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.

SECT. III.

CHAP. I. Of the signes of Conception.

HAving thus shewed you the Anatomy and use of the parts, it will be requi∣site to discourse of the conception it self, which is the main and chief end of these vessels: And first of the signs of con∣ception.

The signes of conception on the mothers side, are certaine and apparent; first, if after she hath had the company of her husband, she hath recei∣ved more content then ordinary.

Pains in the head, vertigo, dimness of the eys; all these concurring together, portend concep∣tion; the apples of the eyes decrease, the eyes themselves swell and become of a dark colour, the veins of the eyes wax red, and swell with blood, the eyes sink, the eye-brows grow loose, various colours appear in the eyes, little red pimples rise in the face, the veines between the nose and the eyes swell with blood, and are seen more plain; the vein under the tongue looks gree∣nish,

the neck is hot, the back-bone cold, the veins and arteries swell, and the pulses are obser∣ved more easily; the veins in the breast first look of a black colour, but afterward turn yellowish, the teats looke red; if she drink cold drinke, she feeles the cold in her breast, she loaths her meat and drinke, she hath divers longings, but her naturall appetite is destroyed: continual vo∣mitings follow, and weakness of the stomach, sower belches, wormes about her navel, faintness of the loynes, the lower part of her belly swell∣ing, inward griping of the body, the retention of the seed seaven dayes after the act of copula∣tion; after which act there is a cold and trem∣bling, which seizes the external members; the attractive force of the womb increases, the womb dries up. It is also a certain sign of con∣ception if the Midwife touching with her finger the interiour neck of the womb, shall find it ex∣actly closed, so that the point of a needle will not go between: the womb waxeth round and swels, the flowers cease to flow, for the veins through which they come down, carry the bloud to the nourishment of the birth; the thighs swell with some pain, the whole body grows weak, and the face waxes pale; the Ex∣crements proceed slower out of the body: the Urine is white, a little cloud swimming at the top, and many atoms appear in the Urine. Take the Urine of a woman and shut it up three days in a glass, if she have conceived, at the end of three days there will appear in the Urine certain

live things, to creep up and down. Take also the Urine of a woman, and put it in a bason a whole night together, with a clean and bright needle in it, if the woman have conceived, the needle will be scattered full of red speckles, but if not, it will be black and rustie.

CHAP. II. Whether she have conceived a Male.

IF she have conceived a male childe, the right eye will move swifter, and look clea∣rer then the left. The right pap will also rise and swell beyond the left, and grow harder, and the colour of the teats will change more suddain∣ly. The milk will increase more suddainly, and if it be milked out and be set in the Sun, it will harden into a clear mass, not unlike pearl. If you cast the Milk of the woman upon her Urine, it will presently sink to the bottom. Her right cheek is more muddy, and the whole colour of her face is more cheerful; she feels less numness: The first motion of the child is felt more lively in the right side for the most part upon the six∣tieth day. If her flowers flow the fourtieth day after conception. The belly is more acute to∣ward the navel. As the woman goes she always puts her right leg forward, and in rising she eases all she can her right side sooner then her left.

CHAP. III. Whether she have conceived a Female.

IF she have conceived a Female the signs are for the most part contrary to those afore∣said.

The first motion is made most commonly the nintieth day after conception, which motion is made in the left side; Females are carried with greater pain, her thighs and Genital members swell; her colour is paler, she hath a more ve∣hement longing. Her flowers flow the thir∣tieth day after conception. Girles are begot of parents who are by nature more cold and moist, their seed being more moist, cold and liquid.

CHAP. IV. Of the Conception of Twins.

