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 windy Tumours in the Breasts.

THe flatuous tumor of the breasts is caused by a thick vapour which rises from the menstruall blood which is retained or corrupted in the Matrix. The causes of which are, first the suppression of the flow∣ers; or when the flowers are not discharged into their proper place, and in their proper time; as al∣so from the corruption of the humours by which are ingendred divers bad fumes and vapours; for this being received into the breasts cause a disten∣tion much like a true swelling. The signes by

which it is known, is the pain w^ch it brings along with it, which is sharp and pricking, causing a di∣stention of the part. The heart is not a little out of order, by reason of the windinesses which lie so neer it: and commonly the left breast is most swoln, communicating its pain to the arm, shoul∣der and ribs of the same side. And these signes dif∣fer from those of a Canker; for in this distemper the breast is white and shining by reason of the distention; and if you touch it, it sounds like a Drum. And if you presse it with your hands, you wil finde that it is sweld in all parts alike, and not in one more then another. This is cured first by a good order of diet, taking little victuals, whereby crudities may be avoided that do afford matter to the obstructions, and increase windinesse: for which cause she must also drink little, & that, wa∣ter boyld with Cinamom, Anis-seed, and rinde of Citrons. The next remedy is by using things which are good to provoke the courses, [among which use this receit; strein Selandine stampt into posset-ale, and drink it four dayes before the new moon, and four dayes after.] And it will not be amisse to let blood three or four times in the year, about the time that the courses ought to begin. For by this means you may provoke the flowers, & hinder the increase either of a Scirrhus, or of a Canker; to which purpose, bathes, frictions, and infections are not a little to be used. In the next place, you must prepare the humours that foment this windinesse both in the Matrix, and in the veins, and that by syrups which do expell flegme

and melancholy: after which you must purge your patient; for which purpose you may take of the leaves of Sene three ounces, Anis-seed one scruple; let them boyle in foure ounces of Borage water; vvhen it is streined, infuse into it Confection Ha∣mech vvithout Scammony, Colloquint, and Ca∣thol. Dupl. Rheo. of each an ounce and a halfe; when it is streined, dissolve in it one ounce of syrup of Roses solutive: this potion must be given two hours before eating. You may also use this gentle Apozem: Take of the root of Tamarinds, Cypress, Bugloss, of each an ounce and a halfe, flowers of Borage, Epithymi, Sen. of each halfe a handfull, flowers of Balme one handful, Raisins one ounce, Prunes in number twelve, boyle them in a sufficient quantity of vvater: and then in a pint of the vva∣ter dissolve foure ounces of the syrup of Violets; make of this an Apozem clarified according to Art, and sweeten it vvith a sufficient quantity of sugar, giving four or five ounces at a time. In the next place, you may use Topicks to attenuate and re∣solve; to vvhich purpose you may bathe or soment the breast vvith a sponge dipt in Lye, and then lay upon it a linen cloth dipt and moistned in Aqua∣vitae, and dried in the shade; or else dipt in fresh butter that hath boyled a good while, or in oyle of Lillies, or in oyle both of the root & seed of Ange∣lica; or you may foment the breast vvith this De∣coction: Take Wheat-bran two handfuls, leaves of Dill and Melilot of each halfe a handfull, Anis-seed, Fenell and Cumin-seed, of each two drams, Camomill flowers one halfe handfull; boyl

all these in a sufficient quantity of water and white wine, and let them boyle to the consumption of the third part. In this decoction you may wet a sponge, and wash or foment the breast therewith. After you have fomented the part, you may put this ointment upon the part affected: Take oyle of Lilies & Elder, of each an ounce and a halfe, of the best Balsam halfe an ounce, powder of burnt lead unwasht, Anis-seed one dram, and as much Wax as is sufficient.

Of the watry tumour of the Breast.

