or frowardness of the Childing woman, which will not abide in such a posture nor use such endea∣vours as are necessary to this work; the over great weight of the Infant, by which the Navil-string is broak unawards and the secundine is left within; and the Error of an unexperienced Midwife, which cuts the Navil-strings too soon, or holds them not fast in her le••t Hand; as she ought to do, for if she let them go, they are drawn back into the Womb, and there lie hid with the After-Birth, which they ought to have holpen to pull out.
The Tokens of a Secundine retained are needless, its apparant of it self; yet somtimes a bit there∣of is severed from the whol and retained, which is not so easie to be known; yet it may be known, be∣cause the Womb after the Birth, doth yet labor to cast somwhat forth, although those endeavors are not so great as formerly; there is perceived in the womb, a sence of pain and heat, and after certain daies, a ••ilthy and carrion-like smel exhales from the Womb.
The Retention of the Secundine is a very dangerous thing, and if it continue some daies in the womb, it acquires a silthy putrefaction, whence ariseth an acute Feaver, aptness to vomit, fain∣ting, difficulty or breathing, a Diaphoretick Sweat, Coldness of the extream parts, Hysterical Fits, Fits of Falling-sickness, and at last death it self.
Hippocrates in the Second Book of Popular Sicknesses, by the example of a certain Carriers Wife, doth hint unto us, That it is good in this case, when corrupt blood doth suddenly come from the womb in large quantities, for it is hopeful, that those Membranes being rotted and wasted, will flow forth upon the sixth or seventh day.
The After-birth retained, is expelled by the same Remedies which were propounded to drive out the dead Child, whereunto we may add some appropriated or specifick Medicaments, mentioned by Authors.
Gesnerus and Augenius, do very much commend the stones of a gelded Horse, cut in pieces and dried in an Oven. The Pouder whereof is given, as much as can be taken up between three fingers, with the Broth of a Pullet: which Medicine, if need be, must be twice or thrice re••••erated.
Rulandus gave thirty drops of Oyl of Juniper with happy success.
Some advise the Childing Woman to hold an Onion hard between her Teeth, and squeeze it there, swallowing down the Juyce; and she is to bite it so three or four times, still sucking out the Juyce, and swallowing the same; and at last to drink a draught of warm Wine upon it, which presently helps her.
Forestus makes relation of a certain Midwife, which received this following Secret from a ••ewish Physitian. Shee took the green Tops of Lovage, she stamped them, and strained out the Juyce with the best Rhenish Wine, and gave a draught of it to the Patient.
Angelus Sala commends Mercur••us vitae in this Case, as well as in the Expulsion of a dead Child.
Hereunto add, Sneezings, Fumigations, Fomentations, Liniments, and other Medicines both in∣ward and outward so••••er••y described in the case of a dead Child.
The following Decoction used by a Country woman of ours, hath done wonders.
Take Vinegar of Roses eight or ten pints: Bay Leaves, and Bay Berries, of each three hand∣fuls: one Rose Caze cut in bits. Boyl all together, and let her Hips and Legs be a long time toge∣ther bathed, from her g••oyns down to her feet. Ʋpon the use hereof, the Womb hath opened of its own accord, and the After-birth fallen away. To this Decoction may fi••••y be added, of Mirrh, and of the two Birthworts, of each one ounce.
And among other helps, the hand of a skilful Chyrurgion can do much, being put into the womb, be∣fore the Inflamation or Inflation be augmented. For he laying hold of the After-births, and gently turning them this way and that way, may draw them out, and free the woman from so many Symp∣tomes, and tiresom Medicines.
If the Secundine can by no means be perswaded forth, but stick strongly to the womb, and there putrefie, suppurating things are to be put into the womb, clensing things being mingled with them, that as much as is putrefied, may be by little and little brought forth. To which intent Rondeletius commends Ʋnguentum Basilicum, especially if it be dissolved in the following Decoction.
Take Leaves of Mallows with their Roots, three handfuls: Roots of the two Aristolochia's, or Birthworts, of each six drams: Lin-seed, and Foenugreek seed, of each half an ounce: Violet Leaves one handful: Flowers of Chamomel, and the smaller Centaury, of each half a handful▪ Boyl all in Water, mixing therewith (if there need great sup••••ration, or reduction to Matter) a little Oyl; but if there be more need of detersion, or clensing, add a little Unguentum Aegyp∣tiacum.