The compleat midwifes practice, in the most weighty and high concernments of the birth of man. Containing perfect rules for midwifes and nurses, as also for women in their conception, bearing, and nursing of children: from the experience not onely of our English, but also the most accomplisht and absolute practicers among the French, Spanish, Italian, and other nations. A work so plain, that the weakest capacity may easily attain the knowledge of the whole art. With instructions of the midwife to the Queen of France (given to her daughter a little before her death) touching the practice of the said art. / Published with the approbation and good liking of sundry the most knowing professors of midwifery now living in the city of London, and other places. Illustrated with severall cuts in brass. By T.C. I.D. M.S. T.B. practitioners.

Of the Genitals or vessels dedicated to Generation in Men and Women.

THe consideration of these things is so necessary for the purpose of this book, that they require not onely a deep meditation, but the praeeminence to take up the first thoughts of those who would arrive to the knowledg of a thing so much needful to all mankinde. And it may be lawfully feared that many women do miss their design because they know nothing but the outside of things; so that in mat∣ters of extremity, because they are ignorant of the structure of the parts, they cannot tell how to go about their work. We shall therefore begin with an easie Anatomy of the privy parts both of men and women, so far as shall be requisite to the gaining of so great a skill.

In the first place therefore we shall begin with man, in whom those things which are called the vessels of preparation are first to be considered.

CHAP. I. Of the vessel of preparation.

AMong the Spermatic vessels are to be conside∣red first, two veins, and two arteries: these are carried downward from the small guts to the Testi∣cles, and are much bigger in men then they are in women.

The original of these veines is not alwayes the same, for commonly the right vein riseth out of the hollow veine, a little below the source or original of the Emulgent; but the least takes his original from the lower part of the Emulgent it self. Yet some∣times it hath a branch carried to it from the trunk of the hollow vein.

The middle part of these veines runs directly through the Loyns, resting upon the Lumbal Muscle, a thin Membrane only intervening; and thus ha∣ving gone about half its journey, it branches out and distributes it self to the near adjoyning filmy parts of the body. The uttermost part of these vessels is carried beyond the Midriff to the Stones, yet do they not pass through the Peritonaeum, but descends with a small nerve and the muscle called Cremaster, through the Duplicity of the Midriffe; when it ap∣proaches neer the stones it is joyned with an artery; and now these vessels which were before a little se∣vered one from the other, are by a film rising from the Peritoneum closed up, and bound both together, and so twisting up like the young tendrils of a vine, they are carried to the end of the stones.

The arteries which are associated to these veines take their original a little beneath the emulgent vein,

[illustration]

[illustration] diagrams of the urinary system

fig: 1.

fig: 2.

Explanation of the first figure.

• A A. The right and left kernel of the reins.
• B. The true kidneys.
• C C. The Emulgent veines.
• D D. The Emulgent Arteries.
• E E. The spermatic veines.
• F F. The spermatic arteries.
• G G. The trunk of the hollow veine.
• H H. The trunk of the great Arterie.
• I I I I. The Ʋreters.
• K K. The vessels that prepare the seed.
• M M. The stones withall their tunicles.
• N N. The vessels carrying the seed, retorted back into the bladder.
• O. The bladder.
• P. The neck of the bladder.
• Q Q. The two glandulous Forestanders.
• R R. The two muscles that erect the yard.
• S S. Two other muscles dilating the Ʋreter.
• T. The body of the yard.
• U. The preputium that covers the nut of the yard.

Explanation of the second figure.

• A. The bladder turned downward.
• B B. The insertion of the ureters into the bladder.
• C C. The neck of the womb which Anato∣mists

• ... call the sheath which receives many vessels.
• E E E E. The two lower round ligaments of the womb cut away.
• F F. The blind vessel of the womb annexed here to the uppermost & broad ligament.
• G G. The same vessel on the other side se∣parated from the broad ligament.
• H H. The deferent or seed carrying vessels on each side ending in the neck of the womb.
• I I. The upper and membranie ligament of the womb like the wings of a bat, through which many vessels that arise from the preparing vessels are scatte∣red and diffus'd.
• K. The preparing vessels of one side not yet disserend from the 1 membranie or filmie ligament.
• L. The preparing vessels on the other side sever'd from the filmie ligament, to shew you their insertion into the stone with its filmes,
• M M. The stones, where one is covered, the other is bare.
• N N. Many veines and arteries scattered into the neck & bottome of the womb, serving for the purgation of the flowers and the nourishment of the birth.
• O O. The nerves scattered through the bo∣dy of the womb.

whence they descend, downward and a little from their beginning or original they are joyned to these veins, till they are closed together by an Anastomosis or inoculation, ending like a Piramid.

