The English midwife enlarged containing directions to midwives; wherein is laid down whatever is most requisite for the safe practising her art. Also instructions for women in their conceiving, bearing and nursing of children. With two new treatises, one of the cure of diseases and symptoms happening to women before and after child-birth. And another of the diseases, &c. of little children, and the conditions necessary to be considered in the choice of their nurses and milk. The whole fitted for the meanest capacities. Illustrated with near 40 copper-cuts.

SECT. XXXIV. Of the Secundine, or Afterburden, and the best and safest way to draw it forth.

DR. Come then, Mrs. if you please, tell me what the Secundine is.

Mid. The Secundine is that in which the Infant lyeth in the Womb, and may be call∣ed a second house, or covering, made by the Womb for a receptacle of the Infant; and it hath with it three membranes; but how Phy∣sitians name them, I know not.

Dr. I will inform you then, if you please, with their names and uses; and describe them to you in these two figures following, which are explained by letters also, as may appear.

[illustration] depiction of the secundine or afterbirth

The Explanation of the first Figures

• BBB Signifies that part of the Secundine called the Chorion, which is the prop of all the Vessels of the young one.
• CCC Denotes the branches of the Umbi∣lical Veins and Arteries dispersed through the Chorion.
• EEE The Membrane called Amnios, and is the thinnest of all the Membranes, and is white, soft, and shining, with few (and those very small) Veins and Arteries dispersed a∣mong the folds; and this is the very next coat to the Infant, and is the receptacle for sweat and Urine; that Membrane called Al∣lantois not to be found in men, though an Ʋrachus may be found.
• DD Denotes all the Vessels meeting about the Navil, by which the Infant is nourished.

[illustration] depiction of the newly born baby before the navel string, or umbilical cord, is cut

Chorion

Amnios

• P. Q Denotes the Membrane called Am∣nios, and is the first that involveth the In∣fant.
• RRRR The Liver, or cake of the womb, or after-burden, by which the Infant receives nourishment, and this is fastned to the Womb.
• SS The inward and outward Veins.
• m. m. m. The Umbilical vein, with its branches dispersed into the after-burden, by which the Child is nourished, and upon which it lyeth, as upon a pillow, though in the Am∣nios it swimeth as in a bath.
• VV How all the Vessels meet about the Navil.
• b.b.b Denotes the Infant newly born, an∣nexed to the secundine, the Navil-string not cut.

Dr. You see, Mrs. these Figures, with their uses and explanation; I shall now dis∣course more particularly of the membranes themselves. The after-burden, commonly called the secundine, is so named, either be∣cause it is as it were a second place, mansion,

and receptacle of the Infant from the Womb; or else, because this Membrane is called the after-birth, or second birth, as coming forth after the Infant, which, if it stay behind, brings great mischief, as shall be spoken to at the latter end of this Treatise and Secti∣on.

The first membrane is called Amnios, and this membrane covers the Infant from the head to foot; insomuch, that part of it sticks to the head of the Infant when it is born, which they call a helmet, though not always, being left behind with the secundine in diffi∣cult labours: this is so called from its soft∣ness and thinness; others resemble it to white Paper, or a shirt, and is the thinnest of all, in which is found great plenty of hu∣mors, caused of urine and sweat, in which the Infant swimeth as in a bath, and lyeth so easie and secure, lest it should fall foul against those neighbouring parts that are harder; and besides that, when the membrane is bro∣ken in the birth, this water breaking out, may make the passages by the neck of the Womb more plain and slippery for the In∣fant; and this membrane also is every where included within the second, which is called Chorion, because it wraps the Infant like a ring; and this immediately compasseth the former, to which it is joyned as it were in a

round figure, like to a cake, whose inward and hollow part it covers and involves, and doth extend it self to its dimensions, and can scarce be separated from it, but doth firmly knit and bear up the vessels of the afterbur∣den, which immediately sticks to the womb by a certain fleshy mass that is formed, being round, and of somewhat a ruddy colour, not compassing the whole infant, by reason of in∣numerous springs of veins and atteries by which the blood is interwoven, as if it were poured in, and by which the infant is nou∣rished. This towards the infant is smooth, but that part which is towards that fleshy round mass, is rougher.

