with his foot, was in great pain, and could not be brought to bed without the help of a Chi∣rurgeon.

I Will here relate a thing which I have seen in a young Woman; that, if the like accident should happen, the same Remedies may be applied. There came a Woman to me, to declare to me a disease with which she was troubled, desiring me to do my utmost; for that hitherto, she could not lye in without the help of a Chirurgeon, who had already killed two of her Children. I, knowing what an ill Husband she had, and that he had given her a blow upon the belly with his foot, and had broken the Peritonaeum; which was the reason, that part of her guts hung down upon the share-bone like the bag of a Bag-pipe; to which place, being big, the Womb jutted out, so that when the time came, the Infant had not liberty to turn it self; so that the Midwife seeing she could not have the Child without losing the Woman, was fain to make use of Chirurgeon. I considered her disease, and ordered her to carry a swatheband, such a one as Women with Child carry to support their bellies, only made a little more hollow; and I caused her to wear it as they that are burst do wear half-flops, lying smooth with cushio∣nets within, and never to rise without this, whether big, or no; which she did, and still does, and bears as fine Children, and lyes in as well, as any other Woman.

Of two Deliveries of one Woman.

THere was a Woman, who being come to a suffici∣ent age, became big: she causeth two of the best Midwives of the Countrey to assist her in her Lying in; the hour being come, they did as Art command∣ed them, which was, The Child coming well into the world; to keep her in a good situation, to cause her to eat things which were only for the purpose, to keep

her moderately warm, and then to bring her pains to a good issue. I excused the passion and impatience of friends, but I would not do any thing against my duty for complacency; a fault that is soon committed, but not so easily repented of; This Woman was pretty long, as most Women are of their first Children; in which time her husband, altogether impatient, and see∣ing her to doubt the report of the Midwives, There∣fore, said he, here is a Chirurgeon hard by, who may be sent for to resolve the doubt of the Midwives; he sent for him just about the hour that the Woman was to be brought to bed: The Chirurgeon when he came, saw that the Child was ready to come forth. The Midwives who had given way to the Chirurgeon, thinking to take their place again as soon as he had touched her, to make his report, were deceived; for he seeing the business ready to be done, told her Husband that it was necessary for him to operate, but that he would proceed with so much industry, that he would not only bring forth a sound and a lusty child, but moreo∣ver that he would render his wife also into a safe condi∣tion. The Midwives when they would have spoken, were put to silence. The Gentlewoman was presently delivered, and he stayed but a little while to receive his reward: Thus the Midwives that had attended long, and all the while of the Travail, were dispised, and put off; and the Chirurgeon extolled and praised, and well rewarded with several most obliging and courteous invitations. About a year after, he was en∣tertained upon the former score like a Prince; the hour of her Labour came again; and the Gentleman was gone to visit some of his friends, having such a confi∣dence in the Chirurgeon, that he set his mind at rest for any danger. The Labour of this child was not like the Labour of the other child; for it came with the feet foremost; and when the whole body was come

forth, the head could not be got forth. He had brought with him no instruments, thinking that this Delivery would have been like the other; but seeing himself at a stand, he sent to a Chirurgeon not far off for an Istru∣ment: in the mean time, he sent into the kitchen for a Ladle, with a hook at the end thereof, to draw forth the child. He drew it so well, that he drew away the life of the child: and without seeking any further for any body to saddle his horse, or bidding any body fare∣well, he fled his wayes. This may be an instruction to those that are so ready to entertain Mountebanks, and Empericks; than whom, there are no men more prodigal of the life of another for money.

Of a Woman, that because she would not be ruled in her Lying in, died.