THe watry tumour is ingendred by a thick and watry flegme gathered together in great abun∣dance in the breast and parts adjoyning: and it happens many times that this watry and flegmy substance is not alwayes gathered to one particu∣lar place, but also diffused through all the parts of the breast, which causes a generall swelling in that part. This swelling (that we may define it) is a loose and soft tumour without much pain, yeeld∣ing to the touch and pressing of the fingers, so that the hole which is made by the pressing of the fin∣gers remains a pretty while after; yet it soon be∣comes painful, if there be any acrimony joyned with it; or if there be any distention by reason of the press of vapours to that part. This often∣times happens by reason of the suppression of the courses; sometimes it is occasioned by reason of a clear and watry flegme which discharges it selfe upon these parts. This swelling is easily distingui∣shed

from other swellings by reason of the loos∣nesse and softnesse thereof, and by the pain which is alwayes lesse then in other swellings: and in this kinde of tumour the pain ascends up to the arms and shoulders, and the whole breast is alto∣gether swoln and raised; and this pain comes at certain times, chiefly when the flowers ought to come down, which being once come down, the pain diminishes, by reason that the woman is then throughly purged. Yet notwithstanding there doth remain some certain kind of swelling, which happens not in the windy tumours, by reason that the purgations of the flowers do totally dissipate the matter of those swellings. These flegmy tu∣mours do easily turn into Cankers, and are there∣fore to be diligently looked after. As to the cure of these tumours, there is required first an orderly diet, which must be drying, her bread must bee well baked and leavened, dried Raisins, parched Almonds, Asparagus, rosted flesh, and small birds. Before meat she may take a little hony of Roses upon a wafer cake. For her drink, let it be the de∣coction of Anis-seeds, China root, Sassafras, and Sarsaparil. If the retention of the flowers be the cause of this evill, let her then use rather boyled then rosted meats, and then let her boyle them with Sage, Betony and Hysop. All meats made of milk are dangerous, as also sleep after dinner, and unleavened bread.

You may in the next place use things to divert the humor, as frictions and baths: if her flowers are suppressed, let a vein be opened in the feet. Next

after you have prepared the humor by the use of syrups, as those of Mint, Worm-wood, Hysop, Licorass, Maidenhaire, hony of Roses, with fenel water, water of Hysop, Marjoram, Rosemary, Be∣tony, Mint, then may you use some purges with those pils called Sine quibus, Agarick pils, and Cochie-pils. If the patient be strong, and not to be worked upon by weak Physick, you may then add two or three grains of Diagridion, or Alandaal Trochisques; these pils are to be used for eight days, half a dram at a time. Another way may be by topicks, to attenuate and resolve: for which pur∣pose the fomentations specified in the foregoing chapters may be very fitly used, being prepared with Vine ashes, or figg-tree ashes, whereto a little Vinegar may be put; though the use of things that drive back the humour are not here to be used; you may also rub and chafe the brest with this Oint∣ment; take of Oyl of sweet Almonds, Oyl of Line seed, of each one ounce, ganders grease of each half an ounce, with a little Diachylon instead of Wax; a plaister of great Diachylon would not be amiss in this Disease; if the Woman feel any paine or heat in her breasts, let her anoint them with Oyl of Roses, a little burnt lead, and a little white wax; or with a little Oleum Omphacinum, and oyl of sweet Almonds tempered together in a mortar. In the dispersing and resolving of the humor you may use baths of alum and sulphur prepared with the decoction of Hysop, Mint, and Sage, and after that such ointments as are most approved for the same purpose, alwaies taking heed of too boiste∣rous

Remedies: if you would suppurate or mature the swelling, you must use such Remedies as we have described in the following, and fore-going Chapters, the strongest of which you may here ap∣ply, because the matter is more obstinate and tena∣cious, mingling with them for that purpose other more effective Remedies, as are the Roots of Mal∣lows, marsh mallows, lillies, figgs, goose grease, and the like; when the sore is opened, you must tend it after the same manner as is before rehearsed There are other Remedies either to be taken in∣wardly, or to be outwardly applied, which serve to fortifie and comfort the stomack, as to take eve∣ry morning a spoonful of conserve of Rosemary, preserved Orange, or trochisques of Aromaticum: Rosatum, Diagalanga, or diacuminum.

Of the kernels in the Breast.