This round fleshy substance is called the liver of the womb, or the cake of the womb; which, having such a substance as the liver hath, no wonder if it should make and pre∣pare blood for the nourishment of the infant. On that side towards the womb it is rough, and unequal, like clefts in a bak'd cake; and being cut in this part, it sheweth an infinite company of hairs, which, if you trace, they will bring you to the orifice of the veins themselves. And, although there be twins, or more, yet there is but one cake; for into one cake so many navil strings are inserted (in divers places) as there are young ones; though it may differ as to the bigness, accord∣ing

to the body and condition of the infant, yet the ground is still the same in the diame∣ter. This serves as a support of the umbili∣cal vessels, like a pillar; it is also called the secundine. The third is called Allantoides; 'tis a coat betwixt the Chorion and Amnios; 'tis very thin, weak, and narrow; it covers but half the young one: this is properly like a swathe or girdle; and some say it is the recep∣tacle of urine; but it being not to be found in mankind (there may be an Ʋrachus found instead of it) I say no more of it.

Dr. These are the opinions of Physitians, good Mrs. Eutrapelia that have written of these things; now if you please I will tell you candidly and freely what my opinion is con∣cerning these things.

As soon as the 2 seeds have been confused∣ly mixt and retained by conception, the Womb immediately after, by means of its heat, separates this Chaos, to make out there∣of the delineation and formation of all the parts, and begins to work upon these Seeds, which though to the sight they may appear of a like nature and uniforme, notwith∣standing in effect they contain many dissimi∣lar parts in them, which it separates and di∣stinguisheth one from another, inclosing the noblest, and on the outside the most glutinous, of which first are formed the Membranes, to

hinder the Spirits, wherewith the frothy Seeds abound, from being at that time dissipated, and afterwards to serve to contain the Infant and the waters therein, in the midst whereof it swims that they may not stream away.

Now as the Membranes of the Infant are the first part formed, so are they with the waters, the first that present themselves to the passage in time of labour, before the In∣fants head.

Concerning these Membranes and the de∣scriptions most Authors have made of them, I find them to be so dark therein that me∣thinks 'tis an hard matter to conceive them, as they are, by the explication they make of them: for in the first place they do not agree in the number of them, some accounting 3, as well for a Child as a Beast, to wit the Cho∣rion the Amnios and the Alantoides; Others accounting but 2, because there is no Alan∣toides in an humane fetus.

But if this matter shall be strictly examin∣ed, as hath been often done, there will never be found any more then 2, the which being so closely joyned the one to the other, they may be said to be but a double one, the which in∣deed may be divided and separated into 2, and this I will explain, to you and others, on such a manner, as may be best understood by such as are ignorant of this matter; For

there are many who think with Galen that these Membranes are separate and distant, the one from the other, and that the one sur∣rounds only the Infant, and the other receives the waters, the which are partly engendred from sweat, and partly from the Urine, as they imagine; and believe farther that these waters themselves are separated the one from the other, by these Membranes: the which is quite contrary, for they are joyned so close the one to the other, that they compose as it were but the same body and invelloper, the which serves as we have said, to contain the Infant with the waters, which are all of a na∣ture, and shut up in the Membranes, as I shall make appear in speaking of their original; but it matters not as to the truth after what manner this be explained, provided it may be understood as it is.

The outward part then of this Membrane or double covering, or involver, call it what you please, or if it be esteemed 2, the first Membrane presented without, is called Cho∣rion from the Greek word Chorein, which sig∣nifies to contain, because it immediately en∣virons the other, which is called Amnios, that is a little lamb, because 'tis to small and thin. Galen, in his 11th book of the use of the parts, calls the Burthen Chorion. But to ren∣der this more intelligible we shall take this

first Membrane for the Chorion, the which may again be separated into 2; though ef∣fectively it be but one. This Chorion is a little rough and unequal throughout the whole outside of it, in which many small captillary Vessels may be observed running quite round, as also many little strings by which it cleaves to every side of the Womb: but it is a little more smooth within, where it joyns every where, and unites with the Amnios, in such a manner, as it appears, as we said, but as one and the same Membrane. This Chorion covers the placenta and cleaves close to the fore part of it, which respects the Infant, by means of the interlacing of an in∣finity of Vessels, and 'tis also principally fast∣ned to the Womb by the whole circumfe∣rence of the placenta, in which part this Mem∣brane is a little thicker.

Then the Amnios, which is the 2d Mem∣brane is 3 times thinner then the Chorion, and is within very smooth, but not just so much where 'tis joyned to the Chorion, This Mem∣brane is so thin that 'tis quite transparent, and hath no Vessels in it, the which makes it so thin, as cannot be imagined without seing. This Amnios doth no ways touch the placenta, though it covers it, but it only lines all the inner part of the Chorion, which is between, and from which it may be wholly separated if it be done with care.

