The way to cure a Mole in the Belly of a Woman, is to prevent it, and to expel it before it grow too big. For then it is dif∣ficult and dangerous, by reason of great bleeding which it causeth.
VVe use preventions, when we know women have had them, before they conceive, or use man; you must labor to know which seed is imperfect by considering both con∣stitutions, and if both be out of health, to prescribe them a good Diet, and convenient Medicines.
The woman must be let blood, if there be Plethory, and purged, If there be superfluous. Humors or evil, and the womb strengthened, and the rather if the Disease come from the weakness, and want of natural heat in the womb, which cannot conveniently cherish the Seed conceived. Those are prescribed in Barrenness and Whites, and other Diseases of the womb, Among which hot Baths are ex∣cellent.
VVhen a Mole is bred of Seed, as we shewed in the Swelling of the Belly, we must hinder its growth, and la∣bour to expel it. But we must not use violent Medicines before we know the certainty of a false Conception, and only take away a little Nourishment by Blood-letting, and so hinder the growth, and purge away other filth, with which Nature may discharge the Mole also; and we not fear thus doing to cause an abortion, if it should be a true Conception; for many women with child have been safe∣ly purged, and had Diarrhae's; because Nature is not so ready to cast forth things Natural, as unnatural which are burthensom.
But if we are certain that it is a Mole, by many tokens, such as women have formerly had in the same. Or if the time of delivery be past, and the swelling and hardness re∣maineth, then we must give, and apply, put in, and inject into the womb, things that may expel it. And open the passages. All which we must first attempt with the same things that we provoke terms with, and then with those that expel a dead Child and Secundine; and use a Mid∣wise, if it appear, and need be to use manual Operation. Or if all fail, we must make Incision into the womb at the belly. All these Operations are shewed in the want of Terms, and difficulty of Travail.
The Taeniae or long Membranes, whereof one is broad, called the broad Worm, the other made of many Joynts called the Gourd-worm, a third is round like other worms, if they grow in the thin Guts, which is seldom, they lye very long, and being they are not cer∣tainly known, they are neglected.
But if they be suspected to be there, from stretching, heaviness, and great appetite, then they must be expelled, and kept from breeding again. And the rather because they seem monstrous, like Serpents.
They are cured thus: Before they breed, the matter must be diverted that breeds them; and cleansed. But when they are bred and grown to the Guts, you must use strong Cleansers to take them off, and Purges. It is need∣ful to give things against worms, though they have neither life nor sense, as worms have. The Diet and Medicines must be as follow.
The Chyle must be made moderate and thin, like Milk, by taking away the increase and clamminess thereof, and by cleansing it, that it stick not, and this will keep them from breeding. It must be such as was ordered in the Cure of Worms, by eating Garlick, Nuts, bitter and sharp