THe kernels of the breast are little round bo∣dies soft and thin, like a sponge, which some∣times grow hard by reason of the phlegmie humor which is sometimes purely so, and sometimes is mingled with other sharp & acrimonious humors But sometimes it comes to passe, that not only the kernels of the breast are swollen; but also that there do grow others which ought not to be there which may not unfitly be termed a kind of the Kings-evil, being a swelling which proceeds of thick flegme, or else of a thick mattrie blood hardned under the skin; they are caused many times by the detention of the flowers, the bloud

often times mounting up into the breast.

The cure of these is undertaken two waies; by softning the hard tumor, and preventing the Can∣ker; and then also a strict diet is to be observed, which must be moderately attenuating, & by keep∣ing themselves warm, which is performed by moderate exercise before meales, as also by using sulphury bathes; but ful Diet, ease, idleness, and meats of hard digestion are very dangerous; and indeed in all respects beside, the cure is the same as is set down in the foregoing Chapter. But if the kernel be swelled up with a sharp humour, those topicks are to be used that are prescribed also in the foregoing Chapter: onely in case the fluxion remain any time, you may mingle those things which do a little more refresh; such are oyl of Ro∣ses, and oyl of violets. When the flux of humours ceases, you may then add oyl of Camomil, and Lillies, and other such like things, to dissolve and dissipate the humor. If you find that this kernel is become a kind of Kings Evil, you must then use stronger Medecines; adding to the forementioned purgation a dram and a half of the root of Mecho∣acan, or three drams of Diaturbith. For topicks you may use such as do soften and dispel, but such as are stronger then these we have expressed in the former Chapter. You must at length when all other waies do fail, use the operation of the hand to take away the root of the disease; but this is not to be done til you have used all other means to soften and dispel the humour, which may perhaps be done by the use of Diachylon, or

by a plaister of Melilot, to which you may adde halfe an ounce of Ammoniack, an ounce of Oyl of Lillies, and an ounce and a half of the root of Flower deluce of Florence; neither may this fol∣lowing Plaister be amiss: Take of the roots of Althea two ounces, boile them and straine them, and add to that oyl of Lillies, Ganders grease, of each an ounce, burnt lead, and roots of Iris, of each an ounce and a half; mingle all these together, and make of them an Emplaster: if this avail not, the operation of the hand must be used, in which the skil of the Chirurgion must be very able, and ready.

Of the Scirrhus of the Breasts.

THe Scirrhus of the breasts is a hard swelling without pain: Of this there are two kinds, the one ingendred of a Melancholy, and produced by a feculent and grosse blood, or else from a thick flegme; now this exquisite Scirrhus is with∣out paine, in which it differs from the other; The other is not so exquisite an hardnes, perhaps be∣cause it is not yet come to its ful maturity, or else because it hath certain other humours mixt with it. This exquisite kinde of Scirrhus is in∣gendred, either because the spleen is obstructed, and cannot purge away the melancholy blood, which for that reason abounding in the body discharges and empties it self upon the breasts; or by reason of the suppression of the courses, which causes the feculent and grosse humor to disgorge it self upon

the breasts, gathering together in the Veins and flesh of the same. Many times the ignorance of the Chirurgion is the cause of it, when they apply an unreasonable company of refrigerating medicines to the inflammations of the breast, or too many re∣solving and heating medicines to it in case the breasts be over hard. This Scirrhus is known by its hardnesse without pain, from the unevennesse of the body, and the colour of the part either in∣clining to black or brown. Now though the cure of these hardnesses be something difficult, yet is there great hopes that they may be overcome; which is to be done two wayes, by mollifying di∣ligently that which is hard, and by taking that a∣way which remains hard and knotty in the breast. And first of all care is to be had to keep good or∣der of diet; to which purpose she must use whea∣ten bread, reare egges, pullets, capons, partridge, veale and mutton, which must be boyled with Spi∣nage, Bugloss and Borage; she must abstain from Beefe, Venison, Hares flesh and Brawn, from Pease and Beans, and unleavened bread, from all salt and smoked meats; as also from all things that have a sharp biting quality; also she must abstain from all care & sadness, immoderate exercise and going in the winds. If the monthly courses be stopt, you must seek to provoke them gently, which may be done by letting blood in the foot, or to let blood with hors-leeches; in the next place, it will not be amisse to purge well with Sene and Rheubarb, to which you may adde Catholicon, or Triphera Persica, if you find that the disease needs a more

