The practice of physick in seventeen several books wherein is plainly set forth the nature, cause, differences, and several sorts of signs : together with the cure of all diseases in the body of man / by Nicholas Culpeper ... Abdiah Cole ... and William Rowland ; being chiefly a translation of the works of that learned and renowned doctor, Lazarus Riverius ...

THE FIFTEENTH BOOK OF THE PRACTICE OF PHYSICK. Of WOMENS Diseases. (Book 15)

The PREFACE.

THose are called Womens Diseases which are proper to them only, and come from the defect of that part which is distinct in them from men, viz. the Womb; of which Democritus in his Letter to Hippocrates said that it was the cause of six hundred miseries, and innumerable Calamities. But we to lay down those Diseases of the Womb which are most usual, will divide them thus: Some come from the Vessels, and some from the Body of the Womb, or Cavity; others are in respect of its chief and noblest act of Generation. From the distemper of the Vessels of the Womb, and the preternatu∣ral causes, come Chlorosis, or green Sickness, stoppage of the Terms, immoderate Flux, the Whites, Rage of the Womb, and the Mother. In the Cavity of the Womb are, Inflamations, Ʋlcers, Scir∣rhus, Cancer, Gangrene, Dropsie, coming forth, and shutting up thereof: these may hinder Gene∣ration but by accident. The Diseases which are in respect of Conception, Breeding, and Bringing forth, are, Barrenness acute and Chronical Diseases of Women with Child, Abortion, difficult bringing forth, dead Child, Secundine retained, immoderate flux, or suppression of blood, and the acute Diseases of women in Child-bed. All which Diseases we will speak of in as few words as the dignity of the Matter will permit.

Chap. 1. Of the Green-sickness, called Chlorosis.

THis Disease by Hippocrates, is called Chlorosis; by the Modern Physitians, the white Feaver, the Virgins Disease, the Pale color of Virgins, the white Jaundice, but vulgarly the Green∣sickness.

It may be defined thus: An evil habit of Body from the Obstruction of the Veins of the Liver, Spleen, and Mesentery, and especially of those which are about the Womb, which is accompanied with a heaviness or unwildiness of the whol Body, beating of the heart, difficulty of breathing, a de∣sire of evil Food, and the like.

This Disease depends immediately upon the Obstruction of the parts in the lower Belly, especi∣ally of those Veins which are about the Womb, whereby the free passage of Blood to the Womb is hindered, which abounding in Virgins when they begin to have their Terms, and being hindered of its Natural course by those Obstructions, runs to the upper parts, and oppresseth the Heart, Liver, Spleen, Diaphragma, or Midriff, and other parts, destroyes their Natural heat, stops the Vessels; hence is there an evil Concoction in the Bowels, and from thence their Body is ful of Crudities, which being carried forth, make an evil Habit. In other parts they produce divers Symptomes in the Hypochondria, a swelling of the Bowels, by which the Midriff is oppressed, which causeth shortness of breath. And because gross blood and wind are carried by the Branches of the hollow Vein, and great Artery into the Heart, which contend against them for fear of Suffocation, by often moving of its Arteries, there is a palpitation of the Heart, and often a beating in the Temples. Besides, they have in this Disease a loathing of meat, because the Stomach is filled with crude Excrements by rea∣son of its evil Concoction and distribution: which excrements having gotten an evil quality by a pe∣culiar kind of corruption, cause a desire of evil meats, and things not ordained for nourishment, as Salt, Spices, Chalk, Coals, Ashes, and the like, which Disease is called Pica Malacia, or strange Longing, which we have at large spoken of in its proper place, among the Diseases of the Stomach.

The Causes of the Obstructions in the Veins of the Womb, and the Hypochondria, are thick, sli∣my, and crude Humors, coming commonly from evil Diet: for these Virgins drink great draughts of Water at bed-time, or in the morning fasting; or eat Vinegar, Herbs, unripe Fruits, Snow, or Ice; hence it is that they lose their Natural heat, and there is abundance of crude Excrements. O∣thers sleep too much, or are very idle, as Seamsters, which by sitting stil al day are very cold. O∣thers watch too much, and use unseasonable exercise, as dauncing presently after meat, and so con∣tinuing with their Sweet-hearts all night. Moreover, they have great cares and disturbances of mind by which the Concoction is destroyed, and the Body filled with evil Juyce.

The Knowledge of this Disease is easie from the Symptomes following:

First, The Face and all the Body is pale and white, somtimes of a Lead color, blew, or green; for crude, flegmatick, and ••erous Humors abounding, and being carried to the habit of the body, do discolor it; and if Choller or Melancholly be mixed with that flegm, the color wil be yellowish, greenish or blew.

The Second is, Swelling in the Face and Eye-lids, especially after sleep, because the motive heat being closed and contracted at night, raised more vapors than it could discuss. The Leggs also and Feet, especially about the Ankles, and the whol Body is loose and soft by reason of the abundance of flegm.

Thirdly, Heaviness and Idleness in the whol Body, a lazy stretching forth of the Leggs from the Humors being fallen down.

Fourthly, There is difficult breathing, especially when they move themselves, or go up Hils or steep places, then the thick blood grows warm, and thence arise many vapors, which cause shortness of breathing.

Fifthly, There is Palpitation of the Heart and beating of the Arteries in the Temples when the Body is exercised, by reason of the same evaporation, which is raised from thick Humors heated by Exercise.

Sixthly, There is often a great Head-ach, and somtimes in the hinder part of the Head, when the Womb suffers; but in the Forehead when the vapors arise most from the Hypochondria.

Seventhly, The Pulse is swift and quick, as if they were in a Feaver, and therefore this Disease is called the white Feaver, by reason of the quickness of the Pulse, which is so for this reason; The vi∣tal faculty being weak, makes the Pul••e little, therefore Nature supplies the smalness of it with often beating.

Eightly, The sleep is very sound, they sleep til midnight, except they be forcibly awaked; and this is from many thick vapors which arise from the filthy flegm.

Ninthly, There is a great loathing of wholsom meat, by reason of the great collection of Crudities in the Stomach and parts adjacent; and these Humors when they grow worse, cause the Pica, or longing for things that are not to be eaten.

Lastly, When the evil encreaseth, and the Obstructions are multiplied, the Terms stop, which shews the Disease to be at the height, and confirmed.

As for the Prognostick: That Disease commonly is not dangerous, and continueth a long time.

But if it be too much neglected▪ and suffered to take root, so that the Nourishment is hindered, there follow great Diseases of the Natural parts, as Scirrhous and other Tumors, and corruption of the substance of them, which cause death, by Dropsies, long Feavers, and the like.

When the Disease is less, and comes only from the Obstruction of the Veins of the Womb, in yong women it is cured by Marriage.

Women that have long been in this Disease, either are barren, or their Children are diseased, and weak.

There is great hope of recovery when the Terms keep their ordinary course, and their due quantity and quality.

The Cure of this Disease is by opening Obstructions, by emptying of the filthy Humors from the whol Body, and correcting the distemper of the Bowels, and strengthening of them.

The Obstructions are taken away by the Medicines which were mentioned in the Cure of the Ob∣structions of the Liver and Spleen, adding some things which respect the Womb, and that are more proper to open those Veins.

First then, give a purging Medicine agreeable to the Patients temper, made of gentle things, to clense the first Region only, and a Clyster before it, if the Body be bound.

Then open a Vein, if the Disease be not very old, and the Maid very much without blood, and in∣clining to an evil habit. Let the Vein of the Arm be opened first, although the Terms be stopped; for if then you draw blood from the Foot, the Obstructions of the Veins of the Womb will be grea∣ter by their fulness. And if the Liver be most stopped, take blood from the right Arm; if the Spleen from the left.

After you have bled sufficiently, you must give an ordinary Purge, by way of an Apozeme, such as was prescribed in the Cure of the Obstructions of the Liver. To which you may add some Herbs that are proper to the Womb, as Mugwort, Feaverfew, Peny-royal; and if the Spleen be stopped you may add proper things for that, as Capar barks, Ceterach, or Spleenwort, Harts-tongue. It the temper be Chollerick, and there be signs of a hot and dry Liver, you must take all the hot simples out of the Apozeme, and put in cold openers instead thereof.

For the more delicate Virgins, instead of Apozemes, you may give the Broths prescribed in the a∣foresaid Cure of the Liver, and change the simples as we said of the Apozeme.

In the mean while you may use Fomentations and Liniments prescribed in the same Chapter, not only to the Liver, but to the Spleen and Womb.

After Purging 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this Bath following, to open and loosen the Vessels, and to dissolve and di∣gest the Matter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Obstructions, which are of such force that we have known somtimes the Terms to begin to flow at the third or fourth bathing, when they have formerly been long stopped.

Take of Marsh-mallow Roots, Lilly Roots, Elicampane, Briony, wild Cucumer, of each two pound: Mallows, Violets, Mercury, Penyroyal, Feaverfew, Balm, of each four handfuls: Lin∣seed and Fenugreek beaten, of two ounces: boyl them in spring Water for a Bath. Let her go into it warm twice in a day, not sweating, long before and after meat, for two daies, renewing each day the Decoction.

The day after the last Bath, if the Terms be stopped, let the lower Veins be opened, and take away three ounces of blood: and this may be done twice or thrice at that time, in which the Terms used to flow. Or if they never did appear at that time in which the Patient is most asslicted.

After these Medicines to strengthen the Bowels, and to wear away the reliques of the Obstructions, an opening and strengthening Opiate wil do very wel, described in the place mentioned; to which you may add two drams of Foecula Brioniae, and as much of Salt of Mugwort.

But because somtimes the Obstructions are so great that they wil not presently be cured, you must make a Magistral Syrup of the Ingredients to the Apozeme before mentioned, with an encrease of the purging Medicines in quantity, and let the Patient take it twice or thrice in a month.

The ordinary Pils mentioned in the Cure of the stoppage of the Liver, are most excellent; to which you may add the Medicines there mentioned, of Tartar, Vitriol, and Steel.

Zacutus Lusitanus, Observ. 99. Lib. 2. reports of a certain Woman which had the Green-sickness ten yeers with stoppage of her Terms, and could not be cured with divers opening and purging Medicines, and some made of Steel, that he cured her with nothing but Conserve of Mugwort, given thirty daies together, drinking after it the distilled Water of Savin, in which Rhubarb had been a whol night insused.

The same Zacutus, Observ. 117. Lib. 3. tels of a Virgin, which eating much Salt every day, felin∣to a Diarrhoea of Choller, mixed with a Consumption, which he cured after general Medicines, with Goats Milk steeled and cold things applied to the Liver.

In the greatest Obstructions, an Issue made in the right or left Legg, as the Liver or Spleen is affe∣cted, is very good.

After the Obstructions are opened, you must diseuss the flegm like serous humors that remain in the Veins, and in the habit of the Body by sweats; for which you must use the Decoction of Guaja∣cum in cold Constitutions, or of China and Sarsa in those that are hot, for fifteen or twenty daies; with this Caution, That every fourth or fifth day, you give a Purge to clense the Bowels of Humors which cannot be sent forth by sweat; and which if they continue wil grow hard and putrefie, and be the occasion of Feavers, and other Diseases. For this Purpose you may use Brimstone Baths, both for drink and bathing: for by the drinking thereof, when the passages are first open by the Medicines

aforesaid, the Humor that is contained in the first and second Region of the Body, is clensed and sent forth by the belly and urine; and the third Region is clensed by sweating in them.

And lastly, Copulation, if it may be legally done, after the use of opening Medicines, is very good; for thereby the Natural heat is stirred up in parts Natural, by which the Vessels of the Womb are much enlarged. And Experience teacheth, that somtimes these Women have their Terms the first night after Marriage, and that others who in good health, have them before their accustomed time.

Chap. 2. Of the stoppage of the Terms.

THe Terms are said to be stopped, when in a Woman ripe of Age, which gives not suck, and is not with Child, there is a seldom, smal, or no evacuation of blood by the Womb, which used to be every month.

The cause of this stoppage is either in the Womb, or in its Vessels, or in the blood which comes, or ought to come that way.

Divers Diseases of the Womb may cause this Disease; namely, a cold Distemper, and dry, which thickeneth and bindeth the Body of the Womb; or a hot and dry distemper by drying the part, or burning up the nourishment thereof, from whence come evil humors, which being fastened in the part, hinder the Terms from flowing. Also the Organical Diseases of those parts, as inflamation, or scirrhus, the turning of the inward mouth thereof, or compression from the Tumors of the parts adja∣cent, or the Omentum or Caul growing too thick. The thickness of the Womb it self, Ulcer, or Scars, which they leave, or from the tearing of the Cotyledones, or Mouths of the Vessels, in a great Abortion.

The Vessels of the Womb do often suffer Obstruction, which is the chief cause of stopping of the Terms, and they come from cold and thick Humors: somtimes there is a suppression of those Veins by binding of them, and that is from the parts adjacent being stretched and swoln, as we said in the binding or closing of the Womb.

The blood offending either in quantity, quality, or motion, may be cause of the obstruction of the Courses. It offends in quantity, when it is too much or too little; too much, when it stretcheth out the Veins, so that they cannot contract themselves to expel it; as in the bladder when it is too full of Urine, it cannot contract it self to send it forth; too little, when the Body hath not blood e∣nough to nourish it.

The blood offends in quality, when it is thicker, and more slimy of its own Nature, by reason of the cold distemper of the Liver, and other parts, or from the mixture of thick and flegmatick or me∣lanchollick humors, from whence commonly Obstructions come.

The blood offends in motion, when it passeth other waies, as by the Nose, vomiting, spittle, u∣rine, hemorrhoids, and many other parts. I saw a Maid who had a Sore in her head, which opened every month, and bled plentifully; and we have seen many that have sent forth blood at fixed times by their Lungs; and this evacuation was instead of a Menstrual flux.

The external Causes, are cold and dry Air, Northern winds, often going into cold water, especi∣ally in the time of their flux; too little or two much meat, either too thick and cold, or too astrin∣gent; also hot things, as too much Salt and Spice by drying of the substance of the Liver, and other parts, and by drying up the blood, by which it groweth thick, and fit to stop; violent exercise and watchings, which do consume the blood; long sleep, and idleness, which do weaken the Natural heat, and cause Crudities; too long retaining of Excrements; by usual bleeding at the Nose, He∣morrhoids, Diarrhoea, and other evacuations by vomit, urine, or sweat; and lastly, great passions of the mind, anger, sudden fear, sorrow, jealousie, and the like.

The Knowledge of this is to be taken from the Patients relation; but because it comes either from Natural or Preternatural Causes, we shal lay down some distinguishing signs, left the Physitian be deceived by Women that would dissemble their being with Child, and left he should rashly prescribe Medicines to provoke Terms to Women with Child.

First, If they be with Child, they have commonly their Natural Complexion; but others are pale and ill colored.

Secondly, The Symptomes which Women with Child have at the first, do dayly decrease; but in others stoppage of the Terms, by how much the longer the Terms stop, by so much the more the Symptomes encrease.

Thirdly, In Women with Child, after the third Month, you may perceive the Scituation and Mo∣tion of the Infant, by laying your hand upon the inferior Belly; in others there is a Tumor to be felt,

but it is oedematous or flegmatick, not hard; neither is it proportionable to the Womb.

Fourthly, If a wise Midwife touch the inward Mouth of the Womb, it will not be so close shut as in women with Child, but rather hard, and contracted, and full of pain.

Fiftly, Women with Child are commonly merry, and little disturbed; but when the Terms are otherwise stopped, they are sad and sorrowful.

The Signs of the Causes are these:

The faults of the Womb which use to cause stoppage of the Terms, shal be laid down in the follow∣ing Chapters; but the greatest part of them is found out by touching, seeing, and relation of the Pa∣tients.

The Obstruction and straightness of the Vessels of the Womb are known by pain in the Loyns, and parts adjacent, especially in the time the Terms should flow, and if any thing flow at that time, it is slimy, white, and blackish. Now the Diseases of the adjacent parts, which may shut the mouth of the Womb, or the Veins, will appear by their proper signs.

You may know the abounding of blood in the Veins, by the swelling of the Veins in the Thighs and Arms, especially if the Woman be fleshy and red, and have fed high. You may suppose there is want of blood, if the Woman be fat, if she have had a long Feaver went before, or loathing of meat. The evil quality of the blood is known by the evil habit of the Body, by the distemper of the Liver, and other parts, and especially by the blood it self, if you can see some of it. The preposterous mo∣tion of the blood, when it flows another way, is manifest of it self.

As to the Prognostick. The stoppage of the Terms is very dangerous, and many great diseases come thereof, and some in the Womb it self, as swellings, imposthumes, and Ulcers; others in the whol Body, and divers parts thereof, as Feavers, Obstructions, evil Habits, Loathing, Dropsie, Heart∣ach, Cough, short Breathing, Fainting, sore Eyes, Madness, Melancholly, Headach, Joynt-gout, and the like. Hippocrates, Lib. 1. of Womens Diseases, hath shewed the encrease of Diseases from the stopping of the Terms, in these words. The third month after the stoppage of the Terms, they begin to feel suffocations, or shortness of breath, with horrors, heaviness of the Loyns, and somtimes a Feaver. But if it last long, the Belly grows hard, they piss much, they loath meat, and watch much, they grate their Teeth in sleep; and if they continue longer stopped, the pains will be greater; but in the sixth month, that Disease which was formerly curable, will be then incurable: then she wil be troubled in mind, and faint, vomit flegm, thirsty, the Belly about the Privities will be pained, there will be a Feaver, and the Body bound, and the Urine stopped, the Back will ach, and she will stammer. Afterwards the Leggs, Feet, and Belly will swell, and the Urine be red, bloody, and pain over all the Body, especially the Neck and Back-bone, and Groyns, and so they die of a Dropsie. Thus far Hippocrates. But here is a doubt, because the Author saith, That in the sixt month the Disease is incurable, when Experience teacheth the contrary: and Hippocrates himself, 4. Epid. re∣ports that a Maid who had her Terms stopped for seven Yeers, was restored to health by the return of them. Hippocrates may be reconciled to himself, by saying, That after six months the Disease is incurable, when the Terms are in the Body or Cavity of the Womb, because there they putrefie, and come to suppuration, as in the After-birth, or Blood retained. But this is not to be understood of e∣very Suppuration.

That Stoppage is least dangerous which comes from plenty of good Blood, or fat, bleeding, or o∣ther Evacuations, because those Causes may easily be removed.

That is harder to be cured which comes from heaviness of Humors, Obstruction of Vessels, or straitness, because that stubborn Humor, getting into the innermost passages, cannot be got forth but by long pains and Medicines, which Women are very unwilling to receive.

That stoppage which cometh from the distemper only of the Womb, is worst, because the part being hurt by propriety is hard to be cured by reason of the continual flux of Humors, which the part is disposed to receive, and therefore is called the Jakes of the whol Body.

The Cure of this Disease is divers, according to the variety of the Causes. And first, if it come from too much blood, you must abate the quantity by Phlebotomy in the Arm; for if the lower veins should be first opened, the blood would be drawn more to the Womb, where it would make greater obstruction and distention of Vessels, and break them, or cause Inflamation of the Womb.

After the Plethory, or abundance of blood is taken away, you must draw the blood down by ope∣ning the lower Veins about the time that the Patient used before to be clensed, as also by Frictions, Ligatures, Cupping-glasses, dry, and with Scarrification.

These things done, you must relax and soften the parts of the Womb with Fomentations, and Baths, and moistening Unguents; which if they cannot master the Disease, you may give Hysterical Purges, and such as do properly provoke the Terms, which we shal after descrhibe, cusing the mil∣dest.

If want of Blood be the cause, as after long Feavers, great Evacuations, and Extenuation of the Bo∣dy, you must not provoke them till you have used Restoratives, and blood be renewed, and whatso∣ever

is the cause of extenuation be removed; which things being done, the Terms do commonly flow of themselves; which if they do not, but Nature forgets her office, you must open the inferior Veins, and use the Medicines afore mentioned, so that you take not away too much blood, becaus the strength is little, and lest the Patient fal into a Consumption. But here you must diligently mark, That every extenuation of the body doth not signifie want of blood, but only after great evacuations & consuming Causes; for it comes to pass somtimes, that the Terms stopt in the Veins get an evil quality, which makes the blood unfit to nourish: hence comes leanness, although the Veins be filled with much bad blood, and then large bleeding is very good, as Galen confirms, Comment. 3. in Lib. 6. Epid. I (saith he) cured a Woman that had her Courses stopped eight months, when she was lean by draw∣ing much blood; as also others. But what happened to that famous Woman was remarkable; I opened a Vein when other Physitians feared the success, and were against me, saying that it must hurt her, not only because she was lean, but also because she had no stomach to eat. But these yong Physitians had a more Sophistical way, to observe what happened to the Patients, and to neglect the affects and Causes, which are the ground of Cure. I took (to my best remembrance) the first day, a pint and an half of blood from the woman; the next day one pint; the third, not above half a pint, or eight ounces. Thus Galen. By which it is manifest, That from lean women, of this dis∣ease, you may take a great quantity of blood, although the women of our Age will not en∣dure it.

The stoppage of the Courses comes from a preposterous motion of the blood, when it is sent forth by the Nose, Vomiting, spitting, or Hemorrhoids, and the like: The Cure is by repelling it from those parts, and bringing it to the passage of the Womb. First (while they bleed) you must wash Arms, Head, and Face, with cold Water, and keep them from the use of those parts, especially loud speaking; then you must open a Vein beneath. Two or three daies before they bleed, apply Cupping-glasses to the Thighs and Calves of the Leggs, somtimes dry, somtimes with scarrification; by provoking the Hemorrhoids, by Frictions, Ligatures, Walking, Fomentations, Baths of ope∣ning Herbs, Oyntments, Pessaries, Clysters for the Womb, and the like, which shall be described hereafter. The use of a Natural Bath is principally commended, if it be of brimstone or Bitumen; into which let the Patient go often, long before, and after meat, not above the Wast, and at the same time, let the upper parts be cooled with a Fan, lest by the heat of the Bath, they also wax warm.

If Blood flow from the Hemorrhoids being diverted from the Womb, it is hard to be cured; for if you use Attractions to the lower parts, they will go by stool, and if you use Astringents below, they will repel from the womb by the neerness of parts. Therefore there is no way of Cure but this, That after you have used Attractive things beneath, you apply Topical Medicines to the Womb, which may draw the Humor now in motion, more unto the Womb.

But that Suppression of the Courses is of all other most frequent, which is caused by obstruction of the Veins of the Womb. The Cure whereof, is in a manner the same which hath been propounded in the Case of Pale and discolored Virgins, some things only being added, which do more specifically respect the Womb.

In the first place therefore, All those things may be used in their order one after another, which have been prescribed for the Cure of the Green-sickness. And for the most part it falls out that the Obstructions of the Bowels being opened, the Courses flow of their own accord: whose Eruption may yet be furthered by the use of such things as cause the Humors to work downwards; as opening of the Inferior Veins, about that time when the Courses have been wont to come down; or instead of Blood-letting, Cupping-Glasses fastened unto the Hips and Ankles, both without and with Scarrifi∣cation, frictions of the same parts, and painful bindings.

If the Disease be so rebellious as not to give way to the former Remedies, we must proceed to such as by a proper and specifical vertue, do move the Courses, which are wont to be used under divers forms. And in the first place, most effectual Pouders, and grateful to the Tast, are thus made:

Take Cinnamon and Amber, of each one scruple: Saffron half a scruple. Mix all, and make them into a Pouder, to be taken divers mornings one after another. Or,

Take Pouder of the Roots of Madder, such as Diers use, and Sugar Poudered, of each one ounce. Mix them, divide all into three parts; of which, give one at the time in which the Courses should flow, early in the morning in hot Wine, while the Patient is yet in her bed; wherein let her continue five hours, well covered with cloathes. If her courses shall not flow the next course of the Moon, at the wonted time, give her the second part: If yet they come not, give her the third part at the third return of the time of her Courses. Or,

Take Roots of round Birthwort half a dram: Savin Leaves dried one dram and an half: Dictamnus Cretensis, and Troches of Mirrh, without Assafoetida, because of the strong smell, of each one dram: Elect Cinnamon two drams: white Sugar two ounces. Make all into a most fine Pouder, of which let her take two drams in the morning for certain daies together, with broth of red Vetches, wherein two drams of Cinnamon, and half a dram of Saffron have been boyled.

Most excellent Pills are made after this manner:

Take Troches of Mirrh one dram: Castorium half a scruple. With Juyce of Mugwort make smal Pills.

Among familiar Medicines easily provided, are accounted the flowers of Lavender eaten with Ho∣ney many daies together, or Conserve of Mary-gold flowers, given to the quantity of two drams at a time.

The Blood of a wild Goat, and likewise of a tame one, hath mighty vertue to bring down the stop∣ped Courses according to that preparation and dose propounded in our Cure of the Pleurisie.

In hot Constitutions, Cream of Tartar used many daies together in Broth, or some Melancholly∣driving Decoction, does further the Courses stopped.

But the Pills of Montagnana are mightily praised, being thus compounded:

Take Troches of Mirrh one dram and an half: Parsley seed, Castorium, Cinnamon, of each one scruple: Musk ten grains. With Juyce of Smallage form all (being poudered) into twenty two Pills, gilt with Gold. Let her take two in the morning, or at her entrance into bed, for some daies together. Or,

Take Madder Roots, and round Aristolochia, or Birthwort, of each three drams: Agarick and Cinnamon, of each one dram: Saffron one scruple: With Juyce of Mugwort, make a Mass of Pills; whose dose is one dram.

Old Leven is commended by many, the quantity of a Chesnut, with the same quantity of Sugar, given three daies together. Yet it will do more good, if pouder of the Troches of Mirrh, Dictamnus, or some such like be mixed therewith.

The most usual and profitable Decoctions are made in this manner:

Take Roots of Parsley, and great Madder, of each two ounces: red Vetches four pugils: boyl them to a pint and an half. In the strained Liquor boyl Cinnamon Pouder one dram: Saffron half a dram: Honey as much as shall suffice: mix them. Let her take six ounces warm, in the mor∣nings twice a day, before her Courses break forth, or when they begin to flow, if they flow but spa∣ringly. Or,

Take Roots of Smallage, Asparagus, Fennel, of each one ounce: Feaverfew, Maiden-hair, Nep, Peny-royal, of each one handful: Boyl all to a quart. To four ounces of the straining, ad one ounce of Syrup of Mugwort. Let her drink it hot twice a day as before. Or,

Take Cyperus Roots, Angelica, Valerian, and Madder of the Diers, of each half a dram: Leaves of Mugwort Peny-royal, Savin, of each half a handful: Seeds of Carrots and Seseleos, of each one dram: Dictamnus Cretensis one dram and an half: Choyce Cinnamon four scruples: Saffron one scruple; make a Decoction to four ounces. In the straining add Syrup of Mugwort and Hysop, of each ha••f an ounce: make a Julep for one dose. Let her take it every other day.

Quercetanus in his Pharmacopoeia, doth exceedingly commend two Decoctions: the first of which is thus made:

Take Gromwelseed, Annis seed, Misselto of the Oak, of each three drams: Dictamnus Creten∣sis one dram: Saffron one scruple. Beat what is to be beaten, and steep all in rich white Wine twenty four hours: afterwards let them boyl a little. Of this Decoction give the Patient four ounces.

The other Decoction is thus described:

Take the whol Spleen or Milt of an Ox: cut it in bits, and put it in a capacious Glass, so as it may fill the Glass half full, adding of Cinnamon grosly poudered, one ounce: Cloves half an ounce: Saffron two drams: of the best white Wine as much as shall suffice only to moisten all that is in the Glass. Let the Glass closely stopped, be put into a Balneum Mariae exceeding hot, so that it boyl twenty four hours together, until the Spleen shall be boyled and consumed into little crums, and there remains a great quantity of Broth excellently well boyled, and of a very fragrant smel; of which let the Patient take in the marning four ounces, continuing the same for four or five daies, when her Courses ought to flow.

Distilled Waters ought to be preferred before other Liquors, as being more pleasant to the taste: and because of their subtil thinness of parts, they pierce more easily to the obstructed Vessels of the Womb.

The Preheminence above all the rest, is by Mercatus, Rodericus a Castro, and Sennertus, given to this following:

Take a Loaf almost as sowr as Leaven, indifferently baked, and hot; take away the Crust, and add thereto, of Honey twelve ounces, Pounder of Nettle seeds, Carrot seeds, Amy, Annis and Fennel seeds, of each one dram: Troches of Gallia Moschata, red Mirrh, of each one scruple: Co∣tula foetida, or stinking Fennel, half a dram. Infuse all in three pints of the Decoction below de∣scribed, which is made of red French Beans, and red Vetches, of each half a pugil: Juniper ber∣ries one ounce: Roots of Madder, Butchers Broom, wild Rhadish, Asparagus, Smallage, and

Parsley, of each two ounces: Green Germander one handful: Seeds of Amy, Annis, and Fen∣nel, of each two ounces: Boil all according to Art. Then stil the liquor out in Balneo Mariae; of which give to the Patient two ounces early in the morning. Also there may be added Syrup of Mai∣den-hair, of Opening roots, of Mugwort. Also the Dose may be augmented, the following daies, if the Stomach be not offended.

A Decoction of Guajacum or Sassafras is good in flegmatick bodies, also Dictamnus Creticus may be added; taking the same twelve or fifteen daies without sweating. Jacchinus relates an Experi∣ment thereof, writing upon the ninth of Rhasis, Chap. 66. I boiled (saies he) the Indian wood, and added Dictamnus thereto. By which I procured both her Courses, and Child-bearing to a Woman which had wanted her Courses five years, and had been Barren.

The Chymists commend Tartarum, Vitriolatum, Spirit of Tartar, M••xtura Spirital••s, Salts of Mugwort, Bawm, Celondine roots, and Valerian.

This Treacle-Water following is mervailously effectual to this intent.

Take old Venice-Treacle five ounces, Red Alexandrian, Mirrh two ounces and an half, Elect Cinnamon, Oriental Saffron, of each half a dram; Camphire two drachms. Pour upon them of the best Spirit of Wine, till it stand three singers breadth above the Ingredients, and draw out the Tincture with a gentle heat, whereunto being poured off without straining, add a sixt part of the Spirit of Tartar; The Dose is one spoonful with some appropriate Water, or Wine.

Whilst the aforesaid Remedies are in Use, Clysters frequently injected are exceeding good, be∣cause the Womb does rest upon the straight Gut, or Intestinum Rectum; and they may thus be compounded.

Take roots of Lillies one ounces, of Orice and Valerian, half an ounce of each, of Mercury leaves two handfuls, Mugwort and Savine of each one handful, Chamomel flowers and Lavender, of each one pugil, Seeds of Caraway and Nigella of each one dram; boil al to one pint. In the strai∣ned Liquor dissolve of Hiera simplex, and Benedicta Laxativa, of each half an ounce, Oleum Che••rinum two ounces, Electuarium de Baccis Lauri half an ounce. Mix al into a Cly∣ster,

Yea, And the truth is Purgations repeated at certain convenient seasons will be very good, which may be in divers manners prepared.

And in the first place Galen exceedingly commends the Pils of Hiera, simple and compound; be∣cause over and above their purging of superfluous humors, they have a faculty of opening the narrow passages, and of clensing the Womb. Or,

Take Aloes three drachms: Mass of Cochie pills one drachm, with juice of Savine forme twen∣ty pills; of which give the Patient three before dinner, every third day. Or,

Take Aloes one drachm: Choice Rhubarb one drachm and an half: Diagrydium one scruple: Mirrh and Asarum roots of each half a drachm: Spicknard one scruple. With Syrup of Mug∣wort make a Mass of Pil-Paste. The dose is from two scruples, to a drachm, made into pils. Or,

Take of the Mass of Chochie-pil-paste half a drachm: Mercurius dulcis twenty grains, with Syrup of Roses solutive forme eight pills, or six, Let her swallow them early in the morning.

Also outwardly, the Courses supprest, are wont to be holpen with these Topick Medicaments fol∣lowing, which must be outwardly applied, to widen the passages, make thin the humors, and to rouse and awake the Expulsive faculty.

Take roots of Briony, Lillies, Cyperus, Valerian, Angelica, Asarum, Orice, and of Parsly, of each an ounce Leaves of Mugwort, Baies. Rue, Savine, Time, Rosemary, Penyroyal, Nep, Mal∣lows, Mercury, of each one handful: Flowers of Elder, Cheiri, Chamomel, of each two pugils: Juniper berries two ounces: Boil all in Water and white Wine, with the strainings, let the Pati∣ents belly and the parts about the Privities be fomented with a sponge.

With the same Decoction, the Quantity of Ingredients being augmented, may be made a Bath to ••it in; wherein the Patient may sit up to her Navil, and the boiled Herbs being put into a bag must be applied to her belly. But let her take heed of sweating, which doth stop the Courses.

Take Oyl of Lillies, Dill and Rue, of each one ounce and an half: Generous Wine three ounces: Squinanth, roots of Bindweed, Angelica, the two Birthworts and Savin leaves of each half an ounce. Let them boil till the Wine be consumed. Let them be strained and the Oyl pressed out; wherewith warmed, let the share and parts about the Privities be anointed, after fomentation, or sitting in the Bath.

Moist suffumigations are made of the Vapour of the Decoction for the Fomentation, and for the sitting-Bath, which being moderatly heated, must be covered with a cover that hath a hole in it, where∣unto must be fastened a long pipe, which must reach into the neck of the Womb, through which let her receive the smoake morning and evening, being covered with cloaths▪

A drie Suff••••migation may be thus made.

Take Cloves, Cinnamon, Mace, of each two drachms: Juniper berries half an ounce: Nigella seeds one drachm: Storax two drachms. Make all into a gross pouder, which being laid on Coles, let her receive the smoake into the Womb, after her manner aforesaid. Or,

Take Storax two drachms: Frankinsence one drachm: Benjamin, Alipta Moschata, of each half an ounce: Cloves, Lignum Aloes, Cinnamon of each two scruples: With the Mucilage of Gum Tragacanth, extracted with Cinnamon Water, make little Cakes for to burn as afore∣said.

Pessaries may be made after this manner.

Take of leaves of Mercury bruised one handful: Pouder of Hiera picra, and Benedicta Laxati∣va, of each two drachms: Pouder of long Birthwort one drachm: Honey and juyce of Mercury, as much as shall suffice, make all into a Pessary, Or,

Take of Agarick, Mirrh, of each two drachms: Galbanum half a drachm: Saffron one scruple: With clarified Honey make all into a Pessarie, which put into a warm thin rag, and conveigh into the Womb; but let it not abide long there for fear of inflamation.

Pilulae Cochiae minores, brought into the form of a Pessarie, doth excellently move the Courses.

Also injections are wont to be made into the Womb, which are wont to be called Womb-Cly∣sters; for they wash away the filth which cleaves to the sides of the Womb, and they open the inter∣nal Orifices of the Veins. Now they are made of the Decoction of the Fomentation aforesaid, ••lea∣ving out the more sharp things; or with a Decoction of fat Figs, with Mugwort, Penyroyal, and Mercury; or of the juyce of Mercury alone, purified, in which a little Benedicta Laxativa is dis∣solved. For we must by no meanes use more sharp Ingredients for fear of Inflamation. Yea, and after the use of the aforesaid Injections, which ought to be retained but an hour; it will be good to Inject a Decoction of Mallows, Barley, and Violet leaves, or a little Hydromel tempered with Whey of Goats-Milk▪

In an old inveterate Disease, Issues made in the Legs may do very much good. For although Sennertus approves not of them, because they rather derive from the Womb, and teach the humors which were wont to flow unto the Womb, to come rather that way, and hinder their inclinations to the Womb: Yet have they been found to do much good by the frequent experiences of Mercuria∣lis, Varandaeus, and others. For by those Issues the superfluous humors are continually evacua∣ted, and the Course of the humors is guided into the inferior parts. And the derivation of super∣fluous humors from the Womb, is so far from hindring the Flux of Courses to the Womb; that it rather furthers the same, by making the Blood more pure, and more obedient to the command of Na∣ture, which with the Humors aforesaid, is not drawn unto the Issues. And hereunto, that these Hu∣mors, if they be not by these waies evacuated, being retained inthe Veins, they double the Obstructi∣ons, and so do augment the suppression of Courses. Howbeit, We are of opinion, that the men∣strual purgations being restored to their due Course, the Issues ought to be closed up, that Nature may accustome her self to exclude superfluous Humors by the Womb.

In the Use of the Remedies aforesaid, some precepts are to be observed worthy of Note.

First, That we must never use Medicines that move the Courses, but after Universal Purgations; least the Humors being plentifully carried to the Veins of the Womb should increase Obstructions; or being much attenuated, should reach into other parts of the Body, and produce grievous Disea∣ses. As Schenkius relates in his Observations, that a Physitian of Venice gave a Woman that wanted her Courses a certain Apozeme to move them, not having first purged her Body of Flegm; and a little after she had taken her Apozeme, she fell into a Palsey.

Secondly, That in giving such things as bring down the Courses, we must begin with the gentler, proceeding by little and little to such as are stronger.

Thirdly, That Medicaments procuring the Flux of the Courses, must be given in greater quantity than ordinary, because their vertue is abated in their long passage from the Stomach unto the Womb.

Fourthly, That the Medicaments aforesaid, are to be given either in the morning, when the Pati∣ent is fasting, or somtimes at her going into, or coming out of the Bath: For so the Medicine slip∣ping into a warm and opened Body, doth powerfully exercise it's strength; and this it doth yet more effectually, if it be given a little before the inferior Veins be opened.

Fifthly, That Pessaries, and Womb-Clysters, or Injections, are only to be prescribed to married Women, and such as have been carnally imbraced by Men; but to Virgins we must prescribe Na∣scalia (viz. Wool dipped in the Medicament) Fomentations, Baths to sit in, and Suffuma∣gations.

Sixtly, In Cholerick or Melanchollick Constitutions, all hot Medicaments are to be avoided, and only the gentler and milder sort are to be used; and with them temperate Aperitines, or openers, as also moistning and softning Medicaments are to be mixed.

Chap. 3. Of the Immoderate Flux of the Courses.

WOmens monthly Courses, being moderate in quantity, and flowing in due season, are Na∣tural: But if they exceed in quantity, or come too often, or stay too long: They are to be accounted Immoderate, and besides the intent of Nature.

The Causes of this Immoderate coming down of the Courses, are the same which (we in it's proper place have shewed) do concur to Cause spitting of Blood; viz. An opening of the ends of the Veins, a soaking of the blood through the Coates of the Veins, a forcible rending of the Veins, and heir be∣ing eaten through by sharp humors; all which are caused by the bloods over great abundance, Heat, Thinness, or Sharpness: By some blow, fall, or wound: Which we have at large declared in our Speculations touching spitting of blood, so that it is needless here to repeat the same. Let the rea∣der be pleased to peruse that Chapter.