I Was one day called to the Labour of a woman, which had good Deliveries of her Sons and Daugh∣ters, at their due time, although her Deliveries of Boys were always more difficult than those of her Daughters; being come to her, I found her walking in the Cham∣ber with her leggs bare, in a season that was not over-hot. I caused her to be put into her bed to warm her again, but she would by no means endure it; although I prayed her, she was angry with me, and told me, This was not the rule, to be constrained. The Mi∣stress and the Nurse combined against me; the night approached; the waters being come down, I feared the ill success of this business, that her disease would be irrecoverable by reason of her self-will'dness. I desired her husband to use his endeavour, but he could do no more with her than I: about midnight, I prayed her to go to bed again, and to warm her self, and unless she would do so, I could do nothing. She told me, I un∣derstood nothing in respect of a certain Surgeon, who, when she had such a kind of Labour before, only toucht her with his finger, and delivered her; and that she

would have him. I was content, and so she sent for him. He came very confidently, but his work was not at so easie a pass as formerly: he put a good large Table-Napkin before him, trussing it up to his elbows, saying he was as able to deliver her as before. She would no more see me after his arrival: the Surgeon to whom I represented (after his arrival) all that I had understood and seen, and the fear which I had of her, told me that all would be well. At day break, a neighbour of mine calling me away, I desired her Husband to let me go; but he was unwilling, unless I would promise to come again, which I did; and as soon as the door was open, one of the servants told me, another Midwife was sent for. Her Husband desired me again, that since the Chy∣rurgeon failed of his skill, I would use my skill; but it was too late, for the Chyrurgeon left them, and the Woman died. See here how ill a thing it is to be opi∣nionated, for I could easily have delivered her, if she would have been ruled by me.

Of certain Women that bear Children, and lie in before their time: And others, at their full time, who grow big, and full of humours, which causeth the death of the Child, presently after their Delivery; their Chil∣dren being nourished in their bellies, like fish only with water.

I Knew a Gentlewoman who had Laid-in three times, but yet none of her Children lived: I desired her to take a Physician that might give advice both to her and me, and to order her some remedies, and a govern∣ment of diet to keep her from suffering the like acci∣dents for time to come. We chose a Physician, who prescribed certain Tablets or Trochisques, to take from the time she began to grow big, until the time of her Delivery, twice a week; as also to take the wa∣ter of Indian Bul-rush, and of Sarsaparilla, to mix in her drink, or broth, as often as she would, having a

due regard to the heat of her blood: She observed eve∣ry tittle of his directions, which made her to bear a Son, alive, sound, and healthful. She continued these Remedies four years together, but the next time she grew big with Child, she thought that Nature of ••t self would be sufficient: I counselled her to the contra∣ry, but she hearkned not; so that when her time came, she was brought to bed of a dead Child. I shall give you the Receipt of the Tablets, and of the water, for the benefit of Women that are subject to an ill Delive∣ry, by reason of the great quantity of water, which hindereth the Child from turning in the Womb: The Water is made in this manner.

Take two pints, or two pints and a half of water; put therein half an ounce of the root of Indian Bul-rush, and an ounce of Sarsaparilla; put this in the drink, and let it infuse one night; mix it with the drink, or else drink it pure.

The Tablets are made after this fashion

Take Mace, Saunders, Rhubarb, Pearl, and Coral, Sena, of each 25 grains, with one ounce and half of Sugar; let every Tablet weigh six drams.

The observation of a Woman, who was thought unable to bear any more Children; yet contrary to expectation, was delivered of one; and the reason thereof.

THere are certain Women who have the neck of the Womb long and hardned, by a cold humor that falls down thereon, and renders them uncapable of conceiving. One I have heard of, who was afflict∣ed with this Disease, and voided a great deal of putri∣fied blood; by a certain fumigation that I taught her, she was cured. I can say this of a certainty, that after this Woman had voided this putrefaction, she came to see me with a very lusty Child, and was big of another; for being discharged of the burden of pu∣trified blood, she found her self marvellously free for

Conception; for the Matrix that began to be ulcera∣ted, was now fortified, and strengthned again, and the natural heat began to take possession there again.

A good observation in the choice of Nurses.

