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THis word Barrenness or Sterility, is not in this place taken in so strict a sence, as to signifie only a total defect, and perfect abolition of Conception; but in a large and ample signification, so as to comprehend all kind of impotency, and every impediment of Conception: namely, When a woman at such a•• age in which she ought naturally to be capable of Conception, and using the com∣pany
of a man, doth not conceive. And this defect is termed Agonia, or Atecnia, that is, Inability to conceive or bear children.
And this Barrenness or Impotency of Conception, is caused divers waies; all which for cleerness sake, we may reduce to four Heads, according to those four Natural Operations which are required to perfect Conception.
The First of which is, That the Woman in her Genial Embracements, do conveniently receive the Mans Sperm into her Womb.
The Second, That she retain the same a convenient season.
The Third, That she cherish and preserve the same in her Womb▪
The Fourth, That she afford fitting Materials to form the Embryo, or first Conception, and duly to augment the same, as need shall require.
Hence Four Impediments of Conception do arise; viz. If the woman receive not the Seed; If she retain it not; If she preserve and cherish it not; If she nourish it not so as it encrease and grow.
Reception of the Seed is hindered by many Causes; by things Natural, things not Natural, and by things Preternatural. Among things Natural hindering the Reception of the Sperm, in the first place is recko••ed, yongness of Age, in which, by reason of the smalness and straitness of the Genital Parts, the woman cannot receive the mans yard, or not without very great pain, which makes her worse for Genial Embracements. The same effect is caused by over great Age, seeing that in elderly Virgins, the Genital Parts, through want of being exercised in actions tending to Generation, do be∣come withered, flap, and flaggy, and so strait, that they cannot afterwards easily ••dmit a mans Yard. Likewise, all such as are naturally lame, with distorted Legs, and their Crupper-bone de∣pressed, can hardly put themselves into such a convenient posture during the genial Embracement, as a necessary that the Seed may be duly and rightly received. Hereunto add over great fatness, which straitens the Passages of the womb, and by greatness of the Belly, hinders the right and fit Conjun∣ction of the man with the woman. And lastly, a cold distemper of the womb, makes women dull and listless, so that they enjoy no pleasure (to speak of) in the Genial Embracement, or it is long before they are provoked with desire; so that the inner Orifice of the Womb is not timely enough opened to receive the Mans Sperm.
Among things not Natural, Passions of the Mind hold the first rank, and especially hatred between Man and VVife; by means whereof, the VVoman being averse from this kind of pleasure, gives not flown sufficient quantity of Spirits, wherewith her Genitals ought to swel at the instant of Generati∣on, that her womb skipping as it were for joy, may meet her Husbands Sperm, graciously and freely receive the same, and draw it into its innermost Cavity or Closet, and withal bedew and sprinkle it with her own Sperm, powred forth in that pang of Pleasure, that so by the commixture of both, Conception may arise.
The things Preternatural which can hinder the Reception of Seed, are certain Diseases incident to the Genital Parts, or to such as border neer upon them; as Tumors, Ulcers, Obstructions, Astrictions, Shuttings up, Distorsions, Stone in the Bladder, and other such like.
The Second fault in Women, which hinders Conception, viz. When the Seed is not retained, de∣pends either upon the over great moisture of the Womb, namely, when the womb is filled with many excrementitious Humors, by which becoming looser and more flaggy than is fit, it doth not rightly purse and contract it self together, so as to retain the Sperm; or the Orifice of the Womb is so slack that it cannot rightly contract it self to keep in the Seed; which chiefly is caused by Abortion, or hard Labor in Child-birth, whereby the fibres of the Womb are broken in pieces one from another, and they, and the inner Orifice of the Womb over much slackened. And that same immoderate moisture may arise both from the proper Constitution of the woman, and from external causes of moisture, such as Baths, Idleness, moist Diet, and especially from the Whites; which flux of Whites happens very frequently, since the Womb is as it were the Common-shore, whereinto all the parts of the Body do discharge their Superfluities, so that this is wont to be the most frequent and ordinary Cause of Barrenness.
