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.

CHAP. III. Of the fleshy knobs, and the greater neck of the Womb.

PResently behind the wings, before we go far in∣ward in the middle of the Cleft, there do appear four knobs of flesh, being placed in a quadrangular form, one against the other; they are said to resemble Myrtle-berries in form. In this place is incerted the O∣rifice of the bladder, which opens it self into the fissure, to cast forth the Urine into the common Channel. Now least any cold air, or dust, or any such thing should enter into the Bladder after the voiding of the Urine, one of these knobs is seated so, that it shuts the urina∣ry passage. The second, is right opposite to the first, the other two collateral. They are round in Virgins, but they hang flagging when Virginity is lost.

The lips of the Womb being gently separated,* 1.1 the neck of the Womb is to be seen: In which, two things are to be observed; the neck it self, or the chan∣nel, and the Hymen, which is there placed: By the neck of the Womb, is understood the channel, which is between the said knobs, and the inner bone of the womb; which receives the Yard like a Sheath. The substance of it is sinewy,* 1.2 and a little spongy, that it may be dila∣ted; in this concavity there are certain folds, or orbicular pleights; these are made by a cer∣tain Tunicle so wrinkled, as if a man should fold the skin with his fingers. In Virgins they are plain; in Women, with often copulation, they are oftentimes worn out; sometimes they are wholly worn out, and the inner side of the Neck appears smooth; as it hap∣pens to Whores, and Women that have often brought

forth, or have bin over troubled with their fluxes. In old Women it becomes more hard and grisly. Now though this Channel be something writhed and crook∣ed, when it falls and sinks down, yet in time of the flowers and copulation, or in time of travel, it is e∣rected and extended; and this over-great extension in Women that bring forth, is the cause of that great pain in Child-bed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The neck of the Womb.
• * 1.2

  The sub∣stance.