The Signes of this Infirmity, are either of the Disease it self, or of it's Cause. Immoderate Flux of the Courses is known by the il-bearing of the Patient, decay of strength, want of appetite to meat, in∣digestion of Humors, ill Habit of the whole Body, colour of face like a dead Corps, swelling of the Legs, and other more grievous maladies, caused by decay of Natural heat past away in the Blood.

To know the Causes, observe these signes following: A thin Habit of Body, and softness of the Flesh, with such a diet as tends to increase the wheyish, and thinner parts of the Blood; and especial∣ly the Blood it self appearing thin and watry, in the cloaths coming from the Patient, doth shew that the Blood hath soaked through the Veins.

That the Immoderate Flux is caused by an opening of the ends of the Veins, or a breaking of their Coates, is known by the Foregoing of Wounds, Falls, or Bruises; by the use of dancings, long out∣cries, carrying unusual weights by a Person corpulent and full of Blood: By some foregoing great heat, extream Cold, Immoderate carnal imbraces, great Anger, and the like. The same may also happen after fore labor in Child-birth, or by the unskilful handling of a Midwife; after a miscarriage, or after a long stoppage of the monthly Blood, which makes the same being collected in too a great quantity, breaks out on a sudden with violence.

That there is an Exulceration in the Womb, whereby the Veins are eaten through, appears by the Bloods dropping out by little and little with a sence of pain and sharpness; and by the Bodies being replenished with salt and sharp Humors. Also the blood which comes away, is at first Matterish, Wheyish, Blackish, or Yellow; and afterward if the Exulceration increase, some bits of the parts af∣fected are eaten off, whereupon follows a great effusion of Blood, hard to be stopped. Also there have proceeded such things as are wont to breed bad Blood, such as are the use of sharp things in Diet, the use of Salt meates, of meates putrefied, and such like.

As for the Predictions belonging to this infirmity, we are to know that, all large and long-lasting Issues of Blood are dangerous; especially those from the Womb, which hurts not only her that suf∣fers them, but hinders posterity.

That which comes by a soaking of the Blood through the Veins, is of al others the least dangerous, as causing less expence of heat and Spirits, yet it continues longer, by reason of the continual supply of raw and Wheyish Blood.

The breaking of Veins, and the opening of their mouths, cause greater danger, because they do sud∣denly Issue forth great quantities of Blood; yet are they sooner cured, as happening for the most part, only in Bodies over ful of Blood, and otherwise healthy.

But of all others, that which Springs from Exulceration is most hard to cure, because where the Ulcer is, there some part of the substance of the Veins is perished, which hinders the growing together again of that breach, whence the Blood Issues.

If the sick party grow daily weaker and weaker, and the Disease stronger and stronger, it portends her death.

In an elderly Woman, over great Flux of her Courses, is commonly incurable, and deadly.

The Cure of Immoderate Flux of Courses, must be in a manner the same, which we have prescri∣bed to cure the immoderate running of the Hemorroids.

For in the first place, to draw the Blood from the part affected, the Patient must bleed in her Arm, not all at once, but by degrees, now and then stopping the Orifice with your singer, and then letting it bleed again. She must bleed plentifully, as much as her strength can bear. For Hollerius in his Comment upon the 50. Aphor. of the 5. Sect. doth testifie that he hath seen many Women cured by large Blood-letting, when the Issue of their Blood, could by no other remedies be stopped.

Rubbings, Bindings, and Cupping-glasses, ate good to cause revulsion, as in the cure aforesaid we

have shewed, especially if the Cupping-Glasses be fastened upon her Dugs, according to that Sen∣tence of Hippocrates; If you would stop a Womans Courses, fasten a very large Cupping-Glass un∣to her Dugs: Howbeit, if upon the setting on of the Cupping-glass, she grow short breathed, you must quickly take it off again.

Likewise the same Purgation may serve which we propounded in the Cure of the Hemorrhoids; and it must be reiterated once or twice in a week, until the impurity of the Bowels, and the Veins be taken away. For when the Chollerick and Wheyish Humors are taken away, which make the blood thin and sharp it leaves running of it self. If the Wheyish parts seem most to abound, Mechoacan with Rhubarb will be a good Purge.

A Vomit likewise doth powerfully draw the Blood upwards, and is commended by Hippocra∣tes, in his Second Book of Womens Infirmities. But the Vomit must be gentle, and often re∣peated. Also it may suffice for the Patient to put her finger into her Throat, and so procure Vomit: Yea, and the Truth is, it may serve the turn, and will be very profitable for her to provoke her self to Vomit before her Dinners, but so as not to vomit, only to use some forcing thereunto. Unto which Remedies, these which follow may profitably be added, as being tried by very learned Phy∣sitians.

Take the Shels of two new laid Eggs burnt, Frankinsence, Mastich, of each half an ounce: Pearls prepared, red Coral prepared, and Amber, of each two drains: Blood-stone and Smaragd prepared, of each half a scruple: Barley made without Bran, two pugils: four whites of Eggs, and if need be, add a little Water, in which red hot Steel hath been quenched, and make two Cakes, which must be baked so hard in an Oven, that they may be beaten to Pouder. Of which Pouder give from half a dram to a dram early in the morning, in a draught or mess of Broth made of Sheeps Trotters.

John Michael Paschalius doth witness that many Women long troubled with this Infirmity, have been cured with this Pouder.

Also the Pouder of Egg-shels alone is commended, a dram there of being given divers mornings to∣gether; and it is accounted by some for a Secret.

Forest•••• commends the following Pouder, which he saies was one of the Secrets of his Doctor or Instructor, Helidaeus.

Take a Turtle Dove moderately fat, draw it, and wash it with astringent red Wine, and Rose Water ming••••d together, and put an ounce of Mastich in the Belly of it, and sow up the belly that none of the Mastich may fall out: Then roast it upon a Spit, and instead of Butter, bast it with Vinegar of Roses, and save the fat which shall drop from it for your use. When it is excellently well roasted, put it into a new glazed pot or pipkin, closed up with such Materials as the Chymists use to close their Vessels with, that nothing may vapor out. Then let it be set into the Oven, till it be so dry that it may be bea••••n into a Pouder, Of which Pouder, let the Patient take one spoonful every morning in Plan••ane Water, or in some astringent Decoction. And with the fat which was reserved at the roasting, let the Reins of her back, her groins, and Privy-part, with the share, be anointed.

Our Country-women have an ordinary Medicine of the flowers of the long-stalked common Thi∣stle, wherewith they use to curdle their Milk when they would make Cheese. They administer these Flowers in Broth, or other convenient Liquor. Others use of the Runnet of a Kid or an Hare, to ••••e quantity of ten grains, which both stops the flowing of the Blood, and dissolves that which is clotted together in the Womb.

••alen accounts Juyce of Plantane newly made, to be the best Medicine in the world, being given to the quantity of three or four ounces.

Solenander adds to the aforesaid Juyce, a quantity of Colophony, and avouches it to be reme∣dy that never fails; his words are these: To stop an old flux of the Courses, take two ounces of the Juyce of Plantane, and mingle therewith a dram of Colophony poudered, and give it the Patient to drink. Let her take it four times, and she shall be undoubtedly healed, with Gods Blessing.

The Juyce of Yarrow is very convenient in this case, if two or three ounces thereof be given with Syrup of Coral, or some other convenient Syrup.

The Juyce of Nettles is no whit inferior to, or rather exceeds the former in efficacy: It may be gi∣ven alone, or in mixture with others of little faculty: Or a Syrup may be made of Nettles, to be ever in a readiness.

A Water drawn out of the most tender Oak Leaves, which are of a reddish color, stops the afore∣said flux.

Mercatus makes up a very effectual Water, after this manner:

Take a Loaf made of Wheat Flower, Barley Meal, and Rice: break it in pieces, and powr up∣on it seven pints of Water in which red hot Steel hath been quenched: Whereunto add, red Rose Leaves dried, three pugils: juyce of Plantane a pound: the Roots of the larger Comfry, being green and braised, two ounces: the Herb Hors-tail, or Shave-grass, one handful: the pulp

Choak-••ears, and Quinces, of each two ounces: Purslain two handfuls: Bole Armonick one ounce: Balaustians, and the three sorts of Sanders, of each half an ounce. Let all these be distil∣led in an Alembick. Let Patient take of this Water three ounces mixed with half an ounce of Syrup of Purslain, or of dried Roses.

For the more tender sort of Women, Broths may be made of Calves feet, with Plantane Leaves, or Bloodwort. Or to thicken the Blood, a Broth may be made of red Rose-Water alone, and the Yolks of new laid Eggs. Likewise Conserve of Bramble Roses is good for them, being often used, especially if their Liver be distempered with heat.

In all Fluxes of Blood, Practitioners do use to administer Water and Vinegar in a large quantity to be drunk down. But in this Flux of the Courses it is to be feared as an Enemy to the Womb, which is a Menbranous Part.

Among the Specifick or appropriated Medicines, are reckoned, Filipendula Roots, with the outer Rind of the Mulberry-tree Root, whose Pouders are administred to the quantity of a dram, in some convenient Liquor.

The Flowers of the Nut-trees are gathered when they are ripe and ready to fall, and poudered, and adram given in a Cup of Wine warmed in the mornings, for divers daies together. Solenander wit∣nesseth that all are cured with this Medicament. Also it hath a peculiar propriety to help fits of the Mother.

Spicknard in very fine Pouder, and taken to a dram in some convenient Liquor, stops the Courses: Also being conveighed into the Womb in Lint, Wool, Cotton, rude Silk, &c.

Milk in which red hot Steel hath been quenched, being drunk many daies together, is very effectu∣••lin an old flux of the Courses; for it the sharpness of the Humors, and thickens them; it nourisheth the Body, and stops the Flux. Avicenna, Rhasis, and the rest of the Arabian Physiti∣ans, extol this Medicine to the Skies: and so doth Horatius Augenius, a noted Italian Phylitian. Yet it is not to be used, if we suspect the Body is not yet cleer of the vicious Humors.

The Acid Mineral Springs, whether they have their Tincture from Vitriol, Iron, or Allum Mines, do much conduce to the stoppage of immoderate Courses, both by removing the Causes, and by strengthening the Bowels affected.

The Chymists do much commend the Tincture of Coral, and Vitriolum Martis [Vitriolated Steel] and many other Medicines, which you shall find in their Books.

Let the Patient use to drink the Decoction of Mastich, Yarrow, or of the dried Lentisch, or Ma∣stich tree. Also the Lentisch or Mastich Wood, may be steeped in black harsh Wine, which doth ve∣ry much strengthen the Bowels, and stop defluxions.

It must be diligently remembred, That in an old Flux, very astringent and thickening Medica∣ments, are not to be used long together. For it is to be feared, lest they should fill, straighten, and shut up the secret passages of the Body, and so breed Obstructions, and very much hurt the principal Bowels, which are wont to suffer very much in this Disease. But it is much better to persist in the use of such things as strengthen the Liver, which have some astriction, but so moderate as can do no harm.

Ludovicus Septalius in his Medicinal Animadversions, in the 144. Article, gives such commenda∣tions of the Decoction of Orange Peels, as of a Medicine that never fails, that it will worth our while to transcribe his very words. When such Medicines as these (quoth he) have been judici∣ously administred; in the next place, such Medicines as havea thickening and astringing quality are to be used; among which there is one which I cannot omit to set down, wherewith I have cured almost an infinite Number of Women troubled with this Infirmity; which I kept long as a Secret, and afterwards communicated to some yong Students, whom I did inform in the Art of practising Physick, and now publish the same to the whol World for the good of Man-kind: which Medicine hath scarce ever failed me, when there was no Vessel of the Womb exulcerated, that fed the Flux. It is a Medicine, easily gotten, and easily made, thus:

Take Seven pints of Water; boyl therein the rinds of three sowr Orrenges not throughly ripe, be∣ing cut into little thin bits or chips, and boyl them till two parts of the Water be consumed. Give eight or nine ounces of the strained Liquor to the Patient in the morning to drink. If you would have it more effectual, put an handful of Mous-ear into it, when it is almost boyled. And it will be yet more powerful, if you boyl it in Tunbridg water, or the like Medicinal Spring water: or if you boyl the aforesaid Ingredients in eight pints of water, till two third parts be consumed, and then strain it, and quench red hot Steel divers times therein.

Externally this flux may be stopped by Medicaments applied to the outward parts of the Patients Body.

And in the first place, Fomentations may be thus made:

Take the Roots of Bistort [Adder-wort] Tormentil, and the peels of Pomegranates, of each one ounce: The Leaves of Plantane, Knot-grass, Shepheards-purse, and Hors-tail, of each one

handful; Cypress Nuts, Balaustians, Myrtle-berries, Sumach, of each one ounce: Boil them in Water that hath had Iron quenched in it, and in red harsh Wine mixed together. Strain out the li∣quor, and Bath therewith, the whole Share and Privy-parts, warmish, but not hot.

Also, Boil a piece of Sea-sponge in strong Vinegar, and lay it upon the Patients Share, and Privi∣ties, and it wil powerfully stop the immoderate Flux of Courses.

A Bath made of the aforesaid Decoction, the Dose Being augmented, will be good for the Patient to sit in: But care must be taken that it be not hot, but only warmish; otherwise it wil by it's heat, the more open the Veins of the Womb. A Bath made of the Decoction of Allum is very effectual; but it causeth barrenness.

After Fomenting and Bathing, the Patient must be anointed upon her Loyns, her Share, and Pri∣vities, and between the Water-gate, and the Dung-gate (which space is called Perinoeum, and wants an English name) with an Oyntment made as followeth.

Take Oyl of Mirtles, of Mastich, and of Quinces, of each one ounce: Bole-Armoniack, Dra∣gons-blood, and Carabe, of each one drachm: Vinegar one spoonful. Make all into an Oynt∣ment.

Ʋnguentum Comitissa may also be used, or Ʋnguentum de bolo newly made, or this following Cerate, which is very effectual.

Take Ship-pitch half anounce: Male Frankinsence one ounce: Mastich half an ounce: Tur∣pentine one ounce: Dragons-blood, Red Roses, of each two drams. Make thereof a Cerate to be applied to the Reins of the Back.

Plaisters are also profitably applied unto the Navil, and Loyns, made of the Mass of Plaister a∣gainst Ruptures, the Plaister against the Mother, and of Mastich Plaister, either alone, or mingled together: Or of the Plaister of Vigo for Fractures, which is most excellent; and works it's effect without heating the Part.

The following Cataplasmes, are much more effectual, and very prevalent in a large Flux of Blood, causing danger of Death.

They are made, either of Bole-armoniack, incorporated with iuyce of Plantane and a little Vine∣gar, and so applied.

O•• of Plaister of Paris, lib. 1. incorporated with ten drachms of Gum-Arabick one pound toasted at the fire, and laid upon the Parts aforesaid in Cotton-Wool: The Whites of four Eggs being first mingled with it. Solenander saith, that this Cataplasm stops al Womens Fluxes in one day.

A Cataplasm, or Pultis made of Nettles, fried in a Pan, and laid upon the Share and Privities, works more kindly than the former; rather by a specifical property, then by it's astringency.

Injections made of juy ce of Plantane alone, are likewise conveighed into the Womb by an Instu∣ment for that purpose; which is very effectual, and much cryed up by Practitioners. Juyce of Knot-grass may be used to the same intent. And sometimes we are wont to add to the aforesaid Juy∣ces, of the Mucilage, of Gum Tragacanth one ounce: Starch one drachm: Water of Rose-stalks, and Seeds three ounces, which are mixed, and Injected into the Womb. Or,

Take of the leaves of Knot-grass, Plantane, Yarrow, Shepherds-purse, Hors-tail, of each half a handful: Boil all in Water sufficient to half a pint. In the strained liquor dissolve three drams of Acacia, Dragons-blood, Bole-Armoniack, and Blood-stone, of each one ounce: Mix all, and make thereof a Clyster for the Womb.

A Fume made with Vinegar, poured upon a red hot Iron Plate, and received by the Patient sit∣ting over a Close-stool, is very profitable; or a Fume may be compounded after this manner.

Take of Frankinsence, and Mastich, of each two ounces: Mirtles and Labdanum, of each one ounce: Amber, Red Roses, Balaustians, of each half a drachm: With the infusion of Gum Traga∣canth in Red-Rose Water, make Cakes to burn under a stool as before.

John Michael Paschalius doth test me that he cured a Woman troubled neer seven months with this Disease, with the smoak of burnt Frogs: and he affirms that the smoak of a Mules Hoof, is an ex∣perimented Remedy, wonderfully effectual in this Case.

Astringent Pessarles, are likewise usual in this Cure. Howbeit, they profit little, seeing they can hardly reach unto the Orifice of those Veins, which are opened in this Disease. But if the Veins of the Neck of the Wombare opened, they may be useful; and are thus Compounded.

Take of Juyce of Plantane, or Knot-grass two ounces: Troches of Carabe in pouder, and Aca∣cia, of each one arachm▪ ▪Mix them with the White of an Egg, rowl them in silk, and make a Pessary. Or▪

Take of the pouder of Hyposistis, Acacia, Bole-Armoniack, Dragons-blood, Comfry roots, Lambs-tongue, Plantane, Galls, of each half a drachm: Juyce of Purslain, or Plantane, or Sy∣rup of Red Roses, or Myrtles, as much as shall suffice, and with Cotton Wool make a Pessary.

Pessaries are likewise made of the leaves of Purslain, Plantane, or Knot-grass, or some other con∣venient

Herb bruised, and rouled in a piece of fine Linnen; or the Countesses Oyntment wrapt in Wool, and put into the Womb.

Neither are we to neglect the washing of the Patients Legs with cold Water, or some astringent Decoction, which is commonly used by Practitioners, and doth not a little further the stoppage of the immoderate Courses.

Touching the administration of Topical Medicaments, it is to be observed, That astringent Medi∣cines, especially the stronger sort of them, are not to be applied before sufficient Revulsions have been made, especially by Blood-letting: for it is to be feared least they cause Tumors, or other worse Diseases in the Womb. Wherefore alwaies, as far as the Disease will allow time, the Cure must be begun with internal Medicines of a thickening and astringent Nature, before we make use of the Topical Medicines aforesaid.

This Method of Cure aforesaid may with Judgment be accommodated to the Flux of Courses, a∣rising either from an opening of the mouths of the Veins, or from a dreining of the blood through their Coats, or from a breaking of the Coats of the Veins: But if it arise from an eating or exulceration of the Coats of the Veins, it ought to be cured after the same manner, as an Ulcer of the Womb is cu∣red, of which hereafter.

In the whol Course of the Disease, while the foresaid Medicaments are used, care must be had to strengthen the Bowels, and to correct the vitious quality of the Blood, as we shewed in our Cure of the Hemorrhoids.

And to conclude, When the Flux is allaid, the same Rules of Prevention are to be used in this dis∣ease, which we prescribed concerning the Hemorrhoids.

Chap. 4. Of the Whites.

A Woman is said to have the Whites, the Womans Flux, the Flux of the Womb, or the White Menstruals; when Excrementitious Humors do flow from her Womb, either continually, or at least without any certain order, or course of time observed in their flowing.

And the said Excrementitious Humors are somtimes white and flegmatick, very like to Whey, or Barley Cream; somtime they are pale, or yellow, or green by the mixture of Choller; somtimes watery by the admixture of serous Humors: somtimes blackish, by the admixture of Melancholly; somtimes sharp and Corrosive, so as to eat into, and exulcerate some parts of the Womb; somtimes they are of a strong and beastly smel, and other whiles again, not at all offensive in that kind.

This Disease is wont to seize upon grown Women for the most part, and such as are of riper Age; yet are not Virgins alwaies free from the same: so that some have done ill in daring to affirm, That such Maids as are troubled with this disease, have parted from their Virginity, taking their Ground from the straightness of those Passages Naturally: For if Virgins have the Veins of their Wombs so large, that their wonted Courses can flow through them, why may not the Whites likewise drop out by the same passages, seeing they are many times more thin and fluxive than the Blood it self, as being wheyish and chollerick. The same is confirmed by the produced Experience of most learned Physitians, and dayly Practice teacheth me as much, viz. That the most chast and perfect Virgins in the World have had this Infirmity, of whom there could be no suspicion that they had been corrupted. And Fernelius doth witness, That he saw a Girl eight yeers old which had this Disease, and was afterward a long time grievously troubled therewith.

The Excrementitious Humors aforesaid, are bred either in the whol Body, or in some principal Part of the Body, or in the Womb it self.

If the Humors flow from the whol Body, they proceed either from bad Diet, or from a vicious habitual distemper of the whol Body, and they take their course unto the Womb as unto a Sink, or Common-shoar, whereinto the rest of the parts of the Body disburden themselves.

The particular parts, by whose consent the Womb suffers in this Disease, are chiefly, the Brain, Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Mesentery, and the Bladder, which dispatch their Excrements unto such parts as are more weakly, and so more disposed to receive them.

These Excrementitious Humors are bred in the Womb, because when it is unable to digest its pro∣per nourishment, by means of the weakness of its Retentive or Concoctive Faculty, the greater part of its Aliment is turned into Excrements, being imperfectly digested, or corrupted rather. It is im∣perfectly digested in cold distempers of the Womb; and it is corrupted in hot distempers thereof. And seeing the Womb by want of Digestion, is defrauded of its Nutriment, it presently draws new Aliment, which being turned into Excrements, is by the Womb expelled as unprofitable; and new Aliment is continually drawn, whereby this flux of evil Humors from the Womb, becomes both plen∣tiful and continual. The Womb is weakened and more disposed to the Reception of these Excre∣ments by Child-bearing, travelling in Child-birth, Abortion, and Contusion, Inflamation, Impost∣humes, or Ulcers.

The Signs of this Disease, are referred to the Infirmity it self, to the part affected, or to the cause producing the Disease.

The Disease it self is easily known by relation of the sick party, and it is often times attended with divers Symptomes, viz. Paleness of Face, want of Appetite, sickness of Stomach, short breathing, weakness, swelling of the Eyes, fulness, pensiveness and sadness, thick Urines, turbulent, and many other accidents, which differ according to the diversity of the Humors offending, as we shall declare more distinctly by and by.

The part affected, and the place in which these Excrementitious Humors causing the flux are bred, may beknown by these following tokens.

If the matter of the Flux is bred in the whol Body, these signs do shew it; viz. Weariness and hea∣viness not proceeding from any work, of which the Patient is eased, having disburdened her self by the flux plentifully; and then again, when new matter is collected, she begins to be weary and heavy as before; her Veins are full; her Feet, Hands, and Thighs, are apt to be numbed. And these signs do especially discover only a plenitude of Humors. But that corrupt Humors do abound in the whol Body, is known by an evil habit in the whol Body [that is, an ugly sickly appearance in the looks, and whol outward state of the Body] a puffing up of the Hands and Feet, an itching and stin∣ging in the whol Body, if the Humor be sharp, and many such signs as these.

If the matter offending reside in some peculiar part; the Symptomes and Excrements proper to that part, discover the same; as for example: A pain, heat, and swelling of the Liver, with Cholle∣rick Excrements, do shew the Liver to be affected; and the same Symptomes happening on the left side, with Excrements of a Melanchollick appearance, do argue the flux to spring from the Spleen: Flegmatick Excrements, Stomach-sickness, want of Appetite, and somtimes extream Appetite, fre∣quent corruption of the meat, and sowr belchings, or fatty (as of the Dripping-pan, or over-scorched flesh) are sure tokens of the Stomachs faultiness.

Pain of the Head, Froathy Excrements, some usual evacuation by the mouth or nostrils being stopped, do witness that flux springs from the Head. If none of the aforesaid signs of some part af∣fected appear, then we may conjecture that the flux proceeds primarily from the womb. Also the Woman (in such a case) is well colored, the matter flowing is but little in quantity, being the excre∣ment of the womb alone. There have preceded such causes as weaken the Womb, as are hard Travel, Abortion, a Fall upon the Belly or Back, immoderate Carnal Embraces, especially if the woman have been too young married, Tumors, Ulcers, and other Infirmities of the Womb, whose signs are pro∣pounded in their proper Chapters.

The Humor causing the Flux is known chiefly by the colors of that which comes away, which were a little before declared, and which appear in the cloaths wherewith it is received, if, as Hippocrates teacheth in his second Book of Womens Infirmities, the said cloaths being dried, shall be after washed in Water alone, and dried in the shadow: for so they manifestly declare the color of that Humor which most abounds in the Excrements. Hereunto may be added the signs of an Humor abounding in the whol Body, usually delivered in that part of the Institution of Physick, which treats of Signs.

In the last place, We are to propound such Signs as distinguish this Disease from others like unto it; as namely, Excretion of Purulent matter proceeding from an Ulcer of the Womb, and the Go∣norrhoea, or flux of Seed.

It is distinguished from purulent Matter by the signs of an Ulcer in the Womb, which shall be set down in their proper Chapter; as likewise, because the Purulent Matter or Quittor, is much thicker, whitish, and lesser in quantity, if it be digested rightly; but if it be of a goary, sanious, and fleshy appearance, like blood and water mingled, there is then blood amongst the matter, and it is wont somtimes to come away with strings from the Womb, and with exceeding pain; also the Wo∣men that have Ulcers in the Womb or its Neck, admit not of Copulation but with pain, which exasperates their Disease; but those which are troubled only with the Whites, do willingly and pa∣tiently suff••r themselves to be embraced by their Husbands.

In the Gonorrhoea, the matter which comes away is not so much in quantity, is thicker, of a more shining whiteness, holds up longer from flowing, and seldom or never stinks. But if it be a virulent or venemous Gonorrhoea (such as accompanies the Letchers Pocks) it is known by sharpness of U∣rine, Ulcers of the Privy parts, and other Signs that argue Malignity.

The Predictions or Prognosticks of this Disease, are as followeth:

This Disease in one respect may be called good, in another respect bad: Good, forasmuch as commonly it is not attended with any danger of death; and bad, because it is a stubborn Disease, long lasting, and most exceeding hard to be cured; forasmuch as the flux of evil Humors having once taken this course, is very hardly turned out of its Channel, because the Womb (as we said before) is the Draught of the whol Body, whereby even in time of Health, the superfluous Humors of the whol Body are monthly evacuated.

If this Infirmity get head, it may bring many other Evils upon the Patient, as Barrenness, falling down of the Womb, Exulceration, Cachexia, Dropsie, and Consumption.

A Flux of Whites, blewish, bloody, stinking, is worse than the white, pale, not stinking.

The longer this Disease hath lasted, the harder it is to cure.

It attends old Women to the grave for the most part, because of their abounding with flegm, and the weakness of their Concoctive Faculty.

The Cure of this Disease is to be begun by a convenient purging of the Peccant Humor And be∣cause ••legmatick and wheyish Humors do most commonly oftend, such things as purge those Hu∣mors, must chiefly be used, and with them Purgers of Choller, or Expellers of Melancholly must be mingled, according as Choller or Melancholly is adjoyned to the Humor offending. An Apozeme therefore may be appointed both altering and purging for four or five daies by way of a solemn pur∣gation, alwaies remembring that to the purging Medicaments, some astringent and corroborating things are to be added, lest the Humors of the Body being stirred, should fall more abundantly into the Womb.

Touching Blood-letting, it is a question, whether it be convenient in this Disease or not: For see∣ing this Flux is caused by ill Humors in the Body, which by Blood-letting are drawn into the Veins and so may corrupt the Mass of Blood; it seems there is in this case no place for bleeding. Also, since in this lingring Disease, the Patients strength is much abated, and the Body often brought into a Con∣sumption, it seems unsit to weaken it yet more by blood-letting, and so defrauding it of its nourish∣ment. Which Controversie is thus decided; That if the flux be not pure and simple, but in some measure mingled with Blood, and it appear reddish, that then a Vein may be opened; as also if the Liver be very much heated, and the sharpness of Choller be joyned with the flux. In other Cases, especially if the flux have endured long, it is better to abstain from Blood-letting.

Bindings of the upper parts of the Body, and Cupping-glasses applied to the shoulder-blades, and to the back, wil be very useful to draw the Humors upward; also rubbings of those parts wil be spe∣cially profitable, first with finer and softer cloaths, than with rougher and courser, which Galen dayly practised upon the Wife of Boetius, whom he cured in the space of thirteen daies, as himself relates in his Book of Prognosticks dedicated to Posthumus, Chap. 8.

And besides the Universal Purgation already propounded, ordinary Purgations are also to be ad∣ministred, and frequently reiterated, that the superfluity of Excrements may be the better evacuated by little and little, and that Nature may get a custom to void those Humors by stool, which former∣ly had their recourse unto the Womb. To this intent, Magisterial Syrups, Pills, and usual Opiates may be compounded, suitable to the temper of the Patient, and the Humors offending. In this Dis∣ease caused by ••legm, Mercatus commends a Syrup of the Decoction of Lignum vitae, with Senna, Turbith, and Agarick; as also the following Pills:

Take of the Mass of Pills of Hiera picra, one dram: Agarick trochiscated one dram and an half: with Honey of Roses make them into Pills, of which let the Patient take early in the mor∣ning six or seven every third day: afterward, only three of them every fift or sixt day.

Or for the greater Astriction, as wel as purging, they may be thus compounded, in whatever Complexion.

Take Choyce Rhubarb oft-times sprinkled with the Juyce of Roses, two drams: Citrine colored, white and black Myrobalans steeped in the Juyce of Roses, of each one dram: Mastich one scruple: Spicknard half a scruple: With Syrup of Roses make all into a Mass of Pills. Let the Dose be one dram twice in a week.

For a Flux arising of Serosity, or Wheyish Excrements, Jallap is most excellent, which may be thus used:

Take Jallap finely poudered one dram: Cinnamon finely poudered half a scruple. Mix them, and with a draught of Chicken Broth, give it the Patient in the morning.

A Laxative Ptisan dayly taken for a month together, hath cured a stubborn Flux of Whites, when nothing else could, as is to be seen in our Book of Medicinal Observations.

Vomiting is likewise much commended in this Disease, especially in such as are easie to vomit, because such indigested humors as are wont to be gathered about the Stomach, are hereby both eva∣cuated, and powerfully revelled or drawn back from the Womb. Among convenient Vomits, Dia∣sarum of Fernelius his Invention is commended, half an ounce whereof, given in Water and Honey, or with one ounce of Oxymel, and warm Chicken Broth, twice or thrice in a month, moves three or four Vomits, without any trouble.

After sufficient Purgations, sweat may be procured to expel the remnants of the Excrementitious Humor; and also to cause a further Revulsion of the Humors falling into the Womb.

To this intent, a Decoction of Lignum vitae, and Sassaphras, will be good in such as are flegmatick; and of China and Sarsaparilla in such as are Chollerick and Melanchollick, cooling and temperate Herbs being added, lest the evil Humors be more exasperated, and become more sharp.

Or Sweat may be provoked by a Decoction of hot Herbs, as Nep, Calaminth, Fennel, Hysop, Elicampane, Chamomel, Dill, and such like, the evaporation of which Herbs being artificially re∣ceived upon the Patients Body, will procure sweat. A Bath may also be made of the same Decocti∣on, by which sweat may be provoked. But in hotter Constitutions, a Bath of fresh fair Water blood-warm, will be sufficient, in which moderate and gentle sweats only may be procured.

Sulphurous Baths do also powerfully cause sweat, and consume the reliques of this Disease: and by help of such Baths we have known some Women cured, that no other means could help.

As touching Piss-driving Medicines, its a weighty question whether or no they are fit to be admi∣nistred in this Disease? For they do not only provoke Urine, but the Courses likewise, by heating and attenuating the Humors contained in the Veins. Yet are they allowed by all Authors, and by Galen himself, who used them in the Cure of the Wife of Boetius: And the reason is, Because Piss∣drivers do provoke Urine Primarily, and the Courses Secondarily, and as it were by accident or chance. Again, the Kidneys do perpetually draw Wheyish Humors unto themselves, whereas the Womb does only receive them; whereupon it is credible that the greatest part of such Humors, will have recourse into the waies of Urine.

Now the Piss-driver which Galen used in the foresaid Woman, is a Decoction of Asarum and Smallage in fair Water; howbeit, it will be better temper'd, if it be made in Succhory Water.

A more compounded Piss-driving Broth, may be thus made:

Take the Roots of Asarum, and of Smallage, of each one ounce: Leaves of Calaminth, and Soldanella, of each one handful: Elder flowers half a handful: Polypody, and Carthamus seeds, of each half an ounce: boyl all to a pint. Give five ounces of the Liquor or Broth strained, in the morning. If you would make it purgative, add a little Agarick, and a little Turbith boyled with the rest, in a Rag.

It's questioned whether Issues in the Legs are good for this Disease; for by drawing the Humors downwards, they may decrease the Flux. Howbeit, experience hath shewed that they do good in old Fluxes, because by such passages, some part of the Excrementitious Humor is voided.

If Chollerick and sharp Humors cause this Disease; not only purgers of Choller are to be given, but likewise Alteratives which cool and thicken, and are moderately Astringent; such as these Ju∣leps following.

Take of the leaves of Succory with the roots, of Endive, Borrage, Lettice, and Purslain, of each half an handful: of new Sebestens and Jujubes, of each seven in number: of the four greater cool Seeds, and white Poppy Seeds, of each half a drachm: of red Rose-leaves a pugil. Boil al in Water sufficient, unto a pint, and in the strained liquor dissolve Syrup of Quinces, or of dried Red Roses three ounces, and make a Julep, for three Doses.

But if Melanchollick humors abound, they are to be altered and Purged away, by Medicines proper to that intent.

The use of Chalybeate milk taken forty daies together, the quantity of four or five ounces is very proper for either of the aforesaid Humors; whereunto may be added towards the end, a little Bole∣armoniack, or Terra Sigillata.

In the whole Course of Curing, it is to be considered, whether any part of the Body be misaffec∣ted, and so may send the matter of the Flux into the Womb; and if so, then care must be taken for the use of that part.

For if Humors flowing from the Brain, do cause this Disease, Remedies are to be applied to that part; especially such as revel and divert the Fluxion, viz. Cupping-glasses frequently fastned up∣on the shoulders and Back, Medicines snuft up into the Nostrils, Masticatories, Vesicatories, and Is∣sues made in the hinder part of the Head, or in the nape of the Neck; instead where of Setous may be used, which are more effectual. And Febritius Hildanus in the forty one Cure of his first Cen∣tury, relates that he cured a Woman long troubled with the Whites, and thereby Barren, by a Seton.

If the Humors flow from the Stomach, Liver, or any other part, suitable Remedies must be appli∣ed to that part.

The Body being prepared, and the offending Humor for the most part evacuated, or derived ano∣ther way: We must proceed to corroborating and Astringent Medicaments. But they must never be used until the Antecedent matter be wel evacuated, and diverted. Otherwise, those Humors re∣tained, do rush into the more noble parts, and stir up more grievous Symptoms. As Galen in the a∣fore-cited place relates to have befallen the Wife of Boetius, Whose Belly, swelled, by meanes of the unseasonable use of Astringents, by which the Wheyish Humors were retained in her Body, which were wont to pass away in the Flux. It is likewise to be remembred, that whilst we are in the use of Astringent Remedies, we do then divert the Antecedent Matter, and hinder the same from increa∣sing, by the Remedies aforesaid. Amongst these principal corroborating Medicines, Treacle is rec∣koned, which is to be used in flegmatick Constitutions. Conserve of Roses, and of Wormwood,

may be mingled with the Treacle; Or the following Opiate may be compounded,

Take Conserve of Rosemary flowers one ounce: Conserve of Calamus Aromaticus two drachms: Species of Diarrhodon Abbatis, and of Aromaticum Rosatum, of each one drachm: Red Coral prepared half a drachm: Treacle two drachms; with Syrup of preserved Citron peeles Make all into an Electuary. Or,

Take old Conserve of Red Roses, Roots of Comfry, Bugloss, and Citron peeles, of each one ounce: Red Coral burnt, shavings of Ivory, Bole-armoniack, Terra Sigillata, Dragons-blood, of each one drachm; with Syrup of Red Roses dried: make all into an Opiate.

The pouder of Sage, Salsa-parilla, and Baula stians taken every morning in broath, is the Court-La∣dies Medicine.

Zecheus commends this following Electuary, which he had often used with happy Success.

Take Gum Arabick, and Gum Tragacanth, of each two drachms: white and red Coral, burnt Eg-shels, Harts-horn, Dill seeds, Amber, of each four Scruples: Honey of Roses, as much, as will make all into an Electuary. Of which give half an ounce two hours before meat. Let the Pati∣ent swallow it down, and drink after it four ounces of Plantane Water, mingled with two drachms of red Wine.

Juleps may be made of Rose-water, Knotgrass, and Plantane waters, with the Syrup of Myrtles, dried Roses, and the like: Some of the aforesaid pouders being added.

Mercurialis saies he frequently used a Decoction of Oak-leaves, with the Runnet of an Hare; wherewith he cured many Women of this Disease. His manner of making his Medicine was thus.

Take of the Decoction of Oak-leaves five or six ounces: of the Runnet of an Hare, one dram:

Let her take this Medicine eight or then daies.

When the Disease comes from Choller, the following Syrup may be prepared, which is strengthen∣ing, Astringent, and cooling. Thus,

Take red Rose Water four pints: Spirit of Vitriol, so much as will make the Water a little sharp; but so as scarce to be perceived by taste: red Roses dried three pugils: Steep them in the Water cold, two daies, S••ain it, and add thereto so much Sugar of Roses, as will make a Syrup.

And Finally, Those Astringent remedies mustred up in the former Chapter, touching the Immode∣rate Flux of Courses, may be likewise useful in this Cure.

The Patient may use instead of ordinary drink, a Diet drink of China-roots, or Mastich wood, with Astringent Wine mingled.

The same time that the Patient takes in such things as are Astringent, and do strengthen the Womb, she must likewise use outward Remedies applied to the place affected, viz. Fomentations, Baths to sit, it, Oyntments, Plaisters, Injections, Fumigations, and Pessaries; such as have been pre∣scribed against Immoderate Courses.

But before these external Astringents are applied, the Womb must be well clensed. Otherwise such impurities would be therein retained, as returning back into the Body, may cause more grievous Diseases. And in our clensing, we must regard the Humor offending; for one sort of Clensers are fit for Flegmatick, another for Chollerick Humors.

If the Humor be Chollerick, let the Clensing Injections be made of Barley-Water, Whey, Water sweetened with Sugar. If it be Flegmatick, let them be made of Hydromel, or of the Decoction of Wormwood, Fever-few, and the like.

Also a Detergent Pessary may be made of Treacle, and Turpentine; or of Mercury leaves bruised, and wrapped up in a fine Linnen rag very thin worn.

Let the Patient use these Clensers, before the Astringents be applied, until her Womb be well pu∣rified; which may be known, if little or no Humors come therefrom.