THere be two sort of Nurses which I have found: The one is of such Women as are of an ill humor, or juice; which humors settle all in the milk, for that is the place where these fluxes discharge themselves. These Women are in a better condition being Nurses, than when they are not Nurses; and being not Nurses are subject to pains, sometimes in the arms, and some∣times in the shoulders, sometimes in one of their legs or thighs; or else they are subject to the watring of the eyes, or swelling in the corner of the eye or nose. These are good Nurses, as long as Children are fat; but the fat is soft, and the Infants dull and sottish, gi∣ving no great signs of vivacity; coming to bear teeth, they are very sickly, and do ordinarily die, by reason of the flux, that pusheth out too great company of teeth at once. The Children that escape this, are more ill juic'd in their infancy, than are their Fathers and Mothers in their old Age. If the flux that afflicts them be salt, the milk is of a blackish and blewish co∣lour, if it be of Choler, it is more dangerous than the other, for that is more dangerous and venomous to the Children. There is another sort of Nurses more dan∣gerous than these I have now spoken of; who present∣ly after they have Lain in (that is, three, or four, or five, or six months) are taken with their Purgations, a thing which never happens to good Nurses: for this is the course of Nature, that all the blood which is re∣tained, is dedicated to the nourishment of the Infant. This is caused by a moderate heat which is in their blood; and, to say true, as soon as ever this happens, the Infant must be taken away, for they are more apt to conceive, than to nurse; and if they continue Nur∣ses,

they do but ruine the Children. This is but too much experimented, and I speak this to save the lives of a great many Children, when seeing them suck I have discovered their want of milk; so that I may say, there dies a third part of the Children, for want of ta∣king care in this particular, which yet seem fat, and in good case.

This is the cause of great Cholicks and windinesses in Children, which kills them in a moment; for the least Feaver that takes them, carries them away. Be∣sides this, there are some whose milk is so little, but withal so thick, that it sticks upon the tongue, palate, and throat, which causes, as it were, a white canker, which is more and more heated by reason of their for∣cible drawing in vain; and possesseth all the throat, whereby they are hindred from sucking. These Nur∣ses will milk after this, a drop or two out of their breasts, crying, Look ye, the Child cares not for suck∣ing. I never knew more abuse in any thing, than in Nurses: for let them make what excuse they will, it is nothing but necessity that reduceth them to be such. Although the greatest part do say, that it is to get ac∣quaintance; yet when they have a Child, whether they have milk or no, yet they desire not to part with it, no more than they do to drown themselves; whereby the Parents are often deceived. And therefore the Mothers ought to have a great care, and to make it their business to surprize the Nurses at their own houses, that if there be any miscarriage, they may find it out. And indeed it is very reasonable, that the cause of these poor creatures that cannot complain, should not be neglected; and these She-murderers be made known, that they may not go unpunished.

Of a Woman which I laid two several times, and of the difference of her bearing of two Children, proceeding from several causes.

I Was called to lay a Woman, who said she was gone her full time; she had the same pains that women are wont to have in the time of Travail, but her waters came not down. At one forcible Throw she cast forth a great membrane like a Hogs-bladder, all united with∣in and without, only that it had divers branches of veins, as you shall see in a bladder; which I presently cut, and found therein a little Infant, well shaped, swim∣ing in black waters: it had gone its full time, and was so lean, that it resembled a meer Picture; it had the Navel-string holding fast to the bladder, where it is to be supposed those small branches of the veins do end. Here, as I guess, as long as it found any blood, it lay languishing; but, that beginning to fail, it died, and presently voided those excrements that were con∣tained in the intestines, which being mingled in the waters, made them black: And as for the Woman her self, she was the fullest of humours that ever I saw in my life. Another time I brought the same Woman to bed, who was delivered of a Child that came the ordi∣nary way into the World, with the head foremost; now I perceiving her in Labour, found nothing at first but a certain softness, as if the waters were coming down: Afterwards I perceived a certain bag with hair; athwart which I saw certain great knobs or heads. The Infant being come forth was not yet formed; the face and the head were like vizards more than any face; it had the form of a nose, but it was soft like wooll: The head was full of water, and those knobs which appeared, were nothing but the futures of the head, which the too great abundance of water had disjoyn'd: in the hands it had nothing but hair instead of bones, and the toes were of the same: The woman her self was said to be extream cholerick, and moist.