The Third Cause hindering Conception, viz. When the Sperm is not sufficiently nourished in the Womb, depends upon such things as are apt to corrupt the Seed, as every distemper of the womb; namely, a cold distemper, which extinguisheth the Seed; an hot distemper, which dissipates the Spi∣rits; a moist distemper, which robs the Seed of its due thickness; and a dry distemper consumes and drinks up the Seed: and thus the Seed being by these distempers corrupted and degraded from its natural Constitution, becomes unfit for Conception. To these Causes, Authors do add Witch∣crafts, and Charms, by which all confess that Conception may be hindered. Likewise external things, as Meats and Poysons may do as much, such as are reckoned up by Authors, viz. Among Meats, Vinegar, Mint, Water-Cresses, Beans, and such like: and among Poysons, or at least such things as have a certain venemous property causing Barrenness, The Agate or Jet, ••he Matrix of a
Goat or Mule, Glow-worms, Sapphires, Smaragds, and the like. And lastly, Malignant and vene∣mous Diseases, may exceedingly corrupt the Seed, and render it unfit for Generation, as the Con∣sumption, Leprous Infections, Whores-Pox, stinking and cancerated Ulcers.
The Fourth and last Cause of Barrenness, viz. When the woman doth not yield convenient mat∣ter to form the Conception, and to augment the same, depends upon a want of Seed and Menstrual blood; so over yong women and over old, do not conceive, through want of both those Materials. The Age of a woman fit for to conceive, is commonly determined to be from the fourteenth to the fiftieth yeer of her Age. Yea, and though those foresaid Materials are not wanting, if yet they are ill disposed, they are not fit for Generation. And they may be ill disposed through divers distem∣pers, and other Diseases; likewise by reason of bad Diet, producing none of the best blood. So wo∣men which gorge themselves with much raw fruit, and cold smal drink, breed wheyish blood unfit for Generation. Yet we must needs confess, that some women have conceived who never had their Courses, as may be collected out of the Observations of divers Authors; yet so much Menstrual blood was collected in those women, as useth to remain over and above in such as have their Courses, though they had not so much as to cause their monthly Courses.
To the Causes hitherto mustered up, must be added a certain disproportion or unsutableness be∣tween the Mans Sperm, and the Womans, which makes they cannot be rightly mingled, nor conspire to the Joynt-making up of an Embrion or Rudimental Infant; though there be in the mean while, no sensible defect, either in the Man or Wife. And it somtimes happens, that the same man can have a child by another woman, and the same woman by another man; whereas they have lived together in the married estate barren. It comes likewise to pass, That a woman shall live with a man for ten or more yeers together, and not conceive child, and afterward shall begin to conceive and bring forth: the Cause of which accident is, The change of Temperature caused by yeers, whereby the Seed comes to have another temper, so that being before disproportioned to the mans Seed, it comes by change of Age to be fitly proportioned thereunto. Now this disproportion of Seeds, consists chiefly herein; When men much exceeding in some quality belonging to their temper▪ are joyned with wo∣men which partake of the self same excess, viz. When over hot men are joyned with over hot wo∣men, over cold men with over cold women; for those distemperatures can procure no mediocrity in the Seeds, and other causes necessary to Generation. Some fly likewise to occult or hidden qualities, which make the Sperms to agree, or disagree, though no excess of the first qualities can be dis∣cerned.
To these Authors add an hidden kind of Disposition, which makes some women barren, though no manifest cause of such Barrenness appear in them.
The Signs of Barrenness, we will run over according to these four sorts of Causes pro∣pounded.
And in the first place, Causes hindering Reception of Seed are not hard to be discovered, being e∣vident to our very Sences. For tenderness of Age is easily observed, and so is an over elderly state of yeers; and the evil constitution of those parts which border upon the womb, as when women halt, have crooked wreathen Legs, have their Crupper-bone deprest, or are over fat; as for the cold di∣stemper of the womb, we shall treat of that in our third Rank of Causes. Hatred between Man and Wife is known by relation of themselves, or of those that live with them. Also the particular Diseases hindering the reception of Seed, as Tumors, Ulcers, Obstructions, Astrictions, shuttings up, Distorsions, may be known through search of the Genital Parts made by a Midwife or Chy∣rurgion.