IF a woman have conceived twins, the signes thereof appears not till the third or fourth moneth after her conception; and then it will appear by the motion of the Infant, and by the extraordinarie swelling of her belly. As to the motion, it is plaine that she doth beare twins if she perceive a motion on the right and left side at the same instant, which she perceives more quick and violent. As for the greatness of the belly, if the woman perceive it bigger then at

any other times of her being with child, as also if the two flanks be swelled higher then the mid∣dle of the belly; if there doe appeare, as it were, a line of devision from the navel to the groine, making a kind of channel all a long; if the woman carrie her burden with more then ordinary paine: These are commonly the signes of twins.

CHAP. V. Of false Conception.

VVOmen doe oftentimes deceive them∣selves concerning their conception; for they doe many times beleive themselves to be big with child, when it is nothing else but ei∣ther the retention of their flowers, which doe not fall down according to their accustomed periods of time, or else that which is called the Moon-calfe, which is a lump of flesh, for the most part like the guisern of a bird, greater or lesser, according to the time of its being there, which is most commonly not above foure or five months.

Of moles there are two sorts; the one is called the true mole, the other is called the false mole. The true mole is a fleshie body, filled with many vessels, which have many white, green, or black lines, or membranes; it is without thought, with∣out motion, without bones, without bowels, or entrailes; receiving its nourishment through

certaine veines; it lives the life of a plant, with∣out any figure or order being engendered in the concavitie of the matrix, adhearing to the sides of it, but borrowing nothing of its substance.

Of the false mole there are four sorts, the windie mole, which is a conflux of wind; the watrie mole, which is a conflux of watrie hu∣mours; the Humorous mole, which is a conflux of various humours; the Membranous mole, which is a thin bag filled with blood. All these four are contained in the concavity of the womb.

These moles are somtimes engendered with the Infant, though they do oftentimes cause the Infant to die, either because it doth deprive the Infant of that nourishment, which goes from the infant to the encrease of that, or else because it hinders the growth and perfection of the Infant. The cause of the fleshy mole doth not always proceed from the mother, for the man doth often contribute to the encrease of it, when the seed of the man is weak, imperfect and barren, or though it be good, if there be too small a quantity of it, which after it is mingled with the seed of the woman, is chok'd by the menstrual bloud, and so not being sufficient for the gene∣ration of the Infant, instead thereof produces this little mass of flesh, which by little and lit∣tle grows bigger, being wrapt about in a caule, while nature strives to engender any thing ra∣ther then to be idle.

It happens also when the woman during her

monethly purgations receives the company of her husband, her body being not yet purged and void; or else when the woman lies with a great desire and lust with her husband, after she hath conceived, or when she hath retained her monethly courses beyond her time.

The windy mole, is engendered by the weak heat of the matrix, and the parts adjoyning, as the liver and the spleen, which engender a quan∣tity of winde, which fix in the concavity of the matrix.

The watry Mole, is engendered of many con∣fluences of water, which the womb receives, either from the speen, or the liver, or the parts adjoyning, or else from the weakness of the li∣ver which cannot assimulate the bloud which is sent thither, for the nourishment of the thing contained in it; part whereof turns into water, which cannot be voided, but remains in the womb.

That which is called the Humorous mole, is engendered of many moist humours, serosities, or the whites, or certain watry purgations, which sweat forth from the menstruous veins, and are contained in the concavity of the ma∣trix.

The Membranous mole, is a skin or bag, which is garnished with many white and transpa∣rent vessels, filled up with bloud: This being cast into the water, the bloud goes out, and the membrane is seen only to gather like a heap of clotted seed.