CHAP. II. Of the Parastatae, or vessels where the bloud is first changed.

THese four vessels after many ingraftings and knittings together, seem at length to become onely two bodies, full of little crumplings like the tendril of a vine, white and in the form of a Piramid, resting the right upon the right stone, & the left up∣on the left stone. These are called Parastatae, which as they stand pierce the tunicles of each stone with cer∣tain fibers or extraordinary small veines, which af∣terwards dispearse themselves through the body of those stones. The substance of these Parastatae is be∣tween that of the stones and that of the preparing vessels; for they neither altogether consist of Mem∣branes, neither are they altogether Glandulous or kernelly.

CAAP. III. The use of the preparing vessels.

THe use of those vessels which are called the ves∣sels of preparation is chiefly to attract out of the hollow vein, or left Emulgent, the most pure and exquisitely concocted bloud, which is most apt to be converted into seed; which they contain and prepare, giving unto it a certain rude form of seed in those parts that lie as it were in certain pleights or folds, which they do by a peculiar property be∣queathed to them.

Another use of them is gathered by their scituati∣on, for as they are now scituated, that is to say, the right vein coming from the hollow vein, and the left from the Emulgent, this inconvenience is avoided, that the left vein is not forced to pass over the great artery, and so be in danger of breaking, by reason of the swift motion of the artery. More∣over there being a necessity that male and female should be begot, it is fit that there should be seed proper for the generation of both sexes, whereof some must be hotter and some must be colder; and therefore nature hath so ordered it, that the hotter seed should proceed from the right vein for the ge∣neration of man, and the colder from the left for the generation of females. The left vein hath also this property to draw from the Emulgent the more se∣rous and less pure bloud, to the intent that the serous humour might stir up venery by its salt and acrimonius substance; and therefore it is observed that those who have the left stone bigger are most full of seed, and most prone to venery.

The use of the Parastatae is this, to contain the bloud and stay it in their windings and wrinkled bo∣dies, and by power received from the stones to change the colour of the bloud.

CHAP IV. Of the Testicles in general.

THe stones are in number two, very seldome one, and much seldomer three or four. The scitua∣tion of the stones in men, is without the Midriff, at the root of the yard under the belly, and that for two causes, to keep men more chaste; it being ob∣served

that those creatures which carry their stones within their bodies are more salacious, and bring forth in greater numbers.

Their bigness is not always alike in all creatures, but in men as big as a Pigeons egg, or as a small Hens egg; and commonly the left is bigger then the right.

In the Anatomy of the stones divers things are to be considered. Their Tunicles or the skins in which they are wrapt, as well those which are common to both, as those which are particular to either, next the muscles, then the substance of which they are composed: and lastly the vessels which are dispear∣sed through the body of the stones.

CHAP. V. Of the Tunicles of the stones.

THe Testicles are wrapt up in divers coverings, about the number of which there hath been great dissention. But they are now reduced to five, whereof two are common, and are called Scrotum, and Dartos, three particular, the names of which are Elytroydes, Erythroides, and Epididy∣mis.

The first of these, which is like a satchel or purse, and is common to both, consists of a skin and a cuticle. This contains the two stones like a purse, and is obvious to the touch. The skin of this part differs from any other part of the skin which covers the bo∣dy: for whereas that is stretched out and spred close over the whole body, this is more loose, and made to stretch out or to be wrinkled up together as occa∣sion is, that is as the stones either ascend or descend:

they ascend commonly in the time of conjunction, they descend in febers, weakness of the Testicles, or by reason of old age.

The second is called Dartos, because it is easily separated from the others. In this the testicles lie as it were in a nest, wrapping them about more close then the Scrotum doth. It takes its Originall from the fleshie Pannicle, which though it be thinner here∣abouts then in any other part of the body, yet is it full of little Veines and arteries.

