Aristotle's manual of choice secrets shewing the whole mystery of generation : with receipts to prevent barrenness, and cause conception : very necessary to be known and practiced by all midwives, nurses, & young married women / translated out of Latin by J.P.

CHAP. IX. How to prevent Diseases, and other Griefs, in a Childing Woman, by Oyles, Oynt∣ments, Fomentations, and Internal Medicaments; with the several Receipts to make and apply them.

HAving layed down Rules how a Childing Wo∣man, in sundry respects, ought to mannage herself, I now come to other parti∣culars of as near a concern, requisite to be taken notice of, and done, in the Ninth Month, viz. To preserve Health, Beauty, and give a safe and easie Delivery. In the first place then, that her

Breasts after her Delivery may not be too much puffed up, and hang down like Bags; hang, during her Childing, a little piece of Steel between them, by a String, or Chain, fastened about her Neck; and wash them with this Decoction, or Fomentation, pretty warm and often.

Take Sage, Perriwinkle, the herb Ground Ivy, of each a handful; Hemlock as much as you can hold between your fore-finger and Thumb, bruise them, and boil them in two quarts of water and one of Whitewine, till a fourth part be consumed; then put thereto a little Rose Vinegar, and wash your Breasts.

This prevents them from Soreness and breaking after Delivery; and from many other ill conveniencies. That the Belly, when the Child Quickens, may be kept in order, from Swelling or growing too Unweildy, a Swathe is requisit, made fit for the purpose, to support it, and to keep the Skin from Furrowing, growing Knot∣tey, or full of broken Veins wrinkled, Anoint it with this Pomander.

Take the Suet of a Young Kid, and Hog's-Lard, each three Ounces, Goose-Grease and the Grease of a Capon each an Ounce and a Half, melt them in an Earthen Vessel, strain them when

very hot into fair Water, and Temper them in it till they become very White, then melt them again, ad∣ding an Ounce of Stags Mar∣row or Suet, wash them in Rose-water, and Anoint the Belly warm with it.

Or take Oyl of Roses an ounce and a half, Oyle of St. John's Wort and sweet Al∣monds each two ounces, May-butter and Oyl of Jessamin each half an ounce, Sperma Ceti a quarter of an ounce; melt these together, and take a soft wash'd Leather Skin, ei∣ther Dog or Sheep, made fit for the Belly, Anoint it with these Oyntment. This is u∣sually required to be begun in the Fourth Month. In the

Ninth Month, The Wo∣man being Healthy, it is convenient that she walk gently before Meals, for the first twelve or fifteen Days; and after that, under∣take some moderate Busi∣ness, or convenient Exer∣cise; and if any Pains or Weakness happen, make the following Bath, viz.

Take Marshmallows with their Roots, and Mother∣wort, each two handfuls, white Lilly Roots three oun∣ces, Cammomile and Mel∣lilot flowers each a handful, Linseed, Quince-seed, and Fenigreek-seed, each an Ounce, Boil them in run∣ing Water till a fifth part be consumed, and let the

Party Pattle in it, and being well dryed, put into a warm Bed, her Belly, about an hour after, being supled with Oyl of Roses, Cammomile, and sweet Almonds.