Of the Causes hindering the retention of Seed, which make the second Rank, we shall treat of o∣ver great moisture among those of the third Rank; as for Abortion and hard Travel, they are known by the womans relation.
The Causes of the third Rank, viz. Which have power to corrupt the Seed to require more ex∣quisite signs to know them by, which we shall prosecute as followeth.
A Cold Distemper of the Womb, is hereby known, In that the Woman longs not after Carnal Embracements, and feels little pleasure therein; her Face is soft, whitish, and cloudy; her feeling is dull about her Share, Loyns, and Thighs; she voids thin and crude Sperm, and with little pleasure; her Courses are suppressed, or they come every sparingly, and keep no constant orderly time, and they are pale and discolored. Add hereunto, Diet preceding of a cooling Nature, consisting of a long use of Fruits and Herbs, with much drinking of cold smal Drink.
A moist distemper of the womb is known by the lax, and slap, flaggy, soft habit of the womans body, her much sitting, frequent and almost continual flux of Whites; plenty of Courses, thin and watry, no appetite to fleshly Conjunctions, heaviness of her Loyns, aptness to miscarry, plenty of Urine, and a moist Diet.
An hot Distemper is known, by the manly and strong habit of the womans Body, such as is seen in Viragoes and Amazones; by a ruddy countenance, black hair of the Head and Eye-brows; a strong
and manly voyce; she is frequently disposed to be angry, over prompt to all kind of actions, he•• thirst cannot be satisfied, her Urine is yellow, her Courses few, their color is a dark red, their heat and acrimony so great, that oftentimes they exulcerate the secret Passages; their Privities itch, and they are prone to carnal Embracements; they are quick and suddain in the voiding of their Seed; they have frequent Pol••••tions, and lustful Dreams.
A dry distemper of the womb is known by the smal quantity of Courses; driness, itching, and choppings of the Mouth of the Womb; little excretion of Sperm in the Genial Embracement; trouble arising from over much carnal Conjunction, and Leanness.
If the Seed be corrupted, and Barrenness caused by Witch-craft, all other signs will be absent, which are wont to declare the Natural and manifest causes of Barrenness. There will be likewise some alienation of minds between the married Couple, of which neither of them can give any hand∣som account; yea, and somtimes they can both of them, but seldom shoot forth their Seed, and that with Labor and Difficulty.
Diet or poysons that extinguish Seed, if they have been taken in, we shall come to knowledg there∣of, by diligent questioning of the woman, and those that are about her.
And lastly, Malignant Diseases, such as are of power to extinguish the Sperm, as Leprous Man∣giness, the Whores-Pox, and such like, are known by their proper signs.
The fourth Cause of Barrenness, which consists in defect or badness of the Menstrual blood, is known, first by the over great fatness of the whol Body, to the nutriment whereof the blood is carry∣ed away▪ and consumed, and is not allowed for the nutriment of the child in the womb. The same is likewise known by great Leanness of the Body, and extream slenderness; ••••r when there is not blood enough to nourish the Body, it can hardly superabound to nourish the Conception.
And in a word, All such things as consume, and much diminish the blood, if they have preceded, or be at present in the Patient, they signifie want of blood in her body; such as are, extream labors and pains-taking, imm••derate sitting up, and watching, austere fastings, large bleedings at nose or elsewhere, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or chronical Feavers Fistulous Ulcers, and Issues that run much.
〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, over great quantity of blood, doth hinder the nourishment of the Seed, and of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉; for the Seed is oppressed with so great plenty, and cannot exerci••e its formative fa∣culty: which is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to happen in full bodyed, and ruddy women, such as live a 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, and de∣light ••n Feasting, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wombs are alwaies bedabled with a continual moisture.
Now the 〈…〉〈…〉 on of the womans blood, may be known by the ill habit of her Pody, the color of her 〈…〉〈…〉 her strange dispositions, together with an ill diet foregoing.