The proper Tunicles are first the Elytroides which is also called Vaginalis by reason it supplyes the office of a sheath. It takes its originall from the pro∣duction of the Peritoneum, for where the spermatic vessells pass, they do not at all bruse the Peritoneum, but carie it downe to the stones, and so constitute or make this Tunicle. To know this Tunicle, and the ori∣ginal of it is very necessary for Physick, because that hollowness which the Processess of the Peritoneum do make for the passage of the spermatic ves∣sels, is somtimes dilated as far as the beginning or source of this Tunicle, and both the small guts and the caule fall down upon the Testicles, which is the cause of that kind of birstness which by the Physitians is called Enterocle. This Tunicle grows to that which is called Dartos, being ioyned to it by many nervous fibres. Underneath this is the Tunicle called Erythro∣ides, or the red Tunicle; so called from the multitude of red veines which are sprinkled up and down in it. It rises from the other membranes and is encompas∣sed without by the first proper tunicle.

The third, and that which immediately compasseth the stones, is that which is called Epididymis: it is white, thick and strong, to preserve the soft and

loose substance of the stones. It riseth ftom the Tu∣nicle of the seminal vessels, being the thickest of all the Tunicles, and hath some few veines scattered up and dovne in it.

CHAP. VI. Of the suspensory Muscles.

TO keep the stones from oppressing, or stretching over much the passages of the seminal vessels, Nature hath provided them two Muscles for them to hang by, on both sides one, in form oblonge and slender.

These Muscles derive their original from a thick membrane which is joyned to the hanch bone in the further part of that region, where the hair grows, and is fastened to this bone with certaine fleshie and straight fibers; where the oblique Muscles of the Abdomen or Mideriff end, thence reaching down upon the superiour members of the Testicles, they are extended through the whole length of that round body.

These Muscles are never seen in women being al∣together useless, because their stones are not pen∣dent, but are enclosed within their bodies.

CHAP. VII. Of the substance and temper of the stones.

THe substance of the stones is glandulous or ker∣nelly, white, soft, loose, spongy, and hollow; having sundrie vessels dispersed through them.

Now although the substance of the Testicles be most soft and moist, yet doth not this moistness con∣stitute

a uniforme or homogeneal body; for the sub∣stance of the stones is wholly dissimilar, and full of fibres. These fibres also seeme to be of a different substance from that of the stones, being only cloath∣ed which the flesh of the stones, as the fibres of the Muscles are inwardly nervous, but coverd over which the flesh of the Muscles. These fibres again differ in this, that the fibres of the Testicles are hol∣low, but the fibres of the Testicles full and substan∣tiall. These fibres are said to come from the sper∣matick vessels, and thence branch themselves forth through the Testicles, by which that part of the seed which is over and above what serves for the nou∣rishment of the testicles, as drawn forth and kept for procreation.

As concerning the Temper of the stones, they would sooner be thought cold then hot, if that Ma∣xime were true, that all white things are cold, and all red things hot. Nothwithstanding, because nature is known to abhor all coldness in the work of gene∣ration; Therefore we must presume to affirme the temper of the stones to be hot, for they always a∣bound with blood, and a pure spirit, that can never be whichout heat: Besides that heat is required for the concoction of this blood; and the changing it into seed; yet is it very temperate, as appeares by the softness of the substance, for as coldness and driness is the cause of hardness, so heat and moisture is the cause of softness.

Nevertheless we are to understand this, that the temper of the stones is not alike in all, for in some they are far colder then in others. And therefore these who have hot testicles are more salacious and prone to venereal actions, having the places neer a∣bout

much more hairie, and their testicles much har∣der then others. Those that have their testicles cold, find every thing contrary.

The greatest heat is in the right testicle, because it receives more pure and hotter blood from the hol∣low veine and the great Artery, the left colder, be∣cause it receives a more inpure and serous bloud from the Emulgent veine.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Actions of Testicles.

THe action and use of the Testicles, is to Generate seed, a gift which they obtaine from an inbred qualitie which nature hath bestowed upon them. For the bloud being received by the spermatic vessels, and there beginning to change it's colour, is by and by received by the deferent vessels, or the vessels which carry the bloud so prepared to the Testicles, where it is for a while contained, and afterwards being car∣ried to the stones is by them made seed, and the last work perfected. And it may with more easiness be af∣firmed, that the seed is generated by the stones, be∣cause every like is said to generate its like; now the substance of the Testicles is very like the seed it self, that is white moist and viscous. Whether the stones are the onely efficient causes of the seed, is not here to be disputed, being onely a nice point, and no way profitable; we shall rather with silence adhere to that opinion, which affirmes the function of the te∣sticles to be the generation of the seed, which is the most likely, and proceed to the next.

