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.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the danger that a woman hath, to purge her selfe for the first days of her lying in.

IT is an ordinary thing for women that lye in, by reason of their bed, to loose the benefit of their bellyes, which hinders the evacuation of their milke, which causes fevers, by sending gross vapours to the head, yet can they not bee freed by any purgation taken in at the mouth, but it would be much to the purpose to take pertinent Glisters which hinder the foresaid evills, causing their breasts to become full, and to be come stiff, taking them as ocasion requires, once in two or three dayes. There are some unskilfull women, that not understanding the ill consequences which may follow, who doe give Sene to women in the first days of their lying in; of which some have bin very ill, and others have dyed. For nature is now weakned, by the travaile, and while it is labouring to restore the body to its former Estate, is not to be disturbed with violent purgations. And therfore

Glisters are always most proper. Neither are laxative broths, nor the broth of prunes, nor baked apples fasting for these things doe en∣gender wind, but rather some good supposito∣ries would be more usefull.