Instructions of a famous and dying Midwife to her Daughter, touching the practice of this Art.

DAughter, if the excellencies of what is to be known in this World are to be found not in one, but in several Countries; certainly they are most able to instruct who have had the greatest experience, and longest travel in the World; which is the reason, that in this small Treatise I have not tyed up my self to the rules solely of my own Nation, but have searched the studies also of other Nations, that thou mayest be bettered, not only by my experience, but by the La∣bour of others.

In the first place therefore, I exhort thee to be dili∣gent, and to leave nothing unsearched that may tend to the advantage of thy practice. And to this end, be always learning to the last day of thy life; which that thou mayest not cease to do, be always humble; for those that are proud and obstinate, never gain upon the hearts of those that are knowing in secrets. Be sure thou never make trial of any new Remedy or Receipt, either upon poor or rich, if thou be'st not assured of the quality and operation thereof; and that it can do no hurt, whether it be applied outwardly, or taken in∣wardly. Hide none of those good Receipts which thou knowest, either from Midwives, or Physicians; for otherwise they will esteem them as little as those of Mountebanks, as if thou hadst but one cure, like them, for all Diseases, and yet didst brag as they do of doing wonders, yet still conceal their Receipts. Thou must speak freely of that which thou knowest, and give a reason for what thou sayest. Be not negligent, but so increase thy Talent, that people may say, you are better than ever your Mother was: I must tell thee, thou hast taken a matter of great importance into thy hand; and that in this Art there are two ways easie to take; the one to save thy credit, and the other to lose

it. Above all things, you must beware (for any trea∣sure in the world) of adhering to one vice, such as they are guilty of who give Remedies to cause Abor∣tion; for those that do ill, and those that seek a dam∣nable remedy, are wicked in a high degree. But it is a higher degree of wickedness for those that are no way ingaged in the business, for lucres sake to kill both the body and soul of an Infant. This I do not speak that thou shouldest refuse to give Remedies upon just occa∣sions: but to take heed how you be cheated by subtle persons, who shall tell you fine stories of the diseases of their Wives, or Daughters, which they may say are very honest, hoping to get from you some Receipts to effect their wicked designs, send them to the Physici∣ans, for you may give them a lawful excuse, in saying that such matters do not belong to your charge. Ne∣ver keep the cawl called Amnios, which covers the head and shoulders of the Child, for Sorcerers to make use of.

If you are sent for to any house, inform your self of what condition they are, and whether they be rich, or whether they be the poorest creatures in the world, serve them with like pains and affection, and if you find them to be very poor, take nothing; for to them a little is a great deal: visit them also afterwards with diligence, that for the small time wherein they keep their bed, you may be assisting to them in strengthning and recovering of their healths. I charge thee, Daugh∣ter, that in all thy life thou never receive a Woman into thy house to lie in; for that is but a kind of Pan∣derism cloathed in some pretence of Charity; neither doth thy profession oblige thee to do it. If it chance to be a woman that is not wholly betaken to whore∣dom, that there is some hopes of recovering her from that lost condition; if then she desire you out of a be∣lief of your sufficiency, or secrecy, you may then go

