Platerus golden practice of physick: fully and plainly discovering, I. All the kinds. II. The several causes of every disease. III. Their most proper cures, in respect to the kinds, and several causes, from whence they come. After a new, easie, and plain method; of knowing, foretelling, preventing, and curing, all diseases incident to the body of man. Full of proper observations and remedies: both of ancient and modern physitians. In three books, and five tomes, or parts. Being the fruits of one and thirty years travel: and fifty years practice of physick. By Felix Plater, chief physitian and professor in ordinary at Basil. Abdiah Cole, doctor of physick, and the liberal arts. Nich. Culpeper, gent. student in physick, and astrology.

CHAP. IX. Of the Defect of Bringing forth Children, or other things.

The Kinds,

THere is a Defect of natural excretion by which a Woman sends forth, at a fit season, either a Child or a deformed Mole.

The Birth is Defective when it is difficult, as it may be preternaturally, and naturally. Or when it is not at its time appointed by nature, or before it; or when part thereof remains behind.

Birth becomes difficult and painful, when it is Natural when the Child is ripe, and the Woman hath foregoing signs, by which she is provoked to hold her breath, and press the Muscles of the belly, as in o∣ther digestion: All which are increased when the Child comes forth. Also after birth some pain re∣mains called after-pains: of which seeing they are na∣tural to the bringing forth, we shal speak in the hurt of that Function rather than in pains.

Somtimes Travail is not preterna∣tural from some impediment and so with more difficulty and slower as is mentioned; in which great pain af∣flicteth with straining, heat, and sweating, when the Child sticks cross in the passage (where the Midwife may feel it) or when the Hand or Foot hangs out and not the Head (for when that comes first, the birth is easie) Hence it is that either the Mother or the Child often dies.

It is said to be no Birth when the Wo∣man goes beyond the natural time, which is usually the tenth month (though the seventh month be also allowed) and there is nothing brought forth, though the Child be ripe, or there be a mole. And then she falleth to sounding, which kind of fainting is here most deadly, through pain, labor and bleeding. Also shee hath her throws at the time, and seems to be fit for Travail, and is so disposed by the Midwife, and her Urin breaks from her, as is usual in that condition. But all these cease, and no birth followeth. And if they return not, the Child is dead, and putrifies, and breeds Feavers, and Faintings, and so infecteth the body, that the Mother dieth, as ma∣ny have done (especially one who went five months beyond her time with a dead Child, and a stinking flux, with the Navel-string hanging forth, before she died) which so infected, that the Womb and Child were black and very stinking when shee was opened. And when the Mother lived shee had somtimes cleer blad∣ders about her Navel, which signified putrefaction, through which the Back-bones of the Child were seen, and taken forth after they brake.

This causeth death as we shewed, if it be not speedi∣ly voided; and may be before the Child is perfect, and then it must be cast out presently, and it is easily done while it is little; but when it is great, there is, as we said, want of birth. As also if there be a false con∣ception or Mole, which the sooner it is cast out, the less is the danger, therefore when we are certain there∣of, if nature be slow, we help her with Medicines.

The Child is known to be dead if the Mother feel no motion, which shee formerly felt, and the belly is stil big (which often deceiveth by the Terms reteined, and these breaking forth it suddenly falleth flat) about the flanks. And if the Womb be cold and the Paps which were swollen, grow lank, At length, if it conti∣nue there followeth water, matter and filth, and pieces of the secondine hang out, there is a Feaver, Heart∣pain, and Swounding. We shal shew in depravate Conception when there a Mole and no Child, and how you shal know it.

The Birth is imperfect when the Child is voided and the Secondine remaineth whol or torn, growing to the Womb, or stopped; and causeth great danger of a Feaver, or sudden Swounding, or Death.

The Causes.

The Scripture witnesseth that natural diffi∣culty of Travail was caused by original sin, from Eves fall in Paradise, for which the Crea∣tor was pleased to inflict pain in Travail. Yet let us shew some natural cause of both, why it should be natu∣rally or preternaturally defective or imperfect: which is either from the greatness of the Child, Situation, or weakness, or form of the Womb, having three orifices or from streightness of the Neck thereof.

When a Child ready to be delivered, is great (as when it can no longer be contained in the Womb, but seeks ano∣ther mansion and Diet) in respect of the passages, the Delivery cannot be without pain, though it be natural. And the rather when the Child being great by the Father, is born by a little Woman which brings forth with great danger alwaies. As also when there is monstrous Conception, or many at once.

