The store-house of physical practice being a general treatise of the causes and signs of all diseases afflicting human bodies : together with the shortest, plainest and safest way of curing them, by method, medicine and diet : to which is added, for the benefit of young practicers, several choice forms of medicines used by the London physicians / by John Pechey ...

CHAP. CIV. Of a Falling of the Womb.

FOR the Cure of this Distemper regard must be had to two things; the first is to reduce the Womb into its natural Place, and the second is to strengthen it, and keep it there.

For the Execution of the first, which is to reduce it, if the Womb be quite out or turned, the Woman must first of all render her Urine, and a Glister must be given, if it be necessary, to empty the gross Excrements that are in the right-Gut, that so the Reduction may be the easier perform'd; then place her on her Back, with her Hips rais'd a little higher than her Head, and then foment all that is fallen out with a little Wine and Wa∣ter luke-warm, and with a soft Rag put it up into its proper Place, thrusting back not all at once, but wag∣ing it by little and little from side to side, in case this be too painful, because 'tis already too big and swell'd; anoint it with Oil of Almonds, for the more easie re∣duction of it, being careful as soon as 'tis reduc'd, to wipe off the Oil as much as may be, to avoid a Re∣lapse: But if notwithstanding all this, the Womb can∣not be put up, because 'tis very much inflamed and tu∣mified, which happens when it has been a long time so, without the use of necessary means, during which time it is continually moistned with Urine and other Excrements, which contribute very much to its Cor∣ruption, in this case there is great danger that 'twill gangrene.

Also the second part of this Cure, which consists in the retention of the Womb in its place, and the strength∣ning of it; It will be done by a convenient situation▪ Let the Woman, for this purpose, keep her self in Bed, on her Back, having her Hips a little raised, her Legs something crossed, and her Thighs join'd together, to prevent the falling of it out again; but the best way is to put up a Pessary into the Neck of the Womb, to

keep it firm. There are two or three sorts of them made for this purpose, the Figures of them may be seen in Moriceau's Midwifery; see Page 311.

Take of Oak-Bark two ounces, boil it in two quarts of Fountain-Water, add at the latter end one ounce of Pomegranate-Peel bruis'd, red Roses, Pomegranate-Flowers, each two handfuls, and then add half a pint of red Wine, strain it, and bath the part affected with Flannels dipt in it, in the Morning, two hours before the Woman rises, and at Night, when she is in Bed; continue the use of it 'till the Symptom is quite gone.