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. II. Of the Falling and Sticking forth of Parts.

The Kinds,

THe Falling and Sticking forth of Parts is preternatu∣ral, although they be not quite separated from the Body, because they are removed out of their place, out∣wardly. Those Stickings forth of parts which come from Fractures, or Dislocations, because the parts are not then in another place or out of the Body, but only stick out, and so cause a Deformity, are shewed in the Diseases of De∣formity.

When a part is removed and yet not fallen off, as when the Guts, and Cawle come forth, it is seen by the Tumor, and therefore we spake thereof in Tumors.

The comming forth of parts from the Body, when they appear to the Eye, are of the womb, Fundament, Stones, the Eye, or Tongue.

The Womb or Matrix, falls through the Privities far somtimes; and then you may see the Neck turned, thick, and rough and white for the most part, though red in some places, and it is swollen, and stops all the Privities, hanging down a span in length like a bag, some∣times less, and the bottom of the womb is seen, and its o∣rifice reddish and like Blood, with swollen Lips, as I have often diligently observed.

Sometimes the Womb falls down a little above the Privities or into them, and comes not forth, and is to be felt only, or it only hangs out a little, and grows forth more and more, except it be prevented, and this is called the Descending or Falling down of the womb

And if Inflammation or Corruption happen not, when the womb hath long been forth, and ill ordered, there u∣seth to be no great accidents, but filth, hinderance in walk∣ing, and a sense of weight, so that the Belly and Loyns seem to be drawn down, but otherwise if the woman can put it up again, as usually it is, she may use a man, and conceive, and go out her time without the Falling of it down while she is with Child.

The Fundament externally like a purse internally is made of the end of the Mus∣cles of the strait Gut, if it be let more forth then at the time of going to stool is usu∣al, and cannot be put up again into the Body, but remains outward with some part of the Fundament, it is called the Falling down of the Fundament.

Somtimes it is without any other Disease, as when by straining it comes forth, and continues longer or shorter, and comes of it self, or with little trouble into its place a∣gain.

Somtimes though it be put up, it presently especially at the stool, comes forth again, this is usual in Children, and somtimes in Men.

Somtimes the strait Gut falls down and swells, so that it cannot be put up, or with much difficulty. Sometimes it is red and inflamed, and will endure to be touched, that it may be put up.

Sometimes it falls out without sense, and cannot be drawn up at will; this is called the Palsie of the Fundament.

We have seen the Codds open and the Stones hang far out.

The Eye cannot hang far out of its place, as we shewed in Deformity, and if it stick far out, it is called the Falling out thereof.

The Tongue sometimes hangs out of the mouth, and this is called the hang∣ing forth of the Tongue.

The Causes.

The Cause of the comming forth of the Guts, Cawle, Womb, Fundament, Eye, or Tongue is either from some o∣pening, and the Rimme of the Belly, or weakness, and dis∣solving of the Neck of the womb, or the turning of the Fundament, or strait Gut outward: or the loofening of the knitting of the Eye, or Tongue; or a wound of the Codds.

By the opening of the Rimme of the Belly which keep∣eth the Guts and Cawle in the same, if the Guts or Cawle fall through the opening, then there is a Rupture or Fal∣ling out, of which we spake in Tumors. And this ope∣ning of the Rimme, is either when it is broken or dilated.

The Falling forth of the Guts and Cawle is from the breaking of the Rimme of the Belly, that causeth the Swelling called Hernia or Rupture, of which there are divers sorts accord∣ing to the Diversity of Parts where they fall; for if it be in the Groin, and in the male-kind, so that the Rim be open which covereth the Stones and seminary Vessels, the Guts get through the opening, and so lye under the skm, which is called Entero∣cele; and sometimes into the Codds, and cause a great Swelling when much falleth down, or when they are stret∣ched with wind, or with Excrements. And if they be hard, it is selt, and if there be wind, they make a noise be∣ing pressed. And if the Guts stay there and cannot be put up, because they are stretched and rouled together, because the Passage of the Excrements is stopped, they are thrown up again. But if part of the Cawle fall into the Groin by the aforesaid, it is called Epiplocele, and the Tumor re∣mains

there, not going lower because the Cawle being short and scarce, reaching beyond the Bone of the Privi∣ties, cannot fall so low as the Guts, except some part of it be broken, when the Rimme is broken, and then it may fal into the Codd, which cannot be put up again. We saw one in the Groin very big, which we knew was the Cawle by feeling of it to be unequal with Knobs of hard Fat; which we knew was broken by the quantity or relaxed as we shall shew, but being without pain it was neglected, and the Patient lived not long after.

If the Rimme be broken in the groin of a Woman, where a certain Vessel passeth by it outwardly in the Groine, then there is the Rupture called Ente∣rocele or Gut-rupture in Women, which is sometimes very great. And if the Cawle fall there which is longer in Women then in Men, the Tumor is larget then in Men, and is called Epiplocele or Cawle-rupture.

But if the Rimme be broken in ano∣ther part of the Belly and the Guts, or the Cawle get there under the skin, if it be in the Navel, it is called Omphalocele Navel-rupture, or Exomphalocele, or Rupture about the Navel, if in any other part it is called Hernia or Rupture, which you may know by touching, whether it be the Guts, for then they will make a noise, but the cawle will not, and the Guts make a larger Tumor then the Cawle.

The Rimme is broken, either by a Stroak or Fall, or ve∣hement Leaping, or Vaulting into a Saddle, as I have ob∣served. Also by great straining when the Belly is pressed by the Muscles in Labour or Travail with Child, or going to stool, also in Children by crying. Also by a cut, when the skin is healed, and the Membrane left open, or the like.

A Portion of the Guts or Cawle may fall down, only by the enlarging or di∣lating of the Rimme of the Belly, by which the Seed Vessels descend into the Codds. This comes not speedily but by degrees, with often straining; for when the Guts are carried to the enterance of the Rimme of the belly, they work themselves through or break through, when the force is great. And that this may be so, and that the enterance of the Rimme of the Belly may be so dilated and opened without breaking, it appears, in that more narrow and thick parts, may be so enlarged as the Ureters, through which a Stone falls down, as we shewed. And this we have seen to be by degrees. And in a Rupture-dropsie, when after Death we opened him, we found a round hole not cut or broken, by which the Guts fell into the Codds, by which that thin part of the Gut which is above the blind Gut, was carried to the bottom of the Codd which was full of Water, and it grew firmly to the Rimme in the whol Passage; and the Patient while he lived and was in Health otherwise, voided his Excrements orderly, and complained of no pain. Fernelius who distinguisheth this Passage of the Rimme into that which is internal, and that which is external, faith that in the Gut-rupture, and cawle Rupture, the inward Rimm or Skin must needs be broken, and the outward only enlarged. It may be he meant that it was so in Women, that these Ruptures came from the Relaxation of the Rimme of the Belly in the Groin where they have as we shewed a peculiar Vessel.

For he saith that there is a Tendon sent from the Groine to the Rimme of the Belly which strengthneth it, and so al∣so the Guts and cawle.

But in regard that Vessel is not so membranous and thin as the enterance of the Rimme, but is nervous and hard, and therefore is not so easily enlarged, the Guts or Cawle cannot fall into the Groin by the relaxing thereof, except it be broken.

When the Rim of the Belly is enlar∣ged without being broken, there may be a Navel-rupture also: and this ap∣pears, because in great straightness, es∣pecially of Woman in travail, the Na∣vel often swells, by the Guts through straining, sent chiefly to that part of the Rim, where there is a short Passage in the Navel, which appeared at the birth in the Navel string and after grew together, and there di∣stending or stretching the Rim, and when the straining is over, and the stretching, the swelling goes clean away and returns no more, which would not be, if it came from the breaking of the Passage: for which cause, as we perceive plainly that the Navel-rupture continues not, so we may collect, that the Rupture which remains, comes from the Rim of the Belly, so stretched by the Causes aforesaid, that it cannot return, which cannot be in other parts of the rim of the Belly, but that in the Groine, without a breaking thereof.