After the Use of the Clensers, the Fumes are first to be received over a Close-stool, because they dry and strengehen the Womb; and they may fitly be made of Frankinsence, Ladanum, Mastich, Sanders, Nutmeg, and Red-Rose leaves. And afterwards we must proceed to other Astringent Remedies.

Chap. 5. Madness from the Womb.

WOmb-Furie is a sort of Madness, arising from a vehement and unbridled desire of Carnal Im∣bracement, which desire disthrones the Rational Faculy so far, that the Patient utters wan∣ton and lascivious Speeches, in all places, and companies, and having cast off all Modesty, madly seeks after Carnal Copulation, and invites men to have to do with her in that way.

This Immoderate desire of Carnal Conjunction, springs from the abundance of Seed, from it's A∣crimony,

and heat transcending the bounds of Nature, whereby it is made to heave and work in the Seminal vessels, as Yest works, whereby the parts made for generation, are vehemently stirred up, and Inflamed with lustful desires. And from the same Seminal matter so affected, Vapors ascend unto the Brain, which disturb the Rational Faculty, and depose it from its throne. Howbeit, The Im∣moderate appetite of carnal Conjunction alone, without the help of any such vapors, is able of it self to master the Rational faculty, as also al other Immoderate passions; but especially Immode∣rate Love, which is called Eroticus affectus, or Love-Melancholly.

Now the Seed acquires the aforesaid qualities, when it is over long retained in Bodies prone to lust, and full of heat; and therefore this Disease is incident to Virgins, and young Widows peculi∣arly; although it may also betide married Women, that have impotent Husbands, or such as they do not much affect, whereby their Seminary Vessels are not sufficiently disburthened, or their amorous affections duly satisfied.

Some hold, That the Seed being corrupted, acquires a malignant quality, which causes these grie∣vous Symptoms. But they are not wel able, so holding, to shew any difference between this Di∣sease, and fits of the Mother, which arise from the Seed being corrupted, and thereby infected with a malignant quality. For although several degrees of putrefaction do produce different degrees of malignity, from whence a great variety of Symptoms are wont to arise; yet these manifest qualities aforesaid, viz. great plenty of Seed, it's heat, Acrimony, and Fermentation in excess, together with the great heat of the genital parts; are sufficient to produce this Disease we treat of.

Now the Causes producing so hot, plentiful, and sharp stinging Seed, are youthful age, Sanguine complexion, and Cholerick, or melancholly adust; meats that nourish much, a plentiful table, es∣pecially if the meats be spiced; the frequent smel of Spices, Musk, Amber-greece, and such like: large sleeping, and upon soft beds filled with Feathers, or down; amorous Courtings, reading of la∣scivious Books, Dancings, and other pleasures usual in the meetings of youthful persons.

The Signes of this Disease may easily be gathered out of what hath been already said. But because it is wont to discover it self gradually, by little and little; it is sit to relate it's progress. In the be∣ginning, whilst the sick persons do yet enjoy their understanding, they are more sad, and silent than ordinary, but with a wanton rowling of their Eyes, and a ruddyness of countenance; which ruddi∣ness, is sometime more then at others? especially when mention is made of matters belonging to bo∣dily lust, for then their breathing is changed, and their Pulse too, by Sympathy of the Heart, which made Galen boast that he knew the furious lusts of Women by their Pulse; because such Lovers, do of a sudden undergo divers▪ changes of their Pulse, when desirable objects are presented unto them, or brought into their remembrance. Afterwards when the Disease is exasperated, they begin to scold, and to weep, and ever and anon they fall a laughing, they speak many things without rime, or reason unadvisedly, out of which no certain sence can be gathered; a while after, they repent of this their folly, until another fit take them, by reason of the inordinate motion of the peccant mat∣ter, which observes no certain period in it's Fermentations. Women possessed with this kind of do∣tage, when the Disease is come to it's height, do openly before all the world ask men to lie with them expressing the actions of Generation in the most proper, and broadest language, their mother tongue affords.

As for the Prognosticks of this Disease. It is a curable sickness, if meanes be used in time. But if it continue long, and take firm rooting, it turns into a true and perfect Madness.

There is a great hope of Recovery, when the distances between the fits begin to be longer than or∣dinary, or when the Patients Body, being grown lean becometh fat again, and when mention of mat∣ters pertaining to Generation, doth no longer affect or disturb them.

The Cure of this Disease tends to correct the hot distemper of the Bowels; especially of the Womb, and the Blood, and Seed; likewise to evacuate the sharp Humors, and Seminal matter of∣fending. All which may be done by the following Remedies.

And in the first place, Blood must be often drawn, as far as the Patients strength can bear: that so the whol Mass of Blood, and the Womb it self may be cooled, and the fervent Blood may be with∣drawn from the Veins of the Womb.

And if the Patients monthly Courses be stopt, the inferior Veins are afterwards to be opened, that they may by that means be brought down.

But if the Blood seems to have recourse to the Hemorrhoid Veins, which is known by their swelling and redness; the said Veins are to be opened by Application of Leeches

Afterwards a Purgation is to be given, made of the gentler sort of Medicines purging Choller or Melancholly, according as the one or other Humor shal seem to abound.

This purgation is to be followed by Juleps that prepare the matter offending, Viz. such as cool and gently open; which must be given three daies together.

Then a more strong purgation is to be administred, which may wholy extirpate the foresaid humors.

To which intent these Purging Medicaments may be used, which was set down in our Cure of Mad∣ness, which must be now and then repeated.

After iterated Purgations, the following Bath being frequently used in the whol course of the disease, will be very usefull to cool the whol Bodie, and temper the fervor of the peccant Hu∣mour.

Take Leaves of Lettice, Willow-tree, Water-lillies, Vine-tree, Purslain, Penny-wort, of each a handful: Flowers of Violet, Water-lilly and Roses, of each two handfulls. Boyle all for a Bath, into which Blood-warm let the Patient enter, twice in a day, without sweating, far from meal-tide.

And forasmuch as a compleat, and entire▪ Bathing cannot conveniently be continued for so many daies together; at least the Patient may Bath her lower parts frequently in a part of the a∣foresaid Decoction, yea or of meer Water, and the liquor must be only warmish: For the prime intention of this Cure is, that the Womb may be cooled to the purpose: which is confirmed by a re∣markable Experiment propounded by Dr. Harvey, in his Treatise of the Child-bearing of a noble Lady, who had been more than ten yeers beside her self, by reason of this Womb-fury; whose Womb (after all things had been tried to reduce her to her wits, in vain) fell out, which they did not put up til the coldness of the external Air had healed its distemper; the event was, as the Doctor imagin'd, and she grew quickly well, and her Womb was at last restored to its proper place.

For the greater cooling of the Body, it may be convenient to give the Patient Whey to drink many daies together.

And to be brief, Whatever hath been prescribed in our Cures of Madness and Hypochondriacal Me∣lancholly, will be good in this Disease, according as it shal be caused either by Choller or Melancholly.

Unto all which may be added such things, which by a peculiar property, diminish and cool the Seed: Among which take these that follow for example.

Take Leaves of Water-lilly, Willow, Agnus Castus, of each four handfuls: Lettice, Purslain, Penny-wort, or Two-penny Grass, of each a handful: the four larger cooling Seeds, Lettice, and white Poppy seeds, of each half an ounce: Dill seeds two drams: the flowers of Water-lilly, and Violets, of each one handful. Let all be stamped, being fresh, and let them be sprinkled with Juyce of Lemmons, and distilled in Balneo Mariae, and to every pint of the Water, add a dram of Cam∣phire. Let the Patient take an ounce divers times.

Or of all, or some of the Simples aforesaid, a Decoction may be made, and sweetened with Sugar, and a little Camphire put to it, to be taken divers times one after another.

Or an Emulsion may be made of the greater cool Seeds, Lettice seeds, and white Poppy seeds, ex∣tracted with the Waters of Lettice, Willow and Water-lillies, and sweetened with Syrup of Vio∣lets.

An Electuary may be prescribed after this manner:

Take Conserve of the Flowers of Water-lillies, Violets, and Agnus Castus, of each half an ounce: Conserve of Roses half an ounce: Lettice Stalks preserved one ounce: Coral and Smaragd prepared, of each one dram: with Syrup of Violets, and water-lillies, make an Opiate.

In the greatest extremity of the Patients raving, such things as procure sleep, are very profitable, both inward and outward Medicaments, as they are set down in the Cure of Phrenzy and Mad∣ness.

In the whol course of the Disease, Clysters which cool and gently purge, are to be used, taking heed of sharp Clysters, and such as vehemently purge, which do exagitate the Humor contained in the Womb, or its Vessels, whereby the Symptomes are wont to become more fiery.

Also Injections may be made into the Womb, of the Decoction of such Herbs as have formerly been set down for Baths and other▪ Remedies, whereunto Sal Saturni may profitably be added.

Frequent Clysters may likewise be good to the same intent, being made of Vinegar allaied with Water.

Also cooling Oyntments are to be applied to the Loyns, Privity, the Share, and between the Wa∣ter-gate, and the Dung-gate, made of Oyl of Water-lillies, Oyntment of Roses, Ʋnguentum Al∣bum Camphoratum, with the Juyces of Nightshade, Henbane, and Water-lillies, melted together, adding a little Camphire.

Also a Plate of Lead is good to be worn continually upon the Reins.

In regard of the immediate Cause, seeing the evacuation of the sharp and corrupted Seed, may cure the Disease; it is very good Advice in the Beginning of the Disease, before the Patient begins manifestly to rave, or in the space between her fits, when she is pretty well, to marry her to a lusty yong man. For so the Womb being satisfied, and the offensive Matter contained in its Vessels being▪ emptied, the Patient may peradventure be cured.

But if the Patient cannot so conveniently be married, or the condition of her life will not bear that estate, some advise that the Genital Parts should be by a cunning Midwise so handled and rubbed, as to cause an Evacuation of the over-abounding Sperm. But that being a thing not so allowable, it may fuffice whilst the Patient is in the Bath, to rub gently her Belly on the Region of the Womb, not

coming neer the Privy parts, that the luke-warm temper of the Water may moderate the hotness of the Womb, and that it may by the moisture be so relaxed, as of its own accord to expel the Seminal Excrement, and that nothing else be done with the hand, save a little to open the Womb, so as the Water may pass into its more inward parts; forasmuch as the water will operate as much as any of those Medicines which are used to extinguish the seed withal.

Pessaries may be compounded to the same intent of the Leaves of Mercury bruised, with a little Mirrh, or the Pouder of Aristolochia or Birthwort; which must be put up, when the Patient is in the Bath, lest otherwise the VVomb should be over-heated; and after an hour, it must be taken away. And afterward, let an Injection be made into the VVomb of VVhey, or Barley water, with a little Juyce of Nightshade, Housleek, or Hemlock, which is specially commended in this Disease.

To purge out the Seed, the following Bolus or Morsel will be very profitable.

Take of Venice Turpentine three drams: Agaricktrochiscated one dram: Carrot seed, Hemp∣seed, and Lignum Aloes poudered, of each eight grains: With Sugar make all into a Bolus or Mor∣sel to be swallowed.

If the Disease do yet continue, let Issues be made in her Thighs; for nothing is better than by such meanes to draw the matter downward, from the Womb, to those inferior parts.

And if swellings of the Spleen shall arise, and Obstructions, during this Cure, as it often times hap∣pens; they must be carefully cured with their proper Medicaments.

Finally, Because in this Disease the Brain and Heart, are grievously affected, by reason of Va∣porsarising from the Womb, they are both of them diligently to be provided for; the Brain being secured by rubbing and chafing the lower parts, and by Cupping-glasses frequently fastened upon the Hipps, and Groins; and the heart defended by Cordial things out wardly applied, both Liquid and Solid, such as are described in our Chapter, touching decay of strength.

Chap. 6. Of the Mother-Fits, or Womb-sickness.

WHen Seed and Menstrual Blood, are retained in Women besides the intent of Nature, they putrefie and are corrupted, and attain a malignant and venemous quality: from whence vene∣mous Vapors are elevated and carried to divers parts of the Body, from whence divers Symptomes do arise, and those so divers, that Democri••us might justly say in his Letter to Hippocrates, That the VVomb is Author of a thousand sad Sorrows, and innumerable Calamities. And Hippocrates himself saies in his Book of Virgins Diseases, That miserable VVoman-kind is commonly laded with incomprehensible and manifold Diseases. All which Infirmities we intend to explain in this Chap∣ter, under the name of Mother-Fits: herein imitating Galen, who in his sixt Book of Parts Affected, and the fift Chapter, saies that the Mother, or Hysterical Passion, is but one name indeed, yet com∣prehending under it divers and innumerable Accidents. Notwithstanding all late Writers in a man∣ner, do handle ••he Suffocation of the Womb, under the Title of Hysterical Passion, calling a particu∣lar Symptome by such a name as is common to many others, because it, of al the rest, is most frequent, and most troublesom. But herein the very best Authors seem to have been superfluous in their Trea∣tises of Womens Diseases, while in different Chapters they describe several Diseases springing from the Womb, viz. Suffocation of the Womb, Head-ach, Epileptical fits, Palpitations of the Heart, Pulsation of the Arteries about the short Ribs, and in the Back, the Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and Spleen arising from the Womb, and divers pains in sundry parts of the Body arising therefrom; seeing all these Infirmities do arise from one and the same cause, and are to be cured by the self same Medicines; so that the aforesaid Authors, are fain to repeat the same things over and over, in several Chapters, not without much weariness to the Reader.

We therefore, That we may more briefly, and methodically set down the Nature of all these in∣firmities, think it worth our labor, first to set down the universal Causes of them all; and afterwards to declare how those Diseases arise from the said Causes.

We have shewed in the beginning of this Chapter, that there are two special Causes of all these Symptoms, viz. the Womans Seed, and the Menstrual Blood, being retained beside the intent of Nature, and corrupted, and possessed of a malignant, and venemous quality; out of which malig∣nant Vapors, do arise, and afflict divers parts of the Body. Unto which Doctrine generally pro∣pounded, two other things of greatest moment must be added, viz. First, That not only the Seed and menstrual Blood, do produce Hysterical, or Womb-sicknesses; but divers Humors also of an excrementitious Nature flowing into the VVomb, and by a long abiding, growing putrefied, and sending out filthy Vapors. This is verfied by many Ancient VVomen, who being destitute of menstrual Blood and of Seed, are yet very much subject to these VVomb-sicknesses or Hysterical passions. Secondly, that not only vapors arising out of the aforesaid substances, are causes of these distempers, but the very Humors themselves are a cause, which finding no free vent by

the Veins of the Womb (into which as a Common-shore Nature disburthens superfluous Humors) by reason of the stoppage of the Monthly Courses or of the Whites; they flow back again into the superior parts of the Body, and doe infect the said parts with that vitious quality, which they have contracted by their long abiding in the Vessels of the Womb, or by their mixture with Seed, or Menstrual Blood corrupted.

These Foundations being thus laid down, let us see how Hysterical Symptomes are stirred up by the Causes aforesaid, beginning with the Suffocation, or strangling fits of the Mother, which is the most frequent and principal Sickness of these kind of Women, being accompanied with very many, and those most grievous Symptomes. For besides their breathing impaired, and somtimes abolished, their whol Body becomes cold, their Speech and Pulse is intercepted, so that they lie like dead Wo∣men; and some have been accounted dead, and laid out for Burial, and yet afterward Revived.

Now this Sickness comes by fits, which makes their returns somtimes sooner, somtimes later; and endure somtimes a longer, somtimes a shorter time, according to the quantity of the Humor of∣fending, which is somtimes quickly collected, and somtimes long in gathering; somtimes soon dis∣cussed, and somtimes long before it can be discust: For such like Causes of Diseases in the Body of Man, have their times of digestion and exaltation; which having arrived unto, they do suddenly, and as it were in a moment, break forth into action. Yea, and such Humors being already collected in the Body, may for a season lie hid, until being stirred by some internal or external Cause, they shed forth their poysonous blasts and vapors into other parts of the Body. Now the most frequent and noted Caused of this Commotion and Agitation of these Humors, are sweet smelling things coming neer the Patients Nose, or sweet Meats taken in, which quickly bring Women subject to this Insir∣mity, into their fits; also vehement Anger, Terror, and other grievous Passions of the Mind.

Now there are divers Degrees of this Sickness, according as the Matter offending differs in Quanti∣ty, or Malignity. For somtimes the Choaking-fits, with want of breathing, are light and soon go over; somtimes it is extream, so that the Patient breaths not at all, and is attended with other Hysterical or Womb-sicknesses, such as Vomitings, Ravings, Convulsions, and Swoonings, or Faintings away.

And for the most part, more grievous Symptomes do arise from corrupted Seed, than from Men∣strual Blood, or other corrupted Humors. For look how much Seed retaining its Natural Disposi∣tion, is of a more excellent Nature than Menstrual Blood, by so much does it degenerate when corrup∣ted, into a greater or worser kind of Venom or Poyson.

There are likewise other Differences of this Choaking Mother-sickness, to be observed, viz. That somtimes the Patients have their Breath stopt as it were, somtimes they complain that they are choa∣ked, as it were with a Rope that strangled them; and somtimes their breathing is much abated, or a∣bolished, without any pain or sence of strangling. The Reason of which diversity is this; That the simple Suffocation, and difficulty of breathing, do arise from abundance of Vapors, which do som∣times very much abound in Hysterical or Womb-sick Women, especially when the Hysterical Passi∣on, and Hypochondriacal Melancholly are joyned together. Which Vapors or Winds, do compress the Midrif and Lungs, as it is wont to fall out in the windy Asthma; but the sence of choaking, in which the Patient feels her self as it were strangled in her Throat, depends upon a special property of the venemous Vapor; as there are other Poysons in the greater World, which have such a proper∣ty of throatleing and choaking, as is known of one sort of Mushroms. And, that the venemous qua∣lities bred in Hysterical Women are divers, Galen does sufficiently hint in his sixt Book of the parts affected, Chap. 5. where he compares the malignity of this Vapor, to the venom of the Fish Torpe∣do, and to the sting of a Sco••pion; which Poysons, though in quantity they are smal, in operation they are mighty, and being received into mans Body, they do in a short space of time, grievously af∣flict the same, and produce therein most vehement Symptomes. As for Respiration diminished or abolished, it is caused by the said Vapors being endued with a Narcotick or Stupefactive power, which being mighty contrary unto the Heart and Vital Spirits, their action is thereby hindered, whence follows a cooling of the whol Body through defect of that Spirit which should flow from the Heart, and a cessation of Respiration, because there is now no need thereof. For seeing that draw∣ing of Breath is necessary to cool our Hearts, when the Heart is extreamly cooled by the venemous Vapors aforesaid, it needs none of that cooling which is caused by drawing in the Air, and so brea∣thing ceases, because there is no use thereof. We may also say, That the said venemous and stupe∣fying vapor, does assault the Brain, and hinder the Influx of the Animal Spirits, whereby the motion of the Midrif, and the Muscles serving for respiration, is hindered; ad hereunto, That the Vital Spirits being destroyed, the Animal Spirits, which are made of the Vital, must needs be destroyed like∣wise.

In the place before alleaged, Galen resolves a Doubt, which is this: That seeing it is generally held that a man cannot live without breathing, therefore it is impossible that Hysterical persons should in their fits be quite deprived of breathing. To which he answers, That in an extream cooling of the

Heart there is no need of respiration, which if it were stopped, and the Heart vigorous and hot, pre∣sent death would follow; but that little warmth which is yet remaining in the Heart, is cherished on∣ly by transpiration, or ventilation through the Pores of the Body; even as Creatures lying all the Winter in holes do live only by transpiration, because they are exceeding cold, and that little heat they have, needs no ventilation by way of drawing in Air into their mouths.

Besides, The fore mentioned cause of Womb-suffocation, viz. A malignant and venemous vapor, some ad another, namely, The ascending or rising of the Womb into the superior parts of the Body, whereby the Stomach and Midrif are compressed; from whence, not only Hysterical Suffocations, but other sicknesses also do arise. This ascending of the Womb, Hippocrates propounded in his Book of the Nature of Women, in these words: The Wombs of Women being turned from their Natural posture, do strive towards the Liver, and bear violently upon the Midrif; for they are carried upwards, seeking moisture to refresh them, being over dried with Labor; and the Liver is the fountain of pleasing moisture. And Fernelius in his sixt Book of Pathology, that is, of Disea∣ses and their causes, Chap. 16. saies, he had often felt the Womb thus ascending, bearing up against the Stomach like a round Globe, and grievously oppressing the same, from whence it hath been often thrust down by force of hand, and manifestly driven back into its own proper place. Eustachius Rudius in the Second Book of his Practice, in the 51. Chapter, saies the same thing, viz. That he with his own hands hath selt the Womb raised as high as the Navel, and somtimes above the same, and hath by little and little thrust the same down into its proper place. But Galen in his sixt Book of Parts affected, Chap. 5. opposes this Opinion, and teaches that although the Womb may in some sort be moved, and ascend, yet that motion and ascention is very little, neither is it any waies possi∣ble, That the Womb should ascend unto the Stomach, so far is it from being able to transcend the same so far as to reach unto the Midrif. A very strong Reason hereof is brought from Anatomy, seeing the VVomb is so fastened in its proper place by four very strong Ligaments, that cannot be lifted up so high. VVhereunto the Defenders of this Opinion do make answer, That in the falling out of the VVomb, those Ligaments are so relaxed that it is wont to come without the VVarer-gate, and therefore it may ascend as far up as it can go down, when those Ligaments are relaxed or slacke∣ned. To this we reply, That the falling out of the VVomb comes to pass by little and little through length of time, by the moistening and softening of the Ligaments, caused by a defluxion of Flegm thereupon; but that which they call the Ascent or Rising of the VVomb or Mother, happens in a mo∣ment, and is as soon restored; and it is requisite that the Ligaments should have been first relaxed, and consequently all VVomen should be troubled with the falling out of their VVombs, who are subject to this Ascent or rising we speak of, because the occasions of this Ascent being ceased, the VVomb would of its own accord, and by its own proper weight fall down wards, and lie continually without the Body.

It is harder to make Answer to the Experience of Fernelius, Rudius, and others; of which they testifie themselves eye witnesses, who profess they have with their own proper hands per∣ceived the Womb to ascend like a Globe or Bowl to the Navel and higher, being after wards by them thrust down into its own proper, place. Sennertus makes answer to this, that the round body which was by them so felt, was not the Womb, but the Stones, with that blind Vessel, which from Fallopius the finder or first Observer thereof is called Fallopious his Trumpet, becavse he likened the same to the broad end of a Trumpet. For the Stones appertaining to the Womb being pendulous (that is, Hang dangling movable as on strings) and the Body of the Trumpet afore∣said being hollow as a pipe, lax and apt to move this way, and that way; when they are filled with corrupt Seed, with vitious Humoes, and with windy Vapors, and swell and strout again, they may move this way and that way in the lower Region of the Belly, and ascend as high as the Navel. And that such a round swelling may happen in the Stones and Trumpet, as is somtimes felt in hystericall Women. The observations of Riolanus may teach (propounded in his Book called Anthropographia, where he relates) that in hysterical Virgins such as have had the Womb-sickness, He had found their Stones greater than his Fist, strouting with wheyish seed; also the Trumpet of the womb amplefied or inlarged and very much widened. And salius observed some such thing in a certain noble yong Damsel troubled with suffocations or strang∣ling of the womb, in whom one stone was swelled to the greatness of a large hand-bal, being filled with a saffron-color'd humor, very stinking, and sending forth a filthy and poysonsom kind of vapor: Which humor dyed the adjacent parts yellow, just as we see the Gut Colon where it is carried under the Liver, is by the Bladder of Gall rendered of a clay-like yellowish Colour

Yet is not Sennertus very far from the judgment of the Authors aforesaid; for granting, as he saies, that the Stones and Trumpet of the Womb, being filled with corrupt sperm, vitious Hu∣mors, and vaporous winds, do strout again, move to and fro in the lower Region of the Belly, and can ascend as high as the Navel; seeing those parts are contiguous with the Womb, they cannot be moved in the Region of the lower Belly, nor ascend unto the Navel, unless the Womb be moved with

them: so that this motion may be ascribed to the whol Womb very well, as it consists of its owne perfect parts together with such parts as are knit there unto. Againe if the Stones and Trum∣pet being filled with vitious Seed, Humors or vapours, may be diversly moued to and fro: Why may not the Womb being filled with like Humors and vapors, be moved with the same motion. Thereason indeed of Sennertus, which he borrowed from Galen does convince, that the VVomb tied with four ligaments, cannot ascend so high as the Midrif, no not as high as the Stomach; but it must not be denied, that it may be carried as high as the Navel, where the Authors aforesaid per∣ceived that Globe, both becavse those Ligaments may be somwhat stretched by matter working in them like yest, and like-wise becavse the womb whiles it is blowne up, sils a greater space, and may be perceived towards the Navel; so that whether the whole womb, or the parts fastened there unto. viz. The Stones and the Trumpet be moved upwards, we may still call it the Rising of the VVomb or Mother and cleave to the Doctrin of Hippocrates.

Head-ach from the womb, comes divers waies; for somtime it possesses the whol Head, other∣whiles the forepart, and then again the hinder part thereof, and sometimes it is felt about the Eyes, in such manner as if the Patients Eyes would leap out of her Head.

Now these pains are caused by the aforesaid sharp and malignant Vapors mounting into the Head, and twitching as it were, or grating upon these Membranous parts: Also evil humors brought from the womb to the Head, may cause the said pains. For vitious Blood; especially the more thin and wheyish part thereof, ascends from the womb into the Head, and being shed into the Membranous parts, bre••ds those pains. VVhich pains are somtimes, pricking, smarting, and sore as an Ulcer, by reason of the sharpness of the Vapors, or Humors ascending: Sometimes they are stretching, as it were, and swelling, because of the plenty and multiplicity which discend and stretch: Somtimes they are pulsatory pain, beating like the Pulse; when the Vapors or Humors are carried thither in the Arteries, or when the Arteries of some peculiar part of the Head are filled with over hot Blood.

The Falling-sickness springs from the womb, being caused by the aforesaid sharp and malignant Vapors, which being possessed with a very great Acrimony and malignity, do vehemently, and sharply smite the Nervous parts, whereby they come to be contracted, and whilst they endeavor to expel what offends them, they draw themselves together, and express these convulsive mocions.

Palpitation of the Heart, is often caused by the said Vapors, being carried from the womb to the Heart. and provoking the expulsive faculty to the Heart.

Also a Pulsation is caused in the Arteries of the Back, and about the short Ribs, by reason of an over hot Blood, carried from the womb into those Arteries, and distending them, whereby their Pul∣sation becomes greater, which smiting the adjacent parts, causes a feeling of the said Pulsation in them: Yet, somtimes such Pulsations are caused in Hypochondriacal melancholly, which when we come to the Signs of this Disease, we shal distinguish.

Divers disorders are likewise raised from the womb in the stomach, liver, and splee••; from the sto∣mach disorders arise, as appetite lost, or more than is fit, or desirous of absurd things; or Hiccoughs, Vo∣mitings, Belchings, & Heart-burnings: al which Symptoms do spring from the aforesaid vapors sent in∣to the stomach by the Hypogastrick, and Caeliack arteries, or other blind passages; & those vapors do stir up this variety of Symptoms, according to the diversity of their Nature, and the different degrees of their putrefaction, and malignity. For by their heat they cause want of appetite, and thirst; but if they be cold they hurt digestion. And the coveting of absurd things (as Chalk, Oat-meal, Smal∣coles, Linsey-Wol••ey cloth, &c.) is caused by the malignant quality of the Humors, and Vapors; as we have shewed in our Discouse touching that Symptom: and according to the different kind of ma∣lignity it comes to pass that the Patients appetite inclines her too long, for this, or that od thing; as some for Coales, others for Clay, or Morter, Salt, Cinnamon, Nutmegs, &c. And from a certain kind of malignity springs likewise, the loathing of some certain meats; and which is more wonderful, in some hath been observed an universal loathing of al kind of Drink; as Ludovicus Mercatus relates concerning a noble Gentlewoman, which would not away with any Drink, and of another, who though she desired Drink, yet did she Vomit it al up again, being likewise vexed with other grievous Symptoms. Where we may conjecture, that the evil Humors in that Gentlewoman, had attained such a kind of malignity, as that is which causes Water-Fear in such as have been bitten with a Mad-dog. It is, notwithstanding, undeniable, that the diversity of parts into which these Hu∣mors, and malignant Vapors are carried, conduce not a little to the variety of the Symptoms. For, If they are carried unto the mouth of the Stomach, they stir up Belchings, and Vomitings; if they stick to the Coates of the Stomach, they induce perpetual inclinations to Vomit; if they are endued with any singular Acrimony, they cause Hiccoughs, or pains of the Stomach; which pains may also a∣rise from the plenty of Humors, weighing heavy upon, and stretching the parts containing.

The Liver is easily offended by menstrual Blood retained, and by the Veins ••lowing back therein∣to; hence springs the Green-sickness, by reason of bad Blood flowing from the Womb into the Li∣ver,

and from the Liver shed abroad into the whol Body. Hence come Swellings, Feavers, and o∣ther Diseases very many, in the whol Body, and several parts thereof, forasmuch as all of them are nourished by the Liver.

But if the vitious Blood aforesaid do flow back from the Womb unto the Spleen, Swellings, Stop∣pings, and melanchollick, and Hypochondriacal Diseases are wont to be raised.

And, To conclude, Women feel divers kinds of pains in their Loyns, Thighs, and other parts, which arise from filthy Humors, and Vapors conveighed from the Womb into the said parts: Al which Symptoms, taking rise from the Womb, shal be distinguished from others which arise from other parts, and are like them, but produced from different causes; in our following Description of the Signes of this Disease.

In the first place therefore, Womb-sickness is known for the most part by what hath already been said of it. For the fore recited Symptoms do appear therein, not al in every one, but some in one Patient, some in another, according to the differing condition of the Causes. Now these Sym∣toms are, Breathing, depraved so, as, sometimes the Patient seems to be choaked; other whiles her brea∣thing is lessened▪ or wholly taken away, without any trouble or Sence of Suffocation; Refrigerati∣on, or cooling of the whol Body, and stopping or Interception of the Pulse; somtimes also a ta∣king away of Sence and motion; somtimes Ravings, Convulsions, Swoonings, Vomitings, and Hic∣coughs are joyned together.

But for a more clear Discovery of this Disease, those Signs are first to be propounded, which shew the Disease approaching, such as have a noyse in their lower Belly (first from the Navel downwards) with belching or inclination to Vomit; Wearinesses, Yawnings, and stretchings, proceeding from a flatulent matter, which begins to mount from the Womb into divers parts of the Body; a sad Look pale Face▪ caused by the drawing back of the Natural heat, from those Parts, to it's Foun∣tains.

When the Disease gathers strength, a sence of strangling begins to trouble the Patient, as if they had swallowed some great morsel which stuck in their Throat. Afterward their breathing stops, and their Suffocation is increased. And in conclusion al▪ their Vital, and Animal actions, are depraved, diminished, or abolished. Hence spring Ravings, Convulsions, and other grievous Symptoms. In some the Womb is sensibly tossed and tumbled, and gathered round like a Foot-bal; and felt after that manner in divers parts of the lower part of the Body. And when the Hysterical, or Womb-Fit begins to go over, a certain moisture flows out of the Water-gate, their Guts rumble, they lift up their Eyes, redness springs up in their Cheeks, Sence and motion is restored, their Body grows warm, they fetch deep Sighs, and so the Sick-Party by little and little, is freed from her Fit.

By the Signs propounded, Womb-sickness may easily be distinguished from such infirmities as are of kin, or otherwise like the same, viz. the Syncope (Swooning-sickness) Apoplexie (blasting Pla∣ne••-striking)) and the Falling-sickness: howbeit the difference between Womb-sickness, and those diseases aforesaid is peculiarly to be noted.

And in the first place, by three general Signs we may conjecture that these Symptoms which are common to Womb-sickness, and the aforesaid maladies, do proceed rather from the Womb, than from any primary misaffection of the Heart or Brain. The first whereof is, that if the sick Patient be sub∣ject to Womb-sickness, and hath been often anoyed with aforesaid Symptoms; when they come a∣fresh, we may conclude the Disease to be no other than Womb-sickness. The second is, That when Women begin to feel those Symptoms, they complain that their Womb is out of order. A third is, That in Womb-sickness Women do feel great ease when stinking things are put to their Noses, and sweet smelling things are put in by the Water-gate, which in those other infirmities falls not out.

And the Hysterical, or womb-sickness is more peculiarly distinguished from that which we cal Syn∣cope, or the Swooning-Fits, because in the Syncope, the breathing and Pulse do wholly cease; but in the VVomb-sickness, it remaines in a small measure, til they come into the very height of the Fit, wherein is most danger. Secondly, The Swooning Fits come more quickly, and seaze upon the Patient, as it were on a sudden. But in the VVomb-Fit, there proceed evident tokens of the ap∣proaching Fit. Thirdly, The Patients Face is paler in the Swooning-fits, than in the Womb-fits; yea verily, some Women have a ruddy countenance in their Fits of the Mother, and than the Disease is sufficiently known by that Sign alone. Fourthly, In the Swooning Fits, we find commonly cold, and Diaphoretick Sweats, which in the Womb-fits appear not. Fiftly, The Swooning Fits a••e shorter, and the Patient is soon either wel or dead; but the strangling Fits of the Mother last lon∣ger, continuing a whol day, or divers daies together sometimes. But it is to be remembred, that the Swooning-sickness, and the Womb-fits are somtimes joyned together, when the Heart is more grie∣vously afflicted than ordinary, or when the Patients strength hath been much weakned by protra∣ction of the Disease; and then the Symptoms of both Diseases may be mixed one with ano∣ther.

The Womb-Fit is distinguished from the Apoplexie; First because that in the Wombs-Choa∣king-Fits,

the Joynts are not so loosened, neither is the Sence of feeling wholly gone, as in the Apo∣plexie; but if they be pricked, or have their hairs puld off, they give a sufficient Sign with their Hands that they feel the pain. Secondly, In persons Apoplectical, Planet-struck (as the simpler sort do phrase it) there is a perpetual snorting of the Patient, but in the Womb-stranglings, not. Thirdly, Womb-strangled Patients when their Fit is over, remember what was done and said, du∣ring their extremity; but in the Apoplexie it is not so.

It is distinguished from the Falling-sickness; First, Because convulsive motions are not alwaies ••••yned with Hysterical Suffocations; and those that do accompany the womb-Fits, are not so Uni∣versal as in the Falling sickness, but molest only one or two members. Secondly. The Pulse is grea∣ter in the Fits of the Falling-sickness, than it uses to be when the Patient is wel; but in the Mother-Fits it is quite contrary. Thirdly, In the Falling-sickness, the Patient fomes at the mouth, but in the Mother-Fits there is no such foming. Fourthly, In the Falling-sickness, the Patient remem∣bers not what was done to her during the Fit, but in the Mother-sickness she remembers al, as we shewed before. Fiftly, Those that have Fits of the Mother, do in the end of the Fit come to them∣selves like persons awaked from sleep, with a noyse in the lower part of the Belly, the Womb as it were becoming quiet, and returning to it's Natural place, and sometime much humor flows from the Womb, which doth not befal such as have the Falling-sickness.

We must also enquire how such as are in the Fits of the Mother, may be distinguished from those that are quite dead; seeing many Histories relate that some Women in that Case have been accoun∣ted dead, appointed to buryal; yea, and some buryed. The waies which Authors prescribe to make this tryal, are divers: For either they lay teazed wool, or light Feathers upon the Patients mouth, and if they stir not she is given over for dead; or they apply a bright looking Glass to her mouth, which will be dulled with her breath, if she be yet alive; or they set a cup full of water upon her breast, and if the water stir not, they account the party dead. These Signs do for the most part hold good, but they are not perpetual, neither do they put the matter past dispute; seeing as was said before, some VVomen in these Fits do live only by Transpiration, as those live-wights which live in holes al the winter, and fetch no breath at al by their mouths. VVhich though it very sel∣dom fals out, yet it is a very good Caution, not to suffer women which die of this Disease, to be bu∣ried til the third day after their death, or at least til they begin to stink.

The Signs of the Causes are likewise to be declared; which Causes we have shewed to be three, viz. Seed retained and corrupted; Menstrual Blood in like manner retained and corrupted; and vile humors contained in the vessels, or in the Cavitie of the womb.

If this Disease arise from Seed retained, or corrupted, there have preceeded al those Causes, which might encrease, gather together, and corrupt the Seed in the vessels; as flourishing age, ripe for Ge∣neration, or formerly accustomed to the actions thereof, which of late it hath left off; Sanguine complexion, an idle life, and given to pleasures; a rich and plentiful table, with the use of such meates as are easily corrupted. In such persons if the womb-Fits happen, they having their Cour∣ses wel, we may guesse they come from Seed retained.

If these womb-Fits depend upon the Menstrual Blood retained and corrupted, as their cause; the Patients Courses are either wholly stopt, or flow very little, and to no purpose; and she her self is not to seek for carnal Embracements: but wel provided; And some Symptoms do attend this sup∣pression, as Melancholly, Waspishness, Sluggishness, Drowsiness, Head-ach, swelling of the Dugs heaviness of the Loyns and Thighs.

That this Disease comes from evil Humors is known, by the Patient having her Courses well, be∣ing exercised sufficiently with actions of Generation, by her being stept into years, or being very sull of evil Humors, or being troubled with some other Disease in her womb.

We must also set down these Signs of those other Symptoms which we formerly described, as springing from the womb.

Head-ach coming from the womb is known, because the Patient hath not her Courses right, the pain does chiefly trouble her, or is most increased, at, or neer the time of her Courses flowing, and her womb is out of order. Also we may distinguish whether an Humor, or a Vapor cause this pain; for if the pain be not great, heavy, and pressing, and come by fits; it comes certainly from a Vapor: but if the pain be continual, joyned with heaviness, it shews an Humor contained in the part; which if it be Chollerick, the pain is biting, pricking, and acute or sharp; if it be Flegmatick, it causes sleepiness; if Melancholly, Sadness.

Pantings of the Heart, and beatings of the Arteries about the short Ribs and Back; Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and Spleen; and divers pains may be conceived to arise from the womb, if these other Signs and Symptoms of the womb affected, before recited, be likewise present. As also, if by putting sweet smelling things to the water-gate, and stinking things to the Nose, the Patient do find some kind of ease.

What concerns the Prognostick, or Predictions of this Disease; It it is a malady which seldom

kiils the Patients, but use; to stick a long time by them. But somtimes they are in danger of death by reason of swooning fits that happen, or by some extraordinary Convulsion. Likewise if the fits are frequent and hard to be removed, it is to be feared, lest Respiration being so often hurt, the Native heat should be suffocated, and the Patient come to die.