The better to conceive this as it is, and af∣ter what manner these Membranes are in the Womb, consider the composition of a foot-ball; imagining the leather which covers it to be the Womb of a pregnant Woman, and the bladder blown up with wind, within the foot-ball, to be this double Membrane of the Chorion and Amnois, in which are contained together the Child and the waters; and even as the outside of this bladder toucheth every where, because 'tis blown up, the leather of the foot-ball; so in like manner the Mem∣branes of the fetus are joyned on all sides to the Womb; except where the burthen cleaves to it, in which place it passeth above it.

As to the 3d or rather pretended Mem∣brane which Authors call Alantoides, and say 'tis like, a sausage or girdle which surrounds and clothes the Infant from the sword-like gristle to just below the flanks only; 'tis very certain there never was any such thing in any of those Animals whose dams have but one young at a time, no more then Women, as Sheep, Cows, Mares, Asses, nor any other for ought could ever be learned from many curious enquiries.

Sometimes Infants, at their birth, bring forth these Membranes upon their head, and then 'tis said they will be fortunate: which

is a mere kind of superstition, because it hap∣pens from the strength of their substance, so that they cannot break by the impulse of the waters, or the Womens throws in Labor, or because the passages being very large, and the Infant very little, it passeth easily without any violence: and in this respect they may be said to be fortunate, in being born so easi∣ly, and the mother also for being so speedily delivered: For in difficult Labors Children are never born with such caps, because be∣ing tormented and pressed in the passage, these Membranes are broken and remain still there.

Within the Infants Membranes, thus dis∣posed as I have said, are the Waters con∣tained, in the midst whereof it swims, and is seated; the original of which seems very incertain, if we regard the different opinions of Authors upon this subject, some will have them to be the Urine emptied out of the Bladder by the Ʋrachus, because they cannot find the true and easie way for it, and be∣cause their color and savor much resembles the Urine contained in the Bladder. But 'tis very certain that it cannot be so as they aver; because the Ʋrachus is not perforated in the fetus, and it comes not forth of the Navil; for the place where 'tis fastened, is always very like a small Lute-string, through

which it is most certain nothing can pass though never so subtile.

There are others also that will have these waters to be the Urine; but they are of an opinion that it passeth through the Yard whose passage is always open, and not by the Ʋrachus which is never hollow.

Now for my part as it appears to me, with more reason, and as indeed it is, these waters are only generated out of vaporous humidi∣ties, which sweat out and exhale continually out of the Infants body, and meeting these Membranes through which they cannot pass, because they are too thick and close, are turn∣ed into water, which is thus by little and lit∣tle collected, as well during the first months of Conception, the Child not yet quick, as all the remaining part of the time, after it is quick; for vapors pass forth and exhale out of all porous bodies that are hot and moist, as is that of an Embrio; and the reason is ve∣ry weak by which they maintain these wa∣ters to proceed from the Urine, because they are salt as the urine is; For sweat, tears, and other humors which distill and sweat out of the body are as well salt as the Urine; of which the Infant whilst it is in the Womb, cannot have much, no more then dung in the Guts; because it receives no nourishment at the mouth at that time, & that all its superflu∣ous

humors may easily pass away by transpi∣ration, through the substance of all the parts of its body, which is very tender; wherefore I cannot conceive any necessity to oblige them more to empty the Urine, which is in a small quantity in the Bladder, then the excrements which are in the Guts, which is not then done in any manner, but only after the Child is born. Bartholinus and others would have the Infant however to empty its Urine through its Yard, and that these waters pro∣ceed from thence; but there is a greater probability it should be vented by transpira∣tion; for before it is yet fully shaped and quick, there is notwithstanding found a pro∣portionable quantity of these waters to the bigness of its body: which makes it appear that it is then neither the Urine rendred by the Ʋrachus nor Yard, as all the World ima∣gine; and that which proves it more plainly is the example of some Children born with their Yards imperforated, who notwith∣standing have these waters, whilst in the Womb,

And here it must be observed that when there is more then one Child, they are never in the same Membrane, unless their bodies are joined together, which is rare and mon∣strous, but each have their Membranes and waters, apart.