From the Dissolving or Division of the Neck of the Womb, from the parts unto which it is knit, comes the Falling out thereof. For the Womb being chiefly held up by its Neck, upon which it resteth, and unto which it grows firmly, and in other parts being free from all connexion or joyning, that it may better di∣late and enlarge it self in Conception, (except on each side a little, and that loosely to the Rimme of the Belly) it cannot be that it should fall all to the Privities, except the Neck thereof which is so fastned thereto, that it can∣not be separated, do also follow. And because this can∣not be without the rending of the fibrous Connexion which is made by the Neck and Parts adjacent. The im∣mediate cause of the Falling of the Womb, must be the dis∣solving of the Connexion of the Neck thereof. And if this dissolving be in some part onely near the womb, the womb will hang down in the Privities, with some part on∣ly of the Neck turned, but if the Neck of the Womb be wholly separated from the parts under it, then the Womb will all hang forth, with the Neck turned inside, outward, and the womb will not be so turned in the bottom, but as it was when in the Belly, the Orifice onely being open, drawing with it the Membranes and the Rimme which is joyned to them with the Vessels and Stones. And this may be without a Rupture; only from the Looseness of the Membranes which can stretch much, (as we see in Dropsies, when the Belly is swollen, how the Rim thereof is stretched) although the womb hath been long down, as appears in that when it is put up again, Women may con∣ceive, which could not be, if the Vessels were divided from it.

The womb it self causeth chiefly this Separation of the Neck of it from the Fibers or small Veins by which it is joyned to the parts adjacent though not strongly, and ther∣fore it may be without great hurt or bleeding; when it is forcibly so drawn down, that it brings the Neck with it, either suddenly or by degrees, when there is less force, first tearing the Veins next to it, and then turning out the neck downward, which hanging forth, makes it fall more down by degrees through the weight thereof.

The womb is thus driven down by great and often straining, by blowing the wind, or otherwise which presseth downward the Guts and Womb, es∣pecially in a womans throws in child∣birth; when the travail is hard, and the womb gets too much downward with the Child, and the rather when the Child getting through with difficulty, thrusts the Neck of the Womb down, and so untieth it from the Veins. Or if the Secundine or after Birth, stick∣ing still to the womb, be so driven by the Midwife, that the womb is driven down also with the Neck thereof. For these Causes after Child-bearing the womb falls down;

and those Women which have often brought forth, and en∣dured such Midwives, are presently troubled therewith, or when they grow old.

The same may come from Leaping, or the like Shak∣ing of the Body; and the Womb may hang out thereby.

Also from the Neck of the Womb it self besides, when it is pull'd away by the Womb, there may be a Falling out of the same, when it is separated by Force from the parts beneath, by violent and frequent Copulation, as in Har∣lots which are continually rubbed; or from some Cor∣ruption in the Neck, by which we once saw the womb fal∣len out.

Also from other Causes, this Falling down of the womb can scarce proceed. As for the looseness of the Ligaments (or of Muscles by which some thought the Womb did hang) which they say comes from the Force mentioned (and by which the womb is driven down,) or from the plenty of Humors that wet the Membranes. We, (since there are no such Muscles, because as we shewed the womb must be free, and Membranes so loosned, that they may follow the womb, nor so fast tyed as they ought to be, if the womb hang by them) cannot grant the Falling out of the womb to be from the looseness thereof. For although the womb be loosned, and the Vessels stretcht beyond their bounds, yet can it not fall through the Privities, except the Neck be separated, also which only holds it in.

Nor can the breaking of the Membranes be the Cause, as some say, because, we found in the Anatomy of a Wo∣man whose Membranes were putrified and consumed, long before her death, as appeared by a Flux of stinking matter, that the womb moved not out of its place, but was firm.

As for the watery Humor which they say causeth the Falling out of the Womb, we shewed that it could not do it by moistning the Ligaments, and now declare, that in Women that have the Dropsie, in whom the womb and its Membranes swimms in water, the womb falls not out; yet it may come to pass in the Whites, that the neck of the womb being continually moist, and therefore too loose, that the womb being compelled by other Causes, may easier slip down, and the neck may yeeld more easily, and be inver∣ted.

Some teach that besides this Falling down, that the womb while in the Belly may be moved on one side, and get also up to the Stomach. But being it grows to the neck, and is compessed every where with the guts, abiding commonly in the middle, it will not easily get into other parts, and will rather go downwards then upwards. Except perhaps it grow so that it take up more room then formerly, as we see in Women with Child: and then also it rather goes down∣wards by its weight, and the Belly is more swollen and harder beneath. For which reasons, and the other acci∣dents in the Mother-fits, we declared in the Cure of them, that they come rather from Vapors that arise from the womb, then from the ascending of the womb it self.

The Falling out of the Fundament is from the Inversion or straight Gut, for then it swells, as when going to stool, the Fundament sticks out with straining to let out the Excrements, till it be drawn in again; so that if by great force and straining with hard Excrements, it be so brought down, that it brings a part of the straight Gut with it, it is the cause of its staying out. The same may be from other causes that bear down, as in Child-birth, when the Deli∣very is hard, the Fundament also falls out, also from for∣cing about the Fundament, as in the Tenesmus, or needing or in the Flux called Dysentery. And we have seen in an Incision made in the Rimme or Peritonaeum near the Fun∣dament for taking a stone out of the Bladder, that through pain, the Fundament hath been by straining thrust out, and the Yard also though in an Infant and little, hath been swollen and stood. And I have observed in some Chil∣dren troubled with the Stone, that they had not only this coming forth of the Fundament alwayes when they strain∣ed to make water, but an Extension of the Yard, especial∣ly in the Head and Fore-skin, from their often handling of it through pain, which were the undoubted signs of the Stone in the Kidneys.

And if the Fundament be so thrust out by straining, that the straight Gut be drawn from the Mesentery or middle Membrane by which the Guts are held, then they cannot be put up or kept in; although the Muscles be right a∣gainst the Fundament to draw it in again gently, yet if it be far forth and tied with no Ligaments, the Muscles alone cannot do it, because if the Fundament be far out, they will fall out also.

It may come from the weakness of the Muscles which draw in the Fun∣dament after stool, and constrain it up, that the Fundament may be so far forth, that it cannot be drawn in, by which means the Fundament may be said to be forth, but not to fall out except Force or Strain∣ing perceeded; because it is not so retained by these smal Muscles, that when they cease to act, it should presently fall out of the Body in which it was included without any Force. These weakness which makes the Muscles unable to draw back the Fundament, that falls out by stool, bofals them, which have often had the Falling of it out; or it comes from too much cold of the part which is very sensi∣ble, by sitting upon a cold stone or the like, or by staying in the cold Air or Water, which touch the Fundament.

Many suppose that Falling of the Fundament, and that which is called the Palsey of the Fundament, comes from Loosness of the Muscles through a Defluxion upon the Nerves. But it is improbable, that a particular Palsie of this part should be alone, without any other part affected from the Defluxion. Nor is it pro∣bable that a Defluxion which must needs fall in abundance to cause a Palsey, should fall only into the lowest part of the os sacrum, where these slender Nerves are accompanied with these Muscles, and not rather sill the whol Cavity of the os sacrum, by which means the Nerves might be dissol∣ved. Therefore if there be a Palsie in the Muscles of the Fundament, it would be in the whol Body, or in the inse∣rior parts, as well as there. And though there be a great Resolution of parts in an Apoplexy, we find none there, nor doth the Fundament fall forth, nor in any other Palsie, when all the lower parts are resolved, yet the Patient can go to stool and draw in the Fundament, and though it be weaker for the Disease, yet it falls out. For which cause, if difficulty of drawing back of the Fundament be from the Nerves, which comes soldom, it comes from a Palsie caused by a Defluxion, and we suppose that it comes from com∣pression of the Nerves, or contusion by Fall or Stroak about the Crupper, or from some great Coldness of the part which is not only upon the Muscles but Nerves.

When the Connexion of the Eye with its hollow roundness is loosned, it falleth out, and this comes by fome violent Cause, because it is so fixed to the place, that when it is brought to the Table boyled it can scarce be got out.

Yet the Eyes fall out by a great Contusion of the head, by a Fall or Stroak.

And scarce by another means, except they start out a little by straining, as in Child-birth, crying or roaring and so seem bigger, yet they fall not out by that means but on∣ly stick out, of which we spake in Deformity: because by straining they cannot be much dissended, but a little for∣ced by the Muscles.

Some think that the Eye may fall out by the stretching of the Globe with Wind and Moisture gathered before it, but since we find no Cavity in the Eye, but it is full every where, and there is no way for these to get in, or can they

be bred in the Eye, or come from other parts, we cannot yeeld to them. As we shewed in the Causes of pains of the Eyes, from Wind and Filmes, which they suppose to come from Defluxion of Water.