The Womb-paision is worst, in which more parts are drawn into consent; and that is bad which springs from corrupted Seed, or from a long suppression of the monthly Courses.

In Elderly persons, this Disease is hardly curable, because of that plenty of Corruption wherewith they are wont to abound. In yonger VVomen, it commonly ceases when they begin to bring forth Children.

In VVomen with Child, and that lie in Child-bed, it is a dangerous Disease; in the former, for fear of Miscarriage; in the latter, because of their weakness after Child-bearing.

For a VVoman troubled with these VVomb-fits, to sneeze is good, for it signifies strength of Brain; and by the motion of sneezing, the Malignant Vapors which besiege the Brain, are discussed; and likewise the vitious Humors contained in the VVomb evacuated.

A twofold Cure belongs to this Infirmity: one in the fit, another out of the fit. In the fit, those vapors which cause it are to be discussed and drawn back from the part affected; the Humors con∣tained in the VVomb which send up those Vapors, must be voided; and the VVomb when it is re∣moved out of its proper place (which often happens according to Hippocrates) must be re∣stored to the same again.

First therefore, The sick party must be laid upon a bed in such a posture, that her Neck and Shoulders lie high and sloaping, but her Thighs and Privy parts lie low and shooting downwards, for so the VVomb is more easily reduced.

Then must her lower parts be tied very hard, so as to cause pain; likewise they must be well rub∣bed and chased; also Cupping-glasses are to be set upon her Hips; and a very large Cupping-glass set upon her Share is very profitable. But take heed that you do not apply a Cupping-glass upon the Patients Navel, which many ignorantly are wont to do, for by that means the VVomb is drawn upwards again. VVhen Convulsions happen, or swooning fits, hard rubbings with course cloaths are good upon the soals of the Feet, also with Vinegar and Salt; it is good likewise to pluck off some Hairs from the Head and Share, to cramp the fingers or the Patient, whoop aloud in her ears, and such like.

It is also good to lay unto the soals of her Feet, this Epispastick, or drawing Cataplasm or Pultis.

Take Leaves of Artemisia (Mugwort) Feaverfew, Rhue, of each a handful: Sage, half a handful: Pidgeons dung poudered three ounces: Black Soap an ounce and an half: Amber, Frankinsence, Masticb poudered, of each a dram and an half: Juyce of Rue, and Vinegar, allay∣ed with Water, as much as sufficeth to make all into a Cataplasm.

At the same time, stinking and strong smelling things are to be put unto her Nose; as Partridg fea∣thers burnt, old Leather burnt, and Brimstone fired, Jeat or Agate Oyl, a Pomander of Assafoetida, Castoreum, Galbanum, Rue, moistened with Syrup of Artemisia, or with Vinegar; Garlands of Rue, Tanzy, Wormwood. But if the VVoman be Epileptick, or subject to the Falling-sickness, we must abstain from the stronger things before mentioned, because the Brain being therewith offended, is put into a Commotion, by which means the Humors are tumbled suddenly into the Ventricles thereof, and the Syptomes are made more grievous.

The smoak of Tobacco blown into the Mouth and Nostrils of the Patient, does quickly free her from the fit.

Contrarywise, sweet smelling things must be put unto the VVomb, as some grains of Musk or Ci∣vet wrapped in Cotton-wool.

The following Pouder may be blown up her Nostrils.

Take white Pepper, Mustard seed, Pellitory, Castoreum, of each one scruple; make it into a ve∣ry fine Pouder.

If the Patient be very much oppressed with her fit, let her be provoked to sneeze, according to that Aphorism of Hippocrates, his 5. Section, 35. To a Woman troubled with Womb-fits, or hard Labor, if she happen to neeze it is good. Neezing is many times provoked by the foresaid Pouder; and if that alone will not do it, a little white Hellebore, or Euphorbium may be added.

Also Oyl of Amber or Agates, may be anointed upon her Nostrils.

But laxative and wind-expelling Clysters do exceed all other Medicaments, in discussing such filthy Vapors as cause the fit: which may be made after this manner:

Take Mercury Leaves, Pellitory of the wall, Mugwort, Penyroyal, Rue, Calaminth, of each one handful: Caraway seeds, Cummin seeds, and Bayberries, of each two drams: Boyl all to a pint and an half. In the straining dissolve Hiera Picra, and Benedicta laxativa, of each six drams: Oyl of Rue three ounces: Camphire half a scruple. Mix all into a Clyster.

If the first Clyster be not sufficient, another must be given of the same or such like Decoction, dissolving therein, Diaphoenicon ten drams: Turpentine dissolved with the white of an Egg one ounce: the aforesaid Oyl, and half a scruple of Camphire dissolved in Oyl of Water lillies.

And in a word, The Disease continuing, a third Clyster must be given meerly Hysterical and dis∣cussing, but not purging, which will be very effectual, compounded after this manner:

Take Oyl of Rue four ounces: Aqua vitae one ounce: Canary Sack three quarters of a pint: Galbanum two drams: Mix all, and make a Clyster, and administer the same after a Laxative Clyster.

A Clyster of Vinegar, tempered with Water, does presently asswage the Mother-sit, by compres∣sing and coagulating the vapors, which cause the same.

The same does a draught of Vinegar allaied with water, being taken in at the mouth. Authors do likewise counsel that the Patients belly above the Navel, be strongly girt with a swath∣band, that the womb may be thereby reduced, and the vapors hindred from ascending.

Concerning letting blood, it is a great question, Whether it be convenient in the sit, or no? For seeing there is at that time a great weakness in the Patient and somtimes despair of life, and the bo∣dy is cooled all over by malignant vapors which infest the Brain and Heart, which can no waies be expelled by blood-letting; no question the use thereof is very dangerous during the fits. And of this Opinion are Varandaeus and Sennertus. But Mercatus and Rodericus a Castro, do determine contrarily, That a Vein ought to be opened in the Patients Ankle or Instep, when the Disease springs from an abundance of Menstrual blood retained; and that the Patients strength oppressed with the burden, the passages obstructed with too much blood, and the danger of suffocation hence arising, can be remedied by no other means but bleeding; seeing in this case, neither stinking smels, nor sweet smels, nor Cupping-Glasses, can bring the Patient out of her fit. Philippus Hoechstetterus in the second part of his Observations, makes it appear by certain Histories, that bleeding in the Foot hath done much good: Insomuch, as a certain Nun, which had been speechless, and in Convulsion fits for two daies together, two hours after she had bled began to speak, and to eat and drink. Iam of O∣pinion, a Vein may be opened, if the Pulse be strong, and there be evident tokens that blood doth su∣per-abound: But if the Pulse be weak, we must forbear, and stay till the fit is over for a more con∣venient season, in which blood may be safely taken away.

Plaisters are profitably applied under the Navel of the Mass of Emplastrum Ceroneum, which mollifies and discusseth, and so is better than the vulgar Womb-Plaister, which doth somwhat bind, and therefore may retain the vapors and malignant humors. Plaisters are likewise made of Galba∣num and Assafoetida, or of Caranna, and Tacamahaca, either alone, or with some Spices mingled with them. As for Example:

Take Gum Caranna half an ounce: Pouder of Nutmegs, and Cloves, of each half a dram: Oyl of Amber four drops: Turpentine two drams. Make all into a Plaister. Such Plaisters are to be in fashion of a Shield or Scutcheon. and in the pointed part of the Plaister, which must be laid towards the Water-gate, some of Musk or Civet are to be put, that they may send forth a sweet smell, and thereby allure the Womb back again. Three grains of Musk may be put in a little Cotton, moistened with Oyl, and thrust into the hole of the Navel: then lay on a sinal Plaister of dissolved Galbanum. This some Women for a Secret.

Or four grains of Camphire may be dissolved in Oyl of sweet Almonds, and put into the Navel, and a Diapalma Plaister laid over it.

If the Disease seem to be fostered by plenty of wind and vapors, Fomentations and Baths will be good, of the Decoction of Rue, Mugwort, Time, and Calaminth, Fennel seed, Annis seed Cummin seed, Bay-berries, Chamomel Flowers, Dill flowers, &c.

Also little bags may be prepared with Cummin seed, Annis seed, Carrot seed, Salt, Rue, Bran, in them, and applied very hot, and often renewed Or,

Take Oyl of Rue four ounces: Spirit of Turpentine half an ounce: Mingle them, and dip therein a piece of Bread hot out of the Oven, and lay it upon the Navel.

Also it will be good to anoint the lower part of the belly, the Region of the womb, Share, and Loyns; because such anointings do dilate the Passages, attenuate the Vapors, and discuss them. They may be made of Nard Oyl, Spike Oyl, Oyl of Dill, Sesamine, Saffron, Lillies, and Sweet Al∣monds.

Authors do very much commend a fume of the warts which grow upon Horses Legs; which being dried in an Oven, and beaten to Pouder, they are burnt under the Noses of women in these fits as a present Remedy, whereby women are wont to be in an instant delivered of their fits, to the admirati∣on of the by-standers.

If the Disease spring from Retention of Seed, nothing is better than carnal Conjunction, as soon as the Patient is out of her fit, if she be married.

Instead of carnal Conjunction, where that cannot he had, many advise that the Patient be rubbed

and tickled by a Midwife in the Neck of her womb, into which the Midwife must put her fingers a∣nointed with Oyls of Spices, that so the offensive Sperm may be voided. But seeing that cannot be done without wickedness (understand by a silly superstitious Papist, that counts it a meritorious good work to burn Mother and Child in her womb alive, as at Jersey, and a wickedness to free a sick body of a little offensive humor) a Christian Physitian must never prescribe the same.

To Discuss those malignant Vapors which cause the womb-fit, many Medicines are wont to be given down the Throat, among which is a dram of old Venice Treacle, with water of Mugwort, Peny∣royal, and Balme; Troches of myrrh, to the quantity of two scruples: or Oyl of Amber to five or six drops, with the said Liquors.

Pills are frequently used; the best are made after this manner.

Take Castorium, Myrrh, Assa-foetida, of each one scruple: faecula Brioniae half a scruple: seeds of Rue and Saffron, of each seven grains: with Syrup of Mugwo••t make twelve pills. Let her take three or four; if she cannot swallow them, let them be dissolved in Water of Mugwort.

These following Pills are good in a violent fit, which they are wont to remedy without fail.

Take Assafaetida one scruple: Castoreum six grains: Laudanum three grains; make all into three or four Pills. Let her take them presently.

Pilulae Faetidae majores, although they be purging, yet are they given to good purpose in the Fit, to half a dram. For they gently evacuate, and are not wont to work till the fit be over; so that there is no danger in their working.

Also many waters are wont to be given in the fit, viz. Aqua vitae, Cinnamon water, or Treacle water.

Or a specifical water may be made after this manner.

Take Zedoary roots, Carrot seeds▪ Lovage roots, of each two ounces: red Myrrh, Castoreum of each half an ounce: Piony roots four ounces: Misleto of the Oak gathered at the wain of the Moon, three ounces: powr upon all these being prepared, four pints and an half of Feaver-few∣water. Spirit of Wine half a pint; let them digest three daies, and afterward still them. The dose is a spoonful, by it self, or with some other convenient liquor.

A more easie water to make, more pleasant to taste, and no less effectual is this following.

Take of the juyces of Bawm, and Borrage clarified, of each two pints▪ the best Saffron one dram. Let them be infused, and distilled in Balneo. The Dose is a spoonful with Broth. This following potion is vulgarly used.

Take of Cinnamon Water half an ounce: Turnep Water four ounces: Castoreum four grains. Make all into a potion, or draught.

Oyl of Amber given to three or four drops, in Orenge-flower-water, or some other specifical, doth quickly rid away the womb-fit.

The following potion is wont to do very much good, as it is to be seen in our observations.

Take Water of Mugwort, Roses, and Orenge-flowers, of each one ounce: ••••nnamon Wa∣ter three drams: Conjection of Hyacinth stone one dram: Diamargaritum frigidum (that is the cooler perled pouder) half a scruple: Saffron four grains. Make them all into a potion.

Orange flower water doth good alone, given three or four ounces; but mingled with Musk, and Dra∣gons blood, it doth wonders: witness Solenander in these words. A certain Woman was vexed with ••nost cruel Symptoms, Head-ach, Belchings, contraction of the Body, pain ••••her Groin, grin∣ding of her Teeth; somtimes falling to the ground speechless, with her mouth shut, so as she could not open it; and all this through disorder of her Womb. Many remedies being used in vain, a certain old Woman comes, and gives her thirteen grains of Musk, and as many of common Dragons blood, in four ounces of Orenge-flower Water; she was cured, and never felt the like griefs any more. I have in the like case given the same Medicine divers times, and alwaies with good effect.

An Elks Claw is also very good in these fits, according to the experiment of Appollonius Menabeus in his Treatise of the Elk, Chap. 10▪ in these words. I confess I have both heard from others, and found by my own Experience, that an Elks Claw is a present remedy for the Suffocation of the Mother. For being called to help a Woman in those Fits, I gave her the raspings of the Elks Claw with Zedo∣ary, with which, and with other remedies administred according to the rule of Art, I did the Cure with Honor. And when I understood, that she was wont to be troubled with those Fits oftentimes, I injoyned her to wear a piece of Elks Claw continually about her Neck: Which when she diligent∣ly observed, for the space of three months that I was in the place, she was ever free from those Fits, and gave me often times thanks for my advice.

Camphire fired, and cast into the water, and there abiding till it be quenched, is an excellent Remedy, given to the quantity of a dram.

The Cats-tails of the walnut, in the Epistles collected by Laurence Scholtzius, in the Letter written from Thomas Mouset to Peter Monavius, are extolled with this Commedation. In Srangulation▪ of the Womb, the Cats-tails of the Walnut tree, are a singular Medicine being dryed, and poudered.

You may give two scruples with two drops of Oyl of Amber. I never knew any thing more excel∣lent in that Disease.

Two most excellent Remedies may be made in the form of Pouders, which I have oftentimes tried.

The one is of the After-birth of a woman that lies in of her first Child, dried in the Chimney, and beaten to pouder. The Dose is a dram in some convenient liquor. It presently takes away the fit.

The other is made of two parts of Brimstone, and one of Nutmeg. Pouder them and give a dram.

Pouder of Jeat given to half a dram, or one dram, will do much.

The Pouder of Elder-berries of Quercetanus taken a dram in Wine, cures the Eplilepsie, or Fal∣ling-sickness, by consent of the Womb, and being taken the second time, makes that the fits return not.

Where that Pouder cannot be had, the same quantity of Soot from the Chimney, may be given in an Egg soft boiled.

And because the Womb is oftentimes filled with evil, and Excrementious Humors, from whence ug∣ly Vapors are raised up; we must be careful to purge the same, which may be most conveniently done by this following Pessarie.

Take Diaphoenicon one dram: pouder of Hiera picra half a dram: Turpentine three drams: mix all, and with Tow make a Pessary.

For her ordinary drink let the Patient drink a thin weak Decoction of Cinnamon, Caraway, or Annis seeds.

Touching Wine, It is a question whether it may be given a Woman in these fits. Hippocrates in his first Book of the Nature of Women seems to commend the same: and there is much reason to back his opinion. For an extream refrigeration of the Body, and Languishment of natural strength, cannot be better holpen, than by giving the Patient a Cup of rich Canary. But Avicenna wholly forbids it. And indeed, Because this Disease depends for the most part upon Seed retained, or of Blood and foul Vapors carried up from the Womb: Wine by it's thinness, and exceeding piercing faculty, doth more exagitate and vex the morbifical matter. Whence we see by common Experi∣ence, that Women troubled with this Disease, are worse if Wine be given in their fits. To Com∣pose this Contention, we say; that Wine ordinarily is not to be given during the fit, but upon ex∣traordinary occasion: Namely when the Patients strength is extreamly decai'd, she hath Swooning fits joyned with the Mother fits, or seems to be at the last gasp: all other Remedies tried in vain, we make use of Wine as our last Refuge, and present help.

In this Cure we must be very careful, if the Patient be with Child, and prudent in our administra∣tion of Medicaments; neither must we use those more vehement and stinking ones, least we cause miscarriage; and we must perform the Cure rather by outward than inward Medicaments.

In the Course of the Cure, care must be taken of the Heart and Brain, and if they seem much op∣pressed, they must be releived by such Medicines as are proper unto them. To the Heart, Wine, and Orange-flower-water, or Imperial water, or Treacle of Andromachus dissolved in Wine, must be applied by wetting things therein, and laying them upon the Region thereof; or hot living Creatures are to be applied thereunto. For to strengthen the Head, those Remedies must be used, which are set down in our Chapter of sleepy Diseases.

When the fit is over, Care must be taken to prevent the return thereof, either wholly, or at least for a long time: which is done by a removal of the Causes, and by strengthening the Womb.

In the first place therefore at a convenient season; but especially in the Spring and Fall, the Pati∣ent must be yeerly evacuated, beginning with a purging Potion, or some other Medicament sui∣table to the nature of the Patient; alwaies adding Hysterical things.

And then, If Blood seem superfluous, it must be drawn first out of the Arm, and then out of the Foot; choosing as neer as possibly the middle space between the Patients monthly purgations.

Afterwards, That the redundancy of evil Humors may be sufficiently prepared and purged out, an Apozeme must be compounded, altering, opening, and purging, to be given at four or five times.

If Nature seem to incline to the opening of the Hemorrhoids, they must be opened by applicati∣on of Leeches. And Mercatus doth witness in his 13. and 14. Counsel, that they have much profi∣ted in these fits.

After general purgation, to discuss the remainders of the morbifical matter, a sweating Decoction will be good to give divers daies together; made of Sassafras, Guajacum, with seeds of Fennel, Rue, and Agnus Castus.

To the same intent Sulphurous, and Bitumenous Baths will be very good, such as we have at Ba∣leruca, by whose use many are holpen, as daily experience shews.

In this Disease being of long continuance, besides the remedies aforesaid, it will be good to purg the Patient frequently, by usual Pills, Syrups or Potions. VVhich may be made after this man∣ner.

Take Troches of Agarick one dram and an half: Hiera of Coloquintida one dram: Carrot seed, Agnus Castus seed of each one scruple: mirrh, Costoreum, Diagrydium of each half a scruple: Turpentine, as much as shall suffice to make all into a Mass. Let her take hereof half a dram, or two scruples twice or thrice in a month.

The following Syrup is mightily extolled by Mercatus, as a wonderful Syrup, and very pro∣sitable for all womb-sick women. in his 13. Counsel.

Take Juice of Herb Mercury and the Cream of Carthamus seeds of each six ounces: Scor∣zonera water seven ounces Sugar as much as shall suffice to make it into a Syrup. Add hereunto while it boyls, Confection of the Hyacinth stone, Confection of Rermes Berries, and Pouder of the Electuary de Gemmis [that is, made of precious Stones] of each two drams: Let the Dose be two or three ounces.

Take Briony Roots three drams, Senna Leaves half an ounce: Agarick two scruples: Ginger one scruple: Cinnamon one dram: Let them steep all night in Fountain water. In the straining mix one ounce: of syrup of Damask Roses. Make hereof a potion to be taken twice or thrice in a month.

Pilulae foetidae majores [that is strong smelling Pils made of Gums] taken twice in a month to half a dram, are very profitable.

In such as easily vomit, it is good to provok to cast, once or twice in a month, after this manner:

Take Agarick cakes [troches of Agarick] one dram and an half: Oxymel one ounce: Bawm water, and Mugwort water, of each three ounces: Mix all into a vomiting Potion.

Chymists give salt of Vitriol in some appropriate water, from half a dram to one dram, and cry it up for a specifick remedie in womb-fits.

After all particular evacuations are ended (that is after each evacuation) some strengtheners are to be administred, such as this following Electuary.

Take Conserve of Rosemary flowers Betony, and Bawm, of each one ounce and an half: Species of the musked Electuary, and of Electuary of Calaminth of each half a dram: With syrup of Mugwort Make all into an Electuary.

Treacle by it self is very proper for this occasion, which for hotter constitutions may be tempered by the mixture of Conserve of water Lillies, Maiden-haire &c.

But the following pouder is far more effectual, which heales old and stubborn womb-fits, if it be frequently taken one dram at a time, in Wine, in a bolus or morsell made up with syrup of Mugwort.

Take Gentian Roots, white Dictamnus, tormentill, pellitorie, Rhaponticum, Bistort, Ari∣stolochia, or Birthwort the rounder, Chamelion thistle, Bay-berries, Angelica, Master-wort, Coriander seeds prepared, annis seed, juniper berries, Mastich, Bole armoniack, Terra Sigillata, of each two drams and an half: Orientall Saffron three ounces and an half. Make all into a fine pouder, and keep it in a close vessel.

Neither must we omit such Medicaments, which are wont to help these fits by a peculiar property thought to be in them: An Example whereof may be this that follows, made in Pills, because of the ungrateful taste of the Simples.

Take Assafoetida half a scruple: Castoreum, Mirrh, Galbanum, Sagapenum, of each one scru∣ple. With Honey of Mercury make a Mass; of which give the Patient half a scruple, or a scruple frequently.

Platerus makes Pills of extreamly odoriferous Ingredients, after this manner:

Take of Musk six grains: Benjamin half a dram: Sugar one dram: With Cinnamon Wa∣ter make them into a Mass for Pills. The Dose is half a scruple.

Those Hysterical Waters before set down to be given in the fits, may likewise be profitably used out of the fits, a spoonful or two in a morning, when the Patient is free, by way of prevention.

Mathiolus extreamly commends the Briony Root, in these words: Briony doth wonderfully help Women subject to strangulations of the Womb, so as to free them from their choaking fits, and cure them. Truly I knew a Woman, dayly almost vexed with these fits for a yeer together, who being at last taught by an ordinary Herb-man, to drink white Wine, wherein an ounce of Briony Root had been boyled, once in a week, when she was going to bed: when she had used this Medicine for a yeer together, she was perfectly recovered of that Disease.

The Liver of a Wolf dried, and one dram taken, may prevent the fits of the Falling-sickness pro∣ceeding from the Mother, if it be given three or four times after an ordinary Purgation.

The Chymists do commend Vitriolum Martis [that is, Vitriolated Steel, or chalybeated Vitriol, or Salt of Steel] whereof they give a grain or two, with a double quantity of Sugar, many daies to∣gether, in Wine or other fitting Liquor.

And the Truth is, it may be given to twelve, fifteen, and twenty grains in some convenient Con∣serve; or it may be made into Pills, with Mucilage of Gum Tragacanth.

Cream of Tartar frequently taken, is also very good in the Cure of this Disease.

These two Medicines do good, not only by opening, but also by cooling; for oftentimes an hot di∣stemper is rooted in the womb of VVomen subject to this Disease, arising from Blood retained with∣in its Veins, and over-heated; as Galen saies in Hypochondriacal Melancholly, That there is a bur∣ning distemper in the Parts under the short Ribs, by reason of blood retained in them by obstructions, and there over-heated. Those things therefore which have power to cool the Womb, are very proper in this case, such as are Baths to sit in, Vinegar and Water mingled and drunk down, or injected, and such like. Unto which we may add the History related by Dr. Harvey, touching the Childing of a woman long afflicted with womb-fits, not curable by all that could be done; who at length, after many yeers, was cured by means of the falling out of her womb: Because her Womb exposed to the Air was cooled, and so its Inflamation and hot distemper was repressed.

Also the use of Steel it self is much commended by some Practitioners, as very convenient for all Infirmities of the VVomb. VVhose Preparations look for in our Cure of Obstructions of the Liver.

Issues made in the Thighs, are likewise very good. For they derive and turn aside evil Humors from the womb, by reason of those Veins which are common to the womb and Thighs.

Neither are Amulets to be neglected, fastened about the Patients Neck, and hanging down upon her Navel, as we formerly mentioned touching the Elks Claw, good in this case.

Some commend Peucedanum, or Hog-fennel root, hung in a string about the Neck. And our women do with good success, wear a piece of Assafoetida in a thin rag of cloth. I have known some that have worn a Foxes Pizzle and Stones dried, tied about their Neck in a string, and resting upon their Navel, and by that means preserved themselves from the womb-fits.

Some wear a piece of Wolfs flesh dried, or of the Liver of a Wolf, not without profit.

As for external Remedies after every Purge, or at least once in a month, eight or ten daies before the monthly Purgations of blood, Fomentations or Baths to sit in will be good, that the Humor cau∣sing this Disease being resolved, may more easily find its way by the opened Passages of the Courses, and flow out with them. They may be made of the Roots of Marsh-mallows, Briony Roots, Orris Roots, Madder, Valerian, Angelica, Mugwort Leaves, Nep, Feverfew, Bawm, Bayberries, and such like.

To discuss the remainders of the Matter causing the Disease, and to strengthen the Womb after Fo∣mentation, or fitting in a Bath, as aforesaid, the following Plaister may be said on under the Navel.

Take Gum Tacamahacca and Caranna, of each two drams: Alipta Moschata half an ounce: Agnus Castus seeds, one dram and an half: of each of the Sanders half a dram: Turpentine, Lab∣danum, Wax, of each as much as shall suffice to make a Plaister.

If this Disease arise from the Seed retained, use those Remedies which we have formerly set down to quench and discuss Seed in our Cure of Womb-Fury.

Chap. 7. Of Inflamation of the Womb.

INflamation of the Womb, is a Tumor or swelling of that Part, springing from blood that is shed into the substance thereof.

And the said Inflamation possesses either the whol Womb, or some part thereof; and it is produ∣ced either by pure blood, and is called meerly Phlegmont, an Inflamation; or it comes from blood mingled with Choller, and it is called Phlegmone erysipelatodes, a chollerick Inflamation of kin to the Rose, or St. Anthonies fire; or it hath its original from blood mingled with flegm, and is called Phlegmone oedematodes, a flegmatick Inflamation; or it comes from blood mingled with Melanchol∣ly, and is called Phlegmone Scirrhodes, which is a Melanchollick Inflamation or Swelling.

The Causes which produce or encrease this Disease, may be divers; viz. A Sanguine Constitu∣tion over loaded with blood, or infected with choller; a natural loosness of the womb w^th wideness of the passages, air extream hot, inflaming the humors, or very cold compacting & knitting them together, and so stopping the monthly Courses flowing, or ready to flow; vehement Exercise, immoderate car∣nal Conjunctions, a blow or fall lighting upon the Wombs Quarters; Perturbations of Mind more violent than ordinary, especially wrath; acrimonious or sharp vehement meats, of a hot nature, and whatever else is taken in of a fretting and vehement operation, as Authors report of Cantharides, That they are very hurtful as well to the womb as the bladder; sharp Pessaries long time used, or purging Medicines, or strong alteratives, such as barren women are wont to take and rend from all quarters; Retention of the Courses encreasing the over fulness of blood; or over great flux of Courses relax∣ing

the Passages, and bringing the Humors from all the parts of the Body to the Womb; likewise Cupping-glas••es fastened about the privy parts, may violently draw the blood and humors unto the Region of the Womb, and there detain them. Laborsom Child-birth may cause as much; Abortion, a violent handling of the parts of Generation by an unskilful Midwise; and a troublesom inconve∣nien•• bearing of a Child in the Womb.

The Signs to know the Disease by, are, Swelling, Heat, and Pain in the Region of the Womb, with a continual Feaver. But because the strait Gut (that is, that which is united to the Dung∣gate) and the Bladder, do lodg in the same quarters with the Womb, therfore must we distinguish this Disease by other signs: such are, Suppression or diminution of the Courses, and their paleness or yellowish citrine color, with pain in their coming forth; and in the absence of the Courses certain stinking and rotten stuff sweats through the Vessels of the Womb, and bedews the VVater-Gate. Whereinto if search be made, it will plainly discover the Disease; for the inner mouth of the womb will be sound to swell, to be drawn inwards, and subject to pain if touched; the neck of the womb will appear red and inflamed, the Veins dispersed there-through, strutting with blood.

If the whol Womb be inflamed, all Symptomes will be more vehement. If the Inflamation be rather in the neck of the womb, the heat and pain is spread most towards the Groyns and the Water-Gate. If the former side of the womb do suffer, the Bladders fellow-seeing wil be the greater: If the hinder side of the Womb be inflamed, the strait Gut will be more compassionate, and the pain wil stretch itself towards the Loyns. If the right or left side of the womb be inflamed, the heat and pain wil appear most about the one Groyn; and the Thigh of the same side wil be heavy, and as it were in a sort burdened.

The Signs of the Causes are these. If the Inflamation spring from pure blood, al the Symptomes are milder; but if there be Choller mingled therewith, the Feaver is more burning, and al the Symptomes are more vehement; but if the blood be Flegmatick or Melanchollick, the Feaver wil be less acute, but the Disease more lasting, and more stubborn. And here we are to consider such Signs as may inform us what Humor is most predominant in the whol Body.

If the Inflamation turn to an Imposthume and gather Matter, the pain and Feaver are encreased, and shaking sits come without any certain course, yet commonly they take their turn about Evening. And al the other Symptomes are heightened. When Suppression is accomplished, al the Symptomes are mitigated, and Swelling rises higher, whereby somtimes the Excrement of the Guts, or Urine is stopped. But if the Inflamation be discussed without Suppuration, the Swelling lessens, and the Symptomes becomes gentler.

If it turn to a Scirrhus (that is, hard swelling) the Feaver, Pain, and other Symptomes are di∣minished; the Swelling abides, becomes harder; likewise the weight and heaviness remain, both in the womb, and the adjacent parts, so that the Patient can hardly stir her self.

A good Prognostick cannot be made of this Disease because it is very dangerous, and for the most part deadly. But more or less danger is threatened according to the greatness of the Disease, its Causes and Symptomes, as thus:

If the Inflamation possess the whol Womb, its a desperate Disease; but if only a part be inflamed, there is some hope of help.

If a VVoman with Child have a Chollerick swelling in her womb, its deadly. Hipp. Aphor. 43. Sect. 5. For the Child dies by reason of the greatness of the Inflamation, whereupon follows Abor∣tion, which coming upon the back of a grievous disease, kils the Mother. Galen in his Comments upon this Aphorism, doubts if this be not true of every Inflamation of the womb as well as of the Chollerick, and whether it be possible that a Child in such a case can live.

Inflamation of the womb easily degenerates into a Gangrene, Because the womb, as it were the Bo∣dies Close-stool, receives a mighty charge of nasty Excrements, by which the inbred heat is easily suffocated.

Ravings, turning of the womb, Hiccoughs, Coldness of the Hands and Feet, Diaphoretick sweat seizing on a woman in this Disease, do portend sudden death.

If an Inflamation of the womb come to Suppuration, its hopeful that it may be cured; but a foul Ulcer will follow, which wil make the Patient to pine away with a lingering Feaver, or to fall into the Dropsie.

If the Inflamation turn into a Scirrhus, the evil becomes lasting, and often brings a Dropsie.

To cure this Infirmity, the Course of the Blood to the Womb is to be drawn back, it is to be dri∣ven from the womb, it is to be diverted another way: that which is flown in and contained in the part, is to be resolved. And if the swelling tend to suppuration, it is to be furthered, and when it is broken, the Matter or Quittor must be voided out; Which may be done by the following Remedies.

An Emollient and cooling Clyster being premised, let Blood be drawn from the Basilick Vein of the Arm, on that side on which the Womb is most affected; or from both Arms, if the swelling be in

the whol Womb; and let the Blood-letting be repeated twice, thrice, or four times, according to the strength of the Patient, and the greatness of the Inflamation.

After sufficient Revulsion, the Disease being come to its height, when there is no longer suspition of any present flux into the Womb, the lower Veins are to be opened, to derive from the part affe∣cted. In which sence we must understand, Galen in his Book of Blood-letting, and in his 13. Book of the Method of Healing, where he teacheth, That in the Inflamation of the Womb, we must open the Veins about the Knees and Anckles. But so long as there remains any Indication of Revulsion, it is better to open the Veins of the Arm.

Also to revel or draw back the Humors, Frictions are good, and Ligatures or bindings of the uper parts, and Cupping-Glasses set upon the Shoulders, Loyns, and Back.

If vitious Humors (especially Chollerick) do abound in the Body, which are as it were the Coach of the other Humors to hurry them about the Body; they are to be evacuated with gentle Medicaments, as Syrup of Roses, and Syrup of Violets solutive, Manna, Rhubarb, Catholicon, or E∣lectuary Lenitive; for stronger Medicaments by stirring the Humors over much, would excite the Flux of Humors more abundantly to the part affected.

And vomiting Medicaments, though prescribed by Avicenna, seem no way convenient in this case: For if they be mild and gentle, they evacuate nothing to speak of: If they be stronger, they cause a great Agitation in the Body, by which means the Humors being in a Commotion, may flow more plentifully unto the part diseased.

In regard of the greatness of the Feaver, cooling Medicaments are to be used, as Juleps and Emul∣sions; whereunto, if very great wakings, pain, and tumblings and tossings do disquiet the Patient, some Narcoticks may be added, which may likewise be given by themselves.

After the First Evacuations, let outward Medicines be applied to the lower part of the Belly, be∣tween the Navel and the Share, and about the Kidneys; first of all repelling and cooling things, in the form of a Liniment, an Epithem, and Cataplasm.

The Liniment may be made of Oyl of Roses washed in Vinegar, or of Oyntment of Roses, Cera∣tum Santalinum, or Galens cooling Oyntment, with a little Vinegar added.

The Epitheme may be made of the Waters or Decoction of Plantane, Sorrel, Nightshade, the tops of white Poppies and Roses, adding a little Bole-Armoniack, Dragons Blood, and Terra Sigil∣lata.

The Cataplasm or Pultiss may be made of the Crums of fine Manchet boyled with Milk, to which a little Oyl of Roses may be added, with Juyce of Henbane. Nightshade, and the whites of Eggs; or of Barley Meal, Linseed, Fenugreek seed, with Oyl of Roses; whereunto likewise the aforesaid Plants being bruised may be added.

Injections must be made into the Womb, compounded after this manner:

Take Plantane Leaves, Water-lilly Leaves, Nightshade, and Endive, of each one handful: red Roses two pugils. Boyl all till a third part of the Water be consumed: and add to the strainings Oyl of Mirtles one ounce: Vinegar half an ounce. Make an Inje∣ction.

Of the same Herbs bruised with Oyl of Roses and Vinegar, Pessaries may be made, and put into the Womb.

Neither must Repelling, and Refrigerating Medicaments be long used, lest the Swelling harden and degenerate into a Scirrhus. Wherefore softening and discussing things are to be mingled with the repelling Simples; with this Proviso, That the longer the Inflamation is from its Infancy, the grea∣ter must be the quantity of Digestives. So that to the foresaid Medicaments may be added, Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Mugwort, Fenugreek, Chamomel Melilot; their Dose being augmented or dimini∣shed, as the case shall require.

In the mean while, if the Patient be costive, she must be helped by gentle Purgatives. Yea, and the truth is, frequent Clysters may do a great deal of good to temper the Inflamation, seeing the Womb rests upon the streight Gut, called Intestinum reotum. But let them be little in quantity, that they may be kept the longer, and that they may not compress the Womb; of which this may be an Example.

Take Marsh-mallow Roots, the Leaves of Mallows, Violets, Lettice, of each one handful: Nightshade half a handful: Violet flowers, red Roses, of each a pugil: sowr Prunes, ten: boyl them in Barley Water. In six ounces of the strained Broth mix three ounces of Oyl of Roses, and make all into a Clyster.

If the Patient be in great pain, to the aforesaid Clysters may be added, the Yolks of Eggs, the fat of an Hen, Breast-milk, Mucilage of the seeds of Fenugreek, Lin-seed, or Mallows; yea, and a little quantity of Opium, with some Saffron.

In such a case, Injections into the Womb may likewise be made, of Goats or Sheeps Milk, with O∣pium and Saffron, of each three or four grains, and a little Rose Water.

Or unto Pessaries may be added a little Opium with a little Saffron, the whites of Eggs, and Oyl of Roses. Or Pessaries may be made of Philonium Romanum with Cotton. Or a Fomentation to ease pain, may be prepared on this manner:

Take Marsh-mallows Branch and Root, Violet Leaves, of each a handful: Chamomel, Meli∣lot, Roses, of each a pugil. Boyl all for a Fomentation.

When the Disease begins to decline, Purgation is to be iterated with gentle Purgatives. And when the Disease tends to a Resolution or Conclusion (which is known by remission of the Symp∣tomes, and because the part is not so oppressed with any Heaviness) Discussives must be used in grea∣ter quantity than any of the foregoing Medicaments. Or this Cataplasm may be made.

Take Pouder of Marsh-mallow Roots one ounce: Chamomel and Melilot flowers, of each two drams: Mugwort Leaves poudered, Barley and Bean meal, of each half an ounce: boyl them a little in harsh red Wine; add new Hogs Grease, Oyl of Chamomel and Lillies, of each one ounce. Make a Pultiss or Cataplasm.

Fomentations and Baths to sit in, may likewise do good in this case.

If the swelling cannot be discussed, but seem to tend to suppuration, it is to be furthered by the following Cataplasm:

Take Marsh-mallow Roots poudered, Chamomel flowers, Melilot, Meal of Lin-seed, Fenu∣greek, of each one ounce: fat Figs, eight: boyl all to the consistence of a Pultiss. Then add the yolks of four Eggs: Saffron half a scruple: Oyl of Lillies and fresh Butter, of each an ounce. Make of all a Cataplasm.

When Matter or Quittor is made, which may be known by the abatement of heat and pain, and by a certain inundation perceivable by the touch, the Matter quaking like a quagmire, endeavor must be used to break the Imposthume by moving of the Body, by coughing, by neezing, by fastening Cup∣ping-glasses, by clensing and attenuating Injections, or by Pessaries that wil draw and break. As for Example.

Take Goose-Grease half an ounce: Turpentine two drams: Rue seeds poudered, Nitre, Orice Roots, of each half a dram. Mix all, and with Wool make a Pessary.

When the Imposthume is broke, we must endeavor to purge out the Quittor or Matter, and to clense and consolidate or close up the Ulcer, as shall be shewed in the Cure of an Ulcer of the Womb, in the Chapter immediately following.

Chap. 8. Of an Ʋlcer of the Womb.

AFter a suppurated Inflamation of the Womb, follows an Ulcer, which likewise depends upon other Causes, namely, so many as may cause an Erosion, fretting, or gnawing the substance of the Womb.

The Causes therefore hereof are, An Imposthume breaking, Sharp Humors flowing into the Womb, Sharp and Corrosive Medicines conveyed into the Womb, or taken at the Mouth, as was said before touching Cantharides or Spanish Flyes.

The Antecedent Causes are all such things, which we have formerly shewed▪ have power to cause an Inflamation, as difficult Child-birth, violent and unbridled Carnal Conjunction, a long flux of Sharp Humors from the Womb, wounds, fals, and bruises, and especially a venemous Gonorrhea, and the Lechers Pocks, the infection whereof is soon communicated to the Womb, and its Neck.

The Differences of this Disease, are taken from the place, the magnitude, the figure and complica∣tion with other Infirmities.

