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 narrowness of the neck of the Womb.

THis narrowness is either of the Womb it self, or of the orifice of the Womb; the signes are the stoppage of the Courses, followed with a depressing and weighty paine. The cause is partly natural from the nativity, and partly varies according to the differences of the dis∣ease: the difference is in this, it hapning some∣times that this streightness consists in the exte∣rior orifice, whereby neither the flowers have free passage, neither can she enjoy coition, or conceive with child, because she cannot re∣ceive either the man or the seed. Sometimes the narrowness is in the interior orifice of the Womb, into which the flowing retires back a∣gain, to the absolute hindrance of conception; sometimes it is occasioned by way of compres∣sion, when the Caul being fatter then ordinary lies upon the neck of the Womb. Sometimes the splaying of the thighs, stone in the blad∣der, or some tumor in the streight gut. Some∣times it happens by the clinging of other parts together, which happens either from the birth, and then either the flesh which appears red, and is soft to the touch intercepts the passage; or else the membrane which seems white feels hard being touched. In the cure of this the use of moist fomentations is very prevalent, and an insection is to be made perpendicular∣ly,

great care being taken for feare of hurting the neck of the bladder. The humour is next to be provoked forth, and a Tent dipt in some suppurating plaister is to be put up; the next day it is to be washed with water and honey, and cicatrizing plaisters to be applied; if it come after the birth, it is either occasioned by an ulcer, and then either the sides of the neck cling together, in which case either incision or cauterization is to be used, or else there is a brawnie substance which is to be cut away with a penknife; or else some spungie & luxu∣riant flesh, in which case drying and discussing Medecines are to be used, as Birthwort Frank∣incense, Myrrh, and Mastick; afterwards you may apply things to eat it away; and last of all to cut it away by incision.