The Falling out of the Tongue may be from the loosning of its Connexi∣on, it is so strong bound by Muscles, a Coate and Ligaments, that it must be done by great Force. But it hap∣pens from a Contusion of the Neck or Breast, as when theeves are racked, their Tongue sticks out, and it may also come by other means.

I saw one whose Stones hung out by a wound which was given upon his Codd. And I observed the same in one which was shot with a Bullet and lost half his Codd, that his right Stone, with the Seed-vessels hung forth bare.

The Cure.

The Falling down of the Guts and Cawle which comes from the break∣ing or stretching of the Rimme of the Belly, causeth the Tumor called Cele, if it be in the Groine, and be but lit∣tle, causing no great pain, it is neglected, or it is easily cu∣red if taken in time; as also the Omphalocele or Navel∣rupture, which some have all their lives, which will fall in when it is pressed, or the like; but some Navel-rupture vanisheth of it self: as I shewed. But if the Tumor des∣cend to the Codd, in the Gut-rupture it is harder to cure, or dangerous, for if it will not return by any means, but cause Pain and Costiveness of Body it is deadly, and the Excrements are spewed up which declare it.

Also the Navel-rupture or the like, if it cannot be put in, and produce the same accidents is deadly. And we shewed that the Cawle-rupture killed one, when the Tu∣mor in the Cod grew hard▪ In other kinds of Ruptures in the Belly or Codds, if the Tumor will yeeld, although it be of short continuance, yet to take it quite away that it return not, and to make a perfect Cure, it is difficult, es∣pecially because the Patient must continue them for their Operation, and Rest, and be bound which he wil unwilling∣ly undergo. But if it be old, it is impossible, except by manual Operation, and that is painful, and dangerous of death if by Incision, as is usual, and the Stone on that side must be left, if it be made in the Groine. And if the Pa∣tient will not adventure that you must labour to hinder those Tumors from increasing which you cannot take a∣way. All which shall be declared and the manner how, by Medicines both inward and outward; first how Medicines may be applied to the cause that is the part fallen, then how to the Disease which is the Solution of Continuity in a Rupture; or of Contiguity in the relaxing of the Rimm of the Belly.

We use things to put up the part fallen, and to keep it in, and hinder it from falling out again; if it be Gut or Cawle fallen out of the cavity of the Rimme, either cau∣sing a Tumor in the Groine or Codd.

We put up the Tumor in the Groine and Codd with the Hands by degrees, or in the Belly, by pressing and moving it to the hole whence it fell, which we find out with the finger. And this is done when the Patient lyeth upon his Back, so placed that if it be below, that his Feet may be higher then the rest of the Body, by which somtimes the Gut goes in of it self, so I saved the life of a Countrey∣man twice that was broken on both sides, when he vomi∣ted his Excrements, and was in great pain; and a while since I cured a Virgin that was bursten, which vomited her Excrements, by putting up the Gut with my Hand.

And if this Operation do it not, as when the Gut is out it comes to pass often, through Distention by the wound, and Wrinkling and Hardness, that the Gut is so swelled, it cannot be reduced by the Passage, and then you must have a care, least the Passage of the Excrements being hindered, they should flie up or an Inflammation should kill the Pa∣tient.

Also you must apply the Anodynes or takers away of pain, when there is Pain, Heat and Fear of Inflammation, mentioned in the Tumor Phlegmon.

And chiefly this Pultis, which openeth the wayes and mollifieth the hard Excrements, and expells Wind. Take Marsh-mallow roots two ounces, Lilly roots one ounce, Mal∣lows, Violets, Brank-ursine, Pellitory, each one handful; Roses, Violets, Chamomil, and Melilot and Dill flowers, Bran, each one scruple; boyl them in Milk and Water: if there be great pain, beat and seirse them, adding, Barley flower, and Bean meal, each three ounces; the Flower of Line-seed, and Foenugreek, each one ounce and an half; Fleabane seeds one ounce, Pouder of Earth-worms one dram, Oyl of Roses three ounces, Ducks or Hens Grease one ounce: make a Cataplasm.

When the Heat is not, and we will use Softners and Ex∣pellers of Wind, add to it, Orris roots, Briony, or wild Cow∣cumber roots, each one ounce; Wormwood, Calamints, or Or∣gan, each one handful; Elder, Rose and Centaury flowers, each one pugil; Cummin and Caraway seeds, each two drams; Ag∣nus Castus seeds one dram, and without Milk, we add Wine, and with the Meals or Brans aforesaid, or of Orobus and Lu∣pines, each one ounce, Bay-berries half an ounce, with Oyl of Orris and Rue: make a Pultis.

Or when there is much Wind. Take Caraway seeds one ounce, Cummin seed half an ounce, Oyl of Rue one ounce, with Oxymel, make a Cataplasm.

Rue fryed with Oyl, and applied is good.

Fomentations are made of the Decoctions, of the which the Cataplasm was made of the first if there be Heat, of the last if you must discuss more, adding the Oyls there mentioned.

Also anoint with Oyl of Roses, Dill, Lillies, Chamo∣mil, Melilot, Orris, Elder, Rue.

You may discuss with Baggs, of dry Plants, and Milium seeds, and the other great Seeds and Salt.

Besides you must use against Wind inwardly and out∣wardly, things to dissipate or discuss and prevent it also. As we shewed in the Wind of the Stomach, and of the co∣lick.

You have need of no external Applications, when the Cawle comes forth, being commonly in the Groine, and will go back only with lying down, or with the Hand, ex∣cept it be in the Codd, as we shewed: and then you must foment and plaister the Tumor with Loosners, not regard∣ing wind, except it be gotten in the same way.

If the Guts cannot be put up, we are constrained to cut, that the skin being open, and the Guts bare, and the hole by which they sell open, they may better be put up; which is dangerous to do in the Groine if the Guts are gone from thence into the Codds, because the Guts sticking to the skin, may easily be cut also, as we have seen. Moreover if the Incision be made with such care, the Guts are not hurt, yet in regard the naked Entrals are worse to be med∣dled with, for the Cure of the pain of the wound, then when they were covered with skin, by this Operation in the Groine, we either do no good, or we give occasion to have cutting to be thought the Cause of his Death, which would otherwise have followed, while the Guts were forth. But we have observed good success by cutting in other parts of the Belly, when the Guts get through the Rimme of the Belly being burst, and can by no Art be put up a∣gain, because the Tumor is seldom so great in those parts, and the hole of the Rimme may better be found, and the Guts better put up without danger, being taken hold of near the hole, and by degrees wrought in.

We keep the Guts and Cawle in, and the Tumor from returning divers wayes; by placing the Body convenient∣ly, and compressing the Tumor with the Hand or Instru∣ments.

The placing must be such that the Guts and Cawle may rather tend inwards then outwards, with the Face up∣wards, and let him keep his Bed in that posture, because it keeps them in till other Art be used.

The Hand pressing the Tumor, doth not only drive it back, but keeps it from returning while it is held there, and though this cannot be done continually, yet it is good somtimes to apply the hand, especially when the Guts are pressed by the Belly by coughing or straining, and strive to get out. And if the Tumor be not great, and the straining be usual, you may keep it from increasing with the hand.

We keep them also up with Instruments called Trusses, which they must wear while they sit up, and not leave them off but at night if they hurt not nor hinder, & when they are constrained to change them or remove them, you must sup∣ply their place with the Hand. These are made of Bolsters laid upon the Tumor which stops its return, which that they slip not nor be too strait, are tyed by divers Bands like a Girdle, or from the Shoulders, and the like, tyed with Points, or with Claspes, and they are to be fashioned according to the Tumor that the Patient may wear them with little trouble, of which these following are the best.

The first for the Groine-truss, is made of a Pillow of the length and breadth of the Groine, stuffed with wool two fingers thick, and least by use it should fetch off the skin covered with Linnen, Silk or Leather, and that it may stick fast, there must be a broad Girdle of the same stuff about the Loins so fastned as I shewed, to the Groine before, and a broad Rouler of Cotton to the hinder part of the Girdle, to come between the Thighs, that goes through the mid∣dle of the Pillow or Bolster, passing through a loop to keep it fast; and the Girdle must be there tyed again.

[illustration] diagram

The first Instrument opened.