In respect of the place, that is to say, the several parts of the Womb; the Ulcer is somtimes pos∣sessed of the Neck of the Womb, and its inner Orifice; somtimes it is in the bottom, though but sel∣dom. Somtimes, and that most frequently, it seizes the inner surface of the Womb; somtimes, but seldom, it assaults the outer surface; whence it comes to pass, that somtimes the Quittor of these Ul∣cers comes out by the Bladder or Guts, or if it settle in the Cavity of the Abdomen, Imposthumes a∣rise about the Patients Groyns, of which Hippocrates speaks in his 47. Aphor. Sect. 5.

In respect of Quantity, some are great, others smal Ulcers, according as they take up more or less space in the Womb; which if they be little and superficial, they differ little from the Scab and Itch; but if they be great, grievous, and as it were devouring, they are called by Hippocrates, Nomae, that is, eating Ulcers.

In regard of their Figure, Ulcers are called Round, Long, Hollow, or Fistulous, that is, like a Pipe.

In regard of Complication with other Infirmities, they are called Phlegmonous, Cancerous, Scir∣rhous, Painful, VVater-bloodish, Poysonous, and Infectious.

The Signs of an Ulcer bred in the VVomb, are, Pain and biting in the womb or its neck, voiding▪

of snotty Matter or Quittor out of the Womb, which Diagnosis wil be more illustrated, if the Cau∣ses producing the Ulcer, such as we have mustered up, have preceded.

If the Ulcer possess the neck of the womb, it is discerned by the sight, by help of the Womb per∣spective Instrument; also by the Midwi••es hand or in the genial Embracement, in which the Pa∣tient feels a troublesom pain, But if the Ulcer be in the bottom of the Womb, the pain is felt about the Share, and the Excrements flow more abundantly.

If the Ulcer pierce to the outward surface, the Patients Urines or Stools appear Matterish, or a Fluctuation is perceived in the Paunch, or a Swelling towards the Groyns, where it threatens to Im∣posthumate.

If the Ulcer be single and benign, the Quittor is little, white, and not stinking. But if it be ma∣lignant and eating, the Quittor will be greenish, Lead colored, and party-colored, coming away with great pain and stink.

If it shall arise of the Lechers Pox, Gonorrhoea will usher it in, or attend upon it, and other tokens of the Whore-masters Pox will appear.

For the Prognosticks of this Infirmity, Hippocrates in the first Book of Womens Sicknesses, saies, That no Ulcer in the Womb ought to be slighted, because it is in a part of exquisite feeling, which hath a fellow feeling with the principal parts of the Body, and is very much disposed to receive a flood of Excrements from them.

If the Ulcers of the VVomb prove Cancerous, Phagedenick, or VVolf-ish [such as we simple people cal the VVoolf, and tel strange tales about, how it eats flesh, &c.] hollow, or fistulous, they are for the most part incurable, and do vex the poor Patients miserably, all their life long.

Ulcers in the Neck of the VVomb are more easily cured, because Medicaments may be applied to them immediately.

In women that are recovering of this Disease, it is a token of perfect health, if they begin to con∣ceive, and conveniently to receive the Mans Sperm, or if they have their monthly Courses orderly and without pain.

The Cure of a womb Ulcer, must tend to hinder the flowing in of such Humors as either beget or cherish the Ulcer, and to clense the Ulcer, and cause it to come to a coalition. To which purpose the following Remedies may be used.

And first of all, If the Patient be over ful of blood, or the Ulcer have an Inflamation joyned there∣with, a Vein in the Arm must be opened, and repeated so often as there seems danger of a new Fluxi∣on; which is especially to be done when the Patient hath her Courses, that they may flow the less, because they are wont to supply Matter to the Ulcer, and to cause other Humors to flow unto the womb.

Also Purgation is very necessary, that the Body may be freed from evil Humors; and it ought to be procured by the gentler sort of Purgatives, as Senna, Rhubarb, Tamarinds, Myrobalans, Catholi∣cum, and such like; and Purgation is often to be repeated, that evil Humors may be diverted from the womb, and it is in this case of such moment, that Forestus witnesseth in the 48. Observation of his 28. Book, That John Tiengius, a Physitian of Amsterdam, cured a Gentlewoman of Amster∣dam of an Ulcer in her womb, to whom he gave every fourth day, five ounces of the Decoction of Senna, Epithimum, red Roses, and Indian Myrobalans sweetened with Sugar, using to cast clensing Decoctions, as Injections into her womb.

For to be ever in a readiness, This following Magisterial Syrup may be compounded.

Take of the greater Comfry Roots, and new Polypody of the Oak, of each one ounce: Citron peels dried, six drams: Leaves of Plantane, Vinca pervinca, Ladies mantle, Sorrel, Maiden-hair, of each a handful: Liquoris scraped and split, and Raisons stoned, of each one ounce: Senna clensed six ounces: Carthamus seeds bruised two ounces: Agarick newly made into Cakes and bound in a Cloth, ten drams: Musk-melone seeds, and Annis seeds, of each three drams: the Cordial Flow∣ers, Rosemary Flowers, and Epithimum, of each one pugil. Make of all a Decoction in Barley Water, in part whereof infuse of choyce Rhubarb half an ounce: Cinnamon one dram. In a pint and half of the strained Liquor, dissolve three ounces of the Syrup of Damask Roses, and as much Sugar as shall be requisite to make it into a Syrup perfectly boyled. Of this let her take two or three ounces, twice or thrice in a month with some Decoction of Agrimony and Plantane, or the Infusion of Rhubarb in Endive Water.

If the Patient be easie to vomit, a purge upwards by Vomit, is to be preferred before the other, be∣cause it draws back the Humors from the womb.

In the spaces between purging, a Vulnerary Decoction is long to be used, which may be made af∣ter this manner:

Take Leaves of Agrimony, Burnet, Knotgrass, Plantane, of each half a handful: China Roots three drams: Coriander seeds one dram: Currence half a dram: red Sanders one scruple. Boyl all in the Broth of a Chicken. Let the Patient take of the strained Liquor morning and evening▪ Or,

Take Leaves of Mugwort, Plantane, Yarrow, of each one handful: Rhaponticum half an ounce: Agnus Castus seed one dram. Boyl all in a sufficient quantity of white Wine. Sweeten the strained Liquor with Sugar; and give her two or three ounces in a morning,

If a Feaver urge, and great quantity of bloodyish Quittor be voided, Whey and Milk will be very good; let her take eight ounces or more in a morning, adding a little Honey of Roses, or Sugar.

If her flesh begin to fall a way, with tokens of an Hectick Feaver, Milk, especially Asses Milk, must be given with Sugar of Roses for a whol month.

Sweat-provoking Medicines may likewise do good where there is no Inflamation, nor hot distem∣per, to dry the Ulcer, and to revel the serous humors towards the habit of the Body.

Turpentine washed in some convenient water for the womb, as of Mugwort or Feaverfew; or in some water respecting the Ulcer, as of Plantane, and red Roses, taken now and then with Sugar of Roses, doth clense and consolidate or fil up the Ulcer.

Pils of Bdellium given to a dram at a time, or every day, or once in two daies one scruple, do very much good, and stop the blood in case it flow.

Or new Pills may be made on purpose, to be used after the same manner, thus:

Take Bdellium three drams: Mirrh, Frankinsence, of each one dram: Sarcocella, Storax, Amber, Cheb-Myrobalans, of each half a dram: red Coral two scruples. With Syrup of Poppies make a Mass fit for Pills, whereunto, in case of extream pain, a little Opium may be added.

Trochisci Alkekengi [Cakes compounded with Winter-Cherries, of which consult my London Dispensatory] with Opium, are likewise (being poudered) given to drink down, where the Pa∣tient is troubled with great pain.

Also to mitigate pain, the same Remedies may be used, which we prescribed for that intent, in our discourse of the Inflamation of the womb.

This following Pouder is very effectual to dry up the Ulcer:

Take Acacia, Juyce of Hypocistis, of each one dram: Dragons blood, fine Starch, Plantane Roots, Birthwort, or round Aristolochia Roots, of each half a dram: Bole Armoniack one dram: Mastich, Sarcocolla, of each half a dram. Make all into a most sine Pouder, whose Dose let be one dram, with Plantane water, red Rose water, or water wherein Steel hath been often quenched.

Zacutus Lusitanus in the 87. Observation, and the 88. of his second Book, propounds an Electua∣ry and a Water, wherewith he witnesseth that he had cured Ulcers of the womb judged incurable.

Any one may find the Description of them in the places above cited.

To clense, dry, and fill up the Ulcer, divers sorts of Injections are usually made; which are never∣theless, not to be used, until the Inflamation be first taken away, which is oftentimes attendant upon these kind of Ulcers; and until the pain be asswaged, which is not only very troublesom, but also by vexing the part, it is wont to encrease the flux of Humors.

In regard therefore of that same Inflamation and sharpness of Humors, let Emulsions of the cooling Seeds, VVhey of Goats Milk, or Milk it self, either alone, or mingled with the Juyce of Plantane and Shepheards-purse; or if need be, a Decoction of Poppy heads, and the tops of Mallows be first of al injected. Some Practitioners are of Opinion, that luke-warm water alone, doth very much good in these cases, if it be often injected. And there is reason for it, seeing by that means the heat and Inflamation of the womb is tempered, the pain is asswaged, and the filth adhering to the Ulcer is washed off. Valescus de Taranta, doth approve of cold water likewise, in these words: I have known (saies he) some women, who perceiving they had Ʋlcers in their wombs, did wash them with cold Water, and then wipe them clean, and dry them with linnen cloaths, which they did often pr•••• in at the Watergate. And by these means often renewed, they came many times to be perfectly cured.

The hot distemper taken away, and the pain asswaged, or for the most part diminished, we must proceed to Clensers, first using the more light and easie Clensers, and after the more strong.

The gentle Clensers are, VVhey taken with Sugar, Barley water sweetened with Sugar, or Honey of Roses, to make it more clensing; or Hydromel simple (see my Dispensatory, a mixture of water and honey boyled a while together.)

For a more strong Clenser, use the Decoction of Barley, Lintels, shaled Beans, and the Leaves of Smallage, Pellitory of the wal, Plantane, boyled together, a little Honey of Roses being added to the straining.

VVhen the Ulcer is very foul, the wound-decoction commonly called Aqua Catapultarum, is the best thing that can be used, whose Composition is thus:

Take the Roots of Gentian, Rhapontick: Zedoary, and round Aristolochia or Birthwort, of each one ounce: white Wine six pints: boyl all till a third part of the Liquor be consumed. In the

straining dissolve half a pound of white Sugar. Let it be kept for use as occasion requires.

Or the following Decoction may be provided:

Take of whol Barley, course Bran, and red Roses, of each one pugil: Leaves of Agrimony, Wormwood, Woodbind, and Smallage, of each one handful: Beans and Lentils, of each three drams: scraped Liquoris, Orice Roots of Florence, and Zedoary, of each two ounces. Boyl all in water, adding towards the end, a little white Wine.

If the Ulcers be very stinking and ful of rotten Quittor, there may be added to the Decoction, a little Ʋnguentum Aegyptiacum, Collyrium Lanfranci, or the Pouder of dulcified Mercury.

When the Ulcer shal be wel scoured and clensed, we must use drying and solidating things, made af∣ter this manner.

Take the greater Comfry Roots, Bistort Roots, of each one ounce: Leaves of Plantane, Hors∣tail, Shepheards-purse, Ladies Mantle, Mous-ear, Yarrow, of each one handful: red Rose Leavs half a handful: Boyl all in water, and make thereof an Injection.

With the which or like Injection, this following flesh-creating Pouder may be mingled.

Take the Roots of Orice, Birthwort, great Comfry, of each half an ounce: Mirrh one ounce: Aloes three drams. Make all into Pouder, of which half an ounce may be mingled with every In∣jection.

Turpentine wash'd in Plantane Water to the quantity of two drams, dissolved with Honey and the Yolk of an Egg, wil do very much good, mingled with the Injection; and the more if the flesh-creating Pouder be also added.

The Oyntment Pompholygos, de Cerusa, de Plumbo, of each six drams for a Dose, mixed toge∣ther, are likewise used in Injections. But the Egg-yolk Oyl, rubbed about with a Pestle in a Lea∣den Morter, is better than al the rest.

Fumes received through a close stool, do pierce to the deep Ulcers which are about the bottom of the Womb, and dry them: Which may be thus prepared:

Take Frankinsence, Mirrh, Mastich, Storax, Juniper, Gum, Labdanum, of each one ounce: Turpentine as much as shall be requisite. Make all into little Cakes for to be burnt under a close stool.

In a most stubborn Ulcer, Cinnabarus or Minium being added to the Fume-Cakes, bears away the Bell from al other Medicaments.

Also Baths that are drying, Sulphurous, and Allumish, are used in long Ulcers: and Physitians are wont to send their desperate Patients to those Baths, as the last Remedy.

It wil not likewise be unprofitable to apply convenient Plaisters to the Region of the Womb, seeing their vertue can pass to the innermost parts of the womb, by the invisible pores of the Body.

If an Ulcer be in the neck of the womb, it must be smeared with scouring and drying Liniments, or Oyntments. The Scourers may be made after this manner:

Take of the Juyce of Smallage two ounces: Honey of Roses one ounce and an half: Turpen∣tine half an ounce: Barley Meal as much as shall seem convenient. Boyl them all gently, and make them into the form of a Liniment or Oyntment. Or,

Take the round Birthwort half an ounce: Horehound, Centaury the smaller, Agrimony, of each half a handful. Boyl them in a sit quantity of Hydromel. To the strained Liquor add the pouder Florentine Orice Root two drams: Barley meal, and clarified Honey, of each as much as shall suffice. Make all into a Liniment or Oyntment.

And somtimes the Oyntment Pompholygos is used, adding thereto, Frankinsence, Mastich, Mirrh, Aloes, as the Nature of the Ulcer shal require.

When the Ulcer is sufficiently clensed, a drying and scar-contracting Oyntment is to be laid on, which may be thus made:

Take Tutty Pouder washed half an ounce: Litharge of Gold and Silver, Ceruss, Sareocolla, of each two drams: Oyl and Wax as much as will suffice. Make all into an Oyntment.

It falls out somtimes, That Ulcers of the Womb do penetrate unto the streight Gut, and somtimes unto the Bladder; which is known by the Quittor issuing through the Water-Gate, or the Dung-Gate.

If the Quittor or Matter come out by stool, Lenitive, Scouring, and Drying Clysters are to be used; such as we propounded in our Cure of the Bloody-flux.

But if the Quittor come away by Urine, gentle Piss-drivers and cooling wil be requisite, which may purge out the filth sent into the Bladder, and further the Cure of the Ulcer; such as are, Emul∣sions of the greater cold Seeds, after which, Turpentine must be used, and other Medicines prescribed for an Ulcer of the Bladder.

If the Ulcer degenerate into a Fistula, which chiesly fals out when it opens outwardly towards the Hip, though it may likewise happen in the Womb it self, and its Neck; it is to be considered, which

is better for the Patient, to leave that Passage free and open, to which Nature hath been accustomed, and by which she endeavors to disburden her self of manifold Excrements, or to stop the same. If it be judged best to keep it open, a palliative Cure must at least be made, by Purges frequently repea∣ted, and Sweat-provokers are to be administred twice in a yeer,; also scouring Injections, and strengthening must be used, and Emplastrum D••apalma Divinum▪ and ••uch like Plaisters, are to be laid upon it. But if there be hopes to make a perfect Cure, and heal up the Fistula, such Medicines must be applied, as are wont to be used for the cure of other Fistulaes.

If Ulcers happen in the Water-Gate, or in the Cavity of the Womb, by reason of the Lechers Pox, they cannot be Cured without the General Cure of the said Pox. In the performance of which Cure, of many waies, there is none better than Fumigations of Cinnabaris or Minium; for they do not only help to rid the whol Body of that Infection, but being received into the Cavity of the Womb, they do in a peculiar manner hasten the Cure of these kind of Ulcers. Likewise in the Cure of this Disease, by Quick-silver'd Oyntments, the said Oynt∣ments must be conveighed into the inner parts of the Womb.

In whatsoever Ulcers of the Womb, if the Neck thereof be molested with an itch, as it often falls out, by reason of a deflux of a sharp and salt Humor into that part; to pacifie the said Itch, a Pes∣sary wil be good, dipped in Ʋnguentum Enulatum cum Mercurio; or in Aegyptiacum dissol∣ved in Sea-water, or in Allum water; or in new Butter wherein Quick-silver hath been killed, with some Brimstone mingled.

Chap. 9. Of a Scirrhus, or a Painless hard Swelling of the Womb.

THe Nature, Sorts, and Causes of a Scirrhus, or hard Swelling in the Womb, are the same which have been set down in our Chapter of the like Swelling in the Liver, and need not in this place be vainly repeated, but must be sought for in the said Chapter.

Howbeit among the Antecedent Causes, this is proper to an Hard-Swelling of the Womb, and is very frequent, namely, for women when the flux of their Courses or Child-bed purgations are upon them, undiscreetly to expose themselves to the cold Air, or to drink cold water; whereby the flux is stayed, and the retained blood grows thick, and is condensed, and at length produceth a Scirrhus or stony hard Swelling in the Womb.

The Signs of such a Swelling bred in the Womb, are, An hardness selt in the Region of the Womb, such as resists the touch, which hardness represents the compass of the Womb; an heaviness in the same place, and a sence of some weight bearing down, especially when the sick woman stands, as though the womb would fal down into the water-Gate; but when they sit or lie, it bears upon the streight Gut with its weight. There is no Feaver nor pain; wherein it differs from an Inflamation, or at most there is but very little pain in an imperfect Scirrhus, but in the Womb there is none. If it follow an Inflamation the Feaver and pain ceases, the hardness and resistence abiding. If it be in the Body of the Womb, it is easily discerned by handling the parts about the Share; but if it be in the Neck of the womb, it may be perceived by ones finger. It is distinguished from a Mole by the pre∣ceding Causes; and because in a Mole, if the Courses flow, they flow disorderly, but in this Hard Swelling they keep their order; and in a Mole, the womans Dugs strout with Milk, but in the Hard Swelling they are extenuated.

As for the Prognostick Signs, Every Scirrhus or hard stony Swelling, is very exceeding hard to cure; for an extream Hardness once contracted can hardly be softened; also Natural heat is so ve∣ry weak in that part where there is such a Swelling, that it can very hardly discuss an hard and almost stony substance.

A great and unvanquishable Scirrhus, or stony Swelling, doth at length bring the Dropsie to keep him company.

A Scirrhus, or stony hard Swelling of the womb, if it be tampered withal with over hot and moist Medicaments, it turns into a Cancer.

The Cure of this Disease aims at two things, the Antecedent Cause, and the conjoyned or conco∣mitant Cause.

In respect of the Antecedent Cause▪ a Vein must be opened, first in the Arms, if the Disease be of no very long continuance; afterward in the lower parts, especially when the Patients Courses are stopt.

The opening of the Hemorrhoid Veins, is also very profitable in this case: For they do both eva∣cuate dreggy blood, and they turn the Humor from the womb, because of the communion which the Veins have with the womb.

Purging is likewise necessary, by fits repeated, procured by such Medicines as purge Melancholly,

using first the gentler, and then the stronger sort by degrees.

And before the Purges, such things must be given as prepare the Melancholly Humor, and open the narrow passages of the Excrements, in the form of Apozems, Juleps, or Broths, according to the disposition of the sick party.

And besides the ordinary Openers, Medicines with Steel, must be likewise used, whereby those strongest Obstructions caused by thick and rebellious Humors in the Womb and other parts, may be dissolved.

And that superfluous humors may be derived from the womb, Issues may profitably be made in the Thighs, which are to be kept open until the Patients monthly Courses (which are commonly stopt in this Disease) shal return unto their ordinary form, in respect of time, quantity, and qua∣lity.

In respect of the conjoyned Cause, Emollient and Resolving Medicaments are to be applied out∣wardly, compounded after this manner:

Take the Roots of Marsh-mallows and Lillies, of each two ounces: the leaves of Mallows, Violets, Marsh-mallows, Bears-foot, of each one handful: Leaves of Mugwo••t, Nep, of each half a handful: Seeds of Line and Fenugreek, of each one ounce: Flowers of Chamomel and Melilot, of each a pugil. Make a Decoction of all, wherewith the Region of the Share, and the Groins must be fomented, a warm sponge being first dipped therein, and then squeez••d out, and so laid on, and held to the parts aforesaid.

For the greater mollifying, the Decoction may be made in Water and sweet Oyl, or in the Broth made of a Wethers Guts.

There may also be added to the Decoction, that it may become more powerful, the Roots of Brio∣ny and wild Cucumers; for we must begin with the milder, and proceed to the stronger by De∣grees.

Of the same Decoction (augmenting the quantity of the Simples) may a Bath be made for the Patient to sit in, which is very effectual in this Case, and more powerful than a Fomen∣tation.

••lso frequent Clysters and Injections into the Womb▪ are to be made of the same Decoction▪ whereunto the Oyls of Lillies, Chamomel, or sweet Almonds may be added.

Take of the Oyl o•• Lillies, and sweet Almonds, of each three ounces: Mucilage of Fenugreek seed extra••ted with white Wine one ounce: Hens, Gooses, and Ducks Fat, of each one ounce and an half: new Butter and Hogs Grease, of each two ounces: Wax and Turpentine as much a•• shal suffice▪ Make all into an Oyntment.

This which follows, is approved in al hard Swellings, being described by Rhasis in his Seventh Book, dedicated to King Almansor.

Take Bdellium, Ammoniacum, Galbanum, of each equal quantities: Beat them in a Morter with Oyl of Ben, and of Lillies; then add the Mucilages of Fenugreek Seed, Lin-seed, and Figs, in equal quantities. Make all into an Oyntment.

Of the same Materials, adding Wax, may a most effectual Plaister be made, to be applied to the Region of the Womb, both before and behind. Or a Plaister may be applied made of Emplastrum Diachylum ireatum.

A Cataplasm or Pultiss may be made of what remains after the Decoction aforesaid, being beaten and forced through an Hair Searce, adding of the meal of Lin-seed and Fenugreek seed, of each an ounce: six Figs: two drams of Orice Root: half a dram of Saffron: Hens Grease, and Oyl of sweet Almonds, of each a sufficient quantity. Make of al a Pultiss.

The Bitumenous clay taken out of Brimstone Baths, and such as are Bitumenous, is profitably ap∣plied as a Cataplasm.

The Fume of the Stone called Pyrites [that is, the Marchasite, or Fire-stone] being made red hot, and quenched in Vinegar, is by Galen wonderfully extolled for dissolving all stony hard Swel∣lings, so that it works like a Charm. In the said Vinegar, Savory and Pellitory may be boyled: but care must be had, lest your Lapis Pyrites prove to be the Stone called Plumbarius, or the Lead∣stone, which would do very much hurt.

Finally, All the Medicines, as wel internal as external, which were before described in our Cure of the hard Swellings of the Liver and Spleen, may also be useful in this case.

Yet must the••e ••edicaments in the whol course of the Cure be moderated and accommodated with the greatest judgment and discretion imaginable, left the hard Swelling become harder; or (which is much wor••e) degenerate into a Cancer, Which al Practitioners fear, when Medicaments are unwarily administred for a long time together: so that it is better somtimes to pause, and give or apply nothing, that we may mark what good is done by the former applications. For it is vain stri∣ving, when the Swelling (having lost al sence of feeling) hath put on the Nature of a stone.

Chap. 10. Of a Cancer of the Womb.

A Cancer is a hard Swelling of the Body or Neck of the Womb, which resists the touch, and causeth a most vehement pain, as it were pricking and cutting the part affected.

It is caused by black Choller gathered in that part, or by reason of a Scirrhus, or senceless hard tumor il cured, which easily turns into a Cancer, especially in this part of the Body, by reason of the copi∣ous afflux of blood, which being retained in those Veins which are nigh unto the Scirrhus, and not sufficiently evacuated by the monthly purgations, it becomes adust or burned, and acquires a malig∣nant disposition.

It is ordinarily reckoned to be of two sorts, Ulcerate, and not Ulcerate.

So long as the Morbifick matter is of lesser Acrimony and Malignity, it causeth a Cancer not ulce∣rated▪ but when it grows more sharp by putrefaction or adustion, it doth exulcerate the tumor, and produce an ulcerated Cancer.

The Disease may easily be known by the definition propounded; for if an hard Tumor resisting the touch, be felt in the Body of the Womb, or its Neck, causing a pricking and cutting pain, we may pronounce boldly that it is a Cancer, Yet it is more evidently distinguished by the eye-sight, when it may be seen as in the Neck of the Womb it may be, with help of a Womb-perspective Instrument; for we shal see an uneven and bunching swelling, Lead-colored or black, compassed about with cer∣tain branches of Veins, as it were with roots; but if it be ulcerated, it sends forth a certain blood∣watry quittor or matter, which is yellow or black, and stinking, and somtimes blood, by corrosion of the Veins which pass through that part, somtimes in such quantity that the Patient incurs danger of death. Hereunto is added a smal Feaver, unquietness, Stomach-sickness, an heat in, and about the Water-Gate, &c.

By way of Prognostication, we can only say thus much, That a Cancer is incurable, be it ulcera∣ted or not ulcerated. Which as it is true of al Cancers, not excepting those in the outer parts of the Body, much more is it of a Cancer in the Womb, by reason of that perpetual Common-shore of Ex∣crements which flows into the part.

Seeing then a perfect Cure cannot be hoped for, we must content our selves with such a Cure as is called Palliative. The scope whereof is, to hinder a not ulcerated Cancer from ulcerating, and an exulcerated Cancer from becoming more exulcerate: and in both to allay and temper the extremity of the pain. Which must be done, first by universal Purgations of the whol Body, and by other Me∣dicines which may qualifie and evacuate the black Chollerick, and Melanchollick blood, and hinder the further generation thereof. In the number of which are, bleeding in the Arm, Anckle, and He∣morrhoid Veins; Potions, Apozems, Juleps, Broths, Milk, Whey, cold Mineral Waters, and such like Remedies as these usually prescribed by Practitioners for the Cure of al Cancers in what part of the Body soever. And especially Purgations must be frequently reiterated, that the antecedent mat∣ter of a Cancer may be abated.

And then outward Remedies are to be used, such as are moderately cool and astringent, without any corrosive or biting quality; they are commonly applied in form of Liniments or Oyntments. The best are made after this manner:

Take Oyl of Myrtles and Roses, of each two ounces: Juyce of Nightshade and Housleek, of each one ounce. Stir all together in a Leaden Morter, with a Leaden Pestle, until they grow black: then add Litharge of Silver, and Ceruss, both washed in Scabious Water, of each two drams: Camphire ten grains. Make all into an Oyntment, with which let the part affected, be smeared three or four times a day. Or,

Take Oyl of Egg-yolks, and of Roses, of each one ounce and an half: Sugar of Lead one dram. Stir them together in a Leaden morter till their color change.

This following puts down al the rest, wherewith Swellings of the Dugs which have been accounted Cancerous, have been perfectly cured.

Take Egg-yolks Oyl two ounces: Juyce of Nightshade and Veronica or Housleek, of each half an ounce: Quick-silver not killed two drams. Stir them lustily together in a leaden morter, with a leaden pestle, till they become thick as an Oyntment.

The foresaid Oyntments are to be conveyed into the womb upon long tents, or upon wax Candles, wound in Linnen. But Injections may much more easily be conveyed into the Womb. They are compounded on this manner:

Take Barley Water half a pint: Nightshade and Plantane Water, of each two ounces: Water of Housleek one ounce: white Troches of Rhasis two drams: Sugar of Lead one dram. Make of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 In section.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 in be very vehement, add to four ounces of the Injection, one ounce of Syrup of Poppies.

Also let the part affected be fomented with the waters of Plantane and Nightshade, or their Deco∣ctions; whereunto may be added the Leaves of Water-lilly, white Poppy, red Roses, and Camphire. Which Decoction may also frequently be injected into the womb, and it wil become much more ef∣fectual, if it shal be wel wrought about in a Leaden morter, or a dram of the Sugar of Lead be added to it.

Among Specifick Remedies, Frogs are commended, being washed and boyled, and laid on as a Pul∣tiss, or their Broth being used as an Injection. Also the Decoction, or juyce of River Crabs, i••••e∣cted into the womb. As also Herb Robert used inwardly or outwardly.

If the Cancer be ulcerated, the Dose of Minerals must be augmented in the foresaid Liniments, and to them the ashes of River Crabs may profitably be added. And with the Injections, the white Tro∣ches of Rhasis may be mingled, and Barley Water with the Materials of the foresaid Injection.

If pain be very urgent, Fomentations of Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Water-Lillies, Poppy, Hen∣bane, Green Coriander, Dil, Fleawort seeds, Milk, Saffron, and the like, are to be used at convenient seasons; or Pultisses made of them are to be applied. And of their Decoctions, Injections, and Baths to sit in, may be provided.

Yet wil not al these Medicaments somtimes serve turn to pacifie a most cruel pain, which somtimes gives the Patient neither rest nor sleep. Which compels us many times to make use of Narcotick or stupefactive Medicines, which in this Disease, by reason of the exceeding Heat of the Humors, do less hurt. And I have seen a woman, having a Cancer in her Dug, that took every night for four months together, two or three grains of Laudanum, and had no hurt, but very great comfort there∣by.

If from an ulcerated Cancer much blood do proceed, as it often fals out, let Juyce of Plantane with a little Frankinsence be injected into the womb.

Chap. 11. Of Mortification, or Gangrenation, and Spha∣celation, or Blasting of the Womb.

A Gangrene is the corruption or mortification of a part beginning; but when it is wholly cor∣rupted, and dead, it is said to be Sphacelated, or blasted.

In the Genital parts of Women, this Disease is easily bred, because those parts are moister and softer than ordinary, and do easily receive the Excrements of the whol Body.

It often follows an Inflamation, Imposthume, Ulcer, or Cancer il cured, when the vital heat of the part, is choaked or destroyed. It is choaked in great Inflamations, when more blood flows in than the Natural heat of the part can digest, or turn into Matter. It is destroyed, either by a cold di∣stemper extinguishing it, or by an hot one, dissipating and resolving the same.

A beginning Gangrene is known by an unusual heat felt in the part, a horror and trembling seizes upon the Patient, with a languishing and quick-beating pulse, and with fainting away, or swooning. And seeing this Disease doth for the most part happen to the Neck of the Womb, so that the part af∣fected may be perceived by the Eye; it is discovered to be soft, Lead-colored, black and carrion like, and may be prickt or cut, and the Patient never feel it; and it sends forth besides, a stinking and car∣rion-like smel.

As for the Prognostick or Predictions belonging to this Disease. It is a most grievous, most dan∣gerous Disease, and for the most part deadly: yet it hath been observed by very many Authors, That the Womb being putrefied and Gangrenated, hath either fallen away of it self, or been cut away, the womens lives being saved: which Observations of Authors, Schenkius hath collected to a great num∣ber, in the fourth Book of his Observations.

The Cure is performed with the same Remedies which are wont to be applied to other parts being Gangrenated, if it be in the Neck of the Womb, or tend toward the outward parts; as namely, with Scarrifications, and washings or bathings with a Decoction of Wormwood, Mirrh, and such like, with the Oyntment called Aegyptiacum, the Cataplasm called De Tribus farmis, which is thus made:

Take Barley meal, Bean meal, and Orobus meal, of each two ounces: Oxymel one pound: Boyl them to the thickness of a Pultiss or Cataplasm. Whereunto if there be added, meal of Lupines, Mirrh, Aloes, and Wormwood, it will be more effectual.

If any part of the Womb be wholly corrupt and dead, it must be cut off; or if the Womb fall down, it must be separated, by binding the Ligature every day faster and closer. Of which kind of Operations, there be many Examples collected by Schenkius in the fourth Book of his Observa∣tions.

Wierus also relates in his Observations, That he cured a woman of twenty five yeers of age, who

in the hottest of the Dog-daies, had a certain little bunch growing in her Water-Gate. Whereunto an unskilful Chyrurgion applying Pultisses that were not proper, within a few daies, all that part began to putrefie, grow black and dead, and the Disease past on with incredible swiftness towards the Dung-Gate. And Wierus undertook the Cure after this Method: First, he squirted good store of the Juyce of Nightshade and Plantane with a Syringe into both the Passages three or four times a day; between which times, he applyed a bolster wet with the foresaid Juyces, Vinegar being mixed therewith; which growing dry was wet again with the same Liquor. And in this course of reiterated Application he continued til the fervent heat was quenched, and the putrefaction began to cease. She took in the mean while, thrice every day a Potion, of the Decoction of Sorrel, Scabious, Burnet, Damask Prunes, the tops of Borrage and Bugloss, Marigold flowers, with Water, Sugar, and Vinegar, made in the manner of a long, acid, or sharp Syrup. Her Diet was spare, but cooling and tart, to prevent putrefaction. On the third day, the fury of the burning heat, and of the pu∣trefaction, was abated. Whereupon he commanded the black and dead flesh to be drawn or plucked out with a little Forceps [Chyrurgions Instrument, like Tongs or Pincers] and separated round about from the live flesh, without any pain, and so to be cut off. Then he consumed the reliques e∣ven to the live flesh with the Oyntment called Aegyptiacum. And proceeded to cicatrize, or bring it to a Scar, after the same manner which is used in other Ulcers.

In the whol course of the Cure, care must be had to strengthen the Heart, both by things given in, and applied outwardly: Likewise Emollient, Clensing, and Refrigerating Clysters, are frequently to be given, which do much help the part affected, by reason of Neighbor-hood.

Chap. 12. Of the Wombs Wind-and-Water Swelling, or Dropsie.

THe Inflation or blowing up of the Womb with Wind, and its Dropsie, are by Writers confoun∣ded or jumbled together; so that they call the Inflation, a Dropsie coming of wind; whereas the Dropsie properly so called is ingendered by a watery Humor, Yet are they distinguished, and there is a certain puffing up of the Womb with wind, suddenly rushing in, and stretching the same, and causing vehement pain, as in the Chollick; which because it continues not, but is soon discussed, it deserves not the name of a Dropsie; and such a puffing up is often seen in Hysterical women which have the Womb-fits.

There is therefore to be reckoned a two-fold Dropsie of the Womb; one from Wind, which is like that sort of Belly-dropsie which is termed Tympanitis, or the Drum-belly Dropsie: another a∣rising from a wheyish Humor, answering to the Dropsie of the Belly, called Ascites, that is, the Bottle-belly Dropsie: Some add a third sort, answering to the third sort of Belly-Dropsies, called from its cause, Leucophlegmatia, that is, white-flegm Dropsie, which is seldom seen in the course of Practice. Yet I have seen a Gentlewoman, which in one day voided such plenty of thick flegm out of her womb, as might weigh probably six or seven pound weight: which flegm long retained, might doubtless have caused in her, a Dropsie of the womb.

Wind and water causing a Dropsie of the Womb, are contained either within the Cavity of the Womb, or in its Membranes, or in certain Bladders. Touching the Cavity of the VVomb, it is somwhat doubted how Wind and Humors can be contained therein, seeing there is so easie a Passage through the Neck and Mouth of the VVomb. We answer, The inner Orifice or Mouth of the VVomb, may be closed up divers waies; either by thick flegm sticking fast thereunto, and growing hard, or by a Scirrhus, or some other cause. Mercatus conceives, That a snotty kind of flegm is voi∣ded by the mouthes of those Veins which are ordained for the monthly Purgations, and that of the said snotty flegm a skin is framed, which covers all the inner surface of the VVomb, within which thin skin, the wheyish and windy Matter is contained. But Fernelius thinks, That water may be contai∣ned in the womb, without any thing amiss in its mouth, but barely by its constriction or pursing of it self together. All these sorts are to be allowed of, and may be confirmed by divers Ex∣amples.

And first of all, Examples of VVinds contained in the VVomb-Cavity, are recited by Sennertus, in the Fourth Book of his Practice, Part 1. Sect. 2. Chap. 10. The first is taken out of Valescus de Taranta, touching a certain Jewish woman of Lisbon, who taking her self to be with Child, when she expected to be delivered, a great quantity of wind came away, and so her womb was brought down again. The Second is taken out of Mathiolus de Gradi, who relates the same thing to have be∣fallen his own wife. And other Examples taken out of Dodonaeus, Thadaeus Dunus, and other VVriters, do testifie the like Cases; and we see the same often in the course of our Practice. Where∣unto may be added a History, which we shall in the Cure relate out of Solenander, of a woman who

by means of a Fumigation made of Nutmegs, let wind fly out of her Womb, which gave a report like a Pistol.

And Examples of Water contained in the Womb are propounded by the said Sennertus, out of Rhasis, who saw a woman out of whose Womb there flowed twenty five Cotila's of water, which is a Measure not used with us, containing about half an Ale Pint. Also out of Jacobus de Partibus, and Dodonaeus, who relate such a like Story. And Vesalius Dissected or Anatomized a woman, in the hollowness of whose womb, were found above sixty Ausburg Mea∣sures of water, each Measure containing three pints, and the mouth of her womb was grown to a wonderful hardness.

And that water is somtimes contained in the womb in bladders, many Authors do testifie, who have seen examples thereof in some women, who voided such bladders ful of water from their wombs; a∣mong the rest Aetius, Valeriola, Christopherus a Vega, Mercatus, Platerus, and Fabricius Hildanus.

Somtimes also women with Child have a Dropsie at the same time in their wombs, as Fabricius Hildanus relates of his own wife, whose Belly was swelled to a monstrous greatness; and at the time of her delivery, she voided first of all, eighteen pints of water, and half an hour after, nine pints more; and at last she was delivered of a Boy, strong and healthy. The like case we find in Skenkius, but with a contrary event, concerning a woman, who being delivered of a living Child, continued stil big-bellied, and her belly growing stil greater and greater, she died of it, and her womb being opened, a great quantity of water was found therein.

Finally, Fernelius hath an Example, in the sixth Book of Diseases, Chap. 15. of water retai∣ned in the womb, only by reason of the close shutting of the mouth of the womb, without any other fault therein. The story is of a woman that had a Dropsie in her womb, who as often as she had her monthly Purgations, voided al her watry Excrements out of her womb, filling six or eight Basons with a very hot yellowish water, til the swelling of her belly was wholly abated. The next month the like redundancy of watry Excrements being collected, was in like manner evacuated.

The immediate Cause of the windy and watry Swelling of the womb, is the weakness of Natural heat, residing in the Liver or Spleen; and from those parts, wind, flegm, or wheyish humors are transmitted into the womb; or the weakness is in the womb it self, whereby the said Excrements are therein collected and heaped together.