CHAP. IX. Concerning the Ʋtilitie of the Testicles and their parts.

THe structure of the Testicles being thus known, It remaines that wee shew you their use. This is first discovered from their situation. For of those creatures that have stones, some have them in their bodyes, as all Fowl, others have them without, though not pendent; others have them hanging downward, as men. Men therefore have their Testi∣cles without their bodys for two causes; first, be∣cause it is required that the Testicles of the male should be bigger and hotter then those of the female, so that it were impossibe for them to be contained with the body, because of their quantity. Besides, the seed of the male being the effective original of the creature, and therefore hottest, it is also required that the seed should be more abundant then could be contained in the Testicles, were they placed within the body; for the seminarie passages must have bin less, and the veines themselves would not have af∣forded such plentie of matter as now they doe.

The motion of the Testicles is also to be considered; by which they move somtimes upward and som∣times downward. The one of these motions which is made upward is voluntary, as being made by the muscles, but the motion downward is a forced mo∣tion, not happening without the laxitie of the mus∣cles; the Testicles through their own weight falling downwards. These muscles are called Cremasteres, their use being to draw up the Testicles to shorten the way for the Ejaculation of the seed, as also to

keep the vessels from being distended too far by the weight of the Testicles.

The use of the Tunicles is now to be spoken of, and first of that which is outermost, and is called by the Latines Scrotum, being the purse wherein the Te∣sticles are contained. It is made to wrinkle it self up and to let it self loose that it may be large enough for the Testicles when they swell with plenty of seed, and to wrinkle up again when the Testicles, being emptied and so becoming less, are drawn upward. The other coates or tunicles also made for the defence of the stones, but so thin and light, that they should not oppress the stones with their weight; that which is called Erythroides hath many veines for the nou∣rishment of the Adjacent parts. The Epididymis, was made to wrap the testicle round about, lest the Humid matter of the testicle should flow about and consequently be wasted.

CHAP. X. Of the vessels that east forth the seed.

THat passage which comes from the head of the testicles to the root of the yard, is called the Ejaculatorie vessel. This, as I said before, rises from the head of the testicles, and joyning downward to the testicle descends to the bottome, and thence being reflexed again, and annext to the preparing vessel, it returns againe to the head of the testicle, from thence it proceeds upward from the Testicle till it touch the bone of the small guts, still keeping close to the preparing vessel, till it pierce the pro∣duction of the Hypogastrium. Thence tending down∣ward through the hollowness of the hip, it slydes be∣tween

the bladder and the streight gut, till it reach the glandulous Prostatae or forestanders, and fix it self at the foot or root of the yard, and there end. It is not all one at the beginning, and at the end, for at the beginning, while it remains among the tunicles of the testicles, it is full of windings and turnings; neer the end it hath many little bladders like to warts.

Now we must understand that these seminarie vessels doe not onely containe the seed, but they per∣fit and concoct it, having a seminifie or seed-ma∣king qualitie, which they borrow from the Testicles. There are other uses of these seminary vessels: for neer the original of this vessel, that is to say, the head of the testicles many small passages, or as it were conduit-pipes, do stretch themselves forward into the body of the testicle, into which the genital seed that remaines is remitted, and also drawn or sucked from those passages; this seminarie passage is at length wound above the testicles, adjoyning all a∣long, but no where incorporated into the body of the Testicle, unless at the bottom, in which place it is thought that the seed doth again insinuate it self in∣to the testicles through those hollow fibres: being thence propagated and continually making supply to the stones.

It is to be noted also, that these vessels while they move to the Root of the yard, do not go by streigth passages, which would be then very short, but by crooked windings and turnings, make the pas∣sages as long as may be, that they may have longer time to containe and prepare the seed.

CHAP. XI. Of the Seminarie bladders.

AT the end of the deferent vessels on both sides, are certain little bladders, knit and joyned to∣gether, and placed between the bladder and the right gut; the last of which, together which the seminarie vessels, is terminated in the prostatae or forestanders by a little channel.

These bladders have two several uses, for they doe not only striengthen the seminarie vessels where they end, but also seem to be the stores and maga∣zines of the seed. They are many, that every time a man uses the act of venerie, he may have a new supply of matter from these several vesicles. Thus that which is next the yard being first disburdened, the second is the next time emptied, and so till all the store is spent; and were it not for these vesicles, a man could not lye which a woman more then once.