• ...A the Pillow.
• ...B the Girdle.
• ...C the Girt underneath.
• ...D D the Thongs of the Girdle and Girts.
• ...E E the Loops through which the Thongs pass.
• ...F F the Loope of the Pillow which the string passeth through

There is another for the Groine, made of the Girdle and Bolster, as the first; but the string going under, is fastned be∣fore to the Girdle, and passeth through the Loop of the Bolster, and is divided into two bands, which put under the Thighs, are tyed in two places to the Girdle, that they may hold faster, and keep the Pillow right in its place.

[illustration] diagram

The second Instrument laid open.

[illustration] diagram

The Instrument closed, and as it is bound to the Body.

• ...A A the Pillow.
• ...B B the Girdle.
• ...C C the String going underneath.
• ...D D D D two Roulers into which that string is divided.
• ...E E the Loop of the Pillow, under which the Girt passeth.
• ...F F F F the Girt by which the Girdle and the Roulers un∣derneath are tyed.

The third Instrument to be fitted to the Groin, so strong that it is proper for unruly Children, is made of an under Girdle, which is tyed to the Girdle above the Groins, be∣ing broad and large upon both Groins and the Codd, and on both sides, where the Groins must be pressed, like two Pillows stuffed with Wool, but in the middle the Yard pas∣seth through a hole, and under there is a Bag which holds the Stones not close, and ends in two Roulers, which brought under the Thighs, are tyed both to the Girdle, and do attract the under girt, and besides there are two other Roulers which are brought forewards under the Thighs, which pass through the Loops of the two Pillows, to six the Girt and the Pillows, as the following Figure sheweth.

[illustration] diagram

The third Instrument open.

[illustration]

The same Instrument close, how it is fitted to the Body.

[illustration] diagram

• ...A A A the Girdle.
• ...B the Girt.
• ...C C the same open,
• ...D D the hole of the Girt.
• ...E E the bag of the Girt.
• ...F F F F the two bands of the Girdle.
• ...G G G G the two bands of the Girt.
• ...I I I I the Points that tie the Girdle and the Girt together.

Somtimes the three kinds of Girts which are under the Girdles, that they may not slide down, and be faster, are held by two other Girts that are fastned behind to the Gir∣dle, and cast over both Shoulders, and bound with Points again to the Girdle before.

The fourth and most proper Instrument or Truss, is made of two broad cotton Girts, to both which there is a Bolster, which are tyed behind to the Doublet, and are car∣ried under the Thighs, come up again to both Groins, where they lye upon both Groins with Pillows, and are a∣gain tyed to the Doublet, and that the Pillows may be fast, they are tyed fast with a Leather-girdle that passeth through the Loops of the Bolsters, before and behind, and so in the greatest Motion it will hold, and the Bolster in the sound Part, doth help the Bolster upon the Tumor, that it slip not. As the following Figure shews.

[illustration] diagram

The fourth Truss or Instrument laid open.

• ...A A two Bolsters.
• ...B B two Girts.
• ...C the Leather Girdle.
• ...D D the Loops of both Pillows.
• ...E E the Loops of both Girts.
• ...F F F F the Holes of both Girts by which the Points are fastned to the Doublet.

The fifth Truss is made of Wood two inches thick, thin and round beneath, which hath a space in the middle for the Yard, least it should hurt the Root thereof on both sides, with two Bolsters upon the Groins. This Girdle made of firm thin Iron, that it may yeeld a little, and co∣vered with Leather is fastned above with Nails and Hin∣ches in the outside, that it may open and shut, and the lea∣ther it is fastned. As this Figure following sheweth both open and shut.

[illustration] diagram

The fifth Truss open.

[illustration] diagram

The same Instrument shut as it is upon the Body.

• ...A A A A the Wood.
• ...B B B B the Iron Girdle covered with Leather in the first figure, and bare in the second.
• ...C the outward part of the Iron Girdle bare, fastned to the Wood by Nails and Buckles.
• ...D D the two Hooks.
• ...E the outward part of the Iron Girdle bare, with holes for the Hookes.
• ...F F the Iron Girdle divided there, in the first figure onely held together by Leather.
• ...G the Barre made of the ends of the Girdle, joyned with Hookes and covered with Leather.

The sixth Instrument made of Wood, that is broad, to cover both Groins, bowing inwards, and holding up the Codd, with an Iron Girdle like the former. Under which upon the side where the Rupture is, there is a Bolster or Pillow to press down the Tumor: as followeth.

[illustration] diagram

The sixth Truss made of a broad Board, fastned to an Iron Girdle, like that in the fifth figure.

• ...A the broad Board.
• ...B the outside of the Iron-Girdle fastned to the Board.
• ...C the Girdle there divided.

The seventh Instrument or Truss is made of Iron, onely for the Groyn where the Rupture is, with an Iron-Girdle as the former. This is made of thick and broad Plate of I∣ron, with an Iron-spoon of the same breadth, joyned to the Joynt, that it may move, lined with Leather, and stuf∣fed where it toucheth the Rupture, which is held with the Iron-spoon. As may be seen in the Figure following.

[illustration] diagram

The seventh Truss open.

• ...A the Iron-Plate.
• ...B the Iron-Spoon.
• ...C the Convex, or bunching part of the Spoon covered with Leather.
• ...D the Iron-sh••ll which thrusts the Spoon down.
• ...E little Holes through which the Leather is sewed to the Plate.
• ...F the Iron-Girdle as in the fifth Figure.

For the Ruptures of other parts, as of the Navel, and the places adjacent, Trusses are made of Cotton or Iron-Girdles, as formerly, which goes about the Belly, where the tumor is with a Bolster, or wooden or Iron-Plate to press it down, as you may artificially invent, which Girdle may be held up with Girts about the Shoulders, or fastned to the Doublet.

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Also we keep the Rupture from falling down, by taking away the Cause that drives it out, as much Meat and Drink, and such things as breed many Excrements and wind, because they fill the Guts, and make them strut out.

To this end also we purge, with Medicines mentioned in the Diseases of the Stomach and Colick. To which we add astringents for the Rupture, as Rhubarb, Myroba∣lans, and the like mentioned in the Dysentery, or we add some of the Decoctions following.

You must give no Clysters in Ruptures, for if the Guts be out, they fill them, and increase the tumor, and keep them from being put up. And if the small Guts be out, whether Clysters can scarce come; yet in regard it is hard to distinguish them, and the Clysters may somtimes get thither, it is better to forbear, except, after the Guts are put up, when there is a great costiveness. In the falling out of the Cawle called Epiplocele, because Clysters can∣not be sent thither, if the Belly be full of Wind and Excre∣ments, you may administer them with good success.

Also Cold doth hurt in Ruptures, especially when they are out, for it wil make them swell, therefore beware of it.

Also take heed of violent Exercise, straining or whoop∣ing, for they contract the Belly, and thrust out the Guts. Also Venery is evil, if forcibly used. Rest is most conve∣nient, not only to prevent it, but also to cure it: As we shall shew.

For the Cure of the breaking of the Rim of the Belly, or when the passage thereof is enlarged in the Groyn, or o∣pened about the Navel, we give, and apply many things, or if they will not do, we use Incision.

We give inwardly such things as are mentioned for glu∣tinating of wounds, which by their drying and binding vertue, do help the Rimme when it is loosned or broken, by their glutinating force, if the Lipps of the wound are not yet grown hard, and then they can do little, except they can make new flesh to stop the passage. These must be used long, for many weeks, that their vertue may reach to the part affected.

For this purpose, you may use wound-drinks, mentio∣ned in the Cure of Wounds.

Or of other Plants, green, or dry, boyled in wine, or the like, or made with Honey, or Sugar into a Syrup: As we shewed in Wound-drinks.

The simple Decoction of Knot-grass, or Salomon-seal, which is called Rupturewort, for its vertue in Ruptures; or of Sanicle; or that of Fernelius, which is called Royal Osmond, made in wine, is excellent.

The Compound Decoction of these three is also good.

Or with three coloured trinity Violets, called Jacea or Knapweed, or Ladies-mantle, Mugwort, Bettony, Agri∣mony, Horstayl, Burnet, Mousear, Thorow-wax, Cress∣wort, each one handful; Comfrey roots one ounce and an half, Madder, and Snakeweed, each one ounce; round Birthwort half an ounce, Flowers of Mullein, and St. Johns-wort, each one pugil; Cypress-nuts half an ounce, Southernwood, and Water-cress seeds, each one dram; Anise seeds two drams, boyl them in Wine and Water, till the third part be consu∣med, to four pints, and drink thereof, or with Honey or Sugar, make a Syrup.