And the Causes which weaken Natural heat, either directly, or by accident, are very many, and the chief are, of those things which are collected by Physitians, Res non Naturales, things not Na∣tural. So, cold air, especially after Child-birth, heedlessly received into the womb, is a most effe∣ctual cause of this infirmity. Also cold Air unseasonably received when the Courses flow, and go∣ing frequently into cold water, or padling in the same, especially during the said flux, is a cause thereof. So is much use of cold Meats, or windy, as fruits, Herbs, Beans, and Pease, and likewise of Vinegar: Cold water plentifully and unseasonably drunk down, long and deep sleep, painful chil∣ding and abortion especially if it often happen, immoderate flux of the Courses, exhausting the Natural heat, or their suppression choaking the same. Add to these, the proper Diseases of the womb, as swellings, ulcers, and such like, which do resolve the heat of the part; or else shut the mouth of the womb, and hinder the egress of Menstrual blood, and excrementitious humors.

In the Discovery of this Disease, many things are to be considered:

First, How this particular Dropsie of the womb, may be known and distinguished from that of the whol Body?

Secondly, How the several sorts of this Womb-Dropsie may be discerned, as whether it come from wind, from wheyish Humors, or from flegm?

Thirdly, Whether it proceed primarily from some infirmity of the womb, or by fault of some o∣ther parts of the Body?

Fourthly, Whether the Matter offending be contained in the Cavity of the womb, or between its Membranes, or in certain Bladders?

Fifthly, How to distinguish it from other Tumors of the womb?

Sixthly, How from being great with Child?

Seventhly, How it may be known from a Mole?

As for the First Question. It is distinguished from an Universal Dropsie of the Belly, in that the Womb-Dropsie swels chiefly the lower part of the Belly; whereas the universal Dropsie distends equally the whol Belly in all the parts thereof. Again, In the Womb-Dropsie, paleness and falling away of the flesh of the whol body, are not so soon discerned as in the universal Dropsie, in which al∣so for the most part, there is evident thirst and driness of the tongue, which are not found in the womb-Dropsie, in which al other Symptomes are likewise far more gentle, than is usual in the universal Dropsie. In a word, In the Womb-dropsie, some wind breaks out of the womb by fits; or a little water comes away, which evidently declare, that wind or water are contained in the womb.

To the second Question we Answer thus. That the sorts of Womb-Dropsies may be known from one another after this manner. If it arise from wind, the lower part of the belly being struck gives a sound; the belly is afflicted with pricking paines, which reach somtimes as far as the Midrif, Stomach, Loyns, and other parts; somtimes wind breakes evidently out of the neck of the Womb. Likewise, women often feel their Wombs riseing like a Globe towards their stomachs. Somtimes their breath is short and the sick woman when she awakes out of sleep, oftentimes is much troubled to fetch her wind. After all meat and drink whatever, they are worse. They often belch, and their belchings give them ease. They are oft troubled with Womb fits or suffocation of the Mother. Somtimes they are pained below the navel, so as they cannot endure to be touched. Those Signes do also appear in the Inflation or Blowing up of the Womb with wind, which differs from this Disease (as was said before) only in this, that the Inflation is of less durance, but a Dropsie of wind con∣tinues a far longer time.

But if the Wombs Dropsie arise from a wheyish Humor, the Region thereof appeares soft and flaggy; whereas wind stretches it stif: there is a greater heaviness in the part and a noyse as of water flowing this way and that way: some water now and then drops from the Privity. And finally if it arise from flegm, the softness and flagginess of the part will be yet greater, and encrease daily more and more; and the bordering parts, as all under the Navel, the Privy parts, the space between the Privity & Fundament; with the Loynes, will be seen to swell with a Phlematick kind of Swelling.

To the Third Question we answer thus. If there be apparent tokens of the whol Bodies being misaffected, as by acute or long feavers, immoderate fluxes of blood, grievous distillations from the Head, Weaknesses of the stomach: swellings of the Spleen or Liver and other stubborn Diseases of those parts, with which the Wombes Dropsie began, encreasing as they encreased; it will be more than an even lay, that the Womb receives the matter of it's Dropsie from those parts by way of a flux of Rhewm. But if this Womb-swelling happen, when the whol Body is in good health, and do succeed particular diseases of the Womb, such as are hard Travels in Child-birth, Sup∣pressions of the monthly courses, or over great flux thereof, Ulcers, Chollerick, or Melancholick, or hard Tumors, we may conjecture, that the Wombes-Dropsie doth depend upon those particular dispositions, and that the matter causing the said Tumor, is gathered together in the Womb it self, by means of its inability perfectly to digest and assimilate its nutriments.

To the fourth Question, we may Answer by saying, That the Matter which is contained in the cavity of the Womb, doth make a much larger Swelling, than when it is contained in bladders. Again, when it proceeds from a wheyish humor, a greater fluctuation of the water is perceived than when it is contained in bladders. And if so be, little bladders full of water be voided out of the Womb, it's a most certaine sign, that the Humour is contained in the little bladders.

To the first Question we must Answer; that the Wombs-Dropsie is Differenced from Tumors of blood or Choller, arising in the Womb: because in such Tumors or Swellings there is a feaver and a pain which is encreased by the least touch; also the Inflamation reaching even to the parts of Generation. And it is distinguished from Scirrhous and Cancerous Swellings, because in it there is no such great Hardness, which can resist the impression of the Finger, but it rather gives way, and pitts.

To the Sixth Quaere wee say: When a woman is big with Child, the Swelling is not so even and depressed, but it is sharp, buncheth out, and seems greater about the navel than elswhere. Secondly, In Greatness with Child, after some months, women are for the most part somwhat better than they were, because the Child grown big consumes the greater part of those humors, which in the first months were burdensome: But the Dropsie, the further it proceeds the worse it growes. Thirdly, In greatness with Child, the child is manifestly perceived. to stir, after the third or fourth month; which is not in the VVomb-Dropsie. Yet it falls out somtimes, that when the Dropsie is caused by wind, a certain Palpitation is preceived in the VVomb; but it is easily distinguished from the moving of a Child, which is more even, and is wont to be perceived in divers parts of the Belly. Fourthly, In Greatness of Child, the womans Duggs swell; but in the Dropsie they are extenuated and become smaller.

To the seventh Quaere we Answer, that in a Mole, women find a kind of Heaviness in their VVombs, which they feel not in the VVomb-Dropsie; and when they lie on the one of their sides, they perceive the weight to roul like a stone to that side. Again, in the Mole, violent flux of Courses comes by fits, namely, every third or fourth month; which happens not in the VVomb-Dropsie. Lastly, in case of a Mole, the Duggs swell, and somtimes have milk; in the VVomb-Dropsie, quite Contrary.

As touching the Prognosticks of this Disease. A simple Inflation or puffing up of the womb with wind, because it lasts not, is without danger. Yet if not quickly cured it may grow to a true Dropsie.

A Womb-Dropsie caused by a good conditioned Humor void of putrefaction, is wont to proue a

long Disease; yet may it in process of time be cured, yea somtimes, the water flows of its own accord out of the womb, and the Patient recovers her health.

But if the Humor be malignant, sharp, or putrid, which is known by the grievous Symptomes fol∣lowing; the Disease is dangerous, and for the most part deadly: For if the Disease depend upon some private Disease of the Womb, it betokens a perfect ruine of the natural Functions of that part; whence follows at last an universal Dropsie of the whol Body. But if the Womb suffer by consent of other parts, viz. of the Liver, Spleen, or Stomach, the Mischief wil be the greater, and ruine is thereby threatned to the whol Body. Hence it was well said of Aetius, Such as is a womans womb, such for the most part, is the rest of her body.

If wind or water be contained in the Cavity of the womb, it is more easily cured than if it be shut within little skins or bladders.

The Cure of this Disease is performed almost by the same Remedies which have been propounded to cure the Dropsie and Green-sickness. Whereunto some things more properly belonging to this disease must be added. And in the first place concerning Blood-letting; In the Disease, being new, proceeding from a suppression of the Courses and from some Plenitude still appearing, blood-let∣ting may be convenient; otherwise it wil hurt, seeing natural heat is exceedingly weakened and di∣minished; and stubborn Obstructions caused by a cold Humor, do cause fear of an Universal Dropsie.

But Purging is altogether necessary, and must be often reiterated, as we ordered in the forenamed Diseases.

After sufficient Purgation, Openers, Diureticks, and such things as move the Courses, are to be given, such as are described in the places aforesaid. Unto which, these following may be added.

Take Roots of Smallage, and of Madder, of each half an ounce: the Leaves of Savin, Fea∣verfew, Penyroyal, of each one pugil: Carrots seeds one dram. Boyl all in the Broth of a yong Pidgeon, and let her drink the strained Liquor divers daies together.

Before she drink of the Broth, let her swallow one of the following Pills.

Take of the best Castoreum, Mirrh, Madder, of each half a dram: Saffron twenty grains. With Juyce of Lemmons make all into nine Pills.

After which Medicaments the Patient must exercise her self stoutly, by which means, not only the Excrements bred in the Bowels, and the whol compass of the Body, may by assistance of Heat be dissipated; but all which is contained in the womb, may be voided out, the bladders being broken by violence of the Exercise.

If the woman do easily vomit, somthing may be profitably given her twice in a week to that end; by which means, not only the Humors which were wont to flow unto the womb, will be recalled, and brought forth; but the foresaid bladders sticking in the womb, and somtime containing a watry Humor, happily may be broken by the vehement motion and agitation, whereupon the Humor of∣fending wil be voided.

To discuss the said Humor contained in the womb, the following Bolus, or Morsel, will be most effectual.

Take of Mineral Borax half a dram: Saffron twenty grains: With Juyce of Savin, make all into a Morsel. Let it be taken twice in a week.

Sweat-drivers are likewise very profitable in this disease, for by them, wheyish and flegmatick hu∣mors, whether in the womb, or the whol body, are discussed and evacuated.

In the mean while, the inbred heat of the Stomach must be strenthened both with things given in, and outwardly applied, described in the Cures of the diseases of that Part.

And outwardly, Medicines must be applied to strengthen the womb, and to discuss the Humors contained therein.

And in the first place, Fomentations and Baths to sit in, may be made of a Decoction of Briony roots, wild Cucumer, the leavs of Danewort or Dwarf-Elder, Mercury, Elder, Origanum, Calaminth, Worm∣wood, Rue, Sage, Marjoram, Time, Bay, Penyroyal, Mugwort; Seeds of Broom, Carrots, Cummin, Annis, Fennel; Berries of the Bay and Juniper Tree; Flowers of Chamomel, Melilot, and Rosema∣ry. Of which, little bags may likewise be made, boyled in white Wine. Or the foresaid Ingredients, or some of them, may be boyled in the Lye made of the ashes of Vine-boughs.

And that the foresaid Fomentations may work the better, they are to be applied before and be∣hind: and the sick woman ought to sweat, if she can, in her bed, or in a Stove conveniently prepa∣red. Which likewise may be procured by help of a Bathing Tub.

In a windy Dropsie, dry Fomentations will be more profitable, with bags of Milet, Salt, Cummin∣seed, and Bran fryed in a pan and besprinkled with Wine.

After Fomentation let her Belly from the Navel downward, be anointed with Nard Oyl, Oyl of Dill, Oyl of Rue, Wormwood, and Southernwood. Which Oyls, if drawn out by Chymical Art, they wil be much more effectual.

After Unction, lay on a Plaister of Bay-berries, or a Pultiss of Cows and Sheeps Dung, with Seeds of Smallage, Parsly, and Cummin, as also Honey boyled therewith.

To the same purpose the Skin of a Sheep newly killed is commended, sprinkled with warm Ca∣nary Sack, and laid warm upon the Belly.

Clysters are frequently to be given, made of the Decoction of Wormwood, Origanum, Penyroyal, Rue, Centaury, and the like: Or of the Oyl of Rue, Nuts and Dill, with white Wine, Hypocras, or Muskadine. In which Clysters dissolve Benedicta Laxativa, Hiera Diacolocynthidos, Tere∣binthinam, Confection of Bay-berries, Rosemary-flower Honey, and the like.

Injections into the womb may be very profitable to evacuate the Humors contained therein, being compounded after this manner:

Take Roots of Asarabacca three drams: Leaves of Penyroyal, Calaminth, of each half a handful: Savin a pugil: Mecboacan a dram: Annis seed, Cummin seed, of each half a dram. Boyl all, and in six ounces of the strained Liquor, dissolve an ounce of Oyl of Orice, and as much of Elder Oyl, and make thereof an Injection.

To the same end may Pessaries be made, thus:

Take Coloquintida and Mechoacan, of each one dram: Sal Nitre ten grains: boyled Honey as much as shall suffice. Make all into a Pessary. Or,

Take Bindweed Roots, Roots of Esula, of each a dram: Seed of Gith, or Nigella Romana half a dram: Honey as much as shall suffice. Make all into a Pessary. Or,

Take Elaterium half a dram: bruised Figs as much as shall be requisite. Make them into a Pessary.

When the Swelling of the womb proceeds from wind, a Fumigation of Nutmegs is very helpful, being commended by Solenander, in these words: A Woman newly out of Child-bed, exposing her self over soon to the wind and air, fell into insufferable pains, neither could she find any help. At last comes an old well experienced Midwife, and calls for three Nutmegs grosly poudered. Then she put an Earthen pan with hot Coals under the woman, and sprinkled the pouder of Nutmegs up∣on the Coals, so placing the pan, that the woman might receive the smoak through a funnel into her womb by the Water-Gate. At the same time she was smoaked above with the same Fume: Which when it had penetrated into her body, the woman presently cries out, I must needs go to stool: which she had hardly spoken, but a fizzing and sound was heard, such as is made when Gun-pouder is fired being shut in a narrow box: which wind being expelled, the woman was perfectly well in a moment. Being advised by this Experiment, having upon like occasion used the like Remedy, I have very of∣ten found it to do much good.

In the same case, Cupping-Glasses with much flame, is profitably set upon the Navel, for it ex∣cellently dispels wind.

If the Disease come from Humors, Issues are to be made in the Thighs, that by those Fountains the filth of the womb may be by little and little drained out.

Brimstone and Nitrous Baths are commended likewise by many, both to drink, and to be washed in; provided there be no great heat of the Liver or whol Body, conjoyned with this Disease.

For the pain of the womb, which is frequently troublesom in this Disease, Amatus Lusitanus commends the water or Decoction of Chamomel flowers, given to the quantity of four or five ounces.

And finally, If the Inflation or puffing up of the womb happen after Child-birth, there wil need no other Purgation than that by the womb: Which if it find any hinderance, it must be helped for∣wards by drawing Pessaries, and by Cupping-Glasses fastened to the Thighs, and by other Medicines described in our Chapter of Suppression of Courses. And if there be wind, the Fumigation made of Nutmegaforesaid, will be most seasonable.

Chap. 11. Of the falling down of the Womb.

WHen the womb loseth its Natural Scituation, and fals towards the Water-Gate, the Disease is termed, the falling down, or slipping forward of the womb.

Many Differences there are of this Disease, differing only in degrees: For somtimes only the in∣ner neck falls down into the Water-gate: somtimes the whol body of the womb fals downwards, but does not appear without the Water-Gate, in the threshold whereof appears the inner mouth of the womb, in likeness of a mans Yard, or a Goose Egg with an hole in it. Other whiles with the bottom turned out, it hangs without the Water-gate like a mans Cod, or an Ostridges Egg, save that it is rug∣ged, and hath an uneven surface: and it is in a word, somtimes so reluxed, that it falls so far out as to reach the Patients Thighs.

The immediate Cause of the falling down of the womb, is the Rupture, or Relaxation of those Ligaments, which are wont to retain it, and its Neck in their proper place.

A Rupture of the foresaid Ligaments may proceed from all violent Causes, as a blow, a fall, dancing and leaping, lifting some heavy burden, or carrying the same, violent compression of the Abdomen, vehement Coughing which dures long, violent neezing, especially in Child-bed, hard straining to stool, difficult Travel, violent extraction of the Child out of the womb, or of the After∣birth; vehement endeavor of the womb to cast out somwhat offensive thereunto, as a dead Child, a Mole, or an After-birth: for then, according to Galen, in his Third Book of Natural Faculties, the same thing betides the womb, which is wont to happen to two wrastlers who endeavor to throw one the other upon the ground, till both fall together. Hereunto add, frequent setting of Cupping-Glasses upon the Thighs, and very vehement agitation of Body, or of Mind.

Relaxation or slackening of the Ligaments is caused likewise by divers causes, as by a long-lasting Catarth, divers Crudities, which are cast out into the womb, as the sink of the whol Body. Whence it is that women long troubled with the Whites, can scarce avoid this Disease, especially elderly wo∣men which are most of all troubled therewith. Add hereunto external causes, as over-frequent bathing, especially in cold water; Southern and moist Air, especially being received into the womb after Child birth; moist Diet, much drinking; Idleness, long sleep, and all other causes, which may decrease flegm, and cause its flux into the womb.

The Signs whereby to know this Disease are evident to the sence. For the womb is found sticking in the Water-gate like an Hens or Gooses Egg, or like a Clew of Thrid, with the perceivance of a weight pressing upon the Water-Gate, when the Patient stands upright. And while they sit or go to stool, a vehement pain is felt about the privy Parts, and the Region of O sacrum, or the Hanch∣bone. If it hang far out, the greater pain and heat is felt, the urine comes away by little and little, and makes the womb smart as it passeth.

The Causes procuring this Falling-down of the womb, may be thus distinguished. If it proceed from loosness or slackness of the Ligaments, it comes by little and little, hath the less pain, and white Purgations have preceded, or other Causes moistening the womb, and relaxing the Ligaments thereof. But if it proceed from a breaking of the Ligaments, the pain is more vehement, and blood somtimes breaks forth; and such Causes have preceded which have been able to break with violence the Liga∣ments.

As for the Prognosticks belonging to this Disease. The Disease of it self is not dangerous; yet is it very unhandsom and troublesom, hindering the Patient from freedom to go and walk at will; also from Conception and convenient expurgation of her Courses.

Yet may it somtimes occasion death, if pains, Feavers, convulsions, or other grievous Symptomes be joyned therewith.

Also the womb in this Case is somtimes corrupted through distemper of the Air, or by violent im∣pulsion, and becomes Gangraenated, which necessitates it to be cut off.

The Disease being fresh, and the womb coming not far out, is more easily cured than when it is an old Infirmity, and the womb comes far out.

In yonger women, the womb is more easily restored to its place than in Elderly women.

Falling down of the womb, by reason of the Ligaments being broken, is incurable.

To come to the Cure. The womb is to be thrust back into its Natural place, and to be detained there; and the fault of its Bands or Ligaments must be corrected; If they be broken, by things that do glue and sodder together; if they be relaxed or slackened, with things drying, aftringent, and strengthening. All which may be done by the following Medicaments.

In the first place therefore, That the womb may more easily be restored to its place, the Guts and Bladder must be disburdened, left pressing the Neck of the womb, they should hinder its reduction; forasmuch as the neck of the womb rests upon the streight Gut, and the bladder rests upon the neck of the womb.

VVhen the Gutts and Bladder are discharged of their Excrements, let the woman lie along upon her Back, with her thighs wide asunder, and her knees drawn upwards, and let her with her hands thrust her womb inwards; and force it still upwards into the neck, so as to turn it inwards as it goes, till all is returned within the cavity of the Belly which should contain the womb. Or if she is not able to do it her self, let her do it by help of the midwife; or use a thick blunt ended stick with Cloaths wrapt about it, by which it may be forced further into the Cavity of the Belly, than is possible by the hands to drive it. Or, for fear of hurting her Body, a Pessary may be made of Lin∣nen Cloth often doubled and rowled together with a string tied fast thereunto, and accommodated to this service of thrusting up of the womb.

But if the womb fallen from its place shall, swell, so that it cannot enter into the cavity of the Belly, the swelling must in the first place be removed. And if there be an inflamation, such things must be applyed as are sit to heal the same. If otherwise it be blown up, such things must be used

as will discuss the inflation. Rodericus a Castro washes the swollen womb with a Decoction of Beets, and then sprinkles it with vineger and salt, and so when the swelling is aborted, he reduceth the same.

The same Rodericus a Castro writes, that it is very good towards restoring the fallen womb, for a Physitian or a Chyrurgion to come with burning red hot Iron in his hand and to make as if he would thrust it into the womb. by that means nature contracts her self, and the womb with her, and any other part that sticks out of the Body. For he relates that a certain very expert Chyrurgion did by this stratagem force Back a mans Gutts, that were ready to come out at a wound in his belly, when other remedies did no good. For holding a great red hot Iron in his hand, the Patient looking on, he made as if he would Clap it upon the wound. VVith the sudden fright whereof the Gutts were presently drawn back into their place.

Avenzoar in his Second Theizir, Tract 5 Chap. 4. Propounds some such thing as this. When this disease (saith he) begins first to appear, the Physitian may gently cure the same. And it is reduced all these wayes, viz. by your hand If you please; and if not make her he on her Back and let some Body sit upon her brest, and another upon her thighes; and then cause her to be frighted putting some creeping Vermin upon her Leggs, such as Mice, Efts, frogs and such like; by which let her be so frighred as to endeavour to get away by drawing her Leggs and thighs up to her; where∣by all her Members and her whol Body may at once be contracted: by which meanes the Womb will return unto its own place.

Zacutus Lusitanus following Avenzoar relates the following story in the 66 observation of his Second Book. Coming to a woman (saies he) Which had her Womb fallen down the space of a year & an half, with extream hardness; it seemed very hard by reason of its stretching out to be reduced to its place; especially seeing Avenzoar saies, that this work must be done before the Womb be grown hard. I devised many remedies for this disease; astringent Insessions, Pessaries, Plasters, Confections. At last, having wrastled stoutly with the disease, I could do no good. I betook my self to this stra∣tagem. I put Mice tied by the tailes, between the womans Leggs. Which running up her Thighs, the woman is mightly frighted, and forthwith (a strang thing to see) her Womb is reduced into its proper place. This done, The Plaster against Ruptures being laid upon the Region of the Womb and to the Groynes, she remained for the time to come free from that Disease.

Before the VVomb be reposed in its place, it must be anointed with the Mucilage of comfrey Roots, or with an infusion of Gum Tragacanth. Then are pouders to be sprinkled thereupon, which have no asperity or sharpness, least they hurt the VVomb or its neck; but of quality rather gluing than astringent or binding. Such an one may be thus made.

Take Frankincense, Mastick and Sarcocolla nourished (that is, well steeped so as to drink up as much of the Milk as it can hold) with Brest-Milk, of each one dram. Mummy, Gum-arabick, Acacia, Hypocistis, of each half a dram. Make all into a most fine Pouder, to be sprinkled as aforesaid.

The same Pouder may be applied in form of an Oyntment, if it be mixed with the aforesaid mu∣cilages, or Oyle of Saint Johns wort, or some other consolidating thing.

After the VVomb is conveniently replaced, all art must be used to retain the same in its place, the woman lying in her bed, a little bending, with her thighes gently stretched out and the one resting upon the other. And let her abide some daies in this posture, and put in at the Water-gate a little wooll, cotton, or spunge wet in harsh red VVine, or in Rosewater wherein Acacia or Hypocistis hath been dissolved.

To further this Retention of the VVomb in its place, Cupping-Glasses with much flame are frequently to be fastened under her Duggs and upon her Navel.

Likewise sweet savors are be presented to her Nose, and stinking things to be applied to her Ge∣nitalls, unles she be subject to sits of the Mother.

Let the said Parts be somented with a Decoction of astringent things made in red VVine and the VVater of a Smyths Forge.

Also Practitioners use a Bath to sit in, made of the Same Decoction. In which there needs cau∣tion. For it is to be feared, least in that posture, the VVomb should again fall from its place, especially at the beginning, while the Disease is yet fresh. But when it hath held the Patient long, and she is provided of a convenient kind of Truss, such a bath will do much good.

After the said Bath a Fumigation will likewise be very good, of Frankincense, Mastich, San∣darach, red Roses. Others indeed do commend a Fumigation on made of a salted Eel-skin.

Injections into the VVomb will work much more effectually than those remedies which are out∣wardly applied: they may be compounded of the Decoction for the Fomentation or Sitting Bath aforesaid,

Oyntments and plasters will likewise be good in this case such as were described in the Immoderate flux of Courses and in the VVhites; and as shall hereafter he propounded to prevent Abortion.

The Retention of the Womb in its place may likewise be holpen, by astringent and strenghening Medicaments taken in at the Mouth. And among the rest, the following Pouder frequently taken is very proper for this Disease.

Take Mullein two drams: Myrtle Leaves, Garden Parsnep Seeds of each one dram: Shavings of Harts-Horn, half a dram: Ashes of Cockle-shells one dram: red Coral two drams: Make all into a Pouder. The Dose is one dram with harsh red Wine.

Touching these astringent Medicaments both internal and external it is to be observed: that they must be warily used, it the womans courses do still flow at their seasons, least they being sup∣pressed may cause more grievous Diseases to follow. The best season for these Medicaments, is when the Patients courses are past.

These Remedies are to be contained twelve or Fifteen daies together. Also care is at the same time to be taken, that the Patient be neither costive nor loose. For if the Excrements be hard, the Womb is easily thrust out by the Patients straining at stool; and a loose Belly doth relax or slacken the bands or Ligaments of the Womb.

While the foresaid Remedies are used, we must resist the Antecedent Cause, by such things as shall purge out and discuss those flegmatick humours which relax and slacken the Ligaments of the Womb.

And first convenient Purgations must be ordered; which must not be violent in their operation and disturbing, least the Womb out of its place again, bringing abundance of humors into those parts.

Some allow of vomiting, because it draws the humors into the upper parts of the Body: and in that respect it would be profitable, if it were not to be feared in another regard: Namely because it is performed with great straining, and drives the Womb downward, as much as neezing. Yea and experience hath taught that nothing doth more effectually facilitate hard travel, and bring the Child sooner into the light, than a Vomit given to the Childing woman.

After sufficient Purgation, a Decoction of Guajacum is to be given three weeks together that every day the Patient may sweat in the morning. And in the Evening let her Belly beneath the Navel be fomented with a Decoction of Sage, Origanum, Marjaram, Time, Feaverfew, Tansie, Worm∣wood, Rue, red Roses, Cyperus Roots, Calamint, Cypress Nutts, and the like simples boyled in Smythes Forge-water and red Wine. After the Fomentation, the Fumigation and Liniment may be used which were before described.

Instead of a Sweat-driver, or after the use thereof, Bathes arising from Sulphurous Mines, will be singularly profitable, such as our Balerucan Baths; and experience hath shewn that many have bin cured by such Bathes.

And that a woman may be secure that her Womb fall not down again, which it is very apt to do; or if there be no hope of a perfect cure let her wear such a kind of truss as is called Hyppocrates his Girdle. Whereby women are so guarded and defended, that without fear of the falling down of their Wombes they may go about and do their daily businesses; also their Womb is thereby defended from the cold. They are made almost after the same manner, as trusses that are used against Rup∣tures or Burstennes.

Pessaries are likewise very profitable in desperate Fallings down of the Womb, which some do make of a good long piece of cork covered over with Wax. Others make of Wax alone, some round, others square, triangular, oval or any other fashion; which are conveighed into the Cavity of the Womb, and are never taken out, but keep the Womb in its place: so as the women notwithstanding do all their usuall enployments, conveniently are enjoyed by Men in carnal con∣junctions, do conceive, carry their big Bellies, and bring forth. VVhich is confirmed with many Examples by Franciscus Rossetus in his Book entituled De Partu Coesareo, Sect. 6. Chap. 5. and by Bauhine in his Appendix to Rossetus. All which are transcribed word for word by Schen∣kius and Sennertus, in their proper Chapters, where they are to be seen.

Chap. 14. Of the Womb shut up, or Imperforated.

VIrgins that have their Wombs closed up, are said to be imperforated, or unboared, like a Barrel of Beer that hath no hole to put in a Spigot. Now this Closure of the Womb is wont to be in three places; viz. In the inner Mouth of the Womb, in its Neck, and in the outward mouth of the Womb next the Water-Gate. And it is caused, either in the first formation of the Infant, when some Membrane is drawn before the mouth of the Womb, or its neck; or by some precedent wound or ulcer, which growing whol again, the parts of the neck of the womb, or its lips come to be closed together; or by tumors shutting or stopping up the inner Orifice; or by some compression, streight∣ness, or distortion, which hinders the mans Yard and Seed from going in, and the Monthly Purgati∣ons from coming out.

This Disease is in part easie, and in part hard to be known. If the closure or stoppage be in the outward Orifice of the Privity▪ it is discerned by seeing & feeling. But if it be in the Neck or Mouth of the Womb, it is not discerned til the courses begin to break out, or til the parties begin to addict them∣selves to generation. For when the time of their monthly Purgations is come, pains and gripings ar•• felt in the Region of the Womb at certain periods of times, with a sence of weight, yet no flux of Courses follows; the Conjecture wil be more probable, if the Virgin be of a good habit of Body, not troubled with any Obstructions, or Cachectick dispositions. The Disease persevering, their wombs swel, so that Maidens seem to be with Child; and somtime their whol Body swels, which likewise seems as it were black and blew through the abundance of blood. But if the closure do possess the neck of the womb, it is perceived in the first Carnal Conjunctions, because it doth not admit the Mans Yard.

Lastly, I•• the Closure be in the Orifice or Mouth of the Womb, it is hardly discerned; yet may it be in some measure perceived by the hand of a skilful Midwife; and it gives some suspition thereof when the mans seed doth presently slip away, as soon as it is castin.

As for the Proguostick. If the Closure be in the Orifice of the Privity, it is easily cured, being o∣pened by a slight Section. But if it be in the inner parts, it is much harder to cure.

When the Passage is stopped with a Membrane, its more easily cured; but when the closure is cau∣sed by a fleshy matter, as it happens after Ulcers, the Cure is more difficult.

The Closure of the inner Orifice of the Womb is incurable, because the Instruments of Chyrurgi∣ry cannot be applied to open the same.

The Cure of this Disease, because it belongs chiefly to Chyrurgiry, we shall dispatch in few words.

If the Closure of the Womb have been caused in the first formation, it is to be opened by cut∣ting only. The manner of which cutting is largely described by Sennertus, in its proper Chapter.

But if the Closure have been occasioned by reason of an Ulcer, as it happens in the Whores Pox; it is to be considered, whether it be only an excrescence of flesh not wholly stopping the passage, or a perfect and entire growing together of the sides of the neck, or of the lips. For, if flesh only be grown up, endeavor must be used, convenient Evacuations being premised, first to prohibit the en∣crease of that flesh by drying and discussing Medicaments, then to diminish the said flesh by Medicines of Frankincense, Birthwort, Bark of Frankincense, Roses, Balaustines, Mastich, Mirrh, Aloes, and such like. Which not doing the deed, we must come unto such flesh-consumers as are least painful, as burnt Allum, Ʋnguentum Aegyptiacum, and such like. And at last, if this wil not consume the flesh, it must be cut off round about, with the same Instrument where with the superfluous flesh bree∣ding in the Nose, called Polypus, is wont to be cut off. But if the neck of the womb be wholly grown together, we must try to renew the Ulcer, and with the foresaid Medicaments to remove the super∣fluous flesh. And if that cannot be, we must undertake to cut it, in the very self same manner, as we are wont to cure the natural coalition of the neck of the womb.

If the passage of the womb be shut up by some tumor, proper Remedies are to be appointed there∣unto; such as have been propounded in the Inflamation, Scirrhus, and Cancer of the womb.

If it be caused by compression of the neck of the womb, or of the inner mouth therof, the compressing cause is to be taken away, which may be divers, viz. A Stone in the Bladder, a Swelling in the streight Gut, Fatness of the Caul, the Legs or Thighs distorted, and going asplay; the Cure of which acc••dents see in their proper place.

In streightness of the Pa••••age, which is chiefly caused by hardness or dryness, we must work with things moiste••ing, emollient, and lax••tive; with Baths to sit in, Fomentations, Liniments, and Pes∣saries: and so when the part is relaxe••, a little pipe of Lead may be put in, or of white wax artifici∣ally contrived, and meared with Butter, or some emollient Oyl, which let her alwaies carry, or at le••••t in the night when she goes to bed, and in the day time▪ let a Pessary conveniently made of Cot∣ton be put in the place, being smeared with Oyntment of Marsh-mallows, or such like.

In Distortion, the same Method of Cure, very neer, is to be observed; and let the pipe be so fra∣med, that it may gently bow the contrary way to the distortion; and so the neck of the womb may by little and little be reduced to its due place.

Chap. 15. Of Barrenness.

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.

Chap. 16. Of Acute and Chronical Diseases of Women with Child.

THe Acute and Chronical Diseases of women with Child are the same in Essence or Nature, and have the same signs, with the like Diseases in women not with Child, or in men; wherefore it is needless in this place, to speculate thereupon, let the Reader please to look for them in their pro∣per Chapters.

But the Prognostick of these Diseases is not the same; because in women with Child they are far more dangerous, and very often times mortal. So saith Hippocrates in Aphor. 31. Sect. 5. For a Woman with Child to be feized by an acute disease, is deadly. For it the Disease have a Feaver joyned with it, there is a two-fold danger attending the same (as Galen shews in his Commentary upon this Aphorism) one from the Feaver, which will kil the Child; another from the slender diet which is requisite to the Cure of the Feaver, but is not sufficient to nourish the Infant in the Womb. Or if it be an acute Disease without a Feaver, as the Falling-sickness, Apoplexy, Universal Convul∣sion of the whol Body, the Mother and Infant cannot withstand the violence of the Disease, neither can they bear such strong Medicines as are requisite to the Cure of those Diseases. Yet we must know that this Prognostick is not perpetually true. For we know by the Testimonies and Examples in Authors, and by dayly Experience, that many women with Child having acute Diseases, escape with their lives.

But Chronical or lingering Diseases, as Intermitting Agues, Catarrhs, Tenesmus, &c. do threaten Abortion, and if they cause it not, they can hardly be cured before the woman be brought to bed, but do keep her company till she lie down.

Diseases Acute and Chronical in the first and last months, are more dangerous, than in the inter∣mediate months. For in the first months, the bands wherewith the Infant is fastened to the Womb are weak, so as they may easily be broken, and the tender Infant is more easily over pressed with those preternatural Causes. But in the last months, namely, the sixth, seventh, and eighth, the Child be∣ing grown greater, requires much nourishment, which in these Diseases it is deprived of. Also the foresaid bands do not stick so fast as in the third, fourth, and fifth months, in which there is less dan∣ger of Abortion. Therefore Galen doth excellently compare the Child in the Womb to Fruits han∣ging on a Tree, which upon their first growing out have very tender stalks, so that they may be easi∣ly shaken off with the wind, or any other violent commotion; and when they are neer ripe, they hang not so fast upon the bough, as in the intermediate spaces they did.

Likewise the Cure of the foresaid Diseases in women with child doth remarkably differ, as tou∣ching their Diet, and those two grand Remedies, Blood-letting and purging; whereunto we may ad Medicaments which evacuate by other waies, viz. Such as move the Courie, Piss-drivers, and Sweat∣drivers, because it is feared lest by these evacuations, abortion may be caused: of these therefore we shall only treat at present, referring what else belongs to the Cure of these Diseases to the proper Chapters, where such respective Diseases are handled.

As for Matter of Diet it is not to women with Child in Acute Diseases to be enjoyned so spare, lest the little Infant be famished; neither is it to be allowed so liberal, that the Feaver should be thereby strengthened; but we must steer a middle course, with this Caution, That in the first months of their Belly-burden, a thin Diet be enjoyned, and in the latter somwhat more solid and plentiful, because the Child doth then stand in need of more nourishment. Yet if there must needs be some error in Diet, it is better to err in keeping too full, than too slender diet; for recovery is chief∣ly to be expected from the strength of the Mother, and the Child.

Touching bleeding, that Aphorism of Hippocrates, viz. the 31. of Sect. 5. is presently brought in opposition, where he saies, If a woman with child be let blood, she miscarries, especially if the child be grown. And Galen renders the Reason in his Comment, Because the Blood being let out, the Infant wants its nourishment, whence follows Abortion. On the other side, daily Experience shews, That in very many Diseases of big-bellyed women, especially acute diseases, as the Pleurisie, Inflamation of the Lungs, continual Feavers, and such like, blood-letting is necessary, and may be administred, not only in the first but also in the middle months, and somtimes in the last months of a womans Belly-bearing. Which if it be omitted, both Mother and Child are in great danger of death. And to this latter Opinion the elder Physitians assent, not dissenting from the Mind of Galen and Hippocrates, by so doing. For therefore it is they held a woman would miscarry, if be∣ing with Child, she were let blood, because blood being taken away, the Child would want its Nou∣rishment. So that if blood may so be taken away, as that the Infant shall not want its nourishment, there wil be no danger of Abortion thereby.

Now so the case may stand: As first, In the first Months of a Womans Belly-bearing, while the Infant in the womb is little, and wants but little Nourishment, for then its Nourishment by bleeding will not be drawn away, especially if certain signs of superfluity of blood be apparent in the Mother. So that from the first month to the fift blood-letting, may be safely practised. But in the middle and last Months, greater circumspection is to be used, because the Child being greater, and wanting more Nourishment, cannot so safely admit of Phlebotomy. Howbeit, if the Woman abound with blood, and a smal quantity be taken away, she may safely be let blood, because hereby the Disease will be allaied; neither wil so much Nutriment be there by withdrawn from the Child, as to cause Abortion. But if it seem that Hippocrates thought otherwise, let us consider that we let blood after a far other fashion than the Antients did, they let blood by pounds, and we by ounces. The very truth is, there

is no better way to preserve women from Abortion, than by blood-letting, when it springs from over∣much blood strangling the Infant, and overwhelming the same, in such women as have been accusto∣med out of their time of being with child to have a plentiful flux of Courses for divers daies together. Thus Petrus Salius Diversus in the 22. Chapter of his Book of particular Diseases: I for my part protest (quoth he) that I have preserved many women from Abortion, which they had often suf∣fered, only by letting them blood in the first months of their being big. Neither would I have it thought, that no other kind of blood-letting may be practised in childing women, save that which is sparing or moderate. For somtimes plentiful bleeding in the last month hath done very much good. And I have somtimes experienced this plentiful Blood-letting in the last month, when the women with Child were afflicted with a burning Feaver, and were full of Blood hoping thereby an abate∣ment of the Feaver, and an hastening of the Birth, both which I obtain'd by blood-letting, and saved both child and mother in danger of death, by this only Remedy. Which being in some Pati∣ents omitted, and neglected by Physitians, minding more the words of Hippocrates, than the matter it self, hath been the cause that both child and mother hath miserably perished, being strangled by the plenty and fer vency of blood. So far Salius. Amatus Lusitanus, in the 57. Cure of his I. Section, let a woman with child of eighteen yeers of age, blood, in the sixth month, four times with happy suc∣ce, she being in a burning Feaver. And Rodericus a Castro in his third Book of Womens Disea∣eases, Chap. 21. writes, that he let a woman of Lisbon blood, who had a Pleurisie in the eight month, and was given over for desperate by other Physitians, four times and no less one after another, and she recovered, and had a healthy Boy. And to conclude, If I may freely relate somwhat from mine own Experience, I will set down the following History, which is a rare one, and worthy to be regarded. The Wife of John Vicules, Citizen of Montpelier, had three miscarriages one after another at se∣veral times of her being with child: When she was the fourth time with Child, about the end of the second month, she was taken with the same pains of her Belly and Loyns, which had been the usual fore-runners of her former miscarriages. I being called to her, and considering she was a Sanguine Woman, and full of Blood, presently caused four ounces of blood to be taken from her; and within half an hour the foresaid pains quite ceased, and the Woman was so well that she would not use those other Medicines which I prescribed for her to prevent Abortion. Now those Symptomes ap∣peared in the self same time, wherein she was wont to have her Courses, when she was not with Child. Again in the third month of her being with Child, at the same period of time, the same Symptomes return upon her: She sending for me, desires I would order her to be let blood, seeing the month pre∣ceding she had found so sudden help thereby. I consent, and she is again let Blood, with like good success as before. In like manner in her fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth months the same Symptomes returning, in their just distances of time, she was again let Blood and presently recovered. The last of h••r ••leedings was but eight daies before the beginning of her ninth month, with like profit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before; and about the end of the ninth month the said woman brought forth a living 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Lusty.