The 〈…〉〈…〉 and the Wi••es Seed is hardly known; but if both of them be of a very hot, or a very hot 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Constitution, we may conjecture, That the disproportion 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from those distempers; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more manifest causes of Barrenness, do not appear.
It is yet harder 〈…〉〈…〉 hat kind of Barrenness which depends of a certain hidden disposition, no manifest 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereof appearing. Yet many Experiments are related by Authors, whereby to know whether a Woman be ••••turally Barren, which though they carry no great certainty with them, yet are Physitians 〈…〉〈…〉 somtimes to make use of them, in favor of Princes and Nobles, who are permitted to divorce their Wives, in case of Barrenness.
Hippocrates in ••phor. 59. Sect. 5. saith, If a Woman conceive not, and thou wouldest know whether she shall conceive or not cover her with blankets, and burn some perfume under her, and if the smell proceed through her Body, up to her Nostrils and Mouth, know that she of her self is not Barren.
The same Hippocrates supposeth that it may be known whether a woman be fruitful or not, by putting a head of scraped and peeled Garlick into her Womb; for if the next day the smel shall come into her mouth, she is apt to conceive; if not, she is barren.
Or put Galbanum softened at the fire, and enclosed in Silk, into the womans womb at night, and bind her whol head in perfumed Linnen; if in the morning the crown of her head shall smel of Galba∣num, the woman is wel purged, and wil be fruitful.
You may try the same, if you put a little Balsom mingled with Water, and received in Cotton, in∣to the Womb, binding it with a string to her Thigh; for if the womb do draw it inwards, it is a most approved sign of fruitfulness.
Amatus Lusitanus commends this following as a most true sign: He takes a dram of a Hares Run∣net, which dissolved in warm water, he gives the woman to drink, being in a bath of hot water, and fasting. If the Woman do then feel pains in her Belly, he pronounceth her fruitful; if not, barren.
Many seek to know the Barrenness of a woman by her Urine, wherein they steep Barley: which Barley, if it grow within ten daies, they count it a sign of Fruitfulness; if not, they account it a cer∣tain token of Barrenness.
And others, Finally, do powr the Womans water upon Bran or Fenugreek, and take it for a note of barrenness, if Worms breed there.
For a Conclution to these Discoveries, We shall diligently consider and enquire, whether Con∣ception and Generasion be not hindred by fault of the Man, or any defficiency in him. For in such a Case, it were vainly done to torment the Woman with a multitude of Medicines. Barrenness pro∣ceeding from the Man, may be known by the diseases of his Genital parts, as inability to raise his Yard, want of Sperm, Swelling of his Stones, Gonorrhoea, and the rest. And it gives some token here∣of, if the Man be faint hearted and Womanish by Nature, if he want a Beard, be slow in casting forth his Sperm, and his Sperm be cold, so that his Wife feel it cold in her Womb; if he have little or no Lust to Carnal Embracements, and perceive very little pleasure therein. And lastly, If such Cau∣ses have preceded which are of power to make the Seed unfruitful.
The Prognostick must be regulated according to the Method of the Causes, as we have ranked them.
And in the first place, Tenderness of Age hinders conception only for a time, which cannot be ex∣pected till the Woman is more grown. But Elderly years cause a Total dispaire of Conception. But if the Parties Courses do as yet proceed, in due season, there may be yet some hope of Concep∣tion; howbeit very smal, especially in such Women as are at the fortieth yeer of their Age; for al∣though Women that have had Children younger, are likewise wont to Conceive at that Age; yet such as have never been with Child, have little reason to hope that they shal Conceive at that Age, because the Womb having been so long unimployed, is become withered, shrunken up and unfit to Conceive Child.
Barrenness which is caused by an evil shape of the Members, as in such as are Lame, have distor∣ted Thighs, or their Crupper-Bone depressed; is incurable.
But if Barrenness proceed from over Fatness, or some distemper of the womb not over old, the cure is to be hoped, by procuring leanness and by correcting the Distempers.