There are others for the same, which may be boyled with the former, as Daffodil roots, or Avens, or Bearfoot, or Mary-thistle, or Lady-gloves, or Hog-fennel roots, the Leaves of Comfrey, Golden-Rod, Avens, Plantane, Ad∣ders-tongue, Strawberries, Mullein, Primrose, Bears ears, Orpine, Yarrow, Tansey, Hemp, Sage, Calamints, and the rest mentioned in Wound-drinks.

The Arabians commend a Goats head boyled with the Hair, and the Hair of an Hare boyled.

You may make a Wine with the Infusion of the best of the things mentioned, being dryed, and it will be less di∣stasted, and drunk longer.

Some Juyces drunk, do the same, one ounce at a time, with Wine, or other Liquor, or boyled thick, to an Extract, one dram at a time: Or with Honey or Sugar made into a Sy∣rup, and given one ounce and an half.

The Juyce of Rupturewort is best, then of trinity Vio∣lets, and Osmond Fern, and of great Comfrey roots, and one dram of the Juyce of Gentian roots according to Dio∣scorides, and the Juyce of Butchers broom, the Juyce of o∣ther Plants mentioned in the Decoction; also the Juyce of Laserpitium.

The stilled Waters of Ladies-mantle, Comfrey, Horse∣tayl, Plantane, red Roses, and others mentioned, drunk alone, or with other Remedies.

There are also Potions for the Rupture, made of one dram of pouder, with red wine, or a Decoction, or stilled waters, or with water and Milk for Children, or with a rear Eg, or the like, with Sugar, or Honey, if you please.

As these following, simple, or mixed, the chief is of Rupturewort, and Horse-tongue roots, of the Leaves of Adders tongue, of Roots of Swordgrass, wild Orris, or three coloured Violets.

Also the pouders of Horstayl, Shepheards purse, Ladies-mantle, Thorow-wax; also of the Roots of Comfrey, Valerian, Birthwort, Snakeweed, Tormentil, five leaved Grass, Briony.

Also Dioscorides commends the pouders of other Herbs, as of Bettony, Liverwort, Cuckow bread, Balsom, Wood∣bine, Marygolds, Rock Comfrey, Burdock roots, Elicam∣pane, Lovage, Seeds of Watercresses, and Countrey Mu∣stard, and of other Plants mentioned for Decoctions.

Also the pouder of Earth worms, and of the worms of Byzant, the Filings of Steel, of the Bloodstone, Amian∣tum, and of Osteocolla, which glews bones together. Al∣so of Fat Earths sealed, and other dryers.

Also the pouders of Troches of Amber, Ivory, or Bole, or of Diacydonium, made of Quinces without the Species, with some convenient Liquor.

These may be taken in pouder with Sugar, or made in∣to Lozenges with the same, with proper waters, and things good for the Stomach, and to expel wind, for that sills the Guts, and increaseth the tumor.

As, Take Coriander seeds prepared, one dram, Caraway, or Cummin, and Water-cress seeds, each half a dram; Rupture∣wort one dram and an half, Horstongue, or Adders tongue, or Horstayl one dram, Comfrey roots, Pomegranate peels, each half a dram; Bole one dram, red Coral half a dram, Sanguis Draconis, the Ashes of a Bulls, or Staggs pizzle one scruple, Cinnamon one dram, Sugar of Roses, as much as all the rest, or with more Sugar dissolved in Rosewater, make Lozenges.

You may make Electuaries of the same pouders, with Conserves, Candies, and Syrups, or Extracts two drams to be given with convenient Liquor after it.

Or thus: Take Conserve of Comfrey, and Daffodil roots, each one ounce and an half; Conserve of Rupturewort one ounce, old Conserve of Roses, and of Acorus, each six drams; Conserve of Sage, or Stoechas, French Lavender half an ounce, Coriander seeds prepared, and Fennel seeds, each half a dram; Amber, Mastick or Frankincense, each two scruples; Blood∣stone half a dram, Cinnamon one dram and an half, with Sy∣rup of Myrtles: make an Electuary. To which you may add some of the aforesaid pouders.

You may also make a Mixture of divers Pouders men∣tioned, and give half a dram, or two scruples like Pills, e∣very day, because they are unpleasant.

Thus: Take Comfrey, Madder, Tormentil, Birthwort, Rhubarb, and Briony roots, each one dram and an half; Rup∣turewort, three coloured Violets, Horstongue, Adders tongue, Shepheards purse, Ladies-mantle, Horstayl, Water-cress seeds, Mummy, Byzantine worms, Bole, Coral, each one dram; Gum Arabick, Sarcocol, Mastick, or Frankincense, Amber, each half a dram; make a Pouder, and with Syrup of Myr∣tles, and Infusion of Gum Traganth, make a Past.

You may with all the other pouders make up as excel∣lent Medicines, as the former.

The usual Pills for the Rupture, are those of Bdellium.

Or these: Take of Bitumen, or Mummy two drams, of Bdellium, Galbanum, or Sagapenum, and Myrrh dissolved in Vinegar, each half a dram; Pouder of Steel prepared one dram, Hares dung dryed, half a dram, Pouder of Earth worms one scruple, with boyled Juyce of three coloured Violets, or of Rupturewort, with Honey in form of a Syrup: make a Mass, the dose two scruples, or a dram.

Others commend the Dung and Hare of an Hare cut small, and boyled in Honey, given one dram at a time.

There are divers outward Applications for a Rupture, whether the Rimme be broken or loosned in the Groine or Navel or any other part, which by binding do astringe the Relaxation or Loosness in the Groine, and if it be broke do unite the Lipps of the Wound, to which you must add Healers, by which (though the Rimme cannot grow toge∣ther,) yet new flesh may breed, which may stop up the Passage, as the Astringents or Binders make it straighter. That this may better be effected, you must use all means to keep up the Guts, least they return to the part to get out, and so hinder the uniting of the part. Therefore during the Cure, for a month or more, let him either lye upon his Back, or wear a Truss continually, and take heed of all things mentioned which force the Guts down.

These Applications are by Plaisters, which will stay on, and which must be renewed.

As this. Take the Roots of Comfrey and Snakeweed, each three drams; Birthwort two drams, Galls and Cipress-nuts and Pomegranate peels, each two drams; the Leaves of Misleto of the Oak, Pomegranate flowers and red Roses, each one dram; Aloes, Sanguis Draconis, Juyce of Sloes or Acacia, each one dram and an half; dryed Earth-worms one dram, Frankin∣cense, Mastick, Myrrh, Sarcocol, Mummy, each two drams; Pitch, Colophony, each half an ounce; Bole, Lytharge and Blood-stone, each half a dram; Plaister of Paris burnt three drams, Rosin of the Firre, or Larke-tree, or Pine-tree, as much as is sufficient, pouder what is to be poudered, and let the Gums be dissolved in strong Vinegar, and so make a Plai∣ster; or with Oyl of Quinces, Mastick, or Myrtles, and a little red Wax, make a Cerot.

To these you may add the Roots of Daffodil, Plantane, Water-lillies, the Leaves of Rupture-wort, Acron-cups, Myrtle seeds, Gum Ammoniack, Bdellium, Galbanum, Se∣rapinum, Traganth, Arabick, Amber, Load-stone, Steel, and Iron filings, Allum, Vitriol; also Pouder of Oak moss, of Toad-stools, red Snails, Hedghogs skins, Hares hair, Bazantine-worms; also dryed Mans blood, Glew, or Mucilage, which is made of Sheeps skins boyled with the Hair. All or some of these with those aforesaid may be made into a Plaister, or with the Oyls mentioned or the like (in which Shepheards purse, Juyce of Plantane, and other Astringents, and Vinegar have been boyled) make a Cerot.

Other Emplasters without Oyls, which dry sooner and stick faster, do not only potentially astringe, but actually by pressing the place, are thus made. Take Frankincense, or Mastick three drams, Bole and burnt Plaister of Paris, each two drams; Aloes, Sanguis Draconis, each one dram and an half; Galls or Pomegranate peels, Cypress-nuts, and Roets of Birthwort or Snakeweed, each one dram; or burnt Earth∣worms, and the Hair of an Hare, each half a dram; make a Pouder, and mix it with the White of an Egg, and Vine∣gar, or Glew of Fishes, or beat them being softned and dis∣solved in Vinegar, and apply it with Cotton, renewing it twice or thrice in a week.