In these vessels, such is the propensitie of nature to propagate, let the body be never so much emaci∣ated, there is always found a lesser or greater quan∣titie of seed. They are hollow and round to containe a greater quantitie of seed, they are also full of mem∣branes, that they may be contracted or extended as the plenty of seed requires; they are crooked and full of windings, and turnings, that the seed con∣tained may not easily slip out.

CHAP. XII. Of the kernelly Prostatae, or forestanders.

THe glandulous prostatae or forestanders: are two little testicles as it were seated at the foot of the yard, a little above the sphinctere of the Urinarie vessels, they are wrapt about with a membrane, which doth also cloath the seminarie vessels and ve∣siicles: before and behind they seeme more flat, on the sides they are more round, they have a substance like other kernels, loose and spungie, only they differ from them by reason of their whiteness and hardness; they are endued which an exquisite feeling, to stir up a greater desire of copulation. These Glandulae or kernels have certaine pores that open themselves in∣to the Ureter through which the seed, these fore∣standers being squeezed by the lower Muscles of the yard, distils into the yard.

The use of these kernels is partly to beget an oylie, fat, and slipperie substance, with which the urinarie passage is sometimes anointed, to defend it from the acrimony both of the Seed and Urin, and to keep it always moist.

The other use is taken from the name of Pro∣statae, which word in the singular number signifies a tutor or defender, for they are there placed to pre∣serve and strengthen the ends of the different vessels, lest by over much distention of the yard, the temi∣nary vessel should be either burst or moved out of their places.

They have a third use, for being placed between the bladder and the right gut, they serve instead of cushions for the vessel to rest upon, and to guard

them from all compression: Hence it hapned some∣times that those who are very much bound in their bodies while they strain themselves over-vehement∣ly, do now and then void a kind of seed, which hap∣pens by a violent compression of those parts.

CHAP. XIII Of the structure of the Yard.

THe structure of the Yard is not unknown, that is to say, at the root of the share bone in the hinder part of the Hypogastrion or lower part of the belly, where the hair grows, which bone is called Os pubis. Though the greatest part of it is not pen∣dent without, but adjoyning to the podex is scitua∣ted near the joyning of the share bone, being fast knit to it in the perinaeum, or space between the cods and the fundament; the other part is pendent and is seen hanging outward. This scituation is most appropriated to the manner of the act of generation, usual and peculiar to men, who do not couple after the manner of beasts. The figure of it is in a man∣ner round, though not exactly, broader in the up∣per part which is called the back of the Yard.

The Thickness and Longitude of the Yard is so much as is required for procreation, yet it is not so long as in many other creatures. Yea, and in seve∣ral men there is a very great diversity, little men be∣ing for the most part, best provided in that part; It is also thought, that there is a national difference, as to the bigness of this member; it being a general received opinion, that the often use of Venery doth increase the quantity of it in all dimensions.

The Yard will also be longer, if the Navel strings

are not bound up, or knit too close by the midriffe, in children that are newly born; but at some distance from the navel: This happens by reason of the liga∣ment coming fron the navel to the bottom of the bladder; which if it be too much abbreviated, draws up the bladders, and consequently shortens the yard; but if the navel string be left at a longer di∣stance, the Urac hos is inlarged, and consequently the yard hath more liberty to extend it self, and therefore the midwifes are from hence advertised, that they do not spoil the harvest of Generation, by cutting the sithe too short.

As to the substance of the yard, it is not of a bony substance, as in dogs wolphs or foxes; for so it would become always hard and erected, and hinder men from all business but the act of venerie. Neither is it grisly, for so it could neither erect it self, nor flag, when occasion required; neither is it full of veines, for so it could not be emptied and repleted on such a suddain as often happens; besides that tunicle of the veins are so thin that they could not suffer so great a dissention; neither can it be full of Arteries, because it wants a continual pulsation; neither can it consist of nerves, because they having no hollow∣ness cannot be extended and loosened, as it must of necessity happen to the yard. It is therefore neces∣sary that the yard should have such a substance as is not peculiar to any other part of the body. It is therefore to be understood that there do concur to the framing of the yard, two nervous bodies, the passage for the Urine, which is called Urestua, the glary or nut of the yard, four muscles, the vessels and the skin.