There is also either no birth or very hard, when the decent roundness of it is changed, by breaking the coats, and flowing of water, whereby the Child comes not forth with the Head first, but the Feet, or lieth cross, or when the hands or feet which were close to the sides are stretched out.

And in regard the strong Throws of the Mother are required in Travail, the more couragious the Woman is, the ea∣sier is the Delivery, so they that are weak, as very young and old Women, and such as are weak-spirited and fearful, dul and sloathful, are tired out and in great danger.

If the Vessels by which the child wrapt in Membranes with a cake of flesh in the middle clea∣veth to the Womb be not ripe, they are unfit to be divided, like the stalks of unripe Apples, without tearing and force, and bleeding, (nor doth bleeding after birth, which is ordinary, come from this cause as shal be shewed) And then they growing together, and being forced be∣fore the time, the birth is more difficult, with pain, and bleeding, and Inflammation of the Womb, sometimes with a Feaver, and danger of life: The same symp∣tomes follow when the Secundine, remaineth fast, ei∣ther being whol or rent. And also after a fall, stroak, or taking of a violent medicine, there is untimely birth. Or from the violent usage of the Midwife taking these pains for Throws, they do often provoke with great danger of life. And some I have known die of the ••ame, and some I have cured. These pains of the Womb go before Throws in many, for which they send for the Midwife which increaseth them, but should rather use hysterical means to mitigate them, for these pains do rather hinder the Throws than further them.

Sometimes there is difficulty and impossibility of bringing forth from the Orifices of the Womb within and the neck without, and the cleft of the Privities, through which the Infant must pass. It is also no wonder if there be hard Travail when the inward orifice of the womb is so streight when the Woman is with Child, that nothing can pass in or out, and the orifice of the neck of the womb with∣out, is no larger than to receive the yard, and they both must be so inlarged as to let the Infant pass through. And the more when they are by nature straiter and harder, as in those who have not of a long time had Children, and old women, which all have hard delivery. Or if they be drier, in regard the water which moisten the passages is spent.

The Infant may stop in the Privities when they are too strait, or short, be∣cause they cannot be enlarged as the orifices and swel as they do in Bitches: in Women the Privity is alwaies of the same largeness, as shal be shewed in Conception.

Also the straitness of the neck of the womb to the Privities is the cause of hard Labor, although it be large yet it must be stretched to let out the Child, and this stret∣ching causeth pain, then (as Rondeletius supposeth) the separating of the Secundine from the Matrix: he was mistaken in thinking that Travail was without pain when the Secundine remained fast. For we shew∣ed, that if the time be come, that wil separate without

pine. And I have often observed that the pains con∣tinued when the Secundine remained. Also there fol∣lows bleeding from the opening of the Menstrual Veins in the Neck of the Womb, which is stretched, as in the time of the Terms. And that part of the Neck suffers not where it lieth under the bones of the Privi∣ties, in a strait place, which also containeth the strait Gut. Although it be larger in Women then in Men; by reason of the loosning and Relaxing of the Grisles which joyns the bones, and the going back of the Rump; except the Woman be strait and short loyned, being of little stature, and then the difficulty will be increased. And also when the strait Gut is ful of Ex∣crements, or the Rump pressed in by sitting.

They report that fat women especi∣ally about the Womb, have hard Tra∣vil, though experience teacheth the contrary; neither is there any fat in the Womb, or its Neck. And that fat which is without in the Belly cannot hinder, except it be by making them more heavy, or slow in the time.

The Cure.

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

three drams, Saffron one dram; Boyl them in white Wine.

This is stronget: Take Birthwort, Sowbread, of each one dram; Savin, Tamarisk, of each two drams: Boyl them in wine, drink it at once or twice.

These juyces are good, of which you may make this Electuary to be given in Travail: Take roots of Eli∣campane, Comfrey, Marsh-mallows, of each three ounces; five leaved Grass, Bittony, Hysop, of each one handful; bruise them, and clarifie the juyce with Sugar and with Cin∣namon, make an Electuary: Let her take two spoon∣fuls thrice in a day, in the morning, before supper, and at bed time.

Or give juyce of Savin, Mugwort, and Leeks, and of Sowbread alone, or with wine.

Let these Pouders be given with wine, or waters mentioned, or with Sugar made into Lozenges.

Take the bark of Cassia Fistula, white Dittany roots, of each one dram; Cinnamon half a dram, Saffron one scru∣ple.

Or thus: Take Lavender seeds half a dram, Plantane and Endive seeds, of each two scruples; Cinnamon, Pepper, of each one scruple: Saffron half a scruple,

The yellow tops of the Chives, of white Lillies, are good to be drunk, the Italians steep them in Oyl, in the Sun, and drink that.

