If the Child be too big to be delive∣red, especially if it come not from the Womb, it will die there, and the Mother will be in danger if it come forth, she usually dieth of the second or third Child, if she breed them so great. Also when the Child comes cross, or the Orifices, or passages be strait. Many women that have the Secondine growing to them after Travil, do die. If she hath a mole, we shall shew in depraved Conception, what is to be foretold and done for that. In all cases if the strength be abated much, and she faint, bleed, or have a Feaver, it is dangerous.
If these dangers, are feared, we must prevent in time, before the deli∣very, by a good Diet. And nothing must be given to provok, before the last month.
Let her Diet be sparing, and of little nourishment, if she use to bear great Children, and be fat: Let her ab∣stain from Wine, or drink it with water; let her bleed in the middle of her being with Child; and if she be plethorck, let it be done again a while after, and let her not sleep too much.
Presently after Conception, let weak people be re∣freshed with good Diet. Let the Diet be moist and slippery, if the Orifices be strait, and let her use Baths.
In the last month, let things be used to make easie Deliverance, but not before the throws. Let some light things be given then to provoke, especially Baths and Oyntments, to loosen the passages. Increasing their strength by degrees, as the time draws on, and when the throws come proceed to strong expellers of the Child. And at last if the Child be certainly dead, or the Secundine not voided, use the strongest things, such as would have killed the Child, had it been living, and therefore were not to be used before. All these are to be performed in, and before the Birth, either by the Husband, or the Mother, or the Midwise, or by the Chyrurgion, or by the Physitian; by remedies taken, or applied.
Many teach, and it is agreeable to reason, that if a man use his wife often, a little before, or in time of the Birth, the Labor will be easie, and she will be more lightsome.
Travil is quickned by the help of the Mother, if she stand up often and walk in the last month up a hill, especially at the time of dilivery.
The endeavor of the Mother is very necessary, for nature cannot do it alone, therefore she must strain and contract the Muscles, as when she goes to the stool. And when she perceives her pains coming, being taught by the Midwife, that her delivery is at hand, (for she must not be forced before, least the Child be delivered without the Secundine, as I shewed. She must hold her breath, strain and contract the Muscles of her belly, to expel as much as possible, and the Midwife with others, must exhort her thereunto. And let her be put upon a stool that is hollow, and that will not keep the Rump from going back, and so let her lean backwards. Or if more force be required, let her stand up and lean, or be held up by the Arms. If fatness hinder, let her Face be down towards the ground, to her Knees. And let her take large steps when she is wearied with strai∣ning, and knock her Feet upon the ground; And if the Secundine be retained, or the Child come not, let her stamp strongly, that she may be delivered, as Hippo∣crates shews of the Tire-woman. Also pressing of the belly will help the throws, with both Thumbs below the Navil, and the Hands upon the sides, by a strong woman. And the same is good to bring forth the Secundine after delivery.
Also Neesing causeth strong, though short straining by attracting of the Muscles of the Belly, especially if the Mouth be a little stopped and the Nose.
Let the Midwise take half of the Child when it first begins to appear, and draw it gently forth by degrees pressing the upper part of the Belly. But if it lie deep and be turned, let her put in her Fingers or Hand, being anoynted, and place it right with the Head down∣ward, and gather the Limbs together.
If these succeed not, and the Midwise perceive the Child dead, let a Chyrurgion enlarge the Orifice with a Speculum Matricis: And if so it cannot be taken forth, let him pul it out with Instruments, or cut it out by pieces.
When all hope is gone, some do so, and keep the Mother alive. The bladders that appear in the Belly, as I shewed, when a Child is rotten, through which the Child may be seen, of which I am an Eye witness, gave occasion I suppose to this way; which none at∣tempt while the Child is alive, except both be des∣perate. It is more safe and honorable when the Mother is dead, and the Child alive, to cut it out by opening the Belly; by which means many have been preserved, and Caesar was so called, because he was cut out of his Mothers Womb, and thence this birth is called Caesa∣rian. Also we dilate the Privities to let out the Child, with an Incision Knife. But it is dangerous to open the Orifice of the Neck of the Womb by Incision. And it may be unprofitable, because it hath the same larg∣ness with the passage.
There are also things given to open, and stir up the faculties which provoke Terms, and expel the birth; the weakest first, after stronger, and then strongest which may hurt the Child; when dead, or when the Secundine is retained.
The stilled water of Savin, Mugwort, Mullein, Orris, white Lillies, and Chamomil.
And these boyled in Wine, Pennyroyal, Mugwort, Savin, Beans, Wall-flowers.
Or this Decoction: Take Dittany half an ounce, Birthwort, Madder, Cassia barks, of each two drams; Mug∣wort, Pennyroyal, Savin, of each one handful; Lavender, Chamomil, Wall-flowers, of each one pugil; Cinnamon