That Barrenness which is caused by other diseases, as by a Swelling, an Ulcer, Obstruction, whites, want of Courses, falling of the Womb, Consumption, Leprous Mangyness, Whores-Pox, and such like; is easier or harder to cure, according as the said diseases are either easie to be cured or hard.
For the Cure of this disease, whichsoever of the causes aforesaid hath produced the same; we must seek the removal thereof.
And in the first place, the straitness of the Genital Parts in regard of youngness of Age, needs no cure; for as Age encreases, they attain to a convenient wideness. But in the mean time, it is necessary that the Party abstain from Carnal Conjunction; because the oversoon use thereof, doth spoil the natural constitution of those parts.
Barrenness which is caused by lowness of stature, or Elderliness of years, is incurable, yet endeavour may be used to help the same, by Emollient and Relaxing Medicaments, provided the Courses do still slow.
Over great Corpulency, must be corrected by an extenuating Diet and convenient Evacuations.
If Barrenness seem to arise from a bad Course of Diet, as in persons given over much to Belly∣cheer, to Wine, or small Drink, such women are to be reduced to an exact Course of Life; and all excess of eating and drinking must be avoided.
Viragoes and strong constitution'd women, such as come neer to the Nature of Men, that they may be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fit for conception, must by all the art possible be effeminated, and reduced to such manners as become their sex; all meats of grosser nourishment being forbidden them, and all labours and exercises; their Courses being made conveniently to flow, by plenty whereof they may be abated of their manly courage, and grow soft and gentle. And if their monthly courses shall not su••fice to that end, their humors must be diminished, by frequent Blood-letting, and purging; and by frequent bathing and other alteratiue remedies, the whole habit of their Bodys must be moistened and cooled.
If Barrenness be caused by Closure of the Womb, by distorsion, by obstructions, by Tumors or Ulcers; all these must be remedied by such Medicaments as are propounded in those Chapters which treat of their Respective cures.
Barrenness depending upon an hidden property in the woman which is natural to her, is incurable, and therefo••e it ought diligently to be enquired after, least remedies be applied in Vain.
If Barrenness come by witch-craft, Charming, or hidden power of Medicaments, there is little place for Physick; but the party must have recourse to prayers and supplications, which being Zealously poured forth, by men eminent in piety, do procure Help from the Almighty.
Howbeit against Medicines which by a secret power do cause barrenness, certaine Amulets are propounded by Authors, which have a peculiar vertue to resist the malignity of such Medicaments. Cardan will have it, that the Pizzle of a Wolf worn about the woman, will frustrate all such
Incantations and fascinations. Others do much commend the Adamant and the Hyacinth Stone. The Antients called Saint John-wort, the Divel-driver. The same vertue is likewise attributed to the Squil or Sea-Onion, to Eryngus, ••agapenum, Rue, & other things, being worn by Man & Wife. Also cer∣tain it is, that for the parties concerned, to endeavour confidently to despise and slight all Charmes and Witch-crafts, is very profitable in this case. Also (if the Author of the Witch-craft be not known) it is good for them to Change their Habitation, and to forsake their Houses, Beds, wearing Cloathes, and other Houshold stuff, wherein the Charmes are oftentimes concealed.
If an hot Distemper be the cause of Barrennes, the same Cure is to be used, which was described in the hot distemper of the Liver. But if the Excess of Heat be yet more violent, recourse must be had to those things which have bin described in our Chapter of Womb-fury. But the camphire must be let out of those Medicines, Because it is held to be a very great Enemy to fruitfullness.
Extream Dryness, hindring Conception, must be cured by a restorative Diet; and if the Con∣sumption of the flesh be much, we must have recourse to the Cure of an Hectick feaver viz. Use of Milk, frequent Bathing, and such like.
But the most frequent Cause of Barrenness is a cold and moist distemper of the whol Body and of the Womb, which is often accompanied with the Whites, whose particular Cure must be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from its proper Chapter. But the following Medicaments may be peculiarly applied to these distempers, which by a discreet Physitian may be varied; so as to make them more heating or drying, according as Moisture shall the more offend.