Yet I would not have a young Physitian moved with these examples be too bold in letting women Blood in their last months of being with Child. But the Nature of the Diseases and of the women raust be diligently considered, that Medicaments may be conveniencly suited thereunto. Allwaies remembring that sins of omission are lighter than sins of commission, and that it is better in a doubtfull case to fall short, than to outpass the due and fitting bounds. Yet when he finds the evident indications of Blood-letting, let him boldly draw Blood, first enforming the by-standers or friends of the sick, that there is more danger of abortion, and of the death of Infant and Mother from the Cruellty of the disease, than from Blood-letting: and allwaies remembring that but little Blood be taken away, that the Child may not miss of its nourishment. And if plenty of Blood require a larget quantity to be taken away, let it be done at divers times and not all at once.

Wherefore the foresaid Aphorism of Hippocrates does not absolutely forbid the opening of a vein, but only warnes that Physitians be wary what they do in that kind. Which is elegantly delivered by Cornelius Celsus in the 10. Chapter of his 2 Book, in these words. The Antients did judg that young and old people could not bear Blood-letting. And they perswaded themselves that a woman with Child, let Blood would miscarry. But experience hath since taught us, that these are no generall Rules, and there are other considerations of more weight, which the Practi∣tioner is to regard. For it matters not of what Age the Patient is, nor what she hath in her Body, but what her strength is. So that if a young man be weak, or a woman not with Child be weak, Blood is ill taken from them, for the remaining strength dies, and they perish. But a strong Child, and a strong old man, and a woman with Child that is lustly, are safely cured by bleading. So for Celsus. Some latter Physitians have dared to open the lower veins in women with Child, to Cure the Falling-sickness by consent of the Womb, the venerial and pestilential Bubo, yea, and to prevent abortion, as we may see in Zacutus Lusitanus in his Book of Wonderful Cures Obs. 23. Book, 1. and Obs. 130 and 151 of Book 2. Who by his own and other mens

experiments endeavours to prove, that such Blood-letting may be safely practised. Which I leave to prudent Physitians to consider of.

We said about the beginning of this Chapter, that there is no difference in Curing the diseases of women with Child, saving with respect to the greater remedies; which difference must be in them thus determined, viz. That the diseases which hold women not with Child, as vomiting, want of appetite and the like; in them being not with Child, they are to be Cured rather by vomiting than by Blood-letting, because they come from evil humors abounding in the stomach and the whol Body; but in women with Child, they need rather Blood-letting, because they Spring from Blood retained in in the very beginning of their being with Child. And experience hath taught that the vomiting, which is wont often to trouble women with Child, is in the first months of Childing exasperated by purges; but by bleeding much abated, yea and wholly taken away, if the Blood-letting be ite∣rated every month till the symptom cease.

The use of Purging in women with Child Hippocrates hath defined in Aphor. 1. Sect. 4. Wo∣men with Child (saith he) are to be purged if the humor offending do work in the fourth month and to the seventh, But these about the seventh less. And we must take heed what we do when the Child is very young, or old. Galen in his Comment saies that there is the same proportion between a Child in the Womb and fruit upon the true. For fruit when it first grows upon the bough, it is held by a very tender stalk, and therefore quickly falls, being shaken by a vehement wind. after∣wards when they are grown greater, they are not easily separated from the boughs. And yet when they are fully ripe they fall off of their own accord. In the same manner women suffer abortion in the first and last months, because in them the Child is not so fast tied to the Womb. But in this Age of ours, purges are wont to be given to women with Child in all the months (very neer) of their being with Child in diseases springing from the tyranny of humors & excrements vitiated, when the matter is in motion and works, or when it is concocted: so often as there is more danger seared from the evil humor causing the disease, than from the commotion raised by the purging Medicaments. Gen∣tle and harmless Medicaments have made Physitians bolder in this kind, such I mean as we use at this day, as Rhubarb, Myrobalans, Cassia, Manna, Senna, Agarick and the like. But we must allwaies remember that saying of Hippocrates; and we must more freely give purges in the middle months and more warily in the first and last. Also the use of Pills is ever more suspected in women with Child; both because they make a greater commotion in the Body, and also by reason of the Aloes, which by reason of the extream bitterness is an enemy to the Child, and is thought to open the mouths of the veines. But if sometimes the use thereof seems necessary, in some grevious infirmities of the stomach, which are wont frequently to infest women with Child the first months of their being with Child bearing, let it be carefully washed with Rose-water, that the acrimony thereof may be taken away; or let it be mixt with strengthening and astringent things, as Rhubarb, Mastich and such like.

Clysters are not very safe, because by compressing the Womb they may cause abortion. So that when there is need of them, and in women accustomed to that kind of evacuation, they must be made in less quantity, and of such things as are rather mollfying and lenefying than much purging.

In a word, touching Sweat-drivers, Piss-drivers, and such things as move the Courses, our Opi∣nion is, That Movers of the Courses properly so called are never to be used in women with Child. And Piss-drivers because they likewise are apt to bring down the Courses, ought to be suspected; and if the necessity of some disease require the use of them, the gentler must be made choice of. And finally, Sweat-drivers may be safely given, because they drive the humors out, by the habit of the Body, whereby no danger of abortion is incurred, in so much that some women in the middle of their being with Child, have bin Cured of the whores Pox, without harm to their Child.

Chap. 17. Of Abortion or Miscarriage.

ABortion or Miscarriage is the bringing forth of an imperfect or unripe Child. And consequently a child dead in the Womb, is not counted an Abortion, till it be excluded. So that whether alive or dead Child be brought fourth, not being ripe, nor having attained to the just term of growth which it ought to have had in the Womb, it is to be termed an Abortion, or Miscarried Child.

The Causes of Abortion are some internal some external. The internal may be reduced to four heads, viz. to the Humors, to the Child, to the Womb, and to the Mothers diseases.

The humors may cause Abortion while they offend in quantity or in quality.

They offend in Quantity either by way of excess or of Defect.

Humors offending by way of excess are seen in a Plethorick or over-full Constitution of Body; for Blood being more plentyfull than is requisite to Nourish the Infant in the Womb, flowes into the veines of the Womb, and is excluded by way of the monthly Courses, and brings away the Child with it.

Defect of Humor fitting to Nourish, springs from such Causes, which are able to draw the Nourishment from the Child, as fasting, whether voluntary or forced; as when women with Child loath all kind of Meat, or vomit it up again; a thin diet in acute diseases; immoderate bleeding by the Nose, Haemorrhoides, Womb, or by immoderate Phlebotomy. Whereupon Hippocrates in Aphor. 34. Sect. 5. If a woman with Child go very much to stool, it is to be feared that she will Miscarry. Hereunto may be referred extream leanness of the whol body, wherein there is not Blood enough to nourish the Infant. Of which, Hippocrates in Aphor. 44. Sect. 5. Speakes thus. Women with Child being very lean, not by nature, but accident, as famin, long-sicknes &c. they Miscarry, untill they get their flesh again.

In respect of the Child, Abortion may happen, if it be over great, so that it cannot by reason of its bulk be contained in the Womb; hence it falls often out that little Women miscarry especially if they be married to Men Bigger than ordinary whose Children grow very great, and find not in the Womb place large enough to contain them, till they come to their perfect growth. Which made Hippocartes say In his Book of superfoetation. If any Woman conceive frequently, and do duly and at a certain period of time Miscarry, as in her second, third, or fourth month, or later: the narrowness of her Womb is in fault, which is not able to contain the Child as it grows great. Also plurality of Children may cause abortion, as when two or three or more are contained in the Womb at one time; for then the Womb overloaden excludes the Children before the fit time: which is the cause that Women often Miscarry of twinns. Also the dead Child is to be reckoned among the causes of Abortion: for as soon as the Child is dead; Nature doth forthwith set her self to cast it forth.

Abortion happens in respect of the Womb it self, if it be not of largness and capacity enough, sufficiently to widen itself according as the child grows, as was shewed above out of Hippocrates. As also if there be any thing preternatural in the Womb, as an Inflamation, a Scirrhous Tumor, an Impostume and very many diseases besides. And finally if the Womb be overmoist and slack, that it cannot contain the Child so well as it ought to do.

In respect of the Mothers diseases, Abortion comes two waies. First of all, when as her diseases are communicated to the Child, whereby it is killed, or so weakened that it cannot receive due nourishment nor growth; such as are continual and intermitting feavers, the Whores-Pocks and many such like. Secondly, when the said diseases of the Mother, do cause great evacuations or great commotions or the Body, as ••••rge Bleedings, from what part of the Body soever, fluxes of the Belly, grievous swoonings, Falling-sickness, Vomiting, and Tenesmus [that is perpetual going to the stool and voiding nothing but a little slime▪ which above all other diseases is wont to cause Abortion, be∣cause by that frequent and almost continual endeavour of going to stool, which perpetually attends this disease, the Muscles of the Belly are perpetually contracted, and do more compress the Womb than the streight Gutt upon which the Womb rests; which continual compression or squeezing of the Womb, doth at last cause Abortion.

External causes which further Abortion, do some of them kill the Child, others draw away its nourishment, and others dissolve those bands wherewith the Child is fastened to the Womb.

The Child is killed by greivous commotions of mind, as Anger, sadness, Terror &c. meates earnestly longed for and not obtained, strong purging Medicaments, such things as provoke the Courses, such things as drive forth the Child; such things as are reckoned by a secret property to de∣stroy the Child in the Womb; abominable smells, especially the stink of a Candle ill put out.

The Child is deprived of its nourishment, by the Mothers being famished, and by immoderate loss of her Blood, especially when the Child is big. As Hippocrates teaches in the Aphor. 60 Sect. 5.

The bands which fasten the Child to the Womb are loosed by vehement exercise, Danceing, Running, Rideing, or Jolting in a Coach or Cart; carrying of an heavy weight, or lifting it from the ground, a violent fall and squelch, a Blow upon the Belly that mauls the Child, vehement motion of the Belly by coughing, vomiting, loosness, neezing, convulsions, crying out, immoderate or over wanton venereal embraces. And in a word, vehement motions of the Armes, by drawing somewhat violently to a Body, by turning a wheel, or doing some such work, may exceedingly further Abortion or Miscarriage.

The Signs of present Abortion are manifest of themselves. But such as go before Abortion, and prognosticate the same, are these; An unusual heaviness of the Loyns and Hips, a loathness to stir, Appetite gone, shivering and shaking coming by fits, pain of the head, especially about the Roots of the Eyes; a straitening of the sides, and of the Belly above the Navel; the flagging or falling, and ex∣tenuation of the Dugs, which made Hippocrates to say in Aphor. 37. Sect. 5. If the Dugs of a wo∣man with child do suddenly grow small, that woman will miscarry. For the extenuation of a wo∣mans Dugs in such a case, doth signifie want of blood in those Veins which are common to the womb, and to the Dugs, by means of which defect, the child is in danger to miscarry. But if Abortion shall

be caused by some external essicient, causing violent agitation of the Child in the Womb, and a bursting of the Vessels, with a pain raised in those parts; the Spirits and Blood run speedily to the genital parts, of which the Dugs being destitute, grow smaller than they were. Furthermore, Plenty of Milk dropping from the Dugs, doth argue weak Child, and consequently portends Abortion; ac∣cording to Hippocrates in Aphor. 52. Sect. 5. But if frequent pains, a••d almost continual, do tor∣ment the Reins and Loyns, reaching towards the Share as far as Os sacrum, with a certain endeavor of going out of the Womb, it is a certain sign of a woman that will shortly mscarry. For those parts do signifie that the Membranes and L••gaments wherewith the child is fastened to the womb are stret∣ched and torn in ••under. And if so be that pure Blood, or such as is wheyish, or water flowing from the Womb, do ••ollow the foresaid pains and endeavors of coming out; it shews that Abortion is hard at hand, and that the Vessels and Membranes of the Womb are broken, and the mouth of the Womb o∣pen. At the same time, the cituation or posture of the Child is changed; for whereas it lay high and possessed the middle of the Womans Belly like a Sugar-loof bearing out; it is now gathered, round like a Foot-ball, and roiled down towards the Water gate. Also oftentimes there follow grievous Symptomes, as shiverings, tremblings, Palpitations of the Heart, Swoonings, and abundant Bleeding.

Hereunto may be added what Hip••oc••a••es teacheth us in the second Book of Popular Sicknesses, Text 17. That if after violent external c••uses, such as are blow, a fall, and such like, vehement pain, and perturbation arise in a Woman with Child, she suddenly (or at most the same day) mis∣carries; but if the external cause were weak, the Abortion may be differred till the third day, which being once over, there is no longer danger of Abortion, because such wounds and hurts, are wont to grow well again upon the third, or at most, the fourth day, or very much to be mitigated and asswa∣ged; whereupon the Child is again confirmed in the Womb and retained. Which Precept is of great moment in the Practice o•• Phy••ick, that women with child being hurt by some external accident, should keep their bed for ••nree daies or longer, and use such Remedies as prevent Abortion.

The Prognosticks o•• Abortion may be divers, after this manner:

Women are more endangered by Abortion, than by due and timely Child-birth, because it is more violent, and unseasonable, for as in ripe Fruit, the Stalks are loosened from the Boughs, and the Fruit falls of it self; so in a Natural Birth, the Vessels and Ligaments wherewith the Child is tied to the Womb, are loosened and untied as it were of their own accord, which in case of Abortion must needs be violently broken asunder.

Very many women become Barren by their Miscarriages by reason of those exceeding rendings & tearing which do wholly overthrow the dispositions of the Womb.

Much bleeding accompanied with fainting, raving, and convulsions, is wont to cause death; and Aresaeus testifies he never saw any escape, who in the time of their Abortion, or aiterwards, had Con∣vulsion fits.

In••lamation of the Womb caused by Abortion, is for the most part deadly; for Blood flowing to the Womb in great quantity, is not purged out, but putrefies therein, and regurgitat••s or slows back into the upper parts; whence arise burning Feavers, pantings of the Heart, Heart-burning, and other Symptomes enumerated before.

Abortion is more dangerous in a woman that never bore Child before, because being unaccustomed to Pains, and having those Passages more strait, she is longer and more vehemently tor∣mented.

Women very lean or very fat, are more endangered by Miscarriage; the former, because of their weakness; the latter, because of the narrowness of those Passages by which the Child must come forth.

Abortion is more dangerous in the sixth, seventh, and eight months, because the Child being the greater, is excluded with the more pain and difficulty.

Women which have a more loose and moist womb than ordinary, domiscarry commonly without danger, especially in the first month; because those parts in such women, do easily give way, whence their pain and trouble is the less.

Hippocrates in the second Book of Popular Sicknesses, affirms, That to miscarry of a male Con∣ception of three-score daies old, helps a Woman whose Courses are stopped, By stopping of Cour∣ses, he understands only their imminution, when women are not sufficiently, or conveniently purged, at their monthly seasons; for by such an Abortion or Miscarriage as aforesaid, those stopped passa∣ges are opened, and the Blood is drawn towards the womb, which came thither but slowly in former times. Our ordinary women seem to have taken notice, of the truth of this saying of Hippocrates. who touching an Abortion of a few months, are wont to say by way of proverb, Amiscarrying wo∣man is half with child again.

The Cure of Abortion consists in Preservation, for that which is past cannot be helped. But all the Symptomes which follow Abortion, are the same which accompany women duly brought to bed.

The Preservation from Abortion hath two principal Points or Heads: The one concerns the woman before she is with child: The other when she is with child.

Before the woman is with child, all evil dispositions of body which are wont to cause Abortion, must be removed: as fulness of blood, badness of Humors, and peculiar Diseases of the womb, viz. Distempers, Swellings, Ulcers, and such like.

Fulness of Blood opens the Veins of the womb, or strangles the Infant while it is in the womb. This if it be a pure and simple Plenitude, may be cured by Blood-letting, such as shall answer the quantity of blood super-abounding.

But badness of Humors, is either chollerick and sharp, so as to open the Orisices of the Veins, or by provoking Nature, to stir up the expulsive faculty, whereby the child comes to be expelled with those evil humors; or by reason of plenty of excrements heaped together in the first Region, and di∣stending the Belly, it suffocates the child; or it vitiates the blood in the whol habit of the Body, ren∣dring it unfit to nourish the child, or it fills the Vessels of the womb which retain the child, full of slime and snot.

This Badness of Humors may likewise be holpen by blood-letting, but it must be in a lesser quantity, seeing the principla scope of the Cure, is by frequent Purgations, to take away the super fluous Excrements of the Body. And in the spaces between Purge and Purge, such things must be used, as help the distemper of the Bowels, mitigate the sharpness of Humors if there be any, or thic∣ken the said Humors, in case they be too thin. Or if slegmatick Humors are too rife, they must be discussed by Sweat-drivers, Piss-drivers, and other Remedies. Howbeit we must diligently ob∣serve, that whatever ill humor abounds, Issues are wonderful profitable to prevent Abortion: of which Zacutus Lusitanus gives a special note, in these words: By most happy Experiments I have observed, That frequent Abortion caused by corrupted Humors which slow from the whol Body to the Womb, and by their evil disposition or abundance do kill the child, is hereby as by a most present help prevented. Many women did miscarry upon this very account, among which some having often times brought forth a Child of seven months or four months growth, but torn and putrefied, could by no other means be freed from so great a Calamity, save by Issues made in their Arms and Thighs, which were alwaies made at the beginning of the fluxion; by which means they went out their time, and brought forth Children healthy, and not defiled with any Infection.

The peculiar Diseases of the Womb, as over great Moisture, Swellings, Ulvers, and such like must be cured by their proper Remedies described in the Chapters which treat of them.

In women with Child, if the same Causes be present as in other women, the difficulty is yet grea∣ter, because big-bellied women cannot so easily bear all kind of Remedies. Yet, lest being destitute of all help, they should remain in extream danger of Miscarriage and Death, some kind of Remedies are to be used.

In case therefore the Patient be too full of blood, she must have a Vein opened, though with child, especially in the first months; and that the second and third time, if need be. Alwaies remembring that there never be much blood taken away at a time. Of which kind of bleeding we have discoursed more at large, in the foregoing Cure.

And when there is an abundance of some very bad Humors, gentle Purgations must be reiterated, especially in the middle months of a womans being with Child. And if a moist, rheumatick, snotty, or windy distemper do annoy the Patient, we may somtimes proceed to a Sudorifick Di••t, at least a gentle one, in the stronger sort of women.

Mean while, in the whol course of being with child, astringent and strengthening Medicaments are to be used, such as have a vertue to hinder Abortion. Many of which have been described in our Chap∣ter of immoderate flux of Courses; whereunto these following may profitably be added.

Take of Kermes, and Tormentil Roots, of each three drams: Mastich one dram and an half. Make all into a Pouder, of which give the Patient half a dram at certain distances of time, or as much as may be taken up upon the point of a knife. Or,

Take red Coral two drams: Kermes berries, Date Stones, of each one dram: Shavings of Ivory half a dram: Pearls not bored through, ascruple. Make of all a Pouder.

Or ler her swallow every day certain grains of Mastich in the morning.

Our ordinary women do frequently use Plantane Seed, which they take in the morning about the quantity of half a dram, with Wine and Water or in an Egg, or Broth, or by it self, almost every day, the whol time of their being with Child, and that not in vain.

To the same purpose very effectual Electuaries are compounded, according to this following Example:

Take Conserve of Roses two ounces: Citron peels candied six drams: Myrobalans candied, Pulp of Dates, of each half an ounce: Coral prepared, Pearls prepared, and Shavings of Ivory, of each a dram. With Syrup of quinces, make all into an Opiate, of which let the Patient take often the quantity of a Chestnut.

If a Liquid form shall be more desired, a Decoction of Tormentil Roots, sweetened with Conserve of Roses, may profitably be given.

The following Lozenges are very good; for they strengthen, and do by little and little free the Body from Excrements, though somtimes they do not visibly purge.

Take Mace, the three sorts of Sanders, Rhubarb, Senna, Carals, Pearls, of each a scruple: Sugar dissolved in Rose-water, four ounces. Make all into Lozenges, weighing three drams apiece. Let her take one twice a week by it self, or dissolved in a little Broth.

Outwardly Oyntments and Plaisters are to be applied, made after this manner:

Take Ship-pitch half an ounce: Frankincense an ounce: Mastich half an ounce: Dragons Blood and red Roses, of each two drams. Make all into a Cerate or Plaister. Or,

Take Oyl of Myrtles, and Mastich, of each an ounce: red Sanders and yellow, Hypocistis, A∣cacia, of each half an ounce: Spodium, red Roses, of each two drams: Bole Armoniack, Terra Sigillata, Shavings of Ivory, of each two scruples: Turpentine washed in Plantane Water an ounce: Wax as much as shall suffice. Make all into a Cerate or Plaister; spread it upon a Cloth, and apply it to the Reins.

Plaisters are compounded of the Mass of Emplastrum pro Matrice, and Emplastrum contra Rup∣turam, to be applied to the Region of the Share, and of the Loyns. Or after this manner following:

Take of the Mass or Rowl of Emplastrum pro Matrice three ounces: Bistort Roots, Acacia, Hypocistis, Pomegranate peels, of each half an ounce: Ladanum six drams. Moisten and sof∣ten them with Juyce of Quinces, and make a Rowl of Plaister for the use aforesaid.

Concerning Plaisters it is to be observed, That they must not be worn long together, but taken off ever and anon; otherwise, if they stick too long upon the Back, they do so heat the Kidneys, that the poor women are somtimes troubled with sharpness of Urine, or do somtimes piss Sand, Stones, yea and Blood it self.

Neither must we omit such things which are accounted by a secret property of their Nature to re∣tain a Child in the womb; as an Aegle-stone worn about the Neck, a Load-stone applied to the Na∣vel, Corals, Jaspers, Smaragds, Bones found in the Hearts of Stags, and such like, worn under the Arm-pits, or hanged about the Neck.

Zacutus Lusitanus in Obs. 152. of the Second Book of wonderful Cures, commends a Girdle made of the Hide of a Sea-horse; and if that be not to be had, he saith a Wolfs Skin may profitably be used instead thereof.

And that the success of these Medicaments may be happy, the Patient must be enjoyned to rest and keep her self as quiet as possibly she can, both in her Body and Mind; also to abstain from Genial Embracements, which do vehemently towze and disquiet the Womb. For while the Womb opens it self to comprehend the Mans Sperm, with which it is exceedingly delighted, it drives forwards the lately conceived Child, not yet throughly fastened in the womb.

But if notwithstanding the Medicines aforesaid, by reason of the vehemency of the Cause, whe∣ther it be internal or external, the Patient be ready to Miscarry, we must apply our selves to do the best we can, with these following Remedies. And in the first place, so soon as pains and throws shall be perceived in the lower part of the Patients Belly towards her Share, in her Loyns, and about the Ossacrum, we must seek to allay and stop them, both by things given in, and outwardly applied, ac∣cording to the variety of Causes. For if Abortion be provoked by Crudities and Winds (which is most usual when it begins from an Internal Cause) a Pouder must be given, compounded of Aro∣maticum Rosatum, and Coriander Seeds: Yea, we may give of the Aqua Imperialis, if the quanti∣ty of flegm and wind be very great.

At the same time let Carminative, or Fart-forcing Medicaments be applied below the Patients Na∣vel: such are, bags of Annis seed, Fennel seed, Foenugreek seed, Flowers of Chamomel, Elder, Rose∣mary, and Stoechados mingled together; Or a Rose Cake fried in a Pan with rich Canary, and sprin∣kled with Pouder of Nutmeg and Coriander, or the Caul of a Wether newly killed, or his Lungs laid on warm.

If with these means the pains cease not, let a Clyster be cast in, made of Wine and Oyl, wherein two drams of Philonium Romanum may be dissolved, or Narcoticks may be given inwardly in a smaller Dose, to allay the violence of Humors and Winds, as we are wont to do in pains of the Chollick.

But if by reason of contumacious pains that will not be asswaged, or of the violence of some exter∣nal cause, blood begin to come away, Revelling Medicines are to be applied, to withdraw the course of the blood from the Womb: such are, Rubbings of the uper parts and painful bindings; also Cup∣ping-Glasses fastened to the Shoulder-blades, under the Dugs, and under the short Ribs on both sides. Yea, and if the Woman be ful of Blood, it will not be amiss to take some blood from her, both when she begins to void blood, and especially before it begins to come; and the blood must be taken away at several times, a little at once.

And if all this will not suffice, but the Flux of blood continues, we must proceed to astringent and thickening Diet, and Medicaments; and so the Pouders and Electuaries formerly described, may be administred. Also Juyce of Plantane new drawn, and Syrup of Poppies to the quantity of an ounce, with Pouder of Bole-Armoniack, or Dragons-blood.

Also outwardly may be used fomentations binding and strengthening, made of Pomegranate peels, Cyprèss Nuts, Acorn Cups, Balaustians, Grape-stones, and such like things boyled in Smiths water, and red Wine.

Or a little Bag full of red Rose Leaves and Balaustians, may be boyled and applied hot to the Pa∣tients Belly.

Hereunto may be added the foresaid Plaisters and Cerecloaths: Or for to cause the more astricti∣on, make a Cataplasm of astringent Pouders, with Turpentine, and the whites of Eggs, which must be spread upon Tow, or course Flax, and applied to the Navel and the Reins warm. The Tow which shall be applied to the Navel, must be moistened with Wine; that which is to be applied to the Kid∣neys, in Vinegar.

The two following Medicaments are accounted for Secrets, and it is beleeved they will certainly hold the Child in the Womb, if they be used before it be loosened from the Wombs Vessels.

Take twelve Leaves of Gold: Spodium a dram: the Cocks Treading of three Eggs that are not adle. Mix all very well, till the Gold be broken into smal Atomes. Afterwards dissolve them in a draught of white Wine, and give it to drink three mornings together.

At the same time let the following Cataplasm be laid on.

Take male Frankincense poudered two ounces: five whites of Eggs: Let them be stirred a∣bout together over hot coals, alwaies stirring them that they may not clodder together: add Tur∣pentine to make them stick, Then spread it upon Parcels of Tow, which lay upon her Navel as hot as she can possibly endure them, twice a day, morning and evening, on the three daies aforesaid.

Chap. 18. Of Hard Child-birth.

HArd Travel in Child-bearing, is such as keeps not the due and ordinary Laws of Nature, taking up longer time than ordinary, and accompanied with more vehement pains than are usual, and other more grievous Symptomes.

Divers causes here of may be assigned both internal and external. The internal depend either of the Mother, of the Womb, or of the Child.

In respect of the Mother, Travel with child may become sore and hard, by the weakness of her Bo∣dy, either Natural, or in regard of Age, as in very yong and very ancient women, or in regard of Diseases wherewith the woman was troubled during the time of her going with Child, or is still trou∣bled. Hereunto also Leanness, and over great driness of the whol body, may be added; as also over fatness, and grossness compressing and straitening the passages of the womb; ill shape of such bones as border upon, and embrace the womb▪ as in such as limp, wind stretching the Guts; stone or pre∣ternatural tumor possessing the bladder, and pressing the Womb; and the ill constitution of the Lungs, and other parts serving for Respiration, because holding the Breath is very necessary to ex∣clude the Child.

In respect of the Womb, divers Diseases thereof may cause a sore Labor, as Swellings, Ulcers, Ob∣structions, Astrictions, Stoppages arising from preternatural Causes.

In respect of the Child, Hard Travel is caused, when there is some fault therein, in respect of its substance, its quantity, its figure, and certain things thereunto belonging.

The Child is faulty in regard of Substance, when it is dead or putrefied, or some waies infected, or weakened with some Disease, so that it hath no ability to contribute to its own exclusion.

In regard of Quantity likewise, the Child doth not further its own Birth, which is either discrete or severed quantity, or concrete and joyned; the former is called Number, the latter Magnitude. In regard therefore of continued quantity, the child is faulty, if the Body or Head of it be over great; which makes the Birth thereof become difficult and laborsom; in regard of the disjoyned quantity of the child or burden, Labor becomes difficult, as when there are more than one in the womb; so the Birth of Twins is more painful than of a single Child, for the most part.

In respect of the Figure, or Scituation of the Child in the Womb difficult Travel happens many waies; as when the Child endeavors to come forth with its feet or its hands foremost, or puts out one hand only, or one foot; or when it endeavors to come forth doubled, with its breech, or its belly foremost.

In regard of the Childs Adjuncts or certain things belonging to the Child, difficulty of Travail happens, when those membranes which enclose the Child are more thin than ordinary so that they come to break, sooner than they should; whence followed an over quick effusion of the waters conteined therein, whereupon the mouth of the Womb remaines dry at the time of the exclusion of the Infant; or where the foresaid Membranes, are more thick and compact than ordinary, by which means, the Child is hardly able to breake them.

External Causes depend upon things necessary and things contingent, the things necessary are such as Physitians commonly call res non naturales, things not natural. So a cold and dry air, and the Northern-wind are very hurtfull to women in travail, because they straiten the whol Body, drive the Blood and spirits inwards, and prove very destructive to the Infant coming forth of so warm a place as the Womb. Also air more hot than ordinary dissipates the spirits and exhausts the strength both of Mother and Child, easily introduceing a feaverish Inflammation into a Body replenished with ill humors, and exagitated.

Meates raw and hard to digest, or of an astringent quality, taken in a large Quantity before the time of travail, may render the same laborious, the stomach being weakened and the common passages stopped, which in this case ought to be very free and open.

Sleepyness and Sottishess do slacken the endeavours both of the Mother and the Child, and shew nature to be weak.

Unseasonable stirring of the woman doth much delay the Birth of the Child, whenas she refuses to stand, to walk, lie down, or to sit upon the Midwifes stoole, as need shall require; or when she is unduely agitated to and fro; whence it comes to pass that the Child cannot l••••ue in a sitting posture, or looses the good posture it had, by reason of the Mothers undue and disorderly moveing her self.

The retention of Excrements at the time of Travail, as of Urin distending the Bladder of hard ex∣crements in the streight Gutt; and hemorrhoids much Swelled, do straiten the neck of the Womb, and divert nature from her endeavour of expelling the Child.

And in a word, vehement Passions of mind, as Fear, Sadness, Anger, may very much encrease the difficulty of Child birth.

To things contingent are referred Blowes, Falls, wounds, which may very much hinder the Birth: hereunto likewise appertain the parties assistant in time of travail to help the labouring woman, viz. strong women and maid servants, which may lift her up and support her when she is in her labours, and especially an expert Midwife, which ought to mannage the whol Business. For if the Midwife err in her office, it is wont to cause difficulty of Birth. For sometimes the Midwises do over soon exhort the Childing woman, to hold their breath and to strain themselves to exclude their Child, while the bands which fasten the Child to the Womb, are as yet unloosed; by which means, the strength of the woman is wasted before hand, which should have bin reserved to the just time of her travail. Yea and the truth is, while the Midwifes do oversoon perswade the Childing women, that the time of their travail is at hand, they bend all their strength to exclude the Child, and oftentimes violently break those bands with which the Child is fastened, and cast themselves into no small Jeopardy.

Hard Travail is known both by the Childing woman, and by the Assistants, but especially by the Midwife. And in the first place, if the woman continue a longer time than ordinary in her Labors, as two, three, four or more daies whereas a truly natural Child-birth ought to be accomplished within the space of 24. Houres. Again, it is a Sign of an hard Labor, if the womans paines be weak, and are long before they return, and if her paines are more about her Back than Privities. And the Causes of hard travail, are known by relation of the Childing woman, and are for the most part evidently to be seen. So the weakness of the woman, her over leanness, or over fatness, is perceived by the habit of her Body. Diseases of the Womb are known by their proper Signes. The Childs weakness is known by its weak and slow moving it self. But the Signes of a dead Child shall be declared in the next Chapter. The greatness of the Child may be gathered from the stature of the Parents, especially when a big-Bodyed man is matched with a little woman. But when there are none of these Signes, and the woman labours stoutly, and the Child stirrs and makes its way suf∣ficiently, and yet the travail is hard and painful; it is a token that the secundine or After-birth is stronger than ordinary, and can hardly be broken, which conjecture is more probable, if no water or moisture come from the woman dureing her Labors. The disorderly posture of the Child is per∣ceived by the Midwife, and the other Causes are visible to the Eye, as we said before.

As for the Prognostick. Hard-Travail, is of it self dangerous in which sometimes the Mother, sometimes the Child and sometimes both do loose their lives.

If a woman be four daies in Labor, its hardly possible the Child should live.

Sleepy diseases and convulsions which befall a woman in Travail are for the most part deadly.

Sneezing which befalls a woman in sore Travail is good. Out of Hippocrates in his Aphorismes.

To cure difficulty in Child-birth first all causes which may delay the birth, are as much as may be, to be removed. And afterwards, such Medicines as further the Birth are Methodically to be administred.

And in the first place it is common among the women to give a groaning wife a spoonfull or two of Cinnamon Water. Or Cinnamon it self in Pouder with a little Saffron may be given, or half a dram of Consectio Alkermes may be drunk in a little Broath. Also Saffron alone being given ten graines in every Mess of Broath the woman takes, or every hour being taken in a little Wine is very good Or.

Take Oyl of sweet Almonds and White Wine of each two ounces. Saffron and Cinnamon of eath twelve graines Confectio Alkermes half a dram. Syrup of Maiden Hair one ounce and an half. Mix all and make thereof a potion.

If this shall not suffice, but that stronger things, must be used, the following potion wil be most effectual, which I have had frequent experience of.

Take Dictamnus Cretensis, both the Birthworts, and Trochiscs or Cakes of Myrrh of each half asc uple. Saffron and Cinnamon of each twelve grains. Confectio Alkermes half a dram: Cinnamon Water half an ounce, Orange-flower and Mugwort Water of each an ounce and an half: Make all into a potion.

Among the more effectual sort of Medicaments are numbred Oyl of Amber Oyl of Cinnamon and extract of Saffron, which do in a little quantity work ••••ch viz. Extract of Saffron to five or six grains, Oyl of Cinnamon to four or five Drops; Oyl of Amber to twelve or fifteen Drops, in VVine, Broth or other Liquor.

Sneezing hastens the Birth, or Hippocrates in the Aphor. 35. Sect. 5. Sneezing which happens to a woman in sore Travail is good. Sneezing may be provoked by the following Pouder.

Take White Hellebore half a dram. Long Pepper one scurple. Castoreum five grains. Make all into a Pouder, and blow thereof into her ••st••••lls the quantity of a Pease.

The same Hippocrates prescribes another Remedy in the first Book of womens diseases, which is omitted by all authors almost. And that is the opening of one of the lower veines of the Body, which he propounds in these words. But if (saith he) a Big-bellied woman be so stopped that she cannot bring forth, but continues divers daies in her ••ains: if she be a yong woman, vigorous and full of Blood, her Anckleveines must be opened, and Blood taken away, according as her strength will bear, Although this remedy be never used by our Practitioners, and it seems much to be feared, be∣cause in Travail nothing is so needful as strength, which may be weakened by Blood-letting: Yet if difficult Travail do arise from fullness of blood, which Hippocrates doth insinuate in those words, where he saies If the woman be yong and in the prime of her strength, and very full of Blood; there is no question, but bleeding may be very profitable, because the Veines being very full of Blood, are wont to make al other inward passages of the Body more strait. Whence it comes to pass, that in pains of the Stone in the kidneys, the like Blood-letting doth often work wonders, and facilitate the expulsion of Stones conteined both in the kidneys and Ureters.

Also hard Travail may be holpen not only by those inward Medicines prescribed, but likewise by outward

Let the Midwife therefore frequently anoint the Womb of the Childing woman with Oyls of Lillies, sweet Almonds, Lin-Seed, and such like.

Also let her belly be fomented on the nether parts with an emollient Decoction of Marsh-mallow and Lilly Roots, Leaves of Mallows, Violets, Mugwort, Seeds of Line and Fenugreek, with the flowers, of Chamomel and Melilot.

Let sharp Clysters be administred, by the provokeing virtue of which the expulsive faculty of the womb may be likewise ••oused up; and the Gutts being emptied will afford larger space for the womb.

Let her Navel be anointed with Oyl of Amber. Some commend the Gaul of an Hen applyed to the same part.

Also such things may be used which are thought by a peculiar property to help the Birth: as Aegle-Stone, Load-Stone, Storax, and the rest being fastened to the Hipps.

Hartmannus Commends the Eyes of an Hare taken in the month of March: which are carefully to be taken out and dried entire with Pepper. Let one of these with Pepper be so tied to her Belly, that the Sight of the Eye may touch her belly: and it will bring forth the Child, be it alive or dead. Which being done take away the Eye least it bring forth the Womb it self. He saies likewise that it is good to bring out the Mole.

Heed is likewise to be taken that the woman carry no Precious Stones about her, either in rings or otherwise, but let her lay them al away: for many of them are conceived by a peculiar property to retain the Child in the womb.

If the Child seem to be weak, it must be refreshed, both with strengthening things given to the Mother, as warm wine, Confectio Alkermes, Cinnamon Water; and also with things outwardly

applied, as with a Crust of Bread, or a Rose Cake strewed with Pouder of Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Cloves, Kermes Berries, and sprinkled with Aqua Imperialis or with warm Wine. Or with a peice of Wether-Mutton a little broiled upon a Gridiron, and sprinkled with Water of Roses or of Orange-flowers; with the call of a wether newly kil'd, not yet cold, and such like.