One dram of Amber, is good when there is a Flux of blood from the retention of the Secundine, to stop one and expel the other.

Or this Pouder: Take Pouder of Date stones and Harts∣horn, Canes of Cassia, of each one dram; Peach kernels one ounce, Cinnamon two drams, Sugar one ounce: Let her take two or three spoonfuls, and drink convenient wa∣ter afterwards.

This is stronger: Take Borax one dram or four scru∣ples, Cinnamon, Crocus, of each one scruple; Ginger half a scruple, give it with Cinnamon water, or Sack, or with Confection Alkermes, in a Bolus; in the greatest weak∣ness.

Another: Take Borax, Myrrh, Birthwort, of each half a dram; Saffron, Pepper, of each one scruple: Mak a Pou∣der.

These are good to expel a dead Child and the Se∣cundine, Chymical Oyl of Amber, Camphur, Savin, anoynt the Navil with a little, and give four drops in white wine. Some commend a Medicine made of the wrappings of the Child. Let the Midwife dry the Navil string and Vreter in a Oven, and to two drams of the Pouder, add Cinnamon and Pepper, of each half a dram; Saffron half a scruple: and with juyce of Savin; make Troches: give two drams in Pouder alone, or with other Pouders.

Rondeletius teacheth, that the Secundine so burnt and given, cureth the after pains.

Also one dram, or one and an half of the Troches of Myrrh, or Gallia Moschata, are given with Sage, Wine, or made into Pills.

These Pills of bitter and stinking ingredients are ve∣ry efficacious: Take Galbanum and Mirrh, of each one dram; round Birthwort, Dittany and Gentian, of each half a dram; Castor and Assa Faetida, and Saffron, of each one scruple; with juyce of Savin: make Pills, give from half a dram to a dram.

Cassia and Tryphera loosen the Belly and cause easie deliverance thereby: And purges that are sharp stirre up the expulsive faculty of the womb also; therefore to avoid Abortion we give no strong purges.

There are divers Restauratives to preserve strength, which are useful in the throws, and to refresh them for Labor: both for Diet and Medicine. Confection Alkermes is Cordial and stirs up the faculty. It is given with wine and Borax. Or: Take the Ponder of Diamargariton Calidum, and Diamoschu, of each half a dram; give it with wine or water, or make Lozenges thereof.

Fumigations and sents below, peirce into the womb and are good if made of very stinking things, let them be directed into the womb, by a Funnel.

Of sweet scents: Take Labdanum one dram, Storax half a dram, Musk and Amber grease, of each half a scruple; Sugar a dram: Make a Pouder, or Troches to be laid upon Embers.

Anoynt the Orifice of the Neck of the womb with Oyl of Spike, or put it in with bread.

Also the fume of Amber, or Horse, or Asse hoofs is good.

Or: Take the Pouder of an Asses hoofe, and mix it with Horse grease, and burn it.

Or: Take Galbanum, Myrrh, Asphaltum, of each half a dram; Castor one scruple, and with the Gall of an Ox•• Make Troches, burn them.

Dioscorides commends the fum of Brim-stone, if the Child be dead.

The fume of the Decoction of Dittany and Mugwort doth the same.

Sweet scents are applied to the Nose to refresh, nor may you fear the rising up of the Womb, because it is otherwise, as I shewed in the Sunocation of the Womb.

You must put into the womb things that relax and make it slippery, and that provoke excretion.

Of loosning things, this Decoction is best: Take Marsh-mallow roots one ounce, Linseed, and Fenugreek, of each half an ounce; Savin three drams; Boyl and strain, and add one ounce of common Oyl or Butter, or use Oyl of Chamomil, or of sweet Almonds, by injection; or Oyl wherein Fenugreek hath been boyled, with Oyl of Flower-de-luce, or Cream.

Or thrust greasie wool into the Womb, dipt in But∣ter, Honey, Mucilage of Lin-seed and Goos-grease, with a little Saffron.

Also dip wool or Spunge in juyce of Leeks, Saffron, and Myrrh.

Or thus. Take Galbanum, Opopanax dissolved in Vi∣negar each three drams; Myrrh two drams, Saffron half a dram, with Oyl of Orris make a Pessary.

If the Child be dead, use juyce of Peny-royal, lesser Centory, Leeks, Mercury.

Or a Pessary of Dittany root, or of Madder, or Bri∣ony green, and anonyted with Oyl.

Or Take Mercury bruised with Parsley as much as will make a Pessary, Nigella seeds, and Sowbread roots each one dram; fil a little bag therewith.