And in the first place flegmatick humors abounding in the Body are to be evacuated by purging, diuretick and sudorisick Medicaments. And certain Revulsions are to be made, by ••ssues in the Armes, Neck, or thighs. Also the principal parts are to be strengthened with Treacle, Mithri∣date, Tablets or Lozenges of Aromaticum Rosatum, Confection of Alkemies and such like. Also Purgations must be repeated at certain distances of time, if Evil humors do s••em to abound.
Afterward we must proceed to such things, which do by a peculiar virtue or spec••••ck property strengthen the Womb, help Conception, and procure desire of fleshly Imbracements, of which kind of Medicaments there are innumerable formes described by Authors. We shall in this place chuse out the principal and set before you,
And in the first place, An Electuary may thus be made.
Take Roots of Eryngus and Satyrion candied or preserved, of each one ounce. Green Ginger candied, half an ounce. ••i••bert Kernells, Pine-Kernells, and Pistachio•• of each six drams: one preserved Nutmeg. Seeds of Rocket and Water-Cresses of each two drams. ashes of a Bulls Pizzle, the Reins of the Sea-Scinkos and shavings of Ivory, of each one dram. Confection of Alkermes three drams. The Pouders D••amb••a and D••amoschum Dulce, of each one ounce and a half. Amber Greece half a dram. With Syrup of Preserved Citrons, make an Electua••y. of which let her take the quantity of a Chessnut, a•• her lying down to sleep, twice or thrice in a week, drinking a small draught of Canary Sack or Hyppocras, after it.
In the form of a Pouder, the following Medicaments may be administred.
Take Seeds of Rocket, Siler Montanum, of each half a dram, shavings of Ivory, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, of each a dram, Musk (in such as can away with it) three grains. White Sanders three drams. Mix them and make of all a Pouder. The Dose is one dram in Canary. Or
Take Seeds of Rocket, wild Parsnep, Cinnamon, Pouder of the Nutmeg, Electuary Diambrae and Diamoschus, of each one dram: the Matrix of an Hare, a Bores-stones, a staggs Pizzle, Cloves, of each half a dram: Musk and Amber-greece, of each six graines, Sugar the weight of all the rest. Mingle them, make them into Pouder, whose Dose is two drams with rich Canary.
The Afterbirth of a woman is believed to be of great efficacy, being dried and Poudered and taken to the quantity of a dram.
Some Reckon as a secret the Pouder of the Liver and Stones of a Boare-Pig which the Sow his Mother farrowed alone without any Brothers or Sisters by him. This Pouder they say cures Bar∣renness both in men and women.
Matthiolus in his Comments upon Dioscorides cries up the Seed of the Herb Amy, in these words: The Seed of the true Amy, which is brought from Alexandria, does exceedingly help the Barrenness of women. For experience hath shewn, that many have bin made fruitful only by the use of this Seed. For if it be drunk a drams weight in a morning in strong Wine, or in broath of flesh, being finely Poudered, every other day three hours before Meat, it gives great hopes of Children. But the Man must have to do with his Wife only on those daies in which she does not take the Seed.
In such women whose bowells are apt to be Inflamed, the shavings of Ivory will be very good, taken to the quantity of a dram in White Wine, for four or five daies together, after the monthly Purgation.
The Essence of Satyrion, described by Crollius, is most excellent in this case, if it be given from a scruple and two scruples, to a dram, in a Cup of Muscadine.
Salt of the said Satyrion is also very effectual, given to the quantity of ten grains in Muscadine, af∣ter the Courses.
Divers Decoctions are wont to be made to the same intent. The most effectual, are these which follow:
Take Eryngo Roots one ounce: Mugwort, Nep, of each a handful: Boyl them in white Wine. Give a Cu•• of the Decoction morning and evening, with a dram of Tryphera Magna, made with∣out Opium, nine daies together.