If the Child begin to come forth in a disorderly manner, as by putting out one Foot, one Hand, or any other way; the Mid-wife must no waies receive it on that manner, but thrust it into the Womb again, and compose it to a right and natural posture or form of egress. Which must be done by laying the Childing woman on her Back in the Bed, with her Head somwhat low and her But∣tocks high: and then gently pressing her Belly towards the short Ribs, and thrusting the Child into the Womb. Afterward let the Midwife endeavour to put the Child into a right posture for coming out, by an artificial Hand procuring that the Child turn its face towards the Mothers Back, and its Buttocks and shighes let her lift up towards the Mothers navel, and so hasten the same unto a natural manner of coming for••h.

When all Hope of the Childs coming forth is past, or when the Mether is almost dead, some Authors proceed to the Caesarean Section [that is to cut the Child out of the Womb, as Caesar was cut out] of which Francilcus Rossetus hath Printed a most elegant Treatise; in which by many reasons and examples he endeavours to shew, that such a thing may be somtimes done with good success. Howbeit, seeing this Operation is very dangerous and terrible, it ought seldom or never to be practised by a discreet Physitian, that would preserve his own reputation.

Chap. 19. Of A Dead Child.

IN sore Travel of Child-birth by reason of great and long Labour, the Child is oftentimes killed; and somtimes before a womans pains come upon her, the Child happens to die through some pre∣ternaturall accidents, such as those which are wont to cause Abortion; and if it hath not attained to the due time of natural Birth it causes Abortion, but if it have, it causes an hard and sore Travel, Because in a due and naturall Birth, both the Mother and the Child ought to join their Forces, to bring it from the Dark Dungeon to the Liberty of Day.

All such things therefore which cause difficult Child-birth being in a greater and more grievous degree, are of power to kill the Child. But especially the Child is wont to be kild, if it come in so untoward and preposterous a figure, that it can by no means be brought forth in that manner neither can the Midwife or Chyrurgion draw it forth, or reduce it to a better Posture. For while sticking thus in the mouth of the Womb, it frustrates all the endeavours of the Mother straining her self to exclude it: it comes to pass, that in those s••••ainings, various motions and compressions, somtimes both Mother and Child, somtimes the Mother alone and somtimes the Child alone doth die. It is to be admired which Fabricius Hildanus writes, touching two women which died through hard Labour, in whom their Wombes were found broken a sunder and the Heads of the Infants in their Mothers Bellies By which we may gather, how strongly a lusty Child doth labour to work it self out of the Mothers Womb.

A Dead Child is known, when the motion thereof ceaseth, which either the Mother did feel, or the Midwife perceive by h••r hand laid on, or other warm and strengthening things which were wont to awaken and rouse up the powers thereof when they were in a slumber or stupified. Also the Mo∣thers find a greater sense of weight, with which and pain of the Belly they are troubled: when they turn from one side to another they perceive the Child to roul from one side to another like a Stone. The lower part of their Belly feels very cold, the native heat being extinguished and those spirits dissipated, which were formerly in the Child; their Eyes become hollow and troubled: their face and Lips are pale; their extream parts appear cold and of a Leaden-colour: their Duggs become slap and flaggy, and at length, when the Child rots, stinking moistures flow from the Womb, like water and blood: their belly is blown up with vapours asending thereunto: a filthy smell, and a stinking Breath comes both out of the Mouthes of such women and from their whol bodies. If the After-Birth be excluded before the Child, it is a certain token that the Child is dead in the Womb.

As to the Prognostick. A Child dead in the Womb is a very exceeding dangerous thing, and if it be not timely voided forth it is wont to cause Feavers, Faintings, Dead-sleeps, Convulsions and death it self.

Yet somtimes a Child dead in the Womb may be kept a long time, as appears by many stories re∣lated by divers Authors, which Schenkius hath collected in great number as rare Cases, and Senner∣tus hath transcribed out of him, touching many Women which have voided the Bones of Children dead and putrefied in the womb, by their Water-gate, their Dung-gate, and by a Swelling that broke in their Belly.

I have seen one Woman which voided all the bones of her child by her Navel, and her Navel grow∣ing afterwards whol again. she recovered her perfect health.

The Cute consists wholly in the Exclusion or Extraction of the Child; for seeing great danger of life at ends the Mother so long as the dead Child is in her Womb, as soon as ever by the foregoing signs, we certainly collect the Child is dead, we must make hast, to force it out. Which is done by the same Remedies which were formerly propounded to hasten the Birth. But among them we must chuse out the most strong and effectual, whereunto some other things may be added which are yet stronger, after this manner:

Take Leaves of Savin dried, round Birth-wort Roots, Troches of Mirrh, and Castoreum, of each one dram: Cinnamon half a dram: Saffron a scruple. Mix all into a Pouder. The Dose is a dram in Savin Water. Or,

Take Dictamnus Creticus, Savin, Borax, of each a dram: Mirrh, Asarum Roots, Cinnamon, Saffron, of each half a dram. Mix and make all into a Pouder. The Dose is a dram in the fore∣said, or such like Liquor.

In the mean time, let the Fomentations aforesaid be applied to the Privities, the Share, and space between the Water and the Dung-Gate; adding Briony Roots, Roots of wild Cucumer, Florentine Orice, round Birthwort, called Aristolochia rotunda, and Broom-flowers.

After Fomentation, anoint the said Parts with Ʋnguentum de Arthanita, or with this fol∣lowing:

Take Aristolochia rotunda, or round Birthwort, Coloquintida, and Agarick, of each one dram: Gum Ammoniack dissolved in Wine and Bulls Gall, of each two drams: With Oleum Cherinum, as much as shall suffice. Make all into an Oyntment.

Also let this Pessary be put up into the Womb:

Take Aristolochia rotunda, Orice Root, Black Hellebore, Coloquintida, Mirrh, of each one dram: Galbanum, Opopanax, of each half a dram: With Ox Gall, make all into a Pessary. Or this:

Take Ammoniacum, Opopanax, Castorium, Sagapenum, black Hellebore, wild Vine, round Birthwort, Pulp of Coloquintida, Scammony, of each one scruple: Euphorbium one dram: With Juyce of Rue, Bindweed, wild Cucumer, and an Oxes Gaul, make all into a Pessary.

Zacutus Lusitanus in Obs. ••54. of the Second Book of his strange and Admirable Cures, doth te∣stisie, that a dead Child in the ninth months growth, producing many Symptomes in the Mother, was driven out by this Pessary, and by help of an Oyly Bath, wherein was mixed the Decoction of such Herbs as do open and widen the Passages of the Body.

A Fumigation of Galbanum, or an Asses Hoof, may be received by a Funnel into the Womb.

If the Matter hang long, it will be good, the woman being sufficiently strong, to give her a purging Medicine; whereby evil Humors, which in this case are easily collected, may be evacuated, and the dead Child comequently cast forth.

Angelus Sala, in his Book which he calls Triumphus Emeticorum (that is, the Triumph of Vo∣mits) doth witness, That in this case he had often with happy success given four or five grains of Mercurius vitae, which doth most powerfully expel the dead Child, and excel all other Medicines in that point. Which notwithstanding, in regard of its vehement working, requires great Caution and Discretion in the Physitian that would use it.

If after Medicines long tried, the dead Child cannot be ejected, we must implore the Chyrurgions aid. Who may pull it out, either by Instruments, as Paulus Aegineta describes the manner, or only help of the hand, as is taught by Carolus Stephanus, Bauthine, and others; all which are diligently transcribed by Schenkius and Sennertus.

Chap. 20. Of the After-birth retained.

IN a Natural Birth, commonly the Secundine is excluded presently after the Child, yet somtimes it is retained in the Womb, by which means the Mother is in great Danger of her life.

The internal Causes of this retention are, the over thickness of those coats, and their too great compactness, by which means they cling more fast to the sides of the Womb: their being swelled through con••luence of humors, which is stirred up in a laborious Travel, weakness of the Mother caused by hard Labor, so that she wants strength to exclude the After-Birth; and the shutting up of the Mouth of the womb, after the Child is come away. But the external causes are, the Cold Air, by force whereof the Secundine is repelled and the Wombs mouth stopped; Certain smells by which the Womb may be enticed upwards or agitated; some greivous passion of mind, as fear, or suddain terror

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.

Chap. 21. Of Immoderate Flux of the Loches, or Child-bed Purgations.

THe Immoderate Flux of Child-bed Purgations called from the Greek, Loches, is not to be esti∣mated from the quantity, or the time of continuance; because that in divers Natures, Ages, and Courses of Life, it is very different; but from the ill-bearing of the woman and her weakness there∣from arising.

The Causes of this immoderate Flux, are the over wide opening of the Vessels, or their rending in hard Travel, or the violent drawing forth of the After-birth; or a more than ordinary quantity of blood, which hath been collected in the Veins of the Womb, during the whol course of the Womans being with Child; or the thinness and sharpness of the said Blood, which doth too much open the Mouthes of the Veins, and provoke Nature to Excretion.

Immoderate flux of the Child-bed Purgations is known, as hath been said, from the strength of the woman which is dejected through the exhaustion of her spirits that issue with the blood; also the blood is clotted, and the Patient loaths all meat, is pained under her short Ribs, feels a distention of her Belly; her Pulse is weak and frequent, her sight is dimmed, she hath noise in her Ears, is sub∣ject to Swooning and Convulsions.

As all great Fluxes of Blood are dangerous, because blood is the Treasure of our Life, so immode∣rate flux of the Child-bed Purgations is more dangerous than the rest, because of the Travel which goes before, and weakens the Patient. But the danger is more or less, according to the greater or less quantity of the Blood which comes away, and as the Symptomes are more light or grievous which attend the same; which made Hippocrates to say, in the 55. Aphorism of the fift Section. If Convulsion or Swooning betides a Woman upon her Feminine Purgations, it's a shrewd sign.

The Cure of an Immoderate flux of Blood, consists in one only Point, viz. The stoppage of the said flux. Yet extraordinary care is to be taken, lest that be kept within, which by these Purgati∣ons was wont to be carried away, and so prove the cause of grievous Infirmities. And therefore if the flux do not extreamly urge, we must begin with lighter Medicaments, proceeding by little and little if need shall require, to such as are stronger.

And in the first place, The violent Motion of the Blood is to be bridled by an incrassating of thickening Diet, as by Panadaes, Gellies, Rice, Starch, with Calves-foot Broths, Pears, and Quinces boyled, Rosted Flesh sprinkled with juyce of Pome-granates.

Let her have pretty plenty of Meat, but not at once, but divers times one after another. For by this means the Heat and Spirit which in the Womb do aslist to the Expulsion, are called away to the Stomach, and by that means the Patients strength is restored.

Let her Drink be Water that hath had Iron quenched in it, or Gold, or in which a little Mastich hath been boyled. Then such things are to be used as do revel the Blood into the superior parts, as rubbings and bindings of the upper parts, Cupping-glasses fastened under the short Ribs on either side.

It is good likewise to bath the Patients hands in hot Wine, in which Confectio Alkermes, or Ve∣nice Treacle hath been dissolved.

Also let her Belly be moderately swathed with a Rowler or Swath-band; because hereby the Ves∣sels of Blood will be pressed together, and the immoderate flux hindered.

Let Linnen Cloths be applied to her Loyns moistened with a mixture of Water and Vinegar, by which the blood contained in the Vena Cava, is tempered, and the motion thereof hin∣dered.

If the flux be very immoderate, and weaken the Patient, so that there is danger of Death, we must have speedy recourse to stronger Remedies: Among the rest, this following Potion hath commonly good success.

Take Waters of Plantane, Orange flowers, and Roses, of each one ounce: Syrup of Corals, or where it is wanting of red Roses, one ounce: Sal Prunella one dram: Dragons blood ten grains. Make all into a Potion.

If the flux do yet continue, a Pouder, or an Electuary for divers Doses, may be prescribed after this manner:

Take Blood-stone four scruples: Pouder of Bole-Armoniack, red Coral, prepared Pearls, of each one dram: Seeds of Plantane, Coriander prepared, and grains of Sumach, of each two scruples, Mix all, and make them into a most fine Pouder, of which let her take one dram with the Decoction of Knotgrass and Syrup of Quinces.

Take Conserves of Roses and of Comfrey Roots of each one ounce: Bole-Armoniack, Troches de Carabe and prepared coral of each one dram: with syrup of coral or of dried red Roses make all into an Electuary, of which let her take the Quantity of a Chestnut, drinking a little of her ordinary drink after it.

Also a fomentation and an Oyntment will profitably be applied outwardly, made after this manner.

Take Topps of the red Mastich or Lentisch, Plantane, Cypress, Olive, and Solomons Seal of each one handfull: Red Rose Leaves two pugills: Myrtle Berries one ounce and an half: Cypress-Nuts, six: Peels of Pomgranates two pugils: Boyl all in Steel-quenched Water and astringent harsh red Wine, and with the strained Liquour bath the Privie Parts, very lukewarm, and almost coldish.

Take of the Countesses Oyntment or Uuguentum Comitissae two ounces: J••yce of Plantane one ounce: worke them together into one Oyntment, to be used after the fomentation.

Also an Injection may be made of the Juyce of Plantane into the Womb, commended by Galen in the fifth Book of his Method, or of the Decoction of the foresaid fomentation.

Other remedies not helping, to open a vein in the Arm is a present Cure, if the Blood be drown out in distant spaces of time; for experience hath taught, that many women given over as it curable have by this means recovered.

And finally, the disease still remaining, all Medicines prescribed for the immoderate flux of the monthly courses, may be used in this Case likewise.

And among the Medicines for immoderate Courses, Cataplasmes were propounded to be applied to the share, and Loines; unto which the following Cataplasm or pultis may be added, very good for all immoderate fluxes of Blood, but especial for these Child-Bed Purgations.

Take Pure Soot from the Chimney not mixt with Dart eight ounces: work it lustily with the strongest Vineger, and make a pultis to be applied to the Reines of the Back.

And it is here specially to be noted touching sleep; that while the Blood flowes plentifully, the woman must not be suffered to sleep, for many by that means are taken away, because the natural heat retiring inward, causes the flux to be greater. And if sleep in such a case cannot be avoided, some must be alwaies by of the servants to feel her pulse and mark how she fetches her Breath.

In a word, if clotters of Blood do settle in the Womb, and cause a pain and stretching therein; endeavour must be used speedily to bring it out, least coming to putrefy, they transmit filthy vapours to the Brain and Heart and cause a feaver. Therefore the Childing woman, if strong enough, ought to walk gently, or stand bolt upright for some time together, or to sit upon the groaning Chair, as if she had list to stool. And if this suffice not, the clotters are to be dissolved with a warm Deco∣ction of French Barly and a little Oxymel or honey of Roses injected into the Womb. But here we must go warily to work least while we bring out the clotters, the flux of Blood be afresh pro∣voked.

Chap. 22. Of Suppression of Child-bed Purgations.

THe good and happy success of Child-bearing doth especially depend upon the convenient and orderly flux of the Loches or Child-bed Purgations; seeing the Impurities which have bin collected in the veins of the Womb, during the nine months time of the womans Belly-bearing, are wont to be avoided by these evacuations; but if they be suppressed wholly or diminished, insinite Dangers and Calamities arise thereby viz. acute Feavers, Phrenzies, Madness, Melanchollies, Squin∣z••es, Pleurisies, Inflammations of the Lungs and other swellings, which are for the most part ma∣lignant.

The Cause of this supression or imminution are, the thickness of the Blood, narrowness or ob∣struction of the vessells, which hinders the free egress of the Blood; cold air heedlesly received into the Womb, which closes the Orifice of the vessels, taking cold at the feet, drinking of small cold Drink, fear, Affrightment, sadness and other Passions of the mind, which withdraw the Course of the Blood from the Womb.

This Suppression is manifest of it self, and the diminution thereof is not to be judged by the Quan∣tity which comes away, because some women have more superfluous blood and some less. But the perfect knowledg thereof is gathered from the supervenient Symptoms such as are a swelling of the Belly, a pain possessing the nethermost part of the Belly the Loines and Groines; redness of face, difficulty or breathing, perturbation of the Eyes, shivering fits, Feavers, Fainting fits, and other Symptomes related before.

The Prognostick is drawn out of the Symptomes propounded as supervenient to this Disease, for they being for the most part dangerous, the cause from which they spring must needs be very dange∣rous likewise.

Childing women are freed from the foresaid danger, if some other evacuation happen which may at least in some measure supply the desect of these purgations, as Bleeding at the Nose or by the hemorrhoid veins: plenty of Urine with a sooty setling, or plentiful sweating. Or if after some daies Lead-colored, black, and stinking matter begin to flow forth. But it is to be feared, lest by the corrupt blood, ulcers should be bred in the womb.

The whol Cure of this Malady, consists in the provocation of these Purgations, which must be en∣deavored by such Medicines as provoke the Course of the Blood downwards, and open the Vessels of the Womb.

And in the first place, Emollient, Purging, and Opening Clysters are to be administred, made af∣ter this manner:

Take Roots of Marsh-mallows, and Water-lillies, of each one ounce: the long and round Birthwort, of each three drams: Leaves of Mallows, Marsh-mallows, Pellitory, Mercury, of each one handful: Line seed and Fenugreek seed, of each half an ounce: Flowers of Chamomel and Elder, of each two pugils: Boyl all to a pint. In the strained Liquor dissolve, Oyl of Dill, and Lillies, of each one ounce: Hiera simplex, half an ounce: Unguentum de Arthanita one dram. Mix all into a Clyster.

Let her Thighs be rubbed downwards; let the Toes of her Feet be tied till they ake again; let di∣vers Cupping-Glasses be fixed to her Groyns and Hips, and let some of them be scarrified.

If these means suffice not, open the Veins about the Knees, or of both the Thighs; or the Hemor∣rhoid Veins, if Nature seem to incline that way.

If a Feaver be caused by suppression of these Purgations, a Vein must be opened in the Arm, as shall be said in the Diseases of Women in Child-bed.

This following Fomentation may be applied to her Belly beneath the Navel, and to the Privy Parts.

Take Roots of Marsh-mallows, Lillies, Briony, Angelica, and Birthwort, round and long, of each an ounce: Leaves of Mercury, Mugwort, Penyroyal, Savine, Calaminth, of each one hand∣ful: Lin-seeds, and Fenugreek seeds, of each an ounce: Flowers of Chamomel, Melilot, Elder, Tansie, of each a pugil. Beat them and cut them according to art, and put them into two bags, which boyl in Fountain Water, and apply by course one after another.

After Fomentation anoint the foresaid Parts with Oyl of Lillies, Sweet Almonds, and Sesamum, adding thereto a little Saffron.

Hereunto may be added such Pessaries and Fumigations as have been set down in our Chapter of Suppression of the Courses, beginning with the most gentle.

Let her drunk a Decoction of opening Roots, Cinnamon, and red Vetches with a little Saffron. Or,

Take Opening Roots, of each two drams: Leaves of Bettony, Endive, Maiden-hair, of each a handful: Schaenanth one pugil: Annis seed, and Fennel seed, of each one scruple: red Vetches a spoonful: Boyl all to a pint and an half. To the strained Liquor ad Cinnamon Water two drams: Syrup of the five opening Roots three ounces. Let her take four ounces twice a day.

Before the Feaver be encreased, we may somtimes give Troches of Mirrh one dram; with white Wine or Fennel water.

Forestus useth the following Decoction though there be a Feaver.

Take French Barley one handful: Liquoris scraped half an ounce: Schaenanth one dram and an half. Boyl all to a pint, for three Doses.

For the weaker he causeth one dram of Schaenanth to be boyled in Chicken Broth, which he gives the Patient to drink.

Also a Purgation may be convenient, seven or nine daies after she is delivered, of the Infusion of Rhubarb, Agarick, or Senna, or with a Laxative Broth made of opening Herbs and Roots with Sen∣na; or with an ounce and an half of Manna dissolved in Broth.

Chap. 23. Of Gripings after Child-bearing.

GRipings do so frequently betide Women in Child-bed, that very few Women are free from them. But they are not wont to seek to the Physitian for these Pains, because within two or three daies they go away. But if they happen more sharp, and of longer durance than ordinary, they are forced to send for the Physitian, who before he prescribe any thing, must consider the Causes.

The chief Causes of Gripings and Pains after Child-birth, are the plenty of Blood, its thickness, sharpness, and narrowness of the Vessels. For the Veins of the VVomb, having for nine months forborn their usual evacuation of blood, and the blood being gathered in great quantity, and by its

retention becoming thick and sharp; while it goes through the narrow passages, it causeth pains, which return by fits, as often as the womb endeavors a new expulsion of blood; which being over, they cease till such time as other blood doth seek its way forth.

Somtimes these gripings are caused by Winds, or by Cold received into the Womb, but not so often.

These Pains are differenced from others which are wont to afflict the Belly, by their continuance, and by the distances of holding up, which they observe according to distant fits of the bloods issuing forth: and the women themselves can easily distinguish these pains from all others.

Thick blood is known by clottering, but the thin blood by its tenuity, fresh color, or yel∣lowish.

If the Pain spring from wind, it is more wandring, being somtime in one part of the Belly, and somtimes in another; neither doth it observe the distances in which the Blood issues. If cold Air have entred the Womb, it may be known by a relation of what hath been acted about the sick woman.

These pains are not dangerous, but for the most part exceeding troublesom: therefore must be removed or mitigated as soon as may be.

The Cure of these Gripings ought to be directed to these ends; viz. That the Vessels of the VVomb be made wider, the Blood thinner, and its sharpness mitigated. All which may be accom∣plished by these following Medicaments.

And first of all, let the Patients Belly be gently swathed that her womb may settle, and not be mo∣ved this way and that way, as often falls out after Child-birth, by reason of the sudden eva∣cuation.

Then give her three ounces of Oyl of sweet Almonds new drawn, with an ounce and an half of Sy∣rup of Violets, and two ounces of Hippocras.

Let Clysters be cast in of Milk and Sugar, with the Yolks of Eggs.

Or they may be made of a Decoction of Chamomel flowers, and Mugwort in Pullet Broth, ad∣ding Oyl of Lillies, and the Yolks of Egs.

Anoint her Belly with Carminating or Wind-expelling, and opening Oyls, as Oyl of Dill, Rue, Jasmine, or with this following, which being of great efficacy, ought to be made in time convenient, and kept in the Apothecaries Shop for such occasions.

Take Roots of round Birthwort, Orice, and Peony, of each one ounce: Cypress Roots half an ounce: dried Leaves of Mugwort, Feaverfew, Origanum, Calaminth, Penyroyal, Dictam∣nus Cretensis, Wormwood, Savin, Rue, Bettony, and Sage, of each one handful: Flowers of Rosemary, Stoechados, Lavender, Chamomel, Dill, St. Johns wort, and Elder, of each half a handful: Bay-berries, and Juniper berries, of each half an ounce: Seeds of Cummin, Rue, Piony, Carrots, and Agnus Castus, of each three drams: Cloves, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Ginger, of each two drams: Storax, and Mirrh, of each one ounce. Let all being beaten and cut, be stee∣ped in six pints of old Oyl, adding a little white Wine. And put them in an Earthen Vessel close stopped, the space of a week; and then boyl them over hot Embers the space of four o•• five hours; then let the Oyl be strained out, and reserved for use. If the foresaid Oyl be wansing upon occasion, let the foresaid simples boyl in equal portions of Oyl and white Wine, till the white Wine be consu∣med; then let the Oyl be strained out.

Also a Fomentation may be made of the Decoction of Mugwort, Bawm, Bay-leaves, Calaminth, Carrot seed, Cummin, and Caraway Seeds, Flowers of Cheiri and Chamomel in Water, white Wine or Milk. Or the following Cataplasm may be applied.

Take three or four Onions well boyled in Water; beat them in a Morter, and put thereto Seeds of Line and Cummin beaten, of each one handful: As much Chamomel flowers: Barley Meal as much as shall suffice to make all into a Pultiss. And if need be, add a little of the Water wherein the Onions were boyled. Spread it upon a Cloth, and apply it warm to her Navel.

It is likewise profitable to apply the Skin of a weather newly flead off while it is warm, to her Belly. For this kind of warmth is very neer of kin to our Natural heat, concocts and mitigates the cause of the pain; also it hinders the Skin of the Belly from gathering into wrinkles.

These following Medicines may be given inwardly:

Take Carrot Seeds poudered one dram: white Wine three ounces: Mix them. Give it warm twice a day. Or,

Take Nutmeg, Annis seed, Cinnamon, of each one scruple: mix them into a Pouder to be taken in white Wine; or give one scruple of Oyl of Nutmegs in Broth. Or,

Take Date and Peach Kernels, of each half a dram: Nutmegs four scruples: Pouder of Diamargaritum Calidum two drams: Annis seed one dram: Cinnamon two scruples: Saffron ten grains: Sugar the weight of all the rest. Make all into a most fine Pouder, whereof give two drams in Wine twice or thrice a day, if the pains are much.

Forestus gave a Decoction of Chamomel flowers in Beer, or a Decoction of Mugwort and Cha∣momel in Puller Broth with good ••ucce••s.

It's good presently after the is brought to bed, to give her the Broth of an old Cock, three daies together ear••y in a morning while she is fasting, with a little Cinnamon and Saffron.

The following Pouder taked presently after the delivery of a woman, doth wonderfully preserve her from Gripings; insomuch that it is thought, If it be given a woman after her first Childing, she wil never after in her following Lyings-In, be troubled with these Gripes.

Take the greater Comfry Root dried one dram: Peach Kernels and Nutmeg, of each two scru∣ples: Amber half a dram: Amber-greece half a scruple. Make all into a Pouder; of which let her take one dram in white Wine, or if she be Feaverish, in Broth.

For her ordinary Drink, let her use a Decoction of Mugwort with Cinnamon.

If the Gripings be caused by Chollerick and sharp humors, they are cured much after the same man∣ner that the Chollick is cured, when it proceeds from Choller. As for Example:

Take Syrup of Vio••••ts and Borrage, of each one ounce: Mucilage of Quince seeds drawn out with Violet Water, half an ounce: Water of Borrage and Scorzonera, of each three ounces. Mix all, make thereof a Julep for two Doses. Or,

Take Oyl of sweet Almonds two ounces: Syrup of Violets an ounce: Borrage Water half an ounce. Mix all for a draught.

External Medicines must likewise be used, such as are laxative and emollient, which do likewise by one and the same labor, ease pain.

Oftentimes, after they are brought to bed, women are pained in their Groyn, by reason of their wombs being gathered together like a ball in their Groyn. It is cured by applying to their Navel a Plaister of Galbanum and Anafoetida, in the midst whereof, some grains of Musk must be put.

Chap. 24. Of Acute Diseases of Women in Child-bed.

WHat we said before touching the Acute Diseases of women with Child, we may now repeat touching the Acute Diseases of women in Child-bed; viz. That they have the same Essence, and the same Signs, with the like Diseases in women which are not with Child, and in men. So that we shal refer the Reader for the Theory of these Diseases to their proper Chapters.

Now these Acute Diseases are for the most part, continual Feavers, both Essential, as Synchus pu∣trida, a continual Tertian, and the rest; and also Symptomatical, which accompany inward Infla∣mations, as the Pleurisie, Inflamation of the Lungs, Inflamation of the Liver, Phrenzy, and such like.

Yet there is a peculiar sort of Feaver, which besals almost al women in Child-bed, which is called by them the Feaver of their Milk, which is wont to befal them about the third or fourth day after they are brought to bed, when their Milk begins to encrease in their Breasts; and it ariseth from the reflux of the blood from the womb to the Dugs, and the motion and agitation thereof. Which kind of Feaver is reckoned among the Diary Feavers of the longest durance; neither needs it any Medi∣cines, because within three or four daies, viz. about the ninth after her delivery, it is finished by sweat. It is distinguished from putrid Feavers, because commonly it seizes the woman about the fourth day, after her being delivered, and her Dugs begin to be filled with Milk, and to be troubled with hardness, pain, and heat; with heat and heaviness in her Back and Shoulders; also her Child-bed Purgations slow duly, which seldom is seen in putrid Feavers.

Now putrid Feavers do befal women in Child-bed from three causes, viz. Suppression of their Child-bed Purgations or diminishing, by the heaping together of bad Humors during the time of their Belly-bearing, which were agitated by her Labors, or by Errors in their Diet. Some add immode∣rate flux of the Child-bed Purga ions, which is rather a sign of the secret badness of Humors causing the Feaver, but cannot be it self any cause thereof.

In suppression of the Child-bed Purgations, the blood and vitious humors which are collected du∣ring the whol time of her going with child, do flow back again into the greater Veins, and there pu∣trefie, and somtimes are c••rr••ed to the Liver, Spleen, and other parts, in which they raise Inflamati∣ons; or if they abide in the Veins of the womb, they putrefie, and so cause a Feaver, in those wo∣men which were before in perfect health.

But if (the Child-bed Purgations duly flowing) a feaver arise, it comes either from superfluity of Choller, or from errors in Diet. Evil Humors agitated by the Labors and Pains of Travel, do easily inflame and putrefie, and stir up a feaver. Errors of Diet may happen divers waies: And first in point of eating in which women that he In, are wont to be very faulty, stopping themselves with

plenty and variety of Dishes, which cannot be by them digested, but causeth putrefaction in their Bodies. Another error is committed when Childing women do unadvisedly expose themselves unto the cold Air, especially while their Milk-feaver is in its vigor, which is wont to be terminated by sweating and transpiration, which is hindered by heedless admission of the cold Air, whence it comes to pass that the Feaver which of it self was void of danger, and would in a few daies have ceased, is changed into a dangerous putrid Feaver.

There is yet another frequent Cause of the Feavers of Childing Women, viz. When the After∣births are not wholly cast forth, but some portion remains behind. This happens principally in the Womb-Liver, a part whereof is somtimes annexed to the Womb, and left there, doth putrefie; which makes the Child-bed fluxes to come forth greenish, stinking, and Carrion like; and if within few daies it be not separated from the womb, and excluded, it casts the sick woman into great danger of death, seeing it may mortifie the Womb.

If Clotters of Blood, or any other preternatural thing, shal remain in the Cavity of the womb after Child-bearing, it may thereby be known, because the neck of the womb remains soft and open, nei∣ther is the inner Orisice thereof shut, neither is the womb drawn upwards; and whereas, when all goes well after Child-birth, the womb is drawn upwards, and its neck and orifice are quickly shut. An Example here of is propounded by Dr. Havey, in his Treatise de Partu, concerning a woman, who having a malignant Feaver, and being very weak, miscarried; and after exclusion of a perfect Child, and uncorrupted, yet being very weak, with a creeping Pulse and cold Sweats, she was ready to give up the Ghost. He feeling her womb, perceived the Orifice thereof lax, soft, and very wide; and putting in his fingers, he drew forth a Mole as big as a Gooses Egg, having certain holes in it contai∣ning a clammy, black, and stinking putrefied matter, and the woman was soon freed from the foresaid Symptomes, and quickly recovered her health.

It happens likewise in some women that the Orifice of the womb presently after their delivery, is so shut up, that the blood contained within the womb, suddenly clottering and putrefying, causeth most sad Symptomes, and when no Art can bring it forth, present death follows. Yet Dr. Harvey relates in the place aforesaid, the History of a woman cured by him of this Disease. The Lips of the Water-gate were swelled, and very hot; the mouth of the womb was hard and close shut: He opened it a little with an Iron Instrument which he forcibly put in, so as it would admit an Injection made by a Syringe; and thereupon, clotted, black, and stinking blood, some pounds in quantity came away, by which means the sick woman had present ease.

The Prognostick of these Feavers herein only differs from the Prognostick of such like Feavers which happen to those that are not in a childing condition; because through the Labors of Child∣birth, the strength of the patient is more dejected; and by reason of the Child-bed Purgations sup∣pressed there is a greater redundancy of Humors in the Veins; and in both respects the Party is in greater danger.

The Decision of that famous Question, Whether the computation of the daies of the womans sick∣ness, ought to be made from the beginning of her Disease, or from the day in which she is delivered of her Child, makes much to cleer the Prognostick of this Disease, especially to foretel the Crisis. Which Question we shal therefore thus briefly determine: If the Birth of the Child were natural, attended with no grievous symptomes, and the Child-bed Purgations were as they should be, and the Feaver come some daies after, the account ought not to be made from the day of the Childs birth, but from the day the Feaver began, which was provoked by some other preternatural Cause, viz. Evil Humors lurking within the Body, or from some external Cause. But if the Child-birth were hard and beside the Course of Nature, and the Feaver arose after three or four daies; we must reckon from the day of the Childs birth; because then the whol order of the Body began to be overthrown, and the Humors to be disturbed, which was followed by the Feaver. So in grievous wounds of the wont of the Head especially, though the Feaver come not til after the fourth of fifth day, yet the account is wont to be made from the day of the wound received, because the Humors began then to be in a com∣motion, and to be disposed to cause a Feaver.

The Cure of these Feavers, differs not from the Cure of other Feavers, unless in point of those great Remedies, Blood-letting, and Purging,; in the administration whereof, there is no smal scru∣ple, which we shal briefly endeavor to remove.

As for letting of Blood in acute Diseases of women in Child-bed, the disagreement of Authors is so great, by reason of the contrary Indications on the one side, and on the other, that we can scarcely find two of the same mind. We shal briefly in these following Theorems or Maxims, propound that Opinion which cometh neerest the Mind of the wisest Authors, and is in the course of Practice most successful.

An Acute Disease befals a Child-bed woman, either in the beginning, or in the middle, or in the end of her Lying in.

If it happen in the beginning, and the woman be plentifully purged, there must be no other eva∣cuation

of blood, than that which is directed by Nature when she rightly and conveniently performs her Operations. But if the Child-bed Purgations are suppressed, or flow sparingly, let the interiot Veins be opened, and take a good quantity of blood away: because at that time the Child-bed Pur∣gations of blood, ought by the appointment of Nature to be plentiful.

If an Acute Disease happen in the middle time of her Lying In, two things are to be considered. The one is, Whether the Morbifick matter be contained in one particular place, or if it be dispersed through the Veins? The second, Whether the Woman hath been conveniently purged or not, in regard of quantity? If the Disease proceed from matter scattered abroad, as in Feavers, and the wo∣man hath not been fully purged, the lower Veins ought to be opened: because both the Morbisick Matter wil be diminished, and her Natural flux wil be provoked. But if the woman have been suffi∣ciently purged, and the Disease get ground, and the Natural Evacuation have not been sufficient for the Disease, the inferior Veins must be opened notwithstanding; and so much blood must be taken away, that by two Evacuations that may be accomplished, which the Disease requires, according to the Doctrine of Galen, in the ninth Book of his Method, Chap. ••.

If the Feaver be very high, and great heat vex the Patient, let that be done which we shal presently declare; which ought to be performed when the Disease ariseth of Matter driven into some corner, and there putrefying.

In a particular Acute Disease, as the Pleurisie, Inflamation of the Lungs, Squinzy, and the like; we must mark whether the Fluxion be only beginning, so that the Disease is only ready to seize upon the Patient, or is in its beginning, and very little blood be collected in the part. For then the inserior Veins are to be opened, that revulsion may be made to such opposite part. For then the inserior Veins are to be opened, that revulsion may be made to such opposite parts as are at greatest distance from the part affected, and by that means that preposterous motion of Humors may be stopped. But if the fluxion be already in good measure begun, and an Inflamation bred which proves very troublesom, whether the woman be sufficiently purged, or not, the superior Veins are presently to be opened right against the Part affected, because such an Evacuation draws Blood out of the Part Affected. But if the inferior Veins should be opened, which are neither next the part affected, neither can evacuate therefrom, both the strength of the Patient will be weakened by the evacuation, and that matter which is by Nature driven into a corner, and subdu∣ed, wil not be thereby diminished. And so you must either draw all her blood in a manner out of her Veins, to revel the matter of the Disease from the part affected; or the woman will be killed by the Disease before sufficient Revulsion be made. Neither need we fear, lest by taking blood from the upper Veins, we should draw the Course thereof from the womb, because in such Cases the supe∣rior parts of the Body do abound with blood. And although much blood be taken away, yet are not the Veins so emptied, that they should be forced to draw new blood from other parts. Yet for the greater Caution, it will not be unprofitable before blood be taken from the superior Veins, to cause the Thighs to be lustily rubbed, and presently after to tie them with bands so hard as to pain the wo∣man, which must abide so bound til the bleeding be over, and a little after they may be loosened; and now and then Cupping-Glasses must be fastened to the same parts, or at least they must be again wel rubbed. So we may procure an evacuation of the Matter offending, and yet preserve the Natu∣ral course of the blood towards the Womb.

The same course is to be taken in vehement and burning Feavers: For although the matter of∣fending be dispersed through the Body, yet is the burning heat so great about the Heart and Bowels, that it cannot be so wel extinguished by the opening of a smal, and far distant Vein, as by the opening of a neerer and greater, such as is the Vein called Basilica.

This Method of Curing may be observed not only in Child-bed women, but in other women who are taken with Acute Diseases, and have their monthly Courses upon them.

If in the end of a Womans Lying-In, an acute Disease befal her, the same Course must be followed as in the middle, the same conditions being observed; observing this for a Rule, That by how much a woman is further from the beginning of her Lying-In, by so much more safely may the uper Veins be opened; but the neerer she is to the beginning, yea, even in the middle, we are to open those Veins with the greater premeditation. And if the Disease be not importunate, nor the sharpness thereof require such a thing, and the Natural Purgation be copious, we must wholly abstain. But if the Purgation be scanty, we must open the inferior Veins to supply that which is wanting in the Evacuation. But if the contrary shal happen, let us follow that Rule which we presceibed to be fol∣lowed, in fol∣lowed, in the urgency of an acute Disease.

The use of Purging in Childing Women that are held with acute Diseases, shal be comprehended in these following Maxims.

While the Child-bed Purgations do Naturally flow, a Purge is never to be administred; for it is to be feared lest Nature be diverted from her business.

But if the Child-bed Purgations are not kindly, we must consider whether their consist its Quantity, or in Quality.

If they offend in Quantity, so as to be too little, so that the woman be purged either not at al, or not sufficiently: After al Remedies fit to procure these Purgations have been given in vain, and the Morbisick matter appears digested, eight, ten, or twelve daies being past since she was brought to Bed, according to the more or less urgency of the Disease, she may be purged gently, wholly abstaining from al stronger Purgatives.

If other Purgations offend only in Quality, so that a white flux, or some other unnatural color do proceed from her, the Matter being ripe, she may in the last part of her Lying-In, be safely purged.

But this must evermore be generally observed, That by how much the longer a Childing Woman is distant from the day of her bringing to bed, by so much the more safely she may be purged, and contrarywise: For Experience hath taught us, That women wanting their Child-bed Purgations, if after the seventh or ninth day they are taken with a loosness, they commonly scape. But if the Loosness seize upon them upon the first daies, viz. on the secoed, third, or fourth, for the most part they die.

And so have we finished the Cures of Womens Sicknesses; all Praise and Honor be given to God therefore.

The End of the Fifteenth Book.