to her in an honest place. You must comfort her, if she be afflicted, and put her in the right way, exhort∣ing her never to commit the like again; but to receive such persons into your house, is but a means to encou∣rage evil: As the receivers of stollen goods are a means to encourage Thieves; even so, the Midwives that bring such a stench to their house, do assist and abet the evil which they do, whilst they know where to discharge themselves of the like burthen again. At the first when I took upon me this Calling, I took two into my house, the one of Quality, the other of an ordinary condition; I saw them sometimes in such fits of despair, that I could hardly bring them out of them again. Those from whom the evil came; upon whose account I had received them, came now and then to see them, because they brought them mainte∣nance; I was continually fain to keep watch with them, for fear they should do any evil in the house: And I must needs say, I had better have kept a herd of Swine. Such unrests as these ought not to enter in∣to the breast of a Midwife; for, her mind ought to be free and at peace. Besides that, a custom of laying Women of an ill life, spoyls the reputation of a Wo∣man, and oft times endangers the health also. To confirm which, I knew an honest understanding Mid∣wife, that laid a Courtezan that seemed to ail nothing at all; but she, having an inveterated Pox, gave it to the old Midwife upon her right hand, upon which there came a red Bubo; for all which, being unwilling to leave off her Calling, she spoyled after that above thirty Housholds; for the Husbands got the Pox from their Wives, and the Children from their Mothers

Now let me tell thee, Daughter, that thou oughtest not to take it ill to see the condition of Midwives despi∣sed; neither let this hinder thy Studies in the perfections of this Art, which are not to be comprehended by those

that despise it. Neither be dismayed if thou seest peo∣ple in this condition, that do not deserve to be; for this doth not at all diminish the honour of those that are good: for it comes from hence to pass, because they that receive them for mony, do as Stablers do, put the good and bad Horses together; the good Horses are in no danger to be hurt by the Jades, but the Jades are in hazard of being kickt and spoyled by the good Horses.

Never think of any think else but of doing well, and serving those that shall call thee according to their own liking, if that which they desire be not prejudicial to them, but if that which they desire; be to their hurt, be sure that thou discharge thy self of them, and especi∣ally excuse thy self to the assistants, that thou mayst perswade them to reason. A sweet disposition in a Mid∣wife is much more commendable than a rigorous: the pain of Child-bearing is a very hard labour, which thou must consider, and accordingly conform thy self to the humour of the Patient, knowing thy self to be called to comfort and assist her.

Mark well, entring into a house, in what condition the Patient is; if the evil be at hand, you must encou∣rage her, and prepare your self with those things that are necessary; and first you must see that the Bed be well made for the woman that is to be brought to bed, and then to put on her a little smock, and waste-coat, and other linnen necessary: And if she be so opinionated, as that she will not; tell her how much you do it for the better; and how great a pain it will be afterwards; content her though, for you must make of a bad Market no more then you can. You ought to give order for things to be had from the Apothecaries with her con∣sent; or if she be young, with the consent of her friends. You must take order also that some good broth be made for her to take, in the time of her Travail, if it should chance to be long; and also two hours after her being

brought to bed. Above all things I charge thee, that what ever business thou maist have there, that thou go not about them too hastily. For there is nothing so nauseous to be seen, as the improvident actions of over-busie women. Never be dismayed if every thing go not well; for, fear disorders the senses; and a person that keeps her wits together, without suffering them to be scattered by fear, is capable of giving assistance in weighty affairs, and especially where things are done with leisure; for in such cases Nature helps marvellous∣ly, when we are most at a stand. There is a great ne∣cessity of prudence, especially in the age wherein we live. There is now no need of Coloquintida to render any thing good in it self, bitter and disagreeable to the taste. There are few Women now a days that do give that respect, or have that kindness for them as in former a∣ges; for then, when their Midwife died, they shewed a great deal of sorrow, and prayed God that now they might have no more Children: which though it were not well done, yet it shewed their affection. Now a∣days, Women use them as meer Hirelings.

There is a great deal of artifice to be used in the pleasing of our Women, especially the young ones, who many times do make election of Men to bring them to bed. I blush to speak of them, for I take it to be a great piece of impudence to have any recourse unto them, unless it be in a case of very great danger. I do approve it, I have approved it, and know that it ought to be done, so that it be concealed from the Woman all her life long; nor that she see the Surgeon any more: for it is very inconvenient to Husbands, that (unless in cases of very great danger) such things concerning their own Wives should be communicated to any other men but themselves.

