The method of chemical philosophie and physick. Being a brief introduction to the one, and a true discovery of the other. namely, of diseases, their qualities, causes, symptoms, and certain cures. The like never before extant in English.

CHAP. XXXI. Of the Symptoms and Causes of the Womb.

PAracels. (lib. 11. paragr. fol. 412) saith* 1.1 that there are two diseases in the Ma∣trix, viz. Retention and Superfluity; the menstruum is an excrement of the Ma∣trix, &c. The superfluity of the menstruum's vacuation is caused from the poyson of Mars which is the fountain and original of* 1.2 all fluxes. The Gonorrhaea is a dissolution or paralysis of the genital members, Cap. 8. de gutta. It is called the strangling of the womb, the Suffocation of the Matrix, because it stran∣gles the spirits of the members with poyson lying in the Matrix as in the centre and bursting forth. Thurnens. in herbario fol. 12. saith, that it is a species of the Epilepsie, Paracels. fol. 71. & 81. calls it the falling disease of the matrix. You may read more in Paracels. lib. de amentibus, titled de suffocatione intellectus. So also de caducis lib. 2. part. ••. de caduco matricis. Paracels. lib. de Icteritia cap. 2. annotat. The precipitation and suffoca∣tion* 1.3 is nothing else than a Jaundise of the Matrix. You may read the cure of them both in the same place Cap. 3. fol. 353. 354. lib. de caduco 9. de caduco matricis fol. 416. Paracels. in his archidox sets down the magistery of the milt of an oxe for a specifical me∣dicament* 1.4 of the Matrix, for to provoke the menstruum in the suppression; this (he faith) is a most excellent medi∣cament. The essence of Corals, the oyl of Iron or pota∣ble Iron, have the Pre-eminence in restriction or bind∣ing. Paracels. rehearses in his cures that a certain wo∣man had the Flux of the menstruum very long, and so

abundantly that she often fell into a deliquium animi, and he cured her with the oyl of Vitriol in the water of Plantain, and of Corneola. The magistery of the Loadstone (from anatomy and the signed art) effects the same in the Flux of the menstruum, the stellicidium or dropping, and the white Flux of the womb. The diseases of Mars are those which are perfectly cured by the spirit of Iron existing in the Loadstone. The specifical medi∣cine is Arsemart, Shepherds purse put in the shoes, Lau∣danum Perlatum without the musk of aramanthis drunk in white wine restrains the aboundance of menstruum▪ Mathiolus in Dioscordium commends the preparation of Corals for the restraining of the menstruum and Flux. Read I heophrast. tract. 3. praeparat. lib. 1. tract 2. Tro∣chisks of terra sigillata stay all the Fluxes of bloud, as also the Haemorrhoids, the Gonorrhaea in women is cu∣red in women (as likewise in men) by the magistery of Pearls from the signed art of the Heaven, for the Marga∣rites and Pearls are begot from seed; that poisonful matter which follows the lues Venerea, pertains to the cure of the lues Venerea. The root of Briony which hath boyled in wine is profitable for the strangling of the Matrix. Matthiolus says, I knew a woman ob∣noxious almost every day for many years unto the Strangling of her privity, and she was cured by drink∣ing white wine, in which the root of Briony had boiled, after she went to bed, and she used this medicament for a years space, and afterward she felt no annoyance or hurt. Three drops of the spirit of the Vitriol of Cop∣per taken in liquor is a most excellent medicament against all the affects of the matrix. So also take Sal armonia∣cum and a little more of Saffron, pulverise them, and give it in wine. It is certain and approved that Harts∣horn pulverised, and given in hot wine is effective and profitable in the Cholick of the Matrix; so also terra si∣gillata

given with hot wine is very profitable. A spe∣cifical remedy of the suffocation of the Matrix or Strangling of the womb, Take the Fig of the flesh, put* 1.5 it upon the coals, and make that a smoak ascend through womens privity unto the Matrix. Paracels. lib. de Icte∣ro cap. 3. fol. 356. saith, that the liquor of the herb Dogs tongue, and the secret of the water of Balmmint are very available. Thomas Muffetus (in his Epistle 279. perchance fol. 179.) saith, thou hast a singular remedy. Take the mossiness of the Wallnut and dry them, bruise them into powder, and let there be given of it—with two drops of the oyl of Amber. I never found any medicine more excellent then this for this affect. For the falling down of the Matrix, take such a ball as children use to play with in Medows or gar∣dens, and rowl it or cover it with new melted wax, which hath a string fastened to it somewhat strongly, with which ball rowl••d in wax (after the Matrix is inclosed and thrust in) you must stop the fundament lest it fall down again; in the next place take Balmmint, Cumin, Mint, Crispa, the red Mugwort, Wormwood, and red roses, put them together in a bag, and let them be boiled in di∣stilled Vinegar of wine, and put them hot in the funda∣ment, administer also the oyl of Mir••h, and the spirit of Turpentine drops 4. in the water Nicotiana or Tabacus.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The superfluous Flux of the Menstruum is an immode∣rate and preternatural e∣vackation of menstruous bloud forth of the veins of the Matrix, which brings an hurt to the whole body.
• * 1.2

  The Gonorrhaea is a pre∣ternatural and involuntary Flux of seed forth of thei vessels.
• * 1.3

  The Suffocation of the ma∣trix is a preternatural as∣cending of the womb to∣wards the superiour parts hindring the motion of the Diaphragma.
• * 1.4

  The Cure.
• * 1.5

  Theophrast. tract. 2. cap. 4.