False Conception hath many signes, com∣mon with the true conception; as the supres∣sion of the flowers, depraved appetite, vomit∣ings, swelling of the belly, and of the breasts; so that it is a hard thing to distinguish the one from the other: only these that follow are more properly the signs of false, then true concepti∣on. For in false conception, the face is or∣dinarily puffed up, the breasts, that at the first were swollen, afterwards become every day more then other softer and lanker, and without milk. In fine, the face, the breast, the arms, the thighs and groynes grow lank and meager: The belly waxes hard, as happens to those who are troubled with the Dropsie, and almost of an equal roundness; with many prick∣ing pains, at the bottom of the belly, which have scarce any intermission; which is the cause that they can hardly sleep, being encombered with a heavy and dead burthen. It may be known also by other signs, for in the con∣ception the Male Infant begins to move at the beginning of the third moneth, for the most part, and the female at the beginning of the third or fourth moneth, now where any moti∣on happens, the woman ought to observe whe∣ther she have any milk in her breasts or no, if she have milk in her breasts, it is a sign of true conception, if she have not, it is a sign of a false one. Besides, in true conception, the mother shall perceive her child to move on all sides, of∣tner though to the right flank then to the left,

sometimes up, sometimes down, without any assistance; but in false conception, although there be a kind of motion, which is not enliven'd that proceeds from the expulsive faculty of the mother, and not from the mole. The mother shall also perceive it to tumble always on that side she lies, not having any power to su∣stain it self; beside as she lies on her back, if any one do push gently downward the burthen of her belly, she shall perceive it to lie and rest in the place where it was pushed, without re∣turning thither: Beside that which will confirm it more, is, when after the end of nine moneths the woman shall not come to her travel, but that her belly still swels and is puffed up more and more, all the rest of the parts of the body growing thin and meager, this is a sign of a mole, notwithstanding that many women have been known to go ten or eleven moneths before their delivery.

The signs of the windy mole are these, when the belly is equally stretched and swelled up like a bladder, more soft then when it bears the fleshie mole, and especially near the groynes, and small of the belly; if it be struck on, it sounds like a drum; sometime the swelling decreases, but by and by it swels more and more; the wo∣man feels her self more light, it is engendered and encreases swifter then the fleshie mole, or the watry, and it makes such a dissention of the belly, as if one were tearing it a sunder: For the watery and humorous mole, the signs are

almost the same; the belly increases and swels by little and little, as the woman lies upon her back, the sides of her belly are more swelled and distended then the middle, or the bottom of the belly, which grows flatter then, by rea∣son that the water and the humours fall down to the sides of the belly, moving up and down on the belly, as if there were a fluctuati∣on of water there.

This distinction is more to be observed in the watry mole, that the flank and thighs are more stretched and swollen then the humoral, because that the waters flow thither oftentimes, and that which comes forth through natures conduite, is as clear as rock water, without any ill savour: but that which flows out in the humoral distem∣per is more red, like water wherein flesh hath been washed, and is of an ill savour. This is al∣so to be marked in false conception, that the flowers never come down, and the navel of the mother advances it self little or nothing, both which happen in true conception.

There are besides these above written, cer∣tain other tumours which the women do take for moles. These occasion a rotundity and swelling in the belly, which are not discovered till the woman be opened, and then there doth appear, though the body of the womb be clean and neat, without any thing contained in it, at one or both corners of the womb, a quantity of water, contained as it were in little bags; in others are to be seen a heap of kernels and su∣perfluous

flesh clustered up together in the womb, which cause it to swell. Yet in these women it hath been observed, that their pur∣gations have been very regular, which hath been a sign that the womb it self hath been in good temper.

There is also another excrescency of flesh, which may be termed a pendent mole, which is a piece of flesh, hanging within the inner neck of the womb, which at the place where it is fa∣stened, is about a fingers breadth, still increasing bigger and bigger toward the bottom like a little bell: This flesh hanging in the interior neck of the womb, possesses the whole orifice of the privy member, sometimes appearing outward, as big as the fist, as hath been observed in some women. Of the cures of all these we shall treat in due place.

CHAP. VI. How women with childe ought to go∣vern themselves.

IN the first place she ought to chuse a tempe∣rate and wholsome air, neither too hot nor too cold, nor in a watry and damp place, nor too subject to fogs or winds, especially the South winde, which is a great enemy to women with childe, causing oft times abortion in them. The North winde is also hurtful, engendring Rhumes and Catarrhs and Coughs, which do of∣ten

force a woman to lie down before her time. Likewise the winds which carry with them evil odours and vapours, for these being sucked with the air into the Lungs, are the cause of divers diseases.

