Ars chirurgica a compendium of the theory and practice of chirurgery in seven books ... shewing the names, causes, signs, differences, prognosticks, and various intentions of curing all kinds of chirurgick diseases ... : to which is added Pharmacopoeia chirurgica, or, The medical store, Latin and English ... / by William Salmon ...

IX. The Vagina closed.

XXI. This may be closed either in part, or wholly; if in part, whe∣ther naturally, or through an Ʋl∣cer, it may be either in the be∣ginning, or the middle, a hole being in the midst to discharge the Menses, and for admission of Seed.

XXII. If it be wholly closed, it is in many caused through hard Labour; in which it may be hurt, inflamed, and made raw, and by that means grow together: Sometimes it is also caused by some fleshy Excrescence, arising in the French-Pox, or otherwise.

XXIII. The Signs. It may ea∣sily be known by feeling of a skilful Chirurgian or Midwife; the Hus∣band also, by his not being able to enter. The Patient also com∣plains of great Pain in the lower Ventricle and Loins, on that side where the broad Ligaments are connected with the Os Ilium. The Colour is pale and unhealth∣ful; and at the New Moon they are apt to Vomit Flegm mixt with Blood, because they want their Menses.

XXIV. The Cure. The Patient

is to be laid on her Back, with her Head low, her Loins raised with Cushions or Bolsters, her Knees high, and separated wide asunder; then with the Hands, the Vulva being kept open, a crooked In∣cision-Knife is to be conveyed to the upper part of the Membrane, cutting it through downwards towards the Intestinum Rectum, going in a direct Line, and shunning the other way, for fear of hurting the Bladder.

XXV. Being thus opened, there is to be put up a Pessary, made of a dry Spunge, and moistned with Oil of Eggs, Earthworms, or Nervinum, mixed with Oil of Mastich.

XXVI. The Place being widened with the Spunge, you may then put in a Pessary of Wax, moistned with Oil of Eggs, applying a thick Bolster and Bandage, not to be removed, but upon making Wa∣ter, or to use an Injection to cleanse the Part of the Pus, which is so long to be used, till it is perfectly healed. The Pes∣sary may also be made hollow like a Pipe, and of Silver or Lead, as you see occasion.

XXVII. Or the Woman being put into a due posture, the part may be dilated with the Speculum Vaginae, or Matricis, and so be divided with a crooked Incision-knife tyed to the Fore-finger, cutting from the upper part downwards, &c. as before di∣rected.