strong purgation. Between every purge it will not be amisse to take good cordiall and comfortable things, as confection of Alkermes, Triasantalon, Electuarium de gemmis, conserve of the roots of Borage, conserve of Orange flowers. You may af∣ter all this use Topicks, that is to say, such medi∣cines as heat and dry moderatly, being hot in the second degree, and dry in the first; such are sheeps grease, especially that greasie substance that grows upon the flank of a sheep, wax, oyle of sweet Almonds, oyle of Camomil, oyle of Dill, Capons grease, Goose grease, Hogs grease, Bears grease, &c. Veale marrow, Dears marrow, emulsi∣ons of Mallows, Lillies, and other things of more force, as liquid pitch, liquid Storax, Galbanum, Cumin seed, Rue seed, Broom flowers, and Dill seed. If this swelling come of a hard flegme, which is known because it yeelds not so much to the touch as the other; you must use the same topicks to this, as to the watry tumour before rehearsed. If melancholy be the cause of it, you may use a fo∣mentation of the leaves of Mallows, and Marsh∣mallows, of each a handful and a halfe, of Fenu∣greek and Lineseed of each two drams, Cucumbers, Bears foot, of each two ounces; boyle them in as much water as is sufficient, and foment the breast with this twice or thrice a day. After that take this ointment: take of the root of Mallows one ounce, when it is boyled and bruised, take it out, and add to it sheeps grease, and Capons grease, of each two ounces, and with a little Wax make an ointment. This you may use for some few dayes, after which

you may, if need require, use this ointment: Take Hysop leaves, Dill leaves, and thyme leaves, of each half a handful, roots of Mallows, and Fenu∣greek seed, of each half an ounce, boyl them in as much wine and vinegar as is sufficient, til halfe be boyld away; then take of the aforesaid vinegar, Goose grease, Ducks grease, and the marrow of the leg of a Hart, of each two ounces, boyl it to the consumption of half the vinegar; you may add to this two drams of Diachylon, and make it into the form of a plaister: You may also use for this purpose plaisters of Melilot, or Oxycroceum. At length if all remedies faile, the operation of the hand must be the last succour, which we leave to the Chirurgion.

Of the Canker in the Breasts.

THe Canker is a venemous tumour, hard and very much sweld, hot and durable, more exas∣perated oftentimes by remedies then asswaged. The Canker proceeds from a feculent and grosse humour, vvhich being gathered together in the spleen, is chased away from thence after it growes too hot; vvhich vvhen Nature cannot void, it most commonly in Women empties it self upon the breast, by reason of this cavernous and spongy na∣ture: the matter of it is a hot melancholy blood, and it is known by the crooked vvinding, and re∣torted veins that are about it, stretching out long roots a good vvay from it, being sometimes black∣ish, and sometimes inclined to black and blew. It

is soft to see to, but it is very hard to the touch, ex∣tending the pain as far as the shoulders. It wil some∣times remain for two years together, no bigger then a bean; afterwards it grows to be as big as a nut, then to the bigness of an Egg; and after that increasing daily to a larger size. When the skin breaks, there issues out a great deal of pestilent mat∣tier thin and blackish, and having a very bad smel. The ulcer it self is very unequal, the lips & orifice thereof being sweld with hardness, and inverted; a light fever possesseth the body, and often swoon∣ings. And many times the pestilencie of the humor having corroded a vein, there issues out a great deal of blood. If the canker be ulcerated, or in any inward part of the body, no medicine can prevail; for remedies do more exasperate then help it. To burn it with iron is pestilent; and if it be cut with a penknife, it returns again as soon as it is but skind over. But if it be an exulcerated canker, (which is easily known, & arises from a more sharp matter, for then the flesh is corrupted, sending forth a very noysom mattier, being very irksom to the sight, and accompanied with a gentle Fe∣ver, and swooning, and issuing out of blood;) The cure of this is to be done by drying & refrigerating medicines, or by incision to the quick, & expression of the corrupted blood afterwards; after which the wound must be wel cleansed; for which purpose the powder which is called Hartmans blessed powder, is very prevalent. The diet must be of meats that moi∣sten & refrigerate, blood-letting also is profitable, as also preparatiō of the humor w^th the juice of sweet