Here doth arise a question, why the yard hath not

any far; which is in brief this; because that there should be no hinderance to the perfect sence of the yard, which could of necessity not be avoid∣ed, if that member were subject to any obesi∣ty; the fat being subject to be melted by frica∣tion.

CHAP. XIV. Of the several parts constituting the Yard.

AMong the parts that compose the structure of the yard, is that skin w^ch with its cuticle, and fleshy pannicle, is common not only to this, but to other members; only it hath this pecu∣liar to it self, that it may be reflexed, and drawn back from the nut of the yard. This skin that turns back is called the preputium; because that part in circumcision was cut away, with which prepuce, the nut of the yard is covered.

The Glans or nut of the yard is a fleshy part, soft, thin, repleat with bloud and spirits; endu∣ed with an exquisite sence; something sharp and acute at the end. This is fastened to the prepuce at the lower part, by a certain ligament, which is therefore called the bridle, or the filet, which commonly is broken in the first venereal assaults, which are for the most part the most fu∣rious.

The greatest part of the yard is constituted by two nervous bodies, on both sides one, which terminate both together in the nut. They rise from a twofold original, leaning or resting up∣on

the hip, under the share bone; whence as from a sure foundation they go on till they arrive at the nut of the yard.

They consist of a double substance, the first is nervous, hard and thick; the inner part black, loose, soft, thin and spungy. It is called the Nervous pipe. These two bodies are joyned to∣gether by a certain membrane, thin, yet ner∣vous, which is strengthened by certain over∣thwart fibers, being there placed in the likeness of a weavers shuttle: and though in their origi∣nal they are seperated the one from the other, that there might remain some certain space for the ureter; yet they are joyned together about the middle of the share bone; where they lose about the third part of their nervous substance.

The interiour substance, which is wrapt about by the exteriour nervous substance, hath this worthy observation, that there appears stretch∣ed through the whole length of it, a thin and tender artery, proportionable to the bigness of the body; which is diffused through the whole loose substance of the yard, reaching as far the root of the yard. Besides these two, there is another body which lies between these two, as proper, or rather more peculiar to the yard then they are. This is a pipe placed at the inferiour part of the yard, being called the Vre∣ter, though it be a passage as proper to the seed, as to the urine; which is encompassed by the two fore-mentioned bodies. This is a certain Chan∣nel produced in length, and running through

the middle of those nervous bodies, consisting of the same substance that they do, being loose, thick, soft, and tender; every way equal from the neck of the bladder to the nut of the yard, saving that it is a little wider at the beginning, then it is toward the place where it ends, which is at the head of the glans or nut of the yard.

At the beginning of this Channel there are three holes; one in the middle, and some∣thing bigger then the other two, arising from the neck of the bladder; the other two on both sides one, being something narrower, proceed∣ing from the passage that goes out of the semi∣nary vessels, and conveighs the seed into this channel.

This is further to be noted in this place, that in the channel, where it is joyned to the glans, together with the nervous bodies, there is a little kind of cavern, in which sometimes either putrid seed, or any other corroding humour, as happens in the gonorrhaea, being collected, is the cause of ulcers in that part, the cause of very great pain; and it many times also comes to pass, that there is a certain little piece of flesh which grows out of this ulcer, that oftentimes stops up the passages of the urine.

To the structure of the yard, there do more∣over concur two pair of muscles, one more short and thick, proceeding from a part of the hip, near the beginning of the yard, and being of a fleshy substance. The use of these two muscles, is to sustain the yard in the erection;

and to bend the fore-part of the yard, which is to be inserted into the womb: the other pair is longer, and rises from the sphincter of the fun∣dament, where they are endued with a more fleshy substance, being in length full as long as the yard; under which they are carried down∣ward, ending at the sides of the ureter, about the middle of the yard. Their use is to dilate the ureter, both at the time of making water, and at the time of conjunction; lest it should be stopped up, by the repletion of the nervous bodies, and so stop up the passage of the seed. They are also thought to keep the yard firm, lest it should lean too much to either side, and also to press out the seed out of the prostatae or forestanders.