A Plaister of Pitch and Rosin may be long worn, and changed when it itcheth or falls off, to which you may ad astringent Pouders.

That Plaister is most usual, which is made of Sheeps skins, called the Rupture-plaister of Arnoldus, made of Lytharge, Blood-stone, Bole, Gums, Frankincense, Ma∣stick, Ammoniack, Galbanum, Myrrh, Pitch, white Wax and red, Turpentine, with Juyces, as Aloes, Sanguis Dra∣conis; of Sloes, Opium roots; as of Comfreyes, Birth∣wort, Pepper, Flowers of red Roses, Pomegranates, Misle∣to of the Oak, Galls, Earth-worms, Mans blood, and Sheep-skins.

Also the Plaister of Mastick, especially against Wind, mentioned in Weakness of the Stomach.

The Countess her Oyntment called Comitissae, is astrin∣gent, and here may do good.

There are other Applicatations of Plants boyled in red Wine. As,

Rurpture-wort boyl'd with Comfrey roots.

Osmond Fern, also boyled, with Horsetayl, and Shep∣heards purse; also Galls, Cypress-nuts, and Pomegra∣nate peels.

The Leaves of Misleto of the Oak, or instead thereof Pear-tree leaves green, with glewy seeds of Misleto, with Comfrey roots, St. Johns-wort, Sanicle, and Bettony, are good boyled and beaten.

Besides these some commend the Pouder of dryed hem∣lock, mixed with the white of an Egg, and so applied.

Also Bdellium made soft with fasting Spittle, sharp wine, or Vinegar, is highly commended.

Lupines burnt with a Linnen rag are applied with wine to the Navel-rupture.

Astringent Fomentations are with a Spunge or clout dipt often in a Decoction, very hot to be applied, they are made with astringent Wine and Vinegar, or Lead, or Iron-wa∣ter, of the simples following, Roots of Snakeweed, Tor∣mentil, five leaved Grass, Madder, Daffodil, Herbs, as Rupture-wort, Horse-tayl, Plantane, St. Johns-wort, Mul∣lein, Rock-comfrey, Oak leaves, Bar-berries, Sumach, and other Astringents, as Pomegranate peels, Cypress∣nuts, Rose flowers, Coriander, and Water-cress seeds par∣ched.

To which you may add things to expel Wind, least it drive the Guts out, as Rue, especially the wild Rue, the topps of the lesser Centaury, and of Rosemary, common or French Lavender flowers, Cummin, Caraway, and Fen∣nel seeds.

And to these, if you add of Vitriol and Allum, each one ounce or more, it will be stronger, of which alone with Bole, and burnt Plaister of Paris, you may make a Fomentation.

Some commend the Liquor sound in the Leaves of an Elm.

Cutting is the last Remedy, which is proper in the Rup∣ture, and Loosness of the Rimme of the Belly, and when the skin is laid open, you may lay hold upon, and bind the Rim, yet because it is dangerous and painful, it is to be used only when all other things fail, and then not rashly, and ex∣cept the Tumor is very troublesom, and slips out easily, and is exceeding painful, and we fear least when the Guts are out, they cannot be put in again. Otherwise it is better to use a Truss, which with little trouble takes away pain and danger. This cutting is said to cure Ruptures, for the skin being open in the Groine, the Mouth of the Rimme being torn, or broke nor relaxed, may be bound together; and the Passage so stopt and held together by the string till the flesh grow up, least the Membrane should open again being united, which will not grow together. And this cutting will cure other Ruptures, although in other places the Rimme is not so easily laid hold on and tyed, yet the flesh that grows may stop the Passage.

That this may be done handsomly in the Groine, where it is most usual, after you have implored the Assistance of God, because it is is dangerous; you must place the Patient upon a table with his Face upwards, and so tye him that his Head may be lower then the rest of his Body, and his Feet higher. And if the Guts be in the Groine or Codd, they must first be put up, and the tumor pressed down, and after the skin must be drawn up, and out in the length of the Groine, and you must take hold of the Passage of the Rimme, which descends from thence into the Codds and contains the Seed Vessels, and separate it, by drawing or cutting from the parts adjacent to which it cleaveth, and tye it strongly with a hempen thread, leaving the ends of the thread hanging out, and you must cut off the Passage below the thread, and pull it away with the Seed Vessels, and the Stone that grows thereto. Then you must place him upon a Bed, and lay him upon his Back to rest till the Wound be cured, which is done as other wounds with washing and good Ligature. And it will not be amiss, be∣fore you cut, to put the Patient into a mollifying Bath, that the Guts may be better put up, and for the better suc∣cess in cutting.

Also this cutting may be without Gelding, (which all desire,) if the Chyrurgion be a good Anatomist, and can so tye the Passage separated from the Seed-vessels, that no other part be tyed therewith.

Some have attempted this by a prick without cutting, they pierce the upper part of the Codd with a long Nee∣dle, through the Passage of the Rimme of the Belly, and draw a thread after it, and so say that they can stop the Passage by tying of the thread, and cure the Patient with∣out loss of Stone or Seed-vessels.

I have often heard that a Rupture might be cured with∣out cutting, but while I write these things, there came to me very seasonably a French Surgeon, which I saw perfor∣med the Cure with good success by this way. And being it is without pain, or but with very little, and without loss of Blood, it is the best and safest way. And in regard the Vessels may better be seen and felt without Blood, it is the best way for males, to prevent Gelding.

He applied a potential Cautery, a little above the stone on the Rupture side, where the passage of the Rimme goes into the Codd, so large that it mortified the skin half a fin∣gers length and breadth, making an Eschar or Scab which he took off, and applied another Cautery, till the skin was all taken away and the sat appeared, which he cut off, so that he could perceive the passage that carried the Seed-sessels. This being done in two dayes time, he handsomly separated the Vessels from the passage, and with a crooked Needle conveighed a thread underneath, and so gently ty∣ed the passage without pain, and after the thread fell off in time, he with incarnative or flesh-breeding Medicines, pro∣duced a Callus or Hardness, which grew the better to the passage, because the second skin to the Testicles called E∣rythrois, is red, fleshy and musculous. And so by pressing down, and filling up the place where substance was lost, he stopped the passage by which the Guts came forth, and so he performed the Cure perfectly and happily without Gelding. And I understood by Letters, he brought to me, that he had cured divers the same way.

In other parts you may not use cutting or burning for a Rupture as in the Groine, because you cannot so easily lay hold of the Rimme of the Belly and bind it; yet it may help somtimes, especially because proud Fesh will sooner grow, while a wound is healing: as I shewed. And this must be done when the Patient is upon his back, by an In∣cision upon the tumor, or a Caustick, and by other Ap∣plications for the Cure.

Somtimes the Womb and neck thereof falls out of the Body, when the Connexi∣on of the Neck is dissolved, as we shewed, which can scarce be repaired, and then the Cure is difficult, and if it be old, be∣cause the parts separated are grown hard and cannot be closed, it is impossible. The greatest hope is when the Womb is not quite fallen out, but hangs in the passage, es∣pecially when it is deep, for then the small Veins are less divided. Nevertheless, for the Cure perfectly or imper∣fectly, first you must consider the Cause and then the Dis∣ease.

The Cause of Falling out of the Womb must first be re∣moved, by keeping them at rest, or with little motion, and from immoderate Venery, and preventing neesing, cough∣ing and roaring. And if she be with child, give her things to help the Birth, when it is at hand. And let her Body be alwaies kept soluble by Meats and Medicines, to avoid straining. And it is better to purge so, then to use moist∣ning Diets, which cause the Ligaments to be loose, and the Womb to fall out. And if the womb be moist, or she have the Whites, you may give strong Purges to take a∣way the slipperiness of the part which causeth the womb to fall forth. Those Medicines are drying also: as we shew∣ed in the Cure of the Whites, otherwise purging or bleed∣ing do little good for taking away the Cause, except to keep the Body clean.

The Cure of the Disease which is twofold, namely the Dislocation of the womb and the neck thereof, and the so∣lution of Continuity, is to put the womb into the right place, and keep it there, and to unite it to the Parts from which it is divided.