smelling Apples, and extract of Ellebore, and of∣ten purgation with Lapis Lazuli pills; and particu∣larly if the Canker be not ulcerated, you may apply this ointment: Take Litharge one ounce, beat it in a marble mortar with a leaden pestle, incorpo∣rating into it two ounces of Rose water and oyle of Roses. In case the pain be great, use this reme∣dy; Take white poppy-seed one ounce, oyle of Roses four ounces, Henbane-seed and Opium of each a dram and a halfe, gum Arabick halfe an ounce, a little wax, of which you may make an ointment. If the Canker be already ulcerated, take this water: Take of the juices of Nightshade, Hous∣leek, Sorrell, Scabious, Honysuckles, Mullein, Fig∣wort, dropwort, Plantain, Linarum, Agrimony, of each halfe a pound, juyce of green Olives one pint, the flesh of Frogs and river Crabs, of each a pound and a half, the whites of six Eggs, Alum three ounces, Camphire one dram; let all these be distilled in a leaden Limbeck, & with the distilled water foment the part affected. Take also Alum as much as a Nut, Hony two peny worth, red wine a pint, seeth them together till the fifth part be spent, strein it through a cloth, and wash the Can∣ker therewith.

Of the greatness of the Breasts.

THe greatness of the breasts is very unsightly, the cause of their greatness is often handling of them, store of windy vapours, and retention of the monthly courses; the cure of them is not to be

neglected, because the lesser the breasts be, the less subject they are to be cankered; they are cured by diet first, wherein the use of astringent meats is to be recommended, so that they be not windy by repercussion of the humors and bloud which flow to that part, such are the juice of hemlock, and the anointing of the place with partridge eggs: or you may use this following cataplasm; Take of the juice of hemlock three ounces, of white lead, Aca∣cia and Frankincense, of each three drams, of Vinegar one ounce, mingle all these together, to which you may add powder of spunge burnt, a∣lum, burnt lead, Bole Armoniack, and of these with a sufficient quantity of wax and myr∣tle make a very profitable ointment. Thirdly, by the discussion of that which is gathered toge∣ther in that part; for which purpose you may make an ointment in this manner; Take of the mood or lome found in molis Tonsorum, two ounces, oyl of myrtle one ounce, Vinegar half an ounce; or thus, take of the same lome and Bole Armoniack, of each an ounce, white lead two drams, oyl of ma∣stick two ounces and a halfe, of the emulsion of henbane-seed one dram and a halfe, anoint the breast with this, and then upon that put a li∣nen cloth dipt in the decoction of Oke Apples. 4^ly By compression of the part, which is done by using a kind of plate of lead upon the breast an∣ointed within side with oyle of Henbane-seed.

Of the defect, abundance, and coagulation of the Milk.

THe defect of milk arises from a double cause; for either it is a defect in the blood, which is dried up by reason of some hot maladies of the body, either through intemperancie of the Liver through fasting, or too much evacuation. If the deficiency of milk come from these causes, it may be increased again either by prepared chry∣stal; the leaves also, root and seed of Fenel do a∣vail much in this particular, and the powder of Earth-worms prepared and drunk in Wine, as also the Electuary called Electuarium Zacuthi. There is another cause which proceeds from the Lactify∣ing quality, which is many times so weak, that it can neither attract nor concoct the blood, by rea∣son of some outward refrigerating and astringent qualities, or by reason of some other diseases. The cure of which being looked after in their re∣spective places, much conduceth to the restoring of that defect. The redundance of blood proceeds from too great a plenty of blood, and a strong la∣ctifying quality. In the cure of which the increase of blood is to be impeded, which is done by dry∣ing up that humor, and diversion; to which blood-letting conduceth much: Medicines also that drive it back are to be put upon the breasts to∣ward the arms; to which purpose Hemlock boyld in Chervile water and vinegar, avails.

