A general treatise of the diseases of maids, bigbellied women, child-bed-women, and widows together with the best methods of preventing or curing the same / by J. Pechey ...

CHAP. XXIX.

Of the Melancholy, Madness, Deliri∣um, and Epilepsie of Women in Child-bed.

THese Diseases happen in Child-bed, for want of a sufficient evacuation, by rea∣son of the fault of the Blood, the Suppressi∣on of it, or too great an Evacuation; or by Fevers, an ill Vapour rushing upon the Brain, whereof Lusitanus mentions an observation of a very Beautiful Lady, that presently after delivery fell Melan∣choly, and was mad for a Month, but by the use of a few Medicines recovered her Senses; and I, says Rodericus a Castro, have often cured a Dutch Merchants Wife who was frequently distracted after deli∣very. These Diseases are thus distinguish∣ed, Melancholy is a Delirium without a Fever, occasioned by a Melancholy humour possessing the Seat of the Mind. Madness is more outragious, and a hot Intemperies is the occasion of it; whereas Melancholy proceeds from a cold In∣temperies:

An Epilepsie is a Convulsion of all the parts of the Body, not perpe∣tual, but by intervals, with a depravati∣on of Sense and Jugdment. Lastly, a De∣lirium is an alienation of the Mind, and proceeds most commonly from a bilious Fever, and therefore is not a Disease, but a Symptom.

These are the general Indications; if these Diseases proceed from an immode∣rat Flux, it must be stopt, the strength must be kept up, and the cold and dry Intemperies must be corrected. If they proceed from a Suppression of the Child-bed Purgations, they must be forced; if they are occasioned by a fault in the Blood, they must be treated as the Me∣lancholy of Virgins and Widows.

The most Grievous Symptom of these Diseases are obstinate Watching; in this case apply often to the Temples the fol∣lowing Oxyrrhodine.

Take of the Waters of Roses and Plantain, each four Ounces, of Oyl of Roses, three Ounces, of Vinegar of Roses one Ounce, the Powder of Red Sanders, one Drachm, mingle them, apply it in a Rag, or Populeon Oynt∣ment mixed with Oyntment of Roses, three Grains of Opium, and one Scruple of Saffron;

or a live Pigeon cut in two may be applied hot to the Head. And if these things do not do, one Dram of Philonium may be given in Lettice Water and a little Wine at Bed-time. Note that in an Epilepsie the Oxyrrhodine a∣bove mentioned is not so proper, because it cools the Head too much, and in Melancholy such things must be added to it as moisten more.