For her diet she ought to chuse meat that breeds good and wholsome nourishment, and which breeds good juice, such are meats that are mode∣rately drie, the quantity ought to be sufficient, both for themselves, and for their children, and therefore they are to fast as little as may be, for abstinence unless upon good occasion renders the child sickly, and tender, and constrains it to be born before its time, to seek for nourishment, as the over-much diet stuffs it up, or renders it so big, that it can hardly keep its place.

All meats too cold, too hot, and too moist, are to be avoided, as also the use of salads and spiced meats; and the too much use of salt meats, are also forbidden, which will make the childe to be born without nails, a sign of short life. Her bread ought to be good wheat, well baked and levened. Her meats ought to be Pigeons, Tur∣tles, Phesants, Larks, Partrige, Veal, and Mutton. For herbs she may use Lettice, Endive, Bugloss, and Burrage, abstaining from raw Salads: for her last course she may be permitted to eat Pears, Marmalad, as also Cherries and Damsons; she must avoid all meats that are diuretick, and provoke urine, or the termes, and such meats as are windy, as Pease, and Beans. Yet because there are some women that have such depraved

stomachs, by reason of a certain salt and sower humor contained in the membranes of the sto∣mach, as that they will eat coles, chalke, ashes, cinders, and such like trash, so that it is impos∣sible to hinder them; to such therefore we can only say thus much, that they ought to forbear as much as in them lies, assuring them that such trash does not only endanger their own health, but the health of the childe. Yet if they cannot command that depraved appetite, let them so provide, though it be by giving some small satis∣faction to their depraved longings, that they do not hasten any further inconvenience; for though those strange meats be very contrary to nature, yet the strange desire that they have to them, does not a little avail to the disgestion of them. For her drink, let it be small Ale, though now and then a cup of pure wine does not amiss, to comfort the stomach and the parts dedicated to generation.

Her time of sleep is best in the night, for the concoction of those meates which she hath eate in the day time: she must avoid, by all meanes, the sleeping after dinner; she may sleep full out nine houres; her sleeping beyond that time is prejudiciall.

She may exercise her self moderately, for vio∣lent exercise loosens the Cotyledons, through which the Infant receives his nourishment: the riding in coaches is forbid especially, for the last three months.

She ought to avoyd great noises, as the noise of Guns, or great bels.

Laughing, crying, if it be immoderate, is ex∣tremely hurtfull, as also immoderate anger.

In the first four moneths she ought not to lye with her husband, for that shakes and moves the fruite of her womb, and causes the flowers to descend; she must also abstain in the sixth and eight; but in the seventh and ninth it is not de∣nyed, and is thought to facilitate the delivery.

She ought also to keep her body soluble, which if it should come of it self, she must take loosing syrups to help nature; Assoon as ever they perceive themselves to be with child, they must lay a side their busks, and not straighten themselves any way, for feare of hurting the fruit of their womb, by not giving it its full liber∣tie of growth.

CHAP. VII. How women ought to govern themselves, in the time of their going with childe.

FIrst, that her breasts, after her delivery, may not grow bigge, and swell over-much; as also to a void the danger of two much blood, which being converted into milke, may chance to curd and breed some disease in the breast: Therefore as soon as she perceives her selfe

with child, let her cary about her neck, a small neck-lace of gold, though some do more esteem of a neck-lace of steel, or a little ingot of steel, to hang between the two breasts: you may also fo∣ment the breasts a quarter of an hour every morning, with the distilled waters of sage, perwincle, or ground-Ivy, making them first luke warme: when the third or fourth moneth of her time is come, and that she perceives the Infant begin to move, about which time the belly be∣gins to swell, and to grow big, she may swathe it with a linen swath-band, which she may anoint with some convenient pommatum; this keeps the belly smooth, and from wrinkles, and from hanging down like a tripe.