The womb must be put up, and for the better perfor∣mance there of, you must take away first the Excrements from the Guts and Bladder, least they straiten the pas∣sage, because the neck of the womb lyeth upon the straight Gut, and the Bladder upon it.

This done, you must lay her upon her Back, with her Thighs abroad, and her Knees up, and with her Hands thrust in the bottom of the womb into the neck, till all be put up. Or let the Midwise help her; or let her have a blunt stick with a clout at the end, which will pass farther in. Or let her make a Pessary of Linnen for the same pur∣pose. Thus did I two years together, put up the womb which could not be done by any other Art, as the Butchers do the Guts of Beasts, and she yet liveth, and hath had Children in the time.

I have also happily cured oftentimes the turning out of the Womb after hard Travail, by the help of Midwives which I instructed, with a bag of wool stuffed with sweet Roots, Herbs and Seeds.

And if there be a Swelling that hindereth the putting up, you must first take it away; or an Inflammation, or Wind, you must discuss that, as we shewed in the Rup∣ture.

Anoint the womb with Butter, Oyl, or Grease, that it may get in the easier, but if there be no necessity avoid them, because the womb will slip out again the sooner: which to prevent, use Astringents, that they may make the part rough, for the keeping in of the womb and its neck in its place, after put up, or when it is in danger to fall out, & that they may grow to the Parts adjacent, we use divers things, Astringents, Dryers, and glewing Medicines which make a perfect Cure, or things that only keep them up, and then the Cure is palliative and imperfect. They are inward and outward to the neck of the womb, when it is forth, or things conveighed into the Privities or Scents.

You may make tryal of things prescribed for Ruptures, and Wounds.

Besides which, this Pouder often taken is excellent. Take the Roots of Mullein two drams, Leaves of Myrtles, Par∣snip seeds, each one dram, Harts horn half a dram, Ashes of Cray-fish or Crabs one scruple, red Coral two scruples: make a Pouder.

Divers things are applied before, behind and below the womb while it is in, to dry it, and bind it, to the Parts adjacent, that it may not fall forth, and such as streng∣then.

This is done by Fomentations about the Loyns for ma∣ny daies. They are made by boyling these following in Forge-water and Wine, or Vinegar somtimes, Roots of Snakeweed, Tormentil, five leaved Grass, the Budds of Oak, Pear-tree, and Sloes, Medlers, Brambles, Myrtles, Mastick-tree, Cistus, Pine-tree, Cypress, Bayes, Shep∣heards-purse, Vervain, Mullein, Yarrow, Blood-wort, Ivy, Solomons Seal, Rupture-wort, Wormwood, Centau∣ry, Mugwort, Rue, Bettony, Lavender; also the Peels of Pomegranates, Acorn-cupps, Galls, Spunge Bedguar, or Lady-thistle, Cypress-nuts, Lentils, Pease, Myrtle-berries, Bay-berries, red Roses, Pomegranate-flowers, Lavender∣flowers, Sage and Rosemary; also Moss, or Lungwort, ad to the Decoction of all or of some of these, Allum, or Salt, or Vitriol, Bole or Plaister of Paris, or Filings of Iron.

Also Natural Spaw-waters of Vitriol, Allum, Salt, or such as petrefie or turn to Stone, and when they are boy∣led, leave much Chalk upon the Vessel, being drunk for a month together, or more, are very good. For though they seem to moisten, yet are they potentially drying, and by reason of Sweating, they consume the Humors, and by the Effect we perceive that they dry and astringe by the wrink∣ling and Roughness of skin which followeth.

Oyntments or Plaisters to be applied to the Womb a∣bout

the Privities and Loyns, are as follow. Take Roots of Snakeweed two drams, Roots of Cypress, Rupture-wort, and Moss, each half a dram; red Roses and Pomegranate flowers, each half a dram; Galls, or Pomegranate peels, or Acorn∣cupps two drams, Cypress-nuts, Dates stones, or Myrobalans burnt, each one dram; Myrtle seeds half a dram, Frankin∣cense, or Mastick, Acacia, or Juyce of Sloes, each one dram; Spiknard half a dram, red Coral one dram: make fine Pou∣der, and with Oyl of Myrtles, or Mastick, and the third part of Oyl of Bayes, Turpentine, and Wax, make an Oyntment, or with Rosin, Pitch and Colophony, make an Emplaster.

Another Oyntment which is mentioned to anoint the Privities, to prevent Abortion. Take Oyl of Roses &c. and the two Oyntments that follow made of pouders, are also good.

The usual Oyntments and Plaisters for other Fluxes of the Mother, are also good against the Falling out of the womb. As that of the Countess, the Emplaster of Mastick, and against Ruptures and the like.

Also Cataplasmes made of the remainder of the Deco∣ction, beaten with the Oyls mentioned.

Dioscorides commends Nettles applied, being green and bruised.

You may fill Baggs with the remainders of the Fomen∣tations, and apply them.

Great Cupping-glasses or three or four little ones to the Belly under the Navel, often applied, will help to hold up the Mother.

Some things are applied outwardly to the womb and the neck thereof, which after they are put up, will astringe and wrinkle the part from whence the womb fell, and keep it from falling out again, which are of a drying and glutina∣ting Quality.

We may use Fomentations made of things mentioned, and Roots of Comfrey, Daffodil, and other things menti∣oned for healing of Wounds: as Frankincense, Mastick, or other Gums.

When we will bind more, and there is no hope o∣therwaies, by reason of the Continuance of the Disease, we must foment the part with a Spunge dip'd in red Vine∣gar, Lye, Salt or Allum-water.

Or apply a Clout dipt in water of Nuts, or of Pine-ap∣ples.

You must sprinkle pouders after you have anointed the parts with Mucilage of Comfrey, or the Infusion of Gum Traganth, or Glew that is made of boyled Bran, which must have no Roughness, least they lying under the womb hurt it after it is put up, and they must be more glutinous then Astringent, as this. Take of Frankincense or Mastick one dram and an half, of Sarcocol steep'd in Milk one dram, Gum Arabick, Juyce of Sloes, each half a dram; pouder them.

You may use this pouder with the Mucilages aforesaid, or of Quince seeds, or with Oyl of St. Johns-wort, or the like, that consolidate or glew things divided, mentioned in Wounds.

These following are put in, and injected into the womb, which hinder Falling of it out, by astringing, and drying and straitning the passages.

As Pessaries long and thick, so fastned that they may be worn when they walk.

They are made of the Oyntment mentioned, with pitch, into a hard plaster, in such a form as may fil the womb, with other Gums dissolved in Vinegar, as Galbanum, Bdellium, Sarcocol; also Opopanax half an ounce. To which they add stinking things to make the womb fly up, as Assa foe∣tida, which is not necessary, because it will distaste the wo∣man, and discover her Disease by i••s Scent.

Those Emplasters which cure the Rimme of the Belly by increasing flesh, as we shewed, may do well here in this so∣lution of the Continuity of the small Fibres or Veins.

You may make other Pessaries of pouders in the afore∣said Oyntments, if they be first mixed with the white of an Egg, the Infusion of Gum Traganth or Mucilage of Com∣frey or of Quinces, and put into a bag.

And if these Pessaries be troublesom, you may make o∣thers as big as your finger for the night only, of the same things.

Or you may wet wool in Vinegar, and the white of an Egg, and sprinkle the pouders thereon, and put it in.

Another Pessary prescribed for the Whites, begins thus. Take Galls or Acorn-cupps, &c. is good here.

Some commend an Eg that a Hen hath sitten upon some daies, beaten and put up with wool.

There is a way among women to keep the womb from falling out, by carrying a round Ball therein, which must be so big that it fills the Privities, and not be put in by great force. It must be smooth, slippery and light, that it may not hurt the tender parts with its roughness or weight; and hard, that it may better hold up the womb, and dry, that it may take in no Moisture, least it fall out again. It is made thus of Cork, or Beets, by glewing two pieces toge∣ther, if one be not big enough, brought into a ball, or a bottom of thread, and let it lye in melted wax, till it be co∣vered over therewith. Which she must thrust up with a string fastned thereto to take it out; and let her wear it day and night, and not take it out but when she is to use a Man. This though it be a little troublesom, yet it is better then to have the womb fall out.

This trick have I shewed to many women in a miserable Condition, which hath cured them, among whom one which a long time before had not known her Husband, conceived with the ball in her womb, which she voided when she was delivered of a Boy, with her Secundine or af∣ter-birth.