A stronger. Take Agarick two drams, Birthwort and Asa∣rum roots, each one dram; Coloquintida (which openeth the Veins very much) one scruple, Myrrh three drams, juyce of Mercury boyled with Honey to a Syrup, make Pessa∣ries in Bags.

We inject things to suppurate the Secundine if it come away, that it may come forth like matter, and this may be done without hurt to the Womb, for Na∣ture separates the corrupt parts from the sound, of her self.

Thus. Take Starch one ounce, dissolve it in the De∣coction of Mallows and Lin-seed, adding two yolks of Eggs, and Turpentine dissolved two drams, inject often, adding Honey, also to clense, Basilicon dissolved in Milk, or Com∣mon Oyl is an ordinary ripener.

Also Aegyptiacum when we know the Secundine is

rotten by the matter that comes forth, is good with Lie to clense and cause nature to expel it.

Suppositories help by loosening the belly. And pricking nature to increase the Throws, because they are neer the Womb; especially Clysters, they work better than any outward applications.

Baths are to be used often in the last month to loosen the passages, when a Woman is used to have hard Tra∣vail; made of Wormwood-water, or the Decoction of Loosners, and let the belly be anoynted with Grease, Butter, or Oyl.

If shee sit in such a Bath in the time of her Travail, or foment the Privities therewith, it will dilate and help.

If we desire chiefly to loosen make it thus. Take Lillies, Briony roots green, each half a pound; Marsh-mal∣lows, Mallows, Pellitory, Coleworts, each one handful; Lin∣seed and Faenugreek, each half an ounce; Chamaemel and Melilot each one pugil; boyl them for a Bath to sit in, or a Fomentation. Or take one pint thereof, and with Honey, juyce of Mercury, Hiera, make a Clyster.

If we wil urge forth the Child or Secundine. Take fresh roots of Briony half a pound, of Dittany and Birthwort, each two ounces; Pennyroyal, Savin, Rue, Mugwort, each one handful; Lupines, Bay and Juniper berries bruised each two ounces; Lavender flowers three pugils, boyl them in Water, add Wine, let it be used as the former. Or make a Clyster therewith as the former Clyster.

It is good to bring forth the Secundine, if you dip a Cloth in the Decoction of Birthwort, Pennyroyal, Sa∣vory, made in Wine and apply it to the belly.

If you use no Baths, wash the Legs and the Thighes with the former.

Anoynt after bathing, the lower part of the belly, and the Privities, and the Loyns, and Rump.

A loosning Liniment. Take Oyl of Lillies, Wall∣flowers, Dil, Butter, Goose and Hens grease, Mucilage of Lineseed and Faenugreek each one ounce; with Saffron half a dram.

The Resumptive Oyntment wil do the same.

Provoke the Child with this. Take Oyl of Wall-flowers and Rue, each two ounces; Juyce of Savin and Mug∣wort, each one ounce and an half; juyce of Leeks half an ounce, boyl them till the Juyces are consumed, add Myrrh and Gabanum dissolved in Vinegar, each half an ounce, liquid Storax one dram, roots of Asarum, Birthwort, Sowbread, each one dram; Cinamon half a dram, Saffron one scruple, with Wax make an Oyntment.

Emplasters work stronger, applied to the Navel and Share. This is best, Green Leeks, and Polipody each half an ounce; Birthwort one ounce, Mugwort, Coleworts, Or∣gan, Tansie, Savory, Orris leaves, each one handful; stamp them, with one ounce of meal of Lupines, apply it like a Cataplasm, and renew it when it is dry.

Also Cupping-Glasses, Frictions, Ligatures to the Thighs and Feet, draw down and hasten the Birth.

The Vulgar commend Amulets in difficult Travail, which though they have no strength, yet because they encourage the woman, may help.

A Snakes Skin about her middle is most commend∣ed.

And Saffron about her neck, And a Load-stone in her hand.

Also the Eagle-stone, bound to the Thigh or soal of the Foot.

VVe shall not mention superstitious words and looks, and the giving of some things to be chewed by the Husband before they be applied.

Notes

• A natural dif∣ficult Birth.
• A preternatural difficult Birth.
• Birth hin∣dered.
• Imperfect Birth.
• Sin.
• Greatness of the Child.
• Evil position of the Child.
• Weakness of the Mother.
• The Vessels connexi∣on not divided in the Womb.
• The inward orifice of the Womb.
• The outward orifice of the neck strait∣ned.
• The straitness of the Privi∣ties.
• The straitness of the neck of the womb.
• Whether fat can cause hard Travail.
• A Praediction.
• The forewar∣ning and Cure of difficult Tra∣vil.