Quercetanus highly commends this which followeth:
Take of the Stones of a Ram prepared with Wine and dried, the Matrix of an Hare prepared after the same manner and dried, Mace, Cinnamon, Cloves, white Ginger, Seeds of Ammeos, of each two drams: Saffron a dram and an half: Hazel-nut Kernels, and Pistachios, of each three drams. Beat such of these as require beating, and boyl all in a quart of Muscadine till a third part be consumed. Let her take three or four ounces of this Decoction in a morning three hours before meat, and that three daies together; and upon the fourth let her lie with her Hus∣band.
The distilled Water following, is likewise very effectual.
Take of Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, Mace, of each an ounce: Cubebs, long Pepper, Galan∣gal Zedoary, Seeds of Ameos, Seseleos, of each half an ounce: Juniper Berries one dram: rich white Wine, Rosemary Water, Marjoram water, Balm water, of each as much as shall suffice. Let them digest together six daies, and then distil them, and give of the stilled Water morning and eve∣ning two or three spoonfuls.
Pena and Lobellius propound as a Secret not to be communicated to any living Creature, the di∣stilled Oyl of the smaller, and more delicate sort of sweet Marjoram, mingled with the Runnet of an Hare, and a little Musk, to facilitate Conception.
If a woman upon the fourth day of her monthly Purgations, shall drink about half a pint of the Juyce of Sage with a little Salt, and a quarter of an hour after submit her self to the Genial Embrace∣ments of her Husband, many grave men affirm, she will undoubtedly conceive. With which Medi∣cine, Aetius testifies that the Aegyptian Women after a great mortality by Pestilence, had abundance of Children.
To the foresaid internal Medicaments, external Medicaments must be joyned. In the use whereof, it is diligently to be observed, that before we go about to dry, bind, and corroborate the womb, that the filth contained in the Cavity thereof be first drawn away and purged, lest it either flow back in∣to the noble parts of the Body, or be more affixed to the substance of the Womb. First therefore such things must be given as purge the womb, after this manner compounded:
Take Diaphoenicon and Hiera Picra, of each half an ounce: Turpentine and Honey of Mer∣cury, of each one ounce: Castoreum a dram. Mix all, and according to art bring them to such a constitution as shall be fit to make Pessaries, to put in••o the Womb. Or,
Take of Hiera Picra half an ounce: Agaricktrochiscated and poudered, Orice Roots of Flo∣rence, of each one dram: old Mithridate, and Diaphoenicon, of each two drams. With Juyce of Mercury, make a Pessary. Roul it in a cloth, put it up when she goes to bed, and let her keep it two or three hours.
If the Womb be very full of Excrements, a more strong Pessary must be put in, after this following Injection.
Take Leaves of Wormwood, Mugwort, Mercury, and Rue, of each one handful and an half: Pulp of Coloquintidaten grains: Agarick trochiscated half a dram: Ginger and Myrrh, of each a scruple, Boyl all in water and white wine to a pint, wherein dissolve two ounces of Honey of Roses. Let three ounces of this Liquor be injected into the Womb for three daies together, in the morning, and when she goes to bed, after her Courses have done. Then put up this following Pessary.
Take Hiera Picra, and Benedict a Laxativa, of each an ounce: the pulp of Coloquintida, and Agarick trochiscated, of each half a dram: Spicknard, Seeds of the Roman Nigella, Savin Leaves poudered, of each a dram: Incorporate them with Honey of Rosemary flowers, and in∣clude them in a piece of Silk. Make Pessaries hereof, and put one into her womb, when she is going to bed, and let it bide there two hours, and afterward wash the part with white Wine.
To strengthen, fasten, and dry the womb, these following Medicaments may be used:
Take Roots of round Birthwort half an ounce: Lignum Aloes three drams: Cypress Nuts and Roots, of each two drams: Calamus Aromaticus a dram: Dictamnus Creticus, Winter Savory, and Mirrh Leaves, of each one handful: choyce Mirrh, Storax, and Benjamin, of each two drams and an half: Stoechados, Rosemary flowers, and Marjoram, of each one pugil: Boyl
all in a sufficient quantity of strong white Wine. In a pint and an half of the strained Liquor dis∣solve two drams of Troches of Alipta Moschata, Amber-greece, and Musk, of each seven grains: Civet five grains. Make hereof an Injection into the Womb warm, morning and night for certain daies together.