Curdling of the milk is, when the thinner part

of the milk exhales, and the more grosse and heavy part stayes behinde, which many times is the cause of tumors, kernels, and Apostems. In this case the infant is not to suck the part affected; though that breast is also to be suckt, for fear lest the milk which is newly generated should be curdled and knotted by that which is there already, and so that part of the coagulated milk may be hindered from putrifying. To the dissolving of the milk it much conduceth to wash the breast with water, wine and vinegar mixt together, as also a Fo∣mentation made of the decoction of Marsh∣mallows, Fenugreek, and melilote, and then a∣nointing them with a liniment of Oyl of Ro∣ses, Oyl of sweet Almonds, juice of Parsley, and Vinegar, wherein let the gall of a Hare be first dissolved. Hemlock water in this case al∣so is not a little commended.

Of the Diseases of the neck of the Womb: and first of the Disease called Tentigo.

TEntigo is a Disease in Women, when the Clitoris increases to an over-great mea∣sure; the subject of this disease is the Clitoris or nervous peece of flesh which the lips or wings of the privities do imbrace, and which suffers erection in the act of venery; the signes of it are evident, for it hangs below the orifice of the privity as bigg as the neck of a Goose, the causes hereof are a great concourse of hu∣mours

or nutriment, by reason of the laxity of it, which happens by often handling. The cure is performed by the diminution of the bloud, and drawing out of the other humors. A slen∣der and refrigerating dyet is also necessary, and such things as have a discussive faculty, as the leaves of Mastick tree, and the leaves of O∣live tree. In the next place, by taking away the excrescence; to which purpose gentle cau∣sticks may be first applyed, as Alum, and the Aegyptiac oyntment, and that lye whereof sope is made, being boyled with Roman Vitriol, to which at last you may add some opium, and form the composition into Trochisques, which being afterwards made into a powder, is to be sprinkled upon the fleshieexcrescence: at length the flesh is to be cut away, either by binding hard, or by section, care being taken that you avoid an inflammation.

There is another disease which is called Cau∣da, which is a carnous substance proceeding from the mouth of the womb, which sometimes fils up the privy parts, and sometimes thrusts it self outwards like a tayl. The cure of this is the same with the former; onely if it come to section, it may be done either with a horse∣hair, or a silken thread wound about it, being first dipt in sublimate water; or else with a knife.

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.

Of Wheals, condylomas of the Womb, and of the Hemorrhoids.

THe Wheals of the VVomb are certaine risings in the neck of the womb, which by their acrimony excite both paine and itching. The signes of them are an itching, paine, and fall of scurf from that part, for the better search∣ing of which the instrument called speculum Matricis is to be used. The cause of this are certain cholerick, sharp and adust humors, and thick, which falling upon these moist and loose places do there easily make their way. The cure depends upon the consideration of the

causes: Among the preparing Medecines sy∣rup of Fumitory is much commended, and Cichorie with a decoction of Lupines. To∣picks also are useful that discuss and mitigate the humor, as baths, and insessions, and the wa∣shing of the place with wine and Nitre, which is often to be used. These wheals are divided into gentle, and venemous, which are said to be contagious; they are to be washed in a water thus made. Take of Aloes the quantity of a pea; of the flowr of brass the quantity of half a pea; powder these, and mingle them in an ounce of white wine, Plantain-water, and Rose-water, of each an ounce, which is to be kept in a glass vessel.

Condylomas are certaine swelling wrinkles in the neck of the Womb, with pain and heat. There is no need to tel the signes of these, for they are apparent to the eye; the wrinkles are like those which appear in the hand when you close the fist; but are much bigger when the courses flow: they are caused by adust and thick humors; some of these are with an infla∣mation, which have more paine and heat, and the swelling is hard: In the cure of which you must use insessions, and fomentations that ease paine; sometimes they come without any in∣flammatiō, which if they be new come are to be dryed up; if they be old, they are first to be soft∣ned, afterwards to be digested and dryed up; for which purpose you may use powder of Egg∣shels burnt, or this Ointment: Take of the

Trochisques of steel one dram powderd, mixt with a little Oyl of Roses, and wax, with half an ounce of the juice of Mullein; if this profit not, the warts are to be shaved away with a knife, and an astringent powder laid upon them.