You may use Injections with a Syringe for the same, made of the Decoction mentioned for a Fomentation, and this is best.

There is a strong Injection made of few things. Take Galls three ounces, Moss two ounces, Comfrey roots one ounce, Vine ashes two drams: boyl them in Forge-water, and the third part of red Wine, for an Injection.

There are also Fumes for the same, made of the same Decoction, for a Fomentation hot, which is very piercing and good.

As those of Comfrey roots, Snakeweed, Cabbage stalks, Box topps.

The Fumes of Frankincense, Mastick, Amber, Labda∣num, Bitumen, Pitch, Colophony, with stinking things, are stronger, as Galbanum, Castor, and that abhominably stinking Divels Dung, with other astringent Pouders, or they may be made into Troches with Rosin.

Orpiment is very drying, but in regard the sm••ak there∣of is hurtful, you may better use Varnish.

That Fume which is prescribed for the Whites that be∣gins thus. Take Mastick two drams, Frankincense &c. is good here.

Experience teacheth, that the Smoak of dryed Cow dung is very good.

And the Hoof of a Mule burnt doth the same miracles, with the Smoak in this case.

Many things mentioned to stop the Terms outwardly or inwardly, are good here to astring; but it is better to forbear, them least they stop the Courses, except the time be past.

They suppose that the womb follows sweet things, and flies from stinkes, and therefore they apply the sweets to the Nose, and the stinkes to the Privities.

Somthing vomiting will fetch it up, but it is too forci∣ble, and so is neesing, and rather presseth down the En∣trals.

The womb is kept up by lying down, and while the wo∣man is so, it remains in its place.

Also Conception keeps the womb from falling out, and while she is with Child it cannot fall down, because it grows larger with the Child, and cannot fall out till after Child-birth, it grows little again.

The Fundament by straining, and the straight Gut may be turned out, and som∣times it will return again with ease, but if this be at every stool, and the Patient weak and the Muscles relaxed, it is hard to be cured, and not at all, if it be torn from the Membranes, to which it was fastned. For the Cure first begins at the Cause, and then look at the Disease which is the falling out of the Part.

To avoid the Cause, if straining at stool, be it, keep the Body loose with Clysters, and Medicines and good Diet. If it come from hard travail, or from cutting of the Stone it will be gone when they are over. Then you must have a care to put up the part, and keep it in by divers means.

The Fundament is put up, by the Hand of the Patient, or of the Surgeon, pressing with his fingers, or with a clout for that purpose. And if it be swollen or inflamed, which hindereth its going up, you must first cure them. As we shewed in the Falling out of the womb, when it is swollen.

We keep in the Fundament that it fall not out again by divers Remedies, either such as astringe and stop the Pas∣sages, or that unite the separated parts, or by things which amend the temper of the Fundament when it is too cold or weak, or loose and relaxed, by which means it cannot keep up. And this is done by things given inward, or applied outward to the Fundament or injected into it.

If it come from Solution of Continuity, you may give somthings prescribed in the Falling out of the womb to consolidate or heal, but abstain from strong Astringents, least you make the Belly more hard, and cause greater straining, which will force it forth. But if the Fundament come forth by loosness through the Falling down of an hu∣mor, you must use things that purge and alter which are mentioned in the Palsie.

The same things that are prescribed by way of Fomen∣tation and Pouders, for the falling out of the womb, may be used for the falling out of Fundament and straight Gut, and they will do the same by holding up and fixing the Part.

You may also use other pouders, such as were used to the womb in form of a Pessary, as a Suppository, here a∣nointing before; As we shewed, least they should by their sharpness get forth again.

Or this pouder. Take Galls two drams, Pomegranate-flowers one dram and an half, Mastick, Frankincense, each one dram; Amber, Sanguis Draconis, each half a dram; burnt Harts horn, and Antimony, each one dram: make a fine pouder.

You may add Bitumen, Pitch, and Cockle shells, salt∣fish, Dogs dung, and Hogs brisles, and the like burnt.

Or take some of the pouders, mentioned in the Oynt∣ment for the Falling down of the womb, or anoint the sun∣dament when it is forth, with that Oyntment.

Fume or Smoak is best, because the thick and moist things will not be so well retained, as that prescribed for the Falling out of the womb, especially that of the Deco∣ction of Mullein, with Vinegar, or that of Vinegar from a hot piece of a Mil-stone.

Also the Fume of Gums and Rosins, there mentioned, leaving out the stinking Gums, as Devils dung, and Ca∣stor, adding Bdellium, Juyce of Sloes, and other Astrin∣gents, and Spices, and Galangal, Cypress, Cloves, Mace, Nutmeg, Roses, and Flowers of Mullein.

You must foment the part and the Loyns, with astrin∣gent and healing Decoctions, if the Connexion be divi∣ded, and if there be weakness or coldness in the Muscles, with things that cherish the Natural heat, and strengthen the Nerves.

These are made of the Decoction of astringent Plants, and such as heal, mentioned in the Falling out of the womb, boyled as there, with warm things, and proper for the Nerves, as Groundpine, Sage, Primrose, Wormwood, Horehound, Bettony, Penny-royal, Chamomil, Rosema∣ry, and Lavender flowers.

Spaw-waters mentioned for the falling out of the womb, are here good also.

When the Fundament comes forth in Children from Cold, it is good to set them upon a piece of green warm Oak, which is astringent and good for men also.

The Oyntments and Plaisters there also mentioned, are good here for the Loyns and Fundament, to which if the Nerves and Muscles be weak, you may add hot Oyls, as of Pepper-wort, Bayes, Spike, Foxes, Castor; also pouder of Pepper-wort, Galangal, Cypress, and other spi∣ces, and among other Plaisters, Oxycroceum and Cero∣neum.

You may also make Cataplasmes of the remainder of the Decoction mentioned, or thus. Take Rupture-wort, dry Moss, each half an ounce; Galls one ounce, Orobus, and Lupines, or red Pease poudered two ounces, Roots of Sowbread half an ounce, Groundpine two drams, Dung of a Goat, Pid∣geons, or Swallow, or Lizards one ounce, with Oyl of Myrtles, or Juyce of other proper Herbs, make a Pultis.

Dioscorides saith that the Cramp-fish applied is good.

You may also apply Baggs, as in the falling out of the womb, or other hard Pillows to press the Fundament up, when they are sitten upon or tyed hard thereto.

The hanging out of the Tongue is commonly from some deadly wound, and if it be cured, it is by preventing worse accidents.

If the Codd be cut, and the Stones hang out, it is easily cured, by putting them up, and keeping them so, without sowing or stitching.

The Eye falls not out but by some vio∣lence used to it or the Head, and because death commonly follows, we meddle not with it; and if the Party liveth, it cannot be rightly resto∣red without wrinkling and blindness, by the Astringents that are to be applied, to fasten the Eye in its place.

Notes

• The comming forth of Parts.
• The comming forth of the Womb.
• The falling down of the Womb.
• The Falling out of the Fun∣dament.
• The Looseness of the Fundament.
• The Falling out of the Stones.
• The Falling out of the Eye.
• The comming forth of the Tongue.
• The Cause of the rupture of the guts called Enterocele, and of the Cawle called Epiplocele.
• The breaking of the Rimme is the Cause of the Rup∣ture in the Groins of Women.
• The Cause of Navel-rupture.
• The Dilatation of the Rimme is the Cause of ruptures.
• The cause of Na∣vel-rupture is the enlarging of the Rim of the Belly, there.
• The cause of the falling out of the Womb, is the dis∣solving of the connexion of the Neck thereof.
• The forcible unty∣ing of the Neck of the Womb, is the cause of the wombs Falling down.
• The cause of the falling out of the Fundament is straining.
• The Loosness of the Muscles of the fun∣dament is the cause why it cannot be drawn in.
• The Loosness of the muscles is the cause why the fundament cannot be drawn back.
• The Connexlon or Fasting of the Eye being loosned by a Contusion is the cause of its coming forth.
• The loosning of the Connexion of the tongue from a con∣tusion, is the cause of its coming forth.
• The cutting of the Cod causeth the fal∣ling out of the stones
• The Cure of the Falling out of the Guts & Cawle in Ruptures.
• The Cure of the Falling out of the Womb.
• The Cure of the falling out of the fundament.
• The Cure of the hanging out of the Tongue.
• The Cure of the hanging out of Stones.
• The Cure of the Eye thrust out.