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. IX. Of the curdling of the Milk in the Breasts.

BEcause her Body was much mov'd dure∣ing Labor; in the beginning of Child∣bed her Milk is not well purified, and is mixt with many other humors, which, if 01 they are then sent to the Breasts in too great quantity, cause an Inflammation, but when the Child hath suck'd 15 or 20, or more days, then only the Milk, without other mixture contain'd there; which sometimes curdles, and the Brests become hard and rugged, without any redness, and the separation of all the kernels fill'd with curdled Milk may easily be perceived; she finds a great pain, and cannot milk them; with a shivering, chiefly about the middle of her Back, like Ice; which is usually follow'd by a Feaver of 24 hours long, and sometimes less; if it do not turn in∣to an Inflammation of the Breasts, which it will undoubtedly do, if it be not em∣••ied, scater'd and dissolv'd.

This clodding comes mostly because the Breasts are not fully drawn; either for that she hath too much Milk; or the Child is too weak to such all, or because she doth not desire to be a Nurse: for the Milk staying in the Breasts looseth its sweetness, and by sowring curdles. This may also happen from taking cold, or not covering her Breasts.

The readiest and surest remedy, from what cause soever, is speedily to draw the Breasts, till they be empty'd, and if the Child cannot, because she is hard milched, let a Woman, till it comes freely, and then the Child will; and that she may not after breed more Milk then the Child can draw, let her dyet breed but little nourishment, and keep her body always open. But when she neither can nor will be Nurse, then her Breasts must not be drawn; for drawing more humors, the Disease will return, if not again emptied. Wherefore 'tis necessary to prevent come∣ing of any more Milk, and to scatter that which is there; by empting the fulness of the body by bleeding i'th Arm and Foot; and strong Clysters, and purging if need∣full; and to resolve the curdled Milk, ap∣ply

a pultis of pure Honey; or of pow∣der of Linseed, Fenugreek, Beans and Vet∣ches, boild in a decoction of Sage, Smal∣lage, Fennel, Milk, adding Oil of Camomil; anointing with the Oil first.