Hemorrhoids of the VVomb are little protu∣berances like those of the fundament, produced in the neck of the womb through the abun∣dance of feculent blood; the subject is the neck of the womb▪ for where the veins end, there do grow these extuberancies, just as in the He∣morrhoids.

The signes are evident, and easily seen by the help of the Speculum Matricis: the women who are thus affected look pale, and are trou∣bled with a weariness.

The cause is a Feculent bloud, which flow∣ing to these veins before its season and setling there grows thicker, so that it cannot pierce the orifice of the veins. They are cured by a revulsion of the humor, first by letting blood in the arm; secondly, by drawing it to another part, as by letting blood in the heel. Sometimes these Hemmorrhoids are very pain∣ful, and are distinguishd from that menstruous effuxion, by the pain which they bring: they are cured by mitigating and asswaging inses∣sions; as also by opiates carefully applyed. O∣thers are without pain, to which the foresaid Remedies may be applied.

Others are open, and do sometimes run mo∣derately,

and then nature is to be let alone; or violently, so that thereby the strength of the person is impaired, in which case a vein must be opened in the arm two or three times; pur∣gation is also to be used by Myrobalans, Tamarinds, and Rheubarb; and at length you must apply those things which cease the blood.

Others are termed blinde, out of which there issues no blood; they are cured by blood-let∣ting; the part is to be also softned and foment∣ed with things that soften and open the orifi∣ces of the veins, and dispel the humor; such are an Ointment made of the pith of Colocynthis, and Oyl of sweet Almonds, or the juice of Ca∣pers mixt with Aloes; neither is the applying of Hors-leeches amiss.

Of the Ʋlcers of the neck of the Womb.

THe signes of these Ulcers is a paine, and perpetual twinging, which increases, if any thing that hath an abstersive quality be cast in; the issuing out of putrid humors, and mattier with blood, if the Ulcer be great, or the flowers come down; often making water, and the water hot; as also a paine in the fore part of the head toward the roots of the eyes; as also some kinde of gentle Fe∣ver.

The cure of this is hard, because of its being in a place of so exquisite sense, and moist, and

having such a sympathy with other parts of the body; for the easing of the paine, Chalybeated milk is very much conducing; & to the drying of them up, drying baths are the best and most prevalent Remedy. These differ much, coming either from external causes, as rash physick, hard labour, and violent coiture: or from in∣ternal causes; as the corruption of the secun∣dines, the courses reteined, and the uterine flux, a virulent Gonorrhea, the pox, inflammati∣ons turned into Apostemes, Humors flowing from other parts of the body, and there setling; all which must be duly considered in the cure; Others are in the outward part, and may be easily come at with medecines: others deep, and must be come at only with injection; for which purpose use this following.

Take whites of four Eggs, beat them wel, and put to them an equal quantity of Rosewa∣ter, and Plantain-water as much in quantity as they come to, Camphire, Ceruse, Litharge of gold, and Bole Armoniack, of each a little quantity, green Copperas half as much as of a∣ny of them, beat all to powder, mix it, and strein it through a cloth, and make your injection til the part affected be whole; and if there be any paine, sometimes inject a little new warm milk.

Others are more gentle, with a little stinking mattier flowing from them. For the cure of which gentle abstersives are profitable, as hony of Roses with Barly-water, whey with sugar,

and the decoction of Lentils: after these gentle astringents must be applied. Others are sordid, with much mattier flowing from them: In which case stronger medecines must be appli'd. Others do eat into the flesh, having a colour'd green & stinking mattier flowing from them. For the cleansing of which Aloes and worm∣wood are very much commended, or the fore∣said injection.

There are another sort of ulcers little and long, which eat the skin of the neck of the womb; they are known by the pain and blood which they produce immediatly after congres∣sion; they are seen also by looking into the neck of the womb, being much like Child∣blains that come upon the hands in Winter-time. They are caused divers wayes, either by a difficult lying in, or by a violent coiture, and cured by an astringent Clyster: or they are produced by some inflammation, or Flux of sharp humors; purgations are here needfull, before Topicks be applied, among which is much commended the grease that fries out of wooden ladles, much used in Kitchins, being held to the fire; as also the ointment called Po∣mada.