Now these waters thus collected within these Membranes have divers very considera∣ble uses; First, They serve the Infant to move more easily, as it were by swiming from one side to the other, and that it may not hurt the Womb by its frequent motions in striking dry against it, which would cause great pain, and often excite to Abortion; and they serve also very much to facilitate its passage in the birth making the way very slippery, and by that means the orifice of the Womb being moistened is better widened and yielding when they break, just when the Child is ready to follow, or a little before: for else remaining dry it is born with greater difficulty and the Mother also more torment∣ed by it.

And now Mrs. Eutrap. having thus suffici∣ently as I hope, explained the Membranes of the fetus, and the waters contained in them. I think it may not be amiss to say something, in order of inquiring after the parts by which it is nourished whilst in the Womb: and and here Mrs. Eutrap. since, as was said in the beginning that it is only nourished by its Mothers blood; and that I am of opinion that big-bellied Women have none that is fair or good; provident nature hath formed the placenta to serve it for a Magazine, that it may always have sufficient, and be there

again elaborated and perfected, to render it more convenient for its nourishment; for without doubt so gross a blood as the Mo∣thers cannot possibly be converted into its substance, if it were not first purified in the placenta, which is afterwards sent to it by means of the umbelical veins and brought back, as we shall shew hereafter, by the Arte∣ries, which are the conduits of which the Navil-string is composed. We say then that the placenta is nothing but a spungy and fleshy mass somewhat like the substance of the spleen, woven and interlaced with an infi∣nite number of Veins and Arteries, which compose the greatest part of the body, made to receive the Mothers blood appointed for the Infants nourishment.

This mass is so called, because it resembles a cake, also it may be call'd the delivery, be∣cause being come forth after the Child is born the Woman is quite delivered of her burthen, it is also call'd the after-burthen, because it is as a 2d Labor, of which the Woman is not discharged till after the Child be born: some give it the name of liver of the Womb, be∣cause they say it serves as a liver, to prepare the blood appointed for the Infants nourish∣ment, and Laurentius calls it the sweet bread of the Womb, and appoints it the same use, as that of the lower belly, to wit for a rest

and support to the Vessels of the Navil which disperseth an infinite number of branches throughout all its substance.

Now this placenta is made of the menstru∣ous blood of the Mother, which flows into the Womb, by the accumulation of which it is formed; its shape is flat and round, about the bigness of a Trencher, and 2 fingers breadth thick about the middle, where the umbilical Vessels are fastened, but is thinner towards the edges. It is covered with the Chorion and Amnios on the side next the Infant, and on the other side 'tis joined and fastned to the bottom on the inside of the Womb; It is strongest fastned to the Womb (with its cir∣cumference) by the Chorion, which cleaves so close to it by the interlacings of an infinity of Vessels, which appear very large in its sur∣face, that it cannot be separated from it with∣out tearing its substance.

Though there be 2 or 3 Children in the Womb begot in the same act, they have usu∣ally but one common after-burthen, which hath as many Navil-strings as Children, which are notwithstanding separated from one another by their several Membranes, in each being the Children and waters: but if they be superfetations there will be as many burthens as Children; and as superfetations happen but rarely, so there are few Women

that have their burthens separated when they are delivered of several Children.

We scarce find any Creature but a Wo∣man that hath an Afterburthen, like this de∣scribed, and dischargeth it as useless as soon as the Child is born; for most other Animals cast forth nothing after their young, except the waters only and some slimes with the skins which surround them, and in lieu of this fleshy mass, those which, as a Woman, have but one at a time, have only some cotyle∣dones, or many spungy kernels joyn'd inward∣ly to the proper substance of their Womb, which terminates all the branches of the um∣belical Vessels of their Young; which Ker∣nels as I have often observed in cutting up Sheep, when they were not with young, are not bigger then hemp-seed; but when they were with young, they swell'd as big as one thumb, one bigger, and one lesser; and then they resembled the Figure of a round mush∣rome, on the outside, not yet spread after it's cut from its stalk; and to each of these ker∣nels, are fastned the branches of the umbili∣cal Vessels: however those that have more then one at a time, as Bitches, Rabbits, &c. have no kernels; instead of which each young hath in its celule a kind of particular placenta, which the dam eats as soon as she voids it, after she hath knawn off the umbili∣cal

Vessels that hold it. But these thing be∣ing fitter for Physitians and Chyrurgions to be contemplated on, I shall proceed no farther to discourse thereon; and shall only desire you to note, that those Vessels appointed for the nouriture of the fetus are bigger then they are in Men, because of their hollowness, and as soon as the Child is born, dry up, and that part of them which is without the belly falls off, and is separated close to the Navil 5 or 6 days after; for which reason they lose their first use, and begin after to degenerate into suspending ligaments, to wit, the vein into that of the liver, and the 2 Arteries serve to extend and sustain the bladder, by the side, where they are joined to it; the bot∣tom of which is yet suspended by the Ʋrachus, which comes not through the Navil, as hath been said, but remains so pendent all the rest of its life: and now Mrs. I come to know how you use to fetch away the after-burthen, with the string and when 'tis broken.