To this purpose shall I tell thee Daughter, that being called to the Labour of a Friend, where were none but

2 or 3 of her acquaintance, they asked me what I thought of the Labour: to which I answered, that the Child did not come well, but that I would do the work with the assistance of God, without danger to the Child, or to the Mother. They desired me that I would let a Sur∣geon see her: for their satisfaction, I consented to it; provided that she might not see him; for I was fearful, lest she should die with apprehension and shame; I per∣swaded her to slide down toward the feet of the bed, and darkned the Room on that side where he was to come; at the feet he touched her, and she was brought to bed without any other assistance, save that of God and Nature. Since these injuries have bin put in fashion, there have bin observed greater hazards and dangers in lying in than before, which might be remedied by per∣sons capable of their profession, if they might be let a∣lone. But this Detraction is so much in request, that a∣mong some kind of people, there is much ado to make them believe the truth, and especially where they can∣not get great advantage by so doing, and truly, Honou∣rable persons which I have had the honour to serve, make other women seem monstrous to me. You shall come in∣to some houses, where there are certain persons that hold such false lights to the Mistress of the House, that she sees quite contrary to that which is real; which persons if they are not humoured, your business will be there soon dispatched. Take great heed of coming there, for it may chance to gain you nothing but a great deal of care. There are some Women that have no Children, at which they are very much troubled; which is so, not∣withstanding that they might easily be helped, if they would tell an understanding Midwife where the defect lay.

As concerning those, who are sent for to lay Women in the Country, I must say this, that as for those that are not very well experimented, they may incur many ha∣zards by reason of their ignorance, and the multiplicity

of accidents that may happen: And for those that are knowing, to leave their Patients in the City, is a thing that may displease, and wrong many, and run the ha∣zard of being no more entertained among them, to their own ruine; neither is there any certainty of a Woman that will run rambling into the Country. My last ad∣vice is, that thou do well, and in so doing, fear nothing but God, that he may bless thee, and thy endeavours.

Explanation of the first Figure.

• A A. The right and left Kernel of the Reins.
• B. The true Kidneys.
• CC. The Emulgent Veins.
• DD. The Emulgent Arteries.
• E E. The Spermatic Veins.
• F F. The Spermatick Arteries.
• GG. The Trunk of the hollow Vein.
• HH. The Trunk of the great Arterie.
• IIII. The Ureters.
• KK. The Vessels that prepare the Seed.
• MM The Stones with all their Tunicles.
• N N. The Vessels carrying the Seed, retorted back into the Bladder.
• O. The Bladder.
• P. The Neck of the Bladder.
• QQ. The two glaudulous Fore-standers.
• R R. The two Muscles that erect the Yard.
• S S. Two other Muscles dilating the Ureter.
• T. The body of the Yard.
• U. The Praeputium that covers the Nut of the Yard.

Explanation of the second Figure.

• A. The Bladder turned downward.
• BB. The insertion of the Uterers into the Bladder.
• CC. The neck of the Womb, which Anatomists call the Sheath, which receives many vessels.
• EEEE. The two lower round Ligaments of the mouth, cut away.
• FF. The blind Vessel of the Womb annexed here to the uppermost and broad Ligament.
• GG. The same vessel on the other side, separated from the broad Ligament.
• HH. The different or Seed-carrying vessels on each side, ending in the neck of the Womb.
• II. The upper and membrany Ligament of the Womb, like the wings of a Bat; thorow which ma∣ny vessels, that arise from the preparing ves∣sels, are scattered and diffused.
• K. The preparing Vessels of one side, not yet dis∣cerned from the first membrany, or filmy Li∣gament.
• L. The preparing Vessels on the other side, severed from the filmy Ligament: to shew you their insertion into the stone, with its films.
• MM. The Stones; where one is covered, the other is bare.
• NN. Many Veins and Arteries scatered into the neck and bottom of the Womb; serving for the purgation of the flowers, and the nourish∣ment of the birth.
• OO. The Nerves scattered through the body of the Womb.

FINIS.