She may use this liniment, or Pommatum.

℞ the gall of a kidd, and of a sow, of each ℥iij. capon greass and goose greass of each an ounce and an halfe; cut these into little peices, and melt them in an earthen dish, putting therto as much water as will suffice to keep them from burning; then straine it through a linen cloath, and afterwards having washed it in faire water, untill it be very white, add to it of the marrow of a redd deare, about an ounce, then wash it againe in rose water, or some other water of a good sent, and anoint the swath-band there∣with.

Or this,

℞. of the grease of a dog, and the fat of mut∣ton, which is about the kidnyes, of each two ounces; the fat of a whale, about an ounce; oyle of sweet Almonds, about an ounce and a halfe; prepare the greases as above-said, then mingle them with the other things, and wash them in rose water, as before.

Some women that are loath to grease their bel∣lyes with these oyntments, doe carry the skin of a dog, or else the outward and thin pilling of a sheeps skin; take the skin of a dog ready drest, for the making of gloves; wash it a good many times in faire water first, and afterward in rose water, then drye it in the shade, and moisten it in the foresaid oyles.

Take this one more Liniment.

℞. a quarter of a pound of fresh butter, well washed in faire Water; of rose water, and of oyle of sweet Almonds, an ounce; of the seed of a a Whale, half an ounce; melt these altoge∣ther, and anoint the belly. These oyntments are to be kept in a Galley-pot, covered over with rose water.

The woman having attained the ninth moneth of her time, and still continuing these oynt∣ments, she may now begin to use more exercise, walking gently before dinner, for the first twelve or fifteen dayes of that moneth; after∣wards

she may use a more strong exercise, that is for the eight or ten next dayes. In the first days of this moneth it might not be unprofitable to be bathed in the following decoction, for the space of a quarter of an houre, and being after∣wards put to bed, to let her selfe be well rubbed, and afterwards anoynted with some good oynt∣ment all about the navill, along the Os sacrum, and the bone of the small guts, and all about her hips and thighs.

You may use this Bath.

℞ of Mallows, marsh-mallows, mother-wort, of each two handfuls; roots of Lillies, three ounces, of Camomil and Melilot flowers, of each a good handful; the seed of Line, Quin∣ces, and Fenugreek, of each an ounce; boyl all these in fair water to make a decoction, and for a half bath.

You may use this Oyntment.

℞ Hens grease, three ounces, the grease of a Duck, an ounce and an halfe, oyle of Linseed, an ounce and an half, fresh butter, two ounces; melt all these together, and then wash them well, either in pellitorie water, or in the water of mugwort, adding thereto two ounces of the muscilage of Marsh-mallows.

If the woman all her time doe complaine, that she feels little or no motion of the child, let

her carry upon her navel this following quilt, which will give strength to the Infant.

℞ powder of Roses, red Corral, Gillow-flowers, of each three ounces and an half, seed of Angelica, two drams, Mastick, a dram and an half, Ambergrease, two grains, Musk, one grain; put all these in a sack of fine Linen, and quilt them together for the use aforesaid. Thus much is to be observed by women with childe, that are in health, and have no other diseases hanging upon them: but of the other diseases incident to women with childe, we shall take a time hereafter to treat.

Notes

• Signs of concepti∣on.
• Concepti∣on of a Male.
• Concepti∣on of a Fe∣male.
• Conception of Twins.
• False Con∣ception.
• Several sorts of Moles.
• Of the false mole.
• Sign of moles.
• The windy mole.
• The watry mole.
• The mem∣branous mole.
• The signs of false concepti∣on.
• The pen∣dent mole.
• Her Diet.
• Of Long∣ing.
• Her sleep∣ing.
• Her exer∣cise.
• Other pre∣cepts.
• Precepts concerning the breasts.
• Concern∣ing the belly.