Mid. That I shall freely do Sir, withal my heart; and therefore Sir you must note that the afterbirth being a useless thing to the Woman when the Child is born, she must im∣mediately after be freed of that also; where∣fore as soon as the Child is born, before I do so much as tye or cut the Navil-string, lest the Womb close, I must without time loose∣ing

ease the Woman of this fleshy mass; To perform which having taken the string, I must wind it once or twice about one or 2 of her fingers of her left hand joyn'd together, the better to hold it, with which she may then draw it moderately, and with her right hand she may only take a single hold of it a∣bout the left, near the Privities, drawing like∣wise with that very gently, resting the while the fore finger of the same hand stretched forth along the string towards the entry of the sheath of the Womb, as may be seen in the annexed Figure, always observing, for the more facility, to draw it from the side where the burthen cleaves least, for in so do∣ing the rest will separate the better; as we see a card which is glewed to any thing is bet∣ter separated from the place where it begins to part then where it is close joyned. But above all things care must be had that it be not drawn forth with two much violence, lest breaking the string near the burthen, I be oblig'd to put up my whole hand into the Womb, to deliver the Woman; or that the Womb, to which it is very strongly fastned sometimes be not drawn forth with it; or a very great flooding be caus'd: wherefore for these reasons it shall be gently shaken and drawn forth by little and little, and to faci∣litate the better its expulsion, the Woman

may the whilst blow strongly into her hands shut, as one does into the mouth of a bottle, to know if it be broke; or put her finger into her Throat, as if she would cause vomiting, or strive as if she were going to stool; bear∣ing always down and holding her breath as she did to bring forth her Child; and if after all this I meet with difficulty, you may, if need be, after you know on which side it is seated, desire an experienced Nurse keeper to press the belly lightly with her flat hand, directing it gently downwards by way of chaffing, not too boistrously.

But if all this be in vain then I must direct my hand into the Womb; to separate it, as you shall hear anon.

Then I must consider if there be all, and take care that the least part remain not, not so much as the skirts, or any clods of blood; and this is the way to deliver a woman of her after-birth; but sometimes the Midwife by endeavouring it breaks the string by pulling too strongly, or because 'tis very weak; or else so putrified when the Child is dead that the least pull breaks it off close to the bur∣then, the which by that means is left behind in the Womb, or because it cleaves to strong∣ly, or the Woman is weak, and cannot ex∣pell it, being much tired by a long Labor, or because it was speedily drawn forth after La∣bor,

the Womb closeth so as it leaves it no passage, and cannot without much difficulty be dilated to fetch it away, because it remains dry after the natural slime and humidities are past: and seeing that if it remain behind 'tis capable of destroying the Woman, we must see to get it away as before, and if the Navil-string happen to break near the burthen, I must immediately introduce my hand into the Womb before it close, being anointed with oyl or fresh butter, to separate it from the Womb gently and draw it forth with the clods of blood that remain. When the Na∣vil string is not broken, it will easily conduct the hand, but when 'tis we have no longer this guide; wherefore I must be then very careful that I be not deceived in taking one part for another; as I once saw a Midwife pull the Womb near the inward orifice in lieu of the burthen.

Assoon then as I have introduced my hand into the Womb towards its bottom, I shall find the burthen which I shall know by a great number of little inequalities, which are al∣ways made there, by the roots of the umbili∣cal Vessels, on the side where they terminate, which makes it to be easily distinguished from the Womb; if it yet cleave to it, notwith∣standing 'tis then a little wrinkled and une∣ven; because its Membranes which were ve∣ry

much inlarged contract themselves imme∣diately after the Child and its waters which kept them extended are excluded, and they that are expert can easily judge of it.