Before or after the Injection, this following Fumigation may be used:
Take Troches of Gallia and Alipta Moschata, of each two drams: Storax, Benjamin, and pure Ladanum, of each half an ounce: Lignum Aloes, and Lignum Rhodium, of each one dram: Nigella Seeds, Cubebs, and Cloves, of each four scruples: Amber, and Tacamahacca, of each one dram and an half: Mace half a dram. Make of all a Pouder, of which with Orange∣flower water, wherein Gum Tragacanth is dissolved, make little Cakes or Troches: of which, let one or two be laid upon burning coals, and let the smoak be received by a Funnel into the Patients Womb.
The poorer sort may be smoaked with Mirrh, Frankincense▪ Lignum Aloes, Storax, Benjamin, Cin∣namon, and Cloves, of each a like quantity. After the Injection and Fumigation, let the following Pessary be put up.
Take Frankincense, Mastich, of each two drams: Troches of Gallia and Alipta Moschata, of each four scruples: Bistort Roots, Cypress nuts, Shavings of Ivory, and red Roses, of each one dram: Styrax, Benjamin, and Ladanum, of each two scruples: Calamus Aromaticus, and Cy∣press Roots, of each half a dram. Make them into a Paste with Orange-flower Water: then with thin linnen cloth, make two Pessaries of sufficient greatness; one of which put up when she goes to bed, anointing the top thereof with a little Oyl of Nutmegs and Civet mingled together.
It is furthermore related of Garden Garli••k, That if it be beaten with Oyl of Spike, and thrust into a piece of Linnen made like a Pudding bag, and so put up far within the Womb, that it power∣fully brings down the Courses being stopt, and wonderfully delights the womb, and purgeth it: so that hereby, many have been brought to conceive Children, who for a long time had been past al hope of ever having any.
Before the strengthening Injections and Fumigation, a Bath to sit in may be used for an hour to∣gether, before the Patient goes to bed; and it may be thus prepared.
Take Roots of Briony, Master-wort, ••alerian, Orice, Enula Campana, of each three ounces: Leaves of Marjoram, Mugwort, Nep, Penyroyal, Mercury, Sage, Bay, of each four handfuls: Bay-berries, and Juniper Berries, of each an ounce: Boyl all, and make thereof a Bath for the Patient to sit in.
As for total Baths, such as arise from Brimstony and Bituminous Mines, are most excellent; and very many women in this Condition, do flock unto such Baths, as to a Sanctuary.
After Bathing and Fumigation, the Share, and the space between the Privities and Fundament, must be anointed with this following Oyntment:
Take Oleum Nardinum, & Moschatellinum, of each an ounce and an half: Oleum Cheirinum half an ounce: Pouders Diambrae, and Diamoschi, of each one dram an half: Liquid Storax one dram: Civet ten grains: Musk, Amber-greece, of each six grains: a little white Wax. Mix all, and make them into an Oyntment: Wherewith let the parts aforesaid be anointed. With∣in let her be nointed with Civet, or Indian natural Balsom. Or let the Man smear his Yard with Civet immediately before he joyn himself.
Finally, Let Plaisters be applied to the Share, and to the Loyns, which let her wear continually, or at least every night, until the last week, in which her Courses are wont to flow. Let them be made after this manner:
Take of the Rowl of Emplastrum pro Matrice four ounces: Of the Rowl of Emplastrum de Mastiche two ounces: Tacamahacca, and Caranna, of each one ounce: Pouder of Tormen∣til and Bistort Roots, of each three ounces: Pouder of Mirtle two drams: Pouder of Aromati∣cum Rosatum four scruples: Soften them with Oyl of Quinces, adding thereto a dram of Oyl of Nutmegs. Spread it upon Leather, and shape two Plaisters, the one round to be applied to the Share; the other square for the Loyns of the Patient.