There are vessels also of all sorts in the yard: first of all certain veins appearing in the external parts, and in the cuticle; which branch them∣selves out from the Hypogastrion. In the middle, betwen the space of the fibres, they send out certain branches from the right side, to the left, and from the left, to the right. These veins swelling with a frothy bloud and spirit, erect the yard. There are also certain nerves which scatter themselves from the pith or marrow of the holy bone quite through the yard, bringing with them the cause of that pleasure and delight, which is perceived in the erection of the yard.

CHAP. XV. Of the Action of the Yard.

THe main scope of Nature in the use of the yard, was the injection of seed into the womb of the woman, which injection could not be done, till the seed were first moved; nei∣ther could the seed be moved but by frication of the parts, which could not be done, till it were sheathed in the womb, nor that neither, till the yard were erected.

This distension is caused by repletion; which is caused by the plentie of seed: Secondly, by superfluitie of wind, which if it be too violent, is the cause of priapisme: A Third cause pro∣ceeds from the abundance of urine contained in the bladder. Somtimes the heat of the reines is a cause thereof.

CHAP. XVI. Of the use of the Yard in general.

THe Yard is scituated under the midriff over against the womb. And is also placed be∣tween the thighes, for the greater strengthning of it in the act of copulation; Neither is this the only strength which it hath, for at the lower part it appears more fleshie, which flesh is altogether muscly, for the greater strength thereof. Neither

is it only contented with this Musclie flesh, it ha∣ving too muscles also for the same purpose, on both sides to poise it even in the act of erection; which though they are but little, yet are they exceeding strong.

The figure of the yard is not absolutly round, but broader on the upper side, lest it should be hindered by the convexity of the superior part, in the casting forth of the seed.

Concerning the biggness of the yard, it is by most estemed to be of a just length, when it is ex∣tended the bredth of nine thumbs.

CHAP. XVII. Of the use of the parts constituting the Yard.

THe first thing in the constitution of the yard, that offeres it self to view, is the skin, which is long and loose, by reason that the yard which is sometimes to be extended, & som∣times to fall downe againe, so requires it. The extremity of the skin is so ordered, that it som∣times covers the glans, and somtimes draws back; that whilst it covers the nut of the yard, it may defend the yard from frication, or provoking the motion of the seed.

Moreover this skin in the act of copulation, shuts up the mouth of the womb, and hinders the ingress of the cold air. Concerning the two nervous bodyes, constituting the substance of

the yard; their use is for the vital spirit to run through the thin substance of them, and fill the yard with spirits. Moreover by their thick∣nesse, they doe prevent the two hastie empting and flying out of the spirits, which are to stay in, for the greater and longer erection of the yard.

The use of the Ureter is for the passage of seed and urine through it. The substance of the Ure∣ter is much the same with the two former bo∣dys; the inside being more thin and loose, the outside more nervous and thick; which is so ordained, that it may be more apt to be erected with the yard. It goes forward from the place where it begins, to the end of the spermatick vessels, and the neck of the blader, and the warty forestanders where There arises a thin and tender membrane, which the Chirurgions ought to take a great deale of care least they break, while they thrust their siringes toward those parts; It is endued with an exquisite sense to stir up plea∣sure and venereal desire.

As to tbe substance of the Glans, it is the same with that of the yard; only it is not envelop'd with any nervous body. For this ought to be re∣pleted and increased, but not hardened; lest it should injure the bone of the womb, by rubbing too hard upon it.

The figure of the Glans is such that at the top where it is most acute, it hath a hole for the issuing forth both of seed and Urine, which part coming to the mouth of the wombe, casts

the seed into that concavitie, at which time the neck of the wombe with her overthwart fibres, seems to take hold and embrace the glans; and that it might take the better hold, nature hath framed a round Circle at the bottom of the yard, for that purpose, with a convenient jeting out round about from the body of the yard; by the benefit of which circle, the seed is kept in the womb, and not suffered to flye out. Lastly, the Glans is so constituted, as if all the actions of the yard consisted in the Glans; whether in the act of erection, or copulation; or as to the pleasure which a man perceives that lies all in this place.

Notes

• The se∣cond Tuni∣cle.
• The pro∣per Tuni∣cles.
• The origi∣nal of these Muscels.
• The quan∣tity of it.
• The sub∣stance of the Yard.
• The nut of the yard.
• The two nervous bodies.
• Their sub∣stance.
• The Ureter.
• The holes of th•• Ure∣ter.
• Note.
• The Mu∣scles of the Yard.
• The vessel of the Yard.
• The use of the Glans.