Now if I find the burthen wholly loosen'd from the Womb, it will be easy to draw it forth, when I have got it into my hands, but if it cleaves, finding the side to which it sticks least, I must begin there to separate it gently, by putting some of my Fingers be∣twixt it and the Womb; continuing by lit∣tle and little to do so, till it be quite loose, and then draw it forth very carefully; ob∣serving the whilst, if it cannot be otherwise, rather to leave some part thereof behind, than to scrape or scratch the least part of the Womb, for fear of a flooding, inflammation, or Gangrene, which cause death; being also careful not to draw it forth, till it be wholly or the most part of it separated, for fear of drawing forth the Womb with it, and to pre∣serve it as whole as these cautions will per∣mit, because of shewing it to the company, that they may know I have performed my of∣fice well.

But if the Midwife shall not find the Womb open enough to direct her hand im∣mediately into it, let her presently anoint the Womans Privities with hogs grease then by little and little put up her hand, and let

the Woman contribute as before; but if for all this she cannot void the After-birth, to a∣void a greater mischief I must leave it to na∣ture, assisting her with remedies which sup∣purate: wherefore injections into the womb are proper, made of Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Pellitory of the Wall, and Linseed, in which is to be mixed a good quantity of Oil of Lil∣lies or fresh butter; and to hasten the work give her a strong Clyster, that so by the Mo∣tions to go to stool, it may cause it to be voided, as it hath arrived to many that have rendred it in the Bed-pan; and sometimes when they have least expected it.

At the same time, to prevent a Feaver or many other accidents which usually happen, she may be let blood in the Arm or Foot, ac∣cording as it shall be convenient; and strengthen'd, that the cadaverous vapors coming from the putrifaction of the burthen ascend not to the heart and noble parts, which must be done by good cordials often used, not such as are made of Treacle and Methri∣date, &c. for which no reason can be given, but their specific, or rather imaginary Facul∣ties, and are fitter to cause vomiting, then comfort the heart: But with true Cordials which are such as yield good nourishment, and at the same time comfort the stomach, without offending it, as those drugs do

which are only good for those that sell them.

Wherefore I must order her good broths and gellies; and to drink Orengade or Li∣monade, or to put some Syrup of Lemons in her refreshing Liquors; or if she be free from a Feaver a little wine and water mixed; which is the best and most natural of all Cor∣dials. Besides other remedies must be pro∣vided, according to the accidents that hap∣pen by reason of the staying behind of the burthen; always remembring to bring it a∣way as soon as possible, for as long as it stays in the Womb the woman feels great pains continually, almost like them before her Child was born; and until the whole be void∣ed, the pains will still be repeated although in vain, unless the matter be well disposed before; but the lesser the piece is of the re∣tained burthen, the more difficult 'tis many times to be expelled; because the impulse, the woman can make by helping her throws, are not so great, when the matter contained in the Womb is small, as when 'tis of a con∣siderable bigness; for then 'tis more strong∣ly thrust and compress'd; which is the rea∣son why a woman miscarries with greater difficulty then when brought to bed at her full time.

And here you must know there are divers Midwifes, who having broken the Navil-string as before said, leave their work im∣perfect; and commit the rest to nature's work; but very often the poor woman dyes, because of the great mischiefs which usually happen before the suppuration of the burthen so retained: The which to avoid when they meet with the like case, I would advise them to fetch it away, as I have directed: or if they find themselves uncapable to do it, be∣cause the hand must be put up into the Womb, which is more properly the work of a Physitian or Chyrurgion, expert in those cases; then let them immediately send for one, that so he may be able, before the Womb closeth to introduce his hand, for the longer 'tis deferr'd the more difficult will the work be.

Dr. Hitherto very well Mrs. Eutrap. have you exprest your knowledge and experience in your Art even from the first generation and formation of the Child in the Womb to the bringing of it safely forth into the world; But yet good Mrs. Eutrapelia, there are di∣vers Women that will many times be asking you your advice concerning other distempers that usually attend them, both before Child∣birth, as Barreness &c. and also after they are delivered of their Child, both inward and

outward, because their modesty prompts them, rather to come to you than to the Physitian or Chyrurgion; therefore I would have you to let me know how far your skill and knowledge extends as to these matters; because that if you should at any time be mistaken in your measures in the cure of any of those diseases, I shall freely and candidly assist you with the best of my directions to set all right and streight, as they say, and in good order.

Mid. Honoured Sir, I am so extreamly oblig'd to you, for this kind offer that I know not which way to express my acknowledg∣ment, and I shall most readily answer your request, and therefore shall first begin with a discourse of Barrenness.